Friday, May 31, 2013

Friday Five : Chanel Les Exclusifs edition


           Happy Friday! Last week I wrote about my experience with the Hermessences in the Hermès perfume line (read here). I thought it would be fitting to follow up with a Friday Five on Les Exclusifs de Chanel! As the name suggests, the Les Exclusifs perfumes are exclusive to Chanel boutiques and very select department stores. (This is in contrast with No.5, Chance, Coco Mademoiselle, etc. which are more ubiquitously available). Recently, I stopped by the Chanel boutique on N. Michigan Avenue to take a sniff.

          The Les Exclusifs de Chanel perfumes were presented in a small display near the center of the boutique. Each had its own name card (seen above) upon which to test the scents. Overall, I thought each scent was well represented by its name. Bel Respiro was a whiff of fresh, grassy, earthy countryside; I loved it on the card, so I tried it on. However, the scent turned a bit masculine on me. Beige was smooth, warm, and womanly; it was very 'beige' as per its moniker. La Pausa was a soft powdery iris with a slight earthiness. Gardènia was a tame bouquet of creamy white florals. I found 1932 to be the most interesting; I enjoyed the light sparkle in the woody floral scent. Jersey was a soft, slightly sweet lavender that imparted the feel of soft fabric; I enjoyed the dry down on the card.

          Overall, I'd say the perfumes in Les Exclusifs de Chanel were smooth, balanced, and well composed. However, I do have mixed feelings. On one hand, they would easily please a number of noses and I could easily and happily wear any of the scents I just described. On the other hand, they were a little less intriguing than I had hoped for, considering their price point. That said, I may go back to try Jersey or 1932, the scents I found to be the most promising of the bunch. Perhaps, as with Bel Respiro, I'll feel differently when I've worn them! On that note, here are my Friday Five list of good reads this week:

1. Chanel Moon River Fresh Effects Eye Shadow is simply stunning at Café Makeup.
2. Makeup and Beauty Blog shares juicy shades from the MAC All About Orange Collection.
3. Check out a beautiful bottle of Dior Addict Eau Délice on BellaChique.
4. 'Brush up' on what makes Mason Pearson special on Lil Lady's Life.
5. Best Things In Beauty shares Flax, a gorgeous new Chantecaille eyeshadow.

        Thanks for reading! What do you have planned for the weekend? Have you tried Les Exclusifs de Chanel? Which of the scents would you like to try?

Love, Dovey.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #53 Pearly Pastel Green review +comparison swatches



          For those of you who must-have-mint, I have the perfect summer shadow to share with you today!  MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #53 Pearly Pastel Green is a brand new color from the MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Summer 2013 collection (reviewed here). Aqua Creams are MAKE UP FOR EVER's long lasting waterproof cream eyeshadow formulas. (And by waterproof, they mean waterproof!)


         There are different ways to apply the Aqua Creams. At the recent MAKE UP FOR EVER Remix tour event (read about my experience here), I learned that the best way to apply is with a fluffy synthetic eye brush. This deposits a sheer layer of color that can be built up in intensity. I found that synthetic brushes worked better and deposited color more evenly that flat paddle brushes. You can also use fingers to pat on color as well. Just take care not to deposit too much cream, as thick layers can flake off.

          MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream #53 in Pearly Pastel Green is a light and bright mint green. It's quite pale, especially due to its shimmer factor when seen in sunlight. When worn, it has a brightening effect. I've made a few comparison swatches so that you can get a better idea of what the color looks like. 


          MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #53 Pearly Pastel Green is a perfect eyeshadow for fun in the sun (and waves!) Be sure to check out more of my swatches from the MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Summer 2013 collection here! Pearly Pastel Green is available at Sephora and MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutiques.

          Thanks for reading! Have you tried MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Creams? What was the most recent MAKE UP FOR EVER product you tried?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. The link in this post is NOT an affiliate link. It is present for your convenience only.  

Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday Five : Hermès Chicago edition


         Happy Friday! It's been a beyond-busy couple of months for me, spent putting the finishing touches on my graduate dissertation. This week, I finally had the much needed chance to relax and head downtown with a good friend. We stopped the Hermès boutique on Chicago's Oak St., and I snapped a photo (as seen in my Instagram feed) of a gorgeous scarf in the window display; if you look closely, you can see the reflections of pedestrians, a Prada boutique, and myself!

          As you might know, I have a soft spot for Hermès perfumes (composed by in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena), so I had to stop in for a sniff. While Hermès perfume series like the Jardins, Merveilles, and Les Colognes are available elsewhere to varying degrees, the Hermessences seem to be more exclusive to the boutique. I tried some of the Hermessence perfumes that I'd been looking forward to sniffing for some time, including Rose Ikebana, Iris Ukiyoé, and Osmanthe Yunnan. They were as wonderful as I could have hoped for; I'm hoping to make another visit if/when new Hermès Les Colognes in Eau de Narcisse Bleu and Eau de Mandarine Ambrée become available. Of course, in addition to perfume, I got a chance to admire the displays of Hermès cuffs, saddles, and other good things! On that note, here is my Friday Five list of favorite reads this week:

1. The Beauty Look Book compares Dior Gel Top Coat with Chanel Laque Brilliance Extreme.
2. Bois de Jasmin tells a tale of incense and intrigue with Tom Ford Sahara Noir.
3. The Former Girl at Bar shares the brilliant blue of Urban Decay Chaos 24/7 liner.
4. Grain de Musc revels in Hermès Eau de Narcisse Bleu.
5. Best Things in Beauty has a fresh lip color in Tom Ford Cherry Lush.

         Thanks for reading! What are you up to this weekend? What scents have you checked off of your to-try list lately?

Love, Dovey.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector review


          Primers can do wonders for your makeup, extending its longevity and freshness throughout the day. However, finding the right one can be difficult, especially if you're sensitive to silicones (e.g. dimethicone) like me. Recently I've been testing BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector, a new silicone-free primer, courtesy of BECCA Cosmetics.

         The BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is a mattifying primer that can be worn above or below foundation --- and can also be used as an eyeshadow base for oil control on eyelids. The texture of the primer is that of a thick gel. It doesn't have the slip of silicones, so I found that the best way to apply the primer was to distribute it between my hands and press it onto my face. The BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector did help extend the life of my foundation, without causing any silicone-induced breakouts!

Ingredients: Water, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylene Glycol, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Oleandic Acid.
         BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector ($36 for 1.35oz) is a great option for those who are looking for a mattifying primer to extend the wear time of makeup. I have a feeling that this primer will come in handy in the hot, makeup-melting summer days ahead! I'm glad it's free of silicones, and the simple ingredient list is a plus too. BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is available at Sephora and BECCA Cosmetics online.

         Thanks for reading! Have you tried BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector? What is your current primer of choice? What BECCA products have you been using lately?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. The link in this post is NOT an affiliate link. It is present for your convenience only.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Valentino 'Valentina Assoluto' Eau de Parfum review


        The bottle for Valentina Assoluto is simply stunning, don't you think? It's festooned with a beautiful pink flower that immediately recalls the unique style of Maison Valentino. Roses were a longtime signature of Valentino Garavani, and were featured in his most striking images. One such vintage photograph features a model standing before the Great Sphinx in Egypt, wearing a pale green cocktail dress bordered with roses. Another more recent addition depicted the principal ballerina of the Staatshoper ballet draped in a layered tulle gown blossoming with rosettes during a New Year's performance, more than fifty years later. According to the Valentino Garavani museum,

"For Mr. Valentino, the rose was not only a symbol of artistry and couture, but a token of timelessness, cultivation, and the endurance of beauty,"

         Valentina Assoluto Eau de Parfum is the newest variation on the Valentino Valentina Eau de Parfum (be sure to read my review of Valentina here). Judging from the bottle's signature floral embellishment, one can imagine the refined beauty of the scent within. Perfumer Olivier Cresp composed Valentina Assoluto as a more nocturnal and seductive variation on the Italian inspirations of the original Valentina fragrance. I've been exploring the new facets of Valentina Assoluto, thanks to Valentino Parfums, and am looking forward to sharing my review with you today!

Notes: Italian Bergamot, Smeggia Peach, White Alba Truffle, Tuberose, Mediterranean Jasmine, Soft Madagascar Vanilla, Cedar, Oakmoss, Patchouli.
          Valentina Assoluto Eau de Parfum (2012) is an alluring white floral blend brimming with peach, vanilla, and truffle. The perfume opens with a splash of bergamot which, as in its predecessor, tends to trail into the body of the fragrance. The bergamot seems to be laced with the slightest pinch of patchouli. The perfume quickly slides into a refined peach. This peach is not of the sort where one taste will send sweet juice running down your hand; instead it has the crispness of a firm, slightly under-ripe white peach. The fruit begins to mellow as a vanilla undercurrent enters my consciousness.The vanilla is actually quite soft and unlike that found in typical vanilla gourmands, a softness I find quite preferable. The fantastic earthy mushroom flavor of the truffle (which I discuss at length here) is closely intertwined with the vanilla, adding a fullness sans heaviness. A smooth, pale jasmine adds a soft white floral focus to the scent; it lacks any indolic heaviness. At the base is a touch of oakmoss, adding an almost licorice-like spin when combined with the 'foodie' vanilla and truffle. A blend of peach, jasmine, vanilla, truffle, and oakmoss wears close to the skin and persists throughout the remaining life of the scent.

         The allure of Valentina Assoluto lies in its tempered beauty.The perfume contains notes that, when left unchecked can be overwhelming, and takes them down a notch. The peach is not too sweet, the jasmine is less opaque, and the vanilla is soft. Instead of using greater intensity or heavier base notes to add dimension, the truffle and oakmoss add a fullness and intrigue to the existing scents. The result is a masterful blend that is transparent and refined, yet intriguing. On the same train of thought - Valentina Assoluto is more nocturnal and sensual than its sister Valentino Valentina, however it is by dint of the ingredients, as opposed to the sheer weight of the fragrance. (In fact, I find Valentina Assoluto to be the 'lighter' of the two scents.) 


          Valentina Assoluto Eau de Parfum ($88 for 1.7oz.) is a beautiful blend of white peach with white florals that wears close to the skin. Like its predecessor, Valentino Valentina, these notes are accompanied by a tempting trifecta of bergamot, vanilla, and truffle. In fact, the two Valentino perfumes are quite similar in construction, so if you love one, you'll likely enjoy the other as well.

         Much like the classic Valentino rose with which it is adorned, Valentino Assoluto embodies the spirit of artfully executed couture. As a white floral lover, I'm delighted to have it in my fragrance wardrobe! Valentina Assoluto is available at fine department stores nationwide. Thanks for reading! Have you tried Valentina or Valentina Assoluto? What perfumes are you loving at the moment?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Summer 2013 review + swatches


        I've got a 'splash' of color from the MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Summer 2013 Collection to share with you today! The new collection consists of bright and beautiful colors from the brand's waterproof 'Aqua' line (5 Aqua Rouges + 2 Aqua Lips + 3 Aqua Creams + 2 Aqua eyes). I have (and love!) quite a number of 'Aqua' line items in my collection already, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on a few more pieces, courtesy of MAKE UP FOR EVER. This post features a quick review and swatches of MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #53 Pearly Pastel Green, MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge in #16 Fuchsia, MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip in #20C Baby Pink, and MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes in #52L Pearly Green Lagoon!


        The colors I received from the Aqua Summer 2013 collection are fantastic; I've already worn each quite a few times! MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in #53 Pearly Pastel Green is a pale mint green cream eyeshadow with sheen. It has a fresh, brightening effect when worn. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes in #52L Pearly Green Lagoon is a gorgeous teal green eyeliner that reminds me of a mermaid's tail! The formula is smooth, just as you'd expect from an Aqua Eyes eyeliner. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip in #20C Baby Pink is a light, warm pink lipliner that I've really been enjoying. It works well both as a lip liner or a lip color. I found that it wears comfortably for hours. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge in #16 Fuchsia is a heavily pigmented bright pink fuchsia.  I've swatched it below without the clear gloss on top. The Aqua Rouge formula is seriously budge-proof; you can read my thoughts on it here. MAKE UP FOR EVER takes waterproof seriously --- all four products won't budge in water (and yes I've tried)!


         The MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Summer 2013 collection has a fantastic selection of colors, in my humble opinion. I've been particularly obsessing over the two lip products I received, and will definitely be incorporating the greens into my eye routine this summer. I hope to post more in-depth reviews with comparison swatches in the coming days, so stay tuned! The MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Summer 2013 collection is available now at Sephora and MAKE UP FOR EVER boutiques.

        Thanks for reading! Are you eyeing anything from the MAKE UP FOR EVER Summer 2013 collection? What was the last MAKE UP FOR EVER product you tried?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Marchesa Parfum d'Extase Hair Mist review


        Hair mists are this year's hot new perfume innovation. I'm sure many of you can relate when I say scent lovers have long been spritzing their locks with a favorite fragrance. After all, hair is a wonderful way to diffuse scent and leave a lingering trail in your wake. I've just had my first experience with a hair mist, the Marchesa Parfum d'Extase Hair Mist, courtesy of Sephora, and have a review to share with you today!

          Marchesa Parfum d'Extase Hair Mist has the same beautiful fragrance as its namesake perfume. Marchesa Parfum d' Extase is a delicate iris floral with a soft linen-like feel and amber base. The hair mist differs from the original perfume in its packaging, ingredients, and price. The bottle is tall and without embellishment, unlike that of the crystal-clad perfume. The ingredients (see below) are slightly different as well (e.g. the addition of aloe) which presumably helps the fragrance bind to hair. The hair mist is also more cost effective per oz. than using perfume, which is a plus!


Notes: Iris Flower, Black Currant, Young Violet Leaves, Lotus Flower, Night Blooming Jasmine, Bulgarian Rose Water, Orange Blossom, Iris Root, Ambrox, Captive Musks.


         Marchesa Parfum d'Extase Hair Mist ($38 for 1.7 fl. oz.) is a delicate iris scent for fragrancing hair. I find that the hair mist is a nice complement to my full size Marchesa d'Extase Eau de Parfum (which I'm hoping to review soon!). I found that upon usage, the fragrance is quite noticeable to those in close proximity. However, like the original perfume version, Marchesa d'Extase hair mist may have to be reapplied to last through a whole day as the notes are quite delicate and can fade over time. I think wear time will depend on your hair and potentially what other products you're using! Marchesa d'Extase Hair mist can be purchased from Sephora.

           Thanks for reading! Have you tried Marchesa d'Extase? Do you spritz perfume in your hair? Would you purchase a hair mist in the scent of your favorite perfume?

Love, Dovey.

Ingredients: Alcohol Denatured, Water, Fragrance, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, PEG-40, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnemal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. The link in this post is NOT an affiliate link. It is present for your convenience only.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Valentino Valentina Eau de Parfum review


          Valentino is among the most storied brands in fashion, so I thought it would be fitting to open my review of Valentino Valentina with an anecdote! In a previous era, most ads in fashion magazines were sponsored by fabric companies whose logos were prominently displayed, while designers were credited in small print at the bottom. Valentino was the first brand to break with this tradition, creating lavish magazine spreads emphasizing the role of the fashion artist/designer. This style of advertisement was the brainchild of Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino Garavani's partner in business and life. The first ever Valentino magazine spread featured models wearing pastel colors, posing in a desert setting (shot in studio with semolina for sand!)

          Valentino Valentina Eau de Parfum is packaged in a beautiful bottle festooned with three pale rosettes dancing upon a golden background, like pastel dresses fluttering amidst a desert landscape. (The rosettes seem to be made of powdered metal, in case you were wondering.) I had the chance to experience Valentina recently, thanks to Valentino Parfums, and I have to say the scent within draws equally beautiful imagery!


Notes: Bergamot, White Truffle, Orange Blossoms, Sweet Jasmine, Tuberose, Wild Strawberries, Cedar, Vanilla, Amber.
            Valentino Valentina (2011) is a smooth white floral with strawberry and vanilla. The perfume opens with a crisp bergamot; while the burst is ephemeral it lightly trails on a bit to add a slight edge to an otherwise smooth scent. A delicious strawberry and jasmine combination enters, followed by an odd scent I recognize to be truffle. (Truffle has a woody / earthy scent like a mushroom just dug up from the ground). Vanilla enters to strengthen the scent, making it even more delectable. The high sweet florals of orange flower add freshness to the mix; they create more dimension in the jasmine and add some juiciness to the strawberry. Overall the blend of food and flowers is smooth, and all the scent trails intertwine together quite naturally! At the base, there's a hint of wood, but any lingering wood tones are caught up with the truffle. The rest is filled with a clean musky amber.

          The beauty of Valentino Valentina lies in a special ingredient: truffle. Shavings from this pungent subterranean mushroom have the uncanny ability to accentuate whatever foods they flavor. Truffle does a similar thing in Valentina; it turns the youthful strawberry vanilla more savory and adds a fullness, sans heaviness, to the white florals. All the while, you might not even realize it's there, as it has an uncanny ability to blend in. Though the pleasing strawberry and white floral path has been well trod recently (think Marc Jacobs Daisy, Miss Dior Cherie, or Jimmy Choo Flash), Valentina has a unique elegance thanks to its touch of truffle!


          Valentino Valentina ($82 for 1.7oz) is a ladylike and balanced blend of white florals, strawberry, and vanilla, with an unexpected dash of white truffle. The scent doesn't make its statement with overt opulence or eccentricity. After all, when it comes to Valentino, it's the well-placed embellishments like the flounces of a dress,  semolina sand, or an earthy mushroom that add a memorable twist! The smooth blend of Valentino Valentina is a very welcome addition to my perfume wardrobe --- and I highly recommend a sniff if you're a white floral fan like me!

        Thanks for reading! Have you tried Valentino Valentina? What surprising ingredients have you come across in perfume?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. I've also been delighting in a bottle of Valentina Assoluto, the next scent in the Valentina series. I can't wait to share my 'notes' on Valentina Assoluto with you!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Butter London Pitter Patter nail lacquer review + comparison swatches



        In anticipation of Prince William and Duchess Kate's royal baby-to-be, Butter London has created a special limited edition lacquer. (Can you believe the baby is due in July? I can hardly wait!) Butter London Pitter Patter nail lacquer is, of course, a royal purple. I had a chance to sample Pitter Patter courtesy of Butter London and I'm excited to share my review and swatches with you today!


         Butter London Pitter Patter is a deep royal purple with subtle shimmer. The shimmer is more evident on my nails than on my nail wheel. I've made a few comparison swatches below so you can get a better idea of the color. Revlon Plum Night is a creme that is much darker than Pitter Patter. Sephora by OPI Just A Little Dangerous is similar, but slightly lighter and has a pinch more shimmer, as you can see below. Butter London Pitter Patter is slightly darker and bluer than NARS Purple Rain. They are similar, but Purple Rain has considerably more shimmer (especially red toned shimmer) and is much flashier on nails. OPI Tease-y Does It is a blacker and redder purple than Pitter Patter; it has much larger shimmer particles. The formula is smooth and level, as typical of Butter London polishes. Two coats did the trick.


          Butter London Pitter Patter nail lacquer ($15) is a posh purple that would make a great addition to any polish lover's collection. I love how chic the subtle shimmer is; it's just enough to create an eye-catching glint in bright sunshine, while putting out a mysterious, secret shimmer indoors. If you're excited about Pitter Patter, be sure to pick one up soon; it's limited edition and is sure to disappear quickly, if Butter London's previous "royal" offerings are any indication! Butter London Pitter Patter can be purchased from Butter London.

        Thanks for reading! What do you think of Butter London Pitter Patter? Are you excited for the royal baby? What's your favorite purple polish?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. The link in this post is NOT an affiliate link. It is present for your convenience only.

Kiehl's Skin Rescuer moisturizer review + photos



          This summer, Kiehl's Skin Rescuer is coming to the rescue for fatigued, stressed, and dehydrated skin! A sample (thanks to Kiehl's) floated my way just in time; April was a ridiculously busy and stressful month for me, and my sensitive skin has been in need of some serious TLC!

          Kiehl's Skin Rescuer can either be worn alone, or in between your serum and moisturizing steps. I like to use it alone if I just need a light moisturizer to hydrate my skin. If I need more moisture, for example at night or below a matte foundation, I pair it with a regular moisturizer. Kiehl's Skin Rescuer contains ingredients like Rosa Gallica Botanical extract to minimize stress response and Mannose, a barrier protecting sugar. As you can see below, it has a pretty sensitive skin-friendly ingredient list.


         Kiehl's Skin Rescuer ($40 for 2.5 oz.) is sure to buoy the spirits of those with sensitive or tired skin. It's a lightweight moisturizer that's come in handy for me at a time when my skin hasn't been at its best and needs gentle moisturization to keep things under control! Kiehl's Skin Rescuer is available now at Kiehls.com and in fine department stores.

           Thanks for reading! Have you tried Kiehl's Skin Rescuer? What Kiehl's products have you been using lately?

Love, Dovey.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Squalane, Propanediol, Undecane, Caprylic/Capric Tryglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii / Shea Butter, Tridecane, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-20 Stearate, Mannose, Lauroyl Lysine, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide / Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Tocopherol, P-Anisic Acid, Ectoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Xantham Gum Ceteareth-25, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Rosa Gallica Extract / Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Ceramide NP, Behenic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NS, Cahmomilla Recutita Extract / Matricaria Flower Extract, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide EOS, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Carooyl Sphingosine, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide Fmla 685607 18 F.I.L. Code D55612/1.
Disclosure: The link in this post is NOT and affiliate link; it's present  for your convenience only. This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.  

Sunday, May 5, 2013

SpaRitual Reflect nail lacquer collection review + comparison swatches (Summer 2013)


           When I think of summer, I recall the calm, contemplative feeling of warm sunshine gently glowing through my closed eyelids. Perhaps with this sensation in mind, Reflect, SpaRitual's new nail lacquer collection for Summer 2013,  includes colors that really channel a warm, zen vibe. Thanks to SpaRitual, I have the entire collection to share with you today! The SpaRitual Reflect collection (Summer 2013) features six nail lacquers: Joy, Positive Vibe, Kindness, Inner Beauty, Innocence, and Freedom.


           SpaRitual Joy is a light nude nail polish with a secret shimmer. I would say it leans slightly pink (as opposed to yellow), which is flattering on my skintone. SpaRitual Positive Vibe is a warm muted mango yellow creme.


           SpaRitual Kindness is a fiery burnt orange with large gold shimmer particles (I wouldn't quite call them glitter). The finish is semi-matte. SpaRitual Inner Beauty is a duchrome with pink shimmer in a green base. The overall effect is a champagne mauve, which is pretty cool.


           SpaRitual Innocence is a trench coat khaki creme nail polish. It's on the cool side, which looks great against my skin. SpaRitual Freedom is a purple nail lacquer with blue and pink microshimmer. When worn however, the shimmer is less noticeable and the finish is semi-matte.


          I've made a few comparison swatches to give you a better idea of the nuances of each nail polish shade. SpaRitual Joy is a light nude. Sephora by OPI Going Nude Eh? is more yellow toned, while Butter London Shandy (reviewed here) is more peach toned. SpaRitual Positive Vibe is a warm mango yellow. You can see it's quite different from the pure yellow of China Glaze Happy Go Lucky. However, it's less brown than Butter London Tea & Toast (reviewed here). SpaRitual Kindness is a fiery orange nail polish. It is less red and less shimmery than Butter London Sunbaker (reviewed here). It's more orange than Essie Chubby Cheeks as well. SpaRitual Inner Beauty is pink shimmer in a olive base that looks like a champagne mauve. It is much less purple than SpaRitual Bismuth (reviewed here). However it is more mauve than Butter London Champers (reviewed here). SpaRitual Innocence is a trench coat khaki creme nail color. It's darker and a touch more pink toned than OPI Did You 'Ear About Van Gogh? (reviewed here). It's not nearly as dark as NARS Bad Influence. SpaRitual Freedom is blue-based purple. China Glaze Jungle Queen (reviewed here) is darker.  OPI Tease-y does it is darker and has more red tones.


          The warm earthy tones in the SpaRitual Reflect collection call to mind the essence of the summer season and what it brings. All the colors are beautiful, but if I had to pick, my favorites would be SpaRitual Positive Vibe for its uniqueness and SpaRitual Joy for its well nuanced take on a light nude nail polish. SpaRitual nail polishes are available at SpaRitual.com, Sephora, and other beauty retailers.

          Thanks for reading! Which color(s) from the SpaRitual Reflect collection stand out to you most? What SpaRitual colors are in your collection?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: The link in this post is NOT an affiliate link; it's present for your convenience. This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.  

Friday, May 3, 2013

LUSH Spring Tin review + photos (2013)


             Spring has sprung --- and with it, a whole new batch of fragrant goodies at LUSH Cosmetics! Today I'm sharing the LUSH Spring Tin, which I've been enjoying thanks to the folks at LUSH. If you've been following Cute and Mundane for some time, you might know that 1) I collect LUSH tins and 2) I love art! The LUSH Spring Tin is a wonderful amalgamation of those two things; the cover and sides are decorated with the artwork of German artist Roman Klonek. Klonek has a passion for woodcut printing and finds inspiration in old fashioned cartoons, especially Eastern European styles.

          Inside the LUSH Spring Tin, there's a collection of seven different items that channel the fresh cut grass and flowers of springtime. They include: The Brightside Bubble Bar, Sugar Scrub, Carrot Bubble Bar, Grass Shower Gel, Bohemian Soap, Avobath Bath Bomb, and Secret Garden Bath Bomb.



          LUSH The Brightside Bubble Bar is a big (7.0 oz!) and bright bubble bar that you can crumble under running water to create a heap of citrus scented bubbles. I think you could split this into at least 2 or 3 baths (but no-one's going to judge if you toss the whole thing in and go for a literal mountain of bubbles).


          LUSH Sugar Scrub is a classic LUSH item. It's a ginger and fennel scrub that's great for working away unwanted bumps and cellulite. LUSH Carrot Bubble Bar is LUSH's best smelling 'vegetable'. This reusable bubble bar isn't crumbled; if you hold it by the green tuft under running water, lemon and buchu scented bubbles will appear! One 'carrot' can be used for multiple baths.


          Grass Shower Gel is a fresh scented shower gel full of wheatgrass extract; it's almost like showering in a meadow! There's also a dash of uplifting neroli. LUSH shower gels get a lot of love in my household (even from the Mr.) so this gets a thumbs up. Bohemian Soap is a lemon-scented soap. It's full of real lemon oils to cleanse and tone the skin, as well as to stimulate the senses.


          Avobath Bath Bomb is one of my favorite bath bombs! It has a zesty lemongrass scent that's a perfect energizer after a long day. It's full of avocado and olive oils to moisturize. Secret Garden Bath Bomb is part of LUSH's limited edition spring collection and is also sold separately. It's full of rose absolute, sweet wild orange, and rosewood oil. You'll find that this bomb releases a number of real flower petals too, to decorate your bath (a secret garden indeed)!


          The LUSH Spring Tin ($56.95) is a fresh set, perfect for adding a sprinkle of spring to a shower or bath-time routine. Roman Klonek's artwork decorating the tin is awesome and and I like that most of the products can be used multiple times. Overall, two thumbs up --- a great gift for oneself or for moms on this Mother's day!

Thanks for reading! Have you ever tried LUSH tins? Which products from the LUSH Spring Tin stand out to you?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.