Between the blog, freelancing and my day job at the literary agency, I’ve been pretty busy lately. It’s nothing like how busy those of you with young children or full-time class schedules are, but it’s still been enough to stress me out. To say I’ve been on edge for the past few months is probably the understatement of the year, so when I heard about two new Wellness by Clean perfumes ($76 each), both created to help women relax and to feel rejuvenated, I had to try ’em out. They’re expensive, but so is therapy.
Clean claims that spritzing either eau de parfum, Harmony or Purity, on your pressure points induces a sense of tranquility, like a spray-on spa treatment.
Harmony:
Top notes — Italian lemon, eucalyptus, tea and dewberry
Middle notes — rose, jasmine, orange blossom
Base notes — cedar wood and muskPurity:
Top notes — bergamot, mandarin, tea and dewberry
Middle notes — rose, jasmine, muguet (Lily of the Valley), germanium
Base notes — cedar wood, sandalwood, leather and musk
I am impatient with fragrances. If the top notes — that is, the initial burst of fragrance — don’t hook me, I usually look elsewhere, but that’s not how it played out with either of these perfumes. Both scents had powerful top notes that almost overwhelmed my sensitive nose, but the subsequent middle and base notes more than made up for the initial shock.
Initially, Harmony smelled like a huge basket of lemon rind strapped to my face, and Purity smelled like crushed mint leaves in my nostrils, but as soon as the dominant top notes mellowed out and transitioned into the milder middle and base notes, I began to feel some of the rejuvenating effect.
Harmony turned into a soft, powdery jasmine and rose floral fragrance; Purity morphed into a warmer floral with rose notes blending with musk and sandalwood.
I feel that Purity is the more invigorating, rejuvenating fragrance of the two, while Harmony is the more soothing scent.
Wellness by Clean – Purity
Price: $76 for a 2.14 oz bottle
Use: A rejuvenating floral perfume
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Wellness by Clean – Harmony
Price: $76 for a 2.14 oz bottle
Use: A soothing floral perfume designed to bring about a sense of relaxation
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Last week I rotated using the scents, wearing Harmony and Purity on alternating days. I certainly wouldn’t say the spa industry has much to worry about from Wellness by Clean, but I do feel that wearing these scents did help me make it through my days. Sure, it may have just been psychological, but I don’t care. If something helps reduce my stress level by even a little bit, that something is alright by me.
You can try either of the new Wellness by Clean fragrances at Sephora or Ulta stores nationwide, or buy them online.
I can’t believe it’s already Sunday night. Where does the time go? I am so not ready for Monday… Maybe some dulce de leche ice cream will help. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. This week was a great week around the beauty blogosphere. Here are some of the best posts from the women of the Beauty Blog Network and Splendicity.
The Beauty Blog Network
The faux tan has never been easier. The Daily Cookie finds a fool-proof self-tanner she loves!
Bionic Beauty found freebies just for you! Including Aveda skincare, Gillette body wash, and TiGi haircare.
A Touch of Blusher presents Lilting Lilac Part 2.
Beauty Anonymous is loving the Foot Relief Cream and Body Exfoliator from Belli!
Christine, from Beauty in Real Life, let’s you in on the brilliance that is Max Factor’s Colorgenius Pressed Powder…it’s amazing.
The Muse gives you the lowdown on Stila Kitten Silk Eyeshadow Wash and Stila Kitten Silk Shimmer Gloss!
Raging Rouge discovers an easy way to shiny hair, and it’s chemical-free!
Makeup Loves Me gives you the secrets behind SJP’s look in this weekend’s most anticipated release, Sex and the City: The Movie.
Beauty Blogging Junkie gives you the scoop on Denise Richard’s fave makeup items she’s been rocking on her new show, It’s Complicated.
StyleBell shows how you can get fantastic super sexy summer hair . Get ready for the summer!
Makeup Moxie agonizes over her MAC Tendertone Lip Balm.
It’s beauty on a budget at Girl Gloss, with skin swatches and a review of two great Sonia Kashuk sheer lipcolor and gloss duos!
Would you like those fine lines to disappear? The Makeup Divas tells you how you can wipe away the years with this new skincare line.
Sci-Fi goddess! Check out our newest member Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy as she does a gorgeous tutorial featuring the latest Neo Sci-Fi collection from M.A.C. that she has been raving about!
Toya at The Life of A Ladybug continues in her search for the best “Bronzers for Brown Girls!” In this edition, the Sephora Bronzing Essentials Kit!
Kitiya from Mischo Beauty shares a lesson on serums in her “Mischo Beauty School: Serums 101” post!
It’s time to update your summer makeup and Beauty411 shares the details on the new Bobbi Brown Bronzed Pink Collection. You won’t be able to resist!
Getting married and looking for your wedding day fragrance? Glossypink found one you’ll adore!

How does Fergie keep her tresses in top form while on tour? Here’s a hint…it involves PAM Cooking Spray. Visit Spoiled Pretty for the answer!

Face Candy looks at the new beauty products from Korres.
Pursebuzz.com shows you how to create a super simple French Twist in 6 minutes. All you need are bobby pins and a mirror. Perfect for everyday, weddings and those special events.
Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to create a purple smokey eye using pigments from MAC Cosmetics.
Beauty Banter reveals the very best BRONZERS for summer face!

You could be one of All Lacquered Up’s THIRTY winners in the Estee Lauder Pearls of Light Giveaway.
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic shows you what to do for your sunburn.

The Splendicity Network
Shopping
NY Spender is having a hard time resisting the impulse to buy this Coach bag.
One last Sex and the City goodie bag is up for grabs at ShopDiary. Enter here now! Contest ends on Friday, June 6, 2008 at 11:59 PM.
Beauty
Viva Woman takes a close look at ingredients in mineral makeup that can cause irritation to your face.
Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get a smokey purple eye using pigments from MAC Cosmetics.
Fashion
Need a soothing break from summer’s intense colors? Her Accessories has pulled together her favorite summer white accessories for a refreshing breath of fresh fashion.
kris says
Don’t be stressed out Karen! Have you ever done accupuncture? I’ve done it and massage and accupuncture really makes me relax. Some insurance will cover it to.
I just checked the cleanperfume.com web site. They show you were the pressure points are. They have a pretty picture of a woman with the pressure points listed.
Karen says
Hi Kris,
I’m terrified of needles. 🙁 Massage is more my cup of tea. Hmm, I wonder if my insurance will cover it!
Thanks for letting me know about the pressure points. I’ll update the post with the info.
Hope you had a great day. 🙂
Megan says
You know what…I have a CLEAN fragrance that I love but that is the same way… I hate it when I first put it on. I think it’s herbs de provence. It’s very low key and good for days when allergies might be acting up (I find that stronger perfumes on those days just make me feel worse)ANYWAY I got it because I was looking for a fragrance at ulta… I was using the little papers… and typically I will spray a couple and I give them time to dry before really smelling…so I really like the subtlety etc. but I definitely hate the strong top notes.
And girl…I feel you on the stress thing. You should do a whole week about stress relief…I mean that’s beauty related. Stress makes me not take as good care of myself, not sleep as well etc. 🙂
BTW why are they resealing the parking lot this week where i live this week? I read the little memo under the door but paid no attention…thankfully the part that I park in isn’t until tomorrow, but they started at 7am…and any cars in the area they were working on today got towed to a different area of the lot (there are 4 buldings all together) So my apt and my window was onthe side by the part they were doing today…so at 7 am car alarms from the cars being towed form one area to another start going off… ugh 🙁 not on a monday!!!
Jess says
Stress kills. When I have a stressful day I don’t sleep well and feel more tired the next day. Now I know why my grandparents drink because of all those years of stress. LOL they are worn out!
Glosslizard says
Hi Karen!
Y’know, Bliss has a new pedicure, the “pedi colada”, complete with a virgin pina colada served up during the pedi! For some relaxation, that’s my pick of the week! 😉
Hope you have a great Monday!
Karen says
Hi Megan,
That’s interesting that your Clean scent starts with the same big burst of top notes, too. I wonder if they’re all like that, hmmm…
I totally want to do a beauty related stress relief weekend. My friend and I are planning a spa day and I had to tell her to make sure that I didn’t do anything while I was there, because I know that I’d be tempted to use the day as more content for the blog, LOL. I will have to be forced to leave my technology at home!
LOL, looks like you got more alarm than you bargained for this morning. I can barely deal with my alarm clock buzzer… honking horns and car alarms would make me one cranky woman! Sheesh, how long is that going to last? Maybe earplugs would help!
Karen says
Hi Jess,
After a really hard day the same thing happens to me, too. It seems to last for at least two days, like it’s a stress hangover or something!
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
LOL, can I opt for the one with the booze? I like the sound of the pedi though. Strangely enough, it made my stomach rumble. 🙂
How’s your Monday been so far?
Megan says
Well it’s going on all week, but today they were on the other side of the building so I didn’t hear them at all. I may hear them again tomorrow though… 🙁 I hope not.
You totally deserve a spa day…without your technology…but I know how I get that itch when I haven’t checked my email or my messages…:-) it might drive you crazy…
Karen says
I hope you don’t hear ’em, either!
My friend e-mailed me today and asked if I’d like to do a spa weekend for one of friends’ bachelorette party. I have to admit the first thing I thought of was, “I should probably leave the laptop and CrackBerry at home” but then right after I though, “That hotel better have free internet access!”
LOL, I need a technology intervention. 🙂