All in Black

(Pretty and simple packaging.)

I reordered my favorite mascara recently, so I also bought a few small products I’ve been planning to try: Nest’s Hand Cream and a rollerball of Elizabeth and James’ Nirvana Black.  I also cashed in some shopping points and received a deluxe sample of Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar Night.  When my order arrived, I noticed the simple black packaging on each item and how effortlessly they all go together, so I had to take a picture.

I’m definitely drawn to pretty packaging, which isn’t always a good thing, but in this case, I’m happy with these simple products.  The hand cream is very smooth and has a lovely smell, and it fits nicely in my cosmetic bag.  I’ve been excited to try Nirvana Black by Elizabeth and James (one of the lines by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) ever since I sampled it in a magazine last fall.  The fragrance has violet and sandalwood, two of my favorite scents, and it’s very pretty.  I’m not in love with it and probably won’t buy a larger bottle, but the rollerball size is perfect for sampling, and I’ll definitely use the entire bottle.  When James hugged me one morning this week, he said, “You don’t smell beautiful,” so I guess this won’t become my signature scent after all.

Ardency Inn’s Punker is my current favorite mascara, and the reason for this entire order.  And since I’m thrilled with Philosophy’s eye cream, I was eager to try this sample of night cream, too.  I only use a bit of moisturizer at night, so this will last a while, but it has a very strange smell that is rather unpleasant, unfortunately. Some of the comments on Sephora’s site also mention this, and I don’t think I’d ever purchase an entire jar. I’ll probably finish off the sample so it doesn’t go to waste, though.

Still, the bottle is pretty and I love the simple designs of these products.