Good Girl Carolina Herrera

When a fragrance has the wow factor, it has the wow factor and Caroline Herrera has definitely got that covered with Good Girl.  The outer packaging giving no clues away as what it is you will find inside, I was stunned to see just how the fragrance is packaged.

If ever there has been a way to give a fragrance the wow factor, whether or not stiletto heels are for you, then this has absolutely it, just stunning and the attention to detail is insane. As it happens, there is a reason for the Stiletto Heel design and it said that heels are the ultimate symbol of power, igniting passions with their extreme sensuality and that description works with that of the fragrance:

Be the most confident, powerful version of you with Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum; a sensual, charismatic fragrance that blends light and dark elements to capture the complexity of the modern woman.

When it comes to choosing a fragrance, for me it really is quite a person choice as to what works for you.  For me, I choose a fragrance to suit my mood, I am no more a fan of floral than I am fruit or oriental scents when it comes to an offering from a brand. In the same way, I also have a list of fragrances I cannot stand, despite their popularity and anyone who knows or has met me, will be able to name at least one of those.

Good Girl as a fragrance, which does sit in the Oriental family, is one that has captured my attention and I wasn't sure what I was going to make of it, though the notes are quite something and there is a lot going on with them.

• Top Notes: Almond
• Heart Notes: Tuberose & Jasmine Sambac
• Bottom Notes: Tonka Bean & Cocoa

With the opening spritz, which for fun is done with the heel of the Stiletto shaped bottle, there is a surprising burst of something fruity, which I had not expected at all, but alongside the fruity note you also get a contrast of those earthy greens and I loved it.  As the fragrance begins to dry down the heart notes really come through, not as delicate as you might think as Jasmine storms in to make a claim on this scent and for me, fragrances with Jasmine as a heart note are ones I tend to head towards, but the Tuberose adds some sweetness before the base notes bring about a wonderful richness which does have a slight bitterness until Tonka Bean comes into its own to add a very slight vanilla hint which I am delighted to say is not too over the top.

I have worn Good Girl a lot since it arrived just before Christmas and it has a really impressive longevity on the skin, it is one of those fragrances which I can spritz in a morning and still catch a sniff in the evening.  If you are a fan of scents such as YSL Black Opium then Good Girl is one to try.

Available in 30ml, 50ml and 80ml it is priced between £52 and £88 with The Perfume Shop currently. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Perfume Society Time to Shine Edition

The Perfume Society is described as being your personal fragrance shopper, taking you from discovery and selection to purchase. From finding “the one” , to building a seasonal fragrance wardrobe of many “ones” and all from the comfort of your own home. I was kindly sent the Time to Shine Discovery Box and I have really enjoyed trying out some fragrances that I have heard about but never come across.

The Time to Shine Discovery Box is priced £26 + p&p* to VIP Club Members & £30 + p&p* and it really does give you quite a selection of varied products inside. At this time of year when people are beginning to think about Christmas presents and gifting, if you have a friend or friends who absolutely love their fragrances, then a box such as this will really make a wonderful present because it is a whole lot more than just a box of samples.

Inside this hefty box of goodies you will find 11 different fragrances in a variety of sizes and two other beauty and well-being products which also have a scent theme to them.

Carolina Herrera Good Girl (7ml eau de parfum) - Good Girl is said to have been inspired by Carolina Herrera’s unique vision of the duality of the modern woman: audacious and sexy, elegant and enigmatic, good and bad. It sits within the Gourmand Oriental family and you might recognise the name because it has such a unique bottle that is shaped like a stiletto. 

With top notes of almond, heart notes of tuberose and Jasmine Sambac and Base notes of Tonka bean and cocoa, this fragrance is definitely on the floral side of fragrances and it has great sillage, I liked it a lot more than I was expecting too and I can imagine this is a scent that you can wear all year round.

Christian Louboutin Loubirouge (4ml eau de parfum) - This fragrance sits within the Oriental Spicy family and is one I actually expected to really dislike from the notes, but found myself quite liking it. 

It opens with top notes of Cardamon, heart notes of Iris and base notes of Vanilla.  As you can imagine it is very much a spicy vanilla fragrance and for me, the Iris stops the vanilla from over-dominating the fragrance to make it too heady and heavy. 

Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal A Paris 6ml eau de toilette - Without question this is a Chypre Floral and I need the larger bottle in my collection because I cannot get enough of it.  

With a top note of Pear; middle note of Jasmine and a base note of Honey, so it opens with a fresh fruity scent before Jasmine comes through and as a note I adore, it could never be too strong, but the honey note is the one which gives that sweet yet creaminess and it is just delightful.

Floral Street Ylang Ylang Espresso 10ml eau de parfum - A creamy Gourmand, this is one of my favourite scents from Floral Street. With top notes of Sichuan Pepper, Rose and Tangerine; heart notes of Ylang-Ylang, Tiramisu, Patchouli and Jasmine, plus base notes of Coffee, Whipped cream, Cacao and Guaiac Wood, there is nothing I dislike about the scent. The Ylang Ylang note is most definitely the dominant one with Jasmine and the coffee hiding behind it. A sweet balance of both the floral and coffee and the sillage is incredible.

Lalique Les Compositions Parfumées Velvet Plum 5ml eau de parfum - This is an Amber Woody Fragrance which, on the first spritz, I didn't really like as there is quite a sour note which dominates as it dries down and despite its name, there isn't a plum note within the description. Described as being a floral-synthetique, it opens with top notes of Nectarine, Pink Pepper and Mandarin Orange which I had expected to give it that spicy orange/citrus note but it doesn't.  The Heart notes are Iris, Tuberose and Osmanthus Absolute which I am guessing is where the plum part of the name is coming from. Finally the base notes of Suederal, Heliotrope, Patchouli and Cashmeran are all too much.

Maison Crivelli Santal Volcanique 5ml eau de parfum - This is a scent which firmly sits within the Woody Musky family and is described as being "the scent of scorched sandalwood on the slopes of an erupting volcano". It has notes of Ginger essential oil, cardamom essential oil, limette essential oil, sandalwood essential oil, cedar essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil, coffee absolute, musks and it is absolutely delightful. I was expecting something that resembles Old Spice from the description, but absolutely wrong on that front. It is quite the delight as the Sandalwood, the slightly dominant notes mixes with both the Ginger and Ylang Ylang, you get amazing sillage and I have really enjoyed wearing it.

Manos Gerakinis Parfums Immortelle 3ml eau de parfum - A Gourmand in every sense of the word and one that takes some getting used too, but it is absolutely lovely and to me brings back memories of a greek bakery. It has top notes of Cinnamon and Cloves; heart notes of Immortelle and Milk and then base notes of Brown sugar, Benzoin, Sandalwood and Patchouli. It has spice, it has butter and it is powdery all rolled into one.

Cochine Tuberose Absolute & Sandalwood (1.8ml eau de parfum) - This scent sits within the Woody Family and is said to be inspired by the romance of travel and long summer evenings in the tropics, our unique fragrances capture the very essence of romantic escapism. It has top notes of Pepper and Lemon Leaf, heart notes of tuberose absolute , ylang ylang , orris and base notes of leather and sandalwood and the only words I have to describe this fragrance is wow, stunning and I need to try the rest of the collection, I love it.

Memo Paris Suitcase Marfa 2ml eau de parfum & Irish Leather (2ml eau de parfum) - This is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women and men and it is absolutely stunning.  With top notes of Orange Blossom and Mandarin Orange; middle notes of Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang and Agave before the base notes of Vanilla, Sandalwood, White Musk and Cedar. It opens with the most wonderful citrus scent which then brings in the floral notes before drying down and whilst it isn't green or earthy, there is definitely a warmness that comes through.

Malin + Goetz Cannabis 0.75ml eau de parfum - This is a woody spicy fragrances, which despite it name contains no THC and has top notes of Black Pepper and Bergamot; heart note of Magnolia and finally the base notes are Patchouli, Cedar and Sandalwood. So it is earthy as well as being spicy and the heart note of magnolia manages to  not let the what should be the dominant notes take control.

Malin + Goetz Dark Rum 0.75ml eau de parfum - Described as being part of the Aromamatic Fruity Family, we have top notes of Plum and Bergamot; heart notes of Leather and Rum and finally base notes of Amber, Milk and Patchouli.  As a fragrance it starts off quite sweet and as it dries down, it is a warm creamy scent which thankfully isn't over-powered by the rum note.

That is all of the fragrances you get to test and try within this box but it doesn't stop there as we have two other products waiting.  The first comes from Cochine with a Hand Cream and within the box, you will either get White Jasmine & Gardenia or Vietnamese Rose & Delentii 50ml.  

I have White Jasmine & Gardenia which is a luxuriously creamy hand cream with notes of Jasmine, gardenia and peony which work alongside Vitamin E and natural, plumping Hyaluronate to hydrate and leave your hands moisturised.

Then finally from Ruth Mastenbroek we have the Ancient Frankincense Scented Candle (17g). If you like a candle that is spicy and warm, then this one you will absolutely love.  Whilst this version is just a sample tealight, as soon as the perfume box was opened, I could smell the candle.  With top notes of Pink Pepper Oil and Elemi Resin, Heart Notes of Frankincense Resin, Myrrh Resin and Labdanum Resin and base notes of Pine Resin,Cypress Oil and Patchouli Oil and it is the perfect scent for this time of year.

So there you have the entire contents of The Perfume Society Time to Shine Edition and it costs just £26*, so a great gift for a fragrance fan. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Lookfantastic The Scent Edit

This National Fragrance Week, LookFantastic have announced another Limited Edition box and this time it is The Scent Edit*.

Inside the box you will find not one, but 6 luxurious Eau de Parfums in The Scent Edit and it features everything from floral aromas and scents with

What I love about this box is that it gives you a chance to sample each one of these fragrances in your own time and at your own pace.

This box is priced at just £55 right here, and with every purchase, you'll receive a £55 voucher inside the box - redeemable on the full-size fragrance of of your choice.

What’s in the Box:

•    MUGLER Alien Eau de Parfum- 6ml 

•    Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum- 7.5ml 

•    Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb- 7ml 

•    Lancôme Idole Eau de Parfum- 5ml 

•    Lancôme Mr Big Mascara- 2ml 

Love the sound of The Scent Edit? It’s on sale right now and you can find it here*

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Jimmy Choo - I want Choo Fragrance

As a fragrance brand, Jimmy Choo is not one to feature within my collection, until now. Having recently been sent the I Want Choo by Jimmy Choo, the newest fragrance to be added to the range, I was keen to try it.

I Want Choo, which is a clever play on words, sits within the Oriental Floral family amongst fragrances for women. Described as being an ode to the playful spirit and confident glamour that epitomises the Jimmy Choo woman, this is a fragrance that surprised me.

The outer box, which is sparkly and red, perhaps perfect for St Valentine’s Day later this month, really captures your attention. Inside, the fragrance bottle features a gold orb shaped lid, before the glass bottle, with its narrow neck lending to a wider base, something many might describe as being akin to a feminine figure is finished off with a gold stamped JC logo which again, stands out on a Misty peach background.

Details aside, the fragrance notes for this are ones I like before I smelt it. Opening with top notes of Peach and Mandarin Orange, there is a fresh yet fruity scent which hits the senses before the middle notes of Jasmine and Red Lily add to the floral side of the fragrance settling it down to something that is delightfully sweet. The base note of Vanilla, is sweet and noticeable but for me, those top notes are the dominant notes with Jasmine sitting in the background.

A delightful fragrance which is perfect for the whole day and one which has amazing longevity. On my skin, I can still sense it some 5/6 hours after application.

I Want Choo by Jimmy Choo is currently on sale with The Perfume Shop exclusively and prices start at £45 for 40ml, £65 for 60ml rising up to £85 for 100ml. If this sounds like a fragrance toy like the sound of, helpfully, The Perfume Shop will send out a sample vial of the perfume with the purchase, so you can try it within your own surroundings before making a final decision as to whether or not it is for you. If it isn’t, then you can simply return it.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

IKON Fragrances

Introducing yourself to new fragrances on Zoom takes choosing a new scent to a whole new level, more so when you are talked through each note, the composition and its reason by an expert. 

The newly launched Ikon fragrances are described as being a range of premium, natural and responsible fragrances which have been developed with a premium, sustainable, natural mindset. IKON conceives fragrances as a holistic experience and are vegan, cruelty-free.

Available from The Fragrance Shop, IKON features 6 Eaux de parfum which are priced at £60 each and they feature responsibly sourced key ingredients and materials, plus the bottle is made from a light durable glass which is topped with a Manchurian ash wood cap, this is said to remind us that the most precious materials are often found in the most simple and natural of environments.

I find fragrances and their notes fascinating and I love that a scent can smell so differently on two people. Between the Mister and I, we went through each of the fragrances from a sample set that I was kindly set to whittle down to our favourite two - 807 and 906 being those choices.  Each one of the fragrance within the range is named by three numbers - 511, 709, 807, 906, 910 and 914 and of course they are all gender neutral/unisex.

Starting with 807 - This fragrance is described as being 'rousing and exotic - a scent of precious sensuality'. This fragrance sits within the Oriental Spicy family. It opens with a spicy mix of Rosewood, Cardamon and Neroli which is rich but most definitely woody. As it settles the heart notes of Jasmine, Saffron and Patchouli seep through before the base notes of Vanilla, Musk and Amber gives it a bit of warmth as it dries down.

I absolutely love this scent, it was the one we both agreed on immediately and whilst I think it does smell better on the mister, it is one of those fragrances either of us can wear and it smells differently.

The second choice is scent 906 which is described as being 'fascinating and dramatic - a fragrance of temptation'. For me, this one is my preferred scent of the two and it sits within the Oriental Floral family.

With a blend which is spicy but also what you might describe as being a bit moody. It has top notes of nutmeg, red berries and black pepper which give it that spice but the red berries are there in the background with an almost tartness to them. The middle notes which are made up of Jasmine, Tuberose and Ylang take the berries and their tartness and replace it with the most wonderful floral, if anyone knows my fragrances, Jasmine seemingly appears in all of my favourites, together the heart notes make way for the base notes of Amber, Musk and Patchouli, the latter fragrance note being the most dominant within this scent.

This fragrance is everything you would want if you like something to linger for hours, for which this one definitely does, ideal as an all day and all night scent, it is one which you can still catch a whiff of many hours after application. Despite its longevity, it isn't overly heavy but it is definitely a less is more when using.

If you are looking to change your fragrances to something which is vegan, cruelty-free and responsibly sourced, then this is a brand to look into. Whether you like floral, spicy or something a little bit different, Ikon has six fragrances for you to choose from and each one has a different story to tell.  You can find them all right here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Scentful - A UK surprise perfume subscription box

As subscription boxes go, Scentful describe themselves as being a UK Surprise Perfume subscription box which is delivered monthly and is priced at just £10.95 and for that money you get two 5ml vials which give you enough perfume for a month.

The Scentful subscription box is available for him or for her and if you don't want to purchase one for youself, you can gift them to someone, which I think is a really nice touch.

I was kindly gifted a monthly subscription box which comes really well packaged in a box which fits through the letterbox.  Inside the box I found two fragrances to try for myself and they are Wonderlust by Michael Kors and Nero Assoluto Roberto Cavalli.

I started with Wonderlust by Michael Kors which is described as being a spicy creamy floral. It has top notes of almond milk which gives a really lovely opening and then it settles with the middle note of heliotrope before the base notes of benzoin and cinnamon leave behind a lovely waft of warm and spicy sweetness and it once the skin it is really long-lasting.

The second fragrance Nero Assoluto by Roberto Cavalli was a first for me as it isn't a brand I am too familiar with when it comes to fragrances. Described as being part of the Oriental-woody family and it is definitely one of those noticeable scents that is warm and powdery but as it settles it becomes rather musky.  Nero Assoluto opens with top notes of orchid accord which then blends with the heart notes of dark vanilla before the base note of ebony wood take charge and settle the notes down.

I had never tried either of these fragrances before the Scentful box arrived, so what I loved was the chance to try both of them out at home, in familiar settings, rather than in a store where the fragrance becomes mixed with other scents and doesn't really give you a true sense of how it will smell on your own skin.  

Scentful for me as a subscription service is a great idea.  I like that there is no telling what scent might turn up, the vials are big enough that you get to try them out properly to make .your mind up about each one and I know that having tried both Wonderlust and Nero Assoluto that Wonderlust is the one which I prefer and the one which works better on my skin, whereas Nero Assoluto would work better for a friend of mine, so it therefore gives me a gifting idea too.

As mentioned, Scentful is a subscription service which gives you the choice to choose for her, him or to gift it to someone else.  It costs just £10.95 per month and you can sign up for 1,3 or 6 or 12 months as part of your subscription and you can find more information right here*.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Laboratorio Olfattivo Nun Eau De Parfum

Working from home might mean I am not wearing office attire every single day, but I am still functioning as a human being and getting dressed as though I am going to work, even though that means moving from the bed to the sofa with my laptop.  One product I wear daily is perfume, it is almost a robotic action after getting dressed and completing my skincare routine.  New to my collection is a fragrance I had never come across until it was kindly sent to me and I absolutely adore it. Meet Laboratorio Olfattivo Nun.

Laboratorio Olfattivo was born in 2009 when Daniela Caon and Roberto Drago’s love for niche perfumes. Fast forward to 2020 and there is now a collection of Eau de Parfum, Room Fragrances, soaps, sample kits, toiletry collections and more besides.

Like all fragrances, they are created to tell a story, usually through their notes and brand history. This one is no different.  

By this palindrome word, the Ancient Egyptian meant the primordial water, in other words the God Nun. According to the legend, this water gave birth to the Lotus, a flower which was used to hide into the water during the night, to open up again at the sunshine. While blossoming out the flower revealed the Sun God Atum. Hence the symbolism of the Sun God, of rebirth.

This fragrance arises from the Nun and opens up at the sunshine, while its scented molecules spread out into the air. It’s a tribute to this iconic, symbolic flower.

Now if that isn't a story behind a fragrance then I don't know what is. It opens with a real burst of citrus notes - Pear, Bergamot, Lemon and Neroli which individually are quite dominant notes but together, the pear brings about sweetness and allows the heart notes of blossoming lotus, Jasmine and Ylang-Ylang to come into their own. I love a fragrance which has Jasmine as a note, I can guarantee that 90% of my perfume collection is jasmine based as it just works with my skin oils so well. The heart notes are floral notes, they don't allow the top notes to dominate and instead, as the fragrance settles, the base notes of Woods, Amber, and Musk give the fragrance a fresh earthy scent which is just beautiful.

On this skin, this is a fragrance which lasts all day, by that I mean I apply it around 8am and I can still catch its scent around 5pm, though not as strong as it was after application. If I was going out of an evening, then I would re-apply.

I love everything about this fragrance from the outer box packaging to the luxurious bottle with the stylish label to the actual scent itself. Perfect for these warmer days and a definite fragrance for uplifting the mood.

Priced at £90 for 100ml, you can find Laboratorio Olfattivo Nun Eau De Parfum 

at Liberty.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Perfume Shop’s new range, ME

A few months ago I was invited along to the launch of “ME” the new range of fragrances from The Perfume Shop.  

Me consists of a new range of perfumes, home fragrances and body care products that through the power of fragrance helps you feel Tranquil, Invigorated and Empowered.

“Today we hear a lot about improving ourselves, being the best we can be, and optimising every element of our life. That’s all great, but what if we wanted to take a little time out and ask isn’t it time we were all #HappyBeingMe”

The campaign and the timely launch of these products are all about celebrating the way you feel and your moods. The range is vegan, cruelty-free and is presented in completely recyclable packaging.

Of the three ranges available, I was given a mixture of the fragrances and products. Each of the scents for each range is said to distinctive and individual and within each range, you can find - an Eau de Parfum, Body Lotion, Hand Lotion, Hand Wash, candle, reed diffuser and a shower gel. 

From the Tranquil range, I have the EDP, a unisex fragrance which comes packaged in a hefty weighted clear glass bottle with the name Granquil written clearly in the mint green colour matching the box and it features a wooden lid. 

Tranquil as a range asks you to find peace and serenity with the fresh, green scent.

“The perfect spring floral green scent with a basil top note, a middle note of neroli and base notes of Vetiver and white musk”

As soon as the scent is spritzed they earthiness of the basil top note is immediately recognisable as it settles and it works well with Vetiver but the scent of Neroli which is a citrusy orange fragrance gives this EDP a kick. Priced at £14.99 for 100ml this makes a really good gift.

From the Invigorated range I have the Reed Diffuser and the body lotion and both products are simply divine.

The Invigorated range is described as being on which helps you feel awake and energised with the fresh and floral scents.

“A fresh, fruity-floral scent with a distinctive top note of blackberry, middle notes of bay leaves and a base note of cedarwood”

Looking at the notes for this range it definitely reminds me of Jo Malone and the scent itself is not too dissimilar, for me, it is slightly stronger on the blackberry note but with the inclusion of cedarwood which has a Woody tone to it, it gives the fragrance a more balanced scent.

The reed diffuser is quite potent, I have mine in the hallway and it is a scent you notice as soon as you enter the house. The body lotion is lightweight on the skin but it is also hydrating without being tacky or greasy when applied. 

Finally from the Empowered range, I have the fragranced candle and the soap.

Empowered is described as helping you to conquer the day with its revitalising blend of zesty citrus and aromatic notes:

“A citrus aromatic scent with top notes of lime, mandarin, orange and bergamot. Middle notes of basil, lilac, iris and thyme with base notes of Vetiver and amber wood.

This is my favourite scent of the three and there is something unique about it. I love the sharpness of the citrus notes which are not too strong but definitely noticeable against the earthy tones of the basil, Vetiver and to some extent amber wood. 

The entire ME range is on sale via The Perfume Shop with prices starting at £5.99 right up to the £14.99 price of the Eau de Parfum. 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Stories by Eliza Grace No.01

Choosing a fragrance to wear is a real personal thing to do, it can be chosen to reflect your mood, evoke a memory or simply because you just like it.  What if that fragrance you chose also told its own story? Well, Eliza Grace has created two fragrances which do just that and I am lucky enough to be the owner of No.01 which has an incredible story to tell.

Described as being a fragrance range that weaves a narrative from mislaid memories, childhood dream and long-forgotten hope. The lady behind the brand, Tonya Kidd-Beggs is a full-time mother of four, with two boys and twin girls to keep her busy. More than that, Tonya’s family play a significant role in her scent story with her twin girls being the inspiration behind the brand name.

Tonya travelled to Grasse – the home of perfumery – to develop her Stories by Eliza Grace collection, to work alongside and with the world’s best perfumers. Using only the finest raw materials sourced from all over the world, the notes and undertones of each fragrance have been chosen to not only awaken the senses but to also reflect part of the brand's story.

I was kindly gifted Stories No.1 from the collection and it tells the uplifting story of sorrow transformed into beauty, of the dark yielding to the light.

As I sat surrounded by the tiny brown bottles of The Perfumer's Organ in a village in the French Riviera, I was confronted by some of my most powerful memories. Each scent I inhaled illuminated the shadows of a difficult past and marked the beginning of a healing journey.

Storied No.1 is the fragrance of the two that captured by attention. It opens with the Citrus notes of bergamot, grapefruit and orange blossom which give that zesty burst of life, one which you can't help but just absolutely love the tanginess off, but for me it was the heart notes to stand out and that is not only due to the deep warmth of cedarwood but in fact the inclusion of Jasmine, one of my favourite notes within a fragrance, no matter where it sits. Added to that we have heliotrope and a fig tea accord. The base notes of amber, sandalwood and that hint of Vetiver, which again I also absolutely love, give this fragrance a real touch of elegance but one which has staying power on the skin that isn't over-bearing, but strong to linger for most of the day.

Availability

If you like a fragrance so much that it comes with a handy and body lotion, then this brand will tick those boxes for you too.  Stories by Eliza No.1 is available as a 15ml, 30ml and 100ml with prices rises from £15 to £120 in Harvey Nichols.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Annicke Eau de Parfum Pour Femme by Eight & Bob

I love it when a product has a story to tell and Annicke Eau de Parfum by Eight & Bob has one which captivated me when I was told all about it at a Bloggers Event.

The story starts like this - One night during the winter of 1936, everything changed for Albert Fouquet. Fouquet had travelled to Megève, a meeting place for the European aristocracy, to attend a dinner organised by his friend, Nicolas. Albert was the perfect French gentleman, a passionate traveller with a fascinating pastime: he created perfumes for his own personal use. These perfumes became an object of desire within his social circle, and the perfect gift for Albert’s aristocrat friends on special occasions. That magical night in Megève turned Fouquet’s life upside down: it was Annicke, a young Austrian girl, the daughter of a banker and Hungarian noble. Her extraordinary beauty, innate elegance and irresistible personality made Albert’s heart skip a beat. She was the most amazing woman he had ever met. Their conversation and dancing, together with the warmth from the fireplace on that cold winter night left their imprint in Fouquet’s mind and on his heart, along with the indelible image of Annicke. There was no doubt that he had met the most fascinating woman that any man could ever have imagined. That magical night turned into day, but Albert had to leave for Paris at sunrise. But not before writing a heartfelt letter to Annicke, in which he expressed his ardent desire to see her again as soon as it was possible. Months passed and many letters were exchanged between Albert and Annicke. Their words of love, desire and dreams all inspired Fouquet to create a unique and exquisite perfume, which concentrated all that Annicke meant to him.

A perfume that was as precious as the woman who had captured his heart. When they met again in Vienna, Albert surprised Annicke with his first creation. She was amazed by the scent as were her acquaintances, creating an irresistible interest around the young perfumer. From that moment on, whenever Albert visited his beloved Annicke, he surprised her with a new creation, a new aromatic gem for her growing collection. Fragrances that delighted and fascinated her, always the most exquisite combinations of scents. And now, many years later, Eight & Bob produces the same scents for women who, like Annicke, are captivated by the exclusivity of this unique fragrance collection.

Such a beautiful story behind some quite stunning fragrances and I was kindly gifted this discovery set which features vials of all 6 Annicke fragrances.  

Each fragrance is numbered 1-6 and they are all completely different and unique.

• Annicke 1 is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance and it has top notes are mandarin orange, peony and ivy; middle notes are lily-of-the-valley, jasmine and cyclamen; base notes are driftwood and white musk.  It is a beautiful fragrance and one which you can smell on clothing a day or two after using.  It starts off quite citrusy with a hint of floral before lily-of-the-valley and the musk dominate to make what is a beautiful everyday scent.
• Annicke 2 is an Oriental Floral fragrance and it has top notes of mandarin orange, fig and hazelnut; middle notes are tuberose, immortelle and ylang-ylang; base notes are sandalwood, vanilla and cedar.  Now I am not a fan of vanilla as a scent at all, it leaves me with a headache, but thankfully, within Annicke 2, the vanilla scent isn't at all heavy.  What I love about this fragrance is the fruity notes of the mandarin orange mixing with the floral notes before Sandalwood and Cedar take over to settle the scent.
• Annicke 3 is a Chypre Floral fragrance and it has top notes of bergamot, mandarin orange and red berries; middle notes are gardenia, jasmine and white rose; base notes are meringue, cashmere wood and sandalwood. 
• Annicke 4 sits within the Floral-Woody-Fruity family and it has top notes of blackcurrant buds and nectarine, heart notes of ylang-ylang, rose and jasmine and base notes of patchouli, cashmeran and oakmoss. This is my favourite scent of all 6, I love the fruity notes as they mix with the floral notes, neither overpowering another and as soon as the base notes come into their own, they blend together and create a fragrance I adore.
• Annicke 5 is a Floriental fragrance which has top notes of bergamot, lily-of-the-valley and rum, heart notes of honey, plum and ambre 84 DL and base notes of patchouli, caramel and vanilla leaves.  Another beautiful fragrance, but for me, it is one which gets better and better as it settles on the skin.
• Annicke 6 is another Floriental and this time we have top notes of bergamot, carnation and Sichuan pepper, heart notes of rose, cinnamon and ambre 84 DL and base notes of sandalwood, labdanum and benzoin.  This one for me is my second favourite and it is one of those fragrances that can see you from day to night and still smell as amazing.   The floral notes mixed with the Sichuan Pepper giving it that hint of spice.

Having the chance to try a discovery set such as this one is a great introduction to perfume brands, each 100ml of Annicke is priced at £140 from John Lewis*, Lookfantastic* and Harvey Nichols, so it is a lot of money to pay out for something you might not like after a few uses, by having a sample vial, it gives you the chance to try a fragrance within familiar surroundings to make up your mind.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Moschino Toy 2 Eau de Parfum

If ever there was a cute but intriguing way to package a fragrance, I think Moschino win that war. With fragrances packaged inside replica cleaning bottles such as Pink Fresh Couture and Gold Fresh Couture, they really captured your attention and are as fun as they wonderfully scented. Now we have Toy 2 which a Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women. 

Created by Alberto Morillas and Fabrice Pellegrin, Toy 2 comes packaged inside the Iconic Teddy Bear which is a transparent glass bottle with opaque finishing touches. The Teddy Bear hugging the clear flacon and it is fun to look at and use and it is very much in keeping with what I expect from Moschino.

Toy 2 sits within the Floral Woody Musk family and it opens with a burst of sweet citrus and crisp apple notes which is juicy and sweet yet soft all at the same time and that is due to the top notes of mandarin orange, apple and magnolia.  The Floral notes come from the middle notes of peony, white currant and jasmine, all of which a form a clean and slightly powdery scent which I really like because you can also still detect the freshness of the apple. Then we have the base notes of Sandalwood, Amberwood and Musk which adds some depth to the scent as it dries down on the skin to create a nice balance of notes.

This is a kind of fragrance you can wear for any occasion be it just for day to day or of an evening.  What has impressed me the most is the longevity, this is a fragrance that lasts for a good 8-9 hours once applied.  It takes a good few minutes once spritzed to dry down and settle but as soon as it has done so, the scent lingers all day.

Moschino Toy 2 is priced at £45 for 30ml here*, £66 for 50ml here* and £85 for 100ml here*. For a fun looking fragrance, Moschino definitely tick all the boxes with Toy 2.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.