CHANEL Ultra Correction Lift Night Creme

$165.00 USD for 1.7 oz.

Well, back with a bang--a really big, expensive bang. When I first received a small sample size tube of this night cream a few weeks ago, I was expecting the same ultra-thick, super hydration that leaves me oily as I get from almost all other "night creams;" I was, however, totally mistaken.

On CHANEL's site, the description of this cream is "velvety," an apt word for the satin-smooth feel as it quickly absorbs into skin and leave no trace of heavy residue or oily moisture. I find this luxurious cream absolutely addictive, and frankly, couldn't resist purchase of it despite the ludicrous price point. I have owned expensive in the past, but this cream is outlandishly expensive.

That said, I purchased it last Monday...
And I love the cream as much as ever; the formula consistently leaves my skin smooth as silk, not clogging over time or diminishing after prolonged use. Sometimes I even layer this under my makeup during dry days, and I am not oily/slick by end of day. Miraculous! So why do I need to actually review this?

Simple. Packaging. Problems.

Look CHANEL, I get that luxurious means over-done for you more often than not, but please, think about the functionality of your packaging before saying "print" to the producers. I cannot stand the super-heavy square shaped rock that my cream comes in! My god, the gunmetal is a breeding ground for fingerprints and dust, slippery plastic that feels weightier than glass, and the lid is hard to align to close properly. The whole thing is just MASSIVE, cumbersome, and frustrating, so if I didn't love this product so much, I would return it and never think twice.

For something so expensive, I should not want to depot it into a cheap plastic container just so that it is less of a pain-in-my-butt. Final thoughts, WHY, CHANEL, WHY?! I'm going to have to put this in a different container...

Beauty Newb Rating: ★★★★☆

A MUFE Orange Lip - The Red Lip Alternative

Today at work was a bright-lip type of day, so in order to pull off the perfect punch of an orange lip I needed my trusty trio of Make Up For Ever: Aqua Cream, Aqua Lip 17C, and Rouge Artist Lipstick 40. I bought this group of products a long time ago and have since worn this look many a time, but today was finally the day to put it in writing!

World, ORANGE IS THE BEST RED!

Makeup For Ever Aqua Cream Waterproof for Lips and Cheeks

First, after foundation, I mixed in a touch of this bright orange/golden shimmer Aqua Cream with what product remained on my hand and blended with my fingers onto the apples of my cheeks; the touch of similar color makes the lip a little less "Holy Smokes," I think.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara

$21.00 USD for approx. 0.4oz/11g

Totally fabulous. Simply, elegantly, totally fabulous. The formula of Sumptuous Bold is particularly awesome because it is smooth without being runny or too thin to give you definition. The thickness is just enough to gently coat and re-coat lashes sans clumping together, so it's about as good to me as a "tubing" mascara. Sumptuous bold can be layered throughout the day, but one application lasts me through a 12 hour day...layering would easily get you through the rest of the night. For me, one of the best parts about this mascara is how naturally it looks (and holds on) and how easily it comes off with remover; no raccoon eyes the next morning!

No under-eye black in the morning, Sparky, none!

Beauty Newb Rating:✪✪✪✪✪
Available online and at Estée Lauder counters in retail stores such as Saks, Macy's, and Nordstrom.

Blitz Blogging: October Birchbox 2012

theBalm Cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer-- a fabulously smooth powder highlighter/shadow that's richly pigmented and has some serious staying power

Sumita Brow Bright-- an under-brow highlighter pencil in a sheeny white that is a bit awkward to blend in considering its pencil design; still super portable and finger-makeup friendly

Luna Fiber Bar in Chocolate Raspberry-- made the best little snack at work, delicious, natural, and kept me full and satisfied until a light lunch; a total treat

Lucy B Cosmetics Rollerball Fragrance Duo-- sure wish I liked both scents because then it may be worth a purchase to finally have a perfume I like in a roller size; one is heavier, one is more floral and light

jane. Camisole LipKick Lipstick

$5.99 for 0.12oz

Well, it's...ok. Since Camisole is such a light and sheer color, it's very difficult to really judge how well it works as a full-blown beauty product. Allow me to clarify that: Camisole is a golden, sheer, relatively moisturizing lipstick that doesn't hold on but doesn't slip off the lips. It fades pretty quickly because it's original impact of color is so subtle, so I can't tell that it works better than a sub-par shimmery balm.

jane. Camisole LipKick indoors

All that said, the price is not that high, and for those ladies that have a very strict comfort-zone policy with their lip colors, jane Camisole LipKick will not be a stretch or a disappointment. You will definitely get a glow, but not much more.

jane. Camisole LipKick indoors

Beauty Newb Rating: 3 stars (so-so, nothing special--bad or good)
Available at janecosmetics.com, but be aware the company has overhauled a lot of its products and packaging.

Dior Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic

 $30.00 for 0.12oz

While the photo above that tries to capture the beauty of this packaging may be sub-par, the product inside is anything but! Dior Dior Addict Lipstick is about as smooth and buttery as lipsticks can get, and since it is Dior and they do promise shine, you get incredible, flawless, luminous shine from this little (albeit very expensive tube).

Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic 253; daylight

 I lost my tube of Basic for about a month after a haphazard purse change, missing it almost daily, and can't really think of a more comfortable thing to wear on my lips. I think I like this even more than balm! ::shouts of For Shame in the air:: However, I won't be starting a collection of hundreds of colors in this formula because the price-point is steep, even for my junkie standards.

Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic 253; daylight

Sephora Outrageous Volume Dramatic Volume Mascara

$15.00 for 0.5 fl. oz/15ml in 02 Ultra Black

Aside from feeling wet for a few minutes, this is one of the best mascaras I've used in while. You definitely get the awesome amount of volume promised, but I like that this feels comfortable and lightweight, even when worn as the second layer over an already dried mascara. It's extremely hard to get off though, so don't be waking up somewhere you have to look polished with it still on: RACOON!

I have to use both a removing oil and liquid eye makeup remover together before washing my face, then go over the lashes again with the liquid remover to get every smidgen off. What can I say? They promised Ultra Black, so you get ultra black. Note: it doesn't come off anywhere you don't want it to until after at least 12 hours or serious sweating or oil (the formula is not waterproof).

Little notes: I only need one layer of this, I don't need to curl my lashes, and I think it looks natural enough to be a day or night look (i.e. sans liner looks fine too).

What else? Available at Sephora and Sephora.com