I love a ton of different fragrance brands, but hardly any where I love every. single. scent! Except for Aerin. I have featured her fragrances on the blog more times than I can count (remember this post, this post and this post), and credit the brand for convincing me to begin loving rose scents after finding this one that continues to be one of my all-time favorites. So when I heard she launched a new fragrance, I could not wait to try it.
The two most recent additions to the Aerin fragrance collection are Tuberose Le Soir and Tuberose Le Jour. I don't know how she is able to make floral fragrances that I can stand, let alone fall in love with each time but I swear her combinations are some of the best around. Le Soir is the evening version while Le Jour is a lighter option for day, but to be honest the differences between them is so subtle which makes them both appealing and wearable. Le Jour mixes tuberose with neroli, orange flower and jasmine for a woodsy feminine appeal, while Le Soir is much warmer with notes of sandalwood, vanilla and bergamot mixed with the tuberose.
Since I am already a huge sandalwood and vanilla fan, I gravitated towards Le Soir first but still love how delicate and fresh Le Jour smells when on the skin. Between the packaging, the quality of the ingredients and how it wears on the skin, Aerin fragrances never disappoint and are truly some of the most elegant, refined and universally flattering scents I've ever tried.
Here are my May favorites! And though many of them are repeats or products I have reviewed a few times, they were the products that I couldn't live without during my road trip. Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe... a special giveaway is coming on my YouTube channel shortly!!!!
It's a new year, so it's a perfect time to discover a new fragrance. Well, frankly I can justify anytime to discover a new beauty anything, but I digress... I have admired Annick Goutal fragrances from afar for years simply because the packaging is always so delicate and feminine, but never had the chance to smell any of the scents. And because there are so many to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to begin. For myself, I always ask for the star products or cult classics from a brand I am new to because there must be a reason why it is such a popular item. In this case, both Petite Cherie and Eau d'Hadrien are two signature scents from the Annick Goutal line so I started with these. Annnnnnd as usual, my approach to a new brand worked again because I instantly fell in love with each scent.
1. Petite Cherie - As a lover of sweet and fruity fragrances, I knew just from reading the notes that I would enjoy this one. Pear and peach are apparent immediately, while the musky rose and vanilla develops the longer I wear it. Freshly cut grass is listed as well, which is not typically a scent that appeals to me but it gives this blend a wonderful herbaceous quality that I enjoy. It's a perfect daytime scent, but because of it's delicate nature I can see wearing this in the evening with a fun and feminine frock. Something with lace. And the perfect strappy sandal. With some sparkly jewels. Now I want to shop. Just writing my own post can trigger me. LOL
2. Eau d'Hadrien - Citrus based scents dominate a large portion of my fragrance collection because they always smell so fresh and clean. I didn't even need to read the notes in this one because from the first spritz, the citrus notes were prominent. Sometimes with citrus fragrances, the scent can take on a sour quality or the citrus aspect can smell synthetic. Not in this case. Eau d'Hadrien smells like pure lemons and grapefruits - as if you bottled the actual fruit. Once the scent begins to dry down, notes of bergamot and cypress add a woody base which gives it more body than a typical citrus fragrance. I do love wearing my bold and spicy scents in the winter, but I have been gravitating towards this over the past month because it lifts my mood despite the cold weather. Nothing puts me in a better mood than a warm shower followed by a fresh citrus scent to wake me up.
If you are new to the Annick Goutal line, I would highly recommend beginning with either one of these scents. Both are so easy to wear and contain notes that wear well and would appeal to many different fragrance lovers. Plus the bottle looks stunning on a vanity and that is just as important, right?
Though I have a vast collection of fragrances amassed during my years of beauty blogging, there are only a few scents that I've been wearing long before I even knew what a blog was. Ha! Stella McCartney's Stella was one of those and still holds a permanent place on my vanity. As someone that never gravitated towards floral fragrances, let alone those with strong notes of rose, this was a huge departure from my signature style scents at the time. It was the balance of the mandarin essence and light peony flower with the rose accord that created the perfect composition. But from the first moment I sprayed it on my wrist, it was mesmerizing in it's appeal. It was feminine but not too "girly", bold yet not overpowering. In fact there was a period of time where I wore it every single day for a year straight. Friends and co-workers actually used to know me by the Stella scent and when I would change things up for a day or two, they would remark that I didn't smell like myself. LOL.
Over the years, Stella has released numerous version of the original adding other complimentary notes to change the scent slightly. The most recent version is Stella McCartney Stella Eau de Toilette which is a lighter version with a hint of mandarin, lemon, freesia and an infusion of Bulgarian rose. Still after reading all the notes you may think it would be overly feminine, but Stella manages to keep her scents modern, alluring and ones that wear beautifully on the skin. Since this scent is a bit lighter it would traditionally be classified as a more spring scent but I can wear either of these all year long. And because I am a grown adult and can do what I want. Boom.
While I still love to experiment with new scents and discover something unique, I still need that scent that will forever feel like "my scent". Stella will always be that for me.
*pr samples included
If you had to identify your signature scent, which one would it be? Leave me a comment below!
I know, I know. ANOTHER fragrance review? But because I'm so picky about fragrance, I always find it blog-worthy when I find another one that I love. And there are 3 out of the ones I have been testing recently that were instant hits with me.
1. Guerlain Mon Exclusif Eau de Parfum - This is my first Guerlain perfume, though I am a huge fan of the makeup. As a lover of sweet fragrances (and sweets in general - nom), I read the description and notes online before testing it and knew I would love it immediately. Sandalwood (awesome - I live for this sandalwood scent from Nest), Toffee (yum in my fragrance and in my tummy) and lavender (is there a more calming and delightful scent? I think not.) - basically it's a trifecta of scents that come together to make magic. It's warm and sweet with a hint of floral and smells very cozy on the skin. It's definitely a "sweater weather" fragrance.
2. Fresh Cannabis Santal - I have had a ton of Fresh fragrances over the year - mostly the more lemon/citrus/sugar scents that they are famous for. However, during a recent meandering Sephora visit (you know those ones where you are just slowly moving from gondola to gondola picking up everything to touch it, smell it and feel it while checking your phone and not really paying attention. Just me? Oh, ok.), I wasn't even paying attention when I picked up the bottle to smell this. I stopped dead in my tracks and it was as if I was jolted out of my Sephora daze. It's a great mix of sweet (Chocolate, wild strawberries and dark plum), floral (magnolia and rose) and a woodsy musk (vanilla musk, vetiver and patchouli). It the perfect compliment to a big cashmere cardigan coat or fuzzy warm scarf. Yes, I like to pare my fragrances with an accompanying piece of clothing.
3. Kiehl's Aromatic Blends: Orange Flower and Lychee - I discovered this while at the Kiehl's flagship store recently. I believe this particular scent is only sold there but I was hooked as soon as I sprayed it on my wrist. It's a floral mix balanced with orange citrus notes that would seem way too summery for this time of year, but it deepens when on my skin making it more fall appropriate. There are other scents that are part of the Aromatic Blends collection that are available online - this one being my other favorite which surprised me because of it's patchouli notes. But the mix with rose makes it so pleasant. The ancillary body products in the Orange Flower and Lychee scent are available online but as for the fragrance it would be best to call the store and have them ship it.
While there are some fragrances that wear well year round, there are those few scents that are distinctly for a specific season. And when it comes to summer - I think fresh, fruity, floral, citrus, tropical notes. Basically anything that reminds me of being on vacation or at a beach is how I would prefer to smell from May - September. Here are a few that are worth checking out:
1. Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion - While I live for a lemon or citrus scent, I was pleasantly surprised when this did not smell as strongly verbena-like as I thought. I had anticipated tart and citrus notes, but instead this fragrance is reminscent of the most refreshing shower you could ever take. It has a fresh, vibrant and clean scent with notes of green citrus, spearmint and cedarwood. This is a quintessential summer fragrance because it's easy to wear, does not change in the heat and does not overpower those around you.
2. Escada Turquoise Summer - Every year Escada makes a limited edition fragrance that has a sweet and fruity, tropical vibe. I look out for it every year because I adore those types of scents, and look out for the newest one from Escada every single year. This one does not disappoint and has notes of Raspberries, Blackcurrant and Violet. It's basically a vacation in a bottle. Put a little umbrella in your drink and sit around in a caftan if you feel so inclined. I am not here to judge.
3. mark Buenos Aires Vibe - The name and bottle should already get you in the mood for this fragrance. Like the Escada one mentioned above, it's tropical and vibrant, but has a much warmer feel with the addition of musk. Along with notes of passionfruit and violet, this is a nice balance of both fruity and rich and wears well for both day and evening. And an added bonus - the ridiculously affordable price point! Hello $24!!!! *Adds to cart*
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.
I am not usually a fan of rose scented fragrances. Let me just go ahead and put that out there. I like sweet, spicy and fruity scents but anything too floral is a no-go for me. Occasionally I wear scents with subtle notes of floral, but to choose something that is traditionally rose is not happening. That is until I tried this new Aerin Rose de Grasse scent. I have smelled the rose scent that is used in most of the Aerin makeup such as the rose lip balm and rose balm lipsticks (read my review of those here), and have enjoyed it but never thought I would like it on the skin. The Aerin beauty team sent this fragrance over and to be quite honest, I didn't even spray it for at least a week. Finally when I was going through my products to review, I begrudgingly gave it a go. Welp, It's an understatement to say that I felt like a FOOL for not trying it sooner! My poor skin was being deprived of one of the most beautiful fragrances I've smelled in a long time. I even ran out to the living room and shoved my wrist in my husband's face insisting he smell my arm. (and yes, he loved it too)
So not only was I now in love with the scent, the bottle immediately got placed front and center on my vanity because it was too pretty not to show off. But since I was curious exactly what was it about this rose fragrance that made me fall in love, I looked a bit more closely at the notes. And after reading the first few (rose centifolia, rose otto bulgarian and rose absolute), I then came across warming Musk and I knew why I had loved it so much. It has a nice balance of a pure rose scent and a warm musk that makes it absolutely swoon-worthy. I've been wearing it almost daily and spring isn't even here yet. But hopefully if I keep wearing it, the warmer weather will come faster. Wishful thinking I know, but everyone gets through winter differently. So just let me do my thing.
Have you entered my Tatcha skincare giveaway?!!! Enter here.
Last fall and winter, I was all about my Nest Fragrances in Midnight Fleur and White Sandalwood (seriously, they are amazing). But since both are almost empty I figured it was time to branch out and put a few new fragrances in rotation. One is an old scent that I used years and years ago and rediscovered, while the other two are completely new to me. Here's the fragrances I will be wearing this fall:
1. Tocca Beauty Margaux - I was instantly drawn to this fragrance as soon as I smelled it. Once I reviewed the notes, I knew exactly what drew me in - vanilla. I am a sucker for vanilla based fragrances, and the base notes of this are vanilla and musk. There is still a hint of floral notes with amber, gardenia and violet so I don't completely smell like a holiday candle, and it balances out the fragrance so nicely. This is definitely a more subtle scent for me and is enjoyable to wear either day or night.
2. Atelier Cologne Santal Carmin - Just by the look of the bottle, I knew I was in for a serious scent. This fragrance is bold, warm and absolutely intoxicating. From the first moment I sprayed it on my wrist, I could not stop smelling my arm for the rest of the night. The sandalwood and saffron really lured me in since they are two of my favorite notes, and the hint of dulce de leche was the perfect complement. At an 18% concentration, this is by far one of the longest lasting fragrances I've worn in awhile, yet it stays consistent the entire time while on my skin. It never loses that initial richness and depth that a fragrance has when first applied, and still smells amazing 8-10 hours later. A total splurge but worth every penny.
3. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir - Pomegranate Noir was the fragrance I discussed earlier that I used many years ago and recently discovered once again. This scent is not for the faint of heart as it is by far one of the most unique fragrances I have ever experienced, but that is what makes it one of my favorites. Its sweet notes of raspberry and plum are juxtaposed with stronger woodsier scents such as patchouli and frankincense making a second sniff always necessary. No one ever picks up this scent and smells it once - it's just too different and unexpected to not go back for another sniff. Every single time I wear this fragrance I get compliments but it wears very differently than it initially smells in the bottle. But isn't that the beauty of fragrance? It doesn't reach its full potential until it gets onto the skin and mixes with the body's chemistry.
*pr samples included
What fragrances are you wearing this fall? I'd love to hear your recommendations!
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.
Well as evidenced in my prior week post, we all know what I am wearing on my face, now let's talk about what I'm wearing on my skin - or for rather rudimentary folks - what do I smell like if you sat next to me on a crowded train? I don't typically shop for fragrance, but simply find a few that I appreciate and purchase, wear, repeat. Many find interest in the notes of a fragrance, seeking ones that contain certain ingredients that their discerning palette and nose can appreciate. I am much more cave-woman like in my fragrance purchases. Me see fragrance. Me smell fragrance. Me wear fragrance. Me like or not like fragrance. And that my friends is the science behind my mensa-level beauty brain. However, my true agenda behind this post is actually to acquire new fragrance recommendations from my readers, but for now I will divulge my scents du jour. Let's explore (starting from the back left and moving forward)
1. Stella McCartney - I have been wearing this scent for many years - its floral, light and extremely easy to wear. Almost undetectable once on - I will never be invading your personal space with this scent.
2. YSL Parisienne - While I am not a fan of the classic YSL Paris fragrance, this updated and dare I say - hipper - version is better all around.
3. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb - I move through this slowly, as it can invade your personal space if I wear too much. I appreciate the innovative scent that seems to stand out in a fragrance world of same-ness.
4. YSL Belle D'Opium - Again, not a fan of the classic YSL Opium, but this is my only spicy fragrance that I simply adore for winter.
5. Fresh Sugar EDP - Like a burst of citrus and sugar on your skin - perfect for spring and summer - I could wear this everyday is I had to. But I don't have to because the US is a beauty democracy and I will do what I want.....with my fragrances.
6. Fresh Sugar Lychee EDP - Very similar to it's sister Fresh Sugar - keep the family together!
7. Lolita Lempicka - This falls into the category of love/hate fragrances. I believe it has notes of licorise, which always sparks a good jelly bean debate. Noone is ever on the fence about this fragrance - I happen to love it, you may hate it. To-may-toe. To-mah-toe.
So there you have it, a waft of me. Now let's talk about you - what are you wearing and what should I be adding to my collection? Tweet me (@alittlebitetc) or comment below so I can smell like you perhaps, barring the fact that it passes my rigorous testing standards.
