Review: YSL Black Opium Eau de Toilette

Last week I was working late in the office when I had an unexpected call from reception asking me to come downstairs to sign for a delivery. I was very happy to see that the mystery package was Yves Saint Laurent's beautiful new eau de toilette Black Opium. It certainly cheered me up!

YSL Beaute describes the new EDT as mysterious, but sensual. Vibrant, yet with a new femininity at its heart. It is designed to be distinctly different to the Black Opium eau de parfum.

Notes of zingy blackcurrant, juicy pear, quirky mandarin peel, fragrant jasmine tea and orange blossom give this initially sweet feminine scent depth and complexity with flavours of green coffee bean, musk and white wood.

 The new diamond dust bottle gives homage to the original, but is a fun twist on a classic.

The Black Opium Eau de Toilette is a beautifully rich, yet sweet and wearable fragrance. There is definitely something very addictive about it!

YSL Black Opium EDT is available here for £39 for 30ml.

Review: Michael Kors Gold Fragrance Collection

I first fell in love with Michael Kors fragrances when I tried Very Hollywood, it was such a fun, uplifting, wearable scent that it quickly became my signature for the Summer. I was therefore excited to be given a sample of 3 new perfumes in the Michael Kors Gold Fragrance Collection* to test out!

The three gold fragrances couldn't be more different, though they all have the signature Michael Kors effortless wearability and glamour.

White Luminous Gold  is sparkling and sexy with a heady, intoxicating burst of pear, jasmine and amber. It has a slightly oriental feel that for me evokes romantic evenings.

24K Brilliant Gold is feminine and seductive with orange mandarin, delicate florals and a warm woody base. This is a very easy fragrance to wear that will effortlessly transition from day to night.

Rose Radiant Gold (my personal favourite) is sweet, yet light with sparkling spice textured with a charming femininity of rich florals and soft musks. This feels like a summery fragrance, but it has a little more depth so will make a perfect transition into the colder Autumn months.

The Gold Fragrance Collection can be purchased here and retails from £39 for 30ml.

Debenhams are also hosting a pop up Michael Kors Beauty booth until next Saturday so do check them out!

Review: Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.100

I don’t write a huge number of fragrance reviews as I think that scent is so personal. Smells are the strongest conjurers of memories and certain scents can immediately transport you back in time. My favourite scent of all time is roses as my mum fed me with rose jam as a baby so it has always been a deeply comforting and calming scent. However, every now and then I come across a perfume that I am compelled to write about as I think it is so universally appealing. Liz Earle’s Botanical Essence No.100 is exactly that! I have been obsessed with it from the first inhale and I just can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be enamoured with it! A quick look through all the glowing reviews on the website quickly reconfirmed this!

It is described as a fresh floral fragrance and while it is slightly sweet it is also very breezy and uplifting. For me it evokes light, fresh Summer days as it is floral, yet not too heady or old-fashioned. It is described as the joy of entering a British florist’s shop and is a contemporary celebration of some of the most precious ingredients you will find on a perfumer’s palette. Over 89% derived from natural ingredients, blossoming notes of Damask rose, orange flower and Indian jasmine are gently entwined by the subtle sensuality of cypress, sandalwood and Bourbon vanilla, finished with the light, transcendent clarity of mandarin and bergamot.

Originally created as a limited edition in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show, Botanical Essence No.100 returns by popular demand to feature as a permanent addition in the Liz Earle fine fragrance collection and I couldn’t be happier as it has quickly become one of my all-time favourites!

The full list of notes making up this wonderful perfume are:

· Clove leaf – for its spice
· Damask rose – floral (and my absolute favourite)
· Geranium – uplifting and in perfect harmony with rose
· Ylang ylang – floral and sweet
· Vetiver – floral yet woody
· Orange flower water – always beautiful
· Bergamot – fresh and zesty
· Cyperus – woody
· Mandarin– sweet and floral
· Indian Jasmine – sensual and romantic
· Sandalwood – woody and calming

Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.100 retails for £49 here.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Beauty Trio

If you have been reading this blog for a while you will already be aware that I am huge fan of Liz Earle skincare, especially their Cleanse & Polish. I have been using this cleanser with a muslin cloth for many years and though I still adore it I have become somewhat desensitized to its distinctive fragrance. I was therefore super excited to see that Liz Earle had launched a Beauty Trio to celebrate 20 years of of the brand!

The set comes in a beautiful turquoise tin and features 3 limited editions of Cleanse & Polish plus 2 pure muslin cloths. These include calming Rose & Lavender, zesty Grapefruit & Patchouli and soothing Orange Flower & Chamomile.

 I am so excited to try all the new scents!

The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Beauty Trio is £50.

Last minute Valentine's gift for your man!

I always think that perfume makes a great gift for a loved one, especially for your man. If yours is anything like mine he will very rarely purchase scent for himself, but is always happy to receive it!

One of my favourite male fragrances is Hugo Man. It is a sharp and extremely masculine fragrance with satisfying notes of patchouli, bergamot and musk. With its fresh scent it remains quite versatile and adaptable.

Hugo Man EDT 75ML Music Ltd Edition £37.00 is available from The Perfume Shop nationwide http://www.theperfumeshop.com

A cool feature of this limited edition fragrance is it's link to music! HUGO Fragrances has collaborated with three up and coming artists – Kate Boy, Kasper Bjørke and Nina Kraviz – to reshape famous classic recordings for the new HUGO Man Music Limited Edition.

Each artist has selected a track which they have “turned upside down” to create an innovative cover. The result is a unique set of tracks that embody originality and the power of reinvention. Each fragrance contains a download code for the three exclusive upside down tracks. Downloadable from www.hugoboss.com

I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day this Friday!

 

*This is a sponsored post*

Melt Candles

As the evenings get colder leaving the house becomes less and less tempting, so it's important to find ways of treating yourself at home. After a long day at work there is nothing I love more than snuggling on the sofa, watching a movie and lighting one of my (many) candles to fill the room with fragrance.

My most recent discovery are candles from Melt, which come in a fantastic range of 30 different scents. All the candles are hand poured and come in different sizes to fit your need.

I was sent two of their Luxury Glass Jar candles, which have a burning time of 70 hours each. One of their most popular fragrances is Angel (which is burning as I type). This is the perfect fragrance for this time of year as it feels very warm and smooth with hints of vanilla, jasmine, rose, cassis, patchouli, amber and even a little chocolate.

The second scent was Still, which is described as a true spa fragrance as it definitely has a clean aroma. The scent is very relaxing and rejuvenating with notes of lavender, rose, geranium, peppermint and eucalyptus.

I love the packaging of the candles and will definitely be using them (perhaps as drinking glasses) once my 70 hours are up. The candles burn really cleanly and so far I have not managed to make a significant dent in the last 2 weeks. The aroma they create in the room is really subtle and soothing with no traces of the synthetic, overpowering fragrance some candles have. I am already eyeing up a few more of the Melt scents on their website - More (rose, rose and more rose), Love and Blush are currently bookmarked.

Melt candles can be found here, with prices starting from £7.50. As well as candles Melt also specialise in beautiful reed diffusers and sophisticated perfumes. Bring on those chilly evenings!

The Body Shop Scents of the World Perfume Oils

I have been a fan of The Body Shop's fragrances since my pre-teen years and am amazed that every year they bring out new scents that never fail to capture my attention. This season they have launched Scents of the World - their first fragrance collection containing 100% organic essence and globally sourced natural extracts.

I was sent a set of perfume oils to sample, which are all alcohol free. I love the dinky size of these as they are super easy to throw into a handbag and apply on to pulse points throughout the day to freshen up.

The fragrance selection includes:

•  Indian Night Jasmine -  This seductive, feminine blend of floral and oriental accords was inspired by a moonlit night in a Mughal garden.
• Japanese Cherry Blossom - This romantic, captivating blend of floral and hinoki wood accords was inspired by a spring day in Kyoto.
• Atlas Mountain Rose - This bright, dewy blend of floral accords was inspired by dawn in a field of blossoming roses.
• Amazon Wild Lily- This crisp, luminous blend of floral and aquatic accords is inspired by the rain-kissed cool of the jungle.
• Madagascan Vanilla - This warm, sensual blend of floral and oriental accords was inspired by the tropical island.

The fragrance oils retail at £7 each for 15ml and work perfectly when layered with the other products in the collection of the same scent - eau de toilette, body mist, shower gel and body lotion. You can check out the whole Scents of the World collection here.

Neom Inspiration

After waxing lyrical about Neom's beautiful reed diffuser (check out my review here) I was keen to continue my sensory journey with Neom's organic body and hand creams.

Neom's luxurious Organic Hand Cream is packed with anti-oxidising extracts which are great for anti-ageing. They include Acai extract and nourishing Argan oil, known to aid collagen production and tighten the skin. It penetrates rapidly, leaving hands super-soft, smooth and non-greasy. It is a fairly thick cream, but you only need a very small amount to hydrate and release the gorgeous scent. This hand cream comes in a handbag friendly size of 75ml and can purchased for £20 here.


The Neom Organic Body Cream comes in a hefty 200ml jar that has made a permanent home on my bedside table. The cream is rich and luxurious, boasting ingredients such as antioxidant Acai extract, Cocoa Bean to promote skin elasticity plus Rosehip Oil, Avocado Oil and soothing Almond Oil which are packed with essential fatty acids. I prefer to use this cream straight after showering to lock in moisture and makes sure my skin remains hydrated. However, the scent also makes it perfect for the mornings as a re-energising and uplifting little treat.


Have you tried any of the products from Neom's Inspiration line? What are your favourites? xxx

Yardley London Royal Diamond

Yardley is a brand that celebrates its British heritage. Having started making scented soaps in 1770 Yardley is proud to still manufacture its products in England and be cruelty free. To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee they have released a special fragrance - Royal Diamond*.

Royal Diamond is described as a sophisticated, sparkling fragrance opening with a touch of pear and bergamot surrounded by a subtle note of honey, with a delicate romantic floral bouquet at its heart of rose, peony and lily of the valley, enhanced with a soft, woody and vanilla base.

Just like it's simple, fuss free packaging this floral fragrance has a subtle, delicate, clean scent. It would work well as a summer fragrance as it's not too intoxicating or sweet, with the pear and bergamot notes keeping it light, while the rose and peony add smoothness.

To celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Yardley are offering customers 25% OFF all of the products in each of their fragrance ranges. The Royal Diamond fragrance is available in a Deodorising Body Fragrance (Special price of £1.87 here) and Eau de Toilette (Special price of £7.49 here).

*PR Sample

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

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*

Neom Organics Happiness Candle Review

Neom is an organic company that offers a modern, luxurious take on beauty and home treatments. The brand aims to introduce its customers to the benefits of beautiful, organic products that also work as holistic treatments because their essential oil content is so high. Neom strongly oppose synthetic scents and harsh ingredients, but also believe beauty should be about spoiling yourself, fabulous scents and utter indulgence!

I was therefore really excited when I was offered the chance to try one of their new candles - Happiness with White Neroli, Mimosa & Lemon combined with natural fresh grass notes to create the awakening of spring (£37.50). The fragrance of this candle is delicate, yet it effortlessly fills the room, without being overpowering.

NEOM Luxury Organics candles are made using only vegetable wax and pure essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances so they burn without releasing harmful pollutants, toxins or soot. As I have a myriad allergies I was keen to see whether this candle would burn as cleanly as promised and I put it to the test by holding a white piece of paper (at a safe distance) above the flame for a few minutes. Indeed there was no trace of soot or any kind of residue visible!

Neom candles are designed tp work as powerful holistic treatments as you breathe in the scented air so it is recommended to burn them for between 2-4 hours at a time. Each candle has 3 wicks and burns for up to 55 hours. I have used this candle almost every night since it was sent to me and have noticed that it burns really evenly, without any dips in the wax. There is nothing more frustrating than when you purchase a large candle to find that it quickly burns straight through the middle, leaving the wax around the edges untouched. The vegetable wax in the Neom candle melts quickly once the candle is lit, so it is always even when it re-solidifies.

Neom are so passionate about the purity and quality of their products that they have even created their own promise!

I am really impressed with what I have seen from Neom so far and look forward to trying more of their products in the future!

Have you tried any Neom products? Do you prefer using organic products? What are your favourite candle brands? xxx