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: 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.

Play-Doh Scents For Your Grown-Up Self

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:36 -0800

I have yet to meet a person that doesn't get nostalgic when Play-Doh is mentioned. Whether you were a fan of the spaghetti-making attachment or the hair-growing factory, there was something for everyone when it came to that colorful modeling compound. We all know that Play-Doh has that distinctive musky almond scent, which has been described as an oriental vanilla, but you don't have to go around smelling exactly like the concoction to get the same effect. Here are some options reminiscent of this popular childhood favorite, but with a decidedly more grown-up appeal.

New Product Alert: Decléor Rose D'Orient Night Balm

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:00:25 -0700

Decléor Rose d'Orient Night Balm ($65.50) is a fantastic, rich and soothing product best suited for sensitive skin, irritated and rosacea-afflicted skin. It helps cells regenerate faster while strengthening and calming the skin-all without the use of chemical ingredients and/or preservatives.

The balms are made from essential oils and plant waxes, and Decléor prefers them for the wee hours of the night because their molecular structure is similar to the skin’s. This formulation allows skin to breathe like it would naturally and when you awaken, your face feels more supple, less red and it better balanced.

In my opinion, the texture is unbelievable too. It is creamy and it smells faintly of roses (mmm). This small-ish one-ounce jar will last about a year if you are careful-so it's definitely worth the investment if you are on the market for a calming facial night balm.

What to do When Your Favorite Fragrance Gets Discontinued

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Recently, a fragrance that I've loved for years, Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille Peche, disappeared from Sephora and from store shelves in general. I use a ton of different fragrances, and I fall in love with something new every week, but there was something special about this one; it just smelled like me. I was incredibly bummed and almost panicked. Even Mr. Bella was sad. But then I decided to stop freaking out, pull myself up by my bootstraps, and do what anyone who really loves perfume, and a good challenge, would do: go on a quest for a fragrance that either replicated my original scent or smelled just as good on me. Along the way, I picked up some tips to make the journey a little easier. To find out how you can get back to good, too, just read more

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:01:31 -0700

Chanel's Jade nail polish is bound to sell out - Stylelist
Ted Gibson knocks $5 off his shampoo for you - Daily Makeover
Carol Shaw of LORAC gives brow-perfecting tips - Beauty and the Blog
How to wear liquid highlighter - Makeup and Beauty Blog
The Mandarin Oriental spa is luxe to the max - Beauty Snob
Daphne Guinness teams up with Comme des Garçons for a scent - The Moment
Shu Uemura goes manga-style for its new oils - The Cut

Cologne: Not Just For Guys

BellaSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0700

It's not too often that we see female celebrities creating male colognes, but Kylie Minogue is about to play a little role reversal with the launch of her latest fragrance, Inverse for Men ($42). The cologne, inspired by the "complex, colorful" men in Kylie's life, launches in September in Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany.

The amber-oriental scent will feature top notes of frozen lavender, blood mandarin, and warm spices; middle notes of benzoin, heliotrope, nutmeg, and tonka beans; and base notes of labdanum resin, skin musk, patchouli leaves, condensed milk, and atlas cedarwood. I must admit: while the scent skews a bit masculine, I wouldn't mind dabbing a bit of this hearty scent on my skin.

In fact, Sarah Jessica Parker once told The New York Times that her special blend of fragrances includes Bonne Bell Skin Musk ($14), an Egyptian oil, and "a fairly costly male scent." That scent? It's Comme des Garçons Incense Avignon ($78), an intense, heavy blend. What about you? Are you a fan of wearing men's cologne, or do you tend to stay away from male-inspired scents?

Coming Soon: Halle by Halle Berry

BellaSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:00:44 -0800

Halle Berry is the kind of woman you'd be jealous of, except she seems like a smart, down-to-earth lady who you could be friends with. She's one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood, she seems thrilled to be a mom to baby Nahla, and she's in love. It's safe to say that for her, life smells pretty sweet right now . . . which is just the kind of corny pun I'll use to tell you about Halle's new fragrance endeavor.

Launching next week, Halle by Halle Berry ($17–$35 for EDP) is a woody, oriental scent. The top notes are Sicilian bergamot, fig leaves, and pear blossom layered over heart notes of freesia petals, hibiscus flower, and ultra mimosa. A dry-down of sandalwood, driftwood, cashmere musk, olibanum sbsolute, and sensual amber add a more sensual tone. Along with eaux de parfum sizes, the scent will be available as a body lotion. If it succeeds in making me feel half as beautiful as Halle is, I'll consider it a huge success.

View 2 Photos ›

How-To: Natalie Portman's Makeup at the 2009 Oscars

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:00:28 -0800

I'd have to say that Natalie Portman's Cinematography award presentation (with Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix) was one of last night's most memorably awkward moments. While she did a great job of looking uncomfortable, it was also hard to miss her stunning beauty.

View 5 Photos ›

Chanel makeup artist Jeanine Lobell was inspired by Natalie's orchid Rodarte dress in creating this look, aiming for "cool punk-rock sexy fairy." That's quite a mouthful, but it's also quite a pretty style, so get step-by-step instructions when you read more.

Eyes: To achieve this smoky eye look, use Chanel Silky Eye Shadow Duo in Orient Express. Apply the pale pink as a base and then smudge the dark purple hue into the lower lash line and to create the smoky eye on the top lid. Next, add the Noir Intense Eye Pencil inside the eye. Finish up with Inimitable Mascara (in Noir Black) on the lashes and Perfect Brows (in Brun) to define the brow.
Cheeks: Add Chanel Powder Blush in Narcisse high on the cheekbones for a splash of color.
Lips: For a pale glossy effect, apply the lavender Glossimer in Galactic to unlined lips.
Body: With a strapless dress like this one, get a sexy, bronze sheen by using Sheer Brillance on arms, shoulders and décolleté.

Source

Fragrance Trend Predictions For 2009

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:00:10 -0800

At the beginning of each year, as companies start forecasting anticipated trends, I can't help but get excited. I'm fascinated by the amount of research and scientific analysis that goes into the process. It's a bit psychology, economics, and a whole lot of creativity. Pantone, for instance, predicts tones that affect the fashion and home industries, trickling down to cosmetics and other beauty items, too. Even the food industry has their version with flavor trends. And recently, it was the fragrance industry's turn, as Perfumer & Flavorist magazine announced the results of Bell Flavors and Fragrances top 10 profiles for 2009. Here's a bit more about fragrance types, and check out the scents below:

Tilleul/linden flower (limey).
Sandalwood with creamy lactones (organic compounds that have milky, creamy, and coconut qualities).
Deep dry amber notes.
Floral rose violet.
Tuberose orange flower.

See the rest when you read more.

Citrus aromatic.
Oriental floral.
Floral fruity.
Floral woody.
Woody - olive wood, precious wood, and cedar wood notes.