Aftelier Lumiere Eau de Parfum

Even the bottle is pretty! Lumiere Eau de Parfum ($8 for a 1-ml sample, $195 for a 30-ml spray) by Mandy Aftel, founder of Aftelier Perfumes, is a beauty. The sheer, elegant floral took its inspiration from a fine green tea absolute and sacred frankincense.

The top notes open with phenylethyl acetate, a natural isolate from France that occurs in fruit, wine, and whiskey. This floral fruity top note features rosy, honey-like aromas of peach and pear, but with incense. Normally, I'm not an "incense fan," but the incense in Lumiere leads you into a holy place - one where nature's glory emerges. The exquisite heart features honeysuckle (as addictive to me as it is to hummingbirds); Tasmanian boronia, which grows in open forests and woodlands; and the transparent watery floral blue lotus. The base notes are green tea and ambergris. Restrained yet sensual, Vogue.com calls this fragrance "addictive.” Apparently, there was widespread agreement. Lumiere was a Finalist for the Fragrance Foundation's 2011 FiFi Award for Fragrance of the Year - Indie Brand.

Mandy generously sent me a sample of Lumiere with a candle I won in a drawing at her Aftelier Facebook page. Now I know how excited my weekly contest winners feel. I never imagined I might win.

The first night I applied Lumiere to my wrist, it was late, and I knew I might be sleepless. I wanted to follow the progression of the fragrance. I had no problem completing my test. I awakened about once/hour. Normally, that would be irritating, but it wasn't that night. I was able to continue my trip with Lumiere.

Wearing Lumiere the first time is like walking though a forest - dark, padded with leaf mold, and dotted with evergreens wherever the light shines through. Somehow, mid-way through the journey, you stumble into a burst of light, where an unlikely honeysuckle arbor leads to an algae-covered pond rimmed with lotus flowers and a serene scene. Beautiful fish are nibbling on the flowers, occasionally jumping out of the water to reveal their iridescent colors.

When I tried to retrace to retrace my steps to go back to the pond, I couldn't exactly. My second journey took me through a different, more complex route. The memories lingered, though, and soon I found the beam of light that led me to the sunlit pond. The journey takes about five hours from start to finish. At its end, the light is extinguished, and the vision dims, leaving a sense of wonder. Did I really go there?

Sheer and reflecting light, Lumiere captures the experience of fine silk on the skin.

Everyone has their own metaphors for describing the experience of a scent. Others may find Lumiere like a visit to a chapel, seeking a holy light that brings answers to life's mysteries.

Mandy Aftel, a perfumer in Berkeley, California, and the creator of Lumiere, used words that suggested a transcendental experience in describing ambergris, a Lumiere base note, for Bloomberg Businessweek. "It's beyond comprehension how beautiful it is. It's transformative. There's a shimmering quality to it. It reflects light with its smell. It's like an olfactory gemstone." Lumiere Eau de Parfum offers an opportunity to experience the magic of ambergris.

I'm sure many of you already know Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Pefumes. She was a pioneer in creating fine, artisan, natural fragrances that intoxicate with their beauty and complexity. There is a community of natural perfumers and their advocates/customers who appreciate the art of making fine fragrances with pure, natural ingredients, employing "uncompromising standards." It you would like to learn more about Mandy, I'd recommend starting with her "About" page at Aftelier Perfumes. If you're a "Facebook person," spend some time on the Aftelier Perfumes page.

I have to admit that I don't select fragrances because they are natural - or not - even though I consider myself a strong environmental advocate and love green products. I've purchased more than a few natural fragrances that I expected to love and didn't. One expensive tuberose fragrance (that was extremely expensive for the teeny tiny volume) reminded me of a flower arrangement that had stood for weeks after it had given up its beauty, turning to straw as it dried. Mandy's fragrances aren't like that. I like Aftelier fragrances, not because they are natural, but because they smell great. Incidentally, great natural fragrances have opened my eyes to the beauty of nature's essences as only great perfumers can blend them.

The Non-Blonde featured Lumiere Eau de Parfum last year. She's so much better than I am in describing fragrances. She loved Lumiere too. You can purchase it at Aftelier Perfumes.

Photo at top courtesy of the Fragrance Foundation

Giorgio Armani Beauty Jacquard Woven Eye Color Palette Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Anonymous Carol!

The Giorgio Armani Beauty Jacquard Eye Palettes ($59) for Fall 2011 were beautiful. Most of them have sold out in the stores, although I see that they are still available at the Armani Beauty Web site.

The four shades in the "grey eye palette" (#2) include a white pearl highlighter at the top of the palette, a pretty highlighter or base for the other shades; a gorgeous taupe on the right side of the palette; grey on the left side of the palette, and a brick shade at the bottom, a shade that blends well with the others. I love this palette and published a feature about it in August. If you missed it (and the swatch photos), click here.

Thanks to a very sweet friend in the industry, I have one of these gorgeous palettes to give away! Both she and I were tempted to keep it, but my readers are important to us. So one lucky reader will win this treasure.

I have one palette to give away. How can you enter this contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest this afternoon, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, January 28, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner. Lately, my shipping luck has improved significantly.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty

Bobbi Brown Wild Rose Shimmer Brick from the Rose Gold Collection for Spring 2012

Bobbi Brown's new, lust-worthy Rose Gold Collection for Spring 2012 has arrived! There are two Shimmer Bricks in the collection. It's a feast for those like me who have been awaiting a new Shimmer Bricks. The Party Shimmer Brick - as pretty as it was - didn't count as a "real" Shimmer Brick. I featured the Rose Gold Shimmer Brick last week. If you missed it, pop over to this link. Today, it's time for the limited-edition Wild Rose Shimmer Brick ($39).

I've wanted to show you this warm pink wonder since I purchased it last week. The problem has been a total lack of sunshine, my best lighting condition for taking makeup swatch photos. Today, I took photos in two adverse conditions: inside through a window and outside, with reflected light from the snow/ice cover. The sky is completely overcast. As a result, I'm not happy with any of the photos, but the "show must go on." I hope you'll give the makeup the benefit of any doubts raised by my photography.

Wild Rose is a shimmering, powder blush and highlighter in one. It can be used anywhere on the face, including the eyes. The pink stripes in Wild Rose provide five pink and rose shades that, when blended, provide a gorgeous pink glow on the skin. Wear them alone or blended, you'll be pretty in a vivid sun-drenched pink.

Let's start with the outdoor photos shown directly above and below. I applied a stripe at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator swept across all five shades in the palette. The swatch below the "stripe" on my arm was created with a heavy application of the powder, across all shades, using Bobbi Brown's Face Blender Brush. Both swatches were heavily applied.

I brightened the photos above and below with a photo editor. Otherwise, they would have appeared dim and gray. Brightening the photos washed out the Wild Rose color, so be aware that the color is a bit more intense.

Wild Rose leaves a luscious pink glow on my skin. Just as I plan to hoard the Rose Gold Shimmer Brick, I've also decided I need a second Wild Rose. This is my kind of makeup. I heard at Neiman Marcus yesterday that they have already sold all but two of the Rose Gold Shimmer Bricks they received.

The photo at right was taken indoors through my living room window. I can't remember whether the flash went off, but it looks like it did. That light on my arm came from something, and it certainly wasn't sunlight. The flash photo does illustrate the beautiful glow that Wild Rose provides as it reflects light. You can apply it heavily for a shimmer or lightly for a glow. It layers beautifully for ease of application.

Wild Rose is deeper in color intensity than Rose Gold, and it offers more saturated rose color. Both Shimmer Bricks look great on my pale skin. If you have darker skin and may be worried that Rose Gold is too light, Wild Rose is your color.

You can apply the Shimmer Bricks over blush. My skin is so pale, I often skip the blush. Try wearing Wild Rose both ways to decide whether you need the additional color a blush will provide.

With apologies to Bobbi Brown for these terrible photos, I'll hold off on showing you the lip colors in the spring collection until the sun returns. I hope I've shown you enough to entice you to take a look at the two new Shimmer Bricks. I think Bobbi scored a home run.

Bobbi Brown's Rose Gold Collection has arrived at Neiman Marcus locally. It is not yet available on Bobbi Brown's Web site (as of this morning). I don't know if it has arrived at Nordstrom stores, but it's available at the Nordstrom online site.

P.S. If the sun ever returns, I'll get better swatch photos and post at least one.

Photo at top courtesy of Nordstrom; other photos, such as they are, by Best Things in Beauty

Edward Bess Available at Sephora

Sabrina posted this news at The Beauty Look Book, so I assumed everyone knew it. I've learned from your comments that some of you missed the announcement, so...

Edward Bess is now available at Sephora online! Not Edward himself, but the next best thing - his beauty line! In a few months, his legendary brand will be available in Sephora stores too. Want to see Edward's short hello message? Just hop over to Facebook.

The very first collection from Edward Bess took the world of cosmetics by storm, and his revolutionary lip colors were quickly coveted by Hollywood actresses, makeup artists, and everyday women. His collections blend refined style, exquisite luxury, and innovation, all the while maintaining an artful, understated sophistication. Each item exudes an unparalleled sense of detail and creative energy. Whether it's his carefully edited neutral makeup or cutting edge skin care, his pared-down approach allows a woman's natural beauty to shine through.

I am giggly with glee now that I can order Edward Bess from Sephora. I did this week, ordering two shades that I don't think I have (even if I do, I can always use seconds of Edward's makeup). I had already received the new Quad Royale Palette in Monte Carlo from Bergdorf Goodman (and just need some light to photograph and feature it). I'd love to have been able to order Edward Bess without paying shipping (occasionally, my BG friends waived shipping, but not always). All those $12+ shipping fees can go toward more makeup!

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora

Sephora Collection Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow

I don't usually order Sephora's own makeup, but these new, limited-edition eye shadows caught my eye and held it. Their stunning multidimensional wave pattern is innovative, and the promise of prismatic shine, lush texture, and lavish color payoff forced me to put a few in my shopping cart when they were introduced recently.

I think Sephora has a hit on its hands. I was sold the moment I tried the first one. You'll find a lot to love with the Prisma Chrome Eyeshadows ($15), starting with the price and appearance, but ultimately impressing with performance.

The new wave in eye shadow, Prisma Chrome brings together the best features of baked, powder, and cream shadows. Its revolutionary effect captures light perfectly, delivering a prismatic effect with an unbelievably smooth and true color finish.

The new eye shadow are available in 10 shades - many of them bright. I ordered three of the "more conservative" shades.

• Shimmery Sand #10 (light golden sand)
• Bronze Brillance #15 (copper)
• Moon Glow #35 (silvery gray)

If brilliant color attracts you, you might want to check out Emerald Facet #25, a teal shade that I suspect is gorgeous. There's a pretty pink, Moon Beam #5, if you'd like to have an opalescent pink beige shade.

The surface of the Prisma Chrome shadows is unique. There really is a wave in each compact - a deep wave. I thought the wave might make use of an eye shadow brush difficult, but it doesn't. Whether you're catching the crest of the wave or the depth, your brush will sweep the perfect amount of shadow for application.

Sephora says an innovative blend of ingredients ensures comfortable, long wear. Pure pigments deliver "the truest color imaginable and a highly polished finish." A unique mica technology provides intense luminosity and a velvety texture that glides over the skin.

Last weekend, I was able to take photos of these shadows. Today, as I look out my window at snow- and ice-covered ground and a very gray sky, I'm thinking about going to the hardware store to buy spotlights to see if I can get enough light inside this weekend to take photos for blog features. I'm not sure when we'll see the sun again.

I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply the swatches heavily for these photos. Shimmery Sand is shown at the top of my arm, Bronze Brilliance in the middle, and Moon Glow below.

I'm impressed! The creamy texture of the shadows makes even application a cinch. Don't pay any attention to the ragged right edges on my swatches. I was in a hurry. The shadows apply nicely, with even color and a pigment punch with the first sweep of a brush. Layer the semi-opaque color until you get the intensity you like. They shadows blend perfectly.

Shimmery Sand is my favorite of the three beauties - probably because I'll wear it more frequently than the grey or copper shades. I can even wear it as heavily as I applied it for these swatch photos. With my pale coloring, I'm wearing the other two shades with less oomph. They are definitely flattering. If you want more color, you can apply the Prisma Chrome shadows wet. For me, they provide plenty of color when applied dry.

Sephora's Prisma Chrome Eyeshadows are every bit as good as eye shadows costing three times as much. They are presented in sleek, black, solid cases, and the waves offer a wow factor that's fun. You can purchase them at Sephora.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Bobbi Brown Rose Gold Shimmer Brick from the Rose Gold Collection for Spring 2012

Bobbi Brown's new, lust-worthy Rose Gold Collection has arrived! I had been counting the days, assuming it would launch in February, when my sales associate e-mailed to let me know that it was on the counter at Neiman Marcus. We picked out my purchases on the phone. I'm as thrilled with the collection as I expected to be. There are two Shimmer Bricks (more to come) and stunning lip colors.

I don't think there's a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick I've ever missed. I've hoarded some of them, and this new, limited-edition Rose Gold Shimmer Brick ($39) is bringing out my hoarding instinct. It's amazingly gorgeous. The only question today is how many I will ultimately purchase.

I had to take my photos with high overcast (or hazy sun) conditions. The sun was not bright enough for optimal swatch photos, but given the option of holding this feature a week (the weather forecast is gray and wintry), I snapped what I could get. I wanted you to have the opportunity to visit your favorite Bobbi Brown counter this weekend.

I'm attaching multiple photos to this feature. Each time I zoomed outside in the cold, tempted by sunlight that beckoned through my windows, I hoped for the best. Please ignore the goosebumps.

I applied the swatch at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator swept across all five shades in the palette. The beauty of Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks is that they offer five shades you can use singly or mix and match to create your own combinations for face and eyes. The swatch below the "stripe" on my arm was created with a heavy application of the powder, across all shades, using Bobbi Brown's Face Blender Brush.

The blended rose gold color makes me deliriously happy. I love the shade. I love the shimmer. I love the finish. I love the intensity. Rose Gold Shimmer Brick falls on the light end of the intensity continuum, which pleases me. We can always layer color, adding more to suit our tastes, but we can't subtract it quickly (Loyd Cassler trick: layer foundation over the cheek color when you've overdone it).

This blended warm pink shade with golden highlights should appeal to everyone. I wish I had taken a swatch photo of the fourth stripe from the top of the palette. Ooh la la! I'll leave it for you to discover its magnificence when you buy your new Rose Gold Shimmer Brick. This is must-have makeup, and because it's a limited-edition, you won't want to waste any time in getting yours. Remember, I'll be out there hoarding, and I doubt if I'll be the only one.

Bobbi Brown's Rose Gold Collection has arrived at Neiman Marcus locally. It is not yet available on Bobbi Brown's Web site (as of this morning). I don't know if it has arrived at Nordstrom stores, but it's available at the Nordstrom online site.

Photos at top courtesy of Nordstrom; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

The Friday Forum - January 20

I'm getting worried about my red fox. I haven't seen him lately, although I've heard foxes barking outside during the night. The last few times I put food out for him, he hasn't eaten it. He's not stealing the squirrel's peanuts either. I hope he's OK. Maybe he found a better restaurant.

This was a crazy-busy week, so I'm in a TGIF mood. Even though I'll be working today, I'm working from home, so Charlie is hanging close, enjoying the company. It's a little hard to type with a cat in your lap. If he would sit still, I could make it work, but he keeps adjusting. For example, right now, his head is obscuring half the keyboard. I'm alternately petting him and typing. If there are typos in this feature, blame him.

Now that we've had a few days to digest the news that Paula Dean is diabetic, what do you think? I'm amazed by the firestorm of opinion. Did she ever promise on the air that her recipes were healthy? Did she ever ask the obese nation to eat her food and only her food? Nope! She delighted - just as I did watching her - in good 'ol Southern food. Anyone with a brain would know that you can't eat the Paula Dean way everyday. Did she have an obligation to disclose a medical condition? Nope! Who are the people currently blasting her? Everyone from entertainment physicians to fellow chefs (who aren't all that slim themselves). What ever happened to personal responsibility? OK, I'll get off my soapbox now and go send a love letter to Paula Dean. I wish her the best with her health, and I may go get fried chicken for lunch.

I loved watching the Golden Globes last Sunday night - although the show is always too long. There have been a zillion beauty follow-ups this week. I lost interest by Tuesday, so I didn't spend time translating all the product pitches into features for you. Anyone interested in how the celebrity looks were created can Google the information at this point. I was fascinated by the short segment on Angelina Jolie's red lips on Access Hollywood last night. A Dior makeup artist showed how to paint a red pout. I was fascinated because he never mentioned lip liner. A severe red lip usually needs a liner to keep the edges crisp. There were a few other rules he didn't mention. Maybe they cut those parts in the editorial process.

Tonight, overnight, we are supposed to be reminded that it's winter. A little snow and ice is coming our way. I'm headed outside to get a few photos - too early in the day, but our sun is supposed to disappear soon. I'll be back later with some makeup must-haves.

It's time for The Friday Forum, our open chat. 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 have moved on.

Don't forget this week's cool giveaway contest for Benefit's Sun Beam golden bronze highlighter. It's a cheerful touch of sunlight for mid-January.

Photo courtesy of wildlifeofpakistan