Beauty411

Guerlain Fragrance Online Trunk Show Event

 

Fragrance fanatics and Guerlain devotees can rejoice. For a limited time, Guerlain is offering its renowned Exclusive Fragrance collection online, giving women who do not currently live near one of seven Guerlain Boutiques in the U.S. the opportunity to shop these spectacular fragrances from home.

For the next two weeks women across the country can find these exclusive and elusive fragrances from one of the oldest perfumeries in the world online at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. The available collections include L’Art et la Matiere, Les Elixirs Charnels, the 180th Year Collector’s Case and La Petite Robe Noire, which debuted last month.

La Petite Robe Noire, the little black dress is to fashion what fragrance is to Guerlain.  Sexy, and light as a champagne bubble, the scent features melt-in-your-mouth macaroon, the tang of the Sicilian lemon,  a tender almond kiss, and a touch of licorice. An armful of roses adds elegance, while smoked tea and patchouli give it character. And for a soft velvety touch, a caress of Musk and Vanilla. Its fragrance trail tantalizes and the boys are quick to follow.  The 1.7oz Eau de Parfum retails at $150.  I'm dying to try this one.

Do you have a favorite Guerlain fragrance?  Let me know in the comments!

Bond No. 9 Brooklyn Fragrance

Bond No. 9 is set to release Brooklyn, a new unisex fragrance in March.  Bond No. 9 Brooklyn is dynamic, contemporary--much like the hip New York neighborhood that inspired this creation.  Brooklyn is home to fashionistas, web designers, aspiring editors--all sorts of creative types.  It's fitting then, that the bottle of Bond No. 9 Brooklyn pays homage to that creativity with a little hipness of it's own. 

The Bond No.9 Brooklyn bottle's design marks a first for the iconic superstar flacon: edgy, urban handwritten script is applied directly onto the transparent glass surface in graffiti-style.  The words "Brooklyn" and "Bond No.9" are spelled out in a vivid array of colors, reminiscent of street art. 

The juice itself has it's own sense of moxy:  it's a woody, spicy-filled oriental composed of top notes of cardamom, geranium leaves and cedarwood; mid notes of grapefruit and juniper leaves and base notes of South American guiacwood and leather.  Although considered unisex, there is decidedly a masculine aspect to Brooklyn.

Bond No.9 Brooklyn Eau de Parfum will be available in March at Bond No.9's four New York City Boutiques, Saks Fifth Avenue and www.bondno9.com.

Ralph Lauren Romance Always Yours Fragrance

Ralph Lauren Romance Always Yours fragrance was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the original Ralph Lauren Romance.  Created by perfumer Harry Fremont, Always Yours is a more complex fragrance blend inspired by the deepening of a relationship.  Fremont also created the original Romance, which remains a best-seller today.

 

Romance Always Yours is a Sensual Floral Chypre with top notes of Sun Goddess Rose, Yellow Freesia & Ginger; mid notes of Lotus Flower, White Violet & Fresh Daylily; and base notes of Patchouli Concentrate, Creamy Sensual Musk & Oak Moss.  This fragrance bursts with a clean freshness that is light, not at all heavy; equally wearable at home or the office.

To celebrate the release, Romance Always Yours is available not only as an Elixir de Parfum ($60-$75) but also as a very special Limited Edition Parfum ($225), which features a hand-crafted glass faceted dauber, reminiscent of the diamond - a traditional 10th wedding anniversary gift.  The Romance Always Yours Elixir de Parfum will become a permanent part of the collection alongside the original Romance, a testament to the lasting commitment which inspired Always Yours.  In addition to the Always Yours fragrances, a Body Moisturizer and Shower Gel are part of the collection.

 

Ralph Lauren Romance Always Yours is available now at department stores nationwide and at RalphLauren.com.

Vera Wang LOOK Eau de Parfum

Vera Wang's new fragrance, LOOK, embraces and celebrates women's confidence.  LOOK was inspired by Wang's ready-to-wear line and in contrast to her other fragrances, I would define this one as more modern. 

LOOK has top notes of mandarin and watery greens, along with lychee and golden delicious apple.  It then develops into a floral bouquet, with mid notes of lily, freesia and jasmine, with base notes of vanilla, skin musk, oakmoss and patchouli. The bottle represents simplicity; clear glass from every angle with a cut crystal stopper. 

LOOK is a very pretty, feminine, soft, fragrance; not heavy or dominating at all. It's an easy fragrance to wear to work.  My impression keeps coming back to "sheer floral", based on the way it smells on me.  Although LOOK was inspired by ready-to-wear, it still feels very "bridal".  As it should; Vera Wang is arguably one of the premiere bridal dress designers in the country. 

Listen to Vera Wang talking about what LOOK represents:

Bond No. 9 Holiday Fragrance Collection

Even though I don't live in New York (but wish that I did!) there is something so universal about its' appeal.  So it goes with Bond No. 9 Perfumes.  A fragrance for each neighborhood in the city.  And just as you'd expect the city to be decked out for holiday festivities, Bond No. 9 doesn't disappoint.

Three of Bonds' most popular fragrances get the royal treatment. Each bottle is embellished with over 5,000 Swarovski crystals. The pearlized milk glass Eau de New York Bottle is studded with diamond colored Aurora Borealis stones.  Chelsea Flowers receives the emerald colored stones and Chinatown features ruby colored stones.  Retailing at $650, these beauties will only be going to a select clientele this holiday season.

For the rest of us, though, there are more affordable holiday gift options:

I love this set of four soaps, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Chinatown, Eau de New York and The Scent of Peace.  The colorful wrapping depicts a field of Bond No. 9 tokens on an ivory background. This set is $ 95 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Also at Saks is a set of five travel candles. These would make wonderful gifts on their own.  The set includes Chelsea Flowers, Chinatown, Eau de New York, Nuits de Noho and The Scent of Peace.  $ 95.

Bond No. 9 Perfumes are available at Bond No. 9 New York Boutiques and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Estee Lauder Blockbuster 2008

The legendary Estee Lauder Blockbuster comes once a year.  This year, the holiday makeup extravaganza looks bigger and better than ever.  The "Blockbuster" is a concept that Estee Lauder invented: a beautiful cosmetics bag or organizer filled to the brim with eyeshadows, lipsticks, blushes and brushes.  It's called a "purchase with purchase", meaning when you purchase any Estee Lauder fragrance product, you're also entitled to purchase the Blockbuster for only $ 49.50.  The value of the beauty collection is estimated at $ 300.  Now, if that isn't one of the best beauty values around, I don't know what is!

This year, the Estee Lauder Blockbuster arrives in croco-looking train cases and includes:

• Deluxe Eyeshadow Compact with 15 coordinating shades Pure Color EyeShadow in Vanilla, Ginger Drop, Sand Box, Amethyst, Bronze Cube, Camouflage, Cinnamon, Honey Drop, Mocha Cup, Pale Moon, Mink, Ivory Box, Sugar Cube
• Estée Lauder Signature Eyeshadow in Roseberry Duo
• Deluxe Face Compact (Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer and Estée Lauder Signature Silky Powder Blush in Nude Rose and Pink Kiss)
• 2 Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks (full-size, in shades Bois de Rose and Sugar Honey)
• Estée Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick (full-size, in shade Pink Champagne

The Estee Lauder Blockbuster is available at Estee Lauder counters now and I can tell you from my past experience in Cosmetics, that there is a limited supply and they go fast.  If you haven't tried the new Sensuous fragrance (read my review here), that's what I'd suggest for your fragrance purchase. The Blockbuster is a great way to get two gifts; one to keep and one to give.

Clinique Holiday 2008: Blackberry Bloom Collection

Clinique Blackberry Bloom Holiday Collection is out and two words come to mind. Sexy and dramatic. Black Honey Addicts....this is the collection for you!

The inspiration behind this collection is Clinique's top selling Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine stand-out Blackberry Bloom shade.  A colour that inspired an entire collection. 

Every holiday face needs to glow.  The Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in limited-edition Blackberry Bloom is gorgeous. I'd suggest picking up the powder brush for perfect application.

There are three new limited-edition shades of Colour Surge Eye Shadow Super Shimmer, all delivering long lasting, intense colour.  Black Coffee, Black Amethyst and Black Smoke.  I've been playing with the Black Smoke; it glides on to deliver a gorgeous medium, buildable, charcoal color.  You need this shade to create the perfect smokey eye. 

Kohl Shaper for Eyes in shades of Black Amethyst, Black Kohl and new limited-edition Black Honey will help to create a dramatic eye.  These liners are water resistant and come with their own built-in sharpener.  Line close to the eye and smudge or apply on the waterline for a more sophisticated effect.  I've been pairing the Black Amethyst Kohl Shaper with Black Smoke eyeshadow and love this combination.  High Impact Mascara in limited-edition Black Honey will help finish your look.

Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in new limited-edition Sugarfull, Voluptuous Violet and in Blackberry Bloom are so pretty.  This glossy formula adds high shine, but without irritating.

Of course no look is complete until you've added fragrance.  Clinique's Aromatics Elixir Perfume Spray is for the confident woman not afraid to make a statement.  It's a classic chypre that has stood the test of time.

Clinique Blackberry Bloom Holiday Collection is available at Clinique counters and online at www.clinique.com.

Annick Goutal Rose Absolue Perfume

In October, Annick Goutal Perfumery honors Annick Goutal who passed away from breast cancer with Rose Absolue perfume.  Pure, elegant, unassuming and feminine; Rose Absolue is the absolute essence of a rose.  A single-flower fragrance that brings together the rarest roses from East and West; the Bulgarian, Turkish, Damask, May, Egyptian and Moroccan rose. 

During the month of October, Annick Goutal will donate 30% of Rose Absolue sales to Breast Cancer research.

Price: $140 for 1.7oz Eau de Parfum Spray, Available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Lancome Magnifique Eau de Parfum

Lancome has recently introduced it's newest fragrance, Magnifique.  It is inspired by the color red; the most passionate color in the world and is designed to appeal to free-spirited, sophisticated women everywhere. The ads feature Anne Hathaway in her debut as spokesperson for Lancome. Magnifique was created by master perfumers Olivier Cresp and Jacques Cavallier; both impressive in their own right.

My first impression of Magnifique is that I really like it and would definitely consider buying this fragrance.  It is another spicy, floral, woody blend that has been such a popular genre lately.  At first wearing, I got a big burst of the spicy note, but as it developed and dried down, I got more of the fruity, floral, powdery and vanilla notes and then finally an amber-musk base.  It was the rose/powdery note that was slightly reminiscent of Tresor, a fragrance I've always loved.  I definitely see this as a warm, Fall fragrance.

Top note:  spicy saffron

Middle notes:  Mai de Grasses rose absolute, Bulgarian rose essence, Sambac jasmine

Base notes:  Nagarmota, vetiver, sandalwood

Lancome's  Magnifique is available now at Lancome counters in department and specialty stores nationwide, the five Lancome boutiques and online at www.lancome-usa.com.

New from Bond No. 9: Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue Eau de Parfum

Bond No. 9 has recently introduced Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue, the third fragrance in it's series of collaborations with the Andy Warhol Foundation.  While in New York last week for Fashion Week, I stopped at the Bond No. 9 counter in Saks Fifth Avenue to smell the new fragrance.  It's perfect for this time of year.  A little dark and mysterious, this is the sort of fragrance that draws you in.

It may not be well known, but Andy Warhol started his career in the early 1950's by drawing illustrations of shoes. His whimsical shoe illustrations are seen on the bottle of Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue.

Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue is classified as a floral woody chypre (chypre meaning fresh citrus topnotes and a lingering forest-like base).  The top notes are: blue cypress, fennel, cardamom and roasted almonds; the mid notes are pink peony, florentine orris (the root of the iris flower), creme brulee and pimento berry; base notes are patchouli and sandalwood.  On me, I get alot of the woody notes at the top, but love it as it develops into the floral notes.  I feel it gets prettier the longer you wear it.

Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue Eau de Parfum is available in two sizes--100 ml and 50 ml, at Bond No. 9's four New York City boutiques, www.bondno9.com and at Saks Fifth Avenue nationwide.