What They Say: "A super-quick-fix for dull, tired, sallow, ‘I’m sick of my’ skin. Engineered to mimic the effects of our spa’s famous triple oxygen™ facial (but in seconds), this fabulous new complexion brightening formula uses every ‘tech’ in the book to work to furnish you with a fresher, younger-looking face.

• engineered as a stand-in for our spas' world-famous triple oxygen facial treatment
• releases oxygen molecules and detoxifiers
• a super quick fix for dull, tired, sallow skin

During our spas' most famous facial- the triple oxygen treatment- a skilled esthetician, having massaged, deep-cleaned and purified your pores, will hover gracefully over your head waving a thin plastic hose, directing pure pressurized oxygen through a customized blend of micro-molecular skin rehydrators, vitamins and antioxidants, all in a heroic effort to rapidly revitalize and reenergize your (choose one or more of the following):

• tired
  
• acne-riddled
  
• aging
  
• smoke-ridden
  
• 'all of the above' skin

Why?
Studies show that as we age, the natural oxygen levels circulating in our facial skin decline, and along with them, goes the energy needed to keep our cells functioning like the cells on a ‘fresh’ face. More oxygen (and vitamin C, and hydration) means more energy for all of the biochemical processes required by your body to keep your skin functioning like it’s ‘young’.

With?
The Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask is also formulated with:
a) FluidO2TM, a special ‘liquid ventilation’ system, to carry stable oxygen molecules and release them on your skin’s surface
b) Sodium PCA, a fantastic humectant molecule that keeps your skin hydrated without ever getting greasy
c) BV-OSC, the most multi-active powerful form of vitamin C available

Who?
1. Those who feel that the get up and go in their skin has got up and gone.
2. Anyone who is pushing thirty, or who just can’t pinpoint why they don’t look as lively in family photos these days.
3. Men who suffer from ingrown hairs or ‘beard bumps’
4. Acne sufferers, who should substitute a smattering of this for their everyday ‘cleanser’, to wage a continual mini war on the anaerobic bacteria that leads to the bumps, swollen follicles, and white blood cell build-up that causes breakouts.

How?
Instructions for use: Massage a generous layer of Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask onto damp skin. Wait five minutes, until a full froth forms, then rinse well and follow with toner and/or moisturizer. NOTE: Our Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask is formulated for fast (5 minutes) action and oxygen release, so there’s no need to leave it on longer. Use whenever your skin needs a boost, a maximum of 3x weekly."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: What an amazing (and fun-to-use) mask! When you apply the gel-like formula, it begins to foam almost immediately and you then begin to feel a very mild tingle (more like a tickle) as the oxygenating foam does its magic.

After rinsing it off, you will immediately notice that there is still a comfortable layer of moisture on your skin that doesn't go away after you pat your skin dry. This doesn't make my skin feel tight or itchy at ALL. Not only that, but I can see a distinct difference in my previously tired-looking skin each time I use it. Any redness or dullness seem alleviated, and my undereye circles appear diminished. Also, my skin feels and looks more smooth and awake.

One morning after I'd been sick during Christmas vacation and then passed it on to my husband, we both managed to sleep through our alarms (the three combined between us!) and both woke up abruptly (in a scene that looked like the one from Home Alone) literally one minute before I typically left my house for work. I threw on some clothes, brushed my hair, and quickly dotted on some concealer and mascara, saving the blush and lipstick for the car (I know - but I did it at the stoplight) and left the house three minutes later. My point is, somehow with that little time to do my typical getting-ready routine I must say I looked pretty okay that day. You would have never guessed how quickly I got ready. And I SWEAR that I only managed to look refreshed and radiant that day because the night before, I had used this mask for the very first time. Otherwise, I would typically see myself looking really blotchy and sallow after a morning like that!

If you have the means, give this mask a try. It is truly a miracle-worker in my book.

Retail Price: $52.00 (at blissworld.com , Bliss Spas, or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "The ultimate in skin rejuvenation starts with one unique plant-the Vanilla Planifolia-unearthed in the farthest reaches of Madagascar.

A specific patent-pending polyfractioning technique created by CHANEL Research results in powerful anti-aging: Wrinkles, loss of firmness, dehydration, lack of radiance and inconsistency in pigmentation are pinpointed at once for regenerating action.

Skin becomes beautifully taut. Silken and supple. Glowing with the look of good health."

Jen's Experience: I was in Saks Fifth Avenue in Birmingham, AL one day and the sky fell out, leaving me trapped in my favorite department store (the horror!). I had been looking at nail polish at the Chanel counter, but when the rain started, it turned into a mini-makeover session with their Chanel representative. We started talking about skin care products, and she told me about this new product that would be coming on the market in September, Chanel Sublimage. As I was paying for my order (which grew in proportion to my time at the counter that day), she handed me a gold box with 0.2 ounces of Sublimage and said, "treat this like gold."

After getting the moisturizer home, I discovered that her imperative could be taken several ways. It was like gold because the product was still months away from market (this was June), and not many people had access to the samples of it yet. It was also valuable just from the sheer price tag. The tiny portion I received was worth approximately $42, but a full-sized container available for purchase is $350. Now, those are valid reasons why this product should be treated like gold, but I found the most value in Sublimage because it's really an amazing product.

I have never used La Mer or Sisley or any of the others that approach this price range, so I have nothing to compare this to, but here is my experience. First off, this high-quality moisturizer lasts a very long time. I've worn it to bed nightly for over a month, and I still have some moisturizer left in my container. If you regularly buy department store moisturizer and spend $40-50 per container, you may find that even with the price tag that it's not a bad value.

The moisturizer itself smells of roses. A small amount spread on the face imparts just enough moisture to hydrate the skin without feeling greasy or tacky. I get a rosy glow right after I put it on, which tells me the product is penetrating the surface and working. My dry, sensitive skin loves this product, but even if your face is oily, I can't see where this product would impart oil to your face.

I am such a fan of this moisturizer, I would recommend it to anyone who can afford the price tag. This is a splurge that is worth every penny.

Retail Price: $350/1.7 oz (Chanel)

Rating:

What They Say: "A deep, pore controlling and normalizing mask formulated with carefully selected botanicals to regulate and balance excess sebum and promote healing of blemishes. Acneic and problem skin types should use 1-2 times a week. Active Ingredients are wasabi (fights bacteria and is deeply cleansing) and vitamin E (anti-aging, moisturizing, antioxidant properties)."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I really do love this mask. In addition to having an incredibly nice and subtle non-fragrance-like scent, it feels instantly cooling and calming on my skin. Leaving it on for 10-15 minutes is not uncomfortable at all, as this formula feels almost whipped in texture. I noticed after I rinsed it off that some sensitive areas on my face and a couple of "almost pimples" that were trying to peek out had calmed down. My skin was so refreshed. I did feel the need to go ahead and apply moisturizer afterward, but that was okay. I can't say that if you have very difficult problem skin that this will completely eliminate that for you, but I can say that when you use it you just KNOW you are doing something very good for your skin. I swear mine was more supple after use. You also get a sufficient amount of product, enough to last for several months worth of usage or more.

*Updated to add: I wouldn't recommend this for very dry skin, because of the ingredients' pore-tightening and sebum-reducing properties. You just may feel like all the moisture you want to try to keep in your skin gets sucked out! But for oily/problem skin this is better-suited.

Retail Price: $80.00 (aviaspa.com or in the Avia Spa in Santa Barbara, California)

DeLush Rating:

Today's review of The Body Tint is just the first of many reviews of products from the Tom Ford for Estee Lauder Azuree Collection that we'll be featuring this week. Want to try some of the Azuree products for yourself? Register for DeLush Delivered and you'll be entered in this month's giveaway.

What They Say: "Experience the look, the feel, the beauty of azurée, Summer 2006, from the Tom Ford Estée Lauder Collection. Three color palettes, and a body collection that captures the spirit of sultry afternoons that go on forever, and wraps you in the seductive glow of summer. The Body Tint is a liquid body bronzer to smooth over legs and body for the look of summer--all over. Lightly fragranced with the provocative, modern scent of the azurée body collection."

Jen's Experience: I have so many great things to say about this product, I hardly know where to start. Straight out of the bottle, the ginger-colored bronzer is a thick liquid that is easy to control as I spread it on my arms, legs and chest. I found that it's easier to make the color even when I worked with smaller amounts, but I had no trouble correcting areas of over and under-application. This product can also be used to cover up streaks from your self-tanner or even light tan lines. Be sure to wait until the tint is completely dry before putting on your clothing. Luckily, it seems to dry fairly quickly.

The tint itself is very natural, not at all orange, and seems to last a long time even in heat and humidity. I wouldn't recommend it for wearing to the beach or to the pool, but I had no problems dining outdoors on a steamy July evening. And if you're worried about the color sweating into your clothes, I'd recommend testing it at home to get a feel for how it reacts to your body chemistry.

The scent of this bronzer is worlds above any of the self-tanners in my cabinet. In fact, it has the scent of a high-end perfume. I can't help feeling gorgeous when I'm wearing it. It's one of the most exciting products I've tested in a long time.

Retail Price: $28.50 (Saks Fifth Avenue)

Rating:

What They Say: "The art of perfect brows is simplified with this all-in-one brow kit. Features three powder shades, mini tweezers and mini brush for professional results."

Melissa Says: It feels a little decadent, in its shiny black case filled with three blendable brow powders and tiny perfector tools (tweezer, brow brush, and applicator brush), but seeing the end result is just about enough to justify the luxury.

The powders are the perfect sheerness to add depth to brows without making them obviously "touched-up". Utilizing a slightly lighter shade to do most of the filling in and then a shade up to finish creates an incredibly natural-yet-groomed look. The size of the applicator brush may seem ridiculous, but actually when you apply the powder a small bit at a time, you are less likely to go outside of your natural brow shape. Also, you can easily perfect even the tiny outer corners with no obvious shading showing.

This is a great tool for creating that perfect face frame with your brows. And there is plenty of product to last a very long time.

Retail Price: $65.00 (at Chanel online or in select department stores)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Stop searching for "something close" to your cherished shades - we can produce discontinued shades for the Lips, Cheeks, Eyes & Face or help you create your own from scratch! All formulas remain in our personal files for easy re-ordering.

If you would like us to re-create your favorite discontinued shade, we ask that you send us a dime sized sample. We analyze your shade for color, texture and coverage and create a formula that remains in our permanent files!

You can have us create your own shade ~ from a splash of nail color in a baggie, a piece of fabric, a paint chip, a photo from a magazine, two lips colors blended together to create the ideal shade... anything!"

Jen's Experience: I mentioned last week that I talked to Trae Bodge at 3 Custom Color about my biggest beauty challenges, and in addition to concealer, I mentioned that I am always in search of a red that doesn't look like too much against my pale skin and blonde hair. I learned from her that with my cool skin tone but blonde hair, that I can get away with a little bit of warmer colors in my make-up wardrobe than I usually gravitate towards. And then she mixed me the absolute most perfect red for me right there on the spot!

The color is perfect for me to wear to work or even out shopping; I just love the way it just works with my skin and hair. The lipstick itself is really long-lasting and wears evenly, so I don't have to keep checking the mirror to make sure that I don't look like a clown (this is a problem that I have frequently with my other reds). If you live in the New York area or are visiting, I would highly recommend making an appointment at the 3 Custom Color studio to get your own custom lipstick. Another option for those who are in love with a color but it's been discontinued or it's just very hard to find: they will blend you the color and texture of your favorites. It's super easy to order if it's already in their database, but you can also send them a small amount and they'll formulate a replica.

Retail Price: $45.00/2 tubes (Get more details at threecustom.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "CHANEL modernizes matte with a lightweight formula that delivers a soft, natural look with maximum staying power. Medium coverage looks impeccable and shine-free for up to 12 hours."

Melissa Says: If I ever wanted to give a product a 5-lip rating, this is it. Why? Well, because it has truly turned out to be perhaps the most fabulous liquid foundation I've personally used to date. It neutralizes redness, provides ample coverage without hiding the skin, blends invisibly, and gives a flawless radiant look that is still natural.

If I'm being very specific, it doesn't give me quite the 12 hours of no shine, but it comes as close as any liquid foundation has while still allowing my skin to look luminous and completely natural. True, my skin still gets a tad oily on the nose and forehead about midway through the afternoon, but this product does minimize it significantly. If you have very oily skin, this will not completely ease your troubles on its own.

Still, I have never used a liquid foundation that gives a matte sort of finish for several hours while still looking this radiant. I think for many women with normal to only moderately oily skin, you too will be pleased with this product's results. It is pricey, but the size of the bottle is ample and a little goes a long way. I would highly suggest asking the CHANEL consultant at the counter to prepare a small sample for you before you commit to the purchase if you're unsure. As far as liquid foundation is concerned, I personally believe this is among the best to date for those like myself.

p.s. I tested this in Clair, which melted invisibly into my skin. See other shades here.

Retail Price: $52.00 (on Chanel's website or go here to find a retail location near you)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin created The Sensual Skin Enhancer to replicate the look of healthy, radiant, dewy skin. This was his favorite product to create a natural, youthful glow on all his clients. Our long lasting formula can be used on every skin type in many ways to achieve your desired coverage, while allowing your natural skin to show through. Available in 16 shades. May be used with a touch of powder as an alternative to an all over foundation, as a spot concealer to hide imperfections or to lighten target areas, and an all over foundation. Formulated with honey and jojoba oil to condition the skin and create a dewy, fresh radiance.

General Instructions for use: 1) Apply sparingly (a pin sized amount)with your fingertip or concealer brush on top of freshly moisturized or primed skin.Our Sensual Skin Primer was formulated specifically for use with this product. 2) Blend Blend Blend. The more you blend the more seamless it becomes. The warmth of your fingertips will break down the product and set it into the skin. The product will become transfer resistant and emulate the appearance of healthy skin. Start with very little and add more as desired. Because of its concentration, the Sensual Skin Enhancer is unlike any other formula. Once you see how versatile this skin perfecting product is,you can rid of all other foundation products. You can wear it as sheer or as heavy as you prefer.

Additional Tips and Techniques:

-As a Highlighting Foundation- This was Kevyn's favorite way to use this product. Choose a shade lighter than your actual skin tone and apply to areas of the face where light naturally occurs. See Kevyn's book "Making Faces", page 24, for a full visual of this.

- As a Concealer,-use Kevyn’s Concealer Brush and dot sparingly over areas that need to be covered. Make sure that you blend well (your fingers are great tools for this!).

- As an All-Over Foundation, you can try a few different application techniques: (1) After moisturizing or priming your skin, use your fingers to blend the product into the skin. How much product you use will determine how opaque or sheer you want your look to be-remembering again that the product is concentrated. Start sparingly and build coverage as needed.

(2) Using a dampened sponge, apply the product to your face and blend (this application will be sheerer than using your fingers). With both applications 1 and 2, the product will set itself in about five minutes. If you want more of a matte look, apply translucent powder after 5 minutes. Try our Gossamer Loose Powder.

(3) Mix the product with your moisturizer or our Sensual Skin Primer on the back of your hand to make a tinted moisturizer effect. (This is the smoothest and sheerest application). Try our Contour Brush for an easy, smooth looking, airbrushed effect."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I've been contemplating this entry for quite a while now, given my love/not-hate-but-let's-call-it-complex relationship with this product. It took me several attempts to get this down, but once I did it was definitely worth it.

At first, you'll be a little surprised by the thickness of the formula. It's not tacky or sticky, but just a bit thicker than most foundations. Don't let that scare you. And PLEASE, listen to the company's advice when they tell you to use a tiny, tiny amount at first when applying. You will be so sorry if you don't. And be glad the company gives you so many tips for how to use this; they really help!

You know that story about Jesus and the loaves and fish? How they supposedly kept going and going and going? That's the only way I can describe this product to you. It literally spreads and spreads and spreads. It's unlike anything I've ever used before in my life. You definitely want to follow the company's advice to use this on freshly moisturized or primed skin; you don't want any dry patches or unexfoliated skin ANYWHERE when you apply it.

I like to use my fingertips, but I'd also like to try using a makeup sponge sometime to get a feel for the difference in consistency (this is supposed to give you a more sheer effect). It's best to do a small section of your face at a time. Dot a VERY small amount above your cheekbones, on your nose, chin, forehead, etc. Then - BLEND! This is truly the most important step of all. You will be amazed at how this stuff spreads. And it covers so well. I think a key to being happy with this product is matching your skin tone well to the choices they have available. I don't even have to use concealer under my eyes or anywhere else when I use this. And to keep the moisture down (if I want it to be more matte), I just pat a tiny bit of powder. If you know anything about Kevyn Aucoin, you'll know he was FAMOUS for creating the flawless face. That's why I was so excited to try this. The pot looks small, but I swear it will last me a year.

Now, at first you may think it will be a tad dry when you feel it, but let it sink into your skin a bit. It warms on your face and in a few minutes creates a glowy radiance (as long as you have remembered that caking it on is a BIG mistake) that eliminates all redness and evens out your whole face. If you think you this is not natural enough, just wait a little bit and see what happens. Please, please, please: use less than you think you will need. You will thank me. And Kevyn. Go especially easy around any fine line areas (under eyes, between eyebrows, etc.) You can always add more where you need it.

All in all, I really love this product. It's not the most easy to use for beginners, but it just takes some practice to get it right, and then you will be glad to have it on the days you want to really look flawless. As far as results go? This one is a real surprise.

Retail Price: $42.00 (kevynaucoin.com)

DeLush Rating:

As many of you know, I have been on the search for the perfect mascara for months now.  Generally what happens is that the mascara irritates my eyes, my eyes start watering or getting itchy, and then I respond by rubbing them until I look like a scared raccoon.  Blinc's Kiss Me Mascara was recommended by two of our readers, and so I just had to try it!

What They Say: "Blinc’s Kiss Me is the original mascara invented to form tiny, water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes giving them volume and length. Since Kiss Me is not an oil-based paint, it cannot clump, smudge, run or flake – even if you cry or rub your eyes. Only when you are ready, the tiny “tubes’ will effortlessly slide off your lashes into your hand with the combination of warm water and gentle fingertip pressure.

Kiss Me is ideal for those with sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers, performers and active people in search of mascara whose look, hold and ease of removal is without compromise. Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your workout and then out to dinner, Kiss Me mascara will look as radiant in the evening as it did when you first applied it in the morning."

Jen's Experience:  I am truly amazed.  I finally have a mascara that I love.   Blinc's mascara is so vastly different from any other product on the market.  When I put it on, it completely coats my lashes with no trouble, but it doesn't clump up and give the spider leg effect.   The part that really stuns me is that it doesn't run or flake.  At all.  When I wear it to work, there's no football-player smudges underneath my eyes by lunch time.  In fact, when I take a bath late at night and I rinse my face off with a washcloth, all the little tubes that have been coating my eyelashes come right off and are on my washcloth.  This is the only mascara I've ever had that is anywhere near my lashes after 14 hours.  That's why Blinc Kiss Me Mascara is the first mascara that I am rating as Totally DeLush!

Retail Price: $24.00 (Sephora)

Rating:

Since we first posted about the release of LipFusion's revolutionary new lip plumper, we've been getting tons of inquiries about it and whether or not is really works.  It's been advertised in all the latest magazines, and celebrities like Carmen Electra and Shannon Elizabeth are listed as big fans.  DeLush was thrilled to receive a sample of this so that we could share our experience with you.

From the Sephora website:  "The next generation of lip plumpers has arrived. LipFusion is a clear treatment gloss infused with revolutionary technology to plump lips instantly – no kidding.

How it works: Tiny, dehydrated, marine collagen micro spheres are instantly absorbed by the lips, and seek out the body’s natural moisture. As soon as the spheres become re-hydrated, they plump and hold onto the moisture they’ve collected, creating a mild “swelling” of the lip tissue. The result is fuller, smoother, perfectly plumped lips in seconds. Results can last for up to 48 hours.

Breaking News! Lip Fusion has earned the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal, after being evaluated by the prestigious Good Housekeeping Institute, the consumer product testing branch of Good Housekeeping magazine. "We are thrilled that LipFusion is among a select list of beauty products backed by the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal, a well-known symbol of confidence in consumer products," said Melissa Shabinsky, President and Co-Founder of Fusion Beauty. Prognosis: LipFusion instantly plumps the lips.

To use: Apply morning and evening or as needed to moisturize and plump the lips throughout the day. Can also be applied over or under lip color."

Jen's Experience:  When I first read the description of LipFusion and how it works, it sounded terrific but too good to be true.  I am happy to report that it really works!  I got my sample in the mail right before a weekend vacation to Las Vegas, the perfect place to give it a try.  The first thing I noticed was that it tastes great without being too overpowering.  It tingles for the first 10 minutes or so after you put it on, and the effects are visible almost immediately.  One of the things I really liked about it was that, although it's clear, it produces a really nice light pink color once I've applied it to my lips.  I didn't want to stain the applicator brush, so I haven't been applying it over my makeup.  It looks great alone, but it's fantastic as a lipstick primer.  Because it plumps up your lips, it really even out the texture of your lips and makes sparkly lip glosses look like perfection.  It's tempting to wear it alone, but the effects seem to last longer when you put lipstick or gloss on top of it.    I found that the effects are cumulative: if you put it on in the morning and again when you go out at night, you will see the lip plumping action last longer and longer with continued use.  A splurge?  Absolutely.  But absolutely worth every penny.

Retail Price: $36.00 (Available exclusively at Sephora)

Rating:

What They Say: "This uniquely concentrated, versatile hair rejuvenator contains 100 percent Ojon palm nut oil to improve the condition of damaged, color-treated, or processed hair without weighing it down. Fortifying, rebuilding, and nourishing, it leaves hair extraordinarily shiny, silky, and manageable.

To use:
As a Deep Conditioning Treatment: Warm ½ teaspoon full in the palms of your hands (more for longer hair) and distribute onto to dry hair from scalp to ends, leave on for 10-20 minutes, and shampoo well.

As a Leave-In Conditioner: Warm a small amount in the palms of your hands until it becomes a lightweight oil, and distribute thoroughly through towel-dried hair. Style as usual.

As a Shine Enhancer: Heat a very small amount in the palms of your hands and smooth over the surface of dry-styled hair."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: Oh. My. ...Where to begin? When I first got this I thought, "how the heck do I do this?" Upon opening the container, I saw a little comb for spreading through the hair, a mini foldout sheet with info, and a lip to put inside the jar to seal it under the lid once you've broken the plastic inner seal (because of the product's consistency, it's very important to retain its moisture and keep its temperature average - though they say if it gets too warm and liquefies, you can put it in the refrigerator to get it back to its original texture).

The product is semi-solid, brown and soft in texture, and quickly turns to a golden oil as soon as you warm it between your palms. I apply it with my hands and use about 2 1/2 finger-scoops for my semi-short hair. Then I use the supplied comb to spread it evenly throughout. After the waiting time, I shampoo it out.

I was afraid that this might really weigh my hair down and/or make it look extremely greasy. NOT SO. I was thoroughly ecstatic to get soft, shiny, and non-flyaway hair after using it. Now, keep in mind that I have semi-coarse, thick hair. So try to take that into consideration as you try this out on fine hair - perhaps just use a little less of the product. All I can tell you is that my hair didn't get weighed down at all, and I hadn't had a hair day that good for a few months. It has a wonderful earthy, clean scent (don't worry, it does tone down a little after you rinse it out) which stays in your hair for a few days. It kind of makes me feel like some sort of tropical princess.

I am addicted.

P.S. - Word has it that the hairstylist from "The O.C." uses this on the cast and crew.

Retail Price: $55.00 (available at Sephora.com)
Get more info about Ojon at www.ojonhaircare.com.

DeLush Rating:

Jen Tried It: I'm not sure why, but I don't have any CHANEL fragrances in my collection. It's especially surprising to me now, after testing this body cream and shower gel, both of which I LOVE. The body cream is perfect in every way: a small amount is plenty to moisturize my legs throughout the day. It seeps in just enough to do the trick without being greasy, but at the same time, the dreamy fragrance remains noticeable throughout the day. The scent of the shower gel doesn't linger quite as long, but makes for a lovely shower before special events or a big day at work. These are certainly a splurge in today's economic conditions, but would make an excellent gift for Mother's Day...or just a special treat for yourself. Body Cream, $75.00. Shower Gel, $47.50. Department Stores or Chanel.com.

What They Say: "Light Comes From Within is a sheer, luminous fragrance that celebrates new beginnings. Its sparkling bergamot top note introduces a captivatingly fresh middle note accord of freesia, honeysuckle and night blooming jasmine. Fresh oceanic musk and white cedar form a base note accord of subtle depth. This fragrance evokes dancing California sunlight, coastal air and more ethereal manifestations of nature's beauty."

What Melissa Says: The floral combination in this fragrance is so pretty; it's perfectly balanced and very feminine, without any overpowering bite. When it starts out, it remind me slightly of a delicate lily-of-the-valley scent, and once it develops on the skin it warms into a fabulously romantic blend. I also didn't find staying power to be an issue with this fragrance at all. This is actually one of my favorites from what I've tried in the past few months. If I were in the market to splurge on a perfect summer feminine scent, I'd consider this one well worth the purchase.

Retail Price: $95.00 (at creativescent.com or go here to find a retail location near you)

(Remember, DeLush doesn't rate fragrances due to differences in taste and body chemistry. Choose "Perfumes" under Product Type in the dropdown box for more fragrance ideas.)

What They Say: "Bryant Park is the inspiration for and name of Bond No. 9's 28th and most fashion-oriented eau de parfum: a rose-patchouli concoction with pink pepper added for dissonance.

Notes: Lily of the Valley, Rhubarb, Pink Pepper, Rose, Patchouli, Raspberry, Amber"

Melissa Says: In my opinion there's simply no way to fully appreciate this scent unless you get a chance to smell how it develops on your skin. It starts out fairly crisp and has a bit of a floral bite to it, and it then begins to get this incredible spicy but subtle warmth. The patchouli is barely distinguishable, in case that's something that might make you shy away from the description. It all just blends together into a luscious mix, with the raspberry coming through at the end nicely. Overall, this is a flirtatious yet sophisticated fragrance that is not too overpowering (but a little does go a long way).

Retail Price: $125 for 1.7 fl oz (50 ml) or $185 for 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) (at bondno9.com)

(Remember, DeLush doesn't rate fragrances due to differences in taste and body chemistry. Choose "Perfumes" under Product Type in the dropdown below for more fragrance ideas.)

What They Say: "We have been working long and hard to bring this line to Luckyscent, and to the United States, after falling in love with these extraordinary scents from Italy. Profumum comes to us from Rome, but its origins stretch further back to a small town called Sant Elena Sannita and a family with a long history of being artisans. When Celestino and Lucia Durante left Sant Elena for Rome after the Second World War, they took a pride of craftsmanship and history that they passed on to their offspring. They opened a tiny storefront, which over time grew into a chain of stores, featuring curios, hand-made soaps, fragrances and beauty products and this chain of shops was passed down to the grandchildren of Celestino and Luisa, who decided in 1996 to start a line of exclusive fragrances. These scents are exquisitely crafted to evoke emotions, memories and a sense of their beloved Italy. These rich and layered fragrances are designed to work equally well on men and women, and, amazingly, they really do. We are proud to introduce to you the wonderful scents of Profumum."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: This is an incredible collection of unique, inviting fragrances. You really have to go check out the descriptions of each to get an idea of the style of these fragrances. They last a long time and warm well on your skin, with rich, nature-inspired notes that will have people asking what you are wearing. They aren't "girly" or "flowery", but more like a sophisticated, warm interpretation of natural oils and scents. Some are unisex. I would say that if you are used to wearing essential oils or like the idea of something less "perfumey", these are definitely worth a test.

My favorites? Acqua e Zucchero - a warm musky-sweet honey (almost caramel), Fiori d'Ambra - an amber-based scent that warms to a subtle sweetness, and Patchouly, a unique mix of patchouli.

*These are NOT CHEAP, so I would highly recommend ordering samples from LuckyScent before you dish out for the full shebang.

Retail Price: $190 (exclusively at LuckyScent.com)

(Remember, DeLush does not give ratings to fragrances because each individual has unique preferences and body chemistry that affect their experience with scents. What we want to do is give you our best explanation of the fragrance from our experience and let you know about the staying power, etc. For more fragrance ideas, just go to the "Perfumes" category to see what else we've tried!)