Viktor & Rolf 'Spicebomb' UK Launch!

Last Wednesday on a visit to London, I attended the launch of the new Viktor & Rolf fragrance, Spicebomb. The event started off in the drawing room of the Charlotte Street Hotel, sipping champagne and mingling... and then took a planned, but unexpected turn for those not 'in the know' (most of us) when we were ushered out into the cold by 2 rather lovely suited and booted men, and taken 'school style' (following each other, in one large group - I almost expected us to have to hold hands whilst crossing the road) to an NCP carpark about 5 minutes away.

How many bloggers can you fit into a lift?

Didn't really capture the fuzzy screen or the darkness lol, sorry.

When we reached the carpark, we were huddled into a large lift and up to a dark, unused/empty floor of the carpark, where all that we could see was a television with a fuzzy black and white screen... actually, I instantly thought of poltergeist when I saw it. Once we were all assembled in the dark, a video started playing... a lovely video featuring a shirtless model, to be precise - if I can get hold of this, I'll put it up in its own post but for now, just take a little look below. ;-)

Projector sequence ending.

Confetti

Once that had finished, our attentions were drawn to the right where a projector started playing a sequence spelling out Spicebomb before stopping quite abruptly, just in time for a big explosion followed by a ton of confetti infused with the Spicebomb scent falling over us - squeals were let out by many as the thing went bang but the scent was intoxicating, a lot of ooohing and ahhing ensued and you could just tell that it was an instant hit with all of us.

After the excitement of the explosion and change of venue, cocktails were brought out - gorgeous, pretty cocktails that went down a treat and were followed by various canapés (I particularly loved the risotto balls - my favourite), more champagne and more mingling too. I spent a lot of time chatting with the fabulous Really Ree, and Lee from Grooming Guru and we were later joined by the equally fabulous Debbie from Handpicked Media.

Unfortunately I had to leave the event about half an hour early (although it ended up being 15 minutes later than planned, resulting in a rush to the station in a taxi) to catch my train back oop north, but it was a brilliant evening, and I'm so glad I was able to attend.

Scents have the ability to trigger memories, and from now on this will always remind me of this event - I'd say that this shows the event was a complete success.

Lee (Grooming Guru), Really Ree, and Debbie from Handpicked!

So, what do I think of Spicebomb now I'm home and have had the chance to smell it away from the excitement? Well much the same, I really love it. The fragrance itself is true to it's name, in that it is very spice-orientated in scent, It has heart notes of chilli, saffron, leather, tobacco and vetiver with secondary notes of bergamot, grapefruit, elemi and pink pepper. My nose definitely picks up on the pink pepper, bergamot and leather, predominantly - however this will obviously be different for others as our noses are all different!

It also has a certain sweetness and freshness to it, that really balances it out so that it's not overpoweringly spicy - and this, I think also makes it quite unisex, even though it is being marketed as a men's fragrance. I'd be more than happy to wear it, and in fact, I already have done - and there was lots of wrist sniffing, god help any man wearing this near me - ha!

I'm a big fan of Flowerbomb, and this has not failed to deliver on my high expectations of the Viktor & Rolf brand - I love it. It's available exclusively from Harrods until March 7th, but don't worry if you're dying to get your hands on it sooner and don't live in London, as it's also avaiable on the Harrods website right now for £45 (50ml) and £60 (90ml).


Fragrance was given in a goody bag at the end of the event... my views are unchanged by this.

This post originated at www.thebeautyscoop.co.uk

Korres 'Vanilla, Freesia, Lychee' EDT - Flowerbomb Dupe!!

Korres are a Greek company that make gorgeous, natural products of all kinds, from skincare to cosmetics, and even perfume, there’s something for everybody in the range... I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in any of their products that I own!

Their Vanilla, Freesia and Lychee fragrance is a total triumph, I love it. It’s actually very strong in scent, even though it’s an Eau De Toilette not an Eau De Parfum and it lasts well on my skin too.

Top Notes: Bergamot, Tea

Middle Notes: Jasmine, Peach, Lychee, Freesia, Sandalwood

Base Notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Musk

The notes that my nose picks up most on are the vanilla, musk and a fruity back-scent which I assume to be the lychee and peach. I get a slight hit of freesia, but not too heavy.

It all makes for a sweet (almost bubblegum-esque to my nose, but in a good way) and musky scent that works so well and actually reminds me very much of Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb fragrance, a fragrance that I own and absolutely LOVE. This makes sense, since they share many of the same notes - have a look for yourself at the Flowerbomb notes:

Top Notes: Bergamot, Tea

Middle Notes: Jasmine, Freesia, Orchid

Base Notes: Centiflora Rose, Patchouli

So this does appear to be a Flowerbomb dupe, and you might actually consider buying this if you’ve lusted after Flowerbomb but couldn’t stretch to/justify the price tag (since this is £24 for 50ml RRP versus £51 for the Viktor & Rolf 50ml EDT)... or even if you just prefer more natural ingredients in your beauty products (this is 88% natural) and a guarantee of no animal testing (I don’t know Viktor & Rolfs animal testing status, they may also be cruelty free) and no animal by-products!

What do you think my lovelies, do you like the sound of this? x

Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar 2011!

Last year saw most of us lusting after a brilliant beauty advent calendar costing £60, and they clearly realise how successful it was, since they've only gone and done it again this year! And, even though I probably own a large amount of the products included (that's NOT the point though), I still find myself wooed by this little beauty!

The calendar, which is exclusive to Selfridges is now £80, but just look at what you get... I don't think that's too bad going for all the goodies below!

• Lancôme Teint Miracle 03 5ml, Trésor eau de parfum 7.5ml, Miracle eau de parfum 5ml, Hypnôse Drama Mascara 2ml, Hypnôse Classic Mascara 2ml, Absolu Nu 302 Mini, Mini Juicy Tube 19 – Lychee, Visionnaire 7ml, Génifique 7ml, Génifique Yeux 5ml, Rénergie Lift Volumetry Day 15ml, Eau Micellaire Douceur 50ml, Bi–Facil 30ml
• Giorgio Armani⁄Emporio Armani Armani Code Femme eau de parfum 3ml, Emporio Armani Diamonds eau de parfum 5ml
• Kiehl's Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream 7ml, Kiehl's Crème De Corps 30ml, Kiehl's Hand Salve 30ml, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate 4ml
• Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 20ml
• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb eau de parfum 7ml
• YSL Belle D'Opium eau de parfum 7.5ml, Rouge Pur Couture Mini, Khol Pencil Mini

I expect Mr Beauty Scoop's answer to my request will be much the same as last year (see previous thread, linked above) but I'm going to pester him for one anyway (if you don't ask, you don't get)! 

What do you think my lovelies? x

Link! 

Exclusive To Selfridges - The Beauty Advent Calendar!

Christmas is getting ever closer, and something that is always associated with the run up to Christmas (aside from shopping and stress) is advent calendars. They’re commonly made up of sweet treats that you inevitably end up feeling a little guilty about eating (especially if they belong to your son/daughter/younger sibling etc) every morning in December.

If you’re bored of chocolate advent calendars (not bored of chocolate, I hasten to add) or think they’re just for kids, and have a spare £60 then this is just the advent calendar you need. It’s a beautiful beauty advent calendar and it’s packed with 24 luxury items that you can look forward to ‘receiving’ every morning in the run up to Christmas.

“Indulge in 24 days of luxury with this exclusive beauty advent calendar. Including products from YSL, Lancome, Giorgio Armani, Kiehl's, Shu Uemura, Viktor and Rolf and Stella McCartney, it's a unique way to count down to Christmas.”

I noticed it earlier, whilst browsing online and promptly asked Mr Beauty Scoop if I could “have a £60 advent calendar this year” he answered very quickly with something along the lines of “can you f#@k!!” so I assume that’s a no then. In his defence, he didn’t know it wasn’t chocolate that I wanted him to spend £60 on, but we all know that that’s not the point! 

Anyway, if you don’t live with a miserable tightwad (ha!) or indeed if you just fancy treating yourself then you can find these exclusively at Selfridges. If you do get one, be sure to let me know what you think of it! 

http://www.selfridges.com/