Father's Day Gift Guide

I won't get to see my own Dad for Father's Day this year owing to the Pandemic, but it doesn't mean he won't get anything from me. I am lucky my Dad is quite easy to buy for, the usual response to 'is there anything you would like?' is met with 'I don't need anything' as a response, thankfully I know him well enough to know there are two things he loves - Fishing and Whisky.

The adverts and emails for Father's Day gifts have been a little quiet this year, usually, they start really early and panic sets in as to what to Dad. If you haven't got it sorted, then I have a few suggestions for you:

The Gruff Stuff is a vegan, cruelty-free brand that is made in the UK and was created to be suitable for all men, and all skin types. All dermatologically tested, the brand uses ingredients which are ethically and responsibly sourced and you will find the likes of Australian Plums, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E.  The limited noir Father's Day Edition is a great little gift for any man in your life and obviously a nice little treat.

Priced at £42 you will find two products within the box. The first is the Spray On Moisturiser which really caught my attention. Described as being innovative, it uses a fuss-free spray application which works to give a quick and powerful boost of hydration. A refreshing formula which works to restore the natural moisture barrier and balance oil production levels making it ideal for helping to reduce redness, stress and irritation.  Then we have the Eye Balm which is described as being a gentle, yet powerful hydrating eye balm which combats the entire orbital area. Using a combination of potent ingredients such as Matcha Green Tea extracts, it helps to fade dark circles, reduce puffiness and firm.

If the man in your life loves his aftershaves as both my Dad and Hubby do, then I have two to share with you.

The first fragrance is called Neroli Woods by Banana Republic and it is a really beautiful fragrance. For me, it sits firmly in the Citrus Aromative family and it has some amazing notes.

Starting with the top notes which is made up of mandarin leaf, neroli and coconut nectar, the first whiff you get upon spritzing is very sharp and citrus lead but as it settles the middle notes of peony, orange blossom, frangipani really help to bring about that citrus zest whilst the floral notes stop it from being too sharp. The base notes are ebony, amber, sandalwood and cedar and as the fragrance settles the earthy green notes make this a stunning fragrance and it is one which lingers for hours after application. Priced at £55 via Debenhams and also here with Walmart.

The second fragrance is Kierin NYC Santal Sky and it sits within the Woody Spicy family and it has quite a uniqueness to it.

The key notes within this fragrance include Cardamon, Sandalwood, Vetiver and Saffron and what you get is a scent that is warm and woody. Sandalwood is by far the most dominant of notes but hidden within that you get a hint of Vetiver, which I absolutely love.  On the skin, it is long-lasting and one which you can't help but love more as it settles. Priced at £52 via Feelunique and ASOS too.

Fishing, as in the sport, is huge in my family. I grew up with it and the husband very much enjoys it, so gifts for Father's Day, birthdays and Christmas all revolve around the sport.

This year I've gone for amusing but practical with this hoodie (£25 Amazon) which is a play on the word Godfather and a fisherman. It is really soft material, but warm and true to size. I have found that with anything fishing related, size up so layers can be added underneath.

I am personally a huge fan of Foreo devices and have quite the collection, infact I think I have every single one except the latest UFO2, but I have the original. One of my favourite devices is the Issa Toothbrush, which I have had and used for over a year now. The Foreo Issa 2, the perfect gadget for a Trekkie because it was recently featured on Star Trek Discovery (episode 5) which got my Dad's attention!

The ISSA 2 combines a sleek, waterproof design which now has improved sonic-pulse technology and a combination brush head. By blending durable PBT polymer and ultra-soft silicone into a state-of-the-art toothbrush that lasts full 365 days on a full charge. What I love about my Issa Toothbrush is that it really does keep your mouth feeling clean, it isn't abrasive, it doesn't hurt your gums and because of the natural properties of silicone and PBT polymer harbor less bacteria for more hygienic brush heads and overall better oral health. Priced at £149 via Feelunique replacement heads cost just £17. It is hands down the best toothbrush I have ever used!

Then finally, books. I love to find things that are different but definitely attention-worthy and from Lars Mytting we have Norwegian Wood: The internationally bestselling guide to chopping and storing firewood (£13.99 from Amazon). 

As a book, as well as being factual, it is quirky and humourous and it has been constantly recommended as book that you need to read and need to encourage other people to read and this is what I have done because it is strangely unputdownable!

So there you have my 2020 Father's Day guide which features something for everyone regardless of age and all of them are pocket friendly so you don't break the bank. 

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

Lush Almond Blossom Shower Gel

It is a well known and much documented fact that as far as I am concerned, Marzipan is the food of the devil.  I literally cannot stand it but, I love the scent of almonds, especially in skincare.  A friend of mine who thought she was mildly amusing, kindly purchased the Lush Almond Blossom Shower Gel as a thank you gift alongside a marzipan encrusted cake (which went in the bin) and in all honestly, it is one of the best scented shower gels I have smelt from Lush in years - I am still not over the fact they no longer do my favourite The Comforter as a shower gel! 

Described as being like the delicate blossoms of spring which have been reimagined as a softening shower gel enriched with almond milk and the scent of sweet marzipan. As you can see from the bottle, it has an almost almond colour to the shower gel and if you are a regular user of Lush Shower Gels then its texture is exactly the same as those.

As usual for Lush, the shower gels come packed with a whole host of benefits with regards to the ingredients it includes and for the Almond Blossom Shower Gel we have the following:

• Almond milk is both softening and moisturising on your skin, helping to protect it from the elements.
• Fair Trade almond oil which softens and moisturises your skin,
• Rosewater calms and balances your skin, helping to alleviate redness and irritation.

To give this shower gel even more of a kick, the use of sandalwood and sweet benzoin add a little warmth and it does smell just absolutely incredible, so much so I think this is my 3rd or 4th bottle.

As usual with Lush shower gels, this one is a sulphate-free and palm-free formula and it still creates a gentle lather with a scent that lingers on the skin for a good few hours after using and of course it is suitable for all skins.

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

Soakin Bath Salts

I know I have said it many times, but believe me, bath salts are so underrated and I am a huge fan, especially when I come across new brands, many of which I feature on my blog. I came across Soakin Bath Salts in my local Health Food shop when collecting a package that has been shipped by DHL, being on a buy one get one free offer, I was spoilt for choice as to which ones I wanted to try - Dead Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, Magnesium Flakes it Himalayan Salts. In the end, I opted for Dead Sea Salt and Himalayan Salt.

I absolutely love Dead Sea Salts and from Soakin, these are made of 100% Pure Natural premium quality Dead Sea salt which in themselves are pack full of minerals and as such you will find they contain:

• Magnesium - Which is great for detoxifying and cleansing the epidermis. It also helps heal damaged or inflamed skin.
• Calcium - Which promotes skin growth and regeneration as well as moisture retention through the production of sebum, and stimulates the production of antioxidants.
• Sodium - Which helps cleanse and exfoliate the skin, neutralise free radicals and relieve sore muscles.
• Zinc - Which helps heal and rejuvenate skin
• Potassium - Which is great for helping to keep the skin moist and plump as well as helping to reduce puffiness.
• Sulphur - Which helps decongest pores, but it also has powerful healing, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties.

Together these minerals along with the salt, not only soothe, but they also soften, hydrate and exfoliate the skin and are an absolute dream if you have dry or itchy skin.  For me, usually, the winter is spent wearing thick tights or leggings, so as soon as Spring arrives, my legs resemble a snake shedding its skin and they need a lot of moisture and exfoliation before they see daylight, something which bath salts are perfect for.

Then we have the Himalayan Pink Salt bath salts and as well as looking pretty and pink, they to are enriched with minerals to help detox the skin. As with Dead Sea Salt, Himalayan pink salt also helps to exfoliate the skin and help it to retain moisture. 

Unlike Dead Sea Salt, Pink Himalayan Salt is said to have anti-inflammatory properties that heal and soothe skin by calming irritations and breakouts, so, therefore, using it within a bath, it could help those hard to reach areas, such as your back if you suffer from breakouts there. 

When using bath salts, for relaxation and well-being, you should add 100-250g to a warm bath, I always ensure there are a few inches of water in the bath before adding any salt too it as I have found it helps it to dissolve much better. Once in the bath, you should aim to soak for around 20 minutes to get the best benefits. You can also use these salts as a foot soak, ideal if you have hard or dry skin on your heels. As with the bath, add 100-250g to your bowl or footbath and soak your feel for 20 minutes and then rinse, at which point the salt should have helped to loosen some of that skin.

Soakin state that they specialise in sourcing only the highest quality, 100% pure natural salts to ensure the most soothing and relaxing bath-time experience. Soakin Salts retail for around £4.99 each and are designed to be reused and refilled, whether or not you use them for the same product.  I have found that they keep the salts really fresh, which is a must for bath salts.

If you are tempted by these Bath Salts, then there is a store locator on the main website to help you find your nearest stockist,

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

Typology Fragrances and How To Layer Them

Fragrances fascinate me, I love learning about their journey, the notes that have been chosen and then with purchasing and wearing them, they often evoke a memory. Choosing a fragrance is a journey in itself, we all like different brands and within those brands different fragrance options, also in reverse, we all dislike fragrances and this can often be quite the talking point amongst friends.

From Typology, who I showcased on this blog just a few days ago, I was given two sample sets of vials, which each contained three of the fragrances available. The perfumer, from Typology has created different fragrance layering options with the Eaux de parfum which is designed to help you find the perfect personal scent. It is also worth noting that the alcohol in all of these fragrances is natural and comes from Beetroot!

The fragrances I have are:

• Pamplemousse Petitgrain
• Jasmin Neroli
• Cèdre Vétiver
• Sauge Romarin
• Cyprès Genévrier
• Yuzu Mandarine

Each one of these fragrances is just stunning on their own but paired with the right scent, it really has the wow factor.  I used the Typology examples of how to pair the fragrances as follows:

To create a fresh floral fragrance by combining the white floral notes of jasmine and mandarin with the fresh aromatic notes of cypress and juniper. So the idea is that you would use Jasmin Neroli and Cyprès Genévrier together by using one spritz of Jasmin Neroli and two of Cyprès Genévrier.  The Jasmin Neroli is by far my favourite vial of the six that I have, but when mixed with the Cyprès Genévrier it really comes to life and this could quite quickly become a fragrance I would purchase over and over again. It isn't too heavy, it is light, refreshing and beautifully floral.

If an Aromatic Floral is more your type of fragrance then you will need to combine Jasmin Neroli and Sauge Romarin which combines scents such as Rosemary and Sage. The advice again is to use two sprays of Jasmin Neroli and one spray of Sauge Romarin.  What these two scents do together is allow the floral to really be itself but with a slight hint of earthiness from the Sauge and Romarin, without being too heavy. They blend really well and lasts for such a long time on the skin.

Woody Aromas either work for me or they don't and I find they are so much better when they are layered in some way.  From Typology we have an array of options and I have picked my favourites.

The first choice is to use Cyprès Genévrier and Cèdre Vétiver and together they create a really fresh fragrance which is as Woody as it is Aromatic but at the same time without being heavy.  To create you need to use two sprays of Cèdre Vétiver and one spray of Cyprès Genévrier and then within a few seconds you can really get the sense of the strong cedar and Vetiver notes as it settles the Cypress and Juniper lift the whole scent.

Staying with Woody Aromas we have the use of Cyprès Genévrier and Yuzu Mandarin and I would have never thought to put these two together. Again with two spritzes of Cyprès Genévrier and then just one of the Yuzu Mandarin, what you have is an aroma which is quite zesty whilst also being woody, something I would expect to be a strange mixture, but it is light enough to be a great Spring fragrance and one that leaves a trail as you walk.

Depending on how daring you want to be with your fragrances, and I admit I do like to play around with layering, you can use three of these together. Today I am wearing Cèdre Vétiver, Jasmin Neroli and Pamplemousse Petitgrain as a trio, again as suggested from the Typology website and if these three could become one, then I am lusting after it.  To create, again you need to use one spray of Cèdre Vétiver, two sprays of Jasmin Néroli and then one spray of Pamplemousse Petitgrain. Together the sweet notes of grapefruit and the floral notes of jasmine and neroli come together and create a sweet floral which doesn't have that awful headache-inducing note that vanilla creates, this for me is a way around having to use it. As the three fragrances settle, there is a slight wood note that comes to life and it is just a lovely fragrance combination, perfect for a Summers day.

I just love that these six fragrances offer endless opportunities to create your own signature scent as well as the brand giving you guidance on how to layer with a brief guide to follow.

                 

        

          Do any of these fragrance mixes stand out to you?

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