Katrina

M Mariah Carey by Carlos Benaim and Loc Dong for Mariah Carey 2007

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Post by Katrina

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Mariah Carey has released 14 perfumes to date and most of them are in cute bottles in a range of different colours with a butterfly cap. Many of Mariah’s gorgeous butterfly bottles contain sugary sweet and fruity perfumes like the Lollipop Bling and Lollipop Splash lines. The original purple bottle though is something quite different.

M Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey 2007

Carlos Benaim and Loc Dong

M Mariah Carey FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives the following notes:
Top: Marshmallow, sea notes
Heart: Tiara, gardenia
Base: Amber, patchouli, Moroccan incense

M by Mariah Carey in the very cute purple butterfly bottle was the first perfume released by Mariah Carey. M is quite a heavy mature floral fragrance in contrast to the rest of her sweet fruity floral fragrances perfumes. Mariah Carey has a wide range of different fragrance styles and Mariah Carey M is definitely a more mature fragrance.

Clotty from Fragrantica says: When I first sprayed this, I thought it smelled very familiar. Now I know what it is. It smells similar to what a vintage-formulation of Dior Poison smells like on the dry down.

NowGet2WorkBitch on Fragrantica says: Love this! it smells like marshmallows and is very sweet but when u wear it it also has hints of incense too but doesn’t lose it’s marshmallow scent which is just amazing!

2009 Armed Forces Inaugural CommitteePhoto Stolen WikiCommons

Mariah Carey M starts out with gardenia that is quite heavy and could be overpowering if you sprayed too much. There is also the scent of salty sea air. The sea note is one element of this fragrance that I really enjoy. Contrasting the salt is the sweetness of marshmallow, which is blended in without adding too much sweetness but it does smell delicious. Mariah Carey M is not a very sweet perfume, the fragrance is really dominated by the gardenia, a strong floral note until the base notes take over. M evolves with incense and patchouli giving the perfume an exotic oriental floral style. M is a strong feminine perfume with character and complexities. This is a beautiful perfume that I love to wear. M Mariah Carey is a grown up perfume in a girly bottle.

M Mariah Carey Beautiful WikiMediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

Further reading: Now Smell This
FragranceNet has M By Mariah Carey from $21.12/50ml
My Perfume Samples starts at $2/ml

For more celebrity perfume reviews, check out my Celebrity Perfume Website

If you haven’t tried M by Mariah Carey I hope you give it a chance.
Katrina xx

Antonio Banderas Spirit for Woman 2005

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Post by Katrina

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As winter approaches we had our first cool day yesterday after what has seemed like a never-ending summer. Finally time to put away my summer scents. My summer fragrances are fresh, light and breezy. I like to wear fruity florals and aquatic style perfumes when the weather is hot. As the weather cools I prefer warm spicy perfumes. The perfume I reached for today is one I prefer to wear in cooler weather…….

Antonio Banderas Spirit for Woman 2005

Spirit for Woman Antonio Banderas FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives the following notes.
Top: Citrus, plum
Heart: Peony, freesia, orange blossom
Base: Sandalwood, musk

I love all the notes listed here and when I bought the perfume untested I was so happy to find that it was all that I hoped for and more. Antonio Banderas Spirit for women is warm, spicy, sensual and classy.

Spirit for Woman Antonio Banderas WikiPediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

Spirit opens with gorgeous rich deep plum and spicy sandalwood. These are strong notes but the perfume is not at all overpowering. The perfume develops with pretty floral notes that undertone the sandalwood. The floral notes add a touch of femininity to the perfume although they are quite subtle. I love sandalwood and this woody note dominates the fragrance for me. The perfume dries down to a warm spicy musk that lasts for hours. Spirit is just as sexy and classy as Antonio Banderas himself.

The sandalwood and spice make Spirit smell a bit masculine. Men could definitely wear Spirit for women despite the pink, curvy bottle. Spirit for women smells unisex but there is also a version of Antonio Banderas Spirit for men.

Spirit for Woman Antonio Banderas Evita FilmWebPhoto Stolen FilmWeb
(Problem using this image? Tell me, I’ll remove immediately)

Antonio Banderas Spirit for women is an award winning oriental perfume produced by Puig. Spirit won a US FiFi award in 2006 for Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Popular Appeal category.

FragranceNet has Antonio Banderas Spirit for Woman under $9/30ml

For more celebrity perfume news and reviews, check out my website Celebrity Perfume

Katrina xx

High Flying Adored: Antonio Banderas Live

Hilary Duff With Love by Hilary Duff 2006

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Post by Katrina

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Today’s perfume is often mentioned by perfumistas as one of the rare, extremely good Celebrity Scents, often put next to Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely and Covet, and above Kate Walsh Boyfriend and Queen Latifah’s Queen. That’s pretty high praise and at this price would make an excellent add on gift for the younger crew around you.

With Love Hilary Duff WikiMediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

Hilary Duff With Love by Hilary Duff 2006

Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Stephen Nilsen

With Love by Hilary Duff is a warm oriental fragrance with loads of character. It evolves over time to reveal layers of different fragrant ingredients. Don’t be fooled by its celebrity ties with expectation that With Love will be a girly perfume. It is an oriental spicy fragrance and not sweet, fruity or floral.

With Love Hilary Duff FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives the following notes:
Top: Spices, mango
Heart: Cocobolo, mango blossom
Base: Amber, musk.

However, in this case Fragrantica has given a cut down list of notes and the mango and mango blossom should be mangosteen fruit and blossom. Other sources include Now Smell This where you can find a review of With Love by Hilary Duff gives notes of mangosteen fruit, exotic spices, chai latte, mangosteen blossom, cocobolo wood, balsam, incense, amber milk and amber musk.

With Love Hilary Duff Mangosteen WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

Mangosteen should not be confused with mango. Mangosteen is an exotic fruit from South East Asia and is used in traditional medicine. With Love starts with top notes of mangosteen and spices. The mangosteen is quite intense and not very sweet or fruity. The astringent smell is a bit like cough medicine or liquor. In time the fragrance becomes creamy and the perfume evolves with musk, wood and smoky incense. As the layers fall away I’m left with a creamy vanilla musk on my skin and it smells beautiful.

With Love Hilary Duff jingdianmeinv1 FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

I think the Scented Salamander says it amazingly: The perfume starts with the sparkling fruity notes of Mangosteen and Champagne then becomes very langourous and creamy. It soon smells like buttersctoch topping crystallized pineapple. Then the milky accord changes its nuances from butterscotch to coconut milk. A lush tropical bouquet of flowers makes its nuances felt. The sumptuousness and piquancy of sandalwood and Cocobolo wood make their entry. The base notes develop a warm Oriental accord. The very realistic and fine cedar wood becomes more prominent in the longer dry down as well as the musk and amber.

Hilary Duff’s With Love is a unique perfume and definitely worth a try, especially if you like spicy oriental fragrances.

FragranceNet has $11/ 30ml (unboxed)
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $4/2 ml

Come and visit Celebrity Perfumes for more celebrity perfume news and reviews.

Thanks Katrina x

Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style 2010

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Post by Katrina

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Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style 2010

Harajuku Lovers is the perfume brand of the talented Gwen Stefani

 Harajuku Lovers Gwen Stefani sunnyd_57 FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

While I don’t wear these perfumes much I absolutely adore this collection. The five perfumes in the collection are simple, fun and easy to wear and the Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style figurine bottles are cute and funky. My set came in the ‘ultra-luxury shopping mall’ case where G sits on the ‘catwalk crosswalk’, Love in a boutique, Lil’Angel in the News Stand, Baby in the Crepe Stand and Music is of course in the Music Shop.

All fragrance notes sourced from Fragrantica.

Wicked Style G by Christelle Laprade

Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style G FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Top: Apple, peach, pineapple
Heart: Watermelon, tuberose, peony
Base: Raspberry, musk, aquatic accords.

The top notes of Wicked Style G are sweet, fruity and crisp. The floral notes are quite heavy in contrast and combine with sandalwood and a little musk. G is the most ‘grown up’ fragrance in the set.

Wicked Style Love by Maurice Roucel

Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Love FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Top: Nectarine notes, mango, pear
Heart: Orange blossom, lotus , violet, osmanthus
Base: Blond wood, musk, sandalwood, praline, patchouli

Wicked Style Love smells like grape flavoured bubble gum. A strong burst of violet comes and goes and a little patchouli wafts in the background. Mostly it’s sweet grape fading to warm base notes.

Wicked Style Lil Angel by Celine Barel

Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Lil Angel FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Top: Plum, champagne, bergamot, pomelo
Heart: Lotus, rose leaf, water lily
Base: Sateen wood, amber, musk

In Lil Angel Wicked I smell sweet plum and berries. The perfume sparkles with champagne and citrus. Lil Angel includes lovely florals and the water lily gives it a clean, fresh feel. The perfume dries down to musk and woods.

Lil Angel is my favourite of the Wicked Style perfume but sadly it doesn’t have much lasting power.

Wicked Style Music by Adriana Medina

Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Music FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Top: Apple notes, juicy fruit
Heart: Bergamot, jasmine, gardenia, fuchsia, peony
Base: Cedar, musk, amber

Music is less sweet than the other wicked style perfumes. I don’t smell much fruit at all. Wicked Style Music is powdery floral perfume with a woody base.

Wicked Style Baby by Honorine Blanc

Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Baby FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Top: White peach, apple, freesia
Heart: Frangipani, orchids, jasmine
Base: Amber, musk, vanilla, sandalwood

Wicked Style Baby smells like marshmallows. There is vanilla and a powdery musk but it is not as sweet as you may expect.

The fruity notes are kept low key but the florals are distinct without being too strong. The florals are short-lived but the powdery musk base lasts a long time making this the longest lasting Wicked Style fragrance.

Harajuku Lovers Harajuku_girls,_Tokyo WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

Further reading: Review of Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Lil Angel at Musings of a Muse
FragranceNet sells the Wicked Style fragrances individually from $11/10ml
Surrender To Chance has the original Harajuku Lovers samples starting at $3/ml

For more celebrity perfume news and reviews please pop over to Celebrity Perfume Store

Thanks

Katrina xx

Lovely by Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry for Sarah Jessica Parker 2005

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Post by Katrina

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Lovely from Sarah Jessica Parker is the perfume I reach for when I have a stressful day ahead. When I’m feeling a little worried about something I need to face in my day like a meeting or doctors appointment I will normally choose to wear Lovely. I spray on Lovely, inhale deeply and feel myself relax a little. I feel a bit more confident to face the day. Lovely is elegant and understated and I wouldn’t hesitate to wear this perfume for these types of meetings.

Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker 2005

Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry

Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives the following notes.
Top: Nectarine, bergamot, rosewood and lavender.
Heart: Apple martini, white daffodil and orchid.
Base: White amber, cedar, woody notes and white musk

I mostly smell lavender and rosewood when I first spray on Lovely with a hint of zest and sweetness from the light citrus and fruit notes.

I find lavender so relaxing and use a few drops of essential oil if I’m having trouble sleeping. I also have lavender growing in my garden and can’t help but pick some to smell as I walk past. It’s not that I love the smell of lavender; it can be strong and sharp. It’s the feeling of well-being I get from lavender’s scent that draws me in. It has a soothing effect.

Lovely-Sarah-jessica-parker Lavender WikimediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

The heart of the perfume leads to beautiful, feminine florals and the calming lavender lingers. The rosewood leads to a solid base with wood and musk. The lasting power of Lovely is excellent and at the end of the day I’m left with a gentle amber scent on my skin.

SJP Lovely is often compared to the more expensive Narciso Rodriguez for Her and has received favourable reviews from many perfume bloggers.

Lovely-Sarah-jessica-parker WikimediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

Further reading at Bois de Jasmin and Katie Puckrik Smells
FragranceNet has $19/50ml
My Perfume Samples starts from $2/ml

If you are interested in more Celebrity Perfumes, check out my website at Celebrity Perfume Store

Katrina x

Curious by Claude Dir for Britney Spears 2004

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Post by Katrina

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Today I am reviewing my perfume of choice for exercising. I have so many cheap and cheerful celebrity scents that are perfect to use as a body spray. Do you wear perfume when you exercise and if so what is your choice? This year I have started doing hot yoga classes. It can get really smelly in there so I started wearing Britney Spears Curious to class to hide the bad smells. Curious is refreshing and uplifting which is what I need when I feel exhausted from the heat and exercise.

Curious by Claude Dir for Britney Spears 2004

Curious Britney Spears FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: fresh lotus, mouthwatering pear and magnolia.
Heart: tuberose, jasmine and pink cyclamen.
Base: musk, vanilla and precious woods

Curious is the first perfume from Britney Spears and Britney Spears perfumes are generally very good, Curious is no exception. The packaging of Curious looks great as well, with its blue glass bottle and dangly pink charm. You can get larger bottles of Curious with an atomizer that makes it so pretty and girly and would make a lovely gift. I think this would be very special to a teen girl and the perfume is perfectly suitable to that age group.

Curious Britney Spears WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

Curious opens with the distinct smell of fresh crisp pear. It is as cool and refreshing as the sparkling pear cider I crave after hot yoga. It feels light and breezy making it perfect for summer. There is also an aquatic element to Curious matching the gorgeous blue glass of the Curious bottle. Slowly the white florals emerge from the fragrance and they smell beautiful but not very strong. This is a good introduction to white florals for anyone new to perfume.

The strength and longevity of Curious is reasonably good until we get to the base notes. The soft sweet vanilla and musk smells lovely but fades away too quickly. Luckily by then I am home and showered after my hot yoga!

Curious Britney Spears Sam Lavy FlickrPhoto Stolen Sam Lavy  Flickr

Further reading: Now Smell This
FragranceShop has $14/30ml with Coupon
My Perfume Samples starts at $2/ml

If you are interested in more Celebrity Perfumes, check out my website at Celebrity Perfume Store

Happy holidays everyone!

Katrina xx

Here is the ad.

Reb’l Fleur by Caroline Sabas and Marypierre Julien of Givaudan for Rihanna 2011

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Post by Katrina

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My fascination with celebrity perfumes is no secret. I love the marketing and hype and the fact that they are so cheap to buy. One of the things that interests me is how well a perfume fits with the celebrity’s own brand. Sometimes they line up and sometimes the perfume does not match my expectations for a particular celebrity. The Katy Perry perfumes in their fabulous bottles match Katy Perry’s young, fun image. Madonna’s Truth or Dare fragrances smell expensive and are in line with her more mature age and image.

There have also been a few times where I’ve had low expectations of a perfume based on my perception of a celebrity’s ‘trashy’ image. See my previous APJ review of the original Kim Kardashian perfume, which does not smell at all trashy.

Today I am reviewing another perfume that was a pleasant surprise when I was expecting fruitchouli, the first from pop star Rihanna. Rihanna has since released another four fragrances Rebelle, Nude, 777 Nude by Rihanna, Diamonds and Rogue.

Reb’l Fleur by Caroline Sabas and Marypierre Julien of Givaudan for  Rihanna 2011

Reb'l Fleur Rihanna FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Berries, plum, peach
Heart: Hibiscus, violet, tuberose, coconut water
Base: Vanilla, patchouli, amber and musk.

A perfume from Rihanna with fragrance notes reminiscent of a tropical cocktail and presented in an inverted stiletto heel. I did not have high expectations!

Thankfully Reb’l Fleur does not smell how I expected. I anticipated Pina Colada, but there is not much emphasis on the fruit and coconut and more on the florals and patchouli. The main fruit note I smell is a deep rich plum with a small dose of sweet peach. I don’t smell berries. The fruit notes are combined with strong floral notes and a hint of creamy coconut. The florals are heavy with a nice blend of tuberose and violet. There is just the right amount of tuberose for my taste as I only like it in small doses. The patchouli adds some spice and the amber is earthy and warm.

Reb’l Fleur is a warm, sensual perfume and the lasting power is very good. Reb’l Fleur is a great fragrance for evening wear and one of the sexiest in my collection

Reb'l Fleur Rihanna Red Carpet WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

Further reading: Bois de Jasmin Although not a raving review by Victoria, she does makes comparisons to Chanel Coco Mademoiselle and Narciso Rodriguez for Her. At a fraction of the cost this makes Reb’l Fleur a winner!
FragranceNet has Rihanna Reb’l Fleur $27/100ml before Coupon
My Perfume Samples starts at $2/ml

For more celebrity perfume news and reviews, check out my website: Celebrity Perfumes

Katrina xx

Katy Perry Killer Queen by Laurent Le Guernec for Katy Perry 2013

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Post by Katrina

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Katy Perry Killer Queen 2013

Killer Queen Katy Perry FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Wild berries, dark plum, bergamot
Heart: Celosia), Sambac jasmine, plumeria
Base: Cashmere, patchouli, praline

The highlight from the celebrity perfumes of 2013 is Katy Perry’s Killer Queen. I wrote of my excitement about the impending release of Killer Queen in my review of the first two fragrances from Katy Perry – Purr and Meow!. Killer Queen is stronger and more sophisticated than Purr and Meow! This is not a sugary sweet girly fragrance. It smells quite intense in the beginning with sweet fruity notes combined with jasmine and patchouli. Along with the sweet berries there is deep plum, tart bergamot and strong florals. The perfume softens after a few hours and the liquid praline and patchouli smells fantastic.

I love the advertising and packaging of Killer Queen, the regal theme is fun, irreverent and dramatic. The gorgeous ruby-like bottle with its gold crown cap lays on its side.

Killer Queen Katy Perry launches pursuitistPhoto Stolen Pursuitist

Although Killer Queen is more sophisticated than the previous Katy Perry fragrances, it isn’t as edgy as I was anticipating and gets a lot of comparisons to Flowerbomb. In the same way that Lady Gaga Fame didn’t live up to its deep dark promise, Killer Queen is not as dramatic as its advertising campaign but I do love the plum, patchouli and praline in this fragrance. Killer Queen by Katy Perry is a rich floriental fragrance that is perfect for evening wear.

Further reading at Musings of a Muse and Now Smell This
FragranceX has $46/100ml
My Perfume Samples starts at $2/ml

Don’t forget to check out my website for more celebrity perfume news and reviews

Katrina xx
(Ed: Here is one of the super fun ads)

Beyonce Heat by Claude Dir and Olivier Gillotin 2010

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Post by Katrina

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According to People, the “Heat” collection of signature scents from Beyonce has been named the best-selling celebrity fragrance brand worldwide. The original Beyonce Heat was released in 2010 and to date there are 5 fragrances in the heat line. The latest special edition heat is The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Limited Edition. Today I am reviewing the first fragrance in the Heat line.

Beyonce Heat by Claude Dir and Olivier Gillotin 2010

Beyonce Heat Beyonce FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Beyonce Heat features the following notes according to Fragrantica:
Top: Red vanilla orchid, magnolia, neroli and peach
Heart: Honeysuckle, almond and musky cream
Base: Sequoia wood, tonka and amber

Heat opens with a burst of sweet peach. The peach is strong and sweet. As the sweetness of the peach softens the floral notes and a soft creamy musk get stronger. Beyonce Heat becomes warm and earthy as it lingers on my skin. I prefer wearing Heat on hot days when the gorgeous base notes really open up. In cooler weather I don’t get much more than peach from the fragrance and it lacks the warm, sultry feel which is what this perfume is all about. During summer the peach is complemented with vanilla and amber and it smells rich, warm and sultry.

 beyonce-heat SheKnowsEntertainmentPhoto Stolen SheKnowsEntertainment

The original Heat in the red bottle was one of the first celebrity perfumes in my collection. The advertising for the original Beyonce Heat shows Beyonce looking very hot indeed.

FragranceNet has 100ml for $25.19

If you haven’t seen it before you must check out Cinderonce – the story of Cinderella told through Beyonce song but the Fairy Drag Mother really steals the show. Enjoy!

Check out my website for Celebrity Perfume News and Reviews

Katrina xx
The Making Of “Beyonce Heat” Commercial. VERY COOL!


Beyonce performs SINGLE LADIES on Good morning America. FLAWLESS

Girlfriend by Justin Bieber 2012

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Post by Katrina

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Hi APJ,

I really like this perfume. I wore it a lot last summer when it seemed like the perfect summer fragrance. But now in winter, wearing it for this review I’ve found that I enjoy wearing it all year round.

Girlfriend by Justin Bieber 2012

Girlfriend Justin Bieber FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: mandarin, blackberry, pear and strawberry.
Heart: pink freesia, star jasmine, apricot and orange blossom
Base: vanilla orchid, luminous musk and white amber

Justin Bieber won big this year taking out US Fifi Awards in 2 categories. Justin Bieber’s Girlfriend, the second fragrance from the Biebster, won both ‘Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Popular’ and ‘Consumer Choice – Women’s’ categories.

Girlfriend Justin Bieber WikiMediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

The packaging for this perfume is fun and playful. The cross section of the purple bottle is heart shaped and it slots into a colourful canister that reminds me of a slinky. Fun! Taking the bottle out to spray makes me feel just a little happier.

The perfume starts fresh and fruity with citrus and crisp pear. Girlfriend is sweet but not overly. As the perfume evolves the floral notes come out and the fruit changes to what smells like honeydew melon to me, although it should be apricot based on the fragrance notes listed. The base notes of the fragrance are quite soft and the fresh sweetness stays until the end.

Girlfriend Justin Bieber milagrosschmidt DeviantArtPhoto Stolen DeviantArt

Further reading: EauDeLucy and AccentGirl100
Fragrance Shop has from $26/30ml
My Perfume Samples starts at $2/ml

Which other celebrity perfumes won awards this year? Check out my Celebrity Perfume Website to find out.

Have any of you APJ readers tried Girlfriend? If not I challenge you to give it a try!

Katrina xx

ED: I added the Beaty & The Beat video because I think it’s SUPER FUN!