Perfume

Amsterdam Birthday Makeup Picks

- Vicki Leave a comment

Amsterdam Birthday Makeup

If you follow me over on Instagram then you will know my lovely husband took me to Amsterdam for my birthday, its our 6th time visiting and we just fall a little more in love with the city each time. I wanted to share with you a few of my favourite products that I took with me in my makeup bag, I knew we would be going out for my birthday so I took some of my favourite products.

Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation

I like the coverage this gives, its more medium than full but it covers redness and thats exactly what I need atm.. It gives a lovely soft focus finish to the skin and has a velvety smooth look to it. It is a very fluid foundation so it is easy to blend and a little product goes a long way, I do like to build up the coverage on more troublesome areas and you know this is never going to look caky or overdone. Although it has a very fluid texture it can often cling to dry patches so I always wear a primer with this and make sure I use a very hydrating moisturiser.

Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara* 

When I want Va Va Voom lashes there is only ever one mascara I reach for and it is the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir. This is seriously black and a couple of coats of this makes your lashes look so full and full of volume. I think this is the mascara that gives my lashes the most dramatic finish, it never goes crispy and your lashes look amazing all night long. Even the packaging is luxurious.

Stila Perfect Me / Perfect Hue Palette 

I hate travelling with too much makeup and this palette is perfect because it has a whole look in one palette. You get five eyeshadows and two blushes and I have the fair/light option.

  • Eye Shades: Alluring (soft pale pink), Breathtaking (soft neutral white), Passionate (champagne pearl), Dynamic (soft taupe), Glamorous (warm chocolate brown)
  • Blush Shades: Romantic (soft pale pink), Playful (soft rose pink)

It is a lovely palette for creating quite a neutral smoky eye and the cheek colours are gorgeous too. I also like that its quite compact and it has a huge mirror in and I use it to do my makeup with whist travelling.

Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet in Maharajah*

I love the shade Maharajah its a vibrant pink and the perfect colour to amp up any look. I always tend to go quite low key on my eye makeup and opt for more of a bold lip. These Lip Magnets from Armani have the most comfortable formula and the colours are bold, pigmented and have a matte finish so that means it has incredible staying power. Once applied these last all night with out fading, its also such a pretty pink shade and a nice birthday lip option.

Amsterdam Party Makeup

Charlotte Tilbury The Feline Flick in Panther

I actually repurchased this in Amsterdam because the eyeliner I took with me just wasn’t cutting the mustard and I knew I could rely on Charlotte Tilbury not to let me down. This liner has a really fine nib allowing you to get a neat, precise line and achieve that classic winged liner look. I love this product it is easy to use, fuss free and it never smudges and the pigmentation is intense. So pleased to have a brand new one in my makeup bag.

Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Bronze 

On a day to day basis I use the Soap and Glory Solar Powder as my bronzer because its quite natural but I wanted a bronzer that was a little more intense for my birthday makeup & this Urban Decay one is gorgeous & if I use it with a light hand its good for contouring. It has a matte finish and it lasts really well on the skin. I also love the cute palm tree packaging.

Birthday Makeup Picks

Giorgio Armani Si Perfume

I recently posted about this perfume over on my Instagram saying how it is my signature scent and I feel more like me when I am wearing it. With that being said I knew I had to take this with me to Amsterdam & there was no way I was decanting it into a Travelo because I love the bottle and they do not hold enough perfume for me, not for a weeks holiday! So Armani Si is a perfume I discovered back in 2013 when it first launched and I have worn it ever since. I love how beautifully sophisticated it is, with a youthful fresh edge.

It has notes of Vanilla, Blackcurrant, Rose de Mai and Patchouli and base notes of blond amber which give it a sophisticated musky scent. When you initially spray this you can smell the Vanilla which gives it a sweet scent but it calms down to reveal a chic musky scent which lingers all day.

It is light enough to be worn through the day but is also sophisticated and sexy to be worn at night. This fragrance has a side that most people will love – the sweetness of the Vanilla and Blackcurrant, the beautiful floral notes of Freesia and Rose de Mai and the more sophisticated base notes of Patchouli and blond wood. It smells amazing. I’m so pleased I had a bottle to take with me to Amsterdam, what would be a birthday without your favourite fragrance.

Giorgio Armani Si Fragrance

Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Formentera*

This is a gorgeous cream blush, It is a pretty sun kissed rose shade and I think its a great shade for my quite pale complexion. It blends so well and with it being in a handy stick form its simple and effortless to apply. It worked well for my night out as it stayed put all night and it. I think this is one of my favourite cream blush products & the colour is quite natural but pretty.

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Mono Eyeshadow

I love this shade, its a gorgeous metallic taupe and once on the lid it looks rose gold, its a great shadow to put on top of other colours just to give a look a little more glamour. The colour is intense and I love the finish of it, especially for a night out as when the light catches the metallic finish it looks really pretty. These Mono Eyeshadow colours from L’Oreal are such good quality and they have a really nice selection of colours. Very handy to travel with as well.

  • PR Sample 

Viktor & Rolf BonBon Couture EDP

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Beautiful New BonBon Couture Fragrance

Viktor & Rolf BonBon Couture

I’m a long time fan of Victor & Rolf fragrances and have repurchased their iconic FlowerBomb scent too many times to count, I think their fragrances are beautifully feminine and very pretty. The original BONBON scent was extremely popular and is more on the sweet side but this new more intense addition to the BONBON family is perfect if you like your perfume to be a little more intense and whilst it’s still sweet it settles down to be more of a rich, warm, sexy scent.

Viktor & Rolf BONBON Couture*

Fragrance Notes:

  • Top Notes: Mandarin Orange, Neroli, Peach
  • Heart Notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac, Caramel
  • Base Notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla, White Tobacco

This perfume has great staying power and I could still smell it on myself after a full day. I would also say that it works well as both as a day and an evening scent.

New Viktor & Rolf BonBon Couture

The outer cardboard packaging (which I can’t bare to throw away) is a bright fuchsia pink with the classic black V&R faux wax seal at the centre of a pretty ribbon effect. The bottle itself is just gorgeous, it comes in a pretty purple / pink ombre effect bottle which feels very luxurious and heavy. It is shaped like a wrapped sweet (candy), its very feminine and looks pretty sat on your dressing table.

I think If you like Flowerbomb I think you’re going to fall in love with BONBON Couture too.

Viktor & Rolf BONBON Couture

Beautiful New BonBon Couture Fragrance

Its always so hard to describe a fragrance and recommending scents is difficult because perfumes are a very personal product. So don’t just take my word that this is a really pretty perfume, you need to pop along to your nearest perfume counter and test it out for yourself. Let me know if you like it and also which is your favourite Viktor & Rolf fragrance.

Viktor & Rolf BONBON Couture*

30ml EDP – £57

50ml EDP – £79

90ml EDP £109

*PR Sample

New Miller Harris Fragrance

- Vicki 1 Comment
Miller Harris Perfume

Miller Harris Perfume

Miller Harris was founded 15 years ago by expert parfumer Lyn Harris who spent five years training in Paris, then in Grasse at Robertet, the world’s leader in natural aromatic ingredients. Whilst respecting tradition, Miller Harris strives to push the boundaries, creating exquisitely crafted fragrances that are innovative yet timeless. Miller Harris perfumes are beautiful, luxurious and timeless.

I have been trying out two new upcoming releases, Étui Noir and Lumiére Dorée – both are rich, sophisticated and perfect Spring / Summer scents. They both come packaged in the signature, elegant Miller Harris style with the outer cardboard packaging being simple but stylish and the perfume themselves are in beautiful weighty glass bottles with elegant floral detailing. They feel and look so nice.

New Miller Harris Perfume

Miller Harris Étui Noir eau de parfum*   

If you like rich complex more masculine scents then you just might fall in love with his new Miler Harris fragrance. It has notes of,

  • TOP: BERGAMOT, TANGERINE, ELEMI GUM
  • HEART: IRIS BUTTER, INCENSE, CASHMERE WOOD
  • BASE: PATCHOULI, VETIVER, LEATHER, AMBER, BIRCH

I adore fragrances with Bergamot & Patchouli and Étui Noir is quite a dark, sophisticated scent. Its a little heavier than Lumiére Dorée. My husband loves this one in particular and I think it smells incredible on him. Its so rich and the mix of zesty citrus, smoky vetiver and rich patchouli make this my favourite Miller Harris scent to date, its intense and beautiful.

This would make a really special Father’s Day gift.

Miller Harris New Release 2016

Miller Harris Lumiére Dorée eau de parfum*

This is a more light, warm romantic scent. Its a gorgeous scent to wear daily and one that you won’t grow tired of because throughout the day you pick up different notes and they all smell so sophisticated. It has notes of,

  • TOP: BERGAMOT, PETIT GRAIN BIGARADIER EO, ORANGE BIGARADE
  • HEART: NEROLI BIGARADE MOROCCO EO, SAMBAC JASMINE, ORANGE BLOSSOM WATER
  • BASE: CASHMERE WOOD, VETIVER, CRISP AMBER, WHITE MUSKS

This is a lovely rich scent its not overpowering or heady. I think it smells zesty, quite sweet and the musk makes it a little sensual and warm. Its an easy scent to wear, I think its because its a little more fresh and daytime friendly.

These are two beautiful new additions to the Miller Harris range and their scents are such incredible quality and both fragrances are unisex.

Its always so hard to describe fragrance and recommending scents is so hard but I urge you to seek out your local Miller Harris retailer so you can explore their range for yourself. They have a very wide selection of scents and I just know you will fall in love with at least one.

RRP:100ML £95 – 50ML £65

LAUNCH DATE: 2nd JUNE

*PR Sample

 

Product Empties September & October 2015

- Vicki 3 Comments

Beauty Product Empties Oct 2015

The Body Shop Vitamin C Face Mist

I love using face mists and think they’re a great way of keeping your skin hydrated and feeling refreshed. This Vitamin C one from The Body Shop leaves my skin looking radiant and it has such a zesty uplifting scent. This is a great face mist for the warmer months. I also think its such a great affordable option. This bottle lasted me months and I will be repurchasing this for sure

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier EDP*

I get so many compliments when I wear this perfume and I think its such a gorgeous luxurious scent. Its quite a sweet fig scent and it wears a really long time on me. I have written a full review of it here if you’d like to know a little more about it. I would repurchase this again in a heartbeat.

Olivine Atelier Love + Roses Beauty Mist

Another mist but this one is more multi functional and is somewhat of a cult product. I loved everything about it, from the Pinterest pleasing packaging to the huge list of ways it can be used and of course all the beauty benefits too! This isn’t just a run of the mill face spray Olivine Atelier have included lots of ingredients that will help hydrate, soothe and combat the signs of aging, if you want to know more then pop over & read my review. I have another bottle of this and I don’t think I will ever be without it. I am also pleased to say Love + Roses is 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free, eco-friendly (the glass bottles are reusable and recyclable) and made in small batches with love in the Pacific Northwest.

Beauty Product Empties Sept 2015

Merumaya Iconic Youth Serum*

If you have read my blog for a while you will know all about my love for the British Skincare brand Merumaya – unrivalled skincare at affordable prices (honestly they’re that good). Their Iconic Youth Serum is one of my favourite products from their ever growing range, I like how nourishing this is & it instantly makes my skin my skin feel velvety soft. This serum has an exclusive complex of 10 clinically tested, active ingredients all used in full concentration, its such an incredible product and my skin has never looked more radiant. I’m sad this has run out & I will be placing an order before Christmas so will get another tube then.

Giorgio Armani Fragrance Si

This is one of my all time favourite perfumes. It has notes of Vanilla, Blackcurrant, Rose de Mai and Patchouli and base notes of blond amber which give it a sophisticated musky scent. When you initially spray this you can smell the Vanilla which gives it a sweet scent but it calms down to reveal a chic musky scent which lingers all day. I always treat myself to a bottle from duty free so lets hope I jet off somewhere soon so I can restock.

Laidbare Pack Your Bags Eye Cream

I’m addicted to trying eye cream & this one was spotted whilst buying healthy snacks in Holland & Barratt. I would describe it as quite a thick cream but it does absorb quickly and leaves my under eye area feeling smooth, soft and hydrated. I wouldn’t say it got rid of my bags but I did like it as an eye cream. It contains Buckwheat wax which helps reduce puffiness and dark circles and Shea butter which is great at hydrating. Its pretty affordable & I would use it again.

Beauty Product Empties Oct 2015

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I have repurchased this so many times & I like it, its as simple as that. I use it most days and a 400ml bottle lasts a couple of months. I do buy this in Savers and thats where I have found it cheapest. There are so many micellar waters on the market now & this is up there with the best I have tried and its easy to get hold of and affordable. So ticks all the boxes for me.

Origins Super Spot Remover

Oh this little product is my go to treatment for angry blemishes. I put a layer of the gel over the spot and let it work its magic. I like that its instantly cooling on the skin and you can feel it working right away. I think it really helps calm and treat the area and stops blemishes from becoming too sore & angry. It always helps heal them faster too.  This bottle might be small but the contents are pretty mighty & last a heck of a long time. I have just opened a fresh bottle which is always satisfying so I’m ready to combat and angry blemishes!

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara*

This has been my favourite Benefit Mascara, I love that it lengthens my lashes without looking spidery and it doesn’t clump but it makes your lashes look thick and full and it really does hold a curl. The packaging is super cute too. I’m hoping to have a tube of this in my stocking this year, so fingers crossed.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.