Tom Ford Black Orchid Fragrance Review + Surprise Giveaway

It's the scent that started it all. Tom Ford's Black Orchid debuted in 2006, making it the first fragrance from the designer.

It is a statement fragrance that is described as an oriental chypre - a rich and spicy woody fragrance. It has top notes of French jasmine, black truffle, black currant, ylang-ylang and effervescent citrus. The heart notes hold the spicy floral punch of Tom Ford's black orchid which lead to the woody base noes of dark chocolate, amber, vetiver, vanilla, balsam, patchouli and sandalwood.

As opposed to the brighter and more feminine Velvet Orchid, Black Orchid is a classically dark fragrance that basks itself in luxury. Honestly, it took me a long time to come around to Black Orchid because of its smoldering spicy notes. I tend to favor more fruity and floral notes - more on the sweeter side - and Black Orchid definitely took me on a new adventure with its earthy dry down so for me, this is more of my fall/winter scent because it is so deep.

As usual, the packaging is amazing and I hate that I can never do it justice in the photos. The fragrance is packaged in a fluted black glass bottle with a gold engraved metal plate and gold ribbon around the neck. And here's a fun fact for you - one of the colognes that Michael Jackson was known to love is our very own Black Orchid by Tom Ford.

It is available here in 1.0oz, 1.7oz and 3.4oz but just like with Velvet Orchid, I want to help one of you start (or finish) your Orchid collection with a giveaway!

Blog giveaway (Two winners) To enter this giveaway, simply follow/subscribe to this blog and leave a comment on this post telling me why you need this fragrance in your collection. Scroll down to find my subscription box or look to the to right of your screen to follow/subscribe. *Please note – Don’t worry if you don’t see your comment right away. I have to approve most of them :-)*

Contest ends Monday, August 22^nd, 2016 at 11:59pm EST. I will choose two subscribers at random from those who commented on this post within 48 hours of the contest end date. The Instagram winner will be chosen separately.

No giveaway/spam accounts. Open internationally; 18+ to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Good luck to all!

Instagram entry (One winner) To enter this giveaway on Instagram, please head to over to this photo and follow the rules listed to enter.

Good luck everyone!

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Fall Glam Makeup with Dark Vampy Lips|OPV Gorgeous Eyeshadow Palette Paired with Lena Lashes

So I was playing around with a few shades in the OPV Gorgeous eyeshadow palette and decide to put together this quick Fall inspired eye look with I used with the Kendall lashes from Lena Lashes.

Details on the rest of the products for my look:

Brows: Colourpop Cosmetics Bangin’ Brunette Pencil ($5) Lips: OPV Liquid lipstick in Saturn Eye Pencil: Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in Aqua XL D-12 – diamond black ($21) Eyeshadow Primer: PÜR COSMETICS Cease Crease Eyeshadow Primer ($14) Liquid liner: Inglot black gel eyeliner in 77 Lashes: Lena Lashes Kendall ($15.99) Highlighter for inner corner: OPV Stardust Foundation: Tom Ford traceless perfecting foundation in Sienna Concealer: IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer in deep ($24) Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof mascara ($23) Brushes: OPV Pink Brushes

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Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Fragrance Review + Surprise Giveaway

Oh Tom. You never cease to amaze us. I wanted to do this feature on Tom Ford's Velvet Orchid as an introduction to the Fall 2016 Orchid Collection which was inspired by his two fragrances - Black Orchid an Velvet Orchid.

Tom Ford Orchid Collection "Introducing Lip Color, Nightbloom Powder, and Solid Perfume in shades inspired by the elusive Black and Velvet Orchid."

The new nine-piece limited edition fall collection, which is already available online and set to launch at Tom Ford counters this August, includes two lipsticks and two blushes while the remaining five pieces are variations of the Black Orchid and Velvet Orchid fragrance.

• Black Orchid Lip Color ($60)
• Velvet Orchid Lip Color ($60)
• Nightbloom Powder in Black Bloom ($80)
• Nightbloom Powder in Velvet Bloom ($80)
• Black Orchid Solid Perfume ($190)
• Velvet Orchid Solid Perfume ($190)
• Black Orchid Eau de Parfum ($115)
• Velvet Orchid Eau de Parfum ($115)
• Orchid Soleil Eau de Parfum ($120)

So before you run out to buy some new luxe beauty items, let's talk a little bit about one of the inspirational fragrances - Velvet Orchid.This fragrance warrants a woman with a unique character that is looking to deliver a powerful floral signature scent that has a bit of spice to it. It opens with an accord of black orchid blended with notes of velvet orchid, turkish rose oil and jasmine.

In order to distinguish it from its older sibling, Black Orchid, Velvet Orchid's team of perfumers packed it full of florientals and citrus notes such as orange blossom and rose absolute. The base of the fragrance is more feminine and warm due to the rich flavors of vanilla, amber, sandalwood and suede.

It is available here in 1.0oz, 1.7oz and 3.4oz but I want to help one of you start your Orchid collection started right now - with a giveaway!

To enter this giveaway, simply follow/subscribe to this blog and leave a comment on this post telling me which other pieces you're most excited to try in the Fall Orchid collection. Scroll down to find my subscription box or look to the to right of your screen.

Contest ends Monday, July 25th, 2016 at 11:59EST. I will choose and verify one winner from all of the comments (must be a subscriber to win) and announce within 48 hours of the contest end date. Open internationally; 18+, to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.

Plusssssssssssss I would make sure that you head over to the Instagram page because there might just be a giveaway for a bottle over there too!

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