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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Drugstore Diaries: Mascara Comparisons

I'm not a big drinker, so I don't do pub crawls. But I  am a beauty lover, so a mascara crawl is more in line with my priorities.  And that is exactly what I did. Popping in to drugstores here and there picking up a mascara each time to see how they compare to each other and to some of my favorite high end formulas. Now it should be said before we proceed that I prefer a big, bold, daring, in-your-face lash, just so you have a reference. Throughout my trials, I found one or two I liked but nothing that took me permanently away from my holy grails (this one and this one are everything in my opinion). But I haven't tried them all, so I will always continue to shop, browse, try, obsess over.....all in the name of beauty blogging aka beauty delusion. Here is a peek at each mascara and how they looked on my lashes:

1. Revlon Lash Potion - This gives a nice delicate lash - great length and a separated look. I did however have trouble building this up to the intensity I prefer. I think I would use this as a base mascara and build up another on top. See? I told you...I need drama!

2. Maybelline Falsies Volume Express Flared - So many people talk about this mascara, but I was quite underwhelmed. It was dark, which I like, but the formula was sticky (for lack of a better term) and it was hard getting a full separated lash. And it smudged in the corners of my eyes. Bummer.

3. Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblast - Short, stubby lashes with no oomph. Not for me unfortunately. I know there are a few different clump crusher/lashblast mascaras so perhaps I got the wrong one, and there is a fantastic one out there that I am missing. If so, let me know.  Tweet me @alittlebitetc or leave me a comment below.

4. Loreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Mascara - I pulled out the brush and initially thought "Heck, no!" It looked so measly and miniscule I thought there was no way this could make my lashes look like anything, but then I used it and was pleasantly surprised how much drama this little wand created. Lashes looked separated, long, dark and full. I do wish it was a bit more thickening, but I suppose I can layer.  *pouts slightly*

5. Loreal Power Volume Black Smoke - This was my favorite of the bunch - giving me the most dramatic lash. Long, thick, dramatic (I wish it was a tad bit darker, but now I am just being picky), but there was only one major drawback. Flakes, flakes, flakes! It both flaked and smudged and I was so upset. I felt so fierce leaving the house that morning, lashes in full effect, and then after a few hours, I looked like I had been out for a long night of dancing. Flakes, smudges, raccoon eyes. 

Have you entered my glowing skin giveaway???!!!! Well you need to. Enter here. 

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My Lip Color But Better

I have so many weaknesses - cupcakes, black pugs, a chic pencil skirt and sheer, shiny, my-lip-but-better lip colors.  As I always say, when one is good, fifty is better.  I've been experimenting with bold, dark and vibrant lip colors more this fall but my first instinct when I come upon a cosmetics counter is to go right for the safe zone - peachy, pink colors preferrably in a sheer texture.  I love how predictable I am.

I have amassed quite a collection (no surprise to anyone, I'm sure) and here is a run down of all the colors and swatches.

1. Cover Girl Lip Perfection in shade 210 - This was a complete impulse purchase, on a whim, not sure I even really wanted it - but low and behold I am loving this pencil style lip.  Easy, quick and can be applied without a mirror.  

2. Ilia in Nobody's Baby - Another shocker out-of-the-gate when I tried this product - it is technically a tinted lip conditioner but the coverage is just like a lipstick.  Best of both worlds.

3. Dior Addict in Blush - A bit bolder but still wearable for any occasion - I love this when my eye makeup is a bit lighter and I need a lip to pull it all together.  Plus the packaging is sparkly, shiny and mesmerizing.  Sold.

4. Chantecaille Lip Chic in Anais - Whoa.  Mind blown.  I had read reviews of these lipsticks online and darn those Nordstrom reviewers can be so convincing - but thank goodness they were right.  These lipsticks are everything - glides on with great coverage and lasts forever, but still manages to be sheer and nourishing on the lips.  My lips actually feel they are getting better the longer I wear this.  And this color - perfection - seriously.  Not too nude, not too pink, not too brown - the best of all worlds. 

5. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy - I like this color, I don't love this color.  This has been the first product from Chanel that did not knock my socks off, and I was a tad heartbroken.  The color is so sheer it's almost non-existent, so I tend to use it as a base and layer other colors on top.  Oh well - you win some lips, you lose some lips. 

6. Chantecaille Lip Chic in Daphne - Yes, the first was so good I had to buy a second.  A much more vibrant peach shade, this looks beautiful with a brown smoky eye and bronzed cheek.  Summer will be now known as the season of the Daphne lip.

7. Loreal Colour Riche Lip Balm in Nourishing Nude - I stare at these every time I run into the drugstore to get my daily Diet Coke during lunch, and finally snagged one on a particularly stressful day.  I threw it on as soon as I got back to my desk and viola! Day made.  The color is gorgeous as a rich rose-brown and the texture matches the name - nourishing.  Do I need all the other colors? Most definitely I do.  

8. Dior Addict Lipstick in LA - Aw man, I was really excited to get another one of these lipsticks and then I ended up buying almost the exact same shade.  Womp, womp.  But this color is a tad more sheer and shiny so it reads much less intense on the lips so in my mind I have made peace with the purchase.  

Shop natural lip colors:

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Beauty Bits: My Favorite Alphabet Creams (BB and CC)

Alphabet creams - do we really understand them?  Do we really like them?  Well for awhile I was a little on the fence and a tad confused, but the longer they are around, the better they become and the more I fall in love.  BB or 'Blemish Balm' is designed to help perfect the skin and many have ingredients in them to help diminish break outs and treat the skin.  CC stands for 'color correct' and these creams are designed to help correct any discoloration and even out the skin tone.  I found myself drawn to them not only for their skincare/makeup hybrid formulations but for their finish, texture and way they made my skin feel.  Here is a look at the top 3 (and trust me, I have many more than that, so these are the cream of the crop) alphabet creams that, for me, stood out from the rest:

1. Cover FX CC Cream (c/o) - While this is the newest addition to my alphabet cream collection, it quickly rose through the ranks.  Great coverage, lightweight feel and a built in primer - I'm not sure this CC cream could be any more perfect.  An added bonus are the skincare properties that help to address and treat the signs of aging on the skin.  So while my night cream is helping me stay young forever while I sleep, now my makeup can do the same during my daily activities.

2. Loreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream - This was my first BB/CC cream ever purchased and it still remains one of my favorites of all time.  The texture is unique to say the least, with a completely white cream that has a grainy-like feel that self adjusts to my skin tone.  The encapsulated pigments help to deliver the beautifying properties to hydrate, correct, even and perfect. And the finish on my skin is perfectly matte and can be worn either alone or under another foundation.  A super effective product at a drugstore/affordable price - is there anything better? I think not.  

3. Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream - Once the CC creams began to emerge onto the beauty scene, this was the first one that I had the opportunity to try and fell in love with instantly.  The texture feels silky and when applied (for me) had an incredibly hydrating and refreshing feeling.  How it does that? I am not quite sure, and I know the color correcting, priming, neutralizing properties are worth mentioning but frankly the standout feature was the way it felt on my skin.  And with all that refreshment, you would think it may appear dewy or shiny but for my oily skin it dried down to a natural matte finish and helped to control oil throughout the day.  Not sure it gets any better than that. 

Shop the post and other BB/CC creams:

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Drugstore Diaries: Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Makeup

I am starting a new series on the blog - and if the post name didn't already give it away (I like to build up the suspense), it's going to be called Drugstore Diaries.  I'm quite the wordsmith, aren't I?  This series will focus on all my drugstore buys and finds, sharing my faves and must haves.  The first product I am featuring is the Loreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Makeup which was purchased after seeing a fellow blogger, The Style and Beauty Doctor's post, and her comparison of it to Armani Maestro.  It piqued my interest and I knew I had to try it for myself!  The formula is a liquid to powder makeup that is extremely sheer and wears almost like a second skin.  After having used Armani's Maestro foundation and finding it one of the most unique and amazing textures, I was anxious to see if this would be a suitable and more affordable dupe.  I am happy to say that the Loreal one impressed me greatly and is a very close match to Maestro.  It does offer more coverage in my opinion, and shows up a tad more on my skin whereas the Armani simply melts in immediately.   I applied with both my fingers and a brush and found the brush to give a smoother application.  Though it goes on as a liquid, it dries down to a powder finish leaving the skin with a smooth, velvety finish.  With NYC recently moonlighting as a city on the equator, I have been reaching for this almost every day.  It feels lightweight on my skin and wears well throughout the entire day, and even elicited a "your skin looks all perfect and stuff" comment from my husband at dinner one evening.  Ah, men.  I did need to touch up with powder occasionally but much less than usual - a feat in and of itself.  Already a fan of the Loreal Magic Skin Perfector BB Cream (and about to make a repurchase), I am happy to see that another product from this Magic range works so well for my oily skin.  

Have any of you tried this foundation yet?  What are your thoughts?

Shop all the items below:

L'Oreal Face Makeup · Giorgio Armani Liquid Foundation · L'Oreal Makeup

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Beauty Bits: On My Face

"What is on your face?" - a thought I commonly have when meeting with or talking to people throughout the day.  Often this sentiment is reserved for some atrocious horror that may be lurking on some one's cheek or chin, but the motive behind my wonder is to know what makeup they are wearing.  So if I am allowing these thoughts to clutter my brain-sphere during the day, surely all of you must be lying awake at night just pondering what makeup is gracing my mug.  Well I'm gonna tell ya.  Now be forewarned, these choices are interchangeable depending on season, blogger recommendation or money just burning a darn hole in my wallet  But for now, these are in steady rotation - and I will share my thoughts on each. 

1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - love the texture, but in hopes of achieving a bronzed goddess effect this summer (what the heck was I thinking), I bought this in a shade too dark.  Sooooooo - I just use less and blend more. :)  Does keep me a little more oily in my t-zone due to its dewy nature, so I make sure powder is never more than an arm's reach away, duh - like any normal day.

2. Loreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream in Fair - if you follow me on Instagram (and why are you not? @alittlebitetc) and read last month's favorites, you would know that I am just loving this product.  However, and it's a big one, it has a odd, grainy texture that takes some getting used to - so if you can get past this, it is pretty great.  Evens out my skin, keeps my oil at bay - solid.

3. Giorgio Armani Face Fabric in Shade 2 - been using this for quite a while and love the whipped texture.  It drys down to a powdery finish which is great for me and my oil!  (we go everywhere together, besties)

4. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector in Light/Medium - somewhat ambivalent about this product (shocking I know).  A little too dark for me so I tend to wear on weekends mixed with some moisturizer.  So-so.

5. Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet - It has been a while since I have worn a true foundation (the old me wouldn't recognize the new me, tsk, tsk, tsk), but I heard rave reviews about this.  It wears very well and does keep me matte, but offers much more coverage so I have moved this to my special occasion makeup pile.  Yes, there are piles. #nojudgement

6. Boscia BB Cream - received this in my July Birchbox, and have been wearing over the past week.  Enjoying it, hinges on a tad too dark, but as we all know that does not scare me off.  Dust a lighter powder on top to set, and all is kosher. 

Now that I have shared my face, kindly share yours.  What is on rotation in your makeup routine?

A Bit Obsessed: July 2012

1. My New I-phone
2. GOSH Nail Polishes

3. Madewell V-Neck Tees

4. Ann Taylor Patent Belt

5. Loreal Magic BB Cream

6. MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

7. New York Skyline

  

Sunday Nailday: Loreal



Loreal "Penthouse Pink"