Antica Farmacista Le Parfum in Tuberose, Hyacinth & Lily of the Valley

I needed a whiff of spring. Last week, when just getting out to the street involved physical labor, I was satisfying my inner child on a snow day by shopping online. I saw a tweet by Antica Farmacista, which many of you know as a home fragrance company, offering a free Orange Blossom tea light. That was all it took to send me over to their Web site to browse.

I bought two fragrances "for the body," and yesterday, I sprayed on Antica Farmacista Le Parfum in Tuberose, Hyacinth & Lily of the Valley ($62) with abandon. There must have been a little part of my psyche screaming, "Spring, I need spring now!" On first spray, I was mentally transported to the most heavenly garden filled with two springtime flowers, hyacinth and lily of the valley, and one sultry white flower, tuberose, a reminder that summer follows spring. It was just what I needed to relax (while I worried about my computer's hard drive)!

Want to take your own mental vacation? Head over the Antica Farmacista's Web site and check out the fragrances. There's bound to be one that speaks to you.

I have had the diffuser Ala Moana in my office, and it smells like a greenhouse! "Reminiscent of the lush humid nights experienced on the islands of the tropics, this signature scent, meaning 'path to the sea' is a beautiful heady floral. Night blooming jasmine, plumeria, tuberose, and gardenia create an intoxicating floral blend. Refreshing lush green notes add a crisp clean infusion to this luscious scent." I would wear that one too!

Photo courtesy of Antica Farmacista

New York Fashion Week Media Mixer

I have to tell you about the New York Fashion Week Media Mixer, hosted by Lianne Farbes of The Makeup Girl and Paul Baranda, Executive Publisher for BeyondBeautyBasics. Both are shown in the photo at the bottom of this post.

The event was held at the ION Studio in SoHo last Saturday night. It brought together beauty and fashion writers, PR and marketing experts, reps from some of the best beauty brands in the industry, sylists and makeup artists - people sharing a passion for beauty - for an evening of cocktails, yummy treats, music, and mingling. There were over 200 people there, and at its most crowded, it was a crush of beautiful people!

Stila's amazing celebrity makeup artist Sarah Lucero (shown at left from the back), Dom, and the rest of the Stila team were treating us to makeup touch-ups! I was so lucky to get a few minutes with Sarah as she enhanced the makeup I had worn with a little glow, eyeliner, and lip gloss. She used Stila's Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain on my cheeks, applying it to her palm and then dotting it into my cheeks with her fingertips for my instant pick-me-up. Every woman who walked away from Sarah and Dom looked fabulous! I'll be watching for the new lip and cheek stain in a beautiful raspberry coming out soon.

Lianne put incredible energy into the mixer, which was sponsored by so many companies! ZENO and Stila had the spotlight upstairs, where we could spend some time with them. Other sponsors included Secret, Tarte Cosmetics, LIERAC, Phyto Haircare, Vichy, and Zoya - to name just a few. The friendly ION Studio team members were all there, working hard to make sure we were having fun. Ted Gibson, celebrity stylist from TLC's What Not to Wear, and Karen Robinovitz, author, TV personality, and Creator of Purple Lab were among the special guests. You can read the press release about the event at this link.

As you might imagine, I was awestruck by the room full of "beauty talent"! I enjoyed meeting other bloggers and Twitter friends - and made some new friends too. It was a fabulous opportunity to attend. I had a blast!

Who are the lovely ladies in the photo at right? Kimmie Smith (Kitten Lounge), Adina Zilberman (KraseyBeauty), Jeannine Morris (BeautySweetSpot), and Dee Nuncio (Candid Commentary), just a sample of the 90+ bloggers among the guests that night!


Thank you, Lianne and Paul! It was quite a party!

My thanks also to Jennifer Jones and Aaron Lim, NYFWMediaMixer.com, for the photos!

Photos by Aaron Lim

Chantecaille Les Pétales - Rêve de Rose Lip Gloss SPF 15

So much to write about Chantecaille - and so little time in the last 10 days! It's amazing how much time life management takes when you spend hours every day shoveling snow, standing in long lines at the grocery store while people buy enough to last them a year (at the first sign of snow), or trying to unfreeze your heat pump!

When Les Pétales was introduced by Chantecaille last fall, I bought Rêve de Rose Lip Gloss SPF 15 ($36), a pearlescent rosy lip gloss with a smooth restorative texture. I ordered my second one last week! I absolutely love this gloss. Since I have kept it by my side at work, I needed one for my makeup bag. This gloss is worth its weight in gold!

Speaking of gold, the case is beautiful. Designed to look like a rose, it's a golden work of art - one that I love having on my desk at work! It's an elegant signature next to my pink orchids.

Yes, I have to apply it with my fingers, and that's not my favorite way to apply gloss. For this one, I make an exception - every day. The gloss feels great and looks great. Even better, the color lasts for hours! That's remarkable for a lip gloss.

The rosy color would work for most women's lips. On mine, it's gorgeous and flattering. It makes my lips look like me - only better!

I realize I've used a lot of exclamation points in this post. Chantecaille's Rêve de Rose Lip Gloss earned them. Even though it was a limited edition, it's still available. You can buy one at Chantecaille's Web site or Neiman Marcus. This is a gloss I think you should try.

You can read the October BTiB post on Les Pétales at this link.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

Jouer Cosmetics and Mineral Powder Blush

While I was in New York this weekend, shopping at Henri Bendel, I stopped to check out the Jouer Cosmetics counter. After I had circled a few times, I stopped to chat with Karen, a makeup artist with the company. I got Karen's card, but unfortunately, I just noticed that it doesn't have her last name on it. I can tell you that she pronounces it "Car-in" with the emphasis on the first syllable (for anyone who remembers such lessons from school!). I enjoyed our short time together, while she touched up my face with blusher and powder. More on that below.

Who is Jouer Cosmetics? I'll let them introduce themselves!

Your makeup drawer is your beauty wardrobe. Tucked inside are a few key items you use every day that are effortlessly flattering, yet there are countless other whimsical items hardly ever touched. Imagine a complete cosmetics line designed with only key items – no matter your selection, you discover just the right shades, in just the right formulations, in just the right packaging. Your discovery? Jouer Cosmetics.

Based in Los Angeles, Jouer was founded by International Beauty Stylist Christina Zilber, who provides a fresh, editorial view of makeup to complement individual fashion sense and lifestyle. Defined as "to play" in French, Jouer offers supreme wearability, mix-and-match customization, and state-of-the-art portability for women on the go.

Since its inception in 2004, Jouer has redeveloped and refined the brand, extending into a full collection. Jouer launched as a Henri Bendel New York exclusive in August 2008 and quickly rose to become a cult favorite. The 133-item collection consists of a carefully edited range of face, lip, eye, and cheek cosmetics and continues to develop innovative products that offer solutions to the modern woman's lifestyle needs.

After my train trip up to New York, I knew I looked a bit pale, and I was headed for the hair styling suite sponsored by Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas and hosted by Lianne Farbes of The Makeup Girl at the W Hotel. How could I walk into a room full of glam beauty bloggers looking makeup-less? Karen and I looked over the Mineral Powder Blush and discussed the pros and cons of several shades for me before selecting Rose. She applied it with a nice fluffy blush brush. Voila! I had color again - pretty, natural-looking color!

Mineral Powder Blush ($24) is a lightweight, oil-free mineral blush that refreshes the complexion with a soft veil of color. Light-diffusing minerals create a soft finish, while Japanese green tea powder, and vitamins A, C, and E protect against free radicals. Jouer distinguishes itself by including skin-care ingredients in its color cosmetics, so they work for your skin while making you look good. I came home with Rose. For a brighter, more spring-like shade, I would wear Blossom, the color Karen herself was wearing. Both shades are very pretty. There are six shades available, so there's at least one that will suit you too.

A touch of Mineral Face Powder ($30) finished me off! It comes in three shades, and the perfect one for me was Perle d'Ivoire, a soft pearl for fair complexions. Karen sent me off a little more confident that I looked alive!

I love the Jouer line. Drop by the Web site! You can shop online, of course. I like "Get the Look," an opportunity to play with looks and colors. You select an eye, cheek, or lip color, click on "Get the Look," and you'll see how that color looks on four different women representing the spectrum of our skin and hair colors. It's a "full-service" Web site.

If you get by Henri Bendel, ask for Karen. She's terrific! I told her that Kari at Fabulous Over Forty had sent me, and she remembered styling her makeup last September! Pretty cool!

Photos courtesy of Jouer Cosmetics

Juliette Has a Gun - Lady Vengeance

While I was in New York this past weekend, I had to go to Henri Bendel. I hadn't been there for many years, but I made up for my extended absence in an hour's visit. My primary destination was the fragrance department. I told the guys my favorite floral notes, and they pulled one incredible fragrance after another for my consideration. I left with five!

I have so much to tell you! Today, I will start with Juliette Has a Gun in Lady Vengeance ($110). The name is off-putting, right? The fragrance makes up for it! Imagine...Juliette waits for Romeo on a balcony, half-hidden by thorny climbing roses. There is no gun. The name is intended to evoke danger and a bit of recklessness.

I can't begin to tell you about the fragrance without mentioning the packaging. The ribbon-tied cylindrical box is heavy, well-designed - classy - and the black spray bottle with white and red script is unique. I won't have any trouble finding it in my perfume collection!

The fragrance itself? When I walked into the department, I mentioned my love of roses. Lady Vengeance was the first fragrance I was given to try. It was instant rapture! It's a rich and sensual floral, and its primary and dominant note is Bulgarian Rose. The guys swore to me it had no patchouli in it, but I learned later that it does. Fortunately, I don't smell it. It's soft and subtle, not obnoxious, cheap, elevator-clearing patchouli. I barely smell the vanilla that's in it; it's not a sweet fragrance. I think the vanilla just adds its note to the smoothness. Lady Vengeance is all about old roses, and it's very smooth and dry, like a good cognac. This isn't your grandmother's rose. It's modern, sultry, and sophisticated. I've read that others have called it "edgy." I'm not sure it's edgy. I think it's too mellow for that term.

The rose-based Juliette Has a Gun fragrance collection was founded by Romano Ricci, great-grandson of Nina Ricci (good provenance). The romantic rose assumes a different character in each fragrance in the line, which summons Shakespeare to modern times. I also purchased the softer Miss Charming (far nicer name), and I'll tell you about it later this week.

You can purchase the Juliette Has a Gun fragrances at Henri Bendel, Beautyhabit, and LuckyScent. If you search online, you will also find other sources. You can purchase the spray, like I did, or a "purse bullet." How fitting for Lady Vengeance!

If you are interested in finding a fragrance with your favorite notes, give Giuseppe Intili at Henri Bendel a call at (212) 904-7990. He will take good care of you! Tell him your likes and dislikes. You may have a new favorite winging your way in no time.

Photo courtesy of Juliette Has a Gun

ZENO HOT SPOT to Banish Blemishes

ZENO, where were you when my face was breaking out? When I spent all that money to go to the dermatologist and have cortisone injections to get rid of stubborn blemishes? When I needed to look good - pronto? The ZENO HOT SPOT Blemish Clearing Device has been the ultimate New York Fashion Week accessory, used by models for blemish emergencies. It costs only $39.99 and is so small and light you can carry it in your handbag.

This hand-held blemish clearing device is revolutionary! It starts to work within an hour and makes 90% of blemishes disappear or fade within 24 hours. It uses gentle heat technology to destroy bacteria and has FDA approval - and you know how hard it can be to get that! ZENO is non-drying, 100% natural, and chemical free.

It's best to start using the HOT SPOT as soon as you feel or see a blemish start to erupt. How do you use it?

Step 1: Press the power button. The power indicator will light up, and you will hear a tone to signal the treatment has started.

Step 2: Place and hold the treatment tip on your blemish for the 2.5-minute treatment cycle. You will hear a single beep every 30 seconds.

Step 3: Remove HOT SPOT from the blemish when you hear a multi-toned sound, indicating the treatment is over.

How fast and easy is that? It's hot enough to get the job done, but not at all uncomfortable to the touch. It adjusts to your skin's temperature to deliver just the right amount of heat.

You can repeat as necessary. Most blemishes need two to three 2.5-minute treatments to be completely eliminated, but in some cases, just one treatment can be enough to stop a blemish in its tracks. I spent more time than that in my dermatologist's waiting room! More money too, given that my health insurance company wouldn't pay for appearance emergencies.

I think the HOT SPOT is a must-have for anyone who suffers from regular or occasional acne and wants quick and painless blemish relief. Where can you buy one? You can purchase the HOT SPOT directly from ZENO or from many retail sites, including Amazon, Drugstore.com, Beauty.com, CVS, and SkinStore.com. Want to learn more? Check out the real stories at the ZENO HOT SPOT Web site.

Photo courtesy of ZENO

Want to Take a Short Survey? Shop at WalMart?

My friends at TBC Planet Beauty in Washington, D.C. would appreciate help from beauty lovers who shop at WalMart. They have asked you to take a short survey! Participate and you will have your voice heard by major beauty executives!

Your incentive? The company is giving away 25 $20 gift cards to WalMart, so your odds of winning are pretty good! All you have to do is click on this survey link. The winners will be announced on March 1. Be sure to include your name and e-mail address at the end of the survey to secure your entry! Winners will also be announced on TBC's Facebook page, The Pink Panel.

So sit back, relax, and let them know what you are really thinking! I did it. Who couldn't use an extra $20 if she gets lucky?

Photo courtesy of TBC