Renergie Yeux Multiple Lift is the latest addition to the Lancome anti-age family, with an innovative technology of two formulas to completely rejuvenate the whole eye area. It was developed with a top leading plastic surgeon – Dr. Patrick Bui, expert in gaze rejuvenation.

I know I’m not exactly the ideal candidate for the cream, as i am only 27 and don’t have any deep set wrinkles (yet!). When you read ”multiple lift” automatically you think that it will have a strong anti-aging effect, which it does and you wonder why for the love of God a 27 year old would use it.

Because i have dark circles, aquired with a combination of genetics and self-harm (coffee, workaholic, early mornings) and this cream promises that it will help me get rid of them. Simple as.

Lets get into the science bit:

 Two formulas, six benefits.

The base formula consists in the Volumetric lifting cream which will reduce wrinkles and fine lines, will firm up the eye contour and it will lift the eyelids.

Yes, the cream can be applied under the eye (on the bone), on the lids and on top of the brow to support the lifting effect and rejuvenate completely the eye area. There is a little massaging technique that goes really well with the cream and helps smoothing out the fine lines. I’m not the best at explaining it, but at the moment, Lancome offers free eye spas on counter (takes about 10min) to show you exactly how it can be used. This is how i got convinced to try it out.

The ingredient that it will help me fade the dark circles is Haloxyl, which is used in cosmetic surgery to brighten up the eye.

The top formula is an Illuminating Protecting Care rich in highlighting pigments and with skincare benefits like fading dark circles, deflating under eye bags and immediate illuminating effect.

Contrary to first impressions, it is not a concealer. You would still apply your favorite concealer and carry on with foundation as usual. Because its actually skincare, the top formula can be applied even at night time so you can sleep with it and get full benefits.

The top formula comes in one shade to suit all complexions. Tried to swatch it on my hand, without much success - its so subtle that the camera doesnt catch the tone.

 Not much there for you to see…

After 3 weeks of daily use:

I believe it really makes a difference on my whole eye area, i look more rested and my little dehydration lines are gone. I can definitely say that my dark circles seem to look faded (when i have no makeup on) and after i apply the highlighter and concealer they are completly gone.

The cream is smooth, you need a pea size of product to work it into the skin and massage it thoroughly with the ring finger. After 3 weeks, it looks good as new.

The top formula melts on top of the cream, you warm it up with the fingers and apply little highlighting dots all around the eye and then you just blend everything together. It doesn’t get set in the fine lines, doesn’t cake and the eye makeup sits beautifully on it.

 Price: 53 euro.

N.B. I got the cream part of a goodie bag at a Lancome briefing.

Seems that for spring 2011, all the major cosmetic companies decided to release a new shiny and glossy lipstick: Lancome has L’Absolu Nu, Chanel has Rouge Coco Shine and Dior just came out with a fresh range of Addict Shine. The general idea behind it all is fresh, nude lips, full of shine and volume suitable for casual, day to day wear.

Lancome launched a couple of weeks ago the long awaited L’Absolu Nu Rouge as an replacement to their Color Fever and Color Fever Shine lipsticks, which have been discontinued so grab your favorite shade while you can ladies, when their gone, their gone!

L’Absolu Nu is available in 12 nude shades, divided in three categories to match perfectly every lip tone varying from light shades to slightly brighter. Red tone lips – 101,102,103, beige tone – 201,202,203,204,205 and pink tone lips – 301, 302, 303 and 304.

Myself, I have pink tone lips so i got the 302 shade (Voile de Rose) which is a slightly berry pink.

The packaging is sleek and elegant and what i love the most is the magnetic top, which means no spills in your handbag. Once i ruined the interior of a lovely little going out bag, because the top of my red lipstick decided to detach.

Texture wise, i like a lot as well: looks like a lipstick, but applies like a gloss! Its not sticky or heavy, i can barely feel it on the lips. Deliveres a sheer to medium coverage, depending on how much you want to apply.

My lips look and feel hydrated and have a very natural shine, the whole idea is to enhance the natural tone and give the bare lip sensation.

 * A little pout for the camera *

The color is brighter in real life (think berry pink), although I have taken the photo in natural light,  my camera still manages to fade the colors.  Dear Easter Bunny i want  need an SLR please…

All i need now is the 202 shade (juicy peach-coral) and im ready for spring!

RRP. 25.00 euro

Got a couple of new faves in February when it comes to my makeup. Still kept nice and uncomplicated, there is no need of drama at 7.30 am when i can barely keep my eyes open.

1. Base:

Vichy Dermablend in shade 35 (sand), Vichy Dermablend transluscent setting powder andSmashbox High Definition Concealer in Light.

Lately i felt the need of a bit more coverage as the lighting in my work place is very harsh and makes every single pore or blemish 10 times worse. Had the Vichy products from last summer, the shade of the foundation is a bit too dark at the moment (the 25 would’ve been perfect for winter) but teamed up with blusher and blended well on the neck, its grand.

The foundation gives a perfect, flawless coverage without looking fake. The first day when i weared it at work, one of my friends comented on how smooth and polished my face looked.

I blend it with my fingers, using a tiny bit of product, working from the center of the face moving towards the extremities. I apply the concealer on top, under my eyes and anywhere there is the need of coverage and set with the translucent powder using a large brush. Dermablend will not budge until removed, although i get a bit of shine on my t-zone.

2. Eyes

 I used only two shades of eyeshadow, browns and blue-greys: the gold Half Baked (on the lid) and bronze brown Smog from the UD Naked palette (shadow) and Bourjois Smoky Eyes trio eyeshadow in Gris Dandy.

Maybe because my foundation is slightly darker, i felt the need to warm up my complexion with golds and bronze. To get more definition, i lined my lower waterline with UD Lucky 24/7 liner and used the Lancome LE Artliner in brown on my upper lashes (last summer collection).

  Loreal Million Lashes Mascara in Carbon Black, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Lancome Artliner and Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Lucky

 3. Blusher

For the warm brown tones i matched a Lancome Blush in Peach Fever (20) a lovely shimmery coral-peach shade with little sparkling particles. Warms up my skin and gives a lovely glow as well.

When i wear the grey Bourjois trio, I used a light cool toned pink – Loreal True Rose Blush (115) with Lancome Teint Miracle #5 underneath (very similar to Benefit High Beam). Teint Miracle #5 its a cool toned pink highliter, that can be used on the bone of your cheeks as a base for blusher, under the brow to create light and everywhere else you would like to add a bit of movement and glow.

 * with flash*

4. Setting Spray

This month i gave a go for the first time to Clarins Fix Makeup Refreshing Mist spray to set even more my makeup and to ensure it will be long lasting. To be honest i don’t know what to think about it…it smells lovely of roses, it has a fresh feeling when applied (which you could get from spraying thermal water or even mineral water) and it dries up in an instant.                                                                 

Can’t say it makes my skin dewy, or even that my makeup lasts longer. Haven’t noticed any difference with it or without it. I will take a break from spraying it until summer time, maybe then i will notice more benefits.

Lipstick wise, i didn’t feel like wearing any. Most of February i had a cold so every 5 min felt the need to blow my nose, hence lipstick on the tissue…lipstick on the nose…not worth the hassle.

Looking forward to read your February favorites, roll them on!

So far, 2011 spring season was the best ever for me! Every cosmetic house went out of their way to come up with lovely shades of violet and purple, from eyeshadow palettes to mascaras and blushes. I’m in purple heaven!

What i loved most was the Lancome Ultra Lavande spring collection, the lipglosses and lipsticks are my perfect shades of pink and the eyeshadows are to die for, combinations of purples and gold.

The stand out was for sure the La Rose Butterfly Forever blusher, have a look at this beauty:

Isn’t it gorgeous?  My picture doesn’t do much justice to it, in real life the colors are stronger and better defined. I was a bit concerned about the shimmer, but its only the spray on type that you can use on your decolletage and arms, leaving behind a delicate cool toned pink.

To get the full advantage of the blush i would just mix the whole lot with a blusher brush and use it for a natural rosy look.  The result color is very natural, it would work best on a fair complexion and for a more dramatic look or sallow skin like in my case, i just use it as a highlighter on top of another blush. The finish is lovely, I always get compliments on it.

Tried to capture a picture with the blush on my cheeks…didn’t work out for me, either i don’t have the skills or my camera is crap . Could be all of the above.

Lancome French Touch Absolu Rouge in 308

Le Rouge Absolu its another gem of a lipstick, very moisturising and pigmented. The shade 308 is a neutral pink, more on the nude side very subtle for the day to day look – again, its a lot paler in the photo, in real life is slightly richer. Tried it in the shop with the Color Fever Gloss Rose Ballerine (same collection, smells of lavender) and it really stands out, so pretty!

I’m raging i missed out on the nail polish Violet Groove and the new khol pencil – Pink Ballerina. Think they sold out in minutes and being limited editions, when their gone there gone . Should’ve bought when i first saw them.

I’m sure you all know that Lancome launched a new breakthrough foundation this month, that its going to revolutionize once more the art of makeup. After 10 years of research and 7 patents, let me introduce you to *drum rolls* Teint Miracle foundation!

Teint Miracle promises to give your skin instant radiance, luminosity and that “barely there” type of finish. There is a lot of science behind it, “Aura-Inside” technology that recreats your inner light effect, is just one but im not going to bore you to death with it.

I have been using it daily since i got it, almost three weeks ago. This was the only foundation i had with me on holiday, so i only used this without cheating with other foundations.

First, i have to tell you that my skin is combination/oily, i don’t need major coverage but i like a medium to full one, just to have a nice canvas for eyeshadow and blush. Miracle offers a buildable coverage, which means you can layer the foundation depending on the desirable look.

What i usually do is apply it with my fingers all over the face and the insisting with a foundation brush on the areas where i feel i need a bit more coverage. The result is very natural, and yes i can notice a nice radiance added to my skin. Also, it didnt break me out.

Texture wise is very hydrating (40% water content) and has an added SPF 15. Some people might not like this, but it has a faint scent of roses due to the natural extract. I don’t mind fragrance in my skincare as I’m not allergic, but i know some people dislike it.

The only issue i have with the foundation, is that its not meant to add pressed powder on top of it because you are killing the luminosity/radiance effect. It actually makes sense, a dewy makeup means maximum light reflection…powder kills it, by matifying. After a couple of days with terrible oily t-zone i had to compromise and use a pressed powder on the shiny areas, avoiding the cheeks.

Here is me sporting the 03 Beige Diaphane shade. Looks a tad darker in real life.

Overall i like it a lot for day to day use, but i wouldn’t use it at night time. By being a radiance foundation, it reflects the light so you look like a ghost in flash photography. I learned that the hard way lol.

What do you think, do we have an yay or nay?