The Not-So Insignificant Difference: What You Need to Know

You've bought perfumes and body mists, and seen the titles and flashiness of the label, but have you ever wondered why some bottles say "eau de Toillette" while others say "eau de parfum"? Or why some don't even say anything at all?

You may have thought of it as insignificant, but I can assure that it's not. 

Take a look at these examples below. 

You can barely see the tiny writing on the bottom (I enlarged the writing underneath for those who can't see it), so naturally, it must be insignificant, right?

Uh, NO. While all of these fancy French names are there, no one seems to pay much attention to them. 

If you head on out to Sephora, Ulta, or even Target or Walmart and walk on over to the perfume section, you'll see several different labels on the boxes and bottles. And these, my dear friends, are what will tell you exactly everything you ever wanted to know about the perfume. 

Overall, if you're looking for something that'll last the entire day, and you're willing to dish out some cash, perfume or eau de parfum is your best bet, while if you're just looking for something fun, eau de toilette and body splash is a great way to go. Here are some examples of what's-what from some popular brands and companies.

At the end, when it comes to price, you dish out more for a longer-lasting scent. I hope this cleared up any confusion, or just educated you on the art of perfumery. 

Back to School Must-Haves! (Plus, a Special Surprise!)

It's time for school again, so we've prepared an awesome and easy list to make your school year a breeze! Here's a list of our top-ten must-haves for this school year.


1. Bath and Body Pocketbac Hand Sanitizer

There's honestly nothing that you need more than this. School is SO dirty! Our top faves are Fresh Apple Market and Island Margarita. There are tons if different scents and colors, not to mention cute holders so you can attack them easily to your backpack/bag for on-the-go. (Read full review here.)

2. Maybelline Baby Lips

 

Looking for a quick burst of color and moisture? Look no further than Baby Lips lip balm. Cute, colorful, and clinical! Available in 12 different scents and colors from two collections, you're bound to find one that matches your skin tone perfectly. (Full review here.)

3. Bath and Body Works Fragrance Spray

What can we say? We really like the Bath and Body fragrances! Our top raves are Warm Vanilla Sugar and White Citrus. Available in full and travel-size, these are perfect for after gym- and anytime else! (Read some mini reviews here and here,)

4. E.L.F. Tone Correcting Concealer 

Got that one annoying zit that just won't go away? Never fear, E.L.F. Tone Correcting Concealer is here! A quick dab, rub, and you're good to go! This stuff is AH-MAZING. (I'm pretty sure I have the wrong color, but Target only carries one shade, but it works fine anyways! And my shade is porcelain. Yay. I feel like I'm the color of a snowman...or albino cat!)

5. Lush Sea Vegetable Soap

(FYI: If you think we're including soap on this list because school is the only good reason to use soap...I am sorry for those that have sniffed you. There is NEVER a good reason not to use soap.)
This soap from Lush is just...amazing! With a salty, breezy smell of the ocean, along with nourishing seaweed and salt that takes the dead and yucky skin right off, what's not to love?

6. EOS Lip Balm

Looking for a lip balm that smells good, AND goes on smooth? Try EOS lip balm. It comes in a cute little egg-shaped container. Although it's a bit hard to fit in your pocket, it's a good idea to always have one of these little guys around!(Full review here.)

7. Sea Salt Hairspray 

Have you ever wanted those pretty, beachy, coconut-smelling waves? Okay, so you never get those from the beach, (I look like a raccoon has been nesting in my hair after I come back from the beach. *sigh*) but all you need is a couple squirts of either Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturing Sea Salt Spray or Lush Sea Spray Hair Mist. (By the way, you can buy the Sea Vegetable Soap and the Lush Sea Spray in the Limited Edition Beach Box- it also includes lotion and a sea salt scrub!)

Edit (8/25/13)- DO. NOT. BUY. THE. LUSH. ONE. It smells absolutely AWFUL! I have a migraine right now because of it.

It didn't even work for me, anyways. Use the Beach Babe one instead. Trust me. 

Or actually, just use a curler to make waves! 

8. E.L.F. Zit Zapper

Once again, there's always that one pimple that ruins everything, Paired perfectly with the E.L.F. Tone Correcting Concealer, this little tube of liquid zit-killer costs only $1- but has results worth much more. Easy to apply at a moment's notice, this is definitely a must-have.

9. My Band Headbands

Have you ever bought the coolest headband, only to find out that it slips right off? Everyone has has that problem, so introducing My Band Headbands! (available at Ulta.) These headbands are perfect for any day, any sport, any time! Their velvet bottom makes it impossible for it to slide off your head. Plus, they come in all sorts of colors and designs!

10. Güd Pearanormal Activity Collection

Mwahaha, this smells SO good. The perfect mix of pear and tropical goodness...superb. Available in shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, you're pretty much covered for everything! I have to say that the ocean smells the best out of the three. What are you waiting for? *Get your Pearanormal on!

*Please excuse my lame attempt at a pun. 

So, everyone likes gifts. We do too! That's why you, our loyal reader, is going get a gift- for free! Stop by iHerb.com to pick up your free Sierra Bees Lip Balm! Sierra Bees lip balm comes in 6 different flavors- and they are all organic and natural! Enjoy! (Click Here!)


How are you going to get your sniff on this school year? Tell us in the comments below!

Catastrophe Cosmetic: Lush Fresh Facial

This is a bit of a quickie review, (Emilie and I are planning something awesome for you guys!) but still a review nonetheless.

I recently (five minutes ago, actually) used the Lush Fresh Facial, Catastrophe Cosmetic. 

This lovely little facial is packed with blueberries (YUMMM) and antioxidants, and I think this is the mask for oily/breakout/somewhat dry/sensitive skin. (This is probably a good time to mention that this mask was originally bought for my sister. My skin is desert-dry!)

"Still learning about proper skin care? No need to be embarrassed. After all, every face has different needs! We recommend starting here. Prevent disasters by taking regular care with our deep cleaning blueberry mask, Catastrophe Cosmetic. The little blue bulbs are packed with vitamins, with a gentle calamine base to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Use this one weekly as a deep cleansing treatment to kick off your regular skin care routine.

Features

• • Gentle enough for everyone: Catastrophe is one of our best-selling masks because it’s gentle on all skin types.
• • Local matters: We buy our blueberries for Catastrophe Cosmetic from a local farmer here in British Columbia.
• • Calm catastrophes: We use calamine powder for its calming and soothing effect."

              

                          -Lush website

I have to note that these facials smell really good. Some of the Lush stuff *cough cough 24:33 Perfume cough cough* smells, well, pretty peculiar. But these smell amazing. (Especially the chocolate one...) 

Anyways, I asked the employee that was by the masks if I could eat them. 

I got a couple strange looks for that. (But to answer the question you're probably wondering about now, yes, yes you can. It just might not taste too good.)

While my pores are noticeably smaller, and the redness (and a few specks of dried lava from my pimple volcanoes :P), my skin isn't perfectly clear. But hey, if there's a product that did that, then everyone would have clear skin. I think it's a long-term progress kind of thing. 

Overall Ratings:

Scent: 3.8

Packaging: 2.5 (nothing impressive)

Durability: Well, if it drops on the ground and makes a mess...you shouldn't use it anymore. 

The Big Question: Does it work?

Score: 4

Overall Rating: 3.5

Baby Lips Electros: Pink Shock, Oh Orange, Berry Bomb

(From left to right: Minty Sheer, Berry Bomb, Fierce 'n Tangy, Strike a Rose, and Pink Shock)

You've probably heard that there is more than one set of Baby Lips. (If you read the review right beneath this one, then you already know all of this!) 

For those that haven't, there are 3 sets of Baby Lips: Original, Spring Special Edition, and Electro. 

While the only way to get the special editions are to dish out some cash on Amazon, right now is the best time to buy the Electro collection- while you can. 

"Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm provides clinical care with a neon kick, plus visibly renewed lips. In just one week, 88% had smoother lips; 82% had less dry lips; 70% had more supple lips; and 83% had better-looking lips.

Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm:

• No more basic lip balm!
• Clinical care with a neon kick
• 8-hour moisture"

-Maybelline Description from their website

The ones I managed to grab at the local Ulta are Pink Shock (sheer hot pink) Oh! Orange! (light orange) and Berry Bomb (purple), but there are 3 more in the collection: Fierce and Tangy (yellow, clear, smells like Quenched), Minty Sheer (green and clear, mint), and Strike a Rose (orangey-pink). 

Pink Shock

Pink Shock is probably the most pigmented of the bunch. Seriously! You just need one quick swipe and BAM! 

The scent is kinda hard to pinpoint- somewhat fruity, but sweet, like candy. I can't think of a way to describe it. I guess you'll have to try it for yourself!!

Oh! Orange!

If you're not a fan of citrus, then Oh! Orange! may not be the best for you. Despite not really liking oranges, I luuuuuurrve the smell of any citrus. (Particularly lemons and oranges!) It's pretty much a sharp, tangy mix of lemon and orange- it's definitely amazing! 

On the tint side of things, it's definitely less tinted than Pink Shock, and closer to your skin tone. (I pretty much have the lightest skin tone possible, besides an albino elephant, so I'm just speaking for myself. :P)

Berry Bomb 

I have to say that the scent of Berry Bomb is one of the best of all the Baby Lips. While it's sweet, it still manages to pull of the fruity, berry flavor. I was kind of nervous about it- everything purple that I have ever sniffed smells like that disgusting Tylenol grape. *shudders*

And anything berry smells like that horrifying Tylenol berry-cherry.  *shudders even more* Thank the world, this smells nothing like either of the two, or like Grapevine and Cherry Me. (If you like the taste of Tylenol, I advise you buy those instead.)

As for pigmentation, it's more of a light magenta than purple. Less pigmentation than Pink Shock, and about the same as Oh! Orange!.

------------------------------------------------

Overall Ratings:

Scent: 4

Package: 5!! (The words are printed on the stick instead- and the neon and black is adorkable!)

Price: $2.97-$3.99 (same product, depends where you buy it) 

Durability- n/a

Where to buy: Walmart, Target (online only), Ulta. (Ulta is probably your best bet- the most expensive, but they have a good supply) 

Likes: Packaging, scents. 

Wishes: That it's a little less pigmented. 

So, the overall rating is- 4.2!

Maybelline Baby Lips: Quenched

You've probably heard of then, or maybe you've asked, "I wonder what that empty shelf is supposed to hold." 

Either way, introducing Maybelline Baby Lips. 

"Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm moisturizes lips for a full eight hours. Made with an exclusive skincare formula, lips are visibly renewed after using this Lip Balm for just one week. 

For clinically cared-for, baby-soft lips, Maybelline Lip Balm is easy to carry with you and designed to be effective." 

-Maybelline Online Description 

There are three different collections of Baby Lips: the originals, the spring limited editions, and the Electros.

(I have two other Baby Lips, but they are from the Electro collection, so I will review them separately.)

Unless you're willing to dish out some cash out Amazon, you (and I) are out of luck where the springtime limited editions are concerned. However, the originals, which include four tinted colors and two sheer ones and always available, and if you look around a bit, you'll find the Electro collection. 

The one I'm reviewing today, Quenched, is one of the two sheer lip balms from the original collection, and is SPF 20. 

The scent of Quenched is somewhat peculiar. It's supposed to smell like lemon, but smells like a mixture of sunscreen and ReaLemon juice. (The juice that comes in the plastic lemon containers) 

While the scent is interesting, it's not necessarily repulsing. 

Baby Lips are probably most known for being tinted. Quenched isn't, but I don't really mind that, since it definitely does it's job when it comes to sun protection. 

While I was at the beach on vacation, I used this for a week and managed to avoid any sunburn to my lips. (Yay ^_^)

However, one downside is that it makes your lips feel kind of oily, unlike EOS lip balm spheres. This may just be in the Quenched flavor, but I have heard others say the same. 

Quenched is definitely for you if you're looking for a good, sunscreen lip balm with awesome packaging, or of you're just in town for a sheer lip balm. 

Overall Ratings

Scent: 2.5 (for Quenched only)

Package: 4 (cute and practical, however, on Quenched, they simply slapped a label on the container instead of printing the words on if.)

Price: $2.97-$3.99 in stores, varying prices on Amazon. 

Durability: I've dropped this one several times too, no breakage. I will post as soon as it is finished so you all can tell how long it lasts. (I've had it for over a month, and I've barely made a dent) 

So, the overall score is: 3.5!

Gud Pearanormal Activity Shampoo & Conditioner

Burt's Bees is a very well known brand by all of us. Recently I discovered their new line of products called: Gud by Burt's Bees. When I saw this line I just had to try it. The scent is called pearanormal activity. I bought the shampoo and conditioner from that scent. 

First of all the shampoo and conditioner work fantastic! I have been using this shampoo and conditioner together all summer. It is defiantly a summer scent because its a very refreshing and fruity scent. If you aren't a fan of sweet scents this is not for you! The packaging is very clean and looks very new. I personally like the packaging and think it looks great. Some people might disagree. The price is a little bit pricey but the product will last a while. The prices range from $5-7. So like I said on the pricier side. If you are willing to pay the price I am positive this shampoo and conditioner won't disappoint. The only thing that I would like to improv the product even more is for the scent to stay in your hair after using it because I love the scent so much I would like it to stay in my hair for a longer time. 

It's time for.... 

Overall Ratings 

Smell: 4 stars 

Packaging: 5 stars 

Price: 2 stars (the average price of the product is $6.99) 

Overall Score: 

3.5 stars 

A Little Summer~ Top Picks

 

(I recently got a Polyvore, so that's where I made it. If you want to see what's in the pic, my username is julialerenifleur- it's tje only thing I've made- so it shouldn't be too hard to find it!)

It's in the middle of summer! It's good for many reasons: NO SCHOOL! MORE TIME TO BLOG!

And bad for two others: School starts in a month, and it's freakishly hot. :( (Speaking of which, we're working on the best back-to-school fragrances as you read this,)

I figured I'd share my creation above with you guys, since it is titled Summer. 

And, of course, some of our reviews that I think would match perfectly with this outfit. Nevertheless, it is time for the best fragrances (with one exception) of summer! 

1. Versace Bright Crystal 

Review http://lerenifleurleopard.blogspot.com/2013/06/bright-crystal-by-versace.html?m=1

2. Dot by Mark Jacobs

Review: http://lerenifleurleopard.blogspot.com/2013/04/dot-by-marc-jacobs.html

3. Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana

Review: http://lerenifleurleopard.blogspot.com/2013/05/light-blue-by-dolce-gabbana.html

4. Yes to Grapfruit: Facial Towelettes

 

Review: http://lerenifleurleopard.blogspot.com/2013/03/yes-to-grapefruits-facial-towlettes.html

5. White Citrus (Bath and Body Works)

Review: http://lerenifleurleopard.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-white-citrus-fragrance-mist.html

Have something that you'd like to see on our next featurec list? Have something you'd like to say about this one? Comment below! I love hearing your responses.