Viktor & Rolf BonBon Couture EDP

Beautiful BonBon Couture Fragrance

Viktor & Rolf BonBon Couture

I’m a long time fan of Victor & Rolf fragrances and have repurchased their iconic FlowerBomb scent too many times to count, I think their fragrances are beautifully feminine and very pretty. The original BONBON scent was extremely popular and is more on the sweet side but this new more intense addition to the BONBON family is perfect if you like your perfume to be a little more intense and whilst it’s still sweet it settles down to be more of a rich, warm, sexy scent.

Viktor & Rolf BONBON Couture*

  • Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Neroli, Peach
  • Heart Notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac, Caramel
  • Base Notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla, White Tobacco

This perfume has great staying power and I could still smell it on myself after a full day. I would also say that it works well as both as a day and an evening scent.

New Viktor & Rolf BonBon Couture

The outer cardboard packaging (which I can’t bare to throw away) is a bright fuchsia pink, with the classic black V&R faux wax seal at the centre of a pretty ribbon effect. The bottle itself is just gorgeous, it comes in a pretty purple / pink ombre effect bottle which feels very luxurious and heavy. It is shaped like a wrapped sweet (candy), it’s very feminine and looks pretty sat on your dressing table.

I think If you like Flowerbomb I think you’re going to fall in love with BONBON Couture too.

Viktor & Rolf BONBON Couture

Beautiful New BonBon Couture Fragrance

Its always so hard to describe a fragrance and recommending scents is difficult because perfumes are a very personal product. So don’t just take my word that this is a gorgeous perfume, you need to pop along to your nearest perfume counter and test it out for yourself. Let me know if you like it, and also which is your favourite Viktor & Rolf fragrance.

Viktor & Rolf BONBON Couture*

30ml EDP – £57

50ml EDP – £79

90ml EDP £109

•this post contains PR samples and affiliate links, If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

NIOD Flavanone Mud QVC Exclusive

NIOD Flavanone Mud

NIOD Flavanone Mud 100ml

I have always had my eye on so many NIOD products because they get such incredible reviews and the packaging is right up my street. Simple, clean and modern its so cool. I have been testing out their very popular Flavanone Mud (FM) Mask which for the month of September is available in a SUPERSIZED 100ml edition exclusively to QVC. So if you are a fan of this mask and prefer a tube instead of the original 50ml jar packaging then what are you waiting for, you need to stock up.

This is also an incredible deal as 100ml is only £38 whereas 50ml will set you back £24.50. So you’re getting fab new packaging and a deluxe supersized version for a bargain price.

NIOD QVC Exclusive Flananone Mud

How to use:

  • Use once a week
  • Apply a thin layer of Flavanone Mud to your entire cleansed dry face, avoiding the lower and upper eyelids
  • Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water
  • There will be a stinging sensation which increases for a few minutes after the product is rinsed off

This comes out a very unusual orangey, brown shade and does tighten on the skin over the 10 minutes but it is not uncomfortable and the stinging sensation isn’t as dramatic as I was prepared for. So don’t panic. I smoothed a very thin layer over my face using a brush & just left it to work its magic.

So the magic is that this is one of the best mud masks I have tried and I have tried quite a lot. This mask works in three phases

  • Purifying Phase

This phase is the simplest one in the formulation and the one that is most closely aligned with masques as they are known today. In this phase, surface impurities—which include oil- and water-soluble pollution, cosmetic product build-up and excess sebum activity build-up—are physically solubilized and removed.

  • Protective Phase

This phase of FM’s formulation offers the most innovative approach to decongestion by introducing technologies that offer a physical shield against external build-up.

  • Responsive Phase

This phase of the formulation introduces mechanisms that fight against environmental congestion factors. This phase is the most important phase of FM as it respects health and longevity. The presence of “Flavanone” in the name of the product emphasizes the importance of this phase.
The result of this combined approach is a topical purification process that allows for a form of sustained visible radiance that is not “fabricated” through short-term inflammation or peeling.

Super Sized NIOD Flavanone Mud

There are so many wonderful ingredients included in this mask and NIOD are very cutting edge with the designing and formulation of their products, they like to go about things a little differently. Which is very intriguing and exciting.

With a commitment to be at the very forefront of science, NIOD (Non Invasive Options in Dermal Science) brings new innovations out ahead of the curve, adapting to the needs of modern-day skincare and pioneering next-generation beauty.

Face Mask

Quite a few whiteheads came to the surface after using this but after using it over the past 2 weeks. My skin is now looking healthy and feels smooth and soft.

‘FM is designed to be used once per week. Its action may lead to a stinging sensation which actually increases for a few minutes after the product is rinsed-off. The product should be applied on clean, dry skin as a very thin even layer and left on for 10 minutes. Some benefit will be seen immediately after the first use, but the benefits will be more evident 24-48 hours after application and will continue to be maintained with continued use. Note: An accelerated method of use would be to use FM once per day for the first five days followed by weekly maintenance applications.’

So as you can see the mask is a dark burnt orange and its formula is thinner and feels almost like a serum when applying it, it is very easy and smooth to apply and surprisingly easy to remove with warm water and a flannel. Even after one use, you will notice a difference in the texture of your skin.

NIOD Flavanone Mud Face Mask

If you often see very little results from your regular Mud Mask then I think its time you tried this Flavanone Mud Mask. It’s a fantastic decongestant and I usually have quite a few small spot like bumps around my jaw and chin, after 6 or so uses they have all but disappeared. Also, mud masks can be drying and leave your skin feeling stripped but this NIOD release does the opposite. Your skin feels hydrated and nourished after using it despite it drawing out all the dirt, sebum and grime from your skin. It really is a multi-purpose mask and I can see why it always sells out so fast, they struggle to make it quick enough to keep up with demand.

If you like this kind of exfoliating, resurfacing mask then I guarantee you are going to love this NIOD one.

NIOD Flavanone Mud 100ml £38

*PR sample

Essence Bloggers’ Beauty Secrets Palette

New Essence Makeup Collection

Essence bloggers beauty secrets palette

I adore the German brand Essence all their products are cruelty free and extremely affordable. I have so many favourites from their makeup range and since it launched into Wilko stores a couple of years ago its so much easier to get hold of all my Essence essentials.

Essence recently collaborated with four bloggers as part of the bloggers beauty secrets trend edition and gave them the opportunity to design their very own makeup palette & nail polish. I have been testing out the two products designed by the lovely Mary, who blogs over at Strike a Pose.

Essence Cosmetics Shape & Shadows Eye Contouring Palette

This palette is a multi use eye & brow palette and was inspired by glamorous Hollywood women who influenced style and fashion. It comes beautifully packaged in a sturdy cardboard flip top palette with a magnetic close and it has a fun geometric print.

Inside you get a fab sized mirror, which I did not expect to find as Essence is a more affordable brand but its nice to see that they have included one & I like the unusual shape of it.

New Essence Makeup Collection

Inside you get 4 shadows, a highlighter, a prime & fix brow wax and also a small dual ended brush. One end has an angled brush and the other a cute brow spoolie, I have to say I’ve been using this brush and its great, ideal travel size and the spoolie is fantastic as brushing through your bows to tame them and even out the product. Very cute indeed.

Three of the shadows are lovely neutral matte shades and these double up as both shadows and great brow colours too. I mix the two darkest colours to make the perfect shade to fill in my brows. The powder is pigmented and quite soft so they’re easy to blend and create that natural full brow. I don’t really use the wax as I prefer to set my brows with a clear gel but if you like wax then it is included in here.

These matte shades also work really well as eyeshadows and are great either all over the lid or blended out in the crease. They do take a little work to build up a good amount of colour on the lids and Hazel Grace is quite light so isn’t going to give yo too much payoff but I like to use this shade as a transition shade.

Essence Shape and Shadow Palette

Marilyn Metallic is a beautiful copper rose and is my favourite shade in the palette. Its not too sparkly but it has the most pretty metallic finish and when the light catches it looks really nice. I have been wearing this packed on top of Audrey Highbrow and I love the two together.

The highlighter Billie Vanilli is a frosty cream and it looks nice under your brows and in the inner corners to add some brightness and add a little lift to your eye look. Its not a subtle highlight but if you like to add that extra illumination to your eyes & definition to your brows then its a pretty shade for that!Essence Shape and Shadow Palette Swatches

Essence Bloggers’ Beauty Secrets Nail Polish in All Eyes on Me

The nail polish wasn’t for me, its a pretty grey beige shade but it has a matte finish and I’m not personally a fan of that trend so I have passed it on to my sister in law & she loves it. So it wasn’t a complete fail. The nail polish was easy to apply, it dried evenly, the colour was pigmented and only needed one coat. I didn’t wear it for long so I can’t tell you if it has good staying power, but I did like the colour just not the finish.

Essence Bloggers Beauty Secrets Collection

Above are all four of the palettes & polishes from this collection. Which ones do you like the look of?

Essence is available exclusively nationwide at Wilko Stores & online at www.wilko.com

New Miller Harris Fragrance

Miller Harris Perfume

Miller Harris Perfume

Miller Harris was founded 15 years ago by expert parfumer Lyn Harris who spent five years training in Paris, then in Grasse at Robertet, the world’s leader in natural aromatic ingredients. Whilst respecting tradition, Miller Harris strives to push the boundaries, creating exquisitely crafted fragrances that are innovative yet timeless. Miller Harris perfumes are beautiful, luxurious and timeless.

I have been trying out two new upcoming releases, Étui Noir and Lumiére Dorée – both are rich, sophisticated and perfect Spring / Summer scents. They both come packaged in the signature, elegant Miller Harris style with the outer cardboard packaging being simple but stylish and the perfume themselves are in beautiful weighty glass bottles with elegant floral detailing. They feel and look so nice.

New Miller Harris Perfume

Miller Harris Étui Noir eau de parfum*   

If you like rich complex more masculine scents then you just might fall in love with his new Miler Harris fragrance. It has notes of,

  • TOP: BERGAMOT, TANGERINE, ELEMI GUM
  • HEART: IRIS BUTTER, INCENSE, CASHMERE WOOD
  • BASE: PATCHOULI, VETIVER, LEATHER, AMBER, BIRCH

I adore fragrances with Bergamot & Patchouli and Étui Noir is quite a dark, sophisticated scent. It’s a little heavier than Lumiére Dorée. My husband loves this one in particular, and I think it smells incredible on him. It’s so rich and the mix of zesty citrus, smoky vetiver and rich patchouli make this my favourite Miller Harris scent to date, it’s intense and beautiful.

This would make a really special Father’s Day gift.

Miller Harris New Release 2016

Miller Harris Lumiére Dorée eau de parfum*

This is a more light, warm romantic scent. It’s a gorgeous scent to wear daily and one that you won’t grow tired of because throughout the day you pick up different notes, and they all smell so sophisticated. It has notes of,

  • TOP: BERGAMOT, PETIT GRAIN BIGARADIER EO, ORANGE BIGARADE
  • HEART: NEROLI BIGARADE MOROCCO EO, SAMBAC JASMINE, ORANGE BLOSSOM WATER
  • BASE: CASHMERE WOOD, VETIVER, CRISP AMBER, WHITE MUSKS

This is a lovely rich scent, it’s not overpowering or heady. I think it smells zesty, quite sweet and the musk makes it a little sensual and warm. It’s an easy scent to wear, I think it’s because it’s a little more fresh and daytime friendly.

These are two beautiful new additions to the Miller Harris range and their scents are such incredible quality and both fragrances are unisex.

Its always so hard to describe fragrance and recommending scents is so hard, but I urge you to seek out your local Miller Harris retailer so you can explore their range for yourself. They have a very wide selection of scents and I just know you will fall in love with at least one.

*PR Sample