Wednesday 12 September 2012

Fragrance Review: Boss Nuit by Hugo Boss

Fragrance Review: Boss Nuit by Hugo Boss



It is not often that a perfume is released that I really love. It is not just the elegant smell of this new scent that captured me but its longevity that shocked me. I have to say this is my new favourite evening perfume.

The scent itself opens with top notes of white peach, heart notes of jasmine and base notes of creamy sandalwood. This is a distinctive and feminine fragrance that exudes elegance and sophistication. In my opinion it smells like a confident and glamorous woman. It is a floral scent that smells soft and creamy but lasts so well on the skin.

I was amazed by how long this lasted even for an eau de parfum, a full busy day at work and I could still smell its distinctive notes lingering on my arm. However much I love this scent I would recommend it as an evening fragrance only, it is styled around the little black dress and I think it would go perfectly with one.

RRP for a 30ml EDP is £34
RRP for a 50ml EDP is £47
And a 100ml EDP will set you back £59.

A definite recommendation from me,

Lucy x




Friday 7 September 2012

My university essentials list

My university essentials list

Like many others around my age (I may be slightly older than some) in a matter of days I will be starting university and moving into Halls accommodation. I am so excited about this new chapter in my life but packing has turned out to be a nightmare! I have put together a few choice items aside from the obvious that I think are essential for any university student.

1. A Decent laptop (a must for writing/researching assignments and keeping in touch with family/friends)

2. Cleaning products (no one wants to live in a mouldy house/flat)

3. Playing cards (For drinking games ie Ring of fire)

4. Sewing kit (for repairing unexpected holes in clothes, unless your very lucky new clothes will not be top on your list of expenses)

5. A dvd box set (for those who cannot afford a t.v licence these can be watched on your laptop)

6. Pictures with friends from home (can be used to decorate your room and to remember funny nights out)

These are just a few items I think every student should remember, do you have any other suggestions?

Lucy x

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Fragrance Review: Lady Gaga Fame

Fragrance Review: Lady Gaga Fame




When Gaga announced she was releasing a new fragrance I was very excited. The Mother Monster herself said that it was going to be unique and smell like an expensive hooker! The ingredients list for this scent read like ingredients in a witch’s potion: Tears of belladonna, crushed heart of tiger orchid with a black veil of incense. To top it all of the liquid perfume is jet black and supposed to turn clear on contact with skin, a first in fragrance.

I was unfortunately disappointed with this scent. I was expecting something I had never smelt before but unfortunately it just reminds me of another celebrity fragrance. With that being said it is a nice sweet fruity floral and the bottle design is elegant and glamorous. The black liquid doesn’t instantly turn clear as my colleague discovered when she had a black streak running down her arm! I would recommend this fragrance to fans of Lady Gaga, Armani code by Giorgio Armani and Black XS by Paco Rabanne.
As a Gaga fan I was expecting something utterly unique and I feel a little let down on that front but this is a nice sweet scent that lasts a long time. I hope you have found this review interesting,

Lucy x

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Fragrance Review : Justin Bieber Girlfriend

Fragrance Review : Justin Bieber Girlfriend

UK National Release Date: 20th August 2012
The Perfume shop Release Date: 5th August 2012

One of the perks of my job is that I often get to smell fragrances before
they are released and yesterday I was lucky enough to smell the new Justin Bieber Girlfriend.

His first fragrance 'Someday' was released last year and to be honest I am not a fan. It is very heavy and smells like sweets, characteristics that may appeal to some but not me. I was pleasantly surprised by the latest addition to the Bieber franchise, its a definite improvement.







Top notes of the new scent include Apricot and Orange blossom, I warn you now if you do not like the smell of apricot you will not like this perfume it is a very prominent note! Heart notes include Pear and Mandarin and base notes are comprised of vanilla and musk. My first impression was that the fragrance smelt like a tin of peaches in syrup. It is a lot lighter than his debut scent which is a big plus for me but it is still very sweet and fruity.

I would recommend 'Girlfriend' to young girls looking for their first fragrance as the sweet notes are more likely to appeal to a young nose. Fans of DKNY Be Delicious and Boss Orange may also like this scent. It Only comes in EDP (Eau de parfum) and starts at £24 RRP for a 30ml coming in at about £1 more than his first scent. It is available in three different sizes 30ml, 50ml and 100ml.

This is not one I am going to rush out to buy and I hate the bottle (its like a plastic slinky) but it is defiantly an improvement on his first scent. Hope you have found this review useful,

Lucy x  

Sunday 29 July 2012

SUNDAY SECRET: HOW TO KEEP RINGS FROM TARNISHING


Sunday Secret : How to keep rings from tarnishing 


 I love wearing rings, I just can't afford to spend lots of money on them! Being a student and paying bills must unfortunately come higher up in my list of priorities than feeding my ring addiction. The thing with buying 'cheap' rings is that they tarnish quickly and often leave your fingers surrounded by a lovely green/black circle, not an attractive look! I use the term 'cheap' loosely, these rings may not be real silver or gold but they normally cost over a fiver each and the £££ soon add up.

 This little gem of advice came from my Nan who always full of wisdom. To stop the inside of your ring turning your finger green simply apply a layer of clear nail varnish and wave goodbye to nasty stains. This also works for the outside of rings to stop them tarnishing and turning bronze simple apply a layer of clear polish over the top. As the varnish is clear you won't be able to spot the difference but your rings will stay looking good as new for longer! 

(Pre- treating)

 Any clear nail polish will do I normally use Barry M All in one: topcoat, base-coat and nail hardener. It's cheap at £2.99, widely available and does the trick (works great for nails too). To be honest any old clear varnish you have lying around will work, the less money you need to spend the better!




Hope this little tip will help your rings last longer, 


 Lucy x

Friday 27 July 2012

Fragrance Friday: Dot by Marc Jacobs review

Fragrance Friday: Dot by Marc Jacobs review 

A Quick introduction - My name is Lucy, I am 19 and hopefully going to university this September to be an adult nurse. So why become a blogger? I have been working in the perfume industry for the past three years and I love my job! My aim for this blog is to pass on some of my perfume knowledge/share my opinions and hopefully give some helpful reviews of the latest perfume releases.   

The Fragrance I have chosen for my first ever review is the new 'Dot' by Marc Jacobs. 


This latest addition to the Marc Jacobs fragrance range does not disappoint! It is like a little bottle of summer! The bottle is just so extravagant and like the other Marc Jacobs perfumes it is one of the major selling points. I love the red and black spots which instantly reminded me of  a lady bird.

This fruity floral perfume opens with top notes of jasmine and orange blossom, heart notes of dragon fruit and red berry and settles to base notes of vanilla and driftwood. Personally I think it smells like a soft fruity floral and thankfully (as I am not a fan of vanilla!) that note is not very distinctive. It is a very fruity fragrance which may put off the more mature woman looking for a more sophisticated smell however both me and my mum are in love with it! I would recommend it as a summer alternative to fans of J'adore by Dior and Hugo Boss Orange. 

The Fragrance comes in three different sizes of Eau De Parfum, 30ml, 50ml and 100ml and is quite pricey starting at £37 RRP. One question that I get asked a lot at work is the difference between an EDP (Eau De Parfum) and an EDT (Eau De Toilette). An EDP is basically a more concentrated version of the EDT that lasts longer on the skin, 99% of the time they smell exactly the same however there are a few exceptions which have different notes. An EDP should last around 6-8 hours on the skin whilst an EDT should last 4-6. I always say 'should last' when advising people on the staying powers of perfume as everyone is different and what lasts on one person may fade quickly on another.  

I hope you have found this review helpful, please let me know if you would like to see more!

Lucy x