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Diptyque Fragrance

Diptyque Essences Insensées Solid Perfume

September 12, 2014

Box by West Elm

Diptyque has a beautiful selection of new items for fall. I stopped by the boutique earlier this week and left with several items. The first I want to share with you is a new fragrance addition to their Collection 34 line inspired by the address of Diptyque’s first boutique. This fall they’ve introduced a beautiful soft mimosa scent called Essences Insensées which comes in a Solid Perfume ($60 for 3.6 g/0.13 oz) and a new special-edition bottle in the Eau de Parfum ($175 for 100 ml).

Both versions at the beautiful Diptyque store at South Coast Plaza:

I purchased the Solid Perfume option. I have a couple other of the Solid Perfumes in Eau Duelle and L’Ombre dans l’Eau. Both have lasted me quite a long time and I love the design of the compacts. They are easy to carry with you in a small clutch or makeup bag and perfect for touch ups. Also you don’t have to worry about any glass breaking.

Clutch by Whistles

The Essences Insensées is a lovely light weight floral. It has mimosa mixed with May rose and heliotrope. I’ve always been a huge fan of mimosa-scented candles but when it comes to fragrance you wear, I’ve had a difficult time finding one I could wear. Most mimosa scents are very lightweight and lovely but have a powdery touch making them smell like play do once spritzed on the skin (at least to me). What I love about the Essences Insensées is that it’s clearly mimosa but it has other scents mixed in so it doesn’t smell powdery. The solid version smells almost exactly like the spray.  The spray is stronger with a slightly more complex feel. As it dries down the fragrance reveals different layers of scent which I find both soothing and uplifting at the same time. 

The new 34 Essences Insensées has the same size and design of the other solid perfumes but comes in a lovely drawstring pouch and gold metallic case.

Fits into the palm of your hand:

And slips easily into a clutch, shown below:

Clutch by Whistles, Edward Bess Black Sea Cream Wave Lip Tints, L’Occitane Mini Hand Cream, NARS Belize Lipgloss, Chanel card case, Celine cuff and Louis Vuitton Key Ring

When I first smelled a sample of Jo Malone’s new Wood Sage and Sea Salt, I was convinced that would be my next fragrance purchase. I’m glad I waited to see the Diptyque releases in person because I prefer the Essences Insensées by far.

I compared the Essences Insensées to the Diptyque Mimosa candle. The fragrance is less powdery and more wearable. If you want a wearable version of the candle, the Essences Insensées is it.

Bottom line feminine and gorgeous. I’ve been wearing this almost all week long. It wears nicely by itself, but as with most Diptyque fragrances, it’s on the softer side and lasting power is medium. I find it layers nicely with the L’Ombre dans l’Eau.

I purchased mine from the Diptyque store. You can also find it now at Space NK, Neiman Marcus (has a gift with purchase while the beauty event is going on), Beautyhabit (also has a special gift offer with purchase, check their Gift With Purchase page) and Diptyqueparis.com.

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Diptyque Fragrance Home / Interiors

Diptyque Oyédo Candle

June 17, 2014

Each time I visit the Diptyque boutique or counter I discover something new. I discovered Diptyque Oyédo Candle ($60 for 6.5 oz) several months ago but just started burning it this past week. Oyédo is a light and citrus scent that smells like a sweet blend of grapefruit and mandarin oranges. It is significantly sweeter and lighter than most Diptyque candles I’ve tested but I like that it’s not too sweet. The scent itself seems on the subtle side once it burns but it is definitely noticeable and has decent throw. There is a refreshing uplifting feel to this one. It’s supposed to have an awakening feel due to the citrus notes, I find that it’s a more subtle citrus making it soothing. It’s very different from other Diptyque candles in the sense there is no earthy, herbal or spicey feel to it. Just straight citrus.

If you like subtle sweeter citrus scents that aren’t overpowering or too
sweet this one is a good one to check out. I’ve been loving it this
week and think it will be perfect for warmer summer weather.
At this time I’m not sure if it’s discontinued or just simply just one of those hard-to-find scents. I saw it several times at local counters but haven’t seen it in a while. It’s currently out of stock on the Diptyque website. I know you can still find it in boutiques and online at Saks, Lucky Scent and SpaceNK (UK).
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Diptyque Fragrance

Diptyque Geranium Odorata and Eau de Lavande Eau de Toilette Roll-On Fragrances

May 28, 2014

Diptyque recently introduced two new fragrances additions to the Les Eaux Florales line in Geranium Odorata and Eau de Lavande. Both fragrances are available in a Full Size Spray Bottle ($98 for 3.4 fl. oz/100 ml) or Travel Sized Roll-On ($48 each for 0.68 fl. oz/20 ml). I have the roller fragrances to share with you today.

These are the first roller ball fragrances I’ve tried from Diptyque although I own a sample size version of 34 Eau de Toilette and Solid Perfumes for L’Ombre dans l’Eau and Eau Duelle. I find the fragrance from the roller balls to have better lasting power than the solids and equal lasting power to the spray versions. I like the simple compact design and the fragrance ball dispenser is super easy to use. The intricate floral designs on the roll on bottles as well as the boxes is absolutely stunning.

Geranium Odorata is sweet woody floral that smells like spring. The notes included are: bergamot, geranium bourbon, rose geranium, pink peppercorn, tonka bean, Haitian vetiver, cedar. For Geranium Odorata, there is a blend of geranium from two different geographical origins: the African Geranium from Egypt and the Bourbon Geranium from Réunion Island. According to Diptyque:
“The first reveals lively, floral aspects, the second highlights its woody notes. One, in the top and core notes, is bright and delicious with a slight hint of citrus, while the other is denser and more subtle. Bergamot, green cardamom, cedar, Tonka bean and pink pepper- corns, together with Haitian vetiver, add a few touches here and there to complete this faith- ful picture, a beautiful harmony between flower and wood.”
This blend gives Geranium Odorata a well rounded floral feel with a warm undertone. I really like this one for a soft feminine spring-like scent. It’s a good one that will transition well into summer.

Eau de Lavande is a unique spicy, earthy floral scent with a complex nature. It has strong lavender notes with a warm undertone. Notes include: absolute lavender, coriander seed, cinnamon leaf, nutmeg, essential oils. It’s a unisex scent but I find it leans more masculine. According to Diptyque:

“Although it is a flower, when it is dried by the sun, it has a distinctive aroma which is more sombre and woody. We have therefore blended three different French lavenders. Provencal lavender essence, rarely used as it is so precious, forms the base
note, sustained by a few drops of incense and sandalwood, followed by a more floral essence from the Vaucluse, and a more aromatic hybrid lavender from Valansole. Coriander seeds, nutmeg and cinnamon add spice to the composition, a vibrant incarnation
of sublime nature. The fragrance is warm and subtle, alive and delicate.”

For me there are some fragrances that I prefer as home fragrances rather than as a perfume and Lavender is one of them. I didn’t like this one on me as I found it a bit too herbal-feeling although I do love lavender scented candles or shower gels. If you like Lavender fragrances you will like this one, it has a complex blend of notes to make it unique and the effect is very therapeutic and soothing.

For me Geranium Odorata was a pleasant new discovery. The bottles (true to Diptyque’s creative style) are absolutely gorgeous with the intricate floral designs that have a pop of color in each. I like that they come with a small black sleeve for storage which makes it easy to carry for travel or in your purse without worrying about it getting scratched or breakage (as long as you are on the careful side with your purses). I was really excited to try Eau de Lavande – trying new fragrances outside of my usual comfort zone is something I’ve been working on, however I found my preference to be with something more feminine and spring-like.

Both Diptyque Geranium Odorata and Eau de Lavande Roll-On Fragrances retail for $48 each. You can find them at all Diptyque counters and boutiques now. Online at Diptyqueparis.com (promo of a complimentary Deluxe Tam Dao 12mL EDP and free shipping with any $75 order, using code FATHER14, valid until 9 June 2014 while supplies last), Nordstrom, Space NK, Saks, Neiman Marcus.

Have you tried Diptyque fragrances? What are your favorites? Have you sampled the new Geranium Odorata and Eau de Lavande yet? I know there were various online promotions for samples earlier in the month when they first launched, were you able to try anything?

Roll ons were sent to The Beauty Look Book courtesy of Diptyque for review, all opinions my own, for more information refer to my Disclosures.
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Fragrance

An Introduction to Lumira | Soy Luxury Candles in Persian Rose and Tahitian Coconut

May 1, 2014
image via Lumira

I’m very excited to introduce Lumira today. My readers know I am an avid fan of luxury home candles. A well designed and crafted candle can add that perfect little accent to your home or office decor as well as make your entire room smell amazing. I’ve been following several Australian candle designers on Instagram loving the beautiful decorative imagery and inspiration from their Australian followers. I was ecstatic when Lumira reached out to provide an introduction.

For those new to this line, Lumira is a luxury lifestyle brand based in Sydney, Australia that specializes in hand-made soy candles. The line made it’s debut this year by founder Almira Armstrong. The first products in the line include a range of eight scents including Oriental Jasmine, Tuscan Fig, Persian Rose, Tropical Gardenia, Tahitian Coconut, Sicilian Citrus, Cuban Tobacco and Balinese Ylang Ylang.

The Signature Candles currently come in two sizes:

  • A large elegant, ebony hand-filled glass with beautifully scented creamy soy wax, $55 AUD for 450g/15.8oz, approximately60 hour burn time
  • A compact travel tin with a twist-off lid, perfect for travel, on your desk or on-the-go, $19.95 AUD for 100g/3.5oz, approximately 15 hour burn time

image via Lumira
The line is currently available in Australia and select international locations. You can purchase items online at Atelier Lumira (they ship internationally). According to Lumira they plan to expand their line into the US at more locations later this fall (stockists listed here).

Lumira kindly sent the Persian Rose Signature Candle and Tahitian Coconut Travel Candle for review. Readers know I am extremely particular and very selective with scents (my husband calls it “super picky”). I am pleased to report Lumira Candles are extremely well made. Both scents are high quality with an amazing blend of luxurious oils. I’ve been burning these for over a week now and everything is quite exquisite.

Persian Rose comes in a heavy black glass container. It’s the largest candle I own at 450g/15.8g. Persian Rose has a mix of rose absolute, blended with subtle notes of Jasmine, Soft Musk and
Bois de Rose. This one is designed for turning any home into a relaxing sanctuary. It’s a relaxing soothing rose that isn’t too floral and far exceeds my other rose candles in composition and blend. Yes, this is my new favorite rose. It has a really clean burn that fills up the entire room.

Notes:
Top: Sparkling Mandarin, Bergamot Zest & Sweet Orange
Mid: Budding Persian Rose & Geranium Essence
Base: Soft Musk, Patchouli & Dark Amber

Tahitian Coconut was sent in a travel size. I’ve been smitten with the Henri Bendel Travel Candles for their convenience, compact size and portability. Often times these candles are strong enough that you don’t have to burn them to enjoy the scent (I often just leave one opened). I like the concept of the travel candles with lids by Lumira. Tahitian Coconut is similar in concept to Henri Bendel’s Beach in the sense that it takes you away to a tropical getaway vacation. Tahitian Coconut is a blend of Coconut, Frangipani and Mandarin. It’s described as a scent that gives the feel of a mini-escape to be enjoyed all year round. It truly does. I find Lumira Tahitian Coconut to have a more rounded creamy feel, while Henri Bendel Beach is a bit sweeter and sharper.

Notes:
Top: Mandarin
Middle: Magnolia, Jasmine, Coconut, Orange Flower
Base: White Musk, Vanilla

The Lumira collection is available online at Atelier Lumira and within a handpicked selection of retailers across Australia and Internationally.
Lumira candles can be enjoyed as a full-size Ebony Glass Jar candle or in a convenient Travel Tin perfect for the office, when traveling, or in smaller spaces.
Have you tried Lumira? A shout out to my Australian readers! I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences 🙂 I can’t wait for the line to be available at more US locations. I’m already panicking about what I will do once they are finished burning.
You can find out more about Lumira on their website. Also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (to see beautiful home decor ideas) for the latest news and to find out where they are launching.
Samples were provided by Lumira for review. All opinions are my own. Photos of Persian Rose and Tahitian Coconut all taken by me.
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Fragrance Home / Interiors

Fresh and Light

April 16, 2014

Right now I’m loving fresh, light and uplifting scents for the home. I always find it interesting how my scent preferences change with the seasons. I usually think I lean towards all-occasion types of fragrances but these days I’m gravitating towards lighter fresher scents. A few favorites right now I find to be unique with good throw:
  • Malin + Goetz Mojito ($52 for 9 oz for 60 hour burn) is a fresh mix of lime, mint, basil and rum. This is my first Malin+Goetz candle and I love how this burns really cleanly, the scent is so unique, I’ve never smelled anything like it before. Mojito has a fresh unique uplifting scent including top notes of lime, rum, mint leaves, peppery basil, middle notes of spearmint and Chinese mint, base notes of white musk. I highly recommend this one for a clean fresh scent.

  • Diptyque Geranium Rosa ($60 for 6.5 oz, 60 hour burn) is one of the Diptyque scents that is harder to find (for me at least), you can find it all Diptyque stores and more retailers are starting to carry it now. This one is a fresh light green floral with a hint of mint (however I think I’m the only one who detects any mint). Geranium Rosa is one of those scents that is extremely green and very floral, if you prefer scents that aren’t quite as green, opt for Roses or Baies which are not quite as sharp. I like this one for the fresh green feel it creates.

  • Byredo Fleur Fantôme ($80 for 10.5 oz, 60 hour burn) is one of the splurgiest candles I’ve ever purchased, it has a highly complex mix of florals. Top notes: Rhubarb, Lemon Petitgrain Leaves, Middle notes: Violet Leaves, Tulip Extract, Base notes: Galbanum, Heliotrope, Suede. It has a refreshing floral mix and for something so complex, it actually has a simple fresh feel. Fleur Fantome has to be one of the most beautiful smelling candle I’ve ever burned, it smells like a beautiful garden.

  • Henri Bendel Beach ($15 for 4 oz travel size or $30 for 9.4 oz size) is another unique fresh scent (it’s one of my most repurchased candles). Beach is like the ultimate vacation scent and the mix is pure genius. There is nothing like it and it smells exactly like a beach vacation. If you’re new to Henri Bendel’s line and are looking for a recommendation to try something new, Beach would be my top pick. Notes include warm white sand and earthly driftwood blend with the summery
    smells of jasmine, white lotus, creamy coconut milk and sweet
    rosewater. I find Henri Bendel to be among the best candles at a decent price
    range. They have a diverse range of amazing scents that aren’t too
    overpowering but still have really good throw.

What home fragrances are you loving right now as we transition into warmer spring weather?

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Fragrance

All Roses | Aerin Beauty, Diptyque, By Terry, Chanel and Dior

November 18, 2013

A few things I’m loving right now all have a rose theme in common. I haven’t always been a fan of heavy rose-scented beauty products. It took me a while to get used to the floral fragrance in Chanel and Burberry beauty items. My current obsessions are all rose-themed.

Aerin Rose Hand and Body Cream ($40 for 4.2 oz) is the biggest splurge I’ve made for a hand and body lotion. The price is a bit steep but worth every penny. The tube is fairly large and it works wonders as a hand cream. I love the scent which smells like candied roses with very soft and feminine feel. The cream nourishes the hands and absorbs quickly but still keeps the hands feeling moist but not greasy. It’s a total must for me as a hand saver during the dry fall/winter months.

Diptyque Roses Candle ($28 for 2.4 oz approximately 20 hours of burn time) is a warm rose scent. It’s perfect for fall to winter. I like burning this by itself but it also burns nicely alongside Baies or Mimosa. I love that this gives a warm fuzzy feeling.

By Terry Baume de Rose ($60 for 10g/0.35 oz) is a cult classic. I’ve been eyeing this for years (literally years) but could never bring myself to splurge since I tend to avoid lip products that come in pots. (I prefer tubes for easier application.) However several beauty enthusiasts and friends insisted I try this and they pushed me over the edge. I’m happy to report that it’s every bit amazing as they claimed. The Rose Balm doubles for lips and nails, but I’ve only tried it for lips so far. It has a smooth texture and a unique luscious feel that I’ve never felt in any other lip balm. There is a rose scent but it’s very faint. How does it compare to my other two favorites? I’ll have to do more testing, but for now I can’t live without all three. The texture of the By Terry is slightly thicker and adheres to the lips better and feels like absolute heaven on the lips. My favorite part of Jo Malone’s is the scent (it’s heavenly) and packaging. I love the Hourglass because of how it performs combined with the spa-like scent it has. I’m hard pressed to pick just one – but will report after a bit more testing. Bottom line is the By Terry is worth every penny. I don’t ever want to be without this lip balm. (I keep wondering if the gloss version is good too?)

Chanel Rose Moire Le Vernis ($27, limited-edition) was previously reviewed here and here. There’s something so lovely about a shimmery rose-mauve pink. I’ve worn this numerous times since I first bought this color. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend you check it out at your next trip to the Chanel counter.
Dior Enchanted Rose #451 Addict Gloss ($29.50, limited-edition) is a new shade from the holiday collection. It’s an irresistibly gorgeous neutral peachy pink infused with gold shimmers. It’s sheer on the lips alone but works wonders when layered over an opaque lipstick. Review and swatches to follow very soon for it’s own feature.

Are you fan of rose-scented or rose-colored beauty products? What are your favorites?

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Diptyque Fragrance

Diptyque L’Ombre dans l’Eau Solid Perfume

November 3, 2013
While in San Francisco both my husband and I fell in love with the solid perfumes at the Diptyque Boutique on Maiden Lane. His favorite for me was L’Ombre dans l’Eau while I preferred the Eau Duelle. I spent several weeks thinking about the options before deciding on the L’Ombre dans l’Eau ($48 for 3.6 g). This scent is the companion to the Baies Candle. It’s described as a “mixture of crumpled blackcurrant leaves and rose petals.” L’Ombre dans l’Eau is a unisex scent that is fresh and green and floral with a hint of blackcurrant all mixed into one. It’s one of those scents I feel is perfect for fall.

The solid perfume comes in a heavy weight oval compact. There is a tiny grey pouch to store it in which protects the packaging. It’s beautiful to look at and I love how easy it is to carry with you in your purse or small clutch. The lasting power is medium. It’s quite strong when you first apply but fades very slowly throughout the day. Most Diptyque fragrances in the liquid form fade very quickly on me. I find the solid perfumes to last a bit longer on me.

Ingredients:

The L’Ombre dans l’Eau Solid Perfume is almost identical to the Eau de Toilette version, but there are noticeable differences. They basically dry down to the same scent, however I prefer the Solid Perfume version which is more earthy and natural smelling. The latter is a bit greener and fruitier which is still nice but a bit synthetic smelling. The only other scent I’ve tried that I can think to compare it to is Jo Malone’s Blackberry and Bay which is significantly sweeter with berry notes. Comparing the two side by side, the Jo Malone makes the Diptyque smell slightly musky. They layer quite nicely together although I prefer to wear them separately since I prefer subtle scents.

L’Ombre dans l’Eau Solid Perfume

Overall love. I’m normally not a fan of strong florals but the more scents I explore, the more I find that I like scents that have some kind of floral blended into them. L’Ombre dans l’Eau Solid Perfume is a perfect everyday rose/blackcurrant scent. It’s not overpowering so I don’t feel self conscious wearing it to work. It’s a nice feel-good kind of scent. It’s also a huge plus that my husband likes it on me. If you can try in person I highly recommend testing it. I still have my eye on Eau Duelle but will hold off for now.
L’Ombre Dans l’Eau comes in a wide variety of other formulas and options. I absolutely love the convenience and compact size of the Solid Perfume. It also comes in an Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, Roller Ball Oil, Shower Gel, Lotion and Soap. The scent is one of their best sellers.

The Solid Perfume in L’Ombre dans l’Eau retails for $48. You can find it at all Diptyque locations and online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Barneys and Diptyque.com.

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