In a totally random way, I came across Elsa’s Story. I guess you could call it a gourmet food brand from Israel with various items like snack bites, jams etc.
I got a jar of their *heavenly* Pink Grapefruit Preserves which get this contains 45% fruit (insane!) and is nothing but Pink Grapefruit, Sugar, and Lemon Salt.
Below is a picture of the cute old school glass jars they use emblazoned with the motto “taste, enjoy, remember.”
According to this article from The Nibble, it’s available at specialty food stores nationwide for roughly $5.49 for 11.28 ounces.
Filed under: Product Reviews , food, gourmet, jam, kosher
February 5, 2009 • 8:36 pm
Living Proof No Frizz Straight Making Styling Cream
Rating: 10/10 silky strands
Review: I got this product as a pre-release for Beauty Insiders from Sephora. Although my hair is naturally straight, Asian medium-coarse in texture, I bought the product for the anti-frizz and anti-oil properties and absolutely love it! And get this, it contains NO silicones. It will definitely make your hair feel shinier, silkier and blow outs last longer.
Trick: Don’t be afraid to use a nice big portion of this. It isn’t sticky or smelly, and won’t weigh down your hair. I know this sounds magical like pink unicorns, but it’s entirely true.
Packaging: I used the lab version (aka Living Proof Frizz Solution for Medium to Thick Hair) in a tube but the retail version appears to be a fancier bottle (see pic above)
Fragrance: Refreshingly none in particular.
Price: Moderately expensive. $24 for 4 oz. from Livingproof.com or Sephora.com
Product cousins: None since this is exclusive MIT technology. And trust me, this is definitely not some repackaged version of Frizz-ease.
Filed under: Beauty, Product Reviews , hair product, living proof, no frizz
January 11, 2009 • 9:41 pm
Annick Goutal Neroli Eau de Toilette
Rating: 10/10 sighs of contentment
Review: A warm orange blossom that’s like happiness in a bottle. It’s a deceivingly simple fragrance, yet the woody notes make it more sensual and unique. It’s lingers long enough so you can keep sniffing your wrists all day like a deranged crack addict.
Unfortunately I only have a small glass sample vial as I have yet to stomach the price tag for a real bottle of my own.
Notes: Orange blossom, neroli essence, petit grain, woody note, cedar
Price: Retails $95 for 3.4 oz
Background: Annick Goutal is a French high-end perfumerie that focuses on transforming “emotions into fragrances.” Below is a picture of the beautiful Camille Goutal, the founder’s daughter, who has continued on the perfumerie’s legacy. Let us now all glare at our monitors with a mix of jealousy and reverence.
Filed under: Beauty, Product Reviews , Annick Goutal, neroli, perfume
November 3, 2008 • 12:58 am
Satu Soap in Vanilla Infusion
Rating: 10/10 glorious soap bubbles
Review: Satu is a line of bath products which are exclusive to Anthropologie stores. I picked Vanilla Infusion as a little treat for myself. The scent is described as “black calla lily blends with lush layers of fruit and spice for a touch of the exotic.” The soap is French milled to last and has glycerin to help moisturize.
The reason why I gave this soap a 10/10 is the absolutely luxurious lather and amazing scent. Also the moisture is helpful during cold winter months.
Packaging: Simple yet elegant. Wrapped in beautiful paper with a black elastic bow.
Price: $8 regular price for a generous 6 oz but I found mine for $3.95 at the store.
Product sisters: Also comes in Gerber Daisy and Plum Nectar.
Filed under: Beauty, Product Reviews , soap
Sephora Pop-up Travel Brush
10/10 “fairest of them all”
Review: Cannot live without this mirror-brush combo in my purse. I’ve gone through multiple purse mirrors and this is the only one I want to carry in my purse now. Fix up your hair and your face in one handy little compact! After I somehow lost my first one *gasp* I immediately went out and bought myself another.
Packaging: Now comes in assorted colors for each season and of course, signature black and red. Made of good quality plastic that can survive your purse.
Price: Cheap as dirt. Available at Sephora only for $8.
Filed under: Beauty, Product Reviews , brush, mirror, Sephora
Dermologica Daily Microfoliant
Rating: 8/10 blown kisses
Review: For gentle exfoliation to get smooth skin that tends to run on the oilier side of the pond. Powder formula means no fillers. Just add water, foam up in your hands, massage, and rinse! I like to use this whenever my skin starts feeling a little rough and I know I need to get rid of those pesky dead skin cells. I felt daily use was a bit too much for me.
Trick:You must add water before massaging on your face, unless you like your scrubs to be sandpaper rough
Packaging: Functional. You pour the powder out so no contamination. But the 2 large holes mean you need to be careful not to overdo it!
Fragrance: Rice-y. Actually contains rice powder…and a bunch of skin brightening/exfoliating goodies.
Price: Expensive. $49 for 2.6 oz at Dermstore.com
Product cousins: Haven’t found a product sister; but I would say Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream is another well-made, gentle scrub that is probably more suited for dryer skin types.
Filed under: Beauty, Product Reviews , 8, Dermalogica, exfoliant, scrub
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo
Rating: 9/10 blown kisses
Review: Great for people with oily hair that need to extend that blow out for a day. It won’t substitute a real water wash, but does plump up the volume and soak up that oil slick look. Basically it’s a white powdery formulation that you squeeze into your hair, shake your fabulousness with your fingers, and brush out.
No worries: Didn’t leave a “white powder” look on my brown/black hair so definitely works even if you’re not a blonde.
Trick: You need to use a natural bristle brush to brush this out of your hair (i.e. boar’s bristle). A mere comb won’t do and will leave you feeling… itchy and powdery. Unless you want to emulate Marie Antoinette, make sure to brush and brush well.
Packaging: Average. Basic plastic squeeze bottle. Can sometimes end up squeezing wee too much…
Fragrance: Lemony fresh!
Price: Expensive. $11 for 1 oz at Sephora.
Product sisters: Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray, Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo (Spray), Stila Hair Refresher, Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser (Spray). I noticed that the “spray” versions of dry shampoos tend to include some type of alcohol in the ingredient list…a major hair no-no for my damaged locks.
Filed under: Beauty, Product Reviews , 9, hair, Oscar Blandi, powder, shampoo
