L'Occitane Fleur Cherie Makeup Collection

When L'Occitane released their Peony fragrance line in the spring, it was accompanied by a complementary capsule makeup collection. Though the fragrance remained part of the line, the cosmetics disappeared. With the debut of the new Fleur Cherie products for the holiday season L'Occitane has again released a small group of makeup that will only be sticking around for a limited time.

The fragrance and shades are not exactly reminiscent of the season. The fragrance is a light floral and the makeup in shades of coral, rose and pink. Even the peach and white packaging connotes spring in my opinion. Nonetheless, some of the products are lovely, particularly the sheer coral lipstick I picked up, Corail Brocart. The lipstick is semi-sheer and quite smooth and moisturizing. It contains orange blossom extract, ostensibly for softness. The packaging is a paper tube evocative of the early Stila lipsticks and the lipstick itself has a light, non-offensive fragrance. There are 5 shades from which to choose t $14 each, though my store only had 3.

Other products include a highlight powder a la Guerlain Meteorites (image below. This item had already sold out at my local boutique), blush duos, eye shadows, a lip gloss compact, eye liners and wand-style glosses. Again, while the website has 5 shades available for purchase, my boutique had only 2 remaining. You view the full collection online or stop by your local shop to see them in person for a limited time!

Neiman Marcus The Scent Event

For all of my fragrance-loving readers (waves to Susan!), I wanted to pass along some details about Neiman's online fragrance gift event. With a fragrance purchase of $85 or more, you'll receive a straw tote with pink or green camo handles filled with 9 samples.

Set includes:
• Hermes Voyage, 0.06 oz.
• Carolina Herrera CH, 0.04 oz.
• Salvatore Ferragamo F for Fascinating Night, 0.06 oz.
• Supersmile Whitening Toothpaste, .05 oz.
• Cartier Delices de Cartier, .05 oz.
• Prada L'eau Ambree Eau de Parfum, .05 oz.
• Hanae Mori Parfum, .039 oz.
• Bvlgari Eau The Blanc Eau de Cologne, .06 oz.
• Natori Eau de Parfum, 0.17 oz.

A few of the fragrance lines are also running gifts with purchase. See the full lineup here. Neiman Marcus currently has free shipping at any price with code NMSHOP!

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose

I love the original Flowerbomb fragrance. It's deep and warm and appeals to me even though I generally dislike florals and prefer more gourmand scent. I don't wear Flowerbomb during the day as I find it on the strong side, but love it in the evenings and for going out. When I saw the gorgeous bottle for the new Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose, I had to try it! On first spritz this smells like the original with a hint of rose and some citrus. Delicious, but what would the drydown be like? Well, it's very much like the original on me only slightly "brighter"! That's not a bad thing since I adore the original, I'm not sure that I can justify the extra $80 right now given the similarity. Citrus tends to fade almost instantly on me so this may work differently on other chemistry. Nonetheless, it's a yummy fragrance in a stunning bottle and eminently worthy of a sample!

Do You Wear Fragrance Daily?

I have a collection of about a dozen or so fragrances that I wear frequently, and have had two Bond No. 9 fragrances on my wish list forever (So New York and Nuits de Noho, which are fabulous mixed together, even more so than each individually). Some of my favorites are light and airy (Philosophy Falling in Love, Elizabeth W Sweet Tea, Diptique Oyedo) while others are deeper and more heady (Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Poupee de Rochas, Ginestet Botrytis). Despite liking fragrance, I am extremely conscious of the fact that many suffer from fragrance sensitivity and allergies, and I rarely wear any to work or in situation where I will be in close proximity to strangers. For example, I think that perfume should be banned at the gym, on trains, planes, buses (basically any place where the person next to you cannot easily escape)! Heavy scents are an instant migraine for me and for some reason I find that those who wear the most offensive fragrances tend to apply them with liberal abandon. I was nearly put into a Tresor-induced coma on the bus home yesterday by the woman whom I can only assume washes her clothes or bathes in the stuff. The fragrance permeated the entire interior of the bus, and this was at 6PM. I can only imagine how strong the scent must have been when freshly applied. Regardless of personal preference or taste in scents (and I think fragrance is highly personal), I believe that a person should have to be close enough to touch you to deduce that you're wearing perfume.

What is your opinion on fragrance? Do you wear it daily? What are some of your favorites?

LAVANILA Vanilla Passion Fruit

I want to love LAVANILA, I really do. This fragrance line uses 100% natural ingredients including pure essential oils and active botanicals. In addition to fragrance, LAVANILA makes body wash, lotions, candles and lip balms in vanilla-based scents that sound positively divine: Vanilla, Vanilla Coconut, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Lavender, Vanilla Spice, Vanilla Blossom and now Vanilla Passion Fruit. The problem is that every product I've tried has disappointed me, and I want to like the line so badly that I've tried quite a few. The candles had no throw at all, the Vanilla Coconut shower gel smelled so off I actually returned it to Sephora, the Vanilla Grapefruit fragrance smelled like cat pea after a few minutes, the Vanilla Lavender deodorant..well, let's just say I would have been better off going without. I like the Lip Shines quite a bit and thought that the range had finally redeemed itself with Vanilla Passion Fruit. Two of my favorite scents in one!

"Experience this irresistible, long-wearing blend of passion fruit, guava, and peach nectar steeped in a warm base of sandalwood and Madagascar vanilla. Created by master natural perfumers, this love-attracting scent is uniquely infused with a romantic blend of powerful aphrodisiacs (blue lotus, clary sage, and juniper berry) prized for their seductive properties."

Doesn't that sound yummy and perfect? I found the product at Sephora today ($58) , spritzed it on a tester strip and was enthralled. It smelled SO good I just had to spray it on my wrist immediately! I left the store resolving to come back and buy it and went on my merry way. By the time I reached Loehmanns 3 blocks away I found myself asking "what IS that awful perfumel? It was like a cloyingly sweet Gucci Rush (my most hated fragrance ever. Lancome Tresor is a close second for what it's worth) on steroids! I thought it was the woman in the dressing spot next to mine until I realized, horrified, that it was ME. I was the one polluting Loehmanns smelling like cheap pink cotton candy coupled with the syrupy sweet Vanilla Fields of my teenage years.

Of course, this is the most enduring scent ever since it's been 4 hours and will absolutely not wash off or fade. I couldn't get my Bond No. 9 to last on my this way if I tried, but Vanilla Passion Fruit is not going anywhere! Of course your mileage may vary, but for me this is a migraine-inducing dud that refuses to dissipate. It's too bad because the first sniff is absolutely lovely. LAVANILA, I had such high hopes for you...

Five Recent Rediscoveries

When you frequently buy new makeup products, often old favorites tend to fall by the wayside. Over the last few days I was determined to get back to using some items I hadn't worn in a while. Here of some products I rediscovered in my collection and was really pleased with this week:

• Lancome Miel Glace Blush Subtil- this soft shimmery pinky bronzy beige hadn't been used in quite a while and now that I've rediscovered it, I remember why it's such a highly praised blush among makeup aficionados. It's a great everyday blush whether you're pale or simply want a subtle look (I guess it's obvious that I don't use those little in-compact applicators!).
• Laura Mercier Black Violet Kohl Eye Pencil- black is too harsh with my fair skin and light eyes, but plums and purples don't always provide enough contrast or drama. Black Violet is absolutely the best of both worlds--a deep dark violet shimmer married to a sooty black--with an unbeatable formula. This liner glides on and wears well on me. Amazing on the waterline as well!
• MAC Grain Eye Shadow-I am not the biggest MAC fan, but I spotted Grain in a Company Store (the invite-only version of the Cosmetic Company Outlet) and had to have it. It's a pretty peachy beige shimmer with a hint of taupe in the pan, but is even more flattering when applied than you'd expect. It really brightens up my whole eye and is perfect for a quick, polished look.
• Laura Mercier Stickgloss in Brown Sugar- this is a soft beigey brown mauve in a sheer, moisturizing base. A perfect go-to for work and works very well with Miel Glace.
• Kiehls Vanilla Essence- this tiny vial holds an ultra-concentrated perfume oil. Many vanillas give me a migraine but this doesn't. Kiehls' Vanilla is not a complex fragrance. To me it's vanilla blended with a tiny hint of cherry and almond that I find warm, simple and comforting.