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FASHION & BEAUTY

Hermès Garden Collection Coffret Set Review (Un Jardin en Mediterranée, Un Jardin sur le Nil, Un Jardin sur le Toit, Le Jardin de Monsieur Li)

April 5, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Good day guys! Ready for some fragrance review? I’ve got just the perfect spring scents to feature in this review and they’re the Hermès Garden Collection Eau de Toilettes. I love this collection of scents so much, in fact, I’ve been alternating two of the four scents since last Spring and Summer. I usually go for lighter and brighter scents during warm seasons because I find some Eau de Parfums to be too much around these times. Sometimes, I even opt for some colognes. Speaking of colognes, I’m currently testing some Atelier Colognes and a review will be coming up pretty soon.

The Hermes Garden Collection with 4 unisex scents will suit anybody with a thing for unique fragrances that spark an atmosphere of curiosity. Just like that unforgettable stroll into a magical garden. The scents are mysterious and irresistible, so don’t be surprised if people will stop you one day, asking about what scent you’re wearing.

There are only 2 standard sizes available for these scents; The smaller 1.6 oz for $99 and the 3.3 oz for $137. They’re pricey compared to most Eau de Toilettes, but they’re so worth it. I can only wish that Hermès will someday soon sell a designated travel size bottles for these.

Un Jardin sur le Nil – Ever wonder what it smells like strolling around the Nile River? This particular scent is inspired by it. This scent is fresh, clean, crisp, refreshing and sparkling. Probably the most loved scent of all the Hermès Garden Collection, this fragrance is citrusy with a blend of tangerine and some other lemon-ish scent. It’s an interesting blend of allureness and freshness. Very distinctive and long-lasting. This is my second favorite scent of all the Garden Collection.

Un Jardin sur le Toit – Inspired by the garden of feasting and joyfulness. This scent smells like unripe apples and pear and something else. A little too strong at first, almost slightly alcohol-like while being very green and grassy at the same time. It also has a slight magnolia scent and is definitely not fruity, but quite spicy. I’d say it’s more of a manly scent at first spray, but it fades softly and becomes quite feminine later on. It doesn’t stay very long, but two sprays are enough to make it last for a couple of hours.

Un Jardin en Mediterranée – Just like the Mediterranean garden, this is an earthy-woody scent that is long-lasting with a musky tone. The blend of fig and cedarwood is very bold and clean. It smells fresh and slightly masculine. A very sexy scent that can be worn even in winter or fall.

Le Jardin de Monsieur Li – Reminiscent of a Chinese garden that inspires meditation and fantasy. What can I say to the scent that brings back a lot of memories and countless imaginations? Well, a lot, but I’ll try to narrow it down. This scent just blends well on my skin’s chemistry and it’s the one that strikes my olfactory senses very well. Though I didn’t really like it at first, but the more I use it, the more I love it. It’s the one I keep reaching at as my go-to scent. The blend of Kumquat, Jasmine and Grass notes is just elegant and divine. It’s slightly fruity, slightly citrusy, slightly musky, but mostly green but never sharp and never heavy. It’s the perfect blend of whatever you want in an Eau de Toilette or Cologne. That might be why it’s an Allure Best of Beauty award winner. There’s just something different and sophisticated about this scent.

Overall, I love all 4 of the Hermès Garden Collections Scents, but if I have to rank each of them, I’d say, the 4^th place would go to Un Jardin sur le Toit, 3^rd place – Un Jardin en Mediterranée, 2^nd place – Un Jardin sur le Nil and the 1^st place goes to Le Jardin de Monsieur Li.

The Hermes Garden Collection Coffret Set is a limited edition at Sephora. Each small bottle is 7.5 ml. The set costs $50, which is a very good deal.

Have you tried any of there? What’s your fave?

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Chanel Mules Slides Review

March 31, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hello There! It’s almost weekend, right? Let’s end this week with an exciting review dedicated to all shoe lovers, shoe-aholics and fashionistas out there. I know we all love shoes, if it’s not bags, not jewelries, it’s definitely the shoes! Who doesn’t get crazy when it comes to shoes or footwear? I know I do, and I can’t help it. Like the famous quote in the movie “In Her Shoes” Rose (Toni Collette) told her sister Maggie (Cameron Diaz) these lines “When I feel bad, I like to treat myself. Clothes never look any good. Food just makes me fatter. Shoes always fit”. Yes, the shoes always fit, no matter what. Even coming from the mouth of the world’s most famous shoe collector and the wife of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Mrs. Imelda Marcos once said “They went to into my closets looking for skeletons, but thank God, all they found were shoes, beautiful shoes!” Oh! Isn’t that something? I wish I could say the same for my closet, hahaha! But most likely, it’s probably filled with some boring shoes and lots of dusts, and who knows, there might even be a skeleton in there, LOL! Just kidding… Anyway, without further ado, this review is all about the Chanel Mules, or commonly known as the Chanel Slides. I have searched far and wide for this pair of slides, in fact, I’ve crossed countries for it, and finally got it. Oh, excited much? Keep reading….

Almost exactly a year ago, I was having lunch and I saw this email from Chanel that linked to a video about their Cruise 2016/2017 collection that was held in Cuba. I was so excited that I immediately watched the whole show online and was mesmerized at the whole ambience and beauty of the place and the entire collection. The clothes were so colorful, the bags were vibrant and the entire Cuban vibe looked very muy caliente! Yet I was transfixed to a specific accessory. Those slides! They’re beautiful, they’re different, and they’re so me. Oh my, here we go again. Whenever I say those words, I get into trouble, LOL! So, the models kept coming back, waking back and forth with those beautiful and colorful slides. Their skinny feet looking casual chic into these chain-adorned sandals. I knew I wanted those Slides right then and there.

From then on, I embarked into these whirlwind Chanel Slides hunting and had my series of ups and downs. Never knew looking for something as simple as slides or mules can be so tedious and frustrating at times. But it’s not like most mules you know. I first decided which color I like, and knew I had to get the dark ones, but the ones shown in the fashion show were all colorful. I remember seeing the previous year’s slides, which was the first time the Chanel slides were unveiled, I think sometime in 2015, and they were made of tweed upper, which I really really like, but I was sure I couldn’t get my hand on those anymore. Yet I wasn’t so sure about the Cuba Collection’s colors either. Since I was traveling at that time, I decided to drop by at a Chanel boutique in New York and asked if they have one. They said, they weren’t available in their store yet, but it’s coming soon, and they were kind enough to add me in their waiting list. Oh you have no idea how excited I was. Fast forward, a few months later, I received a call from them, the person I talked to in the phone had a very weird attitude. He was so in a hurry to sell without even showing me all the sample pictures and didn’t even care which color I like or wanted to buy. He told me there’s a navy shade, but was not willing to show me the pictures, so I thought, how could I buy something that I haven’t seen? So I just let it pass. What a bummer. I really wanted those Chanel Slides, I thought. Oh well, too bad.

Another fast forward, a few months later, I found myself strolling inside Neiman Marcus King of Prussia shoe salon and my heart skipped a beat, I thought I was gonna have an arrhythmia, and there it was, a pair of Chanel Slides in navy color shown on display. The slides of my dreams, the chain detail looks very luxurious and shiny against the rich dark navy footbed and upper satin fabric. I could buy it right now, but something was holding me back, I know, right? Crazy of me, but I thought about my upcoming trip to Europe, and I decided to buy it there since I’ll be able to get it tax-free. So I let it pass again.

Weeks later, I visited a Chanel boutique in Barcelona and immediately asked for a pair of Chanel Slides in Navy. Right away they said they’re gone and that they’re gone almost everywhere in Europe. My heart sank 6 feet below the ground. In fact, they only have one color in my size, and it’s pink. Oh what a cruel world. They never care to leave at least one navy shade in size 7 for me. I then had a flashback of all the chances where I almost got the slides and I wanted to go berserk! Hehehe, that serious, eh?

So, with empty hands, I tried calling the Chanel boutique in Tysons Galleria and was politely told that they don’t have it either. They’re basically sold out in all Chanel boutiques, and I was beginning to lose hope. But there’s only one more place to call, the place where I first saw the Chanel Slides in Navy. Yes, Neiman Marcus has it, yes! And it’s the only one they’ve got in size 7. I was like “are you sure it’s navy? In size 7? Like the Chanel slides in navy size 7 for real?” The answers were all YES.

Finally, I got my one and only available pair of Chanel slides in Navy size 7. It was as beautiful as I first laid my eyes on it. In fact, I think it’s more beautiful than the first slides released by Chanel that were made of tweed upper, and it’s definitely more beautiful than the Givenchy Slides, which I was also eyeing at first. I love the chain details of it that shines luxuriously when hit by the light, and the navy shade is almost black and looks very versatile. It’s a gorgeous take on a simple slide. It’s casual but elegant, it’s pretty and comfortable. It’s not too heavy and not too light, and it can elevate any outfit, be it formal or street-style. Though I wouldn’t wanna submerge it on the water, it’s still a great sandal for strolling along beach. Just be mindful that the upper is made of satin and not rubber. The slides come in different colors like; bright blue, pink, yellow and green. I advise that you call the boutique directly to see if they have one available right now or when the next batch of stocks will arrive. If not, try the high-end department stores. Chanel just released another version of these slides for their Spring-Summer 2017 Collection, and the upper is made of tweed with flower on it. Meanwhile, the Cruise 2016/2017 is still listed online for reference. Both are priced at $700.

I’m definitely editing my shoes and outfits for this coming summer, and I have a lot of plans for this pair of Chanel slides. I mean of course, who wouldn’t want to wear the shoes that almost got away?

Thanks for reading guys,

Enjoy the weekend.

Follow me on Instagram: @reviewsandotherstuff

Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Mist Review

March 30, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Are you a fan of face mists? Oh I know I am. Before, I didn’t really see the use of them and had been wondering why one would need such. But there’s a lot to love about face mists and I am an eternal convert to them.

In the past, the only face mist I’ve ever tried was Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray, which I’m still using right now as my favorite makeup setting spray of all time. I’m in love with that setting spray, and it does set my makeup to last for hours, but there were times when I needed to use something to refresh my skin in the middle of the day, or to make it glowy. I also wanted something to keep my face hydrated during long haul flights, which can really suck the life out of your skin. I’ve tested several face mists a couple of times lately, and it’s true that not all face mists are created equal. Some are meant as primers, while some are meant to be used only during dry seasons, while there are also some that are only meant to refresh and hydrate skin.

As someone with a somewhat oily skin, I still use a face mist regularly to make my skin look fresh and slightly dewy. There’s a couple of face mists that I like during my tests, and they will be slowly reviewed here in the blog. For now, my go to, every day, all around face mist is the Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist. I know, the packaging is SO cute and there’s substantial product in its decent-sized container. There’s two kinds of this particular face mist; The Sleek Mist (absorbs excess oil) and The Moist Mist (provides lasting hydration). I have the Sleek Mist, which suits my skin better.

The Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist not only absorbs and controls oils, but it also hydrates, evens out powder foundations, non-drying, and sets the makeup as well. It has a nice and relaxing baby powder scent to it. It is also formulated with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to keep the skin light, fresh and never greasy. The only downside is that you may need to apply this often as it tends to dissolve or evaporate fairly easily, specially during cold or dry seasons. Also, the bunny cap may not be secure enough to cover the spray nozzle with time, which luckily hasn’t happened to me yet, although I know some people who complained about it. On the other hand, another great thing about this face mist is its price. It is priced well at $15 for 60 ml. It’s not very pocket size, but it’s great enough to be a travel size. Also, it’s a K-beauty staple. I mean, who couldn’t resist admiring K-beauty brands and products?

Any face mists that you like?

Follow on Instagram: @reviewsandotherstuff