Category: beauty

Posted on in beauty

The Fragrances Defining My Winter 2025.

Of course, they are Arabian!

My Perfume Collection (Reneé Medina)

Although there’s still a month of fall left, I’ve already gathered my winter fragrances.

It’s time to let scents like Fire on Ice and Mirsal’s Love Letter marinate for next Fall and bring out some fluffy, powdery, gourmand staples for snow season. A few floral notes never hurts, either!

Here are some of my favorite fragrances I’ll have on rotation this Winter:

1) Lattafa Nebras Elixir

If this isn’t obvious enough, are you really a true gourmand lover? Nebras Elixir smells like a sugared marshmallow dream topped with whipped cream. It’s easily one of my favorites- and a compliment-magnet!

2) Uhud Aribiyat Prestige

In my book, Uhud takes the cake for fruity/fluffy fragrances. Fans describe it as smelling like raspberry baby powder. This is another fluffy fragrance that will be perfect for snowy days.

3) Atralia Sugar Mallow

As if two marshmallow fragrances weren’t enough-here’s a third! Sugar Mallow is a dupe for Kayali’s Yum Boujee Marshmallow, and in my opinion, it’s the best dupe out there! It leans less fruity and more fluffy like Uhud and the atomizer is insane!

4) Bella Arabian Oud

With notes of BlackBerry, Violet Flowers, and Musk, Bella is definitely a signature-worthy fragrance. She smells like something an Arabian princess would wear-perfect for winter date nights or special occasions when you want to feel both elegant and modern.

5) Forbidden Sugar Emir

This fragrance, is deep, dark, mysterious, and fluffy all at once. Picture violet marshmallows with a hint of musk- that’s Forbidden Sugar in a bottle. She’s perfect for evening wear and you’ll be sure to stand out with such a beautiful fragrance!

6) Angel Musk Gulf Orchid

This musky, spicy gourmand fragrance evokes the warmth of chai tea. It’s perfect for daytime wear or anytime you want to smell fresh, cozy and comforting.

7) Lattafa Victoria

I’m surprised I still have this fragrance after a year of debuting it last holiday season at work. If you want to smell like a lemon pound cake, Victoria is your girl. You will have people turning heads asking you what you’re wearing and literally take pictures of your bottle. (Personal testimony.) She might be a little overplayed, but trust me-she’s worth it.

8) Léonie Intense Maison Alhambra

Need I say more….. iykyk.

9) Asdaaf Ameerat Al Rehab

This fragrance is truly nostalgic for me. It reminds me of when my grandmother would pamper herself before running errands (in a good way.) Asdaaf is a bit sophisticated but also feels warm and inviting. She’s perfect for family/friend gatherings and will leve a lasting impression.

10) Al Haramain Junoon

Youthful and fresh-a true baby powder bomb. This is another daytime fragrance that lingers for hours. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but you’ll smell like pure self-care and fresh powder.

What are some of your Winter staples?

Posted on in beauty

So, I Went to Lattafa’s New York Pop-Up…

I was invited by my co-worker. Here are my thoughts!

(Image By Reneé Medina)

Lattafa’s New York City pop-up was more than just a quick stop to sniff some fragrances. It felt like stepping into Lattafa’s world: bold, luxurious, and intimate for a brand that’s been gaining global buzz. The public was able to experience the artistry behind the popular fragrance house.

The event centered around Lattafa’s newest releases: Give Me Gourmand and their two new Eclaire Flankers, Banoffi and Pistache.

Average Socialite.com wrote, “Step into our confectionery cloud nine, an immersive experience of carnival games, sweet treats, plus prizes and crave-worthy scents.”

The venue itself had a beachy vibe, but with a twist—it felt like stepping into a perfume-lover’s dream.

(Image By Reneé Medina.)

Each room was dedicated to Lattafa’s gourmand line, complete with testers. What made it truly fun were the interactive corners designed to replicate each fragrance. Take Choco Overdose, for example: it was showcased in a chocolate-themed gym where visitors could spritz the scent while shooting hoops or curling some (very lightweight) dumbbells.

In addition to smelling fragrances (new and old releases), there were opportunities to play mini-games for free ice cream. One of the (not very difficult) games involved tossing six large bean bags into a large donut hole.

(Image By Reneé Medina)

There were also dedicated photo-op rooms, perfect for anyone looking to snap some fun, themed shots to remember the experience!

(Image By Alexa)

This was the cutest photo room because the table was filled with eye-catching dessert props such as cakes and donuts to fit the gourmand release. Being how each gourmand fragrance bottle is designed like a cupcake, it only seemed fitting to incorporate them into this dessert display!

As for the new launches, they absolutely lived up to the hype—each one was downright mouthwatering! One standout was Nebras Elixir, a much-anticipated release that I was excited to finally test in person. Cups of coffee beans were also scattered around for attendees to reset their noses between sniffs. After testing fragrances, attendees were able to purchase their favorites and received matching keychains for the Give Me Gourmand line.

Lattafa Fragrances captured by Reneé medina

If you know Lattafa, then you know they’ve perfected the art of gourmand fragrances—and it seems like they never stop creating/releasing hits!

This event was one not to miss! There was truly never a dull moment, and the music was on point, too! It was great to see others with common interests come together to share a loved hobby.

And of course, no perfect day ends without good food! Cafeteria was the cherry on top!

(Picture of our Entrees at Cafeteria By Reneé Medina)

Posted on in beauty, Music

54 Years, 54 Songs:The Ultimate Generation X Playlist.

(The Facebook-Lover Generation)

Image from (Istockphoto.com)

Music is the heart of every generation. However, for Gen X, music is a Time Machine. It’s a way to reminisce life during their worst/best moments.

So…let’s put things in perspective and travel back in time!

Here are 54 songs that define Gen X:

(By Genre):

Pop/Rock 🎤

Image from WordPress
  • I’m Still Standing– Elton John
  • Like a Virgin– Madonna
  • Stand Back- Stevie Nicks
  • Let’s Dance – David Bowie
  • Tonight- David Bowie & Tina Turner
  • Flowers- Miley Cyrus
  • What a Feeling- Irene Cara
  • Valerie– Amy Winehouse
  • Iko Iko– Cyndi Lauper (Cover)
  • Turn It Up– Simply Red
  • I Don’t Care– Shakespears Sister
  • Never Tear Us Apart- INXS
  • (Just Like) Starting Over– John Lennon
  • The Rose- Bette Midler

Classic Rock 🎸

  • Middle of the Road- The Pretenders
  • You Never Can Tell- Chuck Berry
  • These Boots Are Made For Walkin’’- Nancy Sinatra
  • Dancing in the Dark– Bruce Springsteen
  • Little Wing– Jimi Hendrix
  • Come and Get Your Love– Redbone

Disco/Dance 🪩

  • I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor
  • I Feel Love- Donna Summer
  • Native New Yorker- Odyssey

R&B/Funk/Soul 🎵

  • I’m Every Woman- Chaka Khan
  • Somebody to Love (Live)- George Michael
  • I Need You- Eurythmics
  • Off the Wall– Michael Jackson
  • Love on the Brain- Rihanna
  • Thin Line Between Love and Hate- The Pretenders
  • What’s Going On- Marvin Gaye

Jazz🎷

Image from WordPress
  • Theme from New York, New York- Frank Sinatra
  • Non, je ne regrette ríen- Édith Piaf
  • La Mer– Charles Trenet
  • Voy a Pagar la Luz– Simone

Hip Hop 🎧

  • Paid in Full- Eric B. & Rakim
  • Big Pimpin– Jay Z & UGK
  • Players– Coi Leray

Latin🪇

  • Todos Me Miran- Gloria Trevi
  • Kulikitaka- Toño Rosario
  • Traigo Fuego- La Banda Gorda
  • Aguanile- Héctor Lavoe
  • Uno Se Cura– Raulin Rosendo
  • Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony
  • I Like It Like That- Pete Rodriguez
  • Veinte Años- Buena Vista Social Club
  • Tatico Henriquez– Fernando Villalona
  • Si Quieres– Chiquioto Team Band
  • Si Tu Boquita– Iris Chacón
  • El Hombre Divertido– Wilfrido Vargas

Country🪕

  • The Gambler- Kenny Rogers

Electronic🎚️

  • In Da Getto– J Balvin/Skrillex
  • Groove Is in the Heart– Deee-Lite

Reggae

  • Get Up, Stand Up– Bob Marley
  • I Know What I Know– Paul Simon

Like every generation, Generation X was shaped culturally and economically. Here’s a list of major events that influenced Generation X.

Check out the full playlist here:

Spotify

Posted on in beauty

Unnsuccessful Fragrance Blind Buys

Viral Arabian Perfumes NOT worth the hype.

AI Image from WordPress

Social media is a great platform for circulating viral products. For example, “Lattafa,” a Dubai-based luxury perfume brand, went viral on TikTok after the release of “Lattafa Eclaire,” a dupe for Bianco Latte. Since then, Dubai and Arabian fragrances have been trending over social media, known for their dupes of high-end fragrances. Even stores like Zara have gone viral for the same reason.

Popular fragrance content creators and collectors such as Daniel René, Paulina&Perfumes, Affordableperfumerevies, and sniffwithsteph9399, review popular and viral fragrances. Known for their massive collections and knack for describing fragrance notes, viewers who want to hop on the latest perfume trend trust the noses of such content creators for luck.

However, sometimes these fragrances just fall short of nearly everything they’re lived up to be on social media. Here are five personally-tested fragrances that are not worth the hype:

  1. LuNiche Aziza
Screenshot from Luniche.com

Top Notes: Fruity Accord, Coconut, Peach Nectar

Middle Notes: Floral Accord, Tiare Blossoms

Base Notes: Sandalwood, Heliotrope Blossoms

Everything about this perfume suggests that it will smell tropical and fresh. According to their website, the fragrance description reads, “With every spritz, Aziza transports you to your own tropical paradise, making every day feel like a beach day.” However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many fragrance creators rave about Aziza despite it being such a flat fragrance. It smells like a watered-down Yara. There are no hints of coconut or peach. On the skin, this smells almost like rancid or expired fruit snacks. Some fragrance connoisseurs recommend letting fragrances “macerate” (mature) into their true scent. However, Luniche doesn’t evolve into anything beach-related. This fragrance is not for everyone.

2. Casablanca Swiss Arabian

Screenshot from Fragrantica

Top Notes: Apple, Grapes

Middle Notes: White Woods, Iris, Patchouli

Base Notes: Caramel, Amber, Suede, Musk, Peru Balsam

This unisex fragrance is said to lean more female, and many online users claim it smells like a version of apple pie. Again, after reading reviews on Amazon and Fragrantica, this flopped. Casablanca is very masculine-leaning and smells more of suede and Musk. Honestly, it is nauseating. This is another flat scent that smells entirely the same, even on the dry down. There are no hints of caramel, amber, or grapes. Casablanca definitely does not live up to its positive reviews!

3. Ana Abiyedh Lattafa

Screenshot from Fragrantica

Top Notes: Bergamot, Orange

Middle Notes: Vanilla, Pear

Base Notes: Musk, Amber

There is nothing positive about this fragrance besides its longevity. Ana Abiyedh is not a safe blind buy, despite users claiming it is a fresh and clean scent. It’s mostly a musky/woodsy scent profile that overpowers the vanilla, orange, pear, and other listed notes. It smells similar to men’s deodorant with a hint of body odour. Like many Lattafa fragrances, Ana Abiyedh is strong and smells better on paper than it does on skin.

4. Qaed Al Fursan Lattafa

Screenshot from Fragrantica

Top Notes: Coconut, Pineapple, Citrus

Middle Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Fragipani, Jasmine

Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood, Sweet Notes

To give this perfume the benefit of the doubt, it does smell like the listed notes: coconut, pineapple, musk, etc… However, there is something off about this fragrance. It could be the citrus notes that turn this fragrance sour. It is not the worst fragrance on this list, as other creators had second thoughts about it. It’s definitely more masculine, though if it’s layered correctly, it can lean more feminine.

5. Maison Alhambra, Athena

Screenshot from Fragrantica

Top Notes: Tangerine, Pink Pepper, Bergamot

Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Ylang-Ylang, Lilly of the Valley

Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Patchouli

Overall, this fragrance is nice; however, it gives off “old lady” vibes. The vanilla note stands out during the dry-down, and it’s not as citrusy as the tangerine suggests. Athena is said to be a dupe of “Burberry Goddess“, but some users mention it smells similar to “Burberry Her“. It is not a safe blind buy for younger perfume collectors who love gourmand fragrances. Despite this, Athena has almost five-star reviews on Amazon.

Generally speaking, everyone perceives fragrances differently. Smell Stories states that one’s skin pH levels, body temperature, skin type, and even skin bacteria can affect how perfume smells on an individual. It’s best to test perfume on skin to smell the “true” notes and how they react with your body chemistry.

Posted on in beauty

Sister Fragrances.

Similar-smelling body mists and perfumes.

WordPress AI Image.

Despite being a novice perfume collector, I have already (unintentionally) run into some fragrance clones. These fragrances are not dupes of high-end perfume; they have similar aromas. For reference, I love gourmands, vanilla, and powdery scents!

Here are a few in my current collection that remind me of other fragrances:

Arabiyat “Blueberry Musk” for “Dark Kiss” from Bath and Body Works.

Screenshot from Fragrantica

As a Fenty perfume lover, I went online looking for another blueberry gourmand. After watching a few videos and reading user reviews, I bought “Blueberry Musk.” I remembered reading a review on Fragrantica that read, “This perfume smells exactly like Dark Kiss from Bath and Body Works.” This perfume is literally Dark Kiss on steroids with nice longevity. It leans more towards sweet and powdery blackberries, but it is a top 10 fragrance!

LoveShackFancy “Sugar Blush Hair & Body Perfume” for Skylar “Boardwalk Delight.” 

Screenshot from Fragrantica

This perfume/mist will hands down be another one of my personal favorites! I’ve always loved Skylar Boardwalk Delight and always received compliments when wearing it. However, it is on the pricier side. I unintentionally bought Sugar Blush, and it took me a week to realize that it smells almost identical to Skylar Boardwalk Delight. It’s sweet, sugary, and smells like cotton candy. This is a youthful fragrance, however, it doesn’t last very long on the skin. I pair this with a vanilla roll-on oil for more longevity.

Al-Rehab “Soft” for “Delicious Cotton Candy” by Gale Hayman.

Screenshot from Fragrantica

This was another one of those “aha” moments where I realized Al-rehab’s “Soft” smells similar to “Delicious Cotton Candy” by Gale Hayman. To me, both smell more like brown sugar; however, they are sweet, youthful, and a bit powdery. Al Rehab does have a decent longevity of around two hours. Since the bottle is travel-sized, you can carry it with you anywhere to freshen up! This fragrance works well for Winter or in cooler months, but I have been wearing it recently. It’s very affordable as well! 

Ellis Brooklyn “Vanilla Milk ” for Lattafa “Eclaire.”

Screenshot from Fragrantica

Tjmaxx has many interesting beauty finds. Ellis Brooklyn’s Vanilla Milk was one of those. Although Eclaire is a dupe for Bianco Latte, Vanilla Milk gives off similar vibes to Eclaire. Both remind me of vanilla mocha with a hint of caramel and chocolate. I am not a huge fan of Eclaire despite it being in my collection; however, I am waiting for the colder months so I can pair these two together! 

When shopping for fragrances, I usually buy from Amazon (if available) for their quick delivery. As mentioned earlier, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are other options. Before blind buying, I always watch as many perfume review videos as possible. Lately, I have been watching Paulina & Perfumes and Sniff with Steph for in-depth reviews.