SHINE, SHIMMER & SPARKLE

Hello!

I couldn't agree more with Philosophy's take on fragrances - if you smell good, you feel good. For me, fragrance is really the finishing touch - I wear fragrance everywhere - even if I'm just going for a joy-ride or going to buy chicken rice downstairs. It just makes me feel put-together.

Depending on my mood, sometimes I crave a strong, heady fragrance like Serge Lutens Fleurs de Oranger or Penhaligon's Cornubia. Other times, I just want a soft fragrance that just softly lingers in the background. Recently, I've been reaching  for Philosophy's Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace is one of the 4 fragrances in Philosophy's permanent fragrance range available in our local Sephoras - the other 3 are Pure Grace, Eternal Grace and Inner Grace.

Of the 4, Amazing Grace is described as "the ultimate feminine fragrance that makes a woman feel as if she is wearing her best dress everyday of the week"

It IS very feminine - there is no doubt about that. But it's not one of those sexy, heady, "raw woman" kind of feminine fragrance. Instead, Amazing Grace is a soft floral that whittles down into a powdery fragrance as the hours go by.

The top notes are citrus - Mandarin Orange, Grapefruit and Bergamot - but instead of imparting a sharp, refreshing, clean edge to the fragrance, on my skin, these soon give way to the floral heart of Freesia, Jasmine and Rose. In fact, I think the only citrus note that stands out a little distinct to me was the Mandarin Orange note. Although Musk is listed as it's base, the fragrance quickly takes on a floral powdery note that is very comforting - almost like sniffing a clean, freshly-bathed and powdered baby.

The sillage isn't very strong - that is perhaps because what I'm using is the Spray Fragrance which is an Eau de Toilette. There is a stronger version, the Eau de Parfum (the EDP is listed on the Philosophy website but I don't recall seeing it in our shelves here). Since this doesn't last so long on me, I use it a little more liberally than some of my other fragrances - I also spritz some just below my ears so that my hair catches it.

I'm very tempted to pick up the 3-in-1 Shower Gel and Shampoo in the Amazing Grace scentso that I can use it as a shampoo and layer the fragrance. The fragrance of the other Philosophy shower gels I have (the Cake Batter series and Wildflower Blossom) don't quite linger on the skin post-shower but I think fragrance has a better chance of lingering if you use it as a shampoo. I've not tried using these shower gels as a shampoo yet - I'll try with the Wildflower Blossom one first and see how it reacts to my hair before taking the plunge with Amazing Grace Shower Gel.

One of the things that stands out about Amazing Grace - and a lot of Philosophy products actually - is the thought and quote that goes on the packaging. The entire product line is designed not only to target personal grooming but personal well-being too. I love their approach:

"philosophy: Science gives us better skin,

inspiration gives us better days"

The quote on Amazing Grace is just as beautiful:

It's a little like how I always try to see things - whatever happens, it's all for good.

A lot of reviews describe Amazing Grace as "clean and soapy" but I don't quite get that soapy note on me.

I'll be honest - the first time I sprized on Amazing Grace, I found it a little odd. I didn't quite know what to make of it or describe it - the only word that came to my mind was 'soft floral'. But now, after wearing it for a while, on long days, in the evenings and once or twice to bed, I've really grown to like it for that powdery accord - it works well on my skin and if anything at all, I'd just love to have it last longer. It's simple, straightforward and doesn't catch you by surprise - it's just there, like a re-assuring hug.

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Thanks for stopping by and have a good week ahead

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Disclaimer: Product featured was given to me without obligation to review. All opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.