October 21, 2011

Fancy French Fragrant Friday - L'Essence Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta Parfum

Horrifying as it may be to some of you, this is the time of year when I start thinking about Christmas gifts and not because I am some super organized wonder woman (anyone who knows me knows this not to be true) but because of one certain person on my list, I spend months beforehand obsessing over what to get her and yes, I'm talking about my mother in law.

Don't get me wrong, she's a lovely lady who never criticizes my housekeeping skills, bugs me about when we're going to have children or drops by without being invited but when it comes to buying her presents, I always feel like I've fallen short somehow. In the past few years I've settled on fragrance as the perfect gift - she seems to like it and there is always something new to get her but it's still agonizing trying to decide on just the right one. It can't be common, endorsed by a pop tart or have a tacky bottle and of course it has to smell good. Last year I got her Calvin Klein Beauty which she really liked so I need one to top it. Here are a couple that I'm considering:


L'Essence Balenciaga - 50ml  EDP - $110, 75ml EDP - $150 - a new take on the original Balenciaga EDP - but stronger and with added green notes in the form of violet leaves which actually makes it very appealing to me, next to citrus fragrances, I love a green fragrance!

Available at Holt Renfrew, Muale and select The Bay stores.

Bottega Veneta Parfum - 50ml EDP - $110, 75ml EDP - $150, 200ml Body Cream - $95, 200ml Body Lotion - $65, 200ml Shower Gel - $58 - a leathery floral chypre with notes of bergamot, patchouli, oak moss, jasmine sambac and pink peppercorn. To me this one smells very sensual yet elegant.

Available at select Holt Renfrew and select The Bay stores.

So which one to pick? They're both classy, french, in elegant bottles and smell good - albeit in very different ways... opinions welcomed!

- Lisamarie -

1 comment:

  1. JMO: the BV was a bit masculine. Haven't sampled the Balenciaga.

    ReplyDelete

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