It must have been my first business trip to Paris with my friend and colleague, Mary Ellen, when I first bought a bottle of Guerlain’s L’Heure Bleue. If I remember correctly, I may have even purchased it at the Guerlain store on the Champs Elysee. I remember talking to a saleswoman about L’Heure Bleue or …
Iris Fauve EDP from Atelier des Ors
In 2020, I discovered a couple of new-to-me online retailers that sell decants, fragrance samples of different sizes. Because of COVID, I am not shopping in stores and I don’t think that stores have testers now anyway. Plus who can smell with a mask on? I Bought This, Affiliate Links I ordered a Sampler Set …
La Vie Est Belle EDP from Lancome, Perfect for the Holidays, Giveaway
Lancôme has a perfectly gorgeous sparkly holiday collection at a time when we can all use a lift! PR Sample, Affiliate Links A week or so ago, I wrote about the stunning La Rose Highlighter and the already sold out Crystal L’absolu Lipsticks here. Now, I’d like to tell you about this year’s La Vie …
La Mia Perla Eau de Parfum: A Surprise from Scentbird
Gee, was I surprised when I opened up my mailbox and saw a shiny black quilted mailing envelope from Scentbird in there. I thought I had suspended my subscription till November, but I guess I hadn’t. Inside the envelope was a black fabric pouch with a red atomizer inside. No information, no card. Just …
Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence Eau de Parfum: A Big Feminine Scent!
I’m not usually enthusiastic about the fragrance samples in my monthly Sephora Play bag. I am really picky when it comes to fragrances. I often like scents that are gender-neutral and/or unusual rather than mainstream. Orientals tend to be my jam. But somehow, the sample of Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence eau de parfum, even …
Quickie Giveaway: Juliette Has A Gun Eau de Parfum, Lady Vengeance & Announcement of Shiseido Giveaway Winner
I’ve been a subscriber to Scentbird for almost a year (reviewed & explained here), and I’m really expanding my horizons with it. I discovered a few new scents that really suit me. I’m taking chances like I never used to do. Some are hits and some are misses, but each one is fun to try. …
Friday Find: Frederic Malle’s Lipstick Rose Parfum
When I bought my last bottle of my favorite fragrance, Frederic Malle’s Musc Ravageur, at Barney’s, the wonderful sales associate sent me home with a nice stash of samples from Frederic Malle and Serge Lutens to try. Today, I rediscovered Frederic Malle’s Lipstick Rose among the little vials. As you may know, I am an …
Shopping on “Skincare by Alana” and GIVEAWAY
In February 2014, I got to spend almost a week in Phoenix staying at a resort that was right across the street from where I was conducting a market research project. I was thrilled to get out of snowy Massachusetts! On a day off, I had a facial at the resort’s spa. There, I was …
Friday Find: Signature Fragrances London
Just before the holidays, I received a perfume sample from a new fragrance house based in the UK, Signature Fragrances London. At the time, the scent was a teaser, as they hadn’t even launched yet. But now they certainly are open for business. I’m calling this a Friday Find because I put this sample in a …
My Favorite Fragrance: Musc Ravageur by Frederick Malle
I love scents, but like with wine, I feel that I lack the vocabulary and nuance to adequately describe them to others. And it seems even more of an issue for a fragrance or a wine that I really love. And I really love Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle. The members of the beauty blogger collaborative …