The Best Rose Scented Goodies

Roses aren't my favorite flower (that would be tulips), but for a while now I've been obsessed with anything that smells like the gorgeous blossoms.  This current obsession has nothing to do with Valentine's Day, but the timing is definitely appropriate!  Here are some of the best rose-scented goods I could get my hands on.

Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment, $22.50:  The cult favorite lip balm with a beautiful rose tint.  Read my glowing review of the balm here.
Le Labo Rose 31, $145: Originally formulated for men, this fragrance smells just as amazing on the ladies.  Get a sample yourself from LuckyScent!
Korres Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum, $41: Nothing could ever possibly replace Elizabeth Dehn's now discontinued signature rose-scented serum, but I'll grudgingly settle for this version by Korres once I run out.  It smells like roses, too.
Dr. Hauschka Rose Body Oil, $25: Incredible moisture for dry winter skin, either after a shower or poured directly in your bath
Love & Beauty Rose Extract Make-up Cleansing Tissues, $2.80: Thirty cloths for under $3? This is one of the best bargains I've ever found!  It removes makeup just as well as more expensive versions and smells lovely, in addition to calming skin.
Lush Turkish Delight Shower Smoothie, $33: Lush does it best when it comes to bath products.  It's expensive but gives you the softest skin you'll ever have.  And you (and your bathroom!) will smell like roses long after the water has drained.  I wish I could bathe in this stuff!
Pacifica Persian Rose Perfume Roll-on, $12: The best portable rose scent.  Soft and simple.  I just wish it lasted longer.
Demeter Pruning Shears Perfume, $10: I looove the edgy metallic element to this otherwise traditional rose scent.
Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon, $6: Just half of this bubble bar is enough to fill up your tub with a mountain of glorious rose scented bubbles.  Relax in fragrance while your skin softens to perfection.

Then vs. Now: Grown Up Versions of Products You Loved as a Teenager

 

Long term use of products keeps your skin looking great, but maybe you're still devoted to products you loved as a teenager.  It's time to move on!  Swap them out for versions that are more grownup and work better, too.  I did!  Here's a comparison of products I loved when I was thirteen versus the products I use now:


Then: Clean & Clear's Blackhead Eraser Scrub
Now: Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate
I no longer deal with blackheads (whew!), but I haven't lost my affinity for scrubs and exfoliators.  You won't find anything more powerful or effective than ExfoliKate.


Then: Body Glitter
Now: Urban Decay Urban Ammo Eye palette
I used to smear body glitter over my eyelids and wander around the halls of my junior high thinking I looked just like Britney Spears...yes, really.  Now whenever I'm in the mood for sparkle, I use some of these shimmery eyeshadows from Urban Decay.  Much improved!


Then:  Victoria's Secret Body Splashes (remember Love Spell?!)
Now:  SJP NYC
I usually dislike celebrity fragrances, but this one is a grand unique exception.  With notes of mandarin, strawberries, gardenia, and honeysuckle, this perfume is fruity and floral like those VS Body Splashes but much, much better.  Plus the bottle will look prettier on your vanity!


Then:  Ten-O-Six Deep Pore Cleanser  
Now: Clarisonic
I used to constantly strip my skin of oil with harsh alcohol cleansers, thinking I was doing my skin a world of good.  Not so!  That causes your skin to produce even more oil to compensate, and nobody wants that.  Now I use a Clarisonic to deep clean my pores and my skin is better for it.  Yours will be, too.


Then:  Herbal Essence shampoo
Now:  Philosophy Pure Grace Foaming Shower Cream
Herbal Essence has some sketchy ingredients, so consider yourself warned.  This Philosophy all-in-one shower cream is super gentle and extremely moisturizing!  The scent is also pleasant and calming.


Then:  Mood changing lipstick 
Now:  Too-Faced Mood Swing lipgloss
Technology has improved a bit and so have these "mood changing" lip products.  Too-Faced's lipgloss reacts with your skin's natural chemistry to create your own perfect customized shade of pink without the drying effects of lipstick.  It smells amazing, too.


Then:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Healthy Defense Sunblock
Now:  Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 45
As a teenager I was loathe to apply liquid sunscreen on my face and mistrusted the "oil-free" label.  Actually, I still kind of do and was thrilled to discover mineral powder sunblock!  No more horrible greasy creams on my face, just a light dusting of powder!


Then:  Stridex Daily Care Acne pads
Now:  First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance pads
Again, acne isn't too much of an issue for me anymore.  Instead I'm concerned about aging, but I still want a glowing complexion.  First Aid Beauty's pads resurface skin, while still remaining gentle without any harsh chemicals and with aging prevention rather than acne treatment. 


Then: LipSmackers
Now: Well...
I think we can all agree that there is simply no replacement for LipSmackers.  Come on, they make a Dr. Pepper flavor!

Best Packaging

There's something special about using products with amazing packaging.  From simple elegance to retro fun to authentically vintage, here are some companies that package their products uniquely in addition to the top notch products contained within:


Outrageous and Fun

TheBalm uses clever retro inspired packaging to house their many powders with equally clever and almost outrageous names.  Hot Mama! and Cabana Boy, for example, are two different pink powders with a little bronzer added.  Their Overshadow finishing powders for eyes are vials that feature gorgeous pinup girls on the lid plus names like "If You're Rich, I'm Single!"  The lipstick line is titled Read My Lips and coordinates newsprint packaging with shade names like "Scoop" and "Classifieds".  Adorable!

Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity

Philosophy products are packaged elegantly and simply, which makes a statement of its own.  Their perfumes and skincare prominently feature positive, uplifting words like "hope" and "grace".  Their delicious smells-like-the-real-thing shower gel/shampoo/bubble bath combos come in scents like Margarita and Vanilla Birthday Cake and also include recipes for the real thing right on the label in a stylized serif font.   


Authentically Vintage

Besame Cosmetics is a modern company seeking to emulate products women used in the 1930s and 1940s, but using natural ingredients.  Thier makeup is contained in lovely gold and red tubes and compacts that look as fancy and special as the product within.  One particularly standout product is the eye and lip liners.  They're dual sided with two different coordinating shades on either end, so it's like getting two for the price of one.  Product names include Souffle foundation, Sweetheart lip balm, Voluptuous lipstick, and Cashmere powder.  So glamorous!