Romy Raves

I am a huge fan of Jo Malone products and their 2009 holiday offerings did not disappoint. This season, I think they have created many beautiful, high quality items that are worth the splurge because these are statement making gifts. A couple of my favorites are:

Pomegranate Noir Deluxe Candle ($130 US)

This is one of those heavy, substantive candles that looks beautiful and classy, lasts a long time and makes your house smell like the holidays. The pomegranate noir scent combines the sweet fruity notes of raspberry, plum, pink pepper and pomegranate with patchouli, frankincense and spicy woods. I would describe the scent as fresh and slightly fruity with an earthy spicy quality. This is definitely a spendy candle but the quality and longevity make it worth it.

Lime Basil & Mandarin Fragrance Chronicle ($95 US)

This is a precious boxed set of Jo Malone fragrances designed for you to play and combine your preferred fragrance combinations. Basically, you start with the Jo Malone classic fragrance Lime Basil & Mandarin and then you combine it with one of three accompanying fragrances (Mandarin, Sweet Basil or Amberwood) that are designed enhance the top, heart and base notes of this signature cologne. This is a fun, creative concept and what I like the most is that you get at least four different fragrances for the price of one. My favorite combo is Lime Basil & Mandarin with the Mandarin Cologne. It’s fresh and clean with subtle citrus notes.

As I have previously mentioned, I have a strong sense of smell and am always on the hunt for unique and inspiring fragrances that shape my mood and experiences. I am definitely not a floral girl; I don’t like overly sweet cloying scents nor do I like to smell like everyone else in the room; I tend to like fresh, citrus, clean, sexy, woodsy, musk based scents–I want to stand out in a crowd and I want to wear fragrances that people stop me and say, “You smell so good, what are you wearing?”

Well, I think I have found my new favorite duo of layering fragrances that pass my fincky olfactory tastes: Lotus Blossom & Water Lily Cologne and Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Cologne by Jo Malone. These two fragrances comprise Jo Malone’s Limited Edition Kohdo Wood Collection because they are a modern interpretation of Kohdo, the ancient Japanese art of incense appreciation. I am loving these fragrances worn either individually or together because they are sultry, clean, smoky, moody and calming all at the same time. The incense notes make it a very unique and distinctive duo of fragrances that certainly stand out in a crowd.

Lotus Blossom & Water Lily Cologne

This is the lighter, brighter, day time incarnation of this duo. It contains a blend of mandarin, sacred lotus blossom, bamboo and aloeswood which are supposed to inspire confidence and focus the mind (gotta love that!) I find this cologne fresh and clean, yet at the same time complex and sultry. I think the citrus top notes and musk base notes are creating the dichotomy, and I am really enjoying this refreshing sensory experience.

Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Cologne

This is the smokier, spicier, sexier nocturnal fragrance of the two. This cologne reminds me more of burning incense and puts me in more of a sensual meditative mood—it’s a perfect date night scent. It contains a combination of cardamom, orchid, and kyara wood which are supposed to cleanse the senses and encourage relaxation. I find this fragrance more moody, lusty and earthy, like something I would wear in a smoky nightclub.

I love the way it blends with the Lotus Blossom fragrance–it anchors it and grounds it. Together this duo offers a moody complexity and an unusual combination fresh and smoky, light and dark, day and night. The contrast of these fragrance notes are perfectly suited to my ‘winter state of mind’.  And Kudos to the ‘noses’ at Jo Malone, what a memorable and distinctive pairing of complimentary fragrances you have created!

If you want to sample either of these inpsired Jo Malone fragrances, you can find Lotus Blossom HERE and Dark Amber HERE. And please post and tell me if you like this duo, or if you have another favorite Jo Malone combination you would like to share.

One of my ongoing beauty misssions is a relentless quest for moist, supple lips. Why you ask? Three reasons:

1) I HATE the feeling of dry lips—tight, flaky and yucky

2) Dry lips make you look and feel old and dried up

3) And last but not least, plump, hydrated, wet, pouty lips are sexy as hell and kissalicious!

With that said, I can now reveal (‘In No Particular Order’ for you DWTS fans), my absolute Favorite Lip Quenchers for Summer 2009:

Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment with SPF 15 by Fresh

This is the latest creation by those creative geniuses at Fresh, which is an enhanced upgrade of the cult fav Sugar Lip Treatment. It has the same nourishing oils, hydrating butters and a yummy bright citrus and sugar flavor, but this new version also has a delightful sublte rose tint that makes your lips look flushed and just bitten. I love the way this product feels going on my lips because it has the right amount of hydration and I love the lemon and sugar flavor. But I think I love this new and improved version even more, because of the pretty pink aluminum packaging and the addition of a reddish pink tint–it feels like a very girly lip treat!

Vitamin E Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 by Jo Malone

I recently discovered this lovely lip conditioner packed with vitamin E and liked it instantly. I found it nicely moisturizing, healing because of the vitamin E, and slightly cooling with a hint of menthol. I really like the light texture and weight of this product and it has just the right amount of gloss. And I always like a hint of flavor in my gloss, and the minty quality in this lip conditioner is perfect and refreshing.

Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector with SPF 15 by Murad

This is a yummy, juicy, perfectly shiny fruit flavored gloss with a hint of pink. It is both exfoliating and conditioning and I love how it makes my lips both supple and glossy. This feels like the perfect spring or summer gloss to me!

Lip Service Anti-Aging Lip Balm with SPF 50 by HissyFit

I have been raving about this brilliant new fav all summer (I love the playful diva-like ‘tude of this burgeoning company.) This lip balm is wonderfully hydrating, anti-aging, and has a nice lip plumpimg effect. But the best thing about it is that it has a major SPF of 50, so you can look good and feel good about its level of protection at the same time.

The Lip Balm by La Mer

This is one of my newest discoveries, which I am especially loving as a renewing night time treatment that totally gets rid of my dry flaky over-exposed summer time lips. I love the hint of mint and it feels luxurious, calming, and soothing all at the same time. This beautifully made balm has the same nutrient-rich broth that is found in La Mer’s cult favorite Creme de la Mer, along with a patented lipid complex and a unique mineral complex, which all work together to moisturize and protect your lips.

Kiss Mix by Eve Lom

This is the most medicinal, mentholly product in the bunch, but I love it! It’s a bit tackier than most, its wonderfully tingly, refreshing and feels like it is really healing my lips. It also contains zinc oxide which acts as a natural sunscreen. This is the type of product I would turn to in the winter months, when my lips are sore and dry and need lots of TLC and healing.

Renewal Lip Complex by Dermalogica

This is the most unique lip product in this group because it has THE best and most innovative packagaing and delivery system–you twist the barrel and it pushes out a rich, emollient, nourshing balm through seven little holes and onto your lips. This inspired dispenser drenches my lips with a luscious, moist anti-aging lip balm-type-serum that I just love, and it truly feels more like an anti-aging treatment rather than just a lip balm.

Aromessence Baume Levres Lip Balm by Decleor Paris

This is my favorite bedside fix because I love the calming aromatherapy smell and bits of herbs in the balm, it makes me feel relaxed and sleepy. It is very emollient and hydrating, and my lips instantly feel coated in lovely nuturing natural herbs. This night time treat feels so good going on and it really shifts my mood.

What have I missed? Please post your favorite lip treat, I am always interested in getting tips from other beauty mavens.