Favourite Home Scent: Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s APOM and Aqua Universalis Incense Paper

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APOM, Aqua Universalis, Beautik Haute Parfumerie, home scent, incense paper, luxury, Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Perfume is a piece of art which belongs to the patrimony of intimacy

Francis Kurkdjian

You might have read about this incense papers in my previous blog posts. And seen them in oh, so many of my Instagram photos! They are my favourite ambient perfumes. So easy to use… Definitely the ones I always turn to when I want create a cosy, relaxed atmosphere. They are the luxury home scents from Maison Francis Kurkdjian House of Perfumes and come in the form of an innovative product and very different from the usual candles or room sprays everyone is using.

Incense papers are stripes of paper soaked in the perfume oils from the Maison Francis Kurkdjian perfume collections, dried and then cut in small pieces, and packed in compact, elegant boxes.

APOM Pour Femme, is the short term for the “A Piece of Me” fragrance, one of the best sellers of the House. It is a perfume inspired by the trip the parfumeur took to Liban. APOM is a sophisticate and classy perfume, in which the notes of the Oriental orange blossoms and those of the ylang-ylang flowers create a perfect harmony combined with the woody notes, making this perfume quirky and unique.

Aqua Universalis is a perfume with beautiful woody notes and musk as a base, complemented by fresh bergamot and topped with Sicilian lemon, sweet oranges and lilly-of-the-valley. This is Francis Kurkdjian‘s interpretation of the clean and fresh Aqua Universalis Perfume.

Each strip of paper has small cuts in it and it is better to fold it before burning it! Just one strip is enough to spread the perfume on a surface of over 60 m², so I definitely advise you to burn the small pre cut pieces one by one. Like this you will also have control on the intensity of the perfume inside your space.

Each slim box contains 25 strips of paper and some handy, elegant matches. You only need to light the paper, then blow out the flame. It will continue to burn slow, without a flame, gently discharging a perfumed smoke in the air.

 

Available for purchase in Beautik Haute Perfumerie, Liberty London, or Neiman Marcus.

What are your favourite home scents?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

INTERESTING FACTS about Monsieur Francis Kurkdjian:

– at the age of 25, Francis created his first perfume for Jean Paul Gaultier, called Le Male.

– also created for Acqua di Parma , Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Guerlain, Jean Paul Gaultier, Juliette Has A Gun, Kenzo, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent.

– at 30, he received the the Coty Prize for his entire career.

– 10 years later, at 40 he received the important distinction of “Chevalier des Arts et Des Lettres”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESCENTRIC MOLECULES – MOLECULE 01, fatal attraction – the pheromonal perfumes

Tags

Beautik Haute Parfumerie, Escentric Molecules, luxury, Molecule 01, perfume, pheromones, unique

Me and the ESCENTRIC MOLECULES – MOLECULE 01 had the pleasure of being together for almost four years. I was lucky enough to be in London when the perfume was launched. It happened in 2010 at Harvey Nichols. Ever since, the brand has been on an ascensive lane, and the popularity of this unique perfume can be easily observed all-over the Internet world.

 

I bought it blindly being intrigued only by the innovative concept of it. It is a one ingredient perfume which reacts with the PH of your body releasing a pheromone specific to the person who wears it. How intriguing is that!?

The perfume is described as woody but in reaction with my skin it pulls out a bit vanillary, which I was really hoping to happen. The one ingredient in it is called ISO E SUPER – an ingredient which is supposed to have a magnetic olfactory impact on people around you close to the effect of pheromones. And it might actually work because I always get compliments when I wear it… from men and women, both!

It is known as the most sexy perfume in the world and stars like Kate Moss, Elton John and Dita Von Teese chose to be irresistible by using it.

The packaging of the product comes to complete the impact of the perfume visually, and to realize a “seductive contrast between lights and reflections”.

I use it a lot by itself and I always make sure I have my Travalo perfume atomizer filled with it, somewhere inside my purse. I also like to layer it under softer, floral perfumes to give them some deepness and body.

It is currently available online on Cult Beauty, at Barneys NY, Beautik Haute Parfumerie in two more different scents: a MOLECULE 02 and a MOLECULE 03, one fresher and one earthier scented.

What is your favourite perfume?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIPTYQUE Radiance Boosting Powder for the Face – My thoughts on it

Tags

Diptyque, luxury, poudre pureté pour le visage, powder, radiance boosting powder, skincare

The Diptyque skincare range IS truly amazing!

This time the product I’m going to tell you about is the DIPTYQUE Radiance Boosting Powder for the Face, a product like no other I have tried before. When released, this facial powder and the cleansing balm ( review here and another post here ) were the two products I wanted the most and my intuition wasn’t wrong!

The Radiance Boosting Powder for the face is a powder meant to clean, sooth and purify your complexion. It contains white clay with a purifying effect and remineralizing action, and a powder made out of a combination of rose petals, jasmin and neroli flowers. In contact with water the powder transforms into a creamy, soft mousse, which will leave your skin clean and bright. It will also prepare it for the next steps of your facial routine.

How I used it:

– I poured some of the product into my hand and added instead of water some Diptyque Infusal Facial Water for the Face, another great product from their new skincare range. The result is going to be a very soft and smooth, and herbaly scented white paste which I massaged into my skin with my bare hands, because I have sensitive skin and I discovered that the little black sponge that came with the powder was to harsh for me. But if you want a more of a mechanical exfoliation you can use it, if your skin allows you to. After a few minutes I rinsed everything with warm water.

The effect was immediate! My skin looked bright, plumped, elastic and clean. What I did after that was to wipe my face with a cotton pad with some more of the Infused Facial Water on… and nothing else. I went to bed and when got up my face was still bright, plumped, elastic and clean… No excess oils, no redness, and more important – no allergic reactions. After two days my skin was still feeling fresh and healthy.

– beside using the product as I told you before, I also used it as a deep clean face mask. I used the same “ingredients”. I applied it on my face with a brush and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then I rinsed it off, and the effect was the same. Plus, I noticed that my pores weren’t as visible as before. Keep in mind to take the product after 5 minutes, otherwise it will leave you with some redness in your sensitive areas. Nothing bad though!

I used the powder for its own purposes twice a week and as a mask once a week, or even every other week.

The Diptyque Radiance Boosting Powder for the Face is not a miracle worker but I am very pleased with the results so far!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

Diptyque the Nourishing Cleansing Balm for the Face

Tags

cleansing balm, Diptyque, luxury, nourishing cleansing balm, review, skincare

It was about time I wrote a proper review on the infamous Diptyque the Nourishing Cleansing Balm for the Face, the product from the new Diptyque skincare rage I was most excited to try and see how it performs on my sensitive skin. I’ve been using it for more than one month now and I have to say I do not regret buying it at all!

 

As you may already know, Diptyque launched the new skincare range somewhere at the end of January ( 27th ) in all the Diptyque stores around the world and of course I had to have it and test it.

The Diptyque L’Art Du Soin skincare range includes an Infused Facial Water, a Radiance Boosting Powder, a Nourishing Cleaninsing Balm, a Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay and a Protective Moisturising Lotion. The range has been created based on years of thoroughly research into beauty routines and it is aimed to treat your skin’s everyday needs. It can be mixed and matched according to your daily skincare regimen and there’s something in the range that would, for sure, awake the interest of both women and men from different parts of the world, with different skin types and different skin issues.

The range has been developed to treat everyday needs based on global research into beauty routines. It can be mixed and matched quite simply and there’s something in the range that would appeal to different women and men from all over the world. – See more at: http://www.reallyree.com/2014/01/diptyque-skincare-for-face-review.html#sthash.61LoSOEN.dpuf

Diptyque L’Art Du Soin includes Infused Facial Water, Radiance Boosting Powder, Nourishing Cleaninsing Balm, Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay and Protective Moisturising Lotion. – See more at: http://www.reallyree.com/2014/01/diptyque-skincare-for-face-review.html#sthash.61LoSOEN.dpuf

Diptyque L’Art Du Soin includes Infused Facial Water, Radiance Boosting Powder, Nourishing Cleaninsing Balm, Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay and Protective Moisturising Lotion. – See more at: http://www.reallyree.com/2014/01/diptyque-skincare-for-face-review.html#sthash.61LoSOEN.dpuf

Diptyque L’Art Du Soin includes Infused Facial Water, Radiance Boosting Powder, Nourishing Cleaninsing Balm, Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay and Protective Moisturising Lotion. – See more at: http://www.reallyree.com/2014/01/diptyque-skincare-for-face-review.html#sthash.61LoSOEN.dpuf

Diptyque L’Art Du Soin includes Infused Facial Water, Radiance Boosting Powder, Nourishing Cleaninsing Balm, Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay and Protective Moisturising Lotion. – See more at: http://www.reallyree.com/2014/01/diptyque-skincare-for-face-review.html#sthash.61LoSOEN.dpuf

The DIPTYQUE Nourishing Cleansing Balm for the Face removes all traces of makeup while cleansing and nourishing your skin. Its natural formula is enriched with oils and waxes to soften and cleanse your skin, while vitamins A, C and E give you an extra healthy boost. It also has NO PARABENS which is always a good for your skin!

How I use it:

I scoop a tiny bit of product – about a pea size is enough for my whole face –  with the little spatula that comes inside the box. I warm up the product between my hands until the waxy texture it has at first transforms into an oil, or I add a few pumps of the Infused Facial Water to emulsify it and give it a milky texture. Then I apply it onto damp face. I carefully massage it in with circular motions. Then all it is left to do is to rinse it off but what I usually do is use a muslin cloth to remove it!

I like to repeat the whole process not because I feel like it doesn’t work from the first shot but because I’m used to do so ( maybe a little OCD… ) with every cleansing product. It is just my little routine! The result is a silky smooth baby-like skin, very hydrated an elastic. No redness, no dry patches, no flaky skin…

As for the scent, like ALL Diptyque fragrances, this balm will transport you to an “exotic destination which is over taken by the most precious, fragrant, flowers known to man, floating by on a gentle breeze”.

Have you tried this product yet? What are your thoughts on it?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

INTERESTING FACT:

TIP: You can use this cleansing balm as a hydrating mask too. You apply it evenly on your face, wait 10 to 15 minutes then you clean it off. I used it as an overnight mask and it worked as well.

 

 

 

SPA AT HOME – Luxury Products 1 – Body

Tags

Ambre, body lotion, body scrub, Diptyque, eco oils, luxury, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, perfume, salts, skincare, soap, SPA

Once a week, on Saturdays usually, I keep the day all for myself and I like to have a SPA session in my own bathroom, to relax and to pamper myself. To get ready for the week that is ahead of me…

It is the only day I like to take long, relaxing baths with oils, salts… just like in a SPA. It is my own, personal SPA at home. So in this post I’m going to show you what I do when I want to get fancy. It is a Luxury SPA option I very much enjoy!

So, first of all I like to prepare my bathroom – to make it a bit more SPA-like. And I do that with candles, solid perfume, oils and even with incense paper – my personal favourite. All those scents are complementary and they will create a cosy atmosphere. And let me tell you that my entire house smells ah-mazing! I add some soothing music and some dim light and the decor is ready!

Now it is time to take the long-awaited bath. Under the running water I pour some bath oils, I add some bath salts to help me relax and in I go! After a couple of minutes I scrub my whole body with a gentle body scrub then I like to wash my skin with a moisturizing soap, to remove any excess oil from the scrub.

After washing myself I use a good body lotion. What I like to do is to apply it on damp skin and work it in, giving my whole body a good relaxing massage at the same time.

I never forget about my hands, since at this time of year they tend to get particularly dry.

Here you have a list of my favourite luxury products I like to use at the moment:

– Maison Francis Kurkdjian – APOM Incense Paper  ( link )

– Ambre – Rosemary, Thyme and Mint Invigorating Bath Oil – review

– Ambre – Herbal Garden Body Scrub – review

– Ambre – Costa del Azahar Warming and Moisturizing Soap – review

– Diptyque –  Eau Rose Body Veil

– Diptyque – Eau Rose Hand Cream ( click here for a poetic review )

This is how I treat my body in my own LUXURY improvised SPA, in my own home! And so can you!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

My experience with BY TERRY at MADISON LUXURY PERFUMERY – Part 2: Get ready with me…

Tags

anniversary, Baume de Rose, beauty, By Terry, cosmetics, event, France, high end, luxury, madison, makeup, perfumery, rose, soft pink, Sophie KIlian

Earlier last week, I’ve got an email from the beautiful Alexandra – professional make-up artist that works at Madison Luxury Perfumery. Madison is one of the most amazing places to shop for makeup, skincare and fragrance in Bucharest. But that’s a whole other story!

Since Tuesday, the 18th of February was the date of a special event – 10 years anniversary of By Terry’s Baume de Rose, they had a special guest: the international make-up artist for By Terry, Sophie Killian. So Alexandra asked me if I want to come… I confirmed my presence in less than 2 seconds, as you can easily imagine!

–  photo – courtesy of Madison Luxury Perfumery, on Facebook

I couldn’t wait for Tuesday to come! And when I arrived there was instantly mesmerized. The atmosphere was warm, with slow music in the background and Sophie working her magic. Alexandra greet me and offered me a coffee and some appetizers, then she showed me around; this is how I found out the history behind the brand By Terry – that I shared with you in my previous post.

Then, Sophie was kind enough to perform a personalized makeup session on me. ( Imagine the excitement! )

Here is a list of the products she used on me:

– first of all, Alexandra prepared my face by cleansing it with By Terry Pureté De Rose Refreshing Cleansing Gel

– then she applied a base Cellular Rose ® Brightening CC Lumi Serum, in no 3 – Apricot Glow ( love at first sight )

– foundation: Sheer – Expert Foundation, in #07 – Vanilla Beige

– for lips – contour: Crayon Lèvres Terrybly, in #02 – Rose Contour and the Rouge Terrybly Lipstick, in #404 – Carnal Attraction

– blush: Hyaluronic Blush, in #03 – Bubble Glow

– eyes: Ombre Blackstar in #14 – Blue Obession and the Crayon Kohl Terrybly, in #01 – Black Print;

– mascara: Terrybly #01 – Party – Pris

– eyebrows: Crayon Sourcils Terrybly, in #02 – Ash Brown

The brushes Sophie used to apply the makeup, were: Pinceau Teint Précision #6, Pinceau Joues-Biseau #3, Pinceau Levres Rétractable Précision #7, Pinceau Sculpteur Biseau #1 and Dome #3.

Everything Sophie used to do this makeup look is available online at Madison, ByTerry website and at my favourite online beauty shop SpaceNK.

And here is the final result… A sultry night makeup face, with blue smoky eyes and dark lips. I loved it to death! So much that I even dare to post a close up of this look, after a few hours of being out in town with the girls!…

– I know I look tired here, but bare with  me!… Point is the makeup was still in place, even after all that time… I’ve only reapplied the lipstick!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

WELCOME to ANNIE’S BEAUTY… blog!

Tags

beauty, fashion, fotd, luxury, makeup, MOTD, perfume, review, skincare, swatches, welcome

Hello everyone!

I’m Annie and I love everything beauty, makeup and fashion related!

Yeah! I know! Big surprise there!… Not!… 

Long story short… Since I’ve been following some amazing blogs I felt inspired by how creative and beautiful this can be… So today it finally happened! After a few good weeks of seriously thinking it through, and a lot encouragement from friends I’ve decided to take my chance on this huge blogging world! So – I guess – that makes me a beauty blogger now… right?!

Well… Some of you may already know me from Instagram, at least I hope so, and from my posts there I think you guessed what this blog is going to be about… To those who stopped by for the first time a big hello and thank you for being here!

But I want to tell you what to expect from my blog next. First of all I’m a woman! That means I love lipstick, skincare, shoes and bags… I’m also a creative spirit and an amateur photographer… So, by mixing all those ingredients my Instagram account was born and now this blog, which is going to be my new playground. 

What you have to expect from ANNIE’S BEAUTY… blog: mostly makeup, skincare and hair product reviews. Also other things I like and I want to share with you, as well as the random rant! Told you! I’m a woman! I DO talk a lot!

So if you are interested in all that, please like and follow me!

See you soon beautiful people!

xx, Annie