holiday vacation

Bright lights, big city!  I hope your Winter Holidays are merry and bright!  I am off to England for a couple weeks, for a whirlwind visit that won't allow me anytime to blog.  But I will return in January with a post about my all time favorite beauty products of 2016.  In the meantime, hit up those post-Christmas sales and have a Happy New Year!

love,

Kate

UPDATE:   Now that I am back check out my haul from the UK.

wonderful winter perfumes (classics)

I've been really into classic scents lately.  When I went to write this winter perfume blog post there weren't any recent perfumes that inspired me.  It could just be my mood, but also don't you think Winter is the perfect time for classics:  cozy, warm, sultry, and even sometimes sophisticated.  And of course there is the nostalgic factor.  I think you can be nostalgic for an era that happened before you were even born.  All the perfumes listed below have some of that romance.  It's not too late to put one of these on your Christmas wish list!


Gucci Rush is ideal.  It's a white floral with much patchouli and spice.  It can also be described as an oriental with a good dose of vanilla.   Created in 1999 the reference to cocaine ("rush") and the  tape cassette case shape of the bottle are now a bit dated, but the scent remains a classic.  I wore it all Christmas long in 2007 so for me it is particularly nostalgic this time of year, and if you are lucky it could end up that way for you too.  If I were to be imaginative, I would say Rush reminds me of burning red pillar candles in a boudoir, a woman getting ready in her corset and hose, a gardenia tucked behind her ear.

Chanel Cuir de Russie is definitely one I turn to when the weather gets cold.  The name means "Russian Leather" and the tang of fur pelts in a horse drawn sleigh is an image that immediately springs to mind.  Significant jasmine and rose add to the romance of it all, and like many Chanel perfumes it contains some powdery notes too.  Cuir was created in 1924 to celebrate the emancipation of women, allowing them to smoke in public with class.  And this is certainly one classy perfume!

Cabochard by Perfumes De Gres is a lighter option - perfect for someone adverse to orientals.  It is also perfect because you can get it for under $20 at Target or Amazon.  At the time it was created in 1959, Madames Gres said it reminded her of her long and empty walks along the beaches of India.  It doesn't smell super beachy to me but I do get echoes of loneliness/emptiness in it.  It is very woody, a little bit floral (rose/jasmine/geranium), and an exemplary chypre.  The reason I like it for winter is because of its duskiness and vintage couture vibe.

Lancome La Vie Est Belle is a sweet treat.  And supposedly it is a perfume adored by French women - a national favorite apparently.  I used to love it madly but these days I tend to just admire the beauty of the bottle on my dresser.  You know how you go in phases.  Still, I'm sure I will come back to it one day because it really is quite lovely.  The powdery iris tampers the heavily gourmand notes of black current, pear, and praline.  And of course the patchouli saves the day.  It's a newbie (only created in 2012) but to me has the glamour of a 1950's bright young Hollywood starlet, not all that long off the train from her small town in Minnesota, ready and eager for her first starring film role.

Go vintage!  You can find something precious on etsy, ebay, or a small decant or sample from websites like Surrender To Chance and The Perfumed Court can be a good way to start.  If you are new to vintage and have no idea where to begin I suggest something from Lanvin.  Vintage perfumes are very strong and intense so I say go with that vibe and get something flat out dirty-sexy.  Lanvin has a few of such; Crescendo (1965) being my favorite because it is a complex floriental.  However their most known vintage perfume is the musky/powdery/floral My Sin (1924). You can tell from the name alone it's going to be good!

Dior Pure Poison is my favorite of all the Poison perfumes.  Now this was only created in 2004, but the original Poison was created in 1985 and Pure, while more modern, still retains a bit of that essence.  It is orange, orange blossom and gardenia; sandalwood, cedar, and amber. Mmmmmm!  But even saying that doesn't convey its uniqueness.  It's intoxicating in an ice princess kind of way.  I almost bought it for the holographic poisoned apple bottle alone!

                                     

For more Winter perfume ideas check out my recommended winter perfumes 2015.

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. I am not financially compensated for my reviews 

sensational stocking stuffers 2016

I don't mean to stress you out but we're getting down to the wire here folks.  Christmas and Hanukah are less than two weeks away and if you are going to be shopping on line you'll need plenty of time for delivery.  Plus the mall near my house is absolutely insane right now - perhaps the most insane mall there is at this time of year, the lines for the parking lot extend for blocks.  I set my alarm for early am and get to the stores first thing while I've still got a chance to shop without getting claustrophobic.
But anyway it's worth it because there is some awesome stuff out there and many sensational options for stocking stuffers.  Here are a few.....


The $10 Anna Sui Makeup Palettes are to die for.  I hate how I always say "to die for", and I'm trying to stop saying it, but really in this case it is true.  These are small empty palettes, like a mini Z palette, for you to put your own shadows or blush in.  I can't get over the faux Victorian design - it's so striking.  And as a stocking stuffer it is beautiful and unique as well.

Surratt Relevee Lash Curler $30 is supposed to be the very best eyelash curler out there.  It is pricey for such an item but that is what makes it the perfect gift.  Any makeup maven worth her salt would really appreciate this.  It is a great size to fit in a stocking as well, but buy it NOW - they are always selling out.

Anything from LUSH is fun fun fun.  A bath bomb will fit in a stocking nicely, or a travel size shower gel too.  They have some fabulous limited edition stuff for Christmas like the:  Butter Bear Bath Bomb,  Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, or Snow Fairy Shower Gel.  And LUSH is all about the scent, so anything you choose from them will smell divine.

The Christmas Penguin Bubble Bar $7.45 - so cute!

And speaking of wonderful scents, a pillow spray to help your loved one fall asleep at night is a terrific idea.  Kohl's has a good one on sale for $5.85.  It's the Earth Therapies Pillow Mist which has actual valerian in it, a super relaxing essential oil.  Or another cool option is the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray $29 which is extremely popular in the UK (they may be on to something!)  Note:  both options heavily feature lavender.

If you have several stockings to fill the Fresh Sugar Lip Showcase $77 is a good option.  Everyone loves the Fresh Sugar lip balms (tinted or plain), so these would make a luxe stuffer.  Break the set up and throw in one, or throw in a few, per stocking;  the price works out to $8.50 each.  If you've never tried one of these balms they are extremely nourishing.

The Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer stick $24 is a cute little number and gives a natural-looking sun-kissed look.   Milk Makeup PR says their products are "smart, multi-functional, easy to use" - what could be better for a stocking?  

Rollerball perfumes are an ingenious stocking stuffer, and the options are endless.  You can find them at Sephora or Ulta or even Bloomies and Macy's.  They are usually in the $20-$28 price range.  You could get your loved one a convenient travel size of their favorite perfume or give them a commitment-free size of something new to try.  Popular these days are:  SJP Stash (amber unisex), YSL Mon Paris (youthful fruity floral), or Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine (zesty unique niche brand).

Leaders makes some of the best sheet masks out there and they only run $5-$9 each.  Even just writing about them makes me want to buy a bunch for myself, so I'm sure your stocking person would love them too.  Give one or give several, there are all different types from "lifting", or "calming coconut", to "pore gone for good".  Excellent!

For more Holiday 2016 gift recommendations check out my posts Holiday gifts ideas for him 2016 and Holiday gift guide 2016:  exquisite sets

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

November beauty favorites 2016

This month's beauty favorites is mostly makeup.  Usually I like to mix it up a bit more but I can't seem to help it, I am all about the makeup these days.  Plus Sephora had a couple big sales so I had to partake of them, and a lot these goodies were from those hauls.  All that makes for a pretty exciting post I think.  However now I am on a "no buy" period (excluding holiday gifts for others).  I'm not even going to purchase holiday decor even though things look a little sparse this year.  Well, maybe I'll get a poinsettia...or two.....


In my opinion nothing can compare to Guerlain Maxilash Volumizing and Curling Mascara.  Yes it's a lot to pay for a mascara ($32), but it makes me SO happy.  It gives the perfect amount of volume with actual curl and it doesn't smudge or flake in the least bit.  This has a small-medium size natural brush and will keep your look going all day long.  Bottom line:  very very flattering.

I had been wanting the Too Faced Sweethearts Bronzer for ages and finally bought it during Sephora's VIB sale (it is also available at Ulta).  It did not disappoint!   It's a nice, fairly neutral-toned, bronze color with a surprising amount of pigment - all you need is a very light touch.  One side of the heart is a lighter shimmery bronze, and the other size is deeper with a satin finish.  Personally I like to swirl the two sides together for a luminous look, but you could play around with it.  And as with all Too Faced makeup the packaging is adorable - lots of product inside as well!

I am in love with Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream!  The scent is wonderfully addictive but the cream is also hydrating and I do think definitely firming.  They say to use it on any body parts that need a little lift and firm, but I love it so much I just use it all over (besides who has time to be applying two or three different moisturizers?).  Normally I dislike body moisturizers that come in a jar because I am fundamentally lazy and prefer an easy-to-use pump.  I almost didn't buy the Bum Bum Cream because of that but I am so glad I didn't listen to my inner lazy girl.  This stuff is a joy to apply and I don't seem to mind what kind of container it comes in - it is totally worth it.  

Whenever I wear eyeshadow from my Juvia's Place The Masquerade Mini Palette I get massive compliments.  People will say I look so pretty, or that I am looking especially well that day.  Now, who wouldn't like that?  I did a whole review on this palette so you can get all the deets there, but needless to say I am crazy for it.  The colors in this palette may not be everyone's cup of tea but the quality and texture of Juvia's Place eyeshadows is divine so you might want to check out The Nubian Eyeshadow Palette that is more tame/mostly neutrals.  I know I will be buying that one next.

Another beauty item that always garners compliments is my new Pinrose Merry Maker Eau de Parfum.  I bought it last month and have been wearing it a ton since then.  It is bright and fresh and fun and fruity, and think I like it for nostalgic reasons because it reminds me of two very pleasant times in my past.  One was in the early 90s when all the hot young guys were wearing CK One, and the other was 2007 when I was newly emplyed at Sephora and we had a really terrific group of people working together there.  Merry Maker notes include:  nectarine, grapefruit, cassis, violet, rose, plum, musk, moss, Tonka.

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lolita is described as a "matte dusty rose" but I love it because it also has a warm undertone of terra cotta.  It's a beautiful color combination.   At first I didn't like the texture of the lipstick because it is dry.  But strangely it's not cakey dry.  It somehow molds to my lips in the most flattering way so that it doesn't look dry. It is a matte, slightly on the sheer side formula that wears for hours.  With a clear gloss on top it is truly stunning.  I have come to crave the look and feel of it on my lips.  

What were your beauty favorites this month?

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews