FRENCH WINE IN YOUR FACE - CAUDALIE

Ladies and Gentlemen.  Ever had the urge to throw a glass of wine in someone's face?  I'm thinking that you ladies might have had the urge about a certain "gentlemen" at one time or another.   Well it turns out you might be doing the jerk a favor rather than hurting their ego.   Scientific research now tells us that the polyphenols in grape seeds are the strongest sponge for absorbing free radicals - which has anti-aging effects.   Maybe that's why social cads always have a glow on their face - all the wine facials.. although I think that glow is from something all together different and usually comes an hour after the wine hits their face!  ..but I digress.  

Caudalie is a French brand of skin care that is harnessing the power of grape seeds and has patented skin care technology never seen before in topical products sold over the counter.  The first three products made their debut in 1995 - so this is pretty recent technology.

This is my first find on my South of France Holiday for 2009!  A few days ago on a friends boat - someone pulled out Caudalie sunscreen and passed it around.  The Mediterranean sun in August is a scorcher! Everyone knew it except for me - the only American afloat.   The creams are nourishing to the skin the moment you apply them.   A full range of products from refreshing grape seed water to skin care is available on the website.   www.Caudalie.com

HOLDING MY CAUDALIE IN A RIVIERA GARDENMost exciting is the opening of a Caudalie spa in the U.S. in the famed Plaza Hotel.    The spa is one of only 4 in the world to feature the exclusive Caudalie treatments.  As I've written before - The Plaza Hotel is now a great resource for a treasure trove of designer products from Krigler fragrance to MCM handbags and now a Caudalie Spa Treatment.

Cheers to the Grape Seed and Bon Soiree!

Reporting from the Saint Raphael, France August 15th, 2009

KRIGLER'S GOT A SECRET

MADISON SECRET BODY MILKFrench Perfume house KRIGLER has an exciting new addition to the collection - just in time for Summer.  

As New York finally feels some warm weather in late April - the Krigler boutique at the Plaza Retail Collection unveils the new collection of skin and body care.   The collection is unique in applications and design.  One of the most intriguing products is a body lotion called Madison Secret.    The creamy lotion is non-greasy but very effective in moisturizing dry skin.   Madison Secret - along with all of the skin care lotions from Krigler are scented of cotton - a light and fresh smell that will not compete with your favorite fragrance.  

Read about the full collection click- KRIGLER

SCENT OF A LEGACY - KRIGLER PARFUM

 

It seems like every day we see new advertisements touting new fragrance collections that we simply must have!  Usually they are the requisite scent of a fashion collection or skin care line that is more marketing plan than olfactory creation.  Either that or they are the payday to a Hollywood name looking to round out their financial portfolio.

For all these reasons and more- the arrival of French Parfumer KRIGLER at the Plaza Hotel is a breath of fresh air - pardon the fragrance pun!

KRIGLER is a 5th generation fragrance house with Russian roots and French savoir faire.   Mr. Ben Krigler is the man behind the revamp and re-launch of his family's legacy.   Born in France, Mr. Krigler grew up splitting his time between the two countries and feels as at home in New York as he does in Paris.

10 years ago Ben Krigler re-launched the company and undertook the daunting task of recreating the original formulas, bottles, and packaging.    The first product to make it to market was a luxurious candle collection.   Based on fragrances - these are not your average candle.  In fact, each has twice the essential oil of most commercial candles sold today.   So much in fact, the vegetable based wax can be rubbed on the skin as a moisturizer!   Due to the high content of oil the candles burn for over 40 hours.   My favorite is "Established Cognac" that has a wonderful scent of cognac with a musk undertone - very rich and sensual at the same time.   Mr. Krigler spent several years re-launching the colleciton in the most luxurious retail locations in the world such as Browns in London.  There are over 70 points of sale in 30 countries.

PLAZA HOTELWhen it came time to relaunch a retail concept of his own- Mr. Krigler knew New York was the place.  

Serendipity intervened.   In 2007 when the Plaza hotel began a $400 million dollar renovation of the landmark building - the developers contacted a select few brands to be part of The Plaza Retail Collection.   Mr. Krigler's grandfather had sold the collection at the Plaza back in the 1930's.   The only address the Plaza had on file for Mr. Krigler was long since obsolete.  Unbelievably, the French post office was able to trace the Krigler name to Grasse - where the company has one of the workshops and develops the namesake parfums.

The Fragrances are a treat any women would fall in love with instantly.   One dazzling scent is aptly titled Sparking Diamonds and has a champagne base that takes one year to perfect.   Each bottle has a splash of Swarovski crystals at the bottom to represent the namesake scent.  The collaboration with Swarovski is a tribute to Mr. Kriglers grandfather.   Years and years ago, the elder Mr. Krigler had a very lucky night at the casino in Monte Carlo.   He won big and to celebrate he bought his wife diamond earrings and two bottles of Champagne.   He was inspired by love to create the Sparkling Diamonds parfum.ARTISANAL SOAPS

Every scent in the collection has a story and a number associated with it.   I really encourage you to find your way to the Plaza shops and if you are lucky - find Mr. Krigler himself in the boutique.   I did, and it was a true pleasure to speak with someone so passionate about his family legacy.  KRIGLER PARFUM , KRIGLER CANDLES  The pricing of the collection is also a pleasant surprise.   Ranging from $15 for beautifully scented soaps - $68- $142 for the Parfums - and $58.00 for the luxury candles - the entire range is well priced.KRIGLER LOGO - PLAZA HOTEL NYC

There is so much to come in 2009 for the collection.   A Life Of Style will be checking back on the House of  KRIGLER for exciting additions to the collection!

KRIGLER

The Plaza Retail Collection

One West 58th Street

New York, NY 10019

T: 212 371 1122