Beauty Blog » Perfume & Cologne

I was standing in line at the Pinkberry’s in Pasadena, when this girl walked by me and I got two nostril filled whiffs of her perfume. Immediately my brain triggered hints of nostalgia and I had a flashback of junior high and trying to remember the combination to my locker before the third period bell went off! Holy smokes, what was this girl wearing? Was that?…no it couldn’t be, was that GUESS?!

I didn’t know they even sold it anymore! Isn’t it odd how scents and music can instantly transport you back in time to a particular moment or event? Well Guess Perfume does that for me, followed closely by Liz Claiborne the triangle series. I use to collect all the different size bottles and display them proudly on my nightstand, like tiny trophies of my keen sense of smell and style.

Well after smelling that girl in Pinkberry, I must have experienced some sort of nose damage in my youth because - yeck! It was strong and overpowering! I can’t believe I use to bath myself in this stuff.

Here is a picture of my beloved Liz Claiborne scent circa 1990’s! Certain male colognes bring me back as well; Cool Water for Men, Drakkar Noir, Curve for Men, Acqua Di Gio … ahhhh young amor!

What was your signature scent from the past?

In other Beauty News! …

Read about the Fragrance of the Year Awards, otherwise known as the “Oscars of the Perfume World” at SugarShock Beauty Blog …

Glow this spring with Lancome’s Color Ideal Illuminateur! Learn how to highlight your features, mix with foundations or lotions for an all over shimmer or simply use as eye color. Finish reading at Beauty Daily Blog!

Searching for Acne Scar Fading Tips? Dermatologist Jeffrey Dover, MD and regular folks like you and me chime in on what are effective treatments to remove acne scars at TeenVogue.com!

Editor’s Note:

Well this week I got rear ended by a Mercedes, so I have to confess my blogging took a back seat to my back pain! But I should be re-charged and highly medicated next week…

Stay tuned! Same beauty time, Same beauty channel…

Well unless, I get hit by a bus? Whoa..that wasn’t even funny huh?

Michelle

My current favorite scent is Daisy by Marc Jacobs! It’s light, sweet and refreshing. And its the first fragrance in a loooong time that has garnered me compliments, from MEN and women alike! That is perhaps the best indication of a truly great perfume. The worst would probably be public cringing and crinkling of noses as you pass by.

Anyhow Daisy is a really light and mellow floral fragrance. Official top notes are bright and fresh violet leaves and wild strawberries, milder subtle notes are of comfortable violet petals and jasmine bouquets, the foundation is feminine musk and vanilla infusion. Sounds like a whole lot is going on right? But it’s nice, believe me.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs retails from anywhere from $50 - $90 dollars depending on the size of the bottle and the merchant.

My suggestion if your hesitant to invest in a large bottle of the stuff is to purchase the MARC JACOBS ‘Daisy’ Eau de Toilette Spray which retails for only $40 dollars and comes with a refill and golden funnel. Truly adorable and perfect for your purse!

To shop for discount perfume options on Daisy by Marc Jacobs, click here.

Saks Fifth Avenue

I recently received a $400 dollar gift certificate for Saks Fifth Avenue so I have been visiting their website to peruse my spending options before I head over there. As luck would have it I came across this great deal on FREE GIFT with purchase! My good luck, shall be your good luck!

This exclusive terry case filled with goodies is yours with any cosmetic or fragrance purchase of $100. Include three travel-size containers, a travel toothbrush, a terry headband, plus deluxe samples of Annick Goutal Petite Cherie fragrance, our exclusive Chloé fragrance, Clinique High Impact Mascara, Estee Lauder Ultimate Youth Creme, Laura Mercier Lip Plumper, one of: Fekkai Glossing Cream, Technician Mask or Technician Shampoo. Contents of case may vary. Please let us choose color of case. Use code AGELESS at checkout.
*ONE GIFT PER CUSTOMER. ONE PROMO CODE PER ORDER. Valid at saks.com thru Sun., March 9, 2008 at 11:59pm(ET) or while supplies last. Use code: AGELESS at checkout. Purchase must contain $100 of cosmetics or fragrance. Purchase excludes shipping, taxes, gift-wrap. Cannot be combined with any other offer. No adjustments to prior purchases. Not transferable.

Another year, another advertising contract. Well, for Anne Hathaway at least. The actress has just been named the new face of Lancôme and will appear in ads promoting the company’s upcoming fragrance later this year.

Here’s what Odile Roujol, President of Lancôme International has to say about the union:

“Anne Hathaway is a radiant young woman who perfectly embodies modern femininity. We know she will portray all the passion and excitement of our new fragrance, to be launched throughout the world in September 2008.”

Beyonce made a trip to Milan last week to help celebrate the launch of Empario Armani’s new Diamond scent at Rinascente’s flagship in Piazza Duomo on in Milan, Italy. The company’s press release says the new perfume is an “irresistibly feminine fragrance” with a wonderful combination of woods and amber mixed with lychee and raspberry.”

Kylie really wants us to smell like her. She’s about to release her third fragrance, Showtime, which is supposed to represent her vivacious stage personality. Word has it that it will be fruity, mixing strawberry and loganberry with florals, sweet licorice and pralines . It’s set for a February release in the UK, but it’s unclear when it will surface in the U.S. Sit tight, Kylie fans.

Source.

With the ease of online shopping, I really don’t understand why anyone actually steps into a mall during the holidays anymore. Personally, I can’t deal with the crowds, especially the ones at the perfume counters at the dreaded department store –fragrances are the perfect holiday gift, and everyone knows it.

I love gifting perfume and cologne, too, but I’d rather do it from home since the deals tend to be better online, anyway. One of my favorite sites to nab a great deal is Scentiments.com, where they have an amazing selection of designer fragrances that won’t crush your budget. They have all the big names, latest trends and classic favorites for men, women and even kids. Plus, I like them because they guarantee that you get the best price possible. How’s that for keeping the holiday stress at bay? I love it.

Here are the ones I’ve already chosen this year:

Juicy Couture 3.4 oz Spray for Women by Juicy Couture $46 (old price=$85)

The bottle alone makes this a must-give. Plus, the mix of notes (Watermelon, Mandarin, Pink Passion Fruit, Marigold, Green Apple, Water Hyacinth, Crushed Leaves, Tuberose Absolute, Wild Rose, Princess Lily, Tuberose, Caramel Creme Brulee, Vanilla, Precious Woods, Patchouli) makes it so unique and right for just about every woman. It’s fun and sophisticated.

Acqua di Gio for Men 3.4 oz spray by Giorgio Armani, $49 (old price=$65)

I love, love, love this scent for men. Can cologne be classic and contemporary at the same time? Because Acqua di Gio is. I’ve heard that Armani’s inspiration for this super-masculine scent was an island on the Mediterranean Sea. It has a definite marine note along with Mandarin, Bergamot, Neroli, Persimmon, Rosemary, Nasturtium, Jasmine, Amber, Patchouli, Cistus. It’s good for dads and boyfriends, and how often does that happen?

Click here to check out more discount perfumes and colognes at Scentiments.com.

Here’s the cool and beautiful Chloe Sevigny in her new Chloe fragrance ad.  I bet she got so many Chloe bags out of it! Lucky.

I’m a fan of Bond No.9 because their perfumes and colognes are always super sophisticated, unique, hip and full of wry wit. Now, the New York fragrance house has upped the luxury ante by partnering with Saks Fifth Avenue to bring us Saks Fifth Avenue for Him and one for Her, too.

This is the first time that a specialty store has ever created a signature scent, which is now available exclusively at Saks.  It’s the latest entry into Bond No. 9’s collection, which is made up of euax de parfum representing the different neighborhoods of New York. Other scents in the line include the margarita and cinnamon laced Coney Island, the gelato-inspired Little Italy and Bleeker Street, which smells of art, fashion and dessert.

Saks Fifth Avenue for Him has top spicy notes of chili, black pepper, cardamom and bergamot along with incense, guiac wood and amber. My take is that it’s a modernized version of warmly classic male scents. It’s the scent of a mover and a shaker–a work hard, play hard kind of guy.

Saks Fifth Avenue for Her is primarily jasmine and tuberose with gardenia, vetiver, and vanilla also part of the mix.  I really love this scent–it’s bold but not overwhelming.  It says I’m here but doesn’t scream it.  It’s the scent of a chic woman who disdains logos and peacocks personalities but doesn’t mind getting noticed.