So it has been quite a while since I last posted on my blog. I have been jotting down ideas for posts and taking product photos here and there but let’s face it, 2020 has been a roller-coaster of a year and I just couldn’t focus on too many things at once. Health, family and getting through the days became a priority. I didn’t feel like I had anything to say that was relevant or helpful over the past few months. I have just been here in Cornwall, working from home and trying to stay positive.
I did manage to leave the county for the first time in 7 months, to visit family in Manchester & Scotland which was amazing and very needed. Whilst I was away I treated myself to something that I have lusted over for so long and with this year being a bit of a nightmare I felt like this was the perfect time to get it, you’ve got to treat yourself, right!
I finally bought the beautiful Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum and let me tell you I am IN LOVE with it. I knew I was going to like it as I have sprayed it every time I went into Selfridges, but I always talked myself out of buying it. I’m so glad I didn’t do that this time as it has brought me a lot of joy, even though there are not many calls at the moment to get all dressed to go to parties or events I have been using it (sparingly) on a daily basis. It feels decadent and luxurious to use it as my every day fragrance but life is so full of restrictions and negativity that it feels good to wear my favourite perfume. When I wear it I feel happy and I can smell it on myself all day long, this perfume has some serious staying power. It is intense and rich and luckily a few sprays is all you need (I don’t want it to run out too quickly).
This perfume has been on my wish list for so long, because I adore fig scented products and this is one of the best I have tried. It is fresh but intense and sweet all at the same time. I also like that is is quite romantic and earthy too. It has layers of notes that you can smell throughout the day, as it settles. I know most people would associate this perfume with Summer but I will be wearing it into Autumn & Winter, I think the crispness of the notes make it a nice fresh scent for the colder months too.
Top Notes – Fig Leaf
Middle Notes – Wood, Coconut
Base Notes – White Cedar
What perfumes have you been loving this year, have you treated yourself to something a little special? Let me know any recommendations, I love to try new fragrances.
*Gifted. It’s safe to say it’s been a dark, wet and miserable start to 2020, I don’t think we have seen the sunshine so far this year and my skin has been bearing the brunt of this. My skin has felt dry and dull, what with the effects of the central heating and lack of sunshine, I have really been relying on my skincare and makeup to help revive my complexion. I thought I would share with you a few products that have become staples in my routine which I’ve been using religiously over the past couple of months.
I love so many products from The Ordinary Skincare but this serum is pretty epic. I have used it for over a year now and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. Apart from the fact this brand is incredibly affordable their skincare is fantastic quality and shows real results. This didn’t irritate my skin despite it having quite a high concentration of Retinoid, it is easy to apply and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I apply it at night 2 – 3 times a week, as my first step after cleansing and I wake up with smooth, bright, plump skin. Over time this serum helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen which helps to reduce the signs of ageing, like uneven skin tone, age spots and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.
This product is a great way to achieve that youthful, healthy glow, in terms of long term use you really see your complexion improve. It is like liquid gold! Just remember Retinoids can react with more sensitive skin, so dilute at first if you are concerned (or use the 1% version) also please remember to use a high factor SPF as your skin will be more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays.
Although I’m someone who doesn’t like to wear much makeup on a daily basis, I still like that look of being put together and like my skin to look evened out with a little glow. This Beauty Booster from Tropic gives me just that. It is lightweight and I just apply it with my fingers on top of my moisturiser. It leaves my skin with a nice touch of colour, helping to reduce redness, uneven skin tone and gives the illusion that I haven’t seen the sun for MONTHS! The other wonderful things about this lightweight, almost tinted moisturiser (with a bit more coverage) is the fact it has UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and SPF35, so if you do venture out you know your skin is well protected.
Antioxidant-rich resveratrol and vitamin E help to condition the skin, while building defences against daily pollution. Titanium dioxide gives a mineral SPF of 35 to shield against everyday exposure. So if you’re looking for a base that gives you an even, lightweight, natural dewy finish then this Tropic Beauty Booster is the one. I have been loving it and using it every day as my base to combat my tired, dry winter skin!
This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells beautiful and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it. The scent is uplifting and just gives me a reminder that warmer, brighter days are on the horizon (even if it is raining cats and dogs). It has such a rich, warm creamy scent but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I am not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes but this one has something special.
The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss
This would make the most luxurious, thoughtful gift or treat to yourself, it’s a beautiful perfume and the scent lasts so long, I can smell it on my scarf/coat days after I have spritzed it. The quality is second to none. The bottle is also beautiful, the minimal dusky pink give it a subtle, classy feel and the simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.
I tried a few products from UK based ARK skincare last year and was very impressed with their ethos of products that target specific skin concerns depending on your age, as our skin changes so much as we get older and ARK have targeted skincare so it is easy for you to include it in your routine and see fantastic results. This Firming Serum has been a skincare saviour for me this year as it targets your skins loss of elasticity and works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and with my skin being so dry from the weather it has helped smooth, hydrate and plump! So if like me you’re in your early 40s this is a wonderful product to use for long term results. I like to mix the serum in with my moisturiser and apply it as part of my morning skincare regime.
It is jam packed with some wonderful ingredients that help keep your skin looking fresh, smooth and healthy.
Micro Algae Extract – Highly purified microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effects
Hyaluronic Acid – Active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and improves collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.
Biomimetic Lipopeptide Idealift – targets skin sagging and improves resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture
ARK Skincare is proudly developed & manufactured in Britain. Cruelty Free, with many of their products being Vegan friendly. They use Bioactive, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin but give effective results. You can browse their entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.
I love this compact, not only the fact that it is a beautiful rose gold & pewter but it has a good size mirror which makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag. This stunning bronzing/highlighter is also a wonderful product to add a touch of radiance to that Winter complexion without going OTT on the glow. It’s a mix of rose gold, soft peach and lavender pink and I just swirl my brush to pick up a little of all the colours and it gives my cheekbones a nice bronzy warm touch of colour. Such a beautiful product and a very luxurious and not so well known brand, their blushers are super nice too.
*Products have been provided as PR samples but reviews are 100% my own.
(gifted) TJ Hughes is such a staple shop on our high street, and one of the original big brands for less (discount) style department stores. If you’re from Merseyside then you will we very familiar with TJ Hughes as their first store opened there back in 1925 and over the years have expanded to become a national brand with 20 stores across the UK. They offer quality brands at huge discounts, often up to 70% RRP, everything from home and fashion to technology and beauty.
I have picked out some of my favourite beauty products and designer fragrances from their wonderful selection to give you a little inspiration for your Christmas shopping. TJ Hughes have a really extensive selection of makeup, fragrance and beauty products, including many top brands (like Vera Wang, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden and so many more).
NUXE is one of my favourite and also one of France’s best-selling beauty brands, their products are award-winning, high performing and incredible quality. Anyone who loves skincare would be excited to have some NUXE skincare to unwrap on Christmas morning. This NUXE face cream is perfect for soothing, hydrating and reducing the appearance of fine lines. It would make a really nice gift for any lady in your life who likes to take care of their skin and enjoys a nice pamper.
Ted Baker is such a popular brand, instantly recognisable with its timeless logo and signature pink branding. TJ Hughes have some lovely Ted Baker Fragrance Gift Sets which make perfect stocking fillers, these sets are inexpensive & also look stylish and luxurious. They come with a 10ml EDT and a beautiful compact Mirror (ideal for travel or to pop into your handbag).
Agent Provocateur are a brand synonymous with luxury lingerie, and their fragrances are just as luxurious, sophisticated and romantic. TJ Hughes have quite a few Agent Provocateur scents to pick from, I opted for two of their EDP, both perfumes come in beautiful, classic bottles and the outer cardboard packaging is timeless, classic and has a textured finish.
Fatale Pink: which is very fresh, zesty with a romantic twist of musk. It has notes of tangerine, pear blossom and yuzu whipped cream. With heart notes of pink lotus, camellia and datura. With rich base notes of musk, bamboo and saffron.
Fatale Intense: which is more exotic, sexy and rich. It has notes of wild Dewberries, Black Licorice and Spiced Chilli. Heart notes Lotus Blossom, Champaca Flower and Baiser Rose with Base notes of Noir Leather, Luxe Amber and Tahitian Vanilla.
I don’t think there has been a Christmas where I haven’t given a lovely Baylis & Harding gift to at least one member of my family. I mean they come beautiful boxed, they have so many incredible sets to pick from, and their entire range is so affordable, whats not to love! Oh and they have gifts for him & her so no one is left out. This Limited Edition Midnight Plum & Wild Blackberry Gift Set comes with 5 of Baylis & Harding’s most popular pampering products. You get,
300ml Luxury Shower Crème
300ml Refreshing Crème Body Wash
130ml Moisturising Hand Cream
150g Cleansing Soap
1 x Body Polisher
TJ Hughes is a great place to start your Christmas shopping, you will find so many big brand, designer and quality brands you recognise. Many up to 70% off the rrp. You can find the closest store to you via their store locatoror head online to www.tjhughes.co.uk and shop from the comfort of your home. So don’t let the thought of shopping for your Xmas Pressies stress you out this year, head over to TJ Hughes and see what gifts you can pick up for amazing prices.
{gifted} Say hello to the Idole, the latest fragrance release from Luxury beauty brand Lancôme. As soon as I took this bottle out of the box I thought ‘WOW!’, it is so unusual, elegant and sleek. The glass bottle is just 15mm thick with gorgeous gold accents and I think it is the slimmest perfume bottle I have ever seen and utterly gorgeous with a very feminine feel. Although slightly precarious as you can’t stand it up on your vanity, it still looks beautiful and the fact the bottle is so sleek means it is pretty & portable The fragrance is also as wonderful as the bottle it comes in (which was a relief).
If you like floral scents with a modern sexy twist then you are in for a treat with this latest offering from Lancôme. They have dedicated this perfume Idole to strong women who defy expectations, uphold unity and transcend the limits of the individual to shape the future and influence the next generation of leaders, the essence of modern femininity. I do love it when brands empower and support women and the message at the centre of this perfume is that strong women support each other, encourage each others successes and that their bravery and determination are what defines them.
The perfume itself reflects the beautiful, delicate but interesting bottle and Lancome have layered some of my favourite scents to create a whimsical, elegant perfume with layers of floral, sweet and warm notes. This perfume also includes, a sustainably sourced Isparta Rose Petal Essence from Turkey exclusively made for Lancôme (which is a move by Lancôme to be environmentally friendly).
Top Notes: Bergamot Essence
Heart Notes : Rose Essence, Rose Absolute and Rose Water, Jasmine Infusion and Jasmine Absolute
Base Notes : Patchouli Heart Essence, Cedar Essence and Vanilla Extract
What I like about this perfume is that the rose notes give this a modern, fresh, sexy feel not the usual powdery old-fashioned scent that rose usual takes on. I think the floral rose and jasmine notes work so well layered with patchouli and vanilla to give it a warming elegant vibe. I urge you to pop to your nearest Lancôme counter or perfume shop and test it out, It is the perfect fragrance to wear Summer into Autumn, with the mix of floral, fresh, warm and musky notes.
I am also a huge fan of Zendaya Coleman who is the face of Idole, she is gorgeous and very accomplished actress. If you haven’t watched her in the hit HBO series Euphoria, you need to. It is nice to see Lancôme taking their brand to a younger market, it keeps them relevant and modern and I think that is really reflected in this perfume.
If you’re looking for a lovely treat for yourself, a new Summer fragrance to add to your beauty stash then this Idole by Lancôme has to be top of that list, it ticks all the boxes for me. Another wonderful aspect of this fragrance is that the bottle is refillable, you can take your empty bottle to one of the 200 Lancôme counters throughout the UK and have it refilled. You will receive a discount too. This is wonderful news in terms of the beauty industry trying to combat the impact of waste and encourage people to reuse their perfectly good bottle!
This perfume has been on my wish list for so long, because I adore fig scented products and this is one of the best I have tried. It is fresh but intense and sweet all at the same time. I also like that is is quite romantic and earthy too. It has layers of notes that you can smell throughout the day, as it settles. I know most people would associate this perfume with Summer but I will be wearing it into Autumn & Winter, I think the crispness of the notes make it a nice fresh scent for the colder months too.
