A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

Superdry aren’t a brand I know an awful lot about, they first came to my attention courtesy of David Beckham sporting a certain leather jacket that seemed to cement their status as a super-brand (no pun intended). I paid them no more mind (though continued to think a little about Mr. Beckham) until last year, when they released a range of nail polishes before once again, slipping from my radar.  It was only at the beginning of this football season that I was reminded of the brand when it seemed like 80% of the home crowd at St. Marys were sporting Superdry t-shirts of varying shades.  Girls wouldn’t stand for that, we’d look at each other (all 30,000 of us) and be like… “err, awkward”.

But I digress…

The Superdry brand have released a range of female fragrances under the NEON umbrella: Neon Purple, Neon Pink, Neon Orange and Neon Blue.  The Neon Pink is touted to combine amber, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood and rose.  I definitely get rose and a hit of sandalwood (which gives a bit of a masculine/clean blast) but not much else.  It remains fairly sharp throughout the dry-down with just the very edges softened by a hint of vanilla the more it warms against my skin – I would like to have gotten more amber from this, considering it is, after all, described as an oriental amber.

And now for the packaging, which… in my opinion, is where the brand has concentrated the majority of its efforts.

For girls everywhere who want their perfume to be mistaken for an oversized, camp, Zippo lighter.  This one’s got your name all over it.

Overall, I didn’t really enjoy the scent which feels jumbled and doesn’t do my skin chemistry any favours – the best way I can describe this one is as slightly confused and somewhat jarring.  However, it definitely works well within the brand’s styling and will no doubt appeal to many Superdry customers out there – let’s face it, you can’t deny that it won’t catch your attention on the shelf!

Superdry’s Neon Pink Fragrance is priced at £35 for 40ml, available instore and online at Boots.com

* press sample

You know those girls on Crescent Row… Bella, Gina, Carmella et al.  They’re sugared up crack addicts, high on vanilla, caramel and everything that would make a dentist cry.  It’s not that they’re unsavoury (geddit?!), it’s just that they’re not for me.  But there’s a new girl on the block and she’s not like all the others.  She gave up on the gourmand and went for the full-on floral route instead.

And like many of the Crescent Row girls, she is a bit full-on… she’s blousey and big, unapologetically so.  There’s a lot of jasmine in there, enough to subdue the vanilla that those other girls must have spiked her with but I’m loving the hit of Tiare flower that those of you familiar with monoi oils (*cough* Elemis *cough*) will recognise.  I don’t usually cross reference brands like this but if you take everything you love from the scent of that, put it in a medium longevity, prettily packaged perfume and add a kick of dirty rose… you’ve got Benefit’s latest EdT, See & Be Seen Sasha.

And this, my lovely friends, can only be a good thing.

Benefit’s See & Be Seen Sasha EdT is available on counter and online now at www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk, priced at £29.50 for 30ml.

* press sample

Are you thinking about Christmas yet?  Can I let you in on a little secret?  I’ve nearly bought all my Christmas presents already.  Don’t hate me, it just seemed to happen without any real intention to get organised – perhaps it’s because funds are a little tighter this year than normal (“real” rent will do that to you), or perhaps there’s been some really good offers on in all the shops I frequent?  Either way, I have managed to secure some thoughtful pressies for definitely less than it would cost if I had left it until the “holiday spirit” is in full swing!

I even hit the supermarket this week and bought all the chocolates (you know, the present bulker-uppers!) for a £1 a bag – malteasers, minstrels, rolos…. oh god, did someone say chocolate?

Anyway, incase you are feeling a little bit organised, I wanted to tell you about a rather lovely Jimmy Choo GWP that’s out on counter now.

No, sorry, it’s not a pair of shoes! But perhaps the next best thing – no, not a lifetime supply of Galaxy either, stay with me…

It’s a Jimmy Choo shoe case, to put your, err, Jimmy Choos in!  But you know, your Converse would look pretty good in it too (sacrilege!)  This would make a lovely gift for any fashionistas and you can either keep the perfume for yourself, or be super generous and part with that aswell!  Or you know, you could just keep it all for yourself (my precious, etc. etc.)

The Jimmy Choo shoe case is available in department stores nationwide from October 2012 with a purchase of any Jimmy Choo 60ml fragrance.

“How much actual wtf-ery can you design into one bottle of fragrance?” thought the bods at Balenciaga one day over a plate of ham and pickle sandwiches.  Wait, wrong country…  chorizo an patatas bravas (not in a sandwich obvs).

That boardroom statement is the only logical explanation I can come up with for the awesomeness that is the packaging for the new Balenciaga fragrance which is patiently awaiting its nationwide release next week.

It’s like the Mad Hatter joined forces with Captain Beefheart, dropping an acid-infused sugar cube in a secret garden before letting rip on the design front.  I love it.  I love how it looks so spiky and unfriendly (not unlike the celebrity fronting the campaign then) and the ensemble left me properly breathless in anticipation and hope that the juice inside would live up to the initial impression.

And it is indeed, somewhat spiky at first sniff.  There’s a sharpness that cuts through the ether and prickles at your nose (not the classic piquante tickle) before mellowing as the “experimental” (no less) rose takes form and softens the edges, bringing to the forefront the flora that the name Florabotanica promises t0 deliver.

The notes declare: mint, carnation, hybrid rose, caladium leaves, amber and vetiver – I don’t detect much straight-up mint, nor amber but they play their roles in helping to chameleonize some of the more traditional florals into something that definitely feels far too modern to simply describe as floral.

Perhaps one of my favourite aspects of Florabotanica is simply in its resilience.  Here is a mainstream fragrance, aimed at a younger market that smells different. It’s void of pinkness and it wears on my skin like a captivating veil with just the perfect amount of sillage to draw attention without commanding it.  It’s perhaps a little Summery for an Autumn release but there’s probably just enough mossiness and strength to ground the fragrance in a cooler climate.

Adore.

Balenciaga Florabotanica (from £40 for 30ml EdP) is available exclusively at Harvey Nichols until the 19th September.  A nationwide launch follows this date. 

* press sample

Don’t hit me.  I’m not about to start my Christmas gift lists… but if you are the kind of sick puppy who’s so damn organised that they’ve already budgeted, drawn up initial Christmas lists, and scoured the loft for last year’s leftover Christmas cards, you might quite like this potential gift idea.

From September 16th, Harrods are holding an exclusive event in partnership with Guerlain, featuring renowned calligrapher Paul Antonio.  The above image shows the original Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire bottle, alongside a trio of alternative “little black dresses” which will be featured on limited-edition bottles of the brand’s freshly re-worked fragrance, known as “Ma (my) Petite Robe Noire”.

Simply choose which of the three dresses matches your (or your lucky gift recipient’s) taste in evening wear and have the limited-edition bottle personalised with their name or initials.  The perfect fusion for a fragrance-loving fashionista!

The complementary calligraphy sessions will be available only on the following dates:

Friday 21st September: 16.00 – 20.00
Saturday 22nd September: 14.30 – 18.30
Sunday 23rd September: 14.30 – 18.30
Friday 28th September: 16.00 – 20.00
Saturday 29th September: 14.30 – 18.30

If you’d like to read my review of Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire, please click through to this page to hear my thoughts on the fragrance.

As we say goodbye to Summer and hello to the first breaths of September, it’s also time to welcome a new cologne from Jo Malone. 

Blackberry & Bay is boldly described by the British brand as “the scent of innocence” and when aided by campaign images showing this kind of cuteness, it’s easy to see why.

Blackberry & Bay is as full-bodied as you might expect, but perhaps not quite in the way you’d imagine.

A wholly ripe affair with an uplifting, generous dose of blackberry and grapefruit from the first sniff.  However, don’t be fooled into expecting something sweet or creamy, Blackberry & Bay is juicy-yet-tart, comforting-yet-sharp.  It’s blackberries in the rain with your ponytail lashing at your nose and cheeks.

The bay leaf provides the ‘edge’ and indeed, the leaf needed to bring the fragrance down to earth and evoke the practicalities of blackberry picking in our, end-of-Summer climate.

If you’re looking for something to wear that spans the two extremes of our seasonal weather, you could do far worse than check this one out.

Blackberry & Bay has both aroma and soul.  It also surprised me by lasting longer on my skin than their recent Cologne Intense Velvet Rose & Oud release.

Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay launches today both instore and online at jomalone.co.uk, priced from £38

* press sample

Afternoon, remember me?  No, I don’t either…

I scrimped enough of Mr. L’s 3G (Ovivo has been a God send) to write a post, got all excited at the prospect, had a rummage through my tried and tested box and just simply couldn’t find the words.  I’ve got blog block.  This is not a good thing.  In three years of blogging, I’ve only gotten it once before and that was when L was a tiny baby and I hadn’t long been beauty blogging – sheer tiredness got me that time.  I think that sheer disorganisation is the culprit today.

I’m finding it quite difficult to adjust to my new surroundings and I’m blaming the Cancerian homebody in me.  You see, I’ve never moved house before (not since I’ve been old enough to know anything about it) and this is one of the most unsettling experiences I’ve ever had.  I like to have my “things” around me and my life is still split 50/50 between two homes.  Whine… whine… grumble etc. etc.  I should put a sock in it, I’ve been a bit of a whinger on Twitter and keep reminding myself that people move house every-freaking-day, so why am I acting like such a drama llama about it?  Well, the truth is… I’m kinda not.  Not in real life anyway, but once a blogger always a blogger and as soon as I get online, I just want to spill all my complaints onto my keyboard and out into the ether.  Sorry about that.

Moving on…

I moved some of my beauty stuff over yesterday and the first to come with me was my our beloved fragrance collection.

We weren’t sure how to store them.  Previously, all our bottles have been kept on the top shelf of a wardrobe which has satisfied the need to keep them away from light and heat but it’s always made me sad that I can’t SEE them.  We’ve bought a couple of chunky shelving units which will keep them out of any direct sunlight (away from the window) and this will have to do for now.  I don’t actually have the same kind of (reachable) wardrobe space any more.  I’d love to hear how you store your fragrances?

I’ve organised the storage into seasonal themes.  Bottom shelf is Spring/Summer, Middle shelf is Autumn, and top shelf is Winter.  I’ll rotate the positioning to ensure that the current season is within the easiest reach.  Of course, rules are made to be broken and I delved into the Winter shelf yesterday for a little hit of amber in the guise of Costume National’s Scent Intense!

A closer look…

What is your favourite fragrance at the moment and do you wear scent daily?

I’ve been a fan of Jo Malone’s Cologne Intense range since it debuted in the Summer of 2010 and although back then, the thought of spending £70+ on a fragrance did little more than bewilder me, you may have noticed that as my interest in fragrance has grown, so my spending budget has significantly increased.  Of the current colognes in the range, it has always been the Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense that has appealed to my senses more than any other (followed closesly by the Amber & Patchouli – what can I say?  I like the headier stuff!) which is why I was excited to hear about the brand’s latest addition to the line, the Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense*.

Rose & Oud… it’s not the most original pairing in the fragrance world is it?  But there’s good reason for that – the traditional Middle Eastern coupling simply compliments one another beautifully.  If you’re a Rose & Oud aficionado, you may find this version a touch dumbed-down despite the “intense” moniker, in which case, you’ll be pleased to save your pennies.

For everyone else, I have to say that the new Jo Malone version makes for a lovely introduction to the classic duo.  It’s heavy on the rose, as you might expect from the British brand and reminds me somehow of a more velveteen and cleaner Le Labo Rose 31, thanks in no small part to the fact that the Oud in this definitely plays only a bit part on the stage.  It lacks the animalic tang and spice of the Le Labo but the dark, masculine edge is perfectly balanced with a voluptuousness that emerges from the first sniff and stays the course throughout the shorter-than-I’d-like wear time.  So, talking of longevity… this is where I find my disappointment – for such a majestic pairing (and a non-too-shabby price), I’d like more endurance please – on my skin, I achieve around the four hours mark.  Ultimately, this leaves me torn – I adore the composition: the allure of the rose with the darkened petals and its full-bodied, almost torrid sultriness appeals in all the ways I had anticipated.  It’s just aswell it’s only available in a 100ml bottle, because I’ll spraying this liberally and often.

In other news, the brand have recently opened a new London boutique in Covent Garden on King Street.  Most interestingly, this is the first store to employ the brand’s new design in the inimitable Jo Malone style of black and cream, it’s also the largest freestanding boutique in the UK stocking a full range of Jo Malone’s beauty and home fragrance favourites.

Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intesnse is a limited edition fragrance available now, priced at £95 for 100ml.

* press sample

Life is full of essentials, and fashion’s most faithful of all ensembles is the inimitable little black dress.  Lauded as the holy grail wardrobe-dweller, the perfect LBD should be à la mode whilst appearing simultaneously timeless – a classic to accompany every occasion.  Ultimately, it should bestow the wearer with the confidence of a thousand catwalk models whilst proffering simplicity – the very essence of elegance.

Guerlain’s newest fragrance creation: La Petite Robe Noire*, is a nod to the ideals behind finding that ultimate pièce de résistance.  The concept of finding the fragrance equivalent of fashion’s most essential item isn’t all that unusual when you consider how fragrance is used to both bolster and uplift the spirit, polish one’s appearance, and suitably reflect our sensibilities.  Just like fashion, it can leave a lasting impression – so how does La Petite Robe Noire leave me feeling?

The bottle is indeed both simultaneously timeless and “of the now”, reminiscent of the Guerlain greats reflected in its silhouette – the bottle is a replica of those that house both Mitsouko and L’Heure Bleue.  The pretty illustration of the artists’ (Kuntzel+Deygas) interpretation of the perfect LBD (and let’s face it, it’s not far off!) grounds the flirtiness and sets the scene for what awaits inside.

A succulent cherry and frangipane tart immediately springs to mind, whetting the taste buds nicely with the almond notes arriving as a little surprise, flanking the reasonably well-anticipated fruitiness.  These give way to a classic heart of florals taking shape in the most feminine of forms, rose.  Bulgarian rose essence and candied Turkish rose absolute to be exact.  These middle notes reject the initial fruitiness, clinging instead to the almond and giving the perfume an edible but-not-quite gourmand appeal.  It feels strangely as though the notes (written down) should be offering something headier than my nose is experiencing and although this is absolutely a scent for evenings, it’s certainly not too boudoir.  The close is a little disappointing to me – touted to deliver shadowy temptations of liquorice and smoky black tea, I sense more of the classic Guerlinade accord of tonka bean and vanilla, and beautiful though it is – I’m longing for more of those promised shadowy temptations!

La Petite Robe Noire displays all the hallmarks of a best-selling fragrance.  It’s beautifully crafted, with a carefully-defined story to be found within.  From the moment you slip playfully into the attire, to the moment that the LBD is slipped from your shoulders and onto the bedroom floor, you are led through an evening of flirtation and romance, culminating in the classic Guerlain finale.

Don’t be fooled by the illustrations, which in my opinion, make this seem like a choice for a younger generation – there’s is plenty in here to appeal to all ages.  I recommend seeking this one out for a sniff when it sees a nationwide release from the 24th July.

La Petite Robe Noire EdP is available now at Selfridges, priced from £42.00

* press sample

This weekend is set to be the hottest of the year and with a bank-holiday rapidly approaching, you may forgive me for living life through a pair of rose-tinted spectacles at the moment. If you’re feeling as much “in the pink” as I am, you might appreciate these two fragrances to indulge your fervor for all things fuchsia.

Salvatore Ferragamo’s Signorina and Jo Malone’s (limited edition) Plum Blossom are lovely choices for Summer, they both wear delicately – employing some seriously fruity notes without ever becoming syrupy or cloying on the skin.

In the case of Signorina*, the Italian label’s latest scent is clearly aimed toward the younger market. The beautifully presented bottle is adorned with blush-coloured ribbons and a rose-gold lid, making it an unapologetically pink offering that should appeal to girly-girls of all ages.

Signorina opens with a juicy blackcurrant, lightly spiced with the standard pink pepper note that appears in many of the current mass-market perfumes. The voluptuousness quickly develops into something more skin-like as the florals come to the fore: jasmine, rose, and peony all combine to create a light, almost-floaty interpretation of what it must feel like to be simultaneously impossibly young and chic. On me, the scent wears close to the skin, as if grounded by the creaminess from the unexpected source of pannacotta. The creamy Italian dessert lends a softness and delivers the gourmand quality that contributes to the addictive characteristic that keeps my nose buried firmly in my wrist.

It reminds me somewhat of Dior’s Miss Cherie but I find this one more compatible with my skin chemistry and less cloying in this warm weather, it doesn’t project as loudly and feels slightly more elegant in it’s youthfulness.

Jo Malone’s latest limited-edition scent is already sold out online but still available in many stores nationwide while stocks last. Plum Blossom* is a greener interpretation of the same qualities found in Signorina. Not quite so playful in composition, it delivers a sweetness that will appeal to those who like their fruity florals to avoid the foodie notes whilst keeping sensuality at the fore. The florals up the ante, as you’d expect from the iconic British brand and with a base of sandalwood and white musk, Plum Blossom remains a clean and delicate fragrance from start to finish.

There’s something eternally romantic about blush hues and both scents make the perfect accompaniment to the wedding season.

* press samples

Although the store is perhaps more widely known for its delectable hampers and foodie delights, the second floor at Fortnum & Mason is one of my favourite places to shop when I’m in London.  A beauty ‘hall’ with a difference, it has a wonderful, calming atmosphere with staff that have always encouraged me to linger (despite my serf status) and take my time when enjoying the different scents on display.  And on display they are, not hidden behind an army of counter staff that eye you up with suspicion if you step into their radar circle.  And then there’s those chocolates downstairs…

Which is why I’m delighted to tell you about an event that I desperately wish I could attend!

The store is holding a fragrance extravaganza on Tuesday, 29th May from 6.30pm – 8.30pm and they’re inviting us to discover some new fragrances with the help of their in-house experts who will be available to guide us through some of their more niche lines.  Learn about the stories behind some of the most celebrated scents and develop your perfume-sniffing nose in a relaxed atmosphere:

1 – Azagury – Fashion designer Azagury will discuss the history of the fashion house; how he launched the new Romantic movement and the decision to launch the Azagury fragrance range.

2 – Caron and 3 – Creed – For a personalised and informative touch, James Craven from Caron and Creed will offer one-to-one consultations to help you discover the perfect fragrance for you.

4 – Grossmith – Simon Brooke of the Grossmith family will showcase original artefacts that tell the story of how he re-launched the iconic 1800s fragrance.

5 – Clive Christian – invites you to experience its uniquely expensive perfumes, created with no reference to cost and containing the rarest and most precious ingredients.

6 – Xerjoff – will recreate a workshop, allowing you to discover the natural essences produced in Xerjoff’s intoxicating perfumes, each with its own distinctive signature.

7 – House of Guerlain – will discuss the history of the famous European fragrance specialist.

8 – Micallef – will highlight the merits of using natural ingredients in luxury, niche perfumes.

9 – Illuminum – will present Gardenia White Petals, the fragrance worn by the Duchess of Cambridge on her wedding day.

I’d give my right arm (ok, maybe a finger) to have a one-to-one consultation on the Creed line of fragrances, which has always overwhelmed me thanks to the sheer choice available!  And as for Clive Christian… well… if you can attend, be sure to pay particular attention to “C” for women, one of the loveliest, deepest (and biggest) florals I’ve ever smelled.  And then when

Tickets are priced at £15 and are available by calling 0845 602 5694, each ticket purchased for the evening will be entered into a draw to win a hamper filled with perfumes hand-picked by Fortnum’s perfume buyer.

Has it really been a year since the Royal Wedding?  Amazing.  And to think that before then, no-one gave a shit about Pippa’s bum.  Oh, you you still don’t?  Me either.  As weddings go, it was quite a nice one… there weren’t any post-nuptial punch-ups outside the palace and no-one sicked on the bride’s train.

One of the wedding’s most enduring legacies (other than the arse du jour) is the brand that Kate chose to scent herself with on the big day, Illuminum.  Launched by creator Michael Boadi in March 2011, and elevated to cult status by the Duchess of Cambridge merely a month later, there isn’t a better welcome to the world than receiving an (unofficial) seal of approval by a real-life princess!

The Duchess of Cambridge chose White Gardenia Petals for her grand occasion, I chose Tahitian Yuzu simply because I had money burning a hole in my back pocket and I wanted. one. dammit. – you can see the similarities.

Tahitian Yuzu reminds me a little bit of L’Artisan’s Mûre et Musc, which also kicks off with a forest-fruit vibe.  In the case of Mûre et Musc, it’s blackberries… and in Tahitian Yuzu?  Blackcurrant.  But this is where the comparability ends.  Tahitian Yuzu blasts some major tropical notes with a sparkling cocktail of pineapple which gives real effervescence and youthfulness to the fragrance.  Mûre et Musc has a gentler, more home-grown berry feel.

Like an excitable hula-girl (yeah, they have those in Tahiti), the scent calms down as the night falls and the headier, more sensual notes of jasmine come to the surface.  Here lies the real heart of the perfume… I can still detect some lingering fruitiness but it becomes fully tempered by the softer night flowers which bring warmth and a little bit of sexiness to the fragrance.  The deeper, base notes of musk never fully surface on my skin, which is unusual because my chemistry normally carries them to the fore but I’m assuming that this is what grounds the accord and prevents it from projecting too light-heartedly.

Sillage is fairly weak which suits my interpretation of this as more of a skin-scent.  Step into a cloud of this as you step out of a shower and carry a little bit of the Southern Seas around with you for at least part of the day as alas, with my dry skin, I get low/medium longevity from this one, about 4 hours at the most.  Tahitian Yuzu is going to work beautifully on warm nights (if we get any) and I can’t wait to expose a bit more skin to the sun and see just how capable it is at transporting me to a tropical paradise!

Illuminum Tahitian Yuzu is available to buy instore at the Illuminum’s Perfume Lounge in Mayfair (I recommend a visit!), or directly from their website.  Priced at £70 for 50ml