Tag: Perfume

Current Sniffs: Favorite Fragrances Right Now

Just in time for that little holiday on Thursday, I thought I’d round up some favorite fragrances that have crossed my desk lately.

Tom Ford Black Orchid: One of Tom Ford’s classic scents, this dark and sensual fragrance is just spicy enough. There is a layer of deliciousness with Black Currant, Black Truffle and fruit. Lotus Wood, Patchouli, Incense and Vetiver play prominently. And I love the creamy vanilla as it dries down.

Ivanka Trump Eau de Parfum: I was surprised to fall for this one. But lately, celebrity-created fragrances have been capturing my heart more than I expected. Inspired by grace and beauty, Ivanka developed a very wearable scent that features both sophisticated and playful notes. Italian Bergamot, Apple, Pineapple and Pink Peppercorn set up a playful top note experience. But Rose, Amber, Vanilla and Patchouli round out with a seductive, warm and sophisticated end.

Valentino Valentina Assoluto Eau de Parfum: Already hooked on the original Valentina, no surprise I love the newer, more intense iteration. Absoluto has the freshness with bergamot and peach, but with the fervor of Italian floral Chypre. Jasmine and tuberose are calmed with vanilla. This is such a great spring-time scent with the giddiness of fruit but sweetness of white florals and vanilla.

Beauty Myths Busted

Today, I am back on Fox 23’s Great Day Green Country to talk about beauty myths. Now, I am one to say there are no “rules” in beauty – what works for you is always the right answer. But I believe busting these five fallacies will really shake up your routine in the best of ways.

1. MYTH: Use mascara to the last drop. TRUTH: Mascara should be tossed every three months. Germ issues aside, mascara formula can dry out, resulting in suffering performance. To get the lushest, silkiest lashes, keep that tube fresh. Drugstore mascaras are outstanding for those who don’t want to splurge on something used for a short time. Try Maybelline’s new The Rocket Mascara and Volum’ Express Mega Plush Mascara.

2. MYTH: Rub in your perfume after you spray pulse points. TRUTH: The rubbing action crushes and corrupts the fragrance. Instead, spray on your neck and wrists and let dry for 30 seconds. I also love to spray perfume in unexpected places like my hair (don’t go too wild – it can dry hair out) and the back of my knees (for a more subtle scent).

Foundation

3. MYTH: Foundation should be matched to your jawline, forehead, cheek or anywhere on your face. TRUTH: Foundation should actually be matched to your neck as it is representative of your true coloring. Not only will this prohibit a line where your foundation ends and your neck begins, but the shade will look more natural.

Shampoo

4. MYTH: You should wash your hair every day. TRUTH: Washing hair strips natural oils, making hair more brittle and dry. Shoot for 3-4 times a week, workouts permitting. I found that my hair became less greasy the less I shampooed as time went on. In the mean time, dry shampoo can really save the day. Spray on dry shampoo and wait five minutes for it to “activate”. Then work through your hair with fingers or a blow dryer.

all images from Pinterest

Nicole Richie ‘Nicole’ Fragrance and Giveaway

I’m not one for celebrity fragrances, but I am willing to make an exception for Nicole Richie. I spent eight years of my life in California and still love to channel that beachy, Bohemian California girl look Nicole does so well. I got my paws on a (beautiful) bottle of her first fragrance and can’t stop spraying.

The fragrance smells unusually expensive and unlike anything else I have ever worn. Yet, there are some familiar notes.

The fragrance opens with notes of succulent blackberry and Seville orange, moves into a heart of golden amber, Moroccan rose, lily of the valley and papyrus before settling into a warm, creamy blend of sensual cashmere wood, sandalwood, sugared patchouli and vanilla absolute.

I’d say the scent is feminine but not overly sophisticated or womanly. It is more sensual and exotic than preppy. The bottle is inspired by the art deco movement. I like it with the top on, but love the sleek angles of the bottle when the top is off. It is a true gem for your vanity.

And now is my chance to say “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and put on my Santa hat. I teamed up with the Nicole Fragrance team and we are sharing SIX Nicole Richie Fragrance prizes with you guys.

three 1.7 ounce eau de parfums
three 10ml rollerballs

Enter using the widget below and good luck! Open to residents of the US and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Bvlgari Omnia Coral Eau de Toilette

I’m taking solace in a new summer fragrance to handle the extreme heat. A week of 100+ days has me sweltering, especially after being spoiled with gorgeous weather last weekend in Napa. For days like these, you want a scent that is refreshing, light-weight and cheerful.

Omnia Coral Eau de Toilette is the newest scent from Bvlgari, inspired by the coastal feel and rich jewel color of coral. Goji berries give a citrus punch. Hibiscus flower is a balanced fruitiness with just a bit of floral. And Pomegranate adds a bit of a bite, still highlighting the fruitier feel. The effect, on me, is a tropical and juicy sweetness with pepper. The iconic Bvlgari packaging with interlocking circles always looks glam on the vanity.

I’ve welcomed the compliments: “You smell great!”. Certainly better than the alternative 🙂

Available at Neiman Marcus.

Gucci Flora Gracious Tuberose and Gorgeous Gardenia

Fragrance is so personal. But I love these new Gucci fragrances for summer so much I urge you to check them out. Flora was inspired by an iconic print originally designed for Princess Grace of Monaco. The pattern was revived a couple years ago and now has been translated into a scent. I am usually drawn to clean, herbal and musky scents. My signature fragrance through high school and in my 20s was Donna Karan Cashmere Mist. But I now find myself loving fruity, floral fragrances, especially for the warm summer months. They are so light, clean, fresh and pretty.

Gracious Tuberose:

Top notes – peach, orange flower (orange blossoms come through in a big way for me)
Heart notes – rose, tuberose
Base notes – white cedar wood, citrus

Gorgeous Gardenia:

Top notes – red berries, juicy pear
Heart notes – white gardenia, frangipani flower
Base notes – patchouli, brown sugar accord (after some time of wear, this patchouli is front and center on me)

Valentino Valentina Eau de Parfum

I don’t review parfumes very often, so when I do mention them, I think it is something exceptional. And how could you resist something inspired Italian It Girls? I’d like to envision myself as a cool, careless and rebellious Italian heiress. Not even close, I know… but I can dream, can’t I?

This gorgeous bottle is a true peice of art for your vanity. The metal flowers make this bottle indulgent and elegant. And I love the old school spray cap.

While I like to describe Valentina as classic, clean, springy and fresh, I understand the are more nuanced “notes”. These include:

Italian – Exuberant Freshness – Calabrian bergamot and white alba truffle.
Floral – Floral Irreverence – White flowers and wild strawberry.
Oriental – Captivating Ambery Woods – Cedar and amber.

Valentina is already my Spring 2012 fragrance. Check it out for yourself at Neiman Marcus – after all, it is Beauty Event time!