My Spring Fragrance Picks

The weather is finally warming up, and so the changing of the scents begin. Out with the rich, warm and woodsy fragrances, and in with the light, fresh and floral - though sometimes I still like to sneak in a deeper scent here and there, especially for evening. Here is a look at the fragrances I'll be wearing this spring:

1. Nest Fragrances in Verde -White Sandalwood is one of my holy grails. Midnight Fleur is the most unique fragrance I've ever worn. Paradise and Indigo were staples in my summer scent line-up last year, so clearly I love my Nest Fragrances. Recently a new one was launched called Verde, and it is an instant hit for me. It's definitely more herbaceous than I typically prefer, so I was surprised when I loved the way it wore on me. I think it's the notes of verbena leaves and vetiver that definitely drew me in and gives it the most delightful fresh and light scent. And as always with Nest Fragrances, the bottle is exquisite and looks like a piece of art sitting on my dresser.

2. Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum -It's been YEARS since I have had this fragrance in my collection and missed it so much. That mix of sweet and citrus is always a constant favorite in my scent choices, and this Fresh Sugar Lychee Eau de Parfum embodies both of those in a strong way. One of the things that I love about the Fresh fragrances is that they always smell simple and uncomplicated.  It's easy to decipher the notes immediately, in this case lychee, citrus and mango, and it smells on the skin the way it does in the bottle. What you smell is what you get. I wish more fragrances were this easy.

3. Tocca Isabel - I'm just about on my last drop of Margaux, another Tocca fragrance I adore, so I was excited to try this new release for spring.  While it has notes of Spanish rose, it mixes that with leather accord, vetiver and vanilla which creates for a deeper, more complex floral scent. I prefer to wear this more for evening because it has a stronger finish than my typical spring fresh scents, but I like not wearing the same type of fragrances all season long. Throwing in a bolder fragrance even in the warmer weather can be a bit refreshing.

4. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris A la rose Eau de Parfum -This is not your grandmother's rose perfume. I say that because I have always shied from traditional rose scents because it can often smell too dated or too mature for my taste. Thankfully, the rose fragrances of today are steering away from that and are more modern and complex. After falling in love with this rose fragrance from Aerin, I was open to trying more. When I had the chance to test this new one from Maison Francis Kurkdjian a few months ago at a press event, I knew this would be a definite must have for me this spring/summer. Two varieties of roses are used to create A la rose, and then it's blended with violet, magnolia blossom and musk accord. I figured with the musk accord it may be deep, but once I got it on my skin, it was light, refreshing and delicate. And lonnnnnnng wearing. I get compliments on this fragrance after it's been on my skin for 10-12 hours, which is rare in my experience. I anticipate this bottle will probably last me for many summers to come since only 1-2 spritzes will be all I need.

*pr samples included

Shop other great spring scents:

New In And Loving: Bluemercury M-61, Nest Fragrances, Guerlain and Laura Mercier

Some days I feel like I am just going to explode with excitement for products - it's like I am still 6 years old. Too much good stuff not to share my thoughts, and these few items are new to my collection but first impressions are already knocking my socks off. A little skincare, a little makeup and a little fragrance - a complete trifecta of products I am loving right now.

1. Nest Fragrances in the scents Paradise and Indigo* - If you follow my blog, you know I am a Nest fanatic. I love the candles and the personal fragrances (this one being a holy grail fragrance), and once again they hit a home run with their two newest fragrances Paradise and Indigo, now available at Sephora. Paradise smells exactly as the bottle looks - bright, vibrant and citrusy with notes of blood orange, white ginger and cedarwood. It's delicate and fresh for the summer. Indigo on the other hand was a bit darker, moodier but with a sweetness that I simply adore! Wild fig, bergamot, and black cardamom come together to create a scent that is as perfect for day as it is for night. Frankly, I keep them both side by side and do eenie meenie minie mo each morning to decide. I am the picture of sophistication. 

2. M-61 Power Glow Peel* - What happened to that top layer of skin? Oh, the M-61 Power Glow Peel took it away forever!!!! OMG! And what was left was baby soft, glowing, radiant, and gorgeous skin. People have been telling me on Instagram (over and over actually) that I need to try this product. Alright already! So I have. And welp.....it's awesome. Instagram was not lying to me. Formulated with salicylic and glycolic acid, these pads give a strong exfoliation, but surprisingly also help to calm and soothe. I would recommend starting with once a week to see how you do and then build up from there. But watch out, you may not be able to turn back. Your wallet has been warned. 

3. Guerlain Lingerie de Peau - I have a developed a love/hate relationship with this foundation. On one hand, it wears beautifully on the skin. Truly one of the most flawless foundations I have ever used on my face. That being said.....the only caveat is it oxidizes. Quite deeply I might add. But I was too in love with it to give up, so I decreased the amount I use (because a little can go a long way) and it has solved most of the problem. I don't use bronzer on the days I wear this so as not to add fuel (aka color) to the fire (aka my face). But I just can't quit the finish....so stunning. A satin like finish that makes my skin look like it has been airbrushed. And no pulling on dry patches, settling into fine lines or creeping into my pores. It knows better than that.

4. Laura Mercier Baked Eye Shadow Quad in Rendezvous in Monte Carlo* - Part of the new summer 2014 collection, this quad has been on my eyes almost every day since I received it. The colors blend so well together and they wear for-ev-er. Each shade can be worn dry or wet, though I prefer to wear the lighter shades dry and then wet the dark plum/brown shade to use as a liner. When done, I'm pretty sure my eyes look better than your eyes. (ok, ok, I know it's not a competition. sorry)

5. Laura Mercier Sheer Creme Glow* - Golden pink highlighted cheeks is on the menu for this summer. The finish of this new Laura Mercier summer 2014 cream blush is divine and looks gorgeous tapped on the cheekbones for glowing, fresh, 'I just woke up like this' skin. Yes, your summer self needs this. No, your cheekbones won't survive without it.

* press sample

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A Bit Obsessed: Best Of Beauty 2013

Another day, another list of beauty favorites, right? Well not exactly - these are THE best products that I have used in the past 365 days.  For something to keep my attention that long is quite a feat, and for many of these products, it was love at first use.  Skincare, makeup and fragrance - these are the items that rocked my world this past year.  But a little word of caution before you read the list - I am not responsible for the buying spree that may result at the end of this post.  I am simply the beauty messenger.  Got it?  Good.  Let's get started:

1. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light - So much hype for a product, yet is it worth it?  Most definitely yes, yes, yes. This particular one I use on my cheeks and hair line to give me a "lit from within" glow to my complexion.  Frankly it's a miracle I have not bought every single shade - but there is always 2014 for that.

2. Le Metier de Beaute Classic Finish Flawless Foundation -  What's in a name? Everything when it comes to this foundation.  Flawless finish is exactly how this looks on the skin - with buildable coverage and a natural finish that keeps my skin matte and perfect all day long.

3. Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation - I oscillate between this and my Le Metier for best foundation, but I simply can't choose.  This is designed to deliver a high definition finish and it does.  Perfect for pictures and perfect for daily wear.  And no matter how many other layers I put on top (powder, finishing powder, blush, highlighter), it blends perfectly.

4. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara - Is it possible to pick one mascara that rocked my world this entire year?  Yes it is.  It was hard but this formula really made quite an impression on me....and my lashes.  A thick, voluminous, lengthy and perfectly separate lash look sums it up.

5. Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Pepper - It's not only the color that I loved with this lipstick, it was the formulation, the packaging - the entire brand.  This and the next color have taken up permanent residence in my makeup bag, and it's only a matter of time before the entire line takes over my makeup vanity. 

6. Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Fig - The perfect natural pink lip in a tube.  See swatches here and decide for yourself (though I'm sure you will agree).

7. Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil in Soft Brunette -I have said it before and I will say it again - how a brow pencil made it to my yearly favorites is beyond me, but when something is good, it is GOOD.  Texture, application, color - everything with this product is perfection.  My brows have never, and I mean never looked better.

8. Nest Fragrances in Midnight Fleur - If there was just one fragrance I wanted to smell like forever and ever, it would be this.  So unique, rich, warm and quite the conversation piece I may add.  Almost every single time I am wearing it, I get compliments and questions asking me about the scent.  I am almost hesitant to tell them for fear everyone will begin wearing it, but then I realize that if I walked around and smelled nothing but Midnight Fleur on everyone, it would be a perfect world.

9. Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30 Lotion - Best darn daily moisturizer for my oily skin.  Hydrates, keeps me matte, wears well under makeup - do you need it?  Yes you do.

10. Dermalogica Multi Power Recovery Masque - Not sure how I lasted this long in my life without this masque.  THIS. MASQUE.  The short version is this stuff makes my skin instantly perfect.  The long version is it uses powerful concentrated vitamins to help erase any signs of damage to the skin.  Either way, buy it now and thank me later.

11. Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion - Let's face the facts, no matter how well I treat my skin, I will forever break out.  I have quite oily skin and my hormones like to go off on tangents without my prior approval.  Thus resulting in nasty blemishes that must be stopped.  Enter this Buffering Lotion.  Under makeup or alone, I simply cannot live without it.  It is the only thing that helps me treat the blemish fast and without completely drying out my skin. 

12. Perricone MD Blue Plasma - In all fairness I discovered this product last year, but I used it so much this year I had to include it.  My glow, even skin tone and smooth texture can be credited to this daily peel that helps to chemically exfoliate the skin without ever irritating it.  It is so good, I am giving one away.  Yup, you are welcome. 

13. Perricone MD Blue Plasma Orbital - All the amazingness from the face version, but for the eye.  Project 'stay looking young forever' is in full effect.

14. Tatcha Deep Rice Enzyme Powder - Again a product I have been using for a long time, but I had to include in this year's favorites.  Add water and this powder exfoliant turns to a soft paste-like cleanser that gives an effective, yet surprisingly gentle exfoliation.  I always have a back up. Always. 

15. Neal's Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Concentrate - The name threw me off initially and I was not sure what to expect, but this cult-classic (google it and you will see exactly how crazy people are about this product) has become the best thing to help my skin rejuvenate as I sleep.  I don't know if it's the aromatic scent or the immediate calming effect it has on my skin, but this product has become a holy grail night moisturizer for me.   

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New Beauty Bits: Nest Fragrances Dahlia & Vines and White Sandalwood

It's no secret I am a fan of Nest Fragrances, both the candles (Moroccan Amber - divine!) and the personal fragrances (Midnight Fleur is LIFE), so when I heard they were going into Sephora - my initial reaction was - FINALLY!  The world needs to know about these products!  And since every gal's first beauty stop is always the makeup mecca, Sephora, it will be impossible to walk out without giving these a try (and frankly taking one home).  My favorite personal fragrance has always been the Midnight Fleur, with its unique and intoxicating sultry scent that leaves me speechless every time I use it.  "Ugh, it's sooooo good" - is my reaction each time I spritz.  But hopefully no feelings will be hurt, because with the introduction of 2 new scents exclusively for Sephora, there are some new favorites in town.  Nest kindly sent over a bottle of each for me to try and welp, I am in trouble.  My affinity for Midnight Fleur is now rivaled by my love (and that is putting it mildly) for the new White Sandalwood and Dahlia & Vines.  With notes of creamy almond, white musk and of course sandalwood, White Sandalwood is a warm, inviting and cozy scent that is perfect for this time of year - cashmere cable knit approved.  Contrary to this is the bright and cheery scent of Dahlia & Vines with notes of peony, dahlia, lychee, pink pepper and raspberry, which though it's quite light and floral, wears beautifully during the colder months as well.  Of course I could not end the post without giving you the notes of Midnight Fleur as well since it will change your life the minute you smell and/or wear it.  Patchouli, black amber, jasmine and rhubarb come together to make one of the most sexy and fabulous fragrances you will ever wear.  If you're single, you may not be after wearing it, and if you are taken, expect some surprise flowers that night.  See what my blog gives you?  A little bit fashion, a little bit beauty, a little bit of a love connection.  *wink, wink* 

Shop the post and some of my favorite Nest candle scents:

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New Beauty Bits: The Scent Of Home

Living in a NYC apartment, it is essential to find home scents you love because you are forever masking the odors and smells of the hundreds of neighbors you have just feet from your door. Everyone is in such close quarters in most of these buildings, I want to walk into my apartment and immediately be greeted by a pleasant scent, and one that makes me feel at ease.  Now it's no secret that I have come to adore the Nest Fragrances brand, both home scents and personal fragrances, and when they graciously sent over their newest summer launch, Sicilian Tangerine, I was in heaven once again.  I am a huge fan of anything citrus based, and just from the packaging and name alone I could envision how sweet and inviting this would smell.  And of course, I was right.  With notes of tangerine, mango, bergamot and passion fruit, it smells fresh and exotic - like a tropical resort right in my home.  Someone get me an umbrella for my drink!  I would love to say a candle is just a candle, but after using Nest products for so long, I realize that is not the case.  A home fragrance should permeate the room in a soft and inviting way without overpowering.  I am already beginning to stock up on some scents to give the apartment a new feel for fall so stay tuned.

Shop some of my other favorite Nest scents:

Nordstrom Candles · Nest Candles

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