Ancienne Ambiance Colonia VIII

Everyone needs a signature scent— period. Finding a personal fragrance that can transition from day to night or season to season can be quite a mission, but we at The Amazing Blog think we have got you covered. And as much as we love discovering new brands to fall in love with, there are some things, like a signature scent, that have us reaching back to brands we already know and trust. We keep returning to Ancienne Ambiance because we adore how luxurious their products are, like the Goddess Argan Hand and Body Wash and Beauty Oil. They are an artisan brand inspired by the ancient world and winner of the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2017, and we know that the unisex sweet fig blend of the Colonia VIII Perfume EDP will hit every note on your must-have list. 

The fig tree has a long, sacred past. With roots in Greek and Roman mythology to a symbol of enlightenment in Buddhism, this little fruit has made its mark on history. Ancienne Ambiance specialises in crafting niche fragrances inspired by the ancient cultures that started it all. The Colonia VIII scent honours the art of perfumery, as each perfume is bottled with the finest ingredients in limited quantities in France, all in a stunning 100ml glass column bottle that is sure to make you feel as lavish as Cleopatra. The fragrance has its base notes rooted in the warmth of sandalwood, its heart notes rounded in coconut, and the top notes have light, natural green notes that will follow you around throughout your busy day. Everyone will stop you just to ask what you're wearing: trust us, we know from experience. 

Want to make sure your scent lasts all day? Apply it to your pulse points or the inner wrist and elbow, behind your ears and knees, and at the base of the neck. Mist it on your clothes and hair as well and avoid rubbing the scent into your skin, as it makes the fragrance fade faster.
You can purchase the Colonia VIII Perfume here for £60.

Perfume Feature - Friday Favourites

Scent is the strongest trigger of memories, therefore at The Amazing Blog the scents that waft through the office are making us dream of summer days gone by and serving as a lovely reminder of the warmer weather that is to come. This Friday we have put together three of our favourite perfumes to enjoy this summer!

Prodigieux le parfum by Nuxe is the Parisian pick of the bunch, combining orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla to create a truly lovely, summery perfume. The fragrance is based on the well-known Nuxe Huile Prodigieux, and has people reminiscing of beach holidays. With its long lasting scent, it is the perfect fragrance to be worn during the day in the warmer months.  

Find Prodigieux le parfum here for £43.50.

The most exotic of the three, Islah by Ayesha Ziya is a luxurious mix of fruity and spicy scents, making for a warm and provocative perfume perfect for balmy nights. The perfume stood out to us due to its unique base note of Oud, a rare and rich woody fragrance. Softer scents of citrus and rosemary bring energy to the product. For strong, confident women who desire a perfume as distinct as themselves, Islah is the perfect fit.    

Snap up a bottle of Islah here for £76.00.

LUA natural perfume (Portuguese for moon) is launching this summer and has been developed by Nadia Narain, yoga teacher to celebrities such as Kate Moss and Lara Stone. Based upon her love of rose and her preference for natural essential oils over synthetic fragrances, Nadia has developed Lua alongside renowned aromatherapist Michelle Roques-O’Neil. The luxurious mix of geranium and blood orange with wild and Persian rose has us dreaming of fine days in an English rose garden. A beautiful gift for ladies who appreciate a sophisticated, yet natural, perfume, or for someone wishing to treat themselves!

Lua can be purchased online here for £58.00.

The Perfume Bible

Working in an office full of women, I often hear about the importance of fragrance. Perfume is said to add a personal signature and a final touch to an elegant outfit. In short, it's a powerful way to make a statement. 

When you’re walking through the crowded London streets, it's hard not to stop and take a whiff of the variety of fragrances around you. However, have you ever stopped to think about the art of perfume? If The Amazing Blog has sparked your curiosity, then go pick up The Perfume Bible by Josephine Fairley and Lorna McKay and learn a thing or two about that scent you put on your body everyday.

The Perfume Bible is your ultimate guide to the world of fragrance. It captures the romance and beauty of perfumery in an informative way that will deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of your favourite perfume bottle.

Josephine Farley, a best-selling author, teamed up with Lorna McKay, the leading fragrance and former Harrods/Liberty fragrance buyer, to create this beautifully-illustrated and comprehensive guide to scent. Packed with insider information from the world’s leading experts and interviews with some of the greatest international perfumes, this book brings together everything you need to know about perfume, including guidance on which ‘scent family’ you’re attracted to, the art of shopping for fragrance, and a run-down of the 100 Perfumes to Try Before You Die.

If you’re a perfume addict or simply a curious person, then get online  and purchase the book for £20 or walk to the nearest bookstore and buy it for £25.

Lindsey's Christmas Wish List

This the season to eat, drink and be merry! Like most, Christmas time is one of my favourite times of the year. During the holiday season, I truly enjoy indulging in the most pleasurable pastimes: eating sweets, browsing for new beauty products and attending fabulous holiday parties. Although I’ve already been out and about shopping for the perfect gifts to give to my friends and family, I have compiled a small list of some things I would love to see in my stocking this season. Whether it be food, skincare or make-up, these products would make the end of 2014 nearly perfect.

The holidays are just the right time to allow yourself a few extra sweets than usual. Thankfully, Merangz is offering a limited edition gift pack of tasty treats for Christmas. The Christmas Decadence Bites package features a selection of six festive flavours: brandy soaked fruit Christmas Pudding, Irish Whisky Gold, Dark Chocolate and Sicilian Orange, Vanilla Sherry Trifle, Chocolate and Cherry and finally, Peppermint Dark Chocolate.

Though my go-to choice for a bite-sized sweet is usually a macaroon, I was pleasantly surprised with the unique flavour selection this company was offering for the holidays so I decided to give Merangz a try. My initial reaction after trying these treats was shock—I did not expect them to taste so light and airy! The mallowy centre allows the treats to be enjoyed with no regrets. I did not feel guilty after eating them because unlike most sweets, they didn’t taste so heavy. The unique flavours and delicious taste of this collection made it impossible to just have one. Treat yourself this Christmas or purchase Merangz as a gift for a loved one online for £5.95 per box.

Holidays mean one thing and one thing only…party time! This season, I’m planning on attending a number Christmas parties, along with a big New Years celebration. When it comes to themed parties, I like to go all out with my make-up. My make-up routine for special occasions usually consists of a bold smokey eye paired with a bold lip. This year, I am looking for a lip brand that is chic, affordable and long lasting. Luckily, Couleur Caramel sent us samples of lipstick, because one I tried this product I knew I had found my New Year lip shade. Take a look at the lipstick along with a range of other make-up products on the Couleur Caramel website.

Though the end result is fabulous, taking all of my make-up at the end of a long night tends to be a pain. Sometimes, I even fall asleep with it on! This unfortunately causes irritation around my eyes, which is why I’ve included Dry Eye Gel on my wish list. This product is a natural gel that includes a plant extract of Cardiospermum which is sure to soothe and heal any unwanted irritation. The gel has been tested on those who suffer from eye allergies as well, making the development of the product extremely gentle with the skin, which I find essential for around the eye skincare. Dry Eye Gel costs £6.95 for the 15ml and is available from Skinshop. 

Another product which I'm always on the lookout for at this time of year is the perfect perfume. We were so excited when The Perfume Studio sent us this Design Your Own Fragrance - The Ultimate Collection set. No longer will I have to hunt for my favourite fragrance - with this thoughtful kit, I can just make it myself! The set contains a collection of base, middle and top note scents, as well as pipettes, an atomiser and a beautiful perfume bottle. With the huge range of aromas to pick from, including Amber base notes, and Fruity top notes I can make a bespoke fragrance for any occasion. You can buy The Perfume Studio's beautiful Design Your Own Fragrance - The Ultimate Collection here for £95.

Sarah's Christmas Wish List

It’s the most wonderful time of the year here at The Amazing Blog and I for one am having a fantastic time putting together Christmas lists for myself and my loved ones. Aside from the mouth watering food, gift giving is my favourite part of the holiday season. I love the feeling that finding the perfect present brings, and the excitement of handing it over to be opened on Christmas Day! With this in mind, here’s my list of the best gifts for friends and family this Christmas.

As soon as I set eyes on Nanshy's beautiful make-up brush collection, they shot straight to the top of my Christmas list. My particular favourite was the Large Shader Brush. Densly packed bristles make it easy to pile on the pigment, giving the power to create effortless shadow looks. I’m a huge fan of a smoky eye, so I praise any tool that will make the job easier. The PETA approved brushes have super soft synthetic bristles that feel like heaven on your skin!  The brushes are available to buy here, along with the rest of the wonderful brush range, with the shader brush costing £5.95. They would make the perfect gift for any make-up lover this Christmas.

If make-up isn’t your cup of tea, then maybe skincare will be at the top of your list. Sensational skincare brand Spiezia Organics has a great range of products, and I think that skincare fanatics would be super pleased to see their Body Softening Oil tucked under the Christmas tree. The beautiful blend of almond oil, Mandarin and Geranium essential oils is certainly a great way to maintain velvety, glowing skin come Christmas Day. Spiezia Organics also recommends this as a massage oil, perfect for relaxing over the holiday break! You can buy the oil here for £23.95.

Less about under the Christmas tree, and more about the beauty buys amongst its branches. I love the recent trend for tree trinkets from well known beauty brands. Decorating your tree with all manner of beauty products seems like a wonderful idea to me, with the added bonus of a few little treats when it’s time for the tree to come down! As fragrance is always a fail-safe gift, one of my favourite decorative presents this year is this adorable selection of perfumes from Ted Baker. The collection of mini fragrances includes 960, W, Woman and K20. All the beautiful scents look delightful on the tree, and are great for popping in your handbag for freshening up on the go once Christmas is over. The Hanging Treats are available to buy here for £23.

Of course, chocolate is always a welcome treat come Christmas time, and The Chicken Shed offer a scrumptious range of raw chocolate treats, the perfect snack to peck at during the season of overindulgence. Organic, and with no added sugar (it’s sweetened with raw forest honey), it’s a healthy alternative to your Cadbury’s morsels, taking away a little of the Christmas guilt! The flavour we really loved was Persian Blue Salt; the perfect blend of sweet and salty, but I’d be delighted if the Double Orange flavour turned up in my Christmas stocking. You can buy the bars here for £3.25, or from their high street stockists here.