Viktor and Rolf Bonbon Couture Eau de Parfum Intense

Viktor and Rolf need no introduction when it comes to perfumes and fragrances and when this Bonbon Couture Eau de Parfum Intense dropped on my doorstep, I was pretty excited to give it a try because I have read and seen so much about it.

The packaging is amazingly pretty and stands out immediately, bright pink in design the the box hosts a 3D V&R seal which is a nice detail to see. Inside the bottle is simple stunning, taking the form of a bow, which is replicated on the front of the box, again the 3D seal is present and I think it is just stunningly presented.

Viktor & Rolf have described this new fragrance as 'The "Haute Couture" reinterpretation of Viktor & Rolf’s sweet Bonbon perfume from 2014, Bonbon Couture is said to be a more intensive, luxurious and stronger than the original'. Now I love the original and was slightly worried this would not meet my expectations, but it blew them right out of the water and it is just absolutely divine and it is a much more intense version of Bonbon and much longer lasting. The fragrance opens with a juicy combination of mandarin, neroli oil and peach which make up the top notes and as soon as the fragrance is spritzed you get a hit of fruit, as the scent settled we get the heart notes orange blossom and Sambac jasmine which is then sweetened by a potent caramel note that is not sickly at all and for me the Jasmine is just stunning. The base notes are made up of sandalwood and patchouli, with vanilla and blonde tobacco giving it a woody accord that works well alongside the fruit.

Once spritzed this is a scent which packs a powerful punch and as it settles, the fragrance is lovely, noticeable and long-lasting, the kind of scent you don't need to reapply because you can smell it all day long and it is perfect for any season and any time of day whether you are going to work, out with friends, on a date or just because you want to smell amazing.

This fragrance will be available at Selfridges from 14th September and will cost £57 for a 30ml bottle, £79 for a 50ml bottle and £109 for a 90ml bottle.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Everyday is Black Friday!

As Summer has moved on and Autumn has arrived, we already have Christmas cards in shops and we are yet to celebrate Halloween and most importantly Black Friday. This year Black Friday falls on 25th November and if like me you have a growing Amazon wishlist and are eager to grab some deals, you don't need to wait until November to grab those bargain because sites such as Everydayisblackfriday should be high up on your list as they do the hard work for you.

Everyday is Black Friday is a unique deal finder, a project which arose from frustration and anger at how laborious the online shopping system is and with discounts popping up and disappearing just as quick, before you realise it, the skirt you have bought for £30 has 90% off yesterday and you feel a bit miffed. So the aim of Everyday is Black Friday is that some very clever software was created and it visits retailer websites on a regular basis, and checks the prices of their products every 24 hours. Then whenever a price drops this software will be notice it and it will display that sale on the front end of the website, making it possible for users like you and I to search and compare the items we are want buy.

With over 250 retailers currently indexed and over 2.5 million products in the database, and the number is growing every day, you will see the likes of ASOS, Boohoo, Boots, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Liberty, New Look, Selfridges and even Louis Vuitton to name just a few. The site allows you to search by items - so Boots, handbags, dresses, shoes and purses for example or you can search by retailer and see what offers the site has currently found to tempt you. I typed in Ted Baker purse, which one day I will own, I was surprised to see so many on sale which I might not have known about.

The other option with this site is to look at the Sale Index link to see a list of the UK's top retailers' fresh sale index from the past 24 hours and it will tell you how many products are on sale and the percentage of a retailers' total products that are included within that sale. Again each store is clickable and the items on sale appear on the screen before you.

What I really like about this site is that it is simple and straightforward to use. There are no fancy graphics and hidden links which take you on a tour of the internet, essentially what you see is what you get and then some. It loads quickly and if you find the item you are looking for, it will take directly to the item, regardless of which store it is for sale on or in.  It is stress free, hassle free bargain hunting on one screen!

*this is a collaboration and all words and thoughts are my own

Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil

Dermalogica is a brand which I am sure needs no introduction in the world, famous for many products, there is an addition to the range and it comes in the form of an oil, but in true Dermalogica fashion, it is not just any oil!

The new Phyto Replenish Oil is a feather-light treatment oil which rapidly absorbs to reinforce the skin’s protective barrier and shields against environmental stressors, smoothes visible lines and locks in moisture for dewy skin.   

So how does it work? Phyto Oil is comprised of plant-based active ingredients such as: 

• Camellia japonica - an antioxidant oil to strengthen the skin barrier and provide wrinkle-reducing benefits including stimulating collagen and inhibiting MMPs. 
• Tamanu oil - consists of potent antioxidant photoactives, inhibiting the breakdown of lipid-rich cell membranes from rich radicals. 
• Chia seed oil - provides antioxidant protection and a concentrated delivery of fatty acids to hydrate and soothe dry, itchy skin. 
• Orchid flower extract - repairs, protects and locks in moisture, while helping balance skin’s natural moisturizing factor. 
• Hyaluronic acid booster - helps hydrate, while providing antioxidant and anti-irritant properties. 
• Sunflower seed oil - has antioxidant properties helping preserve skin’s protective barrier and defending against free radical damage. 
• Rice bran oil - helps moisturize and protect against UV rays and free radicals.

Used daily, Phyto Oil helps to replenish your depleted lipids and deliver the luminous glow we all crave. Put simply, lipids are the natural protective oils which help to preserve the skin’s protective barrier and maintain a youthful appearance. As we age, these oils diminish and can therefore leave the skin looking a bit lacklusture. Young adult skin can restore its natural barrier lipids in just a few days whereas, with age it can take over a week. This is why products like Phyto Replenish oil should become an important part of your skincare regime.

I love that it can be used alone, mixed with your moisturiser, tinted moisturiser, your foundation and even your SPF you need just a few drops to get that amazing glow. Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil will retail for £56.20 and is available right now!.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

Primark PS Strobe Crayons

Primark is one of those little treasure troves that I just love looking around, most of my PJ's come from there as do my lounge pants, cardigans and the one section which I do absolutely love is the makeup section.  You might have seen THIS post on the oval brushes which I absolutely love and then if you follow me on Instagram, I showed a MAC palette dupe which will appear on my blog in a few weeks time.

Today I am back to Primark and the PS range and these amazing Strobe Crayons! Everywhere I look right now there are Strobe creams, powders, compacts, palettes and sticks to debate over and obviously depending on your budget you can be spending quite a lot of money.  So whilst in Primark picking up a new black cardigan, I came across this pack of Strobe Crayons and for £3 I thought they were worthy of a try.

In the plastic wallet, which in itself is handy because it is self seal and fits some of my makeup brushes for when I am away from home, are three crayons with lids.  They are not twist and turn to get more from the pencil, you have to sharpen them but for £1 each I am not too fussed about it.

The three crayons are different shades Rose, Golden and Sand and the swatches below show just how pigmented they are with just one swipe and they glide onto the skin, they are blendable, they can be as bold or as light as you want them to be because they are buildable and they have a stunning shimmer.

From left to right we have Golden, Rose and then Sand and I can't decide which one I like the most, all three of them are so pretty and you can use all three on different areas of your face should you so wish.  Texture wise, as I have said, they glide onto the skin with no dragging feel and they are just a delight to use!

Another bargain from Primark!

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise