LAURA MERCIER SWEET TEMPTATIONS REVIEW

LAURA MERCIER SWEET TEMPTATIONS AMBRE VANILLE  SET REVIEW

 

laura mercier 1

Hello everyone! I hope 2016 is treating you all good so far! Although I am really excited for the new year, I am also sad that the holidays are over. All the gifts and the cheerful , festive spirit are gone. This year, there were so many amazing holiday sets from so many beauty and skin care brands, that it was really hard to choose from. Either for a present or for myself, picking just one set was a hard task. However, one of the sets that really stood out to me and I got my hands on, is Laura Mercier’s Sweet Temptations Ambre Vanille Luxe Body Collection set. This is a bath and body set from Laura Mercier and it includes 4 amazing products. A shower gel, a honey bath with its wooden honey dipper, a body cream (souffle) and a perfume, all with the Ambre Vanille scent. I had heard so many amazing words about Laura Mercier’s bath products and especially its honey bath, that I knew I had to have this set; and I was happy to realise that everything I had heard was true; the set is simply amazing.

body cream

My favorite thing from the entire set, would be the body cream, or body souffle as it is called. It is a thick, rich body lotion, that moisturizes and softens the skin. I apply it after showering and my skin instantly feels silky smooth, plus it smells amazing. The Ambre Vanille scent is wonderful. It is quite sweet but not in a sickly way; more like a vanilla cookie way. It is currently my favorite body moisturizer; so rehydrating and soft.

shower gel

The shower gel is quite lovely. You only need a small quantity and you get a lot of foam. It smells amazing as well and it’s a perfect way to layer the scent. Showering with the gel and then layering with the body cream, is a perfect way to make the scent last longer and be more intense. Although the gel is not a big size, it is going to last for a while, as I prefer using it on special occasions and not on a daily basis.

perfume

The perfume is a tiny 15 ml bottle that you can easily put in your bag and carry with you. It has the exact same scent, perhaps a bit stronger due to the alcohol. It’s the last step on the layering process, behind the shower gel and body cream. It’s not a big bottle obviously but it is a nice touch in the entire set. It may not be the centre piece of the set but it is handy part of the Ambre Vanille line. Since I don’t wear perfume often due to my allergy, this will definitely last me for a while.

honey bath

Last but not least, the star of the set and a best seller, is the honey bath that comes along with its own wooden honey dipper. You fill in your bathtub with water and then add a swirl of the honey bath for a relaxing bath. It smells amazing and creates a lot of bubbles. Its scent is not overwhelming, on the contrary it is very relaxing and stress-relieving. This product is definitely going to last me a while, as I don’t take a bath every day and I don’t need more than a swirl or two for a nice foam.

The Laura Mercier Sweet Temptations set with the Ambre Vanille scent, is absolutely amazing. All the products are lovely. From the simple shower gel and perfume to the moisturizing body cream and relaxing honey bath, this set will steal your heart. It will make you feel you are in your own luscious home spa. With Almond, Brown Sugar, Coconut, the Ambre Vanille holiday set is perfect for anyone who wants to have a lovely, soft skin that smells irresistibly delicious. I absolutely recommend the set to everyone. As for myself, I intend to repurchase the products individually once they are finished. And the best part is that the set is still available on the Laura Mercier site! So you guys can still get your hands on it if you hurry! Have any of you guys have tried any Laura Mercier bath and body products and if so do you like them? Comment down below and share your own experience. Also don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

DECEMBER FAVORITES

DECEMBER FAVORITES

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 Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I wish you all an amazing 2016, where your wildest dreams come true! It has been a bit crazy this past week due to all the celebrations and preparations, so I am a little late with my monthly favorites. December was a lovely month with all the presents and the festive spirit. I got the chance to try some new products that I absolutely loved and can’t wait to share with you guys.

Jo Malone Perfume – French Lime Blossom

perfume

Every time I go by Jo Malone’s stand I always feel the urge to smell the amazing perfumes and candles. This year is definitely Jo Malone’s year for me. Not only I got my first candle (see post) but also I got a couple of perfumes. From the beginning, I was in love with the French Lime Blossom perfume. It has a powdery scent and it reminds me of something clean and fresh, like soap. I know it doesn’t seem like much but I absolutely love that scent. It makes me feel peaceful, like I am in a fresh meadow on a spring day. I love it when I can associate a perfume to something so stress relieving. It is not overwhelming or too strong. I love the perfume so much, that I am considering getting the candle too at some point.

Charlotte Tilbury – Charlotte’s Magic Cream

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I got this cream in Charlotte Tilbury holiday set “The gift of Goddess” (see review). Having heard so many amazing things about Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty and skin care products, I have wanted to try them for a while now. I got the cream in a small size and I tried it right away. It’s amazing; such a moisturizing cream with a nice thick texture. It smells lovely (like a rose), and it doesn’t make my face oily at all. You only need to apply a little bit, which means my small pot will last. I love how smooth and fresh my face feels afterwards, especially now in the winter where it gets quite dry.

Michael Kors Camille Small Leather Satchel in black

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I was looking for a nice everyday bag for a couple of months now. Since I don’t have a light grey bag, I was after that color. I think it’s very neutral and I can wear it daily all year round. I never had a Michael Kors bag before, but I always liked his designs, as they are modern and sophisticated. However, I couldn’t find the style and size I wanted in light grey. I was really bumped, but then I came across the Camille satchel in black and I was in love. It is such a cute bag, with the perfect size for daily use. It has a strap, many compartments and the leather is so soft. It was simply perfect. My mom surprised me by getting it for me for Christmas! Black is the perfect color that matches with everything. It is not the color I wanted, but it is a basic, neutral color which is what I was going for bottom line. The size is just great; apart from daytime, I can get it for a dinner or a drink as well. It is not really small, and it can accommodate everything I carry with me daily plus an umbrella in case of rain. An absolutely ideal bag!

Klurskin cleanser with jojoba and coconut

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As I have mentioned before, I am a skin care hoarder. I love skin care products and I am always looking for something new that will freshen up and improve my skin. Although I do like all the major cosmetics and skin care brands, lately I am interested more and more into smaller, indie skin care brands. They are local and use natural ingredients. Klurskin is a LA based brand that creates non-toxic products that nourish the skin. This cleanser is aloe based and 75% organic. It has coconut milk and jojoba oil. It is in a gel form and has a pleasant scent. It is very gentle and cleanses the skin well; however, I don’t use it when I have a lot of make up on my face because I feel I need something stronger. I love how much it actually hydrates my skin. It doesn’t only cleanse it and removes all the dirt, but it also hydrates it and makes it look fresher and calmer afterwards. Such a nice, organic cleanser!

Laura Mercier Ambre and Vanille body soufflé

body lotion

I got Laura Mercier’s Sweet Temptations Ambre and Vanille holiday set because I was very excited to try the body products. Everybody is raving about how lovely they are, so when I saw the holiday set, I just had to get it. I am not going to mention the entire set, as there will be a review about it up soon, but I have to admit that the body lotion is my favorite product. I absolutely love it! It has an amazing scent that makes me feel like I am a vanilla cookie, and it deeply moisturizes my skin. It has a thick texture therefore, you don’t need a lot. Its scent lingers for a couple of days on my skin which is wonderful. This body soufflé is just perfect. From the scent to the feeling, it is amazing. I know for sure that once I finish it I will repurchase the full size.

Topshop Betty Star boots

shoes

I am not going to talk a lot about those boots because there will be a review of them up the blog soon. I got the Topshop Betty Star boots only recently but I am in love with them already. The heel height is perfect for me for every day and for a casual night out as well. I love how they are simple but the golden stars in the back add some spice to them. They are basic black ankle boots but with a twist. I have worn them twice so far and I love them! Stay tuned for a more thorough review J

H&M nail polish in Red Over Heels shade

nail polish

You guys already know how much I love H&M’s new nail polishes. I have a whole review of them where I am raving about how fast they dry and how long the last (see review). For the holidays I wanted a true red color, so I can be a little festive myself. I went for the Red Over Heels shade, because it is a lovely deep, yet not too dark, red. It doesn’t have any orange undertone. I was so happy with my choice. They nail polish was lovely like all the H&M ones and it was perfect for the holiday season. I don’t usually go for red nails but I was so happy I did this year!

YSL Rouge pur Couture lipstick in the shade 201

lipstick

I got this lipstick in a magazine, so I didn’t purchase it myself. I never had a YSL lipstick so I didn’t have an opinion about them. I was happy to find that the lipstick was in a bright red shade, because red is one of my favorite lip colors. The shade itself is quite lovely; bright red with orange undertone. Something I don’t really have. I tried it on and I was surprised at how lovely it looks. It’s creamy and moisturizing, which I really like, since my lips are quite dry. It is matte with a satin finish. It didn’t sit in my lip lines and it lasted for a quite a while. I really love this lipstick, as it is festive and the sample size of it is just too cute! I am very pleasantly surprised with this YSL lipstick, because I liked the texture, the color and the longevity. Also it has a rose scent. Highly recommend the YSL Rouge pur Couture lipstick!

I was so blessed to get my hands on some amazing things on December. I absolutely love each and every thing mentioned in this post. From the bag and the shoes to the lipstick and the body lotion, all these products are simply wonderful. They stole my heart on December and they earned their place in my monthly favorites list. I recommend them all. Don’t forget to pop over my Instagram (@blueberrylover) and Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and say hello! With 2015 gone, I am very excited for what 2016 has in store! Happy New Year to everyone with lots of love!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

 

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

 

 

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With Christmas only a few weeks away, it’s this lovely time of the year again where we buy gifts for our loved ones, and share the holiday spirit! I love getting gifts for all my family and friends more than getting stuff for myself. Although many of you like to get your gifts quite early and have a stress-free countdown to Christmas, I am quite naughty and I always end up getting my gifts on the very last-minute, which completely stresses me out. Therefore, this year I decided not only to get my presents earlier than usual but also to suggest some pretty cool gifts for your favorite ones! I am so excited since this is my very first Christmas gift guide post and I really can’t wait to share with you guys some lovely things I have picked out.

Photo credit: http://lutecia.ge/?lang=2&menuid=14&id=114&page=2
Photo credit: http://lutecia.ge

A perfume set is always a lovely idea for a present. I absolutely love perfumes! Who doesn’t right? Valentino’s Valentina Eau de Parfum set is perfect! I am quite picky when it comes to perfumes but I am in love with Valentina. It is such a sexy and feminine yet fresh scent, that you can’t go wrong with. This set is great as it also contains the body lotion. Layering the perfume on top of the body lotion will make the scent last longer and be more intense. And how cute is that box right?

Photo credit: http://www.lauramercier.com/new-arrivals/sweet-temptations-ambre-vanille-luxe-body-collection-12615222.html#start=2
Photo credit: http://www.lauramercier.com

In the whole spirit of layering and smelling amazing, another great gift and personal favorite is Laura Mercier’s Sweet Temptations Ambre Vanille Luxe Body Collection. I actually got this set for myself and it is amazing! The set has a body wash, body lotion (or soufflé), perfume and honey bath, all with the Ambre Vanille scent. Everything is so pretty. You can use the body wash for a quick shower or the honey bath, which is a best-selling product, for a more relaxing bath. Then layer the body soufflé (which is brilliant!) and the perfume. The scent is quite sweet but not in a sickening way. Such an amazing gift!

Photo credit: http://www.net-a-porter.com
Photo credit: http://www.net-a-porter.com

Since we all know how important skin care is to girls – and it should be to guys as well – I find that a luxurious skin care set would be a great gift to your special someone! There are so many out there that I can’t wait to get my hands on, but Sarah Chapman’s Facial In a Box set has really stand out to me. It is a lovely set of 5 products, including a 3-D mask and 2 professional cleansing mitts. It is such a lovely introduction to the brand and such a luxurious set. Using these products will make you feel like you are being pampered in a spa.

Photo credit: http://shop.lomography.com
Photo credit: http://shop.lomography.com

In an era where we capture every moment on our phones and cameras, what a better gift than a lovely camera that ties the old with the new. Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 is a wonderful present for everyone; boy or girl. I have the bigger one and I absolutely love it. However, it is quite heavy and big which makes it really hard to fit it in my purse and carry it around all the time. The Mini 8 is a cute camera that immediately develops the pictures taken. It has a vintage vibe combined with modern design. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors. I personally love the powdery blue one! Don’t forget to get a pack of film!

Photo credit: http://www.diptyqueparis.com
Photo credit: http://www.diptyqueparis.com

As a proper candle-addict, I believe that Diptyque’s Seasonal Candle Set is another amazing gift. Diptyque’s candles are just wonderful. They smell amazing and last forever, plus they are perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere. This seasonal set includes 5 mini candles with different scents which is amazing. It is a perfect introduction to the world of luxurious candles. I have a review of my favorite Diptyque scent, that you guys should check out!

Photo credit left to right: www.urbanoutfitters.com, www.amazon.com, www.anthropologie.com
Photo credit left to right: www.urbanoutfitters.com, www.amazon.com, www.anthropologie.com

The last gift I would recommend is a little bit more complicated. Personally, whenever I get gifts for my people I always like to get a couple of gifts instead of just one. I don’t know why but I just love the moment when the present is unwrapped and there are more presents in it. Like the babushka dolls! Therefore, I believe a big stocking filled with many small gifts would be a great gift itself. You could fill the stocking with a book, like Madeline Shaw’s Get the Glow book for the healthy eater, or Jemma Kidd’s Jemma’s Makeup Secrets for the makeup addict one! Great stocking filler could also be a cute little journal like Urban Outfitter’s Oh Snap leather journal, along with some cute stationary. This Gold Monogram Mug from Anthropologie would also make a lovely stocking filler. You can add any bits and bobs you like and personalize the present which makes it even more perfect! Don’t forget the Christmas candy!

Christmas is my favorite time of the year! The holiday spirit is just everywhere and everyone is happy and cheerful. I love that is a gift giving period, because buying presents for my loved ones is ony of my favorite things and it makes me very happy. On my Christmas gift guide for her, I am sharing some ideas of presents for your favorite girls; mom, aunt, sister, bff or loved one!! I personally love all those things; I even have some of them and the ones I don’t have, I really want to get! Following this post, there will be a Christmas gift guide for Him, with some nice gift ideas for the special guys in your life, so stay tuned! Are any of those gifts on your wish list or do you even have any of these and if so what do you think of them? Also don’t forget to pop over Twitter (@vickyinlalaland) and Instagram (@blueberrylover) and say hi!

Till next time take care dolls 😉 xxx

Vicky

 

My favorite skincare products

My favorite skincare products

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Healthy and naturally glowing skin is very important to every girl! As spring is about to be over and summer has already stepped in and with the weather only getting hotter and hotter, I decided that this is the best time to share my favorite skincare products. The daily pampering of my skin is a ritual I never skip, even when I am extremely tired and sleepy. At the end of the day, I just can’t wait to remove all the make up and cleanse my skin; I just love to let it breathe and to feel it clean and smooth. Therefore, I am very excited to share with you guys the products that I absolutely trust and reach out daily.

Lancome Gel Eclat 

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What can I say about this cleanser? It is an amazing product. I am absolutely in love with it. I got it around Christmas, as I wanted to try something different from what I was using so far. I hadn’t used Lancome skincare products before and I was excited to try this on. From the first use I was simply blown away by it; only a little quantity – the size of a hazelnut- is enough to create massive foam and basically wash the entire face. Due to its flowery ingredients -Lotus and Rose- it has a lovely scent. Full with anti-oxidants, it deeply cleanses and purifies the skin. It is very easy to rinse off and my skin feels amazing afterwards; so smooth and soft! I use it almost every night after I remove my make up  however, when I feel that my skin is not very clean I might also use it in the morning.

Lancome Tonique Confort 

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I know some of you may be sceptical about the toners as products and if they are useful or not; well they do! After I remove the make up and cleanse my face, I use this amazing toner in order to remove any make up residues. It is very refreshing and moisturizing. Not only it purifies the skin completely and refreshes it but it also hydrates it and makes it more radiant and smooth. I love this toner so much! It is a necessary part of any skincare routine although it may seem as redundant.

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling moisturizing cream

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I have tried many moisturizers over the years and although I was satisfied by some, I always like to experiment with my routine and try new ones. Therefore, I decided to get the Givenchy one as I never had any skincare products from this brand. I was pleasantly surprised at how soft and hydrated my face felt after only one use, due to the cream’s velvet finish. I absolutely love this moisturizer! On the downside though, this cream has quite a strong perfume scent. Even though it doesn’t bother me, I understand why it may bother some. In total it is an amazing cream with a velvet finish that highly hydrates my skin and I use it every night as the last step of my routine.

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish

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 Oh my this exfoliator!! It is so gentle and soft and it smells lovely! Just a very small quantity is more than enough for the entire face! With circular gentle motions I exfoliate my face once a week or whenever I feel my face is not in its best state and it could do with some extra pampering. When I first tried it on my hand I was shocked as to how soft my skin was afterwards, that I had to get it! It doesn’t irritate my skin and it is not too harsh on it! On the contrary it’s one of the silkiest exfoliators I have ever used! Now it’s my go to exfoliator!

APIVITA Suncare cream with SPF 50+

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With summer just around the corner, it is important not to forget the sunscreen as part of our everyday routine. Even when I don’t have makeup on I always manage to apply some sunscreen on my face as it has the most sensitive skin of our body and therefore, it gets damaged easily. I got this sunscreen as I love Apivita for the natural ingredients it uses on its products. This specific one has sea lavender and algae and it is fragrance and parabens free. It is absorbed immediately by my skin without making it shiny or oily and it doesn’t smell at all. It is perfect for under my make up and with its SPF 50 it’s the perfect weapon against the damaging sun rays. Don’t forget to invest on a good, high protection sunblock for the face!

Fresh Sugar lip polish + Fresh Sugar tinted lip treatment 

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Guys this winter was a disaster for my lips. Because of the cold almost for the whole winter my lips were dehydrated and chapped; the Fresh lip polish literally saved my lips! Only a bit of it was enough to exfoliate and condition my lips. They were so smooth afterwards, I couldn’t believe it! And the orange and sugar taste of it is just amazing! We all know how sugar is a natural exfoliant and a very tasty one as well! After exfoliating my lips I used the Fresh tinted lip treatment to seal the moisture; this lip balm is the bomb! It is hydrating, it gives a natural tint on the lips and it also has SPF 15 to protect them from the sun! The cherry flavor is a plus 😉

Clarins eye contour gel + Origins GinZing eye cream

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I mention these products as a duo because I use them together every night. My biggest eye problem is my dark circles that are quite intense especially when I am tired. Therefore, Clarins eye gel is perfect as it cools them off, reduces the puffiness and fights the persistent dark circles. The gel form is very refreshing and not heavy at all unlike any eye serum. Following the gel, I use the famous Origins GinZing eye cream which is perfect for me as not only it fights puffiness as well but it also brightens the dark under eye area. Although it is quite a thick cream, it is absorbed immediately from the skin and it doesn’t feel greasy at all. It makes my eyes look less tired in the next morning.

There you go! I know it might be quite a long list but I felt compelled to mention all the skincare products I am in love at the moment because they are perfect for my skin and therefore a part of my daily routine! And don’t forget how important it is to take good care of not only your skin but also your eyes and lips, as they all deserve a little pampering 🙂

Till next time take care dolls xxx

Vicky