Perfume Review | Giorgio Armani Si

When it comes to perfume, I very rarely change up my scent. I wear my beloved Stella by Stella McCartney almost everyday and up until now, Chloe was my "special occasion" perfume - you know the one you reserve for when you're going somewhere other than work or to the shops. Whilst purchasing my Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara, the sales assistant told me about their new perfume before spritzing 3-4 pumps onto my Selfridges bag. I walked out of there not really batting an eyelid and then all of a sudden this gorgeous scent caught my attention and from then on I developed a mildly worrying obsession, whiffing the bag at every opportunity and even going as far as keeping said bag because it smelt too good to bin. Needless to say, a month later I purchased a 50ml bottle of Si by Giorgio Armani. 

Si is quite sweet and citrussy in scent, featuring notes of Mandarin Oil, Liquer de Cassis (blackcurrant to you and I), Amber and Vanilla. I usually opt for something more floral, but I've found myself prefering fruitier scents of late, proving that preference changes as you get older. It's potent formula lingers from the moment you apply to the next morning when you wash it off in the shower. When I purchased it, the perfume came with a shower gel and body lotion. I don't usually rate perfume lotions and potions but unlike most, these actually smell like the fragrance and so they make for an extra special in-shower treat every now and then. 

It's not the cheapest perfume, coming in at £62.50 for 50ml, but you only need one or two sprays per application and when you really can't stop thinking about it, it's a worthwhile investment (that's how I'm justifying it to myself anyway). I purchased my bottle during the pre-Christmas sale at Debenhams, taking the price down to just over £50, so it's worth keeping an eye out for those deals. Next time you're browsing the perfume concessions, I recommend you give this a whiff, although I can't be held responsible for what comes next, it really is that good.

What's your favourite perfume?

July Favourites

What a beautiful month July turned out to be, we had several heat waves, one of our own won Wimbledon and a new Prince was born (didn't Kate look amazing?!). I've been a busy bee this month, I began a trial/training period at a new job as a Junior Account Executive at a small beauty PR agency in Wimbledon. I'm about to start my 6th week and I'm really enjoying myself and thriving off the new challenges being thrown my way. With the sunshine and early mornings this month has been all about light coverage foundations and bronzed skin. 

I've been constantly reaching for my NARS The Happening Eyes and Cheek palette, which was a limited edition product from the beginning of the year. I've been using Gstaad, the bronze shade as a wash of colour over my lids to give my eyes a little something extra and using the dark matte brown Coconut Grove to smoke out Gstaad for a nighttime appropriate look. To warm up my complexion I've been switching between Laguna and Chanel's Bronze Universal to give me that summertime glow, perfect in the weather we've been having recently. 

I've been a complete floozie when it comes to foundation this month, there has been no rhyme or reason, I've just been using different products in hope of finding "the one". The results? Well I'm not sure I've found the love of my foundation life but I've really been enjoying MACs Matchmaster. It gives a good amount of coverage with a tiny amount, meaning your not caking up your pores in the heat and it's the only base from my collection that seems to last longest on my skin in the heat (damn you oily skin). To take off all my make up in the evenings, I've been using a new to me brand, Tri-Dosha. Tri-Dosha is an ayurvedic brand which sources natural ingredients. The Tri-Dosha Cleanser from the Essentials collection features palmarosa and grapefruit so as you can imagine - it smells amazing. A creamy gel like consistency, this glides onto the skin and rids of the make up and grime from the day. As always I double cleanse to make sure I get rid of everything. 

The Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File has been a favourite for months, I've just failed to mention it on the blog. It's pricey but oh so worth it, if like me you rake at your nails with a file back and forth - with any other nail file thats a no no, but with LD you can rake away. It leaves the nail smooth and perfectly shaped in a few swipes. My go to everyday fragrance is Stella McCartney Stella. It's an easy to wear scent that is suitable year round and I often get comments on my scent in the office, which is an added bonus. 

As for my non beauty favourits of the month, I'm still loving Grey's Anatomy - I'm currently on season 7 and it never fails to make me laugh so hard one minute to balling my eyes out the next. My favourite character is Lexi and I love Meredith and Christina's relationship. I've also really gotten back into my Kindle. I've always been a bookworm and now my commute gives me an excuse to get nose deep into a good book. I'm currently reading The Game Changer by Jenn Sterling, a ridiculously addictive romantic novel about a couple adjusting to a new life in the spotlight (it's the second in a series, I'm hoping there will be a third).

There you have it, my monthly round up. What are your favourites this month?

21

I turned 21 yesterday and I was lucky enough to have my birthday split into two days.  On Sunday I went for a meal with my family, followed by birthday cake back at home and presents.  I got a new bottle of my favourite everyday perfume from my Sister (thank god, I have a drip left in my old bottle) and a gorgeous bracelet from Links from my Brother and Sister-in-Law.  Yesterday morning I woke to a stack of cards, I was surprised that there were no repeats!  With the cards came a present from my parents.  They bought me a Tiffany's necklace which I had asked for and I'm completely in love.  My Mum and I went shopping during the day, where I used the money I received from relatives to pick up a Pandora bracelet and a couple of charms as another little memento. In the evening I went out for dinner and cocktails in London with my best friends.  They surprised me with a cake, complete with sparkler candle as well as some NARS make up and huge poster of The Saturdays and Twilight (they know me so well).  All in all I was a very spoilt girl and I'm so thankful to my family and friends for making it a great birthday.  It's safe to say I wont be needing any jewellery for a while! 

Birthday Wishlist

My 21st birthday is fast approaching (25th February) and with it comes the question: What would you like for your birthday?  Initially I wasn't at all excited about the big 2-1 thanks to dissertation blues, but now I've handed the buggar in and made some concrete plans, I've started counting down the days.  So I best answer the question on everyones lips.  

1.  Return to Tiffany's Heart Tag with Key Pendant - As it's such a big birthday, I would like something memorable.  I received a Links bracelet for my 18th, so for my 21st I'm wishing for this Tiffany's necklace with the key charm - synonymous with the birthday.  

2.  Stella by Stella McCartney Eau De Parfum - I'm almost out of the bottle I bought back in June at the airport and as it's my favourite everyday scent, I'd definitely like another bottle for my dresser.  

3.  Tickets to see Viva Forever - I'm a big girl band fan, I'm off to see Girls Aloud at the beginning of March but my first love lies with the Spice Girls.  After hearing so many rave reviews and watching the ITV documentary that was on over Christmas, it's something I would definitely like to go watch.  

4.  Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - It wouldn't be right if I wasn't wishing for something beauty related.  I prefer wearing matte eyeshadows and the original Naked palette lacks in those, so I'm excited to (hopefully) try this out! 

Now I've answered the question, it's back to counting down the days.  

Travel Essentials

I'm back after a short break as I've been interning in London for the past two weeks (more about that later in the week). Travelling to and from London everyday, spending around 12-14 hours out of the house, I quickly perfected my travel essentials.  

I kept my make up minimal whilst working so that getting ready didn't take too long in the morning.  For touch ups during the day, I packed the essentials. For concealer I've been using the Make Up For Ever 'Full Cover', which is extremely high coverage, even able to cover scars and tattoo's if needs be.  My skin has been a bit all over the place over the last week thanks to mother nature and I feel like I've had Mount Everest growing upon my chin, so this has been a godsend at hiding the redness. The weather has been gorgeous this week, but alas it meant sweaty looking skin - not a good look when surrounded by groomed-to-perfection fashion and beauty journos.  To mattify my skin I took my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural and used the Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply the product. Although it's meant for contouring and highlighting, the brush wasn't bulky like the Powder Brush and allowed me a more precise product application.  I also popped in a sample size of Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash mascara incase my lashes needed a pick me up and the lipstick of the day.  I've been loving this Jemma Kidd Hi-Shine Hydrating Glosstick in #04 Hibiscus, which admittedly I was given whilst at More! magazine after doing a favour for the beauty team.  It's a gorgeous product, creamy and highly pigmented and not at all sticky like a lipgloss.  

I always try to remember my perfume as it's always nice to freshen up at lunchtime or after stepping off the tube on your way home, with a spritz of your favourite scent. My go to everyday perfume is Stella McCartney 'Stella'.  I bought the Phil Smith Tame the Frizz serum a while ago as it's a handy travel size product and used it to manage any fly aways or hot weather frizz.  I never go anywhere without Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream now. It's a great lip balm, hand cream, cuticle cream and it's even good if you manage to cut yourself.  

On my first day I picked up some mints.  You've all been there, when someone's had something garlicky for their lunch and it's all you can smell whilst they are speaking to you.  Definitely not the embarrassing situation I wanted to get myself into.  Blister plasters, or plasters in general are always a must - there's nothing worse than limping around the office because your shoes are rubbing.  Paracetamols a given, no need to endure a headache when you've got plenty of work to be getting on with.  Hot weather + hair = frizzball, or at least it does for me anyway. I always carry around a hairband on my wrist or in my handbag for such occasions, or just to get my hair up off my face.  

Do you have any travel must haves?

A Spanish Beauty Haul

If you read my Sephora Wish List post (here) you would have known that as well as the blazing sun, I was excited to visit the local Sephora.  I was finally able to get my hands on some long sought after Make Up Forever products, as well as some other bits that had been high on my wish list for a while.  I also visited the duty free shop at Malaga airport too.  I posted a photo on Instagram of my Sephora bag (which, yes, I kept...) and was asked to write up a haul post, so without further adieu.  

SEPHORA

I wasn't in the market for a new primer, even though both my Porefessional and MAC Prep and Prime were running low.  While the make up artists - who by the way were extremely friendly and helpful - were trying to match me up, they used this green primer (shade #1) to neutralise the pink undertones in my skin. I would have said no to it, but they showed one side with and the other without it.  The side without the primer was distinctively orange, not a good look so needless to say I was sold on the primer.  

What I was in the market for however was the MUFE HD Foundation.  I was matched up to shade 117. Something I did notice about MUFE products - their shade numbers are all jumbled, they are not in numerical order from lightest to darkest, which might be something to do with the undertones in the products but it still made it confusing.  I've now used this foundation twice and I like it so far.  I will be reviewing this in a few weeks time to give it a fair trial.  

I also wanted to pick up the MUFE Full Cover concealer after hearing great things about it.  I was matched up to shade 4 (again, shades aren't in numerical order).  I've also used this twice now and on first impressions I think the packaging is great.  It has a long, thin nib which dispenses the product in small amounts, perfect if you hate wasting product because too much has come out of the tube.  

For a very long time, I've wanted to try the infamous YSL Touche Eclat.  I'd saved some euro's specifically to spend in Sephora and decided to finally cave and buy it.  I picked up shade 1 and like the other products, have used it twice now.  I really like it so far - I'm quite freckly after being in the sun everyday and I find it covers up the ones under my eyes perfectly and also illuminates the eye area.  The packaging is so luxurious - gold with a velvet 'Y' shape on the back, definitely an indulgent product.  

I picked up some Yes To Cucumber wipes as I've heard a lot of good things about them.  I find that they remove a lot more than standard wipes from Boots and they aren't that much more expensive. I might stock up on ASOS next time they have a 20% student event or something similar.  

I also managed to get the Sephora Professional Mineral Powder Brush #45.  I have yet to use this, simply because I wanted it clean for this blog post.  Like I mentioned in a previous post, YouTube guru meganisobel raves about this brush for both liquid fondation and also cream product application so I thought I would give it a go.  Because I bought 3+ make up items, I got 40% off of it, which was an added bonus.  

What I love about Sephora, is that they give samples with purchases.  I received a deluxe size Porefessional which was welcomed as my full size is running low and I love the product.  

DUTY FREE

I didn't pick up much in duty free.  I was hoping to get one of the MAC travel sets, but they didn't have any at Malaga airport.  I needed a new bottle of Stella McCartney's 'Stella' perfume, as the one I purchased in the January sales was running low.  They only had the 30ml bottles in the limited edition prints, which I didn't mind as they are beautiful.  

Whilst on the plane out to Spain I spied this Elizabeth Arden kit and decided that if I had some euro's left over on the way back I would buy it.  Miraculously Sephora didn't bankrupt me (although, it was hard not to buy everything) and I bought this kit. Another holy grail product for so many women that I had yet to try. You get the original Eight Hour Cream, the hand treatment and a lip stick which has SPF 15 in it.  

I'm looking forward to trying out all of these products and sharing my thoughts on them with you.  Are there any products in particular that you would like to see a review on? 

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Cleaning Bug

I don't know about you but sometimes I get this overwhelming feeling that I need a ruddy good clear out.  For the past few weeks I'd gotten increasingly fed up with my dressing table/desk.  As an out and proud beauty fanatic, the products sitting on my desk had accumulated to a stupid amount, half of them I never touched, some of which were years old.  That was until last week when I quite literally cleared it off and started again.  I wish I had thought to take a before photo, just so you could see just what I had to work with.  After a good two or so hours, I'd chucked away a million and one products, leaving the ones I use and love out on display.  The result? 

A rather neat and tidy space.  I can even fit my MacBook Pro nicely, meaning I can work comfortably in my room if I so wish.  I thought I'd show you what I currently have on my dresser.  

This is now what I like to call my 'goody basket', because, well, it has some goodies in it.  To the right we have the Lush products I've been using (yes, that is a TOWIE DVD next to it too...), including I Love Juicy shampoo, American Cream conditioner, Snow Fairy shower gel and my Magic Wand.  To the left we have all my Liz Earle skincare products (which conveniently ran out today, meaning I will need to pop in and pick some more up sharpish) as well as my Sigma F80, tweezers and some cotton pads.  

Before I cleared off my dresser, I had at least 8 perfumes taking up a lot of space.  I have narrowed it down to two, but don't worry I haven't thrown the others away, just stored them elsewhere.  Stella was one of my bargain sale buys and my new everyday fragrance, whilst Chloe is and always will be my (cliche coming up) signature scent. The bottle perched on top is on it's last legs, but luckily I received another bottle for Christmas.  In between the goody basket and my perfumes is the Porefessional Pretty set and two Alamay lip balms which were sent to me very kindly by the companies PR (review coming soon).  

Here's all my barnet products.  Hairspray, volumising mousse etc.  At the front we have my Tangle Teezer, MoroccanOil and Macadamia Healing Oil.  Next to these products is my iPod dock, which I want to move, but quite sure where yet.  

So that's my much tidier dressing table/desk.  Do you ever get a cleaning bug?

Compulsive, Impulsive Shopaholic

My student loan was welcomed into my bank account last week and with the rest of my Christmas money burning a hole in my back pocket, I thought a shopping trip was deserved.  Admittedly, most of my purchases were online but I also did a spot of sale shopping too! Along with online shopping, I also booked flights with my good friend Gina (check out her blog here) as we're going to Spain for 10 days in the summer!

If you follow me on Twitter, or read my blog during the week you'll already know what a couple of my purchases were, including an investment which I'm SO pleased with.  When I get my maintenance grant (the one you don't have to pay back), I always try to make sure that I invest in something that's going to benefit me, last year it was my beloved Macbook Pro.  Without further adieu...

John Lewis; Canon 1100D with 18-55mm Lens £341

My investment buy was this DSLR camera.  I've really loathed the picture quality that my point and shoot gives when I'm taking pictures for my blog.  It is a great camera to take on a night out, but when you're trying to take pictures for reviews and what not, it just doesn't do any products justice.  I'm extremely lucky to have gotten this so cheap (usually retails around £400ish), as my Auntie kindly asked her brother-in-law if we could use his staff discount! I haven't had enough time to sit and play as I've had so much uni work to complete, but I'm already noticing a difference in my pictures and learning different techniques.  

Amazon; Canon EOS Rebel T3/1100D for Dummies Book; £15

The manual I get with the camera isn't all that, so I thought I'd get this to help me out when I'm trying to do various things.  It's 400 pages long, with lots of tips and tricks to help out beginners, which is what I most definitely am...

Amazon; Decal for Kindle; £17.99

I wanted to get some kind of skin for my Kindle, so that I wouldn't scratch it when it's not in its case.  I saw these Decals on Amazon and after flicking through the different designs I came across this Paris illustration.  The application is fiddly, a bit like a screen protector on an iPhone but if you're patient with it, it goes on well.  

Lush; I Love Juicy Shampoo and American Cream Conditioner; £8-10 each

You may well recognise these from my 2012 Beauty Wish List post.  These are possibly the most gorgeous smelling products ever.  I've washed my hair using them twice now and I have to say they really linger on your hair.  Usually after blowdrying or sleeping on my hair, the products smell fades completely.  These didn't. I then straightened my hair and usually the smell is definitely gone at that point. These didn't. Amazing! Oh, and they also leave your hair squeaky clean and silky to the touch!

Love-makeup.co.uk; Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush; £13.99

I finally have this infamous brush in my collection! I have wanted this brush for about 6 months now, but could never bring myself to pay the extortionate shipping fees.  I then heard about Love-makeup.co.uk and the rest is history.  A word of advice, if you see this on the website and you want it, get it in your basket ASAP as they sell out within a day!  I'd really recommend Love Makeup after my experience.  I'd heard their shipping took a while but my brush turned up next day after despatch.  I've used the F80 a couple of times now and it really does give you a flawless finish.  A full review will be up soon, no doubt.

FeelUnique.com; Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment and Deep Repair Masque; £11.50 £10.35 and £18.50

Another off of my 2012 beauty wishlist... I have only literally just received the Masque an hour or so ago .  I'm really excited to try these products as all the reviews have been rave and I've heard it beats the Moroccanoil Restorative masque in both price and product quality.  I'll get back to you on that! The oil treatment is literally filled to the top and the masque is an extremely thick, paste like conditioner that smells amazing.  These can both be used together to create an even more nourishing treatment, or separately.  

Harvey Nichols; Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone case; £30 £15

One of my sale bargains.  I recently had to purchase a new phone as my Blackberry became extremely difficult to use, it would crash on a daily basis and the Blackberry company itself went down AGAIN but not for as long as the first time.  I was fed up and got myself a refurbished iPhone 3GS to hold me over until my contract is up in September.  I bought this case in the sale as I always wanted a Marc Jacobs case.  

House of Fraser; Benefit Porefessionally Pretty £23.50 and Stella by Stella McCartney Eau de Parfum £36.50 £18.25

Oh Benefit, how I love thee.  I have wanted Porefessional for a while and while I was walking around I noticed the gift set on the shelf. Immediately I thought that it would be about £35 knowing what Benefit can be like when they add a couple of samples but when I heard it was £23.50 (same price as just Porefessional on it's lonesome) I knew it was fate and I must buy it. I then saw Stella and the 50% sale sticker that was on her box.  I've been lusting after this for a while as a nice everyday scent. 

Sainsburys; Gok Wan for Tu Satin Shirt; £25 £12.50

I've always had my eye on a few of Gok's pieces in Sainsburys, after it was launched in September/October time.  It was definitely fate that I found it today, the only one left in my size. I think the colour is gorgeous and will look great with some black leggings and boots.  I also think the collar is a bit different, a lot larger than the average and far pointier! 

Matalan; Be Beau Teal Chiffon Shirt; £14

I have a thing for chiffon shirts (and shirts in general), if you hadn't guessed by now.  This 3/4 length beauty caught my eye in Matalan, a place I rarely shop.  I picked this up for  a bargain price and know it's the type of top I'll wear to death.   

So that's why my Christmas money and some of my student loan went towards.  Have you picked up any bargains in the sales?

Trial and Error

If you follow me on Twitter, then you'll know about my new toy.  I purchased a SLR camera with my student loan, as I was sick of the poor quality pictures my point and shoot camera produced.  I have been playing with it since I got it last night and I am SO happy with the quality it produces.  Above are just a sample of the pictures I've been snapping, including a sneak peak into a collective haul/sale shopping post.  I took several pictures of my mothers beloved orchids and they came out pretty good! I've got a book on the camera plus a bigger and faster SD card on the way so I hope that my pictures will get better as I learn!  This is just one of the exciting things to come to enhance my blog, I can't wait to reveal the rest!

I Spy! 'Mullet' dresses?

I haven't done an I Spy! post in a while, mainly because I started these posts with weird and wonderful trends in mind, and with fashion it can sometimes get thoroughly regurgitated.  I came across this latest trend whilst stalking Mollie King's hair.  

Mullet dresses have been seen on a lot of celebrities and provide a different and interesting take on a bog standard dress.  If you have no idea what i'm talking about, or find yourself singing Billy Ray Cyrus' "I want my mullet back da na na na" then here's a few examples...

Olivia Palermo in Bensoni

Lady Gaga in Mugler 

Stella McCartney wearing her own creation

Mollie King in Julian Macdonald

What are your thoughts on this latest dress trend?  I'm certainly loving it, although I think they should rename it...

Yay or Nay?