Dreaming of Dreamtone

Who doesn't dream of a flawless skin tone? I personally battle with some lovely leftover blemish marks and general redness on my face, so was all gung-ho to try this new release from the skincare giant Lancôme.

First impressions? I love the ombre pink bottle, and the twist top open is a nice touch that I find really easy to use, and it keeps the application hygienic as well. This luxe serum targets dark spots (buzz term of late, don't ya think?) and comes in 3 variations for different skin tones/areas of concern. 

-Dreamtone 1 is targeted at fair complexions and is supposed to fight redness.
-Dreamtone 2 is for medium skin tones and fights sallow skin
-Dreamtone 3 is for dark skin and targets blemish marks.

I personally take these variation types with a grain of salt, and was sent Dreamtone 2 despite my very fair complexion. I was dubious about this serum, but also quite excited at the thought of using something so lovely and had hopes that it would help improve my skin overall. I am so pleased to say with hand on heart that I found this to make a noticeable difference in my skin, and it not only fought any dullness and redness but also helped fade some of my stubborn acne marks. Now you see why I think all 3 serums are very similar!

I generally use one or two pumps of this at night as I apply it all over my face, and the pale rose coloured serum smells luxe and floral which I am personally a fan of. Those who are sensitive to scents like this should try to nab a sample before splurging for a bottle thought, just in case. If you were wanting to stretch the serum out you can apply it only on areas of darkness or redness, but I figure that the whole lot needs help so on it goes!

Without meaning to sound totally lame, I actually look forward to applying this and love the way it feels on my skin. I have found that since using this, my skin is more even and I can head out without too much slap on if I feel like it, which is quite a thrill for me. It didn't take too long for me to see the results as well, which is a good thing since this bottle is pretty pricey and I was uncertain when I began using it. It didn't flare up any acne for me (in fact, it was a player in the skincare routine which seemed to calm my recent skin flare up!) and I've noticed that if I skip this for a few nights, my skin gets a little upset with me.

My only misgivings about this beauty of a skin serum? The face that I can't see how much I have left, and the price tag! Sitting at $105 AUD (close to US price, woohoo!) this is definitely a skincare splurge, but I can actually envision myself trotting down to Myer or clicking onto Adore Beauty for a repurchase when this press sample runs dry...wallet be warned.

Lancôme Dreamtone retails for $105 AUD and can be purchased at Adore Beauty.

What luxe skincare have you found to really work for you? Or do you stick to budget skincare and splurge on lipsticks instead?!

Emma @ emmabovarybeauty

Pretty Heart Blushes

The much lauded day of romance that is synonymous with hearts and flowers has passed us once more, and yet still love remains in all facets of life. Rather than sharing these beautiful product images on February 14^th, I chose to withhold them and celebrate love in an everyday setting- today is just a regular day, and here they are! I am a strong advocate for pretty cosmetics, and blush is just about the prettiest a product there is. Patterned blushes are among my favourites within my blush drawer (yes, I need a whole drawer just for them!) and these sweet choices make me swoon with ease.

Physician’s Formula are known for their interesting powder designs, and this Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Rose ($21.95 AUD) is no exception. Comprised of various shades of pink ranging  from baby pink to neutral and plum toned pink, the overall shade is best described as a hot pink shade. The formula leaves a great glowy look to the cheek, thanks to the multi-reflective pearls within the powder itself. Though I can’t vouch for the plant extracts that are there to produce endorphins to promote a feeling of happiness, I definitely break out into a smile every time I see this pan of hearts so I guess it works anyway.

The Stila Make me Blush powder is yet another stunner that was sadly limited edition from a few years back. The great news is that Stila are definitely on the pretty blush bandwagon, and each year release a new heart designed blush around this romantic time of year. The 2013 offering (a 4 square pale pink pan, check 'emmabovary' on Instagram for an image) is better suited to fair complexions, whereas Make me Blush is perhaps a tad darker than necessary. A light hand is vital for a nice application on Snow White cheeks like mine.  Much more red-toned when compared to the PF Rose, the fine golden overspray imparts a warm shimmer to the cheeks before revealing coral hearts underneath, and the true colour of the blush is definitely coral overall. I use a stippling brush when I wear this, and prefer the shade that sits under the hearts rather than the initial shade with the overspray included. The great thing about the Stila limited editions is that they retail for around $25 AUD, making them much more affordable than the majority of blushes us Aussie’s have at our disposal, pretty or otherwise.

Are you one of those people who love pretty blush pans but don’t actually use them, or are you like me and snap a million pictures before throwing it onto your chipmunk cheeks? What do you think of the over the top heart craze?

*Both of these were purchased by me. Honesty, always.

Confetti Conga in Zurich!

I was wanting to try out a raspberry toned manicure for new years eve nail practise, and decided to start with  ‘From A to Zurich’  from the OPI Swiss collection from 2010. The shade is a dark rose berry shade that seems red in some swatches I’ve seen. It is more of a raspberry on me, and I was wearing a raspberry pink cardigan when I applied this and it went nicely with it.

 

I decided to try out one of the glitter polishes that Fashion Addict sent me, and I love the unusual mix of colours that Confetti Conga* contains. Burnt  orange, blue,  hot pink and purple along with silver micro glitter is suspended in a clear base, and I used only a small amount on my ring fingers to jazz up my manicure a little bit.

 

I must admit that though I am partial to a dense opaque glitter polishes, this sort of glitter is something I’m really glad to have in my collection. I am planning on pairing this with a burnt orange or hot pink polish next, to really take advantage of the glitter inside. I love the name of both of the polishes I’ve used, there is nothing worse than loving a shade and it having just a number or forgettable name.

 

 

 

I don’t think this type of glitter goes perfectly with the rosey shade, but I was still happy with the manicure and think I will wear From A to Zurich with a red glitter next time, and Confetti Conga with an orange base.

OPI is available from David Jones, Myer and Petra stores for $19.95. Confetti Conga and other BYS shades are available from $3.75 from Fashion Addict.

What would you pair with these two shades?

*Confetti Conga was kindly sent to me by Fashion Addict.

Mustard Rose // Shopping the Stash FOTD

I have been rifling through my makeup collection lately and bringing out some of my beautiful but hardly used pieces to give them some love. I love the formula of Kit Cosmetics lipsticks, and Viva La Rose is a gorgeously pigmented rose shade (no kidding!)

I love the look of mustard tones with rose, I think they complement each other and create a wearable look that still has a pop of colour.

 The eyes were born of a bid to use my MAC shades as they had been lying neglected. I swept Patina over the lid and used my beloved Outre in the outer third and blended into the crease. I highlighted my brow bone with Sunday Best, and used a bit of the golden shade from my Clarins Enchanted palette* along my lower lashline. I finished with my Revlon Grow Luscious mascara on the top and bottom lashes.

 

I felt really nice with rosy lips, and I love the way the golden shade on my lower lashline looks with the mustard tones of Outre.

 

How often do you wear MAC products?

Have you tried the lipsticks from Kit Cosmetics?

 

 

*Marked product was provided for consideration for review. Honesty, always.

Classique // a fragrance by Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier released his first fragrance in 1993, originally self titled but later renamed Classique.

Since I am far from a perfume expert, I headed online to to look up the notes for Classique. They include orange blossom (love!), rose (could detect that), musk (yep), mandarin, aniseed, ylang ylang, ginger, vanilla, wood, orchid, bergamot, iris and carnation.

I stumbled upon a great review of this fragrance on 'Now Smell This', and found this quote from Gaultier himself:

One part dusty loose powder, like my grandmother wore — I think it was old Coty; one part that smell you get when you are sitting in the front row of the theater — for me, I think of going to The Chatelet when I was 12, and the curtain goes up, and the hot lights are on the costumes, wigs and sets, and you breathe it all in. And, just to be modern, one part nail polish remover!

But listen, this is not a joke. I set out to create something you really want to wear. Smells are important because they remind you of certain people. If you smell this and you think of me, I want it to be good! And there are flowers, vanilla, a lot of things.” (via Women’s Wear Daily, 3/12/93)

On me, it smells powdery and sweet, with a floral edge that makes it wearable. My sister isn't a fan of 'nanna' fragrances like lavender, rose or anything powdery, but when she smelt it on me she really liked it. We both agreed that though it was definitely musky and powdery, there was something else that made it stand apart from a 'nanna' fragrance. I attribute that to the floral notes within the scent, and also to the inclusion of mandarin and vanilla within the concoction. Having said all of this, let it be known that I am partial to wearing 'nanna' fragrances, so it would be wise to sniff this and see how you feel about it on the skin as well.

I love the lace adorned frosted sample vial of this fragrance, and I love the quirky female torso design of the bottle that appeals to the classic and quirky sides of this fragrance.

 

Are you a fan of 'nanna' or powdery fragrances?

What notes are your favourites in perfumes?

*Pretty sure I obtained this in a beauty sample box. Honesty, always.

Naked Rose by Illamasqua // Swatches, Photos, FOTD

Naked Rose is a neutral beige pink powder blush from the new Naked Strangers collection, which has some of the most stunning imagery I've seen Illamasqua create thus far. I have a few bright blush shades from the permanent Illamasqua line, but as soon as I saw this muted shade I whipped out my purse and made it mine.

The Illamasqua powder blushes are all pigmented and soft, so you only need a small amount for a full flush of colour on the cheek. I find this blush a great flush of neutral pink for cold mornings, but I think I could get a lot of wear from this colour all year round.

The packaging of this is the same as all others from Illamasqua, it sits in nicely with the rest of my Illamasqua collection and the clear top means it is easy to recognize when I'm doing my makeup in the morning.

Illamasqua blushes last really well on my skin, I find they don't fade easily and blend nicely on the skin. I considered purchasing the cream blush from the Naked Strangers collection, but read some reviews saying that it was quite sheer so I thought this pink toned powder blush would work better for me.

I find that Naked Rose works really well with my pale skin tone, and I tend to use it for most looks without having to think about matching it up with rest of the makeup. I tend to use a really small amount and blend it right out to make sure I don't overdo it, I usually wear my blush quite heavy but this blush in particular can quickly go from barely there to full on, so it is best to work with a light hand.

Face: Bourjois 123 foundation in 51

Eyes: Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara

Lips: Clarins Lip Perfector in 01 Rose

(Please disregard the jumble behind my in the FOTD, I took this photo in the spare room which is still filled with 21st and engagement gifts!)

I purchased this blush from the Bourke St Myer counter for $42 AUD.

*This product was purchased by me. Honesty, always.

YSL Rose Bergamasque - #6 Rouge Pur Couture - swatches, photos, review

  

I have to give credit for my recent YSL obsession to Jessica, who never fails to entice me into a new purchase with each blog post and video. She mentioned this particular shade here and wore it here, and as usual I was unable to hold back from the purchase.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture in #6 Rose Bergamasque is a stunning glossy creamy nude with peachy pink tones that is perfect for me as an everyday lip colour.

Rose Bergamasque is number 6 in the Rouge Pur Couture range, which I find to have less slip than the Rouge Volupte counterparts. I find this easier to apply than my other YSL lipsticks, and it feels the most comfortable on the lips as well.

It is the little touches on YSL products that make their price tag justifiable for me. The YSL engraved onto the inside of the bullet is a luxurious touch, and the solid snap that the lid makes upon closure means I am not afraid of this being ruined in my handbag throughout the day.

Despite loving the formula of these Rouge Pur Couture's more than the other YSL formulations, I find the packaging of them the least appealing. While I still find them solid and beautiful, I adore the rounded style of the Rouge Volupte's much more, and it may sound petty but having to match up the YSL logo when replacing the cap drives me batty sometimes!

Swatch!

So much beauty, I really cannot stop swooning.

I thought I would show you a swatch of Rose Bergamasque next to my other favourite YSL lipstick, which is 01 Nude Beige from the Rouge Volupte line. You can see that the Rouge Volupte is creamier and less peachy than Rose Bergamasque, and I think that is what makes a touch harder to wear than the Rouge Pur Couture shade. For the record, I am a fair-bear and wear shade NC15 in MAC, 51 in Bourjois etc so keep that in mind when I mention how much this shade suits me. Having said that, I can see this working beautifully on darker skin tones as well!

*

This picture makes Rose Bergamasque appear a tiny bit peachier than it looks in real life, but it is pretty accurate otherwise.

*

I really like the way Rose Bergamasque feels and looks on me, and despite the higher price tag it is something I would repurchase. I love YSL as a brand and I find that the products are high quality (from the things I've tried) and worth the price tag.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture's retail for $50 AUD and are available from Myer, David Jones and anywhere else you find a YSL counter.

This product was purchased by me and I am in no way affiliated with the YSL brand, though I would love to be ;P

Hauling!

I have slowed down my shopping recently in preparation for our engagement party and saving money in general, but thought I'd show you a few of the things I've treated myself to lately.

I had been meaning to pick up the Dior Amber Diamond highlighter, and when I heard that it had been discontinued I knew the time had come. I picked it up on Strawberrynet for around $46 as they had a 10% makeup promotion at the time. I've used it quite a bit since and have a proper review of it in the pipeline, but for now I will say that it is worth hunting for!

A while ago Priceline had a promotion on for Maybelline products in which you could buy any 3 face products for $30 AUD. I needed to pick up my beloved Dream Matte Powder, and threw in a 24hr Stay concealer as I didn't have a concealer in my collection. I also chose the Dream Liquid Mousse foundation as I had seen Lilit mention that it was her HG foundation here and thought it sounded nice. I'm quite happy with all of these so far!

After work the other night I popped into Kmart for a wander, and came out with some Rimmel goodies in hand. The Punchy Taupe shadow was something I thought would be a good addition to my collection, and I couldn't go past the bright blue shade in Celestial Sapphire either. I didn't own a white eyeliner so was pleased to grab this Pure White one, and the Stormy Grey shade just for something different.

I am a sucker for a good blog sale, and managed to snaffle a few MAC pieces from Jen's blog sale here. I had been looking at the Russian Red lipstick, lipglass and limited edition nail colour which is coming out with the MAC Fashion Sets collection, and lo and behold up popped the lipglass, cheap as chips! Still want to get my hands on the lipstick, though. I thought the Nylon pan would be good for adding to my MAC collection (see my MAC palette here) and I have been wanting a bright yellow shadow, and Chrome Yellow certainly fits the bill!

Ah, YSL, my weakness. This Rouge Pur Couture in Rose Bergamasque has already crept its way into my favourite lipstick list, and I have Jessica to thank for spurring on the purchase! It's a stunning, wearable shade that I have been using quite a bit lately, and I have a whole post on this little beauty coming up real soon.

Amber Diamond, Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation, 24 Hour Stay Concealer, Rose Bergamasque, Chrome Yellow, Nylon, Russian Red, Pure White, Stormy Grey, Celestial Sapphire, Punchy Taupe.

What do you think of my haul?

What was your last beauty purchase?