Fragrance
Chaps Weekend Perfume: Product Review
What: Angela gets spritzed with Chaps Weekend Perfume.
The Lowdown: Chaps is not a brand name that inspires a great deal of confidence regarding women’s fragrances. Sold at Kohl’s, it strikes me as very conservative and quite the opposite of high end. The packaging for the new Chaps Woman Weekend Perfume doesn’t help—the box is printed all around with a bland pink cable knit, with the Chaps logo (which always makes me think of lassos and cowboy boots) front and center. The bottle is a bit better, though, and I know, I know ... never judge a book and all that ...
As it turns out, in this case, that’s an adage that definitely holds true. Because despite my reservations (and inherently cynical nature), the fragrance itself? Nice. Really nice. With topnotes of green lotus, sparkling neroli and pink tulips supplemented by middle and bottom notes including magnolia blossom, beechwood, and patchouli leaf, the scent is an unfussy mix of floral and woody, without being overpowering. The florals come out strong at first—and if you’ve read previous fragrance reviews, We’re not floral fans—but soften once on the skin for a bit, for a nice subtle balance that has staying power.
The Verdict: Yea. The perfect fragrance, really, for making the transition from those bright summer scents into something more sultry for fall. Nice.
Buy It: Only at Kohl’s, $32.50 for 1 oz. or $42.50 for 3.4 oz.
Beyonce - Not So Fierce?
What: VMA show stealer Beyonce Knowles had planned to launch a fragrance called Fierce in 2010. However, Abercrombie & Fitch is trying to steal her thunder. The retailer’s suing the pop star because it already has a “signature scent” called Fierce.
What They Say:
In a federal lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio, Abercrombie claims a fragrance under the singer’s “Sasha Fierce” label “poses a likelihood of confusion” with the retailer’s own “Fierce” brand.
What We Say: We think this is probably just a way for A&F to bring attention to its $40 per oz perfume. Probably gonna be good advertising all around. But in the end - we really couldn’t care less if another celebrity is able to launch a fragrance or not.
Thoughts?
Fragrances are Irritating Sometimes - Literally
What: Apparently, 74% of women will experience an allergic reaction to a fragrance in their lifetime. Since perfumes don’t list out every single little ingredient - so as to not give away secret formulas and whatnot - there’s a lot that can slip under the radar. If you’re afraid of irritation, it’s natural to want to go more natural and invest in organic scents. However, it’s not always that easy, as many organic fragrances really aren’t all that organic.
What They Say:
Because the organic beauty industry isn’t subject to the same legislation as the food industry, there is still a lot of “greenwashing” out there,’ says Josephine Fairley, co-author of The Green Beauty Bible: The Ultimate Guide To Being Naturally Gorgeous.
What We Say: If you’ve got sensitive skin, we’d love to hear about what you wear - assuming they don’t give you an allergic reaction. What are some of your favorite perfumes that are easy on the skin?
Photo by Holly Clark
American Beauty “Beloved” Perfume: Product Review
What: Angela attempts to get romantic with American Beauty’s “Beloved” perfume spray.
The Lowdown: “Beloved”—apparently the winner of the Fragrance Foundation’s 2009 “Fragrance of the Year” award—is one of those quintessential girly scents: floral, floral, floral, specifically featuring tuberose along with orange flower, stephanotis, and calla lilies. It’s a scent which their marketing team has determined “embodies the exhilaration of being in love.” Good to know they’re not into overstatement.
I’m just going to say it—I’m very picky about perfume, and florals are not my favorite, unless they’re on the very very light side. Unfortunately, “Beloved” is not. It’s actually quite heavy, and while it’s endorsed by the always-lovely and youthful-looking Ashley Judd, the scent itself? Kinda makes me think of lace doilies and hurricane lamps—in other words, leaning towards the senior citizen. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I’m not quite there. As for staying power, should you want it to stick around? No better than average—though I will say, after a little time has passed, the scent is definitely less overwhelming.
The Verdict: Overall, and for the price (about $40 for 1.7 oz.), a nay. If you are a die-hard floral lover, you might want to sample it at the beauty counter, but we think there are much more interesting and modern scents out there, for the same price or less.
New Fragrance from Jennifer Lopez, Do You Care?
What: Jennifer Lopez recently scrapped her Sweetface fashion line, but don’t think she’s done with the fashion world just yet. Now she’s launched a new fragrance called - MyGlow -, a follow up to her many other scents, including Miami Glow and Glow after Dark. Let us guess… the theme is “glow?” This particular perfume was inspired by her 16-month-year-old twins, featuring “lavender, water lily, freesia, white rose, wet leaves, peony, casablanca lily, skin musk, sandalwood, precious woods and heliotrope.”
What We Say: Wonder why so many celebs are churning out the fragrance lines? Well, it’s because it a very profitable business- it takes less than $5.00 to make one bottle of the type of fragrance that celebs like J.Lo hawk for more than $40 bucks. Also fragrances are considered affordable luxuries, so during a down economic time when people can’t afford $2,000 purses, they can afford $40 bottles of perfume.
HoliDAILY Contest #29: Win a Hilary Duff With Love Fragrance Gift Set!
From now until Dec. 31st, Kathyrn and the gang at TBF will be giving away daily prizes to lucky TBF winners. Check back everyday at 9am to enter.
At midnight, one lucky TBF readers will win this prize, from the Hilary Duff fragrance line
http://www.withlovehilaryduff.com/
The Prize: A Hilary Duff With Love Fragrance Gift Set.
Why you want this: The scent? An oriental fragrance, with hints of exotic fruits, rich woods, and sultry ambers. The bottle? Sparkly and vintage-inspired. Both sound pretty terrific to us. And it’s FREE…..
To Enter this Contest, Tell Us Your Favorite Scent Secret With in the Comment Section Below
The Rules
- no purchase necessary
- contest ends the day of the posting at 11:59pm
- must comment below in order to enter this contest
- must be a US citizen.
- recipient is responsible for any federal, state or local taxes associated with the prize package
- must respond within 72 hours (3 days) or prize will be given to another entrant
Yesterday’s Winner
Calvin Klein Secret Obsession Fragrance
To Enter, Leave a Comment Below
What: THREE lucky TBF readers will win a bottle of Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession fragrance.. The scent? Here’s the rundown: top notes of exotic plum, mace and rose de damas; a heart of Egyptian jasmine, French orange flower and tuberose, and base notes of cashmere woods, burnt amber, Madagascan vanilla and Australian sandalwood.
Why You Want This: Once upon a time “Obsession” was THE fragrance to have, and Secret Obsession could surely follow suit—not for the feint of heart, it’s an oriental floral that’s meant to be sultry, exotic, and, well, addictive (the spokesperson is Eva Mendes—need we say more?). We actually gave this one a test run, and found it to be the perfect scent to spritz on for an evening out . . . or in. It’s powerful, so just a little will do, but not to worry—it didn’t fade fast, but settled in to a deep heady scent that lingered, as any good fragrance should.
Enter to Win: Leave a comment below by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2008; three winners will be chosen at random on Oct. 6.
The Rules:
- Contest ends Oct. 5, 2008 at 11:59 pm. All entries received after this point will not be eligible for the prize.
- Three winners will be selected at random; each winner will receive one (1) bottle of Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession fragrance
- Winners must respond within four business days or new winners will be chosen.
- Prizes are not transferrable
- Entrants must be residents of United States.
Christian Lacroix Rouge Eau de Parfum: Product Review
What: Robin tries ROUGE, $32, a spicy and sensual scent created by designer Christian Lacroix for Avon.
The Lowdown: Avon is so not your mother’s Avon anymore. Just the design of ROUGE’s ornate red glass bottle alone makes me want to display it on my bathroom counter for all to see, and since it’s emblazoned with the name of one of the most renowned designers in the world, it definitely looks expensive. It smells pricy, too—the scent is described as follows: “A burst of citrus and spices unveils a floral heart wrapped in the most sensual cashmere woods.” In short, there’s nothing light about this perfume. As far as citrus, I’m certainly no nose, but I can’t seem to find that note anywhere—overall, it’s bold, heavy and mature. It smells like a special night out, but definitely not something you’d wear everyday to the office.
Yea or Nay: If you’re into heavier scents that linger long after you’ve exited a room, then yea. If you’re more of the clean, invigorating perfume persuasion, then nay.
Buy It: @ Avon.com
Michael Kors Island Capri Fragrance
What: Angela gets spritzed with Michael Kors’ new fragrance line, Island Capri
The Lowdown: This month, Michael Kors unveiled his new, summer-vacation-in-Capri-inspired fragrance line. Citing Bridget Bardot, Grace Kelly and Jackie O. as inspiration, along with the like-named island that’s known as a jet-setters vacation destination, Kors expects that this scent will be a vaca in a bottle—fresh, chic, and instant relaxed glamour. I wish, but it is just a fragrance after all. Floral and citrusy, the scent boasts orange bigarade, Italian basil, bergamot, rose petals, violet de Parma and dark fig. Plus island cypress. Oh, and some Italian jasmine, too. What this all amounts to is a nice, summery fragrance. While I suppose it should whisk me (mentally) off to resort island paradise, what it does is make me somehow all the more aware that I’m sitting in the midst of snow and ice, and a little depressed about it besides.
Yea or Nay: Could be a yea for the carefree summertime, but right now it’s a Nay— seems a little out of place in the dead of winter. And for $60 for 1.7 oz., I’d have to feel really good about wearing it.
Diesel Fuel for Life eau de parfum, $49.50
What: Angela tests Diesel’s much-hyped new perfume, Fuel for Life, $49.50 for 50 ml.
The Lowdown: First, the name - there’s a por homme version, and “Fuel for Life” suits the guys much better. Second, the bottle is fussy - so fussy, in fact, that it’s dressed in a “revealing stylish gown” (their words, not mine). This so-called stylish gown is a crocheted, off-white stretchy sleeve. Strike two.
But what about the fragrance? I’d love to say it overcame the packaging, but only partially so. Boasting black current, patchouli, and jasmine, Fuel for Life starts out a bit overwhelming (fruity and sweet), easing up to a reasonably pleasant but wholly unremarkable but feminine scent.
Yea or Nay: It’s a slightly-bored nay - it’s not terrible, but there are better ways, my fashionable friends, to spend 50 bucks.
Product Review: So…? Sinful Eau de Toilette Spray by So Cosmetics
What: So…? Sinful Eau de Toilette Spray by So Cosmetics
Price:20 ml ($8.50) and 50 ml ($16.95) Eau de Toilette
My Opinion: Okay, when I first received this toilette spray I totally wanted to hate it because the name- “So…? Sinful”, reminded me of those Elizabeth Taylor commercials from the eighties, in which she peddled her own brand of perfume. However, when I actually opened the bottle and squirted a bit on my wrist, I was pleasantly surprised- the scent was so light and airy, it made me want to throw on a sun hat and frolic in the park. The scent is marketed to teens and is a bit sweet, although not sickening, so those of you who like a muskier scent will not like this spray.
Yea or Nay: Yea, because it’s the perfect summer scent- light and airy with a hint of vanilla and strawberries. The Yea would be more enthusiastic if they would change the name.
Buy it:At CVS or Kohls.
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