A Delightful Blend Of Contradictions.
Yves Saint Laurent delivered a beautiful fragrance bundle to our counters just only days ago. February 25th, 2008 marked the moment Elle first graced us with her perfected perfumed presence. Elle was wonderfully created by Olivier Crep and Jacques Cavallier and is a fragrance that truly celebrates a woman and all her many facets. It’s quirky, dramatic, stylish, charismatic, somewhat subdued, amorous and wildly feminine, while demonstrating a flair of contemporary chic with a touch of bohemian.
“Elle is a composition of pure lines built on a captivating accord of patchouli and Bourbon vetiver essences. This bonding of powerful, authentic woody notes makes the skin incandescent. It is tamed with a fresh, colorful, infinitely feminine opening. Citron lends the fragrance its incomparable luminosity. A hint of lychee adds a touch of sass and peony gives it delicacy and sweetness. Blended with a freesia heart note, pink berries create a sublime fusion of contrasts. Taken to the extreme, they create an exciting, surprising effect, spicing the harmony and giving it rhythm of perpetual motion.”
Elle, by Yves Saint Laurent, is on counter now in 50 ml, 90 ml sizes as well as available in a body lotion for your perfumed pleasure. Enjoy!
Bene Babes Unite!
A gorgeous little birdie just told me some seriously exciting news: As of April 2008, Benefit Cosmetics Australia will be opening its very first Benefit Boutique! The Benefit Boutique will be located at 94 Oxford Street Paddington, New South Wales Australia and will be showcasing Benefit’s full range of products, including ‘Fake-its’- Benefit’s quick fix beauty solutions and makeup, skincare, and fragrance. Benefit beauty consultants will be on hand to take customers from now to WOW!
In April, the Benefit Boutique in Paddington will also be pleased to introduce Benefit’s regarded and well established beauty services menu to Australia, which will include professional brow shaping, brow and lash tinting, and bikini waxing!
*happy dance*
Be sure to check back with Beauty Marked! for more goss as it comes to hand. Because you know me…If I know it, you’ll know it!
A Scentsational Point Of Difference.
The ever-so-chic fragrance house of Jo Malone has proven to have released one of the most unique and utterly beguiling fragrances I have enjoyed to date. Blue Agava & Cacao was launched early last year and has shown itself to be one edgy yet sophisticated, beautifully aromatic and luxurious fragrance.
“Sparkling citrus notes lead to an exquisite heart where the blue agava flower takes centre stage. As your skin warms, the sensual blend of vetiver with cinnamon and the primitive rawness of cacao, make an unexpected and surprising harmony.”
Jo Malone’s Blue Agava & Cacao is, unequivocally, the fragrance to choose for those who will only consider enswathing themselves in an alluringly persuasive and tantalizingly exotic scent unlike anything else.
Blue Agava & Cacao, by Jo Malone, is available in:
- Cologne 30 ml & 100 ml
- Bath Oil 250 ml
- Body Crème 175 ml
- Scented Candle 200g
Is There Such A Thing?
I know that there are laws about smoking in public places and that the designated smoking areas are getting fewer and fewer. But this post is not so much a commentary on the lack of places to smoke, as I am a non-smoker, but more to do with the fact that even with the quasi-rigid anti-smoking laws, I still seem to get the uninvited and ultra tenacious smoke smell in my hair when I go out in public. How’s that work? What we really need is a shampoo, conditioner, or styling product that will transcend cigarette smoke. No point in going for the gorgeous hair spritzes that wonderfully scent your tresses as even they don’t seem to be able to keep the upper hand on those wayward wafts, because Lord knows I’ve tried them. What do you reckon Lovelies? Is there such a thing as a super duper cloaking device that will protect our precious hair from passive pong? Do be sure to let me know if you learn of one. In the meantime, off to the shower I go…Again.
Wonderfully Wacky-Do and Hair Free Too!
I received an email the other day that made me giggle a bit, absolutely smile an even bigger bit, and ever so pleased to be a bit “Out There”. Here’s an excerpt from the most excellent email below:
Hello Beauty Marked!,
“I have to say that your rather well informed, albeit unorthodox approach to beauty is really refreshing and always a great read. I wasn’t too sure I’d get into the daily beauty affirmations or enjoy the beautiful quotations you have posted as much as I have. They are just so different. But I think the thing I am most pleased about is your inspirational quips that you liberally share. I also love that you are so wonderfully wacky-do, but in the coolest, most well groomed way…”
i just had to share this gem of an email and weigh in to say how much I so appreciate and embrace my card carrying Groomed Wacky-Do status and that I couldn’t ever consider passing up an opportunity to spritz on a fine fragrance, slick on a gorgeously-rich red lippie, have a mani, pedi, blow-dry, brow shape, wax, facial, to meditate, re-align my chakras, have a massage, or to commune with a magnificent crystal. No way José! But the best bit about this email is that you lovelies obviously know it too. I love that! Thanks for noticing and an even bigger thanks for being you!
-BM! xx
Ambergris.
What kind of grease? Ambergis. I know not why, but I just felt inspired to post a wee spotlight on Ambergris. Ambergris is a product of the Sperm whale’s biliary system and is often found secreted in the whale’s intestines and later excreted. I know, I know, end Discovery Channel-like synopsis already. But this super cool, somewhat sweet, musky and earthy smelling gray or very occasionally blackish waxy, solid, and highly flammable substance has been traditionally used in manufacture of fine perfumes and can be found, albeit rarely, washed up on many shores around the globe. Ambergris is used as a fragrant fixative in perfumery and is often what gives the rather musk-like scent to many perfumes.
Due to Ambergris’ obvious whale connection, it is hardly used these days and quality synthetic Ambergis is incorporated out of preference and remains highly effective for use in fragrance manufacture. At a time, it was prohibited to use Ambergris in fragrance due to its ties to the whaling industry, but the legislature preventing its use was overturned as many believe it not to be a byproduct of the whaling industry. Afterall, Ambergris can be found washed up on shores and harvested far from the presence or contact of Sperm whales still to this day. Although there is currently no prohibition on natural Ambergris’ use, it is often given a wide berth for ecological reasons and sensitivities nonetheless. Betcha didn’t know all that. Pretty neat, hey? Good ole Ambergris.
Now I Have A Few Questions For You…
- What makes you feel most beautiful?
- If you could have three beautiFULL wishes fulfilled, what would they be?
- What moves and inspires you?
I’ve always wanted to know this about you…so I’d just thought I’d ask. Please email me your answers or post them as comments below. I am, so very much, looking forward to reading all about them. *happy dance*
-BM! xx
