Join Me On a Sneak Peek Into the Victoria’s Secret Offices and Holiday 2009 Releases!

This post is long overdue and all of these items have already launched, but a few months back I had the opportunity to check out the Victoria’s Secret headquarters and to preview the upcoming (now currently available) holiday releases. I figured you’d enjoy having a peek at the photos, and of course all the products!

I was so impressed by everything, particularly the fragrances. Everything smelled just heavenly and I had an absolutely amazing time ~ which is saying quite a bit considering this starting at an ungodly hour on a rainy morning.

See a million more photos and a few snippets of information after the jump! Oh and you also get to see the PJ’s I’ve been living in since attending this event =P.


This photo showcases the Velvet Amber Blackberry fragrance collection ~ the creators of this fragrance said that the scent is meant to evoke the sensuality of velvet – it’s warmth and the wonderful plush feeling it has. I never thought you could capture Velvet in a bottle, but this really comes pretty close! I absolutely loved the packaging for this line as well – so rich, so luxe, so elegant!

Oh forgot to mention – please keep in mind that a good majority of these products are in sample packaging and may or may not be accurate representations of the actual packaging.

One of my personal favorite collections amongst the holiday launches was this Peace Love Hope fragrance release from the PINK line. The scent is comprised of green apple and honeysuckle and it’s young, fresh, fruity and just simply delightful! LOVE everything from this line!

Victoria’s Secret also created some adorable holiday goodies that make ideal stocking stuffers as they’re cutely packaged and very affordable. Plus many of them even double as holiday ornaments!





Okay so these are the pajamas I’ve been living in since returning from this event. They were included in the goody bag and they’re seriously cozy, comfy, soft and just downright cute! I kind of feel like a Christmas elf in these, but in a good way.

And who doesn’t want to check out a bowl of beribboned underwear? I thought this photo would make a nice closer for this post. Hope you enjoyed joining me on my visit to the Victoria’s Secret corporate offices!

Swatches of Heidi Klum’s Exotic Jewels Collection on Me

Swatches: Perfect Lipstick in Exotic Spice, Lip Gloss in Passion Fruit, Glitter Liquid Liner in Majesty

I decided to split the last post into two since I had a million photos to share with you – so here are my lip swatches of Heidi Klum’s Exotic Jewels Collection for Victoria’s Secret!

Lip swatch of Perfect Lipstick in Exotic Spice – see that yummy creamy opacity I was telling you about? This lipstick really is full-coverage and smells delicious to boot (who doesn’t love the scent of hot chocolate?), but I’m still not entirely sold on the shade. I’m a creature of habit and it’s hard to drag myself away from the pinks!

Lip swatch of Lip Gloss in Passion Fruit. Love how this gives my lips a pretty smoothed-over look that eliminates all the little nooks and crannies on my lips, but I do wish this had more pigmentation to it. It’s a nice light non-sticky gloss with golden shimmer, but I was hoping it would have a bit more of a wow-factor to it.

Nonetheless these are two pretty wonderful holiday lip options and I’ve been getting plenty of use out of both!

Exotic Jewels by Heidi Klum for VS Makeup Collection Review & Swatches

Inspired by her trip to the spiritual city of Varanasi, Indian and the Indian-themed vow renewal ceremony she shared with husband Seal in Mexico last year, Heii Klum’s Holiday 2009 Exotic Jewels collection interprets her exotic finds into a sparkling and rich palette of irresistible shades.

I haven’t paid Victoria’s Secret cosmetics much attention in the past as I’d always assumed I wouldn’t love the quality, but the Exotic Jewels collection has made me eat my words ~ in a word it’s fantastic and I loved every single piece I tried! And the packaging is actually much prettier than what you see in my photo, which is the products housed in their ‘sample’ packaging.

Check out the individual product photos and review after the jump!

The collection’s Perfect Lipstick in Exotic Spice ($16) is a glimmering beigey nude lipstick that’s decadently rich and creamy feeling. The formula sheathes lips in full-coverage smooth glossy color that has a warm chocolatey scent and flavor to it, and it seriously feels just delicious on the lips. It’s a little more than I’d expect to pay for a lipstick from Victoria’s Secret, but it the formula really is exceptional. As for the shade – it’s a little beige for my taste (I’m not a fan of beiges) but I do like it for a more neutral look.

The Lip Gloss in Passion Fruit ($14) is a mauvey shade with gold shimmer in the tube and on my lips it has a nice golden shimmer to it that helps to blur lines and imperfections while providing some subtle color. I do wish it had a bit more pigmentation.

Glitter Liquid Liner in Majesty ($12) is an alluring shade of purple with plentiful amounts of silver shimmer. Love to use this on my waterline for some added pizzazz to an otherwise neutral look. Wear-time is good but not phenomenal.

My favorite piece from the collection? This Extra-Lengthening Mascara ($13) in this rich regal shade of Amethyst. This lengthens beautifully and I absolutely love the unique brush:

One side is comprised of almost flat spiraling bristles, the other of brush-like bristles. I wiggle the flatter end at the base of my lashes, then comb through with the brush-end and I’m left with beautiful, amethyst-hued long lashes.

Overall the Exotic Jewels collection gets two thumbs up from me ~ the quality of all the products is quite exceptional (I was seriously shocked) and I’m loving the richness of all the purples and neutrals.

This review contains a press sample sent to ABS by the brand’s PR representative for blog consideration. If you have any questions regarding the foregoing, please feel free to contact me at a.beautyful.sentiment@gmail.com.

Limited Edition Christian Siriano for VS Makeup!

Fashion phenom Christian Siriano makes his beauty debut with this exclusive limited-edition collection for new VS Makeup. The collection interprets the themes of his Fall 2009 fashion collection with soft, luxurious textures and strong, rich colors. Imported.

You know that thing that happens when you see a particular beauty product, the world stands still and your heart screams “I WANT!”? LOL okay me neither, but let’s just say when I saw the hotness that is Christian Siriano’s Kajal Eye Liner, I was tempted to go running for my nearest Victoria’s Secret to play around with it. Check out the rest of his limited edition collection below!

Christian Siriano Kajal Eye Liner ($12)
Look luxe. Sumptuous, creamy, pigment-rich kohl liner, inspired by an ancient Egyptian beauty ritual, glides on for the ultimate smudged, smoky effect.

Christian Siriano Silky Eye Shadow ($12)
Unveil eye-catching color. Pigment-rich formula with satiny texture drapes lids in pure color.

Christian Siriano Lip Gloss ($12)
Find gloss perfection. Lasting shine and rich color to wear alone for pure gloss or to layer over lipstick.

Christian Siriano Bronzer/Highlighter Trio ($16)
Create a flawless faux glow. Illuminating trio of bronzing powders combine to create a fresh, sun-kissed face.

Christian Siriano All-Over Bronzing Powder Brush ($18)
Brush on opulence. This silky, natural-hair brush offers a gentle, even application. In a beautiful Nile-blue satin drawstring pouch.

Christian Siriano Petite Makeup Bag ($12)

Compact, square-shaped, zip-around clutch is covered in Siriano’s signature ruffles. In a cocoa patent finish.