In love with Chanel Amour (swatches and review)

Released just in time for Valentine's Day is Chanel's newest collection of pinks called "LES ROSES ULTIMES DE CHANEL." Out of the 6 new glossimers and 4 nail colors I decided on the one featured on the model. Amour #166. The Frisson nail polish also looks pretty but I'm waiting to see some swatches of that first. It reminds me of Zoya Erika which I have already.

According to the website she's wearing Amour glossimer and Pink Sugar lip pencil together.

Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Amour. My camera picked up the same pink as the promo shots so I would say it's accurate but what you can't see well is the subtle shimmer which reflects fuchsia under my fluorescent lights. I'd call this gloss a rich coral pink with iridescent shimmers.

Formula: Thick and smooth but never sticky.

Take a look at this swatch! Where it is misleading is how it shows up on the lips. It swatches thick but sheers out quickly once on pigmented lips. It's not too sheer that it does nothing for me though. It brightens up my lip color with a nice pink glow. I'd say if you have REALLY red lips this wouldn't show up at all.

If you were expecting the color in the ad you will need a lip pencil underneath. They've tricked us with a little bit of photoshop magic!

It does in fact go really well with my pink heart macarons I made this week! :)

Two pumps and a dress

I definitely did not plan to buy dressy clothes this week but when a great sale comes around- I just can't pass it up!

First are the much raved about Perfect Pumps from Ann Taylor in Patent Dark Navy. The retail for $155 and I bought them for $35.93 online. They are surprisingly comfy and true to size! And that's coming from the girl who hurts in almost every shoe. I'm a big fan of the round toe shape and it's all around classy and beautifully made. 3.25" heel. Will a Perfect Pump ever get this low again? I don't know, but I hope so! I would buy another!

I popped by Banana Republic actually hoping I wouldn't find anything. Ah, and of course I would! There weren't many clothes left but there were many shoe styles and sizes to choose from. Something I didn't expect! Most of the shoes were marked down to $30-$40 PLUS an additional 25% off. I ended up buying these Mad Men Izzy Pumps in Dark Platino for around $24. Dark Platino looks more gunmetal in person. They are hidden platform 4" heels. It's my first hidden platform shoes and so far I can tell it's just comfy enough. I will say they run a little narrow so I wasn't sure if I should get a half size up, but I ultimately decided against it and stuck to my normal size. Now that I think about it, I've wanted Banana Republic shoes since high school! I'm so glad I found these!

Sweet Azaleas

Oh garden part of this blog- I have not forgotten you!

Since Asian New Year is in a few days the Asian markets and floral shops are FILLED with beautiful new plants. Last year I missed out on buying an Azalea plant. Bby the time I was ready to buy it all the blooms had died, and I thought I could wait it out another year for a "fresh" pick.

Well dang it the shop owner raised the price to $55 from $25 this year! Of course I was outraged but I still bought it anyway like an obsessed idiot. It is possible last year's plant was smaller. (what I tell myself for comfort) I googled around and the going rate for this is around $100 now so maybe it's not so bad? I really wanted it to be a twisted topiary and it is! The dark pink petals actually sparkle in the light like a shimmery nail polish/ lipstick would. It's so pretty! If I could afford more than one I would also pick the white and pink mix above but I'm happy with just the photo for now. :)

End of last year Freebies

I found this post in my draft box that I compiled back in November of some samples and freebies that came my way. I think I thought of making it a monthly series like "what's in my mailbox" but then I changed my mind. If you have any questions about these products let me know in the comments below.

Target Beauty Bag - a cute pouch with mostly shampoo samples

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer- with my dry skin this season I'm really liking this primer! The texture is really unique.
from the Klout.com Perks program. Klout Perks are exclusive products or experiences that you earn based on your influence. It changes weekly.

I received a card in the mail from Sephora JCP to try out BareMinerals. Which I do not like so I gave it to my sister.

BCBGMaxAzria EDP - from the Dillard's Beauty Event. So far I'm liking this scent!
Clinique  Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser & High Impact Mascara - from the Dillard's Beauty Event
Green & Black's Organic Chocolate - from the Sephora VIB event

And a free panty from Victoria's Secret. I occasionally get cards for these that require no purchase. Why? I don't know, but it's awesome!

Paris Amour Body Lotion - If you know me than you know I hate Bath & Body Works. Very rarely do I find a scent that I actually like there. In comes Paris Amour. It's actually light and non-offensive so that's a winner in my book. This lotion will probably last me a few years. I kid not.

The rest below came free with purchases.

Sephora Fabric Tote from the Sephora VIB Party. It's plain enough that you can embellish it to make it your own.

Perfume Sampler from a Nordstrom.com purchase.

Perfume Samples from a Sephora.com purchase.

Anyhow I just wanted to release this post from the draft box as way to get back in the blogging mood. I have lots of photos I've been taking but not yet uploaded. I hope to soon!

Sephora's TEN $10 Black Friday Deals - Amazing!

I've put together a list of Sephora's Ten $10 Deals for Black Friday. It's valid on November 25 ONLINE and IN-STORE for one day only! Some of the deals steals below are very tempting!!

Is anyone tackling the crowds this Friday in search of a good deal? I think I got most of what I wanted even before Black Friday, but I will still be poking around stores for the fun of it!

 
Tarte MultiplEYE Primer and Lights, Camera, Lashes Duo - $10 (value $30)


Stila Glitz and Glam Palette & Lip Glaze - $10 (value $76 LOL!)


Bare Minerals All Decked Out Set - $10 (value $44)


Sephora Beauty To Go Brush Set - $10 (regularly $15)


Tokidoki Cromatico Eye Shadow Palette - $10 (regularly $19)


Korres Guava All Butter Moisture Therapy Duo - $10 (value $22)


Kat Von D Adora Fragrance 1.7oz? - $10 (regularly $55)


Josie Maran Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink - $10 (regularly $22)


Buxom Welcome to the Party Mascara - $10 (value $33)


The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave Travel Size - Lavender - $10 (value $25)

September Favorites

September favorites are more about what kept me cool in the summer than specific items from that month. + a couple beauty items of course. :)

David & Young Floppy Hat $20, on sale $9.90
My hat is actually straw colored but I'm tempted to pick up another color at this price! Black (which looks blue?) or Olive? This hat has the perfect amount of floppy vs sturdiness without making you look old. The weave is tight so you can shape it and the hat won't fall in your face.

Rayban Purple Aviator Sunglasses RB3025, $60ish on sale
At first I wasn't sure about the purple but now I love how it looks on. My favorite shades EVER! The gradient is nice because it makes the glasses blend into my face. Knock-offs can't come close!

Mac Ever Hip Lipstick $14.50
Revisting last summer's must have lipstick.

Dior Blush Vintage Pink (Rose) $42
This originally came out in a lace pattern last spring, so when it was re-release I had to get it. I used my $20 voucher to bring the price down on this. It's a gorgeous peachy-pink!

Got 2b Rockin' It Dry Shampoo $5.99
This is my second favorite dry shampoo after Batiste. The smell is better and the price is good at a BOGO but sometimes the spout gets jammed and only powder comes out. Then all you have left is liquid. Which is not good because it then it won't work right.

So with this post I have officially done more than a year of Favorites! I don't know if I will continue on with regularity or not. If I do I'll be changing how I do this.