NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette review + swatches

           Today I'm enjoying an unexpected day off! I can't tell you have wonderful it feels to be at home, wearing my new pink UGG slippers (thanks Mom!), and putting in some quality time into my blog. It's been a whirlwind past several months for me, with a new job and new responsibilities. It's going to be a work in progress, but I hope I'll continue to find ways to find ways to incorporate Cute and Mundane into my schedule!

         I'm excited to share my newest beauty acquisition, the NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette. I'd actually been eyeing this set for some time,  including on my most recent trip to Sephora. One of my dearest friends must have read my mind, as she sent this my way! I can only begin to express my delight...

Both the top and inside of the palette are mirrored!

           The top 'shelf' of the NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette contains three blushes. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe that Enrapture, Enthralled, and Roman Holiday are all limited edition blush shades. I prefer this to  other blush palettes that contain shades that I already own, as I'd rather not have repeats. I found that all three formulas were quite pigmented. Because the pans are smaller, I have to experiment with which brush to use. Ideally I'd like a fluffier loose brush due to pigmentation of the shades, however, a small head would be idea to fit the pans. Hm.

One can never have too much pink...

          I really love the selection of shades, as they're ones I'd actually use! NARS Roman Holiday blush (better known in lipstick form) is a gorgeous shade of cool pink. Cool pinks are my favorite, and I'm looking forward to using this as an alternative to my everyday pink, NARS Gaiety (click for review). I'm also loving NARS Enthralled blush, as it's a deeper pink that would make a nice contour color for me. I've been using blush as opposed to bronzer for contour, as it seems to better suit my coloring. (My usual as of late has been NARS Oasis). I'll have to experiment with NARS Enrapture blush, it seems like another great contour shade for warmer toned makeup - perfect for the fall season.

         The palette top flips up to reveal the contour and highlight shades below. Unlike the limited edition upper shades, the bottom shades are classics: NARS Albatross highlighter and NARS Laguna bronzer.  Believe it or not, I actually did not yet own NARS Albatross! (I've been more of a NARS Copacabana girl). Albatross is a pretty pale yellow-gold highlight. It's also pretty pigmented. NARS Laguna bronzer is a shade I do own (swatched here), though haven't reached for as often as I'd like because it does tend to run quite warm. That said, I noticed while swatching this palette that Laguna was relatively sheer, which makes it potentially usable for me.

          Finally, the palette comes with the cutest little NARS Lip gloss in Istria. It's a really pretty light pink. Because my lips are fuller, I usually don't use an all over gloss; however a dab of this shade would add just the right touch to finish off my usually light pink lip colors. It's nice to have a mini, portable version as I don't consume enough gloss to justify a full size!

           Here are swatches of the NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette! I'm really loving NARS Roman Holiday blush, NARS Enthralled blush, and NARS Istria Lip Gloss. My skin still has some of it's summer warmth here, but as usual, my mildly pink undertone makes these swatches pull slightly warmer than they might look otherwise!

       
         I'm really excited to add this little NARSissist beauty to my collection! Not only do I love it's cute packaging, it's a practical, compact set that I can pack for the gym or on short trips. As I haven't had much time to shop for beauty as of late, I'm thankful to my friend for this thoughtful gift! It's nice to receive a much needed new infusion into my beauty routine.

         Thanks for reading! What palettes have you been loving lately? What NARS shades are you reaching for this fall?

Love, Dovey.

Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33) review + swatches

       I hope everyone's weekend got off to a great start! I managed to check off a few things on my to-do list, including an intense yoga session, picking up the Harper's Bazaar beauty issue, and planting the mini herb garden! (It's got flat-leaf parsely, rosemary, sweet mint, sweet basil, and lavender, in case you're curious). Having had such a great day, I figured what could be better to end on than typing up a blush post? Today I'm sharing my review of Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33).

        If I recall correctly, the first blush I ever owned was Bobbi Brown's Desert Pink (which, by the way, is still a part of the permanent lineup). The brand has an amazing blush lineup, especially if you're talking natural, photo-friendly mattes. What I've noticed recently, are more light pink options - perfect if you're a light pink aficionada like me. When asked about what Bobbi Brown products I'd like to try, I had to go with Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33)!

Love the Bobbi Brown palette system! The shade names always travel with the colors.

           Before getting into the colors themselves, I thought I'd mention the Bobbi Brown interchangeable palette system. To date, it's still my favorite customizeable palette system (after all, it's one of the originals). The colors easily pop in and out of their cases (see above) and what's nice is that the name label (on the back of each shade) travels with the product into the palette, so I can easily reference them.

          To give you an idea of size, I have palettes in 2,4, and 6 pan sizes. My mom has this awesome 9-pan palette that was a Neiman's limited edition from way back. How great would it be to have an entire 6-pan palette filled with Bobbi blushes? (It's next on my bucket list...)

          Bobbi Brown Nude Pink is described as the 'palest pink'. To be fair, it is one of the lightest shades in the lineup, but I'd probably say it's more of a clean, light pink. The formula is pigmented and smooth.

         Bobbi Brown Pastel Pink is one of the newer shades in the blush lineup. It's described as a 'light pink lilac'. I don't notice an overt lilac tones, but it definitely is a cool-leaning light pink. This has the same smooth pigmentation as above.

         I'm actually glad I have both blushes to show you, as they look quite similar at first glance. If you look below, it's easy to appreciate the difference between the two. Bobbi Brown Nude Pink is a touch warmer and perhaps more natural (hence nude), while Pastel Pink is cooler and touch brighter.

I think here, you can really notice the differences between Bobbi Brown Nude Pink and Pastel Pink!

            I've swatched both shades below, next to a couple of my favorite pinks. For the record, my arm is probably two shades tanner than usual, thanks to my recent trip to the Floriday Keys - so keep that in mind when comparing this to previous posts.

            Because I have a good amount of pink undertone, I tend to gravitate towards cool pink shades. Both NARS Gaiety and MAC Peony Petal (reviews linked) are among my everyday kind of pinks. (They look a bit stark here since swatched heavily on my tan...).  As you can see, Bobbi Brown Nude Pink and Pastel Pink are cool, but not as starkly cool as Gaiety and Peony Petal.

           I'd say the difference between the two is more pronounced (vs. in my swatches) when worn. Bobbi Brown Nude Pink has a more natural finish, while Bobbi Brown Pastel Pink is pinker and brighter. As you can tell from the swatches below, both have the natural feel that Bobbi is known for.

         Both Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33) are gorgeous shades, especially if you're a fan of light pinks, like myself. I love how soft and natural both look, and can't wait to incorporate them into my routine. I'm really happy that Bobbi has added more light pink shades to the permanent collection. I've already got my eye on 'Pale Pink', 'Peony', and even my old favorite 'Desert Pink'!

       Thanks for reading! What Bobbi Brown blushes do you have in your collection? When it comes to blush, do you prefer pinks or peach/corals?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. I'm working on more of my new Bobbi Brown basics, so expect more in the near future!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

TOPSHOP Fall / Winter 2014 collection review + swatches

          Lately I've been having fun with a collection that's deep, luminous, perhaps a bit delicious. (Think candied citrus, red cherries, and wine).  I've been enjoying pieces from the TOPSHOP Fall / Winter 2014 collection, courtesy of TOPSHOP, and have a mix-and-matched selection to share with you today!

         The TOPSHOP Cheek Jellies ($14) are among the more intriguing items from the latest collection. Texture-wise I had the idea of a gelatinous jelly in mind, however on palpation, the formula is actually quite firm. It's when you swirl your finger to pick up product that you recognize that it's more like a 'gel' than a traditional cream. The result upon application is a sheer, slightly dewy effect. I'd liken this product to something similar a cheek stain, perhaps.

       At first glance, the two shades I received look very intimidating in the pan, to say the least.  However, I've found that they're quite sheer and easy to wear upon application (even without tons of blending). TOPSHOP Cheek Jelly in Reign appears as a bright red in the pan, but applies as a muted red-plum on my skin. TOPSHOP Cheek Jelly in Museum appears to be a dark bordeaux in the pan, however it applies as a sheer wine. (Scroll down to see swatches of both!) I'm a fan.

       The collection also includes a line of TOPSHOP Lip Polishes ($10). They're more emollient and glossy than the regular lipstick line. Both shades I received were quite pigmented, yet had a sheerness that made them quite wearable. TOPSHOP Lip Polish in Twin lookes like a black bordeaux in the tube, but swatches out as a nice burgundy. (The effect is of course dark, but at nicely wearable extent). TOPSHOP Lip Polish in Prodigy is a nearly neon orange in tube, however swatches as a nice orange tint.

        For nails, the TOPSHOP Fall/ Winter collection includes a selection of great basic shades that correspond to the cheek jellies and lip stains. The opaque creme shades are fast drying and easy to apply. Like the rest of the collection, they're packaged in dark black, as opposed to TOPSHOP's usual graphic white.

       TOPSHOP Nails in Middle Child ($8) (above) is a medium plum creme. My swatch might appear a bit light in this photo. It's a fun addition to my collection as I need more red plum lacquers!

        TOPSHOP Nails in Exhibit (above) is a dark burgundy red creme. I'm all over dark red hues, so this one was right up my alley! TOPSHOP Nails in Toot is a bright cherry red creme. I'd say it's a nice optimistic color for the holidays!

        Overall, TOPSHOP Beauty Fall/Winter has a fun set of deeps and brights to color the season! At first glance, the shades are quite intimidating. However, I found that the blackened burgundies and bright mandarins mellowed out into more wearable versions thanks to sheerness in the formulas. I'd have to say that TOPSHOP Lip Polish in Twin and TOPSHOP Cheek Jelly in Reign are my favorites. I continue to be pleased by both the color and quality of TOPSHOP shades; the products have been fun additions to my makeup collection!

       At this point, I believe standalone TOPSHOP boutiques are only in NYC and Chicago, but there may be displays in certain Nordstroms. (I saw one in San Francisco, last time I went). You can, of course find much more availability online at the online TOPSHOP Beauty boutique.

       Thanks for reading! Have you tried TOPSHOP Beauty? Do you have access to TOPSHOP beauty boutique in your area or do you rely on swatches?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Tarte Chic to Cheek Deluxe Amazonian Clay blush set review + swatches

          Greetings, from The Twin Cities! I've been airport hopping as of late and thought I'd squeeze in a bit of blogging while waiting for my next flight. Today I have a sweet little blush set that reminds me of a box of macarons.  I've been enjoying this coffret of four limited edition shades from Tarte Holiday 2014, courtesy of Tarte, and have thoughts and swatches to share with you today!

         If you've been following Cute and Mundane recently, you might know that I'm a mini-kick due to my upcoming travel schedule. It's nice to have a set of high quality minis when traveling (or as space saving options in my everyday pouch).  All four shades in the Tarte Chic to Cheek set are wonderfully useable. They're packaged in similarly in sturdy color-coded plastic like the regular Tarte blushes; however, they have a pretty golden filigree designs on the lids and don't have mirrors within.

         The four limited edition shades within the Tarte Chic to Cheek set  are Amour, Classic, Prim, and Daydream. Tarte Amour is a candy pink. Tarte Classic is a soft apricot pink. Tarte Prim is a plum nude. (Side note: who else thought Hunger Games when seeing Prim?) Tarte Daydream is a mauve pink.  The formula is smooth and pigmented, as typical of Tarte blushes.

          When it comes to holiday gift sets, I tend to enjoy sets filled with great singles so that I can mix and match as needed. I really like how the Tarte Chic to Cheek set ($35) has a well rounded variety of blush shades to choose from, with pink, peach, nude, and mauve undertones. They're sized for the girl on the go, but also make nice picks for those looking to build a color collection. Color me pleased.

         Thanks for reading! Have you played with Tarte Holiday 2014? What are your favorite Tarte blushes (or products)?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

TOPSHOP Mercurial Lipstick and more... review + swatches

          It's a cool fifty degrees here in Chicago - a reminder that seasons are changing and new seasonal beauty is in order! Fall makeup tends to be tricky for me; while I subconsciously gravitate towards the rich browns and berries, they aren't the most complimentary shades to my complexion. (I'm more of a winter-spring girl). I'd been autopilot-ing with my beauty basics, until I received a lovely package filled with TOPSHOP Beauty!

          TOPSHOP's latest beauty collection is Molten Metallics - a set of metallic lipsticks and blushes for Fall 2014. It's a fall inspiration that I'm really loving for this season. Today I have look at a metallic lipstick from the collection, as well as some great TOPSHOP beauty basics.

           TOPSHOP Lips in Mercurial is one of three lip colors in the Molten Metallics collection. The silvery pink shade is a remix on your classic nude lip. The effect is a washed-out lip color with metallic glow. Admittedly you have to 'own it' to wear it; it's not a my-lips-but-better type of shade. That said, I'm loving this unique shade; it's just what I needed to spruce up my makeup routine (sans browns and berries). The finish comfortable and non-drying, though not particularly moisturizing.

Can't get enough of TOPSHOP packaging!

         I've been adding more kohls to my routine as of late; I love the dramatic smoked gradient they provide. (Usually I'll line first with a long-lasting liquid, then reapply kohl throughout the day to get add more depth to fading lines). TOPSHOP Kohl in Sable is a dark brown pencil with great intensity. It applies smoothly and has quite good lasting power for a kohl (which are usually short lived relative to other liners). I'm very happy with this pencil; it's a worthwhile addition to my everyday makeup pouch.

Inside are a little spoolie, tweezers, and brush!

          I have a thing for brow kits. (You should have seen the gleam in my eye when I spotted the TOPSHOP Brow Palette in Whatever). As someone with thinner brows, it makes a big difference when I take the time to do and touch up brows throughout the day. The TOPSHOP Brow Palette in Whatever is a conveniently sized case with a pull-out drawer of three mini brow tools (a spoolie, a tweezer, and dual ended brush. Inside, is a warm creamy brown wax and a grey-taupe shadow. They're meant to be layered for effect, but I tend to use more of the powder shadow. The brow kit is also available in a lighter set of shades.

          I adore the pretty dotted packaging of TOPSHOP Cream Blush in Afternoon. The bright pink is not a shade I would have initially picked for myself. However, I've found that just a couple dabs of the creamy formula blends out to create a surprisingly subtle brightening effect on my cheeks. It pairs nicely with Mercurial (above), as I find that I have to add more cheek color to balance out paler lips. TOPSHOP Lip Paint in Hibiscus is a rich opaque, creamy lip color. It wears comfortably, and is a nice option for when I'm feeling bright.

         I have to say, I'm loving my first trial with TOPSHOP Beauty. My favorites from this selection are TOPSHOP Lips in Mercurial, Kohl in Sable, and Cream Blush in Afternoon Tea. (I've already tucked them into my everyday makeup pouch!) I'm thinking a visit to the TOPSHOP boutique on Michigan Ave may be in order; the new metallic blushes are calling my name...

Thanks for reading! Have you tried TOPSHOP Beauty? What are your favorite products and shades?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

NARS Gaiety blush review + swatches

         In the spirit of eclecticism, shall we start with an assortment of things I've been loving lately? First up are fresh peonies. (I'm enjoying their dewy sweet perfume even as I write!) So much attention is given to their visual aesthetic, but I'd have to argue that their scent is equally (if not more) alluring.  Second, I'm loving Angelina Jolie on the cover of Elle. It's a truly striking shot, although I may be biased as Angie's one of my favorite celeb style icons. I'm looking forward to seeing her in Maleficent (speaking of which, I spotted the Maleficent collection at MAC counters this weekend)! Third, I'm loving NARS Gaiety blush, a gorgeous pale pink and the topic of discussion for the day....

         You know I love a cool pink. There's something so magical, brightening, and feminine about the shade. I fell in love with NARS Gaiety blush when it debuted, as it was (and still is) the coolest pink in their collection. I ended up waiting before buying; even though I'm a diehard fan of NARS shades, I'm plus/minus on the formula on my sensitive skin. (That and I tend to think, rethink, then think some more about my beauty buys, as my collection has already reached critical mass...).

Peony petals are pretty, but their perfume is prettier! 

       
         The compact is of course packaged in the classic rubbery NARS material, a modern and practical touch that I really like. I know some folks don't like how they tend to be powder magnets, but I haven't really had the same issue. It might be because I leave the protective plastic inserts in my compacts.



        NARS Gaiety is a cool pastel pink. Though it has cool tones, I wouldn't say it has significant blue tones (my photos are leaning a bit more blue on my monitors than I'd like!) Its powdery pastel-like nature gives it a more brightening effect than some other pinks in the same spectrum. That said, it also may apply slightly more sheer for that reason as well.

         I've drawn up some comparison swatches for NARS Gaiety blush to some of the other cool-ish pinks in my collection. Tarte Adored (click for review) is a darker rosier pink. MAC Peony Petal (click for review) is the coolest pink of the bunch. You can see how Gaiety isn't as blue-pink as Peony Petal. I was surprised to see how dark NARS Angelika swatched on my skin, as it's lighter in the pan.  Illamasqua Nymph is a pretty bubblegum pink that's less pastel in tone. Of note, I don't own Dior Rosy Glow, but I've heard it's very similar to NARS Gaiety.

          I'm smitten with the cool pink tones in NARS Gaiety. It has such a lovely brightening effect on my neutral/cool skin and is a perfect way to add a dash of peony-inspired pink to my spring routine!

         Thanks for reading! What blooms are decorating your desktop as of late? Have you tried NARS Gaiety? What pretty pink (or other) blush shades have you been reaching for this spring?

Love, Dovey.

MAC Peony Petal (Tres Cheek collection) review + swatches

            It's coffee o' clock here at Cute and Mundane. I'm enjoying the last beautiful moments of my week-long vacation today and am gearing up for what's likely to be the toughest quarter of the year. (I can already feel the anxiety settling in). Fortunately, my week off coincided with the April issue releases of some of my favorite glossies; I read a fantastic article in Elle titled Fail Fast, Fail Forward. The themes of perfectionism, fear of failure, and learning to learn from mistakes really resonated with me, as I'm sure they do with many others out there. I highly recommend the article, if it's a topic that piques your interest!

          With that said, let's get back to blush! I thought this sunny Sunday would be the perfect time to feature a pretty pop of pink. MAC Peony Petal is a re-release in the MAC Tres Cheek Collection (Summer 2014). I've had this blush in my collection since its first debut; it's a gorgeous shade, so I'm glad it's being featured again!

          MAC Peony Petal is a bright blue-pink blush with a satin finish. It adds a wonderful brightness to cheeks! If my skin was a little less sensitive to MAC blushes, this color would be a staple shade for me.

         As you can see from my comparison swatches below, MAC Peony Petal is quite light and cool toned! NARS Angelika is warmer and has sparkles (surprising to me, as I've always thought Angelika was quite cool itself). Illamasqua Nymph, a bubblegum pink, is the most similar of the set, however it's a little lighter and less blue toned. Illamasqua Chased, a purple tinged pink, is darker and warmer. Tarte Adored (click for review) is a a warmer pink with sparkles.

         I'm quite fond of the cooler spectrum when it comes to pinks --- so I enjoy having the gorgeous blue-pink of MAC Peony Petal in my collection! (It's also worth mentioning that I'm fond of anything peony-related, thanks to growing up with plenty of the pink blooms in mom's garden!) I'm glad the shade is being featured again in the MAC Tres Cheek collection; it's an opportunity to pick up a pan if the pink piques your interest, plus it's a chance for me to give mine another swirl!

         Thanks for reading! What shades from the MAC Tres Cheek collection caught your eye? What is the coolest pink in your collection? How have you been, and what magazine articles have you enjoyed lately?

Love, Dovey.

NARS Deep Throat blush review + swatches

        Spring... it's a thing! It's been a tough few months, however I'm feeling more optimistic than ever today! The combination of sunny weather, a much needed vacation, and a jar of live tulip bulbs from Mr. Lovey have done wonders for lifting my spirits.

         In light of a season filled with natural beauty, one can't help but draw inspiration from delicate buds and shoots. I've found myself reaching for pretty peachy pinks more than ever. Recently I pulled out an old favorite of mine, NARS Deep throat blush. Like many well loved items in my collection, I had yet to review it! (And what better day could there be for that than today?)

        NARS Deep Throat was among the first NARS blushes in my collection. (I'm a huge fan of NARS O, so naturally I had to have Deep Throat as well). The light peachy pink color has a brightening effect on my skin. It glows, but to an understated extent. Generally I find it easier to pair dramatic eyes or bright lips with Deep Throat (vs. NARS O) for this reason.

          I'm getting sidetracked here, but I love how beautiful flowers are up close! What appears to be a plain pink tulip has such beautiful peach and mauve tones veined throughout. (That said, I do have a soft spot for pink tulips). Back to the blush...

          NARS Deep Throat is a peachy pink with a light golden sheen. The golden glow is enough to be natural without adding too much warmth. You'll notice that it swatches slightly more peach on me, due to some pink tones in my skin. When comparing NARS Orgasm vs. NARS Deep Throat, their pinky-peach bases are somewhat similar when swatched heavily. However, O has a bit more sheerness on application and adds depth with its golden glow. NARS Deep Throat, on the other hand, is more pigmented, peachy, and less glowy. NARS Super Orgasm blush is more pink. It has a similar finish, however you'll notice a number of large gold glitter sparkles. Chantecaille Coral (click for review) has much more orange (after all, it's a coral!) Tarte Glisten blush (click for review) is more pink, pigmented, and has a golden glow.

           Overall, NARS Deep Throat blush is a gorgeous peachy pink shade for spring! It's been a staple shade for me these days --- and keeps me looking as optimistic as I feel! It has lovely pigmentation and application; my only qualm, as with all NARS blushes, is that my skin does tend to be sensitive to the formulation, limiting my wear time.

        Thanks for reading! Are you a fan of NARS Deep Throat as well? What are your favorite NARS blushes? What shades of blush have you been reaching for this spring?

Love, Dovey.

Mai Couture Blush Papier in Prettyful review + swatches

           I have something whimsical to share with you today : Mai Couture Blush Papiers in Prettyful! You've probably heard of blotting paper, but how about blushing paper? Mai Couture's Blush Papiers are small sheets of paper with lightly applied powdered blush. All you have to do to achieve a glowing blushed look is to rub a sheet to both cheeks --- no blush or brush required! They're great to slip into a wallet or purse for beauty on-the-go.

          I had wanted to try Mai Couture for some time, but missed out when samples were available at Nordstrom. However, recently, a coworker gifted me a generous bag of samples which included Mai Couture Blush Papiers in Prettyful! The sample packet came with two sheets of blush papers (see below). I think the sample size papers are a bit smaller than the full size papers.

Ingredients : Nadelholz bleached kraft pulp, hemp pulp, kaolin, mica, iron oxides.

          The  Mai Couture Blush Papiers in Prettyful have color applied on one side only, so you won't get it on your hands while applying. Each sheet is good for one use. The powder applied goes on sheer (after all, you wouldn't want a visible stripe on your face from too much pigment) to create a nice brightening flush.

            Mai Couture Prettyful is a light and bright pink with an iridescent cool pink sheen. As I mentioned above, it is sheer, so I compared it to two Tarte blushes that I swatched more lightly than I usually would. Tarte Amazon Clay Blush in Adored is a significantly cooler pink. Tarte Glisten (reviewed here) is similar, but has a slightly pinker base. A major difference is that Glisten glows gold, while Prettyful has a cool pink shine. Something that can't be appreciated well from the photo below is how much sheen Mai Couture Prettyful has when seen in real life.

         I was surprised by how *pretty* Mai Couture Blush Papier in Prettyful was. The wearable pink base with the cool pink sheen is just the kind of color I like. I also had more fun rubbing and blending the color in with the paper than I expected! It is a convenient option to get a little color if you're often on the run. That being said, $17.50 for 50 sheets is quite steep if you consider how many uses can be had from a typical blush pan! Thanks for reading! Have you tried Mai Couture? What do you think of paper-application blushes?

Love, Dovey.

Chantecaille Save the Sharks Palette review + swatches (Spring 2013)

          I first saw them on a grade school field trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore - fearsome, majestic creatures with large toothy grins that seemed powerful enough to bite through the thick plexiglass wall that separated us. Seeing real live sharks for the first time is an experience I'll never forget. For all their scary looks and ruthless reputation, these top predators have much more to fear than we do. For every recorded shark attack on humans, humans have killed more than 4 million sharks. In the past 40 years, several shark species have been decimated by 95%. The demand for shark fin soup results in the deaths of 73 million sharks annually (that's over 2 per second!) Equally alarming is the brutality of shark fishing practices; fins are often cut off of a living shark and the body is thrown back into the water to die. Thankfully, there are organizations like the BLOOM association that are passionately committed to saving sharks. Among other accomplishments, BLOOM orchestrated a top-level ban on serving shark fin soup at all Hong Kong luxury hotels. Chantecaille is supporting BLOOM's tireless  efforts by raising awareness and donating 5% of proceeds from the Chantecaille 'Save the Sharks Palette' to the campaign.

          Last year I worked quite a dent into Chantecaille 'The Coral Reefs' palette (reviewed here); you can imagine how excited I was to get my hands on the Chantecaille 'Save the Sharks' palette! The palette casing is a light warm grey plastic with a very subtle blue sheen that can be seen in lower light or when observed at an angle. (You might be able to appreciate this 'blue' effect in the leftmost corner of the palette below). I thought this was pretty cool and very fitting considering the shark theme. A dark blue and white shark image and Chantecaille's logo is printed on the top.

         Inside the palette, each pan contains embossed three-dimensional imagery of a shark's fin slicing through the water. The golden or white over-spray on the fins is temporary and should rub off after a couple uses. There are three eye colors and one blush inside the Chantecaille 'Save the Sharks Palette'. Great White is a pale beige all-over or highlight eye color. Grey Reef is a shimmery golden pewter eye color.  Black Tip is a dark navy eye liner shade.   Sea Anemone is a beautiful bright pink. The powder eyeshadows and blush have good pigmentation and smooth application.

          Each of the palette's four colors has a marine animal inspiration. I've included a short blurb on each for your interest! The Great White shark is one of the largest (if not the largest) macropredatory fish; the largest measured great whites have approached (or exceeded) twenty feet in length and five thousand pounds in weight! Grey Reef sharks are often seen in shallow water near the drop-offs of coral reefs; they're small, agile, and aggressive predators less than six feet in length. Black Tip sharks are sharks that roam coastal waters of tropical and subtropical regions. They grow to roughly five feet in length and have a characteristic black streaks on the edge of their fins. Sea Anemone is the only non-shark namesake in the palette. Anemones are predatory animals with venomous tentacles; they also provide shelter to clownfish, who are unaffected by anemones' stings.

          Above, you can see a closeup of the shark icon on the Chantecaille 'Save the Sharks Palette'. Did you know that the dark upper side and light underside coloration of sharks is called countershading? Countershading helps the predator camouflage better with its surroundings. When seen from above, its dark upper side blends in with the deep sea. When viewed from below, the light belly blends in with the light surface of the water!

          I've made a few comparison swatches below, to give you a better idea of the colors in the Chantecaille 'Save the Sharks Palette'. I was particularly interested in the comparison of 'Save the Sharks' to last year's Chantecaille 'The Coral Reefs' palette (reviewed here). You can see that Chantecaille Great White is more beige and shimmery, while Chantecaille Pink Pearl is more matte and pink toned. Chantecaille Grey Reef is more grey than Chantecaille Reef. It's similar to Urban Decay Pistol (reviewed here); Pistol is more shimmery and golden, while Grey Reef is more mushroom toned. Chantecaille Black Tip is a more brilliant ocean blue when compared to the dark navy of NARS Mandchourie (right side, reviewed here). Chantecaille Sea Anemone is more pink and brighter than Chantecaille Coral, which has more orange tones.

          The Chantecaille 'Save the Sharks Palette' ($83) is a stunning deep sea (inspired) treasure! Needless to say, it's going to get a lot of love this season and beyond. Again, 5% of the proceeds will benefit BLOOM's efforts to ban the unregulated shark fin trade. The Chantecaille 'Save the Sharks Palette' and the rest of Chantecaille Spring 2013 can be found here at Chantecaille online and at select department stores. Thanks for reading! Which Chantecaille palettes are your favorites (e.g. elephants, reefs, tigers, turtles)? Have you tried anything from Chantecaille Spring 2013? What do you think of the colors in this palette?'

Love, Dovey.

P.S. Read more articles about the shark fin trade on NYTimes.
P.P.S. Be sure to check out my other Chantecaille Spring 2013 reviews (here and here)!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. The Chantecaille link in this post is not an affiliate link; it is present for your convenience.