If you know me in real life, it will come as no surprise when I say that I'm a total hussy (as my friend Felicia Sullivan would say) for all things Balenciaga. The luscious leathers, intense hardware, architectural cuts (I could go on...) woo me, making me weak in the knees. The new Balenciaga Paris fragrance holds true to that precedent, thanks to the devastatingly chic bottle and perfectly complex violet, pepper and moss-based juice.
In store this month, Balenciaga Paris was created by perfumer Olivier Polge in conjunction with designer Nicolas Ghesquière. Style icon (and Ghesquière muse) Charlotte Gainsbourg (below with Nicolas) is the face of the launch and her perfectly tousled, Parisian beauty says more than a fragrance description ever could.
Ghesquière says, "“Charlotte doesn’t define herself. This fragrance is just like her.”
I must agree. Balenciaga, the fragrance, is for a woman with style and a woman with edge, but a woman who is a woman above all.
Learn more at www.BalenciagaFragrance.com.
FTC Disclosure: Coty is a client.
$45.00 by Frederic Fekkai at Neiman Marcus
As I've said a million times before, fragrance should be an indelible part of any woman's style signature. In fact, if I go without it, I feel absolutely naked - and not in a good way. One of my fave ways to wear scent has always been in my hair, but since most perfumes are alcohol-based, they wind up leaving your hair dry and the fragrance dissipates quickly.
Not the case with Frederic Fekkai's new Sensuelle line ($30-95). This fragrance and haircare collection includes not only an Eau de Parfum, but also a coordinating Shampoo, Conditioner and Hairspray that boast a feminine, clean mix of neroli and jasmine entwined with woody and amber notes.
And since it's not enough for your hair to smell amazing (and it DOES, not to mention the scent lasts all day), the Sensuelle Shampoo & Conditioner leave hair feeling beyond silky and with unbeatable shine.
Since all good things must come to an end, Sensuelle is a limited edition. Don't be afraid to stock up!
The air has a delightful chill to it in New York this week, so I'm convinced that autumn is finally here. The change in seasons requires a change in wardrobe for me - but I'm not just talking sweaters and knee high boots. I look forward to switching out the crisp citrus and feminine florals that I favor in warm (literally) weather for warm (figuratively) skin scents.
My newest love? Tokyo Milk's divine Honey and the Moon Parfum. Packaged in a chic little glass bottle, this honey, violet, jasmine and sandalwood scent marries a few of my favorite notes in an utterly modern blend. Best of all, it's just $28.
This line can be a bit tricky to find - but Amazon.com stocks nearly every parfum available. Check out the Tokyo Milk assortment here.
$40.00 by Yves Saint Laurent at Macy's
We've already discussed the beyond-steamy Kate Moss advert for YSL's new fragrance, Parisienne...now, let's talk about the juice.
Designed for a woman who is "incredibly free" and "knows how to love, how to live," Parisienne is a feminine, sensual floral with a woody structure.
Damask rose (I am an absolute sucker for modern rose fragrances), red berries, sandalwood and vetiver marry beautifully to create a fragrance that's as appropriate for date night as it is for an evening out with the girls.
I dig this fragrance and that's rare for me when it comes to department store perfumes. Snag a bottle at Macy's or your local YSL counter.
Bath & Body Works' new 'Find Your Fragrance' widget is a fun little distraction! Drag and drop up to six icons that represent your mood (i.e. a shoe or a lipstick...you can see where my mind is...) into the bottle and the site generates not only your 'fragrance mood' (i.e. fresh, fruity, floral) but also a recommendation for your signature scent!
I've played a few times and today, my scent is Sea Island Cotton!
Bath & Body Works has graciously offered up one full size Eau de Toilette (value of $25) to a random eye4style reader. To enter, simply visit www.bbwfindyourfragrance.com, find your signature fragrance and leave a comment here with the name of the scent selected for you!
One winner will be chosen at random next Thursday, August 27 at Noon.
Good luck - and happy sniffing!
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to attend a top secret fragrance event with none other than Michael Kors himself. The designer is a fave of mine, so I was thrilled to celebrate the launch of Very Hollywood, his latest fragrance which features notes of gardenia, bergamot, mandarin, cassis, raspberry, amber and white moss.
"It's optimistic, it's happy and it's glamorous all at the same time, " Kors says of Very Hollywood. And while this fragrance shares some of the same key white floral notes of his signature scent Michael (in fact, it's formulated by the same perfumer), Very Hollywood has tongue planted firmly in cheek (or should that be 'chic' ;) with a bottle that's inspired by vintage flashbulbs and a signature pen with scented ink that's sold as part of the collection...this is glam with a sense of humor!
Kors went on to say that he envisions women wearing Very Hollywood for "their indulgent moment," be it a gorgeous gold beaded dress (i.e. the Michael Kors dress in the photo below, which was worn by Carmen Kass in the ad campaign) or a bikini with a cashmere sweater casually thrown on as a cover-up.
For a glimpse of the ads and, of course, the fragrance collection, check out the gallery below or visit www.veryhollywood.com - where you can also enter to win a bottle of fragrance! If you'd prefer not to take any chances, you can also snag a bottle there - the EDP starts at $45.
p.s. You may be wondering what fragrances Kors himself favors...I sure was! He confessed to me that he wears not only his signature men's scent but also Jo Malone Grapefruit Cologne and a true summer classic - Bain de Soleil.
I'm going to be totally honest with you. I positively hate the idea of smelling like every Jane Doe, so it's pretty rare that I'd even consider spritzing myself with a fragrance sold at a mass market store like Sephora. That said, the new KenzoAmour Florale ($55-75) is enough to make me reconsider.
A bouquet of delicate white flowers makes up this feminine floral. The star Neroli, is an elegant white flower distinctive for its refreshing floral aroma with a hint of spice. Surprisingly, it's an intensely sensual fragrance - the kind that draws people in to smell more of - that is just so, so perfect for summer.
I love it and if you like skin scents or florals, I think you will too.
p.s. That gorgeous bottle? Created by none other than acclaimed designer Karim Rashid, who has a long standing relationship with Kenzo.
$55.00 by Kenzo at Sephora
More big fragrance news to report today! Actress Reese Witherspoon has partnered with Avon on her first fragrance, In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon.
Launching this November, the fragrance is said to be delicate and feminine but with a seductive allure. Reese said, "I found myself drawn to the scents of my childhood in Tennessee. We had a great big Magnolia tree in the back yard, and it's that beautiful white blossom that inspired the perfume. In Bloom is indicative of where I am in my life today. I'm feeling very strong and independent, and so happy, so full of life.”
Isabel Ryan, Director of Avon Creative Development, says that “Reese was the perfect partner on the fragrance – she was fully involved in the whole process from the development of the juice and packaging to the fragrance name. I logged many miles flying between NY and LA to work with her to make sure the end result was a true reflection of Reese’s style.”
What do you think? Does In Bloom sound like it will tempt your sniffer? I'm a white floral girl myself, so I cannot wait to snag a bottle!
