I mainly focus on fragrances nowadays, but dip my toes into cosmetics, skincare, haircare, books and music.
The other parts...
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Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Snow angels; Cherries On Snow scented candles by Yankee Candle
Rating: 5/5 stars
CHERRIES ON SNOW is one of the fragrances in the Yankee Candle Festive Collection and is officially described as being "An enchanted, sparkling blend of bright, juicy cherries with sweet almonds and an icy freshness". The description is accurate; CHERRIES ON SNOW combines the iciness of peppermint, with the freshness of juicy cherries. This is then warmed up with a sweet, soft and creamy almond and vanilla undertone - I could eat this candle.
I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys.
As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and is strong enough to travel over the house. I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Dazzle me; A closer look at Dazzle EDP by Paris Hilton...
The peach is the strongest fruit note on me and gives the fragrance a soft, fuzzy feel. The cherry and apple gives the quieter fruit a bit of bite and energy, whilst the powdery vanilla is present through all of the fragrance.
The floral notes used in DAZZLE remain watery and in the background. Aside from a breeze of orange blossom, violet and honeysuckle, none of them are strong enough to stand out from the fruits and vanilla. This is definitely a fruity perfume.
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Heat: The nighttime edition... Review of Midnight Heat EDP by Beyonce
"For Beyoncé, fragrance is an essential accessory to highlight your inner radiance, confidence and sex appeal. Midnight Heat is the ultimate evening scent, sensual and enticing with just a hint of mystery." - Official Beyonce Website [beyonceparfums.com]
Friday, 16 November 2012
Sinfully good for perking up dull complexions...
NARS powder blush in Sin is a shade that I never have looked twice at when visiting makeup counters, as it looks like a very dark mauve in the pan, and doesn't look like it would do anything for my pale skin. However, I bought the LE Danmari All About Cheeks palette by NARS last year and this was one of the featured shades in the palette, so I finally gave it a go....
SIN is a gorgeous, dusky-berry shade on skin. It also is lightly shimmering with a golden gleam. The soft pinky mauve colour and golden shimmery undertone gives me a natural glow. Most importantly, it wears well - I'll apply it in the morning and it will last until I take it off at the end of the day. NARS is a pricey brand, but the quality is unbeatable. SIN is now becoming my favourite blush ever and I'm sure that it will be the first one in the palette that I'll hit pan on.
One thing to bare in mind; Almost every other blush can be worn year round, but SIN is something that is best suited to colder weather wear, as the berry tone is so cheerful, yet soft and dusky , so it really perks up my tired, winter-chilled skin.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Walking in a winter wonderland: Yankee Candle in Winter Wonderland...
❄❄❄❄❄/❄❄❄❄❄Advantages: Unique fragrance with good throw, that you're not just limited to December for use,Disadvantages: availability.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
It's a Glam slam... Review of Glam by Kim Kardashian...
"I can tell where I was in life when I made each perfume. Every fragrance means something different to me. My personality and my mood was light and fun [this time around] and I can see that [in Glam]. It's a little bit more electric [than the others]. It's the most energetic." - Kim Kardashian
Friday, 2 November 2012
I'm Snow In Love with this fragrance...
SNOW IN LOVE is one of Yankee Candles four new Christmas 2012 fragrances and is officially described as being "creamy, comforting woods and wintry powder freshness." I'd describe it as clean minty air, tart cherries and as having some fresher wood, probably pine, mixed in with a touch of creamier sandalwood. It is a mix of Yankee's Cherries In The Snow and Sparkling Snow fragrances, so if you like those you'll be pleased with this too.
I love the fragrance as it manages to be a perfect balance between sweet and fresh, plus it's a bit festive, but yet it's not something I think of as being overly Christmassy; it is more of a everyday fragrance for autumn/winter, so you can use it now and on into the new year. As with all Yankee candles, the entirety of the wax is perfumed; I've used some candles where the fragrance burns up before the candle does, but that is not the case here. The fragrance lasts as long as the candle does and is strong enough to travel over the house. I even catch occasional wafts of the perfume whilst the candle is unlit.
I've found that the tarts and tea lights throw off a stronger scent than the candles, so I think that they are the better buys.
I personally prefer to use the tealights; as well as having a stronger fragrance, there's the fact that for the price of a box of 12 scented tealights you get a total of 48 to 72 hours burn-time, so they offer the most value for money. The tealight costs less then 12 tarts or samplers would, so as well as being cheaper - and offering a similar burn time - then either the small jars and tumblers, and over half of the price less then the medium jars or tumblers.
The tealights come in individual clear plastic cups, so you don't have to bother with a tealight holder if you don't have one; just sit the cup on a saucer. Yankee do many special ranges of tealight holders all through the year - many of the decorate models are under £10, and their basic tealight holder can be found online for only £1, so it won't cost as much as buying a tart burner.
And for a final stab at a selling point, I'll add that the tealights float, so you can, umm, float them in your swimming pool - or more likely in a garden pond - during a party.
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Tart
[A tart is a wickless wax patty, so you'll need to buy a tart burner to be able to use it]
6 - 8 hour burn time - £1.20
Sampler votive
15 - 20 hour burn time - £1.65
Small jar
25 -40 hour burn time - £7.75
Medium jar
65 - 90 hour burn time - £15.99
Tea lights [12 per pack]
4 - 6 hour burn time per candle - £6.99