To Buy or Not to Buy? Dior Gris Trianon

So I think I'm officially getting sick.  I suppose it was bound to happen seeing as I work around people who don't know how to cover their mouths when they cough..... seriously.... where's Miss Manners when you need her?  We work next to a freakin' hospital and they don't know how to cover our cough?  And my tummy hurts..... great.

But I digress.....

Dior came out with a new collection for Spring 2013 called Cherie Bow.  In the collection is a mix of pinks and greys which go beautifully together.  And of course as a nail polish addict I had to take a good long look at Gris Trianon.

I don't have too many grey cremes but I also don't find that I need too many greys.  But regardless this was very tempting.

So what to do?  I painted a nail with Gris Trianon and went home.  My inner cheapskate told me to look at what I have in my massive collection.  I mean I have an almost full Helmer which should tell you readers something.

So I go home and look through my greys.  Gris Trianon is described as a dove grey, which I interpreted as pigeon.  It actually has a brownish tinge to it that makes it very wearable for warmer skintones.

When I compared this to Zoya Dove, Gris Trianon was a lot darker.  But compared to Gris Montaigne it was much lighter.  So what in my collection would be close?  Well, it's not exact but China Glaze Recycle is close enough to quench this lemming of mine.  It lacks the brownish tinge and is a bit darker but on me the color give the same effect and for a lot cheaper too.

So for me Gris Trianon is not a must have.  Although I do admit if I wasn't being a cheapo I totally would have added it to my collection.  I simply adore Dior nail polishes.

  

Some More Things on Sale at Nordstrom

So if you were a fan of Dior's mini brush kit and mini manicure kit you are in luck.  They are on sale at Nordstrom right now for $40 each.

This is actually a pretty nice deal considering how expensive the Dior polishes can cost and for someone who has their mini brushes (in the red Cannage packaging) I have to say that the brush quality is great.

So head on over to Nordstrom and get them before their gone.

Sulwhasoo Compacts on Sale at Neiman Marcus

I've been neglectful and I apologize.  But if you like Sulwhasoo Shine Classic Powder they are on sale at Neiman Marcus for $68.

The original price is $150 and the compacts are gorgeous!  It's a shame that I'm on Operation Cheapskate 2013 or else I would buy a couple of them as high end gifts.

My mom taught me the best Christmas shopping happens in June.  It's a little early but I think the same rule applies here.

Review Time! Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence

So this is the last thing to review from my purchase late last November.

You can purchase this treatment essence through the Missha site here.

So there's a lot of hype around this product and for good reason.  This product claims to do the same thing as SK II Facial Treatment Essence but for a third of the price.  It's on sale right now so you can get it even cheaper.

I never thought to try this before since as a microbiologist when I heard about this I thought it to really be nothing more than culture filtrate.  Heck, I have Saccharomyces strains in the lab, I could probably do this myself.  I actually still do think of it as nothing more than fancy culture filtrate to be honest.  But hell if I can spend a stupid amount of money on Voss water I don't see me buying this to be out of the realm of possibility.

I never tried the SK II Facial Treatment Essence so I really have nothing to compare it to.  But what I did find was that my skin really loved the Time Revolution First Treatment Essence.

Sleek frosted glass bottle hold almost magical water inside.

After the first application my skin felt firm and a bit plump.  After a week I felt like my skin was glowing.

The best part is that there were no breakouts.  I did however spill a little and didn't want to waste it so I applied it to my face.  My skin became a little irritated and rosy but it subsided a few hours later.

How I use it:  I place 3 to 5 drops in the palm of my hand, rub my hands together and smooth the product over my face and neck.

I tried using a cotton pad but didn't like the thought of wasting so much good stuff.

The bottle comes with a inside plug, for Pete's sake don't throw it away!

Without the plug the bottle will begin to leak out and you will lose your precious essence.

How do I store it:  After opening and closing the plug for 2 weeks I decided I had enough and got a vacuum pump bottle from Daiso.  I decanted the essence into the bottle and now when I use it all it takes is one little pump.  No mess and it's easier to travel with.

Best $1.50 I ever spent.

But it's just a toner right?  That's a crazy amount to be spent on a toner.

I would normally agree, but I really don't think of this product as a toner.  I think of toners being used to remove the last traces of dirt on the skin before applying product.  This product I see as prepping the skin to better accept the products I use on it afterwards.

I think of it as a treatment and I use it as one.

Does it smell funny?  Not really.  Plus I can't smell anything once it absorbs in.  It does feel a little tacky when it's drying though.

This product is also free of parabens, colorants, fragrance, silicon, mineral oil and alcohol.  Plus it's not tested on animals.

Would I buy this again?  I totally would.  That would probably be next year when I finally finish the bottle.

Is it really worth it?  I really think so.  But then again I'm also not that young anymore and need the extra help to keep me looking like a teenager.  However, given the price (especially when on sale) this becomes really affordable and is cheaper than a lot of my other skincare items.

I hope this helps a little.  I didn't put in any facts on yeast extract concentration or benefits because they are readily available on the site but I hope my experience with this product helps you figure out if it's something you want to try.

Thank you so much for looking and live happy!  

Happy New Year Everyone! I Got a Confection to Show You

I don't know about any of you but it's off to a busy start for me.  I've been a bit absent due to the real world and I apologize for that.

I have a few reviews to write but first I have some pictures that need editing for the boss tomorrow.  In true artistic fashion ( though I'm not an artist ) I can't seem to buckle down and get it done.  I'm sure in the middle of the night I will but right now I can't focus.

Maybe I like the adrenaline.... my boyfriend is the same way. If that's the case, it may just be a science major thing...... 

But I did want to post a confection for you all.

I got this recipe from PaleOMG and it is yummy! 

I made it past my first month of paleo eating and I love it.

I also have made a resolution to start paying down my revolving debt and not buy anything I don't need.  This means that I will be raiding my vanity for a lot of oldies but goodies.  I don't see myself buying makeup, skincare, bath products or perfumes in the next year.  Sounds harsh but I have enough to last me for years.

I call it Operation Cheapskate 2013!