Thursday, April 30, 2009

T3 Pro Wet-Or-Dry


I love spending money on my hair, but hate investing in styling tools because I'm fairly lazy and also am horrible at styling hair. However, since I no longer get chemical straightening, the flat iron's importance in my life has increased. My slightly wavy, thick hair doesn't lend itself to sexy Gisele waves anytime.

I first saw the T3 Pro Wet and Dry iron in an editorial, and it was purported to be able to straighten your hair and dry it at the same time. Now, because of my aforementioned laziness, I was thinking this would be a good investment for me in case I did decide to dry and straighten simultaneously.

This iron is a hideous hot pink plastic with white cord and white tourmaline infused plates. It heats up to 410 degrees F in seconds, which is fairly impressive. I usually use a straightening balm with it (such as Phytodefrisant or Living Proof.). I find this makes my hair straight with one or two passes, and it doesn't snag my hair like my Revlon ceramic iron does. The straightness lasts throughout the day and possibly to the next wash.

I've only used this on damp hair, so I can't comment on its efficacy to fully dry the hair. I do notice that is is hard to get to the very start of the roots, when hair is damp, so I imagine it would be a problem with wet hair.

This cost $119USD, and comes with a 2 year warranty. I had a 15% discount at Sephora.com, so that helped, as the price is a little steep. It is probably not 3X better than a drugstore $40 iron, but I would say maybe 2X? So it's not exponentially proportionate with the price, but it is certainly better.

Monday, April 27, 2009

I Need Proof!


Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair (wow, that is a mouthful!) is a fairly new product release designed to fight frizziness and make hair smooth. Since I do have processed, highlighted hair and naturally wavy hair, I was intrigued by this product, particularly since is was invented by MIT scientists.
According to Sephora's website:

"Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair offers the first new anti-frizz technology in over 30 years. No Frizz addresses the two causes of frizz—humidity and friction. It provides a superior, extremely thin humidity barrier on hair, while reducing surface friction. The result is the most effective, lightweight frizz fighter on the market today. Hair is left sleek and manageable without becoming greasy or heavy.

No Frizz formulas efficiently deliver PolyfluoroEster to the surface of the hair in one even, perfect layer—devoid of any extraneous additives. This advanced styling aid works great on color-treated hair and is terrific for smoothing split ends. No Frizz also repels dirt and oil so you can go longer between shampoos. "

The ingredients list is fairly short:

Water, PolyfluoroEster, Myristyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, PEG-8 Stearate, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, Sorbic Acid.

I purchased the 2.0 ounce travel size for $14USD, which is a decent price for the results. There definitely is no greasiness, and it does not weigh down the hair. The scent is fresh and pleasant. I've been applying to towel-dried hair (it says to apply a quarter-sized amount), blowdrying, and then flat-ironing to set it. Thus far, I've been left with smooth strands that stay that way. until my next shampoo.

I do notice that my hair is a teensy bit stiff when I use this, and not glossy or extremely shiny, unlike when I use Phytodefrisant (which I also reviewed.) Comparatively, I do prefer the Phyto, especially since Phyto is vegetable based.


Shiseido "Perfect" Rouge?


Dick Page is one of my favorite makeup artists. I tried to get backstage at the Narciso show to meet him, but that didn't happen... so instead, I just follow his work through magazines and online. Ever since he has been the creative director for Shiseido, I have paid more attention to their products.

Perfect Rouge is their latest lipstick venture. It retails for $25USD (hefty price tag!), and there are 20 colors in the current line-up, ranging from rich reds, to deep wines, to light pinks, peaches and nudes. Now, the term "perfect" shouldn't be used lightly, as that is making a pretty steep claim. Shiseido's schpiel is: "Driven by the advanced technology of Dual Optimizing Powder, Ultra-Fine Satin Smooth Pearl, and Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE, each radiant shade gives lips lustrous, all-day moisture and a protective veil that actually improves texture. " According to previous editorials, the pigments in this also adjust and stay true in different lighting.

There is no SPF, so I'm not sure what protective veil they are referring to. The color that I got was BE208 - Baby, which is a light creamy peachy pink-beige. For the $25, this lipstick is very pigmented without being too heavy. There is no greasiness or waxiness, nor is there is any dryness or weird lipstick smell. The opacity is quite good without looking like it is just sitting on the lips. Also, it is quite long-lasting... for me, about 4 hours without eating food. I did drnk water throughout the time, and some color did come off on my glass, but enough stayed on my lips that I didn't have to retouch.

I do hope they come out with other colors, like more nudes. I tried on some other colors, but I think for my complexion as well as my pink-pigmented lips, this was the most attractive.

So Nnnnotorious


When Ralph Lauren's Notorious perfume came out late last year, I was dying to try it. The fragrance strips in all of the magazines were delicious, and I absolutely loved the ads with Laetitia Casta. Even though I find most Ralph Lauren perfumes to be pedestrian, I was quite impressed with the fact that everyone kept raving about the chocolate cosmos note that was in this fragrance - supposedly quite revolutionary. At any rate, I just thought the bottle was very nice and elegant.

However, Notorious is notoriously safe, on the side of boring. It is categorized as an oriental, with "Deep black currant, spiced bouquet, decadent chocolate cosmos, sensual patchouli musk." Sounds so glamorous, right? In the initial spray, I definitely detect the currant and floral notes, which are pretty, and in the drydown, the musk and patchouli really hit me, and that is the predominant note in the drydown. I never noticed any sort of chocolate. Also, the sillage of this is not great... it lasts maybe 2 hours on me before I smell absolutely nothing, and I did spray quite a bit.

Sadly, this perfume is a pass for me. If someone gave it to me as a gift, I would gladly accept it and use it, but I don't think that I would go out and buy it myself. It just doesn't make enough of a statement for me. Just for reference, this is $65USD for a 1.7 ounce, and $75USD for a 2.5 ounce. I believe Sephora also offers for 1.0 ounce for $45USD.

"Glowy" Lips with Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm


Wow, I am surprised I love this product, but I do! This was released with the Summer 2009 collection. I've usually never had good luck with those color-changing lipsticks/glosses. (Remember those mood lipsticks from the 80's?). I find they typically turn a garish shade of pink or fuchsia on me, even the latest incarnations, like Smashbox's O Gloss, or even the Too Faced Smurfette gloss, which I otherwise like.

This looks like one of Dior Addict High Shine lipsticks, in terms of the slant-tip, and the size of the actual bullet. The actual product looks like a translucent baby pink, but once it is applied to the lips, it turns to the perfect "natural" lip color for you by working with your body's natural chemistry. (I think it's something to do with the pH levels in your skin, etc.) For me, it is a mid-tone warm-pink, basically like a rosier version of my natural lip color. The effect is quite natural.

The texture of this is quite balmy and moisturizing, and the finish is like a glossy lipstick. It makes the lips look juicy and healthy. I do find that the color lasts quite long, even after the product is wiped off, but the stain effect is sheer, so you can feel free to apply more without turning your lips a tacky color or risk having the color flake off your lips. It also looks very pretty with the Dior Lip Plumper on top, or a sheer gloss once the sheen of the balm goes away.

Also, this product has SPF 10, which, though it is low, is better than nothing. (Wish they could have done SPF 15 or 30.). I love this stuff, and will be using all of the time. I kind of wish I'd invented it myself! It retails for $28USD (pretty pricey!) -- but is well worth it!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

A Touch of Air from SK-II


I purchased this in Summer 2007 at the SKII counter at Bloomie's on 59th. I'd been intrigued by this foundation since its launch, but was too afraid of the hefty price tag to dare to try it. However, that day, without the sensibility of a shopping partner, I plunked down the $150USD and got this foundation! (Please note that since then, the price has increased to $165USD - gotta love inflation!) The start-up price included one packet of foundation at 0.16 ounces, and the actual machine and battery. The refills retail at $90USD for 2 packets.

For reference, I am an NC20 in MAC, Stila 30 Watts, Estee Lauder Linen, and I was matched with the color OP-3, which is probably one of the most flawless matches that I have in my foundations. If you have light golden-beige skin, this would be a good match for you. In total, there is a very limited color selection offered here in the U.S., like 3 or 4. Unfortunately, if your skintone ranges on the dark or the superlight, you will probably not be able to find a good match in this line.
There is a slight learning curve to learning to use this product. You must hold it at 4-inches from your face -- any closer, and it has a tendency to go on clumpy -- any further, and you're just dispersing foundation into the air. I use the "droplet" function to put a couple of drops around my nose before I go to the "on" function to mist my face. I do my face in sections -- forehead first, then right cheek, then nose/chin, and then left cheek. I've been using up-and-down motions, which has worked pretty well.

The mist is very, very light on the face, and the particles come out very fine. Compared to aerosol sprays like DiorFlash and Era, the mist of the SKII hardly feels like anything -- just an ever-so-slight breeze on the face. Because of this, the coverage is buildable, and you can do several layers without any sort of cakiness. Due to the ion technology employed by the SKII machine, the mist also doesn't get all over the hair and eyebrows or clothes (as the Dior always did). I have worn many white dress shirts when applying this foundation, and have not had any problems AT ALL with foundation spraying onto my clothing.

To this end, you have to make sure your face is evenly and throughly moisturized for the best effect. I think the ions make the foundation attracted to moisture, so it helps to apply a light lotion first to make sure the foundation goes onto your skin.

As for the actual quality of the foundation, it is sheer and lightweight, yet miraculously evens out the complexion. Obviously, for dark circles and blemishes, I still use a concealer beforehand, but this foundation does a good job at evening everything out. It also has a dewy finish, which I personally like (I think it makes the skin look more natural), although those who are used to super-matte might find it hard to get used to. It has an imperceptible finish -- just looks like my skin is really nice, not that I'm wearing foundation. It also contains Pitera, which is SKII's "miracle" ingredient derived from sake, and the cornerstone ingredient in its skincare, and is supposed to make the skin supple and radiant. I think because I use a sunblock moisturizer underneath, I've probably created a barrier against any of Pitera's effects. (I doubt that the amount in the foundation is even enough to make a difference anyway.)

I've been using it off and on for about 2 years. It's quick to apply (about 1 minute), and I don't have to worry about getting my hands dirty or having to use a sponge/brush, and it leaves my skin looking great. It seems that each refill packet can last up to 6 months for me, when I use it about 3-4 times a week. I have spoken with other people, however, and with a heavier application and daily use, the longevity of each pack is only about 2 months or so. Just to note, I also have not had to replace the battery yet.




Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tttttturbo-Lash!


Unlike most gals, I don't let any vibrating wands near me (ha!), least likely in or around my face. But, Estee Lauder's Turbolash has me singing another tune. (At least when it comes to mascara, anyway.)

This was introduced last year, but it took some convincing for me to buy into the whole thing. It just seems gimmicky, right? Plus, at $32USD a pop, this mascara is definitely a bank-breaker.
Douglas Cosmetics was having a Lauder GWP, last week when I stopped in, so I decided to ask the sales associate about it. She said it was superb, and wanted to demonstrate how it worked, but the battery on the tester was dead, so I never got the show. I ended up getting some other things and actually held off on getting this. My curiosity finally got the better of me earlier this week, so I took the plunge and forked out the dough.

I didn't know what to expect, but the basic lowdown is, there is a small battery that you insert at the top of the mascara wand when you buy it. This is what powers the little motor that makes the wand/brush vibrate. The battery is not environmentally friendly, unfortunately, and has to be disposed of separately when you're ready to toss the mascara.

This mascara promises volume, separation and length, which is quite a hefty claim for a mascara. Chanel Inimitable promised that same phrase, and hardly delivered (more on that in another review.) I have short, thin lashes that are straight, so anything that can make them curled, long, and volumized without clumping is a hero in my book. My previous high-end holy grails were Dior Show and YSL Faux Cils (more on those in another review!)

The motor turns on as soon as you twist the wand to open the mascara, and stays on until you put the wand back in the tube and click it shut. (This is a major difference between the Lauder and Lancome's Oscillation mascara. You have to manually start the Lancome with a touch button.) Now, as far as vibrations, I was expecting the wand to be out of control, but it really wasn't. I didn't feel a dramatic oscillation, though obviously it's enough for me to hear some humming during application, and it's enough to perform the job. If you've ever had a Sonicare toothbrush, it sort of sounds like that when it's on.

I don't even need a lash curler with this baby! It lifts the lashes and gives them that gentle curl. It gives a fluttery, fan-like effect to the lashes, and it makes them longer and volumized. I was also able to use 2 coats without any clumping or flaking. And, best of all, I didn't have to do anything except run the brush through the lashes. None of the crazy wiggling and zig-zagging that I usually employ to try and cover my lashes evenly or get to those very itsy bitsy lashes in the inner and outer corners. This does it all!

The battery is supposed to last the duration of the 3 months, so we will see about that. Even without the effective mechanism, this is a good mascara formula. The brush is long and bristly, and tapers at the end. It sort of reminds me of a tall, dense pine tree. It actually is very similar to Lauder's Sumptuous mascara, which I also have used and like. The formula is a dark black, and the texture is light-weight and leaves the lashes soft to the touch. (No crunchiness here!)
I love this mascara, and if its performance stays the same, I will continue to repurchase. Just to note, this is NOT waterproof (not sure if EL plans to offer a WP version of this) -- but it lasts without smudging all day, and is fairly easy to remove at night with a good remover. I wouldn't wear it to the swimming pool or anything, though.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Phytodefrisant


When I don't get Japanese hair straightening, my hair is quite wavy and has a tendency to frizz a bit, especially at the roots, which is quite unattractive. Enter Phytodefrisant. This was my first Phyto product, and I love how Phyto's products are all naturally derived.

This comes from plant origins, and is odorless. The consistency is gel-like, and somewhat clear-ish. You apply generously to sopping wet hair and comb through from roots to ends. For my hair, which is about shoulder-length and quite thick, I use about a quarter-sized dab for the entire head.

I normally dry with a blowdryer, and this leaves my hair feeling very smooth and looking quite healthy without adding any extra weight. I wash my hair every other day, so the non-frizzy effects last even in humid, rainy days till the next wash.

Phytodefrisant comes in 3 different sizes, but all in aluminum squeeze tubes. The packaging is definitely not elite or super attractive, but it is quite simple and relatively environmentally-friendly. The largest is 5.9 ounces, and retails for $34USD. The next size down is 3.3 ounces and retails for $26USD. If you just want to try it, there is a travel size which I've seen at Sephora, that retails for about $12USD and lasts quite a while.

Double Your Lashes, Double Your Fun (Mavala)


I first heard of Mavala Double Lash on the boards of makeupalley.com back in 2005 or so. This was before the advent of Latisse, or Jan Marini's lash growth product, and really the only main competitor was Talika Lipocils.

Since Talika was much more expensive, I decided to try Double Lash instead. Unfortunately, it wasn't readily available in the US, so I had to get it through other means. The first time I got it was through my friend Aurelie, who purchased it in Canada. The second time, I had a kind-hearted Singaporean makeupalley-er purchase it for me. The third time, I got a brand new one in a swap with a Greek makeupalley-er. Through the years, it has been more easily purchasable in the US, via websites such as whatshebuys.com, but I must note that now it is always in stock at Douglas cosmetics for the pocket-friendly price of $16.50USD.

The product comes in a small glass bottle, about the size of a nail polish, and not very fancy. There are 0.3 ounces of product, but you will probably not be able to use it all up... And besides, like all liquid eye products, you should replace every 3 months.

The applicator is a spooley brush that resembles a mascara brush. As for the actual product, it is a whitish liquid, quite watery in texture. There is no scent or odor. It is to be applied mainly on the lashline, so as to encourage lash growth. I personally only applied it at night, but some ladies have used it underneath their mascara during the daytime. It does dry clear, but while the product is on your lashes, they feel a little crunchy. I always wash off any residual in the morning with some warm water so I can start with fresh, clean lashes.

So does it give lush lashes? Well, that is debatable. To me, this is more of a lash conditioner. It restores the lashes after too much mascara use or tugging when removing eye makeup. With Double Lash, I did find that my lashes felt much softer, and I had less lash loss. Each individual lash also felt and looked plumper. I found that my mascara wore better, meaning that my lashes looked more well groomed and glossy with mascara.

But, don't expect crazy lashes to start sprouting, or lashes so long you'll have to trim them down. Save that for Latisse or something that is medically proven. With Mavala, you will just have "good lash days" with your soft, glossy, conditioned lashes. For me, that is enough (for now!). I don't want to put the mascara business into ruins - haha.

Also, I just want to note that I have sensitive eyes, and did not experience any irritation whatsoever. This is a continuous repurchase for me. Love it!

Addicted to Dior Lippies


I remember when Dior first converted to the whole "Addict" concept about 10 or so years ago. I bought into the original Addict lipsticks, which I adored because of the flashy and unique packaging. Now, we have the latest incarnation, the Dior Addict Lipcolors, which promise high color payoff with a lightweight and shiny texture.

The new collection has a total of 24 colors, ranging from pales to brights, and even a few darker shades thrown in. I, of course, being the nude and pink aficionado, purchased 3 in: #223 - Beige Negligee, #219 - Undressed Pink, #319 - Beige Dandy, which are a shimmery peachy-pink with golden pearl, a creamy nude pink with no shimmer, and a shimmery peachy-beige with gold shimmer. They retail for $26USD each which is kind of a hefty investment, but well worth it.
Packaging is very cute and Dior, with an exterior silver-toned mirrored case that covers the whole tube and etched with "Dior." The actual tube is quite thin, but for some reason, the exterior case is thick and a tad bulky. (Please see pic above.)

The lippie does live up to its promise.. There s no waxiness at all, and it almost feels water-like on the lips. It just glides on. The finish is semi-gloss, so not too shiny. The density of the color, though, even in the lighter shades, is incredible. The lasting power is superior to most glossy or light lipsticks, and wears for a couple of hours without losing its sheen or luster. There is no scent (much improvement to the old school Dior lippies which have a perfumey-flower odor, or even compared to the Rouge Diors.)

I like these a lot and will repurchase in the shades that I bought (if I ever use them up!). I'm also open to trying other colors. I bet the brights in this line are gorgeous!

Oh, J'adore Dior Capture Totale!




I just celebrated another birthday, so I thought it would be an appropriate time to invest in some good skincare. I am definitely not a stranger to anti-again products or high-end items, but forking out lots of dough has, at times, seemed like a waste.

The Capture Totale Rituele Nuit comprises of 2 different parts: (1) An anti-aging peeling toner; (2) A gel-cream format night cream. They retail for $85USD and $125USD respectively, which is certainly a bit of an investment.

One of the toner's active ingredients is salicylic acid, though I'm not sure of the percentage. It is quite exfoliatory and helps get rid of the dead skin cells that are hanging out on the surface of the skin. There are also other ingredients to help it be more gentle, so you don't feel like you are applying astringent to your face or anything, and there is absolutely no burning, and I have pretty sensitive skin It also has a pleasant, flowery scent, and comes in a shiny plastic purple bottle, which helps with the illusion of prestige. As per the drections, you are to wet 2 cotton pads and apply from the throat up to the facial contours and cheeks and then swipe across the forehead and nose. It leaves the face feeling very sightly sticky, but only for a few minutes. The bottle contains 3.4 ounces, and so far, in the month I have been using it, I have gone through about 1/5 or so of it from using it every night.

Now, for the cream. It has a unique oil-cream consistency, which means it feels quite moisturizing without being thick or heavy. The application instructions recommend using just a small amount, and warming it in between the hands before applying. For me, I use about a pea-size for my face and then another pea-size dollop for my neck/throat/decollete. This cream comes in a jar, which some may find unsaitary, but it does come with a spatula. The cream is quite lightweight, has the same pleasant scent as the toner, and absorbs quickly into the skin. I have combo skin with a very oily t-zone, and I have not had any breakouts whatsoever. I do sometimes wake up oily in the t-zone, but that happens regardless of what I use. I don't now how this will fare in the dead cold of the Northeastern winter months, but for early spring weather (which is still quite chilly), it has rich enough. I do think this 1.7 ounce jar will last quite a while, as I've had it for a month and have barely made a dent in it.

As for visble effects? I do notice that I wake up with more radiant-looking skin, and my morning skincare and foundation/powders apply more smoothly. I also notice a reduction in the blackheads on/around my nose (undoubtably the results of the salicylic acid). I can't attest to any wrinkle reduction, as I didn't have any to begin with (I am more about prevention.). I am very pleased with these 2 purchases, and I imagine that I will continue purchasing, and probably add the serum and eye cream to my routine, too. (Currently, I use a non-Dior eye cream, and do not use serum.)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

CHANEL Summer 2009 (Yum!)


I was eagerly awaiting this collection to hit the stores and actually got to check it out before the official store release at Macy's back in March. Unfortunately, since they had no testers, I wasn't able to try anything on. But, I did have an idea already in mind of what to get.



Angela Levin, who does Jennifer Aniston's makeup, had used the Aqualumiere lipstick in Panarea and the Quadra bronzer on Jen for the Academy Awards, so I knew I wanted to get those items. I'd also seen online another Aqualumiere lippie, in Salina, that I'd wanted to try.
Those were the only 3 items that I bought from the collection. The full collection includes a quadra eyeshadow (which the colors looked too rusty/bronzy to flatter my pale warm-toned skin); 6 Aqualumiere lipsticks: 4 Aqualumiere glosses; 2 bronzing powders (one compact, one loose): 1 blush.... Please see the link below for the Chanel site which details everything, in case I missed something.







As for my little purchases (pictured above) - I adore the 4 Facettes bronzing powder. I like that it has several different shades which can be blended together for a peachy-bronze glow, or used separately for contouring and highlighting. There is a bit of shimmer finish, but not enough that you would look like a disco ball. Also, the brush is dual-sided with firm black bristles (for denser application) and fluffy white bristles (for a lighter hand.). This is a pricey product, at $65USD, but to me, its versatility is well worth the price.



Now, for my 2 lippies... As with other Aqualumieres, this has a sheer, somewhat glossy finish, which means that lasting power is probably not as long as a satin or matte lippie, but the fact that it wears comfortably and has SPF 15 is a bonus for me. Plus, who doesn't like whipping out the elegant black tube with gold trim?



Panarea is a brownish nude berry with slight shimmer/pearliness. It is quite complementary to my skintone, and I imagine that it would work for a wide array of skintones. It gives a "your lips but better" look, and I think the shade is quite appropriate for the office or for the evening.
Salina is a light, beigey-pink with some goldish shimmer pearl to it. It reminds me a bit of a less pink Waikiki, if you're familiar with that color. Since I love nude-ish lips, this is a great buy for me, because it has just enough pink and shimmer in it so as not to look dead. But - if you find that you get washed out with light colors, you may want to pass on this one.



These retail for $28USD, which is pricey, but you are definitely paying for a good quality product with a nice name. :)



Overall, these are must-haves in my makeup bag, and I am very happy with my purchase!

"Viva" Viva Glam!


Somehow, I always get sucked into the different MAC campaigns that come out every 6 weeks or so. Viva Glam is no exception... I have followed this collection since the original, RuPaul days. I was originally intrigued by the AIDS project, but it's also great to know the good cause is championed with a good product.


The collection is now 9 strong, with 3 lipglasses (Viva Glam V, VI, VI SE) and 6 lipsticks (I-VI). The latest in the collection are the VI SE ("special edition) which are advertised by Fergie. The VI SE lipglass came out last year, and is a cool-toned light pink with some shimmer and pearl to it. The VI SE lipstick came out just a few weeks ago.


It is a mid-tone, cool-based pink without shimmer or pearl. The formulation is lustre, which is slightly shinier and moisturizing than the satins or mattes without being too sheer. Compared to, say, Syrup, this is cooler and goes on more lavender-based, but tonally, it is similar.


On me, a warm-toned light beige gal, this is surprisingly pretty attractive. I do think it would be super hot on someone with cool undertones and light-colored eyes, though. (Guess that's why they picked Fergie-ferg.) I like layering the VI SE gloss on top to give the lips more dimension and add more staying power.


Overall, for under $15, this is a good purchase for me, and I would probably rebuy if I ran out (though, for the record, I've never finished a lipstick!) If you're afraid of the coolness, I would recommend VGV or the regular VGVI.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Angel - Oh, so Classic!


When I think of the 1990's, I think of the supermodels (Cindy, Naomi, Christy, Linda) -- and of course, of excessive sexiness (ie. Azzedine Alaia)... and, to that end, the launch of the beautiful Angel perfume in the mid-90's. I still remember the ad with Jerry Hall, her blonde waves cascading down her shoulder. Of course, at the time, I was a freshman in high school, so this fragrance was far too mature for me! I was missing that certain "je ne sais quoi" that someone in her late 20's, who has more life experiences, has!

This is certainly a gourmand fragrance, and can be categorized as an "oriental gourmand" because of its spicier notes. This perfume is comprised of bergamot, hedione, helional, honey, dewberry, red berries, vanilla, caramel, patchouli, chocolate and courmarin. On my skin, I the notes that stand out most are the bergamot (which I love, as I am also an Earl Gray tea fan!) and patchouli, which I first smell upon spraying... and then in the drydown, the gourmand notes become dominant in the form of vanilla and caramel. There is a very slight chocolate note to me. The sillage of this perfume is great, and only a few spritzes lasts on me all day.

Now, I must note that Angel is one of those fragrances that you either love or hate. It certainly makes a strong statement, and too many spritzes can result in overkill. But, for a dosage of sweet sultriness, there is no other fragrance, in my mind!

I love that Angel comes in so many formats and sizes, and although several diversions and limited editions have been released, I am favorable to the original. This is one of the few perfumes on the market that is refillable, and I am particularly biased towards the 0.8 ounce shooting star, which retails for $75USD. I picked it up for around 50-something Canadian dollars at the duty free store, which is an amazing deal. Although the star can't stand upright on its own, it just looks so beautiful and celestial lying on a simple glass tray or shelf.

Currently, Naomi Watts is the spokesmodel for this fragrance. Though she does lack the raw sensuality of Jerry Hall, she does look quite beautiful in the ads. There is also a summer edition, called Angel Sunessence, that comes in a silvery shooting star. This one is a bit more clean and floral.