Category: Scents and Perfumes

Make Valentines Day and everyday about Roses!!

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

Roses are red, violets are blue…everything is coming up roses…la vie en rose.  So many expressions in our language about his beautiful, elegant flower.  It is the ultimate flower to represent love, friendship, romance…and more.  How is it that the rose became so synonymous with romance, love and all that?  I know I always try to use this flower in my make-ups in hopes that in doing so, roses can impart to me its attractive aura. There is something magical about this flower, and you can even see it included as an ingredient in some innocent white witch love spells! So here are ways to work the magic of roses into your wardrobe and make-up so you feel extra alluring this Valentines day or any day in general.

Rose Water Toner: I always talk about my rose water toner.  And why wouldn’t I? Roses are known to have a hydrating effect on skin, and the rose water is used in Mediterranean cuisine is perfect for your face.  It is basically made from the water that roses are boiled in, and is super pure and fragrant. I put mine in the fridge and dab it with a cotton ball on my face for an instant rose face lift.

Rose Perfume: The smell of roses have a wonderful effect on the soul…Calming, stimulating and feminine. So why not use some of it’s power on a day like Valentines?  I blend my own perfumes, and I find rose oil to be too strong of a scent on its own.  Combine rose scents with something sweet smelling, and mellow, to counteract its potential spicy top noted scent.  If you don’t have the ability to make a perfume, I think L’Occitane has a pretty good rose based perfume.  And the key is subtlety.  Just use the tiniest amount to not over power your company.

Face Masks: because roses are such a gorgeous flower, wouldn’t its essential oil transport some of its power to you if you use it in a face mask?  During the winter months, I do a clay mask almost every week, to re-hydrate, rejuvenate and detox tired winter skin.  As well as using honey, yogurt and olive oil in the clay mask, I add several drops of rose essential oil and then leave the mask on my face for 20 mins.  When I wash it off, my face is tightened, moisturized and toned.  Thanks rose flower power!

Rose Tea: Drink in its power.  Certain herbal teas have rose buds in them to impart a beautiful bouquet and scent to the tea.  I also believe roses in tea can be anti inflammatory, calming, and just wonderful to drink.  Herbal teas are also great for relaxing and hydrating your body. Teas can also help to reduce appetite for healthy weight loss.

Rose coloured clothes and make-up:  And let’s not forget the emotional value that the colour “rose” can impart.  Although roses come in a variety of shades today…the colour one means when talking about “rose” is a pinky red. A perfect colour to wear on valentines…whether it is in a generous swipe of flushed red blush on your cheeks, or donning a gorgeous pink dress, anything rose coloured will get you noticed and feeling like a freshly picked flower.  Appreciate all that nature has to give us!

I was feeling shy and mysterious in this photo. And a bit moody. Fits in with the spirit of roses...I think.
I was feeling shy and mysterious in this photo. And a bit moody. Fits in with the spirit of roses…I think.

scents review: my current faves!

~ Emmie Reve ~ 2 Comments

DSC04815Perfumes are one of my most valued make-up arsenals, because it’s not superficial, like lipstick or blush. Its use is a lot deeper, it’s emotive, personal, and connected to the mind and spirit.   I’ve always loved ancient Egypt for it’s advanced culture and sophistication. Perfume began there, where it was highly prized, only the highest of society wore it, and it could bring you closer to the gods. And what a luxury it was. Fast-forward to today and all the heaps of designer fragrances out there, it’s easy to be disillusioned. Perfumes today appear to be over-marketed cosmetic junk (try to find a celeb that doesn’t have their own scent). But in reality they are the best way to complete a look for the day/night.

I myself tend to use indie labeled scents. What are indie labeled scents? It’s basically scents that are not mass marketed, and not commercially endorsed. They are not always, but usually eco/animal friendly (yay!) and they are not heavy, or strong, to the point of making you sneeze at a close whiff. There are some great indie perfumeries, such as Lollia, Love and Toast, Tokyo Milk, but the ones I am focusing on today are a bit less expensive, but equally as delightful.

Pacifica:

The price point of this company is to die for. I get mine from a local shop in my city and it is less than $10 for a roll-on travel size. But be careful, not all scents in this line are made the same. The coconut one is really faint to detect, and some of the other ones are too strong and not refined enough. You don’t want to smell like bathroom air freshener.  My current Pacifica fave is “Tahitian Gardenia”.  It has a warm floral scent with a lingering ginger spiciness.

Skeem:

More recently I picked up Skeem, a slightly higher price point perfume roll on, but definitely more light.  It is harder to notice, and you have to wear more of it, so the bang for your buck is not as great.  “Sweet Pea Vanilla” had a sweet candy tone to it, with a mild floral note.  It was very subtle and pretty. My current scent in this line is the “Night Jasmine”.  It is a bit heavier, a powdery musky floral base with hints of jasmine.  It’s romantic and soft. I don’t usually go for musks, but this one does it right.

The best thing about these less known perfumes are their originality.  No one knows these scents, they are lovely, and when they compliment you and ask you what perfume you have on, you can give a mysterious, less heard of answer to give them!  And most experiments with new scents are successful. My favourite places to roll these on?  The wrists, behind the ears, top of your cleavage and on your collar bone. My suggestion is to not wear so much that they smell you coming, but enough that they feel you going!

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