Highlighters Archives - Page 2 of 6

Lise Watier Pastel Power Illuminating Beads for Spring 2013 ~ Photos, Swatches, and Review

February 8, 2013 By Christa 2 Comments

Who doesn’t love looking at pretty ballz? We all know that Guerlain is the originator of our love for these pretty coloured balls of goodness. I have tried 4 different variations of the Guerlain Meteorites and while I love the effect they give to my skin there is one thing I don’t like about them. They all have those white (and sometimes other coloured) balls in the mix that have that really reflective coating on them that results in flecks of glitter on the skin. The really fine illuminating glow that results from the majority of the beads I adore but those other pesky ones spoil it for me. I have considered combining some packages of Meteorites and removing the offending balls but I ended up parting with all but one LE edition instead. When I first swatched to Pastel Power Illuminating Beads from the Lise Watier Spring 2013 collection I felt a great wash of satisfaction rush over me. THIS is how I like my ballz!

Unfortunately my Illuminating Beads arrived with a good number of them broken. This kept me from enjoying the pretty colours inside (I believe soft green, pink, and peach) but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the gorgeous glow they provide. Below is the stock photo of the beads. They come housed in a beautiful screw cap container with a mirrored and embossed lid.

Below is a HEAVY swatch photo taken in full sun. Even then you don’t see sparkle just a gorgeous sheen. It is such a glorious, subtle glow. I even tried applying it all over the face and while it’s probably not something I would often do it wasn’t over the top.

The Pastel Power Illuminating Beads are quite pigmented with a very light tone (as opposed to more shimmer in a sheer base) so I can see them as possibly coming across ashy on deeper skintones. I would recommend these for light to medium complexions.

The Lise Watier Pastel Power Illuminating Beads ($29 CAD), and the rest of the Pastel Power Spring 2013 collection, are available now on LiseWatier.com (for Canadian and US delivery) and at select Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

Product provided for my consideration. All reviews are always my own honest and unbiased opinions.

Filed Under: Highlighters, Lise Watier, Spring 2013

Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder from the Spring 2013 Printemps Precieux de Chanel Makeup Collection ~ Photos, Swatches, and Review

February 4, 2013 By Christa 4 Comments

I’ve never gotten over my regret from missing out on the Chanel Les Scintillances de Chanel Lumiere Sculptee de Chanel Highlighting Powder from Holiday 2011. When I saw the Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder from the Spring 2013 Printemps Precieux de Chanel Makeup Collection I knew I could not let it pass me by. It had to be mine!

The compact is a bit larger than the standard Chanel Joues Contraste and quad compacts and contains 8g/0.28oz of product. The compact comes nestled in a velvet pouch with a flip over cover that reveals a sponge tip paddle applicator in the front of the pouch. There is also an elastic strap that secures the pouch. The intricate embossed pattern on the powder is truly a work of art. I don’t usually fret over marring embellishments on products but this one did cause me a bit of emotional stress when I went to use it for the first time. It still does.

Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder

This delicately luminous powder creates the beautifully natural glow I prefer from my highlighting powders. It is a peachy beige with a hint of pink and fine golden shimmer. I wish this was a bit more pink but I am still giddy from my purchase. It has a ultra fine milled texture and gives a very refined, subtle glow to the skin. I know some have been using this as an all over face powder but I find it far too shimmery for my liking for this purpose. It may be a subtle highlight but I find it too much for all over the face.

Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder

These swatches are in direct sun to make the delicate shimmer visible. On the skin it provides a very natural glow.

Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder

Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder

I purchased the Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel Illuminating Powder ($68 US/$74 CAD) at Macy’s when I was in Buffalo, NY. It is available at Holt Renfrew and select The Bay in Canada. It is available online at Nordstrom.

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Filed Under: Chanel, Highlighters, Spring 2013

Giorgio Armani Moonlight White Palette Holiday Collection 2012 ~ Photos, Swatches, and Review

November 21, 2012 By Christa 2 Comments

Two new, limited edition harmonies of color combine the season’s most flattering, shimmering shades for eyes, face and lips. A total look for effortless chic make-up. The black lacquer double-tiered case is a must-have accessory, always at hand – a complete look at your fingertips.
On the first tier – Frosty Highlighter, the face powder produced by means of the illuminating Micro-Fil^TM technology, for long lasting shimmer. Soft and creamy, this weightless powder melts perfectly with skin, creating a natural, glamorous sheen. Dab lightly onto the facial contours to increase the radiance of complexion.
On the second layer – An eye and lip trio with two luminous Color-Fil^TM Satin eyeshadows to blend, and a compact lipstick for sheer mat color.

Two Moonlight harmonies

Palette #1 - Moonlight White Palette: Snow face shimmer highlighting powder in is paired with a gradation of grey eye shadows to create the color wash, finish with the red lip wax for a sophisticated winter style.

Palette #2 - Moonlight Beige Palette: Beige shimmer powder joins taupe eye shadows that intensify gradually, along with Beige lip wax, for sheer, natural elegance.

I have Palette #1 Moonlight White to share with you today.

The compact is a beautiful glossy black dual layered design that flares out from the bottom. Quite unique and space efficient.

The top level houses the beautiful snow face shimmer highlighting powder. When I first saw it my immediate thought was Wow, that’s sparkly. But the platinum particles turned out to be mostly overspray and the soft sheen provided by this finely milled powder is far more natural than I ever would have imagined on my fair skin. (Yes, my poor baby has a crack in her but the powder is so soft and creamy that after I took photos I just firmly pressed the product down and I think it will be OK!)

The bottom layer of the compact houses light and medium grey eyeshadows with a satin matte finish and a cool red lip wax. There are also a couple of sponge tipped applicators. I’m not sure why there is no lip brush? Maybe the lip wax performs well with a sponge. I will have to try that out. The products utilize Armani Beauty’s Micro-Fil and Color-Fil technologies.

Micro-Fil^TM Technology
A unique technology creates an exquisitely soft and impalpable compact powder. Spherical natural polymers assure a rolling application for perfect coverage and comfort, giving the powder a velvety smooth texture and excellent adherence.

Color-Fil^TMSatin Technology
Pure, micronized pigments are blended with a translucent base for an incredible depth of color that stays true throughout the day. Even application and long wear. Spherical polymers and micro-pearl particles glide across lids for an impeccably smooth, satin finish.

The eyeshadows kick up quite a bit of powder but they are not chalky. You would just have to be careful not to get powder in your lip wax.

The shadows apply very nicely with a soft finish. At first I was disappointed they weren’t more pigmented. They blend so easily and well together that they can almost blend away if you get carried away. My disappointment quickly turned to delight when I realized that this soft effect gave the most lovely, romantic smoky eye. Something perfect for those of us with fair skin and also for those a little nervous of wearing a smoky eye or of their blending skills. The lip wax applies with a nice amount of even pigment and gives the look of a blotted down red lipstick with the feel of a balm. Again, adding to the very soft and romantic feel of this palette.

I tried to demonstrate the shimmer of the highlighter with the overspray intact on the left and with the overspray mostly removed on the right. Notice I said mostly. It was just a small patch I’d removed the overspray on. I should have just taken a brush to it and swept it all off because I ended up not adequately showing you the difference.

The Giorgio Armani Holiday 2012 Collection is available exclusively at Holt Renfrew in Canada beginning this month and retails for $95. In the US you can purchase it directly from Giorgio Armani Beauty US where they are currently running a 20% off Friends and Family sale.

*Product provided for my consideration. All reviews will always be my own honest and unbiased opinions. Post contains an affiliate link.

Filed Under: Eyeshadows, Giorgio Armani, Highlighters, Holiday 2012, Lipsticks