Bon Voy - The Bag You Have Been Waiting For!

It has been well over a year that I have been anywhere for the night, needed a suitcase or even my weekend bag, it that doesn’t stop me longing for a hotel room service right about now. The one item that is always packed ready in my case is my toilet art bag, when the mood suits I will re-pack it and double check I’ve got everything I will need, I have a list of products, the problem is, most of the bags I’ve used of late have all had some sort of product explosion and only one has washed well. Then I was introduced to Bon Voy and what an incredible product it is!

As I’ve mentioned, that moment you open your toiletry bag to find a face cream and lip balm have mixed and smudged themselves all over the inside of your bag, mixed in with some cotton pads, it’s a right mess in there and no matter how much you wipe, it is just not going to be rectified. Well it is now.

Bon Voy is a Swedish company which was founded by two sisters and this concept was their idea. Bon Voy is a toiletry bag which is every bit as luxe and chic as you want it to be, but the genius is with the inner lining of the bag, not only is it removable, it is also washable and you can buy spares to keep them in rotation - it is these ideas I wish I had thought of!  

The outer bag is incredibly chic and exceptionally made, it isn’t one which will split, unstitch itself or rip with ease and it comes packaged inside its own tan coloured dust bag too, so it is super swish, they are made of 100% vegan material! It also features a zip closing as well as outside snap buttons makes it easy for you to expand your bag for extra space.

The Bon Voy bag is available in several colours - Black, Brown and Beige and it is also available in sizes:

• Staycation Cosmetic bag small
• Weekend Toiletry bag medium - this is the one I have (€99.95/£85)
• Getaway Toiletry bag Large

What I absolutely love about this toiletry bag is that regardless of the size you choose, you can still play around with those three colour choices and then the colour of that removable inner lining.  As you can see, I chose a black bag and a pink inner lining, though I was torn as to whether to pick a brown bag and a yellow lining, a colour combination I really liked the look of.

Since this bag arrived, I have packed and re-packed it, not that I have plans to go anywhere, but there is always a just in case and I always have an emergency cosmetics bag handy should I ever need one. I love the size, the fact I can choose the inner lining and order spares for when I need to change them over and I love that there are size options to choose from!

The bags on offer from Bon Voy are incredible and this is one of the most luxurious bags I have ever had the pleasure of owning and prepping for a few night away.  As a reminder, all of the toiletry bags are:

• Spacious, but sized perfectly to fit into your hand luggage 
• Feature a detachable And Machine Washable Inner Bag
• Are made In 100% Vegan And Premium Materials
• Expandable For Maximum Space 

For me, this is the perfect sized bag for a long weekend away, whether it is a city break or when I go visit family, both of which I cannot wait to do.  I now have my eye on the small cosmetic bag for those overnight stays which I occasionally get to do. 

Whatever size you would choose, this is one amazing, luxurious and incredibly handy bag to have for those moments of escape.  Find out more about Bonvoy, the bags and the story behind their creation, here, on the Bonvoy website.

*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.

Kohl Kreatives Feast Your Eyes Makeup Brushes

Kohl Kreatives is not only a luxury makeup brush brand, but a force for social change. Founded by Trishna Daswaney, who fell in love with makeup after being bullied as a teenager, Kohl Kreatives and then established the brand’s global workshops to support transgender and cancer care communities. I’ve featured some of the Kohl Kreatives brushes on my blog before but this time it is the turn of the Feast Your Eyes Collection.

These brushes are certified vegan and cruelty-free by PETA and are made out of recycled plastic with incredibly super soft synthetic fibres.

Let your imagination run wild with this set of 6 eye brushes, helping you to create your favourite looks.

The brushes in the Feast Your Eyes (RRP £48) collection also have been developed in a cuboid shape, so what this means, is that they do not roll when placed on a flat surface such as a table, enabling ease of use for people with motor disabilities or visual impairment.  Again, such a simple yet clever idea and again, not something I’ve really come across being promoted before.  Something else which makes these brushes more inclusive, different and yet clever all at the same time is that they also have braille stickers and, for people who do not read the tactile writing system, a raised numerical system connected to an audio guide which can be accessed via the QR code on the box. I’m sure no other brush brand has done or thought of this, but I think it is such an amazing idea!

When the idea for these brushes was being developed, Kohl Kreatives teamed up with the Royal National Institute of Blind People to work to ensure that these  brushes were not only fit for purpose but used feedback and advice to ensure they are 'ease of use' products.

They are a fantastic set of brushes and I love that you can use them with any kind of product whether it's powder, cream, liquid or gel, and because the handle has been designed so that it is easy to hold, it makes the actual application of your makeup comfortable, easy and definitely makes you realise just how much of a help these brushes could be to someone. You can also add a contact lens to complete your eye makeup, check it here contactlensesplus.com .

Proceeds from all sales go towards our charity Kohl Kares providing free workshops for a variety communities ranging from transgender and, cancer care support, as well as those with motor and visual disabilities. Find out more from Kohl Kreatives right here.

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

Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub Review

Ole Henriksen is a brand I started to get to know, then they left the UK and now they are back again. Having tried the Ole Henriksen Balance It All Skincare Set, I couldn't wait to try more from the brand.  The Lemonade Smoothing Scrub, which launched back in 2020, landed on my desk a good few weeks ago and I do love a good face scrub!

Having combination/oily skin, I try to ensure I use a scrub at least twice a week and I love that it is said to have been inspired by a fresh glass of lemonade on a hot Summer's day!  I am a fan of both manual and chemical scrubs and my skin seems not to mind which one I use. But those who prefer a gentle scrub, you will find it hard not to love this one from Ole Henriksen.

It is described as being a dual-action scrub, so not only does it have exfoliating particles, it also includes AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) so it works double time to physically and chemically exfoliate your complexion as the AHAs work to loosen and lift dead skin cells, while lemon peel powder and ultra-fine sugar exfoliants gently sweep away rough skin. Plus, there is the inclusion of both Holy Basil and Chamomile which work to soothe and your skin.

During Lockdown, ive been lucky that my skin hasn't reacted too much to wearing a mask and nor have I suffered any other issues that are new.  The combination oily is still my main problem with just a tiny bit of dryness on my cheeks, that said, it is much less than normal. So this scrub is a delight to use, it comes out of the tube and is quick a thick bright yellow formula and as the description states, that freshly squeezed lemonade scent is most definitely there, it is absolutely divine.  As the scrub is worked onto the skin, the incredibly refined sugar particles work to remove all of that dead and dry skin which sits on the surface.

On the skin, whilst the sugar particles are clearly evident as you massage your skin, this scrub isn't overly abrasive or uncomfortable, but it most definitely does do the job it is intended to do and it does it very well.  After using, not only is my skin soft and smooth to the touch and it is so much brighter.  

As this is a scrub which contains 10% AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids) which gives you the benefits you get from using a chemical exfoliator, I decided to put it the scrub to the test on my lower left foot. Why you might ask - well because of an ongoing ankle injury, I have to sleep in a moonboot every single night, so you can imagine how dry and flakey my skin has become, so I tried using this scrub, just see what might happen and impressively, it really does remove that dead skin, so now I am hoping that this line will be extended to body products and even a scalp scrub!

You can find the Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub right here* at Boots

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