Tag: Sephora

Commodity Fragrances

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of trying out some Commodity Fragrances, giving a welcome revamp to my fall scent rotation. Commodity leverages the skill of master perfumers and natural ingredients to make simple, elegant products. I’ve been trying out three scents specifically: Bergamont, Book and Gold. Here are some thoughts about the three of them.

I am going to start with the one that I find to be the most crowd-pleasing. Gold, inspired by money in liquid form, is warm and elegant. Perfect for the cooler days. Amber and musk work really well for both men and women. Gold is part of the “white collection” – light, airy and easy which likely makes me consider it so wearable. Notes: Bergamot, Juniper Berries, Camphor, Amber, Haitian Vetiver, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Nubian Musk.

Bergamot is also gender neutral but part of the Platinum collection and thus lends it self to a more rich, indulgent feel. The fragrance is earthy and woody but with more citrus leaving a slightly “fresher” feel than Gold. The green notes make it light but still sophisticated. It finishes with a creaminess thanks to amirs oil from the Dominican Republic. Notes: Italian Bergamot, Pomelo, Violet Leaf. Lastly comes Book – likely the most intersting one of all that I tried and one I expect to reach for all during the winter months. Book is part of the Black collection which is comprised of more complex and intense scents. Great Novels inspire this scent to have a mix of spicy cucumber and tourchwood that is both fresh, woodsy and spicy. Also great for both men and women. I love this layered with Gold as well. Notes: Cucumber, Eucalyptus, Bergamot, Lavender, Amyris, Amber, Sandalwood, Haitian Vetiver, Balsa, Guaiac.

As a note, each fragrance is designed to be layered together with any other to create bespoke scents tailored to each individual taste. All of those that I tried work well for men and women. While worn alone I don’t get a ton of staying power, these fragrances work best when layered and played with. So I actually appreciate the more subtle nature. Shop them at Sephora.

Wednesday On The Web

Are you a Sephora VIB? If so, check your inbox because the Sephora VIB Sale (VIBs get 15% off with code VIBSPRING) starts today through April 24th. Some of the things I am putting on my list:

Reading up on some tips before my trip – 6 Skincare Secrets from Iceland.

And one more roundup of Icelandic beauty products.

Whole Foods beauty finds.

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Sephora’s VIB Sale

Most beauty junkies know all about Sephora’s VIB program. The loyalty program rewards shoppers with an outstanding sale this time of year. We get 20% off products making it a perfect time to stock up on favorites. For those fellow VIB’s out there, I wanted to share some favorites I have my eye on:

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation

I went on quite the shopping spree at Sephora in San Francisco last week. While I have a Sephora at home, there is something about locations in big cities that offers so many unknowns. Visiting can be a really eye opening experience, discovering “new to me” brands and products. But this visit actually led me to an old favorite. And I am not sure I will ever be without a bottle on my vanity like I have for the past couple of years.

It is odd because when people ask my favorite foundations, I often mention Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation but it hasn’t maintained a presence in my routine. I scoped up a bottle (5.5 was a great match for me), and have worn it every day since.

This lightweight foundation has a translucent finish, but still with polish. The texture is more like a tinted moisturizer. The micro-fit technology leads to a rather thin consistancy that wears weightlessly. But the pigments provide more foundation-like coverage. Just that peek of natural glow allows for a more natural look. Apparently I am not alone: “Quite simply, the best foundation there is.”—Linda Cantello, International Makeup Artist.

Available at Sephora.

Maya Mia Palette by Anastasia Beverly Hills

I’ve been a bad little blogger keeping a fabulous eye shadow palette a secret from you. One of my favorite brands, Anastasia Beverly Hills, launched two palettes recently that have thrilled my little beauty world. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the first launch, the Amrezy Palette inspired by Amra Olevic, is no longer available. There are some options on eBay, but that is about it. Correction: great news! The palette is still available on anastasiabeverlyhills.com!

Now for the good news… the second palette, Maya Mia is still available at Sephora and it is even better than the first. Created in collaboration with Maya Janeska (a hugely popular beauty blogger), these 10 shades are so incredibly wearable – from fun and adventurous to perfect everyday shades.

The powders can be worn wet or dry although I prefer dry. I get intense payoff with little fall out. And they are long-wearing. The pots are slightly small, but workable with a medium sized blending brush.

The Warm Taupe (second from right, top row) and Glisten (middle bottom row) have become everyday staples for me. Deep Brown (second from left, top row) is perfect for a more dramatic look. Gold Bar (far right, bottom row) works well in the corner of the eyes. And Sienna (middle top row) surprised me as a fabulous crease shade.

Think of this palette as a more adventurous neautral palette. The included brush is super high quality compared to other palettes. And the “Get The Look” enclosed flash cards inspire creativity in looks. Bottom line: it is a “buy”!

Available at Nordstrom and Sephora. This palette is limited edition, so snap it up quickly!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN 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.

HUM: Beauty Starts From Within

We know that beauty starts with good health and nutrition. Besides picking up fruits, veggies and healthy protein, we can also use supplements to solve loads of beauty hiccups.

California-based HUM is a cutting edge line that will have skin looking better (not to mention putting a little pep in our step). The entire line of eleven supplements are gluten-free, contain no GMOs, or artificial ingredients and recently hit shelves at Sephora.

“Killer Nails” contains high potency vegan biotin to strengthen both hair and nails. “Here Comes The Sun” provides crucial vitamin D3 that can help improve mood. “Daily Cleanse” is a plant-based formula designed to clear skin and body of toxins that can be vital to those battling acne.

You can design your own HUM Nutrition “cocktail” to make sure you are getting all the goodies to help solve your particular beauty issue or assuage any particular beauty concerns like aging, clearing skin and fighting fatigue.

I’d be remiss to not mention a little fashion PSA side note…. make sure to pick up some goodies at Shopbop‘s latest sale – an extra 25% of all sale items.