Throwback Thursday: Gap Heaven

Let's go back to the mid-90s for a second. Grunge was huge (I was wearing oversized flannels and Birkenstocks to school every day), Clueless was my favorite movie, and Gap Heaven was the scent I couldn't live without.

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Beauty as Art: Balenciaga Florabotanica and Rosabotanica Fragrances

Once in awhile, a product comes along that's so undeniably beautiful, there's nothing you can do but pine and yearn for it until it becomes yours. In the case of Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum and Balenciaga Rosabotanica Eau de Parfum, this feeling became twofold.

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My Top 10 Travel-Friendly Beauty Essentials

So, I travel. A lot. Just within the past month and a half, I've visited the following cities: Boston, MA; Bloomington, IN; Denton, TX; Las Vegas, NV and Cleveland, OH. AND I have a trip to Los Angeles (yes, another one) coming up at the end of the month. Yes, I know this makes me sound like a total vagabond. No, I can't sit still for long. Yes, I have some very specific travel-friendly beauty essentials (XX of them, to be exact). Check out what I can't live without every time I jump in my car or hop on a plane.

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Throwback Thursday: Love's Baby Soft Perfume

As a girl growing up in the late 80's and early 90's, I'm not sure there was a perfume more prevalent in my life than Love's Baby Soft. (Well, except for my beloved Exclamation!, but that's another story.) This perfume was the be-all and end-all of my pre-teen years.

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Throwback Thursday: The Body Shop Custom Perfume Bar

As a kid, I was obsessed with going to the mall. I went every weekend with my friends. One of my main stops? The Body Shop Custom Perfume Bar.

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Throwback Thursday: Exclamation Cologne Spray

Do you remember the first fragrance that really made you sit up and take notice? For me, it was 1988, and the perfume was Exclamation by Coty. The moment I laid eyes on it, I simply had to have it!

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Holiday Gift Guide: Tocca Eau de Parfum Viaggio

After the makeup is applied, the last step for me is always a special scent to complete the preparations for a night out. Tocca got it right with its Eau de Parfum Viaggio -- a gorgeous collection of miniature fragrances.

Three perfumes, Colette, Giuletta and Bianca, appear in elegant Old World bottles when you lift the top off the box. As soon as I opened the Bianca bottle, I thought: This is the rose essence that my mom used to wear! Giulietta had the same effect with its lily of the valley scent. Don't forget the spicy jasmine Colette fragrance.

There's nothing old fashioned about this enticing collection! I love each one. Indulge your inner beauty with this set!

Tocca Eau de Parfum Viaggio retails for $45 at tocca.com.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Tocca Cleopatra Eau de Parfum Rollerball

If anyone told me a couple months ago that all my favorite things would come together in one pretty little package, I wouldn't have believed it. But the Tocca Cleopatra Eau de Parfum Rollerball has managed to incorporate everything I love into one tiny delight.

For starters, Cleopatra is one of my all-time favorite scents. Perfume, laundry detergent, candles ... I have Cleopatra stationed in my apartment in all its forms! The blend of grapefruit, lush greens, white jasmine, tuberose, patchouli, golden amber and rich vanilla musk create a scent that's sensual, feminine and completely exotic.

And, in case you weren't aware, I have a long-standing love affair with the rollerball. I love that I can throw it in even the tiniest purse and touch up my fragrance throughout the day. This one, with its swirling golden flower design, is absolutely gorgeous.

The Tocca Cleopatra Eau de Parfum Rollerball retails for $20 at either tocca.com or sephora.com.

Everything's Coming Up Roses: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose

If you're a fan of Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, you'll most certainly want to pick up the newest iteration -- Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose.

This limited-edition scent sparkles within a gorgeously sophisticated pink bottle. The combination of notes held within almost smells like raspberries upon the skin -- fresh, juicy, exuberant. Think tangerine, bergamot, tea, pink pepper, lily of the valley, freesia and Centifolia rose, grounded by a base of amber and patchouli ... so decadent and rich, yet at the same time airy and light.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose is most certainly a fragrance to take you into the warmer months in style. It retails for $80 at sephora.com.

STELLANUDE: When Being Nude is Totally Acceptable

In all my years of wearing fragrance, only two have really garnered compliments each and every time I’ve worn them: Ralph Lauren Romance and Stella McCartney Stella. Each one makes people stop in their tracks when they get close enough (because I would NEVER douse myself in perfume, what bad form!) ... guys, girls, gay, straight, young, old, every single person I come in contact with feels compelled to tell me how good I smell. And, truth be told, Stella has totally edged out Ralph Lauren in recent years.

Well, color me happy, because the latest incarnation of Stella -- STELLANUDE -- is just as fabulous as the original. With notes of Moroccan Rose, Grapefruit, White Peony, Pink Pepper, Precious Vanilla, Grey Amber and Musk, STELLANUDE is a lighter, fresher version of the original. I’ve taken to spritzing my wrists, neck and hair with this delightful fragrance every time I leave the house (when I’m not wearing my tried and true Stella, of course). And, true to form, STELLANUDE brings forth the compliments just as much as its predecessor.

And, let’s be honest -- who doesn’t want a cute guy telling her how good she smells?

Stella McCartney STELLANUDE retails for $45-$85 at sephora.com.

Ooh La La Lancôme: Trésor and Trésor in Love

Do you remember your first fragrance love? I do ... and it was Lancôme Trésor. While some may argue that this fragrance is a bit too "old," I absolutely love it. The combination of apricot blossom, rose, lilac, iris, peach, amber, sandalwood, musk and vanilla notes creates such a sensual experience that, even as a teenager, really spoke to me.

As I've grown up, I've actually chosen some decidedly less mature fragrances than I did in my youth. And now there's Trésor in Love -- a youthful, flirty fragrance with notes of nectarine accord, pear, bergamot, Turkish rose essence, jasmine, cedar wood and musk. It's lively and fresh but still has a sensual feel, thanks to the musky undertones.

From the diamond-shaped Trésor to the elongated cut glass bottle of its younger counterpart, each bottle is absolutely gorgeous. I'm so happy to have each one sitting atop my vanity, giving me the choice of how grown up -- or not! -- I want to feel.

Lancôme Trésor retails for $75 at sephora.com. Lancôme Trésor in Love retails for $47 at lancome.com.

State of Play: Philosophy State of Grace Fragrance Wardrobe

Well, my love of Philosophy fragrance just got a million times bigger. Their brand-new State of Grace Fragrance Wardrobe includes the four -- you guessed it -- Grace fragrances, making a lucky lady out of any lover of these delicate perfumes.

The set includes amazing grace, pure grace, eternal grace and inner grace fragrances. Each miniature fragrance is .33 oz. They come packaged in a crisp white box with stark black lettering -- such an elegant gift for a loved one. (Or for you, if you want to treat yourself to a little something special!)

The Philosophy State of Grace Fragrance Wardrobe retails for $35 at philosophy.com.

New Marc Jacobs Fragrances -- Plus a Giveaway!

Taking up valuable space on my vanity right now? The newest fragrances from Marc Jacobs, of course. Two limited-edition versions of the wildly popular Lola and Daisy have got me all aflutter.

Daisy Art Pop Adition takes the iconic Daisy bottle in a completely new direction. Bold, vivacious lipstick red topped with black and gold flowers is so perfect as fall approaches. Notes of wild strawberry, violet petals, gardenia, jasmine, birch and cedarwood create an intensely sensual fragrance with just a hint of playfulness. This fragrance is $88 for 3.4 fl. oz.

Lola Velvet is the Lola fragrance you've come to know and love, but now the colorful flower stopper is crafted in deliciously lush velvet. The fragrance contains notes of pink peppercorn, pear, ruby red grapefruit, rose, fuchsia peony, geranium, vanilla, musk and tonka bean. This fragrance is $68 for 1.7 fl. oz.

And now two winners will experience an extremely lucky day -- because I'm partnering with Marc Jacobs Fragrances to give away one bottle of each fragrance! Simply enter your name, email address and fragrance preference in the box below. The winners will be selected on Saturday, October 9 and notified by email.



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Friday, October 8 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Make it a Sweet New Year with Apples and Honey!

Today is Rosh Hashanah -- the Jewish new year. In celebration each year, we are supposed to eat apples and honey, symbolizing a sweet new year. And in true Beauty Chick form, I simply had to sweeten up my year with some apple- and honey-themed beauty products! Check out my favorites after the jump.

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Today's Beauty Ritual, Brought to You by the Color Green! Plus a Video!

Apparently I like everything to be color-coordinated. If you'll remember, the last time I gave you a peek inside my morning ritual, everything was pink -- and today, everything is green! Check out my video below of all the products I used today.



Seen in the video:
Pureology Antifade Complex Essential Repair Shampoo and Pureology Antifade Complex Essential Repair Condition
BVLGARI Eau Parfumee Au The Vert Bath & Shower Gel
Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream
Pantene Medium-Thick Straighten & Smooth Creme
Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash

Fresh, Fragrant and Totally Summer Appropriate: Dior Miss Dior Cherie L'Eau Eau de Toilette

I've been on the lookout for the perfect summer fragrance for quite awhile. Many are just too heady, too strong, too fragrant. But then I came across Dior Miss Dior Cherie L'Eau Eau de Toilette, and I knew I had found my perfect match.

For starters, I'm in love with the bottle. The delicate, utterly vanity-worthy square glass bottle is topped by a stopper with the prettiest, most delicate bow -- such a sweet, sophisticated touch.

The scent is lovely and delightful. A floral base of freesia, jasmine and orange blossom opens up to notes of popcorn, vanilla, caramel and patchouli. It's intriguing and warm yet undeniably soft -- and just a few spritzes on your pulse points will last for hours without feeling cloying. I would equate it to Clinique Happy Heart -- it has a warmth that really makes it interesting.

Truth be told, this is one of my favorite fragrances in quite some time. One can only hope it doesn't run out too quickly.

Dior Miss Dior Cherie L'Eau Eau de Toilette is $62 for 1.7 fl. oz. and $82 for 3.4 fl. oz.

Splash Yourself: Marc Jacobs Splash in Pomegranate

Looking for the perfect lightweight summer fragrance? Look no further than Marc Jacobs Splash in Pomegranate.

This delightful scent is inspired by the simple but decadent pleasure of a Parisian patisserie -- which means that for me, it was love at first sniff. (Because, let's be honest -- who doesn't love a French bakery filled with delicious croissants and eclairs?)

Pomegranates have long been beguiling to me. As a child in Hebrew school, I looked forward to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot -- because we got to eat pomegranates! (The holiday celebrates the bounty of the harvest and the first fruits of the season, and pomegranates are very important in Judaism.) The fact that we only ate the seeds always intrigued me. So of course the fact that this latest creation in the Splash family is Pomegranate immediately sold me. A combination of mandarin flowers, bergamot, rhubarb and sugared musk lends it a sensual, flirty feel.

Marc Jacobs Splash in Pomegranate retails for $68.

Fab Fragrances of the Moment

I’m a bit of a fragrance whore. Sure, I have my signature scents -- but given the opportunity, I play around quite a bit. So it’s no surprise that I have some new favorites to share with you! Discover the scents that have my pulse racing.

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My Top 5 Favorite Products of All Time

I've tried a lot of products in my day. Some good, some bad, some very ugly. But there have been a few along the way that left me feeling amazing. Find out my top 5 after the jump.

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Pretty as a Princess: Vera Wang Glam Princess Eau de Toilette

My new fave fragrance? Vera Wang Glam Princess Eau de Toilette. Everything from the chic heart-shaped bottle to the flirtatiously brilliant scent has drawn me in from the very beginning.

To begin with, the star-bedecked bottle is so adorable yet feels completely adult. I love the miniature jeweled crown stopper atop the bottle as well -- because, let's face it, who doesn't want to feel like royalty from time to time?

And the scent? So delish. Notes of guava, pear, honey, vanilla orchid, marshmallow orchid and cedarwood create a fragrance that's at once beautifully sweet and surprisingly sensual. And at the end of the day, that's exactly what I've been looking for!

Vera Wang Glam Princess Eau de Toilette retails for $45-$72.