d.j.v beautenizer, Fiberwig LX Mascara

I should have known better, but I couldn't resist.  On the box, this mascara is described as filled with "brush-on Fiber Extensions," that "dramatically lengthen, separate and condition."  Despite the fact that the Sephora website says the company uses "ground-breaking technology" to deliver "innovative, high-performing products to fulfill every woman's unaddressed beauty needs," this looked like an old product I bought decades ago at the drugstore. 

Despite a brush that's designed to please everyone, i.e. a straight side and curved one, it doesn't separate the lashes at all, and for the abundance of little fibers you see, very few of them appeared on my lashes except at odd angles on the tips, as you can see below. 

So it works as well as that old drugstore product too.  Well, at least it didn't smudge, and it washed off easily.  But then I use a cleansing oil designed to take off just about anything...I won't be using this mascara long enough to find out it nourishes the lashes.   This one gets returned.

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eye Shadow, "Epatant"

It dawned on me that I could apply the opaque Chanel eye shadow primer under the Epatant, the grayish green Illusion D'Ombre, so that I have light-colored canvas for the faint green color.  It worked!  It's a technique I'll try with other colors that appear ashy on my eyelid or are too pale for my skin tone.

The Chanel eye shadow primer is not my favorite because doesn't apply evenly.  Rather than apply it on directly my lids with the built-in brush, I dotted and spread it carefully with my fingers.  After it was sufficiently dried, I applied Epatant with the brush that came with it , smudging and spreading also with my fingers.  I lined my eyes with the dark teal shadow in the Chanel Regard Perle quad.

Chanel Epatant on the lid
Dark green/teal from Chanel Regard Perle Quad lining the eye
Edward Bess Afterglow All Over Seduction used as a highlighter under the brow
YSL Noir Radical Mascara.

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow

Chanel describes the Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eye Shadows as shimmering long-wear shadows with a soft and cushiony, gel texture that can also be worn as eyeliner. I bought three:  Epatant, a grayish green; Illusoire, light maroon; and Mirifique, black.

I would describe the texture as  very, very, dense foam - a little bit goes a very long way, justifying the $36 price tag for .14 ounces.  They come with a small, expandable brush that applies the shadow well enough.  I used the brush to pick up the product from the jar, but found that it blends best with my finger.  The brush is best for eye lining.

I looked forward to buying Epatant because I had seen many sneak peeks on blogs, and by the promise that it was the closest color to the famous Lancome Erica F.  I was a little disappointed that Epatant doesn't look as green on my eyelid as it does in the swatches below, and is almost overpowered by silvery shimmer, especially in bright daylight.  So I used the dark green in the Regard Perle Chanel quad as a liner to bring out the green in Epatant.   They are good match.  I couldn't take good pictures of it applied on my eye, but I'll try again.

I was pleased with the grayish purple Illusoire, which looks maroon on my eyelid.  It's wearable during the day though it has a significant amount of shimmer.  One could wear it to a casual office. 

The black Mirifique was the big surprise.  I don't usually wear black eye shadow, but it is a stunning eye liner.  It goes on effortlessly with the little expandable brush.  I've never applied eyeliner as easily.  It has a curve on the lower end that makes it slide with ease, particularly as you approach the outer end of the end of the eye and lift off.   I'm going to try it with other liners.  Chanel should seriously consider developing an eyeliner of the same texture without the shimmer.  You can see the shimmer in the closeup picture below, but it's not so obvious if you're standing at normal conversational distance.   They should also consider adding a larger eyeliner brush with the curved brush shape to their brush collection.  These shadows lasted the entire day without primer, with just a touch of fading.

Illusoire on the entire lid.
Mirifique lining the eye.
Edward Bess' Afterglow All Over Seduction used as a highlighter under the brow.
YSL Noir Radical Mascara.

What has your experience been with these shadows? 

To Powder or Not to Powder

During a makeover earlier this year, a friend asked me which powder I use. I have oily skin but counter to instinct, I use as little powder as possible, because I don't like the flat, heavy, matte look most powders give you.  After applying foundation and before eye shadow, I dust my face with T. LeClerc loose powder, using a powder brush. Whenever I develop a shine during the day, I use blotting papers to absorb excess oil. Since I started using Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge and Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint, I rarely use powder after blotting. Both have great staying power, even in DC's hot, humid weather. They never run.

T. LeClerc loose powder is the only one I’ve used that is truly translucent. It comes in a 25g hand-sealed metal tin, and has a little sifter inside. A little goes a long, long way. I’ve only used a third of the product in two years. The last tin I bought lasted 5 years or so, which, at $50 per tin, is $10 a year.

Of the range of colors, I use Chair Ambree, described on the T.LeClerc website as rosy beige. It may look very pink on the site, but because it is so translucent, it just adds a flattering glow. It’s available at Barney’s, which is now selling a travel box for $45, and Blue Mercury, both online and in store.

My current favorite blotter is made by Tatcha.  Because they are bigger than most I can blot my entire face with one sheet.

They have the kind of texture that reminds me of the Habu linen paper yarn I love so much.  The sheets are porous enough to absorb the oil from my face, yet not so fragile that they begin to crumble as the others do.  I've experimented with other blotting papers that have a bit of powder on them including Shiseido and other smaller papers, but they sometimes leave traces of that powder evident on the face. With Tatcha, I can blot without looking, confident that I look OK. I've seen the Tatcha papers online (free shipping), Beauty Habit, Bendels, and SpaceNK online and at their store in New York.

My aunt told me this summer that she cuts up shoe box tissue to use as blotters.  I thought that was genius!

Updated with new photos.

Burberry Prorsum Cable-Knit Trenchcoat and Leather Tie Belt

Unexpected inspiration!  Time for fall knitting...

Photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Click on the link for alternate views.

Description from the Bergdorf website: "For the Burberry Prorsum Fall 2011 collection, head designer Christopher Bailey drew on vintage 1960s looks.  He was especially inspired by the iconic looks of model Jean Shrimpton, and paid homage ot her at the runway show.  This trenchcoat looks places cable knitting - a traditional cold-weather staple - on a trim, moddish silhouette, with a thin belt adding structure and contrasting color."