Mom's Beauty Delivery

My fiance's mom is an avid reader of my blog, despite the fact that she didn't have much interest in makeup or beauty products in general. After months of reading my blog however, she started becoming curious about trying products, and I started giving her bags of samples, mostly focused skincare and body.  

Every once in a while, I hear about samples that were a success, so this past week when Sephora did their extra points promotion, I put together a little order for her. Take a peek at what I got for her, and read on to see what she thought!

Today I have on one of the Fresh Sugar kiss lip things ( great stuff, doesn't feel greasy, goes on smooth, etc.). I used the cinnamon bun shampoo/body wash in the shower, I have the Korres Body Butter on my legs and arms (also great stuff), and to really put it over the top I am wearing the Clean Rain perfume sample!  It was funny because I had just walked into work and one of the girls says to me with this very puzzled look on her face "are you wearing perfume?"  Then apologizes for looking so puzzled.  I said that she was right to be puzzled because I never wear perfume.  So far I am liking the scent, it isn't annoying me and she loved it.  For makeup I have on the BB stuff as well as the Clinique mascara.  Feeling pretty fancy I must say.  

I was pretty happy that the surprise package was a success, and I am having so much fun sharing my beauty obsession with her. Check back next week for a peek inside her makeup starter kit!  

Rediscovered: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint

I recently rediscovered this little sample tube of Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Glow. I got it in a Birchbox ages ago, really I think in the first 6 months that Birchbox existed! There was something I didn't like about this sample at that time, and I tossed it in a bag full of samples I intended to give away. Apparently, I lost this bag in the abyss of stuff, but I am happy to have found this sample and given it a try. 

I am quite liking this Luminizing Moisture Tint - think of it as a tinted moisturizer, with a bit of radiance. It wears quite well and doesn't emphasize pores, so those of you who are hesitant to use too much highlight may enjoy this. It doesn't provide a ton of coverage, and the shade match doesn't have to be perfect, but it does quite well to even out my skin tone in a natural way.  

Those of you who do prefer more coverage could layer this product with your regular foundation or even mix it in. Think Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, just a tinted moisturizer version with much less shine. I'm totally into it! Now I want to try the bronze shade!

Here's a video where I apply this and chat about it briefly. Sorry if it is too bright, I am still trying to figure out the best setup in this hotel room!  

I didn't realize it was SO bright in the room! Anyway, this is a nice tinted moisturizer that I like to think of as a super subtle alternative to Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector. :) Review - bronzerbunny.com/blog/2013/8/22/jouer-luminizing-moisture-tint BLOG - bronzerbunny.com TWITTER - twitter.com/bronzerbunny INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/bronzerbunny DISCLAIMER: Products marked with an * were provided for review.

Have you tried Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint? How did you like it, and what shade did you use? I'd love to know! 

Bye Bye Fragrance Samples

I am very picky about fragrances on myself, so I frequently give away my fragrance samples to friends or coworkers. This time around, I thought I'd do a post about the most recent picks that made it into the give away pile. 

First up, I have the newly released Dior j'adore Voile de Parfum, which is described as a "silky veil of Tuscan Iris and white musk." While I like it more than the original j'adore, it doesn't smell like anything special and doesn't have that light freshness that I usually prefer. I didn't spray it on myself, as I knew I wouldn't like it on me. 

I was quite excited to try Elie Saab, as it is one of those floral and sweet type of scents that I normally like. It does start off that way, with the powdery floral that reminds me of Chloe but lands somewhere between Narciso Rodriguez for Her and Stella McCartney. For whatever reason though, this gets heavier on me, becoming an almost cloying spicy floral. I think it even gave me a headache. Sad. (And I so wish I wasn't so difficult when it came to fragrance!) I do want to try the Eau de Toilette next time I see it in stores, just in case!  

I was excited to sniff the bergamot, neroli and gardenia in Tocca Liliana, and while I thought the scent was nice, I just couldn't imagine liking it on me all day. Like the scent from Dior, I also didn't find it particularly unique, but then again, my nose isn't all that smart, haha! My fiance found it to be a "generic floral" and this being a few days ago, I honestly can't think of any other way to describe it. 

Lastly, I thought long and hard about the new Marc Jacobs Honey. I know it is popular right now, but yet again, it just isn't me. It doesn't even smell like honey, at least not like the honey you put in tea or on toast. Perhaps it is the vanilla notes that throw me off, but this honey is more artificial to my nose. I can't say how this one wears on me either, as I took it out one morning to try it and went ughhh. (Yes, my always nauseous morning feelings are never very conducive to trying out perfumes! Stupid mornings/stomach/fast metabolism, LOL)  

Of course, fragrance is a very personal thing, and I think just about everyone except me gets along with lots and lots of scents out there. Still, it is fun to try, and I've really broadened my range of wearable scents over the years. Now the real question is, who do I give these samples to??? :) 

What do you guys do with your perfume samples? Do you actually manage to try them all or even use them up? Or do you give many away like I do? I'd love to know!  

This post contains affiliate links. 

A New Favorite: Essie Full Steam Ahead

A few weeks back, I was desperate to buy a few shades from Essie's "Naughty Nautical" summer collection. The pretty lavender shade Full Steam Ahead immediately caught my eye, as Essie Lilacism has been a long standing favorite and this was just a richer, more sparkly version of it in my eyes!  

I have to say that this is probably the best manicure I've given myself, perhaps ever, though it is still not very good and no where near the quality work of a seasoned nail blogger. So my apologies, if you object to my manicure but I just had to show you guys this lovely color. (ALSO, this photo is after TWO DAYS which is epic for me. More on the stellar primer/base/topcoat combination coming soon) 

Pale at first, this color is quite pretty at two coats. Compared to other Essie polishes I have, this was a lot easier to work with - nearly streak free with my pathetic skills and just applied so smoothly.  

I love the color, and while I couldn't capture the very fine shimmer, this shade is a definite winner in my book. Did you grab any shades from Essie Naughty Nautical? What do you think of this shade?? Isn't it just perfect for spring and summer? :) 

Essie Full Steam Ahead was purchased by me. Affiliate links included.