Inspiration: Neom Organic Reed Diffuser

I have a very sensitive nose. Perhaps it has evolved to compensate for my poor sight, but I don't always view it as an evolutionary benefit when living in a city that isn't particularly fragrant. Therefore, when at home I try to take refuge in a space filled with delectable scents. I always have a candle burning in my living room and am an avid Febreeze purchaser. However, this does not always mix well with my abundant allergies! Candles are amazing as they can make a room feel alive with light and scent, but sometimes you may want a subtle, clean aroma with no sooty remnants. I have come to absolutely adore Neom's organic reed diffusers for just that!

The Violet, Chamomile and Cedarwood scent from Neom is called Inspiration, and aptly so. This mix of pure essential oils with 80% certified organic ingredients and 20% natural ingredients releases a light, fresh fragrance that is soothing and calming, while being uplifting and energizing. 

I have always struggled with having a candle in the bedroom (not least because if left unattended it can tarnish a perfectly white wall... oops), but also because the last thing you want is smoke in the room that you sleep in. This reed diffuser has been sitting on my side table for a few weeks and it has made the whole room smell absolutely heavenly. I have had no problems with my allergies and am happy to see that the level of oils has not decreased rapidly, so I can enjoy the scent for weeks to come!


Other fragrances in the range include Complete Bliss, Real Luxury and Refresh and after being sent Inspiration to review I will definitely be purchasing another as a gift or a treat! 


Neom reed diffusers are £32 and can be found on their website here.

Are you a fan of home fragrances? Have you ever purchased a reed diffuser? What are your favourite scents? xxx

Madonna Truth or Dare

The ultimate chameleon Madonna has released her new fragrance Truth or Dare exclusively in Selfridges and I was lucky to have a little sample to test out. The first thing that really drew me in is the amazing bottle designed by Fabien Baron. I love the creamy white porcelain effect against the angular shape and beading detail. It really stands out on the shelf and would look beautiful on any glamorous dressing table.

The fragrance itself is quite surprising and not something that I would necessarily would have associated with Madonna or any celebrity perfume. The scent combines heady florals with wood and vanilla to create a sweet, slightly powdery, evocative and lingering fragrance.

Madonna's inspiration came from her mother's perfume, which contains a strong essence of Gardenias and Tuberose. The Gardenia is definitely prevalent in this scent, along with notes of white lily petals, caramelised amber and musk. The fragrance develops on the skin over time and really matures, fading into a deeper scent that lasts.

Truth or Dare is exclusive to Selfridges and can be found on their website for £25 for 30ml, £32 for 50ml and £42 for £75ml here.

Have you seen Madonna's new fragrance? Are you tempted to try it out? xxx

Yardley Florals

Though the sun has been a little shy this April nothing can evoke Spring like flowers so when I spotted this beautiful floral advertising campaign by Yardley I just had to share it with you all!

This is Yardley's first advertising campaign in over 15 years and I think they have really brought a traditional brand to the forefront with these absolutely stunning, modern, yet classic images.

These incredible dresses were created by Petra Storrs using white crepe, covered in silk flowers. The video below shows how they were made, as well as some behind the scenes footage featuring makeup and hair!

The perfect depiction of the English countryside - rich in colour, texture and beauty sprinkled with a little rain ;). xxx

So...? Enticing Giveaway - Extended!

I have recently started to become increasingly interested in fragrances. So much so that I am currently reading a book about the history of fragrance entwined with fashion (review to come). Though I am no perfume snob and when I like a scent, be it Britney Spears or Tom Ford, I will purchase it and embrace it! 

So...? is a brand that most of you will probably be familiar with. It's bright packaging and variety of scents always drew me in, especially as a teenager. Their new fragrance So...? Enticing is inspired by the extension of every girl's wild alter ego.   

As always the packaging of this eau de toilette is colourful and fun loving. It may not be the most sophisticated or intricate bottle, but it's pretty functional and light. The scent itself is very sweet and fruity with top notes of peach, red fruits and pineapple, followed by a floral heart of orange flower, jasmine and rose, finishing with a creamy vanilla, sandalwood and praline base.

The same fragrance also comes in a handy 75ml body spray, which is perfect to throw in a gym or school bag. 

If you are just starting out in fragrances this would be a great one to try as it is super affordable, accessible (sold in Superdrug stores) and very easy to wear. If you fancy trying a bottle for yourself then you are in luck as I am currently giving a way a set of So...? Enticing Eau de Toilette and Body Spray for one of my lovely (UK) readers! 

To win, here’s all you need to do: 

-       Like the So..? Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/So.FragranceUK)

-       Register/ become a member of the So…? site (http://uk.sofragrance.com/register)

Please don’t forget to leave your email address in the comments so that we can contact you! The competition begins today and will finish at midnight on Friday the 13th of April. 

 Good luck my lovelies! xxx

*PR sample provided for giveaway*

Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum

Recently I have been really getting into perfumes and Jimmy Choo's self-titled fragrance has been top of my list. So when I spotted it while browsing in duty free I decided to treat myself to a gorgeous little bottle. 

The Jimmy Choo fragrance is described as floral and fruity with a green top note followed by heart notes of rich tea rose and exotic tiger orchid finishing with base notes of cedar wood. It is girly and feminine, without being overly sweet and develops well on the skin. I am absolutely in love with this fragrance and foresee myself making my way through the bottle all too quickly! Although I wouldn't say it is particularly unique, it fits well within my collection (Miss Dior Cherie, Juicy Couture, Michael Kors Hollywood and V&R Flowerbomb) and is definitely one of my every day favourites.

Jimmy Choo eau de toilette starts at £33.50 for 40ml, while the eau de parfum starts at £38.50 for 40ml.

Have you tried Jimmy Choo's fragrance? What are your thoughts on it? xxx

Thierry Mugler Angel Le Goût du Parfum (The Taste of Fragrance)

Thierry Mugler’s latest collection of limited edition perfumes ‘Le Goût du Parfum’ (The Taste of Fragrance) is a fun twist on the classic Mugler scents - Angel, Alien, A*Men and Womanity. The collection is indeed a sensorial collision between perfumery and haute cuisine with taste enhancers incorporated into each eau de parfum.

My favourite Thierry Mugler scent is probably his most popular - Angel (£51, 35ml). So I chose to sample the daring union of Angel and Haute Cuisine. The original formula is updated with bitter cocoa powder that acts as a taste enhancer to intensify the gourmand notes of Angel, making them intensely sensual.

At first the fragrance smells just like the original Angel, but quickly develops into a deep, bitter sweet chocolate scent. It really is delicious and enticing! I have also noticed that the creamy chocolate notes last really well on the skin throughout the day.

Top Notes: Bergamot and Mandarin

Heart: Passion Fruit, Peach and Apricot
Base: Patchouli, Vanilla, Chocolate and Caramel  

This fragrance is not one that I would normally purchase as I tend to gravitate towards more feminine flowery or sweet scents, but I am surprised by how much I have enjoyed wearing it! Angel The Taste of Fragrance makes a very welcome addition to my collection. A girl can never have too much choocolate!

I think this perfume would make a great gift for someone who enjoys the original Angel, as it gives a delightful and delicious twist on the classic scent.

Are you a fan of Thierry Mugler fragrances? Do you have a favourite? Have you tried the Gout du Parfum collection? xxx

Travalo Giveaway and Review!

 ******Exclusive discount of 20% for all my subscribers with the code FGM******

Like any other girl about town I love to change up my perfume depending on the season, my mood, what I'm wearing... but the last thing I need is numerous bottles of perfume rattling around in my bag all day! After years of collecting samples and purchasing mini versions of perfumes I was very much excited to discover the Travalo - a refillable mini perfume atomizer spray. 

Check out my review and details of my giveaway below :).

To enter the giveaway and win one of 15 Travalos all you have to do is:
- Go to the Travalo Facebook page and click 'like'.

- Post 'Natalya sent me' on the wall. 

In the month of October Travalo will be also be donating 100% of the profits from every Perfect Pink Travalo bought online here to Breast Cancer Research.

Have you tried the Travalo? Have you seen any similar products on the market? Good luck in the giveaway my lovelies!! xxx

Gifts for Him!

In the second installment of my perfect gifts guide we are going to talk about the boys, the mice and the men ;). Males of any age are notoriously difficult to buy for unless you are blessed with a guy that possesses a genuine passion for something... anything other than beer and 'insert appropriate sport here'. In my experience once a boy reaches the age of 13 he is interested in little but girls anyway...


Elemis Daily Men's Grooming Collection (£27 -10% at feelunique.com) - For the man who is a little tentative when it comes to skincare this set makes a perfect beginning to a routine. My very low maintanence bf has been testing this out for 2 weeks and has provided me with some valuable (albeit typically manly) feedback, though bless him for trying! He absolutely loved the skin soothe shave gel (and even asked me to get him some more!) as the foam is thick and firm it allows the blade to glide smoothly and gives a very close shave. The deep cleanse facial wash 'did a good job' and cleansed the skin without making it feel dry. The daily moisture boost was perfect for use after shaving and he found it lightweight and soothing, without being greasy or breaking him out. Overall he really enjoyed the set, and given that he normally rejects every product I attack him with... ahem.. let him try, I highly recommend it!

Armani Code Gift Set (£45) and Bleu de Chanel (£42). My two favourite men's fragrances for the season. The Armani code was purchased for the bf last year and is a great all rounder - a masculine contemporary fragrance with citrus and olive tree blossom that belnds into a slightly woody finish. Bleu de Chanel was a recent purchase that I just couldn't resist. This fragrance really reminds me of the original Abecrombie eau de toilette, but with a sophisticated twist. Incredibly sexy and fresh with notes of sandalwood, jasmine, citrus and incense it wears well and lasts through the day. The bf has given me great feedback and so have many of his female colleagues... perhaps one too many ;)?

Call Of Duty Black Ops (£39.99) - As much as I hate being woken every Saturday morning by the sounds of gunfire I can't deny the fact that pretty much every guy I know loves this game. Whether he has an X-box, PS3 or even a Wii the new COD will occupy him for hours ;). I usually use this time to blog, read or even have a little pamper so it's a win all around!

Ted Baker Shield Wool Winter Coat (£350) - If you want to really treat that special boy and keep him warm, while looking stylish this winter a coat would be a great purchase. The deep navy colour is flattering on any skin tone and does not look as harsh as black, or as 'tatty' as brown. Of course my choice had nothing to do with the doe-eyed male model, but you can't deny he looks gorgeous! The sharp lines and military inspired detailing keep this classic shape modern and sophisticated, while slimming the figure.. for the gentlemen who require a little streamlining ;).

FCUK Brown Leather Belt (£12.99 down from £30) - I always think it's a bit cheeky buying a present on sale, but hey, I won't tell if you don't. Every guy needs a smart belt and though it may not be a very exciting present it will be a useful one that he will probably wear every day!

 

Remington Groom Innovation Navigator All in One Kit (£29.99) - For the man who takes a little more care of himself this is an absolutely fantastic set to cover all his needs (some of which you may not want to know about... nose and ear trimmer anyone?). This kit includes the PG520 unit with up to 60 minutes of cordless usage (that's a whole hour of nose hair trimming!) as well as 5 attachment heads, a body hair trimmer, wide trimmer, fine trimmer, mini-foil shaver, nose & ear trimmer, 3 combs for different hair lengths (1 – 20 mm), charging stand, cleaning brush & oil bottle. Amazing value for so many tools, and you can be sure that he will find something he can use, or something you can convince him to use in the New Year ;)!

TIGI Bed Head for Men Matte Separation Workable Wax (£8.45) - We all know that guy at school, university, in the office that uses too much hair gel. The 90's are over boys, it's time to update your look! This pliable, matte wax will leave hair looking natural, sorry Westlife, and give it a secure hold without looking greasy or setting stiff and crunchy. If you no longer want sticky fingers after running your hands through his hair, sorry Ross from Friends, this may be the budget friendly hint.. umm... gift you are looking for!

I recently read the results of a poll that announced the gift most men want is that of experience, while girls prefer clothes, jewelry, cosmetics and other tangible items (go figure!). I completely agree with this, and even though it may take a little more organisation an 'experience' is a fantastic present. Of course you can chose something your man is already interested in (Super Car Driving, Golf), but I prefer to try something new such as learning a new skill (Cooking Lessons, Wine tasting, Clay Pigeon Shooting - went down a storm for the bf's bday!). Or why not try something unique such as Feeding Big Cats by Hand or a Flying Lesson?

I hope this gives you some ideas ladies! Good Luck and let me know if you have any recommendations :). xxx

Gifts for Her!

The most hectic days of the year are upon us and with only a week to go before Christmas it's time to get organised! So many of you have sent me messages asking for advice so I thought I would put together a little last minute gift guide, to suit all budgets, for those struggling to maintain the Christmas cheer while bustling around the shops ;). Let's begin with gifts for her (for him and for you coming up next)!

For Her

Liz Earle Essentials Try-Me kit (£21.75) - This skincare set is great for any age and would make the perfect gift for the girl who is always too busy to pamper herself, but deserves a lovely treat. This kit includes the celebratred Cleanse and Polish (with muslin cloth), Instant Boost Skin Tonic and two Skin Repair Moisturisers (one for dry/ sensitive and one for normal/combination skin) enclosed in a durable little makeup bag.

White Tea and Ginger Bath Gift Set (£24.99) - For the budget conscious who don't like to show it this set has a great range of beautifully presented products including bath soap, body lotion, bath confetti, hand wash, bubble bath, bath salts, shower gel, and sponge in a stylish ceramic bowl. You don't have to rush out either, if you order by Tuesday 21st December with standard delivery your gifts are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas Eve!

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (Limited Edition) (£15.50) - In this harsh winter weather Eight Hour Cream is an absolute handbag essential for dehydrated skin and chapped lips. The limited edition packaging is adorable too!

ELF 100piece Eyeshadow Palette (£15.00) - Having had the opportunity to try this palette out it is evident that the price does not reflect the quality of these shadows. Pigmented, smooth and with a range of textures this palette would make a wonderful gift for the younger girl starting to experiment with makeup through to the makeup master. I absolutely love it and think it is incredible value for money.

GHD Midnight Collection Gift Set Limited Edition (On sale £119.20 down from £149!) - This wonderful new GHD set would make a wonderful gift for the glamorous girl in your life. We all know GHDs are pricey, but this set including the gold classic styler, limited edition travel hair dryer, styler pouch with heat resistant roll mat, treasure chest case, baroque travel mirror and two ghd sectioning clips is currently 20% off!

Ted Baker Tellan Leather Jacket (£299) or Reiss Rogers Biker Leather Jacket (£275) - Every girl needs a good leather jacket, and I am in love with these two. The quality of the leather is stunning in both and the feminine, fitted shape makes it versatile and perfect to throw over a party dress or a smart blouse and pencil skirt. One of these is actually my Christmas present this year ;). Yay!

Viktor and Rolph Flowerbomb Gift Set (£48.50) and Emporio Armani Diamonds Gift Set (£34.50) - At a recent fragrance event I was given the chance to try a multitude of different perfumes and these are my two top picks for the season. V&R is one of my all time favourites - femine and floral this warm, sweet fragrance with notes of tea, bergamot, jasmine, orchid and rose is a signature statement scent. Armani Diamonds is a fragrance I had never tried before - elegant and feminine with top notes of rose and raspberry that blend into an amber and vanilla base, I think this perfume will be enjoyed by many!

Zara Messenger Bag (£29.99) - While browsing the Zara website (as you do!) I noticed this stunning bag and thought it would make a perfect present at a budget friendly price! With it's classic shape, mix of materials and geometric perforations it is completely on trend for this season, and will accessorize a number of outfits perfectly.

Phew! I hope that was helpful my lovelies! Stay tuned for the next installments in this series - For Him and For YOU! Hope you are all well and looking after yourselves :). 

Natalya xxx