Review: 4 by Beyonce...

As the title of the album suggests, this is the fourth solo album* from the lead singer of now defunct girl-group Destiny's Child. The album title is not just meant to signify that this is the fourth solo release, but it also meant to represent the day of her birth [4th September 1981] and the fact that she married her husband [Jay-Z] on the 4th of the month [4th April 2008]. The album title is meant to be a "personal gift to her fans", as apparently her fans "have been taking to various social media pages urging her to name the album after her 'special number'". The album was recorded over a year between the spring of 2010 and the spring of 2011, while Beyonce took a break from the spotlight. 

"'The album is definitely an evolution. It's bolder than the music in my previous albums because I'm bolder. The more mature I become and the more life experiences I have, the more I have to talk about. I really focused on songs being classics, songs that would last, songs that I could sing when I'm 40 and when I'm 60." - Beyonce


I might as well warn you now; your enjoyment of 4 will depend on how you rate Beyonce's ballads; The mix of musical influences is subtle and most of the tracks are dedicated to Beyonce's relationship with her husband. Beyonce's named influences for 4 include Fela Kuti [she even worked with the band from the Broadway musical, Fela! on 4], Earth, Wind & Fire, DeBarge, Lionel Richie, Teena Marie with additional influences by The Jackson 5, New Edition, Adele, Florence and the Machine, and Prince.


Beyonce has co-written every song on 4 [including the deluxe version], except for I Was Here, which was wrote by Diane Warren.

Additional song-writers include The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Corey Jackson Carter, Frank Ocean, Babyface, J. Que, Kanye West, The-Dream, Adidja Palmer, Diplo, David Taylor and Afrojack.


Beyonce herself co-produced 4 and Individual track producers include Babyface, Consequence, Diane Warren, Kanye West, Ryan Tedder, Switch, Shea Taylor, Symbolyc One and The-Dream.

New fragrance: Cosmic Radiance by Britney Spears

After 2010's successful fragrance Radiance, which surprised us with its flacon created of transparent turquoise and pink surfaces, its successor with the same form and different notes arrives later this year. Cosmic Radiance is inspired by a star which twinkles brighter than all other stars, a star of a distant galaxy, far away from this world.

The composition of the new cosmic glow by Britney Spears opens with strong and optimistic citruses, with a refreshing glittery red bouquet opening its fragrant petals in the very heart of the composition. Base notes twinkle and warm with notes of amber, soft vanilla and creamy sandalwood.


The bottle has the same eye-catching design as last year's Radiance, created of black and glittery-transparent surfaces reminding of gems. A small dose of elegance and femininity is added by the pink color on the neck of the bottle.

New fragrance: Pulse EDP by Beyonce

Beyonce will present her new fragrance Pulse in September 2011 in cooperation with the company Coty. Pulse is a citrus- floral-gourmand fragrance, dedicated to the favorite flower of the singer—orchid. This energetic composition portrays the excitement that she feels on stage.
"Women always tell me that my music makes them feel strong and confident, and Pulse is about finding that inner power. Pulse represents the woman I am on stage. When I think about excitement, it makes me think about my heart racing and a pulsating beat—it’s my stage persona," said Beyonce to Elle.
Coty claims that the fragrance successfully blends citric and gourmand accords. It opens with sparkling top notes of pear blossom, frozen bergamot and an accord of Blue Curacao liqueur. The heart features Bluebird orchid, for the first time used in a fragrance. There are also notes of delicate peony and intensive midnight blooming jasmine. The base is warm, sensual and irresistible, made with Madagascar vanilla, musk and precious woods.

Top notes: pear blossom, frozen bergamot, Blue Curacao
Heart: bluebird orchid, peony, midnight blooming jasmine
Base: vanilla, musk, woody notes

The bottle tends to a modern, futuristic design. Faceted as a diamond, it looks like it’s upside down, while its blue colors evoke the fragrance inside.

To be honest I was disappointed with Heat and Heat Rush; they're too generic. Heat Ultimate Elixir [never received a UK release] was nice, but someone stole my bottle from my suitcase in New York.

I'm a huge Beyonce fan, so fingers crossed that Pulse hits the spot.

Dear L'Oreal...

Damn - you've fooled me into buying a Glam Shine lipgloss, thanks [in no small part] to the above ad of jennifer Lopez.

That promo ad was displayed in Superdrug next to a display of  Glam Shine Fresh lipglosses [drench your lips in Glam Shine Fresh. L'Oreal presents its first lip gloss enriched with Vitamin C & E. Available in 7 tangy shades, it applies sheer on lips to give a subtle pop of day-glo fresh colour.] and it was printed  that she is wearing 'Aqua Mandarin'.