ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN NEROLI CLEANSING BALM

July 01, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

You may have heard of Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm before, an award winning, iconic cleansing balm that removes pollutants, dirt and daily grime? Well, Elemis have recently released a ‘sister’ version! A brand new, limited edition Pro-Collagen Neroli Cleansing Balm which comes with the scent of Neroli, and has been decorated in a soft, peachy colour with delicate florals printed on!

PRO-COLLAGEN NEROLI CLEANSING BALM

I applied the Neroli Cleansing Balm by warming this in the palms of my hands and then applied straight onto dry skin by using a small amount. Initially, I used quite a big amount but realised that this didn’t work as effectively and found that a small size worked better.

The balm had a soft texture and when applied onto my skin, the balm practically melted! It was incredibly soft and I loved how it glided over my skin easily.

The Neroli scent at first was quite strong but when rinsed off, it left a delicate scent on my skin that smelt rather fresh throughout the day! Once rinsed off, the Neroli Cleansing Balm left my skin feeling smooth, moisturised and left me with a radiant glow.

The overall use of the Pro-Collagen Neroli Cleansing Balm was simple, effective and is one of my favourite ways to cleanse my skin!

To purchase the Limited Edition Pro-Collagen Neroli Cleansing Balm, click here. Or, to purchase the original Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, click here!

Have you tried Elemis Pro-Collagen Neroli Cleansing Balm? How did you find the scent? Were you a fan of the neroli? Or do you prefer the original? What do you think to the Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

LIZ EARLE AND THE IVY: VICTORIA QUARTER LEEDS

June 30, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

I had recently been invited along to The Ivy for afternoon tea in collaboration with the skincare brand; Liz Earle. The two brands had teamed up within Victoria Quarter in Leeds to bring together a package that allowed you to get pampered with a treatment by the team at Liz Earle, followed by afternoon tea at The Ivy!

Despite having never tried anything from Liz Earle before, or ever having visited one of their boutiques, I still knew quite a bit with regards to the brand and I knew that Liz Earle was one of the first skincare brands to really champion and hone in on ‘active ingredients’. I also knew that Liz Earle had become a wellbeing, lifestyle guru so when the chance came up for me to be able to experience a luxury treatment, naturally I was intrigued and keen to find out more…

I arrived at the Liz Earle boutique and was taken upstairs to the very top where they had several treatment rooms. I filled out a consultation form which covered the basic questions such as any skincare problems you may have, what treatment you feel best suits you and ultimately, what you’re wanting to see results from! I was then greeted by a lovely beauty therapist and we went to a private treatment room. The treatment room itself was incredibly peaceful, the lights were low which instantly created a tranquil environment and I had been told to undress and get into the treatment bed. I am fully aware how that sounds, but it was all innocent!

I explained to the beauty therapist a few of my skincare issues and the main one for me was how dry my skin was. I had been going through a bit of stress at the time and for me, the biggest problem is forgetting to hydrate both my body and skin! The treatment that was gifted to me was the ‘Speedy Lift Facial’.

SPEEDY LIFT FACIAL - 30 minutes / £45

Designed for those who are short on time but want an instant complexion boost, this facial workout features deep-tissue sculpting techniques to visibly lift, refresh and tone.

The treatment began with a gentle cleanse, followed by toning of the skin then finishing off with a moisturiser. As the treatment progressed, the movements of the facial became more vigorous which I enjoyed, but prior to the treatment you do get asked if you would like the movements to be gentle, medium or hard so don’t panic. The treatment is catered to your skincare needs after all!

After the treatment, I could immediately see that my skin had a glow, it looked radiant and healthy. My skin felt soft to touch, well moisturised and nourished! I liked that my skin didn’t feel to gloopy or sticky despite the amount of products that had gone into it. The treatment was over as quickly as it started and despite the movements being fast paced, I felt incredibly relaxed and almost nodded off at one point…

Once the treatment had finished, I had then been given some skincare tips and hints on how to look after my skin and not let the stress get to it too much! I had been advised to cleanse, tone and moisturise twice daily, exfoliate twice weekly and use a night oil instead of a moisturiser 3 times a week, and perhaps the most important advice? Drink more water!

After my treatment, I then popped across from the Liz Earle boutique to The Ivy where I opted for

Smoked salmon on dark rye style bread with cream cheese and chives
Raspberry cheesecake
Latté

all of which were utterly delicious! When going along for Afternoon Tea at The Ivy, please note that the timing for this menu is between 3pm-5pm.

I had a wonderful afternoon, the perfect way to unwind and relax! I had also very kindly been gifted some products from Liz Earle and have been implementing my new tips and advice into a skincare routine which I will be reviewing very shortly so do check back for that soon!

Have you used any products by Liz Earle before? If so, what have you used? Have you had any treatments by Liz Earle before? Which one? Will you be treating yourself to a luxury pampering session? Have you visited The Ivy for Afternoon Tea yet? Let me know below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

YOUTUBE; DECORATE YOUR HEARING AIDS FOR PRIDE! | Mr Luke Christian

June 27, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

DECORATE YOUR HEARING AIDS FOR PRIDE! | Mr Luke Christian

BYREDO LEATHER COLLECTION

June 23, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

About a month or so ago I had an e-vite come through from Byredo. Now, I will confess that I had an absolute ‘fan-girl’ moment as Byredo is one of my favourite brands when it comes to fragrances. Ever.

The event took place at the Byredo boutique in Soho, London and was to showcase the new leather goods. I was greeted with champagne (always a good sign) and I was taken upstairs where the leather goods had been displayed. As I walked around the room, I was immediately drawn to the ‘Blueprint’ collection. A series of beautifully crafted leather bags which can be hand-held, shoulder held or worn across the body in a range of designs such as:

Embroidered Black Leather
Overstitched Black Leather
Printed Black Leather
Black Leather and Painted Python
Black Anaconda
Black Python
most of which are available in other sizes and colours

My personal favourite? The Black Leather and Painted Python - so chic.

I then noticed another display in which several bottles of Byredo fragrances and candles had been encased in leather! These leather cases were designed for the traveller in mind, for those who want to be able to take their favourite fragrance and candle away with them with the comfort of knowing that their glass bottles will be protected. I had also been informed that with every leather fragrance and candle purchase, you get a free bottle of your choice. Ideal!

Another collection that caught my eye was the ‘De La Sac’. My particular favourite one was the Red Leather bag. The shade of red was so striking and the detailing was so precise which really stood out amongst the rest!

Other pieces from the Leather Collection are:

Eazy Bag
Umbrella Wallet
Credit Card Holder
Wallet Clutch
Circuit Bag
Travel Perfume Case

To read more on the Leather goods from Byredo, click here! Shortly after this event, I was then invited along to the launch of the new fragrance ‘Sundazed’. Check back soon for the review on the fragrance!

In the meantime, be sure to check out my other reviews on Byredo such as -

Gypsy Water Fragrance / Baudelaire Fragrance / Bibliotheque Fragrance and Home Scent / Seven Veils Fragrance / Ambre Japonais Home Scent / Chai Home Scent

Have you visited the Byredo store in Soho before? What do you think to it? Have you tried anything from Byredo before? If so, what have you tried? Have you managed to see the Leather Collection? Which is your favourite piece? Let me know your thoughts below as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button below!

THE PERSONAL BARBER

June 16, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

*Please note, this post has been sponsored.

I had recently been contacted by The Personal Barber to try out one of their subscription boxes! The box that I had received was their ‘Wet Shaving Box’ and this is the first box that you receive when signing up to their subscription service.

The Personal Barber aim to create the ‘ultimate shaving subscription for men’ and by doing so, they wanted to turn a shaving routine into a fun experience as opposed to a daily chore. Using a single sharp blade for maximum control and comfort combined with top quality products, they wanted to show that you don’t need a gimmicky razor with extra, unnecessary add-ons! Every 6 weeks you will receive some of their hand-picked, top quality shaving products and all orders get shipped out on the same day, including free delivery to the UK.

Within the box came some handy tips and how to care for each of the items inside such as:

What To Do With Your Used Blades
Keeping Your Razor In Good Nick
Looking After Your Brush
Getting The Most Out Of Your Soap

I liked this little touch as this would prove highly useful for somebody who is a complete beginner to shaving! Now, the products that I had received inside of the box were:

The Personal Barber - Double Edged Safety Razor

A double edged safety razor that was a new one for me having not used a razor like this one before! Upon first glance it did confuse me a little as I couldn’t see a blade on it. Luckily, this came with instructions… Made up of 3 parts, you can unscrew the handle, place one of the blades from Polsilver Super Iridum or Shark in between both of the head plates and then screw back into place. I found this razor to be strong, sturdy and managed to eliminate most of my facial hair. I’ll admit, it did take about 3 or 4 attempts getting used to this style of razor, but now that I have gotten used to it, I like that it feels more premium with a luxurious feel to it as opposed to other razors I have used before where they have been made from plastic and felt rather cheap in comparison!

The Personal Barber - Synthetic Hair Shaving Brush

Made from high quality nylon, this synthetic hair shaving brush felt smooth upon my skin when applying the shaving soap, and I also liked how the sturdy handle made it easy to use. Again, I found that this brush had a premium touch to it, similar to the double edged safety razor!

Faena - Premium Electron Shaving Soap

Sourced directly from the island, Lesvos - Greece, this premium shaving soap contains the ingredients such as: Tallow, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, stearic acid, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, aqua, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lanolin, glycerin, kaolin, dehydroacetic acid (and) benzyl alcohol, parfum. I enjoyed using this shaving soap and I liked how the texture felt on my skin! I’m used to shaving gels and creams where they ‘foam up’ so to speak so this soap was rather unique to use in as it began to lather up which allowed the blade to glide easily across my face thus resulting in a rather easy and effective shave! There is a slight, subtle fragrance to this which had a woody, musky scent.

Seven Potions - Pure Equilibrium Pre-Shave Oil

This pre-shave oil was again, unique for me as when I have previously shaven before, I tend to just stick the shaving gel/cream on and hadn’t thought about using a pre-shave oil before! Using a pre-shave oil helps to soothe and protect your skin and are rich in vitamins such as Vitamin E which helps with anti-oxidation, moisturisation and anti-inflammation. I was slightly dubious at first adding this into my shaving routine, but now, it’s a firm staple! I applied this when my skin had been cleansed, still slightly damp and I have noticed that since using this pre-shave oil, it has helped to make my facial hair feel softer in texture which in return allows the blade to work more effectively.

The Personal Barber - Waffle Piqué Shaving Towel

I liked how easily this waffle piqué shaving towel absorbed water after a shave which I used to wipe off any excess. Plus, the aesthetic of the yellow logo against the dark grey makes for a rather good ‘insta-shot’!

Polsilver Super Iridum & Shark - Super Chrome Replacement Blades

Working out how to insert these into the double edged safety razor was a bit of a challenge I’ll admit! (The razor does come with instructions so don’t panic!) Within this particular box I got 2 packs of replacement blades and the reason for this is due to different blades varying in levels of sharpness and different materials which allows you to pick out which best suits your facial hair and needs!

Overall, I was impressed with the results after the shave and I think this is a great introductory service somebody new to shaving! I also like that the products featured within the box are of top quality, and the packaging of the blades are rather slick too.

To find out more and to sign up for The Personal Barber, click here!

Have you tried The Personal Barber before? If so, what did you think? Is a subscription service something you’d be interested in? Will you be giving this a try? Let me know your thoughts as I would love to hear from you and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button below!

FATHER'S DAY FRAGRANCES 2019

June 11, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

With Father’s Day approaching us here in the U.K on Sunday 16th June, I have put together a few fragrances that will win your Father over! Failing that however, at least you’ve managed to gain yourself a new fragrance...

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HUGO BOSS - BOTTLED INFINITE

Top Notes: Apple, Mandarin Orange, Cinnamon, Sage
Middle Notes: Lavender, Patchouli, Rosemary
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Olive Tree

A woody, aromatic fragrance that feels clean and sophisticated which has a strong projection and lasts on the skin for around 6-7 hours! Ideal for the Father who likes to make an impact without worrying about the scent fading away. To purchase, click here.

CALVIN KLEIN - ETERNITY FOR MEN: FLAME

Top Notes: Pineapple
Middle Notes: Rosemary
Base Notes: Labdanum, Amber, Leather

A fragrance that takes you on an interesting journey, starting off with a sweet, punchy hit of fruitiness, that then settles down into a dense, smokey scent with a long lasting performance around 7-8 hours on the skin! If your Father enjoys interesting fragrances, then perhaps this could be one to try! To purchase, click here.

VERSACE POUR HOMME - DYLAN BLUE

Top Notes: Water Notes, Calabrian Bergamot, Grapefruit, Fig Leaf
Middle Notes: Violet Leaf, Papyrus, Patchouli, Black Pepper, Ambroxan
Base Notes: Musk, Incense, Tonka Bean, Saffron

A solid fragrance in that it delivers a fresh, aquatic scent that epitomises the Summer feeling. Perfect for this time of year and despite feeling so light, its performance is rather impressive with the fragrance lasting for around 6-7 hours! A perfect fragrance for your Father if he enjoys a fresh, aquatic scent. To purchase, click here.

JUSBOX - BLACK POWDER

Top Notes: Blackcurrant, Apple, Pimento
Middle Notes: Suede, Tobacco Leaf, Olibanum
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Patchouli

Possibly the most interesting and unique fragrance within this Gift Guide. A leathery and spicy fragrance with a few of the fruity notes bursting out during the fragrances opening with a heavy silage and long lasting performance. If your Father enjoys having the attention on him and likes to impress, then I would strongly recommend Black Powder! To purchase, click here.

DSQUARED2 - WOOD

Top Notes: Calabrian Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, Mandarin Orange
Middle Notes: Ginger, Cardamom, Violet Leaf
Base Notes: Vetiver, White Woods, Ambroxan

WOOD opens up with a citrusy feel which then quickly turns into a more woody scent. A pretty steady fragrance in the sense that its performance is quite linear. Ideal for daytime and those who prefer a fuss-free fragrance that simply does its job! Its silage is soft-medium and lasts upon the skin for around 4-5 hours. To purchase, click here.

LACOSTE - EAU DE LACOSTE L.12.12 POUR LUI FRENCH PANACHE

Top Notes: Lemon Zest, Mandarin Orange, Cardamom
Middle Notes: Apple, Lavender
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Narcissus

A woody, aromatic fragrance that has a spicy kick throughout its performance! Eau De Lacoste French Panache lasted for up to 6-7 hours with a medium to heavy silage. I would recommend this for those Fathers who enjoy a fragrance that has a clean and sophisticated feel to it. To purchase, click here.

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I hope you have enjoyed this Fragrance Gift Guide for Fathers Day! Are there any which you know will win your Father over? Perhaps any you think he might like to try out? Do you have any other recommendations when it comes to fragrances? Let me know below as I would love to hear from you, and don’t forget to click the ‘like’ button!

*AD/Gifted for the purpose of this Gift Guide.

FATHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY - HUGO BOSS: DARK BLUE

June 09, 2019 by Mr Luke Christian

For this Father’s Day I wanted to give away a classic staple in any mans fragrance collection: Hugo Boss - Dark Blue! Launched in 1999, this fragrance has stood around for 20 years and still feels as fresh and as relevant today. Pretty impressive right? A fragrance that is sweet yet spicy and has a dark, mysterious undertone to it running right through its performance.

Top Notes: Orange, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime
Middle Notes: Mahogany, Cypress, Sage, Geranium, Cardamom
Base Notes: Patchouli, Benzoin, Vetiver, Cedar, Vanilla

For your chance to win this classic fragrance, all you need to do is the following;

Follow me on my Twitter page here
Retweet my pinned Father's Day Giveaway tweet here

It's that simple! All entries will be checked on my Twitter feed, and the winner of Hugo Boss: Dark Blue will be announced via my Twitter on Thursday 13th June in time for Father's Day.

I wish you the very best of luck!

*Please note, this has no affiliation or link to the brand. This was purchased with my own money and this is classed as an AD due to having worked with Hugo Boss before on separate blog posts/work.