I know, I know.. we’re too far into 2012 to be talking about what I liked in 2011.
I also know you want the wedding, not me wittering on about lippy.
Humour me.
I did have this post pencilled in for the beginning of the month, but the small matter of getting hitched [and essentially throwing a massive party for over 100 people} somehow managed to get in the way of it going live. However, my love for these products is too great to let them pass by without mention. They deserve their moment in the spotlight.
You might think that for someone with a makeup collection as vast as mine, picking favourites would be a daunting task. Not so. These three items are like old friends to me now. Always there when I need them, reliable, easy to be around and guaranteed to make me feel good. I don’t always wear them together, part of their attraction is that they go with so much. They’ve had to work hard for their place in my heart. At times, I’ve even entertained the idea I could survive with them alone… ditch the eyeshadow quads, get rid of the red lipsticks {gasp!}, perhaps even eBay the entire contents of my beauty box, just so I can be alone with these perfect products…
#1 Eyes ~ Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Illusoire
This would have to be my most worn eye-shadow of 2011, which is saying something considering it was only released in August. The appeal for me isn’t just the amazing long lasting, crease resistant formula, or its ease of application, or even the fact that it looks so darn pretty. No, I love that it works just as well for daytime as it does for night. I don’t get out much you see, at least not in the evening or to anywhere more exciting than the playground/library/toddler group. There’s little call for elaborate, sultry eye makeup in my life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t crave a bit of sparkle. Therefore, an eye-shadow that provides the kind of shimmer I can get away with on the school run is worthy of holy grail status in my opinion. Illusoire resembles molten metal on the lid and looks stunning worn with my other favourite eye-shadow MAC Vex and a smudge of MAC Grey Utility Powerpoint Eye Pencil {pictured above}.
#2 Lips ~ Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Fetiche
A super hydrating, could put it on with my eyes closed, go with everything, my lips but better tube of perfection. I bought two, because I never want to be too far away from this lipstick. I love the colour and the way it lifts my complexion. The formulation is also divine. It’s not long lasting {these juicy lipsticks never are} but it’s the kind of product that’s a joy to reapply, so you won’t loose any sleep over it. I know I’ll need to investigate this line of lipsticks more come the summer. The glossy finish, if I can find it in an eye-popping pink or coral, would lend itself perfectly to warmer weather.
#3 Cheeks ~ NARS blush in Sin
When I first purchased this blush I liked it. That’s all. It wasn’t love. It wasn’t even lust. It looked pretty, and I reached for it whenever I was tempted to sport a purple toned lipstick or gloss. It took me almost a year to realise it’s true potential extended far beyond the realms of MAC’s Up The Amp lippy. Not only does this blush seemingly go with everything, it does wondrous things to my face.It may look like nothing more that a murky purple with subtle gold shimmer in the pan, but on the cheek it imparts an almost bruised flush that leaves me looking wide awake and infinitely more healthy and alive than I actually am. As with all NARS blushes I’ve tried it’s incredibly pigmented and requires a light hand and lots of blending, but the fact it lasts all day, even on my oily skin, only makes me love it more.
Do you share my love for these makeup items? Could you narrow things down as much as I have and pick your favourite product for eyes, lips and cheeks?
Loveaudrey xxx
Nars Sin is one of my favourite blushes. I don’t think I could narrow my favourite down to just 3. I fi8nd it hard enough when I am going away. x
Packing for a trip away is always tricky. Skincare is my downfall, I just want to take it all with me! Do I really need 3 eyecreams for 2 days away at my Mum’s? Probably not 😉
These products really stood out for me though, they’ve had so much use and they never dissapoint.
xxx
We have very similar tastes (NARS Sin is one of my favourite blushes) and on that basis I have just ordered the Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Illusoire
from Debenhams. I expect great things! 😉 x
Aaaaggghhh the pressure! I hope you love it 🙂
xxx
Trick is to use the synthetic brush it comes with I think. Press it onto lid haphazardly and then blend out the edges with something like Vex. Use whatever is left on the brush to line under the eye. Simples.
Okey doke! Will let you know how I get on 🙂
I was just about to ask you how you apply it 🙂 I won it in a giveaway and it is oh so very beautiful, but I never quite get the effect I want from applying with my fingers. I’ll try the way you’ve mentioned, I’ve got Vex and it’s needing some love again, so this could be perfect 🙂
You won’t regret it Arlene xxx
Oh, P.S. because I can’t not say anything, you’ve called NARS Sin a lipstick halfway through 😉 It confused me, hehe! I really want that blush AND lippie now, darn you!
xxx
Hehe! I was just testing, honest! Can you tell my barin is still full of wedding?!
I couldn’t get it to work with fingers. Synthetic brush is def the way to go I think and it really does look lovely with Vex.
xxx
Ah I love the Illusion D’Ombre too, the texture and colour are just perfect! Vex is also my most-used MAC shadow, so pretty! And I recently picked up Sin and have been wearing it every day. Lovely favourites – and sounds like the wedding was beautiful! xx
I’ve swatched the Chanel eyeshadows so many times, but couldn’t justify spending that much on one shadow when I wasn’t earning, but now that’s all changed I’m going to buy all of them… At once..!! Xxx
Oh, you’re making me want Sin so bad… I was already thinking of picking it up, so this just gives me another reason to go look at it again 🙂
Sin is one of those items that have been on a wishlist for so, so long but have never bitten the bullet. As for the Illusion D’Ombre I lust for these frequently but I currently cannot justify the price for one eyeshadow when I do, literally, have hundreds already. I am definitely about quality over quantity though, so one day, it will be mine!
I really like the eyeshadow colour. It’s quite random but I think I recognized you at the graduation ceremony at Exeter University today (Saturday) – were you there and in the Peter Chalk Centre with your husband? If it wasn’t you then I’m sorry – I just had a weird moment there thinking “I’m sure I follow that woman’s blog!” lol.
Haha!! Yes, that must have been me! I was graduating today, MA in English Studies. Were you collecting a degree? What a small world 🙂
Hehe, yep, MA in Creative Writing at the 11.30 ceremony! Congrats on your degree 🙂 Definitely a small world!