Take two: Chanel's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Tisse Vendome

Chanel's Tisse Vendome

This isn't a review per se, but commentary on performance troubleshooting. You see I dropped a pretty penny for Tisse Vendome and I am not one to throw in the towel.

The creasing issues I experienced were equivalent to having the bird flipped at me. General frustration doesn't even begin to account for the wave of emotions that fell over me. Again, never one to give up, perseverance is my only friend in this sort of situation.

Wearing Tisse Vendome over NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

On me NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow never fails, period (or so I thought). Without hesitation, I reached for it prior to applying Tisse Vendome a few weeks back; by hour seven the creasing was abysmal.

Tisse Vendome and I took a much needed break in order for me to figure out a way to make this relationship work.

Wearing Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer and Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Going the two birds one stone route worked when it came time to test Tisse Vendome over my two travel-sized primers from Too Faced and Urban Decay. P-Cakes suggested forgoing primer altogether, but my oily eyelids wouldn't have given Tisse Vendome a chance in heck.

Did Tisse Vendome and I skip off into the sunset?

We sure did and I have Too Faced and Urban Decay to thank for that. All told, our skipping session lasted well over eight hours last night and there was no creasing in sight.

Beauty in a tick: Diorshow Fusion Mono in Chimere

Diorshow Fusion Mono

For me Chimere almost embodies two of the best and basic MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots, Bare Study and Painterly. However, Chimere is a touch more transformative without being too in your face. To boot, I manage to avoid having to fiddle about with two cream eyeshadows. Trust me when I tell you it's my least favourite thing to do when it comes to applying makeup.

Chimere illuminated by daylight

Swatch of Chimere

According to Urban Dictionary, Chimere is defined as "a dream that you cannot touch." Dior's version of Chimere (a metallic tinged pink) delivers a touch of Chandon Rose without even having to take a swig of champagne; but, if you're offering please do hand me a flute -- sparkling wine will even do.

Chimere looks lovely on its own and even plays well with other eyeshadow formulas.

Wearing Chimere on my eyes

And daydreaming about cookies

To create the look above I first applied a chocolate brown shade from Le Metier De Beaute's Silk Road Kaleidoscope Eye Kit to the outer half of my eyelid with an angled eyeshadow brush (I swear this particular brush cuts my work in half). I then blended out the hard lines and carried excess eyeshadow into my crease to create depth. Finally, I dabbed on Chimere with MAC's 239 on the inner half of my eyelids and lined the lower lash line with Chimere as well.

Black mascara and brown eyeliner (tight lined) tied the rest of this look together.

On my lips I'm wearing Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Mirage. Perhaps, my favourite lip formula ATM.

Chimere isn't a creeper, it stays put like a good eyeshadow should.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Diorshow Fusion Mono in Chimere:

• $50.00 AUS / $30.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — Easy like Sunday morning.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Working on building up my Fluid Stick collection.

Dreaming of summer

Beachy keen

It's cold out, but not enough to permit snow and for that I am thankful; I just wish it'd warm up already. My New England blood has thinned and I can't take this dreary Melbourne winter anymore.

Here's a round up of some of my favourite things I've been eyeing off on the Interwebs.

Ok, we get it Kate Upton, you can stop rubbing it in our faces. Bronze-y glow, check. Sun-kissed cheeks, check. Seashell pink lips, check. Totally envious and I'd switch places with her in a heartbeat. Bobbi Brown's Surf Eye Palette and Beach Rollerball fragrance might just tide me over. 

Mmm. NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow you look good enough to eat, particularly Desdemona. I'll take one in every colour. Thankyouverymuch.

For day Balenciaga's Tube Round M Bag will help me get to and from work, no problem. And for those nights when I don't want to fuss about with a large purse, Alexander Wang's Chastity Clutch ups the ante sans bulk.

Pink toes and pink lips. Easy done.

A chic one piece that keeps me both covered and comfortable. It'd look super sweet layered under jean shorts or a skirt and paired with blinding white Keds.

Capping off the life aquatic, the Gap's mix-cable sweater features a gill-like texture. While I love it in white, it manages to look a tad too schlumpy on the model for my liking.

Ok, let's get our bags packed and head to Hawaii now.

K, bye!

Eyes to mesmerize: Chanel's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Tisse Vendome

Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow

In my lifetime I'll probably never be able to afford Chanel's Tweed Jacket, so I bought the next best thing -- an eyeshadow quad from the Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect range. The reformulated eyeshadow drew its inspiration from the individual threads and fibres used to create the iconic tweed jacket. 

Tisse Vendome

Each palette features two contrasting shades, one to highlight and one to intensify; in Tisse Vendome's case: salmon, golden brown, warm vanilla and deep taupe. The new spherical formulation aids with application in terms of blending, colour intensity and finish.

Side by side comparison: the new slurry-like formula vs. the current baked formula

Close up of one of the shades from the Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palette

Close up of one of the shades from the Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow Palette

The preexisting formula is much dryer in appearance and often leaves a powdery finish, whereas the new finish looks and feels silkier and luminous. In order to get properly acquainted with the Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palette I sat down with Chanel Makeup Artist Dayna for a quick tutorial.

Here are her top tips:

1. Prep and prime the eye area prior to applying eyeshadow.
2. Dab or tap your eyeshadow on in order to build up the colour's intensity.
3. Toss the applicators provided with the palette, Dayna believes these are useless.
4. Don't press down too hard on the eyeshadow or it will crumble when too much pressure is applied.

Swatches of Tisse Vendome

Tisse Vendome swatches on closer inspection

Because I'm on a tighter than usual budget I could only justify splashing out on Tisse Vendome, the rest of the items used to recreate Dayna's look are from my own arsenal.

Wearing all four shades from the Tisse Vendome palette

In no particular order here's a list of the other products I used on my eyes:

• Tarina Tarantino's Eye Dream Hyperliner in Amethyst Android in lieu of Chanel's Long Lasting Eyeliner in Violine
• Clinique's Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx
• Chanel's New Moon applied along my lower lash line
• Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Ro(Cocoa) to tight line. Tight lining gives the appearance of having fuller lashes.

You're now probably wondering how well Tisse Vendome performed? Only ok, certainly not wonderful enough to warrant the nutso price tag. Don't get me wrong the colours lasted, but they didn't stay put -- the creasing was bananas. That said, I might skip my usual eye primer and try another approach.

The saga continues..

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow:

• $98.00 AUS / $61.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• I'll rate Tisse Vendome once I figure out how to prevent it from creasing.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Must behave, but how good does this look?