Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Eau d'Italie - Au Lac
MauveRebelle 5/14/2013 10:26:00 AM
Holidays in summer, in a floral garden, by a quiet lake. It's the marketing scoop and Alberto Morillas successfully achieved the scent. Positive impression, pleasant moment wearing this perfume. When I think I know the brand only because I was attracted by the packaging and I ordered some samples. Au Lac is the prettiest. It's classic, feminine, light and contemporary. I can smell water Lily, Osmanthus and jasmine the most. It's really light, like it was air. I wouldn't say there is a beginning, a heart and a dry down. It smells the same all through. It really is a perfume for day time, for smart holidays, sunny time, dolce vita. I don't feel it gonna be my personnal scent, but something I will enjoy wearing from time to time. It's easy to wear for days you like to wear perfume but you don't like to overdo your look. I mean really the sort of behaviour you have when you are on holidays. Eau d'Italie found a marketing niche when creating their line. These perfumes are for holidays moods ! The texture is quite translucide, yet the smell has got caractere.
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Fragrances -Agent Provocateur - Petale Noir
MauveRebelle 11/17/2012 5:22:00 PM
A word about the packaging. It's the typical egg that we are used to from AG. Don't ask me why, I love their egg. The color of the bottle changed. It's more peachy rose and it's translucide. It's got a chain around the collar, which makes the whole thing pretty and sassy. Overall, I enjoy the bottle and the perfume very much. The smell last on the skin, for more than 4 hours. The smell is classic and feminine, not too sexy or provocative, just pretty and rosy with a little green thing that gives it a sexy hint. What I like is that you don't feel the boozy effect of the rose. It's typical from black rose in perfumery. I somehow prefer black rose than red rose, which I find too "mature" for me. The spicy side is quite light, yet adds a little depth to the fragrance. They say it's woody, but I don't feel it's too woody. It's rather musky. My impression : first when I sprayed it on me, I didn't like it. Something with the head notes made it look "cheap". But less than half an hour later, my wrist passed by my nose by chance and from then on, I haven't been able to stop smelling it. It's really pleasant and easy going. If you are feeling like wearing a rosy perfume, this is one to try. It's "woman" perfume, not girl, yet not too lady either. I gonna wear it from time to time. But I still prefer Agent Provocateur. This one is a little bit inspired by Agent Provocateur, but not quite. Maybe it makes you feel lighter, or younger, frescher than AP. But if you like AP, you will like this one, very similar. Try it! Who knows, with time I might prefer this one...
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Shampoo -Rene Furterer - ASTERA Soothing Milk Shampoo
MauveRebelle 9/1/2012 12:22:00 PM
Not quite happy with Astera Soothing Milk Shampoo. First the good points are that it has an neutral PH, which is globally much better for hair but also and especially for frequent use. I use this shampoo 3-4 times a week. It leaves the head with a feeling of freshness, (Mint & Eucalyptus essential oil). It provides with a nice lather, that distributes shampoo thoroughly. It helped a little my greasy scalp by purifying it. It saved me one day of cleaning. Also when cleaning the hair together with the scalp, it gives a good shine to the hair and they look quite healthy. Unfortunately it didn't do the job in terms of calming my irritated scalp. And that's what I am desperate to find. I was hoping to release my scalp from itchy sensation once and for all. The Asteracea extract is supposed to help, but actually doesn't do anything or maybe it's because of the mint & eucalyptus essential oil, they are known to cause skin irritation (see the list of ingredients I added above). Anyway, my scalp is stil unhappy. I also think the shampoo doesn't rinse well and leaves a thin coat of dry layers of shampoo that actually irritate the scalp. The other day I was scratching my head over a black surface, and a light almost invisible cloud of talc stuff fell off my head. I think it was dry shampoo because I don't put anything else on my scalp. Also, I rinse my hair and scalp quite thoroughly. When finished to rinse, my wet hair always gnashes between my finger tips and so does my scalp. This was a tip an hairdresser once gave me to check if they are completely rinsed off. I still have to wash my hair every two days now. Not because they get greasy, but because irritations are unbearable. The perfume is ok, but not quite the best for a shampoo. Such a pricy product, was expecting a lot more from this shampoo. Will finish the bottle though. If you want to try this, ask for sample first.
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Fragrances -Andy Tauer - L'Air du Desert Marocain by Andy Tauer
MauveRebelle 8/25/2012 2:31:00 PM
This is something special to try. Go and order a sample together with incense rosé. "L'air du désert marocain" takes you there and lifts up your mood. It's got power and it proves it ! You expected it to be an additional piece of beauty product to add to you vanity, a kind of smelling makeup or smelling jewelry, and you get something completely different. Yet you like it, it's pleasant, it won't hurt in any way! It won't bite you if you have a different opinion. And it well deserves 5 stars. Truly it's not my style and I ain't gonna wear it all the time. I am not a hippie chic and I don't have that sort of lifestyle. But "L'air du désert marocain" feels so good to me that I gonna give it some room. It's rather unusual, balancing and pleasant, fresh and clear. It's almost an unusual way to wear perfume. I don't quite recognize any note, except amber and frankincense. It rather leaves me with an impression than with an odor. When wearing it, you'll be feeling like nothing could come and disturb you. You'll learn to smile like they do in Morocco. You'll definitely take the time to think instead of trying to concentrate on something and you will start tasting instead of eating. To wear it, you must choose your time, it must be an appropriate moment. Especially the first time. The packaging is, let's say....hippie, but not quite chic ! But you will soon forget this detail. Yes it's true there ain't much lasting power. You must know that mine just vanished almost entirely after 4 hours. I'm already missing it. Well thanks to LT for finding and sharing this great scent with us.
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CD/Books/Movies -Unlisted Brand - Book: Perfumes: The Guide (Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez)
MauveRebelle 8/20/2012 5:56:00 AM
Yes I'd buy it again but it must be improved. On the overall I find the book quite interesting and I'm happy I bought it. But it's not quite as complete and pertinent as I thought it'd be. I enjoy reading it and often pick it up. But it's more for the fun than to select perfumes. The advice on page 13 on how to choose a perfume are down to earth and clever. Now, to be called a good guide, it lakes classification details such as the list of notes , whether it's feminine or masculine, a proper effective and smart index, use of semantic and vocubalary for olfactory description (it's too subjective and based on impression for my taste), avoid critics about discontinued perfumes, a little bit more cultural facts (there are already some great anecdotes but I want more of them), more advice to educate people's nose and behavior with fragrance (here again, the one mentioned in the book are all good), etc. Also, they made top ten lists but those can be silly and a total no sense, like when they are rating a perfume 1 star and then put it in one of their top ten list ???? Weird ! The critics are not always well developed and construct, it's often just an impression. Like for a perfume they just justify their ranking by saying it's "unconscionably hideous"...right, but why ? They might as well use onomatopoeias as critics. A statement I don't agree with is when they say that chemistry doesn't influence the smell of a perfume. Well your acidity does, definitely and strongly, as well as your own smell. You have to go through a diet and alkalize your PH if you want to be able to wear some perfume. And still, it doesn't mean it'll be in total harmony with you, but it'll work on your clothes or hair. It still might give you a headache ++ your smell wont' be one of a kind. Exactly as if you were trying to wear "haute-couture" instead of clothes that bring out you personal features. But I agree that it's not because it doesn't work on my chemistry that's a bad fragrance, it's just not for me. Therefore chemistry matters when you create you own perfume look. Come on, you are not a perfume-hanger! Plus I know for sure that perfumes have an impact on brains and memory and whatever memories is hidden behind a smell, your body might just love it or reject it. If Robert Parker and his crew can speak about wine and achieve to have a "popular" taste , Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez don’t have a "popular" taste, they only have taste. Which is good enough. They know their stuff about perfume, and they’ve got interesting opinions and they cultivated their own mind about that subject. They therefore have the legitimacy to advise us. Yes, on the average, I haven't been disappointed with the fragrance I tried following their guidance. Also I wouldn’t have known what to try without their preselection. Therefore it’s a useful guide to start your journey. I downloaded the list on their website and off I went, on tour for perfumery tourism. The funny thing is I found my perfume by chance, as it wasn't even on my short list. I had selected 4 & 5 stars only and this one was rated 3 stars ! The crazy thing is that I wouldn't have tried it just because it was not on my list. But the SA understood nothing when I asked her to try some bottle and she brought all the bottles down and had me smelling them all. She was cute though ! I am not too sure what promotes some of the perfume to be ranked as 5 stars fragrance when other only gets 3 stars. It must definitely be their own inclination. When they say "Allure (Chanel) has become the reference for women to signal their status dispenses them from being pleasant", isn't that an emotional reaction toward a person ? I don't see a perfume critic in here. They are rating it 2 stars, I find that's severe. "Agent Provocateur is for the tarts who don't know Jean Couturier's Coriandre", well, where is the patchouli and the coriander in AP, but, ok then, I am a tart ! They say about Fleur des Comores it's vanilla...on me it's solar tuberose....And sometimes they rate a perfume 5 stars only because they like the drydown. Well, what about the five hours prior the drydown if it smells sh*t and gives you a strong headache ? Haven't we eventually reached Art when the result feels like total harmony ? Sorry, but if top notes and heart notes are not harmonious, I don't care for the drydown. Anyway. I am also surprised they praise so much Estée Lauder and Bvlgari. Bvlgaries are ok, but 3 stars maxi except for the tea line. Estée Lauder are not perfumes, they are easy going "sent-bon" (smell-nice). There is no creativity in here, it's a piece of makeup in line with EL makeup, functional and classic. When reading the critics, we can feel their own personal taste and inclination, which is fine by me, but a real guide would be fully objective. They have great abilities but strong opinions about what a perfume should be. They are like people who want to be very "academical", campaigning to be the next Nobel prize in their own field. I bet you can still find your favorite perfume in those they actually rated 3 stars ! I found mine to be ranked 3 stars and was called a tart by Madame Sanchez, well.... LOL ! The two of them remind me a little of Anna Wintour's Vogue and her crew’s view on what style should be and what they suppose is coming next. Ok, all these people have a particular ability to have taste that stands above the average. But my body features and my chemistry also wants harmony even tough I am not part of the upper thousand. Despite the pressure such person can put on you, be honest to yourself, if a "masterpiece" gives you a headache or just "looks" as ugly as a stain on your collar... Be brave and reach for one that suits you ! You deserve to smell pleasantly and unique and look good. I rather think a perfume carries you than you are the carrier of the perfume
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Fragrances -Robert Piguet Fragrances - Fracas
MauveRebelle 8/17/2012 9:07:00 AM
Well, there is nothing wrong with this perfume. It's a nice buttery tuberose. It's not one of those strong old perfume that you could use as a disinfectant. I found it pretty, but it's nothing "waow" on me. When I am wearing it, I get a little bit bored, there is no alchemy happening. That's probably the main reason why I am giving it 3 stars only. I have read many professionnal revues about Fracas and all of them say it's a great classic, therefore I wanted to love it. Your chemistry doesn't lie.... it happens or it doesn't. However, the perfume is really pleasant. It's like a milky tuberose, sweetened with a hint of orange blossom. It's quite a change to have a tuberose that is not solar. It's rather creamy and floral and it's well structured, you can see it's serious quality. Nevertheless, I could have given it 4 stars, but the dullness in it made me give it 3 stars only. It's really about my own personal taste and my expectation about perfumes in general. Really nothing is happening while I am wearing it. It's like wearing a beautiful eye shadow shade that everyone is raving about, but that just doesn't make your eyes color pop !
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Nafha - Lait soyeux pour le corps
MauveRebelle 8/15/2012 8:48:00 AM
This silky body lotion rocks ! It's organic, it's gentle for sensitive skin, it's full of fabulous ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Ginseng, Raspberry seed oil, Argan oil, cannabis and baobab oil, hyaluronic acid. It's moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging ++++ it softens the skin like silk. Only minus, in winter you must apply twice a day, specially on legs if you are regularly shaving. But I love it and the perfume of ginseng is lovely and not to empowering. You can wear your own perfume on it. Beautiful stuff, keep ordering again and again.
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Fragrances -Agent Provocateur - Agent Provocateur EDP
MauveRebelle 8/4/2012 12:50:00 PM
I love this perfume, I love the bottle, I love wearing it. The best way I know to check if a perfume is right (because sometimes I like the fragrance, but it doesn't like me in return) is to have someone touched by it when I am wearing it. Well, it happened with Agent Provocateur. I saw the person was sincerely impressed. I am happy because it's been a while since I last found something that got me a compliment in terms of perfumery. My chemistry pretty much ends up rejecting all the great perfumes I wish I could wear. Anyway, this might be an average classic for a grand nez, but I love the rosy green smell. To me it's the best. Knowing that I do not like rose perfume, it means a lot. But this one is like a reminiscence of rose, because according to Osmoz.com, there is no rose in the composition. I read the comment below, and I must add that I bought my bottle just recently, in year 2012 and that they might have change the composition. Because I see nothing masculine or specific for mature women in it. It's classy, quite light, no headache. I feel sassy and in love when I am wearing it. I also quite like the egg packaging in porcelain and the little one for the purse is too much cute. It symbolizes fertility. Here I am, I found my love pomander !
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Nuit de Cellophane
MauveRebelle 7/15/2012 4:23:00 AM
An airy and silky breeze, tinged by the acidity of the mandarin, which is made velvet on the skin. Apricot-tinted, it takes us to the heart of a jasmine adorned with a fine film of green notes which crackle as one Cellophane which we deployed to extract a bunch of flower from it. Its fragrance are purring carriers of a diaphanous summer night. If there was "healthy glow" scent, this one would be one of them. I know that we are far from Serge Lutens's deep nuances. Nevertheless the need of tenderness is totally in analogy with what's in the air now. In days of confusion so dear to our period of time, I feel rather delicate and light and the sensuality of the viscose pleases irreparably to my skin. This is a large public Lutens, fulfilling and not headache. I love it a lot and I find its name completely appropriate. After a couple of hours wearing it, it reminds me a little of J'adore de Dior.
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Lotions/ Creams -Unlisted Brand - Melvita - Velvet body milk
MauveRebelle 1/30/2011 6:04:00 AM
I already introduced the brand on my review for their Hydrastim® product. Just to say thumbs up to this body milk that is a powerful moisturizer that deserves it's "velvet" name. It doesn't leave the skin sticky at all, but leaves it rather fresh and soft with a nice and pleasant smell. The combination is dead generous in revitalizing and regenerating borage and evening primrose oils. But surprisingly it's light textured and sinks in right away. I am the kind of girl who doesn't like to massage a product forever, nor do I agree to wait 10 minutes for the product to penetrate the skin. Two minutes is all l got. Velvet feeling and moisturized skin that doesn't itch... I don't know what their secret is to achieve such result but I LOVE IT ! Ingredients are : Aqua [Water], Dicaprylyl Ether, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Arachidyl Alcohol, Squalane, Behenyl Alcohol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil*, Corylus Avellana Nut Oil [Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil]*, Oenothera Biennis Oil [Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil]*, Parfum [Fragrance], Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sclerotium Gum, Cera Alba [Beeswax], Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Galactaric Acid, Hordeum Vulgare Extract*, Linalool**, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Limonene**, Geraniol**. *Ingrédients issus de l'Agriculture Biologique / Ingredients proceeding from Organic Farming. **Natural components of fragrance.
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Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Melvita - HYDRASTIM
MauveRebelle 1/30/2011 5:31:00 AM
Dear happy me, happy I found Melvita ! Let’s say they have been on the market for over 25 years and it’s only now that I meet with them, after more than 15 years searching for the perfect cosmetics. It's the first time in my life that I get so much for so little price. The average price per container is USD 25-30. Totally affordable…and if you think it’s expensive, I tell you, your investment will bring interest fairly quickly ! My skin has never looked, felt and smelt so fresh, so soft and so good nor have I ever been so comfortable in my skin. No more tight feeling. The combination of ingredient is so intelligent that I sometimes fancy eating it ! They are organic and "well prepared" so the product is nice to use. Packaging is great too, because it's handy and clean pumps bottles easy to use yet smart and enjoyable to look at you feel at ease using it up. This product is an all skin types product that I use under another of their product. It's a great hydrator gel for oily and combo skin. It can be wore alone or under another moisturizer for other skin type. Aloe vera with mourera fluviatilis and halyuronic acid derived from soya regulate the skin hydratation. Other natural ingredients will protect the skin. They pretend that this particular product has been successfully tested in laboratory and proves to hydrated your skin in continue for at least eight hours. Well, it worked on me at least ! It's bestsellers in their range and probably the most smart gel hydrator that I have ever tried. Highly recommended ! For a couple of years now my skin has been very dehydrated. I know that I have a responsibility since I don't eat and drink properly every day. My skin is also very reactive and sensitive and always irritated. I was once in a bookstore and found a sort of cosmetics guide, quite similar than the Robert Parker guide for wine, but this one was for cosmetics. Their criteria of selection were as follows : efficiency and interest of the formulation, skin tolerance, ergonomic and pleasure of use, compliance with labeling and regulatory, value for money and finally toxicity and pollutant. They sorted out 5447 products and 308 brands they categorized under 147 headings. Based on 8 independents jury, all from different laboratory and with an area of expertise, the selection is very rigorous. I am not rating the book, but I felt it was important to describe the source which I decided to listen to. Let's say they have enough credibility to influence my judgment and behaviour. More than a magazine's choice award anyway. I thought I was going to read through quickly and was pretty sure I probably already knew everything that was inside. Funnily enough, no matter what category of skincare line I would look at, Melvita was always ranked in the front runners. I got curious and wondered if we could really sort out cosmetics, because it's rather a jungle. I was wondering how you could set landmark for cosmetics. But my inuition told me to follow their advice and give it a try. Good on me. They contain : No paraffin and no silicone. No PEG (polyethylene glycol) and no PPG (polypropylene glycol). No ethoxylated products. No parabens or phenoxyethanol. No formaldehyde or chlorine derivatives. No synthetic fragrances or colouring agents. No di-ethyl phthalate or nitromusk. Ingredients as per Packaging : Aqua [Water], Aloe Barbadensis Extract [Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract]*, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Octyldodecanol, Sucrose, Betaine, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Oryza Sativa Hull Powder [Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder], Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Tribehenin, Benzyl Alcohol, Serine, Arginine, PCA, Sodium Benzoate, Glyceryl Behenate, Alanine, Cellulose Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Limonene**, Threonine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Mel [Honey], Dehydroacetic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Galactaric Acid, Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract, Citral**, Parfum [Fragrance], Mourera Fluviatilis [Mourera Fluviatilis Extract], Pectin, Linalool**. *Ingredients from Organic Farming. **Natural components of fragrance.
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Fragrances -Chanel - Beige
MauveRebelle 6/27/2010 3:36:00 PM
I love, loVE, LOVE this perfume. It's wonderful, classy, clean and sophisticated. "White petals with golden, honeyed, spicy and powdery accents" is the official description and it's exactly what it turns out to be on my skin. This fragrance warms the heart as a piece of bread and honey. If there are perfumes which melt on your skin, others which you would wear as jewels, this one is of those that wraps you in a comforting, warm, regressive cocoon of sweetness. It's not the best with my chemistery, but it works quite well, though. Thank you Monsieur Polge. Beautiful !
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Petite Cherie
MauveRebelle 12/26/2008 5:15:00 PM
Mmmmmmh! Delicious. It's a fruity scent that reminds me of Annick Goutal Quel Amour!. But I really don't understand why… because the composition is completely different. Annick Goutal perfumes are definitely easy going and regular fragrances for grown up woman. They ain’t overpowering fragrances and they ain’t men magnet scent. Well, ...I mean...what do you need to magnetize men and to stand out from rival females...you are all so cool anyway, aren't you ? AG uses popular flowers and fruits aromas in her composition and achieves great final scents. But their lasting power are a little disappointing. I suspect this is meant to encourage consistent act of beauty in your daily routine…actually you are to regularly apply again like you would do with your lipstick….ok, but this not practical. On me, I mostly smell peach and vanilla. The pear might bring some sweetness but the cut grass and the musk rose remain discreet. It's more sophisticated than Quel Amour! To me, it gives more sensuality because of a sharp vanilla versus a shy amber in Quel Amour!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Quel Amour!
MauveRebelle 12/23/2008 1:47:00 PM
Yummi!! This is like a slightly acid candy! It's sparkling, refreshing and stimulating without the biting of a citrus scent. I love the peony with wild roses and pink geranium, associated with aromas of redcurrant, pomegranate, cherries, blueberry and peaches ending in sensual amber scent. It's a great fragrance for weekends in the country side. It's very "young lady", sophisticated and very different from usual fragrances.
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Fragrances -Cacharel - Amor Amor
MauveRebelle 12/21/2008 12:10:00 PM
It's lovely, but kinda too sweet. My mother bought it to me as a present, but I am not confortable wearing it. Too girly, too teenager. I prefer more sensual perfumes. Now, ok, I must wear it, so I put on very little amount with a tissue in some part of my body, and that's it. But I wouldn't wear it on a date. It just doesn't fit with my personality. The bottle looks great though, I love the red color, the writing on it, the shape of the bottle, that looks really stylish in your purse. top notes : Pink grapefruit, blood orange, mandarin, black currant heart note : Lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, melati blossom base note : Grey amber, vanilla, white musk, tonka bean On me, I first get a sparkling black currant and jasmin potion and it finishes into a vanilia and musky love panacea. A bit disapointing you don't smell the citrus notes more. A nice present for a 14-23 yo girl who is really girly and likes fruity scent.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No