Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Review

I’m really happy lip glosses are making a comeback because they have always been one of my favorite makeup items. With so many colors and formulas on the market picking the perfect one can be difficult, which is why I thought it would be a good idea to talk about the perfect classic lip gloss: the Dior Addict LipMaximizer.

I have been fortunate enough to gather many samples of it over the years so I haven’t had to buy the full size one, but I definitely plan on doing so before Christmas. This lip gloss is the perfect staple to keep in your makeup bag, it gives great shine but isn’t gloopy or sticky. The texture is on the thicker side but it just feels cushiony on the lip, making them look plumper. I think this is where the maximizer term comes from because there is no unpleasant tingling sensation upon application. It contains collagen and hyaluronic fillers that will make your lips smoother according to the brand.

The gloss itself has a very light pink tint but it doesn’t alter the color of other lip products you might use under it. I quite like it on its own as well because it enhances my natural lip color, which is always nice. Now I know this technically shouldn’t matter since the actual product is great, but I love the Dior packaging on both the mini and the full size versions. It looks chic and luxurious which is really nice for such a classic item. I think this is the perfect product if you are looking to give lip gloss another chance or simply if you want a good quality product to use daily that will not let you down.

The Dior AddictLip Maximizer is available at all Dior counters as well as online from Dior and websites like Feelunique.  

Thierry Mugler Alien

Crisp air, gorgeously colored leaves and general coziness pretty much sum up why fall is my favorite season. Along with all those things, I love how the cooler season makes me want to wear warmer scents that feel like a nice blanket. For many years now, my favorite fall/winter fragrance has been Thierry Mugler’s Alien.

Thierry Mugler is known for creating very distinctive and powerful fragrances. They linger on you and your clothes for ages and nothing else smells quite like it. Alien is a gorgeous fragrance, very unique with a warmth that screams “wear me when it’s chilly outside!” The notes go as follows: Solar Accord, Jasmine Sambac, Green Notes, Cashmeran Wood, Vanilla, Transparent Amber. The result is a slightly heady warm floral scent with just a hint of sweetness from the vanilla. The jasmine, cashmeran wood and amber are the stand out notes, but I love how the green notes and vanilla prevent it from being overpowering.

To me, Alien is like a warm cashmere blanket: soft, warm and comforting. It is definitely a feminine fragrance, albeit a sensual and rich one. As the weather cools, I love letting it envelop me in its distinctive scent, there is something very soothing about it. Like with other Mugler fragrances, the complexity and depth of Alien is hard to describe with words, smelling it is a unique sensorial experience in and of itself.

Lastly, let’s take a second to bask in the beauty of the bottle.  The deep purple color and jewel-like design are stunning. Thierrry Mugler refers to it as a talisman made to resemble an amethyst. The gold detailing elevates it to a piece of luxury you want to display. Good thing you can refill the bottle and never have to part with it.  

Thierry Mugler Alien is available in many department stores as well as from Sephora and the Thierry Mugler website where you can see the whole range of products dedicated to this scent. You can also read more about the fragrance here. 

Kérastase Laque Noir

No matter how much time you spend on styling your hair, you went the result of your efforts to last through the day. This makes hairspray the most useful hair product to have in your arsenal. However, they are not all made equal and no one wants to end up with sticky, crispy hair after spraying some on. That would just ruin the whole thing. Well I have finally found the most long lasting and efficient hairspray ever: the Kérastase Laque Noir.

This is a strong hold hairspray that fights humidity and keeps your style in place while giving your hair shine. I have naturally wavy hair that tends to frizz and curl when it’s humid and keeping a sleek ponytail in place all day is almost impossible. Kérastase says this creates an anti-humidity shield and I cannot find a better way to describe it. It is the only hairspray that can keep my ponytail from getting flyaways and frizzy all day long. I know it is kind of expensive, but if you live in a very humid climate or have hair similar to mine, I think it is worth investing in. What I love about Kérastase in this case, is that they offer a  convenient travel size of this (which is the one I have), so you can try it for less but the size is generous enough to last you a while.

When I wear my hair down, it also holds waves and curls nicely and gives them shine without any crispiness. The mist is very fine and I love that you only need to use a little for it to work. It also has an amazing fruity scent so your hair will smell nice and you don’t have to deal with the typical hairspray fumes. Lastly, I know this is not really important, but how chic does that can look! I really love the design and I think that when you are spending a pretty penny on a product, you want it to deliver and look nice too. In both cases the Kérastase Laque Noir Delivers.

You can find the Kérastase Laque Noir in Kérastase salons, on their website and on Feelunique. 

Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl

Who does not love a good mascara? I personally think the drugstore has loads of great offerings, but like everyone else I feel the appeal of high-end mascaras with their beautiful packaging and compelling ads. That being said I always feel a bit guilty spending a lot on mascara, see my eyes are very sensitive so I can rarely finish a tube and obviously no one likes to throw away something you spent good money on. This is why I love buying minis from Sephora or getting samples from my favorite counters. As you might know, Dior is my favorite luxury brand so I was beyond excited when I received a mini Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara as part of a gift with purchase.

The original Diorshow Iconic is a favorite mascara of mine and I love curved mascara brush, making the Overcurl version a must try on my list. The combination of the brush and formula is supposed to give great volume and really curl your lashes. The formula is on the drier side which I love, it makes applying it to finer lashes super easy and the black color is nicely pigmented. The curved brush really follows the contour of your eyes, so it really helps define them by separating every lash and the application is easy.

Now for the results, I got lots of volume with this and because the formula is drier the volume looks like your lashes are naturally bigger instead of giving you a wet clumpy look. As for the curling power, it does initially lift your lashes but the effect did not last for long on me. By the end of the day the curl had dropped, but the volume was still present and helped keep my eyes defined. I think my lashes might be too fine for the formula, but if you have thicker lashes or can handle slightly heavier mascaras I think you might like this. The volume you get is impressive enough so I would give it a try if the opportunity comes up or if you can get a mini tube.

The Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara is available from any Dior counter, the Dior website,  Sephora and Feelunique. 

Kérastase Cristalliste Lait Cristal

From past posts on this blog, I think it is quick easy to see that I am a fan of affordable drugstore hair products. I go through conditioner like crazy, something that comes with the territory when you have very long hair, but every once in a while I like to treat myself to a nice luxury conditioner. If you are ever considering investing in a high-end conditioner, the Kérastase Cristalliste Lait Cristal should be at the top of your list.

I had always been intrigued by Kérastase products, everything from the chic packaging to the incredible claims and reviews made me want to try something out. However the higher price and my skepticism over how great a more expensive conditioner could be prevented me from doing so. Well the Cristaliste Lait Cristale has proven me wrong and I don’t think I can ever be without it again.

Now let’s talk about this miraculous formula. If I am not mistaken, this does not contain silicone, instead it relies on aloe vera and eco-friendly polymers to soften and smooth the hair, increasing shine at the same time. Another interesting thing is that while this conditioner is very moisturizing, it does not weight your hair down at all and detangles it easily. Unlike other conditioners, this one has a very runny texture, almost like a lotion, and while it might feel a bit weird at first and like you need to use tons, you only need a little bit (about half of what you normally use) because it melts into your hair and coats it easily. Because it is so thin, the best way to apply it is to make sure you squeeze as much water as possible out of your hair before applying it so it does not run down the hair instead of coating it.

I still cannot believe how amazing my hair looks every time I use it. I am talking silky smooth hair with lots of shine and a lovely fragrance. It is definitely a product worth investing in. You can find the Kérastase Cristalliste Lait Cristal on the Kérastase website, feelunique and hair salons that carry the brand. 

Le Labo Bergamote 22 Body Care Range

I usually really enjoy staying in hotels, but some just standout more than others. The Park Hyatt Toronto Yorkville always has impeccable service, incredible food and the loveliest airy rooms. I mean the whole place screams calm, relaxation and understated luxury. Also don’t even get me started on the bathrooms, they are pure perfection! All that aside, one thing that always makes me excited to stay there are the toiletries, no random harsh soaps here, I’m talking about gorgeous Le Labo body products.

Le Labo is not a brand I read about a lot on blogs, you might stumble across a fragrance review, and I think their body products are sadly underrated. This is such a shame because the quality is incredible and worthy of more attention.

During my last stay at the Park Hyatt, I managed to bring back soaps, shower gels and body lotions in the lovely Bergamote 22 scent. This is the ultimate unisex fragrance, which makes perfect sense for a hotel to use. It is fresh and citrusy without being too masculine, there is also a slight floral quality leaving you with a clean scent that is addictive.

The bar soap and shower gel leave your skin clean without drying out your skin. The both produce a gorgeous lather and they will leave you delicately fragrant. As for the body lotion, is incredibly light and glides like water on the skin. It provides light hydration and softens the skin all the while being fast absorbing. These are the perfect products to use in the summer when you don’t want anything heavy on your body and the light fresh scent is perfect for warmer months.

Le Labo products are luxury both for their incredible quality but also for their higher price. They would make the perfect gift for someone you love or if you want to treat yourself. For now I am enjoy my travel-sized bottles, but the full-size body lotion is looking very tempting. The brand also offers perfumes, body oils and many more products in your favorite scent.

You can find the entire Le Labo product range on their website, they ship internationally and also offer a list of retailers based around the world. The Bergamote 22 fragrance is my favorite but the brand has a wide range of fragrances that are worth discovering. Also, if you are planning on visiting Toronto, I highly recommend the Park Hyatt Toronto Yorkville located in downtown Toronto. I is the perfect place to stay at to recharge your batteries and enjoy all the luxurious amenities and incredible food the hotel as to offer. You might never want to leave. 

Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen

A traveller’s must-have, the best friend of anyone working long hours or studying late into the night, yes I’m talking about an under eye brightener. The market is full of products that promise to illuminate your eyes and make dark circles disappear, but I find that you often only get one or the other. You either get coverage or an illuminator so sheer it won’t do much on its own. However I have found a game-changer in the Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen.

This is the perfect balance between a concealer and an illuminator. It is pigmented enough to cover-up dark circles and the illuminating particles in brighten your under eye area, making you look even more well rested. The effect is quite subtle, there is no shimmers or glitters here, but it somehow manages to make a world of a difference.

The formula is a light cream so it is super easy to blend and it doesn’t crease. Depending on the shade you pick (there are four), you can also use it to illuminate other areas of your face just like you would with a highlighter. I have the lightest yellow-toned shade (002 Candle Light) and on my very fair skin it works really well as a concealer but it does not do much in the highlighting department. If you have a bit more color than me (which shouldn’t be hard), than you could easily use it for both. 

I absolutely love this product and I know I will be purchasing it again. Yes it is more expensive than other products being from Dior, but the formula is so incredibly worth it. You can get the Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen from their website, at any Dior counter as well as from Sephora and Feelunique. 

Dior Backstage Eye Prime

I think it is fair to say from past articles that I don’t like talking about products I don’t like and today’s item is not bad or anything but I’m a bit disappointed in it. Dior is my favorite high-end brand but their Backstage Eye Prime has left me a bit perplexed.

Basically, this is a flesh-toned cream eyeshadow primer that is supposed to extend the wear and intensity of your eye makeup, turning your eyes into a perfect canvas. I loved it when I first got it, my shadows lasted all day with no creasing and unlike other primers, its drier texture made it super easy to blend my makeup. The thing is, now it does not prevent my makeup from creasing anymore. I’m not sure what happened, maybe my lids are oilier or it’s because the formula dried out a bit. That’s another thing, you have to be careful to really tightly screw the lid back in its place otherwise the formula will dry out. Luckily, I was able remove it from the pot and put it back upside-down so I can use the bottom half that was still fresh.

Now, the primer does not perform exactly like it used to but there is something it’s still great at: color-correcting my lids. I have very fair skin and as such the skin on my eyes is quite thin so you can see little veins. The Dior primer has a very natural skin tone color that I can blend to cover up the veins and perfectly even out my eyes, making them look brighter and more awake. I love using this on days when I don’t want to wear any eye makeup, but still want to look well rested. 

The formula of this is very dry so you do need to warm it up on your fingertip to make it easier to apply. Some might not like this, but the matte finish it gives to the skin is more natural looking and since it doesn’t leave your eyelids tacky, your eyeshadows will blend more easily and without dragging. Honestly, I don’t know if I would recommend this product as a primer (mostly because it’s expensive) since I can’t guaranty its effect in the long run. However, if you are looking for a corrector the Backstage Eye Prime is great and who knows, yours might be efficient at keeping your makeup in place too. 

You can get the Dior Backstage Eye Prime from their website and at any of their Counters. It is also available from Sephora and Feelunique.

Kérastase Spécifique Bain Vital Dermo Calm

Let’s talk hair! I’m usually a drugstore shampoo kind of girl, I have very long hair so I go through it quite quickly. However, that doesn’t stop me from lusting after fancy/expensive shampoo and for me Kérastase is the ultimate luxury in terms of haircare. So after months of reasoning with myself, I finally splurge on the Kérastase Spécifique Bain Vital Dermo Calm.

This is a hypoallergenic shampoo for sensitive scalps and it is designed to sooth as well as clean your hair. Basically, it’s exactly what my scalp needs. Texture wise, it is a liquid-gel that has a lovely blue color and an amazing scent. It’s really relaxing and smell like what a nice shampoo should smell like, it’s a very clean scent and it adds to the experience, making you feel like you’re in a nice salon.

Now in terms of effect, it deeply cleaned my hair and scalp without drying or irritating it. What surprised me is how healthy my hair felt afterwards; for a cleansing shampoo that does its job so well, it’s not drying at all and left my hair felling soft.

I would highly recommend this if you have an itchy sensitive scalp and want a shampoo that can deeply clean your hair without stripping it. I know it’s expensive, but I view it as a great investment. I personally like to use it every time I wash my hair, but you could only use once or twice a week if you want it to last longer.

You can get the Kérastase Spécifique Bain Vital Dermo Calm online from Kérastase as well as in salons. If you live in the U.K. and Europe you should also be able to get it from Feelunique at a great price. There are shipping restrictions depending on your location but it’s definitely worth checking out.

What’s your favorite luxury shampoo?