SPOTLIGHT: Summer Scents Part 2...

Part 1 covered the passionate purples, so let's move on to the pretty pinks, which in general I find a tad more subtle - but that's what makes them perfect for summery days and nights when you don't necessarily want to overwhelm yourself, or anyone else in the vicinity...

Miracle by Lancôme, eau de parfum

My first encounter with this precious fragrance was via a miniature bottle in a set given to me by a thoughtful friend. I couldn't believe that I hadn't experienced it before, but well, better late than never! Such a classy and feminine scent. Love the fresh astringency that accompanies it's gentle floral and slightly oriental heart, and musky powdery base. The only thing that doesn't grab me is the bottle - it's a wee bit plain for my particular preferences, but hey maybe miracles don't need much embellishment after all :-)

L'Air by Nina Ricci, eau de parfum

This addition to my collection is barely two weeks old. My bestie gave it to me as she bought it unsampled, and it didn't suit her. Well thank you very much my dear, I'm thrilled! I must say I was hesitant at first because L'Air du Temps is not my thing at all - I realise this may sound weird, but the fragrance makes my teeth ache :-( Such a peculiar sensation, and  no, I didn't spray it in my mouth lol. Glad to say this more refined version has no such strange effect. Although it's still early days, I doubt it will end up as an intense love of my life, but there's definitely a good deal of potential, and the bottle is heavenly - the most stunning I have actually. To me it's quite woody but there's sufficient floral content to lift it up into the clouds - rich and deep, there's a warming characteristic too, so I'm more inclined to wear it at night.

Pink Sparkle by Kylie Minogue, eau de toilette

This fragrance isn't in the photo at the top of the page because I've only just found it incorrectly "filed" in my my winter perfumes box - well aren't I a happy gal, I didn't realise I had some left from last summer! Not as dear to my heart as Dazzling Darling, but girly and fun all the same. My beauyheaven review of it is here. I have never EVER liked any "celebrity" scents, so much so that I'd even stopped sampling them - they all smelt the same to me, tacky and whiffy. Well thank goodness I relented or I'd have missed this little gem from Kylie (and Violet Eyes from ET). This one needs a good 10 minutes to settle on the skin before it comes into its own, but then I can count on it's beauty to last for a good 6 hours. However as surprisingly elegant as it is, there are no illusions here - it's certainly not going to end up as a classic, but I so enjoy it's happy freshness, and sometimes I just want to wear something lighthearted. This is almost pure floral with a hint of vanilla and musk, comes in a cute-as-a-button bottle, and the perfume is the prettiest peachy pink, almost the colour of blush champagne. I can easily imagine finding this bottle inside I Dream of Jeannie's bottle :-)

Stay tuned for Part 3...

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Summer Scents Part 1...

Time to blog about another huge passion in my life - fragrance! I'm one of those gals who doesn't feel completely dressed unless I spritz myself with a delicious perfume, even when I'm not going anywhere special, or just doing some boring household chores. Simply put, perfume and I have a ♥ love-love ♥ relationship, and while it can take many many months of searching and sampling to find one that makes my spirits soar, I don't spend more than three seconds choosing what to wear each morning from the ones I have - I just know :-)

My preferences change with the seasons, and my collection is roughly divided into warm & cool weather scents. Pictured above are my Spring/Summer faves - interestingly it was only when I grouped all these bottles together for the photo shoot that I noticed that both product and packaging are either lavender, pink or colourless, whatever that means lol (?)...

Eclat d’Arpège by Lanvin, eau de parfum

My favourite perfume of all time, and without a doubt my signature scent. I adore everything about it, including the bottle - simple and elegant, with a glittering amethyst crystal embedded in the cap. The fragrance is classified as a fruity floral, and the only one I've ever worn that instantly makes me feel like I've just stepped out of the shower, even at the end of a long hot and humid day. Unlike the original musty Arpège that my grandmother wore, this version is light, subtle and delicate, with a zesty tang that is both refreshing and youthful. To me it smells like lilacs and lemons, and I rarely have to reapply after my early morning spray as it endures magnificently on my skin. I've had so many fellas ask me what I'm wearing, and in the 10 years since I discovered it, I've never EVER smelt it on anyone else - c'est moi!

Dazzling Darling by Kylie Minogue, eau de toilette

This was last summer's fabulous find - it was on special at Priceline (less than half price) so I bought up big, gave away a few bottles at Christmas to some very appreciative rellies (including my Mum), and horded the rest. Encased in an exquisitely shaped flacon, this is predominately violet, rose and musk, and what I'd call girly, flirty and fun. It doesn't last more than a few hours, but then it is a toilette - how I wish it came in a parfum! This is far more serious and musky than Kylie's other "Darlings", and the only one I like because the sweetness is tempered with a wee bit of spice. My beautyheaven review of it is here.

Violet Eyes by Elizabeth Taylor, eau de parfum

This was such a delightful surprise. Having sampled all the other fragrances by Elizabeth Taylor, and not even remotely liking any of them (way WAY to heady and sweet), this one is oh so special. Interestingly there are no violets in the formula (although my nose begs to differ) - instead there is a magical blend of white peach, jasmine & purple rose, but I reckon it's the amber & cedar base that ultimately grabs me. A perfect partnering of floral and oriental, I find this perfume cooling, calming and comforting, and perfect for day-time wear. In my mind it conjures up femininity and romance - it's a fragrance for a woman, not a girl :-)

Part 2 to follow...

Have you tried any of these perfumes? What's your favourite summer fragrance?

Take care of you,

kats xxx