Smells Like Sun, Hot Sand and Gold

Oh....leave it to Guerlain to take a feeling, a place, and a time, and to bottle it. Another one of their limited edition perfumes, Guerlain Terracotta L'Eau d'Ete was released in 1999 as part of the infamous Terracotta line. It was allegedly based on a much earlier Guerlain formula from 1910 called Quand vient l’été, meaning “When Summer Comes”. Terracotta Voile d'Été was released in the classic 70s montre bottle, which I just adore as they remind me of my mother's bottles of Guerlain on her dresser when I was little. To me they just say "elegant and grown up perfume". 

Voile d'Été could be interpreted as "summer veil" but also "summer sails". We know Guerlain has an affinity for far away tropical islands so it could really mean either one. It manages to give the impression of the sun beating down on warm, bronzed skin and hot sand on a faraway beach. It has a golden, sunny aspect thanks to a delicious combination of ylang ylang and carnation, the latter adding a spiky, spicy hot feel to the sweet flowers. Carnation always smells classic and somewhat old fashioned to me, but I love that soapy spicy note. It is often used in masculine scents, and that manly aspect helps keep sweet flowers at bay and stops the perfume from becoming syrupy or cloying. Add to this bright streaming ray of sunshine the pillowy powdery Guerlinade cocktail of vanilla and heliotrope (with a soupcon of iris and jasmine) and you have your hot, dry sand.

Terracotta Voile d'Été is a testament to Guerlain's ability to paint a picture with scent. It is one of the very few summer beach scents that does not evoke colourful slushy drinks with umbrellas, coconut laced suntan lotion or even monoi. It isn't what one would call perfume for hot sunny day at the beach. This is a perfume that approximates, nay, IS, a hot sunny day at the beach. Only Guerlain can do this and do it this well. It also evokes a golden colour, for you syntesthetes out there, as if you are lying on a French beach wearing your gold jewelry. I only know what that smells like because that is probably one of my favourite things to do in the world. Add a good book & some dreamy music, and I'm in heaven. Yes, that is where Guerlain Terracotta Voile d'Été takes me.

Guerlain Terracotta Voile d'Été was a limited edition perfume and is available from selected online sellers. Get it while you still can.

Rodial Glam Balm Hand Could Make Me A Hand Model

I think I am in love with a hand cream. Rodial products have been causing quite a stir in the beauty world and the Glam Balm line had me quite intrigued. The Glam Balm Hand is so amazing it really blew my  mind. There are plenty of lotions and creams out there that protect the skin but I really wanted something that would heal and help reduce the signs of sun damage and all that dishwashing that makes my hands look so much older than I am. Really. 

I could feel the difference immediately with Glam Balm Hand- it actually sinks right in and there is a visible improvement in the appearance of your skin right away. With a week of regular use, everything is improved. It is chock full of good stuff like vitamin E & shea butter to moisturize, olive leaf oil and vitamin C to brighten, and pomegranate to help thicken the skin. Dark spots are lighter, dry and rough cuticles are gone, and those nasty lines and creases are definitely reduced. Oh..did I mention that it smells like the beach? Glam Balm Hand has a very soft coconut/tiare scent that gently fades over time and is not strong enough to compete with my perfume. Smells clean and comforting and makes putting on hand cream like a mini holiday.

Yes- my hands look younger. Combined with my recent rosewater therapy, I think a future in hand modelling is not far fetched....

In Canada, Glam Balm is available for $39 at The Bay and Murale. In the US, you can check locations here on the Rodial Website. Next up? I am SO trying the Glam Balm Lip...