LUSH USE WORLD'S FIRST FAIRTRADE VANILLA ABSOLUTE!

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LUSH USE THE WORLD'S FIRST FAIRTRADE 

VANILLA ABSOLUTE IN VANILLARY FRAGRANCE!

VANILLARY

ATOMISER 30ml  £26.00 SPRITZER  10ml  £12.50

As purveyors of fresh handmade cosmetics we always strive to use the best quality ingredients that we can get our hands on. Vanilla is no different. Agnes, our top notch Creative Buyer, has found high quality gourmet FAIRTRADE Vanilla beans nestled on the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains, Uganda.

Favoured by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-­ Fairtrade beans to be brought to the UK by Ndali. Our next step was to transform these delicious beans into an absolute, something that has never been done before. Through a lot of hard work Agnes brought the beans to France where they were skillfully transformed into Vanilla absolute, to be used exclusively in our Vanillary fragrance.

To tell us more about the project Agnes talked with Lulu who manages the Ndali estate.

Vanilla has been grown at the Ndali estate since the end of the 90’s.It was the perfect crop to re-­invigorate the ailing estate and, more importantly, to provide a valuable income to local farmers. In 2005 the beans farmers formed a co-­op that now sells 20-­ 25% of their crop at a Fairtrade premium.

In a region with low literacy and treacherous terrain the challenges of establishing just such an organization have obviously been great;; with a pharmacy built, a school roofed, maize milling machinery bought and bee-­keeping projects funded, vanilla beans can be clearly seen.

It’s a testament to the farmers and the Ndali estate that they have been able to pull themselves up by the bootstraps and produce some of the best vanilla we can get our hands on. We are delighted to be using this exclusively in the Vanillary atomiser and spritzer fragrance, which has made that creamy vanilla goodness just that one step yummier!

To pick up Vanillary and many more ethical, cruelty free cosmetics visit Lush shops nationwide. For shop details and Lush online, please call 01202 668 545, or order at www.lush.co.uk

L'Occitane 'Candle for Sight'

I love candles, Chris and I were saying we probably have far too many. We do have them for decorative purposes, and recently have been using them so, we can buy even more. 

I love scented candles, they have to be good scented brands as some when burning lose the scent that you get when its unlit.

L'Occitane sent me the new 'Candle for Sight' and its absolutely gorgeous, its in a cute honeycomb shaped tin, which the label appropriately is also marked in Braille.

  The honey scent is delicious, burning it makes the fragrance fill the room. Its a cotton wick so its smoke free, a real bonus if you light lots of candles. I have had soot marks on the ceiling, so now am a little more choosy about my candles. 

Its been burning for quite a few hours on and off and is still going strong.

Whats even sweeter about his candle, is every penny of the proceeds will go to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)!

A great gift for yourself, a relative and a gift to a great charity also.

These proceeds will be donated to RNIB to support its Trainee Grade Scheme which 

provides professional training for blind and partially sighted people across the UK. The 

scheme plays a valuable role in bridging the gap between ability to work and the lack of 

experience in paid employment often cited as the reason why 66 per cent of blind and 

partially sighted people of working age are currently unemployed.

This exclusive honey scented candle, £13, is available at L’Occitane boutiques 

nationwide and online at www.loccitane.co.uk

Disclosure I was given a free product to review. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

L'Occitane Eaux de Cologne

Across the land of Provence, people will tell you that l’Aigo es d’Or*. Inspired
by the freshness of the fountains of Provence, L’OCCITANE has created its very
first collection of Eaux de Cologne.

Three rippling fragrances bring a splash of timeless freshness to those warm, sunny days.

I was sent a bottle of the Captivante and the scent certainly conjures up a French mountainside or Provence garden, its light summery and has a herbal fragrance. Chris liked it as a lighter alternative for summer, it came to Cornwall with us last week and was used everyday. I am keen to hunt out the new womens fragrances as I like zesty scent and the Eau Universelle sound a great one for Chris and I to share!

First, there’s EAU UNIVERSELLE, a zesty scent that owes its name to its
unisex nature.

Next, EAU RAVISSANTE, with its floral, feminine, sparkling notes.

The cologne offers a dazzling bouquet of floral aromas with fruity citrus notes. This mischievous fragrance combines the sensual softness of rose petals with the sparkling freshness of citrus fruits and contains the essential oils of Mediterranean bergamot and damascena rose.

Finally, EAU CAPTIVANTE, destined for men, with its aromatic and stimulating
tones.

These three olfactory worlds together form Eaux de Provence, a new tradition from L’OCCITANE.

*Water is gold

Launch June 2012

Prices:

Cologne 300ml bottle - £37
Cologne 50ml spray - £21
Shower Gel 250ml - £13

Stockist: 020 7907 0301

www.loccitane.co.uk

Limited Edition LOVE Fragrance at LUSH

If you love Lush and I know lots of you do from all the tweets and blog posts whenever I feature them, you will love my news. They have just launched a fabulous new fragrance named yes you have guessed from my waffle LOVE.

Its got a good name as I already sprayed some on from a sample I was sent and first words from my lips were I love it, they really were.

I love lemon scents as you've heard me rave about before and the new perfume has it as a keynote in lemongrass. Along with  notes of apple, ylang ylang it just burst with warm and summery vibes.

If you like the sound of it then hurry its only about for one month, that's more than the sunshine we've had this year so grab a bottle quick!

Limited Edition LOVE Fragrance
 Launches at LUSH SHOPS NATIONWIDE

The exclusive LOVE fragrance by the Gorilla Perfumers at LUSH is launching in all stores NATIONWIDE on Monday 15th August for one month only!

LOVE (£30.00 for 30ml, £14.00 for 10ml, £7.00 for 12g solid)...

Inspired by young, flirty love and the heartache that can sour it, this tempting fragrance smells of fresh bitten apples and zesty lemongrass evoking the exhilarating feeling of a bright new romance. As the scent warms to the skin and develops throughout the day the spicey notes of cinnamon, ylang ylang and jasmine bring a long lasting sensuality to the perfume, evoking feelings of a deeper romance whilst still hinting at flirty excitement with refreshing lemon notes. 

Created by Lush Co-Founder and Product Inventor Mark Constantine OBE, the inspiration for this fragrance came from him watching his sons falling in and out of love.

Mark Comments: “Rather like their relationships, it took quite a while to get right. It is for flirts really, but being a flirt is not something everyone wants to be known for. On the other hand, flirting is so much fun. I have tried to make a perfume that will flirt for you while you pretend indifference. Love is an instantly bright and bubbly fragrance with a vivacious green apple fruit scent and sweet citrus innocence. As the initial burst fades, it's replaced with a sugary sweet apple pie note while maintaining a sharp lift.”

LOVE is a young, flirty and mischievous fragrance. If you adore Lush’s Fizzbanger bath ballistic, which has the same sweet scent, then LOVE is definitely the fragrance to fall for.

Main notes: Lemon, lemongrass, bergamot, apple, cinnamon, cassia, jasmine, rose

Love is launching in all stores NATIONWIDE on Monday 15th August

 

Vintage Chic for Mother’s Day

These are certainly a blast from the 80's and making an impact as are the clothes and music again.

The bottles and packaging very much up to date yet the fragrances still the same.

From Tweed that always seemed a favourite of the business woman, think shoulder pads and power dressing to the Papa Don't Preach lace ribbons in the hair and scent of Chique perfume, for me it seemed very T'Pauesque

I was too young for these sprays but used to always sneak a squirt of Panache from the Boots counter.

Who has fond or negative memories of the retro scents?

Classic fragrances are making a comeback. Sales of perfumes that evoke nostalgic memories have increased by up to 50%* in the past year and vintage hues have never been so chic. This Mother’s Day treat your mum to a timeless treat with these exclusive gift sets.

Originally launched in 1924 by Lentheric, Tweed is a sensuous woody fragrance with floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom that add an intoxicating feminine touch. An English Icon in perfumery, it has a distinct resinous quality that evokes earthy-woody mystique. Base notes of Patouchli and vetiver form an alluring oriental depth creating the perfect balance of natural essences.

Body spray 100ml £2.49, Talc 200g £4.95,

EDT 30ml £9.95, EDT 50ml £14.95,

Gift Set 25ml EDT and 100g talc 2010 £9.95

Panache

Launched by Lentheric in 1976, Panache is a crisp soft fragrance perfect for daytime wear. With aldehydic floral hues, this scent can be unisex due to its crisp edge which eliminates an overly feminine feel. Panache is clean, cool and elegant.

Body spray 100ml £2.49, Talc 200g £4.95,

EDT 30ml £9.95, EDT 50ml £14.95,

Gift Set  25ml EDT and 100g talc 2010 £9.95

Lace

Lace is a feminine fragrance created in 1982 by Yardley. With rose at the heart of the scent, it has a sweet powdery finish that’s contrasted by base notes of oakmoss. Floral Aldehydes keep the aroma fresh and make it a perfect perfume for the cooler weather.

Body spray 100ml £2.49,

EDT 15ml £6.95, EDT 30ml £9.95,

EDT 50ml £14.95

 

White Satin

This soft, sweet fragrance was launched in 1984 by

Yardley. Best recognised by its distinctive, elegant and feminine packaging Floral, green and musk notes make this the perfect romantic fragrance.

EDT 25ml £9.95, Perfumed Talc 200g £4.95,

Bodyspray 100ml £2.49.

Gift Set 25ml EDT & 100g talc, £9.95

or

EDT 15ml and Body Spray 100ml £4.95

Chique

A bold, sophisticated fragrance that was lau
nched in 1976, again by Yardley. This cult product became a classic of it’s time and evokes memories of the Madonna era, all lace gloves and shimmer lipstick. In distinct retro packaging it’s the perfect vintage scent.

Body spray 100ml £2.49,

25ml cologne spray £9.95,

50ml cologne spray £14.95.

Or 

Gift Set EDT 15ml and Body Spray 100ml £4.95

All products are available from Independent Pharmacies nationwide.

Love Letter Solid Scent Review

If the prospect of receiving a bunch of uninspiring and wilting flowers hastily bought from the petrol station on Valentine's Day leaves you feeling disheartened, why not ask your dearly beloved for an altogether more fragrant and ethical gift this year? And if he doesn’t take the hint, you can always treat yourself to new Love Letter 100% Organic Solid Scent (£9.99).

Now Chris is a true romantic, my Valentines Day is a day when I get spoilt and pampered and he looks for unusual gifts a little outside the norm too.

This lovely gift would be such a present, I love its smallness in the palm of my hand, its well presented in a smart black box, the pink lettering complementing the day of love.

As I lift the lid, a warm scent of rose and jasmine fills my nose and its headier as I undo the tin, this is perfect to keep on me at all times, slipped into a coat pocket or in my bag.

This scent invokes memories of love and romance so if you receive from a loved one, or if you buy this for your sweetheart I believe they would be thrilled.

Its a solid scent I am sure it would suit the lady who loves a vintage style trinket.

As creator Skye Connelly explains:

“Solid scents are enjoying something of a renaissance now with discerning fragrance-lovers favouring the solid form over liquid with many, particularly allergy sufferers, finding the alcoholic undertones in most perfumes overpowering and irritating to skin. “

She adds

“I wanted to embrace ‘scent’ - not just fashion. Some perfumers believe the true essence of perfume is found within the essential oils and lost when mixed with alcohol. Our Love Letter Solid Scent is a timeless fragrance that is handmade and hand-blended in small batches using traditional production methods. The process takes over two weeks starting with the infusion of the essential oils to enable the deeper notes to develop before combining with cocoa butter and wax and allowing to solidify."

Love Letter 100% Organic Solid Scent is available now priced £9.99 (15ml) from The Natural Beauty Rooms and The Natural Store, Soak in Hastings, Plenty Provision in St. Leonards On Sea, Uniquely Organic in Hove, and online from  The Green Grocery, The Green Apple, Ethical Community and Mollycoddles.

 

 It is suitable for all women except if pregnant or breastfeeding due to the jasmine content.

 

 Three other scents are available: Kismet (with sweet orange and Patchouli - inspired by Moroccan travels), Metro (a unisex scent with Lemongrass and Jasmine - ideal for the cosmopolitan metrosexual man) and The Girls (with Ylang Ylang, Vanilla and Cocoa - a fun scent for those full of joie de vivre!) all certified 100% organic by the OF&G.