Yay or Nay? – Celeb Perfums
The thought of most celeb perfumes makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little. I mean, let’s get real. If my net worth was a jillion dollars I wouldn’t be buying a $14.00 fragrance with my name on it if was kept in a locked glass cabinet at Walgreens.
Plus, I think it’s a touch presumptuous to think that the masses would want to go around smelling like you. If we really got a true whiff of Britney, chances are she wouldn’t emit the scent of “Loquat Fruit and Tonka Crystals.”
So when I got this wee bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Covet” I was more than prepared to haterade all over it, but a mix of curiosity and masochism drove me to place a few drops on my wrist. I waited and waited and waited for the eau de self-centered celebrity to kick in … but then was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked how it smelled. In fact, it actually smells pretty good — like lemons, your boyfriend’s sweater and baby powder brewed together in a cauldron for a really long time.
I am happy to declare that I don’t hate this! What’s your take on celeb perfumes? Got any guilty pleasures?
Product Review – Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water
I’ve been on a makeup remover kick lately. I’m looking to feed my inner beast of laziness, so my mission is to find a product that that:
– removes long-wearing eye makeup easily
– doesn’t require an extra rinse of water
– smells good
– doesn’t dry out my skin
When I found Darphin, a French skin care line, I thought that I found pay dirt with their makeup remover for sensitive skin. Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water is a no-rinse formula that I apply with a soft cotton ball or pad, and it removes almost all of my makeup and doesn’t require an extra rinse of water. It doesn’t leave my face feeling taught or dry, and has a wonderful light, floral smell that is divine.
The downside? It’s pricey – $50.00 for a 6.7 fl oz bottle (I know, I know!) Also, while this removes most makeup it won’t remove long-wear products, like MAC Liquidlast liner.
It’s a wonderful, luxurious splurge though. Christmas is around the corner, so it might be a nice stocking stuffer for the makeup junkie in your life who has everything.
Face of the Day – A Light Purple Eye with the Nixie Eye Palette
A few weeks ago I posted pics of a beautiful shadow palette from Nix’ie Cosmetics. Here’s a FOTD I did with two of the shadows from that palette:
On the eyes I used these two colors from the palette.
And for the rest —
Makeup Forever Lift Concealer as shadow primer on lids
MAC Concrete and 266 brush for brows
MAC Plush Lash Mascara in Plushblack
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer
Cheeks —
MAC Mocha Blush
MAC Emote Blush
Lips —
MAC Pink Treat Cremestick Liner
MAC Brew Lipstick
MAC Style It Up Lipglass
Face —
Laura Mercier Oil-free foundation
MAC Invisible Set Powder
This colors in this palette have varying levels of color payoff. It was especially evident when I tried it with different shadow bases. I tried MAC Paint, MAC Paint pot and liquid concealer. The concealer grabbed the shadows best and gave the most color payoff and ease of blendability.
I like the colors in this palette for either a sheer wash of color or as a pop of color to line the upper and lower lash line. I’ve been reaching for it often, especially on my 10-minute makeup days.
How was your weekend? I barely spent time inside the house because it was so beautiful outside. It pains me to know that rainy and gloomy weather is right around the corner.
El hub and I went into the city on Saturday night for the opening night of Litquake, a yearly literary festival held in San Francisco. The evening was a tribute to San Francisco author Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City and The Night Listener. Several of his closest friends, including actress Laura Linney and Judd and Pam (ha!) from the Real World San Francisco, were there to read from his works and tell stories about him.
Anyway, enjoy your Monday! Another week – and another chance to make a new start, right?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I haven’t smelled SJP’s new scent, but Lovely (her first) is one of my staple scents. It’s a really light and fresh gardenia based perfume. I highly recommend it.
Also, found your blog a few weeks ago and it’s great! I’m a Laura Mercier girl myself 😉
Hi Evil Charity,
Thanks for your complements, girl! Nice to meet another LM fanatic. Have you tried any of LM’s perfumes – Eau de Lune and L’heure Magic? They are both very pretty and some of my favorite perfumes in my collection.
I remember trying Lovely a long time ago, but can’t recall what it smells like. I’m now on a mission to be open-minded to celeb perfumes. On my list of things to smell: Gwen Stefani’s new scent, M by Mariah Carey (!) and Sean Comb’s Unforgiveable woman (although I can’t get over what a lame title that is for a perfume). Anyway, when I go I’ll be sure to sniff SJP’s Lovely too!
Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you back soon. 🙂
PS/ Love your handle!
^ You’ll have to let me know how Sean John’s Unforgivable is like. I just love Sean John stuff.
Don’t you hate when you have to go in search of various bases before you find one that works? I like a shadow that is no fuss and adheres to any base!
Love the lips – how are you liking your new cremestick liners?
gorgeous! i love your hair~
Thanks Miss Kia! How was your weekend? Anything exciting happen?
Oh, for sure. If I get a sample I’ll be sure to save it for ya (unless I fall in love with it – HA!)
OH! Pink Treat!!! Your fave is now my fave. I’ve been wearing it for the past few days with “Soft & Slow” l/g. LOVE IT! Plus, it doesn’t dry my lips out, which was my big issue with the other MAC lipliners.
Hi, just found your blog last week & I love it!
As for celeb perfumes, I don’t get them. Like you said, it seems presumptuous to imagine anyone would want to smell like some sort of “essence-of-my-public-image.” Besides, whenever these stars are asked about how involved they were in formulating “their” scents, it turns out they just give the maker some vague adjectives about how they want to smell, then pick one out of the five or six formulated.
Still, I was surprised to find that Hilary Duff’s scent wasn’t bad at all!
Ha!
Woo! I told you it was perfect!! I feel like it goes with so many lipsticks.
I think I will get that gold colored one next…I have no idea what to wear it with but hey, you never know. I really should be saving $ for MAC holiday though. I swear, those cute purses always get me in the end.
Hi Selkie,
Nice to “meet” you! You know, I really hate the idea of celeb perfumes but now I’m trying to keep an open mind. You just never know, right? I haven’t smelled the Hillary Duff one yet, although I have to admit that the bottle is *really* pretty. I will add that on my list of things to smell! 🙂
The gold one is so pretty, sigh. I’m so anxious for some Antiquitease info, damn it!
Hi,
Could you give me the names of the Nixie shadows in your palette –
Thank you.
Hi Leigh!
Oh, shoot! I’m sorry, I don’t remember which specific colors they are. 🙁 Are you a Nixie fan? Aren’t the shadows great for the price?
Yes, I love the shadows – but sometimes the screen does not show the colors as they are in “real life”. I really liked your palette – I will try to figure the colors out.
Thanks,
Leigh