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MAC

MAC Boom, Boom, Bloom Collection Review + Swatches

March 10, 2019

MAC’s latest is the Boom, Boom, Bloom Collection which has some of the prettiest cherry blossom petal packaging I think I’ve ever seen. The limited-edition collection feature a lot of pink tones for lips and cheeks along with a neutral shimmer x9 eyeshadow palette. I have swatches of all the new items. They’ve also repromoted one of their Strobe Creams which I didn’t swatch for the post but you can see my original post on these here. In the Boom, Boom, Bloom Collection:

Prep + Prime Fix+ Cherry Blossom ($28)
High-Light Powder ($34 each) in Fleur Real and Spring Bling
Lipglass ($18.50 each) in For the Frill of It, Pink-A-Boo, Cherry Mochi and Heartmelter
Lipstick ($19.50 each) in Hey, Kiss Me!, Wagasa Twirl, Hi-Fructease, Framboise Moi, Tsk Tsk!
Eyeshadow x9 Kabuki Doll ($33)
Strobe Cream ($28) in Pinklite

The best thing in the collection is the Eyeshadow x9 Palette in Kabuki Doll. It has a beautiful mix of neutrals and warmer brown gold shimmers and one pinkish bronze. It’s neutral warm but isn’t too warm, pink or red. The shimmers have a really good color payoff and smooth shimmer. To me it has the perfect mix of colors and has everything I need for a complete eye look. If you check out one thing I highly recommend this one.

For the face there is a lightly scented Prep + Prime Fix+ which has a very soft cherry blossom scent. As a huge fan of the Fix+ (original and scented ones) I think this is another must. The packaging is so pretty and it’s not too strong in the smell. I use this to either prime the skin before I apply my base. I also like to use it as a setting spray to reduce the powdery look of my setting powder. There are are also two High-Light Powders which have a pretty overspray on top of a semi-matte satin powder. Fleur Real is a pale light pink. It’s too matte and light for me to wear as a highlighter, I can kinda pass it off as a blush but it’s on the light side (scroll to bottom for how this one looks on the face). Spring Bling is a soft medium brown that looks a little dirty on my skin right now. Once I have my tan back I think it will make a nice contour powder.

The lips are hit or miss for me. I think the concept and color scheme had such potential to be perfect spring pinks but since they are so opaque they are a little hard for me to pull off. I do like the Heartmelter Lipglass but the others are just ok on my skintone. Boom Boom Bloom Lipglasses include:

For the Frill of It is a pale shimmery pearly pink
Pink A Boo is a pastel pink cream
Cherry Mochi is a bright raspberry pink
Heartmelter is a mauve rose pink cream

Boom Boom Bloom Lipsticks are all super opaque and a little flat looking on me. Also I can’t wear a lot of pink colors that have a blue undertone because it clashes with my olive/yellow/gold skin tone. The formula is really good coverage-wise. It has smooth full opaque finish as most of these are the matte finish. Colors include:

Hey Kiss Me! is a pastel pink
Wagasa Twirl is a medium rose pink
Hi Fructease is a peachy mod pink
Framboise Moi is a raspberry pink
Tsk Tsk is a bright fuchsia pink

Below wearing:

Natasha Denona Transformatte Foundation in 30W
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus
MAC Highlight Powder in Fleur Powder
MAC Lipglass in Cherry Mochi
MAC Eyeshadow x9 Palette in Kabuki Doll

Overall my top two favorites I think are musts are the Kabuki Doll Eyeshadow Palette and Cherry Blossom Fix+. The Lipglasses in For the Frill of It and Heartmelter are also really pretty but not must-haves in my opinion. All the lipsticks were a miss for my complexion but I usually find super opaque pastel-like pinks or anything with a blueish undertone are a miss on my skin tone. Formula-wise everything is well made and excellent. For me the misses were a matter of color preference.

You can find the MAC Boom, Boom, Bloom Collection out now. Available at MAC Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Bloomingdale’s and all other MAC counters and stores. Have you checked out the collection yet? What did you think?

MAC Boom Boom Bloom products provided for review consideration.

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Highlighters Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona Bloom Blush and Glow Palette Review

March 7, 2019

Natasha Denona launched a new glow palette called Bloom Blush and Glow ($55 for 13.7 g/0.48 oz, available at Sephora and Beautylish). I ordered this a few weeks ago and think it’s one of the prettiest cheek palettes I’ve seen. It comes in a medium sized compact with four cheek colors. I love the smaller compact size and find the pans are still large enough that I can dip a regular blush brush in the compact easily. (On the nails is Chanel Le Vernis in Jaspe.)

There are two creams and two powders:

Glow Cream Base is a sheer peachy champagne shimmer, this is a nice glow product, not too sparkly or frosty
Cream Blush is a super pigmented cranberry flush, a little goes a long way but it’s easy to blend
Glow Extreme is a extreme glow shimmery peachy champagne highlighter, it has large shimmer particles and is very glowy
Duo Glow is a duo chrome peach gold shimmer powder highlighter

All four layer nicely together for the ultimate glow. If you’re conservative on the shimmer you may find Glow Extreme too glowy and sparkly for you. I think it makes for a really nice eyeshadow too. Application is smooth and easy to blend. Pigment is perfect. You can sheer out for a lighter wash or layer for more intense coverage. Lasting power is very good although we’ve had a cold week so I haven’t tested this in full humidity.

Close ups and swatches below.

There’s a nice plastic lid inside to cover the two creams and protect them from the powder kick up of the other two shades. I really appreciate little details like this!

Swatches:

Makeup look wearing all four shades. The top left photo is just the glow cream blush base, other three have the other cheek colors layered on top (press samples have a *):

Foundation – Natasha Denona Transformatte Foundation 30W * (review here)
Concealer – Armani Power Fabric Stretchable Concealer in 6.5 (review soon)
Powder – MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus
Eyeshadow – Natasha Denona Mini Star Eyeshadow Palette * (review here)
Mascara – L’Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof
Brows – Hourglass Arch Brow in Soft Brunette * (review here)
Cheeks – Natasha Denona Bloom Blush and Glow Palette
Lips – Pat McGrath LUST Gloss in Belladonna* (swatches here)
Top – Anthropologie
Nails – Chanel Le Vernis Jaspe * (review coming soon)

Overall glowy and beautiful. Compared to other Natasha Denona coral/peachy shades her Duo Glow in Alba is lighter and more golden compared to this palette’s blush. Her Diamond and Blush Palette in Darya is more coral/cool toned while this palette has more warmer tones and more glow/shimmer. I do think The Bloom Blush and Glow is different enough to justify owning if you have the others, although if you’re super conservative on shimmers and glows this will probably be too glowy for you.

You can find the Natasha Denona Bloom Blush and Glow Palette out now. Available at Sephora and Beautylish.

I bought mine and then also received a press sample so I’m going to give away my extra to one reader. To enter for a chance to win, use the widget below. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. Giveaway is going to run through Monday March 11 at 11:59 PM EST. ONE winner will be selected within 72 hours of giveaway end and contacted by me via e-mail. Not sponsored or affiliated. Note the first two options are mandatory. Other entry options will get you extra entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Lips Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Beauty Lip Lacquer Luxe Vinyl + Matte

March 4, 2019

Tom Ford Beauty launched their new Lip Lacquer Luxe Vinyl and Matte in 20 shades ($57 each). These are full coverage high pigment lip products. I have 10 colors swatched, five I purchased on my own, five are press samples. I’ve been a long time fan of Tom Ford lip products – anytime someone asks me to recommend one item to splurge on I always pick the Tom Ford Lip Color. After testing both finishes of the new Lip Lacquer luxe, I find that I really like them, however have mixed feelings on these mainly because there are some packaging issues. The product itself is very good in my experience. Quick thoughts on both formulas:

The Lip Lacquer Luxe Vinyl is a thick glossy full coverage lip product. Because it’s thicker it does take some blending but this adheres well to the lips and once blended does not feel super heavy. I can feel the product like I would a regular gloss but it’s not uncomfortable.
The Lip Lacquer Luxe Matte is a soft lightweight matte. It has buildable coverage but some blending is required as well to smooth it out. I like that it’s super lightweight and has a soft velvety matte that doesn’t make the lips look shriveled or dry.

In terms of lasting power the Vinyls stay put better. For the Mattes they don’t slide off and do stay put, but not as long as their Lip Lacquers they launched last year. I actually prefer the packaging style of the Lip Lacquers however with the new Lip Lacquer Luxe you do get 6 ml of product while last year’s slim tube has only 2.7 ml.

There’s a slight scent to them but it’s not really a fragrance, it’s more of a lipstick scent. Once applied the scent fades. As soon as some of you saw I bought these on Instagram stories I received a number of messages asking about the applicator. Many of you were really upset that it broke when you opened it. I do find the sponge tip applicator seems a little too wide for the lacquer opening so there is a bit of tugging to pull it out. Luckily only one of mine broke and I didn’t twist or bend when I tried to open it. If yours broke I hope you will be able to get a replacement. I’ve since opened and used all the other shades multiple times and none of them have broken.

I’ve split the swatches by color grouping from neutrals to bolds. Group 1:

All swatched on bare lips, descriptions:

Insinuate (vinyl) is a medium peachy pink
Softcore (vinyl) is a high shine beige
Intimate (vinyl) is a medium light pink
Darling (matte) is a nude pink, looks beige in the tube but on me pulls more pink
Quiver (matte) is a nude mauve

Group 2 with deeper and bold colors:

Descriptions and swatches, all done on bare lips:

Pussycat (matte) is a mauve rose that deepens and darkens
Unzip (vinyl) is a bold warm bright glossy pink
Infuriate (vinyl) is one of my favorites, it’s the perfect deep red on me!
Jaguar (matte) is the one that broke, it’s a bold warm red matte
Habitual (matte) is a deep bright slightly blue-based red

All the colors side by side:

A few comparison swatches and thoughts:

NARS Velvet Lip Glides are lighter weight and sheerer than the Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Mattes, I included some swatches of the neutrals for comparison in Bound, Swing, Roseland and Xenon.
Tom Ford Lip Lacquers (in the skinny round tubes from last year) are longer lasting, more matte in the dry down and budge proof once dry. Universal Appeal is still the best liquid lipstick nude from Tom Ford, on my lips in this post here. Pussycat is darker than the luxe version.
Tom Ford Lip Color in Sugar Glider is a similar color to Quiver if you want a lipstick instead of the matte formula.
Tom Ford Satin Matte in London Suede is a more browned neutral and has a soft diffused matte compared to the Lip Lacquer Luxe Mattes.

Aside from the packaging issues I think the formula makes for a solid luxury lipstick. I really love the formula and finish even though they do take a little bit of extra effort to blend because of how pigmented they are. My favorites are Softcore, Quiver and Infuriate. I’ve worn Softcore the most so far and love it for a nude but not washed out lip. I do think that opening a gloss shouldn’t be challenging and it definitely should not break at the tip. Based on the design of the applicator and opening I don’t know if mine will break eventually. I was lucky I had issues with only one of mine. I have splurged on many Tom Ford lipsticks and think that it has been money well spent since I really do love the formula. I do think that $57 is really steep even if it is Tom Ford and luxury. They seem to have a similar vibe to the Bobbi Brown Luxe Liquid Lip High Shine and Velvet Mattes which are $37 each by comparison. I never tried those even though they seem to be really popular. I still have the By Terry Lip Expert Shine and Mattes I’m working on swatching for you so you might want to wait on swatches before splurging on the Tom Ford ones unless you’re a Tom Ford addict and there’s a color you think you’re absolutely in love with.

You can find the Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Matte and Vinyl at counters now. I bought five from Nordstrom. Also available at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and all other Tom Ford Beauty Counters.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

Press samples include Unzip, Infuriate, Jaguar, Habitual and Softcore. The other five shades purchased by me.

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NARS

NARS Exposed Collection Review + Swatches

February 22, 2019

The NARS Exposed Color Collection just launched with limited-edition shades for lips and cheeks. There’s an Exposed Cheek Palette ($59) and three Explicit Color Lip Duos ($22 each) with mini-sized Velvet Matte Lip Pencils and Lip Tints. Swatches of everything below. The collection is exclusive to Ulta Beauty and online at NARS Cosmetics.

The Exposed Cheek Palette has that unique cream to powder finish NARS has in their dual intensity blushes, but most of the colors are satiny and glowy in finish (versus frost). It has a similar texture and pigment level to their Holiday Hot Tryst Cheek Palette, but the colors aren’t as shimmery for spring. Colors have medium but buildable coverage. On my skin tone the two pinks look nearly identical, if you’re fairer I suspect you’ll see more of a difference. The exterior packaging is so pretty with the pink, orange and pearl swirls.

Colors include:

Tell All is a shimmery champagne
Now or Never is medium nude peach
Give It Away is a soft brown rose
Make You Mine is a perfect apricot peach
Come Hither is a shimmery pink rose
New Fling is a deeper shimmery rose

For lips they have three Explicit Color Lip Duos with a small miniature Velvet Lip Glide and a new formula called Lip Tint. The pencil and gloss match each color in color. I owned Sex Machine many years ago and it’s been a while since I looked into the pencils in general. The formula is on the dry side for my lips, color is sheerer for the lighter natural shades, but the reds and bolds have phenomenal coverage and color payoff. I wish the neutrals applied better alone for me. The Lip Tints are medium-sheer almost balmy like glosses. They have a very lightweight almost slip like feel. I love the effect when the pencil and gloss are layered. It feels comfortable and cushiony, but so much so it feels like it’s going to slide off my lips. Good news is the colors do stay put but they’re not transfer proof.

There are three options:

Intriguing is a beige rose
Sex Machine is a neutral mauve pink
Dragon Girl is a red with pink tones

Colors layered together on bare lips:

Two makeup looks below wearing:

NARS Radiant Longwear Foundation in Punjab + Vanuatu mixed (I’m in between shades)
Armani Neo Nude Powder #4 to set
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
NARS Exposed Cheek Palette with Tell All, Now or Never and Give it Away layered
Left lips: NARS Explicit Lip Duo in Sex Machine
Right lips: NARS Explicit Lip Duo in Dragon Girl

Overall fresh and pretty for spring! Colors are very wearable and I love that they aren’t overly frosted but still glowy. Love the concept of matching pencils and gloss to layer together. I’m not sure I would call any of these must-haves. Even though the palette is super wearable I feel like the colors have a similar vibe to previous NARS launches. I’m not the biggest fan of the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil formula but I really like the three colors for this launch. The Lip Tint has an interesting feel – it’s super lightweight and glossy. I would have preferred them in the Velvet Lip Glide formula instead for more impact but it’s still nice and fresh for a spring feel.

You can find the NARS Exposed Collection out now. Exclusive to Ulta Beauty and NARS Cosmetics. Have you checked out anything yet? What did you think?

NARS Exposed Collection provided for review.

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Lips NARS

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions + Multi-Use Gloss for Spring

February 20, 2019

For spring NARS has launched 9 new shades of their classic Lip Gloss ($26 each) formula alongside 5 shades of a new gloss called Multi-Use Gloss ($26 each). These launch soon on February 24th at NARS Boutiques and online at NARS, and will also be available at all other NARS retailers later this spring (current backorder date at Neiman Marcus is 03/07/2019).

Lip Gloss Shade Extensions

The NARS Lip Gloss formula has been a long time favorite of mine even with several reformulations. It’s a classic medium coverage lightweight formula that has a wide range of finishes. There’s no detectable scent or taste. Nothing fancy or extra added, just your classic kind of gloss you can wear for any occasion. The new shade extensions are almost all creams with one sparkle. They come with a sponge tip applicator for precise color application. Some of the lighter shades need a little more blending to smooth out but in my testing every single color is amazing.

Sexual Content is a bright fresh warm pink
No Regrets is a medium caramel brown
Pulsion is a light nude pink cream
Outrage is a light milky orange peach, can be a little streaky, but blending creates the prettiest baby peach
Fever Beat is a plum rose cream
Love Me Do is a pastel baby pink
Mythic Red is a soft pink mauve (no red like the name might imply)
Color Me is a milky lavender, also a little streaky, extra blending required
Sexy Time is a gold sparkle

Close ups of each color, lasting power is fairly good for a lip gloss. They stay put for hours as long as you don’t touch them to a cup or snack. Otherwise you’ll have to reapply as there will be transfer, but this is expected with any gloss.

NARS Multi-Use Gloss

The Multi-Use Glosses come with a spatula applicator. These are meant to be worn on eyes, lips and cheeks. As with any other gloss product I have not been able to bring myself to wear them anywhere except the lips. These have a clear base loaded with different sparkles. The formula is a unique super smooth gloss with a lot of slip to them. They’re very sheer on my lips, almost clear – depending on the light you can see various flashes of sparkle and shine. I like these alone or on top of a lip pencil. For a more visible sparkle though I think Pat McGrath’s Lust Gloss in Aliengelic or Pale Fire Nectar are more my thing. Lasting power is average, it will stay on my lips but isn’t transfer proof and fades after a few hours.

Starbabe is a sheer white gold glitter
First Time is a silvery glitter
Relentless is a iridescent pink sparkle
Redemption is a light pink gold glitter
Working Girl is a sparkling gold

Closer up swatches, note I take my swatch photos with a flash which washes out the sparkle a little bit.

I really cannot express how happy I am that gloss and shine is back in for lips! I think this launch gives us a lot of fresh beautiful colors to brighten the complexion. The colors have a nice range from neutral to brighter options, every single one is wearable. My top 3 picks are Sexual Content, Mythic Red and Pulsion. I am undecided about the Multi-Use gloss. I like the concept and quality is there, I just don’t feel like they’re something I’d use a lot. I think it’s nice to have one of the pink ones for layering on top of other lip colors, but for eyes and cheeks I just can’t bring myself to put gloss on my cheeks.

There are a few more formulas I’m still working my way through testing from other brands. I do think you should put these on your radar for when they officially launch in stores and online. I have a hard time finding bright fresh pinks like Sexual Content – most are too bright, too fuchsia or too cool but this one is just perfect. Bright but not too bright for me.

The new NARS Lip Gloss and Multi-Use Glosses are expected to launch soon. Original launch date was listed as 2/14 but I confirmed with the team there was a slight delay and their new anticipated launch date is 2/24 for NARScosmetics.com.

You can find NARS at Nordstrom, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s New York and NARS.

New launches featured are press samples from NARS.

8 Comments

Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Eye Color Quads New Shades Review + Swatches

February 18, 2019

Tom Ford Beauty launched seven new Eye Color Quads ($88 each) late last year. I apologize this has taken me so long to post. I felt overwhelmed with all the options but finally have a roundup with thoughts on each one for you today. I’ve been a huge fan of the eyeshadows since they first launched. The new color additions offer some beautiful more trendy options for you to create more unique beauty looks. I’ll say up front that I still think the best ones are previously launched colors including Nude Dip, Honeymoon, Golden Mink and Seductive Rose. The new ones offer a more diverse color range outside of neutral territory. I bought three of them in Supernouveau, Leopard Sun and Virgin Orchid. The Tom Ford Beauty team then sent more as press samples so I have all seven swatched for you today.

For those not familiar with the Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quads I’ll give a little overview. These are among the most expensive that I’ve tried and I think as long as you love the colors in each palette they’re 100% worth the splurge. There are different finishes and textures in their palettes. Quads like Honeymoon and Nude Dip have a pressed metallic finish different from all the other quads. This round Virgin Orchid and Daydream have the same texture. For the other quads there are mattes, glitters, shimmers and satin formulas. In my experience everything has really good pigment, colors are easy to layer, lasting power is very good, glitters apply best when pat on the lid with a finger.

Thoughts on the new shades plus swatches, Top Row: African Violet, Leopard Sun, Supernouveau and Virgin Orchid. Bottom Row: Photosynthesex, Daydream, Pretty Baby.

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Leopard Sun is my favorite out of all the colors. This has a very warm mix of colors so it surprised me that I found this one the most wearable for me. It has a sparkling glitter gold, a yellow warm gold shimmer, a rust shimmer and a medium brown shimmer. When layered together it creates a sunset looking eye.

This is the only one I photographed a makeup look for. I did test each one separately on the face but didn’t take photos since it was over a long period of time. If you want more looks with others let me know. Below wearing:

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Liquid Foundation in Nude + Sand mixed
La Mer Loose Setting Powder
Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer in Tantric
Tom Ford Highlighting Duo in Moodlight mixed and blended on cheeks
Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Leopard Sun
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel
Tom Ford Lip Color in Autoerotique mixed with Lips and Girls in Uma
Tee by Reformation

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African Violet has such an interesting mix of colors. It has a sheer satiny bright violet, copper glitter, warm shimmery bronze and soft orange. The violet and orange are on the sheer side but it works out in my favor as blending and layering them with other shades from other quads helps to add warmth and life. You can definitely layer for more intensity as seen in the swatches below.

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Supernouveau is a neutral cool tone quad with a warm shimmery champagne, steel dove grey blue silver shimmer, mauve satin and washed out black. This one gives a nice alternative to the black/grey/white smokey eye. It’s very cool-toned on me. I need a creamy base to make colors adhere and stand out on my skin.

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Pretty Baby is one I thought I’d love the most but I have a hard time pulling off this much purple in one eye look. For me it requires a bit of mixing with warmer or neutral shades. It has the most beautiful mauve pink shimmer, a lilac satin shimmer, a duo chrome glitter violet-blue-pink and a deep shimmery smokey brown.

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Photosynthesex is another super unique quad I thought would be hard to wear but when the colors are layered together it makes for a really pretty night out kind of look. I like finishing this one with the green glitter on top and the dark matte green can be deepened in color with a damp brush. This has a yellow shimmer, a glittering duo chrome green brown, a deep warm brown shimmer and bold emerald matte.

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Virgin Orchid is a cool-toned quad of metallic white, shimmering golden pink, mauve satin and deep plum shimmer. I love the formula of this quad but found it too cool-toned and too pale for my skin tone for a single eye look. Quality is excellent, I do think it needs more colors added for me to make it work on my complexion. The mauve shade is what makes it too cool, but I simply take the color from another quad like Nude Dip or Honeymoon and it warms it up for me. Alternatively I can use the mauve in this one to neutral out palettes that are a little too warm for my liking.

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Daydream is the only one I had performance issues with. It has the most beautiful shimmer finish but if you blend at all, color disappears as it sheers out so much it almost looks like it’s being pulled off. If you layer color on top of color it’s best to apply in more of a patting motion and softly blend. I also don’t wear blues or violets like this so color scheme isn’t really my thing for this one.

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Overall my favorites are Leopard Sun and African Violet – surprising to me as I’m a neutral eyeshadow lover but find myself gravitating towards warmer shades these days. Each palette as with all Tom Ford Beauty products are very expensive and quite the splurge. If these are within your budget I’d recommend buying if you think you’ll use or love the colors. I think these are on the more edgy and bold side, but the color scheme is unique and very different from everything else you see on the market today. This is what I feel makes his quads special. In the case with most of his quads I mix and match a lot of them together. If you’re new to his line and want to know which one to try first, I still think the ones I listed above at the beginning of this post are his best ones. I cannot pick just one, but my most-used two are Nude Dip and Honeymoon.

You can find the new Tom Ford Eye Color Quads out now. I bought mine from Nordstrom and Sephora. Also available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York, Bloomingdale’s and all other Tom Ford Beauty counters. Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

Supernouveau, Leopard Sun and Virgin Orchid purchased by me. Others are press samples.

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Diptyque Fragrance Home / Interiors

Diptyque Roses Collection: Centifolia + Damascena Candles

February 11, 2019

Every year I look forward to the Diptyque Roses Collection they launch for Valentine’s Day. This year they launched two new limited-edition candles called Centifolia and Damascena, available in a few different forms:

Individually in the full size ($72 each for 6.7 oz)
Individually in the small sizes ($36 each for 2.46 oz)
Also in a Small Candle Duo Set ($72)

The jars are frosted tinted glass with the prettiest rose patterns on the exterior. Nothing would have stopped me from buying these and I bought these sight unseen just for the packaging.

As much as I love Diptyque I don’t consider myself a pure rose fragrance lover. I do really like the rose notes when it’s blended with other notes like it is in their Baies candle. Same goes for many perfumes that I love and wear. For me rose is best when it’s blended with something other than floral notes. If you love all things floral and true pure rose then these will be perfect for you. Alone I found these very strong, floral and powdery. I do think they are beautiful but they’re not my favorite. The Mini Duo Set seems to be sold out most places but this morning I still saw it in stock at Barney’s New York. You can still buy the mini sizes individually.

Centifolia is the softer variation and out of the two, I like this scent the most. It has the tiniest bit of spice to it and I found it really interesting to read more about the flower itself, per Diptyque, the flower is from the “Grasse region of France since the 16th century, the Centifolia rose is also called the May rose for the month in which it is harvested. It comes by its Latin name (centum=one hundred + folio=leaf) because of its profusion of petals, said to number one hundred.”

Damascena has a beautiful color combination of the bright pink and orange. This one is very potent, floral, powdery and sweet. I found it a little too overwhelming for my taste. If you love pure rose scents you will absolutely adore this!

Top from Abercrombie, Nail Polish is Opi Rice Rice Baby

I have no regrets purchasing both. I will burn them to the end but will most likely combine with another scent like Baies or something woodsy like Byredo Tree House. Compared to previous limited-edition rose candles Diptyque has launched I find these two to be more of a pure powdery floral rose while previous years seem to be a little bit sweeter and softer.

The jars will be used to recycle for me as well. A quick note on the frosted glass jars if you’re new to recycling them – I’ve owned a few others in the white frosted glass and the finish can be a little delicate. I’d definitely recommend you take care with the exterior when cleaning as they can wear off or scratch off if you use a stiff sponge. It’s not so delicate that you have to baby it, but if you want to recycle, after your first burn, make sure you trim your wicks with a Wick Trimmer before you burn to avoid burning the sides or tops.

To clean them and recycle after they’re done burning I take a small butter knife and remove the metal circle that’s at the base if it hasn’t popped out already. To clean the sides I soak hot water and dish soap and wipe out with a paper towel. I repeat until wax is completely gone. Don’t use boiling water as it can crack the glass. Hot water from the tap works just fine to soften any residue and the soap helps clean the sides. Anytime I recommend this method someone without fail tells me freezing them is the better method but it has never worked for me.

Bottom line beautiful and romantic! I just think some scents are best when layered or blended with other notes, with these I prefer them when burned with something else. I still think they’re gorgeous, they’re just not my absolute favorites.

The Diptyque Roses Collection is limited-edition. They have other options including the scented ovals, scented liners and more. You can find Diptyque Centifolia and Damascena candles out now while they last. I bought mine from Nordstrom. Also available at Diptyque, Space NK, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Barney’s New York and all other Diptyque retailers.

P.S. Right now there’s a cute GWP available at Diptyque, I’m not sure how long it will be available but just wanted to let you know. Also Space NK’s beauty bag event is coming up soon!

Have you tried these yet? What did you think? Do you love rose notes or prefer it blended with something else?

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Older Posts

Newer Posts

Brand

MAC Boom, Boom, Bloom Collection Review + Swatches

Natasha Denona Bloom Blush and Glow Palette Review

Tom Ford Beauty Lip Lacquer Luxe Vinyl + Matte

NARS Exposed Collection Review + Swatches

NARS Lip Gloss Shade Extensions + Multi-Use Gloss for Spring

Lip Gloss Shade Extensions

NARS Multi-Use Gloss

Tom Ford Eye Color Quads New Shades Review + Swatches

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