Granado Esplendor Soap Review

 Take me to Brazil. Or I guess having the soap is the next best thing. I tried one other Brazillian Brand this year and I really liked it so I was excited to see what else I could get my hands on. This is not my first time trying the brand- I had a candle not too long ago. From what I can tell they are very popular in Brazil and they make higher end as well as everyday very accessible products. 

Granado claims: 

The creamy bar soap, with 76% naturally derived ingredients, features a vegetable base, vegetable glycerin, murumuru butter, and coconut oil — active ingredients that help to nourish and hydrate. It cleanses gently, leaving skin soft, smooth, and delicately scented for longer.

Family and olfactory pyramid: Oriental Amber

Top notes: lily, freesia and peony

Heart notes: rose, muguet and benzoin

Base Notes: vanilla, amber and cashmeran

Who will love it? 

Esplendor has a sophisticated, mature sweetness that will appeal to people of all ages and genders. The fragrance offers balsamic notes of amber and vanilla, as well as cashmeran wood. This makes it an excellent choice for colder days or evenings. The fragrance is ideal for elegant dinners and sophisticated occasions. The fragrance is intense, captivating and has a timeless sweetness.

Made in Brazil 

From what I can tell they don't sell this soap alone- it only seems to be offered in sets. So repurchasing might be more trouble than it is worth. Mine came in a set of three with two other scents and when I first got the set..I wasn't too sure about the scents but I think they are the type that you use and they grow on you. Or at least that's what happened with this bar.

It also comes in perfume, highlighter, hand cream, and lotion.

The main notes notes listed  are peony, amber, and vanilla.

But not to my nose. I don't smell any peony or floral scent whatsoever. I do get a very creamy vanilla scent. And lot's of amber. And patchouli. And then it has this fruity note. The creamy vanilla is very present and often times it's the first and most prominent thing I smell. Next is the patchouli. I don't know how it isn't listed in the notes but I know it's there. 

I wasn't too sure about the scent but after a few uses, I have grown to really enjoy the scent. I look forward to using it everyday. It's a very unique scent especially for a soap...and I can't say I've come across anything really similar. 

It definitely gives the vibe of a perfumed soap. Fancy perfume soap. And it's perfumed the whole way through. It lathers well, rinses clean, bubbles up really nicely. 

Mine came packaged in a crabby ornament but it also came in a gorgeous box that I am too lazy to get and photograph. But I think anyone would be happy to see the packaging.  I love the little tin and I'm definitely going to find a way to keep/reuse it. 

It's definitely perfumed but it isn't too strong. I would say it's medium strength. It doesn't scent the whole bathroom but as it's just sitting there I can definitely smell it whenever i visit the bathroom.

Ingredients: 

ELAEIS GUINEENSIS OIL (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS (PALM) OIL), AQUA (WATER/EAU), COCOS NUCIFERA OIL (COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL), SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, STEARIC ACID, PALMITIC ACID, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), ASTROCARYUM MURUMURU SEED BUTTER, GLYCERIN, SORBITOL, DISODIUM EDTA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, MYRISTIC ACID, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ETIDRONIC ACID, DISODIUM DISTYRYLBIPHENYL DISULFONATE, PEG-12, CELLULOSE GUM, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TOCOPHEROL, TETRAMETHYL ACETYLOCTAHYDRONAPHTHALENES, HEXAMETHYLINDANOPYRAN.

Overall, I'm glad it grew on me. I don't think I would necessarily seek it out to buy again but I am excited to try the other three scents by the brand that I managed to snag. I would recommend it! 

Marc Jacobs Perfect Perfume Review

I planned on doing a lot of running around today but it's chillier than I expected (although I didn't check the weather) and so now I plan to do a whole lot of nothing for the rest of the day. Maybe curl up with a good book or something. And get this review that I've been planning to do for a few days now out the way. 

I think I ended up with this perfume because I wanted something modern. And I hadn't had anything from the Marc Jacobs brand in a while. Also I really liked the bottle. I have tried one other Marc perfume- Daisy and I loved that bottle design. I plan to keep that bottle in my collection for forever alongside this one.

Marc Jacobs claim:

Perfect by Marc Jacobs is a Oriental Floral fragrance for women. Perfect was launched in 2020. The nose behind this fragrance is Domitille Michalon Bertier. Top notes are Rhubarb and Narcissus; middle note is Almond Milk; base notes are Cashmeran and Cedar.

So let's talk the bottle- it looks like chaos. You have a banana, a random shoe, a cat, stars, dice, bows etc. I love how playful it looks. The lid also kinda describes the way I feel about the perfume. 

It really feels like a hodge hodge of scents just thrown together. I get floral sometimes. Other times a very amber scent. It's a very warm scent overall though and I think best for the cooler weather of winter/fall. Looking at some of the claimed notes- I'm not sure I would say this is a very "green" scent.  I do get fruity notes. I don't get almond. I feel like sometimes there are really strong rose notes, especially in the top notes. It's a pretty sweet scent and I don't get powdery, musky, or or powdery.

It really smells like someone really tried to throw everything all into one scent. And then call it perfect. I would disagree. It's not a bad scent. There's just nothing special about it except how chaotic I think it smells. 

It does wear very well. I can still smell it at the end of a long day and I think it has good throw too. 

Overall, I think it's an easy everyday type of scent for cooler weather and into Spring. Nothing really stands out about it to make it special. I think I like the bottle more than i like the actual fragrance. 

Toad in the Hole and Pear Strudel

 I'm well over 60 percent through with the Unofficial Harry Potter cookbook and it just occurred to me- I have not come across any ButterBeer recipe- nor have I come across any fish and chips. It's criminal really. I haven't read ahead but I am really, really hoping they are somewhere in this book. I think I'm till cooking through the Great Hall. What there are is an abundance of puddings- in the UK they really do call everything a pudding. That's for next time I reach into this book- in the meantime. Toad in the Hole. Such an odd name. But actually pretty good.I decided to make mine for Easter dinner so I used sausage that was a mix of beef and lamb. Then jut mix of the batter, bake and there you have part of dinner done. I decided to serve with some gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. Dinner was very nice! I would actually make this again...

And then I made pear strudel. But not pear strudel. I didn't feel like finding the Phyllo dough---- so I bought store bought puff  pastry. Didn't end up liking it so I used it to make fake toaster strudels and assorted other breakfast pastries. Then I just ended up making a pie crust and making a pear galette. It was good. But I think I prefer Apple- with a few pears sprinkled in. I fully intended to make this for Easter and I made the crust and filling on that Sunday- but didn't end up baking it up until a few days later. I was tired. It would have been bomb with some ice cream- but alas I didn't have any on hand. 

And that's all for this week! Not a bad week for me overall....

The Three Degrees

The most glamorous of the early R&B and Soul music group. When I watch their live performance all I think about is the move Dreamgirls and how they really took inspiration from them. I really thought it was mostly The Supremes- but I think a lot of the live performances definitely look like this group. I don't have as many songs as I have of the Supremes- but I still really love this group for the songs I do have.

The first song I discovered from the group was When Will I See You. I love the filming of this..something about those camera angles. I don't know if this is live but the one after this for sure is! 

Then we have If and When which is hands down one of my favorite performances of all time. I enjoy soul music more than anything so this song does it for me then When Will I See You. The voices, the harmonies, everything about this live performance was absolutely perfect. They all look gorgeous...and make me want to buy a wig and some new lipstick. Maybe even a dress so I can go play Dreamgirls in the mirror. So glad I can enjoy this performance anytime I want with youtube. Pure Magic. 

And last up- their cameo on Sanford and Son. I LOVE Sanford and Son. One of my favorite sitcoms of all time. It still cracks me up..no matter how many times I have seen it. I need to see about buying the box set so I can own it. 

I feel like they probably have a lot more songs I need to listen to. I can't remember if I heard their full discography....but these are the standouts so far. If you haven't, I really recommend giving them a listen! 

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Review

 

I have been sitting on this review- been meaning to review it for forever. But I wanted to make sure I tested it with different foundations to really get a true opinion on it. I love a good primer- some think it's not necessary but it really can go a long way to prepping your skin and providing hydration and a smooth surface for your makeup to sit on top of. They can extend your wear time, control oil etc. I don't wear a primer every day. But I do when I want my skin to look extra nice.

Bobbi Brown claims: 

Skincare made for makeup. Our bestselling hydrating primer instantly nourishes, plumps, and preps skin to improve the look of foundation. It's full makeup prep in one step, blending the performance of a makeup primer with the cushion of a moisturizer.

• A blend of Vitamins B, C, and E helps replenish and condition skin with essential nourishment.
• A moisturizing complex of Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, and Shea Butter helps instantly hydrate, plump, and prep skin for a fresh, healthy-looking glow.
• Rich yet lightweight and fast-absorbing texture cushions skin and grips foundation for smooth, flawless makeup application.
• 100% natural fragrance of Grapefruit and Geranium uplifts the senses.


- 100% natural fragrance 
- 100% naturally derived fragrance 
- Fragranced/scented with natural/naturally derived grapefruit and geranium oils
- Free of synthetic fragrance


• Real Results:


- 91% say it improves the look of foundation*** 
- 95% say it layers well with makeup, helping makeup apply smoothly and evenly** 
- 95% say it grips makeup for flawless application** 
- 93% say it leaves makeup looking fresh all day** 
- 98% say skin looks rejuvenated* 
- 96% say it leaves skin feeling nourished and conditioned* 
- 95% say skin looks vibrant* 
- 93% say it leaves skin feeling plumped* 
- 96% say it leaves skin looking healthy* 
- 96% say it leaves skin feeling moisturized throughout the day* 
- 95% say it leaves skin feeling healthy and infused with moisture* 
*Consumer testing on 123 women after one week of product use. 
**Consumer testing on 103 women after one week of product use. 

***Consumer testing on 94 women after one week of product use.

Made in USA

I feel like Bobbi Brown especially pushed skin prep...or at least I think she did in her books. This is a primer/moisturizer in one. So if they are two separate steps- you can combine them here. 

It's a thick cream that comes in a plastic tub. I was really hoping it would be glass- that would have made the packaging feel a bit more special, especially at its price point. You get 1.7 ounces of product which is a decent amount- but compared to the price...maybe not such a great deal.

I got it on sale and got quite a bit of money off. 

But back to the product itself. It's a thick yellow tinted cream that has a pleasant smell of a citrus or oranges. I really like the scent. It smooths on easily and make the skin look hydrated and perfectly prepped for the next step. I feel like it make the skin look healthy and slightly radiant but not too much on my oily skin. 

I have tried it with three different foundations and found it to work amazingly well for 2 out of the 3. I felt like my skin looked extra nice and the makeup wore well without looking greasy. The third foundation I tried it with I really dislike with or without primer- I have yet to review but I don't think anything can help it. 

I will say the ingredients really aren't my favorite and that's really the only thing that really gives me pause. There is all kinds ofdimethicone, glycols, acrylates, carbomer  and all the things I would rather avoid. . It does have some goodies though- like Shea Butter etc. 

Ingredients: 

Water\Aqua\Eau , Cyclopentasiloxane , Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 , Butylene Glycol , Ppg-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate , Cetyl Alcohol , Peg-40 Stearate , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Squalane , Glyceryl Stearate , Sorbitan Stearate , Epilobium Angustifolium Extract , Yeast Extract\Faex\Extrait De Levure , Beta-Carotene , Sodium Hyaluronate , Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate , Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate , Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Flower Oil , Dimethicone Crosspolymer , Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer , Carbomer , Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate , C12-15 Alkyl Ethylhexanoate , Tetrasodium Edta , Sodium Hydroxide , Panthenol , Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate , Limonene , Citronellol , Geraniol , Linalool , Chlorphenesin , Phenoxyethanol <ILN39205>

There's not much else to say except that I really, really like it (except the ingredients.)  I think it might be in the top of primers that I have tried...it combines moisturizer and priming really well. It's something I could definitely see myself purchasing again and I would recommend giving it a try. 

PF Candle Co. Arroyo Oak Candle Review

 

I just realized my blog has hit over a million views- wow. I honestly thought that would never happen but I'm very pleasantly surprised and grateful for all the views. Every now and again I consider just quitting the blog- but I really like writing reviews and keeping track of all the things I've tried (and cooked) . Especially hair and makeup. And of course soap. And in the past few years I have certainly stepped up the candle reviews. 

This is my third PF candle....and I think I'm going to take a little break from the brand for a few months. Just to make sure I am rotating brands and continuing to try new things. Although PF is a brand that I like and definitely want to explore more. 

PF claims: 

A love letter to the quiet wild of the Arroyo Seco. A passageway of twisted terrain perfumed by native sagebrush, crushed oak leaves, shady creek beds, and canyon stone. Vetiver, frankincense, & california oak.

TOP

wild sage, silver artemisia, bay laurel, black pepper

MID

chopped cedar, vetiver, pine needles

BASE

palo santo, olibanum, oak wood, white smoke

Of the three I have tried- this is my least favorite. It's supposed to be earthy, smoky, and woody. I get that- but I also get something that I keep thinking is kinda citrus...but I know it's not citrus. And whatever that note is I don't like it. I can smell it in the cold throw and the hot throw. 

I was curious about the name so upon a quick google- the Arroyo Oak is an endangered oak tree native to Mexico. I also just learned that Mexico is home to more species of oak than any other country. I like oak trees. I really hope they can find a way to save the oak trees. They are beautiful trees. 

I kinda wish this candle did an educational moment on the trees and maybe donate a portion of the proceeds to saving the oak trees.

As for the quality- it takes a while to get going. I find that to be true for most soy candles. The scent is really hidden in the lower 2/3 of the candle. Until then the candle will give you nothing. It's throwing scent pretty well now though so I can really smell it. The smoky part of the scent s intriguing but there is just something off about this scent to me. I don't enjoy it. 

It is soy though, so it's pretty clean burning. It burns evenly and I haven't had any trouble with sooting, smoking, or tunneling. Also-- I love the packaging. I just love anything packaged in amber glass. It gives a very apothecary feel. 

Still really like the brand- I would just prefer something like Iris Suede over this type of scent. I think when I circle back to this brand I really need to get my hands on the Sandalwood Rose scent...