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Dupe Alert! Chanel Rouge Coco Shine vs L'Oreal Color Riche Balm

I had a funny feeling the other day while I was sharing my love for the L'Oreal Color Riche Balms to the the world aka via Twitter. I have been meaning to do a post on the L'Oreal Rose Elixir shade but haven't managed to take photos of the swatches yet- bad beauty blogger!. I have, however, recommended it to friends. Everyone who tries it loves it and is obviously thrilled with a gorgeous conditioning lip balm with a touch of colour for under $10. The Color Riche Balms smooth and moisturize the lips, have SPF15, and really add a subtle yet brightening pop of colour. Rose Elixir really adds a just bitten glow to the lips. I also love Pink Satin for more of a baby pink lip.

vs

However. I had a creeping suspicion the other day as I was playing around with the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines at the Chanel counter that they reminded me of something. Yep - you got it. The L'Oreal Color Riche Balm. They have an almost identical luxe balm feel, impart a  Your Lips But Better tint that sticks around for a little while, and leave a wee stain effect behind. Seriously? A drugstore cheapie vs a $38 department store luxe product. I actually did a little running between the pharmacy and the Chanel counter to be sure I wasn't cray. Ok well, that I wasn't "completely" cray. I wish I had been able to photograph swatches but the comparisons were on the fly with only my iPhone and crappy mall lighting. Plus as usual I was running late. For something. Even thought this was a lippy emergency.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Boy = A cross between L'Oreal Color Riche Balm in Heavenly Berry and Rose Elixir. Depending on your natural lip tone, one reads a little bluer than the other so play with the testers to see which is best. Or, buy both. And a treat from Starbucks, you will still have money left over with what you would have paid for the Chanel.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel Ami = this lovely grape tone which is So Perfect for fall is basically the same L'Oreal Color Riche Balm in Plush Plum on me. Swatched on my arm, Bel Ami is a teensy touch redder, with Plush Plum being slightly more on the, well, plum end of the spectrum. But on my lips (fairly pigmented) it is hardly noticeable.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Chance = this pale and sheer baby pink that I have been tempted to buy is so close to L'Oreal Color Riche Balm in Pink Satin that I won't bother now may buy it later when I've forgotten and get all impulse-y at the Chanel counter. Pink Satin has been a summer go-to staple for me this year. So beachy and casual. It's a pale pink with a blue tone that is sheer enough that I don't look washed out, and it goes beautifully to night with a smoky eye. I'd even say that Pink Satin is close to Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu, just slightly pinker vs nude.

Now, one would think that with such glaring similarities that I would be discouraged from buying any more high end lippies. But one would be wrong, because I LOVE THEM ALL!

Do you have any high-low dupes to share? I'd love the scoop!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Royallieu For Pale Rose Lips

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Royallieu

The best part of Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks is the balm aspect. No other lipstick feels as soft, silky and conditioning as the Rouge Coco Shine line thanks to the built in balm. I adore them, and am grateful for an elegant and sheer lipstick that has a case as beautiful as what is inside. I'm a sucker for that Chanel packaging, I admit it.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu - daylight

My last trip to the Chanel counter had me trying Royallieu. I really need to replace the Boy that my youngest daughter swiped but I always end up getting distracted....Chanel Royallieu is a dusty taupe pink, and a perfect your lips but better shade, with some added shine. It has some wee tiny micro shimmer, but like the magic shimmer in Chanel Le Vernis nail polishes, it doesn't show on the lip as shimmer. If you click on the photo of the tube of lipstick at the top of the post, you can see the shimmery bits on the lipstick. But, not on my lips. Like most Rouge Coco Shines, it can be applied without a mirror, which I love. It feels like a balm, and smooths on like buttah. 

Right - Chanel Glossimer Amour 166 Left - Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Royallieu

I read a review of Chanel Glossimer in Amour 166, and decided I Had To Have It. Turns out the two go perfectly together! The Glossimers are lovely glosses, not too sticky and not overly pigmented, with better than average lasting power. Pretty pink lips are just that easy. 1-2 and go! 

Chanel Royallieu with Glossimer in Amour on top

Next Chanel review coming is the new Le Vernis for Fall 2012, Frenzy, which is the Most Beautiful Nude I have evah seen....

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine and Glossimers are available on their website and at Chanel cosmetic counters.

Sweet Sexy Tuberose: Heely Bubblegum Chic vs Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia

Every time I spritzed on Heeley's Bubblegum Chic, the intense heady top notes reminded me of another perfume I knew I had in my collection. No, not the ass-kicking-take-no-prisoners tuberose of Fracas. It was definitely something more velvety and smooth. Bubblegum Chic is sold as a jasmine perfume, but I have to say the jasmine takes a back seat to the tuberose. Not surprising, as tuberose rarely takes a back seat to any other note in perfume. Such a diva, that flower.

Almost as soon as I took the cap off my Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia I knew this was the one. Gorgeous, creamy and bewitching, ELPC Tuberose Gardenia is my favourite tuberose perfume. It just sings on the skin, wafts gently all day long, weaving slowly in and out of tuberose and then gardenia notes. It is a mostly green scent, I'd say. I read a review awhile back that said EL PC Tuberose Gardenia was more about the "perfume of a flower" vs "a flower" - could not have said it better myself. It is like the heady air around the flowers - heavy, moist and sweet. The gardenia note takes the floral aspect and makes it headier and greener, but the sweet tuberose is always there. In true Estee Lauder perfume fashion, the concentration of perfume, even in the eau de parfum, is high, and the lasting power incredible. The parfum is divine, as are all the parfums/extraits in her Private Collection series. Seriously, smell them all if you can.

Estee Lauder diva who would LOVE Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia

These perfumes start out quite similarly, but the heart and drydown is where the differences start to show. Something to love in both of them...

Frenchy blow bubbles....

Heeley Bubblegum Chic Extrait de Parfum takes that initial heady blast of sweet tuberose and takes in a different direction with sweet, watery fruity notes. I don't get bubblegum exactly, although if you said it was Strawberry Bubblicious, or maybe Watermelon Bubblicious, then I would say yes! This fruity candy is a perfectly complimentary note to the tuberose. It makes the tuberose ethereal and fairy like - like a tuberose dream rather than a garden overflowing with the perfume of ripe tuberose flowers. I say strawberry because I do detect that note, but I also get a melon note, albeit a sweet watery melon. The jasmine note gently whispers thoughout the drydown and it's progression is soft and dreamy. The perfume is softer than the Estee Lauder, and wears closer to the skin, while still being a sexy whisper of tuberose. I'd say this is the perfect tuberose scent for the tuberose phobic, as the soft yummy fruity notes make this a lovely and wearable scent. "Chic" is an appropriate name as well. As is the case with all Heeley perfumes, this perfume is elegant and refined, even with the word "Bubblegum" alongside it. Not surprising from the company that makes the most heavenly and ethereal incense perfume I've ever sniffed, Cardinal.

So, does one win? No way! I love them both, and both have a place in my collection. Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia when I am feeling like a diva, and Heeley Bubblegum Chic when I feel more ladylike than man-eater.

Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia is available online and at select Estee Lauder counters. Heeley Bubblebum Chic is available online at Heeley and online and in person from MIN New York.

Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Defense Serum Has Joined My Skincare Arsenal

I recently got my hot little hands on a sample of Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Defense after a friend told me it was recommended to her by Gee Beauty (one of my favourite shops & experts in all things Skinceuticals). We have similar skin types, and she really like this product. Well, I'm sold.

I don't know if I can blame the planets for my zits...but I will anyways.

Skinceuticals Blemish & Age Defense is a serum chock full of ingredients that fight acne & oil, help maintain even skin tone, and to refine the surface of the skin. It decongests pores while it reduces acne bacteria. I loved it within 3 days of using every night at bedtime. Then, as is my wont, or perhaps the curse of a beauty blogger, I turned to another product. Bad idea. Almost within 24 hours my skin broke out. Distracted by many things, I just figured it was something else (Mercury Retrograde? Can it cause zits?) and went about my business, which is ADD skincare and cosmetic use. A few nights ago, the Skinceuticals B&A serum caught my eye and I thought "Hey I should use this again". Lo and behold, it's already working it's magic. My pores are less noticeable, and my skin feels smoother and radiant when I wake up. If my skin feels a bit sensitive, I use it with the Skinceuticals Phyto-Corrective Gel serum, for a perfect combination and lovely skin. I am still using my Vichy proEVEN lotion during the day, and can't imagine being without it, either.

Next on my list: Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator. 

Erin from The Waltons - squeaky clean with Sea Breeze

Kiehl's Supberbly Restorative Dry Oil Is Actually An Oil

I have a real problem with hair/skin treatments that call themselves "oils" when they are really 90%+ silicone. Bulletin: these are 90% of treatment oils on the market, for hair especially. If you like silicones, and find they work for you, well, this is good news for you. Silicones coat the hair with a smooth glassy finish and give the appearance of smooth silky hair. However, I have found, over time, silicones only mask the problem. Unless you regularly use the clarifying shampoos, silicones will also prevent hair conditioners and masks from helping your hair. In the end, silicone abuse ended up making my hair look like flat, dry straw. So- it has it's place, if used properly, and if you use the silicones that are water soluble.

I love Kiehl's, and I love their Midnight Recovery Concentrate, which is a superbly effective cocktail of actual oils that soothe and comfort skin, while adding radiance and moisture. I'd had a sample of Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Dry Oil at one point, and recall using it on my legs and quite liking it. (Note: Kiehl's is one of the most generous companies when it comes to offering samples. If you try it, you are more likely to buy it. They get it.). I was wondering about the ingredient list the other day as I pondered their dry oil, and mused about it on Twitter. Their social media manager is clearly on the ball, as they replied right away that there were no silicones in the Superbly Restorative Dry Oil. Ding-ding-ding! I ran out and bought it later that day.

I take my shiny hair seriously as you can see. Jeesh.

I shampooed with my new fave ICON India Oil shampoo and conditioner, and after I combed out my hair, I applied a bit of Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Dry Oil to the ends of my hair, before applying my styling products. It has a slightly herbal scent, perhaps a mixture of lavender with woodsy notes (patchouli?) but it really is soft, and does not linger in the hair (or on skin) at all. My hair has seen a lot of sun this summer and is a bit parched so I was hoping it would help. After styling my hair I can honestly say it feels softer and silkier than it has all summer. Less pouffy and dry, yet still bouncy and shiny. So shiny! I would advise using a tiny bit at at time as it would be easy to apply to much which would likely make ones hair look, well, oily. The photo above is the second day after shampooing and I was trying to get the daylight coming in my skylight to hit my hair so you could see how shiny it is. If you could touch my hair, I guarantee it is as soft as it is shiny. Colour me thrilled, despite my serious expression...

Want shine built in to your  hairspray? Go Gay! Vintage ads rock.

Bonus: I also used some Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Dry Oil on my skin after the shower, and I loved the way it felt and how it made my skin feel. Again, another product that is perfect to use on bare legs when wearing shorts or skirts, to add a lovely healthy shine and banish dry, scaly or ashy skin. Win!

Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Dry Oil with Argan is available online or at their stores for around $42 for a 125ml bottle.