Valentine’s day is coming around pretty quickly! If you’re
in a quandary, wondering what to buy your loved one this Valentine’s day, then
you’ve come to the right place! Finding the right present for your loved one
can be tricky but fear not, we have the perfect guide to take you through our
favourite fragrances to help make decision making simple!
Scentsation Perfumes
YSL
Libre – Libre means freedom! A grand floral Eau de Parfum, with an
unequivocal YSL twist. The burning sensuality of the orange blossom flowers
from Morocco, twisted with the aromatic boldness of lavender from France. This
gorgeous new perfume from YSL is bound to be a winner and will give you maximum
brownie points!
Marc
Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet – 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 sweetness. A cute flowery bottle that
is perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Lancome
Idole – Lancome Idole is for the women who defy expectations, the leaders
and the innovators! If that sounds like the lady in your life, then Idole will
be the perfect fragrance for her. Pure and sensual oil of Jasmine is mixed with
a beautiful Rose Accord.
Addictive Aftershaves
K
By Dolce & Gabbana – Masculine, authentic and captivating… what more
could you want for a perfect Valentine’s Day gift?! K by Dolce & Gabbana
conjures the Italian countryside and the Mediterranean midday sun with a
combination of citrus fresh freshness, blood orange and Sicillian lemon.
Hugo
Boss BOSS Bottled Infinite – BOSS Bottled Infinite is a refreshing,
sparkling fragrance that is perfect for everyday wear. Representing the modern
Man of Today, it makes the perfect gift for your loved one whether they are
pursuing success or seeking balance and authenticity.
Montblanc
Explorer – Explorer is an invitation to a fantastic journey, an
irresistible call for adventure. The scent is an unconventional
woody-aromatic-leather Eau de Parfum that reveals Italian Bergamot contrasted
with rich Vetiver from Haiti and exclusive Patchouli from Indonesia.
Luxurious Gifts
Marc
Jacobs Daisy Gift Set – You can’t go wrong with Marc Jacobs Daisy, the
scent is so beautiful it quickly becomes a signature scent. The gift set is
perfect for that extra special gift as it includes the 50ml fragrance as well
as a Body Lotion and a Shower Gel, all housed in a beautiful gift box!
Paco
Rabanne Pure XS for Her Gift Set – if you’re looking for something a little
bit sexier then look no further than Paco Rabanne Pure XS for her! A luxurious
floral oriental, Pure XS for her captivates, accelerates and escalates the
senses!
Issey
Miyake L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Gift Set – This is a super timeless fragrance
with a very masculine scent. Fresh, vibrant and elegant as the ingredients Yuzu
and Sandalwood meet! The gift set just makes it that extra bit special with an
added 100ml shower gel.
Ralph
Lauren Polo Blue Gift Set – An invigorating blast of fresh air, Polo Blue
makes you think of the freedom of the big, blue ski, the energy of the open
waters… A cool, fresh and warm spicy scent that is guaranteed to be a hit. The
gift set includes a 75ml bottle along with a 30ml travel spray!
It’s just as important as skincare but why don’t we hear about it? Maybe it’s because it doesn’t have that luxurious ring to it, ‘scalp care’ – it sounds a little bit raw, right? We put so much effort into looking after our skin and investing in the best products around to get the gorgeous healthy locks that we desire but what’s missing is the thing that connects the two, quite literally.
So, you’re thinking: “why do I need to know about it, my scalp feels pretty fine to me?”. Well, even though it might not be at the top of your hierarchy of beauty needs, you’d be surprised just how much dirt and grime finds its way to the top of our heads from being exposed to polluted environments. Or maybe, you do suffer from issues relating to it such as dandruff or itchiness, either way, we’re here to give you a little bit more info on the topic.
Why is it so important?
Treating your scalp with extra TLC will only benefit you
as your strands will soon be thanking you in no time for the added silk and
hydration. Signs of an unhealthy scalp include excessive oiliness, hair loss,
dryness, itching and peeling. However, if you choose your hair products well, you can easily begin to combat these issues.
What do I avoid?
Don’t take super-hot showers. The high heat of the water will
only dry out your skin even more by irritating it. When brushing through your
hair, comb it gently while being extra careful near the roots. Something you
probably didn’t know is that excessive brushing with some force to detangle can
actually bruise your scalp – that’ll probably ring some bells for those of you
who were lucky enough to have your dad scrape your back into a ponytail when
you were younger.
Ingredient Don’ts: sulphates, parabens, silicones, chlorides,
mineral oils, petroleum
Where do I start?
Depending on how dry you feel your skin and scalp get,
this will determine the amount of product you can use and how oily you can go
with the formula. For example, thicker more textured curly hair can
handle heaps of oil because it almost soaks it up in an instant. This is due to
curly hair shafts that don’t allow natural oils our heads already produce to
get very far. However, straighter, finer hair will need much lighter
formulations and finer shampoos and conditioners so that the hair isn’t left
feeling weighed down or too oily.
Naturally sourced and sustainably produced goodness. Made with love, Shea Moisture strives to create incredible formulas that are free of harmful ingredients – and they smell amazing!
Featuring ingredients such as Amazonian Muru Muru butter,
ylang ylang, sandalwood oil and many more, this vegan and cruelty-free brand are
at the top of their game.
First things first – what does it stand for and what does
it actually mean? SPF, aka, sun protection factor, refers to the amount of
protection a product offers against the sun’s damaging UV rays. The number on
the label, in fact, refers to a theoretical amount of extra time you can spend
in the sun until your skin is truly exposed. For example, if just after 5
minutes you feel a slightly tight, burning sensation, SPF30 would increase that
time by 30 until you felt that way. Got it? Let’s continue.
UV rays are pretty lethal. Considering the fact that they
have the power to cause skin cancer and premature ageing while remaining naked
to the human eye is pretty scary, right? In addition to this, they’re present
all year round, no matter the weather. Did you know that approximately 80% of
UV rays still make their way through clouds? What’s more, if that water, sand
and even snow reflect them. It’s a problem we can’t avoid.
Even in the colder months and the dark, wet winter we all
adore (not), while our bodies tend to be pretty covered up, our faces are still
very much exposed. In a day and age where we’re finally lucky enough to have
moved away from all the old-fashioned pore-blocking formulas that were utterly
terrible, we should be making the most of newer skin technology. We’re in an
era where SPF has met luxury skincare.
SPF + Luxury Skincare = Soulmates
Today we’re showcasing three standout SPF products that
you just need to try! In order of affordable to high end, each one is 100% worth
investing in to truly save your skin…
Featuring a very high protection formula specifically
designed to fully care for the eye area, this cream from Guinot protects the
skin against the harmful of effects UVA and UVB rays. It also shields against
blue light rays and their harmful effect on skin ageing.
This daily moisturiser with SPF 30 protection gently resurfaces
the skin by stimulating the natural cell renewal cycle. This skin-smoothing day
cream is perfect for treating yourself to a touch of luxury in the skincare
department.
Achieve absolute hydration with this incredible product from
Dermalogica that helps defend against the internal and external causes of skin
ageing. This medium-weight, emollient daily moisturiser with Broad Spectrum
SPF50 contains their classic AGE Smart ingredients that are just to die for.
How do you look after your skin all year round? Are you
guilty of only topping up the SPF in the summer month when you go on holiday? Trust
us, you’ll thank yourselves later when you’ve invested in quality sun
protectants for not only your body but your face too. Come on now, who doesn’t
want younger looking skin?
It’s no secret that the
winter months can wreak havoc on skin and hair. The seemingly constant wind, rain,
and freezing cold temperatures do plenty to strip away essential natural oils,
leaving hair dry and brittle and skin parched, flaky, and more prone to
breakouts. Throw indoor heating into the mix, and you might find yourself in a
pickle.
Why, oh, why? If you’re
battling the elements this winter, there are a couple of saving graces that you
might want to add to your beauty routine. Making use of the right restorative
products can balance out the winter damage and help you maintain your shiny
locks and smooth, baby-plump skin.
What does winter do to the skin?
There are plenty of reasons
to love winter, from cosy nights beside the fire to mulled wine and sparkling
lights. But there are some drawbacks to the dark, cold weather that we
experience in the UK. Our least favourite of these is the effect that winter
can have on our skin. Dry, flaky, sun-deprived skin isn’t something we strive
for, and while there are some things you can do to fight the inevitable, you
might have to accept it to a certain extent.
To reduce the effects of cold
weather on your skin, you’ll need to get serious about your winter skincare
routine.
How to keep skin healthy in winter
There are several things
you can to minimise winter’s effect on your skin. With the right equipment and
a little effort, there’s no reason you can’t cruise through the season with a
glowing complexion.
Winterproof your home
You might be thinking about
moisturisers, oils, and serums, and while those products do play a big part in
winterproofing your skin, the best place to start is your home environment.
The drier the air around
you, the drier your skin will be. Obviously, there’s nothing you can do about
the outside air (we wish), but you can control the humidity inside your home.
Consider buying a humidifier for your bedroom, or the room where you spend most
of your time. Humidifiers increase the amount of moisture in the air, helping
keep skin hydrated like it usually is in the balmy summer months.
Hydrate your skin through your diet
Diet plays an important
role in the skin’s health and appearance, and foods containing healthy fats can
help to improve the condition of dry skin. This means fuelling up on things
like avocado, oily fish, nuts, chia seeds, and extra virgin olive oil. You
should be drinking plenty of water, too, but we didn’t need to tell you that.
On the other end of the
scale, things like alcohol, coffee, and caffeine can cause dehydration. While
it can be hard staying away from the coffee during dark winter days, it’s
recommended that you try to make the sacrifice if you’re concerned about your
skin’s hydration.
Exfoliate
A little dry skin is
inevitable in winter. Keep its effects to a minimum by buffing flakes away with
a gentle exfoliator two to three times a week. Choose a product
with a mild formula to keep sensitive skin happy and concentrate on areas prone
to dryness like your nose and forehead.
Start using a heavier moisturiser
Light moisturisers have
their place in summer, but when things start to dry out in the colder months,
you’ll need a little more support from your product. This is one of the most
important steps in treating dry skin, so don’t skip it!
Choose a heavy cream moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid. Use it morning
and night to keep skin ultra-hydrated and peachy.
Perfect your bedtime routine
The key to healthy-looking,
hydrated skin day after day is the perfect nighttime routine.
Hot showers are tempting in
winter, but exposure to the warm water for more than a couple of minutes can
add to your skin’s dehydration. Keep the temperature mild or limit your time in
the water to help your skin maintain its natural oils. Switch your regular shower gel or soap for a gentle formula and apply a thick layer
of moisturiser almost as soon as you step out.
Wash your face with a
gentle cleanser and slather on an eye cream, followed by your heavy winter moisturiser.
You might also want to turn your attention to other parts of your body before
you sleep too, applying hand cream and lip therapy before you go to sleep.
All this might seem like a
lot, but when the reward is healthy, glowing skin, we think it’s worth the
effort!
What does winter do to hair?
Like its effect on the skin,
wintery weather and indoor heating can dry hair out by stripping away the
natural oils we love. Thankfully, there are plenty of tricks and products that
can help battle the cold and keep locks looking great through winter.
Be careful with scarves and layers
We’d never suggest you
leave your favourite scarf behind on a chilly winter morning, but have you ever
thought about what those woolly layers are doing to your hair? When you throw
on a scarf or sweatshirt and don’t untuck your hair, leaving it trapped between
your layers, it’s subjected to unnecessary friction which can cause dryness and
damage.
Try tying your hair into a
soft bun beneath your scarf, keeping it safe from the elements but also
avoiding friction from your layers.
Shampoo less
To help keep your hair
hydrated and healthy, consider cutting back the frequency of washes. When you shampoo your hair, you clean away grease, dirt, and
built-up oils from your scalp. Doing this too often, particularly in winter,
can cause your hair and scalp to dry out unnecessarily.
Try to go an extra day
between washes, wearing your hair in a neat up-do if you don’t feel good with
it down. The weekends and days off can be perfect for this, and your hydrated
hair will certainly thank you!
Deep condition once a week
Revitalise your hair with a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Choose a product that helps
strengthen and moisturise. Simply sink into a warm bath, slather on your deep
conditioner, and enjoy ten minutes of relaxation while the product does its
work.
Use a nourishing oil
We love serums for summer, but when the days are
long and cold, your hair will need a little more intense TLC. Choose a
nourishing hair oil and apply a few drops straight after a wash. You can then
dry and style your hair as normal. The oil will help minimise frizz and static,
protect from heat damage, and keep your hair hydrated against the wind and
rain. You can also finish off your look with a few drops of oil for extra silky
softness.
Searching for more winter survival tips?
Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog and discover the tips and tricks
that’ll see you through the season.
A new year is here! To celebrate, we’re switching
up our makeup and skincare routine. We’re in dire need of a little TLC after an
over-indulgent festive period, and with January sales in full swing, there’s
never been a better time to inject a little newness into the daily toil.
There are plenty of ways to update your routine,
from makeup and beauty to your overall health and wellness, so focus on what’s
going to work for you. If you already have a flawless nighttime arrangement,
why change it?
For many of us, though, there are parts of the routine
that could be just that little bit better. If you’re stuck in a rut and want to
feel happier and more radiant throughout the day, try making one of these small
changes and see how it affects you.
Diet
A good diet is one of the most important elements
of any beauty routine, though it can be easy to ignore in favour of fancy
lotions and potions. If you’ve fallen off the health wagon this winter, now’s
the time to jump back on!
Make small changes to your diet that you’re
likely to stick to. Whether it’s drinking more water each day to switching out
caffeine for healthier herbal teas, there are plenty of options that’ll have
you feeling great.
Skincare
Even the most perfect skincare routines can use
an update from time to time. Refreshing your regular products helps them work
to their full potential and allows you to really understand what’s best for
you.
Try changing your daily moisturiser for a different formula, adding an exfoliator into your weekly routine, or applying facial oil before bed. Only you can know
what your routine is lacking, so it’s up to you to identify any problems and
fix them. Of course, if you have your routine down and your skin is flawless as
a result, you might be better sticking with what you know.
Another way that we’re updating our skincare
routine for 2020 is by leaning more towards sustainable and organic
products. There are so many eco-friendly beauty products on the market,
with many of them making use of brilliant new natural ingredients. See what you
can find and feel good about looking good this year.
Makeup
This is the place to have fun. There are so many
changes you can make to your makeup that will have a huge influence on your
look, whether it’s day-to-day or for a special occasion.
Why not test a new eyeshadow colour?
Experiment with winged
eyeliner or switch your regular black mascara for a shade
of brown. You can go natural or experiment with a bolder look. The
possibilities are endless!
Searching for more new year new me
inspiration? Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog for plenty of tips and
tricks that’ll have you feeling like your best self in 2020.
