Lacura Peptide Lip Treatment - Rhode Dupe?

A product that adorns my social media feed is the Rhode's skin peptide lip treatment which has been a viral hit for years, and well as the title might suggest, Aldi has a product that might have been inspired by that product with their Lacura peptide lip treatment.

Priced at just £2.99 you could argue that it has been designed to rival Rhode's popular version, albeit it almost £15 cheaper. With its sleek grey design it does share some similarities with Rhode, both equally stylish and practical, and both feature 10ml of product making it the perfect size to fit in any bag or even a trouser pocket. 

The applicator helpfully features a classic angled tip, making it easy to apply just like you would with a traditional lipstick.

From the ingredients I noticed in Rhode’s formula, Lacura’s peptide treatment includes the same shea butter, vitamin E-rich babassu oil, but rather than the one peptide, the Lacura version features two types of peptides. Both products feature 'palmitoyl tripeptide-1', which helps support and repair the skin, but Lacura adds 'palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7', which works to prevent collagen loss and stop signs of ageing.

Coat your lips with a layer of moisture with this Peptide Lip Treatment. With a combination of peptides, shea butter, capuacu butter and babassu, your lips will look softer and full with a super glossy finish. Whether on top of bare lips or over the top of your favourite lipstick or liner for a much-needed moisture boost, this lip balm is a makeup bag essential.

From Lacura, the peptide Lip Treatment is available in three options - Unscented, Watermelon and Salted Caramel whereas Rhode features one extra offering with Vanilla. 

Whilst I am yet to try the Rhodes Peptide Lip Treatment, I have got the three Aldi Lacura ones and what I love about them is that each one feels nourishing without being heavy, and when paired with a matte lipstick, they add a lovely glossy shine.  Of the three, the Unscented option is perfect for those who just don't enjoy scented lip products, which would usually be my preference, but the Salted Caramel version smells delightful, very much how you expect a salted caramel latte would smell if I am to compare.  Then there is the Watermelon which smells like a sweet freshly cut watermelon and not at all synthetic. 

Given the price of under £3, I can say that all three of these are wonderful to use, a non-sticky or tacky formula with no unpleasant aftertastes or artificial smells, making them a great alternative.

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

Hair Care Dupe Gift Sets 2023

Everyone seems to be enamoured with the Olaplex System and for those who have hair that it works with and for, I can see why, for me, it seems almost too heavy feeling. As always, there is a whole host of alternatives out there to be found, from the likes of L'Oreal Paris Elvive Bond Repair System to the two offerings I am sharing today.

Starting with my beloved Aldi and their beauty brand Lacura. It has been well documented that Lacura Bonded Hair care products are similar to Olaplex, albeit, it is pried at a much more competitive price.

For Christmas, Lacura is releasing the Bonded Gift Set (£9.99) and inside, it offers the ultimate hair care experience. 

Inside this gift set, you will find:

• Bonded Pre-Wash Hair Treatment (100ml),
• Bonded Moisture Mask (50ml)
• Bonded Hair Oil (20ml).
• White hair scrunchie

The hydrating Bonded Hair Oil is a brand new launch, it hasn't been released until now and is definitely a product to look out for.

Then the second collection of products is from a brand I have used before and one which has impressed me and that is The Plex System and it is one you can find in both B&M and Savers.

The New PlexSystem range has launched with a five step programme and with it, a whole host of scientific formulations that are designed to harness a ‘Smoothing Infusion’ to restore and protect damaged hair. It is a five-step routine, featuring five full sized products and inside this gift box you will find the following:

• 1. Cleansing Shampoo
• 2. Nourishing Hair Mask
• 3. Hydrating Conditioner
• 4. Restoring Hair Oil
• 5. Styling Hair Serum

This collection will be priced around £9.99, so again it is a great little money saver and a great gift for those who love their hair care products.

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

FaceFact Wonder Cream

I have featured facefact a few times now on my blog and if you haven't yet come across them, they are a brand that is described as being affordable and feel good skincare and today I am featuring the Wonder Cream.

Described as being a dreamy blend of botanical extracts and antioxidants which help to rejuvenate, boost hydration and get that youthful, smooth, glowing feeling. It is packaged in a small glass jar and already a few people have asked if it is a dupe for Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream and personally, I don't think it is.

This Wonder Cream has been expertly crafted with a host of amazing ingredients which includes: 

• Niacinamide, 
• Hyaluronic Acid 
• Liquorice Root, 
• Green Tea 
• Rosemary Extracts 

All of these ingredients come together to really give your skin, as has been described,  a boost of hydration along with a smooth and glowing complexion.

I really like the texture of this cream, it is rich and indulgent without being too thick. When applied to the skin, it massages in really quickly and because it is fragrance free, it is unlikely to cause any irritation.  Once applied after cleansing and toning, my skin always feels hydrated and smooth to the touch.

It can be used both morning an evening as part of your skincare routine and as with all products within the Face Facts range have been expertly formulated for all skin types, including for those who have dry and sensitive skin.

The Face Facts range is also fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and vegan friendly and it is readily available from Home Bargains, B&M, and Savers.  The Wonder Cream costs just £7.99.

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

Aldi Lacura Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit Dupe

It is well known now that I love a good Aldi Lacura beauty product and in recent months there has been some brilliant releases, from the exciting Sweet Angel Shower Gel, which may or may not be similar to Snow Fairy from Lush, Their BHA Toner which is aid to be similar to Paula's Choice, through to their Charlotte Tilbury inspired lip launches.  Today it is another inspired product and the Lacura Lip Kit.

Said to be inspired by the Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit, £28. Looking at the packaging, you can see that similarly just like Kylie Cosmetics, the Aldi Lacura version is housed in millennial pink packaging with the lip print and inside it contains two products a matte liquid lipstick and liner duo. 

Priced at just £4.99 each, there is a choice of three different shades, my local Aldi had just the one shade in stock and thankfully, the one I wanted in Nearly Nude, which is said o be inspired by the shade Kylie.  The other options are ‘Just Peachy’ which is similar to ‘Sweater Weather’ and then the shade ‘Velvet Sugar’ which is inspired by he shade Twenty’

As expected, both of these products are really impressive, described as having a long-lasting formula and of course it is Vegan.  

The liner which is more of a pinkier brown shade than it looks, glides onto the lips as thought it is a balm, it is so soft and smooth, easy to smudge if the need arises and it does wipe away if a mistake is made, but you need to do it before it settles.  However, what it does is create a great liner for your lips and it works well with other lipsticks too.

Then the liquid lipstick, I adore it, there ive said it.  It is bright, it is pigmented, it glides smoothly onto the lips without being taut and whilst it does dry down quite quickly, it is a definite liquid lipstick which some might want to add a gloss too, depending on which type of finish you like, But the colour is also slightly more Pink than its inspired offering, so something to have in mind.

As you can see from the swatches above, which are not edited, both the Lip Pencil and the Liquid Lip do give good colour pay off and they work with other products that you might have in your stash.

Each one of these Aldi Lacura lip kits is priced at £4.99 each and in comparison to the Kylie Cosmetic Lip Kits are priced around £28, it is quite the saving!  As with most Aldi Lacura products, if you spot them in the middle aisle, grab them as quickly as you can if you want to give them a try because they never hand around for long!

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

Revolution Pro Miracle 12 Day Beauty Advent Calendar

Revolution is back with another Advent Calendar within their arsenal and this time it is the Revolution Pro Miracle 12 Day Advent Calendar 2023 - here.

This Advent Calendar is worth £91.00 and is on sale priced at just £55.00 and inside it features some of the brands bestsellers, including that much hyped Charlotte Tilbury dupe!

On sale here

If you don't want to see what is inside this Advent Calendar, then please do not scroll down any further because there is a list of the contents.

Contents

• Revolution Pro Miracle Lip Oil 8ml
• Revolution Pro Tweezers Gold
• Revolution Pro Miracle Cream (Rose Aroma) 50ml
• Revolution Pro Miracle Eye Cream 15ml
• Revolution Pro Miracle Lip Oil Shimmer 8ml
• Revolution Pro Miracle Waffle Head Wrap
• Revolution Pro Miracle Waffle Makeup Bag
• Revolution Pro Miracle Wrist Bands
• Revolution Pro Miracle Cleansing Pads
• Revolution Pro Miracle Waffle Eye Mask
• Revolution Pro Miracle Lip Balm Tin 12g
• Revolution Pro Miracle Eye Massager Gold

This Advent Calendar is on sale now at Look Fantastic and if you want to be kept up to date with news on other Beauty Advent Calendars, then I have them listed right here.

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

Aldi Lacura 2% BHA Toner – A Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Toner Dupe?

Did you know that Paula's Choice BHA Toner sells one every 7 seconds? Well it is true and if you haven't tried it yet, then it is one product I always tell people to try, especially if they like other similar branded products. Today in stores, Aldi has launched their latest beauty dupe - the Aldi Lacura 2% BHA Toner, which is said to have been ‘inspired’ by the iconic, bestselling Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Toner!

Priced at just £4.99 for 100ml, the Aldi Lacura 2% BHA Toner is packaged in a very similar looking bottle to the Paula’s Choice BHA Toner with the grey bottle and white lid, the only difference from Aldi is that there is a white bottom on their bottle, but if you're a fan of the iconic Paula's Choice, then this one worth looking out for!

“Specially formulated with Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Methylpropanediol, the new innovative beauty buy is both fragrance-free and vegan-friendly.“

The Aldi Lacura 2% BHA Toner is £4.99 and contains 100ml but the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is priced at £34 and contains 118ml, so the price difference could save you a huge 85% or £29 in monetary terms. 

Offering a very gentle and lightweight formula, the BHA Toner promises to effectively remove dead skin for a smoother, clearer, and more luminous complexion and with the inclusion of that much loved BHA ingredient which offers anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce the appearance of breakouts and blackheads, it is a product worth having.

Look out for and Buy here

This new Aldi Lacura 2% BHA Toner is, as you would expect from the brand both fragrance-free and vegan-friendly, and is set to launch in stores today alongside some other much loved dupes, include that Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base which I've reviewed here. 

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

Aldi Lacura Perfect Nude Lip Range - Charlotte Tilbury Dupes?

If you have taken a stroll down the middle aisle of Aldi in recent weeks, you will have noticed an explosion of products within the Lacura range - The ProNight Advanced Range getting a lot of attention as well as the Perfect Nude Lip Range which sold out as quickly as baskets were filled, though thankfully I did manage to grab one of each.

The Perfect Nude Lip Range has been likened to products from the Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk collection and whilst there is some similarity within the shades, not so much with the packaging, but as ever, here is a look at each product. Priced at £2.99, the Aldi Lacura Perfect Nude Lip Range features a Lipstick, Lip Liner and Lip Gloss, all of which are described to boast a "stunning universal nude-peach shade".

The Lacura Perfect Nude Lipstick (£2.99, 3.5g) is sold in a pretty pastel pink box which clearly labels the product inside. The lipstick bullet itself is silver in colour, not gold like its Pillow and it is more of a triangular shape than cylindrical, in the middle of the silver tube is the letter L for Lacura. At first glance, it doesn't look or feel like a lipstick that has cost £2.99, it is quite weighty in your hands.

The lipstick bullet itself does look very similar to the original Pillowtalk shade in natural light and it is said to offer a buildable and high colour payoff to give a velvety soft matte look with a hint of highlight. The texture of both Charlotte Tilbury and Aldi Lacura are very different, Tilbury is much smoother than Lacura and the latter slightly more chalky but not too drying. Enriched with Moon Orchard Plant and carefully formulated with specially selected waxes, this Lacura Perfect Nude Lipstick is designed to ensure the colour effortlessly glides to give a flawlessly hydrated finish.

On the lips, I am a huge fan of the colour, it is a shade, like Pillowtalk, that will suit pretty much everybody, but what has really impressed me is the longevity because it lasts all day, doesn't transfer as much as I had expected, infact it is barely noticeable. So impressive for £2.99.

The second product within this trio is the Lacura Perfect Nude Lip Liner (£2.99, 1.2g) and again, there are some similarities to the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat.

Keeping with the theme of silver metallic packaging, this lip liner is sleek in design and again, for the price it definitely doesn't have that budget feel to it. If anyone does get their hands on this product, I would suggest sharpening it first because it is slightly tough and drags a little, but as soon as I had sharpened, it was a breeze to use and I absolutely love the shade, it is also really creamy when applied and could be used on its own as a lip colour.  

Again, it is formulated with a blend of Coconut Oil and Soya Bean Oil which work to offer a seamless and moisturising finish. This lip liner is everything it claims to be - long lasting, non-transferring and it has a smooth and velvety texture.

The final product within this trio is the Lacura Perfect Nude Lip Gloss (£2.99, 2.7ml). This Lip Gloss was a bit of a surprise for me because I haven't stopped wearing it since I bought it.  Described as being a dupe of the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre Lip Lacquer, Pillow Talk, but again there are only a few similarities.

Again, this lip gloss is packaged so beautifully it looks much more than a high street brand, packaged in a clear glass tube with a silver lid, it keeps in design with both the Lip Liner and Lipstick. This Gloss is enriched with Collagen, Coconut Oil, Vitamin A and also includes Mint Oil, so it not only leave your lips feeling smooth, soft and moisturised it also has an aromatic scent creating a refreshing feel. 

It isn't sticky or tacky when applied and as it is sheer, it works wonderfully well with the lip liner and lipstick or on its own.

 

Aldi Lacura is a cruelty-free beauty brand and this launch of its new line-up of luxe makeup must-haves are priced from £2.99.

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

Aldi Lacura Launch Estée Lauder Dupe Range

Well it was going to happen and here it is! Aldi, with their Lacura brand has launched the ProNight Advance range which you could say is very much inspired by Estee Lauder.

It has now launched in stores and is expected to sell out, as all the Lacura launches do, especially as it is priced from just £4.99.

The ‘ProNight Advanced range’ which is dermatologically tested and boasts the perfect combination of natural and antioxidant-rich ingredients that work overnight to repair, hydrate and rejuvenate whilst reversing daytime sun damage.  It features three products and combined, are said to give you a saving of up to 90% compared to the  luxury brand, Estée Lauder!

Starting with the Lacura ProNight Advanced Face Cream (£5.99, 50ml), not only is it incredibly hydrating, but it is designed to rejuvenate the appearance of dull and dry skin. 

Formulated with ingredients that have moisture-binding properties, you will find  Shea Butter, Hyaluronic Acid and Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract (a form of seaweed/kelp) to reduce the look of wrinkles, dark circles and signs of ageing.  I have only been using this cream for a few days and what I like is the texture is not thick, greasy or tacky when applied to the skin, it is infact smooth and really hydrating, so I am looking forward to see how this works over the coming weeks.

Potential Dupe for the Estée Lauder Nightwear Plus Face Cream.

The second product within this range is the Lacura ProNight Advanced Face Serum (£5.99 30ml) and possibly the product most people will be curious about. 

Designed to promote younger looking, radiant skin, it has a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula which is enriched with Copper Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and Allantoin for an all-in-one recovery complex that will soothe, moisten, and restore.  I am a huge fan of the Estée Lauder Night Serum and can't even count the number of bottles I have used over the years, so this product is definitely the one to catch my attention within this range.  It does have a dropper to help apply the right amount of serum and whilst the textures are different, with this one being slightly runnier, it does feel delightful on the skin and isn't sticky or tacky - a big issue I have with any serum!

Potential dupe for the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

The final product within this trio is the Lacura ProAdvanced Eye Serum (£4.99, 20ml) and whilst I don’t have this in my collection, you can bet that I am intrigued to try it.

Enriched with Caffeine, Algae and Chamomile Flower Extract to rejuvenate and visibly reduce signs of ageing around the eyes, the ingredients are said to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and age spots.   Again, Aldi have created their product with a dropper to help with the application of this serum and again, the description does state that it absorbs super quick into the skin on application.

Potential dupe for the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

As you can see, this is an impressive looking range from Aldi 's in house Lacura brand and you might notice there is one huge difference - the packaging.  Not the same and possibly only similar with the bronze/brown coloured bottles of the serums.

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

Top 10 dupes for your favourite high-end beauty brands

I love a good dupe product, one which really makes you question the price of a high-end brand and whether you are being overcharged. Not all dupes are dupes of course, just because something looks similar doesn’t mean it is the same, as the saying goes, even salt looks like sugar.

Over the past 12 months there has been an explosion of dupes and not just from Revolution and Aldi Lacura, if you are on or watch anything on Tiktok it is awash with dupes and as seen on the infographic below, it showcases some of the best viral beauty dupes for 2023 but not all.

As you can see, those are just 8 dupes from brands you might now have expected to see, like Elf, L’Oreal and even Fenty Beauty, but for me, there are some that should have made that list. In recent weeks, I shared the Aldi Lacura Eyeshadow Primer which to all intents and purposes is inspired by Urban Decay and their Eyeshadow Potion, very much a HG product for many. Again, Aldi have also got their own Hot Cloth Cleanser which is similar to that of Liz Earle, but it isn’t just Aldi. Primark also has an incredible line up of ‘dupes’, most recently, people raved about the PS Skin Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment, which is most definitely inspired by the cult classic from Dr Jart+ and even more recent was the PS Flawless Glow Radiant Primer Foundation which many claimed was a potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, £36.

So, if I was to create my very own Top 10 makeup dupes for your favourite high-end beauty brands, this is what you would find on that list:

• Aldi Lacura Vitabase Moisturising Primer - potential dupe for Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
• E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter - potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
• Rimmel Magnif'eyes 12 Pan Shade Palette Spice - potential dupe for Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette
• L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup - potential dupe for Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
• Aldi Lacura Microblade Effect Pen - potential dupe for Benefit Cosmetics Brow Microfilling Brow Pen
• Elf 16hr Camo Concealer - potential dupe for Tarte Shape Tape
• Revolution Pro Miracle Cream - potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
• Aldi Lacura Vanilla Golden Bath Nectar - potential dupe for Laura Mercier Honey Bath
• Revolution Pro Miracle Balm - potential dupe for Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream
• Essence Stay 8h Waterproof Lip Liner - potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

That least doesn’t even cover hair care or fragrances, which again both Aldi and Revolution have hair care dupes of Olaplex and Living Proof in their line-ups, and the same for fragrances.

I would love to know if you have a favourite dupe of a high-end branded product!

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

Lacura Eyeshadow Primer

I love a good dupe and one brand who seemingly gets it good on most occasions is Aldi with their Lacura range. The last addition to my stash comes in the form of the Lacura Eyeshadow Primer, which you might say looks and sounds similar to the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion.

With its similar designed tube, though different in colour - Urban Decay use their purple shade where as Aldi Lacura have chosen to use an Ombre purple and blue colouring, but the jewel-like cap on the tube is almost identical. One of the biggest differences being the price £3.99 v £19.50, assuming the Aldi offering is worth its money.

Prolong the look of your eye makeup with the new Lacura Eyeshadow Primer. This primer glides effortlessly onto the lids to create the perfect canvass for makeup application.

I have tried many eyeshadow primers over the years and always end up coming back to Urban Decay because it is just so good, but then came Lacura!

With its incredibly soft applicator, Lacura has managed to create something which doesn't hold too much of the primer, so there is no wastage. Formulated with polymer technology, this formula has a super lightweight texture and it features a finish which prevents creasing and locks in your makeup all day.

I adore the shade of this primer, incredibly light and not at all noticeable once it has been applied to the lids, of which, you need the smallest amount.  Once applied, you don't even notice it is there, it doesn't dry or feel heavy and after a few seconds, you can apply your eyeshadow.  It does create a crease-free base and impressively, I have found my eye makeup stayed in place for 6-7 hours before I needed to re-apply, so it got me through a day of work, but if going out in an evening, there would be a need to re-apply.  With Urban Decay, I do get a slightly longer wear, but in reality for me, there isn't a lot to choose between the two.

For £3.99, the Aldi Lacura Eyeshadow Primer is one to pick up if you see it in store or even online.

 

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

Noted. Aromas - Designer Inspired Fragrances

A brand I have seen all over my social media feed is Noted. Aromas and they are described as being a designer inspired perfume dupes which are strong, long lasting Eau De Parfum that smell just like the designer brands.

Noted. Aromas state that they are focused on making fragrances that people already love, but that they would now be able to afford and all without compromising on the high quality ingredients used to make them. So with no celebrity endorsements, no fancy bottles or packaging, what you see is what you get.

If you love fragrances by Creed, Dior, Le Labo and Tom Ford to name a few, then Noted. Aromas might just have your favourite fragrance! I was kindly sent two fragrances to try and there is one for me and one for the mister. 

First up for him is Aspen and if you are familiar with Creed and Silver Mountain Water then this is an amazing dupe.

A fragrance which could be worn by anyone, it is described as being a cool and clean contemporary fragrance that is full of refreshing citrus aromas with a hint of blackcurrant and musk. With Top Notes of Bergamot, Mandarin and Neroli you get that opening blast of fresh citrus notes which make way for the heart notes of Blackcurrant and Green Tea which keeps the sharpness of the citrus whilst settling the notes down before Musk and Sandalwood, which make up the base notes and if you are familiar with either note, they bring about those earthy tones to keep the fragrance fresh, long lasting and not overly bitter.

As a comparison to Silver Mountain Water by Creed, the initial spritz of the scent is identical and as it settles there is little difference between the two, the only subtle difference is the overall longevity.  When it comes to the price, from Noted. Aromas you can expect to pay between £4.99 and £29.99 for a bottle of Aspen whereas you can expect to pay as much as £185 for Creed.

Then we have Paris and it is inspired by one of my absolute favourite fragrances - J'Adore by Dior and again, it is just phenomenal.

Described as being a sophisticated floral fruity fragrance which is the incarnation of absolute femininity and is effortlessly seductive, this was one of the first big brand fragrances I bought. Similar to J'adore, Paris has Top Notes of Pear, Melon, Magnolia, Peach, Mandarin Orange and Bergamot, so you immediately get that strong fruity scent before the Heart Notes of Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Tuberose, Freesia and Rose come to life to give that floral side of this fragrance and together they are strong, fresh and just beautiful. The Base Notes are Musk, Vanilla, Blackberry and Cedar and again they bring everything together without making it too powdery or sweet. For anyone who loves a Jasmine note in their fragrance, you will immediately notice it within Paris.

As a comparison to J'Adore by Dior, the initial spritz of the scent is identical and as it settles there is no difference between the two, when it comes to longevity, Paris lasts much longer on my skin.  When it comes to the price, from Noted. Aromas, again you can expect to pay between £4.99 and £29.99 for a bottle of Aspen whereas you can expect to pay as much as £110 for J'Adore.

This has been my first foray with Noted. Aromas and I am sure it won't be my last because there is a whole list of fragrances that I want to work my way through!

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

Aldi £7 perfume dupe of Creed Aventus

Aldi fragrances are products that you need to get as soon as you see them, because like much of the Lacura range, it is out of stock as quickly as it comes in stock. The newer launches within the Fragrance range called Her Reign, is the female version of His Reign, which launched earlier this year.

If you are a fan of the Aldi fragrances, you will be delighted to know that they will be back for Christmas and of those scents, these two will be part of the collection.   These two fragrances are said to be Aldi Lacuras most premium fragrances to date. 

Starting with His Reign Eau de Parfum (£6.99, 100ml), a fragrance which takes its inspiration from Creed Aventus (£295, 100ml) so already that is a phenomenal saving.

The His Reign bottle, is as you can see, chrome in design with a matching lid and the only writing on the bottom of any note is the name of the fragrance. In comparison to Creed Aventus, their bottle is see through, except for a black band around the middle of the bottle to denote the fragrance and brand, and it also has a black lid, so not match in any way and other than the slightly curved shape, it could be argued.

For me, His Reign comes into its own with the scent test. With Creed Aventus you get Top notes: Bergamot, Blackcurrant, Apple, Pineapple, Heart notes: Juniper Berries, Birch, Patchouli, Jasmine and Base notes: Musk, Oak Moss, Ambergris, Vanilla and it is a long-lasting fruity fragrance, which is just stunning.  Then with His Reign it is described as boasting "a bold and refined scent that is sure to inspire confidence". So we have top notes of blackcurrant, apple and bergamot that flawlessly blend with heart notes of patchouli, Moroccan jasmine and rose, before the base of musk, oak moss and vanilla finish this scent.

As you can see, there are a lot of similarities with the notes and it is fair to say that they do smell almost identical, though His Reign starts off much stronger from that first spritz and from here, it is very difficult to tell the difference, right down to the fragrance longevity.  Another Aldi bargain to be on the look out for!

After the success of His Reign we now have Her Reign and yes it is inspired by Creed Aventus for her.  Priced at £6.99 for 100ml v £260 for 75ml, making another eye-watering saving!

Described as being a scent to make you feel powerful and irresistible, the bottle with its Gold colouring really compliments His Reign and again is not like the Creed version at all. 

A fruity floral fragrance, Creed Aventus for Her has Top notes of Green Apple, Pink Pepper, Indonesian Patchouli, Calabrian Bergamot, Heart notes of Bulgarian and Turkish Roses, Indian Sandalwood, Styrax, Musk and Base notes: Peach, Cassis, Lilac, Amber, Ylang Ylang.  I adore this fragrance, but  not so much the price!  In comparison, Lacura Her Reign has fruity top notes of Apple and Lemon that are perfectly paired with spicy Pink Pepper and Bergamot tones.  So not too many similarities with the fragrances notes in Her Reign, but again, it really has that powerful hit as it is first spritzed onto the pulse points and the longevity is impressive as it is still noticeable the following day, though much less as it has died right down.

If you have always lusted after both of these Creed fragrances, Aldi Lacura are offering a credible alternative to your bank balance, the only problem is keeping an eye out for them appearing because they will fly off the shelf!

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

Aldi Lacura Luxury Bath Float - A Sanctuary Spa Dupe?

If you read my blog regularly or even follow me on Instagram, you will know that I love a good Aldi inspired dupe. The latest product to join my collection is the Aldi Lacura Luxury Bath Float and it is every bit as fabulous as you might expect it to be and dare I say, even better than the Bath Honey, which I also happen to adore.

The Aldi Lacura Luxury Bath Float, which is sold in store for £1.89 and comes packaged inside this huge 500ml bottle, is and has been compared to the Sanctuary Spa Body Wash, which is sold in a 500ml for around £12, though it is often on offer. 

To the naked eye, the two bottles share that same bronze and gold coloured packaging packaging, but whilst the Lacura version offers a smooth honey-like look through the bottle, the Sanctuary Spa offering has well a smooth honey-like looking formula too - and this is the older style packaging and not the new fancy upgrade.

When it comes to the scent, for me, both products smell so similar, it is difficult to tell them apart, unless you have them side by side to make a direct comparison. From Aldi comes a bath float which promises 'blissful and sensuous bubbles with Vitamin E, honeysuckle extract and apricot oil' and from The Sanctuary we have a product which is described as 'decadent clouds of sumptuous bubbles infused with baobab, vitamin E, and freesia flowers.'  When it comes to using in the bath, unsurprisingly, both create amazing clouds of bubbles and again, whilst the Aldi version is a slightly thicker formula, for me, the only real difference is the price.

If you are a fan of the Sanctuary Spa Body Wash then you might find Aldi has a similar inspired option now in stores and online too!

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

Grazia Parfum Eau de Toilette Review

Grazia Parfum is the brands first entry into the world of fragrance, a section of the beauty world which is saturated with everything from the most expensive, the iconic, the dupe and of course new releases.

I am picky with fragrances and never ever purchase from a quick sniff of something on a card in a store, be it a stand alone or department. I like to get a feel for that fragrance in familiar surroundings, the current downside for me is that Covid has pretty much killed off my sense of smell, so I more often than not have to rely on others to confirm a scent.

"Grazia means grace in Italian, so I tried to create something that was joyful, happy and feminine. The perefume itself is filled with flowers but very light breezy flowers and we have created something very fresh - which you'll want to keep spraying again and again. It makes you smile, it's joy and it's Grazia"

As described by  Karine Dubreuil-Sereni, chief perfume Takasago.  Karine is responsible for having created over one hundred perfumes including the likes of Guzzi, Mugler and Guerlain.

So Grazia is described as being a new Sartorial Fragrance, Grazia Parfum is said to be a warm floral with sparkling citrus notes. A soft floral which gives the fragrance that subtle twist to what is referred to as being 'Classic feminine florals'. So the notes are fresh and floral and you will find the following:

• Top Notes - Grapefruit, Lemon and Blackcurrant
• Heart Notes - Peony, Peach and Reseda
• Base Notes - Sandalwood, White Musk and White Cedarwood

So as you can imagine, it opens with a burst of citrus with the lemon and grapefruit taking centre stage as the blackcurrant, which is much sweeter prevents that first whiff from being too tart, then as it settles in comes Peony which strong but again, for me the inclusion of Reseda, known for its green floral notes and then peach for its fruitiness helps to calm before the base notes add a slight heaviness without allowing the White Musk to take over.  Bringing everything together, you have that more sophisticated Fruity Floral which anyone could wear at any time of day, month or year.

However, you can't swoon over a fragrance without mentioning a bottle as pretty as this one. Decorated with sartorial sketches by Milenese designer Daniela Gerini, it denotes a collection of perfume bottles which, when they capture the sun, make them look as though they sit inside the bottle. To finish off the design of that bottle we have a classic, faceted diamond cap.

The Grazia Parfum is cruelty-free, Eco-friendly and 100ml will cost you £48 here.

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