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Yves Saint Laurent Eye Makeup: Pop Water Collection Full Metal Shadows and Couture Eye Primer

April 3, 2015

Yves Saint Laurent has quite a few new items in the eye makeup arena this season. YSL has a diverse range of formula options to suit your personal taste and preference ranging from new eye primers, powder shadow palettes and new cream/liquid metallic shine eyeshadows. The three items recently launched include:
  • The Pop Water Collection (currently exclusive to Nordstrom) features 10 new shades of Full Metal Shadows ($30 each for 0.15 fl oz / 4.5 ml)
  • Two new Couture Variation Ten-Color Expert Eye Palettes ($95 each) in Nu (warm neutrals) and Tuxedo (dark dramatics)
  • Two Couture Eye Primers ($30 each for 0.18 fl oz / 5 g) in Fair 1 and Medium 2, formulas that claim to provide 16 hours of vibrant color and crease-free eyeshadow wear

Today I have a review of the Pop Water Full Metal Shadows and the Couture Eye Primer. The Pop Water Collection is currently exclusive to Nordstrom. A few weeks ago I reviewed and swatched my picks of the Glossy Stains and Nail Lacquers here. I’ve been wearing the Glossy Stain in Pink Rain and Wet Nude quite frequently as they give the lips a lush glossy look with a really pretty tint of color. The Full Metal Shadows are metallic liquid shadows that come with a beveled sponge-tip applicator. Some of them need a few pumps to mix the color up for the first use and get product on the sponge. I’ve been playing with all the colors and tested three of them on three separate full days. I am happy to report on the eyes they are truly long-wearing. They lasted from 5 am until late evening when I took my makeup off at 5 pm on one day, at 8:45 pm on a second day, and at 11:30 pm on another day.
Application-wise these swipe easily on the lids directly from the tube and are blendable with a finger. One swipe gives a soft wash of color that is buildable. The pigment on these is really good. Some are more glitzy than others but overall I found each of the colors I picked out wearable and suitable for everyday. The shimmer is smooth and even though some have a complex sparkle, the texture melts into the skin and blends in really nicely.

Here are all the colors swatched with different lighting so you can see how they look when light or a flash hits the shadow. Note these are swatched straight from the tube without any blending. Don’t be worried by the shimmer, the colors blend out beautifully and sheer out a little but they do not loose their pigment.

1 Grey Splash is a cool medium silvery metallic
2 Eau D’Argent is a cool metallic white
3 Taupe Drop is a mauvey silver taupe
4 Onde Sable is a sparkling champagne
5 Steamy Coral is a coral pink with shimmering pink flecks
6 Pink Cascade is a soft light pink metallic
7 Aquatic Copper is a metallic bronzey copper with gold flecks
8 Dewy Gold is a yellow gold metallic
9 Misty Green is a metallic green with some gold shimmer
10 Wet Blue is a bright shimmering blue

In direct sun vs with a flash:

The colors I picked out are on the neutral side:

Here is the beveled sponge tip applicator:

Swatched straight from the tube:

As someone who likes a good shimmer that isn’t overly frosted or glittery, I’m surprised I found these very wearable for me. The name “Full Metal” implies that these are highly metallic, which I do think they are, but the shimmer is refined and blends out really nicely to meld with the skin. The colors are layerable so you can control how much color you want on the eyes. I give these a huge thumbs up.

Next up is the new Couture Eye Primer. There are two shades in Fair and Medium, although Medium is still quite light. Medium is a creamy soft light beige with a hint of pearl to it. To the touch the product feels very emollient and like a cream/mousse hybrid and soft in the pot but it dries to a finish that won’t budge. The finish is slightly dewy but not overly glowy and really does stay put. These are designed to be a shadow base to extend wear or alone for a nude eye look. Given the lightness and pearl quality of Medium, I suspect it will be best for those with fair to light-medium skin. The pearl quality isn’t overly frosty but due to the pigmented nature of the product, I think it might emphasize lines if it contrasts with the skin – much like wearing a color of foundation too light for your skin will do.

I prefer the primer under powder shadow. It creates a good semi-creamy base to help shadows adhere and blend well onto the lids. I wasn’t able to test the 16 hour wear claim, but I did find it helped keep my shadow in place from early morning until late afternoon on the days I tested it (around 10 hours of wear). I wouldn’t recommend this for those with dry lids (the pearl quality can emphasize dry patches) but if you have normal-to-oily this is a good one to help keep the shadow stay put.

Another shot with softer light:

Here are swatches next to the YSL Touche Eclat in 5.5 which is the color I use. You can see that the Couture Eye Base in Medium is still quite light. I think the product will be perfect as warmer weather approaches. I do hope YSL will expand the color range as this is a good primer, but very light in color. One reason why I don’t like a lot of eye primers from other brands is the colors are too limited and fair making my skin look ashy or overly matte. The YSL Couture Eye Primer has a lovely pearl quality which gives this depth. If darker shades were released I would wear them as a nude shadow alone.

Bottom line love the Full Metal Shadows for their buildable coverage and long lasting power. My favorite is Onde Sable 4 even though it seems like your standard champagne shimmer, it has enough oomph to it to make it a bit more sparkly without being over the top. Taupe Drop 3 comes in close second because it’s a shadow you can wear alone for an eye look. Blend the color over the lids and then layer it more along the lash line for more color and depth. The Couture Eye Primer is a good one in terms of making shadow last, I do hope they expand the color range.

Have you checked out the Pop Water Full Metal Shadows, Couture Eye Primer or the new 10-pan Shadow Palettes? What did you think? You can find them all now online and in stores at Nordstrom (note there is a GWP going on while supplies last, details online).

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. All opinions my own. All items purchased by me. For more information refer to my Disclosures.

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Beauty Nordstrom

The Beauty Look Book’s Guide to Building a Makeup Wardrobe

December 16, 2014

This year I’ve received quite a few e-mails from new readers who just started getting into higher-end cosmetic brands. Being a beauty junkie and beauty blogger, I put dozens of products to the test each mont. This allows me to offer comparisons in order to help others determine differences or similarities across brands, formulas and product families.

For the makeup newbie it can be a bit overwhelming to sort through all the options. Finding good makeup that works for you often has to be done through trial and error. I think we’ve all been at that place where we bought something that ended up not working so well for our skin tone or skin type. Finding a store with a wide range of brands to choose from with a good return/exchange policy is one of the main reasons I really love to shop at Nordstrom. Today I’ve teamed up with them to create a personal beauty guide on how to start building a makeup wardrobe.

Most of my makeup preferences are for natural colors that will enhance features. New readers frequently e-mail me requesting a customized shopping list of my top beauty picks for them to take to the counter. Picking favorites is almost impossible for me since I really do love a lot of brands, but I’ve compiled an edited list that I think will be good for the makeup newbie. I’ve split my guide into three categories: Lips, Eyes and Cheeks.

For lips, if you’re just starting to get into makeup, my recommendations would depend on what kind of look you want. Even if you want a natural color, texture and finish plays a major part in picking out the right lip product. Do you prefer sheer, glossy, velvety, full-coverage? Are you a lipstick or lipgloss kind of person? Do you like shimmer or prefer creams?
Chanel Rouge Allure Glosses offer rich pigment with high shine and flawless coverage. My favorite soft pink is Sensible 15. If you want a no-fuss medium to full coverage lip gloss that stays put, these will give a really pretty shine while adding a good amount of color. There are naturals and brights in this formula to suit a wide range of skin tones. Another really good full coverage lip gloss is the Dior Addict Fluid Stick. These are a hybrid lipstick + lipgloss and it packs in a ton of color with high shine. Whisper Beige 219 is a good natural beige nude that won’t wash out the complexion.

If you prefer to ease into color and want just a tint of color and shine, Chanel Glossimers are among my favorite out of all the lip glosses in the market. Shades range from sparkling light pinks, bright corals, soft rose, beiges to plums. The holiday Chanel Give It Shine Glossimer Lip Trio has the perfect collection of shades to start your lip wardrobe. It has Amour (soft peach), Sweet Beige (nude beige shimmer) and Wild Rose (the perfect rose pink shine). These have a smooth texture with a naturally glossy sheen.

If you want a more budget-friendly lip gloss, MAC Lipglasses are hard to pass up. These are a bit sticky and tacky, but there are a lot of colors and finishes to choose from. Lovechild Lipglass is one of the most universally flattering colors I’ve seen. It’s a soft plum with pink tones and gold shimmer. On me it pulls very natural, on fair skin it’s the perfect plum, on darker or deeper skin tones it also looks good. Laura Mercier Lip Glacés also offer a wide range of colors with a natural finish. Pink Pop is a bright but sheer pink which brings the complexion to life with a sheer wash of bright color.

If you are more of a lipstick kind of person but want something natural, Chanel Rouge Coco Shines are my favorite no fuss swipe-and-go kind of lipstick. Boy 54 is the best classic rose pink shade that adds the prettiest hint of color and shine. The sheer formula won’t be as long lasting as a regular lipstick but the color is flawless and formula is hydrating. These are really good if you’re timid with bold colors and want something to ease into for lips. The sheer glossy formula is slightly transparent and lets you natural lip shine through.

If you want a full coverage lipstick but still want something that looks natural, the NARS Audacious Lipstick formula is hands down the best that has been released this year. The formula is full coverage with an amazing coverage that melds with the lip. If you have dry lips or peeling flakes you will need to moisturize or prep with a lip balm first, but if your lip is smooth, these are the best I have tried. It has a semi-matte and semi-velvety finish but there is a slight sheen to these which prevents it from looking flat. Raquel is my perfect nude pink. Brigitte is a nude pink beige that has more color but is still very natural.

For the eyes, there are a lot of different eyeshadows and liners that I adore. If I were pressed to pick my current top three favorites for eyeshadow, they would be Urban Decay Naked3, Chanel Tisse Rivoli and Dolce & Gabbana Smoky.

The Urban Decay Naked3 Palette is my most reached-for palette. It has 12 shades of neutral rosy-toned neutrals that can create a wide range of looks. There are shimmers, sparkles and mattes all of which have really incredible pigment. The texture of Urban Decay eyeshadows is buttery smooth and this particular palette doesn’t have any glitter shades which is a huge plus for me (and any neutral makeup lover). This is the one palette that goes with me on almost every trip. It’s a palette I find can go with everything. Pink shadow can be hard for me to wear (it often gives me a pink-eye look) but Naked3 is neutral enough to be very wearable. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing rose-colored shadow the next best option is Naked2 which is more neutral and taupe-based.

If having 12 shadows to play with in one palette is too overwhelming and you need something more edited, Chanel Tisse Rivoli is my favorite neutral quad. The texture adheres well to the eyes and layers well. The colors are smooth and pigmented. For something with more dramatic color, Dolce & Gabbana Smoky (swatched here) is my holy grail smoky eyeshadow quad.
For a cream shadow that is a good over wash shadow the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Rosegold is a good pick. It’s a soft shimmery champagne with rose and gold tones. It is creamy and blends easily on the eyes. You do need to let it sit for a minute or so to dry and then afterwards they last pretty well. It also works as an eye base for powder shadows and helps bring out the pigment.
For liners and mascara, a simple classic black is a good place to start. Not all black eyeliners are good though. Some pull grey in undertone or can smudge easily. Finding good eye makeup that you don’t have to worry about throughout the day is essential. My favorite mascara is the Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch because it grabs every little lash and volumizes, holds the curl, doesn’t smudge, doesn’t clump and defines the lashes really well. For me this one lasts all day without budging.
For liners, the Tom Ford Liquid Eyeliner is hands down the best liquid liner I’ve tried. It’s extremely pricey but it is worth every penny and will last you a very long time. There are two ends with different sizes of tips which allows for precise application and complete control. If you’re new to liquid liners, this hands down is the best one I’ve tested. It makes applying liquid liner super easy. If you prefer a pencil liner, Burberry’s Effortless Kohl Eyeliners were just released this year. Jet Black is one of the deepest and richest black liners I’ve tried and it stays put all day from morning to night. It comes in a twist up pencil format with a built in sharpener at the end which I find very convenient (especially if you carry it on the go or when you travel).

Out of all the beauty products I own, I would say blush, bronzer and highlighters dominate my makeup collection by far. Picking out a few favorites was a difficult task. For the face I’ve narrowed down my recommendations to a few items that will multi-task.

If I could only wear one blush palette for the rest of my life I would pick out the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette. It has three shades in a mirrored compact that cover all the shades you could need to go with any look. Luminous Flush is a coral pink, Incandescent Electra is a soft peach, Mood Exposure is a plum rose. The colors are very pigmented with easy to control buildable color. There is a bit of highlighter mixed into each blush which gives these a luminous glow. Those who don’t like shimmer need not fear with this one. The shimmer is finely milled and very natural on the face. It’s impossible to overdo but the pigment is rich enough to add visible color.

For a bronzer and highlighter, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow offers both in one  convenient mirrored compact. The bronzey shade can be used as a contouring powder, although I like it as a bronzer on me. The highlighter is a pale warm gold champagne which has a high frost but looks very natural on the skin. The two combined can be used on the cheeks, temples and eyes.

Liquid illuminators are also something I consider in a makeup wardrobe. They can be used as highlighters on top of powder/foundation to add a glow or they can be used under blush to help color adhere better. I like to use these on the eyes occasionally to highlight. If you need a bit of shimmer in your foundation these can be mixed in. My favorite liquid highlighter is the Soleil Tan de Chanel in Sunkissed. It’s a pale golden champagne that dries to a semi-matte finish which means it stays put all day long. If you want more color options or want something more dewy, Armani Fluid Sheers are classic staples that will give you that glow from within look.

I hope you found this introductory guide useful! Whether you are new to higher-end makeup or want to know what my current favorites are, I hope this provides an edited list of recommendations for you to start exploring. If you could recommend your top 5 beauty picks to a makeup newbie, what would they be? I would really love to hear what your favorites are!

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. All opinions are my own.
For more information please refer to my Disclosures. 

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Nordstrom Urban Decay

Urban Decay Cosmetics Favorites and My Top Picks for Neutral Makeup Lovers

October 1, 2014

Readers often ask me if I had to pick one high-quality eyeshadow palette, what would it be? Picking a good eyeshadow palette depends on a number of things such as what kind of look you want, your skin tone, hair color, eye color, shimmer vs matte preferences and lifestyle. For my neutral makeup loving self, I find my most-reached-for palettes are Urban Decay Naked2 or Naked3. They both have a really good mix of neutral shades with matte, shimmer and satiny finishes. I find them extremely versatile and for me they are my do-it-all kind of palette. You can create so many different looks for day and night. If you like more neutral cool tones, I recommend Naked2. If you want something warmer or more unique, I vote for Naked3. I love the soft romantic feminine tones and they are neutral enough so you don’t end up looking like you have pink-eye if you wear these.

 Naked vs Naked2 vs Naked3 swatched

For those who prefer matte-eyeshadow the new Naked2 Basics is a godsend. I’m not usually a fan of an all-matte eye look because matte shadows end up looking so flat on my skin and age my face. I will occasionally use one as a liner because I like a soft defined line along upper lashes. The Naked2 Basics has completely changed my outlook on matte shadows. It has a selection of medium taupe neutrals where every single one is wearable and layerable. I prefer it over the original Naked Basics which I found was too pale for my skin tone.

If you’re the type who prefers to pick out individual shades, Urban Decay has a wide selection of beautiful taupes and sandy shimmers in the single Eyeshadow format. My favorites include Chase (a soft metallic gold), Suspect (shimmering sand), Busted (dark plum taupe), Lost (shimmering brown) and YDK (metallic taupe). They are on the shimmery side but I don’t find them too frosty. The texture of the Urban Decay eyeshadows is amazing. They have this rich almost buttery feel that melds in with the skin. I don’t need an eyeshadow base with these and they last all day. I like mixing and layering these with the matte shades for added depth. There are also some matte options available individually.

Some other favorites from Urban Decay include their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils. These have a super creamy texture and apply easily. I like these because they really do glide onto the eyes and don’t tug at all. They last pretty long on me with normal wear, although if it’s really hot and humid they will smudge a little by late evening. I like to use them along the upper lash lines as a base for deeper/smokey eyeshadows. I find they bring out the pigment shadows when they are layered over the liners. My top three picks are Zero (matte black), Underground (soft shimmery neutral taupe) and Rockstar (a deep eggplant).

I haven’t explored much in the lip arena from Urban Decay recently. Their lipsticks and glosses have been repeatedly revamped and repackaged. I purchased the Naked Ultra Nourishing Lip Glosses in Liar recently and really like it. There are 9 variations of nude in the lipgloss lineup, all of which looked really stunning but the sheer texture and finish make many of them look similar on my lips. I picked out Liar which is a gorgeous sheer cool mauve pink. It has a slight minty feel but doesn’t numb the lips. It’s a good everyday swipe and go color that adds just the right amount of shine. I like that it’s smooth and not sticky. It gives a super lush lip look.

Last but not least, I’m a huge fan of the Naked Skin Beauty Balms. I have the original one (which now comes in extended shades) and the Bronzing Beauty Balm. I like to use the Naked Skin Beauty Balm as a primer. I find when I use it over moisturizer and under foundation, it helps liquids blend better on the skin. The Bronzing Beauty Balm is something I like to use as a subtle contouring product or a base for powder blushes. It adds a bit of dewy texture and color to help powder sheer or light blushes go on better without looking heavy or changing colors. I also like using the Bronzing Balm mixed in with foundations if they are too light (I tend to tan easily) so it works wonders to adjust foundation colors for me.

Here’s a quick summary of my favorite Urban Decay items:

Urban Decay Cosmetics has just re-launched their line at Nordstrom. I remember back in the 90’s through the early 2000’s when Nordstrom had their modern/edgy beauty section with Urban Decay items when they had these out-of-this-world nail polish colors, iridescent blushes and scented shimmer body powder. I was sad when the line was pulled but I’m really happy that is is back now.

I hope this has been a helpful overview of some of my Urban Decay favorites. I’ve played with the line for over a decade now and I’m glad many of favorites are still in the line (like the Stray Dog, Sin and YDK eyeshadows). If you’re looking for an eyeshadow palette to start with, I do think the Naked Palettes are the best for the price, quality, ease of use and versatility. I consider all 3 of the Naked Palettes and the new Naked2 Basics must-haves in my makeup wardrobe.

Do you have any Urban Decay favorites? Everytime I check out the eyeshadows, I am amazed that I’m always discovering new shades.

Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. More information on my Disclosures page.

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Base Makeup Dior Nordstrom

Dior Beauty Favorites + A Few New Discoveries

August 25, 2014

Several new readers have e-mailed telling me they have just started to explore higher end cosmetics asking for advice on where to start building their makeup wardrobe and what I recommend for them to buy. Many are open to trying new brands and products but often prefer recommendations from one single brand to simplify their makeup routine. I personally like to mix it up with different brands each day depending on mood but for those who want to stick with one single brand, Dior is one of a few lines I’ve tried that I would feel comfortable using exclusively for everything from foundation, skincare, makeup and tools. I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share some of my Dior Beauty favorites with you today.

I’ve been using Dior beauty since my college days (early 2000’s). Over the years they’ve revamped almost all formulas for every product. I always panic anytime I hear “reformulate” thinking why change something when it’s already really good? Dior has revamped their products for better though. Their nail polish keeps getting better, the Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer is the latest and it has a lush glossy look with rich pigment that applies flawlessly. Their Addict Lip Gloss is a classic favorite for a super glossy natural tint. It comes in a diverse range of colors from pales, brights and darker shades.

A few of my favorites which I highly recommend for anyone whether you’re getting into Dior or higher end lines include:
Dior’s Purifying Foam Cleanser is one of my top cleanser picks out of all that I’ve tried. I’ve repurchased this countless times. There are several different formulas of Dior cleanser, the Purifying Foam is for Normal/Combination skin. It is really effective at cleansing the skin but is still gentle. My husband loves it as well. It foams up nicely and leaves the skin feeling really clean without making it tight or leaving a film.

Diorskin Airflash Skin Foundation is one of the longest wearing foundations I’ve tried. There is a learning curve for application though. The Airflash comes in an aerosol spray. Hold it about 5-6 inches away from your face and close the eyes before you spray. You have to make sure your face is completely relaxed or else it will apply unevenly and miss spots. I spray in a Z motion twice from top to bottom. I don’t always get a flawless application with the spray but it is easily fixable with a brush or sponge. I set with a sheer loose powder and it stays put all day. If you find yourself getting oily or shiny from this, you’ve probably applied too much. It is long-wearing and has fuller coverage, so to take it off, I recommend you use either a Cleansing Water or Cleansing Oil combined with your regular facial cleanser.

Dior has a good range of gloss options. The Addict Glosses are sheer, shimmery and add the perfect tint to the lips. My favorites are Nuit Boreale (a pale iridescent pink with some blue and green shimmer), Bed of Roses (a soft pink rose) and Diablotine a sheer but bright coral. If you’re one that likes more pigment, the new Dior Addict Fluid Stick is incredible. They have super rich pigment and they glide onto the lips really nicely. Blend it and the color melds with your lip flawlessly. It’s a hybrid lipstick and gloss so it has that lush gloss look but pigment of a lipstick and stays put relatively long.

For nails, Dior has always been a favorite. The formula has been revamped several times over the year and it just keeps getting better. There are a lot of limited-edition shades released each season. They often don’t do repeats of the trendy shades although sometimes they will release something similar at a later date. I’ve been a collector for years and have amassed a sizable collection. If you’re just starting to get into higher end nail polishes, Dior is a great option. I am one who really believes there is a difference in formula. The ones by Dior glide on seamlessly. The pigment and coverage is phenomenal these days. The brush is chiseled at the tip for easy two-swipe application. The colors are rich and range from classic to neutral to trendy. I love the Gel Top Coat over other Dior Polishes. I can get up to 7 days of wear without any tip wear or chipping. If you’re looking to start with color, my top three can’t-go-wrong picks are Incognito for an everyday classic neutral, Wonderland for a brightening pink and Nuit 1947 for a classic vamp with a jelly finish.

Painting on Nuit 1947 with the Gel Top Coat

The Diorshow Brow Styler is something I discovered mid-July. One of my favorite Dior artists recommended this for me. I was skeptical since the Brow Styler only comes in one shade in the US in Universal Brown 001. It’s a light taupe brown that actually works for my lighter brows and dark black brown hair. Often times an exact match to my hair makes my brows look too intense and sharp. I like to opt for a color that is lighter but doesn’t contain any red or isn’t too ashy. The Universal Brown appears to be really universal from what I’ve seen.


above, wearing Nuit 1947



For lashes, my go-to lash primer is the Diorshow Maximizer Lash Pluming Serum. It’s a white base you apply to your lashes as a primer. It helps add volume to the lashes and makes them look thicker without clumping. The trick to this one is to not let it dry completely before adding mascara. You can still add it, but applying your mascara while this is still a bit wet helps the product glide on better. The mascara will adhere to the primer and if it’s completely dry, I find it tugs a little. You don’t need to rush application, but I wouldn’t wait a long time.


For mascaras, I’ve tried almost every Dior mascara made. They have the best mini samples each time a new one is released. I’ve developed a couple really good relationships with Dior reps at my Nordstroms so they always call me when they have samples. My favorite is the regular Diorshow for the plush bristles and rich color (and it doesn’t flake or smudge). Nordstrom sent me one of the new ones for review which is the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara. It has a curved comb which helps get all the lashes in a few strokes, no need to angle it in weird ways. It’s supposed to help curl lashes. For my super straight lashes I always need a lash curler, but I find this one does keep the curl well. After testing it, I found it doesn’t flake or smudge. I did need to wipe off the brush with the first application (I use a piece of paper to wipe off excess) but I usually need to do that with most mascaras.

above, wearing Wonderland
For eyeshadow, Dior has so many options. Their 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette also keeps getting a makeover in formula, color options and packaging. They’ve retained the same navy rectangular compact but the newer ones keep getting sleeker in design. Nordstrom sent Bar 056 (one of the five new fall options) for review. I normally cannot wear greys on the eyes as they turn out to be too cool-toned. Bar offers a lovely classic subtle palette of greys I can actually wear without looking washed out. If you’re looking for an everyday neutral, Rosy Tan 754 is hands down one of my favorites. I jus opened my backup a few months ago after going through one entire palette.

For those new to Dior or new to higher end lines, I hope you found this helpful as an introduction to Dior Beauty. There is a lot to explore within each product family for eyes, lips, cheeks, nails, tools, lashes etc. Even though I like to mix up brands in my daily beauty routine, I find Dior is one of the few that can really be a one-stop shop. I’ve fallen in love with their lipsticks, blushes and bronzers (although many are limited-edition ones). If you click on the Dior tag at the bottom you’ll see more Dior reviews I’ve featured over the years. If you’re a Dior fan, I’d love to hear what your favorites are. I’m always up for discovering new things.

Shop my favorites from Nordstrom:

Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. The Dior Bar Quint and Iconic Overcurl Mascara were provided for review. All other items purchased by me. For more information, please refer to my Disclosures page.

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Diptyque Nordstrom

Diptyque Candle Set x10 | Nordstrom Exclusive

November 23, 2013

Diptyque has some wonderful holiday offerings this year. There are a number of gorgeous sets along with three new holiday scents (review to come soon). This year Nordstrom has an impressive exclusive 10 Piece Set ($130 for 10 candles). The set contains Diptyque’s iconic scents from the line’s 50-year history that includes two signature scents created each decade. Each candle is in the set comes in the baby size usually only found in gift-with-purchase events (I’ve never seen the baby sizes sold for sale individually). The candles are 1.2 oz each with approximately 12 hour burn time. While the set is expensive, it makes a stunning luxurious gift for the holidays. Sometimes you can’t really tell if you’ll like a scent until you burn it. This set offers a way to sample a wide range of scents without having to buy the full sizes.

The ten scents in the set include: Thé, Cannelle, Roses, Jasmin, Baies, Tubereuse, Figuier, Feu de Bois, Ambre and Patchouli.

There is a beautiful handout included with a timeline highlighting each scent featured in the set.

I haven’t had a chance to try each candle yet (I’ve been busy burning the three holiday ones). It will most likely take me weeks to try each one to see if I like them enough to buy individually. I will however provide an overview of the scents.

I’ve purchased all the floral scents individually in the past.

  • Baies is a floral scent (one of their best sellers) which is a mixed bouquet of roses and blackcurrant leaves
  • Jasmin is a soft jasmin scent (smells like the real thing)
  • Roses smells like soft roses without being too harsh or floral
  • Tubereuse smells like the tubereuse flower
  • Patchouli is the best Patchouli scent I’ve smelled, it’s not too herbal or woody, it’s a warm earthy scent that seems to have a slight hint of soft vanilla
  • Figuier is a warm fig-wood scent, it’s a fresh fig and one of my favorites in the line
  • Feu de Bois is a smoky firewood scent with a hint (very slight) of blackberry
  • Ambre is a warm incense-like scent with a mix of wvetiver and patchouli,
    enhanced with radiant anise seed, insolent spices, mysterious incense,
    cistus and tonka bean, it’s not my favorite but I will have to burn to really tell
  • Cannelle has a mix of warm, dry, spicy, and aromatic bark from the East, it has a fresh scent
  • Thé is a dark strong tea smelling scent with a herbal feel

Overall a lovely and impressive set. It would make the ultimate gift for fragrance aficionados. You can always break down the set and use the baby candles as add-ons or stocking stuffers for the holiday as well. I’m enamored with the whole boxes set and can’t wait to try each in the upcoming months. Diptyque candles are among my favorite, although priced at the high end for scented candles worth every penny. It’s something you have to try to really see what the fuss is about. Once you try these there is no going back to other brands (although I still adore lower priced candles from Henri Bendel and still love Jo Malone and Fresh for higher end candles).

Here’s a quick comparison of the sizes of the candles in this set. (I’ll call them the baby size.) The baby sizes in this set are also sometimes found in gift with purchases which is the 1.2 oz size. The small size is the 2.4 oz ($28 each). Regular sized candles are 6.5 oz ($60 each). More detailed comparison to come in a follow up post.

The 10 piece set is exclusive to Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com (limited for the holidays). You can’t beat free shipping and beautiful packaging. If you have a Nordstrom near you with Diptyque, you may want to call the fragrance department to check if they have any upcoming events. I received a mailer for their yearly customer appreciation night. There are usually events in early December at stores and they often have gift with purchases so it will be a good time to take advantage of the gift offerings if you have a list of items you’ve been saving up for. In my experience minimum buys tend to be around $100 to $150ish.

Have you purchased any Diptyque sets this year? Diptyque fans – what are your favorite scents?

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