BellaSugar

Fragrance Review: Jessica Simpson Fancy

BellaSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:10 -0700

From country singer to pop star to hair extension creator, this multi-talented lady has done it all. Her latest venture takes her into the fragrance world. When I first heard of the aromas featured in Jessica Simpson's perfume, Fancy ($49-$59), I suddenly had the urge to make a sundae. Apricot, pear, toasted almonds, caramel? Yep, my teeth started aching just thinking about it.

The name of the perfume didn't raise my hopes; when something's described as "fancy," that usually means it's just the opposite. But upon experiencing my first whiff of the scent, I was pleasantly surprised. The aroma isn't as sticky-sweet as I envisioned - it's more sophisticated than the overly literal smells of Jess's earlier Dessert line. I loved Fancy's lightness of apricot and pear notes; and the vanilla helped to add a subtle balance to the blend. It's warm and inviting, and considering how men seem to go bananas for vanilla, it's a good first-date fragrance.

Although I'm impressed by the thought behind the blend, the floral notes - which include jasmine and gardenia - are just a little too, well, fancy for me. I like a hint of dirtiness in my fragrance, but if you love sweet, warm blends, Jessica's perfume is worth a sniff. Even though it's too vanilla for me (take that either way you like) it's pleasant and long-lasting, and it's bound to be a guilty pleasure of anyone who's normally opposed to the idea of celebrity fragrance in general.

Love It or Hate It? Jessica Simpson's New Fancy Love Ad

BellaSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:15:44 -0700

We've all had our ups and downs in the love department. Unfortunately, so has Jessica Simpson, who recently split with boyfriend Tony Romo on the night before her 29th birthday earlier this month.

But it's back to business for Jess with her latest fragrance, Fancy Love. "Romance has never been more important to me, so I wanted to celebrate that special feeling with this new fragrance," Jessica said in a June press release.

With the successful launch of Fancy last year, do you think Fancy Love will match up? As for the print advertisement in Jessica's latest fragrance endeavor, are you feeling the love, or is something about it just not working for you? Be sure to take my poll and check out People for more behind the inspiration of this new scent.

Fragrance Review: Anna Sui Flight of Fancy

BellaSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:00:52 -0800

Just a few short months ago, Anna Sui launched a new, fresh, floral and ultra feminine fragrance called Flight of Fancy. Since I like the packaging, I was hoping to love the scent. Unfortunately, I found it to be slightly too sweet for my taste. It combines notes of litchi, yuzu, lemon, star magnolia, rose, freesia, amber crystals, musk and white woods. The result: a flowery, candyish, overly sugary scent that gave me a headache.

Also, I thought it was kind of interesting that it smells a lot like her Secret Wish fragrance. Since the perfumes were displayed right next to each other at the counter at the department store, I tested them all out. The woman behind the counter shrugged when I asked her what the main differences were, which was a bit odd.

Even though the scent is too sweet for me, I really love the ad that goes along with Flight of Fancy. The fragrance was inspired by Anna's favorite bird, the peacock. So not only is the top of the colorful bottle shaped like a plume, but model Jessica Stam wears a decadent peacock hat with all kinds of plumes, net and feathers on it. I love the colors and the way she looks so girly.

Anna Sui Flight of Fancy is available in a 6.7 oz shower gel ($38), a 6.7 oz body lotion ($42), and in three various eau de toilette sizes ($45–$72). For those of you looking for something super sweet, it might be up your alley.

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Coming Soon: Anna Sui Night of Fancy

BellaSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:00:19 -0700

The latest fragrance from Anna Sui, to be released later this year, has a lovely bottle that beauty junkies are already swooning over. The perfume comes on very strong - when I first put it on, I thought I smelled like very fancy mouthwash. The scent dries down into a powdery blueberry, which isn't awful but feels a little Violet Beauregarde. In addition to blueberry as a top note, Night of Fancy also has grapefruit leaves and wild strawberries as well as warmer base notes like jasmin and cashmeran.

In all, this fragrance is a little teenage for my tastes, but perfume is a personal enterprise. My advice? Try before you buy.

If you'd like to check out the commercial, read more.

Source

Film Noir or Fancy Shampoo?

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:03:58 -0800

Do you know your film noir, doll? This cinematic genre often starred alluring actresses such as Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth, and Ava Gardner. Common features of these types of films include a highly stylized appearance of both the characters and scenery, a crime, and some sort of dramatic, sexual undertone in the backdrop - think The Maltese Falcon and Out of the Past, or in more modern films, Basic Instinct or No Country For Old Men. Along with these artistic flicks come some pretty creative names. Now it's time for you to do a little sleuthing of your own. Is it a film noir or a fancy shampoo?

Source

Take the quiz

Do You Use Fancy Deodorant?

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:32 -0700

A few weeks ago I received a sample of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant ($18), and I have to confess, since I'm so used to wearing your basic drugstore varieties, like Tom's of Maine or Secret, I have yet to try it out. It's not like I'm opposed to the fragrance, it's more that I'm unaccustomed to it and the shiny packaging it brings to the table. If you wear deodorant, are you all for the inexpensive drugstore varieties, or do you like fancier department store options?

Beauty Mark It Reminder: Fancy Hair Accessories

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:00:02 -0800

Just a reminder to share your favorite fancy hair accessories. I'm in love with this one from Colette Malouf, but the more options, the better.

You can share your choices by tagging them with the phrase fancy hair. I'll feature your favorites here tomorrow.

To learn about Beauty Mark It challenges and how to add your picks, check out this how-to. To see some of my favorite online beauty stores, read more

Saks Beauty Place
Sephora
Drugstore.com
Fred Segal Beauty
Folica
Amazon.com Beauty
Strawberrynet.com
Nordstrom
Bergdorf Goodman
Beauty.com

Fancy French Fragrance, or Classic French Film?

BellaSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:00:42 -0700

The luxury of a beautifully concocted French fragrance and the magic of a magnificent French film are both pleasures not to be missed, but are you enough of a sophisticate to be able to tell the difference? Take my quiz and find out if you know your Houbigants from your Gainsbourgs.

Take the quiz

The Look For Less: Nars' Hot Fall Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:18 -0700

Every time I hit Sephora, I gaze longingly at Nars Tokaido Express nail polish ($16). It's a deep, sophisticated purple with subtle gold flecks that a cool girl like Kim Gordon might wear if she were invited to a fancy-pants brunch. If you're looking for a similar shade at a smaller price, you're in luck. I've found a drugstore dupe that's pretty close to this shade. To hop aboard that train, just keep reading.

Beauty Mark It Results: Fancy Hair Accessories

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:00:27 -0800

Need a new bauble for your hair? You've come to the right place. My TeamSugar friends have suggested dozens of options, many of which are going on my wish list. For instance, CooleMama loves this hair clip ($16) because of its organic shape and reasonable price. On the punkier end of things are these studded barrettes - another affordable option found by Aimeeb. But as you'll see, there are plenty of good choices. (Now if that Miu Miu headband would just go to 90 percent off . . .)