Beauty: 95 posts

When Marina recently asked if there were a candle that smells like a dark gothic rose, I enthusiastically set out to find one. After all, dark, mysterious roses like Agent Provocateur, Guerlain Nahéma and Fredéric Malle Portrait of a Lady are among my favorite fragrances. However, as I looked through my candle collection as well as browsed the available selection at various department stores, I quickly discovered that most rose scented candles fall into the pink and romantic category. Yet, as I tried various candles, uncovered old favorites and made a few new discoveries, I found myself enjoying this rose candle quest very much. Below are my favorite candles for a whole week of romantic roses. While many of these candles would make wonderful Valentine’s Day gifts, they should not be reserved only for February 14th. The same can also be said about romance!

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A mini Eau D’Hadrien candle came with my purchase of Le Chèvrefeuille a couple of years ago and it was my first introduction to the Annick Goutal candle range. I have since tried several different scents, from the lromantic La Rose to the mysterious Boîte à Epices, from the opulent Ambre to the nostalgic Le Sac de ma Mère. Each and every scent has been wonderful, but Eau D’Hadrien is the candle I reach for when I need a boost. Its bright, effervescent citrus fragrance speaks to me of lands where lemons bloom in the winter, of sunshine on warm sand, of tall cypresses rocking gently against blue skies. It somehow does not matter that it is raining today and that my pile of work is only growing larger. As I inhale the scent around me, it feels as if I am sitting in the sunshine, enjoying the sea breeze…

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Bubble baths are at the top of my list of favorite pampering rituals. After all, few things are as relaxing and calming, forcing one to slow down and enjoy a few moments of rest. Even when my busy routine forces me to cut corners everywhere, I still try to make time for a bath. Of course, soaps and candles are an important part of this activity. Although I tend to be partial to L’Occitane’s mildly scented soaps, lately I have found myself craving richer fragrances. Florence, Stella and Cleopatra are the threee scents for which Tocca soaps are available, along with matching candles….

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Indulgence has acquired a new meaning for me when I tried Frédéric Malle Body Butters (Beurres Exquis). Imagine a thick, luxurious cream that feels like sweet whipped cream on the fingers, melts into the skin like warm butter and has a fragrance as rich as the pure perfume. One can choose from Iris Poudre, Une Rose, Carnal Flower and Une Fleur de Cassie. The butters are presented in the elegant bakelite jars, the heft of which perfectly complements the experience of the product itself. Applying these body butters is almost as enjoyable as catching their fragrance throughout the whole day. …

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If you are looking for a shower gel version of L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse Aux Papillons, then Midnight Tuberose would be a perfect choice. The scent of its pearly white cream captures perfectly a mist of jasmine and tuberose that makes La Chasse Aux Papillons so appealing. It lathers easily and lingers pleasantly on the skin, although not strongly enough to clash with whatever fragrance one decides to wear. Moreover, the addition of aloe vera makes it fairly emollient, which further contributes to my affection for this shower gel.

The best part is that it is priced rather reasonably at $7.99 for 12oz, and is available at various online and natural food stores. Drugstore is just one such place where it can be found. This proves that a true olfactory delight accompanying every morning shower does not have to be costly.