My Latest Fragrance Obsession: Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne

Peony & Blush Suede…even the name of this fragrance is intriguing, but after one whiff, I knew this romantic, lush scent would be the newest addition to my perfume collection. 

 Jo Malone calls the fragrance, “The essence of charm.  Peonies in voluptuous bloom, exquisitely fragile.  Flirtatious with the juicy bite of red apple and the opulence of jasmine, rose and gillyflower.  Mingling with the sensuality of soft, blush suede.  Luxurious and seductive.”

And it is indeed, “luxurious and seductive.”

The fragrance is infused with some of my favorite notes – rose and jasmine.  The top note is red apple, at the center of the fragrance is peony, and blush suede serves as the base. 

What makes this fragrance so interesting is the addition of the blush suede, which adds an earthy, sensual, almost masculine element.  When I wear it, I am reminded of my husband’s favorite suede blazer. Anytime a fragrance can conjure thoughts of him, it’s alright with me!

The scent is strong, but delicate.  It starts as a vibrant floral bouquet and settles into something subtly sexy, but comfortable and familiar at the same time.  I find the blush suede is the strongest after I have worn it for a few hours.

Jo Malone is known for unique scent pairings and this fragrance is no different.  I loved it so much that I bought the candle in the same scent.  It is so perfect for a cozy evening in bed with the hubby and so fragrant that even when we don’t burn it, it wafts through the room.

The fragrance is romantic enough to serve as a wedding fragrance to brides-to-be, as well.

Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede ($60 for 30 ML, $115 for 100ML) is available at jomalone.com, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and other fine retailers.  The candle ($65 for 200 G) is also available at the same retailers.

K

What’s That? Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal

During a recent shopping session at Sephora.com, I came across Boscia’s Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal ($18).  Naturally, I was like ‘What’s a konjac sponge?’ and ‘Why must I have it?’  Into the cart it went.

Konjac sponges are made from the root of the konjac plant, a plant native to Asia.  Konjac is 97 percent water, rich in minerals, and naturally alkaline, making it perfect for keeping skin balanced. Highly prized for its health giving properties, the konjac sponge was originally created for delicate baby skin.

Boscia’s Konjac Sponge is infused with Bamboo Charcoal and intended to get deep into pores for clean, smooth skin.

According to Sephora.com, the Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal cleanses and exfoliates to deliver smoother, softer, brighter-looking skin while minimizing the appearance of pores and eradicating blemish-causing bacteria. Formulated for combination to oily skin, the konjac root absorbs debris and impurities, while the bamboo charcoal acts as a natural anit-bacterial agent, to cleanse deeply and detoxify pores without irritation. Gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin types, it can be used over the face, neck, and even the delicate under-eye area. When used regularly, it helps draw out impurities, minimize the appearance of pores, and reduce blemish-causing bacteria.

The sponge comes in a shrink-wrapped package and is on a string, making it easy to hang dry. 

When it is wet, it expands and gets rather squishy and soft, so it is a very gentle method of cleansing.

I used it with my Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser, which I have already discussed here.  This cleanser has grown on me and I love using it in the shower or with my Clarisonic brush.  Sephora recommended using this cleanser with the konjac sponge.

Once the cleanser is on the sponge, it lathers really well, so you don’t need a lot of product.  On my wet face and neck, I massaged the sponge in circular motions all over.  I did have to add a little more cleanser as the sponge began absorbing what I already put on it.

It feels good and relaxing as you massage it into skin.

After cleansing, I rinsed my face and thoroughly rinsed the sponge (which takes some time to squeeze all of the cleanser out) and sat it on the counter to dry. 

My initial thought, after one use, is ‘meh.’  I don’t feel like this sponge does anything that I cannot accomplish with my fingers or my Clarisonic brush.  Actually, my Clarisonic delivers a better clean than the konjac sponge because makeup residue was evident on the cotton disc when I used toner after using the sponge.  My face didn’t feel as thoroughly clean as when I use my hands or the brush.  The Clarisonic may be more expensive, but as you are supposed to discard your sponge every month to avoid bacteria and mold build up, the Clarisonic brush is actually a better investment.

I do like that it is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and that it is preservative-, artificial fragrance-, color-, gluten-, and ethanol alcohol-free. It has also been dermatologist tested, which is another plus.

Kiki