This is not a Twilight fix: Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre in New Moon

Chanel's New Moon

I feel like a broken record whenever I review Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre. This particular eye shadow is a huge guilty pleasure of mine and I only splash out so long as the colour is especially unique. 

Let's take a closer look at New Moon (limited edition), one of three new Illusion d'Ombre shades from Chanel's Summer 2014 collection.

Close up of New Moon

New Moon is like a super fancy layer cake or even a fruit-infused molten lava cake. Rich browns mixed with golden flecks and peppered garnet captivate, tempt and truly leave me salivating from all this talk of cake and eyeshadow.

Swatch of New Moon

New Moon on closer inspection

For all of its gloriousness, New Moon isn't without its shortcomings; we're talking hellah fallout. But if you're ok with post-application clean up, well go forth, wield your mightiest brush and prepare yourself for top-notch sparkle and shine. 

Wearing New Moon on my eye lids atop Urban Decay's Limit

The rest of the look. Yep, I'm wearing MAC's Patisserie, too.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's New Moon:

• $48.00 AUS /  $36.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — Fallout can be really annoying.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I thought I was going to purchase more, but I managed to restrain myself.

Chilly today, hot tahiti?

MAC's Hot Tahiti

No, tamale. Is that how the joke goes?

That's where I want to be, Tahiti or even Hawaii. Curled up in the cabana next to Scott, sipping on cocktails in attempt to get properly intoxicated on the island air and from my drink, of course. And I need sand. Sand between my toes, sun kissed shoulders, beach-y waves, terry cloth impressions on my cheek and another cocktail on the way.

In fact I can hear the bartender shaking it off in the distance. 

Hot Tahiti

Swatch of Hot Tahiti

I had a devil of a time capturing this shade with my camera yesterday -- the swatch is bang on accurate, but the bullet itself appears far more berry hued than it actually is. MAC describes  Hot Tahiti as a soft reddish-coral, yet I get more of a translucent brick red. 

As for the glaze finish, well, I can't get the image of pottery fresh from the kiln out of my head. The subtle sheen highlights the intricacies and even imperfections, but hey, that's ok.

Wearing Hot Tahiti (indirect sunlight)

Hot Tahiti (direct sunlight)

Both of these pictures were taken an hour after applying Hot Tahiti; I chose these two images because I loved how the sun manipulated the appearance of the colour. Hot Tahiti lasted around six hours on me and I only minimally touched things up before heading out the door for drinks and dinner.

Who is Hot Tahiti good for? Anyone, really. It makes for a great everyday red. I can't promise it will transport you to another place and time, but we can only hope.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for MAC's Hot Tahiti:

• $36.00 AUS /  $16.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 8 out of 10 bags — We really do get ripped off in Australia.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I also picked up Patisserie after seeing it on Vivianna.

Jane Iredale's Purepressed Base Mineral Foundation in Golden Glow

Get that golden glow

There are a few life-changeing people in my life. I think I can count all of them on both of my hands. Romina happens to be one of those people.

Heck, she saved my eyebrows, helped calm down my problematic skin and suggested I try out Jane Iredale's powder foundation. Almost immediately, I marched over to Miss Fox (my local stockist in Melbourne) to get colour matched -- Golden Glow is my saving grace.

Contemplating my next makeup purchase

Golden Glow is a warm beige with golden undertones. It perks up my skin, disguises my red cheeks, squashes blemishes and ultimately leaves an empty canvas for me to do whatever I please. To apply I like to use Bare Minerals Powder Foundation Brush.

The initial purchase is an investment thanks to the refillable compact. Look at it this way, you're reducing the amount of waste and you get to have your MacGyver moment when it's time to jimmy the empty pan out of the case. The magnetic base is seriously strong!

Wearing Golden Glow

All told, I've been using Jane Iredale's Purepressed Base Mineral Foundation for a little over a year and a half and I only just switched over to my third refill. This stuff doesn't discriminate -- it's seen me through some of my worst skin days.

A little bit more about Purepressed Base Mineral Foundation:

• Vegan and gluten free
• Cruelty-free
• Provides Broad Spectrum SPF 20 and UVA P++ protection
• Can be applied wet or dry; I prefer to apply it dry and soften the matte finish by misting water onto my face
• Lasts all day, even through some of my sweatiest gym sessions 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Jane Iredale's Purepressed Base Mineral Foundation in Golden Glow:

• $64.78 AUS / $52.00 USD 
• The refillable pan retails for anywhere between $40 - $60

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — it's my HG product without a doubt!

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I wouldn't mind trying Jane Iredale's blush at some stage.

A glimpse at the lips: Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte

Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte

Some weeks I practice the swipe and go mentality. I don't need to complicate matters, especially when everything becomes emotionally magnified and starts to feel like work; gotta love raging hormones.

Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte kept my lips dressed and hydrated -- I love it when lipsticks are low maintenance, so much that you don't even need a mirror.

Liberte loves to sparkle. Quietly, of course.

Swatch of Liberte

Liberte is a semi-sheer coral tangerine with light reflecting particles. Your lips are left looking fuller, brighter and slightly drenched, but never feeling heavy.

Despite its ease of use, there are a few caveats: 

• lightly perfumed, this might irk some wearers
• lasts a couple of hours; prepare yourself for repeated touch-ups
• not gonna lie, it's pricey

Wearing Liberte on my lips

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte:

• $50.00 AUS / $35.00 USD 

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 7 out of 10 bags — simple and understated, but it's not a must-have

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Entranced by New Moon.