Diptyque L'Eau du Trente-Quatre (34) EDT Review

I am a perfume lover - I have an amount of perfumes that no one should own (though I think it's still under 12), but I can't help myself.  Despite my love for perfumes, I've banned myself from buying any until I get my collection down to a healthy 5, but then I went to London, and I went to John Lewis, and I went to the Diptyque stand, and it all happened so quickly.  I sprayed a little Diptyque L'Eau du Trentre-Quatre (34) EDT ($100 for 50ml) on my wrist and left the store.  Throughout the entire day, I couldn't help but smell my wrist, it was like nothing else - it was beautiful.  So, I bought it.

This is the first Diptyque product I've ever owned, and let me say - I'm impressed.  The longevity on this is really good for a EDT.  Most of the time with EDT, I find they fade within about 4 hours or so, but this lasts around 8, which is usually what I expect from an EDP.  It also is really strong for an EDT, which is probably one of the reasons it lasts so well.  However, even though it's a strong scent, it's never too much.

The scent itself is supposed to be a spring-time take on the Diptyque 34 EDT.  It's meant to capture the scent of the original Diptyque store on 34 Boulevard Saint Germain in Paris, whether it does or not - no idea.  It has a fruitiness to it, but there's something deeper there, too, a woodiness, though it's not a musky scent either.  Honestly, I can't describe it too much, so here are the notes:

Top Notes: Birch Leaf, Verbena, Grapefruit, Lavender, Nutmeg, Bitter Orange, Juniper Berry, Cinnamon Leaf, Lemon

Heart Notes. Geranium, Tuberose

Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli, Frankincense, Cedarwood, Cistus

It's a very versatile scent, although meant to be a spring-edit, I can see myself wearing this in any season.  I think that's due to the notes, since it's such a mix of fruit, spice, and green, it really works well for anytime of the year.

If you're looking into getting this, I'd highly recommend it!  If you stop into a Diptyque store anytime soon and smell this, you've been warned, you will leave with this perfume and a considerable chunk of change missing from your bank account...

Longevity: 4.5/5

Packaging: 5/5

Value For Money: 4/5 

Overall Rating: 9/10

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NOTD: & Other Stories Damask Rosé

& Other Stories, a new shop in London, has been blogged about and raved about by everyone and their mother.  So, when I was in London in May, I had to stop in - a few times.  The beauty section there is fantastic, and there was one nail polish I just couldn't resist - Damask Rosé (£5).

Damask Rosé is a shimmery rose gold shade that looks absolutely stunning on the nails.  Although there is shimmer in it, it doesn't contain massive glitter chunks, making it more difficult to remove than the average nail polish, but still a lot easier than a glitter polish.

The formulation is fine, it has a longevity of about 4 days, which is pretty average, in my opinion.  The brush is really nice, though.  It's a wide brush, which makes it extra-easy to apply - something I tend to look for in nail polishes.

Damask Rosé is a gorgeous shade, and one that I will be donning on my nails over and over again!

Have you tried any of the & Other Stories nail polishes?  Is this one on your list?

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Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Review

After having used and loved the Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector for over a year, I thought it was finally time to give the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer ($23) a go.

Although, not the creamiest of concealers (as the name would have you believe), this product applies and blends easily enough.  What I particularly like about this product is that you can use it both for under your eyes and on blemishes, something that rarely happens with concealers.

However, as great as it is that you can use it in two different ways, that does mean that it's not very illuminating for under the eyes, which means I'll use it on it's own on those rare days where my under-eyes don't need much brightening, or I'll layer it with another concealer that is more brightening, but without the coverage (the L'Oreal Lumi Magique and the YSL Touch Eclat are good choices for this).  Of course, that puts me back into the two concealers category, which is a shame.

The color-match is really great for me, I wear Porcelain, and works really well for me.  The longevity is also pretty good for a concealer.  Due to the fact that this isn't a very heavy-duty concealer, but a bit lighter coverage, the fact that this lasts pretty much all day is nothing short of fantastic.  Of course, if you wear heavier coverage concealer it will obviously last longer, but this does work nicely, especially for Summer.

Once again, since this is a lighter coverage concealer, I wouldn't recommend this if you have a lot of noticeable blemishes to cover or really dark circles, I'd go for something with more coverage for both of those, but if neither of those are issues you have, and if you're just looking for something to cover the odd spot and cover some (not so) dark circles, this would be a great option, especially because it doesn't feel heavy on the skin.

Overall, I would recommend this, but only to those people that I specified it to.  If you have a lot of concealer-needs, this might not be for you.

Longevity: 4/5

Pigmentation: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

Texture: 4/5

Application: 4/5

Value For Money: 4/5 

Overall Rating: 8/10

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Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder in Candlelight Review

After months of hearing about the glory that is the Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder in Candlelight ($42), I had to get my hands on it.  After oohing and aahing over it at Space NK in London, I took the plunge and haven't looked back.

I've been using this daily since I bought it, the perfect highlighter.  I'm not one who wants a really obvious and obnoxious glow to my cheeks, I prefer something subtle, and this does just the trick.  Enough to give your cheeks a glow under sunlight, and even under artificial lighting (though not as much), this highlighter is worth every penny.

The champagne color works well with just about any skin-tone, but probably suits warmer tones better than cooler tones, overall.  The powder itself is so finely milled and easy to apply and blend, I really can't believe I've lived without it.  Another thing I love about it is that the powder isn't necessarily sparkly, it doesn't have huge chunks of glitter that make it really obvious that you applied a ton of highlighter that morning, it just looks natural on the skin.

I also like the packaging, long and sleek, it fits perfectly inside of a makeup bag, and works really well for travelling.  It also includes a really large mirror, which is also really convenient for when you're on the go.  There's 5 grams of product included, which I also think is pretty good considering you only need a little bit of this to brighten up your complexion.

Highly recommend this to anyone looking into getting it!

Longevity: 4/5

Pigmentation: 4.5/5

Packaging: 4/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 5/5

Value For Money: 4/5 

Overall Rating: 8.83/10

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NOTD: Model's Own Blooboo

If you've read my blog pretty much, at all, you'll know I have a love for blue nail polishes.  So, when I saw Model's Own Blooboo (£5) at Boots one day, I had to buy it.

A hint of mint, but not to the extreme of say Essie's Mint Candy Apple, but not quite a robin-egg blue, this pastel blue has me swooning whenever I chance a look at my nails.

Perfect for those days when it's sunny and bright - the days when you want your nails to match your ice cream choice.  I love Model's Own both for its fantastic color range, but also for it's superb formulation.  With a week long wear being nothing unheard of, Model's Own really stands out for a drugstore nail polish.

My only quip with Model's Own?  It's not available in the US.  If you could just get on that...

Have you tried Model's Own before?  Are you as into blue nail polish as I am or do you have a different favorite shade for your nails?

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June Beauty Favorites

Beware of excessive amounts of beauty products in this post...

First up on the menu is primers.  I've never really been one for primers, but I want to start using them more because I only wear light coverage foundations, it doesn't last long without a primer.  I found two this month that I've been loving: the Burberry Fresh Glow Primer ($48) and the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($52).  Burberry's option can also be used as a highlighter and just perks up your complexion in general.  I tend to use it under more matte-finish foundations, just to give some life to my skin.  Whereas, the Hourglass option is great for longevity, making it a great option for any foundation pick.

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream in Very Light

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (top: heavily swatched, bottom: blended out)

As for foundation, I've really been enjoying the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream in Very Light ($35).  The coverage is pretty good, but still light, and it's a great color match for me, plus it feels light on the skin and has SPF 30.  My concealer of choice for this month has been the Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory (5.50), a very hydrating, illuminating concealer that I've been loving using every morning.  My new powder of choice, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light ($45), has also become a staple for my everyday make-up.  Used after my entire face of makeup is complete, it gives a final airbrushed look to the face without making it look too much or cakey in anyway.

Left to Right: MAC Naked Lunch, Burberry Trench, Benefit Birthday Suit

Moving on to eyes - I've had a couple of go to products for my eyes this month.  One combination has been the Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($20) with the Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Trench ($29) overtop.  It's a gorgeous, subtle combination that was very office appropriate.  However, as the weather started to heat up, I started to go for lighter options - my favorite being MAC Naked Lunch ($12), a light, frosty beige that really brightens up the eyes.  I also discovered a great new mascara - Benefit They're Real Mascara ($23).  It adds great length and lasts really well on the lashes, it's no wonder it's a cult product!

Left: & Other Stories Canvas Taupe, Right: NARS Luster
Both heavily swatched

As for blush, I've recently claimed my love for & Other Stories Blusher in Canvas Taupe (£10).  A dusty rose shade, which is inaptly named, looks natural on the cheeks, and the perfect neutral color for any color added to the eyes or lips.  The other blush I've been reaching towards in my collection is NARS Luster ($29).  After purchasing this last summer, I've finally discovered it's beauty.  The perfect shimmery-apricot shade, with a golden sheen, it's a natural shade, but has a little something extra to it.

Left: Chanel Pygmalion, Right: MAC Ultra Darling

My two lip color choices of the month are tied to my new favorite TV series - Mad Men.  Of course, it's coral.  The first offering is MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Ultra Darling ($16).  A gorgeous coral-pink, which has a gorgeous sheeny finish, and keeps your lips moisturized like nothing else, this is something I couldn't put down all month.  The other coral is the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Pygmalion ($34) - a recent limited edition release that I've been adoring.  This is more of a coral red shade, which leaves the lips with a light wash of color, making it easier to wear than something more opaque, add in the moisture factor on this tinted balm and I'm sold.

Finally, a few perfumes have stood out this month for me.  First, the Diptyque L'Eau du Trentre-Quatre EDT ($100 for 50ml) - it's perfection to say the least.  This perfume is multi-layered, leaving a scent that is made up of many different types of notes, which is what makes it so unique.  It's meant to smell like the inside of the original Diptyque store in Paris, and although I can't be sure, it sure smells like it would.  The other option for me has been Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One EDP ($98 for 2.5 oz).  A light, summery mixture of fruity and floral, with notes like rose and pink grapefruit, this perfume smells like summer in a bottle for me.  My first ever high end perfume buy (about 4 years ago) and I still go back to it all the time.  It's a very underrated scent, that no one seems to know when I mention it, but when they take a sniff, they seem to always fall in love.

What are your favorite products this month?  Have you tried anything that I've mentioned?

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Benefit Birthday Suit Creaseless Cream Shadow Review

As a massive powder eyeshadow fan, I find it difficult to get into the cream shadows that everyone loves so much - I find them more difficult to work with and oftentimes, way too sparkly.  However, recently I've jumped on the bandwagon and have been using Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($20) pretty much non-stop.

This is the creamiest of cream eyeshadows that I've tried (which, I admit, is not very many).  It slides on the lid like butter, making it easy to apply and easy to blend - which was always my issue with cream eyeshadows.

Birthday Suit is a neutral tone, but it's also kind of metallic, as well.  Sephora describes it as a 'brushed chrome', but I'd say there's more brown/taupe to it than any hue of chrome I've ever seen.

Now, the sparkle factor (as I like to call it) isn't pretty on this one, I find it to be way too much sparkle on my eyes, but I usually apply a sweep of neutral powder eyeshadow (usually Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in No. 02 Trench) on top to tone down the sparkle, which works quite well.

As for the actual formulation - well, it could be worse.  As I previously mentioned, this is the creamiest of cream shadows, which is great for application and blending, but isn't so great for longevity.  Without a primer this creases really quickly on me (all eyeshadows, cream or powder, do crease on me without a primer, but this one creases more quickly than others), but with a primer it stays all day.  So, if you're looking for something to use without anything underneath, this may not be for you.

I do really like this cream eyeshadow, the application is great and the color is gorgeous, but I'm still on the hunt for the perfect cream eyeshadow!

Longevity: 3/5

Pigmentation: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

Texture: 5/5

Application: 5/5

Value For Money: 4/5 

Overall Rating: 8.33/10

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