Best Of The Best For 2009

For the fourth consecutive year, I'm proud to join forces with a group of excellent bloggers and bring to you my favorite products, scents and little pleasure that helped make my year more beautiful. Organized by Elena from Perfume Shrine, many of the other blogs are scent-centric, while here you will also be subjected to nail polish and lipstick. Enjoy!



Skin Care
Joining my perennial favorites, this year I made two discoveries that improved both my complexion and my general outlook: Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum is a hyped product that really delivers, and might keep the Botox needle away for a while longer. At $22, this is as close to a miracle as it gets.
On the other end of the price spectrum there's Erno Laszlo. I'm on my second full jar of pHormula No. 3-9 cream, and it saves me again and again. During my house move and in this current weather I haven't seen a single flake.

Honorable mentions: Dior Hydraction Serum and anything by Kanebo Sensai.

Body Care
I have several holy grail products from L'Occitane (face cleanser, hair products, shea butter body cream). This year's limited edition Shea Butter collection in Frangipani is wonderful. I can't get enough of the foaming cleanser.
Then there's the best body cream, Kanebo Sensai Collection Premier. For the cost you can either feed a village or buy this product, but I have to mention it because it really is that good.

Nail Polish
StrangeBeautiful, a niche nail polish line with a unique concept and superb quality. The third collection by Jane Schub was launched not long ago and it's as beautiful as you'd expect it to be.If only they'd sell the bottles individually...

Makeup
More than ever before, 2009 was the year limited editions and seasonal collections had sent everyone over the edge. Almost every brand came up with several products that sold out as quickly as they appeared. Of course, Bobbi Brown and Chanel have made this into an art form in previous years, making eye shadow palettes and nail polish in unorthodox shades into an eBay sensation. While this is exciting and probably drives sales even (or especially) in a crappy economy, what happened to the art of a well-thought and carefully edited makeup collection?



The answer is Edward Bess. Creative, perfectionist and talented Edward Bess has a niche makeup line (a Bergdorf Goodman exclusive) that is all about elegance, glamor and impeccable taste. While I wish there were more lipstick and lipgloss shades so I would be able to own more than one of each (minimalists don't become beauty bloggers), I adore what I have and covet each and every eye shadow.

Another company that offers both a gorgeous regular collection as well as stunning seasonal items is Le Metier de Beaute. While their eye and lip Kaleidoscopes are what grabs a makeup lover's attention, it's the face products that give a smooth, flawless look. And the miniature nail polish bottles are pure genius.

The title of Best Mascara belongs to two products: Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill and Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash.

Honorable mentions go to to Bobbi Brown for her Ivy League fall collection, Giorgio Armani for the lipsticks and Christian Dior for the new single eye shadows.


Perfume
Insert heavy sigh here.
These are strange times for the art of perfumery. The writing has been on the wall since 2005 or so, but most of us have been playing ostrich to some degree, mostly because it was so hard to believe that iconic houses that existed for decades (even centuries) and have been a synonym with quality would allow a bunch of bureaucrats to mutilate their classic bestsellers. But IFRA is everywhere and Guerlain, Chanel, Annick Goutal and everyone else have been complying without a fight, thus making No. 5, No. 19, Eau d'Hadrien, Shalimar, Mitsouko and other beloved scents a sad shadow of what they used to be. There's also the issue of cost, of course. Everyone needs to make a profit, and replacing expensive raw materials with cheap ones helps the bottom line. After all, consumers don't care, right? They just want to smell like they've stepped out of the shower.

Not this consumer and not most of you reading this blog.

While even niche houses have been reformulating their perfumes (Chergui, Feminite de Bois, Fleurs d'Oranger) or discontinuing them (JAR Shadow is no more), there are still perfumers who do not create perfumes for focus groups. Mona di Orio has been consistently awesome and her perfumes take you to times and places where Calone doesn't exist. Her line is coming back to NYC (Takashimaya), which is the best news I've heard in ages.

My favorite perfume releases in 2009 come from two small houses. Anya McCoy of Anya's Garden, an all-natural, uncompromising perfumer, has already brought us Kaffir and Pan, two of the most interesting and non-traditional scents I can think of (the first is a lime and leather concoction, the second is all about goat). Her two newest perfumes, MoonDance and StarFlower and stunning in their power, magic and pure sensuality. They are a must-try for any perfume lover.

The perfume that touched my heart more than any other this year (and frankly, probably longer than that) is Andy Tauer's Un Rose Chypree. An emotional, romantic rose on a chypre base that smells of days long gone. It's a masterpiece.

Honorable mentions: L'Artisan Havana Vanille, Uncle Serge's Fille en Aiguilles and last year's Italian Cypress by Tom Ford, which is the most wonderful thing I've smelled on my husband in a while.

And Other stuff...
Green & Black's newest chocolate: Peanut. A 37% milk chocolate, crisply caramelized organic peanuts, a hint of sea salt. Godiva who?

Kajitsu, a vegan Japanese restaurant (414 East 9th Street, New York, NY). It's an amazing experience that doesn't taste like anything else you've had before. The delicate aroma of the food, unique textures and zen atmosphere make it into my favorite restaurant. Get the roasted tea to accompany your meal (and some warm sake). You can also buy it by the pound to take home.

Didier Dumas Patisserie in Nyack, NY (163 Main Street) is a little taste of Paris. Gluttony has never felt so good.

Happy New Year and please visit the other participating bloggers:

Perfume Shrine
Mossy Loomings,
1000fragrances,
Ayala Smelly Blog,
Bittergrace Notes,
Shoes,Cake,Perfume,
Eiderdown Press Journal,
Scent Hive,
Olfactarama,
Roxana's Illuminated Journal,
A Rose Beyond the Thames,
Notes from the Ledge,
I smell therefore I am,
Under the Cupola,
All I am a Redhead,
Perfume In Progress,
Savvy Thinker


Images: myvintagevogue.com, edwardbess.com and Perfume Shrine

Best Of The Best For 2009

For the fourth consecutive year, I'm proud to join forces with a group of excellent bloggers and bring to you my favorite products, scents and little pleasure that helped make my year more beautiful. Organized by Elena from Perfume Shrine, many of the other blogs are scent-centric, while here you will also be subjected to nail polish and lipstick. Enjoy!



Skin Care
Joining my perennial favorites, this year I made two discoveries that improved both my complexion and my general outlook: Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum is a hyped product that really delivers, and might keep the Botox needle away for a while longer. At $22, this is as close to a miracle as it gets.
On the other end of the price spectrum there's Erno Laszlo. I'm on my second full jar of pHormula No. 3-9 cream, and it saves me again and again. During my house move and in this current weather I haven't seen a single flake.

Honorable mentions: Dior Hydraction Serum and anything by Kanebo Sensai.

Body Care
I have several holy grail products from L'Occitane (face cleanser, hair products, shea butter body cream). This year's limited edition Shea Butter collection in Frangipani is wonderful. I can't get enough of the foaming cleanser.
Then there's the best body cream, Kanebo Sensai Collection Premier. For the cost you can either feed a village or buy this product, but I have to mention it because it really is that good.

Nail Polish
StrangeBeautiful, a niche nail polish line with a unique concept and superb quality. The third collection by Jane Schub was launched not long ago and it's as beautiful as you'd expect it to be.If only they'd sell the bottles individually...

Makeup
More than ever before, 2009 was the year limited editions and seasonal collections had sent everyone over the edge. Almost every brand came up with several products that sold out as quickly as they appeared. Of course, Bobbi Brown and Chanel have made this into an art form in previous years, making eye shadow palettes and nail polish in unorthodox shades into an eBay sensation. While this is exciting and probably drives sales even (or especially) in a crappy economy, what happened to the art of a well-thought and carefully edited makeup collection?



The answer is Edward Bess. Creative, perfectionist and talented Edward Bess has a niche makeup line (a Bergdorf Goodman exclusive) that is all about elegance, glamor and impeccable taste. While I wish there were more lipstick and lipgloss shades so I would be able to own more than one of each (minimalists don't become beauty bloggers), I adore what I have and covet each and every eye shadow.

Another company that offers both a gorgeous regular collection as well as stunning seasonal items is Le Metier de Beaute. While their eye and lip Kaleidoscopes are what grabs a makeup lover's attention, it's the face products that give a smooth, flawless look. And the miniature nail polish bottles are pure genius.

The title of Best Mascara belongs to two products: Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill and Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash.

Honorable mentions go to to Bobbi Brown for her Ivy League fall collection, Giorgio Armani for the lipsticks and Christian Dior for the new single eye shadows.


Perfume
Insert heavy sigh here.
These are strange times for the art of perfumery. The writing has been on the wall since 2005 or so, but most of us have been playing ostrich to some degree, mostly because it was so hard to believe that iconic houses that existed for decades (even centuries) and have been a synonym with quality would allow a bunch of bureaucrats to mutilate their classic bestsellers. But IFRA is everywhere and Guerlain, Chanel, Annick Goutal and everyone else have been complying without a fight, thus making No. 5, No. 19, Eau d'Hadrien, Shalimar, Mitsouko and other beloved scents a sad shadow of what they used to be. There's also the issue of cost, of course. Everyone needs to make a profit, and replacing expensive raw materials with cheap ones helps the bottom line. After all, consumers don't care, right? They just want to smell like they've stepped out of the shower.

Not this consumer and not most of you reading this blog.

While even niche houses have been reformulating their perfumes (Chergui, Feminite de Bois, Fleurs d'Oranger) or discontinuing them (JAR Shadow is no more), there are still perfumers who do not create perfumes for focus groups. Mona di Orio has been consistently awesome and her perfumes take you to times and places where Calone doesn't exist. Her line is coming back to NYC (Takashimaya), which is the best news I've heard in ages.

My favorite perfume releases in 2009 come from two small houses. Anya McCoy of Anya's Garden, an all-natural, uncompromising perfumer, has already brought us Kaffir and Pan, two of the most interesting and non-traditional scents I can think of (the first is a lime and leather concoction, the second is all about goat). Her two newest perfumes, MoonDance and StarFlower and stunning in their power, magic and pure sensuality. They are a must-try for any perfume lover.

The perfume that touched my heart more than any other this year (and frankly, probably longer than that) is Andy Tauer's Un Rose Chypree. An emotional, romantic rose on a chypre base that smells of days long gone. It's a masterpiece.

Honorable mentions: L'Artisan Havana Vanille, Uncle Serge's Fille en Aiguilles and last year's Italian Cypress by Tom Ford, which is the most wonderful thing I've smelled on my husband in a while.

And Other stuff...
Green & Black's newest chocolate: Peanut. A 37% milk chocolate, crisply caramelized organic peanuts, a hint of sea salt. Godiva who?

Kajitsu, a vegan Japanese restaurant (414 East 9th Street, New York, NY). It's an amazing experience that doesn't taste like anything else you've had before. The delicate aroma of the food, unique textures and zen atmosphere make it into my favorite restaurant. Get the roasted tea to accompany your meal (and some warm sake). You can also buy it by the pound to take home.

Didier Dumas Patisserie in Nyack, NY (163 Main Street) is a little taste of Paris. Gluttony has never felt so good.

Happy New Year and please visit the other participating bloggers:

Perfume Shrine
Mossy Loomings,
1000fragrances,
Ayala Smelly Blog,
Bittergrace Notes,
Shoes,Cake,Perfume,
Eiderdown Press Journal,
Scent Hive,
Olfactarama,
Roxana's Illuminated Journal,
A Rose Beyond the Thames,
Notes from the Ledge,
I smell therefore I am,
Under the Cupola,
All I am a Redhead,
Perfume In Progress,
Savvy Thinker


Images: myvintagevogue.com, edwardbess.com and Perfume Shrine

Best Of The Best For 2009

For the fourth consecutive year, I'm proud to join forces with a group of excellent bloggers and bring to you my favorite products, scents and little pleasure that helped make my year more beautiful. Organized by Elena from Perfume Shrine, many of the other blogs are scent-centric, while here you will also be subjected to nail polish and lipstick. Enjoy!



Skin Care
Joining my perennial favorites, this year I made two discoveries that improved both my complexion and my general outlook: Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum is a hyped product that really delivers, and might keep the Botox needle away for a while longer. At $22, this is as close to a miracle as it gets.
On the other end of the price spectrum there's Erno Laszlo. I'm on my second full jar of pHormula No. 3-9 cream, and it saves me again and again. During my house move and in this current weather I haven't seen a single flake.

Honorable mentions: Dior Hydraction Serum and anything by Kanebo Sensai.

Body Care
I have several holy grail products from L'Occitane (face cleanser, hair products, shea butter body cream). This year's limited edition Shea Butter collection in Frangipani is wonderful. I can't get enough of the foaming cleanser.
Then there's the best body cream, Kanebo Sensai Collection Premier. For the cost you can either feed a village or buy this product, but I have to mention it because it really is that good.

Nail Polish
StrangeBeautiful, a niche nail polish line with a unique concept and superb quality. The third collection by Jane Schub was launched not long ago and it's as beautiful as you'd expect it to be.If only they'd sell the bottles individually...

Makeup
More than ever before, 2009 was the year limited editions and seasonal collections had sent everyone over the edge. Almost every brand came up with several products that sold out as quickly as they appeared. Of course, Bobbi Brown and Chanel have made this into an art form in previous years, making eye shadow palettes and nail polish in unorthodox shades into an eBay sensation. While this is exciting and probably drives sales even (or especially) in a crappy economy, what happened to the art of a well-thought and carefully edited makeup collection?



The answer is Edward Bess. Creative, perfectionist and talented Edward Bess has a niche makeup line (a Bergdorf Goodman exclusive) that is all about elegance, glamor and impeccable taste. While I wish there were more lipstick and lipgloss shades so I would be able to own more than one of each (minimalists don't become beauty bloggers), I adore what I have and covet each and every eye shadow.

Another company that offers both a gorgeous regular collection as well as stunning seasonal items is Le Metier de Beaute. While their eye and lip Kaleidoscopes are what grabs a makeup lover's attention, it's the face products that give a smooth, flawless look. And the miniature nail polish bottles are pure genius.

The title of Best Mascara belongs to two products: Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill and Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash.

Honorable mentions go to to Bobbi Brown for her Ivy League fall collection, Giorgio Armani for the lipsticks and Christian Dior for the new single eye shadows.


Perfume
Insert heavy sigh here.
These are strange times for the art of perfumery. The writing has been on the wall since 2005 or so, but most of us have been playing ostrich to some degree, mostly because it was so hard to believe that iconic houses that existed for decades (even centuries) and have been a synonym with quality would allow a bunch of bureaucrats to mutilate their classic bestsellers. But IFRA is everywhere and Guerlain, Chanel, Annick Goutal and everyone else have been complying without a fight, thus making No. 5, No. 19, Eau d'Hadrien, Shalimar, Mitsouko and other beloved scents a sad shadow of what they used to be. There's also the issue of cost, of course. Everyone needs to make a profit, and replacing expensive raw materials with cheap ones helps the bottom line. After all, consumers don't care, right? They just want to smell like they've stepped out of the shower.

Not this consumer and not most of you reading this blog.

While even niche houses have been reformulating their perfumes (Chergui, Feminite de Bois, Fleurs d'Oranger) or discontinuing them (JAR Shadow is no more), there are still perfumers who do not create perfumes for focus groups. Mona di Orio has been consistently awesome and her perfumes take you to times and places where Calone doesn't exist. Her line is coming back to NYC (Takashimaya), which is the best news I've heard in ages.

My favorite perfume releases in 2009 come from two small houses. Anya McCoy of Anya's Garden, an all-natural, uncompromising perfumer, has already brought us Kaffir and Pan, two of the most interesting and non-traditional scents I can think of (the first is a lime and leather concoction, the second is all about goat). Her two newest perfumes, MoonDance and StarFlower and stunning in their power, magic and pure sensuality. They are a must-try for any perfume lover.

The perfume that touched my heart more than any other this year (and frankly, probably longer than that) is Andy Tauer's Un Rose Chypree. An emotional, romantic rose on a chypre base that smells of days long gone. It's a masterpiece.

Honorable mentions: L'Artisan Havana Vanille, Uncle Serge's Fille en Aiguilles and last year's Italian Cypress by Tom Ford, which is the most wonderful thing I've smelled on my husband in a while.

And Other stuff...
Green & Black's newest chocolate: Peanut. A 37% milk chocolate, crisply caramelized organic peanuts, a hint of sea salt. Godiva who?

Kajitsu, a vegan Japanese restaurant (414 East 9th Street, New York, NY). It's an amazing experience that doesn't taste like anything else you've had before. The delicate aroma of the food, unique textures and zen atmosphere make it into my favorite restaurant. Get the roasted tea to accompany your meal (and some warm sake). You can also buy it by the pound to take home.

Didier Dumas Patisserie in Nyack, NY (163 Main Street) is a little taste of Paris. Gluttony has never felt so good.

Happy New Year and please visit the other participating bloggers:

Perfume Shrine
Mossy Loomings,
1000fragrances,
Ayala Smelly Blog,
Bittergrace Notes,
Shoes,Cake,Perfume,
Eiderdown Press Journal,
Scent Hive,
Olfactarama,
Roxana's Illuminated Journal,
A Rose Beyond the Thames,
Notes from the Ledge,
I smell therefore I am,
Under the Cupola,
All I am a Redhead,
Perfume In Progress,
Savvy Thinker


Images: myvintagevogue.com, edwardbess.com and Perfume Shrine

Best Of...- Perennial Favorites

Before starting the "Best Of 2009" post (stay tuned- it's coming later today) I thought it would be interesting to go back and examine my lists from previous years and see which products have become staples in my beauty and fragrance routine. A quick look at last year's favorites shows that nothing has changed. I love and use everything mentioned, and I definitely think that Onda by Vero Kern is one of the best perfumes on the market. It's more interesting to see the older posts. I've skipped products that were discontinued since I wrote about them, so here is what I still consider as "Best Of":

From 2006:

Lancome Secret de Vie cream- I've been going through jars upon jars of this stuff. My skin still loves it.
Urban Decay Primer Potion- While there are a lot more eye shadow primers on the market today, I still buy this one. The packaging is annoying, but it's all about performance. My eye makeup hasn't crumbled, melted or faded in years.
Lorac palettes- Back then it was the Snake Charmer palette. I still use it and have since added a couple more.
Niche perfumes- If you're a regular reader you know where I stand on this.
Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP- I still consider Black Orchid as one of the best mainstream/luxury perfume releases of the decade. I wear it, buy it as a gift and enjoy every minute of this weird black truffle-gardenia-chocolate scent.
Benefit Dallas- A summer staple. I got my mom and sister hooked on it, too.
Skin MD Shielding Lotion- I've gone through bottle of this skin saver. They sell it at my local CVS, which makes things easier than when it was only available online.

From 2007:

Zoya nail polish- Love, and not just because they named a shimmery golden white polish after me. The quality is unbeatable, and no matter how many limited edition special polish bottles I buy elsewhere, I always come back to Zoya.
Chanel hand cream- Can't live without it.
Chanel nail polish- limited edition colors. Back then it was the gorgeous Tulip Noir and I'm still a sucker for them. Jade, anyone?
Bobbi Brown metallic eye shadows- Bobbi Brown managed to make them wearable and office-friendly.
Chanel lipstick- The addiction continues. Between the limited edition colors and the regular collection, Chanel is, to me, the standard for quality.
Bobbi Brown eyeliner gel- They stay on forever and the new colors Forest Shimmer Ink and Caviar Ink are gorgeous.
Tauer Perfumes- Every new release makes me giddy. Spoiler alert: Un Rose Chypree is going to make an appearance in my next post.
The Perfumed Court and The Posh Peasant online stores offer a unique service of samples and decants. It's the only way to test many rare, vintage, discontinued and limited edition perfumes
Boots No. 7 at Target- Still far better than most drugstore brands.
Biotherm Homme Ultra Confort- My husband's favorite skin care product. I make sure he never runs out.
Gris Clair, Vetiver Oriental and the rest of the Serge Lutens line- While my husband is currently in his Tom Ford period, Uncle Serge's creations are still loved here very much. With the exception of cumin-infested Serge Noire, he really can't do wrong.

Photo of a 1919 beachside Beauty Pageant from drx.typepad.com

Best Of...- Perennial Favorites

Before starting the "Best Of 2009" post (stay tuned- it's coming later today) I thought it would be interesting to go back and examine my lists from previous years and see which products have become staples in my beauty and fragrance routine. A quick look at last year's favorites shows that nothing has changed. I love and use everything mentioned, and I definitely think that Onda by Vero Kern is one of the best perfumes on the market. It's more interesting to see the older posts. I've skipped products that were discontinued since I wrote about them, so here is what I still consider as "Best Of":

From 2006:

Lancome Secret de Vie cream- I've been going through jars upon jars of this stuff. My skin still loves it.
Urban Decay Primer Potion- While there are a lot more eye shadow primers on the market today, I still buy this one. The packaging is annoying, but it's all about performance. My eye makeup hasn't crumbled, melted or faded in years.
Lorac palettes- Back then it was the Snake Charmer palette. I still use it and have since added a couple more.
Niche perfumes- If you're a regular reader you know where I stand on this.
Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP- I still consider Black Orchid as one of the best mainstream/luxury perfume releases of the decade. I wear it, buy it as a gift and enjoy every minute of this weird black truffle-gardenia-chocolate scent.
Benefit Dallas- A summer staple. I got my mom and sister hooked on it, too.
Skin MD Shielding Lotion- I've gone through bottle of this skin saver. They sell it at my local CVS, which makes things easier than when it was only available online.

From 2007:

Zoya nail polish- Love, and not just because they named a shimmery golden white polish after me. The quality is unbeatable, and no matter how many limited edition special polish bottles I buy elsewhere, I always come back to Zoya.
Chanel hand cream- Can't live without it.
Chanel nail polish- limited edition colors. Back then it was the gorgeous Tulip Noir and I'm still a sucker for them. Jade, anyone?
Bobbi Brown metallic eye shadows- Bobbi Brown managed to make them wearable and office-friendly.
Chanel lipstick- The addiction continues. Between the limited edition colors and the regular collection, Chanel is, to me, the standard for quality.
Bobbi Brown eyeliner gel- They stay on forever and the new colors Forest Shimmer Ink and Caviar Ink are gorgeous.
Tauer Perfumes- Every new release makes me giddy. Spoiler alert: Un Rose Chypree is going to make an appearance in my next post.
The Perfumed Court and The Posh Peasant online stores offer a unique service of samples and decants. It's the only way to test many rare, vintage, discontinued and limited edition perfumes
Boots No. 7 at Target- Still far better than most drugstore brands.
Biotherm Homme Ultra Confort- My husband's favorite skin care product. I make sure he never runs out.
Gris Clair, Vetiver Oriental and the rest of the Serge Lutens line- While my husband is currently in his Tom Ford period, Uncle Serge's creations are still loved here very much. With the exception of cumin-infested Serge Noire, he really can't do wrong.

Photo of a 1919 beachside Beauty Pageant from drx.typepad.com

Best Of...- Perennial Favorites

Before starting the "Best Of 2009" post (stay tuned- it's coming later today) I thought it would be interesting to go back and examine my lists from previous years and see which products have become staples in my beauty and fragrance routine. A quick look at last year's favorites shows that nothing has changed. I love and use everything mentioned, and I definitely think that Onda by Vero Kern is one of the best perfumes on the market. It's more interesting to see the older posts. I've skipped products that were discontinued since I wrote about them, so here is what I still consider as "Best Of":

From 2006:

Lancome Secret de Vie cream- I've been going through jars upon jars of this stuff. My skin still loves it.
Urban Decay Primer Potion- While there are a lot more eye shadow primers on the market today, I still buy this one. The packaging is annoying, but it's all about performance. My eye makeup hasn't crumbled, melted or faded in years.
Lorac palettes- Back then it was the Snake Charmer palette. I still use it and have since added a couple more.
Niche perfumes- If you're a regular reader you know where I stand on this.
Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP- I still consider Black Orchid as one of the best mainstream/luxury perfume releases of the decade. I wear it, buy it as a gift and enjoy every minute of this weird black truffle-gardenia-chocolate scent.
Benefit Dallas- A summer staple. I got my mom and sister hooked on it, too.
Skin MD Shielding Lotion- I've gone through bottle of this skin saver. They sell it at my local CVS, which makes things easier than when it was only available online.

From 2007:

Zoya nail polish- Love, and not just because they named a shimmery golden white polish after me. The quality is unbeatable, and no matter how many limited edition special polish bottles I buy elsewhere, I always come back to Zoya.
Chanel hand cream- Can't live without it.
Chanel nail polish- limited edition colors. Back then it was the gorgeous Tulip Noir and I'm still a sucker for them. Jade, anyone?
Bobbi Brown metallic eye shadows- Bobbi Brown managed to make them wearable and office-friendly.
Chanel lipstick- The addiction continues. Between the limited edition colors and the regular collection, Chanel is, to me, the standard for quality.
Bobbi Brown eyeliner gel- They stay on forever and the new colors Forest Shimmer Ink and Caviar Ink are gorgeous.
Tauer Perfumes- Every new release makes me giddy. Spoiler alert: Un Rose Chypree is going to make an appearance in my next post.
The Perfumed Court and The Posh Peasant online stores offer a unique service of samples and decants. It's the only way to test many rare, vintage, discontinued and limited edition perfumes
Boots No. 7 at Target- Still far better than most drugstore brands.
Biotherm Homme Ultra Confort- My husband's favorite skin care product. I make sure he never runs out.
Gris Clair, Vetiver Oriental and the rest of the Serge Lutens line- While my husband is currently in his Tom Ford period, Uncle Serge's creations are still loved here very much. With the exception of cumin-infested Serge Noire, he really can't do wrong.

Photo of a 1919 beachside Beauty Pageant from drx.typepad.com

A Quick Preview Of Chanel Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

Reviews, photos and swatches of Chanel Particulier nail polish, Rouge Allure Impertinente lipstick and Kaska Beige eye shadow quad are coming very soon (spoiler alert: I love all of them). In the meantime, Lizzy and I took some pictures.

A Quick Preview Of Chanel Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

Reviews, photos and swatches of Chanel Particulier nail polish, Rouge Allure Impertinente lipstick and Kaska Beige eye shadow quad are coming very soon (spoiler alert: I love all of them). In the meantime, Lizzy and I took some pictures.

A Quick Preview Of Chanel Spring 2010 Makeup Collection

Reviews, photos and swatches of Chanel Particulier nail polish, Rouge Allure Impertinente lipstick and Kaska Beige eye shadow quad are coming very soon (spoiler alert: I love all of them). In the meantime, Lizzy and I took some pictures.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation SPF 15 (M40 Honey)

When I bought my emergency Cover FX Total Coverage foundation I also got the lighter product, Natural FX Water Based Foundation. This liquid foundation is a lot easier to use and can be applied on larger areas or the entire face (I've found that I prefer to use Total Coverage very sparingly and only on those spots where I have something to hide). It still gives very good coverage (medium+), but doesn't act as spackle and is far less drying.

I don't love it as much as my holy grail Chanel Vitalumiere, but that's simply because my preference for minimal coverage and a more dewy look. Then again, sometimes I do need a little more help, which is why I bought the Cover FX products in the first place, and for this purpose they don't disappoint. I've found that it works best over a silicone primer and a well-moisturized face. I'd still avoid using it on dry patches or on days the weather and skin feel parched.

It was harder to settle on a color for Natural FX than for Total Coverage. Once again I ended up with M40 (honey), but it took me longer to choose it, because before testing on my face I tried each foundation color on my wrist just to see the undertone, and M40 looked way too yellow. But while M30 (Cashew) was slightly a better fit on my arm, it was too pale with a pink hint when meeting my face. I suspect that if I want the best match ever I need to mix these colors. Something like two parts M40 and one part M30, but as it is I usually mix the Cover FX with my Chanel which gives me a similar result.

The main thing about this foundation is application. Sponges, wet or dry, lay it on too thick, and I've found that my fingers don't do an even enough job, which is important when you use anything that isn't of the minimal coverage family. I've been using it with several of the foundation brushes I already owned, but decided I need to do things right to get the most out of the products. I caved and ordered two Cover FX brushes: #160 Cream Foundation Brush and #170 Precision Foundation Brush (the one with the pointy tip). They only arrived today, so I have yet to test them, but I can tell you they look promising in density and weight.

Bottom line: An above average product and above average coverage. Gives picture-worthy results as long as you stay hydrated and moisturized.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation ($40) and foundation brushes ($36-38) are available from Sephora. I bought the foundation in store and ordered the brushes online.

All photos by me.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation SPF 15 (M40 Honey)

When I bought my emergency Cover FX Total Coverage foundation I also got the lighter product, Natural FX Water Based Foundation. This liquid foundation is a lot easier to use and can be applied on larger areas or the entire face (I've found that I prefer to use Total Coverage very sparingly and only on those spots where I have something to hide). It still gives very good coverage (medium+), but doesn't act as spackle and is far less drying.

I don't love it as much as my holy grail Chanel Vitalumiere, but that's simply because my preference for minimal coverage and a more dewy look. Then again, sometimes I do need a little more help, which is why I bought the Cover FX products in the first place, and for this purpose they don't disappoint. I've found that it works best over a silicone primer and a well-moisturized face. I'd still avoid using it on dry patches or on days the weather and skin feel parched.

It was harder to settle on a color for Natural FX than for Total Coverage. Once again I ended up with M40 (honey), but it took me longer to choose it, because before testing on my face I tried each foundation color on my wrist just to see the undertone, and M40 looked way too yellow. But while M30 (Cashew) was slightly a better fit on my arm, it was too pale with a pink hint when meeting my face. I suspect that if I want the best match ever I need to mix these colors. Something like two parts M40 and one part M30, but as it is I usually mix the Cover FX with my Chanel which gives me a similar result.

The main thing about this foundation is application. Sponges, wet or dry, lay it on too thick, and I've found that my fingers don't do an even enough job, which is important when you use anything that isn't of the minimal coverage family. I've been using it with several of the foundation brushes I already owned, but decided I need to do things right to get the most out of the products. I caved and ordered two Cover FX brushes: #160 Cream Foundation Brush and #170 Precision Foundation Brush (the one with the pointy tip). They only arrived today, so I have yet to test them, but I can tell you they look promising in density and weight.

Bottom line: An above average product and above average coverage. Gives picture-worthy results as long as you stay hydrated and moisturized.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation ($40) and foundation brushes ($36-38) are available from Sephora. I bought the foundation in store and ordered the brushes online.

All photos by me.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation SPF 15 (M40 Honey)

When I bought my emergency Cover FX Total Coverage foundation I also got the lighter product, Natural FX Water Based Foundation. This liquid foundation is a lot easier to use and can be applied on larger areas or the entire face (I've found that I prefer to use Total Coverage very sparingly and only on those spots where I have something to hide). It still gives very good coverage (medium+), but doesn't act as spackle and is far less drying.

I don't love it as much as my holy grail Chanel Vitalumiere, but that's simply because my preference for minimal coverage and a more dewy look. Then again, sometimes I do need a little more help, which is why I bought the Cover FX products in the first place, and for this purpose they don't disappoint. I've found that it works best over a silicone primer and a well-moisturized face. I'd still avoid using it on dry patches or on days the weather and skin feel parched.

It was harder to settle on a color for Natural FX than for Total Coverage. Once again I ended up with M40 (honey), but it took me longer to choose it, because before testing on my face I tried each foundation color on my wrist just to see the undertone, and M40 looked way too yellow. But while M30 (Cashew) was slightly a better fit on my arm, it was too pale with a pink hint when meeting my face. I suspect that if I want the best match ever I need to mix these colors. Something like two parts M40 and one part M30, but as it is I usually mix the Cover FX with my Chanel which gives me a similar result.

The main thing about this foundation is application. Sponges, wet or dry, lay it on too thick, and I've found that my fingers don't do an even enough job, which is important when you use anything that isn't of the minimal coverage family. I've been using it with several of the foundation brushes I already owned, but decided I need to do things right to get the most out of the products. I caved and ordered two Cover FX brushes: #160 Cream Foundation Brush and #170 Precision Foundation Brush (the one with the pointy tip). They only arrived today, so I have yet to test them, but I can tell you they look promising in density and weight.

Bottom line: An above average product and above average coverage. Gives picture-worthy results as long as you stay hydrated and moisturized.

Cover FX Natural FX Water Based Foundation ($40) and foundation brushes ($36-38) are available from Sephora. I bought the foundation in store and ordered the brushes online.

All photos by me.

Sonia Rykiel Woman (Not For Men!)

I remember reading several reviews comparing Sonia Rykiel Woman to Barbara Bui (both were created by perfumer Anne Flipo around 2004) and not really getting it. For the longest time, Barbara Bui was mostly a powdery labdanum-incense on me, while Rykiel Woman smelled like sweet leather. But wearing both for several seasons I realized that while Rykiel's deeper and darker notes bloom dangerously in warm temperatures and more humid air, it is quite incense-y and its strong amber base has more than a touch of powder.

Rykiel Woman makes a statement, though I'm not sure it's "not for men!". It has a feminine air, like a well-cut and tailored coat or a sweater dress, but nothing girly or frilly about it, and the drydown of wood-leather-amber is dark and smooth. Men who are not scared of powder would probably enjoy it, while women who are into fresh and light scents wouldn't.

Sonia Rykiel's perfumes deserve a lot more attention than they get. It looks like a distribution issue- you rarely see them in stores and most people aren't familiar with the gem that is Le Parfum (1993). The good news is that if you search online you will find these fragrances at many online retailers for what is now considered practically a song (under $50, just make sure you get the eau de parfum, as the EDT is significantly inferior). The bad news is that the Sonia Rykiel website has changed since the last time I visited and no longer promotes or even mentions any of the perfumes, which we all know can't mean anything good.

Sonia Rykiel Woman (Not For Men!)

I remember reading several reviews comparing Sonia Rykiel Woman to Barbara Bui (both were created by perfumer Anne Flipo around 2004) and not really getting it. For the longest time, Barbara Bui was mostly a powdery labdanum-incense on me, while Rykiel Woman smelled like sweet leather. But wearing both for several seasons I realized that while Rykiel's deeper and darker notes bloom dangerously in warm temperatures and more humid air, it is quite incense-y and its strong amber base has more than a touch of powder.

Rykiel Woman makes a statement, though I'm not sure it's "not for men!". It has a feminine air, like a well-cut and tailored coat or a sweater dress, but nothing girly or frilly about it, and the drydown of wood-leather-amber is dark and smooth. Men who are not scared of powder would probably enjoy it, while women who are into fresh and light scents wouldn't.

Sonia Rykiel's perfumes deserve a lot more attention than they get. It looks like a distribution issue- you rarely see them in stores and most people aren't familiar with the gem that is Le Parfum (1993). The good news is that if you search online you will find these fragrances at many online retailers for what is now considered practically a song (under $50, just make sure you get the eau de parfum, as the EDT is significantly inferior). The bad news is that the Sonia Rykiel website has changed since the last time I visited and no longer promotes or even mentions any of the perfumes, which we all know can't mean anything good.

Sonia Rykiel Woman (Not For Men!)

I remember reading several reviews comparing Sonia Rykiel Woman to Barbara Bui (both were created by perfumer Anne Flipo around 2004) and not really getting it. For the longest time, Barbara Bui was mostly a powdery labdanum-incense on me, while Rykiel Woman smelled like sweet leather. But wearing both for several seasons I realized that while Rykiel's deeper and darker notes bloom dangerously in warm temperatures and more humid air, it is quite incense-y and its strong amber base has more than a touch of powder.

Rykiel Woman makes a statement, though I'm not sure it's "not for men!". It has a feminine air, like a well-cut and tailored coat or a sweater dress, but nothing girly or frilly about it, and the drydown of wood-leather-amber is dark and smooth. Men who are not scared of powder would probably enjoy it, while women who are into fresh and light scents wouldn't.

Sonia Rykiel's perfumes deserve a lot more attention than they get. It looks like a distribution issue- you rarely see them in stores and most people aren't familiar with the gem that is Le Parfum (1993). The good news is that if you search online you will find these fragrances at many online retailers for what is now considered practically a song (under $50, just make sure you get the eau de parfum, as the EDT is significantly inferior). The bad news is that the Sonia Rykiel website has changed since the last time I visited and no longer promotes or even mentions any of the perfumes, which we all know can't mean anything good.

Things I Don't Get

1. A pink puffy vest by Jil Sander? Why would anyone want it?
Yes, I understand that Jil Sander, the designer, has more or less lost the rights to her own name. She now designs for Japanese Uniqlo stores under the +J brand, which probably means she needs to come up with items that would appeal to a certain audience. But wouldn't shoppers who are looking for Jil Sander designs be fans of sleek and sophisticated urban style and not Barbie on ice?

Can anyone shed some light?



2. This Missoni ensemble. Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge Missoni fan and find their clothes timeless and super versatile. I wear them year-round and pair them with just about anything and everything. But here, even the model looks miserable.

Photos and info: WWD