Things to Quick Change Your Day Look to Party Glam

If lugging around a big bag of makeup kit is impractical if you have a get-together or party to go to after work or a daytime affair, here are a few items you can keep in a pouch that you can place in your bag, car, or desk to transform a daytime look to a stunning, glamorous evening look.

Change your look from day to night with these essentials. No need for a gigantic makeup kit!

Hair Donut

Hair donuts from PinkBox Php119,75/small, Php 129,75/medium, and Php 149.75 large

Keep sticky, sweaty hair away from your face and neck with a fuss-free hair donut which sculpts and styles your hair in an elegant bun that looks like you slaved over it. Whether it's an elegant low ballerina bun or a high bun at the top of your head (bonus: it makes you look taller!), you have a fuss-free, sophisticated updo in minutes.


Highlighter

The Manizer Sisters AKA "The Luminizers" Highlighter Palette, Php 1,395

My pole teacher Amaya loves makeup highlighters and I know why: it adds instant glow to the skin and adds texture to a matte-out look. The Manizer Sisters AKA The "Luminizers" , a highlighting palette from The Balm which combines all three highlighter shades (Mary-Lou Manizer, Cindy-Lou Manizer, and Betty-Lou Manizer) into one palette. Use this to add some glow to your cheekbones, collarbones, shoulders, shins, or wherever you want some shimmy to capture light.


Metallic Lip Color

Carmen Claire Cosmetics Matte Lip Frosting  Heavy Metals Collection
Penny Late and Rock 'n' Ruby
Php 395 each

Long-lasting metallic lip colors are making waves lately. They have both shine and pigmentation. Choose a lip color with a pretty, long lasting finish.  Try CarmenClaire Matte Lip Frosting in Penny Lane, an elegant, copper bronzey color. It's long lasting enough to last coffee, snacks, food tasting, and a plate of raclette.


Festive Polish

Morgan Taylor Nail Polish in Ruby Two-Shoes and Tinsel My Fancy
Php  350

Your tips also make an impact. Frost finishes usually dry faster so keep one if you're pressed for time. Red also is a classic that looks great on anyone. Keep a fast-drying topcoat as well with you so save lots of time


False Eyelashes 

Ingredients for sexy, fluttery eyes: sturdy lash glue (I use DUO), Red Cherry Lashes, Php 160 over at Digital Traincase  

Even with just simple neutral browns, false eyelashes and eyeliner already make a big difference. For newbies with falsies, I recommend Red Cherry lashes since they are light enough to be worn for extended periods of time (I use this on my brides). For your eyeliner, choose a pen-type eyeliner for easy maneuvering. No need for a separate brush as well!

Fragrance

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Spray 

Boost the plus points for beso with a signature scent. Choose a scent that you love. To liven up your senses in a party after a tiring day at work or sitting through traffic, citrusy scents or green tea inspired scents lift your mood. Just a few spritzes on your pulse points and you're good to go.


Image Directory

Headshot by Alfred Mendoza

Carmen Claire Lip Frosting
carmenclaire.com

Hair Donut
facebook.com/pinkboxaccesories


Store Directory

Carmen Claire Cosmetics
carmenclaire.com; facebook.com/carmenclaireco; instagram.com/carmenclaireco

Digital Traincase
Unit G118 Corinthian Executive Regency, Ortigas Ave, San Antonio, Pasig City;  +639173116912 dtcmakeup.com; facebook.com/DTCmakeup; instagram.com/dtcmakeup

Elizabeth Arden
available at Rustan's

Morgan Taylor
available at Nailaholics, Beauty and Butter, Sundrops, Nailandia, and other leading nail salons nationwide

PinkBox Accessories
pinkbox.com.ph; facebook.com/pinkboxaccessories; instagram.com/pinkboxph/

Red Cherry Lashes
available at Digital Traincase, Suesh, and BeautyMNL

The Balm
Available at Beauty Bar

New From Elizabeth Arden: Green Tea Honeysuckle

In the scent department, I have my own personal moods. When I was in high school, I had a fruity phase oftentimes using raspberry, cucumber, and juniper scents in my schoolbag kikay kit. Then, vanilla became my signature scent in college since it reminded me so much of comfort food like ice cream, marshmallows, apple pie a la mode, and pastries (and it was such a mood lifter as college was one of my darkest days). Sometimes, musk and spicier scents were my thing and I had a phase where I used men's cologne or baby cologne. Our preference in scents can depend on like the weather, our personal mood, the occasion, or even the crowd you're in, so if you ask me what my signature scent is, it would really depend on that day or my own mood. Sometimes, I don't wear any scent at all.

Anyway, I guess that in the years of me collecting scents, I did have my own favorites. A constant favorite of mine could be uplifting and light scents, which I use when I work or have anything that requires me getting up earlier than usual. Maybe it could be our weather being so hot and humid or my own body heat which, due to my now active lifestyle, tends to power up my scent of the day. Particularly, I have always liked the fresh, light, and elegant scent of Elizabeth Arden Green Tea. A college classmate of mine commented that the classic scent had that "amoy babaeng maganda" smell, like he would associate it with a pretty girl. I would always put the classic Green Tea scent in the "amoy malinis" scent since it smells so clean without being overpowering, especially in the day's commute. To suit the season and the wearer's personal tastes, Green Tea released variants such as Camelia, Lavander, and Cherry Blossom. If you look at counters now, there is a new addition to the Green Tea Family, which is Green Tea Honeysuckle.

I would just like to thank the lovelies of Elizabeth Arden for this gift, which I really got excited about. When I opened it at home, I got so excited that I tried it right away, even though that I was about to take a shower anyway. The scent still had the clean, refreshing scent Green Tea fragrances have but when you wear this a bit longer, that's when you see a difference from your other Green Tea fragrances.

\

Green Tea Honeysuckle starts out first as fruity-citrusy, due to the top notes of sparkling lemon, tangerine, boysenberry blossom, and green tea vapors. As you go about wearing this scent, it starts to mellow down to floral scents of wild Honeysuckle, ylang ylang (this scent I was able to target right away, since it reminded me of those green flowers dangling in sampaguita wreaths), jasmine, tunisian neroli, and green tea leaves. Some of my friends were reminded more of flowers and tea in a Chinese restaurant. The scent is more floral than fruity and sweet, but still youthful instead of lumo-lola floral. As the scent wears on, the base notes of soft musk, sweet summer peach, nectar accord, ambrette seed and white birch starts to come out. It gets to be woodier and spicier. That's why as compared to the original Green Tea or if you have the Lavander and Cherry Blossom kind, this one's more woodier and warmer as compared to the other three, which are lighter and fruitier. 

I think this Green Tea variant would appeal more to ladies in their late 20's and above, since this is more floral and woody  as compared to fruity-fresh and yummy sweet scents that younger audience would prefer. Yes, I did mention that it starts out fruity at first, but as time wears on, it fades to the middle and bottom notes, which are more floral and woody. It's light enough to be worn for work or a job interview, and won't overpower your workmates. I would wear this to work and pole too. It's got an alluring mystery to be worn in a date night and another thing I like about it is how it wears off by the end of the day and doesn't linger  even after you take a shower and go to bed or even the next day. Plus points too on being a youthful floral scent, too, as there can be some floral scents which can be ageing. Currently, my Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honeysuckle stands with her sisters in my perfume stand, and I grab this on weekdays out or at work when I'm wearing a closely-tailored dress in a neutral color and a pair of nude pumps, like when I'm giving a makeup demo or doing a hotel wedding.

For those interested, The Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honeysuckle EDT Sprays cost Php 2,950 for the 100 mL bottle and Php 2,250 for the 50 mL bottle. 

My Take on Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Line

As of this moment and to help my skin get Stellar-ready (at least the skin on my face), I am using Elizabeth Arden's Visible Whitening skincare line, the newest breakthrough regimen-based skincare for whiter and brighter skin, which is already in all Elizabeth Arden counters here in Manila now. For me, who tans and swims and walks around Ortigas and Fort at high noon from errands, this helps in evening my skin tone. I really wouldn't want to call it whitening that I'll be like part of the cast of Twilight. Realistically speaking, the fairest I can go is just up to the skin on my inner arm. It's more of evening up the skin and making it look brighter and better, even without makeup.

Elizabeth Arden is a brand I'm familiar with. I've been a recipient of their makeup GWPs from relatives who would give them as gifts when I started using makeup. Also, I'm a fan of the Green Tea fragrances and I always recommend it to clients and friends who want a light, fresh, and clean scent. Aside from their familiar favorite fragrances Green Tea, Pretty, Pretty Hot, 5th Avenue, and Red Door, they are also known for skin care and even including skin care in their makeup products, such as ceramide lipsticks.

The Visible Whitening skincare line controls melanin production (melanin is what is responsible for those dark spots we get from ageing and lifestyle) while enhancing the skin's ability to reflect light. It's got licorice root, vitamin C derivatives, and SpectraBright to help control melanin production. For the instant effect of brightening like we're naturally flawless like that, pearl powder, mica, silicone, and pigment plus - get this - diamond powder reflects light giving that instant radiance boost. With or without makeup, we've got glowing skin. Glowing not like a discoball but glowing like flawless glowing.

There's a whole lot of products on this range but I will just focus on a few products, which caught my fancy. The packaging is quite pretty too right? True to the diamond powder in it.

Visible Whitening Smoothing Cleanser Php2,400 (125 mL)

Horray for this cleanser being mildly-scented and non-drying. I like how clean my skin feels without it feeling cracked and dry. I haven't tried using this to clean my sponges but a few extra drops of this on my sponge would be great.

Visible Whitening Illuminating Eye Serum Php 2,950 (15 mL)

The eye serum is light enough for the delicate, soft skin around the eyes. It also decreases puffiness and brightens undereyes. It also moisturizes the skin around the eyes for concealer to glide on so much better without cracking or going creepey. The applicator does remind you of a Star Trek gadget right? It can be used to help apply the product on the skin while giving a cooling, comforting sensation.

Visible Whitening Melanin Control Night Capsules Php 4,950 (50 capsules)

These capsules are to be used during the night, after cleansing and toning and before moisturizer. It's actually more of a treatment too, to give the skin the TLC it needs. One capsule actually holds more than enough product for the face. You can actually maximize the capsule's contents on the neck and trouble areas like elbows, knees, underarms, and back-of-knees.

Visible Whitening Smooth and Brighten Emulsion  Php 3,850 (100 mL)

This emulsion is my day and night moisturizer, and with this summer's heat, has a light and easily absorbed consistency that doesn't irritate my pores, skin, or nerves during the weather where I forgo anything that seems to suffocate me. It's just quite hard to take this with me though during travels as the pump bottle has no "lock" function but maybe what I can do for travels is to pump a small amount in a travel-size container or something.

Not to worry for our ladies who love our naturally warm sunkissed glow, with 2 weeks of usage, the skin on my face and neck isn't significantly whiter than the rest of my body. It just looks more even and smoother. I also noticed a bit of reflective particles on the emulsion at the back of my hand too. They aren't chunky like glitter but they aid in diffusing light giving the skin a more radiant appearance.

Another mentionable is the BB Cream, which is available in two shades (1 and 2) and transparent. For those who love BB cream effect on their friends but can't find that one suitable for their own skin tone might be glad to know the existence finally of a transparent BB cream, which is great for all skin tones.

Ladies and gentlemen may start using this regimen at the age of 21, and would be recommended for anyone who would want to keep their radiant glow. I've tried this also on clients and even in flash photography, they didn't leave a grayish cast. I can recommend the emulsion, eye serum, toner, to be used on brides for weddings (for weddings we might need to skip the BB cream though, because that may reflect in flash photography).

Rose Aurora's Captivating Romanticism

Matching with Elizabeth Arden Green Tea's youngest scent, Cherry Blossom, are makeup in soft, rosy-pink neutral colors that come in matching pretty pink containers with easy-to-use makeup in shades that's flattering to every skin tone.

The key look for this is a soft, rosy glow, just a slight definition on the eyes, and shimmery lips, an easy and wearable look that can also be great for weekends. Quick, easy makeup looks are actually stuff that I prefer on myself on a daily basis, when I just want a quick flush of color when it's a busy day but I couldn't leave the house bare-faced.

The liquid eyeliner (Php 1,100)  is almost every Asian girl's best friend because it enhances the eye shape making it bigger and longer with high precision. The only problem with it, as with all liquid liners is that it takes mastery to do. I found the felt-tip pen that comes with it easy to use and firmer than a brush so it delivers that fine, thin line on the roots of my eyes better. I just need to wait for it to dry.

 Swatches in dark brown and black. The dark brown may be for girls with lighter complexion or who want something lighter for daytime or everyday. The black one is for night, usually those vintage-y inspired looks.

Lipsticks are one of the most top-selling makeup as it changes looks in an instant and doesn't require a blush to apply making it very easy to use. The Ceramide Ultra Lipstick (Php 1,400) is in a golden, rosy shade, but I see this more as a brown rosy-pink that's neutral for daytime wedding or everyday at the office. The thing with these ceramide lipsticks is that they feel cushy on the lips and deliver pigment without dragging the delicate skin on the lips. The name of the shade? Rose Aurora!

From the swatch, it's actually a brow neutral warm pink.

Moving on to the face, there's the Ceramide Cream Blush (Php 1,700) that glides and melts like butter on the skin. Cream blushes are recommended for those with dry skin, who want that warm, youthful rosy glow from within. For those doing bridal makeup, I would like to remind everyone that this should be placed after liquid or airbrush foundation and before setting the makeup with powder. Cream over powder more often than not results in a patchy look. Oily skin would rather benefit from matte blushes or for a soft glow, Pure Finish Highlighter (Php 1,750) has a universally-flattering rose gold shade. It can be placed on the tops of the cheeks for dimension or in a c-shape from the temples to the cheekbones for a lifted look without going under the knife. Oily and shiny skin should use this sparingly after powder and avoid the t-zone area for this.

Bronzers are awesome tools that can enhance a golden tan or bring out the natural contours of the face. The Pure Finish Bronze Powder (Php 2,050)  come in this pretty square package. There are subtle shimmers here, just not too much that it bounces but just the right amount for everyday contouring, just so the face doesn't look too flat or round. I'd recommend this more as a warming bronzer for photoshoots and weddings, if you're into contouring since the subtle shimmers with some light settings may bounce some light.

 These prettily packaged makeup is available of course at all Elizabeth Arden counters only for a limited time.

Elizabeth Arden Introduces Green Tea Cherry Blossom

Last Thursday, I was invited to spend a very Zen afternoon at Neo Day Spa at Bonifacio Global City by the wonderful girls of Elizabeth Arden Philippines to witness the unveil of a new fragrance to their Green Tea Fragrance family. Thankfully, the weather decided to cooperate and it was a sunny, sunny Thursday full of joy. Looks like the elements are happy too.

Green Tea Fragrance was introduced to me more than ten years ago. I love the light, fresh fragrance it has.With our hot and humid country, this is the fragrance I highly recommend for anyone, both for ordinary days and special occasions because it's not too overpowering and it has that fresh, energetic scent that gets the blood pumping. Remember when fragrances get a bit too strong when the body warms up? For some reason, this fragrance doesn't overwhelm my senses even after a pole workout. Yep! I use this when I pole. So really, I'm excited about what this new fragrance is.

When I got to Neo Day Spa, I was first introduced to a bit of history on the Green Tea fragrances, first starting with the classic green tea fragrance up to the introduction of several other variants - Lotus Flower, Camellia, and Lavender. These scents have that same energetic burst of green tea.

Finally, in a room decorated in pink and white paper lanterns and cherry blossoms, we were whisked to a whimsical land in Japan reminiscent of watercolor paintings. The decorations were just apt for the introduction of the newest scent: Green Tea Cherry Blossom, a light, citrusty-floral scent that comes in a pretty cherry blossom pink bottle.

"Ethereal, fresh and feminine, this new exquisite citrus floral fragrance brings together the sparkling femininity of delicate pink petals and the lush freshness of green tea leaves to create a truly unique and beautiful fragrance experience. The scent opens with sparkling and luminous accords of lemon and bergamot. Its refreshing drops are combined with green tea vapor to announce delicate cherry blossom mixed with fine notes of green tea leaves. A base incorporates woody notes of birch tree intertwining with angelica and moss."

We were given vials to try the fragrance on our pulse points. The first whiff of the scent is citrusy and fruity, just like the top notes of the other green tea fragrances. The uplifting topnote is why I personally like to use Green Tea when I'm having a very busy day ahead and I need all the energy I need (and probably why I use this also when I work out). Afterwards, it fades and enters the middle and bottom notes which are floral and feminine, yet still light and fresh without overpowering the senses. The floral notes do remind us all of girly things and flowy fabrics, but it still has got that light, citrusy scent that I like.

We were served tea-infused sandwiches and iced tea.

I wasn't able to eat the other sandwiches as it contained pork and ham, as I'm converting on becoming pesco-vegetarian  but I feasted on the roasted vegetable variants. The iced tea was super yummy I think I had two servings of that!

Aside from the Green Tea Cherry Blossom, we were also introduced  to another pretty makeup collection from Elizabeth Arden, which, with their pretty rose packaging matches the Cherry Blossom's pink bottle and feminine fragrance. This collection, Rose Aurora, is available at Elizabeth Arden makeup counters and is available in easy-to-use universal shades to flatter the skin tone.

The lipstick is in a pretty neutral pink-brown shade that feels cushy on the lips, and the highlighter can be a sheer, shimmery blush. More on these later. :)

We were treated to a massage by the awesome staff of Neo Day Spa and served sweet macarons later.

Hi loves!

Thank you so much, Elizabeth Arden for the gift!

With the wonderful girls of Elizabeth Arden and all the beauty bloggers. I can be a boy in black in a sea of pastels and heels. :P

Green Tea Cherry Blossom is available in leading department stores and is exclusively distributed by Rustan's Marketing Corp. The 50 mL eu de Toilette Spray costs Php 2,250 and the 100 mL spray is Php 2,950.

Workshop at Hyatt Hotel with Elizabeth Arden

It's fun to always share knowledge. That's why this blog came about in the first place. When Elizabeth Arden contacted me to conduct a makeup workshop, I got really excited. The makeup workshop is a workshop conducted for the female employees of Hyatt Hotel in Manila. The looks are going to be standardized to a specific peg - neutral colors and natural look.

I took it up a notch and applied my own personal touch in execution - to make the procedure really quick and use few brushes as possible. Let's face it, colorful eye looks can be fun, but it takes a long time to do. Most women do not have one hour to do eye makeup alone and get overwhelmed with a lot of brushes. They have chores, children to take care of, and most importantly, have an hour at least to travel from home to work with the traffic situation. So makeup should be quick, the procedure simple, and the equipment few.

Prepping up for the event. Awesome makeup setup with lights, EA products (starting from skincare to fragrance, yes fragrance included).

Each workshop started with an overview with Elizabeth Arden makeup history. Gemma de la Costa talks about skincare, and what specific skincare to use depending on the skin's needs.

I learned that day to look for skincare with ceramides as that's the ingredient that prevents and slows down skin ageing. Currently, I'm using Elizabeth Arden Ceramide toner, which is alcohol free, and doesn't sting the skin.

I discovered too a makeup artist must-have - the Eight-Hour Cream, which is great on lips, nail cuticles, rough and dry skin, and reviving parched skin during the winter or long hours of travel. It works awesomely on chafed pole dancer's skin on off-pole days.

Image Credits

A tube of this goes a long, long way.

I started the talk with the very basics but most important stuff - choosing the right foundation shade and even taking into consideration how to shop for foundation on counter (i.e. testing it on jawline, wearing no makeup while shopping, and how to adjust if you're acidic) and the eyebrow basics.

For eye makeup, I limited the use to just 2-3 colors and 2 brushes - a stiff paddle brush to deposit, and a nice fluffy brush to blend. If you look at my toolbelt, I had relatively fewer brushes than usual.

Cheeks and lips were kept natural. I wanted cheeks with a natural glow instead of full-on paint. I like blush that sits softly on the face with just a hint of flush. As for lips, they should match with the blush. Elizabeth Arden lipsticks are very pigmented, but even though they're pigmented, they don't leave the lips chafed and tight.

Aside from makeup, I gave a demo on how to do a neat bun again following the rules of a busy working woman - fast, easy, with as little tools as possible. 

After my talk, the participants also got to practice how to apply makeup on themselves. It's nice to see that they were game to apply their lessons and feel good about themselves after their makeover.

I also answered and gave personalized demos to girls who have specific questions, like how to apply makeup on small eyes or smoky eyes, as there were restaurants that allowed a smoky look for their chefs.

Me with the morning workshop participants.

Some tips that I shared with them and I shall share with you (some you may know already, some, I learned that day).

• Makeup sits better on a clean face. Make sure not to skip on skincare. You may skip primer if you don't want to spend on primer but not skin care. Your skin will thank you for it.
• Eyebrow shaping is an awesome investment. If you're scared to shape it yourself, especially for the first time, have it shaped by a professional, and just clean and touch up by tweezing stray hairs that grow back and trimming overgrowths. 
• On eyebrow makeup, go a half-step or shade lighter than your head hair color for a softer, more youthful look. Dark, black eyebrow color can age you. Elizabeth Arden Dual Perfection Brow Shaper And Eyeliner is awesome for beginners who are scared to use pencils. The product is buildable so you could apply little product then build on as you go. My personal favorite is Soft blonde, which is a light, ash color.
• In touching up, it's not just piling powder on the face. Dab off dirt and oil with tissue or oil blotting papers and refresh with facial mist, if desired. then brush powder on the t-zone and blend outwards for a natural, fresh look that's not cakey. Swipe on lipstick and you're good to go.
• Never underestimate the power of your invisible accessory, that is, fragrance. Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea Collection (Classic, Lavander, and Camellia) are uplifting, fresh scents that are perfect for our weather. The scent perks up the mood too (spritz during the afternoon to revive your senses when you feel lethargic). 

It was a fun-filled day, I didn't feel tired at all. I really hope that I'll get to do another workshop with them soon as not only did I share my knowledge, but I learned new things too. Thank you Elizabeth Arden!

Red Door Gets A New Look

If you're a kid in the 80s, you'd probably remember the classic scent Red Door and the iconic bottle with a red cap in your mom's, aunt's, or grandma's dresser. You'd remember taking a whiff of it as you receive a kiss or hug on an annual family reunion. The rich and floral scent gives memories of women in classic black pumps, red lipstick, and oversize (or cat-eye) shades walking along the streets of 1950's Manhattan.

Decades later, Red Door, which happens to be Elizabeth Arden's classic signature fragrance revamps to a whole new pretty look with its bottle taking shape of a bold red glass design, which looks like, literally, a red door. The name Red Door, I just found out was named after the company's day spa, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon, which has been around for nearly 100 years. If you Google pictures of the Red Door Salon, you'd see that it does have a big bright red door greeting its clients. That big red door has the same shape as the new perfume bottle.

This could be a gift for a female relative who loves this classic scent, if you still have no idea what to give her this Christmas. The 100 mL EDT spray (Php 4550) and 50 mL EDT spray (Php3450) looks great as a bold red statement in her dresser. The 30 mL bottle (Pho2250) would be pretty to tote on her purse too, should she like a spritzer to refresh the scent come a special dinner with friends or family in a nice restaurant.

Scent With Spunk: Elizabeth Arden Pretty Hot

I choose my fragrances according to my mood and the temperature. Sometimes, I like something light, especially now that it's summer. Colder temperatures opt for spicier and richer scents. Oftentimes, my scent changes by my mood as well, but most probably I know I gravitate towards scents that are fruity, light, and uplifting. I've always liked and preferred fruity and light scents as compared to the floral ones. However, on certain moods, throw in some flowers and spice and you get something very, very nice. Take note the scent I was introduced to last Thursday, Pretty Hot by Elizabeth Arden.

Yes, I kid you not. The name of the scent is Pretty Hot, just like an expression or description. The introduction to the scent was done in a very small event, very intimate, very pretty with only a few bloggers invited. In a cozy little table set up like an afternoon tea party at the Peninsula Manila Hotel, a tiny red flask was presented to us, with tea, sandwiches, and pastries. How very elegant!

Elizabeth Arden's fragrance Pretty Hot is no exception to the rule, with a bold red bottle. I immediately got reminded of an apple (i.e. the forbidden fruit) but it's actually inspired by a vase.

Oh yes, with a flower on top.

As a refresher, we were oriented to Pretty Hot's older sister Pretty, which was launched back in 2009. As we took whiff from the blotting papers handed out to us, we found that Pretty's scent is more floral and feminine, fitting a girl who's all romantic, sweet, shy, and dainty. If you've got a little devilish spunk in you yet still remain your pretty vibe, the younger fragrance Pretty Hot suits you more.

Pretty Hot includes juicy and yummy topnotes of red currant, blood orange, juicy mandarin, freesia, and red apple. These are fruity and juicy scents (a personal favorite of Shen, she mentioned), which give bursts of energy upon first sniff. After a bit, it fades off, paving way to the floral scents of red peony, Belle de Nuit (translation: Queen of the Night, a nocturnal flower which blossoms in the late evening), and Pimiento blossom as some of the floral scents before fading into a gentle musky mix of sensuous amber, white patchouli, tonka crystals, and sandalwood.

I was quite apprehensive using perfume during summer, but I found this scent to be a perfect balance between fresh, floral, and musky, so it's still okay to use on summer, but just not too much. A few spritzes on pulse points would be enough for me to last throughout the day. It's not too heavy or strong, and it's not your usual too-sweet fruity scents nor is it too floral that it's kinda ageing on you. The musk in the end is very subtle with just a hint of spice. The spice and musk part in things, I'm not quite a fan yet, as I prefer to keep my scents fresh and light, as it's summer, but this one's mellow enough and yes, I must agree quite sexy.

On a personal note, I'd wear Pretty Hot on a night out or even on an ordinary day at the mall or at work. I'd avoid the scent though if I know I'll be outdoors most of the time or I'll be working out or something. I'd skip this during pole class and prefer leaving my skin and pulse points devoid of perfumes and lotions just to be safe as the increase in my body temperature could affect the scent on me. But for other days, I'd wear this too. Since the temperature is quite warm, I use this sparingly, only a two gentle sprizes on pulse points and dab the cologne on my body. It's a very fresh and youthful scent that warms up quite nicely on the skin without it being too heady or heavy.

(Pretty Hot is available at Elizabeth Arden counters at all leading department stores. A 50 mL bottle costs 3,300 and the 100 mL costs 4,200. Since this is perfume, a little goes a long way)

disclaimer: product provided for review.