BellaSugar

Definition: Vetiver

BellaSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:00:15 PST

Vetiver is a common ingredient in fragrances and after shave for men, but until I became a beauty editor, I had no idea what it actually was. As it turns out, vetiver is a tall grass that grows in volcanic areas of India and Haiti.

The essential oil that comes from vetiver is derived from its extensive network of roots. They are washed, chopped, soaked in water, and distilled to create a green, herbal scent similar to a really fresh potato peeling.

Vetiver oil also has other uses than fragrance. It has antiseptic and muscle-relaxing qualities, and it can be taken orally to calm nervous tension or used topically to heal redness, skin irritation, and inflammation on sensitive or oily skin. If you are interested in layering vetiver, it also very much complements lavender, patchouli, and sandalwood.

Source

Interview: Frédéric Malle on '70s Paris, Imitation as Flattery, and More

Annie Tomlin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:00:28 PDT

If you have even the slightest interest in fragrances, you know of Frédéric Malle, the founder of Editions de Parfums. Since debuting 11 years ago, the collection has given some of the most creative noses in the business an opportunity to create scents outside of the usual constraints of marketing needs. This past Saturday, we caught up with Malle at Barneys New York to talk about his Parisian upbringing, copycat perfumes, and influences. Keep reading for the interview.

What We're Sweet On: The Body Wash That Will Have You Lingering in the Shower

Jaime Richards — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:05:00 PDT

I've always been one of those people who absolutely can't wait to hop in the shower, Elemis's Tranquil Touch Creamy Body Wash ($35) smells so good, it makes me want to linger just a bit longer. Made with sweet almond oil to soften and hydrate, this creamy cleanser is scented with patchouli, cedarwood, and vetiver. While it's light and fresh, it also has a heady, powdery essence; it's perfect for the upcoming change of season. And even though the formula is rich and creamy, it still has plenty of sudsing action.

Outside Lands: Sandwiches Behind the Scenes

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:45:28 PDT

San Francisco's Outside Lands Music Festival isn't just about the tunes - food and drink play a big part, too. Case in point: the sandwich offerings, as documented by Between the Bread.
I have yet to dine at Maverick or Flour + Water, though both are on my list. So in between catching sets by MGMT, The Roots, Vetiver, Mavis Staples, Beirut, and many more at this weekend's Outside Lands festival in Golden Gate Park, I sampled sandwich offerings from these two must-eat San Francisco eateries.

I love that Outside Lands eschews typical festival fare for booths from local restaurants, including my beloved Phil'z Coffee, Andalu, Memphis Minnie's, Namu, and on and on.

Read ahead to get a glimpse of the dynamic food offerings at this year's Outside Lands.

Le Labo and Anthropologie's Collaboration Smells Like Old Times

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:00:45 PST

By the Creators of Le Labo, the brand's new collaboration with Anthropologie, is the very best kind of atavism. The solid Concrete Parfums ($28) are concealed inside pretty old-fashioned brass weights, and the Spray Parfums ($62) come in faux 18th century poison phials. All the scents in the collection have an antique aspect as well, and they smell old-money luxurious even though they're less costly than other fancy Le Labo brews. I tried all five fragrances, so to see how each rated, just keep reading.

Marc Jacobs Bang: Not Just For the Boys

BellaSugar — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 07:00:13 PDT

Even if you're not a woman who regularly steals from the guys' side of the fragrance aisle, you may want to consider making an exception for Marc Jacobs's new cologne, Bang ($55). It's the sort of scent that feels perfect worn under a cashmere sweater and trench coat, and it's delicate enough to sit nicely on anyone; there's nothing about it that telegraphs "strictly male."

Bang has a beautifully spiced, herbaceous wood accord that doesn't smell like most colognes. It opens with a burst of freshly ground pepper, which is then quickly joined by vetiver and soft sandalwood. The blend is warm without being heavy at all, and it dries down to a slightly salty, woodsy blend. It's not sweet or girly, but I would say that there's plenty of room for femininity in it. If you've never tried wearing cologne before, I highly suggest you seek Bang out and give it a sniff.

Fergie's Outspoken Should Be Called Outlastin'

BellaSugar — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:01:50 PDT

When I try perfume, I'm not usually reminded of Stride gum. But in the case of Fergie's new scent, Outspoken ($28), it's a pretty apropos comparison. No, the fragrance doesn't smell like gum, but it does hold on the same way Stride does, solidly smelling the same all day - and it has a similarly pleasant but artificial note profile.

It opens smelling like grape popsicles and then quickly dries down to a soft floral scent with a substantial wood base that stays and stays. It's high quality for its price point, but it's also not the leather and vetiver rock-chick smell it's billed as. It's the kind of scent you wear out dancing-sexy, not too expensive, and still on no matter how sweaty the dance floor gets or how late you stay out.

Scorsese Directs Chanel's Newest Commercial

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:00:33 PDT

When you've directed nearly 50 films and you've won an Oscar, what's next? If you're Martin Scorsese, you direct a commercial for Chanel's forthcoming men's fragrance, Bleu de Chanel ($59-$79). The fragrance, described as a "woody aromatic," will also come in an aftershave lotion ($50).

With top notes of peppermint, grapefruit, pink pepper, ginger, and nutmeg; middle notes of jasmine and cedar; and bottom notes of frankincense, patchouli, and vetiver, I'd imagine the juice will be crisp, fresh, and sexy.

With visually impressive films like Goodfellas and Gangs of New York under his belt, I'm expecting (and hoping) that the Scorsese/Chanel collaboration is stylishly raw and gritty. "Basically, Martin Scorsese had carte blanche over the film. As a result, the film is an instant classic but also very modern and perfectly aligned with the image that Chanel wanted to convey with Bleu," Chanel's Andrea d'Avack told WWD. Look for the piece, which was shot in New York, out in September.

The Future of Fragrance: 4 Upcoming Trends

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:00:51 PDT

Do you gravitate toward fragrances that focus on a singular note? If you answered yes, you're ahead of the curve. According to fragrance house CPL Aromas' new trendspotting Forecast magazine, simple scents are the next big thing. Taking a cue from the fashion world and results of a rough economy, fine fragrances are expected to feature just one to two notes. Think vetiver, a tall grass that has an earthy, woody aroma. Singular notes not your thing? Find out about three other movements in the fragrance world when you read more.

The V&A Museum Gets Its Scent On

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:00:50 PDT

If you're the kind of person who loves going to museum exhibitions but feels that the average gift shop isn't beauty-centric enough, the famed Victoria & Albert Museum has anticipated your needs. The London spot has begun commissioning fragrances to go with its exhibitions.

To accompany its Autumn 2010 exhibition, Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes, the V&A had perfumer Roja Dove create a scent named after the great theater's founder. So what does Diaghilev smell like? Apparently a rich, old-fashioned chypre with notes of bergamot, rose de mai, oakmoss, and vetiver. What do you think? Would you buy museum fragrance, or is the concept just too strange?