The word “Aura” may conjur up visions of crystals and other new-age-y trinkets, but the word has many meanings. For example, Merriam-Webster defines “Aura” as being: a: “a subtle sensory stimulus (as an aroma)” and b: “a distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source.”
Aura is also the name of a stunning new fragrance, the first fragrance by European luxury house Swarovski for the United States market. French luxury beauty brand Clarins partnered with Swarovski to create this luminous, fruity floral scent, and also created a couple of celebratory, glistening, scented lip gloss compacts and a luminizer for the body and face, lightly scented (with Aura) and studded with Swarovski crystals.
Whomever came up with “Aura” as the name for the new fragrance was spot-on, as both descriptions directly from the dictionary are a perfect fit. The fragrance, created by noted Firmenich perfumers Jean-Pierre Bethouart and Olivier Cresp, is one of those four-season scents that can be worn for every occasion.
The fragrance has an immediate, reconizeable top note of juicy lychee, plus notes of pure white tuberose and a spicy, pink pepper. But the heart anchors these amber, benzoin, and white musk. The effect is immediately uplifting, but as the scent dries down it transforms into a sensual floral where a nod to the fruit, still shines through. And the fragrance is on the medium to light side, but it lasts on your skin.
If beautiful crystals really had their own scent, it would definitely be “Aura.” In fact, when I think of what Aura reminds me of, it is the emotion I feel when I look at dazzling crystals and feel that little delight that uplifts. The scent gives you that “ooh!” feeling of pleasure the moment you spray it and smell it. Aura by Swarovski is definitely: “a subtle sensory stimulus (as an aroma)” and b: “a distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source.”
The packaging is also quite dazzling and unique. The slim columns of the clear, glass bottles, feature a distinctive, shiny silver topper crowned with an offset silver disk containing a large, clear, Swarovski crystal. The top covers nearly the entire clear column of glass, leaving only a sliver of the clear glass beneath to showcase the delicate pink juice inside. The result is a very modern flacon, almost Guadi-esque in design to surprise, and delight. And these flacons have refill sprays– a nice and Earth-saving touch. The white and silver outer box is also interesting, made of minimal packaging with recycled and recyclable cardboard, and featuring a fold-over format with tab closure. Inside the box are instructions for refilling the flacon printed right on the paper, so there is no need for additional paper use.
Swarovski is synomous with luxury products, but what surprisd me about AURA is the price. You’d expect to pay a Queen’s Ransom for Swarovski studded jewels this unique, but the Aura by Swarovski Eau de Parfum (refillable, too) starts at just $65.00 for 1 oz, the 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum is just $80.00 and the large, 2.6 Eau de Parfum is still just a bit of a splurge, at $100.00. The fragrance is truly exciting and beautiful.
Equally impressive are the “jewels” filled with lip gloss or luminizer. The swivel-open, lip gloss compact, studded with Swarovski crystals contains a luminous, clear gloss with medium shine and a starry-looking glimmer thanks to powdered, micronized Swarovski crystal iridescent pearls in the formula. The long black cord allows you to take your lip gloss wherever you go while providing a chic accessory. The cord is luxuriously finished with silver end caps and a tiny silver disk charm with “Swarovski” and a tiny, sparkling, clear crystal, dangles gracefully from the clasp. There’s also a pink lip gloss version. Both are a splurge-worthy $75.00.
The third jewel holds a “Crystal Touch” that adds a hint of shine to your make up wherever you feel like it. Try it on your temples, in the hollow of the eyelid or brushed onto the decollete or the shoulder, adding a bit of light-diffusing allure, thanks also to genuine, powdered, micronized Swarovski crystal. The Crystal Touch is shown in the photo above with the large crystal and a some delicate lines connecting the tiny, clear, crystals. It is $85.00 .
The outer packaging for the “jewels” is also really impressive, and eco-friendly. The white and silver square carton is also made from recycled and recylable cardboard, with any pertinent information printed right on the paper. But when you open the outer carton there’s a surprise! A round, white, accordian pleated, origami-style box opens up as if a flower, to reveal a shiny, silver carboard “hatbox” with a white satin pull tag. Open this, and inside you’ll find the silver lip gloss compact. It is just such a lovely way to present something special and rare!
It’s available now at all Swarovski Boutiques. Whether you’re getting married, need a special gift for someone, or just want to treat yourself to something beautiful you can wear every day with just about everything, your new AURA will be a gorgeous choice! visit the Swarovski store locator at: swarovskibeauty.com to find the boutique nearest you.
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