D by Diesel Eau de Toilette

post features sample

 I've developed a really keen interest in fragrances over the past year or so and, being particularly interested in 'genderless' scents, the new launch from Diesel got my attention.

D by Diesel is being marketed as not only designed for literally everybody to wear, but also Vegan and environmentally friendly.

The box and bottle are plastic free and made using recycled materials, with the brand lamenting that D is a fragrance for now and for the future. I like this angle myself - anything that promotes environmental awareness is ok by me!

The glass bottle is quite a cool design too, with the idea being that it's crushed and crumbled in your hand, to symbolise 'the mark your actions leave'. With an architectural design, the bottle is also refillable, which is obviously a good thing.

The genderless fragrance features top notes of Ginger and Bergamot, with Denim Cotton Accord and Lavender in the middle and Vanilla and Ambery Woods in the base.

With responsibly sourced Lavender and Vanilla, the scent itself leans quite masculine to me. By masculine I mean I pick up a lot of the typical sort of woodsy/lavender fougere notes that many male-marketed fragrances contain. That said, it's very much a 'clean', just out of the shower and ready to seize the day kind of scent, perfect for warm weather but I'm interested to see how I like it when it cools down significantly. The dry down lets a little bit of sweetness through from the Vanilla, which I appreciate as a gourmand fragrance lover.

I find the Denim Cotton Accord interesting, in that I'm not sure I can actually smell it! Once again I look forward to trying the scent again when the weather turns and I might just be able to pick it out.

This stuff lasts forever on my skin, which is not bad for an Eau de Toilette. In fact it lasts a lot longer than some of my more expensive fragrances. For this reason, I wish I liked the fragrance more than I do. I do enjoy it, I just don't really love it to be honest! But fragrance is subjective and I just happen to like mine a little sweeter.

 D by Diesel retails for £36 for 30ml, £54 for 50ml and £74 for the 100ml bottle. It's been released into all major retailers now but I recommend grabbing a bottle from Escentual where you can currently buy it at 25% off right now here.

Commodity Fragrances Expressive Discovery Kit

(sample/aff)

 Affordable and niche are not usually two words that go together, but Commodity is very much a reasonably priced niche fragrance brand.

A couple of years ago I bought a few Commodity gift sets in the 'Book' fragrance for various members of my family and had great feedback, so I'm pleased to be delving into the brand myself.
Commodity Fragrances have recently introduced the Scent Space Collection. In a nutshell, this new collection means there are now three versions of the brand's signature scents, available in varying strengths to suit you. You can read more about the Scent Space concept at CommodityFragrances but I’ll try my best to explain it!

The Personal Collection: Fragrances designed to sit close to the skin, with little projection. The subtle formula is perfect if you like to keep things light and don't necessarily care if others can smell your perfume. The personal fragrances are also perfect for bed, if like me you enjoy a pre-sleep spritz, or if you prefer a ‘skin scent’ that’s mainly just for you to enjoy.
The Expressive Collection: These fragrances pack a little more punch and those around you should be able to pick up on how great you smell, though the scent won't overpower smaller spaces.
The Bold Collection: These more intense versions are all about making a statement. With exotic notes added, Bold is the collection to go for when you want to get noticed.

I have here the Expressive Discovery Kit. The Expressive collection features the original versions of the various Commodity fragrances. You can also find these discovery sets in the two other Scent Space incarnations mentioned above - Personal and Bold.

The Discovery Kits feature 6 x 2ml sample atomisers, with named cards for testing and a booklet explaining the different scents. You'll also receive a 15% off code to use on the 100ml size of your favourite scent.
The fragrances included in the kit are Paper, Milk, Gold, Velvet, Moss and Book.
They are all interesting fragrances, with something to appeal to every nose but my personal favourite has to be Gold. Gold is an amber-vanilla scent that I find pretty beautiful. It's sort of smooth and creamy, with an edible quality - there really is something distinctly 'gold' about it too! I would definitely go for a full size of this.

Here are the official notes of the Expressive fragrances in the kit:

Book: Eucalyptus, Bergamot Violet, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Amyris, Musk Amber Vetiver

Paper: Iso E Super, Sandalwood, Cedarwood

Gold: Juniper Berries, Creamy Musk, Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood, Benzoin

Velvet: White Birch, Coconut Water, Vanilla, Amber, Roasted Almonds, Rose Petals

Moss: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Petitgrain, Orange Blossom, Cedarwood, Oakmoss

Milk: Cold Milk Accord, Skin Musk, Warm Marshmallow, Mahogany Wood, Tonka Bean

Just looking at these notes makes me want to go back through and give each scent another few wears. They really are beautifully blended and made for everyone but if you’re keen to try just one scent I would go for Paper – the addition of Iso E Super means this is a fragrance that’s going to smell different, and undoubtedly fantastic, on everyone.

If you haven’t already, I would definitely check out Commodity Fragrances. As well as the Scent Space discovery kits, there is also a range of ‘Archive’ fragrances available and of course 100ml (from £95) and 10ml (from £24) sizes of the Personal, Expressive and Bold scents. The Discovery Kits start at £20 and Scent Space Trio Kits containing the three versions of the scents are £12. If you do decide to purchase something, use code Hannah10 at checkout for 10% off your order.

5 Fragrances to Wear to Bed

(affiliate links)

 Since I've discovered my newfound appreciation for fragrances, I've really been enjoying treating myself to a little spritz before bed.
My post-shower routine was once all about skincare but now, while rinsing out my conditioner I find myself thinking about which fragrance I'm going to choose too.
Obviously, you can wear whatever scent you like but here I'm sharing a few that make me feel comfortable and cocooned - exactly what I need to get me in the mood for sleep!

E. Coudray is a brand I'd not actually heard of until the December Escentual Perfume Blind Trial box. The theme was Gourmand so I knew there would be at least one winner in the box but I was not expecting the effect this fragrance has on me. The fragrance was sadly discontinued after the sample boxes were created but luckily the E Coudray Vanille et Coco Body Oil is still available at Escentual. This is the softest, most comforting powder-puff scent. It's warm and delicious and basically feels like a cuddle. I've been wearing it to bed since I bought it. Despite the name, I don't really detect the coconut in this (maybe a coconut cream rather than tropical coconut) but I'm thinking this note could come through if I were to wear it in warmer weather perhaps.

R.E.M is another Ariana Grande fragrance that has totally surprised me. I already love Cloud and the fruit-tart-esque Sweet Like Candy and now the fairly new R.E.M fragrance has me audibly sighing. If dreamy sugared lavender, salted caramel and Tonka bean sounds good, just wait until you smell this beauty. It reminds me a lot of Lush's iconic Sleepy range; Warm, comforting, sweet but never cloying. The lavender in R.E.M gives the perfume a slightly masculine edge which counteracts the sweetness and adds to the incredible cosiness of the scent. I've read that a lot of people wear this fragrance to bed and I'm now one of them. An affordable celeb scent that smells a little expensive.

Nivea eau de toilette is that iconic original Nivea cream scent, bottled. The universally loved clean, powdery scent is incredibly comforting and familiar to me. It's probably very evocative for a lot of people, as Nivea cream was (and still is) a very popular face cream, so I imagine this scent would bring back some lovely memories of parents and grandparents during simpler times! There's also a Nivea Sun version; ideal if the smell of sunscreen takes you to your happy place.

Molton Brown Milk Musk is a very aptly named fragrance, though it could have easily been called Warm Hug or Comfort Blanket. To me, Milk Musk smells like just that - milk and musk. Well, to be more specific it's like a creamy, warm cup of vanilla-spiked milk with a little whipped cream on top and comfy, cosy cashmere socks. This scent is definitely milky but not hugely sweet, with a musky, woody dry down and a touch of sugar. I find it to be very subtle and very much a skin scent. Perfect for getting snuggly.


Want to sleep like a baby? Wear baby perfume! Mustela's Musti is a light, alcohol-free fragrance water designed for kids but great for adults.
With notes of Honey, Chamomile, Rose, Lilac, Citrus and Amber, this light fragrance smells clean and fresh. I can imagine this would be particularly pleasant as a bed-scent in Summer thanks to the refreshing citrus.

So that's five scents to wear to bed, but really fragrance is such a personal thing, so I say wear whatever brings you joy! 

I'd love to know if you wear scent to bed and if so, what's your favourite?

Kayali Get Rich Kit

 (affiliate links)

 Huda Kattan's fragrance line, Kayali, has a very good reputation for producing quality, expensive-smelling scents at accessible price points. I've tried Vanilla 28 previously and quite liked it, so when I saw the Get Rich Kit that features a Vanilla 28 hand cream, me and my Christmas money got in there pretty quick.

Along with the vanilla hand cream, this little kit features a dinky 10ml bottle of Invite Only Amber, which was incidentally on my ever-growing list of fragrances to sample.
Alone, these products are beautiful, but together? That's a powerhouse situation!
Vanilla and Amber are two notes that are often put together in fragrance creation anyway and layering these two products just further confirms why. The result is creamy, boozy, sweet and powerful and will almost certainly turn heads.

Vanilla 28

This may be a scented hand cream but it is rich in both formula and fragrance, so it's potent enough to act as a scent all on its own. Don't let the fact that it's a 'hand' cream put you off either; apply to tops of arms, wrists, collarbones, all over or anywhere you like! The Shea butter formula is intensely moisturising but not greasy and it smells delicious. With Madagascan Vanilla and Jasmine, Vanilla 28 is balanced with warm notes including Musk, Amber, Patchouli and Brown Sugar. To my nose, this is a sexy vanilla rather than a dessert vanilla – it’s still cosy and comforting but it has an edge to it.

Invite Only Amber

I had read a few reviews of Invite Only Amber before I bought the Get Rich Kit; mainly five star ratings raving about how the blend is reminiscent of expensive Ouds and is a major receiver of compliments. Notes of Amber Resin, Black Cherry, Madagascan Vanilla, Honey de Provence and Tobacco Leaf are complemented by Roasted Hazelnut, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Citrus, Rose and Musks to create an incredibly enticing fragrance. To me, this smells boozy and smoky in the best way – and a little like Jack Daniel’s Honey Whiskey when first sprayed!

The Kayali Get Rich Kit is a great way to get a taste (or whiff) of Kayali fragrances and is equally good for on-the-go and on your dresser. Worth £35, the cheapest I’ve found the Get Rich Kit is £22.50 at Feel Unique.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Body Cream

(affiliate links)

 I've chosen a very odd time to become a perfume obsessive, but I suppose it was going to happen sooner or later. With the continual presence of Covid and therefore constant, looming threat to my sense of smell, my subconscious could be to blame for my sudden change intense interest in fragrance. Well, my subconscious and the Escentual #EscentualScents blind trial boxes I've been enjoying every month. It's only really since I started participating in the trials that I've paid attention to fragrance notes and genres and I've become a frequent visitor to the Fragrantica website. I've literally spent hours in bed reading through reviews and becoming increasingly fascinated with other people's perfume collections (my own isn't even worth a mention - just a quarter of a bottle of Dolce and Gabbana Dolce sits on my chest of drawers at the moment).

It was Escentual Scents that introduced me to Ariana Grande Cloud which in turn introduced me to Baccarat Rouge 540, which I ordered a small sample of, fell in love with, recoiled at the price of, then received the body cream version of for Christmas.

My precious bottle of scented lotion arrived via Net a Porter so it was beautifully presented in a chic black box with ribbon and tissue, making it extra special when opening on Christmas morning.

The squared bottle has a twist function on the cap, just a small turn to the right creates an opening at the top, then you turn the bottle upside down and squeeze to dispense. Sort of like a very expensive condiment I suppose!

I've always found the lotion or hand cream version of perfumes to be just as good, if not better at lasting on the skin and the Baccarat Rouge 540 lotion performs as expected.

It's a lightweight cream which I've applied quite sparingly to my arms and collarbone and found that it absorbs so quickly that if it weren't for the scent it would almost feel like I never put it on at all. It doesn't feel greasy on the skin at all.

The body cream has a moisturising Shea butter base and smells just like the perfume; bittersweet saffron and woody cedar combined with musky Ambroxan and fresh and floral Hedione compound (a sort of jasmine and lemon-smelling synthetic note). I think it's such a weird scent but at the same time it's utterly beautiful. Weird doesn't necessarily mean bad anyway, does it?

Fragrances smell different on different people in general, but the special thing about Baccarat Rouge 540 is that the large quantities of Hedione and Ambroxan really amplify that effect. It is a scent that comes into its own on the skin and is basically unique for everyone. Some people smell something quite medicinal and clinical, others get a straight-up dose of burnt sugar, some smell barely anything at all. On me I pick up something semi-sweet and musky with more than a touch of what I'd describe as a jasmine bush after quite a lot of rain.

The only slight difference (to my nose) is that the perfume I sampled had a bit more of that sort of ozonic Ambroxan vibe than what I can detect in the body cream. Perhaps if I apply the lotion a little more generously I'd get more of an Ambroxan hit?

Either way, I'm loving the body cream incarnation of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540.

As mentioned, mine was from Net a Porter (sold out at time of writing) but you can find it at John Lewis, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Harrods and of course Maison Francis Kurkdjian for £70 for 250ml.

We Need to Talk About Ariana Grande Cloud

(affiliate links)

 Call me a snob, but when I read the words 'celebrity fragrance' a few other words come to mind and they're not nice ones! I've just long associated celeb perfumes with a certain tackiness that's never really appealed at any age (besides maybe the Gwen Stefani Harajuku Lovers line if only for the kitsch doll bottles). That's why I was so completely taken by surprise when I fell totally in love with one of the Escentual Perfume Blind Trial samples in the September box (more about that here) and it turned out to be Cloud by Ariana Grande.

I mean, you just need to look at the bottle of this particular celebrity scent to assume that it's aimed at a particular demographic (not mine), with its cloud-shaped lid and puffy white plastic cloud stand. Sure, it's cute but at a glance it would more likely appeal to my 19 year old self than it does to me now. In fact, if it wasn't for the blind trial there's a very good chance I would have never, ever spritzed this fragrance onto a cardboard tester let alone want to completely douse my skin and clothes in it. 

We know that scent is such a personal, subjective area, so I find it a bit tricky to review and you may well absolutely hate it, but I am a big, big fan of Ariana Grande Cloud. Here's why. 

With top notes of Lavender, Pear and Bergamot, a Coconut, Praline, Whipped Cream and Vanilla Orchid heart and Musk and Woody base, Cloud is girly-sweet with a classically masculine edge all at once. When I first tried Cloud as part of the Escentual Scents Perfume Blind Trial, I described it in the Facebook group as ‘a bit ozone-y’, (Ambrox perhaps?) which gives the fragrance a sort of airy, cloud-like quality.

It’s a scent that gives me something different every time. Sometimes I smell burnt toffee, like stovetop caramel that's been taken that little bit too far, other times it could almost be a sweetened version of Glossier You. I sprayed some the other day when my mum was visiting and she asked if I was wearing one of my partner's colognes. I'm sniffing my wrist right now as I type this and it's all cotton candy and bonfires. All the different notes seem to come together just so beautifully to create something sweet and a bit cheeky but also warm, comforting and sort of grown up. I feel like this scent has something for everyone and would suit anyone from adolescence and well beyond. 

I can detect the typically ‘masculine’ Lavender and Bergamot notes, with a hint of juicy Pear and a big old dose of sweet Praline, Cream and Vanilla (if you don’t like gourmand fragrances I doubt you will like this). Of course there’s the lovely Musk and Wood that comes through at the end, but I just can’t smell the coconut in this. Maybe one day it will suddenly make itself known for me but so far I just can’t pick it up. I have read that many people can’t detect coconut so if you don’t like coconut scents I would still give this a go.

Speaking of coconuts, I feel like Cloud is one of those transeasonal scents that would be just as beautiful when worn on a tropical beach somewhere in the height of Summer as it would when curled up in front of the fire with a cup of cocoa.

To me, Cloud is just so unexpectedly delightful and having sampled Maison Francis Kurkdjian's cult fragrance Baccarat Rouge 540, I can understand why it's widely thought of as an affordable dupe. While BR 540 is a little more multi-layered and sophisticated, with a stronger emphasis on wood and musk, Cloud comes pretty close overall. Cloud is certainly a beautiful scent in its own right though! 

It’s a great example of why the Escentual Scents Perfume Blind Trial is such an excellent idea – as mentioned earlier I would never have given this fragrance a go had I known what it was, if that makes sense!

In terms of longevity, it is quite fleeting on me, leaving behind a sort of woody, warm, slightly sweet dry down that I can’t stop sniffing. It’s a pretty affordable fragrance anyway but you can often find it on sale at Escentual or as part of a promo at Boots.

Cloud by Ariana Grande is available in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml with prices starting at around £25.

Escentual Perfume Blind Trial Discovery Box Set

(article contains affiliate links)

In case you didn't know, Escentual is a pretty amazing online beauty shopping destination. They offer    an exceptional (and ever growing) selection of French Pharmacy, mid-range and high end skincare, makeup and fragrance and I've found myself browsing for hours sometimes. If I'm looking for gifts or some Mustela products for my son, Escentual is usually my first port of call- their prices are pretty much unbeatable anyway and they often have amazing sales such as 25% off French Pharmacy brands and site wide discounts popping up frequently.

Today's post is all about something that Escentual launched at the start of the year; the Escentual Perfume Blind Trial. It's a really cool concept that I'm sure brightened a lot of days during recent lockdowns!
Part of the #EscentualScents program and in collaboration with Thomas Dunckley aka The Candy Perfume Boy, the blind trial involves a discovery set of sample sized mystery perfume vials, an exclusive Facebook group and a whole lot of chat about fragrance!
New discovery sets are released every month, available for £19.95 which is credited back to you via Escentual's Pretty Pennies rewards program. Each set is themed, often according to a particular fragrance family, and includes 8 vials of fragrance and a QR code that you can scan that takes you to the exclusive Perfume Blind Trial Facebook group. 

The 2ml vials are marked A to H and contain a mixture of mystery unisex fragrances as well as scents aimed at men and women. The identities of vials A-D are revealed the week after you receive your box via a Facebook Live with Thomas, with E-H unveiled the following fortnight. Escentual will let you know the date and times of the reveals so you won't miss out - make sure you scan the code and sign up to the Facebook group asap too!

The idea behind the blind trial is to get you thinking about scent without the distraction of knowing all the details and hopefully discovering a new favourite that you otherwise might have overlooked. I have the May edition, which is themed as 'Woody' and I'm really enjoying giving them all a try (always on the supplied sampling cards first, just in case my sensitive pregnancy nose has a meltdown).  I'm actually quite intrigued about what the secret scents could be as the majority smell quite traditionally masculine to me! I'll definitely be tuning into the Facebook Live on Thursday night for the big reveal of the first four.
This month's box is now sold out but you can get your hands on June's box here. Boxes will be available for presale to ensure they're sent out in good time for testing and reveals. Don't forget, you get the £19.95 back in the form of loyalty points too.

Juliette Has a Gun Fragrance Discovery Kit

Like many others, I'm sure, I have a thing about miniature perfumes. I don't know what it is, but there's just something about a tiny vial of fragrance that's always made me a bit happier than it probably should. I guess it's a lot to do with the pocket-friendly size and the fact that I get sick of perfumes pretty fast. Unless it's Glossier You, which I'm not sure I'll ever tire of.

Created by Romano Ricci - the great-grandson of Nina Ricci - Juliette Has a Gun is a brand that's always had my interest, but I've never quite got round to trying anything from them. Until now that is, when I'm actually in the midst of trialling 8 different fragrances, thanks to the brand's Discovery Kit.

There are a few different sample sets to choose from but I've got the least expensive one to show you - the 'Discovery Set Best Seller'.
For 15 Euro, this set includes seven 1.7ml eau de parfum samples and one 4ml vial of the brand's iconic Not a Perfume fragrance.
The seven fragrances in the smaller vials are Vanilla Vibes, Moscow Mule, Sunny Side Up, MMMM..., Lady Vengeance, Another Oud and Anyway.

Vanilla Vibes is my kind of vanilla fragrance. It's not sickly sweet and has sea salt as a top note with natural vanilla and orchid absolute at the heart. Bottom notes include tonka bean, benzoin, sandalwood and brown musk.
Moscow Mule actually does smell quite a lot like a cocktail. This one has notes of ginger, lime and jasmine. It's not too sweet and to me, errs on the side of being quite masculine. I really like it.
Lady Vengeance is very aptly named I think. If you've ever smelled it yourself, you'll hopefully know what I mean. This scent is heavy on the patchouli but dries down to let the rose and vanilla heart shine. It's quite a classic sort of fragrance that's very feminine and floral but I find it a little bit headache-inducing so not one I'd purchase.
MMMM... is a gourmand with top notes of geranium, neroli and raspberry. I can really smell the raspberry in this and, as someone who's not really into fruity fragrances (except fig of course), this was a pleasant surprise. It's quite a fresh, real raspberry scent rather than a sugared one. One for warmer weather I think but I imagine I'll finish this little sample size off before Spring even properly kicks in.

Sunny Side Up is strong on sandalwood with a hint of jasmine and a sort of vanilla/coconut finish. It reminds me quite a lot of Maison Margiela On the Beach but maybe a little creamier. A summer scent for sure but still something I'd spritz on my winter coat.

Another Oud is all about bergamot, oud wood, raspberry, musk and cashmeron (which is a musky, woody, synthetic compound designed to emulate the feeling of cashmere). I find this scent to be pretty woody, as in it smells like actual wood, but as it dries down, that fresh raspberry note comes through to lighten things up a bit. I quite like this one.

Anyway is citrusy and musky with just the right amount of floral. Main notes include green lime, musk and hedione, which is basically a synthetic form of jasmine. It's bright, pleasant and wearable.

Not Another Perfume is a bestseller and I totally understand why. It's a single compound scent (if you can even call it a scent?) featuring something called Cetalox which is a synthetic version of ambergris or grey amber. It has an earthy, sort of sweet, sort of musky smell. The ambergris scent is often used as a base for fragrances, but in this case, the base is the fragrance! A fun fact about grey amber? It's a waxy, grey substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. Apparently, though it smells pretty disgusting when it's fresh, it dries down to that afformentioned musky, sweet smell. Despite the rather repulsive origins of genuine ambergris, it turns out I'm a fan of the synthetic version, which is probably why I'm so keen on Glossier You as it features heavily in that scent.

You can wear Not a Perfume either alone or spritz it on before one of the other fragrances to add a little extra musky, earthy, your-skin-after-a-nice-shower-but-better scent.

Something I'd mention about all of the perfumes is that they aren't very in your face or punchy. They're all interesting scents but they're not the kind that will suffocate everyone on your train carriage. I guess a more concise way of saying this is that they're not all that strong! In terms of longevity, all of the secnts I tried seem to last quite nicely on my skin, but we all know that everyone is different. Obviously, fragrance is very subjective too, so you may very well detest the ones that I've picked as my favourites (MMMM... and Moscow Mule I think!).

If you choose to order any of the full size fragrances, the 15 Euro charge for the sample set is redeemable, if you order within 2 months of purchase. There are also individual samples for sale as well as travel sizes and a selection of body products. If you're feeling curious, have a browse for yourself at Juliette has a Gun.

Another Review of Glossier You

I know that Glossier's cult fragrance debuted around a year ago now, but I received it for my birthday a few weeks ago so it's new to me! Truth be told I've been a little bit in love with this fragrance since my sister got it for Christmas and I'm so pleased to have a little red capped pink bottle of my own.

You is quite a departure from my usual favourite scents. The majority of my perfumes are gourmands or are at least quite heavy on the sweet notes, whereas You doesn't really have any dessert-like qualities at all. In fact, to me it's almost got a savoury edge, probably thanks to the pink pepper top notes.

The really cool thing about this scent is that it's described as a personal fragrance - in other words, it was created for the wearer to enjoy rather than to be spritzed to impress anyone else. I personally really like this sentiment and think it's a much savvier way of marketing the fragrance rather than simply saying that You is quite a subtle scent. It also makes me feel marginally better about the fact that I'll often just sit there absentmindedly sniffing my own wrist.

Officially, Glossier You consists of the following notes (notes and descriptions borrowed from Glossier):
Base
-Ambrette (comfy, warm)
-Ambrox (smooth, salty, animalistic)
-Musk (long-lasting, addictive)

Top
-Iris Root (earthy, green, woody)
-Pink Pepper (spice, sparkling)

And then the final (or first) ingredient is you and the way your skin reacts with the fragrance.

Both the concept and scent remind me of Escentric Molecules 03 which I had the pleasure of sampling back in 2015 as it was one of the goodies in the Liberty Advent Calendar. 

I have read that others compare You to Molecule 01(the original), which I haven't actually smelled but can imagine that there would be definite similarities going by what I've read about that one.
The longevity of this scent seems to have mixed reviews; some people claim it lasts and lasts whereas for others it disappears within hours. I think i'm somewhere in the middle when it comes to how long it keeps my skin scented though I do stop noticing the fragrance quite quickly. Nothing a quick wrist-whiff can't solve though.

Right, onto the packaging;

I LOVE this bottle. From the thick frosted pink glass to the contrasting red cap, it's almost like they created this bottle with Instagram in mind. It's even ergonomic too, with an indent to place your thumb whilst you spritz away. Handy.

The 50ml fragrance bottle is perfectly handbag friendly and I've thus far had no leaking incidents whilst transporting it which is always a bonus. After all, I want You on me and not on my stuff.

If you've not already tried You, it can be ordered online at Glossier for £45 where it qualifies for free delivery as it's over the £25 threshold. There is also a kitsh solid perfume compact version which is £19.

In terms of other Glossier products I've tried, I like the Cloud Paint and Generation G matte lipstick (I have shade Cake and it's a very wearable and sheer your-lips-but-better nude) and don't mind my Coconut Balm Dot Com. I regularly use Boy Brow too, that's a fantastic, super quick and convenient brow product. I've also tried the Milky Jelly Cleanser (meh) and really didn't get on with the Body Hero products, though I think I'm in the minority there!

I think I'll be a long term fan of Glossier You though and am definitely keen to see what the brand will do next.

Scent Addict by The Fragrance Shop

I've enjoyed wearing fragrance for as long as I can remember but it occurred to me in recent years that I don't really have a favourite scent. In my twenties I was all about the Gourmands and enjoyed walking around smelling more like something you'd find in a bakery but as I've matured, so has my taste in fragrance. While I've spritized and sprayed my way through quite a few bottles over the years I'm yet to find my signature scent.
If, like me, you don't have a favourite fragrance or you just really enjoy trying a variety of different ones, ScentAddict by The Fragrance Shop is the perfect solution.

Beauty subscriptions have been popular for almost a decade now (can you believe it?!) but ScentAddict is a little different because it's allll about fragrance. The concept of ScentAddict is to allow you to 'date' a choice of fragrances before settling on The One. To do this, they send you a month's worth of fragrance in a refillable 8ml atomiser (approximately 100 sprays) and then post you out a new 8ml vial every following month, depending on how long you choose to subscribe for. The subscription is a measley £12 per month (and you can cancel anytime) and there are over 250 designer Eau de toilettes, perfumes and aftershaves to choose from, including some covetable high end offerings from brands such as Tom Ford, Chanel and Viktor and Rolf. The atomiser is chic, unisex and easily popped into your handbag or jacket pocket which is obviously much more convenient than traipsing around with a heavy glass perfume bottle.

I think this is a brilliant concept and is actually excellent value, especially if you choose to try a Tom Ford! Incidentally, in my first month I'm trying Tom Ford Neroli Portofino which is a scent I've wanted to properly try forever (spraying some on in John Lewis doesn't always cut it) but was not prepared to splash the cash on if I didn't really love it. And do you know what? I don't love it. I do like it in general but after trying it for a few days I came to the conclusion that I don't really like it on me if you know what I mean? If I hadn't given it a fair run and tried it properly via this service I would probably have been none the wiser though so it's actually made me appreciate the concept even more.
An added bonus of ScentAddict is that the £12 monthly subscription fee is redeemable against the full sized bottle of the fragrance if you do happen to fall in love with it. So in a way, if you find a scent you love you've gained an extra 8ml of your favourite smell for free ;).
ScentAddict was designed for everyone so it's not just women's fragrances on offer- they have over 100 men's scents to choose from too, which I think is brilliant. You can find out more and sign yourself up online at ScentAddict.

Diptyque Philosykos Perfume Oil Roll-On

Ever since I had the pleasure of owning the (heartbreakingly) limited edition L'Occitane Figuier & Osmanthus fragrance three summer's ago, I've been hooked on fig scents. In fact, I was so disappointed when I learned that it was limited edition and sold out, that I emailed L'Occitane HQ in the vain hope that they had a few bottles stashed away somewhere that I could secretly purchase (they didn't).

You know how scent has that amazing ability to take you back and remind you of certain places, events and people? For me, that figgy fragrance from L'Occitane will forever remind me of the week I spent in Alghero with my boyfriend for my 30th. Partly because I sprayed it liberally over the duration of our stay (before I realised the precious juice was limited edition!) and partly because the outdoor eating area where we enjoyed breakfast everyday was lined with fig trees with huge, ripe fruit hanging from the branches. Sigh.
Anyway, believe it or not, this post isn't about that scent, but my latest fragrance purchased recently in an effort to curb my olfactory appetite for all things fig.

Diptyque Philosykos is pretty much a cult perfume, and for very good reason. It's rich and woody with the tiniest hint of fruitiness and basically smells exactly like those fig trees in Alghero. According to Diptyque, the scent of Philosokos is: woody raw materials: fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood and black pepper which is a pretty spot on description really. It's not a gourmand by any stretch but to me it still manages to have precisely the right amount of fruity sweetness. I have the roll on oil version of the fragrance for three reasons - it's very travel friendly, it's easiest on the purse strings and because it's oil based it's perfect for clear summer days when alcohol based fragrances might irritate the skin a little when the sun hits it.

In terms of longevity and heaviness, i find it to be surprisingly light for such a woody-based scent and though it does linger on the skin, I think of it as a fragrance i wear for myself to enjoy rather than for others to catch a whiff of, if that makes any sense at all? The size of a chunky pen, the heavy glass 7.5ml perfume roll on comes complete with a suedette pouch emblazoned with Diptyque for an extra special touch. I'll be wearing this all summer while imagining I'm lounging in the sun somewhere in the Mediterranean when in reality I'll probably be nursing a teething baby.
You can find it online at Diptyque and stockists including Space NK for £35.

Missguided Babe Power Atomizer Set

I'll put my hand up and admit that this scent really caught me off guard! When I first heard about the Babe Power fragrance from Missguided, I didn't really give it too much thought. I just assumed the scent would be a little too 'young' for me and I've actually never tried any high street type clothing retailer's own branded fragrances before. However, at first sniff I was impressed. Fragrance is sooo subjective and so personal - one person's trash is another's treasure etc - and I'm happy to say that personally I find Babe Power to be a fun, pretty and deceptively sophisticated scent.

I say deceptive because at first it comes across as very sweet and for a split second I thought it could only be for those who like their fragrances really sugary. But in that same moment it becomes something altogether more grown-up and oddly... comforting. I'm certainly no fragrance expert by any means but I know what I'm drawn to- often gourmand-esque scents- and to me, Babe Power rivals some of the classic (and expensive) sweeter perfumes. It's little wonder really that it's been such a popular fragrance this year.

The perfume has a gorgeous sort of edible sweetness to it at first (think baked dessert type treats and candyfloss) that's complemented beautifully by a baby-powdery edge. I think it's the powdery element that I find oddly comforting actually. The official notes of Missguided Babe Power Eau de Parfum are:
Gourmand Vanilla, Musk, Amber Crystals, Citrus Fusion, Moss, Heliotrope, Orange Blossom, Peony, Jasmine, Grapefruit Zest, Sour Cherry, Pink Pepper, Crisp Apple, Pineapple, Rhubarb and Absinthe.
The set I have here features a mini 15ml twist-up version of the cylindrical, rose gold 'can' design and a 15ml refill. Pretty perfect for travel/ stashing in your handbag or coat pocket and really perfect for gifting.
You can find the Babe Power Atomizer Set at Missguided.

L'Occitane Spring Fragrance Picks

Spring is (allegedly) upon us once more and for me that means two things: I have to start thinking seriously about leg hair removal and it's time to start the hunt for a light fragrance to see me through until October.
I'll chat body hair another day- this post is all about my L'Occitane fragrance picks to keep things fragrant throughout the season.

My Spring fragrance of choice last year was an absolute thing of beauty. I was going through a serious infatuation with fig fragrances (of which I am still not quite recovered) and found THE ONE in the form of L'Occitane Figuier & Osmanthus Eau de Toilette. I could not fault this fragrance. It was figgy and woody with a touch of blackcurrant and bergamot and I loved it so much it even came on holiday with me to Sardinia. But alas, the love affair was short lived for one reason only- it was a limited edition fragrance.
Rather than dwelling on lost love, I'm looking ahead and have a feeling L'Occitane will once again be my brand of choice for a light spring/summer fragrance this year.

Neroli & Orchide Body Oil



While this isn't strictly a fragrance, it is scented with delicious Madagascan white orchid, neroli essential oil and bitter orange blossom. The dry oil formula makes it perfect for the (hopefully) warmer months ahead as it won't leave me feeling greasy.

Vanille & Narcisse Eau de Toilette




Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a complete vanilla fragrance fiend so it's a given that I add this to my list. This scent offers that sweet vanilla hit with a touch of floral fragrance thanks to the addition of narcissus absolute.

Roses et Reines Jardin Secret Perfume Gel



I first got a whiff of the Roses et Reines Jardin Secret Perfume Gel in Paris last month and to be honest I don't know why I didn't buy it there and then. The scent is obviously gorgeous - a true rose with fresh green notes - but the product itself is such a lovely idea. The perfumed gel is designed to be dabbed onto pulse points and even the ends of the hair. Great to throw in your handbag too.

Verbena Eau de Toilette




I truly love the L'Occitane verbena collection and have for years. It's such an incredibly refreshing and invigorating fragrance that is simply perfect for warmer months. The matching soap is great too (and unisex) as it somehow manages to cool the skin and leave you smelling lemony fresh.

L'Occitane have so many pretty fragrance options, I think I'll have a hard time actually choosing one for spring. If they could do me a favour and bring back Figuier & Osmanthus I'd be sorted.

Have you got a go-to warmer weather fragrance or are you still pining for a long gone limited edition scent?


Sponsored Post