2018

Natasha Denona Holiday 2018 Gold Palette, Mini Star + Chroma Crystal Top Coats

November 19, 2018

Natasha Denona’s Holiday 2018 Collection is stunning! As usual she has launched some pretty phenomenal palettes I feel are really unique and different in today’s beauty world. The holiday options have quite the sparkle and glitz. If you can’t do glitter but still want something different and bold for the holiday season I’d recommend opting for the Pat McGrath Opulence Collection instead. I have a look at her new Gold Palette ($129 for 15 shades), Mini Star Palette ($25 for 5 mini shades) and two new Chroma Crystal Top Coats ($28 each) in Metal Bronze and Metal Black.

The Gold Palette ($129 for 15 colors 15 x 0.08 oz/ 2.5 g, made in Italy) is pricey but if you break it down the $8.60 per shade isn’t that bad in my opinion. As always, my recommendation with palettes are to buy if you think you’ll wear or like most of the shades. This has a mix of all kinds of finishes: matte, shimmer, glitter, sparkle.

The nice thing about large palettes like this is you can create a wide range of looks. The downside for me is that they can kind be overwhelming. Quality-wise the colors in this palette perform really well. Everything swatched with very good pigment and color payoff. There will be some fallout with the glitter when you’re applying so you will need to clean up some sparkle on your cheeks. However after applying I found they stayed put on the eyes without transfer. Some of the sparkle shades are better applied with fingers in a patting motion versus a brush.

Colors include:

Lime Chrome is a duochrome olive gold
Python is a satin teal navy
Sparks is a glittering champagne
Aria is a matte warm cafe color
Cava is a sparkling warm champagne gold
Aurora is a metallic teal with gold shimmer
Dijon is a mustard matte
Oro is a shimmery warm yellow amber gold
Log is a matte brown
Varis is a shimmering medium brown
Brass is a sparkling brass gold
Sand Stone is a matte tan brown
Alchemist is a shimmery amber gold
Teak is a matte brown with warm tones
Aurum is a shimmery gold

She has another palette in the mini size called the Mini Star Palette which is supposed to be a small version with select colors from her Star Palette. The formula isn’t quite the same as her full size. Some of the minis feel creamier and slightly sheerer in color payoff but the corresponding colors with same shade name are really close. I think the mini is one of her more wearable options for the season. There aren’t any strong glitter shades with this one.

Colors include:

Orion is a blue green brown shimmer
Atik is a matte warm pinkish tan
Bellatrix is a shimmering peach champagne
Earth is a deep matte brown
Cosmo is an antique brass sparkle

Then there are two Chroma Crystal Top Coats in Metal Bronze and Metal Black, both of which are similar to her previous launches but this round the colors have a lot more pigment in the base. Previous options had a more clear base with colored sparkles. The ones for Holiday 2018 are ultra pigmented with finger application. With a brush it’s more sheer but buildable. They do set on the fast side so I recommend applying and blending quickly. My past top coats have since hardened and dried out a bit but it has not impacted color payoff. I’m not sure how these will last with the color – they’re really pretty once you layer and blend them but they aren’t the easiest to apply. I feel if she had made these pressed pigments more along the lines of the Hourglass Scattered Light or Marc Jacobs See-Quins Shadows which are not really creamy but more like pressed powders it would be less prone to hardening. I like the way these look and the color payoff. Metal Bronze is a pretty brown with gold flecks while Metal Black is a deep black grey with silver flecks. I wish the formula was different.

A look with the Natasha Denona Gold Palette on the eyes wearing Aria, Cava, Aurora and Log. Cheeks are the Becca Chrissy Teigen Glow Palette. Lips are Becca Glow Gloss in Opal. Tee is from J.Crew. Base worn is the Tatcha Water Cream, Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff, Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder to set. Brows are Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil in Soft Brunette.

You can see better looks on her Instagram Page @natashadenona which show the glitz and sparkle better.

Overall the collection has some beautiful pieces. I think the Gold Palette is the standout piece although it’s really expensive and has some shades that are very glitzy – glitzy out of my comfort zone. I do think the teals are easy to wear and layer with the golds which makes for a very unique look. For me the Mini Star and Chroma Crystal Top Coats for holiday are a pass simply because I already own the full size Star Palette and the for the Top Coats I’d rather just wear a cream shadow stick or layer a powder shadow.

To pick the best palette this holiday palettes this season is going to depend on your color preferences. I have not tried them all and I still have the new Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quads I’m eager to start testing. From the ones I have swatched and reviewed I think the easiest one to wear and most conservative is the Charlotte Tilbury Stars in Your Eyes. For those who like reds and pinks but don’t want something too pink, the Urban Decay Naked Cherry is a nice and very wearable option. The ones I feel are most unique are from the Pat McGrath Opulence Collection. The NARS Holiday Provocateur has the most unique palette mix for cooler smokey tones. The Natasha Denona Golds Eyeshadow Palette is unique for a gold and glitz palette with the widest range of options and finishes from you to choose from. It is very well made and the colors perform well.

You can find the Natasha Denona Holiday 2018 collection out now. Available at Sephora and Beautylish.

Natasha Denona holiday pieces provided for review.

7 Comments

Becca Holiday Gift Guide

BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Holiday Kits + Volcano Goddess Glow Gloss Review

November 18, 2018

I have a review of a some things from a few recent Becca collections today. The Becca x Chrissy Teigen Holiday Kits are perfect for the holiday season and after playing with both I’ve decided these are what I’m wearing on Thankgiving! They’re glowing, effortless and versatile! I also have a look at three of the Volcano Goddess Glow Glosses which are limited-edition but still available at Ulta Beauty.

BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Glow Recipe Kit ($44 for the kit, made in USA)
BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Lip Icing Glow Gloss Kit ($29 for 4 minis 2.5 g each, made in USA)
Volcano Goddess Glow Gloss x 3 ($22 each for 5 g/0.18 oz, made in USA)

I’ve been the biggest fan of the first Becca x Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette. It’s one of my most-worn palettes to date (review here). If you don’t own it I highly recommend checking it out. Even with all the other options I find it has the perfect tones for bronzer, blush and highlighters. It has gone with me on almost every trip. The Becca x Chrissy Holiday kits are truly some of the cutest set options for holiday. I think they’ve made sets suitable for any age and skin color. They would make super cute gift sets for teens, college age, even full on adults like myself. I can even see my mother-in-law wearing these kinds of colors and we have completely different coloring.

The BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Lip Icing Glow Gloss Kit has four mini lip glosses. The colors are so good I wish they came in full sizes but given the number of gloss I already have I don’t mind. I’ll for sure use these up and they’re tiny enough to fit in the smallest of holiday clutches or a small pocket. They’re all very smooth and have nice even coverage.

Colors have a soft vanilla scent to them:

Creme Brulee is a sheer shimmering soft pink with sparkles
Cinnamon Bun is a medium shimmering bronze
Sugar Plum is a soft plum gold, on me plums pull red, but if you have neutral lips this might pull more true to tube
Candy Cane is a bright warm bold red creme

The BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Glow Recipe Kit has three glow items, four if you count the duo as two items. I think they’re perfect to create an almost entire look. You just need your base, liner and mascara. Maybe a blush or bronzer if you want more color on the cheeks. These are sweet sugary smelling (except the eyeshadow).

Colors include:

Confectionary Glow Powder in Cinammon Sugar is a shimmering warm gold
Liquid Lip Matte Lip Souffle in Red Velvet is a neutral pink brown (pulls warm on me)
Glow Souffle Eyeshadow and Face Highlighter Duo in Cinnamon Churro has a perfect shimmering warm soft brown and a glossy glowy sheer gold cream highlighter that almost feels like a jelly (it’s pretty dewy but blends out smoothly)

Beauty look shown below wearing:

Eyes and Cheeks have the Becca x Chrissy Glow Recipe Kit Eyeshadow, Cream Highlighter and Loose Powder
Lips have the Mini Sugar Plum Lip Gloss
Base is Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5 + Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Pressed Powder #2
Concealer is Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Concealer 3W
Mascara is L’Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof
Eyeliner is the Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Perversion
Brows are Hourglass Arch Brow in Soft Brunette
Crewneck sweater is from Nordstrom (these run big, I’d recommend sizing down)
Hair curled with the T3 Twirl Trio, 1.5 inch barrel + Living Proof Flex Hairspray

I received the entire Volcano Goddess Limited-edition makeup collection for the fall season. These arrived a few weeks ago so they’re not new – you’ve probably already seen these pop up on your feed. There’s a pretty Volcano Goddess Eyeshadow Palette, Lava Gold Highlighter and 3 Glow Glosses. Given the vast number of launches this season, I decided to only keep the glosses and saved the other items for giveaways. The Glow Glosses are really pretty. The formula is one of my favorites (review of other Becca Glow Glosses here). The three in the Volcano Goddess Collection do not disappoint!

Colors:

Metamorphic Gold is PERFECTION on my lips! It’s a sheer pale gold that flashes pink and pearl sparkles, I love the transparent quality which gives my lips a pretty glow
Molton Mauve is a full coverage cool-neutral mauve pink brown color with some gold flecks
Ruby Fire is one of the prettiest sheer red plums with gold flecks, it is sheer so my natural lip shows through

All three swatched alongside Red Velvet from the Chrissy Glow Recipe Kit:

Gloss comparison swatches for reference to other Becca colors, lip swatches of the other Becca Glow Gloss shades here. I think the holiday ones are different enough from the current lineup to justify buying.

Beauty look with Volcano Goddess Glow Gloss in Metamorphic Gold on the lips and the Becca x Chrissy Glow Face Palette on the cheeks. Same base, eye shadow and mascara colors worn as listed in the photo above. Nail color is Chanel Organdi which is the perfect everyday neutral pink – and it doesn’t chip or get tip wear for around 5 days (sometimes 7) for me.

Bottom line solid wins! If I didn’t receive these as press samples I would 100% love to find this under my Christmas Tree or stocking. I think anyone would! They’re really easy to wear, don’t take any extra effort. Colors will work with a wide range of top colors: black, red, beige, pink, plum – really anything you can imagine wearing this holiday season.

These sets put me in the holiday spirit while I was swatching and photographing the items. I also have really enjoyed reading about some of your holiday traditions in my last post! We really haven’t had any specific traditions since our lives have changed over the past couple of years with our move. Andrew and I do always spend the holidays together no matter what we’re doing – this will be our 17th holiday season together!

You can find the Becca x Chrissy Teigen Holiday Collection at all Becca retailers now. Online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Beautylish, Becca Cosmetics. The Volcano Goddess collection looks like it’s still available even though it’s limited-edition but I could only find the Glow Gloss at Ulta Beauty and Becca Cosmetics.

Becca sets + gloss provided for review. As always opinions are my own.

9 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas $50 and Under

November 16, 2018

I have my first Holiday Gift Guide of the year up today with some ideas $50 and Under! Based on your feedback I’m putting together a series of gift guides in the upcoming weeks so stay tuned for more ideas and inspiration. First I want to mention that Sephora’s Beauty Insider Holiday Event for Beauty Insiders Starts today in stores and online, use code BIBONUS for 15% off from Friday 11/16 to Monday 11/19. They’ve also extended the savings this weekend to VIB and Rouge Members with 20% off in store and online using code ENJOY. So if you still had things on your list, you can still shop and save!

Gift Ideas Under $50 shown above

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21

My gift ideas $50 and Under are broken down by category. I have not started any holiday shopping yet – I still can’t get over the fact that it’s mid-November! I’ve been bookmarking all the cute gift ideas as I make these gift guides. Out of all the ones I’ve looked at so far, I think the easiest most universal options for stocking stuffers with cute packaging are from L’Occitane, Fresh and Molton Brown. They’re already boxed in a cute cracker or box so it takes any extra work out of wrapping it. From my own personal experience items from those lines are always well received even from the pickiest of people I know.

For the Hair Care Lover

So many good travel or trial sets out there! I found some cute ones from Living Proof, Oribe, Ouai and Bumble and Bumble. As usual you can find some really nice deals with the Sephora Favorites collections. I also think you can’t go wrong pairing the Aquis Hair Towels with any mini hair care product. There are some nice affordable options from Oribe this year too including their 10th Anniversary Dry Texturizing Spray which comes in special packaging.

Makeup Sets + Palettes

Holidays are the best times for mini sets and palettes. As a lip gloss and lipstick junkie this is an easy win category. The Becca x Chrissy Teigen Lip Icing Glow Gloss Kit is the cutest (swatches coming soon). MAC always has great options for the holiday season.

Skincare Junkies

This is the category I shop for myself. Skincare is so personal so unless you truly know one’s skin type or skincare routine, this area can be a bit tricky. Safe bets are from First Aid Beauty, L’Occitane, Fresh Beauty. The Fresh Sugar Jetsetter is priced at a really good deal! L’Occitane has the cutest ornaments. Molton Brown has their holiday Shower Gel Baubles which you can buy individually or in a set.

Fragrance and Home

I tend to categorize fragrance or home with higher price points but there are a number of options that are more affordable. You can’t go wrong with a soft throw. West Elm has so many good options, we bought this Coziest Throw and it’s so soft and cozy. Byredo and Diptyque are expensive luxury brands but there are mini candle options under $50 this year. Byredo has some of their scents like Fleur Fantome, Bohemia and Burning Rose in the mini size individually. Diptyque has a wide range of candles in the mini size, Vanille is perfect for fall to holiday. They also have cute miniatures like this Do Son + Tubereuse Surprise Pocket Set. Jo Malone also has some fun Christmas Crackers and Christmas Ornaments this year.

Just for Fun

For the fun or extras, I can’t tell you how obsessed I am with the Away Minis. Full review here. They’re great for travel and gifts. Alone the regular ones are $35 each and you can fill them with fun travel size beauty items or candy as a cute gift. J.Crew has some cute cold weather accessories like this Ribbed Beanie and Fuzzy Slippers. Sleeping masks can be really cute, I have one of the Slipsilk Pure Silk Sleep Masks and really like it. There are fun patterns available this season in case you want something more than the basic silk (although I like any of them). Aesop’s Jet Set Kit has four minis I think are perfect for sampling or travel. I’ve bought this many times over, they’re super cute. And for something practical the S’Well Bottles (a couple of mine shown here) are things I use on a regular basis and love.

Gift Ideas Under $25

Some options all $25 and under for lower price points. One of the brands I think is simple but really handy is Tweezerman. I bought a Tweezerman Nail Set for my husband last year. We had moved a lot and his was packed in storage in one of many boxes (we didn’t want to search through them all). I got him one of the travel sets which I can’t find online anymore but he uses it all the time. This year they have a cute Mini Nail Rescue Set you can find a number of places like Sephora, Ulta and Neiman Marcus. Bundle it with a mini hand cream or polish and it makes for a cute + practical gift.

This week’s giveaway is a Mini Away Suitcase in Pink! One reader will receive a Mini Away Travel case filled with surprise beauty goodies. I usually pre-pick items for the giveaway but this time I’ll be putting together custom picked goodies from my backup stash tailored to the winner’s skin type and preferences. Open internationally 18 years and older. To enter for a chance to win simply follow at least one of the steps in the widget below. Giveaway runs through Tuesday November 20th, 11:59 PM EST. I’ll pick a winner within 48 hours after giveaway ends and contact via e-mail. Not sponsored or affiliated. I usually ship prizes within 1 week and provide tracking information.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

78 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide Tatcha

Tatcha Holiday 2018 Lip Sets Review + Swatches

November 15, 2018

Tatcha always has the prettiest Holiday Gift Sets and today I have a review of three lip sets. They have a number of skincare bundles which are always priced at a good value but the lip sets are the ones that caught my eye. Today 11/15 is the last day of their Friends and Family Event, you can get 20% off sitewide with code FRIENDS18 at checkout. I’m thrilled the lip sets have not yet sold out as every year they usually do. The three sets I hauled:

Kyoto Kisses Mini Silk Lipstick Trio ($60)
Japanese Blossoms Mini Silk Lipstick Trio ($60)
Blushing Lips Duo ($68)

I’ve reviewed their lipsticks over the years including Kyoto Red, Sunrise: A Plum Blossom, and Twilight: A Cherry Blossom. The packaging, presentation and formula of every color is exquisite. The full size options are on the expensive side but they are truly special. Sometime last year they launched a purple berry color Beautyberry in a Trio Set with lipstick, liner and balm form which many of you asked me to review. I don’t typically wear blue-based colors and thought it would be too blue so I passed until now because it’s available in one of the mini sets!

There are two mini lipstick sets, they come in small bullets 1.3 g/0.04 oz each, made in Japan. The lipstick pigment and color appears to be the same as the full size options I tried and review, but to me the formula in the trios seem to be a tiny bit glossier in finish (except for the red). The difference is not too noticeable, could just be me. The Mini Silk Lipstick Trios come packaged in a beautiful box and there is a holder inside which I really appreciate. It holds them in place perfectly so when shipped there shouldn’t be any rolling around in the box. Both sets are beautiful. I can’t pick a favorite.

Japanese Blossoms Mini Silk Lipstick Trio has Sunrise: A Plum Blossom (medium rose pink), Twilight: A cherry blossom (pale soft pink) and Beautyberry (a cool plum berry). In the tube Beautyberry looks like it has the slightest hint of iridescent shimmer, on my lips I don’t see the shimmer as much. Given the fact that most blue-based lipsticks make me look sallow because of my skintone I was really pleasantly surprised to find Beautyberry wearable for my olive complexion. I don’t know that I love it enough to buy the full size options though.

Lip swatches on bare lips, foundation I’m wearing for skintone reference is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5:

Kyoto Kisses has Sunrise: A Plum Blossom (medium rose pink), a new shade Peony Blossom (sheer glossy pink coral), and Kyoto Red (bold bright matte red). I think the new Peony Blossom is their best shade yet, but I’m really partial to peachy pink coral shades. The peach and pink shades have sheer to medium coverage with one swipe, but you can layer for full coverage. Lip swatches below show they covered my entire lip well. Kyoto Red is one of the most intense bold reds I’ve ever tried. It’s a matte although in my swatches you might see a tiny bit of shine because of the flash I use.

Lip swatches on bare lips:

All swatched side by side:

I’ve saved my favorite for last which is the Blushing Lips Duo. It has a full size Kissu Lip Mask (9 g/ 0.32 oz, made in Japan) and a full size Peony Blossom Silk Lipstick (3.4 g/0.1 oz).

The Kissu Lip Mask was available individually but kept selling out and I never managed to check out in time to buy it. I’m really happy I got it in this set because it’s such a pretty smooth lip balm. I like it MUCH more than their regular Camellia Lip Balm and that is one I still consider to be very good. The Kissu Lip Mask has a soft cushiony feel, it’s hydrating and smooth. No sticky or tacky feel. It’s clear but the color has a slight pink tint in the pot. There’s a small gold applicator you can use to apply which is cute, but I wish the cap had a holder like the Water Cream or Silk Cream because I always lose applicators!

Peony Silk Blossom Lipstick is such a pretty natural coral pink. It’s medium in coverage but you can layer for more. It has a soft sheen like the other silk lipsticks. Lasting power is average for a glossy lipstick but these fade nicely since there is some shine to it. If this came in a lip liner or balm I would totally jump to buy it as well. Scroll up to see the swatch of this on the lips (it’s also in the mini in the Kyoto Kisses Set).

All the lips swatched side by side:

Because the sale event is happening and also because I haven’t written about Tatcha in a while, I wanted to highlight my top 5 picks of the moment. I’ve used them for many years since the brand’s early days (I just looked at my order history and it was back in 2013 when I first started using their skincare!). There hasn’t been a product I didn’t like. Their skincare is nice and I like that they have lots of options for either sensitive or dry skin. My top 5:

Kissu Lip Mask is now a favorite! I hope it’s permanent
Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is one of the nicest hydrating face mists, during the hot humid times of the year in Florida it’s a little too heavy for me, but right now we’re going into dry season and it’s perfect, when I lived in San Diego I used it a lot all year round
Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil is a classic staple
The Silk Canvas Primer is one of my favorite primers when I wear a primer, review here
The Water Cream is my go-to light moisturizer, also reviewed here

LOVE love love that they carry travel sizes you can buy. They are perfect for travel or on-the-go. If you’re new to the brand I highly recommend you try one of their starter sets because it’s the best way to try the minis. I also really loved their Rice Enzyme Powders for cleansers and soft gentle exfoliation. This year they reformulated them though and I’m still working my way through the older ones and have not tried the new ones yet.

I think all three sets I hauled are excellent. If I had to pick one it would be the Blushing Lips Duo because I like the lip mask. I use it as a regular lip balm, but I did leave it on overnight last night and it left lips feeling soft and smooth. I do think I prefer the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask more but they’ve got a different texture and finish. Plus I can never have enough lip balms.

You can find these Tatcha holiday sets online at Tatcha. Their Friend and Family Sale Event ends today 11/15 with code FRIENDS18 at checkout for 20% off sitewide.

You can also find Tatcha products at other retailers like Sephora, Barney’s New York and QVC. Each retailer has their own gift set selection for the holidays as well in case you want to check out more options!

P.S. Side note – I’m going to be adding a few things to my blog sale page @stylednotes in case you’re interested in shopping my closet!

73 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide Packing Travel

Away Mini Suitcases + Holiday Gift Sets

November 13, 2018

I’m thrilled to announce the Away Mini Suitcases are back! They are available for a limited run during the holiday season individually or in a few gift set options. This year the Mini is available in 9 core colors, 2 limited-edition winter colors Halo and Aurora, plus the Aluminum Edition. Last year I ordered lots of these to give as gifts. I think they’re perfect for anyone! Available online at Away Travel or in any one of their stores in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin or London.

You can order individually (empty), add a gift card, or pick one of their pre-filled sets. The options and pricing this year are as follows:

The Mini ($35 each)
The Mini Aluminum Edition ($55 each)
Three Gift Set Options:
- The Essential Set ($45) or The Essential Set Aluminum Edition ($65)
- The Beauty Set ($75) or The Beauty Set Aluminum Edition ($95)
- The Grooming Set ($75) or The Grooming Set Set Aluminum Edition ($95)

Today I have a detailed review of two of the sets in The Grooming and The Beauty Set, plus a look at The Aluminum Edition and the new color Halo (which also comes in the suitcases as part of their Solstice Collection). I ordered quite a few of the colors over the years and have used them many times. They’ve held up really well! I love that they have a hard exterior case to protect things you don’t want to get squished like sunglasses or squeezable tubes etc.

Dimensions of all the minis are 7 inches tall, 5 inches wide and 3 inches deep. The regular colors have a zip around closure with two zippers. The Aluminum Edition has a clasp snap closure. Interior is the same in both, it’s an open compartment with one mesh pocket. You can mix and match any of the set contents with color of your choice. I love that they also have empty ones so you can fill them with your own travel favorites. Below is a look at Halo which is a glossy ice white, it’s really pretty!

The Grooming Set

The Grooming Set has Maapilim Lip Balm Grapefruit and Lavender (.5 fl oz), Haeckles Seaweed Geranium Hand Balm (1.7 fl oz), Grown Alchemist Gentle Facial Cleanser (1.69 fl oz), Baxter Exfoliating Soap Full-Size and a Kent’s Folding Comb. Shown above stuffed into one of the Away Everywhere Bags which I really like for travel. They’re the perfect size for carry ons and have a flap in the back you can slip onto the handle of the suitcases! I wish they would keep the leather as a permanent part of the collection, but the nylon ones are also really nice.

The Beauty Set

The Beauty Set has five cute beauty minis including a Tata Harper Skincare Serum (10 ml), Caudalie Beauty Elixir (30 ml/1 fl oz), Klorane Dry Shampoo (50 ml/1 oz), Nuori Copenhagen Lip Treat (15 ml/0.5 fl oz), and a Mount Lai Mini Jade Roller. I think the face roller is the cutest! I did a quick search online for individual items and found them all separately except for the Tata Harper. The Gift Set is priced at a better value than buying the items individually, but you can always fill them with your own picks 🙂

This one shown above is the Blush Mini inside the limited-edition Dawn Everywhere Bag. It’s a satin fabric material that’s an iridescent pink with leather trim. I have yet to use this as I just received it – first impressions are that it softens nicely as it moves. Since it’s a fabric material I do think it won’t be quite as sturdy/stain resistant as the nylon or leather but I can review it in a separate post if you’re interested.

A look at the regular Away Mini vs The Aluminum Edition Mini. Both are the same dimensions. Differences are the material, closures and the Aluminum one opens up wider. The two Solstice Colors Halo and Aurora this season have a glossy finish, but all the colors in the regular lineup (like Black, Sand, Blush, etc.) have a textured finish. If you go to their website you’ll see the texture better on the stock images.

Inside is an open compartment with a mesh flap:

Side closures differences, regular ones have a zipper while the Aluminum has a clasp:

I’ve used these on flights and on road trips. They’re nice to keep essentials handy for quick access. I also put sunglasses inside sometimes! Everytime I fly and snap one of these on Instagram I’m flooded with questions about liquids and TSA restrictions. I always put everything in a quart size bag at home to make sure it fits first, if it all fits I pack it into a mini case. I bring an extra empty zip lock bag with me just in case they ask me to take all the contents out at security, but so far the airlines I’ve flown have taken a look at the case (this one or the Anya Hindmarch one I use) and given it the ok based on an eyeball estimate. It really depends on the airline and country you’re traveling to but if you’re carrying a lot of liquids the best option is to just check it with your luggage. If you want to keep your liquids in the clear bag until you pass through security that’s also an option.

One example of some beauty items I fit inside. If you want to know what I travel with you can see any of my Packing Posts by clicking on the tag.

Overall LOVE! I’ve loved these for years now and am excited every time they are launched for the holiday. I think they make the perfect stocking stuffers for anyone. I ordered so many last year and everyone loved them. This is the first time they’ve offered the Aluminum Edition and I’ve eyed (actually drooled over) the beautiful silver suitcases every time I’ve been in an Away store. Based on my lifestyle and preference I think the regular versions of the suitcases and minis are my preference. The Aluminum ones are beautiful, I’d just be afraid about denting or scratching it! That being said with travel and checking bags one really does need to get over the scratches because they’re bound to happen!

Quick peek at some other colors from last year’s post in case you’re wondering what they look like for scale. They still have the Brick (reddish color) and Asphalt (grey) as part of their core lineup:

I’m in the process of putting together a dedicated suitcase luggage review for you on the different size options. I have reviewed and featured the Carry On and Bigger Carry On in multiple Travel Posts which you can refer back to for now. I really love the Bigger Carry On out of all the sizes I’ve tried. We did recently get a Medium Size which seems more practical for week long trips. On a few vacations we ended up taking 3 Bigger Carry-On Suitcases with us because Andrew’s shoes are so big and I like to bring things home from travel (we did check them).

I hope this review gives you all the details you need if you don’t have an Away store near you! I highly recommend them. I really love everything from Away and am so thrilled to be one of their Collective Ambassadors for the year. You can find The Minis online at Away Travel for a limited-time this holiday and at any one of their free-standing stores.

Away minis + bags provided for review.

80 Comments

Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick Review + Swatches

November 12, 2018

Continuing holiday beauty reviews with a look at the Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipsticks ($38 each for 3.9 g/0.13 oz, made in USA). Pat McGrath continues to launch innovative colors and formulas in a way that makes me want to go beyond my usual conservative makeup comfort zone and try new things. These BlitzTrance Lipsticks have intense sparkle and pigment. They’re described as an “iridescent lipstick that releases a full-coverage blast of explosive color with multidimensional, high-shine effects” and I could not describe it better. They’re opaque, ultra-reflective, explosive in color pigment and luminous.

These lipsticks are very sparkly but the sparkle and glitter varies per shade. I’ll describe them in more detail next to each shade description. There is a little bit of texture from the sparkle with a couple of these but it’s not a harsh texture and once on the lips I barely notice it. Lasting power is really good – the color base is emollient and has a hydrating feel so it helps the glitter adhere and it doesn’t migrate. Only Pat McGrath can make me want to wear sparkle this intense. I was prepared to tell you that they are way too sparkly and intense for me based on the online swatches I saw, but some of the colors are really wearable and I think the bolds are going to be particularly beautiful for holiday parties or dinners.

There are currently 7 shades available. I received 6 of these as press samples and then picked up the 7th color from my local Sephora. There is another 8th shade listed online as “coming soon.”

Nude Romantique is a refined peachy pink shimmer, it has lots of sparkle but this is one of the more subtle sparkles
Flesh Fatale is a medium bronze nude shimmer, also has softer shimmer
Fuchsia Perfect is an intense cool-toned bright blue based pink sparkle
Cyber Orchid is a bright cool-toned purple pink sparkle (it’s similar to Fuchsia Perfect, Cyber Orchid just has more blue tones)
Rebel Red is the most stunning metallic red I’ve ever seen, sparkle is chunkier in this one with a noticeable texture
Club Kiss is an intense plum-red shimmer, sparkle is also very metallic and bold
Blitz Gold is a yellow 24K gold metallic, it’s smoother in shimmer, but very foiled
Electra is listed as “coming soon”

I’d recommend looking at the @patmcgrathreal Instagram page for live swatch videos to get a better sense of the sparkle. The ones I have don’t capture the sparkle quality quite as intense as I see in real life. Although I do think the studio lights used on social emphasize the sparkle and glitz a little more intensely than they actually appear.

Close ups of each color below, Nude Romantique:

___________________

Flesh Fatale:

___________________

Fuchsia Perfect:

___________________

Cyber Orchid:

___________________

Rebel Red:

___________________

Club Kiss:

___________________

Blitz Gold:

For me the only two colors I did not like are Cyber Orchid (it’s really blue on me) and also Blitz Gold (I just don’t like really yellow golds) – but this is just a matter of color preference. If you don’t like sparkle or glitter in your lip color I think it’s going to be a safe pass for you. If you like bold colors and don’t mind some shimmer and glitz I think they’re really worth checking out. Out of all the shades Nude Romantique and Flesh Fatale are the most conservative in color and shimmer.

I think these have the perfect festive holiday feel. For me they’re a little too sparkly for everyday wear but I do think the neutrals Nude Romantique and Flesh Fatale are ones I can wear without feeling too sparkly. Rebel Red and Club Kiss are my favorites out of the entire collection. I always feel like bold reds and plums draw so much attention to my already full lips – but these two are so stunning and festive I think they’re going to be fun for holiday. No detectable scent or taste with these! Lasting power is really nice.

You can find the Pat McGrath Labs BlitzTrance Lipsticks out now online at Pat McGrath. Available at $38 each or in various bundles and sets on her website.

6 shades provided for review. Fuchsia Perfect purchased by me.

87 Comments

Fashion Lifestyle What's In My Bag

Senreve Mini Maestra Review

November 11, 2018

Happy Sunday! I have another fun bag review today featuring a detailed look at the Senreve Mini Maestra in Sand ($695). This is a relatively newer brand and I love the entire look and aesthetic of their edited line. As a petite person it can be challenging to find purses proportional to my height and the Mini Maestra is perfect for me. It’s small enough to fit my petite frame but also roomy enough inside to hold day-to-day essentials. When they reached out and asked to work together on a feature I was thrilled to put one to the test. Not having seen these in person yet I did not know what to expect but after trying it out I can say that it exceeded all of my expectations. Their line is primarily available on their Senreve website but they do have a few pop-ups. However, if you’re like me and don’t have a location near you, I think you can safely rely on their website descriptions and photos to give you an accurate shopping guide.

Wearing: Senreve Mini Maestra in Sand (c/o), BP Rib Knit Henley, 7 For All Mankind b(air) High Waist Skinny Jeans, Hermes Oran Sandals (similar budget alternative here), for height reference, I’m 5’3″

The Mini Maestra comes in a wide range of colors and finishes. Prices depend on material and color. The one I have is Sand which is a beige tan nude color. This one comes in the Pebbled finish which is a stiffer and very durable finish. It’s supposed to be scratch-resistant and so far it does seem to be very sturdy and structured. I truly appreciate their detailed descriptions of all their finishes on their website. It makes the decision process of picking one so much easier!

The bag is small enough to not overwhelm my frame but roomy enough inside to hold a lot of things. The design is really versatile and you can wear it in a number of ways: over the shoulder, over your arm, as a crossbody and even as a backpack. Dimensions:

Width at base: 8.625”
Width at top: 11.875”
Height: 7.5
Drop handle: 1.75”
Adjustable straps: 18-23”
Depth: 7.25”
Weight: 1.8 lbs (2-3 pounds lighter than similar bags)
Central compartment fits iPad

Worn as a backpack:

A closer look at the details. These bags are made of genuine Italian leather and the quality and craftsmanship are truly excellent! The front has a magnetic clasp which you slip through a loop to close – double closure to secure everything. The interior design is what I’d consider the BEST part of this bag. They’ve included pockets that are actually functional and I am beyond obsessed! There’s room enough for my phone, phone charger, sunglasses, card cases, perfumes, small items, etc. There is even a loop with a key holder inside. Front:

Side:

Back:

Base come with little feet:

Details:

What I can fit inside with room to spare below. Interior is made of micro-suede, it’s soft and really pretty inside!

For those who don’t want lipstick + gloss floating around, there is enough space inside to hold a smaller makeup pouch. I can easily fit a couple of the Truffle Mini Clarity Clutches inside. Also shown below (press samples have a *):

Sunglasses, iPhone, Away Charger (from one of my suitcases), Gucci Card Case
Lipglosses: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Sparkling*, Lawless Matte Liquid Lipstick, NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Roseland (review here), Dior Addict Lip Glow (swatches here), Cle de Peau Radiant Lip Gloss (review here), Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips (my picks here), Pat McGrath Lip Fetish* (swatches here)
Other makeup: Tom Ford Fiber Brow Gel (review here), Chanel Hand Cream (review here), Byredo Travel Atomizer*, Supergoop! Sunscreen Spray, Byredo Mini Perfume Vial in Blanche, MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC35, IGK Dry Shampoo Mini

Another look at the detailing – they have clasps and closures to help keep the straps in place after you adjust them. This is something I don’t often see in a lot of purses.

Shown how I’ve been wearing it a few more ways:

Overall I’m really impressed. The mini is perfect for me although the same design comes in two larger size options in the Maestra and Midi Maestra for those who prefer bigger purses. Quality is excellent and I highly recommend it! So many of you asked me on Instagram how it compares to the Celine Belt Bags. I do think it has a similar shape to the Celine Belt Bag that I used to own. When I bought mine years ago I had the smallest size option called the Mini Belt Bag (reviewed here). One photo of me wearing it in this post here. It was still on the big side for me, but I really did love them! A few years later they came out with smaller options called the Micro and Nano. I’ve been wanting to buy one for a while now but wanted to buy them in person and just haven’t had a chance to go to a store yet (there aren’t any near me!). As soon as I decided I wanted to smaller ones I decided to sell both my Black and Light Taupe via a few blog sales so I no longer have them to compare. Off the top of my head, other than size and design difference, the Senreve is more structured and square-like while the Celine had a material that was softer and thinner, shape was also not quite as square. I want to say the grained finish is similar but since I don’t have the Celine anymore I can’t do a side by side. If I still end up buying the Nano or Micro I can do a comparison if you’re interested.

A few other notes and thoughts. A lot of you want to know about color transfer. Living in Florida the weather is HOT! I can count the number of times I’ve worn dark jeans and pants on one hand this year. Most of my denim has been washed several times over so I have not experienced any staining or color transfer even though Sand is on the lighter side. That being said I have not tested it against brand new dark denim.

On shape/structure with other bags, if you add product inside it can be prone to sagging a little. The Senreve has enough structure and stitching to keep its shape. No sagging with this one! At least not yet.

I hope you found this review helpful! I’ve really been enjoying the Senreve Mini Maestra. Even Andrew approves and he doesn’t always like my taste in handbags (he did not like the way the Celine looked on me because of the size, but that did not stop me from loving them, lol). If you’ve been wondering about these bags but aren’t able to see in person I hope this gives you a good idea of size, shape, how to wear etc. The quality is really really well made. Let me know if you have any questions!

You can find these available online at Senreve. There are so many colors to choose from!

Many thanks to Senreve for sending a bag for review.

5 Comments

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Natasha Denona Holiday 2018 Gold Palette, Mini Star + Chroma Crystal Top Coats

BECCA x Chrissy Teigen Holiday Kits + Volcano Goddess Glow Gloss Review

Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas $50 and Under

Tatcha Holiday 2018 Lip Sets Review + Swatches

Away Mini Suitcases + Holiday Gift Sets

The Grooming Set

The Beauty Set

Pat McGrath BlitzTrance Lipstick Review + Swatches

Senreve Mini Maestra Review

Follow @beautylookbook