Fragrance

Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant

by

Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant

I make no bones about the fact that I primarily wear men’s deodorant (still loving and repurchasing Old Spice Bearglove). I don’t care for antiperspirants (and generally don’t, “need,” them); surprisingly, there are few products marketed to women that aren’t. A few years ago, I purchased a stick of Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant to test the waters of so-called natural deodorants. I have since realized that, apart from alluding to it in this favorites post from May 2016, I never talked about it. Whoops.

Why You (Theoretically) Want It

If you’re looking to get away from traditional antiperspirant deodorant products, Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant is free of:

Read more

Stopped Using Philosophy Pure Grace

by
Philosophy Pure Grace, $49

Scent is a funny thing. It is the sense tied most strongly to memory, for instance. Beyond that, some things that are really appealing to some of us are cloying and off-putting to others. Stranger still is how we can be really fond of a particular smell – like a candle or a perfume – for a long time and then, with no discernible reason, find it bothersome.

Case in Point

In 2011 or so I came to adore Yankee Candle Pink Sands. I had it everywhere; in our house, on a warmer at my desk at work, everywhere. I can’t come close to accurately guessing how many times I purchased it in its various forms.

I’m paring down my candle collection just like my makeup – but I’m paring it down by steadily burning what we can tolerate. (I’m giving the rest away.) Two weeks ago, I came to a partially-burnt Pink Sands jar and lit it. Later, I suddenly found myself thinking that I had grown tired of it.

Personal Fragrance

I’ve talked about my relationship with fragrance before. I enjoy wearing it – or the idea of wearing it, anyway – but I am very picky about it. On top of that, I have a highly fragrance-sensitive husband. Obviously I don’t want to use products in my home or on my person that will cause him headaches or respiratory distress!

I felt myself growing tired of Pure Grace. I’d been wearing it a lot because it is clean, appropriate for work when used sparingly (as I use all my fragrance), and worked well with my chemistry. All that said, though, I seem to have used it in such a way that it overstayed its appeal to me.

Around the same time, unbeknownst to either of us, my husband started developing sensitivity to it. For a while, he’d ask what the heck I’d sprayed or what lotion I’d used; since it was such a part of my routine it didn’t even register until I went without for a week, then used it again – and he asked again.

The Bottom Line

If I’m going to be the source of my partner’s headaches, it is damn well going to be something more important than the fragrance I’m wearing – so I broke up with Pure Grace.

I’m back to only wearing Fresh Cream (also Philosophy). I don’t know if I’m going to seek a new fragrance or not. I really loved Daisy and Daisy Eau so Fresh from Marc Jacobs; maybe I’ll return to those.

Have your fragrance tastes evolved over time?

Sephora Play July 2016

by
Sephora Play July 2016Sephora Play July 2016
Ouai Wave Spray / NEST Citrine / Smashbox Photo Finish Primer /
Benefit Dew the Hoola / First Aid Beauty Cleanser /
not pictured because I am an ass beautyblender Blotterazzi

Ouai Wave Spray

I’ve been seeing Ouai products buzzed about, but I knew (know, really) nothing about the brand. This wave spray claims to add texture by encouraging the hair to fall into a wave pattern. So far, I have used it twice each on damp and dry hair (four times, total). I’m not impressed, unfortunately; the spray did nothing my hair does not do anyway.

Beyond that, it is quite fragranced; in small doses, its fine. Pleasant, even. As much as my hair requires (read: not a small dose), however, is entirely too much. On top of that, the fragrance isn’t for everyone.

>> Have you tried it? Did you have better luck than I did? I think it could do more for hair that is already prone to waves and curls, but…alas, not me.

NEST Citrine

Again with the fragrances – fragrance is so personal, I have difficulty reviewing it. I wouldn’t purchase Citrine, but I don’t hate it. It will come live in my desk at my office for days I forget fragrance (and want to wear something).

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Who hasn’t tried this primer? I’m not going to wax poetic about it – it’s the standard Photo Finish primer. I’m not bummed by it being here because I can always make use of tiny sample sizes. They’re great for travel, of course, for an emergency desk stash, or to pass along to a friend in need.

That said, I wouldn’t ever buy this full-sized. This anti-chafe gel is a far more affordable dupe (very similar ingredients and feel), even if it is a bit odd to keep in a makeup kit. It’s cheaper at the drugstore, even, than Amazon. The specialty versions, however, with color correction? I would consider those!

Read more

Sephora Play June 2016

by
Sephora Play June 2016Sephora Play June 2016

Never having jumped on the subscription box bandwagon, in May I signed up for Sephora Play! I received my first box in mid-June, and finally have time to talk about it what I got!

Tocca Florence

I’m highly picky about fragrances. When I realized this was a floral, I nearly tossed it out without popping the cap off the vial. I decided that wasn’t fair, so I removed the stopper and…was pleasantly surprised! For the first time since the Marc Jacobs Daisy line, I’ve found a pleasant floral. That said, I’m not going to rush out and buy a full sized, $68 bottle of Florence. I will enjoy this sample vial, but juggling several bottles of perfume is not for me. I would consider buying a rollerball. If you like subtle florals and are in the market, give this a shot.

Tarteguard

I’ve always thought that the packaging for Tarte’s sunscreen was cute, but I didn’t give the product much consideration. If I was going to drop $32 on a sunscreen, I’d probably go Shiseido, Clinique, or Murad…or I’d go with a BB Cream product. So far, I’ve used Tarteguard on my hands and forearms only – where it has done a good job. I was reluctant to introduce change to my routine so soon after finding a routine that my skin is responding well to (plus I <3 my Biore one!). Furthermore, the reviews this sunscreen has received have indicated a high incidence of breakouts in relation to use. Unfortunately it isn’t going anywhere near my face anytime soon. It DOES has a faint, pretty scent that I can’t place and none of that nasty, “sunscreen smell.” For what it’s worth, a fellow, makeup-obsessed friend swears by this stuff and reports that it doubles as a good primer.

Read more

May 2016 Favorites

by

Pardon the screwy schedule and format this month – we’ll be back to normal next month!

May 2016 Favorites
1. Real Techniques Retractable Lip Brush $7 / 2. St Tropez Tanning Mitt, $6
3. Arm & Hammer Essentials Fresh, $3 / 4. Coconut Acetone , $5

rtlipbrush I can’t say if this is the, “best lip brush ever,” because frankly, it is the only one I’ve ever owned. That said, it makes applying F-Bomb and other bold colors a breeze; you can line with the thin edge and fill in with the flatter side. At $5.49 and usually on sale BOGO 50% off at Ulta, it’s a steal.

sttropezmittI mentioned that it is tanning season, so my St Tropez self-tanning mitt has been getting weekly use. I actually need to get a new one! I’ll never go back to applying by hand.

 

armhamdeoDeodorant isn’t a glamorous thing to talk about, but it is important and with the weather warming up, what better time? I waffle back and forth between this ultra-inexpensive, aluminum-free (so it’s only a deodorant, not an antiperspirant) one and this slightly more luxurious Lavanila one. I’m on my 3rd stick. This clear solid stick is a unisex fragrance – not feminine or, “pretty.” By its nature it is strong but fades quickly enough not to offend.

cocoacetone

Yeah, I thought coconut scented acetone polish remover was too good to be true. I ordered it because my usual stuff was out of stock. I am pleased to report, however, that it does leave a pleasant coconut aroma behind! That said, please don’t get all sommelier on the bottle – it is acetone, and it does smell like acetone. More importantly than its novelty fragrance, though, is that it works. I’ll definitely repurchase. I decant mine into a pump-top bottle for easier use

What did you love last month?