REVIEW: Judith Leiber Topaz EDP...

The addition of a Judith Leiber perfume to my collection is literally a dream come true. She's the lady who makes all those stunning bejewelled clutches you see accessorising the stars at the Academy Awards, and I've been wanting one of her fragrances for at least 10 years - but at $120 a pop (and hard to find), I could never justify the outlay. That was until last December when Feeling Sexy had Topaz in stock and on special for $64.95, and at that price, I couldn't justify NOT buying it, especially as of the three I was lusting after (Amethyst & Exotic Coral are the other two), Topaz was a sure bet to be the one I would love the most considering its high wood content ♥...

Just look at that bottle - it's absolutely exquisite ♥ The gems on the cap and centre base of the bottle were what piqued my interest in this set all those years ago - I'm totally obsessed with bling (oh really?) and this would have to be one of the most glam flacons on my shelf. The glass is thick and solid and tinted roughly the same pale amber as the gems, which means that the fluid is a deeper shade of amber. In the pic below you can see the inside of the box has a cutout base (a throne!) to hold the bottle securely in place, and the top of the box also fits snugly to protect the precious contents during transit...

And what of the fragrance? Oh my gosh - it's divine of course! I can't believe it's been sitting in its box at the back of my cabinet for five months - well actually I have amazing self-control in some areas (and absolutely NONE in others ha ha) and stashing a fragrance until the right time of the year is something I've practised religiously, and I wasn't about to spoil my pre-winter pleasure by getting stuck into this precious gem before the cooler weather hit. But it's here now and at last, I can indulge my passion for this golden elixir ♥...

The opening notes are quite fruity and fresh, thanks to black currant, bergamot, mango and kiwi fruit. The fruit actually holds its own right to the very end, but the heart and base are what sends my pulses racing. There's jasmine, frankincense, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley, violet leaf, rose and myrrh to create a warm and exotic caress, and the base intensifies the mystery with a sexy and smoky blend of musk, patchouli, guaiac wood, vanilla, cedar, oud and sandalwood. Holey guacemoley, I think I have a new winter signature scent! It's just SO classy, sensuous, elegant and unique, and lasts on my skin for around six hours - an absolute gem, the contents are a perfect match for the packaging ♥... 

The good news is that this amber elixir is still available from Feeling Sexy for $69.95, and given how long I waited to embrace this jewel (and given I spritz it every night before retiring), I'll be securing another bottle stat. If you love woody orientals with a touch of fruit and flowers, then you won't be disappointed. Sigh...I'm besotted ♥...

Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx

Chi Chi Eau De Parfums - Peach & Mango, Strawberry & Violet...

Oh, summer - what happened to you? Sadly El Niño hit us hard here in Sydney, and we didn't have our usual blast of seasonal heat to warm our bones (or melt our lipsticks). In some ways, it was a relief to not have too many stinkers requiring full-on air-con, but I feel a bit cheated that I didn't get to wear my cute little sun-suits, in fact, I didn't even unpack them from the 35 degree+ box that I store them in for the rest of the year. To compensate I treated myself to two of my fave summer fun fragrances - Chi Chi Peach & Mango & Strawberry & Violet EDP. While I've reviewed the Peach & Mango before (HERE), that was six years ago, and I didn't ever aim my spotlight on the Strawberry & Violet stunner, so here's an update of these two fabulous scents that will keep the warm weather spirit in my heart as we head into the winter chill ♥♥...

Peach & Mango EDP (50ml, RRP $19.95)...

This was the first Chi Chi perfume I ever bought (over 6 years ago) and it still has a special place on my shelf. In a word, I'd say "joy". It's just so fruity, fresh and fun - every time I spray it on, it's guaranteed to put a smile on my dial, and a 100% sure bet to lift my spirits into the stratosphere. It's like a holiday in the tropics! Lasts amazingly well and by that I mean it's quite distinctive for around 3 hours, but actually stays on my skin till well into the afternoon, which is astounding considering the price. Undoubtedly aimed at a market decades younger than me, but who cares - I choose fragrances for how they make me feel and this one takes me back to the 80's when the Body Shop first brought out Dewberry, which took the world of fruity fragrances to another level ♥... 

The first spritz is literally an explosion of citrus - not for the faint-hearted, and not if you want to blend in. But if you are looking for a mood changer, then this is for you. On a hot day it takes me on a stroll through a shady orchard of juicy fruit ripe for the picking and cools me down in a flash. I adore it, and never tire of its freshness ♥...

Strawberry & Violet EDP (50ml, RRP $19.95)...

I call this "my darling", and she's one of the most romantic fragrances in my collection. The combination of strawberry and violet is pure genius - to be honest, it surprised the hell out of me as I thought it would be overly sweet, but these two scents are amazingly complementary and were made to be together. Maybe it's because neither one overshadows the other, and their partnership creates an aura of femininity that I've not found elsewhere. On some days I want to make an impression or a statement, and then I choose one of the wowsers from my collection. But there are days when I just want to smell gorgeous, and for those, this is the one ♥...

Interestingly, I've had more compliments and queries about this fragrance from women than fellas. But in any event, it's a beauty and quite remarkable, and like the Peach & Mango, not even a whiff of vanilla or caramel, which makes a lovely change. Mind you it also has Pink Grapefruit, Gardenia, Jasmine, Musk, White Woods and Vanilla in the formula, but the blend has been done so expertly, I can't pick anything except enchantment ♥...

Overall, if you're looking for a scent that is different from anything else out there, I reckon you can't go too far wrong with either of these, especially given they are both long-lasting EDP's for a very low price ♥...

Have you tried any of the other Chi Chi fragrances? Any favourites?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Estée Lauder Pleasures EDP...

Seeing as it's the last day of summer (what summer?) I thought I'd post a review of another of my fairly regular warm weather fragrances - Estée Lauder Pleasures EDP. This is my third bottle and one I plan on always having on my shelf.  I first discovered it back in 2013 when I was gifted with a mini bottle in one of those collection sets. It so reminds me of the very first bottle of perfume I ever owned when I was a spotty teenager - Louis Feraud Justine. I don't know when they stopped making that beauty but it was a long time ago, and Pleasures (created 30 years later) is the closest match I've found so far to its refreshing crispness ♥...

Close enough for me to classify this as a crystalline (my fave for hot days), this quite potent scent is a white floral perfectly balanced with a fairly hefty whack of greenness that stays right up till the end (around 5 hours later). The formula contains Freesia, Violet (love!), Tuberose, Red Berries, Lily-of-the-Valley, Peony, Lilac, Lily, Rose, Geranium, Jasmine and Karo Karounde (unheard of by me but apparently smells like spicy Jasmine). All these precious petal juices are interlaced with a sprinkling of Pink Pepper on a base of Sandalwood, Cedar, Musk and Patchouli. Magnificent ♥...

The bottle is exquisitely fluid and feminine - plain as can be but with a sensuous curve, the name etched into the glass in a romantic font, and a frosted silver bulb cap. The box is a glorious salmon pink with alternating sheen stripes that sadly don't show up all that well in my pics - ever so pretty though ♥...

Described on the Estée Lauder website as a sheer, shimmering floral, I totally agree. The green edge stops it from being overly sweet, and the longevity and projection are impressive. Some gals say it smells like soap, others say it reminds them of celery, but I don't get any of that - it conjures up flowers that have been kissed by rain, and I can't think of a better formula for a hot day when something refreshing, revitalising and uplifting is all I want ♥...

I was lucky enough to pick up this 50ml bottle from Priceline for less than half price (RRP is $110) during a recent sale - in hindsight, I should have gone for the 100ml! But if you ever spot it on sale anywhere, go for it - it's such a pleasure ♥...

Do you have a favourite Estée Lauder fragrance?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Lanvin Eclat D'Arpège EDP...

I was going through my fragrance collection the other day, and a thought struck me - what if there was some sort of crises which meant that I could only keep one bottle of perfume? Perish the thought, but hey, we weren't expecting COVID. So which one would I choose? Well lovelies, it wasn't that hard at all - faced with the prospect of the same perfume every day for an unknown length of time, I immediately grabbed a darling that's been on my shelf and behind my ears for almost 20 years - Lanvin Eclat D'Arpège ♥...

And given I've just finished a bottle and happened to have another pristine one stashed away, it was the perfect opportunity to photograph this beauty and give her a moment in the spotlight because she's so worth it, and so very close to my heart. Incidentally, a 100ml bottle usually lasts me around two years - I reckon this is number 12 as I've had a few 50ml ones gifted to me and they're usually done and dusted in 12 months. Which makes it the perfume I've bought more often than any other - I start spritzing on or around the first day of spring, and don't put it away till early April ♥...

Released in 2002, I first discovered her in 2003 when sampling for a friend's birthday gift. The friend absolutely loved it, and the scent stayed in my head and my heart for weeks - I swear I could still remember how beautiful it was so I picked up one for me as soon as I could afford it. It's nothing like the original Arpège, which I don't like, even though it was my grandmother's signature scent. Perfect for her but not for me. The bottle has the same gold mother & child symbol on the flacon, but that's where the similarity ends. This Eclat version is young, fresh and summery, and out of all the perfumes I've ever worn, it's the one that has generated the most compliments. And as I've said in previous Empties posts, I have never EVER smelled it on anyone else. So it's all mine lol ♥...

Lanvin Eclat D'Arpège is a magical blend of lilacs and lemons, wisteria and peach blossom, peonies and green tea, white cedar, musk and amber. There's not one part of it that I don't absolutely adore, from the crisp fruity floral opening to the soft musky dry down that's still hanging there five hours later. I categorise this scent as a crystalline - same group as Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline and Versace Bright Crystal. It stays very close to my skin so it's not at all intrusive, it's just there like a gentle fragrant breeze all through the day. Perfect for the office, the scent is elegant, timeless, almost angelic, and as you can see, the most exquisite lilac shade. The cap has a faceted jewel mounted on the top and there are two gold rings that rotate around the base, supposedly representing the marriage between the two versions ♥... 

RRP of the 100ml is $140, but I've never paid more than $65 as it's regularly on special, either at Chemist Warehouse or Feeling Sexy (currently $55.75!). This is a classic fragrance - no vanilla and no caramel, it will lift your spirits up into the clouds. It's so, so beautiful, and a perfume that will always be in my collection ♥...

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Burberry BRIT Sheer EDT...

Happy New Year lovelies! I'm setting the blogging stage for the year ahead by posting on day-one of the new year (a first!) with a review of  Burberry BRIT Sheer EDT - a delightfully fresh and summery scent that was kindly gifted to me over the Christmas period. A crisp fruity floral that's light, cooling and airy, it's the perfect lifter-upper for a steamy hot day (remember those?) ♥...

This rectangular bottle is the palest shell pink with the classic Burberry pattern etched into the glass. The only labelling is around the base of the nozzle, which delivers a generous but controlled spray of this ever so pretty perfume. My only previous experience with a Burberry scent is their Rhythm variety, which I'm not so keen on for summer as it's quite strong on my skin, and way more suited for cooler temps. But this little pastel pink beauty is one I can spritz endlessly without feeling overwhelmed - in fact, I find it energising ♥...

It starts out with a burst of fruit (Yuzu, Mandarin, Lychee, Grape & Pineapple Leaf), closely followed by a cloud of Pink Peony, Nashi, Sweet Pea & Peach Blossom, but somehow it's never overly fruity or floral. In fact, to my nose, there's a (dare I say) sourness to it that kicks in after the initial spray, which I would describe as "green", although that adjective barely gets a mention in any of the descriptions I've read online. Anyways, it's the greenness that I love the most about this fragrance. A freshly mown lawn always makes me smile and I can't help but walk around taking deep breaths - while this doesn't actually smell like cut grass (lol), it reminds me of that unmistakeably crisp freshness that for me heralds the kick-off of the sunnier seasons ♥...

The base is White Musk and Amyris Wood, which mellows the sourness after the dry-down. Now if you're looking for something that's long-lasting or has surround-sound sillage, then you may be disappointed - there's only a wee bit of scent on my skin three hours later. But for me that's a bonus on a hot day - gives me another excuse to spritz more of this uplifting and deliciously feminine elixir ♥...

Burberry fragrances normally come with a reasonably hefty price tag, but this 50ml bottle is currently available for $29.99 from Chemist Warehouse, which is way less than half price. I'm seriously tempted to invest in the 100ml flacon, which at $39.99 is an even bigger bargain ♥...

Are you a Burberry fragrance fan? Which one do you love?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Gold EDP...

This is my third Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy fragrance - I started with the original which I won in a beautyheaven competition in 2010, but I wasn't keen on it. In fact, I couldn't work out what all the fuss was about as it didn't appeal to me, and I ended up giving the 3/4 full bottle to a friend. Fast forward to 2018 when I decided to revisit the range, and interestingly fell in love with the Noir version (review HERE). I wasn't all that surprised as frequently I've found that my perfume tastes change over time - it's happened before that what I used to love doesn't do it for me any more, and contrarily, some scents I didn't enjoy years ago are now blowing my skirt up lol. Anyway so the Noir was a raging success, but then I subsequently watched Jeremy's OTT RAVE video of the Gold flanker and wondered if I'd bought the wrong flavour. So I decided to sample it in-store at Priceline, and was immediately struck by two things - it's resemblance to the Noir version, but with a twist that totally hooked me, and it was the "hook" (plus the heavily discounted price) that made this fabulous bottle end up with me at the checkout ♥...

The packaging (like the Noir version) is absolutely stunning - heavy amber glass with a metallic gold chamber that houses the elixir, hot pink Couture embossed over the usual JC Coat of Arms, a clear faceted crystal cap, and a spotted net bow straight from an Audrey Hepburn movie - it's just so ridiculously adorable ♥...

Once I opened the box, I was determined to find out what it was that so inspired me to purchase something so similar to one I already had in my collection, but grabbed me from the first sniff all the same. Interestingly, when I spritzed each one on my wrists, it's obvious the two fragrances are distinctly different - Noir is heavy on the fruit, whereas Gold is almost pure caramel & vanilla. Both versions contain the same ingredients (wild berries, jasmine, honeysuckle, sandalwood, amber, caramel & vanilla) with the exception that Noir also has mandarin and gardenia. I'm guessing what differentiates them is the proportions - to me, Gold has a far greater concentration of caramel and vanilla, which is what makes it so creamy, mellow and enveloping, whereas Noir kinda punches the air ♥...

I love them both, but I will wear Viva La Juicy Gold a lot more frequently, and all throughout the year - I can already tell that its potency won't be a problem in the heat, in fact, I think it will be even more fabulous on a steamy day/night. Longevity is pretty good, even better if you mist a little on your clothing or hair.  Mind you it's only strong for about an hour, but then it stays on the skin, faintly detectible in the air as you move around ♥...

And so my shelf is sagging a little bit more now, but this perfume is definitely worth making space for if you enjoy gourmands - and even if they're not your thing, you may be surprised with how delicious  & appealing this is ♥...

Are you a Juicy Couture fan? Which variety is your fave?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

7 Year Bloggiversary Giveaway!...

Holey guacemoley - I've been doing this for 7 years? I remember the excitement (and trepidation) I felt when I uploaded my very first blog post in September 2013 (HERE) - would anyone read it? does the world need yet another blogger? can I maintain the commitment? All these doubts were running through my head as I hit the upload button, but encouraged and inspired by the beautyheaven beauties I'd made friends with over the years, it happened, and I'm still here! I'm not posting twice weekly any more, and the content has changed a bit, but it's still based on pretty things, things that I love. So to celebrate yet another milestone of my mumbles and musings, I decided to put together a giveaway bundle of those beauty items that I write about most frequently and are dearest to my heart - lipsticks and perfume! ♥...

So if fragrance and lippies are your thing, I hope you'll like what I've put together:

• Britney Spears Hidden Fantasy EDP 100ml
• Britney Spears Island Fantasy EDP 100ml
• MCoBeauty Limited Edition Fruity Beauty 6 Piece Lipstick Collection
• Nutrimetics Floral Bloom Gift Set - contains 8ml Rollerball EDT & 50m Body Lotion
• OHLEO Cosmetics All Dolled Up Collection Creme Long Lasting Lipsticks - Becky (bright pink), Britney (mauve), Kelly (fuchsia) & Chelsea (orange) 
• W7 Kiss Kit - Red Alert - contains Mega Matte Lip Liner (Red), Lippy Chic (Tongue & Cheek) & Glam Gloss (Too Hot!)
• W7 Kiss Kit - Bare It All - contains Mega Matte Lip Liner (Pink), Lippy Chic (Banter) & Glam Gloss (Super Star)

All items were purchased by me and the approximate value is $300.  The giveaway is open to...

Australian Residents Only! 

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page as per the Rafflecopter directions (please note: if you don't leave a comment on this page, you won't be included in the draw!) If you're unable to leave a comment for technical reasons, please email your answer to katshepsutt(at)gmail.com.
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed
4. Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter

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This giveaway is now closed  - check back later tonight to find out who won!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Lady L. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Lady L, please respond to the email I've sent you by midnight

Wednesday 28th October to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Lady L. has claimed her prize ♥

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Sarah Jessica Park Covet EDP...

Well now, this was lucky 13 for me - that's how many years Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker has been on the market, and I've only just discovered her beauty. My theory is that it's never too late to find a fragrance that you resonate with unless of course it's been discontinued. There are internet rumours that this has been scrapped, but I think this darling will be around for a while yet as it's listed on so many store sites. The 100ml bottle was a steal for $19.99 from Chemist Warehouse, and at that price, it's tempting to buy another as I'm certainly powering through this one before the weather gets too hot ♥...

The bottle is clear glass with a smokey topaz flower cap that covers the nozzle to reduce the risk of accidental spritzing. I'm a little puzzled by the amber colour of the fluid though - in so many pictures it's the most gorgeous olive/lime green, so I'm not sure if it's a remix of the original ♥...

A grown-up fragrance, or a fragrance for grownups - either way, it's exceptionally feminine and quite sensuous and I reckon the fellas will love it. It's a delicious mix of lemon, lavender and cocoa with a floral heart of magnolia, honeysuckle and lily of the valley, nestled on a base of musk, amber, cashmere wood, vetiver and teak wood. It starts off quite crisp and fresh, almost green with a hint of spiced mint (from geranium leaves I believe), but it quickly softens into a creamy chocolate white floral (but not overly sweet) which lasts for around 10 minutes, and then the woods, musk and amber kick in and hold it all together for the next (at least) 6 hours ♥...

Most fragrances that contain chocolate tend to be gourmand style, but this one doesn't strike me that way at all. It's quite delicate, almost baby powderish, but it has the lovely zest of fruit to keep it interesting, and I'm a goner for anything containing amber. I've been spraying it on night and day as it's just so pretty, relaxing and enveloping, and I'm forever sniffing my wrist - it's the type that becomes even more entrancing as the hours go by ♥...

Well worth a try if you love soft feminine scents that last a long time, and don't intrude on anyone else's space - it stays close which makes it perfect for the office, or for getting close to someone special. I'm definitely coveting this beauty ♥...

Has this perfume ever been on your radar?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Jennifer Aniston Silver EDP...

If you're searching for a fresh, crisp and unique warmer weather fragrance to add to your collection, then look no further than the new Silver EDP by Jennifer Aniston. In the same bottle shape as J, Near Dusk & Lolavie (none of which I've tried), this one is a mirrored stunner and the fragrance inside refreshingly different from anything else that I've come across ♥...

I'm quite the fan of scents from this lovely lady (Chapter Two HERE & Chapter One HERE), and she's got me again with this latest release from her lineup. Starting with the bottle, it's just plain gorgeous - modern with an asymmetrically curved base, the cap is a clear acrylic rectangle with Jen's moniker around the neck - this is the only "labelling" on the bottle other than the sticker on the underside. Made of clear glass, the bottom half of the flacon has a mirrored metallic finish that ombres out about halfway up, but when you hold it up to the light, the glass is clear with a slight blue-grey tint at the base. Absolutely love it, although it's a challenge to photograph lol ♥...

The fragrance is strong at first, fades after about 30 minutes into a gentle and soft musky floral (with attitude), and then lasts for hours on my skin. Classified as an aquatic (which I don't normally go for), I'm loving the freshness and clean vibe of this almost metallic elixir, which could probably be worn by fellas as well - it's neither feminine nor masculine. Opening notes are bergamot, and rain accord (no idea what this is but yes it smells like rain lol), followed by jasmine and rose petals on a base of ambrox, musk, cedarwood and vanilla. It's one of those "if x had a fragrance, this is what it would smell like" kind of scents - very silvery, lustrous and reflective, and consequently, very aptly named ♥...

I've found that many celebrity fragrances go overboard with the vanilla - but not this little gem. It's subtle yet long-lasting, distinctive, sophisticated and unique. One little annoyance is that it only seems to be available in the 30ml size. While that limitation makes it very handbag friendly, it won't last all that long given how frequently I'm already wearing it. But the good news is that Priceline has it for $29, and it was recently on special for $18, so that sort of outlay makes it totally affordable and repurchasable. Nice one Jen ♥

Does Silver sound appealing to you? Have you tried any other JA fragrances?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

P.S. I'm still blocked on Instagram, which is why I haven't uploaded my Empties and Bloggiversary Giveaway post - will wait till next week and see if I'm still in the bad books ♥...

REVIEW: Sarah Jessica Parker SJP EDP...

As mentioned in a previous post, my collection has expanded (oops!) through various avenues, but I bought Sarah Jessica Parker's Stash myself, and without testing it first. I was actually after the 30ml bottle from Chemist Warehouse as it was only $9.99 (only a few dollars more than a roller-ball, which is how I normally test fragrances) and the reviews were amazing, but my local store was out of stock of that size, so I bit the bullet and took a chance on the 100ml for $29.99 which was all they had on the shelf. Well, as it turned out, fate was guiding me to yet another blissful aromatic experience - it was love at first spritz, and if I'd only been able to get hold of the 30ml, I would have raced back to get my hands on the bigger size anyway. Oh boy, this is a beauty, and for that price, it's my bargain blind-buy of the year! ♥...

My fave scents for the cooler weather are warm spicy orientals, and this one hits the mark - a bullseye in fact. It's vastly different from the other SJP scents I have, and I'm delighted that she has included a winner from this genre in her lineup.  It was released in 2016 but I obviously missed it - still I'm making up for lost time by spraying this every other day, it's that good ♥...

The presentation is a delight. A glossy black box with the name embossed on a diagonal strip that's been made to appear like a fabric label. At first, I thought the box was damaged (it was sealed in cellophane), but it turns out that the attention to detail is astonishing - the edges of the "label" have been made to look slightly frayed, like it really is made of fabric! Inside the box, the bottle is encased in the cutest black grosgrain bag with the name in sparkly gold, and an equally sparkly gold drawstring. The bottle itself is quite simple and solid, with the same diagonal black label (Johnny Walker?) and around the neck is a leathery cord with a little gold "SJP" button attached. I can't believe it was only $30! ♥...

The fragrance is pretty close to being a masterpiece - leaning towards a masculine style, it's aromatic, woody, earthy, leathery and spicy, and the colour of dark rum. One of the most distinctive and standout fragrances I've come across from the celebrity world, this is an absolute gem. Lasts for hours and hours (let's say around 8). I spray it on before bed and I'm still floating on its heavenly cloud the next morning, and yet it isn't what I would call intrusive. The drydown is just as sassy and magnetic as the initial spray, but it mellows into something even more stunning, something that should cost a helluva lot more. There's only one fruit ingredient - grapefruit, but to my nose it's more like fig, which gives it a slight gourmand character. The rest is spice-heaven - black pepper, cedar, ginger lily, pistachio, olibanum (frankincense), vetiver, massoia wood (slightly coconutty) and musk. I'm totally besotted ♥...

Some folks have labelled this "bohemian" or "too hippy for the office" but I beg to differ. It's sensual and a tad provocative, but not enough for me to NOT wear it to work. I'd wear it anywhere, anytime, but probably limit it (if I can) to the cooler weather. Adore! ♥♥♥...

 Have you tried Stash yet? Are spicy orientals your fragrance thing?

Take care of you, and keep safe,
kats xxx

REVIEW: Elizabeth Taylor Passion EDT...

One of my perfume passions is Elizabeth Taylor's Violet Eyes - I've adored it for years but it's a challenge to find it anywhere in stock. So I decided to revisit some others from her collection that I'd dismissed many years ago, and I was both pleasantly surprised & delighted to find that my tastes have changed. And while nothing can replace the one I absolutely adore, her Passion EDT has scored a place up near the top of my list ♥...

I admit than when I first sampled it (probably 20 years ago) my first reaction was "old lady perfume", which is why I've avoided it till now. But senses change over time, as do chemical reactions on the skin, and having scored a miniature in a boxed set, I sprayed a teeny bit on my wrist and was like, wow! It really is SO beautiful - woody and powdery with Liz's trademark gardenia content, and more than a dash of spice and incense. Rich and sensual, it's amazingly potent for an EDT - actually has more lasting power than some of my far more expensive EDP's! ♥...

Not a fragrance if you prefer to blend in, this is a powerhouse oriental for the woman that has no fear of being noticed. There are more than 20 different notes in this elixir - the main ones I can detect are gardenia, bergamot, sandalwood, patchouli, jasmine, cedar, rose, leather, musk, vanilla, incense and sandalwood, and they all blend magically into an elegant and alluring fragrance that is as unforgettable as Elizabeth herself. It's the first one she created and was released in 1988 - now that's what I call staying power ♥...

I'm in two minds about the packaging though - on the one hand, the bottle is a gorgeous deep purple art-deco style with a diamond shape embossed in the middle (no surprises there) however the cap is cheap and tacky looking and doesn't do justice to the rest of the presentation. But, given the beauty of what's inside, all is forgiven ♥...

Being an EDT, I expected it to be relatively weak but the initial spritz is quite strong - while the dry down is far softer, I still recommend caution with the application. I pretty much doused myself in it on the first day and regretted it later as too much of anything (even fabulous fragrance) is just plain waste, and I never want to run out of this stunner ♥...

Passion is a warm and embracing floral oriental EDT that encapsulates all the fire and softness that is womanhood, and I'm staggered that it lasts all day - no kidding lovelies, this puts many other fragrances to shame, it's as enduring as the legend herself. And the price is crazy - at the moment the 74ml bottle is on special at Chemist Warehouse for $30! There's no doubt about it - I'm passionate about Passion ♥♥♥...

Are you a fan of any of Elizabeth Taylor's perfumes? Do you enjoy oriental fragrances?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium EDP...

So here we are in June already, and it suddenly hit me that I haven't done a fragrance review on the old blogaroo so far this year - wtf? I've a bit of catching up to do as I've added a few to my collection in 2020 (some bought, some gifted), so I'll start with this beauty, Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium EDP. Scored this intoxicating elixir last birthday, put it away for the Summer, and I've only just started wearing it now that the weather has cooled down. Strictly an under 20 degrees Celcius perfume (well for me anyway), this darling scores 10/10 for wow factor & 11/10 for presentation. People in the know talk about fragrance DNA and that often flankers have a similar base, but this is a whole new beast ♥...

Same bottle shape as the original, but coated in a glossy black roughened texture (some say "sequinned", I say more like stone). The overall look is stunning, though nowhere near as photogenic camera-wise. I struggled for hours to find a background and lighting that would show off its beauty adequately, but I'm reasonably happy with the end result, and after all, it's what it looks & feels like in-person, and what's inside that counts hey ♥ The liquid itself is a soft blush gold that ties in with the box trim beautifully, a detail that is appreciated by this matchaholic lol. When sprayed onto a tissue it is the palest pink (important for those who spray their clothes) but dries to almost invisible...

But enough about the packaging, let's get onto the juice, and what a juice it is. Top notes are advertised as pink pepper, orange blossom & pear, but I get vanilla spiced with a sprinkling of coffee from the get-go. It only takes a few minutes for a cloud of jasmine to explode, and that just about wipes out the coffee on my skin. There's the merest hint of liquorice, and as the minutes tick by, the patchouli waves hello and that plus the cedar takes the edge off the sweetness of the vanilla, almost like it's been toasted. Fascinating. Every now and then I catch a little whisp of fruit (it's pear but I can't tell) but overall, it's pretty much an earthy, spiced floral vanilla ♥...

It doesn't last as long as I'd hoped (only a few hours) and it stays quite close to the body, but that makes it a lot more office-friendly. There are tons of fragrances out there with a strong vanilla element so competition is fierce, but Black Opium has a slightly more sophisticated and mature edge than the ones I have, so she's high on my list of faves. My heart still belongs to the original formula though ♥...

Is Black Opium in your collection, or do you prefer the original?

Take care of you, and keep safe,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Sarah Jessica Parker Born Lovely EDP...

Just over a year ago I discovered Lovely, the first fragrance from Sarah Jessica Parker (review HERE) which had been on the market since 2005, so I decided to be a bit quicker off the blocks in discovering the daughter of this original scent, Born Lovely ♥...

As with the first, I found this at Chemist Warehouse for $9.99 for the 30ml bottle. This is actually a brilliant marketing strategy as the price is crazily affordable, the flacon is compact enough to fit in a handbag, and the presentation is as stunning as fragrances at least 4 or 5 times the price. The bottle is the same shape but instead of clear glass, it's a soft smoky grey with pink accents and a cute bow instead of a plain band around the neck. And while I loved the original look, this is even prettier ♥...

For me, the fragrance has some similarities to Lovely, no doubt due to the same mandarin top note and cedarwood base (see below), but my nose picks up more floral and fruit than wood in this version. Overall I would say it's aptly named as it's gentler, younger, simpler and more innocent than Lovely. Equally gorgeous and totally feminine, on my skin, it isn't obvious past a couple of hours, and yet at the end of the day, I still get little wafts of freshness that make this a treasure. I've no doubt if you enjoy Lovely, you will also want to find a place for Born Lovely in your collection ♥...

Lovely                              

Top Notes: Mandarin, bergamot, rosewood, lavender, apple martini

Middle Notes: Patchouli, paperwhites, orchid
Base Notes: Cedarwood, white amber, musks, woods             

Born Lovely

Top Notes: Mandarin, peony, cassis

Middle Notes: Freesia, honeysuckle, orange blossom

Base Notes: Patchouli, cedarwood, caramel

Light and fresh, this is an ideal fragrance for the transition from spring to summer, and well into the hot weather when I don't want anything too potent when I douse myself in a cooling spray. Nice one SJP!

Have you tried this one yet?

Take care of you,

kats xxx