Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in #71 Style

I have been on the hunt for the perfect nude lipstick for a while. The perfect nude for me is glossy and balmy, but stable, durable and long lasting. While I relish a nice statement bright, there comes a day, or night for that matter, where slicking on a simple nude to finish off a face is all I need/want. Especially with a statement eye.

I have a few nudes in my collection, a good few, but I've never been entirely satisfied with any of them, be it their colour or consistency, there is always one characteristic that lends a hand to their downfall.

But the Chanel number is absolutely perfect. In every single way. I actually adore it something terrible.



(Just-purchased token Instagram photo.)

So the thing about nudes is that they don't really suit everyone. Why try rid your lips of their perfect pink pigmentation? I once thought that lipsticks were supposed to augment the natural shade of lips rather that obscure or mute them. But then I came to realise that a perfect nude, paired with the right palette of colours for the rest of the face can look timeless, sexy and classic, just like a pillarbox red can. In my opinion, the key to a perfect nude is consistency and finish.

My search for the perfect nude began last year, in February, when I went to the IMATS in London with Julie. I splurged my last few Sterling pounds on Myth by MAC in the airport, but unfortunately became entirely turned off nudes for a while, my distaste for it briefly mentioned in this post. Its texture and consistency made my lips dry and flaky, and it's colour just did not suit my complexion.

Fast forward a few months and I decided I absolutely needed to find a nice nude. I was all set to buy Creme d'Nude by MAC, a muted beigey cremesheen nude which looked as if it had the potential to be my saviour. I love a bit of cremesheen. Unfortunately for MAC, I had a few mishaps that day with customer service, and I ended up at the Chanel counter. I settled for Style, no.71 in the Rouge Coco Shine collection and left feeling very smug and quite delighted with myself.

(Sidenote: I have since purchased Creme d'Nude, and while it is beautiful, Style definitely surpasses it!)

Now first off, it doesn't really look very nudey. It's a very pale pink, with gold shimmery flecks and a very glossy finish. The thing about Style is that is mutes my lips, while still giving a slight pigment of colour, lasts all day and looks glossy and beautiful. That to me, is the perfect nude. One that mutes, but still delivers on shine, durability and texture. 

Do you have a perfect Nude?

 :) x

Fashion Wishlist January.

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January's Style Wishlist compiles darks, studs, jacquard and tweed. Quite a few darks and studs for that matter. Spring hasn't fully sprung for me yet, so I am still embracing darks and basic colour combinations, but adding a pop of colour here and there with pieces I already have in my wardrobe.

001. Topshop Bouclé Tshirt - This tee looks casual but has a dressed up feel about it. I saw this in Topshop and it seems more jumper-y that a tee, which is actually perfect for this weather!

002. Topshop Stingray and Stud Box Bag - I am usually not a fan of small clutches as I'm terrified of leaving it down somewhere and forgetting it when out. Also, I carry way too many things around with me, that more than likely wouldn't fit in a tiny bag! But this one has a shoulder strap and just looks gorgeous, and I'm finding it hard to resist it!

003. River Island Black Metallic Tweed Biker - I love dainty little jackets and this one looks feminine but has a bit of an edge to it.

004. Topshop Spike Stretch Cuff - A bit of hardware is always a lust-have; I like the silver and gold clash on this one.

005. Topshop Moto Flock Skinny Jeans - I'm starting to warm to patterned trousers, and these spotty jeans from Topshop are lovely, fitted and flattering.

006. Asos Multi Zip Horse Clutch. - This is quite a large clutch, so perfect for the stash I bring around! It's simple but has fringe detail and horse print, and I can see myself paring this with many an outfit.

007. Ray-ban Clubmaster Sunglasses - I love the shape of Ray-Bans, they just seem to suit me. The colour and style of the lenses and frames on these ones are perfect.

008. River Island Black Studded Leather gloves - Leather gloves are so chic and feminine, and these studded ones are a bit different!

009. Charlotte Olympia crepe leather sandals - I saw these and fell in love. The cheetah detailing makes them so unique.

010. Topshop Crepe Shift Dress - You can't go wrong with a classic little white dress!

011. Topshop Amigo Stud Boots - I love ankle boots and am just drawn to these.

012. Topshop Sketch Print Jacquard Trousers - These trousers are burgundy with black sketch detailing, so pretty and I am in love!

013. Topshop Burnout Tee. - I have been loving wearing slouchy tees paired with jeans and boots lately, and this Topshop one is perfect and casual.

 

I have just returned from a little break away to find a few lovely packages, including some treats from my Beauty Wishlist January post, and I can't wait to use them!

 

Hope you are all having a nice weekend

:) x

Beauty Wishlist January.

Once I purchase one new beauty bit, thats it, it's enough to set me off on a massive beauty hoard. Over Christmas I had a chance to properly befriend my dark/statement lipstick collection again after ignoring them for weeks. Months even. I had genuinely forgotten how beautiful a pillarbox or even orangey red lip can look after I came upon a forgotten favourite, Topshop's Infrared (which I happen to be wearing in this post), buried deep within my excessive lipstick collection, and so I donned it on New Years Day. It made me feel festive and lovely and after embracing nudes for the last few months, it was a refreshing change. I like to think that this tiny innocent adjustment brought about a horrible urge to spend. It started with lip products, and now I just want everything.

I purchased two beautiful YSL Rouge Volupte Lipsticks a few days ago, and now pretty much every YSL lip product is on my wishlist. I've only included two in this post, as I thought it may be a bit excessive, even for me. 

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001. YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat. I do not now nor have I ever tried this. Why haven't I tried this?! I have heard so many amazing things about this foundation.
002. YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain. Such a big name for only 6ml of product! Preferably in 01. Violet Edition. There are 5 shades of purple ALONE in this range. I have to have them all! This product combines a stain, lipstick and a gloss in one. Also, this video has me sold straight away. 

 

003. Soap and Glory Archery Brow Tint and Precision Pencil. I have been using my trusty Illamasqua Brow Cake for months on end now and feel like having a bit of a change to pencil. This one ticks all the boxes and I have heard very good things about it!
004. Benefit Fine One One Sheer Brightening Colour. This multi-product was intoduced to me before Christmas at a Benefit Event, and although it is not yet released here until February, I really really want it. Now.
005. Origins Skin Brightening Facial Kit. Origins is a brand I'm relatively new to, and my skincare routine needs a bit of a shake up. This kit looks perfect.
006. YSL Golden Gloss in 47. White Gold Topaz. A shocking purple gloss with real 24 carat gold flecks in it?! Yes please.
007. Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation. Not yet available here yet either. But it is sold in Sephora! We really need a Sephora. This powder can be used dry for a matte full coverage finish, or wet for a satin sheer coverage finish. Need!

Perusing the YSL website I have spotted even more lip products I want need. Someone stop me! This list will no doubt ascend. 

I have been posting an awful lot on Instagram lately, follow me @noonabean if you want to see food/fashion/makeup updates :)

January's Fashion wishlist post coming soon!

xx

The Resolutions List.

First off, Happy New Year to all my readers and I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!  :)

As you may have noticed, I have been a bit MIA on the blogging front the last while, and I deeply apologise.

I absolutely love blogging, and thought I'd start this year afresh, with a resolutions list! :) Personally, I love reading resolutions by others, however most of the time I'm not bothered to make any myself, because if I do make a 'New Years Resolution', a few weeks go by and I completely forget about the resolution itself and the change I've vowed to make. The New Years Resolution is such a cliché, and usually everyone has the same resolution; eat more healthily and exercise more! Fortunately for me, I eat quite well anyway, I'm that weirdo who absolutely LOVES vegetables, so eating more healthily has never been an issue or resolution. Don't get me wrong, I'm an absolute glutton, but I love the veg and thats good enough for me. :)

This time last year I made a very very long goals list, which spanned/spans over the course of 2 years. For me, making long term goals will benefit me better; physically, mentally, career wise and health wise. From time to time I have forgotten about it, but a year has gone by and I have completed 48 out of 101 goals, which is nearly half!  Some of the goals are quite farfetched and seem a bit extreme, but that's exactly why they have been entered into the list, because nothing is unacheivable!

2012 ended on a very surprising and exciting note, an unexpected job opportunity arose for me that will possibly be the best thing to happen to me career wise; a chance to work as a Pastry Chef alongside the best chefs in the country in Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, the only two Michelin starred restaurant in Ireland. 2013 sees me focus nearly entirely on this new opportunity, and because of that, my goals list has had to be slightly altered.

 

My new and altered 101 Goals in 1001 days list!

 

Start Date: 5.1.12
End Date: 29.9.14
Green Text: Completed Goal.:)

1. Purchase a sunshine yellow Kitchen Aid.
2. Be paid to cook for someone/cater; friends/family/the world. (2/3) Completed: Friends/Family.
3. Learn to drive. (Starting January '13!)
4. Make a blogging schedule and stick to it!
5. Be happy in a job. Completed.

6. Become fluent in French.
7. Go skydiving.
8. Organise my wardrobe. Completed.
9. Build a photography portfolio. Completed.
10. Complete my recipe book.
11. Apply for 5 jobs in 5 high end establishments. (3/5) Completed: Four Seasons, Relais and Chateaux, The Westbury.
12. Host a dinner party.
13. Stop biting my nails.
14. Buy Chanel's 'Coco' perfume. Completed.
15. Make homemade gifts for friends/family. Completed.
16. Visit Japan.
17. Partake in a Japanese Tea Ceremony.
18. Hire a VW Camper and go on a roadtrip.
19. Eat street food in Vietnam.
20. Visit an antiques fair. Completed.
21. Grow a herb garden.
22. Purchase a Vivienne Westwood Handbag.
23. Do someones makeup. Completed.
24. Intern at a magazine; food related or other.
25. Take an evening class.
26. Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years.
27. Paint an abstract piece on canvas.
28. Take up yoga or Pilates.
29. Make 5 strange flavours of icecream. (4/5) Completed: Earl Grey, Mint Julep, Buttermilk, Honey and Creme Fraiche.
30. Build a treehouse.
31. Buy a notebook specifically for to do lists and get organised! Completed.
32. Work in a Michelin Starred Restaurant. Ongoing.
33. Walk on the beach at night.
34. Compliment a stranger.
35. Visit Hollywood.
36. Swim in crystal clear water.
37. Stay in a cliff-side hotel overlooking the sea. Completed.
38. Change someones mind about something I care deeply about.
39. Reach 1000 followers on my blog. Completed.
40. Get a massage. Completed.
41. Buy a blazer in 5 different colours. (4/5) Completed.

42. Eat at the Fat Duck.
43. Stay/Work at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons.
44. Buy a good every day handbag. Completed.
45. Stand up for myself when I'm being treated unfairly.
46. Eat at every Michelin starred restaurant in Ireland. (5/8) Completed.
47. Buy a beauty product from each of these brands; Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Guerlain, NARS. (4/5) Completed.
48. Build a professional portfolio.
49. Live in France. (Again).
50. Read 5 non-trashy novels. (1/5) Completed.
51. Visit London. Completed.
52. Buy my first car.
53. Buy a kitsch item of kitchenware.
54. Have a spa day with my mom and sister. Completed.
55. Have a cocktails and canapés night.
56. Buy a designer piece I LOVE.
57. Buy a 2012 diary. Completed.
58. Get my eyebrows shaped.Completed.
59. Fly first class.
60. Have afternoon tea. Completed.
61. Accomplish something i've worked really hard for. Completed.
62. Visit River Cottage.
63. Donate clothes/shoes to charity. Completed.
64. Buy a new phone. Completed.
65. Open a savings account. Completed.
66. Plan something special for Carl. Completed.
67. Buy a new laptop.
68. Get a facial. Completed.
69. Plan and prepare a romantic 6 course meal. Yes! 6!
70. Try something new and completely out of the ordinary in a restaurant. Completed.
71. Join a gym.
72. Teach myself how to do something.
73. Go skiing. (Again!)
74. Make Christmas dinner for my entire family. Completed.
75. Buy my perfect pair of jeans. Completed.
76. Buy something unexpected for each member of my family. (2/4) Completed.
77. Purchase a vintage piece of some sort.
78. Buy cute stationery. Completed.
79. Be more confident. Completed.
80. Find my perfect skincare products.
81. Reconnect with old friends. Completed.

82. Make new ones. Completed.
83. Write a love letter.
84. Organise my work space. Completed.
85. Hold a blog sale.
86. Visit 5 food markets. (2/5) Completed.
87. Find a hidden gem of a place in Dublin. Completed; Locks Brasserie. 
88. Swim with dolphins.
89. Dance all night.
90. Invent a signature cocktail.
91. Grow a mini garden filled with lavender, roses and apple blossom.
92. Expand my classical cookery recipe book collection. (5/?) Completed.
93. Stay in a beach house.
94. Smile more.
95. Watch a black and white movie. Completed.
96. Save up and move out.
97. Go to a rave.
98. Make contacts in an industry I'm interested in. Completed.
99. Go somewhere spontaneous on a whim. Completed.
100. Camp in a forest.
101. Inspire somebody else to create a 101 goals in 1001 days list. Completed.

 

My original 101 goals in 1001 days list can be found here if you fancy a gander. I loved making this list and achieving each goal felt so rewarding and accomplished.

 

What are your new years resolutions? :) x