New Must Try: GapBody Bath & Skin

I am easily tempted by great smelling lotions and potions. Although I hate to say it, I could quite honestly be called a "sucker" for new scents. The products that have me dying to sniff today are made by Gap. Gap has produced delightful scents in the past including Om, Dream and Vintage Vanilla, all of which found their way into my collection at some point. I am intrigued after visiting their website today to discover a new line of bath and body products called Bath & Skin.

I have a plethora of body lotions and body creams, yet I am still drawn to them like a bee to honey. Somehow I believe I will never run out of lotion or perfume. Even so, I would love to try this new collection.

Here are the choices, as described on the website:

• Island Hop - A delightful and inspired cocktail of coconut water, pineapple puree, and hibiscus petals, laced with a hint of white amber.


• Rain Check - The floral-drenched beauty of cactus flower and misted hyacinth petals enhanced by crushed green leaves.



• Love Shack - An exhilarating rush of red raspberry and passionfruit sorbet, charmed by a bouquet of honeysuckle and jasmine water.



• Sugar Snap - A tantalizing blend of pear flower and dew-drenched lotus, grounded by creamy white woods and a dash of musk.



• Moon Walk - A sumptuous tapestry of soft, nuzzly notes like creamy paperwhites, vanilla orchid, nubuck suede, and a touch of clean musk.



• Sunny Side - A luminous medley uniting refreshing white peach nectar and pink grapefruit tonic with sweet honeysuckle and muguet against the light sensuality of cool blond woods.



• Peace Train - The soft serenity of lavender, quiet chamomile and comforting green tea, wrapped in soft sandalwood.



• Nightfall - Sexy intrigue with white tiger lily, sensuous ambers, and Oriental incense, deepened by an undercurrent of mysterious dark woods.

Will these set fragrance or quality trends? Probably not. However, with body lotion, body scrub, shower gel, hand cream and bath salts (my favorite!) from which to choose and an inspiring price point, I will certainly give these a try. Perhaps I'll find a new hand cream to tote in my purse or a cozy new scent to layer.

Image source: Gap

Satellite Ipanema

I am pleased to write about this fresh, summery introduction from Satellite, Ipanema. The color of the juice alone, a vibrant turquoise blue, single-handedly refreshes. One cannot help but think of crystal, clear ocean water in varying hues of blue and the accompanying scents – warm skin, suntan oil, soft sand, fruity drinks, and salt water. Better yet, the notes create a masterfully crafted balance. Ipanema combines ylang, orange, grapefruit, freesia, sandalwood, coco, white flowers, tonka bean, vanilla, sea accord, patchouli. Yes, indeed this combination of notes has captured the beach.

This fragrance brings to mind carefree, relaxing days lounging on the beach or reading in a hammock. Although beautifully harmonious, it does not appear to try too hard. The notes simply and softly render your skin just a touch sweeter and sexier. When I wear this, I find myself disappointed I did not have a large amount of it with me in Hawaii. It would have complimented the relaxing vibe quite nicely, especially those immensely pleasurable moments of plunging my feet in the warm sand and allowing the tide to roll over them; or lying in a lounge chair overlooking the gorgeous beach as I slowly drift off to sleep; or softly interlocking fingers with my beloved as we stroll along the coast line while the cool ocean breeze caresses our bodies. Rather than boarding a plane, I will wear Ipanema to be reminded of all those wonderful sensations.

Image sources: my own Hawaii honeymoon

Satellite Ipanema can be found at Luckyscent, 100mL retails for $80.

Perfume Tip #3: Online Fragrance Shopping

In the world of fragrance purchases, online shopping is a joy to discover. I enjoy exploring new scents in the privacy of my own home, without the added stress of someone watching me sniff. I also appreciate the opportunity to dab on my skin, rather than being doused by an inexperienced fragrance model in a department store. Perhaps the worst offense is an offering of a paper card spritzed with the fragrance. How this became popular I do not know, but to expect to enjoy all the nuances of a fragrance on a card is preposterous in my humble opinion. Those of us who relish its beauty understand that skin is the most important, and most accurate, medium for scent. If one can relinquish the satisfaction and immediate gratification of purchasing in a brick and mortar store, the profound pleasure of brown boxes and the realm of niche fragrances unfold. (Those lucky enough to live in major cities can find niche fragrance boutiques easily! I am speaking to the vast majority of customers who do not live close to one.)

First, let us discuss sampling. Several websites offer a sample purchase program. For a mere $2-$3, customers can purchase a small sample vial of a niche fragrance online. Some websites that offer this include Luckyscent, Beautyhabit, Aedes and Aus Liebe zum Dufte. I highly recommend trying before you buy. Websites offer fantastic descriptions that tempt even the most discerning of buyers. However, smelling the fragrance on your skin offers the ultimate test. For mass marketed and more widely available fragrances, you can simply test at a store by asking to spray on your skin or better yet, asking for a sample. Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus are the most generous in my area when it comes to sampling. The key is to not fall prey to a purchase on the spot; rather test the scent for hours, making sure the heart and drydown are acceptable. Top notes are fleeting and sales associates may tempt you to buy based solely upon them. Remember that a full bottle purchase is quite a lot of perfume so you want to make sure it works for you from top to bottom!

Next is the notion of online discounters. Are they to be trusted? My experience with them has been glowing. Not once have I received a defective or old product. Incredible satisfaction can be found by saving money on a coveted fragrance. After polling other perfumistas, I offer an alphabetical list of trustworthy discounted websites: BeautifulPerfumes, FragranceNet, Imagination Perfumery, Parfum1, Perfume.com, PerfumeBay, Scentiments. Before you rush to a department store to purchase a fragrance, check these websites for pricing. Sometimes department stores offer gift boxes that include accompanying bath and body products as an incentive to buy. Typically those are good deals and constitute the rare circumstance that I do purchase in store. Nevertheless, most of my purchases are online.

Finally, I offer a list of my favorite fragrance websites:

• Aedes - Outstanding selection and customer service.
• Aus Liebe zum Dufte - Simply incredible selection and service. Every package I have received includes a hand written note.
  
• B-Glowing - Every box I have received from this store has been packed beautifully. They occasionally offer discounts and gifts.
  
• BeautyHabit - A very generous sampling program with purchase!
  
• Fragrances&More - Generous gift wrapping and free shipping on Bond No. 9 scents.
  
• Luckyscent - These guys know niche fragrance incredibly well and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to stocking new fragrances.
  
• Your-Cosmetics - In addition to the fact that the owners are wonderful people, this website has difficult to find fragrances available and offers generous gifts with purchase.

These lists are in no way comprehensive but are simply based upon my own experience over the past eight years of fragrance love. The online fragrance community has become much larger and despite its counterintuitive nature (shipping perfume?), it offers great rewards: the ability to test fragrances unavailable in your city, generous gifts, cost savings and a convenient, rapid shopping experience. Please feel free to provide your favorites and/or questions!

Image source: bicdream.com

Whirlwind Days

Good day dashing perfumistas! I hope all is well in your world. I have a whirlwind going on here and I hope to review Satellite Ipanema over the weekend. Today I am wearing Bvlgari Pour Femme, a beautiful old standby. What are you wearing today?

Bond No. 9 Coney Island

Of the four fragrances I have tried from Bond No. 9 - a very trendy and stylish, truly American fragrance line – two, namely Chinatown and West Side, created a lasting impression. The third, Bryant Park, boasts a beautifully artistic bottle design but the juice within does not differ distinctly from some others on the market. Today’s fragrance, Coney Island, does not altogether hit the mark or impress. Although the idea behind the unisex fragrance is novel, I just cannot summon enthusiasm over it.

Coney Island in its heyday offered excitement, nightlife, beach parties and incredible rides like the Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone and the Parachute Jump. From about 1880 through World War II, it was the largest amusement park of its kind, therefore attracting millions of visitors per year and gaining a “pleasure-mecca” reputation. Unfortunately when Disneyland launched, it overshadowed Coney Island’s popularity causing neglect and depression of the area. Recently however, with the opening of KeySpan Park, Coney Island’s history is resurrecting, new rides are being built and the beach is again teeming with visitors in the summertime.

Considering its history and reputation for excitement, I would expect the scent to be exciting, unique and impressive. With notes of margarita mix (with tequila), melon, guava, cinnamon, chocolate, caramel, musk, vanilla, cedar and sandalwood, one could anticipate quite a lovely gourmand. While the margarita mix is quite apparent within the first few minutes and a refreshing mix it is, it quickly fades and is replaced by a scent reminiscent of melon balls soaked in water. Honestly. On my skin, not a trace of cinnamon, chocolate, cedar or musk exists – just a large bowl of melon balls.

The bottle design was meant to evoke the sea and sky, with the gold neck depicting electric lights that lit up Coney Island. Considering the artistry of previous released bottles, I was hoping for a little more “oomph” with this one. However, at least some symmetry exists between the bland juice and the insipid bottle. My only hope is that this scent blends better with chemistry other than my own. May the gloriousness of chocolate, cedar and sandalwood shine through for you!

The generosity of Bond No. 9's marketing department is fantastic so I must give kudos to them. As always, scent is a very personal art form. I am certain this scent will delight many. I am still entirely content with West Side.

Coney Island will be released June 1st and will be available at at all four Bond No. 9 stores, at selected branches of Saks Fifth Avenue , and at Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Paris Gallery, Lane Crawford. It will be availabe in 3.4 oz. bottle for $180, 1.7 oz. travel size for $125, by the ounce for $40, or in a 2 oz. spray flacon for $25.

Image sources: bondno9 and pps.org.

Detaille Sofia

Detaille is a niche perfume company that was established in Paris in 1905. It offers lovely candles, skin care, powders and beautiful fragrances for men and women. Of the nine fragrances offered on Aus Liebe zum Duft (First-in-Fragrance), Sofia caught my eye with its description as a “powerful and spicy cocktail.”

I have nearly used all of the atomizer sample I purchased in less than one week - a very good sign. Although I do not quite perceive it as powerful, the combination of notes definitely became a winner very quickly on my skin. It has all the feminine, mysterious spiciness of Caron Bellodgia while the variety of notes render it more than a carnation scent. With a fresh, citrus burst, blackcurrant buds, tangerine and ivy leaves open the bouquet. Quite quickly the spicy floral heart makes its appearance with carnation leading the way, softened with heliotrope and enriched by jasmine. The scent remains mysterious, warm and dry through the remainder of the day due to the base of warm tonka bean, rich vanilla and just a speck of dirty patchouli.

Sofia brings forth images of glorious female icons - strong and über feminine women who define sultriness and compromise for no one. Perhaps Ursula Andress, the ultimate Bond girl, would wear Sofia quite well. With her feminine physique and no nonsense attitude, this magnetic, spicy fragrance provides a parallel to her image. I would choose this scent on days when I want to bring forth my “inner goddess” and knock ‘em dead with one bat of my eyes à la Ursula.

Detaille fragrances are difficult to find in the U.S. although Takashimaya in NYC carries the line. Otherwise, Sofia can be found at www.ausliebezumduft.de, a 100mL bottle retails for 75€.

Image sources: www.ausliebezumduft.de, geocities.com.

Life

I sincerely apologize for my absence!! Without much computer access while on vacation, I was terribly MIA. As my vacation progressed and my blogging became neglected, at one point I simply had to let go of the idea of sitting at a computer and instead smell the flowers and relax. So I did! Upon my return, my beloved cat was quite ill and although better now, he is still not quite right. My ability to think, create and sniff, therefore, is somewhat tempered by concern and nervousness. The good news is I've tried some wonderful scents, including Satellite Ipanema, Creed Virgin Island Water and a new favorite Detaille Sofia!! I plan to review one of the three tomorrow. Have a great evening and thank you for your patience!

Image source: tenerifeluxuryholidays.com

Down Time

A few back-to-back arduous days had me quelling my love of perfume! I have returned and I have some much needed rest to look forward to. I plan to review a few new scents so please stay tuned.

Image source: allposters.com

Agua de Loewe

Crystalline, refreshing, bright, brisk, long-lasting, just what the Dr. ordered on this sad Monday – all excellent adjectives to describe a rare scent called Agua de Loewe. With a name like “agua” you would expect a very marine smelling fragrance. Yet this scent is less marine and more refreshing, bright and airy. It reminds me of the Bvlgari unisex scent Au Thé Blanc with its uplifting, inoffensive, lighter than air quality. It also possesses the refreshing aspects of a high quality vetiver fragrance. Perfect for any occasion, even a day at the office, this scent feels more feminine than masculine. It is the type of fragrance that can be spritzed with abandon and even then it does not overwhelm.

Aqua de Loewe may be difficult to find but I managed to locate a few discounted bottles on fragrance websites. For those who like this one, a 3.3 oz. bottle may not be enough!

A Moment of Silence

My heart goes out to those affected by the shootings at Virginia Tech today. Our household will have a moment of silence and prayer for the victims and their families. No words can describe the horror, confusion and sadness that afflicted students, teachers, police officers, medical workers and others on the scene. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Montale Velvet Flowers

After a very busy weekend, I am back to quickly discuss another fragrance by Montale called Velvet Flowers. First, the notes:

Rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, peach blossoms, saffron and sandalwood

I typically favor lush florals. Not this one. Unfortunately for me, Velvet Flowers is what we call a "scrubber" - a scent that contradicts your chemistry and your nose so much that you must scrub it off immediately. Too bad. I am now zero and two with Montale. Crystal Flowers anyone?

Image source: jarchem.com

Montale Soleil de Capri

Unfortunately, the first fragrance I test from this illustrious house turns out to be an exact replica of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue on my skin. This combination of notes seems to be quite popular: grapefruit, kumquat, white flowers, white musk, spices. Ah well. I will give this spray sample to my husband in the hopes it smells better on him since this scent is marketed to men (gah!). I will move on to Velvet Flowers tomorrow.

What do you like from Montale?

Update, 4/16/07: This one smells absolutely divine on my husband! I highly recommend it for men.

Montale Soleil de Capri is available at luckyscent.com, aedes.com, and parfumsraffy.com. 50mL retails for $95.

Image source: luckyscent.com