Perfume - BeautyQueenUK Gift Guide 2017

Whilst perfume can be quite a personal choice and not every perfume suits every skin type, there is something quite special about being given a new bottle of perfume.  So as part of my gift guide series, I have chosen some of my favourite fragrances of 2017 and put this post together.  Some of these fragrances will have featured before and I have linked to the full post and others have a post in my scheduling.

As always with fragrances, there is always a lot to choose from and I introduced readers to a new service from The Fragrance Shop called Scent Addict, which would also make a really nice gift.

Babe - Babe was launched in 1976 and it became Fabergé's largest selling women's fragrance worldwide in its first year of issue.  It received two awards in 1977 from the Fragrance Foundation including Most Successful Introduction of a Women's Fragrance in Popular Distribution and Best Advertising Campaign for Women's Fragrance. The Babe fragrance became popular in 1977 and remained so throughout the 1980's. 

The original products came in a vast array of styles and types of packaging. Babe opens with a fresh burst of lavender, aldehydes and hyacinth offering radiance and energy. A bouquet of exquisite and elegant flowers (rose, ylang, violet, orris and lily) exhales vitality and colorfulness. The end note is a refined woody scent of warm sandalwood rounded by sensual solar accord, moss and ambrette that leave on the skin a gracious and delightful trail. It costs just £24.99 and you can find it HERE.

Babe Power - The fragrance that is outselling all others and one I expected to really dislike but shockingly absolutely love. From Missguided who are better known for their clothing range, a rose gold can, which actually looks like an energy drinks can, contains a scent which sits in the fruity floral family and has some interesting notes.

The fragrance opens with the top notes of grapefruit zest, sour cherry, pink pepper, crisp apple, pineapple and rhubarb which offer quite the opening because it is one that is sharp, fruity and one that is quite tropical.  The Heart notes of orange blossom, peony and jasmine lend a floral side to the fragrance which opens it to the base notes of vanilla, candy floss, sensual musk, amber crystals which should make it an overpowering sweet scent, but instead it is quite the reverse as the candyfloss holds its own, the heart notes are still quite evident.  You can find Babe Power priced at £28 HERE and honestly, it is incredible.

Ella by Ted Baker - Over the yeard Ted Baker have had some incredible fragrances and Ella happens to be one of my favourites.  It features top notes of Bergamot and Cassis which give it a fruity scent to start with before the heart notes of Orange Blossom, Jasmine and Rose capture an incredible floral scent and finally the enticing base notes of Amber, Sandalwood and Vanilla settle the fragrance down and bring around a hint of muskiness.

I really love the packaging for this fragrance. Inside a black box, neatly decorated with Rose Gold Lettering is a black to grey ombre bottle with a Rose Gold Lid and neatly etched on the bottle is the name Ella Rose. Retailing for around £18 HERE.

Love Lily from Accessorize - This fragrance is quite the surprise and a good one. If you love Floral Fruity fragrances then this is one for you. It opens with top notes of raspberry and orange, invigorated with a zesty accord of bergamot. At its heart, Muguet (lily of the valley) combined with Jasmine work together to add a fresh and floral depth. Then there are the base notes of aromatic musks and sweet vanilla which settle the scent down but still allow all of those notes to come through.

What I like about this fragrance is how light and fresh it is, one that can be worn through spring into summer. The bottle with its hexagonal glass shape and flower cap add to the cuteness of the design. Retailing for £18.50 HERE.

Scandal by Jean-Paul Gaultier - Sitting with the Oriental Fragrances, the first thing you notice about Scandal is the legs that sit on top of the bottle and are quite the show stopper. 

On a first spritz it is incredibly fruity, but with top notes of Blood Orange and Grapefruit, it wasn't unexpected.  As it settles on the skin the heart notes of Honey and Gardenia come to life and it brings about a slight, but not too overpowering sweetness as it also allows the floralness of the Gardenia to seep through.  The base note of Patchouli brings an earthiness to the fragrance and intertwines between the floral and fruity notes to create what is just a beautiful scent.  This is a first for me and a JPG scent and I simply adore it, it is priced at £37 HERE.

Signoria Misterosa by Salvatore Ferragamo - Is a fragrance which is described as being one which celebrates chic young women creating a unique style signature of timeless modernity, creativity and a hint of audacity. This is a first for me from the Ferragamo range and I wasn't too sure whether or not I would like it, but as it features within my gift guide, I think we can all accept that I love it.  

The fragrance opening is one which can best be described as both fresh and bitter as the notes of wild blackberries and neroli which are quite a striking opening. Heart notes of both Orange blossom and sensual tuberose add to the fruity character of the scent whilst Patchouli, while black vanilla mousse which is the base notes bring about a sense of warmth but it is ultimately the top notes which are the stand out within this scent. Housed in an elegant bottle accentuated with bow detailing this scent retails for around £50 and you can find it HERE and HERE.

This is Her from Zadig & Voltaire - The fragrance I have worn the most in 2017 and one I just absolutely adore and reviewed HERE. he female fragrance is described as being sensual, free and jauntily. The woody, floral and gourmand This is Her, signed by perfumer duo Sidonie Lancesseur and Michel Almairac, contains notes of pink pepper, Sambac jasmine, milky chestnut cream, vanilla and sandalwood. 

As a scent it is cosy, it is sweet, it is indulgent and most definitely unique. I love that it smells so totally different to anything else I currently own or have tried and on the skin, it starts out being quite floral until the fragrance settles and is mixed with vanilla and sandalwood it becomes just beautiful and I cannot get enough of it. Impressively it is one of those scents which lasts all day without the need to re-apply and it can still be smelt the following day if it is applied to clothing. You can find it HERE priced between £30 and £50.

Failing that, if you do have someone who is obsessed with fragrances and you want to get them something a little different, then my post HERE on the new #ScentAddict concept from The Fragrance Shop might just be it.

I would love to know which fragrances you have on your wishlist.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Christmas Treats with The Bodyshop

If you are still looking for Stocking Fillers but want something that little bit special, The Bodyshop have an amazing array of products that must just tickle your fancy and it is hard to walk past any one of their stores right now without noticing just how festive and colourful it looks, not forgetting that shop aroma which takes me back to my teens when the scent of Dewberry clung to the air as the 'in fragrance' everybody wore.

One of the joys of The Bodyshop is that there is something for everyone all under one roof.  They are perhaps known better for their Body Butters, Shower Gels and scents such as White Musk, Festive Chai Vanilla and British Rose to name just a few.  Alongside those you will find a growing fragrance selection, face-masks which sound good enough to eat, makeup and of course gifts for him.

Today I am sharing some of these sets with you and there is a little mixture of something for the stocking, something for him and something a little bit special. Starting with the House of Holland Limited Edition White Musk® Treats.

For Christmas, this iconic cruelty-free, vegan fragrance that my teen best friend loved, has been given a a makeover by British fashion favourite, House of Holland. It has the zingy notes of citrus, coriander and galbanum essence which are combine with luxurious accord of iris, lily of the valley and jasmine. Inside the box you will find: 

• Limited Edition Body Lotion White Musk® 60ml
• Limited Edition Shower Gel White Musk® 60ml
• Bath Lily White

Smells just incredible and so fresh it makes such a lovely stocking filler and it costs just £6.

What did surprise me when I was last in store is just how wide and varied the ranges are, especially for men. One gift that stood out was this Modern Gent's Shaving Kit.

Inside the brightly coloured paper bag is a three step, Maca Root Shaving Kit and if you read my blog regularly, it won't have escaped you that I am married to Beautykinguk and he is known not only for his loved of aftershaves, but also grooming, especially beards.  Worth a huge £31 it actually retails for just £22 and for that you get 200ml tub of Maca Root Shave Cream, a Maca Root Energetic Face Protector and a Maca Root Face wash.  Also inside the bag is an instruction guide as to how best to use each product and in which order to ensure you use them to their absolute potential.

Then finally comes the something a little bit special and a product which really does take me back to my childhood with the Fortune Teller game you would make from paper and apparently it would tell you everything you needed to know.  Well this takes on that vibe for me and it is the Limited Edition House of Holland Lip Cube. 

Again for the Lip Cube, The Body Shop has teamed up with House of Holland to create this exclusive capsule gift collection. Give it some lip with this set of four fruity and nourishing lip butters. The clever packaging doubles as a mini magic cube to play with.

• Lip Butter Strawberry 10ml
• Lip Butter Shea 10ml
• Lip Butter Mango 10ml
• Lip Butter Coconut 10ml

I love this this is bright, it's colourful, it's fun and it is totally different to any other product I have seen from The Bodyshop and it costs just £18.

I hope you have seen something that jumps out from this post and gives you one or two ideas for someone you need to buy a gift for and if you spend £50 and use the code 14664 you can get yourself £25 off (but check the T&C's first)... so happy shoppping!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Christmas with Burt's Bees

One of my favourite brands Burt's Bees have an incredible range of Christmas products and today I am sharing some of them with you from stocking fillers and medium gifts to full on gift sets which promise to keep you looking and feeling amazing from head to toe.

I am a huge fan of the Lip Balms from Burt's Bees and make my way through quite a lot of them throughout the year. Some have had a bit of a makeover recently and they will appear in a separate post, so keep a look out for that. 

In the mean time the Burt's Coconut & Pear Hanging Bauble set  features a dynamic duo for hands and lips.

Inside it is featuring the much-loved 100% Natural Coconut & Pear Lip Balm and classic Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and it costs just £6.99.

Staying with Lip Balms for this Naturally Beautiful Tinted Lip Balm Duo.  It contains Tinted Lip Balms in Hibiscus and Red Dahlia shades.  These lip balms give just a hint of colour and 8 hours of moisture. 

The botanical waxes in these softly tinted balms will take your lips to lovely in one pretty swipe. They come in a range of six naturally flattering shades.  Priced at just £10 you can find them here.

The Bag of Extra Treats makes for an amazing gift for those wanting to discover what Burt's Bees is all about or if you are already a fan, a chance to stock up on some favourites an whilst you are doing so, getting this handy sized cosmetic purse too.  

Inside there are four products:

• Milk & Honey Body Lotion, 70g - This dermatologist-tested nourishing moisturiser combines milk, honey and vitamin E, along with coconut and grape seed oils for an ideal blend of nutrients. The delectable combination in this tube of 99% natural body lotion moisturises for up to 24 hours. It’s also non-greasy and absorbs quickly.
• Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E & Peppermint, 4.25g - Infused with power packed Beeswax to condition skin and antioxidant Vitamin E to richly moisturise and soften lips, this lip balm nourishes dry lips while keeping them revitalised and hydrated. With a matte finish and moisturising balm texture, this tube of soothing lip balm glides on smoothly with a hint of Peppermint Oil which leaves your lips with a refreshing tingle. 
  
• Vanilla Bean Lip Balm, 4.25g - Infused with powerful fruit extracts and beeswax to richly moisturise and soften lips, the nourishing oils and butters will make your lips feel soft, supple and hydrated.
  
• Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus, 4.25g - As above, these balms give a hint of colour whilst offering up to 8 hours of moisture.

The entire set is priced at just £16.99 here and is incredible value for money.

Best of Burt's Gift Set is the one you need for a little bit of everything. The joy of these kits is that even if you are a fan of Burt's Bees, it is a chance to stock up, or it is a great introduction to the brand. 

The set contains five products and includes

• Milk & Honey Body Lotion - This is a dermatologist-tested nourishing moisturiser combines milk, honey and vitamin E, along with coconut and grape seed oils for an ideal blend of nutrients. The delectable combination in this tube of 99% natural body lotion moisturises for up to 24 hours. It’s also non-greasy and absorbs quickly.
• Coconut Foot Cream - This is my absolute favourite foot cream ever. Made with coconut oil and other natural ingredients, this foot cream helps soften and rejuvenate neglected, dry feet, while rosemary and peppermint extracts refresh weary soles.  It is perfect for getting your feet sandal ready.
  
• Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream - Made with natural ingredients that help keep your hands feeling soft and smooth. Infused with moisturising shea butter and quick absorbing, hydrating cocoa butter and sesame oil. Enriched with a blend of the finest extracts and vitamin E to revitalise and nourish your skin.
  
• 100% natural Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint  - Description as above.
• Tinted Lip Balm in shade Hibiscus and again all of these balms give a hint of colour whilst offering up to 8 hours of moisture.

The entire set is currently on offer here for just £19.99 but it can also be found on other sites for £10 more.

So there are just some of the offerings from Burt's Bees this Christmas and whatever your budget, there is something to suit most needs.  If you haven't heard the story about Burt and this brand it is really one which warms your heart, even though sadly Burt did pass away just a few years ago. It began in Maine about 30 years ago. Burt the Beekeeper was happily selling honey from the back of his truck. But fate had other ideas for the bearded hero when he met Roxanne Quimby. Burt and Roxanne hit it off and before long she was making candles with unused wax from Burt’s beehives. 

From those original candles to the iconic Beeswax Lip Balm, to over 180 products — Burt’s Bees has been guided by a single principle: Nature has the best answers. At Burt’s Bees when they say ‘natural’ they mean natural. On average, Burt’s Bees products are 99% natural with over half of the products 100% natural. Burt’s Bees believes you’re at your most beautiful when what you put on your body is from Nature — after all, what goes on to your body goes into your body. Burt’s Bees formulations support your skin with the nutrients it needs – and none of the chemicals it doesn’t. Burt’s Bees products help you put your best foot, lips, skin, hair and sense of well-being forward. Every day. Available in: Lip Care and Lip Colour, Facial Skincare, Hand and Body Care, Baby Bee and many more! Over the years Burt’s Bees brand has become one of the world’s leading natural personal care brands. Burt couldn’t be more proud. None of the products from this range are tested on animals and nor do they contain petrochemicals, phthalates, parabens or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here