As a consumer, I went through phrases with all my beauty obsession. For a long period of time, I swore off perfume, found it too overpowering, too strong, unacceptable to the nose and next thing you know I am all over it like a rash. As you can guess it, I am currently all over it like a rash. Add to the already obsessed list of fruity, floral, rose, tuberose, apple blossom and now this.
Say hello to Jo Malone’s limited edition Osmanthus Blossom Cologne. What a mouthful but certainly delightful to the nose. This bottle captures the essence of exotic white flower, apricot and leather. There’s also hints of petitgrain, peach, orange flower and cashmere wood.
Top: Petitgrain
Heart: Osmanthus Blossom
Base: Cashmere Wood
With my Chinese background, I am no stranger to Osmanthus as it is commonly used in tea and Chinese herbal medicine known as 桂花茶 (Gui Hua Cha) that helps to rid body of excess nitric oxide and improve complexion in a long run. To find this ingredient in the heart of this perfume captures my attention and my curiosity.
Scent wise, this reminds me of See by Chloe, not sure if both perfume shares a similar blossom ingredient. See by Chloe is a younger, fruitier version and Jo Malone’s is a grown up adult version with a luxurious woody leave behind scent. Overall, I LOVE this for its rich fruity aroma, first two words that came to mind was crisp and citrusy. Few minutes later I am left with this woody scent I cannot stop myself to sniff. The scent is addictive and definitely long lasting.
Fun fact: I also told le garçon to give this a good sniff and the only word I managed to squeeze out of him was “grapes”!
30ml RRP AUD$90
100ml RRP AUD$170
For stockist 1800 661 062
Recently, Vivienne Westwood released their latest irresistible new heroine – the Flirt Alice.
Read my past review on Cheeky Alice here & Naughty Alice here.
Flirty Alice is feminine but feisty, brimming with spirit and sparkle.
This floral composition combines a hint of bergamot citrus, green tea undertones to uplift the fragrance with a feminine rosey notes overlay with vanilla and blond wood blend. It’s sweet and a little musky to the nose at first scent and once the woody scent lays off, it leaves a charming floral and citrusy blend. If you like your perfume substantial with a woody bottom notes, you’ll love this perfume.
Definitely one to wear when you want that long lasting impression.
RRP AUD$79
Available for a limited time from 2nd June 2013 from Myer and David Jones stores
For stockist call 1800 812 663
Recently, L’Occitane released a limited edition collection that features Shea Butter Fortune Flowers – a range of perfumed shea butter beauty products. This collection is inspired by two West African traditions – basket weaving and storytelling.
The Shea Butter Fortune Flowers range comes with a hand cream, lip balm, body butter and limited edition packaging for their best-selling Shea Butter hand cream. Three key scent collections for the Fortune Flowers are – Rose Petals, Date Bouquet and Mango Flower.
Shea Butter Rose Petals Lip Balm RRP AUD $14
This is organic certified and fair trade approved. Personally, anything rose scented is a no brainer for me. This sweet smelling rose with a hint of candied almond is delicious to the lips and nourishes it at the same time to prevent dry and chapped lips. This isn’t tinted so it works as a lip base for me and I use this to prime my lips prior to applying lipsticks.
Texture wise, this isn’t too sticky or thick hence making it really wearable and touch up throughout the day.
Shea Butter Date Bouquet Hand Cream RRP AUD $12
We all love a good hand cream and L’Occitane is no stranger at delivering awesome value and quality hand creams minus the grease. This hand cream combined with the high concentration of shea butter helps to protect, nourish and soften skin. To be honest, I couldn’t really smell the dates from this hand cream but I do love the hydration and comfort feel of this hand cream. Also the 30mls designs are super affordable and is perfect to pop in my hand bag for on-the-go reapplication.
L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Shimmering Oil RRP AUD$45
On top of the amazing and moisturising Shea Butter Fortune Flowers collection, L’Occitane is also launching the new Pivoine Flora collection on the 17th April 2013. I have been using their Shimmering Oil and I must say this oil is amazing. It isn’t your traditional messy body oil, from the packaging to the actual oil itself there is close to no messiness and the oil absorbs into skin so quickly it’s like you did not just slapped palmful of oil all over the body.
The shimmering oil also leaves skin with a subtle shimmery finish which is perfect for that healthy glow minus the tan. Alternatively if you don’t want too much shimmer, you can choose to not shake the bottle and gently pour out the oil instead. Clever huh? Fragrance wise, if you love peonies, you’ll love this.
For stockist call +98912 3000
Say hello to Chanel’s latest limited edition powder blush – #76 Frivole. I picked this up when I was travelling earlier this year as the apricot shade stood out and captured my attention. This blush actually has a hint of coral to it rather than being too orangey apricot like how it looks in the palette.
This blush shade adds a healthy, natural skin that glows. I love how this blush looks so natural on my skin and compliments my yellow based skin tone without looking like a foreign colour on skin. Even the brush that comes with the compact applies beautifully on skin.
RRP AUD$73
Available on counters now
Left to right (top pic): #Emily Green Navy + #Emily Green Multi Sparkle
Bloom recently collaborated with Melbourne based artist Emily Green to release an exclusive set of seven designer collection Bloom Nail Polish shades. I was lucky enough to receive two amazing shades from the collection. These colours definitely stood out from my usual collection.
Pigment wise, these colours are of high quality, easy to apply and dries off beautifully. I have absolutely no complains and can definitely see myself reaching out to #Emily Green Navy which is a bright navy shade frequently as this shade is very unique to me.
As always my base coat is applied with Sally Hansen Complete Care and top coat is Sally Hansen Diamond Flash, both of these products are used in this swatch for the glossy finish.
Note: For every sale, $2 will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
RRP AUD$19.95 each or 2 for $29.95
Available exclusively online at Bloom Cosmetics site
This blush was originally in a limited edition Spring 2012 collection that was exclusive in Asia and now available in US via Nordstrom known as the Fleur de Lotus collection. When I first laid eyes on this blush, I knew I had to have it. This baked formula blush is finely milled and is a soft pink shade with a hint of coral that naturally adds beautiful glow on the skin.
Judging from all the reviews online, this is pretty much a universally flattering shade much like ‘orgasm’ is to NARS; this blush is Chanel’s best blush I’ve encountered as yet. It has good pigment, smooth and silky to apply that blends like a dream onto skin and best of all it instantly brightens my face without looking powdery. It also smells like a bed of roses upon application definitely a keeper!
Fleur De Lotus collection designed for Asian skin.
RRP USD$43
Purchased via Chanel.com USA
Say hello to Clinique’s latest limited edition long last lipstick in #Runway Coral. Coral has made a huge splash all over the beauty scene in the past five years or so and you’ll see from time to time corals keep emerging back on trends and in our lipstick palettes. Many have tried but not many have nailed the formula without making lips too drying or clashing with your skin tone.
Inspired by Clinique’s Global Colour Artist – Jenna Menard, this super flattering coral is definitely a must have if you’re looking for the perfect coral for your lips.
Look at the smoothness, the comfortable shine that only a well moisturised lips could have. Big love!
RRP AUD$36
Available online now exclusively via Clinique
My favourite nail product from Sally Hansen has just released the limited edition Sally Hansen Salon Effects Easter Real Nail Polish Strips. This time around Sally Hansen included five cute and chirpy fun designs
- All a Flutter
- Pink-a-dot
- Mad for Plaid
- Not a Peep
- Checker Out
#Pink a Dot – The dots are bigger than your usual polka dots. Cute!
#Mad for Plaid – This design reminds me of Easter egg wrappers, love the finish. Subtle enough for day to day wear too.
#All a Flutter – This is more of a translucent finish design with butterfly and flowers/leaves finish. The most subtle of the lot and definitely compliments all skin type and goes well with all ages.
RRP AUD$14.95 each
Available on counters now for a limited time only
