2/26/2017

In My Own Wonderland

Thanks to my beloved sissy Jane (of Wondegondigo fame), I'm able to prolong my obsession of Sabon's Exploring Wonderland Collection. Thank you Jane, and I heart you!

Yes, I got a bigger boat and purchased the 650ml size of the Wonderland Shower Oil. On a monthly basis, I never consecutively use the same body wash scent (I like to pair scents based on what I'm feeling that month). However, I'm in LOVE with the seductive notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, Musk, and notes of Rose and Violet of this collection, as well as how swimmingly it pairs with my winter hair products and perfume. February is just about over, and I'm almost at the half way mark of the bottle. Thus, the Wonderland Shower Oil will also be my body wash for March, and I'm perfectly content with that.

At the time the Exploring Wonderland Collection launched, I held off getting the body lotion and hand cream because I was in the middle of using some other products. Of course, when I was ready to purchase them, they were long gone (again, thank you Jane).

I adore the bohemian-esque etched detailing of the red frosted glass, and label print, of the body lotion; it truly adds to the pampering experience. Same amazing Wonderland scent, the body lotion is full of Omega 3,6,7,9, and Vitamins A+ E, and Formulated with Olive, Avocado, Borage, Wheat Germ Oils. My skin drinks up the body lotion, leaving it smooth and moisturized, without feeling sticky.

It's a shame to keep this hand cream concealed in my bag, because the tube's pattern and colors are so beautiful, I want to display it. Not only does it keep my hands soft, and hydrated, the hand cream absorbs quickly leaving no greasy residue, and smells heavenly.

I'm going to have to buy backups of all the products from the Exploring Wonderland collection because they're limited edition (I really need this line to be made perm), and I don't want to be without them next winter.

2/25/2017

Sometimes You Have To Blend Alone

Due to my excessive work load, my "should it stay or Should it go" series for the fall, and holiday collections, of last year has been a bust.

In lieu of my upcoming mini vacation, I'm thinning out my work schedule. Hopefully, this will give me a chance to upload some of these collection before retiring them for later posts in the year.

Here is a look I wore last night to a friend's party using the Lancome x Sonia Rykiel Saint Germain Palette (I'm still debating if I should let this one go):

Look Breakdown:

Face:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NC30.
Lancome x Sonia Rykiel Cushion Blush Subtil in 021 Sorbet Rose.
Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder in 2.
Eyes:

B & C Browlash EX Water Strong W Eyebrow in Grey Brown.
Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil in NSA.

Bare Minerals Well-Rested (to set concealer).
MAC Paint Pot in Utterly Becoming (eyeshadow base).
Lancome x Sonia Rykiel A00 Saint-Germain Maxi Palette:
The pale, pink matte shadow (on the brow bone).
The dark, denim blue satin shadow (patted all over the lid, blended into the crease and to a feline point. Also used to tightline and on the water line).
The charcoal grey glitter shadow (patted on the center of the lid).
The silver and slate blue glitter shadows (mixed together in the inner corner).
The sparkly, midnight blue satin and dark, denim blue satin shadow (mixed together on the lower lashline).
Helena Rubinstein Lash Queen Wonder Blacks Mascara Smudge Proof in Wonderful Blacks.

Lips:
Lancome x Sonia Rykiel Parisian Lips Le Crayon in M02:
The sheer balm end placed allover and the creamy, satin-matte in the center, blended outwards.

I don't have a photo of me looking down, as I accidentally deleted the fold, like a pro >:(

Hope you are all having a great weekend,
xoxo

2/14/2017

Time Waits For No Palette...Lancome x Sonia Rykiel A00 Saint-Germain Maxi Palette

For the last month, I've been working six days straight with only Sundays off (hence the lack of posts). I have three more weeks of this hectic schedule before Aki and I go on holiday. Continuing with the "Should it stay or should it go series," I bring you Lancome x Sonia Rykiel's A00 Saint-Germain maxi palette.

How I miss Sonia Rykiel, but the packaging makes me happy.

The Saint-Germain tester's eyeshadows were so stiff and dry, I was going to pass on the palette. However, I was brainwashed by the two SA's, after their tactical verbal waterboarding going on and on (for about thirty minutes or so), about how lovely the blues would look on my complexion, blah, blah, blah. I swear, I never fall for the jibber jabber, but I started exhibiting premature signs of PTSRD (Post-Traumatic Shoppers Regret Disorder), and caved.

At first, given the metal flap covering, I expected the three shadows to be creams; wrong, they were powder. A little confusing, but I guess Lancome may be recycling some of their surplus compacts.

Named after the vicinity of Sonia Rykiel's first boutique, the Saint-Germain palette houses nine cool-toned shades of blue, cream, gray, and a muted, bluish-sage eye shadow, with a combination of matte, satin, and glittery finishes.

When swatching the eyeshadows, I was pleased with their pigmentation and texture. However, this was not the case once I applied them on the lids.

All four matte shadows feel a little chalky. The first and seventh shades work well as bases. The second and fourth require a good primer, and a lot of work, to get a decent amount of color payoff. The third shade is my least favorite in the palette, and its lack of pigmentation left me wanting. The fifth and sixth shades are a bit powdery, but they apply reasonably well. Finally, the eighth and ninth shadows have the best pigmentation, and texture, of the palette.

Color description from left to right:

A vanilla matte.

A muted, bluish-sage satin.

A silver glitter.

A muted, french blue.

A deep, slate blue glitter.

Color description from left to right:

A sooty, charcoal grey glitter.

A pale, pink matte.

A sparkly, midnight blue satin.

A dark, denim blue satin.

And for the beauty archives, the counter gave this Sonia Rykiel notebook as a gift with purchase from the collection.

Overall, this is an okay, but challenging palette. And, the only reason I'm not getting rid of it is because it's Sonia Rykiel...but, that may change.