…or rose of Castille; a hybrid rose species, first brought to Europe in the 13th century. Its pink petals are used to create essential oils and absolutes for perfumery. They have been prized for their fine fragrance for centuries.

I’ve always loved roses. When I was about 11, my friend, Tanya, and I tried to make our own rose perfume by boiling rose petals. It didn’t work out quite the way we’d hoped, but other than the AVON Small World Fragrances that my mom used to freak out about (”What are they thinking giving these strong perfumes to kids?!), the scent of roses is one of my earliest perfume memories.

FlowerByKenzo Essentielle also carries notes of Jasmine, Vanilla, Musk, Incense, Black Pepper, and Pink Berries.

It’s a fairly straight-forward floral. Very pretty. Very feminine. It’s not as unique as Kenzo’s Unidentified Fragrance Object, nor as compelling as my favorite KenzoAmour Le Parfum, but I liked it.

The bottle is just as pretty as I hoped it would be. Long, thin, graceful – just like a flower stem.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

FlowerByKenzo Essentielle Eau de Parfum

The GUESS bottle is lovely. It has an interesting shape with a climbing vine and blossom on it. Pretty. I liked the fragrance more than my daughters did, but I think they were blinded by thoughts of smelling like Jessica Simpson. What do those kids know anyway?  It’s a sweet scent, but not too sweet. It has a nice spiciness to it and a spicy scent is what I enjoy best.

Here’s the note breakdown………

Top Note: Star Fruit, Curacao Orange, Cardamon, and Grapefruit

Heart Note: Pink Honeysuckle, Peony, Crystal Jasmine

Base Note: Musk, Vanilla, Dulce de Leche, Blonde Wood

Paul Marciano, CEO of GUESS?, Inc, explains the intention behind the fragrance, “This new fragrance represents the company’s pioneering history by preserving the traditional feminine persona and then combining it with the unexpected.” 

I’m going to be picking 4 winners for the Spinlash mascaras soon.  If you haven’t already entered the giveway, click here for information and be sure to enter. Right now your odds of winning a Spinlash are better than 1 in 5!

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Fragrance Review: GUESS by Marciano

I wore it when I went to see Twilight with my girlfriends. With the opening weekend crowds, we arrived early to get good seats. At one point, I got up to go purchase a soda. When I got back to my seat, my friend, Leah, leaned in to tell me that everyone was talking about how great I smelled, as I walked by.  Nice.

The scent has a sort of “round” quality to it – full, complex, with definite vanilla and amber tones. Some scents feel light and feminine. This one feels sexy and powerful.

Kenzo introduces Kenzo Amour—a soft, sensual, serene fragrance with a woody, musky heart. Experience olfactory evocations of traveling through Asia, with memories of India, Indonesia, Japan, Burma, and Thailand. Savor lovely places that are filled with vibrant colors and aromas.

Notes: Frangipani Blossoms from Bali or Borobudur, Cherry Blossoms from Japan, Tanakha Wood, Incense, Thai Rice Steam, Vanilla of La Réunion, White Tea from China.

 Style: Soft. Sensual. Feminine.

Beat the Black Friday crowds and do your shopping online. Sephora has some lovely Kenzo gift sets like this one with 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray and a 3.4 oz Soft Perfumed Body Lotion.

Or this limited-edition set that contains three miniature 0.16 oz Eau de Parfum Sprays.

top image: Kenzo USA.com

gift set images: Sephora.com

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Fragrance Review – I Tried Kenzo Amour

This week I had the opportunity to try the new Vera Wang scent, LOOK.

Two things…

One, I loved it!  And, two, my job rocks!  Trying gorgeous new scents?  How lucky am I?

After receiving it, I wore it everywhere and had all my friends sniff me - when I wasn’t sniffing myself.  (Seriously, this stuff smells good). “Fresh,” was the comment that I heard the most and I’m in complete agreement.  LOOK does not smell like every other fragrance out there. It’s a very feminine fragrance with a lovely, layered, floral scent. It has a nice balance – textured, modern, and sophisticated.

The bottle is modern and contemporary, too, with a bold, cut prism shape. It looks lovely sitting on my table.

LOOK is available in Parfum Elixir, Eau de Parfum Spray, Sheer Body Lotion, Velvet Body Creme, and Satin Shower Creme. I will definitely be putting LOOK on my shopping list for holiday gift giving.

LOOK, by Vera Wang

A sparkling elixir of mandarin and watery greens are layered with lush notes of lychee and golden delicious apples, filling the topnote with a burst of energy and freshness.  The vibrant floral bouquet of lily, freesia, and jasmine envelopes with femininity and elegance. A natural sensuality is enhanced in the drydown with the richness of indulgent vanilla and skin musk.  Touches of oakmoss and patchouli create a balance of warmth, depth, and character.

You can watch Vera Wang describe LOOK and what went into creating the fragrance here.

Top image credit: Vera Wang on Weddings

Bottom image credit: Michelle Smith

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

LOOK, by Vera Wang – My Review

This week I had the opportunity to sample some products from Merlot USA. 

I was very excited to try the Merlot Divine Eau de Parfum Spray. My oldest daughter was home when the mail arrived and we quickly spritzed ourselves.  I liked it. It’s a fresh, light fragrance. I think it had an “earthy” quality to it.

I hope they decide to come out with a candle, because it would make a great home fragrance, as well. We all liked the bottle.  It is tall, thin, and can be used later for a bud vase. 

I had seven ladies try the fragrance. Five of them loved it, one liked it, and one was not a fan. I’d say that six out of seven is pretty good.  One of the testers had this to say, “It’s a nice, light scent, that would be best suited for a romantic date. Your date would want to move in close.”   

Merlot Divine

Merlot also sent me some of their Grape Seed Moisturizer.  I loved it. I’m 42. I have combination skin and occasional breakouts (not fair – there should be a law against having to live with grey hair and pimples at the same time) my skin can be tricky.  This moisturizer has a light feel, but delivers some serious moisture, and it did not break me out. It has a nice soft scent (it’s the inspiration for the Merlot Divine scent). My daughter, Bailey, who is sixteen, tried the moisturizer. Again – no breakouts. 

Merlot has a large selection of skincare products and they are all very reasonably priced.  I am going to look into their eye cream.  I’ve been in the market for a new eye cream.  

Grape Seed Moisturizer

Image credit – Merlot USA Skincare

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Product Review – Merlot Divine Eau de Parfum Spray