Beauty and the Feast » Fragrance (perfume/cologne)

Banana Republic’s Wildbloom Vert launch (& chance for you to win it!)

shyema — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:56:56 +0000

**Giveaway! Tweet this post for a chance to with Banana Republic’s new Wildbloom Vert which launches today!**

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.

Salad

Potato frittata with fresh greens

Oatmeal

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!

x
Shy

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*All pictures by Joy Jacobs

Agent Provocateur launches day fragrances

shyema — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:28:28 +0000

Leave it to Agent Provocateur to make one sexy night out of their Eau Provocateur fragrances launch party! Held at their boutique on Madison Avenue, models demo’d the new fragrances for us while, of course, sporting its namesake from head-to-toe.

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

L’Agent Eau Provocateur: Contains top notes of bergamot, leaf accord, madarin, apple, melon, and peach. Mid notes: rose, jasmin, tuberose, magnolia, freesia, and ylang. Base notes: musk, patchouli, sandalwood, and amber crystals. I thought this one was a little more strong because of the musk!
Eau Provocateur: A daytime version of their original Eau De Parum, this one contains citrus and red fruit accords like muguet and orange flower. base notes of myrrh, vanilla, and tonka bean.
Maitresse: Top notes of rose, jasmin sambac, and iris. Mid notes of granny smith appes, and base notes of amber, sandalwood, and tonka. It’s a lighter, floral scent compared to the other two!

Eau Provocateur Models at the fragrance launch party

Didn't mind helping myself to the themed macaroons!

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.

x
Shy

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Victoria’s Secret fragrance event: Dec 13, 1-5pm

shyema — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:08:18 +0000

VS event - Nationwide

Get the advice of a fragrance specialist to get the perfect perfume at any VS store tomorrow. PLUS get a free VS Mini Tote with any $50 beauty purchase.

x
Shy

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GIVEAWAY: Caudalie perfume and a chance at a $250 gift bag!

shyema — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:30:15 +0000

I’m so excited to announce this next giveaway! If you haven’t read about Caudalíe’s new fragrances, skip on over to our previous post (Caudalíe Paris’ fragrance launch at The Plaza Hotel in NY) to learn about their perfumes Zeste de Vigne, Fleur de Vigne, and Thé de Vignes.

Caudalie's new perfumes

To win one of Caudalíe’s new perfumes, just leave a comment below describing your ideal time of day and how you like to spend it (ie a coffee at your desk in the morning, etc.). I’ll choose the best one and Caudalíe will send the winner the fragrance that corresponds with their favorite time of day. Your entry will then also be eligible for a GRAND PRIZE: a $250 gift bag. The winner will be handpicked by Founder and CEO, Mathilde Thomas, herself!

So get creative, and enter now by leaving a comment below! Good luck!

Winner will be announced July 12th. Must have a US address to be eligible.

x
Shy

Justin Bieber spoofs his own fragrance ad with Jimmy Fallon

shyema — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:22:17 +0000

I admit, I totally watched Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never movie on my Air Canada flight last week (what? It was fascinating…and appropriate — he is Canadian ya know). That kid has one loyal fan base! Probably the only news I really heard on the radio besides the IIFA’s was how Bieber was attacked in NYC. Anyway, I just saw this hilarious spoof he did with Jimmy Fallon recently:

x
Shy

Caudalíe Paris’ fragrance launch at The Plaza Hotel in NY

shyema — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:19:04 +0000

By Nicci Jordan Hubert
There are some moments in life you just won’t forget. My trip to The Plaza for Caudalíe’s fragrance launch was one of those moments. Here’s what happened:

The Plaza heaven

As I stepped out of the non-glamorous subway, wearing my non-glamorous practical footwear, I looked to my right and saw the shimmering beacon of NYC luxury, The Plaza hotel. Unable to avoid the slight shame of switching shoes in public, I did what I had to do (I went all out and wore these babies), then glided along the sidewalk ready for a brush with luxury. The moment I entered, the elegant surroundings didn’t disappoint. It’s a beautiful place, but you didn’t need to hear that from me.

A beautiful welcome from Caudalie

Entrance to the Caudalie Spa

I was sent up to the 4th floor, to the Caudalíe Vinothérapie Spa. The lovely treatment director, Régine, greeted me, and I was swept away into a tour. Wow. Everything–everything–is perfect. From the soft aroma to the bowl of grapes on the guest table to the peacefully flowing water fountain to the beautiful employees with perfect skin, I felt as though I was transported to my very own ideal alternate universe. “Can I move in?” I asked one of the employees, to which she gave a warm and polite smile, even though I know she’s heard that question a million times.

They take their vinotherapie very seriously!

A peek inside the spa

Here’s one of the coolest things about the spa: it’s grape themed. Which means — you guessed it — there’s wine. Lots of wine. There’s an entire, beautiful wine lounge featuring bordeauxs to rosés, all served by the spa’s exclusive sommelier. Come, I was beckoned, have a seat, and enjoy some vin. Okay…if you insist.

My own vinotherapie

What I learned, then—from the one and only Mathilde Thomas, owner of the brand—was that grapes have some serious health benefits, whether via drink or skin care. The fruit itself, the seeds, and the stems emit powerful antioxidants (and thus, anti-aging properties), and huge heart-health promoters. So each of the spa’s facials, body treatments, and massages incorporate the grape.

Mathilde Thomas, founder of Caudalie

The Des Vignes fragrance

But Caudalíe’s new fragrance line is a bit unique from the other Caudalíe products—which I learned while eating tapenade and brie and sipping rosé. Its inspiration is the vineyard itself, and more specifically, the scents of the vineyard–the way the vineyard’s aroma shifts at dawn, noon, and dusk. The titles of the three scents convey this: Zeste de Vigne, Fleur de Vigne, and Thé de Vignes.

Caudalie's fragrances

Each fragrance has its own unique notes: Zeste features lemon and bergamot; Fleur, grapefruit and cedar; and Thé, white musk and ginger. The fragrances are so specifc to the hour of day, in fact, that Mathilde suggests picking your scent based on your preferences. Are you a morning person? You’ll probably love Zeste, and so on.

When asked what inspired Mathilde to create a Caudalíe fragrance line, she said, in her exquisite French accent, “I miss my home, Bordeaux, so I decided to bottle it.” Only this time, the bottle holds perfume, not fermented grapes.

**GIVEAWAY ALERT: Want to try one of the fragrances yourself (and win a free facial at the Caudalie Spa in The Plaza Hotel)?? Keep reading, and look out for a Caudalíe giveaway Wednesday!**