Speedy Review: Pink Sugar Berry Blast edt, by Aquolina.

The original note of Pink Sugar is enhanced by a boost of blueberries and blackberries, taking on an interesting sugary connotation...

A sweet and sugary fragrance, inspired by the sweetness and softness of cotton candy. A delightful world accented by delicate sweet touches reminiscent of the joy and fun of an evening at a fair. 

A unique olfactory experience intertwining fantasy and reality. 

I'm a big fan of Aquolina's Pink Sugar and I have lost count of the number of bottles I've gotten through during the last couple of decades. I'd just finished yet another bottle and was looking around online for the best offers on a new one, which is how I discovered this version; the promise of Pink Sugar, with an added blast of berries, cedar, moss and cherry [Pink Sugar contains 'red berries', but I don't pick up on anything close to cherry]. How can that be anything other than a winner?

I've also tried a couple of the flankers too over the years, which have also been nice,so I thought that a blind buy would be a safe bet. Will the year be starting with a bang?

Speedy Review: Far Away Sparkle edp, by Avon.

An enchanting fruity gourmand scent that turns any moment into a celebration...

Looking for the best perfume to uplift your spirits this festive season? We’ve got just the thing. Meet our limited edition Far Away Sparkle Eau de Parfum - a fruity gourmand perfume for women that’s got Santa taking notes.

Centered around the decadence of caramelised praline (yeah, we’re salivating too!) that’s crafted to be three times more addictive than the traditional gourmand note - this fragrance is the touch of glamour you need to keep calm and sparkle on.

It also makes the perfect present for the holiday season. #JustSaying

Ahh; we're going to be celebrating Christmas with a beautifully bottled flanker from a reliable line of fragrances - surely we're going to be finishing the year on a strong note now?

Here's hoping 🤞

The lost fantasy [reviewing Pure Fantasy Eau de Parfum Elixir Spray, by Britney Spears]

"Pure Fantasy is a 2025 addition to Britney Spears’ Fantasy line, released to mark the collection’s 20th anniversary" ‐ so says the only official information I found about this release. 

Elizabeth Arden were the original license holders for the Britney Spears perfumes, which was then sold to Revlon. Now it seems that another company [Give Back Beauty] has bought the licence. The fragrance had already been produced and had even been released in a few countries, but it was cancelled anyway. 

I never saw Pure Fantasy in official retailers in the UK in Febuary when it was annonhed, however you can still buy it today on a British beauty site & there are several British eBay stores with Pure Fantasy for sale, so either I just missed it, or stock was already in the process of being shipped internationally to retailers when the licence was sold...

First impressions: Rare edp, by Rare Beauty.

The essence of the perfect moment

Rare by Rare Beauty is a Oriental Vanilla fragrance for women and men. Warm and decadent with a touch of spice, this gourmand fragrance evolves with every passing moment. 

The composition highlights ethically sourced ingredients from various regions, contributing to its distinctive and refined character.

As much as I love the various facets of vanilla, I've had to accept that vanilla is a scent that doesn't always wear well on my skin, so I've learned to approach fragrances containing it with more caution than I used to. 

So I've been taking my time with testing Rare Beauty's first fragrance whenever I pass my closest Sephora store, and now want to share my first impressions ready for people finishing their Christmas shopping...

The red star... [reviewing Black Opium OVER RED edp, by YSL]

 Black Opium invites you to experiment with "the OVER RED rush"...

"A quest for experimental pleasure, highly disruptive, profoundly artistic, and excessively fragrant. A climax in true euphoria." 

The fragrance unites Black  Opium's classic signature with a new contrast for additional excitement. 

🚨Boots Star Gift alert 🚨

You can currently buy the 50ml bottle of YSL Black Opium Over Red for just £49 [usually £105]. 

I Really enjoy Black Opium during the colder months and i love the scent of cherries, but I've never come across a tester for this before. However I just HAD to pick up a bottle on the Boots app whilst I was picking up some Christmas gifts for family with such a huge saving.