A Few Things That Just Might Spice Up Your Sense of Style
Tired of all that predictability when shopping for perfume? You sniff one, sniff another, buy whichever you like best. Where’s the drama? Where’s the risk? Shake it up a little, says reflect.com, and take a walk on the fragrance-by-Internet side.
Reflect.com, which custom-blends cosmetics, added scents to its repertoire last month along with a process they call “heart and soul,” designed to unearth your perfect signature aroma. The site administers a quasi-personality test, complete with deep questions such as “If you were a house, would you be a maintenance-free townhouse or a ranch in the country?” and uses your answers to determine your “heart” (the essence of your perfume) and “soul” (accent notes). From those, it custom-blends three scent samples you can order for $5. If you like what they’ve made, buy the full size, which will be engraved with a name you’ve chosen, for $35 more.
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We missed it, ladies: the first-ever men’s thong-a-thon. Two months ago in New York, 15 men decked out only in bright, metallic thongs and sneakers ran 40 blocks through the city during rush hour to show--well--most everything, but also to show that sexy undies are no longer just for women.
Our consolation, however, might just come over the holidays, because the extremely brief briefs made by the new brand Intimo come in just the right size for stocking stuffing.
But if your guy’s a little too shy to flaunt that much flesh, don’t despair. Intimo uses slightly more material in its PJs and boxers (some of which are sheer). Look for them at Nordstrom, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor, or shop online at https://www.intimo.com. Prices range from $10 to $125.
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“I don’t do ‘fat styles,’ you understand. My clothes aren’t full and big. They’re tailored and shaped,” says Mo’Nique, who plays Nikki on UPN’s “The Parkers.” Earlier this month, at Ronda’s Boutique in Woodlawn, Md., she debuted “BBLI,” a clothing line that takes its inspiration from its name--which stands for “big, beautiful and loving it.”
BBLI sizes range from 14 to 32, and the line--which consists of casual separates, suits and evening wear--has a strong attention to detail that is often forgotten in the mostly amorphous world of large-women’s fashion.
“Instead of a plain, brown dress, my dress may have a dip, a curve and a twist,” says Mo’Nique.
The clothes sell for $25 (pleated trousers) to $1,200 (silk evening pantsuit) and are available online at https://www.moniquesbbli.com.
