I haven’t reviewed many beauty products on this site in the past (most of my reviews are on Full Time Ford). It’s not because I am not a beauty product junkie—I totally am—but we all know that isn’t where my passion truly lies. However, if I am being completely honest I have to admit that the real reason I don’t do more product reviews is because of the photography. Can we take a second to acknowledge how f@#!ing difficult it is to capture TRUE colors for beauty product reviews? I don’t know how beauty bloggers do this day in and day out.

Nevertheless, I just couldn’t help myself today—I had to share my love for Chanel’s Limited-Edition L’Été Papillon de Chanel Summer 2013 Beauty Collection with you. You know it’s gotta be good when it bumps my beloved TOM FORD Beauty products from the rotation!

According to the official press release: “The dazzling colours of butterfly wings inspire a joyful look for Summer, with the enchanting collection L’ÉTÉ PAPILLON DE CHANEL. Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup Peter Philips envisions electric shades of gold, pink and platinum to set eyelids aglow, with lashes fluttering in whimsical aqua, lime and blue hues. Crisp peach and bright raspberry grace the lips, while nails finish the fleeting mood in glimmering shades of intense coral, deep blue-green and heavenly blue.”

Let’s see how that translates to my eyes!

Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow/Fresh Effect Eyeshadow ($34)

One of the highlights of the limited-edition L’Été Papillon Collection are the new eyeshadow pens.

I. Love. Them.

They simplify my makeup routine because I don’t need a brush to blend the colors—a finger works just fine. The lightweight formula is buildable, goes on smooth and lasts a good 8 hours (possibly longer but I had to take mine off for bed).  As an added bonus, they go on with a fabulous wet/cooling effect that feels great on the lids. The stylos are available in 6 colors: Moon River, Cool Gold, Pink Lagoon, Jade Shore, Blue Bay and Black Stream.

On my lids: Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in Jade Shore (all over the lid) and Cool Gold (inner corners).

As you can see, Jade Shore looks almost silver on me in certain light.  In actuality, it’s a stunning seafoam green with a touch of sparkle… you can build it up so it is more green or blend it out so it is more iridescent (which is what I did).  I also purchased Pink Lagoon, which is pictured and swatched below, but it wasn’t a part of this look.

Buy It Now: Bergdorf Goodman / Neiman Marcus / Saks Fifth Avenue

Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Multi-Dimensional Mascara ($30)

I’ve been looking for a new waterproof mascara for the summer months and this one delivers. Volume, length, curl… it’s all there and the formula is smudge-proof (yes, please!). As an added bonus, it contains pro-Vitamin B5 so it hydrates and conditions lashes to keep them supple and healthy-looking. As for the colors, Noir is a permanent offering but the other 4 shades are limited-edition: Zest, Lime Light, Aqua Blue and Blue Note.

On my lashes:  Noir (upper lashes), Blue Note (tips of upper lashes) and Aqua Blue (lower lashes)

When they say its waterproof they aren’t kidding. It took multiple applications of my trusty Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Makeup remover to get these layers off!

Buy It Now: Bergdorf Goodman / Neiman Marcus / Saks Fifth Avenue

Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner ($30)

This became one of my favorite eyeliners a couple of years ago. It glides on smoothly without pulling at your lids, is long-lasting and has an excellent color payoff. Waterproof and smudgeproof perfection. True Blue is the new limited-edition Summer shade.

On my eyes: Noir Intense (outer corner of eyes) and True Blue (lower lash line)

Buy It Now: Neiman Marcus / Saks Fifth Avenue

**********************

Are you loving it?  Do you need some ideas for looks?

I have a few more items from this collection to review for you later, but I am dying to get my hands on the other Stylo Eyeshadow Pens.

What about you?

Anything calling your name?

What other products are you loving right now?

In the midst of all the craziness in my life right now, both personal and blog-related, I came across a video on T, The New York Times Styles Magazine that made me stop and smile.

What do you get when you combine the stunning Saskia De Brauw with some of Coco Chanel’s best quotes and a gorgeous array of Chanel lacquers?  Perfection.

Enjoy!

Video Details:
Director: Ruth Hogben
Creative Director: Peter Philips
Stylist: Victoria Young
Manicurist: Marian Newman

Street Style by Polka Dot vs. Elle Spain Copyright Infringement

I just wanted to thank everyone who either read this post here or this one on Jill’s blog and supported her.  As of last night, ELLE Spain finally did take down the blog post in which 4 of Jill’s photos had been used without her permission.  However, Jill has yet to receive an apology from ELLE Spain or the blogger, Carmen Bejerano, who had used the photos.  Keep showing your support and hopefully a much-deserved apology will be forthcoming.

March 11 – 13, 2011: Style Nation Blogger Meetup in Las Vegas!

If you are subscribed to the blog via an RSS Reader or service like Bloglovin‘, you may not have seen the new Badge on the right side of the site home page.  Here’s the dish:  Beverly of Style Underdog and Vahni of Grit and Glamour are coordinating a Blogger Meetup in the exciting city of “what happens there, stays there” Vegas!  There is a good chance that even I may forego my anonymity (at least partially) and attend this one!  Click below for more details:

Image via grit and glamour

Assuming I go (which I am assuming), I’d love to see you there!

Buy a Little Woolf and Help Sister Wolf

I wasn’t familiar with blogger Sister Wolf until I read about this fundraiser on Wendy Brandes’ blog yesterday.   I spent some time reading Sisiter Wolf’s blog yesterday and found myself inspired by her strength and resilience.  This remarkable woman endured a devastating loss earlier this year, and is now struggling with a roof that is on its last legs.

Wendy, together with Queens Marie and Michelle of Kingdom of Style and Kate of Make Do Style are all working together to try and raise some funds for Sister Wolf.  Wendy has offered the proceeds of sales of her Little Woolf necklace in silver.  For every Woolf sold for $50, $35 will go to Sister Wolf.

During this season of giving, think about purchasing one for yourself or as a gift!  Click below to be taken directly to the product page.

Click to buy a Little Woolf (Image via Wendy Brandes)

Nick Knight honors Alexander McQueen with Haunting Video

This beautiful video was filmed by famed photographer and videographer Nick Knight.  The clip was presented during the British Fashion Awards, where Alexander McQueen was honored with a posthumous award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design.  According to The Cut: “the clip is set to a soundtrack by Björk and features McQueen’s most iconic pieces, styled by Edward Enninful and worn by black models only.”

The video allowed the pieces to be modeled one last time before they are moved to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in preparation for a Spring exhibition of Alexander McQueen’s work.

What do you think?

The New Face of Chanel Handbags: Blake Lively

Does Chanel normally have a “face” specifically for their handbag campaigns?  Is it wrong that I didn’t realize that?  I mean, ask me who the latest face of Chanel Fragrances is and I can tell you with no problem.  I somehow missed this one.  According to E! Online, however, it looks like Blake Lively has landed this coveted gig for the new year.  A source tells Marc Malkin that:

“The Gossip Girl beauty will star in a new ad campaign for Chanel. I’m told she was just in Paris shooting for the French fashion house’s handbag collection. The ads should launch early next year…”

What do you think of Lively representing Chanel?  She certainly seems to have won the heart of Anna Wintour (and has 1, 2, 3 Vogue covers to prove it), so why not Karl Lagerfeld as well?

Chanel Pre-Fall 2011 Paris-Byzance Collection Preview

Chanel’s Pre-Fall Métiers d’Art Collection, Paris-Byzance, is inspired by the Byzantine Empire.  It is full of muted colors, rich ornamentation and striking silhouettes.  The designs are stunning and decidedly regal, but they also have just a touch of edginess to them.  I think it’s one of my favorite Chanel collections in some time.  You can check out images from the showing here, but I personally adore these preview shots which were shot by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

Image via Vogue Paris

Image via Vogue Paris

Image via Vogue Paris

Image via Vogue Paris

What do you think of the collection?  Any other Pre-Fall lines catch your attention?

Harper’s Bazaar UK: Emily Blunt in Tom Ford

I know what you are thinking.  Tom Ford.  Again.   I can’t help it.  I shared these images on twitter and facebook a week or so ago, but I had to make sure you had all seen them.  Check out this beautiful blue dress that Emily Blunt is wearing on the cover of the January 2011 Harper’s Bazaar UK.

Image via celebitchy

Karen Elson wore it in the December issue of US Vogue, but here you can see the detail of the dress even better.  Tell that that color isn’t one of the most striking blues you’ve ever seen.  Tell me the dress isn’t perfection.  Kill me now.

Image via celebitchy

To check out the rest of the Tom Ford goodies in the issue, click here.

Photography I Love:

Finally, I’ve been so busy talking about Tom Ford this and Tom Ford that lately that I neglected to mention these absolutely beautiful images.  These are from various photoshoots that caught my attention.  Click on the image to view more of each.

Alison Arboux for Kurv Magazine. Photographer: Jonathan Segade (Image via Zombie and Candy)

Alexandra Carl in Creature. Photographer: Damon Baker (Image via Zombie and Candy)

Maryna Linchuk for Vogue Turkey December 2010. Photographer: Ellen von Unwerth (Image via Zombie and Candy)

Kirsten Dunst for F/W 2010 Lula Magazine. Photographer: Autumn de Wilde. Rodarte's Laura and Kate Mulleavy guest-edited the issue. (Image via fashionologie)

Have any editorials caught your eye lately?

What else is on your mind this Whatever Wednesday?

Crystal Renn for Chanel Spring/Summer 2011

Even though I have mixed feelings about this editorial, and question her reasoning behind doing it, I still have a soft spot for Crystal Renn. Here are a few shots of her walking the runway at Chanel’s S/S 2011 show. Check out the detail on the accessories and shoes.

Also – I want these earrings. Bad.

All images via Ford Models Blog

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2011

You’ve probably already seen the stunning images from the S/S 2011 Alexander McQueen show.  Although she stayed away from McQueen’s usual-theatric style, Creative Director Sarah Burton did a phenomenal job bringing the latest designs to the runway – I think McQueen would be proud!  I love this video because seeing the pieces move with the models brings a whole new life to them.

I was also fascinated by the hair on the McQueen runway. Love it!

Love the checkerboard hair. (Image courtesy of British Vogue)

What have your favorite shows been so far?

Three Problems that Make Me Leave Your Blog in Three Seconds

In case you haven’t read this yet, here are three great tips for every blogger, via problogger. Check it out here.

The latest in men’s shapewear…

Since we have shape-enhancing underwear for women, it is only fair that the same option be available for men. Right? According to the Huffington Post, British Department Store Marks & Spencer has come out with a line of “bum lift” and “frontal enhancement” underwear that will hit shelves October 15.

I know a lover might feel “disappointed” when they first – ahem – remove a cup-enhancing brassiere. Personally, though, I think the “frontal enhancement” underwear will lead to much greater disappointment! What do you think? Is this taking shapewear too far, or is it just fair?

Left to right: Real, frontal-enhanced, bum-enhanced. I'd be disappointed when that middle pair came off... just sayin'

Christina Ricci for BlackBook Magazine, October 2010

This stunning image was taken by photographer Yu Tsai for BlackBook Magazine. Click on the photo to see the rest of the shoot.

Christina Ricci for Blackbook Magazine, October 2010 (via fashionising.com)

Me Wants It

I haven’t had much time to blog this week, so I wasn’t able to post the usual lust list on Monday. Instead, here are a couple of items I am currently coveting:

Diane von Furstenberg, Noelle silk-paneled dress.

Miu Miu dusty-pink suede strappy sandals.

What is on your mind this Whatever Wednesday?

If you haven’t already done so, please click here to enter to win a Wendy Brandes Lotus Necklace!

To wear heels, or not to wear heels, that is the question

According to a study conducted at England’s Northumbria University, men could care less whether women wear high heels or not.   Per the UK Daily Mail, “the tests looked at whether the change in body posture brought about by wearing heels, such as the illusion of longer legs, tilting torso and more prominent rear, sends a signal which has an effect on men.”  The conclusion?  Male observers were unable to tell which of the female  subjects were wearing heels.  While I agree a shoe alone doesn’t make a woman confident and sexy, I don’t believe it’s absolutely irrelevant.

I don’t know about you, but I wear heels for me.  They make me walk straighter, carry my head high, and feel sexier.  If I feel sexier – I act more confident.  It doesn’t matter whether a man notices my heels or not – I notice them.  Other women might feel just as sexy in flats as I do in heels.  Nothing wrong with that.  The point is, if we are confident in what we are wearing, we show that confidence.  The man might not notice the shoes – but he certainly notices the confidence!

Besides, can you really convince me that the first few seconds of this promo would have been just as sexy if she wasn’t wearing heels?  Everytime I saw this on TV, I died a little inside because I loved the heels so much!

Vote for the Sexiest Shoes of the Year

Obviously, Saks Fifth Avenue thinks heels are sexy.  Per WWD, they, in conjunction with Footwear News, are holding a contest to determine the years sexiest shoe.  Contestants range from Christian Louboutin to Manolo Blahnik to Miu Miu and Dolce & Gabbana.

Voting is open to the public and will take place online, as well as at the 10022-SHOE boutique in the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store in New York.  Click here to vote online today!

My pick?  These Jimmy Choo Feline’s.

Blog Writer?

I’ve shopped at ModCloth a few times.  Many of the items aren’t really my style, but I occasionally run into something with just the right amount of edge.   Regardless, I always get a kick out of the names they come up with for items, and sometimes the descriptions are absolutely genius!  I was perusing the site last night when I came across the “Blog Writer Dress.”

Although I could see some bloggers wearing this (Tavi comes to mind – and she would rock it), I wouldn’t be caught dead in it.  It looks like a nightgown to me (grandma’s night gown!), is not polished at all, and it’s rather pricey for what it is!   I know ModCloth is just trying to think of fun names for their dresses, but I hate the idea of people thinking bloggers dress like this.   It’s stereotyping, in a way, and am I wrong in thinking the majority of fashion bloggers wouldn’t wear this?

Thou shalt not use the name “Chanel” in vain

This is something we should all be aware of as fashion bloggers: Chanel is on the prowl for people that are misusing their trademark brand name.    Specifically, they would like a cease and desist placed on the use of the word “Chanel” as an adjective.  The powerhouse recently took out the following ad in WWD:

Source: Chic and You Shall Find

So, fellow bloggers, be mindful of that next time something reminds you of a Chanel piece!

Metro Chic and Tom Ford’s Black Orchid

Quite a few of you have been asking about the nail color I am wearing in this photo:

It’s called Metro Chic by OPI for Sephora.  It’s actually a really popular shade from last fall, but I still love it – one of my faves!  Click on the image below to buy it.

Another nail color I am excited about is Tom Ford’s Black Orchid!  Although it looks more red than black, it kind of reminds me of Chanel’s Vamp (please don’t hurt me for the comparison, Chanel!).  Looking forward to seeing this one in person.

A couple of doses of inspiration

Karen Elson looks spectacular in this Harpers Bazaar shoot, and I am seriously coveting those gorgeous red locks of hers!

Photoshoot Details:
Harpers Bazaar UK, October 2010
Photographer: Alexi Lubomirski

Meanwhile, I am strangely drawn to Eniko Mihalik’s hair in this shoot.  I can’t stop staring at this shot… (plus, the dress is gorgeous!)

Photoshoot Details:
Harpers Bazaar Spain, October 2010
Photographer: Nico

How is your Wednesday going? Anything particular on your mind?

And the Chanel cardigan isn’t too bad either!

Photographer: Jonathan Pushnik