February Empties: The Month of Never-Ending Perfumes

So I know this is late, but I've been busy with work and school. As I mentioned in another post, I knew February was gonna have a whole bunch of scents to test. The pros: I love perfume! The cons: some of the scents didn't give off a good impression, because they were ones you rub on your wrist.

Enough of that, let's get down to the empties from this month:

See what I mean by scent cards? Some of them had small bits of gauze with the scent, so I could get a better grasp of the scent. Anywhoo, here are the items, starting from the top-left, going down to the bottom right:

1. Tory Burch by Tory Burch:

Very nice scent, but it was kind hard to gauge how long it lasted on my skin, because it was literally a card where you peel back the plastic, and swipe your wrist. Kind of a floral/warm/woodsy scent, but definitely not oriental. I will need to try it in-store next time I'm buying stuff.

2. Gucci Guilty:

Ew. Too much pepper and oriental undertones. I tried washing it off my wrist and it wouldn't budge. I would definitely not even want someone to buy this for me, it smelt that bad. 

3. Love swept by Philosophy:

When I smelt it, I swear I smelt it somewhere else before. Then it hit me.... It smells like a Victoria's Secret fragrance called Sheer Love (which is FANTASTIC - I used to spray this on myself whenever I was at work). 

4. Roses de Chloé by Chloé:

I actually liked this one! It's not a rose overboard like Givenchy's Very Irrésistible, that's for sure. It had staying power, and when I actually sprayed it in-store, I still liked the scent. It's a bit strong, so I'm holding off buying it until I try the other Chloé scents. 

5. Daisy by Marc Jacobs:

I already own this in the biggest bottle I could get, as well as a rollerball. It's that good. It's been my signature scent for a few years now :) 

6. Nirvana White by Elizabeth and James:

It smelt nice on my wrist when I swiped it on the card, but when I tried it in-store it was a very confusing scent. Too bad, I was ready to order the rollerball and the regular size bottle. Oh well. I definitely like it better than its counterpart...

7. Nirvana Black by Elizabeth and James:

... Let's be real, this smelt like poo. It's the sandalwood that did it in. Made it too musky and on the verge of orient undertones. Like Gucci Guilty, I tried scrubbing it off my wrist and it wouldn't budge.

8. Candy by Prada:

I liked this one, but I don't think I would purchase it. I did find it had more lasting power than Candy L'eau (which was in my fragrance sampler), but the caramel smelled like it had vanilla in it... Did I mention I'm not a big fan of strong vanilla notes in my perfume? 

9. Lily by Stella McCartney:

I liked the scent, but it was very close to Lancôme's La Vie est belle that I knew I wouldn't be purchasing it. However, I made myself get throughout is sample! It does have a moderate-to-long staying power, and it's not too heavy. 

10. Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous (medium shade, if I remember correctly):

This stuff is awesome. It's a pressed-yet spongey texture when you apply, but it goes on matte and spreads well, turning into a powder. It also blends well for even coverage. I have another on I'm using, as on Boxing Day I bought two of these in a set that also had the "That Gal" primer. The downside: although it works, it has a funky smell. Don't let that through you off, though, as the smell goes away once you apply it.

11. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Bright skin tone correcting serum:

Megh. It was all right, but due to the sample size I found no difference in its suggested results. I feel these foil samples for skin should be bigger.

12. Benefit "That Gal" brightening face primer:

This stuff is awesome. A little goes a long way, and I found I didn't need to follow up with highlighter, as it's built in to this primer. The primer itself is like a light pink-coral, but it blends invisible once on. I did notice though that it doesn't cover pores as well as Too Faced Primed and Poreless - I have yet to see a primer de-throne it as my #1! 

13. Tarte Clean Slate Flawless 12 hour brightening primer:

Unlike "That Gal," this one is yellow in hue, but goes on invisible. It also smells a bit like lemons. This one didn't really brighten, but I did find it covered pores a little better than "That Gal." Not enough though to de-throne Primed and Poreless, that's for sure!

All in all, this was a pretty good month to get through some samples. I'm hoping in March to get through some more foundation and primer, as well as some fragrances and some body lotions. I'm very close to finishing my honeydew EOS lip balm, but it's almost like a bottomless pit of good-for-your-lips goodness.

If you would like to join in on my empties challenge, click here to see how I structured it. Let me know below what's your take on the products I reviewd above, or if you have suggestions for things I should try next :)

Wantable February Accessories Box 2014 - PICTURES & INVITE LINK INCLUDED

My Wantable February box arrived a few days before Valentine's Day! (I thought I had already published this, but alas, it was sitting I. My draft section... #fail) I have ordered 3 previously, and all three times they were amazing products I would never pick out for myself. Although Wantable boxes are a bit on the pricey side, I like to treat myself every once in a while.

What's great about wantable is for either of it's three boxes, you take an in-depth questionnaire to highlight what products you love, like, or dislike. With Valentine's Day coming up, this is a great option for gifting, as you can purchase a one-time box as well, for $40 (or you can be like me, and buy it as a V-Day gift for yourself!).

Anyway, onto the box!

Wantable recently changed their shipping boxes to this sleek black colour. I personally don't mind change, as it keeps things fresh :)

When I opened the box, I found this cute little greeting on top of my order confirmation sheet. Here's what it says on the back:

A quote from Sophia Loren! (She is seriously awesome - just like Wantable!)

Next, I was surprised to see my accessories wrapped so beautifully in these felt pouches, which Wantable puts in between two foam protectors. Definitely a step up from plastic, as it can protect pieces better!

First product:

This is called the Belloza necklace, and boy is it BEAU-tiful! I never though chains and crystals would look so elegant together. I'm wearing it right now as I write this review, as it's so pretty and shiny.

Belloza necklace retail value: $28.00 USD

Next product: 

Wantable calls this the Hoshi ring, and it's a size 6 (I've been told more than once I have very skinny fingers lol). I actually quite like it, and it does fit in with Valentine's Day. The band is a good size; not too chunky, but not on the verge of snapping. Again, it's very shiny. As you can see, I love shiny - Wantable, how did you know? XD 

Hoshi ring retail value: $12.00 USD

Finally, my last product I knew I was getting was another necklace, as when I asked them on Facebook what size chain it was, they said if I emailed CS they would be more than happy to try to get it into my box. If you've never dealt with Wantable CS, then you don't know that Amanda and the whole CS team are legit superstars. Seriously, they are BONAFIED superstars. They've gone above and beyond the call of duty for me more than once, as they have with many many MANY other subscribers .

Here it is!

This is the Kaelee necklace, and it screams spring. I'm not usually into bolder necklaces, but I'm branching out so I have more statement pieces to make my outfits pop. I saw this beaut on Wantable's Pinterest accessories board, and it was love at first sight. As I mentioned above, Amanda and the Wantable team were kind enough to get it into my box. I never outright asked, but they knew I liked it. 

It's companies like these that I like to build a friendship with, as I know they treat their customers with care and respect, not just another consumer.  

Kaelee necklace retail value: $34.00 USD

In total I payed around $55 CD. However, Wanatble recently gave subscribers a $3 credit towards their next boxes, as they increased international shipping by $1 USD.

Compared to what I payed, my total box value came out to $74.00 USD (approx $81.46 CD).

All in all, I am seriously content and happy as a clam with this box. Each item I received it truly unique and truly wearable pieces. :)

If you are thinking of joining Wantable, use my invite link below! You can subscribe to either their makeup box, accessories box, their intimates box, or all three! Remember, you can skip a box or cancel any time, and Wantable has a satisfaction guarantee. :)

L'Abeille des parfums' Wantable Invite Link 

NOTE: This review was of my own accord and personal interest. In no way was I asked to review on behalf of Wantable. All the images and comments are my personal accounts.