Oh, nothing new. Just another haul from Sephora. That store is a killer I tell you! But I wasn't too crazy. I bought just what I had in mind.
First up, eye cream. I'm reaching the later parts of my twenties. Eye cream was never a thing, but I did put it on once in awhile. But recently, I mean within the past year, I've noticed fine lines?!?! My foundation would just set in these fine lines and I'd rub in my foundation - and then it'd appear again! I really did see dryness under my eyes but I didn't think too much about it, until now.
After cruising around Sephora I settled for Dior's HydraLife Pro-Youth Sorbet Eye Creme. What I loved about it? It felt super hydrating and my skin felt replenished. I'll have to see how I get along with it and whether it helps with the fine lines. I'll keep you notified!
Then, foundation. I've used up my Nars Sheer Glow foundation. I love, love that foundation to pieces. But I was reminded about the Make Up For Ever HD foundation (shade 120) - something I used baaaackkk in the days. I remembered it worked well with my oily skin, but I'll have to see how I get along with this now.
Then, finally a mask. I'll talk about it in my February Favorites - but I am re-wow-ing with the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal mask. I had forgotten how effective this mask is!!! The small little bumps on my face cleared. Now I remember why I went tube after tube of this before.
On that note, I realize my foundation and fragrance posts are the most popular on my blog. I'll try to experiment with more foundations and keep you notified if there are some good ones on the radar. Give me some recommendations of what some of your favorite foundations are!
I blogged about a gray nail polish I thought was the perfect shade, but after awhile I came to the conclusion that the Dior Nail Polish in the shade 306 "Gris Trianon" was too dark for my like (and Dior nail polishes are just not worth it). Since then, I would cruise through Essie, Deborah Lippmann, and Butter London to look for that perfect shade of gray. Not too dark, not too light... not the tan kind of gray, not the bone colored gray... I wanted the gray like the gray of an iMac laptop. You know?
So after searching on a bunch of google images under "gray nail polishes" I decided to try the Zoya shade in "Dove".
I loved it so much and it truly is that true gray that I decided to devote a whole blogpost on it! I'm sure there are gals out there who are searching for something like this so I thought I'd let you know :)
I have finally made it to the end of the tunnel. This PERFUME COLLECTION video series has been a long journey, taking over a month to finish. I have finally gotten to the final part of the series, which is PART #4. This part will consist of Miscellani fragrances, meaning fragrances that I only have one of from their brand and so there was no need to make a separate video on just that. If you don't know, all the other three parts of the series were talked about by brand. Hence, these five didn't fit and so I have put them together into this miscellani video.
If you are interested, here are the other 3 parts:
As for the Blogsale Alert on my Miss Dior eau de parfum, click here.
Now then, let's begin with Escentric Molecules, Molecule 01. This has taken a heap of craze on all the beauty blogs. I actually bought this over a year ago, in the smallest bottle so I could really try it out. Like everyone mentioned, at first you cannot smell it on yourself. The concept is thrilling. One molecule that develops on your skin, making this alluring effect on others. This was listed as one of the world's most sexiest scent. I mean, this totally sucked me in! I tried it at out store and found of course there was nothing to really think about then because I couldn't even smell it!
But here's the turn of events. After a few months I was able to smell the actual scent that it has. It is a very woody scent that has this human body smell on it. Oh goodness. That sounded gross. But really, what I meant was that it has that warmth of a human presence. I found that the scent was also pretty masculine and I did not like it at all. After all the intrigue about it, I came to a conclusion that it wasn't worth the hype. I hear more compliments wearing the perfumes I too love than this product. So as you can see from the video and pictures, I still have a lot left!
As for the Le Labo Rose 31and Stella McCartney fragrances, they are both rose scents. These belong to my sister, who is a fan of all things rose. I, on the other hand, am not. Le Labo Rose 31 is a really strong masculine rose fragrance that was made targeted for men who love rose but find that most of the rose fragrances in the market are for women. Although they say it is for both men and women, I find that it is just really musky, spicy, woody and warm that embodies a lot of masculinity. If you go on their site, you can see the notes that combine in such a way that make it a really strong musky scent. I can't say that I love it, because it's far from my taste. Also, I found that most of their fragrances have the same really strong overpowering scent.
What I do love about Le Labo fragrances is their services and packaging. I went to the store in Soho and there is a perfumist there who works with you and combines the chemical/ingredients there on the spot for you. Also, you get your own personalized label with your name, location of where you got this fragrance, and the perfumist.
On the other hand, Stella McCartney is such a beautiful feminine flowery clean rose fragrance. Although I don't like the smell of roses, somehow this really captures a wonderful sensuality to it without any notes of anything heavy, thick, or musky. But again, it's not too light or airy either. Though it is not a very complex or dimensional scent (like the ones I love) I still enjoy for what it is!
So, there! This is the last Perfume Collection post of the year and who knows when the next one will be. This series has received the most responses and positive feedback on my blog and Youtube! So, thank you for all your great comments and responses :)
I am selling my Miss Dior Eau de Parfum,originally $70 for $58! For details about the product, watch my video here and read my blogpost here. Basically, I have used this only once which can translate to about 3 spritzes. In exchange for being (so slightly) used and not having the box that it originally came in, I will be selling it for much discounted price of $58+ free shipping.
You must be living in US, preferably in NY. (Sorry to my international readers!) Also, you must 18+ years old or else, receive permission from parents so that I can send you this product to your home address. Please also note that there is NO RETURN once the product has been shipped to you.
I will send this perfume in a safe box with a few goodies (secret!) as well. It will be shipped within a week after the payment has been made. The shipping will probably be standard shipping, and I will notify you when I have shipped it off.
Please leave a comment down below if you're interested and we can talk about the transaction :)
Seek and ye shall find. I have sought for a GREY nail polish for a few months now. I mean gray gray, not brown gray or kind of gray. I mean like slate gray. Nothing too pastel-gray so that it's white, but nothing that's too dark either. On my cruise at Sephora (the oh-so-wickedly-tempting-beauty-store) I came across an advertisement for this shade. The minute I saw it, I ran to find the actual polish. It was perfecto!
[As a side note I'd like to introduce to you another addition to my Catbird rings! Actually, it's more than one addition. Along with my "Dark side of the Moon" ring (not featured in any of these pictures) I've also picked up a gold star ring, a hammered rose gold ring (which is stacked on top of the star ring), and the all-new Catbird Tomboy Rose gold knuckle ring! I actually wear the Tomboy knuckle ring on my pinky but just for demonstration, I've put it on my knuckle for y'all to have a look :) I absolutely love all of them!]
Dior nail vernis are seriously so easy to apply. First off, they have the creamiest texture. It doesn't make your nails look like you have paint on them. It looks like nail polish (if you know what I mean). Also, the brush is designed so that it makes applying so much easier! If you can see with this picture, you'll realize how amazing the brush is! Usually I get all the sides of my fingernails painted with the nail polish. But this time, I'm so proud of how clean and neat I painted them! The color is amazing. I applied two coats, then finished it off with the Sally Hansen MegaShine topcoat.
Christmas is approaching and I've grown quite a list of beauty products I am repeatedly tempted to buy. I actually have more bits and pieces, but I shall hold them back. Most of these are affordable (I am pressuring you guys ** friends and family** to get me these) and nothing too difficult to buy. Now, of course, if I were to buy them all in one buy, this would be wholly excessive. Nonetheless, I would if I could. I absolutely love these products and I would love love to try them all!
Laura Mercier 'Ambre Vanillè' Soufflé Body Crème
Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation
Nars Contour Powder in Laguna (or Casino)
Ciate Velvet Manicure - Berry Poncho' Set
Bobbi Brown 'Choose Your Black' Long Wear Eye Pencil
If you've watched or read my Sephora Haul post, you'll know I raved on about Dior's "Safari Beige" nail polish-- that it's simply the nude of all nudes, the truest to a "nude" you'll ever find. I wasn't joking about it. Nope.
I had forgotten how gorgeous Dior's Vernis' are. The applicator is AMAZING, and I know I say that for a lot of things but hear me out. The brush is pointed and thick so that literally for most of your nails, you can just press it down and it'll cover the entire nail. How easy! It is so easy to apply!
The next amazing thing besides color, applicator, is the texture itself. Holy Moly! Thick, creamy, luxurious, and terribly terribly chic! The gloss is gorgeous and no matter how damaged your nails are, this thing will cover it up and make it smooth as a baby's bottom.
Price is a con, but I'm thinking... you sure get what you pay for.
Applied this with a 30second dry Sally Hansen top coat. First I thought it was dry completely in 30 seconds, but it meant dry to touch. Eh, I guess I was expecting too much. But this top coat also guarantees ZERO chipping, so yay for that! It definitely is dry to touch in 30 seconds but as my rule goes, I won't risk it until I can tap my nails together and hear that nice plastic-y sound! (You know what I mean)
I'm calling this a "Haul of Shame" because honestly, I think I bought a lot. Still I proceed by saying that this is by far one of my most exciting hauls! I am so in love with each and every product that I sit now to remind myself that I must contain myself in order to write this blog in a professional manner. That being said, I believe I was in Sephora for 40 minutes plus and my primary goal was to find "THE LIP STAIN". With the summer full on approaching, even lipsticks seem to be bother me. Tints are long-lasting, dyed into skin, and just an easy flush and prettiness to the face. I've tried the all famous Benetint from Benefit several times but I don't seem to get along with that at all! It dries me out, and the color does not evenly work on skin. Also the applicator bugs me a lot. That being said, I wanted something that would give me great pigmentation, wonderful texture, zero heaviness, and efficient sleek applicator.
I picked up three of the ones that does just what I was looking for! First off is the Tarte LipSurgence in the color "Joy". Can I just say now that I am really starting to love Tarte products? After that one blush I bought a few weeks back, I'm building trust with that brand. That being said, this lip stain is beautiful. The shades are various and though I wanted the pink or red shade, this orange shade seemed to suit me very well. It is oh so moisturizing that it will leave your lips swimming in its own moisture. (Don't mind my weird descriptions!) There were darker or brighter shades of orange than the one I bought but this color was pigmented enough! It made my lips look clean and supple and the color was gorgeous!
The second lip stain I bought was from a brand called Perfékt. This brand is very new to me but it seems it's been in Sephora for quite some time. I came across this brand through instagram. One of the girls I was following posted a picture of this babe and said it was the PERFECT LIP STAIN. So, I had to go try it out for myself today. And lo and behold! It truly was astoundingly nice! I bought mine in the color Hollywood and it's this really glam vibrant red color, the perfect shade I was looking for! It has such a unique texture and the applicator is more than amazing. This is supposed to be a lip treatment with intense pigmentation, that leaves your lips not only feeling great but looking great. I can also say that this lasts ages. I still have a blot of this on my hand where I swatched it, hours since I erased it with a makeup remover. I can't say enough about how this is very quickly becoming a fave of mine!
Next is the well hyped about lip stain from YSL. Yes, I know. I'm much behind the hype but I'm with you guys now, aren't I? I was hesitant to buy it but I thought I'd give it a try. It's a lip gloss like "thing" that dries as a matte finish, leaving your lips looking like they have lipstick on when it's been merely transferred as a stain! Complicated? Well, I believe that's what it does. Whereas my Tarte lip tint is glossy, this is less like so. I heard it could be a bit drying so I'll have to watch out for that. So far, I don't have a problem with it. The shade I have is in 10, a beautiful vibrant red again! The content is creamy and the packaging shouldn't even be a discussion. It's a beaut!
I also picked up a Clarins UV Plus Day Screen to wear with my new favorite foundation, NARS Sheer glow. The foundation doesn't have SPF so I needed something to wear underneath-- something that was lightweight and oil-free. I tried this on at the store and was more than impressed at the texture and finish of this sunscreen. FYI, I had wearing sunscreens so if I'm willing to use this, it means a lot :)
Next I picked up another NARS eyeshadow duo in the color Isolde, which was actually they first eyeshadow I really wanted to buy from Nars. But I resisted because I thought I could do away with my NAKED palette from Urban Decay. However, every time I pass by the Nars counter, this thing just begs me to be picked up. So, today I've caved in! Really creamy, beautiful pigmentation-- by far the best out of all the Nars eyeshadows!
Finally, I have two nail polishes I bought. One is from Dior. Their Safari Beige 219. A true nude I say. Not pink-nude, not brown-nude, and not gray-nude. Just a nude-nude! Lovely I say, just lovely! The other nail polish is the Nars Trouville which is the sweetest baby pink pea you'll ever see. It's just irresistible!
So here they are, my thoughts on them and why I bought each and every one. Now I'm going to take these essentials under the bush and resist myself from wanting to buy other things on my want-list. This is truly a bit of a haul of shame for me, but judge me not! I've been wanting these for ages and besides, a girl can splurge like this one in awhile... right? :)
Living in New York, blogging about beauty to de-stress from everyday life and nurture the girl within ♥ My love for makeup and all things beauty inspired me to create this blog. Here I share my beauty trends, tips, and reviews.
