Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Confessions of a beauty product addict + Chloe EDP by Chloe

I confess. I like collecting things. When I was little, it was stickers. Then it was postage stamps. Then it was cooking books (ok, you got me; I still collect those). Now, as I'm getting older, I'm paying more attention to appearances, and hence, I find myself spending a lot of time browsing skincare and cosmetic products online. I started to realise that I was starting to buy things out of obsession rather than practical need, after accumulating quite a collection of Jill Stuart make-up products, when, heck, I don't even wear makeup normally, save for the handful of times when I'm attending a ball or going to a fine dining restaurant. In fact, I think it's because I am in possession of so much cosmetic products that I feel the need to find occasions to use them, so as to not waste them; after all, they're only good for maybe a year or so after opening.

Remember how I said in one of my previous posts that I used to be a fragrance collector, until I discovered Jo Malone? Well, turns out I was wrong. I recently broke my perfume ban and bought a 50 mL bottle of the Chloé EDP by Chloé. I've been wanting to get this since purchasing the solid perfume necklace of the same fragrance last year, but have been suppressing the urge to, due to the aforementioned self-imposed ban. I finally caved in and I'm glad I did, because unlike some of my previous perfume purchases, of which I've come to regret soon after, I am actually head-over-heels in love with this fragrance. For the moment, anyway.


This signature scent of Chloé fuses classic with contemporary to create a unique fragrance that embodies the very essence of elegant chic and femininity. It combines the powdery floral notes of the classic rose with a modern twist of sweet and fresh lychee, peony and freesia, creating a sweet, light floral scent that blooms into the warmer, woody base notes of lily of the valley, magnolia, amber and cedarwood, which beautifully meld together with the predominant rose base. Although floral fragrances are typically more suited to evenings, especially in warmer weather, the luscious top notes renders a light spritz of this not too heavy for daytime use.

This exquisite fragrance is housed in a simple rectangular bottle, which features vertical ridges around the body, inspired by the pleats of a Chloé blouse sleeve; a silver-plated collar bearing its name; and a hand-tied champagne-pink ribbon. The understated elegance of the outside well reflects that of the sweet distillation that lies within. Similarly, the scent serves to draw out the inner natural elegance and femininity of its wearer.

Of course, my newfound perfume love doesn't mean that I've forsaken Jo Malone. I took advantage of a recent David Jones 10% off all Jo Malone fragrances one-day offer and re-stocked my favourite Nectarine and Honey Blossom, in the 100 mL bottle, which retails for $170. The price is definitely a cut above many other perfume houses; however, if the fragrance becomes an everyday favourite, which it has in my case, it is more economical in the long-run to splash out on this size than to keep purchasing 30 mL bottles for $90 each.

Back to beauty products. I have in my possession products from a variety of brands - Shiseido, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Christian Dior, Jill Stuart, La Prairie... My collection is ever growing as I continue my search for the perfect companions for my complexion. In order to help other girls from spiralling down this same path, sacrificing both time and money, I've decided that I'll start posting beauty product reviews on my blog. You're welcome.