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*

Polaire

With the release of The Great Gatsby I can definitely see that roaring 20s fashion is firmly back on the map. This is not an era I am overly familiar with, but I do love the eccentricity of the flapper girl and the confidence with which women embodied it while becoming more liberal in their attitude to life and their approach to beauty, style and fashion.

Rather than concentrating on the fashion I thought it would be interesting to look at other aspects of beauty at the time, namely fragrance.Chypre fragrances, characterised by the contrast between the fresh citrus accord and the woody-oakmoss fond, first launched in 1917 and were representative of elegance, sophistication and seduction; instantly synonymous with the Roaring Twenties. Polaire is a new chypre fragrance from Yardley that evokes the carefree 20s era, while bringing it into the modern age and making it accessible to all.

Polaire opens with a fresh, fruity green top note of pear and freesia followed by a spicy floral heart of blooming rose, ginger and pink pepper, enhanced with a very sensual, powdery base note of patchouli and amber. The fragrance is enticing, yet uplifting and energising, while still being romantic and feminine.

As ever the Yardley fragrances are created using the finest premium ingredients, but at prices that make it available to all. The Polaire eau de toilette is £19.99, available from Boots, Lloyds, Morrisons, Sainsbury’sand online at www.yardleylondon.co.uk

Have you tried Yardley's Polaire? Are you a fan of 20s fashion?

Neom Scent With Love: Home Scenting Gift Set

Have you ever bought a present for someone, but couldn't quite make yourself part with it? Well greedy guts over here has, and from discussions around my office it seems to be a common trait. Though the gift set below has been compiled as such, I think it would also make a lovely treat for you. After all you deserve it!

The Neom Scent With Love Home Scentig Gift Set comes in a beautiful, weighty box that bursts with fragrance even before you lift the lid. It contains a perfect mini reed diffuser in the scent Happiness (White Neroli, Mimosa and Lemon), a Complete Bliss (Moroccan Blush Rose) scented travel candle and a Pillow Mist in send-you-to-sleep Tranquillity (English Lavender, Sweet Basil and Jasmine).

With a beautiful mix of the most popular Neom scents this gift is a great introduction to the brand, letting you try out three of their most popular fragrances.

The Neom Scent With Love gift set can be purchased for £50 here.

Timothy Dunn Arabian Fig

Christmas is all about setting the scene, and my favourite way of doing this is with scent. We all deserve a little luxury and my indulgences often include candles. The latest candle I have been sampling is Timothy Dunn's Arabian Fig, which I think is the perfect scent for the festive period.

The candle comes in leather look packaging, which contains a beautiful burgundy hand-blown glass holder with a classic silver lid.

The look of this candle is incredibly sophisticated and makes a proud addition to my coffee table. I think it would make a wonderful Christmas gift as it evokes luxury and smells absolutely amazing.

The inspiration behind this candle is the sophistication of ancient Constantinople – the largest and wealthiest city of the Middle Ages.  With notes of fig, basil and clove enhanced by frankincense, cassis, rose and jasmine, as well as rich sandalwood, cedarwood and musk this candle creates a festive aroma that warms the room. Plus with a burning time of 60 hours it will ensure the atmosphere lasts for weeks!

The Timothy Dunn Arabian Fig Candle can be found for £45 here.

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!

My Favourite Fragrances

Favourite Fragrances

I've recently been playing around on Beautysets to create some fun collages to be used in my latest blog posts. As much as I love blogger I feel that the layout is somewhat limiting so it's fun to try something new! Let me know what you guys think!

What perfumes are you loving recently? xxx

Things I am currently loving!

With work, exam revision, a videoshoot to prepare for and a wedding this weekend I am desperately trying to get some blog posts up for you guys in between! However, with time falling short I thought I would do a little favourites post of things I am currently loving.

Carmex Moisture Plus Lipbalm (£4.49)

This lipbalm is inexpensive and easy to use while on the go. It gives lips a glossy finish with a hint of colour and a shot of moisture. It also has vitamin E and SPF 15 to protect the lips and keep them soft. Yum!

Rituals Under a Fig Tree Fragrance Sticks (£21.50)

I am not usually a lover of fig scents, but these fragrance sticks give the room a subtle wonderfully delicious, juicy fragrance that is fresh and comforting all at once.

Jo Malone Rosewater and Vanilla Cologne Intense (£95)

This fragrance is probably an acquired taste, but I am completely obsessed with it. Rose Water and comforting vanilla are enriched with a succulent bite of rose loukoum. 'A tempting and addictive fragrance'... they certainly got the addictive part right, though given the price tag I won't be bathing in it anytime soon!

Philip B Oud Royal Shampoo and Conditioner

This is an intensive hydrating duo that leaves my hair silky soft, smooth, light and buoyant. Once again given the price tag I only use this once a week or as a treat, but you can definitely see the difference even after just one wash.

Peplums

I absolutely adore peplums and am keeping my fingers crossed that they never go out of style as I have purchased numerous tops, dresses, jumpers and jackets with peplum detailing. It's extremely flattering, easy to wear and gives that amazing exaggerated waist silhouette that I lust after. However, if you are feeling a little hesitant about diving into this trend I highly recommend checking out this nifty little leather peplum belt that will look beautiful teamed with... well anything!

Hobbs Marissa Peplum Belt (£99)

Zaggora Hot Pants (£50)

I was recently sent a pair of Zaggoras to try and they have become a workout staple, so much so that they are making tri-weekly turns in the washing machine. I can't comment on their exact weightloss properties, but they sure do make you sweat (in places I didn't know I could). They are great to wear when doing aerobic exercise and are flexible and comfortable enough to join you on a run, cycle or even dance class. They are a little pricey, but having worn both the viva and original hot pants styles I can equally recommend both. Personally I think the shorter style is just as good and is a more purse friendly £30 here.

Denman Be-Bop Massage Brush (£2.87)

I love my tangle teezer, but sometimes my hair is so knotty that I lose patience. After discovering this amazing little brush from Denman that can be used in the shower I have cut minutes from my routine, and not just any minutes... tangled, frustrating minutes of pain. There are lots of ways to use this little beauty, but my preference is to run it through my hair while I'm rinsing out the conditioner. This makes detangling an absoute breeze for kids and big kids alike ;).

What are the products you are currently loving? I would love to know! xxx

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.

Kiehl's Orange Flower & Lychee Fragrance

Kiehl's new Aromatic Blends Collection features four intoxicating fragrances designed to take you on a sensorial trip around the world. The perfumes in each trio of fragrance, body cleanser and body lotion have been inspired by a rich variety of destinations. 

The Fig Leaf & Sage fragrance echoes spring in Provence - a combination of the scent of the air beneath the fig tress and the delicate aromas of the herbs in the surrounding fields. Vanilla & Cedarwood is a delicate balance of ying and yang - the feminine, smooth, smoky and slightly sweet vanilla sourced in Uganda and the masculine, raw and earthy Virginia cedarwood. Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit uses a unique extraction technology to draw out the delicate scent of nashi blossom, mixed with ginger and Brazilian pink grapefruit.

My favourite of the four fragrances is the deliciously sweet, creamy, yet slightly citrus Orange Flower & Lychee fragrance. I am not normally a fan of orange blossom, but the sweet rose like lychee and honey notes blend beautifully with the bitter orange.

 

"The Orange Flower & Lychee recreates the atmosphere of late afternoon in a Moroccan garden. The orange tree absorbs the warmth of the sun during the day then exudes its strong distinctive essences as the air begins to cool in the evening, while the lychee lends a soft and sweet aroma reminiscent of the roses growing nearby."

It's always great to layer products to ensure your favourite fragrance lasts all day, so I think it's fantastic that Kiehl's has launched these trios. All the products smell amazing, as well as being kind to skin and containing only the best and most effective ingredients. I particularly like the body lotion as it is light enough to apply in hotter weather or in the morning as it absorbs quickly and feels soothing. They also contain botanical oils, butters and glycerin to ensure skin is nourished without silicones and is well hydrated for 24 hours.

Kiehl's Aromatic Blends launch in Kiehl's stores from September. The fragrances will retail at £48 for 100ml, with the mist £26 for 30ml. Skin softening body lotion will retail at £24 for 250ml and body cleanser £19 for 250ml.

Are you looking forward to Kiehl's new range of fragrances? Which scent appeals to you most? Do you like to layer scented products? xxx

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire

Guerlain always strikes me as a very traditional fragrance house, being among the oldest in the world. The House of Guerlain was founded in 1828, when Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain opened his perfume store at 42, rue de Rivoli in Paris. As both the founder and first perfumer of the house, Pierre-François composed and manufactured custom fragrances with the help of his two sons, Aimé and Gabriel. Through continued success and the patronage of members in high society, Guerlain opened its flagship store at 15, rue de la Paix in 1840, and put its mark on the Parisian fashion scene.

La Petite Robe Noire is the latest in over 300 fragrances created by Guerlain. I feel that it really brings this amazing perfumer into the modern era with a wearable fragrance that I think will appeal to multiple generations. The scent begins with fruity and floral notes that develop into a sweet and creamy finish with essences of vanilla, Tonka bean, iris and patchouli.

"Like the cut of a dress, my fragrance is shaped with all of Guerlains’ finesse. Its simple signature enhances and romances several exceptional materials in a bold overdose. Black cherry blinks the first wink. It is illustrated by a clever blend that extends exquisite almond and delicious berries. The second wink takes place as rose enters the stage. Finally, the shadowy temptations of licorice and smoky black tea reveal more of me and lead to irresistible seduction. For the ultimate temptation, the entire creation is wrapped in Guerlinade. Fresh, enigmatic and exhilarating… Mischievous and captivating… I am the warm spark beneath the sweetness. I am absolutely essential and utterly irresistible. I am the chic and very seductive, perfumed creation by Guerlain."

La Petite Robe Noire is available in Selfridges here with 30ml retailing at £42.

Have you tried Guerlain's latest fragrance offering?

BCBGMAXAZRIA Fragrance

 

Few people know that Max Azria is the incredible designer behind the iconic Herve Leger bandage dress, but it will come as no surprise that his new fragrance embodies the playful, fun and modern essence of his BCBGMAXAZRIA ready to wear fashion brand. 

The BCBGMAXAZRIA perfume* is exquisitely feminine, young and perfect for the summer. A spritz of the perfume opens with a mouth-wateringly edible flourish of juicy wild strawberry, black cherry and kir royale, introducing the playful and flirty nature of the fragrance. A chic floral symphony is at the heart of the scent – violets and jasmine bring fresh sweetness while the rare, ethereal lily of the valley and rose give delicate and feminine hints. Completing the aroma are the dry notes of heady musk, rare orris flower and creamy sandalwood.

I absolutely adore the girlie, pink packaging, especially the ruffled lid - a transformation of the BCBCMAXAZRIA butterfly logo into petals.

BCBCMAXAZRIA is £44 (RRP) for 50ml EDP or £56 (RRP) for 100ml EDP and is available in Debenhams here.

*PR Sample

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

L'Occitane Pivoine Delicate

Many moons ago I blogged about the fabulous Pivoine Flora range from L'Occitaine (if you missed it you can check it out here). It was the first peony fragrance I had tried and I fell head over heels on the first spritz. I am so excited that L'Occitane have now extended the range with their beautiful limited edition Pivoine Delicate collection.

The collection includes a mix of fragrance, makeup and hand cream all delicately scented with peony.

All the products come in lovely, pink and girlie packaging with the signature L'Occitane vintage feel.

The Pivoine Delicate eau de toilette (£35ml for 75ml here) is inspired by a rare peony flower found in the Drome region of Provence. For me it is the perfect fragrance for Spring. It's light and fresh, but still sweet, blending the softness of peony and rose petals with the green transparency of lily of the valley in a luminous floral accord with a soft, powdery finish.

 

L'Occitane is perhaps most lauded for its amazing hand creams and the Pivoine Delicate hand cream (£14 for 75ml here) is a fantastic addition to the collection. The cream is beautifully scented and fairly thick, but sinks in quickly without leaving a greasy residue.

I also really like the packaging of this cream and prefer it to the traditional L'Occitane metal tubes. To dispense all you have to do is twist the cap, so there is no chance of losing the lid, or fiddling with caps while your hands are still a bit slippery! Perfect for your handbag and application on the go :).

The Pivoine Delicate Shimmering Powder (£22 here) is a fun product to use as a finishing touch to your look. The bottle is absolutely gorgeous and with its cute retro design it would look very ladylike on any dressing table. Formulated with natural-origin ingredients, the puff releases a fine mist of pink and silver iridescence to beautify the body and hair and leave a silky, satin finish on the skin. One thing I would advice is to make sure you tap it before using it as the powder can get trapped in the nozzle, so one squeeze can lead to...

Yup, I made quite the mess when I was swatching it. Though my sofa has a beautiful sparkle to it now ;). After this incident I have made sure to tap the bottom every time I have used it and it has worked as intended, releasing a light cloud of shimmering, fragrant, finely milled powder.

I love a bit of sparkle. So pretty! I may actually go and have a quick sprinkle before going out tonight... don't judge me ;p.

Have you tried L'Occitane's Pivoine Delicate collection? Are you a fan of peony fragrances? What are your favourite products from this range? xxx

*Products mentioned were sent to me for review consideration*