Chanel Polish: Rouge Allure Gloss Collection

Was shown these swatch sticks over the weekend, but even the SA had no idea which collection it will be from.

They haven't had their training done so she wasn't able to share any details, only that this collection will be launched after the Fall Collection États Poétiques. These Chanel nail polishes kinda remind me of previous ones- Cinema, Accessoire and a basic Beige-y tone.

635 Expression

639 Exception  

633 Intention   

They don't look unique from the swatches, might just pass on the whole collection. Anyone has any ideas which collection they may fall under?

edit: These polishes fall under the Rouge Allure Gloss Collection and will be launched in October. Thank you, Sara for tracking down the info!

Chanel "Art of Layering" Event

Chanel is currently having a special launch event on at KLCC Centre Court until 6th May.

Their setups always amaze me, no exaggeration here. Even if you aren't interested in their fragrance or skincare I would recommend just taking a stroll around their beautiful event area. No pictures as I was too engrossed with talking to their fragrance specialist and had to rush off somewhere else after that.

RSVPed for the event and asked my sister along for an afternoon of discovery and pampering. I found the session very interesting as we were led through the history of Coco Mademoiselle by Jean Loy, Chanel Fragrance Specialist who came in specially from Singapore. 

I picked up the limited edition Gentle Body Exfoliant, which has the same scent as the Coco Mademoiselle perfume which I already use. What I like about this scrub is that the exfoliating bits are made of clear jojoba jelly-ish beads (they resemble little bubbles in the jar) which do not dissolve and isn't harsh on the skin.

Image source: Beautezine

My sister and I were lucky to have Jean introduce and explain the different perfumes in the Les Exclusifs range personally. She did urge us to take the Personalised Perfume Journey but unfortunately we were pressed for time. Besides perfume talk, we also chatted about macarons, travels and how much we enjoyed the other's home country fare. 

Jean is based in Chanel (beauty) Marina Bay Sands, and I will definitely be taking up her offer for the olfactive tour when I visit Singapore again (I was just there recently). Thank you, Jean for the informative session and additional gifts for us!

Each attendee also left with a appreciation gift; some travel sizes of the Re-Energizing range, a Les Beiges BB Cream as well as a perfume vial. There were also guys in suits hired to take pictures with the ladies (in line with the fragrance launch video).

Thank you Chanel for the opportunity to learn more about the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance and the story behind it.

This special launch event will be on until the 6th of May, do drop by the check out the setup and learn more about their offerings. 

Travels: Melbourne, Sept 2013

Melbourne, a city which will always hold a special place in my heart.

A friend asked why I would revisit Melbourne over and over again, why not spend the money and time exploring another country? There is only so much I can see and do this lifetime, and I am contented revisiting this beautiful place which I once called home. 

I understand the whole idea of a holiday is to travel to places unseen, discover and revel in all that it has to offer, but sometimes I just want to get away and enjoy the familiar things I have come to love. It's like when people who live in the city travel back to their hometowns for some relaxation; a little extravagant but Melbourne is that special happy place for me.

I am forever thankful that my parents gave me the best they could, and gave me their support when I decided to spend those years abroad. The essential years I spent growing up between 18 - 23, discovering who I am and moulding myself were all spent in Melbourne. So many memories I hold dear, places which have stories to tell, experiences which can never be bought.. perhaps it is nostalgia which keeps me going back.. but as long as I have the time and finances for my yearly trips, and as long as it still makes me happy, I will go.

Months overdue, but here are some snippets of what I did my last visit...

I always miss the convenience of trams and trains..

Shopping for a friend..

Nails: Easy Daisy Manicure

Stayed home last Sunday and decided to try out this easy DIY daisy manicure I read on Nouvelle Daily..

Image: Nouvelle Daily

It was really simple, I did not have a dotting tool to create the petals so I just used a bobby pin and the following polishes:

A short history on the polishes above... 

Eastern Light was a limited edition last year but will be repromoted in the upcoming Summer 2014 makeup line

Flamme Rose is a very old, discontinued colour which I found whilst inspecting drawers at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport's dutyfree counter

Mimosa was a colour I dismissed in May 2011 (this was the year I started getting serious about Chanel polishes) and then regretted and recently bought new on eBay for double the price

Gold Fingers I bought over the phone without even swatching, it was created for the reopening of the Chanel boutique in Las Vegas in 2012

I have no complains about Chanel polishes, even the older formula is a dream to work with. There is only one in my collection which reviewers have mentioned is streaky and should be applied thinly, and that is Mimosa. I haven't tested a full manicure on it so I can't say but as dots it dried without issues.

I did as instructed, one coat of sheer polish; Flamme Rose, and dotted with Eastern Light..

I then dotted the middle with a yellow polish; Mimosa, and after it dried I topped it with Gold Fingers for some sparkle.

After the dots dried, I sealed it with Seche Vite top coat. Super easy! It didn't take too long to do this and I even did the same set for my sister (below).



I really like this and would definitely try it again with different colours. I'm off to Google for more of these easy DIY nail designs!

Nails: CHANEL Orange Fizz #307 & Frenzy #559

Loving this combo!

Excuse the dry cuticles, I haven't been moisturizing my hands regularly.

This year Im hoping to paint my nails at least once every week or every fortnight.

Skincare: Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme Moisturizer

I bought this about a year ago, but because I was following a first-in, first-out system; this moisturizer had to wait its turn before I could break it out.

It is meant to give hydration and radiance, both of which my skin definitely needs. Initially I was concerned about the floral scent, but was later informed by the Beauty Advisor that it was natural and derived from the Camellia flower. The CC cream also has the same scent, which I quite like.

I've only used it for a few days, but so far no irritation or anything. The gel-cream applies easily and absorbs quickly too. I mix it with a few drop of the Clarins Lotus Face Oil in the morning and I haven't had any problems with it.

It would be too soon to report any changes in my skin, but I will probably reassess in about a month. I am also using this in conjunction with the Le Jour, La Nuit and Le Weekend trio, hopefully I'll have even better results!

Empties: September 2013 (Part 1- Mini CHANELs)

As a Chanel beauty addict, I often receive samples with my purchases. In general, I haven't had much luck with their skincare, which is a good thing- I am already a regular with their makeup launches, and I don't think my bank account would appreciate the extra spending.

This month I got through quite a few Chanel samples, the only ones which I found didn't irritate my skin were the Cleansing Water (Eau Douceur) and the Hydra Beauty Lotion (a toner) which is alcohol-free. I wouldn't repurchase either one as I've used better formulas for the purpose but if you are interested in Chanel skincare, I'd recommend them.

I am still on the fence with the CC cream, I found it to be a bit drying and the coverage isn't what I am used to (currently loving the Clarins BB Cream!!) BUT when I wore it, my mother commented that my skin looked really good on that particular morning. Plus coupled with my new Shiseido Perfect Foundation brush*, it does make my face look rather polished. So... maybe I will look into this again when my skin doesn't need as much coverage.

*Side note: The Shiseido brush works better with thinner-textured liquid foundations, when I tried it with a creamier formula, it didn't blend as well.

The Vitalumiere range has a liquid and a compact foundation- LOVE the compact but can't say the same for this. That said, my friend who uses this looks like she has FLAWLESS skin every time I see her. She only needs minimal coverage for redness around the nose, broken capillaries and has combination skin. Chanel does some pretty good makeup bases and foundations, I would definitely recommend them as well.

Total mini Chanel empties; 10- which brings my current total to 200.

I still have a few more skincare and many more makeup samples to go through; and this is not including the retail-sized products-

For Chanel beauty items, I am currently using the Sheer Illuminating Base which is pretty good, as well as the Les Beiges powder and most of my blushers are Chanels which are beautiful. With skincare, I still have the Le Jour, La Nuit, Le Weekend trio to open up as well as a Hydra Beauty Gel-Creme Moisturizer.

Is there a Chanel skincare/beauty product which you love? Please do recommend!

Nails: CHANEL Holiday #617

It has been a while since I've painted my nails and I opted for a bright pop of colour.

Very appropriately named "Holiday".

Matching my meds, nails and post-it..

Under sunlight

As usual, Etude House base coat, 2 coats of polish and Etude House Jelly top coat. I have run out of Seche Vite and am contemplating trying another brand as the formula always turns gloopy and thick halfway through the bottle.

The colour of the polish is most accurate in the first and last picture.

I really should get back into the habit of painting my nails!

CHANEL Preview: Le Jour, La Nuit & Le Weekend

This is possibly the first time I am posting about a product/launch the same day I attended the event.  I was rather surprised that these products would make its way to Malaysia so soon, when it had only launched in the States a few weeks back. 

As I previously wrote, I was particularly interested in this range as it can be incorporated into any existing regime and the ingredients used sounded okay for my sensitive-acne prone skin. This concept of regenerating the skin is a first for Chanel and in my opinion many other brands as well, and should definitely be embraced given our increasingly hectic lifestyles which in the long run would put a strain on our own skin/body's capability to regenerate itself.

"Where beauty begins..."

Venue was classy and well set-up with attention to detail, as at all Chanel events

No surprises that I came home with all 3 products as I felt they addressed most of my current skin's needs. While I've tried Chanel skincare on and off, I have actually never invested in a full range nor used them all at the same time. This is a first for me with Chanel (not considering their makeup launches).

All 3 products have a different and beautiful scent derived from flowers. When I read that Le Jour (50ml, MYR250) had Jasmine in it, I cringed a little as most perfumes or lotions with this flower in it didn't sit well with me. I sniffed it expecting to find the same explosive Jasmine but to my surprise it was more of a dried, subdued, Jasmine instead which was nice. Sorta like how roses and dried-roses have a same yet different fragrance to it. It pumps out clear and a little thick but when applied has a very light texture and absorbs well. Le Jour can be used under any serum as it works by reactivating the skin and helps boost the following products used. I currently already use 2 different serums in the morning and was informed it is completely okay to use Le Jour underneath them. 

La Nuit (50ml, MYR250) has soothing Frankincense fragrance, very much like those used when meditating but lighter and is a perfect scent for unwinding at the end of the day. The creamy texture is heavier than Le Jour but totally necessary in my opinion as night products should always be more nourishing. It helps regenerate the skin and is meant to be used as a last step of your nightcare, after serum and moisturizer.

Out of the 3, Le Weekend (50ml, MYR313) sounds the most promising and it also reminded me of the Alpha-H Liquid Gold which I have just started to use. The texture is velvety and has a light rose scent (again, not the usual Rose found in most skincare/fragrances) and works during the weekends to renew skin with the 6% glycolic acid content. There is no need to use a serum or moisturizer with this treatment- just apply it after your toner and top it with SPF, once a week, day and night. 

If I had to pick one, it would probably be Le Weekend but I find that my skin would benefit from Le Jour and La Nuit as well. Considering that I don't have to spend much for skincare these days (due to work and gifts), this is actually a good investment and can be used with my current products. The price may sound a little steep but considering that it comes in a 50ml bottle and you don't need much, it should last about 3 months (I go through a 30ml bottle of serum in 2 months when used once a day, everyday).

Am waiting to clear off a few more products on my vanity before breaking open these lovelies, will update again in a few months!

For all Malaysians, these products will be available early August onwards at all Chanel counters.

*On a side note, there will also be limited pieces of the coveted black Chanel eyelash curler for sale. I managed to pick up a few boxes years back, and I stocked up a few today too. They make great gifts. The curve fits my eyelids better than Shu Uemura's legendary curler and MAC's, check it out as they sell out in a blink!

CHANEL Resynchronizing Skincare

"Reset time for beautiful skin.

In an ideal world, your skin’s functions would perform in perfect balance. However, daily life, lack of sleep, travel and hectic schedules disrupt skin’s natural rhythms, causing signs of dullness, fatigue and stress to appear. The complexion can appear tired, with an uneven texture.

To restore the complexion to its optimal state, Chanel created three skincare products, customized to your weekly needs. Together, the products help to resynchronize skin’s natural rhythms throughout the day, the night and the weekend for a perfectly balanced complexion - even-textured, smooth, supple and beautiful."

The latest offering from Chanel skincare; which can be used in conjunction with your current regime- Le Jour, La Nuit and Le Weekend.

I have gone through the ingredient list and they seem promising, and safe enough for me to actually consider getting all of them (without testing it out). Le Weekend sounds very much like Alpha-H's Liquid Gold which I have recently started to use and I am very keen to see how this compares.

Will definitely be checking this out when it hits the counters.

Image source

Check out Weekend Rambling's Blog for more pictures/a review.

Nails: CHANEL Rose Cache #521

CHANEL Rose Cache, purchased circa end 2011, but only painted on for the first time last weekend.

I need to rotate my polishes more often!

This is a semi-opaque colour, I used 2 coats but my tips were still showing- less obvious in person.

An easy colour for when I can't decide what to have on my nails.

I used CHANEL Protective Base, 2 coats of Rose Cache and no top coat.

Nails: CHANEL Eastern Light & RIMMEL French Rose

My first attempt at a French manicure.. much easier than I expected!

Etude House base, 1 coat of RIMMEL French Rose #445.

CHANEL Eastern Light on my tips, topped with a coat of Seche Vite.

Clean and prim! ♥

CHANEL Beauty Updates

A few upcoming items from CHANEL:

Polishes from their Summer 2013 Makeup collection-

Source: Chiara

Definitely picking up Azure and possibly Bel-Argus. Not too keen on the rest of the collection, though they do have something new- some crayon shadows. You can read more here.


CHANEL Avant Première de Chanel Makeup collection-

Image: Beautezine

A small collection consisting of a few Rouge Cocos, Coco Shines and polishes.

Image: Beautezine

LOVE! Can I have them all please??


CHANEL capsule collection for Hong Kong-

Source: Armocromia

Created especially for the opening of a new fashion boutique in Hong Kong, this reminds me of the Ombres Matelassees, 51 Montaigne made for Paris last year. Swatches of Western Light here. Not too keen on this collection either.


CHANEL Les Beiges collection, Healthy Glow Sheer Powder (want!!!)-

Image via Beautezine

A new compact powder from CHANEL? Need. to. get. my. grubby. hands. on. one!

No mentions of the CC cream anywhere because I personally think its mediocre. Been using a sample of the CLARINS BB cream lately and it is amazing, can't wait for it to launch!

Nails: CHANEL Frisson #543

A soft, sheer, princessy pink with micro glitters.

Etude house base, 3 thin coats of polish & Seche Vite top coat.

♥

Nails: CHANEL Morning Rose #557

My nails today, CHANEL Morning Rose- a soft rose pink with micro-glitter.

Its been on since Saturday night; Etude House base, 2 coats of polish and no top coat.

I will attempt to polish my nails more often this year!

CHANEL Spring 2013 Printemps Precieux Makeup Collection

Printemps Precieux de Chanel for Spring 2013 

Nothing is calling my name really, the highlighting powder above is beauuuutiful and I would love to add it to my dresser but it's more of a want than a need. It is so pretty to look at!

Have decided I am only going home with the polishes- currently leaning towards Emprise and Fracas (limited edition), however if Accessoire turns out to be the perfect ox-blood creme I would pick it up too.

Real pictures from TheBeautyLookBook as well as comparisons to other CHANEL polishes.


P/S: 2013 happens in less than 2 weeks!!!