Beyonce Heat Mrs Carter World Tour Fragrance: Review
First of all, let me introduce myself :) My name is Sandra and I am a beauty obsessed mum behind The Black Pearl Blog. I write about makeup, skincare, home decor and lifestyle and I am obsessed with photography. When Nic asked me, if I would like to guest post on her lovely blog and review the new Beyonce EDP, I couldn't say no. I really like the original Heat EDP I got for Christmas 2011, so I was very excited to try the new version.
The Limited Edition Beyonce Heat The Mrs Carter Show World Tour Fragrance (very long name!) was released to celebrate Beyonce's historic tour and treat her fans to a brand new scent just in time for Christmas. I must admit - celebrities don't really excite me, but... I don't mind using their fragrances, because they are usually more affordable than other perfumes and often unique. I was pleasantly surprised with the original Heat EDP and it's sweet and spicy notes, so I expected to like the new lighter, floral version too.
Beyonce Heat The Mrs Carter Show World Tour Fragrance comes is the same gorgeous packaging as the original, but this time the bottle is a beautiful aqua blue colour, which I prefer. The 30ml bottle retails at £14.99, but... you can currently buy the 100ml bottle from Superdrug for only £19.00 (here)! Bargain!
The fragrance itself is described as a powdery and sweet aquatic floral, featuring top notes of Pink Pepper, Acai and Purple Mangosteen; middle notes of: Orchid, Jasmine and Violet Petals and bottom notes of Vetiver, Sandalwood and Vanilla. If you like fruity floral scents, you will probably enjoy using Beyonce's new creation. It isn't an overpowering fragrance and it is lighter than the original, but it lingers on my skin all day and settles to a sweet and woody scent after a couple of hours. Gorgeous!
Overall the Limited Edition Beyonce Heat The Mrs Carter Show World Tour Fragrance would be a great present this Christmas, especially if you buy the 100ml bottle at a discounted price. You can buy it from Boots, Superdrug, The Perfume Shop and other stockists.
Thanks so much for such a beautiful post, Sandra, with gorgeous pics as always. Those of you yet to become acquainted with The Black Pearl Blog, do head over for a visit - it's a beauty! Nic X
In my Shower
This is the first of a new ‘In My Shower’ series, where I’ll feature my current hair & body loves. I hereby reserve the right to switch it to In My Bath as we progress into Winter (& my bath tap gets fixed - it currently flies off and whooshes water everywhere… think hot water, home alone, stopcock behind Christmas tree in dark corner of attic. I may have been a little flustered!)
Back to lovely pampering products, which is what this is all about! I don’t know about you, but my showers tend to veer from 2 minute affairs while the coffee is brewing… I’ll just have a quick shower, then watch a few YT vids with a coffee- to full-on buffing, soothing and replenishing sessions. This trio falls somewhere in the middle and fits in to an average everyday routine.
Hair
No matter what, I always start with washing my hair, so that I can leave conditioner on while I do the rest. Bed Head Recharge is a clarifying shampoo, which removes pollutants, sweat and product build-up from the hair. I tend to use it once a week for this purpose, though I don’t think it would do any harm to use it more regularly… I just like to change shampoos depending on how my hair is behaving on a particular day! I’ll follow this with the vitamin and antioxidant enriched Recharge conditioner from the same range. Unlike some clarifying products, these don’t leave my hair feeling stripped, squeaky or dried out… instead they add shine and the sweet scent of Sweet Orange, Wild Raspberry and Vanilla. (ps I love the rounded top bottle shape!)
Mask
Once a week I like to give my hair an extra boost with a mask, recently in the form of Organic Surge 2 minute Moisture Mask. Silicone free, this contains pure coconut oil and plant extracts to nourish my dehydrated frizzbomb back to something resembling hair. I love 3 things about this: it’s made with natural ingredients, it only takes 2 mins & it leaves my hair soft & gently scented with coconut - what’s not to love?! A normal person could probably skip their regular conditioner when using this… I find it quite light (probably perfect for fine hair) and tend to need a double whammy, so use it after my regular conditioner!
Body
During those two minutes I’ll treat myself to the completely heavenly scent of Molton Brown Pink Pepperpod Body Wash (formerly Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod). Hands up, this is a luxury, but one that I think is totally justifiable! On a practical level, the bottle is huge; I use a drop the size of a 10p each morning and after six weeks, you can see how little it has gone down. A cheaper shower gel will do the job, but I love how this lifts my spirits and makes me feel amazing on a cold, groggy morning. Pink Pepperpods, ginger and patchouli create a warm, softly spiced scent that’s perfect for Autumn and makes my whole upstairs smell divine… possibly because I layer this up with the matching body lotion - super light, softening and sinks in before I get dressed - perfect.
Do you like to pamper yourself in the shower - or are you more of a wash & go gal? (if anyone else is old enough to remember *that* advert, please leave me a comment below to make me feel better!)
Autumn cosiness: Becksöndergaard Supersize Nova
I’m much more of a Spring Summer girl at heart, so when it comes to Autumn, I like to surround myself with cosy comforts, hence an annual quest for The.Perfect boots, coat, jumper, handbag, scented candle, berry lipstick… and the (wish)list goes on! I’ll share some of the above with you at a later date, but today it’s all about The Perfect Autumn Scarf. I’ve lusted after this particular number for over a year now and thought that instead of picking up 2-3 cheaper scarves throughout the season, I’d stick to my new minimalist only-wear-what-you-really-love theory.
This beauty is the Becksöndergaard Supersize Nova and it’s HUGE (110x200cm)… if I untie it, each side comes down to my knees. The 50:50 silk/wool mix came highly recommended and I love that it’s really lightweight and soft, yet very warm. I’ve basically not taken mine off since it arrived two weeks ago and worn it indoors a lot, but it looks even better over a leather biker (which worryingly, I couldn’t find when taking these pics!)
It took me ages to choose between the colourways but I’m really glad I went for Grape Wine as I think it suits my skin tone and goes with lots of stuff I already have. This one is from Zalando, where I’ve just spotted an adorable new giant heart print *hides credit card*.
I already know I’m going to struggle not to buy another scarf as I do have a weakness for them and love how they can transform an outfit as well as keeping me warm… do you have a favourite AW scarf?
REN Rosa Centifolia No1 Purity Cleansing Balm: Review
I think I’ve found the perfect cleansing balm. No1 Purity Cleansing Balm is a new addition to REN’s Rosa Centifoliacleansing range, with 100% natural Rose Extract Complex to tone, soften and soothe while cleansing. And that’s exactly what it does.
Reasons I love it:
Lightweight squeezey tube with flip-up lid is quick, easy and hygienic to use
Skin-kind natural ingredients… ahhh
That ‘just perfect’ rose scent; rosy enough for you to know that it’s rose, yet gentle and delicate
The light texture that’s *just* solid enough to be balmy yet immediately softens on contact with warm skin and feels delicious when massaged in.
It works. It removes all of my make-up and leaves my skin feeling soft, clean and fresh (not taut).
Rinses off easily with a flannel or the muslin provided (don’t chuck the box until you’ve taken this out - been there done that).
The ease of removal is an important point for me. What I love about balms is that they feel like a treatment as well as a cleanser. I generally remove the bulk of my make-up first, then go in with a balm, massage it in, leave it on my skin while I potter, shower, clean teeth, whatevs (or not, according to how much time I have), then rinse off with a cloth and warm water. Some (eg Balance Me) require a fair bit of effort to remove, which I guess brings its own benefits (scrupulous skin), but frankly, I’m lazy and love that this one washes away with as much ease as a cream cleanser.
I’ve been using this most evenings for one month now and my skin is looking and feeling very happy with itself. This tube was provided for review and when it runs out I will replace it for sure.
The Rosa Centifolia™ range includes a cleansing foam, make-up removing milk, 3-in-1 cleansing water, cleansing balm, gel wash and an exfoliating polish, all available here.
I’ve tried very little from the REN range - this is the first since the Rose Otto shower gel a friend kindly bought me many years ago. Any other recs would be very welcome!
Pur Minerals Skincare: Be Firm & Tone Up!
Anna - a friend & fan of all things natural - tested these products on my behalf as I was trialling other skincare when sent these for review. I hadn’t realised that Pur Minerals did skincare - check out the natural green and red tones of these products!
Here are Anna’s thoughts on the products after one month of daily use…
Click to enlarge pic & view ingredients list
Be Firm: Complete Facial Serum
I was initially surprised at the watery texture of the serum as I was expecting a thicker, more gel like consistency, although when I realised that this is water based it made sense and I was glad to be putting a more natural product on my skin. It instantly had a cooling and tightening effect and felt good. The smell, or lack of it, took me a while to get used to… I like putting on things that smell gorgeous but this was not one of those. It left a slight tacky feeling on my hands after I had put it on, which wasn't pleasant, so I felt I had to wipe my hands after applying it.
I do believe this serum has helped my normal to oily skin. My pores seem smaller and skin definitely feels firmer. I would use this product again only for the skin benefits but the consistency, smell and tackiness would put me off.
Tone Up: Total Eye Fitness
I was happy to use a product that doesn't sting the skin around my eyes. It feels really lovely to put on and does not leave a residue. I have noticed a difference, the under-eye darkness has reduced and my eyes are not as puffy. I would recommend this gel and would definitely use it again.
Thanks for taking the time to test and review these so thoroughly, Anna! x
Pur Minerals Tone Up Total Eye Fitness, £25 is available at M&S here and Be Firm Complete Facial Serum, £32.50 here.
Organic Surge Beauty Blogger Bundle
Organic Surge has put together a gift set exclusively for beauty blog readers, containing some beauty blogger favourites at a discounted price. As you can tell from the pic above, it’s aimed at a certain time of year which I can’t bring myself to mention until at least November!
The Organic Surge Christmas Beauty Blogger’s Bundle includes:
Citrus Mint Shower Gel - for an invigorating, zesty wake-up call
2 Minute Moisture Hair Mask - to infuse hair with moisture and shine in moments
Lavender Meadow Hand & Nail Cream - a scenty shield against biting winds
Blissful Daily Moisturiser - to give your face the extra care it needs during winter
I’m a big fan of this brand for good quality, effective ingredients at a great price and am happy to recommend all of the above, some of which I’ve raved about on here before. My current favourite is the First Class Mask, which you may have spotted on my Instagram here, where I found an alternative use for it! I also use it as an overnight skin quencher on days when I’m extra tired or dehydrated… it’s gently scented and absorbs quickly, so is perfect for evening use.
This Organic Surge Beauty Blogger Bundle is exclusively available here.
