Banana Republic's new Wildbloom Vert

I’m just saying…for someone who’s pretty accustomed to a 10AM-6PM schedule, waking up at 7 for Banana Republic’s new Wildbloom Vert fragrance launch was no easy feat. But once I stepped into the Gramercy Park Hotel terrace, which was flooded by sunlight, I instantly woke up. If only every morning can begin like this…

Gramery Park Hotel terrace

Table setting

Wasn't kidding about the sun...PS, for those of you asking about my updated ombre, here it is

To learn about the fragrance, we were in good company: we were joined by BR’s creative director, Simon Kneen, and world-renowned perfumer, Ilias Ermenidis, who helped develop the scent.

Simon Kneen

Breakfast!

The table setting and special menu all included elements of the perfume itself, with little magnolias and gardenias sweeping across the table, and crisp pear and pink lady apples in our salads.

Menu

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Salad

Potato frittata with fresh greens

Oatmeal

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Me and Simon Kneen

The ever stylish, BR's Tara McCollum

Simon Kneen and Ilias Ermenidis

BR girls! So effortlessly cute, no?

Over breakfast, Ermenidis talked about his passion for lively green fragrances like Wildbloom Vert. The idea, he said, was to develop something joyful and optimistic. What he came up with was a beautiful, lush scent with a mix of fruits and rich florals. The perfume has notes of peach, teak, green violet leaves, and sandalwood, and a few drops of silky musks.

Win Wildbloom Vert today!

I’m a stickler for scents, and with one spritz of this I was totally taken. It’s very spring, but also a wonderful scent to take you easily from day to night. It’s truly a really beautiful fragrance. A 50 ml bottle will be available for $48, and I’m so convinced you’ll love it, I’m giving you a chance to try it right now for today’s giveaway!

TO ENTER: There are two ways to enter and you can do either for a chance to win. Do both to increase your chances!

1) FOLLOW me on Twitter, and tweet: “@BeautyNDFeast I want to win @BananaRepublic’s new Wildbloom Vert perfume http://ow.ly/8PuKj #BRVertGiveaway”

2) LIKE BATF’s Facebook Page and leave a comment about Wildbloom Vert on its post!

Leave a comment below on how you entered! You won’t want to miss this one — the perfume smells divine! Winner will be announced on February 9th. Good luck!

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Shy

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*All pictures by Joy Jacobs

An Agent Provocateur-clad model

Eau Provocateaur fragrance

L'Agent, Eau Provocateur, and Maitresse perfumes

Til now, the titillating brand (also known for some pretty racy videos…see their “Love Me Tender” Valentine’s video featuring Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for reference) had their two L’Agent and original Eau Provocateur perfumes. Both were meant to be ‘nighttime’ fragrances, and therefore, pretty dense and strong in their scents. These three new perfumes however are their new DAY fragrances — a little lighter with modern twists:

Fragrance dressings

Eau Provocateur Models at the fragrance launch party

Didn't mind helping myself to the themed macaroons!

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Maitresse is my personal favorite, but I’m into more floral perfumes so it totally makes sense. Check them out and let me know which one’s yours! But don’t run out the door yet — the trio will be available on April 15th for $70 each.

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Shy

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But this time, I don’t think it’s my mascara. I’m starting to think the common denominator is a new eyelash curler I’ve been using. Way back when, I wrote a whole post on my fear of eyelash curlers, so some of you may be wondering what’s up with my change of heart. But here’s the thing — the one I use isn’t your normal clamp-it-down-on-your-lashes-and-hope-they’re-still-there kind. It’s more of an eyelash wand/comb…and get this: it’s HEATED.

Japonesque mini eyelash curler

I found Japonesque’s Pink Heated Mini Lash Curler ($16) on Bloom.com when I had one of those shopping binges (which also makes bloom.com so wonderful, because it rewards you pretty handsomely based on how much you spend..but that was a wholeeee other post).

Heat switch -- the little orange light shows that it's on

But back to this curler’s awesomeness — I love that you just turn on a switch to heat it up (it doesn’t get like scorching hot, of course…just warm enough) and you can just hold it up against your lashes to get a deep curl that stays. It’s battery operated, and you can either turn the switch off yourself or it automatically switches off when you put the cap back on. I personally like it better than traditional curlers because it doesn’t pinch or break your lashes either. I can’t even count the times people have asked me if I’m wearing fake lashes since I started using this.

To curl lashes just hold the wand up against your lashes.

My lashes already have a bit of a natural curl to them, so I’m curious to see how it works for people with straight lashes. One thing I also wonder about is if it works on people with shorter lashes as well. Hmm.

If you want to try it, I definitely suggest going through Bloom.com. You accumulate points with purchases and they give some pretty generous customized gifts with your orders (based on your beauty profile that you create when you join!). Oh, and PS…it also comes in black .

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Shy

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Garnier's new Skin Renew BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector

But the good news is, Garnier has brought their own BB cream to the masses here with their new BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector.

The cream promises to even out skin tone, brighten complexion, renew radiance, deliver 24 hour hydration, and protection with its SPF 15. It’s also packed with Vitamin C — a powerful antioxidant and it comes in two shades (light/medium, and medium/dark) to provide a light coverage. It’s similar to a tinted moisturizer but it has more skin-perfecting and brightening benefits. I was sent one in medium/dark to review and have been using it as a quick pick-me-up before I apply my makeup and was impressed that it really added a fresh sheen to my skin without looking cakey (and it smells so good!). But don’t expect it to be as heavy duty as a concealer or foundation — it will minimize the appearance of dark spots but not totally cover them. That’s why it’s a good idea to layer on with a little color if you need it. Hence, it comes in only two shades and not multiple…it’s only meant for light coverage in that sense since it’s more for the skin’s benefit than anything.

The cream will be available at mass market retailers for $13 starting February 2012.

Have any of you used BB creams before? Which ones do you use and what do you think?

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Shy

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Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum

I’ve been freelancing at Allure, and just as you’d imagine, it’s quite the beauty product heaven. During a recent beauty sale, I picked up a few products from Specific Beauty. If you remember, I had a giveaway with them a few months ago. That was actually the first time I was introduced the brand myself, which is formulated to serve the needs particular to people of medium-to-dark skin tones (particularly, to even out your complexion).

I started using their Skin Brightening Serum and Professional Moisture Complex sparingly every AM and PM. I’m always really critical of serums and skin brighteners in general because the ones I’ve used in the past either feel sticky and gross or they dry out my skin. Surprisingly though, these were neither. The serum was more creamy and combining it with the moisturizer kept my skin from drying out.

Serum and Professional Moisture Complex

Even better, I felt like I noticed the difference within a few days. Any dark spots I had were lightening up a lot faster than I thought it would. I checked out the ingredients and it contains licorice, which is a known skin lightener because of its glabridin (which inhibits pigmentation). The moisture complex also contains grape seed oil, an antioxidant powerhouse and skin softener. Both are also under $50 each (the serum is $30 and the moisturizer is $20), which considering the fact that it can be compared to brands that are LOT more expensive, is a pretty good deal.

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Photo: Ana Schechter

Amazing Dove shaped cookies!

The people at Dove are pretty smart. First, they launched their new Nourishing Oil products by inviting us to blowouts at the fabulous Dry Bar. Then, this weekend, they announced their new revamped style product line via a Golden Globes viewing party in conjunction with Style Coalition. They really know their way to a woman’s heart.

OH hello. Photo: Ana Schechter

Not a bad way to watch the Globes

So, needless to say, I was the first person to arrive at their viewing party. (Literally. I was the first to arrive. What? I didn’t want to miss out on the canapés.)

Feasting. Photos: Ana Schechter

Beautifying... Photo: Ana Schechter

I have to admit I was glad to get there as early as I did. Not only because I was able to have the first taste the delicious Dove-shaped cookies, imbibe in a raspberry prosecco cocktail without waiting in line, and nosh on endive stuffed with bacon and sweet potatoes—all while critiquing the style and hair choices of the celebrities on screen—but also, because the adorable ladies at Dove gave me a one-on-one lowdown on their new products.

Dove's new Style+Care line

Watching and tweeting as we bloggers do! Photo: Ana Schechter

Dove shampoos. Photo: Ana Schechter

Dove has revived their entire styling products line, from hairspray to serum. The difference? The design of the packaging was revamped, but also, the addition of the +Care element is what’s most significant. The idea is to nourish and fortify the hair while styling it, so Dove has added customized, concentrated nourishing components to each individual product. I’m most excited about the Dry Shampoo and the Frizz-Free Cream Serum. As I mentioned in my previous Dove post, I tend to be a snob about hair products. But I’m still using and raving about the Dove Nourishing Oil line. Can’t wait to start using the Style+Care products, too, which officially launch in March but are unofficially rolling out on shelves now. So be on the lookout.

Anyone else out there using the Dove products? Opinions? Well, if you love as much as we do, you’re going to enjoy this week’s giveaway! Today’s giveaway is the ENTIRE LINE of Dove’s new Style+Care collection. That includes: Style+Care Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum, Style+Care Nourishing Dry Ends Serum, Style+Care Nourishing Curls Whipped Cream Mousse, Style+Care Nourishing Amplifier Mousse, Style+Care Strength & Shine Extra Hold Hairspray (aerosol), Style+Care Strength & Shine Extra Hold Hairspray (non-aerosol), Style+Care Strength & Shine Flexible Hold Hairspray (aerosol), Style+Care Thermal Replenishment Spray, and the Refresh+Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo.

TO ENTER: There are two ways to enter — you can do either to enter, but doing both increases your chances:

1) Leave a comment on FB for this post that has anything to do with Dove or the Golden Globes this year!
2) Follow @BeautyNDFeast and @Dove and tweet the following: I want to win @Dove’s entire Style+Care line @BeautyNDFeast. Retweet to win! http://ow.ly/8APkt

Leave a comment below on how you entered! Winner will be announced Thursday, January 26th. Good luck!

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