August 12th, 2008
I rather liked the original Estee Lauder Pleasures. I got a bit confused because my mini-bottle of Pleasures Intense reminded me of Beyond Paradise. In any case, my experience of Pleasures Intense was like being sprayed in the face with maple-scented hairspray. It is very strong and lasts well for a department store perfume. If you love peonies, definitely give this perfume a try. It’s a strange combination of pinkish-florals, fresh greens, and sweetness. I definitely wouldn’t purchase a full bottle!
Top Notes: Luminous Green Lily, Le Charme Peony
Middle Notes: Velvety Moroccan Rose, silky Pink Tiger Lily, Jasmine
Base Notes: Maple Wood and Benzoin crystals with a spicy touch of Vanilla
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By Amy -- 2 comments
August 11th, 2008
This perfume was originally introduced in 1975, when Karl Lagerfeld was the house designer for Chloe. Surprisingly, it doesn’t smell very “1975″. In fact, it reminds me mostly of another perfume that’s been a long-standing favorite - White Shoulders. It’s more timeless than timely!
It can be purchased very inexpensively ($30-ish) online and at discounters like TJ Maxx. I much prefer it to the “new” Chloe. It’s a sort of woody, gourmand white floral - very feminine, perfect for the office.
Coconut, Bergamot, Aldehydes, Peach, Tuberose, Ylang-ylang, Hyacinth, Orris, Musk, Sandal, Cedar, Benzoin.
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By Amy -- 0 comments
August 10th, 2008
My first impression: Whut? I got pickles (dill, not sweet) and mustard. There’s a lot going on here (green! fruit! floral! spice! amber! musk!) and it’s just not doing well on my skin. I’m just not able to appreciate the genius of blending tuberose with clove bud, which on paper sounds awesome. Someone else try a sample and tell me you love it.
Notes: Green leaves, orange flower, pepper, peach, raspberry, neroli, lily of the valley, egyptian jasmine, tuberose, ylang, clove bud, violet, elemi, sandalwood, vetiver, almonds, ambergris, musk.
Egon Oelkers’s style in perfumery is best described as discreet luxury. The soft opulence of eo3 is a perfect example of the perfume’s talent for elegant understatement. The greenness of the opening notes is almost child-like in its delicacy, with peach and raspberry enhancing the gentle sweetness of orange blossom. The heart of the scent continues to interpret the white floral theme with the same tenderness, treating the flowers, lily of the valley, jasmine, tuberose, and ylang-ylang, with the soft caress their fragile petals deserve. The quiet opulence of the base of almond, ambergris, musk, balm and sandalwood, finishes this white symphony in pianississimo…Softly enveloping, impeccably elegant, eo3 is simultaneously a wonderful comfort-skin-scent and a perfume for the most special occasions. Sublime!
photo and text: Luckyscent.
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By Amy -- 0 comments
August 9th, 2008
From the Splendicity community, comes this week best in beauty, fashion and shopping.
BEAUTY
Beautiful Makeup Search wonders if the mascara madness will ever end.
Aging Fabulous explores the possibilities of Botox.
The Fragrance Fanatic introduces us to the Twice As Clean gift set.
The Scented Life is helping you choose perfumes by the horoscope.
A Touch of Blusher talks about Paul & Joe’s lilac eyeshadow.
Beauty Banter reveals the Battle of the Body Lotions… See which lotion won!
Teen Style Lounge has tried the brand-new Cover Girl WetSlicks AmazeMint lip glosses and has fallen in love…have you?
Beauty Blogging Junkie is participating in synchronized beauty blogging with Spoiled Pretty to bring you Put on your Game Face: Summer 2008 Beauty Olympics!
Steeping Beauty lures you to bed with products that induce beauty sleep.
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic check’s out Tarte’s Eye Couture Palette for Fall!
SHOPPING
eye4style is giving away a gorgeous Tracy Matthews cuff bracelet. Click here to enter!
FASHION
The Well-Heeled Society launches Penny-wise, Poshly Frugal, their sister site of economically-stylish home decor.
STYLEnosh adds a youthful edge to a grown up wardrobe.
Snarkstress wonders if she’s the only one taking issue with Katie Holmes wearing leggings, or what!?!
Tags: Splendicity
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By Amy -- 0 comments
August 9th, 2008
I don’t often love tuberose scents, but this one is undeniably gorgeous. A lovely combination of green, sweet, and white, soapy floral, and it just lays on the skin like silk pajamas. If you like Marc Jacobs, you’ll love, love, love this to death. It’s not as heavy or overbearing as many white florals with gardenia/tuberose can be. The drydown is surprisingly..rich..creamy, a bit powdery. Find it at Barneys.
With Tuberose, nature offers her own take on dramatic olfactive clashes. These pretty flowers exude a mixture of flowershop freshness and carnal opulence. This natural contradiction has fascinated generations of perfumers and Dominique Ropion is no exception. Starting from the latest high-tech analysis of the odor of living Tuberose, he proposed to use whatever product was necessary to get a formula that was close to nature and to create a fragrance that could mix with the wearer’s skin scent. The frequent stays of Frédéric Malle in California, where the odor of Tuberose and Gardenia is everywhere, were very inspiring and led him to encourage Dominique Ropion to reinforce the solar and carnal character of the flower. His answer was to exaggerate some aspects already existing in the natural scent, such as Coconut and Salycilates and to add a trace of musk.
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By Amy -- 2 comments
August 8th, 2008
If you’ve never tried Cleanse Your Soul, now’s a great time -everything is 20% off until Sunday, August 10. In addition, order $60 and get free shipping (domestic).
One of my favorite products from this line is the Goat’s Milk and Honey cream. She has many exclusive scents, so check it out and save.
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By Amy -- 0 comments
August 8th, 2008
apparently, just a little bit of nipple will take you a long way in this country. As in a long way from the airwaves. Calvin Klein’s new fragrance, Secret Obsession, was to be promoted by a steamy Eva Mendes. I wish they hadn’t had her hair all in her face, I know it’s supposed to be wild and sexy, but it’s just not cutting it.
I was thinking to myself, dang, I hope it’s not another fruity floral. You know what? It sounds like it is:
Topnotes: exotic plum, mace, damask rose
Heart: Jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom
Base: Cashmere Wood, amber, sandalwood.
Just take out the plum, and I’d be fine with it. Maybe it won’t be SO fruity. At least it doesn’t have cupcake accord. In stores September.
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By Amy -- 0 comments
August 7th, 2008
Every summer, Anna Sui launches a new limited edition perfume. This year, the perfume is called Lil’ Starlet. I think the bottle is on the cute side of creepy, but Anna Sui’s designs are mostly quite edgy/weird so this fits in just fine. Love the heart-frame lenses on her forehead! $58/1.7 oz
A fruity-aquatic fragrance in recognizable bottle design
Inspired by young girl dream for glory & popularity
Bright, refreshing, carefree, mischievous
Opens with notes of green pear & sparkling citruses
The heart unfolds fresh dew on peony, Madonna lily petals
Dry down reveals gourmand plum aroma & sensual musk
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By Amy -- 1 comment
August 6th, 2008
Taurus is earthy, slightly feminine, and associated with the element of salt. Most salty fragrances are associated with water/the ocean. Creed’s Royal Ceylan is a fragrance with many facets, one of which is green tea (fitting, because your gemstone is emerald!), and the saltiness, vetiver and cedar keep it on dry land. An irony/coincidence: the perfumes are housed in a leather case. The sign of the bull, indeed! This fragrance was created for Kate Middleton, probable fiancee of Prince William! You can find yours at Neiman Marcus.
• Top Note: Absolute of green tea, bitter rice, Jamaican ginger, Calabrian bergamot, and Sicilian tangerine.
• Middle Note: Lotus flower, white-tip platinum tea, and sea salt.
• Bottom Note: Vetiver, cedar, lemon, and petit-grain.
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By Amy -- 6 comments
August 5th, 2008
A few days ago I wore Ambre Narguile, and really liked it. To try another amber, in the middle of summer, is a dangerous thing. Fortunately, this scent has a lovely amber heart, but completely different setting: a smokey, woody aldehyde opening. At times dirty/animalic, spicy, and resinous. The amber sparkles through, here and there - like glimpses of a jewel from behind a carved wooden screen. It started going a little ‘pencil shavings’ on me, but it was never gourmand and always had very good posture/balance. I don’t like it on my skin quite as much as Ambre Narguile, but it is a must-try for amber lovers. Maybe more suited for a gentleman of the dark, foreign, mysterious type!
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