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Friday Fragrance Find: Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum

January 16, 2015 / No Comments

There is something about discovering a new fragrance that can change your attitude. Your mood. Your strut. Your confidence level. Particularly when that fragrance gets noticed by not only your best friends, but by that special Manly Man. Well, that’s exactly what Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum does. And, it’s our Friday Fragrance Find of the week.

About Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum $74 1.7 oz.

The classic love story of Romance takes a daring, sensual turn with this mysterious and seductive new facet of the fragrance. The passionate embrace of pink peony and rich black vanilla captivates the senses and speaks of a forbidden love and the sensual side of femininity.

Notes:
Peony, Rasberry, Vanilla, Ambrox.
Style:
Sensual. Passionate. Mysterious.

Why it’s such a find:

I think the name gives you a hint about how sensual and seductive Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum is. Many times when you spray a fragrance, you have to wait for the dry down to get an idea of the fragrance style. Not so with Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum, you immediately know that this scent is not for the timid. Not that it’s in your face bold, but it is such a subtle yet strong fragrance, that you must want the attention that it garners.

The floral notes are feminine, yet mysterious. Not so light that you lose the value of the scent in an hour. Vanilla is a favorite of the fellas, so you are certain to capture his attention when you wear this fragrance. The dry down is even better than the initial spray. It’s warm, inviting and lingering.

If you are looking for a little midnight romance, Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum is the fragrance for you.

Bling Factor:

Pro: Seductive, a little lasts for hours

Con: None

Price: $74+

Buy Again: Yes

Packaging: 5 Blings — Heavy, gorgeous bottle

Overall: 5 Blings

Hero Ingredient: Vanilla

Natural/Organic/Vegan: No

Cruelty Free: N/A

Shop:

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Editor’s Picks: The Hardest Working Beauty Products for Labor Day

In 1884, just two years after the first “workingmen’s holiday” was celebrated, the Central Labor Union christened the first Monday in September as the official Labor Day holiday. As beauty buffs, we’re insatiable. When it comes to the art of beautifcation, we operate to an 8-count of harder, better, faster, stronger–we’re constantly on the prowl for those products that are always on the grind and keeps us gorgeous. So in honor of this tribute to our nation’s workers, we have dedicated this edition of editor’s picks to the hardest-working beauty products we know. Our Labors of Love are as follows… Editor-in-Chief Tracey’s Labor of Love: Black Opal Brightening Scrub $9 “I love this double duty scrub/mask. I scrub my face like crazy before I get in the shower. Then I let the mask work its wonders while I do my daily duty in the shower. The last thing I do is rinse off the mask. My skin is exfoliated and brightened in one fell swoop. And the best part is that this Black Opal scrub mask duo is under $10. On top of that the benefits are culmulative–my skin gets progressively smoother and brighter while I use this hard working beauty product.” Chelsea’s Labor of Love: Benefit Cha Cha Tint $30 “This mango colored blush in a bottle is the epitome of perfection! I am on the darker side of the spectrum for Black/African-American skin and many tints don’t show up on me. However, this bottled blush is highly pigmented, even on darker skin tones. It has a brush applicator that makes Cha Cha Tint an amazing multitasker—great for lips and cheeks. For a flawless, fetching face, Cha Cha gives a glowing color like no other.” Taylor’s Labor of Love: Coralactives Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser $22 “Simply put, CoralActives Retinol Exfoliating Cleanser does double duty by cleaning and exfoliating simultaneously. This is great because I don’t want to do any more than I have to in order to get the job done.” Staff Labor of Love: Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads $36 “Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Complexion Correction Pads is a powerhouse in a pot. It truly sets the standard for adult acne correctors everywhere since it doesn’t have a traditional, medicinal smell. In fact, it brings the spa to you by incorporating peach bellini! But soothing scents beside, I’ve never experienced such immediate results after using a skin care product. All I saw was glowing, poreless skin. With all the anti-aging benefits, soothing botanical extracts and inclusion of glycolic and salicylic acid, you’re definitely doing your skin a huge favor!” Terez’s Labor of Love: Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme $9 “I’m a huge fan of Burt’s Bees and I can’t say enough about the Coconut Foot Creme. It is nothing short of miraculous and it transforms rough, calloused feet overnight! This creme has a rich, honey-like consistency and smells delicious. I’ve also used this product to moisturize and protect dry elbows, knees and cracked cuticles.” Nalo’s Labor of Love: Estee Lauder’s DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 $43 “Since it is important to use a moisturizer with SPF in the summer as well as during the cooler months, Estee Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 works for all seasons. This hardworking beauty product reduces the appearance of fine lines, discoloration and dullness. It also fights free radicals while refreshing the skin with cucumber. Apply daily and at night to reap the benefits. ” Bona Fide Face Deidre’s Labor of Love: DDF Glycolic 10% Toning Complex $35 “I love when I don’t have to be slave to a great acne product. What’s worse than acne? Having to keep an acne product in tow in hopes of keeping an onslaught of fresh zits at bay. I use DDF Glycolic 10% Toning Complex about twice a year to give my skin a glowing, renewed state so my products-of-the-moment get their glory. This product rivals treatments at the derm office minus the sticker shock.” Shop the beauty products that work hard for the money: Face Anti-Aging by Estee Lauder
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Editor’s Picks: Use These Products to Fight Dry Winter Skin

Winter is no excuse to have dry and flaky skin! Combat the rough winter skin with these staples that will keep you hydrated all year long. Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Body Butter Collection packs pure shea and cocoa butters with skin saving essential oils to deliver instantly softer skin. While other Body Butters use synthetic preservatives and chemicals including parabens, silicone & mineral oils that can clog pores, prevent absorption of beneficial ingredients and accumulate in the body, we pack our natural formula with smart, natural ingredients that that allow for faster absorption of body beneficial vitamins and immediate hydration ($19; Lavanila.com). Korres Moisturising Hand Cream with Almond Oil & Calendula will relieve dry hands with rich yet non-oily botanical extracts. Calendula, combined with almond oil and aloe, helps retain natural moisture of the skin, leaving hands smooth and supple. A blend of natural butters and antioxidants provides additional comfort. Use the 91.9 percent natural formula daily for immediate and long-term relief ($14.50; Sephora.com). Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare Recapture Day + IR Defense Anti-Aging Cream SPF 30 is formulated with a bio-copper complex that helps correct the most visible signs of aging. It uses three effective technologies to revive, improve and protect your skin while recapturing a youthful appearance ($69; Kohl’s). Shop:
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Green Day Thursday: Editor’s PIck—Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter

Baby it’s cold outside, and what better way keep your skin in optimal hydrated condition than with a body butter. But wait. Not all body butters are created equal! Some are greasy, sticky, don’t absorb and just too heavy. Such is not the case with Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter. Here are the details for Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter $15: Smell incredible with our nourishing and anti-oxidant rich ingredients. Our body butter helps fight signs of aging while adding deep moisture and protection. Made with nature’s best moisturizers – shea butter, almond oil and safflower oil – Pacifica’s paraben-free Body Butter is a skin must-have. Now available in tubes in our best-selling fragrances, making them easy to take with you anywhere. A warm blend of sultry fresh coconut, delicate creamy vanilla. DETAILS: Pacifica’s Indian Coconut Nectar is a sensuous and delicious blend inspired by travels to faraway destinations. This warm, sultry blend of coconut and delicate creamy vanilla is pure ambrosia. 100% vegan. Why it’s and editor’s pick: First there is the amazing fragrance — all natural at that. The name says coconut, and you get coconut. Not overpowering coconut, but just enough to smell…nice. Probably because there is a balance of vanilla in the scent as well. Then of course is the body butter itself. Made with shea and mango butters, Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter melts right into your skin and feels just lovely. It’s like whipped butter! A little of the body butter goes a very long way and keep skin hydrated for hours. Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter absorbs quickly and gives those “rough” areas, like elbows, knees and feet enough moisture to keep them smooth and soft. What we love even more is that this body butter is chemical free and made with the best ingredients. Besides shea and mango butter there is Vitamin E, kukui nut, macadamia nut and rose hip seed oils which help nourish skin. I love applying Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter right out of the shower before I go to bed and I wake up with the best feeling and smelling skin to start my day! And, as a brown girl, I have to say that this body butter is a serious #AshKicker as well! Bling Factor: Pro: Moisturizes, lightweight, long-lasting, great scent Con: None Price: $15 Buy Again: Yes Packaging: 5 Blings — cute packaging plus great tube Overall: 5 Blings Hero Ingredient: Shea & Mango butters Natural/Organic/Vegan: Vegan Cruelty Free: Yes Shop:
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Every woman needs a go to fur (faux) and moisturizer for these winter months. It’s cold outside. We wrap up, blast the heat and even stoke the fire to keep warm. But the fact is that indoor heat as well as outdoor cold can all wreak havoc with our skin. Protect your skin from the harsh ways of winter by keeping moisture level in balance; perhaps bumping up your moisturizer a notch. Even oily skin benefits from the protection of hydrators that keep skin nourished and balanced. My moisturizer picks: 1. Best Anti-aging Moisturizer NeOvadiol Gf Day Densifying Re-Sculpting Care $48 Benefits (to which I can attest) Refined jaw line, toned neck, plumped cheeks, skin is nourished with features appearing smoother and a subtle green tea fragrance. The feel is nothing less than luxurious. 2. Best Moisturizer for Combination Skin Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Creme SPF 15 $35 This moisturizer combines grape seed oil and antioxidants that gives skin a luminous glow while it protects against environmental aggressors. 3. Best Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin Go Clear Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15 $33 A fast-absorbing, oil-free, moisturizing sunscreen that provides UVA / UVB sun protection, complexion-enhancing botanicals, and a matte finish. 4. Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin Kinerase Lotion $63 This rich, gentle daily hydrator offers phenomenal antiaging effects courtesy of Kineten (0.1% N6-furfuryladenine), a plant-derived ingredient that helps delay signs of aging, delivers improved tone and texture, and visibly minimizes the look of lines, wrinkles, dark spots, blotches, freckles, and uneven skintone. 5. Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin First Aid 5 in 1 Face Cream SPF 30 $38 This blend is allergy tested, fragrance free, and dermatologist recommended; it excludes harsh chemicals and colorants. Photo of Naomi Campbell courtesy of huffingtonpost.com. Shop:Face Anti-Aging by KineraseSkin Care at drugstore.com
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