After spending most of my Christmas money on beauty products (what else is new) I am currently on a no-buy. That doesn't stop me from looking though. Or from getting samples. Lots and lots of samples. For future reference, you understand.
But yeah, I love to look. And I love the feeling of pretending I'm going to buy something outrageously expensive. Is that weird? Call me shallow, but I revel in the feeling I get standing in the middle of luxe department stores' beauty departments. Bloomingdales in Chestnut Hill MA was my first love. Harrod's was crowded and over-whelming, but what an experience. And Barney's in San Francisco makes me feel simultaneously exclusive and hip. Do you ever feel like that? What is your favorite place to splurge (or pretend to splurge)? Here is what I recommend:
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Rescue Cream has it all. In fact, it is called an "intense firming plumping balm-elixir", and contains time-released retinol. But not so much retinol that it disturbs my sensitive skin. Other powerhouse ingredients include: red algae for repairing damage and protecting from further damage, Olus oil and vitamin E, super peptides, and Winter Daphne Stem Cell Extract for firming. Sounds incredible, doesn't it? Its only drawback is what I love most about it, which is the super rich texture. I feel like the texture may be too much for some, but I can't get enough of that emollient goodness. It will probably feel like it is just sitting on your skin but believe me, it is actually penetrating and working wonders. Anyway, I love that feeling. I would slather real butter on my face at night if it worked. No matter how rich a cream or oil I use, my skin always wakes up dry, parched and irritated. Until the CT Magic Night Cream that is. If you are extremely dry or sensitive or menopausal I think you would really adore this moisturizer. It's pricey but is a decent size. I say go to Nordstrom, get a free sample, and try it out for yourself.
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| $145 for 1.7 oz |
The Les Parfums Louis Vuitton collection released last year is scent-sational! Light and lovely, they are not the knock-you-over-the head-type like many luxury brands are. Also the history is fascinating. Until now, LV hasn't released any perfume since right after World War II in 1946. It took a good five years for Jacques Cavallier Belletrud to come up with these seven beauties, and I am enamored with every single one. If you are like me, you may want to go for the miniatures set with adorable little 10 ml bottles of all seven fragrances for $290. Otherwise, the average 3.4 oz bottle sells for $240, and the large 6.8 oz bottle runs $350. BUT you can bring in your empty bottle and have it refilled for only $130. Now that's a bargain!
Surprisingly, my favorite of the collection is the Rose des Vents. I say surprisingly because I have been so bored with rose perfumes lately. But Rose des Vents is not your average rose. It's not a classic rose, it's not a dark rose. It's not even a sophisticated rose. I would call it a fruity rose. I really pick up the peach, and iris, and cedar. And it's probably just my imagination because I don't find these notes listed anywhere, but I think I smell a bit of white floral thrown in. It's divine!
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| $240 for 100ml |
$33 really isn't all that much money, if say you were going to buy a sweater or an eye cream. But $33 for an eyelash curler falls into the extravagant category. Still, the surratt beauty Revelee Lash Curler is worthy of its hefty price tag. Beauty mavens worldwide love it for several reasons. #1 No pinching. This is due to the long but shallow curve. #2 It actually elongates the lashes. I'm not quite sure how but it might have something to do with the firm yet bouncy cushion. #3 Sturdily built. #4 Fits well for almost every eye shape. Again because of the long but shallow arc, and also because it opens up really wide. If your budget can handle it, or if you are all about the lashes, then go for it - you'll love it!
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| $33 |
Clarins Extra-Firming Body Lotion. #ohmygodilovethissomuch It goes on like a dream: comforts and moisturizes and smells heavenly. The only problem with it is that it is so luscious I always end up lavishing it on and thus go through the tube all too quickly. I believe the lemon thyme extract smell is literally addictive (and I mean "literally" in the true sense of the word here, not in the over-used jargon way of late). But here is the question you all want to know: does it really firm the skin? Yes, it does a bit. Mostly if you are using it twice a day. It doesn't get rid of cellulite. And it works much better if you go to the effort of dry brushing before you shower, then apply the cream afterward to slightly damp skin. As with your face skincare routine, you need to exfoliate your body's skin in order for products to penetrate better. But honestly, I am often too lazy to do all that. I love this cream anyway and enjoy it for its sensualness alone.
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| $65 for 6.7 oz |
La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil is insanely expensive but if you are a millionaire it could be worth it. I got several free samples at Nordstrom and fell head-over-heels. I didn't even get enough product to see long-term anti-aging benefits but I appreciated the scent, the texture, and the hydration of it so much that I would buy a full bottle if I could. It is advertised to help with the first signs of aging (lots of antioxidants!), however my already mature skin saw some excellent results from it too.
I am all about the face oils lately, have been testing out a bunch, and this falls into my top 3 because it is majorly hydrating and very protecting. At first I thought it was a little too greasy then realized I was using way too much of it. A little bit goes a long way! But despite my over-use, it actually absorbed easily. It is quite fragrant (there is "fragrance" listed half-way down the ingredient list) which some of you may not like, but I enjoy the floral/essential oil scent, and besides it didn't seem to irritate my sensitive skin. Bottom line: their "rare and pure seed oils" do the trick!
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| $330 for 1 oz |
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil is totally hedonistic. And sparkly - in the best possible way! It's a very light weight oil; not much for hydrating but more for creating opulence. And the smell, wow the smell! It is infused with the TF Soleil Blanc scent but is smoother and less in your face than the perfume itself. I prefer it. And I can't decide which I like better, the sultry sun-kissed gold and platinum leaf specks, or the tuberose/coconut/amber fragrance. But nevermind, it's a package deal, and the package is magnificent. It probably looks best over a tan but I also like to rock its summertime vibe in the depths of winter to boost my mood and flagging morale. Delicioso!
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| $98 for 3.4 oz |
If you want to know what else is worth splurging on check out some of my other favorite splurge! posts:
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