Thursday, April 28, 2016

Softsoap Pure Foaming Hand Soap


Looking for a clean , fresh minimalist looking hand soap for Spring?

Softsoap Pure Foaming Hand Soap comes in Lemongrass and Fresh in a clear , foaming formula.  They have 100% natural fragrances and are dye and alcohol free. 

Both have a nice citrus scent with Lemongrass being a bit more lemon while Fresh is a crisper scent. Both seem very right for this time of year when we're opening windows and freshening up our rooms/houses. 


Softsoap Pure Foaming Hand Soap can be found all the usual drugstores  and groceries . Retail varies but is approx. $ 2.50.




Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Marc Jacobs Pear Splash EDT


The Marc Jacobs fragrances from a few years ago back are back. Remember those huge bottles or vats as I called them?  Now the fragrance is the same but they come in a smaller, more manageable  size , albeit for a similar price.

Rain , Cotton and Cucumber also return along with Pear .  For some reason I don't  remember Pear  but I generally like pear fragrances so this was a go. These are still more a body spray than a perfume (it's an EDT)  and with splash in the name, you get the idea.  They weren't strong nor had loads of lasting power  but I loved the fragrances anyway . It does seem though, that this iteration of Pear lasts longer than the others I had.

Pear has fruit and dry green notes at the beginning. While you get fruit, you also really get the Gin Accord and Juniper.  Then the dewy floral of freesia and musk come along.  As it dries down the musk remains along with the woods notes and some of the juniper lingering and it is far less fruity . Pear is not a sweet fragrance and has a unisex feel making it a  nice warm weather fragrance.



Full Note List:
Top:       Pear, Bergamont, Lemon Peel
Heart:    Gin Accord, Juniper, Freesia
Base:     Teakwood, Musk, Soft Amber


Marc Jacobs Splashes are  $ 62 for 3.4 exclusive to Saks  and are while supplies last. 



Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Clinique Sun Kissed Face Gelee



The sun is really shining today and tomorrow will be 80 so I'm thinking about my pale self and getting a little color. Baking in the sun isn't the best option, we all know that ,so makeup gives us a little help.

If you want to go a route other than powders , a liquid bronzer can be the answer. I generally like them and this new one from Clinique is easy to use and gives a nice bit of color but isn't super dark or orange-y.


New Sun Kissed Face Gelee is a lightweight gel that you can use alone or add to makeup. Clinique says it works best mixed in foundation but I used  right on skin and was happy with the results.  In foundation it can deepen a lighter shade just a little and give you a glow. Alone it adds that same slightly bronzed glow.

There isn't much shimmer in this and it is sheer, blending out pretty easy. It's also oil free and has no moisture. It's meant to add glow and color, not moisture.


Clinique Sun Kissed Face Gelee is $ 26.50





Monday, April 25, 2016

It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe™ You Sculpted!™ #18 Contour & Highlight Brush



It Cosmetics makes some of the most amazingly good brushes. I love going into Ulta and just running my hand over the tops of the tester displays. I love a good makeup brush and always check them out.

New is the Heavenly Luxe You Sculpted # 18 Contour and Highlight Brush. Meant to use with their also new You Sculpted Universal Contour Palette,  I love that you can buy the brush separately ( although the palette is quite nice too. )


What's different about this brush is that it doesn't have that angled cut we usually see on contour brushes. It's cut straight across  with dense , soft bristles. It's fairly flat too but works . That was my first thought, how will this shape work? It took a little getting used too but it's a great brush. One that works for contour as well as highlight as the name says.


The handle measures approx. 4 inches with the brush head coming in at 1 inch. There is also a guide included with how to's and tips on how to use.


It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe™ You Sculpted!™ #18 Contour & Highlight Brush is $ 34.50 at ItCosmetics.com 




Sunday, April 24, 2016

Cargo 20th Anniversary Lip Gloss Quad


Cargo is 20 ? It sure is and I well remember how much we all loved those big quad gloss sets from way back along with the big blush pans.  To celebrate the anniversary Cargo is releasing the lipgloss quad again . 

Through the end of the year it will be available at  CargoCosmetics.com, Ulta.com, select Kohl's Departments Stores and Kohls.com/Beauty for $ 20. 

How many of you had one of these in their stash in early 2000s, late 90's?






Thursday, April 21, 2016

Flower Beauty E.E Erase Everything Foundation




Flower Beauty calls their new foundation Ultimate and they aren't wrong. The new E.E Erase Everything Ultimate Foundation is so good.

Erase Everything smooth and fills in pores and  has a soft focus look thanks to light diffusing pigments. The   coverage  is semi sheer and buildable with a  non dry , soft matte finish.  I loved how well it sank into pores especially. I've been having issues with that lately. My large pores seem bigger than ever ( possibly thanks to my new magnifying mirror, yikes) and this filled them in right off and stayed that way.


The wear time was fabulous. Applied at 8AM by 5PM it still looked  good. A couple hours later, it was still pretty good, far better than most foundations I use and love. I did do a touch up with powder at the T Zone at lunchtime and a little under eye work but that was it. The nose had some breakdown thanks to all the oil. Nothing new there.

Flower says it's lightly hydrating and I can say it isn't a chalky or dry matte . It feels light and easy on skin.

 The foundation comes in a tube with an attached brush for application. The formula is on the thicker side but is very creamy and blends. I still used my fingers mostly but the brush works well too. It's preference.

Flower Beauty  E.E Erase Everything Foundation comes in four shades  Sheer Tint, Porcelain Tint, Ivory Tint, Buff Tint, Honey Tint ( Ivory Tint shown)
and is $ 12.98 at Walmart and Walmart.com






Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Avalon Organics Intense Defense SPF Cream, Facial Oil & Cleansing Wipes



Avalon Organics has always made some great products and that they are mostly organic and natural is a big bonus. Natural is great but you want a good product as well.

New is an entire line called Intense Defense. Some products have been part of their brand before but some are all new.


Intense Defense Sheer Moisture SPF 10 is  light moisturizer with a little physical SPF built in to add to skin protection. The cream itself is pretty thick and white and goes on that way . Once on skin however it sinks in.blends pretty quickly and does not feel greasy.  Hydrating ingredients include aloe leaf juice, argan oil, shea butter and rosa canina seed oil. Antioxidants include black tea ferment, white tea and vitamin C while zinc and titanium dioxide provide the SPF. $ 18.99

Intense Defense Antioxidant Oil packs apricot, argan and raspberry seed oils along with sunflower seed oil, white tea and vitamin C. The Argan and Sunflower seed oils are certified organic. It has a great citrus scent and is highly emollient. $ 18.99


Intense Defense Detoxifying Towelettes  get skin clean with botanical cleansers and are biodegradable ( even wonder what happens to all the wipes we use and then trash ??)  They contain antioxidants and clean well but are not overly hydrating, if that matters to you.  $ 6.99

You can find all Avalon Organics at Whole Foods Markets, AvalonOrganics.com and select Walgreens, Rite Aids and Target.


*Something good to know about Avalon Organics- All products are certified to the NSF/ANSI 305 Standard for Personal Care Products Made with Organic Ingredients. They are biodegradable and free from GMOs, parabens, harsh preservatives, synthetic colors or fragrances, phthalates, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate and animal testing.





Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Obsession Summer Calvin Klein



Each Summer Calvin Klein fragrances bring us special editions of Eternity and CK One. This year for the first time we get a Summer version of Obsession.

This new fragrance is aquatic, breezy and warm, with  light florals , not sweet or overly fruity. There is a nice citrus start with the bergamot and the dewy florals of lotus , honeysuckle and freesia come in. As it dries down it has a feel of warm, sunkissed beachy skin thanks to the (white) patchouli , sandalwood and musks.


I have to say  I didn't know how I'd feel about this and even a sniff of the cap had me wondering. After I sprayed it on I really liked it and in general aquatic musk fragrances aren't my thing. There's something subtly sexy about Obsession Summer and it's going right into the rotation.

Full note list:

Top: sparkling bergamot, peach flesh, water lotus
Mid: honeysuckle, gardenia, blue freesia
Dry: white patchouli, sandalwood, musk


Obsession Summer EDP is $ 70 for 3.4 oz  and is available at Macy's this month through Summer. It is a limited edition.





Sunday, April 17, 2016

Clinique Super City Block BB Cushion Compact SPF 50




In time for warmer weather  and Summer comes new Clinique's new City Block BB Cushion Compact .

This is a BB but has more coverage than many BBs I use but less than a full foundation.  Clinique calls it a fluid foundation. It's sheer, light and feels weightless on with light to medium buildable  coverage. It's more than barely there but not quite all the way to medium. Your skin shows through but is perfected some, smoothed and it gives a semi matte finish that is lightly hydrating.

I love the feel of this. It goes on with a cool touch and blends right in. For days when I want lighter coverage it's great on it's own , but I also top it off with a mineral powder or stick foundation for more coverage . They mix well and give me almost full coverage.  The SPF of 50 is great too,  and a nod to the brand's long popular City Block Face Protector but with a higher SPF. It did well at oil control so far ( it said to be both sweat and humidity resistant). The best test will be when the heat really sets in but overall I think it will hold up.

We'll call this new release a win-win.  It has a lot going for it and the portability of the compact for all our Summer fun makes it even better.


I did not get an ingredient list but Clinique does say it has antioxidants along with physical SPF.

Clinique Super City Block BB Cushion Compact SPF 50 is $ 35 and will be available later this month. Shade shown is 01 Fair which goes on a bit lighter than the compact would have you think.





Friday, April 15, 2016

Elie Saab Le Parfum Rose Couture EDT

 
Elie Saab's perfumes have always been so pretty with their light white florals and woods, soft and feminine. Rose Couture is the next from the designer and it fits most of the above but is a touch sweeter than those are.

The perfume starts out with dewy florals . Peony is right up front along with a soft rose and jasmine. Fruits and sweetness come in with a vanilla note that is slightly gourmand. The rose and the vanilla last into the drydown where you also get some soft sandalwood.


Rose Couture was created , as the earlier Elie Saabs were, by my favorite parfumeur Francis Kurkdjian. I love the original scent and one of  the things I love best is it's lack of sweetness. I do love rose scents and this is very pretty but I wish it were a touch less sweet. Otherwise it's a lovely fragrance, especially for daytime wear as it has medium sillage but wears fairly close to the skin.


Elie Saab Le Parfum Rose Couture EDT is $80 for 1.7 oz and $ 108 for 3.0 oz




Thursday, April 14, 2016

Sally Hansen Complete Manicure- Spring 2016


In Full Blue-m, Mum's The Word, Branch Out, On Pines and Needles, What In Carnation

Here's a quick look at some of the pretty new shades for Spring from Sally Hansen's Complete Manicure aka super amazing nail polish.

I love this line and will be rocking one of these shades when I next do my nails. Which one, haven't decided yet, Love them all, but I have to say I'm feeling the pale lavender What In Carnation.





Wednesday, April 13, 2016

L'Occitane Free Shea Sampler Kit


Think you can't get anything for free? How about L'Occitane? Through the end of April hit up this link for a FREE Shea Starter Kit. It has a mini Hand Cream and Light Comforting Cream in an exclusive collector's tin. 

You do have to  go to a boutique in person with the coupon. So if you live anywhere near a L'Occitane store ( lucky you) go grab your free set. 

Here's how:
1)      Enter your email address
2)      Check your inbox for an exclusive email
3)      Present email at any L’Occitane boutique nationwide and redeem your  free Shea Starter Kit


(P.S. the deal runs through the end of April, but if you can’t make it in by then not to worry! they'll also be selling the set after the promotional period for just $6.)




Tuesday, April 12, 2016

NARS Dual Intensity Sexual Content Blush & Deep End Eyeshadow-Summer 2016

 
NARS Summer is bursting with color and intensity- Dual Intensity that is.

New are two  Dual Intensity Blush Duos  and four Dual Intensity  Eyeshadows.


One of the new blush duos is Sexual Content. This duo pairs peach with a pale rose . Both are perfect pops of color to brighten and highlight cheeks without being too bold . They work now and into Summer when we might be little more bronzed.  I have been using this all weekend, it's love.


Deep End is one of the four new Dual Intensity Eyeshadows and it's a rich turquoise/teal green that just says "Summer".  I've swatched it both wet and dry.

NARS Summer will be available Apr. 15 at NARS stores and www.narscosmetics.com .  May 1 at Sephora and department stores.





Sunday, April 10, 2016

Ralph Lauren Tender Romance EDP


New for Spring is Tender Romance, the third in the series from Ralph Lauren that began with Romance and then Midnight Romance. It is called the "prequel" to those, evoking falling in love for the first time.

The fragrance  has a bit more oomph to it than you would think with "tender"in the name. I expected a soft breezy floral but it's more than that.  From the first spritz it's got a spicy touch with the ginger note right up front. Bergamot adds depth and green while the fruit and floral notes add sweetness.


Into the drydown the cashmere woods accord note is very prominent, soft and woodsy along with the musk and a hint of vanilla.  It ends up feeling very sexy and a fragrance that can be worn day or evening.


Full note list:
Top-Ginger, Pear Accord, Bergamot
Mid- White Magnolia Accord, Jasmine, Lily Accord
Bottom- Cashmere Woods Accord, Benzoin, Musk


Ralph Lauren Tender Romance is $ 96 for 3.4 oz, $ 76 for 1.7 oz, $ 54 for 1oz

Avilable at www.ralphlauren.com, Sephora , Macys and more.



Thursday, April 7, 2016

Norell New York



Norell is a brand/fragrance that was around for long time. From 1968 on it was a classic basically.  A big spicy aldehyde type scent loaded with carnation, rose , oakmoss,  and cinnamon .Then sadly it disappeared . I still have a bottle of it from the late 80s.

Last fall ,Norell made a comeback as Norell New York. It's an updated fragrance, nothing like the original but still a very beautiful perfume.


Norell New York is a white floral scent with jasmine ( there are said to be over 200 jasmine petals in each bottle) along with  gardenia, peony and a touch of iris as a tip of the hat to the original.  In the beginning there is a light burst of fruit and citrus along with the florals. This gives it a fresh green feel. As the drydown comes along the iris is present along with vetiver and a touch of sandalwood. It stays quite floral all along as well .

My vintage bottle

I love a good white floral so this makes the grade for me. It's ladylike, elegant and a bit glamorous. It's not too soft nor is it too strong. It's also not sweet, fruity or  a body spray trying to be a perfume, thank goodness.

Sillage is good  as is the wear time. It starts off bigger then dries down to a medium level I'd say.

** shown is a mini of the fragrance

Norell New York is exclusive to Bergdorfs and Neimans.

Eau De Parfum (3.4 FL. OZ./100 mL): $150
Body Cream (6.7 OZ. / 189 g):  $95
Body Oil (8.0 FL. OZ. / 240 mL): $80




Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Dove Advanced Care Deodorant - New Soothing Chamomile & Restore


If you love Dove's Advanced Care Deo then there are two new fragrances to try.

Advanced Care is one of my favorites , next to their Clinical. I've been using it all Winter and Spring.  They have a nice scent but are not too strong , are very gentle on skin ( Dove's Nutrium Moisture) plus they really work.

New are Soothing Chamomile with a slightly sweet floral fragrance like the tea you'd make of the herb along with lily of the valley and  Restore has fig and orange blossom for a fruity fragrance. Both smell great and give you new options for warm weather wear.



Monday, April 4, 2016

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials™ Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette



Let's kick off Monday with some pretty, the It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials™ Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette .

This new palette has six new matte eyeshadows for everyday wear along with Transforming Hello Light  shade, which makes any of the shades into a satin finish.  All have have rich pigment and glide across lids with a soft finish. These truly feel like smooth silk going on making blending a breeze.



The palette size is 4 1/2" long x 2 1/2" wide  and fits into bags or clutches easily.

It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials™ Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette is $ 28  and available now.