{Favorites} February 2011

So here are February Favorites! I know, a little late but everything's been so hectic lately that this is the fastest I could get them out. Not as many as last month, but I've been using a lot of the same so I figured I'd skip the repeats.

1. Skincare

L to R: Nature's Gate C For Yourself Serum, Philosophy Grace Perfumed Body Lotion, The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue Lotion.

I've really been loving all three. I'm almost done with the Philosophy Grace lotion (you can't tell, but trust me on that) and I'm thinking about getting the full size. I put this on right after I get out of the shower, all over, and it makes me smell like I've spent the day at the beach! So pretty! I always get compliments when I wear this.

The C For Yourself serum is a bit heavier than I like a serum to be so I haven't been wearing it during the day but rather at night underneath my regular moisturizer. It's a re-texturizing serum and in the morning my skin feels really smooth like I've exfoliated.

The texture of The Body Shops Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue cream is unlike anything I've ever tried before. It's more solid than a regular lotion, but almost has the consistency of a balm, but softer. It smells amazing though and makes my feet feel so smooth and soft. I put this on before bed, a thick layer, and wear socks. I wake up in the morn with the most soft and supple feet.

L to R: Nature's Gate C For Yourself Serum, Philosophy Grace, and The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue.

2. Makeup

Clockwise: Dior 5 Color Eyeshadow in Earth Reflection, Nars Single Eyeshadow in Nepal, and L.A. Colors 12 Color E/S Palette in Traditional.

I've really been into neutrals this month. I never really go nuts with eyeshadow but I usually wear a mix of neutrals and a shade of purple or navy. This past month has really just ben neutrals. I've especially been loving pairing my Nars shadow in Nepal with any of the shades from the L.A. Colors 12 Color Palette in Traditional. If you remember, I got this palette for $1 (!!!), but it is really an awesome neutral palette. The Dior palette is great too, but it can bee a bit to shimmery for day so I've been using it at night with a liquid liner.

3. Hair Care:

Garnier Nutrient Spray and H2O Spa Hair Repair Seaweed Mask and Conditioner

I've been using the H2O Seaweed Mask and Conditioner as a hair conditioner. If I use it as a mask it is a bit too heavy for my thick hair. As you can see I'm almost done and I definitely will repurchase this one. It doesn't smell the best, kinda herbal-y, but my hair feels really healthy after I use it.

The Garnier Nutrient Spray is one of those products that has the dual layer (like Lancome's famous Bi-Facil makeup remover). You shake it up and then spray. I use this on damp towel dried hair before I blow dry. If I use it on dry hair I have to be careful not to spritz too much or my hair will be too oily. On dry hair one spray is enough to give me some shine. On damp hair I spray 3 times, rub it in, and then blow dry. My hair ends up looking very very healthy and shiny. You have to remember to shake it before using it otherwise the oil and water based ingredients won't work together.

4. Perfume

Marc Jacobs Splash in Gardenia

All this is is a body spray. It smells amazing. My favorite flower is the white gardenia. I love how they smell and look and everything lol! This spray is light and perfect for everyday use. I layer this over the Philosophy Grace lotion after I shower and then maybe another perfume like my Chance by Chanel. People always ask what I'm wearing when I wear this, especially when I layer it over Philosophy Grace. If you want an inexpensive dupe for this, Bodycology has a body spray in white gardenia. It's around $4 and it smells exactly the same only a little bit stronger. They actually have an entire line of lotions, sprays etc with the white gardenia scent. I've reviewed the lotion from the collection.

I've been using this for most of the month and I've barely made a dent in the MASSIVE bottle. You get an astounding 10 fl oz!!! I've only used a tiny bit over a cm, so this is going to last me forever.

That's it for February! I'll be posting a haul later today so stay tuned!

Quick EOTD! Glowy Neutral with a Pop!

I've really been loving the blues these past couple of months, especially those with green undertones! They make my eyes look soooo blue! And glowy makeup is really nice before everyone goes matte for fall.

Products Used:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Dior 5 Color Eye Palette in Earth Reflectin
Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Minx (Soooo pretty!)
Lancome Difinicils Mascara in Black

The stars of the look:

L to R: Dior Earth Reflection and Urban Decay Minx

Some swatches:

Dior Earth Reflection


Urban Decay Minx

I know that some people have been critiquing the Earth Reflection palette, saying that for $56 it's too neutral, the colors too much like what can be found at the drugstore for $5. True, but I guarantee you that you will not find a palette this stunning at the drugstore. You wont. And the formula of these shadows is perfect. They are not too powdery and very pigmented, not to mention shimmery. A little bit goes a long way. This palette will last you forever. I really like it cause it's so glowy. It makes my eyes look so gorgeous and is never too much despite the shimmer in it.

The Urban Decay liner in Minx is actually my first liquid liner from UD. I don't really use liquid liner all that much cause it's so easy to screw up, but the formula of these and the really skinny brush makes it really easy to apply. I know I have a little boo boo up top, but only cause I was in a hurry. I highly recommend these liners. I actually picked up Crash, a pale purple with silver shimmer, a couple of days ago and I'm liking it as much as I love Minx.

Idk if you noticed above but my hand had little red dots on it. Here's a closeup:

They're more obvious in real life. I tried a lotion, Dove Pro Age cause it's all my mother had on her and I really needed some. I had the worst reaction. For the past few weeks the backs of my hands have been red, itcy, flacky, and bumpy. Will never use again. Ever. It looks better now, but it was pretty bad a couple of weeks ago. My hands started to burn the second I put it on.

That's all for now! See you soon!

Review: Dior Eyeshadow Palette in Stylish Move

So a while ago I posted these same pictures, but I didn't actually review the palette. Well, here's that review!!! And first off, I have to say that the packaging of all Dior products is absolutely stunning. It just has this sophisticated, expensive feel to it that makes one feel so luxurious using it, haha! And it comes with a little velvet case which is nice, because your palette won't get all scratched up. I've had this one for about a year now and it still has only a couple of scratches. I've had some of my Lancome quads for much less than that and they are all banged up.


I own a few of these palettes, but the one I'm reviewing today is #970, Stylish Move. It's a purple palette.

Here's what the shadows look like:


And closer yet:

I've used these quite a bit, as you can tell.

And finally, swatches on my hand:

Order of swatches: Bottom left, bottom right, top left, top right, and center (sorry they weren't clockwise or something..,didn't think of it at the time).

Let me tell you that these swatches don't do the palette justice. They were applied dry without any base, but I will usually apply them with UDPP or wet for a more dramatic look. Actually, I've been using the darkest purple as a liner a lot, and it goes on really intensely.

As far as palettes go, I think that this one gives you a nice range of colors. You've got a dark, two sorta midtones, and two lights (one shimmery, and one not so shimmery). Overall, I am able to create a variety of looks using this palette, anything from a dramatic smoky all the way to a light barely there natural look. This palette is very versatile, which I like.

As for formula, overall, the shadows are very smooth and soft, easy to work with. The only color I've had problems with is the bottom right, the lighter purple. For some reason this shade is harder than the others. I almost have to dig to get the powder on my brush. I don't know if I just got a bad one, but this shade was very difficult to work with. You can even kinda see it in the close up of the shadows. The bottom right looks chunkier, harder. But overall, the shadow's are super velvety soft. Other than this one shade I've never had any problems with Dior eyeshadows. However, because they are so smooth and soft, I would definitely recommend that you wear a base otherwise they will crease.

Do you need this palette: no. But, if you like the feel of luxury, like pretty looking packaging, and amazing shades (especially for spring), then yes, you definitely want this palette!

Info:

Price: $58 (Eek!!! Wow, price has gone up since I bought this. It was $54 then.)

Ingredients: Talc, octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, nylon-12, silica, magnesium stearate, dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, calcium sodium borosilicate, bis-behenyl/isostearyl dimmer dilnoleyl dimmer dilinoleate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, tocopherol. May contain: mica, CI77891 (titanium dioxide), CI77491-CI77499-CI77492 (iron oxides), CI77007 (ultramarines), CI19140 (yellow 5), CI77742 (manganese violet), CI77510 (ferric ferrocyanide), CI75470 (carmine), CI 77289 (chromium hydroxide green), CI 77288 (chromium oxide greens).

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Swatch: Dior Single Eyeshadow in Flirty Brown

It's just a very grey-ish brown. In certain lighting it can look warm, but overall I would classify it as a cool toned brown.





I've tried to preserve the design, haha!



I know that it looks fairly warm in the pic above, but it really is more cool toned in person.

Swatch: Dior Stylish Move Palette