Lookfantastic Summer Scent Edition

The latest launch from Lookfantastic is the Summer Scent edition, which, if you are fanatical about your fragrances, it could be just the box for you. The last Scent Edit from Lookfantastic was released back in May and it was quite the box, but I think this one is even better!

Inside the box you will six fragrances from some incredible brands with everything from Paco Rabanne to Carolina Herrera and if you are wanting to find a new fragrance for an event, as a treat or even jut want to try something new, a box like this gives you the opportunity to do just that. I love fragrances, but I like trying them within my own surroundings, in places I frequent rather than in a store or department store, I like to know how something is going to work with my skin a few hours after application, once it has dried down, rather than purchase from one spritz.

Priced at just £55, the six fragrances inside the box are really good sample sizes with a mixture of 5ml, 6ml and 7ml, giving you more than enough of each fragrance to decide whether or not you might like it. But, there is also something else, inside the box you will also receive a £55 voucher inside the box and it is redeemable on one of the six full-size fragrance of your choice! SO essentially, you are being the chance to try before you buy!

Contents

• Carolina Herrera Good Girl 7ml
• Paco Rabanne Olympea Blossom 6ml
• Paco Rabanne Lady Million 5ml
• Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal 6ml
• Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle 6ml

I am lucky enough to havw tried all of these fragrances and would find it really difficult to choose my favourite from these six, Olympea Blossom is one of those fragrances you can wear at any time on any day as is Lady Million and La Belle, but Good Girl and La Belle are definitely something a little bit special too.

You can find this box on sale right now with Lookfantastic for just £55 and I would love to know if any of these fragrances capture your attention!

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

Deciem Abnomly Shop Fragrance

Deciem is a brand I am convinced everyone has heard of, their ranges of The Ordinary, Niod and Hylamide being just a few under that umbrella! It is one of the first brands I ever worked with when they launched Inhibitif and it is something I will always hold dear. As the brand has grown, as well as skincare, makeup, bodycare, lip care and even self-tanning comes fragrance, a room fragrance to be more specific.

Shop, the fragrance in question, is said to have been originally created five years ago, one which was previously formulated to bring a sense of familiarity to Deciem stores around the world. After requests from the brands audience to share the scent with them, Shop has now been bottled and is on sale, here for just £16*. 

Whenever I choose a scent, it is for a specific mood but the late Brandon Truaxe, founder of Deciem partnered with London-based perfumer and friend, Azzi Glasser, to create the SHOP scent. Shop is described as being a scent that captures the essence of DECIEM's abnormal yet welcoming space through the construction of notes and accords that blend together as a unique DNA print. If you know anything about Deciem, the brands, the products and the ethos, you will know that anything can and probably will be created, invented and come to life.

I hadn't and still haven’t read a single review of this fragrance anywhere. I wanted to see for myself what it is like.  If you have ever walked into a Deciem store, you are not only greeted by the urge to trolley dash for every product, but there is an instant feeling of calm. Shelves are not overcrowded with products, testers haven’t leaked everywhere, it’s just a delightful experience to shop but the scent of each shop is the same - it is this!

The fragrance opens up with top notes open of Black Poivre which is enhanced by the nature of Cypress oil, so already you have that spicy peppery scent mixed with the fresh, clean aroma of the Cypress which is also herbaceous with a very slight woody even pine like. Then the middle notes of Iso E Super which you might be familiar with from the likes of the Escentric Molecules fragrance line up and it is described as having a dry and woody scent to it but mixed with a scent of sweetness. Added to the middle notes is Chalk which adds a soft dusty side. The base notes of Guaiac wood, Sequoia, and fresh Cedar are amplified with balsamic notes of Labdanum Resin, White Amber Crystals, White Musk, and Patchouli, which are used to add tenacity and longevity.

As you can see, there is a whole lot of fragrance notes to make this right, spicy, peppery almost comforting and cosy scent, it is one I would gladly have in each room in a diffuser to compliment the spray, that’s how much I love it. 

You can purchase Shop, the Abnomly room fragrance from Deciem here* and it is priced at just £16.

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

Pure Musc for her by Narciso Rodriguez

When Pure Musc by Narciso Rodriguez arrived, I had no idea what to expect, it is a brand I have heard of but isn’t one I have used. Sitting in the chypre-musk family, this fragrance is described as being a provocative play on purity.

Like most people, choosing a perfume is quite a personal choice and I definitely do choose depending on my mood and ultimately, the weather, the warmer the weather the fresher the scent, the colder and dull the weather the warmer and snug scent is usually my choice, with Pure Musc for her, it sits right in the middle of how I would choose a scent. Pure Musc for her is described as being an eau de parfum which is a warm and additctive scent.

for her PURE MUSC eau de parfum pays homage to the iconic fragrance line’s signature musc. The sublime heart of musc is enhanced with a white floral bouquet while cashmeran lends warmth. A supremely addictive scent, for her PURE MUSC eau de parfum teases the senses and envelops the body

This fragrance opens with the tops of Jasmin and Orange Blossom, it is fresh, sweet with a  slight floral hint but with the middle note being the Heart of Musc, with it comes that a slight warmness that dampens down the floral notes to allow the base notes of Cashmeran, Amber and Patchouli which gives that warm, woody and almost musky scent its chance to dominate, though the inclusion of Amber does lend a slight powderiness to the scent, whilst the Patchouli, which is slight earthy is masked by the Cashmeran in my opinion.

The black and white bottle, which fits in with the design of the black and white box, is said to echo the exquisite artistry and beauty of the fragrance within. The frosted white lacquer against a strong black cap continues its story of strength mixed with softness, which again fits with the fragrance notes if you think of the Jasmin and Orange Blossom being the softness against the strength of the Musc and Cashmeran.

I loved this fragrance from the moment I tried it and have worn it every day since, its been the perfect comfort for this ever changing weather and on my skin it is a scent which lasts the entire day with incredible sillage that has lead to questions as to the fragrance I am wearing.

It is available in a 30ml, 50ml and 100ml and is priced upwards of £50 and worth every penny, especially if you are a fan of the already existing Narciso Rodriguez for her range and want to add to that collection, but equally, an absolute treat on pay day!

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

Viali Royal Elixir EDP

I absolutely love discovering new fragrances, particularly from brands I have never comes across before. The latest addition to my collection comes from Viali with the Royal Elixir EDP.

Viali describe themselves as being like East meets West, the finest French fragrances that meet in a graceful dance with rich Arabian scents, making magic in the moonlight. Viali mesmerises as it allures you into this love story, crossing cultures and surpassing all the rules. A sensual fusion, Viali perfumes blend magic and mystery, keeping you waiting in suspense. Now this is quite the vivid introduction to a brand and when you look at the bottles and read the fragrance descriptions, they very much encompass all of this.

Royal Elixir is presented in a stunning purple coloured box, quite in-fitting with the name of the fragrance, as the colour purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. 

The bottle, which is made of quite a weighty glass with a big gold lid, really gives the impression of something very luxurious.

Royal Elixir is a delight for the senses and a journey to the exotic. It is a warm and joyous fusion of Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian citrus and sweet fruits that blooms on a base of amber. Feather-light tones of musk lead into delicious Madagascan vanilla. A lingering velvety fragrance with a soft but enduring luminosity.

The fragrance description as you can see takes you on quite the journey. With the top notes of Orange, Lemon, Bergamot, it opens up with an incredibly fresh yet zesty scent which I find really uplifting and it definitely grabs your attention as it begins to dry down and the middle notes, which are described as fruits come into their own. For me, these middle notes are quite sweet, which when contracted with the top notes compliment one another before the base notes of Amber, Vanilla, White Musk come in and alongside the warmness their is a slight sweetness of the vanilla which is just about detectable.

With a fragrance such as this, you would be expecting a decent longevity and you do get a good 5-6 hours before I would personally re-apply, but impressively on a friend of mine she got over 7 hours of wear.

Priced at £75, Royal Elixir by Viali is on sale at BeautyBase and it is worth every penny, a delightful scent that would anyone.

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

The Body Shop has Re-launched the Iconic White Musk

There will always be those Body Shop fragrances that will forever transport you to a time and place - Dewberry, Ananya or even White Musk! In recent weeks, The Body Shop has not only relaunched the iconic scent that is White Musk, which by the way is also 40 years old, but it has also been given a makeover, it is now vegan and it is also more sustainable!

If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen this incredible box appear on my stories when it arrived and it is just amazing, not only the 80's stickers but a QR code which takes you to some absolute tunes and I haven't stopped listening, it is the playlist of dreams and nostalgia! 

Developed back in 1981, someone somewhere in the world is buying a product from the White Musk range every 6 seconds! So, having had a bit of a reboot, not only has it been Cruelty free for its entire life span, it is now vegan certified by The Vegan Society and comes in a 100% recyclable bottle, which is made of 42% recycled glass and has a removable pump (for recycling ease) and there is no outer box packaging. To add to the reboot, The Body Shop is introducing its first fragrance toppers too.

As you can see, sitting alongside the original White Musk are three fragrance toppers - Free, Lover and Radical and they have been specially created to be layered with White Musk to re-experience the iconic fragrance in a brand-new way whilst at the same time giving you the choice to create your unique Musk signature.

White Musk is described as being Fresh and Floral with a bit of sweetness,there are notes of aldehydes, jasmine and musk, all as you would expect to find. I am glad the fragrance hasn't been tinkered with to change it, because it is just as I remember it, the difference being the change in bottle - which is obviously for the good.  

Then we have the fragrance toppers which come packaged in 15ml bottles and once again the bottle and the cap are both recyclable and they priced at just £10 each.

• White Musk Free - with notes of resin, daisy and sandalwood, a few spritzes alongside White Musk gives you a toned down, almost cool scent
• White Musk Lover - with notes of Pink pepper, Orris and Ambrette it gives you an added warm but spicy scent
• White Musk Radical - with notes of basil, petitgrain, Vetiver and musk, this being my favourite of the three toppers gives a very much earthy yet citrus tone to the White Musk and is the one I have paired with the most.

Layering fragrances is one of my favourite things to do, the ability to create your own signature scent with perhaps two or sometimes three of your favourite fragrances is a fun discovery.

Layering your fragrance 

Fragrances can be split into four main groups – fresh, floral, warm and woody and from there you can break them down further to your Oriental, Chypre and Aromatics to name a few. Finding something you like and that works well with your skin can change as quickly as the weather, what smells nice on your sister, best friend or even your Mam, might not smell amazing on you, but that is all part of the fun.

Fragrance layer is also not just about spraying two perfumes on top of one another. It could be that your shower gel or body lotion matches your fragrance, your fragrance and body mist or a body lotion and body spray pairing or it could be that you spray one fragrance on your neck and another on your wrist to compliment one another.  

I like to mix a Floral with an Oud, or depending on my mood a Floral with a Citrus or even a Fruity Mix, for me it is all about the notes and the rule to remember is to not apply more of one fragrance than the other and the heavier scent should ideally be the first one to be sprayed if using two fragrances, but whatever the combination, that scent will be unique to you and that is what makes it fun.

You can find the White Musk Collection with The Body Shop on sale now* alongside the toppers.

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

Aldi Hotel Collection Lime, Basil and Mandarin EDP

I absolutely love fragrances, if you hadn't guessed and even though I have been working from home for over a year, and choosing a perfume to join my daily Zoom call is as much a decision now as it is in normal times. For me, a fragrance is chosen to reflect my mood rather than the season or the weather on most occasions, but what I absolutely love to do is try out new offerings and the latest addition to my collection comes from Aldi with their Hotel Collection - Lime, Basil and Mandarin EDP.

Alongside fragrances, Alid have quite the collection of health and beauty products which includes everything from skincare and haircare to makeup, bodycare and beauty tools.

This Hotel Collection Lime, Basil and Mandarin EDP fragrance name might be one that you have come across before with regards to Jo Malone and the absolute classic scent, but the Aldi version is at £5.99 much kinder to the bank balance being almost £90 cheaper.  From the outset they look and sound familiar, in fact they share almost identical notes, but for me, having worn a combination of the two for the last few weeks and then asking my hubs which one he prefers, they are very much different.

The fragrance which comes bottled in a rather luxe looking glass bottle with a minimalist label and it is really quite weighty, not what I was expecting for just £5.99. 

It opens with top notes of lime, mandarin, orange and bergamot and with it comes a bitter citrus scent as all the fruits come to life and it is as uplifting as it is surprising. As it settles, the heart notes of basil, lilac, iris and thyme really get behind the top notes and the lime, is the one for me which captures your attention as it mingles with the earthiness of the basil and thyme before the base notes of patchouli and vetiver which intensify that bitter citrus to create the most wonderful fragrance that is perfect for a Spring and Summer day. The different between it and Jo Malone? The opening notes are not as strong with this version and you don’t get an immediate hit of like until it settles on the skin. 

If Lime, Basil & Mandarin is not a scent you think you would love, thankfully there are other options to choose from, there is also the option of  Velvety Rose or Pomegranate, both of which, I am now wanting to try especially given that they are all retail for just £5.99. As with anything Aldi beauty related, you need to keep your eyes peeled because they go out of stock as quick as they come in to stock!

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

Giorgio Armani Si Intense

The original Armani Si launched back in was launched in 2013 and is described as being a sweet scent of cassis, rose and vanilla and it is such a wonderful fragrance. The newest addition to the family launched this year with Si Intense.

Sitting in the Oriental Chypre family, Si Intense is described as being a voluptuous fragrance that exudes modern femininity and it has a whole host of notes that grab your attention to make itself known.

The bottle is exactly the same of its older sister, with its cubed heavy glass and black lid, only this time the fragrance which you can see has a rosier look to it and together they make quite the pairing, though have a completely difference scent.  

It opens with the top notes of the Si signature Blackcurrant nectar and it really gives that opening sharp fruitiness you would expect from a fragrance within this collection, as it settles, the heart notes of Isparta rose which you might be more familiar with as Damasca Rose and with it is Davana and here you have the floral scent of rose mixed with the sweet and slightly citrus scent of Davane which mingle with the Blackcurrant nectar to insentisy the sweetness before the base notes of Benzoin which has that vanilla like scent, though not as over the top, mixed with Patchouli which has the sweet, spicy and musky notes all rolled into one. It is simply sublime.

As much as I love the original Si, which is just stunning as a fragrance, Si Intense for me is so much better all round. The scent is amazing, the longevity is so impressive I can still catch it 6-7 hours later and it smells just as amazing and if you’re wanting to treat yourself or someone to a new fragrance then this is one to be adding to that shortlist!

You can find Si Intense at the Perfume Shop here and it is available in sizes 30ml, 50ml and 100ml with prices starting at £60.

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

Giorgio Armani Fragrances for him and for her

We are huge fan of fragrances in this house, be it a perfume, aftershave, reed diffuser, wax melt or an essential oil - the latter all being me and not him!  

When it comes to personal fragrances, I am pretty good at choosing something we will both like, oddly the same fragrance notes usually appear in each one, but one brand I haven't really tried until now is Armani.  So today, having been kindly sent a 'his and hers' option, I am sharing Armani Code and Si.

Starting with Armani Code for Men, as a fragrance it sits in the Oriental Spicy family and whilst it was launched back in 2004, it is the first time we have given it a try. Presented in a sleek black bottle, this is a fragrance that looks luxe within any collection and it definitely stands out amongst my husbands ever growing collection.

It has top notes of both Lemon and Bergamot, so as it opens with it comes a fresh citrus blast that is sharp and punchy and definitely captures your attention. The middle notes of Star Anise, Olive Blossom and Guaiac Wood bring to life the more earthy notes which slightly mask the sharpness of those top notes. The base notes of Leather, Tonka Bean and Tobacco brings together a fragrance which is quite powdery and subtle, it’s an incredible fragrance for day or night wear.

The second fragrance is Armani Si, a fragrance which sits within the Chypre Fruity fragrance which launched in 2013 and despite being a favourite of many friends, it is one I had never tried, until now. 

It has top note of Cassis, so as it is spritzed, you get an immediate hit of black currant and lingering in the back is a hint of earthiness which I really liked. The heart notes are May Rose and Freesia bring together that hearty floral scent which mixes with the top notes to create quite the mix and I’d honestly be happy with it without the base notes. However the inclusion of Vanilla, Patchouli, Ambroxan and Woody notes to bring this fragrance together adds a sweetness, with the Vanilla being overpowered, thankfully by the Patchouli and the Ambroxan.

Both of these fragrances have quite the sillage for want of a better word and they are both fragrances which need just a few spritzes to let the entire day without the need to re-apply. It is unusual for me to choose a sweet fragrance and like it, but Si is just a beautiful fragrance which I can see absolutely suitable for any age group and for Armani Code, if you have a man who loves a fragrance which is powdery and elegant all in one, then this is the one to try!

These fragrances are on sale with The Perfume shop. Armani Code is available in a 50ml, 75ml and 200ml with prices rising between £53 to £94 and for the girls, Armani Si is also available in three sizes - 30ml, 50ml and 100ml and prices for Si range between £55 and £103.

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

Axis His and Her Fragrances

Axis fragrances are said to have been around since 2001 and until now, neither the husband or I have come across them. However, having been sent Glamour for her and Oud for him, we have given them a good try for the past few weeks.

Axis Glamour is described a being the fragrance for today’s highly sophisticated young women. The bottle itself is one I really like with its non-fussy glass bottle and silver lid. Sitting in the floral family, this is a fragrance that those who like a warm but light floral fragrance, nothing too heavy.

It opens with a bit of Bergamot which is really fresh and behind it there is peach and pink pepper to make up the top notes. As it settles the heart notes of Orange Blossom and Jasmine mixed with the sweet warmness of Oris come through before the base notes of Cedarwood, Brown Sugar and Vanilla take over and with them you get a warm powdery base which is subtle enough to allow the heart notes to still be noticeable. 

For me, the scent isn’t quite strong enough from the heart notes though it does last for a good four hours on the skin before it needs a re-application. It is currently priced at just £9.99 for 100ml it isn’t going to break the bank but it does make a lovely gift.

For the men we have Oud by Axis which was launched in 2015. Choosing an Oud fragrance is quite something because it is either amazing or, in my experience it can be a disaster. 

This one features top notes of Citrus, Bergamot, Lavender, Mandarin which gives it quite the fruity yet opening, the lavender in this very subtle, so if it isn’t a scent you like, this won’t be an issue for you. The heart notes of Orange Blossom, Patchouli and Rosemary work to compliment the top notes in so much as the Orange Blossom is absolutely stunning but with it are the earthy notes to settle everything down before the base notes of Incense, Leather, Agarwood (Oud) and Amber come into play and it is here the smokiness come through.

For me, this is a fragrance that works really well as an introduction to an Oud before you move on to the much stronger and more dominant fragrances. Priced currently at £9.99 for 100ml it is a bargain, it dries down to a subtle fragrance which has longevity of around 4 hours.

These two fragrances are definitely value for money and would make a great gift for a loved one, friend or family member given their price.

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

Floral Street Neon Rose Fragrance

Rose and Roses are synonymous with Valentine's Day, be it a floral arrangement, a single rose or items which are rose related and whether or not you like the flower or what it symbolises, it isn't going anywhere soon, especially when there are fragrances as wonderful as Neon Rose from Floral Street.

For those people who dislike rose as a scent, read on, because this is not a rose scent in literal terms. Sitting firmly within the Floral family and it is described as being for the fiery, quirky, striking and expressive and exactly as a neon rose would smell - so quite the description.

If you are unfamiliar with the brand Floral Street, I have featured them here on my blog many times. They are a brand built on the streets of London and one which is about breaking with tradition. It’s about peeling back the curtain of the secret world of fragrance. It’s about ease, modernity and joy.  Each perfume, which can be refilled, comes packaged inside a re-usable box and tray. I use the tray for potting seeds an then put them in my mini greenhouse as they make great propagators.

The Neon Rose Eau de Parfum from Floral Street has notes of freshly chopped jasmine, rose, angelica and bergamot and is referred to as being a crisp twist on feminine florals. Added to that is crisp angelica leaves, sweet apple blossom and uplifting bergamot and as always with Floral Street, there is a twist and with this one it is Sichuan Pepper!. When spritzed the fragrance starts with sweet but incredibly fresh top notes which come from the inclusion of Bergamot, Cassis kir, Apple blossom, Sichuan pepper which gives it that short snappy spice note which then settles as the middle notes of Cyclamen, Juniper berry, Jasmine Egypt, Angelica take those top notes and really bring them to life because here you have everything - the florals, the green notes, the fruity notes, the woodiness and it manages to make a floral fragrance, less about the floral and more about the striking! Finally the base notes of White cedar, Peach nectar, Amber to really bring home that fruity-floral without being dominant in either camp.

As a fragrance and something I have found with every scent I have tried from Floral Street, the longevity far outweighs most other fragrances I own, once it has been applied. They are expressive fragrances and they are ones which settle and linger for hours, by hours I mean all day and you can still catch a feel of it the following morning. For me, there is absolutely nothing to dislike about this fragrance. I love that it is a take on the modern Rose theme, by making it more wearable for many people and once you try it, I dare you not to love it!

Floral Street fragrances are Vegan and Cruelty-free and are available from a wide range of stockists including John Lewis*, Feelunique*, and Harrods to name a few. Prices for Neon Rose and other fragrances within the collection start at £24 for 10ml, £60 for 50ml and £98 for 100ml

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

Jimmy Choo - I want Choo Fragrance

As a fragrance brand, Jimmy Choo is not one to feature within my collection, until now. Having recently been sent the I Want Choo by Jimmy Choo, the newest fragrance to be added to the range, I was keen to try it.

I Want Choo, which is a clever play on words, sits within the Oriental Floral family amongst fragrances for women. Described as being an ode to the playful spirit and confident glamour that epitomises the Jimmy Choo woman, this is a fragrance that surprised me.

The outer box, which is sparkly and red, perhaps perfect for St Valentine’s Day later this month, really captures your attention. Inside, the fragrance bottle features a gold orb shaped lid, before the glass bottle, with its narrow neck lending to a wider base, something many might describe as being akin to a feminine figure is finished off with a gold stamped JC logo which again, stands out on a Misty peach background.

Details aside, the fragrance notes for this are ones I like before I smelt it. Opening with top notes of Peach and Mandarin Orange, there is a fresh yet fruity scent which hits the senses before the middle notes of Jasmine and Red Lily add to the floral side of the fragrance settling it down to something that is delightfully sweet. The base note of Vanilla, is sweet and noticeable but for me, those top notes are the dominant notes with Jasmine sitting in the background.

A delightful fragrance which is perfect for the whole day and one which has amazing longevity. On my skin, I can still sense it some 5/6 hours after application.

I Want Choo by Jimmy Choo is currently on sale with The Perfume Shop exclusively and prices start at £45 for 40ml, £65 for 60ml rising up to £85 for 100ml. If this sounds like a fragrance toy like the sound of, helpfully, The Perfume Shop will send out a sample vial of the perfume with the purchase, so you can try it within your own surroundings before making a final decision as to whether or not it is for you. If it isn’t, then you can simply return it.

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

La Montana Fragrance Discovery Set

I was first introduced to La Montana as a brand back in 2015, a brand that has been inspired by life in a Spain Village. Founders Cass and Jonathan Hall decided to leave London life behind back in 2011 and move to move to a Valencian mountainside where they became inspired enough to create their own home fragrance range that captured the beautiful surroundings and the new smells of the area.

As well as candles and Reed Diffusers, the latest launch from La Montana is their Discovery Set.  I am a huge fan of Discovery sets, I’ve featured many offerings from brands on this blog over the years. 

The idea of a Discovery set is that it gives you the opportunity to find a new fragrance, usually a perfume but in this case from La Montana, it is a way to find your favourite room most from their new collection.

The joy of these room mists is that as soon as you find the fragrance of choice, it makes choosing your candle that much easier too. Each one of the vials within this collection is 2.5ml and there are 9 to work your way through, the discovery set being accompanied by blotters if you don’t want to spritz them into the air.

The scents within this discovery selection includes:

• First Light - conjures the glistening stillness of breaking dawn with Fennel, Rosemary, Rockrose and Mountain Pepper
• Inspired by a local orchard, 'Fig Grove' is blended with juicy Orange Flower and Jasmine, and grounded by base notes of Wood and Musk
• Infused with lavender, Juniper and Thyme, 'Siesta' is said to recreated the hazy "sun-baked fragrances of the countryside"
• 'Galán de Noche' is a soft floral blend of Jasmine, Rose and Orange Blossom
• A best-seller, 'Alfredo's Café' evokes the warmth of a Mediterranean village square with Coffee, Brandy, Tobacco, Leather and Incense
• Fresh, earthy with a touch of citrus, 'Cloudburst' is inspired by the moments after rain
• Warm and zesty, 'Winter Oranges' is heated by touches of Smoke and Wood
• 'Three Kings' is a heady blend of Turrón, Brandy, Cedarwood and, of course, Frankincense and Myrrh
• Profuse with Geranium, Orange Blossom, Chamomile and Lavender, 'Sacred Roses' is inspired by a garden in a 13th-century monastery at the foot of the mountain.

It is a real hard choice to choose between these 9 fragrances to find a favourite, but there was four that really did stand out - Cloud Burst and Winter Oranges, though Fig Grove and Sacred Roses is also stunning. 

This Discovery set is currently priced at £25 but, I have a special offer for you! Readers of my blog can get their hands on this discovery set for just £5, including postage and packaging (this is U.K. only for p&p), all you need to do is use the code Beautyqueenuk at the check out!  I would love to know what scent you like the most, if you take advantage of this offer!

 

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

IKON Fragrances

Introducing yourself to new fragrances on Zoom takes choosing a new scent to a whole new level, more so when you are talked through each note, the composition and its reason by an expert. 

The newly launched Ikon fragrances are described as being a range of premium, natural and responsible fragrances which have been developed with a premium, sustainable, natural mindset. IKON conceives fragrances as a holistic experience and are vegan, cruelty-free.

Available from The Fragrance Shop, IKON features 6 Eaux de parfum which are priced at £60 each and they feature responsibly sourced key ingredients and materials, plus the bottle is made from a light durable glass which is topped with a Manchurian ash wood cap, this is said to remind us that the most precious materials are often found in the most simple and natural of environments.

I find fragrances and their notes fascinating and I love that a scent can smell so differently on two people. Between the Mister and I, we went through each of the fragrances from a sample set that I was kindly set to whittle down to our favourite two - 807 and 906 being those choices.  Each one of the fragrance within the range is named by three numbers - 511, 709, 807, 906, 910 and 914 and of course they are all gender neutral/unisex.

Starting with 807 - This fragrance is described as being 'rousing and exotic - a scent of precious sensuality'. This fragrance sits within the Oriental Spicy family. It opens with a spicy mix of Rosewood, Cardamon and Neroli which is rich but most definitely woody. As it settles the heart notes of Jasmine, Saffron and Patchouli seep through before the base notes of Vanilla, Musk and Amber gives it a bit of warmth as it dries down.

I absolutely love this scent, it was the one we both agreed on immediately and whilst I think it does smell better on the mister, it is one of those fragrances either of us can wear and it smells differently.

The second choice is scent 906 which is described as being 'fascinating and dramatic - a fragrance of temptation'. For me, this one is my preferred scent of the two and it sits within the Oriental Floral family.

With a blend which is spicy but also what you might describe as being a bit moody. It has top notes of nutmeg, red berries and black pepper which give it that spice but the red berries are there in the background with an almost tartness to them. The middle notes which are made up of Jasmine, Tuberose and Ylang take the berries and their tartness and replace it with the most wonderful floral, if anyone knows my fragrances, Jasmine seemingly appears in all of my favourites, together the heart notes make way for the base notes of Amber, Musk and Patchouli, the latter fragrance note being the most dominant within this scent.

This fragrance is everything you would want if you like something to linger for hours, for which this one definitely does, ideal as an all day and all night scent, it is one which you can still catch a whiff of many hours after application. Despite its longevity, it isn't overly heavy but it is definitely a less is more when using.

If you are looking to change your fragrances to something which is vegan, cruelty-free and responsibly sourced, then this is a brand to look into. Whether you like floral, spicy or something a little bit different, Ikon has six fragrances for you to choose from and each one has a different story to tell.  You can find them all right here.

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

Stocking Filler Gift Guide 2020 - The Fragrance Edit

Fragrance gifting is such a personal thing to do, you can get it right or you can you can get it wrong.  Over the last 12 months I have discovered some amazing fragrances including Giorgio Armani My Way and Alive by Hugo Boss to name a few.  Today I am sharing with you three fragrances which smell absolutely beautiful, but won't break the bank and definitely won't be costing you more than £30!

First from Missguided we have Babe Vibes. Missguided fragrances have now been around for a few years and when they first released Boss Babe, everyone I knew wanted to have it, try it and wear it. Following on from Boss Babe came Babe Dreams and Babe Oud, all of which I featured here.

Babe Vibes is the next fragrance within the collection and it is described as being a vibrant Floral Fruity Fragrance. 

It opens with top notes of bergamot, pear and accents of pistachio which give that real hit of fruit which is uplifting and warm but the pistachio holds it from being too sharp. The heart brings together rose accords with almond milk, orange blossom and magnolia which bring to life those floral notes, dampening down on the fruit notes and together they are quite the force but it is the base notes cushion with patchouli, amber, sweet tonka, vanilla, musk and creamy sandalwood, which dry down to give this fragrance a sweet edge.  Priced around £28 from the Fragrance Shop.

From Beauty Pie is a fragrance I bought on a whim because the notes appealed to me and I could fit it into my monthly allowance when purchasing a few more items.  That fragrance is Orange Absolute.

Orange Absolute is described as being a glorious, modern, woody, soft citrus fragrance. It features top notes of Lemon Essence, Bitter Orange and Sweet Orange which as you can imagine give it that incredible hit of citrus and it really captures your attention. The heart notes of Aromatics, Florals, Jasmine Sambac Absolute and Solar settle the top notes down to take out the sharpness whilst giving a slightly warm and floral hint and for me this is when the fragrance really got my attention, I adore it. The base notes of Musk, Wood and Tonka Bean gives a whole new meaning to the word heavenly in a fragrance, it is just divine and I can't get enough of it. Beauty Pie has this priced at £100 per bottle but as a member, I got it for just £18.12 can you believe it? Neither could I, so a few of my friends have this a gift for Christmas too.

The final fragrance I am sharing comes from Ted Baker and she is called Amelia but is Limited Edition, so to get your hands on it, you will need to be quick.

Packaged inside a royal blue box, the fragrance bottle is very regal looking features a blue ombre design with a gold coloured lid, it is very eye-catching.  Described as being Lavishly opulent with a contemporary twist, Amelia is perfectly polished. With her glamorous style, fearless heart and effortless elegance, Amelia commands every room. With top notes of rhubarb, almond and magnolia, the opening of this fragrance is just stunning, it is sharp yet not overly strong and with the hint of almond, there is just a slight warmness. The heart notes are dark florals and with it comes jasmine, heliotrope and liquorice which add quite the twist on a scent because the liquorice I had expected to add an almost aniseed like stance, but it doesn't, it is the florals that come right through before the base notes of tonka bean, maple and patchouli turn this fragrance into a more mature scent than previous offerings from the Sweet Treats range.  You can find Amelia for just £20 at Superdrug.

So, three very differently packaged fragrances with very different notes, styles and prices to choose from.  If fragrances are gifts that you like to give for Christmas, or any other occasion, these three are suitable for all of those.

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

Subscent Fragrances - Try before you Buy!

when it comes to buying a new fragrance, be it for yourself or someone else as a gift, I am one of those people who will never purchase something based on a spritz in a store. For me, that fragrance has to be worn within familiar surroundings so I can get a real sense as to how it will work with my skin, this is where sample sizes and sites such as Subscents are a great discovery.

Subscents is a website which stocks fragrance samples from some of the best and well known perfumes and aftershaves from across the globe and I was asked whether I would be willing to try some of the fragrances the site had to offer, so I readily agreed. I love the concept of people able to try before I buy especially with fragrances.

As a brand Subscents was created back in March of this year, just as Covid took its hold and Lockdown began, but rather than put everything on hold, the guys behind the brand decided it was almost a now or never journey and it became a reality. They know that not everyone has £100 here and there to splash out on a high end fragrance and for some even those £30-£40 bottles are becoming more of a luxury than they ever have before, so in an effort to make fragrances more affordable, they simply decrease the size of the bottle you purchase it in, so by making the biggest designer fragrances available in smaller quantities, the cost of buying them becomes cheaper for their customers. The sizes offered at 2ml, 5ml, 10ml, 20ml and of course the option to purchase a full sized offering, but by breaking them down into smaller vials, if you decide that fragrance isn't for you, instead of wasting a whole lot of money, instead it costs as little as £4.50 rising upwards to £20+

The website stocks a number of different brands from the likes of Acqua di Palma and Byredo to Tom Ford and Guerlain to name just a few.  I was kindly sent four 10ml vials to try of different fragrances and they are:

Creed Aventus for Her - Sitting in the Chypre Fruity family, this fragrance is one I had expected to like a lot more than I do. It opens with the top notes of Green Apple, Pink Pepper, Indonesian Patchouli, Calabrian Bergamot which helps this fragrance to hit the fruity opening before the heart notes of Bulgarian and Turkish Roses, Indian Sandalwood, Styrax and Musk come in to being and for me, they are too strong and overpower the scent for the base notes of Peach, Cassis, Lilac, Amber, and Ylang Ylang to comfortably come through. It is a nice fragrance, but definitely isn't one I would rush out to purchase for myself.

Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath - If ever there was a fragrance you could refer too as comfort in a bottle, it is absolutely this. Just stunning. It has top notes of crushed leaves and freesia. which just remind me of my gran's porch, freesia being one of her favourite florals, then we have middle notes of Indian sambac jasmine and Egyptian jasmine delicately dance with tuberose and rose from Grasse which, given Jasmine is my favourite note in fragrances, you can imagine her perfect I find this one and then with the sharp, intense base notes of peach, cedar wood and oak moss, you have a fragrance which I just want to spray everywhere - the sofas, the bed sheets, my freshly laundered pile of clothes as well as myself, it is just divine.

Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning - Again, another stunning fragrance and one which is every bit of its name, think freshly laundered bed linen, for which there is nothing better than fresh clean sheets to get into bed and never want to leave. This fragrance has top notes of pear accord and ambrette seeds, so it opened quite delicately without making much of an entrance, but the middle notes of iris accord, rose petals and orange flower bring to life the whole fragrance which is quite intense given the base notes of white wood and creamy musk give it that ultimate punch, letting the florals shine through with a hint of powderiness. Its a warm fragrance which envelopes you in that hug.

Tom Ford White Patchouli - This is another Chypre Floral fragrance and I really didn't like it at all. It is rare I find a fragrance I dislike (Thierry Mugler - all of them) but this is one I just couldn't get on with.  It has Top notes are White Flowers, Coriander, Peony and Bergamot which for me I didn't like, there was a slight touch of Coriander but given Bergamot is usually a strong note, it was barely there for me. The middle notes are Ambrette, Rose and Jasmine are all notes I absolutely love in a fragrance but again for me, they have all been overshadowed by the base notes of Patchouli, Incense and Woody Notes. It is possibly a fragrance more suited to the warmer months than the colder ones, which in turn might make it less cloying.

As you can see, there is definitely two fragrances that I would add to my collection without hesitation and both of them are Maison Magiela Replica scents, neither of the fragrances I had tried before and the same for the brand, whereas I have fragrances from both Tom Ford and Creed already within my collection!

For me, the concept of this website has worked out really well, of four fragrances, I have managed to find two to add to my Wishlist without having to spend a lot of money to make the choice.  If there is a fragrance which has caught your attention, but you are on the fence about it, sites like this one from Subscent Fragrances could just be that bank balance saviour you need!

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