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Sabrina

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Sephora Formula X Wunderkind

June 12, 2014
If you visit a Sephora store soon a massive redesigned nail bar featuring their new Formula X is bound to catch your eye. It’s a hard-to-miss wall of color stocked with tester, pull out clear adhesives for swatches along with nail polish remover and cotton. I’ve featured Push the Limits Nail Lacquer and The System / Delete. Today I’m featuring a new shade that was released for summer Wunderkind Formula X ($10.50 for 12 ml/0.4 fl oz).

Wunderkind is a dark shimmery blue with a slight purple tint. It caught my eye at the store and I swatched it immediately. The first coat is very very sheer but the formula is smooth and easy to apply. The second coat transform the color into a full coverage smooth slightly milky blue pearl. I like that it’s a dark blue with a hint of purple but that it’s not so dark that it turns black on the nail. The blue actually shows through making it more true to what you see in the bottle.

Here it is on me with two coats along with the Formula X Base Coat and Top Coat. The manicure looked fresh through Day 5 without any tip wear or chipping (I took it off on day 5 to swatch other colors). Here’s quick snapshot of the brush as well – the white cap pulls off.

A few comparisons to other blues: Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light, Chanel Blue Satin, Chanel Bel-Argus, Guerlain Riviera (discontinued) and Chanel Blue Rebel (discontinued).

Overall love for the formula, wear time, color and in particular love the reasonable price point. Wunderkind ($10.50) is part of The Cut Summer 2014 collection. Available now at Sephora.
Have you tried anything from the Formula X line? What did you think?
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MAC Sharon Osbourne Collection Picks | Duchess Eyeshadow Quad, Bijou and Pussywillow Lipglass

June 11, 2014

The MAC Sharon and Kelly Osbourne collaboration is my favorite MAC release this year. Items have already launched online and will be available in stores and counters this Thursday June 12th. The entire collection features limited-edition products and as with most popular MAC releases many items sold out online within the first few hours of the launch.

I was able to get three items on my wishlist: the Sharon Osbourne Duchess Eyeshadow Quad ($44) along with the two Sharon Osbourne Lipglasses ($16.50 each) in Bijou and Pussywillow. If you’re contemplating whether or not to get these, my recommendation is a huge yes to all three. The colors are naturally flattering and look amazing on every other blogger I’ve read reviews on, all with different skintones and hair color. Swatched below:

Duchess Eyeshadow Quad has four warmish neutrals, the only shade you can purchase individually right now is Embark. All the others appear to be exclusive to this quad. I found the pigment to be really good – the Veluxe Pearl formula is one of the best MAC has. The colors:

  • Sweet Eyes (Veluxe Pearl) is a pearly pale champagne gold and ivory shimmer
  • Sexy Eyes (Veluxe Pearl) is a soft pinky copper shimmer
  • Femme Fatale (Satin) is a warmer copper shimmer
  • Embark (Matte) is a matte brown (on me it looks more satiny)

Although MAC Duchess has colors that can probably be easily duplicated by other brands, I really like this one because it has just the right amount of shimmer and isn’t overly frosted. The closest I have is Chanel Spices which is sheerer, lighter and more subdued. MAC Duchess by comparison is darker, warmer and more pigmented.

Bijou Lipglass is the perfect nude mauvey pink. I think I will need a back up (it’s that good). It does settle into the lip lines a bit if you don’t blend well but it’s not too obvious and can be easily blended out. Pussywillow Lipglass is a stunning gold shimmer. It looks better in person and for me it has enough color to wear alone without washing out the complexion.

Some comparisons below to MAC Nice Buzz Plushglass, Burberry Nude Glow Lip Glow, MAC Naked Space (discontinued), MAC Summer Crop (discontinued), MAC Rich & Witty (discontinued), MAC Angel Lipglass and MAC Lust Lipglass.

Overall love. I will be at the counters this Thursday trying to get both of the blushes (which sold out online literally in the blink of an eye). I’m undecided on the other items as they look like they are nice to have but perhaps dupe-able. The Kelly collection looks a bit cool-toned for my olive skin tone but if you’ve tried any items I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The Sharon Osbourne Duchess Quad, Bijou Lipglass and Pussywillow Lipglass are all limited-edition and currently still available online now at Nordstrom, Macy’s and maccosmetics.com. Available in MAC stores and counters starting Thursday June 12th.

Did you get anything from the Kelly or Sharon Osbourne collection? What else do you think I should check out?

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Loving This Week

June 10, 2014

This week I’m in love with Tatcha’s Indigo Hand Cream and Caudalie’s Divine Oil for extra moisture and hydration. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments in the mini sizes have found their way to my makeup bag on a regular basis lately as well for added moisture and quick touch ups. As my skin has started to clear up the Chanel Les Beiges Fluid No. 30 has started to be sufficient on its own (just with powder added) for a sheer evening base. As an update to my last review, I got a sample of No. 20 and found it to be a good match as well, just slightly too pink so No. 30 is a better match for me right now. Edward Bess Afterglow has remained a staple for me every day, I just used another one up and opened up a brand new one. Perfect as an eye base or highlight on the cheekbones. Another eye pencil I’ve been loving for an eye base is NARS Soft Touch Pencil in Iraklion as a good nude taupey cream base for powder eyeshadows. It’s a lovely subtle neutral. Sephora Beauty Insider offerings are killing it this summer with the Elizabeth and James Nirvana minis (I’m seriously considering the full size of Nirvana Black). MAC Sharon Osbourne Lipglasses in Pussywillow and Bijou are my new must-haves (review to come soon, I think Bijou is backup worthy). I’m planning a mid-week nail polish change on my toes but can’t decide between Dior Metal Montaigne or Incognito (do you ever do nudes on your toes?). Guerlain Cils d’Enfer in Waterproof Black is a new discovery thanks to The Raeviewer (be sure to check out her summer must-haves). I love it for lush thick defined lashes and the formula stays put all day long. Le Metier de Beaute Dark Orchid Kaleidoscope is a Neiman Marcus Camp Gorgeous Gift with Purchase Exclusive with a $250 LMdB purchase, I purchased items in store to get this, but just checked online to see it it was available. It’s not listed in the beauty offers section but if you add items to your cart the gift will show up once you hit the qualifying amount (while supplies last). I wish Le Metier de Beaute would release more kaleidoscopes that weren’t exclusives but I’m really happy to have this one.

Currently working my way through reviews of so many lipglosses that I’ve accumulated since May. Featured above are Marc Jacobs Overprotected and NARS Lipgloss in Istria, Belize, Sweet Dreams and Risky Business.

What are you loving this week?
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Jo Malone Silk Blossom Cologne | Limited Edition

June 9, 2014

Jo Malone has released a couple new fragrances this spring-summer. There are two new florals, Silk Blossom Cologne ($65 to $120) and Tuberose Angelica Cologne Intense ($145). Both are lovely soft feminine spring-summery scents. I opted for the Silk Blossom which I found to be more spicy and well rounded with a mix of spice, florals, apricots and hint of powder undertones. When you smell Silk Blossom by itself, it seems like a basic floral, but if you spray this and compare it to the Tuberose Angelica (more floral and clearly tuberose-ish) or even Peony Blush Suede (sweeter, simpler with a more youthful feel, on me this one turns a bit rubbery), you will notice that the Silk Blossom has more spice and complexity. It’s hard to detect exactly what kind of floral notes there are since there is a blend of many notes. According to Jo Malone:

  • Top notes: White Pepper. Softer than black pepper, it diffuses elegant spiciness through the top notes.
  • Heart notes: Silk Blossom. Its fruity, peachy character and subtle green accent give the fragrance its enticing silky lightness. The heart of the fragrance is further enhanced by rose and jasmine petals.
  • Base notes: The verdancy of moss cushions the base of the fragrance in earthy, woody warmth.

I know many are fans of layering Jo Malone fragrances. I’ve mixed and layered a few on occasion but I prefer to wear them alone as is. That being said I’ve mixed my Silk Blossom with samples from gifts I’ve accumulated, I’ve found it blends well with Peony and Blush Suede and Orange Blossom.

Overall a winner in my book for spring and summer florals which seem to be taking over my fragrance routine these days. I find it lasts longer on me than most Jo Malone scents do and it fades nicely on the skin as it wears throughout the day. It doesn’t turn sweet or bitter like some florals can.

I’m normally not drawn to such sweet florals, but these days I’m loving Dolce by Dolce and Gabbana, Diptyque Geranium Odorata and still going through Jo Malone Wild Bluebell.

Jo Malone Silk Blossom is a limited-edition scent. It comes in three options:

I’ve been contemplating the candle, however it seemed significantly sweeter in the store. The pink packaging is to die for but I have some Diptyque on my wish list right now. Silk Blossom is available while supplies last at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom,  Saks, Selfridges and Jo Malone.

Have you tried any of the new Jo Malone fragrances this summer? What are your favorites?

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Photo of the Day

June 9, 2014

Quick photo for today, there’s been a pink color theme going on at my home with Fresh Sugar Tulip Lip Tint and Dior Wonderland Gel Shine Nail Lacquer (recently reviewed, scroll down to the last two posts for swatches and thoughts).
Stay tuned for more on Jo Malone Silk Blossom later this afternoon (PS the Neiman Marcus Camp Gorgeous Beauty Event is going on with GWPs).
I’ll also feature some of the new NARS reformulated glosses soon, currently loving NARS Angelika (FYI there’s an new GWP offer at narscosmetics.com for three minis of Deep Throat Blush, Via Veneto Eyeliner and Priscilla gloss with any $50 purchase and code SUMMERTHRILLS, good through the 16th or while supplies last).

I need to get the the book store soon for the latest issue of Porter Magazine. I’m trying to figure out when I’ll have a suitable occasion in the near future to wear my new nude patent shoes out.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday!

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Dior Wonderland #575 Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer

June 8, 2014

Dior Wonderland #575 Gel Shine Nail Lacquer ($25 for 10 ml/0.33 fl oz) is a beautiful warm vibrant pink nail polish from the new Gel Shine formula line. There are a number of different shades released in this new formula, however some are exclusive to certain stores (see nail wheel swatches here). Wonderland #575 is one of those classic shades that is available at all Dior locations.

It’s a bright summery color that has a slight hint of silver shimmers in the bottle. On the nail it applies like a cream. The coverage of Wonderland is like a jelly with good pigment. It has a semi-transparent finish but covers the entire nail with two coats. The Dior formulas continue to get better in my experience. As noted in some previous reviews of the Gel Shine Formula, these have a lush glossy finish with impressive lasting power.

I applied it on my own on several occasions over the past few months. My favorite combination was to use this on top of the Sephora Formula X Base Coat and the Dior Gel Top Coat on top. My manicure lasted 5 days without any tip wear.

Swatched with two coats:

I pulled out a number of other warmer bright pinks to compare. Dior Wonderland proved to be almost identical to Chanel Tutti Frutti and Fracas. All the pinks pull really similar on the nail wheel. The differences in real life are slight:
  • Tom Ford Indiscretion is darker and more rose
  • Chanel Tutti Frutti is slightly warmer and more coral with a golden shimmer (more pigmented) 
  • Dior Rose Cabaret 563 (discontinued) is slightly more pink
  • Chanel Fracas is a bit more blue and has gold shimmers (more pigmented)
  • Chanel Rose Insolent is more blue in undertone
  • Dior Plaza (discontinued) is significantly cooler with a visible blue base

You may find color of Dior Wonderland to be too close to other Chanels to justify owning. I know some find better wear with Dior, I personally find them both to be of similar quality and lasting power. The Dior Wonderland has a slightly jelly finish. The color has enough warmth in it to make it super flattering on a wide range of skin tones. The Chanel colors by comparison are slightly more opaque with a more complex shimmer infused.

Dior Wonderland #575 retails for $25. Available at all Dior retail counters and boutiques. Online at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Saks and Dior.com. For swatches and review of other shades, check out swatches of 16 Colors, Front Row and Tra La La.

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