3 More Fragrances I've Been Loving

I know, I know. ANOTHER fragrance review? But because I'm so picky about fragrance, I always find it blog-worthy when I find another one that I love. And there are 3 out of the ones I have been testing recently that were instant hits with me.

1. Guerlain Mon Exclusif Eau de Parfum - This is my first Guerlain perfume, though I am a huge fan of the makeup. As a lover of sweet fragrances (and sweets in general - nom), I read the description and notes online before testing it and knew I would love it immediately. Sandalwood (awesome - I live for this sandalwood scent from Nest), Toffee (yum in my fragrance and in my tummy) and lavender (is there a more calming and delightful scent? I think not.) - basically it's a trifecta of scents that come together to make magic. It's warm and sweet with a hint of floral and smells very cozy on the skin. It's definitely a "sweater weather" fragrance.

2. Fresh Cannabis Santal - I have had a ton of Fresh fragrances over the year - mostly the more lemon/citrus/sugar scents that they are famous for. However, during a recent meandering Sephora visit (you know those ones where you are just slowly moving from gondola to gondola picking up everything to touch it, smell it and feel it while checking your phone and not really paying attention. Just me? Oh, ok.), I wasn't even paying attention when I picked up the bottle to smell this. I stopped dead in my tracks and it was as if I was jolted out of my Sephora daze. It's a great mix of sweet (Chocolate, wild strawberries and dark plum), floral (magnolia and rose) and a woodsy musk (vanilla musk, vetiver and patchouli). It the perfect compliment to a big cashmere cardigan coat or fuzzy warm scarf. Yes, I like to pare my fragrances with an accompanying piece of clothing.

3. Kiehl's Aromatic Blends: Orange Flower and Lychee - I discovered this while at the Kiehl's flagship store recently. I believe this particular scent is only sold there but I was hooked as soon as I sprayed it on my wrist. It's a floral mix balanced with orange citrus notes that would seem way too summery for this time of year, but it deepens when on my skin making it more fall appropriate. There are other scents that are part of the Aromatic Blends collection that are available online - this one being my other favorite which surprised me because of it's patchouli notes. But the mix with rose makes it so pleasant. The ancillary body products in the Orange Flower and Lychee scent are available online but as for the fragrance it would be best to call the store and have them ship it.

*pr samples included

Shop more of my fragrance recommendations:

Body Products That Smell Amazing

I am a sucker for yummy smelling body products. Showers are a daily thing (well, for me they are...no judgement) and it might as well be an enjoyable experience, amiright? I still keep my holy grail body wash from Dove close by, but I like to experiment with different scents and textures both in the shower and when I get out. These are 6 products that smell heavenly - ranging from sweet and delectable to delicate and feminine.

1. .mark Coconut Body Oil - I already fell in love with this body butter from .mark, so I was pretty positive I would enjoy this body oil. But I should warn you that if very sweet scents are not your bag, this may not be for you. The sweeter the better for me, and this body oil is as sweet as it gets. It is a strong coconut scent that has hints of a cake batter-like note in it which can really go one way or another. Luckily, it isn't too overpowering and when on the skin smells incredibly pleasant. But the real winning feature with this body oil is how it feels on the skin. I apply it right out of the shower while my skin is still wet, and it instantly absorbs with absolutely NO RESIDUE. And at a price point of $12.00, it's a total steal! 

2. Fresh Cocoa Body Exfoliant - I saw this on Instagram first and nearly fell out of my office chair. I could not get my hands on it fast enough. The Fresh Beauty team kindly sent one over to me for review, and I actually opened the bag, took off all my clothes, and took a shower immediately. I was THAT excited. Yes, it smells exactly as it looks. Like a decadent batch of brownie batter made from the richest cocoa around. Only a little bit is needed to cover most of the body, but it gives a nice gentle exfoliation. The granules are quite small so I can get away with using this multiple times a week if I wanted, and my skin is never irritated. From a scent standpoint, it does not linger on the skin after the shower so I was able to use my regular body lotion on top without any problems of competing scents. The only caveat is that your shower will need a complete rinse-down after using this because there will be chocolate splatters everywhere! Ha! But trust me, it's worth the extra housework for how decadent you will feel using this.

3. The Body Shop Mango Body Scrub - Another delectable scrub that will make you yearn for a tropical vacation each time you shower. The texture is much thicker than the Fresh Cocoa and definitely gives a strong exfoliation. The scent smells like a yummy mango dessert and thankfully does not leave any oily residue in the tub as many body scrubs can do. Once you rinse it away, the scent does not stay on the skin but if you wish to continue your tropical fruit salad experience, there is the mango body butter you can add on once out of the shower.

4. The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter - Continuing on that tropical vacation theme, this Body Shop Coconut Body Butter will most certainly make you feel like putting on a bathing suit. Well, at least your sunglasses. I have heard amazing things about The Body Shop Body Butters so I was excited to finally try one for myself. They are incredibly rich and nourishing, melting into the skin with little to no rubbing. I prefer to use this at night as a moisturizing treatment before bed. After a quick relaxing shower, I apply this while my skin is slightly damp, massaging it in and then wait a few minutes before getting into my pajamas. However, I usually follow my evening shower with my skincare routine so I use those few minutes to let the body cream sink into my skin. While the scent is quite strong in the tub, it actually wears nicely when on and doesn't overpower. 

5. Aerin Beauty Rose Body Scrub - Aerin's Rose de Grasse is one of my holy grail fragrances, so I knew I would fall instantly in love with the accompanying body line. The entire line has the most delicate and feminine floral scent, so I like to save it for days that I am wearing something a bit more special. I know that sounds funny, but I take my beauty routine seriously, people! The scent lingers on the skin beautifully and I like to continue the rose experience with  this body oil and then a few spritzes of Rose de Grasse. This scrub is a bit different from others I currently have because it is in a thick cream with very fine granules so it hydrates the skin while also exfoliating. And the packaging looks so fancy. Fancy packaging always gets prime real estate in my shower, bathroom and vanity. *insert sassy girl emoji with her hand up*

6. Aerin Beauty Rose Body Wash - I can use this in conjunction with the body scrub or alone, either way it gives a nice lather and makes my skin feel incredibly clean. The texture is a traditional gel, and I like to pour it onto a washcloth or loofah to get a nice lather which feels a bit more luxurious. Like my face washes, I am not the biggest fan of foaming anything but my skin doesn't feel tight or dry after using this so this falls in my "foaming but not drying exception" category. And the scent lingers even more than the body scrub so I can go without a fragrance for the day if I want. But I love perfume too much for that. 

*pr samples included

Sheer Nude Lip Glosses from Fresh Beauty and Smith & Cult

Nude sheer glosses are essential for easy summer makeup looks. I am already in love with the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments, so I knew their Sugar Shine Lip Treatments would be a hit in my collection. I wasn't sure what to expect with the new Smith & Cult lip lacquers, but I am already a fan of their polishes (see my post on them here) so I had high hopes.

1. Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment in Rose, Honey and Nude - There are much bolder shades in this collection, but I was instantly drawn to these natural shades that are perfect for everyday wear. The Rose shade had the most pigmentation and looked like "my lip color but better" when on, while the Honey and Nude shades were very natural and a great layering piece. The texture is much thicker than I anticipated and did not have as much slip as I would like, but the way it made my lips feel and how well they stayed hydrated made up for it completely. It's nice to have a gloss option in my collection that can also double as a lip treatment.

2. Smith & Cult Lip Lacquers in Her Name Bubbles and Life in Photographs - As I said earlier, I already love the polishes (and the names - they always get me), and from the looks of the glosses in the tube they seemed promising. As you can see from the above swatches, they are VERY sheer. And both shades almost looked identical when on which was a bit disappointing. But the major selling point for me was how great they felt on my lips. They have a jelly-like finish and glide right on without disrupting any lipstick I may already be wearing. Since I have only tried these two shades, I cannot speak to how pigmented the brighter shades will be but it may be worth trying if you like bold colors with a sheer and wearable finish.

*pr samples included

Sheer Nude Lip Colors

More nude sheer lip colors have been added to my collection - making my final total somewhere in the millions I would assume. (kidding, sort of) They are all new launches and are the perfect lip to welcome spring.

1. YSL Glossy Stain in 208 Wet Nude from the Pop Water Collection - This is my second one of the YSL Glossy Stains and they are growing on me. They are not my favorite lip formula of all time, but I do like how long they last on my lips along with the color range. I picked up this new release and thought it would be a beautiful coral nude for spring. It definitely skews a bit more pink on me than I anticipated but I still love the color on my lips. Typically I need to add a balm or nourishing gloss over top to keep my lips hydrated throughout the day, but the base color of the glossy stain wears at least 8-10 hours on my lips.

2. .mark All Butter Now Lip Treat in Bare All - The formula of this balm is nice because it makes my lips feel smooth and hydrated but also gives more coverage than similar balm formulas. This shade looks a bit more brown on the lips than pink or coral, which is nice change from what I typically wear on the lips. I've been keeping this in my purse recently to add on top of other lip colors to help extend the color while giving my lips a bit of moisture midday.

3. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Nude - If you are already a fan of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments, then you will most definitely love this new color release. It's a nice sheer pinky nude that has just a hint of shine. One thing I did notice with this one was the stick felt a lot harder than the previous colors which was a welcome change. I love the sugar lip treatments, but they are so soft and can melt rather quickly if I'm not too careful about remembering to take them out of my bag. The Nude shade holds up a lot better in my purse and doesn't soften as easily.

4. Chanel Rouge Coco in Adrienne -There was so much buzz around this new Chanel Rouge Coco launch that I knew I had to pick one up just to quell my curiosity. I grabbed the popular nude shade called Adrienne and though it is a bit more nude than I prefer, the formula is creamy and moisturizing on the lips. I haven't decided if I love it enough to buy more colors, but am happy with the one I purchased.

5. Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector in My Pink and My Coral - I have never tried the other Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, so I can't compare it to these, but that being said  - I absolutely adore this formula. The texture is moisturizing and helps to smooth out my lips more than many of my other balm/lipstick formulations. I already have it in the Nude Rose shade and was excited to get the other two lighter colors in the collection. The My Coral is a nice punchy pop of coral on the lips and doesn't look too nude or too bright - it falls perfectly in the middle. The My Pink shade looks like my lip color but amped up a bit. I love using this over other shades to give a bit of shine and moisture or on the weekends when I am not wearing makeup but want something hydrating on my lips. These are a must have in my opinion and I really think Clarins knocked it out of the park with these. 

*pr samples included

My Spring Fragrance Picks

The weather is finally warming up, and so the changing of the scents begin. Out with the rich, warm and woodsy fragrances, and in with the light, fresh and floral - though sometimes I still like to sneak in a deeper scent here and there, especially for evening. Here is a look at the fragrances I'll be wearing this spring:

1. Nest Fragrances in Verde -White Sandalwood is one of my holy grails. Midnight Fleur is the most unique fragrance I've ever worn. Paradise and Indigo were staples in my summer scent line-up last year, so clearly I love my Nest Fragrances. Recently a new one was launched called Verde, and it is an instant hit for me. It's definitely more herbaceous than I typically prefer, so I was surprised when I loved the way it wore on me. I think it's the notes of verbena leaves and vetiver that definitely drew me in and gives it the most delightful fresh and light scent. And as always with Nest Fragrances, the bottle is exquisite and looks like a piece of art sitting on my dresser.

2. Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum -It's been YEARS since I have had this fragrance in my collection and missed it so much. That mix of sweet and citrus is always a constant favorite in my scent choices, and this Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum embodies both of those in a strong way. One of the things that I love about the Fresh fragrances is that they always smell simple and uncomplicated.  It's easy to decipher the notes immediately, in this case lychee, citrus and mango, and it smells on the skin the way it does in the bottle. What you smell is what you get. I wish more fragrances were this easy.

3. Tocca Isabel - I'm just about on my last drop of Margaux, another Tocca fragrance I adore, so I was excited to try this new release for spring.  While it has notes of Spanish rose, it mixes that with leather accord, vetiver and vanilla which creates for a deeper, more complex floral scent. I prefer to wear this more for evening because it has a stronger finish than my typical spring fresh scents, but I like not wearing the same type of fragrances all season long. Throwing in a bolder fragrance even in the warmer weather can be a bit refreshing.

4. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris A la rose Eau de Parfum -This is not your grandmother's rose perfume. I say that because I have always shied from traditional rose scents because it can often smell too dated or too mature for my taste. Thankfully, the rose fragrances of today are steering away from that and are more modern and complex. After falling in love with this rose fragrance from Aerin, I was open to trying more. When I had the chance to test this new one from Maison Francis Kurkdjian a few months ago at a press event, I knew this would be a definite must have for me this spring/summer. Two varieties of roses are used to create A la rose, and then it's blended with violet, magnolia blossom and musk accord. I figured with the musk accord it may be deep, but once I got it on my skin, it was light, refreshing and delicate. And lonnnnnnng wearing. I get compliments on this fragrance after it's been on my skin for 10-12 hours, which is rare in my experience. I anticipate this bottle will probably last me for many summers to come since only 1-2 spritzes will be all I need.

*pr samples included

Shop other great spring scents:

An Eye Palette That Smells Like Chocolate And My Other Favorite Scented Makeup Products

The Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette is what sparked this entire post. I had seen so many people raving about both the texture of the shadows and the scent of the palette, that my interest immediately piqued. I have mixed feelings about scented makeup products, but when done right they can really enhance the experience. And thankfully, the Too Faced palette lived up to the hype, which led me to wonder what other products in my collection do I enjoy using mainly because of the fragrance. There were only a few to be honest, but all of them successfully marry a pleasant scent with a great, efficacious product. But first, let's look at this Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette a bit more in depth.

The swatches of this palette barely do it justice, but believe me when I tell you the texture of these shadows are magnificent. Buttery soft, rich pigmentation and a great balance of matte vs shimmer. The colors do skew a bit on the warmer side, so if you prefer grays, blues and taupes, this may not be for you. But for me, these colors wear well on my coloring so it has quickly become a regular staple. There is actual cocoa powder mixed into the formula which creates the chocolate scent, but it does dissipate once applied. I found the initial idea of a chocolate scented eye palette sort of kitschy, but the joke is on me I guess because I can't get enough. 

And while I'm at it, I should mention there are a few other items in my makeup collection with beautiful scents that match the great quality of the product. The Guerlain Meteorites scent is a delicate rose that seems apropos to the pristine and feminine look of the packaging. Though I was not expecting this, the Burberry blushes have a floral scent that is almost intoxicating. The other two are lip products which tend to be the most heavily fragranced, but if done right can be a joy to use. Loreal's Colour Riche Balm in Nourishing Nude has one of the best vanilla scents I've ever smelled, while the Fresh sugar lip balms never fail to win at balancing the fruity with the sweet. 

*press samples included

What are some of your favorite scented makeup products? Tell me in the comments below!

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A Bit Obsessed: March 2014 Beauty Favorites

Always my favorite posts to read on other blogs, monthly beauty favorites are equally as fun to talk about on my little space on the internet.  This past month was a smorgasbord of skincare, hair and makeup products that rocked my beauty loving world.  I'm sure you have seem me post about some of these already on my Instagram, but here is a more in depth look at my experience with March's beauty favorites:

1. Dolce & Gabbana Rosebud Blush - Darn camera and it's settings, it dulls this blush a bit, thus robbing you of experiencing the vibrant color explosion that is Rosebud blush.  The phase "pop of color" should have been coined from this blush. A bright coral that even on my paler than pale skin looks beautiful and natural.  I wore it all through the winter, so don't expect me to put it away now that the warmer weather is coming.  Heck, I may just throw it in another future monthly faves just so you don't forget about it.

2. Sachajuan Hair Repair - I have been on a hair product roll recently.  I am not that excited about hair products to be honest, so I rarely write about them.  But when I find good ones, they are good. And then I feel I am cheating all of you by not sharing the news.  So after this recent post, I have again found a hair product I love.  I use this Sachajuan Hair Repair once a week on my ends, and while "like butta" is better used with skincare references, "like silk" seems more fitting to describe my hair after a go at this.  Pantene commercial girls have nothing on me.

3. Murad Perfecting Night Cream (c/o) - Day by day, minute by minute, I am becoming a Murad fangirl (this spf cream has recently reached holy grail status for me).  Each and every product I try keeps luring me in further and further, and this Perfecting Night Cream is no exception.  Designed to help restore moisture and hydrate the skin, my oily skin (which needs moisture too don't forget) just eats this stuff up! A little goes a long way for me with this, but the next morning's glow is proof that it's just enough.

4. Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream - Winter skin aka alligator skin (for me at least) is not pleasant, and though my face may be super oily, my body can be quite dry.  Put a cape on this body cream, because it has been saving my skin.  Intensely rich and hydrating with tons of omega 3, 6, 7 and 9, seaberry oil and vitamin E, it helps to nourish my skin immediately but still allows me to get dressed without the (often) required dry-down, 15 minute waiting period.  Oh, and it smells divine.

5. By Terry Cover Expert - Hey flawless skin, how you doin?  Only a smidge is needed, but this foundation is absolutely beautiful.  A little more coverage then the Sheer Expert, this gives me a gorgeous naturally radiant (but not shiny) complexion.  Spring is not ready for the amazing face I am going to serve it with this number.  Get ready.

6. First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser (c/o) - Hey, First Aid Beauty - how do you manage to knock it out of the park with every product?  First I began with loving this mask (and review on it here), then I nicknamed their Ultra Repair Cream a "wonder cream" because it is that good (review here), and now this Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser has knocked my socks off.  Sometimes when treating my acne prone skin, I don't always want to use an acid based cleanser.  And other gel cleansers just make my skin too dry, which is why I fell in love with this one from First Aid Beauty.  No acids, not drying, and great at helping me keep my blemishes at bay.  It's a triple threat.

7. Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder - In all honesty, this product was a total dud when I first bought it.  Too shiny, hard to detect on the skin - all around fail.  And then I began using the Murad Mattifying SPF cream which changed how all other products sat on my skin.  So I gave this a go again, and voila! It was stunning.  After I apply my foundation, I dust it along my cheeks and forehead and it helps to immediately illuminate and finish my makeup, giving the skin an airbrushed appearance.  Already predicting a pan hitting moment in the future with this powder. 

8. Mario Badescu Special Mask for Oily Skin (c/o) - When is a Mario Badescu product not making it into my monthly favorites.  The whole brand has redefined the way I treat my acne prone skin, and this mask is now part of a long list of products (for more recommendations, read this post) that are great at helping me fight the war against pimples.  Decongesting pores, cleaning out dirt and grime, controlling oil, this mask does it all. 

9. Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven - All hail Hourglass.  If there is a knighting ceremony for a beauty brand, I would like to recommend Hourglass.  Every darn product is just amazing.  I talk about them way too much on this blog, but I can't help it.  They never disappoint. I already have a natural shade in this lipstick formulation and swear by it, so why did it take me so long to buy another? WHO KNOWS??  But I have rectified that problem and bought Raven, the most stunning vibrant red-orange shade.  No this color is not for the faint of heart so be prepared, but it's a knockout.  *wolf whistle*

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Beauty Bits: Red Lip Love

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and how cliche of me to post a red lip post, right?  Ugh, I totally agree, but then again most of you (and me too #bandwagon) will probably end up sporting one on the day, sooooooooooo..... here we are.  Now I personally feel that red lips don't have to be saved for special occasions, and I found some great options to wear on that day or any other for that matter.  I love a good sheer or matte or blue based or orange based red lip as much as the next gal, and I have some great choices for all.  I know the below swatches are a tad slasher-movie-esque (ha!) but it's the only way to show the true color pay-off. I do it for the blog, I tell you. I do it for the blog.

1. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry - Ok, confession.  I was a so-so fan of the original sugar lip treatments from years ago, but now that I have tried the tinted versions, I have to say I am head over heels.  Such great colors with amazing moisturizing properties - I love wearing them alone or layered over another lipstick.  I already have a back up of this one.  That says everything.

2. Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Mightiest Maraschino - The Chubby Stick craze never enthralled me to be honest, but after trying this new Intense version, I was blown away.  The pigmentation is so intense and has a deep blue-based red undertone - simply gorgeous.  And after wearing this and seeing how good it feels on my lips, I think I may give the original Chubby Sticks another look.

3. Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Crimson & Clover - Tell me - have you ever seen a lip conditioner/lip balm with this much color and pay-off? Yeah, me either.  It reads a lot more orange when it's on but it's great for a bright pop of color.  

4. Armani Rouge Ecstasy in Shade 400 - Every lipstick collection needs a few classic reds - those lip colors that don't lean too orange, too blue or too pink.  This Armani shade is that color for me - it falls right in the middle - I like to refer to it as the "Goldilocks of red lipsticks". 

5. MAC Ladybug - This shade has been in my collection for years and is such a great sheer red that brightens up the face immediately. Throw on a sheer gold eye shadow on the eyes (love this one) and bronzer for the cheeks (I swear by this and this)  and the look is fresh and glowing.

Purchase the makeup bag pictured above here.

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Beauty Bits: Dark Lip Colors I Am Currently Wearing And Loving

Confession - I never wore dark lip colors before this year.  Reds, yes.  Pinks, yes.  Corals, yes.  But dark colors were never my bag, baby.  That was until this year.  I began experimenting more and more with them and found that they can be super wearable for pale skin and look sophisticated and chic.  And before I knew it, I was buying more and more dark shades, amassing quite a collection.  Here is a look at the colors with swatches that I have been wearing non-stop recently: 

You will notice there are no glosses included in this round-up because I find brightly/dark colored glosses incredibly hard to maintain and work with.  Lipsticks or bust for me!! Starting from the top and working down, the colors are:

1. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned - I love a good matte lip color and these pencils never disappoint.  This color applies easily and wears for-ev-er.  Throw on some bronzer and a neutral eye with this lip and you have yourself a flawless look.  

2. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Berry - When I first received a Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment set for my birthday, I had assumed I would wear only the nude shades and leave the bolder and brighter shades to collect dust.  My how wrong I was.  I simply ADORE the bright and bold colors in the Fresh formulation and this Berry shade is the most gorgeous way to wear a dark lip but in a subtle way. 

3. Tom Ford Bruised Plum - I admired this color from afar for awhile and was extremely hesitant to buy.  But when I went to the Tom Ford counter, I had intended on buying another color but the sales lady accidentally gave me this instead (and I didn't check before leaving - ugh).  However, when I got home and tried it on - the lipstick angels began to sing!  It is stunning.  I apply it directly from the tube for a full coverage finish and then blot about 5-7 times and what is left is a gorgeous plum stain.  

4. Burberry Lip Velvet in Bright Poppy - The name fooled me completely when I bought this lipstick.  As it is not bright, or poppy-ish.  But the deep wine color looks great with a nearly naked face, but make sure you exfoliate before applying.  It will show every dry patch and  line of the lip.  I normally layer a lip balm over for a smoother finish.

5. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense in Envoutante - You might remember this post where I had been lusting after this color.  And though it looks quite different in person than in the online picture, it could not be more divine.  Velvety and smooth, it glides right on giving medium coverage with a slight sheen from the glitter.  But don't worry the particles are small enough that they are hardly even noticeable.

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A Bit Obsessed...

 1. My cherry blossom I bought at the union square market

2. My Banana Republic striped blazer

3. Fresh Brown Sugar Shower Gel

4. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Cleanser

5. My new PNY Lavender Flash Drive