31 October 2013

Penhaligon's Peoneve Review

Presenting one of my latest acquisitions : Penhaligon's Peoneve. I've been on the hunt for fragrances after my Marc Jacob's Daisy Eau so Fresh signature scent is down to its last drop. I grew tired of mass market fragrances that in my opinion lack character and originality. I needed something more unique as I believe scents are very personal. Thus, my journey for niche fragrances began.


Penhaligon's Peoneve pictured above together with samples of Gardenia and Malabah

The Gardenia is clean and crisp and I actually love it. It's not a heady gardenia as a lot of fragrances out there. Very surprisingly soothing.

I expected Malabah to be overbearing and spicy but when I tested it on my skin, it's actually very wearable. It has a sense of comfort to it but the hint of spice keeps it interesting. 

And now for the Peoneve:
At first sniff it gives the impression that it is very lush with peonies and roses. It's as if the person wearing it can be seen from afar on a white horse trotting at a steady pace. Excellent posture signifying elegance and finesse. As she draws nearer, her fine tastes can be seen from her choice of clothing, like her timeless tailor-made dress. Nearer yet, her flawless face glows with radiance and subtle makeup that enhances her features. This is the sort of person who wears Peoneve; elegant, classy and even a little arrogant. But, it doesn't end there. Yet when she is an arm's length away, she hops off her horse and hurries to you, takes you by the arm to make you join her in taking off the shoes and smell the roses. She runs across the damp garden full of peonies and roses that has just been showered upon with the lightest raindrops, all the while guiding you by the arm, the air filled with giggles and the balanced scent of green leaves, the earth and flowers. She's a person who is elegant but doesn't mind getting down and dirty, classy but still find joy in the simplest things in life, and arrogant but once you get to know her, she's actually warm and pretty down to earth. 

Peoneve
Top Notes : Violet leaf
Heart Notes : Peony, Bulgarian Rose, Hedione
Base Notes : Vetiver, Musk, Cashmere Wood

This is my take on it and I would say it makes me feel beautiful especially when I'm not in the mood. I wouldn't say it goes well with everything, but summer dresses will definitely go well. And yes, it's safe for the office after the initial piercing violet leaf settles into the heart notes. It is quite a light fragrance (as with most floral fragrances) and doesn't really last that long especially during the day time. (I find that British fragrances are light probably because they are more suitable for their cold and gloomy weather? I live in a humid country and need something that is stronger to last throughout the day). At most it can last 3-4 hours if I'm outdoors. With the sun, it dissipates very quickly. (The thing about niche fragrances is that you can stick your nose to the skin where you sprayed almost right after and it doesn't make you want to sneeze, unlike mass market fragrances. I'm not saying mass market fragrances are all bad I love several creations but they do smell of chemicals which is a shame because I love my Marc Jacobs Eau so Fresh and Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honeysuckle that I just bought. More on that later!) I think this is more suitable for night wear as it is sensual, and it lasts much longer about 5-7 hours, than when used in the day time.  Also, when I spray a little onto my hair at night, the next day I get whiffs of it and I can't get enough of it. It's very more-ish! A very well-balanced scent of green floral. Love, love, love it!

Retails at RM750.

Polkadotpaw

24 October 2013

A Whole New World


Imagine Aladdin's song playing in the background. Ha. And me making a grand entrance for the very first post.

I'm dedicating this blog to beauty, food and life. I have been meaning to do this for a while now but unfortunately I lost my phone and all the pictures were in it together.

So, I better start in case something else happens. Better late than never right?

I got the inspiration of my blog name from my belated dog who has spotted paws. She had a spotted body, much like a dalmation. So, I came up with polkadotpaw(s). I had to terminate the "s" for this blog because the plural form isn't available. Just think of the other paw doing makeup or busy painting the other's nails.

Anyways, I hope you'll enjoy the blog!

With love from an ultimate procrastinator,
Polkadotpaw

(The other paw is procrastinating to get here)

23 October 2013

Facial Mist : Caudalie, Shu Uemura, Uriage, Avene, Tony Moly, My Beauty Diary, Herbalife, Za Review

I'm listing down all the facial mists I have or had for the ease of comparison. Facial mists provide moisture and a quick pick-me-up for the face. I have combination skin - dry on the cheeks and oily T-zone. It's important for me to have a mist that doesn't leave me greasy. I have my priorities on mists that provide moisture. I reside in a hot and humid country making it almost necessary to cool down the face! Mists are good considering you don't have to touch your face to moisturize it.

Let's see how each of these fare and if they live up to their descriptions:

Caudalie Organic Grape Water Eau de Raisin - This is hands down the BEST facial mist I have ever used. It delivers what it promises- moisture and one that is lasting. I wouldn't say it smells amazing but it's alright. It has a faint smell so it's not a problem. It cools down the skin after spraying and leaves no oily residue AT ALL. Love the cool sensation after spraying! Love the spray nozzle that imparts super fine mist that distributes evenly on the skin. Skin feels moisturized hours later and it makes some of the patchy and flaky skin disappear! What's not to love? Miracle product don't you think?

Shu Uemura Depsea Water Mist Brume in Chamomile - I got the one in Chamomile as I find the smell calming. I'm an easily stressed up person I need calming things to balance me out. The scent is wonderful, it does moisturize and doesn't leave my skin oily. The only reason I don't find this as great as Caudalie is because it's not as outstanding in terms of results and it doesn't give me that really cool feeling right after i spray. This may be due to the container - the Caudalie mist is kept in an aerosol-type can whereas Shu Uemura mist is kept in a normal spray bottle. Nevertheless, it's a good product.

Eau Thermal d'Uriage - Claiming to have over 10,000 minerals in a small bottle this feels like I'm spraying sea water on my face. It does energize the face and doesn't  leave an oily residue. Moisture wise, this is alright. I feel they are more focused on the minerals instead of moisture.

Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water - They say facial mists are no different from water. And I have to agree for this specific product. Don't get me wrong, I have always loved their packaging and other products but I feel this is nothing more that eau. There's no smell, I wouldn't say it moisturizes, it doesn't leave me greasy though. It just doesn't really do anything. Through longer usage, it actually leaves the face drier as it is a water-type face mist. The mist sprayed on the skin evaporates together with some of the skin's natural moisture. Sounds dangerous?

Tony Moly Sleek Mist - There's two types; Sleek Mist for the combination or oily type of skin and there;s Moist Mist for dry skin. I chose the Sleek Mist as the SA told me it moisturizes and helps control oil at the same time. Not that my face is an oil mine, but I wouldn't mind keeping it oil-free if there's such a product. The scent is heavenly. The thing about Korean products are the scent. Most, if not all of the products smell very, very good. It elevates one's well-being in an instant! Much as I like the (uber cute) packaging and the scent, it left me with a slightly oily face that felt heavy. I notice products that claim to reduce oil seem to have a counter-effect. It is said that oily skin are actually dry underneath the dermis and needs to be balanced out by moisturizing to reduce oiliness. Maybe better luck with the Moist Mist.

My Beauty Diary Orange Lotus & White Lotus Moisturizing Mist - First thing I noticed is the scent. Strong, fruity orangey scent. It does leave the face moisturized. The only downside would be the initial fruit "punch" that may be a little overwhelming.

Herbalife Radiant C Face Quencher - This gives me a terrible headache every single time I spray this. I wanted to like this as it was a gift. It doesn't leave the face oily which is good, but the headache is a deal breaker. It could be the composition and ingredients, I don't know what it is but it makes me avoid it like the plague.

Za Total Hydration Energy Mist - WORST mist of the lot for what is says : Total Hydration. Horrible scent, horrible spray nozzle. Not only the nozzle distributes the mist unevenly onto the face, it leaves a greasy residue almost right after. My face felt so heavy with grease it's as if it got hooked to a dumbbell. Bad, bad product for me. It may not work for me but may work for those with Sahara-dry skin. Who knows.


Bottom line - It's important to know what you're looking for in a face mist. As for me it's definitely moisture without the heavy, greasy feeling. What about you?

Polkadotpaw