Valentines Gift List For Her - The Fragrances

With Valentines Day arriving this week, there is still time to run out and grab that gift to surprise your better half. Today I am sharing some of the fragrances I have been absolutely loving lately and it includes one or two that have made an appearance on this blog before, but I adore them so much, it would be wrong not to include them because they are THAT GOOD!

Starting with Hugo Boss The Scent For Her which is new to my collection and one which I've worn everyday since it arrived. Described as being: A darker, more powerful version of the seductive classic, BOSS THE SCENT For Her with two exclusive raw materials, Osmanthus Absolute and Cistus Absolute which enhance the dark, captivating side of the fragrance, bringing the classic BOSS The Scent seduction to a deeper level.

Nestled inside a deep black, almost diamond shaped bottle, the perfume opens with the fruity note of Honeyed Peach which is just stunning and added with Freesia, if a fruity-floral fragrance is something you like, then this is the one you need. With middle notes of Osmanthus Absolute which is light and delicate and Cistus Absolute the scent really comes to life and with Cacoa as a base note the warmness of the fragrance is divine.  I love how much of a role the Cacoa plays within this scent because it is quite unlike anything I have ever tried.  Priced at £85 for 50ml you can find this beauty here.

I can't not include Zadig & Voltaire For Her which has featured on my blog before (here and here) and I absolutely adore it and it was without question my most worn scent of 2017. 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.

When it comes to cuteness, Ghost Sweetheart Forever is up there and again, I featured this fragrance here on my blog.  An Oriental Floral fragrance, Sweetheart Forever is described as being a "fragrance that touches the spirit of today's modern, romantic woman" and evokes the spirit, adventure and optimism of those tender sweet first days of a fledgling romance.  A sweet fragrance which has notes of Cassis, Lychee, Orange and Vanilla it is girly, it is pink and it is just lovely.

For Valentines Day this gift set couldn't be more perfectly packaged. Not only do you get a 30ml bottle of the fragrance, but with it, you also get a rose gold Lock and Key Pendant and it costs £25 here at Boots.

If ever there was a bottle to wow you, then it is Versace pour femme Dylan Blue. Nestled inside a curvy bottle which is designed to evoke a ceramic bowl of amphora shape and ancient Greek culture and mythology.  Just how stunning is this bottle?

The deep blue colour is highlighted with golden details and the iconic Medusa head as the symbol of the brand.  The scent is not something I expected to like as it is described as being a Floral-Fruity-Woody composition but with top notes of blackcurrant sorbet, Granny Smith apple, clover, forget-me-not and Shisolia which has quite an earthy scent you already get an opening of all three compositions quite quickly with the blackcurrant quickly dominating alongside the Shisolia.  Then as it begins to dry down the heart notes of Eglantine rose, Petalia, Rosyfolia, Jasmine, ice infusion of peach really come to life and again the one scent I can pick out straight away is the Jasmine alongside Peach but  then we have the base notes of patchouli coeur, styrax, white smooth woods and musk the woodiness of the scent comes into its own and you really do quite get quite a mixture of scents and aromas and actually I really liked it.  It is a strong scent, so less is more and it lasts all day without even needing to top up.  You can find this stunning bottle right here for £98.50.

Can Valentines Day ever be the same unless there is a Jo Malone box waiting for you?  Velvet Rose and Oud is the only fragrance from Jo Malone that I have ever owned and I always get so many compliments when I wear it.

The scent is described as being "Darkest Damask rose is rich and textural, wrapped with smoky oud wood. Spiked with clove, decadent with praline". I love rose scent products, there is something about that fresh scent of roses which is incredibly relaxing but is a scent which works so well with my skin that it smells amazing.  Priced at £75 got 50ml you can find this fragrance here at John Lewis.

So there you have my gift guide to Valentines Day when it comes to choosing a fragrance for the woman in your life.  I would love to know what your favourite fragrance is right now and whether or not any of these tickle your fancy!

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

Lumie Bodyclock Active 250

Like most people, I love it as the nights draw in. Getting home, closing the curtains and the world outside, candles lit and time to relax sets in. The problem for me comes with dark mornings. Ever since I was a child, I was brought up to believe that if it is dark outside it is bedtime, I’ve always hated cracks in the curtains where the light can shine through, but I can not adjust to getting up whilst it is dark outside.

Then Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 came into my life, a device I have read so much about but had never tried. A product which claims to wake you with a natural, gradually brightening light, helping you feel refreshed, alert and energised all day. The one problem I have is a dark morning doesn’t make me feel awake or alert and definitely not ready to tackle the day ahead.  So I opened the box, set it up and hoped for the best.

The Lumie has now been part of my life for just over 5 weeks and during that time I have used it for a few days, then haven’t used it, I have used it one day and then not the following, all in an experiment to see if it works for me and whether it makes those mornings any easier.

Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 Wake Up to Daylight Light is described as being a wake-up light which incorporates an FM radio and audio options. Once you have set it up, the alarm clock wakes you with a gradually brightening sunrise, so instead of being jolted from sleep by an alarm, the Bodyclock wakes you gradually and more effectively with brightening light. By the time you open your eyes, you're properly awake, alert and feeling ready for the day ahead. Experts claim that waking like this not only re-sets the internal clock that controls daily wake/sleep rhythm but it has been shown to boost mood, productivity and energy levels.  Then when you are ready for sleep, the right light can also help prepare your body for sleep and with the Lumie, the use of the fading sun and if you do need a little but extra help, this Lumie has additional sleep sounds; restful waves and white noise to mask background noise.

The Main features of the Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 include:

• 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute sunrise to wake naturally
• 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute sunset to wind down for bed
• FM radio with digital tuning
• Dawn chorus or rooster call sounds to enhance your sunrise
• White noise setting to mask sounds that might keep you awake
• Wave sounds to lull you to sleep
• Sunray effect
• Dimmable lighting for use as a bedside light
• Nightlight feature
• Snooze feature
• Security option to turn on the light randomly while you're away
• Back-ups: optional alarm beep, power failure back-up

What I love about the Lumie is that it has a range of wake-up options which allow you to choose how long you want your sunrise and whether or not you would like to use one of the audio features and there is quite the choice, one of which is a rooster, a sound that you are guaranteed not to miss but you can also set the FM radio to come on, which is my method of choice. The usefulness of the Lumie doesn’t stop there either, it also comes in handy if you have trouble drifting off to sleep. This model also features a slowly fading sunset option and the option to use two sleep sounds both of which should help you naturally relax and unwind ready for bed.

So has it worked for me? Admittedly I was sceptical. I have spent years having the most annoying ringtone I can find on my phone as my alarm in an effort to shock me awake and to start my day. Now, I love the gradualness of waking up at a more relaxing pace, instead of feeling out of sorts and miserable at the thought of getting out of bed. I also now instead have time, feel more alert and whilst laying in bed will always be something I enjoy doing, on a work day when I have to get up, doing so in a much less rushed and dreaded manner is the option for me.  

You can find this Lumie priced at around £95 in places like John Lewis, Amazon and even Boots.

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

The best catalogues for beauty products

Beauty products can be purchased through online catalogues. From your favourite mascara to a new lipliner, or other essentials you use daily, the right products will truly help you feel confident in your appearance, but can also help improve the appearance and health of your skin. For women who are shopping for beauty products, and want to buy the most reputable name brands, for less, these are a few catalogues to check out. 

Simplybe – Nail care, skin care, hydrating masks, and other cosmetics and skin care products you want to buy, can all be ordered through this online catalogue site. In addition to products such as makeup, you can also find skin care and beauty products, which are intended to help hydrate, replenish, rejuvenate, and help give your skin that natural glow. And, there are a number of anti-ageing product lines you can order through the catalogue as well, so your skin won’t only feel softer, it will look younger as well. 

Cult beauty – At this online catalogue site, women can find the “must have” cosmetic lines. You can find the best skin care products, anti-ageing solutions, masks, facial creams, body wash, hydrating formulas, and more. No matter what skin type you have (from dry to oily), or what problem you want to treat (dry skin, acne, etc.), there is a product available for you on this site. With great prices, top names, and a great reputation, you can’t go wrong when ordering skin care and beauty care products through this catalogue.

Clarins.co.uk – A third option for women (and men) to visit is Clarins. Here you will not only find beauty products like makeup, mascara, lip balm, lipstick, and eye-liner, you will also find natural, chemical free products as well. You can order hydrating body wash, ointments to treat skin conditions, you can find hydrating UV protected creams, and other products which will help revive the brilliance and glow of your skin naturally. And, as they are all natural, you do not have to worry about harsh dyes, chemicals, or additives, to the products you apply to your face and body on a daily basis. 

Kiehls – Kiehls.co.uk is a natural skin-care line, which has been producing and manufacturing their own line of skincare, beauty products, and anti-ageing solutions for nearly two centuries now. The company carries an extensive line of products, produces their own product line, and guarantees natural, quality skin care lines, for an affordable price. 

Treating dry and oily skin, finding a new mascara or skin balm, or finding the perfect anti-ageing solution doesn’t have to be difficult. Even for those who want all natural, chemical-free products, you can find them with the right online catalogue. There are loads of online catalogues which offer beauty products. If you would like to view some more catalogues then justcatalogues.co.uk is a great place to start. For those who want to order skin care and beauty products online, these are a few leading sites to find just what you are looking for. And, best of all, you can find the most affordable pricing for your favourite brands and products, when you choose to order through these catalogues as well. 

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