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by Catherine Russell on July 13, 2011 (read all posts by Catherine Russell)
Roger & Gallet have long been an established brand, and are one of the leading aromachology companies to date. Think Yardley, but with a more refined and sophisticated twist.
For more than two centuries, Roger & Gallet have provided their customers with a range of simply stunning bath and body items, ranging from indulgent body lotions to their infamous fragrant soaps, and the brand has become so popular that their are many different scent ranges to choose from. If you like more of a citus scent, try Bois d'Orange, or if you like floral scents, opt for the classic Rose. There is a huge choice available, and what's even better is that all the ranges are unisex, making them a great choice for men too.
For 200 years, Roger & Gallet have formed a highly respectable empire, whereby the benefits and effects on the mind of different aromas, plants and oils are explored, and then combined together to create a fragrance that not only smells great, but leaves you feeling fantastic from within.
Within each scent range, is the wonderfully refreshing Fragrant Water Spray. With a lower concentration than most perfumes, these sprays are perfect for misting yourself in a light and subtle fragrance, making them great for day time wear particularly in summer. As an added bonus, these sprays will not cause photosensitivty, which is a common issue for many men and women in the summer months. Photosensitivity is when a perfume or aftershave reacts with sunlight, and causes an itchy, irritable, red rash where it has been applied (normally the neck and chest). This normally happens when the fragrance contains certain citrus notes, most commonly lemon or bergamot. With the Fragrant Water Sprays, although some do contain extracts of citrus fruits, they have a lower concentration, meaning they are much less likely to cause this uncomfortable and unsightly irritation.
With six ranges to choose from, all unisex, it's difficult to know which would suit you best. So here are the compositions of each fragrance, and the effects they have on your mind and body to help you choose something that is perfect for you.
Bois d'Orange is classed as an invigorating scent. With basenotes of amber, cedar and rosewood, blended seamlessly with heart notes of orange blossom and neroli, this scent is "happy" and fruity, reminiscent of summer months. Top notes of mandarin, verbena and basil add to the light and zesty fragrance, giving you a feeling of freedom and freshness. Citrus notes, including madarin, are well known for their invigorating and awakening properties, and will leave the mind feel revitalised.
The Ginger range is very stimulating, and is great to sharpen your mind at the beginning of the day. With base notes of bezoin balm and musk, this scent has a creamy, lingering fragrance. Heart notes of ginger absolut and ambrette blend with top notes of ginger flower, bergamot and neroli, for a more uplifting feel. The ginger componenents are certainly at the heart of this lively scent, but the other, more gentle, aromas of the ambrette and bergamot help to compliment the ginger, and keep it from being too overpowering. Great for starting the day, this is sure to kick-start your day.
Jean Marie Farina is one of the most popular fragrance ranges and it's not hard to see why. Classed as the "refreshing" range, Jean Marie Farina is a great all rounder. With top notes of zesty lemon and sparkling bergamot, heart notes of neroli, petitgrain and rosemary, and base notes of relaxing sandalwood, cedar wood and myrtle, the scent is powerful yet not over bearing, and has heaps of benefits on your mind and body. Sandalwood and cedar wood are great for relaxing and unwinding tense minds and muscles, with rosemary being a great aroma for ladies who are experiencing hormonal problems, as it helps to regulate moods. Neroli, bergamot and lemon help awaken your mind and gives you a fresh burst of energy.
Citron is a very fruity, fresh fragrance that is just perfect for summer months. Energising and uplifting, this range is made using a seamless blend of stimulating mint with revitalising grapefruit, and smells as delicious and refreshing as it sounds! Spritz on in the morning to start your day with a burst of energy. Top notes of grapefuit, citron, mint and water fruit work wonderfully with cardamom, basil and ozonic acord as the heart notes. The dry down has a stimulating feel, with fresh vetiver, musk and amber.
Fancy something more subtle? Try the Green Tea range. Soothing and kind to the mind, this range is inspired by the fresh, natural energy found at Mount Fuji by dawn. With a floral scent, this range is particularly popular with ladies. Top notes include madarin orange and grapefruit, blended with the popular Asian fruit yuzu for a little taste of the Orient. The middle notes consist of the finest floral accords available for fragrances, including green tea, white freesia, lily of the valley and the oh-so-popular jasmine. Green tea, cedar wood and amber work together to create a creamy, musky dry down that smells simply devine. This is a great fragrance for spritzing on after a long relaxing soak.
An all time classic, the Rose range is another popular choice for those who want a slightly more subdued fragrance. One of the most popular scents for creating a relaxing atmosphere, this range is a great choice for ladies in particular. The top notes are made of rose and madarin orange, with heart notes of peony and rosebud, and a base note of amber and almond milk, which together create a fragrance that smells milky, sensual and delicately floral. Great for all day wear, the Rose Fragrant Water Spray can also be used before you go to bed, to help unwind your mind and encourage restful night's sleep.
If you're still not sure what range would suit you best, why not check out the fantastic Roger & Gallet website, which has a mini questionnaire that can determine which fragrance is best for you by looking at your personality traits! It takes minutes to complete and is very accurate, helping you to make the right purchase.
by Kat Russell on August 25, 2010 (read all posts by Kat Russell)
Mavala have designed a range of vivid and exuberant new nail polishes, just in time for summer and I couldn’t wait to check them out!
I love experimenting with new nail colours; the more unusual the better but sometimes I find bright colours can clash with my pale skin tone and leave me looking washed out.
However, I went ahead and tried Mavala Volcanic Orange, a bright coral colour that I think is just perfect for the summer weather and adding a splash of colour to any look. The colour glides on smoothly and evenly and leaves a glossy finish, but I applied two coats for a more intense colour.
The colour itself was very fresh and, unlike many brands, didn’t look cheap or tacky. The polish lasted for days without chipping or fading and considering I work with my hands a lot, I thought this was brilliant. If orange isn’t really your thing, they also have a neon yellow (Acid Yellow) for the brave, a vivid green (Electric Green), an electric blue (Aqua Blue) and a deeper navy shade called Flashy Violet for darker skin tones. They also have a hot fuchsia pink (Candy Pink) which I can’t wait to try on toes for summer.
by Kat Russell on August 25, 2010 (read all posts by Kat Russell)
Every essential oil has a different property, and can benefit the body and mind; relaxing the senses and enveloping you in an air of calm and serenity. But did you know that essential oils are great for treating conditions too? Just by adding two drops of a specific oil to your favourite moisturiser, you could be effectively treating a condition that has bothered you for some time. You can quickly and easily mix essential oils together, with a carrier oil (such as olive or jojoba) or with your favourite skin care products to make a cheap, yet customised skin care product. Carrier or base oils such as olive or jojoba are extremely conditioning for the skin and act as a fantastic conditioning oil for the entire body, hair and face.
Oily skin? Use this Clarifying Toning Lotion.
Mix 100ml natural witch hazel with 10 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops rosemary, 3 drops peppermint and 3 drops geranium for a gentle yet powerful cleanse.
Combination skin? Use this Replenishing Cleanser.
Mix 5 tablespoons of grape seed oil with 5 drops rose, 4 drops lavender and 3 drops chamomile for a silky smooth, even complexion. *Be aware of nut allergies.
Dry skin? Try this Nourishing Hydrating Oil.
Mix 100ml jojoba oil with 10 drops rose, 6 drops geranium, 4 drops lavender, 2 drops bergamot and 2 drops ylang ylang for a deep hydrating treatment.
Cellulite? Try this Smoothing Massage Oil.
This massage oil is perfect for those problematic areas such as thighs, buttocks and hips where cellulite can commonly appear. Mix 200ml of rosehip oil (this is also a great tonic for stretch marks and scar tissue!) with 10 drops geranium, 10 drops clarysage, 8 drops lavender, 8 drops rosemary and 6 drops grapefruit for an invigorating massage oil. Use twice daily on effected areas for maximum results.
Itchy irritable scalp? Try this Soothing Scalp Treatment.
Mix 60ml olive oil with 8 drops lavender and 6 drops chamomile. Smooth over the entire length of hair and scalp, wrap in a warm towel and leave to condition for 15minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Dandruff? Use this Clarifying Hair Treatment.
Mix 60ml jojoba oil with 10 drops rosemary, 8 drops tea tree, 6 drops sage and 5 drops ylang ylang. Smooth from roots to tips, gently massaging at the scalp. Leave to set for 15minutes and wash thoroughly.
Tired of short hair? Try this Growth Promoting Treatment.
Mix 60ml grape seed oil with 10 drops peppermint and 8 drops basil to help encourage natural hair growth. Smooth over the entire length of hair and scalp, wrap in a warm towel and leave to condition for 15minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
* If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or are lactating, please speak to your GP before using essential oils. Avoid exposing the treated area to direct sunlight after treatment as oils can cause sensitized skin when exposed to UV rays. Avoid any seed derived oils if you suffer with a nut allergy. Do not apply to broken skin.
Eye Shadow for Your Eye Colour.
Eyes are the main feature that people notice about you upon first impression, and since the eyes are the window to the soul, it seems the eyes are an important feature that you should really be making the most of. How? By professional makeup tips! Eye shadows can instantly draw attention to your eyes and make them stand out for a striking look, but with so many colours available these days, how do you know what shades to go for? Well to determine a range of shadow colours, simply look to your own eye colour. What hues do your eyes possess? What colours can make them stand out more? Read on for more tricks and tips to make the most of your eye colour by clever use of shadow.
Green Colour Eyes. Green eyes are one of the sexiest and striking eye colours and can look beautifully enchanting when the right colours are used to accentuate them. But when the wrong choice of shadow is applied, the eyes don’t look half as striking as they could. Make sure you wear the correct shades to compliment your eye colour with these easy tips. Purple, violet and plum are the best shades to really make green eyes “pop”. Bold, vibrant shades always work well with green eyes as the sharp icy colour of your eyes contrasts against them to deliver colour intensity, creating maximum impact. Most warm colours are suitable for green eyes, particularly shades from the purple family, such as plum, lilac and mauve, as well as sparkling metallic such as gold, bronze and copper. Charcoal, grey and midnight shades all look great for evening wear. Other colours that compliment green eyes include warm peaches, apricots, browns and deep emerald greens, which really enhance the eyes for intense colour.
Colours to avoid?
You should avoid cool colours like blues, silvers, whites and pastels since they can give you a washed-out look! Stay bold and confident.