CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine in Mighty review + swatches

         Happy Friday! I'm excited to be back after a far to long hiatus (last in 2015, can you believe it?). Life has been in flux. Last year was one of the busiest ever; there's so much to say, but I'll save it for later. At the end of June, I finally finished, packed up, and am now living in Philadelphia! After (nearly) a decade in Chicago, it's been an adjustment, but I'm discovering new places, new routines, and am overall loving it here.

        Today I'm sharing a shade I've really loved since this past spring, CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine in Mighty! It's actually my first Rouge Coco Shine; I've tested many, but hadn't completely fallen for any til this. I feel like choosing a Rouge Coco Shine can be tricky; because they're sheer, the effect when worn is quite different than what you seen in tube. Likewise, CHANEL Mighty appears nearly neon, but becomes a light and bright pink than worn.

        I really like how CHANEL Mighty is a clean pink without particularly strong undertones. Because of this, it would naturally favor cooler, pink based skin-tones. On me, it tends to be a pretty posy pink. I think on warmer skintones, it becomes more of a statement (almost Barbie) pink.

        I've compared CHANEL Rouge Coco to a few of my favorite pinks below. As you can see, it's not a red-pink, warm pink, or nude pink. It really is a pure, bright pink! I think the nearly neon tones make it brighter than the other shades; the sheerness makes it wearable.

            I have to say this shade was an overall win for me! I'm happy that my first experience with CHANEL Rouge Coco Shines was a success. That said, I feel like you can't go wrong with CHANEL Spring! Summer on the other hand...

         Thanks so much for reading! I know it's been a while, so it makes me happy to know that old (and new) friends are taking there time to visit my small slice of the web! Let me know if you have CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine recs, I'd love to hear what I should try next!

Love, Dovey.

NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette review + swatches

           Today I'm enjoying an unexpected day off! I can't tell you have wonderful it feels to be at home, wearing my new pink UGG slippers (thanks Mom!), and putting in some quality time into my blog. It's been a whirlwind past several months for me, with a new job and new responsibilities. It's going to be a work in progress, but I hope I'll continue to find ways to find ways to incorporate Cute and Mundane into my schedule!

         I'm excited to share my newest beauty acquisition, the NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette. I'd actually been eyeing this set for some time,  including on my most recent trip to Sephora. One of my dearest friends must have read my mind, as she sent this my way! I can only begin to express my delight...

Both the top and inside of the palette are mirrored!

           The top 'shelf' of the NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette contains three blushes. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe that Enrapture, Enthralled, and Roman Holiday are all limited edition blush shades. I prefer this to  other blush palettes that contain shades that I already own, as I'd rather not have repeats. I found that all three formulas were quite pigmented. Because the pans are smaller, I have to experiment with which brush to use. Ideally I'd like a fluffier loose brush due to pigmentation of the shades, however, a small head would be idea to fit the pans. Hm.

One can never have too much pink...

          I really love the selection of shades, as they're ones I'd actually use! NARS Roman Holiday blush (better known in lipstick form) is a gorgeous shade of cool pink. Cool pinks are my favorite, and I'm looking forward to using this as an alternative to my everyday pink, NARS Gaiety (click for review). I'm also loving NARS Enthralled blush, as it's a deeper pink that would make a nice contour color for me. I've been using blush as opposed to bronzer for contour, as it seems to better suit my coloring. (My usual as of late has been NARS Oasis). I'll have to experiment with NARS Enrapture blush, it seems like another great contour shade for warmer toned makeup - perfect for the fall season.

         The palette top flips up to reveal the contour and highlight shades below. Unlike the limited edition upper shades, the bottom shades are classics: NARS Albatross highlighter and NARS Laguna bronzer.  Believe it or not, I actually did not yet own NARS Albatross! (I've been more of a NARS Copacabana girl). Albatross is a pretty pale yellow-gold highlight. It's also pretty pigmented. NARS Laguna bronzer is a shade I do own (swatched here), though haven't reached for as often as I'd like because it does tend to run quite warm. That said, I noticed while swatching this palette that Laguna was relatively sheer, which makes it potentially usable for me.

          Finally, the palette comes with the cutest little NARS Lip gloss in Istria. It's a really pretty light pink. Because my lips are fuller, I usually don't use an all over gloss; however a dab of this shade would add just the right touch to finish off my usually light pink lip colors. It's nice to have a mini, portable version as I don't consume enough gloss to justify a full size!

           Here are swatches of the NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip palette! I'm really loving NARS Roman Holiday blush, NARS Enthralled blush, and NARS Istria Lip Gloss. My skin still has some of it's summer warmth here, but as usual, my mildly pink undertone makes these swatches pull slightly warmer than they might look otherwise!

       
         I'm really excited to add this little NARSissist beauty to my collection! Not only do I love it's cute packaging, it's a practical, compact set that I can pack for the gym or on short trips. As I haven't had much time to shop for beauty as of late, I'm thankful to my friend for this thoughtful gift! It's nice to receive a much needed new infusion into my beauty routine.

         Thanks for reading! What palettes have you been loving lately? What NARS shades are you reaching for this fall?

Love, Dovey.

Friday Five : Peonies + graduation edition

         Happy Friday! This week's been a busy one, filled with family, flowers, and great food! My family trekked all the way from the East coast to attend my graduation. It's not often I get to hang out with them, so it was a real treat. In addition to graduation festivities, I dragged them to yoga, rock climbing, and a brief foodie tour of Chicago. (By the way, it's always a good week when dinner at Piccolo Sogno is on the schedule). 

        For this edition of Friday Five, I'm sharing a five things I've been enjoying this week:

I love garden-grown peonies! They have this organic feel that you just don't get from in-store bouquets!

1. Graduation 
I'm graduating for what (most likely) will be the last time! I can't tell you how amazing it feels to finally finish eight years of graduate school and now graduate with my second doctoral degree. It was even more special because my dad was able to give me my doctoral hood during the ceremony. I'm so thankful for the opportunity (after all, it's what brought me to Chicago), and can't wait to see what's ahead! At this point, it looks like I'll stay in Chicago one more year before moving on to new adventures!

Really loved this graduation cap - I'd have to say it's a pretty flattering shape!

2. Home-grown peonies
For graduation, my mom brought this enormous, amazing bouquet of peonies grown in her garden. I wish I'd taken a photo at the time - the mix of white, pink, and dark pink peonies in all stages of blooming was really a sight to see! Most of the blooms have since wilted, but I have a small vase with baby blooms left to enjoy (see below!)

By the way, I love the fact that Kate Spade makes phone cases for Samsung Galaxy models as well. This one is too cute!

3. My basic beauty routine, updated
After making-do with products in my current stash, it feels nice to get a small update! I'm loving my bottle of CHANEL Perfection Lumière in B30 (most of the year, I'm a B20). It looks so natural against my current tan; I don't know what took me so long to take the plunge! I think I may have to pick up my favorite CHANEL Double Perfection Lumière in B30 now as well. (CHANEL foundations to cost a small fortune, so it is a little painful to have to stock my collection with so many...). NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara is still my long-time favorite. One tube lasts me forever, however I think it's time for a new one. In terms of blush, I'm loving my new Bobbi Brown blushes in Nude Pink and Pastel Pink (reviewed here). When it comes to tan skin, I find that more pigmented blushes are appropriate - and these blushes have been great options for me.

4. Kakao talk
I spend so much time on social media for blog purposes, that often I'm slow about using my personal accounts for personal purposes! I really need to be better about keeping in touch with friends and family. One step in a positive direction has been downloading Kakao talk onto my phone. It's a cute messenging system commonly used by Koreans that's been around for some time now. It's so nice to finally get this; now I can chat with my mom and aunts anytime!

Some of my current beauty favorites. You'll probably recognize that a couple of these seem to appear on Cute and Mundane time and time again!

5. Incoming skincare + swimwear
It's only a matter of days before I leave my current vacation-like schedule and go back to work (eek). I'm trying to pick up anything I might need before that time comes, as I won't have much time for shopping (online or otherwise)! A shipment of my favorite Avène skincare is on it's way. I was lucky to find a deal for 20% off, so I ordered my favorite Avène Cleanance cleanser (reviewed here), as well as new masks and a moisturizer that I'll be trying for the first time.

I've really been all about fitness lately. (I guess my New Year's resolutions kind of stuck this year!) I've been doing a near daily combination of bouldering and yoga at Brooklyn Boulders, and have seen some pretty gratifying results. Soon, my schedule will prevent daily visits, so I'm hoping to pick up new ways to stay fit. I'd been wanting to get back to swimming for some time, however I just don't have the suit for it! On one hand, I don't feel like squeezing into competition suits anymore and on the other, my two piece beach wear collection is hardly suited to training. I just placed an order for a cute Nike two-piece which I'm hoping will be a nice in-between.

Mom's home-grown peonies, up close and personal!

          Thanks for reading this little life update! How have you been? What are you loving lately?

Love, Dovey.

Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil in Saddle review + swatches

            If there's one thing I've learned, it's the importance of good brows. In fact, I'd say brows are the most important step in my beauty routine (with mascara coming in at a close second!). I find that a good, clean eyebrow shape does wonders for making me look awake and widening the eyes. Really, it's a step that should get more love!

            Today, I have the Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil in Saddle to share with you today, thanks to the folks at Bobbi Brown. Wear time is an issue with most brow products, as that region of the face is prone to sweat/oil, so it's awesome to see Bobbi Brown come out with a new long-wear brow formula!

           Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Brow Pencil is available in a number of shades including : Blonde, Espresso, Grey, Mahogany, Rich Brown, Saddle, Taupe, and Wheat. I chose Saddle, a shade I'd been meaning to pick up for some time in eyeshadow (or that cute mini-brow kit form). It's a slightly greyed brown which looks natural with my dark hair.

          Many of my workdays can be 12+ hours at a time, so long-wear products are of utmost importance! I've had really great experiences with Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear line - including the eyeliner and cream shadows (see my review here), so I couldn't wait to put this to the test.

A look at my Bobbi Brown brow brush (which I also love) and the new Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil! The background is actually the cover of Bobbi Brown's Makeup Manual - which has great brow tutorials, amongst other things...

            The Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil is a double ended 'pencil' with a spoolie on one end and a twist-up brow product on the other. I can't tell you how much I love, love, love the shape of this 'pencil'. It's a thin, slant as opposed to your usual pencil-point shapes. While pencil points tend to round out and get dull, the slant is maintained throughout use, which makes it easier to draw out brow-like strokes. The spoolie is great for brushing/blending out strokes. (Though, I have to say I'm a fan of using the regular Bobbi Brown brow brush shown above for this as well).

The two different ends of the brow pencil. I love the twist up end with the long edge. I like this a lot better than simple points which tend to round out.

         The formula is nicely pigmented, but not overly so (no-one wants caricature like brows!). The formula is indeed long-lasting. It last about several hours on me, but not a whole day. To be fair, no brow product really can do that on me. I'd say it has a similar lasting time to my long-time favorite MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Brow formula (reviewed here), which is quite a feat. (It's actually quite similar in shade to Aqua Brow in #25 Ash, as seen my swatch below!)

        It's love! The Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil in Saddle is a new favorite in my brow collection. It combines a long-wear formula (typical of liquid or cream formulas) into the easier-to-use, portable shape of a twist up pencil. I have to say I'm a huge fan of the shade Saddle as well. (I definitely need to collect the eyeshadow form for my collection). It's just the right shade, considering that it matches my well-loved MUFE Aqua Brow in #25!

       Thanks for reading! What are your favorite brow formulas? What Bobbi Brown products have you picked up recently?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. General shopping tip: Bobbi Brown products are available at counters nationwide, but I personally like www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com for samples and special deals!
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. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Cool Sand (2.25) review + swatches

        I've wanted to try the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick for what feels like forever! I love the idea of combining a creamy, blendable texture with a no-fuss applicator. It's perfect for everyday use and handy for the times when I'm on the go (which seems to happen more often than not...).

       As someone who's very particular about matching skin tones and undertones, it's a definite plus that the foundation stick comes in 24 shades (the broadest of all Bobbi Brown foundations)! I decided to go with Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Cool Sand (2.25), a relatively new shade in the brand's lineup!

        I'm quite excited to see Cool Sand (2.25) as a new shade in the Bobbi Brown foundation range! Bobbi Brown foundations are yellow-based (which, historically speaking, was an important concept for the line). They look natural, but tend to run on the warm side. As someone with a hint of pink in my natural undertone, I do need a little bit of pink/peach in my foundation to make it match my neck. I think Cool Sand is a much-needed a cooler counterpart to the existing shades Sand and Warm Sand.

The foundation stick packaging is a twist-up stick, kind of like a really really large concealer!

          The best part of the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick is the ease of application. I apply the stick directly to my forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. (I think it works better this way as the product warms up on skin, preparing to blend). The formula is creamy and blendable, though it does set over time. It's easy to draw on / layer on parts that need more coverage.

          Blending can be performed with fingers, sponge, or foundation brush. I prefer foundation brush, since it keeps my fingers clean! I've found that the Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face brush (reviewed here) and the Bobbi Brown foundation brush are great options. Once blended, I found that the finish to be very natural and quite much like 'skin' - really lovely.



          I have a feeling that Bobbi Brown Cool Sand may have been an awesome match for my light skin pre-Palm Beach. However, as I've mentioned previously, this Chicago girl's a shade or two darker thanks to some time in the sun! So, keep that in mind when examining my swatches below!

        Despite my recent shade change, I really like how Bobbi Brown Cool Sand meshes with my undertones. It definitely has a peachiness to it (thanks to incorporating a little cool undertone with Bobbi's typically yellow formulas). I might have to try Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in Cool Beige in store to see if that slightly deeper shade might be a good fit for the moment!

        In terms of shade comparisons, I was surprised to see that Cool Sand was on the lighter end of my foundations. You can see that Bobbi Brown Cool Sand is a touch lighter and pinker than NARS Sheer Glow in Deauville (which is yellow + pink, according to NARS). It's also lighter and cooler here than CHANEL Perfection Lumiere in B20. 

           I'm really happy to add the iconic Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick ($44) to my foundation repertoire. I can see why they're so well loved. It's so easy to swipe, blend, then go! The portable shape is really handy for purses or gym bags, unlike your typical glass foundation bottle. The only downside I can think of, is that one could go through product more quickly than liquid formula. Coverage is great and layerable. I'd say the emollience probably makes it well suited for normal to dry skin.

            Of course, I'm also really excited about the shade Cool Sand as well (can't wait to put this to good use once my tan fades)! I think it's a much-needed shade in a line that tends to be warm. Hopefully we'll see this popping up in other foundation from Bobbi's lineup!

         Thanks for reading! Have you tried Bobbi Brown's foundation stick? What are your favorite cream foundations?

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. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33) review + swatches

       I hope everyone's weekend got off to a great start! I managed to check off a few things on my to-do list, including an intense yoga session, picking up the Harper's Bazaar beauty issue, and planting the mini herb garden! (It's got flat-leaf parsely, rosemary, sweet mint, sweet basil, and lavender, in case you're curious). Having had such a great day, I figured what could be better to end on than typing up a blush post? Today I'm sharing my review of Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33).

        If I recall correctly, the first blush I ever owned was Bobbi Brown's Desert Pink (which, by the way, is still a part of the permanent lineup). The brand has an amazing blush lineup, especially if you're talking natural, photo-friendly mattes. What I've noticed recently, are more light pink options - perfect if you're a light pink aficionada like me. When asked about what Bobbi Brown products I'd like to try, I had to go with Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33)!

Love the Bobbi Brown palette system! The shade names always travel with the colors.

           Before getting into the colors themselves, I thought I'd mention the Bobbi Brown interchangeable palette system. To date, it's still my favorite customizeable palette system (after all, it's one of the originals). The colors easily pop in and out of their cases (see above) and what's nice is that the name label (on the back of each shade) travels with the product into the palette, so I can easily reference them.

          To give you an idea of size, I have palettes in 2,4, and 6 pan sizes. My mom has this awesome 9-pan palette that was a Neiman's limited edition from way back. How great would it be to have an entire 6-pan palette filled with Bobbi blushes? (It's next on my bucket list...)

          Bobbi Brown Nude Pink is described as the 'palest pink'. To be fair, it is one of the lightest shades in the lineup, but I'd probably say it's more of a clean, light pink. The formula is pigmented and smooth.

         Bobbi Brown Pastel Pink is one of the newer shades in the blush lineup. It's described as a 'light pink lilac'. I don't notice an overt lilac tones, but it definitely is a cool-leaning light pink. This has the same smooth pigmentation as above.

         I'm actually glad I have both blushes to show you, as they look quite similar at first glance. If you look below, it's easy to appreciate the difference between the two. Bobbi Brown Nude Pink is a touch warmer and perhaps more natural (hence nude), while Pastel Pink is cooler and touch brighter.

I think here, you can really notice the differences between Bobbi Brown Nude Pink and Pastel Pink!

            I've swatched both shades below, next to a couple of my favorite pinks. For the record, my arm is probably two shades tanner than usual, thanks to my recent trip to the Floriday Keys - so keep that in mind when comparing this to previous posts.

            Because I have a good amount of pink undertone, I tend to gravitate towards cool pink shades. Both NARS Gaiety and MAC Peony Petal (reviews linked) are among my everyday kind of pinks. (They look a bit stark here since swatched heavily on my tan...).  As you can see, Bobbi Brown Nude Pink and Pastel Pink are cool, but not as starkly cool as Gaiety and Peony Petal.

           I'd say the difference between the two is more pronounced (vs. in my swatches) when worn. Bobbi Brown Nude Pink has a more natural finish, while Bobbi Brown Pastel Pink is pinker and brighter. As you can tell from the swatches below, both have the natural feel that Bobbi is known for.

         Both Bobbi Brown blush in Nude Pink (29) and Pastel Pink (33) are gorgeous shades, especially if you're a fan of light pinks, like myself. I love how soft and natural both look, and can't wait to incorporate them into my routine. I'm really happy that Bobbi has added more light pink shades to the permanent collection. I've already got my eye on 'Pale Pink', 'Peony', and even my old favorite 'Desert Pink'!

       Thanks for reading! What Bobbi Brown blushes do you have in your collection? When it comes to blush, do you prefer pinks or peach/corals?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. I'm working on more of my new Bobbi Brown basics, so expect more in the near future!
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. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

Preview: Beauty basics from Bobbi Brown

             As a beauty aficionada, I've come to realize the value of great beauty basics. As the purveyor of a generous sized collection, there's not much I truly need. (I'm pretty sure I've covered all the colors of the rainbow in eyeshadow alone). For that reason, when I feel like freshening up my routine, I focus on beauty products that I know will get a lot of everyday love.

           When I think of beauty basics, I can't help but think Bobbi Brown. My first real product was Bobbi's gel eyeliner. It was well loved back then, and still is today! Here, I've handpicked a few new favorites for myself. A good number are new(ish) products or shades to the Bobbi Brown lineup that haven't been extensively reviewed online, as of yet! I'm really looking forward to sharing. Hope you enjoy!

Love, Dovey.

P.S. In the meantime, check out my most recent Bobbi Brown post, on Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadows in Malted and Slate ! Both are amazing shades that I'm really loving at the moment.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadows in Malted (17) and Slate (25) review + swatches

           I've been on makeup autopilot for some time now (perhaps on the order of months!). I suppose it's a product of living out of a suitcase during interview season, then continuing to coast with that same routine afterwards. My makeup sensibilities have slowly started to rekindle, which led me to 'rediscover' these two beauties I'd ordered earlier this year. (And by rediscover, I mean open completely new product. They've suffered from bloggers' must-photograph-first syndrome).

         Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadows were amongst the first makeup products in my stash. I went through an entire jar of 'Malted', which even in retrospect was such a great shade for me. During my makeup exploration phase, my initial love for Bobbi's basic cream shadows fell by the wayside in favor of shimmer, glitz, and color. Lately, I feel like I've come full circle and find myself appreciating a carefully pared set of great basics all the more!

         After a great deal of deliberation, I chose Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadows in Malted (17) and Slate (25). Malted, of course is an old favorite that just can't be beat. Its slight pink undertones just work well with the similar tones in my skin. Slate is new to me, but a shade I've been eying for some time. Greige shades are essentials for me; they add a more natural shadowed effect on cool skin than do warm browns.

        When it comes to application, I typically use my Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow brush, as it was designed for such use! However, I think any flat synthetic would work fine, as well as fingers (which I've done on many occasions). The formula dries quickly and wear time is excellent.

        Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in Malted (17) is a great nude shade that blends in easily against my skintone. (I keep hoping they'll add a powder eyeshadow version to the full-size collection). My neutral/cool skintone pulls the pink out of shades, so Malted appears more neutral in my swatch below. If you have warm skin, the shade will swatch to a more peachy hue.

          Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in Slate (25) is a medium 'greige' type of shade. I've swatched both cream shades heavily here so that you can appreciate their color. However, a single swipe with my cream shadow brush actually is semi-sheer. I like this, as the effect is more natural and I can build for more color.

         I'm so happy I invested in both Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadows in Malted and Slate. They're timeless, wearable neutrals that look natural against my skintone. (I'm incredibly picky with neutrals, so this isn't a description I use with any old nude/brown shade!) I like how these could function as base shades or primer, as well as standalone shades for the days I'm doing minimalist makeup (which is most days for me, thanks to yoga).

        If you're looking to dabble in great basic shades, I'd definitely recommend trying Bobbi's eyeshadow line. I really find myself coming back to them time and time again!

         Thanks for reading! Have you tried Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadows? What are your favorite Bobbi Brown shades?

Love, Dovey.

TOPSHOP Holiday 2014 collection review + swatches

          My latest obsession? Peachy poinsettias. (They're a nice alternative to crimson, don't you think?) Apparently I'm not the only one loving peach and pink for the holidays. I've been loving these two TOPSHOP Holiday 2014 gift sets, packaged in eye-catching hues. One set's for eyes, the other's for lips. Both have already snuck their way into my December makeup rotation!

        Naturally, the TOPSHOP Mascara and Kohl set ($24) caught my eye first. It contains a full sized tube of TOPSHOP 3-D curve mascara and Kohl in Coal.

         Kohl me obsessed, but I couldn't wait to slick on TOPSHOP Kohl in Coal. (TOPSHOP Kohl in Sable is a regular in my travel makeup pouch). The pencil formula is soft, creamy, and draws a very opaque black. The line stays put, with some smudging over time as you'd expect from a kohl. On my test-run with TOPSHOP 3-D Curve Mascara, I found that the formula adds curl, as well as medium volume. I'm looking forward to putting this to good use!

       Next up, I have the TOPSHOP Mini Lip Bullet duo.  It's got a set of lip colors, including TOPSHOP Lip Bullet in Motel and Wine Gum.

       The TOPSHOP Lip Bullets are a cool hybrid between lipsticks and chubby lip pencils. As you can see below, they're lipstick shaped bullets packaged in a twist-up pencil shaped packaging.

        Both TOPSHOP Lip Bullets have opaque, smooth formulas with a velvety semi-matte finish. TOPSHOP Lip Bullet in Motel is a brown-based pink. It applies a bit darker on my lips than seen in the swatch below.

         TOPSHOP Lip Bullet in Wine Gum is a deep bordeaux. As someone with Sévérine a la Skyfall ambitions (beauty-wise, that is), this shade has been a new favorite this December! (The velvety finish adds a nice touch).

         Overall, both the TOPSHOP Mascara and Kohl set($24) and TOPSHOP Mini Lip Bullet duo ($20) have been quality additions to my beauty repertoire. They're fun, yet practical holiday gifts for friends (and self too), and a nice way to try out some regulars from the British brand's lineup! For these and other holiday goodies, check out TOPSHOP, Nordstrom, and the online TOPSHOP beauty boutique.

        Thanks for reading! What TOPSHOP shades have you tried 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. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!

TOPSHOP Fall / Winter 2014 collection review + swatches

          Lately I've been having fun with a collection that's deep, luminous, perhaps a bit delicious. (Think candied citrus, red cherries, and wine).  I've been enjoying pieces from the TOPSHOP Fall / Winter 2014 collection, courtesy of TOPSHOP, and have a mix-and-matched selection to share with you today!

         The TOPSHOP Cheek Jellies ($14) are among the more intriguing items from the latest collection. Texture-wise I had the idea of a gelatinous jelly in mind, however on palpation, the formula is actually quite firm. It's when you swirl your finger to pick up product that you recognize that it's more like a 'gel' than a traditional cream. The result upon application is a sheer, slightly dewy effect. I'd liken this product to something similar a cheek stain, perhaps.

       At first glance, the two shades I received look very intimidating in the pan, to say the least.  However, I've found that they're quite sheer and easy to wear upon application (even without tons of blending). TOPSHOP Cheek Jelly in Reign appears as a bright red in the pan, but applies as a muted red-plum on my skin. TOPSHOP Cheek Jelly in Museum appears to be a dark bordeaux in the pan, however it applies as a sheer wine. (Scroll down to see swatches of both!) I'm a fan.

       The collection also includes a line of TOPSHOP Lip Polishes ($10). They're more emollient and glossy than the regular lipstick line. Both shades I received were quite pigmented, yet had a sheerness that made them quite wearable. TOPSHOP Lip Polish in Twin lookes like a black bordeaux in the tube, but swatches out as a nice burgundy. (The effect is of course dark, but at nicely wearable extent). TOPSHOP Lip Polish in Prodigy is a nearly neon orange in tube, however swatches as a nice orange tint.

        For nails, the TOPSHOP Fall/ Winter collection includes a selection of great basic shades that correspond to the cheek jellies and lip stains. The opaque creme shades are fast drying and easy to apply. Like the rest of the collection, they're packaged in dark black, as opposed to TOPSHOP's usual graphic white.

       TOPSHOP Nails in Middle Child ($8) (above) is a medium plum creme. My swatch might appear a bit light in this photo. It's a fun addition to my collection as I need more red plum lacquers!

        TOPSHOP Nails in Exhibit (above) is a dark burgundy red creme. I'm all over dark red hues, so this one was right up my alley! TOPSHOP Nails in Toot is a bright cherry red creme. I'd say it's a nice optimistic color for the holidays!

        Overall, TOPSHOP Beauty Fall/Winter has a fun set of deeps and brights to color the season! At first glance, the shades are quite intimidating. However, I found that the blackened burgundies and bright mandarins mellowed out into more wearable versions thanks to sheerness in the formulas. I'd have to say that TOPSHOP Lip Polish in Twin and TOPSHOP Cheek Jelly in Reign are my favorites. I continue to be pleased by both the color and quality of TOPSHOP shades; the products have been fun additions to my makeup collection!

       At this point, I believe standalone TOPSHOP boutiques are only in NYC and Chicago, but there may be displays in certain Nordstroms. (I saw one in San Francisco, last time I went). You can, of course find much more availability online at the online TOPSHOP Beauty boutique.

       Thanks for reading! Have you tried TOPSHOP Beauty? Do you have access to TOPSHOP beauty boutique in your area or do you rely on swatches?

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. As usual, no ads or affiliate links!