Annick Goutal Rose Pompon Eau de Toilette

We have had a month of rain in the DC area. Even as the roses in my garden started to bloom, it rained. It was relentless. I needed something to brighten my spirits. Annick Goutal's new Rose Pompon Eau de Toilette ($149, 100 ml) was the perfect antidote to dreary weather. I've been wearing it to work nearly every day since I received it from Annick Goutal.

Introduced this year, Rose Pompon is a fresh, lively, rose fragrance in a pretty pink bottle. It makes me think spring, even when it doesn't feel like it outdoors. For those who might dismiss the idea of a rose-themed fragrance, keep reading. Rose Pompon is not your grandmother's rose. I've read many reviews of this fragrance, but I'll start by telling you what Annick Goutal has to say about it.

A mischievous glance, charming smile, burst of laughter...the Rose Pompon woman exudes joie de vivre. A fresh and playful olfactory creation, Rose Pompon is a bold composition inspired by new horizons… Sparkling notes of blackcurrant and raspberry mingle with pink pepper and a hint of peony to reveal the trio of rose extracts, including the fruity tones of rose centifolia (an old rose, often called Provence rose or cabbage rose or Rose de Mai); Bulgarian rose, and Taïf rose. The composition and balance of the ingredients is gorgeous.

Rose Pompon is the story of a young Parisian woman. She seduces everyone with her irresistible elegance. Her perfume, a fresh and sparkling rose, conveys her charm and happiness. Her addictive trail makes everyone want to smile, laugh, and enjoy life. An addictive freshness with a bold and modern twist.

I'll bet you know the house of Annick Goutal. Haven't we all worn at least one of the iconic fragrances in the past? My favorites include Un Matin d'Orange, Petite Chérie, and Eau d'Hadrien. These fragrances have been in my collection for more years than I can count. The Annick Goutal house of perfume is known for the quality of its ingredients, using the rarest and noblest essences, almost all of natural origin, such as Sicilian lemon, Damascus rose, Italian iris, and tuberose from Grasse. Their raw materials are chosen with the greatest care and extreme precision, to achieve, note after note, the perfect harmony.

Not only that, the house's bottles and packaging are made exclusively in France by expert craftsmen, resulting in an exceptional finesse in its detail. The finishing decorative touches are almost all done by hand, each one conveying a memory in the creator's life. As Annick Goutal liked to point out "luxury is in the details." When you hold and use an Annick Goutal fragrance, the quality and elegance lift your spirits and make you feel special.

Rose Pompon was developed by Camille Goutal and Philippine Courtière. I'll give you the creator's description because they said it better than I ever could.

Passionate perfumer, Camille Goutal keeps searching for new inspirations and raw materials. Camille appreciated the work of Philippine Courtière for awhile, and she wanted to collaborate with her for the creation of the new Annick Goutal perfume. Both their parents introduced them to the universe of perfumery during their childhood. They share the values of a family tradition, with a destiny of perfumers, although they began their careers as a photographer for Camille and a lawyer for Philippine. The purpose of their collaboration was to compose a fresh and playful rose, a unique scent inspired by new horizons. Named Rose Pompom, this creation is an olfactory ode to the two perfumers’ joie de vivre.

Rose Pompon reflects Annick Goutal's olfactory creations, with a bold and modern twist. It is the joyful interpretation of a new and luminous rose where the spicy notes of Pink Pepper mingle with the bright and green sparkle of blackcurrant before opening out with the velvety notes of raspberry. Its heart notes carry a duo of rose extracts composing the Rose Pompon (Centifolia), a garden rose with a thousand petals, delicate and precious. First, the Bulgarian Rose essence, chosen for its luminous and green facets evokes the freshness of a rose at dawn. Then, the Taïf Rose, a rare flower with a suave and sensual scent offered by its fruity facets. Finally, a hint of peony envelops the notes with an ethereal sensuality. A playful and addictive composition warmed with woody cedar and powdery patchouli, followed by an exquisite note of white musks.

Rose Pompon has worked its magic on the iconic ribbed bottle, adorned here with shades of pink lacquering. The packaging reflects the work but also the bold and creative universe of the great photographers Camille admires. The Annick Goutal House has imagined a new woman, charming and mischievous, the Rose Pompon woman who attracts attention and makes everyone smile, hiding behind her extravagant flower. A sketch combining strokes of black pencil and the exuberance of a dazzling rose, embodying the woman for whom Camille and Philippine created this made-to-measure fragrance."

Imagine, then, the joy they shared with us when they created Rose Pompon. A fruit-laden floral, it is fresh and lively. When I apply it, I feel like I've stuck my nose into one of my David Austin roses, bred for fragrance. Plus, I get the extra-added benefit of juicy fruits, lingering as long as the rose does. What I don't smell is patchouli. I was shocked when I found it in the list of notes. Most of you know that my nose can sniff out patchouli in just about any fragrance. To me, it smells like cheap, acrid perfume. There isn't even the slightest hint that patchouli is in Rose Pompon. I believe that speaks to the quality of the ingredients used by Annick Goutal. There's patchouli, and there's patchouli. Rose Pompon probably contains very little of the very best on the market.

I think Rose Pompon lasts on me for about four hours. Often we trade longevity for the sparkling freshness of just-picked fruits and fragrances. That's a trade-off I'm always willing to make. I bought some little spray decant bottles that I can keep in my handbag and refresh my fragrance at lunchtime. That way, I - or those close to me - can enjoy this beautiful fragrance all day.

If you like fruity florals that sparkle, you should cheek out Rose Pompon. You can find it at Annick Goutal's Web site easily. It's also available at Luckyscent (but backordered in the 50 ml size - probably owing to its popularity) and some Neiman Marcus stores.

Photos courtesy of Annick Goutal

The Friday Forum - May 13

I've ranted here before about product specialists who put substitutions in their new displays. I buy them, thinking they are the new introductions when they aren't. This drives me crazy!

Last night, I discovered that the two KissKiss lipsticks I had purchased, thinking they were the new limited editions, were not. I'm furious. The individual who sold them to me knows I write this blog. I called her before I drove over there to tell her I was interested in the summer collection and ask if she has received it. Once I got there, she should have disclosed that the two lipsticks placed in the slots on the display were not new at all. Although they are pretty, I think I'm going to return them. Yes, I'm the one who never returns things, but I feel misled. I have plenty of KissKiss lipsticks. I wanted the new ones. Do I have to get out my phone to check every time I select a product from a new display to ensure the items on the display are all actually new?

I have had this problem before, and there are some product specialists at certain stores I don't trust at all. I thought I could trust this one. Lesson learned.

Yesterday brought an embarrassment of riches. I have all the new Victor dE Souza lipsticks, designed by Dustin Lujan, and I also have a lovely collection of Guerlain's Le Petite Robe Noir lipsticks - plus some nail products. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I got home from work. Now I'm hoping that we get the sunshine that's predicted for Sunday so I can take photographs. It has rained here for something like 17 out of the last 18 days.

It's time for our Friday Forum and weekend conversation. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I hope to see you in the comments.

Photo by Best Things in Beauty

Guerlain Terracotta Pause d'Été Bronzing Powder Duo for Summer 2016

Today, we turn from one of my very favorite cosmetics companies (Chanel) to another: Guerlain. The Guerlain Summer 2016 Collection is superb.

The gorgeous, limited-edition Terracotta Pause d'Été Bronzing Powder Duo ($82) is a collector's piece. Guerlain Terracotta powder, the reference standard in bronzing powders, is currently available in a limited edition, Terracotta Pause d'Eté. The luxurious, environmentally sound wooden packaging (using wood from PEFC-approved sustainably managed forests) contains a wide mirror in the top and a "two-tone powder block": the combination of the best-selling Terracotta shade #03, which naturally warms all complexions, and the "it color" for summer, pink with a slight gold shimmer, to illuminate the skin with a tan radiance.

The colors can either be blended together to warm the complexion and enhance the natural beauty of summer skin or applied separately to achieve your desired bronze intensity. On the skin, the shades meld together to form an adjustable silky veil - so fine that the result is impeccable and remains so all day long.

I took my photo of the palette, showing a snippet of the magnetic cover (which one unscrews after the magnets "find their mates") in full, mid-day sunshine. As you can see, the color portrayed by Guerlain on its Web site is spot on. This is the kind of palette that I want to wear, but also put in my makeup museum. It's gorgeous. I think I need two!

In order to swatch the multi-colored palette, I used a sponge-tipped applicator and made sure to run it over all shades - there are really three of them. My photo directly below was taken with my arm aimed directly at the sun. You can see the direct light in my swatch.

I think this color, when applied directly with a bronzing or powder brush is exquisite. Although it's intended to be used on both the face and décolleté, I've only used it on my face to date. I applied it where the sun would naturally beam, which made me beam. The rose in the shade makes the blended shade beautiful on my fair skin. I'm sure it will be flattering on everyone.

The photo directly above shows the swatch with a little less direct sun. I turned my arm to get more swatch, less sunshine. Either way, I am stunned by the blended color. If I had to describe the blended color using familiar words, I'd call it a rose-leaning copper. You can apply it with more rose and less bronze if you choose.

You don't have to blend the shades; you can use them individually - even the gold roping can be used (with a small brush) as a highlighter. This is a versatile bronzing powder palette, and I think you will love it as much as I do. In my opinion, it's a must-have.

I purchased my Terracotta Pause d'Été Bronzing Powder Duo at Neiman Marcus. All Guerlain counters should have it, and I see that it's widely available from retailers who sell Guerlain in store and online.

I'll show you my other purchases from Guerlain's Summer 2016 Collection in the coming days. Every piece is a treasure.

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

New: Softsoap Pure Foaming Hand Soap

I have to take a short break from new cosmetics to tell you about a new liquid soap. Is there anyone who doesn't use and love Softsoap? I always keep it in stock at Mom's house, where there are many of us coming and going and washing hands constantly. I use it at mine and have always loved the various scents you can select. Now, there's a new Softsoap made especially for those who don't like artificial fragrances, alcohol, or any of the other ingredients one might call contaminants in products they use often. We germ phobes wash our hands countless times each day.

Softsoap graciously sent me two bottles of Pure Foaming Hand Soap ($1.98 to $2.99, depending on source), and I love them. It's a simple, gentle formula that is dye-free, alcohol-free, has 100% natural fragrance, and effectively cleans and purifies - just as well, if not better than, the original version.

I enjoy the fresh, natural scent (I'm using Lemongrass; they also sent me Fresh) at my kitchen and bathroom sinks. While I haven't used it in the shower yet, I will. There are some very cool things I love about this new formula and its packaging.

It has a beautiful light scent that I smell while using it, but as soon as I dry my hands, it's gone. It dispenses as a foam, which I think saves product. I also think the design of the container is genius. It's bottom-weighted, so it doesn't tip over with even the slightest shove. I'm always knocking over my cylindrical and tall, rectangular liquid soaps, especially when they get low on liquid. While that's a small annoyance, I have found great delight in the shape of Softsoap's new container.

If you are in the mood for an inexpensive treat - one that you know is clean and pure - give the new Softsoap Pure Foaming Hand Soap a try. You can find it at mass market retailers, such as Walmart, Target, and others, I'm sure.

Photo courtesy of Softsoap

The Friday Forum - May 6

Today's Le Métier de Beauté event with Ivan Castro was great fun. Our Account Executive's daughter served as Ivan's model. She started out with no makeup and was beautiful. Then Ivan showed us how he applied her skin care and makeup, explaining his techniques step by step. She finished the session even more beautiful - which seemed impossible, given her natural beauty.

We were treated to a wonderful lunch at Maggiano's, the site of the master class. The lunch was wonderful and filling. I tried not to eat too much, but dessert put me over the top. I enjoyed watching Ivan as he worked his magic on this beautiful young woman (I'm not identifying her because I did not ask for permission to use her name). Ivan started with skin care, explaining Le Métier de Beauté's products, their benefits, and their distinctive ingredients. Then he used gorgeous colors that suited his model perfectly, showing me that he can do both "East Coast" and "West Coast." He also showed us the new brush collection. Great job, Ivan!

Ivan will be doing makeup applications tomorrow at Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie. If you would like to make an appointment, call Michael or Andy first thing tomorrow at (202) 966-9700, ext. 2258. There are a few slots left. There are gifts with purchase too. It's a great time to go!

It's time for our Friday Forum and weekend conversation. The Friday Forum has always been an opportunity to share information. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? We can help! Want to talk about skin care? I'm game. Just use the comments. We have busy weekends and slow ones on the forum. I hope to see you in the comments.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty