New Perfume talk

Hello everyone!
Sorry we've been super busy lately and haven't been blogging as often as usual, so I decided to slip in a blog post today. =)
I plan on filming a March favorites video very soon, so look out for that. =)

In a recent haul, I mentioned buying a new perfume.
This one to be more specific:

I've been wearing it quite often lately since it's a nice light scent that is appropriate for work.
I have to admit though, it's not my favorite scent ever and I'm not exactly crazy about it.
Yes, it's a nice scent but nothing to brag about.
Although this is my personal opinion, there are MANY women out there who swear by this scent.
IMO, it's a little bit too citrusy with a hint of woodsy-ness.

The perfume is described as:

An impish note of green apple emanates from the latest creation of the most impertinent of italian designers. Light blue, is not a lighter version despite its name. It sparkles with flowers and fruit notes that are an enticement to joie de vivre. The fragrance opens on a fresh and gourmet note of sicily cedar, granny smith apple and bluebells. The middle note is a bouquet of jasmine, bamboo and white rose. The end note reveals hints of cedarwood, amber and musk.

I much prefer crisply sweet yet fruity scents. And I don't mean cotton candy sweet but fruity sweet in a fresh way (much like Viva La Juicy & Clinique Happy).
So since I bought a large bottle of this stuff (3.4 fl oz) I'm going to try using this perfume up before I buy anything else.
Will I repurchase D&G Light Blue?
Most like, no.

Next on my lem list is Marc Jacob's Daisy... =)

Carried Away... Bath and Body Works Spring 2011

Carried Away is Bath and Body Works' newest scent from their Signature collection series.
Straight from the website:

Our exclusive Signature Body Lotion formula, fortified with powerful ingredients like super conditioning Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E, hydrates skin with moisture that lasts all day. Our non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and completely to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished, making it the perfect daily moisturizer.

• Our exclusive new Romantic fragrance, Carried Away, is inspired by the way love sweeps you off your feet
• Key Fragrance Notes: Lush Raspberries, White Jasmine and Whipped Vanilla

Packaging:
I LOVE the packaging and label. It is a very prettily designed Spring theme with blue skies, white clouds with pink, lilac and red flowers. The Carried Away name itself is very inviting.


Scent:
The raspberries scent is definitely the strong note.
This scent reminds me a lot of Sun-Ripened Raspberries, if any of you remember that scent- but the good thing is you also get a whiff of the other Vanilla and Jasmine top notes too.


Texture/Color:
The body lotion is the usual creamy white whipped texture. Not too thick and not runny. Very easy to apply.
The fragrance mist is a very lightly tinted sky blue color (not sure if it's the bottle that is tinted or if it's the actual mist, but it sure looks pretty).


Overall, it is a very nice fresh spring-like scent. It's not too heavy and strong and it has a succulent fruity smell (yet it isn't too sweet).
I picked up my own travel size 2 fl oz body lotion and 3 fl oz fragrance mist a few days before the official launch (which was February 7, 2011).
This isn't my favorite B&BW scent ever, but it is a nice addition to my little stash.
I'm not a huge fan of B&BW scents, I mean I like a few of them (being Midnight Pomegranate, Warm Vanilla Sugar, and Sweet Pea), but I don't like scented lotions or body mists on an every day basis anyhow. I'm more of a perfume kind-of-gal.
Check it out the next time you're in B&BW!
You might just end up liking it too. =)

As always, thanks for reading ladies!
~Lisa

Disclaimer: Non-affiliated and Non-sponsored review. Items purchased with my own money. Opinions remain my own.

Essence Beauty Cosmetics - an Intro and overview

I was recently introduced to a new line of cosmetics.
I personally spoke with the owner, Tennille about her line and here is what she said:

Our line is designed for all ages but our specialty is for women of color (not just African Americans). Our skin care and cosmetics are for all skin types including aging skin.  We will launch our mineral line soon for those who have delicate or sensitive skin.

We are known for quality products and for giving useful information that consumers can use to enhance their everyday beauty though portals such as our facebook page, website, blog and YouTube.

I was excited when she provided me with a few products for my own personal use!

Products are:
Waterproof mechanical eye liner pencil in Copper Brown (1.1 g)-
The product name describes the color well. It is exactly that. It is a great color to accent the eyes and give you a pop of color on your water line. It also stays put and does not budge. It is quite pigmented.

Mineral eye shadow in Brown Stone (1.5 g)-
This is a warm brown with a little bit of an orangey undertone to it. Swatched it has some silver flecks but on the lids it doesn't show- so it's not matte but not shimmery either. It is quite pigmented and can be used all over the lid with either a darker colored shadow in the outer crease or a light shimmery shadow on the top lid blended out (which is how I wore this).

Mineral blush in Brava (11 oz)-
This is a peachy (terra cotta) brown and in the pan there is some tiny gold flecks but on the face it has a nice matte finish. It is pigmented. Great for that dusty peachy/brown blush look with great staying power. I don't have anything like this and this is definitely my favorite out of the three products.

Swatches:

Here's a picture of how these products look on the face. =)

As you can see I'm Asian with medium beige skin (in Mac terms, I am about an NC25-30) and I think these colors flatter my skintone quite well.
If you have darker skin, it would still look great!
Lighter skin toned women can still use these products but I would just be careful and use sparingly as the products might be too pigmented and/or dark for those with light skin tones.


Close up of the eyes:

Essence Beauty Cosmetics information:

Additional questions or inquiries, feel free to contact Tennille.

Contact info:

Facebook.com/essencebeautycosmetics

Youtube.com/user/lovinlipgloss1

http://essencebc.com/

lovinlipgloss.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading ladies!!


FTC: Items were provided by Essence Beauty Cosmetics for personal use and review. Opinions are my own. No sponsorship or affiliation.

Benefit Bella Bamba blush - a first look

Hello there!
After seeing swatches and reading reviews I couldn't resist it anymore!
I caved in and decided to buy Benefit's latest boxed blush- Bella Bamba.

My thoughts-

On the product:
I think this is a great addition to my growing blush collection.
It's very pretty, quite pigmented and super easy to work with. It's a watermelon pink (meaning, it's a bright and deep pink- a rosy pink) with a pretty gold sheen to it.

On the packaging:
I'm not a fan of these boxed powder blushes because I find them inconvenient and bulky. This one in particular is different from Benefit's usual boxed blushes as this one flips open and close. At first I had a hard time opening the lid because I had to wiggle it to open since I didn't want to rip the box. I'm getting the hang of it, but I still don't particularly like the flip top packaging.

On the price:
Benefit's blushes are $28 for a full sized box and this is no exception. Although I do think it's quite expensive, I have high hopes that this blush will last me years to come! So with that thought in mind, I don't feel so guilty about forking over almost $30 for one blush. =)

Overall:
Yes, I do recommend this blush.
If you wanted to only get one blush from Benefit's blush collection- this would be it!

Now for your viewing pleasure, the swatches!

Thanks for reading ladies!

~Lisa

FTC: Product was purchased with my own money. Reviews/thoughts are my honest opinion.