Tom Ford Violet Blonde

Violet Blonde is the newest fragrance from Tom Ford.  From the name, you might think this is for the violet lovers out there, but you'd be wrong. It's actually more for the iris lovers. I love violet and iris, so this is  good.

Violet Blonde is heavy on the iris, using both natural Tuscan  orris root and  butter.  The violet comes along in the form of violet leaf which is less sweet than many violet scents  and more green. Both violet and iris can be powdery and there is definitely some of that here, but  not a lot. I like my iris rooty, thank you. There is also a small bit of the  cool metallic that Iris can bring.

Other notes that play a large part are benzoin and sambac jasmine, cedarwood  and musk. ( Notes also listed as part of the fragrance are  mandarin, baie rose, haitian vetiver and soft suede).

The jasmine gives it a floral heart while the cedarwood and musk bring  a soft touch of woods . All the time though, there is the iris and violet leaf. They remain throughout . This is no , sorry I have to say it, shrinking violet fragrance . It is bold , rich, has great sillage and lasts incredibly well. I rarely divide fragrances into day vs evening, but if I were, this would be more evening. It fits the Ford aethestic of slinky sexiness and a bold red lip.

1.7 oz $ 100.00

3.4 oz $ 145.00

Currently at Saks,  more stores to come in September.

Tom Ford's New Makeup Line

Rumors have been circling for awhile that Tom Ford would go full on into makeup and now we have confirmation. The 132-piece collection will also include skin care.

It will debut in September and will be high end, much like his lipsticks have been ( but they are oh so nice ). There will also be two new fragrances Santal Blush and Jasmin Rouge.

The look here seems to be very reminiscent of the 70s , and Lara Stone could easily be channeling Jerry Hall in the adverts. Personally, I can't wait to see it.

The color collection will range from $30 to $250.

All info/photos: WWD

Fifi Fragrance Awards Consumers Choice Voting Open

The Fifis, the  fragrance industries biggest awards , are having  their  consumer vote again this year.  You get to have your say in fragrance of the year in mens and womens. It's a good size list on each side with some fabulous choices. Head over  to the voting page at http://fragrance.org/ballots2011consumer/login.php
to cast yours through May 12th.

You will need to leave a name and email, for voting purposes only .

If you feeling like sharing, leave me  a comment with your vote choices.

Mine-  In women's, Dior J'Adore L'Or -truly one of the best things I smelled last year.  In Men's ( but also listed  in the women's category) Tom Ford Azure Lime. So good and  very unisex. I'm glad it was in both categories or it would have been a tough call.

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Collection

I've loved Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino since I first sniffed it at Sniffapalooza event years ago. It's sunny, citrus ( bergamot , lemon and mandarin orange) , floral with neroli or orange blossom and jasmine  with a bit of an amber and ambrette base  and puts  a smile on your face.

This season he has revamped the look and added a full line of  bath and body products scented with the delicious fragrance. Now in  turquoise and gold packaging, it's ready for the Riviera or your bathroom.


Between my love for all dry oils and how amazing the Azuree Soleil Oil was for Estee Lauder, the Neroli Portofino Body Oil is very much on  my wish list.

Full product list:
(All body products utilize olive fruit  and grape seed oils for moisture)


-The Eau de Parfum

-The Body Moisturizer

-The Shower Gel
 
-The Body Oil

-The Body Scrub

-The Bath Soap

Tom Ford Black Orchid Collection Set

Coming soon is the LE Tom Ford Black Orchid Collection set. Featuring a solid perfume version of Black Orchid , a Tom Ford lipstick  in Black Orchid  and a nail polish inspired by the color of a black orchid.

I adore solid perfumes, so I love this set although I haven't yet seen it in person. Solids are usually stronger and last longer and Black Orchid is, well no shrinking violet ( sorry I had to) to begin with, so the the solid  form should be a powerhouse fragrance. Limited and bound to sell fast ,  you can pre-order as my friend Retrodiva did while in NYC for fashion week.

 $140 is retail price and it  will be available in Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue (plus I believe Bergdorfs) stores from October to December 2010.

Tom Ford Azure Lime

Tom Ford gives us Azure Lime for the summer season and beyond. Inspired by the island paradise of Mustique, it's the newest addition to the Private Collection line.

Azure Lime is ,as you would imagine, a citrus fragrance. It's not simply citrus though. This has a very masculine edge to it as you get to the drydown making it a true unisex fragrance. The citrus is first and then what seem like cypress and moss notes are there. ( I have no official note list). A tiny bit of vetiver maybe as well. It all mixes with the lime, which stays very present throughout.

This is strong for a citrus based scent. Not overpowering strong, but strong in the sense that it lasts long and has good sillage. These are good things.

Azure Lime is perfect for summer and blooms in the heat and feels less masculine. It's seriously hot here right now and this smells even better than when I first tested it as the citrus comes through stronger. I can't get enough citrus so that works for me even though I am not loving the masculine notes as much.

Available at Bergdorfs, Saks , Neimans at $ 180.00 for 1.7 oz

Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color

Tom Ford's new Private Collection Lipstick has had us beauty fanatics dreaming since we first got wind of the line. Then they came out, we saw images, we acquired and now they are selling out fast.

Yes it is a $ 45.00 lipstick. So are a few others I dearly love and I dearly love this one. I have Warm Sable, a medium nude/brown. The minute I put it on my lips, I felt more elegant and soignee. Not a bad thing at all. Although using it and marring the carved TF logo was hard. For now I am using the back part only.

Pigment here is high, and it covers the lips with precision and looks and feels great on. It's creamy with a tiny, tiny bit of shimmer . It's a true cream and it lasts well on the lips for one so moisturizing ( there's shea butter and Brazilian murumuu butter in there ).

The case is white trimmed in gold and is very French Riviera chic looking with Tom Ford on the gold cap.

There are 12 shades in all, some as I said look to be already sold out online.

Available at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus both in store and online.