The Winter Fragrance Line-Up: Jo Malone and YSL

I'm the sort of person who will find a fragrance I like, and hold onto it with both hands. In the past, I've had certain perfumes that I would spritz on month in, month out, without giving the season a second thought. There was a time when Ana Sui's Dolly Girl would see me through the entire calendar, no questions asked, before eventually being replaced with the likes of Escada's Rockin' Rio, and DKNY Be Delicious after that. Of course, I have moved onto some more sophisticated fragrances since the early days, but the basics of what I like in a scent have remained the same. I've always been one for a fruity fragrance - juicy, and just sweet enough, but never sickly or overpowering.

Last winter, I finally treated myself to a perfume I had had my eye on for an age: Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir. I had fallen into the habit of awaiting birthdays or Christmas in order to replenish my fragrance collection, so much so that buying one for myself was almost out of the question. With the exception of duty free shopping, that is but I have never yet stumbled across some of the brands I now tend to gravitate towards when browsing pre-holiday.

Pomegranate Noir was one of those perfumes I just knew I would love, to the point that I was happy to order it online and face the consequences. Thankfully, my judgement had been spot on, and it continues to be my all-time favourite winter scent. The fragrance professes to combine the 'ruby rich juices of pomegranate, raspberry and plum' with pink pepper, Casablanca lily and spicy woods. Now, putting scents and aromas into words has never been my strong point, but Pomegranate Noir certainly does scream rich, juicy winter fruits. In fact, the best way I can describe it is to say that it smells just like mulled wine. You've got the hint of cloves and cinnamon in there, and a subtle woodiness that is reminiscent of November bonfires.  A sophisticated fragrance for all occasions, for me it is simply perfection in a bottle.

More recently, I added another Jo Malone offering to my repertoire of fragrances, and this time, it was Blackberry and Bay that made the cut. Once again, I was confident enough to order online, and once again, my selection didn't disappoint. A 'vibrant and verdant' scent that conjures up images of blackberry picking in the forest, this is tart and juicy, yet simultaneously woody and green. It's a lovely alternative to your typical winter perfumes, but it does have a surprising sweetness about it. Not in the sugary sense, but it is perhaps slightly more floral than I would have expected.

The most recent addition to my shelf, however,  has been the lovely Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium. I must admit, this was not a perfume that had yet appeared on my radar, so it was a complete surprise when I unwrapped it at Christmas after receiving it as a little extra from my husband. Thankfully, though, surprises often lead to the best discoveries, and this was definitely one.

Black Opium is a sweet and spicy vanilla-based fragrance, which is also said to contain hints of black coffee and white florals. Personally, I can't detect the coffee, which is probably a bit of a relief, but there is a certain but very subtle bitterness in there somewhere, concealing itself beneath the ever-so-sweet top notes. This is quite a sugary scent compared to the others, but again, it isn't overpowering and the longevity once applied is excellent. Add to that the beautifully sparkly bottle it comes presented in, and it has to be a winter winner for me.

So there you have it, my winter fragrance line-up in all its glory.  Do you have any favourite perfumes for the colder months?

Have you tried anything from Jo Malone? Let me know which scents are your favourites, as I am forever browsing the website looking for my next 'must have'.

xx

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne

Now that the sun has started to peek out from behind the clouds at long last, I'm wishing I had shared this winter delight with you sooner. The Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne ( £39 for 30ml), is a rich, almost festive winter fragrance, very much reminiscent of hot mulled wine and open fires, and has seen me happily through the colder months, so much so that I've been reaching for it every day without fail since it first dropped through my letterbox. It's often difficult to do a fragrance justice using the written word alone, but I think Jo has done a great job at summing this one up: 

'The sensuality of a daring red dress. Ruby-rich juices of pomegranate, raspberry and plum are spiked with pink pepper and laced with Casablanca lily and spicy woods. A dark and enigmatic fragrance'.

I'd still go with the mulled wine if you find it impossible to imagine such a complex combination - rich, purple fruit and spices  are very much the overall impression this one gives off. 

All in all, it's been an absolute pleasure, and this 30ml size is ideal for slinging in your handbag for top-ups on the go. However, if, like me, it's love at first spray, then you can always go for the 100ml version, at a slightly hefty £78. Personally, I can see myself making the investment come next October, but now that the sun is shining I'm hankering to switch this one up for one of Jo's more spring-like offerings - top of my list are both English Pear & Freesia and Wild Fig & Cassis.

What has your favourite fragrance been this winter, and have you got your eye on anything for the warmer months?

xx

Christmas Lust List

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder  //  Diptyque Eau Moheli Roll-On Cologne  //  Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Toilette  //  Diptyque Figuier Vert Candle  //  Diptyque Classic Candle Set  //  Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin Home Candle

I'm back!!

I know it might have seemed as if I'd abandoned blogland there for a while, but actually it couldn't be further from the truth. It has been a busy (understatement of the year) few weeks for us, getting settled back into the UK, staying with family and finally moving into our own place, and once we did get here we still had to wait another month to get the internet installed! It was finally all sorted this weekend, and I couldn't be happier to be able to resurrect this little slice of the internet and get back into the swing of things!

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it about time I rounded up all of the little goodies I've had my eye on throughout the year, but just haven't been able to pop into my shopping basket. Christmas is a great opportunity to try out the things you just can't justify buying for yourself - like, for example, expensive candles!! Now, don't get me wrong - it's not that I want other people to spend their money so that I don't have to. It's just that, traditionally I do find that family like to spoil each other at Christmas, and the best gifts are always the ones you've been lusting after for the greatest amount of time!

Diptyque, Hourglass and Jo Malone have long been  brands I have coveted, yet I've never been able to make anything mine - true, I probably could have, but truth be told, there are usually more important things to spend my money on than, say, household fragrances. As much as I'd love to pop a luxury candle on my mantlepiece, or add an expensive face powder to my makeup bag, sometimes I just can't bring myself to part with the cash.

What's on your lust list? Is there anything you've had your eye on all year that you're hoping to finally get your hands on?

It's good to be back!

xx

The Duty-Free Wish List

DIORSKIN Nude BB Cream  //  YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick  //  Nars Creamy Concealer  //  Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation  //  Jo Malone Wild Fig and Cassis Cologne  //  Chloe for Women Eau de Parfum  //  Illamasqua Hydra Veil  //  Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow  //  Nars Sheer Glow Foundation  //  Marc Jacobs Oh Lola! Eau de Parfum

With my move home now just around the corner, I've inevitably got a lot on my mind. There's a new house to consider, a new job....and then of course, there's the Duty Free! 

The closer we get, the less I am able to stop myself dreaming about all those beautiful high-end products, and while there is more chance of me winning the lottery than actually buying all of this stuff, a girl can dream. So, I thought that in order to get it all out of my system, I'd pop together a 'little' wishlist of the bits and bobs that have been filling my mental un-shopping list over the past few weeks, and looking at it, it probably isn't even the half of it. Fingers crossed, I might be lucky enough to pick up a couple of bits in Paris, so I'm going to have to get narrowing things down to the bare essentials. 

Nope, not fooling anyone, am I - no essentials here. But they are just so pretty....

I know I said I'd had it with BB Creams, but a little voice has been nudging me in the direction of the Diorskin Nude BB for some time now, in spite of myself. For a start, it's Dior, and I can't imagine anything with that name on it being sub-standard. Today though, it's place on my wish list was cemented when I watched this Vivianna Does Makeup video and saw with my own eyes just how beautiful it is. It seems to give such a gorgeous, natural glow as well as evening things out quite impressively, so it's now become a summer must for me.

I'm also in need of a new foundation, and have had my eye on both the Laura Mercier Silk Creme and Nars Sheer Glow foundations since last year, so I'm hoping to finally pick one of those up. The Nars Creamy Concealer also looks promising for under-eye circles, so I've thrown that one in for good measure.

I really fancy finally treating myself to one of the YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks, another long-coveted product for which I just haven't been able to justify the price. They have to be the most beautifully packaged lipsticks of all time though, and one day a coral or peachy shade shall be mine.

Aside from that, I'm itching to give the Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow a go, as it looks like the perfect partner when it comes to contouring. The Hydra Veil has also been calling my name. It's a gel-powder base which is applied before your foundation for a flawless look, and to say I'm intrigued would be an understatement.

Last but not least, I need to stock up on perfumes, which is something I always tend to do when going through duty-free - I don't buy them for myself unless I'm travelling, and I'm running really low at the moment.

And that is it. I say this, but you know there are tons more things popping into my head as I write. Fingers crossed I won't have any currency in the airport, and then I won't be able to do any damage!

Ha. I jest. 

(Sort of).

xx

The Weekly Selection

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good weekend and that there's a bit of sunshine where you are. It's really hot here today so I'm thinking of getting out in the garden with a good book this afternoon and making the most of it before I come back home to the usual British downpours!

This week saw me shunning my favourite summer blushes (Topshop Flush and Mac Peachykeen, if you're wondering), in favour of an old favourite I found lurking at the bottom of my makeup bag - Nars Deep Throat. It's such a gorgeous, natural peachy-pink shade with ever such a hint of shimmer, and while I'm only to pleased to dot on a pop of colour throughout the summer months, sometimes a subtle glow is far more flattering. I'm talking about those days where you wake up looking pale, drawn, and just plain exhausted - those days where a bright blush only serves to add to these effects, but that Deep Throat will always throw me a lifeline and make me look alive again.

Skincare-wise, it's been all about the Elemental Herbology Cell Food Radiance and Vitality Serum*, mainly because it does exactly what it says on the tin. It absorbs into the skin withing mere seconds, and since I've been including this in my daily routine, I've noticed a dramatic difference in the condition of my skin. It looks healthy and even, with a lovely glow, and as a result it has fast become a daily staple.

It's all about the fruity fragrances at this time of year, so I've been spritzing myself with an old favourite, the Nina Ricci Eau de Toilette. It's subtly sweet without being sickly, and the aroma of apples is so fresh and delicious that I'm only too glad to reinstate it as my signature fragrance throughout the summer months.

Last but not least, it would be rude not to pop a bright colour on your lips to celebrate the sunshine, and this week my weapon of choice has been Mac Impassioned. It's a gorgeous bright, fuchsia pink with a hint of coral, and is enough to liven up any natural, undone look.

What products haven't you been able to live without this week?

xx