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Diptyque Fragrance

Diptyque Florabellio Eau de Toilette

April 21, 2015

Florabellio Eau de Toilette is the latest perfume launch from Diptyque this spring. I’ve was able to get a sneak preview of this a month ago at the boutique and smelled a sample they had on site. I fell in love immediately with this fresh lightweight mix of sweet and floral. It has the scent of apple blossoms mixed with apricot and fennel. The description also says this has sea salt, coffee and toasted sesame – all of which are mixed in a way that is subtle and barely detectable to my nose but it does seem to prevent this scent from being overly floral or sweet. It adds a complex undertone giving it a very slight musky feel which I really like because I can rarely tolerate anything overly fruity or sweet on my skin. The Eau de Toilette comes in two sizes, 1.7 oz for $90 and 2.4 oz for $125. I have the smaller one featured in this post. The official Florabellio description from Diptyque:

Although I’m a huge fan of Diptyque, this is my first full-sized Eau de Toilette from the line. I have a few of the Solid Perfumes (Eau Duelle, Essences Insensées and L’Ombre Dans L’Eau) and Roll-Ons (Geranium and Lavender) which I really like. The perfume bottles are quite stunning but I’ve accumulated quite a few deluxe-sized samples from various gift with purchase promos which have lasted me a very long time. The bottles are quite stunning with a rounded sturdy glass jar and black cap spritzer. They look quite stunning on the counter top or dresser. Just looking at it makes me happy.

The smaller size for me is ideal even though larger bottles are often the better buy. It takes me forever to use up perfumes and I like the look of smaller bottles because they take up less counter space.

Bottom line a winner, especially for spring to summer. It has a lightweight airy quality with the perfect mix of fruit and floral to brighten the mood. In addition it also has an aquatic feel with the sea salt and fennel. It’s something I find unexpected from Diptyque because of the lightness but I really like it. Lasting power is medium on my skin. It’s not as strong as Frederic Malle or L’Artisan on my skin, but I would say it lasts about the same on me as Jo Malone or Tom Ford. It stays on for a few hours and fades nicely as the day progresses. I can still smell it on me by late afternoon but I have a very sensitive nose. I love that it’s a sweet floral without being too floral or too sweet. It’s difficult to describe but very lovely.

You can find Diptyque Florabellio now in stores at Diptyque retailers and online at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Space NK, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue and Diptyqueparis.com. Available in two sizes 1.7 oz for $90 and 2.4 oz for $125.



Here is the current list of Diptyque boutiques in the US:
Atlanta, Buckhead Atlanta, 3035 Peachtree Road NE 
Beverly Hills, 312 North Beverly Drive 
Chicago, 1645 North Damen Avenue 
Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol Street 
Los Angeles, 202 North Larchmont Boulevard 
New York, 377 Bleecker Street 
New York, Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle 
New York, 971 Madison Avenue 
New York, Nolita, 242 Mott Street 
San Francisco, 171 Maiden Lane 
Westport, 47 Main Street 

P.S. The Space NK Discover promotion happening now which allows you to save $20 off any $75+ order online, it’s going on through April 26th. Details and code here (US Only).

Have you tried Diptyque Florabellio yet? What did you think? Do you have a current spring-time favorite fragrance right now?

Diptyque Florabellio in this post was a press sample sent for review consideration.

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Eye Makeup Marc Jacobs Beauty Sephora

Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No. 7 in The Lolita and The Lover

April 16, 2015

I took advantage of the Sephora Beauty Insider sale going on this week and purchased two of the Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Shadow Palettes ($59 each) in The Lolita #206 and The Lover #220. The Lolita has been on my wish list for over a year now. It’s one I keep swatching in store but kept waiting on because of the one glittery shade. The Lover is new for summer and it’s quite stunning. Online Sephora has helpful descriptions of each palette which I find pretty accurate:

  • The Lolita has eyeshadows in matte off-white cream, matte nude, matte dark coffee brown, metallic warm pink with iridescent glitter, iridescent champagne pink sheen, light peach sheen, rosy copper sheen
  • The Lover has eyeshadows in matte baby pink, sandy pink shimmer, light caramel sheen, matte apricot-rose, copper rose shimmer, seashell pink sheen, matte cappuccino

Both palettes contain a mix of textures and finishes but in neutral colors. I’ve been a huge fan of The Enigma (cooler tones) and The Dreamer (warmer tones) and as a neutral makeup lover, both The Lolita and The Lover do not disappoint.

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First up is The Lolita. The first three shades are matte with very good pigment. You have a buttercream, a soft tan and a dusty brown. The middle shade is a glittery champagne which I find best applied as a topper patted on lightly over other colors. A patting motion helps the color stay on, otherwise if you apply it in the traditional way swiped or brushed over the lid, I found the glitter fell off the lids and onto my cheeks. The last three shades are stunning shimmers. You have an opalescent pink pearl, a shimmering champagne peach and a warm coppery rose shimmer. All the colors are extremely flattering and pretty on the lids (except for the glitter shade mainly because I am not a huge glitter fan). I was worried the colors would all look the same on my lids, but on my medium tone skin they look different.

Close ups:

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Next up is The Lover which is a new palette for summer. It’s listed as limited-edition online but I hope it remains permanent. For those who like a palette that has colors similar to each other for a soft gradient, The Lover offers some really gorgeous neutrals with a modern twist. In the mix you have some wearable soft pinks, lilac, tan and a peachy-copper shimmer. On the lids you can create a soft gradient and wash of color that is neutral but not your typical neutral-beiges. It’s like The Dreamer but softer in overall feel with more pinks rather than the coppery-golds. The colors are well pigmented although the third and fourth shades are softer and are close to my natural skin tone so they aren’t as dramatic as the other colors. They do layer on the eyes better than my arm.

Close ups:

Swatches:

One last shot side by side:

Side by side swatches:

I really adore both. If I had to pick only one, I would have to say that I have a slight preference for The Lover right now mainly because it’s glitter-free, although The Lolita is pretty amazing for a neutral palette. That being said I do think it can be duplicated with a number of other colors from singles or other palettes. I love that The Lover is neutral and light without being too neutral that it’s invisible on my eyes – the colors show up well and layer nicely together.

You can find the Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No. 7 Palettes for $59 each at Marc Jacobs Beauty and Sephora. Right now the Sephora Beauty Insider sale is going on through the 21st. For VIB Rouge enter the code ROUGELOVE at checkout for 15% off, VIBs enter code VIBLOVE for 15% off, BI members will get access starting tomorrow with 10% off with code BILOVE. In store you will need to show the card you received in the mail or e-mail sent to you with the barcode.
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Edward Bess

Edward Bess Matte Artiste Eyeshadow Palette

April 15, 2015

Edward Bess launched a new eyeshadow palette called Matte Artiste which has eight shades of luxurious matte shadows. It comes cased in a large mirrored compact and a small brush. All eight shades are well pigmented and ultra soft making them super easy to blend and layer. There are a few places you can buy it right now, the palette retails for $75 at Neiman Marcus (there’s a GWP going on this week online) and Bergdorf Goodman, but QVC has a special price online for $59.12.

The palette’s eight colors include:

  • Beige is a cool-toned beige cream
  • Mystique is a medium warm camel
  • Allura is a warm deep brown
  • Hypnotique is a cool deep brown
  • Veil is a soft powder pink (this one is quite amazing)
  • Stone is a medium soft grey
  • Mojave is a greyed-black-brown
  • Smoke is a deep smokey black with a soft feel
The texture is extremely soft but the pigment is very good. The soft
texture makes them a bit powdery in the compact. Using a brush will show
a bit of powder kick-up much like those of the Hourglass Modernist
Eyeshadow Palettes (Infinity reviewed here).
However this doesn’t translate to powdery fallout when you apply them
on the eyes. As with any powder shadow, the colors might have a tiny bit
of debris that falls to the cheeks, but I have yet to use a powder
shadow that doesn’t fall out even a little bit. On the lids, the colors
are really very good. Even the lighter neutral mattes show up well but they don’t make my medium olive skin look washed out.

I am usually not a fan of matte palettes because an all-matte palette tends to my lids look flat. I like to mix on mattes and shimmer together, I rarely will wear an all-matte eye with the exception of Urban Decay Naked Basics and Naked2 Basics. Edward’s Matte Artiste has made the cut for me to be an all-matte palette that I can wear without additional tweaking or layering of other colors. Each color is completely matte but they don’t appear flat on the eyes. The colors all work well together, there is a diverse range of options with the eight colors but some good in-between colors for those who prefer less contrast.

Lasting power is quite good. The pigment is ultra rich and they lasted on my lids all day from early morning until the evening. Having eight colors makes for a lot of options in terms of layering and combining. I have played with this one using 3-4 colors at any given time. All perform really well.

Close ups of the colors:

For those who want to know how the Edward Bess Matte Artiste compares to Urban Decay Naked / Naked2 Basics, here are the swatches side by side. I think it’s different enough to justify owning in terms of matte shades. While I really adore the Naked2 Basics, Edward’s offers a darker range of colors for more definition.

Above: Edward Bess Matte Artiste Palette shown with a selection of other Edward Bess favorites

Bottom line: a winner in my book. I’m a huge fan of all things Edward Bess and this one is no exception. If you’re in the market for a good palette of mattes, this is one definitely worth looking into. However if you weren’t a fan of the Hourglass Palettes because of the soft powdery texture, you probably won’t like this either and may want to test this one in person first before purchasing. I personally really liked the Hourglass palette and I really like this one, but I think some people might prefer shadows that aren’t quite as soft in texture. My experience is the shadows are very soft and you will see powder debris and kick up in the palette once you dip a brush in any of the pans, but that is where the powdery-ness ends. On the lids they glide on really nicely without a lot of fallout (there is a tiny bit, but that is to be expected with any kind of powder).
If you’ve tried this one please chime in with your thoughts in the comments below. I’d love to hear your thoughts, or if you have a holy-grail matte eyeshadow palette, please share! You can find the Edward Bess Matte Artiste now at QVC (where I bought mine), Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.
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Bronzer + Blush Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzers

April 11, 2015

Last week I was lucky to get a preview of the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzers ($50 each for 0.39 oz / 11 g) at the Abbot Kinney store in Venice Beach. There are two additions to the Ambient Lighting collection. There are two options of bronzer infused with highlighter combined into one mirrored compact:
  • Luminous Bronze Light is described as a medium tan shade fused with Luminous Light, a champagne pearl powder, for a softer candlelit warmth, ideal for fair/light complexions
  • Radiant Bronze Light is the darker option described as a warm bronze shade fused with Radiant Light, a golden beige powder, to mimic a summer glow, ideal for medium/deep complexions
Both are available now exclusively at Sephora.com for VIB/VIB Rouge Members. For the official launch details and dates:
  • April 7 – 14 the bronzers will be available to Sephora’s VIB Rouge customers
  • April 15 the bronzers will launch wide on Sephora.com and HourglassCosmetics.com
  • May is when the bronzers will hit stores
A quick peek at the Hourglass store + event before I get into the review:

Ambient Lighting Bronzers and Blush (blush review here)

Incandescent Electra which is currently exclusive to the Ambient Lighting Blush Palette will be available separately Sephora.com on 4/15 and HourglassCosmetics.com on 4/23, and will also hit stores in May, also shown below the Hourglass Brushes

Another reason to visit the Hourglass store: you can create your own custom Ambient Lighting Palette with any of the highlighter options

The two new bronzers are absolutely stunning. As a huge fan of the Ambient Lighting Powders and Blushes, I could barely contain my excitement when I was able to see the new bronzers in person. Both are on the warm side and are extremely pigmented. Although they have the highlighter aspect mixed in, I found them to have a more satiny glow with a very soft luminous shimmer. As with the blushes, the color portions and swirls are rich and super saturated so a little goes a long way. The colors are easy to blend and layer.

The Ambient Lighting Powder Brush is super soft and plush which will dispense just the right amount of product for a soft glow. If you want more color, use the tip to contour the cheeks or a denser blush brush. The texture is soft and airy which makes them glide on the skin in a soft smooth manner. Each one is hand blended so the swirls will be different in every compact.

Close ups of each Ambient Lighting Bronzer, Luminous Light has a mix of champagne and soft tan, it looks neutral in the pan but applies warmly on the skin.

Radiant Bronze Light is the deeper option and is a few shades darker than the Luminous version:

Swatches with different light and angles, first in natural light without any flash:

In direct sun with a flash:

Detailed close up:

Comparisons to the highlighter counterparts:

Two sets of swatch comparisons to other bronzers:

Hourglass Radiant Light (reviewed + swatched here)

Chanel Les Beiges Multi Color (from Summer 2014, reviewed here)

One last shot: left is Luminous Bronze Light, right is Radiant Bronze Light

I’ve been alternating between the two since the event and am partial to the lighter option Luminous Light. On my medium olive toned skin they add just the right amount of warmth and glow. They are both warm without being orangey. There is just the right amount of shimmer and glow to give the face depth and dimension without emphasizing pores like some highlighters do. I like these layered on top of blush or alone for warmth. Even though Luminous Light is designed for light to fair skins, I think it will still show up on medium skin tones like Chanel B40s (I’m a Chanel B30/NARS Punjab). These last all day long without fading or darkening, although I suspect if you are extremely fair these may be too warm for your taste. If that is the case and you are in search of a new bronzer, I recommend the Edward Bess Daydream, although the Hourglass ones are very different in finish and concept.

I give both a huge thumbs up. They both are similar on me so I don’t think you need both, although I am happy I do have one of each color. They are different enough from the highlighters to justify both. Even though they come with a hefty price tag at $50 each, I think they are well worth every penny.

You can buy the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzers at online at Sephora now if you’re a VIB/VIB Rouge. Starting April 15th which is just around the corner for everyone else. In stores starting May. Have you checked out the latest from Hourglass? If not what are your favorite Hourglass items?

The Luminous Bronze Light and Ambient Lighting Powder Brush were gifted at the press preview. 

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Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Spring 2015 Nail Lacquers: Indigo Night + Black Jade

April 8, 2015

This season Tom Ford Beauty has two new nail polishes that are quite edgy and unique for spring. The two Nail Lacquers in the spring collection are Indigo Night and Black Jade ($32 each), both have opaque full coverage with two coats and apply very smoothly on the nail. It took me a while to cave on these because I normally don’t wear greens on the nails and I already own quite a few navy shimmer polishes, but after swatching these I am glad I did buy both.

Black Jade is a deep complex green color. There is quite a bit of color mixed into the bottle making it quite unique and dramatic on the fingers. This one is quite dark so it almost looks black on the nails with a hint of forest green and shimmer if your hands are in natural light. This particular color was sold out at the counters near me, I was glad to have found it online at Neimans before it sold out. Right now it’s still available at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.

Indigo Night is actually my favorite of the two. Even though I think a navy blue shimmer is something that is quite standard in many beauty lines, this one is particularly stunning. It has a brightness to the blue with some iridescence to it so it’s not as deep as others. In natural light you can see that it’s definitely a blue color but at the same time very deep. With this one the first coat will appear a bit sheer and see-thru but it smooths out completely to a full flawless finish with the second coat.

Both colors are very different from what you usually see in the traditional spring color palette, but I like them both. The colors are sharp and edgy without being over the top making them very wearable for me. For reference, Color Me Loud has comparison swatches (my nail wheels are currently MIA). For other Tom Ford Beauty spring features, my review on the Eye Color Duos here and Spring Cream Shadow here. I give the nail polishes a thumbs up although I have to say previews of the Summer collection have my heart racing and it can’t arrive soon enough (I’ve been stalking it online).

The Tom Ford Spring 2015 Collection is available now, while supplies last. I’ve been told at the counters the nail polishes are limited-edition, but I’m not 100% sure. Black Jade is still available at Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Indigo Night is still relatively easy to track down also at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tom Ford.
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Base Makeup By Terry

By Terry Cellularose Moisturizing CC Cream

April 7, 2015

One of By Terry’s latest is her new Cellularose Moisturizing CC Cream ($86 for 40 g / 1.41 oz, made in France). I ordered mine from Barneys Beverly Hills store for the Love Yourself Event last month. I was matched to the color Beige No. 3 which is a good match for my medium olive toned skin right now. The Cellularose Moisturizing CC Cream is like a sheer hydrating tinted moisturizer. It comes in a light iridescent pink tube and a metal pump with a cap at the end. This is extremely pricey for a foundation/tinted moisturizer but it does contain a skincare aspect which makes it more than just a regular tinted moisturizer/cc cream. Like all By Terry foundations, this one comes with the signature rose scent. There are four shades currently available, for reference Beauty Professor has swatches of all four colors.

The product description according to what is on the packaging:

This CC Cream gathers together in itself all the skincare and makeup actions in one single gesture:

  • An intense hydration thanks to the Centifolia Roses Native Cells
  • A deep glow provided by the Alba Roses Native Cells
  • A youth protection released by anti-oxidant Vitamin E
  • A natural long lasting perfection revealed by the unique CC – Color Control corrective technology
  • An absolute comfort via nutri-moistening factors
The CC Cream provides a sheer but buildable coverage. The texture is creamy but still lightweight so it melts into the skin and blends in naturally. I’ve tested it on the face with a foundation brush, fingers and a damp beautyblender. My favorite application method is to use this with the sponge and layer on the coverage. My skin has improved significantly over the past few months but it’s no where near perfect. Even though the By Terry CC Cream is buildable to medium coverage I found that by itself it didn’t give me enough coverage for my specific skin. Topping it with concealer on spots and my favorite Dolce & Gabbana powder foundation gave me just the right amount of coverage I needed.

The color is sheer enough to be forgiving and does seem to adjust/color correct after it sets. What I like about the color Beige No. 3 is that it doesn’t darken or oxidize, but rather warms up just the slightest bit to look natural and match my skin tone. On the skin, once blended, it gives the face a youthful glow without looking oily, greasy or too dewy. That being said I do believe it most definitely needs to be set with some kind of powder.

For lasting power it lasts all day long on the face. However this cream is incredibly hydrating and since my skin is more normal (versus dry) I found I needed a touchup by noon in the T-zone. Still, unlike some other hydrating tinted moisturizers, it didn’t slide off or look like it separated in any areas, so I was really impressed with how well it lasted.

Swatches and some comparisons:

Comparison Set 1 features some other tinted moisturizers and complexion correctors:

  • NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 in Groenland, this is similar in color but gives more coverage and has a less moisturizing/dewy finish, in terms of tinted moisturizers, this is my all time favorite because it’s not really like a traditional tinted moisturizer but more like a lightweight sheer foundation
  • Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand has a thicker texture and slightly more coverage compared to the By Terry, the By Terry melts into the skin better and feels more weightless but has a more hydrating feel
  • By Terry Cover Expert Foundation in Honey Beige 9 looks slightly pinkish next to the CC Cream but both are a good match for my skin once it’s blended out, this one of course provides medium to full coverage, while the CC cream is a lot sheerer
  • Edward Bess Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector (review here) is similar in concept to the By Terry CC cream, the EB has coverage that is slightly more buildable and a bit creamier, I have shade in Medium which is a tad too dark for me, I could probably go for the light, in my experience, the EB is the closest to the By Terry CC cream in terms of how it makes the skin glow and how it feels on the skin
  • Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Fluids are similar in coverage, but they don’t have the same skincare factor, also the Chanel Les Beiges are warmer and slightly more pinkish in undertone (review + swatches here)
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Comparison Set 2 features other foundations for color comparison. Since all the colors are foundations and completely different in formula, I’ll only describe the color difference:

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Ingredients:

Bottom line I like how it performs for right now this time of year. It has soothing properties that helps calm the skin. It evens out the complexion with lightweight coverage and the skincare aspect has helped improve my skin complexion in terms of hydration and making it glow. I do think it’s a medium-to-high maintenance kind of product if you have normal to oily skin because it is extremely hydrating. As long as you’re ok with a touchup or two throughout the day then you’ll be ok with this one. For evenings out it’s perfect because it gives the skin a nice glow and without any daylight heat you don’t have to worry so much about it getting too glowy. The By Terry CC Cream is something I know I will use up entirely, but once the warmer season approaches, it will be too hydrating and rich for my skin type (which is normal sensitive). If you’re one with dry skin, I think you will really like this one. 
Have you tried the By Terry Cellularose Moisturizing CC Cream? What did you think? Do you have any other By Terry favorites? If not, what’s your favorite CC cream or tinted moisturizer right now?

You can find the By Terry Cellularose Moisturizing CC Cream now. Available at Barneys New York, Beautylish and Space NK.

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Eye Makeup Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No. 7 – The Dreamer #212

April 4, 2015

Something that’s been on my favorites list for a couple months now is the Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No. 7 in The Dreamer ($59 for 7 shadows each 7 g / 0.24 oz). The Marc Jacobs palettes come with an eyeshadow they call a plush shadow formula that contains a mix of textures from “shimmery metallics, buttery mattes, and lustrous sheens.” If you’ve played with any of the palettes in a Sephora store you know first hand that most of the colors are indeed plush with a buttery pigmented smooth texture. I reviewed The Enigma last year which has a mix of cool neutrals and darker shades. It has a lovely unique mix of colors to give a modern smokey eye that’s different from the regular grey/black colors. The Dreamer is a warmer neutral option that is perfect for spring to summer. It’s rare to find eyeshadow palettes with more than 4 shades where I am 100% in love with each color. This one (much like The Enigma) is pure love.

The colors in the palette are neutral to warm, but not too warm. The last color on the far right scared me a bit because it’s so warm and yellow but it layers really nicely over the other colors to add warmth and depth without making the skin look sallow. The mattes in this palette are rich in pigment and ultra smooth in coverage so they won’t make the lids look dry and even though they are neutral they show up well on the skin.

The colors as I see them described below:
Matte beige cream that has a very smooth soft texture
Shimmering sandy champagne beige
Light and pale yellow cream shimmer
Matte warm brown
Matte peach beige with a hint of pink
Shimmering coral with gold shimmer
Warm frosted marigold shimmer

Close ups of the palette:

Swatches:

The colors layer well together although I don’t usually wear more than 5 shades of shadow on the lid at any given time. I like the matte brown because it looks warm in the pan but it has super saturated pigment and applies deeper so it’s dark enough to be a liner. Even though something like a matte brown is basic, I really love this one because it can change the look for something more dramatic by smoking it out – it’s a matte that blends like a dream.

The colors are well coordinated in a way that they all go together quite nicely – no other shadows from other singles or palettes needed to tweak the look. At the same time there is enough variation between each of the colors that they don’t end up looking identical on the skin or the eyes.

I literally could go on and on about how much I like this one, but in short, it’s a really good one that I can wear on any day for any occasion. The colors perform really well and adhere nicely to the lids even without primer and last all day long without budging. The colors are so well-coordinated so this is a palette I can swipe on easily and not have to think about how to use or blend. I give this one a huge thumbs up.

You can find the Style Eye-Con No. 7 palettes at Sephora and Marc Jacobs Beauty. If you’ve tried any of the shadows I’d love to hear about your favorites. The Lolita has been on my wishlist since the line launched but I’ve been trying to resist as I already have so many neutrals. I suspect it’s only a matter of time before I cave and buy that one.

The Dreamer was provided courtesy of Marc Jacobs Beauty for review consideration.

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