Posted by Robin
on
25 November 2011
It’s Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day — take your pick. Whether you’re shopping or not, it never hurts to look, right? We’re kicking off this year’s string of holiday gift posts with a bunch o’ scented bath & body products. Lots more to come!
To start things off, we’ve got the eminently covetable (and reportedly as good as it looks) Vol de Nuit Powder Spray from Guerlain: “Inspired by the legendary Vol de Nuit fragrance, this silky, ethereal loose powder creates a light-reflecting veil with a subtle iridescent finish. The powder is perfumed with the mythical Vol de Nuit fragrance. Apply on the face, body and hair for an allover glow!” $87 for 17.5 g at Nordstrom…
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Posted by Kevin
on
5 August 2011
I’m loyal. My favorite summer fragrances haven’t changed (much) in years, but unlike most people on Earth my “favorites” are over 25 in number. I’ve reviewed and praised those perfumes already, so for this summer’s “top 10,” I’m expanding and tweaking the process to include non-perfume, but perfumed, products: things like shower gel, candy bars, candles and incense.
On summer days, it’s pleasurable to sweeten the air inside the house with a scented candle. A closed house coupled with air conditioning can make air stale indoors. Un-air conditioned air also benefits from some “aroma therapy.” I usually opt for lots of fresh floral bouquets inside during summer, but a candle comes in handy as roses, lilies and tuberose peter out in the garden. My candle of choice this summer is not floral or citrus-y, it’s the LAFCO New York Majestic Oak candle (in LAFCO’s House & Home/Dream Home Collection of 15 candles; $55). Majestic Oak (“Tree House”) has a smoky, raw-wood aroma, not cloying or oppressive at all (it contains oak, geranium, fir, vetiver, and light amber). While Majestic Oak burns, the air in the house smells and feels clean, and I’m invigorated.
I’m a fan of scenting the air outdoors too. I shun citronella-scented “garden” incense (soooo utilitarian!) and opt for something more exotic, like Nado Poi Zokhang “Bamboo” incense from Bhutan…
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Posted by Robin
on
31 May 2010
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20th! If you missed them, here’s part 1 and part 2 of our 2010 gift guide.
The Eau Boy men’s scent sample from Sephora, with deluxe samples of Bvlgari Pour Homme Soir, Clean Men, Givenchy, Jack Black Lemon & Chamomile Intense Therapy Lip Balm, Ralph Lauren Polo Blue, Tom Ford Extreme, Diesel Fuel For Life and Armani Acqua di Gio…
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Posted by Robin
on
8 November 2009
From Christian Dior, J’Adore in a limited edition collector bottle: “The Amphora bottle was created in 1947 for Dior’s very first fragrance, Miss Dior. The exquisite bottle was made from Baccarat crystal and originally designed by Fernand Guerycolas. The new Amphora will be presented in a luxurious case, with each one individually handmade and numbered from one to ten making it a truly unique collector’s item.” At Selfridges in London, size, price and concentration unknown…
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Jurlique’s Lavender Hand Cream was one of the first products I ever owned that incorporated natural ingredients into a luxury treatment, and I used it down to the very last bit in the tube. That was a while ago, but when I recently noticed that Jurlique had updated its packaging and added new products, I thought I’d revisit the line. I spent some time browsing the company’s revamped website, which offers information about Jurlique’s organic farms, its use of botanical essences, and its emphasis on “sustainable connections,” before I tried its shower gels and lotions. I haven’t explored the other redesigned product groups yet, but these body products weren’t quite what I expected.
The shower gel, for example, includes several chemical detergents and other not-so-natural ingredients; this surprised me, since Jurlique stresses its commitment to healthy beauty. (Yes, the plant extracts are in there too, but they’re listed after the detergents and surfactants.) In the shower, the gel did feel foamy and gentle enough, but the fragrances left something to be desired…
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