So as you know I went overseas recently. One of my favourite parts about travelling is the duty free shopping in international airports. Its amazing how much you save buying products without tax!
This time I was able to demonstrate partial self-restraint as I only had one unplanned purchase. Here's what I got:
1. Perfume: Flora by Gucci in Gorgeous Gardenia
Since my Eli Saab perfume recently finished, I was on the hunt for a new scent (although I love the Eli Saab so much that I will probably re-purchase that one too). This Gucci perfume is a heavily floral scent with top notes of red berries and pear. It is extremely feminine and so if your someone that prefers tougher muskier scents, this is not for you. Cant deny I'm looking forward to using this in the upcoming Spring months. I have been using it for a few weeks now and have to say it is severely addictive. I spray it on in the morning before work and by the time I'm home there is still a faint scent left on my scarves/coats etc which I love.
I had been tossing up between this and the new Marc Jacobs Dot Perfume. The reason this won out was because it felt a lot more sophisticated than Dot (which in all honesty reminded me of a less intense Britney Spears Fantasy). The only down side to this perfume is the packaging which is kind of boring (but practical).
Price: Duty free this was about $110 for 50mls
2. YSL Vernis a Levres (Glossy stain) in colour Rouge Gouache
This is marketed as a lip gloss that stains. It is a phenomenal colour, texture, product. I appreciate when products can multi-task. The colour if applied with 2 coats is a bright berry red-magenta however if very lightly applied and blended in well (as in the picture below) becomes an incredible rosey colour. It truly is a stain because after applying this in the morning and then going about my usual day with eating, drinking, talking etc the colour was still visible. The glossiness does wear off after a few hours but the stain that remains is preferentially more natural. I cant recommend this enough and I'm looking forward to getting the coral-orange version of this stain in the future.
Price: Duty free was about $45
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| YSL Vernis a Levres in Rouge Gouache |
3. YSL Faux Cils Volume Shocking
This was my impulse-buy. I saw it next to the touche-eclat I was contemplating getting and realised that I needed a new mascara more. I'm not sure what to make of this mascara and don't think I have used it enough to make a fair judgement call. It has a proper "brushy" brush (as opposed to the new plastic type brushes) which I have not yet decided if I like or not. It does do wonders for my lashes in terms of volume and delivers some length. My main issue is the heavy scent of roses it has, I can smell it on each application and I'm not going to lie, it annoys me. I haven't tried the original YSL Faux Cils so cant really compare, but from what I have heard, most people prefer the original. I'll keep you all posted on what I think of it after further use. I have to admit if I apply any more than one coat it turns into a clumpy mess!
Price: About $45 duty free
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| YSL Faux Cils Shocking Mascara - one coat |
This is what Mac say is basically a cream shadow that can be used on its own or under eye-shadows to prevent creasing and intensify shadow colour. I have not yet used it under eye-shadow but have used it on its own on my eyelids. It is a gorgeous peachy gold shimmery creamy eye cream that looks great with brown (and I can imagine with blue) eyes. Its not the most opaque on its own so if your looking for intense colour I'd suggest using an eye-shadow on top. One swipe on my wrist (as in the picture below) is a good representation of the colour payoff. Again I'll let you know how it goes after further and more frequent use.
Price: Cant exactly remember but approximately $35 duty free
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| Rubenesque Paint Pot |
Thanks for reading everyone, I hope you enjoyed. Let me know if you would like more in-depth reviews on any of these products.
xoxo
Beauty Doc
