Speedy review: Bombshell Intense edp, by Victoria's Secret...

 A provocative sister to Bombshell, America's No. 1 Fragrance... 

 

Inspired by the perfect red, Bombshell Intense embodies all the colour implies. Lush Cherry, creamy and bright. Velvety Red Peony for a rich, saturated take on Bombshell's signature, petally floral.

Sultry Vanilla wraps the fragrance in decadent warmth for a powerful finish.

I've recently bought my second bottle of Bombshell Intense and have realised that I've never reviewed it on the blog before. Since it is still readily available both in-store and online and I enjoy it enough to be on my second bottle, I wanted to give it a shout-out.

If you have been looking for a fragrance with a deliciously realistic cherry, then please read on...

 

No passport required... [reviewing Bombshell London edp, by Victoria's Secret]

Enchanted by the botanical charm of London, this floral fragrance features luminous garden lace peony at its heart. 

It looks like Bombshell is going on a international tour; in addition to Bombshell London, another three LE Bombshell flankers [Bombshell Lagos, Bombshell Bogota & Bombshell Tokyo] named after capital cities in countries where Victoria's Secret is sold.

I don't know if other countries are going to have their own perfume editions in the foreseeable future, or even if they'll ever be available to buy in other countries outside of their own [Bombshell Bogota in particular appeals to me], but as of right now, we can only buy Bombshell London in the UK. 

Getting lippy: That's Swell XXXL Extreme Lip Plumper, by Barry M.

Dare to turn up the heat with Barry M's That's Swell XXXL in Flames! Formulated for intense, extra-hot, plumped lips... can you handle the heat?

Caution... extra hot! Turn up the temperature with That’s Swell XXXL Extreme Lip Plumper! Infused with Sichuan Pepper and Ginger Root Extracts to stimulate your lips natural collagen for an off the scale, maximum volume plumping effect! The only question is: can you handle the heat? Warning: Contains tingling sensation to plump lips! 

I'm a fan of lip plumping glosses - I've never noticed any real plumping results [except for one], but I love the tingling/faint burn sensation they have on the lips. Therefore when I stumbled across this when looking for the NYX Duck Pout glosses, I had to give it a go....

The great bake off.. [reviewing Easy Bake edp, by Huda Beauty]

 Bold, extremely sensual, and delicious, we took the iconic fragrance from our Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder and bottled it!

Capturing the seductive, creamy floral bouquet from our cult-fave powder, our limited-edition Easy Bake Eau de Parfum is a signature perfume that leaves an irresistible scent trail wherever you go.

Bursting with juicy pear, this sexy opening develops into a heart of an iconic tuberoseli infusion. A sensual base of vanilla & amber creates a powerfully irresistible fragrance with the staying power of our O.G. loose powder!

Today we're taking a dip into another perfume that I had no idea was in the works, until I just happened to randomly stumble across an online announcement about it being available. As it is labelled as there only being a limited amount available, I'm guessing then when it's sold out it's not coming back, so I wanted to get my review up ASAP to hopefully help people make their minds on if they want it or not. 

It's certainly not a secret that I really enjoy enjoy Kayali fragrances and since Kayali is attached to Huda Beauty & Huds's sister is the CEO for Kayali,  I was instantly curious about just how well Huda can do in comparison - my bench mark is set high.

Needless to say; I couldn't resist making a purchase...

Cocoa: The Gathering [reviewing Tease Cocoa Soirée edp, by Victoria's Secret]

 Indulge your desires

 Tease Cocoa Soiree opens with the alluring vibrancy of lush wildberry.

The ripe fruit blend mixes with delicate freesia petals, adding a bright floral quality. Finally, a whipped mocha creates the most irresistibly tempting gourmand base.

I've mentioned before that I don't keep up with Victoria's Secret qfragrance launches closely, because the difference in the launch dates between America & the UK tend to be lengthy and they don't bother announcing the launches again when they do eventually come over here. 

I happened to see a in-store poster for Cocoa Soiree when I was in a Victoraia's Secret store last month, but there where no bottles left apart from the tester, which I  instantly fell for. I revisited  the store a week later in hopes of a restock, but still nothing. However the SA searched through all of the drawers in the beauty hall for me and found a single bottle, so I got my fix.

Seeing that Cocoa Soiree is still available to buy on the Victoria's Secret website today, I thought that I'd give it a little spotlight...

 

Is it from another galaxy? [reviewing Cosmic edp, by Kylie Cosmetics]

A magnetic, skin-inspired scent that smells out of this world.

cosmic kylie jenner is a sweet, warm floral, elevated scent that is perfect for day and night. an ambery floral eau de parfum, the scent is magnetic, addictive, and out of this world. 

the sculptural bottle was designed to look like a piece of art from another world and is formed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. 

Oops a daisy; I was just browsing social media to cheer myself up with cute animal videos and I stumbled across the announcement that the first perfume from Kylie Cosmetics was now available, so I went to the brand site just to read more information about the fragrance, but then I somehow ended up buying a bottle.

 I'd not known that kylie cosmetics was going to be launching a perfume, but reading the description & key scent notes brings Fame to mind, which is a perfume I've been enjoying immensely. Plus i vaguely remember a kkw fragrance & kylie collection and the fragrance in it that interested me the most had similar key scent notes, so since I never got that one & my enjoyment of Fame, I couldn't resist trying cosmic...

[Music Minute] Eternal Sunshine, by Ariana Grande

 Eternal Sunshine is the seventh album by Ariana Grande, which was released in March 2024 through Republic records.

The lead single [Yes, And?] had geat retro urban/pop music, a strong hook and was delivered with a strong & confident attitude, so I was excited for this album as (based on the single) it seems that we're getting a mash-up of the Dangerous Woman & Thank U Next eras.

Dangerous Woman and Thank U Next are my favourite Ariana Grande albums, so I pre-ordered a digital copy of Eternal Sunshine as soon as it became available on Amazon - would the wait & suspense pay off on release aday?

The power of the plush? [reviewing the Power Plush foundation, by Kylie Cosmetics]

 "my power plush longwear foundation is a hydrating, instantly smoothing foundation with medium, buildable coverage and up to 12 hours of comfortable wear. this weightless formula seamlessly blends into the skin to blur fine lines, pores, and texture. 

it leaves a soft, cushiony feel with an airbrushed, satin finish that’s not too dewy, not too matte, but the perfect in between"

medium, buildable coverage - creamy texture blends seamlessly into the skin.

Natural, satin finish - feels weightless and skin breathable.

Up to 12 hours of comfortable wear - doesn't cake or crease, and is sweat, humidity and waterproof.

Hydrating and non-comedogenic - doesn’t clog pores, settle into fine lines or cling to dry patches.

Contains flex form properties - for highly comfortable, flexible wear.

I'd tried various things from Kylie Cosmetics back when it was owned by Seed Beauty, because everyone would always rave about how fantastic it was and I'd suffer from FOMO. However I was underwhelmed with almost everything I tried, and I didn't even bother reviewing some of it here, because I couldn't scrape enough words for a useful review. 

Last year I was curious to see if the quality had improved since Coty now owns the brand, so I used some of my Boots points on the Bronze [eyeshadow] Palette from them - I really liked it and ended up buying the Classic Matte palette soon after. I then got a LE set of products while  Christmas shopping [Boots still stocks it], and I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I like those products too - especially the mascara. Since I've gained confidence in the brand, I recently decided to take the plunge and try their new foundation which I'd been noticing loads of rave reviews for...

... I have very dry skin, so if I bother with a base I wear Huda Beauty GloWish Skin Tint, or every now and then I'll go for a BB cream - it's been several years since I've actually bought a medium+ foundation base before this.

Wish me luck 🙏 

A hug from a rose... [reviewing Molecule 04 edt, by Escentric Molecules]

"What I love about Javanol is its almost psychedelic freshness. It smells as if liquid metallic grapefruit peel were poured over a bed of velvety cream-coloured roses" - Geza Schoen  

 

Molecule 04 consists of Javanol, pure and singular. It is a sandalwood-type molecule that retains the radiance and endurance of natural sandalwood but is sheer and transparent like no sandalwood in nature.

Javanol is like Iso E Super, the molecule in Molecules 01, in some ways. Like Iso E Super, it comes and goes. The person wearing it loses the ability to smell it after a short while, only to re-connect with it later.

After beginning to test Escentric 01 for my last post, I remembered them that I'd received a different Escqentric Molecules fragrance in the Flannels 2022 Beauty Advent Calendar - I'd put it in a storage box that I use for spare bodycare to test later, but then forgot all about it as it soon became buried under other stuff.

I think that it's beyond time for me to dig it out and give it a fair chance to impress me...

Pencil in a bottle... [reviewing Escentric 01 edt, by Escentric Molecoles]

Wrap yourself in the radiant Winsor Violet of Escentric 01, the colour of star-stained dusk, the colour of touch - Geza Schoen [creator & brand founder]

Escentric Molecules owes its existence to an aroma-molecule that does not exist in nature. Iso E Super was created in a laboratory at IFF in 1973. It remained unknown outside the world of perfumery until the launch of Escentric Molecules, though its elusive presence hovers at relatively low concentrations in the background of many fragrances for both men and women. Among perfumers, it is prized for its velvety, cocooning effect.

Escentric 01 focuses on Iso E Super at 65% of the fragrance compound in an abbreviated formula designed to maximise the molecule's efflorescence. 

For most of the year I like to prepare myself for getting into a Christmassy mood by putting aside £5 here and £10 there, to be ready for the launch of the year's beauty advent calendars. Then I watch loads of unboxing videos on YouTube to help me decide which one (or two depending on how well I'd managed to save that year) will be helping me pamper myself ready for the big day.

Last year's winner [Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar 2023] 

presented me with a 30ml bottle of Escentric 01 on the first day of December and reading up on it I became very curious about the idea behind it and was keen to give it a fair chance to win me over... 

The Bookworm: Assistant To The Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

 A #1 New York Times bestseller from the creator of a viral TikTok series about the sunshine assistant to the evil villain and their unexpected romance.

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, level-headed assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things in General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn's most infamous Villain results in a job offer-naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don't find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she's getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat...and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain-and his entire nefarious empire-out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work... and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find....

All in the name? [reviewing Fame edp, by Paco Rabanne]

  Playful. Sensual. Empowered. 

Capturing the irresistible Parisian spirit of the Rabanne woman, FAME pays tribute to a new era of femininity.

The quintessence of avant-garde luxury, the fragrance is a blend of exceptionally pure jasmine, succulent mango and an addictively sensual creamy incense.

Fame is something that I've been repeatedly been testing since it was launched and whilst I liked it, a combination of other releases, new-to-me finds & revisits kept taking my focus away from it.

For Christmas 2023 I'd decided to pounce on the Fame giftsets at Boots or Superdrug as soon as they were slashed in price by a third when the NY sales started... and I got distracted by last-minute Christmas stuff and too slow for the start of the online sales, so they had sold out by the time I got around to looking. However I found the giftset on the UK Sephora site [with the same level of discount] after managing to somehow forget that they sell fragrances until boxing day 😅 

Anyway; Is Fame as good as I seem to recall, or have I gotten it mixed up with Fame Parfum & made a pricy error?  [I'm writing the intro before it arrives and I'm already doubting myself]

What makes a Lychee sparkle? [reviewing Eden Sparkling Lychee | 39 edp, by Kayali]

THE VIBE: Radiant, Cheerful, Confident. 

Prepare to be tempted! Eden Sparkling Lychee| 39 Eau de Parfum is a radiant and cheerful fruity floral fragrance featuring a beautiful blend of luscious lychee, tart blackcurrant and sweet candied violet.

In the spirit of the Eden Collection, Sparkling Lychee | 39 opens with a cocktail of mouthwatering fruity notes that instantly brighten your mood! At the heart, a bouquet of flirty florals adds a layer of confidence to this cheerful juice. As this sparkling juice dries down, warm notes of sugared amber, delicious vanilla and sensual musk create a long-lasting and alluring scent trail.

I'm a bit behind on Kayali; I skipped out on the limited edition duo [Wedding Silk Santal | 36 & Wedding Velvet Santal | 35], and I've been repeatedly visiting Selfridges to investigate the four releases in the Oudgasm collection [Café Oud | 19, Vanilla Oud | 36, Rose Oud | 16 & Tobacco Oud | 04] and I do like them to varying degrees, but I have not decided on which (if any) I'm going to buy - genuine oud is an expensive ingredient in fragrance, so that collection costs more money, plus it is intense enough scent-wise to make me wary of triggering migraines...

Anyway, back to today's subject; I was excited to learn that it looks like Eden is going to be the name of a fragrance collection, rather than the name for a single fragrance; summer '22 saw the release of Eden Juicy Apple | 01, a fun & flirty fruity/floral that was inspired by 1990s body splashes that were popular when the Kayali founder was in high school. Being a 90s teen myself I really enjoy the feeling of carefree & happy nostalgia when I wear it, so I couldn't wait to try out Sparkling Lychee when it was released a short while ago, to see if it has the same vibe since it is focused around some of the Juicy Apple supporting scent notes. I tested it in the festive lead-up and immediately liked it, but wanted to wait and try it a few more times at a later date, however... guess what a couple of friends clubbed together to get me for Christmas? 

Was it a one-hit wonder, or is this a contender for being one of my favourite Kayali releases? 

The Bookworm: Our Violent Ends, by Chloe Gong.

The heartstopping follow up to These Violent Delights, an imaginative, alluring retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai.

After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. One wrong move, and her cousin will step into usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang's heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less.

Roma is still reeling from Marshall's death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it's his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he's determined to set things right - even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure.

Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma's cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren't prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.