Every time I sit down to write something for Amber & Smoke, I get distracted. But some things are worth taking the time to do and today’s post is one of them.
My dear friend Linda Rodin, Founder of luxury beauty lifestyle brand RODIN OLIO LUSSO recently launched her third scent. This time time simply called RODIN 3.
Unlike Linda’s previous offerings - RODIN and RODIN Bis, which were both heady, rich and bold perfumes, RODIN 3 is the first EDT from the brand.
When Linda first started telling me about a new scent she was developing, inspired by the sea, the beaches and 1970′s escapism, I wondered whether she would be constrained in some way. Would Lauder push her and by that I mean force her to do something less dynamic....more safe?
Of course for any of you who know Linda - you will know she is no push-over and she cannot be forced to do anything that will compromise her personal integrity or that of the brand.
Over the last couple of years, each time I would see Linda I would smell a new iteration of the scent pouring off of her skin. Whenever we would meet I found myself becoming more transfixed than the next. Languid lush notes of salt and geranium would mix together and I would find myself dreaming of its final release.
With the official launch now behind us and with a gorgeous bottle pressed up against my nose - the final creation is far from ‘safe’ and 100% authentic to Linda’s philosophy. A truly personal scent that mixes nostalgia with vibrating modernity.
Described as a personal throwback to Linda’s favorite breezy, fresh scents of the 1970′s, RODIN 3 unfolds with notes of jasmine, grandiflora, ylang-ylang, and orris. Base notes of sandalwood and patchouli make for a musky sensual dry-down, which lingers gently on the skin.
What is so interesting about this EDT formulation is how well the scent performs. Applied 7 hours ago, I still sense its presence. Projection and sillage are excellent and outperform any other EDT I have tried.
If you like white musks, Issey Miyake or Aqua di Gioa, this scent is a must for you. And for me - well, let’s just call it my Summer signature from now on!
RODIN 3 is available in 100ml size and retails for $190.
For more information please visit www.rodinoliolusso.com
Despite having an extensive fragrance collection, I have always found it very difficult to stray from my long-time signature scent - Portrait of a Lady.
Its rich velvet tones of rose, raspberry and heart of patchouli have left me spellbound for almost four years. Whenever I have tried wearing another for an extended period of time, I find myself missing its dominant character and blousey sillage.
That was until I was introduced to a scent that left me awestruck the minute it’s poetic magnitude reached my olfactive nerve. The scent in question? The mesmeric Bois De Isle from CHANEL.
Composed in 1926, Bois De Iles is currently part of the CHANEL Les Exclusifs Collection, available only in CHANEL Boutique’s and flagship beauty accounts.
Created by Master Perfumer, Ernest Beaux, the Russian emigrant who developed all of Chanel’s formative scents, including the legendary No.5. It is said that Beaux created Bois des Iles, after being left enraptured by Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades, the opera inspired by Pushkin’s novel of the same name.
Much like Coco’s own take on ready-to-wear, Bois de Iles breaks with convention at the time and offers a feminine take on a masculine classic. Signature Aldehydes sparkle and annunciate bergamot, neroli and peach, while the heart of the scent reveals jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, woody iris and ylang-ylang. The base, rich and elegant brings forth vetiver, the finest Mysore sandalwood, benzoin and musk.
Often described as “No.5 for Brunettes,” Bois des Iles feels as modern today as it was the day it was born. The soapy aldehydic opening quickly gives way to a dry and spicy freshness and welcomes in a floral heart, before resting on a creamy, warm, cashmere-like base of dark woods. Captivating in summer, I can only imagine the performance it will give come the winter months.
It must be noted that my Intraceuticals’ colleague and dear friend, Deirdre Burke, is entirely to blame for my adulterous behavior towards POAL. You see it has long been Deirdre’s signature scent and she was very kind to let me wear it too - even encouraging the love affair!
There are currently two versions of Bois de Iles on the market - the pure Parfum and an Eau De Toilette. The Parfum concentration is richer and sweeter, while the EDT is lighter, crisper and more aldehydic.
The Parfum stays close to the skin and last for days while the EDT provides satisfactory sillage, with a skin-performance of about 4 hours.
Such is my addiction to this colossal beauty I find myself layering the Parfum with the EDT and reapplied liberally throughout the day!
The Bois des Iles Parfum retails at $200 for 15ml while the EDT is available in two sizes, $160 for 2.5FL. Oz. and $280 for 6.8FL. Oz.
For more information on the CHANEL Les Exclusifs Collection please visit www.CHANEL.com
In the cut-throat world of makeup, those that rise above the fray to produce breathtaking works of beauty deserve to be celebrated. One such artist is Benjamin Puckey, who is fast becoming one of the most in-demand makeup artists and one of the industries brightest lights.
Amber & Smoke sat down with Benjamin to delve into his relationship with scent. Enjoy!
What do you consider to be your signature scent?
I don’t have a signature scent because I love to layer different fragrances depending on the season and my mood. In the winter i’m into incense based scents like Myrrhe Ardente by Annick Goutal and Chergui by Serge Lutens. I like to layer these with Black Aoud by Montal or Oud Silk Mood by Francis Kurkdjian. For summer I love woodsy vetiver based scents like Sycamore by Chanel and Vetiver Extraordinaire by Frederic Malle.
How did you come to adopt these scents and what do you think they say about you?
I like warm, oriental, incense based scents that have a depth and mystery to them. I’m drawn to these kind of fragrances because I love a scent that lingers and takes you on an olfactory journey by slowly revealing it’s different notes. Scents evoke memories for me as i’ve always been someone who was very sensitive to scent. As a child I loved perfume bottles and i’d compare my parents different perfumes and see how they developed on the skin. I got into wearing vetiver by spending many a summer in Italy as a teenager where (besides Aqua di Parma) vetiver scents were quite popular.
What was your first fragrance and how did it make you feel?
I was about 15 when I bought my first cologne. It was Egoïste by Chanel. I loved the lightness of the fragrance and that it had apple and vanilla notes. It made me feel grown up and sophisticated. I used to love the Jean Paul Goude directed tv commercial with all the women opening and closing the shutters of a large mansion while shouting “Egoïste!” at a guy.
Who in your life has most influence your olfactive tastes?
Growing up in the art world in Amsterdam I was surrounded by a lot of eccentric individuals. It was the eighties and women loved fragrances that lingered. My father who’s a sculptor worked with a gallerist who always wore Paloma Picasso. She also smoked and I loved the combination of smoke and her perfume. Another friend of my parents always wore Parfum De Peau by Montana and I would know when she had been in our house because the scent would long remain after she’d left.
Fragrance is important to you. Do you have any favorite cosmetic products that you love for their scent?
I love the rose scent of the Chanel powder blushes. It’s so particular. No other brand has that same scent. It’s a very elegant rose. I also love the scent of Mun No.1 Aknari Brightening Youth Serum which contains Bulgarian rose oil. It smells heavenly.
Are there any fragrances you love but feel you cannot wear yourself?
I really like the tuberose-based scents Fracas by Robert Piguet and and Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle on other people, but unfortunately tuberose gives me a headache when I wear it.
Other than fragrances what are some of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of new leather shoes, a forrest after a downpour, food markets in foreign countries and the smell of my grandmother’s house which smelled of rose scented talcum powder.
If you had the opportunity to create your own bespoke scent - what notes would you give the perfumer to work with?
Amber, patchouli, myrrhe, aoud, rose and pepper.
If God wore fragrance what would he/she smell like?
Something very light and a pure dash of frankincense like Hiroki by Comme des Garçons.
For more information on Benjamin Puckey please follow him on Twitter @BenjaminPuckey and Instagram @BenjaminPuckey
Aerin Lauder is a hero of mine. Her eponymous brand of good-taste, beautifully crafted homeware, edited beauty, elegant accessories and precious scents is a testament to her distinct and specific point of view. This month sees the latest addition to her wildly popular fragrance wardrobe, entitled Tangier Vanille.
Tangier Vanille brings together a sumptuous blend of Madagascar vanilla with light and refreshing chords of bergamot and floral shades of Rose. “From palaces and gardens to the legendary bazaars, Tangier Vanille opens the secret doors that lead us to the secrets and wealth of Morocco,” says Aerin.
The composition of the fragrance opens with Madagascar vanilla combined with Italian bergamot and velvety Bulgarian rose, taking us to the heart warmed by amber aromas. The base is built around a sensual and creamy blend of sandalwood and musk.
Tangier Vanille is available as a 50ml EDP priced at $115 and 100ml EDP priced at $160. The body care collection, with the same fragrant notes, consists of a body cream priced at $58, a shower gel priced at $50 and a perfumed soap, which will cost you $25.
Azzedine Alaia has long been regarded as one of the greatest living fashion designers. Renowned for his impeccable craftsmanship, the quintessential Alaia dress is as lusted after as the iconic Hermés Birkin. What they both have in common, other than desirability, is price. Alaia is for the most discerning customer, and the wealthiest. Until now there was no entry point that didn’t make one’s eyes water.
With the launch of the debut Alaia scent, the brand is speaking to an entirely different community, and one that is just as demanding.
Inspired by Mr. Alaia’s childhood spent in Tunisia, the new scent with its animalistic tones of musk, blended with notes of freesia and pink pepper, is as provocative as any of his bust-hugging, waist-cinching dresses.
Juxtaposing cool tones against fiery spices makes this scent alluring, seductive, grown-up and yet, thoroughly modern. The wearer is enveloped in a veil of heady scent that transports you to hot days in Tunisia and cool nights punctuated by surrounding flowers, fruits and spices.
Presented in a stunning etched black glass bottle designed by Martin Szekely, the fragrance his available in EDP in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml.
Available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue through September.
It is with great excitement that I write today’s post. Without going into great details, this past year of my life has been a time of change, opportunity and what appears to be a continuous challenge. As I navigated a new job, got my health under control and settled into my private life, I allowed Amber & Smoke to take a back seat. I am delighted to let you know that this site is now back in action and I am more focused than ever on bringing you a curated and highly personal look at the beauty industry and the brands which I love.
About four months ago I travelled to LA for business and was invited to stay with my friend - the incredible designer, activist, freedom-fighter and muse, Cheyann Benedict. Whilst staying at her gorgeous home in the Hollywood Hills, I was introduced to the beautiful, inspiring and thoroughly delightful, Shiva Rose. Shiva is best known for her exceptional blog, www.thelocalrose.com, where she imparts her extensive knowledge in the area of wellness and spiritual pursuits, to empower each of her readers to a life filled with health, self-acceptance and beauty.
It was a meeting written in the stars, such was our instant connection and intuitive sense of each other. As we conducted the usual party small talk, the conversation quickly turned to spirituality, holistic practices and our mutual love of beauty. Shiva let me know that she was in the process of creating her own natural beauty collection centered around the healing properties of rose. As we talked back and forth we exchanged ideas,visions for what the brand would come to represent and the importance of following one’s instincts. I left LA secure in the understanding that what Shiva would create would be a true reflection of her own inner spirit; authentic, unique, pure, nourishing and vital.
Last week, Shiva sent me a box containing three exquisite products; the Shiva Rose Radiant Rose Water, Face Oil and Glow Face Balm. The beautiful white packaging accented with gold and the signature rose motif is one of the loveliest I have seen, with a timeless quality that has been missing in beauty for a very long time.
Before opening up each box, I knew that what I was about to experience were three products conceived with passion, developed with the spirit of an artist and finished with love. I first opened the Rose Water; presented in a gorgeous glass bottle, the water is unlike any I have smelled before. As the water hits the skin, the light texture is instantly absorbed leaving behind a lingering scent of turkish rose, thick and full, billowing like the rosiest cloud. Skin instantly feels plumped, hydrated and fatigue is replaced with an energized glow. Described as a tonic, toner and face mist in one, the Rose Water’s effects are bolstered with the additions of Aloe and gotu kola for anti-aging, sea minerals, vitamin C and comfrey to sooth and nourish and jasmine and Camellia to moisturize and hydrate.
Next in the collection is the Face Oil. Hand blended, the Rose Face Oil is toxin free and made with organic oils that reduce inflammation and, as Shiva points out, opens the heart chakra. Ingredients include organic Jojoba oil, Rosehip Seed oil, Kukui Nut oil, Argan oil, Camelina oil, essential Persian rose oil, Sea Buckthorn oil and Vitamin E oil that replenishes, rehydrates and rebalances the skin. I used three drops, while my face was still damp from the Rose Water, and the oil spread easily over the contours of my face and immediately soothed areas of irritation from sunburn and past blemishes. And the smell of the oil is mouthwatering; with a velvet texture the skin feels hugged and I actually found myself take a deeper, slower breath.
That night, after a long day at the office, I washed my face and followed the two steps again. I still had one more product to try. Presented in the most charming round white ceramic jar, the Glow Face Balm has the texture of whipped gold, and is the most perfect emollient. If I loved the smell of the previous two products, the scent of the balm, blew me away. The smell is utterly divine, as though the whole room is filled with rose petals, creamy and smooth it glides onto the skin, leaving a protective barrier that literally makes the skin...well....glow.
With nourishing Shea butter, Coconut oil and Rosehip seed - full of essential fatty acids, Argan oil to fight wrinkles, Camellia oil, the live benefits of Beeswax, Holy Frankincense, Rose and Ylang Ylang, this is a product for me that I can no longer live without. I might be accused of using too much, as is my total obsession with this wonder balm. I use it for my lips, to fight inflammation from zits and as an all over night cream. The little jar goes everywhere with me and without it, the feeling is not too dissimilar to leaving the house without my wallet or phone.
Since using each of the products in combination I have been able to cut down my summer skincare routine to these three products and my skin can’t get enough. Congratulations Shiva on your brilliant collection and for following your gut, listening to your instincts and for being an inspiration to us all!
For more information about the Shiva Rose collection please visit www.shivarose.com and check out www.thelocalrose.com to start your wellness journey.
Today was a very sad day. It started like most days with my iPhone ring tone (a chirping bird set to a dance beat) not so gently waking me to face the day and hit the gym. It’s an agonizing battle as I fight the desire to keep my head on my new memory-foam pillow and sink back to the land of nod. Then I realize, summer is round the corner and I have some fat to burn. Jumping up, still zombie-fied I washed my face and began my three-step hyaluronic layering process, courtesy of Intraceuticals, discussed in the last post HERE.
What I have yet to tell you about is their incredible Rejuvenate Eye Gel, which has become my most favorite product ever. Once I had finished energizing my face, I reached out, grabbed the eye gel and clunk, to my utter horror it had run empty! Now, this may not seem like such a big deal, but keep reading and you’ll find out why!
I know I am not alone when I say I have suffer from chronic dark circles. They are truly the bane of my existence. Looking back even as a small child, they have always presented themselves as dark purple hollows. I have tried everything to disguise them, from concealers to full on cosmetic fillers, only to find that nothing really works. Some tell me that they are not so bad and that it’s just the shape of my face. Well, that’s not helpful. Telling me it’s just my face takes away the hope that I may find a solution and be cursed for all eternity!
Thank God, also known as Gina Brooke, for giving me what can only be described as a miracle in a bottle - or in this case a blue plastic pump. Matching the rest of the Rejuvenate collection, the Intraceuticals Eye Gel is packed with double the concentration of hyaluronic acid, which has been specifically formulated for the delicate eye area.
Upon application, the gel meets the skin with a cooling effect, that feels instantly soothing. Not only does the gel visibly lift and firm fine lines around the eye contour, it can also be used around the lip area. Additionally, optical diffusers disperse light and illuminate the skin . Over time the gel works to improve the appearance of dark circles under the eye and helps to reduce puffiness.
I was given my small travel sized bottle about 3 months ago, and within that time I have seen big changes in the appearance of my circles. The area is much smoother, allowing for a more even distribution of concealer, but left alone, while I definitely still have darkness, gone is the aubergine quality that cries out for attention. The overall area is more vibrant, more alive and my decidedly dreary appearance has been replaced by that of an exuberant teenager.
Thanks to Intraceuticals, the quality, texture and appearance of my skin has been revolutionized and I feel so utterly blessed to have been introduced to this incredible, impeccable and revolutionary brand.
If the cost of the whole range is daunting to you, then I strongly recommend starting with the Eye Gel. It is an investment at $125 for 15ml’s but trust me - YOU will see a huge difference in your appearance!
For more information please visit www.Intraceuticals.com
I don't know about you but I am getting pretty fed up with the cold weather's mission to annihilate my face! If like me, you have been suffering from dry and cracked skin, then I have the solution for you - Intraceuticals! I must also mention that the ingenious skincare system not only hydrates but also tackles old father time and his nasty aging ways?
Sit back, your about to get schooled!
You may not be aware of Intraceuticals by name, but chances are you have seen their handiwork on many of your favourite celebrities. I don't know about you but I am a voracious reader of magazines, and online beauty portals. There is rarely a product these days that doesn't tout the virtues and wonders of Hyaluronic Acid. It seems every one is in on the game. And why is that exactly? The thing is, it all began with Intraceuticals, (who continue to lead the way and smash the competition - my words not theirs!)
Based out of Australia, Intraceuticals is a professional market skincare brand available from medical and professional skincare clinics globally. After years of research, the bio-chemistry team from Intraceuticals worked to combine medical and cosmetic science to develop a revolutionary brand that delivers on many levels. So what is the premise? Well, it all started with the now world-famous Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial, which upon launch, literally turned the industry on its head and had everyone whispering 'Benjamin Button,' at their favourite entertainers.
The Intraceutical Infusion, as it is sometimes referred to is based on the concept that high pressure therapeutic grade Hyberbaric Oxygen could be applied in the world of cosmetic skincare. Combined with research conducted by leading universities in Australia, Intraceuticals developed a serum that when used in conjunction with oxygen, immediately plumps and hydrates the surface of the skin to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
The classic treatment is provided in medical offices and luxury spas and is called Intraceuticals Rejuvenate. I was very lucky to have the wonderful Gina Brooke give me a treatment at the beginning of the year and to say the results blew my mind is a major understatement. The treatment harnesses three elements to achieve instant and dramatic results.
Firstly, oxygen under light pressure aids the delivery of age-defying ingredients to the skin at the same time as being cooling and calming. Secondly, the unique Rejuvenate Serum contains lightweight Hyaluronic Acid and a powerful combination of vitamins and antioxidants. The Hyaluronic Acid helps to instantly hydrate the skin resulting in increased firmness, reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improved look to facial contours and overall radiance. Thirdly, Intraceuticals offers a range of Treament Support Products that provide essential layers to seal in and supplement skin nutrients for maximum synergistic effect and longer lasting results.
I can honestly say my skin has never looked this good - ever! Plump, hydrated, moist, dewy and luminous. My cheeks were lifted and more pronounced and overall I looked like sleeping beauty who had received lashings of luxury cream while in her coma. I cannot recommend it enough.
But I'm not finished there. As much as I loved the treatment and I truly did, I have to admit, I am even more obssessed with their incredible and I mean INCREDIBLE, skincare products, that will revolutionize your face like nothing before.
About a week after the treatment I received the complete Intraceuticals Rejuvenate system, which is not only the most ingenious product I have ever used, but the most effective; giving instant results that continued to improve over time. What is so remarkable about the Rejuvenate collection is that it not only mimics the salon treatment but in many ways gives longer lasting results due to it's patented three-step, Hyaluronic-layering process.
Rejuvenate is designed in three parts, which are numbered according to the order of which they are used.;
Step 1 - REVIVE - Rejuvenate Daily Serum
Designed to lift, tone, and hydrate, the serum is the lowest molecular weight of Hyaluronic Acid and transforms the way skin looks and feels. Not only is it intensely hydrating but it also delivers potent anti-aging ingredients, visibly improving the skin's texture, radiance and vitality.
Step 2 - REPLENISH - Rejuvenate Hydration Gel
With a heavier molecular weight, the Hydration Gel continues mass hydration, providing a reservoir of anti-aging nutrients to the skin which, in working synergistically with the Daily Serum fights premature signs of aging and dramatically enhances skin's overall appearance.
The final step and the heaviest molecular weight of Hyaluronic Acid, the Moisture Binding Cream has the consistency of the most luxurious cream. It smoothes the skin, combats surface dehydration, with Hyaluronic Polymer and environmental defenders protecting your skin from free radical attack.
There are so many things to love about this range. It's chic, simple packaging belies the genious that is concealed in each bottle. Since using the system, my skin is truly transformed. If you are based in New York, or any of those snow hit states, you know the kind of temperatures we have been dealing with. Before Rejuvenate my forehead was the texture of sandpaper and my cheeks the color of angry. Literally the next day, after my very first use, my skin was more even, had a elasticity and dewyness that has never been there before and even cleared-up areas of break-out concern.
Overtime the definition of my facial contours have also began to improve, my cheeks fuller, my lips more plump and the hollows of my eyes less tired in appearance.
You might think I am being endorsed to say such bold remarks about the products and the overal brand, but I am not. It simply comes down to the fact that Intraceuticals has out-performed any other products I have used to date.
I must also point out that there are other product ranges within the Intraceuticals collection, designed to tackle specific concerns.
Over the next week, I will be discussing each of them and some additional products within the Rejuvenate range - like the Eye Contour Gel - which is pretty much - EVERYTHING!
For more information please visit www.Intraceuticals.com
This week I am delighted to feature my lovely friend and international tastemaker - Victoria Baker-Harber, star of Chanel 4's wildly popular docu-soap, Made In Chelsea and founder of luxury swimwear brand, Elle-en-Jette.
Regarded as the stand- out star of MIC, Victoria Baker-Harber is so much more than editing would have you know. She is smart, beautiful, ultra-chic and wickedly funny. Whenever I need a pick-me-up VBH is the HBIC I turn to when I need that naughty giggle or to share a witty observation.
Unlike her Made In Chelsea castmates, VBH doesn't need the show; her life a tale of glamour, jet-set speed and unbridled or should I say, unfiltered honesty! Whether she is creating headlines in Ibiza or embodying the ultimate Sheikha in Dubai, VBH is one step-a-head of you, at all turns. Want to know what's going on, sharpen your pencil, grab that memo pad, VBH is giving notes.
I caught up with Victoria the last time she was in New York and pretty soon conversation turned to scent. Enjoy!
What do you consider to be your signature scent?
It depends on who I am around or how I am feeling. I go through phases of having different signature scents. Generally I would say Van Cleef & Arpels Gardenia, or Molecule 1 from Escentric Molecules, which transitions amazingly from day to night. I also love the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino in a hot climate. It's fresh. And then of course, is the one you introduced me to in New York - Ginn Fizz by Lubin. It's proven itself to be a real winner. I'd like to think this will stay my signature. I never get bored of it, which is good thing! I'm really quite indecisive. I also love Bvlgari Red Tea. It's kind of soft but stays just long enough. Why choose only one signature when there can be many! Someone once told me that when your scent becomes your own, you should not be able to smell it on yourself. You wear it everyday and eventually you can't smell it anymore. I never thought of this until I realized I was over-spraying myself, which is NOT chic and is known as French showering. This is why I alternate, so I can keep on enjoying and smelling many scents.
How did you come to adopt these scents and what do you think they say about you?
I have a rule about perfumes. If you can buy it at an airport, I don't want it. I like individual and unqiue scents that leave you wanting more. In the case of the Van Cleef scent, a friend of mine would sometimes wear the Gardenia one, and I eventually cracked under pressure and just had to ask her what she was wearing. I copied! With Molecule, I find it smells different on everyone because it reacts to their individual chemistry, which appealed to me. With that one in particular, people often stop and ask me what I am wearing - which I love! Because let's face it, there is nothing worse than someone leaving an offensive odour in the room. Or even worse, it arriving before they do! Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is unisex and fresh. I also love the bottle. There is just something about it that makes me spray too much because I can't seem to get enough. The Gin Fizz by Lubin is really special. I loved going with you to that incredible shop, MiN. It really is a boudoir filled with these amazing rare and exclusive scents. It was like discovering a world of new colors and I couldn't decide what to buy! Gin Fizz isn't overpowering. It is so so fresh and makes me think of the nicest, cleanest and sharpest things. It has good associations. I feel I can conquer the world when I wear it.
How old were you when you started wearing fragrance? What was it and how did it make you feel?
I think my first perfume I ever bought was Tommy Girl. Everyone was crazy about it. It was powdery and fresh...or so I remember. Its been years since I last caught a whiff. I felt like I went from 12 to a fully responsible adult/hottest girl next door, in one spray.
Who in your life has most influenced your olfactive tastes?
Obviously my Mother. She has always had a habit of making sure the house is full of flowers, and there are constant scented candles lit all around. Foul and unpleasant odours are not permitted. She even spritzes the pets with her favourite room spray! And I would also like to say places I have visited have influenced my tastes enormously. In Australia, when it rains, it really rains and there is this amazing smell which stays for days afterwards. It's earthy and raw and nothing else in the world smells like it. Anything that has a single note of this makes me nostalgic in the best possible way. And of course, the Mediteranean during the summer. That created my love of fresh, crisp and energizing scents. I have also found that certain smells can be so nostalgic in both good and bad ways. If there is a time in my life which I wish to forget, the smell of that time has to leave. When it is time for me to move on, one of the best ways to start this off is changing perfumes. Occasionally I will cross paths with a whiff of something from the past that I would rather forget, and unwelcome memories come flooding back.
Other than fragrance what are some of your favourite smells?
I do not like the smell of cooking. Especially in the house. I loathe sweet vanilla scents. Cinnamon. Cheap Christmas/festive smells kill me. Cocoa butter. Curry. Wet dog. Beer. Farm smells have got to go. But, I love Cucumber. The aprés -rain in Australia or in the desert. I love the smell of Hawaiian Tropic. Fresh laundry when the right detergent is used is hard to beat. The beach...only the right kind, obviously! Eucalyptus. The steam room. Cold wax strips also have an amazing smell. Petrol/diesel. Freshly mown lawn. Rose water. Basil. Coriander. Baby powder. Leather. Tuberose. Honeysuckle. Lemongrass. The smell of a new car. Hand sanitizer. Department store entrances. Rainforest.
Do you wear fragrance to bed?
Not generally.
How do you like the men in your life to smell?
I think they way a man smells says as much about him as his choice of footwear. A square toed tan shoe....we know what that would smell like! I like peppery smells. Salty. Nothing too floral on a man. Not over spritzed, otherwise it looks as though they are masking an unpleasant natural odor. Clean. Nothing too musky. Men generally have to keep it a bit more simple and I think a woman can have multiple signature scents but a man can have only one or two. I also think the way a man smells naturally is also important. It makes up half the laws of attraction in my mind. If you don't like the way a man smells - GAME OVER!
Are there any scents that you love but feel you cannot wear yourself?
I think some of the oud's have the most amazing scents but it is something only a certain kind of person can pull off. It would be like wearing a national dress of another nation.
If you could create your own bespoke scent, what notes would you give to the perfumer?
I would want more than one...! Something light for the daytime and summer. And something heavier for evening and winter. I also would love to see how each note compliments the other. But hints of grass, cucumber, gardenia, coconut, maybe tuberose, some citrus, rose. I would have to experiment...
If God wore fragrance what would he/she smell like?
He. I kind of imagine he would smell like a church or an old library.
For more information on Victoria Baker-Harber please follow her on Twitter @VictoriaBh and Instagram victoriabakerharber
Estée Lauder has built a reputation on creating some of the most innovative, fresh and superior products rooted in sophistication and proven results. Today, I am happy to tell you about the latest addition to their world-renowned skincare - Crescent White.
Pure and potent is how the brand describes the new Crescent White System. With an exclusive Light Cycle Complex, the powerful patented essence targets existing dark spots and hyper-pigmentation, and also the key cause of discoloration.
The system protects against daytime damage and harnesses the power of the night. Naturally derived botanicals work with your skin's own daily cycle to help repair and prevent the look of dark spots.
The complete collection is composed of the Crescent White Full Cycle Brightening Moisture Creme, Moisture Treatment Lotion, Brightening Spot Correcting Essence, (pictured) and the Brightening BB Creme and Brightening Balm.
If your skin is tired, dull and looking less than lustrous, I strongly recommend that you try this targeted and effective sysem.
For more information please visit www.EsteeLauder.com
In today's world of homogenized dressing, one stylist stands out for their ability to turn out fun, stylish and playful looks for demanding A-list clients. That person is of course, Johnny Wujek. Charged with the task of keeping Katy Perry fresh for the last several years, Wujek let the world see his talent yesterday when Perry took to the Superbowl stage.
Today Amber & Smoke is thrilled to share with you our conversation with Johnny about his relationship with scent. Enjoy!
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Johnny Wujek started his career as a high-fashion male model, after being discovered by a scout from Next Models. His first show? Why walking the Dolce & Gabbana runway in Steven Spielberg's home. With his good looks, tall stature and humerous approach to life, it didn't take long for Johnny to segway into another arena - that of the celebrity stylist.
While his work is most prominently seen on Katy Perry, Wujek is responsible for taking care of a slew of demanding stars, including Kate Mara, Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj, among many others.
Regarded as one of the hardest working and nicest players in the industry, it was a pleasure to catch up with Johnny and find out what role scent plays in his life.
What do you consider to be your signature scent?
Hermes. Eau de Pamplemousse
How did you come to adopt this scent and what do you think it says about you?
Every scent reacts differently to body chemistry, so it seems grapefruit is in my chemistry.
How old were you when you started to wear scent? What was it and how did it make you feel?
At age 11, I would wear my Dad's 'Old Spice.' My first purchase of cologne was Ambercrombie Woods, aged 13.
Who in your life has most influenced your olfactive tastes?
Grandma Wujek.
Are there any fragrances you love but feel you cannot wear yourself?
My boyfriend wears Royal Oud by Creed. It smells perfect on him. But not on me.
How do you like the men and women in your life to smell?
Subtle. Sexy. Clean.
Other than perfume, what are some of your favorite smells?
Baking vanilla. Jasmine. Pine trees. The ocean. Gasoline.
Do you wear scent to bed?
The only scent I wear to bed is Listerine.
Do you ever suggest perfume to your clients for a red-carpet look?
No never.
If you had the opportunity to create your own bespoke scent, what notes owuld you give the perfumer to work from?
Masculine. Clean. Vanilla. With a hint of citrus.
If God wore fragrance, what would he/she smell like?
Jesus wore sandals and was a carpenter, do I think Sandalwood would be good on him or her. Haha
For more information on Johnny Wujek please follow him on Twitter @JohnnyWujek and Instagram @Jwujek.
If you read AMBER & SMOKE on a regular basis, you will be aware how much I love the brand AERIN. Established by Aerin Lauder, the company creates multiple product categories, developed as an extension of Aerin's own design sensibility. With stunning home items, stylish accessories and luxurious beauty products, the brand speaks of classic sophistication told through a contemporary lens.
Today I am pleased to announce a new fragrance from AERIN - Rose de Grasse, which is the eighth scent to be launched by the company.
The official statement from AERIN explains,"The rose is a timeless symbol of beauty and femininity. Like an original piece of art, Rose de Grasse is meticulously crafted with an artisanal attention to detail. At its heart is a fusion of roses including the hundred-petaled Rose Centifolia, hand-picked in Grasse, the French capital of perfumery since the 16th century, where the history of fragrance is art."
This is the first pure perfume composition to be launched by the brand. The others in the collection have been EDP formulations. As soon as I have sampled this beautiful sounding scent, I will write a full review. If this description alone has wet your appetite, the scent is already available at Saks Fifth Avenue, retailing at $150 for 50ml Parfum.
Following the success of their Matte Velvet lip pencils, NARS have now brought out these gorgeous shadow sticks: Matte Velvet Shadow Sticks. Available in 5 gorgeous colors; Filbuste (black). Reykjavik )grey), Dark Angel (brown), Glenan (blue) and Nunavut (purple), each shade is packed with matte pigments that work to define and intensify your makeup look.
The beautiful velvet texture makes them easy to apply - simply color in your eyelids and blend out for a smooth finish that won't budge or crease, ensuring your eye look will stay vivid and intense until you reach for that make-up remover.
For more information please visit www.narscosmetics.com
One of the many things that I love about having this site, is being able to share with my readers my favourite products. Until recently, I have avoided covering makeup and cosmetics, but as my personal interest in this area grew, it seemed strange not to discuss this exciting, artistic and seriously addictive beauty category. Today I am excited to share with you an incredible product, Le Blanc De CHANEL.
Le Blanc De CHANELis one of those products that once you try it, you will be hooked for life. As always, with all things Chanel, the packaging is perfection and with its newly updated pump dispenser - simple to use with big results.
Created as a multi-use illuminating base, the creamy liquid magically brightens the complexion with a subtle halo of light and perfectly evens out skin's texture.
So what is in the product that makes it so multi-tasking without making your face look like a glitter ball? Well, true to Chanel's skincare-meets-cosmetic approach, there is a whole lot of substance beneath the glow. Its use of silica and mica powders of mineral origin serve to mattify the complexion, while liquorice extract evens out the skin texture and a patented moisturizing complex restores softness and comfort to the skin. Last but not least, witch hazel extract is incorporated to reduce the appearance of pores, thus creating the ultimate base for foundation application.
And just like it says on the tin, there are a multitude of uses for this magic potion. As discussed above, it can be used all over the face to create the perfect texture for your skin to receive and hold on to your choice of foundation, but it can also be used as a concealer, to disguise redness and dark circles. Applied directly to area of discoloration, Le Blanc De CHANEL's illuminating components cut down on the darkness and provide a more balanced appearance to the skin. The product can also be mixed with your foundation to create more of a dewy look and can even be added on top of set foundation as a brilliant highlighter on the high-points of the face.
Everyone I have introduced Le Blanc to, have become serious addicts. Nothing says youth, vitality and health like perfectly glowing skin, and this product trumps the competition. In my own personal routine, I wear foundation, concealer and do a little highlight and contour to enhance the structured appearance of my face. While I found the most perfect contour product for shadows and depth, (watch this space,) I could never find a highlighting product that didn't make me look like I had fallen into a pot of glitter or risen from the sea inside of a giant oyster shell. Too much sparkle, too much pearl, too obvious a look, is not one a guy should wear, regardless of what they say in MAC!
If my skin is looking particularly dry or sallow, I add this to my face right after moisturising and then apply foundation on top. Once I have finished with adding shadows and concealing blemishes, I then add a very small amount to the tops of my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. It works beautifully to reflect the light, giving a truly luminous appearance, that doesn't scream - I'm WEARING MAKEUP.
If you aren't a big makeup wearer and foundation isn't part of your routine, don't worry, it works just as well with CC and BB creams. On days when my skin is looking really clear, I will use Le Blanc by itself on top of moisturing and it gives a lovely rested healthy sheen. There really are no reasons for you not to love this, I promise.
Happy New Year to all my wonderful readers and followers! Today's post is a real treat for you. What better way to start of 2015, then with a brand new WHAT SAY YOU!?
Today I am honoured to feature the makeup icon - Mary Greenwell.
Mary's foray into makeup artistry started by chance when she moved from England to Los Angeles, and worked for the makeup brand, Il Makiage. Ilana Harkavi, the owner and a widely respected makeup artist herself, soon noticed Mary's talent and took her under her creative wing. Mary began assisting Ilana at the New York boutique and accompanying her to photoshoots.
In the mid-80's when Mary moved to Paris, her keen eye, bold talent and sophisticated aesthetic was embraced and she began working with all of the most noted photographers of the time, including Patrick Demarchelier, Paolo Roversi and Peter Lindbergh. Mary was in such demand she began travelling between New York, London and Paris on a regular basis.
Mary would go on to industry dominance and become inextricably linked to mood of the time. She is credited for helping to shape the look of the original 'Supermodels,' - Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour and Cindy Crawford.
A further defining moment in Mary's career was when legendary editor, Liz Tilberis introduced her to Diana, Princess of Wales. Mary helped to re-define Diana's image and worked on some of the most iconic photoshoots with her.
Today Mary continues to be in high-demand for her red-carpet work and counts Cate Blanchett, Jessica Chastain, Amanda Seyfried and Uma Thurman among her devoted clients. Additionally, Mary continues artistic collaborations with CHANEL, Estée Lauder, Sisley Paris and SK- II
As discussed previously HERE, Mary Greenwell has own line of fine fragrances entitled PLUM, CHERRY, FIRE and LEMON, which have been credited for invigorating the British niche-perfume industry.
I caught up with Mary late last year and we had a delicious chat. Enjoy.
Mary, you have been responsible for creating a truly beautiful perfume house. Of your own collection, which would you say is your signature scent?
I would have to say, my signature scent would definitely be PLUM. It is the first fragrance I created and therefore, by defnition it is my signature scent. I feel it is more unique, in certain aspects than anything else. It was so unsual when it first came out, four or five years ago. The response was incredible and I received such flattery from people. I wanted to make perfume glamorous again, and so I was really the first to put colour front and centre and have gorgeous packaging that was vibrant and exciting. Before then, the rest of the industry were making boxes and bottles in cream, black and white. We set it out as a colour brand. The pink box for PLUM was a fresh start for the industry at the time.
You obviously iconic figure in the world of cosmetics, why did it seem the logical step to establish a fragrance collection rather than a makeup line?
I am so incredibly proud of those who create their own makeup line. I think it is wonderful. For me, it was more about an adventure that took me to a place which was much more personal. Sometimes the creation of makeup can be very impersonal, you know, another black pencil, another red lipstick etc. All of which is quite fabulous, do not get my wrong, but the fragrances come much more from my heart. So I see it as much more intimate and much more closely connected to my spirit.
When you decided to create your brand and launch perfume, what was the process like for you?
I was introduced to the wonderful Francois Robert, who is the head perfumer at Quintessence in Paris. He is just the most divine man in the world and we get on so incredibly well. I interviewed a few noses and he just stood out by far as the one I could work with the best and he understood my sensibility more than anyone else. For the creation of PLUM it took between twelve and fifteen submissions to get to the end point. The last one, which isn't out yet, he made one submission, we tweaked it a little, second submission - done. That is how well we are working together now. He is amazing. So what I do in the beginning process is give Francois the brief, give him the name and give him the color. The concept for me is start with the name, with the brief and the color and what you want from it. For example for PLUM, I wanted it to be very exotic and exude a sort of...it's very flowery, exotic, rich. It is a very heady fragrance. I told him what notes I didn't like and asked him to run with it.
What I love about PLUM and why I wanted to focus on plums, at the start, is because every plum tastes so different. You bite into a plum...the way they look, all shiny and delicious and gorgeous color and then there is the amazing green or yellow centre and it tastes completely different from the way it looks and I wanted a perfume to surprise, delight and thrill the wearer. I also think it is very important for the name to be short. I wanted short little names that said so much - that had a connotation of their own and left the wearer with an impression but was open to personal interpretation.
When you are looking to create a new scent, where does the initial idea stem from?
It is very visual for me. It is also about how I am wanting to feel or who I imagine wearing it. For example, LEMON was a much quicker process than PLUM. I wanted the scent to be unisex, I wanted it to be very lemony, delicious and rich. It is very sophisticated but at the same time incredibly fresh. So that was that. So going to Francois and saying ok lemon, a yellow box, think of a real lemon, open it up, bite it, squeeze it and make it as sparkling as possible, while remaining elegant.
Can you tell me about the creation of your perfume, FIRE? I love it.
So PLUM and LEMON were done. Then I went to my delicious Mia Colllins, at Harrods, who I simply adore. She is a beauty and fragrance buyer. I went to Mia and said, "Let's do something together, that will be exclusive to Harrods for six months." She said great and so I set about developing a scent with Francois that was going to be very suitable to the world of Harrods. In other words it needed to smell luxurious and rich. I immediately started thinking hot desert sands, wild, burning skies of hot sun and that gorgeous richness that comes out of the desert.
The response has been just wonderful. The Mother of one of my friends is just completely addicted to it. She wears FIRE all the time and everytime she leaves the house with it on, people stop her to ask what she is wearing and tell her how fabulous she smells. That scent in particular seems to touch a lot of people, at all ages and there is something about it that captures people. It's a wonderful scent because it has hallmarks of classic perfumery with modern facets - it's sort of young and old and completely unique.
Let's go back in time, do you remember the first perfume you bought?
Of course I remember my first fragrance! I was living in LA at the age of eighteen, when the original Chloé perfume came out, with the pale pink salmon colour. The original Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld! That was my first scent ever and I bought it on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I remember being so excited. I remember first of all being in a party in Beverly Hills one evening and spraying Chloé on, in the persons bathroom with her, and feeling so swept away by the scent. Actually, now that I think about it, I believe the biggest influence on PLUM was that original Chloé scent. It was so enveloping and so delicious and so succulent - so kind of sweet in a good way. It was a groundbreaking scent at that time and left such an impression on me. When I decided to create the Mary Greenwell collecion, I wanted to create fragrances that effected the wearer the same way Chloé captivated me.
Who in your life, would you say, as most influenced your olfactive tastes?
Probably my Mother. She wore the original Lanvin. It was absolutely divine on her. It developed within me an appreciation for elegant, glamorous, proper perfumes. My Mother also wore 'Joy' by Jean Patou. She was never one to follow what other's did. She was more individual.
I would be a fool not to ask you about makeup, so what would love to know, what are some of the products that you will always have in your professional kit?
There is nothing more important than skin right now in makeup. So first of, retouching is taken to such a level, it drives me insane, as it does for every makeup artist. Therefore, my goal is to get skin looking as good as it can, that they don't have to retouch. That would be my dream. And because products are always changing and improving, I cannnot really answer that question. There is only really one product that will be with me always and that would be a smoky pencil from Elizabeth Arden in both espresso and black. I was contracted to Arden many years ago and I developed those pencils with them, so I see them as my babies. They are amazing. I don't know one makeup artist that can live without them. Even those who have their own lines - they are in everyone's kit. They are amazing! Especially espresso, as it is the perfect almost black/brown.
There have been so many technological advancements that have happened in makeup, what are some of todays products that you wish you could have had twenty years ago?
As I said it's all about skin, so of course I would have loved for the foundations to do back then what they do now. They go on so easily nowadays and cover so incredibly well. There are so many more shades and textures available. In my day, to get the skin that we can achieve now, we all used to go shopping in the professional shops, like Charles Fox. We used to use professional stage makeup. We didn't have the options then that we do now. The first professional makeup artists line was Il Makiage in New York. They were the ones I went to work with in New York before I took makeup to Fiorucci in LA. Il Makiage were the one's who inspired me and got me into makeup in the first place. We all used to use it. When makeup became more available and lines became bigger and when mega brands like L'Oreal and Unilever started buying up everybody that's when things changed. We simply didn't have the makeup that we have today, so as an artist you really had to understand texture and colours and how to get those products to do what you needed them to do.
What are some of the traps you think people fall into when they are buying new makeup?
Before anyone goes shoppping for makeup, it's really important to really know and understand your face and your skin-type. Understanding what it is you are hoping to achieve, when it comes to say skin and foundation, is crucial. For example there are alot of very light, airy liquid foundations on the market and they don't work for everybody. You need to know what it is you want to cover or enhance, whether your skin is dry or oily or combination etc and armed with that information you can really find the products that will work for you.
After watching your videos online, I am obsessed with your Japanese baby toothbrush - I'd like to know how it ended up being your most treasured beauty tool?
When I was using tools pior to my Japanese baby toothbrush, I always found them really annoying because the brushes were never strong enough. So then I was in Japan shopping one day, back in the 1980's and everything there is just so chic. There isn't mickey mouse on every child's toothbrush. So there I was shopping and I saw these gorgeous chic brushes and I thought oh my goodness, this is just the perfect width, the perfect hold, the perfect texture for eyebrows, and that's really how it ended up being my go-to tool.
You have worked with so many amazing people, is there anyone you haven't worked with that you would love to get your hands on?
There are so many beautiful women out there. As a makeup artist it is thrilling to think of ways that one can enhance sombodies beauty. But in all honesty, I work with the most beautiful woman in the world already. That is Cate Blanchett. She is just beyond divine and so beautiful inside and out. It's a great thrill for me. I am very loyal to my clients as they are to me.
Final question for you, If God wore fragrance what would he/she smell like?
What would God smell like!? I think he would smell like my brand new fragrance that is about to come out. When you smell it, you'll understand what I mean. God, by the way, is gorgeous and mysterious and sexy and yes I want him to smell like my new scent, which will be released in the spring.
Mary Greenwell Fragrances are currently available at Harrods in London and available internationally at Net-a-Porter.
For more information on the Mary Greenwell Fragrances please visit www.marygreenwell.com and be sure to follow @MaryGreenwell on Twitter and Instagram
Just when you had thought The Estée Lauder Companies had completed their whirlwind round of brand buying, they have gone and done it again, this time striking a deal to acquire the cult-favorite GLAMGLOW!
Hot on the heels of three sizable acquisitions of Le Labo, RODIN olio Lusso and Editions De Parfums Frédéric Malle, The Estée Lauder Companies announced today they would be adding another niche brand to their roster - GLAMGLOW, the Hollywood skincare brand focused on fast-acting treatment masks designed to deliver camera-ready results.
Founded in 2010 by Glenn and Shannon Dellimore, GLAMGLOW is a multi-award winning prestige skincare brand, designed for men and women of all ages and all skin types. Originally known as "Hollywood's Boutique Secret" for its ubiquity on Hollywood sets, GLAMGLOW now has a robust presence in global specialty channels, such as Sephora and QVC. Additionally, the brand has proven highly successful in high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, and starting in January 2015, Nordstrom.
"GLAMGLOW represents the ultimate in innovative facial masks," said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Estée Lauder Companies. "Glenn and Shannon's vision - to create easy-to-use, effective products for camera-ready skin - has grown into an incredible success. GLAMGLOW is a top performer in specialty channels and effectively engages its devoted fans across digital platforms. Its unique focus on facial masks strategically complements our current prestige skincare offerings, and we are thrilled to welcome Glenn and Shannon to our Company."
"The Estée Lauder Companies embraces our brand philosophy that skincare can be sexy, innovative and fun," said GLAMGLOW Co-Founders Glenn and Shannon Dellimore. "The Company has the scale and vision to help bring the brand to its next phase of growth while remaining true to the identity that we've worked so hard to build. Having personally grown our brand every step of the way, we could not imagine a better home for GLAMGLOW."
William. P. Lauder, Executive Chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies, said: "The Estée Lauder Companies embraces their entrepreneurial spirit and vision, and is committed to sustainably growing the brand while fostering the uniquely glamorous skincare story that they've created. We are so pleased to welcome them to our family."
The brand will be overseen by John Dempsey, The Estée Lauder Companies Group President, responsible for Estée Lauder, M.A.C, Tom Ford, Prescriptives, Bobbi Brown, Bumble & Bumble, Jo Malone London, La Mer, Smashbox, Aramis & Designer Fragrance brands, Le Labo and RODIN Olio Lusso.
Terms of the deal with GLAMGLOW were not revealed and acquisition proceedings are expected to be complete by January 2015.
For more information please visit www.glamglowmud.com or www.elcompanies.com.
I am excited to announce that AMBER & SMOKE will now be featuring Cosmetics and Makeup Tools. Let me know if there are any brands or products that you love!
