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Beauty Best: Elie Saab's Le Parfum

Sarah Conley — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:27:04 EDT

First - I have a confession to make. I've had a sample of Elie' Saab's new fragrance, Le Parfum, since the day I went into the hospital. Then it was early August and the humidity-laden portion of the summer had just reared it's ugly head. During those days, I wear as little fragrance as possible to avoid....a catastrophic collision of odors. That can go wrong so quickly.

Towards early September - Fashion Week, to be specific - I began to play with the idea of wearing Le Parfum again. It's not that I don't enjoy the fragrance, it's just that to me, it's made for a whole lotta woman.

Allow me to demonstrate with this Beyonce dance break:

In fact, every time I smell this fragrance, Beyonce's Get Me Bodied begins to play in my head and doesn't stop all day long. I know it sounds crazy, but I double dare you to smell Le Parfum without your body beginning to involuntarily dance to the beat. The Le Parfum woman isn't using perfectly blended smokey eyes to demonstrate her prowess. This woman is powerful from the tip of her head right down to her toes.

Le Parfum was created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, who has created some of the most beloved fragrances, including Narciso Rodriguez's For Her and Jean-Paul Gaultier's Le Male, as well as creations for his own boutique. This fragrance is a seductive blend of floral, solar, and woody theme, calling upon orange blossoms, jasmine, patchouli, cedar woody, and rose honey to make you feel those powerful (Beyonce-like) emotions.

Frankly, you should stop listening to me and get out from behind the computer to smell Le Parfum. Just make sure you have your iPod handy to play Get Me Bodied when it becomes stuck in your head.

Elie Saab's Le Parfum, $90 - $120 at Nordstrom

Watch This Now: Leighton Meester For Vera Wang Lovestruck

Sarah Conley — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:31:32 EDT

Admittedly, when I first heard about Leighton Meester as the face for Vera Wang's new fragrance, Lovestruck, I was a tad confused. From Leighton's movie choices (it you haven't seen The Roommate...don't) to her choices on the red carpet, it didn't seem like Vera and Leighton were a natural fit. However, after watching the video for the fragrance, it all makes perfect sense. Seems that Vera has fallen in love more with Leighton's Gossip Girl character, Blair, more than the actual person. But let's be honest - Blair would never stand on a fire escape, and she would certainly never wait for a man. The nerve.

However, the commercial does tap into my sentimental/romantic core. Would I want a man to rush up a fire escape carrying a boutquet of flowers while I wear a beautiful Vera Wang gown? Absolutely. I love this new trend of fragrance campaigns focusing on the romance element (as opposed to freedom or being an individual). Guess what advertising gurus? You've got my attention.

Beauty Best: Michael Kors Very Hollywood

Sarah Conley — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:31:29 EDT

Michael Kors Very Hollywood Gift Set

$65.00 by Michael Kors at Sephora

If you told me five years ago that I would have a moderate Michael Kors obsession, I'd have laughed you off the face of the planet (truly). I don't know if it's because my sensibilities have changed as I've aged or if it was the initial launch of the Very Hollywood scented pen, introduced to me by my friend Dina at Eye4Style, that made me sit up and take notice. Since then, my Michael Kors lust has evolved into clothing (hello, Lord & Taylor) right on through to the rose gold watch that I absolutely could not live without.

When it comes to fragrance, I'm not one to pick a scent for the season. Depending on the weather and my general mood, I'll scan my fragrance shelves for the one that will complement the way I'm feeling. On the few sunny, spring-like days that NYC has experienced this year, I've always reached for Michael Kors Very Hollywood.

Maybe it's the stunning faceted bottle or coral packaging (both very important), but it's likely the notes of madarin, gardenia and vetiver that keep this fragrance just right for spring. Fresh, light, floral and enchanting - just the way I like to feel on the most perfect of spring days.

Remember that scented pen that I mentioned? It was limited edition and extremely hard to find, but now it's back for (of course) a limited time. In true Very Hollywood style, the ink is blue and scented with the fragrance, encapsuled in a gorgeous gold and coral leather pen. Snag yours now for $25 and watch everyone's face light up every time you pull it from your purse. Trust - it'll make signing those credit card receipts a lot more fun.

See This: pureDKNY & SHFT Open Sustainable Pop-Up Gallery

Sarah Conley — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:58:46 EDT

It seems like everyone is doing a pop-up of some sort these days, from pop-up sample sale locations to pop-up retail stores from online retailers or magazines. pureDKNY & SHFT.com have teamed together to bring something unique and exciting to New York - a gallery filled with over 50 pieces of sustainable art from artists around the globe.

Actor Adrian Grenier and producer Peter Glatzer have teamed their passion and celebrity with eco design expert Lauren Gropper to create the gallery and SHFT.com.“SHFT aims to take sustainable designs and ideas and position them in ways that are culturally relevant to the way we live,” says Glatzer. It’s about the day to day choices we make, whether it’s what to eat, what to wear, or what gadget to buy – we are nudging the culture into a direction that isn’t “environmental” necessarily in the older sense of the word, it’s just the way we need to live today.”

The gallery is located at 112 Greene Street, between Prince & Spring. The space will be open for public viewing on October 22 & 23.

For Those Hot Summer Nights: Lisa Hoffman's Variations in Madagascar Orchid

Sarah Conley — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:59:33 EDT

Recently, I was walking down 6th Avenue on a particularly sweltering day. I had chosen to wear a fragrance that I was rather fond of and honestly had not given the way it would react to extreme heat a second though. A burst of hot, dry wind rushed past and the most intolerable smell hit my nose. I thought it smelled like pure, wet moss. A friend later mentioned that it smelled like musty books in a forgotten library. Either way, the scent wafting around me was not okay.

Fast forward to this instant, where I am sitting at my desk, smelling Lisa Hoffman's Variations in Madagascar Orchid. Described as a "full-bodied floral scent", these fragrance oils capture the gorgeous scent of an orchid recently discovered in Madagascar. Lisa Hoffman was actually one of the first to capture this flower's glory through scent and received a FIFI nomination for her efforts.

The fragrance is warm & rich - the instant I smell it, it reminds of of sitting on a patio with a margarita in my hand, crickets chirping in the background, and a large flower in my hair. Obviously, I need to get somewhere tropical, stat. If you are like me (aka chained to your desk, email, and you know - life) and you can't manage to sneak away, Lisa Hoffman's Madagascar Orchid fragrances might just be what your need to lift your spirits. A special day/night edition set of Variations, will be available tomorrow morning (August 27) at 9am EST on QVC. Variations are specially formulated for different times throughout the day, as your senses become more awakened. Rub the oil on your pulse points for a fragrance experience that is rich, but not overpowering.

Have you tried any fragrance oils? Do you prefer the experience over traditional fragrances?

Girl About Town: NYC's Lord & Taylor Gets A Face Lift

lesleykat — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:17:15 EDT

(Editor's note: Style IT's Associate Editor, Lesley Forrester, played Girl About Town this week to view Lord & Taylor's massive overhaul of their beauty floor. Follow her electric pink hard hat as she guides you through the most state of the art beauty counters you can ever dare to experience. For more of Lesley's fierceness, join her at LesleyKat.)

Lord & Taylor invited a handful of lucky beauty ducks to get a preview of the renovations taking place on the first and second floors of their 5th Ave. store. We were all issued adorable pink hard hats and taken back into the thick of the construction zone. Our guide mapped out where a few different beauty brands will be located including Chanel, Shishedo and Bobbi Brown. He also told us about the Phillips lighting technology throughout the entire floor that is 92% complexion right lighting. We then toured a few brands that were already complete, including Clinique, Lancome and Estee Lauder. These three brands each introduced technology that doesn't exist anywhere else right now.

Clinique has updated the little slider bars. (if you have been to a counter, you know what I'm talking about!) They now have a touch-screen computer system that allows you to specify your skin needs and then prints you out a little ticket listing all of the products tailored to those needs. They have also set up differnt stations that allow you to play with products and browse without a sales associate. Hands on, baby!

Estée lauder has created the Foundation Fitting Room that allows you to test colors in different lighting situations, such as office (florescent), day (daylight), night (low light), etc... It was designed to help you find your perfect foundation match.

Lancôme has created their very first mascara bar. It allows you to try out every formula that they carry.

Each brand boutique has been designed with brand collaboration to really make each one a unique experience. All in all, this is a face lift that Lord & Taylor needed and they are truly delivering. One of the most impressive facts is that they are doing all of this in 9 months!

As beauty becomes more and more linked to technology, it is important for retailers and brands to keep up with the consumer and deliver unique and customized experiences. We can customize everything from our ringtones to our shoes nowadays, why not our makeup!?

Want more fun stuff? They had tons of brand reps and artist on hand to tell us about new an exciting products to be released in the next few months. Some of the highlights were:

Clarisonic: holy cow I NEED an opal in my life.

Mario Badescu: baby's FIRST facial!

Bobbi Brown: metallic cream eyeshadows, for the win!
Coach: new "Poppy" fragrance, young, delicious, possibly on my vanity soon.
Theiry Muggler: new "Womanity" fragrance has notes of fig and caviar plus totally fabulous package design.
Fusion Beauty: I can't even begin to tell you the amazing beauty technology they are coming up with. It's BANANAS!
Laura Mercier: Eye serum + secret concealer + secret powder = WIN!

We all had a fantastic time and cannot WAIT to come back to see the project completed in the fall!

@fashionpulse tweeted & twitpic'd: "@lesleykat getting exfoliated @clinique & @lordandtaylor"

Like Eating Macaroons In The Park: Marc Jacobs Pomegranate Splash

Sarah Conley — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EDT

Marc Jacobs Pomegranate Splash

$68.00 by Marc Jacobs at Neiman Marcus

Summertime brings about an array of beauty challenges. From the sweat destroying your hairstyle and your makeup to the need for layers upon layers of SPF, it feels like a gal can never catch a break. The worst summertime offense? How the heat and humidty affects your fragrance.

At first, you want to layer on the scent so you can be delicious all day, but when combined with the heat and humidity, the scent can very easily overpower your neighbor on the subway and then vanish before you can make it into the office. Who wants to waste $85 bottles of fragrance when you don't even get to enjoy it?

Fortunately, Marc Jacobs understands where I'm coming from. The signature splashes, released every year in beautiful, oversized glass bottles are the perfect remedy. Plus, the sheer volume (10 oz) of the fragrance gives you a reason to buy one of those beautiful atomizers you've always dreamed about, but have never had an excuse to purchase.

This season's collection is based on one's experience at a patisserie and "enjoying the rich and beautifully displayed sweets". (I love how the inspiration doesn't say anything about consuming them). The collection includes Marc Jacobs Apple, Marc Jacobs Biscotti and my personal favorite, Marc Jacobs Pomegranate.

Pomegranate scents can tend to lean a bit sweet, however Marc Jacbos Pomegranate is the perefect combination of sweet and fresh, with madarin flowers, bergamont, lemon chiffon, rhubarb, violet and a vanilla musk to compliment the pomegranate.

After reading the notes, is anyone else dying for baked goods?

Marc Jacobs Splash

Travel Diary: Take Advantage Of These Luxe Deals

Sarah Conley — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EDT

As you may have noticed, I'm writing a lot about traveling lately. I generally don't get to do a lot of it, but I am traveling TWICE this month! Unforuntately for me (but fortunately for you!), I won't be around to take advantage of Saks Friends & Family event. Snag 20% off in store (and online). Snag all the information from the image above (click for the full size). HAPPY SHOPPING!

Even sadder than a missed 20% discount opportunity at Saks is the fact that I'll be missing master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian appearing at Bergdorf Goodman. You may not know his name, but you definitely know his work. He has created over 20 of the best selling fragrances of all time for houses like Armani, Dior, Lanvin and Narciso Rodriguez. After launching his own line in 2001, he has challenged the way we view fragrance by creating products that think outside the lines.

After a recent trip to Bergdorf's beauty bay (my absolute favorite in the city), I cam home with scented bubbles. Yes, that's right, scented bubbles. In fact, the best part about the bubbles is that you can't actually experience the scent until you pop the bubble with your nose. So genius!

Experience the genius for yourself, as Francis Kurkdjian will be making personal appearances at Bergdorf Goodman this weekend!

Friday, April 23rd

3-6pm

Saturday, April 24th

1-3pm

Francis Kurkdjian Bergdorf

Breathtakingly, Balenciaga Paris

Sarah Conley — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:04:06 EDT

Aaaah....Balenciaga. Something about how the name just rolls off your tongue as you say it is entrancing. The house's designer, Nicolas Ghesquiere, is as intriguing as his name suggests and has helped place Balenciaga at the forefront of fashion. In fact, it was Ghesquiere who decided to bring fragrance back to the house of Balenciaga after a 12 year absence.

Balenciaga Paris is the house's triumphant return to fragrance. Developed by perfumer Olivier Polge (you might know him from Burberry's The Beat, Dior's Pure Poison, Giorgio Armani's Code and Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb), the fragrance unfolds in a series of moments of April. Notes of violet, pepper and mossy wood evoke feelings of sunshine and calm.

The bottle is fascinating to me - especially coming from a house who is known for their hardware-laden handbags. Balenciaga Paris is contained in a simple, blown glass bottle, without any decoration aside from the curves and angles of the glass. After the fragrance develops into a soft, sensual and definitely Spring scent, the bottle's simplicity becomes a statement - the fragrance doesn't need the pomp & circumstance of overly designed packaging.

Balenciaga Paris retails for $95 (1.7 oz) and $130 (2.5 oz) at fine retail stores nationwide.

Dare To Be Feminine: Chloé by Chloe

Sarah Conley — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:07:24 EDT

Chloe Chloè

$45.00 by Chloé at Sephora

You know, I never thought I'd be a Chloe girl. Of course, I've also never been the kind of girl to wear neutrals and be ultra feminine (though I am making a concerted effort to move more towards this direction). As far as fashion goes, Chloe brings to mind soft pinks, khakis, and neutral colors in unexpected shapes & silhouettes. As I become older and more financially independent, I find my style changing and adapting - it's amazing what you'll buy when it's your money and completely your decision.

Imagine my surprise when I tried the new Chloe Chloé eau de toilette - and actually liked it! The fragrance is fresh, feminine and begs to be worn outdoors in the Spring. Notes of freesia, watermelon, sandalwood and fresh irish allow this fragrance to develop into a fragrance rich with possibilities. To be honest, I'm enjoying this opportunity to explore my softer side - you never know, a Chloe closet could be right around the corner!