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Review: Dior Eye Reviver Illuminating Palette 002 

This year the Dior summer collection includes another version of their Eye Reviver Illuminating Palette. These palettes contain five powder eyeshadows and one cream eyeliner.



The Dior Eye Reviver Illuminating Palette 002 is $62.00USD and is available at Sephora and other retailers. Like the previous versions, the summer 2016 Reviver Palette has very soft and luminous neutral shades. The tones fit in well with the trends of the spring/summer 2016 launches, which have been soft earth tones.

Here is the amount of product in this palette broken down:
- 0.03 oz Base Primer 
- 0.05 oz Neutral Eye Shadow in #2 
- 0.06 oz Neutral Eye Shadow in #3, #4 
- 0.07 oz Neutral Eye Shadow in #5 
- 0.04 oz Liner #6 in Black 

I don't know why these shadows all have different quantities, my guess is that the different textures "press" differently into the same sized pan. So although they are the same volume of product, they are not the same weight. I believe essentially you are recieveing the same amount of product per pan.





The eyeshadows in this palette are very soft and powdery. When swatched, they seem too powdery and don't seem to adhere well to the skin but when actually applied to the eyes, with a brush, the shadows adhere very well and are very blendable. This does mean there is quite a bit of excess "kick-up" of powder when you dip your brush into the product. Also, there can be a decent amount of fallout in the application process. This does not bother me because I prefer to do my eyes first. I find these shadows to be very blendable and pigmented.




The "Base Primer" shade (the first one on the left) is a soft matte cream shade, which swatches horribly! In the swatch it appears sheer and patchy however, when using the actually product with a brush it applies smoothly and pigmented. It is a perfect brow bone highlighter and all over base shade.

The "Neutral #2" shade is a soft petal pink with a glowy satin texture. It is beautiful inner corner highlighter shade or great for a brightening lid shade. On my tan skin tone, it appears even lighter, almost a silvery pink shade. On a fair skin tone, I imagine the pink being more prominent.

The "Neutral #3" shade is a beautiful bronze-toned champagne shade! This is by far my favoirte shade in the palette and the one that made me go "oooohh... I need this palette"! This shadow is a very glowy shimmer texture that really does illuminate the eyes. I find this shadow is the best texture overall when swatched or worn on the eyes.

The "Neutral #4" shade is complex kaki-olive shade. The pictures don't do this shade justice. It is a complex kaki-olive shade with tones of brown and burnished gold. I also find in bright lighting, the multi-colored reflects really show. This is such a wearable green shade and it has been popular since the early spring launches this year.

The "Neutral #5" shade is deep brown with warm copper tones and flecks. This shade is very pigmented and works very well as an eyeliner or to deepen your look. I use it to "set" the cream liner in this palette. It is also a beautiful smokey eye shade!

The "Liner #6" is a deep chocolate brown shade that compliments the eyeshadows very well. The formula, like the previous palettes, does not set. This will be annoying to many people, however it does make a beautiful base for the shadows or using the deepest shade you can "set" the liner for a smokey-liner look. I personally love a smudgy/smokey liner look and I feel this palette calls for that type of line because the shades and textures of the eyeshadows are so soft! The texture of this liner is a drier cream texture. Although it isn't emollient, it applies very smoothly but requires a bit of layering. To sum it up, it isn't transfer resistant.



Compared to the first Reviver 001 Palette, the Summer 002 version is a warmer much more earth tones palette. The Reviver 001 Palette is a compilation cool rosey taupe shades with a charcoal liner.




Compared to the "Nordy Girl" Reviver Palette (in the US it was limited edition and exclusive to Nordstrom, may be called something different in other countries), it is again, much warmer and earth toned. The Nordy Girl Palette is a compilation of purple shades with a plummy-toned deep brown liner.

My BIGGEST GRIPE with this product is its packaging! After owning now, three versions of this palette, I have discovered the hinges of this palette are terrible! After pulling out my Reviver 001 Palette (after a long time neglect), one of the corner hinges broke off! I checked the other corner and the plastic was worn and cracked! After checking my Nordy Girl palette for signs of "hinge-wear" (and discovering it was also worn and cracked), it was apparent that the plastic and the style of these hinges are horrible quality! What a shame! These palettes are significantly more expensive than their traditional quints and although their packaging looks luxe, its quality is severely lacking! I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but if you have, please comment below and let everyone know! I expect my other palettes to follow the same horrible fate as the first one. Fortunately, for now, it was only one corner but it wont be long before the other corner goes. I don't open my palettes aggressively, so it is very disappointing to see my palette fall apart from "daily use" (its a stretch to call it "daily use" because it didn't use it daily and haven't for a while. ). OK, rant over,





Shown above: pictures of my broken palette hinge


Shown above: Broken hinge, worn hinge, new hinge

Overall, I really enjoy the beautiful shades in this palette and I find they are very harmonious together. Eyeshadow quality wise, I find the pigmentation and texture to be on par with the Nordy Girl Palette, both of which are superior to the texture of the original Reviver 001 Palette. I am very happy with this palette, with the exception of the poor packaging. Now that I know about this packaging flaw, I can't say I'd recommend it and I'm not sure if I would purchase more of these in the future. I do love the product, I'm  just a bit disappointed in the packaging.



Let me know your thoughts on this palette or the previous palettes! Comment below!

 (*Posting a comment: if you do not have a blog or google account, please use OpenID and type your name in the box.*) 




Review: NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer 

The famous and wildly popular NARS Laguna Bronzer, now comes in liquid form! Bronzer junkies, rejoice! As a bronzer junkie, I need to collect every form of bronzer available. There aren't many liquid bronzers available on the market, not until recently, did brands begin to bring out this form of bronzer. 






NARS Laguna Liquid Bronzer is $40.00 for 1.0oz (available at Sephora and other retailers). The liquid bronzer is packaged beautifully in a heavy black ceramic bottle with the classic rubbery NARS texture, similar to the eyeshadow singles and duo packaging. So if you fear the fingerprints and makeup smudges on your packaging, handle this bottle with care and clean hands. The cap, is actually made of sturdy plastic, as well as the pump. It is very beautiful and chic packaging. I often prefer my liquid products in a clear packaging but I can make an exception for this beauty. 




The formula is very similar to the Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Summer ($64.00 for 1.0oz) it is a creamy liquid formula that is opaque and very blendable. Initially I thought the NARS Liquid was very runny and liquidy because when I shook it, using an up and down motion) the product would squirt out of the pump! Now I know, that the product separates into the pigment and a the clear runny liquid.  You need to shake it with the cap on and preferably in an side-to-side motion instead. I can see why the other liquid bronzers I own, Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Summer and By Terry Tea to Tan come in a dropper packaging. My advice, Don't forget to shake VERY well! 

These are very sheered out to show the shimmer in the liquid bronzer.






When combined properly, the product is creamy and blends beautifully into the skin! It looks incredibly natural and is a glowing finish. I have always loved the slightly cooler universal tone of the laguna bronzer, compared to your typical bronzer shades. I find the color of the laguna liquid to be just like its powder version however, I do find there is a significant amount of gold shimmer in this product. 

I have had many people asking me if they could mix this in with their foundation, my answer is you can... but I wouldn't recommend it. It is quite opaque so unless you have a much light foundation than your skin tone, it will definitely change the color of your foundation. Also, i think the gold shimmers all over your face may be a bit much, these are not incredibly fine shimmers, although they do look natural on the skin.  








Overall, the NARS laguna liquid is a beautiful liquid formula! You do have to like a fair amount of gold shimmer. If you prefer something similar with a bit less shimmer, go with the Giorgio Armani, although is does cost significantly more! Also, the Armani has more of a silicon texture that some people may not prefer. I think the NARS laguna liquid is beautiful for the approaching warm weather. I love the texture and finish. I feel the shade of the Laguna Liquid is perfect for fair to tan skin tones, beyond that it will become more of a highlighter-type product. If you are looking for more shades, Giorgio Armani now offers 3 different shades. If the Laguna Liquid suits your skin tone, it is a beautiful product both on the face and on your vanity. 

Let me know your thoughts on this product or on other bronzing products! Chat with me on Instagram!

Shop my NARS favorites: 







On Thursday, March 31st I was able to participate in an incredible event hosted by my local Neiman Marcus Tom Ford team and Baja Wine and Food. These Tom Ford beauty events are often quite rare so if your local counter ever host one, you MUST take advantage of it. To participate in this event you must pay $50.00 USD, which is redeemable in product. Let me tell you, this event was worth more than $50.00!





This event was a one-of-a-kind experience, that combined a fine dining experience with and educational lesson on the most luxurious fragrances in the world. The event was hosted in a small intimate space that felt luxurious and exclusive.

Upon entering the event, I was handed a glass of champagne, which set the tone for my luxurious night. The long tables were elegantly set with six wine glasses for each setting and six large fragrance decanters spread across the long tables. Each seat had a little gift bag full of fragrance samples.


Baja Wine and Food is a winery located in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico. They are a producer of a large variety of wines but also, have their own chefs on location which create food pairing for their wine! Baja Wine not only brought in their wine specialist but also one of their chefs to create delicious bites to pair with the wine. This wine and tasting pairing alone was worth the experience. It was only made even better by incorporating the luxurious fragrances of Tom Ford.




With each fragrance, a tasting of wine is poured and a fragrance slip is given to each person. The fragrance specialist describes the fragrance and educates the audience on the creation of the fragrance. Then the wine specialist describes the wine he chose to pair with the fragrance and the reason why they are paired together.



The first pairing was for Neroli Portofino, one of the most popular fragrances from the Tom Ford Private Blend line, This fragrance is inspired by one of  Mr. Ford's favorite places to visit, Portofino, Italy, This scent is intended to be a transportive fragrance, a very fresh and clean scent with a strong citrus notes. Best described by the Neiman Marcus website:

This modern intercontinental version of an iconic fragrance theme perfectly captures the cool breezes, sparkling clear water and lush foliage of the Italian Riviera. Crisp citrus oils and surprising floral notes, balanced with amber undertones, awaken the senses and leave a splashy, yet substantive impression.
With each fragrance, a tasting of wine is poured and a fragrance slip is given to each person.
wine, a 2014 Monte Xanic Chenin Colombard, was poured into glasses. The wine as a fresh and clean summery floral wine, with just a hint of sweetness, which pairs perfectly with the clean citrus notes of the fragrance. The little bite paired with the wine was a fresh raw oyster with Baja uni and a citrus meringue. The combination of the food, wine, and fragrance truly transported me to the shores of Portofino.



The second pairing was for Venetian Bergamot, the fragrance inspired by the ornate and opulent environment in Venice. Best described by the Nieman Marcus website:
Private Blend Venetian Bergamot is Tom Ford's singular interpretation of the ingredient known as the "Prince of Citrus." With Venetian Bergamot, the sun-drenched citrus from Italy's south is transported to the northern city of Grand Palazzos, remarkable canals and the famous confluence of trade in rich florals, precious woods and warm spices. Bergamot's fresh elegance is underscored and intermingled with the intriguing sensuality of Venice. 
This fragrance was paired with a bright and refreshing 2014 Sauvignion Blanc with floral and citrus notes. The subtle citrus notes paired beautifully with the strong and spicy citrus of the Venetian Bergamot. The tasty bite included with this pairing was a fresh raw yellowtail with a light citrus soy sauce and a little mango puff dessert. This slightly sweet and fresh bite contrasted with the heavy notes of the fragrance yet brought out the fresh citrus notes of the fragrance.



The third pairing was for my personal favorite fragrance, Soleil Blanc, inspired by remote private islands and eternal summer vacation escapes. The coco de mer, a very rare coconut, only found on a remote island is harvested and used in this fragrance. Soleil Blanc also contains notes from cardamon and pistachio. Best described by the Neiman Marcus website:

Remote private islands where summer lasts all year and one day seamlessly blends into the next inspire Soleil Blanc, an addictive solar floral amber alive with seductive refinement and refreshing decadence. TOM FORD's latest private blend creation unapologetically exudes the endless pursuit of sun and luxury that defines TOM FORD Soleil.
This tropical fragrance was paired with a 2013 Torres Alegre la Llave Bianca, aged for 12 months in a French oak barrel, was the best wine and fragrance pairing of the night! The complex and subtly sweet orange citrus wine had some very nutty notes that paired perfectly with the Soleil Blanc. This wine pairing was by far the best and I adored the complexity of wine! The bite paired with this combination was a corn empanada filled with cheese and mushrooms (a corn fungus) topped with a fresh and spicy salsa. For the little dessert bite, a  soft and sweet gluten-free fruit tart. The tasty treat paired so well with the wine and fragrance, I thought I was on the most luxurious island vacation!



The fourth paring was for Tobacco Vanille, a very classic Tom Ford fragrance, inspired by London's exclusive members-only men's lounges and their luxurious environment with men smoking cigars and sipping on cognac or brandy. This fragrance contains notes of tobacco leaf, Madagascar vanilla, dried fruit and a spicy floral. Although this sounds like a very masculine scent, all of Tom Ford's fragrances are unisex and they smell different on everyone. This scent is best described by the Nieman Marcus website:
A modern take on an old world men's club. A smooth oriental, Tobacco Vanille opens immediately with opulent essences of tobacco leaf and aromatic spice notes. The heart unfolds with creamy tonka bean, tobacco flower, vanilla and cocoa, and finishes with a dry fruit accord, enriched with sweet wood sap.

 This fragrance was paired with a 2013 Adobe Guadalupe Miguel with notes of tobacco and vanilla from the barrel aging process. Also notes of toasted wood, fruits, and spices with a vanilla aftertaste. This wine was paired with a rabbit pate on a thin crisp and a olive goat cheese ball. The richness of the pate and the goat cheese pair well with the fruit and acidity of the wine. This tasting is so rich and luxurious it emulates the feeling you get when you smell the spicy Tobacco Vanille fragrance.



The fifth pairing was for Champaca Absolute, inspired by the silk trade route and the trading of rare and unusual goods. Champaca is a very rare and unusual flower that takes 1,000 blooms in order to create on bottle of Champaca Absolute! The fragrance is a very intense and complex and rich floral fragrance. Best described by Sephora's website:

The rare and expensive champaca blossom must be gathered by the thousands to produce a single bottle of fragrance. This floral oriental composition has a precious, white-flower heart given intriguing dimension through layers of tokajii wine, cognac, vanilla bean, amber, and sandalwood. 

This fragrance was paired with a 2012 Paoloni Nebbiolo, this wine varies in flavors and notes every year. This year, the full-bodied wine contains strong floral notes of violet and roses with a peppery bold flavor. The peppery floral wine compliments this rich floral fragrance and its warm notes of amber and vanilla. This pairing came with a corn cup with slow roasted pork and a black bean puree, The little dessert was a chocolate truffle rolled in vanilla and cocoa powder. The peppery flavors of the tasting dish paired so well with the wine and the fragrance. The sweet chocolate truffle mimicked the sweet and rich notes of the fragrance.



The final pairing was for Tom Ford's most intense fragrance, Oud Wood. This fragrance is inspired by Tom Ford's travels to the Middle East, where he went to a temple burning oud wood as an incense to reconnect the mind, body, and spirit. This very rare ingredient is the star of this earthy fragrance and is blended with many other intense ingredients, like rosewood and vetiver. This fragrance is best described by the Neiman Marcus website:

Rare. Exotic. Distinctive. One of the most rare, precious, and expensive ingredients in a perfumer's arsenal, oud wood is often burned in incense-filled temples. Exotic rosewood and cardamom give way to a smoky blend of rare oud wood, sandalwood, and vetiver. Tonka bean and amber add warmth and sensuality.
This fragrance was paired with a 2013 Finca la Carrodilla Shiraz, a wine created by a very  innovative and holistic method. This is a very bold and exotic and full-bodied wine, containing strong wood notes from its barrel aging. The woody notes of the wine mimic the strong wood notes of the fragrance. This pairing included a delicious lamb ceviche on a toasted plantain and a decadent gold leaf coated chocolate with a berry filling. The earthy flavors of the lamb ceviche complimented the earthy notes of the wine and fragrance. The decadent and luxurious gold coated chocolate was the perfect sweet finish to the evening.

Overall, I had an incredible experience at this Tom Ford Fragrance event! I was able taste some incredible wine and food and of course, the best part was learning about each of the exotic fragrances. After learning more about the rare ingredients that go into each fragrance, I now understand why the Tom Ford fragrances have such a high ticket price. They truly are the most luxurious fragrances on the market. I now have a long wish list of fragrances to add to my collection, if only I could have them all! If your local Tom Ford counter ever host an event, you MUST go! This event could have only been made better, if Tom Ford himself was there himself (Hey, a girl can dream...)!

Comment below and let me know about your favorite Tom Ford Fragrances or any one of your favorite fragrances! I'm always looking for a new fragrance to add to my collection.

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Probably the star of the Soleil 2016 Collection (with exception of the VERY elusive Bi-Coastal Blush) the Tom Ford Soleil Contouring Palette in The Afternooner is a face palette containing; a highlighter, a blush, and a bronzer. Is it just me, or did every line come out with a face palette this season? Which I honestly don't mind because I only have to pull out one product to use! If you're interested in other face palette reviews, check out my Hourglass, Estee Lauder, or By Terry face palette reviews.


As typical of Tom Ford, this summer palette is in his classic white and gold summer compact. It is light and sleek rounded square compact. I personally adore this packaging, its just simple and classy.

Here is the description on the Neiman Marcus website:

TOM FORD debuts his first luxurious face palette, featuring three sensual summer shades in one limited-edition ivory- and gold-colored TOM FORD Soleil compact. The blush, highlighter and bronzer add natural dimension and sensuous color in a cream-like powder formula that effortlessly glides onto skin with a soft, even finish. Vibrant coral blush gives cheeks the perfect touch of color, the nude highlighter mimics the sun reflecting off the skin, and the sultry bronzer enhances a healthy radiance. Use shades alone or together to contour a seductive, natural glow. Provides sheer to medium coverage, both matte and radiant. Embossed with the TOM FORD logo.

The product appears to be some kind of "baked" formula due to its raised form, it does not appear to be "pressed" into the pan. This formula is very reminiscent of the popular "gelee" formulas released by Estee Lauder, MAC, and many other lines. The texture of this trio is incredibly smooth and soft, similar to the recent By Terry Sun Designer Palettes, these powders kick up a little bit of excess powder. When applied to the skin, the powders seamlessly blend into the skin. The powders make the skin appear smoother and flawless. These powders photograph beautifully! The first time I wore this palette, it was on a night out and with flash photography, my makeup looked flawless!








The highlighter is a an ivory cream powder with fine gold shimmer running through it. It is a very soft and subtle highlighter, which I didn't expect but I love! The shade is reminiscent of the top half of his Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in moodlight but much softer. If you enjoy the Hourglass Illuminators, you will love this highlighter. It is particularly beautiful for summer days, when the sun is burning bright and you don't want to look too sparkly. This highlighter is on the sheerer side but still creates a beautiful and very natural glow. If you have oily skin, you will love this! Even if you don't, we all get a bit sweaty in the summer, this won't enhance that look.

The blush is a beautiful warm pink-coral that will work for a range of skin tones. Although it is of medium pigment, it is very buildable. The texture is very smooth and blendable. If you're a bit heavy handed, it blends very easily into the skin, providing a very natural flush. The finish is a very natural satin texture with no shimmer at all.

The bronzer is a medium tan shade and has the perfect amount of warmth for a medium skin tone but may run a little orange on a very fair skin tone. Unfortunately, I believe the shade will only work for fair to tan skin tones. The shade is not nearly dark enough for a dark skin tone to pull it off. The bronzer, like the blush, is of medium pigment but is buildable. The shade allows it to be a versatile, for both bronzing and sculpting.

Overall, this is a high quality luxury face palette. The texture makes it very easy to apply and the finish is perfection! My only disappointment is the lack of shades. A deeper skin tone will be unable to wear this palette, which is the downside of making a face palette, you can't suit everyone. If you're looking for an introduction to the Tom Ford line, this is a fantastic introduction because you get three products in one! For the collector, it is always a must have! I think if it suits your skin tone, its a great buy but expect the effect to very natural.

What did you think of Tom Ford's summer 2016 collection? Any favorites? Which summer collections are you looking forward to? Comment below!

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