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Perfume Collection & Storage

Just like the title says… this post is my perfume collection & storage. The storage is new! I just set this up a few minutes before writing the post. I do have a couple other perfumes but they’re ones I’m either “rehoming” or don’t use as much – although L’Occitane Cherry Princess is missing from this box because it was in the other room. See why I needed new perfume storage? 
I used to kinda keep them all just messily arranged on the dresser, which drove my boyfriend nuts. I used to also keep body sprays here, but in the interest of keeping the peace I’ve decided to move them elsewhere. ;) The new storage box itself is from Bed Bath & Beyond. The brand is called “Kangaroom”. I don’t see it on their website but it was in the section w/ the hangers & other organizational things. 
Alright, the collection! Sorry to say a lot of these aren’t made anymore, but you can possibly find them at fragrance outlets online. On the left hand side in the big open compartment I have:
Valentino Rock ‘n Rose — I LOVE this perfume. My boyfriend got it for me so it always has a special place in my heart, and he loves it when I wear it. I’m not a big rose fragrance person but this is a really nice one. 
Squished next to RnR is Bath & Body Works Dark Kiss. I don’t wear this too often because it’s a “heavier” fragrance than I usually wear, but for cooler weather or night time, it’s a sweet and sexy fragrance that I enjoy. 
Then I have Marc Jacobs Daisy & Daisy Eau So Fresh. Daisy is probably my favorite perfume to wear, and Daisy Eau So Fresh is also really really nice– it’s like Daisy but fruitier and sweeter. If you like Daisy you should check out Daisy Eau So Fresh for sure! (You can also see my full review of  Daisy Eau So Fresh for more info.)
In front of the MJ perfumes is Dior J’Adore, which my amazing friend Melissa got me for xmas one year after I raved about it. It was one of my first “fancy” perfumes, haha. 
On the right in the back are:
One of my favorites for just every day is Caudalie Fleur de Vigne. It’s a very light, very fresh scent with notes of grapes. 
In front of the Caudalie I have Escada Ocean Lounge, which I love but I hate the packaging because it’s a top-heavy bottle! Keeping it wedged in front of Caudalie is more for its safety than anything. This fragrance was limited edition I think (Sephora no longer has it) but I’m sure you can get it online as most discontinued Escada fragrances are easy to track down. Escada fragrances are typically the kind of perfume you either love or really hate. They’re very fruity and there usually is nothing subtle about them at all. ;) I actually have Escada’s Island Kiss (in rollerball form) in my purse right now. That one’s still available!
If you’re into perfumes at all you probably recognize the two bottles next, as they’re Aquolina Pink Sugar & Chocolovers. I’ve had both of those for so long. They’re so so yummy. Pink Sugar is definitely the sweetest most sugary perfume I’ve ever smelled in my life. Chocolovers is so chocolaty that I actually was giving a friend cravings once. I wear these for me definitely because Mr. Boyfriend hates them lol. 
And next in the very tall skinny bottle is mark. White Tea Vanilla fragrance mist which is discontinued. It’s a very light, every day, unoffensive fragrance. Kind of a shame it’s discontinued. 
Then there’s Daisy Fuentes Dianoche Love, which is from Kohl’s. It was gifted to me a long time ago when I went to my very first press event as a blogger. It’s a really neat concept; the bottom of the bottle is a daytime fragrance, and the top part is a night time scent. I love things that are unique like that, and they smell really nice. Though shh don’t tell I usually wear the daytime fragrance even at night. Sorry, I don’t think this one is available anymore either!
In the front of the right side I have my other Bath & Body Works fragrances, Velvet Tuberose and Enchanted Orchid. LOVE those, but Velvet Tuberose is a very in-your-face floral so I don’t wear it too often. Naturally since I love these, B&BW has discontinued both scents. Sigh.
Also in the front compartment are my Stila perfumes. Jade Blossom is one of my favorite scents (I actually have a back-up of it in storage and a rollerball on my vanity). On an aside, Bumble & Bumble’s Does It All Hairspray smells a little like Jade Blossom! I also have Mandarin Mist, which I love but don’t wear very much because it’s not very long lasting. :( Mandarin Mist is also one of my mom’s favorites though, so I will probably give my bottle to her at some point. 
There’s a couple of little teeny perfumes in that front compartment too! Remember the Urban Decay Revolver perfume oil? That little guy lives there, and so does my Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy rollerball.
And that’s it! I have a few samples of fragrances I like that I may purchase someday (like YSL Parisienne and Versace Bright Crystal), but only if I can make room in my perfume box! I have reviewed a few of these already but if you want a full review on any of the others please feel free to ask! :) 
If you’re looking for discontinued perfumes, try FragranceNet or Perfume Center. Both of them have big selections of discontinued fragrances at a discount. :)
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Make Up Forever Holiday 2011

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but this was enough to bring me out of blogger hibernation. If it’s not obvious by now, I love Make Up For Ever. The products are of the highest quality, and every interaction I’ve ever had with any member of the MUFE staff has been perfection. Their holiday collection this year is free of gimmicks, silliness, and fleeting trends and gets back to what makes this brand fantastic: great makeup. Whether you’re a makeup artist, makeup artist to be, or just someone who appreciates a really nice beauty product, you’ll want to send your friends & family to Sephora to do their x-mas shopping for you this year!

MUFE’s holiday offering is 4 collections. I have two of them that I will be swatching and showing off, but for now I just want to give you the low-down on everything.

Wild & Chic Aqua Eyes Collection – $36 ($70.50 value) – in stores & online

The Aqua Eyes Collection comes with 5 travel size Aqua Liners and one full size Aqua Liner. The travel size guys are pretty little, but will still be plenty to get a lot of good use out of. I like the fact that the black one is full size, since that’s most people’s workhorse color. The other colors included are dark metallic grey, navy w/ sheen, blue-green, pearl brown, and metallic purple. I have my fair share of Aqua Liners and these babies are fantastic. They were developed for water ballet performers and they do perform up to task! If you’ve struggled with so-called waterproof liners in the past, try these out. I think you’ll love them.

Wild & Chic Best of Make Up For Ever Collection – $55 ($103 value) – in stores & online

This collection would make such an awesome gift. There’s a little bit of everything; all of MUFE’s best (except the foundation, which would make a really great companion gift to this kit!). There’s mini sizes of the HD powder and primer, a mini black Aqua Liner, a full sized Smoky Lash mascara, and a pinky pearl beige lipgloss that is sure to flatter just about anyone. And then there’s the Aqua Cream. Oh Aqua Creams, how I love you. Aqua Creams are similar to MAC paint pots in the sense that they’re potted cream shadows that you can use as a base, but overall I find them much better as far as wear. The shade included here is a warm champagne shimmer, easily one of their most popular and universally useful shades. (It was also the first one I decided I needed to have!) One thing about this kit too is if you already have one of the items (like me, I already have that Aqua Cream), nothing in the kit would be a bad thing to have two of. They’re all “workhorse” products that having more than one of would actually come in handy.

Wild & Chic Aqua Cream Collection – $175 ($242 value) – not available in stores

When I saw this kit I think my reaction was somewhere along the lines of “…oh my god“. This is Aqua Cream HEAVEN, people!! I know the price tag might seem steep, and this is definitely a high-ticket item, but keep in mind you get 10 Aqua Creams that normally retail for $22 apiece, and a brush. It’s not a flimsy little travel brush either! It’s a full size artist quality brush. These can be shadows, shadow bases, eyeliners, or even blush/highlighter. The versatility of what’s included even further adds to the value. They also come in a nice tin type case (the copy on the Sephora site refers to it as a clutch, but it’s hard-sided so I don’t think that is quite right to say– it’s closer to a pencil case). The whole thing is portable so you could easily slip it into a bag. Cream shadows are so great because you don’t have to worry about them spilling like pigments, or shattering like pressed shadows. The case is designed to hold them upside down, so you can open it up and find the color you want easily. What’s also good about that is when stored upside down cream shadows last longer. I just tested it out, and there is room to slip in an eyeliner or lip pencil comfortably as well (or maybe even a lipgloss in a slim enough tube). I’ll be interested to see if I could fit a mascara in there for the ultimate “on the go” case.

Wild & Chic Collector Case – $330 ($616 value) – not available in stores

Shut. The front. Door. This beautiful traincase comes packed with all of the products in the picture. This would probably be the Best Gift Ever for someone in cosmetology school, or your favorite beauty blogger on your holiday shopping list. ;) It has a little bit of everything to get you started (or further your love affair). Screw blockbuster palettes; this kit blows them out of the water. Of course, the price is substantially higher than most big blockbuster palettes, but I can tell you whoever receives this kit will use everything in it way more than you would use a big huge honkin’ palette. These are professional products that will perform and last– a much wiser buy.
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MAC Styledriven Collection Info

MAC Styledriven Collection
Launches September 22nd (North America) / September (International)
Permanent Collection

Pro Longwear Lipcreme – $17 USD / $20 CDN

Soft Sell – Light yellow-pink (cream)
Dress It Up – Light blue-pink (c)
So Very Good – Mid-tone plum with pearl (frost)
Till Tomorrow – Mid-tone dirty mauve (c)
To The Future! – Dirty neutral pink with pearl (f)
Good To Go – Loudmouth orange (c)
Love Forever! – Bright blue pink (c)
Positively Dashing – Mid-tone berry blue-red (c)
Extended Play – Dirty red, yellow undertone (c)
Endless Drama – Deep berry blue-red (f)
Soulfully Rich – Deep dirty purple with red pearl (c)
Pro Longwear Lipglass – $18.50 USD / $22.00 CDN

Patience, Please – Light pink-blue
Ready or Not! – Neutral light coral with slight pearl
Infinitely Likable – Light pink
Show Me! – Mid-tone neutral plum
Whoops! – Bright coral
Full Speed Ahead – Bright pink-magenta
Driven by Love – Red-blue with slight pearl
Lasting Achievement – Midtone purple with slight pearl
Dark as Night – Deep dirty purple with slight pearl
Pro Longwear Lip Pencil – $18.00 USD / $21.50 CDN

Etcetera – creamy beige
Nice ‘n’ Spicy – pink cinnamon stick
Staunchly Stylish – pinky beige
Morning Coffee – dirty rose
Absolutely It – soft burgundy
In Anticipation – soft yellow pink
What a Blast! – bright orange
Kiss Me Quick – yellow red
More to Love – intense bluish pink
Bittersweet – intense brown
Pro Longwear Eye Shadow – $20.00 USD / $24.00 CDN

Carefree – pale white gold (frost)
Pink Frontier – soft golden pink (f)
One to Watch – light warm brown (satin)
Sweet Satisfaction – soft neutral beige (f)
Lie Low – dark frosted golden brown (f)
Weathered – dirty blue grey (f)
Keep Your Cool – dark grey brown (s)
Styledriven – pale white blue (f)
Sunny Outlook – bright golden yellow (s)
Tease With Ease – bright fuchsia (f)
Fresh Flare – bright kelly green (f)
Plush – vivid purple (s)
Hot Paprika – mid-tone burnt red (f)
Thru the Night – deep navy (s)
Make Your Mark – dark chocolate (s)
Legendary Black – warm almost black (s)
This collection also promotes the 239 shader brush, regularly available in the permanent collection. 

Um, so. Can we TALK about how exciting this is? An ENTIRELY permanent collection of NEW products in fabulous-sounding shades. YES! I’m excited for these!!! Are you? 
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MAC Art of Powder Collection Info

MAC Art of Powder
Launches Sept 29th (North America) and October (International)
Note, International launch is at select locations only. 
Limited Edition

Highlighter: In The Abstract – $38.00 USD / $46.00 CDN
Soft pink base with yellow gold lines and lavender and midtone pink dots.
Eyeshadow: Street Art Eye Shadow – $38.00 USD / $46.00 CDN
Graffiti design with light brown, white, light cool blue, warm orange, pastel pink, and pastel blue.
Bronzer: Optical Bronzer – $38.00 USD / $46.00 CDN
Bronze with gold pearl and neon pink with gold pearl.
While this collection is certainly pretty to look at, I can’t see myself shelling out $38 a pop for a powder that is too pretty to want to use it. ;) The colors of the highlighter and bronzer do appeal to me though. I’m not wild about the eye shadow palette, but that’s just because the colors aren’t really for me. What do you think of the collection? Will you be adding any of these to your stash?
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MAC Posh Paradise Official Info

A couple of weeks ago I gave you preliminary info on the MAC Posh Paradise collection. I now have official info and pictures to share! I gotta say I am not really loving the visual with this collection (above). I think the fact that her dress looks like it has worms or something is freaking me out…
But hey, new paint pots!
MAC Posh Paradise Collection
Launches September 15th (North America – October for International)
Mattene Lipstick – $14.50 US/$17.50 CDN
Naked Bliss – Neutral light pink
Rare Exotic – Bright mid-tone blue pink
Legendary – Mid-tone brick red
Unknown Pleasures – Deep red blue
Seeds of Desire – Deep brown plum
Eden Rouge – Bright blue-red
Delectable – Orange-beige
Potent Fig – Deep blue grape
Deliciously Forbidden – Mid-tone berry
Fresh Amour – Light lavender
Paint Pot – $17.50 US/$21.00 CDN
Treasure Hunt – light pearled yellow
Half-Wild – mid-tone purple
Hyperviolet – deep biolet
Nubile – light peachy nude
Idyllic – mid-tone copper bronze
Genuine Treasure – reflects antique gold
Pure Creation – mid-tone frosty blue
Imaginary – blackened navy
Nail Lacquer – $15.00 US/$18.00 CDN
Immortal Gold – pale gold
Rain of Flowers – blackened violet with violet shimmer (Repromote)
As a lover of paint pots I’m excited for this launch. I also am a fan of mattenes. If you’re balking at the idea of a matte lipstick, keep in mind these are semi-matte. They’re matte enough to still be called matte but not enough that you look dried out and dead. However, they are packed with pigment! Not for the faint of heart in the brighter shades. Is anyone else delighted at the lack of repromotes (with the exception of Rain of Flowers lacquer)? Personally, I think both lacquers can be skipped. There are loads of pale golds and violet shades out there, and the MAC formula generally isn’t worth the $15.00. But the rest of the collection sounds lovely! As usual, this collection is limited edition. It’s available through November 10th.

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MAC Posh Paradise Preliminary Info

Please note this is preliminary collection info. I do not have official images yet, and all of this is subject to change! Information from Emily via Temptalia.


MAC Posh Paradise – Fall 2011
Launches: September 15th, 2011 (North America) / October 2011 (International)

Mattene Lipstick ($14.50)

  • Naked Bliss – neutral light pink
  • Rare Exotic – bright mid-tone blue pink
  • Legendary – mid-tone brick red
  • Unknown Pleasures – deep red blue
  • Seeds of Desire – deep brown plum
  • Eden Rouge – bright blue red
  • Delectable – orange-beige
  • Potent Fig – deep blue grape
  • Deliciously Forbidden – mid-tone berry
  • Fresh Amour – light lavender
Paint Pots ($17.00) (All are a frost finish.)
  • Treasure Hunt – light pearled yellow
  • Half-Wild – mid-tone purple
  • Hyperviolet – deep violet
  • Nubile – light peachy nude
  • Idyllic – mid-tone copper bronze
  • Genuine Treasure – reflects antique gold
  • Pure Creation – mid-tone frosty blue
  • Imaginary – blackened navy
Nail Lacquers ($14.00)
  • Immortal Gold – pale gold (Frost)
  • Rain of Flowers – blackened violet w/ violet pearlized pigments (Frost) – repromote
Hmm, this collection sounds interesting. Mattene lipsticks, when you give them a chance are actually really, really nice. Most of them aren’t 100% dry as the desert matte, which makes them more wearable. They are not for the faint of heart though, as in my experience the Mattene formula packs quite a punch, pigmentation-wise! I’m excited to see new paint pot shades, though I’m hopeful they won’t be quite as glittery as the more recent new paint pots. The frost finish has me a little nervous about that. The nail lacquers seem kinda thrown in the collection as an afterthought, but I’m sure they’ll be pretty.
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MAC Me Over Color Stories – Fall 2011

MAC Me Over – Fall 2011 Collection
Launches August 25th (North America) / September 2011 (International)
This collection is divided up into three color stories: Basics, New Black, and Icelandic Cool. However, products from each story really would also work well with each other so I plan on definitely doing some mixing and matching! I’m most excited about the eye quads, I think. But that may change when I actually see the goods! I’m also really curious to see how Avenue fluidline differs from Blitz & Glitz. What are you liking from the color descriptions?
All prices listed are in USD.
Lipstick ($14.50)
  • Secret Lover – pale pink w/ yellow pearlized pigments – Lustre (LE)
  • Peachstock – neutral peach – Satin (Permanent/PRO)
  • Offshoot – mid-tone neutral pink – Cremesheen (LE)
  • Oh, Oh, Oh – plum bronze with pearlized pigments – Lustre (LE)
  • Rebel – vivid pinkish purple – Satin – (Perm)
  • Prince Noir – deep blue-purple – Matte (LE)
  • Smoked Purple – deep eggplant purple – Matte (Permanent/PRO)
  • Runaway Red – rich red-blue – Satin (LE)
Lipglass ($14.50)
  • Illicit – creamy neutral pink (Repromote/LE)
  • Social Light – neutral pink with pearlized pigments (LE)
  • Curvaceous – light grey pink (LE)
  • Plum Fun – neutral plum with purple pearlized pigments (LE)
  • The Wee Coquette – naked neutral pink (Repromote/LE)
  • Good Times – pale mauve (LE)
  • Spite – muted plum taupe brown (Perm)
Lip Pencil ($13.00)
  • Spice – pink cinnamon stick (Perm)
  • Chestnut – intense brown (Perm)
Evil Eye Eyeshadow Quad (LE) ($38.00)
  • Evil Eye – deep yellow grey (M)
  • Palace Pedigreed – deep berry w/ soft pink (?) – repromote from Fabulous Felines
  • Spellcaster – blackened violet (M)
  • Moody – blackened green (VP)
Lady Grey Eyeshadow Quad (LE) ($38.00)
  • All Races – cool light taupe mauve (M) – repromote from All Races
  • Tendersmoke – muted silver lilac (F) – repromote from ?
  • Lady Grey – light frosted green-grey (S)
  • Hazy Day – mid-tone grey (VP)
Eye Shadow Singles ($15.00)
  • Creamy Bisque – mid-tone ivory w/ pearlized pigments (F) LE
  • Moleskin – nude brown (M) LE
  • Outre – mid-tone mustard (M) LE
  • Satin Taupe – taupe with silver shimmer (F) Perm
  • Mythical – frosty copper red (VP) LE
  • Carbonized – frosty dark brown (VP) LE
Eye Kohl ($15.00)
  • Teddy – intense bronze (Perm)
  • Smolder – intense black (Perm)
Shadesticks ($17.50)
  • Butternutty – frosted light neutral (Repromote/LE)
  • Cakeshop – frosted pewter (Repromote/LE)
  • Tundra – icy silver (LE)
  • Heirloom – light icy pink (LE)
  • Street Cool – mid-tone grey violet taupe (LE)
Fluidline ($15.00)
  • Dark Diversion – darkened plum (Repromote/LE)
  • Avenue – charcoal black w/ gold pearlized pigments (LE)
  • Midnight Blues – blackened blue (LE)
  • Dark Envy – blackened green (LE)
Nail Lacquer ($15.00)
  • Purple Majesty – deep purple (Cream/LE)
  • Deep Sea – deep teal (Cream/LE)
  • Quiet Time – beige nude (Cream/LE)
  • Fatigues – army green (Cream/LE)
Blush ($19.50)
  • Equilibrium – light bronze (Satin/LE)
  • Stunner – light coral pink (Satin/LE)
Cream Color Base ($17.00)
  • Take Root – rich red brown (LE)
  • Seaside – soft peach rose (LE)
Brushes
  • 211 Pointed Liner Brush – $18 (Perm)
  • 214 Short Shader Brush – $24.50 (Perm)
  • 226 Small Tapered Blending Brush – $24.50 (Perm)
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VIDEO: Nail Polish Storage & Favorite Polishes

Another video! If you’re 21+, you can play the drinking game. Very simple, just take a drink every time I say the word “pretty”, lol.

The video features my massive nail polish stash and its “containment system”, which is a red Ikea helmer. I’m not sure how many there are; I’ve actually never counted! I love the helmer. It was not that much money, looks nicer than plastic drawers, and is a lot more sturdy. It wasn’t even very hard to put together (Mr. Boyfriend helped). It also comes in grey and white, but I wanted the red to kinda jazz up my office area. If you wanted to, you could decorate it with magnets, as the whole thing is made out of metal.

All of the polishes featured as favorites were purchased by me. I get my polishes & nail supplies from:


Transdesign
Ulta
Ebay
Amazon
Zoya
Cherry Culture
Migi Nail Art
Buy In Coins
brand websites like MAC/Urban Decay etc.
Makeup Alley swaps
drugstores like CVS & Walgreens
and various brick & mortar beauty supply stores

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MAC Style Warriors is FIERCE

Style Warriors Lipsticks. Photo from Temptalia.com – used with permission

When the product information came out about the MAC Style Warriors collection, I shrugged. I mean, don’t get me wrong– I love animal print, so that was certainly exciting, but the color descriptions didn’t grab my interest.

Unfortunately, my lack of interest has vanished into thin air and is replaced by manic, crazed product lust. Personally I blame Christine’s delicious photos up on Temptalia.com, but I mean look at those lipsticks! From L to R: Brave New Bronze, Purple Rite, Sunsational, Tribalist. Brave New Bronze doesn’t seem to really be bronze at all. More like a nudey peachy color apparently? Absolutely lovely lovely. And well, Purple Rite. I have a problem. I’m obsessed with any sort of purple lipcolor. Sunsational is the sort of color that would make me look like death, but Tribalist! It seems like a dead-on dupe for Bing mattene (except of course that it’s not matte, but for me that’s a plus).

The collection also features coordinating lipglasses in equally exciting packaging, but for some reason they’re not jumping out at me. I mean the colors are interesting, sure, but none of them are jumping up and shouting “YOU NEED ME, ALYSON!! BUY ME!!”

Eyeshadow in Soft Force. Photo from Temptalia.com – used with permission

The eyeshadows, however, are beautiful! Several pretty neutrals. Even the bright-ass yellow is pretty. Not that I’d be able to wear it, but it’s nice to look at. And the bronzers, and the nail polishes, and…blushes! and…okay, well, this collection has clearly grabbed at my heartstrings. Now to see if it grabs at all at my purse strings.

Oy.

Have you seen Style Warriors yet? What items from the collection are you interested in?

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