Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Bottega Veneta The Knot Eau Absolue


Bottega Veneta's The Knot  Eau Florale has become a favorite of mine for every day wear . It's light, subtle but is interesting , it's not a basic floral or fresh scent. To a lesser degree I also liked the original The Knot with it's skinscent of lavender and cedar.

New is The Knot Eau Absolu, a richer, intense version , although version might be a misnomer, it is not very similar to The Knot or Eau Florale.   Absolue is big right off the first spritz, I described on Instagram as smoky and smouldering.

There's jasmine but it tends to be buried by the other notes; lavender like the original , myrrh , opopanax and woods. It's not sweet , not very floral but oriental, spicy and as mentioned smoky.

This a strong  fragrance and has a  bit of a unisex vibe going.  This is not my favorite type of scent , but that's my personal taste.  It is well crafted and I love the bold and bigness of it. Much better than another fresh, clean soapy scent (even if they do have their place). Grab fragrance by the horns, or, the atomizer.

And  I love that big metal knot on the bottle. It makes a great statement and look.

Bottega Veneta The Knot Eau Absolue is $ 125 ( 50 ml) and $ 160 ( 75ml) at Bottega VenetaNordstrom , Saks





Sunday, March 25, 2018

NARS Highlighting Powders




Leave it to NARS to make the perfect highlighter. After all that's where The Multiple and Orgasm blush came from.  I've had quite a fun time this weekend playing with them .

The new highlighting powders are very finely milled for a wash of color and shimmer. No large glitter pieces or metallic look. In other words, a highlighter for everyone including those of us who aren't 25 anymore. Or even 35.



These glide on skin adding just a sheen of  color, brightening and shimmer and can be built up some. My swatches  are three layers to get them to show up well in the pictures.  You'll still need well hydrated skin , these settle into lines slightly but far less than most I try. My skin also tends to absorb highlight products ( weird, I know) . I can apply a powder  or cream highlight and within an hour you can barely see it, even over foundation, so I appreciate the  lightness here. I can reapply at will without looking overdone or like a disco ball.



I use a  fluffy , dome shaped medium powder brush to dust all over as well as across cheekbones and brow. I've taken to putting some on under my foundation too, to look lit from within. Mornings really need that , right ? Who looks glowy at 7AM ?


The deeper shades could also be used as blush on fair skin. The darkest  I have is Maldives and it adds a nice bit of color but not quite enough on me for blush. There, I  use it and then layer a  satin/matte blush over it.


Shades shown are Ibiza, Maldives and Fort de France.

NARS Highlighting Powders are $ 38 and come in six shades at NARS , Ulta and department stores.






Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Ulta 21 Days of Beauty 2018- My Picks



It's time for Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty and that means some great deals.

There is a special sale every day but I've got a few top picks.


March 26- Lancome Hypnose Drama Instant Full Volume Mascara for $ 13.75  . How often does Lancome go on sale ? Not very. Time to stock up.

April 02 - Shiseido Urban Environment Oil Free UV Protector SPF 42  for $ 24. This is  one of my favorite every day lightweight facial SPFs. Great for oilier skins and anyone who wants barely there feel with plenty of protection.


 Apr. 03 Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten for $ 14. The lady knows her blushes and  now they're priced not that far above the top drugstore brands.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Chanel Blue Serum Eye

 
Chanel adds to their rather nice Blue Serum with a new version for eyes. I liked the face serum, it's refreshing and light while adding moisture.

Blue Serum Eye is a lightweight gel cream that feels very soft, gentle  and soothing on the eye area with a bit of a cooling feel.  It smoothes and  firms some and is a light to mid- weight moisturizer.


My eyes are very dry and this isn't quite enough for overnight when I really try to power hydrate them, but I love it for AM use as it's perfect under makeup and adds just enough moisture to start the day along and get the eye area looking more awake.

The serum uses the natural ingredients from the world's "blue zones" where people live longer like Costa Rica , Greece and Sardinia, just as the face serum does. Ingredients include shea butter, olive fruit and  green coffee seed oils, olive leaf  and aloe extracts and mastic gum. 


Chanel Blue Serum Eye is $ 70 for .5 oz at Chanel  and department stores.





Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Simple Skincare Water Boost Micellar Eye Makeup Remover Pads



Simple Skincare has new additions to their Water Boost line for  dry and dehydrated skin. There is a sleeping cream, cleanser and makeup removing pads .

I tried the new  Micellar Eye Makeup Remover Pads  and it was a good choice. These are super gentle on  my eyes, which has not always been the case with other wipes I've tried and they get all the makeup off easily and quickly. I use budge proof mascara and eyeliner  every day so I need plenty of  remover but I also have dry , easily irritated eyes.



Two passes over each eye and you're good to go and one pad easily does both eyes. They don't tug at eyes  or sting  and also aren't drying.   With Micellar Bubbles in them they have a cool , light feel on eyes

The little purse size  pack has 30 pads . Great to use every day or to keep handy for travel or extra busy days/nights when even removing makeup seems too much to bother with .


Right now at Simple's website you can sign up for a  coupon while supplies last.


Simple Water Boost Micellar Eye Makeup Remover Pads are approx. 5.99 depending on outlet.



Sunday, March 11, 2018

Caress Botanicals Shower Foam


Time to Spring clean the shower routine and Caress has new nicely scented shower foams to lather up .

The shower foams are lightweight on skin , with light moisture that feels clean and fragrance that is pretty and present but not strong.

I have Mediterranean Neroli and Green Tea. I love the individual scents of  both hose notes, so this was a win. It reminds a little of the green tea fragrances from Arden and Bulgari that were so well loved years back.  I do get more green tea than neroli , but it's pretty either way. 

There are two other fragrances- White Orchid and Coconut Milk and Midnight Iris and Vanilla Bean.  

All are sulfate and paraben free, and  the lather here is not big and works in fast.  You will need a couple pumps each time . 

Caress Botanicals Shower Foam is sugg. retail of $ 5.47 at drugstores etc.


Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Amo Ferragamo EDP




Amo Ferragamo  bursts from Spring into Summer with it's bouncy cocktail of a scent.

Amo ( Love) has lots of  bitter citrus  , jasmine and blackberry in the beginning and those notes hold well into the middle.  It's  a  gourmand but floral as well.  Mate,  Tahitian Vanilla and Ambrox are in there, which is where the gourmand feel comes in. Sandalwood rounds out the drydown but this never feels too woodsy. The  citrus and creamy vanilla stand out the most ,  it's like a lemon italian pastry cream.



This is a youthful and fun fragrance and with Easter around the corner, a nice one to tuck into  holiday baskets alongside the choclate and jelly beans.


Amo Ferragamo is $ 95 for 1.7 oz and $ 120 for 3.4 oz at  Bloomingdales 






Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Chanel Verdarame Eyeshadow & Mare Chiaro Eyeliner


Get your Green on with  Chanel's new Spring color collection.

I have to admit, green is a color I love to wear and looks good on me, yet I hardly do. I am often resolving to change this and lately I have. Now Chanel's given me more reason to go for the green. 

The new Mare Chairo eyeliner is a beauty. A bright , lighter grass green that really pops on eyes. It's a bit bold but I like it  and while it can be worn with green shadow, I like it against a medium nude or golden beige. For Spring, this will really work. 

Verdarame eyeshadow is basic deep green, nothing new about the color really, but it's a lovely green with a slight shimmer and deep pigment. I love Chanel's long wearing cream formula , it's one I have many of and use most days, so that  makes this a winner for me.

Both are available now wherever Chanel is sold. 

Monday, March 5, 2018

Dolce Garden by Dolce & Gabbana EDP


There's a new Dolce in town.  Dolce Garden comes in the familiar and oh so pretty flower petal topped bottle , this time in peachey pink.

Dolce Garden is mostly a gourmand touched with woods.  A sharp burst of mandarin is first and then there is lots of coconut dashed with magnolia and neroli.   Almond milk , vanilla and sandalwood are all prominent into the drydown.  Frangipani is listed as a main inspiration here but I only get the smallest  whiff of it.


The florals take a backseat to the other notes.  It's very creamy, somewhat sweet and reminds  a bit of an amaretto cake.



Dolce Garden is strong at first, but settles into medium sillage after the drydown. Still noticeable , you'll  not want to go heavy on the spritzes with this, but less so than at the beginning.




Dolce Garden is currently excl. to Macys and is $ 29 for .25 oz rollerball, $ 118 for 2.5 oz, $ 76 for 1oz  and $ 94 for  1.6 oz EDP





Sunday, March 4, 2018

NARS Wanted Cheek Palettes



I sometimes think  I like blushes the best of all makeup products. Why, no idea since I love lipsticks too but I seem to really want to stockpile blushes. These new palettes from NARS are  calling to me.  Each one is packed with  six pretty LE shades.  What do you think ? Are they a must for you ?  


NARS Wanted Cheek Palette Vol. 1

  • Unlimited (shimmering pale pink) (LE)
  • Buzzed (matte coral) (LE)
  • Notorious (matte lavender) (LE)
  • Kingpin (matte rose) (LE)
  • Bumpy Ride (shimmering candy pink)
  • Crave (matte bright coral) (LE)

NARS Wanted Cheek Palette Vol 2

  • PYT (metallic rose) (LE)
  • Ambition (satin tangerine) (LE)
  • Taos (soft red with golden sheen) (LE)
  • Exposed (matte dusty rose) (LE)
  • Penthouse (matte raspberry) (LE)
  • Queen (matte ruby) (LE)

$ 59 each at Ulta on Mar. 8.