Category Archives: Fragrance

Juicy Couture COUTURE LA LA Eau de Parfum Photos & Review

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Juicy Couture has added a new fragrance to the family – Couture La La (which puts the chorus to the Fugees Oh La La La song in my mind all day lol ahem… it’s old school…. look it up).

“Bright sparkling fruits blend with water hyacinth and bold white florals revealing a luminous bouquet of waterlilly and muguet. The translucent drydown highlights the sensuality of smooth woods and frosted liquid musk.”

IMG_7094What the Sephora website says about Juicy Couture Couture La La Eau de Parfum:

A little punk rock, a lot of free spirit. She’s classic Juicy, astonishing, daring, and always couture. Like the color pink, she is perfection. She is Couture La La.

Couture La La blends bright sparkling mandarin with bold white florals for a fragrance experience that captures the essence of femininity and daring allure of the unexpected.
Style:
Unexpected. Daring. Free.

IMG_7096 IMG_7101Couture La La is a lovely and feminine perfume.  When you first spray it on it comes off a little strong but quickly develops into you naturally, leaving behind a very light, sweet, floral musk.  This is a delicious springtime scent!

I’m very high maintenance and hard to please when it comes to fragrance.  I won’t wear anything that smells cheap or gives me a headache.  It doesn’t sound like much, but I’ve set the bar rather high.  Couture La La has now joined my vanity with the likes of my long-time love Chanel Chance and Victoria’s Secret Bombshell – Summer Edition (which I like to use in the, you guessed it, Summer).

Let’s not forget how beautifully Juicy Couture decorates product.  The bottles are adorned with a hot pink ribbon and a bottle neck sized charm bracelet.  I’m kinda-sorta sad this won’t fit my wrist!

IMG_7115Don’t forget National Fragrance Day is on March 21st!  Treat yourself!

Juicy Couture Couture La La Eau de Parfum retails for $70 (1.7oz), $90 (3.4oz) or $19 (for the rollerball 0.25oz) and is available at Sephora, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.

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Victoria’s Secret Seduction DARK ORCHID Eau de Parfum Photos & Review

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Dark Orchid is the latest fragrance to hit the shelves from Victoria’s Secret.  This Eau de Parfum is made in correlation with the Very Sexy Seduction Bras, which are lacy and beautiful.

What the Victoria’s Secret website has to say about Dark Orchid:

Provocative. Luxurious. The ultimate expression of sexy. Give in to Victoria’s Secret Seduction—our most exclusive fragrance collection yet. Designed to seduce the senses, Dark Orchid is a signature blend of midnight orchid, crushed plum and oud wood. Spray on to wrap skin in dark luxury.

TIPS & TRICKS: For longer-lasting fragrance, layer with Victoria’s Secret Seduction Fragrance Lotion.

  • Fragrance type: Warm
  • Top notes: Crème de cassis, blood orange, crushed plum, pineapple blossom, bergamot, yuzu zest
  • Middle notes: Jasmine, red ginger orchid, dark red calla lilies, midnight orchid, muguet petals
  • Dry-down notes: Smooth warm amber, oud wood, tonka beans, amber crystals, cashmere woods, creamy musk
  • Domestic
  • 50 ml/1.7 fl oz

Dark Orchid is a light and sultry scent that is perfect for Fall.  The scent isn’t overpowering at all, but make sure when you test it you do so on your skin to make sure that the notes react well to your body chemistry.  If you’re loving how this scent works for you, be sure to also pick up the lotion.  If you layer both the scent will last that much longer.

I am loving the entire Seduction line, it has a vintage look to it that is totally my style!  When you see the lingerie, it’s easy to agree that the perfume is a fit for the Limited Edition line.

Victoria’s Secret Seduction Dark Orchid Eau de Parfum in 1.7oz retails for $49.00 and is available at Victoria’s Secret stores and online at victoriassecret.com.

Justin Bieber’s GIRLFRIEND Eau de Parfum Spray Photos & Review

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So, here is your chance to be Justin Bieber’s girlfriend.  No, I don’t mean Selena Gomez.  (Though, I’d like to be her because she’s absolutely adorable!)

The new fragrance Girlfriend by Justin Bieber isn’t just for the teeny bopper market.  The design of the packaging and bottle is definitely young, but the fragrance itself is fresh and can be worn by anyone (I’d personally put the age range for this one at about 18-39).

What the Nordstrom website has to say about GIRLFRIEND by JUSTIN BIEBER Eau de Parfum Spray:

An enticing fragrance made to get your heart racing as you experience that feeling of getting personal with Justin. One spray and you’ll finally experience the exhilaration of holding on and never letting go. Every touch, every breath, all captured in a flirty new scent. Dare to get closer.

Features notes of sparkling pear, crisp Mandarin, rich blackberry, mara strawberry, pink freesia, star jasmine, apricot nectar, orange blossom, vanilla orchid, white amber and luminous musk.

(the outer packaging is mix of pink and purple tones to surround the inner fragrance bottle.  I had to dive on my kids because they thought it was a slinky.  It’s that fun.)

GIRLFRIEND by JUSTIN BIEBER Eau de Parfum Spray is really sweet and fruity… like a hard candy.  It’s rather strong, and I like to wear fragrance lightly, so for this one I spritz it in the air and walk through the mist.  The smell will linger throughout the day and actually managed to lift my spirits.  I don’t know if I’d use this as a Fall/Winter fragrance, but it’s definitely one I’d reach for in the warmer months.

Now, let’s just address the elephant in the room and be real, no one is going to know that you’re wearing a Justin Bieber perfume unless you tell them.  It’s not like the bottle is hanging around your neck or you have a neon sign flashing.  If you like it, wear it.  I like it, so imma wear it.

Back to the beginning of this post, I wonder if this is what Selena Gomez wears?  Hmmmm…

Oh, and for those of you just in it to see the Bieb’s and his mug, here you go:

You’re welcome.

Justin Bieber’s Girlfriend Eau de Parfum Spray retails for $49.00 and can be purchased at places like Nordstrom, Sephora and Ulta.

Marchesa PARFUM D’EXTASE Eau de Parfum Spray Photos & Review

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On the final day of August I posted a press release about Marchesa launching their first fragrance exclusively at Sephora.  My interest was piqued by the bottle alone.  It’s simple and elegant.  I’m easily influenced by packaging, so I made a trip to the mall to sniff.

This trip was not wasted.  I’ll put it this way.  I loved it so much I bought the rollerball as well to keep in my purse… just in case I forget to put it on before I leave the house.

What the Sephora website has to say about Marchesa Parfum d’Extase Eau de Parfum:

MARCHESA PARFUM D’EXTASE opens with light florals, giving way to a combination of fresh and woody notes that create complexity and beauty. Iris is the secret to the fragrance’s richness, capturing the delicate essence of its flower petals and the dark sensuality of its precious roots. Freesia, young violet leaves, night blooming jasmine, ambrox, and musks complete the sublime composition of this intoxicating elixir.

The fragrance’s elegantly designed bottle evokes the look and feel of an exotic raw crystal, a powerful gemstone known for its positive energy and abundant healing qualities. Each bottle features individually set crystals that exude confident and alluring femininity signature to Marchesa.

Discover the designers’ enchanting vision and dress your senses in ecstasy.

Notes:
Iris Flower, Star Anise, Black Current, Young Violet Leaves, Lotus Flower, Night Blooming Jasmine, Bulgarian Rose Water, Orange Blossom, Iris Root, Ambrox, Muscenone.
Style:
Feminine. Empowered. Intoxicating.

Marchesa Parfum d’Extase is definitely what I would consider a floral fragrance.  Don’t be afraid!  It’s not the scary, headache inducing type of floral.  It’s feminine, delicate, and classic.  I’m not really down with describing top notes or whatever, so be sure to reference the Sephora website.

I literally can’t stop sniffing my arm.  And, I don’t know if I should be embarrassed about this or not, but I told the associate that was ringing me up that it reminded me of the way baby dolls used to smell in the 80′s!  All floral, and powdery.  She looked at me like I was a little insane, but then maybe she was younger than me and didn’t represent the awesome-ness that is the 80′s.

I’d also like to add, that the stock was really low on this and it hasn’t been out very long (from what I can tell it’s not limited edition).  So, I’m not alone here in the love.  AND, the woman in front of me was buying it was well.  No pressure.

Marchesa Parfum d’Extase Eau de Parfum Spray is available exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com.

Vi.Be ISLAND SPARKLE Solid Perfume Fragrance Review & GIVEAWAY

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With Fashion Week upon us it’s imperative that whether you’re running from show to show, or sitting at home observing, that you stay smelling yum.  Who wants to carry around a bottle of perfume?  It’s inconvenient, and can become rather messy.

Perfectly travel-friendly for your clutch or your desk, Vi.Be Fragrance introduces luscious scents, easy to keep at your fingertips.  The Solid Perfume is available in 9 scents in a full size ($18.00 for 14 g / 0.5 oz.) and a mini size ($7.50 for 4.2 g / 0.15 oz.).

What the Vi.Be website has to say about Solid Perfume:

Adorn yourself with our stunning solid perfumes and embrace your scentuality. Quality Beeswax, healing Shea Butter, a special fragrance blend and Vitamin E applied to your pulse points will leave your skin supple and your nose pleased. Also try it on your hair to complete your scent aura.
No Parabens – No Alcohol- No colorants

The Solid Perfume goes on clear and the scent of Island Sparkle is amazing!  You can smell the scent even before you take off the wrapping.  The site states that it’s a Bright fruity floral blend framed in sparkling oceanic aromas with notes of Tuberose, Mango, Cucumber, Aquatic Melody, Lime, Pineapple, Heliotrope.  It definitely makes me think of cocktails on the beach.  Fun, yet sensual.  I can’t stop sniffing my arm!  IMO the Cucumber and Mango are hitting my senses the strongest.

Be sure to just dab this scent on your wrists or neck (or what-have-you) lightly.  A little will go a long way and you don’t want to cake the stick all over.

The tube twists up and down, so you don’t have to worry about pushing up too much and the stick breaking off.

Why are there two in the photo?  Um, because I’m giving one away… obviously ;)   Of course the one being given away is unopened… unused… sealed.  It’s all about being sanitary up in here!

Details!

This giveaway IS open Internationally and will end at 12:01am EST on September 13, 2012.

You can enter this giveaway via the RAFFLECOPTER WIDGET that will be at the bottom of this post.

*** Entries placed in the comments will not be valid and will not be approved. ***

The ONLY mandatory entry on the Rafflecopter Widget is the first one – to Like the Vi.Be Facebook Page.

To enter, please wait for the Rafflecopter Widget to load.  If it doesn’t, try to refresh.  If you still have issues (sometimes if you’re using Google Chrome it can be a pain) please contact me via the comments or email.  Additional terms and conditions are listed on the widget.  Please contact me with any questions!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize: One Vi.Be Solid Perfume in scent Fresh N’ Free

Can’t wait to see if you won?  Vi.Be has provided a code especially for Blushing Noir readers to save 20% off of their purchase!  When shopping the website, use code 20NOIR2012 (Exp 11:59 pm 10/4/2012)

Please also be sure to check out my Back-to-School Giveaway, which is open internationally until September 24, 2012.

***Thank you to Vi.Be Fragrance for providing the giveaway product!

Sephora Exclusively Launches MARCHESA PARFUM D’EXTASE on Sephora.com!

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MARCHESA parfum d’extase
Feminine, Empowered, Intoxicating…
The Decadent New Fragrance That Captures Your Infinite Muse

Transcend into the endlessly glamorous world of MARCHESA where intricate dreams are spun into breathtaking opulence. From every ornate drape to each exquisitely executed detail, Marchesa’s signature touch is as effortless as it is seductive.  With an air of mystery and desire Marchesa masterfully creates their premiere elixir, a truly enchanting scent available exclusively at Sephora.  One spray will take you to a world of fantasy and imagination that is unforgettable, enticing and uniquely their own.

“Like with our dress designs, we wanted our scent to feel sensual and feminine yet still embrace and celebrate the wearers unique style and sensibility” said Georgina Chapman, designer and co-founder of MARCHESA. “It is the essence of our muse transformed into a fragrance that distinctly captures her in her most beautiful and purest form .”

MARCHESA parfum d’extase opens with light florals, giving way to a combination of fresh and woody notes that create the scent’s complexity and beauty. Iris is the secret to the fragrance’s richness, capturing the delicate essence of its flower petals and the dark sensuality of its precious roots. Complementing the timeless elegance of the Iris flower are the beautifully fresh elements of Freesia and Young Violet Leaves to help lead the fragrance into the heart. Comprised of Night Blooming Jasmine, the heart weightlessly transcends the senses into the sensuous background. Here the Iris Root blends together with Ambrox and Musks, the finishing touch to the sublime composition of this intoxicating and unforgettable elixir.  Marchesa’s new fragrance clearly defines their distinct artist vision and transports you into an ethereal world.

With as much discipline, precision and care given to each piece they create, the co-founders of Marchesa collaborated with SEPHORA to develop the latest sculptural representation of the brand. Capturing the ecstasy of a perfect moment, the fragrances’ elegantly designed bottle was crafted by Malin Ericson, Creative Director at Vanessa Stevens + Company to evoke the same look and feel of exotic raw quartz crystal, a powerful gemstone known for its positive energy and abundant healing qualities. Each bottles shape uniquely emulates the natural facets and distinct contours of the raw quartz and features individually set crystal accents that exude the confident and alluring femininity signature to the Marchesa design.

“At Sephora, we are continually searching for the most innovative and luxurious product offerings to transform the beauty landscape,” says Michael McGeever, SVP of SEPHORA Strategic Partnerships.  “Along those same lines, MARCHESA has redefined the world of red carpet glamour, inspiring celebrities, the fashion world, women everywhere and ultimately, us.  The decadence and glamour that MARCHESA evokes on the red carpet and on the runway instantly comes to life in their premiere fragrance and we couldn’t be more pleased to present it exclusively at Sephora.”

With the extravagant and eccentric  fashion icon and Italian heiress , Marchesa Luisa Casati, as their muse, Marchesa co-founders Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig have built a fashion empire defined by elegant eveningwear and one of a kind couture designs . Their beautifully crafted runway collections and accessories line fuse exquisite detailing with supreme femininity.  Coveted not only by celebrities, but by women of all ages Marchesa continues to be the centerpiece of iconic red carpet moments and high end fashion alike. Now, with the launch of their premiere fragrance, there is a new  and enticing way to experience the luxury of Marchesa.

  MARCHESA 50 ml Eau de Parfum Spray $85
MARCHESA 30 ml Eau de Parfum Spray $60
MARCHESA Eau de Parfum Rollerball $25

MARCHESA is available exclusively on Sephora.com today and at Sephora stores beginning September 2012.

Ormonde Jayne Perfumery Discovery Set Fragrance Review

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If you’re like me, you can sometimes be indecisive about fragrance.  I have a signature scent that I wear frequently, but every once in awhile I like to feel fancy and change it up.

Ormonde Jayne Perfumery has a great idea for those of us that want to mix up our fragrance, but maybe not commit to something as pricey as a full size bottle.  The Discovery Set contains 2mls samples in EDP strength of all twelve fragrances.  This includes the award winning signature scent Ormonde Woman which contains the unique Black Hemlock & Violet Absolute & the bestselling Arabian rose scent Ta’if as well as three fragrances for men.  So, hubby gets something too, and that justifies your purchase even more.  WIN.

Pull the tab on the right side and two compartments (on each side) slide out of the black and gold box.  On the left side, a small pamphlet containing information on each perfume:

And the right side containing the vials of perfume:

Some info on the brand!

Ormonde Jayne is a niche perfume house with two boutiques Old Bond Street and Sloane Square, London  created by perfumer Linda Pilkington who has sourced the world for rare exquisite oils to make this award winning range of Parfum, Scented Candles & a Bathing Collection (free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oils & petrochemicals).  Oils used include Tiare, Champaca, Sampaquita, Black Iris and Tolu & Oudh (Ormonde Jayne was the very first perfume house to use Oudh or Black Hemlock in a fragrance back in 2004 and pioneered the way for the current Oudh & Middle Eastern trend).

There are also staffed concessions in Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and another one is due to open this summer in Selfridges Manchester Exchange.

Points of sale worldwide opened last year in Zurich in Osswald Parfümerie, Brussels in Senteurs d’Ailleurs. Dusseldorf in Beauty Affair Istanbul in La Déesse and as from May in Dubai at Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales.  A further launch is planned for July in Manchester At Selfridges.

Earlier this year, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hyde Park London introduced Isfarkand products in all its rooms and suites (shower gel, body lotion, soap, shampoo, conditioner)

In the New York Times, the perfume critic Chandler Burr said of Ormonde Jayne Perfumery after awarding the men’s signature scent the maximum 5 stars, “If anyone creates a perfume collection a century from now, it will quite possibly resemble Ormonde Jayne’s.”

Celebrity fans include Yasmin Le Bon, Elton John, Will Smith, Bryan Ferry, Goldie Hawn, Emma Thompson and Ashley Jensen.

The Ormonde Jayne Perfumery Discovery Set retails for $75.00 and can be purchased here.

NEST Fragrances Orange Blossom Body Wash, Body Cream Photos & Review

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Have you heard of Slatkin & Co?  If you like candles or Bath & Body Works I bet you have, even if you don’t know it.

Think back to how good those candles smell. (I actually have two burning right now….. they’re making me want cookies lol)… think about rubbing the goodness on your body and now YOU smell that good.

From the same Slatkin & Co, we have NEST Fragrances, a luxury lifestyle and fragrance brand.  This summer, creator Laura Slatkin has expanded the line to include personal care products.  Of the six scents, I have one here for review and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Orange Blossom (contains orange blossom, orchid, tiare flower, freesia, tangerine, lemon and musk).

The aroma is intoxicating.  It’s light and sensual, fruity and fun.  You can smell that it’s oranges, but there is a very slight hint of floral.  The scents combine so well together that when you inhale you immediately relax.

The body wash smooths on gently whether you use a sponge or your hands, while the cream is thick enough to leave skin supple, scented and smooth… but not so thick that it won’t soak in quickly.

Other scents available are Bamboo, Grapefruit, Moroccan Amber, Moss & Mint, and Wasabi Pear.  The body cream retails for $32.00 and the body wash retails for $28.00.

NEST Fragrances are currently available for purchase at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Shop.NESTFragrances.com.

Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Sweepstakes on SearsStyle!

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Find out what your favorite scent in Wonderstruck says about you and enter for a chance to win one of five Wonderstruck prize packages or a $1,000 Sears gift card! Each prize package includes the Wonderstruck fragrance signed by Taylor Swift and a Sony Bloggie Touch HD Camera. One Grand prize winner will receive the Wonderstruck fragrance signed by Taylor Swift and a $1,000 Sears gift card.

Take the quiz & tell all your friends!

Follow SearsStyle on Facebook ~ Follow Now + Here on Facebook

Kiehl’s Aromatic Blends ~ Orange Flower & Lychee Aromatic Mist and Body Cleanser Review

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Kiehl’s just seems to always do everything right.  Their latest addition is an Aromatic Blends Collection consisting of Vanilla & Sandalwood (the dense jungle of Uganda), Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit (the tranquil gardens of Japan), Fig Leaf & Sage (the lush countryside of Provence), and today’s post of Orange Flower & Lychee (a desert oasis in Morocco).

Orange Flower & Lychee

a representation of Kiehl’s ingredient expertise

When Kiehl’s was sourcing the world over to find natural, yet efficacious ingredients, the team was introduced to a unique orange blossom essence. This blend was so special and exceptionally fragrant because it was formulated using three different parts of the Bitter Orange tree vs. the typical single orange essence.  The Bitter Orange tree is known to produce oranges that deliver a more potent “orange” aroma.  By incorporating the stem, leaf and flower in developing our orange flower aroma, we ensure the purest scent expression.

Mr. Suffit describes this fragrance blend, “The Orange Flower and Lychee recreates the atmosphere of late afternoon in a Moroccan garden. The Orange Tree absorbs the warmth of the sun during the day then exudes its strong distinctive essences as the air begins to cool in the evening, while the lychee lends a soft and sweet aroma reminiscent of the roses growing nearby.”

This particular fragrance of Orange Flower & Lychee is beyond fragrant.  The scent is strong, and you won’t have to worry about this scent fading out throughout the day.  You’ll smell sensual and natural.  I believe this scent can be used on both men and women.  It has a musk to is, and it isn’t feminine, but I wouldn’t call it masculine either.

Have you been in store to check out the Aromatic Blends from Kiehl’s?  Which one is your favorite?

Fragrance: a pure and sensual fragrance crafted with a strong focus on the quality of two unique key ingredients for a simple, clear, yet sophisticated construction. SRP: 30ml: $40.00, 100ml: $75.00, Collection: $55.00

Skin-Softening Body Lotion: inspired by the hydrating performance of Kiehl’s iconic Crème de Corps, this superbly hydrating and soothing body lotion is proven to deliver 24 hours of hydration and nourishment to the skin – without the use of silicones.  SRP: $26.00

Skin-Softening Body Cleanser: this rich, lathering, foaming body cleanser, formulated without sulfates, gently cleanses and conditions the skin proven to offer 24 hours of skin softness.  SRP: $24.00

Available on Kiehls.com, July 1; launches in Kiehl’s stores nationwide July 10.

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