On Fragrances: Zen Zest Cabinet Deodorizer and Anti-Mosquito Room Fragrances

Whoa it's May! I didn't even notice... May is quite a special month for me. It means new beginnings and I can't wait to do my religious ritual on the 13th. But I'll elaborate on that later. In the meantime, let me introduce you to new spritzes and new lovable scents. 

Whoever thought of this is brilliant! In this case, it's fragrance connoisseur Zen Zest. I’ve been searching for ideas for my monthly On Fragrances feature and Sample Room lays it right on my lap.

Fragrances for your room? Why not? It’s your personal space in your home and it’s one place where you should feel revitalized and refreshed. 

Zen Zest brings forth two rejuvenating scents for one’s personal spaces. For only 20 points each, I got to try the Cabinet Deodorizer and Anti-Mosquito Room Fragrance. It’s just the perfect end-notes to spring clean!

The Cabinet Deodorizer in Iris Peony and Fresia Blossom is just lovely. It's an all-around deodorizer and every time I open my closet, the fragrance is so refreshing. It lasts for at least three days.I'm impressed with the way it neutralizes bad odors, I feel calm too knowing that because of the sweet, light scent from the Iris Peony in this mixture.

 

For the Anti-Mosquito Spray, it's a mixture of Citronella, Lemongrass and Eucalyptus. Unlike the other insect repellants making use of the Citronella and Lemongrass combination that I've tried, the addition of Eucalyptus in this concoction adds just the right minty fragrance. It's just the right balance and the Eucalyptus floats above the other two scents making it more of a minty insect repellant. Looking for added bonus? You don't have to apply it onto the skin. I like that it's safe to spray in most corners of the house as well.

The only downside? I wish the full-sized bottles were made available, because this is such a luxury item at a very affordable price! I think I'm lucky to be able to have availed of the Limited Edition scents. 

For now, I'll be spritzing away until my next post.

What are your discoveries for the month of May? Any resolutions you would want to share with me?

On Fragrances: Let’s Love Woman by United Colors of Benetton

A new month means that it’s the time for another feature on a new fragrance! I daresay that it’s a new fragrance at least for me. I hope your pranks yesterday were pretty effective.  I did pull a prank yesterday, being April Fool's Day but that was it. I think I'm losing my touch.  >___<

Valentine’s Day came and went and Let’s Love Woman by United Colors of Benetton was one of the featured samples in Sample Room but to my disappointment, I didn’t have enough points to secure a 30ml bottle. I guess it was my lucky day when I became one of the 25 recipients of the Sample Room #Inspire bag.

“The feminine equivalent of earlier launched masculine fragrance Let's Move is named Let's Love. It is designed for the young, modern and romantic woman who still dreams of love affairs. The dominant note is the note of passion flower, floral - fruity composition optimistically opens with bamboo sap, pineapple and lily of the valley. Middle notes are ruled by passion flower, with star jasmine and raspberry. Musk, cedar wood and cashmere wood form the perfume’s background.”

In a small silver box, the print on it already gives perfume collectors a hint of what to expect. It’s simple and sends the message across- Let’s Love. If love were to be embodied in a fragrance, what would its scent be? How would one capture the moment and the actions of love?

 

There will be thrilling moments, and then there will be those seconds when you feel just content and happy-not wanting to be anywhere else except there. There will be that light, airy feeling and with eyes closed, it will be sweet and fluttery and you will be one with the cool wind. It’s like taking the plunge and trusting yourself, pretty much like how the sweet and floral scent is. It can be a little overpowering, but after all, it’s the pull that no one can ignore. 

It’s a suitable scent for spring and summer, especially when one is to spend the day outdoors under shady trees and blue skies. The more prominent notes can last up to eight hours, it blends as the hours pass by. The trail is delicate, and the hint of fruity and floral scents makes this tiny bottle just the right companion for the breezy, summery days ahead.

Spending Monday Afternoon With Janet and Toni

I know I've been away from this corner for quite a long time in terms of blogging periods, a couple of weeks can feel like a year. But I have things to wrap up, tasks to accomplish in such limited time, and other issues on my head.

I did write down my future posts that will be up here sooner or later. I have one more On Fragrances feature and then my personal picks from AHAVA. Also I have new picks from Mary Kay and  The Cream Factory so that's all coming before the month ends.

But now it's time for me to slow down. What do I do in order to clear my head? Sketch, write, and listen to music. I rarely listen to today's songs except if they're that good. But for sure hits, I go back to my gals, Janet Jackson and Toni Braxton. I wonder why nobody writes songs like these anymore, and I rarely hear them being played on the radio. Thankfully there's still YouTube.

I do hope you enjoy these songs. They've ruled the airwaves during my early years, you could say that I was looking at the MTV Generation back when the latest technology we had were cassette tapes. Those were the years when listeners enjoyed the music that they put on the charts and the lyrics actually meant something tangible. But I guess good things pass. You won't be surprised to find these songs in my Xperia Walkman list.

What’s In My Sample Room #Inspire Bag?

My dad handed me the package that arrived here and he was also curious to find out what could be inside, so he stood there while I pushed all the contents of the bag on my bed and he was pretty impressed. How’s that for a supportive father? He even suggested getting me a side table for all my cosmetics to be situated in my room. He likes the fact that I’m spending time bonding with him here at home because I’m taking a break from work. 

Fun fact about my Dad: he is an avid user of the Physiogel moisturizer also from #sampleroom.

This is Sample Room’s second goodie bag with the theme Inspire. Do the contents inspire? You will find out. 

The tools included in this bag are the ReveN Natural Cleansing Sponge for the face which I’m really pleased with. It should be great for cleansing in the evenings. There’s also the Charm Pro Flat Liner Brush, I was hoping to get something similar to an eyeshadow blending brush but this will do. I’ve felt the bristles and they’re really soft. The only downside is that the ferrules were disattached from the wand when I tried to realign it, but that’s something a little super glue can just handle.

Sample Room has been all about discovering new beauty products and I like that it’s all natural. Could you believe that I haven’t heard of AHAVA and probably would not have paid attention to it? But because of Sample Room including this set in my goodie bag, I’m learning to love this brand. It looks all so high-end, and I like that the Comforting Cream is really intense with its moisturizing properties. The Hand Cream has a subtle scent which I am fond of. Just the other day I was worried that I would be running out of Eye Makeup Remover, having shared the rest with my Mom and I’m really glad I got another from my loot. There are a couple of Gentle Body Exfoliators in sample sizes so I’m going to test it out against my local body scrub brand. 

I’ve reviewed the Pevonia Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream some time ago, and now I have a travel size bottle with me! Hurray! I’m not so fond of brightening masks but this one from Shisheido just says “try me”. And so I will.

As for cosmetics, I have a ZA Perfect Action Mascara; the tube is a little too bulky but it’s still manageable. There’s also a lipstick from Collection Cosmetics in Sweet Tarte that has a sweet scent and comes in an intense pink color. The NYX Butter Gloss is very convenient and comes in a Cherry Cheesecake label though it looks like an orange-coral shade that’s just perfect for the summer. 

Lastly, here’s another one for an On: Fragrances post for Raisie Speaks.This has got to be a sweet treat. I was meaning to keep my eye on United Colors of Benetton's Let's Love Woman when it hit availability on Sample Room but it required so many points. I'm just happy that it's included here in the bag. 

 

I didn't take photos of the printed brochures included in the bag. 

I would say that the contents are pretty inspiring, not to mention, the loot bag has a good selection and mixture of skin care products, cosmetics, tools and fragrances. It's a good to start to inspiring someone who needs some much needed boost. 

Diolch Yn Fawr Sample Room!

That's thank you in Welsh. =)

On Fragrances: Bella Belara by Mary Kay

 

It took about a few years for me to finally get my hands on this scent. This has got to be my unicorn scent which I have encountered for the very first time during my college days. The only obstacle to this being my signature scent is the fact that it was so expensive for me, especially on a student budget. Now that I'm earning for myself, it finally falls on my lap and I get to enjoy the fruits of my hard work.

"More than a fragrance, Belle Belara Eau de Parfum is an exuberant floral fruity scent that evokes a beautiful feeling.

Top note: Nectarine and Apricot

Middle note: Rose Petals and Jasmine

Bottom note: Blonde Woods and Cool Moss

"You live to your fullest potential knowing that it makes you confident, happy and attractive. For the woman who lives life to the fullest, loves feeling beautiful and knows how to show her beauty with confidence and joy."

Thanks to the thoughtfulness of Ms. Epie from Mary Kay Zamboanga, I received this for my Christmas-New Year gift together with a Mary Kay @ Play Lip Gloss tube in Berry Me.

 My Observations

The bottle is sexy and it has an ombre effect of red from the top transitioning to black at the bottom- I do recall that it's the same bottle design from when the scent was launched even before the ombre effect became popular. It's simple in shape and very elegant that suits an old-world memento- the cover resembles a top hat.

As for the scent, simply describing it as fruity floral is not enough. It exudes a feeling of confidence and ambition, it is suited for the woman who believes in possibilities, it makes one realize that anything can happen and that all it takes is one moment filled with the elements of magic- that it's all just there.

The scent lasts for many hours  from initial spray- 8 hours to be exact. It starts off strong and then still leaves a subtle fragrance. It's great for formal evenings where one can hope to have a glimpse of a fantasy world that's magical and romantic. 

 I've also fancied the script font on the box.

Don't you just find women with top hats absolutely sexy?

On Fragrances: Green Tea Cherry Blossom by Elizabeth Arden

I've had a crush on this scent for a really, really long time now. Ever since I have emptied my bottle of the original Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, I've been going crazy and felt restless wanting to have a substitute. I was just so darn grateful and happy when this arrived as a gift last Christmas from my  secret sponsor. Admittedly, the other ladies in my family have a crush on this scent as well.

 "Elizabeth Arden celebrates cherry blossom with her new fragrance of the Green Tea collection. Sakura or cherry blossom inspired designers of the collection to launch a new edition of the Green Tea line this spring. Cherry Blossom brings a romantic composition created of luminous citruses, cherry blossom and tree, enriched with woody warmth and sensuality."

My Observations

This is just a great year-round scent. It's very fresh and sparkly, and I welcome the floral notes on top of the green tea. I like that it's all scent and no shimmer whatsoever. Then again, Elizabeth Arden knows how to stick to the basics with just the freshest elements. I can sense a little musky base but it reflects to be something woody and then the body has just a dash of green tea. I haven't had experience with cherry blossom so there's no really telling on my part how much of the fragrance it composes.

It's lasting power is just one thing that I would like to point out. I can't get enough of the scent, it's one that I will never get tired of. But it only lasts for five hours maximum, from a couple of spritz early in the morning before leaving for work until noon break. Then if I am feeling too intent on another refreshing spritz for inspiration, there goes a couple more sprays.

The packaging is simple, also a reflection of minimalism, and the bottle is slim so it can fit in most bags. Thankfully I have not dropped it in order to see how durable the bottle is but I am hoping that won't happen... ever...

I currently have no means of going to Japan to visit the cherry blossoms and admire them in bloom. But maybe if I close my eyes and inhale the trail of this scent, I might be able to figure something out.

 

 

On Fragrances: Don't Know Which Fragrance To Gift Her? Why Not Try A Gift Set?

Do you want to gift a special lady a memorable fragrance but do not know which one to get?

With the number of choices when it comes to fragrances in the market, it is made difficult for you to choose the right scent that could tickle your senses, making it the right fragrance to gift that special lady. Be it your mother, sister, girlfriend or bestfriend,you can either come close or way-off the target when it comes to shopping online especially if you are not too familiar with the scents.

A quick and easy way to lessen the chances of gifting the wrong perfume gift would be to try a gift set. Gift sets usually contain the following:

• The fragrance, body lotion and shower gel, deodorant stick or,
• A small collection of perfumes from the same line

What is great about gift sets is that you can give it as a sample buffet of different fragrances and it also doubles as a whole pampering experience for that very special person. It is a thoughtful gift where you can not go wrong. 

My personal favourite is the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Variety Perfume, it has four different varieties of the EA green tea line, three out of which I have not tried yet. You can get all of the featured gift sets here at 99 perfume and save as much as 80% off the regular prices from malls and boutiques. 

Green Tea Variety Perfume by Elizabeth Arden for Women

Why should you purchase from 99 Perfume? You can see from the customer reviews that you can get signature perfumes at a lesser cost.

"Prompt shipment and delivery at a good price. No problems" - G Helton, GA, USA

"Fast shipping, Product arrived as advertised. Thank you " - A Wheeler, AZ, USA

"When I saw the price of the perfume I was a bit skeptical... I saved almost 50% on my cost and I got the real deal..." - Tessa Pressage, FL, USA

Go on to 99 Perfume and look for your favourite fragrances so that you can shop and save at the same time! 

Deluxe Fragrance Collection for Women Perfume 

Womens Five Stars Collection Perfume By Five Star Collection For Women

World of Women Fragrances

Calvin Klein Gift Set Perfume By Calvin Klein For Women

212 Sexy Cologne By Carolina Herrera For Men

Now tell me, would you want to gift any of these to a special person or would you want to be gifted instead? =)