BellaSugar

Product Review: Oscar Blandi Shampoo di Jasmine Smoothing Shampoo

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:00:22 -0700

I'm pretty picky about my shampoos. I tend to stick with ones that help create volume and shine, but I decided to test out this oldie but goodie Jasmine Smoothing Shampoo from Oscar Blandi ($20) based on a recommendation from my friend who has similarly frizz-prone, limp hair.

She told me that it really helped take the fuzz out of the ends, especially in the Summer months when the air contains extra humidity. I've used it twice and what I've discovered is that it has an incredible floral scent (thanks to the jasmine). Also, it most definitely helped smooth out the ends of my hair (thanks to vitamin E) to the point where I didn't even need to add a greasy, silicone-based serum.

The only drawback to having fresh and sweet-smelling, clean hair is the flat after-effect. My hair just kind of hangs by my face if I don't add in product, so I do wind up having to plump it up with an extra shot of volumizing spray. This is definitely something that I'd use every other day when I want to wash and go and not have the hassle of having to spend extra time straightening out frizz.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Definition: Jasmine

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:00:45 -0700

Jasmine is a vine that breeds white, star-shaped flowers (some varieties are yellow or purple). They grow from April to September and there are more than 200 known species. The flowers give off a sweet, strong scent popular in women's fragrances, and when pressed, their essential oil can be extracted through an expensive and elaborate process called enflourage.

The highest quality of jasmine is grown in the perfumery capitol of Grasse, France. It also grows naturally in India, China, and Australia. Jasmine is also used in a raw form to balance hormones, treat depression, improve the appearance of stretch marks, and soothe sensitive skin. It is used in tea to calm nerves and to reduce headaches. Additionally, Yasmin (Persian for Jasmine) is a popular name for girls.

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Bulgari Strikes Again with Voile de Jasmin

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:01:21 -0700

Bulgari has done it again with its second scent launch this season called Voile de Jasmin. This delicate feminine floral fragrance (say that five times fast!) was created to compliment the heavier scent of the original pour Femme fragrance.

It is made from living jasmine sambac, bergamot, orange blossom, rosewood, ylang ylang, mimosa, and rose. The bottle and the packaging are very similar to the first scent that was launched this season, Rose Essentielle. Voile de Jasmin is available only in a 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum spray for $67.

After learning about the strong influence that jasmine has in so many different fragrances from my trip to the Chanel perfume lab in Paris, I am definitely interested in testing out my nose to see if I can detect the strength of the jasmine. Tell me, what's your favorite fragrance ingredient?

Coming Soon: Jo Malone White Jasmine and Mint Cologne

BellaSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:00:17 -0700

This October, Jo Malone is releasing a new scent, White Jasmine & Mint. I don't know how they keep coming up with innovative and amazing fragrances, but this one was inspired by sunrise in an English garden when the dew lifts and the scent of flowers fill the air. The cologne has a very earthy, floral and crisp effervescence to it that makes it really refreshing.

It is made with notes of white jasmine, bergamot, chamomile, mint accord, cardamom, mace, cassis, crushed peppermint leaves, rose, mate absolute, ylang ylang, muguet, orange flower, coriander, guaiac wood, cedar wood, vetiver and musk.

Since Jo Malone loves the idea of layering scents, this particular fragrance combines well with Pomegranate Noir (for a sensual, woodsy scent) or Orange Blossom (for an ultra-floral aroma). White Jasmine & Mint colognes will be available in two sizes: 3.4 ounces ($95) and one ounce ($50).

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Tour of Beauty: Chanel's Jasmine Fields in Grasse, France

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:00:34 -0700

Long before a blast of perfume reaches your skin, the fragrance-creation process begins with a flower. For Chanel N°5, those flowers are May rose and jasmine - and twice a year, those flowers are harvested in Grasse, France. Last month, Chanel invited me to view the jasmine harvest. Combined with last year's perfumery visit, it's safe to say that I've gained a new appreciation for how many steps are involved in creating the world's best-selling fragrance. Read on to see some beautiful scenes from the south of France, to learn about what happens in the fields, and to watch the first steps of the fragrance come together.

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Fragrance Review: Is Bond No. 9 Right on the Money?

BellaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 -0700

I like perfume and I certainly like money, so I when I heard about a fragrance inspired by cash, I was intrigued by the concept. Add a little Andy Warhol in the mix, and it's all the more intriguing. Next month, Bond No. 9, known for its all-things-New York approach, well-thought-out blends, and colorful, artistic bottles, will release the unisex eau de parfum: Andy Warhol Success Is a Job in New York ($145 to $220).

Possibly one of the longest labels on a perfume ever, the fragrance gets its name from a Glamour article from the 1950s in which Warhol illustrated. The bottle showcases the artist's iconic dollar sign, with drippy paint and sketchy borders, creating an ambiguous line between art and money. As for the juice itself, it's of the gourmand classification with a warm spiciness. While there's not one particular note that sticks out, the top notes of coriander, cardamom, mandarin, bergamot provide a bit of an edge; middle notes of jasmine, rose, plum, and pimento lend some soft tones that aren't at all wimpy; and bottom notes of vanilla, patchouli, and amber deliver a heady, powdery finish. To see what I thought about the parfum, keep reading.

Coming Soon: Banana Republic His and Hers Fragrances

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:50 -0700

I don't know if I could ever do his and hers bath towels, but his and hers fragrances? I can handle that. This month, Banana Republic is set to launch two new complementary scents: Republic of Women Eau de Parfum ($48) and Republic of Men Eau de Toilette ($47). Both are packaged with the clean lines that we've grown to expect from all things Banana.

Ladies first: If you like florals with a bit of a hazy, lingering finish, Republic of Women might just be for you. Enclosed in a sultry plum-toned bottle, this romantic scent contains subtle top notes of sweet osmanthus, spicy bergamot, and juicy lychee; powerful middle notes of peony, pink jasmine, and Moroccan rose; and bottom notes of precious woods and soft musks to even it out.

As for the guys, Republic of Men, my personal favorite of the duo, is definitely not of the gritty, intense variety. More soft than heady, the juice, which is packaged up in a smoky gray bottle, contains clementine, wet plum, and dewy fig leaf at the top for a bit of sweetness; sambac, rosemary, basil, sage, and crushed hazelnut in the middle for a refined edge; and sandalwood, cedarwood, and creamy skin musk at the bottom for a bit of sexiness. While I prefer the men's scent, both are at least worth a sample spritz.

Reader Review of the Day: Escada Moon Sparkle

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:00:53 -0700

Escada's Moon Sparkle ($40) is a fruity floral blend featuring notes of strawberry, black currant, jasmine, rose, raspberry, sandalwood, and musk. Recently, reader Babeyyqpid shared with us why it's one of her fragrance favorites. The floor's all yours. . .

I'm on my second bottle for Moon Sparkle. I love this smell because it's sweet and fruity. It smells like a fun, flirty night. It's not overpowering, but has just the perfect amount of strength.

What fragrances have made it to the second-bottle mark? What fragrances have not? Tell us all about what you're loving (or hating) in our ever-expanding Product Reviews section. You just might be the next reader featured here on this daily post.

Double Your Fun: Two New "Same Name Twice" Fragrances

BellaSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0700

These days, apparently twice is very nice indeed, because WWD is reporting that in August, both Nina Ricci and Juicy Couture will launch fragrances with charmingly repetitive names. The scents, Ricci Ricci ($58) and Couture Couture ($85), are both a little higher end than other offerings from the houses but geared toward young women. While they're both florals with hints of woodiness, their topnotes are very different. Ricci Ricci starts with lively rhubarb and bergamot, followed by four o'clock flowers and a whole bouquet of roses, then finishes with sandalwood and patchouli, while Couture Couture is all citrusy topnotes with a jasmine honeysuckle body and an amber drydown. I'll be excited to try both, but I love Jessica Stam's little devil horns in the Ricci Ricci ads. Hopefully the scent will be just as naughty and charming as the campaign suggests.

Crazylibellule & the Poppies Steps Back into the Roaring '20s

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:00:23 -0700

It's been a while since I've written about Crazylibellule & the Poppies CrazySticks, which are so French, so travel-friendly. The line of delicately crafted solid perfumes was created in 2005 by one of the cofounders of Sephora. Each of its ultrafeminine scents, which are free of alcohol, parabens, and artificial colors, provides 269 swipes per stick. Not too bad, eh? And next week, the brand is about to release its fourth collection, Les Garçonnes (about $17 each), aux États-Unis.
The seven new scents pay tribute to the Roaring '20s, and each stick is named in honor of an independent woman - famous or not - who changed her time, including Josephine, Gabrielle, Louise, Tamara, Jeanne, Rose, and Pompon. My favorites are the sweet, powdery smelling Rose à Saïgon, with notes of rose, patchouli, mango, and vetiver; and the crisp, clean Hommage à Gabrielle, with notes of peony, cedar, vanilla, jasmine, and leather. Look for the talisman-like scents to make their debut on BeautyHabit.com and B-Glowing.com early next week. Let the good times roll.