OFRA 3D Loose Shadow in Diamond Glitz + My December 2012 BB5 Box

January 8, 2013 By StephanieLouise 575Leave a Comment2013-01-08+00%3A04%3A00StephanieLouise

So for some reason I got my Beauty Box 5 Box really late this month & because it is decently into January I decided to combine it with an eyeshadow look in case you have seen lots of these. Trying to keep things entertaining! This box was ah-ma-zing & absolutely worth the wait!

What I got in my December 2012 Beauty Box 5 Box:

Jean Pierre Cosmetics Exfoliating Facial Cleansing Pads (Full Size): These are $1.99 for 16 pads which is a great deal. I haven’t used these yet but they look like they will be great for travel!

Everyday Minerals Flat Top Kabuki Brush (Full Size): Absolutely amazing. I love Everyday Minerals & I never get tired of them popping up in my BB5 boxes. This brush retails for $12.99 & is worth every penny! I used it to apply my Maybelline Dream Lumi Foundation here & amazing coverage! It isn’t too dense or too much like a stippling brush…this is the perfect in between!

MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask (Full Size): At $4.99 this is a reasonably priced one-time mask & has about the cutest packaging ever. With the beer can curls (yes!) to the pink boa…this image is full of awesome! I like that this is called “Party Prep” which can be used before going out. I haven’t seen anything like that specifically!

OFRA Cosmetics 3D Eyeshadow in Diamond Glitz (Full Size): Whaaat! Hello gorgeous! First of all, 4 grams of products…that’s a lot! For $19.90 I’m willing to dish out the cash. For reference, Bare Minerals loose shadows contain .57 grams of product. Now this color is absolutely gorgeous & is a brown/green duochrome. Love. This is one of my favorite combos ever & pictures really can’t do it justice. Perfection.

Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil in Cherry Blossom (Full Size): Let me just say I would have never ever even picked this shade up. I very rarely go for Asian scents they just don’t appeal to me. I would have been missing out! This has the cleanest, juciest scent & although it is definitely a delicate floral the fruit shines through on my body chemistry & smells amazing! Um, I now need a full size.This rollerball is only $10.00 & I can see it lasting a very long time!

So for this eyeshadow look I used Too Faced Show Insurance, Covergirl Lashblast 24 Hour in Black, Jordana FabuLiner in Black, Milani Liquid Eye Pencil in Black, & of course OFRA Cosmetics 3D Eyeshadow in Diamond Glitz.Swoon swoon swoon!

Beauty Box 5 is a monthly beauty subscription service & man did it impress me! Check it out & snag your own! I can’t get over this eyeshadow, seriously, swoon.

**BB5 sends me their subscription monthly in hope of review. This in no way guarantees a review or a positive opinion. Affiliate links have been used.

Forever Red Exclusively at Bath & Body Works Mini Review

January 3, 2013 By StephanieLouise 583Leave a Comment2013-01-03+16%3A20%3A00StephanieLouise

So before the season is over, I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the Forever Red fragrance from Bath & Body Works. I feel like this is a great fall/winter scent so I wanted to give it a shout out! I got this in my Cosmo Voxbox from Influenster & was pleasantly surprised.

Photo from my Instagram! Follow me StephanieLouiseATB
From Bath & Body Works: Bath & Body Works’ most luxurious longest lasting fragrance blends opulent notes of fiery red pomegranate and delicate peche de vigne, a rare and fleeting French peach. Soft petals of red osmanthus give way to notes of addictive velvety marshmallow and a surprising finale of rich vanilla rum that leaves an unforgettable impression.

I had actually passed this up in the store. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by scents in there & I don’t always get to smell everything. Forever Red has notes I love but it isn’t overwhelming at all. I absolutely love Twilight Woods BBW body mist & also the Midnight Pomegranate body mist. For fall & winter, I am totally obsessed with both of those. The notes in this almost combine those two & the blend is absolutely fabulous. I don’t think I’ve ever had a fragrance containing notes of marshmallow so it is definitely unique!

I think I need a full size! You can find this fragrance in Bath & Body Works stores & also on http://www.bathandbodyworks.com

**I received this item in hopes of review. I NEVER review items from Influenster that I don’t think you guys will like.

Sephora 20% Haulage 2012 + Why You Might Want What I Got!

November 25, 2012 By StephanieLouise 644Leave a Comment2012-11-25+14%3A33%3A00StephanieLouise

So after getting to play with these items a bit I finally can give you some mini reviews! With my 20% off I went a bit crazy but I can honestly say I like everything I got! Check out the mini reviews + what each kit contains!

Sephora Favorites In The Glow Set
Why You’ll Love it: If you love blush/bronzers & are looking to try more then this set is definitely for you. I so rarely hit pan due to my vast hoarding abilities so having minis of some I’d love to own is awesome. I’m fair so I didn’t know how much I would use Laguna Beach from NARS so this mini will let me know! I also haven’t been able to pull the trigger on the TARTE Stain so this is perfect. For the items I DO have in a full size, these are the PERFECT size to travel with!
This set contains:
– 0.13 oz Benefit High Beam
– 0.08 oz Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder
– 0.17 oz Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Flush
– 0.07 oz Stila Convertible Color in Peony
– 0.11 oz Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Splendor
– 0.106 oz Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight
– 0.02 oz bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Pure Radiance
– 0.14 oz Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic
– 0.08 oz Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna

Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip
Why You’ll Love it: If you love lip products, this is a great little set. I personally wanted the TARTE lip tint in Hope anyway so this was a steal for me! The only issue I have with this set? It is definitely geared to lighter skin tones. I made sure & checked the comments on Sephora & they agreed! These are perfect shades for me although they are all kind of in the same color family or somewhat sheer.
This set contains:
– 0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Rosé’ Tinted Lip Treatment (sheer berry rose)
– 0.12 oz Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Child (sheer nude)
– 0.1 oz Bite Beauty Lip Shine in Vintage (sheer mauve)
– 0.1 oz Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Baby Doll (soft pink shimmer)
– 0.1 oz Tarte LipSurgence™ Natural Matte Lip Tint in Hope (warm rose)
– 0.5 oz Sephora Collection Glossy Gloss in Precious Pink (very sheer pink with iridescent shimmer)

Sephora Favorites Glitz And Glam Party Sampler
Why You’ll Love it: Besides the NARS Body Glow being super weird (& Sephora wouldn’t replace it unless I sent everything back….) this set is fantastic. I love the Stila eyeliners & Starfish is great. The bag is a nice side & not glittery so it won’t shed everywhere. I love the Laura Mercier Baked Eyeshadow…it is tiny but beautiful foiled especially. The only I haven’t tried is the mascara yet but everything else is fab!

This set contains:
– 0.09 oz Stila Duo Shimmer Powder in Kitten
– 0.018 oz Laura Mercier Baked Eye Color – Wet/Dry in Black Karat
– 0.02 oz bareMinerals Eyecolor in Good Fortune
– 0.125 oz SEPHORA by OPI Nail Colour in Looks Like Rain Dear
– 0.11 oz Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara in Black
– 1 oz Nars Body Glow
– 0.17 oz Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre Gold
– 0.15 oz Bare Escentuals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Trail Blazer
– 0.01 oz Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Starfish

Sephora Favorites Collector’s Edition Fragrance Sampler For Her
Why You’ll Love it: I think a lot of people have bypassed this one. MISTAKE. If you don’t look at any other sets…LOOK AT THIS ONE! For $75 you get all of these super deluxe samples & onf of the fragrances in a full size! FOR FREE! You get a little pamphlet that takes about each fragrance & a card where you check off which one you want. The variety is awesome & perfect for someone who likes to hoard fragrances….like me.
This set contains:
– 0.05 oz Calvin Klein euphoria Eau de Parfum
– 0.21 oz CLEAN Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum
– 0.17 oz Dior Addict to Life Eau de Toilette
– 0.24 oz DKNY Golden Delicious Eau de Parfum
– 0.13 oz Givenchy Ange Ou Demon Le Secret Eau de Parfum
– 0.25 oz Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum
– 0.17 oz Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum
– 0.17 oz Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau de Parfum
– 0.33 oz Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette
– 0.17 oz Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pro’s Picks Lip Tar Set
Why You’ll Love it: This was an AMAZING deal. Even without the 20% off, you pay only $49 for 5 lip tars plus a lip brush, normally a $98 value. You get a decent variety while still getting some fun shades. Believe it or not…these are my FIRST lip tars….right? How crazy am I? I am super impressed & plan to review each shade for you guys.
This set contains:
– 5 x 0.33 oz Lip Tar in Pretty Boy (super-rich fuchsia), Melange (terracotta neutral), Vintage (deep burgundy), Stalker (true blue based red), Grandma (classic coral) + a Lip brush

I picked 3 fragrance samples I had actually smelled before. The only one I’m not lusting after is the Justin Bieber but it honestly isn’t bad. If you have seen the packaging on the bottle though…it is ridiculous. Zero interest in that. I LOVE the DKNY Be Delicious fragrance & already own it. Perfect for my purse. I actually prefer the new, red bottle fragrance from Taylor Swift but this one is nice as well. I’m still contemplating pulling the trigger on the red bottle though.

There we go! I love everything I got & am picking up my full size fragrance tomorrow. I am totally in love with the lip tars now. I’m prepared to be broke. Did you get anything at the Sephora Friends & Family Sale? Anything you’ve been checking into for the holidays?

I Won A Sweet Coterie Prize Package + Mini Reviews!

November 20, 2012 By StephanieLouise 649Leave a Comment2012-11-20+15%3A00%3A00StephanieLouise

So if you think back to when I first introduced Coterie to you, then you know I wanted to learn some more information. I am a member of IFABBO & was lucky enough to be able to participate in an online chat with one of the creators along with other beauty gals. Catherine Magee was so much fun to learn about, from her background in beauty (much like the other staff!) to their plans for the future. This is definitely a group of people who know their stuff!

I was randomly selected as the winner of a Coterie gift basket! Man was a I suprised & excited! They have featured some of my favorite brands such as butterLONDON & Peter Thomas Roth. So I awaited my gift to share with you guys!

There were some shipping issues (all the postal service, not on Coterie’s end) but it finally arrived! I went ahead & used each product so I could provide a little bit of a review for each. I plan to review each full so make sure & let me know what you want to see first!

Coterie is an exclusive, members-only site featuring an ultra-selective collection of the newest and most sought-after beauty products. In collaboration with top makeup artists, stylists and industry trendsetters, Coterie provides the woman on-the-go access to everything she needs to know, all in one place.

Pink Sugar Hair Perfume by Aquolina: I have the perfume version of this scent so I was thrilled to receive the hair perfume! This scent is just so yummy & is often viewed as quite sexy. I’m pretty sure it is because it smells like warm sugar…& guys seem to love that as well! This scented my hair without leaving any residue. Smells great & was a great addition to the perfume!

EVOLVh UltraShine Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner: This duo arrived just in time! My hair is drastically turning toward to the dry side. Stupid winter. I read up on these & they are supposed to be some of the most hydrating hair products in the world. With lots of moisture & fatty acids, this left my hair nicely hydrated! My hair was left shiny & frizz free, loving it!

Chella Mattifying Hydrator SPF 25 Day Cream: If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, then you know I’m an SPF freak. With freckles like mine & a history of cancer, I’m pretty much a freak about it. I love that this is both mattifying AND has SPF. This goes on smooth & isn’t too thick to put makeup over. This also smells nice & fresh!

HighTech Cosmetics Instant Lifting: This was definitly the most intimidating of the bunch! Why? This claims to give me results in only 15 minutes! My skin has kind of been freaking out lately (I had a horrible allergic reaction to a Clinique product boo) so I haven’t given this one a fair shot…yet!

Susan Posnick ColorEye Define in Sapphire Liner & Ametrine Shadow: I’ve never tried anything from Susan Posnick so yay for trying a new brand! The liner side isn’t a super rich color. It is pretty waxy which makes it great for the waterline. Applying it to my skin itself was a little bit tougher. I absolutely love the eyeshadow side, the color is gorgeous! This also looks great patted atop a liner for a lot more pop.

Peter Thomas Roth Clini-Matte All Day Oil Control SPF 20: I’m in love. This is amazing. Not only does it have SPF & mattifies…but it has a pump which I love too. After application, it almost looks like I’ve applied a primer, my skin looks & feels fab. I am so crazy impressed!

Colbert MD Heal & Soothe Night Cream: This comes in chic silver reflective packaging & has such an organic scent, not chemical-like at all. This was nicely moisturizing & not greasy. It was comfortable for nightly wear!

I think this is a great way of showing you brands that have been/will be featured on Coterie! I suggest signing up for their newsletter to stay updated, that is the key to sites like this. Sites that offer discounts or specialty items have to be watched or else you’ll miss what you’re looking for!

** This prize was provided free of charge. I was not asked to write about any of these products, I chose to. Referral links have been used.

July 2012 Glossybox USA: I HAVE THEM BOTH!

August 23, 2012 By StephanieLouise 739Leave a Comment2012-08-23+17%3A08%3A00StephanieLouise

Yes. This is very VERY late. Why? Because I have 2 Glossyboxes & before I showed them to you guys, I wanted to know why? Turns out I bought one (which is the given answer since I have been for awhile) & was sent one. I didn’t know I was getting it clearly. The cool thing? I got one of EACH of the varieties instead of 2 of the same one. Full of win about that, seriously. I think this is like my 3rd month of GLOSSYBOX? Maybe? Either way I’ve been happy with it & their customer service has been fab. Shelling out $21 hasn’t been easy though, I must admit, especially when Birchbox & MyGlam have both stepped up their games. This month, both boxes were pretty great though, read on to find out why!

Here is the front card which is the same for each box, only the contents were different:

Don’t forget to subscribe to my youtube channel on the right! Lots of stuff coming up!GLOSSYBOX #1 THOUGHTS:

The Sebastian Color Ignite Multi Tone shampoo & conditioner are both packaged really nicely, perfect for travel. They both also smell great, that clean scent some hair products have. Haven’t tried them yet! The Alessandro International Pedix Heel Rescue Balm is a freaking delight. I seriously love it. SO minty & energizing smelling & works great on my constantly-sandaled feet.

The Figs & Rouge Lip, Face, & Body Balm has a sweet geranium scent that doesn’t seem strong but honestly lasted hours. I haven’t used it on my lips, but works great on my cuticles/elbows/hands. I haven’t opened the Blushed fragrance towelette from Ruddy Water yet because honestly, you guys have me scared too. I really haven’t heard many good things about it & my office is an enclosed space so…

The Senna Cosemtics Mineral Eyes Shadow (yes read the card, its written like that) Trio I got is in Satin Doll. Unfortunately, these are just not my colors but I saw some that others got that would have interested me. These are all mauve/raisin toned. Meh. They feel nice though, not chalky but almost too soft.

GLOSSYBOX #2 THOUGHTS:

I’m not going to repeat my opinions so let’s look at the 3 products I got in this box & not in the Glossybox #1. The Caswell-Massy Hans & Body Emulsion in Almond & Aloe is amazing, I really love it. These two packets were extras but I’m totally hoping they have deluxe samples from them in the future. I’m kind of an almond lover though, so perhaps I’m a bit bias. The OFRA Eyebrow Pencil in Universal is a nice pencil. I actually like the waxy base but if my brows were darker, I worry it wouldn’t be so universal on me. This is a tad dark so I use a light hand then brush it through well. The Senna Cosmetics Double Dose Lip Lacquer in Dreamglow isn’t something I would have ever picked out for myself, but its nice. The mauvey side is packed with silvery shimmers. The very golden pink side almost looks coral on because of those two shades. Both are pretty sheer & not long lasting. I prefer a more opaque gloss or a more sheer gloss whereas this hits somewhere in-between. Its noted to be moisturizing & conditioning but I don’t feel it doing anything special.

Overall, I would have been happy with either box. I haven’t tried the shampoo/conditioner yet but the packaging is nice. I’ve had a few people tell me the textures are weird but I say bring it on. I’ve tried some wacky hair products in the past that have done freaking wonders so I’m up for it. The Senna products were both pretty, but maybe the colors just weren’t for me. I see them as being wearable across the board though! Everything else I like so far, especially the cuticle balm. Oh, its a lip, face, & body balm? Right, well now its a cuticle balm. You’re not the boss of me.

The UK boxes this month had products from all over the world, kind of like the press box I received in the beginning so I’m really hoping our next GLOSSYBOX is fabulous. I also have a $10 off coupon on the lower right of my blog if you’re interested in signing up! Its pricey but if you like what you see, totally worth it!

So, sidenote…I love the Glossyboxes themselves. In fact, I’ve been saving them all because I just know I will use them for something wonderful. They are sturdy, classy looking, & nice quality. What would YOU use them for?

GLOSSYBOX This post contains affiliate links. By using them, you help to keep this blogger up & running! Like I said, I bought one box & one was provided.

JUNE 2012 Birchbox: Jet Set Box –featuring Stila & theBalm!

July 3, 2012 By StephanieLouise 777Leave a Comment2012-07-03+15%3A05%3A00StephanieLouise

Because I was traveling, I totally missed the box perfect for…well…traveling! Way to time it right? But seriously, this is a fab Birchbox that really fits the theme. In fact, I enjoyed this one so much I hope they do another one soon!

The perfume sample is normally something I completely gloss over in these boxes usually. Normally they are freebie type items in my mind & although I use them, I also find myself hoarding them UNTIL use which isn’t the best use of one of my samples in a box. This sample, however, is fabulous. For one, its a bit bigger & didn’t leak all over everything in my box (Glossybox drama, but I shall save that for another post!) & has the perfume name on the outside. I HATE when they don’t include any info on the outside…like I’m supposed to know what every tiny vial contains from memory? ANYWAY so this is “Not a Perfume” from Juliette Has a Gun & its brilliant. Read more about it in the photo below.

As for everything else…I’m hoping the video pretty much covered it! I love Stainiac from theBalm, I have yet to true the Stila BB Cream, the Melvita Rose Floral Water is fab, & I do very much so enjoy the headband from Mod Cloth. Overall, a very solid Birchbox! I’ve had a few stinkers & was starting to get very scared I might need to cancel, thank goodness this one was a winner! I’ve had Birchbox for over a year & have had very few duds so hopefully my boxes are back on the right track! Probably the best $10 I spend every month, I love beauty surprises!

Do you get Birchbox? How was your June one? Anything here you’d like to see reviewed?

This post contains links to Birchbox. Should you choose to purchase Birchbox through these links, I receive points. This box was paid fr with my own funds & any points obtained go towards buying beauty products to feature on this blog.

Travel: Travalo Review, Demo, & Why You Need One

June 26, 2012 By StephanieLouise 781Leave a Comment2012-06-26+18%3A51%3A00StephanieLouise

What Travalo Says: Travalo is a refillable atomizer bottle with a difference. Its patented easy fill system allows you to refill in seconds with a simple repeat pump action. Travalo makes it easy and convenient to have a fresh confidence boost any time, anywhere.

Directions: Remove the spray head from your perfume bottle. Place your Travalo upright on top of the nozzle peg, and repeatedly pump it up and down to fill. You can tell how much is in your perfume atomizer bottle by the fill level indicator window. Do not overfill!

Clearly, I think this little gadget is brilliant. I received my Travalo in the shade “Classic Excel Gold” & I surprisingly don’t mind the shade. Some golds can look kind of cheap, but this has a nice finish. As you can tell by the video, this is extremely easy. All around a fantastic product & a must-have for travel in my book. This particular Travalo comes with a carrying case as well. I found this to be unnecessary but I appreciate it for its packaging & the “just in case” factor. I haven’t had this leak on me once. In fact, I’ve had many other travel sized fragrances crack, spill, leak, & even shatter on me in the past so that’s a huge plus.

These are very reasonable & I’m even saving money because I can buy the larger bottles of perfume & not the more compact sizes. They have different prices for different models but the one I have shown here is $20, your average price for a sample of your favorite perfume. I’d like some in more colors so I will be able to tell them apart as well, love the bright shades! Other models range from around $10-$20 & they have some accessories available as well.

Have you picked up a Travalo? Thinking about it? What is YOUR most irritating bottle of perfume to travel with?

Product provided for review but all opinions expressed are my own. This is seriously a brilliant invention & I want at least 2-3 more of them!

If you’re interested in purchasing one:

www.us.travalo.com

FB: travalo Americas

Twitter: TravaloAmericas

Travel: My Mini Fragrances I Brought on Vacation

June 21, 2012 By StephanieLouise 783Leave a Comment2012-06-21+13%3A26%3A00StephanieLouise

I absolutely love perfumes. Whenever I travel I seem to way over pack. I love selection from socks to nail files & to you guessed it….fragrances! Here are some of my absolute favorites, many of which I took with me to California! These are in no specific order!

1. Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Mini Perfume—which came with THIS set.

2. DKNY Double Ended Rollerball— Also check out DKNY Fresh Blossom Juiced which is pretty amazing!

3. L’Occitane Pivoine Délicate Roll-On & Gloss Duo— Review & the gloss swatched right HERE!

4. Sula Full Size Rollerball in Blackberry Blush— A blast from the past review on this beauty can be scored right HERE.

5. Sula Mini in Champagne Sugar —No review on this set of 6 I bought from Ulta. Its no longer available on Ulta’s site, but you can check it out on Sula’s site.

6. Pacifica Hawiian Ruby Guava— Link HERE

7. Ulta Brand On-the-Go Fragrance in Pink Petals — Another flashback review from way early on can be found HERE.

8. Pacifica Solid Fragrance in Indian Coconut Nectar— My favorite layering solid! Link HERE

9. Pacifica Solid Fragrance in California Star Jasmine —Link HERE

10. Pacifica Solid Fragrance in Tuscan Blood Orange —Link HERE

11.My Travalo full of Lola by Marc Jacobs — My Travalo review is on its away…hint…fab!

What are some of your favorite fragrances? What about for travel? Do you prefer rollerballs or sprays?

Some of these products were sent for review while others were bought with my own funds.

Travel: My Pacifica Items Including Solid Fragrances!

June 18, 2012 By StephanieLouise 784Leave a Comment2012-06-18+16%3A58%3A00StephanieLouise

My favorite thing about my Pacifica collection is each & every item can be tossed in my purse & taken with me anywhere. Not to say all the Pacifica brand is made to do this, but all of these happen to be travel friendly. Some I even consider necessities for traveling!

Let’s start off with my favorite products from this brand: the solid fragrances! I am a FIRM believer in solid fragrances for travel especially because these tins are able to take a beating, don’t have to be part of the flying rules since they aren’t liquid, & smell absolutely incredible.

The scents I have are as follows & the scent descriptions in Italic are from the Pacifica website:

1. California Star Jasmine: A love note to my Southern California beachside neighborhood, the scent truly embodies the time and place I now call home. The laidback simplicity of the dreamy blend makes it fun and easy to wear, bringing a breath of fresh California air to your day.

2. Tahitian Gardenia: The Gardenia is the most nostalgic flower, whose enthralling vintage perfume has the power to conjure up memories in an instant. Gardenias are said to be the blossoms of love. This is one of Pacifica’s all time best selling floral scents with true devotees.

3. Tuscan Blood Orange: In this delectable blend, juicy and spicy Blood Orange is offset with subtle Strawberry and Raspberry notes and grounded in fleshy Mandarin and Italian Sweet Orange. An orange connoisseur’s dream.

4. Brazilian Mango Grapefruit: A cross between Peach and Apricot with Pineapple undertones, this delicious blend mingles sultry, fleshy Mango with bright, tart Grapefruit. Reminiscent of summer.

5. Indian Coconut Nectar: Pacifica’s Indian Coconut Nectar is a sensuous and delicious blend inspired by travels to faraway destinations. This warm, sultry blend of coconut and delicate creamy vanilla is pure ambrosia.

My absolute favorite is the California Star Jasmine but that is one of those strange personal preferences. I’ve always loved Jasmine & I feel glamorous & effortless wearing it. I think the most versatile of these is the Indian Coconut Nectar which gives an exotic flare other perfumes when layered atop. My husband likes the Tuscan Blood Orange which makes me want to drink loads of mimosas. Brazilian Mango Grapefruit is the juciest fragrance I’ve ever encountered in a solid form. The fruits are really lively & it is truly unique. Gardenia smells so sophisticated to me & I often wear it when I want to feel professional & confident. I’ve had some of these for years, they last & last!

I love rollerballs as much as the next girl, & this one is no exception. What makes it so great? The scent of course!

Hawaiian Ruby Guava: This blend was inspired by one of my favorite surf trips to Hawaii. We spent hours sitting on the lanai watching the waves, the warm smell of coconut wax on our surfboards mingling with the sweet scent of the guavas from the tree in front of our house. This blend is reminiscent of paradise.

As if I needed to say more than just the scent right? Immediately I think of tropical islands & sunny beaches. I love this energetic & very different blend which fits easily into my purse. I brought this one with me to California….doesn’t it just seem like it belongs by the beach?

Pacifica Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint in Guava Berry: Give your lips the love they deserve! All Natural Color Quench packs major moisture, nourishing naturals and gorgeous, sheer color into one perfectly portable, 100% recyclable tube. Essential fatty acids from rich and amazing avocado and coconut oils leave lips luscious and healthy. Natural flavor and 4 perfect shades produce the prettiest, most kissable mouth ever. 100% vegan. Your lips will love you back!

I love tinted lip products, especially for the summer when I want a wash of color without much effort. These are very moisturizing, sheer, & give off a nice shine. This color is more of a berry purple but I think I want to try one that is a bit more natural. My issue with this product is that its a rather wide top so I have to make sure it only goes on my lips & not the skin around it. They have a Blood Orange flavor & I think I’ll try that one next since I love the fragrance so much!

Pacifica Body Butter (2.5 oz) in Island Vanilla: Inspired by the unique magic of Tahitian vanilla, this sensual blend sets sweet and sultry vanilla absolute, with honey-jasmine notes and a touch of fruitiness, against a deep and beautiful base of tea.

I love this scent of body butter! I actually thought it would be like my Indian Coconut Nectar which isn’t as complex. It smells rich, very expensive! This is probably the most interesting & exciting vanilla based scent I own. Usually they are vanilla + blackberry or vanilla + orchids. Its rare I buy something that is prominently vanilla so if you usually don’t go for vanilla because its not enticing enough, this is one to check into! Its nice & thick but not so thick that I can’t use it on my hands as well.

So that’s my Pacifica collection! I think they have a fabulous range of fragrances although clearly my tastes lean more fruity. I can’t wait to try more, they just have the best combinations! Do you own any Pacifica items? Any of these catch your eye?

*This post has a mix of products provided to me by the company/PR & items I have purchased with my own money. I always post my honest opinions regardless.

Travel: L’Occitane Verbena Sachet & Fragrance/Gloss Duo!

June 13, 2012 By StephanieLouise 7863 Comments2012-06-13+23%3A57%3A00StephanieLouise

When it comes to traveling, I have the hardest time with fragrances You’ll see lots of posts coming up revolving around them because I’m pretty much obsessed. Although I have some favorite scents, L’Occitane took it a step further than my DKNY duo by fusing a gloss & duo. How has this never fallen into my hands before? I want duos like this of, well, everything! The sachet is something I love & I think it will surprise many people why. Read on to find out more!

From L’Occitane: This original duo combines two beauty essentials in one conveniently sized tube. The Roll On contains the soft and powdery Pivoine Délicate Eau de Toilette. The Lip Gloss melts onto lips, coating them with a pearly radiant shine. This duo, perfectly sized to keep in your handbag, is a must for touch-ups throughout the day!

So, this is a heavenly duo perfect for my purse. I love the scent but it is very floral. The main notes are peony, roses, & Lily of the Valley. On me, this leans more rose-y which I really enjoy. I find this to smell very much like an innocent romance. This is unlike most of my other perfumes & I might need to start forcing myself out of the fruit notes & into some different ones. The gloss pairs really well with its peach toned pink & golden glitter flecks. This isn’t opaque & is very wearable. The gloss actually smells like the perfume as well!

Note the braille on the back which I never see on packaging anymore!

L’Occitane Pivoine Délicate Roll-On & Gloss Duo, Limited Edition but still available, $24 on their site.

Every time I travel, I like to add something to my bag to make my clothes smell nice. Sometimes I use LUSH packaging but usually I try to use something like this L’Occitane sachet. I think it adds a nice touch & it isn’t too overwhelming in even a small suitcase. These last a long time & also work great in a closet, drawer, or even a pantry.

I’m about to geek out, ready? Verbena is actually the common name for vervain which is written into the books & show “The Vampire Diaries” & is used to ward off vamps. I told you I was geeking out a bit! I haven’t found many verbena based home items so I was thrilled with this one. It smells so bright & citrusy which I wasn’t expecting. Guess I watch too many vampire shows huh? This sachet basically has the dried flowers in it & while it isn’t overpowering, you can definitely smell it throughout your bag. This has always been a scent that had to do with supernatural stories & history. Fascinating stuff & even more enjoyable in person!

L’Occitane Verbena Scented Sachet, $10 on their site.

*Products provided by PR for review.