Fragrant Friday - Paco Rabanne Fame Parfum & Phantom Parfum

Paco Rabanne Fame and Phantom up their fragrance game with female sensuality and sultry masculinity:

 

Fame Parfum Natural Spray - 50ml - $146, 80ml - $188, 200ml Refill - $256 -  an intense woody chypre blend with top notes of mango, pink pepper and bergamot; heart notes of sensual jasmine, patchouli and frankincense; and base notes of sandalwood, benzoin and addictive musk. The scent has a definite gourmand leaning on me - I smell more musk and sandalwood then I do jasmine - which suits me fine! The glossy black dress on the shiny gold bottle amplifies the sense of seduction and will keep you from getting this one mixed up with the original!

 

Phantom Parfum Natural Spray - 50ml - $122, 100ml - $158, 150ml - $188, 200ml Refill - $202 - an intense blend with top notes of cardamom, bergamot, lemon and rhubarb; heart notes of electrifying lavender, patchouli, geranium and cedarwood; and base notes of addictive vanilla, tolu balsam and enticing Haitian vetiver. I wasn't sure how I would feel about so much floral in a men's fragrance since I don't like it in a women's one - but these particular notes combined with everything else is actually really intriguing - I would even wear this myself! The iconic chest piece of the original bottle evolves from chromatic silver to matte black as a signifier of the danger within and reflects the assertive facets of masculinity.

 

Not only will you smell good, but can feel good about the sustainable ingredients - with 90% being of natural origin, not to mention they are refillable!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

 

 

Fragrant Friday Jean Paul Gaultier "Le Male" Elixir

There is a new addition to the Le Male line that you are going to want to get on board with...

 

Jean Paul Gautier "Le Male" Elixir - 125ml - $168 - a woody aromatic amber fragrance with top notes of sensual lavender and fresh mint; heart notes of sweet vanilla and benzoin; and base notes of honey, subtle tonka bean and tobacco.

 

I found it quite sweet at first but it dries down to something lovely that I could just not stop smelling! My husband didn't care for it at all but certainly appreciated how it kept me close to him sniffing at his neck so that's a good lesson that scent does not have to be to your taste as long as it is to the person smelling you!

 

And of course the bottle... the gold, very fit torso bottle sports an amber-coloured sailor's blouse that will have you saying Hello Sailor!

 

Available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu and London Drugs stores across Canada.

 

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Cobalt

There's a new bad boy in town proving it's good to be bad:

 

Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Cobalt - 50ml EDP - $124, 100ml EDP - $158, 150ml EDP - $195 - an energizing fragrance of contrasts with pink pepper top notes that offer a fresh and aromatic opening, enhanced by a floral-yet-masculine geranium heart. The mineral accents of the truffle accord base are invigorated with smoky oakwood and infused with ethically sourced vetiver and sexy cedarwood. It's meant to smell a little mineraly and earthy - something like what the atmosphere smells like after a strong storm.

 

This is not your father's fragrance and it's quite a bit different from the original Bad Boy - the pepper is what does it for me - I love the spiciness it brings and it really does give me the air after a storm feel that is just a little bit electric and refreshing.

 

The lightning bolt bottle has gone bright blue and still amazingly, doesn't fall over! A great option for a fall scent or if you are starting your holiday shopping early.

 

 

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Paco Rabanne Lady Million Royal & 1 Million Royal

Feeling regal? Then does Paco Rabanne ever have a new fragrance for you...

Paco Rabanne Lady Million Royal - 50ml EDP - $112, 80ml EDP - $138 - a fruity floral fragrance with a top note of pomegranate; a white flowers heart of jasmine, sambac, tuberose and orange blossom; and a woody, ambery and musky base of cashmeran.

I personally smell more of the fruitiness of the pomegranate in this and get less of a floral vibe, which is good for me as I'm all about the fruit - it dries down very warm on me with a hint of sweet so I'm a fan.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Royal - 50ml - $112, 100ml - $142 - an amber woody fragrance for men with top notes of cardamom, tangerine and bergamot; heart notes of lavender, sage and violet leaf; and base notes of benzoin, cedar and patchouli. 

 

I tested this out on someone who is a fan of the original 1 Million but hasn't cared much for any of the follow up fragrances and he describes it as a more mature version of the original as well as having really impressive longevity!

Accents of regal red have been added to the iconic bottles which are bling-y enough for King Henry the Eighth himself but still sustainable enough for Alicia Silverstone - both formulas are totally vegan and comprised of 79% of ingredients of vegetal origin - cows happy, carrots sad!

Available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Jean Coutu and London Drugs stores across Canada.

There isn't really a new commercial for them - just a tacked on blurb at the end of the original 1 Million/Lady Million one - and honestly the whole time I have been doing this, I've had Lorde's Royals song running through my head so here you go, it can live in your head too!

 

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Paco Rabanne Invictus Victory Elixir

Discover the newest addition to the Paco Rabanne collection, the pinnacle of intensity from Invictus, a rich, powerful, long-lasting, potent elixir blending spicy woods and biting freshness for the epic achiever:

 

Paco Rabanne Invictus Victory Elixir - 100ml Parfum Intense - $145, 200ml Parfum Intense - $193 - a precious ambery, woody, and spicy elixir with top notes of aromatic lavandin from Provence, green cardamom and black pepper; heart notes of dark, mysterious incense and woody Indonesian patchouli; and magnetic base notes of tonka bean liqueur and vanilla bean sourced from Madagascar. 

 

It smells spicy and a bit sweet which is exactly how I like my men to smell and I also like the trophy shaped lacquered gradient of black to dark blue bottle, very snazzy looking on the dresser!

 

Available now at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Hudson's Bay, Jean Coutu and London Drugs stores across Canada.

 

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Le Parfum

Carolina Herrera redefines the iconic Bad Boy scent with an electrifying new formula that's bolder than before...

 

Bad Boy Le Parfum - 50ml - $102, 100ml - $138, 150ml - $180 - with top notes of grapefruit and hemp; heart notes of black pepper and geranium; and base notes of leather and vetiver for a scent that is unapologetic, authentic and mysterious.

 

I'm a fan of men's fragrance with grapefruit in them so I was already prepared to like it, although I do find that grapefruit tends to fade quickly - but not in this case - the grapefruit lingers while the spicy heart notes gives the fragrance some real kick with the vetiver adding some soothing green notes - overall I am loving this one - and the lightning bolt bottle is just cool!

 

Available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Jean Coutu stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

And of course there is a fun commercial to go with it...

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Paco Rabanne Invictus Platinum

Paco Rabanne has added a new winning fragrance to their Invictus line for those always ready to take on a challenge that is an expressive interpretation of the original: 

 

Paco Rabanne Invictus Platinum - 50ml EDP - $95, 100ml EDP - $125 - a woody and aromatic scent with pure power and elegance featuring top notes of absinth and invigorating grapefruit; heart notes of elegant lavender and fresh mint; and base notes of woody cypress and patchouli - and the trophy-shaped bottle now sports silver wings so you can fly away knowing you smell better then everyone else! I'm actually a big fan of men's fragrances that include lavender (depending on what it is paired with of course) - I just like that unexpected hint of something unexpected and it works really nicely here!

 

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Nordstrom, Jean Coutu and London Drugs stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum - 125ml EDP Intense - $142 - a more intense interpretation of Le Beau EDT with top notes of pineapple, iris, cypress and ginger; heart notes of coconut and wood; and base notes of tonka bean, sandalwood, amber and ambergris.

It's a fresh, woody scent that smells great - on the boy or even on you if you are partial to something less girlie! They call it a more intense version of the EDT but I don't actually find they smell that similar at all - both nice but in different ways. And of course you can't hate the bottle - a chiselled chest in deep blue with a (non-removable) golden fig leaf!

 

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Paco Rabanne 1 Million Elixir Parfum Intense

Paco Rabanne introduces the newest addition to their masculine line - deeper, stronger, richer and more intense and sensual than ever before:

 

Paco Rabanne 1 Million Elixir Parfum Intense - 50ml - $108, 100ml - $138, 200ml - $188 - with top notes of natural sweet apple oil and the first hints of the Davana leaves; heart notes of hand picked Turkish rose and osmanthus, a floral with leathery, apricot notes and wild grown tonka beans; and base notes of patchouli and cedar wood oil distillations and black vanilla seed pods.

Described as an amber woody fruity elixir it almost sounded like something that I would be wearing not the boy but as it turns out, it smells great on him - there is a little bit of sweetness to it but nothing I would call overly girly - does it make him smell confident and successful like it's supposed to? He smells great so sure, why not?! You will also appreciate that the formula is vegan with 91% natural origin ingredients and 100% cruelty free!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Nordstrom, Jean Coutu and London Drugs.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle and Le Beau

Enter into the garden of Jean Paul Gaultier; a place of temptation and attraction between La Belle and Le Beau, the new tempting fragrances for women and men:

La Belle - 50ml EDP - $110, 100ml EDP - $148 (exclusively at Hudson's Bay) - a fusion of addictive Oriental vanilla, fresh bergamot and stunning pear - an addictive, luminous trail for an attractive and ultra-feminine woman.

Le Beau - 125ml EDT - $120 - built around addictive tonka bean and coconut wood combined with the fresh facets of bergamot - a fresh, powerful trail for a seductive and ultra-sexy man.

 

I would actually wear either of them - I find them both warm, sweet and a bit fruity, my favourite kind of scent - Le Beau does have more of a masculine edge to it but it smells great on me so why not?!

 

The bottles, as always are lovely and provocative - sure to lead you into temptation - La Belle: a red woman's bust dipped in pink with necklace of gold roses and Le Beau: a green man's chest with a gold modesty leaf.

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu and London Drugs stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Carolina Herrera Bad Boy

What seduces and captivates with the speed and precision of lightning...?

 

Carolina Herrera Bad Boy - 100ml EDT Natural Spray - $124, 50ml EDT Natural Spray - $92, 200ml Shower Gel - $42, 75g Deodorant Stick - $36 - a warm and spicy scent with top notes of red and white pepper and Italian green bergamot; heart notes of cedarwood and sage; and base notes of tonka beans and absolut of cocoa. A tribute to empowered men who dare to follow their own path and who aren't afraid to express and share their feelings - all I can say is enlightened men sure smell nice! 

 

What's really fun is the bottle, shaped like a lightning bolt in midnight blue with gold accents - very striking (get it?!) - and even more fun, the commercial...

 

 

 

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca. The Shower Gel and Deodorant Stick are exclusive to Hudson's Bay.

 

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite

The new fragrance from Hugo Boss believes that finding balance is the key to a happy life and to the perfect fragrance - introducing Boss Bottled Infinite, a new interpretation of the iconic Boss Bottled scent that combines a fresh burst of citrus with aromatic and woody notes to create a confident, sophisticated finish.

Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite - 50 ml EDP - $84, 100ml EDP - $103 - an energizing and sensual scent with  refreshing and sparkling top notes of mandarin and apple, spiced up by a hint of cinnamon and sage; warm, aromatic heart notes of patchouli, rosemary and lavender; and deep, smooth base notes of rich olive tree combined with sandalwood.

It's the kind of scent that I think of as sporty - fresh and a little spicy - the way I like men to smell!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, London Drugs, Jean Coutu and Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Sanctum Men's has products worth stealing from the boy!

Another great brand from our friends in Australia has come along: Sanctum Men’s - a wellness brand that produces a variety of men’s holistic skincare and body products that are certified organic,  vegan and of course not tested on animals. The range combines ingredients with cosmeceutical levels of active vitamins, herbal extracts and essential oils grown predominantly locally while also supporting fairtrade producers in underdeveloped communities overseas for all ingredients needed outside of the local community capabilities.

I liked the sound of the line so I passed along a few of the products to my husband to try but ended up stealing this one back when I ran out of shave cream and promptly fell in love:

Sanctum Men’s Shave Gel - 150g - $13.49 - a 95% certified organic and 100% naturally derived, soap-free shave gel that is ideal for even the most sensitive skin and designed to lift the hairs on the face to achieve a closer shave. The formula contains soothing organic extracts including aloe vera leaf juice - to help calm reddened and irritated skin while essential oils including jojoba and cedar wood bark leave skin smooth, hydrated and nourished.

Not only good for men's faces, it also works great on our legs - I got a super close shave and my skin felt silky smooth and soft afterwards. I adore the cedar wood scent - which has me eyeing the Moisturizer from the line which has an amazing sandalwood scent... that will teach me to ever pass things along again!

There's a lot to feel good about with the brand, not only does Sanctum Men’s manufacture products using sustainably produced ingredients that are beneficial for the planet they have also now added a proprietary enzyme to all product tubes during manufacturing to ensure that they will breakdown in landfill within 5 years!

Available at drug health food stores across Canada such as: Rexall, Goodness Me and Healthy Planet  as well as online at Well.ca and AbundanceNaturally.com.

- Lisamarie -

Last minute gifts from dad from L'Occitane, Avon and Johnny's Chop Shop - and a giveaway!

L'Occitane Cade Shaving Oil - 30ml - $34 - enriched with a purifying and invigorating complex of organic cade essential oil and softening soothing organic vegetable oils to help soften facial hair and create a protective barrier between the skin and razor blade to allow a smooth glide for a gentle shave that reduces the feeling of irritation and leave skin feeling supple and soft.

Available at L'Occitane stores across Canada and online at https://ca.loccitane.com.

Avon Soap-On-A-Rope - $10 - in 3 scents: Wild Country, Black Suede and Mesmerize - with a mild and gentle formula that creates a rich lather while the convenient cord eliminates messy soap trays and has a loop to hang in the shower.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at avon.ca.

Johnny's Chop Shop Grip 'N' Rip Gift Set - $24.95 - includes a 150ml 2-in-1 Born Lucky Shampoo - shampoo with a shop of conditioner contains shea butter, glycerine and pro vitamin B, 70 g Wild Cat Hair Sculpting Clay - for strong hold with a matte finish with a formula containing beeswax, sage leaf extract and black pepper to condition and sculpt hair. and a black folding pocket comb so you can tame that mane on the go.

Johnny's Chop Shop products are available at London Drugs and select Guardian IDA and Pharmasave stores across Canada.

Or even easier, just win one - we're giving one away to one lucky reader (or your dad) just send an e-mail to info@beautycrazed.ca and tell us why you or your dad need some Johnny's Chop Shop love - random Canadian winner will be drawn on Sunday! 

- Lisamarie - 

Fragrant Friday - Givenchy Gentleman Eau de Parfum

Givenchy introduces a new addition to their Gentleman fragrance line for the man who leads instead of follows and can't resist an adventure that promises to awaken all senses - a hedonistic essence tailor-made for an enchanting night bird...

Givenchy Gentleman - 100ml EDP - $119 - a sensual, magnetic fragrance with notes of Iris Pallida, patchouli essence, black pepper, balms and black vanilla.

It comes in an opaque, lacquered black bottle evoking total darkness with a transparent underside that makes the fragrance appear as if suspended in glass.

It smells entirely different from the EDT version to me, so don't pick it up expecting more of the same - it's a little earthy, a little peppery and very manly - just like how I like my men to smell!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Great Gifting - Jack Black It's The Balm Gift Set

Jack Black It's The Balm Gift Set - $39 - with four of the most popular Moisture Therapy Lip Balms in one convenient set including: Grapefruit, Mint, Black Tea and Shea Butter - emollient balms that absorb quickly to protect, soothe and instantly relieve dry, chapped lips with superior skin conditioners, antioxidants and broad-spectrum SPF25 - perfect for everyday use in any season. 

And even though they are technically for the boy, that's no reason not to steal one or two for yourself...

Available now at thebay.com, holtrenfrew.com, nordstrom.com, as well as select Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Coach For Men

Coach For Men - 60ml EDT - $72, 100ml EDT - $95 - an energetic, confident and cool fragrance with top notes of green nashi, bergamot and kumquat; heart notes of cardamom, coriander and geranium; and base notes of vetiver Haiti LMR, suede and ambergris.

It comes in a moody, midnight blue shaded glass bottle with a gunmetal spray cap shaped like a turnlock, referencing the signature clasp on Coach Bags - along with a hangtag. - giving the whole thing a classic, iconic look.

The fragrance itself is a little citrusy, a little spicy and a little warm - very appealing and exactly how I like my men to smell - masculine without being overpowering!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Murale, Jean Coutu, Familiprix and Uniprix.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Avon Wild Country 50th Anniversary Collectible Decanter

Avon Wild Country 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Collectible Decanter - 150ml Cologne - $20 - a favourite fragrance for 50 years it has a masculine appeal that blends fresh lavender and earthy geranium with a touch of casual woods - all dressed up in a kick-ass boot for it's anniversary!

Available now for a limited time from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Avon Prime for Men

Just in time for Father's Day check out:

Avon Prime - 75ml EDT - $35 - a woody earthy scent that creates a bold, long-lasting masculine  impression with an irresistible blend of aromatic lavender, refreshing spearmint and rich cedarwood. 

Also available in the Prime collection for your layering pleasure:

Hair & Body Wash - 200ml - $10

Aftershave Conditioner - 100ml - $10

I really like the minty note in the fragrance - it adds a crispness to the woodiness - and if they hadn't have said that their was lavender in there, I never would have known it, I can't discern it at all!

Available now from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Mr. Burberry Eau de Parfum

Burberry introduces the latest chapter in the Mr. Burberry fragrance story - a deeper, more sensual interpretation of the iconic Mr. Burberry Eau de Toilette:

Mr. Burberry Eau de Parfum - 50ml - $85, 100ml - $110, 150ml - $145 - a warm sensual and woody fragrance that fuses the classic scents of British male perfumery with aromatic top notes of tarragon and spicy cinnamon; a heart of rich patchouli; and a dense, woody base of amber and smokey vetiver.

It's a classier smelling version of the original and as soon as I read it had cinnamon, I knew I would love it, that spicy note gets me every time! It's also a very good looking bottle - black, bold and modern with a weighted cap and gabardine ribbon - the 100ml and 150ml bottles can also be engraved with up to three initials for a dash of ultra-class!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Sears, Sephora, Nordstrom, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu and Murale.

- Lisamarie -