She Who Dares Perfume

I am a huge fan of perfume and whenever I am asked if I would like to try something new, I always jump at the chance. She Who Dares, very kindly sent me two of their fragrances Eminence and Dalliance.

Who are She Who Dares? She Who Dares has a vision is to see women of every age being recognised, acknowledged and celebrated for doing great things. The She Who Dares range offers the perfect gift for mums, sisters, grandmothers, friends, aunties, nieces, girlfriends, daughters and wives. Inspirational women deserve to be honoured, and at She Who Dares they aspire to do just that. Their goal is to become a brand where recognition blossoms, and one that is timeless throughout the ages. In 2009 Rachel Lowe (developer and creator) was awarded an MBE from the Queen for her services to business. This achievement ultimately inspired her luxury brand that would celebrate remarkable women: She Who Dares. The brand ethos – ‘Never give up, nothing is impossible’, is a symbolic statement for everything she has accomplished.

The first thing I love about these perfumes is the bottle, both similar in style, an almost teardrop shade with a lid that most definitely captures your attention, the one on Dalliance being white and Eminence being Red.

Eminence is described as being a scent that "will capture your confidence and your femininity, a beautiful fresh floral scent with a seductive base that is soft and sensuous, perfect for every-day wear". As a scent it is most definitely a fresh floral note that captures your attention and is one favoured by those who asked to choose between the two.  Using top notes of bergamot and pink peppercorn, at the heart sits a glamorous bouquet with rose, peony, forget me not and lily of the valley and a base of sandalwood, soft musk and sensuous patchouli, it makes for a really lovely scent.

Dalliance on the other hand was my personal favourite of the two.  Described as being a scent which is "Timeless, elegant and bold, dalliance is a sexy and dynamic evening scent, helping celebrate the most special moments in life". From the two scents, for me, this one if more feminine and possibly because it uses a mix of both fruit and floral to capture your attention. Using the tropical white flower notes of jasmine, tuberose and magnolia which are then entwined with luscious ripe pears before resting on a sensual musky base.

So whilst I prefer Dalliance, it is Eminence that lasted longer as the scent on my skin for 7 hours, pretty much the whole day at work.  Eminence was a good 5-6 hours but most definitely needed to be re-applied before leaving to go home.

Overall both are really lovely scents and costing around £32 for 50ml they are more than reasonably priced and definitely something to look out for.

Michael Kors Aviator Sunglasses

Some love it, some hate it, I am in the 'love it' declaration when it comes to TK Maxx. For me it is is one of those places where you can walk in and immediately want everything you see or want nothing at all, there is never an inbetween. My local TK Maxx isn't one of the biggest London stores, but it does have a decent sized handbag, beauty and candle section - what more could I want as a blogger!

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine had asked me to go and look in my local store for a toy she had seen for her son, it was out of stock locally for her and she wanted to see if I could find it. After a few minutes in the store, sidetracked by the new handbag selection, I was walking past the sunglasses section and happened to stumble upon these Michael Kors aviator sunglasses. I tried them on, wasn't too sure, but they did come with a free case and cloth, so I walked around the store, found the toy that was needed along with a few other pieces and tried on the sunglasses one last time. What I hadn't noticed at the time was the price tag, it hadn't even occurred to me to actually look but I am glad I did because instead of costing £120, they had actually been reduced to £19.99, total and utter bargain, whats more is that when I took them to the till to be scanned, they were priced at just £9.99, error or not, that is what I paid!

I am not the best wearer of sunglasses, I always lose them, sit on them, drop them or leave them to rattle around my handbag, so I have owned quite a few pairs. This pair are absolutely stunning, they have a really beautiful rose gold finish and with the lens colour being a slightly brown/amber shade they are perfect for not only shielding the sun from your eyes, but are also offer 100% UV protection.  The nose pads are adjustable and the Michael Kors lettering is very discreet in the corner of one lens. 

I absolutely love these sunglasses, they are comfortable to wear, they look stylish and were the best bargain I have probably ever found in TK Maxx! 

Have you bought anything from TK Maxx lately?

The Library of Fragrance - Unique Fragrances

The Library of Fragrance collection has over 300 unique fragrances, of which 101 of these are available in the UK via their own website plus a selection of favourites available exclusively at Boots. A few months ago I reviewed the Jasmine Scent which I just loved, so the opportunity to try two further scents was something I jumped at.

The two scents are Baby Powder (Female) and Thunderstorm (Male) and they arrived in these amazing tubed bottles. 

As soon as a I spritzed Baby Powder the first thought to hit my mind was Johnson and Johnsons Baby Powder, which I absolutely love the scent of and honestly, it is an exact replica of that scent. The science behind the scent states that some people find the aroma to be calming and I absolutely do agree with it, whether it is due to the emotions it is evokes or memories it brings to life, as a scent it is just lovely and it lasts for a good 5-6 hours on the skin once applied. 

Thunderstorm which is for the men is quite an earthy scent which is said to capture the electricity and raindrops of a summer storm. On the very first spritz, the first thing that sprung to mind was wet grass during the rain and then as it began to settle, it reminded me of the smell you get just before a storm begins, as the rain starts to fall and that first clap of thunder rumbles in the sky. Then once the scent has settled, the smell in the air that is left after the storm is what I can then sense from this scent, it is truly amazing.  Whilst possibly not a scent I can see my other half wanting to wear, what I do love to do is use it for is to clear the air in a room after it has been quite stifling hot, the scent for me brings about a coolness in the air.

The Library of Fragrance is for me just fascinating, if ever you are in your local Boots store and havent tried one of these scents, then do, seriously, they are just so clever and they smell so good.  They have really opened my eyes to trying some a little bit new, a little bit quirky and I am so intrigued by how some of those scents smell, I feel the need to spritz them all, just to check!

The perfumes have no artificial colours, binders, emulsifiers and are phthalates and paraben free. The alcohol used in the scents is naturally fermented from corn.

Have you tried any colognes from The Library of Fragrance? What's your favourites?

You Beauty Discovery Box - April

This months You Beauty Discovery Box is titled 'Organic and Natural' and champions the best that nature has to offer. This month the list to choose from was again amazing and again I was chuffed to find two products listed that I have heard of, never tried and have wanted to try for some time and this is my box:

As always with the You Beauty Box, there are two treats. The first being a sachet of Yours Truly Organics Fix Me! Repairing Serum. Designed to smooth, repair and tighten your skin, the range is formulated with innovative active ingredientssourced from around the world to specifically reduce inflammation and combat oily t-zones. Sourcing only the best natural and organic solutions proven to reduce oiliness and inflammation, the products deliver soft and beautiful skin.

The second treat Linwoods – Milled Flaxseed Cocoa & Berries which says I could add it to a yoghrt, smoothie, cereal or when I am baking muffins or pancakes to enjoy the luxurious taste of Cocoa knowing you are fortifying your diet with extra Vitamins, Minerals and Nutrients! This delicious blend of milled flaxseed, cocoa and berries is a good source of Iron, Zinc, Dietary Fibre and Antioxidants.

Then onto my choices. I was absolutely delighted to see Heaven Skincare offering three different options. Anyone who reads my blog will know that I cannot highly recommend the Bee Venom Mask enough, it is truly amazing and the fabulous Deborah Mitchell is such a wonderful person, supported by the wonderful Donna (who is also a blogger) I have been really lucky and honoured to try a few products from the range. That said, I was chuffed to be able to choose the Chamomile desensitising hydrogel which is designed to calm and soothe.This treatment toner contains chamomile and azulene for their antiallergenic, desensitising and anti-inflammatory properties. 

The unusual properties mean that this toner is not only safe for sensitive skins but actually helps to normalise them. This is something I am really looking forward to trying and if you have never tried a product from the Heaven skincare range, you should, they are amazing!

The second choice for me was the Scentered Sleep Balm because I was curious. Sleep Well Therapy Balm offers powerful, pocket-friendly support to catch up on sleep, something that is quite tricky to do in our busy lives.

It’s fair to say that most of us don’t get enough sleep and rest. It’s time to allow the essential oils packed in this pocket-sized therapy balm soothe your mind and body to get a good night’s sleep.Relax and prepare for a great night's sleep with a sophisticated floral lavender blend that harnesses the therapeutic benefits of fourteen different essential oils, including Lavender, Chamomile, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang and Ho Wood.

A rich, nourishing balm, which feels a bit like a Chapstick, has a unique blend of moringa and shea butters that won’t leave your skin feeling greasy, whilst ensuring long lasting therapeutic fragrance delivery.  As a 100% natural product which is perfect for carrying around in your luggage if you are away from home. It is also perfect for those suffering disrupted sleep due to an over-active mind, the Sleep Well range clears the head, quietens the mind and relaxes the body, making it an ideal part of any bedtime ritual, as well as a great travel companion when sleeping away from home.

 So this months April Box for me is absolutely amazing value for money yet again, a further two products that I intend to use.

What do you think to this box?  Do you subscribe to You Beauty?

Teaface | Your Tea

Those who read this blog regularly will know that I am a huge fan of odd sounding products, essential oils and put the two together and I am almost hyperventilating with excitement. So when Teaface landed in my lap, I wasn't too sure what to make of it. 

Ive read many articles which claim tea is great for the skin and I have been known to use tea bags in my bath, okay so I don't just chuck in some Tetley and hope for the best, these have been specially designed for bathing purposes and my skin has always reacted really well to it.

Described as being indulgence in a jar, Teaface is a mix of Tiny Tea granules which are then combined with healing high grade essential oils. Rosehip Oil which is full of essential fatty acids and Omega 3, 6 and 9 and is renowned for its moisturising abilities especially on skin which is need of some deep hydration. Jojoba Oil which is said to dissolve sebum that clogs up pores. Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, which as a beauty blogger, you will know it is amazing for the skin. Ylang Ylang Oil which is often used to moderate oily skin calm blemishes, tackle premature ageing and stimulate new skin cell growth.  Then of course TinyTea granules. These granules are said to alleviate hot/irritated skin, as well as to act as a soft yet effective exfoliate for the skin. Putting all of that together and you have a product which is designed for

• gently exfoliating & revitalising skin
• deeply nourishing skin
• healing scars
• addressing uneven skin tone
• glowing complexion

When it comes to using this product, you firstly need to cleanse your skin to remove any dirt, grime and makeup.  Then you need a teaspoon full of the mixture which you then slather onto your face, massaging it in circular motions. As you do this, you can feel the tiny particles working on the skin, not in a harsh or abrasive manner, but just enough to know that it is working. 

After you have finished exfoliating, you can leave TeaFace on your skin to sink in for up to an hour before washing it off. I have used this a few times now and I am yet to find an easy to way to use it because it is quite runny due to the oils and you do need to ensure either shake it or stir it before using. The easiest way ive found to use it is by using an old make-up brush when applying to my face, it seems to make the least mess and it ensures I get a pretty even coverage.  As you can see it isn't the prettiest of products and it does look and feel like soaking wet tea granules, but in its defense, it not only smells incredible it left my skin feeling so incredibly soft and smooth and really hydrated.

Teaface is not tested on animals and because of its ingredients, once you opened, you should store it in the fridge where it will stay fresh for up to 1 year. It gets a huge thumbs up from me, it does what it says it will do and whilst being slightly messy, I am more than happy to continue to use it on my face, especially when my skin feels really dry and indeed of hydration.

Have you tried Teaface?

Cohorted April Beauty Box

This months Cohorted Beauty Box is amazing, it has four fantastic items included, all of which I will be using. If you are present on Twitter, then you will know that these boxes are quite the conversational subject when they go on sale because the last three have, including this one, have all sold out! They costs just £19.99 but the contents alone add up to a huge £70!

So this month there are 4 full sized products within the box and all of them are for sale with Cohorted in their shop. What's more, each product is from a brand that you will have heard of or possibly even used something from and it is a good mixture of highstreet v's high end. This is one of the things I love about beauty boxes, the chance to try products you might never have thought of trying, the opportunity to try things you might not necessarily have heard of, the chance that you have wanted a product for a while and actually it isn't what you had hoped or it is more than you hoped for and of course the build up to that box arriving, the refreshing of the package tracking page and then the arrival.

So, inside my box this month is the bareMinerals: Heavenly Face Brush (RRP £22) made from goat hair, this brush is large, soft and features a blunt-cut brush head. 

On the skin it feels incredibly soft on the skin and I find it is great for giving that flawless look with liquid foundation and equally it is great for using as finishing brush too.

Ark Age Prepare Skin Purifying Masque (rrp £10) is next and it is described as being a cleansing masque for congested skin that will leave it feeling very refreshed. The masque is said to absorb excess oil, reduce the appearance of blemishes and pores for clear skin. Designed to be used once or twice a week, this masque uses Kaolin Clay which heals blemishes and prevents new ones from forming. Wild Water Mint reduces the size of enlarged pores and Anti-pollution Algae prevents skin damage from free radicals.

I have never used anything from Ark skincare but I do love a good facemask, so I am really looking forward to trying this.

Korres are one of my favourite brands for lip butters, so to find the Mulberry Vanilla Body Butter (RRP £19.50) in this box is a delight.  Made in Greece, this body butter is free from propylene glycol, synthetic dye, mineral oil, silicones and parabens. 

It contains shea butter, quince extract and a proprietary blend of sunflower, almond and avocado oils which moisturises and soothes the skin and is luxuriously hydrating. Having worn jeans, trousers and thick tights for the last few months, the skin of my shins is quite dry, so I need something that will soften and hydrate my skin and not only does this body butter smell absolutely beautiful, it is such a lovely cream, you can't help but love it.

The final item in this amazng box is from MAC and it is the Sheertone Shimmer blusher in Dolly Mix. When I first looked at this blush I immediately loved the shade, who doesn't love pink, but I did expect it to be too pink for my almost porcelain skin. 

However, having had a bit of a play with it, actually whilst it is really pigmented, if you use a stippling blush lightly, it does give a great transfer of colour, giving that natural flushed look add to which the shimmer is just amazing, it creates a nice glowy sheen on your cheeks.

I think this is an absolutely amazing box and my favourite of the Cohorted boxes that I have seen to date.  I love that there is a nice mix of products and all four of them are not ones I would ever normally pick up or choose, but now I have them, I am wondering why I have not picked them up sooner.  This is one of the first boxes for a long time that I have used all of the products and have not been left feeling disappointed.

Did you manage to get your hands on this box?  What do you think to the contents?

Yves Rocher Make-up

Yves Rocher is one brand I am really enjoying the discovery of and have in recent months found products I have absolutely adored, so when the chance to try some of their makeup products I jumped at the chance.

In my package are 4 really lovely products.  The first is the 100% Intense Kajal liner which is really pigmented.  The first thing which caught my attention my how it is packaged and designed like a lipstick, by that I mean you remove the lid, twist the bottom and up pops your eyeliner.  Now I am notoriously bad at eyeliner, I have no patience when it comes to applying it and it just stresses me out, yet this product feels like something I can use and with a bit of practice who knows...  From the swatch that you can see on my arm, you can see how black it is and it is really hard to budge, so for those of you who like your eyeliner as black as your soul, which doesn't shift in the rain yet with a bit of eye makeup remover is easily removed, this is worth a look.

The Fixing Eyelid Primer comes next and I was chuffed to see this in my package because it is one item I have run out of and if I am wearing eye makeup, which isn't everyday, I like to have a proper primer.  When I first tried this primer, it does, on my skin look quite yellow, but once you have smoothed it across the lid, the yellowness totally disappears and it is a brilliant eyelid primer, admittedly much better than I expected.  What I love is that it isn't too thick that it grabs onto my eyeshadow, nor is it too thin that it makes no difference, it creates an almost perfect base to work with and it stops creasing, which is exactly what I expect from my primers.

Next is the Volume Vertige mascara which was the first item I opened as I am a bit of a mascara fiend.  Aside from the beautiful silver packaging is a brush that I adore because I like wide wands that have a mixture if long and short bristles, much like Benefit Mascara Wands.  There is also no excess mascara that needs to be wiped off the wand which again gets another thumbs up from me, there is nothing worse than having to remove the excess or having something which clumps upon first application, this does neither, infact one coat you can see the difference immediately, more in volume than in length and it makes for a perfect daytime mascara.

The final item is this beautiful looking Sumptuous Colour Eyeshadow Quad, I was sent the green quad, which is not my first choice as I have blue eyes, but there are plenty of other options to choose from. What I do love about this palette is that those four shades can be used as they are or wet.  Included are two small brushes which are perfect for on the go if you dont have travel sized brushes and the best thing is the size of the mirror which fits the width of the palette and is really handy to have.  On the bottom of the palette and also included is a little chart which details how to get the best use from the shades - Highlight, cover the eyelid, sculpt the eye and finally underline to give the smokey effect.

Overall I am really impressed with each and every one of these items, they look great, are easy to use and my favourite product has to be the eyelid primer, which I am absolutely loving.

Have you ever tried any makeup from Yves Rocher?