Roberto Cavalli Paradiso EDP - Review

When the original Roberto Cavalli EDP was released back in 2012 (how has it been 3 years!) I declared it the Scent Of Summer and an unmistakably sexy fragrance. It evoked  such wonderful feelings in me and I still love it just as much. You can read my original review here. This birthday I was given the latest fragrance release.

The new fragrance from Roberto Cavalli is Paradiso 

Notes - 

Top notes - Bergamot & Mandarin
Heart note - Wild Jasmine
Base notes - Cypress, Parasol Pine & Pink Laurel

The fragrance is described as a Woody Floral.

“Paradiso is about a moment of happiness. I wanted to give a feeling of that instant when you feel totally at ease,” Roberto Cavalli. 

My thoughts

Where the original EDP was a sexy and noticeable fragrance, that was all things Summer, I think this is a more sensual, subtle fragrance that is ideal for everyday wear being not at all obtrusive. At first it is a sparkling citrus fragrance that may appear to be a little heavy but this soon dries down to the warm floral heart and then the woody base notes push through. Personally I think this is an all year round fragrance. Feminine. 

The bottle 

I love the multi faceted flacon. This oozes bathroom shelf appeal.

Roberto Cavalli Paradiso EDP costs £37 for 30ml

Kiko Modern Tribes Collection - Review

Yet another gorgeous range from Kiko Cosmetics to show you today, in my eyes they can do no wrong - Kiko Modern Tribes Collection - This collection is sun kissed, glowy with a pretty pop of colour...

What I adore about the bits that I was sent was just how wearable and Summer lovely they are. Wooden cases with gold decoration reaffirming its tribal foundations. This is Urban Modern Tribal at its finest.

I was sent -

Tri-Bal Baked Blush in Mysterious Earth £14.90

A perfect all-in-one product to bronze, blush and highlight with, this is definitely one of my top picks from the collection.

Graphic Ritual Kajal Eyeliner £5.90

These eyeliners are soft and creamy to apply and are suitable for the inner and outer eye, making them perfect for tightlining if that is your thing. 

I was sent two shades - Talisman Gold which a stunning gold and a deep and rich earthy dark blue in the shade of Masai Blue. 

Once applied these do not budge. 

Finally another multi use product - Free Spirit Lips & Cheeks £8.90 

As the name suggests these creamy chunky pencils are suitable for use on your lips and cheeks. They are described as giving a radiant matte finish. I was sent Hearty Peach which I love, love, love! and a pretty in pink Unique Camellia. Both items are fully pigmented so you only need to apply once to get the full punch of colour. Personally I prefer the pink just on my lips as it is a bit too deeply pink as a blush on my skin. Hearty Peach gives a subtle peachy glow to the cheeks which I like but personally I think I would keep both matte shades for my lips only...

The price also includes a sharpener for your chunky pencil.

Swatches of the Kiko Modern Tribes Collection 

*PR Samples

Vichy Purete Thermale Cleansing Collection - Review

I have been testing out a couple of products from the new Vichy Purete Thermale Cleansing range and what a pure pleasure that has been. Both the Gel and the Micellar Oil have proven to be fantastic cleansers and really it just boils down to which cleansing format you prefer... See below for more details. 

Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil 125ml £13.75

Vichy say 

Remove even the toughest make-up with the Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil, suitable for all skin types.

Lightweight, effective and non-greasy, this luxurious oil ensures pleasurable make-up removal. Both oily and dry skin types will benefit from its clarifying care as it won’t overload the skin, instead transforming from an oil to a milk on contact with water..

At the heart of the formula are micelles, which gently remove waterproof make-up, impurities, sebum excess and dead cells with no need for rubbing. Added Camelia Oil moisturises and smoothes skin, while Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection.

Massage onto skin to loosen makeup, and rinse away with water.

Paraben-free, suitable for sensitive skin. Tested under dermatological and ophthalmological control.

My thoughts 

I am a big fan of oil cleansing and am smitten by this one from Vichy, it smells insanely lovely and fresh. I am completely hooked on its scent and how effective it is at removing makeup, including heavy eye makeup. It leaves my skin feeling luxuriously soft and I honestly cannot find a single fault with it. Gorgeous and gentle cleansing at its finest.

Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel 200ml £12

Vichy say

Remove every trace of the day with the Vichy Purete Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel, an optimised formula for all skin types.

The perfect partner for city living, this lightweight gel cleanses deeply and protects cells against pollutants. The foam feels so fresh on the skin, leaving it pampered, clarified and extremely soft.

At the heart of the formula is the expert anti-pollution complex Purisoft, which is composed of Amilite Technology to soften the effect of hard water, Glycerin to moisturise, and Moringa to cleanse dust, excess sebum and pollution from the skin.

Apply to damp skin and work in circular motions to produce lather. Rinse away thoroughly.

Paraben-free, suitable for sensitive skin.

My thoughts 

The Gel has the same delicious scent as the oil which makes me exceedingly happy. The gel comes out clear and is quite thick. One thing to note about the gel is that it promises to reduce the discomfort caused by hard water. Now I live in a hard water area and so am perfectly placed to test this out. I am not a fan of gel cleansers in general as I find them drying, but this was different. The first thing I noticed instantly was that the product mimics the results as if it has been used in a soft water area..

Those in hard water areas may notice how your usual Cleanser/Shampoo product foams up more when on holiday/abroad (this is the result of soft water). I used just one pump of this gel and I had the most ridiculous amount of foam, definitely a nod to its amilite technology! After cleansing my skin was super, super soft and didn't feel dry or tight. A complete win win situation.

I have no hesitation in recommending either of this brilliant cleansers from Vichy.

They are available to buy from Escentual.com and I believe right now they have up to a 1/3 off which makes them even better value.

*Samples provided for review purposes

Cheryl StormFlower Eau de Parfum Review

StormFlower is Cheryl's debut fragrance and available in EDT and EDP versions. The sample I have is the EDP version and I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised by this celebrity fragrance.

Launched in 2014 this perfume has been created to capture the many facets of Cheryl's personality  - the result is a luminous, hypnotic and uplifting perfume.

Notes 

Top notes - Mandarine, Nectarine
Heart notes - Freesia, Peach Blossom
Base notes - Vanilla, White Musk & Sandalwood

My thoughts

This scent is a fresh citrus and fruity floral that does indeed make me smile when I wear it, bursting with fun and just enough sweetness to lift it to delicious levels but not overly so to make it cloying. The dry down is lovely too, fading to a warmth that is appealing, I really like this celebrity release and admit to finding it a little bit addictive. A gorgeous floral scent that will appeal to all ages. Oh and the bottle with its flower lid is gorgeous to boot. Honestly though, I wouldn't expect anything less from the divine Cheryl.

Cheryl StormFlower 30ml costs £23.95

Burt's Bees Lip Crayons - Review & Swatches

I do love the lip crayon format and these ones from Burt's Bees are a good choice if you like your products 100% natural - They are scent free and moisturising on the lips.

Burt's Bees says 

Introducing six creamy, full-coverage shades of matte lip colour in a modern crayon for truly beautiful lip colour. Lightweight moisture for a comfortable, everyday wear formula infused with Shea Butter, Kendi Oil, and Jojoba Oil. It's colour that truly cares for your lips!
• Creamy matte colour and moisture-rich wear
• For everyday wear either alone or layered under a Lip Gloss or Lip Shine
• Precise application in a playful form without the hassle and mess of sharpening
• No added flavour or fragrance
• Hydrates and moisturises lips, leaving them feeling soft and smooth

My thoughts 

These lip crayons are lovely to apply and just glide onto the skin, feeling nice on the lips. The colours are matte and can be built up in intensity. My favourites are Hawaiian Smolder - an utterly gorgeous matte bright pink for a pop of fun colour and Niagara Overlook - a fantastic everyday pinky/coral shade that is Summer ready.

Swatches of the Burt's Bees Lip Crayons

From L-R - Hawaiian Smolder ,Niagara Overlook, Redwood Forest & Napa Vineyard

Burt's Bees Lip Crayons come in 6 super shades and cost £8.99 each.

*PR Samples

Darwin At Sky Garden - Brunch In London

Brunch in the sky? Darwin At Sky Garden promised to take brunch to new heights.

A brunch in London set high above in the clouds is a hugely tempting premise so I didn't need much persuading I have to tell you.  A couple of Sunday's ago the tall one and I headed up the Walkie Talkie building to experience this for ourselves.

Outside the Darwin Brasserie - Level 36

There was a queue to visit the Sky Garden but restaurant goers bypass the queues and go through airport style security before being whisked up the lift.

The Darwin Brasserie, fresh and modern interior

We were shown to our seats - a fabulous window seat with incredible views over the River Thames and the city.

Having been given menus and decided on our main meal we were shown to the bar area to where the (bottomless) Bloody Mary's were, there were four variations to choose from and items to tailor it to taste. Also on the menu were unlimited milkshakes from the Milkshake Bar - I absolutely loved the sweet Vanilla Bean one and the Fresh Berry one but you can also enjoy other flavours like Banana which was really popular on the day. Kale smoothie is also an option but on this occasion I passed.

Starters

The buffer starters were a fabulous savoury mix of salads, cheese board and meats. Top choices for me and the tall one included the potato and chorizo salad, smoked salmon, the bloody mary prawn cocktail and the asparagus dressed in a truffle vinaigrette. I suspect I could have filled up solely on the starters but sensibly I paced myself for what was to come.

For my hot main I was rather tempted by the pancake stack with bacon and maple syrup but opted for a savoury hot and chose a traditional brunch favourite of Eggs Florentine which was cooked to perfection. The tall one chose Beef Brisket for his main but he was considering a traditional roast which was also on offer.

Dessert Buffet 

Well when I caught sight of the dessert buffet my eyes were dancing and my belly ignited, so many treats on offer. I have to be honest after the two previous courses and upteen milkshakes I was pretty full but I always make sure I am never so full as I cannot manage something sweet...

I balanced my sweet treats with some healthy berry fruits and it was a great and refreshing combination. I opted for a slice of chocolate and walnut salted caramel tarte which was rich and indulgent but a real highlight. The waffles were tasty and teamed with maple syrup and fresh fruit sublime. I also had the blueberry cheesecake which was truly delightful with a perfectly crunchy base but a light and silky mousse topping. Also on offer were 3 differently filled doughnuts, creme brulee, Eton Mess and lots, lots more.

Having taken brunch to the limits we made our way outside and soaked in the views and admired the Sky Garden

In conclusion this is quite simply a wonderful way to spend a lazy Sunday,  an epic brunch that will tantalize the tastebuds and breathtaking views of London. I am already planning a return visit.

Brunch at Darwin Brasserie is served on Sundays from 11.30am to 4.30pm and costs £38 per person

*We were guests of Darwin Brasserie

Magic Minerals by Jerome Alexander Review

I am a liquid foundation kind of girl no doubt about it but I was suitably impressed by the mineral foundation - Magic Minerals by Jerome Alexander 

The compact is sturdy, it comes complete with a stubby brush to apply the powder with and a blending sponge and there is a mirror inside the compact too.

Any concerns I had about the powder being too dark for me were allayed as soon as I tried the product. It is a great universal shade. It promises to be a foundation, corrector and concealer in one.

It also contains some random spots of colour which actually have a purpose as opposed to just being fun to look at.

Pink - brightens and gives a healthy glow
Mint - reduces redness and covers breakouts
Yellow - conceals dark circles and uneven skin-tone
Lavender - corrects sallow complexions.

Magic Minerals say 

Magic Minerals covers, conceals and corrects all at once for a flawless look. This ultra-fine micronized mineral powder is so smooth and light it naturally diminishes the appearance of age spots, dark circles and uneven skin-tone without caking or getting caught in wrinkles.

Benefits 

Hypoallergenic
Natural SPF
No Irritants
Fragrance free
Lasts up to 12 hours

My thoughts 

As I said above, I was suitably impressed by this mineral powder. It went on smoothly and blended nicely for an (almost!) flawless look. I had one particular stubborn blemish that refused to be hidden...

However, my redness on the inner cheeks was covered, skin-tone was evened out and there was not a trace of powderiness which I was pleased about. It also left my skin looking bright and it lasted. If you like mineral powders I highly recommend it.

Magic Minerals costs £9.99 

*PR Sample