Joy by Dior Eau de Parfum

RRP: from £54 for 30ml

--What does the promo say?--
"The new JOY by Dior fragrance is immediate, clear and generous. Joy is finally captured in a scent, marked by both enveloping softness and energy. An ode to pleasure and life. An Eau de Parfum illuminated by the vibrant smile of flowers and citrus fruits, the smooth caress of woods and the serenity of musks. A fragrance with a thousand nuances and facets, yet crystal-clear. "JOY by Dior expresses this remarkable feeling of joy by offering an olfactive interpretation of light. This perfume resembles certain pointillist paintings that are rich with a precise, yet not too obvious, technique. It is constructed with multiple nuances, a myriad of facets that lead to an expression that is clear and self-evident." (François Demachy, Dior Perfumer-Creator)
Zested Bergamot and Mandarin explode in unison with flowers. Grasse Rose, in both Essence and Absolute form, as well as heady Jasmine, blend with these delectable fruits in a vibrant smile. Warm and creamy Sandalwood embraces us in softness. An intimate signature, the clear and powdery whisper of musks creates a tender and sensual skin-on-skin effect. Its bottle is both luminous and precious. Its femininity shines through in the brilliant silver and radiant pink of this instantly attractive juice. A bright shining silver thread wraps around the lid, like a light jewel delicately engraved with its name, which curls around in a perfect O."

--Packaging--

The bottle is ergonomically pleasing and elegant, and the silver touches prove sophisticated and yet modern in their femininity. The spray mechanism is decisive without being wasteful and I always enjoy a completely see-through bottle (so you can always see how much is left while being able to enjoy the fragrance's colour) - though naturally this means you have to keep it away from direct sunlight.

--Application--

The Dior website recommends preceding application with the Dior body milk before spritzing the EDP onto pulse points (on wrists and neck, and behind ears). Even if you only have the fragrance itself, though, this makes for an easy addition to your morning routine and a prolonged enjoyment of the scent.

--Appearance--

The rose-coloured liquid is perfectly evocative of the roses from Grasse that are used in the fragrance, while remaining invisible when sprayed onto skin.

--Scent--

Some will be pleased to know that the rose element is not dominant; indeed, it is one that can be risky to use due to its tendency to be overpowering. It's therefore present as an accentuation rather than the main event. The woodier aspects - i.e., the jasmine and sandalwood - are the most noticeable, while being tempered by the slightly lighter bergamot (again, a scent that tends to divide the crowd). It's a well-balanced fragrance that unfortunately was too heavy, maybe even taking a slightly powdery turn, for my particular taste - I was disappointed to find the mandarin virtually undetectable as I prefer perfumes with sparklier top notes. Nevertheless, a grownup and sophisticated effect is created.

--Longevity--

The headier components of this fragrance are what enable it to deliver in terms of staying power; the fragrance settles down nicely so that you shouldn't have to reapply during the day.

--Value for money--

This has been one of Dior's biggest fragrance launches and I had been looking forward to trying it. If you enjoy the sandalwood and jasmine base notes then this is definitely the perfume for you; the ingredients used are clearly of high quality and despite the slightly eye-watering price tag you can be confident that a bottle will last you a while. Sadly, it's not for me.

perfect partner

Joy by Dior Moisturizing Body Lotion, £42.50 for 200ml

The Breath Co Fresh Breath Dry Mouth Mandarin Mint Lozenges

RRP: £8.99 for 72 lozenges

--What does the promo say?--
"The Breath Co. Mouth Wetting Lozenges are effective in eliminating bad breath including strong food odours such as garlic and onion, Morning Breath, and smoker's breath.Our mandarin mint lozenge is inteded to help relieve dry mouth symptoms when used as directed.Grab a few individually wrapped Lozenges to take on the go. Pop one after a meal or whenever your mouth tastes umpleasant or feels dry."

--Packaging--
The green and orange colour scheme is vibrant and different to other mints on the market. However, the box itself is quite large and wrapped in plastic. Equally, all of the lozenges are individually wrapped, which is great for convenience, but not for the environment. I like the recyclable nature of the box, but it could be made smaller (in the style of Ricola lozenges) and not packaged individually.

--Usage--
As mentioned in the promotional materials, suck or chew on one for instantly fresher breath. Do not take more than 7 per day, as they have laxative effects.

--Appearance--
A small, square, white mint which appears to leave no residue on the fingers or in the mouth. These are individually wrapped in clear plastic sachets.

--Scent--
The mint smell is evident before you even open the box. It is very strong, and as such may not be for everyone.

--Taste-- 
Again, mint dominates, but mandarin is detectable, again, giving the product a distinctive feature compared to other breath mints.

--Texture and consistency--
Soft enough to chew, but hard enough to suck, as per your preference. Not grainy or sticky.

--Longevity--
You'd be hard pushed to consume (or exceed) 7 of these a day as the flavour is strong and long-lasting without being overpowering. 

--Value for money--
The strength of flavour leads to good value in this sense: if you were to consume 3 of these a day, a box would still last you nearly a month if you did this 7 days a week. As I'd probably normally consume 1 or 2, five days a week, a box would probably last me between 2 and 3 months. However, at 12p per lozenge, there are still many cheaper alternatives on the market, even if these lack the scientific additions of zinc (for bad breath busting) and paracress (for mouth moistening purposes). It really depends what your priorities are, and whether or not these could also be met by the range's mouthwash, chewing gum and toothpaste. Nevertheless, this still makes for a convenient and effective option at a price that is not unachievable - particularly for those with severe halitosis.

perfect partners
Chewing Gum, £4 for 10 pieces
Oral Rinse, £13.99 for 500ml
Toothpaste, £8.99 for 75ml

Natracare Organic Makeup Removal Wipes

RRP: £3.99 for 20

--What does the promo say?--
"Rule number one of a good skincare regime is to cleanse the skin properly, removing all make-up and grime. The last thing you want is a product that could be putting more on to your skin than it is taking off. Unlike conventional wipes, we use only the best organic and natural ingredients, making them incredibly gentle on your skin. Infused with the organic essential oils of almond, apricot and chamomile, Natracare Cleansing Make-Up Removal Wipes leave your skin moisturised, cleansed and refreshed naturally. The soft and strong organic cotton cloth is gentle but effective, removing even waterproof mascara and lipstick. Formulated for sensitive skin, the wipes are dermatologically and opthalmologically tested and free from all the types of ingredients women have ever been concerned about putting on their skin."

--Packaging--
The blue, purple and white colour combination of the plastic pouch is refreshing and feminine. Furthermore, the pouch opens and closes securely throughout the product lifespan, not losing stickiness at all as time passes.

--Usage--
Sweep one wipe over face and neck to remove makeup, using both sides of the wipe to ensure thorough makeup removal.

--Appearance--
The wipes are white, and the lotion they are soaked in is invisible, meaning minimum fuss.

--Scent--
An overriding citrus scent thanks to the oranges, lemons and bergamot, which adds to the wipes' refreshing character.

--Texture and consistency--
The organic cotton wipes are smooth and non-irritating, yet have enough of a slightly raised texture to gently scrub skin, enabling makeup removal.

--Effects on the skin--
Removes makeup just as well as any conventional makeup removal wipe I've tried, and maybe even better - it even does a great job on mascara.

--Value for money--
At £3.99 for 20 wipes, it therefore comes to around 20p per wipe, which is about standard (and even more commendable given the high-quality, organic provenance of these wipes' ingredients, as well as their robust packaging). It also competes favourably price-wise with high street brands (Boots, Simple, Soap & Glory, Clearasil and L'Oréal all charge about the same, for example). This product's only weak point is perhaps its lack of availability: with its main suppliers being online, you have to put in a little more effort to seek it out. Nevertheless, despite being sent mine for free this time, I would still spend my money on them in future. A great product that truly sets an example to others in terms of both quality and ethics.

Trilogy Blemish Control Gel

RRP: £12.50 for 20ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Salicylic acid effectively targets and decongests pimples. Antibacterial lemongrass and mandarin help control breakouts, ginger reduces inflammation and rosehip aids repair."

--Packaging--
This slim squeezy tube is distinguished by its dark pink stripe and silvery lid, offering a contrast to the discreet whiteness of the rest. The whole ensemble therefore looks sophisticated and adult, unlike anti-blemish brands aimed at teens, which can look garish. Acne sufferers in their 20s and 30s can therefore tackle their spots without being afraid to display the products in their bathrooms.

--Application--
Trilogy says you can apply this directly onto specific blemished three times a day if you like, and even with mixing it with moisturiser and applying it to the whole face twice a day does not seem to irritate or dry the skin, so I'd say feel free to go with either of these methods.

--Appearance--
A pale yellow gel with an almost golden appearance, which fades invisibly into skin.

--Scent--
Nothing discernible, despite what you'd expect to be a highly pungent ingredients list (which includes ginger, mandarin, lemongrass, and others).

--Texture and consistency--
Unlike some anti-blemish gels, which can be sticky, this sinks in smoothly, whether used alone or mixed into moisturiser.

--Effects on the skin--
I saw a positive improvement without drying out the skin, with the number of whiteheads definitely decreasing. However, I saw little effect on the number of blackheads, so I'd definitely consider resorting to Trilogy's exfoliant for this skin type to combat this problem.

--Value for money--
Although my tube began to run out more quickly than I'd have liked, this was perhaps to be expected when you're using the product over your whole face and not just individual blemishes. Plus, as I was sent mine for free by Trilogy's lovely PR, it was an excellent experiment that resulted in me feeling that I would a) recommend this product to others and b) purchase it for myself in future. Doesn't always happen, that :)

perfect partners
Balancing Gel Cleanser, £22.50
Gentle Facial Exfoliant, £21.50
Mineral Radiance Mask, £19.50
Balancing Face Lotion, £26.50

Muse-ic to our ears

SPONSORED BY ESTEE LAUDER

As many of you may know, I'm a bit of a fan of Estée Lauder's cosmetics and skincare. I won't pretend that I love every single product I've tried from this brand, but I've never once concealed my admiration for their highly effective Take It Away makeup remover, the wearable Beautiful Love, the joyful Idealist serum, the failsafe DayWear Plus, and the deeply conditioning Pure Color Gloss.

Now, just in time for Christmas, the brand has added another fragrance to its arsenal, which perhaps most famously consists of Pure White, Pleasures, and Beyond Paradise. Modern Muse is already awash with five-star ratings online, and its sparkling floral notes sound right up my alley, tallying with the personalities of my current favourite fragrances (YSL Parisienne and Hugo Boss Femme). Combining citrus and jasmine notes with patchouli, vanilla, amber and musk, this promises to be a balanced yet special fragrance for the festive season and beyond.

Don't believe me? Then perhaps this will convince you:
And if that's not enough, the Estée Lauder website offers 2 free samples with every order - so there's every chance to try before you buy (or at least, before SANTA buys :) ).

Bath and Body Works Into The Wild Body Lotion

RRP: £9.99/236ml

--What does the promo say?--

"Bath and Body Works Into The Wild Body Lotion.Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E, hydrates skin with moisture to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished of exotic mandarin, lush petals, and white woods."

--Packaging--

The burst of colour is naturally the first thing you notice - it jumps off the bottle like a shattered rainbow. Here it is contrasted nicely with the white of the bottle; in America it is also available in tube form, and the kaleidoscopic design covers the entire thing. The lotion comes out of the vessel easily and closure is firm and secure, without being too difficult to open when you do want to use it.

--Appearance--

A white cream that gives no hint of the bounty that lies beyond, and that rubs invisibly into skin.

--Scent--

Does exactly what it says on the tin: you get an immediate feeling of escapism and fresh air thanks to the white woods, petals and fruity scents. Saying that, though, I can't say the mandarin comes through too strongly - but the smell is one that I just find so divine that I'm willing to forgive it. It is quite musky without being vanilla-like, so if you're not into musk, stay away! However, I think there's something in this for every woman - it's floral and feminine while still being exotic and packing a punch.

--Texture and consistency--

Not at all sticky; sinks into skin perfectly.

--Longevity and effects on the skin--

The scent doesn't endure exceptionally well, but it was the moisturising effects that I was after - I am sick of being told by beauty therapists how dry my body skin is. As far as I'm concerned, this stuff worked - no positive comments, but certainly no negative ones either. I've also been using this in conjunction with the Into The Wild shower gel, which has the same moisturising properties (but is sadly unavailable in the UK).

--Value for money--

At this price, it falls into the same league as similar products by Burt's Bees and Essie, which I think is the right place for it. A little goes a long way, too, so you shouldn't need to replace it for a while after the initial purchase. A good exotic-seeming buy that is readily available at home.

perfect partners

Into The Wild Body Mist 236ml, £10.25

Liplicious Lip Gloss Into The Wild 14ml, £5.15

Into The Wild Perfume for Women 75ml, £18.30

Baylis & Harding Sweet Mandarin and Grapefruit Cleansing Hand Wash

RRP: £2 for 500ml

--What does the promo say?--
"Sweet Mandarin and Grapefruit, combined with vitamin A, B & C to create our classic fragrance which features in this sophisticated hand wash."

--Packaging--
The large bottle and copperplate capital logo design is suspiciously reminiscent of the more expensive Molton Brown label. However, it's clear that when you copy something good, at least you know that what you end up with looks nice too, and this would look great in any bathroom, although a change of packaging for something more original might not be such a bad thing. On the flip side, though, the transparent yellow/gold design is undeniably pretty.

--Application--
Easy as pie; lather up under warm running water to leave your hands clean, soft, and smelling sweet.

--Appearance--
A translucent yellow colour which reflects what you would expect from the ingredients while still at the same time leaving no visible residue on the hands after use.

--Scent--
More musky than grapefruity, and perhaps lacks the intensity of higher-end products. Nevertheless, the scent makes the product enjoyable and uplifting to use.

--Texture and consistency--
Lathered up well, although the consistency of the gel was perhaps a little slimy.

--Effect on the skin--
Left hands clean and soft; skin was not dried out or irritated.

--Value for money--
At such a low price there is very little to argue about; however, consumers who have tried the obvious rival brand will find themselves comparing the products automatically, which when there is such a huge gulf between the two brands in terms of price and such similarity in the packaging is a hard thing to stand up to. However, the attractiveness and affordability of the products make an excellent Christmas present in their eye-catching gift sets and these are definitely a low budget way to add some luxury to your bathroom.

perfect partners
Mandarin and Grapefruit Indulgent Moisturising Hand Lotion, £2 for 500ml
Mandarin and Grapefruit Restful Bath Foam, £3 for 750ml
Mandarin and Grapefruit Balancing Shower Creme, £3 for 750ml

retails at: www.baylisandharding.com and at various high street retailers