Midnight Fleur (Nest 2012) is a sugar sweet floral.  However, at first Midnight Fleur is more than just a “sugar bomb,” with the pretty and vivacious notes of vanilla orchid, exotic woods and black amber.  It’s like tropical fruit at its peak – ripe, fragrant, and colorful.

Top note is jasmine. Middle notes are vanilla orchid and exotic woods. Base notes are patchouli and black amber..

Sadly though, by the late drydown the sweetness becomes a bit overpowering with my chemistry and it goes the same way as Gloria Vanderbilt, Gloria Vanderbilt – it smells like an expensive mixture of Play-Doh and maple syrup.  I may try to wear Midnight Fleur with a green scent or a vintage balsamic fragrance and see what happens.

I received a sample of Make Up For Ever, Smoky Extravagant Mascara, and Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural No. 9 from Sephora a few months back.  The Smoky Extravagant Mascara is average.  It didn’t make my lashes that much longer, more defined or thicker but it didn’t flake either.  It’s an intense black and sadly it didn’t compliment my coloring (warm brown eyes, neutral skin, and cool/neutral blond hair) all that well.   I’m not sure if it was too black or the wrong black (too warm or cool).  In any case, it was only a so so mascara.

Rouge Artist Natural No. 9 is not drying.  It doesn’t run.  It’s easy to apply and feels good on the lips (it smells pleasant too).  However, No. 9 is an awful and I mean awful color for me so I’m definitely not going to be ordering it.  No. 9 is extremely close to my natural coloring but it’s off just enough in a way that makes my face look pale and dirty.  It’s bad. And, frankly, while it’s a creamy, semi-moisturizing formula it isn’t any more rich or luxurious than an average drugstore lipstick (in my opinion). So, perhaps, for all its merits, Rouge Artist Natural No. 9 is something you want to try first if possible.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural No. 9 swatch

Beauty Without Cruelty, Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover is great.  It’s a fairly safe product to use and it works just as well, if not better, than many other makeup removers I’ve tried – it really removes makeup well.  And, it doesn’t leave behind any oily nonsense either (as it says on the bottle).  BWC Eye Makeup Remover just feels nice on the skin.  I will definitely repurchase this product.