JAQUA! CHANEL!
Vexy here! your Friday Fragrance fiend starting off with, first of all, an apology for my lack of activity as of late. It's been a hectic winter break that started off with food poisoning and ended with my poor boy having pneumonia- bless his heart! But the good news is, while I was away, I definitely had time to play- with fragrances!
So I'll start off with something that came up over Christmas while I was having a conversation with my mother about perfumes. (Actually, I think the particular conversation I was having with my mom stemmed from a conversation I'd had earlier with my boyfriend.) Anyway, we were talking about signature fragrances, and, out of curiosity, I asked her if there were any fragrances she wore before her current selection of Clinique's Happy (which is what she wears now).
"Oh! When I was younger," she replied, "I wore a lot of Chanel #5. I almost got a bottle of it for you for Christmas this year."
Now, here is where I blaspheme the entire religion of perfume, since #5, Dior's Poison, and Thierry Mugler's Angel seem to be the holy trinity (just by popularity). I had to explain to my mother that I, in fact, do not like Chanel #5. For my tastes, at least, it is far too strong and synthetic-smelling; plus, my experiences with it have mostly been with older ladies putting it on themselves in clouds. This is no offense to anyone who likes or wears Chanel #5, but I have to be honest here. Sorry, Marilyn, but I'd rather wear Meg's Makeup perfume in bed. ;)
So anyway, moving on from my betrayal to the entire perfume world, I am excited to share with you something I have found that is perfect, perfect, perfect for layering scents, at least on the sweet side of things.
Jaqua's Pink Buttercream Frosting line not only smells yummy on it's own- exactly like a birthday cake with homemade frosting like my grandma used to make- but I've found that the simple vanilla-like scent layers extremely, extremely well under a lot of perfumes!
I actually picked these up in my school bookstore (which I think should have an entire floor dedicated to cosmetics, but that's just my dream) while I was getting pencils and such. Something kept catching my nose and I thought someone was wearing too much perfume or something. Finally, following my sniffer, I found the little shelf on which the Jaqua products were sitting and immediately picked up the Buttercream Frosting Guilt-Free Body Treats! They smelled just heavenly, and I couldn't wait to get home to try them.
The hand cream is wonderful- not too thick, easily absorbed, and nicely fragrant. The shower cream complements it well (and is heaven to wake up to in the morning), but the "sinfully rich" body butter is just to die for. It tastes nearly edible (but it's not) and it is perfect for helping my dry, itchy winter skin!
The first perfume I tried over this was, of course, Aquolina's Pink Sugar, because the scents are so similar. I found that the fragrance seemed to have a whole new layer to it, and it seemed to last a lot longer- I didn't even have to touch up with my beloved atomizer! Then I started getting creative and throwing lots of different perfumes at it. Sarah Horowitz's Beauty Comes From Within was another winner, bringing out the deep, spicy vanilla and tonka bean notes. In fact, I even layered this under a few florals and wound up with entirely new (and beautiful) scents!
Now the trick to layering, ladies, is to not pick something too strong on either end. Jaqua's lotions are light enough in scent that they don't overpower the perfume you're wearing- but the trade goes both ways. For example, I tried layering a heavy floral perfume (Pucci Vivara) and I immediately reached for my rubbing alcohol to get rid of the scent- total clashiness!
Still, I recommend Jaqua's Pink Buttercream Frosting line to anyone who has a sweet tooth and anyone who wants to try experimenting with scent layering!
So, what do you ladies think of Chanel #5? How about Jaqua? Let me know!
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Comments
That doesn't sound like an ideal winter break, poor thing! I have to completely agree with you, as much as I wish I liked No. 5 I just can't. I could never wear it. (Chanel clothes on the other hand... nothing I wouldn't wear!) I would like to try some of that Buttercream Frosting though because I love anything vanilla smelling! I just pulled up the Jaqua website and it looks very inviting...!
I adore Marilyn and bow down to the icon that was Coco Chanel but alas #5 doesnot work for me either. Don't think I haven't tried either! Every time I'm neara tester I spritz it on and hope it will transform into that paragon of perfumestatus that the little glass bottle promises. It must be chemical for me becauseit just WON'T work for me. Poison on the other hand...I'll never be withouta tiny bottle of this for late night seduction. Jaqua was a fav for me in thepeach but mjsred is right...they go "off" quickly I think because I bought a tube and loved the fresh peachy scent. Just a month or so later the peachydisippated and a waxy smell was left behind. I love the lotions and how theysmell/feel but I wonder about their overall shelf life. Just get a small tubeto begin with and use quickly. The scents ARE intoxicating. As for Chanel...I'll stick with my ONE authentic CC piece I splurged for a few years back andhope one day I'll be able to afford a sister accessory for her!
Love, hugs and shoes...Angie
Chanel is the consummate, rich, sophisticated scent, a "must-have" like a perfect little black dress and a string of pearls. My mom used it and my sister and I are addicted. I have their bath oil which can be applied to pulse points as fragrance. It's actually not synthetic but pressed from special roses--however, what works for one doesn' for another. Haven't tried Jacqua, but I will. Thanks for a great post!
Chanel...the word alone can bring strong women to their knees,LOL! I'm not a fan of #5 for the simple reason that I find it to be a "blonde" sort of scent in that it's dry and white-sflowery and sparkling.I want something that enters the room before I do. :)I have however enjoyed Chanel's "Coco" and "Gardenia" (limited release) in the past and wouldn't turn my nose up at a hard to find bottle of their "Cuir de Russie"...Jaqua is another story for me:bought some last year,both the dry-oil spray and buttercream and both had a sort of "gone over" scent to them.Maybe old stock or some that had been in the heat but I wasn't loving either.I DO like a good foody-scent however and would give a "fresher" batch a try...thanks for the great review,the old and the new!
I understand and appreciate it's iconic status, I really do. But Chanel is a floral aldehyde, and I'm not a fan of ANY aldehyde (Lanvin's Arpege, Bill Blass's Nude, etc.) I prefer my fragrances a little more... natural, even understated. I love other Chanel perfumes- Coco Mademoiselle, Chanel No19, Coco... Chanel No5 is just not for me.
Love Jacqua body creams. The buttercream frosting could have come straight from the bakery. I also like the chocolate. And I have the dry spray oil which makes my legs shimmery and fragrant. The creams do a nice job of moisturizing. If the scent is too strong for you, mix it with a little bit of your favorite unscented moisturizer. Don't use when hungry! You can't eat them!
I appreciate Chanel #5 for its place in legendary cosmetics history. It smells good, but not for me. I'm a Coco Madamoiselle girl. I think Thierry Mugler's Angel is terrible-smelling. And I LOVE my Jacqua Pink Buttercream liquid handsoap that I got from Meg! I use it every day!
Katie
I love Chanel No. 5's Eau Premiere. It is the new "younger" version of the classic original, and comes in a beautiful bottle. It goes on strong, but fades to a soft, powdery scent that gets better as the day goes on. Even when I'm having a drab day, it makes me feel special to spritz it on before I walk out the door!
I love Chanel, everything from its perfume to clothes. Like Champ says, to me it evokes the sophisticated woman who can do all on her own. Now, those who put it on so heavy, or any fragrance too heavy, they all can be strong. I personally am not fond of those fragrances that smell like frosting, bubblegum or whatever...think Jessica Simpson from a couple years ago. Next time I hit the fragrance counter, I will have to try a spritz of Jacqua and see if it is for me.
Chanel No. 5 will forever remind me of my mother whose skin was soft and smelt of sweet gardenia, daisies and warmth. I remember her having a perfume bottle that I thought was simply gorgeous. I think that this scent will never fade with time. Warm, inviting and classy.
Chanel #5 smells like a really old-fashioned scent for an older woman. But that is just going on smell alone. I have never tried actually wearing this perfume, and I might end up liking it if I tried it. I've heard a lot of good things about Jacqua. The products smell really great too. I really need to try some.
I sound like a total ignorant but honestly I haven't smelled Chanel no. 5!
i used to be young and dream of no.5 then my high school boyfriend bought it for me and the dream was shattered - i wonder if i was better off keeping it an unattainable dream so that i would still think of it fondlyi do love many other scents from chanel though - allure, chance, mademoiselle
-Miss Yaya
http://myownjudge.blogspot.com/
I love Chanel #5. I did't when I was younger, but, I like it lots now. And when I wear it, I get a lot of complements. I actually like most all Chanel scents. It is just a classic.
I'm not a fan of Chanel #5 either. Maybe my tastes will change as I grow older. I LOVE Jaqua products. I found them on clearance at Victoria's Secret a few years ago and have used their products ever since! I just wish they would go on sale more often then they do! All of the Jaqua scents are just so fun! And the recipes on the site are delicious!
I love chanel but not chanel # 5 as much as I wanna love it because it is such a classic ....I can't stand it to be honest chance by channel is another story though.
wow your winter break sounded pretty awful :/hmmm unfortunately, i've never smelled chanel number5. ugh i feel like now i really should, though.
xoxo
Chanel No. 5 is seriously amazing ladies. I have almost every Chanel perfume. The only reason i am lacking this one atthe moment is i am kind of a perfumewhore and have way to many to useat the moment so i have no restocked.It is deff a worthy investment though. It's classy and classic and can be wornalmost anytime. never go wrong with chanel.
Julie Dee <3
I have Chanel No5, my dad bought me it and I used it cos it was sweet he got me a bottle but the scent is very mature for me and now is sitting 1/4 full on my perfume cabinet.
If only Chanel and the name brand perfumes were less expensive I would definitely get them! It's really great and stays for a long time. I like Chanel's new perfume, CoCo, was it?
I've never smelled Chanel no. 5 I wish I could now.
Chanel No.5 is what my grandma wears. So it reminds me of her. :D
I love the smell but isn't it too expensive?
I love the smell of this!
I got a tiny free sample spray at one of the beauty counters and it smells nice but I gave it to my mom because it is an older scent and I love fruity and citrus scents
Anything chanel is always a good choice.
<33
Chanel #5 is was and will be my most favourite perfume ever!I'm saving up for the 5th bottle of my life :)
I'm with you lady, not a fan of the #5. I do, however, absolutely looooove Chanel Chance.
my mom recently got a bottle of chanel - <3
LOVE chanel :)
I'm not a huge perfume fan, but the thought of Chanel perfume sitting on my vanity just seems so elegant!
Mmm...buttercream frosting! I got something scented like vanilla frosting cupcakes the other day at Wal*Mart [Bodycology] because it was on sale and I can't stop smelling it. My only beef with this stuff is that is isn't a very creamy lotion. And Chanel #5 smells like grammies. ew.
Love Chanel, but no really loving the perfume.
I love Chanel and this scent is fantastic, just tested it for the first time and really loved it.
lover of beauty, sharer of opinions http://prettylightsbeauty.blogspot.com/
I don't like the smell of Chanel #5 either. I tend to go more towards sweet smelling sugary vanilla scents. Just reading your description of the Jaqua products made me crave a cupcake lol.
I can't get into No. 5 either. It's a bit too matriarchal for me!
http://www.swatchstorm.blogspot.com
I think of Chanel #5 as a sophiscated scent and is pleasant if applied lightly such that it does not overwhelm anyone walking past.
I love Chanel #5(:
such a great classic scent. not as good as coco mademoiselle in my opinion.
this one is definately not my favourite there are other chanel perfumes that i likea lot better!
it reminds me of my sister. when i was young, that is all she would wear.
♥ Claire ♥ AngelClarice Beauty and Wellness Site www.angelclarice.com
No. 5 isn't for me.
http://lipglossfiend.wordpress.com
i love chanel #5! it's such a classic scent. not such a fan #19 though.
it's amazing. a little expensive
Expensive! WAY out of my price range. But I never go through perfume very fast at all, so maybe I need to just find a sample tube and enjoy it while it lasts!
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