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Browsing by tag: cheap thrills

Quick sniffs: fragrances from Diptyque, Lush, Katy Perry & Soivohle’

Posted by Robin on 24 January 2012 25 Comments

Once again, I am lacking a theme, unless you call “fragrances I tried recently” a theme. So without further introduction, here are quick reviews of Diptyque’s Eau Particulière & Eau Mage, Dear John by Lush, Meow! by Katy Perry and Soivohle’ Jasmine Summer.

Diptyque Eau Particulière & Eau Mage

Diptyque Eau Particulière & Eau Mage

Both of these fragrances are part of the limited edition Les Invités du Trente-Quatre collection celebrating Diptyque’s 50th anniversary. Eau Particulière (shown above center) is a “multi-use” fragrance from perfumer Olivier Pescheux — you can use it on your body, as a room or linen spray, whatever. It features rose, musk and mint, and it’s pleasant, but it suffers from the tendency of mint-heavy fragrances to smell like toothpaste, or in this case, mouthwash. It’s subtle (and fresh) enough that it doesn’t smell like much of anything for very long. Unisex, in 240 ml Body & Home Spray, $135.

Eau Mage (above left) is a conventional (i.e., personal) fragrance from perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin…

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Sarah Horowitz Coconut Milk ~ fragrance review

Posted by Jessica on 13 January 2012 32 Comments

coconutSarah Horowitz Coconut Milk

I’m a city-loving, sun-averse individual who doesn’t even own a bathing suit, and I can’t remember my last visit to a beach. (Oh, wait, there was that weekend in Montauk. In April 2006.) Despite, or perhaps for, this very reason, I find myself testing beach-themed and tropics-themed perfumes more often than you might expect. The latest such fragrance to cross my desk was a sample of Sarah Horowitz Coconut Milk, a recent release from this California-based independent perfumer.

Coconut Milk, the latest addition to Sarah Horowitz’s “Perfect” line, includes top notes of coconut and almond, heart notes of orange blossom and gardenia, and base notes of tonka bean, vanilla, and Egyptian musk. It’s a fragrance that accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. Its coconut accord is milky with a hint of green, and it doesn’t remind me at all of the suntan lotions of my youth, thank goodness. The coconut, which lasts throughout the fragrance’s development on skin, is followed by just a hint of creamy gardenia…

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Nuance Salma Hayek Walnut Body Scrub and Rosehip Moisturizing Body Lotion ~ scented body products

Posted by Jessica on 18 December 2011 31 Comments

Nuance Salma Hayek Walnut Body ScrubSalma HayekNuance Salma Hayek Rosehip Moisturizing Body Lotion

Considering the wave of celebrity perfumes that has submerged us over the past decade, it’s interesting that so few famous names have appeared on the labels of fragranced body products. The only examples that come to my mind are Jo Wood Organics, a high-priced niche line created by the ex-wife of a Rolling Stone, and Lisa Hoffman Beauty, a body/fragrance spa brand founded by Dustin Hoffman’s wife, but neither of these women is exactly a household name.

Now, however, we have Nuance, a full collection of cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and body products launched by actress Salma Hayek. Hayek herself is probably no stranger to fancy fragrances and indulgent self-care products, since she’s married to François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of a multinational luxury goods business. Yet her new Nuance brand is sold at CVS drugstores; as Hayek says in one of her promotional videos for the line, “I wanted to make sure that every woman could afford it.” (She also mentions the inspiration of her grandmother, who concocted homemade beauty products in her kitchen, and the long history of natural ingredients in traditional Mexican remedies.)

I picked up two Nuance body products at CVS on a whim…

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Holiday fragrance gifts 2011, part 8

Posted by Robin on 18 December 2011 27 Comments

The 8th and last of our 2011 series of holiday gift posts. Today’s focus: budget gifts and stocking stuffers, listed in order of price (low to high).

If you missed them, here are links to part 1 (scented body products), part 2 (travel sizes & coffrets), part 3 (more travel sizes & coffrets), part 4 (home fragrance), part 5 (men’s fragrance), part 6 (solid perfumes) and part 7 (luxury).

If you know of a fabulous (scented) gift item that we missed, do post it in the comments!

Bath & Body Works Signature Cello

From Bath & Body Works, the Signature Cello: “Your favorite pampering pair is wrapped in gingham and ready to give. Set includes Shower Gel and Body Lotion, 3 oz. each.” In Paris Amour, Twilight Woods, Sweet Pea, Moonlight Path and Japanese Cherry Blossom. $5 a pop…

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Holiday fragrance gifts 2011, part 6

Posted by Robin on 11 December 2011 26 Comments

Our series of holiday gift posts continues today with a selection of solid perfumes and perfumed jewelry. If you missed them, here are links to part 1 (scented body products), part 2 (travel sizes & coffrets), part 3 (more travel sizes & coffrets), part 4 (home fragrance) and part 5 (men’s fragrance). Coming up next: the luxury list.

Providence Perfume solid perfume balms

From Providence Perfume Co, solid perfume balms: “Our vintage inspired solid perfume balms are blended in a base of pure shea butter, beeswax and oils. The soft buttery consistency is similar to the vintage solid perfumes popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s without the added petroleum and chemicals of the era. Solid perfumes are generously sized at 1/2 ounce and housed in thick retro glass tubs with distinctive silver caps evoking images of dressing table glamour. Solids are lavishly perfumed with natural ingredients and blended in artisan perfume fashion.” In Chiffonade, Jazmina, Lilium, Moonflower, $36-39 at Providence Perfume Co…

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