Marc Jacobs nail polish ( #110 GATSBY)

This summer was released one of the most expected collections, Marc Jacobs one. It was launched at Sephora stores in August 9, 2013. You can find it exclusively at Sephora and Marc Jacobs stores. The first collection from amazing designer created lots of buzz in the beauty world. It offers more than 100 products.

There are also nail polishes, named Enamored Hi-Shine Lacquers that retails for $18. Product contains 13 ml/0.43 fl oz. Line has 24 shades that are all in style of Marc Jacobs, some of than represent iconic Marc Jacobs products (like Daisy nail varnish that has the same name as the cult perfume from MJ, same as Lola.)
One of the shades called Jezebel was also on nails of models at Jacobs' Fall 2013 runway show.

Product is a unique, rounded glass bottle that has a  black laquered cap. It has a modern, almost futuristic feel.

I chose one nail varnish to start with, and I decided to get #110 Gatsby. This is a metallic champagne light pink. The metallic finish is AMAZING, I've never seen anything so shiny in my life. The color has a light mauvey tint in some lighting. And you know how some "metallic" colors are in normal lighting just normal, sometimes even boring colors and turn metallic only in direct sunlight...well, Gatsby isn't like that. This will has a metallic finish in every possible corner, even in dark.
It's also very pigmented, but just a bit difficult to apply. Because the formula is very rich and can aplly wih a streaky result. So be sure to apply 2 coats and it will be perfect. 

(Sorry for my weird nails)

 I checked my nail varnish collection and found only one nail varnish that is slightly comparable. It's from Essie and it's called "Buy Me A Cameo". But actually is less pigmented and it turns more coopery. The metallic shine is also more subtle.

The new Marc Jacobs Beauty cosmetic line includes the Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Lacquer ($18 USD / $22 CAD), available in twenty-four beautiful shades. Marc Jacobs Beauty is available exclusively at Sephora and Marc Jacobs stores and is inspired by the spirit of youth, confidence and experimentation.
These nail polishes come in sleek, rounded bottles with a black laquered cap and traditional brush applicator. They are really beautiful to look at- they almost have a ‘futuristic’ appeal to them which I really like. The shade range is huge and includes a variety of textures too!
- See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/marc-jacobs-beauty-enamored-hi-shine-lacquers-review-photos-swatches/#sthash.zS7iKLR3.dpu

I also compared it to Quartz from Chanel just to show that Gatsby isn't a taupy, greyish color as the Quartz is. It's pure champagne metallic.


But because I wasn't completely happy with comparisons I went to beauty store and they just got two new collections for this fall, Dior and Chanel ones. So I found two nail varnishes, "Rose Moire" from Chanel and "Destin" from Dior that looked similar.
But when swatched I changed my mind.

"Rose Moire" was the most similar one, just more pinky and less metallic. It's a subtle version of Gatsby. So if you think Gatsby is to shimmering or you don't like such a strong metallic finish go for the Chanel one.
And the Dior nail varnish wasn't so similar. It's more mauvey, violet version of it. "Destin" is more comparable to "Quartz", but more grey-mauve version of it and shimmers aren't that strong. They are very classy. It's a completely unique color.


Conclusion:


I think Gatsby is very unique champagne metallic color that can't compare to my other pinky metallics. But if you have something similar don't necessarily buy it. The texture is lovely, very thick and rich. Of course the application won't be perfect, but that's because it's a metallic nail varnish. The packaging is lovely, so chic and modern. The brush is also good, just a typical nail varnish one.
This doesn't have any strong smells and I like it a lot.
So if you like the color give it a go.

The new Marc Jacobs Beauty cosmetic line includes the Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Lacquer ($18 USD / $22 CAD), available in twenty-four beautiful shades. Marc Jacobs Beauty is available exclusively at Sephora and Marc Jacobs stores and is inspired by the spirit of youth, confidence and experimentation.
These nail polishes come in sleek, rounded bottles with a black laquered cap and traditional brush applicator. They are really beautiful to look at- they almost have a ‘futuristic’ appeal to them which I really like. The shade range is huge and includes a variety of textures too!
- See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/marc-jacobs-beauty-enamored-hi-shine-lacquers-review-photos-swatches/#sthash.zS7iKLR3.dpuf

The new Marc Jacobs Beauty cosmetic line includes the Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Lacquer ($18 USD / $22 CAD), available in twenty-four beautiful shades. Marc Jacobs Beauty is available exclusively at Sephora and Marc Jacobs stores and is inspired by the spirit of youth, confidence and experimentation.
These nail polishes come in sleek, rounded bottles with a black laquered cap and traditional brush applicator. They are really beautiful to look at- they almost have a ‘futuristic’ appeal to them which I really like. The shade range is huge and includes a variety of textures too!
- See more at: http://www.beautezine.com/marc-jacobs-beauty-enamored-hi-shine-lacquers-review-photos-swatches/#sthash.zS7iKLR3.dpuf

A highlighter lecture

If you asked me few years ago, when I wasn't using makeup, what was a highlighter, I'd probably say a pen in vivid, translucent color. But luckily I've improved my makeup knowledge since and nowadays I'm a faithful user of highlighter. I'm actually in love with it.
It's the easiest way to illuminate your face and create a youthful, dewy complexion. 

I. Where to apply it?

I usually apply it to my cheek bones, my chin, to the bridge of my nose and and sometimes a little bit on forehead. I also put some in inner corners of my eyes and under my eyebrow arch. This is super for brightening your eyes. You can also put some above your upper lip on your cupid's bow.  If you apply it properly and not to much you'll just brighten your face and make it prettier. It can create dimension and adds natural glow to your makeup.
You can learn to make certain features of your face stand out. That way you sculpt your face and balance the proportions.

II. Choose the right color


I prefer shimmering, champagne highlighter, but there are lots of options. Either go with white, a matte highlighter or warm your complexion with golden shimmering highlighter all over your face. It's important to know your face, your skin tone and choose the correct color. If you have pale skin pink, light tones will be perfect. But with sallow skin, I wouldn't go with pinks.
Also have light hand when applying, because no one wants to look overdone and too shinny or even glittery.
The key is blending!


III. Types of highlighters

Today we know lots of types of highlighters. From shimmering, powdery ones to liquid, metallic products.
The concealer highlighters are super easy to apply and they blend well. So you get quite natural glow that is usually not overpowering. They also brighten your face and can be used to cover imperfections or dark undereye circles.  But most people prefer shimmering powdery highlighters. Mainly because they look gorgeous, the colors are very shinny and beautiful and you can also use it to set your makeup.
There are also liquid ones, and to be honest they are hardest to apply. You really have to blend quickly in order to achieve natural makeup.


IV. My highlighters

And now here are some of my highlighters. I've collected them through this year and slowly I'm getting to know different types of highlighters and different styles of application.
I have a small selection, from some liquid ones to more creamy textures. I also use concealer highlighters, but I forgot to put them in picture (Sorry). I definitely prefer powder ones. Maybe I'll change my mind with some time. 

My highlighters

Here are the swatches

So here is a list of them:

1. The Balm: "Mary-Lou Manizer" (17€/24$ for 3oz/ 8.5g)

Mary-Lou Manizer is a champagne highlighter that has some warm, honey undertones. It's very pigmented and the application is beautiful. It also has tones of subtle, golden shimmers that diffuses light. The result is softer and younger skin with pretty glow. I use it on my cheek bones and in other "high" places on my face. 
Currently it's my favourite highlighter.

2. Poudre Signee de Chanel, Illuminating Powder (55€/ $68.00 for 0.28oz./ 8g)

This highlighter is from the Chanel Spring 2013 ” Printemps Precieux de Chanel ” Collection. Simply, it's a beautiful illuminating powder that is quite sheer. But it still reflects light and creates most amazing glow on your face. It's perfect spring highlighter, because it's not to strong, but still great. It recreates first sunshines in spring, that are soft and delicate. Also the powder was embossed with Chanel's signature emblems, like camellia blossom, lipsticks, lipgloss and famous perfume bottles. It was so gorgeous that I didn't use it for one month, but then I did and I'm not sorry. The highlighter is great and I love it.

3.Benefit "Girl meets pearl" (32€ /30$ for 12.0 mL / 0.4 US fl oz.)

This is a liquid luminizer in soft, golden-pink pearly tones. It has light-reflecting pigments that create delicate dewy glow. It smells AMAZING like chamomile. It also has some soothing properties because it has chamomile, raspberry and almond extraits. 
It's quite subtle and it creates nice, soft glow.
I like it, but I'm still trying to figure it the best way to apply it (...currently it's with my fingers).
I also love pearly finish.

4. Benefit "High Beam" (28€ /26$ for 13ml/ 0.45 US fl oz)

This is a lovely pink liquid highlighter. It's very shimmering and gorgeous. If you use it properly and blend it well you get a dewy, radiant glow that is just perfect. The trick with liquid highlighters is that you can mix them with your foundation for more dewy look. Or in my case to lighten my foundation, because I'm super pale and I can't find the perfect shade.

5. YSL Dare to Glow (#3 Naughty Pink) ( 30€ /28$ for 15mL/ 0,5 fl.oz.) 

This is a shimmering pink liquid highlighter. Compared to the High Beam the texture of this one is more creamy and it dries super fast. The colors are quite similar, maybe YSL is more pigmented, but when blended this one goes quite sheer. When you squeeze some from tube it's incredibly pigmented, but when you apply it to the skin and blend it, it just transforms to something soft, very transparent.
It has many functions, you can use it as a highlighter, or as eyeshadow primer. The website says you can use it even on your lips.
But to be honest, this is my least favourite of the bunch. I've tried to apply it with my finger, with a brush, I even mixed it with my foundation and it always looks patch and uneven. I'll try to find a way because the color is amazing, but so far the texture is horrible. But I love the packaging, I mean this looks like a perfect product, hopefully the problem is in my application.

You can see comparison of High Beam and YSL. The YSL one is sooo beautiful and sparkling.

This was my selection for this post, but I forgot to include some other highlighters and concealers that are pretty great. I also use (daily) L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Makeup Base to lighten my foundation. Because normal foundations are to dark for me I have to use something to sheer them. And it's okay, it also adds some sheen to my face. As a under eye concealer I use L'Oreal's Magic Lumi concealer. In the beginning I hated it, but I've learned how to use it properly and since I've been loving it.


Conclusion: 
My favourite highlighter is from The Balm, and it's their Mary-Lou Manizer. I also like all the other highlighters I currently own (except the YSL one, but this one apparently need some extra care and special application I haven't found yet). You can achieve perfect glowy complexion with any of this, but make sure to know your face and skin tone in order to pick the best one for you.
And I'm also not done yet with the whole highlighter story. I will keep on researching and finding my next big love. So far it's the Mary-Lou Manizer and I can say it's definitely a HG material.

Dior 1 couleur eye gloss (#560, Tan)

Last year Dior released their first liquid eyeshadow as a part of their Dior Croisette Summer 2012 Collection. They were a limited edition. 
And this summer (one year later) I picked one of them. I picked #560, named Tan. Tan is a very shimmering bronze that has tones of gold toned flecks in it. Sometimes you can even see some multi-coloured sparkles.This eyeshadow looks the best in warm, sunny day. Sunlight just makes it pop and it looks divine. Summer is perfect time for wearing this baby.

Swatches

This eye gloss is not actually that liquidy. The texture is more like a gel and the consistency is very light.It's also not sticky. It has a cooling effect that is a must have in summer products lately. This is also one of those products that are super easy and quick to apply. It's very easy to apply and it doesn't dry immediately, so you have enough time to spread it over your eye lid.
When it dries you get a shimmery effect with a bit of bronze color. It compliments your summer tan and adds just enough glam.

Here are some comparisons: 

1. Urban Decay "Chopper" is more bronze, a bit more orange. And it isn't that shimmery, it's more shiny finish.
2.Maybelline Color Tatto "On and On Bronze" is a bit darker and more cool toned (even grayish). Shimmers are more silvery than the golden flecks of Tan. But both blended out are quite similar (sorry for no picture).
3.Urban Decay "Suspect" is lighter, less worm. Shimmers are more subtle.
4. L'Oreal infalible eyeshadow "Sahara Treasure" is more cool toned golden than Tan, which is more warm and a bit bronze. It's also more sparkling, but blended out it would be more similar to Tan.
5. Urban Decay "Half Baked" is more coppery and warmer. It's not that shimmery.
5.Mix of darker shades from Dior 3 couleurs smokey palette (#571 Nude) is lighter (between the normal, heavy swatch and blended one). It's more bronze and has the same amount of "warm/cool tones". It has less shimmers and it's more subtle.

I have oily skin and on my eye lids, it lasts whole day. You can use it as an eye primer and other eyeshadow won't crease. It comes with a doe foot applicator that is supper easy for application. The packaging is cute and the product is quite small.

This little tube of gorgeous creamy eyeshadow will cost you around 27€, but keep in mind that it was released as a limited product last summer, so your chances of finding it are very low. But check out those that came in with this summer collection. They are #530 Gold Sand, #740 Zenith (http://www.escentual.com/blog/2013/05/22/dior-bird-of-paradise-summer-look-2013/), #370 Outremer and #450 Bamboo (http://joeychong.com/2013/08/15/items-from-dior-summer-2013/). But because summer is almost over hurry up, they are also limited pieces. 

Overall I give this product an A+
It's not only a great, easy to use product, but the colour is very unique. I have tones of similar bronze/taupe colours and I couldn't find one that could compare. When the sun hits your eyelids, it looks just divine. The bottle is also very practical, great for travelling. I f you can still find it, you won't regret buying it.

Comparison: Urban Decay All Nighter Vs. Clarins Fix' Makeup

Since the beggining of the summer, I've dealing with summer heat. Not only it's not very pleasant, but it's also bad for my makeup. So, I've been searching for miracle products that will fix my makeup and help to stay fresh and fab whole day. And on my list there was also: SETTING SPRAY.
And after loads of researching I decided to purchase one, Clarins Fix' Makeup. Mainly because it had great reviews online and it was available where I live. After several uses I just wasn't that impressed with it. So later on I went abroad and saw Urban Decay's All Nighter that's been raved about in beauty community. And I bought it.
So this is my review of both makeup fixing sprays and a comparison.

1. CLARINS Fix' Makeup (28€ for 30ml)

What is it? It's suposed to be a refreshing mist that sets make-up and prolongs its hold, while providing a feeling of instant freshness and well-being. Also provides continuous hydration and comfort.(As the Clarins website says).

The packaging is really lux with it's frosted glass, but it's quite heavy. So even though the size is perfect for travelling, the heavy glass bottle makes it not so useful. And for only 30ml (1oz.) it's way to expensive. I used it for two months (plus) in a hot, but no very humid summer weather and it didn't do much for me. When I sprayed it, it did noticeably fix my makeup, like I would spray a thin layer of sticky glue over my face, but in some time (1hour) I noticed that my makeup "cracked". My makeup looked more cakey. And it didn't make my makeup last longer. Maybe it would be better for normal/oily skin, but if you have dry skin it would just make it more drier. And also if you have extremely oily skin this probably won't work that well.
It also has quite strong powdery, rosy smell.

2.URBAN DECAY All Nighter (25€ for 118ml)


This setting spay was developed in an exclusive partership with SKINDINÄVIA, that is famous for setting sprays. The spray is made for all skin types, so it's not that oil controling, but also won't dry your skin. It does set your makeup and makes it stay longer. If you have to much powder on your face it will take care of it and made your face makeup look nicer. The mist is super light, it doesn't have an strong smells. It's also not sticky.

The packaging is lovely and for the price, you get reasonable amount of product.

Conclusion:

I think both setting sprays are good, but I definitely prefer UD All nighter. It controls my oils better, it's very light and it fixes my makeup. It doesn't cake up my face and the price is good. There is also enough product and packaging is nice, also good for travelling (especially the travelling, small size). I don't recommend the Clarins' one. Just because it's WAY to expensive, it's not travelling friendly and it does almost nothing for my makeup. It even makes my foundation more cakey and cracky. I also don't like the smell, it's too strong.

So, pass the Clarins' one and go run and get the UD All Nighter, it's just great.