Greasy much?

One major thorn in my side is how oily my hair gets!! 

My hair: 

I have very fine strands of hair that have a slight wave to them, which makes my hair look deceivingly thicker than it really is. So unfortunately, I have to wash my hair pretty frequently. My hair is naturally dark brown and is currently ombred. I don't have a "true" ombre because I asked to have it done more as highlights instead of done throughout my entire hair.  It's grown pretty long in the past couple of months.

Anyways, the point is... it's really annoying to have to wash everyday!! My hair can get dried out really easily and can turn coppery (as most bleached Asian hair turns). It's also a pain to blow dry and curl when I know I have to wash it by the end of the day. I definitely want to avoid daily washes as my hair has been growing longer. 

I've recently been able to "train" my hair to withstand a wash every 2-2.5 days with the help of some products, but the main trick is DRY SHAMPOO! Here are the 3 I'm reviewing today:

1) TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo for Oily/Straight to Normal Hair
This product... sucks. One of the main reasons I could never "train" my hair was because of this dang product! This was the first dry shampoo I purchased last year. I wasn't about to spend the big bucks on Klorane (the only I knew of at the time) and was excited a drugstore brand ventured into this realm. I had put so much hope into this bottle and was greatly disappointed. This dry shampoo sprays wet onto the hair and needs to be rubbed and brushed out. It leaves a stark white cast that turns flaky!!! The smell is nice, but kind of turns into a headache after a while. The major problem with this dry shampoo is that it is HEAVY and STICKY. It weighs down my roots, only making them oilier and you can actually "feel" the weight of your hair. I tried numerous times to make this product work, but it only accentuated my problems. I was turned off by the concept of dry shampoo for several months. This is an EPIC FAIL product for me and do not recommend it.
2) Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Powder Clean Dry Shampoo 
This is a powder that claims to give a "fresh" start and lift to second-day hair. I think I got this from Sephora with my beauty points and never really used it. It wasn't until Sandra from 15 Steps and a Beauty Blog started talking about it and I remembered I had it. I heard baby powder is similar, but this is made of starch and cotton to absorb oil. The pointed funnel tip does help with getting the product right where you need it instead of giving you the sprinkled dandruff effect. I do think this product does a good job of sucking up excess oil from the hair and scalp, but does not give any body. I use this on days when conditions are "less severe" and just want to prevent oil buildup. I've used this pretty consistently for the past 6 months and haven't made a dent in this sample size. If you're curious, I recommend picking up the $10 sample size instead of the huge bottle!
3) Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo
After reading several blogs comparing this "new" formula and their original, I decided to go with this. It claims to refresh just as well as Bumble and Bumble. I haven't tried, so wouldn't be able to tell you. What I can tell you is that it is my favorite out of the 3. This spray dries to a powder finish and has a powdery-flowery-grapefruit scent. Because I have dark roots, it is important that I don't have a "gray cast" from my dry shampoo. I make sure to brush this out, and the great thing is, it doesn't leave flakes like Tresemme does! This product not only refreshens my hair, but gives it volume without weighing it down. My roots feel powdery till the end of the day, which feels a little weird, but that just means I know its working. Definitely recommend it.

I also tried two high-end dry shampoos from the Sephora on two different occasions. I don't own these, so these are only my first impressions.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray

One thing I loved about this product is that it really is invisible! There was absolutely no white cast and I was able to spray this all over my head without any fear. I usually have to double check that I don't have a white streak on the back of my head, but not with this! This finished result was very similar to Suave. I really liked this spray!!! I'm contemplating whether I should purchase such an expensive dry shampoo when the Suave already works for me... 

Ojon Full Detox Rub-Out Dry Cleansing Spray

Ew!!! This was even worse than Tresemme's dry shampoo on my hair! It left such an obvious white cast and took quite some time to rub out. The smell was kind of strange and it left my hair feeling really heavy and sticky. I was pretty disappointed because I love Ojon products. 

I want to check out Klorane and Batiste next. If you don't need dry shampoos, consider yourself lucky!! 

What dry shampoos work for you? Any tips on how to extend the time between washes?? 

Rock & Republic

The Rock & Republic line of makeup is known for its lavish packaging, tremendous color selection of blushes and eyeshadows, and great color payoff. Too bad it's discontinued!!! :(
Thanks to YouTube gurus like Hollyannaeree and Jenn from frmheadtotoe who raved about this brand, people jumped onto the bandwagon and began buying out products whenever it was held on Hautelook. I'm bummed because this all happened before I began actually collecting makeup and missed out on so many opportunities to get their blushes and brushes. Now they're all sold out! :((

I decided it was time to invest in whatever I could before the entire line disappears. So here is what I got my hands on at $7 a pop from Hautelook.

 Each eyeshadow comes in it's own little case. I likey!

Here are 3 of the shadows I received. From left to right are Revenge, Alloy, and Wicked. Revenge is is shimmery cranberry purple, Alloy is a shimmery golden peach, and Wicked is a matte maroon purple.

Swatches of Alloy, Wicked, and Revenge from left to right and bottom to top. 

Surprisingly, the colors swatched differently than expected. Revenge has a deep purple tone and the cranberry speckles seem to disappear. The shadow is creamy to the touch, just like Alloy. Alloy was pretty much what I expected and swatches true to color. Wicked turned out to be much chalkier than I had hoped for and has more of a maroon-cranberry color than purple, which I actually like. 

I'm still waiting for the color Tribal to arrive. I'm sad that I missed the chance to own colors like Carat, Veil, Sabotage, and Exile. I've probably done a horrible job at portraying the wonders of this line, so if you're bored please check out this girl's swatches at Part 1 and Part 2. 

And while I'm still talking about this line, I figured I should show the blush I own in Immoral.
Please excuse my extremely lazy impromptu "shoot" on my bed with my iPhone... haha

First of all, do you see how big the blush is compared to the shadows??

The color in the pan is really scary, but when applied with a light hand, the blush brings a bright flushed tone to the skin that isn't too bad. Plus it's matte so it looks pretty natural. 

To sum it up, it's a pretty great brand and even greater with it's huge discounted price tag. I love its heavy and durable packaging with mirrors placed in each compact. It seems over the top, but that's what makes it feel expensive. My only gripe about the packaging is that there are no magnetic or clip closures. It's made well enough that it shouldn't open on its own, but I wouldn't trust it to be sitting in my purse, that's for sure. So that is my measly Rock & Republic collection. I'm so sad I missed out on the other blushes, shadows, and brushes! I wonder if they'd ever come back out with this makeup collection since it's been doing so well?

Overview: Exfoliators

I'm not that much of an exfoliator buff (har har), but here are the ones I'm going through.

1) St. Ives - Green Tea Scrub
This is the newest addition to the club. I think it's one of my favorite exfoliators to date! It has such a clean, fresh, and yummy scent. What I enjoy most about this scrub is that it has tiny beads that are gentle, yet it's dense enough to feel like you're really scrubbing your face. This scrub has a good ratio of beads to the paste... if that's even what it's called. Basically, it's an awesome scrub if you're willing to spend $4 and I totally recommend it! If you're feeling iffy, at least smell it!!! Smells so good....
2) St. Ives - Apricot Scrub for Blemish & Blackhead Control
Who hasn't used this exfoliator? It's been around for ages and was the option to turn with all it's awards. I don't think I've been without this exfoliator since high school... but I'm so over it! This is the epitome of a "scratchy" exfoliator. I was excited to try their new formulations with their new packaging, but it's pretty much the same thing. I'm not into rough exfoliators, especially since my skin has become more sensitive. I don't enjoy the feeling of my skin burning... It's taken me forever to get through it because I leave it in the shower, but it will be replaced by my new favorite, the St. Ives Green Tea Scrub. And I haven't seen any blemish or blackhead control.
3) DermaNew - Microdermabrasion
This came with a handheld scrubber that I'll speak about below. I haven't used this scrub without it, so I don't have much to say. It's white with tiny microbeads. (ps, thanks sis for the gift!)
4) Ambi - Even & Clear Exfoliating Wash
I used this cream when I was going through the worst year-long breakout of my life. I think I was going through hormonal changes after graduating college and my skin was wigging out on me. I even tried ProActiv! (it didn't help) Anyways, this cleanser caught my eye one day and I wanted to see if it would help with evening my skin tone after all the scarring left on my forehead. I absolutely love the scent of this pearly cream, but I love it even more now because I associate it with the time my skin began to clear up. Now I don't fully credit this product to the clearing of my skin, but it was a nice alternative to the St. Ives Apricot scrub because this is more like a cleanser and exfoliator put into one. It's extremely gentle on the skin with tiny microbeads that aren't densely packed into the formula. It's definitely something that could be used daily unlike the other exfoliators I've discussed. The only reason why I own it right now is because I haven't seen this line carried in Target for years and I ran across it this summer and thought it was time for a little reunion.
5) Clarins - One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
This cleanser came with the Clarins package I ordered from Hautelook this summer. The cleanser has a gel consistency with round beads sparsely dispersed through the formula. Now I know I'm not one for harsh exfoliators, but this is too far on the opposite side of the spectrum. I would think this would be ideal for mature or extremely sensitive skin. I could imagine my mom or grandma liking this exfoliator... which is why I should have steered clear from Clarins in the first place. I am not digging this barely-grazing-the-face-exfoliator action... nor it's orange scent.

This is the DermaNew set my sister got me. This "Facial Rejuvenation System" includes the dual-sided resurfacing tool, the microdermabrasion cream, a body foam applicator, a facial foam applicator, and a facial cleansing brush. The tool can either be used as long as you'd like or with it's 2 minute timer. I usually use the 2 minute timer, apply my Body Shop Seaweed gel cleanser onto the cleansing brush side, and clean my face whenever  I want a decent scrub. I will also use the foam applicator with the microdermabrasion cream time to time. There are tons of different tools on the market, both high and low end. I think it's worth the investment because it just revives the face better than what your hands can do!

I think the only scrub I'll repurchase is the Green Tea from St. Ives. I haven't been on the lookout for new exfoliators because I've had my eye on the Clarisonic Mia... the ultimate exfoliator. I hope to be a proud owner one day!! :P

Overview: Face Cleansers

Here's the beginning of my "Overview" series dedicated to products I'm currently using/trying to finish up. That way I can talk about all the things I've been rotating around for the past several months. (These pictures were taken back in August!)

Today's post will be featuring facial cleaners. Sigh... facial cleansers... my first love since junior high. I have probably used almost every drugstore brand and age appropriate line for my skin from Clearasil, Clean & Clear, Basis, Noxema, Olay, Loreal, Cetaphil, Biore, Purpose, Aveeno, and Ambi. My favorite brand would have to be Neutrogena out of all the drugstore choices. I've also dabbled with some high end cleansers, but there isn't one that stands out more than my trusty drugstore brands. There are a few tried and true cleansers I don't mind going back to, but I think I have ADHD and find myself always looking for something new!!

 Here are the 5 facial cleansers I'm desperately trying to go through!

1) Chanel - Mousse Douceur 
This is one of my 3 white creamy cleaners that foams and washes off beautifully. I think it's comparable to cream cleansers of Clinique or Shiseido that give you that squeaky clean face. It smells so good too! I'm sad I'm coming to the end of this tube, but I don't see myself spending the dough to keep this in my collection.
2) L'oreal - Go 360 Clean Deep Cream Cleanser (all used up now)
This is my second bottle of this face wash. It does a pretty good job of cleansing the face, and I especially enjoy the pink scrubber it comes with. It took some getting used to, but I use this scrubber with other cleansers now. The cream doesn't strip the face of all its oils, which I think helps me not to produce extra oil throughout the day. It has become a staple shower cleanser, but I'm bored of it. I think I'm going to try one of their gel cleansers in this line or I'll switch over to Clean & Clear's Morning Burst or Neutrogena Grapefruit cleansers for my shower routine. I do recommend this line though!
3) Dr. Brandt - Poreless Cleanser 
Love/hate relationship with this guy. It's taken me FOREVER to ge through this... like over a year and a half... is that even sanitary? haha Anyway, this face wash gave me instant results when I noticed my blackheads were totally clearing out. However, after a month of using it my skin became immune. And on top of that, this cleanser reeks of medicinal scents and burns the crap out of my eyes. This is one wash you definitely need to make sure is completely gone before you open your eyes or you'll regret the day you were born. I don't even know where this could be purchased because I don't see this line at Sephora anymore.

4) The Body Shop - Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash

I was introduced to this line through Lil Lady's Life blog and her review found here. I stumbled upon her post in the middle of summer when my face was extremely oily and I was looking for a new cleanser, and thought "Why not?" I bought this along with the moisturizer (which I'll speak about in my upcoming post) and thought it was okay. The toner is probably the best item of this line. Anyway, the cleanser is decent, but is pricey!! I do like the seaweed scent and it helps clean the majority of my makeup way, but I will definitely not repurchase. I'm enjoying it while I use it up as my main cleanser, but I will be on the lookout for something new. 

5) Sibu - Sea Buckthorn Facial Soap Bar (half of the bar cut off and wrapped) 

I was introduced to this soap from another online guru, Ginabinawina99 of Youtube, with her review found here. She was such a believer of this line, so I actually purchased this soap bar and one of Sibu's moisturizers for my boyfriend. He used body soap bars for his face his entire life and I was trying to introduce soaps meant for the face!! My first attempt was with Anthony Logistics for Men Glycerin bar, but that still gave him breakouts. I thought Sibu's bar was worth a try since Gina's husband enjoyed the line AND it was super cheap (like $3!!) on Amazon. Turns out not only did my bf stop having breakouts completely, it totally took off all my makeup too! After that, we have collectively gone through about 5 bars and fully intend to keep repurchasing. This soap bar does a good job of cleansing impurities and excess oil. I especially like to use this after rubbing an oily makeup remover all over my face to make sure everything is fully washed off. Great cleanser for men or women!

I'm happy to report that I'm coming near the end of most of these cleansers... which means time to go shopping! 

What cleansers have been tried and true for you? What do you recommend??? 

Product Rave: No7 Radiance Boosting

Here's a product I've decided I cannot be without: 

No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser, $10

This is a dupe product for the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. If you aren't familiar, let me fill you in. As a disclaimer, I've never personally tried the Liz Earle, but I've read and watched TONS of reviews (direct review links to SWalker, Vivianna, Zoella). Unfortunately, this line is carried in the UK and is rarely sold on QVC (or so I've heard). I'm dying to get my hands on the Cleanse and Polish!

Anywho, onto the good stuff. What both of these products claim to do is to cleanse all the impurities off your face with the use of a muslin cloth. You pump out the cream onto your dry hands and rub onto your dry face over all your makeup. The product works into your skin, melting and dissolving away all the layers of makeup. As if that isn't cleansing enough, the muslin cloth steps in to take the cleansing process up another notch. Using hot water, soak the muslin cloth, squeeze out, and press into your face. As you wipe away the grime, you're removing makeup and exfoliating your face of dead skin cells. Repeat on a clean face if desired. The end product should be moisturized, glowing, and heavenly skin. 

The concept is simple: cleanse and polish. It's meant for all skin types and for anyone who is looking to clear their skin with light exfoliation. Just because you don't wear makeup shouldn't turn you off either! This product is just raved by makeup junkies because it's gentle, yet effective enough to remove everything on their face - in one step! Doesn't that sound amazing??? You could see how I was so intrigued and could not pass up the chance to try the No7 dupe. 

My review: 

I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. Now I've heard seen one comparison between the two, and the No7 failed compared to Liz Earle, but it totally wins for me. Imagine how great the Liz Earle must be!!! :O

First of all, this product smells like a dream. I love using it just to smell it. I can't describe the scent, but it really is a joy to use. Secondly, the cream really does melt off my makeup. I gently rub a generous amount onto my face and see the white cream turn gray (collecting all my makeup). I generally start on my cheeks and forehead and do my eyes last because I don't want my mascara being rubbed onto the rest of my face. I focus most of my attention at my eyes, where I use waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Mind you, nothing else gets my waterproof makeup as well as this. Once I know my skin and lashes are saturated well enough, I run my muslin cloth under the hot water, squeeze out the excess, and then rest the cloth over my face. When I have time, I let the cloth sit over my face to open up my pores. I then start taking off my makeup with the cloth. I make sure not to rub my eyes to irritate them or cause wrinkles. I close my eyes, push the cloth downward pressing it into my upper lashes, then push upward pressing the cloth into my lower lashes, then open my eyes and clean where necessary. When I'm too lazy to use the cloth, I'll still rub the cream onto my face, but just skip the cloth step and use a good foaming cleanser to get everything off. 

I did have to get used to this new process of taking off makeup, but it's so easy once it's a part of your routine. I don't like using oily makeup removers and getting cotton strands all over my face, so this was a nice alternative. The smell is amazing and it really does leave your face nicely moisturized. I love that the muslin cloth serves to gently exfoliate your face. It really does leave my skin... "radiant"! 

As far as I know, Target and Ulta carry No7. I just became a member at Ulta and saw a "get $3.50 off any minimum purchase of $10" coupon and thought it'd be great to get a backup for only $6.50! I just bought my backup so you can see how this qualifies for a "product rave" review!  If you're near an Ulta, go onto their site and use this coupon. If not... take a leap of faith and get it at Target! At least walk by and smell it... 

If any of you ever try it, let me know your thoughts! :D

My grade: A

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...

I've recently decided to go hunting for my holy grail high-end foundation and graduate from drugstore brands. The only thing is, I don't own any or know where to start! After much research, I was able to narrow my list down. Below are the samples I collected from Macy's, Nordstrom, and Sephora.

Before I get started, I should explain what I was looking for to match my skin type. I have combination skin (dry cheeks, oily t-zone, esp at forehead and nose) and prefer matte finish foundations. Now I'm no expert, but the different type of finishes are matte, satin, and dewy. Since I'm oily within a few hours, I definitely do not like dewy foundations because they only contribute to my oiliness. I'm not too sure what "satin" means, but I'm guessing a powdery sheen. I love matte, but other people find this finish to be too fake and sometimes cakey. (I will share my secrets below for matte foundations!) A good foundation for me means medium to heavy coverage, long lasting stay, and no oxidizing (turning orange)! 

Let's take a look!

from left to right: 

top: Chanel Mat Lumiere, Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 60

middle: Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer, MAC Pro Longwear

bottom: Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet +, MUFE HD Invisible Cover, MUFE Face & Body, Nars Sheer Matte 

1) Chanel Mat Lumiere (Cendre 30) - My favorite, yet the priciest at $54. :( This foundation gives me a matte finish that is soft, powdery, and smooth. The coverage is medium and the lasting power is pretty decent for something like an 8-hour day. I love it... why do you have to be so $$$$.

2) Shiseido USP SPF 60+ - This face and body lotion has such a cult following! I was looking for something to wear under my makeup this summer without making everything melt off. The consistency is runny, but slightly thick. It blends in very nicely. I liked it, but still iffy about purchasing a full sized bottle only because I don't want to add another layer to my skin!

3) Kiehl's Super Fluid Defense SPF 50+ - This consistency is very runny so make sure you shake it up! This dried to a powder touch after blending, but like I said, I don't want to purchase because I am scared of breaking out with more layers on my face. (I like both sunscreen products equally.)

4) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer vs. Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer (Sand) - The lady behind the counter told me I was sand in both formula's, but that was not true! I tried the original TM and I turned as orange as an Ooma-loompa. The oil-free TM was a much better match, but left me SOOO oily. I was disappointed because these TMs have won so many awards! I did like the natural finish it gave right after application, but I think the asian in me prefers BB creams. 

5) Mac Pro Longwear (NC130 & NC125*) - I was matched to NC130 when I first went to the counter. I told her I think I was NC125, but she said it was "totally" 130. Wrong! I went back for NC125 and this is my second favorite of the bunch!!! I will definitely be purchasing this foundation for only $30. (Actually I'll be buying it with a discount, but I'm gittin' it). This foundation is matte, long-lasting (alllll day), a perfect color match, medium coverage, and does not oxidize. I get scared of MAC foundations because they always break me out, but this definitely works for me. I say check it out of you're prone to oil production during the day.

6) MUFE Matte Velvet + (35) - This product has so much rave in the Youtube community of the oily-skinned. I was so excited to try it, but it turns out it just made me even more oily. The coverage and color range are great, but the formula just doesn't work on my skin. I think it would be great for slightly oily skin, but it's not strong enough for me. My sister also had the same problems! I say get a sample before purchasing... It didn't have great lasting power either.

7) MUFE HD (123) - Now this foundation is HOLY GRAIL in the Youtube community. If you haven't heard of it... then you've been living in a cave. But honestly, it didn't work for me either. This foundation does give a flawless finish, but would work much more beautifully for people with normal to dry skin. This line is great because there is such a huge range of colors, so that's great for people who have problem finding matches. This foundation also left me very oily. I used up the rest of the tube on days when I only had be out less than 5-6 hours. Other than that, it just couldn't hold up. 

8) MUFE Face & Body (32) - This was the winner for MUFE surprisingly. I thought it would be similar to MAC's Face and Body, but it's completely different. MAC's F&B is a water-based liquid foundation that has nonexistent coverage. It was so dewy that my faced melted off within hours. The MUFE, on the other hand, performed great on hot summer days. The weird thing about this foundation is that it has a GEL base. It's all jiggly-wiggly when you pump it out. However, it blends to a powder finish and is completely buildable in its coverage. The staying power was pretty decent too. I think this foundation was the closest to the notion of having a "satin" finish. The verdict for my skin type: this MUFE foundation beats the other two cult favorites for face, but MAC's F&B is good for the body. 

9) Nars Sheer Matte (Stromboli) - This foundation is overlooked compared to its nemesis, Nars Sheer Glow. These obviously either offer a glowy (satin) or matte finish. I decided to give Sheer Matte a go since I like matte finishes. I was pleasantly surprised by this foundation. It has a light to medium coverage that is buildable, and not overly matte. The color matches pretty well with my skin. I did realize that the staying power is decent, but after about 6 hours my skin just doesn't look quiet fresh. I think it eventually oxidizes on me. 

So what did I learn?? Chanel breaks the bank, but is worth it. I did give in and buy Chanel Vitalumiere (review to come!), but I think it will be a while till I splurge on Chanel Mat Lumiere. Instead, I learned this is why MAC must be so successful thanks to real high-end prices. haha The Pro Longwear does what I need and I won't feel AS bad spending the dough on this foundation. The two drugstore long-wearing matte foundations I will still remain faithful to are the Maybelline Superstay 24 and Revlon Color Stay. Don't worry babies, you won't be forgotten!!

And my tips for matte finishes? Always apply with a damp sponge (Beauty Blender, Ulta or Sonia Kashuk dupes, cosmetic wedges all work well) because it evens out the formula over the face and prevents cakiness. You can always add on a highlight on your cheekbones to add the "dew" and you have control over where it is applied instead of all over your face! Bronzer is another great way to add depth back into your face. Nars Laguna, Tarte Park Ave Princess, Laura Gellar Bronze and Brighten, Elf Contour ($3!!!!!), Benefit Hoola, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil, and Urban Decay Baked Bronzer are all great and promising options. 

And my final tip... Go go go go get samples!!! GO WITHOUT SHAME!!!! :D

Perfume Collection

With my recent infatuation with Gucci Flora, I thought now would be a good time to share my perfume collection! I think it's pretty fair to say I have a liking towards floral or fruity scents, especially when they have a warm note to tone it down. I do have to mention that I've only purchased two of these perfumes. Two were given to me by a generous friend, one swapped with another friend, and two given to me as gifts. Anyways, let's get to it!

Ta-da~ My perfumes sitting on a dish from Marshalls. 

from left to right:

DKNY 'Be Delicious' - This perfume is the oldest and fruitiest bunch of them all. My sister got this as a bday gift for me many years ago (hi sis. thanks sis~). It was one of the first perfumes of my "adult" life after I graduated from Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren scents in my teen years. heheh. This sturdy round bottle has held up through thick and thin and seems to never go down! You can definitely smell the apple, cucumber, and tuberose. It's just such a sweet smell that I can only afford to wear during the spring or summer, especially when it's a day I feel like frolicking around in a dress. Overall, fruity and fresh. 

Escada 'Pacific Paradise'  - This limited edition Escada perfume (what they're known for) was exchanged with a friend for my Cool Water Happy summer. I'm not quite sure how to explain this scent, but it's definitely a powerful burst of scents for your nose. What sticks out to me are the notes of amber, candy, fruits, and flowers. I know that's so vague, but it's really a concoction. This fits my mood when I'm feeling girly. Fun for days out or even a date, but beware... the smell can be overwhelming! Overall, floral, fruity, and feminine. 

Giorgio Armani 'Armani Code' - This perfume is one that I'm still getting used to (thanks grace!!!). It definitely has notes of wood that make this perfume much warmer and richer than the rest of my collection. The vanilla, ginger, blood orange blossoms, and jasmine are easily detectable. It's soothing though because of the wood and also hints of lavender. It's almost a little seductive. :O Overall, warm and womanly. 

Burberry 'Summer' - I picked this bad boy up in Ktown during a Christmas sale. I think I got it for half-off. Score! Anywho, this limited edition bottle was a must-have after smelling it at my friend's house. I was already in love with two other Burberry scents, and I thought this would be the perfect perfume for... well duh, summer. It has floral scents of freesia, lily, and rose, but a crisp twist with notes of citrus, vanilla, and wood. It's fresh, but really warm and dark at the same time. I would say this is for when you're feeling sophisticated on summer days. :P 

from left to right: 

Marc Jacobs 'Daisy' - I was seriously obsessed with this perfume for the longest time. Too bad everyone around me hates it. (namely you, joyce!) I think it's just a different smelling perfume that always excites my lil' ol' nostrils. I mean, it's pretty heavily scented with vanilla, musk, jasmine, and gardenia, which I can see being overwhelming to a lot of people. But to me, it's magical. Apparently there are some notes of strawberry and grapefruit. See? Not too bad... My cousin got this for me as a bday/christmas gift and I was ever so grateful. I may be running out of this sometime soon (it will be the first perfume I finish before it expires!), but I don't feel confident I could finish a full size bottle in the future. They're just so ginormous with their huge daisy-heads... intimidating. See?? My one daisy is so much more friendly and cute. Overall, I think Sephora got it on the dot: "floral with a vintage edge."

Burberry 'The Beat' - Bergamot, musk, and wood. I think even a little "soapy." It's a really sophisticated scent that not everyone loves as much as I do. I used to go spray myself with this perfume at Sephora and just love how the middle and base notes were just as rich as the top notes, even hours after application. I would smell my shirt when I got home like a lunatic. haha Anyways, I love this perfume and I think it's perfect - absolutely perfect - for the fall, and even all year round (Daisy would also be a close contender). Overall, floral and spicy. Mmmmm..

Juicy Couture 'Viva la Juicy' - Last, but definitely not least, is my favorite amongst the bunch. I introduce to you - Viva la Juicy! Now mind you, I have always been anti-Juicy tracksuits and tacky charm bracelets and what have you, but I absolutely love this perfume. The only reason why I gave this perfume a chance was because of makeup guru Tiffany D spoke about it on her channel. I went into Sephora and fell in love instantly. I'm a sucker for gardenia and jasmine in light doses, but even more for vanilla. And this perfume has it all. When you first spray the perfume, you smell the top notes of berries and mandarin. Then the floral notes kick in. And then you're left with yummy amber, caramel, and vanilla when top notes have faded. I luuuuuuv. I first purchased the $18 rollerball, but I became a possessed woman who reapplied every other hour. I caved when I heard that this could be found at Marshalls or TJ Maxx. I scored! $30! I've been wearing this flirty scent pretty much everyday since the day I've purchased it and haven't given any of my other perfumes the time of day. Sorry guys. 

Anyways, it's perfection and I will definitely invest in a bigger bottle when I run out in the future. 

Wish list: 

Gucci 'Flora'

Burberry 'Brit Sheer'

Fresh 'Sugar Lychee'

Stella McCartney 'Stella The Print Collection'

Hermes Fragrant Set

What are your signature scents or on your wish list for perfumes???