Colour Coordinating Corals

Summertime! Coral-time!

There is something about corals looking better in summer: they have this uncomplicated air that goes as light as your summerdress.

Still there's something about summer that gets me into a complicated mode: the ingenious structure of coordinating layering will fall away (like the layers); thus, I colour-coralinate!

 

So let's do the clique-ing...Summer also means more cliques in groups of friends, etc. I've been grouping up my corals based on compatibility...It's almost like the tables of a summerwedding:

Group 1: the Flushed Corals

The conversation starter is my precious Jadilla J My Ball Cubical Face blusher in Shinny Peach 2 -> and no, these spelling errors don't come from  Rosé-inspired blogwriting but they are adorable Koreanglish. So why do I have to giggle with 'my ball'? This Cheeky fellow is NOBB [NARS Orgasm but Better]. There is the perfect mixture of peach & pink, but the glitterfest has been left out. (original review here). 

I hope I've nailed the setting by adding Essie Plaza Sweet to this group. It's slightly a deeper pink than Jadilla but they have the glowy gold sparkle into them.

An eye for detail, MeowCosmetics is a mineral makeup company who're easy to sample: Paddle Pink absolutely matches. I hope it won't be too boring with so much compatibility!

Group 2: the Everything's Peachy's

 I want to keep it dusky by starting with MeowCosmetics Clawset Case: it's the mysterious one...Essie Anniversary Gala is the equivalent of the bubbly girl: She is perfect on her own but will add a sparkle to another. My latest rediscovery has been Lunasol Creamy cheeks in ex 4 Tender Pink Glow. It's like a cheekbone filler & glow-i-fying peel in a bottle, with the right hint of tender pink (review here).

Group 3: Dusky Corals

I like to think of this group as the mature ones: but not the mature in the Ikea-kind-of-way...These ones have travelled the world and had a couple of drinks too many. They are a sultry bunch and prefer to spend their money on another holiday than botox...They have stories to tell.

 

I love the way they look, but I like to have a special mention towards Julie Hewett's Thandi lipstick.  It's named after Thandi Newton and has a similar subdued beauty & intelligence over it: the right amount of coral without getting too ditzy & a good amount of burning terracotta without venturing on the middle age territory. The Radiance blush is a highlighter, but I love this one when lips and nails get more sultry

4. The Young-n-Beautiful Sheers

I have Lana Del Rey in mind...the young & beautiful crowd. Untarnished, hopeful and sheer.

Group 5: The Happy Oranges

There's something comic about orange. Perhaps not for the ones who watch 'Orange is the new Black' or my fellow comrades from Holland who saw the championship Soccer gone right through their fingers...awwww. Burberry Lipglow in Coral 22 is a colour I got last year (see here) and it returned for summer again. The Bourjois is older...no idea how old. But it makes a perfect match for Burberry. As for Tongue in Cheek, how to resist such a name and such a rusty glow to fake flaunt a bit of sunburn on a summer night?

And to conclude, these two resisted the cliques and made their own little togetherness:

Coral pants gets the girls on the fence

Cuteee!

Edward Bess bronzer in Daydream (older version)

A while ago I reported that I had spotted Edward Bess on strawberrynet. It took me some time before I decided to order something myself, because, well...it's is not that I exactly needed a new bronzer....(somewhat a euphenism, I've got quite some, see here)

hey, the package comes from Sweden???

Curiosity and good raves got me into ordering the Edward Bess Daydream bronzer. I love my regular cosmetic-pusher site Zuneta really a lot, but the total discount on the bronzer would be about 10 euros cheaper on strawberry and I would get the older version. Various bloggers had already blogged that the older version was better than the newer, so strawberrynet it became.

wow, such cute present packaging

The packaging and case is signature Bess in a smooth black shape that isn´t a fingerprint magnet.

The bronzer has a sleeve and a mirror inside

The colour itself is a lighter brown with a slight orangy undertone. 

tiny flecks in the pan

That exact slight orangeness was the reason I have waited for a year before ordering it. Last year I was able to buy a beautiful and incredibly believable bronzer from Lunasol. I really wasn´t sure that the Edward Bess would be anything better

Lunasol Natural Beige 01 | Edward Bess Daydream

Comparing the two compacts I found that the darkest (right shade of the Lunasol would have similar colourdept to the Edward Bess. So I compared the two.

(If you want a more detailed review on the Lunasol Shading Cheeks in Natural Beige, click here)

Verdict

• Lunasol is a cooler brown than Edward Bess Daydream. 
• They both have similar lustre that gives the face a glow when applied
• Lunasol is more difficult to apply. That is because of the tiny strip on the right. Also, you have to swirl the brush a bit more to pick up pigment compared to the EB Daydream
• In general I use the whole Lunasol if I am really on the pale side, because the total colour is lighter.
• For my NC 25 colour I like both the Lunasol right strip and the Edward Bess Daydream. Basically, because the difference in warmth doesn´t really show on my neutral toned face that much. Perhaps for people with the sharpest eye but I can do one half with Edward Bess Daydream and the other with Lunasol Shading Cheeks 01 (right strip) and I don´t think anyone would notice.
• Prices are somewhat similar with Lunasol retailing for HK 220 or $32 & Edward Bess €30,00 (or cheaper when you get strawberrynetdiscount)

Conclusion

It is such a beautiful bronzer that will work for people with N20 to N35 ish skintones. I think many bloggers raved about its luminosity and I have to share myself among them. If you have the Lunasol Shading Cheeks 01 I don´t think you really have to have the Edward Bess. If you are rather cool-toned, I would recommend Lunasol before Edward Bess, and the opposite for people being really warm-toned. As for the easiness in use, The Edward Bess is slightly buttery and a tiny swirl with the brush will pick up more pigment than the Lunasol Shading Cheeks 01.

Beauty Spotter: Lunasol spring 2012 collection

I spotted some of the Lunasol Sping 2012 collection on adambeauty.

 This will probably their most anticipated product, the eyeshadow quads. Quite beautiful and in a range of soft colours:

Still, I wait for other reviews to come in to see if I will get me a quad.  I found some swatches over here and here plus Yuki has swatched the whole collection. The 01 Sweet Peach looks really lovely.

Also, a couple of new colours in the cream cheek range has been launched, EX5 Rose Coral, EX6 Pink Coral and EX7 Coral Orange (here).

A new blush product has been launched as well, allthough I don't like the cheap packaging that reminds me too much of Benefit blush (but with the Lunasol pricetag). 

What I haven't seen is the eyebrow pencils, the lipgloss, the lipstick and the nailpolish. I've spotted the eyebrow pencils, the tube lipgloss & the lightning eyes on gooddealer.com (put Lunasol in the search column). The rest (lipstick, other lipglosses) will probably be launched soon.

Adambeauty has them in now so it might be something for you.

Lunasol Xmas Coffret 2011 part 2: eyeshadow quad EX01

Let's start with some sunday vanities with the last part of the review of the Lunasol Xmas Coffret 2011.

Probably the part most beauty people would be most interested about: the eyeshadow palette. The full name is the Kanebo Lunasol Three-dimensional eyes in EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown. I already found my title long enough so I just put down the things I placed above ;D

Lunasol Three-dimensional eyes in EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown (flash light camera)

Lunasol has been releasing different variety of their eyeshadow quads or quintets for a long time. They launched the octed one (that's 8, I had to look that one up too ;D)  this year. I hadn't been buying them yet, because my place is flouded with eyeshadow everything, but I was glad to receive it in this set.

Lunasol Three-dimensional eyes in EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown: outdoor light no sun

So you get 8 colours with the latest release. Some of them are quite tiny, and the most useful ones/the ones you probably use the most of are full compact colours. I already reasoned that the tiny strips do not bother me at all, because I have to see the first time I will finish an eyeshadow in a normal size..

Lunasol Three-dimensional eyes in EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown: Camera Flash

Swatch time: (feel free to click on the pictures for a better view)

Lunasol EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown EX01: swatches -> lighter top row

The colours:
1 is a glittery colour with a hint of a cool-white base. To me, this is the most useless colour because I don't do glitter, unless it is on my nails during the holiday season (hello glitter nails right now). For women/girls who like a bit of glitter, it is quite a grown up glitter and perfect for that eye-opening effect in the middle of your eyelids or anywhere you like that bit of flash.

2 is a bit chalky white, but looks better when blended. It is not so visible in the picture, but this white has a pinkish undertone you can see in different lighting. Quite subtle and really fresh.

When I was younger I used to LOVE to put white eyeshadow and white eyeliner on, even though everyone else recommended the smokey eyes. There was this brilliant quad from Christian Dior composed of all kinds of white with different hues, green/pink/blue I used....so gorgeous (around 1996), they should relaunch that quad again. When younger you do not always go for obvious beauty (at least I didn't) but sometimes you want to look freshly different...the whites of the Dior quad were perfect for that.

Ahhh, makeup nostalgia

3 is another white with a slight purple undertone. It looks chalky but blends like a dream. Lunasol really pigmented this selection of quads but their blendability is still excellent.

4 is the perfect mushroom neutral that almost every makeupliking person would appreciate (and being familiar of). That's why this one is in the big formula.

Continuing with the browns:

.

Lunasol EX01 Tender Glow Beige Brown Swatches the darker bottom row

5 is a warmer hued brown with a dash of glitter...yeh, not too hyped about the glitter. I hope I can use this one. Still, a beautiful neutal in a big formula as well.

6 is a cooler, darker brown with a shimmery base and a hint of gold. Ohhh, so lovely.

7 is darker than 6 so perfect for the 3-dimensial effect and gradually creating a smokey-brown eye. It has that lovely golden sheen as well and the glitter is small enough for me to tolerate ;)

8 is a blackish brown that I will probably use as a sort of eyeliner or close to my lashbase. A bit more glitter than 7 and 8 but for an eyeliner I do not mind because it makes it more alive.

Overall, the pigmentation is stronger than their previous ranges but they still blend easily so you can make it as deep or sheer as you like.
 It is also the perfect neutral palette, colourwise. You cannot go wrong with a set of browns. The whites make it quirky enough to do something different (see  nostalgia story of mine) if you wear them alone. So I really like the versability of the palette.
My only gripe is the glitter. It could have toned down on the glitter, but it is made for an Asian market and most girls do like a bit of sparkle.

If you want to see the review I made on the rest of the set, click here and you can see the other items included in the set.

Review: Kanebo Lunasol Coffret Xmas 2011

Hello, it's here!

Hold tight, because I will have pictures and swatches of almost everything, that is a lot for one post but I decided to keep it in one post.

The only thing I won't be swatching is the eyeshadow palette. (I'll keep that one for later).

I already had high expectations based on the promotion pictures I saw (talked about it here). I have been slightly enamourated with the clutch and I know from previous Lunasol Xmas editions that they seldom dissapoint...sometimes they repeat the best-sellers, but for me that is not such a problem because that has given me the opportunity to (finally) have one of the bestsellers that are always sold-out.

The shine on that clutch is already amazing.

But eventually I bought it for the shiny thingies inside, right?

Lunasol provides its coffret with 4 full sized products:

1. the Skin Contrast Face Powder in 01 Glow
2. Full Glamour Gloss in EX19 Tender Glow Pink
3. Cream Cheeks in EX 04 Tender Glow Pink
4. Eyeshadow palette in EX 01 Tender Glow Beige Brown

So let's look at everything in the same order!

1. Skin Contrast Face Powder in 01 Glow

I was most curious about this: I wondered if it would be an overly shimmery/glittery powder or a powder for blotting/diffusing the face. I hoped for the last.

And YES! It's mainly a face powder for setting makeup:

Still, if you click on the pictures you can see a tiny glitter/fleck appearing. I don't really mind. One of my favourite face powders is from Jill Stuart and they are based on the same principle -> with a tiny hint of shimmer to make the powder feel less flat on the face.

Blended in the skin:

I really like the soft-diffusion effect...I think you can see the difference between the powdered part and the non-powdered parts: but in a good way because the powdered parts have that softly-lit or airbrushed finish.

I think it holds away the oilies for a good couple of hours. It is also non-scented and that is brilliant. It doesn't irritate my skin as well and it feels soft on the skin.

That's my temporary review: I will have to road-test it for a couple of days more to give out a definite review :D

2. Full Glamour Gloss in EX19 Tender Glow Pink

 

It's a clear pink gloss without any shimmers. The foot on the applicator is slightly bended for a better reach on the lips.

The colour:

I do not think it changes the lip-colour a lot, but it is perfect for that glossy finish without a tacky feeling. It almost feels like a high-end lip treatment. The pink/rosiness gives the lips that bit of extra.

Overal, a safe colour as an extra over lipstick or for a slightly fuller pout on its own.

3. Cream Cheeks in EX 04 Tender Glow Pink

I have seen a lot of raves blogwise so I was really glad this product is included in the set. I could finally get my hands on this blogger's favourite.

The colour is a warm but light pink, infused with flecks

 

I am somewhat surprised that it is quite light. I am already such a pale-face but this one looks more light a pink-toned highlighter than a blush. 

I might be used to liquid blush that has a bit more coverage/pigment in it, such as my By Terry liquid blush and my Inglot liquid blush/highlighter (here). But it is still perfect for creating a sweet highlight.

4. Eyeshadow palette in EX 01 Tender Glow Beige Brown

So I haven't swatched this one yet. But it looks so versatile and promising in the pan. I can already distinct 8 colours in a handy size!

As for the tiny strips? I don't mind. I cannot remember if I ever finished any eyeshadow in my life: I'm just too fickle for that and I like to vary my eyeshadows (or days I don't wear them at all).

I will swatch it as soon as possible ;D

The best surprise has been the clutch and the quality of that one!



It is of marvelous fake-fur quality: I love the taupe tones and the velvet brown ribbon:

The inside is such an ON-TREND velvet.

It truely can double as a fashion-item for toting around.

But it is not only beautiful: it has been zippered on both sides so you can divide your makeup/mobile/money safely and handily:

Lunasol's label is displaced on one side of the zippered compartments:

I sound like I am completely hired by Lunasol to pimp out their new Coffret, but I honestly have to say I am superenthousiastic by myself and it is probably the best Xmas palette from Lunasol ever, perhaps even the best Xmas set ever.

There are items inside that are normally $60 on its own (the eyeshadow palette) so the whole set is such a bargain.

I hope my pictures and review has helped you to make a decision. If you decide to buy it, adambeauty still have it up for $92 (here).


EDITED: I swatched and reviewed the eyeshadow quad in this post over here

Ohhhh, Lunasol Coffret Xmas 2011

Loook! I got SUPER mail today:

Yes, it is a teaser post but I already looked at it and swatched it so I will let you know later...

But it is a FANTASTIC set, better than expected, so keep your eyes fixed on this blog for pictures soon...

Lunasol Coffret Xmas 2011 on Adambeauty

I'm not a person to pimp out websites but I would like to let my readers know that the Lunasol Coffret Xmas 2011 has been launched on adambeauty.com

I haven't seen that many swatch pictures online yet, but the cream cheeks is a regular of their line, and swatched by worshipofblues, among a relatively large group of people who really like this blush.

It has been a wishlist item since spring 2011.

The whole set, as most Lunasol Xmas coffret, looks like a brilliant deal. And that furry pouch: tres 2011!

I wonder if the powder is a matte one without sparkles. I hope so!

If it has been sold out, I've also seen it on gooddealer.com and bobodave.com. Only a bit more expensive.

Mid Weekly Quirkologies

The last 7 days I have been enthralled by:

Shortly Autumn Collections of Cosmetic brands:

1. First, I believe the makeup on the promotion picture of the Lunasol Autumn 2011 is pure Elegance. Her lips are the perfect nude/mauve YLBB, her skin looks impeccable and the eyes are the perfect Elegant smokey. I also really like her silvery top she is wearing, but aside of that, I am looking forward to Lunasol Autumn 2011 collection

2. I have been getting my hands on the first Chanel Autumn 2011 product.
I have been swatching a lot, and was a bit dissapointed by the foamy eyeproducts. Honestly, L'Oréal's are just as good or even better: lots of glittery fall-out and the colours weren't that stunning. However, there were still some goodies to be found, one of them a lip-pencil in 47 Rose Cuivré. It is a coral with a slight pinkish undertone, that matches a large part of my (pinky) corals. I didn't have that colour yet.

He he, I combined the picture of the pencil with another Chanel advertisement that the woman is cuddling the Chanel Chance bottle. I am quite pleased with my new pencil, so it deserves a hug too!

Spotted: Lunasol S/S 2011 Shelly Ocean & S/S Coloring Cheeks

Before I will hint anyone of 'where to find' the Lunasol S/S Shelly Ocean, I would like to disclaimer that I have no affiliations with the webshop, nor do I prefer to promote this webshop over others...it is just the cheapest deal available right now (that counts right) from a webshop that has proven to be reliable and fast.

Ok, Adambeauty is having the S/S Ocean Scene in Shelly Ocean up. The Vacation Ocean 02 has been sold out, booh, but you could get that one on gooddealer.com for a slightly higher price.

Kanebo Lunasol spring 2011 Shading Cheeks 01 Natural Beige

 When Lunasol released the promotion images of the spring 2011 line, I was quite sure I wanted one of their adorable palettes. Well, you know I already bought the super-gorgeous 05 Colorful ocean. So I decided to go for something in their Base Makeup line.

I have been on the lookout for a really suitable shader/bronzer for a while. There are plenty of products available in the standard/Western cosmetic lines, for example Illamasqua and Mac, but I often find myself overdoing these products and looking a bit too 80s sculped instead of optically enhanced. Also, paler skintones have more difficulty finding a believable shader/bronzer that is not too dark or pigmented

After seeing pictures of Lunasol's older version of the Modelling version EX 1 in modeling Bronze, I was quite convinced that Lunasol could offer the right dose of pigment and colour. Still, when I saw that Lunasol released a new version of a shading powder in their spring 2011 line, I know I had to try that one.

I had been looking for swatch-pictures before I bought it. Yuki's lazy channel had most swatch pictures up of the Lunasol 2011 line, however, she had not swatched the bronzing powder (neither the two highlighting powders). I liked it even without seeing the swatch pictures, because the colours looked suitable enough for N 15/20/25 type of skin-colour. Plus, I saw a tiny shimmer in the pan that I liked. I believe a bronzer should neither be too matte (because healthy skin does not look flat and matte either) nor to shimmery.

I was absolutely delighted when it arrived. The colours looked suitable and has that tiny shimmer that makes the skin look healthy and slightly glowing. Click on the picture for a close up, and you will see the shimmer.

Lunasol spring 2011 Shading Cheeks 01 Natural Beige (natural light)

I was cheapskate enough to buy the bronzer only (without the palette). I just put it in another Lunasol palette that I had around.

Lunasol spring 2011 Shading Cheeks 01 Natural Beige

Now I understand why Yuki did not make any swatch pictures, because it is terribly difficult to make pictures of the colour differences. Well, my photo making qualities are not too impressive either ;) but the only colour really visible is the one that is on the right.

You can see them a bit better on a piece of white paper.

Lunasol Shading Cheeks 01 Natural Beige- swatch

Although they are not that visible on the skin, that actually makes it quite believable as a shader/bronzer. When you blend the three of them together, you get that tiny bit of warm shader colour that makes it suitable for shading or bronzing purposes.

It is wonderfully suitable for people who are not trained makeup-artists or quite skilled with makeup. The pigmentation is light enough to apply without overdoing it. And, as I said before, it is visible (although subtily) on N 15/20/25 skin. I am not sure how it would look on darker skintones, though. It will probably be too light.

The colours are on the warmer side, so skintones that are really cool might opt for a cooler tone with a more taupe-like colour.

(oh, bought mine @ adambeauty again, but unfortunately they are out of stock. Other options are gooddealer.com  , bobodave.com or ichibankao.com)