Tons & Tons of Black Liner: Get The Look of Françoise Hardy

Françoise Hardy has it all. Talent, brains, beauty. That’s why she is one of my favorite style icons. When I had my blunt bangs and a haircut much like this one, I used to wear heavy eye makeup like this. It was such a cool look. The eyeliner isn’t easy if you’ve never done it before. I suggest practice. Once you get it down, you can get this look in under 10 minutes from my experience. These are the products that I use to get this look:

FACE: The complexion is pretty fuss-less but it needs to be evened out. Apply concealer if and where needed. Clinique All About Eyes Concealer does great under the eyes. I like to use MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation to even out the entire complexion. Use a bronzer as blush and apply with a fluffy brush. I like the shade and price of Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Light.

EYES: Luckily my blunt bangs covered my messy brows. Brush less than perfect brows into place with a clear brow gel like Revlon Brow Styling Gel. Apply a tinted eyeshadow base such as L’Oreal De-Crease Eyeshadow Base. This will keep your liner from budging. There are many products that you can use to get this thick liner look. I personally prefer the following: Clinique Water-Resistant Eye Liner in Natural Black (not pictured) or MAC Fluidline in Black Track. Both are very versatile items with no flaking or wandering. The Clinique one is a softer, matte black. The MAC one is a bit deeper and has a more consistent texture. First, “draw-in” your line. I line closely to the lashline and flick out like a classic cat-eye. Then under the crease I draw a desired line. I then fill it in with the liner on the brush. Everyone has a preferred liner brush. I am more comfortable with a fine point liner and not the slanted kind. It is all about what you are comfortable with. Remember to let it dry before blinking or completely opening lines. Sometimes I would take a shadow brush and apply a matte black shadow Larenim Eye Shadow in Ashes to Ashes to “set” it. You can also take the black powder shadow and line bottom lashes closely. Apply lots of black mascara like L’Oreal Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara in Blackest Black.
LIPS: Lips are nude. If your lips have a bit of color and don’t appear washed out, just apply a slightly tinted lip balm like mark Tinted Sheenstick Lip Balm in Fanciful. If you need a bit of color use a color like Estee Lauder Signature Lipstick in Perfect Nude.

 

Guerlain Russian Beauty Fall 2009 Color Collection

OK, you all know that I am a Guerlain fragrance and cosmetics mega-fan. That being said, I shocked to see their model for the fall color collection. Doesn’t she look totally insane? Doesn’t that look like the makeup application that would be seen on Whatever Happened To Baby Jane (oh, I do love that movie) sans the ghostly face powder? They really should of rethought releasing this or at least fire the makeup artist responsible for this terrifying look. The model even has an uneasy expression about all of this. Poor, poor gal. Maybe her expression is what makes the look so disturbing. I hope the photographer doesn’t beat her. Well, the colors of the collection aren’t too bad and many of the products are very nice. It’s just that the look that presented is just awful and they made a beautiful gal look like she is going to serve you your pet for dinner and smile while doing it. But, anyways. I think this collection is supposed to be all luxe and opulent. It’s supposed to be hedonistic and self indulgent with a mix of Russian royalty and bohemian or maybe a bit of glam gypsy look. I don’t know. I’m thinking something pre-Russian Revolution and before those pesky Bolsheviks got in the way of the wealth. 🙂 The company’s website hasn’t released these details yet. The collection offers the following:

EYES: There is an Ombré Éclat Eyeshadow Palette for $58 that comes in a shimmery blackish gold compact. The colors are imprinted with a “champagne shimmer” design. The shades are inspired by Russian princesses and their OTT glimmery gowns. There is Brun Mordore which contains shimmering shades of browns and black. This compact creates a nice smoky eye for all eyes and can be worn during the day too. Just depends on your technique. The other is Tsarina which contains a warm brown shimmer, bronze shimmer, burgundy shimmer, and plum shimmer. Tsarina has lovely colors but I don’t think they all mix very well together. They could but they also have the chance of creating bruised looking eyes (check out the lady above). I do think if done right this compact would look amazing on cool toned eyes like blue. There is a Eye & Lip Palette for $69. It comes in a luxe case that is Slavic inspired. It contains 2 eyeshadows (champagne pink sparkle and a sea pebble taupe shimmer) and 2 lipcolors (sparkling party pink and a shimmer rosewood neutral). I like the palette but I don’t see myself buying it. I don’t like eye and lip products packaged together. The powders always mix and clump with the oil based lip products. It’s gross. I do like the colors featured but I don’t feel they are worth the dough. Retractable Eyeliner Pens have been launched and retail for $29. They come in elegant gold packaging. Two will be permanent: Gold & Silver. The other is Bohemian and it is a deep shimmery plum. Le 2 Guerlain Mascara has been relaunched along with a new color Boheme. This retails for $35.

LIPS: There is a KissKiss Baby Lip Balm (see had to put baby in the title) that retails for $30. I love this product. It is super moisturizing, lightly tinted with shine, and it comes in a ultra-glam Guerlain case. It comes in 6 colors ranging from clear to rosy neutrals. My favorite is Red Nude.

FACE: The Parure Compact Foundation has been relaunched. This is a great powder foundation that retails for $60.

This collection is available at Nordstrom and Dillard’s.

Hmm, this Guerlain collection is much too close...

 

Guerlain Summer Splash 2009 Summer Color Collection

Again, I have fallen for a Guerlain color collection. This is of no surprise for this happens quite frequently. I love the Summer Splash collection, it is so beachy without being overly “tan” and “bronzed”. The packaging is beautiful and glamorous. The company describes this collection as “a mermaid basking under the sun.” I like the sound of that.

EYES: I have found a new favorite. I absolutely love The Loose Powder Kohl in Lagoon Blue. This is a shimmery sea blue with a hint of gold. It is a “warm” blue. It really works with my complexion. If you think you can’t wear blue, I bet you can wear this. I am light with warm undertones with blue eyes, I imagine that this would also work well with medium complexions with brown eyes. It goes for $34 and I think it is worth every penny. I mean just look at the packaging! There is an awesome eyeshadow quad, Ombre Éclat. It comes in a nice rose gold shaded compact with 4 shimmery shadows: white, rose gold, tan, and aqua. Once again, this is a very kind color combo for my complexion. I think natural redheads, dyed redheads could pull this one off too. It goes for $58. I think it is worth it. The formula is so smooth. The Le 2 Guerlain Waterproof Mascara is out at $35. It’s even available in a teal blue! I haven’t tried this. I’m trying to spend less on things like mascara. The single shadows, Ombre Éclat are available in special shades: Pearly White, a white gold shimmer, and Pearly Brown, a nice sandy brown shimmer. These go for $34.

LIPS: There is the Kiss Kiss Stick Gloss in 3 shades. This is a great formula that provides shiney, sheer color in a stick. There is Corail des Mers, a glossy coral, Grenades Des Iles, a brownish/coppery rose, and Rose Des Sables, a warm rose. These go for $30 and are in the pretty summer packaging.

FACE: It isn’t my little pearls of perfection, but it is so nice. I am in love with Illuminating Powder in Poudre des Sables. This is a pressed shimmer powder housed in a mother of pearl like packaging. The print resembles a shell and it is a mix of gold, rose, sable, tan. It is a flattering shade even for paler gals. It goes for $65. The Blush 4 Éclats Sculpting Blush has been relaunched. This is a great formula available in a variety of shades with a nice, soft fragrance. It goes for $48 and provides a nice glow. There is also an Illuminating Pressed Powder relaunch. These are like pressed, super shimmery Météorites. It is lovely with pearly shades of beige and pink. It reminds me of seashells and goes for $65. These are both great complexion enhancers.

Overall, as you can tell, I love this collection. I know I am biased because it really works for my complexion! Hey, we all get lucky sometime, right? This collection is available at most venues that carry Guerlain such as Nordstrom and other department stores in your area.

 

Cutest Packaging Ever: Miss Ferling Kiss Me Sweet Mona Lip Balm

Oh, something else that I want. The packaging for this product, Miss Ferling Baume de Levres Iris a la Violette or Kiss Me Sweet Mona Lip Balm, is sooo cute. I am a sucker for this kind of stuff. It comes a cute collage Mona Lisa box. The tube is dainty and violet. And to top it off it is a natural product with a silvery violet tint and sweet violet flavor. I’m sold. I love the scent and taste of violets. This product retails for $15 and is available on beautyhabit.com.

 

Givenchy Maharani Spring 2009 Makeup Collection

Just in time with America’s newest obsession with India, thanks Slumdog Millionaire, there is Givenchy’s Maharani Spring 2009 collection. It is inspired by the “sensual and refined beauty of Indian women”. Wow, that isn’t generalizing. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that Indian women deserved to be in the spotlight, Indians do in general. Especially Indian Americans who make up a large population in the U.S. and who are rarely seen in the media. India is a very “exotic” place to most Americans. They mainly think of spicy food and hot Bollywood babes. But, generalizing groups is always a very dangerous practice. Creating looks on a “culture’s ornate clothing and makeup” is a bit generalizing. But, at least it is a bit positive. I mean what country doesn’t want to be known for its beautiful women? I’m sure most want to be known for their great values and minds, but hey this is a makeup/fashion company we are talking about here! We’re selling an image only. Lancome did the India thing this past fall. I liked Lancome’s ad because it had a lovely lady of color. Plus the bronzes and oranges together were lovely. I guess some almost positive press is better than none.

FACE: There are two Sari Glow Iridescent Blushes. There is Maharani Orange which is a golden peach glow and Maharani Pink which is a pink glow. Both retail for $42. There are two Prismissime Eye and Face Compacts. There is one in Maharani Apricots. It is filled with nine bronzy browns, warm tans, and perfect peaches. There is Maharani Pinks filled with nine summer tans, pinks, and taupes. Both retail for $53. I do like both of these because they are multi-functional and the possibilities are endless.

EYES: There is a Magic Kahal Eye Pencil in Black. This is a super dark and thick black pencil. It retails for $21.50. There are two Precious Sari Glittering Eyeshadow. These are gel/cream shadows that pair nicely with bold lips. There is Maharani Silver and Maharani Gold. These retail for $26.

LIPS: There are two Rouge Interdit Satin Lipsticks. There is Maharani Rose which is a deep but bright pink and Maharani Henna which is a deep brick red. These go for $27 and have lovely packaging.

Overall the collection is a “hot” and “spicy” with magentas and corals. It is pretty enough. I like light, sheer metallic eyes with bold lips. That is a look I usually go for in the summer. However, I think the looks could of had a better ad campaign. There is something for both warm and cool skins. Everything is housed in ultra luxury Givenchy packaging. It’s pretty but expensive. And it kills me that the company is idolizing Indian women and I am sure that they don’t even offer a foundation, concealer, or powder in a shade that will suit most Indian ladies.

 

Watercolors: YSL Spring 2009 Makeup Look Collection

Yves Saint Laurent’s spring 2009 color collection is made to represent “contemporary art” (like that actually has any meaning anymore.) I guess it does look like a watered down and pastel Rothko; however, it reminds me of soft watercolors, much like shu uemura’s spring 09 collection. I do like the look. I would of never of thought of pairing such warm peach lips with cool “mermaid” like shades. But, I have to admit that I like it. The colors are very “spring”.

FACE: There is the Palette d’Artiste Collector Pallete for Complexion. It contains four powder face colors for the face and retails for $62. It has a perfect bronze, pale pink highlighter, pretty pink blush, and a vivid and tiny stripe of coral. I really like the compact. It is “striped” so I would obsess over mixing the colors. I would want to keep it in its pretty and new state. But, that is just because I am weird.

EYES: There is the Palette d’Artiste Palette for Eyes. It contains four powder eyeshadows and retails for $62. The colors include: sheer and pale honey gold, soft and light pearly pink, tiny stripe of deep purple, and smoky sage. The colors are pretty. Stuff that I would of never paired together and think pairing them together will take alot of work. Two Ombre Duolumieres Eye Shadow Duos have been relaunched. This includes Ivory Beige/Deep Black and Oatmeal/ Petroleum Blue. These retail for $41. An Ever Steel Blue Everlong  Lengthing Mascara has been launched. I love colored mascara. It retails for $28.50. Two Automatic Eyeliners have been launched in Easy Brown and Easy Blue. These retail for $32.

LIPS & NAILS: There is the Gloss Pur Lip Gloss and I love it. Each tube goes for $29. These colors are super glossy and beautiful and without the shimmer. Some of my favorites include Pure Coral as seen on the model above, Pure Rose which is a super sheer 60’s pink, Sheer Nude which is a super sheer milky beige, and Pure Raspberry which is a vivid warm pink. There are a few Rouge Pur Lipsticks with SPF. They retail for $30. There is Blazing Red, Silky Apricot, Paradise Pink, Romantic Pink, Hazlenut, and Tea Rose. I really like all of the shades especially Blazing Red, Silky Apricot, and Paradise Pink. Two super cool Nail Touch Nail Colors are out in Tender Pink Touch and Coral Touch. They are both very sheer and retail for $26.

I am a huge fan of the lipcolors in this collection. I love “milky” shades. The gloss is very pretty. The limited edition items are OK. They all come in super luxurious gold compacts. I am tempted by the face palette but I doubt I’ll give in. I’m no longer easily impressed and my collection is filled to the max.

 

Dior Parisian Nude Spring 2009 Makeup Collection

I’m really not in love with the Dior Parisian Nude spring 2009 makeup collection. I find it a bit boring and a little too average. It is a little too Clinique for my tastes. This isn’t a horrible look. It looks great on my people and it even looks much like my toned down work look. So, that is why it is boring. This isn’t a collection and it shouldn’t be limited edition; these are too much of the everyday colors that most ladies already own.

FACE: There is a limited edition Lady Dior Compact for $75. It is a purse looking metal compact that is made to resemble the Lady Dior bag. It contains a sheer and shimmery champagne cheek highlighter and a sheer pink lip gloss. I find this product extremely boring, especially for the price.

EYES: There is a 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow Compact in Parisian Lights. This compact features pretty and soft shades of white, copper, copper rose, pink, and stainless steel. It retails for $56. They have relaunched the 2-Colour Duo Eyeshadow in Nude Look which is a deep chocolate and shimmery rose. It is a pretty combo that retails for $35. My only beef is that there is more of the crease color than of the base, stupid guys, and Clinique has a duo identical to it for half the price. There is a Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner in Elegant Taupe which is a mushroomy medium brown. This shade is very pretty and I love the formula. It goes for $26 and comes with its own sharpener.

LIPS & NAILS: There are 2 Rouge Dior Lipsticks in Actress Chestnut, a warm rosey brown,  and Rita Beige, a rosey copper. These retail for $28. I’m not impressed with these shades at all and I do find the formula long wearing but a bit dry. Four Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect Lip Glosses have been relaunched/launched: Clutch Pink (a warm pink/rose shimmer), Ribbon Beige (warm brown shimmer), Satin Pink (cool pink shimmer), and Trenchcoat Beige (pinky nude shimmer). These go for $25.50 and I must admit that I like the formula but I am not wild about these boring shades. For the nails, there is a Vernis Nail Enamel in Porcelain which is a super sheer everyday pink shimmer.

But, yep, all I have to say is that this collection is a bit tame and boring. If the colors sell out, so be it, they offer these shades all the time. You can find these shades anywhere.

 

Timeless Sexiness: Get The Look Of Brigitte Bardot with French Cosmetics

This is the classic hottie look. Long blonde hair and too much black eyeliner. Neither look good on me. The haircolor being worse than the eye makeup on my complexion. I guess that is why I envy this look so much. I can’t really pull it off and I feel I can pull anything off. Smear some red eyeshadow on me or safety cone orange blush on my cheeks or black lip gloss. I can do that but I really can’t do this Bardot look. I still try. When I line my eyes like this, I just look insane. Alot like this gal is today. Just kidding. I believe in the freedom of speech and whatever she says is her prerogative if I agree with it or not. I don’t fine, that is the just the French government.

Anyways apply a tinted moisturizer for this look and concealer where needed.  Try a warm tinted moisturizer like Lancome Aqua Fusion Teinte in a shade darker for a sunkissed look. Apply a bronzer if needed. My all time favorite is NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna. Apply with a huge fluffy brush like Sephora Bronzer brush all over the face. Brows are super natural and messy but not too messy. Apply a clear brow gel like Revlon Brow Styling Gel in Clear. Apply Dior 1-Colour Eyeshadow in Ready To Beige all over the lid. Brush Dior 1-Colour Eyeshadow in Khakis from the lashline to the crease. Apply more or less depending on your skintone. Take a solid black and smooth eye liner pencil like Dior Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner in Trinindad Black, and line all the way around the eyes. Apply a thicker line on the upper lashline and still use a heavy hand but a thinner line on the bottom lashline. Apply tons of black as tar mascara or false lashes. Apply mascara to the bottom lashes as well. Cheeks are very bare. Reapply bronzing powder to the cheeks for extra depth. Lips are nude with just a bit of glimmer. Apply Lancome La Laque Fever in Neutral Current all over lips. Fragrance is simple and elegant so I recommend an intimate fragrance like Crazylibellule and the Poppies Solid Perfume from Les Divines Alcoves in Presque Nue.

   

 

Chantecaille Bengali Tigre Holiday Color Collection

This is truly a regal and beautiful color collection. Chantecaille is the best because it seems that they are always plastering wildlife onto cosmetics. I love it. This “collection” offers three lovely compacts.

We have the White Tiger Face Powder Compact. It is a light slightly shimmery face powder enriched with Monoi. I love monoi. The powder has a lovely white tiger on it and is in a beautiful gold mirrored case. It retails for $85. For those of us that want some “color” in the dead of winter, we have the Bengali Bronzer. It is a shimmery medium bronze with a golden imprinted tiger on it. It is also in a golden compact and comes with a brush. It retails for $85. And like the White Tiger compact, it is about too pretty to use. There is also the Bengali Powder Palette. It has two cheek colors with tiger imprints: a light pale gold shimmer highlighter and a peach. It has four eyeshadows in a jungle green, dusty silver lilac, rich espresso brown, and a medium bronze. It is all housed in a gold compact and comes with a bronze pouch. It retails for $117.  There is a lip gloss trio that is housed in a bronze pouch. It comes with Crystalline, a pale shimmery gold, Glaze, a warm golden red, and Patina which is a deep shimmery wine. All of these glosses are in must have shades that I love to wear in the winter. This set goes for $68.

Overall, the collection is super luxiorous and has this warm take me to a resort vibe. I love the radiance. It is a bit like Lancome’s fall color story that was launched this year. It has that same warm, Indian inspired vibe. Regardless, I love it.

 

Yves Saint Laurent YSL Holiday Bow Color Collection Review

Yves Saint Laurent Holiday Bow Color Collection is all about “wrapping” up 2008. There are some nice holiday items and the rest are well, relaunches. The colors aren’t horrible but they are predictable. I really liked the fall makeup collection better. It seemed “newer”. This collection offers us the following:

LIPS: Fard À Lèvres Rouge Pur Pure Lipstick in Honey Beige which is a warm peachy beige. This shade really works with dark eye makeup. We have Golden Gloss Shimmering Lip Gloss in Golden Burgundy. This is one of my fave holiday shades. It is a deep merlot with gold glimmer. Perfect with dark eyes for extra drama or minimal eye makeup. It just looks polished. We have the limited edition Bow Collection Duo Lip Colour Locket. This is a lip gloss duo housed in a golden bow compact. I believe it can be worn, the compact that is. It has a pinkish red lipstick and a pale pink lip gloss with blue shimmers. The colors are very beautiful and this duo is made to celebrate YSL’s 30 years in the makeup biz.

NAILS: La Laque Long Lasting Nail Lacquer in Dark Blue which is an almost black blue. I love it, so rich and gothic. The other is Moonlight White which is a milky white. Moonlight White would be great on fingers and Dark Blue on toes, or vice versa.

FACE & EYES: We have the Palette De Maquillage Multi-Usage Make Up Palette. This palette contains two deep eyeshadows in a shimmery navy and a deep midnight black, a pearly golden beige highlighter powder for face and eyes, a matte hot pink lipstick, and a clear glitter lip gloss all in a velvety YSL “bow” bag. This is so pretty. The Bow Collection Four Colour Eye Shadow has a shimmery deep plum, dusty lilac shimmer, pale mauve shimmer and a purpley brown shimmer. The eyeshadows are in a golden “bow” case. We have the Touche D’Or Golden Touch for Face in a sheer gold “liquid”. Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare Brush has been relaunched. And we have a lovely holiday makeup kit with minis: Holiday Set. It contains a black satin tuxedo YSL logo bag, a Touche Eclat Radiance Pen, a Golden Gloss in a rich festive gold, mini Luxurious Mascara in black, mini Elle YSL EDP spray.

Overall the colors are OK. It is all about drama, bright lips and dark eyes. It is a lot like the Tuxedo Collection that we had this fall. This is just an “extension” of the fall collection.