Fragrances -Bulgari - Mon Jasmin Noir
condesadepitimini 9/24/2011 10:55:00 AM
As much as I like the ads, the pretty bottle, and many other Bulgari frags, I have to say that this one is pretty much a useless frag. The original Jasmin Noir was heady and intoxicating (a ta s too sweet for my taste) Mon Jasmin Noir is... non exisitant, really I get 10 minutes wear on my skin in hot weather. I can barely smell it. That said, it's a light floral arrangement, composed around different species of Jasmine; it's greener at the starts and warms up a little on the next stage; but it lacks the intensity of a true Jasmine frag (I have in minid the Jasmine of A' La Nuit or the Jasmine in Joy). It's pretty, even elegant, but it's so fleeting I cannot even say I get a decent drydown (hence I canot confirm it's based on woods as listed!). For me, a nice to try but far, far from being a must have. _____________________ notes golden cedrat, pink peppercorn, lily of the valley Arabian or Sambac jasmine, Angels' Wings jasmine, nougatine and precious woods.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Cartier - Baiser Volé
condesadepitimini 9/20/2011 3:13:00 PM
Cartier is doing rather well in the last period: I loved months ago their Cartier de Lune (a good take on a dreamy, powdery iris) and Baiser Volé is ... a revelation. Wow. This is a great fragrance! The perfumer behind it is Mathilde Laurent. Baiser Volé (“Stolen Kiss”) is composed around lily, but is not a soliflore!. It starts with greens notes (= galbanum) - for an instant you think you are smelliing Chanel N.19 ... it's *that* green! But then you get some powdery notes (think Love by Chloé) that is the lily I think...with its multi faceted evolution, green and then pollen like and then spicy - then the flowery part with some rose. The best part is the drydown... it's all about spices. I can smell cardamom and a lovely, enticing cinnamon... Some deep vanilla and ambery notes, but spices again. Baiser Volé is a sexy fragrance, but sexy in a sort of polite way, not too in your face; it has manners and is polished. But it is definitely feminine and refined, in my opinion. I can see this as a best seller in the forthcoming months. Lovely sillage and a decent staying power (i get 4 hours wear). Extemely sleek, elegant bottle, that recalls the classic Cartier bottles (think Must de Cartier), that flips open like a golden lighter or compact. A must try for everybody and for me, certainly FB worthy! _______ notes: top note Galbanum middle note Lily, Rose base note Vanilla
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Burberry - Body
condesadepitimini 9/20/2011 2:51:00 PM
Beautiful ad campaign very sexy, (model wearing a trench only), gorgeous bottle... and that's all about this Body. I mean, it's not a typical fruity floral (don't we have enough?) but it's generic in its own way. It smells synthetic and artificial... The first notes are pleasant, though: it's light, fresh and powdery and *slightly* recalls Chloé Love, but this lovely phase lasts let's say ...3 minutes? then you get plastic flowers (that could resemble iris) and a synthetic sort of peach. I do not get any lovely drydown one could expect from Vanilla, Amber and Musk listed in the notes. Nothing. Just artificial stuff. Unpleasant, totally forgettable and a definitely a scrubber. _________________________________ ::::::::::::: Notes as per Osmoz top note Absinthe, Peach, Freesia middle note Rose, Iris, Sandalwood base note Cashmere Wood, Vanilla, Amber, Musk
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Body -Weleda - Birch Cellulite Oil
condesadepitimini 9/20/2011 2:40:00 PM
I love it for the scent alone, that is so very fresh, citrus and herbal like. Excellent moisturiser/nourisher for the skin, it does NOTHING for stubborn cellulite. Birch should be a draining/depurating extract, but trust me, for those effecta you must take it as a supplement (drops, tablets, herbal tea you name it), not in a oil that is applied topically... the real birch in it is so very little! But I love the birch oil anyway, for its nourishing and smoothing effects on skin. And it's all natural!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrance -Christian Dior - Fahrenheit
condesadepitimini 9/20/2011 4:08:00 AM
Well...this frag is ageing so well (as first issued some 23 years ago, year 1988), I mean it's now a classic, like Eau Sauvage is (another timeless, winner men's cologne from Dior that is at least 40 years old). Of course the 2 frags have nothing in common a part the fact that they are tremendously well constructed and appealing, in their own peculiar way. Fahrenheit is a chypre/mossy/floral musk built on some unique accord of voilets, leather and patchouli. Indeed it's unique and I never ever smelled such a refined and enticing mixture (well, dupes do not count!) in other frags. Starts fresh and continues being round and spicy, warm and steady.. plenty of sillage and lasts until the day after. As everybody says, that is sex in a bottle. A bit overtly sported, the man wearing that is a self confident verging to "smartass" type of guy. He is hot! That is not for the shy ones! I have to confess that I was a very young lady and Fahrenheit was all the rage being just out; I recall walking in the street and I smelled it on a refined young man; the frag was soooooo good that I followed the guy all the way, completely forgetting where I was headed to, I was just so oblivious inhaling his fragrance!! I was like mesmerized. Talk about the The Magic Flute in perfumery! :o) No need to say that I have been buying this frag to all the guys I dated at the time. A real masterpiece in fragrance! _____________ Notes: top note Mandarin, Bergamot middle note Violet leaves, Nutmeg, Carnation base note Vetiver, Patchouli, Leather
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Guerlain - 06 Les Fumes Quad
condesadepitimini 9/18/2011 11:41:00 AM
The 9 quads Guerlain has released for fall 2011 are all gorgeous. I had to get at least one and, after reading ALL the blogs and the seeing all the swatches, I caved in and bought Les Fumés #06. Oh My Goodness. This is one stunning palette and I haven't been so ravished in years. 5 lippies straight. let alone the superb goden luxurious packaging ( the golden comapct closes with a magnet and that is very practical), but the quality, the pigmentation and the payoff are just GREAT! This palette features 4 shades, all neutral: - a soft brown ash taupe (satin) - a mauve rosey-dust satin (matte) - a dark cool brown taupe (satin) - a shimmery pink champagne. I used all the 4 shades for one look. What a stunning, soft, posh, sophisiticated eye I got as a result! I used the taupe and rosey-dust on lid (inner half: the rosey and outer half the taupe), the brown taupe in the crease & the shimmery champagne on the duct corner to create a light point. The shades blend out effortlessly, the powder is so finely milled it seems almost creamy...great texture. For the record I have light blue/green eyes and I am pale (NC15) in winter, but now, being tanned, I'm around NC35 and these shades suit me to perfection; I mean I can see them working on EVERY skin tone. They're just the right amount of classy and polished, not overdone, and makes your eyes just POP. I am in love with this quad and I totally recommend it. Looking forward to get my hands on the next one....
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Elie Saab-Le Parfum
condesadepitimini 9/3/2011 10:02:00 AM
Wow! Le Parfum by Elie Saab must be one of the best frags issued this year. I just managed to smell it as it came out this week only only in Italy. I'm glad I could sniff it as this is an experience! Well, seen the nose behind it, Mr Francis Kurkdjian, what could you expect, less than a masterpiece? I may be a bit biased as I LOVE jasmine and orange blossom and these 2 notes are fairly predominant on the frag. It starts off rich on the orange blossom, so the freshness strikes you, to reveal later a full jasmine heart. Not sure if you are with me , but this frag reminded me of Ysatis at first sniff. It's in that kind of family. So I would define it as a floriental, because the white flowers and the sweet, round rose are accompanied by a mix of woods and sort of ambery base in the drydown. Absolutely wonderful, feminine (but not cloying or overpowering!) fragrance and a must have for jasmine and neroli lovers. Stunning diamond facetted bottle, by the way. ____________ notes as per Osmoz: top note Orange Blossom middle note Jasmine, Sun-drenched Notes, Patchouli base note Cedar, Honey, Woodsy Notes
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Prada - Candy EDP
condesadepitimini 9/3/2011 9:51:00 AM
Well, it's better than expected. First of all the bottle is plain gorgeous, with its art-déco lines, a tall glass cylinder w/ a hot pink band at the top, and a black dome-shaped cap. The frag - as everybody has described already - is a caramel based gourmand. It's sweet but not cloying. And I do not agree it's like Un Bois Vanille (Bois Vanille is louder, deeper & more vanilla based than caramel based). You get also a burned note (like the one you get when you cook sugar in order to get caramel).... and to a certain extent is reminds me of the original Prada (the one issued in the early 90's) with its strong benzoin note. the only - BIG - downside is that this frag is SO light and airy that after 15 minutes is disappears, just like the recent Infusions additions in the range. I would not purchase (not a must have in my opinion) bt certainly a must try and a nice, comforting light wintry scent. ____________ notes (as pe the copy ad) Top: Joyful and Carefree—Explosion of caramel Middle: Sophistication—Cocktail of musks Base: Vanilla notes: Sensuality—Benjoin overdose”
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Makeup Remover -Yves Rocher - Express Makeup Remover for Sensitive Eyes with Cornflower
condesadepitimini 8/15/2011 3:42:00 AM
Definitely one of my staples. I have been trying a lot of eye makeup removers, (I mean the bi-phase removers, oil in water stuff that takes off even waterproof mascaras etc.). They are all good (Lancome, Helena Rubinstein Erno Laszlo just to name a few) but they are expensive, considering that I use a LOT of makeup remover (just because I do not use it only on eyes, but also on the rest of the face, just to take off decently all make up before passing to the washing-scrubbing phase!!)…and honesty I cannot spend the expensive 20 or more Euros for a small bottle, that last me 3 weeks only. So I found in Yves Rocher one of my HG makeup removers! It is as effective as its high-end brother products but at 1/5 of their price! And it's often on sale! I use to pile stock it as I cannot live without this remover. And the quality is excellent, very gentle to sensitive eyes…a great, great product! Highly recommend! PS: pls remember to SHAKE the bottle before using!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Niagara
condesadepitimini 8/9/2011 3:41:00 PM
I am more a Dior / YSL/Chanel type of girl when it comes to lipsticks. This is my first Nars lippie (I have tons of blushes and some eyeshadows that I all love) and I am impressed by the shade. It is a bright, vivid coral pink (more pink than orange) that screams like summer. it is very feminine, reminds me of the 50's or 60's. best results when you're tanned or have a NC35- NC 45 skin. Staying power could be improved... pls NARS listen to us!!! (not more than 3 hours on my lips, then you're left w/a stain) and I am NOT a fan of the pacakging, that looks and feels light and cheap (like ELF stuff). For that price (same as a Dior lippie!!!!) they could do better. However, even if I doubt I will ever repurchase (will never run out as this is a summer shade only for me) I recommend it, as the shade itself is wonderful.
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Cleansers -Darphin - Purifying Foam Gel
condesadepitimini 8/9/2011 3:09:00 PM
Excellent cleanser for combo skin. I bought it only for the rave reviews here. Well I bought 4 Darphin at once products on a splurge day - I wanted to benefit of a 20% discount on this very expensive line. First of all - even if it might sound stupid - the pacakging is a sensorial pleasure. it's a sheer plastic tube, sure thing, but it is satiny, silky smooth and so lovely to hold! It feels like luxury by the tube itself. The aqua green gel inside is a mild foaming gel, it foams just a little and leave your skin squeaky clean but not stripped. I loves how my skin glowed after cleansing. Just one side note: this is NOT an heavy duty cleanser. I mean, I remove my makeup before with oil and a proper eye-makeup remover and then fash my face; it might not remove all your makeup up alone. I use it with best results in the morning. All in all I am very satisfied! It would get a 5 it it were not for the price tag, that is considerably high (27 Euros for 125 ml, while, as an example, Clinique rinse off foaming cleanser is 20 for 150 ml).
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Skincare - Body -Carita - FLUIDE DE BEAUTE 14
condesadepitimini 8/7/2011 6:12:00 AM
Description as per Carita : Nourishing and comforting oil, for face, body and hair. • The flagship product of Carita, Fluide de beauté 14 is the essential care for dry and very dry skin and hair. Nourishes and softens face, body and hair. Some general info from the Carita web site: • Nourishes dry skin and leaves it feeling supple and satin-smooth with hazelnut and corn oils. The body is wrapped in a light, satiny veil. • Strengthens skin protection against dryness and dehydration due to a highly effective vitamin complex (vitamins A, E, F). • A legendary product created in 1956, this is an emblematic global beauty product. • "14" stands for 14, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, where the Carita sisters founded their school. _________ My review: it would get a huge 5 for the scent alone. Yep, the scent is unique and marvellous... a light citrusy caramellized note. It's great. but that 's really the ONLY good thing about it!! I used a full 25 ml GWP I recently got. I used it up for the scent only.... but I was felling guilty upon application. Why?? Because this product is 99% made of MINERAL OIL!!! Yep. it's the first ingredient on the list. I hate mineral oil, it's very bad for the skin as it comes from petrol oil packed with chemicals (yes I know, it retains moisture but vegetal glycerin can do this as well and it will not harm!!!). Seriously, are you going to pay 50 Euros for a 100ml bottle of mineral oil (that in a drugstore would be 2 $ circa).?? hence... it got a 2 rating. NO way.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Eau Claire des Merveilles
condesadepitimini 7/21/2011 1:20:00 PM
After Eau des Merveilles, the more intense Parfum des Merveilles, and the more gourmand Elixir des Merveilles, Eau Claire des Merveilles is a bit more than a regular flanker. It is a composition of powdery and airy notes enhanced with floral and woodsy accords. As it has been re-mastered by Jean-Claude Ellena, Hermès’s house perfumer, it must be good!. Let me say for a start that I love the Original Eau des Merveilles and I often wear it in summer. But I also have to say that I love even more Eau Claire. it is perfect. While EdM can be a tad cloying, especially if you overspritz (the woods are overruled by citruses and an almost candied orange) in Eau Claire everything feels like a breeze: the notes you are familiar with are still there but are fresher, lighter and a tad more powdery. Of course Eau Claire is less tenacious than EDM. A perfect fragrance for the summer! _______________________________ Notes as per Osmoz top notes Citrus Notes, Aldehydes middle notes Floral Notes, Spices base notes Vanilla Notes, Powdery Notes, Woodsy Notes
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Chantecaille - Nano Gold Firming Treatment
condesadepitimini 7/20/2011 10:27:00 AM
Don't waste your hard earned money on this stuff (well if you are rich and can throw it away, do it). i mean , it's not bad. But for almost 300 Euros it's not worth... get a facial or a filler for that money!!!! This treatment is a rich emulsion that may work for drier skins or in winter. I tried it myself on my cheeks and eye area only (as my t-zone is unapprocheable by such a greasy cream) and it was ok-ish but felt very greasy and... heavy, cloying. Did not notice anything good to my skin. To me, it is just a greasy, overpriced cream. I had to wash away my face every time I applied this. Of course I never buy before sampling and now that my sample is over... (it was good for my hands, though) you guess it? i'll never buy this stuff. So should do you.
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Fragrances -Moschino - Toujours Glamour
condesadepitimini 7/20/2011 10:04:00 AM
This was a surprise. I have categorized in my head Moschino fragrances as mainstream/verging to drugstore quality and I never pay too much attention ot them. Until yesterday, when in a store I was given a sample of ths frag and Oh! it was a revelation. It is a pretty fragrance and it is NOT a fruity floral and NOT a nasty aquatic or air freshener! It is indeed a powdery fragrance - thank you violet and violet leaves! - that has a vintage feel w/o being old fashioned. There is a fresh flowerness into it, jasmine and muguet are present, feminine and very charming, never overpowering. The drydown is easy, a common benzoin/ musc base with a warm heliotrope. This fragrance is polite and gentle and stays close to skin. I see it absolutely appropriate for office wear (or for any other environment where fragrance must be understated) and very well behaved. I am sure it will make a lot of fans, as it is easy to wear, it's not in your face, it is posh but not aggressive, not vampish. I love it and I am debating if buying a full bottle, as i can see wearing this in many occasions. Issued in spring 2010, the bottle is a pretty, classical heart-shaped Moschino bottle, dressed with a silver decoration on its shoulders, with a lilac cap. Average staying power. a Must try. _____________________ Notes as per the Manufacturer: Top notes: red berries, violet leaves, cardamom middle notes: sambac jasmine, muguet, bitter almond drydown: benzoin, heliotrope and musk.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No