Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Private Collection Amber and Ylang Ylang
Kelly9 5/19/2009 9:57:00 PM
This smells sooo much like one of my favorites from long ago, Coty Wild Musk! Not today's sharp and overly synthetic Wild Musk, but the dreamy velvety/musky/slightly floral scent I remember from almost 20 years ago. Private Collection makes it even better by adding a light vanilla to the party; and the quality is outstanding, like all EL fragrances. It lasts all day and smells great on clothes the next day. It is the kind of scent I'd like to find on my scarf or coat collar, or cashmere sweater. I would buy this again, and it has a place in my perfume rotation for sure. I just don't wear it much now as I prefer spicy frags at the moment.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Aubrey Organics - Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Moisturizing Cream
Kelly9 4/16/2009 10:38:00 AM
Yes! This moisturizer, combined with the cleanser and toner, are helping clear up a really uncomfortable bout of dermatitis and very flaky skin. Kind of an unusual choice, because of its very strong scent, but that hasn't bothered me. Leaves my skin dewy, without looking oily, and the flakies are already extinct. Also great on my neck and decollete, which were also experiencing some major dryness. Seems to actually improve my skin, where Cetaphil, Eucerin, and oils would just sit on top. I can't recommend this enough. You just have to ignore the strong fragrance. If you apply while your skin is damp, the scent seems to dissipate faster. Editing 5/8/13: I had to give this one up, as I have discovered that I am sensitive to most botanicals in products. As interested as I am in using natural products, I just can't. This was lovely, but I have to move on. Currently using Elta MD skincare.
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Toners -Aubrey Organics - Rosa Mosqueta and English Lavender Facial Toner
Kelly9 4/16/2009 10:32:00 AM
Nice toner! Stings a bit at first, and feels fresh because of the alchohol. I have sensitive and dry skin, and even with the alchohol this toner does not cause irritation. It also seems to leave a protective layer and helps the moisturizer glide over my skin. I've used the moisturizer with and without using this toner first, and this toner definately contributes to a nice "soft as a baby's bottom" result. For me, toners don't really seem necessary, but it is such a pleasant part in my skin care that I really do enjoy that bit of freshness they seem to give. I'll get this again. Editing 5/8/13: I had to give this one up, as I have discovered that I am sensitive to most botanicals in products. As interested as I am in using natural products, I just can't. This was lovely, but I have to move on. Currently using Elta MD skincare.
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Cleansers -Aubrey Organics - Seaware with Rosa Mosqueta Facial Cleansing Cream
Kelly9 4/16/2009 10:28:00 AM
This is a good, creamy cleanser that does not dry out my skin. I am recovering from a bout of dermatitis and this does not cause my skin to become red or itch. It is heavily fragranced, though, and contains alchohol, so it was a rather unlikely choice during a time of irritation, but I remembered how much I liked Aubrey skin care in the past and wanted to give it another try. (And I saw a pic of myself with great skin and remembered I was using Aubrey). I am so glad I did. My skin type is very dry and sensitive, and the Rosa Mosqueta line and the other line with Sea Buckthorn and Cucumber are very nice for me. Pros: natural ingredients, silky/creamy texture, easily rinses clean, non stripping, cheaper than some other natural brands. Cons: you will need a makeup remover first. The scent, while pleasant, is strong. Possible variations batch to batch, which was why I switched from Aubrey in the past. Because of the natural ingredients, some may experience sensitivity to an ingredient. Good news is, if you want to try it, they offer their travel sets (cleanser, toner, moisturizer plus a few trial size packets) on their website for less than 10 dollars. Editing 5/8/13: I had to give this one up, as I have discovered that I am sensitive to most botanicals in products. As interested as I am in using natural products, I just can't. This was lovely, but I have to move on. Currently using Elta MD skincare.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Youth Dew Body Satinee
Kelly9 4/10/2009 1:43:00 PM
This review is for the body satinee that came in a blue-green tube with a recent gift set. It is a nice thin consistency and smells great--if you like the Youth Dew fragrance. I find it to be a clean and spicy scent, in a retro kind of way. If you are like me, and prefer the YD Bath Oil to the spray, then you will be pleased with the lotion as it leans more to the smooth/rounded scent of the bath oil. It leaves my skin smooth and hydrated without feeling smothered. I rated it as a 4 only because I previously purchased the body satinee in the typical white package at my local mall, and it didn't smell good at all--like plastic. I would be willing to repurchase, if it normally smells as good as the gift set tube. PS--I am so glad Estee Lauder still offers this line, I'm in my early thirties and its my most favorite scent at the moment. Reminds me of getting baths as a kid when all of the 70's products were so spicy and balsamic. My DH loves it too. Nothing like the current trends--you won't smell like any of yor friends in this. :)
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Mitsouko
Kelly9 2/17/2009 10:14:00 AM
I just *had* to sample this, as often as it comes up on the fragrance discussion boards. When a new Neiman-Marcus opened up near me, I promptly went in to test Mitsouko on one wrist, and Jicky on the other. The weather was over 100 degrees, and the heat combined with those two fragrances in the car on the way home was just unbearable. I ended up ordering some decants to try them at home, in tiny amounts, to really find out what the hype was. My impression: Surprise! I didn't really expect it to be as nice as it is, after that first mishap. It has a strange moldy bread note upon opening, and reminds me of something clean and astringent....maybe solarcaine/sunburn spray? Subliminally I feel cooled and comforted. The resulting waft is a lovely soft peach, rose, and dry moss. Warming the scent up with my breath after drydown gives me the most beautiful rosy cinnamon floral fragrance. The drydown on Mitsouko is stunning--quite possibly the best perfume I have ever smelled! I love it. I just don't recommend wearing it in the heat, or in small spaces where things can get a little warm. Mitsouko lasts and lasts, and gets "bigger" the warmer your body temperature gets. (And, when I was a little girl, my favorite granny would roll her hair in those pink sponge rollers. She'd take it down and let me brush it out, and her hair was so white and bunny soft, and it smelled lovely, just like Mitsouko. Wonderful memories :)
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Shalimar
Kelly9 2/11/2009 2:49:00 PM
I love Shalimar. I had to delete my old review, as it really didn't express how I feel about it. On me, Shalimar starts off medicinal and bracing. Some reviewers find citrus, but it doesn't come across that way to me. It is full of contrasts: clean powder over dirty musk, airy Earl-Grey tea over thick vanilla and amber resin. The flowers in the heart appear to me only when my breath warms the fragrance back up, when inhaling the fragrance from my wrist. I get lots of powder, of course, but occasionally I'll catch a whiff of incense and wonder where it is coming from before I realize its me. For a comfort scent, nothing beats a bit of Shalimar well into the drydown as I sleep. Bottom line, it is one of my favorites and has a permanent place in my collection.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Robert Piguet Fragrances - Fracas
Kelly9 1/2/2009 11:44:00 AM
Warm gardenia and tuberose, so gorgeous! I can see where people might consider this a sexy bombshell fragrance. But to me, Fracas is clean and summery, smells a bit like the beach and fresh air. It is feminine and uplifting, and instantly is a favorite of mine (and my husband's). I have to tell you what this reminds me of, so skip this part if you think it might taint your opinion of Fracas. Its not a bad association, but certainly not naughty, bombshell, or sexy. My kids have the book "Pat the Bunny", and there is a scented page where the children are supposed to smell the flowers....well, it smells like Fracas! And I have to share with you that I always thought I'd like a perfume that smells like that page in the book. Now I found it. And you can too, LOL.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Pleasures
Kelly9 11/21/2008 4:28:00 PM
I went through a phase where I really loved this scent. It was great for casual wear and work, and it is one of the scents I was repeatedly complimented on. No problems with it being too strong, but I am a 1-2 spritzes only person. Ny husband also really loved it. I would describe this fragrance as a crisp, clear, celery-like floral. I said I would buy this again, but I don't wear it anymore because I prefer chypres and orientals currently.
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Fragrances -Calvin Klein - Obsession
Kelly9 7/20/2008 9:19:00 AM
I wore Obsession in high school because my boyfriend at the time thought it was the greatest scent ever. I liked it, but it was never "me". I remembered it being very strong, also. Now, forward 15 years, after reading some intriguing reviews here, I picked up a mini at the drugstore. It was like reuniting with an old friend. Smells so much better on me now, the sometimes green & greasy topnote disappears quickly and leaves me with a mesmerizing sweet and spicy amber veil. It is not nearly as strong as I remember, I actually would need to reapply halfway through the day if going somewhere. IMO, it remains a little more timeless and relevant than some of the other 80's big hitters. (Maybe they've deliberately toned down that trademark gigantic sillage?) I'm only disappointed that it is harder to find the old splash bottle like I had, I'd love it for nostalgia--even though I think I prefer the spray.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Baby Magic Gentle Baby Lotion - by Ascendia
Kelly9 5/6/2008 12:58:00 PM
I have been using this lotion forever it seems. Alright, just 33 years. My mom used it on my brother and I when we were babies, and it became a staple in our house. Now it is a staple in my house. Now made by Ascendia, I remember when it was by Mennen. Then Playtex. Not quite as popular as Johnson's lotion, but pretty easy to find in grocery stores and drug stores in the US. By the way, this is the same lotion with the same fragrance that is currently being sold on ebay for high prices. Just look for a white bottle instead of a pink bottle. Different look, different manufacturer, but same lotion. Or at least, close enough. The lotion is thin, sinks in easily and doesn't leave a greasy feel, and the best part: the Soft Baby (tm) fragrance. I can't describe the scent other than "clean" and not your typical powdery baby scent. Maybe a little like bubble bath. I used to layer this with my Coty Wild Musk in high school, and got compliments galore. I still wear it under my fragrance (currently a dab of Youth Dew bath oil). It just feels like "me" and makes me feel 7 again. Which is a great thing! I hope somebody always makes this lotion, because as long as they do, I'll be buying. Editing 5/8/13: I had to give this one up, as I have discovered that I am sensitive to most botanicals in products. Baby Magic contains aloe, which my skin has a big problem with. Disappointed to have to quit using this formerly HG lotion.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Angel Glittering Body Powder
Kelly9 4/30/2008 5:45:00 PM
Ah, beautiful Angel powder! Just perfect for those who love Angel, but fear the heady EDP is too strong for the summer heat. Or those who love Angel but are frightened by its tenacity. This powder, like all products in the Angel line, is as pretty as its purpose. It is a pale blue powder with fine opal/periwinkle glitter. Not big glitter particles, tiny ones. It would be completely unlike Angel to go unnoticed in any way, so there is plenty of that glitter. Some might not like that, but I think its fun and flamboyant. If you're going to wear Angel, then what the hey. Have fun. The scent of this powder exceeded my expectations. It seems only the softest and fluffiest part of the fragrance went into the powder. It is very soft and vanillic, yet not a departure from the typical fragrance. It is actually very light in strength, which may suprise Angel fans, but will delight your coworkers and others in close contact. This powder comes in a cannister with the familiar metal twist top with holes for a shaker application, with settings for 3 different application amounts. I purchased my powder at Dillards for around 45. Since I'm a fan of matching scented powders, I'll be repurchasing.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Clinique - Almost Powder Makeup SPF 15
Kelly9 4/12/2008 12:24:00 PM
I recieved a sample of this during my last purchase, and I am really blown away by how nice this powder is! I've used mineral makeups in the past, but I've never experienced a finish as lovely as this powder. It gives my skin a fresh and luminous look, without being too matte or dewy or shiny. Seriously, think skin like a 10 year old. And I'm in my 30s. This works as well over regular moisturizer as it does my thicker cityblock. The only cons for me: can highlight flakes if reapplied later in the day, can be visible (chalky, powdery) if over-applied. Big bonus: the SPF. I also really like the pressed powder form (v/s loose powder, which always seems to sit on my skin rather than meld with it). Nice coverage as well. What a wonderful suprise to get a freebie that exceeds my expectations. I'll definately purchase once my sample runs out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Thierry Mugler - Angel Body Cream
Kelly9 4/12/2008 9:58:00 AM
I wanted to love this cream, as I believed it was the pinnacle of Angel luxury for my dresser in its gorgeous blue tub and silver lid. But, truth be told, I prefer the lotion. The cream is pale blue, nice and thick, and *intensely* scented with Angel. But there is my problem. Its *too* scented. And because of its concentration in scent, it becomes quite masculine and sharp to my nose. I prefer the lotion because I find its scent more on the sweet and fluffy side of Angel, and less the patchouli and evergreen side like the cream.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Thierry Mugler - Celestial Showers
Kelly9 4/11/2008 1:32:00 PM
This is the perfect shower gel for Angel lovers, and even those who love Angel but can't wear the EDP. The gel is soft and pearly, has a foamy lather, and doesn't dry out my skin. The fragrance that remains after the shower is light and barely noticeable to others, but gives my skin a sweet veil. It lasts a long time for me, since I only need to use a dime sized amount. Of course, I wish it were cheaper, but I consider it a luxury and will definately repurchase.
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