The Friday Forum - March 22

From hellebores to early daffodils to blooming plum trees, there's botanical evidence that it's spring. You'd never know it by walking outside. My star magnolia is trying to bloom, but the flowers are staying tucked into their buds. They know it's cold - not bitter cold, but dismaying cold. That poor groundhog lost his credibility this year. I guess the good news is that late frosts may not destroy the flowers - when they arrive. The other good news is that the immediate DC area is not covered with snow, as I know a great part of the country is.

Today is World Water Day! To celebrate this charitable recognition of the importance of clean water to life, Giorgio Armani Parfums has introduced a new fragrance: Acqua di Gioia Eau Fraîche ($58). I am supposed to have a sample on the way, and I had hoped to be able to give you a first-hand impression today. I'll have to do that later.

Actually, the whole month of March is World Water Month. UNICEF has a major role this month by raising funds to provide at least 200 days of clean, safe drinking water to children. What we take for granted is a luxury in some countries.

Acqua di Gioia Eau Fraîche blends sweet, delicate jasmine with subtle and floral green tea accents. The top notes burst to reveal grapefruit, ylang ylang, and cedarwood.  The middle notes develop to include mandarin, water jasmine, and a brown sugar accord. Lastly, the base notes passionately envelop the skin to lay forth bright primofiore lemon, a whisper of jasmine accord. and a hint of soft musk. I think it sounds luscious. Armani calls Eau Fraîche "a refined, tender, and fresh interpretation of Acqua di Gioia, revealing a vibrant femininity in perfect harmony with nature."

For every purchase in March of Acqua di Gioia Eau Fraîche, Acqua di Gioia, Acqua di Giò, and Acqua di Giò Essenza in March, Giorgio Armani Parfums will donate $5 to support the UNICEF Tap Project. Armani will also donate $1 for the first 50,000 people who "like" their Acqua for Life Facebook page from March 1-31, 2013. I like the idea of buying for beauty - the beauty of philanthropy.

I think I mentioned (perhaps in comments) that I'm very interested in CC creams. While BB creams are nice, they were targeted at a younger age group than mine. CC (color corrector) creams are being designed for everyone. Chanel has one on the way (isn't a double "C" the perfect product for Chanel?), and Clinique's will arrive at counters in April. The new Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($35) is intended to neutralize blotchy redness, turn sallow skin peachy, and make ashy skin luminous and bright, while and providing long-term hydration for the skin and sun protection. Six shades will be offered. I'll tell you more about it when I get my hands on one.

It's time for the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway contest for Sephora's Give Me Some Lip Lip Sampler. The deadline is tomorrow, Saturday, March 23, at midnight. The sampler is a fun way to try some new looks.

 Photos courtesy of northcoastgardening.com, Giorgio Armani Parfums, and Clinique