Vince Camuto Malaya

My shoe crush of the moment is the Vince Camuto Malaya Black. I am seriously loving the intricate studs on the back and heel of the shoe. Platforms are my new best friend since it's awesome to fake height. This shoe is currently retailing for $118. Even though that's super reasonable, I just can't bring myself to pay retail...EVER. I don't know what is wrong with me.

Since it's still cold in NYC, I will not be needing this shoe anytime soon. Can't wait for it to go on sale!

After seeing the photo below at The Sartorialist, I couldn't stop thinking about shoes with detailing in the back. Would love the Chanel pair below, but am happy with the Malaya. 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua vs Nars Sheer Glow

Chanel recently launched a new foundation, Vitalumiere Aqua.  It's a sheer coverage foundation that is oil-free and feels very weightless.  I've been using it for about a week now and I am loving this just about as much as I love the Nars Sheer Glow.  I feel that these two foundations are very similar in wear.  Both are great foundations for day, offer sheer coverage that, while do not completely cover my blemish scars, neutralizes them.  Both provide a glowy, fresh, natural look that lasts throughout the work day. 

In some ways I like the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua more, in that after setting my makeup with a dusting of powder, the Vitalumiere Aqua immediately looks slightly more natural, whereas the Sheer Glow needs about twenty minutes for the oils in my skin to break through the powder.  Also, the Vitalumiere Aqua offers SPF 15, while the Sheer Glow does not provide any sun protection. The Vitalumiere Aqua may also be slightly better for spring/summer since it's oil-free, especially for those like me who have combination skin.  But, the Sheer Glow advertises that it contain ingredients that improve the quality and texture of skin, while the Vitalumiere Aqua does not mention anything about the effect on the skin. 

The one noticeable difference, and this is slight, is probably the color.  I am using Deauville in the Nars Sheer Glow and Beige Pastel B10 in the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua.   Deauville is described as a perfect balance between pink and yellow skin tones, but to me it is a tinge more on the yellow side, while the Beige Pastel is a true beige. 

After considering everything, I really can't decide which one is better, or which one I like more.  But I will say that I'll probably be using the Vitalumiere Aqua more and more as the weather gets warmer. 

Weekend at Barneys

When I went to Barneys a few weeks ago to pick up the foundation pump that I was so excited about, I passed by the Chanel counter, where my girlfriends and I signed up to have our makeup done at a Chanel National Artist event, this past weekend, in conjunction with Barneys' beauty bag event (where you receive a goodie bag with purchase).  At the event, I had my makeup done by Judy, who picked out some really great shades for me, including the Mystic Eyes eyeshadow palette, and a stunning red Rouge Coco, Paris.  I also had some of my makeup done by the featured artist, Roberto Casey, who taught me how to do a red lip without bleeding around the lip line, how to de-emphasize the roundness of my face by contouring with the Soleil de Tan, and who also picked out a new blush for me. 

When I first saw the eye shadow palette I wasn't entirely impressed, but once I tried this on I changed my mind after seeing the effects of the colors on my lids.  Personally my favorite of the four is the silvery gray taupe with gold flecks.  Today I am wearing this as a base, with the lighter bronzey brown color on the outer third of my eye.  I also used the darker chocolately brown color on the crease, and the pink shade above to blend out the edges.  

In Love is a coral with peach and brown tones and gold flecks.  It's a complex color, like many Chanel blushes.  I haven't tried this out yet (Since I've only had it for a day) but I can see myself using this a great deal this summer. 



I saved my favorite piece for last, the Paris Rouge Coco.  Paris is a gorgeous pink red swatched, but looks brick red on the outside.  I received so many complements when I wore this, but what sold me was really the name. This is the type of red I imagine a chic Parisian woman would wear. 

Overall I really enjoyed the makeup event and meeting the artists.  I picked up some great tips and went home with great products that I would never have found, without their help. 

Oh, and I also received this as my gift with purchase: