A Touch of Blusher

Sass, Style & Substance for December 6, 2009

2009-12-06T18:30:00.006Z

Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge posts breaking news on Urban Decay Spring 2010 24/7 Eye Pencil colors!

Beauty and Fashion Tech
Winter Skin Care Tips.

Splendicity Accessories
Are you having problems finding a gift for the vegan on your holiday shopping list? Here are some stylish suggestions.

New York Spender
Find hand-picked gifts for everyone on your list at the NY Spender’s Christmas Store.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher looks at YSL’s spring 2010 makeup collection.

image: Stock.xchg

Skincare Review: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF20

2009-12-05T22:00:00.004Z

(image from www.clinique.co.uk)

Clinique's Even Better range is one of the brand's latest ranges of skincare and foundation products. It aims to help create a clearer, brighter and more even skin tone. Today I am reviewing Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20.

The moisturizer has a creamy consistency that is not overly thick, and it feels quite emollient on the skin. (It is more emollient than Clinique's Youth Surge SPF 15 that I reviewed earlier.) Some of its moisturizing ingredients include octyldodecyl neopentanoate, myristyl myristate, and butylene glycol.

It contains butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) as the anti-UVA ingredient. This makes it a suitable moisturizer to be used for daytime.

It features a nice array skin-benefiting ingredients, which are mostly antioxidants. They include (in the order which they are listed on the ingredient list) ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), betula alba (birch) bark extract, scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap) root extract, curcuma longa (turmeric) root extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), linoleic acid, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C). Skullcap root extract and linoleic acid also have anti-inflammatory properties.

It also contains cucumis sativus (cucumber) extract (listed right after betula alba (birch) root extract). According to Paula Begoun, the lutein component in cucumber "can have an effect on suppressing melanogenesis, or the process that leads to skin discolorations". (Please refer to this link on Paula Begoun's website for more information.)

There is very little silicone in this product, which might please those who are looking for moisturizers that don't contain silicones as major ingredients.

It doesn't contain alcohol, parabens, or fragrance. One ingredient that may be a skin-irritant is sodium sulfite. (But It is further down on the ingredient list.)

Overall, this is a competent daytime moisturizer. It would be too emollient for most people with oily skin, and it should suit those with normal-to-dry or dry skin.

(The product featured in this review is provided by Clinique.)

Related posts:

Daytime Moisturizer Update: Olay Complete Care

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

YSL Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

2009-11-30T19:30:00.002Z

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Here is a look at YSL's spring 2010 makeup collection. Personally, I prefer this collection to Chanel's spring 2010 collection. There is a good balance between soft feminine shades and more intense colors.

The collection includes:

- Palette Y Mail Highlighter (above, limited edition)

- Palette Y Mail Blush (limited edition)

- Ombres 5 Lumières (1 new variation)

- Ombres Duolumières (2 new variations)

- Rouge Volupté (2 new shades)

- Gloss Volupté (2 new shades)

- Golden Gloss (1 new shade)

- Touche Blush (1 new shade)

- La Laque (2 new shades)

Related posts:

YSL Holiday 2009 Collection

YSL Fall 2009 Collection

YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils

Sass, Style & Substance for November 29, 2009

2009-11-29T20:30:00.002Z

Beauty Match
REVIEW: Lash Mantra Eyelash Growth Serum.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher decided to get Dior’s Cristal Boréal.

Splendicity Accessories
Yoox has teamed up with Maison Martin Margiela to offer some of the one of a kind “Artisanal Collection” for sale. You’re definitely going to take a peek at some of the amazing pieces!

STYLEnosh
Yes, you can eat a healthy holiday meal. Watch this video to find out how.

image: Stock.xchg

Chanel Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

2009-11-27T20:30:00.008Z

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Here is a quick look at Chanel's spring 2010 makeup collection. It strikes me as a very summery collection, with some warm brown and bronze shades. I have been loving neutral shades lately, but I think some of these colors are a little too intense for my preference.

The collection includes:

- Empreinte de Chanel (above, limited edition)

- Quadra Eye Shadow (1 new variation)

- Ombre D'Eau (1 new shade)

- Ombre Essentielle (3 new shades)

- Le Crayon Yeux (1 new shade)

- Rouge Allure (4 new shades)

- Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer (2 new shades)

- Le Crayon Lèvres (1 new shade)

- Joues Contraste (1 new shade)

- Soleil Tan de Chanel

- Poudre Universelle Compact

- Le Vernis (3 new shades)

Related posts:

Chanel Holiday 2009 Collection

Chanel Tokyo Happening Collection

Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Stage Lights

Bodycare Review: Dove Body Butters

2009-11-25T22:30:00.005Z

(Dove Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin)
(images from www.dove.co.uk)

(Dove ProAge Rich Body Butter)

Last month I reviewed three of Dove's body lotions. As we are heading into winter, some of us might need more intense moisture. Today I am highlighting two of Dove's body butters.

Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin and ProAge Rich Body Butter have very similar formulations. The first ten ingredients of the two products are entirely the same and they are listed in the same order on the ingredient lists. (They are aqua, petrolatum, glycerin, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, stearic acid, hydrogenated polyisobutene, ethylhexyl cocoate, hydrogenated didecene, and glycol stearate.) The two products also contain cocoa seed butter and shea butter, while ProAge Rich Body Butter contains olive fruit oil.

Both body butters have a rich texture and are very emollient. The ProAge range is promoted as a very intensely nourishing range, and ProAge Rich Body Butter is indeed more emollient than Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin.

Unless you have exceptionally dry skin, body butters are generally for drier areas of the body only. (They can be used alone or on top of your usual body lotion.) I do personally find that both body butters are too emollient to be used all over the body, but they do work well on dry patches. For me, they also work well as hand creams. Overall, both are good choices if you want a very rich body moisturizer.

(ProAge Rich Body Butter has a slightly stronger fragrance. If you are worried about scented body moisturizers clashing with your fragrances, Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin should be a better choice.)

(The products featured in this review are provided by Dove.)

Other items that might work well for you in winter:

Imperial Leather Skin Bliss Shower Lotion

E45 Endless Moisture Range

Garnier Hand Repair

Weekend Beauty Reads for November 22, 2009

2009-11-22T22:30:00.004Z

Fresco Phyrra shows you how to look for quality mineral makeup. See what seven things you need to be aware of!

A Touch of Blusher reviews blushers from Lily Lolo.

Beauty Anonymous looks forward to OPI spring/summer 2009 Hong Kong Collection.

Sass, Style & Substance for November 22, 2009

2009-11-22T21:30:00.002Z

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Clear LiftUltra Wrinkle Cream.

eye4style
Things are getting “curiouser and curiouser” this season. eye4style tells all on the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows!

Splendicity Accessories
Shoe designers have been combining some interesting materials to create booties & boots that are as stylish as they are warm.

image: Stock.xchg

Holiday 2009 Focus: Dior Cristal Boréal

2009-11-21T21:30:00.011Z

I always look forward to Dior's seasonal makeup collections, especially the limited-edition Star Products. Sometimes I am excited by the Star Products, and sometimes I am underwhelmed. For me, Dior's holiday 2009 collection is probably one of the best holiday collections that Dior has brought out, and Cristal Boréal Crystal Gloss Jewel is certainly one of the reasons why I love the collection.

One thing I like about Cristal Boréal is that it is housed in a proper box, which does justice to the Swarovski crystals on the oval-shaped pendant. I am not really a fan of the velvety pouches that Dior's seasonal limited-edition items usually come in, as they get dusty very easily. It is good to see Cristal Boréal much better presented. (As one of my readers, Kiks, so rightly said, this time it is more Dior than Dior Beauty.)

Four of the crystals are Aurore Boréale crystals. They reflect the light in colorful hues and they all have a nice depth to them.

According to the information leaflet (that comes with the pendant), the pendant features 52 Swarovski crystals.There are 52 crystals on the pendant itself already (I have counted them), so I am not entirely sure whether the one on the metal tag is also a Swarovski crystal.

(the back of the pendant)

The pendant contains a lip gloss, which is available in two shades (silver and pink). I went for the pink one (#251 Pink Crystal). Both shades are quite sheer and they mainly show up as subtly multi-colored shimmer.

The pendant flips open on both sides. There is no mirror, but the inside of the lid and the back of the pendant can work as mirrors.

Dior's makeup accessories are usually statement pieces, and Cristal Boréal continues the tradition. While the Princess Ring is still my favorite seasonal Star Product from Dior, Cristal Boréal is among my favorites too.

I also like some of the other items in Dior's holiday 2009 collection. (It is a very purple-toned collection.) The two 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow palettes are quite stunning. I prefer the softer Purple Crystal (which looks similar to 129 Pearly Lilac in the Lilas Addiction collection, which has not been available in the UK), even though the orchid purple in Smoky Crystal is my favorite shade in the whole collection.

(Purple Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

(Smoky Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

Another item I tested is Cristal Boréal Cristal Eyeshadow in Purple Gem. It is a low-key medium purple with sparse glitters. Personally, I would like it better if it didn't have the glitters.

(image from www. dior.com)

Overall, with purples and greys, this is another trend-sensitive collection from Dior. (It is a good extension from Dior's fall 2009 collection.) The two Cristal Boréal shades might not be very original, but I think they do have a solid collectibility factor.

Updated on November 23rd, 2009:

Blogger.com seems to have failed to publish one of the comments for this post. If you believe it to be yours, I am sorry about this and please, if you would, kindly consider posting it again. Thank you very much!

Related posts:

Lady Dior in French Chic
(spring 2009)

Dior Night Diamond
(holiday 2008)

Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel
(summer 2008)

DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace
(holiday 2007)

Dior Diorissime Palette
(fall 2007)

Lunasol Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-19T22:30:00.002Z

(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Kanebo Lunasol will release its spring 2010 makeup collection in Japan on January 15th. The purification theme continues, and the theme for spring 2010 is Scenic Purification. Each of the five Nature Color Eyes palettes portrays one of the five scenes of nature (sea, greenery, earth, sand, and flowers).

The full lineup includes:

- Nature Color Eyes (5 variations)
- Shining Water Eyes (5 shades, limited editions)

- Full Glamour Lips G (10 new shades)
- Full Glamour Gloss N (5 new shades)
- Contrasting W Lip Liner (3 new shades)
- Coloring Cheeks (3 new shades)

(Shining Water Eyes)

At the moment, I am warming to the two neutral-toned Shining Water Eyes shades. Since they are limited editions, I will have to make a relatively quick decision...

(Please have a look at this post for the link to the five Nature Color Eyes palettes and this post for the link to some swatches.)

Related posts:

Lunasol Holiday 2009 Collection

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol

Swatches: Lunasol Spring 2010 & Addiction Fall 2009

2009-11-18T22:30:00.002Z

(Addiction's Eyeshadows)
(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)

- Please have a look at this blog post, which features swatches of three of Lunasol's five eyeshadow palettes for spring 2010. It seems that the purple in 05C Nature Colorful is a little too pale for my liking. (It seems paler than Lavender Coral's purple, which I adore.) At the moment, it is not likely that I will pick up this palette.

- If you are interested in Kosé's Addiction, do check out this blog post for swatches of all of Addiction's current eyeshadows and blushers.

Fall 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 3)

2009-11-18T21:30:00.007Z

(continued from Part 1 & Part 2)

3. Jill Stuart

(image from www.iswii.com)

Jill Stuart's fall 2009 items include the seasonal additions plus the 5th anniversary collection. The 5th anniversary collection items are certainly worth collecting but the packaging of some of the items can look a little fussy. Among the fall additions, I particularly like the new Seductive Eyes palette, which has some nice warm neutrals. There are also two new variations of the popular Mix Blush Compact.

2. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

I didn't pay too much attention to Magie Deco's fall 2009 collection until I saw the full lineup in the September 2009 issue of Biteki and some of the Shadow Brilliance II palettes being featured in the following issue. I actually like almost all the variations, and LC028 Lovable Muse, with lilac and green, is quite an unusual color combination in Japanese cosmetics.

This might surprise you, but the Shadow Brilliance II palette that has really grabbed my attention is DC025 Foxy Lady, not DC026 Real Madonna. The light-to-medium neutrals look very soft, wearable, and sophisticated. If I decide to pick up more neutral shades, I might seriously consider this palette.

1. Lunasol

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

For me, it has been quite a good year for Lunasol. Last fall, I didn't really warm to Lunasol's red-toned collection, which wasn't among my seasonal top ten then. This year, I like all of Lunasol's seasonal collections (including the holiday 2009 collection), and, with the fall 2009 collection, the idea of capturing the changes of light from dusk to dawn appeals to me a lot.

Overall, Lunasol's eyeshadow palettes for this year are relatively understated in terms of color and shimmer (especially when they are compared with palettes from previous series such as Geminate Eyes and Sheer Contrast Eyes). In a way, they are similar to palettes from Lunasol's early days, but it seems that shimmer will be back for spring 2010.

My holiday 2009 top ten will be posted next month.

Related posts (on spring 2010 collections):

Coffret D'Or

Aube Couture

Esprique Precious

Makeup Review: Lily Lolo Blush Pots

2009-11-18T19:00:00.002Z

Founded in 2005, Lily Lolo is perhaps one of the most well-known UK-based mineral makeup lines. I think some of you outside the UK might have heard about it as well. Today I am reviewing three of Lily Lolo's Blush Pots.

(Rosebud)

Rosebud is a very pigmented warm rosy red with pink shimmer and iridescence. For people with a light or light-to-medium complexion, the shade can be too dark. (Also, it is not easy to be light-handed with it to create a sheer finish.) But if you have a medium or medium-to-dark complexion, I think this can be a beautifully luscious shade for the cheeks.

(Cupcake)

On the other hand, Cupcake is a suitable shade for people with a light complexion. It is a sheer peachy salmon pink with a softly glowy finish. (There is no visible shimmer or iridescence.) It shows up subtly on my light-to-medium complexion as well. This is my favorite shade of the three, since I tend to prefer sheer blushers with no shimmer. Even though I usually go for medium and cooler pinks, this shade creates a gentle and natural look for the cheeks.

(Rosy Apple)

Rosy Apple has the same pigmentation level as Rosebud, and it has a similar shimmery/iridescent finish. It is a warm brown with a bronze undertone and it works more as a bronzer than as a blusher. Again, like Rosebud, a little goes a long way. As a bronzer, it should suit those with a light-to-medium complexion. (It can be too dramatic for those with a fair complexion.) It can be applied very gently under the cheek bones to contour/shade the face. It can also be used as an eyeshadow if you tend to like warn-toned neutrals.

All the three shades have a decent staying power.

On the whole, Rosebud and Rosy Apple seem to be quite typical blushers from mineral makeup lines as they are very pigmented and they carry iridescence and shimmer. They also tend to set on the skin very quickly, so it is crucial to make sure that the brush picks up the powder very evenly. If you are looking for very pigmented blushers, these two shades could work well for you (if you have the complexion that they are suitable for).

(The products featured in this review are provided by Lily Lolo.)

Other reviews of mineral makeup:

Alima

Afterglow

Ferro

Sass, Style & Substance for November 15, 2009

2009-11-15T21:30:00.004Z

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Idol White Teeth Whitening used by the Kardashian sisters for whiter teeth.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher is three years old!

eye4style
eye4style revels in the beauty of Chanel skincare.

New York Spender
NY Spender previews Tory Burch’s New Sunglasses Collection.

Splendicity Accessories
Kristen Stewart upped her glamor factor for the French premier of the latest Twilight movie, New Moon.

image: Stock.xchg

Weekend Beauty Reads for November 15, 2009

2009-11-15T20:00:00.002Z

Fresco Phyrra compares seven eye shadow primers. See which ones come out on top!

Elke shares ways on how to make MAC's Style Black collection work for you.

Beauty and Fashion Tech has a new website dedicated to Holiday Makeup!

Girl Gloss checks out the MAC Holiday Lip Kits.

Beauty Anonymous is in love with Barefoot in Barcelona from OPI fall 2009 Spain Collection.

The Makeup Blogger is thrilled that holiday gift sets are upon us! Her first favorite is the new NARS Lipgloss set from Sephora!

Update: Sonia Rykiel Holiday 2009 Collection

2009-11-11T22:30:00.003Z

(images/info from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)

Purple is a very popular color for holiday 2009, and Sonia Rykiel is using it in both the makeup items and the packaging for the limited-edition Exquise collection, which will be launched in Japan on December 1st. (See Sonia Rykiel's holiday 2009 releases in November here.)

The Exquise collection includes:

Sweet Cute Set:
- Poudre Visage 2009 (Face Powder)
- Glossy Lip Color 2009 001
- original vanity pouch

Sweet Pure Set:
- Poudre Visage 2009 (Face Powder)
- Glossy Lip Color 2009 002
- original vanity pouch

- Nail Color L (3 shades)

More purples for holiday 2009:

Dior

YSL

Paul & Joe

Chicca Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-11T22:00:00.002Z

(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Chicca will release its spring 2010 Spring Awakening makeup collection in Japan on February 3rd. The lineup includes:

- Enthralling Powder Eyeshadow duo (4 new variations)
- Enthralling Pencil Eyeliner EX (2 shades)
- Enticing Lipstick (5 new shades)
- Enticing Lip Gloss (2 new shades)

Related posts on Chicca:

Holiday 2009 Collection

Fall 2009 Collection

Summer 2009 Collection

Ayura Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-11T21:30:00.004Z

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Ayura will release its spring 2010 makeup items in Japan on January 23rd. The new items include:

- Aura Feel Rouge (above, 2 new shades, limited editions)

- Aura Feel Blend Gloss (above, 2 shades, limited editions)

- Veil Balance Brush on Skin Pact (6 shades, SPF 20 PA ++)

- Veil Balance Tone Up Color (3 shades, SPF 20 PA +)

The collection may include more items. I will keep you all posted.

Related posts:

Ayura Night Harmonition

Ayura Fall 2009 Collection

Loving Japanese Brands - Ayura

Kosé Esprique Precious Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-11T21:00:00.005Z

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Esprique Precious will release its spring 2010 makeup collection in Japan on December 1st. The lineup includes:

- Symphonic Fit Eyes (above, 4 variations)

- Dress on Moist Rouge (2 new shades, limited editions)

- Dress on Glossy Rouge (2 new shades, limited editions)

Related posts on Esprique Precious:

Holiday 2009 Collection

Fall 2009 Collection

Dramatical Stay Pact UV EX

A Touch of Blusher is three years old!

2009-11-07T22:10:00.005Z

I hope you will enjoy the cupcakes! (I just had one...)

So far, 2009 has been a hectic year for me. Many of you who have been reading my blog in the last couple of years might have noticed that my posts have been a little less frequent (particularly compared with 2008). What I have been trying to do is to blog slightly less frequently (but still regularly) so that hopefully I don't have to feel that I need to stop blogging all together. This means sometimes I might not be able to reply to comments or e-mails as promptly as I would like to, but I hope you will still enjoy stopping by and sharing your thoughts with me.

Let's take a look back at the last twelve months of A Touch of Blusher:

November 2008
I talked about the upcoming trends in Japanese makeup.

December
I tried out Eyelash Curler, one of SUQQU's best-selling items.

January 2009
From My Treasure Chest series was launched.

February
I shared my thoughts on Dior's Lady Dior (after I finally decided to get it).

March
I loved all your comments and thoughts on my Japanese Base Makeup Week series.

April
Speculation and anticipation can be very exciting.

May
I reviewed items from British new makeup line Illamasqua.

June
Another Foundation Face-Off.

July
I posted an update on my daytime moisturizer.

August
I added another lilac palette to my collection.

September
Lavshuca's new Finish Powder didn't disappoint me.

October
Jill Stuart's Jelly Eye Color N in 08 Crystal Sky is a shade I didn't have before.

Since the end of the three-week downtime of my blog a couple of months ago, I have been thinking about whether I want to move to another blog host and possibly own my .com domain. It would be quite a big move, and I have been gathering information in order to make informed choices. I will keep you guys posted.

Weekend Beauty Reads for November 7, 2009

2009-11-07T21:30:00.002Z

Fresco Phyrra gives you her Holiday Gift Guide - Part 1!

A Touch of Blusher counts down the best fall 2009 makeup collections.

Sass, Style & Substance for November 7, 2009

2009-11-07T21:00:00.000Z

Eat Smart Age Smart
6 Steps to feel sexy in your body!

Beauty Match
Change your mind, change your body, change your life!

eye4style
Cutting Edge or Questionable? You decide. eye4style tells all about a new plastic surgery iPhone application.

STYLEnosh
My readers find the best fashion WHAT WENT WRONG pics!

Splendicity Accessories
Lace accessories are showing up all over the place – although Lady Gaga shows us how to not wear it…

image: Stock.xchg

Fall 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 2)

2009-11-06T22:30:00.001Z

(continued from Part 1)

6. Lavshuca

(Light Mix Eyes palettes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

As I mentioned before, Lavshuca has been placing its brand emphasis on lip products in the last few seasons. The new Full Balloon Rouge for fall 2009 aims to make lips appear fuller and reduce vertical lip lines. The new Light Mix Eyes palettes look very easy to wear, and I think there might be other color variations to be released next year. (There are two new Dual Prism Eyes variations and one new Grade Color Eyes variation this season.)

5. Helena Rubinstein

(www.helenarubinstein.com)

I am still not pleased with the fact that Helena Rubinstein is no longer available in the UK. (Have a look at my Bring It Back! post on Helena Rubinstein.) Every now and then, there are products in its seasonal collections that I really want to try. In fall 2009, Helena Rubinstein is among the very few brands whose new lip glosses reflect the current purple trend, as two of the four new Wanted Gloss shades are purple-toned.

4. Three

(image from www.threecosmetics.com)

Like Addiction, Three is a new Japanese beauty brand that was launched in fall 2009. (I will present a brand profile on Three later on.) While Addiction is edgy and fashion-forward, Three is polished and demure. The vast launch lineup features all the basic point (color) makeup items, and both the simple and low-key packaging and the sophisticated colors remind me of the early days of Lunasol.

The countdown concludes early next week.

Related posts:

Lavshuca Holiday 2009 Collection

Lavshuca Finish Powder in Lucent & High Cover

Bring It Back! Shiseido's Inoui ID

News in Brief: Coffret D'Or & Lunasol Spring 2010 Collections

2009-11-05T22:30:00.002Z

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

- Please check out this blog post for swatches of Coffret D'Or's Jewelcious Eyes palettes for spring 2010. 02 Pink Topaz, 04 Amber Beige, and 05 Purple Amethyst have caught my attention.

- Rouge Deluxe has posted a link to this blog post, which has photos of Lunasol's spring 2010 eyeshadow palettes. The yellow/pink/lilac palette is my favorite at the moment, and it looks quite similar to Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral from spring 2008.

Stash Update: Dior Holiday 2009

2009-11-03T22:00:00.003Z

(image from www.dior.com)

I stopped by my local Boots to see Dior's Holiday 2009 collection yesterday, and I was very pleased that the Cristal Boréal Crystal Gloss Jewel did look lovely in person. I didn't have enough Boots points to use on Lady Dior back in spring, but I did this time with Cristal Boréal. (I got the one in 251 Pink Crystal.)

I haven't opened it yet (I am trying to savor the anticipation), but I will be bringing you my thoughts on it and some of the other items in the collection within the next couple of weeks.