Tag: product review

THE BEST PERFUME DUPES – DOSSIER PERFUME

Published on by Lee4 Comments

Today we are introducing you to Dossier, a fragrance company that creates clean, non-toxic, and ethical fragrances inspired by designer favorites, starting at only $29. They believe that everyone should be able to afford luxury perfumes. They make their perfumes affordable by removing the designer label.

All their perfumes are Colorant & UV Filter Free, vegan, cruelty-free, Paraben & Phthalate-free, and made with 100% clean ingredients that are made in Grasse, France (the perfume capital of the world). The company itself is based in New York City.

We have been using Dossier perfumes for years now and can honestly attest to the high quality of their fragrances and packaging which is why we are confident that you’ll love this brand too. 

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WHAT IS A DOSSIER?

“Dossier was founded out of a desire to make premium fragrances accessible to everyone. As scent enthusiasts ourselves, it became impossible for us to turn a blind eye to the price markups traditionally seen in the industry. Whether it be marking up scents because of celebrity endorsement fees or pricey packaging, we realized perfumes were being sold for way more than they cost to make.”

So basically, Dossier is a company that uses the same scent notes as high-end perfumes, without any price markups. So, anyone can smell amazing and feel great because you didn’t break the bank.

They have fragrances, for women and men. The dossier has unisex perfumes as well.

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HOW IT WORKS.

You can go to the Dossier website and take a quiz; this quiz will help pick the perfect scent for you after you answer a few questions that only takes 1 minute. Or if you have a luxury scent that you know you love, but don’t want to pay the high price, you can search the name of that scent on the website’s search bar. If they have a scent that is inspired by your search, they will show you.

PACKAGING.

The packaging for Dossier perfumes is very simplistic and modern. It is a simple clear bottle with a white-label, the label has the name of the fragrance as well as the fragrance notes. It has a simple spray nozzle with a magnetic cap. Part of how they can keep their prices so low is the cost of packaging is much less than luxury perfumes.

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Each scent comes in a cute little box that has a card with all the information about the perfume, along with the sample and the bottle. We know that it seems risky to buy perfumes online, so they send you a sample size perfume with each one you order. You can use that to make your final decision on whether you like the scent or not. You can return any unopened perfume for 30 days no questions asked. Customer service is amazing, and we never have any issues with them.

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Our EXPERIENCE.

We were very impressed with the quality of these perfumes. Normally when we use our more expensive perfumes, we have to reapply throughout the day but with Dossier, the perfumes last longer. We gifted our subscribers with some dossier perfume, and they said they lasted all day as well! They said they couldn’t stop getting compliments which made us very happy with our choices. The original and the DUPES of Dossier fragrances are 100% the same, the only difference is you are not spending $200 on one perfume when it comes to Dossier.

The only thing we don’t love is the spray nozzle because if it breaks you can’t replace the nozzle part or open the bottle to transfer the scented liquid into another container which is upsetting. But that doesn’t stop us from buying them. We just wanted to add that little note because we know a lot of people come to us for our honest reviews.

FRAGRANCES WE ARE LOVING NOW.

Musky Musk // This is inspired by Juliette Has a Gun, Not a Perfume. (Retails for $135)

Top Notes: /

Middle Notes: Cetalox, Iso E Super

Base Notes: Habanolide, Musks

Ambery Saffron // Inspired by MFK’s Baccarat Rouge 540 (Retails for $325)

Top Notes: Saffron, Orange Blossom

Middle Notes: Jasmine, Plum, Cedarwood

Base Notes: Oakmoss, Fir Balsam, Amber

Woody Sandalwood // Inspired by Le Labo Fragrances’ Santal 33 (Retails for $198)

Top Notes: Violet Leaves, Cardamom

Middle Notes: Orris, Ambrox, Cedarwood, Cypriol

Base Notes: Musk, Sandalwood, Amber

Ambery Cherry // Inspired by Tom Fords Lost Cherry (Retails for $375)

Top Notes: Cherry, Almond, Cinnamon

Middle Notes: Cloves, Rose, Jasmine, Plum

Base Notes: Peru Balsam, Tonka Bean, Vanilla

Floral Honeysuckle // Inspired by Gucci’s Bloom perfume (Retails for $108)

Top Notes: Green Leaves, Orange, Honeysuckle

Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose

Base Notes: Orris, Sandalwood, Vanilla

Woody Oakmoss // Inspired by Iconic Coco CHANEL Mademoiselle perfume (Retails for $116)

Top Notes: Bergamot, Orange, Peach

Middle Notes: Jasmine, Rose, Patchouli

Base Notes: Oakmoss, Vanilla, Vetiver

Woody Sage // Inspired by Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt cologne (Retails for $100)

Top Notes: Fig Tree, Grapefruit

Middle Notes: Marine Notes, Ambrette

Base Notes: Clary Sage, Amberwood

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FINAL THOUGHTS. 

This is a no-brainer to us! The dossier website is amazing, and the scents are amazing. They are so spot on to original scents without the hefty price tag, so you can buy up a bunch of these and switch up your scent all the time. The website is easy to use, and they always seem to be running some kind of deal. When you click on one scent, they suggest fragrances that can create your dreamy blends. Seriously get yourself some of these with our code Lee10, you won’t regret it!

Have you tried Dossier? If so, what are your thoughts on their products? Let us know your answers in the comments section of this blog post below.

DOSSIER DOSSIER DOSSIER

Published on by Lee1 Comment

Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web’s best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.

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While we love to experiment with all thing’s beauty, we are secretly brand (and product) loyalists. We prefer to have one thing we love that does the work of the latest fifteen “innovative” products and is willing to invest in a quality purchase if it means I’ll reach for it every morning. This has been the case with the perfume we have used for the last 2 years — we won’t call it out by brand, but we will hint that it rhymes with one of our editor names. We love the scent, so much so that many of our friends can identify when we’ve been in a room or will soon approach by the trace of my perfume alone.

So, when we set out to test Dossier, the latest (and potentially greatest) DTC disruptor in the fragrance game, our standards were high. Our perfume is part of our identity, after all! Dossier’s model and prices are pretty groundbreaking. The brand crafts perfumes inspired by designer fragrances but sells them for a fraction of the cost, despite being entirely vegan, cruelty-free, and composed of the same high-quality ingredients. They’re even produced in Grasse, France, also known as the perfume capital of the world. By eliminating prestige pricing, advertising, and packaging, Dossier sells designer perfume blends (some of which ordinarily sell for over $100) in the range of $19 to $59.

The New Scentsation

Much like its business model, Dossier’s shopping experience is transparent. Each perfume is listed in tandem with its corresponding designer perfume, engineered to make your purchasing decision simple. Still, the add-to-cart journey is endless when all of the fragrances are inspired by cult favorites and luxury classics, like Le Labo’s Santal 33 or Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle. We wanted them all! 

Fortunately, Dossier offers a 100% risk-free ordering process. Each bottle comes with a small separate sample, so you can try the fragrance on your skin before deciding whether you want to keep the bottle or return it for a full refund. We decided to experiment with a few of the scents we were most intrigued by: Woody Sandalwood (inspired by Le Labo’s Santal 33); Aquatic Peony (inspired by Armani’s Acqua di Gioia); Oriental Oakmoss (inspired by Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle); and Floral Lavender (inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s Libre). 

The Real Deal

Dossier first impressed us with its unboxing experience. Each pale pink box opened up to reveal a bottle and sample, along with a card describing the fragrance’s notes, original brand inspiration, percent concentration, and return process. I soon discovered that one of our favorite things about Dossier’s minimalist packaging is its sleek and uniform bottle design. The caps on the heavy glass bottles are magnetized, and each perfume has an identical bottle style — two features that make them look elegant (and organized) on any bathroom or bedside surface. 

To measure the actual quality and efficacy of perfume, there are only two major questions that matter (to us at least). Does it smell fantastic? Does it last? Dossier immediately checked both of these boxes. We first tried Woody Sandalwood, the blend designed to imitate Le Labo’s iconic Santal 33. Not only did it smell exactly like its luxury counterpart, but our Dossier bottle lasted with a more natural tone than when we tried the Le Labo equivalent. While we sometimes feel that designer perfumes can sit a little heavy on the skin (and impart a harsh initial hour or two of scent), Dossier’s Woody Sandalwood delivered a gentle but powerful fragrance that lasted for hours. 

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Get The Scent (And Spare Your Cents)

Each Dossier perfume consistently exceeded our expectations. The scents are shockingly identical to their designer inspirations (and most even seem to last longer). But the definitive review comes from our partners, who are the only people around to notice our perfume in lockdown. When we first wore the Woody Sandalwood fragrance, they immediately asked if I had bought Le Labo’s Santal 33. As we tried each scent, they commented on the delightful fragrance floating through our homes. 

The only thing better than a fragrance that inspires compliments costs less than half of its designer equivalent. We won’t be taking Dossier up on its risk-free purchase policy — instead, we will be buying a few more bottles as luxurious holiday gifts that won’t sabotage our budget.

5 More Reasons to Love Dossier

  • Dossier’s perfumes are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben and phthalate-free, and colorant and UV-filter-free — so you can smell amazing without compromising on your wellness.
  • Unsure what your “signature scent” is? Dossier offers a short quiz to help you navigate your first purchase!
  • With Dossier’s completely risk-free process, order (and sample) your fragrances of choice and return whatever you don’t love for a full refund.
  • Dossier’s blog has helpful tips on how and where to apply your perfume for the longest-lasting scent, a guide to perfume, and more educational content intended to strip the fragrance world of its historical sense of exclusivity.
  • Dossier’s affordable perfumes aren’t cheap — they’re made in Grasse, France (the perfume capital of the world) with the highest quality clean ingredients.

Try Dossier yourself here and get money off your order by us with code LEE10.

6 Portable Makeup Brushes You Can Take Anywhere

Published on by Lee2 Comments

We’ve done our makeup in plenty of questionable environments: while sitting on a towel at the beach, in an airport bathroom stall, and inside a moving car. Thankfully, we always pack our bags strategically, knowing that a makeup moment can arise any time and any place. To prepare, we usually rely on the help of dual-purpose makeup sticks, travel-size products, and portable makeup brushes. 

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Travel makeup brushes are surprisingly helpful, take up very little room in your bag, and will calm the nerves of every makeup lover who gets antsy when separated from their everyday makeup brushes. 

Ahead, we’re rounding up some of our favorite portable brushes, featuring retractable options for the beauty guru with the bag that’s bursting at the seams, the sleek pink set your friends will ask to do their touch-ups with, and the palm brush for seamless, your-skin-but-better coverage.

IT Cosmetics Your Superheroes Full-Size Travel Brush Set

For those of you who just can’t live without all of your brush essentials, this set of six brushes comes housed inside a cute metallic makeup case. Pack it in your beach bag, store it in your carry-on or bring it in your purse to the bar — no judgment, ever.

EcoTools Retractable Brush

At under $10, this retractable brush is super affordable and will help you apply powder and bronzer in seconds. It includes a cap to make sure your brush stays safe from whatever has collected at the bottom of your makeup bag.

Artis Elite Mirror Palm Brush Mini

If you’ve tried an Artis Palm Brush before, then you’ve witnessed how beautifully these brushes blend makeup into your skin. The coolest part is, you could realistically use this mini palm brush for your entire makeup routine which is ideal when on-the-go — just don’t forget to wash it afterwards

lilah b. Retractable Crème Foundation Brush

Prepare to fall in love with this brush’s super soft, dense bristles. It makes application fast and easy leaving practically zero room for error. We love pairing it with PRO FILT’R SOFT MATTE POWDER FOUNDATION.

Easy-Taken Travel Makeup Brush Set

This blush-colored case comes complete with five mini brushes and a mirror so you can perfect a full face en route to wherever your busy schedule may take you.

Fenty Beauty Portable Contour & Concealer Brush 150

Who would’ve thought that a portable makeup brush could leave you at a loss for words? This one was designed for portability — to conceal, contour and touch up no matter where you are.

READ MORE:

Why Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Is the Only Foundation I Like to Wear

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

I’ve never been a foundation girl. My makeup arsenal is full of BB creams, CC creams, tinted serums, and any other version of breathable face makeup that is anything but the foundation. But as we return to our “new normal,” I’m trying to break old beauty habits and give products I’ve initially written off in the past a second chance, like foundation. I chose to test an editor-favorite — the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation. I’ve heard my fellow BeautyLeeBar.com editors, as well as beauty influencers on social media, sing its praises so I had to get my hands on a bottle. The brand kindly sent one over so I could share my experience as someone who’s always had an aversion to a foundation.

The Formula

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Foundation is hailed for its 24-hour full-coverage formula that leaves behind a natural matte finish with SPF 15. The fact that it comes in 50 diverse shades makes the daunting task of finding your foundation true match way easier. I used the E-Shade Finder on Lancome.com, a virtual foundation shade-matcher tool, to find my skin’s best foundation shade, which turned out to be 520 Suede Warm.

The formula itself contains eternal soft polymers which Lancôme notes allow for “an increased level of comfort for ultra-long wear”, plus ingredients like perlite and silica to absorb excess oil.

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My Experience 

After applying face primer, I blended in a few drops with a makeup sponge and then went back in to add a couple more drops for my desired coverage. The color blended beautifully into my skin tone and might be the closest match to any of my face makeup (proof of the E-Shade Finder’s powers). I finished the rest of my makeup and went about my day, never having to blot my T-zone area.

My go-to complexion products leave me with my desired dewy look, so I was nervous about how I’d feel with a matte complexion. When I think of anything matte, I think of the matte lipstick formulas that glide on smooth but eventually tighten throughout the day, resulting in cracked lips. But a cracked complexion wasn’t the case at all for me here. Instead, my skin looked polished without being overly matte and felt comfortable enough to wear all day.

While I’m still not ready to fully retire my signature dewy makeup look, I will make a space in my arsenal for this foundation. I feel like I’ve found the unicorn of foundations in Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Foundation: semi-matte, but not flat, oil-absorbing, and true to color.