Tag: fragrance

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Vitae Eau De Toilette

Well, mission accomplished. I have found my spring scent. While I swoon over NEST Midnight Fleur, I wanted to lighten things up as the weather warmed. And thanks to being a Neiman Marcus Beauty Ambassador, I learned about Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Vitae Eau De Toilette.

Keep in mind, I am loyal to woodsy and musky scents. But this one has a citrusy lightness, translating my favorite moody notes into a spring-worthy fragrance. The spiciness is softened with tonka bean and vanilla. Featured citrus includes Calabrese lemon and Sicilian mandarin. I had to Google Hedione but now that I know it is a floral Jasmine, I can detect just a hint of the heady flower. And of course, guaiac wood provides my beloved woodiness.

Much like Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris, previously reviewed here, the scent transforms as it dries down. But I get staying power with increasing softness throughout the day. And it seems to be a crowd-pleaser. Got to love the compliments!

Parisian Francis Kurkdjian built his career crafting fragrances for fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2009, he struck out on his own to create his own collection, Maison Francis Kurkdjian where he is known for unique scents inspired by the city of Paris.

Available at Neiman Marcus. Shop the post:

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide on FOX 23’s Great Day Green Country

Despite my bit of a curmudgeon attitude, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. And honestly, these little gems have me cheered up. I guess this post might be more geared for the guys, but I am all for a “to me, from me” gift next week if you are single or taken. From scents to decadence, these all will thrill anyone on your shopping list:

kate spade new york ‘live colorfully’ eau de parfum and body cream

No shortage of good times over here at Belle Belle. But I am paying for it with a very mild case of the sniffles today. Doesn’t help that we had almost a week below freezing and then it was in the 70s yesterday. Holy temperature swings. I even turned on my AC last night. I will never understand this Oklahoma weather. Either way, to celebrate spring-like conditions, I am reaching for kate spade new york ‘live colorfully’ parfum and slathering on the body cream. Talk about an instant cheer up!

A Fragrance To Steal From The Guys: POLO RED

I’ve discovered another scent to steal from the boys! Launched just this month, POLO RED is a sexy, woody scent that has citrus and spice notes, making it the perfect balance. Just as you’d expect from Polo, their newest scent reminds me of a fun loving, athletic and adventurous (and obviously preppy) man or woman.

The iconic red glass bottle is designed to evoke curves of an automobile. And it is that same sporty feel that this nuanced fragrance offers. Notes include:

Top Notes: red grapefruit, Italian cedrat, red cranberry
Mid Notes: red saffron, lavandin, red sage
Base Notes: red cedarwood, amber, coffee berry

While initially very masculine with lots of cedarwood, as the fragrance dries down on me, I get more of a herbal fruitiness, making for a perfect fall fragrance. For either a man or a woman. And it certainly looks like it will be my everyday fragrance this fall!

Available at Ralph Lauren, Sephora and Bloomingdales

Carven Le Parfum

I may be a beauty junkie, but I also have a deep and profound love for fashion. Particularly the history of fashion. So when I found out the house of Carven, founded in 1945, was launching its only third scent, I knew I was on board to love it. I’ve been wearing it the past couple weeks and have fallen. Surprisingly though since it is quite the juxtoposition to the more masculine scents I usually love.

The founder of Carven, Carmen de Tommaso, “Madame” Carven, was short in stature, but transformed the way women looked at their wardrobe. She was free from convention but still with a great sense of style. Known for lines that lengthened the figure, she gave new meaning to the décolleté. (PS – she also invente the half-cup uplift bra in 1950.)

Her scents were “Ma Griffe” in 1946 and “Vétiver” in 1957. “Ma Griffe”, a chypré fragrance, was inspired by the grace of a light summer dress swaying in a soft breeze. The perfumer Jean Carles celebrated the launch of the fragrance by releasing thousands of samples into the skies over Paris. “Vétiver”, the father of many fragrances in its family, was born in 1957 in a salute to Philippe Mallet, Madame Carven’s first husband. “Vétiver” made an instant name for itself and continues today to enjoy great success among men.

In 2009, Guillaume Henry was asked to take over the artistic direction of the fashion House, making for a huge hit in both celebrities and buyers alike. The house now is making a splash with the launch of its third fragrance, Carven Le Parfum, made by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. It has a simple effervesance while still being very feminine.

The main notes include:

Mandarin Blossom
White Hyacinth
Sweet Pea
Jasmine
Ylang Ylang
White Sandal Wood
Osmanthus
Indonesian Patchouli

On me, the scent dries down floral and almost powdery, soft and perfect for summer. Almost as good as the scent itself, the packaging is inspired by freshness with the classic Carvan green stripe and architectural lettering.

The scent is exclusively at Saks and hits counters on Thursday. Right now through Thursday is Saks’ Spend$Some, Get$Some event – shop and receive a gift card!

NEST Fragrances Body & Soul Eau de Toilette Spray

I’ve said many many times to my beloved Moroccan Amber candles: “I wish I could douse myself in your scent.” And I can and have been since last summer with their launch of personal care products. But now, NEST Fragrances has gone a step further and released Body & Soul Eau de Toilette Spray, embodying six all-star scents.

I’ve found the Body & Soul sprays to be exact replicas of the home fragrance. They layer remarkably well. It sounds odd, but I’ve been wearing Grapefruit and Moroccan Amber together for a sweet, spicy woodiness. I can’t wait to pick up Orange Blossom for summer. And as usual, NEST packages these guys beautifully in a masculine and classic ombre glass bottle. The spray wears with staying power throughout the day, packed with a pretty strong dose of fragrance.

Moss & Mint: Garden mint, apple blossom and muguet are infused with a touch of oakmoss and vetiver.
Wasabi Pear: Anjou pear and fresh, ozonic watery notes are infused with the essence of wasabi.
Bamboo: Flowering bamboo is mingled with a variety of white florals, sparkling citrus and fresh green accords.
Moroccan Amber: Moroccan amber, sweet patchouli, heliotrope and bergamot are accented with a hint of eucalyptus.
Orange Blossom: Orange blossom, orchid, tiare flower and freesia are combined with tangerine, lemon and musk.
Grapefruit: Pink pomelo grapefruit and watery green nuances are blended with lily of the valley and coriander blossom.

NEST Fragrance Body & Soul Eau de Toilette Sprays are available at Neiman Marcus. Shop the fragrances here:

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.