I cross my heart and swear on my husky tabby’s low-hanging belly that I really, really tried not to mention Ryan Gosling in this review of the new Mariah Carey Lollipop Splash The Remix perfumes (available in three fragrances; $35 each).
But I failed (obviously), and I blame it on the poster for Ryan’s new movie, Drive.
You see, I’m a font freak — a “ho for Helvetica,” if you will — and the handwritten hot pink type on the poster and in the movie’s opening credits made me hyper aware of flamboyant fonts this week. Fonts like the one on boxes of Mariah’s new Lollipop Splash.
I think it’s cool how typography can summon certain expectations about things like products and movies. At first the retro pop pink font used on the Drive poster wasn’t at all what I expected from such a dark, violent movie, but I totally get it now.
“I wanted that kind of font because it’s timeless, in a way. It’s like a hand drawn logo, which is also like old fairy tales. If you look at old fairy tales, they’re always beautifully choreographed and designed.”
As for the packaging for Lollipop Splash, mad props to the person on Mariah’s crew who picked that curvy pink font (Party LET, I believe), with its fun, girly curves. I wouldn’t be surprised to find it embroidered on the pocket of a hot pink terry cloth bathrobe in Mariah’s closet or on her own personal (scented) stationary because it seems to suit her well.
The three new fruity/foodie floral eau de parfum sprays, available now, build on Mariah’s existing Lollipop perfume. To my nose, the remixed scents all smell sweet, sugary and very MC.
The official fragrance notes…
- Vision of Love — Juicy mandarin, coconut, star neroli, French macaroon, purple jasmine, white peach, sandalwood, vanilla infusion and crème de musk
- Never Forget You — Italian mandarin, raspberry nectar, pineapple sorbet, jelly bean accord, golden peony, wild wisteria, muguet, sugared wood, vanilla and pink musk
- Inseparable — Pear, mango, raspberry, orange flower, jasmine, plum blossom, praline, sandalwood and vanilla beans
The fragrances, flourishes, neon bottles and butterflies all come together to paint a picture of a world I would have loved to visit when I was 12 years old — like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but with unicorns, rainbows, bubbles, glitter, heart-shaped lollipops and confetti shaped like stars — but at my age now?
Well, probably, yeah… 🙂
They’re probably most age appropriate for a teen or tween, but that doesn’t mean I won’t also wear them from time to time.
PRICE: $35 each for a 1-fl. oz. eau de parfum spray
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Elizabeth Arden counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
If you were a font, which font would you be?
I think I’d be Helvetica Neue Ultra Light… It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a font — elegant and non-fussy, yet it makes a statement without hitting you over the head. Plus, I think it scales up very well.
How about you? Which font would you be?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tiffany says
September 21st, 2011 at 6:02 pmI love Helvetica Neue! I’m actually trying to figure out how to change the font on my phone to Helvetica Neue… Anyhoo, I love Mariah and everything but I’m kinda over ‘celebrity’ scents. I want the new Elie Saab Le Parfum.
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:37 pmThe new Elie Saab is divine. Have you tried it yet?
Lola says
September 21st, 2011 at 6:35 pmI think I would be Edwardian Script because it makes me think “oh u fancy huh” lol 🙂 I agree with Tiffany, I’m kinda over celebrity scents. I would rather spend my money on a classic scent.
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:37 pmI like that one a lot — I even used it on my wedding invites!
Edith says
September 21st, 2011 at 6:51 pmAmerican Typerwriter would be my first pick.
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:36 pmI have a soft spot for American Typewriter; it was my fave circa 2007-2008. Have you seen the light version? Very cute!
Amber says
September 21st, 2011 at 7:09 pmI’m sure I will be judged but I love comic sans
Emily says
September 21st, 2011 at 7:28 pmI’d probably be Blackladder ITC. Dark, gothy and beautiful? Perfect.
Today I invented a skull & crossbones smiley. =)X
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:35 pmNice. I like the moodiness of that one!
marisol says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:08 pmHelvetica or Verdana.
Did you see Ryan’s interview with Conan? Very cute.
marisol recently posted … You gotta rub the oil
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:35 pmI haven’t! Time to hit up YouTube…
Jessi says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:29 pmI would be Comic Sans of course. Haha, just kidding. 😉
Jessi recently posted … Impressions of Aromaleigh’s Eyeshadows and Swatches
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:33 pmHaha! How about Comic Sans Bold? Might as well take it to the next level.
Anna says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:37 pmI’d be Helvetica or Teletype for normal days, and Champignon for girly days.
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:38 pmTeletype is really cute. Reminds me of one of my old school faves, American Typewriter.
Instant Karma says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:40 pmThis is totally unrelated, but ahhh Karen, you’re three time zones behind me! I want to know what you thought of the SVU premiere!
I used to have all these unique fonts, but they were on my old computer. I didn’t really need them anymore, so I never bothered to search for any of them again. Maybe I should get some new ones…
Karen says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:57 pmIt’s not on until 10! I have to wait an hour. 🙁
Elaine R says
September 21st, 2011 at 8:41 pmIf you could please mention Ryan Gosling in all your posts, I would be more than thrilled.
Drive: Retro sounding music, retro fonts. I embraced it!
Lauren says
September 21st, 2011 at 9:38 pmI’d be Georgia, love that font so much. Elegant, yet straightforward. Love Ryan Gosling but i’m afraid Jake Gyllenhaal will always have my heart <3
MJ says
September 21st, 2011 at 10:00 pmCentury Gothic. Always been my favorite since it’s both fun and elegant. It’s very simple and generally pleasing to the eye. 😀 You can play it up nicely for headers, but it’s readable for more information based text blocks. It’s also my usual go-to font if I’m ever doing anything artsy.
Marian says
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:18 amI’d be Georgia. It’s very comfortable….almost cozy.
Nina says
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 amif i were a font, i would be Calibri. it can be both fun and professional, its easy on the eye, rounded enough but gives me some of the angles i like. 😀
the bottles of the perfumes are super adorable!
Judith says
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:33 amGood ol’ fonts. I do agree that fonts “summon certain expectations” and truly believe that fonts can really make a huge difference. I do have to apologize because my gut reaction to seeing that perfume’s box was like being transported in time. The font paired with the color reminds of the MySpace blinky html tags from era’s gone by.
If I were a font it would be “Kon Tiki Enchanged” http://origin.myfonts.net/116/fs/u/67/e51b022553dc33998a0ba1d6823ac8.gif : stylized, slightly elegant yet funky.
Ryan Gosling… *swoon*
Judith says
September 22nd, 2011 at 6:34 amWhoops, I meant “Kon Tiki EnCHANTED” – spelling error. hehehe.
Susan says
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 amI used Amazone BT for my wedding invitations, but I use Bradley Hand for my signature on my work emails. My favorite just depends on my mood, I guess!
Kim says
September 22nd, 2011 at 12:58 pmI wish I had better access to fonts so I could make a more interesting choice but I’m pretty limited with my standard Windows stuff. I think I’d be an easy to read script that’s best viewed from a slight distance. 🙂 Adria DB, maybe? That was the best I could do with a quick google of font images. Let me know if it’s a cheesy choice; I won’t be offended.
And I love how MC differentiates between a Juicy mandarin and an Italian mandarin. Italian mandarins everywhere are offended by the implication that they’re dry and mealy. HAHA!
probablyrandom says
September 22nd, 2011 at 1:04 pmThe font and music in Drive killed it for me. I think I would have liked it a lot more without the 80s pop interludes/Dirty Dancing font. 🙁
jenn s. says
September 22nd, 2011 at 9:25 pmCurlz MT because I’m silly and frilly like that!
amy says
September 25th, 2011 at 10:43 amI have always loved American Typewriter because it is retro and classic but if i am a font, i would be either Century Gothic or City Blueprint.
Ashley says
September 27th, 2011 at 3:26 pmFutura bold for me! Retro, yet quirky.