Hi guys, I’ve been away for a couple of days since I had some traveling to do and things had been pretty hectic lately due to all these holidays coming, so don’t be surprised if I’m MIA from time to time. Anyways, I do have a couple of minis to review today and they’re absolutely worth a try. I’ve got some nice foundations and skincare from La Prairie, a winter-toned blush from Make Up For Ever, a nice makeup remover from Dior, and a couple of scents worth looking into. Excited much? Read on
Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #2 (1 oz: $62) – Shimmery Beige. This a shimmery fluid base that is perfect to layer under the foundation for a nice glowy finish, and it’s also great as a highlighter. The amount of shimmer this has is quite buildable, so you can go with a nice subtle glow by using less, or opt for a blinding one by adding a bit more. This gives a youthful healthy-looking effect.
Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25 in #3.5 (1 oz: $64) –ย Fair Skin with Neutral Undertone. Obviously, this sample shade is too light for me, but I can definitely see why this is such a good matte foundation. This goes on smooth and really easy to blend and you don’t need to apply a lot because this is super pigmented. It is mattifying without making the face look flat and on top of that, it feels really light and non-cakey.
Make Up For Ever Artist Face Color Highlight, Sculpt and Blush Powder in S214 (0.17 oz: $23) – Rosewood Blush. This is such a pigmented blush so it requires a light-handed application or else you might end up with that Pikachu blush effect, LOL, which is totally not bad at all, it’s just intense. This blush shade is so at this moment, especially in this chilly gloomy season because it pops, and it’s also very sculpting on the face.
Tarte Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer (1.69 oz: $32) –ย This is way too shimmery for me as a moisturizer, so I suggest using this mildly as a base to tone down a matte foundation or this could be used as a highlighter as well.
Dior Hydra Life Micellar Water No Rinse Cleanser (6.7 oz: $42) – A delightful fresh-floral scented micellar water that removes makeup so well including the toughest waterproof mascara and eyeliners. I like this a lot and I love that this doesn’t dry my skin after using it.
Dior Poison Girl Eau de Toilette (1 oz: $62, 1.7 oz: $1.7 oz: $80, 3.4 oz: $102) – A warm and sweet scent that is a tad fresh and spicy. It is perfect for this holiday season with its notes of vanilla, orange, and neroli. I think this is a delightful scent for a girl who is full of life and cheeriness.
Clean Reserve Acqua Neroli (Mini/0.33 oz: $25, 3.4 oz: $95) – OMG! Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is this you? LOL. Well, this scent smells like it’s pulled from the same Tom Ford Neroli, Mandarino di Amalfi and Sole di Positano line but way cheaper. It’s fresh, exciting, and will remind you of endless Summer fun.
Le Labo Lys 41 Eau de Parfum (0.5 oz: $80, 1.7 oz: $184, 3.4 oz: $270) – Just when I thought I couldn’t love more jasmine scents in this world, then came this alluring scent from Le Labo and I’m sold. This is one of the most gorgeous white flower perfumes I’ve ever sniffed and it gets better with time. It has a nice blend of jasmine, tuberose, and lily.
Maison Margiela Replica Flower Market Eau de Toilette (3.4 oz: $126) – Smells like a fresh bouquet of rosebuds and varying rose petals intertwined with freesias. This scent will totally remind you of the fresh flower market one morning stroll in Paris. Nostalgic and dreamy.
La Prairie Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster Gel Serum (1.7 oz: $315) – This is a very expensive serum that smells divine, like a lovely floral that goes into the skin like a charm. It smells expensive and it feels expensive, LOL, and my face absorbed this serum so well as if it can tell that it’s high-end, oh my, I hate my skin already. Hahaha! This serum is sooo good and it’s so moisturizing without being sticky. It kept my face moisturized throughout the whole day even without using any moisturizer and it has a nice softening effect to it. I wish I could afford this all the time, but nope, hopefully someday when I’ll stumble upon a pot of gold. LOL. A girl can dream.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-In Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen (1 oz: $195) – I’m a big fan of cushion-type foundations but I’ve never tried a super high-end one like this. I actually didn’t expect much from this “caviar” foundation, but when I tried this, I was blown away. This is definitely the best cushion foundation I’ve ever tried as of the moment and it has this dewy finish with buildable light to medium coverage. It does a very good job at covering blemishes and imperfections while making it look like a second skin and it lasts the whole day. It also doesn’t slide and you may or may not need to set this with a finishing powder. This foundation also smells so good and surprisingly it didn’t flare up my oily-prone skin. Most of the shades in the samples here are either too light or too deep for me, but the shade Honey Beige seems to work for me just fine. It may seem darker on my skin tone at first glance, but once it blends, it goes well on my complexion.
Have you tried any of these minis before? Stay tuned for more samples to be reviewed soon…