1. a warm, sweet, but dominantly aldehydic fragrance: Very much along the lines of Chanel. I rather like the smell of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, but it's too mass-market for me. I don't like to smell like my roommate. I have a sample of Chanel Bois des Iles coming in the mail, but it does not sound like it's "sweet", per se. Balenciaga Le Dix? Like Chanel No. 5 in violets, I hear. YSL Rive Gauche, maybe, though that's clean and soft, rather than the heady fragrances I prefer. We shall see. Other perfume cravings: Lancôme 2000 et Une Rose, Serge Lutens Tubéreuse Criminelle, Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental, Guerlain Après L'Ondée—all limited distribution, and therefore both expensive and hard to find.


2. NARS Jezebel Duo: It sounds like a combination of violet and MAC Teddy to me, and that's all I've been wearing these past few months. Maybe a little redundant, I don't know. I have to get to Sephora and fiddle around to see. Perhaps NARS Blue Angel would be a better buy, and it would certainly be a shift from what I've been wearing every day.


3. two fabulous face products: Poudre Peau Fine from Caron, and a Becca Creme Blush.


4. I've my skincare routine down: Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover (I decided I need a separate eye makeup remover), Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel (like Cetaphil, but cooler), Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream, Dr. Hauschka Facial Toner, Better Botanicals Dandelion Moisturizer, Biotherm Biosensitive Anti-Redness Soothing Concentrate, Biotherm Hydra-Deto2x Masque.


5. a signature lipstick: So many options, but which one is perfect? MAC Red Haute is discontinued, but YSL Rouge Pure Shine No. 8 is very similar (though I think the texture is a little too slippery). Or, what about Chanel Spark Glossimer? Or Biotherm Smile Shine Duochrome #129? And Chantecaille Nougat Lip Gloss? NARS Positano? Dior Addict A Feast of Plums Ultra Gloss? Whatever shall I do?


6. Origins A Spice Odyssey Foaming Body Scrub: Mmm... I like spicy, and I need a body scrub.

Labels: beauty notes