My favorite spot to visit in New York City for perfume shopping



minnewyork.com.



New friends!

At the Andy Tauer meet and greet in NYC. The event was held at MIN NY in Soho Saturday March 17. Not only did I purchase AMOUAGE Honour, which was on my wish list to do, I met Brandon Greatheart, his mother (Mrs. Lia), and his adorable sister. Brandon and I share a mutual interest in fragrances. He came down from Westchester County to check out the event, meet the perfumer, and browse through MIN NY's collection of exclusive perfumes. Brandon's only 17!  Yes, he makes this 30 year old feel "old" but he's truly an impressive young man with a darling and supportive family. 

Spring/Summer Lip Color and Make-up w/NARS, MAC, and Bobbi Brown

Before heading to a social event with other fragrance enthusiast last Sunday, I conducted a mini make-up session. I am no make-up artist and I do not pretend to be one, but I do enjoy wearing it and creating my own trends. This time, I used multiple lipstick colors to create this ONE color. Crazy, I know! I traced my outer lip with NARS Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Pencil then I filled the remaining lip with NARS Heat Wave, MAC Impassioned (a little) and Lady Danger. The result was an orange/red color...more orange however. It's uniquely bold and may not be for everyone but I think it looks great! I'm even more excited to wear this color in the summer when my complexion turns slightly darker and has a natural sun kissed glow. This color will rock!!!  Now if you don’t see yourself applying multiple lipsticks at one time, you can try NARS Wonder lip gloss which is very similar to my lip. The finish is of a mandarin orange red but without the intensity of the lipsticks.

* I am wearing Bobbi Brown's Oil Control Moisturizer and Skin Foundation in Warm Almond 6.5. As a woman with semi-oily and dry skin, I needed a sheer foundation that balances my natural skin without leaving an oily build up mid day. I only applied one time for the day and did not have to re-apply which is cool. However, I do hydrate my skin with a tonic to keep a fresh look.  I tried samples of the foundation and moisturizer for a week prior to purchasing and was pleased with the finish. I'm not a make-up whore (kind of) but I do enjoy wearing it as long as it doesn't wear me.

My other suggestions for the Spring or Summer are: 

NARS Funny Face lipstick
MAC Girl about Town lipstick

NYC' trendy Beauty & Essex offers Good times and A Vintage Perfume Bottle Design....

After having dinner and the best Leche martinis to-date at Indochine in NYC last Friday, my friends and I decided to jump in a cab and head over to Beauty and Essex for a little extra fun. Indochine was cool but we wanted to hear music and as my friend said, "Be Fabulous." Beauty and Essex provided both! After passing through security, without hassle, we checked our coats and headed straight to the ladies room for a quick face check!  As I was standing in line to use the mirror, I noticed a complimentary Champagne stand and a lounge area... a very nice touch indeed and super cute! However, what really had me psyched were the vintage perfume bottles (replicas most likely) that adorned the mirror!!!!! I found myself totally excited about the design and the creativity. I took out my IPhone and begin taking these pictures while politely disregarding the women washing their hands, applying makeup, fixing their hair, drinking Champagne, and adjusting their clothes. I was transfixed on the idea behind the perfume bottles and appreciated it's integration not only in the ladies room but the overall vibe of the restaurant/lounge.  It worked!   Below are a few good ones. How cool?!?!?

 

Ile d'Amour Parfum ...bringing me back to the South of France





Me at the Fragonard House in Grasse, France


I woke up with the south of France on my mind and decided to wear  Fragonard's, lle d'amour. I don't know how to make the proper mark above using the computer, but in French it means Island of Love.  Whenever I wear this fragrance,  I'm reminded of my trip. I purchased this fragrance at the Fragonard House in Grasse. We spent the entire day there roaming the streets, museum and perfume houses.  After the day in Grasse, we went to dinner in old Nice. I decided to wear the fragrance. It mixed well with the air that evening  and even more beautifully as we walked along the ocean back to our hotel. Along the walk, we sat down to take in the landscape. The temperature was perfect, the breeze was perfect, and moment was perfect. Kelly was in her zone as was I. The music was provided by young teenagers on instruments, similar to those one would see playing in a NYC subway station.  It’s one of the most memorable nights of my life and I appreciate these quick moments of reflection that only a fragrance can provide. This bottle contains floral/musk notes and many others  I may not be able to identify or pronounce because I am not a trained nose, but more importantly it contains my memories. It’s cool to know, whenever I need  escape or when I want to be “taken back” I can seek out lle d’amour. It’s my keepsake. It’s “reminiscent” of a wonderful experience.