Have you seen the packaging for Benefit’s new trio of Crescent Row scents ($36 each)?
Super cute, yah?
Each one (all eau de toilettes) represents a different fictional girl.
There’s Laugh With Me Lee Lee (the playful flirt), Something About Sofia (the dreamer) and My Place Or Yours Gina (the seductress).
This week I gave all three scents a try, at first assuming I’d be a Lee Lee girl.
But I ended up liking My Place Or Yours Gina best.
Weird, because I’m not exactly seductress material. Hello — I wear yoga pants with holes in the booty. 🙂
My Place Or Yours Gina
Benefit describes Gina as a warm and woody oriental fragrance. On my skin she begins with a strong but feminine burst of peppery citrus and chocolate.
Maybe it’s Gina’s daring, sexy side. She’s not afraid to flaunt her shizz, ya know? And you’d better believe the hotties say “yes” when she offers to buy them a drink at the bar.
But there’s more to Gina than first impressions. After about 20 minutes with her, the top notes mellow out, revealing soft, gentle notes of lily, white musk and vanilla.
That’s the side of Gina her family and closest friends know. Yes, she’s seductive and alluring in her man-eater outfits and sky-high killer heels, but she’s also sweet, devoted and loving, too.
- Top notes: pink pepper, bergamot, tangerine
- Middle notes: peony, wild raspberry, white lily
- Bottom notes: patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla bean
For an eau de toilette, Gina lasts a surprisingly long time. A few spritzes in the morning are enough to last all day long.
Gina reminds me of a lighter, fresher (but with stronger citrus and pepper notes) version of the $65 Chanel Coco Mademoiselle.
I think Benefit always does a fabulous job with their packaging, and everything about Crescent Row exudes cuteness. Each of the bottles comes in a sassy little box decorated in a style appropriate to each of the girls.
As soon as I saw the lilies on the outside of the box (my favorite flower!), I couldn’t wait to give Gina a try. 🙂
And at just $36, each of the three Crescent Row scents smell much more expensive than they really are.
Benefit My Place Or Yours Gina Eau De Toilette
Price: $36
Use: A woody oriental scent that lasts all day long
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
I heart cheesy chick flicks
Tonight looks like it’s gonna be a mellow one for me. I’m kinda in the mood for a cheesy chick flick, maybe something on Lifetime…
How was your day today? Do anything fun?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Caitlin says
The day started out fun with a bit of shopping (hello cute new Lacoste tube top) but ended in disappointment when the bf ditched a rental movie with me to go to the bars. Sigh.
You’re right, though! The packaging is adorable! And Gina sounds like a real winner in the smell department. I’d love to hear about the others as well.
And I went to my local Nordstrom this morning (bright and early; it was eerily empty…) and they were all out of the Lancome Indigo liner! Darn! And MAC didn’t have any of the Black Russian pearlglide liner either! Major fail, WC Nordies…
Karen says
Hi Caitlin,
Oh no! I hope the Lancome counter gets in the Indigo liner soon. You still have a lot of time… fall feels like it’s so far away.
Citrine says
I like benefit’s packaging as well…(I never though that those paper box can be more durable than those Anna Sui black plastic…) It seems that I am kind of “Sophia” from the description…
Haha, I more of a fan detective movies (I personally never survived any chick flick…)
.-= Citrine’s last blog post… Where to cheap out? =-.
Karen says
Hi Citrine,
I love Anna Sui’s packaging. I wish the line were easier to find here…
Marisol says
The packaging is what caught my attention. I actually own Laugh With Lee lee and I really like the scent. I keep it in the box too.
After cleaning my apt, I am now relaxing (or have been) with a glass of vino & my kindle.
Have a great weekend!
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Kindle me this… =-.
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
Lee Lee smells really pretty. I love the blues and oranges on that box…
You have a great weekend, too. Got any exciting plans?
Catherine says
Ooooh that sounds absolutely lovely, especially since I thought Coco Mademoiselle was a little too heavy haha. I’ll have to go sniff this one.
My day was down and up today. I think I have to tell SO he has to stop giving me back massages or learn how to do it right. I woke up so stiff and cramped REALLY late after not sleeping well. Then I endured a 1hr lecture about my health from my mom that put me in such a cranky mood I wasn’t even able to enjoy my LM grab bag delivery! Work was same old same old BUT – then I got a call that my new glasses were ready to pick up hehehe. I immediately IMed SO and bugged him ’till he agreed to take me to pick them up. I’ve been waiting EIGHT MONTHS for this!
We’re planning on picnic-ing on the beach tomorrow too. 😀 Hope you have a fab weekend! =)
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Laura Mercier Haul & New Glasses!! 😀 =-.
Karen says
Hi Catherine,
There’s nothing like a fresh pair of glasses to change up your look. I need a new pair myself…
Anywhoo, I hope you feel better soon. Take care of yourself! And tell that boy to go easy on the massages!
msiu says
owhhh super cutie…
i wonder this is available yet in my country!!
.-= msiu’s last blog post… Sample,sample…sample.. =-.
Karen says
Hi Msiu,
I hope so! Usually Benefit ships internationally but they can’t ship fragrances overseas… I hope you get to smell ’em soon.
ParisB says
Golly! They look like cocktail shakers! 😀
.-= ParisB’s last blog post… Lazy Saturday Thoughts & Deals July 25 =-.
Karen says
Hi Paris B.,
LOL, I hadn’t noticed that!
anina says
oooh pink pepper!! i’ve been looking for perfumes with this!
Karen says
Hi Anina,
I love peppery scents, too. I hope you like it!
Glosslizard says
I’ve been wanting to sample these scents! I’ll have to stop by Benefit tomorrow! Today is kid birthday party central, culminating in a couple of sleepovers, so Hubby and I are goin’ out! Woot! 😀
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
Oh, hot date with the babe! What’s on your date agenda?
Hyzenthlay says
Karen, my former roommate and I secretly loved watching those Lifetime movies . . . Our favorites (based solely on the names, of course!) were “Mother, May I Sleep With Danger?” and “Cradle of Conspiracy.” Such ridiculousness!
Karen says
Hi Hyzenthlay,
My favorites are the ones with Tori Spelling. Co-ed Call Girl is a CLASSIC!
Tiffany says
Thanks for the review Karen! I need to get to Sephora so I can try this!
My Friday was great; I did some shopping and went to a b-day party last night. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Karen says
Hi Tiffany,
You’re welcome. I know you were looking forward to it… I hope you it works well with your chemistry.
So far the weekend is off to a great start. I’m gonna do some vegging this afternoon after I get a run in.
Did you end up getting anything during your shopping run?
gio says
This sounds just like my kind of fragrance, I need to try it! I love the packaging too, it’s so cute!
.-= gio’s last blog post… Know Your Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide =-.
Karen says
Hi Gio,
All of the boxes and bottles are super cute from this release. 🙂 I hope you give it a sniff!
Tiffany says
Yay for vegging! That’s my Saturday plan.
Yeah, I got a b-day present for a friend from crate & barrel and some goodies from sephora for myself! I got the too faced natural eye palette, smashbox monarch palette, a set of 2 philosophy lipglosses, and CSP perfume in vanille pineapple because it was like half off!
Karen says
Hi Tiffany,
Oh, fun! A big ole’ Crate & Barrel just opened up in the next town. I haven’t been inside yet but can’t wait to go… I know squat about home decor so I hope to pick up an idea or two.
Anyhoo, yay for makeup hauls! 🙂
Kate & Zena says
Let’s see, it’s 3:24 PM and I’ve been awake for an hour and a half? I got to bed later than normal due to Zena not having her normal sleeping buddy (Dad’s away on a camping trip) so she was going a bit nutty. I plan on being a vegetable (aside from walking Zena) though unless I can manage to drag my mom to Joann’s for fabric.
Once again, it looks like it’s going to rain here in the awful state of IL. It rained all day yesterday!!! Rain should not come in July. I’m sick of rain.
The packaging on those eau de toilettes are beautiful! They should sell the boxes separate for those of us hideously allergic to any version of perfume (or fragrance, for that matter).
Now, it’s time to get dressed (do I live in IL or do I live in LA? I need a life).
Karen says
Hi Kate & Zena,
Eek… I hope the rain stops! It’s just wrong to have rainy weather in July.
chanel says
my aunt works at the benefit counter at Macy’s so whenever she comes to visit she brings me samples of the new benefit products. She gave me three samples of the new fragrances in this cute box where they were all behind a door. really cute. I haven’t worn them yet, waiting to use on next date with the boyfriend. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Chanel,
I’ve seen the sampler set. It’s so cute! 🙂
Are you a fan of the Benefit line? What are your faves?
Justina says
Hey!
I love the packaging of the perfumes I’ll go check them out as soon as I can. Lilies are my favorite flower too 🙂 Have you ever seen Muguet des Bois (Coty)? You can get it on fragrancenet. It’s a full on lily perfume; it doesn’t have any other strong notes but I really love lilies so that works out just fine for me.
Karen says
Hi Justina,
I haven’t smelled that scent, but it sounds like something I’d like. Thanks for the recommendation.
Des Lys by Annick Goutal is another fabulous lily scent. It’s a little hard to find but it’s worth the hunt.
Glosslizard says
I’m gonna dress up a li’l bit and spritz on something sexy! We’re going to go out to dinner, then, wild party animals that we are, we’re going to come home and watch Harold and Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay and play LAN video games all night long! Par-tay! 😀
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
That sounds like a good time to me. Where did ya’ll go to dinner?
LOL, I actually watched that movie in the theater… I loved the crazy scene with Doogie Howser, MD and the unicorn. Did you know that Kal Penn (the guy that plays Kumar) left acting to go into politics?
Marisol says
I spent time with family and friends Saturday and today is detox Sunday. Relaxing for the rest of the day and waiting for True Blood.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Kindle me this… =-.
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
Sunday is a day of rest! I’m gonna spend the rest of the afternoon doing a whole lotta nothing…
Kate & Zena says
It seems we’ve evaded rain for now. It’s a balmy 81 degrees out with 50% humidity (typical Midwestern summer day). Zena is lounging in the sun whilst I put my wrist on ice. I spent 3 hours last night cutting up a 60″x120″ bolt of fabric into 4.5″ squared for quilting (managed to get to Joann’s finally).
I still have one or two other fabrics to square-ify. I got three puppy-themed fleece prints to make a quilt. Zena loves fleece so guess who’s been lying on my fabric! She’s so weird!
How’s your Sunday going?
Karen says
Hi Kate & Zena,
It’s been chugging along. I’ve been puttering around since the crack of dawn… but now I’m pretty much done doing errands/cleaning so I’ll get to chill for a bit. How’s yours going?
I didn’t know you were a quilter. Have you ever seen Hawaiian quilts? I like them a lot. Here’s one of my fave patterns.
Chanel says
Hi Karen,
my faves are
Benetint
Dr. Feelgood
BADgal lash
Gee that was quick! (makeup remover)
I’ve always loved the Benefit packaging. Its too cute to resist!