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.

Em by Michelle Phan Shade Play - Lip Color Mixing Palette in 'Mix It Up Plums' review + swatches

          I'm generally a creature of habit when it comes to beauty products, and usually stick to my favorite, tried-and-true brands. However, once in a while, I like to try something new to add a little intrigue to my beauty routine. Most recently, it's been my Em by Michelle Phan Shade Play - Lip Color Mixing Palette in 'Mix It Up Plums'. The palette was a Christmas gift from a dear friend who works for one of the big beauty conglomerates.

         Em by Michelle Phan is the namesake line of one of the biggest names in the YouTube beauty world. (Even my mom's seen her videos). I believe Michelle has collaborated with Lancôme in the past, and now, with parent company L'Oreal, launched here own makeup line (so far only available on the internet).

           Starting from the packaging (below), one can already see the internet-inspired look. There's a blogger-like collage of lip-swatches, face shots, and magazine-style product smears. On one hand, I appreciate the homage to the DIY blogger / vlogger, however part of me would have enjoyed a sleeker, more professional look to the box. (The white and pink theme, though, I do like).

The cover collage seems very blog / vlog inspired.

         I'm also a fan of the modern white-encased-in-clear plastic packaging of the palette within. (Doesn't the paper white remind you of beauty blog backgrounds?). The cute cursive script on the clear cover tickles my fancy as well. However, on purely personal preference, I would have loved a white logo, which would blend in nicely with the other delicate details!

Love the cute  cursive writing!

         Inside my Em by Michelle Phan 'Mix It Up Plums' lip palette, there's a nice mirror, and of course six colors within (three glosses and three lip colors). All have a light vanilla scent. The lip glosses are the smallest circles, while the lip colors are more generously proportioned, which I appreciate. The palette comes with a little brush for on-the-go application. Plus, there's one empty palette slot for mixing a custom color. It's a nice artsy touch!

The three small circles are glosses, while the three lip colors are larger in size.

          I've swatched all six colors below so you can get an idea of what to expect from Em by Michelle Phan 'Mix It Up Plums'. There are three lip shades: a dark crimson, a dark plummy red, and a neutral pink. There are three gloss shades: medium mauve pink, a clear pale lavender sparkle, and a clear pink sparkle. I was surprised at how wearable the set is; it treads more on the mauve pink (as opposed to purple) side of plum.

           Overall, I'm enjoying my Em by Michelle Phan 'Mix It Up Plums' lip color palette. Though plum is not a color I typically wear, I found the shades to be very approachable (not too plummy) and very much to my liking; plus, it's nice to have the option of mixing custom shades that my collection lacks. I think beauties looking to build up a lip collection, or those who enjoy custom blending will enjoy the set. I admit, I'm a bit intrigued myself and wouldn't mind trying other lip palettes from the line!

          Thanks for reading! Have you tried any Em by Michelle Phan products? Do you enjoy blending your lip colors? What are your favorite plum lippies?

Love, Dovey.

LUSH Valentine's Day 2013 review + photos

LUSH Tender is the Night Massage bar

        I can always count on LUSH for charming seasonal collections, and their Valentine's day collection is no exception. There a number of gift sets and single items that are certain to strike your (or a special someone's) fancy. I've tried and tested four limited edition pick-me-ups from the LUSH Valentine's Day 2013 lineup below:

LUSH From Dusk Til Dawn massage bar

1. LUSH Tender is the Night Massage bar ($7.95) has a relaxing and alluring vanilla, jasmine, and ylang ylang scent. The bar is aerated, and therefore very soft and easy to melt. The heart shaped bar can be crushed to reveal a melted almond oil, glycerine, cupuacu butter, and agave syrup concoction at the core. 
2. LUSH From Dusk Til Dawn massage bar ($7.95) is a more uplifting massage bar. It has Sicilian lemon, sweet wild orange oil, ginseng, and ginko to stimulate the senses. The firm texture is more like LUSH's regular massage bar line; the firm gold-capped cone shape is perfect for working into knotted muscles.

3. LUSH The Kiss lip gloss ($8.95) is the brand's first vegan lip gloss. I was pretty excited about this because some beeswax balms don't agree with my lips. LUSH This Kiss uses shea and cupuacu butters to moisturize and protect lips. The whipped texture is soft and melts to the touch. The almond and mandarin flavors and subtle pink tint are pluses as well!
4. LUSH Willow Pattern soap ($7.95)is a Sicilian lemon and rosewood scented soap.  The beautiful blue imprint on the soap cakes (the in-store version only, not online) was inspired by a traditional Chinese tale of star-crossed lovers. I love the gorgeous scent of this soap; I hope it makes a return appearance next year!  

LUSH Willow Pattern soap (online version, no pattern)

         I'm enjoying all four of these products from the LUSH Valentine's Day 2013 collection; they're perfect for sharing on Valentine's day, and will also get good use in the days beyond. These sweet treats are only around for a short time, so be sure to get your soon! Thanks for reading! Have you picked up anything from LUSH Valentine's Day collection? Which of the products appeals to you most? What was the last thing you tried from LUSH?

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

Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Framboise and Pink Melon review + swatches (Spring 2013)

            Did you know that the model for all of Chantecaille's collections is Olivia Chantecaille, daughter of founder Sylvie Chantecaille? In the above photo, Olivia is modeling the gorgeous colors of Chantecaille Spring 2013. The Chantecaille Spring 2013 collection features a 'Save the Sharks Palette' accompanied by Chantecaille Lip Chics and Luminous Lip Glosses. In my last post, I shared my thoughts on Chantecaille Lip Chics in Framboise and Pink Melon (reviewed here).  Today I'll be reviewing Chantecaille Luminous Glosses in Pink Melon and Framboise.

         Chantecaille Luminous Glosses have delicious fruit inspired names; it's easy to see where Pink Melon and Framboise (French for 'Raspberry') get their inspiration from! The glosses apply smoothly and evenly; they have a flexible doe-foot applicator that is a bit flat and paddle-like. I like the finish of the glosses; they have a pleasantly balanced luster, avoiding the mirror ball shine you see in some glosses. The formula feels slightly tacky, but wears comfortably.

          Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Pink Melon is a demure light pink that leans a little peach. Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Framboise is a juicy raspberry pink gloss. Both have nice pigmentation when worn and don't settle into lip lines. You may have noticed that the Spring 2013 Chantecaille Luminous Gloss colors correspond well with their Lip Chic counterparts (reviewed here); in fact, they wear very nicely when used in tandem with the Lip Chics. I've swatched the Chantecaille Spring 2013 Luminous glosses alone, Lip Chics alone, and the two formulas combined below. While each color looks beautiful solo, the combination of Lip Chic with Luminous gloss produces a more intense color and shine. In the promotional photo above, Olivia Chantecaille is modeling the beautifully bright Chantecaille Rose Délice and Framboise combination. The combination with Chantecaille Daphne and Pink Melon is equally stunning.

          Both Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Pink Melon and Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Framboise ($34 for .26oz.) are gorgeous colors. Whether they're worn alone or in combination with a Lip Chic, you're sure to get a look that's trés chic! Both shades will be makeup bag staples for me this spring! Chantecaille Spring 2013 products are available at Chantecaille online as well select department stores. Thanks for reading! Have tried Chantecaille Luminous Glosses? What pieces are you loving from Chantecaille Spring 2013? Which of the two colors (Pink Melon or Framboise) do you prefer?

Love, Dovey.

P.S Stay tuned, there's more Chantecaille Spring 2013 to come!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. The Chantecaille link in this post is not an affiliate link; it is present for your convenience.

Victoria's Secret Beauty : makeup haul + review

          Anyone who's waited in the checkout line at Victoria's Secret knows that there's more to the boutique than lingerie; there's an impressive beauty section full of fragrance, body products, and makeup. However, it's a lot to take in for the brief amount of time you spent in the queue! Today I'm posting an overview of new makeup products that might make a nice shortlist to explore next time you're in-store.

           Victoria's Secret has a new line of nail polish that is packaged in sleek and flat rectangular bottles, a la Butter London. The cap lifts off to reveal a small application handle inside. I have the VS Nail Lacquers in Room Service and Mischief. The nail polish formula is smooth but a bit thick; it becomes opaque after 1-2 coats. Below, you can see the VS Makeup Eyeshadow Quad in Overnight Sensation. It contains a purple and gold combination, along with a liner and highlight shade. The formula has a smooth application, medium pigmentation, and a sheen finish. A number of other pretty color combinations are available too.

            The VS Pro Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm is a lip scrub and balm in one product. The strawberry scented scrub is in a small pot with a twist-off topper. The top of said topper flips open to reveal a pink lip balm. Victoria's Secret Minty Kiss Lip Shine is a minty lip gloss with lots of shine and good lasting power. It's a good find, especially if you like a mint. The VS Pro Radiant FX Face Illuminator is a liquid illuminator with a subtle pink sheen.

           The VS Makeup Graphic Liner Pen is a felt-tip liquid eyeliner that makes liquid lining easy. It reminds me of MAC Penultimate liner. The black color in this liner is well pigmented. The VS Makeup Volume Lift Mascara has a large teardrop shaped wand for volumization. True to name, this mascara does a great job of lifting lashes! It adds good length too. The VS Makeup Kajal Liner is a smudgy black kohl product, good for smoky eyes. Because it is meant to be smudged (like kohls in general), its lasting power is not as strong as your typical eyeliner.

          I've swatched the color products from this post below. The VS Pro Radiant FX Face Illuminator is a pink beige with light sheen. The sheen is much subtler than those found in NARS illuminators. It would be hard to overdo this color. The VS Makeup Eyeshadow Quad in Overnight Sensation has four hues: matte black, a purple with sheen, a golden beige with sheen, and a white with sheen. VS Nail Nail Lacquer in Room Service is a taupe beige with silver shimmer. VS Nail Lacquer in Mischief is a shimmery blue teal.

            As you can see, there's quite a variety of Victoria's Secret makeup to choose from. My favorites from the bunch were the VS Volume Lift Mascara, VS Pro Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm, and the VS Minty Kiss Lip Shine. Thanks for reading! Which of the above products catch your eye? What are your favorite Victoria's Secret Beauty products? When was the last time you stopped by a Victoria's Secret boutique?

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

Le Metier de Beaute' Breathless' Kaleidoscope review + swatches

          For Fall 2012, Le Metier de Beaute channels the glamour of Hollywood and classic cinema in their newest lip kaleidoscope. The Le Metier de Beaute 'Breathless' Kaleidoscope features bold red lip colors, as well  as pretty glosses to mix things up. It's a beautiful take for fall, and has me looking forward to the holiday season when these colors will take center stage.

          The Le Metier de Beaute 'Breathless' Kaleidoscope is packaged in reflective silver plastic packaging. It differs from the black packaging of other kaleidoscopes, presumably because silver better complements pink and red tones. The LMdB Kaleidoscope appears to be a paperweight, however I was surprised to see that it was actually light in hand. I was pleased to find a flip top mirror, which makes application with the kaleidoscope self sufficient. When the mirror is flipped open, there was a continuation of the silvery packaging at the inner top of the package with the LMdB logo. The silver mirror on mirror effect is pretty cool. I only wish the visible magnet and the white plastic hinge had been embedded to make things even more perfect.

          The construction Le Metier de Beaute 'Breathless' Kaleidoscope complements the film theme of the palette. The circular shape and moving parts remind me loosely of an old movie film projector. As you can see the colors can be flipped out of the packaging on a hinge. While having all four colors flipped out at once looks cool, it's not the most practical. I like to pull out only one or two at a time. The four colors in this lip palette can either be worn alone or used together. Le Metier de Beaute's 'couches de couleurs' technique suggests for the palette colors to be layered upon each other in order from the base upwards. From the bottom up, the four colors in the Le Metier Breathless Kaleidoscope include: Celluloid, Beau, Existential, and Cinema.

          I've swatched the colors in Le Metier de Beaute 'Breathless' Kaleidoscope below, in the order from bottom to top. There are two sheer glossy sparkly colors and two pigmented matte colors. Celluloid is a sheer strawberry red pink with sparkles. It has a softer feel than the mattes. Beau is a bright pink red satin color. Existential is a sheer mauve gloss with sparkles. Cinema is a strong red that leans slightly cool. When all four colors are layered in the 'couches de couleurs' format, the result is a cheerful pink red that has shine.

          The Le Metier de Beaute 'Breathless' Kaleidoscope is a fun set for the red lip lover. It can be worn now, and will likely prove useful when mistletoe season rolls around. One can use the 'couches de couleurs' technique, other creative combinations, or each color alone to achieve a number of looks. Thanks for reading! Have you tried the Le Metier de Beaute 'Breathless' Kaleidoscope? Have you tried any other LMdB Kaleidoscopes? When in the season do you usually start pulling out your red lipsticks?

Love, Dovey.

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

Urban Decay Dangerous eyeshadow palette review + swatches

         "Good morning/afternoon/evening gorgeous. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create a standout smoky eye". The Urban Decay Dangerous eyeshadow palette for Holiday 2012 is a smoky shadow lover's dream. It's the moodiest of the Urban Decay's three holiday palettes (see my review of Fun here and Feminine here).

         The Urban Decay Dangerous palette has a jet black vinyl casing. The eyeshadows sit in a beautifully patterned tray of shadowy roses that seem ready to burst into wisps of smoke. The tray can be removed from the pouch (see below). Don't worry about it falling out though, as the magnetic force holding it in is quite strong. The pouch can be re-used to store 'makeup, pens, or prophylactics', however not credit cards, as the surface is magnetized.

          The Urban Decay Dangerous palette comes with a miniature lip gloss in a squeeze tube with the classic Urban Decay cutout cap detailing. The black ribbon peeking out in the tray's center is there to help prop the gloss out.

          The colors in the Urban Decay Dangerous palette include pigmented jewel, ember, and shadow tones. It's an all-star lineup of standout smoky colors from palettes past. Gravity is a deep violet shimmer. Loaded is a dark dollar bill green. I've been eyeing it since it came out in Urban Decay's Book of Shadows III. Evidence is a deep luminous navy that appeared in the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary palette. Deeper is an metallic amber brown that makes for beautiful glowing ember-like eyes. Mushroom is grey-taupe that made a splash in the Urban Decay Wonderland palette. Ace is a stormy grey blue from the Urban Decay 15th anniversary palette. Naked Lip Junkie gloss is a light red-pink with shimmer.

           With the  Urban Decay Dangerous palette, achieving the perfect smoky eye is no longer mission impossible. A good spy needs to vary her looks and there are plenty of colors to choose from in this palette. Moody colors like these are my modus operandi, so you can be sure I'll be reaching for this palette often. Thanks for reading! Do you see an Urban Decay Holiday palette in your future? Which colors in this palette jump out at you? Do you wear smoky liner colors during the day, night, or both?

Love, Dovey.

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

Urban Decay Feminine eyeshadow palette review

           As I gaze into my crystal ball, I'm seeing a palette in your future. Could it be the Urban Decay Feminine eyeshadow palette for Holiday 2012? Shrouded in lace, fishnets, and artfully faded color, the Feminine palette has an air of mystery that is anything but usual.

          The Urban Decay Feminine palette has the prettiest and most intricate patterning of the three holiday palettes (the other two being Fun (reviewed here) and Dangerous). The variegated faded purple fabric is draped in a black lace pattern printed on the clear plastic casing.

         The eyeshadows sit in a fishnet patterned tray that can be removed from the zip packaging (see below). Don't worry about it falling out though, as the magnetic force holding it in is quite strong. The pouch can be re-used to store 'makeup, pens, or prophylactics', however not credit cards, as the surface is magnetized.

          The Urban Decay Feminine palette comes with a miniature lip gloss in a squeeze tube that has the classic cutout cap detailing. The black ribbon in the case is there to help prop the gloss out.

         The colors in the Urban Decay Feminine palette include faded gypsy purple, bottle glass green, and smoky grey. Wallflower Lip Junkie is a neutral nude pink cream gloss. Bordello is a pale mauve pink shimmer with flecks of gold micro-glitter. Skimp is a pale beige shimmer that reminds me of parchment. AC/DC is a light smoky purple with shimmer. Gunmetal is a popular metallic grey that you might recognize from palettes past. Hijack is an intense metallic teal shimmer. Lost is a neutral to warm medium brown shimmer.

          The Urban Decay Feminine palette has a thematic air of mystery that pervades from the packaging down to the cosmetic color scheme. It's the feminine-with-an-edge feel that Urban Decay is so good at doing. I love the soft interpretations of color that are unexpected, yet wearable. I'm especially looking forward to incorporating Bordello and Hijack into my current routine. Thanks for reading! Do you see an Urban Decay Holiday palette in your future? Which colors in this palette jump out at you? Are you surprised at this interpretation of feminine?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. The Urban Decay Dangerous review is coming soon, so stay tuned!

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

Urban Decay Fun eyeshadow palette review + swatches

           Sometimes girls just wanna have fun. For Holiday 2012, Urban Decay bottled (or rather zipped) that spirit into an exuberant eye and lip palette. The Urban Decay Fun eyeshadow palette is one of three palettes released this season (previewed here).

          The Urban Decay Fun palette seems to channel a 'Caribbean meets Cosmos' vibe. The Caribbean blue cover is a laminated glitter field that sparkle like stars. The glossy cardboard inner construction has multiple marine octopi navigating deep space. You can see planets in the background!

         The eyeshadows and lip gloss sit in a sturdy tray that can be removed from the zip packaging (see above). Don't worry about it falling out though, the magnetic force holding it in is quite strong. I didn't even realize it was removable at first. The pouch can be re-used to store 'makeup, pens, or prophylactics', however not credit cards, as the surface is magnetized. There is a nice indent for the mini lip gloss with a strip of black ribbon to help you prop the gloss out of the case.

          The colors in the Urban Decay Fun palette include octopus purples, a teal ocean, and starshine. Most of the colors were strongly pigmented, as is typical of Urban Decay eyeshadows. Maui Wowie is a cool metallic gold with silver glitter. Deep End is a turquoise blue metallic that looks similar to the color in the Fun palette's casing. Sellout is a metallic pale peach. Fishnet is a unique and vibrant pink purple. It has flashes of tonal duality. Stray Dog is a metallic brown taupe that is infinitely wearable. I've wanted the single for some time now, so I'm very happy to have it in palette form. Freakshow is a dusky violet metallic. The strength of pigmentation is lighter than the others, but still good. Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Midnight Cowboy is a pretty pale nude with lots of sparkle.

           The Urban Decay Fun palette certainly tickles my fancy. The colorful 'sea meets space' packaging is over-the-top and I'm a fan.  The eyeshadows seem equally daring, however it's worth noting that half of them (Maui Wowie, Sellout, and Stray Dog) are wearable colors. The idea of this palette seems to be creating an everyday eye with a splash of color for intrigue. It's a nice break from the smoky neutrals that seem to typify the holiday season. Thanks for reading! Do any of the shades in the Urban Decay Fun palette jump out at you? What do you think of the bright packaging: totally cool or too much? What are your favorite Urban Decay eyeshadow colors? I'd love to hear what you think!

Love, Dovey.

P.S. I have reviews of the Urban Decay Feminine and Dangerous palettes for Holiday 2012 coming soon, so stay tuned!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

Sephora Laura Mercier 500 point perk review + swatches

          This month I cashed in my points for Sephora's 500 point Laura Mercier perk. It's a sampling of five different mini or deluxe sized products from Laura Mercier. What really sold me was the mini sized Laura Mercier Baked Eye Color in Black Karat (0.01oz.), an eyeshadow I've had my eye on for a while. It's nice to get it in mini form, though it is very mini.  I was also glad to have the deluxe size Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Sparkling (0.1oz.) sample. My mom likes the Lip Glaces so I'm planning on giving this to her. I wasn't excited about the inclusion of Laura Mercier Full Volume Lash Building Mascara (0.20oz.). The last time I tried this, I was disappointed by the lack of volume it provided (read about it here). A mini size Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Radiance  (0.18oz.) and a Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in Black Gold (0.03oz.) were included as well.

          I've swatched all the color products below. Laura Mercier Baked Eyeshadow in Black Karat is a gorgeous blackened gold. Black Karat is meant to be used both wet and dry. You can see how much more intense the shadow is when applied wet! It's worth noting that when dry, the shadow is a glitter-bomb. The particles are small, but get everywhere! Laura Mercier Kohl eyeliner in Black Gold is a darker gold with bronze tones. It's pretty and usable. Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Sparkling is a nice light peach gloss with some golden sheen.

          Overall, the colors in the Laura Mercier gift were nice, but the products were quite miniature. The gift is not like the Sephora's 500 point perks of yesteryear that contained at least one full size product. I think it's become a better strategy to look for the sporadic deluxe sized samples offered in Sephora's emails if you're looking to get better gifts at a lower price point. Thanks for reading! Have you redeemd points for any of Sephora's 100 or 500 point perks lately? Do you wait for gift with purchases, or purchase as needed?

Love, Dovey.