(image from www.nikkei.com)
Apart from the annual Sheer Stellas, I have not bought any fragrance for the last couple of years. I often test new fragrances that I see in shops, but I am not on the hunt for a new favorite. Stella McCartney’s Stella, Bulgari’s Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, and Ayura’s Spirit of Ayura are still my solid favorites, and I have other scents to suit different moods and occasions.
D&G’s 3 L’Impératrice came as a surprise. It is part of The D&G Anthology, which was launched last summer and includes five fragrances. It is one of my favoites among all the new fragrances that I have tested in the last couple of years. After testing it for a few more times just to be sure, I got it a few months ago (with my Boots points).
Top notes: pink pepper, kiwi, rhubarb
Middle notes: watermelon, cyclamen, jasmine
Base notes: citrus wood, musk, sandalwood
(information from Osmoz.)
Osmoz classifies it as a floral fruity, which I agree with. (It is not a fruity floral.) On me, the most pronounced notes are perhaps kiwi and watermelon, but overall the scent smells peachy to me. Fresh with a hint of sweetness, it is like a jug of zesty, cooling, and refreshing fruit punch. It is young but not too girlie. (There are many other scents that are a lot more sugary-sweet.)
It is perhaps not the most multi-dimensional fragrance since it does not develop very much during the course of wear and the base notes are very subtle. It is simply a fresh and light-hearted scent that is very easy to wear.
I do like fresh, straightforward and easy-to-wear scents, which is mainly why I really like 3 L’Impératrice. It would not be my choice of fragrance for formal occasions, but it is a lovely daily scent (particularly for spring and summer) that I find delightfully uplifting and invigorating. While my top three scents remain unchanged, 3 L’Impératrice is most definitely among my favorites.
Related posts:
SUQQU Sanzekan
Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace
Dolce & Gabbana Makeup Line in Selfridges
by PJ on Wednesday, June 16, 2010
in -Anna Sui, -Jill Stuart, -Majolica Majorca, -Shiseido, -Sonia Rykiel, 2010 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, seasonal makeup top 10
10th: Sonia Rykiel
(image from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)
(image from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)
(image from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)
It doesn’t seem that long ago when Sonia Rykiel released a beautiful blue-themed collection for summer 2009. For this summer, the brand focuses on slightly warmer shades. I like the vibrant hues of Gloss D’Été as well as the golden-sun color of the packaging.
9th: Majolica Majorca
(image from www.iswii.net)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mj)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mj)
In contrast to Sonia Rykiel’s warm colors, Majolica Majorca’s summer 2010 color scheme is a lot cooler, With cool pink and lilac, it is a girlie and romantic collection. The eyeshadow palette with pale pink and soft lilac is quite appealing to me.
8th: Jill Stuart
(image from www.jillstuart-beauty.com)
I really like my Mix Blush Compact (in 01 Baby Blush), and Jill Stuart has released many variations to satisfy Jill Stuart fans. The two limited-edition variations for summer 2010 feature soft colors and floral prints on the powder, and they just look so pretty.
(Jill Stuart will release a new range of blushers for fall 2010. See images on the Voce blog.)
7th: Anna Sui
(image from www.annasui-cosmetics.com)
(image from www.iswii.net)
Anna Sui’s summer 2010 makeup collection features colorful psychedelic patterns on the packaging. I very nearly bought Glittering Eye Color in 002, but I decided not to in the end. (I do like the cute packaging, but the cream texture is not really my preferred texture for eyeshadows (or for most makeup items).)
The countdown continues in Part 2.
(image/info from www.shiseido.co.jp)
(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)
Considering that Estée Lauder and Guerlain are obviously ultimately owned by different companies, I think it is intriguing that Estée Lauder’s new Pure Color 5 Color Eyeshadow Palette and Guerlain’s new Écrin 6 Couleurs have a very similar look.
Perhaps more interestingly, they seem to indicate some key fall 2010 makeup trends. Maybe dramatic blues and cool neutrals are back…
(You can see the five variations of Écrin 6 Couleurs here and swatches of some of the shades here.)
Related posts on fall 2010 makeup collection:
Dior
Clé de Peau
Coffret D’Or
(image/info from www.nikkei.com)
Kanebo Twany Glamacy is part of a genre of Japanese makeup (including brands like Lissage and Satiche (which I will feature a bit later)) that is more about sophisticated and wearable colors than about the latest trends. The line will release its fall 2010 makeup collection in Japan on August 16th, and the new items include:
– Eye Collection ’10AW (2 variations, limited editions)
– Eyeliner Pencil (2 new shades)
– Lipstick (5 new shades)
– Cheek Color (2 new shades)
Related posts on Twany Glamacy:
Spring 2010 Makeup Collection
Fall 2009 Makeup Collection
Fall 2008 Makeup Collection
(info/images from www.joseishi.net/voce)
