Video: Dove Evolution (2006)

Another classic Dove film. Directed by Tim Piper (Post) and Yael Staav, (live action). The message: "No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted."

I Smell Something...Winners of The 2010 FiFi Awards!

Image: The Fragrance Foundation

The Fragrance Foundation Recognition Awards has become the symbol of excellence around the world -- each year, the foundation celebrates the FiFi awards; the 'Oscars' of the fragrance world. Members of The Fragrance Foundation in addition to trade press vote on an initial ballot. The results of the voting determine the TOP FIVE Men’s and TOP FIVE Women’s 2009 Fragrance introductions in each of the following distribution categories:  Luxe, Nouveau Niche, Popular Appeal, Private Label/Direct Sell -- and, a new category introduced this year: Unique Boutique. The description of each category are as follows: 

• Luxe - Fragrances sold in specialty and/or department stores.
• Nouveau Niche - Fragrances sold in specialty stores.
• Unique Boutique - Fragrances sold in boutique and specialty stores: category combines men, women, and unisex fragrance finalist.
• Popular Appeal - Fragrances sold in drug and chain stores.
• Private Label/Direct Sell

Now, let's get down to business...

Introducing the WINNERS of the 2010 FiFi Awards:

Women’s Luxe

Lola Marc Jacobs -- Coty Prestige

Men’s Luxe

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver -- The Estee Lauder Companies

Women’s Popular Appeal

Halle by Halle Berry -- Coty

Men’s Popular Appeal

Seduction in Black, Antonio Banderas -- Puig USA, Inc.

Women’s Nouveau Niche

Bond No. 9 Astor Place -- Bond No. 9 New York

 

Men’s Nouveau Niche

Bond No. 9 Brooklyn -- Bond No. 9 New York

Women’s Private Label/Direct Sell

Love Rocks -- Victoria's Secret

Men’s Private Label/Direct Sell

Patrick Dempsey 2 -- Avon Products, Inc.

Video: Dove Beauty Pressure

One of my favorite Dove commercials (2007). The message: "talk to your daughter before the beauty industry does."

The Affordable Chronicles: High End Fragrances

Purchasing Eau De Parfum travel size versions of high end fragrances are a perfect alternative for perfum lovers on a budget. These smaller versions are typically called Travel Purse Sprays, Roll-Ons, Rollerballs, or Portable Fragrances. They range in size from 0.20 to 0.68 ounces. Price can range from $18 to $70, depending on the brand and quantity. Some manufactures sell their travel size versions in pairs or more -- not a necessary purchase if you're trying to budget. Remember, when it comes to good fragrances a little goes a long way -- which makes these travel size versions perfect! [LLIS]

Fracas Eau de Parfum Roll-On 0.25 oz / $25

Where can you find your favorite fragrance in a travel size version? Try these places:

• Sephora
• Neiman Marcus
• Nordstrom

Parfum: Highest concentration (may contain 22-30 percent oils, high grade alcohol, and a slight amount of water). Most fragrant scent -- the most expensive.

Eau De Parfum: Solution composed of 15-18 percent of essential oils with a slightly weaker alcohol and water content.

xo,
BB

Estée Lauder. Why?

"Simplicity is the purest form of luxury and elegance." - Aerin Lauder (Estée Lauder's granddaughter)

Introducing, Estée Lauder's Private Collection Parfum. Two white flowers are captured in a luxurious, elegantly simple bouquet. The sleek bottle features a cap embedded with natural semi-precious gems including aventurine, yellow and green jade, citrine, lemon and mustard stones. The shapes of the stones on each cap are different, making each cap unique.  (Estée Lauder.com)


Fragrance Type: Classic Rich Floral

Top Notes: Neroli. Lilac. Rosewood.

Size: 1.0 oz.

Price: $325 (I'm sobbing)

Alternative:  Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia Eau de Parfum Spray 1.0 oz $80 / 2.5 oz $135

Where can you purchase the Eau de Parfum Spray?

• Estée Lauder
• Saks Fifth Ave
• Bloomingdale's
• Nordstrom
• Neiman Marcus
• Bergdorf Goodman

[LLIS]

Video: Theme from Mahogany - Do You Know Where You're Going To -- Diana Ross

Old Hollywood - Style and Sophistication

Dorothy Dandridge

Lena Horne

Diahann Carroll

Ruby Dee

HBO Series True Blood: (Vampire) Style

My friends, I am obsessed with the HBO Series True Blood - the dynamics within each episode could rightly spin off into other series. Alas, my interest in the story line is not the primary focus of this particular post. In true form, let's get down to business...the fashions, highlighting vampire style and dare I say -- sophistication.

Introducing: Queen Sophie-Anne LeClerq played by Evan Rachel Woods. In one episode, the queen lounges by the pool (inside her home) reading a vintage Vogue magazine.  How fabulous is that?

Eric Norman, played by Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård. This character's wardrobe screams style and sophistication -- form fitting sweater or viking attire - doesn't matter, his demeanor exudes smooth operator.

Last but not least, a round of a applause for the wardrobe style and sophistication of Lorena, played by Mariana Klaveno. The character's personality: polar opposite. One word comes to mind -- ingenious.

The person behind the varied styles in the series - head costume designer Audrey Fisher, 2010 Costume Designers Guild Award nominee for HBO’s True Blood - background: theater, opera houses, and now television & film.

Long Live Beauty. Long Live Magnificence. Long Live Individual Style.

xo,

BB

Thought Bubble: Beauty

My friends, I see beauty in the strangest of settings. Even in the midst of chaos, one can find beauty [LLB].

xo,
BB

HBO Film Grey Gardens: The Fashions

Documentary Grey Gardens (1976)

HBO Film Grey Gardens (2009)

HBO Film Grey Gardens portrays the life of "Big Edie" and "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale, relatives of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. The movie uses filmmakers Albert and David Maysles 1976 documentary, "Grey Gardens" as the framework for the film.

Although I loved the movie, what drew my attention most were the fashions worn by Little Edie played by Drew Barrymore.

Photo: The Daily Beast

Let's get down to business - the Champagne silk charmeuse hooded gown worn by Drew Barrymore in the film - loved it. My jaw dropped (seriously) when I saw that magnificent piece of art. The gown is a replica of the one made for Little Edie - she wore this piece to the 1930's Bohemian party at Grey Gardens.

Little Edie's outfit in the above image is from the scene when the family first arrived at Grey Gardens.

Little Edie 1970s - she may have been in her 60s when she wore this piece.

Photo: The Daily Beast

The above sketch represents the 1930's Midnight blue bias gown made for Big Edie. This gown was also worn to Little Edie's Debutante ball - tried to find an image of Big Edie wearing the gown -- no luck.

Want to see more? Check out The Daily Beast - the website showcases a short gallery of the styles worn in the film.
  

The person behind all of this magnificence? None other than costume designer Cat Thomas -- the talent behind Uma Thurman’s neon yellow fight suit in Kill Bill, Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin’s folksy frocks in A Prairie Home Companion, and Katherine Heigl’s endless slew of bridesmaid gowns in 27 Dresses.


Long Live Beauty, Long Live Magnificence, and Long Live Individual Style.

xo,
BB

Alert: My Last Issue of The Oprah Magazine (gasp)

Oprah.com

This August 2010 issue of The Oprah Magazine immediately reminded me of my Chicago twitter buddy (@ChicagoStyle), the person behind the blog - The MidWestern Front

You can also find vlogs of  The MidWestern Front on YouTube.

ChicagoStyle's specialty is translating runaway looks with high - low styling. Check her out!

xo,
BB

For Moi? Sephora, you shouldn't have...I'll take it !!

Sephora.Com

As a result of becoming a Beauty Insider on Sephora.com, the good people there are giving me a birthday gift. I am more than excited and grateful to receive this special collection for my beloved eyes. Cheers to the good folks at Sephora. I extend blessings to them and members of their family [Long Live Beauty].

xo,
BB