Ah I haven’t done a walkaround the beauty halls for a long long time. I’ve been so busy that the malls and beauty counters are starting to look quite alien to me. I initially was planning to pick up the Rose Initiale blush from Chanel’s Fall collection but some circumstances have resulted in me forbidding myself from buying it. I know. Its a silly thing to do but there you go! I will not be owning Rose Initiale in the interim.
Chanel Fall/Autumn 2012
However, thanks to friends, I did visit the Chanel counter anyway to help a friend pick up a couple of items from the Fall 2012 collection including Rose Initiale! So I get to buy it after all 😀 I just don’t get to keep it LOL! Here’s what it looks like at the counter. Its just out and there are lip glosses, lipsticks, eyeshadows, a blush and oh so many things! 😛
I’ll just share some quick thoughts I had on the collection (plus a picture of the star product face powder), and also share some pictures of a couple of new items I spotted while at Sephora KL. Its a free and easy sort of day today and you can just tell me what you think or what you’ve been up to 🙂
Here is a picture of the star product in the Chanel Fall 2012 collection – the Lumiere d’Artifices Beiges powder.
There is a sparkly overspray that’s disappeared on the tester. The powder is striped and is I believe, an illuminating powder. I actually recognised the imprint. Chanel did a similarly designed eyeshadow palette a few years ago (I’ve got a picture here), with the sequin imprint. Then, I found it gave me goosebumps. It still does so urgh! I didn’t like the powder 😛
Here are the items I liked most from the Chanel Fall 2012 collection. Rose Initiale Joues Contraste blush (RM140) is a very lovely pink-rose and as many people have noted, the new formula is much softer so it is easier to apply. It is also less shimmery and has a very lovely glow when applied on skin. It was hard to not pick one up for myself while I was at it 😛 You can read a review of this over at The Beauty Sample.
I paid no attention to the Premier Regard eyeshadow quad. Chanel baked shadow quads do not interest me mainly because of previous bad experience.
However, the Ombre Essentialle single shadows drew me in like a moth to a flame. Its not so obvious in the photos (Sorry, phone photos at work) but many of the colours are sparkly or with shimmer. I was particularly drawn to Éclairé which swatches a sheer sparkly gold and Black Star a black with multicoloured shimmer and Infini, a lovely shimmery silver. So pretty! I also was quite interested in Lily, a matte pale pink and Complice a shimmer light peach. Ah, lets just say I loved them all! At RM102 each (I think) I chose not to get any for now…. and my wallet heaved a sigh of relief!
Another item I checked out was the Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in the famed Troublant and Confidence (RM95 each). Troublant is quite a muted rose in the tube with very subtle microshimmer. Xiao has a review here and I really wanted it thanks to her. But on my lips, the colour wasn’t remarkable. It looked a bit dull in fact. I however was very taken in by Confidence – a brighter more pink rose gloss. It brightened my complexion and was very sweet.
In fact, it also tasted too sweet which was why I opted not to get it in the end. The scent and sticky feeling on my lips was a good deterrent. Yay! Money saved! I survived the Chanel counter 😀
A jaunt through Sephora KL
I took a gander through Sephora KL recently too, and here’s some of the new stuff I picked out from the store.
I was previously keen on the Smashbox Shades of Fame Eye palette (RM189) but I’d almost forgotten to check it out. Seeing it again reminded me that yes, I was still interested in it. I think the colours, albeit at a first glance, looking bright and unwearable, are in fact quite neutral. Just discount Sherbert and Pacific and its a pretty palette. I was particularly drawn to Safari. However, I chose to pass on it for now. You can see swatches over at Beauty Reflections. Very pretty!
I also spotted new brand Josie Maran which I recall a friend raving about a few years ago. I think she liked the foundation.
I was however fascinated by the Argan Color Stick which I think is a cream stick blush. The colour looked quite pretty when I swatched it on the back of my hand, and it felt quite nice. But I don’t use stick blushes a lot so it was just a fascination for me.
I did notice that the brand focuses on the use of Argan oil in their cosmetics. I’m not familiar at all with the brand so if you have something good to recommend to try, please share! I did see their Argan Oil hair serum.
I don’t know how good it is, but if anyone is interested in trying an argan oil hair serum, well I guess here’s an option.
I also noticed that the Urban Decay Build Your Own Palette is now available here. Essentially, you buy a case and buy the shadows you want to put in there. The case is RM69 and comes with a shadow (Walk of Shame) and a brush. The concept is nothing different or special if you are familiar with other brands like MAC, Shu Uemura, Bobbi Brown, Inglot etc but trust UD to make a big deal out of it eh? 😛
For Hello Kitty fans, you can have a crystal encrusted mirror in your fave kitty!
Uh yeah 😛
Oh and a bit of a syiok sendiri moment (A local colloquialism that loosely translates into “I’m so thrilled with myself!”). I was standing at the Clinique counter debating if I should pick up another Even Better serum when I noticed this:
Oh hello there! Its moi! 😀 And ‘toing toing‘ is a proper adjective to describe taut, supple, bouncy skin ok 😛 Clinique Moisture Surge gel cream is one of those things I come back to time and again (review here) so yay! 😀
Does anything in Chanel Fall 2012 catch your fancy? Have you tried anything from the new items I spotted at Sephora? Do share if you have 😀
Paris B
I feel you goosebumps, Paris – as looking at the picture only already gives me goosebumps! Ugh… :p
You too! It’s horrible 😛
Thanks for the overview. I spent a grand total of 30s at the counter before deciding I wanted Rose Initiale 😀
Left to my own devices, I would too 😀
the colour of that blush.. i’m taken already! i keep walking right pass that smashbox palette because it doesn’t look too interesting, but now i might just drop by to swatch it. smashbox as a brand doesn’t really interest me for some strange reason though :p
The blush is super pretty. Do check it out 🙂 Smashbox is a bit hot or miss for me. Some products are pretty good but they just aren’t ‘sexy’ as a brand I guess.
I was really tempted to try the Argan Oil, but it’s so expensive….le sigh…
If you ever do try it, please do a review. 😉
If I ever do I’ll be sure to update! I doubt I will though lol! The products are quite pricey 😛
I haven’t tried anything from the fall 2012 collection. I don’t think it’s available yet here in manila as makeupbcollections arrive here months and months late 🙁
The ‘toing toing’ description on clinique is a quirky one. It makes me smile 🙂
Have a lovely day Paris!
Thanks Joanne 🙂 I hope you had a great day too. Are you eyeing anything from the Chanel Fall collection?
I’m eyeing their nail polish in suspicious. It looks really gorgeous in the bottle. I would also like to give the blush a try. I’m obsessed with pink (not all the time though 😉 ).
Ooh yes that does 🙂 And the blush is lovely rosy pink. I think the new formula albeit a little softer in texture, is much better in quality than their older blushes.
That imprint gave me goosebumps toooo! >.<
i like the blusher color too, has been obsessed with blusher, i don't know why..
Ah obsession with blush is something I have to live with lol! It’s a very pretty blush if you are thinking of getting it 😉
Haha I love the “toing toing”. I’ve heard wonderful things about argan oil, but also is well known for its not really good smell; from Josie Maran I only proved the foundation one time at Sephora but my friends told me that it smelt bad.
I have heard so many good things about Argan oil for skin and hair. I may get some to try but not from Josie Maranl too pricey!
Toing going indeed!!!
Hmmm, is the moisture relief better or getting a moisturizing serum better?? Am running out of my Keihl’s one so am looking around.
Hmm a serum works differently from the Moisture Surge, being more intense. Moisture Surge to me is more of a light moisturizer
Oh, the Argan blush stick is very good!
Ooh really? I tested it and it blends well but it looked a bit shimmery. You like it?
Yes, haha, at least my first few times using it has been good. I really like the way liquid/cream/jelly blushes blend.
Agree that the finish is more on the highlighter-blush side, and this really boils down to personal preference. I am quite into the highlighter look right now, so I like it.
The smell may put off some, as it reminds me of Tiger Balm. But I am one of those who really don’t mind weird medicinal fragrances.
Not ready to review though, because I am still too busy going through other blushes.
Haha you did awesome at avoiding mediocrity 🙂 I haven’t gotten anything from Chanel Fall either so yay for the both of us! And thanks for the link 🙂 You are awesome. I’ve never tried Clinique Moisture Surge, but I’m interested now!Will have to get a sample!
Yay! I did think it was a blah collection even if the blush caught my eye. Next! Oh and do try the Moisture Surge. I really like it although I’m not sure it’ll be as good for you once the weather starts to cool
haha, same here. Dior’s Golden Jungle stands out so much more. And the blush, though pretty, seem to be the same blush for more than a year!! I don’t know why. But I remember MWS featuring something called Pink Explosion around June-August 2010. And I am terribly sure the mailer that Tangs sent me for January 2012 has the blush in almost the same shade. And now this? Not impressed at all despite the pink being something I would wear.
LOL Yes! Chanel has been flying under the radar for a while now. Their collections are really quite boring and there’s just no buzz. Oh of course the fans will be all over them but personally, I haven’t found much to love from Chanel in recent times. I haven’t even bought any of their blushes in ages 😛
Oh my god Paris, you are famous 🙂 By the way this kind of shows how much blogs and bloggers are acknowledged by companies, ha? It’s a thrill is what it is!
I wish our local Sephora would bring more exclusive Sephora.. Also, I wonder why don’t you like stick blushes?
Haha thank you Casey. Inwas thrilled indeed. Wanted to point to it and shout hey thats me! Lol I don’t like stick blush because I’m not very good at getting it to work and because I don’t like swiping the stick on my face. Im not very good with cream blush in general 🙂
congrats PB on the mention by Clinique. 🙂
I am not exactly smitten by Chanel’s fall collection so I’ve saved some money there. 😛
Thank you Stacey. Money saved from Chanel Fall! So let’s look elsewhere!
that blush is most certainly mine… must bring it home soon!
Ooh! You’re getting it! Better hurry before its sold out 😉
I don’t think the Chanel collection is available here yet, but I definitely plan to check out the blush, it looks beautiful.
And congrats on being mentioned by Clinique. That’s exciting!
Thank you Gio! The blush is certainly beautiful. Would get it if I could lol
Aw Paris–you’re the best! Thanks for the mention hon! <3 And I'm so wishing that you got to keep the Rose Initiale 🙁
As for the Josie Maran stuff–I was curious about the blush sticks too but so far, have passed. I got a deluxe sample of her argan oil from Sephora as a 100 point perk but it broke me out really bad when I tried to use it on my face–so I'm a little nervous that the cream blush will do the same. Oh, and I love those shades from the Smashbox eyeshadow palette! I'm kicking myself for not grabbing one, but now summer is almost over and I probably wouldn't get much use out of it anymore anyway :/
You’re welcome Becca! I may get it some day who knows eh? If its meant to be and All that 😉 thanks for letting me know the oil broke you out. I’m planning to try Argan oil but not from Josie Maran cos hers is so expensive! I’ll be sure to watch out for breakouts. The Smashbox palette is really nice. I love all the colours but you’re right. It willbe too much to wear the blue and orange once summer ends. Although the rest of the shades are very neutral 😉
Wow Paris! U are THE blogger to be mentioned to so many reknown brands! Congrats!!
I stopped goig to Sephora…. Coz it is top much a damage to my pocket XD
Nowadays I only go to the counter for specific items after checking reviews and hmmm-ing.. Haha.. And even that I have so many things I want!
Thank you Gin 🙂 you know what’s amazing? I have only ever bought 1 item from Sephora. For some reason, I get too overwhelmed and then end up not buying anything at all every time I walk in! I actually prefer going to a department store beauty hall with the separate counters.
The Chanel powder look more like frogspawn than sequin. I tested it out today. Seems quite bah. Money saved. The rest of the collection too…quite the blah.
Perhaps Holiday collection might be more interesting? I also tested out the Les Expressions de Chanel collection and i say…i might…might….be getting my first Chanel quad. The Variation eye palette from the Purple Expression Set. I love the purples and silver mix.
Roflol! Frogspawn! 😀 Whatever,I wasn’t impressed with the recycled design and such a goosebump inducing one at that! Yuck! The purple quad does look good but I’m not sure of Chanel had worked on their quality of shadows. Hope they have!
Oh dear me. That blush does look good. How is it?
It swatches very prettily Syen. Its not mine so I can’t use it to properly test it out but its very pretty 🙂
Well done on your Clinique quote! You are very famous 🙂
That Chanel powder looks icky without the glittery overspray. Definite no for me.
Thank you Sam 🙂 I absolutely detest the Chanel powder. I don’t know why they chose to repeat that pattern *shudder*
Just checked out the Chanel counter for the Fall collection, only walked away w the Rouge Coco in Caractere( the model was wearing it for the ad). It’s not as dark and plummy as it looks though. On me (Mac NC15) it looks a pinky brown with subtle gold flecks which I love! Today I wore it w a bareface with some cream blush and it looks nice! Stays on well and moisturise my lips ok. I do like the pinky ‘sweet beige’ gloss but I’m really not a gloss gal and the eye shadows dont really shout out to me. That pink blusher is pretty but too heavily fragranced if u ask me and costs too much (SGD65?) for no oomph factor.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Caractere, Kris 🙂 It sounds like a lovely lipstick! How did I overlook it? 😉 I think the blush is very pretty as you said, but it is quite similar to many other pink blushes Chanel has released. I Just don’t think them very exciting recently for some reason 😛