Thursday, April 30, 2009

Friend the Fragrance Fifi Awards & Win Perfume


The Fifi's are the awards of excellence in perfume from the Fragrance Foundation. These are the Oscars of perfume. To celebrate this years awards, they have set upa Facebook Fan page. When you friend it, you are entered to win lots of perfume goodies. This is happening in the next 2 days, so you need to act fast.

Here's all the info :

You have be friends of the FIFI AWARDS before 4 PM May 1, 2009 in
order to be part of the give-away.

Friday, April 29, 2009:
Two FIFI Awards Facebook friends will be randomly selected to win:
A FIFI TOP 10 SAMPLER GIFT BAG – with almost 100 perfumes represented!

Friday, May 1, 2009:
One FIFI Facebook friend will be randomly selected to
win:
GRAND PRIZE: Full size bottles of TOP 5
NOMINEES.
Retail Value: $700-1000

TO ENTER:
• To enter you must become a friend of the FIFI Awards
• Winners will be announced via Facebook.
• You may enter only once.
• Winners will be selected in a random drawing.
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District
of Columbia who are 18 and over.

Here's the link, good luck:




Darphin Paris Spa Retreat Sweepstakes


Would you like to go to Paris? Who wouldn't , right? I mean I do. I was there once, for less than 2 days because I got sick and had to leave. So I need a return trip but in better form.

Well Darphin skincare wants to send you to Paris on their dime. The details:

To enter, simply visit Darphin.com and fill out the required form. When you sign up for the giveaway, you can refer a friend to enter and each friend that does will entitle YOU to another entry (so you can enter up to 6 times).

The trip includes:
-Roundtrip, non-stop airfare for the winner and a guest to Paris, France.
-A 3-night stay at a 4-star luxury hotel, located in the fashionable embassy district of Paris.
- 4 x 60-minute Darphin Spa Treatments at the renowned Darphin Institute for you and your travel companion to share.
- 2 x $400 USD spending money gift cards to use as you wish.

Three runner-up winners will receive the luxurious Stimulskin Plus Diving Lifting Cream (a $295 value).

Also, each person that signs up will receive a special offer of a FREE miniature Stimulskin Plus Divine with any Darphin purchase.

Sweepstakes are only on until May 19, 2009.
Good Luck

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

LUSH Vanilla

Lush has released the long awaited ( at least by me) Vanilla collection. All new Lush is exciting in these parts.

One of the most exciting things was that there was a new body powder. I adore powders and am always on the lookout for new one.
I've test run the body powder, solid perfume and body lotion.

-Vanilla Delite Body Lotion- Super creamy and moisturizing. Smells very soft baked vanilla but with a hint of floral. They've added some jasmine absolute and it works nicely. This is one lotion that is more than fragrance, it's a heavy duty lotion as well with high Vitamin C content , fresh kiwi fruit and extra virgin coconut oil ($ 24.95)

-Vanillary Solid Perfume- This smells more real vanilla. Vanilla bean vanilla, with that nuttiness. Less sweet than the lotion and I like it even better. ($ 11.95)

-Vanilla Puff Dusting Powder- very much like the scent of the lotion with the added jasmine. Not too cake batter smelling. It's soft , fragrant and a little goes a long way. A pretty additon to the powder line and one most are sure to love. I can't recall too many vanilla powders, so if you love the scent, snap it up. You won't be sorry.( $ 10.95)

The line also has a massage bar , regular bath bomb and extra large bath bomb.

All are online now at http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/specials/vanilla?GCID=prus-0070 and on the UK site as well I believe.













Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Lierac Morpho-Slim


For the past 3 weeks I have been using Lierac's new Morpho -Slim ( almost) every day. Cellulite products are a toughie. Nothing takes it away but some products can help smooth it all down a bit.

Now I confess to having larger legs. I am not skinny. So my legs need all the help they can get. Since I haven't got myself on the treadmill lately, well we do what can. Namely apply products and hope .

The Morpho -Slim is a lovely product. It's a gel and smells wonderful. Sort of citrus but not really lemony. Just fresh. It sinks in pretty fast and does moisturize a little too.

So how did it work ? My skin definitely seems firmer. My cellulite is still there but the skin is more taut and smoother. Lierac recommends a massaging action when using this and I tried to do that most times. Any cellulite cream/gel works better when you can get those bumps moving around some. For firming things up, I like this. I have begun using it my arms now too.

Lierac has put their exclusive Lipo-Reverse complex, a combination of super-concentrated active caffeine (10%) and glaucine complex (2.5%) for simultaneous action on the appearance of cellulite and skin firmness, into Morpho-Slim. It also has active caffiene & glaucine complex.

The product sells for $ 55.00 for 7 oz ( 200ml) pump bottle and is available at CVS stores that carry Lierac, Longs & Duane Reade drugstores, http://www.drugstore.com/ and soon online at Lierac. They will be launching a US shopping site in May. Other countries have online shopping as well.
You can read more at www.lierac.com/uk

Monday, April 27, 2009

Clinique Sun Care w/ Solar Smart

Clinique's newest suncare is out now. This is one line of suncare I've used for years. Years ago when on a trip to Cancun, I had with me their old , gel sunblock. It was one of the best then and it turned out several other people on that same trip all had their same bottle handy poolside. We all agreed how good it was. That was well before we were beginning to find out just how important sunscreen was.

Many advances in suncare have come since then and each year Clinique tweaks theirs to be better. This year brings Solar Smart which offers advanced UV protection, especially paying attention to more blocking of UVA rays. Employing photostable sunscreens and ingredients like RNA fragments, Cats Claw extract ( both are meant to encourage natural skin repair process), antioxidants like Vitamin E and Rosemary .The Face Cream also has plankton extract as a repairing enzyme.

The product line is large with Body Creams, Face Cream, a Body Spray and a SPF 45 stick, and an After Sun Balm.

Since this weekend was super hot and blisteringly sunny, I've been using the SPF 30 body cream, the SPF 30 face cream and the stick.

What I really like is that there is almost no scent, and very little stickiness. The creams are not greasy or heavy and sink right in. I can apply and go, and if I want to use perfume there is no interference. I don't even feel like I am wearing sunblock.

The SPF 45 stick is a special favorite. I love sticks like this. Not only portable but great for around the eyes, and lips etc . So easy to use and keep handy .The stick does have more moisture in it from Jojoba. It's emollient but that makes it nice for the eye area. I go through at least one stick type item each summer.


I confess to also loving the bright yellow packaging. I fall into the belief category that if something is more appealing to you , you will use it more. These just look sunny.
Prices:

SPF 30 Body Cream $ 20.00 for 5 oz
SPF 30 face Cream $ 17.50 1.7 oz
SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick $ 17.50

( More products available at counters and online)

PS: Some great Self Tan items are out as well. A new Airbrush Spray, a Tinted Gel and a Gradual Lotion. Last years gradual tanner was a huge hit and I went through 3 tubes.

CLINIQUE.com



Saturday, April 25, 2009

Bobbi Brown Blush Sticks & Perfectly Defined Mascara


Bobbi Brown's newest collection is the Sheer Color Nauticals. It's a small one with new Sheer Color Cheek Tint and Sheer Color Lipgloss.

The Sheer Color Cheek Tints are the cutest. They are a gel/cream stick and come in a small, tuck anywhere tube.

These are very slick so not best for those with very oily skin but normal and dry skinned ladies will love them. The colors looks very bold in the tubes but really do go on very sheer. They blend easily and seem to last pretty well too.

These are perfect for carrying in purse or bag, keeping in a desk drawer for touch ups etc. They weigh little and can go anywhere.

Pictured is Sheer Raspberry. Other colors are ( all begin with Sheer) Mauve, Pink, Blackberry, Lilac and Coral.

Retail is $ 22.00

Launching alongside this line is a new mascara called Perfectly Defined.

Bobbi's mascara is a huge seller according to the company, but they hardly ever promote it. I have never tried the first one, but I love this new one. It doesn't give much volume and I miss that, but it does define each lash well and adds nice length. It is a more natural look but not too natural. Best of all it stays put. Through my watery eyes the other night and even through washing. Cleanser didn't take this off , you need eye makeup remover. So this is great for good looking lashes that will hold on all day.


The info states that this is truly long wearing , waterproof and is a quick drying formula that sets immediately after applying.

Retails for $ 24.00

Friday, April 24, 2009

Anthony Logistics for Little Men Charity Initiative



Anthony Logistics for Men has another product out to aid a charity in need. This time it's to help an adorable little boy named Kai. You can read on for all the info and how to buy. Perfect to get the little ones started on good grooming and an awesome baby shower gift.

100% of profits are going to the charity by the way.

"To commemorate the birth of his twin sons, Anthony Sosnick, founder of Anthony Logistics for Men, created a two-in-one product designed for the next generation of grooming-savvy men, a gentle cleanser for both hair and body with a formula does not sting the eyes. And now, the sale of this product can help make a significant difference in the life of one special child. From now through the end of May, 100% of proceeds through the sale of the Anthony For Little Men Foaming Hair and Body Wash will be donated to the Hope for Kai fund.

Kai, not even 5 years old, was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. At the same time, his father was also diagnosed with a rare type of Lymphoma. The medical costs for Kai’s treatment are enormous and more than his family can manage. ALFM supports Kai Anderson in his journey to find a donor and receive necessary treatment to fight the disease. "

Anthony For Little Men Foaming Hair and Body Wash is $12.00, available at http://www.anthony.com/. please see http://www.hopeforkai.com/ for more information on this charitable initiative.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

June Jacobs Vanda Orchid & Spa Chakra Short Hills, NJ

June Jacobs, a natural, luxury spa brand of skin and body care using hydrosol technology,recently released a line of body care called Vanda Orchid. The Vanda Orchid is native to Eastern Asia , is one of the rarest species of orchids and it's extract has a plethora of antioxidants and minerals. Oh and it smells really good too.

The collection has 4 products all with the wonderful , sweet, floral Orchid scent.

The Body Balm was my favorite with the Dry Oil a close second. The Body Balm is intensely moisturizing . It's a very thick lotion/balm. It dries quite fast though unlike some heavier balms. The smell is great and does last . The scent is said also, to adjust to the body chemisty of the wearer.

The Dry Oil is a lighter moisturizer, with apricot and sunflower oils, that dries really fast. It also carries a lighter scent. Just a hint of scent and a touch of moisture. Really nice for after shower or as a mid day pick me up.

The Mist and Shower gel round out the line. The Shower gel is detoxifying for the skin and the mist refreshes with a powerful patent pending anti-oxidant blend of white, red and green tea extracts combined with goji berry, pomegranate and grapeseed extracts .

In other June Jacobs new, back in the fall she launched the first of her Spa Chakra facilities at the Hilton Short Hills, NJ. I've not been to the Short Hills Hilton, but years ago a friend worked for their PR company and raved about the high quality and luxury aspect of it. None of that has changed and now the spa is more world class than ever. Short Hills is only 21 miles from Manhattan , near many corporate locations and there is a high end large shopping mall across the highway.

**They will be hosting a special Mother's Day event on May 10th**

It's an open house for mothers and daughters at Spa Chakra on Sunday, May 10th from 12-4pm.

Guests can sip champagne and nibble on chocolates, tour the spa, learn more about the June Jacobs collection and learn June’s secrets for beautiful skin and overall wellness.

In addition, Spa Chakra Short Hills will be offering the following special Mother’s Day promotions:

· Stop by to meet June & Rochelle on Sunday, May 10th and receive a June Jacobs Discovery Kit filled with deluxe product samples to enjoy.

· Treat Mom to Treat Yourself – Book any combination of spa services totaling 3 ½ hours (or more), and receive a complimentary companion pass (which is valid for the same treatments) and a free June Jacobs Lip Kit worth $60.

In case you find yourself headed that way , here are some more details on the spa itself:

"June Jacobs collaborated with Spa Chakra at the Short Hills Hilton to provide a unique spa experience for its exclusive clientele by utilizing the paraben and preservative free June Jacobs Spa Collection and creating customized “perfect pairings,” a combination of treatments designed to provide maximum relaxation and rejuvenation in an optimal amount of time.

Customized treatments include the June Jacobs Tropical Body Soufflé Smoothie and Massage Treatment, the Green Tea & Cucumber Deluxe Hand and Foot Renewal Treatment, and the June Jacobs Intensive Age-Defying Hydrating Body and Massage Treatment.

The Spa has undergone a recent multimillion-dollar renovation. The redesigned spa boasts 15,500 square feet of luxury spanning two floors with 13 treatment rooms, a 50-foot Romanesque-style indoor pool, elevated Jacuzzi, full-service beauty salon, gift boutique and a complete health club. "

2009 will bring Spa Chakra's in Las Vegas and California as well.


More info:



DKNYMEN Men's Night Out in NY


Bloomingdales flagship in NYC is hosting a men's night out tonight along with Details magazine and DKNY Mens fragrance, if you're in the area.

Sounds fun, after all you can drop off your guy and go hit the handbag department or the in-store Space NK shop. Of course those of us who aren't in NYC can add this to events we miss.


Details:
DKNY MEN Fragrance, Bloomingdale’s and Details Magazine invite you to:

- Enjoy a beer tasting by Heartland Brewery, a spin on the roulette wheel and a Nintendo Wii gaming station.

-Receive a DKNYMEN messenger bag and a set of portable MP3 speakers when you make a purchase of $65 or more from the DKNYMEN Fragrance collection.

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Bloomingdale’s 59th Street
1000 Third Avenue
New York,NY

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

LUSH ( free) Seed Bombs


Many companies are doing something special for Earth Day/Week. One is Lush. They are offering customers the opportunity to make their own seed balls right in the store ( for free) and you can take your and plant it somewhere you'd like to see flowers grow. Lush suggests not only your yard, but vacant lots, along sidewalks etc.

This promo runs through the 26th of April.

Lush is very eco- friendly and one major eco-highlight is their shampoo bars. I tried these last year and loved them. Each Lush shampoo bar is equivalent to three 250ml plastic bottles of shampoo and last year alone Lush customers saved 3 million plastic bottles from hitting landfills by using solid shampoo bars. Thats pretty good.
So stop by Lush , inhale the good smells , make a seedball, spread flowers. Peace.



Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Guerlain Voyage Collection Perfumes


This past weekend at a Guerlain shopping and sniffing event some of my fragrant friends in NYC got to try the 3 new Summer launches from Guerlain. They have been raving about them, so I was determined to track down some info of my own.

Called The Voyage Collection, they celebrate 3 great cities- Moscow, New York and Tokyo. The bottles are very modern looking ( there's no image at this point) and will hit counters in June. Price is $ 220.00 each.

What follows is the whole release on the perfumes :
( I've highlighted note in italics for ease of reading)


"At Guerlain, it is a tradition. Crossing borders. Encountering new places. Discovering unfamiliar, exotic essences. Capturing the soul of a place by uncovering the emotional enchantment of its raw elements.
In 1828, pioneer and visionary Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain already understood the importance of travelling the world in search of new fragrance sensations. More than just innovative scents, he offered an escape, a voyage for the senses.

“A perfumer must go looking for scents,” observes Jean-Paul Guerlain.And today, in the grand Guerlain tradition of exploring the world's riches, he has created a travel diary of scents, three new fragrances that pay homage to three fascinating cities: Moscow, New York and Tokyo.

Paris-Moscow, Paris-NewYork, Paris-Tokyo.

Three evocative fragrances that convey the identity and the heartbeat of these electrifying metropolises.Three liquid memories,presented in bottles embellished with drawings by sculptor Serge Mansau and toppedwith metal caps embossed with the emblematic double G. For each bottle, graphic artist Carla Talopp has devised a log, a scrapbook of cards, images, drawings, iconicphotos and symbols of the spirit of each city.

Moscow has awakened. Sleeping Beauty has opened her eyes, and her heart is fluttering. Moscow the serious has reinvented itself as Moscow the prosperous.
Here and there, a hammer and sickle engraved on a building façade remind passers-by of its recent, restless history. But today, a fresh chapter is beginning. Each month, almost every day, Moscow's inhabitants write a new paragraph.They celebrate the arrival of a luxury boutique or a lavish restaurant.Women vie with one another in elegance. Businessmen bustle about. All of them are part of the metamorphosis of a capital city that proudly displays its new modernity.

With its musk, fruit and wood notes, the ultra-feminine Paris-Moscow perfume echoes the hear tbeat that pounds through the Russian capital. This city throbs with life! Strolling through the opulent shopping arcades of the GUM, you are intoxicated by the heady fragrance of white musk and tonka bean. A carnal, sensual and elegant trace of vanilla and bergamot stays with you as you cross the Red Square. As you pass the Bosco Café, a sudden aroma of red currants delights
your senses. The Moscow locals are enjoying their brunch, sipping their favourite beverage.Your senses stirred, you head off for some refreshment at the Botanical Gardens. A welcome respite. You close your eyes and watch as images from the day parade past. Electrified, you take in the hint of absinthe, a sparkling lemon, a note of plum. In the distance, you glimpse a verdant forest of pine needles. You can still hear the heart of Moscow beating.

New York, New York! How many films, books and lyrics have sung the praises of the city where anything is possible? A land of dreams and pioneers, the Big Apple welcomes your deepest desires and craziest ambitions. This remarkable city boasts countless styles and atmospheres. A melting pot of communities and personalities, it evokes greatness with its skyscrapers, broad avenues and financial centre.At the same time, it cherishes its 'villages': Little Italy, Chinatown, theWestVillage with its tree-lined streets, low-built houses and tiny restaurants crowded with regulars. Day and night,New York is always bustling. Here, a young woman arrives at the gym as the clock strikes midnight.There, a man and his dog share dinner by the first light of dawn.Only in NewYork…

A woody oriental fragrance, sparkling and sweet, Paris-New York excites the tastebuds by transporting the senses to the heart of Manhattan on Christmas Eve. From the elegant Uptown to bohemian Downtown, children are dreaming of their Christmas pudding.Their nostrils quiver. Smells of vanilla and cinnamon float out of kitchen windows. A joyful frenzy of holiday anticipation reigns on Broadway, whose lights seem to sparkle with a new radiance. A pause; serious Wall Street goes quiet. The pedestrians on 5th Avenue finish their last errands.The sky is still the luminous,cloudless blue of a New York winter.The celebrations will start in just a few hours. Already, the air is thick with a scent of cedar, cardamom and bergamot.

Some say that you must see Tokyo before you die.To them, the capital of the Land of the Rising Sun is a required destination. A ground to tread. An atmosphere to soak in. An experience to live, no matter what. Tokyo fascinates, Tokyo charms, Tokyo intrigues, Tokyo intimidates. Tokyoleaves no one untouched. The surprising, completely alien metropolis embodies ultimate modernity.Tokyo is a dense anthill, gradually stealing from the sea and sky what it can no longer find on the earth.The most daring architects eagerly orchestrate these extensions into space.
The city is immense; it offers an invitation to lose yourself and discover its contrasting districts,smaller cities within a city, which fit together like the animated pieces of a giant puzzle.

Green and floral, fresh and delicate, Paris-Tokyo evokes all the subtlety of the Japanese capital.Willful, yet subtle. Ultra-modern, yet bound to its traditions.The sun is still low in the sky; it is the perfect time to awaken your senses in Hibiya Park, a rare green space designed with a Western aesthetic.Very few people are walking; you pass mainly joggers. As you stroll along a pond, the morning dew gives off a fragrance of jasmine and violet, intertwined with Hinoki cypress.You stop in a teahouse, slipping out of the stream of time into a cocoon of tranquillity in the midst of turmoil. In this world apart where green tea and jasmine scent the air, you allow yourself be transpor ted by the legendary, almost magical tea-drinking tradition. It is with regret that you leave the ceremony you wish could last forever. But Ginza, the Champs-Elysées of Tokyo, is already calling your name."





image: Guerlain Spa boutique at the Waldorf NY

Dermalogica Clean Start

Dermalogica makes some great products for adult oily/acne skin. Now they have a line meant for younger adults & teens.

Called Clean Start, I can tell you it works great for adults too. I have been using some of the products and find them to be very gentle. More gentle that you would expect a teen line to be, but that makes them less harsh for grown up skin.


I use the Bedtime for Breakouts serum almost every night on the T zone. This has 1 % Salicyclic acid and does a good job of keeping skin clear. I still get some tiny acne but nothing major.

Another nice product is the All Over Clear, a spritz for face that not only helps reduce shine but refreshes and treats with .5 % salicyclic acid.

There is also a nice , very light mattifying moisturizer with SPF 15 called Welcome Matte. This is great for the warmer months ahead.

A starter kit is available for $ 35.00 or you can buy larger sizes of the individual products . You can't buy online at Dermalogica yet, but other web outlets sell the line like Blue Mercury.( http://www.bluemercury.com/)



The starter kit contains:
-wash off, 1.7 oz
- all over clear, 1.7 oz
- ready, set, scrub!, 0.50 oz
- welcome matte spf15, 0.50 oz
- bedtime for breakouts, 0.50 oz
- reusable bag

http://cleanstart.dermalogica.com/us/index.html#/home
















Monday, April 20, 2009

Victoria's Secret Parfums Intimes


Victoria's Secret has gone a bit more luxe with their new line Parfums Intimes. The perfumes represent 4 intimate fabrics: Silk, Satin, Cashmere and Lace .

These are packaged beautifully and ready for gift giving as is. Each is in a fabric box with a loop closure. The perfume itself is inside a bag made of the corresponding fabric with a card inside detailing notes. Very pretty and ladylike.

I have tried 2 of the 4 so far.

-Mandarin Santal ( Silk) alternates between the citrus and a soft sandalwood. The sandalwood here is very woods like but also powdery. The musk note is very prevalent as is the White Woods notes. It seems to chaneg up some too. One time I spray it it's more citrus, another more woods and it really does remind one of silk.
-Rose de Mai ( Satin) is also soft. Soft rose with a good bit of the grapefruit note present. This one becomes more rose as it wears and is quite pretty. A bit sweet and not a powdery rose.

The 2 remaining scents are :
-Vanilla Jasmine ( Cashmere) Notes of Vanilla Bean Orchid, Living Purple Orchid, Jasmine absolute, Cedarwood and Heliotrope.

- Orange Flower ( Lace) Notes of Orange Flower Absolute, Chinese Osmanthus, Pink Grapefruit and Dewdrops

Each Parfums Intimes is $ 45.00 for a 1.7 oz EDP.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Bobbi Brown Sandbar Soap Is Back


I was just cruising the Bobbi brown website and saw that the Sandbar soap is back for summer. To me, at least, this is very exciting news. Sandbar is LE and only here for awhile.

What it is , is the best smelling soap ever. Fragranced with Bobbi's Beach scent, Sandbar smells like the best beach day you've had. There's suntan lotion, salty air and a sand gritty side for exfoliating.

Some of the actual notes are mandarin, sand jasmine and sea spray. You simply have to smell it, to get it. It's one of the few items I stockpile. I have so much stuff , so I rarely do that. This soap is worth it.

There's a great story behind this soap as well, which was told to me by Bobbi herself during Fashion Week. Hopefully I can remember it correctly.

Bobbi was at a market of some sort, and there was a young girl there who made homeade soap. Bobbi loved her soaps and established a rapport with the girl. Eventually through this relationship, she asked her to create a soap for her and Sandbar was born. Thats the basic story. I know there was more. No matter, it's still a good story.


So go grab your Sandbar while you can.

$ 16.00 for 4.4 oz bar

Friday, April 17, 2009

Urban Decay Primer Potion Debuts New Wand


One of the biggest , and maybe only, complaint people seem to have with Urban Decay Primer Potion is getting all the product out of the tube. We've all read other bloggers attempts to cut the tube open without knifing themselves . When I had someone capable, namely my dad , cut mine open , there was not one little bit left in there.

So as of now, the wand will have an angled tip. All the better to get product out.

Both versions of Primer Potion are also now vegan.

Any new orders placed will get the new version and stores will carry it as soon as they deplete old stock. All re-stocking will be done with new wand and packaged in a clear box , so you will know it's the new one.






Thursday, April 16, 2009

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque

A tiny blurb in the writers section of the new Allure magazine alerted me to an upcoming new Chanel lipstick.

I immediately hit the net to find out what I could. Turns out the new Rouge Allure Laque, a lipstick /gloss hybrid, is already out in Europe, but won't hit our shores until Fall. I found some good info on a darling Irish blog ( you can hear that beautiful accent in the writing ) called the Beaut.ie blog, on Allure.com, and a Chanel site. I've gathered the info here, as well as the link to a video of makeup artist Kay Montano of the UK using it in a demo.

The product looks wonderful. It's been a great year so far for new lipsticks and this one seems to share a lot with new Lancome Laque Fever. I adore Laque Fever , so chances are good I will love this Chanel too. The hardest part is the wait. Do I have a Europe friend send me one? Do I need to spend in euros , where better exchange rate or not it is still more ?



Retail in euros is 30.50

International readers- have you tried Rouge Allure Laque yet? Let me know if you have and what you thought of it. One thing I noticed in the video is that the wand seems short ?

OK, heres what Chanel has to say:

"Rouge Allure Laque- is the ideal weapon of ultimate seduction that gives the lips an even more “dressed-up” style. This little jewel in black lacquered glass conceals an “artist’s brush” applicator, the secret weapon of precision for perfectly defined lips. It offers a new, elegant beauty gesture. It combines the easy application of a gloss with the makeup finish of a lipstick.A brilliantly stylised signature for the lips. Its light, creamy texture, filled with “soft focus” coated pigments, coats lips in intense colour and lacquered shine. A botanical jelling agent provides perfect hold, while Jojoba oil extract ensures extreme comfort."

Video demo:




Some info from :
Times Online

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Ormonde Jayne Perfumes

Ormonde Jayne is a luxury British perfume house whose creations I've been slowly sampling.

Ormonde Jayne was created by Linda Pilkington and they have one store on Old Bond St. in London. She used the finest in raw materials to make beautiful perfumes that have most of the worldwide fragrance community in love. I can be added to that list.

According to the website "Ormonde Jayne's philosophy is one of quality and true luxury, the pursuit of beauty and elegance. Our perfume library reposes on an exquisitely simple principle - extraordinarily beautiful scents using speciality oils not widely used in the perfume industry today" and they make all the products in their own London laboratory.

There are eleven scents in all with Zizan being the newest.I won't go into each one but some favorites.

I especially loved Champaca, Fragipani and Osmanthus , which was no surprise being the white flower lover I am. These are creamy , tropical and more. No simple fragrances here, and they are all white flowers but in no way smell the same.

Then there is the stunning Ta'if. Ta'if is a special rose scent using a Damascus rose from the town of Ta'if near the Red Sea . Not simply a rose perfume , it is sweet but not cloying, a darker , slightly spicy rose, that speaks of far off places. This is a must have.

There are many more scents. One for everyone basically. Resinous Tolu, and Ormonde Woman which uses Black Hemlock absolute in all stages of the scent . It is unique and beautiful with touches of violet and cedar among others. A very grown up woman's perfume.

They have an wonderful sample programme "consisting of all 11 perfumes decanted into mini sprays at an Eau de Parfum strength" with free shipping worldwide.This is what I have and it comes in the most wonderful presentation box with the vials nestled in velvet.


Ormonde Jayne can only be ordered at their site but the ship everywhere. There are gorgeous candles and body products available as well as a unique Parfum d'or Naturel-which is made of natural sugars mixed with perfume and gold . That I need to try.

Prices are in British pounds:

112.00 for 50ml pure parfum
58.00 50 ml edp
46.00 15 ml Parfum D'or Naturel
36.00 230g candle



Annick Goutal Un Matin D'Orage

I think I am naming this week Fragrance Week here at the Beauty Alchemist. Since I talked about fragrance yesterday, have at least one more for Thursday and am today running a review I did that appeared first in Sniffapalooza magazine in March. There are just so many new scents out there and I love to try them all.

Today is Annick Goutal Un Matin D'Orage. The newest from this vaunted French house and I love it. It is one of my favorites of the year so far. This is one I will definitely be getting a full bottle of. Well, the rollerball to be exact. I featured the rollerball in my best beauty buys. It's 29.00, adorable, portable and affordable. Doesn't get much better.
________________________

Picture a Japanese garden, one stormy morning… that’s the lead off line for the newest Annick Goutal Un Matin D’Orage.

Created by Isabelle Doyen and Camille Goutal, they wanted to give the wearer the idea of the garden with it’s "rain drenched earth" but the sun also "piercing the balmy mist that rises" from the earth, over the "rain drenched white flowers"
They have succeeded extremely well.

Un Matin D’Orage starts off with hit of jasmine, a nice jasmine, and one that is not very indolic. From there the white flowers begin to blossom and the tiniest bit of citrus wafts by. The fragrance quickly gives way to full on gardenia, a wet gardenia. The gardenia you would smell right on the bush, fresh, with the foliage adding a note of it’s own.

It is in no way heavy or cloying and is one of the sprightliest scents I’ve smelled in awhile. It’s fresh, light, and sunny. I immediately got an image of a sunny Spring day bursting with blooms. ( It was a great visual moment).

The dewy rain figures in throughout the scent as well. Not aquatic but just a hint of wet. The wet that caresses the flowers lightly and adds that bit of scent when there is heat out to burn off that dew. It all mixes together in a heady white floral that enchants the nose.

The notes for Un Matin D’Orage are:
Jasmine Sambac, Soft Magnolia, Sicilian Lemon, Peppery Ginger, Indonesian Champaca and Green Perilla.

Un Matin D'Orage is on counters at Nordstrom, Saks, Neimans. Online at those locations ad more like http://www.aedes.com/

Besides the rollerball, there is the 1.7 oz EDT for 80.00 and a 6.8 oz Body Cream for $ 95.00

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Strange Invisible Perfumes


I love the name of this line. Although we don't want invisible perfume, strange works at times. It's simply a good name though as these are not strange or invisible.


The company is an all botanic fragrance house. Founded by Alexandra Balahoutis, she uses organic, wild crafted or biodynamic essences in a base of 100 % organic grape alcohol. That means these are perfume oils, and high quality ones.


The spring collection consists of 3 soliflores with Balahoutis aiming to capture the flower as it grows. She does a good job of this. All are earthy yet pretty, and green.

-Aquarian Rose- has a watery and aquatic way . The rose is light and not as the perfumer says "A rose in a vase" This rose is meant to be unisex, a rose a man can wear. Marjoram and Sandalwood are in the mix with the rose.

-Epic Gardenia- is creamy and lush as gardenia should be but a bit green as well. Not too green , but enough to cut the headiness gardenia can bring ( although personally, I like my gardenia full on, but not everyone does.) It is still gardenia though, so a bit bold and lovely.

-Urban Lily is also creamy and green. Very green to my nose. Balahoutis is going off the idea of the freshly blooming lily of the valleys that pops up in spring and the idea that this lily is still planted is very much there. The dirt mixes with the flower.


Strange Invisible Perfumes comes in a pure parfum .25 oz at $ 210.00 and a 1.7 oz eauz de parfum at $ 175.00.

They can be bought at http://www.strangeinvisibleperfumes.com/, or http://www.beautyhabit.com/ and some specialty retailers.

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Body Shop says Yes to Safe Sex


The Body Shop long known for supporting worthy causes has done it again. This time they have created a new lip butter called Tantalizing to raise awareness of safe sex practices & HIV prevention.

It's flavored with Dragonfruit, which sounds good. I haven't tried it yet and will miss the launch event in NYC as well. Should be a fun one .
Solange Knowles is the official ambassador for this campaign and she will kick it off along with the Naked Cowboy tomorrow in NYC( Soho).

The Body Shop lip butters are great, and supporting a great cause is an even better reason to grab yourself ( and every teen you know) one.

Here's all the official info:
"Everyday, 6,000 young people aged 16-24 are newly infected with HIV.
In order to help educated young people on safe sex practices and how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, The Body Shop has teamed up with MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation to bring you the “Yes Yes Yes!” Campaign.

The Body Shop will be offering our Tantalizing Lip Butter for $8.00. Blending our creamy Community Trade shea butter with beeswax and Dragonfruit extract for a powerful moisturizer with a tantalizing smell. And for every lip balm you buy, we’ll donate a portion of the proceeds to helping spread the word about safe sex.

All net proceeds, approximately $5 from every lip butter, will go to The Staying Alive Foundation, who are committed to raising HIV and AIDS awareness around the world and empowering young people to stay safe. And you’ll get a delicious healing butter that makes your lips soft and kissable.

For more information on the campaign, visit YesToSafeSex.com. If you’re committed to staying protected and having safe sex, take the pledge on the site and sign on for a lifetime of smart choices. It’s your body, protect it."

There are many Social Media apps as well :

Facebook-
To encourage consumers to show their commitment to safe sex, The Body Shop and MTV Networks International will also launch a Facebook application (http://apps.facebook.com/causes/228933/5056140?m=9483ecc8) where consumers can invite their friends to engage in a discussion on safe sex

Flickr-
For photographers keen to express their creativity, there will be a contest on Flickr, (http://www.flickr.com/groups/664446@N20/) where consumers will be encouraged to upload photos of themselves with the Tantalizing Lip Butter or images of the word "Yes" captured in weird wonderful places. The best photos posted will win a gift bag full of MTV and The Body Shop goodies.

Twitter-
Tweet your safe sex pledge and other euphemisms on the importance of practicing safe sex via Twitter. The Staying Alive twitter (http://twitter.com/mtvstayingalive/ohttp://twitter.com/mtvstayingalive) will also feature up to the moment live updates from the campaign.


Spa Week


Today begins Spa Week. Spa Week runs through the 19th and offers you the chance to get high end spa treatments for 50.00 each. After the busy Easter weekend or Passover dinners, you may just be ready for a break.

There are many day spas available, and you can search the choices on http://www.spaweek.com/, hopefully finding one in your area.

Some examples are almost all the Red Door spas, including the one in Harrahs Atlantic City. Although I do wish The Water Club at the Borgota was doing it. I very much want to visit there. Definitely worth the trip I think.
Also you can go to the ultra luxe Mandarin Oriental in Boston for a a 45-minute Frankincense Divine Mind treatment.

The Standard in Miami offers :
50 Min Anti-Oxidant Facial
45 Min Gingergrass Bamboo Exfoliating Scrub with Coconut Body Butter
60 Min Coconut Lime Pedicure

In Arizona , one of the many seemingly gorgeous places is the Biltmore . I recall being there a very long time agao as a kid. No spa visit, just a look around, and it was pretty amazing.

In LA, theres the Murad and Jurlique spas which would of course be using their products in your treatments.

Pictures:
The Standard
The Biltmore

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Chanel Summer '09 Cote D'Azur


Summer is up now at Chanel. The new collection is loaded with pretty Aqualumieres( my favorite Chanel lippie), a great multi bronzer, eye quad , 2 nail polishes , a gorgeous pink/coral blush called In Love and more.

My highlights are the Soleil Tan De Chanel 4 Facettes Bronzing Powder, Orange Fizz nail polish and the aforementioned Aqualumieres.

The 4 Facettes bronzer is 4 pretty and light to medium bronzing shades. No dark pigment here, this gives you a great light bronzing. It looks very natural and not too dark or overdone. You can also use just the lightest shades for highlighting. There is shimmer but not too much. It's , if you can ever call Chanel basic, a good basic bronzer.

Orange Fizz is one of two new nail shades and is one pretty orange. It's not too bright but not pale. Think orange sherbet not soda. It's non shimmer and can go on a bit streaky at first. The second coat goes much better and it dries down perfectly.

The new Aqualumieres include Panarea, the lipstick Jen Aniston wore to the Oscars, Ischia, a nice tan complementing rose ,and my favorite Salina ( LE), a barely there shimmer pink nude.

All are available now at Chanel counters and http://www.chanel.com/ ( much is out of stock already, so check counters, other online)














Friday, April 10, 2009

St. Tropez Self Tanners

St. Tropez has been one of the gold standards in self tanning for many years.

This year they have revamped a bit with their new Aromaguard™ technology. Aromaguard lessens that self tanner " stink" .

I used the Self Tan Mist yesterday on my arms. Incredibly there was almost no smell at all. When I went nose to arm it was there a tiny bit, but no wafting of it all over. I also got a nice tint of bronze. I'm quite pale and while I love a deeper ( self) tan, I'm not quite ready for that yet. This was just enough and blended well into the parts of my hand and arm that I didn't use the tanner on. What we call a healthy glow. The spray has bit of bronzer in it, so some color was immediate but again just enough.

Can I say how nice it is not to be so pale ? Enjoying that.

The Bronzing Mousse works in the same way. A good coat of bronze first and then a great tan develops over the day. This one seems to give deeper color with the first use.
Best part, everyone you meet won't know you applied self tanner. This Aromaguard works really well . It was sorely needed.



St. Tropez has a wide range of products and when I got ready to do this post, I noticed that the line is appearing on QVC today for the first time. It will air at 6PM EST today( The 10th)

QVC will be featuring many of the products. Bestsellers like the mousse and newer ones. Fiona Locke , St. Tropez's resident expert will be there to do demos .

Products scheduled to be featured include:
-Perfect Legs – this season’s must-have: self tanner and cosmetic -bronzer for flawless legs
-Rapide Face – a daily tanner and skin treatment
-Everyday Mousse – a lightweight foam that produces a gradual tan
-Everyday Face & Body – gradual tanning in a lightweight lotion
-Bronzing Mousse – a rich tanning mousse
-Tan Intensifier – prolong a rich, golden glow
-Discovery Set – a great way to discover the joys of tanning


Thursday, April 9, 2009

MAC Double Dazzle & Rose Romance

The two new MAC collections are Double Dazzle- loads of new Dazzleglasses, and Rose Romance- a pink heavy collection of lippies, eyeshadows and beauty powders.

Highlights include the new Beauty Powders with a carved Rose motif. The one shown is Summer Rose. It's a medium pink and makes a great blush. The Rose carving is pretty deep, so while this will wear down eventually, it will take awhile unlike an overspray.

Rose Romance also includes a gel blush (shown) in Just A Pinch. Very red in the jar, it applies more sheer.

See Thru lipcolor, a major lasting lip stain comes in 3 colors, as well as new lipstick, glosses and shadows. Fragrance Hue in Dejarose makes a reappearance along with a scented skin freshener called Fix+Rose, thats sounds like a must have for me.

Double Dazzle brings 18 Dazzleglasses. A lot to pick from. Some are new , some repromote. Shown are Smile- a wonderful peachy sparkle, and Stop!Look! - a medium pink.

All the new shades are beauties.

Double Dazzle is on counters today, Rose Romance on April 23rd.




Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Rouge G de Guerlain Pictures

At last I have in my hands Guerlain's new lipstick Rouge G. My pictures do not do it justice. My long ago photography class lessons have been forgotten I guess, as I just couldn't get a great shot.

Suffice to say that Rouge G is Stunning with a capital S. It's a work of art.

The case was designed by a top Parisian jeweler, and Guerlain's creative director wanted it to be "a new mysterious beauty icon that united the qualities of a powder case, a jewel and the most precious lipstick".

You will never look so chic as when you bring this out of your handbag. The compact has two mirrors inside and a major clasp that closes the case. The finish is a mirror shine on the outside. So shiny, that I worry it will get scratched in my bag. The only thing missing here is a velvet pouch to hold the lipstick like Guerlain's eyeshadows. I am sure, however, I can find something that will work.

The colors shown are Gabrielle- a pale pink with a bit of shimmer, Guerlainade- the perfect nude. It has a tiny, tiny hint of peach, and Gil - a medium orange/coral shimmer. ( All the names begin with G)
These are highly creamy, last well and are very soft on the lips. Like butter.

These may come with a higher price than most lipsticks, but I say every woman needs something this beautiful.

On April 24th & 35th Bergdorfs is having their gift card event. 25.00 off 100.00 purchase. A great time to buy any Guerlain, and also on those days they are offering free engraving on the Rouge G. ( Fragrance bottles too). They will ship in US, call Jason at (800) 218-4918 ext. 2734

I think a personalized engraving on these is a great idea. Many live far from NYC, but any jeweler should be able to do the same for you as well.

Buy at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorfs, and Saks
$ 45.00