Maybelline Color Whisper

Last week I was browsing around Target and as I was passing through the cosmetics section I noticed several new product displays.  One of them, which I hadn't heard anything about, was for a Maybelline lip product.  I took a closer look and discovered it was for their Color Whisper lipsticks.  I was intrigued and had to purchase two of them to try out.  

Though I wanted quite a few of the colors, I settled on just two until I determined whether or not they were worth my money for more.  I selected Pin Up Peach (love the name) and Coral Ambition. Looking at the tube and by the name of the product, I assumed they were going to be a more sheer lip color.  I was correct.  The bullet itself doesn't look sheer or anything, but it seems every brand is coming out with a moisturizing, somewhat sheer lipstick/color. 

As you can see from the swatches, they don't pack a ton of color.  Some people will enjoy this, and others will say they hoped for more. Personally, I'm on the side of enjoying them.  I have quite pigmented lips, and sometimes I just want a hint of change but nothing over the top.  Also, for day wear, I enjoy something that is more of a light wash. This fits that bill.  

When I first bought and smelled these, I couldn't detect any scent.  However, when I was swiping them on I did notice a fruity or perfume scent.  I couldn't put my finger on what it was, but every time I applied them, I could definitely pick up on a fragrance.  It took me several times wearing them to finally decide it was sweet and fruity....I think I am smelling a fruit loop cereal scent!  It is different, but I like it!

Over all, I think these are worth checking out.  The ones I have go on more smooth and consistent than the Revlon Lip Butters (which I do really enjoy).   They don't seem to skip or look patchy.  They feel nice on the lips, quite hydrating, with nice slip.  These aren't a long wearing color, though, so do keep that in mind.  

I bought mine at Target for $5.99.  I'm sure we'll be seeing these pop up in more stores and, hopefully, some sales will begin that include these.  I would like to purchase a few more colors.  All in all, these get two thumbs up from me!

Neutrogena Hand Cream

I was recently invited into another BzzAgent campaign.  This time, it was for Neutrogena Hand Cream.  I was quite excited for this one because, with it being winter, my hands and nails tend to get quite dry.  I am always up for trying a new product.

This hand cream is fragrance free and claims to heal very chapped, dry hands. The back actually says, "It is so concentrated that only a small amount instantly leaves even dry, cracked hands noticeably softer and smoother after just once application.  Used daily, it helps prevent dry, chapped skin; used overnight, it heals dry skin-even under the harshest of conditions."  Those are some lofty claims!  I'll admit, I am always skeptical when I read things like that on a box.   The box goes on to say, "It started with Norwegian fishermen.  Faced with some of the harshest, coldest weather on earth, they used a formula that delivers concentrated levels of glycerin to dry, chapped skin providing immediate and lasting relief.  Five years of independent clinical testing confirmed what the fishermen knew all along-Norwegian Formula Hand Cream consistently outperformed other products.  Today, the Norwegian Formula product line includes a variety of body, hand and foot moisturizers to meet your individual dry skin needs."

At the current moment, my hands aren't too horrible, but I still wanted to try this cream out.  I will agree that, immediately, I noticed a difference. My hands felt like they were softer, less dry, and almost silky.  The texture reminded me of a gel face primer.  It even has that gel-like look.  When you squirt it out, it doesn't look like a white cream, as you'd expect it to appear.  

For something that is supposed to be very moisturizing, it strikes me as odd that the third ingredient is an alcohol. I would really have liked to see that lower on the ingredient list, as the order they appear tells you what is mostly made up of.  The first two are water and glycerin, which I can appreciate. Another thing to take note of is that this seems to be loaded with parabens and sulfates. So, if you are trying to avoid products with those ingredients, this is one that will go on your "to avoid" list. 

You only need a tiny bit of this cream. I squirt about a pea to a pea and a half sized amount out onto my hand and rub that in.  That is the perfect amount.  Any more than that and you will be trying to work it up the arms to get it to rub in.  They aren't kidding when they say you only need a tiny bit. The box, again, says, "Just a little goes a long way.  This 2 oz tube contains over 200 applications."   Impressive, but to be determined later. I have definitely not tried to apply this 200 times as of yet. 

Something that caught my attention when reading up on this was that they say you can use this elsewhere.  You don't just have to use this on the expected body parts (hands and heels).  They say you can even use it on your lips!  In fact, they say, "Use it on your elbows, knees, face and lips-anywhere your dry skin needs extra help".  Whoa!  What?  Face and lips?   

I don't think I'll be trying it on my face, but I am pleased to announce it does work pretty darned well on the lips.  I had to adjust to the feeling of it, though.  I applied it and expected the feeling of a chapstick or balm...  you know, a bit of slip when I smack and rub my lips together.  This doesn't do that.  It is actually kind of sticky.  Not, gloopy sticky, but in the way that if you pressed your lips together, they sort of rolled and peeled away from each other.  The best comparison I can think of is if you were to apply Elmer's stick glue onto your fingers, wait for it to become slightly tacky, and then squish your fingers into one another. It is a lot like that.  By itself, it is rather strange.  But, I can see it being a good base under lipsticks.  The tacky texture of it would probably grip to the lips and the product you apply over the top.  It creates a sort of barrier, like a primer would.  Alone, while my lips no longer feel uncomfortable, exactly.... I like the feel of standard balms and chapsticks.  I feel like they pump actual moisture into the lips and the slick texture I am used to. This product, I feel, creates more of a protective barrier more so than hydrating. 

After doing a manicure, I did notice that if I applied this and concentrated on the nails and cuticles, it definitely helped to make the skin look more smooth. I can definitely appreciate this, especially this winter.  I wear lotion every day on my hands, but sometimes immediately after redoing my nails, the skin will look dry. That really shows up in macro shots of the manicure, too.  This absolutely helps in that area. 

My Bzz kit came with a full sized tube along with several half ounce tubes to pass out.  I have already given one to my mother and sister because they both suffer from dry skin in the winter....even more so than myself.  We'll see how it works out for them, though. 

This product is available in most stores, either in the pharmacy section or beauty.   The typical price for a 2 oz tube is $4.99.  Not too bad at all, especially if you consider it is supposed to be good for over 200 applications.  You can purchase it in the original formulation or fragrance free. 

*Product received for free through the BzzAgent.com website and the Neutrogena campaign.  All opinions are my own.  

CoverGirl Blast Flip Stick in Stunner

As a BzzAgent, I was recently invited to participate in a Cover Girl campaign.  I received three different lipsticks.  These are the BlastFlipSticks.  Their selling point is that you get two lipsticks in one.  You can create multiple looks with this one product.  You can wear each side on its own, layer them together, or create a gradient look on the lips. 

I was very excited to try these seeing as I really enjoy lip colors. People who know me know that I have quite the nail polish collection along with a ridiculously crowded lipstick drawer. Of course I was on board with testing these out!  Unfortunately, I wasn't over the moon with them.

The first thing I noticed upon application was how crumbly they went on.  I have rarely experienced this. As I was swiping it on, it would sort of ball up and crumble away!  What was happening?  I had to take my finger and smooth it onto the lips. 

Further, they are so full of shimmer.  The base color has little gold glitters in it, which on its own is quite bold.  It would be okay...maybe...in the summer.  Even then, though, I'm not a big shimmer or glitter fan.  Not in my lip products.  Of course, this is a personal preference.  I know some people absolutely ADORE shimmer and glitter in their glosses and lipsticks. However, as if that weren't enough, the second side had even MORE shimmer in it!  Ugh, too much shimmer for me.  It was shimmer overload. 

Another thing that I didn't like was the smell.  It was very wax-like and reminded me of lipsticks that you would purchase years ago.  Some people will be happy about this because of sensitivities to added in fragrance (like vanilla and such).  I would have enjoyed a bit of something added to these, though.

Something I can't deny is the wear time.  The pink of this particular one really seemed to cling to my lips.  It almost created a stain on my lips.  Even after it had dulled down and wasn't fresh and vibrant, there was still a decent hint of pink left behind. There was also that pesky glitter, though.  ::grumble::

Over all, this just didn't work for me.  I really wanted to like it.  Of all of them, I thought this would be the one I would like the most.  It seemed to be the one that was most popular, too!  I just can't get on board with it, though.  I would have to say you should pass on this. :-(

*Product received for free from BzzAgent.com through their CoverGirl campaign.  All opinions are my own!

Thierry Mugler Alien (EDP)

Alien is a rather popular perfume by Thierry Mugler.  It was launched in 2005 and created by Dominique Ropion and Laurent Bruyere.  Most people will know of Angel, but Alien is supposed to take to the other side of the spectrum.

I bought this one as another blind buy.  For the most part, those who test Alien can clearly tell you if they love or hate it.  There is a small group that are torn, but that is a small percentage.  I find that I fall in that middle crowd.

When I first put this perfume on, it opens extremely strong.  I am talking bowl-you-over heavy! The scent is sharp and thick with jasmine. I am very glad I read a ton of reviews before I ever wore this perfume because I knew to apply lightly.  I put one little dab onto my wrist and then rubbed them together.  That was more than enough.  I could smell this even when my arms were down at my sides.  That should give you an idea of just how strong this perfume is.  I didn't enjoy the deep inhale of it as it was just too much.  However, a light whiff of it was okay from afar.

After about 30 minutes it does soften up, but it is still quite strong.  I wouldn't say that it has become very mild like some perfumes will have done after a half hour.  This is still rather fresh and pungent.  However, at this point it takes on something of a soapy quality.  It starts to remind me of that fresh from the shower kind of smell.  It seems artificial...the scents I pick up on are definitely not natural-found ones.

After an hour, it is finally working its way into something I can start to enjoy. I am able to breathe it in more deeply to pick up on more notes besides strong, harsh jasmine. The smell of jasmine is still there, don't get me wrong, but it is more tame and settled in.  I can now pick up on the amber note, which makes it a tiny bit more welcoming. Initially, it is rather stand-offish but the amber brings a bit of coziness.  Don't let that fool you, though.  This is most definitely NOT a cozy scent, over all.   It is more sweet and sexy, though, at this point.

Somehow this is a complex perfume, yet only contains three notes! So many perfumes are a hodge-podge of three dozen scents fighting for their shining moment yet you'll never detect them all.

This is another fragrance that a lot of men will wear, too.  I smell a very womanly fragrance from this one.  I don't remotely pick up on anything that hints at a masculine fragrance.  I have tried and tried to figure out how a man would wear this one, but I just can't.  And a lot of male reviews are out there about this perfume. To me, it is a bomb of femininity!


This isn't at all a "warm" fragrance.  It is quite "cold", in fact. I like scents that meld with the skin and have that cozy kind of feel when you smell them.  This doesn't at all do that for me. It seems to be a perfume that sits on top of the skin.

I also find this to be a perfume for the more mature crowd.  I really cannot see a young girl pulling this one off.   I'd say mid to late 20's and beyond is the age range for Alien (and part of me feels that is even pushing it).

Over all, I will say it again.  I am of the minority who fall in that middle ground.  I don't absolutely hate this perfume, though I definitely don't adore it.  I don't enjoy the opening, as it reminds me of a funeral home.  After it has calmed down and the hints of warmth have crept in, I do think it is more pleasant to wear.  It still isn't enough to push me to reach for this bottle over others, though. I feel it is worth the scent experience for everyone to try.  I do believe it is worthy of that much.

November Favorites

This month, the family has been battling colds and allergies, so for the most part, I have been extremely simplistic with my makeup.   I have been wearing products that would erase discoloration and/or bring life to my face, but haven't messed too much with fun eye looks.  That is why you aren't seeing any eyeshadows.  I did wear them, just not enough to be included in a "favorites" post.

The products I used to create the illusion of a more alive and awake face were items by Maybelline, Coty, and Sonia Kashuk.  I started by covering any blemishes or red areas with the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette.  I don't really mess with the deepest shade or the powder.  I stay in the lightest cream shade and the green. Then, I will use the product in the little pot.  That is actually one of the Maybelline Age rewind concealers.  It is the one in the Brightening shade.  My tube broke, though, so I had to depot it.  That is where it lives now. That goes under my eye area and a little bit down the center of my nose.  I think it actually works well to bring light down the center of the face that way. On a good day, I will stop there and just set it with the Coty Air Spun Loose powder.  Now, if I feel I need more coverage, I will have started with the Maybelline foundation at the very beginning.  I like this foundation when it gets colder.  I know these Maybelline concealers are supposed to be for under the eyes, but I have found that certain shades can work on blemishes too!  However, don't dab them directly on the blemish.  Dot some out onto your hand (or palette) and then use a finger to pick it up and onto that area (or with a brush).

The lip balm I have been using will come as no surprise.  It is the Jack Black Lemon & Chamomile lip balm. I love this one so much. I feel like it really hydrates and heals chapped lips better than other products. It has been in a lot of "favorites."  

The blush is Sonia Kashuk in the color Flamingo.  This may seem like an odd color choice since we are in the middle of fall.  I found that this particular pink gave the perfect "came-in-from-the-cold" kind of glow.  Plus, when I'm not wearing much else, it bring just a bit of life and color to my face without screaming that I am wearing a blush.  

The Mascara I have been reaching for is one that I had forgotten how much I enjoyed.  It is the Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara.  It is in the regular formulation because I don't care for waterproof mascaras. While this doesn't add thickness to my lashes, I love the length that it gives.  I don't have long lashes but when I put this on they look quite impressive!

Finally, is the perfume I have worn most often.  While I, probably, prefer one of the other Lolita Lempicka perfumes that I recently purchased over this one, this is the bottle that I have actually worn the most.  It is just the original Lolita Lempicka.   I do have a review on the scent of it.  It is one that I'd highly recommend checking out.

I wanted to get this post up a couple of days ago, but with not feeling my best, I am in a bit of a slump and haven't done much in the way of blogging or preparing/taking photos.  My nails are also in a rut, but I am trying to pump moisture into them so, hopefully, they'll get some length back on them.  I would like to get at least a couple of holiday designs up on the nail blog.

Scented Wax Warmers

A few posts back I had mentioned how much I enjoy burning the scented wax bars.  Once I realized that the bars and the warmers are being sold in so many more stores, I decided to take a peek at the selection of warmers that are out.  I wanted to pick up a couple more anyway.  I didn't buy these on Black Friday, but I did get them on, what I believe was, their Black Friday sale. 

For some reason my son really took to the seashell one.  I have no idea why, but he insisted that be one of the two we selected.  I wasn't going to argue because I actually quite like it, too!  As you can see, we got a direct wall plug in (the seashell one) and a table top warmer.  The table top warmer is called the teardrop.  It is in a neutral color, which I selected because I figured no matter which room I put it in, it would match.  Plus, if I ever change up the decor, it would still match.  

I have said this before, but I love these because they are an affordable way to add a bit of decoration to a room plus add some fragrance.  You can reuse them over and over, unlike a candle.  Let me rephrase that.  You can reuse a candle until it burns down.  At that point you have to chuck it.  You can use the glass for something else if you choose, but the candle, itself, is gone.  Here, you have to buy the wax bars, but you will always have the lovely warmer to use over and over again. For me, I prefer something like this.

I think they make fantastic gifts, and we are in that time of year where people are looking for gift ideas.  Around mother's day of this year I gifted these out to all of the women in my family, along with a single wax bar that I thought they might like.  So many people receive the baskets of lotion and candles, but I think this is something different and probably unexpected.  I'd guess not many of them would expect to get a warmer.

This is just my two cents!  Take it for what it is worth! :-)

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation

Finding a foundation is one of those struggles that most of us experience. Whether you want to buy from the drugstore or from the department store, it seems it is always hard to find a formulation that will agree with your skin's chemistry as well as be a perfect color match. I thought I had found the perfect liquid foundation, for me, in Revlon Colorstay. 

I bought this at Target towards the end of October.  I selected the version that is made for combination/oily skin, seeing as I have oily skin.  I chose the color 150 Buff.  This was actually an accident.  I thought I chose the Ivory one.  It wasn't until I had gotten home that I realized someone placed Buff in the wrong slot.  All worked out fine, though, because this ended up being a perfect color match for me.  

Everything seemed to be going well.  The color matched me perfectly.  It didn't oxidize throughout the day.  It would stay in place and not transfer onto clothing or anything else.  It controlled oil, which no other foundation had been able to do.  By the end of the day, my foundation looked just as nice as it did when I first put it on!  I was certain this was going to be my "holy grail" foundation.  In fact, I was so thrilled with it, that it made it into one of my "favorites" posts!

There were some minor downsides.  It had a strong paint smell to it.  I had never known any other foundation to smell identical to a bucket of paint that I would slather onto the walls in my home.  However, that would go away after application, so I dismissed it.   

This is a foundation that dries quickly. Because of this point, you have to work in sections.  You can't really dot it on and then blend. You must work section by section across the face and blend as you go.  This was something that I had to get used to, but nothing that I felt was worth discontinuing use over. 

This foundation can look cakey if you aren't careful.  You will look like someone inexperienced with foundation, who has just discovered this bottle of liquid face mask, and slathered it 3 inches thick.  Be careful!  I didn't like the way it applied with brushes.  I did apply with a wet Sonia Kashuk sponge and it worked out nice, but I still felt as though I was wasting product into the sponge.  I decided I preferred my fingers the most.

Now for the major negative for me.  I kept wearing this wonderful foundation because I was convinced it was amazing.  I am someone who doesn't wear liquid foundation every day.  I don't feel that I need to.  I wear it for special occasions and on the weekends if I am testing out a look or the product, itself.  Each time I would wear this foundation, the next day or two days later I would have horrible break outs.  I have never had a foundation break me out in the way that this does.  I am on medications that a dermatologist has given me.  Even those meds couldn't keep the breakouts at bay!  Because this is a known long-wearing foundation, I took special care to be certain I removed every trace of it.  I would get in the shower, moisten my face very well, apply and massage in some coconut oil (this is what I use to remove all traces of waterproof makeup too--it works wonders!), cleanse with my regular face wash.  Once out of the shower, I'd use my alcohol-free astringent on a textured cotton pad to remove any traces that might have been left behind, and moisturize.  That wasn't even enough because, without fail, I'd wind up breaking out after wearing this foundation.

I was so disappointed.  I tried over and over, hoping I'd conclude it was something else.  Ultimately, I had to return it to Target.  Because I had heard that so many people have issues with Revlon foundations, I had held onto my receipt just incase... and I'm glad I did.  It was an easy return.  I ended up repurchasing the Olay ProX brush (which I love, but ruined a few months back when I left it in a puddle of water in a shower basket...which lead to battery erosion and destroying the inside...eek! Don't do that!)

I am sad that it didn't work out because the positive points with this foundation had me very excited that it would be my "holy grail", but I just can't deal with the painful breakouts that it brought on.  That, for me, just isn't worth it. So, I am still on my search for something that will hold up through the day, not oxidize, not turn oily, be a good color match, not break me out, and not cost me an arm and a leg. Good luck, right?

Happy Thanksgiving

Viva La Juicy Perfume

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy is a guilty little pleasure.  I know so many people feel that it is a teenage scent, but I like it.  I am 26 and have no problem admitting that I really enjoy the way it smells. 

It opens with a splash of citrus and flower. The citrus is the stronger of the two but I can't say I smell only citrus.  I definitely pick up on a floral note.  I think it can be a bit sharp initially, but on me, it dies down quickly.  It settles onto the skin in a matter of five to ten minutes, tops.

Once it has settled for a little while I still smell the same notes, but much more relaxed. However, saying that, there is a distinctive sharp note.  I think I am picking up on the jasmine that is in it. The citrus is still there but less fresh.  It isn't just-cut-through-citrus-rind anymore.

Everyone says they pick up on a lot of caramel or burnt sugar, but I'll be honest, I don't.  Yes it is sweet and yes there is a sugar-like quality in there.  I just don't pick that up as one of the leading smells.  Perhaps that is just the way it works with my body chemistry.  I actually wish I did pick up more on a caramel sweetness.   Truly, I only pick up on anything similar to these notes at the very, very end when there is hardly any smell left. It is hard to tell at that point. 

I, personally, don't find this to be a wisp of a fragrance. It has kick and zip to it.  I find it works very good in the warmer months.  I wore it a lot in the summer and loved it.  I didn't think it was too heavy yet I think it stands up better than some of the aquatic kind of scents. 

Scented Wax Bars

Something I have been very interested in for the past seven month or so has been scented wax bars.  I bought my first flameless wax warmer in early spring and instantly became hooked.  The first warmer I had was a table top plug-in. Quickly after realizing how much I enjoyed it, I went back and bought a smaller version to plug directly into the outlet. Those are perfect for bathrooms and hallways. At the time, the only places I knew to find the scented bars, were either directly from the original source, (or the first source that I had ever heard of) Scentsy, or to go to Walmart.  Walmart was always the option I chose because it was easier for me.  I didn't have to find a rep to order through, I could smell the bar before I bought it, and they were cheaper by more than half the price off.  Walmart sold two brands, initially.  They had the Better Homes and Gardens brand and ScentSationals brand.  Later, they introduced a Paula Dean collection. 

It would seem that scented wax bars are becoming very popular, and understandably!  They're amazing!  You can turn the warmer on and not worry about a fire sparking.  The wax gets warm but won't scald the skin should it get on you.  I would say these are a safer option for those with small children and/or animals. 

  

The scent options seem limitless!  Especially as more time goes by and more stores and companies catch on, the selection becomes even larger.  There is always the core selection of fragrance to choose from, but each holiday and new season that rolls around, special batches come out that are "limited edition."

These are becoming easier and easier to come by.  Where previously it seemed you could only get them through Scentsy or Walmart, now they are popping up everywhere.  About a month ago, I was shopping in Kroger (a grocery store) and in their Christmas holiday aisle they had their seasonal candles on display.  Right there with the candles were about 8 different scented wax bars.  Two weekends ago, I was in my dollar store and in their candle aisle they had their own brand of wax bars.  Their selection was limited to about 6 different scents, but it was a start!  This past weekend, I was in Meijer and they are now selling wax bars.  I think they have a couple of different brands being sold.  I know for a fact they are selling the ScentSationals. Their selection of ScentSationals is larger, and with different options, than the Walmart one. 

Further good news!  If you are wanting to buy wax bars from the store, it would seem that no matter where you choose to spend your money, it will only run you $2.00 per bar. Scentsy is more expensive still, but the stores all have lower prices and all seem to be agreeing that $2.00 will be the going rate. 

My collection of scent bars is becoming quite large.  For a couple of dollars, I can justify buying a new bar pretty often to keep my home smelling nice.  I have recently been buying more fall/winter appropriate scents. A couple of weeks back I bought some Christmas specific bars.  This past weekend, I bought some nice cold weather scents. They're all cozy smells. 

The first two are Gooey Marshmallow S'more, which is quite chocolate-y, and Sugared Vanilla Shortbread, which makes me want to take a bit out of it.  It is quite sweet.

The next two are Fragrant Evergreen Forest and Warm Crackling Campfire.  Fragrant Evergreen Forest is as you might imagine; it smells like a pine forest.  It is a good Christmas tree scent. Warm Crackling Campfire doesn't exactly smell like a campfire.  I do pick up on some smokey and, perhaps, cedar notes.  However, this mostly smells like some sort of incense to me.

As for the warmers, themselves, you can pick up the table top warmers for right around $15.00 and the wall plug-ins for around $10.00.  The prices vary a bit, depending on the design.  I think some of the holiday ones can run a little bit more.  I still think that is quite a fair price for something that is ceramic and can be used over and over.  The only thing you'll  have to replace is the bulb when it has burnt out. If you consider how much the average person spends on scented candles from shops like Bath & Body Works, this is a serious bargain!

Bath & Body Works Sensual Amber

Sensual Amber was given to me by a coworker several years back before I became a stay at home mom. She had bought it and disliked the way it smelled on herself.  It just didn't mix well with her body chemistry, I suppose.  I'm thankful for that because I loved it!  I was glad to take it off her hands.

I only wear this one in the fall and winter because it can be strong.  I feel it is too strong for the spring and summer.  It has a cozy, warm quality to it that is perfect for the colder months. Even then, I only spritz it lightly to the wrists, and if I'm feeling bold, a bit to either the decollete or the back of the neck. Never both!

It opens pretty heavy.  It has an immediate rush of amber.  It isn't masked at all.  Pure amber! If you are unsure of your feelings about amber fragrance, this will make you face them and come to a conclusion. If you dislike amber, you will hate this one.  If you enjoy amber, you will probably adore it.

After about 15-20 minutes it calms down some.  It still isn't a soft, whisper of a scent. You will be noticed when you walk past someone. You are absolutely going to leave a trail blazing behind you. At this point, though, the creamy vanilla comes in and mingles with the amber.  It creates something magical and sexy. I visualize an evening with candles lit.  It is quite a sexy, intimate fragrance in my opinion.

Somewhere creeping in after about 30 minutes are the tiniest traces of plum.  I mean, the very smallest hints. I have to really be sniffing close against the skin to detect it. Even then I always question myself thinking, "Mmm, I smelled something a bit fruity and fresh...didn't I? Yes? Maybe? A little bit?" It is there, but it isn't prominent.

For the remainder of the wear, this is a sultry vanilla-amber that lingers on the skin for a long time.  I love this stuff. I have heard that once they repackaged their products, the scent changed just a bit, but I don't know for certain.  I haven't checked any of the new bottles.  The bottle I have is one of the original ones.

Top: plum, forest fruits, bergamot
Mid: iris, orange blossom, white rose, lotus
Base: sandalwood, amber, patchouli, musk, vanilla, praline

Exceptional...Because You Are Perfume

Please forgive the glare!

This is the second of two perfume samples that I received when I placed an order with Fragrancenet.  This is called Exceptional...Because You Are.  They have one for women and one for men.   Like Simply Belle, it is made by Exceptional Parfums.

I don't know how "exceptional" this one really is.  It definitely reminds me of something, but I can't put my finger on what.  I'm wracking my brain trying to sort through scent memory to figure it out.   Since this is a fragrance that was launched in 2008, it leads me to believe it is a dupe of something on the market already (because I feel that the scent memory I am experiencing is dated beyond 4 years ago) or has extremely similar notes.

When I first put this on, it opened with overwhelmingly strong floral scent.  I am talking a strength that could nearly knock you over. Even my husband (whom has been forced kindly agreed to smell my wrist with each new perfume I have worn) reacted with, "That is really strong flowers. Did you just put that on?"

After about 15-20 minutes the flower did die down.  It didn't, at all, go away.  It just wasn't at the point where you were going to get a headache from it....or the risk decreased, anyway.   A hint of citrus inched forward.  It is a timid citrus and just barely there, though.  I saw one person say they think there must be some honeysuckle in it and I have to agree.  I can only detect it, though, if I get right up next to the skin and take a couple of deep breaths.  It is delicate and light.  I wish that particular note were pumped up and brought out more.

Once you get beyond the initial flower assault in the opening application of this perfume, I don't think it is so horrible.  At least not as horrible as everyone else has made it out to be. I don't detect the crazy notes of poison and fumes.  Maybe I am just the odd ball here. Saying that, though, I definitely don't think the name "Exceptional" should be given to this perfume.  It really isn't exceptional.

Over all, this isn't a scent for very young women. Further, I can safely say this is a perfume that a majority wouldn't enjoy and a lot of people would probably get a headache from (this is extremely clear from other's reviews).  I wouldn't wear this in an office setting where your coworkers are likely to become frustrated sitting near you and have to suffer smelling you all day long.  While I, personally, don't hate it, I don't think it is for me.

Simply Belle Perfume

Simply Belle is a perfume that I received as a sample vile in my order that I placed with fragrancenet. I can't tell you what pushed me into sampling it at this point in time.  I suppose curiosity.  I had sniffed the little vile of it, but that is no way to experience a fragrance.  I wanted to know how it would unfold on the skin.  I'm not disappointed, yet at the same time I'm not head over heels for this particular perfume.

Simply Belle was created in 2011 by Exceptional Parfums.  It is categorized as a floral fragrance.    I would definitely say it is a true floral. There is no questioning that.  Pretty much all the way through, from the moment you apply it, to the point when the scent vanishes, you will experience a bouquet of flowers.

It opened with a burst of citrus.  It was a very fresh, true orange smell.  It was kind of nice.  It had a zingy quality to it that I liked. Unfortunately, that was fleeting.  It lasted no more than a minute or two.

The citrus was replaced by a nondescript floral bomb. It was a bit overwhelming at first and extremely powdery.  My husband even commented that he smelled something that he could only describe as powder.  Not necessarily baby powder, just powder.  It is the kind of powder that feels as though it has stuck in the back of your throat.

Thank goodness the suffocating sensation passed after around 15 minutes.  Yes, I suffered for around 15 minutes just to find out what was behind the wall of powdery flowers.  It was more flowers! Oh exciting day!  The good news, however, is that it was a soft, small bouquet of flowers or perhaps just the tiniest whiff you'd get on a walk through a garden on a spring day.  It wasn't as though someone was shoving six dozen mixed flowers into my face at once.

Finally, the tiniest hints of vanilla came into play.  I wish they were more prominent, though.  They were too faint to be fully enjoyed.  Even in the base I still get mostly floral notes.  I feel like this was a missed mark.  I think they could have kicked up the vanilla a bit more and still allowed the floral to dance on the top, but sweetened it up.

I think you have to really love floral fragrances to enjoy this perfume. You won't pick up on much else. I think they hit the mark, though, with what they were going for (it just isn't for me).  It is a very "pretty" perfume.  In that, I mean it is demure, light-hearted, and not very exciting.  It is flouncy and reminds me of vintage oils that ladies would have worn in Victorian times.  Crinolines and corsets come to mind.

Over all, I think this is a decent, light fragrance that is good for applying after a shower or in the summer.  It has a clean, almost floraly soap-like smell to it that would be perfect to extend out your "just stepped from the shower" scent or to wear on scorching summer days.  Because of the clean scent it has, it could be very refreshing and not sticky for hot summers. Just make sure you really enjoy pure floral fragrances first.

Lolita Lempicka Forbidden Flower Perfume

Please don't mind the watermark to my nail blog. I had put the photos together before this blog was up and running.  Originally, the review was going to be placed on the other blog. :-)

I wasn't going to review this one yet just because it isn't exactly the "right" season for it (according to majority).  However, I didn't want to end up forgetting about it, so I will just go ahead and get it out there now.  This one is Lolita Lempicka Forbidden Flower.  It was created in 2008 by Annick Menardo, who also created the original Lolita Lempicka, but not the L De Lolita Lempicka (both of which I have already done reviews on).  This is considered a fruity floral gourmand fragrance.

This one is a little bit reminiscent of Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka, I'm assuming because of its violet note.  It (the violet) doesn't seem as soft and powdery as it did in the original Lolita Lempicka.  It seemed more classic and vintage in that one and fresh in this one.  While this one opens pretty quickly with violet (more so than the original) it still isn't the first thing I pick up on.  The extreme first scent I get is fresh cut grass or leaves.  Not dry, dead leaves but fresh spring or summer leaves.  It seems like an usual smell but it works very, very well in a scent directed for that time of year.

I know there are peony notes in this perfume, but on me they seem pretty light.  They don't stand out very strong.  I know most of you will be familiar with, say, the peony scent from Bath & Body Works. While I enjoy that scent because I can recall my grandmother always wearing it, this isn't the same.  It is softer in this perfume.  It isn't as sharp. It melds and blends in better here.

After a little while, I pick up on hints of dark cherry.  It is the strangest thing because it isn't settled there.  I can take a whiff and smell it and think "yum, that smells really nice" and so I'll sniff again, but get NOTHING in the way of that cherry scent.  It comes and goes.   When it is there it is a pleasant surprise.  This is the start of the cherry rolling in, because give it about an hour after initial application and BAM!  Chocolate covered cherries!  I get the sensation of the deliciousness that is inside of a chocolate covered cherry, you know, the cherry syrup that surrounds the actual berry PLUS that cherry.  Yum!

What lingers, and is the last thing I detect, I can't figure out.  I can tell you it smells clean.  It has a soap kind of smell, but not at all in a bad way. It definitely smells like one of the bar soaps I have used at some point in my adult life, though. I want to say one of the Olay ones. And that might make sense because I think they may have had some kind of "Cherry Honey" or "Cherry Almond" scented one. It isn't offensive and I think most people would enjoy it.  If you were to go in for a hug/handshake with someone or sweep past a person, you'd just smell....clean.

While this perfume opens very crisp and a bit sharp, I think the dry down on it could work perfectly in the cooler months, too.  It has a cozy smell to it that I enjoy when it is chilly, but also that clean aroma that would be refreshing in scorching temperatures.  Let's just be fair and call this one a year round appropriate perfume.  I think most people will find this one easier to wear than the original Lolita Lempicka.

The official notes of this perfume are...
top: strawberry leaf, mimose, green notes
middle: peony, violet, anise
base: almond, cherry, musk

L De Lolita Lempicka Perfume

Please don't mind the watermark to my nail blog.  I had put the photos together before I had this blog up and going.  Originally, the reviews were going to be placed on that blog.

This is the second of three Lolita Lempica perfumes that I recently purchased.  This was the perfume that initially called my attention and started my purchase. As I researched Lolita Lempicka, I became intrigued and just kept adding more from that house to my cart.  While the original Lolita Lempicka was created by Annick Menardo, L De Lolita Lempicka was not.  This one was created by Maurice Roucel in 2006. He is known for other fragrances such as DKNY Be Delicious for women, Guess for women, Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Love, etc.

Looking at the fun, blue bottle with gold netting on it you'd think this would have a very beachy, tropical smell.  Not even a little bit. That couldn't be further from the reality of what is inside.  The juice is the complete opposite of what you're anticipating.  For me, this is absolutely a fall/winter perfume that is more warm and cozy.  It isn't something I'd want to sport in hot weather.  While talking about the bottle and the juice inside...this is one that is notorious for being finicky and changing color.  It starts out as a beautiful blue, but because of the vanilla in it, it can change to a dark amber color if exposed to light over a period of time.  It won't change the scent at all, but will change the appearance.  Just a heads up that I felt I should mention.

This one opens in a very, very strong wall of black licorice.  I find this incredibly strange because no where is licorice or anise listed as one of the notes for top, middle, or base.  It is nowhere to be found.  However, I swear to you that is what it opens up to me as. Thank goodness this only lasts for about 2 minutes, though. If it lasted any longer I would give up on this perfume. They claim it is a bitter orange to open.

Once it starts to settle on the skin it starts to warm.  The licorice nearly completely goes away.  There is the very tiniest hint remaining...and from someone who doesn't care for licorice scents, it is nice.  Just the tiniest bit is actually nice.  It is so small that it works in the over-all picture of the fragrance.  I can smell cinnamon rolling in and warming up the whole fragrance.  It becomes a more cozy perfume.  I can pick up on hints of vanilla but it mixes with the cinnamon and keeps it from being a typical vanilla that you'd find in every fragrance store in the fall/winter.

The longer it sits the stronger the vanilla comes out.  It remains a warm vanilla, though.  A warm, musky vanilla is the only thing that comes to mind.  It isn't a cheap, artificial kind of vanilla.  It is delicious.  I watched a video by RedHeadPHD on YouTube, who described this as an orange glazed cinnamon roll scent...  I can kind of see that.  For me, that comes in to play once it has been on the skin for about an hour and some odd minutes, though.  It is once it has really settled down that it turns to a glazed cinnamon pastry.

While this has sweet, foodie notes, I don't think this is an overly young scent.  I don't think the teenage crowd would enjoy it overly much.  I think the women in their 20s and beyond who still enjoy a delicious gourmand but don't want to smell like the zillions of others wearing foodie smells are the ones who will most appreciate this perfume.

There are a lot of MEN who like to wear this perfume.  I don't know...  wearing it, myself, I can't imagine my husband wearing it.  I don't know that I'd enjoy smelling it on him. There are notes that make it so that I can understand men pulling it off, but I can say I don't want my husband wearing it.  Especially once it has fully reached its base notes, I don't think I'd like like it as much on a man.  But, to each their own, right?  If you are a man who enjoys scents marketed towards women, so be it! And the other way around.  This is just my two cents.

I already said in my review of Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka that I will be enjoying that one through the colder months.  The same goes for this one.  I will be alternating between the two and then an amber fragrance I have in my collection. This is the perfect time to fully enjoy L, I think. It has the coziness that meshes well with with the chill in the air and the layering of scarves, boots, and sweaters. Plus, I enjoy that it really clings.  When I say that, I mean it CLINGS!  This baby isn't going anywhere once you have spritzed it on. I can put some on at, say, noon and go about my day, shower at night, go to sleep, wake up the next morning and late in the morning I will still detect traces of it on my wrists.  I suppose it is a good thing that I absolutely adore this perfume, huh?

The official notes are:
top: bitter orange, bergamont
middle: immortelle, cinnamon, musk
base: tonka bean, vanilla, sandalwood

Lolita Lempicka Perfume

Don't mind the watermark to my nail blog. I put the photos together before I created this sub-blog and had thought the perfumes were amazing enough that they warranted a post (even on a nail blog!).

I am having a love affair with my new Lolita Lempicka perfumes.  This one is the original.  It is Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka.  It was created in 1997 by Annick Menardo, who is known for creating other perfumes like Hypnotic Poison, Armani Attitude for men, etc.  This perfume is a fun twist of changing scents.  They're kind of unexpected and don't seem like they'd belong together.  Somehow, though, they work and mesh perfectly with one another and play nice together.

When I first put this on I definitely picked up on a licorice note.  It wasn't a strong black licorice but perhaps a bit more soft like anise. That is not my favorite of smells. However, because that is the top note, it fades away rather quickly. Even with it not being a favorite smell of mine, it wasn't cringe-worthy.  It had a fresh, crisp quality to it.  It was almost refreshing in a way.

In a matter of a couple moments, it took on a slightly powdery quality.  I can see some saying that it is granny-ish, but I find it nice.  It does remind me of something I would find at my grandmother's dressing table.  I do get immediate images and flashbacks of playing at my grandma's mirrored vanity table, rummaging in her makeup and swiping on her little sample lipsticks that she kept for her dozens of grandchildren.

Hanging on heavily is violets.  I couldn't figure it out immediately, though it only took a few seconds for me to realize it was violets.  I don't know why I didn't remember hearing violets in the reviews I read/saw for it.  It is as plain as day in there. It isn't hiding in the slightest bit.  I love violets.  I don't mean to compare it in any way to this, but there was a 2005 limited edition Bath & Body Works spring fragrance that was put out which I adored.  I tried to buy as much of it as I could so that I wouldn't run out.  I loved it so much.  I still have one single body splash bottle left...but only half remains.  I would bathe in the stuff if I could get away with it.  Violets are such a beautiful scent, in my opinion.  In fact, I have recently been researching to find a new perfume or splash to replace it.  Well, the violet in Lolita Lempicka is clean and strong...yet soft and feminine.

After a couple of hours all the powder goes away and it takes on a candied kind of smell. Candied violets? Is that possible?  I don't know. Violet is still there but oh so faint. I definitely pick up on the vanilla more at this point, though. It is a sexy, musky vanilla with hints of violet.  The dry down is very pretty with this one.  Another note that seems to linger the longer it wears is tobacco.   Though I had known it was there from initially reading the list of ingredient notes, I didn't really pick it up the first time I wore the perfume.  However, the second time I had it on, I kept smelling something that I couldn't put my finger on.  I pulled up the listing of the notes again and there it was.  It hit me that what I was picking up was the tobacco.  It kind of takes me by surprise that I am smelling it, but it is there.  It is a creamy, almost vanilla-tobacco. It is very smooth.

All day I just keep smelling my wrists.  It is such an irresistible perfume. I was looking for something nice to wear this fall and winter and this one really fits the bill to perfection. I'm glad I didn't write this one off based on the top notes that are initially there.  If I had been sweeping through a department store, sprayed this on one of the paper sheets to test and smelled it, I'd have been turned off.  Rarely do I allow a perfume to set longer than a moment...just enough for me to determine if I like the opening of it... and that is a shame.  If I had done that, I'd have missed out on this glorious fragrance. The opening of it only lasts for a couple of minutes, at most, and then it is violet bouquets that later roll into light vanilla musk.

The official listing for the notes are....
top: mahogany,pineapple, violet, ivy, anise, lemon
middle: iris, amaryllis, jasmine, vetiver, lily,licorice, orris root
base: tonka bean, almond, vanilla, vetiver, heliotrope, white musk, tobacco, praline

Shopping Cheaper-Shopping Smarter

These sweaters were something of an unplanned purchase.  We were out buying stuff for our son because he needed his wardrobe updated for the cooler weather.  We hadn't been to Marshalls or TJMaxx in a long time, so decided to make that our pit stop. I had assumed that I would be able to find some nice shirts for my son, but at a marked down price.  Well, I did find some very nice sweaters and long sleeved shirts (and we did buy them), but they were pretty much the same price as where we'd normally buy them. Don't get me wrong, they probably were marked down in comparison to the original store they were sold at, but for a child that is growing out of his clothes every season, I'm not buying him department store tshirts at $30 a pop. There is absolutely no point in my eyes. If you choose to do that for your own child, more power to you. Lesson learned, though. I found that just some of the adult shirts and jeans actually save me money. 

The first sweater I picked up is a loose, open knit J.J. Basics.  The coloring seems rather off in the photo.  In person it is coral and turquoise, which seems strange for a knit sweater, but is a fun "pop" for the chilly months.  It keeps it bright and from becoming drab. In the picture it looks kind of murky, but it isn't in reality. The back is slightly longer than in the front.  Not a lot, just a touch.  I like that this sweater is a bit slouchy and doesn't hug the body too much.

This next sweater is another open knit.  It is in a deep grey and is made by the brand Wearing Your ❤ On Your Sleeve.  I can't really find anything about this brand when I try to search for them.  If anyone knows anything about the brand, let me know.  They're a mystery to me!  This is another that is cozy, even though it is open.  It is snug where it needs to be, but doesn't cling all along the torso.  Just how I like my sweaters!

This last sweater is one from American Eagle Outfitters. When I saw it on the rack I thought it looked loud and a bit obnoxious but something about wanting to add color to my wardrobe for the colder months made me pick it up anyway.  I'm glad I did.  When I tried it on, it was oddly interesting...in a good way!  It was cute and fun!  It has a 3/4 length sleeve and is, obviously, much thicker than the first two sweaters.  It cuts shorter as well, but nothing that you'd have to worry about your stomach suddenly showing or anything.  Not quite that short. Though, for my own personal comfort, I probably will still have a longer white tank under it, as I do for all of my shirts that cut at that length.  Once I hit mommy-mode, I don't ever chance the "lean over and accidentally flash the tops of your delicates" incident. 

I also bought a new pair of jeans, but for some reason in the transfer of the photos, the image only half transferred so I just deleted it.  They weren't anything special.  Just trust me when I say they were a skinny cut, dark wash blue jean. :-)

Coconut Oil To Shave?

YES! Coconut oil is amazing to use as your "lubricant" for shaving. I wish I had learned about this earlier.  Heck, I wish I had known I could use coconut oil when I first started shaving.  It would have saved me a world of trouble, dealing with razor burn and itchiness. 

Really, any coconut oil would work.  Currently, I am using the Whole Foods generic store brand: 365 Everyday Value. This particular jar is the organic, refined coconut oil that has been expeller pressed.  I accidentally picked this one up when I meant to get the unrefined.  The unrefined would have been more pure and also would have had more coconut smell and taste to it.  Mine has zero of either. Bummer.

As you can see from the photo looking into the jar, mine looks like a disgusting mess.  I promise you it isn't.  I don't ever stick my fingers into the jar.  I only scoop out what I need with a spoon and then store the jar away again.  I had bought it with the intentions to use it to cook with and to remove my makeup.  I rarely cook with it.  I think I have cooked with it twice.  I just prefer to use extra virgin olive oil. However, I do use it to remove my makeup.  It is the best makeup remover I have ever used.   It is also the best shave gel? cream?......OIL.... I have ever used!

The melting point is right around 76 degrees F, so when I take my little bowl to the shower it is still mostly solid.  It is more of a mush, but you get the idea.  If the heat from your shower doesn't turn it into a liquid by the time you are ready to use it, all you have to do is scoop it up into your hand and let it set for a few seconds and it will melt down. I slather it onto one leg at a time. Shave. Repeat on other leg. 

I haven't noticed it damaging or gunking up the razor in any way.  I had some concerns about that when I initially decided to try this method out.  As the oil settles onto the skin it doesn't have the same kind of slip as soap or traditional shave gel, but the end result is more ideal for me.  I have very sensitive skin and no matter what product I use, I would end up with tight, itchy, sometimes burning skin that made me run for my bottle of lotion.  Even after bathing in a bottle of lotion, I'd still often end up with ugly little red bumps.  It was horrible!  The closest I have come to not experiencing those horrors was when I started using the Gillette Venus & Olay razor for women. The Olay strip on that razor seems to be the trick, but the downside is that it doesn't last nearly as long as I would hope, and is gone long before the life of the blade is through.  And before someone suggests "why not try using Olay soap instead, then?" ....That was one of my very first thoughts.  I did that.  It just wasn't the same. 

The coconut oil moisturizes and protects the skin at the same time so I never get the irritation that I usually get from other shave products.  I can get out of the shower and still feel like my skin is being "coated" by the oil.  It doesn't bother me because it will sink in and it doesn't have the gross slip that some other oils have.  In fact, I like to have a tiny bit of extra coconut oil in my bowl for after I have finished shaving.  I will rub it on just before I step out of the shower.  This eliminates the step of applying lotion.

All in all, coconut oil is a miracle product for so many reasons.  There are a zillion and three uses for it and I have yet to be let down.  I will most assuredly be sharing some of the discoveries I have made in the future.  I just keep stumbling upon new uses for it!  I highly, HIGHLY suggest running to your nearest natural food market (or the natural food aisles in your regular grocery store) and grabbing a jar of pure coconut oil to try out for yourself. 

If you are already using coconut oil to replace a particular product, please share!  I'd love to know how you are using it and may want to try it out for myself!  Also, if you have a favorite brand of coconut oil, let me know what it is and why.

*this post may contain an affiliate ad/link for the brand of coconut oil that my Mother in Law uses. If you want a coconut oil that has a fantastic, strong coconut scent, try this one.  But be careful, you will want to eat it by the spoonful! :-)

Welcome To The Vanity Table!

Some of you may have stumbled here on your own, some through my nail blog, and others from my Luuux page.  Either way, welcome!

I blog about all sorts of beauty related topics and products on a Luuux page already, so I figured I may as well host them in an actual blog.  However, I didn't want to flood my nail blog (theswatchingsprite.com) with all of this, so I have created a sort of sub-blog for everything non-nail, but still beauty related.   It just made sense.  It is just as easy, too.

If you have found this blog from the nail blog, then I hope you'll find something of interest here and decide to stay.  This will also give more content in between my manicures.    I had already tossed around the idea of posting non-nail related posts once per week on my nail blog but ultimately ruled that out.  Most of you weren't reading my nail blog to find out what my favorite fall lipstick was.  However, if you do enjoy that sort of thing as well, you can find it here!  :-)


All in all....  Welcome to this Sprite's Vanity Table!