Bite Agave Kisses Set for Holiday 2017

Today, I have one of the smaller sets for Holiday 2017 to share with you.  Say hello to the Bite Agave Kisses Set ($20) for Holiday 2017.

I've bought some of the Bite sets before, but this was my first time really experiencing (other than card samples) these products.

Just like all of the others I've tried, this comes in a reusable tin with the Bite logo.

This set is three steps to lip treatment: Balm, Scrub, Mask.

There are three products in this set, so let's break this down.

First, you receive a mini Agave Lip Balm.

This is 0.05oz/1.3g; the full size contains 0.15oz and retails for $18. I've nearly picked this up a number of times. I'm glad I hadn't.

I'm starting this review on a negative note- this let me down on only the fourth day of use. Since this is a soft formula, I did take care. Unfortunately, it shifted and started breaking almost immediately. It's moderately hydrating, but not worth the extra care.

Next up, the Agave Lip Scrub.

The deluxe sample in this set weighs in at 0.18oz/5g. The full size contains 0.26oz/7.39g and retails for $18- making this the most generously sized sample in here.

I already love their Whipped Cherry Scrub, so it was fun to try out the Agave version. I like it a lot, but it takes me so long to go through scrubs that I won't be purchasing a full size any time soon. I think it's a more effective scrub than the other one that I own.

Lastly, the Agave Lip Mask.

I've tried just a little card sample of this before, but I suspected that this would be a better test. I was correct. In this kit, you receive 0.18oz/5g of product; the full size retails for $26 and contains 0.52oz/15g of product.

This is by far and away my favorite product of the trio; I'll be purchasing a full-size during the upcoming sale. My lips are prone to chapping and cracking; this quenched their needs all night long. I know I'm late to the party on this, but it's a great product.

Now that I've tried the set for about 10 days, I really recommend it either for personal use or for a holiday gift. I might just pick up one for my mother, and a second to keep in reserve as a "just in case" gift. It's that good. I've stuck to the mini lipsticks in the past, but this is my favorite set that I've tried from the brand.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017 Beauty Exclusives: Winky Lux Flower Balm Set

Although it's currently sold out, I wanted to share with you the Winky Lux Flower Balm Set in case it comes back into stock. I've actually got a second post for you today about the other Winky Lux set- which is still available.

When I started researching the brand in support of my primer post, this product jumped out at me. Multiple large media organizations have featured the Winky Lux Flower Balms, a US-based version of the popular flower-in-lipstick that originated in China.

Normally, these retail for $14 each and come in five different shades.  For $22, this kit contains three of the brand's Flower Balms.

One of the things I already appreciate from the brand is that instead of a cardboard box, you get your kit in a reusable cosmetic bag.

And it's cute to boot! Seriously, this brand is really calling out to me. OK, let's get into the kit.

This kit comes with three of the balms, all of which are pH-reactive and turn pink. They're similar to Dior Addict balm and a plethora of others. Each balm has one real flower inside of it and contains 0.13oz of product.

I struggled with photographing their lip products- they're like a little pill and wander off.

They're gorgeous, right? Imagine pulling one of these out in public.

I don't have a lot to talk about because these are pH-reactive balms. All 3 are the same color, and make my lips a pretty pink:

In comparison to the Dior Addict Lip Glow, the Winky Lux Flower Balm makes my lips darker and warmer.

It's hard to really do an in-depth review of this type of product, so I'm just going to shower you with flower pictures.

Pink:

Purple:

Blue:

Overall, I think these are fun. I probably should split up the set so that they all get used before the product turns. I like these pH balms; they're comfortable and quirky.

I'm happy to have the kit, and if it comes back in stock, nab it! They're not ultra-longwearing but they are balms. My lips love these. I know this isn't a real review per se, but since they're sold out and this is such an Insta-famous product... not something I want to go too far in depth with.

I'll be posting a review later today on the other Winky Lux item. Stay tuned!

Dior Glowing Gardens Spring 2016 Collection

Today's entry in the "way late but better than never" category, I present my purchases from Dior's Glowing Gardens Spring 2016 collection.

I have to admit that the promo photography is absolutely stunning (go look for yourself, as I wasn't able to get a counter snap). It took me from "not interested" to "go find this NOW!"

I purchased several key items from the collection. All but the highlighter are still available, and the highlighter's going in and out of stock at Sephora the past few weeks.

First up, let's talk lips. I purchased two items: Dior Addict Lip Glow 005 Lilac and Dior Addict Lip Glow Liner.

Dior's Lip Glows ($33 each) are marketed as totally unique, balm-like lipsticks that create a custom color. There are currently three on the market: Pink, Orange (previously LE for Spring 14 but now permanent), and now Lilac.

I'm not going to swatch these for you for obvious reasons since they're pretty much invisible on your arm. I had high hopes for Lilac since Pink turns a bright, flattering pink. Lilac is a much more subtle shade and it has taken me weeks of playing with it to appreciate its subtlety. If you're a fan of these no-maintenance balms, I highly suggest picking up Lilac. It's just the most understated of the trio on my highly pigmented lips.

Unlike the Lilac Lip Glow, which took awhile for me to start loving, there's Lip Glow Lip Liner ($32).

This was instantaneous love.  It doesn't produce the same bright pink as the OG Lip Glow, but it's a beautiful liner that I've been testing with any number of light pink lipsticks. It's hard to describe its effect, but it's more than a clear liner but less than an opaque pink. It's love.

On to the star of the collection: the Diorskin Nude Air Glowing Gardens Illuminating Powder in Glowing Pink ($58). It's a pink highlighter that comes with a mini kabuki brush.

It's honestly one of the stars of all Spring 2016 releases if I'm being honest.

It's got a stunning Nude pattern on the powder which lasts and lasts. I'd been using this for a couple of weeks when I took the photo.

The amazing thing about this highlighter is how it just works with my uber-pink NW15 skin:

Stunning, right? It's more of a sheen than shimmer (like the Chanel highlighter). Bottom line, it's something that I have successfully suppressed the urge to back up. But I've been wearing it like crazy. Should you happen to stumble onto one, GRAB IT!

The final two items I picked up are the only 2 nail shades that came to North America.

Although there were 4 releases outside of North America, we once again were left with just the scraps of the nail collection with Bleuette (301) and Lilac (491). Luckily, they're both great but once again Dior- why give Europe a collection twice the size of North America? Grr....

Bleuette is a pale blue with a moderate white base. Formula requires three coats to build up:

Overall, I like it. It's a lot lighter than Lancome's offering for the season so it's a must-have.









Here are a few comparisons:

Lilac is the other polish that Dior has brought to North America.

I don't know how I feel about the name- this feels pink rather than purple. Perhaps it's me, but I think lilac is purple. Nonetheless, Lilac is a warm-toned pastel pink. It's quite pretty on the nails and coverage is superior to Bleuette.

My qualm isn't the color, it's the name! It's quite pretty though.



I pulled a few comparisons:

Bottom line: I like both of them for Spring, but Lilac is the more unique shade in my collection.

Have you checked out Dior's Spring collection?

Burberry Orange Poppy Nail Polish & Lip Glow Balm

Today's post is a bit late since Summer 2014 has come and gone, but I'd still like to share some of my selections from the Burberry Summer Showers collection with you. Although I wanted to purchase the entire collection, I ultimately passed on the blushes and concentrated on one of the three Lip Glow Balms and two of the three nail polishes.  I have the matching Lip Glow Balm and Nail Polishes in Orange Poppy to share today.

Burberry Nail Polish in Orange Poppy is a deceptive polish. It looks quite red in the direct morning sunshine, but it's really a stunning red-orange deep fiery shimmer. You can get a bit of that in the lower left part of the bottle in this photo.

I have three coats plus topcoat on my nails in this shot:

I find this to be an incredibly lovely shade, and I wore it frequently this summer. Burberry Nail Polishes retail for $22 and contain 8ml/0.27fl of polish. These shades are listed as limited edition.

I picked up one of the three Lip Glow Balms to try the formula, and I felt that Orange Poppy was the most unique of the three shades. The Lip Glow Balms are limited edition, retail for $28, and contain 4g/0.14oz of product.

It contains the same iconic Burberry check on the balm like other Burberry lip products.

Orange Poppy appears to be a neon orange balm and almost unwearable. It's not what it seems, just bear with me. I adore Orange Poppy.

Just look how lovely it is!

One of the reasons why I only chose Orange Poppy was because I wanted a shade that wasn't easily dupeable in my stash. I love balms, and the Burberry Lip Glow Balm is one of the best I've seen. It's a hydrating balm that does highlight any flaws in texture, so make sure to exfoliate.

Just to show how much of a balm this really is, here's a representative swatch, outside:

It's so lovely on my pigmented lips as well. It's actually wearable three seasons of the year.

Bottom line: Burberry hit it out of the park with this formula. The only reason that I didn't pick up the others is that I have similar shades in my stash. As long as they're available, I do recommend them.

Burberry Nail Polish & the Lip Glow Balms are still available at Burberry.com, Net-a-Porter.com, and Nordstrom.com

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge La Base

Normally, I tend to blog about items that I've fallen in love with. Unfortunately, this won't be one of those reviews.

I was absolutely over the moon to discover Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge La Base on the 50% off table at the Lancome outlet last month.  Here was a current product that retails for $30 that I was able to snag for the thrifty price of $12.25 plus tax.  Score of the century, right?

Wrong.

I've been playing around with La Base ever since and feel that it's one of the most underwhelming products I've ever tried. It didn't harm me, but I can't figure out a single benefit from the product.

First, I tried it as a primer. Call something La Base and I'll use it as a primer.  My lipstick (I tested multiple brands and formulas) actually wore quicker. I give it an F as a primer.

I take extra points off for the awful smell. I can't identify it, but hate it in the tube and loathe it on my lips. It's not pleasant.

Then, I tried it as a lip balm. Surely if it's a failure as a primer then it's a great balm, right?  Wrong once again. It has no hydrating properties and requires near-constant application. With every application comes the awful scent.

Simply because I spent $12.25 on it, I'll continue to experiment. I'm so glad that I didn't spend $30 on this.

Have any of you tried L'Absolu Rouge La Base? Did you get it to work for you? How?

I really hate being harsh on a product, so I do wonder if I'm just not using it properly. As it stands, there are $1.99 chapsticks that do more for your lips.  I do give high marks for the posh packaging though...

Clarins HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm

Talk about being one step ahead of the trends.  I purchased a tube of Clarins HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm the day before its Oscars cameo and subsequent viral popularity.  And I completely understand why it was so hard for people to find- it took stopping at 4 Clarins counters before I finally found it in stock.

Why was I on the hunt for this particular lip balm?  My beloved Shiseido Benefiance Full Correction Lip Treatment ($36) was on its last legs and I needed a heavy-hitting replacement.  I'd done my research and determined that the Clarins balm ($24) was universally well-liked and might be an adequate replacement- and came in $11 less.

Clarins HydraQuench Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm is primarily composed of rose wax and shea butter, ingredients that can be found in lower priced alternatives from L'Occitaine ($12) and Rosebud ($6), both of which I've owned and loved.  I actually keep a tube of the L'Occitaine lip balm on my bedside table.  Still, I was looking for a heavy hitter to replace my ultra-expensive HG lip treatment.  I could easily justify the purchase since Fresh lip balms, which I enjoy but don't ultimately find very hydrating cost $22.50.

For your $24, you receive a distinctive light blue tube containing 0.45oz of product- the same amount as my beloved Shiseido.  I've been testing it for several weeks, and I'm pleased with my purchase. This is one celebrity-endorsed product that I can find great value in- and I'll likely make this my go-to during warmer months.  I'm not sure if it's up to the harshest points of winter, but my lips did not re-chap during an uncharacteristic cold snap in March.  There's a distinctive rose scent to the balm that dissipates quickly- similar to but a little more intense than Rosebud's salves.  My lips feel hydrated and I haven't needed to exfoliate as frequently since I started using this.  Perhaps the combination of rose wax and shea butter is a magical combination?

Let me be clear: I'm not blogging about this because of the frenzy. In fact, I debated whether to even review the product at all after the frenzy around the lip balm. Ultimately I felt like I might be able to provide useful information, especially for the other fans of the Shiseido balm (which goes out of stock frequently).  I just found it hilarious that I beat the trend literally by 24 hours or so.

I have to give this a huge stamp of approval.  It's been over two weeks since I literally used the last drop of my Shiseido balm, and my lips are just as happy (if not moreso) than before.  I also don't feel the panic I had been experiencing upon realizing I was almost out of my HG lip treatment.  I'm quite content using the Clarins balm and have every intention of using it to the last drop.  I may even buy a second one- it's that good.  (One for the purse, and one for the nightstand.)

Even if it's sold out at your local counter, check Clarins website- it's apparently available there.