Giveaways

Friday, 27 March 2015

Kiko Spring Collection - Generation Next - Review


I have said before that Kiko is one of my favourite makeup brands and their new wearable Spring Collection - Generation Next is no exception.

The stunning geometric packaging is  inspired by the famous Italian Murano glassware and channels the theme of  the future with its shiny and colourful range.

I was sent a few items to try out.




Masterpiece Bronzer in 01 Forward Sienna £14.90

Gorgeous and sturdy packing house this three shade bronzer - either use the shades separately to sculpt the face or swirl together for an allover glow. This is the perfect matte bronzer shade for warmth and the lighter shades brighten. Texture wise this powder is buttery soft and blends beautifully.

Cool Touch Eyeshadow in 01 Original Cream £8.90

The eyeshadows are described as intense and giving a long lasting, metallic and glossy finish. I was sent Original Cream to review and it is a wonderfully rich golden shade that will really brighten the eye area this Spring/Summer. I think it imparts a slight wet look which I love and application is smooth and even. Available in 8 shades, this eyeshadow is housed in a flip top pot.

Crystal Eyeliner £6.90 

I love these eyeliners, they have already found their way into my everyday makeup bag. I was sent two shades - 03 a metallic brown and 06 metallic grey which are both really complimentary to my green eyes. They are super soft to apply just gliding over the eyelid but imparting a strong colour. Once set these do not budge, at all. Love, love, love. Available in 6 shades.

Frosted Look Lipstick £7.50 

Although these are described as giving a frosted look to lips ,the shade I have - 02 - which is a nude pinky shade is surprisingly matte in swatches and on my lips. This was the most disappointing product in terms of its description. That said I have been wearing this as it is a nice nude shade. This is a soft and creamy chubby pencil style product but the nib is like a lipstick which is a little different from the usual crayon lipsticks. Available in 6 shades.

Glassy Lipgloss £7.90

For the lips this is far more exciting! I really like the mirror packaging with a huge window so you can see the colour of the shade inside. The doe foot applicator is excellent too. The bright coral shade is the perfect Spring/Summer shade and one that really lifts my complexion and brightens my face and eyes. Ultra glossy, wet look finish this is a lipstick/lipgloss hybrid with vivid colour the water based formula coats lips whilst moisturising. This gives a beautiful colour but is not at all heavy on the lips. Another winner for me. Available in 6 shades.

Kiko Milano Next Generation Spring Collection is available now from Kiko stores and online at its website. 

*PR Samples

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Sense Spa At Rosewood London - Review


This time last week I was invited along to experience a treatment at the Sense Spa at Rosewood London. Rosewood London is a luxury 5 star hotel conveniently situated just a few steps away from Holborn tube station.

Walk through the gates and you reach the courtyard where the entrance is.

The hotel is absolutely stunning. I only entered the lobby and I knew I wanted to return. It was full of warmth and as the hotel was busy there was a delightful buzz in the air. I was leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the busy and cold London streets and I hoped I was going to experience pure relaxation once I entered the Sense Spa.



The hotel is huge and despite receiving instructions on how to get to the spa I got lost in the myriad of corridors (which is no bad thing as I got to see even more of this exquisite hotel!)

The Spa Entrance 






Once I walked through the doors I was greeted by the smiling and friendly receptionist who asked me to fill in a quick questionnaire, confirmed that I was booked in for an hour Aroma Massage, she told me the name of my therapist and handed me a key to my locker and showed the way to the changing room.

I adored the spa's zen theme which features bamboo walls, soft lighting and wooden walkways over rippling water and pebble stones leading to seven treatment rooms, one of which is an exclusive couple's suite. The ambient was unimposing but incredibly calming, I wanted to take away a CD of music as I was so chilled out by it.

In the changing room the locker contained slippers, a dressing gown and paper knickers. Everything you need for your treatment. 

Facilities inside the changing room include dry heat saunas and amethyst crystal steam rooms which I got to enjoy after my massage. 



Once I was ready I went to wait for my therapist in the most impressive shimmering gold leaf and teak relaxation lounge (pictured above). There were 7 beds, papers to read and drinks to have. I didn't have to wait long before my therapist arrived and led me to the large and comfortable treatment room. I was given a pretreatment drink made with fresh juices. 

The one thing that struck me was that the bed I had to lie on for my treatment was heated. This was such a welcome surprise. It was such a cold and windy day that I felt chilled to the bone, the heated bed soon warmed me up and kept me at the perfect temperature throughout my massage. 

The Aroma massage uses pre blended oils and is a gently soothing massage designed to stimulate circulation and aid relaxation. Just what I was looking for. The therapist was fantastic, applying just the right amount of pressure. Any stresses I was holding on to were melting away and I just felt so incredibly relaxed that I didn't want the experience to end. Sadly it course had to, the time seemed to pass so quickly I found it hard to believe that I had been on the bed for an hour, I had to check my watch and sure enough an hour had passed. The ultimate sign of an excellent massage. 

Once finished I was led back into the relaxation lounge and was offered a drink, I chose to have a warm Jasmine Tea which was a beautiful way to end the massage. I was then left to leave at my own pleasure. I stayed for a short while in the warmth and ambiance of the room before returning to the changing rooms and experiencing the steam and sauna rooms which were just fabulous. 

I would highly recommend a treatment at this gorgeous spa oasis in the centre of London. My massage was sublime and the surroundings are an indulgent and exquisite treat. I would definitely return to try another treatment. I cannot rate the experience highly enough.

A one hour Aroma Massage costs £100.

For more details on all the treatments available at Sense Spa or to book, visit the website Sense Spa 

*I was a guest of the Sense Spa

LUSH Easter Treats


I have been enjoying a LUSH Easter this past week with these LUSH skincare goodies... Part of the limited edition Easter Collection I have been trying out a few of the range.

First up is the Hoppity Poppity Bath Bomb £2.50 each

This fizzy bunny boasts fresh violet leaf and lavender, the scent is refreshing and leaves the bathroom smelling all herbal. It fizzed around the bath but there were no bubbles.

Golden Egg Bath Bomb Melt £3.75 each 

I loved this golden egg, be careful though as it is messy and leaves everything it touches with a molten golden lustre...that said once in contact with water it rolls around the bath imparting an abundance of bubbles and turning the water yellow! It smells toffee sweet and delicious and leaves skin feeling incredibly soft. Big thumbs up from me. Packed with cocoa butter, olive oil, bergamot and orange oil, a soak in the bath with this is a real treat. Big thumbs up from me.

Finally - Pot O'Gold Shower Jelly £3.50 

Lush say - 

At the end of every rainbow lies sweet, decadently-scented jelly. Lather up with this caramel-scented solid shower gel, made with orange peel decoction and fresh pineapple juice to brighten your skin and your mood. Just in case that wasn't enough, we've added some shimmer to the rich carrageenan seaweed base for an extra touch of magic. You've really struck gold with this one.
My thoughts 

I have never tried a shower jelly before so I was a little baffled as to how to use this product... I should have hit the Lush website where all is revealed. Anyway the correct thing to do is take out all the jelly and just roll it over your wet body, mixing it with water creates the creamy lather. I had tried to dig out a bit which was a massive fail!
This is a lot of fun as it is is so slippery and I spent a fair amount of time trying to prevent it from slipping out of my hands or picking it up when I had failed to keep hold of it. Amusing.
The scent is unusual but gorgeously addictive and the jelly is golden pretty.

*PR Samples

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Hush Mayfair Gin & Jam Tea - Afternoon Tea Review


Tucked away just off of South Molten Street in London is a gorgeous gem of a restaurant called Hush Mayfair. From the moment we walked through the welcoming entrance we felt that this place was pretty special and we were not wrong.

We walked up the stairs to the stunning Cocktail Lounge where we waited to be led into the Silver Room where afternoon tea is served.





The Silver Room 




Hush Mayfair is super stylish and a feat in interior design, it was cold and dreary outside but inside it was warm and inviting. I liked the setting very much.

The place is so stylish even the ladies toilet deserves a mention ...


When we arrived we were shown to our table and immediate presented with our welcome tipple a Pink Rabbit cocktail (Hush gin, lime, cranberry, vanilla, Wendy Brandon strawberry jam).


The glass made us smile, a fusion of a tea cup and a cocktail glass - pretty and such a lovely twist to the norm.

We then chose our teas to accompany our afternoon tea -

I opted for Darjeeling Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe

The husband went for Assam Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe

The tea was served in delightfully colourful floral pink and blue teapots which were quite simply adorable 


Both were ideal tea accompaniments, light, unimposing and not requiring any milk or sugar to enjoy. 

We also got to choose another Hush Gin cocktail specially created for the Gin & Jam Afternoon Tea which features a jam in the ingredients.

For my second cocktail I opted for Paddington Bear 

(Hush Mayfair Boutique Gin, Amaretto, Orange Juice, Marmalade)

This was very nice indeed, the bitterness of the marmalade was perfectly balanced with the tasty sweetness of Amaretto & Orange with the refreshingness of the Gin.


My husband opted for Tinkerbell

(Hush Mayfair Boutique Gin, Grapefruit Juice, Honey, La Fée Absinthe, Blackberry Jam)


This was sweet, not overly so but equally refreshing.

Both cocktails were absolutely delicious although my husband said he was very happy with his choice! 

We also loved the unusual glasses that they were served in. That is what I liked most about Hush - it was the little touches that made its afternoon tea stand out. 


The afternoon tea was most excellent  

Sandwiches were a mix of 

Cucumber
Smoked Salmon 
Egg & Cress 

The bread was super fresh and bouncy, yummy in fact. 

On the ends were toasted french bread served with a delicious chicken and tarragon topping (they were my fave!)

I called ahead to inform Hush that my husband was dairy intolerant and they assured me that that would be no problem. He was given a huge plate of sandwiches all to himself which was a nice touch. 

We then enjoyed warm plain scones with four different jams served in little jars and of course clotted cream.

Finally the sweets on top were quite simple - just two types of dessert - four different macarons (these vary) we had vanilla, chocolate, coffee and pistachio. Also the amazing Earl Grey Creme Brulee - I LOVED these. Lucky me got to enjoy two of these as my H couldn't eat it... 

We loved the afternoon tea and left happy and a little inebriated... 

Presentation and setting was perfect, the food was excellent and the Gin cocktails to die for. 

I highly recommend booking in and trying the Hush Mayfair Gin & Jam Tea for yourself!

Hush Mayfair Gin & Jam Tea costs £35 per person and is served from 3pm to 6pm Monday-Sunday.

For more details visit www.hush.co.uk or call 020 7659 1500 to book. 

* We were guests of Hush Mayfair 

Monday, 23 March 2015

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup Review


Over the years I have bought and tried many Estee Lauder foundations as they really do seem to suit my skin type, what I have noticed is how my shade has changed - I have been Vanilla Beige, Pale Almond and even Fresco. I popped along to my nearest counter to get matched up to their newest foundation - Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF25 and was told that my perfect match was 2N1 - Desert Beige. 

Estee Lauder say 

Infuse youth with this innovative makeup from the Serum Experts, infused with age-defying Perfectionist serum technology.
Instantly: Brightens and perfects. Re-ignites the look of radiance. Reduces the look of lines. Nourishes with oil-free hydration.

Long-wearing shades for all women, all skin tones. Now re-ignite your youth.

Swatch of Desert Beige 



My thoughts 

Skin type - Over 30, normal/combination 

This foundation has a gorgeous thick, creamy texture and feels wonderfully silky to apply and yet it looks barely there and feels light once applied and blended. I find it instantly smoothes and perfects skin with a brilliant brightening effect. I feel confident having applied this foundation, I feel that any flaws I have seem to disappear, leaving behind beautiful skin.

This foundation lasts for well over 11 hours on my face and keeps makeup in place too. I really like this foundation and would be tempted to purchase it once I have run out of my current foundations.

Wearing Perfectionist Youth Infusing Makeup SPF25 in Desert Beige 


Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-infusing Makeup 30ml costs £37

Sunday, 22 March 2015

Giorgio Armani Acqua For Life 10 litres A Day Challenge




Over 800 million people around the world live in water poverty – meaning they don’t have safe, reliable access to clean water. Often, women and children will have to walk for hours a day to access dirty, contaminated water, as that is their only choice.

I was recently asked if I would like to take part in the Giorgio Armani Acqua For Life Challenge - To try to live on just 10 litres a day. 

I am going to be honest and say that even though my household is on a water meter I never really give a thought to the amount of water I use or need. I take for granted the fact that I have access to clean water every day. When I read a bit more about what Acqua For Life is all about, I was curious to see how far I would get with 10 litres.... 

The answer was not far at all. By 10 am today I was all out of water and had managed to do just a few  of the things that I normally do...

10 litres of water provided me with the following -

2 cups of tea 
wash my face, 
brush my teeth 
no way enough to even have a shower... 

It made me really stop and think.. I hadn't even flushed the toilet, washed up my crockery or used the washing machine. The reality is that 10 litres is a tiny amount, water is a precious resource and yet where we have access to it we can quite easily each use 100 litres! 

Below is a breakdown of the amount of litres consumed in average water usage

2 – 5  Drinking 
2 – 5  Cooking
2 – 5  Hand washing 
5        House cleaning 
25      Bath 
2+      Dishwashing 
20+    Garden/crops 
20+    Toilet flush

Handy Tips To Cut Your Water Consumption - do you do any of these already?

1. Say no to soap Antibacterial hand gel is just as hygienic as soap – and doesn't use any water. 
2. Stay shallow You only need to just cover your vegetables to boil them. And choose the smallest pan you can. 
3. Put down that watering can Most house plants die from over-watering, not dehydration. Give them a break! 
4. Brush brighter There’s no need to keep your tap running while brushing your teeth, you know. 
5. Brick it up Putting something big and heavy in your cistern will reduce the amount of water used each time you flush. 
6. Washing machines use a lot of water, so it’s worth waiting until you have a full load.

Acqua for Life, the humanitarian project by Giorgio Armani. 

We hardly think about how much of a necessity water is in everyday life. It’s easy to forget that in some places only 10 liters a day is a luxury and clean water is hard to come by. Giorgio Armani believes that everyone deserves access to clean water. Since 2011, Acqua for Life has provided over 530 million liters of clean water to nearly 80 communities, in seven countries and on three continents. With your help, we can do even more and help improve lives. #helpgivewater : show your support by getting involved on acquaforlife.org

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Collection Cosmetics Field Day Range For Spring 2015


I love Collection Cosmetics for its affordable yet brilliant and on trend makeup. I have found quite a few gems in their range and so was excited to see what they had in store for Spring 2015. I have already shared one of the nail polishes from the range - Peach Blossom earlier today and so I have the rest of the Field Day range to show you.

The Field Day range inspired by florals evokes gentle Summer days, think lazy days of afternoon tea and picnics...

Swatches of the Field Day Collection 




There are three lipsticks in the collection £2.99 each

Fuschia (gloss)
Pink Rose - (matte) a pale pink
Tulip - (matte) my fave!

Tip - If you are using the matte shades ensure lips are suitably smooth and exfoliated before application.

I adore the Eyeshadow Pencils £3.19 each - 

These shimmery shadows can be used all over the lid or as a highlighter on the brow bone or in the corners of the eye. Coming in two shades - Summer Meadow (a gorgeous pale green) or Golden Sun (a wonderful pure gold shade) They are waterproof  and super long lasting, they just do not budge. However, they are gorgeously soft to apply!

And finally to complete the range are three shades of nail polish £1.99 each - Peach Blossom, Peony (pink) and Heather which I will be sharing with you very soon.

*PR Samples

Collection Field Day Nail Polish In Peach Blossom - Nails Of The Day



This beautiful sunshine deserves matching sunny bright nails and I am totally in love with this brand new shade from Collection - Peach Blossom is from the Spring Field Day range.

You will need 3 applications for smooth, streak free application but the results are utterly gorgeous and at just £1.99 a bottle, it is a complete steal!

Collection Peach Blossom Nail Polish costs £1.99 - available mid to late March in Superdrug & Boots stores. 

*PR Sample

No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil Review



No7 say

The experts at No7 know that keeping a beautifully radiant, healthy and moisturised complexion in the cooler weather can be tough. That's why we have developed the NEW No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil; a perfect blend of natural oils and vitamins that keep skin soft, nourished and radiant, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

100% of women agreed that adding a few drops of the product to their usual day cream gave their skin an added moisture boost.*

*Consumer trial on 119 women (UK)

- An extra boost of moisture for more radiant & youthful skin in just in week
- Helps the skin look more radiant & maintain a healthy skin barrier (vitamins C & E)
- Helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (vitamin A)
- Intensively nourishes and helps to lock-in moisture (Rosehip and Jojoba Oil)
- Contains a blend of skin identical oils to prevent future dryness

My thoughts 

This oil smells wonderfully delicate and sweet. I have been using it for over four weeks now and it is a real addition to my skincare regime. My skin has really suffered this winter, and as I have had 3 patches of psoriasis on my face I have avoided anything deep cleansing or too harsh, scrubs and only using gentle moisture boost masks. It hasn't had its usual bright look and I was ready to add an oil to the mix. This one from No7 came just in time. The scent makes it a pleasure to use and I have kept it up nightly, following with my nighttime moisturiser. I use one large drop which does leave my face a little oily but I don't mind it at all.

The results - In the morning there is no sign of oiliness. My skin feels softer, looks more radiant and brighter. I really like this product and it has made a huge difference to the look and feel of my skin.

No7 Youthful Replenishing Facial Oil costs £23 and will be available from Boots stores and Boots.com later this month. 

*PR Sample


Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Max Factor All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation Review


I do get excited when I see a foundation sample in a magazine I have to say. If the sample shade (they usually put in the one that would suit the mass population) is correct you can try before buying.

In the latest issue of Red Magazine there was a sample of the Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Foundation in shade Natural 50. 

Max Factor say 

Max Factor All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation for women who want their foundation to easily deliver a long-lasting professional finish. The intelligent formula has three elements; Primer to hold, Concealer to correct, Foundation to finish. 

  • Lasts all day, giving a flawless finish
  • Primer gives a smooth base for hold
  • Concealer corrects for a flawless look
With SPF20 

Swatches -




My thoughts 

My skin type - normal/combination

Although the formula is quite runny I found it quite dry and difficult to apply and work with. I found the best way to apply it was sparingly with my fingers, blend it in and then to add more foundation if necessary to get full coverage. I then used a finishing brush to buff and set the foundation. I also think that you should definitely prep the skin with moisturiser as well.

That said... I absolutely adore this foundation. The shade Natural worked really well for me. The finish is flawless with maximum coverage and yet it feels barely there on the skin. Skin looks bright even though it is a matte finish. It lasts for hours on end, one day I counted 10 hours and with not a hint of shine or wear on the skin. It looked immaculate. For the price I think this is definitely worth a go.

Oh and finally it photographs beautifully



Max Factor All Day Flawless 3in1 Foundation costs £11.99

Saturday, 7 March 2015

Gin-inspired Afternoon Tea at TwoRuba for Mother's Day



Next Sunday the 15th March is Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday to give it its full title... If you were wondering how to treat your mum on this occasion let me introduce you to the Gin-Inspired Afternoon Tea at the Tower Bridge Bar & Lounge - TwoRuba. 

Yesterday I got to try it out for myself and I have to say it was really rather nice!

We were shown to our table which featured comfortable high backed chairs and a small black round table, sat back and relaxed. The atmosphere was chilled, we really liked the ambient music playing in the background. The clientele on the day was a mix of business people and those who were, like us, visiting for pleasure.

This Afternoon Tea starts with a delightful Mother's Ruin cocktail which is made from Plymouth Gin, a touch of Vermouth, grapefruit juice and Champagne. The cocktail tastes zesty and refreshing, and is of course presented beautifully with a dried lemon garnish.


This is followed by a traditional afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and sweet cakes.


There were three sandwiches each which at first we thought wasn't going to be enough but actually was plentiful as by the end of the afternoon tea we were very full!

The triangular cut sandwiches were extremely tasty and full of flavour with non traditional afternoon tea fillings.

Chorizo roasted, red pepper, mayonnaise and rocket 
Hummus, roasted courgette, tabouleh and baby spinach 
Smoked salmon, red onion, capers and watercress


The raisin scones were some of the best I have ever tasted and exactly how I like them. They were of a generous size, crispy on the outside and perfectly moist and composed inside. Absolutely delicious and moreish.

And finally the third course of sweet treats featured miniature desserts

A mouthwatering chocolate and nut brownie
Sweet Macarons in lemon and pistachio flavours
Melt in your mouth French Fancies
Bitesize Victoria Sponge


There was two of each cake and there was a little addition of some fresh fruit which ended Afternoon Two nicely.

To accompany our Afternoon Tea my companion drank English Breakfast Tea, I chose Assam and also tried a Mango & Strawberry fruit tea. They were all good but the Assam was a stand out for me.

The service was friendly and we found the staff to be helpful.

For a relaxed and laidback Mother's Day treat I would highly recommend it.  We are already planning to return to TwoRuba to try out the Espresso Martinis!

The Gin-inspired Afternoon Tea at TwoRuba is only available on the 14th & 15th March 12-5pm and costs £31 per person.

Alternatively why not just pop in for the Mother's Day Ruin Cocktail which is also available 14th-15th March for £11.

TwoRuba
Hilton London Tower Bridge
5 More London Place
Tooley Street
London
SE1 2BY
T: 020 3002 4407
E: info@tworuba.com
*I was a guest of TwoRuba

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

The Best Chai Latte On The High Street - The Battle Of The Coffee Shops


Having drunk loads of chai teas/lattes at home I thought it was about time I investigated and tasted the offerings of the high street coffee shop chains...

Chai Tea Latte - Originate from India and are usually a black tea with the added feature of a blend of spices like Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger and Pepper (or variations of this). They are sweet, spiced teas that you can drink with milk or for added sweetness sugar is added.

I visited Caffe Nero, Starbucks and Costa and took the taste test. So how did the big 3 compare?

Caffe Nero



Caffe Nero say

An exotic blend of cinnamon, spices, black tea and sugar with steamed skimmed milk and a layer of foam, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Warm, soothing and 99% caffeine free. This drink is made in grande size only.

The chai latte blend contains milk powder, so even if this drink is made with soya milk it would not be suitable for a dairy free diet.

My thoughts 

Mild, sweet, milky and with just a hint of spice. It is available in one size only. I was asked if I wanted to add the cinnamon topping which I said yes to. This was perfect for a cold, miserable day. The sweetness, and it does taste very sweet, hit the spot on that day and was extremely comforting. As it was quite a large drink I found it really filling too.

Starbucks 


Starbucks say 

Spiced black tea blended with steamed milk.

Our version of this beloved beverage is wonderfully sweet and spicy – and every bit as soothing.

My thoughts

Starbucks Chai Tea Latte is available in all 3 sizes. I found this Chai latte to be really spicy with just a hint of sweet, it made my mouth tingle a bit. Out of the three offerings this was the least sweet and the most spicy. It features a foamy top and no extra cinnamon topping was offered.

Costa 


Costa say 

Extract of black tea with aromatic spices served as a sweetened milky latte

My thoughts 

Served in a traditional latte glass, this chai is made from a powder. Once again this is available in 3 sizes. I opted for small. Cinnamon was offered as a topping and as you can see from the above photo was applied rather liberally! This chai latte seemed to have the perfect mix of sweet and spice. It was sweet and spicy in equal measure. This made it very pleasant. The only downside is the 'bits' that congregate on the bottom.

Final thoughts - 

Which is the best? Well in the words of Goldilocks

Starbucks was too spicy, Caffe Nero was too sweet and Costa's was JUST right. 

Having said that I would order all three of them again as none of them were objectionable, I would say however it definitely does come down to personal preference in the end.

Have you tried Chai Latte?

The Cleansing Milk Blind Trial With Escentual.com



Two years ago I took part in a blind trial of Micellar Waters in association with Escentual.com which was great fun so when I heard they were looking for people to take part in a blind Cleansing Milk trial I applied to get involved. 

Those taking part have been sent 7 cleansing milks to try and I am just over half way through the trial now and enjoying trying out these cleansers without a clue which brand they are from. 

The brands involved this time around are (in no particular order)

Guerlain
Caudalie 
Clarins
La Roche-Posay
Vichy
Nuxe
Eucerin

I cannot wait to give my opinion and then see the results of this trial (did I agree with the others taking part?) and to, of course, find out which brand was my fave and which milk belongs to which brand. 

Exciting times!

Monday, 2 March 2015

007 For Women Eau De Parfum Review


Over the weekend I have been wearing the new fragrance from the 007 brand - 007 For Women Eau De Parfum. 

They say

007 for Women is a fragrance that captures the heady power of the iconic women found in Bond's seductive and daring world. The fragrance is 'dangerously seductive' itself, with a unique mix of ingredients that blend signature femininity with a sense of mystery, this is a modern interpretation of an oriental fragrance.

It's appeal lies in its rich, strong and tenacious character, projecting a sense of effortless elegance and sophistication as well as the dream of escaping to another world.

Fragrance Family
Oriental

Fragrance Notes
Top Notes: Black Pepper, Rose Milk
Heart Notes: Blackberry, White Floral jasmine
Base Notes: Black Vanilla, White musk, Cedarwood

Also includes Bergamot and Soft Gardenia

My thoughts 

I was drawn into this fragrance from the very first spray and have to say I really love it. It is spicy yet wonderfully fresh, light and sweet. It sounds like a mix of everything - floral, spice, fruit  and gourmand. Cleverly it is the kind of fragrance that transcends traditional fragrance families by containing notes that features in each of those families. Where you may be drawn to one, this surprises the senses. I find it light enough to wear during the day but nice enough to take you into evening. It is feminine but the black bottle denotes a women who is incredibly sure of herself and confident. I adore the notes of rose, pepper and sweet vanilla, blended with woody tones, fruit and flowers. To sum up - feminine, sensual and soft.

Quite simply gorgeous and surprisingly incredibly good value.

007 For Women EDP 30ml costs £25

*Sample