BALMAIN Extatic Eau de Parfum

BALMAIN Extatic Eau de Parfum

Bold. Determined. Excessively Sensual! In true BALMAIN style, their latest fragrance Extatic epitomizes the rock, chic and seductive BALMAIN woman. Always provocative, she cultivates her insolence and her daring. She’s a fashion addict, living her life miles per hour, as if  permanently in a state of ecstasy. Feminine, magnetic, glamarous and addictive! Just some of the words I’d use to describe this scent! BALMAIN Extatic is an Oriental Floral and opens with engaging top notes of Nashi Pear, Bulgari Rose and Osmatnthus. As the fragrance develops, floral notes such as Orris and Sharry Baby come to play, accented with chocolate and Night Jasmine. At the heart of this juice, the scent fully develops with bold, structured woody notes of Amyris and Cashmere, wrapped in a velvety blend of Barenia Leather. At first, the scent is strong, potent and screams rock and roll, but as it develops the scent becomes more glamorous and takes on a seductive, sophisticated personality. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! The bottle is architectural, graphic and modern, with a structured silhouette that matches the BALMAIN couture look; accented shoulders, refined materials, precious details, chic Parisian elegance with a true rock and roll spirit. If you’re looking for a fragrance…

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May 15, 2015
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Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc – L’OCCITANE en Provence

Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc – L’OCCITANE en Provence

A little while back, I attended the launch of L’OCCITANE‘s new collection, Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc. Now that the collection is available to us in SA,  I wanted to share this gorgeous range with you. Part of their La Collection de Grasse, Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc is a subtle, sophisticated range, where the main note, Iris, mirrors a mix of cool and warm. Beautifully packaged, this collection is by far my favourite Iris based collection to date. I was never a huge fan of Iris in the past. I just found the smell a little too sharp for my taste. With this collection however, the contrast of White Iris (in the heart) and Iris Pallida (blue flower) in the base, makes for a truly beautiful scent! It smells more like a natural garden, rather than a single, overpowering scent. It’s absolutely mesmerizing and I’ve been wearing it a lot lately. The fragrance opens with blackcurrant and citrus notes that give it a lovely burst of freshness. In the heart, white iris blends seamlessly with ylang-ylang and peach, adding a bit of floral fruitiness as the fragrance develops. And in the base, blue iris is complimented with cedar and…

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May 12, 2015
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Repetto Eau de Parfum

Repetto Eau de Parfum

It’s Friday, and you know what that means…. Time to show you gals my favourite fragrance of the week! At the moment, I’m loving the first Eau de Parfum from Repetto. With fleshy notes of pulpous plum, this scent is accentuated with a textural sensation of velvety rose petals, further illuminated by the caressing femininity  of orange. It’s a floriental woody fragrance, with grace as the ultimate elegance. The Repetto brand is a dream factory in the Southwestern region of France, known for their impeccable craftsmanship of hand made ballet shoes. Each product embodies a keen sense of detail, in order to reach the highest possible degree of perfection. Repetto boutiques are magical places, where the windows become a piece of art, a poem, an ode to passion, with an incredible staggering of delicate tutus, ribbons and velvet curtains, reminiscent of the Opera. Besides their ballerina and dance focus, the Repetto brand offers heels, leather goods and, since December 2012, a Pret-a-Porter (ready to wear) range. Their fragrance lets you wear a piece of this magical brand, that believes in every woman there is a dancer. It’s the ultimate accessory to reveal her grace and her beauty. The frosted bottle is stamped with the elegant Repetto charm, swinging delicately around the bottle with a satin ribbon,…

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April 24, 2015
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Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Coffret

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Coffret

One of my most coveted fragrances is Coco Mademoiselle from Chanel. I fell in love with it after I experienced these Coco Mademoiselle bath time treats, and although I have a ton of perfume in my collection, Mademoiselle was always on my lust list. If there was ever a more perfect time to spoil yourself with this beautiful, angelic, lady like yet very much youthfull scent, now would be the time. On the 24th March 2015, you can get your perfectly manicured paws on the limited edition, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Coffret. It’s the ultimate fragrance spoil! Beautifully packaged, the 2015 Coco Mademoiselle Coffret set contains a 50ml eau de parfum spray, plus a 7.5ml miniature purse spray – that looks like a giant Chanel lipstick. You’ll also get three refill bottles (each 7.5ml) for your purse spray when you run out. If you’re not familiar with this scent, it is a beauty! And very, very different to Chanel No5, in case you’re wondering! Coco Mademoiselle is a vibrant, sparkling scent with a transparent heart and a delicate floral bouquet of rose and Jasmine. The base notes are sensual and oriental, underscored by pure patchouli and vetiver. THE ESSENCE OF A BOLD…

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March 16, 2015
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My Fave Summer Fragrances

My Fave Summer Fragrances

It’s been a smouldering hot summer, but before we head on into Autumn, I wanted to share some of my favourite summer scents that I’ve been rotating throughout this gorgeous season. When the heat rises, I tend to gravitate towards fresh, bright, softer and more delicate scents. I’m not a fan of sickly sweet-floral or candy scents, but I do love the smell of freshly cut flowers or scents that remind me of summer gardens. YSL Black Opium One of my most worn scents this summer, especially for night, has got to be YSL Black Opium. This scent is soooo gorgeous and addictive! I guess the coffee bean note gives me an instant mind boost. I also love how it develops into a mix of jasmine and light vanilla before settling into woody and patchouli notes. HUGO BOSS MA VIE For day, I like to wear HUGO BOSS MA VIE. This scent is beautifully packaged in a gorgeous pastel pink bottle and is all about playfulness with a powerful dash of sexy. It opens with an invograting fresh note of Cactus Blossom, combined with notes of Suave Pink Freesia, Jasmine Petals and Delicate Rose Bud. L’Occitane Fleurs de Cerisier A…

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February 26, 2015
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ISSEY MIYAKE Nuit d’Issey

ISSEY MIYAKE Nuit d’Issey

For the guys’ Fragrance Friday, today I wanted to share a gorgeous, manly scent for ya! The new NUIT by Issey Miyake that went on sale nationwide last month. I love the ISSEY MIYAKE men’s fragrance selection, probably even more than the ladies. They just have a very unmistakable sharp and crispness that’s both alluring and mysterious. ISSEY MIYAKE is one of hubby’s favourite fragrance houses as well! We both love the new NUIT, a fragrance that is an ode to wood with an effervesce of rich ingredients, mingled with opulence and potency. It’s a potent, sensual fragrance with deep notes built on a leather backbone, surrounded by woods and spices.   It opens with bright, zesty and citrusy top notes of bergamot and tender grapefruit to give it a bite of masculine elegance. The heart notes follow a mysterious trail with leather accord and black pepper laden with woody notes and vetiver. And, at the base of this fragrance, a rich texture of accords with “black” woods, patchouli, incense and tonk a bean. Nuit d’Issey is available in two size variants; 75ml for R775 and 125ml for R945.00 LOVE IT! xoxo

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October 31, 2014
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YSL L’HOMME

YSL L’HOMME

I love a manly fragrance! I mean, the fruity, sporty ones are nice, but you know the real old-school  smelling fragrances on a man? Yeah those are always my best! Since I featured the new YSL Black Opium for the ladies today, I wanted to share with you another YSL olfactory gem, this time for the guys! YSL L’HOMME It’s not a new launch (and there’s even an Intense version out already), but I still think it’s a scent worth checking out! Especially when making those Christmas lists for the men in your lives this holiday season. Although this fragrance is not totally unique, it’s very masculine and elegant with all the right notes to make it a completely luxurious fragrance. I particularly like the heart. It’s gorgeous and intoxicating. I wouldn’t mind smelling it all day! YSL L’HOMME opens with top notes of Cedarwood, Madagascar White Pepper and Ozone to give it both a sparkling a luminous scent. At the heart, floral and spicy notes of Chinese Ginger, Violet Leaves and Basil Flowers contrast with the fresh top notes to give in an intoxicating, zesty bite. And at the base, Haitian Vetiver, Tonka Beans and Cedarwood highlight it’s magnetic…

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October 24, 2014
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YSL Black Opium

YSL Black Opium

Get ready for the new, addictive Black Opium fragrance from YSL. I’ve never been a huge fan of the original Opium. Although I don’t hate it (and there was a stage that I didn’t mind it too much), overall I find it very heavy and a little too musty for my liking. So when I got to sample the new Black Opium I thought I wouldn’t like it. But I do! In fact, I love it! Black Opium has been described as fierce, dynamic, energetic and instantly engaging – And I think it fits all of these really well. It’s the modern day YSL woman, updated and re-gnergized from her 1977 predecessor, Opium. BLACK OPIUM is the new generation oriental gourmand and it’s radically different to the original, classic scent. Upon spraying it, you get an instant shot of caffeine! The scent of coffee beans is electrified by white flower notes. I love coffee; drinking, smelling and tasting it! Even talking about it. So, having it in a fragrance is like an instant mind-gratification, and it kinda gives me the same “hit” I get from coffee. As it develops, you can pick up a mix of jasmine (love, love, love)…

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October 24, 2014
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STELLA

STELLA

Her father may be one of music’s legends, but Stella McCartney is a brand in her own right! She’s the no frills fashion designer that continues to push the boundaries of innovation and style! Her fashion is always sleek yet sophisticated and she always manages to find the perfect balance, while still leading her principled lifestyle. She’s an animal activist and lover of the world! In 2003, she launched her first fragrance, “STELLA“, reminiscent of an English Rose. Now, in 2014 STELLA  gets a modern look, while keeping the scent unchanged. All that’s really changed is the bottle, inspired by an Amethyst Crystal and the various size options that will be available. It launched in August 2014 where it was exclusive to Harrods. But, it is now available world wide, so you can get your hands on it too from leading stockists. It’s a true-to-Stella scent, and she’s been involved in every aspect of its creation. She designed the bottle and developed the scent herself, together with her “nose”,  Jacques Cavallier. To create the scent (that remains the same), she had a vintage photograph of an English Rose that she wanted to bring to life. Think old-fashioned, but with a…

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October 10, 2014
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GUCCI PREMIÈRE Launches Eau De Toilette

GUCCI PREMIÈRE Launches Eau De Toilette

Exciting news for GUCCI fragrance fans! This week saw the launch of the gorgeous new Gucci Première EDT, a lighter and brighter version of the original GUCCI Première EDP. I’m not familiar with the original Gucci Première EDP, but what I can say from previous experience with GUCCI fragrances (GUCCI OUD and Flora By GUCCI 1966), is that this one is much softer and more delicate than traditional GUCCI scents. The strong scent is what I love about GUCCI fragrances, but as we head into warmer weather, a lighter fragrance is always welcome! The fragrance reminds me of champagne summers and definitely lives up to its “standard” of being a fragrance designed to set a celebratory mood. I love the sparkling citrusy top notes infused with jasmine, that dry and settle into a leathery-musky patchouli base.   Gucci Première fragrances take their inspiration from the Gucci Première couture collection, where luxurious evening gowns have been created and worn by world’s most captivating Hollywood stars, including; Salma Hayek Pinault, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Naomi Watts, Kate Beckinsale and Li Bing Bing. Adoring the campaign for Gucci Première EDT, is no stranger to Hollywood, and none other than the gorgeous starlette, Blake Lively. She is the essence of young Hollywood glam and the epitome of classic style. Gucci Première EDT is available in three size…

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September 12, 2014
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Discover Vulcano & Some Serious Man Candy!

Discover Vulcano & Some Serious Man Candy!

Dolce and Gabbana recently launched their new, limited edition men’s fragrance; Light Blue Discover Vulcano.  While the fragrance is sexy and sultry, the male model for this campaign definitely matches that expectation! Ladies, feast your eyes on the gorgeous Italian Stallion David Gandy! Well, he’s actually British but just go with me on this one, I’m trying to “set the scene”. Take your imagination to a gorgeous Sicilian theme. Picture beautiful blue seas, gorgeous scenery, and at super sexy, tall, dark and handsome man. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Discover Vulcano captures the essence of the Mediterranean in all it’s sensuality! Inspired by the coastline of the Aeolian island Vulcano (just off the coast of Sicily), this fragrance, has prominent notes of Vetiver, Lemon and Ginger and yes, it’s one of “those” men’s fragrances… The kind that, once you smell it, shuts down all your senses, except for smell, so that your entire mind, body and soul can take in the scent. It’s very sexy with prominent top nots of Italian Lemon and ginger. If you’ve ever been anywhere in the Mediterranean, you’ll know that the lemons grown there are in a class of their own – The smell is far more amplified and you can even smell the…

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August 15, 2014
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Escada Joyful – It’s “Happy Me” Territory

Escada Joyful – It’s “Happy Me” Territory

Hello lovelies Today I’ve got a gorgeous, girly fragrance to tell you about, just in time as we count down to Spring! On Monday (18 August 2014) the new ESCADA Joyful fragrance hits the shelf. It’s a playful, dreamy and confident scent that sparkles with energy and a luminous body. Happiness in a bottle, symbolic of city Skyscrapers.   Delicate and light, this pretty pink juice evokes the shimmering quality of morning dew. It’s floral, with a scent that reveals freshly cut flowers, rather than a rose saturated fragrance. It’s transparent and creamier, definitely a girly and confident scent. The top notes open with blackcurrant sorbet, energising mandarin and melon. At the heart, fruity accords are balanced by a twist of violet leaves and pink peonies (my favourite flower). The heart is further enhanced with natural magnolia oil, cyclamen and peppering pink freesia. The base features a unique ingredient, earthy florimoss, wrapped with the creaminess of sandalwood and infused with the rich warmth of honeycomb. Beautiful and feminine! Fronting this campaign is the gorgeous, pretty, girly and sophisticated super model, Miranda Kerr. She is the ESCADA woman; approaching life with positivity, spontaneity and confidence, captivated by the beauty in the world around her. “I am delighted to be associated with ESCADA Joyful. I love what the…

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August 15, 2014
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