CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2019

December 22, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

(AD/Gifted)
With just a few days to go until Christmas, I have put together some last minute gift choices to help you when it comes to buying presents for your loved ones, (or yourself, after all, we all deserve a little treat right!?)

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SACHAJUAN - OCEAN MIST GIFT SET / £50.00

One of my favourite haircare brands; SACHAJUAN!

This Christmas, why not treat a loved one or yourself to their iconic ‘Ocean Mist’ trio gift set?

Available to purchase online here!

HOLLISTER - FESTIVAL NITE GIFT SET / £35.99

Having previously reviewed the Hollister Festival Nite - For Him fragrance here, this would make for the perfect gift for the man who enjoys a fresh, light Summer fragrance!

This gift set contains 100ml Eau De Toilette Spray, 100ml Bodywash and a card holder.

Available to purchase in stores such as Boots, Superdrug, John Lewis and online here!

ESCENTRIC MOLECULES - BODY WASH GIFT SET / £20.00 per bottle

‘01’ by Escentric Molecules for me is one of the most complimented fragrances - ever! The scent is based on the enigmatic woody molecule; ISO E Super with fresh lime peel, green jasmine bud, soft balsams and musk.

Within this gift set are 01, 02, 03 and 04. Available to purchase online here!

BE WATER - POWER LIBERTY: REUSABLE BOTTLE / £25.95

A gemstone water bottle which is believed to change the structure and taste of water!

The bottles are fully reusable and the Power Liberty bottle is thought to improve circulation and include relief from pain and anxiety.

Available to purchase online here!

LABORATORY PERFUMES - ATLAS CANDLE / 200g £45.00

One of my favourite scents from Laboratory Perfumes comes in the form of ‘Atlas’! A spicy scent containing notes such as cinnamon, ginger and black pepper with a hint of fine cognac.

Available to purchase in store such as Yorkshire Soap Co. and online here!

RALPH LAUREN - THE POLO BLACK BEAR EDITION FRAGRANCE.jpg

RALPH LAUREN - THE POLO BLACK BEAR EDITION FRAGRANCE / 125ml £60.00

A fragrance that is bold and sophisticated containing notes such as iced mango, silver armoise and patchouli noir, this would make the perfect gift for the man who likes to feel luxurious and expensive!

Available to purchase in stores such as Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, John Lewis and online here!

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Have you got all of your Christmas presents sorted, or are you a last minute person like myself? Are there any of your favourites mentioned within this Christmas Gift Guide? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

FATHER'S DAY FRAGRANCES 2018

June 13, 2018 by Mr Luke Christian

No Father's Day would be complete without a strong, well-rounded fragrance, a gift guaranteed to make your Dad feel good! Now, there are so many fragrances out there ranging from citrusy to spicy, ones with quiet projections through to loud projections and sometimes with so much choice, it can feel a little overwhelming. I have curated a Gift Guide to help with your decision making which should makes things a little easier for you...

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ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA - ACQUA DI NEROLI

Ermenegildo Zegna - 'A classic aromatic heart of Lavendin, Cypress and Rosemary adds cool woodiness to the invigorating spice of Neroli for strength and energy. Violet Leaves and Watermelon further facet the fragrance with a green crunch and refreshing splash.'

You can purchase Ermenegildo Zegna - Acqua Di Neroli exclusively at John Lewis here.

POLO RALPH LAUREN - ULTRA BLUE

Ralph Lauren - 'Beginning with an aromatic top note of lavender, fresh heart of geranium and sensual amber base of tonka bean, add in the splash of an icy cool sea breeze to the woody, amber, musky notes of Ambertonic, which together creates an ultra long lasting sensation. Finishing with the aquatic salty mineral accord brings it all together to create a new definition of absolute freshness in men’s fragrances.'

You can purchase Polo Ralph Lauren - Ultra Blue here.

JIMMY CHOO MAN - BLUE

Jimmy Choo - 'On top, the sage’s aromatic imprint strikes a balance between freshness and the tonic transparency of bergamot brings a breath of fresh air and contrasts with the spicy warmth of black pepper. The intense texture of leather reveals itself in the heart of the fragrance, which dries down into a creamy sensuality of sandalwood which blends beautifully with the vanilla and sophisticated vetiver.'

You can purchase Jimmy Choo Man - Blue here.

SERGE LUTENS - L'EAU FROIDE

Serge Lutens - 'People are always using expressions like: "The situation was too hot for me to handle." or "A chill ran down my spine." I simply applied a similar concept to an Eau.'

You can purchase Serge Lutens - L'Eau Froide here.

HUGO BOSS - THE SCENT FOR HIM

Hugo Boss - 'The composition begins with a spicy note of Ginger. Maninka Fruit is mixed with tones of Lavender in the heart to create a sensual scent. Intensive Leather Accord that makes the base ooze magnetic masculinity.'

You can purchase Hugo Boss - The Scent For Him here.

LACOSTE - L'HOMME

Lacoste - 'Dynamic top notes of mandarin and sweet orange essence combined with unexpected fruit quince and rhubarb infuse the energy of confidence. At the heart lies black pepper, ginger, transparent jasmine and almond which then dries down into a sensuous woody base featuring cedar wood with dry amber, musk, vanilla and Akigalawood.'

You can purchase Lacoste - L'Homme here.

MONT BLANC - LEGEND: NIGHT

Mont Blanc - 'Clary sage and peppermint, enhanced with cool spices; cardamom and sparkling bergamot, set the fragrance’s fresh and lively tone. The opening is bright, like the natural radiance of our man’s aura. The middle notes immediately counterbalance this first impression of refreshing coolness with their warm elegance. The precious scents of cedar wood blend well with the floral lavender tones, a classic in men's fragrances, and slightly powdered violet.'

You can purchase Mont Blanc - Legend: Night here.

YARDLEY LONDON - GENTLEMAN CLASSIC

Yardley London - 'A modern, sophisticated fragrance that opens up with a fresh citrus and spicy blend of cardamom & black pepper interlaced with a soft heart of floral notes, resting on a luxurious accord of sandalwood, musk, amber and a sweet hint of white chocolate.'

You can purchase Yardley London - Gentleman Classic here.

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I do hope that this Gift Guide has helped you with what fragrance to pick for your Father this Father's Day, and if you have your eye on any then please let me know as I would love to know which one it is! Don't forget to click the like button below, and to leave me a comment!

RALPH LAUREN LOOKBOOK

October 22, 2017 by Mr Luke Christian

When Ralph Lauren got in touch with me to work together on this LookBook, it was definitely up there as one of my blogging highlights! I had been given the option to choose a couple of items from their online website, and I chose the Slim Fit Oxford Sport Shirt and teamed it with some Hanford Leather Sneakers to keep it smart, yet keeping the outfit slightly casual with a fresh twist on the look!

I particularly liked how crisp the classic Oxford Sport Shirt looked, and I found that it was incredibly versatile and can be worn with anything. I enlisted the help of Matt McCormick who once again provided me with some amazing shots as we worked our way around Leeds!

I hope you like the images and I would love to see what you think down below in the comments section!

WHAT I WORE:

RALPH LAUREN | SLIM FIT OXFORD SPORT SHIRT

RALPH LAUREN | HANFORD LEATHER SNEAKERS

NEXT | NAVY STRIPE FASHION TROUSERS

Have you shopped with Ralph Lauren before? If so, what did you purchase? Do you like the Ralph Lauren pieces that I chose? I would love to hear from you all, so let me know your thoughts below, and don't forget to click the 'like' button!

FATHER'S DAY FRAGRANCES GIFT GUIDE

June 15, 2017 by Mr Luke Christian

A staple gift for any Father figure in your life, is often considered to be a fragrance. With so many choices, and so many different scents, you could be forgiven for feeling slightly overwhelmed. However, with my help and guidance, I am hoping that these fragrances that I have chosen for this Gift Guide, will help put your mind at ease, and steer you into making the right decision for this Father's Day!

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RALPH LAUREN - POLO: RED EXTREME

**GUCCI** **GUILTY:** **PLATINUM EDITION**

*Top Notes: Lemon, Lavender*
*Middle Notes: Orange Blossom*
*Base Notes: Cedar, Patchouli*
Gucci are absolutely my go-to brand right now. Anything that they create, I instantly want, and the Guilty fragrance is no exception.
Inspired by the Creative Director; Alessandro Michele, the fragrance is a beautiful blend that is as equally citrusey as it is woody! The opening bursts with the Lemon note, instantly creating a fresh, vibrant feel which after a while, dries down into a spicy, more earthy fragrance.
The longevity of Guilty lasted for up to 6 hours upon my skin, and I would recommend wearing this both during the Summer days and nights. Versatile enough to be worn for any occasion!
You can purchase Guilty - Platinum Edition *here*.

**DAVIDOFF**
**HORIZON EXTREME**

*Top Notes: Grapefruit, Ginger, Rosemary*
*Middle Notes: Cypriol Oil, Cedar, Nutmeg, Leather*
*Base Notes: Amber, Sandalwood*
The opening of Horizon Extreme is a strong, powerful start that begins with a spicy yet fresh beginning. During the dry-down, the fragrance becomes more woody which comes with a rather a loud projection!
Possibly the heaviest fragrance out of my choices for this Gift Guide, with the leather and woody notes blending together. Perhaps this may be better suited to wear towards the end of Summer with the cooler weather beginning to change.
Horizon Extreme lasted for up to 7 hours upon my skin, and is available to purchase *here*.

**MONT BLANC**
**LEGEND**

*Top Notes: Lavender, Bergamot, Lemon Verbena, Pineapple*
*Middle Notes: Coumarin, Oak Moss, Geranium, Rose, Red Apple, Dried Fruits*

*Base Notes: Sandalwood, Tonka Bean*

A sweet and fruity fragrance from Mont Blanc, that opens with the bold Pineapple note than quickly dries down into a cleaner, and spicy scent.
Longevity of Legend was slightly disappointing, and only lasted for up to 4 hours upon my skin and the projection was light to medium. I would recommend wearing Legend throughout the day!
You can purchase Mont Blanc - Legend *here*.

**BOTTEGA VENETA**
**POUR HOMME PARFUM**

*Top Notes: Calabrian Bergamot, Siberian Pine, Juniper*
*Middle Notes: Pimento, Canadian Fir, Clary Sage*
*Base Notes: Labdanum, Leather, Patchouli*
Sophisticated, bold and classic. The opening begins with a refreshing citrusy feel that very quickly dries down into a woody, earthier type of scent. The Juniper and Siberian Pine notes blend perfectly together and add a real masculine touch!
The longevity of Pour Homme lasted for up to 6 hours upon my skin and I feel is definitely worth wearing during a night time as it could be a little overpowering throughout the day. (A little side note, if you like Tom Ford's discontinued Italian Cypress, then you may like this one...)
Pour Homme is available to purchase *here*.

**JOOP - WOW!**

Top Notes: Bergamot, Cardamom, Violet Leaf
Middle Notes: Geranium, Balsam Fir, Vetiver
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Cashmere Wood
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of attending the Launch of JOOP - WOW! which you can read *here* for more details on the Event and the fragrance itself.
I have included it in this Gift Guide as it is a personal favourite of mine! A loud projection with a sweet opening that takes a creamier direction throughout the dry-down.
You can purchase WOW! *here*.

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I hope that my Father's Day Fragrance Gift Guide has helped and given you more of an idea of what fragrance to choose for your Father this coming Sunday!

Do you have a favourite from this Gift Guide? If so, which one? Are there any that you have tried out yourself? What did you think? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you, and don't forget to click that 'like' button!

SUMMER '16 FRAGRANCE BATTLE

July 14, 2016 by Mr Luke Christian

I have been extremely fortunate enough to have received quite a few fragrances these past couple of weeks, and I had spent some time on working out on how to review them. I didn't feel as though a simple blog post per fragrance would suffice, and I wanted to mix things up a little! So, I have decided to 'pit them against one another' and determine which fragrance, is best suited for you.

Each fragrance has been worn for 4 days at a time, allowing me to really pick out the different notes, how powerful the sillage was, determine what type of fragrance group they best fit, and to see how long their staying power could last.

The four fragrances that I will be covering are:

ARAMIS: VOYAGER | DAVIDOFF COOL WATER; OCEAN EXTREME

ARMANI CODE: PROFUMO | RALPH LAUREN: POLO BLUE

ARAMIS; VOYAGER

A spicy fragrance, that feels fresh and is rather warm.

Top Notes: Ginger, Juniper Berries, Black Pepper
Middle Notes: Nutmeg, Sage, Lavender
Base Note: Tonka Bean

The initial spray is luxurious, and the spices within the fragrance, make for an interesting Summer fragrance! However, I must admit, I found the longevity of this rather disappointing. I found that when sprayed upon my skin, the scent only lasted 1-2 hours.

The top note of Black Pepper remained prominent throughout, with the base note, Tonka Bean, adding a creamier feel to the fragrance. The sillage of Voyager is light, which is ideal if you're after a light, fresh fragrance!

If you like fragrances that are fresh, and warm, then Aramis Voyager is a fragrance you need to try out! You can purchase this fragrance here.

DAVIDOFF COOL WATER; OCEAN EXTREME

An intense version of the iconic, 'Cool Water', the Ocean Extreme is powerful, and aquatic.

Top Notes: Frozen Mint, Juniper Berries, Rosemary
Middle Notes: Sea Notes, Lavender, Sandalwood, Geranium
Base Notes: Cedar, Crystal Musk, Seaweed

Upon the first spray, this fragrance smells absolutely divine! Initially, when having read the notes, I was unsure as to how the 'Frozen Mint' note would play out, in fear it could smell similar to mouthwash? Well, how wrong was I!? The sillage of Ocean Extreme is heavy, and is instantly distinctive. I was pleasantly surprised at how long this fragrance lasted upon my skin, due to the fresh notes featured within the scent! If you like fragrances that are fresh, yet pack a heavy punch, then Davidoff Cool Water; Ocean Extreme is definitely one to check out! This fragrance is available to purchase in your local drugstore.

RALPH LAUREN; POLO BLUE

A classic fragrance, and one that will never grow old.

Top Notes: Melon, Mandarin Orange, Cucumber
Middle Notes: Basil, Sage, Geranium
Base Notes: Musk, Woodsy Notes, Suede

When first sprayed onto my skin, I am hit by the 'Musk' and 'Suede' notes, which gives a sensual feel to the fragrance. The longevity of Polo Blue stayed upon my skin for up to 6 hours, which I found impressive!

The sillage is heavy, perhaps a little too heavy for the Summer daytime, and best suited for a Summer's night.

If you enjoy timeless fragrances, then Ralph Lauren; Polo Blue is your best bet! You can purchase this here.

ARMANI CODE; PROFUMO

Rich, luxurious and animalistic, a fragrance that is an instant winner.

Top Notes: Green Mandarin, Green Apple, Cardamom
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, Lavender, Nutmeg
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Leather, Amber

Admittedly, when I first sprayed this, I felt as though I had smelt this type of fragrance before. Yet, as the different notes came out to play, and the way it smelt on my skin, I came to realise that this fragrance stood out from the others. A really creamy, rich fragrance. One you could imagine wearing at a trendy bar on a warm, Summer's night. The longevity of this lasted for up to 8 hours, and the sillage is medium/heavy.

If you like creamy fragrances, then Armani Code; Profumo is the one for you! You can purchase this fragrance here.

In summary, if you prefer fragrances that are richer, creamier and you want to attract attention, then your best choices are between Aramis; Voyager or Armani Code; Profumo. If you want something fresh for the Summer, then I would choose the Davidoff Cool Water; Ocean Extreme or the Ralph Lauren; Polo Blue.

Which is your favourite fragrance out of these four? Do you have a preference when it comes to the type of fragrance that you wear throughout Summer? Let me know your thoughts down below in the comments box!