My Collection: Deluxe Perfume Samples

Here is part two of my perfume sample collection series (read part one here). Half of these have been accumulated through gift with purchases (GWP) and through Sephora. I did not even realize that more than half of my collection are Dior scents! With that being said, I did not actually deliberately choose these particular scents with the exception of one. I had started collecting these mini deluxe samples when my mom gave me my first high end deluxe sample when I was a young teenager, and that sample is the Dior Pure Poison. It was a part of a gift with purchase that my mom had bought. I have probably kept this sample for almost decade now as I have saved and not used it because I didn't to use it all up. Surprisingly, the scent has not changed and is still very potent. Dior J'adore one is also from my mom's GWP purchase. Versace Bright Crystal came with an order I made from MzSpa, and Estée Lauder Pleasures from a EL GWP, and the Dior Addicts from a Sephora 500 point perk. Dior's Miss Dior is the one that I went out and spent 100 Sephora points on because I love the scent and the packaging so much (the slanted logo/sticker bugs me so much though!). I know I will be buying a big bottle of this one day but I just cannot resist this mini version. I am really picky when it comes to perfumes and because they are quite pricey, I always have to test drive them before making a commitment. I also do not like to have a whole stockpile of full sized perfumes for fear that I will not be able to use them before they go bad and also because I get tired of the same thing so easily. These are the perfect solutions because they are usual ~5ml, which gives you a bit more product to work with to see if you really like them then the normal 1ml samples you can get with any online Sephora purchases. The best thing though, would have to be that you get an exact replica of the full sized bottles and we all know how elaborate and beautiful perfume bottles can be. I am looking for a nice glass jar or a mirror plate or bowl to keep these in, and once I do find something I like, I will sure be featuring it in a blog post. Keep your eyes peeled.

P.S. I have separate posts for the occasions in which I have acquired most of these; the links can be found at the bottom of the post if you are interested in reading them.

Related Posts:
Sephora Beauty Insider 500 Point Perk - Dior Addict
Sephora Haul (Cover Fx, Origins, Lancôme, Dior)
Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Mini Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
Sephora November 2012 VIB Sale (and the Opening Party)
Estée Lauder GWP 2011: the Gifts Haul
My Collection: Fragrances

XO Nicole

My Collection: Perfume Samples

Mini perfume samples are my favourite beauty "freebies" to get. They are so helpful for deciding whether the scent is right for you because the scent varies between individuals due to the chemistry between each person's personal odour and the perfume itself. These samples are ~1ml in volume, giving you about 3-4 uses (depending on how many spritz you use each time) to allow you to determine if you really do like it or not. I am very picky when it comes to picking perfumes, especially my signature scent (which I have yet to find) so this pile of samples provided me with a lot of excitement... will I find the scent that I have been looking for all this time? Well, I won't know until I actually test these samplers out! So, when I pulled these out of my little collection for use over the next few weeks, I decided it would be fun to showcase it! These samples have come mostly from my online purchases from Sephora where you get to choose 3 samples with every online order (I obviously always go for the perfume samples of course). I love perfume bottles and their packaging so I thought that it would be fun to show you guys as well.

XO Nicole

Sephora Beauty Insider 500 Point Perk - Dior Addict

This was probably an impulse splurge of my Sephora points but it is probably because it is quite rare that Sephora has these higher, more "lux" brands for their beauty insider point redemption program. For me, I personally love perfume samples, especially deluxe samples (I may or may not collect them) so the two deluxe samples really lured in into spending my points on this. Seriously, I do not want see my points accumulate too much. It will remind how much I've spent on makeup throughout the years... 

The two deluxe fragrance samples are from their Dior Addict line: Dior Addict Eau Fraîche and Dior Eau Sensuelle. I love Dior fragrances, but I have mostly only ever tried their more "sexier" and potent scents like Dior Poison and J'adore. The Addict line seems to be lighter (they are eau de toilettes) and are designed for the daytime - I think they also portrayed this very well in the packaging/bottle. Both these bottles are so simple yet they are so pretty with the tint of colour at the bottle. 

Dior Addict Eau Fraîche

Dior Eau Sensuelle

Appropriately, this set also comes with a mini sampler of one of their Dior Addict lip sticks. The shade, Dior Kiss 578 is a "sheer dark pink". I think would be great for everyday or even on nights out.

XO Nicole

My Collection: My Lash Stash

I was cleaning out my makeup train case for the new year and I found an overwhelmingly large collection of high end mascaras in there. These were collected from GWPs and Sephora. I thought it would be fun to include this in a "My Collection" post. In this little "lash stash" of mine, I basically have all the popular high end mascaras out there. More specially (in the order from left to right):

• BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara
• MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash
• Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara
• Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara
• Clinque Lash Doubling Mascara
• Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara
• Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
• Lancôme Definicils High Definition Mascara
• Lancôme CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
• Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara

The one huge downside to this collection is that I will probably never use any of them because I desperately need the waterproof formula to help retain my curl and to prevent smudging. Therefore, I will probably end up giving these away! I would still like to keep the MUFE Smoky Lash and the YSL Faux Cils just to try because I cannot resist them after hearing so many people rave about them!

What are your favorite high end mascaras?

XO Nicole

New Year, New Make Up! 2013 Materialistic Wish List

As I am in the final year of my undergrad and as I take on more courses (6) than I will ever have, I want products that will be easy to slap on while delivering in coverage and finish. Based on the reviews I have read, here are some of the products that I see potential for this task. These products will be purchased when they are "needed" (ie. to replace something else) or when there is irresistible deal.

1. MAC Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator ($28USD/$33.50CAD)- MAC has released this exfoliator on and off again for various collections, but they have finally decided to make this a permanent product in their skincare line. When this was a LE, I could never get my hands on this stuff, so now that it's permanent (with a significant price increase), I will finally be able to try this much raved about product (“Refines and unclogs the skin, adds instant moisture … mineral-rich”) - I am also looking to replace the abrasive St. Ives Apricot Scrub I am currently using.
2. L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Serum ($70USD) - Although this is an "anti-aging" serum, I get the impression that it is more suited for skintypes that already have wrinkles, I got hooked on this stuff after using sample. I may be only buying this for its heavenly scent.
3. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette ($27USD/$32CAD) - I do not have an extensive
   eyeshadow collection so I can easily justify this even though I do have both NAKED 1 and 2. I feel like this is too "practical" to pass up.
4. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder with Real Cocoa ($29USD/$36CAD)- Matte, not too orange, no parabens = perfect for my new contour powder.
5. Bobbi Brown BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 ($42USD/- Although I do love my Dr. Jart Black Label BB cream, I am always looking for new things to try out; I love Bobbi Brown and I've heard many good things about this product!
6. MAC 109 Small Contour Brush ($35USD/$42CAD)- This may not be the most "necessary" item on this wish list because my Elf Complexion Brush but that ferrel is barely holding on. I love this because the shape is so unique, and God knows that after these holidays, I am in major need of some major contouring action.
7. DR. JART+ The Original BB Cream Set  ($34USD/CAD)- Instead of buying another Dr. Jart Black Label BB cream, why not go for a Dr. Jart set to try out all the other different BB creams Dr. Jart has to offer? This kit is perfect!
8. Dermablend Jar Cover Creme ($35USD/CAD) - I was sold when I saw the Dermablend commerical featuring the awesome Rick Genest! Full coverage, here we come!
9. SHISEIDO The Makeup Powdery Foundation - O40 Natural Fair Ochre ($29.50USD/CAD)- I found out about this product when I was looking for a medium coverage powder foundation. At that time, all the shades and the case were out of stock and people were saying that this was being discontinued or Sephora will no longer carry this product anymore ... of course, after reading all the raving reviews on the website, I was heartbroken. Nontheless, I put down my email for notification if this was coming to ever come back in stock, and thankfully, a few months later, I got the good news from Sephora. They were bringing this back! I cannot wait to try this out when I am done with my Cover Fx powder foundation.

If I can resist, these will probably be the only products that I will buy - unless, something incredible comes along and I cannot resist.

You may notice that I am holding off on purchasing a fragrance. I have a bucket load of perfume samples and I also have a brand new Lancome La Vie est Belle lying around, which I am hoping to sell off because I'd rather much get my Miss Dior! :)

Skincare does not count as good skincare is an absolute must!

XO Nicole