Month: May 2023

Rachel Fuda’s Black and White Cutout Dress

Rachel Fuda’s Black and White Cutout Dress on Her Instastories

Real Housewives of New Jersey 2023 Instagram Fashion

When it comes to summer style, sometimes you’re on the go and want to toss on something quick and easy. Enter Rachel Fuda’s black and white cutout dress. This dress is simple, but still very very cute. It can be dressed up or down depending on what you pair with it (shoes, accessories, etc.). And on top of it being very cute, it’s also very affordable and comes in about every color you can think of. Making it most likely our new favorite fashion peace piece. ✌

 

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

 

Rachel Fuda's Black and White Cutout Dress

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Photo: @rachelfuda

Originally posted at: Rachel Fuda’s Black and White Cutout Dress

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Summer Fragrances: Recommendations of the Best Scents for the Season

summer fragrances

As the temperatures start to rise, we can’t help but daydream about lazy summer days spent lounging by the pool or at the beach. But what would summer be without the perfect fragrance to accompany those memories?

Whether you’re looking for a beachy scent to wear on weekends by the shore or a light, refreshing cologne to spritz on during hot summer days, there are plenty of summer fragrances to choose from.

From breezy, windswept scents to suntan lotion-inspired smells, there’s something for everyone, and there’s sure to be a summer fragrance that’s just right for you.

What’s more, for those who want to keep that carefree summer vibe when the season ends, these fragrances can be worn year-round. They’ll make you think of sunny days, even when you’re tucked inside.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Beach by Bobbi Brown

Beach by Bobbi Brown

As I passed the Bobbi Brown counter at Macy’s on a recent sunny spring day, the popular fragranceBeach was displayed on the counter. It beckoned me closer, reminding me that the summer season would soon be upon us. I eagerly spritzed a bit on myself and was immediately transported – if only in my mind – to my favorite place: the beach.

This summer-inspired fragrance is a blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin, creating a scent – many say – reminiscent of Coppertone. It captures the essence of summer in a bottle and makes you feel as if you’re on a sun-drenched beach.

In fact, the sales associate told me that Beach reminds her of the first moments after arriving at the shore, spreading out her towel, and applying sunscreen.

“To me, it has more of a beach smell than others,” she said.

At its core, the singular (for the moment) fragrance in Bobbi Brown’s cosmetics collection is pure summer in a bottle.

Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder

Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder

What began some 15 years ago as a limited-edition scent for summer has now become a classic. The forerunner of many beachy scents to come (it was my first), Bronze Goddess, with its blend of amber, vanilla, coconut, and Italian bergamot, is a sexy and warm scent that makes you think of a summer night out – when anything is possible and desire is in the air.

It’s available as an eau de parfum, as well as in a lighter version, Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent.

Since it was introduced, the fragrance has spawned a number of special edition versions. Most recently, in 2022, there was Bronze Goddess Nuit, and this year Bronze Goddess Lumière made its debut.

“Both proved popular and sold out quickly,” said Mary, a beauty advisor for Estee Lauder.

Whichever version you choose, it is sure to turn heads and leave a lasting impression.

To complete the bronze goddess look, the line includes a bronzer, which Mary told me has become a cult favorite, a shimmering oil spray for hair and body, and self-tanning gelee. With these products, you will have everything you need to get that perfect sun-kissed look.

Eau De Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford

Eau De Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford

It’s little wonder why Tom Ford’s summer fragrances – Neroli Portofino, Rose D’Amalfi, Soleil Brûlant and Eau De Soleil Blanc, among them – have become so successful. Ford was the creative force behind Azuree Soleil, which later became Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess.

On a cold December day, several years ago, while purchasing one of Ford’s warm and comforting wintry scents, I received a sample of Eau De Soleil Blanc. One whiff made me wistful for summer when I would add a full-size bottle of the fragrance to my collection. For me, scent isan important part of the summertime experience. And I’m not alone.

Eau De Soleil Blanc is one of our top sellers,” noted the beauty consultant behind the Tom Ford counter at Neiman Marcus.

The top, middle, and base notes of this fragrance are all well-balanced and work together to create a refreshing, warm, and inviting scent. The citrusy top notes are bright and crisp, while the base notes of warm amber and creamy vanilla give the fragrance a softer feel. The overall result is a refreshing and inviting fragrance that is ideal for the season.

Wood Sage & Sea Salt by Jo Malone

Wood Sage & Sea Salt by Jo Malone

The London-based perfumer, Jo Malone (now under the Estee Lauder umbrella), is a master at creating nature-inspired scents. Wood Sage & Sea Salt is one of them – and a unique option for summer that captures the season without being overly floral or sweet, and without any hint of coconut.

Instead, it features salt and sage as its main notes, but also has a light musk scent from the ambrette seeds. Grapefruit and red seaweed give it a summery feel, while the woody earthy sage keeps it grounded. Wood Sage & Sea Salt calls to mind a windswept seashore, driftwood, dunes, and salty ocean air.

“It’s one of our top three sellers,” said Sandy, a client specialist at Bloomingdale’s Jo Malone counter. “What’s more, it can easily be layered for a more personal summer scent.” Sandy suggested Lime Basil & Mandarin or Peony & Blush Suede.

Jo Malone’s elegant simplicity extends to their packaging, a cream-colored box with black trim, adorned with an artfully tied black ribbon.

Sandy noted that Wood Sage & Sea Salt is often given as a gift, especially this time of year. For those who can’t get enough of the salt air scent, she added that “it’s available as a body cream, hand cream, candle, and diffuser.”

Un Jardin à Cythère Eau De Toilette by Hermès

Un Jardin à Cythère Eau De Toilette by Hermès

This season, I discovered a provocative new scent: Un Jardin à Cythère Eau De Toilette, by Hermès.

“It is one of our newest launches and one of the most popular fragrances in our Parfums-Jardins collection,” the Hermes representative told me.

The Parfums-Jardins collection, which began in 2005, was “designed to explore the sensual nature of a small number of remarkable places.” This time, the perfumer, Christine Nagel, drew inspiration from Kythira, a picturesque Greek isle situated in the Ionian Sea.

Known for its stunning beaches, the island has inspired many artists, including Greek artist Elias Kafouros who, in a nod to his homeland, created the packaging that holds the fragrance’s vibrant sunny yellow bottle. His colorful sketch depicts green olive trees, golden grasses, and fresh pistachios, all of which provide the essence of the fragrance.

The integration of pistachio “is pretty unique in the fragrance world” the representative noted.

Made in France, the scent is sensual and sophisticated and has been described by some as a “citrus and woody fragrance.” Indeed, it invites wearers to experience the sunny, citrus-kissed air and olive groves of the Mediterranean.

Replica Beach Walk by Maison Margiela

Replica Beach Walk by Maison Margiela

As anyone in the fragrance business will tell you, summer fragrances are all about replicating the scents of the season. Inessa, a beauty consultant at Sephora, put it in perfect context. She said that the Replica line, as the name implies, “is all about replicating your surroundings.” They are also designed to transport you to your happy place. In the case of Replica’s Beach Walk, that happy place is, well, the beach.

With bright, citrusy top notes of bergamot, lemon, and a pop of pink pepper, coupled with warm, creamy middle notes of coconut milk and ylang-ylang, Replica’s Beach Walk is invigorating, and playful. It is also part of the French fashion house Maison Margiela, which dares to be different. Such innovativeness extends to the apothecary-inspired jars, and white cotton labels, that contain the eau de toilette.

At Sephora, the shoppers were mostly young, which prompted me to ask Inessa if she thought such beachy scents were appropriate for more mature women like us.

“Yes,” she said, “the body may age, but we are the same inside.”

Indeed. The best summer fragrances make you think of summers gone by and yet to come.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you change your fragrance with the seasons? What’s your favorite summer scent? Would you wear a summer-inspired scent year-round?

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Shoppers Report ‘No More Shedding Handfuls of Hair’ After Using This Spray—Get It For 43% Off


If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

If you’re looking for the secret ingredient to making your hair grow longer and stronger, it may simply be a combination of rice water, rosemary oil and castor oil. According to Medical News Today, women in China and Japan have long relied on rice water for halting hair loss and keeping gray hairs at bay. While you could seemingly make your own at home—rice water is the starchy water left over after rinsing rice—certain shoppable hair growth formulas take the effort out of your hands for achieving striking benefits. 

The Psalmonica Rice Water for Hair Growth—which happens to be 43 percent off at Amazon—contains a blend of rice water, rosemary oil (another tried-and-true hair growth ingredient), castor oil and caffeine, all of which are readily used in hair care treatments for a multitude of reasons.

Psalmonica Rice Water for Hair Growth

Amazon

Psalmonica Rice Water for Hair Growth

While there is no clinically evidence to support the following, Healthline reports that “While the average human hair follicle grows just over a centimeter a month, some claim anecdotally that using castor oil once a month can spur growth three to five times the normal rate.”

Some may see similar benefits from using rosemary oil, too. As Dr. Brian Abittan, Director of Skin and Hair Rejuvenation and Director of Hair Transplantation at Mount Sinai Health System, previously told StyleCaster, “While certainly more trials and data are needed, rosemary oil does seemingly have potential to help with hair growth.”

RELATED: Film & TV MUA’s Swear By This Soothing Balm to Calm Inflammation on Actors’ Skin—& It’s Under $13

The ingredients quickly address scalp issues, which may stem from a lack of nutrition or recurring damage, with every spray. The formula strengthens hair follicles at the roots and hydrates existing strands for a soft, silky touch. If you want to “solve your losing, thinning, flat or damaged hair woes, restore your hair’s full look and avoid the risk of future damage,” the brand says this formula can help.

And Amazon reviewers who’ve tried the product do believe in its claims—”I was having a lot of breakage and losing a lot of hair. This product has really helped with that! No more shedding handfuls of hair since using it. Hair soft and shiny now! Bonus: It smells really good and clean,” wrote one shopper.

Another reported, “This product smells and feels so nice. I can use it after my wash or anytime during the day and it won’t feel greasy once it’s dry. I noticed my hair stopped falling out and I had a lot less breakage. Will definitely use it for a long time.”

The Psalmonica Rice Water for Hair Growth is available for $16 at Amazon with the use of an on-page coupon.

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Reviewers Say This Concealer Is ‘Like Magic’ For Hiding Blemishes & Fine Lines—& It’s Down to $8


If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

When it comes to finding a concealer that will pack a punch, camouflaging options are the best route to take. These offer a higher coverage that can temporarily mask the peskiest of concerns, such as acne flare-ups, fine lines and dark circles, better than lighter coverage, dewier formulas. All it takes is a little tab of product over bumps and smaller areas to see an instant difference in the appearance of your skin.

If you’re on the hunt for an affordable formula that will last through summer’s impending sweaty days, PÜR’s Disappearing Act Concealer can do no wrong. The correcting concealer is packed with age-defying ingredients that correct skin concerns while hiding their presence—and reviewers say it works better than other popular brand name camouflaging concealers they’ve tried previously.

PUR Disappearing Act Concealer

PUR

Disappearing Act Concealer

“I have oily, acne-prone skin and this is my favorite concealer ever. Doesn’t make me breakout but gives enough coverage without looking like I have a ton of makeup on,” raved one customer.

“This stuff is like magic,” wrote another reviewer. “I’m one of those people that can’t resist popping a pimple, and I sponge this on and it’s the best concealer I’ve tried. My friend watched me use it and she was like ‘wow you can’t even tell.’ I’m not sure if they’re discontinuing this or not, I hope not!”

Unfortunately for fans, the brand is stopping all future product creations—which is why now’s the time to stock up while the Disappearing Act Concealer is on sale for just $8. Don’t see your shade? You might find the correct one at Amazon instead. 

PÜR also carries additional concealer options that aren’t going anywhere soon, including my favorite 4-in-1 Sculpting Concealer that blends like a dream and contains skin-assisting ingredients that reduce the appearance of blemishes, redness, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and hyperpigmentation. Scoop one up alongside the Disappearing Act Concealer for the ultimate duo.

4-in-1 Sculpting Concealer

Courtesy of PUR.

4-in-1 Sculpting Concealer

You can shop other soon-to-be discounted (and shopper-loved) products from PÜR’s sale section, like Shake & Bake Powder-to-Cream Under Eye Concealer and the Cameo Contour & Highlight Stick.

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Melissa Gorga’s Black and Purple Aviator Sunglasses

Melissa Gorga’s Black and Purple Aviator Sunglasses

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 Finale

Last night’s Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 finale was eventful for Melissa Gorga, to say the least. And it was eventful for me in another way, because I was able to find some in stock items that are perfect to scoop up for in preparation for summer. Melissa’s black and purple aviator sunglasses and her black dress are a prime example. Because it’s good to have good fashion choices to wear in case of a last minute invite, even if you don’t end up attending.

 

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Melissa Gorga's Black and Purple Aviator Sunglasses

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Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Black and Purple Aviator Sunglasses

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