Nov 19, 2019
When your family and friends won’t give you a straight answer, you’ve got to take matters into your own hands one way or another. Buying Christmas presents can be a little bit stressful when you have no idea what to get. Not today. With our guide to Christmas gifting based on the magical wonders of zodiac signs, you’ll never be short of ideas again. So, let’s get stuck in.
Aries
20 March – 19 April
Aries enjoy a personal feel to their gifts because they like to be recognised as individuals although they’d appreciate almost any gift because they believe it’s the thought that counts. If you really want to blow an Aries away, treat them to something new that you know matches their style and tastes.
For Him: Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Male Gift Set 125ml
For Her: Gatineau Limited Edition Best-Sellers Collection
Taurus
20 April – 20 May
Tauruses are ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty. It’s likely that your Taurus friend has exquisite taste and would love to receive a luxurious gift. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to spend lots on them. The ideal gift for a Taurus is something personal with that extra special touch.
For Him: Proraso Vintage Refreshing Grooming Selection Tin
For Her: Clarins Instant Beauty Makers Collection
Gemini
21 May – 20 June
A Gemini’s interests are forever changing and they’re always getting into new things so it’s pretty hard to predict exactly what they’d want. However, you just can’t go wrong with individualisation. Geminis are the sign of communication and learning, so something hobby-related is always a safe bet or something for them to use to wind down and have a pamper would be perfect.
For Him: Bomb Hammer Time Toolbox Gift Pack
For Her: Dermalogica Smooth Skin Favourites Gift Set
Cancer
21 June – 22 July
Cancers love making memories and will always appreciate something based around that. Whether it’s a gift that relates to something you both love, have a joke about or memory of, they’ll love it. Perhaps you even have a scent-sational memory together. Here are a couple of iconic fragrances they may have tried and loved in this past but buying for a Cancer is truly down to you.
For Him: Calvin Klein Eternity Men Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml
For Her: BOSS Orange Women Gift Set 30ml
Leo
23 July – 22 August
Leo’s are lovers of anything and everything. Whether it’s art, beauty or fashion, their interests are limitless. A typical Leo pays lots of attention to their looks too, so something to indulge in could make the ideal present for a friend of this zodiac sign this Christmas.
For Him: Prada L’Homme Aftershave Balm 125ml
For Her: Elizabeth Arden Mini Lip Gloss Set
Virgo
23 August – 22 September
Virgos are typically obsessed with practicality and productivity. They’re all about purpose and so they’d find a gift that they can physically use useful and would be incredibly grateful. Perhaps they travel a lot and they’re in need of useful products to take with them on their journeys. That would be a great place to start looking!
For Him: Versace Eros Flame Eau de Parfum Spray (Travel size 30ml)
For Her: Giorgio Armani Si Fiori Eau de Parfum Spray (Travel size 30ml)
Libra
23 September – 22 October
Cosmetics and beauty supplies are the way to a Libra’s heart. They don’t keep up with trends – they set them. This sign is typically the most up-to-date with lots of things that are going on in the world – and the shops. Why not show a Libra close to you just how much they mean to you with a little bit of luxury this Christmas!
For Him: BOSS The Scent For Him Gift Set
For Her: SOSU By SJ You’re Making Me Brush Ultimate Collection
Scorpio
23 October – 21 November
Known for their complexity, Scorpio’s are one of the most difficult zodiac signs to buy for. They’ll sense a last-minute gift any day any time, so you’re best off putting a decent amount of thought into this one and really think about what they’re into. Anything sentimental is always a safe bet so get thinking, get shopping.
For Him: Armani Code Absolu Gift Set 60ml
For Her: YSL Libre Eau de Parfum Spray 90ml
Sagittarius
22 November – 21 December
The adventurous ones. A typical Sagittarius loves to explore and travel. They’re the friend that’s probably already got their summer plans sorted filled with a holiday and a couple of road trips. Anything travel or sun-related would make a fabulous gift along with anything practical they can take on holidays with them would be perfect.
For Him: Man Stuff Ultimate 6 Pack Gift Set 150ml
For Her: Milkshake Sun & More Body Set
Capricorn
22 December – 19 January
Being an earth sign, a Capricorn enjoys a gift with purpose. People of this sign are often associated with status and achievement so a standout gift if your best bet. They’re not after the biggest, best, most expensive present just something they can connect with whether it’s one of their all-time favourite beauty products or something new to try out that you think they’d love.
For Him: Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette For Him 150ml
For Her: Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet Gift Set 50ml
Aquarius
20 January – 17 February
An Aquarius loves a gadget. They love technology and exploring new things. Something new and fun would be right up their street as it’s these kinds of spontaneous gifts that they love receiving the most!
For Him: Edwin Jagger Ebony 4 Piece Shaving Set
For Her: Beurer TL100 2 In 1 Daylight And Moodlight
Pisces
18 February – 19 March
As water signs, Pisces love a gift with sentimental value and emotional meaning. Pisces are not naturally materialistic people, so a big, expensive gift isn’t likely to impress them as much as something that shows you know them really well. They’re always daydreaming so the more creative the gift, the better.
For Him: Ted Baker Ted’s Grooming Room Travel Trio Set
For Her: NUXE Aquabella Beauty Pouch
We hope you found this guide to Christmas gifting based on your recipient’s zodiac sign helpful!
Nov 11, 2019
Christmas shopping for family members never has to be difficult again. Here lies the ultimate guide. Whether you’re shopping for luxurious fragrance gift sets or indulgent pamper treats, you’re guaranteed to find more than a thing or two to get ticking off your list!
For The Dads…
Acqua Di Parma Colonia Gift Set 180ml, £145.99 / RRP £170.00
A fresh modern fragrance inspired by the iconic Colonia from 1916 that Dad will love. Colonia Club offers the perfect balance between the classic and the contemporary. The characteristic top notes, combined with mint and neroli, reveal an innovative freshness at the heat of the fragrance. Then the finishing aromatic notes of geranium and lavender are enhanced by the woody base notes of Haitian vetiver, musk and ambergris accord.
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Gift Set 75ml, £43.99 / RRP £50.00
Always a classic. This fresh, charismatic fragrance is truly seductive. With notes of wormwood, bergamot, cardamom, lavender and orange, it is the perfect fragrance for casual or formal wear. This iconic aftershave is a true classic, which embodies the signature style of Jean Paul Gaultier. This is a great one for to buy for Dad as he’s pretty much guaranteed to love it.
BOSS The Scent Him Gift Set 100ml, £55.99 / RRP £69.00
Reawaken the senses with the seductive power of BOSS The Scent. It’s irresistible and truly unforgettable. Featuring exquisite notes of ginger, exotic Maninka and virile leather that unfold over time. The effect is unrepentedly potent, crafted to provoke the sense with an air of depth and enigma: powerful, rich, full bodied. You just can’t go wrong with a bit of Hugo Boss!
For The Mums…
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Gift Set 50ml, £64.99 / RRP £74.00
Inspired by Carolina Herrera’s unique vision of the duality of the modern woman: audacious and sexy, elegant and enigmatic, good and bad. Forever pushing and crossing the limit, the mysterious sensuality of good girl makes for a modern yet sophisticated fragrance. This is a great one for Mum because not only will she love the design, it smells just as incredible as it looks.
YSL Libre Gift Set 50ml, £68.99 / RRP £78.00
Mum is guaranteed to love the newest addition to the YSL fragrance family: Libre. It’s freedom in a scent. This grand floral perfume encompasses the burning sexuality of orange blossom flowers from Morocco, twisted with the aromatic boldness of lavender from France. Crafted by master perfumers this new fragrance is stunning.
Paco Rabanne Olympea Gift Set 50ml, £56.99 / RRP £64.99
Paco Rabanne Olympea makes a statement of strength, power and seduction. It is the fragrance of a modern-day goddess which is why Mum deserves it so much. Olympea opens with the dynamic notes of fresh green mandarin, aquatic tones of water jasmine and the subtle warmth of fiery ginger flower.
For The Brothers…
YSL Y Gift Set 60ml, £48.99 / RRP £57.00
Y by Yves Saint Laurent is not the story of one man but of a whole generation: a creative generation of men who dare to follow their passions and carve their own path. Sound like your brother? It’s the perfect match. From inspiration, through hard work and collaboration to self-accomplishment and success. This fresh citrus fragrance with sensual wood notes is incredible.
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Male Gift Set 75ml, £46.99 / RRP £52.50
Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Beau is built around addictive Tonka bean and coconut wood combined with the fresh facets of bergamot. This scent will leave a fresh, powerful trail making it the perfect fragrance gift set for him, suitable for every age.
Prada Luna Rossa Homme Carbon Gift Set 100ml, £60.99 / RRP £70.50
Strong as the darkest rock, with the freshness of air, Prada Luna Rossa Carbon brings together steam-distilled botanicals and synthetics in a mineral-forward mix. Bringing together metallic notes of Lavender, green Citrus of Vert de Bergamot from Italy, Wood of Patchouli and Amber of Ambroxan.
For The Sisters…
YSL Black Opium Gift Set 90ml, £84.99 / RRP £96.00
Gift your sister the YSL way. A glam rock scent full of mystery and energy, Black Opium is an irresistible gourmand floral fragrance with notes of black coffee for a shot of adrenaline along with vanilla for sweetness and sensuality. If she loves evening plans and is a fan of deeply sweet scents, she’ll fall in love with this member of the YSL family.
Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet Gift Set 50ml, £46.99 / RRP £57.99
Daisy Love Eau So Sweet captures the addictive and irresistible spirit of Daisy Love with an unexpected sweet freshness. Sparkling white raspberries reveal a lustrous personality while a soft floral airiness and delicate musk immerse you in the sweetness of the moment.
Britney Spears Curious Eau de Parfum Gift Set 100ml, £17.99 / RRP £39.00
If you have a younger sister who’s only just getting in to wearing a fragrance, you can’t go wrong with this Britney Spears classic. It contains some of the most gorgeous notes including mouth-watering pear, delectable vanilla and so many more. It captures the romantic, independent and mischievous spirit of the curious woman.
If you’re looking to gift a family member a pamper evening or grooming gift have a little look below for more gift inspiration!
He’ll also love…
Rituals The Ritual of Samurai Collection Gift Set, £31.99 / RRP £37.99
Ted Baker Ted’s Grooming Room Travel Trio Set, £19.99 / RRP £29.00
Below The Belt Grooming Gift Box Fresh Collection, £8.99 / RRP £12.00
She’ll also love…
Gatineau Limited Edition Best-Sellers Collection, £119.99 / RRP £381.00
Decleor Infinite Lift By Day Lavender Fine Gift Set, £71.99 / RRP £80.00
NUXE Nuxuriance Ultra Night Routine Set, £36.99 / RRP £45.00
Nov 5, 2019
For all the boyfriends out there, what you are about to read is pure gold dust. You’ll never be feeling stuck again when it comes to choosing what gifts to buy her after you’ve seen all of the incredible, luxurious products we have on offer here at Fragrance Direct this Christmas.
Stocking Fillers
What better place to start than with stocking fillers? You can shop this category on our site to find the best gift ideas that are all under £10 making them perfect to fill up her seasonal stocking. From makeup items to skincare and fragrances, you’ll be able to find perfect little bits and pieces she’ll love to kickstart both of your Christmas mornings. Here are a few of our favourites!
Real Techniques Miracle Powder Sponge, £4.99 / RRP £5.99
To add to her collection of makeup sponges and brushes, this powder sponge is amazing. It uses revolutionary foam technology paired with a velvety material for maximum pickup to ensure evenly blended powder.
Gatineau Plumping & Anti-Wrinkle Kit, £8.50 / RRP £10.00
This stocking filler kit features Gatineau’s Collagen Expert Ultimate Smoothing System 5ml, Age Benefit Integral Regenerating Cream 15ml and Aquamemory High Hydration Cream Mask 15ml which are all perfect for combatting dull, dehydrated skin.
Baylis & Harding Forever Love Gift Set, £9.99 / RRP £18.00
This bundle is actually an exclusive to Fragrance Direct, so get your hands on it while stocks last! This is perfect if she’s a fan of prosecco as it contains a couple of shower gels, hand and body lotions, a shower cream and body spritz in Baylis & Harding’s iconic Prosecco Fizz scent. This set also includes a gorgeous cosmetic bag too.
Luxury Christmas
Now for the standout presents! Within this section, you can find extra special, luxurious gifts including designer fragrances and deluxe skincare that she’s bound to love. There’s no need to worry about getting lots of little bits when you’ve got these stunning fragrances to choose from in their magnificent glory.
Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau de Parfum 100ml, £54.50 / RRP £98.00
Glamourously luxurious and impulsively indulgent. Marc Jacobs Decadence is an invitation to indulge. It makes a statement with bold styling, luxurious craftmanship and a revolutionary bottle design inspired by one of Marc Jacobs’ iconic handbags. A fragrance in the form of a handbag – she’ll be obsessed.
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Libre Eau de Parfum 90ml, £86.99 / RRP £100.00
The newest addition to the YSL fragrance family is Libre – it’s freedom in a scent. This grand floral perfume has an unequivocal twist featuring the burning sensuality of orange blossom along with aromatic lavender. Ultra-feminine yet uniquely androgynous. She’ll love this one!
Gucci Bamboo Eau de Parfum 75ml, £51.99 / RRP £90.00
This stunning Gucci perfume is strong yet graceful, based on one of Gucci’s most recognizable design signatures. This is a favourite of many with its iconic bergamot and orange blossom notes. This will be the fragrance she’s secretly been pining after all year but just hasn’t treated herself yet. So, why don’t you!
Valentino Born In Roma Donna Eau de Parfum 100ml, £94.99 / RRP £110.00
A modern haute couture floriental fragrance just for her. Featuring three jasmine flower accords with Bourbon vanilla, this perfume is totally arresting. It has a distinctive twist of pink pepper that creates an alluring woody overdose.
Giorgio Armani SI Passione Eau de Parfum 100ml, £85.99 / RRP £100.00
A powerful reinvention of the signature Armani fragrance, Si Passione adds a new dimension to Giorgio Armani’s feminine fragrance personality. In his own words, “An irresistible combination of grace, strength and independent spirit”. This one will become her new favourite!
Christmas Gift Sets
Go one step further with luscious gift sets this Christmas. These sets make perfect presents to give her a little bit of variety especially if you’re looking to buy her something new that she hasn’t tried before. See below for some of our bestsellers!
Chloe Signature Gift Set 50ml, £61.99 / RRP £79.00
A new scent of luxury. A gold juice highlighting the richness of the fragrance in the Chloe Signature Vintage bottle. A feminine, fresh, effortlessly sexy bouquet of powdery roses featuring a dark grey ribbon to distinguish its intense fragrance. This one smells just as amazing as it looks!
Paco Rabanne Lady Million Empire Gift Set 50ml, £56.99 / RRP £64.00
Featuring Lady Million Empire Eau de Parfum 50ml, a body lotion and travel spray, this set is stunning. This cheeky floral fragrance encompasses radiant magnolia flower with Osmanthus and orange blossom followed by a cognac addition with vanilla and white patchouli.
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique La Belle Gift Set 50ml, £62.99 / RRP £70.00
Jean Paul Gaultier lets us into his garden; a place of temptation and attraction between La Belle and Le Beau, the new fragrances for women and men. La Belle is the result of the fusion of addictive vanilla pod, fresh bergamot and stunning pear. An addictive trail for an ultra-feminine woman.
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Black Opium Gift Set 90ml, £84.99 / RRP £96.00
This gift set offers just that little bit more featuring the glam rock fragrance that is full of mystery and energy, Black Opium, in a full and medium size along with a YSL lipstick. We can guarantee she’ll love this irresistible, gourmand fragrance with energising black coffee and seductive vanilla notes.
Oct 29, 2019
You know you’ve put a lot of time and effort into your Halloween makeup when it takes three days to fully remove every last trace of black liner, fake blood and that sprinkling of glitter you thought would “zhush” it up a bit. Becoming someone or something else for Halloween is all part of the fun, but what’s not so fun is the transformation back to reality. Today we’re delivering you some of the best tips around to banish all that makeup so you can jump into bed after your party or night out pronto!
First up is the preparations. Put an old towel down in the bathroom to stand on near the sink to catch any splashes of paint or gooey glue. Lots of heavier products like paint, fake blood and liquid latex are made to come off with good old soap and water so starting with this is always a good option. If you go straight in with wipes, you’ll get yourself in a hot and sticky mess before you’ve even started.
FD Recommends: Himalaya Herbals Cucumber Refreshing Soap
After you’ve removed the messier stuff, a few dashes of makeup remover will dig just that little bit deeper to start pulling up traces of makeup, oil and dirt out of your pores. If you’ve got makeup wipes to hand, they will work too but if you’re prone to spots, using a liquid formula with a muslin cloth or cotton pad is a little more hygienic.
FD Recommends: Elemis White Flowers Eye & Lip Makeup Remover
If you’ve still got a tacky feeling on your face from glue or thicker gel-like products you’ve used, an oil will solve everything. Run the hot water tap until it starts to get steamy then fully drench a muslin cloth in it. Just before you do that, grab an oil whether it’s another makeup remover in oil form or good old coconut oil, and massage it into your face. Then take the cloth and gently massage in circular motions, rinse, then start wiping away excess makeup. This is a similar process to what’s called a hot cloth cleanse!
FD Recommends: Jarrow Formulas Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
In regards to that left-over makeup in your hair, it’s going to have to be a regular shampoo and condition job especially if you’ve used sprays and glitters or anything like that as these products are just going to have to be washed out. It’s worth having a good quality shampoo and conditioner lying around anyway to use day to day to keep your locks in the healthiest condition too.
FD Recommends: Love Beauty And Planet Happy & Hydrated Shampoo & Conditioner
Finally, to remove stains from your skin, shaving cream is a miracle-worker. It’s great for large areas as it won’t irritate your skin as much as using toothpaste or nail polish remover which are also other popular products that are used to do a similar thing. When it comes to removing any stains from your clothes, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and water will do just the trick. All you have to do is mix it into a paste and rub into your clothing before putting in the washing machine!
Which of these Halloween makeup removal tricks will you be using this year?
Oct 25, 2019
Halloween is one of our favourite days of the year. Costumes, candy, creepy nights out, what’s not to love?! However, coming up with the perfect outfit can be a huge amount of pressure! Is Halloween stressful? It shouldn’t be but really it can be! That being said, we’ve got some great tips and tricks that are super effective that will make your Halloween look incredible!
Stumped on application, setting, creating the intricate details you’ve seen all over Instagram? Don’t worry we’ve done our best to make sure your Halloween prep is as easy as it can be, it’s meant to be fun remember!
1. Invest in the Halloween makeup products you need for your desired look. You don’t need to purchase a million different products but investing in one palette with a huge array of colours in is going to make your life easy for years to come. We love the LaRoc 35 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in 04 for the amazing range of bright colours it has.
2. Use what you already have in your collection! There’s plenty of everyday makeup items that can be used to achieve different looks. A liquid eyeliner works wonders for drawing on spider webs… Using what you already have available will save you loads of time and money so make sure you check out your kit first.
3. Use tutorials! There are millions of amazing Halloween makeup tutorials on the internet that break down the looks step by step. If you’re a face painting novice when check out a few tutorials before you start to see which you think are easy to follow. Head over to the Fragrance Direct Instagram to check out our skull and bleeding eye tutorials!
4. Make sure you set your makeup! There is nothing worse than heading for a Halloween night out with incredible makeup to have it slip and smudge on your face. Making sure you look as good at the end of the night as you did at the start is the ultimate aim! So, make sure you use a setting spray before you leave the house. Spray it as many times as you want to hold everything in place! We love the Technic Makeup Setting Spray.
5. Keep things simple. If you don’t fancy going all out with very complicated designs, then just keeping it simple can be just as effective! A touch of glitter, adding super voluminous lashes or a bold lip can make you stand out just as much! Check out our recent blog post about the best false lashes for Halloween here.
6. Do your research. Don’t leave it till the last minute to decide what you want to do on the night! Check out Instagram and save an album of Halloween inspiration that you can refer back to you. This way you can be super organised and get the practice in if necessary!
7. Remove everything before bed! This is an essential step! Heavy Halloween makeup can cause havoc for your skin if you don’t remove it all properly. Nobody needs post Halloween breakouts! Leave a bottle of micellar water and some cotton pads by your bed for desperate times! We love the Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water.
The products below are our top picks for creating the best Halloween looks:
• Technic Face Cream
• LaRoc Intergalatic Eyeshadow Palette
• Prima Makeup Face Gems
• Technic Loose Glitter
• Technic face Palette 8
• Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick
• Technic Liquid Eyeliner
• W7 Glamourous Stick On Nails
• W7 Get Real Lashes
• Head Candy Rebel Semi Permanent Hair Colour
You can also shop our entire Halloween category here!
Oct 22, 2019
False lashes can add a real “wow” factor to any outfit, in particular a Halloween look! There’s an incredible range of lashes available at Fragrance Direct with different styles and sizes to suit whatever look you’re going for! You can choose your falsies to complement or contrast with your costume, colour coordinate with the rest of your outfit or go for crazy lengths and shapes to make a memorable statement.
If you’re new to the false lash scene there’s a number of different types of lashes for you to try, from the original strip lashes that require adhesive to magnetic lashes that clip onto your own eyelashes. Individual lashes can also be a great option for those who want to add a bit of oomph and volume but don’t want them to be too dramatic. Applying false lashes is easier than you might think and with a few easy tips and a little practice you might just end up wanting to wear lashes every day!
How to apply false lashes:
1. Curl and apply mascara to your own natural lashes. This way you are creating some weight for the false lashes to sit on.
2. Next up, measure the false lash band against your eye and trim off any excess from the corners to make sure they fit your eyelid properly.
3. Trace a thin line of lash adhesive to the band and wait around 30 seconds. This allows the glue to get tacky and will stick more easily when you apply. If you apply when the glue is
still very wet it will just slip around the lid and be harder to hold in place.
4. Place the strip as close to the base of your lashes as you can. Start at the outer corners and work your way in, pressing the band down to make sure it is secured properly.
5. Squeeze the lash band with your natural lashes to make sure they look as seamless as possible. Cover any join lines with eyeshadow or liquid eyeliner and Voila!
So, these are our favourite lashes for any Halloween look, they’re also super affordable!
Ardell Double Up Demi Wispies £4.99 – These are super full volume lashes that will give you drama! Wispies are the most popular lashes from the brand Ardell and it’s easy to see why, they’re super fluffy and look beautiful on the eye. These doubled up version offer you the same fluffy texture with some added volume, perfect for a Halloween look!
Sosu by SJ 7 Deadly Sins False Lashes Pride £6.75 – These lashes are full bodied, stand out volume. If you’re looking for something to really top off the most dramatic of Halloween make up then these are for you. Full, long and super curly, they will definitely stand out!
Ardell Magnetic Lashes Natural Accents £8.99 – The magnetic lashes are the perfect pair if you’re looking for something to give you an extra bit of length and volume. They’re a natural style so they won’t be super dramatic and obvious. The magnets are placed strategically along the band and you just balance one along the top lash line and then apply the other underneath, so they lock together. There’s a magnet right on the edge so you can be sure they’ll stay flat throughout wear!
Eye Candy Strip Lash Volumise 006 £2.49 – If you don’t usually wear lashes and you’re looking for a cheap but effective pair then Eye Candy are the ones to go for. With 006 the style is super curly and flattering, layering fine and slightly thicker lashes together to give you the appearance of fullness without them being too dark. One of our favourite pairs for one-time use!
SOSU by SJ 3D Fibre Luxury Individual Lashes £6.99 – If you struggle to place a full strip and worry about the ends or the corners pinging up throughout the night, then individual lashes are for you! What’s best is that they can be placed wherever suits your eye shape, they’re also super lightweight so you won’t even feel them when they’re on!
Make sure you show us your spooktacular Halloween looks on social, tag @fragrancedirect !
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