BellaSugar

Fragrance Review: Jo Malone Sweet Lime And Cedar

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:00:12 -0700

Do you like Thai food? I love it so much that I'd have to say that it's one of those "more than a once a week" staples for me and Mr. Bella. It's flavorful, healthy, and just about a three- minute walk from my doorstep. Convenience: I'm all for it.

So, when I heard that Jo Malone's new Sweet Lime and Cedar Cologne ($55 to $100) was based on the fine flavors of Thai cuisine, I almost choked on my green papaya salad.

Just as Thai cooking relies on delicately blending ingredients while incorporating the five flavors, Jo Malone's latest fragrance relies on delicately blending aromas to do the same. Sweet, salty, bitter, spicy, and sour - this fragrance has it all. It's got a very distinctively lime, slightly coconutty quality upon first whiff. Then, a spiciness follows. A hint of cardamom gives it some heat, and tonka bean (vanilla-ish) mellows it out. The slightest touch of floral notes makes it smell so pretty. Then - pow! Cedar and tamarind lend a lingering, lofty quality.

All in all, Jo Malone's Sweet Lime and Cedar Cologne is a definite keeper. It's different, exotic, and would work nicely for both men and women. Mr. Bella even requested seconds. "Pad Thai or Beef Pho?" I asked. "No, the perfume!" he said. A man after my own heart.

Coming Soon: Jo Malone Goes Cuckoo For Kohdo Wood

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:00:31 -0700

If you're already brainstorming Mother's Day gift ideas, you'll be delighted to hear that Jo Malone is launching a limited-edition double collection next week called Kohdo Wood. The fragrances were inspired by Khodo, a Japanese incense ceremony.

The first fragrance, Lotus Blossom & Water Lily, is intended for daytime and contains a stimulating and energizing blend of grapefruit, bergamot, mandarin, bamboo, lotus blossom, freesia, honeysuckle, water lily, jasmine, aloeswood, musk, amber, guaiac wood and sandalwood. The second scent, Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, is a calming, sexy fragrance that is intended more for evening wear. It contains black cardamom, pink pepper, ginger, jasmine, lily, rose, orchid, amber, pepperwood, leather, patchouli, sandalwood and kyara incense accord.

In true Jo Malone blending form, the fragrances can be worn alone or layered on top of each other (which makes a great day to night transition). The product range includes two colognes ($50-$95), bath oil ($100) and a candle ($65). I've yet to try them, but I am particularly interested in the daytime fragrance, as grapefruit is a weakness of mine. As for the naughty night scent, I know that leather is a big trend in the perfume world right now, but I'm just not a fan. How about you - which scent (if either) are you more eager to smell?

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Trend Alert: Cacao

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:00:41 -0800

Cacao is a deep liquid that is extracted from the nut of the cacao tree. It is grown in tropical jungles and contains higher concentrations of antioxidants than Vitamin C and about 20 times the amount in green tea. It is also known for its natural anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and cell regeneration qualities. Cacao is really starting to catch on in the beauty world, so here are three products where it is featured as the main ingredient.

Jo Malone Blue Agava and Cacao Cologne ($95) is a fragrance that was inspired by flamenco dancing. It contains notes of blue agava, cardamom, sea salt, grapefruit, lime oil, red berry, orchid, geranium, white lily, vetiver, cinnamon, vanilla, and cacao.

For two more beauty products that use cacao as their main ingredients, read more

Treat Cacao Lip Scrub ($16) is a a sweet and good-for-you indulgence for your lips. It is made with shea butter, sugar, and cacao. Rub a small amount onto your lips and then rub your lips together. The sugary taste is completely safe to lick off, too.

Raw Gaia Living Beauty Massage Bar ($6) is a natural body massage bar made from solid, organic raw cacao butter. Apply it all over to achieve soft and smooth skin. It also packs a lot of benefits into an inexpensive product: It contains high amounts of antioxidants, omega 6 fatty acids, minerals and vitamin C to nourish, repair and revive your skin.

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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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Jo Malone Scent-Sational Surround Sprays

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:20:58 -0700

Jo Malone has just introduced a brand new concept in fragrances called Scent Surround Spray. These versatile scents, which come in Lino nel Vento and Acqua di Limone, are intended for your body, your linens and your home.

You can spray them virtually anywhere that needs a little freshening up and they won't harm delicate fabrics (I always spritz a little in my lingerie, hose, bathing suit and sock drawers).

Now you can have "your scent" that follows you everywhere and will leave people wondering if you are oozing lavender and lime. Each of the fragrances has their own unique lingering and crisp aroma that adds something special to make your house feel more like a home.

Both come in a 3.4 oz bottle and sell for $55. To read more about the specifics of Lino nel Vento and Acqua di Limone, read more

Lino nel Vento has a distinct calming and relaxing smell of lavender. It is made from armoise, spearmint, ozone, menthol, citrus lemon, lavender, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, vetiver and musk.
Acqua di Limone is more invigorating than calming. It is a mood stimulator with a strong smell of lime. It is also made from orange, greens, jasmine, amber, muguet, woody and musk.

Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne from Jo Malone

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 13:10:21 -0700

New from Jo Malone is a divinely sweet and fruity Summer launch called Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne. Malone (who is a woman, by the way) drew inspiration for this unisex fragrance from her fondness for succulent and juicy Summer fruits. It just sounds mouth-watering, doesn't it?

The cologne is made from essences of peach, plum and blackcurrant nectars, as well as acacia honey, clementine, cedrat leaf, nectarine, and vetiver. In keeping with Malone's signature concept of "fragrance combining," this scent can be worn alone or layered with Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne for a spicy combo.

Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne is available in a 100-milliliter bottle ($90) and in a 30-ml bottle ($50). The rest of the Nectarine Blossom & Honey collection includes a Home Candle ($65), Body Creme ($75), Bath Oil ($60), Shower Gel ($50), and a trio of bath soaps ($50).

Orange-Scented Perfumes

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 09:45:29 -0700

The fresh, citrusy scent of oranges is wonderfully refreshing and uplifting-a great option for Summer or Fall. Here's a look at some fabulous orange-inspired and infused scents. Once you try them, you'll have a mouth watering reaction to their sweet and succulent smell.

Biotherm Eau D'Energie Awakening Mist is a delicate body fragrance derived from orange pulp, sweet mandarin oranges, and lemons. The citrusy smell leaves your skin feeling energized and refreshed, and the Vitamin E in the formula moistens and softens your skin. Buy it here for $36

To see the rest, read more

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne is designed for layering; try wearing it with Malone's Grapefruit or Lime and Basil Mandarin to create another level of citrusy bliss. This specific scent was inspired during a stay at a hotel in Bel-Air. Also added to the mix are clementine leaves and water lilies. Buy the large 100ml bottle for $90 and the small 30 ml bottle for $50 here.

Hermes Eau D'Orange Verte is a subtle unisex scent that was introduced in 1979. Although it's a little bit masculine for me to wear every day, I happen to think it's pure class. Once the delicious lemon and mandarin top notes fade, you are left with an uplifting and woodsy surprise scent of oak-moss and patchouli. It last the whole day through. Buy a 6.5-ounce Eau de Cologne bottle with pump for $105 here.

Jo Malone - Fun With Fragrance

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 02:05:02 -0700

Some of my favorite fragrance scents are made by London-based Jo Malone. The wonderful thing about these is that they come in basic scents such as Grapefruit, Gardenia and Tuberose and are meant to be mixed and matched.

One of my favorite combos is Vintage Gardenia mixed with Grapefruit. The Gardenia gives a nice floral scent, while the grapefruit cuts it nicely so it does not smell like your grandmother's perfume. My other favorite is French Lime Blossom mixed with Tuberose. The Tuberose is slightly reminiscent of Coppertone suntan lotion, but the French Lime Blossom makes it bearable for the people around you. Mixing the scents and discovering your own is the best part!

What are some of your favorite fragrances?

Jo Malone

harry — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:06:00 -0700

Saks and Neiman Marcus Square Off For Best Beauty Deal

BellaSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:00:34 -0800

It's gift-with-purchase time again at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and both luxury retailers are vying for your beauty dollars by offering goodie bags. Both have their perks, but which store deserves your browsing time? To see a stupendous chart with all the details, read more.

The goods	Saks Fifth Avenue	Neiman Marcus	Advantage
Swag bag	Sixties-style floral cotton bag in three colors.	Patent pleather tote in three colors.	Neiman Marcus. Saks' bag is beachy and fun, but Neiman's is more versatile.
Minimum purchase	$75	$100. Spend $1,000 and get $100 back.	Saks. Besides, who's buying $1,000 of cosmetics these days?
Samples from...	Kiehl's, Clarins, Sisley Paris, Narciso Rodriguez Essence	La Mer, Clé de Peau, Dior, Molton Brown	Saks, who snagged the new Narciso Rodriguez scent first.
Other deals	Samples when you shop from La Mer and Jo Malone.	Tons of gifts with purchase	Neiman Marcus, no question about it.

So which one is better? That depends. If you aren't looking to spend too much money, Saks gives you goodies for a smaller minimum purchase. But if you're ready to whip out your wallet, you can score more samples with Neiman Marcus.