Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Best Wishes for a brighter, lighter, and happier 2017.

2016 Perfume Top Picks, Hall of Shame, And Some General Kvetching

It's becoming a numbers game. How many of the year's over 1500 new perfume launches can we even get to smell given the 365 days a year, one nose, a finite perfume budget, and only so much skin surface (and patience)?  This year even more than ever my top picks are a very personal list of new and almost new fragrances that stood out among the ones I chose to sniff and test. They've delighted me and brightened this poor excuse of a year. If 2015 was marked for me by mostly buying backups and vintage bottles, this year I've acquired a surprising number of new releases.

Before we get to the good stuff, here are a few things I had to get off my chest (this list would have been longer had I not complained enough back in February 2016):

Hall of Shame
This one belongs to Roja Dove who one-upped Uncle Serge's Hammer & Sickle bottle with a perfume named Oligarch for the Russian market.

General Kvetching
Guerlain standardizing the bottles, discontinuing Dandy (formerly known as Arsen Lupin Dandy), messing and remessing with the classics while releasing La Petite Robe Noire Ma Premiere Robe 2016.
Chanel. I don't mind the watered-down No.5 L'Eau, and I admit that I've longed for denser more concentrated versions of the Les Exclusifs. However, discontinuing the now classic eau de toilette formulations in favor of the muddy new eau de parfum was not what I had in mind.

With that out of the way I can focus on all that's good and brilliant. Here goes:

An older limited release now in wide(r) distribution
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge. It doesn't make up for discontinuing Absolue Pour le Soir, but it's so good I can almost deal.

Mainstream Surprise
And a celebrity one, no less. Sarah Jessica Parker Stash. Could have been easily mistaken for an edgy indie creation.

Most Adorable Bottle
While the juice inside was too light, sheer, and rosy for my personal taste, Grace by Grace Coddington and Comme des Garçons comes in a beautiful cat-shaped bottle that's a far cry from the ones we've seen from Katy Perry.

Oils
Beauty and perfume oils have been there since the dawn of the time, but just as the mainstream cosmetics industry seems to have rediscovered them, so did perfumeries. On my shelves the excellent ones from Aftelier (Ancient Resins was created for Leonard Cohen, but there are other great ones in the line) and Providence Perfume Company were joined this year by Chanel No.5 Body Oil, the oil version of SJP Stash, and the drop-dead gorgeous rose oil from Tauer Perfumes.

Super Limited Edition

• Bruno Fazzolari x Antonio Gardoni Cadavre Exquise. A gourmand mega-beast. Only 99 bottles were made, but Luckyscent still has a few for sale. I don't need a backup but it's tempting.
• Aeon 001. I bought  this complex animalic vetiver for the Blond's birthday, and I'm glad I did so before all 333 bottles were sold out. 

A New Line to Watch
Edward Bess is known for his fabulous and carefully edited makeup line. His previous attempt to add a perfume to his brand was less than successful, but he's back now with three perfumes that recall the glory days of perfume shopping (and wearing). My favorite is the woody-incesnsy Spanish Veil, but all three are pretty spectacular.

The Rest of the Good Stuff

• Slumberhouse- New Sibet. A leathery, musky, mossy goat walking on a dirt path. 
• Aedes de Venustas- Cierge de Lune. Light and dark, warm and cool, a sophisticated way of using vanilla in a decidedly non-gourmand way.
• Parfumerie Generale- Indian Wood 11.1. A spicy milky sandalwood that showcases Pierre Guillaume's talent for the not-so-edible notes.
• Rainmaker by En Voyage Perfumes. A lush rain-soaked mossy amber. I should have bought a larger bottle.
• Eris Perfumes-Ma Bête. Blogger and vintage perfume aficionado Barbara Herman teamed with perfumer Antoine Lie to create this nostalgic animalic perfume and prove that it is, actually possible.
• DSH Perfumes- Rendezvous is another animalic chypre in the classic tradition. If you loved Papillon's Salome and Bogue's Maai this is the one for you.

For More 2016 Perfume Picks please visit my friends:
Bois de Jasmin * Grain de Musc * Now Smell This * Perfume Posse

What Caught your nose this year? Have you bought it?

Debbie Reynolds (1932-2016)

 

Debbie Reynolds quotes:

"I stopped making movies because I don't like taking my clothes off. Maybe it's realism, but in my opinion, it's utter filth. "

"I think one of my favourite films is 'Dark Victory' with Bette Davis. Why? She was so wonderful in that film. And maybe I just want a good cry once in a while without having to go through a divorce."

“I don’t have a favourite decade. I like to remember the whole of my professional life as one wonderful party.”

“You see through things so easily. You see through phoney – so you don’t bother with a lot of people. But you see sadness before it happens too. You see someone who is already destined to go down the wrong road and you feel sorry for them. ”

“I want to sing and dance through the rest of my life. I want to be able to enjoy the last years that I have and be happy. That’s a lot to ask, but I hope to achieve that.”

Currently- December 2016

Do I even need to say this?

Seriously, 2016, what gives?

I chose the image above, the December 1916 cover of the long-gone radical magazine The Masses, because I was thinking about that year and how it wasn't that joyful, either. World War I and the Polio epidemic were the tip of the iceberg. I usually gain some perspective from history, but this year has found me wondering how much progress we've really made since then. Looking at the Wikipedia 1916 event calendar is enough to make one think. That alone is depressing enough even before we consider the In Memoriam section of every coming award show. It's also been a difficult year for too many of my close friends and family members who've been dealing with serious illnesses.

If I were into tattoos I'd be getting a Hamsa hand on my shoulder right about now.

You know what? Let's start this over. If you're still here reading, that is.

Book
Right now I'm wading in true escapist stuff, a YA science fiction novel, The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee. The writing is Twilightish, but the core idea and plot are quite enjoyable. Just before the holidays I considered rereading Connie Willis' Doomsday Book, but opted instead for her christmas story All Seated on the Ground, which was a good choice, all things considered. But the best book I've read this month was The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. I started it when it first came out but got distracted by something shiny. I'm glad I came back to this very English novel.

Music




TV
Finally watched the most recent season of Transparent in one night. Right now the Husband and I are back to comfort-watching. Star Trek: Enterprise is more enjoyable than I remembered. Back in the day we quit it before the first season was over, but other than the fact that too many scenes seem to have been created with teenaged boys in mind it is not half bad.

Link
Jane Austen's Emma was published 200 years ago this month. It's still as fantastic as ever.

Perfume
A good friend gave me a decant of  Tralala from Penhaligon's which had been discontinued before I could get over my discomfort with the choice of literary and cinematic reference. I'm pretty sure nothing in Last Exit to Brooklyn has smelled even remotely close to this fantastic rich and vintage-inspired floriental.

Makeup
Heavy mascara and dark berry lips. If not now then when?

Frequently Worn Outfit/Item
Dark or black jeans, luxurious sweaters, hats, black boots. Also, a mix of modern and vintage bracelets in corresponding colors worn together.

Food
Matzoh balls in a vegetarian broth.

Bane
Restaurants that serve mediocre food for exorbitant prices. I'd rather have a bagel at my local diner.

Joy
Feeding the squirrels and birds outside, then watching them feast under the watchful gaze of the cats.

Anticipation
A quiet and happy new year's eve.

Wishlist
Peace on Earth, in every possible way.

Random Thought
I hope Freddie Mercury is enjoying the great company he has now.


How are you? What's on your list of loves and banes? Any wishes and recommendations?


Images:
The Masses cover by Frank Walts, december 1916
Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), December Storm, 1959.

Carrie Fisher (1956-2016)

Carrie Fisher quotes:

"I don't want my life to imitate art, I want my life to be art." 

"I was street smart, but unfortunately the street was Rodeo Drive." 

"There is no point at which you can say, “Well, I’m successful now. I might as well take a nap.”" 

"I have a mess in my head sometimes, and there's something very satisfying about putting it into words. Certainly it's not something that you're in charge of, necessarily, but writing about it, putting it into your words, can be a very powerful experience. "

 "If anything, my mother taught me how to sur-thrive. That's my word for it. "

"I've seen pictures of myself with makeup on, and I look like those women who look like they're wearing makeup so they can look young, and I don't think that's good. They have all these products now called - wait, what's it called, it's my favorite - youth suppressant, or age go away; they don't work. "

George Michael (1963-2016)

"I'm never gonna dance again

The way I danced with you"

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and joyous everything to you and yours.



Image via eaglecreek.com.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Rose & Blushed Rose

It was announced late last week that Bobbi Brown (the person) would be leaving Bobbi Brown (the brand). The news wasn't utterly shocking. After all, the company was sold to Estee Lauder back in 1995(!), not exactly recently. While for many years Bobbi Brown has maintained creative control over the color cosmetics, things haven't been the same for quite some time. The core collection is still one of the most reliable lines one could buy (cream eye shadow, gel liner, blush, bronzer, Pot Rouge, lipsticks, and brushes), but so many of the seasonal and limited edition items have been lacking in some way: textures, pigmentation, performance. The overall feel many newer collections seemed to have strayed from the Bobbi Brown aesthetics. It's important for any brand to update and modernize its look, but we all know that it'd take a lot more than glitter eye shadows for Bobbi Brown to become an Instagram sensation. And frankly, Bobbi Brown customers tend to appreciate makeup one can actually leave the house wearing. Imagine that.

I recently went back to a Bobbi classic: the Pot Rouge. I've had several over the years, including probably at least one in Rose. Just as I've repurchased a few MAC classics after a decade hiatus, it's been a pleasure to get reunited with old staples and find that they're as fabulous if not better than I remembered. I still only use Pot Rouge as a cream blush and not on my lips, since I find them too dry yet slip-slidy. I'm all for multitasking, but let blush be a blush.

The formula of Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge adheres nicely to my face over foundation and blends easily without causing a disturbance in the force. I only use a little bit, because this product's strength is in the way it sheers into a natural pigmented glow. It dries down within minutes and is never greasy (my skin tends towards dryness). I set it, either with a sheer powder or with an extra pop of powder blush, so longevity is close to a full day, depending on environment.

The colors I currently have are classics: Rose and Blushed Rose. They are variations on the same neutral theme, with Rose being on the reddish pink side while Blushed Rose is significantly more brown. I thought I could also use Raspberry for more vibrancy, but a quick look in my cream blush drawer has reminded me that I'm not exactly lacking in that department.

Bottom Line: you cannot go wrong.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Rose and Blushed Rose ($30 each, made in Canada) are available from bobbibrowncosmetics.com and justabout every department store in the known universe.

My Favorite Eye Creams & Treatments

There's a strange parallel between my little arsenal of eye products and the liquor section in my pantry. The husband and I drink very little and not often, yet we keep a well-stocked liquor cabinet that we use liberally for cooking, baking, and entertaining. Similarly, eye creams and any dedicated eye products are not part of my AM/PM skincare routine. I take what I consider a very good care of the skin around my eyes, but I use whatever else goes onto my skin, from hydrating lotions to retinol products. Basically, unless a tube says "Do not use around the eyes" I will most definitely apply it there. Yes, the skin under the eyes and on the upper lid is thinner and more delicate than the rest of my face, but I it requires the same kind of treatment: gentle cleansing, careful chemical exfoliation, ample moisturizing. And an SPF.

That said, I do quite a bit of extra stuff on a very regular basis. I use gentle home peels (lactic, glycolic, mandelic) and I do masks, Many masks. A lot of masks. From sheets to thick goo that needs wiping off to sleep masks (not just for sleeping). That's when I use eye creams and serums, as an extra treatment or a mask.

These are my favorite eye creams (plus), in no particular order:

• Tatcha Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum. The tube in my photo is not only empty, but has also been sliced open so  could reach and use every last drop. I wasn't wowed by the cooling ceramic applicator (why not go metal if that's what they were after?), but the fast absorption and god-for-you feel of the lotion (it's much more creamy than regular serums) won me over, as did the ingredient list (first ten ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Peg-400, Squalane of olive origin, Silk Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Honeysuckle Leaf Extract).  ($95/0.5oz at tatcha.com and select retailers. A press sample)
• La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Intense Eyes. This is a repeat purchase because the combination of heavy-duty hydration and mellow price tag are very appealing. It's a lightweight cream that absorbs quickly yet leaves the skin supple for hours, and serves as a great companion to a sheet or a sleep mask. ($33/0.5oz at laroche-posay.us or your favorite French pharmacy).
• Liz Earle Eyebright™ Soothing Eye Lotion is neither an eye cream nor a serum. Technically it's a liquid lotion and it's oil-free. I and other devotees use it on rough mornings, on allergy days, and when soothing is in a dire need.  The ingredient list (Aqua (water), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water, PEG-60 almond glycerides, Glycerin, Decyl glucoside, Centaurea cyanus (cornflower) flower extract, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, Euphrasia officinalis extract, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate) might be considered questionable, because some people are sensitive t witch hazel. My skin loves it, and so do I. ($25, 5oz, from us.lizearle.com).
• SKINFOOD Royal Honey Eye Cream. This is one of the reasons my beauty routine these days is chock full of Korean products. The cream is intensely moisturizing, yet actually feels and acts like a gel. I've even used it on my lips in a pinch and was impressed with the results. It might have something to do with having honey extract as its second ingredient (after water and before glycerin). Royal jelly extract is the sixth ingredient, an it also contains propolis, shea butter, and various peptides. This cream contains fragrance, so consider your options, but I think it's phenomenal, and not just for the price. ($30, 1oz, on sokoglam.com).
• La Prairie Cellular Radiance Eye Cream. I've been hoarding samples of this Swiss wonder, because the crying and eye-watering caused by the price of a full size jar can undo all the miracles the product itself creates. It's true that the cream stretches beautifully so you only need a little, and I assume that with twice a day use one can expect to be as hydrated as an alpine mountain peak. All kidding aside, La Prairie skincare loads the skin with moisture that seems to have a lasting effect. However, for a cream that contains no active ingredients that actually renew and replenish the skin the price is very very hard to swallow. ($365, 1oz, at OsswaldNYC and select department stores.)
• AmorePacific Time Response Eye Renewal Creme. This is another fabulous Korean product, just from the other side of the price range. As a matter of fact, price/volume is even higher than the Swiss La Prairie, which is one reason I get samples whenever I can and call it a day. The other reason is that this light cream's claim to fame is the hardcore content of antioxidants, which would have been fantastic had it not come in lidded jar that makes all the goodness oxidize quickly. Samples and very frequent usage as a treatment while doing an antioxidant sheet mask on the rest of the face are the way to go, if you ask me. ($260, 0.5oz, at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus).
• Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Obsidian Mineral Reviving Eye Compact. I originally got it for the husband, whose eye area needs all the help it can get (a blond who spent all his youth in the sun, and discovered skincare and SPF later in life). However, he found this rich cream far too heavy and thick for comfort. I don't blame him. I can only use Crema Nera as an occasional treatment, and must admit that all the minerals in the world still don't convince me it's doing much for me, at least until the next decade or a serious hormonal change. Packaging is so cute with the swiveling mirror in the base that i'm almost willing to forgive all the air exposure. ($180, 0.5oz at most department stores).
• Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum. I don't know if this serum does any actual lifting, but I've emptied one of the tubes I was sent, using it before applying makeup, since it's rice in niacinamide and various peptides, non-greasy, and I've found that it makes many primers and concealers stick even better. (Around $25 for a 0.5oz tube at most drugstores. Press sample).

Zsa Zsa Gabor (1917-2016)

Zsa Zsa Gabor quotes:

"You never really know a man until you have divorced him."

"I never hated a man enough to give him diamonds back."

“I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house.”

“I want a man who's kind and understanding. Is that too much to ask of a millionaire?”

"Dahling, just be yourself!"

It Cosmetics Tightline Waterproof Full Lash Length Black Mascara Primer

The other day while doing my makeup I was surprised to realize that I've finished a full-size tube of It Cosmetics Tightline Waterproof Full Lash Length Black Mascara Primer. It didn't happen because it's a favorite product (more on that below) nor was it a case of "I'll finish this tube even if it kills me (don't do that. Life's too short for bad makeup). Admittedly, the amount of product It Cosmetics give you here is 0.118 oz, nearly half of what you get in a Lancome Définicils, for example (0.23 oz). The point, still, is that I've used up this It Cosmetics Tightline Waterproof Full Lash Length Black Mascara Primer just by testing and trying to figure it out.

If you're familiar with lash primers (my favorites are from Lancome, Lauder, and Dior) you know that they work on a similar idea to the age old trick of layering two mascaras, especially a lengthening one on top of a volumizing mascara. Lash primers often have a volume-building hyaluronic acid core that attracts and binds moisture (a good thing for lashes), creating a plumped up base for the mascara. Many of these primers are white, which I don't mind, they help show exactly where I need to apply more mascara. Those who dislike white lash primers will find that this It Cosmetics product takes care of the issue.

The other task that this It Cosmetics Tightline Waterproof Full Lash Length Black Mascara Primer is supposed to tackle is tightlining, the technique of applying an eyeliner in a very thin and non-conspicuous line at the very base of the lashes, making them appear fuller and darker without being too obvious. I do it all the time with a brush and pencils, liquid, gel, or cake liners (as long as they don't have shimmer particles in them), but beginners will supposedly find the super thin and delicate wand of the It Cosmetics primer much easier to manipulate and less likely to poke themselves in the eye (we've all been there).

The one thing that the thin and delicate wand does beautifully is separate the lashes and prevent clumping. It's a good pre-mascara comb. However, as a tightliner I don't find it particularly effective, probably because the formula is on the thin side. I can definitely reach the base of the lashes, but it doesn't do much there. It is just not an eyeliner.

Priming-wise there's also too little impact. The primer conditions the lashes, which is nice if one curls them first (I rarely do these days), but I've had primers that are much more effective in building an impressive frings that I just don't see the point. Using any random two macara samples that I have around seems to do a better job, even if I do need a lash comb afterwards to get a clean look. Speaking of clean, It Cosmetics boats that they don't use parabens in this primer. I won't get into the whole issue (the internet is vast and full of research), but my personal opinion is that a product that goes right into one's eye needs to have preservatives that prevent cooties from growing and multiplying inside the tube. I'd rather have parabens in all liquid and cream eye products, but that's just me.

Bottom Line: I am tempted to sterilize and save the wand to keep it as a lash comb and a reminder not to repurchase.

It Cosmetics Tightline Waterproof Full Lash Length Black Mascara Primer ($24, made in Korea) is available at Ulta and from the company's website.