Saturday, August 24, 2013

MARC JACOBS Beauty Enamored Hi Shine Nail Lacquer in Glinda review + comparison swatches


         Yesterday I had the chance to play with a multitude of nail colors in the new MARC JACOBS Beauty collection. After a sampling bonanza, I ended up walking out of Sephora wearing a different color on each nail! In addition to producing a fun selection of colors, I love the cultural references MARC JACOBS planted in the names (a nod to NARS perhaps?).

          Today I have a sample of  MARC JACOBS Beauty Enamored Hi Shine Nail Lacquer in Glinda to share with you today. If you grew up watching The Wizard of Oz, you've probably drawn a quick connection between this sparkling silver shade and the star-shaped wand and tall crown of Glinda the Good Witch of the South!



          MARC JACOBS Glinda is dense swirl of small silver glitter in a clear base. I could probably get by with two coats for coverage, however I like to apply three just to make sure all gaps are filled in. The oblong cap pops off to reveal a brush handle. (The cap design is comparable to Butter London). The brush has your standard easy-to-use round tip.



        I've created some comparison swatches below so that you can get a better idea of the shade of silver and size of glitter in MARC JACOBS Glinda. You can see that Glinda is a standard silver. It's more neutral and less blue than SpaRitual Silver (reviewed here). Butter London Bobby Dazzler (reviewed here) is a warmer silver. China Glaze Nova has much larger glitter and an iridescent finish, whereas Glinda shines only in silver. Chanel Graphite (reviewed here) is darker and has much smaller shimmer particles.



          MARC JACOBS Beauty Enamored Hi Shine Nail Lacquer in Glinda ($18) is a charming way to add some good-witch glitter to your fingertips! The glitter is eminently festive, while the simple silver shade keeps it versatile. Overall, MARC JACOBS Glinda is a well done easy-to-wear glitter that should satisfy Oz and polish fans alike.

         Thanks for reading! Have you tried any nail colors from the MARC JACOBS Beauty collection? Have you had a chance to play with the new MARC JACOBS display at Sephora?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. For more MARC JACOBS Beauty, check out my review of MARC JACOBS Beauty Style Eye-Con No.3 Plush Shadow in The Mod (112)!
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.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

MARC JACOBS Beauty Style Eye-Con No.3 Plush Shadow in The Mod (112) review + comparison swatches


        I've been anticipating the new MARC JACOBS Beauty collection at Sephora ever since I caught wind of it several months ago! It's been fun reading up on the latest, as the first reviews trickle into the blogosphere. Of course, I've been playing around with some shiny new samples of MARC JACOBS Beauty products myself, and have a review of MARC JACOBS Beauty Style Eye-Con No.3 Plush Shadow in The Mod (112) to share with you today!



         The MARC JACOBS Beauty Style Eye-Con No.3 Plush Shadow trio comes packaged in a nylon sleeve (see above). A foam-tip eyeshadow applicator is also included. There's no tray in which to store the applicator (for aesthetic reasons I gather); it just slips into the pouch alongside your eyeshadow.

          The eyeshadow case is a shiny mid-weight black case with a mirrored lid. To open it, you press a silver button release. There's a black disposable plastic protector (not pictured) included inside. I know some people toss plastic protectors after purchase, but I like to keep them to keep powder off the mirrors.


         MARC JACOBS Beauty 'The Mod' has three colors that combine beautifully for a nice smoky eye. The white is shimmery and just slightly sheer. The black is richly pigmented and has a visible shimmer. The pale lavender-grey has a soft, non-frosty sheen.


          I found that the eyeshadow formula was different from other shadows in my collection. The texture leans a bit soft and is easy to pick up with a brush. The eyeshadow formula does feel a bit thicker and more moisturizing (as opposed to dry or powdery) - perhaps this is what the eponymous 'plush' refers to. Overall, the colors I have go on smoothly.


        Ive compared MARC JACOBS Style Eye-Con in 'The Mod' 112 to other colors in my personal collection so that you can get a better idea of the nuances in each shade. The white in The Mod is lighter and whiter than Urban Decay Virgin (reviewed here).  Both the black in The Mod and Urban Decay Blackout (reviewed here) are strong blacks; you can see how the slight shimmer stands out in the former. I've compared the greyed purple of The Mod to one of my favorite shadows, NARS 413 BLKR single eyeshadow (reviewed here). You can see how the former is brighter and less taupe than the latter.


        I'm really enjoying having MARC JACOBS Beauty Style Eye-Con No.3 Plush Shadow in The Mod (112) ($42) in my makeup collection, as it's the trio that I would have picked for my smoky-shadow-loving self. I'll have to play around and get used to the formula a bit, as it's different from what I'm used to; I'm also looking forward to seeing how it mixes with the other eyeshadows in my stash. In the meantime, I'm hoping to check out the MARC JACOBS Style Eye-Con No.7 palette in Lolita next time I stop by Sephora!

      Thanks for reading! Did you pick up anything from the MARC JACOBS Beauty collection? What has stood out for you so far?

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.

Friday, August 16, 2013

NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via de Martelli review + comparison swatches


         As a NARS aficionada, my personal makeup collection is built upon a foundation of NARS basics, including the NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliners. (You could say I'm quite a 'NARSissist'!) I have several shades in my collection, so you can imagine how excited I was to see NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via de Martelli in the NARS Fall 2013 collection!

        I have lids that crease near the lash-line so it's tough for me to find pencil liners that can last through the day, even with primer or powder. I've found that the NARS Larger Than Life eyeliner formula has better pigmentation and staying power on my lids than Urban Decay or MAKE UP FOR EVER pencils, though all three make quality products. However, it is worth noting that the NARS formula is a bit dryer and drags more than others, especially as it gets older.

NARS Via de Martelli with its built-in-sharpener
         NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via de Martelli is a cognac brown. It has red tones mixed in, which add intrigue, especially when compared with other brown shades. However, the red tones can be risky if your eyes are prone to a red-rimmed effect. The shade works well for me, as my eyes are brown and my skin has some pink tones, qualities which won't overemphasize the red.

        Because browns eyeliners can truly run a gamut of shades, I've swatched a few colors from my collection below so that you can get a better idea of what NARS Via de Martelli eyeliner looks like. Most of you are probably curious about how NARS Via de Martelli looks compared to NARS Via Appia, the shimmery brown liner from the original NARS Larger Than Life collection. You can see it's a similar intensity, however the former is a matte red-brown, while the latter is a more glowy copper brown. You can see that Urban Decay Demolition, which is a standard dark brown liner, is significantly darker and cooler. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes in #2L is the most similar in color, however it's a little more golden. Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Smog is lighter and more golden.

NARS Via de Martelli comparison swatches
          Overall, I've been loving NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via de Martelli.  The slight red tones in the color make it an edgy and unique brown in my collection. However, as I mentioned above, it might not work for everyone. If you're trying to choose between NARS Via de Martelli and Via Appia, I would probably recommend the latter, as it is more universally wearable (and gorgeous too). However, I'm happy to have both in my hands!

        Thanks for reading! Have you tried any NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliners? What did you pick up from the NARS Fall 2013 collection? What NARS products are you loving lately?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. Be sure to check out my review of the NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliners in Via Veneto and Madison Ave.!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

NEST Fragrances Sicilian Tangerine collection review


         Those with a passion for perfume would most likely agree with the notion that scents are cyclical; I love matching the changing seasons to their corresponding 'scent-iments' (pun intended)! Today I'm sharing a peek into what's been perfuming my home this summer's end, courtesy of NEST Fragrances: the new NEST Fragrances Sicilian Tangerine collection!

        The two part collection includes NEST Fragrances Sicilian Tangerine Classic Candle (8.1 oz. for $34) and Reed Diffuser (5.9 fl.oz. for $38); both are brightly patterned and packaged, hinting at the flavors within. In contrast, the frosted glass within can slip unobtrusively into any decor, allowing the fragrance to independently shine.


         So how is the NEST Fragrances Sicilian Tangerine experience? With one whiff, I'm spirited away to a sunny Mediterranean orchard, heavy with ripe fruit! The juicy scent features Sicilian tangerine and bergamot. Mango and passion fruit add a fun tropical twist to the scent. The overall effect is delightful, delicious, and uplifting.

         I'm enjoying the chic, vibrant and punchy vibe that NEST Fragrances Sicilian Tangerine collection has added to my Chi-town loft this summer! If you'd like your luxury fragrance fix, NEST Fragrance products can be found at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and NEST Fragrances online.

        Thanks for reading! Have you tried NEST Fragrances? What's scenting your space this summer?

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.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Butter London Rock Your Colour collection nail lacquer review + comparison swatches (Jaded Jack, Pistol Pink, Brown Sugar, Inky Six, Union Jack Black, and Indigo Punk)

 
          If you know me, you know I love my colors! I can always count on Butter London for a fresh infusion of nail color, and the new Butter London Rock Your Colour collection is no exception! This collection of six nail lacquers was released in conjunction with the brand's new 'Lippy', 'Cheeky', and 'Wink' cosmetic products. I've been dabbling away with all six colors, courtesy of Butter London, and am looking forward to sharing my colorful review with you today!

          The six nail lacquers in the Butter London Rock Your Colour collection are: Jaded Jack, Pistol Pink, Brown Sugar, Inky Six, Union Jack Black, and Indigo Punk.



Butter London Jaded Jack
          Butter London Jaded Jack is a Kermit-the-frog yellow-green with a semi-matte finish.

Butter London Pistol Pink
          Butter London Pistol Pink is a wine-pink with light shimmer. It's a unique take on pink, which will be great for fall.

Butter London Brown Sugar
          Butter London Brown Sugar is a shimmery wine colored base with coppery gold flakes of glitter mixed in. The overall effect is reminiscent of a golden Cabernet. It's totally gorgeous and I'm loving it!
Butter London Inky Six
          Butter London Inky Six is a bright blue glitter on a midnight blue background

Butter London Union Jack Black
           Butter London Union Jack Black is a classic dark black creme.

Butter London Indigo Punk
         Butter London Indigo Punk is a dense violet glitter on a sheer base. I've layered three thick coats here to achieve opacity.


           Butter London Wellies (reviewed here) from the Autumn/ Winter 2013 collection might look similar to Butter London Jaded Jack, however you can notice that it's significantly lighter and more yellow. Butter London Toff (reviewed here) is a dusty rose. You can see that Butter London Pistol Pink is quite a bit brighter and more vibrant. Butter London Bit Faker (reviewed here) looks similar in the bottle to Butter London Brown Sugar due to the coppery gold glitter, however you can see that the base color is completely different. Brown Sugar has a wine base and fewer sparkles.


         Butter London Inky Six has glitter that is a similar in tone to the blue of Butter London Keks (reviewed here). However, the base is quite dark, like that of SpaRitual Osmium (reviewed here). Butter London Union Jack Black is a jet black. Finally, when you lay out the purple glitter of Butter London No More Waity Katie (reviewed here) alongside Butter London Indigo Punk, you can see that the former is much grayer and less vibrant than the latter!

          Overall, the new nail lacquers in the Butter London Rock Your Color collection are a varied and vibrant lot! I'm head over heels for Brown Sugar with its coppery sparkles and wine base. I'm also loving Pistol pink and Indigo Punk as ways to mix up my nail routine!

         Thanks for reading! Which colors in the Butter London Rock Your Colour collection stand out to you? What Butter London polishes have you tried recently?

Love,  Dovey.

P.S. For more Butter London, be sure to check out my reviews of the Butter London Autumn/Winter 2013 collection and the Butter London Royals collection!
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, August 4, 2013

Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette review

Diptyque Paris boutique, Chicago.
         I've become quite enamored with Diptyque fragrances lately. Like a good book, each perfume has a story to tell; the notes unraveling like unbound pages, transport me to faraway lands! I'm lucky to live in one of the few cities with a free-standing Diptyque boutique, so I enjoy the luxury of stopping by and perusing the wooden shelves in search of my next olfactory voyage. Recently, I acquired Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette, a spiced vanilla scent that sent me spinning to the other end of the globe!

          Diptyque Eau Duelle is a clever concoction that recalls dessert --- after all, vanilla is involved! In the western world, many a sweet childhood memory builds from the piping hot aroma of baked goods emerging from an oven. Likewise, many a perfume builds upon the warm gourmand essence of vanilla. However, in Diptyque Eau Duelle, I was thrown for a turn by the cool and refreshing nature of the vanilla fragrance, seemingly inspired by South Asian desserts. It's more kheer than cake --- a cold treat to enjoy in hot equatorial climates!

Notes: Cardamom, Elemi resin, Olibanum, Bergamot, Pink pepper, Juniper, Saffron, Black Tea, Musk, Ambergris, Bourbon vanilla.
         Diptyque Eau Duelle is a vanilla perfume accentuated by green resins, incense, and sweet spices. The overall experience is akin to sitting in a small café after a long day of exploring, savoring the shade and cool breeze that carries with it trails of incense and breaths of foliage.

         The perfume opens on an invigorating green resinous note, which is no doubt the Elemi. After its moment, a secondary round of green freshness arises from the juniper and tea, with trails of olibanum incense and a pinch of dewy spice from pink pepper. This cool green edge lingers well into the body of Eau Duelle.

        In the body of the perfume, dessert is served. The milky vanilla is blended with the delightful complexity of cardamom and the sweet wafting fullness of saffron. The creamy wood and marine tones of ambergris dominate the base (especially on warm skin), and add fullness to the light vanilla. A touch of musk is also present.

A selection of sweets from a recent brunch at India House, Chicago.
        Just as a spoonful of sweet milky dessert is the perfect antidote to hot weather (and hot curry!), the cool spiced vanilla in Diptyque Eau Duelle imparts a sense of respite in a perfume landscape filled with warm vanilla fragrances. With its infusion of green resins and sweet South Asian spices, you could say that Diptyque Eau Duelle is, in fact, anything but 'vanilla'!

         If you love your gourmand fragrances, Diptyque Eau Duelle is certainly worth a sniff! However, as with Diptyque Eau Moheli (reviewed here), I will stress that the notes wear differently depending on your temperature. On cool skin and paper strips, you can appreciate the delicious vanilla and delicate saffron spice, while on heated skin you might find that the resins, incense, and ambergris dominate.

          Thanks for reading! What was the last Diptyque fragrance or product you tried? What are your favorite vanilla fragrances?

Love, Dovey.
P.S. For more reading on Diptyque perfumes, be sure to check out my reviews of Diptyque Eau Mohéli and Diptyque Volutes!

Friday, August 2, 2013

MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Extravagant Mascara review


         I'd just about used up my last tube of MAKE UP FOR EVER's Smoky Lash mascara when their latest smoky offering popped into my mailbox! Lashes are my favorite part of my beauty routine, so I'm thrilled to share my review of the MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Extravagant Mascara with you today!

        The MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Extravagant Mascara has a large teardrop-shaped wand tip. It's quite different from the short-bristled MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash mascara tip, as you can see below. At first glance, one might think the large head would be unwieldy, however I find it's quite the opposite. It's just as easy, if not easier to use than a short bristled wand. I like how it has some curvature, which makes it is easier to work onto the contour of your eye.

        Most mascaras promise volume of some sort, however they often run the gamut in true effectiveness. Some 'volumizing' formulas barely volumize at all, but extend length well; others add extreme volume but border on becoming clumpy. I'd say  MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Extravagant formula is on the more volumizing side; it added good definition after a few coats (which is the typical routine for my fine lashes). I'm happy to report that the mascara stayed clump-free, even after multiple coats! I also found that the brush shape was able to induce a curl that held decently throughout the course of a work-day. In my air-conditioned work environment, I found no smudging or leaking beneath my eyes.

         Overall, I'd say MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash Mascara is a solid product. The brush is great, and I really appreciate the volume provided by the formula --- clump-free even after after multiple coats! I can be pretty choosy with my mascaras, but this one has earned its place in the 'to-use-now' section of my Muji organizer! Thanks for reading! Have you tried MAKE UP FOR EVER mascaras? What mascara are you currently using?

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.