cynthia lions: March 2014

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Diptyque Eau Rose

I am so excited about this purchase! I am a big fan of Diptyque frangrances. I already have a huge infatuation with their frangrance in Philosykos. And ever since I got a sample of the Diptyque Eau Rose perfume I have been obsessed. It's very different than Philosykos. So much more girlier. Needless to say, I finished using it immediately. I don't own a rollerball perfume so I picked this up in the 0.7 fl.oz size to carry with me in my bag every day. It's such a good size and makes me so happy every time I smell it. As the name states, it's a rose scented fragrance with base notes of white musk and cedar. I love the packaging and illustrations on Diptyque products. This will never leave my side now.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

Avene Eau Thermale

I absolutely love products that come in a spray form. And I absolutely love the Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Water Spray. It's great to apply in the morning to wake up the face or during the afternoon for a gentle pick-me-up. It is a simple product with its main ingredient as Spring Water. But there are so many uses for this product and it great for sensitive skin. It gives my face an "ah" moment whenever I use it. It can be used to set your makeup, freshen up your dull tired skin, used right after cleansing or it can also help some skin problems, such as sunburn, redness, acne, rashes or any other skin irritations. I love keeping this at my desk to apply whenever my face is feeling dry or even carrying it around with me when I travel. It comes in many different convenient sizes.

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Friday, March 21, 2014

Tom Ford Spanish Pink

I am so excited to have the Tom Ford lipstick in Spanish Pink in my collection! Yes, I know it's crazy over priced but I found it at an outlet mall for about $35 and took it as a sign that I needed it in my life. The packaging feels so luxurious. It's beautiful. It's heavy. Simply amazing. I've seen other bloggers mention the shade Spanish Pink before and just thought if I ever buy a Tom Ford lipstick I want it to be a lipstick that is super wearable. I know it's also a red carpet favorite and I just thought it would be nice to treat myself. I was afraid it would be too light for my skin tone but I actually think it looks really nice and doesn't wash me out at all. It's super creamy and the TF logo imprinted on the lipstick is such a nice touch! I have been using the back of the lipstick so I don't smear the logo! The formula of the lipstick contains soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomilla flower oil which helps hydrate and condition the lips. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase. I don't think I will pick up another Tom Ford lipstick because of the price but I think having one is perfect!

Also just wanted to share with you the rest of my makeup on my face today. My base is the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint with SPF 15. I conceal my under eye dark circles with the Bobbi Brown corrector (like always). I have Chanel Illusion D'ombre Eyeshadow in Emerveille on my eyes. (I have been contouring my eyes with MAC eyeshadow in Cork everyday but it's not pictured) I lined my eyes with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye pencil in Demolition. Finished off the eyes with Clinique High Impact Mascara. Filled in my eyebrows with ybf Beauty Automatic Universal Taupe Eyebrow Pencil and popped some Milani Baked Powder Blush in Luminoso on my cheeks. This blush is really pigmented! And to finish off the look I used the Tom Ford lipstick in Spanish Pink of course.

Happy Friday everyone!

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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Byredo Parfums

I want to talk about this beautiful minimal body lotion from Byredo Parfums. I picked up the scent Encens Chembur at the Diptyque sample sale a few weeks back. I was so surprised to see this sitting on the shelf and grabbed it immediately. Everything was about half off so it was a good deal. I love a good body lotion and this one smells really nice. The scent is described to be a memory from the founder, Ben Gorham. Chember is the place where his mother was born and raised and he visited many times and I think this scent is supposed to capture this city. The make up of this lotion include lemon, bergamot, ginger, temple incense, nutmeg, amber and musk. I love the simple packaging and it's nice that it comes with a pump. Definitely going to be using this all Spring!

Happy First Day of Spring!

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Kiehl's Empties

I've collected a considerable amount of Kiehl's empties (both his and hers) so I could take part of their recycling program. Unfortunately they changed their program at the end of last year so I when I went this past weekend I found out you need 10 empties in order to trade in for travel size item. My rewards card got stamps and I'm just a few away from getting a product. Here is what I finished:

HERS
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser
Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Minimizer
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment
Kiehl's Travel Size Ultra Facial Moisturizer

HIS
Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub
Kiehl's Eye Alert
Kiehl's All-In-One Refueling Wash
Kiehl's Facial Fuel SPF 15 Sunscreen
Kiehl's Ultimate Man Body Scrub Soap

I absolutely love Kiehl's products. A few that really stood out to me were the Rare Earth Pore Minimizer. I would definitely repurchase that for summer months. I also liked the Ultra Facial Cleanser. It's a simple no frills kind of cleanser that felt gentle and clean and it's pretty affordable!

I can also do another post later talking about the current Kiehl's products I am using (his and hers again!)

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Monday, March 17, 2014

New In Routine: Indeed Laboratories pepta-bright

I am always on the hunt to find products that claim to even skin tone and remove old scars. Pepta-bright is a morning and night time lightweight serum that helps target these issues. It gives you more radiant and clear skin. Everyone always talks about the Indeed Labs Hydraluron serum and while Indeed Labs products can be found at Duane Reade now, that particular product has not reached here (sad face). Hydraluron is definitely next on my shopping list. I still heard good things about Pepta-bright so I thought I'd give it a go. So far I like how the serum feels on my skin. It's creamy and easily blends into my skin and makes it feel moisturized. I have some stubborn acne scars left on my right cheek that I would love to fade. Hopefully this product will speed up the process!

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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak

I have have been eyeing the Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks for awhile. I've started off by getting the shade Streak. It's a coral peachy pink that is unlike any color in my current lipstick collection. I had seen the lipstick reviews and swatches online and in videos but when I ordered Streak online and actually opened the packaging I was really surprised by how much I like the lipstick tube! I think its really cute and chic. I also like the shape of the lipstick. The slanted flat top is easy to maintain and look nice. You can go for more of a sheer lipstick application with this if you wanted to or build up to something more opaque. It's super creamy and buttery and feel hydrating on the lips which is very important for me. These lipsticks also come with matching name lip pencils. Amazing.

There are a total of 22 shades (3 exclusive to urbandecay.com). There are so many other shades I want to try!!! Do you have a favorite?

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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

March Birchbox

The March Birchbox is here! Mostly skincare items this month:

First, I received the Keims Cleanshine Energizing Shampoo. Says it's an invigorating cleanser with peppermint leaf extract to help circulation. Looking forward to trying it out and using it while I'm on vacation.

I have never used a BB cream for the body before. The Jergens BB Body will instantly hydrate, smooth, illuminate and brighten skin. If used consistently it will even skin tone, visibly firm skin and help reduce the appearance of imperfections. This has caught my attention...

This eyeliner color is a little out of my comfort zone but the pencil itself looks really cool. The Inika Eyeliner in Green Lagoon comes with its own little pencil sharpener! This organic metallic green eye pencil will be interesting to try out.

I am very SPF aware so this will be a very interesting product to try out. The Supergoop! City Sunsreen Serum SPF 30+ PA+++ can be applied right after cleansing the skin and asks as a serum and primer to protect the skin. It also helps with anti-aging.

The Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T Skin Perfecting Serum + Primer preps your skin, creating an even canvas for your daily makeup routine. Wear this under your moisturizer and makeup to help condition the skin, sooth irritation and redness and help with fine lines.

Seems like this month's box is filled with multitasking products. Excited to try them all!

Subscribe to Birchbox and get monthly beauty packages sent right to you!

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Monday, March 10, 2014

MaxFactor False Lash Effect

To be honest I'm not super impressed with the MaxFactor False Lash Effect mascara. I really thought I was going to love it but maybe because I already don't have the longest or thickest eyelashes it didn't really gives my lashes any False Lash effect. I know its a blogger favorite over in the UK so I picked it up when I was overseas. I will say this mascara, no matter how much you layer on the coats, it does not clump at all. The brush is very thick and has tiny little bristles. I was very impressed with that and I have been wearing it on most days to work because it's a very good every day mascara and looks quite natural. And it's easy to take off since its not waterproof. It's not a good mascara if you want a lot more volume and length. But if clumpy is a pet peeve then this is great for top and bottom lashes.

For me, the best drugstore mascara is still the L'Oreal Teleoscopic Original Mascara - both the waterproof and regular.

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Friday, March 7, 2014

February Favorites

I am so excited to put February behind because March means we're getting closer to Spring to Summer! (Still freezing in New York however...) Here are a few products I have used almost every day of February to help me get through the cold.

Revlon Highlighting Palette
I seriously have not picked up another blush since I bought this. It's absolutely been my favorite blush this month and it's been giving my cheeks a rosy glow and sheen every morning. And it's drugstore!

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation
I haven't mentioned this on this blog yet but I have been very impressed with the texture and feel of this foundation. It is light and doesn't feel like foundation on the skin but there is something very smooth and natural about it. I have really enjoyed using it the past few months. Just be sure to wear an SPF underneath!

Sunday Riley Good Genes
Even though this is a sample size, I have been using this all throughout February and I still have more left. The smell is not that great but the results on my skin have been very plump and moisturized looking skin! I'm not sure if I will purchase the full size (so pricey!) but my skin has been drinking this up for this month at least.

Bourjois Color Cream Eyeshadow in Prune Nocturne
Long lasting creme eyeshadow? My favorite. These Bourjois eyeshadows are not as creamy as the Maybelline Color Tattoos so you pick up less product but its very pigmented. This eyeshadows feels more compact and powder like. Prune Nocturne is a rich eggplant color is perfect for winter and is very easy to blend out and look chic for day time.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Aventure
I just recently posted about this lipstick but seriously it is becoming an all time favorite. I just love these lipsticks and I want all the colors.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Demolition
Described as a matte deep brown - this is my perfect go to eyeliner every day. I am loving the softer look of brown eyeliners this month and I love the formula of these Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils. They are super soft and feel very comfortable on the eye when applying (super important). They last all day and come in a million colors!

Sorry these favorites were a little late!

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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Ole Hendriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser

I hear foaming cleansers aren't the best for your skin because they can strip your skin of your natural oils but I really enjoy using this one in the mornings. This cleanser feels light weight and makes your face feel super clean but it does leave it feeling a little tight. The Ole Hendriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser looks completely watery in the bottle but as soon as your pump out the product it is light and foamy. I usually use 2 pumps for my whole face and some times I use it at night to remove makeup as well. Key ingredients include African red tea, vitamin C and borage seed oil which is soothing and nourishing. I got this as one of Sephora's door busters over Black Friday last year so it came in a set with a few other things for only $10. I don't think I'll be repurchasing it but it was testing it out.

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Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Essie Find Me An Oasis

I am loving the new Essie 2104 Resort Collection nail polishes! (The make me want summer to come right now). There are four new shades in this collection and I especially love this shade, Find Me An Oasis, which is a super pale creamy blue shade. It did apply a little streaky but after 2-3 coats you get a nice solid wash of light blue that is beautiful. I have a similiar slighty darker shade of light blue from OPI but this one definitely beats it out because this looks even more chic and sophisticated.

The other three colors in the collection are Cocktails & Coconuts (the pale sandy shade), Under the Twilight (the dark navy shade) and Resort Fling (the cute coral shade). Overall its a nice range of pastel colors with a pop of dark blue. I think the light blue is the stand out of the collection for me and I will be wearing this on my fingers and toes this summer!

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Monday, March 3, 2014

Clarins Haul

I picked up this Clarins 7 Wonders Gift Set because it was a serious deal I could not pass up. Normally it's $50 but I found it on sale for $33 which I thought was ridiculous. The Beauty Flash Balm alone is around $46 and the one the set comes with is just about the same size. I also have really wanted to try the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors because they're a blogger favorite (most claim it's their all time favorite lip gloss).

The whole set includes:
Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
Toning Lotion
Moisture-Rich Body Lotion
Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector Shade 01
Beauty-Flash Balm
Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

So far I have used the One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser which is nice and easy to use. It removes makeup and feels like its buffing away dead skin. And like the name states, it feels super gentle. And I have been using the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector all weekend. It's really beautiful and amazing. It makes your lips look really nice, glossy and plump. The light pinky color is a nice change of pace for me and it doesn't leave your lips sticky at all! The full-size retails at $23 so I won't be running out tomorrow to pick up some more shades but I do think I will repurchase when my samples runs out!

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