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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Estée Lauder Peach Nuance Blush Photos, Swatches and Review

Estée Lauder Blush in Peach Nuance

During my peach blush phase, I discovered and fell in love with MAC’s Ripe Peach blush after seeing it in swatches but unfortunately, I was like years late because that blush had been discontinued. So on my hunt, I find Peach Nuance (along with plum nuance) and I just had to have it. So when Estee Lauder had a GWP promo, I picked up the two and the only nuance blushes from Estee Lauder on my wishlist.

Because I do not own MAC’s Ripe Peach so I cannot on make comparisons.

Estée Lauder Blush in Peach Nuance
Estée Lauder Blush in Peach Nuance
The blush is a beautiful peach and corally blush and I love that you get to customize it to how intense you want the colour. It a really nice glow. As a new user to EL’s blush, the texture is very silky and the pigmentation is just great.

As you can see, the lighter spectrum of the blush is like a really light yellow that I cannot see used on it’s own for many purposes, but I think that the availability of that shade to blend with the darker shades ensure that it is not overly orange.

Light Side, Blended, Dark Side
Peach Nuance vs. Plum Nuance
Estée Lauder Blush in Peach Nuance
Estée Lauder Blush in Peach Nuance

XO Nicole

Estée Lauder Plum Nuance Blush Photos, Swatches and Review

I have had my eye on this blush for a while. I wanted a nice, purple blush in my collection and when I found out about this blush, I thought I had to have it. I really liked the concept of the gradient in one blush such that you can essentially have 3+ different shades if you want. It allows you to mix and choose how deep of the purple you want to go - and that is why I thought this would be a good start for my new purple-blush collection.

Estée Lauder Blush in Plum Nuance
Estée Lauder Blush in Plum Nuance
This blush is gorgeous; on the lighter side, it is a light mauvey pink, while the darker side gives a deeper plum. The middle gives the warmer plum shade.

Light side, blended, dark side
Again, with the EL blushes, these are quite pigmented and the texture is super smooth and blends really nicely on the skin. I love using the darker side for the winter months. To be honest, I was quite surprised that the light side actually showed up as a pink instead of a peach as it shows on the product. Either way, this blush gives great versatility.

Light side, blended, dark side




Estée Lauder Blush in Peach Nuance & Plum Nuance
XO Nicole

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Versace Bright Crystal Eau De Toilette

Versace Bright Crystal Eau De Toilette
I received this deluxe fragrance sample with a beauty order.

I am a huge sucker for packaging and especially for perfume bottles! They are always so unique and nicely designed that it makes for lovely display on your vanity or shelf. This was no different. The bottle (exact replica for the full sized thing) is simple yet the huge diamond knob makes it so elegant - not to mention with the pink coloured perfume? It is so simple but feminine at the same time.

To the fragrance itself, on the Versace website:
Sheer sensuality, crystal transparency, and luminous brightness: Versace introduces the new Bright Crystal, a precious jewel of rare beauty characterized by a fresh, vibrant, flowery scent. 
That description is fairly accurate: to me, there is no doubt that it is a very FRESH scent .. flowery? Not so much. Instead, the scent reminds me so so so much of Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care! If you have used that product, you would most likely agree with me - I really could not get over that fact. With that being said, I do not love this scent - it just reminds me of my Vichy moisturizer so instead of me sprtizing or dabbing on some nice and lovely luxury perfume, it is as if I just used my Vichy moisturizer. I do not like that at all because I think perfume is definitely a luxury item and it should not remind me or make me feel as if I am using a lotion for a nice scent. But that's just me. I think if I have not used or known of the Vichy smell, I would probably enjoy this perfume a whole lot more. However, on the Sephora website, the ratings are pretty high and a lot of people described it as "sexy" so it wouldn't hurt to give this a sniff on your next Sephora trip if you are a fan of fresh, florally scents. This is great for the Spring and Summer months.

Versace Bright Crystal Eau De Toilette

Versace Bright Crystal Eau De Toilette

XO Nicole

Estée Lauder Pure Eyeshadow Quad (GWP) Photos, Swatches and Review

DISCLAIMER: this quad is essentially a sampler of four different and individual eyeshadow from Estee Lauder. This came in an Estee Lauder GWP promo in the summer.


I was a bit hesitant to do this blog post because this is a sample/gwp product that you cannot go out and buy the quad but I figured since the shades are actually available for individual sale as their "Pure Color EyeShadow", it would be helpful for swatch purposes. Also, I wanted to blog about this because I just love this quad - the shade selection is great! Having browsed through their entire shadow collection, these shades were my top picks as well.



Pure Color EyeShadow Quad
Sepia Sand, Pink Flash
Sand sepia is a really nice, light, cool, golden brown that is great for all over the lid.

Pink flash is the least favourite of the four because of the texture and faint pigmentation - it is described as a “cool light pink” but it shows up more as a sheen white eyeshadow, but it’s great for inner corners and highlights.

Amethyst Spark, Iridescent Violet
Amethyst spark is really gorgeous - while it looks like a blue/indigo shade in the package, it is actually a “cool deep purple” with shimmer. It goes perfect with the other purple shadow in the quad.

Iridescent violet is my favourite! It remind me of a taupe-y colour: it is described as a cool medium silvery-plum on the website.

Sepia Sand, Pink Flash, Amethyst Spark, Iridescent Violet
Pure Color EyeShadow Quad

 XO Nicole

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Estée Lauder GWP 2011: the Gifts Haul

DISCLAIMER: I apologize that these posts are totally out of date but because I was unable to juggle my blog and school at the same time, I put the write-ups for the posts on hold. I did take the time to take pictures of the products at the time of purchase with the intention of posting the accompanying blog with it, however, that did not happen. I do not want to waste these photos so I decided to post them because some people may find it helpful nevertheless. Thanks.

Trend Setting Bag

Advanced Night Repair Deluxe travelsize

Moisturizer: Prevention


Pleasures Deluxe travel size

Mascara Travel Size 10 day supply

Full Size Pure Color Lipstick

Pure Color Eyeshadow Quad

Pure Color Eyeshadow Quad
* See my separate post for the Pure Color Eyeshadow Quad - because I love it so much!

This was the Estee Lauder deal I got from the Bay in the Summer: Spend $36.50 or more and receive the following:
  • Trend Setting Bag
    Moisturizer Choose Anti-Wrinkle or Prevention 
  • Pleasures Deluxe travel size
  • Advanced Night Repair Deluxe travelsize
  • Pure Color Eyeshadow Quad (purples, pinks)
  • Full Size Pure Color Lipstick
  • Mascara Travel Size 10 day supply

and also you could spend $75 or more and receive a full sized cleanser, but I didn't.

XO Nicole

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Estée Lauder - Summer GWP 2011 Haul

DISCLAIMER: I apologize that these posts are totally out of date but because I was unable to juggle my blog and school at the same time, I put the write-ups for the posts on hold. I did take the time to take pictures of the products at the time of purchase with the intention of posting the accompanying blog with it, however, that did not happen. I do not want to waste these photos so I decided to post them because some people may find it helpful nevertheless. Thanks.

The Purchases: Nuance Blushes
Estee Lauder - Summer GWP 2011

Estee Lauder Tender Blushes

Estee Lauder Tender Blush - Peach Nuance, Plum Nuance

Estee Lauder - Summer GWP 2011
XO Nicole

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Bath & Body Works Pink Sangria 3-Wick Candle

Slatkin & Co. Pink Sangria 14.5 oz. 3-Wich Candle
I have never been the one to light candles in the spring and summer seasons as I prefer to breathe in the fresh air and the scents of the blooming flowers but I received this as a "free gift" coupon a while back. I've been saving this for the appropriate months to roll around to lit this, hence the older labels (I am not a fan of the newer label designs) so I of course took some snap shots of this before it was too late.

A refreshing mix of zesty mandarin, crisp apple and sugared grapes & berries.

The scent smells so incredibly yummy (but then again, don't all BBW candles and products?). Never would I have thought that I would like fresh candle scents but this candle has got me on the bandwagon. It reminds me of pink lemonade - yum! And the pink wax, when lit, gives off such a nice and romatic pink glow - unlike any of my autumn-y and winter candles because they were all neutral colours (ie. brown, white, etc).

This is definitely one of top B&BW candles.

P.S. This is a older label/packaging. They have since changed it so you can visit bathandbodyworks to see what they look like now!
XO Nicole

Monday, May 21, 2012

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eye Shadow Single in Nutty Review, Photo and Swatches


I bought this a while back when these first came out and I remember being in total awe of how creamy and pigmented this was when I swatched it out. This has to be the most inexpensive, creamy and wearable eyeshadow colour. This shadow is so easily blendable that it's really effortless and can be worn on an everyday basis.

The shade is a shimmery (but not overly shimmery) brown, leaning towards the taupe-y side and with cool/silver undertones.

The packaging, although is nice and slim, is not the best as sometimes I find it hard to open (it's a cheap-ish plastic clasp and you have to use your nails to really dig in to lever it up) but that is the only downside to this product that I can think of.

I highly recommend this shadow as you will find yourself using it a lot because of it's great quality and colour pay off! It looks great just swept across the eyelids for a simple look but you can definitely use it for a more dramatic look. Hey, it might just become an HG of yours since this is quite an impressive eyeshadow! You really can't go wrong with this because one, it is highly inexpensive and two, it's an easy neutral colour.


XO Nicole

Saturday, May 19, 2012

DHC Skincare Haul

DHC Haul
I have been meaning to switch up my skincare routine to consists of more "natural" products and DHC was one of my top choices as I have heard really good things about them. DHC is a Japan-based company but they have expanded quite nicely into the States and into Canada (via the web). While their products are a bit more pricey side compared to drugstore prices but less than higher end skincare products that you will find at department stores and/or Sephora, I feel that for skincare, it is worth the extra splurge as your skin is soaking all this product up while you sleep and what not. FYI, I spent ~$130-140 on this one order so it's really not bad considering I purchased six products!

I have already known and heard of DHC's famous Olive Oil cleanser but being acne-prone, I was so weary about putting oil on my face so I've always put it off until I discovered their Acerola line:
This remarkably high C content helps defend against the damaging effects of free radicals that can age skin prematurely. Vitamin C is also known for its ability to even skin tone and boost collagen and elastin. Within this set, you'll find a brightening toner, light moisturizer, concentrated booster and indulgent intensive moisturizer.
Thus, I picked up the "Essential Set" which came with a toner, moisturizer, gel moisturizer and a serum. Along with the order, I couldn't pass up what was in the sale section. I have never used an eye cream before and it's about time that I start so I saw it as an opportunity and picked up their Concentrated Eye Cream as well as their famous, Olive oil cleanser, both of which were discounted.

Concentrated Eye Cream

Deep Cleansing Oil

Acerola Essentials Set
Acerola Cream

Acerola Gel
Acerola Extract/Serum

Acerola Lotion/Toner

DHC Samples

Prior to checkout, DHC lets you choose 4 samples of all their products (which I thought was awesome!) so I picked out my four and in my package, it looked like they tossed in two bonus samples as well, which is always fun :) .

The bill for an idea of the pricing
I really could not wait to try these products so I started using the eye cream and most of the acerola products on the first night so expect a full reviews soon!

XO Nicole