[FashionRatty] tag: scent

Holiday Gift Guide: For your Sephora Partner in Crime

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:20:00 +0000

You know. The one who always has the 411 on the great GWPs. The one whose opinion is deeply respected by Sephora employees and makeup sales associates alike. She's subscribed to Allure since she was 11. Of course, this describes you, but it also describes your BBF: your best beauty friend. Here's a list of ideas for her holiday gift:

Philosophy The Holiday Cookbook ($35)

Whether your friend cooks or not, she'll adore this set of six mini

3-in1 shampoo, bubble bath and shower gels. She'll swoon to the scents of red velvet cake, cinnamon buns, spicy pear cobbler, pumpkin spice muffin, gingerbread, and double rich hot cocoa. I love that they're the perfect size for travel. Not so tiny that they last for one sole shower, but not so huge that they take up too much room in your carry-on.

Stila Step Out & Shine Set ($50)

A $115 value! I LURVE this gift to the point where I advise you to maybe pick one up for yourself as well. It includes:

- Convertible Color

- Montmartre Eye Shadow Quad Palette in Orchid

- All Over Shimmer Luminizer

- Multi-Effect Mascara in Black

- Also includes a special star appearance by the next Stila sensation, Pomegranate Crush Lip and Cheek Stain! I LOVE THIS and can't wait to get the full-size version. It's a bit deeper than their Cherry Crush that I adore so much and tastes of delish pomegranate.

All of this comes in a sweet silver clutch.

Miss Oops Holiday Survival Kit ($18)

This kit contains everything you need to keep screwy hemlines, lint, and deo marks at bay. Includes Miss Oops Mishap Tape, Rescue Sponge, and Lint Roller so she can ensure there will be no holiday party wardrobe malfunctions.

Bliss The Big Orange ($28) Bliss' new hit scent Blood Orange + White Pepper was actually based on a cocktail. It's a warm fruity fragrance, but is tempered with white pepper to add a bit of intrigue. I absolutely adore it. For $28, you can buy your pal a to go sized body butter and shower gel.

Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Gift Box ($60)
This limited edition box set comes with a Creme de Coco Shampoo, Conditioner, Brilliantine, and a pinwheel of colorful bobby pins. The pinwheel was designed by artist Piet Houtenbos, son of hair hero Christiaan.

Spanx Bod-a-Bing Skirt ($68)
PERF for any friend who travels. This curve-hugging skirt slims you down to pre-cookie binge proportions and resists wrinkles so it's absolutely necessary for your jetsetting road warrior friend. Its secret inner liner smooths all traces of belly bulge.

More holiday gift guides to come!

P.S. Thanks to James for creating the holiday gift guide image at the top!

Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me!

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:14:46 +0000

There are certain “fashion and style” problems that can be challenging to solve. For example, how to dress if you have a big chest, how to choose the best scent for your personality and how to create your own style. This is where the book “Things I wish My Mother had Told Me” by author, Lucia Van Der Post, can help. This self titled Guide to Living with Impeccable Grace & Style, answers some of our unanswered questions and plays out most of the situations where we have faltered in some way or another. Each page is more relevant than the next, and the recommendations are fluid from generation-to-generation. $9.99 available at amazon.com

Review: Astara Blue Flame Purifying Toning Mist

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:57:00 +0000

Astara Skin Care is a profoundly effective botanical skin care regimen that integrates powerful antioxidants, raw organic plants, flower essences and sea extracts to supply life force to cells for age prevention, repair and deep hydration. The products provide health, harmony, balance and a youthful glow to the skin.

This unique botanical toner helps purify skin while maintaining its natural moisture balance. Gently antiseptic Totara Tree Essence and Willow Bark extract target bacteria that can lead to clogged pores and blemishes. Helps balance oil production and energizes skin's natural renewal process while providing superior antioxidant protection. A spritz after cleansing leaves skin purified, toned, radiant, and refreshed. Paraben free.

Review: This toning mist is fantastic! I find that toning mists are much better than the usual astringents which can be a bit harsh on skin. I used to think toning my skin was useless until I was introduced to another toner last month. However, I like this one much better since the other one left my skin feeling slightly sticky after using it. I usually use this after washing my face with Belli Acne Clearing Facial Wash ($22). I've noticed that my pores appear smaller and that the Astara Blue Flame Purifying Toning Mist ($39) gives my skin a healthy glow. It has a really light and aromatic scent that is both refreshing and pleasant. It feels great on the skin, and it is something I'd definitely buy!

Review: Bathday Bar and Bakery

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:06:00 +0000

The Bathday Bar and Bakery is open all day & night for you to get your skin and tantalize your senses with their vast collection of scented soy candles and skin products.

Review: I received the Lotion Light in Watermelon ($12) and the Large Square Candle in Spanish Fly ($30). The lotion is very moisturizing with a delightful scent that is almost enough for you to tip the bottle and drink. The scent does'nt make me feel nauseous like a lot of watermelon scented products. This lotion comes in 38 scents of your choice. It even comes in Organic Cooler if you prefer your lotion to be unscented. The candle is also fantastic. The scent is very light with a clean and sexy appeal like it is described on the site. This particular candles comes in 42 scents - so many choices, enough to make your head spin!

MAC 'Monogram' Collection

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:31:00 +0000

Your personal statement of the holiday season. A collection of such creamy, high-prestige shades and luxurious fragrance, they make their own distinguished look and marque. In the fashionable world, this is the only signature you need.

M·A·C Sheer Mystery Powder $50

Exclusive to the Monogram collection. Ultra-fine, this pressed powder creates an intriguing velvety matte, slightly luminous, flawless finish. Comes in an elegant round gold compact featuring a M·A·C monogrammed plaque with red dégradé overspray.

M·A·C 'Monogram' Lipglass $22

Exclusive to the Monogram collection. Provides a slick shine with high-comfort wear. Lips feel soft and look lustrous. Applies with a doe-foot applicator. Its gold cap features the red dégradé overspray and M·A·C monogram of this limited-edition collection. Wear alone or paired with Monogram Lipstick.

M·A·C 'Monogram - Air of Style' Fragrance Duo $70

A rare set of two limited-edition Air of Style fragrances beautifully nestled in a metallic faux-patent pouch featuring a circular M·A·C Monogram logo on an embossed plaque with gold and red dégradé detail. Warm, intoxicating, baroque and sensual in its scent, the fragrance's slim glass flacon with gold cap features the collection's name and monogram.

M·A·C 'Sheerspark' Pressed Powder $26

Exclusive to the Monogram collection. Produces an ultra-refined spark and shimmer wherever it's applied—cheek or eye. Comes in an elegant round gold compact featuring a M·A·C monogrammed plaque with red dégradé overspray.

M·A·C 'Monogram' Lipstick $22

Exclusive to the Monogram collection. Luxuriously smooth to apply a medium buildable finish. Brings an opulent satiny shine to the lip. High comfort. Its gold case, red dégradé overspray and M·A·C monogram make this unmistakably one of a kind. Wear alone or pair with Monogram Lip Gloss.

M·A·C 'Monogram' Clutch $65

A versatile, high-shine vinyl clutch to use as makeup bag or fashion accessory. Medium-sized: Sophisticated and stylish in its soft-edged design. Front flap closure features the M·A·C Monogram logo in the signature gold and red dégradé metal finish of the collection.

Review: Mama Mio

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:57:00 +0000

Mama Mio has a vast selection of skincare products with moms and moms-to-be in mind. This award winning skincare line has captured the likes of these celebrity super mamas: Jennifer Lopez, Tori Spelling, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Christina Aguilera, Natalia Vodianova, and Christy Turlington to just name a select few.

Mama Mio was conceived in London by three friends who have worked in skincare for ten years. In that time they have had 7 babies between them and realized a need for specific, luxurious and safe creams that help their skin with the nine month s-t-r-e-t-c-h! They have worked with their favorite chemists and aroma therapists to create perfect pregnancy salvation products for the supermama under construction. The result is the Mama Mio range - to help your skin stay beautiful during and after this magical time of creation.

A light, sink-in-quick, gorgeously Gravida fragrance blend of omega-packed oils to smooth your body all over. It will leave your skin with a healthy sheen so soft, smooth and touchable that you will think you have shed your scales and been reborn. 100% pure natural moisture; an un-oily oil – amazing!

Review: True to it's description, the O•Mega Body Oil ($35) is amazing! I've never really been into body oils, because most of the ones I've tried in the past were greasy and too icky feeling. This is'nt the case at all with this body oil. It absorbs in the skin quickly. It leaves my skin feeling soft and silky. This is my absolute favorite product from this line so far. My skin feels like it has been to the spa and back. It is a truly luxurious feeling! I also really like the fragrance - it is very exotic and seductive. There is really no need to apply perfume after you apply this on, because this product does a great job on its own since it smells so good!

If you love a good body cleanser then you will love this. Sodium laureth sulphate free, it is oh-so-gentle and smells gorgeous. A fragrant halo of calm surrounds as you step out of the shower, and your skin somehow feels like you have had an hour-long soak in an oil-rich bath. In fact, you can use it in the bath for creamy bubbles if you fancy it.

Review: I love the Moisturising Shower Cream ($19) almost much as I do the O•Mega Body Oil ($35). This shower cream is well moisturizing and also has a fantastic scent! This is a new product to add to my list of favorite bath products.

Sensitive soul? The Supersmooth Body Buff ($33) is a fantastic alternative to aggressive salt scrubs.

An extremely gentle blend of Sweet Almond Oil, Chamomile and Vitamin E with micro-ground pumice; it is incredibly gentle but very effective, removing dead skin cells and encouraging cell renewal.

Milla Jovovich showered with this buffer to get her post-baby bod back into shape!

Review: The Supersmooth Body Buff ($33) doesn't give your skin the well polished look like some sugar scrubs do, but it gets the job done by eliminating dry and dull skin. My skin feels healthy, incredibly soft and touchable after using this.

Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol on Lexington Avenue

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:10:00 +0000

‘See a shoe and Pick it up and all day long you’ll have Good Luck,’ said Andy Warhol half a century ago. I would have never associated Andy Warhol with shoes but the real fact is that before he became a pop art phenom, Warhol was a shoe illustrator living on Lexington Avenue. Bond No. 9 created a series of fragrances to celebrate the artist's 80th birthday. Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue is nostalgic scent that channels the sensuality of shoes and the artist's pre-Pop years of the 1950s.

Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue's scent is the equivalent of slipping into a pair of great fitting black Christian Louboutin Pigalle's for a night on the town with the girls. A sensual blend of floral woody chypre and gourmand notes such as almond and creme brulee, Andy Warhol on Lexington Avenue takes you into a Warholian fantasy.

For this season, Bond No. 9 has created limited edition bottles of the Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue adorned with Robert Lee Morris-designed sterling silver shoes pendants of Warhol's designs. For more information : www.bondno9.com

Heaven Scent

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Free 5-piece set of generously-sized fragrance minis (Euphoria Calvin Klein Eau de Parfum, Euphoria Calvin Klein Sensual Bath and Shower Creme, Daisy Marc Jacobs Eau de Toilette Roll-On, Covet Sarah Jessica Parker Eau de Parfum, and Vera Wang Princess Satiny Body Lotion) with any order of $115 or more with coupon code: FRASET Exp. 12/31/08

Bookmark this page for the latest coupons and deals for SpaLook.

Amanda Lepores Amanda Perfume By Christophe Laudamiel

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:23:37 +0000

Everyone (and their dog) has a perfume these days. Everyone knows the ways of fashion and beauty industry so today’s news comes as no surprise: Amanda Lepore, the worldwide reputed transsexual has a perfume.

It’s called Amanda, made by Christophe Laudamiel and it can be bought starting December 6th for $950 a piece from the 5,000 existant. Why so overpriced? Because the limited edition fragrance comes in a highly blinged bottle with 1,000 Swarovksi crystals accompanied by a book with Amanda Lepore’s pictures, signed and numbered by her/himself. Did they only manufacture 5,000 pieces of precious Amanda scent because they don’t think it’ll sell? (via, photos via)

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:01:00 +0000

Here it is! the 3rd Annual What I'm Thankful For list (for the last 2 thankful lists, click here)...

I'm thankful for (in no particular order of thankfulness):

Cover Girl Lash Blast - my new favorite mascara that adds volume and length, without breaking the bank!

Elizabeth Arden's vintage Eight Hour Cream - moisture, shine, and a limited-edition vintage jar (which I love more than the tube)!

Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant - Bye bye preservatives, hello pureness! The most refreshing and delicious smelling deodorant around - and it's all natural!

Sabon's Sorbet Body Gel - A much-needed alternative from the thick shea butters. I heart this gel because it's soothing, moisturizing, refreshing and comes in a 5 rocking scents!

Smashbox Blush Rush in Crush - The perfect everyday, everywhere, for everyone blush. A dash of berry and a hint of red make this a blush worth crushing on...

Jurlique's Rosewater Balancing Mist - Think Evian meets a rose garden - the most pleasant smelling rose scent around conveniently packaged in a refreshing face and body mist (I like to sray it everywhere... yes, I mean everywhere!).

Make Up For Ever HD Powder - Like a primer, only better! The transluscent finely milled powder absorbs oil and leaves skin feeling sliky and looking poreless! Helps to keep foundation on all day long... OBSESSED!

Body Deli Blueberry Fusion Fresh Cell Face Exfoliator - Organic freshness in a bottle! Good enough to eat and, thankfully, great for the face! Skin is smooth, radiant and loaded up on antioxidants!

Anastasia's Brow Duality - The must-have brow item: One side is matte, the other is shimmer. Each side essentially highlights the brow bone to create the illusion of perfectly arched brows. I heart a fab highlighter!

Bliss Blood Orange and White Pepper Sugar Scrub - The oxymoron of scrubs - sweet yet spicy scent, gentle yet efficient in scrubbing off dead skin, feels like cake batter. Makes bath time fun time!

True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Foot Scream - A decadent experience for your feet! Highly moisturizing and comforting. Divine scent of vanilla bean - a great way to end the evening!

Prescriptives LipShine - A hybrid between a shimmery lip gloss and a matte lip stick - all in a tube! Moisturizing and shiny (never gooey) with a true burst of lip stick color.

And, of couse, I'm thankful for YOU, my fellow beauty whores, my devoted readers!!!

Have a beauty-full and safe Holiday... may you eat well and not gain a single pound!!!

XOXO,

Beauty Banter