Beauty: 95 posts

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

If you enjoy musky floral fragrances like L’Artisan L’Été En Douce (Extrait de Songe), Philosophy Inner Grace or Le Labo Ambrette 9, Bath & Body Works Cotton Blossom will be a lovely discovery. I already reviewed a few BBW fragrances, and as I mentioned before, exploring the collection is very enjoyable. While the fragrances are not particularly complex, they have a cheerful simplicity and an impressive diversity. I really think that anyone can find at least one fragrance to enjoy in the BBW lineup. So far, my favorite choices have been Velvet Tuberose, Twilight Woods, and Moonlight Path. Cotton Blossom is my most recent discovery– a sophisticated soft orange blossom composition that I would reach for whether it came in a bottle from L’Artisan or from BBW. The price point of $10.50 for an 8 ounce bottle does not hurt either.

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Few things tempt me more than the vibrant freshness of fresh mint mixed in with a sweet-salty lemonade, a drink called limon nana in Arabic or nimbu pani in Hindi. It is a very simple concoction of mint leaves crushed with lemon juice, sugar and a hint of salt to bring out the floral sweetness of the components. Yet nothing can be more rejuvenating on a hot summer day, especially when the heat of the sun makes the asphalt look almost molten. As we trudge through winter here in the northern hemisphere, a beverage of icy lemonade is hardly what I crave, but somehow its scent never fails to delight. Today my cure for the winter blues is Abd El Kader, a candle by Cire Trudon, that is inspired by the scent of Morocco–mint tea, tobacco, and spices.

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The dry resinous fragrance of incense has a very calming, soothing effect, which has been known since antiquity. In fact, both Eastern and Western religions share the use of frankincense in their ceremonies as it is believed to aid prayer and meditation. When fashion designer John Galliano approached perfumer Olivia Giacobetti (author of Hermès Hiris, L’Artisan Premier Figuier, Diptyque Philosykos) to create a home fragrance reminiscent of the Russian Orthodox church, it was the note of frankincense that Giacobetti chose to explore. The result is Essence of John Galliano, available as both a candle and room spray–a beguiling melange of smoky leather and dark woods, wrapped in a dusky glow of incense.

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Although for the past few years I have been waking up at 6am every day, I am far from being a morning person. Therefore, I create strategies to wake up quicker and to start my day uplifted and rejuvenated without resorting to caffeine. One of my favorite tricks is a scented shower, a vivid burst of fragrance that feels refreshing. For the past few weeks, I have alternated between The Body Shop shower gels in Olive and Moringa, depending on my morning mood. If I crave a sparkling, fresh scent, I reach for Olive, which is fragrant with green tangerine and cardamom. Should I wish for a lush, floral scent, Moringa is my choice for its orange blossom and jasmine bouquet.

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Ever since Olivia Giacobetti created the intensely green and milky fig accords for her L’Artisan Premier Figuier and Diptyque Philosykos fragrances, there have been more and more variations on this appealing theme, from the green fig branches of Hermès Un Jardin en Méditerranée to the ripe black figs of Thierry Mugler Womanity. It was only a matter of time before these vivid leafy notes trickled down to the home fragrance market. Diptyque Figuier, L’Artisan Parfumeur Interieur Figuier and L’Occitane Feuille de Figuier are my favorite fig home fragrances, both for their quality and the interesting perfumes. They capture the crisp, vibrant scents of crushed green leaves and the milky, pleasantly bitter impression of unripe fruit covered in sap.

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