Tuesday 22 November 2011

Review :: Sephora's 500 Point Dior Bracelet & Dior Addicted 2 Life Perk

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a good week. My week is particularly busy so this post will be quick :)
Today in my e-mail inbox I got a notice to pick up the Dior Charm Bracelet and Addicted 2 Life Deluxe Fragrance Sample for 500 points at Sephora. Now, I think some of the point perks are not worth the points, this included, but it is one of Sephora's better perks. The other perks I recall that I thought were somewhat (not not really) worth the 500 points was the time they gave out the full sized Benefit Coralista and a sample size of the Bad Gal Lash set and the Benefit Eyeshadow Palette. I got the Coralista, but I didn't get the Benefit Eyeshadow Palette unfortunately cause at the time I was convinced not to get it.

However, without further a do here's the newest 500 Point Perk! I hope this finds those who are contemplating getting it in time to help you make a decision on to spend or not to spend those 500 precious points! (Those points aren't cheap you know!)


And here's a closer look at the bracelet on both sides of all the charms:


I don't think its a bad product for its "price" considering it is an authentic piece of Dior jewelery - but that's subjective. I am the type of person who is more willing to spend more for jewelery that being said. However, from my experience, premier designer jewelery is always marked up at least 300%.

However, if you are to look at this from a purely financial stand point, ignoring the fact that it is Dior branded, I don't really think its worth it. If you think of the Hello Kitty 100 Points Deluxe Fragrance Sample and deduct 100 points off the price of 500 points for this set to account for the fragrance (which is generous), this makes the bracelet 400 points. That means you have to spend $400 in Sephora to get the bracelet. Considering a pair of earrings from a contemporary designer brand such as Marc by Marc Jacobs is approximately $55 and your hoping that the points are giving you a "10% discount" from regular items then $40 should be the estimated value of the bracelet. Now that I own this bracelet... I don't really think its worth $40 (Probably $10 being generous, but like I said before there is an upmarket of at least 300%), but its definitely better quality than Forever 21 Jewelery. It does have a nice slight weight to it and the silver plating of whatever material is made out of is smooth. I have yet to wear this bracelet out yet so I can't talk in terms of wear (and how the material alloy reacts with water) and how the toggle clasp is (as I know some toggle clasp bracelets are terrible including high end ones like Tiffany & Co). I would assume its fine since the toggle is quite thick in comparison to the ring and to be safe I would keep the bracelet away from any source of moisture or water. I hope my "financial" analysis/critique makes sense.

But all in all, the item is more or less "free" with your purchase of beauty goods at Sephora - which is better than nothing at all.

I hope this helps any individuals on the fence to decide. I do advise you to pick it up quickly cause point perks tend to run out within a day or two (like that one time I decided not to get the Hello Kitty 100 Point Perfume Deluxe Sample and couldn't get it the next day =w='').

And to be super honest... I just saw the e-mail blast and ran to my local Sephora to get this without thought like any crazy girl would do over pretty stuff. Hahahaha. It's almost equivalent to my friend lining up 12+ hours to get his hands on the H&M x Versace line. But to be fair he was one of the first people in line and got everything he wanted... and in hindsight I was silly not to ask him to help me pick up a ring or something that was $20 which would have a much higher resell value on eBay had I decided not to keep it.

Thanks for reading!
elle xx

Monday 14 November 2011

Haul :: Shiseido/NARS Warehouse November 2011

Hey Everyone!!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend! I didn't do much this weekend except attend a conference and went warehouse-ing at the Shiseido Warehouse! I wanted to go to the Nine West and the Petite Feet Warehouse, but I figured since I'm not free on Thursday, which was the VIP day, my chances of getting my hands on a pair of Rozas is next to none. I'll go next time as they stock up on them each warehouse {I hope they don't stop for next time! *knock on wood*}. For those who are Toronto warehousers, don't forget that Lisa's Cosmetics is reopening on November 19th, 2011!

I went on Sunday (the last day) at 2PM (an hour before closing) so I'm sure a lot of the merchandise was gone. I (sometimes) do this during warehouses cause:

{ Warehouse Tips }
1. It limits how much I can buy when I have hours and hours to shift through merchandise
2. Less wait time for the entrance line
3. Less people - since all the eager beavers usually try to get into the warehouse at opening


Anyways, here's the haul!

(L-R; T-B :: Shiseido Self Tanner, NARS Multiple Duo, NARS Eyeshadow,
NARS Lipgloss Duo in Orgasm & Hustler, NARS Lipgloss in Sunset Strip,
NARS Mini Lip Duo, Shiseido Lipstick, NARS Eyeshadow Palette,
NARS Eyeshadow, 2x NARS Lipsticks, NARS Multiple in Beverly Hills)

{ Prices }
Shiseido Self Tanner - $15
Blushes/Multiples - $15
Eyeshadows - $8
Lipgloss Duos - $10
Lipglosses - $8
Lipgloss Mini Duo - $8
Lipsticks - $10


L-R T-B :: NARS Orgasm/South Beach Multiple Duo
NARS Exotic Dance Eyeshadow Duo
NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow
NARS Corfu Cream Eyeshadow

L-R :: NARS Tzigane Lipstick
NARS Transeurope Express Lipstick
Shiseido P18 Lipstick


Swatches :: Transeurope Express, Tzigane, P18

I originally purchased the self-tanner because I thought it was a bronzing product and just grabbed it to "even out" my skin tone on my legs... It turns out its not the product I was hoping for when I gave it a closer look. I'll probably give t to one of my sun-addicted friends.

Anyways, I hope this is a helpful reference for those who hope to go in the future!

Thanks for reading!
elle xx

PS: I got 33 followers! Yay! Thank you all for following me! It makes me really happy and means a lot to me! ^_____^♥

Thursday 10 November 2011

Review :: NARS Holiday Limited Edition Danmari Blush Palette - Close Up Look

Hello Everyone!!!

So for everyone that's not up to date with the beauty-sphere in the blog-o-sphere, Sephora is having their annual Friends & Family 20% off sale to individuals who qualify for their VIB! Anyways, since my mum and I share the same Beauty Insider card it's quite easy for us to remain on the VIB list! I live a block away - a 10 minute walk - from a Sephora (terrible...) so I jumped at the chance to get one of the items I've been keeping my eye on! I also picked up a couple of mascaras and foundations for my mum ^-^.

Anyways - to the star of the show! The NARS Danmari Blush Palette! It retails for $70CAD. The price may seem steep, but the price is a deal considering the palette consists of the six most popular NARS blushes, including the infamous Orgasm! I got the 20% discount on top of that so after doing some math it works out to be $10.53 per blush after tax which is AWESOME ($9.33 before tax). It's truly something for people who wear blushes or makes a amazing gift! I only have one NARS blush (Deep Throat) and it wasn't featured in this palette... so score! Do note that the blushes are 75% of the original size, however I'm not the one to finish a blush or any eyeshadow so I don't really mind. However for those of you who are blush munchers, keep this in mind that you will not be getting a full sized product! BUT. All I gotta say is you have to get yourself one if you don't already own these colours and want to try them out. Maybe even get one for a friend... or your pet! Or my turtle (she actually has red spots on her cheeks so I guess she doesn't need it...)!

Unfortunately, this is a limited edition product as it was released with the NARS Holiday Gift Sets. So if you want this product... its time to pounce! I expect this product to be extremely popular especially at the F&F Sale going on at Sephora now! Being the enabler I am, I say buy it now and return it later so you don't regret it!

On to the part everyone cares about the most! Pictures!

The Holiday Gift Set Packaging present on all the NARS gift sets! Very sleek!!!

What you see when you first open the box

NARS Blush Heaven!!!

Better look at the blushes without the NARS plastic

Close up of the blush glory!
(L-R; T-B: Hungry Heart Duo II, Orgasm, Desire, Casino, Super Orgasm, Sin)

Back with the names of the blushes. (Does anyone notice how all of the
blushes except one is made in Canada? *Canadian Pride* :P)

I'll post swatches once I use it (does anyone delay using their new makeup products just to bask in the glory of a new product or am I just weird @___@''?).

I hope you enjoyed the post as much as I enjoy having this palette!!! *does a happy dance*

Thanks for reading,
elle xx