Purple Reign: Sabon Fig Coco Body Scrub + Violet Hand Cream

I had a lovely trip to the Sabon store across the street from Bloomingdale's today. If you spend all day typing, it's nice to treat your fingers to decadent beauty products. Sabon Fig Coco body scrub is ideal for stimulating circulation and perfuming your fingers. It smells like a bowl of sliced, ripe figs.

I also was smitten by Sabon's Violet hand cream. I could have bought three tubes, at least. The scent is reminiscent of a violet eau de toilette that cult perfumer Sarah Horowitz used to make.

XOX,
Charlotte

BUY IT: Sabon Fig Coco body scrub ($30) and Violet Hand Cream ($13), sabonnyc.com.

David Lynch - Vintage Opium Commercial

Entertainment Weekly mentioned this commercial in an article titled "The Triumph of 'Twin Peaks'" (April 6, 1990):

Lynch recently made his debut as an ad director on a new spot for Yves Saint Laurent's Opium fragrance. ''It's got an Oriental theme, a woman opening the bottle. It's a very sensual commercial,'' Lynch says with typical exuberance. ''You'd know it if you saw it. I really had a blast doing it. I've also done a public service announcement for New York City on trash and rats. It's in black and white. And I had a really good time doing that.'

Shalom Harlow - Vintage Shalimar Ad

Catherine Deneuve - Chanel No. 5

Weapons for Looking, Uh...Hot

Hello to my wonderful followers, idols of paradise, and vexingly vain darlings,

I have so many things to tell you, so I am squeezing everything in my mind into one post:

HOT SKIN CARE PRODUCT

Eyeshadow Government gives two thumbs up to Lily. B Rose Hip-Infused Foaming Facial Wash, a superb solution for every skin type. This mild, paraben-free cleanser contains rose hip seed oil and seaweed extract, both natural antioxidants.  Rose hip seed oil nourishes and soothes the skin with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and omega fatty acids. Seaweed extract also is said to have anti-aging properties and I think helps your skin look its best. You can purchase this facial wash for $28 at Lilybskincare.com or Bloom.com.

BEAUTY FROM WITHIN

Often, we forget that pampering (such as going to the spa for a treatment or getting a pedicure) is not just an indulgence, but a ritual that we can either embrace or deny ourselves. If you are feeling burned out at school or work, making time for relaxation can help undo the effects of stress and offer a much-needed "time out."

Going to the spa is an investment in your overall health, and so if you don't already go, think of it as an important part of your schedule (errr, sort of like a dentist's visit but way more fun). To me, the benefits always outweigh the costs.

Also, there are always plenty of ways to relax and pamper yourself at home. For example, a light bulb went off in my head two days ago, and I tried using my Pure Life Soap Co. Volcanic Clay Facial Scrub ($10) as a body treatment. Although this scrub looks a bit like dirt, I bravely applied the mixture to my torso, legs and arms. The volcanic clay helped draw out toxins beneath the skin's surface, and left me feeling shiny and new. Another favorite product for relaxing at home is Mandy Aftel's Aftelier Perfumes Forest Flower bath oil (link to my rave review).

DISCO FEVER

Should you wish to appear enthralling, you must wear copper eye liner this weekend. Catch this trend while you can! Channel your Parisian alter-ego circa 1979! And in the meantime, if you took my advice and bought the Smashbox Softbox Eye Shadow Palette, this set has an excellent copper cream liner. If you prefer to use a pencil version, try Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Bronze #10L  or Hello Kitty Glittercute Eyeliner in Teapot (penny-colored + glittery).

Apply the eye liner above your upper lashes, and then line the inner part of your lower lashes too. Finish the look with jet black mascara and a rich burgundy lip.

XOXO,
Charlotte

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Gilt City Deal: Diane von Furstenberg $100 for $200 Credit (Major FYI)

Gilt City is offering $200 of merchandise at Diane Von Furstenberg's Meatpacking Districts and SoHo boutiques for just $100. This is one of the best deals I've seen on the internet in a long while or, like, ever!

Cheerio,
Charlotte

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner Review

Hello my dearest and most glamorous dolphins,

Are you ready to go swimming? I hope so!

New Aqua eyeliners at The Makeup Show New York.

One must-have beauty item for making a splash this summer is a vibrant Aqua Eyes eyeliner from Make Up For Ever. Your eyeliner is your sword, ladies. (Some girls think they don't need schmancy beauty products, but eyeliner is surely enriching. If you have any doubts about its utility in matters of love and seduction, one need only whisper the names Elizabeth Taylor and Sofia Loren.)

The Aqua Eyes eyeliners are all fun and colorful, but the best part is that they won't budge. (I tested them at the Makeup Show New York.) I applied many of the eyeliner shades on my hand and then, tried washing the color off with Softsoap. They didn't move, streak or fade. Then, I took a shower. Still, basically the same. After tons of washing and scrubbing, the strength of the brilliant colors hardly diminished.

Surprised in a good way?

Definitely!

So before you take a dip in a pool, sweep on one of these eyeliners in Turquoise or Pistachio. And if you are really beachy and glam, you could invest in a different shade to match each of your swimsuits.

Testing the shades on my hand.

P.S. During The Makeup Show, Courtney Love's brilliant makeup artist David Hernandez wiped off dozens of eyeliners and arranged all of them to help me shoot the product display (top photo). He also has the word "Kapow" tattooed on his neck.

XOX,
Charlotte