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.

My TOPSHOP lipstick collection review + swatches

         Ever since my first TOPSHOP post, I've become quite the fan of TOPSHOP lipstick. They're rich, pigmented, and come in standout shades! The British brand has long been popular with beauty lovers and bloggers overseas, and has recently been making headway here in the U.S. For city-dwellers like myself, it's easy to pop into the local TOPSHOP, however I know it's not yet accessible to everyone (yet)! Thanks to the folks at TOPSHOP, I'm able to give you a taste of TOPSHOP beauty today!

         Today I have swatches of the TOPSHOP lipstick collection, including Secretary, Petal, Naturist, Boardroom, Suspected, Sashay Away, Wicked, Beguiled, and Black Widow!

           TOPSHOP Lipsticks are housed in charming striped tubes (made of coated metal). The contents (i.e. the lipstick) are made in Italy. In general the formula of these lipsticks are very pigmented. They have a slight vanilla scent (which kind of reminds of my MAC lippies).

             Despite their nude/ natural appearance, I'd have to say these TOPSHOP lipsticks really come alive when worn. My favorite of the moment is TOPSHOP Lips in Secretary, a light nude. The peachiness of this nude is perfect for the summer season and seems to work well with my current tan. It's a great Kim K kind of shade that works well with a more dramatic eye. TOPSHOP Lips in Petal looks demure in the tube, but turns out to be a dramatic white-pink. The white in the shade makes it really stand out against my current skintone. I have a feeling that it would work better for lighter, cooler skintones. I'll have to wait til I return to my winter complexion before pulling this one out! TOPSHOP Lips in Naturist is an interesting muted mauve. It has this slight greyish tint which makes it a bit different than your usual my-lips-but-better kind of shade. I feel like this shade would be an amazing shade for fall! TOPSHOP Matte Lips in Boardroom is a cool brown, perhaps slightly greyed as well. TOPSHOP Lips in Sashay Away is a richer cocoa brown. Both these shades are major statement shades on my light complexion; they may be interesting nude shades for deeper complexions.

            The wines and reds in my TOPSHOP Lipstick collection have variety of dramatic and different undertones that make for a standout look. TOPSHOP Lips in Wicked is a rich warm red, with brown undertones. TOPSHOP Lips in Beguiled is a warm red that has a bit more mauve and less brown than Wicked. TOPSHOP Matte Lips in Suspected is a rich red-plum shade. You can definitely appreciate the plum undertones here. TOPSHOP Matte Lips in Role Model is a red-violet. It takes the idea of a purple undertone further than Suspected. TOPSHOP Matte Lips in Black Widow is a super dramatic, dark purple. It doesn't get more intense than this!

          I've swatched my collection of TOPSHOP Lipsticks below! As I mentioned above, TOPSHOP tends to interpret color in ways that make them stand out, as opposed to blending in. It's helpful to see all the nuanced undertones below, whether they be grey, brown, plum, or violet!

           Overall, I'm a fan! TOPSHOP Lipsticks (or as they call them, Lips) are incredibly rich, pigmented formulas. I can see why they're so popular on the other side of the pond! In addition to quality, I really appreciate TOPSHOP's avant garde interpretation on color. The brand great place to start if you're a fan of standout shades. Admittedly, I'm a nude lip person, so TOPSHOP Secretary and Naturist would have to be my picks. That said, I'm looking forward to pulling out my collection of deep wines when opportunity calls!

         Thanks for reading! Have you tried TOPSHOP lipsticks? What are your TOPSHOP beauty favorites?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. TOPSHOP is available at select Nordstroms, as well as TOPSHOP online.
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!

Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset collection review + swatches

         There's something so mesmerizing about Sonia Kashuk's Sahara Sunset collection. The reflective gold, terracotta, and onyx drew me in like a desert mirage! However, unlike the aforementioned, this collection does not disappoint; inside the pretty packaging, I found that this spring collection to be a neutral lover's dream.

         Thanks to Sonia Kashuk, I have three pieces from the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset collection to share with you today. If you love warm neutrals, I have a feeling you'll be in for a treat!

           First up is Sahara Sunset Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color in Nirvana ($11.99). I'm kind of obsessed with the glowy gold packaging! The lipstick is a sheer warm peachy-beige, which I've swatched for you below. The formula is smooth and has nice shine.

           Next, I have the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Bronzing Blush Stick in Marrakesh ($11.99).

            I wasn't sure what to expect from the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset Bronzing Blush Stick in Marrakesh,  however I was pleased to find a glowy bronze shade within! I think this product reminds me somewhat of my NARS Multiples. When applied, it can deposit an intense, pigmented bronzy glow. However, it can easily be blended out to any amount of sheerness. I found that the formula tends to be softer and blendable for longer than my multiples. I'd use this for adding bronze highlights to the face or perhaps collarbones.

           The stunner of the Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset collection has to be the Sahara Sunset Eyeshadow Palette in Desert Escape ($19.99). The palette contains bronzed nude, sand, shell, pink, and terracotta paired with matte deep eggplant. (I think the eggplant tinted matte shade is such a great pairing with the warm sandy glow of the shimmers). The formula is smooth and quite soft. I noticed that each brush swipe left a small depression in the palette.

          I've swatched my pieces from the Sonia Kashuks Sahara Sunset collection for you below! The Sahara Sunset Eyeshadow Palette in Desert Escape ($19.99) has five sandy / earthy shimmers and one matte eggplant brown. I've compared Sahara Sunset Bronzing Blush Stick in Marrakesh ($11.99) to my NARS Multiple in South Beach. The former is more bronze and less orange tinted than the latter. Sahara Sunset Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Color in Nirvana ($11.99) is a sheer peachy beige nude. I'd say it swatches similarly to NARS Love Devotion. However, I think Love devotion is sheerer and wears much more coral, while Nirvana is more pigmented and beige-leaning.

          This glowy desert-inspired collection is perfect for those who love warm neutrals. My favorite piece has to be the Sonia Kashuk Lip Color in Nirvana. It's an easy to-wear nude, and it has the prettiest packaging! I wouldn't be surprised if the Sonia Kashuk Desert Escape eyeshadow palette gets the most love, though. It's a great set of glowy shades perfect for the warm months ahead. The Sonia Kashuk Sahara Sunset is now available at Target (both in store and online!)

         Thanks for reading! Have you had a chance to play with Sonia Kashuk Spring? What pieces are you loving most?

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!

Sonia Kashuk Lustrous Shine Lip Crayon in Pink Lily review + swatches

       Hi everyone! I hope your day's been off to a relaxed start! I'm writing this post at the gym in-between yoga sessions, with a mug of Starbucks Kenya in hand. I also have a stack of May magazine issues to catch up on, and have been working my way through the latest issue of InStyle...

         Speaking of Instyle, the bright pinks on covergirl Reese Witherspoon brought a big smile to my face. (Though ruffled velvet and sequins do seem a bit more Elle Woods a la Legally Blonde than real-life Reese). It's worth flipping through the article within; there's a montage with movie sets and space suits, as well as inspiring quotes!

       Anyhow, back to beauty! I think a relaxed morning calls for a relaxed pink (don't you think?). Lately I've been playing around with Sonia Kashuk Lustrous Lip Shine Crayon in Pink Lily, a brand new shade for Spring 2015. Light pinks are my love, so I've been all over this rosy hue!

The color of Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily is a touch (or two) warmer than suggested by the cap color!

           The twist up crayon is packaged in sleek black with color capped packaging. (It's nicely reminiscent of the popular NARS velvet mattes.) The formula contains myrrh resin for plumping (a nice alternative for those who can't do peppermint), as well as broad spectrum UVA and UVB filters. The formula goes on smoothly for a semi-sheer finish with soft shine.

           Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily is lovely light warm pink. Though it appears to near the pink coral spectrum, I'd say not quite. It's a still a solid, albeit very warm pink.  When compared to CHANEL Dedicace (reviewed and swatched here), you can appreciate the warmth of Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily.  I was surprised by how closely Sonia Kashuk Pink Lily swatches to NARS Niagara. However the former is more pink than the latter, which is more coral. The difference is much more noticeable on the lips. Niagara is quite bright, while Pink Lily is a more demure rose. MAC Sunny Seoul is a lighter yellow-pink.

            Sonia Kashuk Lustrous Lip Shine Crayon in Pink Lily ($8.99) is a lovely warm pink thats wearable without being wallflower! It's one of those shades that can get a lot of use (though I may be biased as I do love my light pinks!). I'd love to see more light shades like this in Sonia Kashuk's lip crayon lineup. They're such an affordable, portable way to get lip color on the go!

        Thanks for reading! What are your favorite Sonia Kashuk lip shades or products? What lip crayons are you loving 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 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!

TOPSHOP Mercurial Lipstick and more... review + swatches

          It's a cool fifty degrees here in Chicago - a reminder that seasons are changing and new seasonal beauty is in order! Fall makeup tends to be tricky for me; while I subconsciously gravitate towards the rich browns and berries, they aren't the most complimentary shades to my complexion. (I'm more of a winter-spring girl). I'd been autopilot-ing with my beauty basics, until I received a lovely package filled with TOPSHOP Beauty!

          TOPSHOP's latest beauty collection is Molten Metallics - a set of metallic lipsticks and blushes for Fall 2014. It's a fall inspiration that I'm really loving for this season. Today I have look at a metallic lipstick from the collection, as well as some great TOPSHOP beauty basics.

           TOPSHOP Lips in Mercurial is one of three lip colors in the Molten Metallics collection. The silvery pink shade is a remix on your classic nude lip. The effect is a washed-out lip color with metallic glow. Admittedly you have to 'own it' to wear it; it's not a my-lips-but-better type of shade. That said, I'm loving this unique shade; it's just what I needed to spruce up my makeup routine (sans browns and berries). The finish comfortable and non-drying, though not particularly moisturizing.

Can't get enough of TOPSHOP packaging!

         I've been adding more kohls to my routine as of late; I love the dramatic smoked gradient they provide. (Usually I'll line first with a long-lasting liquid, then reapply kohl throughout the day to get add more depth to fading lines). TOPSHOP Kohl in Sable is a dark brown pencil with great intensity. It applies smoothly and has quite good lasting power for a kohl (which are usually short lived relative to other liners). I'm very happy with this pencil; it's a worthwhile addition to my everyday makeup pouch.

Inside are a little spoolie, tweezers, and brush!

          I have a thing for brow kits. (You should have seen the gleam in my eye when I spotted the TOPSHOP Brow Palette in Whatever). As someone with thinner brows, it makes a big difference when I take the time to do and touch up brows throughout the day. The TOPSHOP Brow Palette in Whatever is a conveniently sized case with a pull-out drawer of three mini brow tools (a spoolie, a tweezer, and dual ended brush. Inside, is a warm creamy brown wax and a grey-taupe shadow. They're meant to be layered for effect, but I tend to use more of the powder shadow. The brow kit is also available in a lighter set of shades.

          I adore the pretty dotted packaging of TOPSHOP Cream Blush in Afternoon. The bright pink is not a shade I would have initially picked for myself. However, I've found that just a couple dabs of the creamy formula blends out to create a surprisingly subtle brightening effect on my cheeks. It pairs nicely with Mercurial (above), as I find that I have to add more cheek color to balance out paler lips. TOPSHOP Lip Paint in Hibiscus is a rich opaque, creamy lip color. It wears comfortably, and is a nice option for when I'm feeling bright.

         I have to say, I'm loving my first trial with TOPSHOP Beauty. My favorites from this selection are TOPSHOP Lips in Mercurial, Kohl in Sable, and Cream Blush in Afternoon Tea. (I've already tucked them into my everyday makeup pouch!) I'm thinking a visit to the TOPSHOP boutique on Michigan Ave may be in order; the new metallic blushes are calling my name...

Thanks for reading! Have you tried TOPSHOP Beauty? What are your favorite products and shades?

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!

CHANEL Rouge Coco Lip Color in Dédicace review + swatches

          I simply can't resist spring collections! The delicate optimism of pretty pinks and peaches never fails to delight. I find CHANEL Spring in particular to be perennially lovely; in fact, my very first CHANEL purchase was a Spring-series lipstick!

           As you might imagine, I spent quite some time poring over the CHANEL Notes de Printemps (Spring 2014) collection. It was hard to choose just a single shade from the bunch! Ultimately I decided upon CHANEL Rouge Coco Lip Color in Dédicace, a cool rosy pink. I tend to prefer pinks over corals and light-to-medium shades over full-force color. (And yes, I am a creature of habit).

        Compared to the other lipsticks available in CHANEL Notes de Printemps, CHANEL Dédicace hasn't received much attention on the blogosphere. It was challenging for me to gauge the color before purchase (though that didn't stop me from jumping to buy it!) Hopefully my swatches below will give you a better idea of what to expect.

        CHANEL Rouge Coco Lip Color in Dédicace is a medium rosy pink. The color has a definite cool character when worn (more so on the lips than in my swatch), though not in the sense of cool bubble-gum pink! I've compared it to a few pinks in my collection below. As you can see it's more of a red pink than Revlon Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake and Too Faced Lip Color in Razzle Dazzle Rose, both of which are cool pinks. CHANEL Rouge Coco in Dèdicace swatch is much more intense in color and shade than Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Pale Mauve and CHANEL Rouge Allure in Radieuse.

        CHANEL Rouge Coco Lip Color in Dédicace is a spring pink that makes my heart sing! Recently, I've been looking to build up my medium pink collection (I tend to favor lights, as you may know), so this is a beautiful starter! In addition to being a stellar spring pink, the formula on this particular Rouge Coco is quite comfortable and non-drying, even in the current wintry climate. Overall, the shade is a wonderful addition to my lip wardrobe!

         Thanks for reading! What are your favorite shades from CHANEL Notes de Printemps? What are your favorite shades of CHANEL Rouge Coco? What pinks have you been loving lately?

Love, Dovey.

A few of my favorite things - 2013 edition

          In addition to raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, there are a handful of things I found to be especially delightful in 2013! After spending a good long while pondering on the beauty, perfume, and skincare products I've used this past year, I've compiled a list of the ones that really came through for me in a big way. Without further ado, I'm excited to present A few of my favorite things (thirteen to be exact) from 2013!

1. Harper's Bazaar Sarah Jessica Parker
My favorite part of receiving new glossies are seeing the covers; they really set the tone for the entire magazine! My favorite cover this year had to be SJP on the cover of Harper's Bazaar (though the Southwest cover came close). I surmise the headdress was a nod to her attire at the Punk-themed Met Gala this year, which was one of my favorite fashion moments of 2013!

2. NARS Larger Than Life eyeliners
Though I've recently reverted back to my liquid liner ways, the NARS Larger Than Life pencils were my major workhorses this year, especially Via Appia and Via de Martelli (reviewed here). They have great lasting power, however they do tend to dry/tug over time. It was a worthwhile tradeoff for busy days without much me-time!

3. Hermes Jour d' Hermes perfume

This, hands down, has to be my favorite personal perfume purchase of the year. This ethereal lemon-y green bouquet has serious signature scent potential (good thing I got the 2.9 oz bottle!). I've become quite the Hermès fragrance devotee. I can't wait to see what Jean Claude Ellena whips up this year!

I love, love, love Hermès perfumes, especially Jour de Hermès!

4. Books by Jean Claude Ellena (in-house perfumer at Hermès)
I remember the first time I saw JCL speak on a BBC perfume clip. It was before I even knew who he was or had ever caught a whiff of his work. His scientifically exacting, yet artistically oriented approach to perfume left a lasting impression on me. I've been thumbing through a few perfume reads this year (see here for my recs), and I have to say those that I enjoyed most were his Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent and Diary of a Nose. The former is a bit dry and technical, while the latter has more of a diary format. While I personally loved them, I should mention that they'd probably appeal more to folks who prefer scientific structure over well-woven narratives.

5. CHANEL Lipsticks
This year, my heart was with CHANEL Beauté. The two carefully curated colors I added to my collection were  CHANEL Radieuse (reviewed here) and CHANEL Indécise (reviewed here). There's nothing like a great basic lippie to add new life to your routine!

6. Butter London Nail Foundation and Hardwear Topcoat

These two should get props for being the only press samples that made it into my list! Even after my initial review of Butter London Nail Foundation and Hardwear Topcoat, I found myself reaching for them time and time again. They dry quickly and are easy to use. The generous sizes (they're larger than Butter London's polishes) were really nice too.


8. ghd 1" straightener (not pictured, but still a favorite!)
The truth about naturally wavy hair: it's overrated. With careful styling it might look great for a minute, before devolving into a frizzy mess (and then the dreaded triangle-head). Last year, I went for a more 'natural-to-me' effect with a few passes of a curling iron to tame the frizz. This year, I went for simply straight, and I couldn't be happier. My ghd is so easy to use and has quite literally made every day a good hair day. I think straight fits my minimalist aesthetic better, anyway.

CHANEL compacts aren't supposed to separate into two pieces (but I still love mine anyway)!

7. CHANEL Perfection Lumière foundations
As you can see, I loved my CHANEL Double Perfection Lumière compact to pieces, quite literally. While I can't say much for durability of packaging, the stuff inside was great; I used it every day for months! I recently restocked with CHANEL Perfection Lumière (reviewed here), the liquid foundation, which I'm already loving again. It's been a CHANEL foundation year for me, as I've found it's the only brand that doesn't irritate my super-sensitive skin.

9. MAC customizable palettes
I was ecstatic when MAC came to its senses and reduced the exorbitantly expensive prices on their new customizable palettes. They're bulky, but I like the see-through window so I can view all the colors within. I really rediscovered my love for MAC eyeshadows this year. I'm very particular about my color combinations, so I've realized that premade quads aren't for me. I love the versatility that MAC custom quads provide.

I've filled my new MAC 15-pan with my MAC neutrals. I need to pick up another one for my brights!

10. Aquaphor (not pictured, but still a favorite!)
I learned about this gem from working in clinics. It's a skincare staple for those with eczema and truly sensitive skin. As someone who fits squarely in that category, I carry around a tube at all times. It's great on lips and hands, and shines pretty much anytime your skin needs a strong barrier against the elements (think Chicago winter).

11. McDonald's Despicable Me2 toys
Just too cute. Loved the movie and had to get my own minions.

12. Clarisonic Mia2 in Peony
I actually got my Clarisonic Mia 2 a while ago, back when it was a relatively new model. However, I didn't end up using it much until this year. Once I discovered how sensitive my skin was to even simple skincare products, I cut back as much as possible, including on scrubs and exfoliants. I've been relying on Clarisonic instead, and I've been quite pleased with the results!

Who can't use a minion or two...?

13. Avène Cleanance cleanser
I've mentioned once or twice (probably more) how much I love Avène products, especially the Avène Cleanance Cleanser (reviewed here). I make it a point to pick up a little Avène whenever I'm in NYC. (It's available in Chicago too, but to a more limited extent). The French skincare brand is a lifesaver for those with a list of ingredient sensitivities like me.

          I hope you enjoyed the year's list of A few of my favorite things. I feel like I've settled into a good routine to start off the year --- but there are always new products to be tried and improvements to be made. I'm looking forward to seeing what makes it into my A few of my favorite things series at the end of 2014!

         Thanks for reading! Did we have any favorites in common? What brands or products did you love this year? Do you have any product recs for me?

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.