Maybe I Just Don't Hate Fragrance!

If you have been following my blog at all, you may know that I am not fond of fragrance. I am turned off by  many, but do have a few - only a few - favorites in my small collection.  But my small collection will soon be bigger!

I have just discovered Bond No. 9.

You have heard the beauty bloggers raving about this "Making Scents of New York" line of perfume and candles for a while now, and I feel privileged that I got to take a sniff at a few.

Fire Island is the latest creation of Laurice Rahme, the founder of Bond No. 9.

You see, all of the fragrances in the Bond No. 9 collection pay homage to the great city of New York. And Laurice knows that New Yorkers go in droves to Fire Island in the summer time - dreaming to be lying naked on the beach - surrounded the scent of sun over the skin. This is what her basis was for this beautiful scent. She combined it with the spicy-sweet scent of vintage Euro-bronzing oils and you have it - Fire Island.

In perfumer speak, the perfume is a blend of the following: Top Notes - Cardamom and Ozone; Middle Notes - Neroli and White Musk; Base Notes - Skin Musk, Tuberose, and Patchouli.

In inexperienced perfume buyer speak, I love it. It is so soft while being so  "there". The scent is not over powering on me. I can definitely smell the musk and neroli - the rest is foreign to me (as I said, I am very new to this) but very inviting and warm, like the summer sun on the white sandy beach.

I totally get it!

I am sampling The Scent of Peace now, and will let you know all about that soon.

Be sure to stop by the newly created Bond. No. 9 website for more information. It is vibrant and overall fantastic.

EX*TRACTS - The New York Beauty Show

A trade only show, EX*TRACTS NY was held last week within the New York International Gift Fair.

This is one of my favorite shows. A few years ago, Ojon, the beautiful haircare company touted all over Sephora and QVC was discovered there. As was Airstockings, and even Tony & Tina way back when.

It is so beautifully done, showcasing some of the latest and innovative beauty and beauty related products. Some of the exhibitors included those you may be familar with such as Lucky Chick, TheBalm, and Garden Botanika. But what I really like about this show, is looking at the new company's and brands that are exhibiting.

This years show hosted a bevy of products I know we will soon see at Sephora or Nordstrom.

My number one pick of the show has to be Principessa Beauty. Tagged as beauty products for the urban princess, I want to know why Sephora has not picked this up? The pink and black packaging is adorable, and the product offering includes lip balm, soap, salt scrub, body cream, and more. And I just love the adorable Italian names that go with the products.

Another exhibitor that I think we will hear a lot of in the future is called Shady Day. They offer great sunscreen wipes in baby-wipe type packaging. So simple to store in your handbag, and so simple to wipe on your kids. I picked up a sample and I used it on my little ones this week at the beach - and they worked great. And I only wiped them down before we got to the beach and right after lunch.

Keep a look out for Maria B. Cosmetics and Glamo-Glitz  (like MAC pigments, but these are mineral based)from Scarlett Cosmetics too. I think we will be hearing from them soon.

Back to School Beauty - SO...?

What attitude do you want to project when going back to school ... Wild, Desirable, or Kissable?

There is a great new brand (new to the US, anyway) called So...?. The So...? collection includes So...? Kiss Me, So...? Desirable, and So...? Wild. Each scent has a different energy and every girl will find one that is perfect for her. Whether you want that special someone to notice you or you want to be the life of the party, So...? is sure to have a fragrance for you.

SO...? KISS ME

I would say that KISS ME is for a girl who wants a more kissable fragrance, with a combination of sweet fruit and sassy sensuality. Top notes of blackcurrant, pineapple, and citron are complemented by layers of vanilla and a floral heart of musk and woods.

SO...? DESIRABLE

A girl looking to bring our her romantic side, will fit perfect with this scent. DESIRABLE is a seductive type of fragrance, with a slight of whimsy added on in. The aromas of musk, freesia, and magnolia, are softened with fruity notes of apple and mandarin.
 

SO...? WILD

This one is great for a girl who has a definite passion for life. WILD is a contemporary floral fragrance combining sweet pineapple and tangerine citrus top notes with jasmine and vanilla.

All of the SO...? Fragrances are available at Kohl's in the following:
Eau de Toilette (1.7 oz.) for $16.95
Eau de Toilette (.67 oz.) for $8.50
Body Fragrance (2.5 oz.) for $4.50
A variety of fragrance gift sets, that come in great tote bags with things like lip gloss and lotion are available seasonally as well.

You can learn more about SO...? at sofragrance.com.