Sisters are doin' it for themselves: Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings Collection

Loved, finished and purchased again.

That is what Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings offers (on the cheap, to boot).

The lineup: Primed & Poreless, Shadow Insurance, Better Than Sex Mascara and Chocolate Soleil

This sweet trial-sized set hit Sephora shelves in late September -- of course I scooped it up whence I spotted it at the checkout counter in Waikiki.

It is super amazing to see how far some of my favourite beauty bloggers have come and the opportunities they've been able to experience. I only hope to be as successful as them some day.

My main motivation for picking up this set was to see what Too Faced is all about. 

Chocolate Soleil Medium/Deep Matte Bronzer

Better Than Sex Mascara

Primed & Poreless (left) and Shadow Insurance (right)

Swatches from left to right: Chocolate Soleil, Shadow Insurance, Better Than Sex and Primed & Poreless

My thoughts.. 

Chocolate Soleil: Love the scent, it's as if I ripped open a packet of Swiss Miss. The colour is true to pan and easy to apply. To enhance my post-holiday glow, I used a fluffy skunk brush. Chocolate Soleil is my personal favourite of the bunch.

Better Than Sex Mascara: Good/OK, not great. Keep a clean mascara wand handy for clean up, because this particular formula likes to clump -- I had to work extra hard for even coverage.

Shadow Insurance: A slightly cheaper version of NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. 

Primed & Poreless: Silky soft and easy to apply. 

Wearing Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for the Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings Collection:

• $20.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — it was a lovely getting to know you experience.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I think I might buy a full-sized compact of Chocolate Soleil.

A sensory moment with Calvin Klein's Downtown

Downtown

Calvin Klein's latest scent, while pretty, soft and floral, has left me wanting more. I had high hopes since getting reacquainted with Calvin Klein -- for years Obsession was my Dad's staple scent. A tiny dab would do after allowing us (my brothers and I) to doodle upon his shaving cream covered face.

Calvin Klein's masters of spin state... 

 "a signature classic for a real woman, sophisticated, distinct and unique…with attitude, this fragrance empowers with a classic brightness"

While I do get that captured essence of "classic brightness"; it is, however, a fleeting moment which fades in an instant. Initially, I gave myself two spritzes, because I wasn't sure of Downtown's gusto. 

Hey, I don't ever want to smell like I got hosed down at a perfume counter.

With Downtown I don't think it matters how many times you spray yourself. Word to the wise, grab a tester and test its longevity for yourself.

*Notes:

Neroli Tunisia, Fresh Green Pear, Watery Plum, Gardenia Petals, Pink Peppercorn, Violet Leaf, Texan Cedarwood, Vetiver, Benzoin Laos Orpur, Musks. 

*Style:

Urban. Original. Real.

What I get: 

Understated. Quiet. Forgettable. 

In the meantime, I'm the weird girl sticking her nose inside her collar in order to catch just one whiff.  

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Calvin Klein's Downtown (50ml/1.7 fl oz):

• $90.00 AUS  / $65.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 3 out of 10 bags — points for the scent itself, but not for its strength

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Can I trade my bottle of Downtown in for Euphoria, please? 
  

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own

//source* 

Cheap & Reliable: EcoTools Airbrush Concealer Brush

Airbrush Concealer Brush

Where have you been hiding? And who knew I was looking past such a trusty brush‽

Their "Earth-Friendly" ethos extends to their products in terms of quality and composition. Comprised of a bamboo handle, recycled aluminium and soft artificial bristles, these cruelty-free brushes are where it's at.

On a whim I purchased the Airbrush Concealer Brush to replace my much-loved Deluxe Concealer Brush -- I wanted a far more petite brush head that has the ability to sneak and sweep in and around the eye area.

Another amazing thing about this brush is it doesn't steal product. I found the Deluxe Concealer Brush, while useful, glommed onto more product than it should; therefore, depriving my eyes of much-needed coverage. Talk about product wastage, too!

EcoTools' Airbrush Concealer Brush is a diamond in the rough. I've been known to drop beaucoup bucks for makeup brushes, but I think EcoTools really has something special to offer.

The Bagful breakdown: 

Total amount for Philosophy's Miracle Worker:

• $8.99 AUS / $3.99 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags -- a mighty workhorse

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I wonder if they offer something similar to MAC's 217?

My latest obsession: Tory Burch's Kissing Fly Belt

Kissing Fly Belt

It was love at first sight, really. 

Tory Burch's Kissing Fly Belt for Fall 2013 comes in Aged Vachetta (as seen above) and Black. I might not be interested in Entomology, but I certainly appreciate an unexpected object and pop of colour every now and then.