BellaSugar

Reader Review of the Day: Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:00:51 -0700

Choosing a fragrance is a such a subjective experience, and I'm always game to hear opinions on perfumes - particularly when it comes to Tom Ford fragrances. Reader Poptart Princess recently reviewed Tom Ford Fragrances Black Orchid Voile de Fleur ($92), a subtler take on his original Black Orchid, which was launched in 2006. Here's what Poptart Princess had to say about this toned-down version:

[It's] elegant and sophisticated. At first whiff, I found it reminiscent of Michael Kors's first fragrance because it's got the same creamy-dreamy, balmy, lushness to it, but with the drydown comes an edgy twist. While I personally wouldn't consider it for daytime/everyday wear, it's a gorgeous scent. Perhaps the body cream/lotion would be better if you plan on wearing it every day.

If you like reviewing products, it's easy to do in our Product Reviews section. There are more than 50,000 items from which to choose. So, come on, fill us in. What beauty products are your must haves these days?

Fragrance Review: Tom Ford White Patchouli

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:01:38 -0700

With the breathtaking Erykah Badu in the ads (which you loved) and a devastatingly chic white opal glass bottle with 23K gold accents, Tom Ford White Patchouli ($92) certainly has the bells and whistles that make up a cult classic. But as it turns out, I would still wear this fragrance if it came in a plastic spray bottle sold on the street.

White Patchouli is characterized as a "floral-infused wood fragrance," so the patchouli is surrounded by notes of peony, rose, and jasmine. Because I wear a lot of rose (Stella by Stella McCartney also has rose and peony), something about this fragrance is familiar but still fresh. There's a sexy, musky undertone that's very Tom Ford, but also something vibrant about it. Depending how you spend your days and nights, this may be best for the p.m. hours, though it could also make for a hauntingly sexy signature scent. Of course, I can't stop smelling myself, and that's never a good office look.

Love It or Hate It? Erykah Badu Teams Up With Tom Ford

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:00:15 -0700

Remember Tom Ford's raunchy cologne ads? (They're borderline NSFW.) This new ad seems downright wholesome in comparison. The immensely talented Erykah Badu is the face of his forthcoming fragrance, White Patchouli.

I think she looks strong, confident, sensuous - in a word, gorgeous. Can't wait to see more pictures, especially since this campaign already seems to revere, not objectify, women in general. What do you think?

Love It or Hate It? Tom Ford For Men Campaign

BellaSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:07:10 -0700

We've already seen a few ads for Tom Ford For Men, the new fragrance that hits Saks on September 24. As it turns out, those were the tame ones! Tom and photographer Terry Richardson saved their raunchiest photos for the website, where you can see some ads that are definitely not safe for work. What do you think of this campaign? Is it sexy, as Tom claims, or tacky? (I bet you can guess what I think.)

What Do You Think of Tom Ford's New Campaign?

BellaSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:46:02 -0700

I have a lot of friends who love Tom Ford. Personally, I find his sex shtick a little trite; I think he distills women into body parts, which is neither terribly creative nor lady-friendly. No matter whether you love him or loathe him, though, I bet you'll have something to say about his new ad campaign for his eponymous men's fragrance, featuring photography by the maestro of sleaze, Terry Richardson.

According to WWD, "the photos range from tame to titillating - the most shocking being the Tom Ford for Men bottle wedged between a woman's glistening thighs, with the bottle barely covering her bare genitalia."

To see one of the ads that definitely falls into the "titillating" category, and that you might not want to look at while your boss is over your shoulder, read more

These ads will begin appearing in magazines beginning in October. Vanity Fair and Details are already signed up. I actually like the first ad because it's sexy but not skanky. The second one just isn't my thing. Considering the obvious porn aesthetic, do you think this ad will be a hit with male readers? Do you think it's sexy or tacky? Or maybe both?

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Does Tom Ford's Fragrance Have the White Stuff?

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:59:50 -0700

Here's a question about fragrance that's considerably more scandalous than most: Does Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather fragrance smell like cocaine? That's the latest hearsay, and New York magazine got to the bottom of the question:

Well, according to cognoscenti of that drug, yes, a bit. “That’s what everyone says,” admits a counterboy at the Ford store on Madison, who adds that one customer even bought a bottle because he thought it smelled like coke.

I'm a teetotaling child of the Just Say No era, so I have no interest in finding out what cocaine smells like. (Seriously, if I'm at a party and someone has it, I become an awkward wallflower and start praying for Nancy Reagan to swoop in and tell me that coke is a joke and that it's okay to feel so uncomfortable around people who are high as a kite.)

So really, I have no idea whether Tuscan Leather smells like the white stuff. The scent has notes of saffron, raspberry, thyme, olibanum, night-blooming jasmine, leather, black suede and amberwood-none of which are illegal South American exports. What do you think? Are people just buying into hype, or is it just a really good scent?

Tom Ford's Decadent New Fragrance

FabSugar — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 12:01:32 -0800

As part of his new Tom Ford Beauty line, the designer has just released a fragrance, called Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum, that's as exotic and decadent as the flower it's named after. The spicy, sexy scent contains top notes of black truffle and bergamot combined with hints of patchouli, deep florals, vetiver, and incense.

Since the black orchid is one of the most elusive and unattainable hybrids in existence, Ford's perfume has a fitting air of mystery, packaged in a black-glass bottle with gold engraving. You can buy a 50-ml bottle for $90 or a 100-ml bottle for $135 here. Or, if that's not luxurious enough for you, Neiman Marcus is also offering a Limited-Edition Black Orchid Perfume, which comes with a collectible black-crystal bottle created by Lalique, a gold funnel used to pour the fragrance into the carafe, and a black-velvet pouch. You can get it for a cool $600 here.

Tom Ford For Estee Lauder: Azurēe Soleil Collection

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:11:22 -0700

Last year Tom Ford created a smashing cosmetics collection called Azurēe Soleil which was based around two color families: plums and neutrals. The line is intended to make it easy for every woman to create his signature look: a nude lip, a smoky eye and a dusted cheek. It is comprised of 25 products such as : lipsticks, lip glosses, eye liners, lip liners, nail polishes, lip SPF/lip conditioner, cheek glows, eyeshadow duos, face glows, body oils, a mirror and a fragrance.

The packaging is quite beautiful too. Each piece is gold and turquoise and reminds me of the old style makeup that my grandmother owned. Mr. Ford came up with the idea based on a 1969 fragrance of Estee's in the same color scheme. He decided to make a vintage looking collection to revamp Estee Lauder's original idea.

The name is a combo of Côte d’Azur and Estēe Lauder. Pretty fresh, huh? The fragrance was a limited edition, but is now available again. Enjoy!

To see close ups of the complete collection, read more

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The Votes Are In: Best Fragrance Debut of 2008 Is Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani

BellaSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:00:17 -0800

This year, it was all about the celeb fragrance - whether it was Paris Hilton flinging her Fairy Dust our way or Anne Hathaway being Magnifique in one comment-provoking ad. While there were many worthy fragrances that launched over these past twelve months - both celebrity backed and star-free - the Best Fragrance Debut of 2008 goes to. . .
Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani.

OK, as long-time readers know, I didn't dig these scents, but fragrance is so subjective, eh? For me, I really enjoyed Tom Ford White Patchouli, a hauntingly sexy scent. Need more top choices from 2008? Be sure to take a peek at the rest of favorites across the Sugar network right now.

Best of Bella, 9/28

BellaSugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 07:04:17 -0700

Makeup artist Carmindy's latest book has tips, tricks and pep talks.
You might not be sure what your biggest skincare problem is, but yoga teacher-turned-skincare guru Kimberly Snyder has The Solution.
In an exclusive interview, Eva Mendes reveals she can't leave home without her eyes. She means makeup.
Debbie Zoller, the makeup artist for Mad Men, gives all the tips you need to put on your best Joan Holloway.
Spill your biggest beauty blunders, lest you repeat them.
Tom Ford's new fragrance, White Patchouli, smells as good as Erykah Badu looks.

Find out how to do six-minute makeup, straight from the Emmys makeup artist.
There's controversy galore in the comments. Who knew Hayden Panettiere's makeup would cause such a ruckus?
Meet some of the most inspiring beauticians in the world.
America Ferrera's hairstylist explains how to get her Emmys hairstyle at home.

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