Soleil Tan De Chanel (Bronze Universal)

One of my purchases this summer was the commonly talked about, Soleil Tan De Chanel (aka Bronze Universal). I'm naturally tan and when I'm out in the sun tanning isn't an impossible goal for me. I did want a bronzer because even though I'm tan, I always have a pale a finish to my makeup or even without it on. I bought this because I had heard good reviews on it and I've always had a good experience with Chanel. There are friends who have had allergic reactions to high-end brand names, so just because its Chanel does it mean its for you. It just depends on the formula and the ingredients that they use. Anyway, that's besides the point. This bronzer is really nice and creamy. The name says "universal" because it is meant to be for all skin colors. I think its hard to show on darker skin colors and you might have to apply more. I'm in the mid-toned color spectrum so this shows up nicely, but I also have to put maybe a little more than someone who is more on the ivory side. If you are a little wary or on the fence about bronzers you can always ask for a sample or for the lady at the counter to try it on you. 

I really like this product because it really gives you a controllable advantage than what I've seen with powders. It shows up great and has a really nice texture. The packaging isn't the most extravagant. The lady at the counter told me it was good for a lot of uses. She told me you could use it as a concealer and a self temporary tanner (I'm assuming for the night because there is no way that this would last through a shower). I can tell you that it might work as a concealer but only for the right skin colors. I tried this and I looked dumb. It wasn't flattering or anything, it was just OMG! I wouldn't go out like this. I did try it on my shoulders where I had a bit of a tan line and it was really pretty. I'm assuming you can also use it to accentuate your breast, if you are into that, but I'm going to be honest here and say that I didn't try it. The kind of brush that you want to use for this is a synthetic brush. You can use something either fluffy that will give you a more free hand, or something small that will give you more of a precise and shaper look. 

I really like this product. Its smooth and creamy. It looks nice on the skin. It isn't super orange or brown. Its hard to explain but its really pretty. Also if you pair this with a nice peachy or pinky toned blush, you look like you just came from the beach. Actually it gives you that somewhat sunburnt, but in a good way, look. I don't know how to explain it, so that's the best I could do. 

One downer for this product is that it can get a lot of little lint particles in it. I'm not particularly concerned that I'll break out from lint, but it doesn't give it the best or cleanest look when you open it up. Another downer it's pricey, so I would say it's more of a treat or a collectors item than it is a necessity. You can definitely get away with not buying it, but if you just want it and you have the budget then you can certainly splurge on this. 

Makeup Favorites

Hello there! So I've had a few posts that I've been wanting to add on but school has kept me busy, as well as having two jobs. I really do want to post more and hopefully I will as soon as I stop being busy with life. I am also almost done putting together my room and have been living in a cluttered environment, which is another reason why I can't think when trying to write. Anyway, getting on with this post. Here are a few of my favorite makeup products. 

As I've posted before, I adore Chanel foundation. It is by far my favorite foundation that I've had because its so natural looking and fresh. If you are looking for a full cover makeup I wouldn't recommend the Vitalumiere Aqua but I would recommend the Perfection Lumiere. Vitalumiere is more for the summer as I tend to get oily on my T zone and the Perfection Lumiere is for more Winter and Spring time. Perfection Lumiere is also long lasting, even without a primer which I have to admit I'm not very good at keeping up with wearing one. As for a non foundation product, I recently decided to try the NARS tinted moisturizer and I have to say I'm quite pleased with this product. It looks completely natural and even though it does a little dewiness its perfect for those days that you just don't want to put on foundation. I feel like it lets your skin breath as well as come through brilliantly. 

Moving on to eye products of all sorts and kinds. The prep and prime from MAC is a favorite but I tend to have a hate love relationship. The consistency and quality is great on this but I just wish it came in a different container. Its not a big deal but sometimes I have a bit of trouble getting some product out. Its perfect to brighten up any dark or pigmented areas which can range from under the eyes to around your mouth or just about anywhere. The Marc Jacobs concealer/primer doesn't have fantastic coverage but it does lighten up the darkness under the eyes. I completely forgot to add a picture of my all time favorite concealer but you can read all about it on one of my other post where I've written all about it. The container isn't the best at all because its a clicker pen, so sometimes you will get enough product out and sometimes you won't. I feel like that person in class clicking away as if I'm making time go faster with this product. I like the actual product and it goes well when I don't want to get completely done up but it certainly doesn't appeal to me when I have to click away to get enough out. I might have gotten a faulty pen but the price is also another downer, so its definitely a splurge. The Stay Don't Stray from Benefit is by far the best eye primer that I've ever tried. It holds my makeup in place for ages! Even when I have oily eyelids for days do I end up with a great hold on my eye makeup. I don't use eye makeup all the time but it holds my eyeliner all day, as well as my concealer. Another Benefit treasure is the They're Real mascara. This baby makes my eyelashes look natural but also adds to them. When I use it, it makes me feel like I do have eyelashes because they get lost with my eyeliner. I have sensitive eyes so this one definitely did the trick for me. Two of my most favorite eye shadows for the fall are All that Glitters and Samoa Silk from MAC. 

I don't like packing on different colors on my eyelids because I prefer to have a more natural look. Samoa Silk is matte so I use All that Glitters to add a little something to it. I also like using just any brown shadow on my crease to give it a slight smokey effect. You could definitely pack it on after for a night time event or just to go out with friends. 

And Benefit strikes again! I am not obsessed with their brand but they do have amazing products that just seem to work well on my face. The Pore Fessional is probably the funnest thing to touch. Maybe its just me but it is so soft and silky to the touch and it practically feels like a baby's bum. I haven't touched a baby's bum in my life that I can recall but that is how I figure it feels. It leaves your makeup looking really nice and soft and perfect. I love it! I have yet to take pictures with it on so we will have to see if it holds up to photography standards of being pore less. Oh this is the part I'm most excited about, the blushes you see up there are by far the best purchases I've made in my life when it comes to blushes. I've always been a fan of MAC blushes but these are just my favorite. Melba, Gingerly, and Warm Soul (in order from left to right and bottom) are the best. Melba and Gingerly are very similar but with Melba being more of a pinkish tone and Gingerly being more peachy. I think Gingerly is great for the summer and it gives you a tan flushed look. Melba would be the perfect blush for winter for someone with my skin tone. I get slightly lighter in the winter but not to the point where bright pink looks great on me. Warm Soul, oh how I love thee. It looks as shimmery as a glittered covered ornament in Christmas but once you put it on it isn't. It gives great color and can be used to contour but gives you a bit of flush. Its so natural looking and its very build-able. Last but not least the Make up Forever lipstick sample I got from Sephora has got to be my new favorite lipstick brand. I don't wear lipstick all that often because I can't seem to find my favorite shades but this one is my favorite and once I'm done with my sample I'm purchasing it. I didn't take a picture of the lipstick it self but it is gorgeous. It has a flushed pink brownish tint. Their lipsticks are also not drying and seem to actually be moisturizing. 

So there you go! my makeup favorites for Autumn/Winter. 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

I sat here contemplating whether to watch the second episode of The Originals or to write this long over due blog post; I decided to multitask. I think one of the biggest challenges, when it comes to makeup, is finding the perfect foundation. I've gone on my own little journey and have found one of my favorite foundations, EVER! It is the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. I think my favorite part of this foundation is that it is so light that you can barely feel its there. Another thing about this foundation is that it is water based. My skin is combination to oily skin, where I tend to be more oily around my T-zone than anywhere else on my face. It is not a full coverage foundation so if you are looking for something with more coverage, this is not for you. Even though it doesn't offer full coverage, this is my favorite foundation for the Summer. It doesn't add any sort of "glow" to my face because when you live in Texas you don't want more glow than what your face already produces, unless you have completely perfect skin. Although I wouldn't call it glow, but a glistening kind of sweat all over your body.

This foundation makes it feel as if you have no makeup on because it is water based. It doesn't make you feel gross or sticky on a hot day. This doesn't mean that in the winter you have to buy a new foundation that won't make your dry skin, if you have any, look any drier. Since the foundation is water based this mean it has no oil, which if you have combination/oily skin it is awesome on you. I don't get as many breakouts as I get with other foundations. I don't know about you but for me its a plus. I've heard that for people with dry skin it tends to "attach" itself to dry patches. The only solution I can think of is exfoliate really well and wear a really good moisturizer. When you first buy this foundation you have to make sure to shake it to mix the product with the water. I usually use a pea size and its enough for my face. Depending on how much you want to put on, its your choice. I personally think that a pea size is enough to cover small imperfections and you can always just go over them with concealer if you like to cover them up completely.

The price is surely to be consider a splurge because its not cheap. I bought my foundation on the Macy's Chanel counter and it was $45 + tax. The lady was very helpful and friendly and offered to match me to the right shade. If you aren't so sure about purchasing the foundation then and there. I suggest you ask for a sample. They give you a really cute bottle that has a spatula attached to the cap to get the contents out. The bottle lasted me about two weeks or a little bit more which I think is enough time to decide whether you like the foundation or not. Once I was sure I liked it, I went back and purchased it. If you are worried they won't have your shade you can always stop by and look at their 10 shades. Another reason why I love this foundation is that it smells pleasant. Its not an over powering scent but its really light. If you do buy this foundation, I suggest you use your fingers to apply it because it goes on so smoothly. If you must use a brush then you can but I would spread the foundation out first and then use the brush to blend it out.

Now its time for bed! xx

P.S. I really recommend the series "The Originals"!!