A Few Fall Scents

     When fall rolls around I immediately reach for three of my favorite perfumes that are perfect for that time of year. Each perfume form me signifies a different mood or a memory. When I am wearing Channel’s Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum it’s like I’m about to head to the theater to watch a play. It’s a sophisticated smell that last all day. Sephora’s websites label it as ‘sexy and fresh Oriental fragrance’. It’s Channel so it’s pricey but it’s one of those fragrances that’s a must have.

Ralph Lauren’s Romance is a very light fragrance. It’s a delicate scent that reminds me of valentines: hearts and roses. It doesn’t smell like roses but like flowers. Sephora’s website say’s it’s a ‘velvety woods, extravagant florals and seductive musk’.

Ralph Lauren Blue is one of the most distinct fragrances I have ever smelled. It’s my absolute favorite for fall and winter! Ulta’s website states it’s ‘a rich floral fragrance that begins with brisk notes of lotus flower, peony, lilac, rose, and tuberose followed by richer mid notes of jasmine, gardenia, and muguet. The scent closes on sensual notes of sandalwood, musk and amber.’ I remember when I first smelled this perfume I had to have it! I had just started working and I remember saving money for this. I’ve owned it ever since.

What’s your favorite fall scent?

-Melissa

September Ipsy Bag

     I mentioned a few months ago about unsubscribing to Ipsy. However, when you receive a product that you use on regular bases you change your mind (for the moment). I’ll start with the star of the show, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.  I already love this product and now a mini one! I’ve done a view already on it, which I will link here.

     If you read my blogs then you know I love hair products especially oil’s. I find that argan oils really help my hair. I am really excited to try Octavio Molina’s Hair Aceite de Argan. NYX is a love and hate relationship. There are some of their products I wouldn’t buy again and there are some that work like their eye shadow. The colors are great for the fall including an everyday look.

     Who doesn’t love a lipstick! I am already a fan of the brand City Color Cosmetics. I received one of their City Check Lipsticks in Je t’aime. I am not someone who uses any sort of brow gel but I’m wiling to get it a try. I received Elizabeth Mott Queen of the Fill Tinted Brow Gel in medium brown. Not a bad bag at all.

-Melissa

Sephora Play

     Joining the likes of Ipsy, Birchbox and countless other subscription boxes is Sephora with Sephora Play. This works pretty much the same way as other boxes. You receive four to five deluxe or samples size products (how ever you see it) each month. There is no personality quiz to customize your likes everything is picked out for you. It comes shipped in a nice box with paper like Birchbox. In the box you receive a mini booklet with a fun fact related to each product.

I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures floating around on the Internet of this month’s first box but seeing it just makes this box a reality. This month’s box included a mini Marc Jacob’s Highliner in Blacquer. I’ve never tried anything from the brand Ole Henriksen but it’s a brand I’ve always wanted to try.

Everybody loves lip product right? From the Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion in Peony, this lippy is a pinky/peach color. (Is it me but I see them sending a lot of Sephora products). GlamGlow is what makes this box. If you have ever tried or seen GlamGlow you know it’s a pricey product. This is a great sample size and in my opinion worth the cost of the box alone. Bumble and Bumble is a hairline that is worth the money. This last item was a sample size of Elizabeth and James Nirvana White.

The best thing about this service is that it counts toward your points. It cost $10 a month plus tax (yes, there is tax added) but they give free shipping. This box was shipped out Friday and I received it Monday, I’m not sure if it’s because I have two day shipping but I received it pretty fast. I’m not sure if this will be every month thing but in the back of the booklet was a card to receive 50 additional points with any purchase made at Sephora.

There are only two downsides to this. 1) Right now you have to be invited to receive this box. Starting next year it will ‘roll out’. 2) Because you don’t take a personality test you get what they give you (at least that’s what it seems right now). Despite all this, I know what brands Sephora carries in their stores so I know it won’t be a random brand I never heard of. I really like this months box; I can’t wait till next month!

-Melissa

My Evening Routine

Last week I posted about my morning routine; it only fits to talk about my evening routine. I mentioned I am currently experiencing some brake-outs along my chin area and on cheeks. Let me mention that I suffer from Rosacea and my skin is sensitive. Let’s add the fact that my skin is oily and that makes for a complete mess.

When I get home I remove all my makeup. I have been using Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil. This oil removes all traces of makeup, the best part it actually works at taking it all off. To remove my eye makeup I use Boots Botanics’s Soothing Eye Make Up Remover. This eye makeup remover is a separated type of liquid, so you will have to give it a good shake. It’s great at removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner.

After I remove my makeup I begin with Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleaner, this cleans my entire face to prepare for Clean & Clear’s Advantage Acne Control. I like using this facial wash on a clean surface because I feel it does a better job fighting acne.

If my face is feeling dry (like the winter months), I will use First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream. This is designed for sensitive skin and does it’s job. Sometimes products claim or say they work for all skin types, but sometimes I find some of the ones that state that don’t really work…this one does.

Since I’m breaking out (broke out) I have been using Clean & Clear’s Advantage Acne Spot Treatment. I place this with a Q-Tip on the places I need this. This product has salicylic acid. I’m allergic to Benzoyl Peroxide so I have to find something milder but works. I use a Q-Tip because I want to apply this product with something I know is extra clean. 

My last step for the night is applying a lip balm and eye cream. Lately I’ve been using Dior’s Crème De Rose. It’s an expensive product by keeps my lips from getting chapped. For under eyes I have been using Origins Eye Doctor. This has helped my when I apply under eye brightener. It keeps under eye products from settling in the crease of my eyes. There is a slight smell to it but it’s a faint smell. I really enjoy it. I’m not on my second tub of this stuff. That means something right?

-Melissa