ELLA K BEAUTY REVIEW

Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur Eau de Toilette Review

Voile de Fleur is a warm floral scent.  The fragrance begins with a sprinkling of black pepper.  The black pepper quickly fades to a warm balsamic note that acts as a backdrop for the rest of the composition.  Subtly opulent florals gently drape over the balsamic warmth.  The fragrance settles to a smooth base of balsam, soft woods and a touch of creamy vanilla.  Notes include: Black Truffle, Bergamot, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Black Orchid, Black Pepper, Lotus Wood, Noir Gourmand Accord, Vanilla Tears, Patchouli, Balsam, Sandalwood.

Tom Ford White Patchouli Eau de Parfum Review

White Patchouli is a clean chypre scent.  The fragrance opens with a lighthearted patchouli note that morphs into a generic floral musk.  The musk is followed by a spicy bergamot blend reminiscent of fresh cologne.  The citrus and spice notes mingle with soft woods and patchouli as the fragrance dries down.  Notes include: Peony, Mandarin, Bergamot, Jasmine, Rose Absolute, Coriander, Ambrette Seed, Sandalwood, Incense, Golden Amber. 

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream Review

This water and silicone-based retinol cream spreads easily and dries to a matte finish.  In addition to retinol, the formula also contains shea butter, ceramides and anti-irritants to help reduce dryness and irritation often associated with retinol use.  It’s best to limit the use of this product to once or twice a week until skin adjusts.  The cream works well to minimize the superficial signs of aging and it helps to reduce blemishes and acne scarring.  Use of sunscreen is recommended with this product. 

Patricia Wexler M.D. Intensive 3-in-1 Eye Cream Review

This eye cream is thick and emollient but it absorbs nicely into the eye area.  The eye cream relieves dryness and helps to minimize the look of lines and wrinkles by plumping up the skin around the eyes.  The formula features a great array of skin-beneficial ingredients that include shea butter, peptides, and plant extracts.  This product has no added fragrance.

Bvlgari Jasmine Noir Eau de Parfum Review

Jasmine Noir is a refined woody floral scent.  The fragrance opens with a heady gardenia that mellows into an elegantly restrained jasmine.  The jasmine is gradually enveloped in a cloud of sheer musky woods.  This sensual blend of jasmine and woods stays close to the skin and fades to a warm powdery finish.  Notes include: Green Sap, Gardenia Petals, Sambac Jasmine Absolute, Satiny Almond, Precious Wood, Licorice, Tonka Bean Absolute.

Bvlgari Omnia Green Jade Eau de Toilette Review

Omnia Green Jade is a soft green scent.  The top notes are green with grassy, tea-like undertones.  The grassiness wears off quickly and the green notes are diluted with delicate white florals.  The composition becomes clean and watery fresh as it dries down.  The fragrance has a soft musk finish.  Notes include: Spring Water, Green Mandarin, White Peony, Nasturtium, Pear Tree Flower, Jasmine Petals, Fresh Pistachio, White Woods, Musk.

Burt’s Bees Color Keeper Shampoo Review

This natural shampoo is formulated without sulfates, parabens and phthalates.  The formula is thin and low foaming but it cleans the hair well and rinses residue free.  The shampoo is slightly drying and should be followed by a hydrating conditioner.  This product has a fresh green tea scent with citrus undertones. 

Burt’s Bees Color Keeper Conditioner Review

This emollient yet lightweight conditioner glides through the hair with ease and hydrates every strand.  The formula is mostly natural and contains honey, marula oil and plant extracts to nourish the hair.  The conditioner rinses clean and leaves the hair soft, shiny and lively.  This product has a fresh green tea scent with citrus undertones. 

Dr. Denese HydroShield Hair Moisturizer Review

HydroShield Hair Moisturizer is a weightless leave-in conditioner that can be applied to damp or dry hair.  The moisturizer softens and smoothes the hair without leaving a residue.  It’s great for adding moisture to dry, brittle ends.  The formula contains many hair-beneficial ingredients such as ceramides, antioxidants, oligopeptides and sunscreen.  This product has a light, soapy scent.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Review

Coco Mademoiselle is a floral oriental scent with vanilla undertones.  The fragrance opens with bergamot and sweet orange wrapped in a veil of creamy vanilla.  The citrus notes dissipate quickly and are followed by a rosy bouquet that blends harmoniously with the vanilla.  The floral notes slowly fade to a base of vanilla and patchouli.  This scent can be overpowering, so apply sparingly.  Notes include: Orange, Bergamot, Jasmine, Rose, Patchouli, Vetiver, Vanilla.

Chanel Allure Sensuelle Eau de Parfum Review

Allure Sensuelle is primarily a spicy floral blend.  The fragrance opens with a sharp synthetic floral and a touch of peppery citrus.  The floral note is loud and persistent but gradually mellows into a medley of fresh aquatic flowers.  The fragrance has a powdery soft finish that’s surprisingly demure.  Notes include: Bergamot, Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Jasmine, Rose, Iris, Candied Fruits, Vetiver, French Vanilla, Amber, Patchouli and Frankincense.

Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Compact Foundation SPF 15 Review

This powder foundation has a creamy, silky texture and offers medium coverage with a natural finish.  The colors appear dark and orange in the compact but look much lighter on the skin.  The foundation looks slightly powdery going on but it melts into the skin after a few minutes.  This product feels very comfortable on the skin but it can accentuate large pores and dry flakes.  The finish becomes a bit shiny with wear.

Organix Hydrating Tea Tree Mint Shampoo Review

The shampoo has a slimy gel-like consistency and a mouth-watering peppermint scent.  The formula is free of sulfates but it lathers well and rinses easily.  The shampoo is not very moisturizing but it leaves the hair feeling clean and soft.  This product is best suited for someone with normal, untreated hair.

Organix Hydrating Tea Tree Mint Conditioner Review

This conditioner has a rich creamy texture and a decadent peppermint aroma.  The formula is thick and difficult to spread throughout the hair; however, it rinses remarkably well and does not weight the hair down.  The conditioner provides moderate hydration and would be best suited for someone with normal, untreated hair. 

Bond No. 9 Nuits de Noho Eau de Parfum Review

Nuits de Noho is a gourmand oriental scent.  The fragrance has a warm sweet opening with a sprinkling of anise and tonka bean.  The tonka bean strengthens with wear and mingles with sheer, powdery florals.  A subtle amber note follows the floral accord.  The fragrance dries down to a smooth vanilla finish with a touch of patchouli.  Notes include: Jasmine, Creamy Vanilla, Sheer Patchouli.