Jo Loves- The Mango Collection

 Jo Loves...- Mango Nectar, A Shot Of Oud Over Mango, A Shot Of Thai Lime Over Mango

Life Style entrepreneur Jo Malone sold her company to Estee Lauder in 1999 but stayed on board until 2006. She left her name to Lauder and had to start from scratch when she was ready to come back after a battle with breast cancer. The new company, Jo Loves, launched the first scents in 2011 and added four more in 2012, including the three fragrances of the Mango Collection which we'll talk about today. At first Jo Loves perfumes and candles were only available in the UK, but now they're shipping to the US.

I decided to start with the Mango Collection because this note used to be far out of my comfort zone.But Neela Vermiere has taught me a lesson with her wonderful Bombay Bling, so now I'm eager to see what else is out there.

Mango Nectar (notes: mango leaf, bitter orange, pink grapefruit, mango nectar, apricot blossom, jasmine, musk). This one is decidedly not for me. Mango Nectar is a sweet fruity-floral, very juicy, very sunshiny and a bit too Bath & Body Whatever. The opening is downright scary after the initial burst of orange juice-- it's all Tropicana all the time, but it mellows into a mellow white floral and sweet musk. Surprisingly, Mango Nectar is the least tenacious of the three on my skin, but in this case I'm not complaining.

A Shot Of Thai Lime Over Mango (notes: mango, kaffir lime, black pepper, freesia, mint leaves, white thyme  absolute, vetiver) is the fun one. The fragrance opens with a huge kaffir lime note in all its green and lime-like glory. It's green, herbal and zesty in the best possible way. I can't get enough of this and if there was a matching body butter or even a shower gel I would have already ordered it. The mango in A Shot Of Thai Lime is not too sweet and maintains the green quality that makes this an exotic treat. The dry-down is more green- this time grassy thanks to the vetiver. It's also gender neutral and easy to wear.

A Shot Of Oud Over Mango (notes: mango, black pepper, freesia, oud wood) is the sexy surprise. Even if you're already over the oud trend in perfumery this Jo Loves fragrance is still worth your time, because apparently what oud has been missing all along is a lighthearted infusion of mango. Who knew? A Shot Of Oud is a game of contradictions: light and shadow, cool and warm. There's a hint of incense somewhere in the core, making the perfume even more interesting. A Shot Of Oud is obviously my favorite of the trio and the longest lasting in this Jo Loves collection. It's also an original and unexpected creation and the husband's favorite.

 Jo Loves... The Mango Collection: Mango Nectar, A Shot Of Oud Over Mango, A Shot Of Thai Lime Over Mango (£45.00, 30ml EDP) is available exclusively from joloves.com. Please note that they can only ship this small size outside of the UK because of the currents restrictions and regulations (and shipping to the US is priced at  £20.00. Ouch). The samples for this review were sent by the company.

Images-
Mango by Jean Heelen
A vintage seed packet via an online auction
Paul Gaugin, Woman With  A Mango, 1892
Underneath The Mango Tree by Ruth Sampson

Estee Lauder Pink Ingenue & Peach Passion Pure Color Blush

A gift-with-purchase event has allowed me to try a couple of Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush shades: Pink Ingenue 05 and Peach Passion 08 (also a Bronze Goddess bronzer in Light 01, which I'll talk about tomorrow). Estee Lauder Pure Color blushes are a solid performer with an excellent texture that is too often overlooked in favor of brands with an edgier image. It's a shame, really, because the pigment intensity is superb despite the almost sheer quality that makes these Lauder blushes work with one's skin without looking painted. The finely milled texture is one of the best you can find at your local Macy's.

Pink Ingenue is my favorite of the two. It's a very organic medium rose that adds life to the skin. It's more pink than Alluring Rose which is still my favorite, but still almost universal in its appeal. Peach Passion is not my thing. I know peach and orangeish blushes are summer favorites for many but they tend to clash with the green undertones of my skin. No matter how light and glowy Peach Passion looks when swatched it does nothing for my face unless I mix it with another color. Still, if this is your kind of color I do recommend that you give it a try- the finish is very pretty and on the right complexion I'm sure this is fab.

 The swatches above were done very lightly with the crappy little brush that came in the GWP compact. I'd say that just any good blush brush you already own will suffice. The blushes have great color payoff and are easy to apply and blend. Estee Lauder Pure Color blushes meld with the skin very easily and last for the entire day (over a good base) with or without a finishing powder.

Estee Lauder Pink Ingenue & Peach Passion Pure Color Blush ($28 each) are available at the counters and from esteelauder.com. The products in this review were a GWP and didn't come in the regular Pure Color size/packaging.

Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil

The only issue with Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil is that it makes me crave apricots in the worst way and we're still not quite in the right season for fresh local organic fruit. Other than that, Essie offers a nice treat for nails and cuticles in the form of a sweet (and delightfully smelling) oil that sinks right into the skin and doesn't leave any greasiness behind.

Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil is an instant feel good treatment. I'm not yet sure how much of the long time effect is really due to the oil itself and how much is the result of paying attention and pampering my nails and cuticles often, but the bottom line is that this is an effective treatment.

Looking at the list of ingredients (below) I was somewhat disappointed to discover that the only apricots in Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil come from the fragrance used in the product. The oil itself is a blend of cottonseed and and soybean oils enriched with vitamin A and collagen. Nevertheless it is a good and easy treat (not to mention cheap)-- you just brush it over nails and cuticles and massage it in. Do remember to wipe away any oil before applying base and color polish. Your nails need to be oil free for a manicure to hold.

Ingredients: Cottonseed Oil, PPG 15 Stearyl Ether, Polysorbate 81, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Oil, Vitamin A Palminate (A269), Vitamin E Acetate, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance, Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, D&C Violet 2 (CI 60725), D&C Red 17.

Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil ($8) is available at Nordstrom, Ulta, Target, and Beauty.com.

Art: Apricot Delight by Priska Wettstein.

M.Micallef- Pomelos

Here's something easy and light for the oppressive summer weather we're heaving: Pomelos by M.Micallef.  Despite the name (and the notes listed on Fragrantica), Pomelos is far less about citrus fruit than it is about powdery flowers. This 2002 Micallef perfume opens with a breeze carrying a whiff from a lemon grove and settles on the skin in a heap of tiny pollen-laden blossoms. The fragrance has the sheerest hint of fruit, mostly in the musky dry-down, a touch of fuzzy peach skin and peachy smelling iris (sounds crazy, but if you're familiar with the subtle iris note in Serge Lutens Daim Blond or Clair de Musc you probably know what I'm talking about).

 Pomelos makes me think of a blush-colored silk dress. It clings to the body here and there but still looks and feels demure. So does the fragrance. The pretty heavy white musk of the dry-down is of the very clean variety, though it's not laundryish. The impression it gives is of a weather-blanched driftwood, which contributes to the summer beach in late afternoon image. Said shore scene is probably more of a wishful thinking than anything grounded in reality (or in actual perfume notes). What I do know for sure is that Micellef's Pomelos is a pretty chill perfume. It's casual and relaxing, somewhat lacking in longevity (about four hours unless I really go to town spraying) and a good fit for the heat and insane humidity of this week.

Notes: pomelo, lemon, tangerine, jasmine, rose, iris, lily of the valley, cedar, sandalwood, white musk.

Pomelos by M.Micallef ($89, 1 oz EDP) is available from Osswald in NYC and Parfum1.com.

Art: Pomelos by Pierre Farel

Ginnifer Goodwin: Two Makeup Looks

I know that not all of you share my love for Ginnifer Goodwin, but I can't help it. I find her adorable and unique looking. She also seems to enjoy makeup and is not averse to taking some risks (yes, yes, I know. Her Met Gala look-- below-- was beyond atrocious, but I'm trying to repress that memory).

Ginnifer's Met Gala punk look

The two looks above are from last week. Ginnifer attended the Disney Media Networks International Upfronts sporting a cat eye and a purple (or fuchsia. Depending on the light and the angle) lip color. Her chosen outfit was less sharp. The Theory jumpsuit was simply not pretty or flattering, and even a blazer couldn't save it (to see a good jumpsuit have a look at the stunning Solange Knowles). I'm still trying to determine if the blush Ginnifer clashes too much with the lipstick. At least it's interesting.

Ginnifer Goodwin arrives at the Disney Media Networks International 'Upfronts 2013'

Ginnifer Goodwin and boyfriend, Josh Dallas, Vogue and MAC Cosmetics dinner hosted by Lisa Love and John Demsey in honour of Prabal Gurung

The other look from Monday night the previous week was softer. The shimmery taupe eye shadow took center stage (and complemented her Prabal Gurung dress), accompanied by natural looking lip and cheek. Those of you with a encyclopedic MAC knowledge may be able to identify the eye shadow(s) used-- the company was the co-host of the Vogue dinner honoring Prabal Gurung.

Which makeup look is your favorite?

All photos of Ginnifer Goodwin via Zimbio.

Shiseido High Beam White Luminizing Satin Face Color

I love highlighters. I love them in liquid, cream and powder form. I love them golden, pearly or with a champagne tint. I love them shiny or muted. I just love the way highlighters can give the skin an extra shot of pretty. Shiseido High Beam White is probably considered a classic by now. It's the most subtle of its kind, as understated than Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight,  but a bit easier to catch in a photo because Shiseido is pearly white. I swatched heavily using the scratchy little brush that came in the compact. Normal application (a small  Yachiyo or Laura Mercier fan brush are far more suitable, as is Chikuhodo Z2) will not look as white and will add just a little bit of light where you need it.

Donating my face to science I once tried using Shiseido High Beam White as an allover finishing powder. Don't try this at home. As finely milled as Shiseido makes this product it is not a substitute for Guerlain Meteorites. The effect was like using Rouge Bunny Rouge Sea Of Unicorns or whatever they call their liquid highlighters (which I love. They're beyond beautiful) on your entire face over foundation. Not a good look for an adult woman.

In any case, Shiseido High Beam White Luminizing Satin Face Color is an excellent highlighter. If you're very warm-toned maybe it will be too white (Shiseido also makes a pale gold version that's too yellow for my green undertones), so do test at the counter before you decide.

Bottom Line: there's a reason why Shiseido makeup is so revered.

Shiseido High Beam White Luminizing Satin Face Color ($30) is available at the counters, Sephora and shiseido.com. It's part of the blush range.