Sneak Peek - Chanel Holiday 2011

As I mentioned yesterday in my Chanel post, Holiday is coming out very soon!  I have to admit I look forward to each seasons offerings even more than the one before.  Chanel never seems to amaze me when it comes to color.  There are many items that are coming out but one definitely stands out in the crowd.  This product is Lumiere Sculpte de Chanel Highlighting Powder.  This is the photo that I printed out and have had hanging in my makeup room ever since. (I would like to give credit to http://www.mybeautyblackbook.com/ for the photo which I took from her blog site).  I was told by Heather that the print on the powder is actually a replica of one of Coco Chanel's belts from her collection.  How freakin exciting is that!  Spring was her lover for pearls, and now its one of her belts.  Chanel not only makes beautiful products, they all seem to tell a story of Coco Chanel's intriguing past.  When I purchase something from the collections I feel as though I have a little piece of history and a little piece of Coco Chanel.  I think we knew each other in a previous life!  I am sure we shopped for handbags and pearls together.  Here is the photo that has graced my makeup room wall -

Have you ever seen anything that GORGEOUS??? I know, I know I have only been writing this blog for a few months and every time I turn around I purchase a new highlighting powder!  I can't help myself they are all just so gorgeous.  When I see that sleek, elegant, classy black case with those interlocking CC's something totally comes over me and I can't help but say "That MUST be mine!"   OK you know how I get carried away when it comes to talking about Chanel, happens every time.  I think I should get a tattoo that has a bow with the Chanel CC's hanging from it.  Oh wait, I already do have one!  Is that a true Chanel addict or what?

So moving on there are also quite a few other products in this collection.  As you can see above there is a red lipstick and polish.  The polish is called Rouge Carat.  There is a gold liquid eyeliner, and Feerie Soft Shimmer Powder.  I know that there are two glossimers, one is a shimmery gold, and the other a shimmery beige.  Chanel also includes sets with their Holiday Collections.  There is a magnifying mirror compact which I already have from years ago.  It came out as a Holiday limited edition and of course it had to be mine.  There are also some wonderful sets that include makeup bags.  These can be seen on My Beauty Black Book blog site which I posted above.  She actually has the inside scoop on everything including photos and the look book photo straight from the Chanel counter!  What a lucky girl!

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different. "

 

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

In the case of Chanel coming out with a breath taking Holiday Collection for 2011 - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

911 Beauty Call - Fashion's Night Out Edition

So from my last post I revealed that I do have a job other than entertaining all of you beauties out there with my humor and love for all things beautiful!  While I was at work last week in a room full of about 15 people getting a huge project done, my phone happened to ring.  I looked down and the name that came up was Heather!  Since I have no family members or other friends with this name, I knew it could only be one person, Heather from Chanel at the Mall of America Nordstroms.  I looked down at the phone as my Jason DeRulo ringtone at full volume played - "Day-O me say Day-O daylight come and me don't" I knew I only had "wanna go home" left to play before Heather hung up.  I debated in my mind for just a mere second not to answer Heather's call.  It is funny how in a split second all of these thoughts enter one's mind.  OK maybe they just enter my mind.  I knew that her call could only mean one thing...Chanel had something fabulous to offer me.  I thought that it could be...no it couldn't be....or could it?  Could it be that she was calling to tell me that her counter was getting the limited edition only available at Chanel Boutiques nail polish collection from Fashion's Night Out?   I immediately reached for the phone and could not say hello to Heather fast enough.  I knew that with everyone sitting around and a huge task at hand I had to make this quick.  I don 't think I let Heather do any talking.  I asked her if she was calling to tell me about the polishes.  To my sigh of relief, she WAS!  She told me that she was getting a limited (very small) quantity of the FNO polishes in her store.  I told her that I would definitely take the light blue one, I couldn't remember the name at the time.  The color is actually Coco Blue.  I knew I liked that one the best out of the three and it looked the most unique.  Here are the three colors in this collection and they are all gorgeous -

Someone Tweeted about these babies a week or so ago and I was wondering how I was going to get my greedy little paws on them.  Heather answered my prayers and thanks to her, Coco Blue (and a few other Chanel goodies) will be mine all mine!  Oh and btw I am SO over the gel nails!  Not being able to wear my Chanel polishes is like taking away my Stripdown liner and nude lip combo...PURE TORTURE! 

I just have to say that Heather has really been coming through for me on the Limited Edition Chanel goodies lately.  I wish I could fly to the Mall of America, trot right into Nordstrom's and give her a great big ol hug!  I should be getting my goodies next week so I will post pictures of them.  Until then Graphite will be gracing my nails sometime within the next few days.  I know that Coco Blue will be a color I will wear a lot!  I am so excited I can hardly stand it!  I will post another blog soon about some fabu new Holiday Chanel goodies that are coming out very soon.  I am still doing a little investigating.  One item I am so excited about I actually have a photo of it right here in my makeup room!  I will save that for another day.  Can't have too much Chanel excitement in one day. 

In the case of adding yet another Limited Edition Chanel product to my growing collection - This case is SOLVED!!

Detective Kathy

Hair Today ... Gone Tomorrow

So the topic of curly hair came up at work the other day.  Yes, I have a real job though sitting here behind my computer writing about makeup, skin care, and perfume completes me!  Anyhew, the question came up about curly hair and whether or not people find it attractive.  When I was younger I absolutely hated my naturally curly locks.  I would have given anything to make my curls go AWAY!  I remember bringing my hair stylist pictures of girls with straight hair and wanting mine to look like theirs.  Unfortunately, the Brazilian Blow Out was not invented back then.  I learned to live with my curly locks and eventually learned to love and work with them and not against them. Today I embrace my curly locks and think of it as something that makes me ... me! 

I have been asked quite a bit about the products that I use for my hair.  I have to say that my hair is very dry, coarse, and if this makes any sense, the top has a life of its own!  I have been using the same styling products for a few years now.  They discontinued one of the products that I was absolutely in love with, and re-packaged the other.  I keep it simple and with my hair LESS is definitely more.  I also wash my hair everyday, which I know is a big no-no in the hair world, especially for curly locks. 

Here are the products that I use - I start with Matrix Biolage Ultra Hydrating Shampoo.  After I shampoo with the Matrix I use a conditioner called Terax.  I have a ton of hair and this conditioner lasts me a long time.  I love the way this conditioner makes my hair look and feel.  While I am in the shower I brush this through my hair.  This is the one and only time my hair and a brush ever come in contact.  Once my shower is over I immediately put in one and a half pumps of my TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier.  This is my holy grail product to make my curls look alive.  Immediately after applying the curl cream, I spray a bit of the It's A 10 Conditioner in my hair.  I then place all of my hair on top of my head in a clip.  I put my makeup on which usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.  I then take my blow dryer with a diffuser and blow dry my hair until it is completely dry.  One tip is to try NEVER to touch your curls with your hands.  This will cause the hair to frizz and the curls to separate.  After I am finished I put it in my clip, to calm down the top, and then spray it with my holy grail Paul Mitchell Super Clean Spray.  

As I said above I have learned make my curls work for me not against. One thing that I do change often is shampoo.  I also color my own hair every 4 weeks like clock work.  So these are the products that I absolutely love for my curly locks.  If anyone has any recommendations please comment below.  I am going to try and add one more product to my curly hair routine.  Patrick Wellington owner of the Wellington Hair Spa in NYC  http://www.wellingtonhairspa.blogspot.com/  recommends in his blog using Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum to tame frizz and fly aways.  I actually met Patrick on Twitter and have been talking to him. reading his blog, and following his work.  I hope to make an appointment with him sometime in November when I go to NYC.  I would love for him to get his hands on my curls! I am hoping he can solve my problem of wearing a clip on the top of my head to tame the sides of my hair.  I have so much hair and I really don't know what to do with it.  I can do almost anything with makeup, but hair ummmmm not so much.  My hair right now is super long and I have been toying with the idea of cutting it.  I have to admit I would never cut it really short just because that just isn't me.  I am hoping if I take the trip to meet the hair master he can work his magic! 

In the case of finding a way to keep my curls at bay - This case is SOLVED

Detective Kathy

All of the products that I have listed above can be found at Ulta.  Also if you search this blog there are a few photos of me so you can see my curly hair, and my clip on the top of my hair as well!

Where in the world is Detective Kathy?

I know that I have been MIA for a week or so and it seems I am having some writer's block.  Not literally writer's block, as in I don't have Chanel Nail Polishes, or Inglot Makeup floating around in my head, writer's block as in there are so many things going on in the world right now.  Every time I go to write about a lipstick or nail polish I think of hurricanes, tornado's, and earthquakes.  If you read my posts you know that I rarely stray from the makeup talk.  Today I just had to stray for a minute. 

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge what is going on in the world.  Sometimes things are more important that makeup, YES I did say that.  I wanted to tell all of my friends and family to stay safe during the Hurricane and whatever else Mother Nature has coming our way. 

Don't worry, I will be back to my regular makeup jibber next week. Believe me I have a TON to talk about!  I am just taking a break to let Mother Nature write her blog this weekend. 

God Bless and please take care everyone! xoxoxoxoxox

Detective Kathy

Ulta Rewards Program = Free Perfume!

If you follow my travels you know that a few months ago an Ulta store came to town.  You can also see from my haul posts that a lot of my treasures come from that fabu store!  A few weeks ago I received in the mail my Ulta reward points.  I was so happy because I reached a level 7.  The reward for this is a $45.00 bottle of perfume for free.  There were other items that I could have chosen but give me a certificate for a free $45.00 bottle of perfume and I am on board! 

The perfume that I chose was a little out of the norm for me.  I usually choose those sexy and woodsy, almost masculine fragrances.  I decided to venture out and give a new fragrance a try.  I ended up with Salvatore Ferragamo's Incanto Bloom.  This fragrance 's composition encompasses grapefruit blossom, freesia, tea rose, champaca, musk and cashmere.  If I had to describe it in my own words, I would say that it is much like Stella McCartney's Stella with less rose and more sweetness.  The bottle is cute as a button with one of my favorite things on it - a bow!

All in all this is a pretty fragrance.  I think I would definitely not reach for this in the winter because of the sweetness.  I am happy to add it to my collection but do feel as though the woodsy, sexy fragrances suit me a little better.  I like to wear this sprayed all over and put my Stella McCartney roller ball on my pulse points. I think this makes it stay a little longer.  I have to say that I did get compliments at work when I wore this.  That is always a good sign!

If you would like to know more about the Ulta reward program please feel free to email me or comment below.  I didn't want to write all of the details in my post. 

In the case of finding a fun, free, flirty, fragrance - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

Just when I thought Chanel couldn't make anything prettier.....

Here I am again, twice in one day. This is something that just could not wait another minute, let alone another day.  As you know I have a few contacts at Nordstrom stores all over the country.  One is Heather at the Mall of America, and the other is Ondrea in Seattle.  It is basically whoever calls me first gets my order.  They are both the sweetest girls who would do absolutely anything to make sure my Chanel Limited Edition goodies arrive safely at my door.  With that said, here is something that arrived on a big brown truck this evening at 6:30 p.m.  I will post the picture before I even begin to tell you about it -

This beauty is by far one of the most gorgeous items that I have ever seen.  This picture does not even do it justice.  This is Ombres Tissees - Iridescent Effects Eyes in Beiges.  I received the call from Heather last Saturday about this and could not say the words "Put it on my charge!" quick enough.  I read about this a while ago and it was described as a highlighter powder.  When Heather was telling me about the new products that are part of the Chanel Ready To Wear collection only sold at Nordstroms and online now, I didn't realize she was talking about this.  The collection is called Les Aquarelles de Chanel and was first introduced by Peter Philips (my buddy), at the Couture show in Paris early Spring.  I did some investigation and found that this product can be used as a face highlighter and also on the eyes.  It comes in the black velvet pouch with a shadow applicator housed in it.  This product is definitely a must have for any Chanel lover or collector.  The photo below shows the product with the glitter overlay.  I haven't even touched it yet.  This is one of those, its too pretty to touch right now pieces.  The glitter overlay will go away once swiped.  I think this is going to work well on my tanned skin especially to highlight my cheeks and the eyes.  I am going to dive in and use it tomorrow.  For the remainder of the night I will sit here and admire its beauty.  Well probably not all night, maybe just another half hour or so.  I do have a life other than Chanel ya know!  I will leave you with one more picture of this compact in all its gorgeousness -

In the case of purchasing yet another limited edition product from Chanel before it goes to Chanel Heaven - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

Dear Chanel, It's me Kathy......

This post is for Mr. Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Cosmetics.  Who knows he might just be reading! I am writing you to let you know that there is something I absolutely need you to create for Chanel.  I NEED, WANT, HAVE TO HAVE, AM BEGGING FOR Chanel gel nail polish.  After several years, I finally have my own cute little nails.  I love the idea of the gel manicure, however, the polishes just don't cut it for me.  They just are not my beloved Chanel, and not having Chanel on my nails is a little unsettling.  Chanel polish and my nails go together like Bronzer and a large kabuki brush.  Ok Peter we can compromise, just make one a season.  Is that really asking for too much?  Just package that pretty Mimosa, Novelle Vague, Peridot, Graphite, Black Pearl, or Paradoxal in a cute little tub to be used for a gel manicure.  That would really make me happy when skies are grey! 

So now that Peter knows how I feel, I will get on with showing you my new hot pink nails.  Don't get me wrong they are cute and all but they are just not Chanel. 

In the case of begging Peter to make me Chanel polish in gel manicure form - This case is NOT SOLVED yet!!!!

Detective Kathy

Chanel, Hourglass, & MUFE haul!

Last night I finally got to hang out with one of my oldest friends. We decided that we would go to dinner and of course, SHOP!  We took a short trip to a mall that is about 45 minutes away.  This mall has one of my favorite things in the whole wide world - CHANEL!  Our first stop was Lord & Taylor to visit one of my favs George at the Chanel Counter.  He was helpful as always and I ended up purchasing a few goodies.  I bought my beloved bronzer that I have actually been out of all summer.  I had switched to Nars Casino and though I really like the Nars, there is just something I really LOVE about Chanel.  I bought the Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Powder in #63 Terre Ambre.  This is the best color for me.  It is not the darkest one because I feel that makes me look a little orange.  This color has just the right amount of pigment to give me that bronze look and even out my already tanned skin.  While I was there I tried on a lipstick and gloss.  They were absolutely gorgeous but I knew I had a few on my list to get from Sephora so I passed (now that is what I call control).  So I passed on the lippies but ended up with two of the most gorgeous eyeshadows ever.  They are two singles #89 Twilight, and #90 Fauve.  I read that they were originally only released in Europe and made their way to the US.  The Twilight is a gorgeous shimmery candy like pink with micro glitter.  The Fauve is a shimmery mauve-taupe with micro glitter as well.  The photo that I am placing below really doesn't do them justice.  They were just so pretty I could not resist.  I am excited to work with these since I have never owned any of the Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow singles from Chanel before.  Here are the photos -

Our next trip was to Sephora.  I had a few items on my list thanks to one of my favorite YouTube girls TheBombShellSuite.  Her name is Vanessa and I love her style and makeup.  She had purchased a few lipsticks and a liner that I had on my list to check out.  I ended up with a MUFE lipstick in #22.  That is not the one that Vanessa had because I thought it would be a little too bright on me.  I did however, love the packaging and feel of the MUFE so I got one.  It is a beigy nude and will be on the left of the photo below.  The next lippie that was on my list is one from Hourglass.  I had never owned anything from this line but wanted to try the color she had.  I ended up getting this one because it is right up my nude alley!  It is called Fable.  This is ironic because I have been on the hunt for another Fable which is sold out everywhere.  That Fable is by Illamasqua.  The Hourglass lipstick will be on the right of the photo below.  I could not leave without a trip to the perfume section.  I ended up with a back up bottle of my beloved Fresh Cannabis Santal, and also a new purse spray of Bvlgari Jasmin Noir.  Vanessa had said that she was going to purchase Mon Jasmine Noir from Bvlgari so I had to investigate!  I liked the Mon JN but decided that the Jasmine Noir was more me.  It is a woody Oriental which is what I tend to go for.  Those deep, dark, sexy, and mysterious fragrances.  I am also a sucker for purse sprays.  It was only $25.00 which is a great way to try, before committing to a large size.  Here are the photos below -

WOW these small hauls are really starting to add up.  I would say that I am going to stop purchasing makeup and fragrance for a while but we all know that is a flat out LIE!  I mean if I were to stop what the heck would I have to blog about!

In the case of having a long overdue 5 hour shopping trip with my oldest friend and getting some fabu goodies - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

New York City Haul - Lush, Sephora, & Inglot

Well I am back from NYC! I survived a Tornado warning on Friday, and a horrific hail storm today!  In between my coming and going, I had some gorgeous NY weather.  Saturday was a perfect day so we went to the beach.  No makeup there just fun, sun, and ocean waves! Oh and crab bites on my toes.  Let move on to Sunday now shall we?

On Sunday we made our way into the city.  Even thought I said it would not be a shopping trip, I did manage to sneak in a few stores.  The first store that I can face to face with was Lush!  I had never been in a Lush store before so was excited to venture in.  I was not the only one who ventured in, my son and husband followed.  Believe me, it was NOT to see what Lush had to offer, it was just a way to get out of the heat!  I have to say that I was quite overwhelmed going into this store.  Everything smelled so ah-mazing!  I didn't know what to look at first.  I ended up getting something that I thought was a body cream.  It was actually a face and body scrub called Ocean Salt.  The smell was Divine and I could not resist. It is described as sea salt, lime, and vodka. I need this in cocktail form for the pool!  This is something that I probably would have passed on if I knew it was for face and body.  With that said, I used it tonight and it made my skin feel so soft and silky.  This is definitely a keeper in my book!  The next item that I got was a chunk of soap.  I bought the Figs and Leaves which smells yummy! I am a sucker for anything that smells of fig.  I bought some lip products as well.  I had heard about the Lip Scrubs so I couldn't pass these up.  I got Sweet Lips which is cocoa absolute and vanilla extract.  This makes your lips feel soft and smooth and it tastes yummy!  I also bought the Lip Balm in Honey Trap.  This is a creamy scent with honey, vanilla, and shea butter.  The final lip product that I bought was a Lip Tint in Double Choc.  This is a dark chocolate, vanilla, and brandy scented tint.  You can apply it very sheer or darker for more color.  These lip products are ah-mazing!  The final product that I bought from Lush is a perfume solid in Vanillary.  You know what a sucker I am for perfume.  This is real vanilla, and tonka absolute.  All in all I will say that though Lush is a little on the pricey side, it is definitely worth every penny!  Thanks to Lush I don't think I will ever need to eat dessert again!  Here are the products -

Next was Sephora!  I was excited to visit Illamasqua when I went to Sephora since I don't have it here in mine.  Unfortunately, the stock was a little low on the products that I wanted.  I really wanted the Metal Palette, and also Fable Lipstick.  Those were two products that I was so excited to try and review.  I will just order from Sephora.com to get the products that were out of stock.  I was so happy to at least see a display.  I love the name and have always been curious about the brand.  I ended up with Sonnet Lipstick which is a gorgeous coral nude.  This color looks so pretty on and is a wearable nude.  I also got the Powder Foundation in PF240 which is the darkest that they had.  I used it today and it matched my skin perfect.  I am so happy with my purchases from Illamasqua.  I cant wait to order more!  I only bought two more items from Sephora, once again husband and son standing there getting cool, (feeling like I have to rush, I hate that)!  I got a YSL Volupte Sheer Candy Glossy Balm in #1 Lush Coconut.  The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, typical YSL.  The gloss is VERY sheer.  I just swiped it on my lips quick when I got home so I will have to report back on this one.  I want to try it with my liner to get the true color payoff.  I am thinking that it will be sheer. This is a great color to throw on when your lips need a little moisture.  I was thinking about trying it over the Illamasqua Sonnet for a little shine.  The final product that I got was a Body Shop Body Butter in Coconut.  Oh my I have typed Coconut quite a lot tonight!  Here are my Sephora goodies -

Just as we were about to wait in the long line at Hard Rock Cafe for dinner, I detected something in the distance - was it - could it be - did I lose my mind and forget that INGLOT was in Times Square??? I was so excited..well you know how that goes!  I could hardly contain myself.  I had to just run in quick and take a peek!  A peek I did, I ended up getting something that I love, love, love!  It is one of the palettes in the Freedom System.  I did purchase one for lips at IMATS in April, along with a lot of other products from this brand. I wanted a palette that held eyeshadow, bronzer, and a blush.  That is exactly what I created.  The bronzer is a soft shimmery shade #17.  The blush that I bought is a shimmery berry #32.  I bought two shadows for the palette, one a shimmery grey # 393, and the other a matte gold #498.  This palette was only $44.00 and TOTALLY worth every penny!  Here is my palette -

There was one more item, cosmetic related that I bought.  This product is by Comodynes and it is the Make-up Remover wipes for face and eyes.  I used these the other day when I got them and they are wonderful.  Very soothing on the skin and they removed all of my makeup!  I will definitely be purchasing more from this brand again.  I hear they have a wonderful self tanner. 

Well that was my small NYC haul, not bad for only one day in the city with my husband and son in tow!  NYC is one of my favorite places, I love the excitement and all the different people.  Here are just a few of my favorite photos -

In the case of spending the day in NYC and grabbing some blog worthy goodies - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy