Pages Menu
TwitterRssFacebook
Categories Menu

Posted by on Sep 6, 2009 in Uncategorized | 5 comments

Natori: Eau De Parfum Spray – New

natori_perfume

This is the second release of self named scent by famed lingerie designer Josie Natori, and is found at Saks Fifth Avenue and at the Natori website. Interestingly, the first version seemed a bit of a departure from the line, and was sold through Avon. If you previously purchased Avon Natori, it is the same designer, but not the same fragrance.

“A floral oriental chypre, this fragrance opens with an effervescent bouquet of fresh rose petals enriched by deep, dark plum notes. The heart is an exotic and alluring hybrid of Ylang Ylang, Purple Peony and Night Blooming Jasmine. Slipping languidly over pulse points, Black Patchouli, Amber and a hint of Satin Musk complete this mysterious and tantalizing fragrance.”

In layman’s terms I’ll say this: This is definitely a 90’s type of perfume lite. For me, at first it is a bit powdery, then as it warms, begins to develop a bit of a candy sweetness. If you liked Dior’s original Poison, this is in the same camp, only lighter. Poison is one of the biggest selling perfumes of all time (myself as a customer included), so that’s big fan base potential.

In addition, the kicker to making it a “must have” is the packaging. Face it beauty lovers, half of the joy is the product, and the rest is what encases it. Natori knocks it out of the park with a super stunning, deep purple bottle said to resemble the opening petals of the lotus flower. It fans out at the top, yet is narrow and smooth and comforting. It is pleasing to hold, like a worry stone. Toward the bottom, the bottle indents with little glass windows. I don’t know what other purpose it provides, but it adds an interesting visual touch, and insight into how soon you will need to replace your bottle. Work. Of. Art.

The silk body creme jar also comes in very pleasing packaging, and I find perfumes often translate very well into cremes. This is worth picking up for the collector.

Share
Read More

Posted by on Sep 5, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Make Up For Ever (MUFE) HD Elixir

There are two schools of thought on glycerin for the face:

1) This powerhouse humectant is so beneficial for dry skin because it attracts moisture, keeping skin soft (think about your best glycerin based soaps and how great your hands feel after).

2)Because it is such a powerhouse at attracting moisture, there are concerns glycerin pulls moisture from deep within the skin, eventually “drying out” from the inside, encouraging the aging process.

Make Up For Ever (MUFE) doesn’t fear the latter. Their High Definition Elixir is primarily based on glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, which boosts moisture levels and evens out the skin surface temporarily. It is often found in anti-aging products.

MUFE is genius in packaging this combination as a prep for makeup, because it does exactly what every makeup artist needs – prepares the surface of the skin to become as smooth and even as possible for application. Glycerin gives glide and hyaluronate plumps the surface. MUFE claims a hydration boost of +520% after 15 minutes that lasts throughout the day (+175% after 6 hours).

If you have ever felt pure glycerin, this Elixir has the same silky feel. There is a bit of residual product on the fingers after application, but if you allow it to sink in on the face, it is muss free. Application is via built-in pump on the bottle top. Very nice.

I’m of the school that glycerin is probably not sucking us dry, and I layer this product with my SPF & moisturizer. Only on the hottest days is this too much. This is also a product where you will see improvement in your skin texture over time as you continue to use it. For people who dread to moisturize, you may prefer this lightweight step.

MUFE High Definition Elixir is a must have for your kit to help keep your complexion at its finest.

Share
Read More

Posted by on Sep 3, 2009 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Girl Crush Quickie: Karen Robinovitz of Purple Lab NYC

Karen - Versace Mansion

Getting the skinny from Huge Lips Skinny Hips creatrix Karen Robinovitz in four questions

Cosmetic empire building. Group Pole Dancing. Where do you get all of your energy?

OMG! I would have to say my mom – it’s in the genes. She is the only woman I know – in her early-early 60s – who is the last person to leave a dance floor, is able to work all night and function on 4 hours of sleep, run all day – everyday – and still have energy to go out for dinner at 10p.m. Her brain never stops churning!

Sex sells, and that plus a healthy dose of fun, is everything your brand is about. How does that translate to your new cosmetic line coming out? When will all of this be available?

Everything will be about sexy, glamour, fun and double duty beauty – sophisticated formulas with a twist of humor.

By November, we will have a lip color called Luvah (The ultimate dating tool) but details are still top secret. There is a fabulous mascara and foundation, concealer, highlighter. I am bursting at the seams to tell you the ingredients and stories behind them – and their names – but I can’t yet!

There are two new colors of Huge Lips Skinny Hips in September – Limo to Lobby (the clothes and shoes that are not meant for anything other than going from the limo to the lobby) and Goji Berry Smoothie (it comes with my favorite recipe).

We will have a new BCA product for October called SWAC that is a really beautiful pink gloss, formulated with Echinaccea, mangosteens which are full of antioxidants, Vitamins E and C, and vanilla which is an anti-depressant. 20% of our proceeds go back to The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. The color is named after a woman named Nancy who lost her battle to this horrible disease. It comes with her story which is incredibly moving.

Tell me about the fab theme music

I really can’t take credit. The brilliant team who worked on my site found it and licensed it. And it was just the most perfect fit ever.

You are in talks with MEGASUPERHOTTOPSECRET production company. Spill!

(We can’t say names right now!) We are in talks with production companies about a docu-soap. So we’ll see what happens. If it’s meant to be – it will be. It’s exciting though, to even be at the table. As they say, “it’s an honor to be nominated!”

When can we see the new colors out for fall?

September, but I can give you a sneak piece if you’d like to show some smears! Mwah!

Thanks Karen! I love this woman and I love this non-stick lipgloss. Try the current beautiful sheers at Amazon or Bliss and keep your eye out for the release of these gorgeous new colors.

Goji Berry Smoothie

Limo to Lobby

~ Hillary Fry / solessence

Share
Read More

Posted by on Sep 1, 2009 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Mint Buffing Beads by Renee Rouleau

Verdict: Leaves skin feeling Minty Fresh!

Renee Rouleau was voted Best Spa by Allure Magazine Readers, 2008. Products are sold exclusively at Renee Rouleau Spas and website

Summer is coming to a close. That means time to start hoarding up on products to keep the skin bright throughout winter! Renee Rouleau’s ‘face polisher’ is a perfect pick for the job.

Free of artificial fragrance or dyes, perfectly round spheres are suspended in a creamy base that includes Vitamin K and Peppermint oil. When smoothed onto the skin, the result is an awakening to the senses, both through olfactory and topical stimulation. Capillary repair is said to be an additional benefit of the Vitamin K.

Effective without harsh stinging, this is certainly a skin treat that can be enjoyed year round. That just may be the case in my house, where I can’t seem to stop smelling, and using, this product.

Share
Read More