She's perfection personified but she keeps a superior eye on all the latest beauty products for you, the humble reader.
Dear Santa...
By
No comments
OK so it’s official – we can talk about Christmas and not be faced with tutting or pained expressions from frugal festive fellows.
But before I launch into gifts I’d like Santa to leave under the tree for me (that’s another blog altogether), I want to talk seasonal ambience.
Lately my love for candles has grown from a small flame into a roaring fire and I can’t get enough of them. Maybe it’s to do with my new dwellings but there’s barely a night that goes by when I don’t spark up at least three brightly burning waxworks.
It's another indulgent extension of the beauty world and up until the run-up to Christmas I’ve been filling the room with a blend of fragrant flames including Rituals’ Jasmine Dream, Neal’s Yard Remedies Balancing Aromatherapies Candle and Diptyque’s Roses, but now we’re counting down to Christmas I’ve upped the scents a notch and last night unwrapped three new beauties that will sit beside my tree infusing the atmosphere with wondrous winter scents!
First up on the mantelpiece is NEOM’s Christmas Wish candle made up of cinnamon, ginger, mandarin and tonka bean notes. Completely organic and using essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances the result is an enveloping, cosy aroma that doesn’t smell artificial or overly sweet – just rich and wintery. Taking pride of place, the gorgeous golden glass packaging certainly adds to its desirability too (as does the promised 20 hour burning time)!
Also putting in an appearance is Jonathan Ward’s Kartushya candle inspired by Russia and presented in a Christmassy ruby red glass. Definitely a more masculine fragrance owing to the black pepper, cedar wood and rosemary, this one will definitely keep your man happy if he recoils at the sight of home fragrances.
And then there’s Annick Goutal’s super special Noel. Like a whiff of pine trees and mandarin every time you sweep by, it brings the outdoors in – perfect for if you’re not plumping for a real Christmas tree this season!
The only one not gracing the hearth – and trust me, it’s on my wishlist - is Jo Malone’s new limited edition Roasted Chestnut candle. A follow-up to the cult Pine & Eucalyptus, I’ve got 24 days to get my mitts on one before its back to fresher fragrances for the New Year.
NEOM’s Christmas Wish candle, £40, www.neomorganics.com, Kartushya candle, £25, www.jonathanwardlondon.com and Annick Goutal, £31.45, www.feelunique.com
