Burberry Natural Spray Vaporisateaur Eau De Parfum Review

This is a perfume that I recently discovered at Nordstrom Rack. I'm not sure if this particular perfume is discontinued or not, but it is not sold at Sephora or on the Burberry website. 

The notes of the perfume are peach, apricot, sandalwood, cedar, amber, and musk. It is definitely more of a night time perfume, as it is very strong. I find a little of it goes a long way. Of the notes, the peach, amber, cedar, and musk stand out the most to me. It is not a fruity perfume by any means, but the fruits add a sweetness to it. 

This Fragrance retails for $40 for the 30 mL and $78 for the 100 mL. At Nordstrom Rack the bottles were $25 and $50, respectively.  

I've also asked a few guys and girls how they liked it. The guys said it was really enjoyable and one of the best fragrances they've smelled before. The girls thought it was really nice as well. 

This is in my top two perfumes, personally. I love Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue for the day and this Burberry Natural Spray for the night. 

What's you're favorite perfume?

xx, Courtney

Collective Beauty Haul & Review

I've gone a bit overboard with my shopping lately and I've bought a bunch of makeup... so I thought I'd do a haul! 

Left Picture(Top Left to Bottom): Maybelline Color Whipsers in Cherry on Top & Pink Possibilities, Covergirl Clump Crusher, Maybelline The Rocket, Maybelline Metal Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink, Rimmel Scandal Eyes in Nude. 

Right Picture(L to R): Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked In Pink, Rimmel Scandal Eyes in Nude, Maybelline Color Whisper in Pink Possibilities and Cherry on Top. 

• Maybelline Color Whisper in 50 Cherry On Top & 65 Pink Possibilities: I really like these they are balmy and sheer but they can be built up and give a "popsicle" lip effect.
• Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara & Maybelline The Rocket Mascara:  I enjoy both of these, they both built good volume and length for me, I do prefer Clump Crusher over the Rocket.
• Maybelline Color Tatto in Inked In Pink: This is my perfect cream eyeshadow, it's a pinky champagne mauve with reflective qualities, I find it looks best alone or with non-pink based eyeshadows.
• Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeliner in 005 Nude: The quality is amazing, I use this on my lower waterline to brighten up my eyes and it stays there all day!

Left Picture(t to b): Urban Decay De Slick, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Urban Decay Naked Palette.

Right Picture(l to r): Mac All That Glitters, Mac Costa Chic, Mac Soft Ochre, Mac Coral Bliss, Mac Jete.

• Urban Decay De Slick Setting Spray XL: Good for setting makeup and I like to use it as a mixing medium.
• Urban Decay Naked Palette: Since I was so disappointed with the whole Naked 2 Palette issue, I bought the original one from Sephora. I love this palette, pretty much everyone has it and loves it and I am no exception. 
• Mac All That Glitters Eyeshadow: This is a gorgeous peachy beige with gold. It makes blue eyes stand out and has a very nice texture(veluxe pearl).
• Mac Costa Chic Lipstick: A frosty light coral, this lipstick is very bright and opaque on my lips. It has a frost finish.
• Mac Soft Ochre Paint Pot: A yellow beige cream shadow. I use this everyday as a base to make my eyeshadows stick and appear more vibrant. I chose it over Painterly for it's brightening color, Painterly pulled more purple on me. 
• Mac Coral Bliss Lipstick: A frosted light coral, Coral Bliss is similar to Costa Chic but it's more sheer because of the Creemsheen finish and more natural. 
• Mac Jete Eyeshadow: A sandy coral with a frost to it, I just got this the other day, it's limited edition from the Mac By Request Collection in August but I found it on the website in March. I've wanted it since August and I'm so glad I finally got it.

Mac Eyeshadows!

Hey! Today I am doing a "review" of my Mac eyeshadows and what I like and dislike.

Mac eyeshadows retail for $12 in the pan, $15 in the pot, and $21 for Mineralized eyeshadows. 

 

Above are the packaging of my eyeshadows, from the top left down; Gleam(Lustre), Jest(Frost), Expensive Pink(Veluxe Pearl), This and That(Mineralize, Limited Edition), Grain(Satin), and Sable(Frost).

Artificial Light: This and That, This and That, Gleam, Jest, Grain, Expensive Pink, Sable

Out of all of my Mac shadows, Sable is for sure my favorite and I haven't had it for long at all, but the color and pigmentation are amazing for a neutral crease color. The first one I ever bought was Expensive Pink, and now I hardly ever use that color because I am way too pale for it in the winter. Grain is a gorgeous natural lid color that brightens and looks like your actual eyelid. Jest is a bit hard to build up but once it is it's very pretty. The Mineralize duo has a nice shimmery lid color that is a champagne-golden color and a highlight that is a slightly yellow toned satin white color. And Gleam is a nice color, but again it's hard to build up and it has chunky glitter(I would recommend X by Urban Decay as an alternative)

Overall I think certain Mac shadows are pretty good quality, but there are some duds in the mix just like every brand. However Mac's selection of eyeshadows is outstanding, I would suggest checking them out. 

                            Natural Light: This and That, This and That, Gleam, Jest, Grain, Expensive Pink, Sable

Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara

Today I realized I was almost out of my Benefit's They're Real mascara, and that I should pick up a new tube. I did not particularly want to dish out $23 on it though. I believe that drugstore mascaras(if you get a good one) can be just as good as the high-end makeup brands. I had heard really good things from other blogs about the Illegal Length mascara from Maybelline. My eyelashes are not as long as I wish they were, and I thought that this mascara would be the one for me.

With the first coat I could tell I really liked the effect it gave my eyelashes. It did not clump and my eyelashes were already at a good length while being defined and separated  The second coat was even more dramatic it gave some more volume and length with no clumping. The pictures down below are before and after pictures, but the after one is with 2 coats.(I did not take a picture with one coat)

If you are looking for a mascara with amazing lengthing properties then you should head out to the drugstore and pick this one out.

Price: $6.94 at Target or Walmart

$8.99 at Walgreens

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag?

So I'm going traveling for Christmas break and I thought I would share what is in my travel makeup bag. I'm terrible at packing lightly but I limited myself by only allowing what fit in my bag(except the palette). My makeup bag is from Sephora and its probable a bit bigger than one's hand, but it does hold quite a bit, I got it with a purchase for free(it was one of the itkits 2012).

Below are the face products I'm bringing. In the small black container(top left) is a facial scrub, sorry I'm not sure which brand, next is my BareMinerals Matte powder foundation in Fairly Light N10.  Then the Garnier  Anti-Dark Circle Roller in Light-Medium. My Sonia Kashuk concealer quad in Hidden Agenda. Then is Benefit Erase Paste in Medium. Next is my Mac Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Medium. In the shiny circular black container is my Benefit Boi-ing #2 and Lemon Aide Duo. Then are my two Tarte primers the purple is Pore Perfecting and the brown is Brightening.

Then onto eyes. From the top left is the Covergirl single eyeshadow in Mink, NARS Alhambra eyeshadow duo(Paige gave me this for Christmas :), Mac Mineralized eyeshadow duo in This & That(this was Limited Edition). Starting on the right is the Urban Decay Vintage Big Fatty Mascara, depotted Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Zero, Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Liner in Perversion, Too Faced Starry Eyed Glitter Liner in Stalkerazzi, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Nyx Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese, TheBalm Nude 'Tude Palette, and the Lancôme Hypnose Star mascara.

And finally the lip products. From the left, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in the clear and rose versions, Maybelline Baby Lips in Coral Crush, NARS Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover, and the EOS Lip Balm in Summer Fruit.

Naked 2 Fake Flops

So a couple of months ago I purchased a Naked 2 palette for a ridiculously low price from ebay. It was too good to be true. As seem below compared to a Naked 2 palette purchased at Sephora. Some of the colors are pretty close, I would go as far as calling them dupes for each other, but some are extremely different. However, the palette itself isn't actually that bad on pigmentation and I think it's pretty good, but it definitely is not the Naked 2 palette which is very disappointing.

The photo above is all of the "same" shades swatched next to each other. On the left from the top is Blackout, "Blackout"(the pigmentless black...), Busted, "Busted"(which is way more purple toned), YDK, "YDK"(pretty similar but the real one has more bronze), Verve, "Verve"(I'd say these two are dupes, if not the real one has more yellow undertones), Pistol, "Pistol"(Less pigmented), Suspect, "Suspect"(these two look exactly the same).

The right arm from the top: Snakebite, "Snakebite"(Fake one has more bronze undertone and it's lighter), Tease, "Tease"(The fake one is SO purple.), Chopper, "Chopper"(The real one has more orange undertones whereas the fake has more pinky undertones and it's cooler), Bootycall, "Bootycall"(The real one has more yellow undertones and the fake looks a bit white), Half Baked, "Half Baked"(I can't even, not in the same ballpark at all, the fake has such more rosegold undertoned color and half backed is usually a true gold), Foxy, "Foxy"(Pretty hard to see either way but the real one is a bit more pigmented but they'll give the same effect).

Here are the two palettes next to each other. Fake on the left, real on the right. I have to say when photographed they look exactly the same in the pans except Half Baked(second from top) and Busted(second from bottom) and that is probably what make me fall for it. Additionally when the palettes are closed they say Urban Decay on the spine and the fake one is the opposite direction as the real one. Also the real palette is significantly heavier than the fake one. 

Lesson learned: don't ever buy makeup off ebay. Hash out all the money or nothing, it's worth it. And yeah it's disappointing but it's not like this palette is terrible I still like it I'm just upset that is obviously isn't real. However I would definitely go out and buy the original Naked in a bit, I've had my eye on that for a while :)

40 Question Makeup Tag Thing

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?

I can't say that I do, but I think it was was probably an Estee Lauder powder that my mom would get as a gift with purchase.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

I need a good volumizing mascara that doesn't give much length, my eyelashes are already very long. As far as waterproof goes I usually use my Covergirl Last Blast Volume on a very regular basis. As for non-waterproof I have a lot of them such as Urban Decay's Big Fatty and Super Curl, Estee Lauder Projectionist, and Benefit Bad Gal.

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation? Sheer, Light, Medium, or Full

I don't need very much coverage, but I like to have to option of full, and for that I use the Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation. And if I don't feel like using that, I'll go for a lighter coverage tinted moisturizer and I use the Laura Mercier one.

4. What foreign cosmetic brand have you always wanted to try?

MUA and Sleek!

5. Favorite high end brand?

Urban Decay without a doubt.

6. Favorite Drugstore brand?

I'm not really sure, I like a couple different things from each brand but I really enjoy WetnWild.

7. Favorite indie brand?

I am not really familiar with any indie products.

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?

No, I can go out with no makeup and be fine, but the two basics I would like are mascara and concealer.

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?

Probably my palettes.

10. Do you have separate day and night skincare routines?

I don't really do anything to my face at night besides moisturizing

11. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here or there or get lots of goodies at once?

I don't usually go out of my way to get a certain makeup item, but I'll order stuff online or when I need something from the grocery store I'll swing by the makeup. I love getting lots of things but I'll appreciate just one at a time more.

12. Do you have a “beauty budget” or do you spend freely?

I was spending freely but now I'm doing a 10+ week thing where I'm not buying any for myself.

13. Do you utilize coupons, rewards cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics?

I definitely utilize sales and rewards when I'm shopping, I rarely spend full price on anything.

14. What type of product do you buy the most of?

Eyeshadow for sure. I love making different looks, it's just my favorite all around product.

15. Is there a brand that you absolutely can’t stand?

I can't say that there is one in particular, but I think some brands are falsely hyped up.

16. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates?

Most things I buy, I believe they don't have any harmful ingredients, but I don't go out of my way to avoid them.

17. Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup? Why is it your favorite?

I would probably say Nordstrom Rack or Sephora. Nordstrom Rack seriously has the best sales on high end brands that the companies don't even have! And Sephora has a great variety in their products and I love all the rewards and free samples that you get.

18. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?

I try not to mess with my skin too much, but if i find something is definitely not working it will be changed out of my routine.

19. Favorite bath and body brand?

I really like Bath and Body Works, except their shower gels, which I believe are breaking me out.

20. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?

Probably Urban Decay, I love their eyeshadow, eye primer, face primer, foundation, setting sprays, etc.

21. What brand do you think has the best packaging?

I think Nars has really nice packaging and it isn't too bulky like most brands.

22. What brand do you think has the worst packaging?

I can say that I'm not that fond of Hard Candy's packaging, it seems large, it isn't my style, and it feels like it will break quickly.

23. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

Nope!

24. 5 Favorite Bloggers and Beauty Gurus

Miss Glamorazzi, she's so funny and relatable. Fluer De Force, she gives really honest reviews and seems genuine. Icallitambrosa, funniest person on YouTube. Amarixe, I love her tutorials. Temptalia, great reviews and swatches.

25. Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?

I find that I cannot usually get them to work for both purposes.

26. Most innovative beauty product you’ve ever used?

I can't say I have one.

27.  What kind of scents do you like? Fruity, Floral, Spicy, Gourmand?

I like fruity and floral scents.

28. Acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover?

Whatever gets the nail polish off.

29. Favorite nail polish finish?

Foil Nail polish!!

30. Most repurchased product?

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub for skin care. And probably concealer for makeup.

31. Any products you’ve been meaning to toss out?

No, not really.

32. How many eye primers do you use/have owned. Rank them by effectiveness.

Urban Decay Primer Potion Original, probably my favorite, it works so well and keeps colors vibrant and lasting. Sin works great for champagne colors, Greed works well for gold colors. Benefit Stay Don't Stray, works amazing with sheerer colors because it has a brightening flesh toned color that is very apparent. Tarte Clean Slate 360 Creaseless Eye Primer, does it's job, no creasing, colors stay vibrant. Too Faced Shadow Insurance, I feel like this one fades and does not work as well as the rest. 

33. How many hair products do you use in a typical day?

Usually just shampoo, conditioner, and oil.

34. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

Foundation, the concealer just moves all around if put on first.

35. Most expensive product you’ve ever purchased? Was it worth it?

Urban Decay Book od Shadows IV, yes I absolutely love it.

36. Do you prefer highlighting or contouring?

Highlighting

37. Do you keep a beauty wishlist or buy what catches your eye?

I keep a long term wishlist, but sometimes I'll just get things that catch my eye.

38. How many brushes do you own?

Probably about 20 ish.

39. How often do you wash your brushes?

About every 3 uses.

40. Favorite type of brush?

Real Techniques expert face brush or my Japanesque huge powder brush