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!

Tarte Ladies Who Lash Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler review

          Hello, hello! This past week I've been to Baltimore, Boston, and about everywhere in between. I can't tell you how nice it is to sit down, refresh my mani, tune into Sleepy Hollow, and put the finishing touches on a post!

        Today I'm continuing my coverage of Tarte Holiday 2014 with the Tarte Ladies Who Lash Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler. (What a fantastic name, right?) I have a bit of an obsession with lashes, so this kit has my name all over it.

Tarte curlers are spring loaded. Here you see the fully open version, at rest.

         The focal point of the Tarte Ladies Who Lash set is a faux pearl-encrusted lash curler. Tarte periodically releases limited edition versions of their Picture-Perfect curler, and I have to say this is my favorite thus far, as I do tend to be a pearl girl. (It's looking quite cute perched on my acrylic organizers).

        Functionally, the Tarte Picture Perfect curler works well with the contour of my eye. It's a touch less curved than my Shu, for reference. The curler is spring loaded to open (as seen above); I've kept the little acrylic piece that hold the curler closed, just because I find it more convenient to store this way. It has flat paddle grips as opposed to rings, which are easy to wield.

Short bristles = volume.

        The set also comes with a miniature Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. I'm incredibly picky with mascaras, so I approached this formula with my usual skeptical eye. I found that that Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes fell nicely into my 'useable' (i.e. good) pile. It gives great length and medium volume. It seemed to hold a curl for a few hours, but I have yet to perform a full 14 hour workday test!

         Overall, the Tarte Ladies Who Lash Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler set ($19) is a pretty and practical set that I'll be enjoying this holiday season and beyond. (After all, who am I to say no to a pearl-encrusted set of curlers?) Functionally, I'm pleased with both pieces and think it's a nicely priced set for self or gifting.

        Thanks for reading! What Tarte products have you been enjoying lately? What are your favorite mascaras or lash curlers?

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!

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.

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.

MAC Ice Parade Silver Iced Delights Eye Bag (Holiday 2011)

          MAC has unleashed a parade of frosty, glittery, and icy goodies for Holiday 2011.After a brief beauty brain freeze, I decided upon MAC Ice Parade Silver Iced Delights Eye Bag as the one kit I had to have. I fell in love with the eyeshadow duo of  silver lilac and darkened teal with copper shimmer. I also liked how the components of the set were mostly full sized, and not in limited edition packaging. The Silver Delights Eye Bag included the Silverwear / Blue Spruce eyeshadow duo, a Full size Zoom Fast mascara, a Full-size Technakohl eyeliner in GraphBlack, a MAC 275SE angled eyeshadow brush, and a futuristic silver cosmetics pouch.

          The cosmetics pouch is a reflective silver. The circle on the front is just decorative, and non-functional. The zipper pull is a long clear plastic rod with sparkles. It's not huge, but it holds the few products I like to tote around with me during the day.

           I'm actually quite pleased with all the components of the set. The MAC 275SE is a fluffy angled eyeshadow brush. It works quite will with Blue Spruce eyeshadow below. It's nice for applying and blending a pigmented shadow , and I find the angle to be helpful for going along the lashline. The length of the brush actually isn't too short, so it's easy to work with. I only wish that MAC would make more high quality synthetic shadow brushes, instead of the default fur/natural fibers; I'd really go nuts over these sets! I'm quite impressed with MAC Technakohl liner in Graphblack. It's a twist-up crayon type eyeliner. I love twist-ups because they're so convenient and I don't risk tugging my eye with pencil shards. I was surprised at the staying power (on top of primer and shadow of course). It is similar to my NARS Larger Than Life eyeliner, except the diameter of the crayon was smaller. This is great, since I can draw a thinner line. Graphblack has been my go to liner for the past week. I'm considering buying another color in the future. I haven't opened MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash mascara yet.

           Finally, here is the star of the show: MAC Silverwear and Blue Spruce eyeshadow duo.

          MAC Silverwear is a pale frosty silver lilac. It's a frost eyeshadow. It is difficult to get the pretty lilac to show up well. The swatch below required a couple layers I still like this color, despite sheerness. I think it adds a nice lilac sheen and brightness to the eyes. It's a nice balance to the more pigmented Blue Spruce. MAC Blue Spruce is a velvet eyeshadow. It's a darkened teal shadow with copper sparkles. The texture is very nice, smooth, pigmented, and blendable. The mixture of dark blue and green tones made this quite special. It's a nice alternative to a standard navy blue shadow. You can see comparison swatches in my NARS Mandchourie post. My only complaint is that there is a little fall out when applying Blue Spruce. It may be a side effect of a lot fine pigment on a fluffy brush during application, however, a little always makes it under my eyes.

         Overall, I find the MAC Ice Parade Silver Iced Delights Bag to be a nice set. I'm happy to have this eyeshadow duo. I think the colors are different from colors available in the MAC permanent collection, and they make an interesting and unexpected holiday duo. I'm pleased with the other components of the kit as well, so it was worth it for me.

          Thanks for reading! Have you gifted yourself with any MAC holiday lately? Is teal and lilac a bizarre holiday combination? Do you have any MAC basics (liner, mascara, etc.) that deserve more attention than they get?

Love, Dovey.

Makeup Minis

      
          As I mentioned in my first edition of makeup minis, I have so many makeup and cosmetic samples that need to be used. I constantly have a small collection of them on my makeup tray and stashed in other places, including my fridge! I certainly don't need a subscription service to samples, as I'm already swimming in them. Sampling can be fun because there are hits and misses. Here are my sample reviews in order from best to worst.

THE GOOD:

1. Burt's Bees Banana and Beeswax Hand Creme -  To be fair, Burt's Bees jar hand cremes are at HG status for me. The consistency is waxy and a little oily. It doesn't vanish as well as normal hand lotions. The moisturizing and healing capacity is amazing. In the winter, this is the only thing that can heal my painfully chapped hands.  My favorite formula is actually Almond Milk, but the Banana and Beeswax is nice too.

2. NARS Smudge proof eyeshadow base - I love this shadow base! It holds shadows and liner slightly better than Urban Decay Primer potion. The color is clear when applied. I've used up most of this sample, but I keep scraping with the wand hoping for more. I'm not sure if I will splurge on this in the future, although it is my favorite shadow base. The opaque bottle makes it hard to see how much is left and I don't like the un-hygienic wand. Because the bottle would be finished more quickly, I think it would become an expensive habit.


3. Smashbox Photo Finish lid primer - This is also a great shadow base. I'm surprised, since I haven't heard much about this before. I would say the eyeshadow and liner holding capacity is great. There is a color to the base that is more prominent than UDPP. It's almost concealer-like. I like how it covers up some of the vessels / imperfections in my lid. The color looks fine on my skin, but I think it might look odd on paler or darker skin tones. Again, I don't like the wand.





THE BAD: 
 
4. Benefit Ring my Bella fragrance - This is a fruity smell. It reminds me of Bath and Body Works' Sun Ripened Raspberry. I like raspberry, but I'm not that impressed, considering this is supposed to be a more expensive scent. The scent also seems rather synthetic.

5. Smashbox Lash DNA mascara - Can I count the number of ways I dislike this mascara? First, let's start with the pseudo-science-y name. I'm not sure what they were going for with "Lash DNA." Lashes don't even have DNA. Second, the barrel is impossibly large (see photo above).  Either you poke yourself in the eye, or end up applying to the tips. Third, the formula clumps. It's very volumizing, but incredibly clumpy. I've tried layering this on top of another mascara to add a little volume. It works, but adds too many clumps. I was glad to find it's been discontinued. 

         That ends this episode of Makeup Minis. Are there any mini hits or misses you've experienced lately? Thanks for reading!

Love, Dovey.

Emergency Mascara Pouch by Pamela Barsky

In case of emergency, put mascara on yourself before helping others.

          Frequent Flyers can certainly appreciate the humor behind the emergency mascara makeup pouch. It's a stroke of pure brilliance. I rarely spend pocket change on knick-knacks, but I couldn't resist splurging on this after seeing it on Karlasugar.

         The emergency mascara pouch was designed by Pamela Barsky. It's made from a thick natural colored canvas material. The dimensions are 5"x7". The words are supposedly black print silk-screened by the designer herself. This means may be variation between each bag. Some may have slightly different placement or varying intensities in the black print. There is no design on the back. The emergency mascara pouch certainly as a homemade feel. The construction of the zipper and pouch seems sturdy, but the zipper does not close all the way (see photo above) due to the way it was sewn in. It's not incorrect construction, it's just the way it is. This is not a problem for me. I am just letting you know that this pouch isn't going to be couture quality.

         I hope you enjoyed the brief presentation and photos of the emergency mascara pouch by Pamela Barsky. It certainly puts a smile on my face. I'm going to move my current carry-along items out of my NARS pouch and into this pouch. It is a bit small, but I think I'll make it work! Was anyone else tempted by the emergency makeup pouch?

Love, Dovey.

Makeup Minis currently in rotation

         Here's a peek at the mini and sample size cosmetics I'm currently using. Like most beauty enthusiasts I have a large backlog of mini products I need to use. I'm pretty diligent about going through samples, but I still have many.  In fact, I have a bag full of mini and full-size mascaras contains at least 20 tubes! For a while I used to do "Project 10-Pan" on my minis. It successfully cleared out a lot of clutter and I learned a lot from trying many different products. I no longer partake in "10-pan" but I have developed a habit of using minis in my everyday routine. I thought it would  be fun to start a series where I share and review what mini cosmetics I currently have in rotation.


1. Love, Chloe Eau de Parfum- This smells like rose and powder. I'm a fan of florals, however it's a little too sophisticated for me. I prefer simpler and brighter smells.

2. NARS Orgasm Illuminator- This sample is really midget-sized, but I've been using it forever. I love the natural sheen it gives me. I had also accumulated two full-sized tubes and a larger mini-size tube. They would have lasted me at least 5 years, so I gave them away to my mom and aunt. If I ever finish a tube of the illuminator, I will most likely purchase a new one. I'm on the fence with skin-sensitivity. My skin doesn't react strongly against it, however I haven't ruled out a mild response.

3. Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes pencil in 0L- I keep this in my makeup bag for touch-ups. I have a full-size version as well. The staying power is good on top of primer.

4. LUSH Vanishing Cream- I asked for a face cream sample at LUSH because I'm still looking for a moisturizer that I'm 100% comfortable with putting on my skin. I tried the Philosophy miracle worker sample that came in the Sephora VIB packet but had reactions to it. Sigh. So far, Vanishing cream is working fairly well so far.


5. Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara in Black- It's OK, but I'm a little underwhelmed by the volumizing capacity. I have to put on at least 5 coats before I'm happy. That said, I'm someone who really packs on mascara because my lashes are thin. I don't need a lot of length added, just volume. The name says "volumizing" however I find that this mascara is better for added length instead of volume. On the plus-side, the formula doesn't clump even after adding numerous coats. On the down-side the formula smells distinctly like chemicals. You can probably tell from my review that I won't be interested in purchasing a full size version.

6. Smashbox Photo-op under-eye brightener- This adds a subtle sheen in the undereye area. There's not a lot of pigment so it can't be substituted for a real concealer. To be honest, it doesn't really do much for me. You can still see the light shadow of my barely visible under-eye circles. However, I saw this on my friend once and it looked nice on her.


So that's all for today's Mini series. Do you use up your minis as well? Any good or bad finds?

Thanks for reading!

Love, Dovey.

April 2011 Favorites - neutral and navy

Smells like spring! I sat on the porch for a few minutes this morning just soaking up the sun. The end of April means fewer rain showers (I hope), May flowers,  and... time for monthly makeup favorites!

1. NARS Blush in Orgasm - HG.  Some people don't like the high sheen to pigment ratio, but I love it. I think face shape plays a role--- those with rounder or fuller cheeks or faces probably wouldn't like this, however those in need of more fullness in the cheek area (like me) will love it. See more here.

2. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Aruba - My newest bronzing powder that gives a barely perceptible glow. This is great because the whole "bronzed goddess" look really isn't my thing. It does give me a subtly more tanned look that is impossible to overdo.

3. Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Black - I've gone back to this liner after using wet powder shadows previously. It gives a great strong black line that's easier to apply since extra steps (like wetting brush) aren't required)

4. Smashbox eyeshadow trio - This was part of a recent 500 point perk from Sephora (in fact, it's probably still available now if you're interested and have points). The trio is composed of vanilla, champagne and bronze shades that are great for a soft wearable eye. This was my first experience with Smashbox products, and I have to say I was pretty impressed at the texture and quality of colors. I prefer more dramatic shades, so I'm passing this palette along to my mom, but I'll definitely be looking into more Smashbox in the future.

5. EcoTools Bronzer Brush - My favorite brush (see it here). I still use this everyday for blush, and find it hard to believe that it's less than $10!

6. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in Beige Pastel - I had more skin issues this month so I was using foundation more frequently. The water based formula doesn't irritate my sensitive skin (at least not that much). I just looked at a couple pictures of myself with friends recently, and my skin looked great =). Read more on Vitalumiere Aqua here.

7. Benefit Brow Zings in Dark - A recent acquisition, not completely of my own volition since I'm not a Benefit fan. Due to an event (I'll write about later) I had to buy $50 worth of Benefit. It's a tinted wax that is supposed to shade and hold your brows in place. I use it everyday, and it does make my brows look pretty good, albeit a tad too dark.

8. Bobbi Brown Dress for Success eyeshadow palette - At first, I didn't think the looks I'd create from these colors could be that versatile, seeing as two out of five colors were dark liner shades, and the white is a base shade. However, I found that shading my lids in the shimmery nude then blending the navy blue in the outer V made for a really pretty smoky eye.

9. Bobbi Brown Extreme Party mascara -   My favorite mascara thus far. Although it doesn't give the mega impact that others might give with fewer layers, I prefer this formula and brush since the clumping is minimized and my lashes stay separated.

10. Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF15 in Bare Pink (not pictured) - A really pale nude with a hint of pink that balances out a heavier eye. I'll feature a few Rich Lip colors in the blog soon. These lippies really deliver on creamy texture and rich color.  Grade: A+


Here's a closeup of this month's products so you can get an idea of the general color scheme I've been going with. They're natural tones, with a fresh pop of blush, and some navy smokiness in the eye.

And a closeup of one of my favorite houseplants: the zebra succulent. Aren't the stripes fun?

I hope you enjoyed this month's edition of favorites! I can already tell that next month will be different. So far I've been playing around with NARS Orgasm illuminator and dusted off my Urban Decay Naked palette. I've got my eyes on a couple NARS products and maybe a MAC lippie. We'll see what happens.

Any favorites out there? I hope you're enjoying the new green buds and balmier weather too!

Love, Dovey