BellaSugar

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?

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.

Phillip Lim Makes One of Six New Scents to Try Out

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:59:19 -0700

Last night's launch party for the limited-edition fragrance set Six Scents was rather memorable - and not only because I've never before witnessed performance art inspired by perfume. The bash was held to celebrate the collaboration between six designers and perfumers who got together to see what they could come up with by exploring "the relationship between artist and nature." Six was the theme of the evening, with an equal number of films, art pieces, and photographic works scattered about the studio space.

Phillip Lim, Henry Holland, Damir Doma, Henrik Vibskov, Richard Nicoll, and Toga, represented the fashion end. Mr. Holland, fresh from his recent show during London Fashion Week, kept an eye on the proceedings as host. Phillip Lim wasn't there, but I was especially interested in his first foray into the fragrance world.

He partnered with perfumer Natalie Gracia-Cetto, who said she was "inspired by Phillip’s unique and special style: easy to wear to go to work and stylish enough for a night out. It’s a fresh and sensual unisex fragrance that can be worn all day long." It includes notes of both white and black pepper, patchouli, cedarwood, and magnolia for an unusually heavy scent that isn't for the faint of heart. Check out more info at Six-Scents.com.

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Bella Brand: Arrojo Product

BellaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:00:37 -0700

Nick Arrojo made his name as a celebrity hairstylist, then graduated to TV fame of his own on What Not to Wear, so the fact that he has his own line of hair and bath products is unremarkable. When I checked his stuff out, though, I was surprised and pleased by its total lack of gimmicky product push and general high quality. The whole collection comes in basic white bottles color-coded to indicate which set they're part of - the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, for example, both have periwinkle font running down their sides. It's utilitarian but attractive, and your BF won't be ashamed to use it. Everything is simple, sensible, and does exactly what it's supposed to do, which is a relief for people like me who frequently go into product overload.

The thing that makes Arrojo a Bella Brand, though, is his Sweet Patchouli Body Wash ($14). It's like everything that's wonderful about the mesquite scent of an old-fashioned sauna, but with a little crisp apple on top that makes it light, fresh, and unisex. I usually hate patchouli, but I've been tempted to wash my hair with this stuff just so I can smell it all day, and it's utterly different from the cheap, synthetic scents so many body washes have. It makes Mr. Bella smell all sexy, too, and he specifically requested more after the first bottle, which he almost never does. Mr. Arrojo should go into the perfume business next. I'd be first in line for a Sweet Patchouli EDP.

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.

Source

Coming Soon: Ralph Lauren Notorious

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:00:37 -0700

Busy guy, that Ralph Lauren. Next week, he's launching a new fragrance at Bloomingdale's before rolling it out everywhere else in September. Notorious is an eau de parfum created by perfumier Olivier Gillotin that contains notes of sweet vanilla, black currant, bergamot, white peony, carnation, pink peppercorn, aged patchouli, iris, musk, orris and just wait. . . . chocolate cosmos (sadly, this is a burgundy flower, not a drink). Talk about a sweet and savory treat.

The fragrance was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's classic films, and Laetitia Casta is the face of the ad campaign. Notorious has an overall sparkling, oriental glamorous essence and will be available in two eaux de parfum ($65-85), a body cream ($70), a body lotion ($45), and a shower gel ($40).

There's just something about the ingredients and the elegance of this square bottle that's giving me tummy flutters. And now I have an excuse to make a special trip over to Bloomingdale's - so you won't hear me complaining.

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Back to Basics: The Best Fragrances

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:44:44 -0800

I know what you are thinking: how can I only pick three fragrances to write about. They have staying power; these classic perfumes have appealed to the masses for decades. Please let me know what your personal faves are. Here are just a few of mine! To read about my other Back to Basics posts click here.

Obsession by Calvin Klein, $45, was introduced in 1985 and has remained one of their best sellers ever since. It is a powerful and ultra feminine floral and spicy blend. It has an intoxicating aroma made from jasmine, orange blossom, vanilla, greens, sandalwood, spices and musk. The scent is strong and should last between six and ten hours.

To see two more of my favorite fragrances, read more

Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan, $75, was introduced in 1994 where it began as a body lotion in her stores. Her clients begged and pleaded with her to turn it into a perfume and the rest is history!

Cashmere Mist is intended for the mature woman. Its scent is soft and sensual - much like the feeling of cashmere against bare skin. It is made from: lily of the valley, suede, bergamot, ylang, jasmine maroc, sandalwood, orris, amber, vanilla, cedarwood, patchouli and musk. It can be worn in the daytime and has a long life on your skin.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, $85, was introduced in 2001. Although you may think this doesn't constitute as a classic, sales on this fragrance have not faltered over the past six years.

The scent is sexy, young and feminine. It is intended to be worn during the daytime since it has a light and refreshing aroma. It is made from bergamot, orange, jasmine, litchi, grapefruit, rose, patchouli, vetiver, bourbon vanilla and white musk. Mmmm.

Coming Soon: Marc Jacobs Sorbet Splash Scents

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:00:10 -0800

Brace yourself for another set of Marc Jacobs Splashes due out in April. This time around, MJ doesn't mess with fancy floral or grassy fragrances. Nope, the limited-edition Sorbet Splashes ($65 each) come in Grapefruit, Basil and Pear scents.

The scents are designed for layering, but of course they can be worn separately. (Remind you of Jo Malone much?) And once again, they come packaged in Marc's signature thick glass bottles.

I haven't been able to get my hands on any samples yet, but after reading about the ingredients, I am most excited about Pear Splash. There's something refreshing about biting into a sweet and juicy over-ripe fresh fruit in the summertime.

For more specifics, read more.

Basil Splash contains notes of tomato leaf, lemongrass, basil, freesia, jasmine, white musk, cashmeran, sandalwood and orange flower.
Grapefruit Splash is made from a blend of citrus, woods, orange flower, watery ozone (what's that), ginger, freesia, tagette, amber, white musk and patchouli.
Pear Splash is a mix of bergamot, lemon zest, pear, freesia, juniper, gin accord, musk, teak-wood and amber.

Bella Brand: A Beautiful Life

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:00:28 -0700

When self-proclaimed rock n' rollers at heart Jennifer and Anthony Artur opened their Philly boutique, A Beautiful Life, they wanted to provide customers with a unique shopping experience that included high-end skincare and cosmetics.

A licensed esthetician, Jennifer used her extensive knowledge of skin care and her near obsession with quality to create her own line of cosmetics. "We wanted a makeup line that would be rockstar enough for us, yet approachable enough for any woman," she told me. "We carry very exclusive lines and saw an opportunity to create something that would be able to be stand up in that kind of company." The end result is a collection of sophisticated yet edgy colors presented in colorful, tattoo-inspired packaging that has already earned the attention of Jennifer Garner, Alyssa Milano, and Nigella Lawson.

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To see what I thought of the products themselves, including one that I am positively smitten with, read more.

I am pleased to report that the colors are fun, fresh, and flattering. I was wary of the bright orange Tigerlily stick blush at first, but it was pleasantly creamy and wearable. The shadows, whose names pay homage to iconic tattoo designs (Anchor, Mermaid, Dagger), are sheer color washes with a hint of shimmer. But for me, the true stand-out product is a newly released perfume oil, Smitten. With notes of tangerine, white pepper, florals and a touch of patchouli, it has an earthy, spicy-sweet aroma.

When I asked if she used any special ingredients in her products, Jennifer slyly replied, "Yeah, we put a little awesome in every box." I love a funny lady.