Holy Grail: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Moringa Immortel

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From morraccan and macadamia to maracuja and marula, beauty oils have become very popular in the formulations of skincare and haircare products. New to the mix… Moringa Oil. Touted as the next big beauty oil, Moringa oil comes from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree, also known as the “Tree of Life.” Grown in the Himalayas, Moringa oil has been used for it’s many antioxidants and skin and hair rejuvenating properties.

Kérastase Grand Crus Oils are a range of fragrance-infused, custom-made oils for your specific hair needs. Formulated with the nourishing properties of cult favorite – Elixir Ultime, the Grand Crus Oils focus on specific hair types and conditions: Thé Impérial (pink-for color-treated hair), Moringa Immortel (green-for damaged hair) and Rose Millénaire (lavender-for fine hair).

Use the Grand Crus Oils as a pre-shampoo treatment for dry and coarse hair, as a prep before blow drying to protect, defrizz and add shine, as a styling serum to smooth out flyaways and dry ends, or pre-color treatment.

My favorite and holy grail product is the Immortal Moringa. Formulated with antioxidant-rich Moringa extract, vitamins A& C, calcium, iron and magnesium, this elixir nourishes dry and damaged hair. The lightweight oil leaves hair smooth, shiny and smells divine – woodsy and citrusy.

The Classics: Chanel 2.55

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The Chanel brand has always been associated with classic, timeless elegance. To this day, a Chanel handbag remains one of the most recognized and respected accessories in the world.

Mademoiselle Chanel designed her accessories to be both practical and sensible, and to her accessories signified the true emblem of luxury and elegance. In the 1920’s, Coco Chanel became tired of having to carry her handbags in her arms and decided to update her handbag, for the modern woman. The resulting design was called 2.55 after the date of creation, February 1955.

From the very beginning, Coco Chanel strove for functionality. For this reason, the bag features a double flap with a zip-fastened pocket intended as a secret place for storing a love letter. On the inside of the bag there are three bellow pockets, meant to store a lady’s necessities like lipstick and perfume.

The bag has a quilted diamond or herringbone pattern on the exterior. Using a running stitch, this gives the bag shape and volume. The pattern is believed to have been inspired by several sources: by jockeys’ riding coats, the stained-glass windows of the abbey at Aubazine, as well as by the cushions in Chanel’s Paris apartment. The original 2.55 is lined in a burgundy color which represents the color of the uniform she wore growing up in an orphanage. The famous double C emblem, (“Coco Chanel”) is stitched on the inside flap like a coat of arms. The bag originally came with a front lock called “the Mademoiselle Lock” (in reference to Coco Chanel never marrying). Since the 1980s, versions can also be supplied with a lock in the shape of the double C logo. Both the iconic rectangular clasp that is gilted with gold and the famous leather and chain shoulder strap had never been seen on a handbag before Coco Chanel added them.

Since it’s introduction, there have been several variations of the original design including different colors, leather/fabric combinations, metal and interwoven leather straps and the lock, mademoiselle vs. interlocking CC. Chanel released an exact copy of the original 2.55 in February 2005 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the original. Though the name “Reissue 2.55” should apply only to those commemorative handbags it is now commonly used now as a name for all the handbags resembling the original 2.55.

 

Fragrance Tips: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

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Coco Mademoiselle

When it comes to purchasing fragrances and/or perfumes, ever wonder how to make the aroma last longer?

Purchase perfumes in gift sets, where you receive lotions, bath gels even antiperspirants along with a bottle of perfume. To make your favorite fragrance last longer, layering is key.

Identify your pulse points, these are areas blood vessels are closest to the skin, giving off more heat; wrists, behind the ear, crook of the arm/knee and base of the throat. First, apply the body lotion to these areas, then spritz fragrance on top of the lotion. By using the body lotion as a base, when perfume evaporates off the skin, the lotion will still work to provide the scent.

Purchase your favorite fragrance in antiperspirant form. These products are created to work overtime with your body chemistry in which when you sweat, the fragrance is activated. When a perfume works with your body chemistry, the scent becomes stronger. Direct sunlight can unbalance the ingredients in a perfume, store in cool, dark areas. This will also keep fragrance from evaporating.

Fragrances are typically classified according to the strength of their scent. this is normally based on the concentration of scent, oils and levels of alcohol. “Parfum” or “Perfume” contains the highest concentration of these oils. Then come Eau de parfum, Eau de toilette, Eau de cologne and lastly body sprays and lotions.

I grew up with a mother who constantly wore Chanel No5. When I smell this perfume,  it instantly reminds me of her. Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle is my signature scent. It has the same notes of Chanel No5 but a much younger version. When I wear it, I instantly feel warm and comforted.