Category Archives: beauty

fragrance face-off: balenciaga vs. bottega veneta

Today’s guest post is by Ms. Katy Kippen (who also happens to be the uber-talented designer behind Grayling Jewelry). With bling that good, you know her taste is impeccable – but I had no idea she’s also pretty darned articulate about fragrance. Since my expertise stops at the pretty packaging, I happily delegated this one to her! Prepare to learn more about good perfume than you ever thought you’d know.

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Now that it’s cooler out, my usual floral fragrance is beginning to feel a bit delicate. I’ve been searching for a a warmer blend, one that feels “right” with my winter wardrobe.

How convenient it was, then, when Becki offered me the chance to test and review two just-released perfumes, L’Essence from Balenciaga and the very first fragrance release from Bottega Veneta – Eau de Parfum.

Both are chypres, a fragrance style described by Wikipedia as, “an accord composed of citrus top-notes, a floral middle, and a mossy-animalic base-note derived from oak moss and musks.” But interestingly enough, they don’t smell anything alike.

First, I tried Balenciaga L’Essence, the greener version of Balenciaga’s original scent from 2009. It’s safe to say I’m in love with the new interpretation – which is quite a surprise.

At first sniff, I wasn’t sure about it. In the beginning, the scent is large and rich. It is almost headache-inducing. You needn’t stick your nose right up to your wrist or the nozzle to catch a whiff (in fact, I would suggest refraining from doing so, as the top notes might make your nostrils hurt). But once the initial violet notes in L’Essence mellowed, my wrists smelled lovely. The delicate citrusy-powder scent lasted all day. L’Essence is quite mysterious – what begins as somewhat off-putting ends up drawing you in. L’Essence is truly a unique fragrance; it’s worth waiting for the initial notes to fade away as what’s left is quite lovely and feminine.

Next I tried Bottega Veneta’s Eau de Parfum, described by the company website as a “leathery floral”, “evoking blended notes of Italian bergamot, Brazilian pink pepper, Indian Sambac jasmine, oak moss and patchouli.”

From the description, I anticipated an explosion of musky flowers. Instead it was much softer. The fragrance is earthy and mossy – like lingering aroma of smoky incense and burning resin (which are things I love). In fact, it smells a lot like one of my favorite candles, Spiritus Sancti, from the French maker Cire Trudon.

I wasn’t sure about wearing a scent with hints of “leather” in it initially. But after a long trial period, I am finally sold. Eau de Parfum from Bottega Veneta is the perfect fragrance to pair with a cozy sweater by a warm fire. It truly epitomizes everything their company stands for – luxury, quality, and sensuality. Plus, the bottom of the bottle has a frosted texture which would be especially beautiful on a mirrored tray on a vanity.

The final verdict? While Balenciaga’s scent was my initial favorite, when the cold weather set in, Eau de Parfum from Bottega Veneta answered my calling. It exudes a warmth that’s a perfect match for cool temps. –Katy Kippen

my incredible journey: laser hair removal (episode 1)

Happy Halloween, friends! In celebration of the spookiest day of the year, I thought I’d start telling you about the beauty treatment I’ve been undergoing lately that used to have me more terrified than anything I’ve ever tried: laser hair removal. Because, hello, lasers aimed at my body? Also because, with me – particularly, but by no means exclusively, when it comes to beauty – nothing is easy. My skin is incredibly sensitive, my expectations are incredibly high, and I’m not willing to start slow…it was bikini line or bust, my friends.

Yep, that’s right – I’m talking about my bikini line on the internet. Told you this post was scary.

If you’ve been even semi-conscious over the last two years or so, since this treatment has really gone mainstream, you can’t tell me you haven’t fantasized. A life free of razors and waxing? It’s the dream, right? But kind of nerve-wracking too…I mean, there are just places you don’t want experimental laser treatments, and this is one of them. Plus, holy expensive, Batman – prices for treatments usually start at $150 each, and you need about 6 treatments for permanent removal. Talk about painful.

So, I kept on going for my (too infrequent) wax appointments, dreaming of the day I’d laser it all away. I even tried a few at-home kits. (Yes, at-home laser hair removal. Picture that, if you will.) Shockingly, the at-home versions were less than perfect. Eventually, bargain options started to appear in my inbox – via Groupon, mostly. But I loathe Groupon’s spa deals for the most part – you end up at a spa you don’t want to be at, being treated by people you don’t know, in an atmosphere so overcrowded with people who don’t know how to act in a spa that the whole experience is ruined. And I’m not letting just any idiot with a laser near my parts.

Finally, finally, the clouds parted – a Groupon deal at my favorite spa, Portland Spa and Boutique! I could see my regular aesthetician, Brynndle (who is ah-mazing)! I could try their super fancy Soprano laser system she’d been telling me about for ages! And the price was great. Not so great I wondered if it was all a hoax, but just great enough that I could take the plunge.

(As it turns out, I didn’t need the Groupon to get a great price – much like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I had but to ask. Like most spas, if you’re a loyal customer, Portland Spa will put you on an email list and you’ll get all sorts of specials and deals…like for example, 30% off laser hair removal).

I was a little nervous about my first treatment (see above, in re extremely sensitive, pain-prone skin, etc.). But truthfully, it hurts much less than a wax. More like how it feels when the hot wax first goes on your skin: warm, and occasionally a little more warm than you’d like. But, there’s no painful ripping of hair after the warmth, so for me, that’s a major improvement.

After my first treatment, I noticed maybe a 30% (I’m totally making these numbers up, incidentally) reduction in growth – a major improvement, and so exciting! After my second, it’s more like 40% – a little less exciting, but still headed in the right direction. I’m headed off for treatment #3 this week, and I’ll let you know how it goes.

In the meantime, if you’re in the market, my best advice is to call your favorite spa and ask them about it. Chances are, they’ll tell you about a special coming up, or put you on an email list to get offers (these are offers you want, friends!). If you’re in Portland, immediately sign yourself up for the list at Portland Spa & Boutique. Besides deals on laser hair removal, you’ll get notices about last-minute massage appointments as low as half price. I watch for those emails like a spa-addicted hawk.

Of course, you can also just call, ask to talk with my darling girl Brynndle, and I know she’ll take excellent care of you 🙂 In fact, I’ll check with her this week to see if she has any new deals cooking, and will update you when I hear.

So, friends – am I the only laser guinea pig out there, or are others of you giving it a try? Are you still too nervous to give it a go? I’d love to hear what you think!

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beauty buzz: MAC for fall

I confess, friends – I’m a newbie to the world of MAC. I’ve never felt quite cool enough to venture into one of their stores, though I know their products garner a serious cult following. I’m just a simple girl when it comes to my daily cosmetic routine, and all those bold colors have always intimidated the hell out of me.

But I recently vowed it was high time I get a little adventurous, so I put out a distress call to MAC. They responded ever so sweetly by sending a few goodies to try, including a few of their new fall eye shades, or “Paint Pots” as they’re called. Naturally, I beelined for the neutrals – there is not an adventurous bone in my body when it comes to these matters, so no bold reds or yellows here. But “Nubile,” a rich peachy pink with a grown-up amount of shimmer, looked about my speed.

I started off with their Pro Longwear foundation (after finally admitting it’s time to leave summer’s tinted moisturizer behind and embrace a bit more coverage). It manages to cover flaws and discoloration while staying light and matte on the skin, leaving behind almost a velvety texture. The end result looks more or less like a clever Photoshop job…and I’m always up for a little selective retouching.

(Incidentally, I chose my foundation type and shade from MAC’s Foundation Finder on their website – normally, I find these sort of tools seriously unhelpful, but this one worked seamlessly. Pro Longwear was exactly the amount of coverage I was after, and the shade I picked online was spot-on. Impressive!)

Next, I started with the Paint Pots. Amazingly, that pinky/coral color that seemed a little too rich for me went on ever so subtly. One dab: a light shimmer of barely-there color. Two dabs: a bit more presence, but still totally respectable. So, I kept going. By my third pass, I was having fun! No better time, I decided, to venture into trying a second color. After a quick review of my options, I went for “Genuine Treasure”, a warm bronze that was definitely outside my comfort zone.

As with “Nubile,” it wasn’t nearly as potent as it looked in the pot. One pass at the lash line gave me barely a brush with darkness, but two passes left me with the closest thing to a smoky eye I’ve ever managed. Three would probably have been gorgeous, if a bit much for my daily Peets run. But the next time the husband takes me out on the town, I know exactly what to do. Plus, this creamy shadow didn’t budge a centimeter all day long – a serious perk in my book.

It’s easy to see why these MAC shades have garnered such devoted fans. Trying all of the different colors felt more like play than work – I couldn’t wait to see what each new dab was going to do. And every time, it was a bit more daring, but still beautiful – and, as it turned out, not scary at all.

So, I’m curious – am I the last holdout? Are you all MAC addicts already, or have you been scurrying past the counter with your eyes averted whenever you pass it by?

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friday finds

Happy Friday, everyone…what a week it’s been! I’ve hardly had time to breathe, let alone blog, but that hasn’t stopped me from amassing quite a list of Friday Finds. Even when I’m swimming in things to do, I always manage to find time to covet.

First, I’ve found a new love: BeautyAddicts’ “Double Deception” concealer. The right half is lighter and creamier, so it’s perfect for under the eyes, and the left side works wonders for the rest of your face. It’s all very Alice in Wonderland/magic caterpillar mushroom, but the results are flawless.

I’m obsessing a little over wanting a new pair of ankle boots for the fall. While I’m terrified of light-colored suede for a number of reasons (rain in Portland + denim = blue stripes all over my boots. Not cool.), these are calling to me. And, at $120, I can actually afford to listen.

Have you seen the latest goodies at J.Crew? I’m obsessed with a couple of things: specifically, this tweed jacket and that sequined top. Truthfully, I dream of being able to pull off sequins for day, and I’m thinking if ever there was a reasonable candidate, it’s this one.

And speaking of glitz and glam, I am fascinated by this ring. I can’t exactly figure out how it would look on, but how wrong could it be? I’m smitten.

Even though I’m mad as hell at Target over my whole Missoni debacle, I have to show you this Sonia Kashuk brush set. The brushes are great, the metallic tweed clutch is adorable (and actually cute enough to be carried as a clutch), and the whole thing is $25. I’d have bought the clutch alone for that price, so consider the brushes a highly useful bonus.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. I’m hoping to spend a couple of hours with my husband and George Clooney…and I’ll see you back here next week!

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beauty buzz: tara walker’s dream

I have a sob story for you, friends.

I received a lovely package of samples from Tara Walker (yes, Tara herself!) to introduce me to her new beauty line, Dream. I’d heard great things, and was so excited to try it! And the moment I did (literally, that very same day), I started seeing major change in my skin. The Radiance Enhancing Dream Creme did just that: it boosted radiance by a thousand percent. My skin was glowing, dewy, and generally happier with me than it’s been in a while (and that’s fresh from a trip to Vegas, which never does anyone’s skin any favors).

{Love that space-agey packaging. The product comes in mini tubes, so they stay fresh and potent as long as possible.}

Thrilled with the results, I turned to a few of Tara’s other products…which is about the time I realized that I’m allergic to the whole darn line. Heartbreaking, as the next product on my list was her Rejuvenating Dream Serum, which contains “more than 100 botanical extracts,” which sounds pretty darn promising. Probably not the right choice for a girl with violent allergies to botanical extracts, though.

If your skin gets happy (instead of mean and cranky) when it sees actual nature-based ingredients coming its way, trust me – this is a line you want to try. As for me, I’m still having a pretty serious internal debate about whether the Radiance creme is worth a few hives. Yes, it’s that good.

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beauty buzz: fall pedicures

I’m in the market for a new pedicure shade, friends. The coral I was relying on all summer (surprisingly neutral, and made my legs look almost tan) is definitely not en vogue for fall – but after exhaustive research, I’ve found a few serious contenders.

I tried out a bevy of fashion-forward shades – greens from emerald to olive to military, browns and grays galore, even black. They all made me feel more like I’d dipped my toe into something I shouldn’t have. A good pedicure should make you feel pulled together and glamorous, not nervous…don’t you agree? And so, I settled on a few more traditional colors.

– Single Ladies by Deborah Lippmann looks like a typical deep, dark burgundy in the bottle, but in reality, it’s so perfectly light, it almost feels like a lip stain for your nails. It’s a perfect match for your favorite glass of cabernet, and the formulation means you can make the coverage as light or dark as you want.

– Brick House (also from Deborah) is as bold as I get for fall – a deep, burnt orange the color of changing leaves or crackling fires, complete with loads of iridescence to keep the color fresh.

– Street Swagger from Jessica Cosmetics is a fantastic, deep, inky plum color that goes on dark as night.

– Just a Little Rosti at This from OPI is that perfect fall red we always search for. Deep, creamy color, and just dark enough to be sophisticated.

Are you ready to change up your fall pedicure?

travel in style: huntington hotel

So, I promised yesterday that I’d fill you in on all of the details about one of my Top Ten San Francisco items: the Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa (part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, so you know it’s going to be amazing). Friends…oh, I almost hate to tell you how wonderful this experience was, because you’ll be so tempted to get up from your desk, ditch work and hop the next plane to San Francisco. Truly, it’s that good.

I’d always wanted to stay at the Huntington when I lived in the Bay Area, but – well, it’s hard to justify a serious hotel splurge when you live in the same city. But now, we’re tourists! So splurge away, right?

The Huntington is located on the very tip top of all those hills for which San Francisco is so famous, with a picture-perfect view of the city below. But don’t worry about the hills – they’ve thought of that. The hotel has a courtesy sedan with the kindest driver, ready to whisk you nearly anywhere nearby without breaking a sweat (or a stiletto). It’s all very Pretty Woman.

Walking into their bright, beautiful lobby, I knew I had something special on my hands. The feel of the entire property is so warm and cozy, but ultra-luxe…like you’re staying at an incredibly rich relative’s mansion. And it makes sense – the property is one of the few family-owned luxury hotels left in San Francisco, so that intimate/decadent feel is entirely intentional. When I walked in, my first sight was a guest chatting with the concierge, and the guest was wearing sky-high Prada heels and carrying a Birkin. I’m home!

Once I stopped drooling and made it to the front desk, the hubs and I were greeted with hot towels to wipe away our travel grime – such a nice touch after our long day of travel.

Then, it was off to our room:

In case you missed that, here’s another look:

How much do you love that artwork? I couldn’t stop staring at it for our entire trip. That is, when I wasn’t looking out the window. With a view like this, can you blame me?

{Just to clarify – that really is a photo of our view. I just got a little carried away with some of the filters in Camera+.}

Yep, our actual view. It was just as fabulous as it looks. I’m now utterly ruined for other accommodations. Beyond the hotel itself being absolutely beautiful, every single member of the staff made our stay amazing, and I am one picky customer when it comes to these matters. Plus, they have turn-down service, and I’m always a sucker for that.

Also, did I mention the spa?

As wonderful as the Huntington was, I have to admit, it’s the spa that blew me away. I’m a spa girl at heart, and the Nob Hill Spa has become such a favorite of mine, it really belongs on my Top Ten of All Time list, not just for San Francisco. To wit:

Yeah, that’s just the waiting area. And this photo leaves out the cozy fireplace off to the left, the hot tub, and the 270-degree view of the city from the balcony on the right. Are you getting the picture? The spa even has a nap room (okay, it’s called a Zen Room), in case your massage was just so relaxing that you can’t muster the strength to leave the premises. And it would be understandable. My therapist was a genius, and my massage was definitely one of the best I’ve had. I was more blissed out after that fifty minutes than I’ve been in a long, long time, and that nagging ache in my shoulder has entirely vanished.

Post-massage, the hubs and I spent some time lounging poolside. (Those chairs you see right up front, with the wine glasses? Yeah, that was us.) We dawdled for two hours in our picture-perfect, climate-controlled paradise. We took a dip in the hot tub, read books, and indulged in a delectable lunch that the staff delivered to our lounge chairs. No clock, no crazy dogs, no deadlines…it was a dream, friends. And I’m not the only one who thought so: just before we headed to the sauna, my darling hubs looked over at me and said, with the happiest look I’ve seen on his face in ages, “This is the best spa in the world.” Endorsements don’t get much better than that.

A huge thanks to the Huntington Hotel for making my stay so utterly unbelievable…though I get the feeling that’s all in a day’s work for their incredible staff. Tearing ourselves away from that beautiful room when it was time to come home was more of a challenge than I care to admit. Fortunately, there are a bevy of other SLH properties still to check off my list in the meantime. But something tells me we’ll be back!

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friday finds

Happy Friday, friends! Are you relishing these last few summer weekends? I’ve been woefully neglectful of my barbecue, which I’m hoping to remedy this weekend. Also, we finally have a backyard that’s habitable, and I can hardly wait to bust out our patio set. Here’s hoping we get a few more rain-free weekends to put them to good use.

And, with that, on to this week’s Finds!

First, I have to tell you about the two beauty products that have been saving me this summer. I didn’t quite realize their collective power until I spent a weekend at the beach, and had not even a trace of a sunburn on my alabaster (well, pale, at any rate) skin. Honestly. No sunglasses tan lines, no new freckles…nothing. Considering how much my hair bleached out over those two days, I think that’s pretty impressive. So, first, props to DDF Weightless Defense UV Moisturizer SPF 45 (wow, that’s a mouthful).

Yes, it smells like sunscreen – but only for a second when you first put it on. No, it didn’t make me break out, not even a little. Not even when I first switched over. That, friends, is impressive. If you have sun in your future, switch to this immediately.

Second, Sue Devitt’s SpaComplexion tinted moisturizer with “hydrating marine minerals”. I’ve actually had this on hand to try for a few months, but my skin was still too pasty pale from the winter. (Yes, their lightest shade was still too dark for me. Don’t judge.) But my skin finally colored just enough for me to start using this about a month ago (before I’d switched to the mighty DDF sunscreen, mind you), and I’m completely infatuated. It looks and feels like there’s nothing there at all (so you can claim that “no makeup” look), and does a masterful job of glossing over the bad, and generally evening out my skin tone. And again, no breakouts…unlike the 4 other tinted moisturizers I tested.

But enough about my trip, right? This has been a huge jewelry week for me – possibly because I’ve had samples from some of my favorite designers lying around my house all week. Sadly, they have to go back. But in their place, I’m thinking very seriously about some new little bauble for myself. This stunner of a statement necklace from DANNIJO is unbelievable. Cocktail dress? Sure. But just picture this with a grey tee and cutoff shorts. The design is exclusive to my friends at Charm & Chain, which makes me want it even more! I do love a little exclusivity.

And speaking of jewels, Lulu Frost’s collection for J.Crew just debuted. Isn’t it pretty?

It’s possible I’ve been reading too much of The American Heiress (fantastic guilty summer read, by the way), as I’m clearly craving an awful lot of sparkle these days. Speaking of, have you seen all the gorgeous mirrored and sparkly shoes at Topshop right now? They remind me of a grown-up version of Dorothy’s ruby slippers. I’m envisioning them with jewel-toned tights and a great 1940s-inspired dress…unbelievable!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend in store, friends – as for me, I have a huge pile of SEPTEMBER ISSUES staring me down. Best time of the year! I can’t wait to curl up at Peets with my trusty cappuccino and dig in. What do you have planned?

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