Burberry Holiday 2013: Trench Kiss Lip Mist

I confess that I couldn't resist the limited edition gold packaging from the Burberry Holiday collection.

The collection consists of four items with only the gold nail polish being new. Trench Kiss #216 lip mist (£22.50) is a lot paler than I was expecting. Its a flat beige, with a slight warm tone and applies like a wash of pale foundation on the lips.

I find the lip mist formula balmy in texture with good hydration/moisturising abilities, however trench kiss shows up lip lines and any dryness.


I knew this would be a difficult shade for me to wear but I wasn't quite expecting it to be so unforgiving. I think the sheerness of this is its saving grace, so as long as I prep my lips well and put on one swipe then layer with a gloss I do get a ultra nude lip that works.
Swatched below with four swipes,

However I'm one for thinking a product shouldn't require effort to make it work so ultimately this is a miss for me. Nevertheless, I don't want to convey negativity on the actual colour of this, as this really is a true beige, which I know a lot of people seek. I guess I am so use to seeing nude shades with hints of other colours like pink or peach, so when faced with the reality of what a true beige nude is, I was taken aback.
Ingredients:

I bought this from http://uk.burberry.com  I should mention they have a lot of products that are not in stock from other online sites and the delivery was really quick (within 24 hours) and the products packaged really well.

By Terry Holiday 2013: Ombre Blackstar in Ombre Mercure

The golden silver/pewter shade of the #15 Ombre Mercure (£27.50) from this years Holiday collection, immediately called to me.


I am a big fan of the Ombre Blackstar's, however Mercure has left me somewhat underwhelmed. It does have the same creamy texture, non drying feel and high pigment I'd expect from this formula, however there is something about the application and wear of this which is different. Its, dare I say, a bit patchy and blending it to an even finish is not so achievable. Nor does it have the normal long lasting finish of my other Ombre Blackstar's (even with a base I get creasing after a few hours as shown below).

The colour however is undeniably beautiful, the golden silver/pewter tones can take on a more taupe or even green hue depending on the lighting and the finish is shimmered boarding on metallic.

Swatched below and then blended in

Its always a bit odd when you buy a formula you have always rated to find it not performing as you'd expect, I guess all I can say is proceed with caution if you are eyeing this up.

I bought this from http://uk.spacenk.com

The New Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupte

Yves Saint Laurent has recently bought out its new gloss formula, Gloss Volupte (the SA I spoke to said the Golden Gloss formula is being phased out).

What makes the gloss stand out is its applicator, which is designed to look like a kiss-shape. The applicator does give a very good coverage and allows for precise application, though I am not sure I would describe it as revolutionary.


Available in 23 shades, I bought No.4 Fuchsia Vermeil (£21). Its a very cool toned pink with a scattering of golden glitter (which feels smooth).

It has a shiny, glossy finish and a lightweight, hydrating texture. However, even though its billed as non sticky, I don't find that the case, its not over the top but there is some stickiness/tackiness to it. It has an average wear and this particular shade does leave behind a stain.
Ingredients below, this contains fragrance,

I think this is a much improved formula compared to the Golden Gloss, which I found sometimes gritty  in texture and with a heavy feel. Had this truly been non sticky, I would be picking up a few more of these as there are some really lovely shades in the collection.

I bought this from John Lewis

Yves Saint Laurent Flower Crush Spring 2014 Collection: Rouge Volupte No.32 Jealous Coral

I was surprised to see the spring 2014 collection from YSL out so early along with the new lip gloss formula Gloss Volupte (which I'll review in the next few weeks). The Flower Crush collection is very much about pinks and peachy/corals without the normal prevalent theme of sheer pastels that seem to be out in abundance with spring ranges.
A note about the star of the collection, the Rosy Blush palette (which is a lovely peachy pink) as it does have very visible silver glitter/sparkle when swatched so worth noting if you order that sight unseen.


Of the four Rouge Volupte's I went for the least bright colour, No.32 Jealous Coral (£24.50). Its a juicy, pink with a touch of coral. It has a brightness about it but works to enliven the complexion rather than looking misplaced.
The lipstick feel quite moist/hydrating and has a very high level of slip (which makes me wonder how intense/dark shades would apply). Wear time is quite short, though it does leave a bit of a stain.
Though it feels moisturising I find this shade highlights any dryness, so lips have to be prepared well prior to wear.

Ingredients below, this has the same strong fragrance that a lot of their lip products now have (fruity in a synthetic way).


If fragrance isn't an issue for you and you are willing to take that bit more effort to get your lips prepared, this is a gorgeous spring/summer shade.

I bought this from John Lewis.

Dior Golden Winter: Rosewood 3 Couleurs Glow

Part of this years Golden Winter collection, I wondered if the new eyeshadow 3 Couleurs Glow, #951 - Rosewood Glow (£35) was not available in all countries as I have seen very little mention of it.
For some reason the three counters near me still only have the quints, lipsticks and nail polishes from the collection, so I bought this unseen.


The trio contains a satin finish mauve taupe, a silver glitter overlay with an extremely sheer wishy washy silver base and deep black liner. The black and taupe have wonderful pigment, whereas the glitter really could have done with the pigment that it looked like it possessed in the pan. 

The shades are all smooth (though not creamy) and blend extremely well (even the black). When I initially got this I wasn't pleased with the end result as I found the mauve tones of the satin shade made me look very tired when using it as the main lid shade.
However I find it works best with the glitter on the lid and the taupe in the crease and then the black to line.

Though this looks better in real life than my eye picture details, its not a show stopper, but if you like a subdued, slightly smoky taupe look with refined glitter this is probably worth a look.

I bought this from http://www.johnlewis.com/

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YSL Pure Chromatics Quad No 13

Sometimes, very occasionally, I'll break from my neutral, every day shades and go for something  a bit more colourful and shimmery and so we have the impulse buy of Pure Chromatics Quad No 13 (£39). I believe this came out with this years Saharienne Heat Summer collection.

The palette consists of a shimmery warm pink, frosty off white, satin vibrant purple and satin finish cool toned charcoal/grey plum.

All shades feel quite smooth and are easy to work with. Used dry and the colour is a tad lacking but using them damp builds up the intensity and shimmered look.

Swatched below dry and then damp,

 

Overall I think its a good quality formula in terms of wear and blending and I like the finished result, though I do find it a bit too much for an everyday look.

 

I bought this from John Lewis.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Blush in Habanera

Habanera is a medium warm rose terracotta. Its suggested as a shade for any medium complexion, which I am certainty not, but to have a RBR blush makes you desire more and running out of colour options to buy, I decided on Habanera (£23.23).
 
 
The shade does contain brown tones and initially I thought it would be more of a bronzer but compared to a standard bronzer (shown below with RBR Bronzing Glow Powder At Goldcombe Bay on the right) you can see that the rosy tones allow this to be used as a blush.
   
It has a satin finish with a soft glow, there is some fine gold shimmer but it's not visible once applied.
Swatched below twice and then blended out,

Swatched below with my other RBR blushers L-R:Orpheline, Habanera, Starina, Gracili and Delicata.
 
The RBR blushers have a faultless texture; smooth, creamy with a lightweight feel, which blend beautifully on the skin and have a good wear time.
My only ask if that they release more shades in the relatively small line up.


I bought this from rougebunnyrouge.com

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noir Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shine

Amongst the abundance of fragrance gift sets that are piled up on the store shelves (a sure sign that Christmas is soon approaching) something immediately caught my eye, at first I wondered if I was mistaken, so use was I to only ever seeing fragrance sets with an accompanying body lotions/shower gel, but what a sight to behold, a full sized makeup item paired with the fragrance, this was genius!

The Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shine in 463 La Petite Robe Noire is an interesting shade, its a sheer lilac/mauve pink with golden shimmer and a high shine/gloss finish.

 
I really like the lightweight consistency and non sticky/tacky texture of the formula, added to which it also feels comfortable and hydrating.

I probably should mention the fragrance as well, I have to say I was not a fan of the La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Parfum which I found heavy, almost masculine with a smoky edge, The Eau de Toilette smells completely different to me. It is of course lighter as you would expect and still has the cherry note but its more of a sweet fruity-floral tone, I find it very similar to Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf.

Now of course you don't have to buy a £53 fragrance set as the gloss is in the regular line up, but certainly if you were after a new fragrance, this lovely gloss is a great incentive to go and give La Petite Robe Noire a sniff.

I bought these from John Lewis.

Nuit Infinie De Chanel Holiday: Accent Joues Contraste Powder Blush & Fatal Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Eyeshadow

The Chanel Accent Joues Contraste Powder Blush (£31) looks more of a rosy brown with noticeable silver sparkle as opposed to its "luminous pink beige" description.


Swatching this on myself and the SA who was darker with a warmer tone, the shade was quite different. On the SA it went on a mauve rose brown whereas on me it goes on more of a rust/sienna colour. Applying too much it can look a bit dirty and can make me skin look ruddy, though I do like the warmth and somewhat contoured look it creates, its quite an unusual colour in some respects.
Swatched below twice and them blended in,

The texture feels smooth albeit slightly powdery and dry. It has very good pigmentation and a long lasting wear. I wouldn't say this applies effortlessly and do have to make sure I blend/buff the edges in well.
Ingredients:

 Chanel Fatal (£23) Illusion d’Ombre is a plummy burgundy with a silver shimmer, though applied I find this has a cranberry edge.


Its very pigmented and has a metallic finish, not an every day shade for me. The texture is creamy and soft, and it applies smooth and lasts the day with no creasing as long as I use an eye primer.


This is one of those time where though I really like the colours, they are not particularity flattering on me, Accent I think would suit those with a darker skintone and less cool in tone than myself and Fatal gives me that tired look.

All in all I have not done too well with this years Chanel holiday collection, the majority seem to love it but the collection certainly isn't ticking the boxes for me.

I bought these from Boots.

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