Armani Launches for SS15 with Thoa Tran - I

I turn up to Brown Thomas on a Thursday afternoon and one of the very kind girls at the Armani counter hands me a glass of sparkling juice. I perch on the edge of a seat and, then, magic happens. Right before my eyes. Face designer, Thoa Tran, is showcasing Armani's new cosmetic launches for the season.

Among these is the latest addition to the Les Eaux collection for Armani Privé, Pivoine Suzhou. Normally, these scents are inspired by Mediterranean gardens but, in this case, the starting point came from Asian gardens. In fact, it is the ancient tree peonies of China that the fragrance attempts to emulate. With notes of peony alongside, raspberry, tangerine and patchouli, pink pepper and musk, the scent is feminine, opulent and fresh. It is sold exclusively at Brown Thomas in Ireland and retails for €115 for 100ml.

Also launched is the Armani Runway Palette with a translucent powder and a trio of eyeshadows beneath in taupe, golden beige and silver. A very pretty but highly luxurious product, it's another BT exclusive and retails at €130.

However, the launch that most impressed me was the Eye Tints. Created backstage at the Armani shows, these products apply as a liquid but dry into a solid and work well as both shadows and liners. They blend beautifully and are highly pigmented, true shades - what you see in the bottle is what you get on the eyelids. They come in twelve shades from blue and green to natural and nude tones and retail at €32 each.

Some photos of the master at work with the products and a the results.

Gorgeous, no?

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REVIEW: Artistry Little Black Dress Palette

The Artistry Little Black Dress Eyeshadow Palette sells itself as being inspired "by the wearability of a little black dress" and as featuring "a collection of beautiful bolts of colour that can be picked up anytime to add day time polish or night time party". 

It comes in a limited edition black patent case that I waver between thinking is cute and, at other times, a little over-kill. However, it's very compact and sleek and, unlike most palettes, doesn't take up too much room in a make-up bag. The inside is the most impressive part of the packaging, with a really good, large mirror the whole width and height of the lid, utilising that space to perfection. Similarly impressive is the brush. Most brushes in palettes are a waste of time and invariably are lost, ignored or discarded. In this case, however, the brush is a keeper! The blending end is quite good and works product into the crease easily, for a smokier look a fluffier blending brush would probably be necessary but for more controlled application, this is great. The tapered end is the most amazing little feature - it allows for application of the black shadow super close to the lash line, making it into quite a good eyeliner. And the tip tapers so neatly that you can use it for winged liner. 

There are eight colours inside, in grey to purple tones; five shimmers, one matte and two lusters.  These include Pearl (a glimmering white shimmer),  Candlelight (a dusty mauve shimmer), Evening Out (a steel grey shimmer), Midnight (a berry luster),  Little Black Dress (a black with sparkle), Glamour (a deep dramatic plum matte), Stiletto (a light pewter with metallic shimmer luster shade) and Sequin (a pearly pink shimmer). The shades are pretty and highly pigmented but also blend like a dream. The range of colours also allow for pretty and girly spring daytime looks or smokey evening looks which means that the palette is not only compact but also versatile - it's a truly useful palette for travel or popping in a handbag.

Overall, this is a great palette not only for the SS15 season but would be a great starter or just basic palette to have in your collection. It retails at €57.70 and is available from www.amway.ie/.

Using Pearl on the inner corner and bottom lash line, Midnight on the centre of the lid, Glamour on the outer corner and Little Black Dress as a liner. 

(This product has been sent to me to review but all opinions are my own and not influenced by any third party)

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REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot

To those who may be unaware, REN is one of my two favourite skincare brands of all time. I love the packaging, the concepts behind new launches, that they are cruelty free and, most of all, the results. In fact. it's not just me that loves them but my skin too.

Their latest product, available from this month onwards, is called the Instant Firming Beauty Shot. It's basically a gel-serum that makes the skin look instantly plumper and brighter for up to four hours after application. But it also works on a deeper level in the skin, improving its firmness. I could go into the sciencey bit but really that means little to me. The bottom line is that after applying this, you'll want to stroke your face for the rest of the day. It makes the skin unbelievably soft and glowy and is great before bed and the application of an intensive moisturiser to replenish and hydrate your skin overnight. But it is equally a great way to start your day and make you look well-rested. It's exactly what your skin needs after winter.

Another major selling point for me is that it is a multi-tasking product - and don't we all love those? It doubles up as a fantastic primer. I used it the other day instead of my Porefessional and it proved the smoothest base imaginable.

Just two or three drops from the pipette is all you need, followed by moisturiser or make-up and it can be topped up as much as you like throughout the day. It also smells gorgeous, btw.

REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot retails at €48.

*This product was given to me as a press sample but all opinions expressed are my own.*

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