Fragrance Flash Giveaway: Chloé Love Story & Roses De Chloé

I'll be honest...this Random Act of Kindness giveaway was prompted by everything that's going on and my need to smile today. So I'm coming to you guys to help me gift a fragrance bouquet that's full of love.

I'm giving you the opportunity to gift a bottle of Chloé Love Story and a bottle of Roses De Chloé to someone that you love. (You can click on the links to read more about their notes and fragrance story etc.)

Here’s how to enter:

1. You must follow @candycoatedclosets on Instagram.

2. In the comments on this Instagram photo, tag a friend and tell them something uplifting; something positive. Tell them why you love them!

3. You can enter as many times as you want – just make sure that you comment and tag a new friend with a new message that will make them smile.

Contest runs from Thursday, November 10, 2016 and ends Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 11:59pm est. One winner will be randomly chosen from those who commented (not those tagged within the comments) and announced within 48 hours of the contest ending.

No giveaway/spam profiles & profile must be set to public by the end of the contest so we can ensure that you are following @candycoatedclosets. Open internationally; 18+, to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.

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One Glitter Shoe That Will Get You Through All of Your Holiday Parties

There is just something about the holidays that scream glitter to me. I always find someway to incorporate it into my holidays looks - whether it be on my lips, eyes, clothes or my feet - I must always sparkle during the holidays. However, if you're more on the conservative side and can't wear glitter on your eyes/lips or you're just looking for a fun shoe to wear this holiday season, take a look at this pump from Shoedazzle.

Available in 3 shades, Raziel is the perfect pump to take your party wardrobe to the next level. I have this in gold and I absolutely fell in love with the ombre glitter. 

I will warn you...this shoe is not for the high heel faint of heart. It runs true to size and has an outside heel height of 4.5 inches. There is no platform in this shoe so don't expect it to feel comfortable right off of the bat - you're going to have add some inserts and break it in before going outside with it. I recommend that you plan on wearing this on occasions where you're not standing or walking much - not more than 3 hours neither. It is imported and made of faux-leather and glitter. 

Urban Decay Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector Review, Photos, Swatches On A Woman of Color - Shades Light, Medium Light, Medium, Medium Dark, Dark and Deep

Over the summer, Urban Decay released a new tinted moisturizer called Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector. This is an oil-free, hybrid complexion cream that is designed to provide lightweight coverage with SPF protection, instantly and completely blur imperfections, and even out skintone for a result that looks natural.

It is available in 6 shades light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark and deep that you can see swatched on two different skin tones below:

Shades from left to right: Deep, Dark, Medium Dark, Medium, Medium Light and Light Swatched on NW20 skin (above @lipstickjunkieforever) and NC50 skin (below)

The UD Naked Skin One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector comes in a 40 ml tube for $34. The formula contains peptides, vitamins, and a range of moisturizing ingredients as well a SPF 20 and a plant-derived ingredient that promises to improve the tone and texture of skin. I kept the shade Dark & Deep as they were the only two that worked on my skintone. 

Here are additional swatches in different lighting for you:

(Photo taken with no flash)

Overall, I love this foundation - in summer because I really don't like putting on heavy foundations or full coverage for that matter - but also in the fall/winter for those days that I don't want to wear makeup but I still need to wear something to look presentable. I only wish that UD would expand the shade range.

This has been put into my no makeup makeup drawer next to the MUFE Water Blend foundation and NARS Velvet Matte Skin tint.

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NYX Toasted Marshmallow and Black Cherry Tart Intense Butter Glosses - Review, Photos, Swatches On A Woman of Color

NYX Cosmetics Intense Butter Gloss is a super creamy and pigmented, non-sticky lipgloss. They are available for $5.99 at Ulta.com (I ordered mines during a BOGO) and you will get 0.27 fl oz of product. They are not transfer-proof or kiss-proof but I wore mines for about 5 hours without having to reapply it during the day. There is a vanilla scent to these as well. NYX Toasted Marshmallow Intense Butter Gloss is the perfect deep mauve color for me in a cream finish.Photo taken with flash and LED lights

Photo taken with no flash and LED lights

NYX Black Cherry Tart Intense Butter Gloss is a deep purple plum in a cream finish.Photo taken with flash and LED lights

Please note - You can get 3 colors in some sets for $11.99 (basically giving you one for free). You can get the Black Cherry Tart shade in a purple gloss set and the Toasted Marshmallow set in a nude/mauve set right here - and don't forget to add your extra samples.

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Today, November 4th, is National Candy Day so it’s Time to Celebrate!

Today, November 4th, is National Candy Day so it’s Time to Celebrate! I mean, you have seen the name of this blog right? Candy Coated Closets was born because of my desire to write and love of photography. I knew I needed a creative outlet that could house all of that and still let me reach a fanbase that had a similiar passion so I knew I wanted my name to really capture what I was about - a fun and happy environment - like my beauty room (which was then solely my shoe room). Imagine, walking into a room packed with shoes, makeup, jewelry, skincare - I mean...it was heaven. Everytime I looked around, I felt like a kid in the candy store (mind you I am in love with candy too). So hence, the Candy portion of the name was born.

So I figured today was the perfect day to celebrate that and National Candy Day. I could go on and on about my favorite types of candy and what might be worth checking out but seeing as Halloween was just last week and we all have buckets of left over candy, I found another way for us to celebrate...with an amazing candy themed giveaway!

For starters, let's talk about the newest Candy fragrance. Prada Candy Kiss is a flanker to the playful gourmand collection from it’s earlier years: the original Prada Candy from 2011, Prada Candy L’Eau from 2013 and Prada Candy Florale from 2014. Last year, you may remember the adorable Candy Kiss mini collection that was launched (mini bottles of the three original fragrances in 20ml).

Now the new flanker, Prada Candy Kiss which was developed by Daniela Andrier, channels the addictive nature of the Candy composition and enhances its characteristic scent of musk. It’s described to have been designed to re-activate emotions and impressions. Largely, this idea has evolved from the sensual veil of musk evoked in delicate white cotton all in a sensual cloud. There are also notes of vanilla and orange blossom which enrich and brighten the fragrance as it opens. 

Overall, this isn't one of those overly sweetend fragrances that can have a tendency to overwhelm most people. It is more of a soft and sensual sweet that tends to pull more musky and vanilla on me as it dries down.

Now as for this Christian Dior 5 Couleurs Couture Colours & Effects Eyeshadow Palette in No. 676 Candy Choc shade. "True to the bold colour creation from the House of Dior, each harmony explores a unique world of colour. Based on a central shade, the signature of the palette, 4 accessory shades are used to create a multi-faceted look. Like a couture wardrobe for the eyes, 5 Couleurs gives free rein to your creativity to achieve custom makeup results. Dior has also created two ready-to-wear looks for the eyes—natural and sophisticated—based on the central shade." - Christian Dior website

I would have saved this bright palette for a Spring giveaway but its perfect for today.

Blog giveaway (One winner) To enter this giveaway, simply follow/subscribe to this blog and leave a comment on this post telling me some of your favorite types of candy. Scroll down to find my subscription box or look to the to right of your screen to follow/subscribe. *Please note – Don’t worry if you don’t see your comment right away. I have to approve most of them :-)*

Contest ends Saturday, November 5^th, 2016 at 5:59pm EST. I will choose one subscriber at random from those who commented on this post. Remember that you have to be subscribed/following this blog! The Instagram winner will be chosen separately.

No giveaway/spam accounts. Open internationally; 18+ to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Good luck to all!

Instagram entry (One winner) To enter this giveaway on Instagram, please head to over to this photo and follow the rules listed to enter.

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Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett are the New Faces of MAC Cosmetics VIVA GLAM 2017 Campaign

Empire stars Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett are the new faces of MAC Cosmetics VIVA GLAM 2017 Campaign that is set to launch in February 2017.

Since 1994, every cent from the selling price of M·A·C #VIVAGLAM Lipstick and Lipglass has gone toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The lipstick and lipglass look to be a maroon, pinkberry shade which I'm very excited about. And don't worry beauty junkies...this collection is around for an entire year, so you have a lot of time to save up and get your back ups. It's a beautiful shade and you'll be supporting a great cause.

-Press Release-

Bite Beauty Gold Crème Lip Gloss Review, Photos, Swatches On A Woman of Color - Holiday Red and Gold Lips

Last week, I showed you quick swatches of the Gold Crème Lip Gloss from Bite Beauty on different skin tones. Today, I wanted to follow that up with some lip swatches and a video so you can see it in action. The lip gloss on its own is stunning - very pigmented; non-tacky - the only thing is it doesn't apply as evenly as I would have liked on its own (see video and photos below). However, you aren't going to be able to see that when paired with a lip color as a base. 

Here is a video of me applying a red lip pencil as a base and applying the gold lip gloss as a topper. I recommend patting the Bite Beauty lip gloss on your lips as opposed to smearing the wand across so you get more of a color payoff and you won't "shift" the products on your lips.

[embed]https://youtu.be/B8rsn_9ORMg[/embed]

Swatches of the lip creme as a lip topper (I used it over a red lipliner). This photo was also taken with flash.

This photo was taken out of focus so you can see the glitter as it sits on your lips and catches the lights.

This photo was taken in darker lighting.

And here you can see the lip gloss applied to the lips itself.

Available: This is limited edition and currently in stock at Sephora for $22.

Other products used: Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm - I added this for today's lip swatch because I received so many comments and questions about the Farasli one that I showed in previous videos. Note - I am working on an entire video on this for you guys, but I use a beauty oil to keep my lips healthy and moisturized during the day and especially when I am doing lip swatches for you.

The Farasli Rose Gold Elixir is a super fancy beauty oil that you can use in your moisturizer, lips, skin etc. I paid $55 for the 30 mL bottle. The ingredients include Rosehip Seed Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, 24k Gold, Vitamin E, Lemongrass Oil and Orange Peel Oil.

Now when you guys see me using it in my videos, please know that it is a good product - it does what I need it to do without any complaints as to its performance - but keep in mind that I am only using it now to use it up. Would I repurchase this again? Not for $55! I'll admit that I feel for the YouTube and Instagram hype around it and the allure of the gold flakes. The gold flakes or 24K Gold in this case do absolutely nothing beneficial for your skin or lips.

Again, I will have an entire separate review on lip products that I use but I wanted to address this really quickly. Oh, and the Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm is something that I purchase religiously and will continue to do so.

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Coverfx Enhance Click Cream Illuminators in Shades Celestial, Gold Dust, Berry, Candlelight, Blossom and Gilded - Photos, Video and Swatches On Women of Color

CoverFX sent over their new Enhance Click Cream Illuminators last week for us to dive into so I invited some of my friends over to show these off on different skin tones.

This is a cream illuminator that comes in a convenient tube that you can use to brighten, strobe, and highlight your complexion with a luminous glow. These are $18 each and you get .17oz of product in each. It is vegan and free of fragrance and talc.

These little things are perfect for travel or throwing in your purse for some daily touch ups through the day. As for the formula, it is incredibly smooth and looks natural when applied and blended out but why should we chat about this here when you can just click play below and watch everything as I opened it. 

[embed]https://youtu.be/P__uvVNM_YA[/embed]

So which color do you like? As always, let me know what you think (I'm already planning on filming a comparison of these to their other illuminators)!

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NARS Cosmetics Andy Warhol Kiss Larger Than Life Lip Gloss Set Blog Giveaway

Are you ready for the upcoming holiday season? It's probably my favorite time of the year - oh heck let me be honest; it is my favorite time of the year!

As promised, I want to help as many of you celebrate in some sort of Candy Coated Closets style so this time I wanted to hook you guys up with this NARS Cosmetics Andy Warhol Kiss Larger Than Life Lip Gloss Set Giveaway! Check out this video below so you can see the can, colors and basically everything you have a chance at winning.

https://youtu.be/2XESBugF-dU

How to enter:

1. Simply follow/subscribe to this blog and leave a comment on this post telling me why your thoughts on this collectible. Scroll down to find my subscription box or look to the to right of your screen to follow/subscribe. *Please note – Don’t worry if you don’t see your comment right away. I have to approve most of them :-)*

Contest ends on Thursday, November 3rd, 2016. The winners will be selected and verified at random from our subscriber list within 48 hours of the contest end date. You can only be eligible able of winning if you have completed both steps (followed blog and commented).

Open internationally; 18+, to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.

Good luck!

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Live Now On Ulta.com: Tarte Tarteist PRO Amazonian Clay Palette & PRO Glow Contour and Highlight Palette; Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario; and the Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette

Now Live Now On Ulta.com: Tarte Tarteist PRO Amazonian Clay Palette & PRO Glow Contour and Highlight Palette; Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario; and the Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eyeshadow Palette.

Yesterday, Ulta sent out a 20% coupon that was available on prestige brands (like these) but it expired last night at 11:59pm your local time. You can still try to use it today just in case yours still works (mines didn't).

Extra freebies:

1. Don't forget to add your free samples at the end of your order.
2. Check your emails to see if you received a 300 extra point perk offer. I received one this morning (if I spend $60 or more which would be $9 off my next order).
3. Click here to add 20% off 1 Qualifying Item with Code 402800 (Exclusions Apply. Code may not be valid to new arrivals/prestige brands).

What will you be ordering?

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Black Cherry Lip Gloss – Swatches, Photos, Video & Review

Anastasia Beverly Hills Black Cherry Lip Gloss is a creamy deep plum gloss that is designed to give your lips an intense pout. For $16, you get 4.5 grams of product which is almost 16oz. It's a very creamy formula that doesn't apply tacky or sticky but still leaves your lips with a super shine - a glass like finish. ou can wear it alone or pair it with a lipstick for an extra pop.

Here is a live look at me applying it.

[embed]https://youtu.be/fgJVZGgWQDQ[/embed]

Cupid's bow highlight - OPV Highlighter in Glam-O-Rous $27.00

Versace Eros Pour Femme, Verssace Pour Homme & Michael Kors Glam Jasmine Fragrance Prize Pack (Twitter) Giveaway

Surprise! I told my twitter fam yesterday so they were already prepared for this! I have one full set fragrance set for one of you! The set includes:

Versace Eros Pour Femme

Versace Pour Homme

Michael Kors Glam Jasmine 

To enter, all you need to do is follow me on Twitter, RT my pinned tweet and you’re entered to win! Make sure you tag your friends so they can enter too. 18+ or older to participate. Open internationally.

See you there and remember – we have tons of giveaways across all of the social media platforms so check around!

Kami Cosmetics Liquid Matte Smooch Swatches & Photos - Wanted & Blue

If you remember - or if you're a new reader here Kami Cosmetics is a luxury beauty brand that has been designed for the sophisticated and chic woman in every skin tone. The best thing about this brand is it is owned by woman of color with the kindest heart. You can find out more about the brand in my first review here. I was recently sent some more of their products to test out and I couldn't be happier to share some photos of the liquid matte smooch line.

 

This liquid lipstick formula is one of the best that I have tried. It's very pigmented for how light-weight it is on the lips. You really only need one swatch to get a true color payoff (see below) but if you want to apply two coats to build it up, touch up wear after a long day or even do an ombre lip then these are the liquid lipsticks you want to try.

Here, I wanted you guys to see what Wanted and Blue looked like on my lips. Let me know which other colors you want lip swatches of.

Available: Online at Kami Cosmetics for $18 each.

-Press Sample-

Miu Miu Eau de Parfum Fragrance Review and Giveaway

I said it once before and I'll say it once again - I am a fragrance bottle junkie! Packaging can really sell a fragrance to me especially since most of my purchases are blind buys (meaning I don't have a chance to smell them before placing an order online for them). And this is exactly what happened when I first saw the ads for the Miu Miu Eau de Parfum by Miu Miu.

The bottle just speaks fashion and couture to me so I really didn't care what it smelled like. Luckily, the Prada team did very when composing this. Perfumer Daniela Roche Andrier developed the composition of Miu Miu. As Andrier explains it, its notes include lily of the valley flowers supported with floral notes of rose, jasmine, and green notes, as well as a special ingredient created by Givaudan, akigalawood, which is a powerful peppery note that develops the scent of patchouli and woody aromas of oud.

Now I normally don't favor oud fragrances that are heavily dependent upon the note or a heavier pepper note (TF's Black Orchid and I do not mix at all). You guys know, I love my sweet, fruity and floral scents. So I definitely took a chance blindly ordering Miu Miu - all for the love of fashion and fragrance.

The Packaging Miu Miu’s signature red and quilted baby blue in etched all throughout the box and bottle.

The Bottom Line I do enjoy it more after it settles and dries down - after about 30 minutes or so. It's a bit more sophisticated than what I normally wear which is actually good to get me out of my comfort zone. The floral notes balance out the pepper, oud and patchouli so they aren't too overpowering on my skin. It does have a soft touch of a deep elegance to it which works perfectly for me for the fall and winter.

Availability Miu Miu Eau de Parfum is available in a 0.33 oz, 1.0 oz, 1.7 oz, and 3.4 oz bottle starting at $68.

But by now you guys should know that my favorites become your favorites so I’m going to be hooking one of you up with your own bottle of  with a giveaway!

Blog giveaway (One winner) To enter this giveaway, simply follow/subscribe to this blog and leave a comment on this post telling me what you're looking forward to this holiday season. Scroll down to find my subscription box or look to the to right of your screen to follow/subscribe. *Please note – Don’t worry if you don’t see your comment right away. I have to approve most of them :-)*

Contest ends Sunday, October 30^th, 2016 at 11:59pm EST. I will choose one subscriber at random from those who commented on this post within 48 hours of the contest end date. The Instagram winner will be chosen separately.

No giveaway/spam accounts. Open internationally; 18+ to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Good luck to all!

Instagram entry (One winner) To enter this giveaway on Instagram, please head to over to this photo and follow the rules listed to enter.

Good luck everyone!

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Bite Beauty Gold Crème Lip Gloss - First Review & Swatches On Different Skin tones

Excuse me as I interrupt our regularly scheduled program - but I just had to when I opened this Gold Crème Lip Gloss from Bite Beauty.

Literally. Liquid. Gold. I will update you all once I have do official lip swatches but my friend @manniefique and I swatched this so you can see how it pops on different skin tones.

[wpvideo LfzkWWyC]

I was mesmerized from the moment I took this out of the box. There is no other lip topper or dazzleglass in my collection or that I know of that comes near the amount of shimmer and sparkle in this. I wore it around the house (for about 45 minutes as I'm typing this) and it's not sticky or gritty at all nor does it have a scent.

Again. I will update you all with a better swatch and some looks as soon as I can but I wanted this to get up while it was still in stock (and I was able to get a back up of it)

Update: You can view a video of me using this on my lips here

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8rsn_9ORMg[/embed]

Available: This is limited edition and currently in stock at Sephora for $22.

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ColourPop and Hello Kitty Collection - First Look and Swatches

The newest beauty partnership that is set to break our banks is the Colourpop Cosmetics X Hello Kitty Collaboration.

Photo from @buyalltheprettythings

Last week, we received the brief that everyones favorite feline character has teamed up on an impressive limited edition holiday collection that will include:

1. 4 Supershock eyeshadows ($5 inidividually; quad $20)
2. 3 Ultra Glossy Lips ($6)
3. 3 Lippie Stix ($5)
4. 2 Ultra Satin Lip ($6)
5. 1 Ultra Metallic Lip ($6)
6. 4 Super Shock Cheeks - highlighters & blush ($8)
7. 1 Makeup bag ($15)

The full face kit should be available for $42. Here's a look at the full collection:

Photo from @hippiesandlippies

Colourpop and Hello Kitty held a lippie bar pop-up event in California last week where attendees were able to receive an exclusive sneak peek at the collection (the above photos) and were able to swatch some products! Check out a few of the photos below to get your first look at the collection.

Availability: The collection will release on November 1 (Hello Kitty's Birthday) and it is limited edition. It is rumored that the set will be $42 (prices range from $5 - $42) and will be available until February (I don't recommend waiting though - have your shopping plan set for Halloween night).

Photo from @buyalltheprettythings

Photo from @stylebybare

Essie Maki Me Happy Fall Nail Polish Swatch & Photos

I couldn't let Mani Monday end without posting well...today's mani! Recently, I've been wearing Essie Maki Me Happy ($9) - a crimson with berry hues nail polish from their Fall 2016 collection.

I saw this color at the Rebecca Minkoff S/S 2017 NYFW show and have been hooked ever since. As usual, I applied the grow faster base coat just to protect my nails from being stained and it gives an extra added layer of strength. Then I applied two coats of Maki Me Happy and topped it off with a shiny top coat. Once everything dried, I moisturized my hands, nails and cuticles with Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream.

What color have you been wearing?

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Coloured Raine 24Seven Liquid Lipstick – Swatches, Photos, Video & Review

Coloured Raine 24Seven Liquid Lipstick ($17) is a matte deep rose pink liquid lipstick with beige undertones.

Coloured Raine is a black owned beauty business that creates products that are cruelty, paraben, gluten free and vegan. These lip paints are very pigmented and only need one swipe across the lips to show - please note that these are not the ones that you want to try and layer - don't do it to your lips. As always, make sure that you exfoliate and add some moisture to your lips before applying.

Here is a video of me applying it so you can get a better idea of the color.

[embed]https://youtu.be/X804oH-wPsE[/embed]

Colourpop Dukes Lippie Stix and Dukes Lip Pencil - Swatches, Photos & Video

Colourpop Cosmetics Dukes ($5) lippie stix is a dark blackberry in a Matte finish and the Dukes Pencil ($5) is a dark blackberry in a Matte finish. I originally swatched these for you in the Colourpop Fall Edit 2016 Liquid Lipsticks Review post but I wanted to follow up with some lip swatches since this is a popular color for Fall.

Dukes pencil with the Dukes lippie stix on top

Dukes pencil only

Dukes pencil on top wit Dukes pencil and lippie stix on bottom

This color does bleed a bit so make sure you use the liner and have your foundation/concealer handle to clean up for sharper lines. 

You can view a live swatch of me applying the lipstick and lip liner to see the truest color here:

[embed]https://youtu.be/seCH-Xf_5bA[/embed]

Get the MAC Cosmetics "Good Luck Troll" Collection For 60% Off!

It's time to get those credit cards out because holiday shopping is upon us. If you wanted to collect any pieces from the MAC Cosmetics "Good Luck Troll" collection or shopping for holiday presents now is the time you to shop. Let me walk through a few scenarios on how to get the best deals for this: First, head here to activate the site so you can see everything. Your webpage should look like this:

Second, start adding thigns to your cart! Remember that Nordstrom's does offer Fast and easy free shipping & returns so no matter how little (or much) you order you will get free shipping. You also get your choice of 3 free samples at checkout! Also, don't forget that you can earn Nordstrom Rewards points with every purchase - if you're not already a member, sign up now by clicking here and you will get a $10 credit that you can use at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, or HauteLook during the holidays.

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