Initio Parfums Privés Holiday Gift Guide

There's nothing like receiving a luxurious perfume or candle for the holidays! You can't get more luxe than Initio Parfums Privés! They put so much thought into everything from the box it's packaged in, to the magnificent bottle with gold detail, plus etching and each captivating scent.

A top pick for this season from the Black Gold Project Collection is the best-selling Oud for Greatness Eau de Parfum, with the enchantment of the Tree of Fortune, representing prosperity and destiny. This rich scent has main notes of natural Oud Wood, Agar Wood Oil, Lavender, Saffron, Patchouli and Musk. 

To go along with this fragrance is the Oud for Greatness candle to add that woody scent to any room. This limited edition Oud for Greatness Eau de Parfum and Candle Set (also sold separately) makes such a statement, not just in scent but in appearance. It's beautiful just to have on display in your bedroom or living room. 

My gift to myself is the Psychedelic Eau de Parfum from the Carnal Blends Collection. Do you ever find a scent that you feel was just meant for you? I love woody and floral scents but never thought of mixing them together. It's a very sensual scent for this winter. Psychedelic Love has top notes of Bergamot, middle notes of Ylang Ylang, Myrrh and Rose, and base notes of Vanilla, Patchouli and Sandalwood.

The Initio collections include Absolutes, Carnal Blends, Magnetic Blends, Hedonist and Black Gold Project, all made in Paris. I highly recommend going on a fragrance journey and experiencing all these scents in person. The scents are unisex, so they are shareable with a significant other!

- Kim Weling

The Society Fashion Week x House of Barretti Gifting Suite at New York Fashion Week 2021

It's always exciting to see the latest trends and exciting new collections on the runway, but I also love showcasing sponsored brands that help support these shows. 

On September 11, 2021, I attended The Society Fashion Week x House of Barretti gifting suite / after party in Manhattan, hosted by designer and teen millionaire Isabella Barrett, who was so inspiring and energetic as she took me through the suite to meet with the brands. Check out some of my favorite brands that I met with - L. Styles, LLC, Kocostar, Patchology and Candies.

TeLeigha Peavy is the designer of L. Styles, LLC, showcasing her handcrafted jewelry with styles ranging from chunky, tribal, artsy and bold using grade AAA semi-precious gemstones, certified precious stones, GIA certified natural untreated diamonds, swarovski crystals, genuine leather, stainless steel chain links and beads. The jewelry on display included necklaces and bracelets that are both unique and luxurious looking statement pieces. 

Kocostar is a brand I am familiar with, notably for their sheet masks. I was excited to see a mask I haven't tried yet, their Rose Flower Mask Sheet as well as the Mask Zone Cream. 

The Rose Flower Mask Sheet has a unique design in that it looks like real rose petals, in which you can remove each petal one by one and stick it onto any part of your face or neck.

With all the mask-wearing going on, the Mask Zone Cream helps to maintain the skin balance and protect skin against constant mask use. This cream helps to condition your lips, cheeks and chin area. 

Patchology is another brand that is known for their eye gels and facial sheet masks. I've used both their eye gels and sheet masks at home or when I'm traveling, even on the plane. Here they were introducing the Breakout Box, a 3-in-1 acne kit including blackhead-eliminating charcoal nose strips, pimple-shrinking salicylic acid dots, and whitehead-absorbing hydrocolloid dots. 

Also great to see in the gifting suite is Candie's Beauty! You may know Candie's for it's clothing or shoes, but I always think of iconic fragrance first, Candie's Legacy Her which unexpected layers of vibrant with Pink Currant, Tart Kiwi, Lemon and Pineapple Pulp, with a veil of Jasmine and Pear Blossom.

- Kim Weling

Nordstrom Fall Beauty Trend Event 2019

Every New York Fashion Week, Nordstrom goes backstage to assess the biggest beauty trends and then brings this intel direct to their customers. For the Fall 2019 season, they've identified trends such as:

Berry Luxe: Universally flattering shades in velvet and matte finishes

Gold Rush: Strategically placed shimmer from bold gold to deep bronze

At the upcoming Nordstrom Beauty Trend Event, guests can learn how to achieve the freshest runway-inspired looks of the season and get free samples and exclusive gifts with your purchases (while supplies last). Receive one-on-one time with Nordstrom beauty experts, tips tricks to nail the newest trends and receive beauty buzz intel from industry insiders — and it's free to attend!

To read more about the trends, click here: https://shop.nordstrom.com/content/beauty-trends-store-services and to see when your local Nordstrom Beauty Trend Event is, click here and purchase tickets here.

Nordstrom Spring Beauty Trend Event

Nordstrom Beauty is bringing their sought after Beauty Trend Event to your local Nordstrom!

Every New York Fashion Week, Nordstrom goes backstage to assess the biggest beauty trends and then brings this intel direct to their customers. For the Spring 2019 season, they've identified trends such as:

Guests can learn how to achieve the freshest runway-inspired looks of the season and get free samples and exclusive gifts with your purchases (while supplies last). Receive one-on-one time with Nordstrom beauty experts, tips tricks to nail the newest trends and receive beauty buzz intel from industry insiders — and it's free to attend!

Customers (you) can simply RSVP online or ask for special accommodations by calling or stopping by their favorite cosmetics or skincare counter, located within Nordstrom.

To read more about the trends, click here, and to see when your local Nordstrom Beauty Trend Event is, click here.

Check out the Nordstrom Fall 2017 Beauty Trend Event I attended at Garden State Plaza in NJ. The event included a live runway show, giveaways and complimentary beauty consultations.

Nordstrom Beauty 2018 Holiday Gifts and Exclusives

MAC Shiny Pretty Things Goody Bag, now $29.63

Every time I get a glimpse of Nordstrom Beauty's gift sets and exclusives for the holiday season, they keep getting better every time! This season, Nordstrom Beauty has your favorite beauty brands and must-haves that you'll want to check out! 

Some of the exclusive festive offerings include Charlotte Tilbury, Diptyque, La Mer, MAC, Tom Ford, Jo Malone and more. You'll find everything from luxury sets to mini stocking stuffers across cosmetics, fragrance, skincare and men's grooming. There are plenty of gifts under $50, skincare sets and treats for yourself! These limited-edition offerings will be available at Nordstrom.com and Nordstrom stores.

While shopping, Nordstrom Beauty Stylists are on hand to help customers found the perfect mkaeup, skincare and fragrance products across all brands and counters. They can help you in-store, by phone at 1.800.7BEAUTY or online.

You can try almost any beauty product in-store before you buy it and if a sample is not readily available, once can always be made for you.  Nordstrom also always has free shipping and free returns!

Fresh Sugar Wanderlust Lip Set, $53 ($85 Value)

Lip treatment set to nourish, protect and tint

Winky Lux 

Deborah Lippman, Lanolips, Smashbox, Stila

Urban Decay

Charlotte Tilbury Stars-In-Your-Eyes Palette, $75

Yves Saint Laurent Mini Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Set, $60

Mini limited-edition lipsticks in five stunning shades

MAC Shiny Pretty Things Lip Kit

Ten little lipsticks in a shiny pretty pink metallic box

Benefit Goodie Goodie Gorgeous Set, $29

Benefit Confection Cuties Set, $19 ($36 Value)

Benefit Triple Decker Decadence Set, $39 ($89 Value)

Anastasia Sultry Eyeshadow Palette, $45 

Includes 14 shades, from golden mattes to bronzy metallics

BECCA

Luxe It Up Mini Luxe Lip Color Set, $116.25 ($243 Value)

Trish McEvoy Portable Beauty Voyager Collection, $98

Trish McEvoy The Power of Makeup Planner Collection Holiday 2018, $250 ($520 Value)

Atelier Cologne 

Versace Bright Crystal Set, $99 ($168 Value)

Clé de Peau La Crème

La Mer

Kiehl's 

Jo Malone

Acqua di Parma

Jack Black Classic Shave Set, $39

Murdock London The Cologne Collection, $54

Antica Farmacista

- Kim Weling

The Factory by Steve Madden Fragrance Launch

On Friday, September 21st, I attended the launch of The Factory, Steve Madden's first-ever fragrance collection comprised of five unique scents. The collection is all about how personal style and self-expression fluidly evolve with every mood, vibe, and feel. 

Steve Madden unveiled the new scents with a multi-sensory pop up experience at 168 Bowery. The pop up featured installations by Reed + Radar, Michael Bianchino, Adela Andea, Lucia Hierro & Larissa McCoy. Each installation was meant to inspire a different facet within you as you experience each scent - the dreamer, the flirt, the risk-taker, the boss, or the traveler.

"We've been talking about doing fragrance for 10 years and the smell is so important," says Steve Madden. Check out the full interview here on IGTV.

Here's a closer look at each fragrance:

We Need to Talk

You know exactly what you want and you let others know it. 

Key Ingredients: Matcha latte, cucumber, jasmine petals, caramel

Secret Girls Club

Sometimes you just need to reset. Beach trip? *Renames group chat to Secret Girls Club*

Key Ingredients: Watermelon, fleur de monoi, frangipani, vanilla woods

Delusional Heart

Always imagining Oscar-worthy scenarios of how your romance could play out. We're here for it. 

Key Ingredients: Pink pineapple, ivy, dewy jasmine, marshmallow

She Plays With Fire

Tinder date go-to's: Sky diving lesson or crashing a wedding for the hell of it.

Key Ingredients: Marshmallow, birchwood, addictive musks

Kiss My Rose

On the rare occasion that people see you without your rose-red lipstick, and heels. They ask if you're not feeling well. Tell 'em. 

Key Ingredients: Warm nutmeg, geranium, red rose petals, spiced woods

- Kim Weling