It’s Friday, which means the final installment of
Product Polygamy Week. Read on for the Spoiled Pretty picks that will rock your body…
PERFUME
The Barb: L'Instant de Guerlain
I was searching high and low for my review of L'Instant de Guerlain and finally realized that I never wrote one…which makes
no sense because this perfume is my signature scent. This floral Oriental fragrance is one of the most beautiful and complex scents I have ever smelled. Every time I wear it, I just brace myself for the compliments - and it certainly leaves a lasting impression. L’Instant is described as a “soft, sexy scent comprised of an intricate blend of interwoven fragrance harmonies, like citrus honey, magnolia inclusion, and amber harmony.” I’m no master perfumer, so to be honest, that means nothing to me; to my untrained nose, this perfume has a soft and powdery scent that dries down to a sensual, musky vanilla. I imagine that L’Instant would be a staple on Charlotte York-Goldenblatt’s vanity, but Carrie Bradshaw would definitely sneak a spritz when she’s visiting Charlotte’s Park Avenue apartment.
The Nicki: Philosophy Amazing Grace Perfumed Body SpritzI’m a fan of potent perfumes, and I’m a little heavy-handed in the application. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the light, clean scent of Philosophy’s Amazing Grace Perfumed Body Spritz. After smelling it on me, my sister (who I usually have to bribe for compliments) asked me what I was wearing. When I told her what it was, she said that I smelled very nice. I was like, “OMG. Stop. The. Presses. My sister just said something nice…to me!” Needless to say, it has become a staple in my daily beauty ritual. And sometimes I even find myself spraying the air and linens with Amazing Grace, like it’s Febreze or something. That’s how good it smells.
The Margene: Deauville pour Homme by Michel GermainMy new favorite scent isn’t new at all. In fact, we have a decade-long history. Ten years ago, in a perfume shop in the Bahamas, I fell in love with Deauville pour Homme by Michel Germain. But I was too broke to buy it and Mama Spoiled Pretty wouldn’t lend me the money to buy a men’s cologne. Then a few months ago, Deauville and I were reunited in a suburban Philadelphia TJ Maxx. The icing on the cake? It only cost $9.99!!! It was fate…now we’re reunited and it smells so good, though Señor Spoiled Pretty is a little weirded out.
SHOWER GEL/SOAP
The Barb: Jaqua Buttercream Frosting Shower Crème
Not only do Jaqua’s Buttercream Frosting products pamper my parched skin, they smell like heaven - a sweet tooth’s version of heaven, anyway. Like vanilla frosting with a hint of fresh strawberries, Jaqua's Buttercream Frosting Shower Creme smells so much like the real thing, I have to remind myself that it’s not edibile. I can only hope that Jaqua is developing hair care, shaving cream, toothpaste, antiperspirant, and contact lens solution…so that every square inch of me can smell saccharinely sweet.
The Nicki: Jo Malone Orange Blossom Shower GelI once had someone ask me, “If you were going to take your very last bath on earth, what oil, salt, or bubbly brew would you use to make it especially soak-worthy?” My answer: without a doubt, it would be Jo Malone Orange Blossom Shower Gel. The scent is like heaven.
The Margene: Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash
The latest installment of my
Recessionista’s Fabuless Pick of the Week series featured Johnson's Vanilla Oatmeal Body Wash. And for good reason. The creamy formula lathers up nice, thoroughly cleanses my eczema-prone skin without stripping, the oatmeal relieves my itchy scratchies and the subtle vanilla scent is warm and comforting. And it’s less than $5.
LOTION/MOISTURIZER
The Barb: Johnson’s Softlotion 24 Hour MoisturizerI am a big fan of Johnson’s Lotions, particularly Softlotion 24 Hour Moisturizer. This non-greasy, fast-absorbing lotion smells like baby oil and is enriched with hydrating emollients and natural lipids ingredients to maintain hydration and prevent moisture loss. It keeps the ashiness at bay and leaves my skin touchably soft all day.
The Nicki: 100% Pure Organic Virgin Coconut Nourishing Body Cream
I recently fell hard and fast for 100% Pure’s Organic Virgin Coconut Nourishing Body Cream, which worked wonders on my desiccated skin. The scent is so yummy fantastic that I thought to myself, “the world would be a better place if everything smelled exactly like this.” Even Mama Spoiled Pretty, who complains that my favorite scents are too cloying, said that Organic Virgin Coconut Nourishing Body Cream smells good enough to eat. Ironically, it doesn’t remind me, at all, of coconut…fresh baked oatmeal cookies is more accurate.
The Margene: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy OilNo matter what your skin situation, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil is “right on top of that, Rose” (shout out to Amber and other fellow fans of
Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead). This preservative-free, lightweight formula contains an exclusive blend of key ingredients for scars, stretch marks, dry, damaged skin, uneven skin tone, aging skin, lines and wrinkles. The oil locks in moisture; your skin will look and feel soft, with a radiant sheen. The product sinks in on contact and the formula is non-greasy and non-staining, so you don’t have to wait to get dressed.
HAIR REMOVAL
The Barb: Schick IntuitionWhen Schick unveiled Intuition a few years ago, I instantly hated it. The music in the commercial was that disgusting pop song
Intuition by Jewel. Don’t get me wrong. I dig Jewel…
Pieces of You Jewel. Not pop tart Jewel. But when my Aunt Bunchie gave me a whole bunch of Intuitions for Christmas that year, I couldn’t be a Scrooge and throw 'em out. So I tried them and fell in love right then and there. You would think that the ‘skin conditioning solid’ would prevent the blade from getting close to the skin, but you would be wrong. Intuition is the closest shave I’ve ever had. It’s really all I use at home.
The Nicki: Gillette Venus EmbraceNow on the road, that’s another story. When I travel, I pack Venus Embrace; it travels better than the Intuition. The pivoting head allows the blades to stay in constant contact with the skin, even around nick-prone areas like knees and ankles. The soft grip handle provides increased control in the shower, and the razor comes with this super cool ‘ShowerPod’ that suctions to the tile and conveniently stores the razor and extra blades. Pair it with
Satin Care Alluring Avocado Shave Gel, which is intensely moisturizing and has a light, fresh scent.
The Margene: 
Miracle Threading (King of Prussia Mall, PA)
If you’re not in Philadelphia, you’re missing out. On New Year’s Day, while shopping at the
King of Prussia Mall, I found myself in front of the Miracle Threading kiosk across from Sephora (excellent location). Usually, there are ladies lined up to get their eyebrows waxed and whiskers get pulled from their chinny chin chins; but on the 1st, there was no one. I imagine that most of these hirsute regulars were home nursing their hangovers. So, based on my mom’s and sister’s rave reviews (and the lack of a line), I decided to sit in the chair and let Pina go to town. Did she ever. A few short minutes later, my upper lip was baby butt smooth and my eyebrows were shaped to perfection. Literally, my eyebrows had never looked so well-groomed. Pina is precise; when I returned home that day, I gave my eyebrows and upper lip a close inspection - and there was not one stray hair. Pina is on point, so if you’re in the Philadelphia area, get yourself over to Miracle Threading (on the upper level of the Plaza - as I said, across from Sephora). Yes, it’s a little weird getting threaded in public, but when you see the finished product, you’ll be glad you sucked it up and acted like a big girl. Call 484.300.7945 for more information.
Well, that concludes
Product Polygamy Week. Did you fancy? I hope that you take advantage of my sage advice and enter into some loving relationships with these products. Are you sad to see this theme week to come to an end and jonesing for another fix? Visit
Amber’s final post before you start pouting.
And tune into HBO'sseason premiere of
Big Love on Sunday, followed by the absolutely hilarious
Flight of the Conchords.
PS - Big props to Beth at Glamour.com for giving Amber and I a
BIG link LOVE yesterday!
Jaqua believes in giving back to the planet: from using recyclable packaging to allowing their headquarters to be the official hub for organic farmers to deliver their organic fruits and vegetables. The vendors they choose to work with are environmentally friendly. They exercise environmentally responsible purchasing, such as using virgin paperboard (to protect "Old Growth Forests") and utilizing earth-friendly vegetable inks, as well as recycling. And none of Jaqua's products are tested on animals.
