November 2018 - fragroom

November 29, 2018November 30, 2018

5 Fragrance News Snippets: Dior J’Adore Absolu Takes A Dip, Sexiest Fragrances for Men and Women, Interparfum’s Good Times, Huda Kattan’s New Fragrance Range, Dollar Club’s Glide Into Fragrance

Following the good response I’ve received for the first edition of Fragrance New Snippets, here’s the second edition. If you come across anything news-worthy for Fragrance News Snippets, please forward to me for consideration (rpgoller@gmail.com).

DIOR TAKES A DIP FOR J’ADORE ABSOLU

Although this is over a month old, it’s too big to ignore for Fragrance News Snippets. I’m talking about Dior’s mega-production directed by Romain Gavras for J’Adore Absolu EDP, after weeks of social media, um, teasers. This commercial, apologies, film, features Charlize Theron in a will-she-won’t-she-expose-her-breasts shoot in an indulgent Turkish bath-style setting. I haven’t tried the fragrance yet. But I’m not complaining about watching the actress in beyond-gorgeous mode. Have you seen it yet? What do you think of it? Here’s the link in case you haven’t seen it: here.

WHO’S A SEXY FRAGRANCE, THEN?

Product review site Faveable has revealed its list of sexiest fragrances for men and women. The men’s list includes: 1) Christian Dior Sauvage EDP; 2) Versace Eros; 3) YSL La Nuit de l’Homme; 4) YSL Y EDT and 5) Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Absolu EDP. The women’s list also features a mix of commercial newbies and modern classics: 1) YSL Black Opium; 2) Chanel Chance Eau Tendre EDT 3) Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb; 4) Marc Jacobs Daisy; and 5) Chanel Coco Mademoiselle.

Original source for more info: here.

INTERPARFUMS ON A ROLL

It’s been a good third-quarter for French fragrance design and distribution group Interparfums, following the success of the Coach and Jimmy Choo licences. The company forecasts an equally impressive 2019 with a multitude of fragrance launches. These include Montblanc Explorer (for men), a new Jimmy Choo fragrance for men, Lanvin Girl in Capri and Coach Floral Blush. Limited-edition fragrances from Rochas, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, ST Dupont, Repetto and Paul Smith will also be launched. Flankers on the line-up include one or more for Oscar de la Renta Bella Blanca, Anna Sui Fantasia, Dunhill Century and Hollister Wave and Festival Vibes. In addition, there will be new collections from Graff, Dunhill and model Lily Aldridge. Phew, busy times, indeed!

Original sources for more info: here and here.

Fragrance News Snippets - Interparfums - Jimmy Choo Fever EDP

BUSY LAUNCH SCHEDULE: 2019 is going to be another big year for Interparfums. Read Fragrance News Snippets for essential updates.

HUDA KATTAN’S KAYALI FRAGRANCE LAUNCH

Blogger and entrepreneur Huda Kattan has made her fortune from the cosmetics range Huda Beauty and as an Instagram influencer. It was just a matter of time before she ventured into fragrance. And now her many followers are looking forward to buying her just-launched Kayali fragrance range. Inspired by her Middle Eastern heritage, it consists of four fragrances: Elixir 11, Vanilla 28, Citrus 08 and Musk 12. “Kayali” is the Arabic word for “my imagination”.

Original source for more info: here.

DOLLAR SHAVE GLIDES INTO FRAGRANCE

So you’ve made a huge impact with your online shaving subscription service and Unilver has bought you for a cool billion dollars. What’s next for Dollar Shave? Fragrance, of course. The Blueprint Collection features two fragrance collections, Fresh and Warm, each consisting of three fragrances created by Ann Gottlieb (Elizabeth Arden 5^th Avenue EDP, Marc Jacobs Bang EDT, Carolina Herrera 212 Men EDT). These include: Sea Spray & Melon, Citrusy Bergamot & Lavender, Lemon, Moss & Amber and Cedar & Spicy Cardamon, Cacao, Vanilla & Suede and Sandalwood & Vetiver.

Original source for more info: here.

November 27, 2018November 28, 2018

3 Best Face Masks For Men: L’Oréal Pure Clay Blemish Rescue Mask, Freeman Pore Clearing Peel-Off Mask With Volcanic Ash For Men, Mineraline Purify Dead Sea Mud Peel-Off Mask

The last time I blogged about face masks for men (read here), I mentioned the numerous benefits of using a face mask. I also wrote about how for every skin concern you might have, there’s a mask just waiting to be applied to your face.

Fortunately, men don’t need to be beaten with a stick any more to use a face mask. Thanks to Instagram, if anything, they now have to be reminded to wash the thing off. Show time over!

“Thanks to Instagram, men now have to be reminded to wash the thing off. Show time over!”

I’ve been using the following three face masks for men with good results.

L’Oréal Pure Clay Blemish Rescue Mask

Even in my late 40s, I still have to deal with pesky blemishes. That is, the odd pimple and lots of blackheads caused by clogged pores. So this recent addition to the L’Oréal Pure Clay Masks line-up had my name written all over it. All the masks feature a trio of pure clays (kaolin, montmorillonite and ghassoul). These absorb excess sebum, eliminate imperfections and clarify the complexion, respectively. Although officially for women, I reckon they are great face masks for men.

MEN TOO: Although officially for women, L’Oréal Pure Clay Masks are great masks for men.

Featuring blemish-fighting marine algae, L’Oréal Pure Clay Blemish Rescue Mask gets the big thumbs up from me for being easy to remove/apply and how it gently clears the skin. I enjoyed the fact that I had less problems with black heads after using this product. And the blue cream looks great on the face, if Instagram is your thing.

R127 for 50ml.

Freeman Pore Clearing Peel-Off Mask With Volcanic Ash For Men

If you prefer to clear your pores with a peel-off mask, this gel product is for you. Volcanic ash and activated charcoal have become very trendy in recent years (this product contains both).

“Adsorption acts like a magnet for dirt, oil and other impurities.”

Dr Sejal Shah, founder of Smarter Skin Dermatology in New York City, explained to Reader’s Digest how it works: “It works through a mechanism called adsorption, similar to bentonite clay and charcoal. Adsorption is basically an electrical attraction that causes substances to stick together. So it acts like a magnet for dirt, oil and other impurities. It also exfoliates the skin.”

As with all peel-off masks, there’s a lot of fun to be had peeling this gentle, but deep-cleansing mask from your face. Call yourself a five-star pro if you can do it all in one piece. And no, I could not establish which volcano specifically the ash used in this product comes from.

R29.95 for 15ml and R99.95 for 175ml, Dis-Chem stores nationwide.

Mineraline Purify Dead Sea Mud Peel-Off Mask

Want cleaner, firmer, more radiant skin? Yes, yes, yes please. Dead Sea mud is renowned for purifying pores, hydrating and exfoliating skin, and reducing fine lines, among others, due to its rich mineral content. All Mineraline (an Israeli brand) products are made from this mud.

I’ve tried Mineraline products before. You can read my reviews of their Purify Gentle Foaming Face Cleanser, Hydrate Super Hydrating Day Cream and Time It! Serum here. So I was looking forward to trying this product. I’m glad I did, because it gave my skin voomah each time I used it. The aloe vera and allantoin also helped soothe my skin. It’s easy to apply/remove, but like all peel-off masks works best on a clean-shaven face. It’s also very reasonably priced.

R95.00 for 100ml, Dis-Chem stores nationwide.

November 24, 2018November 27, 2018

3 Sophisticated Men’s Fragrances To Sniff Out (Pronto!): Acqua di Parma Colonia EDT, Milano Cento Him EDT, Dunhill Century EDP

Since my conversion to opening up all possibilities by regularly trying female fragrances, I haven’t done as many male-specific fragrance posts. So I am going to compensate for that by focusing on three sophisticated men’s fragrances in this post. These are: Acqua di Parma Colonia EDT (unisex, in fact), Milano Cento EDT and Dunhill Century EDP. Not that women can’t enjoy these sophisticated men’s fragrances on themselves, mind you.

By “sophisticated fragrances”, I mean scents that have a certain refined elegance. Which is not to be confused with stuffy. They don’t have to try hard to make their wearer feel special. They make an unmistakable style statement, even when it’s a Sunday-in-pajamas kind of day. All three of these fragrances are unique in their own way. But they all share a common citrus theme.

Acqua di Parma Colonia EDT

Classico! One of the biggest names in the niche fragrance industry, Acqua di Parma’s fragrance line was launched in 1916 with this remarkable scent. Over 100 years later, it’s still one of the best sophisticated men’s fragrances on the market. And for good reason. A lot of that has to do with the way this cologne conjures up all sorts of images of the good life, Italian style. (I’m having an extended Amalfi Coast road-trip, as I write this.)

Acqua di Colonia begins with a deliciously sharp-ish flourish of Sicilian citrus notes (lemon, sweet orange, Calabrian bergamot). It’s one of the most distinctive cologne openings around that’s impossible to resist. The heart goes into more herbal territory with lavender, verbena and rosemary notes. I don’t pick up the listed Bulgarian rose note. This eventually gives way to a base of subtle, yet uplifting vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli.

Did you know?

Carlo Magnani founded the company. He used to spray a handkerchief with Colonia and then slip it into his pocket. If that’s not supremely stylish, I don’t know what is.
The bottle is inspired by the clean, geometric lines of Art Deco. It was introduced in 1930.
Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn and Ava Gardner are just some of the stars who were seduced by its Italian chic.
All labels on all the bottles and packaging are applied by hand.
Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy bought the company in 2001.

100ml for R2 075.

Milano Cento Him EDT

Big in the 80s as a sophisticated men’s fragrance and now back on the market after a long absence. To celebrate, Milano Cento founder’s Dean Tatum’s 50^th birthday, his wife and son organised a nostalgic present for him in the form of Milano Cento’s big-seller. This gift idea soon morphed into the relaunch of the business as a niche brand. The bottle design and logo have been tweaked and there are also additional products.

Milano Cento EDT has a reassuringly masculine, Italian barbershop vibe to it. It opens with a fresh splash, courtesy of citrus, bergamot and petitgrain notes. While it’s hard to resist that intro, in the background of this fougère, there’s a developing herbal ensemble in the form of rosemary, lavender and basil notes. Sandalwood, patchouli, clove, cinnamon and amber notes round off the appeal. Smooth, musky and spicy.

£29.50 for 50ml and £49.50 for 100ml, enquiries@milanocento.com.

Dunhill Century EDP (Carlos Benaïm)

Officially inspired by the notion of looking forward to a new century, Dunhill’s new pillar fragrance is actually retro-ish in smell. Carlos Benaim has created numerous stand-out fragrances over the years. These include Antonio Puig Quorum EDT, Calvin Klein Euphoria Men EDT, Elizabeth Arden Red Door EDT, Frederic Malle Music For A While EDT and Dunhill Icon EDT. So my expectations of his new creation were high.

I’m not disappointed, although a lot of other online reviewers may differ. I’m immediately hooked by the slightly sweet treatment of the opening bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit notes. This hint of sweetness continues through to the heart of the fragrance, where neroli, olibanum and cardamom notes announce their presence. The sweetness tapers slightly, as the base notes of sandalwood and musk bring a touch of warmth. Please note: The sweetness that’s present throughout this fragrance is the subtle kind. Relief for lovers of sophisticated men’s fragrances!

R1 495 for 135ml.

November 20, 2018November 21, 2018

Narciso Rodriguez Rouge EDP: The Perfumer’s Perspective (Sonia Constant)

Givaudan’s Sonia Constant has created stand-out fragrances for Narciso Rodriguez since 2015. Her most recent fragrance for the brand, Narciso Rodriguez Rouge EDP, is an uber-seductive take on the original Narciso. It features big notes of Bulgarian rose, iris, musk and tuberose. The theme of seduction is carried through to the base, where vanilla and tonka bean add to the sensual warmth.

Narciso Rodriguez Rouge EDP - Sonia Constant

SMELLS GOOD: Sonia Constant at work. Images of Sonia and Nadege: Supplied.

In this interview, Sonia Constant answers questions on how she and fellow nose Nadège le Garlantezec created Narciso Rodriguez Rouge EDP.

With your previous history with Narciso Rodriguez (Fleur Musc, Santal Musc, Bleu Noir), were you the automatic choice to create Narciso Rodriguez Rouge EDP? Or did you have to pitch for it?

Absolutely not. Even if I sign many Narciso Rodriguezes, we are always in competition to create the next perfume! So I had to pitch for it.

What was the brief for this fragrance?

The brief was the colour red – a blazing red. We had to reinterpret this colour. Also words like “temptation”, “provocation”, “seduction”, “magnetism” and “passion” were part of the brief. The fragrance had to become a more seductive variant of the original Narciso.

Narciso Rodriguez Rouge EDP - Nadege le Garlantezec

CO-CREATOR: Nadege le Garlantezec created the fragrance with Sonia Constant.

“We wanted to create a vibrant, elegant, carnal and sensual femininity.”

What did you have in mind when you first started creating it? And how did you achieve that?

We wanted to create a vibrant, elegant, carnal and sensual femininity. We were thinking of a Baccarat rose, with some pink peppercorn on top. The ardent sensuality was to be revealed with an accord of sandalwood, cedar wood, tolu balm and myrrh. We also had in mind some tones of red sequoia and, of course, musks and tonka beans.

Musk is a staple of Narciso Rodriguez fragrances. How did you treat it for this EDP?

Yes, musk is at the heart of every Narciso Rodriguez fragrance, but we had to adapt it with the rest of the formula.

Where did you find inspiration for this fragrance?

Nadège and I were really thinking about creating a fragrance able to initiate passion, something warm, but fluffy. Sensual, but in the Narciso Rodriguez style.

Were there any challenges you had to overcome while creating this fragrance?

Yes, actually the red colour was not so easy to translate, because Mr Rodriguez doesn’t like fruit or gourmand fragrances. So at the beginning we started with some cherry facet, but had to finally remove it. Also, Narciso Rodriguez fragrances don’t follow trends, so it was always more difficult to be a trendsetter.

“The red colour was not so easy to translate, because Mr Rodriguez doesn’t like fruit or gourmand fragrances.”

How long did it take you to create this fragrance?

We worked almost a year on it.

There are lots of Narciso Rouge reviews online. Do you ever read reviews of your creations?

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to read all the reviews on all my creations, but the few I read seem good, I think.

Are you working on any other Narciso Rodriguez fragrances?

I really love the brand and embrace it, so yes I am always working on a new Narciso Rodriguez fragrance. I can only say that it is much more than one project!

November 14, 2018November 14, 2018

Celebrity Fragrances: Of Perfumes, Preferences & Prejudices

Celebrity fragrances ain’t what they used to be. The category has been in steady decline for several years. According to Women’s Marketing, sales of celebrity scents in the US crashed from $150 million in 2011 to just over $50 million in 2014. In the UK, according to Cosmetics Business, sales of celebrity fragrances plummeted 22% from £56.5m in 2015 to £44.2m in 2016. Despite the grim figures, the business model for this sector is quick-in, quick-out. So new scents are still being launched.

Would you wear celebrity fragrances? Such a simple questions can provoke a flurry of reactions ranging from the downright “Never, too common!” and “Yeuch, too tacky!”, to the more measured, “Yes, great value for money” and, “Of course, they are sometimes created by top perfumers”.

Speaking for myself, I know that my decision to wear a particular celeb’s fragrance was sometimes partly based on my pre-existing ideas about that star. Do I like him/her based on interviews I had seen/read and their contributions to popular culture? So Kim Kardashian would have got a big fat “No!” from me.

Celebrity Fragrances - Adam Levine For Him EDT

THE VOICE OF REASON: But do I like you, Adam?

So I decided to put my prejudices and preferences to the test by wearing several celebrity fragrances created for a variety of stars. The results were, to say the least, revealing.

Where known, the name of the perfumer is listed in brackets after the name of the fragrance. Interestingly, quite of a few of these celebrity fragrances don’t have a listed perfumer. Perhaps to create the illusion that the celeb concerned created it?

“Do I like him/her based on interviews I had seen/read and their contributions to popular culture?”

Adam Levine For Him EDT (Yann Vasnier)

What I was expecting from the rock musician: A middle-of-the-road scent featuring an inoffensive rock ‘n roll sensibility, with hints of darn-I’m-so-sexy smugness.

What I got: A huge (and surprising blast) of guava from start to finish that completely dominates all of the other listed notes. This is classic love-it-or-hate-it-stuff that stays put for hours. Depending on your reaction, this is a very good or very bad thing.

R495 for 30ml and R695 for 50ml.

Britney Spears VIP Private Show

What I was expecting from the seen-it-all pop star: Kinda sweet, kinda trashy (in a good way), kinda fun, kinda young.
What I got: With all that initial sweetness, the equivalent of an olfactory filling, courtesy of blood orange, mango nectar and red apple notes. However, the pleasant dry-down of raspberry wood, golden amber and velvet musk brought me to my senses. I have to admit I even found myself thinking, “What’s that nice smell”, after the initial onslaught had thankfully subsided.

R585.00 for 50ml.

Gold Jay Z (Illias Ermenidis)

What I was expecting from the hip-hop mogul: Bling-meets-street cred, loud and proud.
What I got: An unexpectedly sophisticated, albeit sweet, scent that features a very agreeable pink pepper note front and centre. Other discernible notes in the eclectic mix include: blueberry, violet leaf, vanilla, cardamom, lavender and grapefruit. It’s good to be wrong (sometimes).

R620 for 90ml.

Pitbull Man EDT

What I was expecting from the Latino hit machine (or, more accurately, what I was hoping for): A hot number infused with the passions and rhythms of Cuban Miami.
What I got: A fairly standard woody-aromatic vibe, with notes of woods, cardamom, sage, violet and tonka, lending a familiar-ish (and strangely bitter) vibe. Sorry, Armando Christian Perez, a lost opportunity. Congrats, though, on the solid and slick bottle design.

R620 for 100ml.

Nude by Rihanna EDP

What I was expecting from the R&B superstar: Something provocative, sexy, perhaps even raunchy.
What I got: Featuring notes of guava, pear, gardenia, sambac jasmine and orange blossom, it’s a pretty fruity-floral that’s very much in tune with current trends. If Fenty wanted to show her softer, sweeter side, this is a case of mission accomplished. It’s a quick fader, though, which is not something I would associate with the Bajan.

R620 for 100ml.

Antonio Banderas Power of Seduction EDT

What I was expecting from the seductor Spaniard actor: I’d – shameless self-promotion alert – interviewed the man before (read here) and was familiar with several of his fragrances. So I had a head-start compared to the other celeb fragrances I’ve covered in this post. I won’t go into that here.
What I got: He’s been in the biz of seduction for 20 years and is one of Puig’s big money-spinners. So Banderas knows what will have commercial and relatively enduring appeal. Power of Seduction, his latest fragrance, opens with a fresh ’n fruity blast of bergamot and apple notes. It then morphs into an aromatic focus, with notes of lavender and sage. There’s also a big patchouli note lurking in here. While this typically masculine fragrance won’t be winning any awards for originality, it’s undeniably good quality at the price.

R505 for 50ml and R630 for 100ml.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA GLAM X EDP

What I was expecting from the American singer: Considering the name of this fragrance, it would have to be lashings of grown-up glamour.
What I got: The caramelised peach note opening doesn’t make for a very glam start. But things pick up when the floral aspect – freesia, lily of the valley, heliotrope and jasmine – slinks in. The base is all warm and cosy with notes of musk, amber and sandalwood. This is a nice-enough fragrance, but doesn’t push the glam-o-meter sufficiently to warrant its name.

236ml fine fragrance mist for R199, 30ml for R299 and 60ml for R429.

November 9, 2018

Les Eaux de Chanel Review: Paris-Biarritz EDT and Paris-Venise EDT

I’m normally very immune to hype (me a jaded journalist?), but I do make an exception for Chanel fragrance launches. Partly because the French luxury company is so darn good at hype. But more importantly, because Chanel continues to release fragrances that are worthy of our attention and wallets. I first started hearing the hype about Chanel’s new collection, Les Eaux de Chanel, about five months ago when it was launched internationally. And more recently that hype gathered momentum when it was released in South Africa.

To get straight to the point, I had to have it! I was thrilled when I received two of the three fragrances from the range, Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Biarritz and Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Venise. I haven’t smelled Paris-Deauville yet, so this review will focus on the other two.

Before I go into that specifically, here’s some essential info on this collection created by Olivier Polge. Chanel’s in-house perfumer took his initial inspiration from three destinations that featured prominently in Madamoiselle’s remarkable life: Biarritz, Venise and Deauville.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Chanel in-house perfumer Olivier Polge in the lab. Image courtesy of Chanel.

These are where Chanel launched her first collection in her shop; where she journeyed after the death of her beloved Boy Capel; and the Basque resort town where she opened another shop, respectively.

Les Eaux de Chanel - Chanel in Deauville

STYLE STORE: Chanel in front of her Deauville shop in 1913. Image courtesy of Chanel.

While these locations were the starting point for Polge, none of the fragrances are meant to be about these places per se. Instead, he wanted the EDTs to be all about the idea of travel and the possibilities that accompany it.

Les Eaux de Chanel - Coco Chanel in Venice

SUN GODDESS: Chanel at Villa Maatena, Venice, in 1924. Image courtesy of Chanel.

So what do Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Biarritz and Paris-Venise smell like?

LES EAUX DE CHANEL PARIS-BIARRITZ EDT

It opens with a superb citrus character (notes of grapefruit and mandarin). This is supported by an aquatic note, apparently – truth be told, I don’t pick that up. It doesn’t really matter, though, as the lily-of-the-valley accord puts any of my quibbles in their place pronto. What follows next is a seductive blend of vetiver and white musk notes. The overall effect is one of fresh crispness that sees me smelling my wrists longingly after applying it there.

R2 070 for 125ml.

LES EAUX DE CHANEL PARIS-VENISE EDT

Featuring a definite oriental vibe, iris features prominently in the fragrance’s top notes, with a hint of neroli. Glorious stuff! Notes of red berry and Grasse geranium add to the immediate appeal. Cedar, amber, vanilla and tonka notes are also present, but in a subtle manner. While this EDT may be classified as a luxurious oriental fragrance, it’s a gentle take on the genre, not a full-on affair. It’s beautiful from start to finish.

R2 070 for 125ml.

In conclusion, I highly recommend both of these unisex fragrances. Yes, they are fairly light on my skin, but such objects of fleeting beauty are worth every cent. Now, all I need to do is get a whiff of Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Deauville asap.

I’ve included some more archive pics of Chanel below. Hope they will fascinate you too!

Les Eaux de Chanel - Chanel in Biarritz in 1928

DRIVEN: Chanel in Biarritz in 1928. Image courtesy of Chanel.

FASHION REVOLUTION: Chanel and aunt Adrienne In front of the Chanel boutique, Deauville, in 1913. Image courtesy of Chanel.

November 2, 2018

Essential Skincare Products For A Healthy-Looking Glow: Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Replenishing HydraGel Complex, Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum, Dr Gobac Cosmeceuticals Cleanser, L’Oréal Pure Clay Bright Mask, Freeman Bare Foot Repairing Cracked Heel Foot Treatment

I haven’t blogged about essential skincare products for a while. However, I have a good excuse. I’ve been testing some very worthwhile products, which I will tell you about below.

Dr Gobac Cosmeceuticals Cleanser

I generally prefer washes or gels when it comes to cleaning le visage every morning and night, mainly for textural reasons. But I decided to give this cream cleanser a go, because I’ve heard good things about this South African brand. I’m glad I did, as it does a handsome job at cleaning the face, without stripping the life from it. Featuring anti-oxidant witch hazel and moisture-binding golden seaweed, it’s suitable for all skin types. R325 for 100ml, www.drgobac.com.

L’Oréal Pure Clay Bright Mask

I was introduced to this range last year (read here), so was very keen to try the latest additions to the L’Oréal Pure Clay Masks line-up. All the masks feature a trio of pure clays (kaolin, montmorillonite and ghassoul). These absorb excess sebum, eliminate imperfections and clarify the complexion, respectively. Featuring skin-evening yuzu lemon extract and natural exfoliators, L’Oréal Pure Clay Bright Mask is recommended for facial skin that needs a bit of lightening (yes, please!). It earns essential skincare points for being easy-peasy to apply/remove and the pretty noticeable results it produces. R127 for 50ml.

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Replenishing HydraGel Complex

My skin often needs intensive moisturising. So it was more than happy to be treated recently to a twice-daily dose of this gel product. It’s loaded with powerful ingredients, such as deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin-softening vitamin E and astringent tree mushroom extract. A big thumbs up to this essential skincare product for the way it’s easily absorbed and the cooling effect it has when applied to the skin. The refreshing smell is not too shabby either. R299 for 75ml.

Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum

Vitamin c has been shown to strengthen the skin’s natural defence systems against pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. But producing it in a form that can be easily delivered to and absorbed by the skin is another matter entirely. Fortunately, the smart researchers at Dermalogica have come up with a way to remedy this problem. Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum contains an ultra-stable form of vitamin C and other powerful ingredients. Together, these combat the above-mentioned problems and help the skin to protect itself. Some of these ingredients include: skin tone-evening ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, skin-firming palmitoyl tripeptide-5, dirt-removing lactic acid and antioxidant-rich chia seed oil. I used this product religiously twice-daily for over a month and was super-impressed by how healthy my skin looked. R1 495 for 30ml, www.dermalogica.co.za

Freeman Bare Foot Repairing Cracked Heel Foot Treatment

The reason I’ve included this foot-care product among various facial products is simple. While I’m fairly disciplined at taking care of le visage, my heels tend to be much neglected. I have a feeling I’m not the only one who behaves this way. The result? Unsightly and very sandal-unfriendly feet. So for the last few weeks I’ve been slathering on this product after giving my feet much-needed attention (read here for more tips). It contains anti-fungal neem oil and super-moisturising shea butter. The rosemary oil is great for circulation and combating unpleasant smells. R89.95 for 100ml, exclusive to Dis-Chem, www.dischem.co.za

DIOR TAKES A DIP FOR J’ADORE ABSOLU

WHO’S A SEXY FRAGRANCE, THEN?

INTERPARFUMS ON A ROLL

HUDA KATTAN’S KAYALI FRAGRANCE LAUNCH

DOLLAR SHAVE GLIDES INTO FRAGRANCE

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L’Oréal Pure Clay Blemish Rescue Mask

Freeman Pore Clearing Peel-Off Mask With Volcanic Ash For Men

Mineraline Purify Dead Sea Mud Peel-Off Mask

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Acqua di Parma Colonia EDT

Milano Cento Him EDT

Dunhill Century EDP (Carlos Benaïm)

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With your previous history with Narciso Rodriguez (Fleur Musc, Santal Musc, Bleu Noir), were you the automatic choice to create Narciso Rodriguez Rouge EDP? Or did you have to pitch for it?

What was the brief for this fragrance?

What did you have in mind when you first started creating it? And how did you achieve that?

Musk is a staple of Narciso Rodriguez fragrances. How did you treat it for this EDP?

Where did you find inspiration for this fragrance?

Were there any challenges you had to overcome while creating this fragrance?

How long did it take you to create this fragrance?

There are lots of Narciso Rouge reviews online. Do you ever read reviews of your creations?

Are you working on any other Narciso Rodriguez fragrances?

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Like this:

Adam Levine For Him EDT (Yann Vasnier)

Britney Spears VIP Private Show

Gold Jay Z (Illias Ermenidis)

Pitbull Man EDT

Nude by Rihanna EDP

Antonio Banderas Power of Seduction EDT

CHRISTINA AGUILERA GLAM X EDP

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LES EAUX DE CHANEL PARIS-BIARRITZ EDT

LES EAUX DE CHANEL PARIS-VENISE EDT

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Like this:

Dr Gobac Cosmeceuticals Cleanser

L’Oréal Pure Clay Bright Mask

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Replenishing HydraGel Complex

Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum

Freeman Bare Foot Repairing Cracked Heel Foot Treatment

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