Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Summer Soirée Recap + Fragrance Reviews

I was fortunate enough to attend the beautiful Dolce&Gabbana x POPSUGAR Summer Soirée this weekend, so I wanted to share some pictures from the rainy yet beautiful event! There was an incredible turn out despite the weather, and I found it quite generous that the manicure bar was offering free nail art services. I especially love the sophisticated, stacked gold design!

Fragrances and samples were displayed all over the venue, so it was absolute heaven for a beauty blogger like me! In case you haven't tried it, Dolce&Gabbana's Light Blue Pour Femme is a timeless fragrance that's especially well suited for warmer weather. I always think of my best friend Tammy every time I see a bottle because it's her signature scent. It is captivating and feminine but modern. I love that it's a fruity floral that isn't overly sweet or heavy. Light Blue has top notes of crisp apple balanced by Sicilian cedar. The heart notes are bamboo and jasmine with white rose. The base notes are citron wood, amber, and musk.

There's also a Light Blue Pour Homme in case you wanted to wear matching scents with your significant other! I adore the energizing top notes of juniper, grapefruit, and mandarin. It has a hint of pepper with oak in the base, so it dries down less citrusy. It is intoxicating yet lively. 

There are two new limited edition Light Blue Eau de Toilette releases this year, one for women and one for men. Sunset in Salina Pour Femme ($77 for 50mL) and Swimming in Lipari Pour Homme ($88 for 125mL) are now available at Sephora in case you're looking to change up your summer scent!

The rich amber orange color of Sunset in Salina is a fitting tribute to the Mediterranean's scorching hot sun. The vine leaves and yellow freesia have a strong presence in the bright opening, while the white musky notes allow it to dry down with more elegance and posh. The lasting power is quite strong for an EdT, approximately 4 hours. I like that Sunset in Salina feels more sensual and less floral than the original Light Blue because I can justify owning and wearing both!

Swimming in Lipari feels more masculine than the original Light Blue Pour Homme thanks to the sea salt and fragrant woods. It still feels easy to wear but just like Sunset in Salina, a little more grown up. They're both wonderfully different takes on the Light Blue saga. Pick up samples to see how they wear on your skin!

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Dolce & Gabbana through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select.

While I was compensated to write a post about Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue all opinions are my own.

TOP 5 | Best of Dolce&Gabbana Beauty Review

Dolce&Gabbana Beauty has been reinventing classics since the line first launched in 2009. The luxurious gilded packaging and diverse color range are nearly irresistible, and now you can find these phenomenal products at Nordstrom. I have dabbled with most of the brand's offerings, but here I will share my favorites are shared and reviewed in order of my preference after the jump!

GUIDE | Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte, Perfect Luminous, and Reveal Lift Liquid Foundations Review + SWATCHES

In case you haven't heard, Nordstrom recently began offering Dolce and Gabbana Beauty! Perhaps it is in my nature as a niche beauty blogger, but I absolutely love seeing my favorite niche brands expanding and breaking into big retailers like Nordstrom. I spotted all the D&G liquid foundations on the Nordstrom website, and it immediately inspired me to share my thoughts on these three truly worthwhile formulas. Find out more about each foundation after the jump!

Dolce & Gabbana Shaping Eyebrow Pencil in Mocha Review, Photos, Swatches

This Spring 2014 season, Dolce & Gabbana Beauty is introducing their first brow tool: Shaping Eyebrow Pencil ($45 USD). Conceived to create a tailor-made shape that enhances the wearer's natural look, this brow liner offers dual functionality with thick and thin aspects of the soft tear-shaped tip. Check out the complete details and comparison swatches after the jump!

My Top 5 Liquid Foundation Picks + Foundation Routine for Natural, Long-Lasting Matte Summer Skin

I held a little poll on my Facebook page to see if you wanted to see a Top 5 Liquid Foundations update or a Top 5 Mascaras video, and the former won! I hope you enjoy the new picks, but please refer to my first video (originally posted last year HERE) for advice on how to best choose the best foundation shade for you xoxo

My Featured Top 5 Liquid Foundations:

• Dolce & Gabbana The Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation SPF 20 [Available at Sephora]
• in Natural Glow 100
• Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Mattifying Oil Free Foundation [Available at Sephora]
• in Nude [applied with Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush]
• Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation SPF 8 [Available at Nordstrom]
• in No. 6
• Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation SPF 15 [Available at Sephora]
• in S104 [Summer Tan Shade]
• Burberry Sheer Cover Luminous Fluid Foundation in 05 Trench [Available at Nordstrom]
• in No. 5 [Light Tan Shade]

Additional Liquid Foundation Recommendations:

• Oily/Combination Skin: Lâncome Teint Idole Ultra 24HR, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua [liquid], Burberry Velvet
• Normal Skin: Armani Maestro, Koh Gen Do Aqua, Chanel Perfection Lumiere
• Dry Skin: Lâncome Teint Miracle, Armani Luminous Silk

Makeup Worn:
Hourglass Veil Mineral SPF 15 Primer
Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in Nude
Hourglass Hidden Concealer in Natural
Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen in 05 Naked Bisque
Hourglass Ambient Powder in Diffused Light
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in 1 Natural
Hourglass Visionaire Eyeshadow in Dune
Hourglass Film Noir Mascara in Black
Velour Lashes in Oops Naughty Me
MAC Powder Blush in Royal Sunset
Lancome Gloss in Love in 312 Blink Pink

Blouse Worn:
DailyLook

Nails:
Deborah Lippmann Do the Mermaid

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TREND: Bright Lip Makeup Tutorial [How I Wear Fuchsia Lipstick]

Today I will be sharing with you how I approach the bright makeup lip trend! I chose fuchsia as my lipstick, since I have done sheer reds in the past. Fuchsia can be intimidating to approach, and it has been only recently since I have been brave enough to wear so blue a shade. I found that this look, however, really works for me! I hope you enjoy watching the look come together with products from brands that I generally do not have the time to feature. I also took a minute to include the application of the D& G Matte liquid foundation, since it has been growing on me and others were curious to see how it applied. An updated Favorite Liquid Foundations video to come, perhaps? ;)

Makeup Used:
Beautyblender PRO Makeup Sponge with new Solid Cleanser
Dolce & Gabbana The Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation in Warm 100
Tom Ford Illuminating Pen in 05 Natural Bisque
L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Crayon Concealer in W4-5
Lancome Translucence Mattifying Silky Pressed Powder in 300 Bisque with MAC 109
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Light/Medium Matte Bronzer with Hakuhodo Angled Brush
Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush with Shu Uemura 20h Brush
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204
by Terry Eye Primer in 002
Lorac Pro Palette Eye Shadow Palette with Shu Uemura Kolinsky 10, Sigma 35 and 47 Eye Brushes
Lancome Artliner in Noir and Lancome Oscillation Intensity Mascara
House of Lashes False Lashes in Dollface
Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Fuchsia Shock

Rhinestone Collar Shirt:
by DailyLook

Nails:
Essie Hip-Anema

Hair:
Donut Bun with Japanese velcro grip donut

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Chanel Summer 2013 L'Ete de Papillon de Chanel Makeup Tutorial + 100k Celebratory Giveaway Announcement

CHANEL Summer 2013 L'Ete de Papillon de Chanel Makeup Giveaway Guidelines:

PRIZES: 

• Choice of (1) CHANEL 2013 Summer Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick -- 467 Pygmalion, 457 Idylle
• Choice (1) CHANEL 2013 Summer Stylo Eyeshadow -- 07 Moon River, 17 Cool Gold, 27 Pink Lagoon, 37 Jade Shore, 47 Blue Bay, 57 Black Stream
• Choice of (1) CHANEL 2013 Summer Levres Scintillantes Glossimer Lip Gloss -- 377 Zephyr, 427 Envolee, 437 Eden
• Entire (3) CHANEL 2013 Summer Nail Polishes

To view the entire Chanel 2013 Summer Makeup Collection, click here. 

-- --

Thank you very much for all your support over the years!

To enter the contest, there is one mandatory requirement and that is to: subscribe to my YouTube Channel, which is RAEview. Click here to subscribe!

To complete your entry, you must also leave your wishlist in the comments section of the CHANEL Summer 2013 makeup tutorial video. Click here to go to the video!

So that I can verify your entries, please use the contest box below to submit your entries. 

Please bear in mind that your wishlist may only include items found in the prizes listed above/below.
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Participants may also receive an extra entry by: 

1. Following @RAEview on Twitter. Click here to follow. 

2. Liking The RAEviewer Facebook page. Click here to Like.

3. Following @RAEview on Instagram. Click here to follow.

3. Signing up for The RAEview VIP mailing list. Click here to add yourself.

Makeup Worn/Used:

Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation in Warm 100

Cle de Peau Powder Foundation in O20

Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204

Chanel Soleil de Tan Bronzer in Sable Biege [old] with Hakuhodo Brush B512BkSL

Le Metier de Beaute Powder Rouge in Whisper with Laura Mercier Angled Eye Brush

by Terry Eye Primer in 002

Chanel Stylo Eyeshadows in Moon River, Cool Gold, Black Stream
   *mentioned during the review: Chanel Delta liquid eyeshadow, Chanel Rose Platine waterproof eyeliner, Chanel Mirifique cream eyeshadow

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Jade

Urban Decay Glide-on Eyeliner in Electric

Le Metier de Beaute Liquid Eyeliner in Noir

Velour Eyelashes in You Complete Me

Chanel Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 467 Pygmalion

Chanel Glossimer in Eden 437

Shirt:

James Perse

Nails:

Chanel Lilis [reviewed in video]

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April Beauty Edit: Favorites for Skin, Eyes, Lips + Video Details

This was a great month for beauty, so this episode is dedicated to throughly reviewing all the best beauty buys
that I have been loving! I was very excited to share them with you, even though there are not as many color
products. I instead chose to focus on lots of basics and real must-haves!

Feel free to let me know what your Favorites for this month were in the comments below. And more drugstore recommendations would be welcome :)



Products Reviewed:
DDF Glycolic 10% Toning Complex
Kiehl's Skin Rescuer Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator
Jurlique Purely Bright Spot Treatment
Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer in 001
Jonathan Create Smooth Anti-Frizz Volumizing Serum [Purchase it HERE]
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil Holder and Cartridge in 204 Natural Grey [View Swatches HERE]
Le Metier de Beaute Radiance Powder Rouge in Whisper [View TUTORIAL HERE]
Chanel Hong Kong Collection Eyeshadow Palette in Pearl River [View TUTORIAL HERE]
Becca Perfect Skin Mineral Powder Foundation in Nude
Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation in Natural Glow 100
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine Lipstick in Smitten 02 [View Summer '13 Review HERE]
Lancome Spring 2013 Kohl in Love Pencils in Jade Crush & Deepwater Blue [View Review HERE]
Hourglass N28 Lip Treatment Oil [Review to be posted on Monday!]
Chanel Stylo Eyeshadows [See Swatches HERE]


Makeup Worn:
Becca Perfect Skin Mineral Powder Foundation in Nude
Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation in Natural Glow 100
L'Oreal True Match Crayon Concealer in W1-2-3
Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Pink Ave Princess
Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204 Natural Grey
Le Metier de Beaute Radiance Powder Rouge in Whisper
Tom Ford Summer 2013 Cream Colors for Eyes in Pink Haze & Escapade [View Summer '13 Review HERE]
YSL Shocking Felt Tip Eyeliner with House of Lashes Temptress Lashes
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine Lipstick in Smitten 02

Shirt:
DailyLook [Receive 20% off your first order HERE!]

Nail Polish:
Tom Ford Summer 2013 Vapor [View Summer '13 Review HERE]

Dolce & Gabbana Provocative Blush Review, Photos, Swatches

I was hesitant when I ordered D&G's The Blush in Provocative because cool bubblegum/baby pinks generally tend to oxidize on my skin and transform into warm, slightly rosy but mostly nude shades that are difficult to describe. Unfortunately, Provocative did not pass my oxidation test. It maintains true-to-pan color for the first two hours of wear but once oxidation kicks in, not even remote traces of pink can be found on my cheeks. If you're fair-skinned, however, you may have better luck with Provocative than I did!

The gold compact does attract fingerprints, though not as noticeably as YSL's gold compacts, and for some reason, the closure on my Provocative blush is a bit faulty. It doesn't snap shut as easily as my other D&G products but I can live with it, just something I felt obligated to mention. The powder inside is smooth and silky, does not kick up much powder dust and applies best with a soft but dense blush brush like Bobbi Brown's. The pigmentation is about medium. This is no NARS Exhibit A but that also means it is much easier to apply and wear properly. I also own Peach, to the right of Provocative above, which was included in the photo above to show how much cooler Provocative is. [I will be reviewing Peach later this week.]

I included the swatch of YSL's new Radiance blush because it's such a gorgeous shimmery baby pink [more neutral than Provocative or Katie] that does stay relatively true to color on my cheeks. The other three blushes are matte/satin shades. If you have not yet found a more affordable bubblegum or baby pink blush alternative, however, D&G's Provocative may be the one to try! I love the texture of D&G blushes and really believe that is what makes them worthy of their high price tag, even if the color of Provocative did not work out as I had hoped it would. I find that only Illamasqua's Katie appears and remains true to color on my medium-light skin.

Bottom Line: I maintain that D&G blushes are worth the splurge but Illamasqua's Katie is still my Holy Grail baby pink blush (and it's much more affordable, too)!

Dolce & Gabbana Charm 140 Classic Cream Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

I wasn't quite sold on the swatches I had seen of Dolce & Gabbana's Classic Cream lipsticks. But when Nikki of Saks in Houston told me there was an awesome gift with purchase, including a neutral pink cream lipstick, I jumped on the opportunity to order some D&G Holiday make-up pieces as well as score a lipstick to try! I was one of the lucky few who also received the Ruby lip palette of 4 Classic Cream lipstick shades from last holiday but I'm saving that for a separate review :)

The Classic Cream lipstick formula is heavenly. It plumps up my lip lines, is opaque in one swipe, and lasts at least four hours, through talking and drinking. It glides across my lips when I apply it straight from the tube, no tugging or pulling. Needless to say, I am very impressed and will be ordering more. The only formula that tops the creaminess of this lipstick is Edward Bess's lipstick formula. Both are divine but D&G has a wider shade selection, with select bright and vampy shades. EB's line caters more toward a neutral and wearable palette.

The most obvious advantage that EB's formula has over D&G's formula is the EB signature fig scent, which I absolutely adore. The D&G Classic Cream lipsticks have a slightly off-putting rose taste. I can tolerate the rose scent because it is common in high-end and designer lipsticks but the taste is overpowering. EB lipsticks have no taste, thank goodness. I will continue to purchase both EB and D&G lipsticks because both are phenomenal but if you are sensitive to the flavor of lipstick, you may want to try the D&G lipsticks on in person before you purchase them.

Charm is neutral but it leans slightly more mauve and less pink in most lighting. I took the photos above in natural sunlight so they look a touch brighter - more pink. I think think would be a very flattering shade on most women and it reminds me a lot of NARS Catfight, except Catfight has a golden sheen. The photo below is not the best representation of the color, unfortunately, but it is more true to how it looks on my lips when not in sunlight or direct light. It could actually be categorized as a My Lips But Better shade if you have mauve-tinged lips like mine!

Bottom line: This color won't change your life but it might make your morning routine a lot easier!

Dolce & Gabbana Blossom Eyeshadow Duo Review, Comparison, Photos, Swatch

I've been enamored with Blossom since I saw make-up artist Lisa Eldridge use it in a tutorial a few months ago. Even though I was initially hesitant about my purchase, I don't regret it one bit because I don't have anything like it in my collection. Most of you know I love my neutral eyeshadows and will pay a premium for them but I am not willing to shell out big bucks for brights like Blossom. These eyeshadows, however, are so smooth and easy to manipulate that I think the price was justified. 

But just look at how unique this duo is! I like to play up the subtle golden shimmer in the fuchsia burgundy [first swatch below] with warm toned orange-copper shades like NARS California. I find, however, that it looks best with paired with a matte shadow. And don't worry, it doesn't read as red-pink on the lid as it appears as a swatch. It isn't easy to pull off alone on the lid but it can be mixed and paired with so many deeper shades to create depth and dimension, definitely worth experimenting with. The blue-based purple is supposedly very similar to MAC Stars & Rockets but I can't comment since I don't own that particular MAC shade. Both are iridescent shadows but from what I have seen, Stars & Rockets has more of a pink sheen while the shade in Blossom has more of a blue sheen. 

The only colors that I own that come even close to the shades in Blossom are the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadow in Ebloui [reads more brown as a swatch] and the Urban Decay pencil in Asphyxia. Both of these shades, however, have noticeable shimmer particles that sit on top of the bases as opposed to the D&G Blossom shadows, which have a very refined shimmer quality that is infused into the base colors. I'll try to put together an eye look soon so you can see this duo in action.

Bottom Line: I love it!

Dolce & Gabbana Tan Blush Review, Comparison, Photos, Swatches

D&G's The Blush in Tan is my Holy Grail contour color. Yes, it is categorized as a blush but I use it to contour my cheekbones and jawline to give my face and slimmer look and please, believe it when I say it's the best I've ever used. I am so thankful Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book reviewed this or I would have lived the rest of my life unenlightened. I have worn this regularly since I received it and can be seen sporting it in most of my YouTube videos reviews and tutorials nowadays.

The powder is finely milled, not chalky at all. I use my Sigma F25 to apply it and the powder never kicks up dust, which I love. The powder also does not accentuate any pores and it is not orange in any way so even those who are fair could use it. I must mention, though, when I opened up the compact for the first time to photograph it, I recoiled because the color in the compact was so dark and ashy. Rest assured, though, it is entirely natural looking on the face! As are the rest of the Dolce and Gabbana's blushes I own, Tan is extremely well pigmented so all you need is a mere sweep of the brush across the compact. Really, one swipe is all you need for each cheek. If you go overboard, you may look like you got hit in the face with a mud pie ;) Don't say I didn't warn you.

Benefit Hoola, Burberry Earthy, D&G Tan

Here is a comparison between the other two contour shades I was using before Tan. The first is Benefit's Hoola, which is a matte bronzer - coveted for lacking an orange undertone but as you can see below, Hoola appears to be much more orange when compared to Tan! The other product pictured between the two is Burberry's Blush in Earthy, which is best for fair skinned women or men who desire a very natural contour. Earthy has a pink undertone, which initially disliked but it actually makes Earthy more versatile than Tan or Hoola since I can layer it as a contour or apply it lightly as a blush.

Tan is much easier for the everyday woman to use as a contour, as opposed to Kevyn Aucoin's Sculpting Powder in Medium. Both are excellent powders, but the D&G Tan is easier to build and blend, especially on very fair to light skin tones.

Bottom Line: Worth every penny I paid ($44 + tax). Will buy again and will hoard tens of them if D&G creative ever decide to discontinue it. Most of you will purchase sight unseen like me but if you're a fan of contouring, Tan is definitely worth the splurge!

Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo Gloss Fusion Lipstick in 20 Sensation Review, Photos, Swatches

I love lipsticks. Even though I know I have too many, I want more! #addict

When I recently made my first order of D&G cosmetics for my Make-up for Glasses Tutorial from D&G extraordinare Nikki in Texas [713.627.0500 EXT 5101 - tell her I sent you], I requested she select the lightest, coolest pink in the Passion Duo line up. Sensation arrived on my doorstep the next week and its lightweight formula won me over. The rose scent of the lipstick does not bother me but I do find the the rose flavor mildly off-putting. As much as I love rose scented products, my taste buds will never find artificial rose flavorings palatable.

I love how sleek the gold bullet is! It's longer than most bullets we've seen recently but it's very chic and easy to grip. The gold is not too yellow, unlike the significantly darker yellow gold compacts of the D&G eyeshadows. An do you see how there are two parts to this lipstick? The inner ring is the gloss, enveloped by the outer ring of creamy lipstick. When you want to wear both a lipstick and a lipgloss but you cannot be bothered with two products, all you need is one Passion Duo! I love killing two birds with one stone :)

Note: The lighting of my photos seem to make Sensation appear cooler than it is. The base color of this lipstick is not a Barbie pink. Sensation is a neutral pink with cool-toned pink and silver glitter particles. There is a touch of frost in the finish but it is not as dramatic as I expected, which is good! It is also worth mentioning that this particular shade is one of the sheerest Passion Duos and the lasting power is nothing impressive, 4 hours at best. The only remnants of Sensation on my lips at the end of the day are the glitter particles that were part of the outer ring.

From what I have seen, the deeper colors in the Passion Duos are much creamier and far less glittery. If you want a D&G lipstick that's worth $34, stick to the reds. But if you want more bang for your buck, treat yourself to a Burberry Lip Mist in Feather Pink!

*After several uses. The inner gloss ring is disappearing faster than the outer lipstick ring!

I will keep Sensation just in case I ever go dancing and want to rock a smokey eye with a sparkling pink lip!