Chanel Paris-Venise

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Vanilla, the Chanel way.

Paris-Venise, a citrus, powdery vanilla that keeps it classy. This is a vanilla that’s sweet but not heavy; it’s grown-up but not too serious. Effervescent but not ephemeral. Delicious but not cavity-inducing.

It’s the gateway vanilla for people who never liked vanilla, who always found them syrupy or boring.

This is vanilla in an eau formula which makes it lighter and more easily palatable.

It’s perfect for spring weather because it feels light and fun but also approachable.

It’s the camp counselor with an easy smile but likes to keep the order.

This perfume is from Les Eaux de Chanel collection, and again, these aren’t available at the regular Chanel counter – you will have to go into a boutique to get your hands on them, but that’s ok. The price point is affordable and they are meant to be spritzed on generously because they are eau de toilette formulas.  I love this one, and would love a bottle of Paris-Paris next.

Do you have a favourite from this line? Do share.

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Perfumes Inspired by My People

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Perfumes inspired by my peoples.

Boucheron Jaipur Homme

Comme des Garçons Jaiselmer

Guerlain Shalimar

Dior Escale a Pondichery

All of them, except Shalimar, have cardamom as a note, and I admit, it’s one of my favourite things to smell. Jaipur is my latest purchase, and it reminds me of Escale a Pondichery except it’s fresher and without as many clean musks. It says Homme on the bottle but I’d say that anyone can wear it. What do I need to add to this collection?

 

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Chanel Coromandel edp

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Coromandel is still my reference patchouli perfume, but it’s also so much more than a patchouli perfume.  The perfect blend of fizzy citruses, the Chanelade of florals, lots of patchouli, also incense, this is a perfume I could wear everyday and not get bored of it, and also one of the few that will always be in my collection no matter what.

The Les Exclusifs de Chanel perfume collection is only available in Chanel boutiques, and the scents are little more interesting than what’s available at regular Chanel counters.  They appeal to the more discerning perfume lover, and there is something for everyone in the collection.

Have you smelled it? Do you love it?

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Cream to Oil

It’s Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream.

Yes, it actually melts into an oil in between your hands, and the shimmer in it is just right. The scent – lightly effervescent, and it won’t clash with any perfume you’re wearing.

Last year, I tried this body butter in a cookie (vanilla) scent and it was so addictive even for a non-gourmand scent lover like me.  I find the creamy oil nice to use and it sinks into your skin leaving it very moisturized and supple.

It’s body moisturizer done just right.

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Amiro At-Home Microcurrent Device Turbo

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We are in the era of at-home treatments, and the Amiro range of devices continues to intrigue me because they offer more than 1 treatment option in each device. For example, instead of only micro-current, there’s micro-current AND infrared light so you can treat your skin in more than one way.

The Turbo version also has a special setting for the eye area. The setting uses yellow light which can help counteract inflammation. Because it doesn’t penetrate as deep as red light, it is thought to be better for more sensitive skin including the skin around the eyes. Does it work? I’m not sure.

I definitely have dark circles under my eyes like almost every human on this planet, but I don’t track them enough to see differences. Maybe I should say that they don’t really bother me enough for me to track, but I’ve been using the device just in case.

My favourite setting on my Amiro devices is the zapping micro-current. There are 5 levels you can set this device to, and I still can’t handle the highest setting because it’s almost painful. Almost. Microcurrent stimulates muscles to contract and used regularly, they stay contracted resulting in a firmer more lifted appearance.

Having had this done at XO Treatment Room, I can say that the treatment actually does work, at least when done in a professional office. When I had the treatment done, I was shown how my face looked after one side was completed, and the difference was amazing. Even my eyebrows seemed more awake!

Do you have a micro-current device to use at home? Do you actually use it?

 

 

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Barrier Repair via Biotherm

A bit of this and a bit of that, here’s the skincare that’s on my counter right now.Firstly, in skincare, the trending word right now is “barrier repair” which basically means putting back the oils on your skin after you’ve spent the past decade taking them away via acids and retinoids. Your skin barrier helps keep moisturizer in, but it also prevents moisture from leaving, so as much as you might not like the look of oil on your skin, it is very important and actually healthy!Anyway. It’s so dry in Calgary and winter is still here (I hear it’s 10 degrees in Toronto though), so I’m still loading up on the moisturizer. When I posted a picture of the Biotherm body lotion, and its silky smooth but not greasy texture, many of you told me that it’s a staple for you too.

The Biotherm Cera Repair Barrier Cream (gifted) is hydrating but not greasy, and I’m using it under AND over my retinol because my skin is getting to be so dry. I’m going on vacation soon – I’ll definitely be taking this with me. The texture is very light – lighter than Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream – and it’s not a cold-cream texture like that one, but almost lotion-like in consistency. Glycerine does some of the heavy lifting here, making sure that moisture stays in your skin but so do ceramides, helping you repair and maintain your skin’s barrier function. Finally, as I’m almost out of writing space: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Vixen (gifted) is the best red lipstick ever. It’s more of a hot pink-red and it stains your lips and seems to look better after my first coffee. Try it. Thanks for all the compliments on this sweater. Every day that I wear it is a good day.

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Perfumes with Some Funk

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Admit it. The things that smell gross also kinda smell good. Like you want to keep smelling them to see exactly how dirty they are…

Here are three from my collection that scratch that itch. Zoologist Camel. A bit dirty, but most warm and rich, with vanilla and dates. This almost feels like a cooler, dirtier version of Serge Lutens Arabie. Arabie is discontinued but this is around and easy to get.

Kiehl’s Original Musk. Dirty and clean in a bottle, it’s just right, it’s under $100, and it’s been under our noses this whole time.

L’Artisan Parfumeur Dzing! Is barnyardy vanilla in a way that they just don’t do anymore. This one is discontinued, and honestly, it’s so polarizing that I can see why.  It can’t have been one of the L’Artisan best-sellers, but those who love it, really love it.  I find the vanilla to be the same as the kind in Santa Maria Novella Tabacca Toscana, Bvlgari Black (also discontinued), and Le Labo Patchouli 44, so if those are accessible to you, try them.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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Chanel Bois Des Iles

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I’m running around in sweats and running shoes today but I smell classy in Chanel Bois des Iles. This one is the silky lacy under things of the Les Exclusifs line, wispy and ethereal in texture. Its old-school aldehydes, ylang ylang, and a creamy refined sandalwood stay close to your skin, releasing with heat. You won’t smell me coming, but you’ll know when I’m here.

 

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Guerlain Santal Royal Review

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It’s been snowing all day, and now I’m watching the Grammy’s and wearing Santal Royal, Guerlain’s completely unnecessary addition to the rose-oud category of perfume. I guess they had to, they did create a line inspired by Middle Eastern perfume, but I’m not sure if this is really giving anything you can’t find anywhere else. Still, this is polished and well rounded with decent lasting power and sillage and no sugar, so it checks a lot of boxes for me. It’s like being dressed in The Row, you’re expensive, well-constructed, but nobody is going to know, you just smell good.

 

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L’Artisan Parfumeur Dzing!

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I got told this morning that my perfume didn’t smell good – I guess I should be happy that it was immediately identified as my perfume and not my actual personal scent. The perfume of the day: Dzing! Truly weird, this isn’t a pretty perfume. It’s like going to the Stampede, all barnyard and cotton candy, the musk like warm unwashed skin, the cotton candy sweetness, sawdust, worn leather, damp notebooks, falling apart in your backpack. It’s a scent that evokes the good and bad parts of childhood, the parts you thought you’d forgotten, but they still somehow live inside of you.

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