September Favorites

Whew!  It has been a very long time since I've put up a post on the vanity table!  Sheesh!  I'll work on changing that.  I'm trying to be more active on here and on the nail blog.    As I mentioned on the nail blog, things have just been crazy and being pregnant makes me tired. I'm struggling to find the energy to blog.  

Let's jump right in.  Now that the weather is giving peeps of cooler temperatures, I've been in the mood for some of my deeper fragrances.  I've pulled out two great fall perfumes.  The first is a Bath & Body Works Eau De Toilette in Sensual Amber.  This one is really nice alone as well as layered with things like vanilla. Mmmm!  I've given a full review on it HERE.

The second fragrance is wildly popular and well known.  It is Thierry Mugler Alien.  While I do have the EDP (eau de parfume), the particular one I have been wearing recently is the EDT (eau de toilette).  I dab on only the tiniest of bits, otherwise it becomes extremely overpowering.  I haven't put up a review on the EDT as of yet, but it is very similar to the EDP...so, if you'd like to see my full review on that one, it can be found HERE.

This past month I've been reaching for these two eyeliners quite often.  The first is by Ulta and it is in the color Moss.  I've been wearing it on the upper and the lower lid.  I like to smudge it out just a bit.  The second liner I constantly reach for is the very popular Rimmel ScandalEyes in Nude.  I've only worn this on my waterline.  I love that it takes away any redness from lack of sleep and gives me a wonderful bright-eyed look.  I highly recommend that to EVERYONE!

For my shadows I have gone more fallish.  I'm really loving the autumn-like colors in my makeup.  The two that I've gone for most frequently are Wet n Wild Envy and Ulta Safari.  They're both so pigmented and rich.  The Wet n Wild one is, admittedly, more buttery.  Both are beautiful, though!

I am a huge fan of stains.  I love them for hot weather because they last so well and are lightweight.  I love them for the cool weather because they look very natural and wind-kissed.  Let's just agree that they are awesome all the time.  The first one is Vincent Longo in the color Liquid Kiss.  The second is Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel in Rosy.  These are both good reds.  They look amazing on the cheeks AND the lips. The Vincent Longo one is a touch more berry-red in its coloring while the Pixi one is more of a true red.

I know people prefer to see swatches as they'd be worn, but I didn't prepare ahead and take photos as I wore them. Sorry!

1. Ulta eyeliner in Moss
2. Rimmel eyeliner in Nude
3. Wet n Wild shadow in Envy
4. Ulta shadow in Safari
5. Pixi stain in Rosy
6. Vincent Longo stain in Liquid Kiss

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