Prepping For Summer With Fragrance Direct

Summer is one of my favourite seasons; you can sip cocktails in the sun, wear bright colours and switch up your beauty routine. Aside from shopping for new clothes, I love changing what makeup and fragrances I wear to more fruity and bright beauty items. Fragrance Direct have sent over some items to help me get ready for summer to get my glam on. The items included are the Givenchy Live Irrésistible Délicieuse Eau De Parfum (£55.95), Nars Illuminator in Super Orgasm (£23.00) and the Clinique Repairwear Intensive Lip Treatment (£20.50).

Givenchy Live Irresésistible Délicieuse EDP was created in mind of a woman who makes her own rules, bringing her spirit to life with a new creation that is as sassy as it is sweet. The theme around it is to live intensely without constraints or rules and I love the tone around it, being free and independent. It has an accord from the merging of a Madeleine with touches of cherry and vanilla, heart notes of a caramel-coated Rose, with a highlighting touch of sensual Tonka bean. The combination of orange and rose blossom create an ultra-feminine character before the Tonka bean creates a tempting warmth. The bottle is studded and an ombré pink which screams summer. The face of the scent is Amanda Seyfried who is beautiful and glamorous who is known for roles where she is empowering, emotive and feminine. The sweet fragrance brings to mind a summer romance in Paris and this is exactly what I go for when it comes to choosing a perfume. I'm all about sweet, fruity scents. The perfume ranges from £39.50 for 30ml, to £66.95 for 75ml.

The Nars Illuminator in Super Orgasm is one product that really makes me think of summer. I've previously reviewed the Nars Illuminator in Hot Sand which is a firm favourite. It's essentially a liquid highlighter that glides on to enhance your complexion with 'shimmering incandescence. It can be applied under, over or mixed in with foundation and since it's more of a pink toned highlighter it can be worn as a blush too. It's lovely mixed in with your foundation for a dewy finish or on top of your base to make your cheekbones glow, both of which is made for the summer months.

The Clinique Repairwear Intensive Lip Treatment pretty much does as it says in the name. It's a gel-based lip treatment that helps minimise the look of wrinkles on and around the lips, supports the skin's natural collagen and replenishes the natural moisture barrier to ensure lips stay hydrated. It's smooth and is essential during the hot months when your lips can dry out, especially when using matte lipsticks. The only thing that would make this better is if it had an SPF in to protect your lips in the bright sun. This will be carried everywhere with me so I can ensure my lips are soft and nourished.

Post contains press samples 

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Clinique Chubby Stick Review

Hey Guys,

This month I was on the hunt for Glamour Magazine's Clinique freebies (mascara, moisturising lotion and chubby sticks) and managed to get all but the mascara. I was made up after searching in about 10 shops for them that these were the last two in Tesco! They are in the shades Whoppin' Watermelon and Super Strawberry and for £2 each with the magazine it is an absolute bargain and I'm sorry that I didn't get more, although I think a lot of people would say I was selfish for getting more!

They aren't full sized versions, as the retail at £17.00 for one, you really can't argue with this huge discount for a smaller version! The Chubby Sticks are moisturising and I already have an MUA one and two Revlon coloured balm sticks and I can tell from the quality that these Clinique ones are better than the Matte formulas of the Revlon ones, although they match up pretty well with Revlon's satin version.

They are lovely shades for summer and you gain the benefit of your lips being lovely and soft at the same time as adding a subtle tint of colour to your lips, perfect for when you want a little something to add, instead of wearing an overpowering lipstick. Super Strawberry is a darker shade than Whoppin' Watermelon but they both make your lips a lovely colour.

The product isn't designed to stay on your lips throughout the whole day, as it is a 'Moisturising Lip Colour Balm' after all. I personally like touching up the colour on my lips anyway, so this is an easy way to do it. My favourite is Super Strawberry as I've always loved darker colours, but both are truely lovely.

I was slightly disappointed by the lack of scent as the Revlon ones are like a peppermint flavour/scent and leave you lips tingly, so branding them with fruitful names did strike it odd that they didn't smell of much, but then again it is about the quality of the lip balm, not how it smells at the end of the day. Despite any flaws, you don't need to sharpen your chubby stick as it winds up from the bottom, meaning you never have an excuse not to be wearing it, until it runs out that is. 

Overall, it did make my lips soft, and the size is great for travel or just placing in your handbag, but for the price it is a hard one to judge. Yes you get the quality, but for a fraction of the price you can buy a Revlon satin balm which gives the same effect. Personally, I love Clinique, but for a balm I wouldn't be spending £17.00, I would prefer to spend that on their moisturising lotion. 

I'm hugely grateful to Glamour for putting this in the magazine, as I would never have tried it otherwise! I love  a 'freebie' and this has to be one of the best I've seen in a while.

Love,

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