It’s mid-August. If it’s summer in your locale, folks are on vacation, at the beach, at the pool, stuck at home or the office, eating fresh, ripe tomatoes and the last of the peaches … you get the idea. (If you’re Portia you’re waiting for your laundry to dry due to non-stop rain.) I thought this would be the perfect time for an #influenced post. In the comments, let me know what items, perfume or otherwise, you were influenced to buy after seeing a review — Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, anyone? Here’s a couple from me to start the ball rolling.
Even goofier in the dark!
First up, this Haloral teeth whitening kit. I saw it in a video from a smaller YouTuber who styles a lot of thrifted garments. Given her niche, she’s not constantly shilling for various influencer-darling clothing lines, which I appreciate. Anyway, she did a video on random items she’s bought that turned out better than she expected. I liked the idea that it allegedly wouldn’t sensitize your teeth the way peroxide gels do, I’ve tried those and cannot deal. I’ve been using the gel + device for … 3 (?) weeks and it’s definitely made a difference; the session lasts ~15 minutes and then it turns itself off with a beep. It’s not uncomfortable in my small mouth and my teeth aren’t sensitized (they haven’t crumbled and fallen out either) so I’m going to keep doing it daily-ish for a bit and then switch into some kind of maintenance schedule. Bonus: Carolyn gets a laugh every time the glowing tray’s all lit up in my mouth and I’m looking ridiculous. That’s also when she likes to start conversations and ask questions that I can’t answer while I’m muzzled.
Next, the Juste Filthy and Scatamalis fragrances from Jeffrey Dame. I read Tom’s review and went immediately to the link he shared and purchased samples on Olfactif. We figured out later that if you buy them from the Jeffrey Dame website the shipping’s free (I think?), so if you’re at all curious … it’s no secret that I like a ripe fragrance. Maybe some civet, some jasmine, bring me alllll the indolic and/or animalic nonsense. My hot take: Juste Filthy is gorgeous. Dirty, yes, but also gorgeous. Tom’s right, it smells like an old-school zaftig fragrance. I’ve also been playing with Scatamalis (which is the “enhancer” made of just the base of Juste Filthy) and in small doses it’s the perfect if your fragrance could use a bit of smutty, feral underpinnings. Carolyn feels the same way, so it’s not just me acting crazy.
Your turn! What have you been #influenced to buy? How has it worked out?
cover image via Pexels; screenshot from Haloral website
You guys are the only influencers I follow!
Ha! Tom started me on that road to Tree Hut! I moved into that But and remain here, happily!
March is responsible for several cosmetics, including my beloved Fenty powder foundationp
One of you darling Posse mentioned Uriage lip balm – I tried it and am now a devotee!!!
I got the Uriage too! Wonder who that was on here … and of course I’m fully Tree Hut at this point. That Fenty is incredible. I thought it would be too dry and matte, but it … is not.
It is PERFECTION
Well, I went through my inventory and the list is very telling. You guys are bad for the bottom line! 😀 Here’s the “charges:” Tom — guilty of Detchema, Lush Grass, and a long list of vintage movies I need to watch!; Portia — Etro Messe de Minuit, lots of bath gels, and a long list of green scents I want to sniff; Musette — Hawaiian Tropic, of course, FM Synthetic Jungle, and a shared love of Acqua di Parma Magnolia Nobile and Iris Nobile and No 5; March — Chanel No 19 Poudre, Cartier Declaration, which she said smells like fresh clean sweat, and Nars hot wire gloss pot back in the day. Cinnamon’s taste in gourmand scents is something I don’t share, but she’s introduced me to a lot of lines I didn’t know about. Still love and appreciate her blogs!
Bahahahahahaha — that Declaration! I don’t “need” a full bottle but my decant is gone, I should get some more. Oh Nars Hotwire! I really miss some of the OG Nars colors.
I read very few blogs anymore. Most of the ones I liked are gone and I rarely bother with “influencers”. They usually influence me to stay away.
Everyone here however……I have a sample order coming in that includes – SL Muscs Koublai Kahn – (Tom)
Jo Malone Jasmin Sambac & Marigold – (March).
And, of course, Hawaiian Tropic! Then there’s SALUX! – (Musette). Portia and my Creed order. Everyone for NVC Eshal. That’s just off the top of my head. There are many others, enablers all. Perhaps that’s all part of the fun?
Once Tik Tok emerged I was done — I’m barely on Instagram. Oooooh, I hope you like the Jasmine Sambac, I bought a bottle and I’ve been wearing it, love it in the summer heat. Hawaiian Tropic, yes. Salux, YES ME TOO (also Musette.) I do think it’s part of the fun!
I jumped on the Hawaiian Tropic bandwagon too. I love that smell. And I bought the new version of Bain du Soleil orange gelee (not by them and with decent SPF) so I am tanning like the 70’s without the skin cancer..
Oh! Is it giving you the right gelee smell and vibe? I hear they (it’s by Vacation, right?) totally workshopped that to match the original with the exception of SPF.
I’m always a sucker for a Cheap & Cheerful post, think I got a travel of Fancy Nights due to Portia and a box of Rose Jam goodies due to the various lemmings.
Cheap and cheerful is definitely a temptation for me, especially if I can order it online on AMZ or wherever. I drove an hour to get the Rose Jam and the Sticky Dates!
I bought a handbag a number of years ago after seeing various videos etc of it. Loved it when it arrived but strangely went off it quite quickly. eBayed it and put the earnings into another bag I really do love.
I take perfume ideas from here or other blogs — except — ha — that subscription thing I did which I cancelled after two go-rounds (having spent no money). Lesson learned.
Bags are funny. We have our very particular likes, and sometimes we don’t even KNOW until we carry the bag for a bit, which is unfortunate. Almost all of my bags are second hand (eBay etc.) If I don’t like it, back out it goes. Also Ha! on that subscription, I’ve already deleted the name from my memory bank.
Heya March,
Yep, we had a break in the rain this morning but no sunshine so still wet clothing on lines.
I’m really heavily influenced by the Posse. Current case in point, a blind buy bottle of La Dompteuse Encagée by Serge Lutens winging its way towards me from Cinnamon’s review (and Tom, if I remember rightly).
Bought Jin the Aussie version of that Borg-like teeth whitener experience because of friends who had good experiences.
Over on NST I often fall for their Daily Lemming products but have not bought any of them, yet. Some are on the list.
Lastly, Undina asked about Atelier Colognes disappearing in the USA a while back. I recently noticed that FragranceNet sells the 10ml cologne absolue sprays very cheaply and ordered some.
So yes, fully open to influences/influencers.
Portia xx
I hope you love this and look forward to reading your thoughts.
I have a generous decant of Dompteuse thanks to Cinnamon’s review, it’s lovely. Glad to know I’m not the only one willing to try out the Borg teeth whitener! And I’ve gotten some AMAZING deals on FragranceNet.
Are you kidding? You people both influence AND enable. Just how many of the posts I’ve done on here have been your fault? (Just think what would happen if we all got in the same place! Gravity might warp!)
Definitely need to try and see Tom.
Hahaha! Those “blame Tom / Musette / March” tags have come in handy.