This one is for all you fragrance lovers! One of the joys of staying at home for the last few months has been the ability to test out new perfumes without running the risk of offending co-workers or random strangers on the metro with scents that don’t sit right. To take advantage of this, I’ve been working my way through all of the rose-based perfumes from Heretic Parfum, one of my absolute favorite fragrance brands. Rose can easily go old lady or soapy, so I was thrilled when I realized this innovative company had done so many different variations. Here’s my take on Heretic’s take on rose!

*Note, some of these scents are limited edition and sell out quickly. 

Coco Rose – It may be the dual association with fleshy tropical coconut and Coco Chanel that makes me think of something a little fun yet sophisticated with Coco Rose. The drydown brings out the roundness (not quite literal) of the coconut, while the rose lifts it away from piña colada territory and into something much more playful. Awesome staying power.

R/Oud – Heretic does two rose and oud combinations, R/Oud and Amber Rose. R/Oud hits you with amber right on top and veers towards darker incense. With notes of Moroccan rose (my favorite of the rose varieties), I was expecting to dive headfirst into R/Oud, but the woody tones slightly overpower the delicate spiciness of the rose. If you lean towards a headier fragrance with rose in the background, this might be the perfect scent for you.

Amber Rose – Unlike R/Oud, the woodsy tones are pared back and the freshness of the rose shines a little brighter. The natural pairing of vanilla and benzoin give a warm, bourbon undertone. It’s mouthwatering without going too far down the gourmand route. Amber Rose is the kind of fragrance that subtly invites an embrace without being overpowering.

Naked Rose – As expected, Naked Rose is for the true rose lover. As a soliflore, the scent is subtle yet straightforward. The clarity and beauty of the Turkish rose is that it isn’t encumbered by the spiciness of a Moroccan rose or the honeyed depths of the Bulgarian variety. It is sweet and pure, hinting at the antique and the new: the freshness of crushed rose petals mixed with perfumery traditions that go back thousands of years. It is singular in every sense of the word.

Dirty Rose – You’d be forgiven for thinking the ‘dirty’ in Dirty Rose would be reminiscent of the woodsy or earthy tones found in Flower Porn, or even something spicy and sensual. However, this one really threw me for a loop. The first whiff gives off sprightly hints of fresh lemon and bergamot. As the rose emerges, it’s a gentle embrace of Rose de Mai (which always strikes me as one of the rounder, sweeter rose varieties). You also get the mouthwatering juiciness of apricot, a surprising player derived from Heretic’s infrequent but ingenious use of isolates. It’s surprisingly clean, and I found myself initially wanting a hint of smoke to dirty it up a bit (a quick spritz of Smudge would do the tricky nicely). Even on its own, however, it’s a beautiful and totally wearable fragrance that firmly stands within Heretic’s ‘Dirty’ range.

What do you think – has Heretic convinced you to try a rose fragrance? Or were you already a rose lover? Let me know in the comments below if there’s another fragrance you’d like me to review!

Maggie

It seems like overnight we went from eagerly anticipating the onset of spring and the first cherry blossom blooms to full-on quarantine and social distancing. While it can certainly feel like so much is out of our control, there are small ways in which we can make a difference in our community and supporting local businesses. Joining me in my quest for small business love are two of my favorite local beauty bloggers – Yenny from EcoChic Beauty and Stephanie from Beauty Unhyped. We’ve compiled a list of all of our favorite local beauty retailers, brands, and a few extra favorites, along with their current status and ways you can show them some love. Hopefully together we can make a difference.

This list is subject to change as circumstances evolve, and will be updated accordingly. 

Local Beauty Retailers

Take Care Shop owner Becky Waddell is currently offering virtual skincare and makeup consults.

Take Care Shop – Take Care Shop is currently closed, but you can still shop online. DMV orders ship free with purchases of $50 or more. You can purchase e-gift cards, shop online, or sign up for a Long Distance Consult with owner Becky Waddell. Becky has also published a fantastic guide for ways to support COVID-19 impacted business and communities, check it out here.

Follain Bethesda Row – Follain is currently closed until March 28th, but you can still shop online. Follain is paying their employees for their scheduled hours through the end of the month.

Ivy Wild – Ivy Wild is currently closed, but you can still shop online. Orders ship free with purchases of $50 or more, and they’re offering curated Care Packages with three hand-selected products with themes like Virtual Happy Hour and Out of Office.

Brown Beauty Co-Op – Brown Beauty Co-Op is currently closed, but you can still shop online. All orders ship free and you can also book an online product consultation.

Veer & Wander – Veer & Wander is currently closed, but you can still shop online from their San Francisco-based salon. All orders ship free.

Sense DC Apothecary – The Sense DC apothecary is currently closed.

Local Brands

Brands like Skincando are offering discounts on nourishing products aimed at dry hands.

Skincando – Skincando is fully operational and you can continue to purchase Skincando products online. Skincando is offering 10% off the cult-classic Combat-Ready Balm, and a portion of sales will go to We Are Family DC (a service that brings meals and companionship to senior citizens in the DMV).

Naturally London – Naturally London is fully operational and you can continue to purchase their botanically-based foot care products online (orders currently shipping free, no code needed) or through Take Care Shop.

Handmade Habitat – The Handmade Habitat studio is closed to the public, but you can continue to purchase their signature candles and body products online. Currently offering free USPS Priority Shipping on orders over $35 with the code “STAYHOME”. Candl making workshops are currently on hold.

Nourish & Refine – Nourish & Refine is fully operational and you can continue to purchase their facial and body care products online. Currently offering 15% off, free shipping, and a deluxe size sample with every order.

HunnyBunny – HunnyBunny is fully operational and you can continue to purchase their soaps and body products online for pickup, shipping, or free local delivery (in Washington, DC only).

Blue Lemon Beauty – Fully operational and you can continue to purchase their facial products online (free shipping on all orders).

Service Providers

Many salons and spas, like the Spa at Take Care, have started Virtual Tip Jars and GoFundMe pages for their estheticians and staff. 

Green Revolution Skin Studio – Currently closed until April 6th. Now offering select skincare products for sale via an online store, as well as virtual skincare appointments (email info.grskinstudio@gmail.com). You can also purchase gift cards for future use.

The Garden Spa – Currently closed.

Spa at Take Care – Currently closed. Have started a Virtual Tip Jar for estheticians. You can purchase e-gift cards for future services.

Nusta Spa – Currently closed and have suspended automatic membership dues until they reopen. Gift cards are still available online.

Nailsaloon –  Currently closed, have had to lay off staff. Asking for donations to the Team Nailsaloon Relief Fund. 100% of the money raised will go directly to technicians, front desk team and cleaning crews.

Nothing in Between (NIB) Salon – Currently closed through the end of March. Recommended ways of support include purchasing a gift card (20% of sales will go to team members), writing a positive review on Google or Yelp, and sharing via social media.

Varnish Lane – Currently closed. Customers can still purchase gift certificates online for future use. Have started a gofundme to raise money for staff.

Sense DC – Currently closed for 14 days with the goal to re-open on March 31st. Not currently offering gift cards or pre-payment for services.

Other Local Retailers

A number of retailers like Salt & Sundry are offering curated care packages and no-contact curbside pickup for orders. Photo courtesy of Salt & Sundry.

The Outrage – DC community space closed to the public, but they are offering the space for emergency mobilization (food distribution or resources centers). Email membership@the-outgrage.com. All merchandise is still available online and they are running a Postcard Project to employ people who have lost jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Shop Made in DC – Retail stores are closed, but you can shop online or purchase gift cards. Offering curated care packages (the DC Cherry Blossom Box currently ships free with code CREATIVEDISTANCE).

Steadfast Supply – Retail storefront closed. Now offering virtual shopping through their Instagram page, with curb-side pickup options (in Ballston and Navy Yard) or free delivery on orders over $50.

Salt & Sundry – Retails stores closed but you can shop online or buy a gift card, offering curb-side local pickup and delivery. Offering curated care packages and Goods to Go shopping options available Tues – Sat.

Three Littles – Union Market store closed, website should be operational by 3/26. You can shop via their Instagram, local delivery options available.

Cherry Blossom Creative – Retail store currently closed but you can still shop their collection of hand-painted DC neighborhood maps online. Also offering ‘Stay Home Kits‘ including a Local Writing Kit (which includes an Appointed Co. notebook and Handmade Habitat candle) and a Stay Home Correspondence Kit (mystery selection of five greeting cards), plus gift cards.

Fitness

Studios like East Side Yoga (above) have transitioned to online classes via apps like Trainerize and Zoom. Photo courtesy of East Side Yoga. 

Micha Shines – Personal trainer offering virtual sessions via the Trainerize App, including nutritional coaching. Also leading virtual Zumba and HIIT classes on Facebook for Balance Gym. Email michashines@gmail.com for training options.

East Side Yoga – Studio closed. Remote yoga classes available via regular class sign-up on MindBody (a link will be emailed prior to each class). Classes start at $25 for a drop in, and the studio is offering a 2-week unlimited pass for $35 (including prenatal yoga).

Down Dog Yoga – Studios closed. Remote yoga classes are available on live.downdogyoga.com with a recommended $15 donation per class. They will also be offering a several miniseries of classes available for $9.99 each.

Local Artists

Mural by Kelly Towles, kellytowles.com

Kelly Towles – Studio is open for limited visits (you can send a request for a visit direct on Instagram), and you can shop original artwork online at The Holy Bones.

She DC – Shop Made in DC’s women’s only exhibition with work from over 100 DC-based artists. Works are available online with $15 flat rate shipping in the US.

Maggie O’Neill – Studio at the Wharf is currently closed to visitors, but you can still shop her work online.

Meg Biram – You can shop a selection of prints (including the instant favorite Lady Tee) online.

I frequently chat with friends about skincare questions, everything from the best place to find natural beauty treatments in a new city to total routine overhauls. I thought this would be a great resource to share with you all in a “Green My Routine” series. First up – sensitivity and redness!

Start your day off right – I’m a big fan of the morning cleanse, but too many products can agitate already sensitive skin. In order to keep your skin calm and happy, consider everything you’re starting the day off with. Do you wash your washcloths with a heavily-scented laundry detergent? How hot is the water you put on your face? All of these factors can aggravate the skin and potentially contribute to redness. A few tips:

Cleanse the skin with a quick swipe of rosewater on a cotton pad or washcloth (preferably one washed with unscented detergent). 

Alteya Organics Organic Bulgarian Rose Water ($25)

Kahina Giving Beauty Moroccan Rose Water ($38)

Tammy Fender Bulgarian Rose Water ($65)

If you want a deeper morning cleanse, consider a gentle creamy cleanser that can be washed off with warm, not hot, water. And remember, this includes avoiding a blast of hot water from your shower. As Caroline Hirons once put it, avoid your hot shower water like it has greatly offended you.

Trilogy Cream Cleanser ($38)

Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser ($50)

Osea Ocean Cleansing Milk ($54)

Feeling Blue – If you follow color theory, calm blue is the cool counterpart to fiery red. While I typically avoid lots of strong essential oils in skincare generally, I particularly love products with calming ingredients like Blue Tansy and Helycriseum when my skin is feeling painful or particularly inflamed.

Khus Khus Sans Age Face Serum ($80)

Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm Cream ($85)

May Lindstrom The Blue Cocoon ($180)

Keep It Balanced – When your skin is feeling sensitive and perhaps undergoing a redness flareup, the last thing you want is a heavy layer of makeup caked on. I love products that help balance the skin and take down the redness before you even reach for the foundation.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator ($35) 

Pai Chamomile and Rosehip Calming Day Cream ($60)

Vapour Stratus Soft Focus Skin Perfector ($60) 

There you have it – some of my favorite products for skin suffering from redness and sensitivity! I hope this was helpful and please let me know what products you would recommend, or which routine you would like to see next!

I’ll admit it, for a long time I was not a perfume girl. It just seemed like something that never really clicked – maybe I didn’t quite have the nose for it. It wasn’t until I had the very fortunate circumstances of working alongside Susannah Compton of Florescent during my brief stint at Follain that I really started to appreciate fragrance for its artistry and ability to transform.

Cut to a year ago when I was furiously underway with plans for my wedding. I was trying to carve out a few special areas that would be truly and uniquely myself, little details that wouldn’t get lost in the fray. I decided to go as bold as I could, and reached out to Susannah to see if she would consider making a bespoke fragrance for my wedding day. I thank my lucky stars that she said yes!

We started with a phone call, that was half laughing and catching up and half getting down to business. We talked through my favorite perfumes and what I wanted to feel from something that would capture such a special moment. I envisioned a variation of Susannah’s classic Sundays perfume, a heady blend of jasmine that first captured my imagination years before. Instead of jasmine, a romantic rose mixed with a slightly sexy, grounding base was what we decided on. After that, it was time for the master to go to work.

A few days later, a box arrived with my first homework assignment. Susannah explained that there were three layers, or notes, to a perfume, consisting of the top, middle, and base. In addition to identifying the individual scents that I wanted, she would also need to come up with the right ratio to create a balanced fragrance. The first step was picking the ingredients.

This part of the process was like opening up a jumbo crayon box and realizing you’ve been coloring with a pencil. “Rose” became a husky version from Bulgaria, a sweet version from Turkey, and an absolutely magical version from Morocco. Base notes of Palo Santo and Frankincense travelled far and wide, and Italian Bergamot was like nothing I had ever encountered. I spent an evening closing my eyes and taking notes on each one, marveling at how different a single flower or wood could be. Dutifully scoring each one, I reported back with my favorites in each category. A few weeks later, a new box appeared and we repeated the process.

Before I knew it, the big day had arrived and so had my magical fragrance. After playing with a few variations of the final blend, Susannah created a mixture of two types of vetiver (giving it that spicy sexiness), two types of rose absolute (the romantic and traditional element), clary sage, clary sage absolute, styrax and benzoin. The high concentration of rose gave the perfume a beautiful deep gold color, and holding it up to the light made it look like molten sunshine. In the end, Susannah made a small rollerball to carry with me (shown above), a solid balm to warm up with the skin throughout the day, and a full size bottle to spray generously and often.

Now, every morning starts with a spritz (or four) of this beautiful perfume, taking me back to a day filled with love and friendship. With one whiff, I’m reminded of the generosity of a dear friend who turned me into a fragrance girl after all!

*Photo credit at the top goes to my amazing wedding photographer Joriann of Chris Joriann Photography.