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Fragrance Review: Christina Aguilera Inspire

bellasugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:00:22 -0700

This isn't Christina Aguilera's first venture into the fragrance world. It isn't even her second. Aside from dabbling in the European fragrance market for the past several years, her fruity, vanilla-esque perfume aptly named, Christina Aguilera made its stateside debut last fall.

Created to inspire you to take a stance and be self-confident, Christina's newest addition — Inspire — celebrates femininity and encourages you to release your sexy side from within. Never been one to shy away from bold, adventuresome looks herself, this new fragrance is surprisingly quite mellow.

Overall, Inspire is pleasant, pretty, and classic. A fairly standard floral blend of rose and freesia provides dainty characteristics, while notes of mango and citrus give just the slightest whisper of sweetness. Sandalwood and musky notes round it out for softened edge.

The bottle and packaging is rather cool, too — influenced by the classic and modern, just like Christina herself. If you like light floral scents without too much complexity, this one's for you. Inspire is definitely wearable — just not all that distinctive.

Want to Smell Like a Pop-Tart?

bellasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:00:30 -0700

Mmmm . . . there's nothing dabbing the enticing smell of Pop-Tarts?! behind your ears and on your wrists to drive the guys wild. According to WWD, you'll soon be able to do just that — in fragrance form, of course.

It should come as no surprise that Demeter is behind this endeavor. They've made scents for Play-Doh and Necco Sweethearts before (and the latter isn't so bad). Starting in 2009, a few new fragrances will be added to the collection: Hershey’s Kisses Special Dark, Jolly Rancher Green Apple, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Aromas based on Pop-Tart scents could be in the works as well. My sweet tooth is throbbing.

You can find these delectable fragrances ($20) in chain stores, and they'd make a fun gift for someone who's obsessed with candy. Aside from the novelty factor, though, will you wear them?

Source

Fun, Cheap Finds: Vintage Atomizers

bellasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:03:28 -0700

eBay is a great source of beauty buys, especially if you know how to spot fake cosmetics. Lately I've been on an old-timey kick — fancy netted hats, seamed stockings — and the auction site is a wonderful repository of vintage goodies. Perfume atomizers can be picked up for $10 or less, and many would look amazing on a dresser. Whether you fill them with fragrance or just like the way they look, here are a few auctions I've found. Happy bidding!

What Fragrance Does Your Body Crave?

bellasugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:00:32 -0700

Just like that enticing triple chocolate cake, our bodies also crave aromas to balance us out. In the ancient Indian healing art of Ayurveda, translating to "life knowledge," there are three principles called doshas. Everyone has a unique blend of these doshas, which constitute how we react to our environment. They include vatta, pitta, and kapha.

I know, I know — it all sounds a bit new age-y, but why not hop on the wagon to self discovery? Take my quiz to determine which dosha is most like you, and I'll give you a few suggestions on which aromas will bring harmony to your life.

Source

Do You Wear Fragrance Powder?

bellasugar — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:00:58 -0700

In the beauty industry, "ancillaries" are sort of the side dishes to a fragrance's main course: the bubble baths, body lotions, shower gels, deodorants, hair mist, and so forth. Though layering the same scent with multiple products is a good way to make the fragrance last, one thing always confounds me: the fragrance powder puff. If you truly love a fragrance, your inclination may be to buy up as much of it as possible, but at an average of $40, they're quite a splurge. Do you go for them?

Do You Wear Fragrance Powder?

Yes

A Note on Notes

bellasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:00:39 -0700

Every Good Boy Does Fine. Remember that helpful little reminder for determining a note's horizontal position on the staff? Like music, fragrances depend on a delicate balance of notes, each working to bring harmony to the composition.

Fragrances are specifically designed with top, middle, and base notes, which individually bring something different to the table. A perfume's smell is not only affected by your body chemistry, but by the evaporation process of each note itself.

To learn more about each of the three notes

Gwen Stefani's Perfume Dolls Are 可愛い!

bellasugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:00:38 -0700

OK, no matter what you think about Gwen Stefani's tendency to fetishize anything and everything Asian, you've gotta admit: Her new perfume bottles are pret-ty darn 可愛い — that's kawaii, which is Japanese for "cute." The quintet comprises the Harajuku Lovers fragrance collection — more details here — and the scents are aimed toward a younger crowd than her first scent, L.

But how do these scents smell? Are you sure you really want to know? If so,

Anne Hathaway's "Magnifique" New Role: Chic or Cheesy?

bellasugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:32:20 -0700

Wouldn't it be nice to wear a gorgeous dress and have a foxy Frenchman follow you? Lucky Anne Hathaway gets paid to do it! She stars in the ad campaign for Magnifique, the newest fragrance from Lancôme. It's a woodsy floral (with some unusual ingredients). Here's Anne looking as French as possible while the Brand New Heavies provide the backing tune. I still say the tagline is corny, and Fab thinks the hand-smooching is silly — but wearing a beautiful gown in the world's most beautiful city? Chic as can be. What's your take?

Anne Hathaway's "Magnifique" New Role: Chic or Cheesy?

Chic

Cheesy

Has an Ex Ruined a Scent for You?

bellasugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:00:40 -0700

The scenario: Your ex wore a certain cologne/deodorant/scented something-or-other for the entire duration of your relationship, and now you can't bear the smell. Not even on a cab driver or brother-in-law. Or, their favorite scent of yours now only reminds you of them (goodbye, sweet Narciso . . .). Has this ever happened to you? Source

Has an Ex Ruined a Scent for You?

Yes

Love It or Hate It? Gucci by Gucci by James Franco

bellasugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:00:51 -0700

Between Brad Pitt's deal with Kiehl's and the release of James Franco's cologne commercial, it's shaping up to be a very hunky day. James is the star of the Gucci by Gucci Pour Homme ad, which features Róisín Murphy covering the old Bryan Ferry track "Slave to Love." It's not quite as weird as David Lynch's Gucci spot, but I can't help but giggle as James says "Gucci by Gucci" at the end. What's your take?

Love It or Hate It? Gucci by Gucci by James Franco

Love it

Hate it

Undecided

Is There a Sweet Smell of Success?

bellasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:00:13 -0700

With unemployment hitting a four-year high last month, there's a good chance some of you are in the market for a new job. You're probably already familiar with hair and makeup tips for job seekers, but have you ever thought your fragrance may sway the outcome of a big interview?

A friend who works in human resources at a very well-known independent film studio recently told me a story about a qualified male candidate coming in smelling as if he had bathed in Abercrombie cologne. "All of the parties who met him agreed that he was well equipped for the job, but we ended up having to pass on him," she told me. "None of us (including myself) were able to stay in the interview room with him long enough to get through a thorough questioning, let alone sit in a cubicle next to him."

Ouch! Turns out, many recruiters tell their job applicants that fragrance is an interview faux pas and possible dealbreaker. So stop spending your unemployment checks on the newest scents — they could end up costing more than you think!

Source

Fragrance Review: Jessica Simpson Fancy

bellasugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:10 -0700

From country singer to pop star to hair extension creator, this multi-talented lady has done it all. Her latest venture takes her into the fragrance world. When I first heard of the aromas featured in Jessica Simpson's perfume, Fancy ($49-$59), I suddenly had the urge to make a sundae. Apricot, pear, toasted almonds, caramel? Yep, my teeth started aching just thinking about it.

The name of the perfume didn't raise my hopes; when something's described as "fancy," that usually means it's just the opposite. But upon experiencing my first whiff of the scent, I was pleasantly surprised. The aroma isn't as sticky-sweet as I envisioned — it's more sophisticated than the overly literal smells of Jess's earlier Dessert line. I loved Fancy's lightness of apricot and pear notes; and the vanilla helped to add a subtle balance to the blend. It's warm and inviting, and considering how men seem to go bananas for vanilla, it's a good first-date fragrance.

Although I'm impressed by the thought behind the blend, the floral notes — which include jasmine and gardenia — are just a little too, well, fancy for me. I like a hint of dirtiness in my fragrance, but if you love sweet, warm blends, Jessica's perfume is worth a sniff. Even though it's too vanilla for me (take that either way you like) it's pleasant and long-lasting, and it's bound to be a guilty pleasure of anyone who's normally opposed to the idea of celebrity fragrance in general.

Bella Quiz: Perfume or Beach Read?

bellasugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:00:34 -0700

It's the time of year when some of us stop going to the library, the used bookstore, or even Borders in favor of a squeaky rotating metal display at a store that also sells sunblock and ashtrays made out of shells.

Mystery or bodice-ripper, many of these beach reads sound suspiciously like some of our favorite beauty products. So test your knowledge of scent, and in the results (when it's a book), I've included a little description of the plot from the publisher. (You know, not that you'd ever read that junk.)

Source

Sarah Jessica's Covet Goes Missing From Macy's

bellasugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:00:38 -0700

Here's a strange development: On Saturday, I went to Macy's to check out some fragrances. All of the celebrity scents were in one kiosk, and Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely was among the most prominent — but where was her newer scent, Covet? Last year there was a ton of buzz (and one odd commercial) for Covet, but the green-tinted bottle was nowhere to be found. Instead, it had been replaced by Covet Pure Bloom, a more floral take in much more attractive lavender packaging.

In the fragrance biz, these sister scents are called flankers, but it's unusual to have one without the original. After asking around and doing a little sleuthing, I found out that the original Covet is no longer carried at Macy's (or at Nordstrom, for that matter). It's not completely surprising; it's a riskier scent than SJP's Lovely, and although I like it, it might not translate well for everyone. But if you love Covet, don't despair; the scent isn't being discontinued, and you can shop online. Better yet, take a peek at TJ Maxx or Marshall's, the latter of which was selling Covet for as little as $24.99. Between this perfume letdown, the end of her Bitten line, and the cheating rumors, SJP isn't exactly having the best summer — but at least that genderless fragrance she's working on is a bright spot.

Space: The Final Fragrance Frontier

bellasugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:56 -0700

How does outer space smell? Apparently, it smells good: I've been noticing fragrances that claim to be scented like the cosmos, and I don't mean Sun Moon Stars from Lagerfeld. Givenchy’s new men's release, Givenchy Pi Neo ($47.50 for 1.7 oz), includes “patented, futuristic” notes. Alain Lorenzo, president of Parfums Givenchy, told WWD that “the initial story of Pi was about a pioneer who happened to be an astronaut. We thought this story is still very current, except that today the unknown world is not space, but the virtual world.”

Speaking of the virtual world, a friend emailed me last night about her latest obsession: a scent that really is galactic. To find out about it,

Heaven Scent: A Fragrance for the Faithful

bellasugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:00:49 -0700

Have you ever smelled your perfume and thought, "This just isn't godly enough?" You're in luck, because Virtue is a an absolutely divine fragrance. No, really. The perfume is "scent from the Bible" and is, as far as I know, the world's only Christian fragrance.

Virtue's notes come from plants and oils mentioned in the Bible; some of the things you'll smell are fig, pomegranate, cinnamon, frankincense, and myrrh. And as Virtue's creators put it, you'll smell just heavenly:

"In practically all religions and Spiritual practices, persons of high spiritual attainment are known to give off a fragrance, attributed to their Virtue. Christ, many of the Saints, and numerous others with highly developed spirituality, are, historically, known to have given off such a fragrance."

Lord knows how Virtue smells, because at $80 a bottle, it's a little too expensive for me to try out on blind faith alone. Think you'd give it a sniff, or do you think the idea reeks of sacrilege?

Coming Soon: U by Ungaro For Him and For Her

bellasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:00:54 -0700

Emanuel Ungaro is quite the busy fashion house these days. Along with releasing a limited-edition makeup collection with MAC later this year, it's about to release two scents: U by Ungaro For Him and U by Ungaro For Her.

I've tried U by Ungaro for Her, and I really like the sweet, floral and slightly spicy aroma. It has a fresh and crisp essence that makes it great for daytime, but it's not subtle — so you should be prepared for a few heads to turn as you work a room. For those of you who are curious about all of the fragrance notes, it contains a blend of blonde woods, bergamot, freesia, pepper blossom, acacia aura, lotus flower, osmanthus, oris, sandalwood and musk.

For the details about U by Ungaro for him and to see close up photos of the bottles,

Coming Soon: Emporio Armani Diamonds For Men

bellasugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:00:31 -0700

Josh Hartnett is hot, hot, hot — and apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so. He's just finished shooting the ad campaign as the face of Armani's new fragrance, Emporio Armani Diamonds For Men. (If you recall, Beyonce Knowles was the face for the women's version of the fragrance, and it sold incredibly well.)

The sparkling, woody scent is blended with notes of citrus-bergamot accord, szechuan pepper, cocoa bean, cedar, gaiac wood vetiver, and ambroxan. The fragrance will be available in three eau de toilette sizes ($37.50–$62.50) online and at Saks, Bloomingdale's and Macy's this September. I can't wait to check it out — and my fingers are crossed for some Hottnett in-store appearances.

Are You A Sparse or Spastic Spritzer?

bellasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:00:45 -0700

On average, how many times would you say you spritz on your perfume? Generally speaking, I'm a four-shot type of gal. One spritz goes on each of the insides of my wrists, one goes in the middle of my neck (although I know it's really more effective on the pulse points behind your ears) and the final spritz goes behind my knees to ensure I leave a little of my essence lingering in the air as I walk on by. What is your fragrance spritzing pattern? Do you spritz sparingly or generously?Source

Are You A Sparse or Spastic Spritzer?

I give myself one good spritz.

I spritz twice.

I spray my perfume on my body three or more times.

Other — I'll tell you more in a comment below.

Coming Soon: Strawberry Flowers Eau de Parfum

bellasugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:00:22 -0700

Brand-new from Fresh is a summertime eau de parfum called Strawberry Flowers ($38). It launched this past week in the UK and will be exclusive at Sephora come September.

This fruity, floral and sparkling scent is sure to please your sense of smell. It was created by Lev Glazman (co-founder of Fresh), and was inspired by the memories of a perfect Spring morning. It has a true citrus spirit and is made from mandarin, strawberries, freesia, osmanthus, orris, yuzu, white peach, musk, woods and orange blossom.

I tried it for the first time last night and fell instantly in love with the fresh, lush aroma. It is significantly sweeter than Cannabis Rose, but not quite as sugary as Sugar Lemon. Ahh finally, the perfect, happy medium that you can add to your mix of favorite strawberry beauty products.

Beauty Byte: Karl's Kool New Kapsule

bellasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:20:45 -0700

Karl Lagerfeld is gearing up to release three new unisex fragrances (Mademoiselle Coco Chanel would be so proud) called Kapsule, which will be launching first in Europe and then in America by the end of November.

The book-like bottles were inspired by Mr. Lagerfeld's love of geometry. Conceptually, the scents are supposed to resemble three different volumes and the packaging is modeled after the book's slipcases. Lagerfeld himself is featured in a picture in the ads and it is intended to represent him looking out at his fragrances much like how a designer peers out from behind the curtain during fashion shows.

The three Kapsule scents, which are called Light, Floriental, and Woody took more than nine months to create. They contain notes of fresh bread, woods, vanilla, and spices (mmm) and they can either be worn alone or layered together depending on your mood.

Lagerfeld says: "I don't like heavy, flowery things. I think there are never enough fragrances — they are so much fun to play with. I do strange mixes. There is no gender in perfumes anymore."

Each of the eau de toilette fragrances will be available in 30 ml ($59) or in 75 ml ($108).

To read about the ingredients in Light, Floriental, and Woody,

Fragrance Review: Sycomore by Chanel

bellasugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:00:52 -0700

Chanel has recently released another one of its old-turned-new again fragrances to its high-end Les Exclusifs Collection. It's called Sycomore, and for just $190, you can be the proud owner of 200 ml of Coco Chanel's original 1930 scent (available in Chanel boutiques worldwide) that was first created by Earnest Beaux and was tweaked by current Chanel nose, Jacques Polge.

What makes Sycomore special is that like Mademoiselle Chanel, it has unisex quality. With its mix of woodsy smoky essences, it has a straightforward aroma. Sycomore is blended from a mixture of strong Hawaiian vetiver, sandalwood, cypress, juniper and spicy pink pepper. Notice how there are no flowers present? That's because of its no-frills concept.

Although it's rather pricey — full disclosure, Chanel sent a bottle to me — it happens to be one of my favorites to wear when I mean business. I spritz it on for meetings, afternoon events and whenever I want to feel strong rather than soft. Just shy of 80 years in the making, this scent has made a popular return. If you ever wondered why Chanel has earned a reputation for being timeless, Sycomore is a prime example.

Coming Soon: Ralph Lauren Notorious

bellasugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:00:37 -0700

Busy guy, that Ralph Lauren. Next week, he's launching a new fragrance at Bloomingdale's before rolling it out everywhere else in September. Notorious is an eau de parfum created by perfumier Olivier Gillotin that contains notes of sweet vanilla, black currant, bergamot, white peony, carnation, pink peppercorn, aged patchouli, iris, musk, orris and just wait. . . . chocolate cosmos (sadly, this is a burgundy flower, not a drink). Talk about a sweet and savory treat.

The fragrance was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's classic films, and Laetitia Casta is the face of the ad campaign. Notorious has an overall sparkling, oriental glamorous essence and will be available in two eaux de parfum ($65-85), a body cream ($70), a body lotion ($45), and a shower gel ($40).

There's just something about the ingredients and the elegance of this square bottle that's giving me tummy flutters. And now I have an excuse to make a special trip over to Bloomingdale's — so you won't hear me complaining.

Simply Irresistible: A Collection of Vintage Ads

bellasugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:00:32 -0700

Since many of you enjoyed these vintage ads from the '50s, I wanted to share some more from the Ad Access collection at Duke University. All of them highlight Irresistible, a now-defunct fragrance and makeup brand from the 1930s. Take a look!

Oh Man: Christian Lacroix Noir

bellasugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:00:21 -0700

Avon has recently released a fresh fragrance for men called Christian Lacroix Noir ($28 for 2.5 oz). The launch took place right around Father's Day and is a spicier and more arresting sequel to his 2007 Rouge fragrance. Like the famous designer’s clothes and personal style, this scent was clearly created with passion and fervor.

Noir comes in (what else?) a black bottle with a rectangular cap that sits atop a sturdy chrome neck. The logo was inspired from a bull-fighting cape that Christian Lacroix received as a gift (how Hemingway!) and is made from a blend of ginger saffron, cardamom, orris, cedarwood, vetiver, and driftwood.

If you are looking to gift a special guy in your life, I highly recommend Noir. Right from the start, I found myself attracted to the dynamic aroma. It’s not too mild, not too strong, and most definitely masculine. I loved it so much that I wore it around the house for a few days before regifting it. Do you think you could ever get as excited as I am over a men's cologne?

Would You Buy Perfume Here?

bellasugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:12 -0700

Pop and I were in New York not too long ago, and around the corner from our hotel, a man was selling perfumes from a table. There was Vera Wang Princess, Thierry Mugler Angel, Flower by Kenzo, Calvin Klein Euphoria, on and on and on. The prices were low, but somehow I don't trust the product. Would you have picked up a bargain, or taken a pass?

Would You Buy Perfume Here?

I'd buy something if it seemed legitimate.

Absolutely no way. Nuh-uh.

Recession-Proof Beauty: Free Fragrance Samples

bellasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:00:21 -0700

We've already talked about which department stores give the best fragrance samples, but considering how high gas prices are, why leave the house if you don't have to? Fortunately, a few perfume promotions will bring the scents to your mailbox. You don't need to do much — just fill out a form online — and you'll get a goodie in the mail within a few weeks.

For three ways to score a sniff,

Fragrance Review: Bali Dream by Estee Lauder

bellasugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:00:38 -0700

Back in April, I was browsing around the duty-free shop while waiting for a flight and I felt myself drawn to this beautiful new, pink eau de parfum bottle from Estee Lauder called Bali Dream ($42). I love the bottle's bubble-gum color, and the scent inside is so light, pleasant and tropical, I couldn't believe that I hadn't heard any buzz about its launch.

The reason is that this fragrance is considered a travel exclusive, meaning that it's only available in duty free stores (in airports and some train stations) around the world. Funny enough, I always think that airport shops are over-priced traps for the thoughtless few who don't make time to buy gifts before they arrive at their destination. Now I love that there is an entirely new section of exclusive products to check out while in transit.

Bali is a place where smiling is part of the culture and if you've ever been lucky enough to visit, it's nothing short of paradise. The people are happy, the lifestyle is relaxed and the landscape is breathtaking. The fragrance somehow manages to capture the elegant essence by combining notes of orchid, magnolia, honeysuckle, jasmine, ginger, ylang ylang, gardenia, cassia, pepper, tagete, muguet, tuberose, apple, pago pago, coconut, vetiver, vanilla, cedar wood and Bali temple wood.

I can't wait to get back to the airport to stock up on another bottle — and hopefully this time I'll be on my way to Bali!

Coming Soon: Donna Karan's New Cashmere Mist Accoutrements

bellasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:49 -0700

Why mess with a good thing when you can capitalize on a classic? In this case, Donna Karan has decided to maximize the success of her 1994 Cashmere Mist fragrance by introducing this year's additions to the existing empire. Beginning in September, four new limited-edition zesty scented bath and body products will be available for purchase at department stores nationwide.

The Cashmere Mist product range includes an oversized body powder compact, a silky body oil, a luxuriously thick body cream, and a candle that burns for up to 36 hours. My favorite product is the compact because it oozes old, 1940s glamour. The powder is shimmery, silky, and pale gold. It adds a warm radiance to your skin and ensures that your essence lingers as you go about your business.

For pricing information, a detailed description and a close-up peek at each of the products,

Is Posh Trying to Be Too Posh With Her New Scent?

bellasugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:00:17 -0700

Victoria Beckham and her sexy husband are putting their finishing touches on a fancy-pants new fragrance range called Signature for Her and Signature for Him. Posh is determined to let the world know that she's more than a famous wife and an ex-pop star. She told WWD:"I am not just a famous person who is putting my name on different things and doing licensing deals all over the place. Everything I do is true to myself. With the fragrances, I designed the bottles, I go to the factory, I worked on the fragrances. I'm really the creator behind the project. You're getting a piece of David and me with this."I'm still waiting to come get the V-type from Victoria's makeup range, but it's clear that Victoria (who's also working on a high-end clothing line) has big, luxurious plans. Tell me, would you be interested in buying the Eau de Beckham (which is priced at $62-$52 for her and $60-$50 for him) once it hits department stores in September? Do you think she's being savvy to aim high, or is she reaching for too much?Source

Is Posh Trying to Be Too Posh With Her New Scent?

Yes. She's a former pop star, not a high-end perfumer.

No. She has luxurious tastes, so why shouldn't she go upscale?

Undecided

Fragrance Review: Fresh Cannabis Rose

bellasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:11 -0700

Confession time: I actually listened to Nancy Reagan back in the day, and I have never smoked pot. Whenever someone breaks out the weed, I dork out and worry about getting a contact high. A friend recently fired it up in my kitchen, and I spent the whole time airing out the apartment and trying to keep the cats away, lest they become red-eyed, Cheetos-devouring drug addicts. (Now who's paranoid?)

It's safe to say that weed isn't my thing, but oddly enough, I'm really into Fresh Cannabis Rose. It has an intriguing rich-hippie scent that, yes, smells a little like roses and pot — but in the most sophisticatedly dirty way possible. It's one of those scents that makes people think you simply smell good, and I think it would be disarmingly sexy on a guy.

The best way to experience this kind of reefer madness is with the gift set ($45), which includes a shower gel, body cream, and eau de parfum. And let me tell you, the body cream is intensely luxurious. It's also $85, so don't blame me if you develop a habit.

Coming Soon: Magnifique Fragrance by Lancôme

bellasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:00:30 -0700

"You are unique, you are Magnifique." That's the tagline for the new Lancôme fragrance that ambassador Anne Hathaway unveiled in Paris last week. The woodsy, floral perfume won't be available until September, but we're hoping to get a sneak peek at the ad campaign very soon. For now, I can fill you in on the ingredients and concept behind Magnifique.

Inside of the faceted ruby-red glass bottle you'll find a blend of spicy floral woods that, according to creators Olivier Cresp and Jacques Cavallier, is supposed to be an interpretation of the color red. Specifically, there are essences of saffron, cumin, rose, rose absolute, jasmine, sandalwood, and vetiver. Perhaps the most notable ingredient is the woodsy nagarmota essential oil. Cavallier says, "As far as I know, it's never been used before in feminine fragrance."

The Magnifique product range will include two eau de parfums ($65-$85), body lotion ($46) and shower gel ($46). Aside from the tagline, which is a bit Zoolander, it's as promising as it is intriguing.

Source

Beauty Byte: Emma Watson Gets a New Role

bellasugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:00:34 -0700

Well, that didn't last long. Keira Knightley, who last year replaced Kate Moss as the face of Coco Mademoiselle perfume, is being replaced herself! Chanel's new pick is 18-year-old Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies. The Telegraph reports that Emma will earn a hefty £3 million (almost six million dollars) for her two-year contract.

I love Emma, but this news is a little bit surprising. While Coco Mademoiselle is among Chanel's "younger" fragrances, I don't think I would have worn it as a teenager. It's fresh and beautiful, but it has a sophisticated edge that works best on someone a few more years out of girlhood. Emma will probably work some of her magic for the brand, but do you think it's a good fit?

Update: My friends at Off The Rack report that the whole thing is untrue.

Source

Should Fake Fragrances Be Stopped?

bellasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:00:27 -0700

Perfume drama! Even though most of you aren't fond of the designer imposter fragrances, someone's buying them. And that makes Estee Lauder very unhappy. So unhappy, in fact, that the company is suing CVS, Family Dollar, and Preferred Fragrance Inc. for hawking imitations of their famous perfumes. Elizabeth Arden did the same thing in 2005, but later dropped the suit. If you were the judge, whose side would you take?Source

Should Fake Fragrances Be Stopped?

Yes. It's not fair to sell a version of someone else's work.

No. Who's going to confuse the fakes for the real thing?

Undecided — I'll tell you in a comment.

Mustang Blue Is Revving Up For Father's Day

bellasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:00:28 -0700

In 2007, Aramis and Estee Lauder launched their first men's cologne named after the iconic and best-selling sports car in America, the Ford Mustang. Mustang Cologne was so tremendously popular, they decided to create a sequel scent called which is set to launch this week, just in time for Father's Day.

Like the car, the cologne is sexy, confident and compelling. It's made from a hearty blend of basil, sandalwood, mint, geranium, sage, clove, artemisia, pine, cedar leaf, cardamom, cypress, hay and patchouli. The product range includes three cologne sprays ($20-32), and a 3.4 oz after shave ($25). All products come in sleek blue tin packaging to resemble the surf and sky of California beaches. I really like this studly scent. It's strong and smooth but not overpowering. Think this is the kind of thing you'd like to buy for a guy?

Love It or Hate It? Estee Lauder's Sensuous Campaign

bellasugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Beauty Byte: Fragrances for Tory Burch and Queen Latifah

bellasugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:00:25 -0700

One of the little secrets of the fashion industry is that any given designer's big money comes from selling perfume, not dresses. It makes sense: Most women can't afford a Dior gown, but they can splurge on a Dior fragrance. Those beauty sales add up to make millions of dollars.

So it's no surprise that Tory Burch is working on her own signature fragrance. The LA Times reports that along with adding to her accessories line, Burch is developing a fragrance. "I like coriander and tuberose and Vetiver by Guerlain," she says. There's not much news beyond that at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised if the scent were to launch in a year or two.

She's not the only one, though. Queen Latifah is also getting into the scent business. To find out more about it,

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On Which Part of Your Body Do You Wear the Most Perfume?

bellasugar — Sat, 31 May 2008 06:37:08 -0700

Fake Fragrance Showdown: Designer Imposters vs Instyle Fragrances

bellasugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:00:28 -0700

Fragrance knockoffs have been around since the '80s, when Designer Imposters released Primo, a knockoff of Giorgio Beverly Hills. Now there's competition in the form of Instyle fragrances — no relation to In Style. Both promise to deliver more eau for your dough, but which one comes out on top?

Designer Imposters Instyle Advantage
Packaging A brash melee of clashing colors adorns each box of perfume. Minimalist; a typographer's nightmare of competing font weights and serifs. Designer Imposters. At least they put a little effort into it.

Sales pitch If you like [Actual Perfume], you'll love our knockoff! An impression of [Actual Perfume] Instyle. The writing makes it sound more artistic.

Best perfume name With Exposé, Babe, and Yeah Baby, DI allows you to recall a '90s girl band, a movie about a pig, and Austin Powers. Nothing! No names for these "impressions." Lame. Designer Imposters, obviously.

Price $9.49/ounce $11.99/3.4 ounces Instyle

But how do they smell? Close, but no cigar. The scent is unmistakably cheaper than the original. Pretty much the same, although the knockoff of SJP's Lovely was somewhat convincing. Instyle

Eva Mendes is Too Sexy For Her Shirt in CK Ads

bellasugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:00:59 -0700

Calvin Klein's latest spokesperson, Eva Mendes, is rolling out the ad campaigns. First it was her kicky fashion pose, and now we're getting a look at her ad for Calvin's forthcoming perfume, Secret Obsession. WWD reports that the television spot, which has already been turned down by TV networks for being too sexy, features Eva having a "private moment" with "illicit thoughts." Cue the Divinyls.

Although Secret Obsession's bottle gives a nod to the original '80s Obsession, it's a different juice inside. The notes include plum, jasmine, tuberose, woods, amber, vanilla, and sandalwood; it sounds a little more floral and less spicy than the original. To see what Eva has to say about the fragrance,

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Product Review: Victoria's Secret Heavenly Kiss Fragrance

bellasugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:00:56 -0700

I'm usually not one to insult a product outright, but the new limited-edition Victoria's Secret Heavenly Kiss Eau de Parfum ($49) gets two thumbs down. I polled friends, neighbors, and family, and their reactions all included underwhelming words such as "ick, gross, too sweet, too strong, and really sugary."

I'd love to be able to defend the fragrance and explain that it's more than just sugar water, but as it turns out, it contains marshmallow and toffee notes. Has there ever been a time in your life that you've craved smelling like a candy store? I haven't.

The other notes in the scent are also edible ingredients coupled with sweet flowers. Among them are watermelon, red currant, berry, vanilla, freesia, guava, apricot, woods, musk, and jasmine. I'd be a little nervous wearing this in the dead of Summer knowing that I could be attacked by a swarm of wasps at any moment.

All kidding aside, I can't completely throw it under the bus. Because I like this brand, I've been able to find a few redeeming qualities, like the hopelessly romantic name and the gradated pink glass bottle. The packaging is cutesy too. It comes in a white box with a pink label and the word "kiss" written in varying fonts in gold lettering all over. Have you tried Heavenly Kiss? If so, I'd be interested in hearing what you think.

FiFi Awards the Fragrances of the Year

bellasugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:00:10 -0700

Last night, beauty editors, celebrities, and cosmetics executives gathered in New York to celebrate the FiFi awards. It's often called the Oscars of the fragrance industry, which says as much about its prestige as it does about who's honored. It's rare to see small perfumes win Fragrance of the Year; instead, the Fragrance Foundation gives awards to scents with broader distribution. (So in that case, it really is like the Oscars!)

The women's fragrances of the year are Daisy Marc Jacobs, Intimately Beckham Women, Prada Infusion d'Iris, and Christian Lacroix Rouge (created with Avon). Do you think these perfumes deserved the honors? I personally can't understand the wild popularity of Daisy Marc Jacobs — it just doesn't do anything for me — but it looks like this scent is just getting bigger and bigger.

Bellissima! Florascent Trial Collection of Fragrances

bellasugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:00:10 -0700

Decoding the world of fragrance is not an especially easy task. Although most of us can probably discern a fruity scent from a woodsy one, it's harder to identify certain smells without going through training (as Chandler Burr has said). That's why I delight in these Florascent fragrance trial collections ($26.50). Each features four fragrance vials, with each package focusing on one of five families of scent. So if you've always wanted to explore oriental or floral perfumes, you'll get four distinct scents within that category. (I prefer Aqua Aromatica.)

The other cool thing is the slide-out packaging. Instead of opening like a regular box, the box slides out to reveal information about the scents along with the vials themselves. Is that reason alone to buy this? Nah — but it's a nice little perk nonetheless.

Beauty Byte: Charlotte Moss Has a Flair For Fragrance

bellasugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:10 -0700

Interior design veteran and legendary New York City hostess Charlotte Moss hasn't even let the ink dry from the launch of her book, A Flair for Living. But she's already creating buzz about her new and first fragrance called Left Bank. The inspiration for the Egyptian cypress, pink peppercorn blossom, incense, crushed pepper tree leaves and lemongrass scent came from her love of shopping in the Left Bank of Paris.

In fact, in an interview with the Columbus Dispatch she said,

"I love the hunt. I love walking down the Left Bank after dinner, looking in windows at night. I can't wait to get back the next day because that chandelier might be gone if I wait. I enjoy the whole process."

Left Bank is due out in stores this August along with scented travel candles and a perfume lid candle ($55 – $105). Charlotte has always reminded me a little bit of a luxe Martha Stewart — and just look how well her enterprise has done. Do you think you'd be interested in trying anything from the Left Bank product range?

Source

Fragrance Review: Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo di Sicilia

bellasugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:17 -0700

Acqua di Parma's Blu Mediterraneo line ($36–$92) looks so fresh and springlike with its blue packaging. That drew me in, but the concept — a quartet of fragrances inspired by Italy's Mediterranean coast — is intriguing. Plus, it's the closest thing I have to an Italian vacation right now. (Ahem, if you're reading, George, I am free for a Lake Como trip whenevah.)

Of the four scents, one stood out: Mandorlo di Sicilia. It's a gourmand fragrance, which means it'll appeal to foodies and fragrance fiends alike. While it features essential oils of orange, lavender, bergamot, and almond, it was difficult for me to discern those notes. Instead, the scent pleasantly reminded me of climbing sassafras trees as a child. It wasn't precisely the same, but it still had an outdoorsy, vaguely root beer fragrance that's fresher than the soda itself. Later, I learned that mandorlo means "almond tree," so my nature-girl association wasn't so far off.

I didn't buy it, simply because there's only so often I'll want to smell like trees and root beer. But if you love fresh, outdoorsy, and slightly food-like scents, you'll like this warm and comforting perfume.

Beauty Byte: The Fragrance Foundation Talks FiFis, and You Can Vote

bellasugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Get excited for the 36th annual 2008 FiFi Awards, which will take place on May 20th in New York City. This event, sponsored by The Fragrance Foundation, honors creativity within the fragrance industry — it's a huge deal in the biz.

To give you an idea of who's up for Fragrance of the Year for Women's Nouveau Niche, the nominees are:

Andy Warhol Silver Factory and New York Bryant Park by Bond No. 9, Gucci by Gucci, Prada Infusion d'Iris and Versace.

For Fragrance of the Year luxe women's category the nominees are:

Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche, Coach, Daisy Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana The One, Emporio Armani Diamonds, Hermès' Kelly Calèche and Nina by Nina Ricci.

This year, you can actually vote for a FiFi online. Just register and fill out your ballot. Any predictions as to who will win? I know some of you disagreed with the winners of the CEW awards, so I'm curious about your picks for the FiFis.

	Designer Imposters	Instyle	Advantage
Packaging	A brash melee of clashing colors adorns each box of perfume.	Minimalist; a typographer's nightmare of competing font weights and serifs.	Designer Imposters. At least they put a little effort into it.
Sales pitch	If you like [Actual Perfume], you'll love our knockoff!	An impression of [Actual Perfume]	Instyle. The writing makes it sound more artistic.
Best perfume name	With Exposé, Babe, and Yeah Baby, DI allows you to recall a '90s girl band, a movie about a pig, and Austin Powers.	Nothing! No names for these "impressions." Lame.	Designer Imposters, obviously.
Price	$9.49/ounce	$11.99/3.4 ounces	Instyle
But how do they smell?	Close, but no cigar. The scent is unmistakably cheaper than the original.	Pretty much the same, although the knockoff of SJP's Lovely was somewhat convincing.	Instyle