Clinique Chubby Sticks

Recently I have been all about Clinique, their blushes, lip products, skincare and especially their Chubby Stick range. Some how to me everything thing is so much cuter or 'cooler' in either miniature size or an unusual form. The product being in a sleek stick for does have it pros and cons but personally I love it. So let's start with my first love, the moisturizing lip colour balm. I first purchased one of these yonks back, we're talking three maybe four years. Woppin' Watermelon has always been my go to 'I can't be bothered' lip colour, its has the perfect tint of pink and adds a nice amount of hydration while feeling like your just wearing a soft balm. Recently I have also picked up Pudgy Peony, I won't go on about my love for peonies as you probably already know (it's in the blog title duh!) but this colour is the perfect brighter pink that has just the right amount of pigment for a bold lip that is super easy to wear. After triumphs in the lip department I thought I would give the Chubby Sticks for eyes a go, I actually only have one and that's Bountiful Beige. I swatched this colour and fell in love, it is the perfect champagne gold combination. I do have one issue though, for a high pigmented look you need quite a few layers on the eye (this may be different with darker colours). If you want a subtle shimmer with a bit of colour then this shade is perfect, I like to wear it on natural makeup days and I know my mum loves wearing this colour. If you are a regular reader here at Perfect Peonies (if you are then thank you very much) then you will know I am all about the glow and anything highlighter-y or glow-y has to be mine. Hefty Highlight is their Chubby Stick in the highlight and contour duo, I personally think the colour of the contour is to warm but what do you think of using it as a cream bronzer? Let me know in the comments. Anyway back to the highlight, it's the most beautiful pink-y champagne. It does have a little shimmer to it but I personally like that, the formula is creamy and it blends like a dream on the top of the cheek bones. Swipe, blend out and you look like a glowing goddess. This is also a great highlighter option if you want something more subtle or daytime appropriate. This post couldn't end without mentioning the 'cheek colour balm' or as us commoners like to call it, the cream blushes. Cream blush in a stick form is just the best, I hate sticking my fingers or a brush in a pot and ending up with fluff, dog hair, (dog owners you will totally get this!) and god knows what else stuck in there. The stick is totally convenient and easy to apply, just place a few dabs on your cheeks and blend with fingers or a duo fiber brush. The colour Robust Rhubarb is just too pretty, a coral/peach is perfect for the summer months and I already know this is going to be my go to blush all summer long.

Have you tried any of Clinique's Chubby Stick Range? Let me know in the comments. Love...

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The Best of The Week #2

So I did one of these posts a few weeks back and said I would do more but sadly my life is pretty dull so I haven't really much to write about, but with that said this week a few things have happened so I thought I would share that with you.

So let me start with what I have been loving this week, first of all I have been obsessed with the show Graceland! I have been wanting to watch it for a while but could never find anywhere and this week  I finally found it on Netflix. I was sick this past weekend so watched about 20 episodes in three days and caught up just in time for the season 3 premier on Thursday. If you love crime shows that aren't too heavy then you need to watch it and as you can see the photo is from Snapchat so go and follow me for some snaps, nicoladarita. I also got these amazing leopard shoes from Jcrew this week, I am so in love but sadly they rub like hell. I am praying they begin to break in as I love them so much. I received the best package from Deborah Lippmann this week with some of the most beautiful polishes I have ever seen, so you can expect some reviews soon. Oh and this doesn't really count as it was last week but I had my hair cut short (well short for me) and I am totally loving it! I love that it's quicker, more manageable, and much cooler in the hot weather.

 So me and my family also went for lunch out in the country this week and it was so pretty, we went to the Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg, VA and as you can see from the photo's it's beautiful. My sister and I also went out for dinner and got this amazing gelato, it was so yummy! Fun act of the week; I was just chilling out on my bed next minuet I notice there is a Black Bear casually walking down the street. Now I do live in a state that has bears but it is extremely rare to see them this close to the city. I have never seen one before so I was seriously shocked and basically screamed at everyone in the house to look out of the window.

Let me know if anything exciting has happened in your week. Love...

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Early Morning Quick Makeup

Are you like me and have to set your alarm multiple times before you can haul yourself out of bed in the morning, especially when it's early? If the answer is yes then you may also be like me and end up sleeping in way too long and having no time to do anything! This is when dry shampoo is your best friends. Anyway this is totally off point. Today I thought I would share with you my quick morning makeup products, perfect for any day when your in a rush or don't want to spend more than five minuets on your makeup. My first tip would be to get a light base that will blend quickly with your fingers, my favorite is Jouer's Luminizing Moisture Tint. It blends beautifully with fingers, and adds glow and a decent amount of coverage in one. For those imperfections you need a concealer that has great coverage but looks natural and doesn't need to much blending, for that I love using Estee Lauder's Double Wear Liquid Concealer. It has great coverage but looks so natural and does not budge throughout the day, bonus! If you want to add some more glow to the cheekbones then the Colourpop highlighters are seriously beautiful and so quick and easy to apply with fingers, Lunch Money is my new favorite shade. Onto blush, for something quick and dewy go for a cream, if you want something long lasting then go for a stain like Tarte's Cheek Stains, this is the shade 'flushed' (this is also only a sample size). Now onto the eyes, Charlotte Tilburys Eyes to Mesmerise* were made with the idea of being quick in mind. The shade Mona Lisa gives such a beautiful bronze-y wash to the lids, no other shadows needed, and not even a primer. To finish everything off go for a simple tinted balm on the lips that you can easily top up throughout the day. I love the Clinique Chubby Sticks, especially the shade Woppin' Watermelon it's such a pretty pink color.

What are your quick makeup picks? Let me know in the comments. Love...

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Tocca Isabel Eau de Parfum

Tocca's newest fragrance 'Isabel' is centered around a chic city girl from Barcelona. Like this girl from Barcelona the fragrance is unconventional yet an remarkable beauty. Like the city it is eclectic, unpredictable, and captivating, Isabel's natural magnetism draws you in. 

Isabel is a predominately rose scented scent but it has a unique twist to it that makes it somewhat special. With top notes that include Bergamot, Mediterranean Orange, Pear, and Sangria Accord it has a real zing and freshness. Its middle notes are where its rose lies with Spanish Rose, Leather Accord, Vetyver, and Turkish Rose Petals, making the fragrance floral and sophisticated. To round it all out it has bottom notes of Guiacwood, Amber, and Vanilla, to add depth and warmth to the overall feel. 

I love rose scented perfumes, in fact give me anything rose scented and I am happy, but don't shy away from this fragrance if 'rose' or 'floral's' really isn't your thing. There is so much more to this than just rose, it is zingy, light, but has depth at the same time. I think what I am trying to say is that if you read my review or have ever smelt Aerin Rose de Grasse than this is nothing like it. They are both rose scented, yes, but they could not be more different. When smelling it out of the bottle you can really sniff the top notes coming through, the Pear, Orange, and Sangria, and with some Spanish Rose too. Once applied to the skin and left to settle the bottom notes really come through, you get the warmth and depth from the Amber and Vanilla. For me this is a fragrance you can wear any time any place, it could be worn year round, during the day or for a night out, it is incredibly versatile. Right now during summer it will most likely be my evening fragrance just because I like something very light when it's hot, but come fall, spring, and winter it will be my go to all day long. Another thing that needs a mention, this stuff has some serious lasting power! Friday morning I sprayed it on at 7AM, by the time I got in the shower at around 9PM it was still prominently there. Tocca is such a charming brand, the name 'Isabel' for this fragrance is absolutely perfect and the packaging is beautiful. The brass/gold antiqued lid is breathtaking, the intricate design of the birds and leaves is just so pretty. Not to mention that the bottle is lovely and heavy, and feels substantial, maybe not the best for traveling. Also the box carries the same design as the cap with gold foil details, it's the little things. If you are looking for that perfect summer evening scent or a perfume you can wear year round then make sure you check this out.  You can purchase now from Sephora or directly from Tocca for $68, and remember to check out their other fragrances; they do a ton of different scents in cute roller balls too! Love... 

* PR Samples, all opinions are my own. Refer to my disclaimer for more information.

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Micellar Waters

Micellar Waters have blown up on the beauty market in the past couple of years and here's why you need to try them now!

I can be pretty lazy when it comes to cleansing so Micellar Waters are real saviors when its late at night and all I want to do is go to bed. I have tried what feels like hundreds from the big guy himself, Bioderma to ones that cost only a few dollars. They are basically cleansers that are incredibly gentle on the skin, that remove even waterproof makeup effectively and require no rinsing. I think they are great to use on occasion for makeup removal and cleansing but I generally still like to cleanse after removing my makeup. They are actually also great to 'freshen' up your skin after a workout or first thing in the morning if you don't like to fully cleanse too many times a day. I am currently using the new Micellar Water by Simple and this L'Oreal Micellar water that is only available for purchase in the UK. They are both very gentle on the skin and eyes but I find the Simple one the most gentle of the two, saying that I do find it doesn't remove mascara as well as L'Oreal's offering. I have sensitive and dry to normal skin and I haven't ever found a Micellar Water that has irritated it before, as a rule they are all pretty gentle. All you have to do is squeeze some on a cotton round and wipe all over your face, if you are wearing makeup you may need a few pads. I also think a small bottle would be great for a weekend get away, you know when you can't be bothered to pack your whole skincare routine including the kitchen sink... Another thing to note is that all Micellar Waters differ slightly in their ingredients, fragrance and benefits, it's all about trial and error to find the best one for you. Now I know as I have mentioned it some of you may be wondering what are my thoughts on other Micellar Waters compared to Bioderma? I must say Bioderma is still my favorite and it is now easily available here in the US through Beautylish so I will continue to purchase it, in terms of comparison I think many alternatives are very close runner ups and can be considerably cheaper so I believe they are just as good. What are you thought on Micellar Waters? Do you have an particular favorites? Let me know in the comments. Love...


P.S. Can I just mention I have been using this background a lot in photo's recently so sorry if it is getting boring, but big thanks to my parents for letting me steal their bathroom on a daily basis!

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A Natural Beauty- Whish...

I have never really been in to the whole 'natural product' thing but recently I have been thinking more and more about what I am putting in and on my body. Skincare, makeup, and body products can be full of nasty ingredients that are bad for you skin and can actually be bad for your body too. Whish Body Products are a brand that specialize in the body products that are paraben, sulfate, TEA, DEA, and petrochemical free as well as all natural. They also use organic ingredients wherever possible. Over the past few weeks I have been trying out their Body Butter, Hair Inhibiting Gel, Sugar Scrub, and Shaving Cream, so I thought I would share my thoughts on each product with you.

Body Butter in Pomegranate $24- This smells incredible! So fruity but fresh at the same time. It is made with organic aloe, organic shea butter, and organic raspberry butter making it rich and extremely hydrating. I have been slathering this over my whole body after getting out of the shower and it feels amazing. I have noticed my skin is nice and supple and another thing I love is that the scent doesn't linger to long so you can put perfume on with getting a funky mix.

Hair Inhibiting Gel in Almond $26- I had my qualms about this product as I didn't expect it to work at all but apparently the Chapparel extract prevents hair growth. Again with this I love the smell, it reminds me of Cherry Bakewell's (if you have never had one of these you need to, their are cherry almondy goodness!). As well as preventing hair regrowth it has hyaluronic acid, organic shea, and organic aloe for moisture and soothing after shaving. On the hair preventing front, did I think it worked? Maybe. On my legs I found it extended my smooth cleanly shaven legs to about 3-4 day mark rather than the usual 2, on the other hand I found it made no difference whatsoever on my armpits. If you looking for something to stop hair growth give it a go it might work for you, if it doesn't it makes a nice post shave treatment anyway.

Sugar Scrub in Blue Agave $38- It is a scrub formulated for dry skin, it has the exfoliation while still being hydrating. It includes ingredients like aloe, shea, and raspberry butter making it really nourishing. It has a very fine scrub to it which I quite like as it's gentle. The texture is also quite unusual, almost a little buttery and balmy. One thing I do not like about this is the scent, it just kind of smells artificially sweet, I would repurchase just in a different scent.

Shaving Cream in Coconut $20- The smell of this is to die for! It smells like you are on a tropical beach sipping cocktails, I am obsessed with coconut so I knew this would be the case. As much as formula goes I don't know whether I am sold. It feels nice when you pump it out but once you put it on your legs it goes pretty sheer and almost feels a bit waxy. It does let me get a close shave but found that it also clogged my razor a lot (so much I had to use a new one every shave). I can't really comment on the hydration benefits as I was using the body butter after but it does have organic jojoba seed oil, organic coconut oil, organic green tea, organic shea butter, and natural squalene for moisturizing benefits. I am not a huge fan but it is one to try if you are looking for an all natural shaving cream.

Also before I go I need to mention the packaging, it's so pretty and fun. I love the colors and the corresponding tubes and boxes. If you would like to shop Whish you can at Nordstrom, Ulta, and Whishbody.com. They are also buy one get one 50% off right now at Ulta! Love...


*PR Sampes, all opinions are my own. Refer to my disclaimer for more information. 

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The Makeup Bag- Summer Edition

So I thought I would bring a new feature to the blog and I have decided that every season I am going to be rounding up my 'makeup bag', basically I am going to be sharing what I have been wearing on my face most days. From my base to mascara I am going to tell you what is my perfect seasonal makeup.

For summer I like to keep my base light and with a high SPF to make things easy, currently the Chanel CC Cream with SPF 50 has been my go to. I have written a full review HERE if you would like to see it but needless to say it feels light, has a glow without making me look greasy, and provides the perfect sun protection.

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Sculpting, Highlighting, & Bronzing

Ahh, the magic of a good, not to heavy, natural contour. I personally have a face shaped like a football (English not American, that would be strange...) so need to define those cheek bones a little. Have I also mention in the past that I am a huge sucker for a highlight? Oh just thinking about champagne highlighter-y goodness is making me tingle! Also let's not forget about some nice warmth to the face, you cant beat a bit of bronzer for a warm healthy definition. So today I am going to be sharing my top highlighter, bronzer, and contour picks with you.

Contour- Ok so there is only really one contour pick, were talking the mighty well known Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium. A beautiful taupe-y shade that can be super natural or built up to give real definition. I find it's not too grey or too warm and is the best shade for my pale skin out of all the contours I have tried. For applying I love using the Zoeva 105 Luxe Highlight, it small enough to fit perfectly in the hollows of my cheeks. I have written a full review HERE so go and have a read!

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Marc Jacobs Pink Lips

I have been obsessed with pink lips recently. They are easy wear from day to day, perfect for any makeup look, and always look pretty and girly. I have especially been loving these two pink lip offerings form Marc Jacobs, the Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in 'Pink Flamingo' and the Sheer Lip Gel in 'Have We Met?' I actually purchased 'Pink Flamingo' after seeing it on 'Sarah Loves Makeup' I love her blog and will link it at the end of this post. I saw the color and realized it was right up my street. The formula is really nice, non sticky, moisturizing, and stays put on the lips for a nice amount of time. The color isn't quite as pink as it looks in the tube, it's more of a nude-pink. It looks lovely alone or on top of a lipstick, especially 'Have We Met?' This lipstick is a dream to wear, it has a semi sheer formula that is really comfortable on the lips but at the same time still delivers a pretty pink pigment. The color is quite a poppy warm toned pink which makes it perfect for the summer months. I also love the packaging for both, it's simple but pretty at the same time plus the lipstick has the mot satisfying 'click' closure ever. This lip combo is going to be my go to all summer, make sure you get you hands on them next time you are browsing Sephora. What is your go to summer lip? Oh and make sure you check out Sarah's blog: Sarah Loves Makeup. Love...

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Antica Farmacista

I am a huge sucker for anything that smells good, I am a candle hoarder, a fragrance lover, and bath oil junkie. Give me anything that smells amazing and I will love you forever. I first came across Antica Farmacista's luxury home and body fragrance line on Nordstrom's website and was intrigued. They have tons of differents scents in many different types of products from perfume to room diffusers, so there is something to suit everyone. I am massively into floral's (if you can't already tell by the name of this blog, especially peonies) so Antica Farmistica kindly sent me their Damascena Rose, Oris, and Oud Diffuser and their beautiful (and personal favorite of mine) Peonia, Gardenia, and Rosa Hand Wash and Body Moisturizer.

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May Favorites 2015

It's only six month to Christmas and my 18th birthday!!! Wooo it's June! Ok so excitement over and it's time to get in to my favorites. May has been HOT! In fact it has been the hottest May on record here in Northern Virginia so my makeup routine has been light and I have been wearing flip flops and sandals pretty much all month. I actually also want to mention that May has been a great month for Perfect Peonies so thank you so much to everyone who reads my posts and to those who leave such lovely comments you truly brighten my day. I really hope this continues to grow as I love doing it so much I think I would be totally lost without it now. Thank to you all!

Pantene Pro-V Deep Cleanse Shampoo- This is a weekly cleanse shampoo. I have always found it hard to find a good drugstore clarifying shampoo that doesn't either completely strip your hair or just not work at all. This is great at removing all product from your hair and giving it a great deep clean without totally zapping it of moisture.

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Every Beauty Lovers Chore... Washing Brushes

It's four in the morning and you have just woken up with the terrible feeling that you haven't washed your brushes in three weeks now! You start panicking, think of the bacteria on my face!! Ok so nobody actually does quite this but I have been know to suddenly freak out at the fact I forgot to wash my brushes yet again (as you can see from the photo today is one of those days!). You ask any beauty fiend what their least favorite thing to do is and they always say 'cleaning my makeup brushes' (unless your that weird person who finds it 'therapeutic'). I'ts just a chore, no one likes standing over their sink for an hour (more if you are like me and just keep using clean ones until they are all dirty) bored out of their skull. But today I am going to be sharing with you my top tips for washing your brushes, how to keep it fun (if it can be), and my favorite cleansers/soaps to use.

Ok so let's start with putting on a bit of YouTube or sticking on your current favorite album, this is going to make things a little less boring. So go on have a dance while you wash. So when it comes to a deep cleanse I like to use the Dr Bronner's Magic Soap, it is really affordable and does a great job at cleaning without drying out your brushes. I currently have the peppermint scent but personally the lavender is my favorite. The bottle is pretty big and it lasts me well over a year, I have had this one about six months and I have only used a couple of inches. I start by running the tap to a medium temperature, you want it warm but not too hot. I then wet the bristles of the brush making sure not to get the handle (as this can erode your brushes and the glue inside). Once wet I simply add a tiny amount of soap to the palm of my hand and swirl the brush until clean. Then rinse and repeat till all are done, I leave them to dry hanging of my counter so they are not squished. To wash my beautyblender or other spongers I love using the Beautyblender Solid soap, I just swirl a wet sponge in, massage and rise. I do also like this for my brushes and it's great if you like to wash your brushes while traveling. My final cleanser is for spot cleaning brushes, the Sephora Citrus Brush Cleanser is amazing! A girl in Sephora actually recommended this to me and said she much preferred it to her MAC brush cleanser, I am inclined to agree. First of all it smells great (citrus heaven), it is also the best at removing shadows from brushes when you need a clean eye look. You know on those day where you go to do your eyeshadow and realize all of your brushes are dirty? This is when you need this stuff, you simply spray once or twice on the bristles and swirl on a paper towel... Done! The brush is completely clean, dry, and ready to use instantly.

I felt like that was a total guide for dummies but I hope you enjoyed, make sure you let me know in the comments your favorite brush cleansers I am always on the hunt for new ones. Love...

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Chanel CC Cream

Happy Monday everyone and happy June! I am back again today with another base review. I have been trying out the Chanel CC Cream now for a few weeks so I think its safe to say I have formed a pretty good opinion on it. So lets start by mentioning what it claims to do and what it includes ingredients wise. It is a five in one product that is a fusion of skincare and long-wearing makeup, it helps correct, soothe, moisturize, protect and perfect the complexion. New to CC CREAM, broad-spectrum SPF 50 and anti-pollutant ingredients help fend off age-accelerating UVA-UVB rays and free-radical damage.

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