Our favorite Bulgari Pour Femme was lately re-launched with two new siblings, Voile de Jasmin and Rose Essentielle.

Pour Femme, the great classic fragrance for the woman that embodies understated luxury, opens with fresh, crystalline top notes that develop into the predominantly Sambac jasmine middle note, delicately mixed with Mimosa of Grasse and prelude rose and violet notes, and ending with powdery-musky aromas that include Florentine iris. Available in 30, 50, and 100ml eau de parfum and 50 and 100 ml eau de toilette.

Voile de Jasmin, the fresh and light soul of this series, evokes a refined femininity that unfolds with a tingling hint of Mimosa of Grasse and bergamot, builds up to the sweet freshness and transparency of Sambac jasmine, prelude rose, and wild lily of the valley and ends with Florentine iris with a musky base. Comes in 50 and 100 ml eau de toilette. (more…)

What happens when you start losing your hair?

Though thinning hair in women may be attributed to several causes, such as hormone imbalance, pregnancy or genetics, the stress of a hectic lifestyle can also have a traumatic impact on hair. It causes the tiny capillaries that feed the follicles to constrict, thus reducing the amounts of oxygen and nutrients that reach the hair. Prolonged periods of stress also affect the muscles at the point where the hair grows out of the scalp, and leads to excessive hair loss. Losing up to 100 strands a day is normal, but when you start shedding clumps of hair, here’s what you can do.

Topical hair treatments

Topical hair preparations work by stopping hair loss, stimulating hair regrowth and blood circulation in the scalp. The only FDA-approved treatment for thinning hair is 5% Minoxidil (also known as Rogaine), but thinning can recur once treatment is discontinued. Other commercially-available topical treatments such as Phytocyane Revitalizing Lotion, Phytoaxil Fortifying Intensive Care, or Kerastase’s Lipo-Recharge treatment have been getting rave reviews from several women.

Nutritional supplements

According to experts, biotin is an important component in the hair manufacturing process. Together with topical treatments, dermatologists often recommend 3 mg of biotin daily. What may be important for women to take, however, is the nutrient known as methylsulfonylmethane or MSM, a substance vital to the life of hair and skin. Aside from the supplements mentioned, your diet also plays a role in maintaining a healthy head of hair. Recommended are foods that are high in protein, low in fat, and low in carbohydrates. Iron, vitamin B12, and essential fatty acids (found in foods like walnuts, canola oil, fish, and soy) are also important to healthy hair growth.

Mesotherapy for the hair

A treatment that injects micro doses of vitamins, minerals and amino acids directly into the mesoderm (the middle layer of the skin, mesotherapy stimulates hair growth and blood circulation in the scalp. A typical treatment may involve dozens of small injections in concentrated areas using a very small needle (0.4 to 0.6 cm). Treatments are quite costly compared to over-the- counter methods (weekly treatments are required for around 5 to 10 sessions), but these injections deliver vitamins and minerals directly into the skin, and thus produce faster results.

The latest technology: the anti-hair loss patch

A revolutionary product that addresses thinning hair, Revlon’s unique Intragen 5 patch contains a multi-active compound that acts on hair loss, reduces excess oil in the scalp, increases blood circulation in the scalp, and stimulates growth of healthy hair. Similar to nicotine patches, the Intragen 5 patch’s transdermic technology allows penetration of ingredients into the deepest layers of the skin. How it works? Upon contact with the skin, pores open and sweat allows ingredients to be released slowly into the deeper layers of the skin. Worn daily for 24 hours for a 30-day period, studies show improvement in hair density in just six weeks.

How not to look too thin: (more…)

While some designers were zapped into the future, others fell under the spell of flowers, which were poured onto the catwalks through hats, bodices, jackets, dresses, skirts; with a touch at the shoulders, wrists, hems; scattered or totally enveloped in three-dimensional or flat forms as garlands, petals, silk flowers, print, appliques, embroidery, ruffles. One would not know which flora to pluck with all the variety offered.

Floral prints come oversize or small; loud or quiet; abstract or classic. Colors are extreme, from black / white contrasts, a mix of brights, to soft pastel or deep tonal shades and even a total monotone effect. Looks vary from flirty and youthful to the more subdued, always feminine.

Soft and layered at Louis Vuitton; decayed glamor at Alexander McQueen; understand elegance at Dior by Galliano; true romance at Yves Saint Laurent; hand-crafted chic at Chloe.

The fabrics mimic the sensation of the blossoms, with strong use of soft and flowing materials achieving the needed delicate effect — silk satins, chiffons, lace, organzas, the lightest cottons, rich taffetas — through the use of layers, gathers, ruffles, or an exaggerated sleeve here, a bubble skirt there.

The shift dress is key for the season in different silhouettes, notably the trapeze mini, the empire, the waisted dress, the maxi dress, and the bubble dress. The more romantic and soft or deep the color, the more disarming the application of the floral creation, the more elegant for an evening out.

As for skirts, with the mini making its come, there is no lack of fun and flirty prints and floral appliques to choose from. From a level of sophisticated maturity, there are also minis full of grace, with a softness and fragility to them.

Jackets are, interestingly enough, not floral in print, but more in detail, with a rose emerging at the shoulder or collar, or belted at the waist.

Bodices are divine in fit, with a bouquet emerging at the neckline for pure seduction.

Surprisingly, there are few historical references in design (other than a few pieces at McQueen). Overall, the pieces are clean and modern in silhouette and refreshingly pretty.

This vision of loveliness, although common in theme, is a complex mix of interpretations from each designer. It makes for a more interesting garden of Eden, with each piece unique in its own way, much like each of us.

How to wear the look

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