DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum

It's been interesting to read your comments to yesterday's post about the no mascara trend. It seems like many of my readers already skip mascara, though just about everyone agrees that some sort of eye defining is absolutely essential. Apparently, the people at Dior aren't worried we're going to stop worrying about our lashes as they just released a new lash primer, DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum.

I admit lash primers, Dior or not, don't top my list of must-have products. But many brands now offer these mascara enhancing items and several of them have been finding their way into my dressing room. That was the case with DiorShow Maximizer, and I have to say I really like it.

While I can't support or rebuttal any of Dior's claims that this is an active serum with long-term results of extra lash growth and vitality, I like the way DiorShow Maximizer works under any of my mascaras and give them an extra oomph- just a little more length and volume, while the brush/comb keeps the lashes separated and ensures an even coating. So really, it might be mostly about the applicator, at least volume-wise, but there's a clear difference and that's what matters.

One thing I wouldn't do is apply the primer and then leave the house without mascara. The product is white and clearly visible even when dry, so it's not a good leave-in lash conditioner.

Bottom Line: Not essential but nice to have.

DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum ($28) is available from Dior counters at various department stores and Sephora. A press sample was provided for my consideration by the company.

All photos are mine.

Christian Dior- Diorelle (Vintage)

I don't often think of chypres as joyous perfumes. Elegant? Yes. Sexy? Definitely. Classy? Always. But they don't usually speak of a summer day and clear blue sky the way Diorella does for me. The other surprising thing about this classic Dior is how despite the ripe fruit notes (peach and melon, both usually send me running for my life), Diorella is nothing like a B&BW body spray or anything of the sticky juvenile genre. Of course, this is not the only Edmond Roudnitska creation that uses these same elements in a beautiful, chic and understated way: Le Parfum de Therese, composed by Roudnitska and launched under Frederic Malle's Editions de Parfum label is another beautiful variation on this theme.

Diorella hides the oakmoss and cheekbones behind its welcoming smile. The greenery is somewhat softened by citrus and flowers that also keep the ripe fruit from crossing the line. There's also a very interesting contrast between the reserved and elegant sillage that meets the nose and the air around its wearer and the lush sexiness that is only revealed when one is dangerously close to your skin- the fuzzy peach texture and human muskiness are a lot dirtier than the well-dressed and accessorized Diorella looks appears to those who don't know her well.  It's a little like wearing the most exquisite set of sexy lingerie under a prim and proper twin set.

Like all the classic Diors, Diorella has been reworked and reformulated too many times to keep track, especially in the last decade. The most current version of  EDT (exclusive to Saks and Dior boutiques, at least on our shores) has very little in common with the 1972 original. It makes me want to kick someone where it hurts due to the lack of respect to both the late Roudnitska and to loyal customers who kept buying Diorella for over thirty years. Vintage bottles can still be found here and there. This review is of the EDT in the old houndtooth packaging.

Images:
Diorella perfume ad from the 1970s illustrated by Rene Gruau vintageadbrowser.com
Dior dress photographed by Henry Clarke, 1955 myvintagevogue.com

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze (Nordstrom Exclusive)

I picked Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze from Nordstrom's beauty exclusives as an addition to the Ready-To-Wear palette, figuring the tiny pans of lip color in the compact will run out first and because I wanted an additional color that goes well with the bronze theme of the set.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Intimate Bronze is a perfect fit. It's a delicate color, somewhere between a light pink bronze and rosy mauve, depending on the light. With my coloring it looks like a warm nude, something to wear when I want to neutralize the pink tone of my natural lip color. The shimmer is very fine and reflects the light more than actually adding fire.

The gloss is soft and moisturizing, making for a comfortable wear and helping keep the lips soft and moisturized. Its staying power is average minus, but someone with pale lips might see more of the pigment after the shine is gone.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze($26.50) is a Nordstrom exclusive, but rumor has it this color was seen at some airport duty-free stores in Europe. It's no longer available online, as the pre-sale is over, but Nordstrom stores are still supposed to have it in stock.

All photos are mine.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette (Nordstrom Exclusive)

The one item that stood out to me when browsing Nordstrom's pre-sale anniversary exclusives was the Fall Ready-To-Wear palette. It has the glow of soft fall light in the early afternoon and every color is pretty and wearable. It's probably one of the products that will accompany me during late summer-early fall travel, because when one is too jet-lagged to color-coordinate, a palette that offers a full look is priceless.

There are two face colors here- a blush and a three-tone bronzer. I think their pans are too small and I don't bother to swipe a good brush over them individually (not to mention to customize the bronzer), I just mix both items together for a natural sun-kissed look. I tried to swatch the blush and bronzer and got reminded why I hate doing this with cheek colors- the result on my arm looks too much like a skin condition. So you'll have to take my word that both are nicely pigmented without looking clownish, the blush is a pretty medium rose and the bronzer is a warm medium-light tan (at least when all three shades are combined. If you don't mind using a small brush you can probably adjust the levels of brown and gold).

I've always loved Dior eye shadows and these four are no exception. The finish is satiny and smooth (far less metallic than the current singles), even the light colors are very pigmented (another area where Dior trumps most other brands) and blend perfectly. You will notice how the colors look different when swatched than they are in the pan. The darkest one was was the most surprising- on my skin it looks bronze and not brown. The lightest is beige in the palette but has a cooler tone on the skin.

I wasn't too excited about the two lip gloss colors, but they are actually very pleasant and flattering. The light shimmery one is almost clear with a touch of pink- it can be layered over a darker lipstick but I was surprised how nice it looks on its own, especially when using the entire Ready-To-Wear palette for a full look. The warm rose shade is even better- it looks delicious on the lips. The mini lip brush that comes in the palette is the most useful accessory there and the only one I'm using. A tiny blush brush and the standard sponge applicator are nothing to blog about.

Dior Fall Ready-To-Wear Palette ($54) is a Nordstrom exclusive for their anniversary sale. While it's no longer online for pre-sale (I ordered the palette weeks ago and received it last Thursday), it should be available at your local store starting today.

All photos are mine.

Dior Addict

Dior Addict is a guilty pleasure. It's like a semi-trashy chicklit book or an episode of Giuliana & Bill. You know you shouldn't but it's too much fun. Dior Addict is loud, sweet and has no problem announcing its presence with big and bold notes- citrus, somewhat screechy orange blossom and a big sugary vanilla base with a hint of coconut. It's like a treat you buy on the boardwalk, knowing well it's all empty calories but you enjoy every shameful bite.

I never owned a bottle of Dior Addict- only samples and a quick spray at Sephora, just because. But recently I realized I had none left and a quick search found a bottle of the pure parfum on eBay. I didn't even know they made Addict in this concentration (it's probably discontinued at this point), so I had to have it. The extrait  is more or less the same as the EDP, but the harsh plastic note that usually appears before the drydown is missing and making the fragrance a bit smoother. The base is creamier and you actually smell the sandalwood, even though I don't buy the claim it's Mysore.

Addict is obviously a far departure from the classic Dior perfumes. Of course , even the iconic ones are no longer what they used to be (thank you, IFRA and cost reduction-focused perfumery). It's closer in character to some of the Poison flankers, especially Pure Poison, and seems to be aimed toward a generation that wouldn't wear Miss Dior. The ad campaign was loud and vulgar (the above is actually the tame version. In the original the bottle is tucked into her underwear she's in the process of taking off) and couldn't be more different than the gorgeous Rene Gruau illustrations from vintage ads.

Still, some days are more Jersey shore than the Hamptons. A frozen custard from Rita's and Dior Addict feel just right.

Dior Addict ($75, 1.7 oz EDP) is available from Sephora. I'd recommend an online search, though. Some retailers have it for nearly half the price.

2002 ad: imagesdeparfums.fr
A boardwalk amusement park: jerseyshoreguide.com

Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow - Ready-to-Glow (#649)

This one was Karla's fault. She swatched the new Summer 2010 Dior eye shadow quint, Ready-to-Glow a few weeks ago and I promptly headed out to buy it. This palette is just that gorgeous.

The colors are cool(ish)-to-neutral except for the peach that is decidedly warmer . I can wear each and every one of these colors and have found all of them to be flattering and versatile.  I don't wear more than two or three of them together in the classic highlighter-crease-lash line method, but that's a personal preference. Since the texture is so soft and blendable I'm sure you can make four or even all five work together, I just never feel the need to do it.  The pigment is rich and strong, the finish is extraordinarily shiny, but despite the high voltage the softer colors can also work for day if used with a light hand and blended well. Of course, the possibilities for a sexy evening look are many.

Performance-wise, I'm highly impressed with this Dior quint. I always use a lid primer, so there are no creasing or longevity issues. When I use a spectacular base (the one from Kanebo Sensai), the finish stays fresh all day long with no fading.

Bottom Line: Actually worth the price.

Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow - Ready-to-Glow ($58) is available at Dior counters everywhere as well as from Sephora.

All photos are mine.

Christian Dior- Dioressence (Vintage Perfume)

Dioressence in its older versions comes from a time and place where people didn't buy perfume as an afterthought while shopping at the mall. It smells very French and womanly in the best way possible, and one can  feel the connection Dioressence has to Miss Dior- according to Luca Turin, perfumer Guy Robert got the idea for the formula when washing his ambergris-smelling hands with a Miss Dior soap. While none of the vintage bottles in my possession gives a strong ambergris note, I can understand the inspiration behind it.

Dioressence could be described as Miss Dior's Casual Friday outfit. This is what she wears when out of her pencil skirt and seamed stockings. It's greener and wilder, especially once the aldehydic opening calms down. Miss Dior's leather and smoke are replaced with (controlled) sweetness, but there's still enough oakmoss there to keep things interesting.   My bottles (EDT and parfum concentration) are from different years, and as is the case with all the classic Diors, it's hard to make heads and tails between the versions. One bottle has clearly a lot more spicy carnation and powdery flowers, while another is strong the chypre structure.

I love them all and tend to layer them together randomly. I find Dioressence surprisingly easy to wear, despite what some call funky notes- there's no dead rodents for me, just joy, exuberance and tasteful sensuality.

Dioressence has undergone several reformulations. I've smelled the EDT (the parfum has been gone for years now, at least in North America) from the mid 2000s a few times and found it utterly forgettable. Word on the various boards is that the most recent version- one that came out in the second part of 2009- is actually better and resembles the original. I haven't tried it yet- my local Saks seems to still keep the previous tester and the Dior SA can't talk perfume to save her life.

Vintage Dioressence ads from around 1981- okadi.com and paperpursuits.com.

Dior Sérum De Rouge Luminous Color Lip Treatment (Rosewood 740)

Lipsticks and cellphones have one thing in common- their technology improves every year. Most major brands have recently come up with new formulas that look better than ever, feel incredibly soft and give the lips some much needed TLC and nourishment. Dior's most recent contribution is Sérum De Rouge Luminous Color Lip Treatment.

They aren't kidding about the "lip treatment" aspect of this lipstick. While the pigment is rich and the coverage is very good, there's some serious soothing and hydrating going on. Sérum De Rouge feels like a very luxurious lip balm while you're actually wearing a creamy lipstick with a slight sheen. It's not very long lasting and the texture is so soft that I highly recommend using a lip liner even if you get one of the lightest shades, just to keep things firmly in place and remember to reapply after your coffee or snack.

I wish there was a larger color variety. Rosewood Serum (no. 740) was the only shade out of the eight that looked good on me. If you wear pink, coral or beige you'll have better luck. On my pigmented lips and olive skin tone, Rosewood, a brown based rose,  is a lovely natural, "my lips, but better" color. I wear it as a nude and often top it with a dark gloss to spice things up.

Bottom line: I'm ready for a red one.

Dior Sérum De Rouge Luminous Color Lip Treatment ($32) is available from Sephora and Dior counters at most department stores. I bought it at my local Bloomingdale's.

All photos are mine.

Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil

I'm a firm believer that when it comes to filling and shaping eyebrows, pencils are not the best option. I use a short bristled angled brush with matte eye shadows in muted browns, taupe (Bobbi Brown has never failed me), or for evening drama- espresso. I highly recommend using a sealing liquid (like Paula Dorf Transformer) to avoid transferring the color to your hand or the shirt of your significant other (speaking from experience) and avoid black unless your hair is really that color and your skin is very very dark.

The only problem with the above is doing it on the go, in a hurry and sometimes the amount of extra space required  in your makeup bag. I don't even want to think about juggling my eyebrow products in the car. Which brings us to the next best thing, a really good eyebrow pencil with a built-in brush.

I was pretty skeptical when I received the Diorshow Brow Styler, because the retractable pencil is really ultra fine and I was worried it would draw a very visible line. Also, a one color fits all policy rarely works. But the Universal Brown is actually a dusty taupish brown that blends well with my coloring and filling the brows in quick short strokes and then using the brush for blending is quite effective without looking very obvious.

So the Diorshow Brow Styler worked quite nicely for me.

But.

This is touted as a universal product which I had a hunch was not the case. I needed someone with fair hair, skin and very light eyebrows to test this. Enter the long suffering husband. He has dishwater blond hair, pale skin with pink undertones and his eyebrows are very light and quite sparse. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect candidate. Now, the color of the Diorshow Brow Styler wasn't terrible on him, but it's definitely darker than his natural color and made him look frowny. My guess is that for people with this coloring, a slightly lighter shade of brown would be better.

The bigger issue, though, is the pencil itself. If you need to fill large gaps, a pencil is not the right tool. No matter how carefully you used it, it still looks drawn, and unless you're a drag queen it's never a good look. I did my best on the husband's brows, but I would not recommend it for anyone who require serious brow work. I didn't dare use the built-in brush on him, which brings us to the other problem with the Brow Styler. The brush is quite good, really, but it's a little too stiff, and with the husband's sensitive skin I thought it would be best to avoid raking his brows with it. I compared the Dior brush to an eyebrow tool from Elke von Freudenberg's line (review coming later this week), which is just a bit softer and feels better on my skin. I don't really have much of a problem using the Dior as long as I'm careful with the amount of pressure, but if you're prone to skin irritation, it might not be the best tool for you.

Bottom line 1: Works well for me, great on the go, but definitely not a universal eyebrow product.
Bottom line 2: My husband is a saint.

Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil ($28) is available from Sephora and most department store. I received it as a PR freebie.

Photos by me.

Christian Dior- Diorshow Extase Mascara

It's been ages since I've last worn a Diorshow mascara. I actually like it very much, but I guess it's a case of too many mascaras, too little time. So I don't have a tube of the regular Diorshow on hand to compare to the brand new Christian Dior release, Diorshow Extase, but I can still tell that the new mascara packs some serious punch in the volume department.

When applying it, Diorshow Extase feels a bit goopy and thicker than my usual fare, but it actually goes on smoothly without messy clumps (I can't yet vouch how it would act after four or five weeks of use- older tubes often get tricky this way). It fully coats the lashes and seems to contribute to curling (and it holds the curl for a full day). My lashes look significantly thicker instantly, which was a bit weird as I'm quite well-endowed in that department, but the more I looked at my eyes the more I enjoyed it. It also seems that as the mascara dries and settles on the lashes, it looks even better- glossy black, full and heavy. The lengthening is marginal, but between the volume and the curling, the mascara gives lashes a very impressive boost.

The heavy coat comes with a price- my lashes feel a lot more stiff than normal, but the upside is the wonderful hold and staying power- no smudges even after I accidentally rubbed my eyes, and no flaking. It still comes relatively easily when using Lancome Bi-Facil, so there's no tugging come cleanup time.

Bottom line: Yes, your lashes do look fat in this.

Diorshow Extase ($28) is available starting this week. At the moment, Sephora offers it for Beauty Insiders only (at least online), but soon it'd be at every Dior counter. I received it from Christian Dior PR.

All photos by me.

Dior 1 Colour Eye Shadow

I was a bit iffy about the new Dior eye shadows, the 1 Colour (1 Couleur) line. Stock photos looked too metalic and shiny, and I wasn't thrilled that the previous single eye shadows were being phased out. But it changed as soon as I got to the Dior counter and started playing with them. It became all about "which ones of you, beauties, are going home with me?".

The answer was 626 Beige Print and 566 Brown Fever.

Beige Print is definitely shimmery, but it's soft enough to be softly luminous, not Vegas-wear. It's a neutral color, with more than enough pigment to be worn alone. Paired with streamlined makeup in soft colors, this eye shadow can be worn easily during the day. Of course, you can also play it up for night. Brown Fever has a satin finish and no obvious shimmer. It's already a staple in my arsenal of easy to wear, no thinking required eye shadows.



Both colors are silky smooth and I fully understand why Dior chose to discontinue the previous formula. The texture of 1 Colour is superior and is worthy of any high-end makeup collection. There's absolutley no flaking, crumbling or creasing and the staying power over a primer is as good as can be- it's there until you remove it.

Bottom line: Which color should I buy next?

Dior 1-Colour Eye Shadows ($27.50) are availabl from Dior counters at most decent department stores and Sephora (some colors are online only). I've noticed there's limited stock and the stores run out quickly. I bought one at my local Bloomingdale's and ordered the other one online after testing in-store. Sephora seems to have the largest selection.

Photos by me.

Dior Addict Lipcolor (Decadent Plum 993)

Because you can't have too many purple lipsticks.

The Dior SA urged me to try it on. The somewhat metallic finish scared me at first because the texture looked a bit too severe in the tube and I was worried it would cling to the scar on my bottom lip and look like a mess. But the color was, indeed, very pretty and I couldn't remember if I've tried Dior Addict in the new formula before, so I had to check it out.

They weren't kidding about the weightless formula and glide-on texture. It really is that great, which helps a lot when it comes to dark lip colors. The new Dior Addict is a real treat: great coverage, comfortable texture (though it's not moisturizing, just wears nicely without drying), lasts for hours (survives a drink, though requires reapplying after lunch) and looks pretty.

Decadent Plum (#993) is definitely a bold color, but not so much as to turn heads when I wear it in the middle of the day. It's red-based and doesn't make teeth look yellow. Actually, the color is so pretty that even my husband noticed. That's an achievement, if you consider the number of lipsticks, purple and others, I tend to try and wear. I suspect it can look great on many a complexion, unless one is suspiciously orange (but if that's the case you have bigger problems than finding the right lipstick).

Bottom line: Worthy of the swankiest holiday party.

Dior Addict Lipcolor ($26) is available from most department stores. While Sephora carries the line, Decadent Plum is not on their website, so it might be in a somewhat limited distribution. I bought it at my local Bloomingdale's.

Photos by me.

Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Radical Serum

Or: Skin In The Time Of Crud

I've been hoarding sample packets of Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Radical Serum, waiting for the right time to test them. The time came this week, as I've been fighting a cold and trying to keep my skin from showing it. My regular Stapels (Erno Laszlo and Lancome Secret de Vie) definitely helped protecting my skin from chaffing and flaking. But I was determined to do more than that. I wanted my skin to remain plump and pretty, even if my brain was threatening to liquefy itself and escape through my nose.

Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Serum feels like miracle food on the skin. It's thick, serumy but not greasy at all. I applied a full sample at a time (including neck and cleavage, for good measures), and every last drop sank in and did the job so well I could actually see immediate results.

I'm down to my last sample of the serum, so a trip to the nearest Dior counter is in my immediate future).

Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Radical Serum ($70) is available from most decent department stores and Sephora. I had samples from my local Saks and Bloomingdale's.

Photo: pyrobrainiac.com

Dior Vernis Nail Polish Silver Purple (782)

The most intriguing item in Dior Holiday 2009 collection is the nail polish, Silver Purple (782). It's maddening to look at the swatches on the retail websites (from Sephora to department stores) because they're way off in showing the true color. Sephora is especially bad, making the polish look a lot more purple than it actually is. My photos are not 100%, either, but they are much closer.



Purple Silver is a purple-gray-taupe with a metallic finish. It looks very dark indoors and in low light, while sunshine brings out more silver. I think it's stunning in a low key way and can even be office appropriate in certain workplaces.

The first time I tried it with Essie 3-Way Glaze, and it was an utter disaster- chips, cracks and peeling within a day. The second time I applied five different bases1 and a Nail Aid top coat which gave me much better results, though like most Dior Vernis, Silver Purple tends to chip unless you apply and renew the top coat religiously (as in every day). It's worth it, tough. The color is unique and very beautiful, and as long you do the maintenance, you can get about 5 days of a flawless look.

Dior Vernis nail polish in Silver Purple ($20) is a limited edition for Holiday 2009. Available from all Dior counters and Sephora, which is where I bought it.

All photos taken today by me, color is three day old, new top coat. Yes, it was raining. Heavily2. Now excuse me as I go and take a very hot shower and try to warm up.
1 proof that beauty bloggers are weird
2 proof that beauty bloggers are insane