❧❦ 5 Things I'm Loving Right Now ❦❧

I never got around to filming an April Favorites video, but I just had to share some of my favorite things right now:

Balenciaga Pencil in Raisin - 2009

The perfect, compact little makeup bag that fits just the right amount of makeup.  Check out the latest versions at Balenciaga.

Betsey Johnson's It's My Pink nail color - Sephora by OPI  

It's a gorgeous, ripe, berry-pink that is scented with her Too Too fragrance. It lasted 4 days without chipping (no top coat). After wearing this for 5 days straight  I could still smell the fragrance!  

It is a limited edition, so be sure to pick one up now.  It's a Sephora exclusive.

Black 15in1 Miracle Hair Treatment 

The company claims it does all of the following: 

- adds shine

- softens and smoothes

- detangles

- prevents frizz and fly-aways

- moisturizes

- protects against humidity

- repairs dry

- damaged hair

- protects against heat styling

- enhances natural body

- seals and protects hair color

- protects from UV light

- strengthens hair

- adds volume

- soothes dry scalp

While I can't speak for all of the above (like the dry scalp claim), it has done pretty much everything else for me.  The real test was when I used the product on my newly colored hair and spent hours swimming in the ocean.  It really did protect my color.

It has now become a staple in my morning beauty routine, and even after several weeks of use find I have far less color fading than I've had in the past.  

Available here.

*Antipodes Deliverance Kowhai Flower Hand Cream

I love the soothing, silky, texture of this hand cream that contains avocado oil.  Non-greasy, instead it feels like you are feeding your skin.  It's on my desk at work, and I reach for it several times a day.  It's almost finished, and I'll have to replenish it soon.  It smells faintly of tonka beans and an orange scent that lingers.  A little goes a long way.  

Available at Hip Apotheca.

Chembur by Byredo 

This is a sophisticated, spicy unisex fragrance that reminds me of being in a room filled with carved wood panelling, covered in a rich patina that comes with age, where incense has been burning.  

It was inspired by the home town of founder Ben Gorham's mother in the outskirts of Mumbai, evoking memories of a Hindu temple. It is a pungent, haunting fragrance that leaves the skin scented with ginger, musk and lemon.

Available here.

Until next time,

- The Sassi Wench

*This hand cream was sent to me by Hip Apotheca for review. The honest opinions expressed are completely my own.  

Happy Valentine's Day! Kate Spade Twirl Review

Kate Spade Twirl

I was first introduced to Kate Spade's Twirl fragrance when I received my June 2011 Birchbox. 

Sweet, fruity, and almost effervescent, it reminded me of Yyes Saint Laurent timeless classic Yvresse (originally known as Champagne).  I love that fragrance, and I love Twirl.  I found that it was not as heavy as Yvresse, and certainly not as complex.  I decided to purchase a full size bottle.

Kate Spade Twirl

Twirl is packaged in a red and pink box. Inside, I found an adorable round bottle with gold dots!  Light glints off the gold and reflects prettily on surrounding surfaces.

Kate Spade Twirl

Although I have worn this in the office, the fragrance is one that I particularly enjoy wearing in the evenings, or when I am at a party.  This is partly because the fragrance does tend to wear off after a few hours, and partly because the scent does evoke rather more festive emotions. I can definitely detect the peachy notes in Twirl, along with currants and berries.

I absolutely love this fragrance for Valentine's Day. It makes me want to nibble on strawberries and sip champagne!

Kate Spade Twirl

Kate Spade Twirl

Kate Spade Twirl 

Notes:

Mandarin, Bergamot, Baies Rose, Pink Watermelon, White Peach, Red Currant, Blackberry, Star Jasmine, Magnolia, Orange Blossom, Tiare Flower, Sun-Kissed Skin Accord, French Macaron, Luminous Musk, Amber.

Twirl is available as a perfume, eau de toilette, body cream, shower gel and body lotion.You can purchase any of these from Macys ($35 - $80).  

Sephora has this scent as 0.25 oz roll on for $18.

- The Sassi Wench

Lancome Magnifique Eau de Toilette

Lancome Magnifique

As Summer is vanquished by Fall, I find myself drawn more to the woodsy, spicy scents on my vanity table.  Light fruity, sugary scents are my preference in Spring and Summer, but for the chilly days ahead I love indulging in heavier fragrances that would be too cloying and overbearing in warmer months.

Lancome Magnifique

I'm always looking to add to my fragrance/perfume collection, but I'm very selective when choosing them. 

Lancome Magnifique

A while ago I was at a mall and I discovered Magnifique by Lancome.  I find that Lancome tends to produce heavy, spicy, often sickly sweet strong scents (can you say "Miracle?") and I suppose Magnifique is no exception.  This is why I chose the Eau de Toilette instead of the actual perfume.

Lancome Magnifique

This lighter version is a floral infused with something elusive that is apparently Nagarmotâ Wood (whatever that is), saffron, amber and roses.  At the heart of it, it is a very warm, spicy, sophisticated scent.  I noticed that it lasts a very long time, but that's not too surprising considering the fact that this is a rather complex scent.

 Lancome Magnifique

In addition to the perfume and Eau de Toilette, Magnifique is available as a body lotion and a shower gel.


The Eau de Toilette comes in two sizes:


1 oz. is $39.50
1.7 oz. is $49.50


You can purchase Magnifique directly  from Lancome, or check on availability at a department store near you.


- The Sassi Wench

Subscriber Giveaway - Sassi's Favorite Things in 2011 (CLOSED - INTERNATIONAL)

As a big "thank you" to my YouTube Subscribers, I am holding an International Subscriber Giveaway!  These are a few of my favorite things from 2011, and they include a designer handbag, makeup, fragrance and a jewelry holder.  Everything is brand new and I bought the items exclusively for this giveaway.

RULES!

1. Be a Subscriber to my YouTube Channel. Click here: The Sassi Wench.

2. "Thumbs up" and "Favorite" the video.

3. Follow me on Twitter here: The Sassi Wench on Twitter

4. Then, you can enter once per day (i.e. once every 24 hrs) for each day the Giveaway is open.
5. For your first entry, please write what your favorite kind YouTube video is - for example: 

   What's in My Purse? or Makeup Organization and Storage, etc. After that, just write anything as your entry except "Enter Me" because otherwise YouTube may take down the video.

6. The Subscriber Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere in the world!
7. If you are under 18, please get your parents permission to enter this Giveaway.
8. Winner will be chosen on December 27, 2011, using www.random.org, and I will check to make sure that the winning entry has complied with the rules.

9. After I contact the winner, they will have 5 days to respond with their shipping address.  If they don't respond, I will draw another name.

10. Please do not email me to ask me who the winner is.  I will post a video of the drawing on YouTube, so check your subscription box after December 27th.


Give-Away includes:

• Rebecca Minkoff Cherish Tote in Gold leather

• MAC Tartan Tale Swinging Violets Mineralize Set which includes:

1. Earthly Riches Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo
2. Paint Pot in Bare Study
3. Zoom Lash Mascara in Black
4. Icescape Lipglass

• Pirates of the Caribbean OPI Mini Nail Polish Collection which includes:

1. Skull and Glossbones
2. Planks a Lot
3. Sparrow Me the Drama
4. Stranger Tides

• MAC Quiet Please Lipstick

• Dolce and Gabbana 18 La Lune 20ml(.67 oz.)

• EOS Lip balm in Strawberry

• Ring Holder by artist Kristina Chadwick 

Rebecca Minkoff Cherish Tote Front

Rebecca Minkoff Cherish Tote Back

Inside the Rebecca Minkoff Cherish Tote

MAC Giveaway

MAC Tartan Tale Swinging Violets Mineralize Set

MAC Earthly Riches Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study

MAC Zoom Lash Mascara in Black and MAC Icescape  Lipglass

MAC Quiet Please Lipstick

Pirates of the Caribbean OPI Mini Nail Polish Collection

Dolce and Gabbana 18 La Lune

Ring Holder by artist Kristina Chadwick

For more information on designer Kristina Chadwick and ordering her custom ring holders and other handmade jewelry and ceramics.  She also does bulk orders, and makes custom pottery.   Click here:

Kristina is offering a coupon code of 10% off! Use code "Sassi"

Kristina's Handmade Ceramics and Jewelry

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench


All of the items included in this Giveaway were purchased by me.  This is not a sponsored video/giveaway, and I am not affiliated with the companies who produce these products in any way. 


Until next time, 

The Sassi Wench!

My New Fragrances... How to get FREE Dolce and Gabbana Perfume

I decided to purchase some new perfume to complete my collection.  At this point in time, I really have a small but select perfume collection that I happy with.  But never say "never", because next week I may discover something new and then... there I go buying perfume again!

My latest new fragrances, including Gucci and D&G.

I enjoy wearing different perfume each day, just as I have a habit of wearing different earrings each day.  So long as I have earrings in my ears, and perfume on, I feel 'finished'.

Dolce and Gabbana Favorites - 3 L'imperatrice and 18 La Lune.

D&G have a spectacular unisex coffret of fragrances, the names of which are inspired by tarot cards!  The interesting thing about these fragrances, is that you can mix some of them, to wear at the same time.  This is rare in the fragrance world.  If you purchase the coffret at Sephora.com, it comes with an even better surprise... a free, single, full size version of your choice!  See details below.

Sephora's D&G Coffret and Gucci Guilty.

The only drawback I find is that the light, fresh scent of these fragrances often don't last all day, and you may want to reapply them in the late afternoon, or early evening.

Gucci Guilty

My other latest additions:

Gucci - Guilty

I first discovered Guilty in Bloomingdales in NYC last year.  What took me so long?

Notes:
Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Peach, Lilac, Geranium, Amber, Patchouli.

Aquolina Pink Sugar Rollerball

Aquolina - Pink Sugar Rollerball


Purchased to carry around in my purse, the Rollerballs from Sephora are the epitome of convenience.
Notes:
Bergamot, Sicilian Orange, Raspberry, Fig Leaves, Lily of the Valley, Licorice, Strawberry, Red Fruit, Cotton Candy, Vanilla, Caramel, Musk, Wood, Powder

D&G - Coffret featuring:
- 1 Le Bateleur 
- 3 L'Imperatrice: Confident. Successful. Charismatic. 
- 6 L'Amoureux: Romantic. Desirable. Sensual. 
- 10 La Roue de La Fortune: Adventurous. Creative. Experimental. 
- 18 La Lune: Mysterious. Hypnotizing. Delicate.

To get a full size D&G perfume for free, buy the Coffret for $65 at www.sephora.com.

Sample the fragrances and choose your favorite.
- Fill in the enclosed coupon.
- Take the coupon into a Sephora store and redeem it for a fragrance.


My choice - D&G 18 La Lune!


UPDATE! ******As of June 24th, 2011 this Limited Edition set has sold out at Sephora.com!!

Dolce and Gabbana 18 La Lune

Click here for a link to my YouTube Channel: The Sassi Wench

Until next time, 

The Sassi Wench!

What I'm wearing today...3 L'Imperatrice

3 L'Imperatrice

18 La Lune

I'm in love with the unisex Dolce & Gabbana scents L'Imperatrice and La Lune...

3 L'Imperatrice

Rhubarb, kiwi accord, and red currant; a heart of pink cyclamen, watermelon, and jasmine; and a base of musk, sandalwood, and grapefruit wood.

18 La Lune

Apple, bergamot, and lily; a heart of rose and tuberose; and a base of orris, leather, sandalwood, and musk.


- The Sassi Wench