Chloe Nomade Absolu EDP

New from Chloe is  Nomade Absolu de Parfum. I wasn't overly into the original version. It was well done but not really me. This new version is a different story.

 Nomade Absolu is stronger ,deeper and amps up the oakmoss and florals. It's somewhat old school but done in a modern way. Freesia ,a soft rose and davana are the floral notes . They are there right off and then  sandalwood and a good bit of warm musk bring the drydown with a little of those florals still there mixing in. 

Absolus is  a little chypre and a little woodsy. It's also a warm and cozy scent but also sophisticated. Perfect for scarf and sweater weather as it will hold up to the layers  with lasting power and  good sillage . 

Chloe Nomade Absolu is $ 84 for 1 oz, $ 155 for 1.7 oz and $ 142 for 2.5 oz at Sephora , Macys and more. 

Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength Retinoid Peptide Serum

 
For me, I think of Winter as whip skin in shape season. Not that I 'm not always caring for it but  I can hit the harder stuff now without worrying about as much sun exposure interaction, sweat and extra oiliness . Perfect for this new high powered serum from Peter Thomas Roth.

Pro Strengh Retinoid Peptide Serum packs 10% granactive retinoid and 5 % hexapeptide complex. Me, I'm here for the retinol .While I've tried many retinol products in the past this is the strongest so far although I'd been wanting to use a  super strong one .

It didn't take too long to begin to notice a difference , 10 days or so. Skin looked smoother , plumper, brightened, more clarity with a little lightening of spots . I've been using this for about 3 weeks now and I love what it's doing for my skin. I stopped for almost a week, not because of any issues but just using other things , busy etc. and within a few days I noticed the difference. I looked more dull.

My skin tolerates strong actives well so I haven't had any irritiation or super dryness with this. My skin just gets a little drier. It's normal/oily so over drying right now isn't a problem. I haven't used it every night in a row. Sometimes 2-3 nights then off for a day, sometimes 2 nights then off.  The off nights I'll use a moisturizing serum or cream and  I do use a hydrating creamy moisturizer with SPF during the day.  It does have squalene and a lipid complex to help moisturize some and the thin liquid does have a little slip to it before it sets into skin ( that doesn't take long, btw ).  Also, you use a dropper and you do not need a lot. As I said it's thin with slip so use sparingly.

Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength Retinoid Peptide Serum is $ 110 for 1 oz 

Gucci Bloom Ambrosia Di Fiori

Gucci  Bloom Ambrosia Fiori is the new flanker scent in the Gucci Flora line. They've all been lovely and this new one adds iris to the tuberose of the earlier versions. 

The iris shows up here that Ambrosia Di Fiori is drier and powdery but I wouldn't call it an iris scent. The tuberose is still there and on the green side.  Actually the whole fragrance leans just a little earthy herbal but is still very  white floral with jasmine and also a soft soft rose hiding in there. I gave this bottle to a friend and she said it really reminded her of an older scent and after some guessing , she landed on Giorgio  from the 80s. It's not quite that loud but there is a similarity and also I should note this smelled far more tuberose and less green on her than it did I. 

The longevity here is serious . Next day longevity with lots of sillage. It's not super strong but not shy and light either. A sweater weather Bloom.

They've gone to a lacquer red bottle this time ,something we're seeing more of in newer releases and I like it. The front sticker is well just a sticker and close up lessens the pretty bottle look though but the red is still a stand out color and look. 

Gucci  Bloom Ambrosia Di Fiori is $ 145 for 3.3 oz,  $ 107 for 1.6 oz and $ 34 for a .25 oz rollerball at Sephora , Macys and more. 

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L'Occitane Honey Harvest Shea Ultra Soft Cream

Winter time is time to stock up on the heavy duty body moisturizers and they don't get much better than the shea butter packed ones from L'Occitane.

New this year is Honey Harvest and it's become a favorite here. As the name says this one is so soft and easily absorbed so no heavy feel or greasy residue. But it also works to get skin feeling soft and moisturized .

The texture is whipped and mousse like with 10% shea butter and a light honeyed fragrance. It's just there and as honey as a scent isn't always to my taste or nose, this one is just right. Comforting and cozy but nothing you'll notice unless you're up close.

They still also have their original Ultra Rich  cream with 25 % shea butter and the new Festive Garden Ultra Light version with a floral scent and 5 % shea butter.

All three come in a tin ( shown) and a larger tub. Sales are online now too for various products and sets.

At L'Occitane.com