Spring Fragrances

May 14, 2015 in Fragrance

For a long time I was really intrigued by the idea of a “signature scent,” and I had found it in the original Stella Eau de Parfum by Stella McCartney. But as we move into warmer weather, I was finding that it was a bit too warm for me to spritz on during hot sunny days. So I dropped the idea of only wearing one scent all year round and took off for Sephora.

The first one I was drawn to was, of course, the newly-released Stella Eau de Toilette. It smells almost identical to the Stella EDP on me, but it doesn’t have those warm notes. Instead it’s floral yet fresh and perfect for spring and summer - the top notes of mandarin and frozen lemon really make this rose-y scent crisp and light. It lasts a couple hours on me before I feel like I can’t smell it at all anymore. I was spritzing this every day nonstop until the Philosophy Fresh Cream fragrance fell into my clutches (aka I smelled it when I bought the Stella, couldn’t get it out of my mind for 3 days, and finally ordered it). The Fresh Cream scent isn’t something I thought I would like - I usually go for more floral scents (hence my fragrance wardrobe of Stella, Chloe, and Marc Jacobs Daisy) than sugary sweet ones. Usually vanilla fragrances are too warm or synthetic-smelling for me, but this one is absolutely perfect. It smells like vanilla for sure, but just pure, fresh vanilla if that makes sense. Think of eating a vanilla sundae (complete with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles, of course) outside on a sunny spring day, and you’ll have this scent. This one lasts almost all day on me - one spritz and I’m still catching whiffs any time my wrist happens to be anywhere near my nose by the time I’m ready to head home from work. Out of these two new additions I’m definitely more a fan of the Philosophy Fresh Cream (as I’m sure you can tell from this rave), but once the excitement about it dies down a little I’m sure the Stella EDT will find its way back into the rotation. The way I see it, I now have a new spring scent for any occasion: when I’m feeling something floral, I’ll reach for Stella, and when I want something sweet, I’ll look no further than the Fresh Cream.

Have you tried either of these fragrances?

The Hidden Gem: Sephora Cream Lip Stains

May 12, 2015 in Makeup

Ok, they’re not so “hidden” anymore and are starting to become hyped up. But I would have never thought to even look at the display of Sephora’s own makeup brand (call me a makeup snob I guess).

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Strawberry Kiss (03)

I first picked up the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in the shade Strawberry Kiss (03) last summer, and I was blown away by the formula. It’s a liquid lipstick that dries down to a beautiful matte finish, but it’s not drying whatsoever. The Strawberry Kiss is, just like the name sounds, a lovely, fun pinky-strawberry-red. It’s a very similar color to the Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Wildflower, so if you like long-lasting lip products but don’t like matte lips, I’d suggest using that over the top.

Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red (01)

The most hyped up shade of the bunch is shade 01, Always Red. I don’t know why I put off buying it for so long, but I finally got my hands on it and can’t stop wearing it. So far I’ve been a little too shy to wear it out, but I’ll come home from work and just wear it around the house. It’s just the perfect red - I’ve seen it look really cool-toned on some people, but since my skin is already so cool-toned it pulls more neutral on me. It looks so perfect for any time of year (I’ll definitely be pulling this one out for Christmas parties) and looks so classic and cool. I’m hoping I’ll stop being such a wimp about wearing these bold colors out, because I feel so confident when I’m wearing it around the house (see the fact that I actually posted full-face photos to show them on my lips rather than cropping everything but my lips). They're incredibly long lasting without completely destroying my lips like some matte products can. At the end of the day, I need to use some olive oil on a cotton pad to get it completely off. You can see some transfer onto glasses, napkins, etc while eating, but look in the mirror and your lips still look perfect. Magic.

Have you ever tried the Sephora Cream Lip Stains?

The "Use Me More" Box - Neglected Products

May 09, 2015 in Makeup

I’ve had a bit of a buying frenzy lately - especially after my big birthday makeup haul. The fancy new products have really got their hold over me, causing me to push some once-loved items to the back of my drawer. I decided to use this little box I got from H&M to keep things I really want to use more - I figure this way, I’ll see them and be more likely to reach for them.

Starting with a base product, I completely fell in love with the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer when I first got it (first mentioned in my Too Faced Haul here). But soon after, I picked up the Glossier Priming Moisturizer and have been using that as a 2-in-1 moisturizer + primer step in the mornings, leaving the Too Faced a little neglected. It’s a lovely product though - super nourishing yet still very light - if you've got oily skin I reckon this would would be a great moisturizer. I’m too in love with my Glossier moisturizer to consider skipping the step, but maybe when my skin gets a little more oily as the weather gets hotter and I don't need as much of the glow I get from the Glossier, I’ll put this to good use.

One of my favorite blush formulations ever is that of the Clinique Cheek Pop blushes. I got the shade Berry Pop back in September (included in my first haul post on this blog!). I don’t know why I’ve let this sit unloved lately, but its divine creamy powder formula is perfect for the warmer months - I tend to always reach for creams when the weather warms up, but could definitely use the longevity of a powder.

Another face product that’s been neglected lately is the Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter. There was a period of time where I mentioned this in almost every post and it was my favorite thing ever. I’ve recently been opting for the RMS Beauty Living Luminizer or the highlighter side of The Creamy Glow by Kevyn Aucoin because they’re so natural looking yet still give a supermodel glow. But once I get a bit of a tan (ha) this more golden shade will be absolutely perfect.

I spoke about the MAC eyeshadow in Woodwinked in my MAC eyeshadow post here, but I haven’t been reaching for it much. Right now, it’s a bit too bronzy for me, and I’ve been going more for shades like Patina. Again, I think some more color in my complexion will work wonders and make this a bit more flattering.

Lastly is a lip product I was so so excited about, but I’ve only worn it once or twice so far. I got the Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Wildflower back in November I believe after seeing it in an Essiebutton video, but it’s just more of a spring and summer shade. Now that it’s warmer I’ve been forgetting about it because it’s not an exciting and new product to me - hopefully having it out in eyesight will remind me to actually start wearing it!

What are your most neglected products?