Showing posts with label candles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label candles. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Mother's Day Gifts of Beauty



One of the things I love about gifting with beauty is it truly is a gift that keeps on giving.  And each time the recipient uses that item, it reminds them of the one who gave it.  I find that's especially true when the giver takes the likes and desires of the recipient in mind.  What I mean by that, for instance, is if your mom has been complaining about itchy, dry, rough skin on her upper arms and you know she also enjoys citrus, a verbena scented body scrub would make such a special gift. Right? Of course, right.

With that in mind, here are a few products I can recommend to you for gifting, each with its own special properties.


POMEGA5 ROSE SYSTEM
Have a mom who loves flowers, perhaps even the traditional and lovely fragrance of roses?  I promise you, you cannot go wrong with Pomega5's Rose System.  Readers already know Pomega5 is one of my absolute most favorite skincare brand out there.  Based on using the highly coveted pomegranate seed oil, this is a family run company that takes time to create high quality, gorgeous, effective products, often receiving inspiration for their products from their extensive home garden.  There's not been a single item I've been even the slightest bit disappointed in. Everything I've tried I've loved, cherished and delighted in. Each product contains its very own special properties and each smells so delicious you can't wait to use them. I truly believe in this brand!

While 60% of us buy flowers for our moms every year, this year we can give her roses through the sure-to-make-her-feel-good Rose System that’s actually good for her. Pomega5’s Rose System makes you feel calm and refreshed, and the pure, organic ingredients will help regenerate skin to its youthful and bright complexion. Available exclusively direct from Pomega5.  $135 for the set.

Includes:
Bulgarian Rose Moisturizing Beauty Bar (120 g)
Daily Revitalizing Concentrate (30 ampoules)
Bois de Rose Velvet Hydrating Cream (50 ml)


AMALA HYDRATE SPA VALISE
Amala Hydrate Spa Valise Set replenishes and sustains skin'­s moisture level with organic Egyptian Jasmine, renowned for its nourishing, smoothing and antioxidant benefits for skin. Amala's certified organic Jasmine is cultivated and custom distilled in Egypt by their own fair trade farm partner.  Your skin feels so refreshed, soothed and pampered. This is the gift of responsible, results-driven skincare. Rich in organic whole plants, the conveniently packaged, proven-effective treatments beautify the skin and benefit the earth.  Eco-luxe organic hemp and woven paper valise.  Available at Spirit Beauty Lounge.   $102 for the set.

Includes:
Hydrating cream cleanser 1.7 oz.
Hydrating toner 1.7 oz.
Hydrating face cream 1 oz.


ELEMENTAL HERBOLOGY D.I.Y. FACIAL RITUAL GIFT SET
Offering innovative prescriptive skincare, Elemental Herbology products address the changes that occur in the skin as a result of seasonal, lifestyle and hormonal change. Formulated to help restore equilibrium, the brand is committed to helping their customers achieve healthy and radiant skin. They are performance focused, yielding that ‘feel good factor’, their products combine clinically-tested bio-actives with over one hundred unique plant, mineral and marine extracts and pure delicately scented flower oils.

This is the perfect introduction kit to give you a wonderful discovery of this fabulous skincare brand. Love, love, love Elemental Herbology.  I can't believe this kit is only $55.  Available at Beauty Bar.

Includes:
Facial Glow Radiance Peel - Vitamin C/Papaya/Manuka Honey
This radiance peel is infused with a tropical cocktail of vitamins, enzymes and skin-brightening botanicals, to help exfoliate dead surface cells, stimulate cell metabolism and harmonise the skin tone to create a radiant and glowing complexion.
Facial Detox Puifying Mask - Malachite/Kaolin/Manuka Honey
Mineral rich organic Amazonian Clay helps eliminate toxins from the surface of the skin while gently exfoliating and softening. Although it has astringent properties it is not as dehydrating as conventional clays, leaving the skin soft, humidified and glowing.
Biodynamic Facial Souffle' - Rose Damask/Marine Collagen/Calendula
Rich in amino acids, collagen and reparative botanicals, this luxurious treatment mask helps soothe, plump, hydrate and repair parched skin to reveal a dewy, fresh and vibrant complexion.


CLARISONIC MIA
If your mom doesn't own a Clarisonic yet, this is the p-e-r-f-e-c-t occasion to treat her to one. From the Clarisonic family of sonic skin-cleansing products, the one-button, one-speed, one-minute Mia is perfect for those wanting a convenient, less costly (from the traditional Clarisonic system), yet effective way to cleanse while traveling--or anytime. This award-winning waterproof, rechargeable, professional-caliber brush uses gentle sonic micro-massage action to cleanse deeply. It works so well, it helps other skin-care products absorb better. It cleans pores--loosening dirt, makeup, and oil as it reduces the appearance of pores and wrinkles. It's proven to remove six times more makeup than traditional superficial cleansing, allowing serums and moisturizers to absorb better. Skin is left soft, pampered, radiant, and younger-looking--without harsh abrasion or chemicals. It's so gentle, you can use it twice a day.

Clarisonic Mia Systems retail between $124 - $150 and are available worldwide.  I recommend purchasing from b-glowing (looove them! great customer service and they include fabulous samples) and QVC (sometimes available with easy pay options).


JABONERIA MARIANELLA SOAPS
Handmade soaps, each with its own distinctive artistic flair and a childhood memory attached.  That's what Venezuelan-born Marianella Febres-Cordero has created with her gorgeous and luxurious line of soaps.  This is one of my very favorite places to shop when I have a gift to buy!  Each bar smells luscious and creates such a beautiful focal point, wherever you place it.  You just can't help but be transported to another place and time through the stories Marianella tells for each soap inspiration. Each bar is infused with its own special essential and fragrance oils. It's a sensual experience through and through. Truly lovely!

Current bars include:
Aranciata (my favorite) - Orange, Teakwood and Rosemary
Aura Elena (close 2nd) - Oak Moss, Coconut and Mulberry
Coqueta - Baby Powder, Vanilla and Grapefruit
Dama de la Noche - Lemon, Apple and the exotic Dama de la Noche flower
Desert Gardenia - Gardenia, Honey and Oak Moss
Lemonwood - Bois de Rose, Litsea Cubeba and Bergamot
Parchita - Passion Fruit, Polyantha Rose and Litsea Cubeba
Poncha Crema - Vanilla, Fig and Cinnamon
Sugar Cane Tea - Sugar Cane, Plum and Litsea Cubeba
Violet Fields - Violet, Bergamot and a hint of Menthol

Jaboneria Marianella bars (there's a men's line too) are available directly through them. $14


THIS WORKS "CRACKERS"
I love these ... and so unique. Love Lip Cracker contains a nourishing preservative-free balm that's been designed to melt at body temperature so it is easily absorbed into skin. With a rich formula packed with the earth's most moisturizing ingredients and an exotic blend of Monoi Oil, Rose Oil and Cocoa Butter, the balm hydrates lips, soothes and protects skin. Peace Eye Cracker contains a lovely little eye serum/cream that has garnered rave reviews for dark circle reduction and improvement in lines and undereye bags. The soothing blend of serum brightens and refreshes eyes using a fusion of regenerating and moisturizing glycerin, arnica, aloe vera and cucumber. Both are available at Beautyhabit. $14 each.


TALLULAH JANE NATURAL PERFUMES
Blended with botanical essences, resins and balsams, Tallulah Jane scents are an ever-evolving olfactory experience. No two vintages are exactly alike so your Tallulah Jane scent is always unique; designed my nature - especially for you. Tallulah, their signature scent, is the most fabulous jasmine scent I've ever tried. Creamy jasmine notes and heady tuberose combine for a scent that is timeless yet so ultra cool! And be on the look out soon for a feature on their newest creation, Hope. I can't wait to tell you more about it and the company's generous collaboration with the American Cancer Society for their Pink & Black Tie Gala. Tallulah Jane perfumes are available at Spirit Beauty Lounge. $48 - $58


LOVE + TOAST and TOKYO MILK CURIOSITIES
Such whimsical packaging, gorgeous formulas and sweet, decadent aromas are yours with a little purchase of Love + Toast or Tokyo Milk products. They feature an assortment of perfumes, soaps, lip balms and hand creams that are unlike any you've tried before. Experience scent combinations like mandarin tea, honey coconut, lemon mint, citrus gin blossom, or tantalize with a sophisticated blend of fresh greens, cassis, white iris and bronzed musk crushed and distilled to perfection. Love + Toast and Tokyo Milk and Tokyo Milk Dark are by beauty entrepreneur Margot Elena Wells, who also brought us Lollia. Her natural beauty line will be released soon, nectar + pollen - can't wait! Love + Toast and Tokyo Milk products are available at b-glowing and Beautyhabit. $6 - $28


Candles & Home Fragrance
Continue the heavenly scents experience for mom with a beautifully packaged candle or unique home fragrance idea.  Nothing warms the mood of a room or the essence of a soul quite like the candlelight.

AEDES DE VENUSTAS GLOW BOX
Presented in their signature black Aedes gift box the Glow Box contains their popular Lime Coconut Sea Salt Exfoliator, Claus Porto's Tuberose soap and a L'Artisan Parfumeur votive candle.  Available at Aedes. $80


L'ARTISAN PARFUMEUR PARIS VOTIVES COFFRETS
The exclusive and limited edition gift coffret contains three L'Artisan Parfumeur votives.  Les Best is composed of Orangers en Fleurs, Intérieur Figuier and Mûre Sauvage; Les Orientales is composed of Ambre, Thé et Pain d’Epices and Ile Bourbon. Available at Aedes. $60 (each set)

SLATKIN & CO.
Flower Shop is a delightful scent of fresh-cut spring flowers - sweet lilac, pink freesia and hyacinth layered with cooling greens.  This 14.5 oz, 3-wick candle has a burn life of 40 - 65 hours and is available at Bath & Body Works. Fresh Bamboo is another fabulous scent - very clean smelling. Special Sale Price: 2 candles for $30 any assortment of scents (reg. $19.95 each).

AVENUE CANDLE COLLECTION
Years of traversing the globe searching for extraordinary fragrances is the inspiration for Avenue Candle Collection; each unique candle brings the characteristics and mood of some of the most famous streets in Avenue's favorite cities into our homes.  Avenue's Regent Street highlights notes of Earl Grey Tea and Violet.  Bergamot Citrus and Black Tea leaves are married with a hint of honey and neroli for a deeply rich fragrance.  Available  at LAFCO New York. Burn time: 75 - 85 hours.  $48


SANTA MARIA NOVELLA SCENTED TABLETS
Here's a divinely unique idea.  Santa Maria Novella Scented Tablets are 100% organic and natural essential oils mixed with beeswax from the fertile Tuscan fields and bee farms of Santa Maria Novella. Too beautiful to be hidden, tablets can be placed in drawers, hung in closets (ribbon is already attached) or simply left out in the open on a tray to freshen and scent the surrounding space. Tablets are completely safe and organic and will not stain clothing or fabrics, however wax will become malleable at very high room temperatures (85+ degrees F).  Lavender and rose oils, lavender blossoms and rose buds for a fresh romantic scent. Available at LAFCO New York, and also available in the scents of Orange/Cinnamon and Potpourri. $30

Wishing you and your mothers a most fabulous Mother's Day weekend!  xo

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Gorgeous Aroma of Luum Gift Candles



While eyeing all the gorgeous gifts, stationary and home decor in a local favorite here, Ana Bree's in Mandeville, I caught whiff of something altogether divine passing a display table with elgantly designed candles inside handsome brown boxes tied neatly with a chocolate brown ribbon. Well, you know what happened.  I had to stop! 

I picked up each and every Luum candle on the table with not a single one causing me to withdraw my nose in distaste.  Every single candle on the table diffused a beautiful scent in just the right amount of fragrance so as not to be overpowering, while still assuring confidence the candle's scent would last after many lightings. 

I'm not able to find too much about these candles online, and it's a shame as I believe the makers truly have something quite special here.  What I was able to determine is the candles come from et al designs.  I see they are available at Barnes & Noble (odd, right? this is a candle).  I suppose that's good for Ana Bree's shop, as short of ordering from B&N (and many scents are sold out), one must travel to the gorgeously outfitted store to sample the scents and pick one for a special treat.

Luum Gift Candles are inspired by the fragrances of legendary gardens. The beautiful, richly scented candle is sure to bring the charm of exotic climes to your home. They are housed in a substantial frosted-glass holder, and as mentioned above, the candle comes in a handsome box with a fold-down front, beautifully illustrated print paper wrapping the inside of the box, and ribbon tied making it perfect for gift giving.
  • Ingredients: palm wax, vegetable wax, paraffin wax, and microwax, 100% cotton wick
  • Candle dimensions: 3" high X 3.5" diameter
  • For safety, keep wick trimmed to 1/4"; avoid placing candle in drafts
  • Imported
 
The scents I discovered at Ana Bree's are Angel Trumpet (my favorite of all for sure), Lemon Grass (my second favorite and close to the top), Lavender, Frangipani, Jasmine, and there was one other with a blend of amber but the name escapes me at the moment.  They retail for approximately $40 each. Ana Bree's Home Decor and Gifts is located in Mandeville, LA at 1200 West Causeway Approach, (985) 624-3323. 
 
Search out these candles and please let me know please if you come across them anywhere else. xo

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Gilt Groupe: On Sale Now Divinely Delicate Decadence from DayNa Decker!



DayNa Decker brings couture to candles. The former model developed her line of gorgeously packaged, delicately fragranced products after studying the art of perfumery in Gras, France. Her candles, room sprays, body cleansers and moisturizers are both luxe and eco-friendly, and feature undertones ranging from woody to floral.

Decker seduces your senses with delicately scented, beautifully packaged options. Transform your space with these eco-friendly candles and diffusers, including the soothing Nigella (a blend of hyacinth, baby’s breath and sheer musk) and invigorating Rosa (a mix of mandarin, grapefruit, anise and sandalwood).

This is an exercise in exquisite delight so get thee to the sale before the sensual treasures meant for you are gone!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

HauteLook: Swoon-Worthy Sale on Rapturous D.L. & Co. Modern Alchemist Candles

D.L. & Company was born of the desire to bring the textures and fragrances of antique opulence, beauty, and alchemical transformation to the world of luxury products. Having long worked in the beauty industry, Mr. Douglas Little was astounded by the soulless, vapid, and pedestrian merchandise which was created and marketed to clients who both wanted and deserved more.

Leaving the professional world to immerse himself in the histories and traditions of the mysterious world of perfume, Mr. Little studied natural perfumery first with Aftelier, and later at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery. With technical studies behind him, Mr. Little sought to transform the mundane into the magnificent using his eccentric style and unique take on poisonous plants, atmospheric recreations, and the use of the rarest and most seductive natural essences.

Now known as one of the industry's most extraordinarily innovative and unusual brands, Mr. Douglas Little continues to inspire with his dark imagery, seductive fragrances, and seemingly endless inspirations drawn from art history, the ancient world, modern trends in fashion and art, and in particular his defining ethos; that true luxury affects all the senses, and that with true luxury, the individual is transported and transformed by it-- that is why he calls what he does "Modern Alchemy."

MODERN ALCHEMY
Alchemy is the ancient art of transformation. It is the endless pursuit of the alchemist to render the common uncommon. Modern Alchemy continues this tradition by offering a collection of exquisitely perfumed candles that change your environment from the ordinary to the sublime. Each perfume is blended from rare and exotic absolutes, concretes and essential oils imported from around the world.

Every candle is made from our proprietary blend of soy, maple and palm waxes, hand-poured into an elegant etched glass vessel.

ALCHEMY WAS THE MEDIEVAL PURSUIT TO TRANSFORM UN-PRECIOUS METALS INTO GOLD THROUGH A COMBINATION OF MAGIC AND SCIENCE. UTILIZING THE RAREST OF EXTRACTS, ESSENCES AND ABSOLUTES. WE ARE ABLE TO CREATE FRAGRANCES THAT CONJURE TIME AND PLACE, TRANSFORMING ENVIRONMENTS FROM THE MUNDANE TO THE SUBLIME.

Candles
Silver Thorn Apple Candle (DL Limited)Rotten Luck Dice with Swarovski CrystalsLe Pomme Rouge CandleArt Nouveau

D.L. & Co.'s sensuous candle creations, objects and curioisities, and packaging are to be appreciated for the art that they are!  These are among some of the most sought after and cherished candles and fragrances in the world.  Your opportunity to enjoy them at a bit less price comes on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 only via HauteLook.


Enjoy, my lovelies! xo

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Beautyhabit French Beauty Selections



Beautyhabit celebrates the season of vacations a la francais.

Celebrate summertime with these new Beautyhabit favorites and enjoy a fun sampler gift filled with chic, luxurious treasures all your own (details at bottom).

a. Des Filles a la Vanille Vanilla Girls Eau de Parfum $85 - fragranced with vanilla, orange and musc. The epitome of Parisian chic, des Filles a la Vanille has just introduced six new parfums, including Vanilla Girls, each carrying romantic names and tender messages. These fragrances are recognized for their special quality inspiring dreams of the South of France any beyond. I adore des Filles a la Vanille; their Toi ... Mon Ange EDT remains to this day one of my all-time favorite vanilla fragrances.

b. Crazylibellule and the Poppies Josephine Jonquille Solid Perfume $16 - a green floral Jasmine-Jonquil, sun-kissed with Tiaré flowers and sublimated with tangy Ginger coated in Dark Chocolate. Desirable in the extreme. The Garçonne masculine feel of ‘Joséphine Jonquille’ is expressed with Dark Chocolate. Fascinating and spirited… extremely desirable.

c. Paul & Joe Beaute Waterproof mascara in Black $24 - New! Keep lashes soft and supple with this waterproof formulation – Lashes look naturally beautiful without the stiff sensation often accompanied by waterproof mascara. Soft-curl polymers keep lashes feathery and light for a superior sultry blend. Quick-dry powder prevents clumping and allows for fast-drying beautiful lashes.

d. Diptyque Paris Santal Candle $60 - Reminiscent of India's spice markets. The exotic & earthy scent of sandalwood and its sacred woodsy notes.

e. Les parfums de Rosine Rose Praline $95 - Top notes of Cardamom, Italian bergamot and rose oil blend with heart notes of géranium, chocolate powder, rose absolue and Lapsang Souchong tea. Finishes on a base of amber, sandalwood, cacao and white musk.

f. Cinq Mondes Encens Aromatique Atlas, Morroco $32 - There are 5 Arômes et Couleurs associations that are based on the principle of the five elements of Chinese medicine. This incense brings together the power of essential oils and that of colors for a personalized sensation of well-being.To meet an energy need for Plenitude, Vitality and Strength Ingredients: Orange Blossom and Leaf Essential Oils.

g. Miss Ferling Kiss Me Sweet Mona Lip Balm $15 - Beat the wind, cold rain and sun with this glamorous pearly balm, a promise of sweet violet-scented kisses. With its retro look, delicious violet-scented aroma, lovely flowers and a hint of silver sparkles, this product sublimates the smile. Kiss me sweet Mona acts as an essential daily lip care. With its ultra natural formula which has the power to revitalize, soften and protect, it fights cracks, irritations and damaged lips.

h. Nuxe Touche Prodigieuse Complexion Multi-Perfecting Retouch Brush $30 - In one easy and precise step, Touche Prodigieuse acts simultaneously as a corrector that promises a flawless complexion, a radiance booster that illuminates the skin and a concealer that reduces dark circles and lights up the eyes.




Receive a seven-piece deluxe French beauty sampler filled with chic and luxurious product samples with your online Beautyhabit purchase of $50 or more. Offer expires 7/27/09.