Clé de Peau Beauté La Boheme | Eye Color Quad in 212 + Enriched Lip Luminizer in 226 Review, Photos, Swatches

The Clé de Peau Beauté eyeshadow quad in 212 and the lipstick in 226 launched with the Spring 2014 La Boheme collection, but this duo makes up one of my favorite looks for Fall. I have been wearing the soft purple eye and mauve-nude lip combination often because it is incredibly chic yet romantic. Check out the individual product reviews and swatches after the jump!

Mika Ninagawa for Shu Uemura 'Forbidden Fruits' Makeup Tutorial + Swatches

To celebrate the marvelous Spring 2014 release of Shu Uemura's third collaboration with famed artist Mika Ninagawa, I will be sharing a pictorial — a photo tutorial — for the sultry 'Forbidden Fruits' Look! This makeup embodies the powerfully evocative, vibrant, and alluring shades that make up the dreamy wonderlands created by Mika. Learn how you can achieve this look after the jump!

Shu Uemura x Mika Ninagawa Spring 2014 'Forbidden Fruits' Collection Review + Photos

Shu Uemura has partnered up with renowned photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa for yet another creative, colorful collection. Mika created four new images and designs for this Spring 2014 collection — all inspired by the artistry of Shu Uemura. The four wonderlands Forbidden Fruits, Singing Forest, Curiosity & Melting Sweet Dreams were used for the packaging of the brand's cult products as well as for some of the limited edition shades. Discover the product details after the jump!

NARS Spring 2014 Makeup & NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette Reviews, Photos, Swatches

After four years of beauty blogging, I finally caught the NARS bug! It all started with the Radiant Creamy Concealer several months ago, and since then, I have continued to discuss more NARS on YouTube land. I have yet to purchase a full seasonal NARS collection, but the much-hyped Spring 2014 releases of the NARSissist eyeshadow palette and Final Cut cheek and lip products caught my attention. Due to these worthwhile purchases, I anticipate much more NARS in my future!

Now, the NARSissist palette is a great purchase based on numbers but seems to be hit or miss with many. I was quick to order it when it first launched because I wanted to expand my NARS eyeshadow collection. Since receiving it, I have loved experimenting with it. The palette has yielded consistently lovely results, so it is a winner in my book! I acknowledge that some of the shades are not as creamy as their full-size counterparts, but an eyeshadow primer will help smooth out the texture significantly (though I do not find it necessary on my normal lids). Overall, I can confidently say that I prefer the NARSissist to the Naked palettes.

As demonstrated in the tutorial portion of the video, the colors are well pigmented and easily buildable! Since I have discovered that many of the negative reviews are written by those who have merely swatched the palette, I will remind you again that swatching eyeshadows on the arms or hands is not necessarily representative of how they will perform on the eyes. I always encourage others to actually try on a product several times and give it a real effort before dismissing it! Just like with the Smashbox Full Exposure palette, I suggest breaking through the neatly pressed and packed 'seal' of the eyeshadows for best results. Note: I usually love applying eyeshadows with my clean fingertips, but with this NARSissist eye palette, quality eyeshadow brushes will make a noticeable difference in the color payoff and the ease of application/blending as well.

The Final Cut Collection's line-up is stacked with winners, but my favorites were the two that came home with me. The Final Cut blush only requires a tap of the brush, even when used with ultra soft squirrel mixes as I did. The Descanso Satin Lip Pencil is the perfect peach, the one I had been holding out for. It was totally worth the wait! I love that the Satin formula has a hint of glossiness and does not dry out my sensitive lips.

VIDEO: The tutorial for this look is more sultry than what I have been wearing regularly, but I wanted to share a look I have not worn in a while. I became so attached to the bronze color 'Fez' that I decided to create an entire look dedicated to it. The gleaming bronze and warm peachy tones of the blush and lipstick work in perfect harmony! Hope you enjoy it xo

Makeup Worn:
Chanel MatLumiere in 40 + Chanel CC Cream in 20
EM Michelle Phan Concealer Palette in Light [blemishes]
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard [eyes]
EM Michelle Phan Love Me For Me Compact in Linen 8
Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Terra
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil Cartridge in 204 and Holder
NARS NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette -- Madrague II, Fez, Coconut Grove, All About Eve I + Bellissima I [highlighter]
NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Carpates
NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via Veneto
NARS Blush in Final Cut
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Descanso
Stila Lip Glaze in Apricot
Dior DiorShow Waterproof Mascara
Velour Lashes in You Complete Me
     *Use promo code RAEVELOUR to receive 15% off your purchase!

Eye Brushes Used:
Shu Uemura 10f
Hakuhodo J142
Bobbi Brown Blender
MAC 217

Earrings:
House of Harlow White Sunburst Studs

Nails:
Chanel Paradoxal

Shirt:
J. Crew

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Chanel Spring 2014 Notes de Printemps Makeup Review + Tutorial

I purchased my top picks from the Chanel Spring 2014 Notes de Printemps Collection back in mid-December, and I am finally getting around to sharing my thoughts with you now! After a couple weeks of playing with the products, I found my eyeshadow purchases are some of the best Chanel investments I have made in years! Most of you know I rarely gravitate towards pinks, but I may even go back for the Illusion D'Ombre in Impulsion to wear with the eyeshadow duo.

I have been asked time and time again about the Le Blush Cremes, and while they are a beautifully packaged and executed product, I would be hard-pressed to purchase another. I love the brightness of Intonation ($38 USD) since it does mimic my natural flush, but it is more of a special occasion product that I'd reach for if being photographed. If an exceptionally pretty, limited edition pale pink is released, I may leap for it. Otherwise, I still stick to my Joues Contraste powder blushes. I'm old-school like that! 

If you do not already own Tapage ($27 USD), run to a counter now! It is a much brighter, shimmer-free version of Coromandel. As much as I adore the cooler tones of Pirate and Rouge Rubis, I personally think Tapage is the best red nail polish Chanel has done recently. The Rouge Allure lipstick in Melodieuse ($35 USD) is the only one of the several in this collection that jumped out at me. It looks quite red in the bullet, but it translates to a softer watermelon look on my lips. It is an ideal Spring lipstick, pigmented and flattering, but I believe Melodieuse will suit very fair skin best! The Glossimer in Murmure ($29.50 USD) is creamy, milky, and pigmented perfection. It is one of the best shimmer-less glossimers released since my Holy Grail peach, Volupte. I love how moisturizing yet long lasting this formula is!

The eyeshadows in this collection were phenomenal. Though I did like the look of the eyeshadow quad, I left the pale beige and the muted lilac were unnecessary additions to the color scheme. I went straight for the 'meat and potatoes' palette, Rose Majeur ($42 USD). The pigmentation and blending impressed me at first swipe, but this duo must be used with an eyeshadow brush. Use a flat shader with a good amount of resistance! Also, I read some reviews that the Illusion D'Ombre in Diapason ($36 USD) had some fall out. I did not have issue with glitter falling, but it does require some patience to build up the color. Take the time to layer and you will be rewarded with a gorgeous smoky purple base and sparkling blue duochrome!

My favorites from my haul, which I highly recommend, are the Tapage Nail Lacquer, the Rose Majeur Eyeshadow Duo, the Illusion D'Ombre in Diapason, and the Glossimer in Murmure. That is not to say the Intonation blush and Melodieuse lipstick are not worth the splurge! I just cannot imagine reaching for them as regularly as my favorites.

Now that we have wrapped up the review, I hope you'll enjoy the review and tutorial!

Spring 2014 Notes De Printemps Products Reviewed: 

Chanel Le Vernis in 605 Tapage 

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Cream Eyeshadow in 92 Diapason  

Chanel Ombres Contraste Eyeshadow Duo in 70 Rose Majeur 

Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel in 69 Intonation  

Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in 136 Melodieuse 

Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in 179 Murmure 

Brushes Used:

Shu Uemura 11 Kolinsky Eye

Hakuhodo B512BkSL Cheeks

Additional Makeup Worn:

Chanel MatLumiere in 40  

+ Chanel CC Cream in 20 

EM Michelle Phan Concealer Palette in Light 

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact Powder in 4 

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in Terra 

Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil Cartridge in 204 and Holder 

Hourglass Film Noir Mascara 

Velour Lashes in Oops Naughty Me 

     *Use promo code RAEVELOUR to receive 15% off your purchase!

EM Michelle Phan Scribble Liquid Eyeliner

Nails:
Chanel Spring 2014 Tapage

Earrings:
Chanel

Sweater:
Kate Spade

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YSL La Laque Couture in Rose Scabiosa #48 Nail Polish Review, Photos, Swatches

YSL's Spring 2014 "Flower Crush" Rose Scabiosa ($25 USD) is my first creme nail polish from the reformulated La Laque Couture nail polish collection. I generally prefer the juicy, glossy finishes of Chanel's Le Vernis, but I couldn't resist this unique bubblegum pink. It is not a shade of pink I generally gravitate towards, but my sister managed to persuade me, raving about the formula. This Spring release is as phenomenal as she claimed, as Rose Scabiosa is unlike some of the heavier or chalkier YSL cream finishes I have tried in the past. Check out the comparisons and more swatches after the jump!

Tom Ford Spring 2014 Nail Lacquers Review, Photos, Swatches

I am so excited to share Tom Ford's limited edition Spring 2014 Nail Lacquer collection with you! As I shared on Twitter, I first had to remove my lovely gel manicure to swatch these four shades (0.34 fl. oz. each), so it took longer than expected to compile all the photos for this feature. Thanks so much for your patience, and I hope you'll enjoy the swatches. Check out all individual shade break downs and comparisons after the jump!

Tom Ford LIP COLOR SHEER Lipstick Collection Review, Photos, Swatches

Tom Ford's Spring 2014 collection features a new collection of lipsticks called the Lip Color Sheer! This exclusive new collection features 8 indispensable shades, all housed in Tom Ford's original, retro ivory and gold case. The semi-translucent formula, in a distinct beveled form, contains a blend of moisturizing ingredients, such as Vitamin C and E, Shea Butter, and other natural oils. View all the swatches and individual shade break downs after the jump!

TOM FORD Spring 2014 Beauty Look Book

"Beautiful and glowing skin touched with a bit of hot color is a ravishing Spring look — it is alluring and sexy."

__TOM FORD

Sheer, natural, effortless beauty is the focus of the Tom Ford Spring 2014 Color Collection launching officially this March. This limited edition line-up contains eight new sheer lip colors and four new nail lacquer shades that harmonize shimmering nudes with accents of hot, sun-kissed color. 

TOM FORD LIP COLOR CONDITIONER ($49 USD)

This exclusive new lip color collection, featuring 9 indispensable shades, is housed in Tom Ford's iconic ivory and golden case. The semi-translucent formula, in a distinct beveled form, contains a blend of moisturizing ingredients, such as Vitamin C and E, Shea Butter, and other natural oils. Available now at Nordstrom.

TOM FORD NAIL LACQUER ($32 USD)

A perfectly edited collection of four fresh colors, with extra-amplified gloss and shine, complete the Tom Ford Spring look. Shades come in the original high-performance formula with bendable coating that delivers high coverage easily and fluidly, insuring that the lacquer stays color-true throughout wear. Available now at Nordstrom.

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Bright-Eyed, Natural 'Everyday' Makeup for Spring 2014 + Tutorial

As much as I love dramatic eye looks, I rarely wear smoky eyes or even dark eyeshadows these days. I like to keep things natural and simple, especially when the weather is gloomy, so I have found that the easiest way to perk up my look is to focus on brightening the eyes. A little bit of highlighter in the tear duct area and perfectly curled lashes with a hint of elongating eyeliner is really all it takes to add some polish to any outfit. I like to think of this as a template tutorial, so feel free to layer on more blush and add some half lashes to the outer corners of the eyes! Have fun with it xo

Products Used:
Panasonic Heated Eyelash Curler
-- Discount Code: CURLIT / Click here to purchase
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Granite
MAC 266 Angled Brush
By Terry Hyaluronic Eye Primer in Neutral
Bobbi Brown Spring 2014 Nude Glow 'Bronze' Eyeshadow Palette
Hakuhodo Kokutan Eye Brush ML
Sigma Exact Blend E32 Eye Brush
MAC 239 Flat Shader Eye Brush
EM Cosmetics Waterliner in Chocolate Dream
Dior Eyeliner Brush
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Clinique Spring 2014 Cheek Pop 'Plum Pop' Blush
Bobbi Brown Blush Brush
Dior Crème de Rose SPF 10 Lip Balm
ALSO WORN:
Burberry Sheer Cover Fluid Foundation in 4
Dior Nude Powder Compact Foundation in 20
Tom Ford Matte Bronzer in Terra

Nails:
Glitzy Nail Bar

Blouse:
Black Twisted Draped Blouse

Earrings:
House of Harlow White Sunburst Studs

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Dior Spring 2014 Vernis in 132 Blossom Nail Polish Review, Photos, Swatches, Comparisons

I had not planned on purchasing Dior's Spring 2014 Blossom nail polish ($24 USD) until I stopped by the Dior counter to pick up the frosty pink matte top coat, Perle. The sweet Kristie of Natural N Chic Makeup offered her valuable input regarding Blossom on Instagram, so I figured this limited edition color was at least worth a try. Blossom's eye-catching golden shimmer is what won me over, and it very well may win you over, too! Check out swatches and comparisons after the jump!

Dior Spring 2014 Vernis in 204 Porcelaine and 192 Pampille Nail Polish Review, Photos, Swatches

Dior's Spring 2014 'Trianon' Collection has officially launched in a few Nordstrom stores already, so I wanted to share my top two picks, Porcelaine and Pampille. The nail polishes are the only products that appealed to me, so I will only swatch the rest of the products from the collection at a later date. For now, let's get up close and personal with these gorgeous pastel nail polishes!