.:: CybeleSays ::.

Guess Which Fragrance This Is?

OK, bad title but it set this next product up perfectly, no?
I had an interesting conversation about fragrances with a good friend when we were at the mall the other day. She sticks to light or flowery scents for both day and night during the summertime. I still think you can mix it up in the summer with heavier and lighter scents. Take this GUESS BY MARCiANO Eau de Parfum Spray ($65/3.4oz @ guess.com). It’s a spicy floral or spiflo, as I call it, with the top notes being star fruit, grapefruit, orange curacao and cardamom (ginger), middle of pink honey suckle, peony and jasmine, and base of wood, vanilla, musk and dulce de leche. When I described this one to her before we hit one of the major department stores, she said she’d probably only wear it in the non-summer months as it sounded too heavy for hot weather. But I am happy to report she changed her mind when we sampled it at the counter. “This one is great for day or night and in any season. It’s soft and feminine but still has a slight sexy bite to it.” You heard her loud and clear.

Up Close And Personal

I’ve heard that when a woman wears a fragrance, only those physically closest to her should be able to smell it. It’s like her own secret that she chooses to share with a select few. And this next one is just up that alley and has great staying power. Please help me welcome INEKE’s newest scent Evening Edged In Gold ($88/2.5oz @ ineke.com). It is not overwhelming when I put it on and could only smell it when I waived my wrist about five inches past my nose. Wrangle him closer with top notes of gold osmanthus and plum. He’ll come a few inches closer when he smells that middle notes of angel’s trumpet, saffron and a dash of cinnamon. Know that he’s all yours when he gets whiff of the base notes of midnight candy, leather and woods. Also, check out their sample collection, which allows you to sample a 1/5ml vial before committing to the bigger sizes.

Footloose & Fancy Free Fragrance

The first few weeks of spring force me to focus on a few of things – putting winter clothes away in storage, applying more sunscreen and changing my perfumes. Like some scents smell better depending on the time of day, others smell better in a particular season. I mean, you wouldn’t wear this one in the dead of winter, right? ANNA SUI’s new Flight of Fancy is one that will be sitting at the front of my dressing table this season. If you are a fan of the lighter scents then this is one you’ll want to investigate. I’m usually not a fan of sweet light scents but for some reason, I am quite taken with this one for daytime wearing. Inspired by Ms. Sui’s favorite bird, the peacock, this one layers litchi, yuzu, lemon, star magnolia, rose, purple rain freesia, amber crystals, skin musk and white woods.

And don’t forget the art of layering your scent. Start in the shower with the Shower Gel ($38/6.7oz), then before you dress, spread their Body Lotion ($42/6.7oz) all over your parts and then dab one of the three sizes of Eau de Toilette ($45-$72, 1.7oz-3.3oz). All @ annasuibeauty.com

Spritz Some Spring

Why am I such a sucker when it comes to fragrances this time of year? I feel like I have to try them all but I guess that’s a good thing since you reap the rewards of hearing about a good one! L’ARTiSAN PARFUMEUR L’ete en Douce ($135/3.4oz exclusively @ barneys.com) has “wear me with a spring dress” written all over it. It has top notes of mint leaves and rose essence; middle notes of orange blossom, lime tree, green hay and base notes of botany, white wood and white musk. Don’t you deserve a new fragrance this season?

Woke Up ... Fell Outta Bed ...

Can you believe today is the first day of Spring? This is my favorite season and here are some products I slathered on, lit up and spritzed about when I awoke to welcome it in.

LE COUVENT DES MiNiMES Eau de Toilette in Verbena & Lemon ($21/3.4oz @ dillards.com)

TiGI Bedhead Body Melon Head Body Butter ($15/7oz @ spiralhaircase.com)
PADDYWAX Fresh Ruby Grapefruit Soy Candle ($18/5.5oz @ paddywax.com) from the new Eco Collection.

In The Eyes Of Nature

It’s true. Packaging is so important when it comes to any beauty product. That’s why I don’t understand why some companies skimp on this part. There are many lines, especially in makeup, that I’m sure I’m missing simply because the packaging isn’t appealing or their line comes in the same containers we’ve seen over and over again. You certainly won’t find that to be the case when it comes to fragrances. I think it’s a major faux pas for a company to use the same container as another. It probably hasn’t even happened before! So it was my delighted surprise when TSI~LA ORGANiCS (pronounced chee-la) Eau de Parfum Mini Collection ($75 @ tsilaorganics.com) came across my desk. Each 3.5ml roll-on bottle is made of glass and so it makes these little guys so fun to apply. I know, I know, I have to get out of the house more…

My favorite this past week has been the Fleur Sauvage and here’s a breakdown of all four of the scents:

• Kizes – Sicilian bergamot, elderflower, tuberose, jasmine, orange flower
• Fleur Sauvage – tuberose, jasmine
• Kesu – jasmine, davana (Indian blossom), lime, amber, wood
• Ilang Ilang – floral tree blossoms

What makes this line tre unique is that these are pure perfume oils in a moisturizing base of coconut oil and orchid flower extract, so they are very concentrated. They don’t contain any alcohol, preservatives or colors. One thing I can’t figure out, if you rub you wrists together like I’ve heard NOT to do as it bruises the scent, does this also apply to fragrances that are made with pure ingredients like these from Tsi-LA? Or is the whole bruising thing a myth?

Coming Our Way *Preview* Bites

LES PARFUMS SALVADOR DALI wants to help keep his spirit alive through beauty. They plan to release a new fragrance with the signature lips on the packaging every year.

ESTEE LAUDER is trying their hand at their first woody/amberfragrance. Dubbed Sensuous, it will hit department stores in July.

YVES ROCHER is coming out with an apple-based skin care line called Serum Végétal Apple Oligosides. the six products will target those over 40.

GUESS by Marciano is the third scent in the line coming out next month.

AVON is partnering with Emanuel Ungaro to launch U by Ungaro for Him and Her in August.

NEUTROGENA is focusing on their color line in 2008. Launching this summer is a mineral foundation, concealer and Lip Soothers, shown here.

CLARINS is expanding their men's collection with two aftershaves and a sunblock this spring.

Source: WWD

So ... Are U A Star?

Organic has been a word that’s been used in the world of fragrance for some time. But now more than ever, these lines will be getting the attention they deserve. One to check out is STARRiNG…! FRAGRANCE. They don’t use any parabens or harsh chemicals in their scents and inside the .5oz ($20) or 1oz ($40) bottle is a signature star gemstone. How fun! And the scents? There are a lot to choose from so I’m sure you’ll be able to find favorites for all your moods in their several collections. If I’m feeling carefree, I go with their best selling The Child Star. It’s sweet yellow cake, vanilla cookie crumbs and graham crackers … Ok, now my sweet tooth is acting up. My other favorite right now is The Onyx Star with its notes of neroli, honey, clove and woods. Read up on all the scent combinations @ starringfragrances.com

Gotta Love A Roll-On

And I sure do. Think of all the benefits - It’s portable, it’s a concentrated from and it’s … just so darn cute. PRiNCiPESSA Piccola Perfume ($38/.125oz roll on @ principessabeauty.com) is their signature scent and hopefully they’ll work this scent into lotions and other bath items. Think sheer and sexy with top notes of peach and vanilla, middle notes of night blooming jasmine and ylang ylang, and bottom notes of sandalwood and warm amber. You just can’t miss with this one. And it comes in this small flip-top tin. Now that’s cute all around.

The Classic Man

I still say the way to any man’s heart is through his nose. And for this upcoming Valentine’s Day, my SO will be getting a bottle of the classic GiORGiO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Eau de Toilette ($46.19/1.7oz @ fragrancenet.com). It's a fresh, woody and all masculine scent. This fragrance also comes in a 2.6oz Deodorant ($16). Mmm, mmm, good.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

It seems like LiSA HOFFMAN is thinking of real women and real situations with her line. Take her new ‘Variations’ Fragrance Collection ($150 @ lisahoffmanskincare.com) for example. We all have a favorite scent but sometimes it’s just not appropriate for all times of the day. When I wake up in the morning, my nose is not really awake yet and to hit it with my signature scent is sometimes a little too much and I find myself forgoing it altogether that day. She has created scents where each is adjusted to how sensitive your nose is throughout the day. Huh? One scent, four roller-ball vials and each is labeled for when to apply: Morning, Daytime, Evening, Bedtime (I guess I am not the only one who likes wearing fragrance to bed!). Choose from three different totally wearable scents: French Clary Sage, Tuscan Fig (Cybelesays pick), and Tunisian Neroli.

Fun N' Flirty With Floral

We all know the clothing line, now say hellow to the fragrance. And what a pleasant surprise this ROXY Eau de Toilette ($34-$58/1oz –3.3oz) turned out to be. I read somewhere that florals were not too popular in the fragrance world and I wish I could drum up that piece now so I could reference it. Anyway, it may feel like full on winter outside but spritz on this one and you’ll swear it’s spring, even if only in your bedroom. This fun scent targets teens and young adults but I say gimme more! It’s cirtus, berries and florals like magnolia, lily of the valley (a personal favorite), violet and a base is a musk, which all dances together wonderfully. Be sure to layer it with their Delicate Shower Gel ($24/5oz) and Delicate Shower Gel with Pearl Extract ($20/5oz) to make the scent last through the day.

The brand plans on releasing a fragrance every 6 months so keep your radar on for the next one, Roxy Love. All @ sephora.com

Holiday Pick - Scent Him Up

Like us women who choose a scent by mood, now he can too.  And I say you can’t lose with giving a man a new fragrance for a holiday gift. The Well-Stocked Bar from JACK BLACK ($55/1oz each @ getjackblack.com) is three Signature scents in one ‘travel bar’ box – Signature Blue Mark (fresh - Japanese Juniper, ginger essence, and Watermint), Signautre Black Mark (warm – Kashmir Saffron, Cedar and Leather), and Signature Silver Mark (modern – Sri Lankan Cardamom, Wild Cypress and clear, clean woods).

Holiday Pick - Get Sexy!

Here’s something for just you and your man. Give him  the gift of … you! BOOTY PARLOR just put out Sex Bombs ($45 @ bootyparlor.com) and this one is going to help you out in the seduction department. The kit includes Get Flushed! Sexy Lip and Cheek Tint in Scarlet Fever, Don’t Stop Solid Perfume with Pheromones in their Signature Scent of plums, raspberries, jasmine cedar and sandalwood., and Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer in limited-edition Pink Champagne. Meow!

Holiday Pick - Scent To Go

I love a man that wears a chain on their wallet. There’s just something about it that makes them cool. So how about this DiESEL Fuel For Life Pocket Chain ($75 @ diesel-fragrances.com)? What if I saw a man carrying this 18" chain on their beltloops? I think if you have a fashion forward boy in your life then he will appreciate this one. And it's not just for men as they make one for women too. Both are “inspired by the passion, emotion and sensuality that flows through each of our veins” and we really liked it when it came out. Give something totally unique this season.

Holiday Pick - Bath Luxury

ELiZABETH W San Francisco Luxuries Set ($40 @ elizabethw.com) is the perfect gift for anyone on your list who loves to pamper themselves. There are three blue boxes: Bath Pouch (6oz), Travel Eau de Parfum (.5oz) and Perfumed Soap (3.5oz). And each set is available in eight difference scents like Lilac, Rose and Sweet Tea.

Holiday Pick - Manly Men

I really love the color scheme of BANANA REPUBLiC’s new Cordovan Gift Set ($60 @ bananarepublic.com) and the scents are not bad either! Cordovan is a new addition and it’s all things manly for the men in your life  – wood, leafy green fig, nutmeg and leather. Teach him the art of layering his fragrance with the 2oz tube of Body Wash and 2oz After Shave Gel. Top off with a couple of spritzes of the 3.4oz Eau de Toilette and he's ready for you.

Holiday Pick - Sexy Scent

I can’t decide which product is my favorite way to wear BATH AND BODY WORKS’ Japanese Cherry Blossom Signature Collection. First, a little about the scent and why I love it so much. It’s notes of Asian pear, rare mimosa petal and silky musk. So sensual! The scent is part of their Couture Limited Edition collection so next time to run by one of their stores be sure to at least stop and get a sniff. It will get your heart racing.

Choose from Eau de Parfum ($29.50/3.4oz), Shimmer Body Lotion ($12/6oz), Shimmer Wand ($26.50/8 grams), Swirling Shimmer Body Crème ($19.50/6.5oz), Shimmer Hair & Body Mist ($10/1.5oz), Shimmer Bubble Bath ($5/4oz). All @ bathandbodyworks.com

Coming Our Way Preview *Bites*

SHiSEiDO is coming out with a line of skin care to address postmenopausal skin called Benefiance NutriPerfect. The 20 product collection will debut in February 2008.

DiOR is coming out with a 4-unit anti-aging line to be sold exclusively at Macys stores starting this weekend. Capture R 60/80 XP targets women 35 and over and is based on their Stemsome technology.

DOLCE & GABBANA will be launching The One for Men in March 2008.

CVS is opening their biggest store yet in Manhatten and with it is the debut of their exclusive line, 24.7 Skincare. The 5-item anti-aging line is also available @ cvs.com

Source: WWD

Holiday Pick - One for You and One for Your Man

Compliment each other beautifully with CALViN KLEiN. Five minis of their top scents let you and your man try each without the wallet commitment. Variety Men’s Gift Set ($39.99) is .5oz  bottles of ck One, Eternity for Men, Obsession Night for Men, Truth Calvin Klein Men and Escape fro Men. Variety Women’s Gift Set ($39.39) is ck One (.5oz), Obsession Night, Euphoria, Eternity and Eternity Moment, all .13oz. Both sets @ fragrancenet.com

Holiday Pick - Bathing Beauty

From the SPACE NK 2007 Bath and Body Holiday Collection is our pick, the Ultimate Experience ($70 @ spacenk.com). This is for the categorical diva in your life. Each keepsake box was inspired by colorful Japanese kimonos and contains an Eau de Toilette Spray (.5oz), Body Wash (1.69oz), Body Balm (1.69oz), Bath Oil (1.69oz), Travel Candle, 2/1oz Bath Tablets and Soap (1.75oz). Each kit comes in their five different scents and our pick is the Enrapture. Peach Kernal, coconut blended with tuberose, ylang ylang, black currant and orange blossom. So soothing and unique.

And We'll Have Fun, Fun, Fun ...

All aspects of beauty should be fun and MOSCHiNO enforces that with their latest fragrance Funny! ($50/1.7oz, $65/3.4oz @ strawberrynet.com). This fruity floral was made with young girls in mind but I think it’s just fine for us adults. Green Tea, Jasmine, Peony and Violet make up the middle notes of this fragrance and it has a base of cedar, amber and musk. So tap into your young side with this fun fragrance. I think I will bring this one Christmas shopping with me to spray on unruly shoppers! Also available in a body lotion, shower gel, deodorant.

Kick Start Your Life

Imagination, memories, fantasy – fragrances can conjure up a vast array of emotions. Tap into your edgy feminine side with DiESEL’s new ‘Fuel for Life’ Femme Spray ($49.50/1.7oz). Notes include florals, jasmine, black pepper, fresh black currant and a base of musk. And the crocheted lace case around the bottle is a really nice touch. Hold on, there’s one for the men too. ‘Fuel for Life’ Homme Spray ($44.50/1.7oz) is definitely masculine. It is top notes of anise and grapefruit, middle notes of raspberry and lavender and base notes of heliotrope and dry woods. This one is encased in a tough guy canvas-type cloth that reminds me of a canteen. Both available in Shower Gel, After Shave (men) and Body Lotion @ nordstrom.com

"Dreams Can Come True, It Can Happen To You ..."

I love when dreams come true. My dream in this case is that a candle I had came in a fragrance form ... and it does! How many times does that happen? PENHALiGON’S Lily & Spice Eau de Parfum ($85/3.4oz @ shoplondons.com) is such a striking scent. It’s the same notes as the candle so if you can picture fresh lilies and sharp spices, you have this scent. So unique and perfect for fall.

Femme Fetale

Dawn M. Spencer Hurwitz came on the perfumery scene back in 1991and has since enlightened us with her unique blends of fragrances. DSH PERFUMES Essence Oils Collection has a whole new look and they’ve added a few new ones to the mix. Since these ready-to-wear scents were originally inspired by the seasons of the year, I guess you could say she discovered new seasons! My favorite of the bunch is French Kiss. It has notes of White Grapefruit, Bulgarian Rose, Violet, Musk and Vanilla. Very feminine but not too girly.
And she sells all the scents in all sizes and forms – from a Dram Oil Pulse Roller ($23) and Eau de Parfum Spray ($44.50/1oz) to an Exfoliating Body Wash ($7/2oz) and Shea Butter Lotion ($47/8oz). I love that there are so many ways to wear them.
So if you're looking for a signature scent and don't want to go mainstream, give this line consideration @ dshperfumes.com

What Season Is It Anyway?

It seems like any on-going cable drama is good. I was hooked on the first two seasons of The L Word but blah, fell off in the third season. So I was very intrigued by APOTHiA’s L Eau de Parfum ($75/1.7oz and $30/deluxe sample @ ronrobinsoninc.com) when this came out early last year. What in the world could this scent be about?? It was created by input from 7,500 fans and what they think would best represent. The result? A light sensuous fragrance with notes of angelica, violet leaf, vetiver and sandalwood, among others. I expected a very watered down, trendy scent but surprisingly enough, it wasn’t.

The CLEAN line has pretty much revolutionized the fragrance industry with their fresh scents. I don’t know the last time a fragrance line has consistently put out several no nonsense fragrances that have sold so well. The latest is Lather Eau de Parfum ($76/2.14oz @ cleanperfume.com) and it’s just what you would expect from this line – clean and shower fresh with notes of citrus, florals and a touch of musk and wood.
And the best trait about both of these? They are great to wear no matter what season.

Care To Spacasso?

More and more people want to know exactly what’s in the food they eat and the products they use. I can’t help but wonder what exactly is in some of the products I use and will repeat usage harm me in any way. No guessing when it comes to SOY SPACASSO. They are an, you guessed it, all soy line. Soy is known for its antioxidant benefits and when combines with other nurturing ingredients like Shea butter, it feeds the skin like no other.  When I first heard of the line, I had to know the reason behind the name. To Spacasso is to ingest everything healthy – to what you eat to what you wear to the music you permit your ears to hear. It’s an all-encompassing way of living. Which leads me to their skin products and I was simply delighted at the quality! Their Pear Berry scent is really invigorating and the moisturizers come in three forms: 

Silky Smooth Soy Body Spray ($6/4oz), Silky Soy Body Lotion ($11/9oz), and the really unique Hand Lotion Bars ($4/4-pack). Choose from a list of 12 scents.
They also have a first of its kind on their hands – a soy-based fragrance, Pelliccio’s Fire ($40/.8oz). It’s made up of soy and essential oils. That’s it! So it lasts on the skin. Light and fresh! All @ lordsflagcrewessentials.com

And the Scent Rolls On ...

I love finding true aromatherapy products! GOLDEN EARTH’s E-On Organic Essential Oil Perfumes are 100% authentic essential oil combinations. No synthetics. And the roll on bottle is perfect for on the go fragrance or even to refresh yourself at 3 o’clock in the afternoon when your energy is low. The four scents are: Beauty, Euphoria, Desire and Tranquility. Today I actually wore two of them at the same time: Beauty (tuberose) and Euphoria (rose and jasmine). Feeling down? Just give your wrist a sniff and the beauty of the oils will revive you. The glide-on vials are packaged in their signature Golden Earth Pyramid boxes. $32/1.8 oz @ goldenearth.net ~Lisa

First In It's Class

This next pair of fragrances are not like any you have experienced before and I really had to read up on them to fully understand. The line is ESCENTRiC MOLECULES. What each does is exploit Iso E Super, an aroma ingredient found in most fragrances in a small concentration. Think of this Iso E Super is a “super” base note. We’re used to having the top note first that burns off first, then the middle or heart notes, then the base, which is what lingers on the skin. Instead, this one quickly moves from the top to the bottom focusing on the sensuality of the sandalwood of the base. Another trait we are used to is a big bold smell when we first put it on. This one smells almost like nothing when it is first sprayed on but then the scent grows as the minutes tick then fades and reappears. Spooky! There are two fragrances in this first pair: Escentric 01 and Molecule 01. Escentric 01 claims to be almost pheromonic. Come to think of it, my dog seemed to be extra happy to see me yesterday. Molecule 01 contains still uses the super base of Iso E Super but adds other notes of pink pepper, green line and balsamic notes like benzoin, mastic and incense. I’m curious to see what this company will come up with next. $130/3.5oz each @ luckyscent.com

"In the Summertime ... When the Weather is High ...

... you can stretch right up an' touch the sky ... when the weather's fine ..."

It’s not too late to get your summer on. Keep it going even after you flick that last piece of sand off your foot. These can help bring the season out of you.

BEACH GiRL BEAUTY The 9^th Wave Exfoliator ($16/10oz @ beautygirlbeauty.com) in Gidget’s Paradise doubles as a body wash and exfoliator using sugar and oils to soothe parched skin.

YAROK Serum 4 Chill After Sun ($50/2oz @ yarokhair.com) is a treatment for hair and scalp that contains 94% organic ingredients to repair and nourish after a long day in the sun.