The Trip Down Memory Lane: A Perfume Post

In the two years I have been blogging, I've never written a post about all things whiff-related. So I thought it was about time to round up some of my all time favourite scents which make the boys swoon (or not...they are just super duper pretty). The one thing I both love and hate about perfumes is their ability to take you back to a time or place from the past. The correlation between smell and memory has been proven countless times, and I for one can associate nearly every perfume I own with something that has happened in my past. This means that one sniff can tell a story: be it one of rainbows and sparkles or loss and not such fun times. So as well as touching on what I love about these scents, I've also had a little trip down memory lane in the following run down: 
The Jo Malone Favourites: Everybody loves a bit o' Jo Malone, and no wonder. Her truly unique scents  are unlike anything else you can buy. My favourites include Vintage Gardenia (big bottle- discontinued), Blackberry & Bay and Pomegranate Noir (2 small bottles). The most 'memory-inducing' of the three is without a doubt Pomegranate Noir. Every time I wear it I think of my Mum, as it was her who introduced me to Jo Malone; PN being one of her favourites. Jo Malone scents are very potent and sophisticated, and Pomegranate Noir is the truest representation of this I think. 
The one that reminds me of an ex: On my 22nd birthday, I spent the day with my boyfriend of the time, as well as one of my best friends. I was given Diptyque Philosykos from my parents earlier that day, and was wearing it when I left the house. Because it's such an intense scent, it stayed right under my nose the entire day. Every time I smell this now, I think back to that day and what I was doing and how I felt. It reminds me of people that are maybe no longer around in my life and of a summertime spent with friends and surrounded by romance. Despite this (or maybe because of this), I really love this smell, and even more so because it is not a pretty, floral scent but an almost unisex, plant based scent: right up my street. 
The rollerball from my travels: When I was travelling last summer in America, myself and my tent buddy Helen took an entire free day to go shopping in San Francisco. People thought we were sort of mental seeing as we could have spent the day seeing the beautiful sights of the city, but instead tirelessly wandered round drug stores and tried on bras in Victoria's Secret. In truth, it was one of the best days I had on the trip. After a month of camping and being deprived of any pampering time, spending a day with one of my best makeup-loving girl pals doing something only girly-girls do was so special. To cut this (incresingly long) story short, we went into Sephora, and I bought a rollerball version of Elizabeth & James Nirvana. It's the white version of the duo scents by the Olsens, and is just super pretty and feminine. I wore it for the rest of the trip. 
The Uni perfume: When I was at uni, naturally I was crazy skint. I guess it's just a right of passage: every female undergrad (unless you are fortunate enough to have some well-off parents) goes through the agony of lusting after clothes, makeup and shoes that they just can't really afford. I remember one day I ran out of perfume, and was dreading forking out a hefty sum for another bottle. I was in Mac with a friend, and as she was buying something, I picked up their Turquatic perfume at the counter, and  after a single sniff (and after learning of the very modest price tag) practically threw a bottle at the cashier. Everyone's really surprised when I say one of my favourite scents is from Mac because most people don't even know they make them. It is so fresh and sort of tropical smelling, and really really affordable. 
The all-time fave: Oh Chanel. Is there anything you can't master? Clothing, accessories, makeup and perfumes: you rock the shit out of them all. That's why I am not surprised my all time favourite perfume is from the luxury brand, and why I am not ashamed to shout about it. Although the price tag is not so boast-worthy, the smell really really is. Chance eau Fraiche is citrusy, fruity and fresh, and sort of smells different throughout the day, which I really like. I like to think of this as my lucky perfume too, as I have worn it at some major events in recent years: my graduation, my job interview for SHOP, all throughout my work in Amsterdam, the list goes on...
The scent from my teenage years: What really attracted me to Marc Jacobs Daisy is the bottle. Like most beauty-obsessed teens, I liked anything big, bright and bold that stood out from the rest. With its large flowery lid and minimalistic font, Daisy had it going on. It's a fairly sweet scent which I would say is quite girly, and isn't one I wear much these days. When I was younger, however, it was all I would ever reach for. House parties, sixth form and nights out with fake ID's would all see (or sniff) Marc Jacobs Daisy, and not just the perfume either: I at various points owned the shower gel, body cream and shimmering body butter. Now that's dedication. 
The current choice: Reigning in a new year and a new start is Prada's Infusion D'Iris. This is another scent that, like the Diptyque and Jo Malone in my collection, reflects my love of perfumes that are just a little different. It's a smell which you can't quite put your finger on: floral but not girly, fresh but also a little 'spicy' and unique to its very core. It's also very grown up. Which is why I guess I am wearing it now. I am, after all, officially over the hill at the grand old age of 22 (kidding...kinda). I got it for Christmas last month, and so it's been my scent of choice for all the new experiences I am having now, and for working life. It will be interesting to see what it reminds me of in a few years time! 
What are your favourite perfumes and what do they remind you of? 

On my beauty wishlist this month...

1. Jo Malone 'Pomegranate Noir' Candle 
2. NARS Sheer Glow foundation 
3. Illamasqua speckled 'I' mperfection nail polish in' Fragile'
4. Smashbox primer
5. Xen-Tan Deep Luxe Bronze Dark Lotion 
6. Mac quartet of eyeshadows 
7. L'oreal professional techni art super dust
8. Yankee candle in Vanilla Satin 
9. Chanel Rouge coco shine lipstick
10. YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick 
11. Soap and Glory Sugar crush body wash 
12. Clarins Liquid Bronze Self tan 
13. Urban Decay Naked 'Flushed' palette
14. NARS the multiple stick 
15. Lush Snow fairy body wash 
16. Mac studio sculpt foundation 
17. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir perfume
18. Dior Nail glow 
19. Benefit triple emulsion moisturiser 

Favourite January Products: The Monthly Gems

As we are already half way (nearly) through February…a little late to the party…I know.

 But as I’ve only just started blogging I decided this would be a good start.

Last month served up some real goodies for me. After receiving Christmas treats and a few bob to spend, there was only one thing on my mind. GET ME TO THE BEAUTY COUNTER. What follows is a list of products I have therefore discovered and completely fallen for.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 307 L'impatiente, Barry M Lip Paint in 54. 

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine. 

Swatches of Barry M, Chanel, and apocalips in Apocaliptic and Nude Eclipse. 

Firstly, I have gone a little lip product mad since Christmas. My brother kindly bought me Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick in 307 ‘L’impatiente’ from their Christmas range. It is a beautiful dark purple colour (I STILL haven’t gotten over last seasons goth-themed trend) and has a matte finish, perfect for night-time glamour. Next up is Barry M’s lip paint in 54: a vibrant creamy orange colour which would suit any skin tone. Korres Jasmine Lip Butter has also been on my radar, giving my lips a smooth feel and pretty nude sheen. Lastly, I’ve been loving Rimmel ‘Apocalips’ (I picked them up in apocaliptic and nude eclipse). I know everyone has been raving about these beauties, and I can honestly say they are a PERFECT substitute for the YSL glossy stains. I wore the hot pink colour (apocaliptic) on a night out recently, and it stayed on ALL night and didn’t feel overly sticky at all.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint in Blueberry. 

NARS blush in Deep Throat. 

Another couple of make-up bits I’ve been loving include Barry M’s Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint. I purchased the colour ‘Blueberry’, and it is fair to say I have been impressed! I am a bit of a nail polish snob and so I was pleasantly surprised how good Barry M’s polishes actually were. The gelly formula gives a shiny, glossy finish to the nail, and lasts around an impressive 5 days chip free. I am also really liking NARS’ ‘Deep throat’ blush. It is so SO pretty pink on the cheeks, and I have just always been in love with the minimalistic packaging.

Clarins Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask. 

Bumble and Bumble BB Sunday Shampoo. 

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Soap. 

 Lastly, some face and body products. A product I’ve been raving about to anyone who will listen is Bumble and Bumble’s ‘BB Sunday Shampoo’…makes my hair just amazing. It’s a clarifying shampoo, so it’s best to avoid using it more than once or twice a week (perhaps alternating with your usual shampoo), ESPECIALLY if you have coloured hair. And now that bumble and bumble is available in boots, it is a hell of a lot easier to get your hands on the stuff, hurrah! Clarins' ‘Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask’ has also caught my attention. As a huge fan of face masks, I am very picky when it comes to what I use on my face. But this mask smooths on easily, doesn’t dry uncomfortably and smells pretty nice too. Go try it! And finally, Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir soap has been a favourite. The smell is just divine, admittedly it is an acquired scent, but if you like it you will grow to LOVE it. Also lasts a really, really long time, and the ladies at the Jo Malone stand will package it beautifully for you.

Thanks for reading!

B.