I’m fairly new to makeup from Chanel. I’m not a collector, I just tend to gravitate to whatever catches my eye. This new SS19 collection release did grab my attention, it even made me buy things which are normally out of my comfort zone. Lucia Pica is global creative make-up and colour director for Chanel and this collection was inspired from her trip to Japan and South Korea.
Lucia Pica draws inspiration from the radiant and subtle contrasts seen during her trip through Asia, where she explored the cities, streets and markets. Captivated by the beauty of everyday details, she creates an intense range of makeup with green, blue, gold, ivory and fuchsia shades. A luminous collection.
There were so many things that I wanted from this collection but I thought it be more sensible to just pick up the limited edition items first. For information on the whole collection, see Chanel’s website SS19 page here.
I picked up two things, the les 9 ombres in Edition N°2 #Quintessence and Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in #71 Nuance.
les 9 ombres in Edition N°2 #Quintessence
les 9 ombres in ÉDITION N°2 QUINTESSENCE
This 9 pan eyeshadow palette is the hero of the collection. Edition 1 was released last year and that had more pastel, lighter tones. Edition 2 is quite the opposite and really reflects her inspiration of colours from Asia.
les 9 ombres in Edition N°2 #Quintessence – Swatched over primer. Some of the shades didn’t swatch so well but perform better on the eye.
At first I didn’t think the colours were cohesive enough. They were also colours that I didn’t have and don’t normally wear. I have discovered since that you can use it either way, the neutral colours for an everyday look or the deeper colours for a bolder look for the evening or more editorial looks. There are intense mattes which can be built up and lovely high shine shimmering satin formulas in this palette which compliment the mattes nicely. The SA Michael (in Myer City, very helpful and lovely) applied the teal shadow in my outer corners and filled the inner part with the gold shimmer, so simple and looked gorgeous. Even though the colour story didn’t speak to me immediately, I have really loved playing with the colours and really glad that I picked it up.
A couple of looks I came up with. Please excuse my otherwise bare face and bad lighting. I’m also not skilled with taking selfies of any kind. Left: Used the light taupe matte shade to set Lorac Primer, applied the red matte shade all over and darkened the lashline and outer edge with the matte brown. Right: Used the light taupe matte shade to set Lorac Primer, applied the teal blue all over and darkened the lashline and outer edge with the dark blue
Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in #71 Nuance
#71 Nuance
This is the first Chanel lipstick that I own and I was curious about the “luminous matte” formula. I would describe the formula as being a creamy matte. It does have a slight sheen to the finish but it’s not glossy or obvious, more of a satin finish. After watching a Chanel video where Aimee Cheng-Bradshaw, applied Nuance paired with a bold eye, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. Nuance is a warm peachy nude shade and is the perfect nude for me without looking like concealer on my lips because of the warm undertone. It also compliments my warm complexion nicely. It’s staying power isn’t great since it is a bullet lipstick but it feels comfortable to wear which is what matters more to me. There is another shade in this collection, #73 Imperial which is a lovely mid tone red.
There’s a couple of other items which I want to pick up from this collection, which are permanent. They are the BAUME ESSENTIEL Multi-Use Glow Stick in Sculpting, which is a subtle cream highlighter stick and the Ombre première Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in #840 Patine Bronze.
From their Le Blanc 2019 collection I picked up the Les Tissages de Chanel Blush Duo in Tweed Beige. The SA applied this on my cheeks in store and I fell hard for the shade. It’s such a lovely rosy beige shade. If Hourglass’ Brilliant Nude and Nars’ Madly had a baby, then this would blush duo would be the result.
Les Tissages de Chanel Blush Duo in Tweed Beige.
I think the shade is unique and can double up as a bronzer and blush on the cheeks. The tweed effect of gold shimmer runs through it which luckily is just overspray. If you like a sparkly mess then you’ll like the gold shimmer. I prefer the natural luminous flush of colour so once the overspray is removed, it’s perfect. This blush duo isn’t a new product but this shade is part of their new release. There is also another new shade in this collection as well in Tweed Pink which is a bit too bright for my taste. Chicprofile.com has a great post on the collection here.
The last thing I picked up from this mini Chanel haul was the Inimitable mascara. This is permanent and part of their regular collection. I bought the original one, non waterproof one. It also comes in Intense and Waterproof variations. It has a small rubber brush which seperates my lashes really well. It’s average in terms of volumising and lengthening, you’ll need a couple of coats to get some definition.
Inimitable mascara (original)
It smudges a little bit by the end of the day but it’s not too bad. Doesn’t flake at all. It’s good but I probably wouldn’t buy this again. The Hourglass caution mascara has the same claims but is cheaper and doesn’t smudge.
Chanel is available in Australia from Myer and David Jones department stores.
Have you picked up anything from Chanel’s latest 2019 collections? Let me know in the comments!
RMS beauty was founded by Rose Marie Swift. She is a renowned makeup artist who after having health problems due to toxic ingredients in makeup wanted to find to find a healthier approach to beauty.
Her line is organic and the primary ingredient she likes to use is coconut oil. In an interview with Wendy Rowe (also a makeup artist) in the Beauty Truth, Rose Marie Swift describes the benefits of coconut oil:
This natural antioxidant is 100% organic, raw and unrefined, aiding in its protective powers against free radical damage—otherwise known as premature ageing. Coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid, which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, making it suitable for even the most blemish-prone skin.
Please note that not just any store-bought oil is equal to ours. RMS Beauty is superior over most coconut oils.
Since being first intrigued by the famous Living Luminizer, I have since added some more RMS products to my little collection. The aesthetics of the brand is clean, modern and minimalistic which resonates with the brand’s purpose of simple beauty.
If you’ve been interested in trying out products from this brand, please keep on reading.
Living Luminizer
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This formula is the ultimate illuminator for creating a sensuous, sheer, luminous glow. An ultra sheer, glowing, luminizer with a translucent, satin-pearl finish. This highlighter works great on all skin tones, making this a must have beauty product.
Ingredients (from mecca.com.au)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, and may contain [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI77891, Mica CI 77019] * CERTIFIED ORGANIC
Application
Best to apply with clean fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot to get the product out, then I lightly pat it onto my cheekbones or wherever I normally apply highlighter. If you have oily skin, you may want to set it lightly with translucent powder. This is also a multi-use product, you can also use it on your eyelids as well as lips.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer
Packaging and size
The balm is housed in a frosted glass pot with a white lid. It feels weighty and sturdy. There is 4.82g/.17oz of product which doesn’t seem like much but it will last you a very long time since you only need a small amount.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer – It’s hard to see the swatch but I can assure you that it looks much better on the face!
Price:
$55.00 AUD (from Mecca)
My thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, HG status!)
This is one of my favourite highlighters in my collection. It was the very first product I had bought from the brand and I love the effect it gives me. It can be built up, from subtle lit-from-within look to a strong glossy glow which still looks natural. Since it’s a cream product, it’s usually criminal to apply cream over powder but you can with this product. It doesn’t mess with the foundation or powder underneath if you use the soft patting technique with your finger. I don’t normally set it with powder because I have combo skin with dry U zone. I usually just set my face with a setting spray like Fix+. This helps to melt the highlighter into all the other layers on the face. It generally lasts around 6 hours and because it looks like one with the skin, the fading isn’t noticeable.
Would highly recommend if you are looking for a natural looking highlight. If you’re like me and you hate chunky glitters or frost in your highlight, you’ll like this! On the RMS beauty website it says this can be used by all skin tones. I don’t think it’s a universal shade (but I also could be wrong) but I think that this highlighter is best suited to fair-to-light-medium skin tones because it has a slightly pale pearly sheen to it. If you are medium-deep, you may want to try out the Magic Luminizer which has a more of a champagne tone to it. On rmsbeauty.com there are also two more variations, Peach and Champagne Rose Luminizers.
Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
What is it?
From mecca.com:
Fusing a blend of nourishing oils and pure mineral pigments, this creamy emollient can be used on the lips and cheeks for a subtle tint of colour.
I apply this the same way as with the Luminizer, with my fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot and use this and my middle finger to pat it onto my cheeks, slowly building it up to the desired level of opacity. When applying it onto my lips or eyelids, I use my index finger. It’s also buildable and dries down nicely. You could use a small duo fibre brush as well.
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
Packaging and size
Same size and packaging as the Luminizer, 4.82g/0.17oz of product. I really like the frosted look of the weighted pot.
Price:
$52.00 AUD (from Mecca)
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive – this was swatched quite strongly, once blended in, the colour looks much less intense.
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
I love anything that I can use for more than one purpose, largely because I’m lazy. I really like the texture of it and how I have some play time before it dries down. Since I have light-medium skin, the shade Illusive works nicely on the cheeks, eyes and lips. Because of its nourishing ingredients, it leaves my cheeks looking fresh and hydrated. It isn’t long lasting on the lips (nothing ever is on my lips!), bit longer on the eyes (3-4 hours) and the longest (6 hours) on the cheeks. Even though it’s not that long lasting, it tends to fade evenly which is a plus.
With any cream product, it always takes a bit more time in application, but the payoff is always more natural and worth it. Since I don’t always have too much time in the mornings, I generally opt for powders and use this on the weekends.
Definitely recommend this, it’s great for touchups and to just throw in the handbag. I’ll be looking to add more shades of Lip2Cheek to my collection since I’m hooked 🙂 Promise and Paradise look divine!
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
What is it?
From mecca.com:
This tinted powder contains light reflective particles that work to minimise the look of pores, soften the skin and absorb excess oil. Providing subtle coverage to the skin, the powder can be used to set liquid foundation or be worn with ‘Un Cover-Up’.
Talc, silicone, perfume and paraben free.
Ingredients (from mecca.com)
T2-3: Silica, Iron Oxides: CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77500
Application
Like with all loose powders, I tip some into the cap then swirl a powder brush into it. I then tap off the excess on the side of the cap and lightly press it onto my face. I stupidly threw the puff it came with away so using a brush works best for me.
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3 – the powder is very finely milled, there’s some on the cap.
Packaging and size
Clear plastic tub with white lid and has 9g/0.32oz of product. Smaller more compact than other loose powders I own such as the famed Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.
Price
$49.00 AUD from Mecca
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
This powder does what it says it does. It sets my foundation nicely and the 2-3 shade matches my skin tone perfectly. The powder is so finely milled which makes application a breeze. It never looks cakey and just melts into the skin, leaving my face with a healthy glow. It does minimise the pores around my nose and controls oil in my t-zone for around 8 hours.
It’s not something I reach for everyday since it’s a loose powder and takes a bit more time to apply then a pressed powder. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m quite time poor in the mornings but I do like to use this whenever I remember to.
Would definitely recommend this powder because it doesn’t have talc like most powders and performs just as well or even better than most powders I have tried.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This luxurious natural satin-finish lipstick is enriched with the signature rms beauty oil. Rich and powerful in anti-oxidants, this lipstick offers ultimate hydration and maximum color pay-off.
Ingredients (from rmsbeauty.com)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)(Cire d’abeille), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Kaolin, *Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax) (Cire de candelilla), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, *Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax) (Cire de carnauba), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Tocopherol, Isostearyl Palmitate, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Hypericum Perforatum Extract, *Equisetum Arvense Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Extract, *Hemidesmus Indicus Root Extract, *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Leaf Extract, *Withania Somnifera Root Powder, *Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, *Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Propylene Carbonate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, **Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil. May Contain [-/+]: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 28 (CI 45410), Mica, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985).
* CERTIFIED ORGANIC ** WILDCRAFTED
Application
I apply it directly from the bullet onto my lips. Because it’s formula is a bit stiff, I tend to dab it onto my lips rather than using a swiping motion.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
Packaging and size
The lipstick is housed in a sleek, silver tube. There is a slight weight to it and like her other products, has a clean and modern aesthetic to it. It contains 4.5g/0.15oz of product. The cap is very secure and gives a satisfying click when you close it.
Price:
$41.00 AUD (from Mecca)
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser – swatch is using only one (wonky) swipe!
My thoughts
I love the formula of this lipstick. It’s a satin formula which is comfortable to wear and I love the shade Brainteaser. It is a soft peachy pink brown (more peach than pink on me), which is generally the type of colour that I’m usually drawn to. I can’t speak for its lasting power because not many lipsticks last on me after my morning coffee. I like how it contains nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and oils as well as antioxidants like turmeric and liquorice root. Quite rare to even get antioxidants in a lip product, let alone in an actual opaque lipstick.
I would highly recommend this for people who are looking for a lipstick which has nourishing ingredients as well as great colour payoff. Definitely will be purchasing more shades, the shade “Rapture” is calling my name!
Where can I buy it?
If you’re in Australia, you can purchase RMS Beauty from Mecca Cosmetica (mecca.com.au), Beautylish (beautylish.com) as well as from the brand’s website (rmsbeauty.com).
I purchased these products myself from Mecca Cosmetica and Beautylish.
Final thoughts
Nothing from this range has disappointed me so far and I’m excited to try more from the brand. Taking care of your skin shouldn’t just stop at skincare. If there are cleaner options which perform just well or better, I will definitely take it! The products might seem expensive for their quantity but because a little does go a long way, especially with the potted products, you won’t be hitting pan for a long while.
Since coconut oil is a key ingredient in a lot of the cream products, I was a bit wary since I’ve heard that it is or can be comedogenic to certain skin types. I actually had nothing to worry about because I never broke out from it. For reference I have combo skin/oily t-zone/prone to hormonal acne. There is also no scent in any of the products which is a plus because I hate most scents in makeup. The products are also a joy to use, both in application and aesthetics. The un-cover up concealer, eye polish and raw coconut cream cleanser are definitely on my wishlist!
Let me know if you’ve tried any products from RMS beauty and which has been your favourite 🙂
Today was a monumental day (9/11/17). It was the day where Mecca released a massive holiday collection from loads (and loads) of brands. I had this day marked in my calendar so of course I had to rush over there during my lunch break.
If you live outside of Australia and New Zealand, Mecca is a beauty powerhouse, like Sephora. They sell loads of beauty products (makeup and skincare). Brands such as Nars, Hourglass, Too Faced, Smashbox, La Mer, Drunk Elephant + many more. They also have their own house brands as well, much like Sephora.
I bought two products, one which I have been lusting over for months (we get stuff so much later than the US and UK) and the other which I’ve just discovered and knew I hadtohaveit!
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3
I have been lusting over this palette for months now. Ever since it was first released in the US, I just knew I had to have it. Until this purchase I only owned one Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light which I love. I realise that this same powder is also in this palette but I don’t mind since I am already a fan of it. This palette contains 3 existing best selling powders, two new blush shades as well as a new strobing shade. It cost $117 AUD.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit – Volume 3
Ambient® Lighting Powders
– Diffused Light
– Dim Light
The sales assistant applied a couple of powders to my face, Dim Light all over and Surreal Halo to my cheeks and in my crease. I loved this blush so much!
Can’t wait to try the rest of it! It looks like a great one for travelling too. Detailed review to follow shortly.
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 (nude)
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459
This holiday makeup collection was inspired by photographer Man Ray which makes the packaging very unique and “old worldly”.
There were two sets to choose from, this nude one in Les Amoureux and Noire Et Blanche which contains shades that are more on the red side of the spectrum.
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459
I love nudes and I love the colors contained in this collection (Ady, Ardon, Jane, Barbara). I haven’t owned any Audacious lipsticks yet but I have swatched them in the past in store and they feel really nice. At $49 AUD a pop, its pretty steep. Being able to own four great colors for $80 AUD is good value in my eyes. Mind you they aren’t full sized but they aren’t tiny either like the Boys and Girls Lipsticks from Tom Ford 😦
I have not gone through an entire tube of lipstick either so this works well for me.
The nicest surprise about this product was the round globe it came in. Its made of heavy duty plastic with the four lipsticks perfectly housed in a matching black round base.
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 – Packaging
The lipsticks are laid out with Nars spelt out which was pretty cool. Very sleek.
Nars Man Ray Les Amoureux Audacious Lipstick Coffret #8459 – Packaging
Swatches and detailed review to follow shortly!
If you haven’t had a chance to check out these Mecca’s new releases, I would highly recommend that you do! Its not everyday that so many brands drop so many new products.
Let me know what you have picked up or are planning on picking up from the holiday collection!
me and my mirror 