Chanel Illusion d'Ombre (#82 Emerveille) vs. Giorgio Armani Eyes to kill (#8 Champagne)

Since I adore cream eyeshadows, I decided to do a small comparison between two of my favorite ones. It's between:
- Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in #82 Emerveille (28€/$36.00 for 4g/0.14 oz.) and
- Giorgio Armani's Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow in #8 Champagne (30€/33$ for 4g/0.14 oz.).
They are both a bit pricey, but worth every penny.

a) Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Emerveille:

This is a potted cream-gel eyeshadow that comes with a small capped angled brush. It's in a peachy, luminous shimmering color that looks very flattering on skin. The texture is very boucy with a squishy texture. It's very smooth and glides on skin like heaven. The best application for a natural look is by fingers but if you want a more intense application, use the brush that comes with it. It's super easy to use and looks amazing on all skin-tones. The lasting power is amazing, it lasted on me for the whole day of shopping which is impressive. It didn't smudge.

b) Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill in Champagne:

This is also an eyeshadow, but the texture is extremely different. It's a hybrid between powder and cream. It's not that moisturizing as the Chanel one, but it will last longer. The color is so intense! And the best quality is the multi-dimensional effect of every color. It creates a metallic, almost wet look that will blow your mind. With just one application! Incredible! It doesn't crease, flake or slide off your eyelids for a very long time. Definitely for a whole day. I like to apply it with my fingers. It blends nicely and it has a velvety finish.

Color of these eyeshadows are quite different. The Chanel one is very peachy, with slight pearly shimmer. It's lovely. The Giorgio Armani eyeshadow is more of a cool toned pink with blue undertones. It has a metallic finish that leans more silver. The GA is more intense, but they are both beautiful.

COMPARISON:
The main difference between this two products is in texture. They are both smooth and super easy to apply. The Chanel one is lighter, softer, while the GA one creates a metallic shimmering effect (Note that I reviewed the least intense shade from the whole Chanel Illusion d'Ombre range, so there are more metallic colors than Emerveille). Chanel eyeshadow is a bit more creamy and moisturizing. It's definitely more natural, while the GA creates lots of drama. The prices are quite similar. I like them both, but for different purposes. The can't actually compare. If you like intense, pigmented color go for GA, but if you prefer soft, shimmering flash of color on your eyelids, the choice would be Chanel.

YSL Golden gloss (#30 Golden Satin)

This lip gloss was one of my first high end beauty purchases back when I started wearing makeup. It is a total splurge. It's called shimmering  and golden lip gloss with a reason. In other words, this lip gloss contains shimmer (golden) and is extremely glossy. It also has a mirror-effect and some gold mother-of-pearl in it. Mine is in number 30, called Golden Satin.

You will have to pay around 25€/34$ for a small tube (6ml) of this luxury in a tube.
The most interesting fact is that it contains 0.2% of 24-carat gold. Can you imagine?!
It also has a lots of hydrating oils that will nourish your lips, like nigelle and cameline oils. They will make your lips very soft and comfortable. 

The packaging is as usual YSL products, golden and amazing. It looks elegant and has that "Worth it's wight in gold" look. I also love the famous Yves Saint Laurent scent. It smells like mango! Very sweet and delicious.

Here is a swatch of product in action. It has a wet, mirror-like effect and you can definitely see golden flecks in it. It's very shimmering and quite sheer. Mine is in #30, called Golden Satin. It's described as peachy color with gold in it. It reminds me of Nars Orgasm blush a bit. Perfect for a sunkissed look.
I think it's perfect for summer, especially in sunny days. I just love the peachy tone and the whole gloss.

Here is a picture of gloss in direct sunlight. It's when the gloss looks incredible. That golden sheen!

The texture is a bit tacky, but this only takes care of longevity of this lip gloss. That way it lasts longer and stays put on your lips.
I also love that after the shiny lip gloss disappears, you're left with a coat of slight peachy color and golden shimmer. It looks very beautiful (like a shimmer stain?)

The application is quite easy. You get a standard brush applicator that is perfect for this kind of gloss.


CONCLUSION:
This lip gloss is pure luxury. It looks amazing, especially in summer time. When sun hits your lips, they look glowy and plumper and just beautiful. It is expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Yves Saint Laurent Pure Chromatics Eyeshadow Palette City Drive Classy

I have a new favorite everyday palette. It's from fall Yves Saint Laurent collection and it's amazing. It costs 51€/55$ and you get 0.1oz/3g of product. 
The palette is the same size as the normal YSL quads (Pure Chromatics), the only difference is AMAZING design. Contemporary graffiti in golden and black are SO YSL and 80's style (to me) . It's ultra chic and the compact is very sleek, great for any kind of traveling.
Palette also includes large mirror and 2 double-ended sponge tip applicators.  

 
Creative director of YSL, Lloyd Simmonds presented this palette as un uptown-styled palette that represents elegant shades of marble, steel architecture and concrete. He felt in love with big, modern cities and Fall collection is all about them. It was inspired by modern woman who channels from classy uptown to bold downtown styles. 

This palette has some incredible, neutral colors that will warm up cold months of Fall and Winter and make us feel special. You can achieve chic, very classic look. You also don't have to use all colors at once. It's created to offer you options. It's made to play with. 
The palette includes 4 colors, from satin champagne to shimmering steel grey. 
I love the fact that you can use it dry for a subtle finish or wet to create some intensity and drama.  When used wet they seem almost creamy.

1.) This is a deep, rich dark brown with some subtle shimmer. It's quite warm and I use it as an eyeliner on my upper lash line. 
2.) Satin champagne color is perfect for highlighting your eyes or for a wash of color all over your eyelids. 
3.) I use this warm, medium coppery brown color either for all over my eyelid or just as an eyeliner on my lower lash line. It has warm shimmer to it. The color almost looks like a light chocolate. 
4.) The last eyeshadow is the one that made people insecure. I read lots of reviews, where people said it didn't fit in palette. But after I read something more about collection and Lloyds reasons I agree with him, it fits perfectly. It's great for adding some shimmer to your eyes, or just a hint of sparkle. This color is very special, I love how shimmering this steel grey eyeshadow is.  


COMPARISONS:

I decided to compare this palette to others I have. I found some good comparisons. But the champagne satin color and the steel gray one weren't similar to any shadows. They are new to shades of my collection. 

1.) Comparisons with the dark brown color:
I compared it with Too Faced shade called "Erotica". Erotica is darker and a completely matte color, while the YSL one has some subtle shimmer. Than I saw Urban Decay's "Busted" which seemed similar. It is, but is way more pigmented and has more red undertone. 

2.) The most similar color from my collection is the one from Dior's trio in "Smoky Nude". The shade I compared it to was the matte chocolate brown. They look incredibly similar. 

3.) Now for the satin, champagne color I couldn't find any dupes. I tried to compare it with Urban Decay's "Bootycall" and an eyeshadow from Too Faced, called "Silk Teddy". But they are both more pink and way more shimmering. The YSL one is deeper and has a satin finish. 

4.) The last color was the shimmering gray one. There was no comparable colors at all. I just swatched Urban Decay's "Pistol" to show blue undertone and amount of shimmer in YSL shade. I love this color, it's so modern and edgy. I'll use it a lot in winter. 


CONCLUSION:
I must say I'm very pleased with this palette. The colors don't look like much, but if you take some time and figure it how to use them, you'll fall in love with them. I think I'll be able to create loads of interesting, beautiful looks with it. It's also suitable for all skin tones. It has some warm colors and also some cool ones. But nothing extraordinary. They are pretty neutral. And very flattering on skin.  
I think they are one of those "comfortable" colors. Very contemporary and urban.

Bourjois Poudre de RIZ de Java

This is a brand new product from french brand that has been one of the most successful ones lately. They released some incredible products that are in trend and the quality of them is amazing.
If you didn't know before, this brand has incredible history.

"In 1863, Bourjois was born on the great boulevards of Paris in the theatre district, at a time when France was the world's second leading economic power. The actor Joseph-Albert Ponsin was the company's first creator; he prepared makeup and perfumes for actors and actresses in the comfort of his own home. In 1868, Ponsin entrusted his entire activity to Alexandre-Napoléon Bourjois. The company blossomed in the hands of Monsieur Bourjois, who made it internationally known."
(source: Bourjois official website)

HISTORY OF JAVA POWDER:
It was launched in 1879, and they immediately sold two million boxes of this rice powder to women who loved it. They created first product that highlighted skin and added subtle glow. The texture was silky and this was a product that made Bourjois popular worldwide. It was also first best-seller in history of makeup.

This year was their 150yrs anniversary. And in honer of their history Bourjois re-released Java powder. They also re-formulated formula a bit, just to keep in time.The packaging is quite similar, just made out of plastic instead of carton. It's so beautiful. It reminds me of typical Ladurée packaging. Just very parisian and chic.

Powder is slightly pink and is extremely fine. It's a shimmering powder that will brighten your skin and give you an illusion of youth. It can be used as a highlighter or even as a finishing powder. But if you're planning on using it all over your face, be careful. You can get very shimmering face. I use it to highlight my cheekbones and sometimes I use it on my nose, cupid bow or all over my cheeks. You can just play with it and see what suits you the most. It's a versatile product.

It also has a vintage smell to it. To me it's typical rosy smell with powdery touch to it. I imagine woman 100yrs ago smelled like this. But it's not overpowering. It will make you smile.
You will have to pay around 11€/£9.99 to get around 5g of this amazing product.


CONCLUSION:

This is one of the most original and amazing products beauty world released lately. It adds "healthy-glow" to your face and creates flush of shimmer to your skin. It smells nice, and the whole product just screams history and antique beauty. Definitely a collective product. 

Current/FALL skincare

My previous post was about my old/SUMMER skincare. If you read it than you know I was using some amazing products, but I also had some horrible skincare items that I disliked. Now this post is kind of improved version of my skincare. The weather is also more cold and some products are more moisturizing than my summer ones. And I have to say that I'm truly happy with current routine.

1. Garnier FRUIT ENERGY peeling-gel

I use this gel as a makeup remover. I like that it's also a scrub so it truly cleanses my face. It smells amazing, like fresh oranges and grapefruit. I also love that it's quite gentle and my skin feels very clean after using it. It's also very affordable and you can get it in any drugstore. I love it and I think I've repurchased it for around 5 times so far. I highly recommend this product.

2. Bioderma Sensibio H2O - Micelle Solution

This is one of the most popular makeup removers in the beauty world. It's simply great. It doesn't smell, it's very gentle and the most importantly it cleanses all your makeup, even some waterproof mascaras. It's not super cheap, but it's also not that expensive. It's somewhere in between. And here in Europe you can get it in any pharmacy or drugstore. I use it after my Garnier peeling-gel to remove absolutely all makeup from my face. And this is supposed to act as a gentle toner to. It will maintain skin's natural balance. It's soap-free, it doesn't clog my pores and it doesn't dry my skin. So it's perfect for colder months, when you need all moisture than you can get.

3. Biosource Instant Hydration Toning Lotion by Biotherm

 

I use this toner after cleansing my face to refresh my skin and return lost Ph to my skin. It also removes all truly deep dirt from my skin. I think cleaning your skin is the most important step. And toning helps with that. It also removes any blemishes from my skin and it's nicer in general. It also makes it softer. I think it costs around 23€ for 200ml. I have the Normal skin version, but there is also a dry and oily skin versions of this toning lotion.  

4. Sephora Instant Moisturizer   

The first time I tried this moisturizer was as sample they gave me at Sephora. I tried it at home and I instantly loved it. Now I've been using it for more than 2 months and I still like it. It's very light-weight cream with nice texture. It never broke me out and it takes care of my dryness. It also absorbs to your skin very quickly and I like to gently massage it into my skin. It's suitable for all skin types because it's not to moisturizing, but just between. It doesn't contain any parabens, but it has such a horrible scent. This is the only thing I don't like about this moisturizer. It smells like powdery-roses, just so strong. But it the scent disappears in 10 minutes.

You can get it in Sephora for around 20€ (for 50ml), but I think in USA it costs only 18$, so it's not that expensive. 

I like this moisturizer, but it's not perfect.

5. Nivea  Raspberry Rosé Kiss Lip Butter

This is a lovely lip balm. It applies nicely and it feels lovely on your lips. It's not too thick, but it still moisturizes your lips. I love the packaging, it's just cute and practical. I use it every night before I go to sleep and in the morning after my skincare routine. The scent is nice, it does smell like raspberries. One not so great fact, this does contain Mineral oils. But it's very affordable. I think it's just a normal lip balm, nothing special, but okay. 

CONCLUSION:

As you've seen, my current skincare routine isn't my holy grail one yet. I found some amazing products that I WILL repurchase, but in some departments I'll keep on searching for better options. And remember to take care of your skin regulary.