Friday, June 28, 2013

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink

Burberry's Complete Eye Palettes($59) have been on my list ever since they launched late last year and I finally got around to picking up a few of them. "Plum Pink" is a gorgeous combination of rich plums, sheer pinks and a matte brown. The colors themselves look stunning and the consistency, like most Burberry Eye Shadows, is smooth & extremely easy to work with.

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Review, Photos & Swatches

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Review, Photos & Swatches

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Review, Photos & Swatches



Plum Pink is very versatile - the colors work well as a sheer wash, are buildable and complement each other very well. The palette comes with three applicators, which I quite like to use with these eye shadows. The sponge tip applicator especially is great for laying down color all over the lid which I then blend using a more fluffy brush like the MAC 217. The packaging is very Burberry, quite heavy, but luxurious. The deepest purple in this quad is quite similar to Burberry's Sheer Eye Shadow in Mulberry - on my skintone, they look pretty much the same, Mulberry is just a touch more brown. There's just a small amount of fallout from these shadows, but nothing crazy. Overall, a great little palette to own if these are colors you tend to gravitate towards a lot. It is expensive, and so is everything Burberry, but I'm pretty sure I'll get a ton of use out of this one, so no complaints!

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Review, Photos & Swatches

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Reviews

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Ingredients

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Swatches

Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink Compared to Burberry Mulberry


Have you tried the Burberry Complete Eye Palette in Plum Pink?

mark. Marrakesh Instant Vacation Eau de Toilette Spray

"A fragrance as sultry as the destination that inspired it…Be transported by this exotic blend of lavish Moroccan jasmine, neroli blossoms, spicy cardamom, wild fig and crushed mint."





Marrakesh Instant Vacation EDT ($24) is a limited-edition floral fragrance, launched as part of mark's summer edition, with notes of Violet Leaf, Fig, Moroccan Jasmine Absolute, Neroli Blossom, Crushed Mint and Crystallized Musk. Jasmine and Musk make for a heady combination, but it lightens up quite a bit on a hot summer day. I don't get too much of the mint, just a whiff of it once in a while, but the notes of spicy Cardamom and sultry Jasmine are more prominent. Light, but pleasantly floral! It wears quite well on me for an EDT - especially love it this time of the year.  The packaging is quite sleek and since each bottle is individually crafted, there's a lot of color variation for every bottle. Overall, lovely floral fragrance, slightly sweet, great for summer and easy on the wallet!




Have you tried mark. Marrakesh Instant Vacation Eau de Toilette Spray?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer

A new moisturizer from Origins, the GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer ($26.50) is a lightweight, hydrating, radiance boosting moisturizer and a new addition to Origins' GinZing range. My skin leans more combination-dry this time of the year and this makes for a perfect summer moisturizer for me at the moment. 

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer Review

GinZing is oil-free and has Panax Ginseng and Coffee Bean to jump start hydration levels. It has a lovely gel-cream texture that absorbs pretty quick, leaves absolutely no residue, but hydrates pretty well. I've been using this as a day cream - its perfect for this time of the year when I don't want something too heavy or rich. I do prefer something a little more heavier for nightime use. If you have very oily skin and prefer creams that leave a sheer, almost invisible finish, you could use this all through the year. 

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer Review

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer Ingredients


Gel-creme textures aren't the most moisturizing on me and my skin feels a tad dry after 4-5 hours, but this one manages to hydrate pretty well and keeps my skin happy. It does provide a quick radiance boost - I din't notice it so much the first few days, but definitely saw a difference on days I skipped & used another moisturizer. It doesn't have any shimmer or tint that helps with the radiance, which is a good thing. I absolutely love the mild citrusy scent too. I wish it came packaged in a pump or a tube though. That apart, it is an amazing, lightweight, summer moisturizer for me. It isn't one bit greasy or heavy, layers really well under makeup and is reasonably priced!

Have you tried Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer? What is your current favorite summer moisturizer?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

BITE Beauty Cuvée Crème Deluxe Lipstick in Blush

BITE's newest launch, the Cuvee Creme Deluxe Lipstick ($34), is a limited-edition, artisanal lipstick derived from French Champagne grapes, Freshwater Tahitian Black Pearl and Japanese Silk Powder! Four shades of this creamy, rich textured lipstick, is available for a limited time at Sephora! Limited to an exclusive batch of only 1200 lipsticks per shade, Cuvee is handcrafted only once a year creating an exclusive lipstick indulgence. 

Bite Beauty Cuvee Creme Deluxe Lipstick in Blush

Bite Beauty Cuvee Creme Deluxe Lipstick in Blush Review, Photos & Swatches


I tried one of four shades, Blush, which is a pale, lilac pink. The formula feels creamy & very moisturizing - just what I want all of my lipsticks to be like. I love the Luminous Creme Lipsticks from BITE and this one is just as moisturizing, slightly even better texture wise, with the right amount of creaminess. It doesn't bleed or emphasize dry lips and the color payoff is fantastic. Blush is not the most flattering color on me by itself, but I sheer the color out a little and top it off with a little gloss. If you like brights though, there are a couple of more vivid, reds and corals too. I absolutely love the packaging of BITE products and this one too, like everything else, is packaged inside a weightless matte finish case. As for the lasting power, I get about 3-4 hours and the texture is one of the most comfortable textures I've tried for such a creamy, pigmented lipstick. If you are a lipstick fiend, there's no way you won't love these! 

Bite Beauty Cuvee Creme Deluxe Lipstick in Blush Review, Photos & Swatches

Bite Beauty Cuvee Creme Deluxe Lipstick in Blush Swatch



The BITE Cuvee Creme Deluxe Lipsticks are antioxidant rich and formulated without gluten, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, or triclosan. 

Available at select sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

Have you tried any of the BITE Beauty Cuvée Crème Deluxe Lipsticks?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape

Josie Maran's Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee ($22) is a gel-creme cheek tint, infused with coconut water and Argan Oil that hydrates while providing a sheer wash of color. I picked up Pink Escape, which was the only color pretty much left in store - I din't have a choice but to pick this one up. Thankfully its a color I like and will get a lot of use out of - a medium coral pink with absolutely no shimmer/glitter.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape
I love the packaging of these cheek gelees. The tiny glass pot contains 0.18oz of product. The texture is something I've never tried before. Its a gel creme with a soft, balmy consistency that blends seamlessly. I prefer to use my fingers to blend the color in. I'm not sure about the other shades, but Pink Escape starts off very sheer. The color is very buildable and doesn't feel heavy or greasy. Unlike a few cheek stains where the color tends to get patchy and leaves a stronger stain where it is first is applied, this one adds a more uniform flush of color. It has a soft, dewy finish that doesn't enhance large pores and feels hydrating, all of which I absolutely love! My skin is more combination/dry this time of the year and I get about 6-7 hours from this cheek gelee. Although the dewiness dries down after a couple of hours, there's still a soft stain left behind.

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape Review, Photos & Swatches

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape Review, Photos & Swatches

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelee in Pink Escape Ingredients


The only qualm I have with this one is how badly it stains my fingers. Pink Escape leaves a strong red tint that needs a good waterproof makeup remover to get off. Its a gorgeous color that would flatter most skintones, but the staining effect seems more stronger on my fingers than on my cheeks. That aside, it is a fabulous blush. The color range is beautiful and Pink Escape especially is perfect for summer!

Have you tried any of the Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelees?

FLOWER Beauty | Quick Thoughts & Swatches

A few quick swatches and thoughts on some FLOWER Beauty products that I recently got to try out. I have mixed feelings about the line from whatever I tried, but the color range seems to be good for the most part. *Press Samples



Lip Service Lip Butter in Cherry Chiffon ($6.98) is a rather pigmented, glossy lipstick. Its a nice color, if you like reds. The formula feels a tad greasy and the lipstick tube gets very squishy with use. It isn't all that heavy for a "lip butter", but isn't drying. The packaging is nice and it lasts about 2 hours on me leaving behind a stain. If you don't mind the greasy film and always use a lip liner for your lipsticks, this might last a little longer on you.




Shadow Play Eyeshadow Quad in Blue Lagoons ($8.98) - The quad is probably my least favorite from what I've tried. The colors are okay, not something I'd reach out to a lot but the textures weren't the most smoothest. The quad in general felt quite chalky, glittery and difficult to blend. A primer helps quite a bit with the staying power but for the price point, I've seen better quads at the drugstore.



Color Play Creme Eyeshadow ($7.98) - Midnight Garden is a gorgeous color - a shimmery blackened blue with a duo chrome finish. I like it more as an eyeliner than as an eyeshadow. It does smear quite a bit and doesn't actually set, so be sure to use a dry-ish primer like the MAC paint pots. I like to use my fingers - the texture is a more like a mousse - creamy and smooth, but its not the most budge proof, so be sure to set it well, especially if you have oily lids.



Extreme Measures Lengthening Mascara in Brown Black ($6.98) - I have very dark lashes, almost jet black, so a brown mascara is something that looks extremely natural on me. This mascara has a very dry formula that gets better with use. I quite like the lengthening effect it has - very natural without making my lashes look spiky. My lashes could use a little more volume and again, black would probably be a better pick for my dark lashes than brown. Don't expect dramatic results - it lengthens well, volumizes a bit and the overall look is natural looking lashes.



Nail'd It Nail Lacquer in May Flowers ($4.98) - Gorgeous, girly pink that would look nice on just about anyone. Its a 3-free formula and I found the consistency to be quite good. It lasted about 2 days on me, pretty average for any nail polish. I really like the thin brush - great for smaller nails like mine. Good quality polish, easy to work with and very nice formula!



Overall, from what I've tried, I like the Nail Polish and the Color Play Cream Shadow quite a bit! The eye shadow quad wasn't quite impressive and I've seen better quads for a much better price with less fallout. The lip butter needs a bit of tweaking too - its hydrating, but greasy too. If you have already decent lashes, you'll love the mascara. FLOWER also sent me a foundation to try, but it was extremely light for me, so I din't get to try that out.

Have you tried FLOWER Beauty's line of products? What are your thoughts?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Google Reader | Update

Only a few days left until Google Reader goes away for good!  Thank you, Google, for taking away the most convenient form of blog reader! I've transferred all my feeds to Bloglovin' which I've really been loving for a while now. And then there's Twitter, Facebook & Blogger Dashboard that I use to keep up with my daily reads. If Google Reader is the only way you read my blog with, here are some other ways to follow & stay updated! (click to be taken to the page)

Bloglovin  | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram |

Of course there's also email, the good old blogger dashboard (I think, dashboard will have items that you started following using the "follow" button, but the ones added as a subscription through GReader will be gone - correct me if I'm wrong), Bookmarks and GFC, which I'm guessing will be gone soon too. Like I said before, I really like Bloglovin' and social media to keep up with blogs, but I am open to more suggestions for a good reader (paid & free) that I can use to read my favorite blogs! I've been recommended Feedly a lot, but if you have anything else too that's easy to navigate, etc, I'd love to know!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Sun Care Favorites!

Some of my favorite Sun Care products I've been loving this summer! I'm quite picky about sunscreens and hate the greasy film most of them leave, than anything else. I'm not perfect with my sunscreen routine, but these products definitely make it much less of a chore for me without having to deal with greasiness or waiting for it to dry.




Face & Body




Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF40 ($14-$32) - One of my favorite moisturizer/sunscreen all in one. I've been using this for about 2 years and have gone through multiple bottles. I always tend to get the small bottles as the bigger ones tend to smell funky about half way through. Love this stuff and I keep it exclusively for my face/neck. There's no greasy residue and it protects really well! Read full review here.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF70 ($11) - Another one of my favorites and it does what it says - sheer veil of protection with a matte finish. It is a tad runny, texture wise, but feels ultra light on the skin. Neutrogena sunscreens are now formulated with the new FDA guidelines for sunscreen in mind wherein not all broad-spectrum sunscreens are created equal. They exceed expectations and provide superior protection. Neutrogena is one of my favorite brands for sunscreen from the drugstore - they have something for everyone! 

Shiseido Extra Smooth Protection Lotion SPF38 PA++ For Face & Body ($34) - Shiseido sent me a few products from their sun care range to try out recently and I'm very impressed so far. The Shiseido Extra Smooth Protection Lotion SPF38 PA++ has the smoothest texture for a sunscreen I've ever tried. It absorbs super quick, just like the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid and feels ultra light on skin. The only problem though, is that, it is a lot more watery than most liquid sunscreens and also since it is for Face & Body, the small bottle would probably not last a very long time. I din't tan or burn quite as much as I do with this on and I don't have a problem reapplying since there's no greasy residue.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen with SPF30 ($9.95) - Although meant for face, I use this for my body. It is a tad greasy on the face and I don't even have oily skin to begin with. I find this better for my hands and feet since it is one of the more moisturizing sunscreens out there. It doesn't leave a whitish cast, but feels just a tad heavy. I still like it though, just not on my face.

Lavanila Healthy Sunscreen for Face SPF40 ($28) - A 100-percent natural, chemical-free, moisturizing sunscreen with UVA/UVB protection. I like the natural formulation and the not so sunscreen scent, but it is a tad too creamy for a sunscreen. Quite gentle on skin, doesn't leave a whitish cast, but again, like the Aveeno Protect + Hydrate, I like it better on my hands, feet and elsewhere as it can get a tad oily. There's absolutely no whitish cast, which is a plus and the formula, although creamy and thick, doesn't feel overly heavy. Definitely a good pick for sensitive skin.

Tinted Protectors 

Tinted Protectors are probably a step above for me, a little more convenient without having to skip makeup. I've been trying out quite a few, but these are what I reach out to the most these days.








It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream ($34) -  Definitely one of the best CC creams I've tried so far. The coverage is awesome, so there's no need for foundation/powder. It has great sun protection and quite a few good for your skin ingredients. Full review, here.


Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-light Skin Perfecting Makeup ($45) - When I talk about a summer foundation, this probably is the only "foundation" that comes to mind. I wear the shade B40 and it is perfect for my medium/dark skintone. It also is water-based, sheer and super light weight, you'll forget you are wearing foundation! Coverage is more like that of a tinted moisturizer, but buildable. For something with SPF, it photographs pretty well too.

Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation SPF34 ($35) - Great powder foundation for summer - it also doubles up as a sheer setting powder for me and keeps my face quite matte. If you have oily skin, you'll love this one. Read full review here.

For The Lips





Laura Mercier Hydratint SPF 15 ($20) - I'm not too particular about SPF in my lip products, but this one, I love! Its a little more pigmented than a regular tinted lip balm and moisturizes really well. Crimson Tint is a medium red that I like to blot for a sheer, stained effect. It goes on pretty pigmented right out of the tube. My only gripe with this lip balm is the minty scent, thankfully there's no tingle. That apart, its a great lip balm with sun protection and the texture is light and easy for summer!

What are some of your favorite sun care products?

*Some products mentioned in this post are press samples.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Essence Stays No Matter What Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

The Stays No Matter What Waterproof Eyeliner Pencils by Essence come in three shades and claim to stay put for 16 hours through sweat, water and everything imaginable! I've tried quite a few products from Essence and this one too, like many others from the brand, is super easy on the wallet. 





They have a small, but very wearable selection of colors - Midnight Black, Smokey Grey and Stunning Brown. I quite like how intense these colors are, in just one swipe. They tend to tug a little on the lash line - the texture feels moderately soft, but I've seen softer lines from essence. They are good for the waterline though - they adhere well and the not so soft texture makes it last a bit longer on the waterline. I also din't notice any stinging or burning as I tend to have bad luck with most long-wear liners and these din't bother me at all. As for the 16 hour claim, I got about 5 hours on my waterline and quite a bit of fading after about 4 hours on my lash line. 

L-R :  Stunning Brown, Smokey Grey, Midnight Black


Overall, for $1.99, I wouldn't complain too much, but if only these were a tad more softer and easier to work with, they would be the best drugstore liners for me. On the plus side, none of the colors made my eyes watery or itchy like a lot of long-wear liners do. I also love the basic colors they have, especially Smokey Grey. A little more tweaking, formula & texture wise, and they'd be perfect!

Have you tried any of the Essence Stays No Matter What Waterproof Liners?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Friday, June 14, 2013

AVON Totally Kissable Lipstick

AVON launched 16 new shades of their Totally Kissable Lipstick ($8, Press Samples) earlier this year. They are moisturizing, pigmented lipsticks infused with avocado and coconut oils.




I tried out four shades from the range - Lovey Dovey, a pale shimmery pink, Natural Glow - frosty nude beige, Mauve Allure - creamy mauve pink and Smitten Red - rich, creamy red. Lovey Dovey is a rather nice pink that would pair well with a stronger smokey eye. Natural Glow is a pale, frosty nude, so it washes me out quite a bit on its own. There's also quite a bit of shimmer that is very visible on my pigmented lips. Mauve Allure is my favorite of these - its a mid tone mauvy pink with no shimmer/glitter - gorgeous color for medium/dark skin tones. Smitten Red is a very wearable, rich red in a super creamy formula.


                                                                Lovey Dovey


                                                            Mauve Allure


                                                           Natural Glow


                                                          Smitten Red

I have no complaints about the formula of these lipsticks - they feel weightless and moisturizing and don't dry my lips out after they've gone. The cream finishes especially have a lovely sheen to them.  These lipsticks wore comfortably for about 2-3 hours on me and I absolutely love the sweet caramel scent. My only gripe was that the lighter, shimmery shades left behind a few flecks of very visible shimmer on my lips after the color had faded. That aside, these are some very nice lipsticks with a fabulous price tag!


                                    L-R : Smitten Red, Mauve Allure, Lovey Dovey, Natural Glow


Have you tried any of the AVON Totally Kissable Lipsticks?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Guerlain Maxi Shine Gloss d'Enfer Lip Gloss in Browny Clap

Browny Clap ($30) is a sheer, nude brown, part of Guerlain's Maxi Shine Gloss d'Enfer Lip Gloss range. I absolutely love the color - its a nude that doesn't have too much color, but at the same time doesn't wash me out or make me look like a corpse.  


Guerlain Maxi Shine Gloss d'Enfer Lip Gloss in Browny Clap Review

Guerlain Maxi Shine Gloss d'Enfer Lip Gloss in Browny Clap Review, Photos & Swatches



Browny Clap is a fantastic layering gloss too. It has very fine shimmer that translates to a gorgeous sheen on the lips. It isn't too pale on me, so I love to wear it on its own too. It has just the right amount of brown, natural enough to keep the color looking modern. If you don't have very pigmented lips, this might be an even better looking nude on you. On me, although quite sheer, it has the right amount of color to slightly even out my lips. Formula wise, the Maxi Shines are excellent. They go on smooth, feel extremely creamy and moisturizing, and like any other lip gloss, they last about 2-3 hours on me. I am quite sensitive to fragrances in lip products, but the faint floral scent of this one doesn't bother me. Overall, one of my favorite nude glosses at the moment and definitely worth checking out if you are on the lookout for a sheer, sophisticated nude. 




For a playful pink, try Bubblegum.

Have you tried any of the Guerlain's Maxi Shine Gloss d'Enfer Lip Glosses?