So it has been quite a while since I last posted on my blog. I have been jotting down ideas for posts and taking product photos here and there but let’s face it, 2020 has been a roller-coaster of a year and I just couldn’t focus on too many things at once. Health, family and getting through the days became a priority. I didn’t feel like I had anything to say that was relevant or helpful over the past few months. I have just been here in Cornwall, working from home and trying to stay positive.
I did manage to leave the county for the first time in 7 months, to visit family in Manchester & Scotland which was amazing and very needed. Whilst I was away I treated myself to something that I have lusted over for so long and with this year being a bit of a nightmare I felt like this was the perfect time to get it, you’ve got to treat yourself, right!
I finally bought the beautiful Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum and let me tell you I am IN LOVE with it. I knew I was going to like it as I have sprayed it every time I went into Selfridges, but I always talked myself out of buying it. I’m so glad I didn’t do that this time as it has brought me a lot of joy, even though there are not many calls at the moment to get all dressed to go to parties or events I have been using it (sparingly) on a daily basis. It feels decadent and luxurious to use it as my every day fragrance but life is so full of restrictions and negativity that it feels good to wear my favourite perfume. When I wear it I feel happy and I can smell it on myself all day long, this perfume has some serious staying power. It is intense and rich and luckily a few sprays is all you need (I don’t want it to run out too quickly).
This perfume has been on my wish list for so long, because I adore fig scented products and this is one of the best I have tried. It is fresh but intense and sweet all at the same time. I also like that is is quite romantic and earthy too. It has layers of notes that you can smell throughout the day, as it settles. I know most people would associate this perfume with Summer but I will be wearing it into Autumn & Winter, I think the crispness of the notes make it a nice fresh scent for the colder months too.
Top Notes – Fig Leaf
Middle Notes – Wood, Coconut
Base Notes – White Cedar
What perfumes have you been loving this year, have you treated yourself to something a little special? Let me know any recommendations, I love to try new fragrances.
*Gifted. It’s safe to say it’s been a dark, wet and miserable start to 2020, I don’t think we have seen the sunshine so far this year and my skin has been bearing the brunt of this. My skin has felt dry and dull, what with the effects of the central heating and lack of sunshine, I have really been relying on my skincare and makeup to help revive my complexion. I thought I would share with you a few products that have become staples in my routine which I’ve been using religiously over the past couple of months.
I love so many products from The Ordinary Skincare but this serum is pretty epic. I have used it for over a year now and can’t imagine my skincare routine without it. Apart from the fact this brand is incredibly affordable their skincare is fantastic quality and shows real results. This didn’t irritate my skin despite it having quite a high concentration of Retinoid, it is easy to apply and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. I apply it at night 2 – 3 times a week, as my first step after cleansing and I wake up with smooth, bright, plump skin. Over time this serum helps increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen which helps to reduce the signs of ageing, like uneven skin tone, age spots and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.
This product is a great way to achieve that youthful, healthy glow, in terms of long term use you really see your complexion improve. It is like liquid gold! Just remember Retinoids can react with more sensitive skin, so dilute at first if you are concerned (or use the 1% version) also please remember to use a high factor SPF as your skin will be more vulnerable to the damaging effects of UVA & UVB rays.
Although I’m someone who doesn’t like to wear much makeup on a daily basis, I still like that look of being put together and like my skin to look evened out with a little glow. This Beauty Booster from Tropic gives me just that. It is lightweight and I just apply it with my fingers on top of my moisturiser. It leaves my skin with a nice touch of colour, helping to reduce redness, uneven skin tone and gives the illusion that I haven’t seen the sun for MONTHS! The other wonderful things about this lightweight, almost tinted moisturiser (with a bit more coverage) is the fact it has UVA, UVB and HEV (artificial light) protection and SPF35, so if you do venture out you know your skin is well protected.
Antioxidant-rich resveratrol and vitamin E help to condition the skin, while building defences against daily pollution. Titanium dioxide gives a mineral SPF of 35 to shield against everyday exposure. So if you’re looking for a base that gives you an even, lightweight, natural dewy finish then this Tropic Beauty Booster is the one. I have been loving it and using it every day as my base to combat my tired, dry winter skin!
This is my happiness in a bottle, it smells beautiful and so luxurious, it makes me feel amazing whenever I wear it. The scent is uplifting and just gives me a reminder that warmer, brighter days are on the horizon (even if it is raining cats and dogs). It has such a rich, warm creamy scent but you get a hint of fresh, airy crisp notes as it settles. I am not exaggerating when I say this perfume is the most sophisticated and beautiful perfume I have ever owned, and I love quite a few Miller Harris perfumes but this one has something special.
The woody notes add a real touch of warmth and class whilst the bergamot and cashmere give it creaminess and class. The pink pepper, amber and vanilla make it modern and very sexy.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Saffron Heart Notes: Olibanum, Violet Leaf and Papyrus Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Crisp Amber, Vanilla CO2 Extract and Moss
This would make the most luxurious, thoughtful gift or treat to yourself, it’s a beautiful perfume and the scent lasts so long, I can smell it on my scarf/coat days after I have spritzed it. The quality is second to none. The bottle is also beautiful, the minimal dusky pink give it a subtle, classy feel and the simple gold accents on the font and the lid add a touch of luxury, the bottle is very weighty too and feels so nice in your hand and also looks great on your vanity.
I tried a few products from UK based ARK skincare last year and was very impressed with their ethos of products that target specific skin concerns depending on your age, as our skin changes so much as we get older and ARK have targeted skincare so it is easy for you to include it in your routine and see fantastic results. This Firming Serum has been a skincare saviour for me this year as it targets your skins loss of elasticity and works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and with my skin being so dry from the weather it has helped smooth, hydrate and plump! So if like me you’re in your early 40s this is a wonderful product to use for long term results. I like to mix the serum in with my moisturiser and apply it as part of my morning skincare regime.
It is jam packed with some wonderful ingredients that help keep your skin looking fresh, smooth and healthy.
Micro Algae Extract – Highly purified microalgae extract delivers an instant and long-term tightening effects
Hyaluronic Acid – Active 100% natural Hyaluronic Acid locks moisture in the skin matrix and improves collagen synthesis. Skin appears firmer and more flexible, while fine lines are plumped and smoothed.
Biomimetic Lipopeptide Idealift – targets skin sagging and improves resistance to gravity by promoting skin’s elastic fibre architecture
ARK Skincare is proudly developed & manufactured in Britain. Cruelty Free, with many of their products being Vegan friendly. They use Bioactive, natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin but give effective results. You can browse their entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.
I love this compact, not only the fact that it is a beautiful rose gold & pewter but it has a good size mirror which makes it perfect for keeping in your handbag. This stunning bronzing/highlighter is also a wonderful product to add a touch of radiance to that Winter complexion without going OTT on the glow. It’s a mix of rose gold, soft peach and lavender pink and I just swirl my brush to pick up a little of all the colours and it gives my cheekbones a nice bronzy warm touch of colour. Such a beautiful product and a very luxurious and not so well known brand, their blushers are super nice too.
*Products have been provided as PR samples but reviews are 100% my own.
When it comes to Armani fragrances I have remained loyal to Si for years, it is one of my all-time favourite perfumes, so when Armani asked if I’d like to try their latest release, In Love With You I wondered how it would compare to Si. Let me tell you right out of the gate that they are so different and there is room in your fragrance collection for both! Si is a little more grown up and undeniably feminine. Whereas ‘In Love With You’ EDP is sweet and sexy but with a modern intense twist.
Emporio Armani In Love With You EDP
In Love With You is a brand new women’s fragrance launched nationwide on January 30th 2019 and is a rich, fruity bold scent. It is quite intense and a little more playful than Armani Si and I like it!
It comes in a lovely simple, weighty bottle with a silver cap and the Armani Logo embossed into the spray cap. Those subtle details make the product feel so much more luxurious.
Top Notes – of black currant, cherry and raspberry.
Heart Notes of jasmine absolute and rose
Base Notes of wormwood, vanilla, patchouli and vetiver.
This fragrance has a great mix of floral, fruity and warm notes that work to make this scent intense, juicy and modern. It is the perfect scent for strong, sophisticated women. A wonderful day to night fragrance, the berry notes make it juicy and fresh, perfect for daytime. But if you apply it more liberally the sexy, adventurous heady base notes make it the perfect evening scent too.
Patchouli and vetiver are two of my favourite notes in a fragrance, I am always drawn to these notes and think they make a scent really edgy and interesting. I think the mix of notes works so well together. I love the sweetness of the fruity notes that give you that initial youthful feel. Then the floral notes make it a little more feminine and sophisticated and the base notes give it that sexy, modern scent. The layers compliment each other so well.
If you’re looking for a new scent for 2019, I have to say this perfume from Emporio Armani has to be top of your shopping list. I think it is a scent that will have such a wide appeal. If you get the change to get to an Armani counter you have to try it for yourself. Make sure you spritz it and let it settle so you can really appreciate all the notes, you will not be disappointed.
Or if you need ideas for a Valentine’s Gift then look no further. This perfume would make such a thoughtful, luxurious gift for someone special.
I am aware that we are well into Spring & brighter, more colourful nail polishes would be more appropriate, but I’m that girl who just loves to wear nudes. They always look fresh, elegant and work with every outfit. So I make no apologies for declaring my love for the CND Vinylux Nude Collection. Although their new Chic Shock Spring Collection is BEAUTIFUL.
I have two polishes from the recent Nude Collection ‘Unlocked’ & ‘Unearthed’ which are very different but still very classic nudes.
Unearthed – A warm tone brown.
Unmasked – A medium tone brown.
Unlocked – A light tone brown.
Uncovered – A warm nude pink.
Unearthed // Unlocked
These polishes are quite thick but they apply smoothly and easily. The brush is a perfect size, it’s short and wide which I find super quick and fuss-free to use. I applied two coats of both polishes so the colour looked even and opaque. They dried very quickly and I didn’t have to wait long at all to apply the topcoat & I think this is when the magic happens.
The Vinylux Weekly polish Top Coat is incredible, it gives a high shine finish and the quality looks as good as a professional nail salon but best of all my nail polish lasted chip-free for almost the 7 days. This is no mean feat as I work with my hands crafting & they usually get scuffed so easily, but this topcoat meant my manicure remained intact with no unsightly chips for 6 solid days. I was very, very impressed. The high shine finish didn’t dull either. This topcoat is a serious winner and I am going to use it on top of all my manicures from now on.
Vinylux™ – weekly, chip-resistant wear, fast-drying, two-step application, brilliant shine which lasts without the need for a base coat. Increased durability with natural light.
CND products are available from pro nail salons and online at nailpolishdirect.co.uk to find a pro salon near you, go to lovecnd.com
This perfume has been on my wish list for so long, because I adore fig scented products and this is one of the best I have tried. It is fresh but intense and sweet all at the same time. I also like that is is quite romantic and earthy too. It has layers of notes that you can smell throughout the day, as it settles. I know most people would associate this perfume with Summer but I will be wearing it into Autumn & Winter, I think the crispness of the notes make it a nice fresh scent for the colder months too.
