June 12, 2013

Summer 2013 Fragrance Picks

I went through my perfume/fragrance collection and picked out the ones I have started to will be wearing this season. I love these scents and I think they are perfect for the season (of course one must use in moderation on very hot humid days). Although Burberry Burberry is my all time favorite fragrance I love wearing all the others.
What is your favorite scent (s) for summer?

Clockwise: Burberry Burberry, Versace Bright Crystal, Miss Lomani, Tocca Catalina, Vera Wang Princess, Jessica Simpson Fancy Love and Jennifer Aniston


Elizabeth Arden's Pretty, Van Cleef & Arpel First, Dior J'Adore and Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Jasminora.

June 6, 2013

Blogger Interview - ChicProfile


I wanted to kick off this new series with one of my all time favorite beauty bloggers ChicProfile. I have followed her for years and still visit daily to get the scoop on the latest beauty collection releases. I admire her dedication and love that is clearly expressed in her blog and she is an inspiration to me and my blog. If you aren't already a regular reader please stop by and check out the awesomeness that is ChicProfile.

1.   Why and when did you start blogging?
I started blogging on Chicprofile in June 2008.  The true reason was after I quit my job ( 7 months earlier) the idea of blogging about beauty and makeup was challenging and was the only job I could think of doing and really enjoy at the same time. Since I started blogging, Chicprofile has been my full time job, so I put all my efforts, knowledge and resources into making this blog pleasant and useful for my lovely readers.

2.   Tell us a little bit about yourself? 
Even though I've been blogging for many years there are still things I haven't told my readers ;) I'm a natural blonde and I never dyed my hair, I like to travel a lot and I enjoy living for a few months a year in different countries. I'm an ambitious person, funny and friendly but sometimes I feel like I'm pushing myself and those around me too hard. I love the sea, sweets, perfumes, shoes and my two favorite colors are pink and black.

3.    Who or what are your inspirations in life and for your blog?
 When it comes to my blog I'm inspired by all things beauty related and makeup tutorials that I love to watch as a way to relax. In my life, inspiration enters from many doors, I'm inspired by the conversations I have with open-minded people, from traveling and getting to meet new people and be connected with different cultures and from the need of trying and learning new things every day.

4.    How do you balance work, personal life, and blogging? 
Blogging is my full time job and what a wonderful and fulfilling job that is :) It's much easier to take care of my personal life when I do something that I really enjoy and feel happy about it and OK I won't lie that blogging in my own house has its advantages as in being able to create your own schedule for the day. :)

5.  How did you come up with your ‘name’? 
Wow....choosing the name Chicprofile took a long time because all the names I had in mind for my blog which involved "makeup" and "beauty" were taken. After a few days of intensive thinking I knew I wanted a name that would combine stlye, elegance, smartness and beauty all together and there it was Chicprofile. :)

6.  Where do you see yourself as a blogger in a year and then in 5 years?
 I'm planning on expanding Chicprofile very soon and I'm trying to find the courage to start a Youtube channel in the near future. As for 5 years from now, I wish this blog will become my beauty business and that I can transform it into a community from which my readers will benefit.

7.  Where do you shop the most for makeup/beauty/clothes? 
Odd as it might seem I don't shop that much in my country because the prices here are very expensive compared to other countries and not to mention most of my favorite beauty brands are not even available here. I like to shop a lot when I travel to other countries like France and Germany and I like to splurge on luxury creams and perfumes at duty-free shops whenever I fly. When I'm in my country and I really want to shop I choose Sephora and Douglas and for clothes I like H&M, Calvin Klein and Pimkie.

8. What are 3-5 things that your readers  do not know about you?
 What I kept as a secret for quite a while is that I don't go outside that much and there are days when I work on my blog for 14-16 hours per day but knowing that my visitors appreciate the info on Chicprofile and reading their messages and e-mails it means the world to me. In the last year I've been wearing makeup only when I had to attend special events or meetings with PRs and even then I tried to keep the makeup to the minimum. Before I started blogging, I was working as a croupier at a casino since I've always been attracted to the gambling lifestyle and if I hadn't started Chicprofile I would definitely want to be a flight attendant as I love being on the road all the time and traveling by plane.

  9. What is your favorite makeup/beauty brand and fragrance? 
This is probably the hardest question and I can't choose only one answer :) My favorite fragrance brand is Calvin Klein while La Prairie and La Mer are my favorites when it comes to face and body creams. Favorite makeup brand....that's though because I always loved Japanese brands for their packaging even though they are not available in most European countries so my favorite brand judging by the majority of products I've been pleased to use so far is Rouge Bunny Rouge, followed by Senna and Shiseido.

 10. How do you think your blog inspire others? 
I like to think they will always stop by Chicprofile if they want to read about the latest upcoming makeup/beauty/perfume collections launches or sneak peeks and previews about collections that will be launched even 6 or 10 months later. I wish my blog will inspire other bloggers in writing their new articles or my readers for creating new makeup looks or getting the best products but most importantly that everyone has a good time enjoying their visit at Chicprofile.

My thanks to ChicProfile for participating in this interview and allowing me to share her passion and love for blogging with my readers.

Image courtesy of www.chicprofile.com

GlossyBox - May 2013

I actually read the Glossy Mag this month. Why? Because of a new online feature where you can click on the products featured on a particular page (they are usually different from the ones in the box) and you are taken to the product site where you can buy it. Genius idea.
I didn't like the mag before because the products were unrelated to the contents of the box and since I couldn't get them then why bother read on.
Love the new interactive feature.

The Box - A Year of Beauty
 At first glance this box is nothing to write about but much better than April's which I didn't even blog about. It was so not worth it. Although I am not impressed with everything one item is a big winner. Can you guess what it is?
The other products can be easily seen so I won't mention them. Also included were a Ulta coupon for a Sebastian hair product and a free wax from the European Wax Center. I hope there is one close to me so I can get my brows done.
 Yes the Xtreme Lashes Long Lasting-Eye Pencil in Black ($29.99). Amazing!!!!! It glides on just like a liquid and is super black. It came with a sharpener (a bonus). I am currently conducting an experiment and will review this eyeliner more in depth. 

A liquid yet a solid.

This Nicka K. solid fragrance ($14.99) smells amazing but there was no description of the notes.

Once again not a big fan of the overall box but love these two products. Value of this box is $75.64 well more than the $21 subscription price.

June 5, 2013

What's in my collection? Body Butters/The Body Shop

I am a big fan of The Body Shop's Body Butters. I usually stock up on Coconut and Papaya but have expanded my tastes to try some others and have settled on the lovelies below. Since the holidays they have had a couple of amazing sales and there is no better time to stock up than during a sale. These are the only moisturizer I use.
 My favorite from the core line is Coco Butter (goes well with any fragrance) and perfumed is White Musk Libertine (amazing with its name sake perfume and Vera Wang's Princess).
Moringa is a gorgeous, soft, subtle white floral. Rose is a rose and is light and airy, not like the 'grandma rose'. I think the thickest one is Vanilla (only comes out at Christmas) and needs a bit more work to rub in but smells amazing. Mango is just right for Spring/Summer.
Body Butters currently in use.

Disclaimer: I purchased all the butters myself.

June 4, 2013

See By Chloe - Fragrance Review

See By Chloé embodies femininity while blending masculine codes in an urban-chic way. This fragrance captures the audaciousness and strong personality of the Chloé woman. An addictive floral fruity fragrance, it captures the irresistible and playful personality of a young woman fully embracing life. The fusing top of juicy bergamot and apple translate her energy and her urban edginess. Her natural femininity is conveyed through a beautiful floral bouquet of jasmine and ylang ylang that grows into a sexy veil of vanilla and addictive musks.(Courtesy of Sephora.com)

  Created by perfumer Michel Almairac. See BY Chloe opens with fresh notes of bergamot, apple blossom and leads to floral heart of jasmine and ylang-ylang. Its base is soft vanilla - musky with additional sandalwood accords (www.fragrantica.com). The bottle is designed to resemble a bird cage and sits on three knobs. Too cute.Smells like heaven. I actually think this is how angels must smell.


                                                
Overall, I am in love with this fragrance and have declared my perfume for 2013. I traded in 100 Sephora points for a deluxe sample during the recent VIB sale. Love Sephora. Whenever I wear it I feel so chic and envision myself strolling through Barney's or the museum during lunch. I think I will gift this to myself for Christmas. I love it. Have you tried See By Chloe?

I bought a lot of permues since the start of the year and will be reviewing them gradually.