The Perfume Tag...

I was tagged by lovely ChicScience!


Which perfumes are finished?

I thought I would "cheat" a little on this one because at first I just didn't know which I would choose. In recent years I've been more about body oils, Liérac and Nuxe to be more specific, you can read about both, here. These, instead of fragrances per say were my go to and were perfect for the stay at home mom I was. So the cheating part was that I thought I would write about these and the many samples I've emptied but instead I figured, why not do a little trip down memory lane and go with some of my favorites? Some from way back when and some more recent.


Here goes...

Eau de Givenchy

I haven't worn this one in years and taking it out of it's box brought back many delightful memories. The cap is broken and doesn't stay put, in fact I think I broke it the very first week arfter purchasing it. For some reason it makes me smile every time. A beautiful daytime white floral which opens with grapefruit, mandarin orange and bergamot. I then deepens with ylang-ylang, jasmine, narcissus and even rose with a hint of lily-of-the-valley. A summer scent that is fresh and elegant but that doesn't take itself too seriously.


Chanel, Coco Le Parfum

With it's opening of coriander, mandarin orange, peach, rose and jasmine this is a stunning oriental. It came out in 1984 at the height of Opium's popularity. For me, Yves Saint-Laurent's juice which I did wear and loved, had nothing to take me away from Coco. I switched in a heart beat. Love at first smell! Sadly I think I threw away the bottle because I couldn't find it. I'm just not sure, who knows it's probably at the bottom of a drawer or a box somewhere. I never really got on board with Coco Mademoiselle but recently my friend Sunny sent me a sample of Coco Noir and I do believe I'll end up purchasing it.

Gucci N° 1

Another white floral that opens with mandarin orange, ylang-ylang, bergamot and lemon. It then reveals a blend of lily, violet, lilac, jasmine, iris, rose and again some lily-of-the-valley. I see a strong pattern forming here as far as my preferences go... I wore this one so much, it didn't matter if it was summer or winter. It too always put a smile on my face and made me feel grown up. Well, grown up with a twist!


Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò

Such a dreamy fragrance! A mixture of aquatic and fruity notes. Grapes, pineapple, citrus, watermelon with ylang-ylang, freesia and hyacinth. So different yet so familiar. This one I stopped wearing because there was someone in my not so immediate entourage who kept copying me and after she had been at my house she purchased it. This was not the first time, not the first fragrance! I got Acqua di Giò before everyone else (insider's contact) and although I knew it was gaining in popularity I was really unhappy by the fact that in order to know which fragrance I was wearing she had gone through my things! She really did! I know that to be copied is a form of flattery but when it comes from a person we don't really like and behaves this way it's a little unnerving.

It took me years to reconcile with it and by the time I did, I wanted to repurchase to have a back up, I discovered it had been discontinued and "replaced" by Acqua di Gioia which doesn't have the same beautiful ending, the deep warmth of it's predecessor. Woody and musky, so sexy!


Trésor de Lancôme

A floral that's bordering oriental it was quite à propos at the time it came out in 1990. With a wink to some popular offerings of the time, the heavier orientals, it turned out to be quite a favorite of mine. A nice change from Coco it still had such warmth with it's rose, apricot and iris. It took me a while to appreciate it but I did like it a lot and still enjoy it from time to time. This was the fragrance I was wearing when Catherine was born!


Issey Miyaké L'Eau d'Issey

Aquatic, white, springtime! This is such a beautiful fragrance with it's lotus, freesia, melon. No citrus notes here but I don't miss them. This is probably one of the fragrances that made me feel the most elegant, the most "put together" but yet I wore it with flip flops! With a stunning black top, Capri pants and jewelled flip flops, this one is oh so perfect! This fragrance has a transparency, a certain je ne sais quoi that makes heads turn. So subtle it's like, oh what did I just miss?

You can read ChicScience's tag post here. Now I want to try Hermès Concentré D'Orange Verte!!!


What's the last fragrance you finished or have you ever emptied a bottle?


If this inspired you, feel free to do this tag too, it was fun! :)

The Good Thing About Clear Lipliners...

I think the last time I wore a lip crayon was probably 15 years ago!

For a dark color it's almost a must if you want it to look it's best. A lip crayon helps define and correct the shape of the lips but also works as a barrier preventing the lipstick to bleed and look all smudgy.

Now as I've said I haven't use one in ages due in part to the fact that I don't wear dark colors anymore and I don't really have bleeding problems with the lipstick formulas I wear.

It's not the same with lip glosses! They make our lips shiny and pretty but wow can they bleed and this happens even on young firm lips.

The solution... A clear lip liner!

Lancôme Gloss In Love Now Available Online!

While on the subject of Lancôme, this just in, the new Gloss In Love, available online.

12 beautiful shades with a comfortable vinyl finish. As a bonus, 6 hours of moisture. The 5th from the right, which I think is Lily en Lamé would likely be a good one to keep in my purse! :)

On the picture below, it may not be easy to see clearly but the applicator is curved for a more precise application.

Emma Watson for Lancôme In Love, click on the picture to go to Lancôme.ca

Available through Lancôme website, $28.00 each if they're not yet in stores it shouldn't be long.

Lancôme Alber Elbaz Collection Is Almost Here!

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this new collaboration between the grand beauty brand and this brilliant designer. Needless to say that for many, excitement has been building ever since it was first announced back in January, I wrote about it, here. At the time there where no hints of what the  procucts would look like but as you may know, as with most "secret" ventures, there are always leaks and so pictures have been circulating for a while now and some bloggers have had the chance of not only seeing the products but play with them as well. 

Here is part of the Alber Elbaz collection. The pictures are from Glamour Paris...

May I say I personnaly love these! Each item is covered with Elbaz drawings and although they may appear like doodles to some, I find them fresh and fun. I brought you my current Beauty Envies a few days ago and I completely forgot to include a Lancôme mascara! Although I love my Benefit They're Real! I will get one of these Hypnôse Show mascaras not only to bring you a review but for the presentation, as a keepsake. Why? Because it's too darn cute! :)

The Lancôme Alber Elbaz Collection should be available starting June 15th.

L'Oréal Telescopic Shocking Extensions Marcara / Review

This review is about the waterproof formual. Here is how it's presented in the package...

As you can see the wand is not in the container. They want us to see the "novelty" 

of the brush's design which is a bit like double sided comb.

The formula is rather thin. The bottom picture shows the brush dipped once in the mascara. It may not be that evident but as mentioned, the bristles of the brush do not go all around.

The application...

A pain! This brush is so weird because of the way the bristles are placed, you have to hold the wand in a specific way in order to get mascara on your lashes. The fact that the formula is on the thin side, you have to go over your lashes a few times to make sure there is mascara on every single one of them.

The results...

A clumpy mess! This is a lenghtening formula so of course do not expect a major thickening effect. Still, the brush is so awkward to use, not only did I end up with clumps but I was barely able to get to the inner corners of my eyes. The bristles don't get all the way to the tip!!! Actually they do but they get so filled with mascara that they don't separate lashes properly. Once dry it does become stiff like any waterproof formula would but for some reason, it didn't hold the curl the way I would have wanted it to and it lasted for about 6 hours.

Removal...

Not as difficult as expected. I used Lancôme Bi-Facil followed by Biotherm micellar water to remove any film left behind. I was left with a little irritation but for me this is quite normal.

Do I recommend L'Oréal Telescopic Shocking Extension Mascara Waterproof? No.

If you want a good drugstore waterproof mascara go with Voluminous, also from L'Oréal. It's harder to remove but at least you'll have better results and it will not take you forever to put on. For me a good mascara combines a good formula with a good brush, Telescopic had neither for me.

Reviews:

Makeup Alley: 3.4 / 5 lippies for 30 reviews.
Beaté-test: there are no reviews of the waterproff formula.

L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara Waterproof / Review

With the snow, the cold and the rain we've been getting I just had to get a waterproof mascara and since it's not something I use every day I didn't see the point in getting an expensive one. At the drugstore L'Oréal's Voluminous was reduced to under $10.00 so I figured I would give it a try.

I have used the regular Voluminous in the past and for a while was quite pleased with it. I stopped because there came a point when it didn't hold the curl as well. I don't think this was the mascara's fault but more my lashes. They have become quite stiff over time and tend to point downward. Lovely!

How does it perform? Nicely.

The brush is just the right size and the formula goes on easily. For me, one coat is enough for daytime and it dries quickly. Since it's quite stiff, it holds the curl. I haven't bothered with heating my Shiseido lash curler with the blow dryer so the curl is not that pronounced but again, suitable for daytime.

Downside...

It's hard to remove. The only way is using an oil based product. What I use most often is micellar water on a cotton round with a few drops of unscented baby oil. It works relatively well but I always end up with lightly irritated eyes. The same happens with Lancôme's Bi-Facil which I found a little less effective.

Do I recommend L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara Waterproof? Yes and no.

Yes if you don't mind the extra effort for removal and if you don't use a waterproof formula often. No if you need to wear it every day. My guess is overtime you could end up with irritated eyes. In my opinion it would be worth it to invest in a better formula.


Reviews:

Makeup Alley: 3.7 / 5 lippies for 615 reviews
Beauté-test: there are no reviews for this version of L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara.

Lancôme's Olympia Le-Tan's Rouge in Love Minaudière

Before we get to see what Alber Elbaz comes up with for Lancôme, the French giant is releasing a stunning minaudière designed by Olympia Le-Tan. For a mere $1800.00 CAD, the beautiful collectible can be yours but you must act fast since only 100 where produced, numbered and signed by the artist and apparently Emma Watson, the face for Lancôme's In Love collection, got no1.

According to Flare magazine's February issue, only 3 of these hand made embroidered book-clutches will come to Canada, available at select Holt Renfrew stores this month and online at lancome.com in February, just in time for Valentine's Day.

I am not a fan of Lancôme's In Love collection but I do like the lipsticks presentation and find the nail polishes quite stunning. In the minaudière there are 6 of each, selected by Le-Tan herself with among them her favorite lipstick color, Rouge Valentine.

Olympia Le-Tan is a self taught designer who combines her love of embroidery to that of books resulting in one of a kind bags and minaudières, hand made in France and released in limited editions. These are distributed in over 30 select shops around the world and in Canada, one is listed, Secret Location in Vancouver BC.

Her creations have been enjoyed by the likes of Natalie Portman, Tilta Swinton and Michelle Williams and so to say that Lancôme is celebrating the one year anniversary of In Love lipsticks in style, well that would be an understatement. 

Olympia Le-Tan Spring/Summer 2013 Collection

Picture of In Love minaudière, Olympia Le-Tan via Vogue

Olympia Le-Tan collection via Olivia Palermo

Olympia Le-Tan website

Inès de La Fressange or Julianna Margulies?

OeDansLo, a French blog I stumbled upon this morning posted a rather interesting and very well written article about L'Oréal's new Revitalift TR 10 BB Cream. It got me thinking about...

Who do you identify with the most?

L'Oréal Paris has pretty much always been known for their celebrity spokespersons. Top models, like Claudia Schiffer and actresses like Cybill Shepherd have praised the qualities of the French giant's products for a while now. Does it make us identify with the brand? In all honesty, I don't think so. Still they are careful in their choices and have a famous face for every market. Case and point, Inès de La Fressange for the French market and Julianna Margulies for the UK and North American markets.

Noticeable differences between the two television commercials...

In her spot for the French market, de La Fressange looks almost perfect. Quite a feat for the 55 years old ex muse of Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld. Almost all her flaws have been erased, except for a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. She looks perfect! Too perfect in fact. A sign that the product really works? I think not. Will the commercial encourage French women to purchase the cream? Possible, especially since so many would like to identify with her. She is after all a perfect "Parisienne"!

Inès de La Fressange for L'Oréal

In the commercial starring Julianna Margulies, aimed at the English speaking market, we see the actress in a more natural light. We see some flaws. Is that what they are? No. We see a beautiful 46 years old woman who, we would be inclined to think, took good care of her skin. There may have been some touch ups here and there but still, the star of The Good Wife looks much more natural.

Julianna Margulies for L'Oréal

Why the differences? Is it that French women put more belief in "the power" of creams than the rest of us? Are we facing more unrealistic claims? L'Oréal has been known for this. It was not so long ago that one of their ads for Lancôme featuring a Julia Roberts supposedly enjoying the effects of Teint Miracle, was banned due to outrageous airbrushing done by Interpublic Group of Cos.' Gotham based in New York.

Julia Roberts

They want stars but apparently even they are not good enough. They want us to believe that we can look 30 even if we are 45 by simply using a cream or a foundation. What is so wrong with Julia Robert's face that they have to erase everything that contributes to her beauty and personality? To make her appear more appealing? She became famous because she was/is so expressive so why no laugh lines?

Was this ban the reason for the turnaround and the more natural looking Margulies? Could be but if it is, why a perfect looking de La Fressange?

A few wrinkles? Well guess what, sooner or later we will all have them. Why not show us more images reflecting reality?

"Allons-nous vers un peu plus de réalisme peu à peu ? Zéro défaut n’existe pas ! Même pour les plus belles d’entre nous  – personne n’est épargné par l’apparition des rides ou l’existence de quelques imperfections … On peut les réduire, les dissimuler, mais pas les supprimer à moins de passer par des soins « esthétiques ». Aussi, en laisser visibles quelqu’unes rend plus humaines les égéries, actrices, supermodels et plus attachantes, plus proches de nous – Le rêve n’est pas effacé ; il demeure bel et bien – et nous déculpabilise. C’est un point essentiel."          OeDansLo

Are we going towards more realism? Zero flaws doesn't exist! Even among the most beautiful - no one escapes the apparition of wrinkles or the existence of a few imperfections ... We can reduce, hide but not eliminate them unless we for more intrusive measures. Also, leaving a few imperfections makes these beauty ambassadors more human, more endearing and closer to us - The dream is not erased; it remains and  makes us stop feeling guilty. It's an essential point.

To read OeDansLo's complete article, click here.

Lancôme's New Collaboration

It was announced today that Lancôme would be working along side Alber Elbaz the creative director of Lanvin, for a new makeup collection. I can only hope that he will take inspiration into his Morrocan roots. Such beautiful and dreamy possibilities.

Lanvin S/S 2013, picture All Things Fab and Fly

I haven't seen Lancôme's in Love Spring collection yet but clearly it was geared towards a younger crowd. Very pretty but not sophisticated enough to appeal to as broad an audience as Lancôme can reach normally.

Although stunning, with an all grown up Emma Watson, the colors but especially the look of the compacts aren't calling out to me the way their regular collection does, especially when you consider the prices they go for. Lipsticks at $30.00! Doesn't look fancy enough for my taste.

Until we get to see this new collection, here is a promotional video. I wonder if the colors shown are indicative of what will be...

Released today on youtube

Trésor de Lancôme Gift Set

This fragrance has a very special place in my heart. It was the one I was wearing around the time my daughter was born. The weekend before the big moment, I was given a nice gift set along with little travel sizes, thrown in by my friend Rosy, the SA in charge of the Lancôme counter at the time at The Bay Anjou. She's retired now but she was a staple for over 20 years. These days she's a promotional assistant for a major fragrance company and I'm always glad when I run into her.

If you're over 35 you surely remember Isabella Rosellini's beautiful add campaign.

Trésor was created in 1990 by Sophia Grojman. It's a powdery, floral, fruity and sweet creation. One of the most popular fragrances in the world.

Trésor Prestige Holiday Fragrance Set

$96.00 at The Bay

The set includes:

Trésor Eau de Parfum, 50 ml
Trésor Body Lotion, 50 ml
Trésor Shower Gel, 50 ml

If you like warm oriental fragrances be sure to stop and sample it at any Lancôme counter. It truly is a lovely concoction.

Beautiful Compacts

As much as I love a nice lipstick a beautiful compact is its essential companion. After all, how can you apply your lip color without a mirror? Doable with sheer shades but as soon as you go for a more pigmented formula you have to see what you're doing otherwise you'll end up looking like my aunt Marie-Louise! A lovely woman bless her heart but, sometimes, her bright red lipstick ended up just below her nose. Not very elegant!

With Christmas just around the corner some of us are struggling with the lack of gift ideas and this is not because there are not enough "gift suggestion lists" out there. They are in fact everywhere at this time of year. Kitchen gadgets for the foodie, "At Home Pedicure Kit" for the beauty geek, teapot or salt & pepper shaker for the collector, hmmm! Been there done that maybe?

There's always room for lipstick!

Recently I emptied my purse for all of you and made a shocking discovery about myself. I'm a lipstick addict!

Hmm, my excuse, it IS the one makeup item we use most. Isn't it?

I guess I've known all along but after emptying my every day bag I went to have a look in the closet where I keep all my makeup. I didn't count them but I still have many. Shocking since last May, I did a big Spring cleaning and got rid of about half of what I had at the time.

When you look at makeup in general especially when browsing new collections at department stores, all the eye colors, powders and blushes are so beautiful one would think they are like precious gems encased in beautiful compacts that when you purchase you wish you could keep in your hands at all time so people could see what gorgeous taste you have.

Not too practical. Eye shadows, we leave at home. Blushes, well, some of us do reapply during the day but this has never been my case. Compact powders, now you're starting to get warm. I do love beautiful compacts. Isn't it nice when out somewhere you discretely take out a beautiful compact to see if your makeup is still in place and make sure your nose hasn't become a shiny beacon?

Now combine this with a beautifully encased lipstick and boom!!! Instant joy!

At the end of the 1900s Guerlain was one of the first to manufacture lipstick.

This ad is from 1935.

Is there anything more beautiful than a shiny new lipstick? I'm not talking about the ones in liquid form or lip glosses that we put on with an applicator, I'm talking about a real lip"stick". High end, low end, I don't really care as long as I like the color of course, but if the case looks good it's hard for me to resist. After all, regardless of our means, a nice lipstick is an indulgence most of us can afford, isn't it?

This is not a review of formulas or colors. This is a showing of some of the most popular lipsticks and in my opinion, the most beautiful looking.


The Classics


Clinique

One of the first I really fell in love with. The silver art-decoish presentation is just stunning. When you see it you know it's Clinique. It's so nice and in a way, comforting that they've kept it all this time. After all, it doesn't seem to go out of style.






Estée Lauder

Although they have come out with other stylish presentation, this one has almost always been around. I remember my mom had many of them and having worked for Estée Lauder I ended up with an extended collection myself. Not my favorite but it holds tons of memories for me








Lancôme

This tube has been revamped through the years but in all fairness it hasn't changed much. It's still as beautiful as ever and the rose, the Lancôme emblem, is what makes it so recognisable.








Chanel

A thing of beauty! Timeless! Whether you're wearing jeans or a little black dress, this lipstick looks good every time you take it out of your purse or even, dare I say, your pocket. This one is, I believe, my all time favorite! Simple, classic.



The Jewels

These lipsticks have evolved to become true fashion accessories. Not only are you influenced by the colors they hold but depending on what you wear you might go for a Dior instead or a Guerlain. They are little objects of beauty that one might even feel intimidated to use, well almost!

Guerlain, Dior and YSL have other very beautiful tubes but these are the ones that I find have the most jewel-like qualities and they fit so nicely in a little evening bag.

       Guerlain                                                 Dior                                                        YSL 



Following the times



Lise Watier

Now our very own Canadian Lise Watier has evolved with the times. Long gone is the little simplistic burgundy tube, now it's a gorgeous metallic tube that goes with everything.






Marcelle

Looking less like a drugstore brand than ever, this lipstick is really stunning. I was quite surprised when I saw it. Another great Canadian company.






The Newcomers

These are amazingly beautiful tubes. Unfortunately they are not as readily available as the ones mentioned so far. I haven't tried any of them and have only seen Clé de Peau at Ogilvy in Montreal. It might be easier to find them in Vancouver, Toronto or even online. Of these I find Burberry to be the most original with it's minimalist simplicity.

Armani, Chantecaille, Burberry, Clé de Peau

The Stunner


Givenchy

Now this is what I call a beautiful tube. Leather covered steel, this is one outstanding presentation. The international launch date for this new line of lipsticks is February 20th 2013. This is the tube that inspired this post. When I saw it on Chic Profile I was positively blown away. Not only is the leather fabulously chic but it  should enable this tube to look good for as long as you own it. A good thing since we all know that they all end up looking a bit dull after time spent in our hand bags. This one looks elegant and sturdy at the same time. Quite a feat when you think of it. Fashion forward, it's also Art Deco inspired like the Chanel tube as well as Clinique's, but in such a different and rather innovative way.

So, are you in the mood for a new lipstick?