Beauty Jewels from Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors for Christmas

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

fragrance rings

Ah I do love a birra bling. And here, if that birra bling has a birra someting beaurriful inside then hurrah! So that’s why I like fragrance rings: I have Marc Jacobs’ Daisy ring from a couple of years ago and still wear it regularly, even though in truth the scent doesn’t light my fire.

This Christmas, his newest fragrance, Lola, is available as solid fragrance inside a ring (€39 from Brown Thomas) and is definitely piquing my interest. Even though I doubt I’ll like the scent inside (billed as Daisy’s grown-up sis), I love the OTT flowers, so it’s a thumbs up for that, anyway. If it just doesn’t float your boat then Michael Kors’ Very Hollywood cocktail ring might. At €60, it’s not cheap, but it is really, really glam and pretty, and of course it’s got the fragrance hidden below the gem.

What’cha reckon? Would you get, or forget?

Tags: accessories, christmas09, fragrance, marc jacobs, Michael Kors
Posted in Gadgets, Books & Accessories, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 9 Comments »

Marks out of ten for Andres Velencoso for Chanel Allure Homme Sport if you please

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

andres-velencoso

We like our fragrance campaigns here at Beaut.ie - particularly when they feature hot men. And luckily for us they always feature hot men!

From this poll where you rated your top fragrance hunk to my personal favourites Johnathon Rhys Myers, Josh Holloway , David Gandy and Henry Cavil, it seems we’ve picked up quite a bit of er expertise on this particular issue. If expertise is another word for obsessively watching the heart racingly gorgeous one on You Tube .

All I want to know from you is how highly you rate Andres Velencoso as the face of Allure Homme Sport - marks out of ten!

Tags: Chanel, fragrance for men
Posted in For Men, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 16 Comments »

Beaut.ie Wonders: Do You Change Your Perfume In Winter?

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

perfume

Most of us are inclined to change our beauty routines in much the same way as we change our wardrobes when the temperatures start to drop. As soon as the long boots and the winter coats and the scarves and hats and gloves come out, we find ourselves reaching for richer body lotions and moisturisers to replenish skin suffering the effects of extreme cold and radiator heat. Some girls like to dial their foundation down a shade at this time of year.

And even if you don’t think that you make any major adjustments to your routine, you might find that you’re more drawn to darker shades of nail varnish than you might be during the “summer” months, preferring navy or black or wine or burgundy to nudes or brights.

I noticed the other day that my Benefit B Spot wasn’t quite doing it for me (ho ho) anymore, and I think that’s because it’s a fruity floral and is summery out, and I like the idea of wearing something a bit warmer and more wood-y and sophisticated for Autumn/Winter.

Is this a sure sign that I’m losing my marbles or do you change your perfume as the seasons change?

Tags: AW09, AW10, fragrance, perfume, Rate it, scent, winter
Posted in Lotions, Potions & Scent, Rate it | 55 Comments »

Attn Nail Nuts #2: CND Colour and Effects

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

cnd

We don’t write much about Creative Nail Design’s products - though Lynnie is a fan of their cult Stickey Base Coat - but I did warn yiz yesterday that nails are IN with a capital I and a capital N. New developments are rolling out like billy-o and CND’s new Colour and Effects line is pretty damn interesting.

On the face of it, it’s not that thrilling: there are 40 basic creme colour shades and 15 top coats to provide shimmer, pearl and sparkles on top. But I had a demo done in front of MY VERY EYES and oh my, it actually really works. Best layered over dark shades, the effect topcoats really do change the look of a mani, taking it from solid colour to something that’s multidimensional, eye-catching and different to what you had on five seconds before.

Ideal for anyone who tires of their polish after a day or so, this stuff can take you from office-appropriate to out-on-the-razz with the quickness and of course the topcoats can be worn solo too.

Each of the colour and effects polishes cost €15 and are widely available nationwide - just give Creative Academy a bell on 01 429 5122 for one near you.

Tags: cnd, nails, topcoat
Posted in Hands, Body & Feet, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 5 Comments »

Attn Nail Nuts: Nubar Now at Pharmacies!

Monday, November 9th, 2009

nubar

Nails, people, are very definitely having a moment: Minx is huge news in ’sleb circles, Inglot have developed a breathable formula and the permanent mani has become a bride’s best friend. Chanel’s creative director for makeup, Peter Philips, has kicked polish-passion up a notch and has transformed the brand’s palette of covetable darks to a softer offering of mints and mushrooms. And all with zero drop-off in interest, no mean feat.

I’ve never had much of a lacquer lust but there are so many things happening in the polish-sphere recently that I can’t help sit up and take notice. I know we have a good few nail nuts who read so I think you’ll be interested in this little nugget: Nubar is now available at pharmacies nationwide!

Yup, formerly salon-only, selected chemists are now stocking it, and a bottle will set you back €8.49. A full(ish) listing is after the cut.

(more…)

Tags: nails, nubar
Posted in Hands, Body & Feet, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 17 Comments »

Innovation at Inglot with O2M Nail Polish

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

inglot-breathable

While I knew Inglot was a bit of a hot-bed for brights, decent brushes and affordable MACesque shades, I didn’t know the company had a fair bit of science up their sleeves.

That was, until I read about O2m, the brand’s newest nail polish. Unveiled at the launch of their first US store in New York’s Times Square recently, O2m comes in 46 shades and uses technology based on the polymer that was originally developed for breathable contact lenses.

The resulting polish has an increased oxygen and water vapor permeability, which in non gobbeldy-gook-speak means that the varnish goes on well and allows your nails to breathe underneath, reducing the potential of fungal infections. Now, in fairness, I’m not hugely sure how big an issue that actually is in real life but I’m assuming that it also cuts down on the dehydrating and nail-splitting properties polish can sometimes have, which would be a bonus.

If you like the sound of it, well, it’s at Inglot’s branch at Liffey Valley where it’s selling it for €13 a bottle. Have you tried it yet - and if so, did you think it was better than other brands?

Tags: inglot, nail varnish, science
Posted in Hands, Body & Feet, Here comes the science, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 4 Comments »

A religious experience: REN Frankincense Vitamin A/C/E Revitalising Body Cream

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

ren

“You smell nice”, said Himself approvingly after my shower the other day. Then he paused, sniffed again and said, with a touch of bewilderment, “You smell like church”. “That’ll be my frankincense body cream!” I replied, for it’s true, REN’s Frankincense Vitamin A/C/E Revitalising Body Cream does indeed have a touch of Midnight Mass to it.

Made with pro-vitamin A from beta carotene and vitamin C from Calabrian oranges, this cream also packs a punch when it comes to improving skin tone, firmness and elasticity. I normally take such claims with a pinch of salt, but after a few weeks of regular use, I’m really noticing the difference in how my skin looks. My upper arms are much smoother, my skintone looks much more even and my skin does look firmer. Frankincense and boswellia serrata oils also soothe and protect skin, so no more dry skin itching as the weather turns cooler.

As for the fragrance, don’t worry if the mention of church has put you off. It’s true that the frankincense note is there, but it’s balanced by a lovely citrus note from the orange and it’s actually a very light fragrance, which doesn’t linger long, but is very enjoyable.

Priced at €45, this is not a cheap option and I might never have tried it if REN hadn’t decided to include it as a gift with an online order. Now that I have, however, I may be inclined to treat myself to this from time to time, particularly during cold, dry weather. Definitely one for the Christmas list!

Tags: body lotion, Money No Object, REN
Posted in Brands, treatment & product reviews, Ethical & Organic Beauty, Hands, Body & Feet, Lotions, Potions & Scent, Money No Object | 12 Comments »

Chic from Celine Dion: Not Half Bad, Shockingly Enough

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

celine dion

It’s not just the whippersnapper likes of Kate Moss and Sarah Jessica Parker who can have a fragrance stable, y’know. Canadian songstress Celine Dion is something of an old pro where celebridee smells are concerned: she’s just released her eleventh perfume.

It’s called “Chic”, and I was prepared to dislike it immensely. This is, after all, the woman who inflicted “My Heart Will Go On” on an unsuspecting public.

Shudder.

But actually it’s a fairly inoffensive scent, clean, crisp and young, with very fruity watermelon and green aquatic top notes. The heart of the fragrance is decidedly floral, with waves of peony, gardenia, lotus and green violets, while the base is all about woody accords of sandalwood, blond wood, amber and musk. Probably the worst thing about it is it’s staying power - within about half an hour, it’s all but disappeared which is disappointing.

No fear of “Me Fragrance Will Go On”, so…

30 ml Eau de Toilette, €23.95; 50 ml EDT, €27.95

Tags: celine dion, fragrance, perfume
Posted in Brands, treatment & product reviews, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 3 Comments »

Expense: the new fragrance by J.O.D. For the grasping black caricature of the man that I am

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

jod expense

It’s the new fragrance from J.O.D - Expense. Formulated exclusively to bring out his dark side it inventively uses the tagline: For the grasping black caricature of the man that I am

The very atmosphere of Irish Politics today evoked in its alluring fragrance. Top notes of corruption settle down with lingering traces of greed and leaves a strong scent of entitlement hanging in the air

It’s what every splutteringly indignant red faced minister will be wearing this season to cope with trial by soundbite.

Leave your office with your head held high. Do it with Expense.

Reasonably priced at €100k. Just charge it to the taxpayer. Created by @UnaRocks

Tags: Celebrity Watch, For Men, fragrance, rip-off republic
Posted in Celebrity Watch, Lotions, Potions & Scent, Money No Object | 18 Comments »

Oh Me Oh My: Tom Ford Grey Vetiver

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

bottle-shot-final

Lets not beat about the bush here: fragrance for men tends to be at the discretion of the giver. And by ‘discretion’, I mean olfactory preferences. If I don’t like it, he don’t wear it, is the unspoken rule in our gaff. After all, I am the bringer of the booty and the distributor of samples, so if one crosses my desk I don’t want to nuzzle off his neck, it gets passed onto the willing legion of happy testers.

There is, however, abso-bloody-loutely no way anyone is getting their grubby mitts on Tom Ford’s new offering, Grey Vetiver. I love this man - so does Aphrodite. I am the proud possessor of a treasured pair of his sunglasses and a regular White Patchouli wearer. Himself uses the original Tom Ford for men on a regular basis and grunts his approval of its un-apologetically sexy ways.”Yeah, I like it,” he has causally commented. This is like the Worlds Highest Praise for a man-product, believe me.

Grey Vetiver is lighter, fresher and more green. Oh that’ll be the vetiver, so. It’s also got orange flower and grapefruit, sitting on a base of orris and warm amber woods. So it wears really nicely and is just the ticket for a guy who’s bored rigid by regular department store offerings.

As always Tom himself gets the chest rug out for the ad campaign, so really, everyone’s happy. Himself gets a new posh bottle of juice, I get to smell its delicious ways AND admire Mr Ford: truly this is a gift that keeps on giving.

Grey Vetiver will be available from 2nd November at Brown Thomas Dublin for €60.

Tags: aftershave, For Men, fragrance, tom ford
Posted in For Men, Lotions, Potions & Scent | 13 Comments »