Chanel Nail Colour in Taboo, Vertigo - Photos, Review, Swatches

Chanel brings out the heavy-handedness in me when it comes to photos! I couldn't help myself; these polishes were TOO lovely and spectacular and magical!! D:

I'm super stoked to share with you nail varnish in Taboo and Vertigo, both beautiful and unique in their own right -

Taboo! How to describe this color... A purplish/burgundy/blackish stormy supernova (I know, doesn't really help :P)

Vertigo, a warm taupe-y gray with shimmer -

I'll leave the commentary short so you can bask in the beauty of these lacquers :) I will say that the formula is top, top quality and these are truly gorgeous.

You can snatch these up at chanel.com for $27 each, as well as various department store Chanel counters.

Are you lusting after these too, or is it just me!? 8D

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Eyeshadow in Abstraction - Review, Photos, Swatches

Today I have Fracas's soulmate and partner in Chanel's Spring collection, the Illusion D'Ombre Eyeshadow in 88 Abstraction. 

Abstraction is a coral-pink shimmer, soft and sophisticated. For those unfamiliar with Chanel's Illusion D'Ombre eyeshadow, the formula is a bouncy, light cream. They are long-lasting and super blendable, and great either as a base for a more intense look or on their own as a single wash of color. This is perhaps my current favorite formula for eyeshadow - truly excellent and top-notch, won't smudge or budge once it settles. Another winner (surprise, surprise) from Chanel ;)

88 Abstraction

Beautiful color, one of my favorite types of hues for this time of year. As mentioned previously, there's no criticism I can give to this lovely little gem. So what're you waiting for?! If it's within your budget I suggest you run to your nearest Chanel counter and snap up Abstraction for breezy, fresh spring and summer looks - you won't regret it!

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Eyeshadow in Abstraction is available through the Chanel site as well at through Chanel counters. It retails for $36.




Let's talk about tattoos, baby

I love tattoos, in theory. I love the way the quality ones look, I love the seemingly endless license for artistic creativity they allow, and I love the the deep meaning they can express. (In theory.) In practice, however, I am 100% tattoo-less. The reason for this is two-fold, I suppose - first, I don't have a clear idea of what design I would want; I have no special person or event to commemorate, and some of the traditional tattoo designs (owls, butterflies, hearts, etc.) don't really hold enough of a significance for me to be etched permanently onto my body. Secondly, I can't help but to wonder how my feelings for ink might change in 20+ years - will I regret my decision? Will the tattoo not age well? Will I have to spend a load of money later to have it removed?

So, will I ever pull the proverbial trigger and get one? Maybe, maybe not. Probably not. Possibly? Who knows!

What I do know, however, is that if I were to get some ink, I would love to get it done by the amazingly talented and brilliant Amanda Wachob. Here's some of her work, taken from her website - 

Positively stunning, no? Such a distinctive, delicate, brush-like style - reminds me watercolor paintings. I love to see that innovative minds like Amanda's are sharing their art with the us; as Dostoevsky said, 'beauty will save the world'. :) Check out more of Amanda's work here.

Do you have any tattoos? Please feel free to share links to your favorite tattoo artists - I love looking at creative portfolios!

Chanel Nail Colour in Fracas - Photos, Review, Swatches

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails, sugar and spice and everything nice; an enchanted wonderland where the residents include tiny dragons who float away in iridescent bubbles, majestic unicorns prancing down rainbows, peculiarly fit cacti holding foot races, and jolly walruses playing the harp.

I'm sure this isn't what they were going for, but it's what I think of when I consider the most recent Chanel offerings! 8D To be clear, Chanel historically was and still is a shining monolith of elegance and sophistication; but I'm loving the soft, dreamy turn they've taken with the spring collection - very fun, happy, and timelessly classic.

Today I have Chanel Nail Colour in 571 Fracas, a gorgeous rose pink with very fine shimmer. I am finicky when it comes to pink lacquers, but this one was too stunning to cast aside -

Too many photos, I know. I couldn't help myself! Worth mentioning is that at the time of the photos, my manicure was six days old; Chanel lacquers wear really well on me, with Gelous as a base and Seche as a top coat. I removed the polish after seven days and at that time there was still no significant wear and tear. Overall, superb formula and lovely, lovely shade.

Fracas is available on the Chanel website for $27.

As always, thanks for reading/commenting/following! :)

Chanel Lagons Eye Shadow Palette - Review, Swatches, Photos

Ah, those iconic double C's. Synonymous with elegance. Opulence. Luxury. Extravagance. Quality. ...Bankruptcy?

If no one has gone homeless on account of an insatiable desire for Chanel (Chanelomania?), I may become the first; you'll find me wandering outside aimlessly in orthopedic shoes, clutching the fashion house's palettes to my chest like a lifeline.

I can console myself in the fact that if my life does take that dramatic downward turn, it won't be for a while yet - this is my first experience with Chanel's eye palettes (not counting playing with my mother's collection as a child. Why would she let my clumsy, irreverent nine-year-old self do that?!) and it's enough of a splurge that I hemmed and hawed, left and came back, circled the counter like a hawk, and changed my mind about forty-six times before finally slapping down my credit card.

I came away with Lagons, a quad palette in lovely hues of blue.

I don't have a decisive favorite color (it changes on whim, with no real rhyme or reason), but currently I'm infatuated with all variations on blue!

Gorgeous! I desperately wanted to show you pristine pans, but as soon as I bought it I had to use it! :p

These were swatched over primer. I love how pigmented, soft, and classic these shades are - even for someone who doesn't utilize color often, I think you'll find these quite wearable and workable. Smooth and blendable, it's easy-peasy to do a complete eye using only this palette that will, with a base, last you beautifully all day. This is a Lagons look I posted previously -

(More info and products used here)

I don't regret this Chanel purchase, but it is definitely not to be repeated often (gotta save those pennies!). Lagons nevertheless has my wholehearted approval, especially if it fits within your budget or if you're looking to give yourself an extra special treat. Chanel's quality is nearly always tops :)