the christmas gift guide: luxury

I've been planning my Christmas gift guide series ever since October and have put tons of thought into the brands and products that I wanted to feature this year. I've planned a guide for luxury, mid-range, purse friendly and stocking filler products, plus an extremely exciting giveaway series too. I thought I'd kickoff with the most expensive items as they are usually what I like to get out of the way first when Christmas shopping. This lot all come in at £40 and over.

Neal's Yard Rejuvenate Frankincense Organic Beauty Collection (£40) | I could quite happily replace my whole skincare shelf with Neal's Yard products, but as I know how much my mama will love this set I'm going to be treating her to it this Christmas. I always like to find an extra special skincare set for her that I know will work wonders and doesn't include any products that she will never end up using which is why the cleanse, tone and moisturise theme of this set is just so well suited for gift giving. Plus the packaging is absolutely beautiful.

Neom Christmas Wish Home Collection (£44.95) | Last Christmas (I gave you my heart), I had this Neom Christmas Wish candle burning for the whole of the festive period, and very much intend on doing so again this year. It has all of the spicy and woody elements you'd expect from a Christmas candle without being overbearing due to its slight sweetness. It's the kind of candle you want to burn whilst cosying up in the evening watching Christmas films and scoffing leftovers.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne (£85) | When it comes to perfume, there's no brand that I'd rather spot under the Christmas tree than a little box from Jo Malone. Usually I ask for a scented candle as a gift and spend my Christmas money on treating myself to a cologne. My all time favourite scent is Wild Fig and Cassis which is swiftly being rivalled by Pomegranate Noir, which is so perfectly suited to this time of year.

Red Carpet Manicure Vintage Glamour Pro Gel Nail Polish Kit (£89.99) | Some of you may remember that I included a similar Red Carpet Manicure set in last year's gift guide, but since then they've upped their game and have released an extra special Christmas themed set. It includes a gold lamp and gold glittery nail polish along with a stylish case to fit everything in, I'm also a big fan of the new addition of nail tools and accessories in this set too. I've had the gold polish on for two weeks now and have had endless compliments, winner!

The Perfume Studio Design Your Own Fragrance Ultimate Collection (£95) | If you want to give a slightly unusual beauty related gift, you simply can't outdo a grownup version of a perfume making kit. I'm a super creative person so get massively excited when it comes to anything do-it-yourself, and I also have an unhealthy obsession with perfume collecting, so this would be the ideal gift for someone similar. I will most likely be spending boxing day using this set to create my own bespoke perfume which I will then feel rather smug about being the only one wearing it.

Diva Radiant Shine Aurora Styler (£79.98) | Have you ever seen a more pretty pair of straighteners? Not only do they look beautiful but I can guarantee they will work wonders as I've had a set from Diva that have lasted years and are still going strong. If you are particularly keen on these then you may want to keep an eye out for my Christmas giveaways coming up on Twitter.

Belle Gel Rapide Complete Kit (£69.95) | Since training in gel nails at college a few years ago, I've never looked at a bottle of regular nail polish in the same lustful way again. I really recommend that everyone should have an at home kit to have a play around with as having a system that allows your nail colour to stay on for over two weeks is invaluable. This set by Belle Gel is slightly more compact than most (the lamp folds down flat) making it ideal for beginners but perhaps less exciting if you are more advanced.

Billion Dollar Brows Best Sellers Kit (£49.50) | Having on point brows is something I have always taken seriously. Perhaps when your favourite compliment to get is one on your brows you know you have a brow grooming obsession. I also have been known to preach the importance of a great set of brows to others and for this reason would feel no greater joy than giving out a brow grooming set as a gift. This particular kit from Billion Dollar Brows includes a smudge brush, concealer and highlighter duo pencil, brow gel, universal brow pencil and a sharpener too. 

Foreo Luna Mini Skincare Device (£99) | Although I've been a huge fan of my Clarisonic for years, I've heard many good things about Foreo as an alternative cleansing device. It's much more compact than the Clarisonic and as the brush is made from silicone it will keep much clearer than a regular brush. Plus once they are charged up the power should last for 5 whole months!

BRYT Haute Couture Gift Box (£80) | This brightly packaged skincare set from BRYT includes a make-up remover, cleanser, night cream, day cream and essential serum, plus a handy little face cloth mitt too. I think this would be a wonderful gift for a girl in her teens or early twenties in need of a skincare overhaul as it includes every single product needed for a great skincare routine. 

If you're after more budget conscious gift ideas, then fear not, I have three more guides coming up!

jo malone sakura cherry blossom cologne

My love affair with Jo Malone Cologne continues.. and this time I've fallen for Sakura Cherry Blossom (let's just pretend those tiny tomatoes in the photo above are in fact cherries). If you're all about fresh and light daytime scents with a touch of a floral note, this one's for you. It's similar to Earl Grey and Cucumber in the way that it's such a bright and breezy scent that is perfect to wear on days when you're in need of a bit of uplifting. It's probably more suited towards spring time but who says you have to confine a certain perfume to just one season of the year. Plus, how lovely is the pink detailing on the bottle too?

| Jo Malone Sakura Cherry Blossom Colgone - £86 (100ml)

and other stories fragrances

Although I'd already featured these in my Christmas gift guide a few months ago, I've come to love them so much that they most definitely deserve a blog post of their own. They are all such unique combinations and put most other brands of perfume completely to shame.  Plus they are priced really well too.

Fig Fiction | I'm utterly obsessed with beauty products that have a sweet fig scent, most of which being Wild Fig and Cassis by Jo Malone. If your budget doesn't quite stretch far enough for the Jo Malone version, most definitely check out this one as an alternative. 

Botanical Whisper | This is a grown up scent with a slight zingy sharpness and is the one I'd say probably has the most different notes going on. For a truly different from the crowd type of fragrance, this is it. 

Moroccan Tea | There's something strangely satisfying about having a tea scent integrated into a perfume. If you're on the hunt for a completely uplifting, yet fresh and slightly sweet scent then this is your answer. 

Punk Bouquet | This is just about my favourite of the bunch. Think Britney Spears Fantasy but with a much more refined and sophisticated edge. It has a sultry sweetness that I simply adore, plus the bottle of this one looks so effortlessly cool.

and other stories fragrances | £26

the best of | jo malone colognes

As far as fragrance is concerned, Jo Malone have it nailed. Every scent is the ultimate in luxury; from the delicate glass bottles down to the carefully constructed layers and notes in each cologne. Ever since I owned my first Wild Fig & Cassis bottle, I've never even looked twice at any other brand. 

The Earl Grey & Cucumber scent is the freshness and lightness of a Spring day in a bottle, think of a fancy afternoon tea on the lawn of a country manor. I sometimes like to spray this on my pillows if I'm having a bit of a duvet day as I find the scent to be both uplifting and relaxing whilst being delicate and fresh.

154 reminds me very much of the kind of scent that you'd find from Chanel; it's a beautiful blend of wood, spice and musk that I could imagine anyone in need of a sophisticated and grown up scent absolutely loving. It's a little too much on the deep side of scents for me as I'm only just in my 20's, but I know that once I hit my 30's and onwards it would be perfect. My mum wears this one every day and has decided that she now never wants to wear any other scent.

My all time favourite, Wild Fig & Cassis. The telling sign of when you've found your absolute favourite fragrance is when you want it in candle, body cream and bath oil form, plus happily handing over £82(!) for the full sized version. It's one of those scents that you almost don't want anyone else knowing about because it's become your signature fragrance and you want to keep it that way. Well, here I am telling you all that this is well and truly the one.

Next on my list to try are Pomegranate Noir (I loved the candle version) and perhaps Blackberry and Bay too. Do let me know if you've ever tried Jo Malone, and if so, what your favourite scents are. 

jo malone earl grey and cucumber cologne

Earl Grey has always been the variety of tea we go for in my household, I've literally been drinking it since I was around 10 years old, so it makes perfect sense that I have to have it in perfume form too, right? Paired with cucumber, this Earl Grey cologne from Jo Malone has become one of my new favourite scents. It's light and fresh but in the most sophisticated way and has such a unique edge to it that it makes a lovely change to a more typical fragrance. Although I'd say it's probably more suited for Summer wear, it's actually just as nice to wear as a way of freshening up dreary Winter days too. 

| SHOP THE POST 

clarins summer scents

Although I have a vast (bordering on the ridiculous) perfume collection I was yet to try out any from Clarins until these three arrived through my door all at once. The design of the bottles is fairly dated looking in my opinion but I've come to like that about them, they have their own sense of style compared to most perfumes on the shelves. Moving on to the scents, my favourite is Eau Ressourcante which is a light and serene scent, it's pretty much a fresh summer day in a bottle. My second favourite has to be Eau Dynamisante, a deep woody scent which reminds me of the grown up Chanel perfumes. The first version I mentioned is perfect for daytime wear whereas this one is perfectly suited to the evening, they'd both be absolutely perfect to take on holiday. Last up, Eau des Jardins, if you are a fan of fresh floral scents then you will love this but for me it just isn't my cup of tea. I tend to prefer fragrances with layers of notes and this one is very much floral with not much else going on, it's still a lovely daytime option nonetheless if you like a simple scent. The fragrances have an affordable price point and at just £32 for 100ml are much better value for money than most, if you haven't thought to check them out before I'd highly recommend giving them a go. 

CLARINS EAU DES JARDINS, EAU RESSOURCANTE & EAU DYNAMISANTE - £32

chloé eau de parfum

Firstly, you may notice that my blog has had a little make over, it's not a huge change but I spent hours getting to grips with html sorting all of the tiniest details out. I finally feel like I can officially call myself a blogger again! Anyhow, back to the perfume. I've loved this scent for years but only just got round to having my very own bottle, it's the most beautiful powdery fragrance with just a slight sweetness which makes for the perfect daytime scent. It smells so light and fresh yet delicate, almost like the scent of parma violets. Isn't the bottle just adorable too? You absolutely must have a try of this if you are a fan of powdery scents, it's currently pipped my stella mccartney perfume to the post in becoming my new signature scent.

CHLOE EAU DE PARFUM 50ML - £49.30

le soft perfume in lucky bay

Although I'm a self confessed perfume addict I've only ever tried spray on versions and have just recently discovered solid perfume. I've been trying out this perfume stick by Le Soft Perfume in the scent 'Lucky Bay', it's a beautifully fresh and uplifting fragrance and lasts much longer on the skin than I ever expected. It has all the power of a normal atomiser perfume, if not more, and the sleek compact packaging means that you can reapply throughout the day without carrying around a clunky bottle. The price may seem a little steep at first but bear in mind that it will last a very long time due to the fact the perfume is in such a concentrated form, I'm definitely going to be checking out more versions of these.

"With a nourishing Monoi Butter base, Le Soft Perfume in ‘Lucky Bay’ will enfold you in the fresh, uplifting aroma of a glorious summer’s day at the seaside. Citrusy top notes of Tangerine and Lemon give way to a warm, floral heart that conjures the scent of warm skin, sunscreen and a clean sea breeze. Perfect for taking on your travels, the solid formula can be stowed in hand luggage and applied mid-flight to soothe stresses, or whenever you need a little burst of heavenly-scented holiday happiness. "

LE SOFT PERFUME SOLID STICK PERFUME IN LUCKY BAY - £19

make it personal with thierry mugler

A couple of days ago I received a lovely little surprise, my very own personalised bottle of Thierry Mugler Alien perfume! I'm already a great fan of the scent and as this bottle is refillable I will now always have my very own special bottle on hand. I've already put up a review of Alien here, so check that out if you want to read a more in-depth review. A name engraving on a perfume bottle may be extravagant but it makes a really lovely idea to give as a gift, especially if you already know the person likes a particular perfume from the Thierry Mugler range.

THIERRY MUGLER ALIEN EAU DE PARFUM 30ML - £44 (ADDITIONAL £12 FOR ENGRAVING)

jo malone wild fig and cassis cologne

Ever spray on a perfume and think 'damn I smell good'? This is exactly what happened when I tried out the Wild Fig and Cassis fragrance by Jo Malone. It's beautifully uplifting with a slight sharpness to cut through the sweetness, the balance is absolutely perfect. Imagine the scent of a freshly picked Fig on a Spring morning bottled up and sold as a perfume. The only criticism I have is that it doesn't last as long on the skin as I'd hoped, meaning you have to reapply throughout the day but all in all I will be buying a new bottle once I run out.

JO MALONE WILD FIG & CASSIS COLOGNE 30ML - £39

stella mccartney the print collection perfume

I have a new favourite perfume, again. I fell in love with the packaging of this version of bottle from the Print Collection by Stella McCartney, the perfume is the same in every bottle but the limited edition designs get updated and changed according to catwalk trends of the season, this one is from SS12. The scent itself is very grown up and sophisticated with an irresistible depth of woodiness and musk finished with a citrus edge, it certainly holds it's own in being unique to any of my other perfumes. It's described as a 'seducing and sexy' fragrance and for that reason is perfectly paired with a little black dress. If you spot 'Stella' by Stella McCartney in the shops then have a spritz as it's exactly the same as this but just not with the limited edition packaging.

"Stella McCartney Stella Print Collection eau de parfum spray for women is described as a floral and citrus perfume, and the limited edition Print Collection features bottles with a host of vintage print motifs inspired by geometric patterns. Print Collection by Stella McCartney opens with fruity top notes of mandarin orange, which then blend into a floral heart of rose and gardenia accords, all of which is neatly rounded off with smooth a base of amber."

STELLA MCCARTNEY THE PRINT COLLECTION EAU DE PARFUM 30ML - £38

yves saint laurent parisienne

My most worn and loved perfume has to be YSL Parisienne, it's a beautifully powdery scent that reminds me of parma violets and is the most perfect option for daytime wear. I've got through around four bottles now and always like to have a bottle on my dressing table. If you are a fan of slightly sweet yet musky scents then you will adore Parisienne without a doubt, I may have more than a sensible amount of perfumes but I come back to this over anything else time after time. It would make a great gift too as it's so lovely that I doubt anyone could dislike it, but have a look at the 50ml version as it's much better value.

"Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne eau de parfum spray for women is a woody and floral scent, opening with top notes of cranberry and blackberry, which then flows into a heart of damas rose, violet and peony, all of which sits on top of a smooth base of vetiver, patchouli, musk and sandalwood."

YVES SAINT LAURENT PARISIENNE EAU DE PARFUM 30ML - £30.50

scents for spring

ANNA SUI FAIRY DANCE EAU DE TOILETTE - This is a really lovely light scent with a twist of sweetness and warmth. It's a combination of Rose and Vanilla that come together to achieve a fresh and radiant balance.

MISS DIOR EAU FRAICHE - Pretty much the freshest and uplifting perfume that I've ever smelt, this couldn't be more suited to Spring time. It's beautifully delicate and reminds me of a bright and breezy Summer's day.

THIERRY MUGLER ALIEN AQUA CHIC - I have been in love with the original Alien perfume for as long as I can remember which is why I love this lighter more toned down version just as much. Review here.

CHANEL CHANCE EAU TENDRE - One of my favourites scents to reach for is this fresher version of Chance by Chanel, it has a hint of White Musk which settles the Grapefruit notes down really nicely.

What are you favourite scents for Spring?

victoria's secret fragrance mists

Whilst strolling around Westfield shopping centre a couple of days ago I spotted the huge Victoria's Secret store and spent far more time in there than I probably should have. It's filled with beautiful lingerie, colourful bikinis, nightwear and even beauty products. I could have literally spent a fortune in there and even though I ended up buying quite a lot I considered if refrained considering the amount of items that I was lusting over. I will feature everything that I bought over on my lifestyle blog, but for now I'm going to let you all know about the fragrance mists.

The fragrance mists are body sprays that come in a huge range of fruity and fresh scents to try out, there are so many to chose from that there is literally something for everyone. They are £11 each, £24 for three or £30 for five making them a great deal if you want to try out quite a few. All of the scents also come in body butter, body wash, body scrub, body lotion, and hand cr

eam versions if you have a liking for one in particular.

FOREVER PINK - PINK TUBEROSE AND PEAR

This is my favourite of the bunch that I have tried so far, it has a sharp and musky twist as to stop it from smelling too sweet, probably thanks to the pear. I've already been wearing it pretty much everyday and will be continuing to do so throughout the Summer months.

LOVE SPELL - CHERRY BLOSSOM AND PEACH

Love spell is the sweetest of the scents and at first can appear to be slightly too sickly but I do find that it settles down and becomes less strong after it has settled on the skin. 

ENCHANTED APPLE - RED APPLE AND WATERY HYACINTH 

In terms of sweetness this probably lands in the middle of the two other scents, the apple scent is strong and sweet but slightly sharp in a way which results in a nice blend, as with the others it becomes milder and more wearable once on the skin.

All in all I'm loving the idea of swapping my heavier perfumes for these light and fruity fragrance mists throughout the Summer and already have my eye on a couple more scents, Coconut Passion will most certainly be my next purchase once it's back in stock (I hear it's very popular).

chanel coco noir eau de parfum

My perfume collection is ever-changing and being updated with new fragrances however it has to be said that absolutely nothing could ever beat having a bottle of a classic Chanel scent on my dressing table. Don't get me wrong, I'm no perfume snob and will happily try out cheaper alternatives but everyone needs that bottle of special perfume, right? I've fallen head over heels for Coco Noir, it's such a sophisticated scent and is paired perfectly for those occasions of wearing a little black dress. It has a seductive twist but is lighter and more wearable than heavier Chanel perfumes, if I were to wear just one perfume for the rest of my life I'd certainly have to chose this one. The packaging alone is enough reason to send my heart all a flutter; a delicate black glass bottle with gold and white detailing. Although the price tag is sky high one spray on your wrists and one on your neck will leave you smelling irresistible all day long, it has immense staying power so hopefully the bottle will last a long time.

CHANEL COCO NOIR EAU DE PARFUM 100ML - £106

thierry mugler alien aqua chic

For the last few months my favourite perfume and the one which I go to use most is Alien by Thierry Mugler. As much as I love the scent it can be a little strong for daytime use which is why I was super pleased to hear about the launch of the Aqua Chic version. It's similar to the original but has a fresh and uplifting twist making it much more ideal for day time use. I'm still in love with the original version however with Spring on it's way it's more appropriate to be wearing a lighter scent. The perfume along with the Aqua Chic version of Angel are limited edition so grab them while you can.

"Originating from a tranquil, lunar atmosphere, Alien resonates ethereal beauty. Illuminated by the light kick of orange blossom water, Alien Aqua Chic offers an even more majestic and serene feel with its perfect blend of mellow and pulsating tones. To give the original fragrance a vibrant, zesty tang, lemon tree blossom and pink grapefruit unfolds at the heart, syncing with the amber, jasmine florals to elegantly refresh Alien's rich and woody base. A translucent amethyst bottle with an intense silver hue around the base to emphasise Alien's solar heritage."

THIERRY MUGLER ALIEN AQUA CHIC EAU DE TOILETTE - £36

thierry mugler alien perfume

My favourite fragrance of late has without a doubt been Alien by Thierry Mugler. I purchased my first bottle of this what must of been around four years ago now and every now and then after not using it for awhile I will be reminded of my love for the scent. I'm by no means a fragrance expert but in my opinion I'd describe it as having a musky base with a peppery hint and finished with a fruity yet spicy aroma. I find that it's a little heavy for daytime use but absolutely perfect for wearing in the evening along with a little black dress. I'm a big fan of the design of the bottle and love how it looks expensive and classic yet eye-catching. Overall definitely one to have a look at if you like perfumes with an edge.

THIERRY MUGLER ALIEN EAU DE PARFUM 30ML - £36

valentine's day perfumes

For him
Viktor & Rolf's Spicebomb

After the success of Flowerbomb, Viktor & Rolf have tried their hand at a male fragrance that is Spicebomb. I'm a big fan of this and expect it will shake up the male fragrance market due to the unique scent.

Spicebomb offers a highly addictive explosion of spices, built on a balmy, woody vetiver trail. Based around strong olfactory contrasts and presented in a luxurious yet muscular grenade-shaped bottle, this brand new fragrance is simultaneously both rough and refined. 

Key notes: spice, vetiver and wood 

Available from the Harrods website and in store:

EDT 50ml - £45 

EDT 90ml - £60

For her - night time fragrance

Jimmy Choo Eau De Parfum

This has been my favourite perfume for about six months now, it's versatile enough for both daytime and evening wear and is definitely worth having a try of. It reminds me of another one of my favourites which is Agent Provocateur.

'Created by the label’s founder, Tamara Mellon, the debut Jimmy Choo fragrance is a sexy, sensual blend of captivating woods and a rich chypre note. Developed with empowered, confident women in mind, this scent channels the hedonistic appeal of a pair of vertiginous Choo heels.'

Woody, chypre scent

Available from the Harrods website and in store:

EDT 40ml - £34

EDP 100ml - £68

For her - daytime fragrance

Miss Dior Eau Fraiche

Launched just today is the new Miss Dior Eau Fraiche perfume by Dior. It's pretty much Spring in a bottle, with the fresh and uplifting notes. For a beautiful daytime perfume that smells as fresh as clean sheets it's my go to option.

'A crisp scented veil of Chypre notes. L' Eau becomes Eau Fraîche, and thus joins the Chypre family. Now graced with the signature Chypre ingredient of Patchouli, this Eau Fraîche creates a new atmosphere, in which lightness and elegance are blended together. By associating Calabrian Bergamot and vibrant Gardenia with a fresh and luminous Patchouli, François Demachy took up a veritable scent challenge. He has created a sunny yet lingering fresh, floral, fragrance'

 Available from the Harrods website and in store:

EDT 50ml £ 49

EDT 100ml £ 68

half price agent provocatuer eau de parfum

Recently I snapped up a half price 100ml bottle of Agent Provocatuer Eau De Parfum in the sale at Cheap Smells, it's my all time favourite perfume so I was obviously over the moon to get it so cheap. I had never used the website before but was happy to find that when I got to the checkout delivery was free! So that meant I got a 100ml bottle of my fave perfume down from an RRP of £60 for just £30 including shipping, and paid with paypal. It came in the post a few days later wrapped really well inside a box, happy days. I would definitely purchase from Cheap Smells again and they always seem to have discounted Agent Provocatuer perfume on there along with tons of other brands which is great. And if you haven't tried this perfume before definitely have a spray next time you are in Boots!

http://www.cheapsmells.com/productPaging.php?category=1&brand=Agent%20Provocateur

space nk package of samples

I thought that I'd just quickly mention that I received an amazing package from Space NK the other day. As I helped them out in one of their campaigns and advertised their 20% off event. They informed me a couple of weeks ago that they would send a small package of samples as a thank you, and here was me expecting a bunch of testers the size that you get in mags, but they actually sent me really generous trial sized products. I think my mum will agree as a witness of when I opened the package that I was overjoyed. Pretty much all of the samples are by brands which I have never tried and wouldn't be able to afford so they will be great to review on my blog. So a massive thank you to Space NK, I will most definitely be shopping there more often.

Here is what they sent me..

I have only so far tried out one product, which is the 'Laughter' perfume by Space NK. I adore it. I am a great fan of fresh smelling perfumes but most of which that I have tried ended up being overpowering and giving me a headache. But this perfume by Space NK is really different and they have the balance of fresh and peppery scents balanced perfectly. I am no perfume expert so I'd recommend that you go try it out for yourself but I guarantee that if you like fresh smelling perfumes that you will love it. It also has amazing staying power which can also be a problem with other perfumes. I only have to spray two to three times for it to take a fair few hours to die down and need to be reapplied. I highly recommend giving it a go, especially when winter is starting to fade and spring is coming along. I got the 15ml size which is great to buy if you want to try out the perfume first. They also do lots of different gift sets in this scent and body wash, body lotion, hand lotion & body polish if you like it as much as I do!

Available in -
Laughter Eau de Parfum 50ml - £60
Eau de Toilette 50ml - £40
Eau de Toilette 15ml - £20

Click the links above to take a closer look & to head over to the Space NK website.

also I thought that I'd just let you all know that the Space NK Christmas sale starts tomorrow. So if you have a few extra minutes between pigging out and watching Christmas films I'd definitely recommend that you check it out. If not, just head over there on boxing day to get a few bargains with your Christmas money.