Caramel Dipbrow Pomade

Perhaps seduced by the name, but undeniably drunk with enthusiasm brought on by the overwhelming success of my first purchase, I bought another one of Anastasia's Dipbrow Pomades.  I did make mention while gushing over Chocolate that I was considering buying one more, but in the shade Auburn.  However, when I saw the shade Caramel listed on Sephora.com, I got excited.  Unable to find any swatches of it beforehand online, I took the gamble and dropped it into my cart... only to discover that the color does not work for me at all.  But hopefully my loss will be your gain as I would love to show you, nonetheless, just what Caramel has to offer and possibly help you determine whether or not it may work for you. 

Dipbrow Pomade is a waterproof, smudge-proof cream formulated to define and sculpt eyebrows.  Looking at it in the jar, Caramel looks to be a light, milk chocolate brown with slightly golden tones, just like its name promotes.  However, both its name and appearance belie the actual color once swatched on the skin. 

As a reference, I am Walnut in Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Caramel in Revlon ColorStay Foundation and around an NC50 in MAC skin products.  Swatched against my complexion, Caramel Dipbrow turned out to be more of a pale, ashen brown.  Used on my brows, it made them look "nude" and washed out... almost as if I were trying to erase them somehow, but couldn't quite make them fully disappear.  #NOBUENO

Caramel Dipbrow (L), Chocolate Dipbrow (R)

In a side-by-side comparison, Caramel is considerably lighter than Chocolate, which I had already safely determined before buying.  I just thought it would be a lot more golden and warmer than it is.  Undeterred, I thought that maybe I could mix the two shades together and come to a happy, skin complementing medium.  Alas, Caramel pretty much cancels Chocolate out, blanching it to a murky shade of brown that still did not bode well for my brows.

Chocolate Dipbrow (above), Caramel Dipbrow (below)

Chocolate Dipbrow (top), Caramel Dipbrow (middle), Chocolate/Caramel mix (bottom)

So there you have it.  And, needless to say, this little brow grooming baby will be going back.  It's an awesome product, but just not suitable color-wise for my skin or hair coloring.  I may still get the Auburn, though.  We shall see.  But until then, I will be merrily filling in my brows with Chocolate.  Now that I've added this product to my grooming routine, I can honestly say that my eyebrows have never looked better!

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Caramel is available at Sephora and Ulta, and retails for $18.

La Petite Parfums

OK, I've got a confession to make, guys, so I'm just gonna jump right into it.  Like most people, I enjoy indulging in a little dab of perfume here and there.  It's the proverbial icing on the cake for me when it comes to finishing off an outfit.  I have my share of full-size bottles and an overrun of the tiny, tube-size testers, but I fear that I'm growing slightly obsessed with the "Tom Thumb" versions being offered by many fragrances... so much so that I'm starting to collect them.  Ughhhh... I know, I know!  I don't need to collect anything else!  But they're so darn cute, let alone convenient.  So, if you have a few minutes, I'd like to spill the beans and let you all in on what I've gathered thus far...

Simply packed in a velvet, drawstring pouch of light-blue, Beyond Paradise by Estée Lauder has been in my possession for a little while now.  I haven't worn it yet as it's not typically the type of scent I'm attracted to (heavily floral), but I do like it.  And I especially like the bottle: bulbous and colorful, it's a pint-sized Paradise that fits in the palm of your hand.

  

This diminutive gem was a more recent acquisition and a must-have for me since I am a fan of just about everything Burberry has to offer, including their scents.  I mean, they just get me, you know?  Not only does My Burberry smell great, but the packaging is too adorable!  The linen bow around its "neck" lends a perfect touch of softness to the angular bottle, which makes it one of my faves - aesthetically - in my collection so far.

 
Next up is one of two mini parfums I have from Guerlain.  First is the rose-colored La Petite Robe Noire, which comes housed in a bottle with an inverted heart-shaped top...

 

... and an oldie but goodie that really needs no introduction: Shalimar.  I remember my mom having a bottle of this sitting on her bureau years ago when I was a kid, along with a bottle of Jean Naté splash (anybody remember that?) and other smell-goods.  It's such a classic and the bottle, with its royal blue cap, is unforgettably gorgeous.

And last, but certainly not least, is the little mini-me that came as part of a fragrance set.  I have to tell you that when I first experienced for her by Narciso Rodriguez, I immediately swooned.  I. LOVE. THIS. SCENT!  Seriously, I went bonkers when I smelled it.  And my initial excitement when I received this as a gift gave way to total elation when I realized that there was another bottle, albeit smaller, of the scent included in the set.  I had a totally tote-able version of my beloved for her, which meant I could take her everywhere and never be without!   #TOTALLYWINNING!

So there you have it!  I have a young collection, but am looking to fill it out with more "nasal nectar"  whenever I get the chance.  I love how handy they are to have around.  Larger than the traditional sample tubes, they're a great way to try out new scents without fully committing and are super easy to travel with.  You know what it is, too?  I'm a sucker for miniatures.  Yep, it's true.  If it's small and/or a replica of something, packaged well and cute to boot - I'm all over it.

I just like to collect stuff.  I've gotten better, but I'm not fully cured.  Don't know if I'll ever be.  But admitting you have a problem is supposed to help with the process, so here I am... admitting once again that I have a huge problemo...

Hi, my name is Dolce.  And I like... no, LOVE collecting stuff.  And I don't know how to stop.  #HELP!

Primo Primer

OK... so I got a sample the other day that I'm really kinda excited to try out.  I have a good array of face primers in my cosmetic arsenal and probably won't have an open slot for another for a very long time; however, this little number is campaigning hard for a residency in my lineup.  Besides winning me over with their They're Real mascara, Benefit is a company I don't normally pay a lot of attention to.  But they've definitely garnered my "undivided" with this one.  It's their Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer and I'm liking the initial data I've gathered on it so far...

     

Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer is a makeup saving base from Benefit Cosmetics.  Housed in a twist-up tube complete with polka dot cap, the primer comes as a solid stick to be used directly on the face.  It boasts a maximum of fifteen hours' protection against the ravages of skin oils to help keep your foundation intact and looking flaw-free.

Although peach in color, it applies colorless and glides across the skin with minimum effort.  It felt good going on and I could immediately see its effects as it left a matte stripe down the back of my hand.  It has no discernible smell, left my skin feeling soft and lasted all day on my hand - even after having my hand through the loop of my dog's leash.

So there you have it!  Like I said earlier, all the initial data came back positive on this one.  Cute packaging aside, it seems to take its oil-fighting duties very seriously.  Of course, the back of my hand is nowhere as oil-active as my face, therefore, the real test still remains.  But it did stay put.  And just for reference, my skin type is considered "normal", but I get my fair share of shiny moments... especially when wearing my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.  So an update is definitely in the works for this soon.

Hopefully, there will be no breakouts where my face ends up looking like the cap on the tube.  But let's stay positive, shall we?  Yes, we shall...

**UPDATE: 2/13/15 -  Well, I have been using this primer off and on for a little over a month now and I'm happy to report that it hasn't broken me out or caused any type of dermal disturbance.  It did a good job in helping me maintain a close-to-matte finish throughout the day, however, I feel that its performance was pretty much on par with my other face primers.  I did notice that my smile lines were less prominent and didn't "crack" my foundation after various bouts of grinning and laughing like they usually do, so that was a plus... but not enough of a merit to warrant a purchase.  I'm so glad I had a chance to give it a go, though, and will happily finish the tube down to its last drop!  

Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer is available at Ulta and Sephora, and retails for $32/ 0.54 oz.

Barbie: I Dream of Jeannie

Hey, guys!  Are you familiar with the TV show I Dream of Jeannie?  Well, if you are and recall it with a certain fondness, have I got a treat for you.  The popular series from the '60s centered around an astronaut who finds a female genie in a bottle while stranded on an island - a beautiful wish maker who happily grants him his every whim (sometimes to his dismay) by crossing her arms and blinking them into fruition.  His wish is her command as she instantly falls in love with the handsome bachelor upon first sight and, after "following" him back to his home, hijinks ensue.  So, in the spirit of having a little tongue-in-cheek fun, I bring to you a doll loaded with nostalgia.  It's the I Dream of Jeannie Barbie from Mattel.

Faithfully fashioned after the iconic television character, this Barbie is a virtual mini Jeannie from the top of her braided ponytail to the soles of her golden slippers.  Every attention to detail has been meticulously paid as even the doll itself bears a striking resemblance (purposely so) to the actress who played her, Barbara Eden.

Dressed in an ensemble that includes a tasseled middriff accompanied by a white trimmed bolero, "Jeannie" is a dream in all pink - a color that Barbie is more than happy to don since this, too, is her well-known signature shade.

A gauzy pair of harem pants with detailing along the waist drape her long legs while a pendant necklace and mirrored gold slippers act as the only other noticeable embellishments being adorned.   

Oh, and we can't forget the vessel she was trapped inside of for many, many years before being found and subsequently released by her "master" Tony.  She started from the bottle, now she's here... living, loving and devoting her affections to the man who freed her from the tiny living quarters she once called "home".

Nestled amidst her braid and high ponytail of long, blonde hair is a pink headpiece that comes complete with a sheer, tethered veil that wraps softly around her face.

And as far as her makeup goes, subtlety is the key.  While her green eyes are allowed some Arabian flair with stark, angled black liner surrounded by a muted brown, her lips blush a docile hue of rose.  The hint of allure is evident, although quietly subdued.   

So there you have it!  Long before the advent of satellite/cable and the raunch of reality TV were shows that teased and titillated without going too far over the top.  You were always in on the ongoing joke(s) and even when the storyline comprised the same comedic formula (boy + girl + wacky friend/neighbor/mother-in-law), it still had your buy-in.  Well, I Dream of Jeannie was one of those shows that you were more than happy to buy into.  And when I saw this Barbie and how it genuinely looked like the iconic character from the iconic show, I knew I had to get her.   She's a visual, tangible reminder of a more innocent time of boob tube watching... and I'm so glad to have her in my collection!

Product Purge - Hair

Hey, guys!  Happy 2015!  How was your New Year's?  Festive and fun, I hope.  Mine was pretty cool; I watched fireworks with some friends.  But now that the celebrating is over, it's time for me to get down to brass tacks.  Once again, I find myself saddled with a horde of products that I either need to re-purpose or simply get rid of - preferably the latter.  This time it's hair stuff.  And instead of embarrassing myself by showing the tons of hair wares that have now found their way into the dreaded "product graveyard", I figured I'd just feature a few notables along with my would-be plans for them to help further my quest to start off the new year junk-free.

First up is Aveda's Shampure Conditioner.  From what I remember, I actually like(d) this... along with the shampoo.  I believe it did well on my hair and I love the earthy, herbal smell associated with most Aveda products.  Since one tends to use up more shampoo than conditioner during a wash cycle, I was left with quite a bit of this.  So my plan is to use up the remaining amount during the next couple of weeks and finally be done with it.

   
Next up is another conditioner that's missing its shampoo counterpart - Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Conditioner from Alterna.  This product, too, I ended up liking a lot.  True to its name, it was moisturizing and left my hair soft.  However, clearly I didn't like it enough for it to totally usurp my then longtime staple, Fresh Soy Shampoo, as I found myself running back to it after purchasing sets of Caviar twice.  (By the way, have I mentioned that Fresh discontinued the full-size version of their Soy poo and now only sells a teeny, tiny travel size of it?!  Yeah.  Color me mucho disappointed on that one!)  Anywho, I plan on using this one up right after I finish with the Aveda.

This one I bought in the hopes of it being the same as the original.  But, alas, the company changed hands, they changed its formula and, in turn, lost me as a fan.  It's Arosci Leave-In Conditioner and it used to be the BOMB!  I'm so serious.  Not only did it leave my hair feeling like and acting like an angel had touched it, but it smelled divine, too!  Ugh!  Why do things have to change?  WHY?!  Well, like I said, this redo ended up being a re-don't; I can't stand the new version's smell and it does absolutely NOTHING for my tresses.  So I will not be holding on to this one at all!

  
OK, this one I don't think I ever used.  Well, maybe I used it once, but definitely not often enough to remember whether it was a yea or a nay for my hair.  I bought this Elasta QP Design Foam years ago when I first started getting serious about my hair.  Back in the day I used to wrap my hair wet (as opposed to wrapping my hair dry like I do now) and thought this mousse/foam would help with my wet set.  I honestly don't recall whether it did or not, but my ex-boyfriend's daughter took a liking to it as she was the one who ended up using most of the product.  I may try using it on a wet curl set, but I rarely even do those... so this one's most likely a goner, too.

Now, when this serum first debuted, I was so excited to try it.  However, my excitement was soon abated as I found it to be more than disappointing.  I was looking for something light to use as a gloss-inducing heat protectant with my flat-iron, but this Triple Moisture Shine Serum from skincare giant Neutrogena fell woefully short.  It failed to give my hair the mirror-like shine I was used to via other serums and the smell wasn't a win for me either.  Needless to say, I won't be holding on to this any longer.

 
Speaking of shine, I bought this last hair product years ago after hearing so many great things said about it.  The name alone was alluring enough, but BioSilk's Silk Therapy Shine On just wasn't the "gloss-in-a-can" I was looking for.  I found it to be very heavy in spite of it claiming to be the opposite; it left my hair looking and feeling greasy even though I didn't use a lot, and its heavy-handed, perfumed scent is extremely overwhelming to me.  But "different strokes for different folks" as my sister is actually fond of this finishing spray, so it will most likely be finding a new home with her.   

Well, there you have it, guys!  Even though I started this de-cluttering thing a long time ago, I am still discovering things I desperately need to let go of.  I do realize it's an on-going process that I'll probably never be completely done with.  However, I am determined to have a fresh start for the new year and purging these unused, unwanted hair items is a great way to keep the momentum going.