24 January 2011

Kiehl's Original Musk perfume oil

I never used to understand those people on Make up Alley who made dramatic statements about how their lives would be ruined should a certain favourite product ever be discontinued - always seemed to be a little over the top. But so help me if Kiehl's Original Musk ever becomes discontinued I may have to lay siege to Kiehl's HQ because I love this so much it has become almost a part of my identity - it is MY scent!

I actually didn't like the smell when I first tried it in Liberty a couple of years ago.. I detected something vaguely potentially headache-inducing in it, the same thing that prevents me from using Hei Poa monoi oil even though I love the idea of it and the pretty bottle! However this only seems to last a few seconds (in fact I don't even notice it now) before the oil 'dries down' to a beautiful powdery musky floral sweet something or other. I wish I knew how to describe scents in more eloquent terms but I can't - all I know is that I love this scent and it seems to work well with my skin.

(I will however copy some of the ingredients from the Kiehl's website for those who are curious):


Our special Musk “recipe” begins with an initial creamy, fresh citrus burst of Bergamot Nectar and Orange Blossom...followed by a soft floral bouquet of Rose, Lily, Ylang-Ylang and Neroli. Finally, Original Musk Eau de Toilette dries down to a warm, sensual Oriental finish of Tonka Bean, White Patchouli and, of course, Musk...the soul of this distinctively modern scent...


Can't say I get anything citrusy - it smells much softer somehow than that but hey - them's the ingredients!


Original Musk is the only scent I've ever worn that multiple people have commented on. Not in an 'ooh, what perfume are you wearing?' way - it's not that obvious. More likely what will happen is that someone in close proximity will start sniffing the air with a slightly puzzled air, and enquire as to what that lovely smell is (cue smug flourish of wrist).


I love how the oil melts into the skin, and the scent lingers. Something about it is just more sensual than spraying some harsh sneeze-inducing perfume on your skin. I wear this year round; it seems as appropriate on sultry summer days as it does on cold winter ones.

I also adore the glass vial, pictured above (although the label has faded away somewhat). Unfortunately Kiehl's has changed the packaging of it's perfume oils to a roller ball format (and they're now called Essence Oils) which I am a bit dischuffed about. Something about upturning the small vial, and how it sits on my dressing table like a secret potion, I love. I haven't run out of my vial yet and when I do I will purchase the roller ball, but I'm even wondering if I can somehow transfer said rollerball contents to my vial - that's how much I love it.

The oils come in three other scents - Grapefruit, Vanilla, and Coriander. If the vanilla one is anything like Kiehl's discontinued vanilla body lotion which I absolutely loved I would certainly love to try that, and I like the sound of the coriander one too. I think the oils used to come in Cucumber too as I purchased a cucumber roller ball off eBay a while ago. However it smelled so unpleasant and artificial I threw it away - maybe a dud or had just gone off or something. Anyway I digress...

Have you tried any of the Kiehl's perfume oils, or are there any other musky oils you'd recommend?

Kiehl's Essence Oils with roller ball applicator retail at £21 for 7ml.

9 January 2011

Sisley Eye Contour mask

Oh Sisley. Just for once I wish you would come out with a product that isn't amazing! I'm trying so hard to curb my beauty spending this year, but alas, having tried a sample of the Eye Contour Mask over Christmas, it is only a matter of time before my bank balance is £70 lighter (and my eye contours are considerably smoother).

My boyfriend received a sample of the Eye Contour Mask when buying me the Radiant Glow Express Mask for Christmas (amazing product - you can read my review of that here). I'd never used an eye mask before, so was intrigued and also a little dubious if I'm honest. I should have known better - this is Sisley, after all.

You apply the mask thickly all around the eye, including the lids and underneath (the 'contour' area if you will). You then leave for ten minutes, and wipe or tissue off without rinsing (I used a cotton wool pad). After that, you apply your normal skincare regimen.

After wiping the mask off, I was a bit bemused. Something was definitely different, but my eye area just seemed to look shinier. Then I smiled, to see if the fine (and less fine) lines under my eyes looked any different. And they'd gone. Not only that, but the whole cheekbone area seemed to have been lifted - the skin there looked tighter and firmer, almost botoxed. I applied my normal skincare afterwards, a touch of undereye concealer afterwards and some eye make up, concerned that it would all look a bit greasy, but I actually think my make up looked better. My eye area looked revitalised.

According to the Sisley website, as well reducing fine lines, puffiness and dark circles the mask also offers protection against free radicals. Personally I'm more than sold on the effects alone. I'm only mildly exaggerating when I say this stuff is like a demi face lift in a tube, and the effects lasted a good couple of days as well. Now if Sisley could only invent something like this for the chin and neck I'd be a very happy girl....

Sisley Eye Contour Mask can currently be bought from Harrods for £64.95 but it seems to retail from between £65 - £95. The tube contains 30ml.