Fragrance Shop Discovery Club - Gucci Edition

I am a huge fan of the The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club boxes, which as a regular reader you might know, so when I saw there was a Gucci Selection, I was really excited to get hold of it.  In conjuction with the launch of Gucci Bamboo, this box gives you the chance to try out some of the most popular Gucci fragrances along with Gucci Bamboo.

Within the box there are four samples to try, three for us ladies and one for the man in your life.  I have personally never tried a Gucci perfume, they have just never appealed to me when I have wanted something new, so this was an absolute first for me and if you read my misters blog, then you will know his views on Gucci Rush!

Gucci Bamboo is the latest perfume to launch and it is described as being a scent which emanates the Gucci woman's diverse sides: her femininity, confidence, savvy and strength. What you have are Top notes of Italian Bergamot and Orange Blossom, with the heart notes of Casablanca Lily, Ylang Ylang which lead to the base notes of Deep Sandalwood, heady Tahitian Vanilla and unique grey Amber accords. Those together make for a lovely floral scent which lingers really well on the skin and doesn't become overpowered by the Tahitian Vanilla, which I am pleased about because it isn't an ingredient I am a fan of. 

Gucci Guilty for Women is described as being sexy and daring, a thrilling sensation pushing you to the extreme. It uses top notes of Mandarin Orange, Pink Pepper, heart notes of Geranium, Peach and Lilac with base notes of Patchouli and Amber. Now this is a scent I liked immediately after tying it, I like the floral notes of lilac and geranium mixed with peach which give it a very soft scent that is a perfect day time fragrance.  If there was one scent I would be most likely to purchase from the box, then it would be Gucci Guilty.

Gucci Guilty Pour Homme is described as being 'a masculine aromatic fougère with sex appeal and attitude'. It has top notes of Lavender and Lemon. Heart notes of Orange Flowers with base notes of Patchouli, and Cedar. Now this is most definitely a male scent and for me it is the Cedar which gives it that masculine punch, it is quite an earthy scent which hits the senses as soon as it is sprayed, then once it has settled, whilst there is no sign of the Lavender, there is a hint of Patchouli and Lemon which actually work to make a nice fragrance, but not one I can see my mister wanting to wear, more because of his dalliance with Gucci Rush which has scarred him for life against Gucci scents.

The final sample in this box is Gucci Premiere, the only scent I have never heard of. Said to be inspired by timeless Hollywood Glamour and fronted by a modern icon - Blake Lively, Gucci Premiere is described as being a timeless allure that epitomises absolute glamour; womanly, intriguing and seductive.. This scent has top notes of Orange Blossom and light citrus oils, Heart notes of White Flower and base notes of Leather, Patchouli and Musky notes.  This is the one scent within the box that I instantly disliked, I found it to be too over the top with the musky notes and patchouli to the point where it made me cough and gag slightly.  It is very much a scent for some one much older than me, perhaps someone who likes a strong scented perfume, where only a small amount will leave a trail behind you.

So there is a small sample of some Gucci scents that I have had the pleasure to try over the the last week and it was full of surprises.  Some of the scents I liked, loved or hated.  I would have liked to have had at least one more male fragrance sample plus a sample of Gucci Guilty Black, which I like the sound of, but considering this box cost me absolutely nothing, I can't complain too much.

Are you a fan of Gucci Scents?  Do you have a favourite?

Natural Collection Cosmetics

Natural Collection Cosmetics were one of the first brands I ever tried in my teens.  It was the biggest stand in my local Boots Store and the one that always caught my eye.  When this little box of joy landed through my letterbox it made my day, almost like being reunited with an old friend.

Inside the box as well as a sheet to colour in with crayons, something I absolutely love doing and find really relaxing, were these items:

Lash Length Mascara in Black (£1.99) - I absolutely adore mascaras and it is the on item I never leave the house without. This mascara is said to define and extend for visibly longer lashes. Now I have quite long lashes so it is never usually the first thing I notice from a mascara, though with this one there was a subtle difference, but the one thing I did notice was the smaller lashes in the corner of my eyes stood out and this is partly due to the shape of the wand, which is slightly conical making it easy to use and even easier to get to each lash. What I look for in a mascara is something to separate out and define my lashes and this mascara does a pretty good job, it is certainly better than some of the high end ones I have tried. This mascara is an absolute steal for £1.99.

Powder Blush Pink Cloud (£1.99) - I am not usually the biggest fan of blushers, I am a bronzer kind of girl but when I find a blusher I like, I use it. This is a fine, soft powder blush which gives a really light and natural hint of colour to your cheeks and what is more surprising is just how little you need to make an impact.  The shade itself is quite light and is suitable for all skin tones in my opinion.  It is buildable depending on what kind of coverage you prefer.  For me, I use my blusher brush to apply to my cheeks.  Again for £1.99 this is an absolute bargain blusher.

The next two items in the box are for the lips.  Starting with the Lip Liner (£1.99), something I didn't own until this one.  Yes I know, bad blogger, but I just haven't been tempted enough to buy them.  This one is shade plum and it is really easy to apply, much easier than I thought it was going to be and it is one I absolutely love and have been using along with the lipstick which also came within this box and they go pretty well together.

The Berry Sorbet Moisture Shine Lipstick is my favourite item in the box, this is a huge thing for me to admit considering there is a mascara in here!  Now again for £1.99, this is an absolute steal.  There are 19 different shades available in this lipstick and what I love, aside from the colour, is how moisturising it is.  It glides across the lips and leaves behind not only a trail of colour but it feels so hydrating on the lips.  Once applied, the colour lasts for a good few hours before you need to re-apply and again for £1.99 it has grabbed my attention enough to want to check out other shades within the range.

All of these products are absolutely amazing value for money and at just £1.99 each, I am now wanting to go back into Boots and try out more products from the collection.  Whilst the packaging is quite minimalist, it doesn't detract from how good the products really are.

Are you a fan of Natural Collection Cosmetics?

It's all about the Eyes!

One area on my face that I am always watching for when it comes to lines and wrinkles is my eyes. I have used a fair number of eye creams in recent years, but one thing I like are eye creams that have an applicator on the end, be it a roller ball or an applicator that is soothing.

In recent months I have been on a bit of a mission to find some of my favourite eye creams and I have managed to find four that I really like and have used the most.

Pixi by Petra 24K Eye Elixir (£22.00) which is an anti-fatigue peptide serum that massages away puffiness as it smoothes and refreshes the eye area. The formula contains actual gold, to stimulate circulation, peptides to plump fine lines, and raspberry to tone the skin. The metal rollerball gives a fantastic cooling feeling on application, which is instantly refreshing.

Vichy Idealia Eyes (£23) is enriched with ingredients that both immediately and sustainably rejuvenate the area. There is also the use of instant illuminators and a combination of DRM-Bright complex and Vitamin B3 to reduce dark circles, Vitamin CG to smooth fine lines, and Caffiene to energise. A rich infusion of Vichy’s signature Thermal Spa Water intensely soothes the area.  I love the applicator on this product, it is described as being a revolutionary applicator that replicates the soft touch of a finger, made from ultra flexible and ultra soft silicone. 

Garancia Phantom's Tears (£25) is possibly the best name for a product I have ever come across! It is a 4 in 1 Eyelid and Eye Contour Area Treatment with active ingredients to combat dark circles, bags, wrinkles and sagging and it also contains High-Tech light reflective powders and active patented ingredients to help combat the appearance of wrinkles, protect superficial periorbital blood vessel from the loss deposit of pigments responsible for colouring dark circles and pufiness, promote their natural elimination and redensify the supporting tissue by boosting collagen and hyaluronic acid.  The small rollerball on the end is exceptionally soothing and comforting around the eye area when used.

Eucerin AQUAporin Active (£15.50) is enriched with Ginseng and is an ophthalmologically tested, moisturising formula that works to provide deep and long-lasting hydration around the delicate eye area to de-puff and counteract the appearance dark circles. Hydration is a key factor for healthy skin as we all know and the Aquaporin Active range uses the skin’s own distribution channels (Aquaporins) to give it the hydration it needs. It uses a unique, patented formula which works by transporting moisture between the skin cells for optimal, maintained skin hydration. The applicator is a metal nib which glides under the eye with ease and gives an instant cooling effect.

Each one of these eye creams has been fantastic to use and each one has it's own specifically designed applicator which all work differently but are all cooling, refreshing and all help with puffiness and dark circles.

Do you have a favourite eye cream?

Purrfect Box for Cats plus meet Hector!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you will have seen the latest addition to our little family of fur balls.  Hector.  He is a grey male kitten who is full of energy and loves nothing better than to run laps of the flat at 3am much to the dismay of everyone else who will be sleeping.

One thing my boys do love is the delivery of a Purrfect Box, The Purrfect box** is a brand new UK subscription service which allows you to treat your cat, or your dog each month you will receive each month treats, toys, accessories, hygiene and personal care products customized and based on the cat's age, size, weight, fur type and preferences. Each month has a different theme so you get different goodies each month. The cost is £19.50 per month or £15.50 if you subscribe yearly and this was what was in the box.

The box is pretty full to the brim and my lot always just dive right in scratching around to see what is inside and this month there is quite a variety and something for everyone.

Cat toys will always be a big hit, when you have three of them, they all seem to want to play with the same toy despite not wanting it when it was free an available to play with. The Laser toy is something every cat I have ever had loves and it is a perfect chance to exercise your furball and keep them entertained, even Hector adores it.  The Dragonfly Delight toy is stuffed full of catnip and again sends each kitty into a tizz as soon as they so much as get a whiff, this is definitely Dexters toy right now.

Then we have some food which my boys have already tried and loved.  Equilibre & Instant is a French brand and it was lapped up by Dude before anyone else got a look in. Trixie offers a delicious tasting salmon cream and as soon as the lid was off the tube, each cat wanted a taste.

Treats are something we use in this house as a reward for being good (or bribery) and the Chicken 'n' Fish by Filous which are cat snacks made with chicken and fish are again proving to be popular and a nice alternative to Dreamies (also known as Kitty Crack)

Grass is something my cats eat and it drives me insane because 9 times out of 10 they vomit after doing so, usually combined with furballs.  Cat grass is, I feel, I great way to help your cat get rid of those furballs which have been created by washing and grooming themselves and this Camon Catnip Grass will be very popular once it has grown.

The final item is the one which intrigues me the most. Shampoo by Nilaqua which is a no rinse shampoo.  The thought of putting my two eldest anywhere near the bath fills me with dread in all honesty and I instead tend to settle for a warm wet flannel and do the best I can.  Given you apply this directly onto the coat of your cat and remove with a towel dry, I just need to pluck up the courage to give it a try!

I love seeing the look on the faces of my three boys as soon as I opened the box was amazing, they loved each and every item within the box, which you can see from the photos and even now, a few weeks after getting the box, all of the items are still played with, rolled over chewed, dribbled on and fought over, so for me, this is great value for money and is definitely something I would think of subscribing too. Better still, if you know someone with a cat and don't know what to buy them for Christmas, get this for the cat instead!

What do you think to this box? Have you got it, would you buy it?

A Guide To Bespoke Engagement Rings

Engagements are one of the most exciting life events - whether it’s you and your loved one, or a much loved family member or friend. Unsurprisingly, many people choose Christmas time to propose, due to the special festivities of the occasion, as well as it being more practical to sneakily buy a ring! Choosing the ring itself is a huge task - not only does it symbolise your love for your partner, but they’ll be wearing it for the rest of their life.

Image Source - Mode Diamonds

Diamonds Are Forever
Diamond engagement rings didn't become the norm until the early 20th Century, due to one famous American jeweller creating the association ‘Diamonds are forever’ that we know today. Before then, rings were passed down through family generations, or the gem used was the bride’s birthstone. Now, however, diamonds are the focal point of an engagement ring - another gem might be interpreted simply as a very nice gift. There’s still plenty of choice to be had when choosing your ring, from different cuts of diamond to selecting the perfect style. Be sure that your diamonds are ethically sourced, as many ‘blood diamonds’ are sourced in conflict zones, where workers are heavily exploited and underpaid.

Choosing a Cut and Style
Ultimately, the size and clarity of the gemstone you choose affects what kind of cut you can have. If your partner is a little bohemian, uncut diamonds can look beautiful, creating a more translucent gem rather than a shiny one. For a chic look, an emerald or cushion cut highlights the diamond’s brilliance, as well as looking beautiful either on its own or with additional detail on the band. A traditional favourite is the princess cut, which is small enough to be practical in everyday wear, while also cut to be especially sparkly. Pear or oval cuts are very popular on vintage style rings, which really stand the test of time - a bonus is that they direct attention along the finger, elongating the hand.

Making It BespokeIf you’re looking to really match your partner’s personality, take a start by looking at some of their favourite jewellery if you can - get a sense of the sorts of colours and styles they like. After all, if your loved one loves baking bread, a massive ring isn't practical! Mode Diamonds, like many jewellers, have a basic range of rings that you can then customise to your partner’s tastes. From Sapphire engagement rings to a range of bespoke Diamond cuts. Be sure to keep the metal of the band, and the colour of the diamond in-keeping with their existing jewellery so everything goes together. For an extra touch, you can have the band engraved - with how you feel, you and your partner’s names, or a special date to commemorate the occasion.

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The Body Shop Oils of Life

The Body Shop Oils of Life collection is a brand new collection that is designed to give your skin some oomph! They are infused with black cumin seed oil, rosehip seed oil and camellia seed oil all of which are known for their supreme revitalising and repairing properties on the skin. I know packaging isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but sometimes, there is just something that really captures your attention and this collection, for me, does exactly that because it is far removed from the normal bottles and tubs you might see in store.  It is minimalist but looks incredibly luxurious and it most definitely is a treat to use.

I have three of the products from the range which I have been using for the last few weeks and I have to say that I wasn't expecting to like them as much as I do and I am not too sure I can even pick a favourite from the three, but this is how I use them.

The first product I have been using is the Intensely revitalising essence lotion (£15) and the common theme you will see with these three products is the infusion of three precious seed oils from around the world, known for their revitalising and repairing properties on skin as I have mentioned – Black Cumin seed oil from Egypt, Camellia seed oil from China and Rosehip seed oil from Chile.again you will find those three precious seed oils of Black Cumin, Camellia Seed and Rosehip Seed coming together to form what is called 'a unique bi-phase [oil + water] formula'. This is the first stage of using the three products after cleansing to remove any surface dirt and grime from my skin.  To use, simply shake the bottle and applying to a cotton wool pad and wipe around the face. I love the feel of this lotion on my skin, its texture being a mix between water and oil makes it fresh feeling but moisturising at the same time and as it works, it nourishes the skin.

The Intensely revitalising facial oil (£28) again infuses those three precious seed oils from around the world. The bottle and accompanying pipette, which I absolutely love, because it makes this oil so much easier to use is so lightweight you barely notice it on the skin. I have found that by dropping just three drops into the palm of my hands is more than enough to cover my entire face, rub my hands together to warm the oil and as it comes into contact with the skin, it absorbs almost immediately on contact and leaves no trace behind, something I like from facial oils. It is also non-sticky and it leaves my face feeling really hydrated and moisturised. 

The Intensely revitalising Gel Cream (£25) uses the same three precious seed oils as the facial oil to form what is described as being 'a dewy-fresh gel cream with illuminating micro-pearls'. This gel cream is a much lighter texture to any other cream I have tried before and it makes a perfect partner to the oil. Having already applied the oil to my face. I have then been applying the gel cream afterwards and on the skin, it literally melts on contact and just feels so light that again it has a non-greasy finish, it isn't stick either and what it does do is leave my skin looking and feeling amazing. The illuminating micro-pearls for me, brighten up my skin.

What I love about these products is how easy they are to use.  There is nothing complicated about the three step programme I have followed and it doesn't take up lots more of my time, there is, should you wish, a massage roller for the range if you prefer it, I have been using my fingertips to massage my face as I complete each step using little patting motions I was once shown during a facial to increase blood circulation of my neck and face and it is also really relaxing at the same time.

Have you tired the Oil for Life range from The Body Shop yet?

The Power of Power Naps

We’ve all heard about the importance of so-called "beauty sleep”, the idea being that the more sleep you get, the better you’ll look. Is it true that getting more sleep could be the secret to looking and feeling better?

All signs point to yes. Though it’s certainly not a magical catch-all solution, making sure that you get plenty of rest is just as important for your appearance as eating well, exercising and drinking plenty of water. Lack of sleep leads to bags under the eyes and dull, dry skin, but in the long term it can also have a negative effect on a person’s health, including impairment of vision.

We all know that we’re supposed to get around 8 hours of sleep a day to be at our best. But let’s face it, sometimes that’s just not on the cards. We have busy lives to live, and it’s not always practical or even feasible to get all the sleep we need in one night; anyone with children can attest to this fact!

A great way to get more beauty sleep is to take power naps. We’re not talking about taking an hour or two to sleep off that huge Sunday lunch, but by taking a short amount of time out of your day to get some rest and give your body and beauty what it needs. It’s the ideal way to catch up on your sleep and refresh yourself for the afternoon, especially if your daily routine is particularly high pressure, busy of stressful.

Image Source

A good amount of time for a power nap is anywhere between fifteen and thirty minutes. If you’ve ever felt groggy after a long nap, it’s because the longer you sleep, the deeper that sleep is. If you sleep between fifteen minutes and half an hour, your body will have had enough time to feel refreshed but not enough that it’s settled in for what it thinks is a full night’s sleep.

The quality of your sleep is important too. A peaceful and restful sleep will be much better for your skin and hair than a shallow and fitful one. The best way to ensure that your power nap really does the trick is to make sure you have a comfortable place to sleep. This applies to your normal sleep patterns too, so investing in a high quality bed may be the thing to do.

Your bed is more important than you think, and there are so many bed companies that promise you a great night’s sleep that it can be hard to make the best choice for you. Using an online resource like Bedstar, which stocks a wide range of beds and mattresses from several big name suppliers at competitive prices. If you want to ensure a great night’s sleep each and every night, starting with your bed is one of the best ways to do it.

Studies have shown that an afternoon power nap isn’t just beneficial to our looks, it’s also good for our minds and bodies, with people feeling more alert and productive for the afternoon ahead after a quick power nap than those that went without. Why not give it a try and feel more beautiful?