"These gentle, cotton sheets are not only larger but softer, and are designed to be more effective at cleansing than cotton wool due to their quilted texture and natural fibres. They are soft and strong when wet or dry, so you can use them not only while applying cleanser and toner, but also while removing facemasks and even nail varnish."
--Packaging--
Not as robust as the packaging used for the wipes and blotting sheets: this cardboard box was falling apart by the time it reached me in France (although to be fair, I suspect that this was La Poste's fault, and not Kleenex's). Nonetheless, the setup seems both handy (with openings on various sides for easy access) and attractive (with the same masquerade mask theme being used here as on other products).
--Usage--
As mentioned in the promotional material, this is a very multi-functional product. I used them to remove makeup by soaking them in my usual makeup remover, and my husband and I both used them to apply toner after cleansing. However, the notion of being able to use them to remove cleansers, face masks and nail varnish is equally believable.
--Appearance--
Each cloth looks like a very thick standard white tissue that's folded over a couple of times. In short, it's not quite a tissue, flannel or wipe, but something in between.
--Scent--
None...it is basically a tissue, after all.
--Texture and consistency--
Soft, thick and luxurious; not at all irritating. They hold liquids well without absorbing them so quickly that they're gone before you're able to get them to your face. In short, perfect for the purpose.
--Effects on the skin--
The cloths perform multiple tasks without irritating skin in the least. However, they are passive facilitators rather than active agents, so don't have an effect on the skin per se in the way that the wipes in the same range do.
--Value for money--
May seem initially expensive, but are so soft, strong and large that they can be used not only for loads of things but also over a day or two if you desire (use one side for toner in the morning and evening, then the other edge for makeup removal at night for instance). So even though you only get 30 in a pack, you could easily make it last more than 30 days. Would definitely consider buying again.
"Blistex LipBrilliance is an exciting multi-benefit lip balm with real silk extracts to condition your lips, along with a touch of subtle colour and shimmer to keep them looking beautiful. The addition of Hyaluronic Filling Spheres provides a natural fuller lip effect, and SPF 15 protects from sun damage. LipBrilliance is the only lip product you will need to ensure your lips are feeling and looking their best."
--Packaging--
Nothing radical about the dark baby pink colour, plastic pull-off lid and twist-up mechanism. Lid stays on when you want it to, comes off easily when you don't. Simples, as they say.
--Application--
Apply to lips regularly to combat dryness and protect from sunlight. Nothing hard about that.
--Appearance--
Despite the dark pink colour of the stick, on the lips a very natural, non-glittery sheen is given. Great for men, women and children.
--Texture and consistency--
Slides on easily without being slippery or sticky. Moisturises more than satisfyingly.
--Scent--
My only major bugbear with this product! It has a very artificial strawberry smell which reminds me of a Haribo product that's sold in France (not in the UK, though) which I dislike (if any of you are familiar with the Tagada sweets, you'll know what I mean). Very disappointing. Girls under 10 would probably like it, but I think it counts out just about anyone else.
--Effects on the lips--
As mentioned, it moisturises, soothes and protects adequately for those who don't require a more heavy-duty product, like some of the other more medicated options from the Blistex range. I can't say I noticed any extra-special plumping effect, though. To have SPF in a product is always nice :)
--Value for money--
There are lots of choices in this price bracket, including other high street favourites such as Carmex, but I think Blistex remains competitive thanks to its stick format: many of the other products for this price are in tins/pots or squeezy tubes. However, I would ultimately not purchase this product - the smell, for me, just makes it far too off-putting. A shame, as it has a lot to offer in other areas.
"Beauty is a multi-billion dollar global industry embracing makeup, skincare, hair care, fragrances, cosmetic surgery, and even tattooing and piercing. Over the years it has used flattery, seduction, science and shame to persuade consumers that they have to invest if they want to look their best. In Branded Beauty, Mark Tungate delves into the history and evolution of the beauty business. From luxury boutiques in Paris to tattoo parlours in Brooklyn, he talks to the people who've made skin their trade."
--The review--
As a book and beauty blogger I was pleased to receive a complimentary copy of Branded Beauty from Kogan Page for review, as I don't tend to be asked to review many books on my beauty site (the last was an American coffee-table style publication, Be...A Woman, back in 2008), and my book site is still only a baby (so offers of books for review are hardly forthcoming). I was wary, though, of the "self-published" impression I had of the publisher, as I feel that this industry still has a lot of work to do to build its credibility (although as it turned out I was mistaken - Kogan Page is a small independent publishing house, not a company for those wishing to self-publish). Nonetheless, the author's credentials (work published in The Times, Stratégies, and The Independent, among others), filled me with enough confidence to pick up the book and begin reading.
In spite of its initially specialist-seeming premises and topic, the style in which the book is written is extremely accessible without being patronising, meaning that marketing professionals and beauty aficionados alike should have no difficulty in enjoying it (although the summary of each chapter at its end - Beauty Tips - seems a little too dumbed-down in its style, even for amateurs). The stories from times past, anecdotes from industry insiders and peeks behind the scenes, alongside history and statistics, all contribute to making Branded Beauty an enjoyable and intriguing read. Illustrations would have been nice, but the reality is that the majority of the stories are sufficiently compelling on their own.
The writer's chronological approach makes it clear how the rise and rise of marketing has changed the way we not only look, but also look at ourselves. From this point of view, too, he is at risk of being led astray from his original purpose: from about halfway through the book, it is less and less about analysing how marketing has changed our appearance but more about exposing the controversies behind brands, such as the airbrushing scandals that have plagued certain very large brands, and the fact that not all brands marketing themselves as ethical are as squeaky clean as they may first appear. Nevertheless, even if Tungate does not perhaps 100% achieve his original goal, it makes interesting reading as we try to get past the suspiciously small samples of women on which products have been tested, and get back to the personal histories of what can now all too often seem like faceless global corporations.
But there was one deviation I could not tolerate. Part of Tungate's digression consists of repeatedly taking cheap swipes at the integrity of beauty bloggers. It is suggested and stated strongly throughout that beauty bloggers (along with beauty ediotrs) are traitors, propagandiists, straitjacketed, commercial, and untrustworthy. While I can see how Tungate may have reached this conclusion - I know that I for one have been frustrated at far too many magazines where features on products are as far from honest reviews as possible and are closer to being infomercials - it is far too sweeping to speak of beauty bloggers in the same breath as the magazines that do this. Equally, even though I cannot speak for other beauty bloggers, I wonder how many Tungate himself has actually spoken to: as well as trying to do this myself, I have met many other beauty bloggers who are concerned primarily with transparency, providing honest opinions, and allowing readers to make informed choices - not with glossily providing perfect impressions of a brand or product (regardless of how much the free products we are sent may happen to be worth). Such statements cast gross slurs on community journalists who are just trying to do a good job - and, more to the point, often do it voluntarily alongside more mundane day jobs. In addition, alongside the various assumptions delineated above, there are blatant errors, such as saying that Stri-Vectin SD is a Sephora own-brand product (it isn't).
As mentioned, the book is enthralling for its highly visual sense of history, its amusing and well-chosen anecdotes, and its extremely ambitious and up-to-date scope. Exploring the positives and negatives of the beauty industry, it is bound to be of interest to many. However, it fundamentally fails in its mission thanks to its deviations from its original topic, occasional factual errors, and near-libellous slurs against people like myself, whom the book's publishers so badly want good reviews from in approaching us. Should Tungate wish for this book to be published by a mainstream publisher, I fear that it would lamentably require significant revisions in order to be up to standard (a shame; I was hoping that this book would restore my faith in the credulity of independent/self-publishing houses). For Tungate's intriguing content, I could possibly forgive him and delve into his other books on this subject. For certain aspects of his professional conduct within these pages, though, I may need to think twice.
Other works by Mark Tungate
Luxury World: The Past, Present and Future of Luxury Brands (2009)
Branded Male: Marketing to Men (2008)
Fashion Brands: Branding Style from Armani to Zara (2008)
Adland: A Global History of Advertising (2007)
Media Monoliths: How Great Media Brands Thrive and Survive (2005)
"The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range."
--Packaging--
The dark blue shiny tube is a big departure from the matte pastel colours that we usually see Liz Earle's products packaged in, and yet somehow it still seems to fit well with the brand. The lid is easy to open when you need it (it just twists), and closes securely when you don't. I didn't receive these, as I was able to request the shade I wanted from the PR department, but for every first order of this product from the website, you also get a mini sample of each shade available: this enables you to test them out to see if you've got your shade choice right the first time, and, if you haven't, to return the full size product unopened. This means the full size tube can be sold on to someone else, avoiding the eventuality of sending perfectly good unused product to landfill. Nice manoeuvre.
--Application--
The Liz Earle website states: "Apply a little Sheer Skin Tint onto forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, then blend with fingertips over your face." All fairly simple stuff. You can of course, also use other products under or over the Sheer Skin Tint, such as primer, concealer or powder.
--Appearance--
A shiny, stiff cream that gives a dewy finish on the skin. The colour match was not bad at all, but maybe I was just lucky - with only 3 shades available, not everyone will be. However, as this is Liz Earle's first foray into colour, I suppose they can be forgiven (for now).
--Coverage--
Not great at all, even with the use of a heavy-duty concealer. However, I appreciate that most of Liz Earle's target audience won't be buying this for coverage purposes.
--Scent--
There are complaints online about the smell of the product, stating that it smelt overwhelmingly of potatoes. While this is detectable, it is only there in trace amounts; the overall earthiness is not unpleasant, and, to me, far from offputting.
--Texture and consistency--
This was really my biggest bugbear. I found that while the product sat okay on the skin once applied, in the fingers it was far too sticky for my liking. I much prefer the creamier consistency offered by other tinted moisturisers that I've tried, such as the one made by Arbonne.
--Longevity--
No better or worse than other products that I've tried - but by this stage it would have taken something stellar to redeem the product in my eyes.
--Value for money--
I sadly can't say that I would pay the requisite £21 for this product. Perhaps it works for some people, but for me the consistency and lack of coverage really killed it. Even in general, though, I'd say the price is a bit too high: £21 for 40ml also buys you tinted moisturisers from Dermalogica and MAC, which I could understand others going for over this for sheer efficacy alone. Casting the net more widely, for your same £21 you get 50ml of product from Elizabeth Arden, Stila and Benefit - all of whom have proven their expertise and popularity in the field of cosmetics. Overall a disappointing product from Liz Earle which does not meet their usually high standards.
With unisex fragrances becoming ever popular, it is no surprise that Molton Brown has capitalised on this trend with its Navigations Through Scent collection, which consists of five fragrances that can be equally enjoyed by men and women. As the brand's debut in the arena of artisanal fine fragrance, it was launched at Harrods in August and is now available in Molton Brown stores nationwide. Taking the consumer on a worldwide journey through perfume's history and heritage, it starts with the floriental-spicy scent of IUNU, which uses Egyptian white jasmine to create a sense of elegant opulence. LIJIANG leads to China, its floral-musky scent evoking silk and tea thanks to its lead ingredient, osmanthus absolute. SINGOSARI takes consumers to Indonesia thanks to its aroma of spices, patchouli and wood. The fourth scent, APLUDRE, is based on juniper berry, conjuring up English lawns and gin and tonics. The collection is completed with a Canada-inspired perfume, ROGART, which juxtaposes fire and ice thanks to balsam and maple. Molton Brown's principal perfumer, Jennifer, personally travelled to all of the destinations in question over the course of one year to intensify the creative process. All of the fragrances are priced at £55 for 50ml.
All I want for Christmas is...
Yep, it's the C-word! Despite it only being September, retailers are rushing out their Christmas collections to ensnare the most organised shoppers. Rhodes To Heaven allows consumers to select individual holiday treats from their All In One range to add to a black and fuschia gift bag, and starting from just £12, this makes an affordable yet opulent gift made from natural ingredients. From anise extract (nature's version of Botox, don't you know), juniper berries and wild sea fennel, to maca root and New Zealand wool, each All In One product is a fusion of goodness. Also available is the Santa Baby Christmas Special for the littlest members of the family - the £20 gift set contains three products, including Top to Toe Shampoo (containing rose, camomile, orange and lavender essential oils).
Think Skin Love Skin has also launched its range of new Christmas gift products to get us through what can at times be a stressful season. Its organic Serenity & Tranquility Gift Sets are designed for sensitive skin, use Dead Sea Salt, comfrey and calendula, contain bath oil and body oil to protect from the harsh effects of winter, and are priced from £13.99. The Balm Balm Bath Oil Set is favoured by celebrities, including KT Tunstall, for its blend of essential oils to help you detox, indulge, recover, refresh and relax. At £24.99, it also contains lavender, tea tree, frankincense and lemongrass to soothe skin.
For the festive season, Jane Iredale has also released a new edition of the brand's best-selling lip product, chocoholicks. Four chocolate-flavoured mineral petroleum-free lip glosses - Chocolate and Blood Orange, Chocolate and Espresso, Chocolate Very Berry and Chocolate Chili Pepper - are presented in a "chocolate box" that includes a retractable lip brush. The glosses contain peppermint oil and natural flavourings for taste and aromatherapeutic benefits, and the whole set of four glosses retails for £24.95. Tis the season to be jolly!
Happy Halloween
Celebrate All Hallows' Eve (an event a little closer to home than the big C, I think we'll all agree) with special Halloween products by Philosophy.Exclusive to Selfridges in London and Birmingham are the crispy marshmallow bar and caramel apple shampoos, shower gels and bubble baths made by Philosophy. The multitasking, 3-in-1 product costs £18 for the duo of bottles - and all in a cute Trick or Treat bag. Also launching from Philosophy, exclusive to Boots from November, is their Fruit Collection of bath and shower gels (pomegranate, tangerine, lime or grapefruit; £14), and, nationwide, their Keep The Peace range for sensitive skin (out now; prices from £30).
Crabtree and Evelyn at the Hilton
Crabtree and Evelyn's already popular Citron bath and body care product line is now being introduced to travellers at all nine DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels across the UK, as well as in more than 200 additional hotels across Europe and North America. Featuring natural extracts of lemon, honey and coriander, as well as orchard fruits and herbs, the products are botanically based. Shampoos, conditioners, body lotions, facial soap and body soap bars will be provided to travellers - and customers can sleep easy, assured that the products are also free from phthalates and mineral oil. Furthermore, the product packaging is also recyclable and biodegradable, meaning that the luxury guest is also a green guest. For those not travelling, the products are available via www.crabtree-evelyn.com (with the exception of Citron hair care products, which will be exclusive to the hotels until late 2011).
Top Tips For Girls
Ever wondered how to tackle a rogue eyebrow without losing half of it? TopTipsForGirls.com is a website that allows women and girls to give and receive advice on all subjects, from how to get approved for a home loan to reducing unwanted hair.The four-year-old site, founded by the editor of Tatler, has a 30,000-strong community, so questions can be answered quickly. In addition, a Top Tips For Girls blog has now also been launched, featuring creative ideas from around the web.
Long live the metrosexual So is your guy one of the men who will spend 5105 hours grooming during his lifetime? According to new research, the average British male spends an average of 18 minutes every day getting ready.The research, conducted by QVC to celebrate the launch of new grooming range HIM, reveals that 54% of British men admit that their partners are the main reason they make an effort with their appearance. Just over a quarter of men admit to competing with male friends about who is more immaculately spruced, and 23% voted David Beckham as the man they most aspire to look like. He was followed (in order) by Daniel Craig, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jude Law, Orlando Bloom, Will Young, Hugh Laurie, Jason Statham (qui?) and Robbie Williams. In addition, 45% of men say their biggest grooming problem is knowing how to shave properly, followed by hairstyling gripes, while 10% named dark circles as their greatest concern.
The Scent
To launch its first female fragrance, Bottega Veneta has created two films with the guidance of photographer and director Christian Weber (the second of these short films is above). Conjuring up leather and florals thanks to the magic of oak moss, bergamot, patchouli and jasmine, the collection for women comprises eau de parfum, eau de toilette, shower gel and body cream; prices start at £31.
Raise money with L'Occitane
Launching on October 12th are L'Occitane's Get On Board For Sight Limited Edition Soaps, which support ORBIS, an NGO committed to ending preventable blindness. Inspired by the ORBIS plane, also known as the Flying Hospital, these limited-edition charity soaps are crafted in the shape of a plane wearing glasses. Nourished with shea butter, they come in two varieties - floral and fruity pink, and verbena blue. 100% of the proceeds from sales will allow ORBIS to launch a large-scale project in Burkina Faso. At only £5 each (or £13 for the Honey Candle, which supports the same cause), what have you got to lose?
A beautiful woman has been shopping in Bicester Village. She finds too many beauty bargains, buys a lot, and ends up with a big suitcase packed with her goodies. The gag is when she tries to hail a taxi and takes this big suitcase with her. The taxi driver is not aware that a video is being shot while he tries to accommodate the lady's bag in his car.
Ladies - it is a dream come true. You know you have had a good day shopping when you have to hide the bags from partners, flat mates, friends or family. Imagine a suitcase!
The Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable campaign aims to emphasize the life-changing benefits of giving up smoking. The campaign wants to encourage and assist people to quit, moving towards a smoke-free Europe. There are also more personal benefits to giving up smoking: not only having more of life to enjoy with loved ones, and more money in your pocket, but also better skin and teeth, and the ability to kiss goodbye to the constant smell of cigarettes on your hair and clothes.
Tobacco is the single largest cause of avoidable death in the EU. The Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable campaign aims to emphasise the life-changing benefits of giving up smoking. The campaign wants to encourage and assist people to quit with the help of iCoach, a free online health coach, hoping to ensure that up-and-coming generations live long and healthy lives in a smoke-free Europe.
Ex-Smokers Are Unstoppable is a three-year awareness raising campaign promoted by the European Commission. The campaign provides smokers with motivation to quit and - very importantly - with practical assistance at www.exsmokers.eu. The campaign highlights ex-smokers as inspiring individuals and role models who encourage current smokers to quit. The site is free to use, and more tha 30% of people who start the program quit smoking. It adapts to your needs, time and goals, and enables you to speak to people like you, meaning you get support from a dedicated community.
For more information on the campaign please visit:
"Garnier's Miracle Skin Perfector Cream, inspired by the Asian skincare sensation, B.B. (Blemish Balm) Creams. Garnier BB cream for immediately perfected skin with even tone and boosted glow. Blurs imperfections and smoothes fine lines. SPF15 protection and 24hr hydration."
--Packaging--
The skin tone-coloured packaging is more reminiscent of a standard tinted moisturiser or foundation's packaging, in contrast to the usually more glitzy packaging of other BB creams I've seen from Asia. This may not immediately alert consumers to the notion that this product is supposed to do something different. However, the packaging is sturdy, reliable, and easily controllable - you won't get silly amounts of product ejected all over your hand unless you try really hard.
--Application--
Simple really: squeeze a pea-sized amount onto the back of your hand and then distribute evenly over your face, rubbing it in, avoiding the eye area. You can do this in between concealer and powder if you like.
--Appearance--
A thick, skin-coloured cream that blends in well with my pale skin tone. At the edges, though, you have to be careful to blend the product well as there is the danger of tide marks or it looking slightly orange. The overall effect is a dewy one (hence why I prefer to set it with powder for a more matte look for work) and I wouldn't say it covers blemishes brilliantly on its own.
--Scent--
Slightly fruity, slightly floral - it's possibly the geraniol that does this. Very pleasant and very different to the tinted moisturisers and foundations currently available to consumers.
--Texture and consistency--
Blends very well, although as I mentioned, be careful at the jawline and hairline for tide marks. Definitely feels different to a foundation or tinted moisturiser - it's more creamy, rather than giving a powdery or paint-like feel. Not runny at all and very easy to control.
--Coverage--
As mentioned, not fantastic, even with a fairly heavy-duty concealer being used underneath it. As for wrinkle/fine line coverage, I wouldn't know - I am only 25 after all and so don't have many.
--Effects on the skin--
With reference to my comments above, this product does contain an agent that acts like a temporary 'plumping' agent to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, but nothing noticeable jumped out at me in this respect once the product was on my skin. The dewy finish probably contributes more to the awake-looking appearance than the caffeine it contains, and in any case, presumably the effects of the caffeine, like the vitamin C and SPF that it also contains, wouldn't be visible in the short term anyway. On the up side, though, I did notice a general improvement in the condition of my skin while using this product - in terms of testing out the claims on Garnier's website, redness did seem to be reduced, complexion seemed more glowing, radiant and unified, and blemishes seemed reduced as well (although curiously the product contains no immediately obvious blemish-reducing agent).
--Value for money--
In spite of this product's shortcomings (and speaking of which - only 2 shades available, Garnier? Come on.), I have found myself pleasantly surprised. I know I was lucky that the light shade was suitable for my skin (which was the one I chose when Garnier asked what I wanted), and I know that its ability to conceal definitely leaves something to be desired, but the texture is really pleasing and the effects on the skin more than satisfactory (although to say in the promo that skin will be 'immediately perfected' is more than a bit of an exaggeration). Nonetheless, I shall be interested to see how this product competes with Clinique's attempt at a European BB cream (Asian ones tend to have whitening as their goal), as well as with bona fide BB creams from Korea and Taiwan.
"The Illamasqua woman knows how to conceal. Cover blemishes and problem areas to create beautiful skin that feels smooth and looks flawless. Tested under the harsh lights of film sets, Illamasqua Concealer is guaranteed to keep your secrets and let you take centre stage."
--Packaging--
The small square compact, made of black plastic, has a good-sized mirror and is easy to open when you need it, and keeps securely closed when you don't. Largely unadorned except for the word 'Illamasqua' in small lettering on the side of the compact. The curves in the square add something unique to the product, and is common to the Illamasqua line, helping to give the brand its own identity. Nice.
--Application--
The Illamasqua website recommends the use of a small blending brush for this product, but you can of course just get straight in with your fingers if you choose.
--Appearance--
I took a punt on a now-defunct shade, 220, which was, if I recall correctly, on sale online. I had heard good things about Illamasqua and wanted to try the product. However, as a result of this slightly devil-may-care gamble, the shade is totally wrong for me, its yellow undertones totally contradicting my pink and white complexion. It therefore would not be suitable for me to wear on its own as the patches of yellow across my face are very obvious, even though it looks OK once I've applied foundation and powder over the top. I accept that my own stinginess is to blame for this. There are other reasons, though, why the overall appearance of the product on my face is not good - see below for more.
--Scent--
Nothing discernible; perhaps a surprise given that it contains carnauba, candelilla and and bees waxes.
--Texture and consistency--
Not easy to blend, though probably easier if, unlike me, you actually choose the right shade and use a blending brush as recommended. The formula also seems to 'split' a little in the compact, with small droplets of an oily yellow substance having formed at the corners of mine. This, however, does not seem to affect how well it works on the face, and is probably to be expected given the use of natural waxes.
--Coverage--
Not as good as I had been expecting, and the other main reason why I found that the appearance of this product did not come up to standard. Several layers are required both before and after foundation to get a result you're anything like being happy with.
--Value for money--
Even though Illamasqua certainly does have shades that are more appropriate for me (such as 115 and 130), I'm not sure I would try this product again even with the correct shade in hand, due to the shoddy coverage that I experienced while using this product. I was surprised and disappointed, since as well as its range of colours, Illamasqua is famed for the level of its coverage. For my £13, I'll stick with my beloved Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette (which costs roughly the same in US$ if bought online) to get the effect I want.
Flowers are definitely great birthday gifts. But for beauty-based floral gift ideas for women, there is certainly no shortage of ideas on the web or in department stores.
In my series on different perfumes, I looked at all aspects of the fragrance wheel, from fruity to fougère. I also naturally looked to floral scents for inspiration, naming such examples as Cacharel's Anaïs Anaïs, Yves St Laurent's Paris, and Daisy by Marc Jacobs, which utilise floral essences from all around the world, including rose, lily, jasmine and mimosa. All of these would make superb gifts at any time of year - the Cacharel classic in particular is one of my favourites.
But what if the person you're buying for isn't into perfume? (Believe me, it is possible. Some women see putting perfume on in the morning as being as much a part of their routine as brushing their teeth, while others barely think to put it on.) Molton Brown's Ziao Jao hair wash is floral and botanical without being sickly, while Logona is another brand famed for its use of herbal extracts and floral distillates in its makeup. Garnier's Vital Restore Daily Beauty Serum also smells beautifully of orchids - while other brands have not really capitalised on the orchid craze beyond their packaging, Garnier has really used it to its advantage.
Or why not combine the two concepts, building up thank you gifts into a cornucopia of fresh flowers, solid scents (such as Clinique's Aromatics Elixir Solid Perfume, which is convenient for travel, smells of camomile and rose, and has a beautiful floral design engraved on its compact lid), and other beauty products (body lotions and shower gels, such as those by Bath and Body Works, also offer a comprehensive range of flowery-smelling choices)? It's really easier than you think to create a gift that'll never be forgotten and thank someone with garden scents that they can use and enjoy all year round.
