Friday, June 29, 2012

MAC Star Wonder Mineralize Skinfinish from Heavenly Creatures


Heavenly Creatures  has got some pretty nice  Mineralize blends going on. While Mineralize eye shadows are hit or miss with me I love , like so many of us, the Mineralize Skinfinishes.   New is this little pretty called Star Wonder . 

MAC's official description is  plummy pink with multidimensional pearl. I find it to be more pink with gold pearl. My swatch next to the picture isn't too easy to see but gives you an idea. This is sheer like most Mineralizes, but  packs good pigment and most will be able to use it as a blush. That's what I plan on doing. Think of it as a shimmery golden pink with hints of plum.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15- Miami Collection


 We first saw Bobbi Brown's Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 years ago. They were  richly pigmented, creamy lipsticks with SPF 15. You can see  the original post   here

These  lippies  make a return in the Miami collection and even  better this time, are  sheerer, slightly shimmery  and in 4 perfect for summer colors.

They still have the cocoa and shea butter formula, along with jojoba , apricot kernel and avocado oils for serious moisture as well as peptides and Vitamin C.  The formula means they are not super long lasting, but that's the norm with most moisturizing lipsticks.


The 4 new colors are  as shown: Sunset Beach,  Peach Sorbet, Orchid Pink and Pink Seashell.

Being a bronze and peach person , especially in summer, Sunset and Peach Sorbet are my favorites with Sunset  being one  of the lipsticks I reach for often. Sunset is a medium, shimmery bronze and  just gives a nice golden glow. In other words, it's all me. Peach Sorbet is a  light peach that warms you up a little.

The searing sun we've had lately has made the moisture from these welcome too. With the added SPF we need , they are a win win.

Find them now at all Bobbi Brown outlets for $ 23.00 . They are LE.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Bombay Express De Chanel & Diwali Nail Polish Available Now


Bombay Express De Chanel , the makeup collection inspired by the most recent
Metiers d' Art show, Paris- Bombay, is now available exclusively at www.chanel.com


The collection  includes new nail polish Diwali, describes as a mix of pale gold and silver.



Show photo: style.com


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Melvita Moisture Replenishing Facial Gel



Want good basic, but not that basic , natural skincare? Melvita might be for you.

Melvita is a top French organic beauty company and most products are  EcoCert certified. Honey plays a big role in much of their line ( they even have delicious honey hard candies)  as the company was founded by a beekeeper in 1983.

New  though, is a line based on rose,one of my favorite things.  They have have  made the Rose Nectar Collection using a blend of many of the rose's extracts including rose hip oil and rose enfleurage.

All this means it's rather nice for your skin and a bonus, it smells lovely too.

I tried the Moisture Replenishing Facial Gel as it's geared towards normal to combo skin and that's me. It's a nice lightweight, refreshing  formula that is exactly what it says- a gel cream. It looks like cream , goes on like gel.  It has rice powder to help mattify  with rose floral water ( long known to be very good for skin) and rose seed milk for moisture.

It comes in a nice pump container to keep out contamination and is meant to be a  day cream.

The Replenishing Facial Gel has 99 % of ingredients as natural origin , 36 % from organic farming and is ECOCERT certified.  Retail is $ 37.00

Overall, Melvita seems to be a nicely priced, and nicely done natural skincare line .    Within the Rose Nectar line there are cleansers- creamy and micellar, as well as night cream and  drier skin day cream.

Find them at www.usa.melvita.com  and at their US stores in San Franciso, Newport Beach, CA and Seattle.

Monday, June 25, 2012

My Tweets in Allure Magazine




I made into Allure magazine this month. On the mail page. No it's not an editorial but it's still in the magazine , so I'm excited. They picked up my tweets about  Frederic Malle's perfume article in the May issue. He did a lovely article dissecting some  of the notes you see in perfume . As my tweets said, this is not something you see addressed  too often and it was  a great primer. 

So here is my bit .  I almost always read the mail sections  in mags.  I hope you do. You never know who might turn up. Also a pic of the article itself if you missed it.



Sunday, June 24, 2012

Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester 15

Bright skin is always good, right ? If you have melasma ( brown spots) or  just general dulling of skin , you  look for something to help  skin back into shape. In summer  especially, with the sun beating down, we need to protect and correct.

I like Vitamin C products in general, and if you get a  good one they do work on brightening and lightening. They are great for summer  and after sun exposure to help repair any damage and add antioxidants . Newest is Perricone MD  Vitamin C Ester 15 and it is a good one.

You get 4 tubes of the product, which is great since Vitamin C is not stable when exposed to light  and these individual tubes keep the light and air  out  ensuring long term stability.

I got one tube to test  and while  the company states that each tube would last a week, I'm well into week 2 with mine with a nice bit left. I don't use it on my T Zone so that may be part of it but it seems to me there is more than a week's worth in the tube and that's great.

In my test  period I've been quite happy. There hasn't been a huge difference but a subtle one. And I know that  brightening takes time, a good bit of time. But  my skin  has more clarity and glow and some spots have been beaten back a little. It's got a lot of firming action going on too. Firming you can see.

The formula is nice and  creamy but not heavy, with light moisture. Just enough for my oily skin but if you are dry you might need  to layer night cream over it. It sinks in fast and you do not need  a lot.

According to Perricone MD, the chief  ingredient, Vitamin C Ester , comes in at  15 %  which is the "highest concentration in any anti- aging treatment ." They also tell us  " Vitamin C  Ester is a fusion of Vitamin C with a fatty acid derived from palm oil."

I'd be happy to use this all summer  with it's just right feel and high Vitamin C percentage.


 Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester 15 is $ 120.00 for 4  10 ml tubes and available at www.sephora.com and Sephora stores.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Lia Sophia Empress Necklace


One of the favorite things I saw last fashion week ( yes I saw this all the way back in February and am writing about it only now ) was this necklace from Lia Sophia , The Empress. 

I didn't get to try it on as it was in a case , but all these months later, I still want it. I did manage to snap a not so great pic.


I love that it's a little retro and reminds me of a vintage piece from the '60s  plus the coral/peach colors are just so pretty .  Since I seem to have a shortage , and I use that term loosely, of long necklaces, the 36 " length is  appealing also.

You can check it out at www.liasophia.com for $ 98.00

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Simply Vera Wang Skin Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer



A couple weeks ago a friend showed me the new Simply Vera Tinted Moisturizer. With the proliferation of some great BBs and only liking a few TMs in general in the past, I have to say I was impressed with the quick look I gave it. Said friend is also a makeup nut and doesn't and wouldn't use anything that didn't get the job done. She's not strictly high end but she is picky.

I now have my own to really test drive and I continue to be impressed. The quality here is tops, but it is, like Flirt and American Beauty at Kohl's, made by Estee Lauder. Those other lines are good and there is no skimping here  in the several products I've tried.   Simply Vera Cosmetics are comparable to higher end brands but exclusive to Kohl's .


The Skin Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer is  thicker  than many tinted moisturizers I've tried before and gives you slightly more than light coverage. It also helps to perfect skin . You get skin that looks better, is smoothed and is well moisturized.  Coverage is good for a TM  and is buildable. So it's easily worn on it's own or can be a great base for foundation.  It also lasts quite well. Today's test run happened in 95 degree heat and it stayed put in areas that were not the T Zone most of the day. (Remember I am oily ).

The moisture content here is pretty high. It doesn't feel sticky  on skin nor is it greasy in any way but you know the moisture is there. Ingredients include Jojoba Seed Oil and Sodium Hyaluronate So this is better for normal to dry skin.  Those types will suck up the moisture and love the finish.  The only thing missing here, is SPF, typically used in TMs.

The shade shown is 101 which is the lightest. It's not super pale  but goes on  lighter than it looks.  My friend is ghost white and she uses this shade  and it works on me and I am semi- pale.

Retail is $ 39.50 so it is priced in the same ballpark as many high end brands. Being at Kohl's though, means  you can use any coupons you have.  If you get a  20 or 30% coupon, it's eligible on cosmetics.  www.kohls.com

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Airbrushed Pressed Powder SPF 30



This new Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Airbrushing Pressed Powder with SPF  was featured in my  summer oily skin top picks  post, but I loved it so much I thought it deserved it's own post.

I love powders and a powder with SPF is a must. Despite this I have never tried any of Physicians Formula ones in the past. I have used  others that I loved , these were all sheer and invisible basically. Nothing wrong with that but  for variety and because I love the finish powder  gives you, this new one is a total win because it leaves behind a perfected , flawless  finish. It looks so good. I didn't expect that.

Over makeup, it perfects , smooths and gives light coverage  , on bare skin it has a little coverage and a nice , slightly more than sheer finish. So it can be worn either way. I use it over my makeup in the AM to perfect and add an extra layer of SPF and  again later in the day  if I need a touch up  . When it's hot  you, or at least I, usually have some makeup melt and this makes up for the SPF loss over the day as well as a  retoucher   .

The compact comes with a flat kabuki brush in the lower compartment but I prefer a pouf  or my larger kabuki buffing brush.

Mineral Wear feels super light on skin , doesn't feel or look cakey and  is talc free with 15% Titanium Dioxide and 10% Zinc Oxide for solid sun protection .

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30 comes in 3 shades: Translucent, Creamy Natural and Natural Beige. Mine shown  is Translucent ( It looks darker in the compact than it  goes on. )

Retail is $ 13.95


Ruffian Manicure Spectator


As I just tweeted , Ruffian Manicure  Spectator is spectacular. I had no idea exactly   what to expect with these besides that they looked uber cool  and I am thrilled with how fun they are. I haven't  gotten them on my nails beyond a quick stick on one  but I'll update with more photos on nails later hopefully.

In my super quick test, I can say it stuck really well but came off easily.

I haven't worn press on nails in forever and a day but I think these will be very, very fun. Oh and they come in a nice box too.  There are 2 layers of nails, 24 in all.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Dior Fall 2012 Golden Jungle /Golden Jungle Palette



It's time for fall collections, I know , I know. But seasonally that's how it is. Dior is always one of the most anticipated I think, and each season they give us a fabulous new palette to ogle.


This Fall it's Golden Jungle, the palette  #002  and the collection. The palette is a beauty with a trio of eyeshadows and a lipgloss  in the Dior  heavy silver case.


The three shadows are matte ( deep brown) , pearl ( medium brown) and iridescent ( ivory ). The  sparkle sheen on the ivory section is an overspray. The lipgloss is a golden beige and sheer with slight shimmer.

The jungle motif is a long standing one within  Dior's history and this , according to Dior , is a modern take on it .  Works for me. I love leopard , don't you ?


The whole collection revolves around golds and bronzes including eye palettes and nail lacquers.

 Look for Golden Jungle on counter  most likely in late August.


The full list including various store availability:
-Dior Golden Jungle Palette in Golden Browns #002 $70.00

-Dior 5-Couleurs Designer in Khaki Design #308 $59.00

-Dior 5-Couleurs Eyeshadow in Golden Savannah #774 (Not at Sephora) $59.00

-Dior Addict Lipstick in Wild #646 (Not at Sephora) $30.00

-Dior Addict Lipstick in Daring #962 (Not at Sephora) $30.00

-Dior Vernis in Golden Light #207 (Not at Sephora) $23.00

-Dior Vernis in Amazonia #605 $23.00

-Dior Vernis in Bengale #615 (Neiman Marcus Exclusive) $23.00


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Grandoe Smart Dogs Uplift Summer Flip Flops/Slippers


Grandoe calls these new Uplift from Smart Dogs slippers but I prefer flip flops. 

These go outside with a durable bottom, one that is made to to abosrb shock as you walk,  so they are more than a  basic slipper.  They do have a high comfort factor though. The sole is pretty flat but cushioned and has that little gel pad  at the heel for extra comfort.


They also have a mesh footbed that's antibacterial and  keeps air around your feet  for cooling.

I have been wearing mine constantly . They've been comfy for every day wear around the house and outside.  They are cute if not the most fashionable, but I like the padding that keeps my feet  feeling good. And I love the black / pink blend.  They run true to size and the straps will stretch a little but not too much.


Uplift comes in 4 colorways  in neon/ neoprene , sizes 6-10 and are $ 45 at www.smartdogscomfort.com . Thru July 31st  use code SUMMER12 and get 15 % off.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Laura Mercier Cinema Noir Fall 2012 Nail Lacquers

Cinema Noir is the Laura Mercier Fall Line. There are 3 neutral nail lacquers  as part of the look.



Colors are Cocoa Suede, Organza and Nude Silk. They will be available in July for $ 18.00

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Erno Laszlo Blue Firmarine SPF 30



With the summer sun beating down we need to always think SPF with our skincare.Whether it's under our skin products or included it should be there.

Erno Laszlo, in addition to their amazing Blue Firmarine Gel ( a summer staple for me,  if you have oily skin you need to check it out, previous review here), has  Blue Firmarine SPF 30 Day Cream.

The SPF 30   makes this a great summer choice. It's got the softest lush feel when you apply it and is moisturizing but not heavy. It just glides into skin and  has Spirulina Maxima ,  a fresh water micro algae,  loaded with vitamins, minerals  and antioxidants to help firm, smooth and hydrate skin.

As  mentioned in my earlier reviews, there is also the gorgeous packaging. This is one jar that can be decorative without even needing to be a great product. Nice that it's both.

$ 195.00 at www.ernolaszlo.com

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Oily Skin Beat The Summer Heat Round Up


 It's hot out there . At least it is here and from the maps, it looks pretty warm everywhere. For us oily skinned ladies , summer brings a special set of issues .  I not only have oily skin but perspire, a lot and easily. All this makes it hard to keep makeup and SPF on the face. How do you keep  continually protected from the sun when your oily nose is sweaty ? But I have learned through many products tests what works  , at least for me .

  I also , as I've mentioned a few hundred times , can melt most makeup, mainly eye makeup. I've frustrated more than one makeup artist who rattle off the list of long wear products and throw up their hands  when I say, nope, doesn't work. Take  Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes  Cream Shadow, which they use on underwater performers in France. On me it lasts  maybe an hour. I do  have better luck with other products  you'll see those  below.


So I decided to compile  here a list of all my top get through summer heat products. SPF that won't break you out  and how to touch up through the day over makeup. Foundations that will stand up to the oil , mascaras that will go for a swim.  Many are products I've reviewed in the past so there's link to the main post for reference.


Mattyfying/Oil free SPF-  There are more choice than you might think and have high SPF . Shiseido's new Urban Environment Oil Free UV Protector  mattes, feels invisible on skin and holds up well. Skinceutical's Physical Fusion also is light on skin but with a  tiny bit more slip than Shiseido. It uses physical blockers and is water/sweat resistant. Clarins UV Plus HP has a little moisture but does fine on me even in the T Zone so it's very minimal moisture. If your skin is the oiliest, then this may or may not work. Chanel UV Essentiel - this has oil in it  but  it mattes, is  light and has not broken me out or made me get extra shine.  And La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral 50, which is  super sheer, mattes and is water resistant.


SPF for touch ups- This is where you need powder sunscreen. You can dust it on over your makeup to make up for what's been sweated/oiled off without messing things up more . Most are light  and  don't add cakiness. Peter Thomas Roth's Instant Mineral SPF 30  is totally invisible on and   Physicians Formula has a new Mineral Wear Airbrushed Pressed Powder SPF 30 that gives light coverage and a flawless finish. It fills in pores and has antioxidants  along with that high SPF and comes in translucent ( shown) and 2 shades.  Different powders but excellent sun protection depending on your needs.

Matte Foundations- This year has seen a boon in new matte foundations. We needed that. Coupled with a few great long wear ones from a year or two ago and there are many choices that will keep your skin looking shine free but not overdone, caked  nor will  they settle into lines. These leave skin fresh but fully covered and feel light as air in most cases.  Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder , Lancome Teint Idole Ultra  24 Hr, YSL Teint Resist Long Wear  , Dior Diorskin Forever ( especially the powder version) are my top favorites.

Eye Shadow- MAC pigments , MAC Fluidlines, Sephora Flashy Eyeliner Waterproof  Make Up For Ever Aqua liquid liner, MAC Paints and Sephora Jumbo Liner 12 Hr Waterproof   are the products that  do not budge on me, and get past my makeup melt most of the time.  Maybelline  Color Tattoo and new Smashbox 15hr Limitless Eye Shadow and Urban Decay 24/7 pencils  do well too. 

Mascara-  Cover Girl ( any, they are all truly smudgeproof), MAC's new Extended Play and Opulash,  L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes  are ones I use  year round not just in summer.   Mostly waterproof is what you need but these are what I've tested on me that are  budge proof.


Anti-aging Night Serums/Gels-  If you're oily you want light moisture and you want anti- aging but without heavy creams that will only make you greasier. Two favorites are Erno Laszlo Blue Firmarine Night Gel which tightens skin, feels cool and uses Spirulina Maxima for collagen building and Yes To Blueberries Intensive Skin Repair Serum. Lightweight but packed with antioxidants.

That's my rather exhaustive list. Feel free to weigh in with your tips.


Beach image: Palm Beach, Barbuda via Travel &Leisure

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Total Beauty's June Box


Total Beauty's June beauty box will be available June 18th.

It will include  5 deluxe samples from Murad, Zents and Skindinavia. Two bonus products are  fragrance vials from Zents and a $15 Sole Society gift card.

If you want to buy or get a reminder email when it's available click over here:
www.TotalBeauty.com/Collection

Also you can hit up their Facebook page for a chance to win a  free   ultra beauty box .

Monday, June 11, 2012

MAC Ruffian Nails & Lips




Here are the official images of the MAC x Ruffian Collection. Included is Ruffian Red, which was  a very limited release  a few years back. You can see a pic of my original lippie in this post.  Also is a brand new MAC product- press on manicures. Cannot wait to try these.  I haven't used press on nails since high school and I have a feeling these might be a little different.

Ruffian will be online only from June 18th to July 16th .


Lipsticks $ 14.50

-Ruffian Naked - pale peachy nude
-Ruffian Gold- gold glitter metallic
-Ruffian Red- rich blue red



Nails $ 25.00
-Spectator
-Demilune
-Demoiselle


Smashbox Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Eyeshadow


 Need a new long wear shadow for summer ? Smashbox gives us Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow.  They say it's transer, sweat and humidity resistant. Sign me up.

I've talked  many times about my eye makeup melt, so if something claims what these do I am all in to try them.  The good news is they've worked really well. I have super oily eyelids and to  put these to the acid test as I like to call it, I wore Riches today outside this weekend while I did various things in the yard. In 95 degree heat. I used no  foundation  as a base or  any primer and after a couple hours , there was still a good bit of shadow left. 4 hours later , still there. Yes it had faded a little , but this wasn't what I would call normal wear.  Normally I wouldn't and you might not be either, wearing them for outside activities , so the long wear claim here is good. I can't say it'll be 15 hours, but then again few could say that despite their names.


I am loving Riches and Fern. Riches is a peachy gold with a lot of shimmer. Not all  peach and not orange, so very wearable. Fern is a very deep hunter green. It has a small amount of shimmer but looks pretty satin on and makes a great smoky eye base.

The formula is creamy but not mushy soft and they blend easily. Cream shadows are among the easiest to use and are summer perfect.

 Limitless Shadows come in 12 shades ranging from purples to neutrals.
$ 19 at www.smashbox.com and www.sephora.com


Sunday, June 10, 2012

L'Oreal Healthy Look Hair Color Census & Coupon


L'Oreal in conjunction with their Healthy Look Creme Gloss hair color  has a   fun new promotion. They want to know all about your hair and are taking a "hair census".  You get to stand up for your shade (I'm  red , but natural ). After you take the census you'll be able to get a coupon for the haircolor as well.

There is also a contest  to win a year's worth of free haircolor if you upload before and after pics.


Here are all the details per L'Oreal :


· Taking the Hair Color Census – Stand up for your shade by answering a short series of questions. In the coming months, L’Oréal Paris will reveal the findings and set the record straight! Find out which hair color group is deemed to be the wildest, the most trust-worthy and what else (besides at-home hair color!) everyone wishes could be achieved in 10 minutes …


· Enhancing Your Facebook Page – Just like natural hair color can always use a little boost, so can our Facebook photos! Add some glamour to your “social” life thanks to tools for creating customized cover photos, wallpaper and poster images, including editing options for adding a touch of sparkle and cool quotes/artwork to celebrate your hair shade (i.e. Life is Better Blonde).


· Experiencing Shade Inspiration AND Entering to Win – Upload “Before & After” images of your Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color experience for a chance to win a year’s worth of FREE hair color. Plus, check out the “Who’s Turned It Up?” image gallery for hair color inspiration and find the Healthy Look Crème Gloss shade that’s right for you. Bonus: a downloadable $2-off coupon is the perfect excuse to get coloring.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Bath and Body Works for Dad Gift Set

If you haven't tried them , Bath and Body Work's men's scents are really nice.  The colognes are some of the best you'll find at that price level and smell as good as many pricier ones. There are matching shower gels and body sprays as well and for Father's Day they've got this nice gift set that will have Dad set for awhile.

Featuring 3 full size shower gels in a dopp kit bag , it's $ 25.00.

Here's my previous look at some of the men's line .

PS- word is that the semi annual sale hits June 13th.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Curations by Stefani Greenfield Fragrance


Curations by Stefani Greenfield has been a big part of the HSN line up for years. Now Ms. Greenfield is heading into the fragrance world with the creation of her first fragrance named Curations with Stefani Greenfield.

It will make it's debut on HSN June 19th and have a special launch price of $ 48.00 for a 1.7 oz bottle. After the launch it will be $ 54.00

I haven't tried the scent yet so can't give my impressions but the note list is:

Top: Apricot Blossom, Mandarin, Carnation
Middle: Freesia, Neroli, Iris
Bottom: Patchouli, Sandalwood , Amber

There is also Blackcurrant mentioned in the description but  not the note list. According to Curations: "Bright notes of apricot blossom and mandarin sparkle with the richness of black currant." And " A voluptuous heart of hypnotic florals where rose, freesia, neroli and iris intermingle.

What's most interesting to me is the carnation. You don't see too many fragrances with that ,  which tends to add a spicy note.  Carnation along with the Iris gives this some potential.

www.HSN.com

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Father's Day Fragrance Guide


Father's Day is not too far away , and while I wonder how did we get to be almost  in mid June already, I thought it was a good time to highlight some great new men's fragrances along with a  couple old favorites. Dad needs to smell good too , right ? And the theory is, if you give, they will wear it. 



Dolce and Gabbana The One Sport -  A companion to DG's The One this is a light herbal scent with rosemary and cardamom along with sequoia wood,  patchouli and musk . It starts off fresh and ends up as a deeper musky fragrance with the patchouli being fairly predominant and a hint of the cool cardamom.  This one gets bonus points for coming in the harder to find After Shave as well as After Shave Balm and Deodorant. Makes it easy  to put together a nice grooming and fragrance gift for dad.  At Sephora, Macys and more.


The One Sport Eau de Toilette 30ml $45

The One Sport After Shave Lotion 100ml $49





Lacoste - Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Rouge - A new addition to the L.12.12 collection Rouge is zesty with a citrusy opening that blooms with light spices and then a little bit of sweetness  that must come from the iced tea, which I found really nice.  Other notes include Madagascan black pepper, Indian ginger and Guatemalan cardamom . 

If your guy/Dad loves Lacoste there are 3 other "colors" in this line ,  Blanc, Bleu and Vert  with the Blanc being another favorite that's as crisp ands fresh as it's name implies.  Both Blanc and Rouge are what you'd expect of a sporty brand  like Lacoste- refreshing, light and not overdone.



$62 at sephora and www.lacoste.com






Ralph Lauren Polo Double Black- My dad is a Polo guy, not the game, the scent. While I have introduced him to many more that he likes a lot , the original Polo will always be a top choice. Most men I think gravitate towards Ralph Lauren frags and  my favorite is Double Black. It's an odd name but a great scent. Woodsy and rich with an espresso note that gives it a smoky feel and blends beautifully with the cardamom.  Vetiver  and nutmeg are also in there to make it feel like a rich chai.  This one is very masculine and  more of an a evening scent .


2.5 oz is  $58 at Sephora , Macys , www.polo.com








Chanel Bleu de Chanel- While this  doesn't get a lot of love from perfumistas,  this is another older one that my Dad loves.  He has it in the after shave and reminds me often that the bottle is getting low. It's very light with a lot of vetiver , cedar and a little citrus. My previous review here . Available at all Chanel counters.

Will you be buying the Dad in your life fragrance ? What are your favorites?