England Week Day 7 - Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily

For the last day of my theme week, I have saved one of the most well known English brands. In fact, this one is the brand of products that is used in Buckingham Palace. If it is good enough for the Queen...

The brand that I am referring to is the luxury bath, body, and home brand called Molton Brown. Molton Brown started as a salon back in the early 1970s and was a pioneer in natural products and creating natural hairstyles designed to flatter the wearer. As time went on, the line grew to include all of the product types that are available today. Now, the Molton Brown brand of products is for sale in only the highest quality of stores throughout the world.

We are going to look at my favorite scent from this house, the Heavenly Gingerlily, a best seller for this house. I was first introduced to this fragrance several years ago when staying at the Bryant Park Hotel in New York City. Using high quality bath products in a marble bathroom is a still a favorite memory of mine and hopefully will become my everyday reality at some point. I later purchased this fragrance in both the body wash and the matching body lotion.

The Molton Brown website provides the following information about the body wash, "A feminine, indulgent, and exotic shower gel; our Heavenly Gingerlily Moisture Bath and Shower transports you to faraway shores. Our tuberose, ginger, and cardamom infused body wash is a firm favorite among customers and staff alike". Also, here is the company's description of the matching body lotion. "Bring a taste of the exotic to your daily routine with our Heavenly Gingerlily Body Cream. Perfect for use before an evening out, this moisturizing body lotion also leaves your skin with a glowing shimmer. Essentials oils from the Polynesian islands will ensure the exotic aroma stays on your skin".

I love this fragrance, it is so beautiful and unique. I also love the the lotion has enough staying power to make a light perfume during warm weather. I have never noticed the glowing shimmer from the body lotion and now I cannot wait to give it a run over my soon to be bronzed skin.

I don't know about anyone else but I am very happy with the way that England Week turned me onto some new products and brands. I really think that it is high time for me to plan my next vacation...

photo courtesy of Molton Brown

England Week Day 6 - Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater

England is famous for it's roses and rose gardens. The rose has been a longtime pride and symbol of England. So it only fitting that we must hit a line of products that are rose scented and all based on roses. Besides, it never hurts for me to find another line of rose products to lust after and buy. So, today we are going to look at the Rosewater line from Crabtree & Evelyn. This line is carried in Crabtree & Evelyn shops in the United States and I have found some of the products in specialty stores and department stores but never the full line of products.

Crabtree & Evelyn was started as a small soap company in 1972 and now has evolved in an internatonal business, offering everything from fragrances, body products, gourment foods, and all types of gifts. Crabtree & Evelyn were pioneers in the field of natural products, creating lines that contain fruit, flower, and plant essences. They have lines of fragrances that range from the traditional English Rose to the Island Living by India Hicks.

The Rosewater line comes in all forms from a perfume, body products, home fragrance items, and all full line of gift baskets. Crabtree & Evelyn states the following about their Rosewater collection. "The simple distillation of rose petals and pure water is a classic English beauty tonic for the skin. Our rosewater bath and body care collection uses a distillation of Rosa centifolia - the fabled hundred petaled rose, cherished for its clear, sweet fragrance". The Rosewater fragrance is described as "clear, fresh, and sweet with light notes of violet and leafy greens". I really think that this is the first rose fragrance that I smelled somewhere as a child and it sparked in interest in roses.

This product line encompasses the following items: hand creams, a scrub cleanser, a creamy cleanser, a perfume, two kinds of soaps, a shower gel, a hand and body lotion, a hand wash, a body powder, drawer papers, a body cream, room spray, fragrance oil, and all types of lovely giftsets. I want everything from this collection but if I had to narrow it down a bit, I would purchase the perfume and the body products and then all of the home fragrance items so that I can make my home into my own little English garden.

photo courtesy of Crabtree & Evelyn

England Week Day 5 - Eve Lom Face Cleanser

Today we are going to look at a luxury skincare brand from England. The Eve Lom brand is yet another that is revered by its fans but not very well known to the general public. I know little to nothing about this line of products except that the most famous product is the face cleanser and that I only remember seeing the products in Neiman Marcus (and maybe Saks, I'm not totally sure). I started reading the informational part of the website and have decided to put it all in here so everyone can get the same background that I did.

"Eve Lom is one of the most respected and sought-after beauty professionals alive today. Born in Czechslovakia, Eve met the renowned skin specialist Georgette Klinger in Hollywood in the early 1980s and began her career as a facialist. It was here that she acquired a devoted following for her now legendary facial. Eve subsequently relocated to London where she studied anatomy, nutrition, massage techniques. In China, she trained in accupuncture. In 1984, the first Eve Lom salon opened in London. Today, Eve Lom skincare products and the signature Eve Lom facial are available in stores and spas around the world. The Eve Lom skincare range evolved from her cult cleanser, which Vogue called 'probably the best cleanser in the world'. The pared-down regime Eve recommends is based on deep, through cleansing and the philosophy that less is more when it comes to effective skincare".

Today we are going to look at that famous face cleanser and see what all the hype is about. This cleanser is available in the regular 100 ml size and a 200 ml size for it's die-hard fans. I have a feeling that most people get the small size first then end up always reordering the larger size after they fall in love with it. This is the overall description from the Eve Lom website. "Cleansing is the most important part of skincare and the Eve Lom Cleanser once described by Vogue as the "best cleanser in the world" is the basis of the Eve Lom skincare regime".

The website goes on the further describe what it does and how it works. "With a powerful blend of Egyptian chamomile, hops, clove, and eucalyptus oil, together with cocoa butter, the Eve Lom Cleanser cleanses, tones, exfoliates all at once. Even the most stubborn make-up and eye make-up is removed. The specially woven muslim cloth (100% cotton) is used with the Cleanser to improve skin circulation while cleansing and exfoliating the skin in minutes. The result is clean, perfectly balanced skin and a radiant complexion. Suitable for all skin types".

This product appears and sounds as though it is a cream cleanser (being that is housed in a jar and can be used on all skin types, I am almost positive that it has a creamy texture). The Eve Lom site goes on to further recommend the use of this product with her specially designed cleansing cloths. The use of the two items together is what helps the exfoliation and the closing of the pores after cleansing. I would imagine that this regime could be used everyday for those with normal to oily skin but may be better for use every other dry for those with dry or sensitive skin.

I must get my hands on a jar of this product. I am willing to bet that once I finally do, I will be buying two of the large sized tubs at a time.

photo courtesy of Eve Lom

England Week Day 4 - Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint

Jo Malone is a classic English perfume house. My obsession with their Red Roses fragrance is very well known and all those that know me well are able to pick it out from all my other rose fragrances because I wear it so often. Jo Malone states on their website that they make "lifestyle" fragrances. I am not totally sure if I understand what this means other than that each family of fragrances fits somewhere into a person's life and experiences. If anyone else knows more about this, please let me know.

The latest fragrance that I want from Jo Malone is a newer one that I think came out one or two summers ago called White Jasmine & Mint. This fragrance is a crisper version of a floral, I find that it reminds of both notes from the floral and green families. This is light fragrance and i find it best suited toward the late spring and summer months.

Jo Malone states that, "This enchanting essence, inspired by a sun-drenched morning in an English country garden, perfectly captures the scent of jasmine, lily, orange flower, and rose on the morning breeze. An unexpected twist of soft and sensual wild mint stimulates the senses and teases the palette in this elegant and eccentric fragrance". Elegant and eccentric are the two perfect words to sum this fragrance up. It is soft and beautiful. However, it is very unique and even some such as myself with a vast perfume collection has never smelled any other fragrance like this one before.

This fragrance is a unique gem and I believe it is a welcome addition to anyone who is s fan of floral fragrances. I have also had people who dislike florals smell and try out the tester bottles at Neiman Marcus and they have had no problems with the fragrance. The mint really tempers down the florals and opens this fragrance up to a whole new group of perfume wearers. Of course, since I love it, there is a rose note in it. I wonder if my nose can unconsiously pick up rose notes now...

Now back to my daydreams of English country houses and long weekends...

photo courtesy of Jo Malone

England Week Day 3 - Illamasqua Sheer Lip Gloss

"Makeup for your alter ego" is the catch phrase of the niche line Illamasqua. This brand takes their inspiration from nighttime makeup, the 1920s club scene, and a heritage of film and theatre. This British makeup brand has only recently become available in the United States, carried on the Sephora website and in select stores (I have found in only in the store on Fifth Avenue in NYC so far). This is line that I was semi-curious about but mostly ignored since none of the makeup looks like anything that I could pull off. Also, with the lack of product available at my local Sephora, I was never able to get my hands on some testers to check out the shades. Last winter, I went the store on Fifth Avenue, walked in, and saw this giant display of Illamasqua. Needless to say, I ran over to it and purchased two products before leaving the store that day.

Both of the products that I purchased are "safer" products, less color and pigmentation than many of the others in their line. This company currently makes two lip glosses, the Sheer Lip Gloss and the Intense Lip Gloss. If you follow this blog, then you can guess that I purchased the Sheer Lip Gloss to try and ease myself into their "look".

This is the description of the product from the Illamasqua website, "Super glossy, with a sensual sheer designed to enhance your lips. Use Illamasqua Sheer Lip Gloss on its own or with Illamasqua Lipstick for added pout. Add a little more sexiness to your smile". At the moment, I use this product on its own since I have never really worked up to using a lip gloss on top of a lipstick for more of an impact.

Here are the shades that this product is available in (the website does state that some of the shades are only available in the European Union)...

- Brilliant - clear

- Divine - deep fushcia pink

- Electrify - iridescent baby pink

- Enchant - warm pink nude

- Lily-Rose - warm raspberry pink

- Mina - shimmering berry purple (EU only)

- Provoke - warm caramel nude

- Rouse - cool candy pink

- Tantrum - deep berry pink

- Torture - warm coral peach

- Soul - shimmering champagne nude
- Explode - iridescent creamy pink

I bought Electrify when I was at Sephora, which is the iridescent baby pink shade. My first impression when playing with the testers of these glosses in the packaging. The gloss is housed in a plastic slant tube with a very small hole to release the product. It is impossible to overdo the product with this package design and I have found that a little of this lip gloss goes a very long way. Electrify packs a punch in the shine department and still has quite a lot of pigment for a product that is considered "sheer". I put the pigmentation of this product up with the NARS Lip Glosses, I get more of a punch from this product than I do from Urban Decay, MAC, Lancome, Clinique, and almost every other lip gloss that I have used. Even those who don't do sheer lips will find that this product has enough pigment to suit them.

With the amount of pigment that is already contained in the "Sheer" formula, I don't know that I could handle the "Intense" formula. But, I love this lip gloss and am now curious about the rest of the products in the collection, especially the Lipsticks and Blushes. I have a feeling that as I try more products from this line, it will take its place among NARS and Urban Decay in my favorites list.

"Illamasqua is for the bolder person hiding inside all of us. It is an act and an attitude. A symbol of tolerance. A celebration of idiosyncrasies. A confident statement of self-ownership."

photo courtesy of Illamasqua

England Week Day 2 - The Body Shop Mango

The Body Shop is one of England's first body product brands that still inspires copycats the world over. The philosophy of the company and how their use of natural and fair trade ingredients is revered by both their fans and competitors alike. Mango is the first body butter that this company every launched in 1992 and still to this day remains a top seller.

Of all of the products from The Body Shop that I own, Mango is the line of products that I have repurchased the most and done so usually right after I finish up the container. I first tried the Mango products in my junior year of college and quickly got hooked on the Mango Body Butter (even as I was still working at Bath and Body Works). I loved the natural fragrance of the mango and how it wasn't candy sweet as many mango fragrances on the market today turn out to be. From this collection, I have purchased the Mango Body Butter, the Mango Shower Gel, and the Mango Body Scrub.

The Mango Body Butter is meant for very dry skin, however I have no problems using it all the year round becuase it is not greasy to the touch on my skin. I have also found many hidden benefits of this product. It soothes burned/sunburned skin and helps to hydrate and calm my skin when my self tanner is wearing off (skin can get itchy at this point in the tanner cycle). It has also soothed rashes and works great on my sensitive skin, this is the product that I turn to when something else is making my skin flare up. One of the key ingredients of this product is the mango seed oil, which is the hydrator of the product. It also contains cocoa butter to help hydrate. The sweet almond oil in this product provides essential fatty acids to help repair, hydrate, and protect the skin.

The Shower Gel for this collection has many of the same features and benefits as the Butter. It also is formualted for very dry skin and therefore does not contain many of the soaps and detergents found in traditional formulas. I have found that this product is runnier than many other gels that I have tried and doesn't lather as well on my shower pouf. But I can live with that since it doesn't dry my skin out in the colder weather and I still love the fragrance of it.

The Mango Body Scrub is my least favorite of all the items that I have tried in the collection. It is a salt scrub and I prefer sugar scrubs overall. I also always felt like I still had a film on my skin anything that I rinsed this product off and I hate scrubs that aren't clean rinsing. It states in the description of this product that some sugar is contained in the formula but it feel too much like a salt scrub for my liking. This product also contains organic soy oil to help repair skin and maintain the natural moisture barrier. I most likely will not repurchase this product unless the products are on some type of special (that's how I ended up with this one in the first place).

The only products from this collection that I haven't tried yet are the Whipped Body Lotion (lighter version of the butter), a clear soap (not really interested), and a clear lip balm (really want to try this one out). The Mango Body Butter is a staple for both myself and many more women around the world so if you haven't given this one a shot, I highly recommend getting yourself to a Body Shop store soon.

photo courtesy of The Body Shop

England Week Day 1 - Burberry Brit

The first brand that we are going to look at in this Theme Week is Burberry. Very fitting, most people think of England right away when they see the iconic Burberry plaid. The House of Burberry has been around for decades, starting first with raincoats and other gear that is suitable for the wet climate of England. They slowly expanded into becoming a full design house, with lines for both men, women, children, home, etc. Several years ago, they launched their first fragrance, the now iconic "Brit", a fragrance that reminds some of Gin and Tonics, others of a garden, but all of England.

Sephora gives a brief introduction in the brand itself. "The Burberry brand, created in 1856, has a rich history behind it. Known throughout the world, Burberry's classic trenchcoats are complemented by women's and men's ready-to-wear. sportswear, and fine leather accessories. Inspired by the image, elegance, luxury, and style of Burberry apparel, the fragrances are a classic and prestigious extension of the ready-to-wear and accessory collections".

Sephora places this fragrance in the family of floral orientals. I believe that this fragrance has been a consistent top seller for them ever since its initial release. "The Brit girl embodies the playful British spirit of individuality, but always charming and unpredictably sexy. Fresh and playful, the fragrance is a classic, green-oriental blend of lush fruits, sweet nutty esscences, and soothing amber, vanilla, and Tonka Bean." This fragrance is very light and great for warmer weather. It is also quite easy for anyone to wear since it isn't heavy on the florals. I have yet to meet anyone who cannot tolerate this fragrance.

The fragrance notes are as follows: Italian Lime, Icy Pear, Green Almond, White Peony, Sugared Almonds, Amber, Mahogany, Vanilla, Tonka Bean. On myself, the Italian Lime, Icy Pear, and the White Peony come out the strongest on myself. This fragrance never overpowers but is always able to be detected.

I would expect nothing less from Burberry other than for this fragrance to be housed in a top notch bottle. A bottle that is printed with their signature plaid is just icing on the cake with this product. Not only do I love the scent and can wear it all the time, but the bottle looks amazing sitting with my perfume collection.

Burberry is the quintessential British brand and has now expanded to include several fragrances for both genders. This company now has classic fragrances for both genders and allow a person to be covered in plaid from head to toe.

photo courtesy of Sephora

England Week 2010 - Beauty From the British

Cheerio loves! With the success of my last theme week (all products from France), I have decided to do the same concept with a slight variation. This time around, all the products have been developed and made in England. I am 100% Anglophile, from my love of Prince William, to English literature, to my morning cup of tea, my never ending Elton John playlist, and my obsession with the Burberry plaid. Oh and my wishing upon a star that I could actually attend Hogwarts!

I have narrowed my choices down to seven beauty brands and one product/line from each brand. Let me just say that this was much harder than French Week, England has much fewer beauty brands and some of the brands that many assume are English are not. One example is LUSH. Everyone seems to know the LUSH U.K. site and how the brand came much slower to America. However, LUSH is from Canada so I did have to rule out products found on LUSH U.K. Also, I really wanted to talk more about Stella McCartney since she is a favorite of mine. But I have covered so many of her products already that I have very little left to talk about and will just have to wait until more items come out.

I thought that lovely Emma Watson would be very suitable to start our week off. This is a picture from one of her recent ads for Burberry. Without further ado...England Week!

photo courtesy of Burberry