Atkinsons Love in Idleness Perfume Review

I was having a chilled afternoon at home last month when I received a gorgeous parcel containing some lovely products including this Atkinsons "Love in Idleness" Fragrance*. I didn't know this parcel was coming my way so it was an even more special surprise!! It was definitely love at first sight (and whiff) when I opened the parcel and saw the Atkinsons "Love in Idleness" Fragrance. I hadn't really heard about this brand before then but a quick google search and reading the Press release brought me up to speed. I almost didn't want to use it because it had such a beautiful and unique packaging (including the bottle) and I don't think I've ever owned any similar fragrance or packaging. However, I had to use it and I have not stopped using it because it is pretty damn impressive.




Brief Overview of Atkinsons
Atkinsons is a quintessential British brand which specialises in making fragrance collections, home collections and bath and grooming collections. Under each collection, you can find a good range of products ranging from EDTs, EDPs, after shaves, bath/shower gels,body lotions, candles, etc. The brand was established in London in 1799 (which is why the brand is also known as Atkinsons1799) by James Atkinson who was from Cumberland. I believe James Atkinson actually owned one back in the days and this bear forms part of the brand's emblematic logo. Shortly after the brand was established, Atkinsons fragrance house became the official perfumerer to the Royal Court of England and also to the most aristocratic and exclusive clientele worldwide. Atkinsons is now ushering its newest collections which are the boldest and most irresistible to date of which " Love in Idleness" is a part of. I was so impressed by the story behind the brand that I could not resist linking it to this post. You can read more about the brand here and about the stories of the brand over here. It's totally worth a read, I promise!





Packaging
Yes, you guessed right; I have to gush about the packaging because it is absolutely gorgeous. I don't think anyone who owns this bottle can just ignore it even if you are not into packaging. First off,  the outer packaging is purple which is my absolute favourite colour so that's the first thing l was drawn to. This outer purple packaging has a drawer-like enclosure which houses the fragrance itself. I love opening and closing it as it reminds me of a vintage lingerie drawer.  The bottle in itself does not come in a regular perfume/fragrance bottle. Instead, it comes in a replica of a glass flacon or flask if you will (very similar to the type for alcohol) complete with a stunning lid. I know this will be one of the bottles I will be keeping long after I have run out of this fragrance. It's just too pretty to be thrown away. Can you imagine this bottle on a glass dressing table? (I sadly do not own one at the moment but soon, soon!!). 



What does Atkinsons say about this Fragrance?
The Atkinsons website describes Love in Idleness as the ethereal innocence of the violet flower touched by Cupid's arrow and transformed into a spell-blindingly sensual love potion. I know it may sound like something out of a Shakespeare novel but this description really captures the very essence of this fragrance in fact it is likened to a midsummer's night dream. For me, I would describe it as a super sensual feminine fragrance that's quite intoxicating but not in a bad way. It just draws you in and I guess that's why I just always want to get a whiff of it. 




Notes in this Fragrance
When it comes to notes, I don't do guessing games and I go straight to the website to make sure the notes I am smelling are accurate. The top notes are Raspberry & Violet Leaves which is quite an unusual but amazing combination. The middle notes are Violet Flowers, Orris and Heliotrope which also give off a unique fragrance and it finally settles to its base notes of Tree Moss and Patchouli. I am all for anything floral or fruity mixed with a woody finish. The patchouli definitely lends this fragrance the perfect balance of a feminine, seductive yet classy vibe. 



Who is this fragrance for?
This is one fragrance that I would say depends on your preference. According to the Atkinsons website, "Love in Idleness" is a neo-Victorian love philter for those who believe in the magic of fragrance. So there you have it!! If you love feminine scents but those with a unique character, this is definitely for you. If you have a mum, nan, aunty, friend, bff etc who is a romantic at heart, she would adore this fragrance. I never used to think of myself as a romantic but this fragrance has really appealed to me in a different way that none other has. So, I would say it's a fragrance for anyone who loves feminine fragrances. 



My experience with "Love in Idleness"
It's very hard to describe a scent especially one as beautiful as this Atkinsons offering because I have never owned or smelt anything exactly like this. Somewhere etched in my brain, the fragrance reminds me of my very first trip abroad (it was to Belgium and abcouple of other European Countries - let's just call it a Euro Trip). I really can't pinpoint what exactly about this fragrance takes me back to that trip (which was a freaking amazing one over 15 years ago). Yet, this fragrance makes me feel incredibly feminine. It's a super sensual but demure fragrance- you know the type you want to wear when you have just fall len in love. Yes, that's the kind of fragrance. However, it's not overly youthful which is why I think any woman can wear this and have a different experience but femininity is definitely one of such feelings.  I know I am not making complete sense right now and that's why I wish blogs sometimes worked like magazines where you could sneak in little sachets of fragrance so readers can nod their heads to the description of the fragrance. The only option is to pop over to House of Fraser or Harrods to get a whiff of this incredible fragrance. I kid you not; it's bound to elicit compliments and questions. It is an EDT (Eau de Toilette) Natural Spray so I didn't expect it to be long wearing as such but I was so wrong. It lasts a pretty long time for an EDT and when I think it has completely faded, I still catch a whiff of it on me. It does not disagree with my body chemistry and it does not give me a headache or heady feeling. It's just pure bliss!!


Cost and Where to Buy //Link //£100
As you would imagine, it comes at a huge price. It retails for £100 for 100 ml. It's a steep one but the quality you get, the rich history and heritage behind the scent and exquisite packaging all adds up. You can purchase this fragrance at Harrods and House of Fraser. I believe these are the only retailers who currently sell this in the UK. You can also check the Store Locator here which will show you your nearest retailer (Americas, Europe, Asia, etc).  I did see it on Amazon but I am not 100% sure of its source (plus the total cost comes to £120) so I have not linked it but do feel free to do a google search. 

Overall Thoughts
I know I have gushed a lot about this fragrance but it really is a firm favourite and was my Summer fragrance. I already featured it in my July Favourites and also on my Instagram a few times. Now, I think I will always remember 2016 Summer because of this fragrance and it was a happy summer for me so that makes everything even better. I have used a quarter of the bottle already and I know I will keep using it even when we approach A/W. I am going to just stop now. Hope you enjoyed this post and see you in my next. Have you tried the Atkinsons Love in Idleness fragrance?
*Gifted PR Sample + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here.

Wella Professionals Haircare Review

If you a regular reader of my blog, you'd recall that I was kindly invited to an #InsideWella Event back in July and I had an amazing experience (read about the post here). I learned about the brands under the Wella umbrella (including Wella ones, of course). I was also sent home with a generous goody bag of some hair care products across these brands. I have been trying them out for a little while now so I am here to share my thoughts on them. I may have featured a couple of these products in my monthly favourites because they are truly impressive. Right let's dive into the review.



Brief Overview of Wella
Wella was founded back in 1880 by Franz Stroher who was a hairdresser from Saxony, Eastern Germany. His sons joined him in the business and together they developed and built Wella to be as great as it is today. Wella is known for its innovative products and one of their many innovations was Koleston which was the first hair balm designed to protect and nourish the hair. The ad from Koleston featured iconic Elizabeth Taylor.  Over 130 years later, Wella is still going strong constantly churning out innovative and creative products. You can read more about their heritage here.  In 2015, Wella launched their new styling range called the EIMI range which is incredible and I got a chance to try some products at the Inside Wella Event last month. Wella has other brands under its umbrella including System Professionals, Sebastian Professionals, Sassoon Professionals, Nioxin and Kadus Professionals.






What products did I receive?
I was delighted to see some of the beautiful products that were used on my hair during the Inside Wella event in my goody bag. I have completely made a 360 degrees turn when it comes to my choices of hair products I use both on my Afro and extensions. I really need to do a post showing some of my favourite hair care products. Anyway, I was kindly gifted the following: The System Professional Shampoo Silver Blonde Shampoo*, Sebastian Professional Sublimate*, Oil Reflections Light Luminous Oil* and EIMI Sugar Lift Spray*. They also kindly included a Rachel Vosper candle which just smells incredible. I have been burning it this summer and the fragrance is just perfect. I have put majority of the products to test since July so I thought to share my experience.



Wella Oil Reflections Light Luminous Oil*// Launching in January 2017
I have talked about this Oil more than a few times on this blog and that's because it's pretty damn amazing. I don't think I have ever tried any hair product quite like it and it delivers every single time I use it. It is the latest additions to the first precious oil collection from Wella Professionals and now I need to try the other products from the range. The Oil Reflections Light Luminous Oil is created specifically for fine to normal hair with a promise of offering consistent stunning results and a silky smooth mane. If I could add emojis to my website, this oil will get loads of the "in love" emoji. It is formulated with Camellia oil and White Tea extract which provides a luminous shine to the hair while enhancing colour, boosting softness and helping to protect the hair from natural lipid degeneration. I use this on my Afro and it truly transforms and makes it so soft and healthy looking. I apply it just before styling and all day, I can still see its effect on my hair. On my extensions, it works so well that it has helped revive my hair extensions which I was almost getting ready to toss. I and my flatmate are absolutely obsessed with this product and I know once it launches it will be an instant best seller. Although its called an oil, it feels more like a hybrid of a very light oil and a serum. The texture is truly one of a kind and I honestly cannot sing its praises enough. I could possibly write a whole blog post singing its praises and I don't think it will do it any justice. The long and short of it all is just put it on your wish list as it will work on many hair types. I think it's lightweight texture and its effectiveness makes it a really unique product.



Sebastian Professional Sublimate* //Link //£18
This is my other favourite product from the range and I use this almost every day together with the Oil Reflections Luminous Oil. The Sebastian Professional Sublimate is described as an invisible finishing creme that provides cashmere smooth shine and I cannot agree more. My Afro (when I am wearing it out) has a natural dry texture which means I do have to use products that helps it retain whatever little moisture it can get while controlling frizz. The Sublimate really bridges this gap for my hair and my hair feels less dehydrated with minimal frizz. I currently have extensions with a kinky texture which is similar to my hair texture when it is blown out. With this kind of texture, it tends to get frizzy and poofy so fast especially with this weather and I have tried quite a few effecitive products to help tame my hair. One of these effective products is the Sebastian Sublimate and I am pretty sure it will be running out soon because it's a firm favourite for me. I use it everyday on my extensions and top it off with the Oil Reflections Light and my hair looks amazing and remains that way all day. The Sublimate is formulated for use on dry hair as it forms an even film around the hair's surface, smoothing and lightly coating uplifted cuticles for improved definition and frizz control.  It's also a lightweight formula so it will not weigh your hair down at all. It's also another product I will highly recommend checking out.




Wella Professionals EIMI Sugar Lift Spray*// Link // £9.90 (currently £6.93 on Look Fantastic)
I have to admit I never was a fan of using any kind of hair spray or mist because most of them have not worked for my hair. However, I have totally been converted after trying some amazing brands this year. The EIMI Sugar Lift Spray is designed to infuse some volume to the hair while providing a good hold as well. It also adds a lift to the hair with a slight shine.It has a Hold Level of 3 which I think is decent to do the job without feeling too dry or crunchy. It is actually infused with sugar (hence the name) which made me really want to put it to test as I don't think I have tried any hair product with sugar in it or at least to my knowledge. As you would imagine, it smells so lovely and the packaging is really cute. I use it mainly on my extensions especially when I have some waves or curls in them as it really helps with volume and a lift. I just spray my hair  (when it is dry) and scrunch it up to help the waves or curls last longer. It also helps a lot when my curls or waves are dropping usually on the second or third day and it helps revive them to look so lush.



System Professionals Silver Blonde Shampoo* //Link //£18.25
Last but not least is the System Professionals Silver Blonde Shampoo which I have not tried yet because I have not coloured my hair yet. I plan to do so in the coming months and will report back on how we fare. The Silver Blonde Shampoo is the latest addition to System Professional's Energy Code product line up and it helps transform the vitality and tonality of blonde hair. I do feel it will work on other hair colours so don't feel restricted that it mentions blonde hair. However, I think it may definitely be optimised for blonde hair. Many of my friends who have dyed their hair blonde tell me that it is not the easiest to maintain and I can only imagine. I once dyed my hair a honey blonde colour to match my complexion and it was an absolute headache to maintain because I did gave the right products to help me. I cannot wait to put this to the test when I finally dye my hair.


Where to Buy
Many Wella products can be purchased from a variety of retailers including Look Fantastic, Feel Unique, etc. You can also check out the Wella website for other retailers which may be closer to your area. I know Look Fantastic is currently having a discount off some brands including Wella and you also get a free gift which is pretty neat. Overall, I think Wella products are quite affordable especially for the quality you get.


Overall Thoughts
I am very impressed with Wella especially as it's my first time trying them out. I know I will be repurchasing some of my favourite products from the range including the Oil Reflections Luminous Oil Light. I also suggest trying out their gift sets which will be launched during the festive season as it's a good way to try out a range of Wella products at a good price. That's pretty much my review!! Have you tried Wella Professionals Hair Care?
*Gifted PR Sample + Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here.

Body Shop Tea Tree Range Review

The Body Shop Tea Tree range is not new to me as I tried it out a few years ago but I found the scent a little too overpowering so I passed it over to my sister. I know many people love Tea Tree scent but I was not a fan at all. Fast forward a year or so later, an exciting parcel from Body Shop arrived which contained their improved Tea Tree range. I was a little sceptical at first because I thought I may not like the scent but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was not as overpowering as the previous version. I was sent three products from the range which include the Skin Clearing Facial Wash*, the 3-in-1 Wash, Scrub and Mask* and the Tea Tree Oil*. Incidentally, I was also breaking out around that period so these babies arrived at a really good time so I could see if they worked as effectively as they claimed.



I fell in love with the ones I was sent and purchased two other products so I could fully test the range. The two other products were the Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner and the Anti-Imperfection Daily Lotion and they work so well together. The good thing is they are very affordable and are included in the usual Body Shop discounts. I am aware that some products particularly the newer launches are excluded from discounts which is such a bummer. I was so happy when the sales assistant said the Tea Tree range was part of the discount and at that time it was 40% so it was amazing value for money. Right let me get back to the review...

Packaging
I am totally loving what Body Shop is doing with their packaging as they look so beautiful and more expensive than they actually are. I know it's silly but beautiful packaging always lure me in to purchase (and use) a product and when it is paired with good quality, it's incredible. I think the previous packaging of the Tea Tree range has always been green which is usually the colour I always see associated with Tea Tree. Body Shop opted for a deep leaf green shade which I love as it contrasts well with the white detailing on the packaging. I absolutely love the Anti-Imperfection Daily Lotion because it is a glass bottle with a pipette that works well. Honestly, anything with a pipette has my heart and I just love using it every chance I have. The Tea Tree Oil also comes in a small glass bottle with a stopper that prevents waste (as only a drop comes out as you need it). The only complaint I have is that the Tea Tree Toner and Facial Wash have almost the same packaging so it could get confusing if they are beside each other in the bathroom. I wished one had a different lid colour or anything that could distinguish it from the other. Other than that, I think the new packaging is fantastic.


Brief Overview of the Tea Tree Range
I am sure everyone knows that Tea Tree has many benefits for the skin and the body in general but it is widely known for its blemish busting properties. Tea Tree Oil is one of the world's best researched essential oils especially as it is an antibacterial. In line with the Body Shop's Enrich Not Exploit campaign,  Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil is concentrated with the pure organic essential tea tree oil sustainably sourced from the foothills of Mount Kenya. I know Tea Tree can be found from many sources but when it comes from the purest and organic sources, it works even more effectively as it's not adulterated. I have tried other tea tree oils and they are not as good as the Body Shop's one based on my experience. The Body Shop Tea Tree range is designed for anyone who has oily skin and is prone to blemishes and blackheads with an aim to achieve  clearer looking skin (which we all want). 



Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash //Link // £5.50
I was really pleased to see this facial wash included in the Press sample they sent me. I don't think I have tried any facial wash with tea tree so this was a first for me. Body Shop describes it as a daily use wash for blemish prone skin which promises clearer skin. It is a gel formula which is my preferred formula for cleansers and my skin type. It has a medium texture and gives a good lather depending on how wet your face is. I find that when my face is just damp, it really has a good lather compared to when it is almost dripping wet. I have used it on its own and with my cleansing devices (Foreo Luna and Magnitone Bare Faced Cleansing Brush) and both ways work well but I prefer using it with my cleansing devices. It has the usual tea tree scent but it is not as intense as the other products. I find that it really helps to calm my spots and sometimes I let it sit for a while before washing it off. In terms of cleaning my skin, I would say it does a good job and it does not leave my skin feeling stripped which I am pleased about. I think many people will love this wash and it's affordable. For £5.50, you get 250 ml of product which will last a pretty long time.



Tea Tree Mattifying Toner // Link //£5.50
I was instantly drawn to this toner when I saw that it is a mattifying one because my skin is normally combination but goes crazily oily in Summer. Body Shop describe this as a refreshing toner for blemished skin to give a matte, shine-free finish. Its key ingredient is Tea Tree and one of its other ingredient is Alcohol Denat which made me a little cautious. It does smell quite intense of both ingredients but it is one that I am quite used to now so I don't notice it as such. It is recommended to give it a good shake as it has some white powder ingredient at the bottom which needs to be mixed to work well. I thought this white powder ingredient was Salicylic acid but I checked the ingredient list and it's not listed so I am going to find out what it is an update you all (if you do know, please leave a comment below). If you have active or angry blemishes, this toner will sting (for a little while) but it won't if the spots are not angry or red. I do have to say it does not dry my skin out which surprised me seeing that it had alcohol in it. However, it still manages to keep my skin quite matte which is my preferred finish especially for mornings. I used this straight for almost a month and I think it really helped clear up my skin. If you have very sensitive skin, I will suggest asking for a little sample at Body Shop first to see how well your skin can handle it. However, I will highly recommend it because it really works so well.




Tea Tree 3-in1 Wash, Scrub & Mask //Link //£8
This is also part of the newly launched Tea Tree range and I was keen to see how well it works as a wash, scrub and mask. Body Shop describes it as a clean and mean multi-tasking cleanser made with Kaolin Clay, Volcanic Minerals and Tea Tree Oil. I know it has other ingredients but I believe these are the key ones. It has some tiny granules that help with manual exfoliation but I am not a fan of manual exfoliation especially when my face is breaking out. I did try it out in the three recommended ways but I enjoyed it mostly as a mask. As a cleanser, it was actually good and the granules were not abrasive but I prefer gel formulas so I can use my cleansing devices. It is recommended not to use any cleansers with granules with a cleansing brush or the FOREO Luna. As a scrub, I actually like the way it applies and gives the skin a good exfoliation but I prefer to use chemical exfoliator rather than a physical/manual one. As a mask, this is where the beauty of this product shines through. It applies very smoothly and I add an extra layer to my cheeks which is where I tend to get spots. I leave it on for at least 15 minutes or more if I have time. When I wash it off, my skin feels quite soft with less angry spots. The Kaolin Clay and the Tea Tree Oil seem to get rid of all the gunk and infuse some antibacterial (tea tree's property) into any angry areas. I always look forward to using this mask and I even did an Insta Story with it on my face. I find it really similar to the Una Brennan Salicylic Clay Mask however the Body Shop one does not sting as much as the Una Brennan one (thank goodness for that).




Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution// Link //£12
Now this was the one product I really wanted to try because I had seen snippets of it on Body Shop's Instagram page as it was a new launch. It is described as a lightweight, fast absorbing serum which is infused with the Body Shop's 100% Community Trade tea tree oil. I already mentioned that it has such a beautiful packaging and I honestly can't believe it's only £12 (much less with their usual discounts). True to its description, it is a lightweight product which applies and absorbs easily. The pipette/dropper allows you dispense the right amount you need and that's my favourite detail about the packaging. Once you apply it on the skin, it sinks in really quickly but it does not disappear. It feels slightly tacky for a few seconds and moves into a demi matte finish which prepares my skin for the rest of my skincare. It's just the extra step my skin needs and I use it just like a serum (which it is although it is called a solution). I thought the tea tree scent will be intense in this product but I was pleasantly surprised that it's not as bad as I thought. Paired with the Tea Tree Oil, I found that my spots were much reduced and I was not breaking out as much despite eating a lot of cheese (my new obsession which I have reduced now). If you just want to buy one product from the range, I will highly recommend this one. I feel it will be suitable for all skin types but people with combination/oily skin will love this because of its mattifying (but not drying/stripping) properties.

Tea Tree Oil //Link //£8.00
But who can resist this dinky bottle? Not me though!! I love how tiny the bottle is and I love how travel friendly it is. As the name suggests, it is contains only Tea Tree Oil but not any regular one. This little bottle contains 100% Organic Tea Tree Oil sustainably sourced from the Kenyan Mountains. It is one of Body Shop's best seller and I can see why. It works so effectively and can be applied both as a spot treatment or as an all over face oil. I was very surprised to see that it does not feel like an oil at all. It feels like a water based serum that applies very smoothly to the skin. This is the one product that has the most intense smell which comes as no surprise as it's only made from Tea Tree Oil. It has a minty (peppermint-y) feel on the skin that feels quite cooling/refreshing once applied. I actually enjoy using it as an all over the face oil to treat any breakouts and prevent any future ones. It can also be used day and night but I just prefer to use it at night. Together with the Anti-Imperfection Solution, it will be quite difficult for any future spots to show up and any existing ones disappear after a sort while. Sometimes, any existing spots disappear the next day after I have applied it at night. Other times, the spots are reduced by about 75% the morning after and completely gone by the next day or so. I honestly don't mind as far as it gets cleared within two days, I am happy about that. It's a really precious bottle with a nice lid and stopper which makes travelling with it a breeze.

Where to Buy
Body Shop products can only be bought from Body Shop stores or online on their website. I never buy their products full price because they always have amazing offers and discounts which you can find on their website or if you have signed up to their emails. I paid a little over £10 for both the Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution and Tea Tree Toner. Again, I am very delighted that the range is included in their discount/offers so hurry up while there are still on.


Overall Thoughts
I really like the whole range and I have seen many good benefits from using a complete skincare regimen. The products work together to ensure the skin is blemish free, smooth and clear. I am also impressed with the range's mattifying property that I am tempted to buy the day and night lotions as a prep before my makeup. I can't even choose my favourites but if I was forced to, I would pick the Anti-Imperfection Solution, Tea Tree Oil and the 3-in-1 Wash, Mask and Scrub. That's pretty much it from me. Have you tried the Body Shop Tea Tree range?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here