BellaSugar

Six Fragrance Types at a Glance

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:00:31 -0800

The big trend right now in fragrance is gourmand, or food-based aromas, according to perfume expert Mandy Aftel. So what does it all mean anyway? Are you a floral kind of gal or does chypre do it for you? In case you're uncertain, check out six of some of the more popular fragrance category definitions below. Then, impress your friends with your olfactory group knowledge about the "juice" - 'cuz you know, that's how it's referred to in the biz.

Chypre: fresh, mossy, and leatherish	Gourmand: sweet and food-inspired	Florals: romantic, feminine, and smooth
Fougère: fresh, floral, and herbaceous	Orientals: sensual, exotic, and spicy	Citrus: crisp, light, and energizing

Definition: Citrus

BellaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:00:27 -0700

As the name might suggest, the citrus family of fragrances includes such notes as bergamot, lemon, orange, tangerine and grapefruit. Typically, other parts of the orange tree (petit grain, orange blossoms, and/or neroli oil) are added, which lend a slightly exotic feel.

Words used to describe these types of refreshing fragrances are: fresh, light, tangy, crisp, sharp, energizing, and uplifting. Loved by both men and women alike, notes of florals or chypres are often mixed in for complementary effects.

One of the oldest classifications of aromas, the first Eau de Cologne was a spirit-citrus perfume developed by an Italian perfumer in Cologne, Germany in 1709. A classic example of a citrus aroma in modern times is Mugler Cologne ($48 to $68), a unisex fragrance that has notes of bergamot, orange blossom, neroli, petit grain, green sap, and white musk.

Source

Definition: Orientals

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:08 -0700

When it comes to women's perfume, orientals are one of the more intense, longer lasting fragrance groups. Warm, sensual, exotic, and spicy, orientals are composed of rich notes such as musk, vanilla, balsam, and oakmoss. Floral types (aka, florientals) are naturally softer, while spicier versions can include nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or clove. This type of fragrance doesn't mess around.

A great example of an oriental fragrance is the classic Opium by Yves Saint Laurent ($50 to $95), which has notes of tangerine, plum, cloves, coriander, carnation, lily of the valley, rose, myrrh, cedarwood, and sandalwood. Also try, Guerlain L'Heure Bleue ($68), with notes of rose, iris, jasmine, vanilla, and musk.

Want to learn more about some other fragrance categories? Check them out here.

Definition: Fougère

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:00:11 -0700

Fougère, which means "fern" in French, is a fragrance family including fresh, floral, herbaceous and woody/warm elements, typically blended with notes like: bergamot, oakmoss, lavender, coumarin (tonka bean), sandalwood, and geranium. While a fern doesn't have a distinctive smell per se, this particular fragrance classification implies a mossy green, forest-like aroma.

Pronounced "foozh-air," fragrances from this group take their name from the 1885 scent, Houbigant's Fougère Royale. Although predominately found in men's fragrances, fougères are popular in several women's fragrances, as well.

Classic examples? Davidoff Cool Water ($48 to $65), with notes of Lavender, Rosemary, Mint, Coriander, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Geranium, Sandalwood, Moss, Ambergris, and Musk. Also, Revlon Jean Nate ($16.99), which has notes of lemon, bergamot, lavender, rose, jasmine, muguet, geranium, spices, amber, musk, and patchouli.

Definition: Florals

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:00:34 -0700

While it's not an exact science, fragrances can be separated into various categories, or olfactory groups, if you will. Florals comprise the most popular and largest group of all of the perfume blends. Often carefully mixed with elements of fruity, spicy, or powdery notes, florals are known for their natural smoothness and feminine, romantic qualities.

Florals can be delicately blended together to create a wonderfully balanced bouquet or they can be "soli flora," meaning one floral note is used - the ever popular scent of rose, for instance.

Perhaps one of the most quintessential of the florals is the classic Chanel N°5 (price varies by type), which contains notes of ylang ylang, neroli, and jasmine, among others.

Source

Definition: Gourmand

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:38 -0700

If you're a "foodie" like Yum, a gourmand is someone who truly appreciates good food. In Bella's world, however, gourmand is a classification of the fragrance kind.

While often associated with sweeter notes, gourmand fragrances encompass edible, food-flavored aromas, such as coffee, cupcake, whiskey, chocolate, almond, caramel, vanilla, and even cotton candy. Sweet or spicy, gourmand fragrances have gained popularity in recent times, as these types of aromas possess relaxing, nourishing qualities.

An excellent example of a gourmand scent is the pioneering Angel by Thierry Mugler ($25 to $157), which includes such culinary delights as bergamot, honey, dewberry, red berries, vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. Mmm.

Source

Definition: Chypre

BellaSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:00:58 -0700

Chypre - that's French for cyprus - is a family of fragrances featuring fresh notes (usually citrus) blended with herbaceous, woody-animalic notes like patchouli, oakmoss, and/or labdanum. Woody and warm, chypres often have leatherish characteristics, and are often paired with fruity or floral notes.

Since Coty's 1917 perfume called Chypre was so wildly popular, the term chypre (pronounced "sheepra") became the generic word to describe these rich, aromatic blends.

A great example of a chypre fragrance is Estée Lauder Knowing Eau de Parfum Spray ($28 to $63), which has notes of tuberose, mimosa, plum, jasmine, patchouli, orange flower, oakmoss, vetiver, sandalwood, and amber.

Source

Take a Look at the 2009 CEW Award Winners!

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:00:13 -0700

What do all of these products have in common? They're just a few of the select winners of this year's 2009 Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Awards. If you're not familiar, each year, members of the CEW, who are working professionals in the industry, gather together to select their top beauty picks of the year.

It's like what the Grammys are to a musician or what the Oscars mean to an actor. Over 4,000 votes were cast for 2009, with nearly 550 products entered in 28 categories, covering the whole beauty gamut. Curious to see what products prevailed in these prestigious awards? Find out when you read more.

2009 CEW BEAUTY AWARDS WINNERS

Bath and Body

Body Treatment - Mass: Avon Products, Inc. Anew Clinical Professional Stretch Mark Smoother
Body Treatment - Prestige: Ojon Tawaka "The Ball"
Scented Bath & Body - Mass: Vickery & Clarke Natural Apothecary Eucalyptus & Peppermint Cold & Sinus Soak
Scented Bath & Body - Prestige: Fresh Fig Apricot Bath and Shower Gel

Facial Skin Care

Acne Treatment: Clean & Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser Exfoliating Cleanser
Anti-Aging - Mass: Olay Regenerist 14 Day Skin Intervention
Anti-Aging - Prestige: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector
Cleanser and Scrub - Mass: Neutrogena Wave Power Cleanser and Deep Clean Foaming Pads
Cleanser and Scrub - Prestige: Fresh Appleseed Brightening Exfoliant
Eye Treatment - Mass: Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
Eye Treatment - Prestige: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Eye Treatment
Moisturizer - Mass: Olay Definity Color Recapture
Moisturizer - Prestige: Estée Lauder Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Moisturizer SPF 15

Hair

Hair Care, Style, and Coloring - Mass: Avon Advance Techniques Grey Root Touch-Up
Hair Care, Style, and Coloring - Prestige: Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair

Makeup

Eye Product - Mass: L'Oréal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara
Eye Product - Prestige: Lancôme Ôscillation
Face Product - Mass: CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation
Face Product - Prestige: Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Foundation
Lip Product - Mass: Avon Pro-To-Go Lipstick
Lip Product - Prestige: YSL Rouge Volupté Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15

Men's Grooming

Men’s Grooming: Zirh Drenched

Scent

Men's Scent: Prada Infusion d'Homme Eau de Toilette Spray
Women's Scent - Mass: Avon Bond Girl 007
Women's Scent - Prestige: Harajuku Lovers Fragrances "G"

Sun

Sun Product - Mass: Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray SPF 70
Sun Product - Prestige: Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream

Indie Beauty Award (The brightest new start-up in the world of beauty.)

Nia 24

Avon Puts Courteney Cox in the Spotlight

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:05:11 -0800

You might know that actress Courteney Cox currently serves as celeb spokesperson for the antiaging skincare line, Kinerase. Well, now she's headed to the fragrance category.

Nope, the botox dabbling Cox isn't joining the already crowded bundle of celebrity perfume makers. She is, however, set to be the face of Spotlight, ($22.50) a new fragrance from Avon.

According to WWD, the juice will have a fresh, oriental scent with top notes of mandarin, shining silver, and bergamot; middle notes of mimosa, tuberose absolute, and white freesia; and bottom notes of sandalwood, cashmere, white vanilla musk, and vetiver.

Want to be in the Spotlight? Check out Avon.com or go through one of the company's 600,000 sales reps next Summer, when the scent is officially released. “Since I’m the kind of person that’s very loyal to a fragrance, having worn the same fragrance for 10 years, it’s nice to have a new one that I’m so proud of,” said Cox.

Photos courtesy of WWD

Beauty Mark It! Fragrances Under $25

BellaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:24 -0800

The term "cheap perfume" doesn't exactly have positive connotations. But just because it might cost less, does that mean a fragrance should be discredited? Nope - there are plenty of good ones lumped into the inexpensive category.

So, for this week's Beauty Mark It challenge, fill me in. Which on-the-cheap fragrances are so fabulous, people stop you on the street to ask what you're wearing? Don't forget about the flip side, too. Which of these cheapos are also stinkos?

Just go to the fragrances under $25 section of our wildly popular Product Reviews website and review away. So, get spritzing and dabbing - I'll pick my top three favorites and feature them here next Tuesday.

Source