Tuesday, January 10, 2012

spring cosmetics w/swatches (Lancome, YSL, MAC, Paul & Joe) + other buys

I had a December Favorites post planned - photos are taken, etc. - but I was just way too excited to do this post, so... sorry, Favorites, you'll just have to wait... even longer. Oops!

I think it's safe to say that this spring's makeup collections have been my most anticipated of all time.  I usually hate when the holidays are over, but this year I was almost too excited for spring releases to be bothered!

I was really grateful to receive several gift cards for Christmas, and they were used to purchase quite a few of these things. :)  Anyways, let's get on with it!


Um, best Lancome collection ever? I usually barely glance at Lancome collections, but this one is SO AMAZING! Down to the packaging, this collection just blows my mind. It reminds me of Laduree (the Parisian macaroon-makers!). The lipsticks are my favorite they've released as well. And I can't even bring myself to swatch the powder!

I really recommend checking out the collection in person. Everything's really lovely - it was so hard to restrain myself!

Lancome La Roseraie Illuminating Smooth Powder (can't bear to swatch this yet!) 

The lipsticks are must-haves, in my opinion, particularly these two shades.  I'm bummed to have missed out on MAC Flamingo from the Iris Apfel collection, but these two resemble it closely enough to ease my pain. ;) Unlike most Lancome lipsticks, these are unscented. They also contain no shimmer and go on sheer, but buildable. They feel very moisturizing on the lips.

Lancome Le French Touch in 316 Cotton Candy, Lancome L'Absolu Nu in 1141 Sweet Marmalade

Cotton Candy, Sweet Marmalade

Lancome Cotton Candy

Lancome Sweet Marmalade

YSL makes the best. lipsticks. ever. And their Spring collection releases are no exception. I love both of the shades I picked, and Shimmering Coral is probably my favorite Rouge Volupte Perle from YSL so far. I think this range has the best scent, too!

YSL Rouge Volupte Perle in 115 Shimmering Coral and 116 Milky Pink

Shimmering Coral, Milky Pink

YSL Shimmering Coral

YSL Milky Pink

I really restrained myself with MAC - two awesome collections were released, and all I picked up were two lipsticks. *pats self on back* And I'm really pleased with both of them!

MAC Sweet Sunrise, MAC A Perfect Day

Sweet Sunrise, A Perfect Day

MAC Sweet Sunrise

MAC A Perfect Day

The mini Paul & Joe order I placed on ASOS.com just arrived today, actually (it was ordered first!), which is why it's not with the other cosmetics in the top photo. ASOS doesn't ship cosmetics particularly well (loose with some tissue in a box) and it's not the fastest shipping, but at least it's free shipping, so it is what it is. And it's one of my favorite online shops to browse.


Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color in Kitty Cat (ASOS.com)

Paul & Joe lipstick in Sex Kitten (ASOS.com)


Yeah, not ready to swatch those either! >_<

Overall, I'm SO happy with my picks for Spring. I love everything! Of course, not sure I'll ever be able to touch the Lancome powder or Paul & Joe stuff, but I love looking at it! haha

If you're surprised there's no Dior here, that's because I was kind of disappointed in the collection after seeing it in person, and I realized the colors in the palettes aren't ones I'm likely to use often, so they're not worth the price to me.  I am, however, on the prowl for the 3 Couleurs Smoky in Smoky Garden (the green one!), though.

I'm also still looking forward to the second Kitty collection from Paul & Joe that comes out in February, and the YSL Glossy Stains that should be up on Sephora.com soon! Wouldn't it be nice to have a neverending supply of cash for cosmetics?? HA!

Onto everything else...

Wallflowers & room spray (Bath & Body Works)

I can't wait for the new Slatkin & Co. spring candles! They had a few of them available in-store today, and they smell sooo good! I heard they're re-releasing The Flower Shop, which is probably my favorite spring candle - yay!

  • Fifi Lapin for Juicy Couture notecards & sketchbook
  • Red Velvet Cupcake candle (Target)

I'm a longtime fan of Fifi Lapin. I have several prints around my apartment, as well as her book and two bags from her LeSportsac collection.  So yeah, knew I needed to check out the Juicy Couture shop when I heard they were releasing a capsule collection.  It also included two adorable scarves, but these were more in my budget!

The candle was just an impulse purchase - Target is GREAT for those! haha Seriously, though, sniff this bad boy if you get a chance and are a fan of sweet, baked-good type candles. This one is seriously yum. No idea what the burn/scent throw will be like, but we'll see.

Printed tea towel (Anthropologie)

I wanted something to replace my Christmas-themed hand towels in my kitchen, and I've always loved Anthropologie's tea towels.  This one just really stood out for me.  I really love that I had a gift card for Anthropologie, because this is one of those things that I really love, but never would have normally purchased for myself. :)

Vintage marmalade canister (Anthropologie)

I was looking for something to store my Clarisonic and toothbrush in (my new one doesn't fit in the holder I have now), and really fell in love with this.  Random, right? That's me!

In other news, I took Sammy to get up-to-date on his shots and to be neutered today (Mouse went 3 weeks ago).  He's been so sleepy, poor guy! 

I got the night off work tonight, and I was so glad, because after I dropped Sammy off early in the AM, I came back home and tried to go back to sleep, but Mouse was not having it.  Every 15 minutes, he'd knead me, cry in the windowsill beside my bed, and/or attack my feet and legs. You'd think he was missing his brother or something! So cute. >_< He was so happy when I brought Sammy home. <3

Okay, that's all the rambling for now!  Hope you're all having a great week.  I'm off to go watch some new Tabatha (formerly Tabatha's Salon Takeover, now Tabatha Takes Over). LOVE that woman! Then it's off to bed! My cousin/best friend and her baby are coming to stay with me for five days, and I have so much to do before they get here - ack!!

Love you guys and thanks for reading!

xoxo,
<3 Jess

23 comments:

  1. omg omg omg so many lippies i keep going back and forth btw lip swatches debating which lipsticks to splurge and go broke on!!! HARD DECISION!

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  2. OMG is right! there are so many things i want to say... I will stick with telling you everything you got is BEAUTIFUL.. Oh look at all the pretty things, even love your decor style so sweet fun and cute. The Paul & Joe stuff is too DIE for, i bet it would look stunning amongst all your gorgeous bits and pieces.. Ever since i saw your cute rabbit lamp you got for chrissy i have been searching all over for one.. I love all your little collectables too! I am just dieing to see you makeup collection xoxNatty~

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  3. LOVE the paul and joe cat blush ! Where did you get it?? :)

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  4. Omg you will be my downfall this year, I adore all of those lipsticks! I am lemming a YSL lipstick so bad after reading all of your posts :)

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  5. Such a wonderful haul... I'm working on my wishlist cos I'm on a make-up buying ban until April *sobs*

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  6. I'm sporting such an evil enabler grin reading your comments, ladies! mwahaha! ;)

    J - This is my constant struggle! haha

    Natty - My decor style is definitely QUIRKY! lol If you're looking for that particular bunny lamp it is on the Anthropologie website and they ship internationally. It's not cheap, but not ridiculous. They had the lamp really securely packed when I received it - I was really impressed! I've tried to prepare for a makeup collection post, but it just won't stop growing...! >_<

    Allison - So sorry - I'll update the post w/that info! I ordered the Paul & Joe items from ASOS. They have free shipping to the US on all items.

    Emma - I will enable you into getting one, you just wait! *plots* ;)

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  7. So weird, on asos the P&J kittycat blush/eyeshadow looks nothing like the photo you've taken ! Was that what you ordered based on? It looks almost taupe on the site!

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  8. OMG that's such an amazing haul , the lippies look Awesome !

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  9. Just checked the Anthropologie site, HELLO, it is Bloody BEAUTIFUL! I already have my eye on quiet a few things... Thank you so much for leading the way! You have a special eye to detail in your style.. So SO inspiring! xoxNatty~

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  10. Seems like rose-imprinted palettes are "in" across all brands.

    Honestly I never look at lancome anything (probably because the closest sephora doesn't carry them) but I will be now! Those lipsticks are gorgeous. Every time I visit you blog, I add more lipstick to my makeup wishlist :)

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  11. Awww you got A Perfect Day! So jealous, it's sold out online, looks like such a perfect nude shade! All your lipsticks purchases are lovely x

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  12. A Perfect Day and Cotton Candy are SO lovely. So glad I snatched them up. That Paul & Joe collection is super cute...I would really flip if they did something Dog related ;) I did swatch my Lancome powder and was massively disappointed. I returned it. I thought it was a blush, it's more like an illuminating powder?? Either way it wasn't for me but it looked so darn pretty in the pan!!

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  13. You have the power to make me spend SO much money on lipstick it's dangerous!! I also (stupidly) didn't pick up MAC's Flamingo when I could have and I'm totally regretting it ... I also picked up Le French Touch because it's just too beautiful and it's similar to Flamingo.

    Love these posts, Jess!
    ♥ Jessica

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  14. Allison - I know! The colors are all wrong on the website - I hope no one gets duped! >_< I went from photos I'd seen on blogs and whatnot to decide. :)

    Natalie - It's a magical store, isn't it??

    PinkGlitter - I agree! Aside from their mascaras, I've never really been interested in any of their cosmetics... until now. o_O

    Gotta pick up my cousin from the airport - I'll respond to more comments later! Thanks ladies! :D

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  15. I agree with Jessica; you are a dangerous enabler! You always buy the bestest things. I love your hauls so so much. :) <333 xxx

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  16. How funny, I actually had the opposite reaction to the Dior spring collection...saw it online and thought it was cute but there was nothing I really wanted. Swatched the shadows in person and I had to have them both! I want to try and get my hands on the blush too, if I can x_x.

    I also missed out on Flamingo, it was the only thing I wanted from that collection too. Oh well~

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  17. Do you think cotton candy and milky pink are very similar? I am trying to chose only one!

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  18. Rachel - YOU always buy the bestest things!

    Tammie - I ordered the Smoky Garden 3 Couleurs Smoky palette - I can't wait to try it out!

    Poufee - Well, they're both pink, but I think they're very different on all other fronts. Cotton Candy is sheer, unscented, with no trace of shimmer. Milky Pink is pigmented, scented (fruity, I personally looove the scent of RVPs), and iridescent (tiny gold shimmer particles). I love both of them, but if you have to choose, I'd go for Cotton Candy, just because it's LE and so unique for Lancome. It also has adorable packaging!

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  19. Just found your blog! I LOVE that you post photos with the swatches of lippies on your lips! It helps, a lot. You've convinced me to pick up Lancome's Sweet Marmalade. It looks so pretty!

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  20. SO many pretty colors! Even though I tend to like darker (wine/rose/apple) colors than you do, some of these are very tempting. I love all those cute Paul & Joe things, but I'd never want to use them!

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  21. Jen - Yay! I hope you like it! :D

    Mama - I don't want to use the Paul & Joe things either! I actually put them away back in their boxes. One of the few times (only time?) I've bought something KNOWING I wouldn't use it! The palette especially - it reminds me of the cat art books you had that I looked at when I was growing up! :)

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  22. Chanced upon your blog and am enjoying it- great read! Like how the lancome lippies look on you- very pretty! =D
    http://beauteebeauty.blogspot.com/

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  23. I just bought Sweet Sunrise! It's lush! Perfect Day was pretty much the colour of my lips...
    And the Paul and Joe stuff is too cute. :( I would never be able to use it.

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