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Fragrance Friday

Trying Something New: LURK Perfume Oils

April 22, 2016 by Kim S. / Fragrance Friday, Reviews / 10 Comments

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My love for perfumes, especially niche fragrances are no secret, which is why I excitedly opted to try out the niche, green fragrance line, LURK.

LURK Perfume Oils are hand poured and blended by founder and perfumer Anne Nelson Sanford. She uses 100% pure essential oils, resins, absolutes, and CO2 extracts infused in certified organic jojoba oil.

Perfume oils are very new to me so I was not quite sure what to expect once I tried out the LURK Perfume Oils for the very first time. I mean, I’ve heard that perfume oils last longer due to the skin’s natural ability to absorb oils better versus fragrances with alcohol, so I guess you can say I went into this thinking I will experience a longer lasting scent. Was my assumption correct? Continue reading to see.

First we’ll begin with LURK TRN V4 is described as a spicy fragrance with Tobacco, NErolig, Bulgarian rose, and Lavender blossom notes. “An intoxicating infusion that is densely layered yet never heavy.”

Being a fan of scents more on the masculine side, I was initially excited about the Tobacco and Neroli notes; however, what sticks out most to me are the floral notes, especially the lavender. It’s not completely disappointing as the florals make it the perfect spring fragrance, but part of me wishes it had more spice.

Next up is LURK NST V7, which is composed of notes of Lotus blossom with Owyhee, fresh citrus, warm Sandalwood and creamy Tuberose.

This one I loved almost immediately, and I know why. LURK NST V7 reminded me so much of one of my favorite Frederic Malle scents, Carnal Flower. It has the same woody notes mixed with tuberose. Although floral, it isn’t overly dainty so a man can get away with wearing it. In fact, this was the LURK oil preferred by my husband, and it smells good on him.

Out of the two LURK perfume oils I’ve tried, the LURK NST V7 one has the most sillage, which is one of the things that are a must for me in a perfume. It isn’t too strong, but it isn’t so light in the sense that you can barely smell it. With the LURK TRN V4, I feel like I have to place my nose directly above the spot to where it was applied in order to get a whiff. Its lightness makes it the perfect fragrance to use after my evening showers.

LURK Perfume Oils are packaged 1/8 oz. glass bottles topped with a round gold cap; simple and elegant. Each bottle comes in cute little muslin bag on which LURK is printed in bold letters. Both oils retail for $55 and can be purchased online at lurkmade.com

Have you tried LURK Perfume Oils?

Top 5 Fragrances I’ve Worn this Past Fall & Winter

April 1, 2016 by Kim S. / Beauty, Fragrance Friday / 29 Comments

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Top 5 Fragrances I’ve Worn this Past Fall & Winter

Spring is here, but the weather hasn’t been warm enough for me to ditch some of the fragrances I’ve had on heavy rotation during the fall and winter months. So before it gets too warm, and I have to switch out the warmer fragrances for something lighter and crisp for the spring and summer, I wanted to share my Top 5 Fragrances worn during this past fall and winter. Maybe you’ll get some inspiration for fragrances to add to your collection for next fall and winter.

Tom Ford Black Orchid (review)

Tom Ford Black Orchid makes a comeback every fall and winter season. I love this scent, especially how delectable is the dry-down into chocolate and berries, and then spice with a little smoke. It’s a very sexy fragrance that’s suitable for a romantic night out on the town.

Top Notes: French jasmine, black truffle, ylang-ylang, black currant and effervescent citrus.

Middle Notes: floral, and spice, Tom Ford’s black orchid

Base Notes: Woodsy notes (patchouli and sandalwood), dark chocolate, incense, amber, vetiver, vanilla and balsam.

Atkinsons Atkinsons Oud Save The King

Atkinsons Oud Save the King was a new addition to my fragrance collection; it was an anniversary present from my husband. First, I love the bottle! How pretty is the gold finish? Although this Oud is a masculine fragrance, a woman who loves masculine scents can definitely wear it. It’s a smooth woody fragrance with a hint of vanilla that is both warm and inviting. I’ve worn this during the day while working my 9-5, and found that it isn’t too heavy for the office. It is also the perfect fragrance for an evening out that will for sure last for hours.
Top Notes: A fusion of earl gray tea and bergamot.

Middle Notes: Orrisroot absolute and suede accords.

Base Notes: Woody mixture of sandalwood and oud.

Serge Lutens La Religieuse

La Religieuse, a unisex fragrance is perfect for the jasmine lover. The dark purple parfum is lush and pleasant. It is a unique, and well-balanced fragrance that does a good job at balancing both light and dark notes that make it an alluring and mysterious scent. The vanilla dry-down make it perfect for wear during winter. It’s both classy enough for work and sexy enough for late night outings. My only riff with this fragrance is the sillage and longevity; Serge Lutens LA RELIGIEUSE doesn’t last very long post spray. I’d say I’d get 2-3 hours of wear before I would have to reapply it.

Notes: Jasmine, Incense, Civet, and Musk

Flora by Gucci Eau de Parfum

Flora by Gucci is one of my favorite feminine scents. Although a floral fragrance, I find that wearing it during the warmer months can morph the fragrance from beautiful to cloying and overwhelming. I think that’s due to the blend of patchouli and sandalwood, which add a bit more depth to the fragrance than what’s needed during the spring and summer. Therefore, I reserve it as my spring to fall transition scent.

Notes: Citrus Accord, Peony, Rose, Osmanthus Flower, Pink Pepper, and Sandalwood.

Odin 09 Posala Odin (Review)

Odin 09 Posala Odin is a beautifully executed floral unisex fragrance. It has the perfect balance of fruitiness, spice and smoke, and becomes warmer at dry-down – think vanilla and amber. Doesn’t it sound yummy? This cozy, comforting and yet sexy fragrance has me reaching for it every fall/winter.

Top notes: Pear blossom and peach.

Middle notes: Jasmine, bourbon vanilla and orange blossom.

Base notes: tobacco, benzoin, black iris and amber.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my favorite fragrances for fall/winter. What were yours? Do you have suggestions for spring/summer fragrances?

Gifting A Memory with Beyoncé Pulse COTY Fragrance Gift Set #GiftingAMemory #Ad

December 16, 2015 by Kim S. / Fragrance Friday, Miscellaneous / 19 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiftingAMemory #CollectiveBias

Holiday shopping can, at times, be stressful, especially if you’re unsure of what is the perfect gift for the special people in our lives. I like my gifts to be personal and memorable, which is why most of the time I opt for fragrance gifts; it’s like gifting a memory. Take for instance my sister, a die-hard Beyoncé “stan”. This Christmas I am gifting her a memory with a Coty Fragrance Gift Set, Beyoncé Pulse that I purchased from my local CVS. After all, our sense of smell is the most powerful sense of all. I just know that for her, just getting a whiff of a particular note of this fragrance can take her back to the moment when she was rocking to “Who Runs the World” at the Beyoncé On the Run Tour.

Beyoncé Pulse possesses energy unlike any other. It moves through you, around you. Never fading as it surges, pulsates and electrifies. The woman who wears Beyoncé Pulse is impossible to ignore, exuding sensuality and strength.

My sister Shani, as I mentioned previously, loves Beyoncé. She’s not just a regular fan; she’s a stan, which means her fan status has reached near stalker status. She loves everything Beyoncé – her style, music, hair, swag – everything! And don’t ever dare talk bad about “The Queen Bey” in her presence unless you’re prepared for the clap back. You think that’s crazy? How about my sister claiming that Blue Ivy Carter is her niece! What better gift to give her than a Beyoncé fragrance. Not just any one, Beyoncé Pulse.

Pulse is a citrus – floral – gourmand fragrance, dedicated to the favorite flower of the singer – orchid, which happens to be Shani’s favorite flower, too. This energetic composition portrays the excitement that Beyonce feels on stage, and when wearing it, my sister will be able to feel the same. I can’t wait for her to open it on Christmas day.

This holiday season, take the stress out of shopping by gifting a memory with one of the Coty Fragrance Gift Sets at your local CVS like the Beyoncé Pulse I purchased for my Beyoncé-loving sister. Be sure to use this $4 off coupon, too because gift giving doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiftingAMemory #CollectiveBias

CARVEN Le Parfum Review

October 30, 2015 by Kim S. / Fragrance Friday, Reviews / 21 Comments

This Fragrance Friday, we’re going to talk about CARVEN Le Parfum that my husband gifted me over the summer. CARVEN was released in 2013 – the first fragrance launched under the guidance of creative director Guillaume Henry, and created by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian who designed the perfume with the following notes:

Top Notes: Mandarin blossom, apricot and delicate white hyacinth
Middle Notes: Authentic bouquet of flowers that includes sweet pea, jasmine and ylang-ylang
Base Notes: Sandalwood, osmanthus and Indonesian patchouli.

Fresh, juicy apricot and orange with hints of floral are the characteristics that make CARVEN Le Parfum the perfect scent for the spring and summer. In fact, I used nearly one quarter of the bottle this past season pairing it with two of my favorite body mists: Essence of Beauty Luscious Peony and Kiss of Honey. I am also bringing it along with me on our next trip to Mexico, which is a warmer climate for which this scent would be perfect.

CARVEN Le Parfum isn’t one of the longest lasting fragrances I’ve worn or own, which means I’d have to carry around the bottle (or rollerball) to refresh the scent throughout the day. It’s one of those fragrances that exude a quiet femininity, perhaps a perfect wear-to-office scent, but definitely not something that calls for attention.

A purposeful counterpoint between a very minimalist, almost utilitarian bottle, and a high-fashion stopper.

I’m all about simplicity and elegance when it comes to designs and packaging, which is why I love the CARVEN Le Parfum. The simple, frosted glass bottle with a clear, gold banded topper, adorned with a white ribbon that has on it the CARVEN brand in black letters was designed by Thierry de Baschmakoff.

Simple, fresh and delicate, if any of those characteristics are things you look for in your signature scent, CARVEN Le Parfum just may be something to sniff out during your next visit to your local MACY*S, Nordstrom or SAKS.

The 3.33 Fl oz bottle of CARVEN Le Parfum retails for $112.