Chanel's Vitalumière Loose Powder Foundation

Chanel's Vitalumière Loose Powder Foundation in Shade Beige 30 

Chanel's Vitalumière Loose Powder Foundation in Shade Beige 30 

I definitely fit in the 'easy makeup with great looking skin' category -- upon reading Vivianna's review of Chanel's Vitalumière Loose Powder Foundation late last month and witnessed just that, I knew I needed to get my butt over to my local Chanel counter to get the 411.

Let's break things down to get to the heart of the matter.

Powdery goodness

Powdery goodness

The packaging is a tad luxe, typical Chanel, yet functional at the same time. To dispense the loose powder from the reservoir gently tip the jar upside down with the lid screwed on tight and allow gravity to do the rest. Give the jar a little shake or tap the base, turn it right side up and remove the cap. You'll notice a small amount of powder waiting for you on the underside of the lid.

Built-in silky filter

Built-in silky filter

The lightly perfumed mica powder is finely milled, but Chanel went one step further by including a baleen-type filter to help break apart any settled bits. The delicate screen also acts as a net to keep the loose powder from abandoning ship.

Every jar comes with a mini kabuki brush -- talk about soft! Personally, I prefer to use my own full size foundation brush as I feel like I can control the application process with a longer handle. Props to Chanel for including a quality brush.

Swatch of Beige 30 - can you even see it?

Swatch of Beige 30 - can you even see it?

The shade selection is astoundingly small and could potentially jeopardise interested shoppers. Here's a snapshot of the five shades available for purchase..

Beige 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 (from left to right)

Beige 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 (from left to right)

To perk up my pale, post-winter skin I purchased Beige 30 (the centre swatch); Beige 20, whilst lighter worked as well, but I was going for a natural, warmer oomph.

The powder itself is really easy to apply, we're talking a small amount of required buffing. Or as Chanel puts it, "flip, dip and sweep." Seriously. On average it takes me less than two minutes to get things looking even. I've also found that I don't need a lot of product -- thank goodness, cuz this stuff isn't cheap.

After medium to full coverage? Go in with another helping or two without stressing about things turning cake-y, it just won't happen.

Yesterday's glow-y situation featuring a soft and diffused finish

Yesterday's glow-y situation featuring a soft and diffused finish

When a makeup artist compliments your glowing skin, you know you're onto something pretty great. It really was a my skin but better moment and I am beyond thrilled by the unexpected kudos I received. Chanel's promise of "natural second-skin result with no hint of thickness and an amazingly even and smooth skin texture" is now my complexion's reality. 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's Vitalumière Loose Powder Foundation:

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

  • 10 out of 10 bags — hopefully I won't burn through this stuff too quickly!

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

  • Don't know how I managed to get my paws on Chanel's Rouge Allure Gloss in 17 Supreme, but I did. If you're the type who'd move mountains for Burberry's Sweet Pea, then you'll die for this! I'll have a review up later this week 💋

A glimpse at the lips: NARS Gipsy

NARS Gipsy

NARS Gipsy

Always hunting for the next best lipstick to brighten my day, NARS Gipsy floated into my periphery. With its jangling and come hither smile, I saw something promising.

Swatch of Gipsy

Swatch of Gipsy

Gipsy applied with a lip brush

Gipsy applied with a lip brush

Gipsy applied directly from the tube

Gipsy applied directly from the tube

The great thing about Gipsy is that you can go from everyday gal to red hot tamale in five seconds flat. Trust me.

NARS lipstick, especially the sheer formula, is one of my personal favourites! No fuss, easy to apply, sticks around and feels great on my lips. Here's hoping Francois will release Schiap in another formula.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for NARS Sheer Lipstick in Gypsy:

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

  • 9 out of 10 bags — Solid.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

Mary Kay for Spring 2014

Knock-knock, it's Mary Kay

Knock-knock, it's Mary Kay

Placing aside my makeup snobbery tendencies, I must admit some of Mary Kay's Spring 2014 collection surprised me.

Here's a quick look at Mary Kay's latest launch (working from tubular to meh) which dropped on the 1st of August.

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipsticks from left to right in Berry A La Mode, Sassy Fuchsia, Citrus Flirt and Tangerine Pop

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipsticks from left to right in Berry A La Mode, Sassy Fuchsia, Citrus Flirt and Tangerine Pop

True Dimensions Lipstick swatches from left to right in Berry A La Mode, Sassy Fuchsia, Citrus Flirt and Tangerine Pop

True Dimensions Lipstick swatches from left to right in Berry A La Mode, Sassy Fuchsia, Citrus Flirt and Tangerine Pop

Think Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butters, MAC's Huggable Lipcolor or Stila's Color Balm Lipstick; Mary Kay's True Dimensions Lipsticks are light, non-drying and fruity. The standouts for me are Sassy Fuchsia and Tangerine Pop.

NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss from top to bottom in Mango Tango, Rock N' Red, Pink Luster and Berry Tart

NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss from top to bottom in Mango Tango, Rock N' Red, Pink Luster and Berry Tart

NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss swatches from left to right in Mango Tango, Rock N' Red, Pink Luster and Berry Tart

NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss swatches from left to right in Mango Tango, Rock N' Red, Pink Luster and Berry Tart

I've only swatched these, but my first impression of the NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss isn't all that positive. The consistency was overly tacky, slightly gooey and they applied patchy. My negative swatch session steered me away from trying any of these lacklustre glosses. 

Cream Eye Colors in Violet Storm, Coastal Blue, Meadow Grass and Glacier Gray

Cream Eye Colors in Violet Storm, Coastal Blue, Meadow Grass and Glacier Gray

Cream Eye Colors swatches from left to right in Glacier Gray, Meadow Grass, Coastal Blue and Violet Storm

Cream Eye Colors swatches from left to right in Glacier Gray, Meadow Grass, Coastal Blue and Violet Storm

Act fast or you'll miss your opportunity to blend these babies out. Mary Kay's Cream Eye Colors are pretty in the pot and that's where their specialness ends. At least they didn't crease. Bright spot? Plus, there are far superior and cheaper cream eye shadow formulas you can pick up from your local CVS, Priceline, Sasa or Watson's .

Wearing Tangerine Pop on my lips and Glacier Gray and Violet Storm on my eyes

Wearing Tangerine Pop on my lips and Glacier Gray and Violet Storm on my eyes

Not the most amazing collection out there and that's all I have to say about that.

 

*PR sample provided  –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

Good things come to those who wait: Zoeva's Luxe Complete Set

Sneaky peek

Sneaky peek

Still testing, but Zoeva's makeup brushes have really knocked my socks off.

One kit, fifteen brushes and a cute zippered pouch. What more could this gal ask for? Did I mention great quality on the cheap? Call it $12 bucks a brush, only $12 smackeroos!

Thorough review will be out later this week, Girl Scout's Honor!