Older Girl Beauty Blog

Bond No. 9 Fall '10 Releases

oldergirlbeauty — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:48:03 -0500

Bond No. 9's motto is "Making Scents of New York", and boy do they ever. All of their 40+ fragrances are all named after something/someplace in New York.

This fall, they will be adding two new scents to their "neighborhood" of fragrances: "Cooper Square" and "Washington Square".

Top: "Cooper Square", Bottom: "Washington Square"

I don't really have any info on what the scents smell like, or their "notes", but we all know I don't really know much about those anyway, right? So, I'll just say that the bottles look pretty cool - esp the "Washington Square" one with the arch on it.

"Cooper Square" launches September 1st, 2010 and "Washington Square" launches November 1st, 2010 at your local Saks Fifth Avenue Bond counter, any of the 4 NYC retail locations or online. I don't know exact pricing but I am sure it will run along the same lines as the others, between $45 to $300+, depending on size. I know it's not exactly budget, but, Bond's packaging (*and scents, of course) can almost make a collector out of anyone.

Have a "Pretty" Spring - with a twist

oldergirlbeauty — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:21:14 -0500

You guys - check out what just came across in my email this afternoon:

"Elizabeth Arden introduces a NEW limited edition, refreshing twist to the famous "Pretty" fragrance. "Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash" offers a fresh, spirited floral bouquet of Pretty with a hint of citrus. This new fragrance is the perfect addition to your glamorous look and carefree mood on a bright spring afternoon!

With its new fragrance notes, such as White Peach and Pink Lady Apple, Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash" reminds us of the beauty of spring and summer, with a subtle fruit note that gives a fresh sensuality to the fragrance. Presented in a pretty glass bottle, "Pretty Eau de Cologne Splash" comes with an optional pump so you can easily switch from spray to splash, to better suit your mood.

But remember, just like spring – it’s only here for a limited time."
(*Available on www.elizabetharden.com now and in stores starting May 1)
Suggested retail price: $45.00 / 6.8 fl. oz.

This sounds like it is going to smell nice - I can't wait to smell it, esp since it has Peach and Watermelon essence in it. And, guess what? I am able to give you guys a chance to win a bottle to try it for yourself. Just enter your name and email addy in the box below, and I will randomly pick a winner at 11:59pm CST April 28th. Good luck!!

The History of Beauty: Ungaro is NOT Lindsay Lohan

oldergirlbeauty — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:12:00 -0600

Nowadays, when you hear "Ungaro" you think of the dismally received fashion show fronted by "artistic designer", Lindsay Lohan. Thankfully, it has not always been that way.

Emanual Ungaro, born in 1933, took to sewing, as his father had done. So much that by the time he was 22 he moved to Paris, & 3 years later he was designing for the House of Cristobal Balenciaga. He stayed there for 3 years before moving on to design for André Courrèges. Only 4 years later, in 1965, he opened his own fashion house - having his first Prêt-à-Porter collection and opening his first stores in 1968.

For the next 30 years, he expanded stores and licensing agreements. Along the way, he created perfumes - Diva (1983), Senso (1987), Ungaro (1991) and Emanuel Ungaro For Men (1991). In 1997, Emanuel Ungaro partnered with Salvatore Ferragamo and Bulgari to create a new company: Emanuel Ungaro Parfums. This company produced the fragrances Fleur de Diva (1997), Desnuda (2001) and Apparition (2004).

Keeping with the history of creating scents, in 2008, Ungaro teamed with Avon to create two new frangrances: Avon U by Ungaro for Her and Avon U by Ungaro for Him. The sucess of these fragrances led Avon and Ungaro to collaborate again - this time with color cosmetics - "U by Ungaro Color Collection".

This Limited Edition collection contains 8 pieces, ranging from $10 to $20. It includes 3 lipsticks (*including one in the iconic Fuscia color "Ungaro Pink"), 3 eyeshadows and 2 face shimmer powders.

I've had a chance to try some of these, and I gotta say that I like the pink packaging - looks very luxe. The only thing I didn't care for, was the lipstick case. It looks nice and sleek, but the top to pull out the lipstick is small and the tube itself is slick, making it difficult to open. It has a sheer ribbon on top, and while it may just be there for decoration, it became my go to way to open it. But, once it was open, I liked the texture.

So, when I tell you this is Limited Edition, I mean it - it's only going to be around until December 31st. Then *poof*, it's gone. So, hit up Avon.com or your local Avon representative and take a look at this collection with a pedigree for yourself.

Victoria's Velvet fragrance

oldergirlbeauty — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:32:57 -0500

Tomorrow there is an event in NYC at the Victoria's Secret, on Lexington, for the launch of VS's new fragrance, "Velvet: The Fragrance".

Now, I don't know anything about this scent, but the thing that caught my eye was the fact that you could get a makeover from the VS Beauty Supermodel Artist team - led by Polly Osmond. You might rememer when I met her backstage at the Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2010 show. It would be so cool to get a makeover from her, but, unfortch I'm in OKC and won't make it. But, if you are in NYC, head over there between 2-4pm and pick up something from their Parfums Intimes Velvet collection (*required) to get your makeover from Polly.

In addition, the model Alessandra Ambrosio will be there for autographs (*with purchase, too), there will be a "Suprise Guest", cake from Sylvia Weinstock and a chance to get a preview of the Heidi Klum VS Makeup Holiday Collection. So, since I don't get to be there for all of that, you'll have to come tell me all about it. Deal?

I rock the Black Amethyst

oldergirlbeauty — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:16:11 -0500

No, silly, not a stone in some bling. I am talking about some Bath and Body Works Black Amethyst Fragrance Mist. I swear, I do not care what the season is, you will find me rocking this darker, more "seductive" scent year round. It is the kind of scent that is not too flowery for me. They call it "Our Sexiest Fragrance Ever! Exotic and Intricate. Sexy Redefined." All I know is that I loved it from first smell and I spray it all over me like a fool. BUT, I have to say it is the scent that I have gotten the most compliments on - ever. It's to the point now that people wonder about me when I am not wearing it - like something just isn't right for the day. Ha. As for keeping it in the fridge, it has been just a great last cooling burst before heading out into this humid, muggy weather. Just something else to keep cool until the A/C can kick on in the car.

In fact, this scent is so suited to me, that when I took the quiz on Bath and Body Works new Fragrance Finder widget, sure enough "Black Amethyst" came up as my recommended scent. You should go over and play around and see what scent it says would be right for you and let me know. I'm curious who else rocks the BA like I do.