Current fragrances I'm really liking!

I'm really picky when it comes to fragrances. Not so much body lotions and mists, but every time I'm at a department store and I test out fragrances, I always leave empty handed, with a headache, smelling like I rolled around in old potpourri. I rarely receive a fragrance sample I like, or find a good scent in a magazine.

I'm not really a pro at reading the descriptions for fragrances, and I'm not familiar with all of the different notes- "soft, sensual silk with a twist of shimmering goldenrod, embracing and captivating blah, blah, blah". Plain English please?

Haha, with time though, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

Anyway, I haven't owned many perfumes throughout the years. I alternate between Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche and Versace Bright Crystal. My kind of fragrance is something that's a little fruity, slightly floral and fresh/clean. I also kinda like amber, and a little musk never killed anyone, right? I said a little, by the way.

I don't like vanilla - and by don't like, I mean I can't stand it. I don't like anything sweet (unless I'm eating it). Examples: Cupcakes, Chocolate, Cookie, Sprinkles, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Cotton Candy. I despise it all in a fragrance, air freshener, candle, etc. Too synthetic to me. I also don't like anything too powdery - I don't like the smell of baby powder, and high woody/tobacco notes actually make me feel nauseous.

So, you can imagine how flabbergasted I was, when I liked all of my recent samples!

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette


The first time I smelled this perfume was a few years ago from a friend that worked at Sephora. Apparently, it was one of their top rated/best sellers at the time. It wasn't much my taste, but seeing the good reviews, I decided to give it a second chance. It's quite strong and very musky at first, but once the musk softens up, it's a beautiful fragrance that I absolutely love smelling on myself all day long. It's very warm, with a spicy and sweet musk that is slightly powdery. It has a touch of floral and fruit that emerges a couple hours later. Even though it contains notes I'm not that keen on (ehem, vanilla), it's perfectly balanced. It's a very classy and luxurious/expensive scent, and reminds me a little bit of classic Chanel.

Notes: Honey Flower, Solar Musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile Musk, Tactile Woods, Vetiver.

Givenchy Play For Her Eau de Parfum


This type of fragrance reminds me a bit of my Mom when I was young. She wore Nicole Miller and Privelege and whenever she walked past me after her morning bath, I always smelled the honey floral. Play for Her is a very soft, sensual and feminine fragrance that smells a bit like sweet honey, carnations and a slight powdery wood - possibly a hint of Amber? Although it's not listed in the notes. Maybe bitter orange? A very playful scent that I think anyone can enjoy.

Notes: Bergamot, Sweet Pea, Amyris Wood, Tiare Flower, Sandalwood, Musk.

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Review: Physician's Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum! LOVE!

Physician's Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum

I'm always on the lookout for the next best thing when it comes to drugstore makeup. I've tried many brands of liners, many of them felt tip, and they've all left me feeling a little underwhelmed.

A few months ago I snagged an awesome deal on Physician's Formula at CVS. I believe it was spend $10 and get $7 extra-cash - which in conjunction with a coupon I had, a $10 item was almost free. So, I browsed reviews for all Physician's Formula products and ran across the Physician's Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum. It's one of Makeupalley's highest rated PF products, with a 4.3/5 rating and an 86% re-purchase rate. I didn't hesitate to purchase a tube.

Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner is available in (3) shades: Deep Brown, Black and Ultra Black. It is also available in Clear.

The reason it's available in clear is because the liner contains a lash serum that when applied at the base of your lashes (where you'd normally apply eyeliner), in time, the formula will enhance the appearance of your lashes.

On the website, it's described as a "High-tech Japanese formula" that is long-wearing, water-resistant and smudge-resistant.

The tip isn't your standard felt-tip marker style pen. It's actually a pointed brush applicator. It's thin and comes to a fine point, making it easy to create a thin, precise line. For a thicker line, you can hold the liner sideways and drag it across your lashline.

Review: Shoedazzle Celebrity Designed 'Sparkle' Studded Heels.

We all know by now that these monthly subscription sites (Shoedazzle, Jewelmint, Shoemint, Beautymint, Stylemint, Birchbox, Glambox, etc..) have become insanely popular. From the many companies, I've only tried Jewelmint and Shoemint, but have always wondered about many of the other companies.

I can't say for certain, but Shoedazzle was the first online fashion monthly subscription site I've ever heard about, co-founded in 2009 by Kim Kardashian. When the site first launched, I quickly made an account to see my selection, but due to a spending budget I put myself on, I never purchased anything.


What is ShoeDazzle? ShoeDazzle is the leading online fashion brand delivering personalized monthly shoe, handbag and jewelry selections to members by its team of top celebrity stylists. Each recommendation speaks to au courant fashion trends and is selected based on each member’s own distinctive sense of style. The company, which was founded by Brian Lee, Robert Shapiro, MJ Eng, and Kim Kardashian, who serves as the site’s Chief Fashion Stylist, was launched in March 2009 and now boasts over one and a half million Facebook fans. ShoeDazzle, the first and most successful online styling service, allows members to experience the personalized service of shopping on Rodeo Drive at an affordable cost. ShoeDazzle’s no-obligation monthly membership cost of $39.95 includes the stylists’ service, your choice of a pair of shoes, a handbag or a jewelry set, and free shipping both ways with easy returns.

Recently I was given the opportunity to try one of the shoes in my monthly selection, and I chose Sparkle.

Sparkle is a black faux suede pump with silver stud detailing on the heel, platform and dual ankle straps. The heel measures 4" with a 1" platform.

 Shoedazzle Sparkle

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Yves Saint Laurent YSL 'Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils' Longwear Cream Eyeliner in Deep Black!

YSL 'Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils' Longwear Cream Eyeliner

The Eyeliner Effect Faux Cils Cream Liner is one of Yves Saint Laurent's newer additions, along with their latest Shocking Mascara and Shocking Eyeliner Pen.

What's peaked my interest about this cream eyeliner, is it's said to be waterproof, smudgeproof and (24 hour) long lasting. What product labeled "lasts for 24 hours" isn't tempting, anyway?

"creates a spectacularly intense line without creasing or flaking. Its soft, silky formula formulated with quick-drying oils creates a lightweight base for smooth application without skipping. Beautiful and mess-proof, it stays put for smudge-proof, all-day wear."

YSL Eyeliner Effect Faux Cils is available in 6 shades: #1 Deep Black, #2 Ashy Black, #3 Bronze Black, #4 Sea Black, #5 Cherry Black and #6 Jade Black. Depending on where you're ordering from, you can become easily confused with the names. For instance, on the Nordstrom website, #2 Ashy Black is called #2 Black Grey or #5 Cherry Black is called #5 Black Burgundy. The numbers always stay the same, though.

#1 Deep Black is an intense black for those who prefer their blacks to be very dark.

READ MORE FOR SWATCHES!