My First Diptyque Candle!

I love scented candles and Diptyque do some really good ones. Every time I come across them I'm always "um-ing" and "ahh-ing" about them... Yes, they smell absolutely divine but they are quite pricey! The question that always comes to mind: Is it really worth paying so much for something I'm just going to burn away?? Recently, a friend of mine generously gifted one to me... I was over the moon to say the least! I got Baies, one of their best-sellers, which is a beautiful blend of roses and blackcurrant leaves. My goodness... it smells amazing!! I burned it for half an hour the first time, blew it out, went grocery shopping, came back and I could still smell it as I was outside my flat! Very impressed! I think I may be tempted to splurge on other Diptyque scents in the future or I would be happy to get more gifted to me *hint hint* ;)

Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix Black

A new eyelash glue I've been trying out - Dolly Wink Eyelash Fix in Black! I've always used the Duo Eyelash Adhesive (both dark and normal one) but I thought I'd try out something different. The Dolly Wink one also comes in two types - white and black. First off, I love the packaging! It's so cute... as with a lot of Japanese cosmetics! The applicator took me a while to get used to because I'm so used to using Duo now (which is quite fiddly when it comes to squeezing out the right amount for the false lashes), but it's pretty straight forward with the applicator you just brush it onto the false eyelash band and wait a little bit for it to get tacky and pop them on! This is great for thin lash bands because the brush distributes just the right amount but for thicker lash bands you will need to go through it a few times with the brush. I found that my lashes stayed on comfortably and didn't need reapplying. Most importantly the glue didn't irritate my eyes which is something I'm always very weary of when it comes to eyelash glue. Overall, I think this is really good! Does its job! It is pretty much the same price as the Duo Adhesive so it's really up to personal preference but of course Duo Adhesive is more easily accessible than Dolly Wink!

Deborah Lippmann - Addicted to Speed Top Coat

The Seche Vite top coat has been a staple for me for the last 3 years or so, I love it because it's quick drying, affordable and makes my nail colour last for several days. One thing I hate about it is that it tends to thicken about halfway through the bottle (sometimes even one-third!)... which is super annoying! I know you can thin it out but I have yet to try that method. But I thought I'd try out a new top coat and decided to go for the Deborah Lippmann Addicted To Speed top coat which I've heard good reviews about. It dries super fast (slightly quicker than the Seche Vite) and as it's infused with Cellulose and Dimethicone it leaves the nails ultra shiny. My nail colour last for ages and doesn't chip which is pretty impressive! The tip colour wears out a little after a few days but that's normal for me. When I first got the Seche Vite, I found the scent extremely strong...industrial-strength smell! I got used to it after a while though but I find that the DL Addicted To Speed is even stronger!! I'll probably get used to it eventually but dang it smells strong! As with all DL nail polishes, this is quite expensive but I managed to get it slightly cheaper, I forgot the exact HK price unfortunately...sorry! Overall, I think it's a good top coat but for the price is it really worth buying this over the Seche Vite which is much cheaper and has more or less the same result?? I'll see how this bottle lasts and whether it thickens up halfway...

Urban Decay Naked Basics

Yes, I caved. I bought the new and absolutely beautiful Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. To be honest, it wasn't really a tough decision to make! I'm a huge fan of the original Naked palette, I recall when I first saw it in Boots and exclaiming: "Oooohhh pretty!!", but stupidly didn't buy it at the time (I contemplated and oogled for far too long!). Christmas came along and it was sold out everywhere! Luckily, UD brought it back and I picked one up immediately, no questions asked! Then came Naked 2, which I am/was tempted in buying just to have it as I am a makeup hoarder...ahem, collector! But I feel the colours in the Naked 2 are a bit too cool-toned for my skintone so I've managed to steer myself away from that one (...whether I've steered myself far enough, is another question!). I must say Urban Decay outdid themselves with the Naked Basics palette, no surprises there though...

NOTD: OPI Did You 'Ear About Van Gogh?

From OPI's Spring 2012 Holland Collection, Did You 'Ear About Van Gogh? (Get it?) is a light beige colour... seriously, a gorgeous neutral polish! The colour goes on perfect in two coats. I was meant to be giving my nails a little breather from polishes because they are becoming quite stained but when I bought this my nails were just itching for this colour!

My Insolence by Guerlain

Another perfume rediscovery from my perfume stash... Guerlain's My Insolence Eau de Toilette! The notes include raspberry, jasmine, almond blossom, vanilla, patchouli, and tonka bean. It's a very sweet and feminine with a slight powdery-ness to it, I don't find the scent overpowering ...it's actually quite soft and pleasant once it has settled. Excuse my poor sense of describing scents! I've been loving this for day and night, it lasts for hours on me and I can still smell it the next day on my clothing or scarves.

Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! 

I hope 2013 will be a great one for you all! 

xx

For today's post, I'm going to start off by mentioning that my short straight Asian lashes are very picky when it comes to mascara. What I look for is pretty much the "full package": volume, length, curl, no smudging/flaking and long-lasting... I know, that is a lot to ask for! So my review of the Benefit They're Real! is entirely based on its effect on my high maintenance eyelashes!