theNotice: a beauty blog

The product: Redken Nature’s Rescue Radiant Sea Spray

Redken describes this as a time-touch hair fragrance, and I’ll admit that such a label doesn’t exactly put it up my alley. However, I’ve read good things about other products in the line, and I’ve been promising more silicone-free hair care posts for a while now, so I figured… well, what the heck, right?

I’ve been trying my best, recently, to make sure I haven’t passed up a gem in my pile of products – and this is another one of those gems ;) It’s the first product I’ve been able to use in my hair since going ‘cone-free, and I’ve been absolutely loving it. The scent really does last all day, not really “hanging about” so much as it comes and goes with movement and such. I’d expected that “bursts of oceanic scent” would just be marketingese (that’s the technical term, of course), but the description is surprisingly accurate!

From a haircare point of view, the product’s not too shabby, either. My biggest worry was that it would make my scalp break out (our ‘cone-sensitive readers might know what I’m talking about here), but it’s smooth sailing with this spray. I usually spritz it on after styling, sort of as an afterthought, and it leaves my hair soft, shiny, and touchable – another huge thumbs-up. No sticky residue, helmet-head hold, or limp hair here!

The verdict?

If you like fresh, aquatic scents, definitely give this one a go. It’s sort of like a hair freshener, if that makes any sense, and I love the simple, beachy vibes it gives off. The packaging is my only complaint (it’s a little too light on the “mist” and little too heavy on the “soak”), but for the long-lasting freshness and the 100% touchable finish (like I haven’t any product in my hair at all), I’m willing to forgive and forget.

While we’re being honest… I’m dying to see more silicone-free products from Redken. They did a really lovely job with this one!

The product: Paco Rabanne Lady Million (solid perfume)

Anyone around here remember our original Lady Million review? If not, here’s the two-second rundown: it’s very “celebrity perfume,” to my nose, which means that I’m not exactly a fan of the eau de parfum. However, it did have quite an impressive tenacity on my skin, and if you do like the very contemporary woody florals, it’s definitely something to check out.

Top notes: neroli, bitter orange, raspberry

Middle notes: orange flower absolute, Sambac jasmine absolute, gardenia

Base notes: honey, patchouli, amber

Fast forward a few months and I’m opening up a package, and a gold folder falls out and it says “Lady Million” and I’m going damn I hate Lady Million, but the fragrance is a solid and I’m always enthralled by solid fragrances and I open it up and –

And my endless, rambling train of thought comes to an absolute halt.

It’s not that this one hit me and killed me on the spot, like it’s a highway driver in the middle of the night and I’m a frightened dear. Just the opposite: I gave this one a sniff, and then I gave it another, and five minutes later I was still sitting there, just smelling the locket-like gem and gawking.

For some weird, crazy reason, the Lady Million scent translates beautifully into solid form, lifting my spirits and completely capturing my attention. It’s not as strong as the spray, which I think helps cut back on the “edge” quite a bit, but there’s just something about the slight tweaks and reformulations that they’ve made that turns this into an absolute gem.

(See what I did there? With the diamond-esque packaging and the… okay, I ‘ll stop.)

The verdict?

Give it a go! This limited-edition release is similar enough to the original that if you love the spray, I think you’ll love this one, too. However, it’s just different enough to take the sharp, almost metallic edge off the orignal – so even if you didn’t like the “knock ‘em dead” feel of the eau de parfum, I’d say this was worth a try.

I mean, heck – I have my Lady Million eau de parfum stuck in a drawer somewhere, surrounded by like, ten plastic bags and plenty of packing material to keep the scent in, and yet: I’m really, really enjoying this one!

I’m not really the type to wear something like this, but I did promise a look with Sea Storm and Steam… so I hope you like it! It’s just three swipes of colour, really; nothing too complicated – which makes it an easy choice for a quick, super-summery eye.

I think this would look best on a darker skintone (to really make the colours pop), but if it’s your style, I say “go for it!” anyways. I mean, you only live once, right? Personally, though, I do think it makes me look a little jaundiced :P

To complete the look, I’d go with something subtle and peachy on the cheeks (like Clarins Barocco Face Powder or Hard Candy Honeymoon) and this lip.

(More photos and some product suggestions…)

I’m not even- I can’t even- THERE ARE NO WORDS.

I promised an eye look with the gorgeous melon and teal shades from this season’s FaceFront collection (which is going up tomorrow), and I wanted to pick out a lip to go with it. The products I eventually went with are exactly up my alley (not to mention, completely on-trend for the season)… which is why I’m going to lay myself at your feet and beg forgiveness.

Why? Well, because

a) They’re amazing, and wear comfortably together for hours,

b) They’re both by Canadian brands, and

c) One of them has been discontinued.

Please don’t hate me? I’m sure I’m sure there’s a dupe out there somewhere. I mean, I’ve yet to find it (even after so very much hunting), but there has to be one!

There has to be.

… Right?

Products used

• Marcelle Rouge Vitality lipstick in 510 Raspberry Pink – discontinued, but pictured and swatched behind the cut.
• Annabelle Volumelip gloss in Coralicious – more swatches here.

(More photos and swatches…)

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Head on over to theNotice and enter to win Rae’s “holy grail” face powder, a Canadian exclusive that’s honestly just really, really lovely.