Strut on over to Gilt Groupe at noon today and check out Tarte Cosmetics- I've been ruing the fact that I passed on a set of their famous cheek stains the last time they made rounds on the sale sites, so I'll be on the look out this time around! If at-home pulsed-light treatments sound like a good idea to you (I'm not so sure, myself!) check out Baby Quasar on Wednesday, August 5th. Also on Wednesday, Gilt features Clark's Botanicals. After his son was in a debilitating accident, Dr. Harold Clark combined his background in both traditional and homeopathic medicine to developed effective treatments for his son's unbalanced skin when even prescription products failed.
To my great excitement, this week HauteLook will feature high fragrance house Annick Goutal. I dreamt of her Eau d'Hadrien for about 2 years before I broke down and bought it, now the only thing I don't love about it is having to try to pronounce the name when someone asks me what I'm wearing! Check it out on Tuesday, August 4th at 11am EDT. On Thursday, August 6th, stock up on your skincare needs with MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross.
Oh, and BTW, since shipping tends to be a bit hefty on these sites, HauteLook is helping by offering free shipping on everything you purchase until August 12th, after your initial purchase. This means that you pay shipping once no matter how many times you shop!
Of course, these sales are by invitation only, if you don't have an account yet, consider this your personal invite from me! It's totally free, and you can join now- just follow the link by clicking on the name of the site! As always, I do my best to list all of the sales that I know of, but since they are subject to change at any time, make sure you're following e on Twitter for the most up to date sales and invites.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Top 5 Fragrances (that I don’t want you to wear!)
Having worked in cosmetics for as long as I have, I’ve amassed quite a fragrance library. I have limited edition Escadas and huge bottles of Chanels that sit untouched. I honestly feel I own a fragrance for every mood, season and outfit- I even have one that feels distinctly purple. The list below is a compilation of my favorite scents, the ones that I travel with and buy time and time again. These scents are the ones that define me; knowing them gives you, the reader, a direct insight into who I am.
1. Lolita Lempicka- my all time favorite, signature scent. I actually considered not listing this, because I want it to be mine- all mine! Top notes of Ivy and Anise Seed dry down to combine with middle notes of Violet, ending with creamy Vanilla and Musk base notes. Sweet but not cloying, Lolita reminds me of a grown up version of cotton candy.
2. Gucci Rush- Quite frankly, this smells like sex to me. A sultry, not too woody oriental, Rush was my first “grown up” fragrance- a step away from the light, fruity florals of my youth, though there are florals present- notably South African Freesia and Madras Jasmine. These top notes combine with the pop and spice of Coriander Seed which lay on top of an unmistakable base of Java Patchouli, Vanilla and Bourbon Vetiver. Gucci Rush is one of the many reasons I look forward to fall, though it’s too good to restrict to cool weather- it’s overt womanliness makes it the perfect date night scent.
3. Thierry Mugler’s Angel- Arguably the most popular or my favorites, and not to be confused with the powdery sandalwood of the Victoria’s Secret Angel fragrances, Thierry Mugler’s star shaped masterpiece is a groundbreaking elixir of Vanilla, Caramel, Chocolate and Patchouli. It's earthy but edible vibe marked the launch of a new fragrance catagory, called gourmand, and was the first to take a complete departure from floral notes.
4. Chanel Chance- Though many purists would argue for the classics, I’ve always found Chanel’s scents a bit too…let’s say “vintage”…for my tastes. When Chance debuted in 2002, it was described as the classic house’s “decidedly young” scent, but make no mistake- it’s still Chanel. Chance is chic and energetic: a complex blend of Pink Pepper, Hyacinth, White Musk and crisp Citrus notes which, at it’s Patchouli and Fresh Vetiver heart manages to feel luxe and fresh at the same time.
5. Miss Dior Cherie- with notes like Strawberry Leaves, Caramelized Popcorn, and Green Tangerine, you might imagine Cherie to smell like a teenager’s lip gloss, but factor in the soft woodiness of Crystalline Musk and the herbal notes of Pink Jasmine, and you’re left with a fresh floral that is grown-up but unpretentious. Somewhat similar to Chance, with less of a citrus accord, Miss Dior Cherie is the perfect scent to dress up a pair of jeans.
And one I’m loving right now:
Sud Pacifique Vanille Pineapple- This one sounds like exactly what it is- bright frothy Pineapple mixed with the smoothness of vanilla in a way that gives the scent warmth without too much sweetness. Perfect for summer, but like the season, the scent is all to fleeting. Since the Pineapple is the sole top note, it is very obvious at the onset, but fades quickly, giving way to a velvety vanilla crème and coconut milk base that just feels like an island vacation (and makes me very thirsty!)
1. Lolita Lempicka- my all time favorite, signature scent. I actually considered not listing this, because I want it to be mine- all mine! Top notes of Ivy and Anise Seed dry down to combine with middle notes of Violet, ending with creamy Vanilla and Musk base notes. Sweet but not cloying, Lolita reminds me of a grown up version of cotton candy.
2. Gucci Rush- Quite frankly, this smells like sex to me. A sultry, not too woody oriental, Rush was my first “grown up” fragrance- a step away from the light, fruity florals of my youth, though there are florals present- notably South African Freesia and Madras Jasmine. These top notes combine with the pop and spice of Coriander Seed which lay on top of an unmistakable base of Java Patchouli, Vanilla and Bourbon Vetiver. Gucci Rush is one of the many reasons I look forward to fall, though it’s too good to restrict to cool weather- it’s overt womanliness makes it the perfect date night scent.
3. Thierry Mugler’s Angel- Arguably the most popular or my favorites, and not to be confused with the powdery sandalwood of the Victoria’s Secret Angel fragrances, Thierry Mugler’s star shaped masterpiece is a groundbreaking elixir of Vanilla, Caramel, Chocolate and Patchouli. It's earthy but edible vibe marked the launch of a new fragrance catagory, called gourmand, and was the first to take a complete departure from floral notes.
4. Chanel Chance- Though many purists would argue for the classics, I’ve always found Chanel’s scents a bit too…let’s say “vintage”…for my tastes. When Chance debuted in 2002, it was described as the classic house’s “decidedly young” scent, but make no mistake- it’s still Chanel. Chance is chic and energetic: a complex blend of Pink Pepper, Hyacinth, White Musk and crisp Citrus notes which, at it’s Patchouli and Fresh Vetiver heart manages to feel luxe and fresh at the same time.
5. Miss Dior Cherie- with notes like Strawberry Leaves, Caramelized Popcorn, and Green Tangerine, you might imagine Cherie to smell like a teenager’s lip gloss, but factor in the soft woodiness of Crystalline Musk and the herbal notes of Pink Jasmine, and you’re left with a fresh floral that is grown-up but unpretentious. Somewhat similar to Chance, with less of a citrus accord, Miss Dior Cherie is the perfect scent to dress up a pair of jeans.
And one I’m loving right now:
Sud Pacifique Vanille Pineapple- This one sounds like exactly what it is- bright frothy Pineapple mixed with the smoothness of vanilla in a way that gives the scent warmth without too much sweetness. Perfect for summer, but like the season, the scent is all to fleeting. Since the Pineapple is the sole top note, it is very obvious at the onset, but fades quickly, giving way to a velvety vanilla crème and coconut milk base that just feels like an island vacation (and makes me very thirsty!)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Illamasqua Swatches!
Well, now that it's here in the US, many of you may be wondering what all of the hubbub is over Illamasqua Cosmetics. This cult favorite is full of unique shades and textures- here's a few for you to mull over until you can make it to Times Square! Click on any image to see a super close up, and stay tuned for full looks and reviews featuring Illamasqua products!
Left: Light Liquid Foundation 105
Right: Rich Liquid Foundation 135
Creme Blush in Rude
Powder Eyeshadow in Vapour
Left: without base
Right: with base (Urban Decay Primer Potion)
Top: Sheer Lipgloss in Torture
Bottom: Intense Lipgloss in Absorb
Liner in Cane
Glosses on my actual lips (both me, the difference in skin tone is just different lighting!)
Top: Absorb, Bottom: Torture
Left: Light Liquid Foundation 105
Right: Rich Liquid Foundation 135
Creme Blush in Rude
Powder Eyeshadow in Vapour
Left: without base
Right: with base (Urban Decay Primer Potion)
Top: Sheer Lipgloss in Torture
Bottom: Intense Lipgloss in Absorb
Liner in Cane
Glosses on my actual lips (both me, the difference in skin tone is just different lighting!)
Top: Absorb, Bottom: Torture
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Quick Tip: Making Fragrance Last
One of the biggest atrocities in the fragrance world is finding a scent you love, dropping a quarter of your paycheck on it, and then discovering that after an hour of wear, the scent you covet is no more.
Though you may have thought it a lame sales pitch, wearing a coordinating lotion underneath your fragrance actually does help to make it last longer. Obviously, the matching lotion will be comprised of some of the same fragrance oils as the perfume, which will intensify the scent.
What the sales person may not tell you is that an unscented body lotion can be just as effective. The aroma of a fragrance is carried in oils, which are attracted to other oils- including those in your skin. Enhancing your skin's natural oils with body lotion gives the perfume something more to bond with, thus the scent will hang around a bit longer.
Though you may have thought it a lame sales pitch, wearing a coordinating lotion underneath your fragrance actually does help to make it last longer. Obviously, the matching lotion will be comprised of some of the same fragrance oils as the perfume, which will intensify the scent.
What the sales person may not tell you is that an unscented body lotion can be just as effective. The aroma of a fragrance is carried in oils, which are attracted to other oils- including those in your skin. Enhancing your skin's natural oils with body lotion gives the perfume something more to bond with, thus the scent will hang around a bit longer.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Beauty Buzz Words: Fragrance Notes
In preparation for an upcoming post on my favorite fragrances, I though it might be helpful to do a quick primer on some of the terms that are often thrown about in the fragrance industry. There are a ton, so for today we'll start with a few that are used in every fragrance description under the sun: Notes.
Just like music notes, the "notes" of a fragrance are the individual scents that combine to make the final fragrance. They appear in different intensities and last for different amounts of time, which is why a fragrance will smell different when you first apply it then it will at the end of the day. The "notes" of a fragrance are separated into 3 main categories; Top Notes, Middle Notes, and Base Notes.
Top notes are the first thing you smell when you spritz on a scent. The top notes of a fragrance are the most fleeting, they begin to fade away immediately and are completely dissolved within the first hour or so. Top notes are usually the fruity, fresh or bright floral counterparts to a fragrance.
Middle notes, also called Heart notes, are the longer wearing "body" of a fragrance. They are typically richer floral, herbal or spicy scents that are noticeable right away, though they do intensify as the top notes fade. The heart notes of a fragrance can last several hours and, in combination with the base notes, will give the most honest impression of a fragrance.
Base notes are what a fragrance is "built" upon. Though occasionally they are noticible when you first apply the scent, typically they do not emerge for several hours. Since these notes are the longest wearing (and the ones most likely to linger on your scarf for days afterward) it is important to decide whether you like a fragrance's base notes before you purchase it. Woody accords like Sandalwood, Patchouli and Vetiver (which is actually a grass) are common base notes in both men's and women's fragrances.
Just like music notes, the "notes" of a fragrance are the individual scents that combine to make the final fragrance. They appear in different intensities and last for different amounts of time, which is why a fragrance will smell different when you first apply it then it will at the end of the day. The "notes" of a fragrance are separated into 3 main categories; Top Notes, Middle Notes, and Base Notes.
Top notes are the first thing you smell when you spritz on a scent. The top notes of a fragrance are the most fleeting, they begin to fade away immediately and are completely dissolved within the first hour or so. Top notes are usually the fruity, fresh or bright floral counterparts to a fragrance.
Middle notes, also called Heart notes, are the longer wearing "body" of a fragrance. They are typically richer floral, herbal or spicy scents that are noticeable right away, though they do intensify as the top notes fade. The heart notes of a fragrance can last several hours and, in combination with the base notes, will give the most honest impression of a fragrance.
Base notes are what a fragrance is "built" upon. Though occasionally they are noticible when you first apply the scent, typically they do not emerge for several hours. Since these notes are the longest wearing (and the ones most likely to linger on your scarf for days afterward) it is important to decide whether you like a fragrance's base notes before you purchase it. Woody accords like Sandalwood, Patchouli and Vetiver (which is actually a grass) are common base notes in both men's and women's fragrances.
This Week's Sales:
Lancome, Perricone MD and Tricomi
Though it's a rather quiet week in the land of beauty sales, there are still some good deals to be had. This Tuesday, July 28th, Gilt Groupe will be featuring Warren Tricomi Haircare followed by Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals on Wednesday, July 29th.
Over at Hautelook, Lancome's Captivating Nights collection will be featured on Tuesday, July 28th. This marks the first time I can remember finding one of the "big three" lines on sale- you'll never see it happen at the department store counter, so don't miss out!
Since these sales are by invitation only, I've attached yours here- you can join any site and visit the sale (all for free) just by clicking on the name of the site! As always, I do my best to list all of the sales that I know of, but since they are subject to change at any time, make sure you're following e on Twitter for the most up to date sales and invites.
Over at Hautelook, Lancome's Captivating Nights collection will be featured on Tuesday, July 28th. This marks the first time I can remember finding one of the "big three" lines on sale- you'll never see it happen at the department store counter, so don't miss out!
Since these sales are by invitation only, I've attached yours here- you can join any site and visit the sale (all for free) just by clicking on the name of the site! As always, I do my best to list all of the sales that I know of, but since they are subject to change at any time, make sure you're following e on Twitter for the most up to date sales and invites.
Monday, July 20, 2009
This Week's Sales:
More Stila, Korres, Davies Gate and More!
If you missed your chance to snag some Stila deals last week, you've been granted a reprieve. Run on over to Gilt Groupe today, July 20th. Sale starts at noon!
Also on Monday, Hautelook will feature luxe fragrances, body care and more by Mor Cosmetics, and Freeze 24.7 on Tuesday, July 21st, followed by Greek import Korres on Thursday the 23rd. All sales start at 11AM EDT.
Rounding out the week, check out Billion Dollar Babes' double feature, starring Pangea Organics and Davies Gate. Both sales start this Wednesday, July 22nd.
Since these sales are by invitation only, I've attached yours here- you can join any site and visit the sale (all for free) just by clicking on the name of the site! As always, I do my best to list all of the sales that I know of, but since they are subject to change at any time, make sure you're following me on Twitter for the most up to date sales and invites!
Also on Monday, Hautelook will feature luxe fragrances, body care and more by Mor Cosmetics, and Freeze 24.7 on Tuesday, July 21st, followed by Greek import Korres on Thursday the 23rd. All sales start at 11AM EDT.
Rounding out the week, check out Billion Dollar Babes' double feature, starring Pangea Organics and Davies Gate. Both sales start this Wednesday, July 22nd.
Since these sales are by invitation only, I've attached yours here- you can join any site and visit the sale (all for free) just by clicking on the name of the site! As always, I do my best to list all of the sales that I know of, but since they are subject to change at any time, make sure you're following me on Twitter for the most up to date sales and invites!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
