More Than Just Beauty

 I am by no means a beauty influencer, however, some products deserve a shoutout. I recently heard about Rare Beauty, a company started by Selena Gomez, not only is it a conscious company, but proceeds go towards supporting youth and mental health awareness. I viewed a recent YouTube video and the colors were so gorgeous, that I decided to order some products for myself.

Literally, everything from how the products were packed ( wrapped, then placed in tissue paper and in a lovely linen pouch), to the actual products was just a pleasure. It was done right! I purchased the Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush in Joy, and Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Talented. The blush is hand-polished for an extra glow, and the highlighter is indeed built in for a dazzling gleam on the cheeks. The lip color is a soft, creamy caramel. They are affordable (less than $30) and a percentage of the proceeds go towards providing resources for young adults, there's even a care hotline.

Special thanks to beauty guru Robert Welsh who did an amazing video on these products. Rare Beauty, you've earned a customer for life. I NEED that PR box, pronto! *non sponsored

Until Next Time~

Hugs and Hearts

BellevueGrl

Season 20- Project Runway, My Take On The Season (So Far)

 

                    (Photo by Los Muertos Crew: https://www.pexels.com)

I'm so grateful that you asked for my feedback, I'm a long-time fan of Project Runway, and All Stars is my favorite. After a long absence, we finally get to see some of the best talents, and I'm so glad to see familiar faces this season. I have a slight edge because I actually got to meet and view Bishme's collection at LAFW (2017) from the front row, as a fashion blogger. I adore Brittany's designs, as well as Fabio's. It is going to be a wonderful season, and I can't wait to see which designers make it to the top. I have so much respect for Christian and of course Nina, there's some valuable input there and I hope this team listens to the suggestions. These challenges are meant to bring out the best of the best, refine those skills and push you to be who you can be.

-- Let's talk about Episode 3

OMG, I almost got giddy, All Stars, and an unconventional materials challenge? Yes, please!! $2,000 at FAO Schwarz, let me at it! 

I don't want to give too much away for those that haven't watched yet, but I do have something to say (of course I do!) 

Fabio, Bishme, you need to be more than safe, I'm still rooting for you both.

I love you, Brittany, that ruching is spot on! Seriously, girl, my own Mom would be proud. 

Viktor, wow! Now, kids, that's how you do an unconventional challenge. 

The other designers are still in the race, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can bring to the (sewing) table. 

Let's go, designers!! 

Until next time ~ 

Fashionably yours! 

BellevueGrl

                                                                                                    

Zaharoff Signature ROSÈ

 As an occasional blogger, author, and community contributor, I often get the opportunity to dip a toe or two back into the world of fashion and designer fragrance. In a previous post, I introduced you to the world of all things Zaharoff and had to revisit to give a review of George's latest that is about to rock the world once again. 

This starts off with a yummy drift of rose and vanilla, then melds into a delightful waft of red poppy, that gives it a little spice, you'll pick up hints of incense and oud. What's really unusual about this fragrance is that you don't notice the jasmine and there isn't a heaviness about the scent, it just lingers mysteriously on the bottom note. 

The original scent was used as a base, but the lavender was replaced with rose. Make no mistake, this is not a flowery scent, but it is a celebration and tickles the nose as you pick up hints of a carefully crafted smokey rose. I received so many compliments and the wearability is wonderful. I have odd body chemistry and prefer something with a musky, amber base, this lasted for a full eight hours without touchup and a bit lingered into the next day, like a trail of incense left from a burning stick, or the memory of a night well spent. 

I'm enchanted with it, and will definitely be purchasing a bottle to cast my own spell. This is a keeper. There's a waiting list, but keep your eyes peeled. Perfect for men or women, there's enough spice to make it appealing for both of you. Tres sexy!! Special thank you to George Zaharoff who sent me a generous sample, he is a total sweetheart of a person. I love wearing something created by someone I know, and I'm honored to be part of the Zaharoff fragrance reviewer family. This is going to be a huge seller.  

Pre-order: https://www.zaharoff.com/collections/zsph/products/zaharoff-signature-rose-waitlist

Zaharoff Signature ROSÈ (pronounce Roe-zhay)

Zaharoff Signature Pour Homme 

AND

Olibanum Resine

Rose Absolute

Tutmost Rose Florabsolute

Red Peony

Jasmine Petals

 Gold Amber

Sexy Musk

Sugar crystals

Vanilla Beans

Until next time~

Hearts and Hugs,

BellevueGrl 

Scent-sational Buys (Favorite Scents To Sample)

Reviewing two fragrances over on Influenster today. These samples were sent to me and I just decided to do a quick scent of the day rundown. I really liked both of these, but if I had to choose one, the most long-lasting was the Tom Ford Black Orchid. 

If you're a beauty and fragrance enthusiast like me, I would highly recommend joining Influenster. It is a community of gals and guys who are passionate about all things in the industry. 

YSL Libre Perfume has quickly become one of my scents of the day. At first, I wasn't sure if it would be as long-lasting as I had hoped for. I have unusual chemistry and some scents just don't last, or the top notes just turn me off. This one warms on the skin nicely, and it isn't just fluff. This comes off a bit citrusy at first, thanks to top notes of Mandarin, Lavender, and Black Currant then drifts into a deeper dreamy note of Orange Blossom and Jasmine and a sweeter version of Lavender, then leaves behind a memory with Vanilla. Musk and Cedar. It is a fragrance that makes a very flirtatious statement. This is pricey, and like most of the newer scents out there, I'd be lucky to afford the body lotion, just being honest here, but it is well worth investing in. Overall, beautiful scent. 

Tom Ford Black Orchid. Oh, this one is nice! Once again, I've fallen for a scent at first spray. This one is definitely on my "make sure to buy" list. I love OUD fragrances and this one is dark and seductive. perfect for a very special evening. 

The reviews of this perfume have been done to death, but let me just add that this one will help you slay, and in a very good way. I was pleasantly surprised when I spritzed on just a bit and it lingered till the next day. Yes, it is that rich. The Mexican chocolate, Patchouli, Vanilla, Incense, Amber, Sandalwood, and Vetiver play nicely together as a bottom note. This is really like a dark blooming flower, that unfolds a rich beguiling scent. Magical! 

Check out all of my reviews here https://www.influenster.com/    and my latest men's fragrance review below. http://bellevuegrl.blogspot.com/2020/11/standout-fragrances-reviewing-world-of.html

Until next time~

Hearts and Hugs 

BellevueGrl 

 

Standout Fragrances - Reviewing The World of Zaharoff

 It's been a bit since I've done a review here. Life has taken me in quite a few different directions and I've been away for a while from the beauty community. This particular review and the person that I'm writing about is more than enough to take this gal out of blogging retirement and set things on fire again. 

I first met designer and fragrance creator George Zaharoff many years ago through a very close friend in journalism, had it not been that I was in the fashion industry and that he designed a coat for her, I would have never known his name, thanks to the Twitterverse at the time, we forged a friendship and met face to face at a design launch, and years later, here we are. 

With two new fragrances that just launched, NOIR and ROYALE, George is once again blazing a trail for himself. Always the gold standard, I first wanted to introduce you to his original scent, Zaharoff Signature Pour Homme (EDP)  described by Zaharoff himself, "it is sweet lavender, clean blue cypress and spicy black pepper that unfolds into an earthy, smoky woods and floral heart of Oud and Balsam, finally settling into a trilogy of warm, spiritual and sensual Myrrh, Sandalwood and Frankincense."

Oriental Wood fragrances are some of my favorites (for both men and women) When George said that his scents were the "Elixir Of  The World", he wasn't kidding. From Coriander from the south of France to Mandarin and Bergamot from Italy, Ginger Roots from India, Anise from Egypt, Frankincense, and Myrrh from Ethiopia and Oud from China, Mr. Zaharoff has indeed put together the gold standard. NOIR is a pure spell of seduction. This warms on the skin like a sensual cashmere sweater. Make no mistake, this one is for when you're wanting to set the night ablaze and make someone crave more. Dare I call it "sex in a bottle" yeah, it's that good.

Have you ever felt a buttery soft suede, or smelled that perfect combination of leather? There's just something about it that stirs the senses. That's what ROYALE reminds me of. This dries down to that indescribable concoction of Amber, Musk, Cedar, Patchouli that is like a comforting throw on a chilly night while sitting by a fire. Gentlemen, if you want to make a statement, this is the one to choose. A man always wants to stand out, and this one will make heads turn. While deeper than the original Zaharoff Pour Homme, (while in itself is sophisticated), this takes classy to the next level. Think well dressed, polished, and on the playing field ready to conquer.  This is woodsy, rich on the sandalwood, but also fresh with crisp apple, juniper, and cardamom, and you guessed it, this one is also a passport around the world, from Guatemala, Indonesia, and Italy, all the way to my beloved Washington state. 

I love how each scent differs from the other and goes a level deeper. They are not a repeat version, and they are long-lasting, a spritz goes a long way. I love discovering all the layers of a fragrance from top note to the final rendition when it melds with your own body chemistry. From a female point of view, these leave a memorable statement behind. 

 Since these reviews have been done to death and on every channel, I wanted to do something a little different and offer up a complementary women's fragrance.  The fragrance notes in Estee Lauder's Aerin Rose de Grasse are a perfect pairing to Zaharoff Pour Homme, Royale goes well with Estee Lauder's Beautiful Belle, and the magic of NOIR completes the spell when paired with Estee Lauder's Cinnabar, Olibanum, Sandalwood, Patchouli is a perfect mate, yes, you can thank me later. Think of it as a couple pairing.

Both of these fragrances were sent to me for review. Special thanks to my dear friend George Zaharoff. For more information please visit zaharoff.com, and for fragrance notes for the women's fragrances, please see  esteelauder.com. 

Until next time ~

Hearts and Hugs

BellevueGrl 

Catching Up

It has been a very, very long time since I've posted on here. I wanted to catch everyone up on what's been going on over the past year, and rather than make a long-winded social media post, I thought I would just make a long-winded post on my beloved blog.

I have indeed been busy. I've published two books, and have been in the process of writing my third, which, I may scrap, as I don't like the voice or direction it was going in. All hell kind of broke loose in my life whilst writing it. I was hospitalized while on vacation for pneumonia, which basically put me on my rear in (almost) the ICU for about five days. When I returned to normal life I had a hard time focusing on the premise of the book and well, it's been sitting here stewing in its own broth for awhile. To quote the words of a very close friend, I was "a sick sickie"

I have been busy writing elsewhere, both as a contributor for a publication on the Medium platform, and I recently threw my hat into the ring as a contributor for Thrive Global. I am having a very difficult time hitting the send button on my first post.  Even as a seasoned writer, I feel somehow inadequate alongside those with "Dr" or "Ph.D." in their name. I'm just a gal eating burritos for lunch while they are eating caviar (on toast, no less) While I may be sitting on the patio with a glass of rosé and watching the sunset, they are 37,000 feet in first-class watching the clouds roll by. I'm a working girl who juggles words, photography and social media, then comes home to feed the cat and herself, then settle down to her hobby of writing on the side. Glamorous, right?

Truth be told, I am intimidated about the big leagues, even though I've written here for ten years, covered front row fashion, and lived to tell about it, I find myself stumbling. I'm still figuring out a way to make words flow when it really counts.

How do we get past that initial stutter, that slip of foot on what we thought would be steady ground? Do we just jump and hope we land firmly, or do we fall, and use it to teach us how to use our wings? I'm about to take that step.

Stay tuned, and I'll let you know!

Until next time~
Hearts and Hugs
BellevueGrl

Book And Happenings

It's been quite awhile, and I wanted to catch up with everyone and announce the launch of my new book.

I decided to bite the bullet and put together a collection of short stories that I have written over the past year.

Most of these stories are about the heart, emotions, both positive and negative. There are stories of love, insight, inspiration, whimsy. They aren't meant to be taken literally, they aren't about anyone, or even for anyone. They are simply like poetry, to make one think, to appeal to the senses, perhaps to remember a moment or two of your own.

There is a passage, one that I like to refer to as a parabal for the heart. I was feeling very uncertain of my path. Every now and then, we all feel a little stuck. We want to be remembered, to matter, to be heard.

The heart is like a book. It holds memories. There are chapters that we like to re-read now and then. The storm in my story is a metaphor for life. It can be gentle, or it can be fierce and make us question everything. There are dog-eared pages in my book (heart), well loved moments, people, friends.

The character is feeling unsettled inside, is walking in the rain.  I liken the world to a diary that was carried by someone, dropped carelessly along the way, perhaps into a puddle, the pages are drenched. Someone finds it, and tries to see if they can salvage what was written inside.

As you read this story, I hope that you can relate.

The following is an excerpt from "And Then God Smiled" by Elaine Hamilton


                                                  The Book And The Storm

Feeling stormy today. There's a quiet roll of thunder under my calm surface. Seeing with my grey eyes today, there is no sun that can warm me enough to feel anything but disdain. I almost like the feel of rain on my face, I've come to welcome it some days, because it just feels good to to become part of the wildness of nature, just let go. Walking, feeling the wind, no one can see the pain behind the sardonic grin. I hide it well.

Raindrops hide tears, wrapping my heart with rubber bands again. Words, memories surface, almost like an old journal that is treasured. Scrapping everything I know once more. The pages of this book are getting old and tattered, a few are dog-eared because I tend to revisit them now and then. I carry this book with me, keep it close, but one day, I'll let go, and it will be consumed by the puddles that are left after the storm passes, pages will be drenched, and the words will be erased, and the book will lay forgotten.

Maybe someday, someone will find it, and wonder about the story it might have held. Maybe they will carefully dry out the pages , and see what was written, try to decipher the story within, the things that might have been, the wistful fairytale, the long forgotten dreams, and treasure it.



The book is available in the Amazon Kindle Store. Check out this link if you'd like to know more.
https://www.amazon.com/Then-God-Smiled-Collection-Stories-ebook/dp/B07F49GYS4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8


Until next time~
Hearts and Hugs
BellevueGrl