Plummy, jammy, dirty, at once referential but also worthy of referencing. Complex yet comforting. Noteworthy, unforgettable.
Roja Parfums Diaghelev
Posted in Perfumes
Tagged Fragrance Review, Parfums, Perfume Review, Roja, Roja Parfums
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Ledda 22 Orris
Ledda 22 Orris is here. Perfumer: Frank Voelkl who is also the perfume for Glossier You and Le Labo The Noir, both of which I love. Official notes: Pear leaf, pink pepper, orris, ambrette.
It’s that cool girl aesthetic in a bottle. As comforting as a hot shower, warm lather on skin, earthiness but also a hint of stewed fruit, like your mom packing your lunch, and when you gave her a hug before going off to school, she smelled faintly of the pear she was just cutting but also of soap and skin.
That’s basically what you get in the new 22 Orris by Ledda. It’s not very orris-y but more of a fruity musk with hints of earthy orris in and around the fruit and musk, which is ambrette. If you’ve smelled Glossier You or Diptyque’s Fleur de Peau, then you’ll be familiar with the ambrette. It’s like a warm shower, really comforting without being hot, heavy, or cozy. I really enjoy it in every perfume that has it and it’s the most addictive finish for a perfume. 22 Orris adds the fruity component which adds a considerable dose of sweetness. If you didn’t like the floral aspects of Fleur de Peau, or You is too simple, then maybe this will be more to your liking.
Guerlain Cherry Oud Review
A gorgeous bottle, and part of a collection of new oud perfumes from Guerlain.
Even if you’re not a fan of cherry or oud, you need to get your nose on this one.
Watch the full review below.
Chanel Cuir de Russie
Cracked the whip this Monday because when you have a silk shirt with horses on it, you need to wear Cuir de Russie.
This is such a bougie leather, thanks to the opening sparkle and the Chanel floral blend which includes ylang-ylang, jasmine, and rose. It’s soaping your saddle in the barn, but you’re up to your elbows in the soap so the whiffs of leather and barnyard come out more when you’re done with the soap.
The dry down of this yields more leather, with the birch tar really coming through and mixed with hints of smokiness, and I think that’s what makes it one of the most masculine-leaning perfumes in my collection. Still, the florals make the leather easier to wear, and make me think of an elegant new purse. Maybe the new purse part is what makes this a leather that’s still easy for me to wear.
Mondays are always a little sluggish, and it’s hard to get out of bed, but somehow the whiffs of Cuir de Russie ground me and get me focused as I make my way through the day.
Posted in Perfumes
Tagged Chanel, Fragrance Blog, Fragrance Review, Les Exclusifs, Perfume Blog, Perfume Review
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Amouage Fate Woman
I bought Amouage Fate Woman back in August, but it was too hot for something so big. I knew I’d want to wear it once there was snow outside so here we are.
A gorgeous iridescent bottle with juice that has the richest incense drydown. The powder in it is polarizing but the incense is always complimented.
More Holiday Gift Ideas: Kai Fragrance, Charlotte Tilbury and Alterna
It’s not too late to find a good holiday present.
Here are some options.
Kai fragrance oils. I have the original which is a gardenia, and the rose one. To be honest, the original is better and best, and I wouldn’t say that I’m a white floral person. The oil sits close to your skin and it’s nice to have on hand to dab on your pulse points. I like to put it on my wrists.
Makeup brushes from Charlotte Tilbury. I love these. They have very long handles, they’re incredibly soft, and created to target specific parts of your face. I like that they give me more control over where I’m putting the product. These would be great for any makeup lover in your life. Even if they already have brushes, even if they already have THESE brushes, another set never goes waste because you can use them when one set is dirty. Trust me, brushes are always appreciated.
If you’re going to your hairdresser to get your hair done anyway, or maybe you’re walking by one, then check out the gift boxes they might have. I’ve got the Alterna Anti-Frizz collection here, which is great for anyone who likes to blow their hair a lot (me). I literally blowdry my hair twice a week, after I go swimming, and I love a good blowout balm so the fact that this is included with a shampoo and conditioner is great.
I hope everything is merry and bright. We are so close to the holidays!
Posted in Hair, More Than Beauty, Perfumes
Tagged Alterna, Charlotte tilbury, Holidays 2022, Kai
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Riddle Oil and Makeup These Days from Fenty and Charlotte Tilbury
My perfume today is a basic but super addictive musk, and the Original oil from Riddle is still my favourite which is why my little bottle is almost empty. I kept a bit for reference but maybe I just need to use it up. Don’t trust an influencer with pristine makeup and full bottles – they’re not using their stuff. Here are a few things I’m using daily and loving.
The latest from Charlotte Tilbury – the new Brightening Airbrush Powder. I use it to set under my eyes and it’s the best. Just slightly brightening and not shimmery.
The Fenty Beauty Double Cheek’d Up Freestyle. Lush duo. I said this was my favourite blush and I just can’t get enough and guess what? It blends in perfectly with the Eaze Drop Foundation and with the Hydra Vizor Sunscreen. The sunscreen is pretty glowy and not at all matte, but I’m also using it as a moisturizer so I really don’t mind. Everything works seamlessly.
Also, obsessed with the Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips in Pillow Talk. It’s a balm but also has a tint, and it’s glossy. I think some people would consider it to be lipstick but it’s too sheer and very moisturizing. I actually put this into my bag every morning and then take it out at the end of the day to use. Love it.
Florida water soap. Spending $2 for a special soap can make you feel fancy.
Is there anything you’re obsessed with right now? Like absolutely mad about? Tell me.
Posted in Make-Up, More Than Beauty
Tagged Charlotte tilbury, Fenty, Florida Water, Riddle
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Empties: Wyld, Charlotte Tilbury, Neostrata, Boscia, EOS
Empties from the week – and I would not use Eos lip balms on kids.
Eos lip balm – of course, it’s winter, and the weather in Calgary is so so dry. I love Eos lip balms because they make my lips soft, you could even use them on your face, but because they’re a little bit sweet, I would NOT use them on kids. I find kids just lick their lips too much to eat the sweet lip balm, and in the end, it makes their lips more chapped. Have you seen this happen?
Wyld Magnesium Bali Bath Soak salts… these are part of my Friday ritual and I love them. They are quite large chunks of salt, but I do like how they smell, which is fresh and spa-like. Kind of like eucalyptus…
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation – I can’t remember the last time I finished a foundation because I bounce between them so much, but this one is tops and I love using it. I think the glowy finish is especially great for people with dry skin.
Strivectin Retinol serum. I like that they pair it with NIA-114 which is their patented molecule that helps brighten skin. This is the retinol I was using on nights that I wasn’t using my prescription retinoid.
Finally, Boscia Firming Body Serum – loved it, especially for the summer. I just reviewed it recently, and I really did love it.
Posted in More Than Beauty
Tagged Boscia, Charlotte tilbury, empties, StriVectin, Wyld
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Unique Rosy Gift Ideas
Some fancy things that smell like roses – but these roses are fresh and sweet, which is a departure from a gothic rose that one might expect in the winter, and definitely preferable to the cooling summer rose.
I’ve been enjoying this Dr. Vranjes home diffuser in the Rosso Nobile scent. This is rose blended with sweet strawberries that remind you of the summer. The scent is strong, filling my room with the highest ceilings in a matter of minutes. This is a happy cheerful scent and I was glad to be surrounded by it, but after a day I did take the sticks out and leave them to dry because the scent was that strong.
If you like a sweet rose, Guerlain’s new Cherry Oud is a sugary rose that’s lightly spiced with cardamom. It’s easy to wear, very feminine, young, and feels different than some of the other offers at Guerlain’s L’Art et La Matière counter. I have a little sample of Oud Nude that I’ve been trying too and that’s another sweet perfume, with tonka and vanilla in the dry down.
Have you smelled the new line? Do you have a favourite?
Posted in Perfumes
Tagged Cherry, Cherry Oud, Dr. Vranjes, Guerlain, L'Art et La Matiere, Oud, Oud Nude, Perfume Review, Rose
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Akro Night Perfume Review
Night is supposed to be romantic, sexy, carnal, but if this is how a first date smelled, I there wouldn’t be a second.
It’s a musky rose-oud with animalic cumin in the mix. I have a few rose-cumin and rose-oud perfumes that I love, but this doesn’t smell like any of them because the musk is quite dirty, almost pissy. Thankfully, it’s cleaner and sweeter in the winter, easier for me to wear. The rose is sweet but thin… not quite a bouquet, more of an idea, and I keep wishing I had the real thing in my hands.
This is from Olivier Cresp’s line of perfumes. He’s known for being the perfumer behind Mugler’s Angle which is revered in the perfume community, and is a best-seller. The entire Akro line is inspired by “addictions” that we have. Coffee, booze, partying, etc. The latest one is Ink inspired by tattoos.
Posted in Perfumes
Tagged Akro, Fragrance Reviews, Olivier Cresp, Perfume Review, Rose Perfumes
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