TOP 5 COLOGNES for HIM

The holidays are here and mens fragrance is always a top go-to when purchasing for him.  I’ve learned that some men can be more picky than females, when it comes to the scent choices they prefer to wear, however, there are also men that will squirt on whatever you give them with no added thought.

I think the vast majority of men underestimate the value of  an attractive scent. If you smell like nothing, there’s not a whole lot of impact unless you look fabulous.  If you smell fabulously attractive, but you don’t look great, you still gain tons of points in the arena of attraction because your scent is doing the work for you. And then there is the prick-factor, in which case, if you are completely unlikeable, at the very least you smell great so maybe someone will tolerate your existence. Just sayin.  Although you can’t buy sex appeal, smelling sexy never hurts.

There’s more and more options every year, but these are my Top Cologne Picks for this gift giving season!

1. AVENTUS by House of Creed

Aventus is supremely sexy.  Most any women would adore the scent of Aventus on the man she loves. Although Creed creates quite a few top choice scents for men, this one, has to be the sexiest.  Actually, you might not want your man wearing this to the office because it’s flat out dangerous!   Aventus is a very masculine scent and it’s quite long lasting.

Top notes: blackcurrant, bergamot, apple and pineapple. Heart: rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine and patchouli. Base: oak moss, musk, ambergris, and vanilla.

This scent is amazing, especially for the single guy! It’s a scent that screams of power and success and it’s something special to consider when looking for a specialty gift.

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AVENTUS by CREED

 

2. PASHA de CARTIER EDITION NOIRE by Cartier

Pasha Edition Noire is another fabulously sexy scent that I recently fell in love with.  It radiates of wealth and success, which sounds ridiculous, but when you smell it, you will see what I mean.

I’ve read articles on studies of scent and how it can help you to be perceived in a better light by others in the business arena, and this strikes me as a scent of success.

Top notes of  Pasha de Cartier provide freshness in green and citruses, balanced perfectly with the warm aromas of woody amber and cedar.

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3. TOBACCO VANILLE by Tom Ford

Tom Ford is known for creating modern, sexy, strong scents for men and women.  Tobacco Vanille was launched in 2007, and it smells like the name, Tobacco and a hint of vanilla.  It’s not for everyone, because it’s extremely progressive in nature.  It takes me to a very rich party with fabulous guests, which I’ve never yet been to! This scent is for men as well as women, but again…it’s for a very high end clientele, who appreciates the distinction of it all.

It’s classified as an oriental spicy, and the  top notes are tobacco leaf and spicy notes; middle notes are tonka bean, tobacco blossom, vanilla and cacao; base notes are dried fruits and woody notes. I actually own this one, and it’s very, very sexually charged.  suppose that is the intent of  cologne…an attractant.  I suppose one must decide what they wish to attract when choosing colognes.

TOBACCO VANILLE by Tom Ford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. TIFFANY for Men by Tiffany & Co

I love Tiffany for Men.  I find it to be fresh enough for every day, yet rich and sexy…just not over-the-top.  It’s log lasting as well.

This scent was created in 1989, but it has a new, modern appeal.  It has complicated structure and composition with the top notes being lavender, green, mandarin orange, bergamot, cardamom and lemon; middle notes of nutmeg, carnation, sandalwood, patchouli, cinnamon, orris root, jasmine, cedar, rose and anise; base notes are tonka bean, amber, oakmoss, vanilla and incense.   I always find that everything I love has vanilla in it as a base note. It is also classified as an oriental spicy.

This is a very appealing scent for a man of any age and everyone knows to appreciate a gift from Tiffany & Co !

Tiffany for Men

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. OBSESSION for Men by Calvin Klein

This is from the heart.  It may not be cool and fashionable for me to discuss to finer points of Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein because it’s not really in. Smelling fabulous is never a bad thing, and Obsession is an old-school go-to that seems to smell great on every man! I’ve purchased this over the years for every male relative because it’s a really good scent for men to wear on a daily basis.

This scent came out in 1986 and yes… it was an 80’s power scent.  So what?  A fresh citrus in the top notes is harmonized with a floral sharp hint of lavender, nut, spiced notes of coriander and warm cinnamon. Carnation and jasmine is toned with warm patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, VANILLA (of course) and amber. Subtle  red berries ad a sensuousness to this scent!

So maybe it’s perfect for dad, and not so much for a 21 year old male… whatever the case, it’s a fabulous scent for men of a certain age for sure!

Obsession-Perfume

These are my top picks for this holiday season.  If you try any of them, drop a line and let me know your opinions in the comments sections!

-SDS

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KISS INSTAWAVE REVIEW

KISS INSTAWAVE

KISS INSTAWAVE

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I was so excited to receive a free KISS InstaWave to review for the site!  I will openly admit that I was a little worried that the barrel would tangle up my hair as it spins…but it absolutely did NOT!

know you’ve seen the ads for InstaWave on TV.  This is the one in which the barrel spins whenever you press the button.  You can choose to curl inward, or outward.  You really can get that salon look.

KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful curls!

Easy for anyone to use, from any angle, with any hand!

Features a Curl Dial with left/right curl directions!

Automatically shuts off after 90 minutes! (This is such a bonus! Do you know how many times I’ve run home during a lunch break to unplug everything!?!?!)

2 heat settings with a low/high switch with maximum temperature of 420 so you can have tighter curls, or beachy waves!

You can get InstaWave at most Target or Ulta stores, but check out their video below!


Find out more on the Kiss InstaWave website at  http://kissinstawave.com/

-SDS

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WINTER PINK

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I recently ran into the absolute most lovely pink coat ever made, by designer Ted Baker.  I then decided to make the color pink my winter focus “pop” color!  Fashion tells us we have to have a velvet berry lip this winter.  A dark lip does not look great on everyone.  It can be harsh on some.  Fabulous on others.  If my lips are too dark, I look like a drag queen. (Even more than I usually do.)

I decided to make Pink Bon Bon my winter pink lip color and Orly nail polish in Pink Neon – which matched perfectly, the main nail color.  With a pink winter accessory here or there, I’m feeling I should blend easily into winter and not look summer-ish.

Pink rocks.  Don’t get me wrong, if I were a fabulous raven haired Latina with a golden tan, I would love to get serious about reds. However, with my coloring, I feel like too much of a cartoon in red. It’s so bold with my skin and hair. One day, when I am a brunette, I will embrace reds more often. Fashion is being creative, not necessarily following every one else.   Being a successful fashion rebel would require looking good in the process of said rebellion. Winter pink fashion is fun!

I’m off today to find some pink tint aviators and a pink winter accessory here or there, and march onward into winter with my pinkness in tow.

-October 30, 2014

-SDS

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SENIOR GLAM TEXAS STYLE

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A little over a week ago, I was able to catch up with my beautiful (and sweet and smart) cousin Samantha to do a fun glam senior photo shoot so I’m sharing some of the shots here!

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She is more of a “sporty spice” type of girl so it was fun to do her hair and makeup for this session.  (Of course, she abruptly wiped off the red lip color the minute we were done!)  However, for that hour, she let me play and take as many photos as I wanted, and I had a blast!

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Fun senior photos that are based on a theme are a really big deal with most people having to scout for various picturesque locations.  In our case, we didn’t have to go any further than her family farm.  I thought it would be the perfect place for her Senior shots, using one of the old barns on her grandfather’s farm as a backdrop.

 

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One of the things I notice every time I do make up for people who will be taking photos, is that they are always surprised how much work it takes even to get a “natural”  look.   Photos usually wash away any natural definition your face may have, so you have to add a bit of color and contour back in.  Of course, it usually doesn’t all show up, it just protects you from getting washed away!

 

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Photography is something I enjoy working on because it’s an opportunity to be creative.  You can check out some more photos and make up I’ve done on the PHOTOGRAPHY by LUXOR  page of this blog!

 

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I try not to use any photo shop effects.  The last thing you want is to show someone your photo and have them say, “Is that you?”  I believe in being the best you possible, but I’ve seen so much photo shop that people don’t resemble themselves at all.  To me, that’s just cartoonery. (A word from my personal dictionary.)

I hope you enjoy the pictures and feel free to leave comments!

 

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COOL FAVORITES for AUGUST (VIDEO)

FAVORITESforAUGUST
Favorite Beauty Finds for the Month!Lauder, Diorshow, Hair Products, Smashbox, Chanel
     Hello, All!  Despite the seriousness that’s going on all across the globe at this juncture, I am compartmentalizing the serious stuff, and dealing with the issues of the world in small doses…yet still plowing ahead here on the site, as if everything is fabulous.
 
     I am actually a serious minded person, concerned with world affairs from a Biblical, financial and political perspective. However, this site is geared towards the lighter side of life so I will keep my very strong opinions to myself.  Just let the record reflect that I am also alive in, aware of,  alert to, and praying for all of the issues that surround us.
 
     I say this, especially because I get to see the different countries that this blog travels to by way of the Internet…and my heart is with all of you, as well as my home, America.
 
     I just wanted to add that in!
 
    And with that, you can click the quick video above to find what neat products I am bragging about this month!  
-SDS
-August 25, 2014
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RADICAL SKINCARE


 Six weeks ago, I received my first bottle of Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide  Antioxidant Serum.

     I’d never heard of the company before but my curiousity was peaked when I’d found that their brand mission statement was… 

     “MORE HONESTY, MORE POTENCY, MORE PERFORMANCE.  STRONG SKINCARE WITH STRONG VALUES…….”  

     I was curious after reading about the company.


     I stopped using other serums, and used only the Radical Skincare Serum, so I could form an accurate opinion.  I would use my moisturizer on top, of course.

     I do have issues with redness so I was curious if the product work work for that issue, which it did.  I had a clean, natural even look to my skin without makeup, and there was a noticeable difference.

     The serum boasts 13 different ingredients that work together to give your skin improvement in every area.  

     


     I believe that it is best to save money, and refrain from $30 lip liners, to have more budget to apply to your skincare routine.  There is tons of expensive science behind certain skincare lines, and it only makes sense to spend the money on something that will actually make a lasting difference.  I’ve never known a lip liner to alter the course of a person’s life, but great looking skin is a must!

     In a society in which 30 year olds are running to get their face botoxed… it just is common sense to try to preserve what you have before it gets to that point!

Click the link above if you want to read more and learn about all the products that Radical has to offer!  Their site is great and I’m excited to try more from their line.

     As for my skin,  I loved the serum, see benefits and am hopeful that continued use of great products will keep me out of the plastic surgeons office as long as possible!  I think at this juncture, I’d prefer to invest in skincare, health (and handbags) rather than injections that will make my face look hard as a rock! (Injections are not in my budget, my husband would murder me! This leaves me with having to work with what I’ve got!

-SDS

-July 13, 2014

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