Laura Thornberry : fragrance

Primark PS Love Noir Perfume Review

By Laura Thornberry - 11:00

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January Favourites

By Laura Thornberry - 17:26

With 2018 being the year that I finally start taking skincare seriously, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ is a product that I decided to get my hands on. My skin can be pretty temperamental, some days its good, some days it bad, but that's life I guess. I would say my skin is fairly normal, with the odd dry and oily patches, nothing too drastic, but a harsh winter has made it enough for me to notice in day to day life. The Effaclar Duo+, "a dual action gel moisturiser for every day that minimises the appearance of spots and blackheads, controls shine and helps protect the skin" and claims to be "A blemish treatment that corrects and hydrates skin for clearer skin in 4 weeks". I've been using the Effaclar Duo+ for around 1 month, I purchased just after Christmas, and have slowly been introducing it into my skincare routine. As a first impressions, my skin definitely has been more matte and less shiny, which is the biggest improvement I have noticed since using this gem from La Roche-Posay.

Hugo Boss The Scent for Her - a new fragrance to add to my never ending perfume collection! I received this perfume for Christmas, I had never tried any fragrances from Hugo Boss previously, since having this one, I have fallen in love with it. It's a very fresh and fruity, bursting with a peachy aroma but with a slightly floral scent that would be a perfect Spring or Summer fragrance.

Whilst learning to drive with Wimbledon Driving School, I downloaded the DVSA Theory Test App to help me with revising for my Theory Test, as well as allowing me to take mock tests and practice the Hazard Perception side to the Theory Test. The app itself is very easy to use, you have a choice of launching the Theory or Hazard Perception programme within the app, with the Theory side allowing you to study and practice each topic, as well as taking mock tests with the 50 questions to answer. I have been finding it very useful in helping me to revise and practice for my upcoming test, and would definitely recommend the app to anyone revising for a Theory Test or even someone who is wanting to learn to drive, this app would be something to look out for!

Marsh and Mallow bars are something new that I have recently discovered when visiting my local Starbucks. I saw these sat in front of the tills and decided to grab a couple in Raspberry and Vanilla flavours, and was very pleasantly surprised with these, they are super tasty and a great snack for on the go! I would recommend you stock up on these on your next trip to Starbucks and keep one in your handbag when you're feeling a little hungry.

A favourite, holy grail make up product of mine has been the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara. I've repurchased this over and over again as this has become a mascara that I know will work for my lashes. This mascara has a plastic brush with thin, small bristles that reach, grab and separate every lash, creating dramatic length without being clumpy, as well as being very black in colour. The mascara is also very buildable, applying one or more coats depending if you want more of a natural or dramatic look to the lashes. I also use this mascara on my bottom lashes, to create length to the lashes and definition to my eyes. Usually priced at £7.99, very affordable and very easy to get hold of in Superdrug or Boots, if you haven't tried this mascara from Rimmel, I would definitely advise you to give it a go.

Lastly for my January favourites, a high-end fragrance of mine that I have loved ever since I ordered my first bottle; YSL Black Opium. I think it's the perfect perfume for special occasions and nights out as it holds such a deep, musky, sexy scent that I really love at this time of year. I've found that this perfume is long-wearing and lingers on the skin all day, which is brilliant as I hate having to carry the perfume around with me for top ups. Every single time I wear it, I get numerous compliments, people asking what I'm wearing or just generally saying I smell nice. If you're after a new perfume or just want to treat yourself to something extra special, Black Opium is the one for you. You can read my recently published review of this perfume here

What have been your favourite things recently?

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beauty

Fragrance Favourite | YSL Black Opium

By Laura Thornberry - 22:00

"Discover Black Opium, the feminine fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent – new glam rock fragrance full of mystery and energy. An addictive gourmand floral with notes of: Black Coffee – for a shot of adrenaline; White Florals – to instantly seduce; and Vanilla – for sweetness and sensuality. WHAT’S STOPPING YOU?"

In all honestly, I am the biggest perfume lover ever! I just can't get enough! I adore all kinds of scents, I like quite sweet, musky and deep fragrances and find it really hard to choose new ones, which is a pain when I have so many on my current wishlist! But one fragrance that I have been lusting over for a number of months is the YSL Black Opium. Previously, I had never smelt Black Opium, but with so much praise and hype from bloggers and after reading great reviews, it was something that I had been wanting to try for a while. I mean, the scent combinations just sound perfect for my fragrance tastes.

Top notes : Pink pepper, Orange blossom

Heart notes : Jasmine, Coffee

Base notes : Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedarwood

Since ordering this perfume, I have just fallen in love with it every single time I wear it. It's become my go-to fragrance in day to day life. The bottle alone is just gorgeous. Black and sparkly, what more could you want? The scent is gorgeous. I mean what's not to love? I think it's the perfect perfume for special occasions and nights out as it holds such a deep, musky, sexy scent that I really love at this time of year. I've found that this perfume is long-wearing and lingers on the skin all day, which is brilliant as I hate having to carry the perfume around with me for top ups. Every single time I've worn it, I received handfuls of compliments and people asking what I have on. It may be a more expensive perfume than I am used to getting but to me it is well worth every penny and most definitely a luxury treat, something I know I would definitely repurchase! I'm just upset I only purchased a 30ml bottle because it's something I could wear everyday, but it would be a great travel size perfume!

Have you tried Black Opium before? What are your winter fragrance favourites?
Leave me your recommendations!

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beauty

New Year Fragrance Haul

By Laura Thornberry - 12:00

As a beauty lover, one aspect of this is perfumes and fragrances, in which I am a HUGE fan. I love trying and testing out new scents and I believe you can never have too many! Recently I posted my Fragrance Wishlist, that shared some of the new fragrances that I am dying to get my hands on. But I was lucky enough to either snap these up for Christmas or purchased them myself in the Boxing Day sales, and even one for my Secret Santa gift!

Burberry Touch for Women

"A fruity, vibrant fragrance of California orange, blackcurrant, dewberry and subtle rose oil. Fresh top notes of seductive jasmine, Madonna lily and tuberose with a delicate hint of peach and raspberry. Cedar wood, oak moss and vanilla complement the fruity notes, adding a soothing warmth"

Paco Rabanne Olympea

"Her magnetic eyes and her fragrance take us into the wake of her seduction. Her fragrance is a unique olfactory adventure, at the crossroads between the sensuality of salty vanilla accord and the freshness of floral notes. A fresh oriental fragrance whose balance of the accords forms a genuine Paco Rabanne signature."

Rogue Love Rihanna

"ROGUE LOVE by Rihanna captures that moment when love first hits you with a wild rush that goes through your whole body. Delicious fruits tempt your senses with notes of fresh citrus and succulent peach mingling with the temptation of juicy berries. Just as the facets of love take multiple twists and turns, the core of ROGUE LOVE by Rihanna is built with layers upon layers of lush, rich florals. A bit uncontrollable like the fluttering of the love-struck heartbeat, the petals are a radiant texture with vibrant colours of honeysuckle, jasmine and orchid splashed with the simply irresistible seduction of coconut."

Pink Print Nicki Minaj

"The Pinkprint opens with a fresh mixture that includes bergamot, pink grapefruit and passion fruit. The heart is composed of nectarine, frangipani, orange blossom, heliotrope and roses. Coconut, driftwood accord, sandalwood, patchouli and skin musk end the composition."

Reb'l Fleur Rihanna

"Plump, delicious fruits, red berries, purple plums and juicy, ripe peaches, make a delicious first impression. Then the heart opens into a lush hybrid hinting at Island life, subtle yet intoxicating, blossoming with sumptuous florals, a passionate melody of Hawaiian Hibiscus flower, violet, tuberose and coconut water. Defiantly sexy, the base notes linger, a beguiling, sensual mélange. Vanilla, patchouli, amber and musk become a sultry chorus striking an unforgettable, emotional chord."

I'm looking forward to wearing all these new scents over the next few weeks, and will eventually be posting a week long series entitled "Fragrance Week", where I will share my thoughts and feeling about some of these scents, and some others that I picked up in Christmas gift sets.

What are your current go-to fragrances? Have you tried any featured in this haul? What perfumes are on your wishlist?

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beauty

Nicki Minaj 'Minajesty' Perfume Review

By Laura Thornberry - 12:00

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beauty

My Current Perfume Wishlist

By Laura Thornberry - 12:00

When it comes to beauty, where some people may collect lipsticks or nail polishes, my weakness is definitely perfumes and fragrances. I love trying new scents and seeing how certain smells combine together to make perfumes. My taste in perfumes can differ quite a lot, sometimes due to the time of the year, the weather, if its for a special occasion or even just how I feel on that particular day. My current favourites are Reb'l Fleur by Rihanna, YSL Black Opium and Nicki Minaj MINAJESTY. All of which are completely different scents, but all which I really love, and will continue to repurchase in the future for my perfume stash. To add to this stash, I have quite the list of perfumes that are on my to-try list, but after thinking over them all for a while, I thought that would be way too many! So in the end, I opted for my top 8, that I wish to purchase over the next few months.

ARI by Ariana Grande
"ARI by Ariana Grande is a genuine and intimate statement by Grande through scent, embodying her unique character and style. Hints of unexpected playfulness appear throughout the fragrance story, reminding fans to embrace their flaws and celebrate their differences Playful, timeless and confident, the luscious new fragrance – a Floral Fruity Gourmand - opens with sparkling fruits and an ultra-feminine floralcy, passionately spun with musks, woods, and an addictive hint of marshmallow."

GOLD MAGIC by Little Mix
"Confident, enchanting, energetic and united, words that are inherently linked to the inspirational girl band Little Mix and their intriguing new debut fragrance GOLD MAGIC. The fragrance itself delivers against the bands strong desire to create a scent that never stops surprising the senses. Opening with a burst of playful hints of fruit, the captivating powdery velvet heart, pretty violet tones and more aqueous watermelon are both refreshing and sophisticated. The base is musky and warm but also sweet and hypnotic."

Paco Rabanne Olympēa
"Her fragrance is a unique olfactory adventure, at the crossroads between the sensuality of salty vanilla accord and the freshness of floral notes. A fresh oriental fragrance whose balance of the accords forms a genuine Paco Rabanne signature. The green mandarin, boosted by the floral and aquatic essences of ginger lily and hydroponic jasmine, awakens the senses. The sensual and luminous salty vanilla accord brings carnal and addictive magnetism. The cashmere wood and Ambergris accord magnify the fragrance and form a divine and powerful trail."

Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj
"Bold. Brilliant. PINK A stunning new fragrance statement that reflects Nicki's bold personality and celebrates her brilliance and evolution as an artist. With top notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Pink Passionfruit"

Stormflower Noir by Cheryl
"StormFlower Noir EDP introduces a glamorous and charming addition to Cheryl’s collection. It captures the imagination with a tang of rhubarb, lively Mandarin and pear. The floral heart is rich and heady with voluptuous tuberose, orange blossom and a sprinkle of rose petals. The fragrance concludes with irresistible brown sugar, addictive musk and creamy sandalwood. The result is opulent beauty but with the understated simplicity of Cheryl’s approach to fragrance: classic, evocative and elemental."

Diesel Loverdose
"An addictive Floral and Oriental fragrance, with notes of Mandarin, Liquorice, Jasmine and Vanilla with a Gourmand base. Loverdose is the sexy & addictive fragrance from Diesel. It represents a woman who is sexy, playful and irresistible. She receives an overdose of love from those around her, but she wants more. She desires pleasure, adrenaline & passion."

ROGUE by Rihanna
"Capturing the mischievous nature that lies within every modern woman, ROGUE by Rihanna has a bold yet flirty composition. Top notes of flirty Lemon Blossom and Cyclamen are mixed with Bergamot and spiced with Pink Peppercorn. The aroma evolves with Jasmine, Rose and Muguet fused together with Juicy Plum and seductive"

Armani Diamonds Violet
"Diamonds Violet, a Fruity Floral Gourmand is a sweet and addictive eau de parfum. The delicious base notes of Praline, a smooth, tasty chocolate filling with hazelnut and almond tones define the base of this Gourmand fragrance. Diamonds Violet is presented in a striking, vibrant Violet bottle, which beautifully complements the Diamonds for women fragrance collection."

What are your favourite perfumes or fragrances? Which are on your current wishlist?
Have you tried any of the perfumes featured in today's post?