I actually don't have any need for these, but I figured some of you might — MAC's Prep + Prime Fix+ ("A lightweight water mist that gently soothes and refreshes skin and finishes makeup") available now in three limited edition scents (rose, coconut and lavender). Apparently the last time the brand released limited edition fragranced versions of this product (2015, I think?), they sold out quickly. 30 ml for $12 at Nordstrom or directly from MAC.
Indie botanical line Roxana Illuminated Perfume's new Jasmine Hydrosol: "This jasmine sambac hydrosol has been artisan distilled within handblown glass alembics. The very special elixir has a delicate, ethereal quality which makes one feel as if you are attending a fairy feast with Queen Mab or with the Elves of Rivendell. Hydrosols may be used as an aromatic mist for the complexion, as a spritz into water as a flower tonic or used for culinary delights such as the Persians use of rose water." $30 for 30 ml at Illuminated Perfume.
Quick reviews of three scented body products I’ve enjoyed using this summer, and do add your own recent favorites in the comments!
Tauer Perfumes introduced Rose Delight Body Oil early this summer, and I was sent a bottle for review. Normally when I am sent a full bottle of something, I try it, then give it away, but I’ve used so much of this particular bottle that at this point I might as well keep it, so I will.1 It’s essentially jojoba oil (90%) scented with rose. Tauer describes it as “rose petals on a gourmand base”, and it is lightly sweet…
If you’re as interested in cosmetics as you are in fragrance, you’ve no doubt become aware of the “subscription box” craze of the past five years or so. It usually works like this: you subscribe by filling out a questionnaire about your tastes, and for a monthly fee you’re sent a box of trial-sized products purportedly chosen to fit your profile. Everyone loves getting surprises in the mail, right? I’ve joined two or three of these subscription brands in the past, and for a while I enjoyed receiving my packages; as the months ticked by, however, I ended up owning too many items that I just never used (bright coral lipsticks! sparkly highlighting powders!) so I unsubscribed.
More recently, variations on the subscription theme have emerged — several fragrance clubs, for example, and now Boxwalla, a service that “curates” boxes in four categories: Beauty, Food, Film and Books. The Beauty box promises to offer “luxurious and effective products to nourish your skin and body,” all made in the United States with non-toxic and cruelty-free ingredients. I’ve just tried Boxwalla’s December Beauty box, which seemed to have a “winter comfort” motif, and — unlike some of the cosmetics subscription services I’ve tried —it was an all-around success for me…
Our series of holiday 2015 gift posts continues with gift ideas for men, although there are plenty of “unisex” ideas in the other articles, and as always there are probably a few things here that women might like.
From Cinnamon Projects, a dual incense burner and tray in solid brass. $150 at Aedes; the Cinnamon Projects incense is $30 for a tube of 25 sticks in a variety of scents (12 AM Carnation – Clove – Lavender – Oakmoss; 2 AM Cedarwood – Cinnamon – Honey – Vetiver; 4 PM Iris – Juniper – Mandarin – Patchouli; 7 AM Black Tea – Clay – Driftwood – Marigold or 8 PM Carnation – Leather – Mahogany – Tobacco)…