Purchased by me and it was QUITE the splurge!

As many of you may have seen on my Instagram, during my stress leave back in April, I made a significant decision to allocate my entire beauty budget for the rest of 2024 to a single brand, Dior. While scrolling through Instagram, I was captivated by their new releases, exciting events, and enticing gifts with purchase (GWPs). This nostalgia led me to revisit some of my old Dior press samples, and I realized I had been overlooking a truly exceptional brand known for its superior formulations and, of course, its stunning packaging. Over the years, I’ve grown disillusioned with Sephora, particularly due to their lack of customer service, which is why I’ve shifted to purchasing nearly all of my Dior products from the Dior counter at Holt Renfrew. I appreciate supporting a Canadian department store and the personal touch of buying from a real person. This switch has rewarded me with monthly facials, exclusive invitations to Dior events, and GWPs that far surpass anything I’ve received at Sephora. In short, my shopping loyalty has firmly settled with Holt Renfrew!

I was drawn to this quint primarily because it beautifully complements my purple hair. A stunning array of taupe shades surrounds a striking metallic silver heart, perfect for festive occasions. Upon swatching that silver shade, I was instantly enamored by its rich pigmentation and creamy texture. I’ve even utilized it as an all-over shadow, pairing it with a touch of that purple/grey shade in the bottom left corner for the outer V.

All five shades from this palette swatched beautifully, and the taupe shades are ideal for everyday wear at work. I’ve found this palette surprisingly easy to use, and I enjoyed wearing the metallic silver shade more comfortably than I initially anticipated!

I picked up the Golden Masquerade palette somewhat spontaneously after swatching it at the boutique, thinking it would be an easier palette to wear due to its more neutral shades. Aside from the matte burgundy shade, the remaining hues are relatively muted, and I was initially concerned that they would clash with my purple hair. However, since they are more subtle than I anticipated, they actually serve to brighten my eyes and face without overwhelming them.

While I adore the packaging, I must admit that high-polish cases can be quite a hassle, as they tend to get dirty very quickly. They often look quite unappealing after just a few uses, so I wish they would incorporate a more durable pattern or texture.

I simply had to add this limited edition Dior Addict case to my collection! While I recognize that these cases can often feel like a cash grab because they require the purchase of a separate lipstick, I’ve found a clever workaround by swapping the two shades I already own among my various cases.

These liquid lipsticks are available in existing shades, but for the holiday season, they come with a glamorous “sequin” finish that adds a hint of sparkle when you press your lips together. The formula is incredibly smooth and a pleasure to apply, but I must caution that they can be quite drying, especially in environments with heating! I always find myself layering a gloss or balm on top, which somewhat undermines the purpose of a longwear lipstick. It’s frustrating to deal with dry lips topped with glitter, but I’m genuinely disappointed that these weren’t more hydrating, despite the lovely shades and initial moisture they provide!

This highlighter is beautifully subtle, not overly sparkly, and imparts a warm glow to the skin. Although I don’t wear highlighter on a regular basis, I do enjoy combining coral or orange blush with rosy highlighters for a radiant finish.