BellaSugar

The Enchanting Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume

BellaSugar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:00:51 -0700

Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean was inspired by Catherine Zeta-Jones and her love of and fondness for the Mediterranean Sea. It was created by perfume artisan Claude Dir, who successfully captured the essence of Capri and Sardinia, where blue skies and warm sea breezes meld with the smell of mountains and warm sand.

The fragrance features floral and wood notes such as peach nectar, sorbet, wisteria, sandalwood, mandarin plum, star magnolia, orchid, musk and amber. The feminine, oval bottle is made from cerulean blue heavy glass, ostensibly to match the color of the sea. The cap is hammered silver-a gorgeous compliment to the icy blue fluid.

The Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean collection consists of a 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray for $47.50, a 3.3 oz Eau de Parfum Spray for $57.50, 6.8 oz Body Lotion for $29.50 and a .63 oz Body Shimmer Powder for $35. It's available now, and is much more affordable than a plane ticket and seaside vacation!

Fragrance Review: Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Breeze

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:00:44 -0700

Earlier this week, I was perusing the cosmetics department at Bloomingdales. I started chatting with a sales rep, and I asked him which brands he's into most these days. He listed off a few that didn't surprise me, and then he added, "And you know, Elizabeth Arden is making a big comeback."

I was glad to hear him say this because I've been thinking the same thing. For the longest time, I felt like the brand had a bit of an old-lady feel, but the more I try out its products, the more I think, "Huh! This is actually. . . really well done, and not at all in a Rose Nylund way."

So I was interested in smelling Elizabeth Arden's new fragrance, Mediterranean Breeze ($57) It's a limited-edition reinterpretation of last year's Mediterranean. Compared to the original, it's lighter and not quite as sweet. For the full review, read more.

It features top notes of white nectarine, bergamot, and sparkling grapefruit, and middle notes of florals and sweet almond oil. The base notes of musky cedarwood and sandalwood dance gently with the florals to neutralize what would otherwise be an overpowering sweetness. The result is a "clean" smell that doesn't verge into fabric softener territory.

My only complaint is the same that I have for most light, fresh scents: It doesn't stick around too long once applied. And even though I would love to escape to the Mediterranean for the real thing, a bottle of this will transport me for now.

Frédéric Malle's Scent of Mediterranean Nights

BellaSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:00:23 -0700

This light and sweet Frédéric Malle Editions de Parfums Lys Mediterranée ($120) is one of those great scents that perfectly captures the warmth and excitement of a Summer evening. In fact, the high-end fragrance, created by famed perfumer Edouard Fléchier, is designed to evoke evenings by the Mediterranean seaside.

Fléchier is probably best known as the man behind 1985's top-selling fragrance, Poison by Christian Dior. Just looking at that familiar purple bottle makes me melt, and I was only 8 years old when it came out. Thankfully, Lys Mediterranée is far more subdued than Poison. It's made from ginger lily, lily of the valley, angelica root, orange flower, water lily, and musk, which gives it a crisp, breezy feel.

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See Dolce & Gabbana's New Makeup Line - Scarlett, Too

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:00:22 -0800

About a month ago, I asked you who you thought would be the face of the newly announced Dolce & Gabbana makeup line. Most of you guessed Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester, but those of you who had a hunch it was Scarlett Johansson were right. Of their newly tapped spokesperson, Gabbana told WWD, "Scarlett is sure of herself." He added, "She’s a beautiful girl, but she’s really easygoing. She is very Dolce & Gabbana."
Learn about what item will be the core of the line, along with the inspiration behind the shade choices when you read more.

The luxe collection will roll out at the beginning of February at Saks' Beverly Hills and Fifth Avenue stores, with colors inspired by vivid blues from the Mediterranean, the dark burgundy shade of dahlia (Gabbana's favorite flower), and gold and black from Stromboli. As for the packaging, it captures Dolce & Gabbana’s deluxe style with shiny gold tones and curved edges. A long time coming, Dolce & Gabbana Makeup will feature rose-scented lipstick ($30) at the heart of the line, along with a peppery mascara ($28). Besides bronzing powder, lip gloss, eye and lip pencils, and blush, expect to see eye shadow duos ($36), nail lacquer ($20), and powder foundation ($59), too.

Photo courtesy of WWD

Giorgio Armani Bronze Mania 2008 Ochra Collection

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:00:27 -0700

New from Giorgio Armani Beauty is the 2008 Bronze Mania 2008 Ochra Collection. This sultry group of treats is made up of six skin tints, a pinky-bronze fluid sheer luminizer, two lipsticks, four lip shimmers, and a brown mascara.

However, the most buzz-worthy item is definitely the Magnificent Mediterranean Palette ($85). Inside of the sleek round black compact you'll find a mirror, four shimmery eye shadows (on the top level) and a sheer bronzer (on the bottom level). Once again, you can see Sasha Pivovarova modeling the collection, and might I add that she looks H-O-T!

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For pricing information and a brief description of the new items, read more

Skin Tints: ($55) helps create a wash of natural looking sun-kissed color all over your face. They are available in six sexy shades that can be worn all year round.
Mediterranean Palette: ($85) houses four metallic gold eye shadows and a medium, shimmery sheer bronzer.
Fluid Sheer: ($55) is an illuminating veil of color for your face. Use #3 all over or on your cheekbones for an added touch of pinky-bronze.
Sheer Lipstick: ($25) is moisturizing and creamy lipstick that has added two new colors (#5 and #18) to its kind.
Lip Shimmer: ($26) is a sparkling, iridescent and smooth lip gloss. The four new shades (#50, #51, #52 and #53), are a welcome addition to the group.
Maestro Mascara: ($26) is a mascara favorite. Aside from black, it is now also available in a medium brown color.

Mark Makes a Greek Vacation Into an "Instant" Reality

BellaSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:00:45 -0700

This summer, two huge films feature the Greek Isles in their backdrop: Mamma Mia! and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, which opens today.

While a trip to the Greek Isles will have to remain a fantasy for me just this second, I can thank Mark for bringing an "instant vacation" right to me with their Mark Instant Vacation Greek Isles Fragrance Mist ($15).

I love the turquoise blue bottle, which reminds me of the bright waters and skies of Greece. Floral notes such as gardenia and white freesia impart a lighter tone than the predominately honey-and-coconut scent. It's a warm, slightly fruity fragrance with decent staying power (plus, it's not overwhelmingly heavy). I also like the fact that even though it is reminiscent of warmer climates, it can be spritzed well into any season. It isn't the most distinctive scent you'll ever try, but it's pleasant and fresh. One day I hope to spend more time in this beautiful Mediterranean island. For now, I'll take this journey - even if it's really only in the aromatic sense.

Summer 2007 Giorgio Armani Bronze Mania Collection

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:00:39 -0700

The 2007 summer collection from Giorgio Armani Beauty is called Bronze Mania. It was inspired by the colors of the glorious beaches, vast sands and bright prominent flowers of the Mediterranean. Comprised of golds, chocolates, reds and mauves, everything has a metallic sheen to make your summer skin glisten.

The limited edition collection includes a new Shine Lipstick ($25) two new Lip Shimmers ($26), a redding brown Maestro Mascara ($26), three new Golden Eye Shadows ($24), Bronze Mania Face and Body Gel ($80), a double cream blush compact called Bronzing Face Duo ($65) and two shades of cream to powder Summer Foundation ($55).

The last product in the collection is the Gold Mediterranean Palette ($85). The top level includes four eye shadows formulated with mother-of-pearl in gold copper brown, orange gold, nude gold beige and sparkling gold earth and the bottom level houses a sheer powder bronzer. All of the products are an absolutely stunning and worthwhile summer indulgence!

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A Little Slice of the Italian Riviera Right Here at Home

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:00:11 -0700

Recently, I introduced you to the new world of Borghese nail lacquers and their awesome double brushes. Since I'm such a fan, I thought you'd like to hear about the most recent Summer 2008 launch called Portofino Del Sole. The collection includes six shimmery shades that were inspired by the breathtaking landscape in Portofino, Italy - a Mediterranean port and destination for the rich and lavish.

I'm not much of a shimmer fan when it comes to my nails (especially reds or lavenders), but I'll rock just about anything on my toes. After trying out Florentine Gold, I'm smitten. Not only do I love the authentic, yellowy pale gold color, but I gave myself a quickie pedicure last night and was pleased that it didn't streak at all and that the polish dried relatively quickly. Also, I'll remind you again that the lacquers are free of DBPs, toluene, and formaldehyde - and they leave you with a long-lasting shine. What else is there to say besides, bellissima!

To read a description of each of the shades in the collection, read more.

Florentine Gold is a medium-toned, frosty gold.
Portofino Gold is a shimmery pinky-gold.
Bronzatta Gold is a pale bronze.
Siena Gold is a gingery, pink-copper.
Rubioso Gold is an icy, frosted ruby shade.
Amethysta Gold is a mauvey-lilac.

Fragrance Review: Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo di Sicilia

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:17 -0700

Acqua di Parma's Blu Mediterraneo line ($36–$92) looks so fresh and springlike with its blue packaging. That drew me in, but the concept - a quartet of fragrances inspired by Italy's Mediterranean coast - is intriguing. Plus, it's the closest thing I have to an Italian vacation right now. (Ahem, if you're reading, George, I am free for a Lake Como trip whenevah.)

Of the four scents, one stood out: Mandorlo di Sicilia. It's a gourmand fragrance, which means it'll appeal to foodies and fragrance fiends alike. While it features essential oils of orange, lavender, bergamot, and almond, it was difficult for me to discern those notes. Instead, the scent pleasantly reminded me of climbing sassafras trees as a child. It wasn't precisely the same, but it still had an outdoorsy, vaguely root beer fragrance that's fresher than the soda itself. Later, I learned that mandorlo means "almond tree," so my nature-girl association wasn't so far off.

I didn't buy it, simply because there's only so often I'll want to smell like trees and root beer. But if you love fresh, outdoorsy, and slightly food-like scents, you'll like this warm and comforting perfume.

Coming Soon: Michael Kors Island Capri

BellaSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:00:47 -0800

The latest from Michael Kors Beauty, is an eau de parfum called Island Capri. The fragrance is made with notes of orange bigarade, bergamot, rose, violet de Parma, dark fig, olive tree accord, jasmine, green basil, cypress, and white moss. It's a soft scent that at first spray is clearly very feminine and sensual.

The inspiration was the Italian island of Capri. I was there about ten years ago and was awed by the beauty and glamour of this isle of the rich and famous. On Capri, champagne flows like water, every designer label is omnipresent and the homes are huge and perfectly manicured. When I say this is the destination of those with wealth, I'm talking about people who have so much money that it isn't even funny.

It's no wonder why Michael Kors fell in love with this "beauty utopia." The waters are home to famous grottos, there are cascading rocks and the jet-setters are fascinating to look at. Perhaps that's why he chose gorgeous, tan Carmen Kass to model in the ads.

The bottle was also created to reflect the Island. The blue glass is representative of the Mediterranean Sea while the shiny cap depicts relaxed beach luxury. Island Capri will be available on counters this month in a 1.7 ounce eau de parfum ($60), a 5 ounce body gelèe ($27.50) and a sparkling sheer fuchsia lip gloss ($12). Do you think this is something you would buy for yourself or as a holiday gift for someone special?

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