Perfume

Top 3 Perfumes

- Vicki Leave a comment

I was asked recently what my favourite perfumes were, and I knew right away what to say. I absolutely love fragrance and have quite a few that I like and love, but there are always 4/5 that will stand head and shoulders above the rest.

First, I want to talk about the London based perfume house, Miller Harris, founded in 2000 they like to blend British luxury with couture sophisticated fragrance. This is a brand I am always recommending and no matter what perfume I am wearing from them, I always, always get compliments & no-one has heard of them. If you ever get the opportunity to visit a store or a stockist you have to try them, you will not be disappointed.

I have tried a number of their fragrances and have 3 that are my must-haves, Rose Silence is a more subtle, fresh carefree scent, Powdered Veil is a rich, fresh, sexy and warm. Whilst Peau Santal, which is what I will talk more about in this post, is my number one perfume from Miller Harris. It is deep, creamy, woody, and slightly masculine. I adore it!

Diptique Philosykos EDP £140

This has to be one of the most luxurious and iconic beauty brands, their products, and branding are quite Iconic. I have owned a number of their candles (if I won the lottery, I would treat myself to the HUGE 5 wick ones)  and I’m always blown away by how good the quality is and just how intense the scent is. Always worth the price tag. I have also heard good reviews about of their beauty products, although I have yet to try them myself.

Now their perfumes are quite special too, and I like a lot of them, but my go-to most repurchased one has to be their classic fig scent, the iconic Philosykos. 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.

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).

Top Notes – Fig Leaf
Middle Notes – Wood, Coconut
Base Notes – White Cedar

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume £140

This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells incredible and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it.  It has a rich, warm creamy scent, but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I’m 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. My lovely husband bought this bottle for my Christmas, but I also own the smaller size just so I can take it when I travel. So I am never without it.

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

The bottle is beautiful, and the dusky pink colour gives it a classy feel. 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.

& Other Stories Arabesque Wood £28

This is a gorgeous fragrance, more affordable but equally lovely as the other two scents. This perfume is layers of woody, warm citrus notes that are light but rich. I wear this mostly in the day, as my everyday scent. The rich notes like ginger, citrus and amber make it feel indulgent and luxurious. & Other Stories have a such a wonderful selection of fragrances, they have something to fit everyone’s tastes.

The bottle is dainty but weighty, so it looks minimal and classy on your vanity. These fragrances make incredible gifts and the scents come in a body spray, handwash and hand cream, so you can go wild with your favourite scents!

Top notes: Lemon, Ginger and Watery Notes
Middle notes: Petitgrain and Tangerine
Base notes: Agarwood (Oud), Oakmoss and Amber

What are your favourite, most worn fragrances? Have you tried any of the ones I’ve mentioned.

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum

- Vicki Leave a comment

Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum £120

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.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

- Vicki Leave a comment
Five Beauty Favourites 2020

*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.

Five Beauty Favourites 2020

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 30ml

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.

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation SPF35*

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!

Vegan & Cruelty Free

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume

Miller Harris Peau Santal Perfume*

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.

Ark Skincare Firming Serum

ARK Skin Perfector Firming Serum*

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.

The Ordinary Retinoid SerumSkincare

Delilah Illuminating Powder in Aura

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.

Miller Harris Lost In The City Fragrance

- Vicki Leave a comment
Miller Harris LOST in the City Fragrance

Lost In The City Miller Harris Fragrance

Miller Harris Lost in the City EDP – 100ml/£125

Although I currently live in the beautiful Cornish countryside I’m 100% a city girl at heart so this beautiful fragrance from Miller Harris really appealed to me. Miller Harris has created a fragrance that gives a nod to the beauty of rural Britain but with an urban twist. They wanted to use ingredients that can be found growing wild in London which makes this fragrance a wonderful mix of the fresh outdoors combined with hints of a Summer in a city.  Lost in the city really is everything you can imagine and more. I am loving its crisp, fresh notes especially as Spring is fast approaching.

Miller Harris EDP Lost

The fresh, lush notes really contrast with crisp, sharp notes and that’s what makes this fragrance really interesting and just the right amount of unusual to make it different. It has everything I look for in a fragrance and more.

Head Notes: Bergamot Zest, Angelica Seed, Blackcurrant

Heart Notes: Rhubarb, Rose petals, Geranium

Base Notes: Earl Grey Tea, Crisp Amber, Musk

I love the initial zesty, fruity notes, they’re so refreshing and work so well layered with the pretty light floral notes of rose and geranium mixed with that bold sharp rhubarb which is so unusual. Finally, the rich musk, amber and Earl Grey tea leave you with such an intense, warm and sophisticated scent. This perfume is such a treat and the notes contrast yet compliment each other and that for me makes it a stand-out perfume. I have been loving wearing it, and it is a fragrance that lasts ALL day long, it does not fade away but stays full and rich for hours. It is such a luxurious scent, and it makes me feel amazing when I wear it.

Miller Harris LOST Perfume

In keeping with Miller Harris’ environmental principles, the packaging uses sustainable or recycled materials in surprising new ways, teaming up with Smile Plastics, whose unique composites are made from waste materials, from bottle tops to yoghurt pots, to create distinctive and beautiful fragrance holders which can be reused as keepsake boxes. It looks almost like marble, and the bottle looks really pretty sat in the holder on your vanity. It is so nice to see a brand using recycled materials in their packaging.

I think this is the ideal scent for the fresh, warmer months, so if you’re looking to add a new fragrance to your collection I highly recommend checking out Miller Harris Lost in the City.

Miller Harris LOST in the City Fragrance

Miller Harris is available online at www.millerharris.co.uk, or you can search for your nearest stockist here

All Miller Harris products are vegan, suitable for vegetarians and Cruelty-free. You can be confident that their products are formulated entirely without animal-derived products.

*This post contains PR samples that were gifted for review purpose.