AUTUMN/WINTER CANDLES 2019

There’s nothing more I love in the Autumn/Winter seasons than to light up a gorgeous scented candle to make me feel all cosy! I have put together a Gift Guide featuring 6 candles which range from spicy to creamy and mellow to smokey - something for every mood.

menscandles.jpg

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

A/W CANDLES 2019

matthewwilliamsonmidnightjungle.jpg

Matthew Williamson - Midnight Jungle 200g

  • Candle Notes: Blackcurrant Leaves, Red Fruits, Fig Leaves, Jasmine, Gardenia, Undergrowth, Cypriol, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Chocolate, Vanilla, Honey

Typically known for his bold, colourful designs, Matthew Williamson has a wide range of candles and I was lucky enough to have received one; Midnight Jungle. A soft, creamy scent that lightly fills up an area and is better suited for those who prefer an understated candle.

Inspired by the exotic and dense jungle terrain, this Midnight Jungle is decorated in a glass vessel with an ‘Ikat’ pattern, an elegant design that not only looks elegant, but smells elegant too! To purchase, click here.

diptyquenarguilecandle.jpg

Diptyque - Narguile

  • Candle Notes: Honey, Tobacco Leaves, Spices

Diptyque are one of my go-to brands when it comes to home scents. I am a huge fan of their candles, preferably their rich, creamy scents such as Vanille and Benjoin. I could smell the Narguile scent pouring out of its box prior to opening it up and instantly knew this was going to be a favourite of mine…

A spicy candle that has the creaminess of the honey to add a layer of warmth to the scent, I love how this candle can be smelt instantly, and long after being burnt out! Narguile by Diptyque is best for those who enjoy a spicy scent and to purchase, click here.

belleroseambregris.jpg

Bellerose - Ambre Gris

  • Candle Notes: Cardamom Essence, Sandalwood, Cloves, Leather

This Ambre Gris scent has a woody, outdoorsy feel to it yet has that spicy kick which adds another dimension to the candle.

I like that this scent doesn’t feel too overbearing yet doesn’t fade away into the background. Perfect for those lazy, Sunday afternoons! To purchase, click here.

maisonmargielabythefireplacecandle.jpg

Maison Margiela Replica - By The Fireplace

  • Candle Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Pink pepper, Ylang-Ylang, Coconut Milk, Musk, Heliotrope

If you have smelt the fragrance of By The Fireplace, then I have to say, that the candle version of this scent is much stronger than the fragrance! Bold, heavy and powerful, By The Fireplace completely envelops any space within your home and certainly packs a punch.

I would recommend that this candle is for those who like to make a statement and to feel a sense of warmth in the room! To purchase, click here.

jonathanwardafreet.jpg

Jonathan Ward - Afreet

  • Candle Notes: Blackberry Leaf, Neroli, Black Pepper, Licorice Root, Black Amber, Jasmine, Guaiac Wood

Using a certified organic wax, this Afreet candle is the only one within this Gift Guide that has two wicks! A sweet and sensual scent, I would recommend that this candle is better suited for those who enjoy a scent that is strong enough to stand out, yet not too strong that it becomes overpowering.

I also love the design of the glass itself, doubling up as the perfect interiors gift! To purchase, click here.

acquadiparmabuongiorno.jpg

Acqua Di Parma - Buongiorno

  • Candle Notes: Italian Lemon, Mint Leaves, Rosemary, Lavandin, Jasmin, Cedarwood, Musk

Although you could say that this Buongiorno candle is geared a little more towards the Summer season, I wanted to feature this in this particular Gift Guide because it is rather powerful and has a heavy throw!

I enjoy lighting this up to reminisce about being somewhere hot despite the fact it is rather chilly outside… This candle is better suited for those who enjoy a fresh yet bold scent and can be purchased here.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

menscandles.jpg

I hope you have enjoyed my Autumn/Winter Candles Gift Guide for this year and I hope that I have inspired you to try some of these out!

Have you smelt any of these before? If so, which ones? Do you have any candles you’re currently burning that you think I should try? I would love to know! Leave me a comment below and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button.

*Please note these candles apart from Bellerose had all been gifted to me for the purpose of this review.

MAISON MARGIELA - WHISPERS IN THE LIBRARY

Maison Margiela have recently released two new fragrances; Under The Lemon Trees and Whispers In The Library. Both of these fragrances are part of the ‘Replica’ line which aim to evoke memories of places, times and people, and as we begin to move into the Autumn season here in the United Kingdom, Whispers In The Library is an ideal transitional fragrance!

maisonmargielawhispersinthelibrary.jpg

WHISPERS IN THE LIBRARY

  • Top Notes: Orange Blossom, Pepper

  • Middle Notes: Cypriol, Patchouli

  • Base Notes: Cedar, Vetiver, Vanilla Absolute, Tonka Bean

Whispers In The Library begins with a spicy kick that initially feels creamy and sharp, but then quickly softens into a warm, woody accord. Once the dry-down begins, the fragrance stays pretty linear and ultimately has an overall woody feel to it.

If you have ever smelt ‘By The Fireplace’ I would describe this as a ‘younger, softer’ version of that fragrance. They both equally have this warmth, enveloping feel to them which packs a punch for the colder, Autumn weather!

The overall longevity of Whispers In The Library stayed upon my skin for an impressive 7 hours given that this is classed as an Eau De Toilette, and its sillage is medium to heavy.

A little side note and I don’t particularly know why, but when I initially wore this for the very first time, it immediately took me back to my time in Paris 2 years ago… There’s something about the notes and the fragrance that highlights my time spent there, and that’s exactly what I love about the Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ fragrances! They always transport you to a different place or bring back forgotten memories.

Available in 100ml, and 10ml as a Travel Spray you can purchase and find out more details here.

Be sure to read my other reviews on Maison Margiela: Replica fragrances below -

Under The Lemon Trees | By The Fireplace | Filters | Gender Anonymous | Jazz Club Candle

Have you smelt Whispers In The Library before? If so, what are your thoughts? Have you smelt any Maison Margiela fragrances? Which ones? I would love to hear from you, so don’t forget to leave me a comment below and click the ‘like’ button!

MAISON MARGIELA - UNDER THE LEMON TREES

Maison Margiela Replica fragrances are all created to evoke images, impressions and emotions of those memories that we have perhaps long forgotten about. A fragrance that reminds you of a certain time in your life, or perhaps a certain somebody that you knew/know of! For this Summer season, I have been wearing their newly released - Under The Lemon Trees which is a fragrance that is sharp, fresh and incredibly citrusy!

maisonmargielaunderthelemontrees.jpg

MAISON MARGIELA - UNDER THE LEMON TREES

  • Top Notes: Lime, Petitgrain, Cardamom

  • Middle Notes: Coriander, Mate, Green Tea

  • Base Notes: Cedar, Rock Rose, White Musk

The opening of Under The Lemon Trees begins with a sharp and tart blast of the citrusy notes which at first is a little overwhelming but soon fades away into a fresher, more green scent. As the fragrance became more ‘green’ the fragrance then transported me to a hot climate, somewhere where the grass has been freshly cut with the sweet undertones of the citrus in the air.

Under the Lemon Trees is a fragrance that feels light and airy, yet has that warmth to it which adds more depth to a otherwise clean scent! The dry-down began around 1 hour into the fragrances performance and I found that the fragrance as a whole lasted up to 3-4 hours on my skin. A little disappointing, but Under The Trees is an Eau De Toilette so it was to be expected. In terms of its silage, the fragrance starts off with a medium-light silage but very quickly becomes lighter. Perhaps ideal for daytime wear!

If you are a fan of sharp, citrusy fragrances that feel fresh yet with added layers, then I would recommend trying Under The Lemon Trees! To find out more and to purchase, click here.

Be sure to read my other reviews on Maison Margiela: Replica fragrances below -

By The Fireplace | Filters | Gender Anonymous | Jazz Club Candle

Have you smelt Under The Lemon Trees before? If so, what are your thoughts? Have you smelt any Maison Margiela fragrances? Which ones? Any favourites? Let me know below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

TOP 5 LUXURY CANDLES THIS AUTUMN

One of the main things I look forward to during the Autumn season is the opportunity to indulge in a new candle! With the weather turning colder, there is no better excuse than to keep warm by snuggling up inside with a freshly lit candle. Candles have come a long way in recent years with many major brands now dipping their toes into the ‘candle pool’ so to speak, and as an avid lover of all things scented, here are my top 5 favourite candles for this Autumnal season!

20181009_105027663_iOS.jpg

————————————————————————————————————————

20181009_105401389_iOS.jpg

BYREDO - AMBRE JAPONAIS

Notes:

Top: Black Pepper, Coriander Seeds
Heart: Sandalwood
Base: Bourbon Vanilla, Sesame

My first purchase from Byredo was in fact the Bibliothéque candle which you can read the review in fragrance form here. As the wax began to burn out due to excessive use by myself (you can’t blame me when the scent is so stunning), I was on the lookout for another candle in replacement and came across Ambre Japonais! A sophisticated, rich and sensual scent that fills the room/space almost instantly. Perfect for the colder seasons as it gives off a warm, snug feeling. If you are a fan of oriental, spicy fragrances then this candle is definitely worth trying out!

To purchase, click here.

20181009_105321296_iOS.jpg

DIPTYQUE - BENJOIN

Notes: Patchouli, Indian Cypriol

Benjoin is my all time favourite candle by Diptyque! It is so creamy and powerful yet remains delicate.

A blend that sits just in between caramel and vanilla, this candle comes in the instantly recognisable Diptyque glass jar, a staple in any beauty bloggers photography!

If you like fragrances that are heavy and rich, then I would definitely consider Benjoin!

To purchase, click here.

20181009_105340629_iOS.jpg



JO MALONE - POMEGRANATE NOIR

Notes:

Top: Pomegranate
Heart: Casablanca Lily
Base: Guaiacwood

In my opinion Pomegranate Noir is what makes Jo Malone so special. A luxurious scent that fills the air with sophistication and class, I find that Pomegranate Noir can be burnt at any time of the year but smells crisp and fresh during the colder seasons!

If you have ever smelt Pomegranate Noir in fragrance form, then it is a given that you will thoroughly enjoy it in candle form.

To purchase, click here.

20181009_105252979_iOS.jpg


MAISON MARGIELA - JAZZ CLUB

Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Vetiver, Tobacco Leaves

One of the top selling fragrances by Maison Margiela, Jazz Club is inspired by an evening in a hazy bar with the undertones of leather coming through. This candle when lit has a slight boozy feel to it and unlike the others previously, is a lot softer.

That being said, when leaving the area and returning to it moments later, the scent hits you lightly without being too overpowering.

If you are a fan of woody, oriental and spicy fragrances then I would recommend trying out Jazz Club!

At the time of writing this post, the Jazz Club candle has sold out online, but is available to purchase in departments stores such as Selfridges, John Lewis and Harvey Nichols.

20181009_105421772_iOS.jpg

COMMODITY - LEATHER

Notes:

Top: Black Leather, Oregano Essence, Juniper Wood Essence
Heart: Cacao Bean Absolute, Myrrh Resinoid, Cade Essence, Akigalawood
Base: Styrax Resinoid, Cedarwood Essence, Haitian Vetiver Essence, Cistus Labdanum Essence from Concrete

A sultry and bold scent that imitates the texture of leather which lingers in the air long after burning! I find this candle to be rather similar to the Jazz Club in that it is a rather soft scent yet still has that spicy throw that fills up the room/area.

If you like leather fragrances (think Tom Ford - Tuscan Leather) then perhaps this candle will suit you!

To purchase, click here.

————————————————————————————————————————

Judging by my top 5 candles this year, I think it is safe to say that I like oriental, spicy and sensual scents! I hope you have enjoyed my choices and I would love to know which are your favourite candles! Don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button below, and do leave me a comment so I know which other candles I should look out for.

MAISON MARGIELA GENDER ANONYMOUS

Maison Margiela: Replica fragrances continue to be a firm staple of mine when it comes to my favourite scents, and whilst the Replica Collection seems to be ever-growing, I was rather intrigued by the 'Gender Anonymous' range, mainly due to the unique and rather special naming of each fragrance!

Within the Gender Anonymous/Eau de Parfums collection, comes 4 different fragrances:

  1. Across Sands
  2. Dancing On The Moon
  3. Flying
  4. Soul Of The Forest

Out of the range I received: 

Soul Of The Forest

  • Top Notes: Blackcurrant, Pimento, Moss
  • Middle Notes: Labdanum, Maple Sap, Balsam Fir
  • Base Notes: Incense, Patchouli, Atlas Cedar

Soul Of The Forest is exactly that. Everything you could imagine in a deep, dense forest which comes alive during the first spray! The sweetness of the Blackcurrant note settles down into a woodier, with a musky feel to the scent that then begins to dry down with the spiciness of the Incense note blending with Patchouli, giving it that earthy yet spicy feel to the fragrance.

In terms of the longevity, this was rather disappointing as it didn't seem to last very long, around 3-4 hours before finally fading away! Despite this, the scent itself is incredible, and I would recommend this to anyone who is after a 'green' fragrance!

You can purchase Soul Of The Forest here.

Across Sands

Fragrance Notes: Oud, Dates, Spices

Across Sands is a sweet yet dark fragrance that begins with a bold, spicy opening that slowly shifts to a more warmer scent with the Oud note coming through in a subtle, but bold way. This fragrance to me is incredibly rich and sensual, and is absolutely a show-stopper!

I have gained many a compliment from having worn this, and I found the longevity of Across Sands to last up to 7 hours on my skin. In terms of the sillage, this packs a punch and I would advise using this perhaps on a cool Summers evening. I am eager to see how this performs on my skin throughout the colder Autumnal seasons, so be sure to check back for an update!

You can purchase Across Sands here.

 

 

Between the two, Across Sands has to be my preference of choice due to its richness and how bold the overall fragrance feels upon my skin! Don't forget to check out my other reviews on Maison Margiela Replica fragrances such as By The Fireplace and Filters.

Have you smelt Across Sands or Soul Of The Forest before? What are your thoughts on them? Do you have a preference? Have you smelt any of the other Gender Anonymous fragrances? If so, which ones? Let me know your thoughts below, as I would love to hear from you, and don't forget to click that 'like' button below!

MAISON MARGIELA REPLICA; FILTERS

As a fan of the Maison Margiela fragrances; By The Fireplace and Jazz Club, I was rather intrigued to try out two new additions to the Replica collection; 'Filters'. I had been fortunate enough to have been sent the two 'Filters' which were, Glow and Blur!

Both of the Filters primarily add a new dimension to a fragrance. So perhaps you've worn a fragrance before and thought 'I really wish that smelt slightly more citrusy!' or 'I would have liked that fragrance to have been slightly more muskier.' That's where the Maison Margiela - Filters come in!

I have found that both of these filters, although are meant to enhance your fragrance, can be worn alone individually! That being said, they are much softer and don't command as much notice, nor do they have a strong sillage, but the longevity of these lasted for a very long time when sprayed upon my skin.

GLOW: 

  • Boosts radiance
  • Zesty and Solar notes

Out of the two, Glow features many citrusy notes and smells incredibly fresh and radiant! Perfect for the upcoming Spring/Summer seasons. I have found that Glow works best with By The Fireplace as the Glow filter adds a fresher take on what is otherwise classed as a muskier fragrance.

BLUR:

  • Boosts softness
  • Cotton and Musky notes

Between the two, the Blur filter is my favourite. Blur features the notes of Cotton, White Musk Accord and Grey Amber Accord. I have found this to be a softer scent, and although it features the Cotton note, it doesn't feel too powdery upon my skin. Blur works best with the Jazz Club fragrance, as it enhances the musky feel to it!

Both of the Maison Margiela Replica Filters are impressive, and I have found trialling these out and mixing them with other fragrances, a rather exciting process! You can purchase both Glow and Blur here. You can also read my fragrance review on the Maison Margiela 'By The Fireplace' here!

Have you tried the Maison Margiela Replica Filters before? Which was your favourite? Did you notice a difference? What fragrance did you layer them up with? Let me know your thoughts below, and don't forget to click that like button!

FOR HIM; 2016

As a follower of various other bloggers, I know that I am probably very late to the game with regards to my 'Christmas Gift Guide'! Nevertheless, if you're somebody who leaves things to the last minute, such as myself, then perhaps this Gift Guide will give you a little nudge to get a move on! After all, Christmas Day is only 17 days away...

My Gift Guide consists of all of the items that I personally have used, what I love, and are what I feel, would make great presents for that special man in your life! *Please note*: Some of these products can be classed as unisex! Also, make sure you keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming 'For Her' Gift Guide this Sunday!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FRAGRANCE:

Each of the three fragrances that I have chosen all have that smokey, musky undertone to them and I find that with each fragrance, they are all equally as powerful as they are captivating.

HAIRCARE:

I chose Gentlemen's Tonic as their products all make my hair feel soft, well nourished, and their luxurious scent of 'Babassu and Bergamot', always leaves my hair smelling divine!

Maison Margiela Replica - By The Fireplace

{ Review || Purchase }

Jo Malone - Black Cedarwood & Juniper

{ Review || Purchase }

Tom Ford - Tobacco Vanille

{ Review || Purchase }

Gentlemen's Tonic -

Gentle Body Wash

{ Purchase } 

Protein Conditioner

{ Purchase }

Daily Shampoo

{ Purchase }

Shower Gift Set

{ Purchase }

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CANDLES:

There's nothing more cosy, than lighting up a gorgeous scented candle at Christmas time, and I must have more candles than I care to count! However, these three candles stand out by a clear mile to me, due to their stunning design, their longevity, and most importantly, their scents!

SKINCARE:

I am lucky enough to try out a lot of skincare samples and products, and although I wish I could feature a lot more in, these are just a handful of skincare products that I keep going back to!

Kiehl's -

Hand Salve

{ Purchase }

Lip Balm

{ Purchase }

Midnight Recovery Concentrate

{ Review || Purchase }

The Dapper Duke - Molten Marshmallow Beard Oil

{ Review }

Clinique - SPF 21 Moisturiser

{ Review || Purchase }

LAB Series - Urban Blue Detox Clay Mask

{ Review || Purchase }

 

Diptyque - John Galliano

{ Review || Purchase }

C.O. Bigelow - Smoke

{ Review || Purchase }

Byredo - Incense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have you tried any of these products before? Will you be considering any of these as a gift? Which is your favourite? Any products on here that you've seen that I haven't reviewed yet, but want to know more about it? Do let me know! I reply to every comment, and always appreciate it when you reach out to me, and don't forget to click that 'like' button down below!