*Ancienne Ambiance: Luxury Soaps

*Gifted for Review as a huge fan of Award Winning Ancienne Ambiance I was delighted to try their four new soap scents* - Adriatica Fig, Ambra Amber, Bacca Berry and Neroli. These soaps are the height of luxury, with exquisite scents, a rich and creamy lather and I love the fact they're multi-use too - use on hands, face and body! You can build your own bespoke soap set for £24 which comes in a luxe box. 

The 100g soaps are traditionally hand crafted, imprinted with the Ancienne Ambiance logo with have 100% recyclable packaging. These soaps are the ones you need in your stash - deeply nourishing and which leave your skin delicately scented, soft and feeling nourished.

The four new soaps in the range are - Bacca (below) which has juicy and sweet berry notes. Neroli is mood boosting and floral. Ambra, is as the name suggests is sweet, warm and exotic. Adriatica has a fresh fig aroma with floral woodiness. These soaps are outstanding and I highly recommend that you buy! £24 for 4, or £6 each. See my previous review of the soaps HERE.

*Ancienne Ambiance: Special Edition Tuberosa Tuberose Scented Candle

*gifted I was gifted a gorgeous Special Edition, Award Winning Tuberosa Tuberose Ancienne Ambiance Scented Candle recently (£44 - 200g) which has a burn time of 60-65 hours. It also featured in my recent Christmas Gift Guide.

I absolutely adore the Tuberosa Tuberose scent - creamy and deeply floral with intoxicating tuberose flowers. It really is a delight. I had the real pleasure of trying the matching tealights the minute they launched. I met founder, Adriana at the London store during a visit to London. She's lovely! She also very kindly gave me some treats to take away! See my post HERE.

burn for 2-3 hours to get an even burn & prevent tunnelling - I took this photo just about immediately after I'd lit it.

I'm looking forward to continuing to burn this deeply aromatic and gorgeous candle. The scent just lasts and lasts. The throw is absolutely fantastic (I can still smell it the next day). Each candle is hand poured in the UK using a slow burning wax blend with a lead free wick. The special labels pay homage to the artistry of ancient Roman mosaics.

The glass candle pot can be reused, recycled or returned to Ancienne Ambiance who will for every 6 returned candle glasses give you a free candle in return!

What are your favourite products from the range?

*Christmas Gift Guide: The Rose Tree, Beatitude, Ancienne Ambiance, ION-Sei, Tropic Skincare, Petits Rituels, Heka Aromatherapy, Bubu Skincare

marked*productsample there are tons of lovely gift sets and candles for gifting this year. You can see my top picks below:

This gorgeous Soothing Aromatherapy Gift Set* (£39) from The Rose Tree is the ultimate treat for soothing and relaxing - perfect for some me-time after the busy run up to Christmas. Inside you'll find a gorgeous heart shaped bottle of their Geranium, Cypress & Lavender Bath & Body Oil 30ml and a matching duo in the form of Soothing Body oil 30ml and Soothing Aromatherapy Roller Ball 10ml. It's the perfect gift to relax and enjoy some down time (I've got a lovely giveaway upcoming in collab with The Rose Tree so keep your eyes peeled!)

Beatitude's Winter Comfort Candle* (300g - £30) is one of the nicest "Christmas" inspired candles I've tried so far this year. See my review HERE. Staying with the brand a cheaper but just as nice option (makes a great Secret Santa gift) is their Body Oil Christmas Bauble* (£12) REVIEW.

I had the real pleasure of meeting Ancienne Ambiance's founder, Adriana during one of our trips to London and visiting the gorgeous shop. She very kindly gifted me the then, new Beauty Shortlist Award Winning Tuberosa Tuberose Tealight Set. I was absolutely over-the-moon and then some to recently be gifted a full size Special Edition Tuberosa Tuberose Scented Candle* (£44 - 200g) which has 60-65 hours burn time. I love anything rosey and this scent really packs a punch with rich and creamy tuberose blooms - totally decadent and quite wonderful. A review is forthcoming! I do believe this would be a perfect gift for a candle and fragrance lover this Christmas.

I received Skin Alchemist's Midnight's Serenade Intensive Skin Treatment (120g - £36) in my one-off October Natural Beauty Box. This treatment candle is an absolute delight. I love everything about it, the scent (rose de mai, jasmine and orange), the gentle and calming scent when burning and the feel of deliciousness when the warm butters touch your skin. It's housed in a re-usable pouring vessel which has been designed by Sue Pryke. This is the luxurious treat you realise you need in your life always upon first try. A review is to come!

A new toothbrush! I've been testing out ION-Sei's Sonic Electric Toothbrush* (£129.99) which you can buy at Amazon and selected retailers. The toothbrush was a Pure Beauty Global Awards Finalist 2019. 

"ION-Sei has patented technology: Whereas most electric toothbrushes only remove some of the plaque and harmful bacteria, ionic technology actually helps to suppress the bacteria causing plaque too.The ION-Sei electric toothbrush uses an Ultra Violet (UV) LED light that reacts with a Titanium Dioxide bar in the brush handle, to create ions that suppress the bacteria that cause plaque.The negative electrons are sent to your mouth via water or saliva. Although ION-Sei uses advanced technology, it harnesses nature using "water and light".ION-Sei also works with your body's natural electrical charge through a conductor on the handle, producing a weak charge that inhibits bacterial growth and helps to attract bacteria from teeth onto the brush".

I've been very impressed with it's performance and a review is forthcoming! It'd make an ideal Christmas gift.

There's a huge array of covetable gifts at Tropic Skincare. Perfect to get your feet in tip top condition is their A Walk on the Beach Collection* (£24) which contains everything you need for pampering your feet. The polishing foot pebble is fantastic! Also inside is their Ocean Fizz and Repairing Foot Remedy. Another option is their new in, Mini Complexion Trio - I chose Fresh Faced* which contains three 5ml minis: Fruit Peel Resurfacing Serum (REVIEW) and the two new serums - Rainforest Dew Hydration Serum and Glow Berry Brightening Serum - I'm looking forward to trying these (this set costs £18 for 3 mini products).

From Petits Rituels I've been enjoying their exquisite Aromatherapy Candle in Orange Gourmande* which gives a double hit of fragrance with its double wicks. This really is a treat for creating a soothing and welcoming ambiance. The double wick candles cost £36 with 40hrs burn time (200g). Look out for their Black Friday deals too! A review is forthcoming but rest assured, this candle is gorgeous!

From totally new-to-me brand Heka Aromatherapy is two of their hand-blended pulse point oils*. They'd make the perfect gift or stocking filler. These retail at £12.95 each and a review is coming - they're gorgeous!

Rounding up my gift ideas are Bubu Skincare's fun sheet masks* which are single use with tongue-in-cheek names. Retail prices is £5-£7 so they make an excellent small gift for any skin loving friend. There are five bespoke masks in the range which as well as being fun deal with real skincare issues such as hydration, exfoliation, anti-blemish, anti-pollution and lip plumping. I'm looking forward to trying these out!

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

*Giveaway: Ancienne Ambiance Goddess Argan Beauty Oil to Celebrate it's 10th Anniversary! - it's over!

*gifted for giveaway I've got a really special giveaway for one of my readers. You could win a bottle of the glorious Award Winning Limited Edition Pink Goddess Argan Beauty Oil (100ml - £40). See my review last month HERE. All you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter below (this is a UK giveaway). Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Ancienne Ambiance: 10th Anniversary: Goddess Argan Beauty Oil

*gifted/AD Ancienne Ambiance's Award Winning Goddess Argan Beauty Oil (100ml - £40) has turned pink to celebrate it's 10th Anniversary. The company were ahead of their game bringing this luxurious oil to their customers long before Argan oil became popular.

It's a beautiful multi-use blend of rare organic Argan, Grapeseed and Squalane oils with a delicious, slightly exotic amber scent.

As you'll know I adore a multi-use product and this one really does it all! 

To use: as a face oil - apply 5-6 drops to the fingertips and massage over the face and neck AM and PM. As a cleansing oil - gently massage a small amount onto the face before removing with a warmed damp cloth. Apply liberally to the hands, body and cuticles and as a scalp and hair treatment - massage onto the scalp to moisturise and soothe, use as a pre-shampoo hair treatment and to tame flyaways. 

A fantastic product which I highly recommend. Here's to the next 10!

Ancienne Ambiance: Colonia IV EdT

I've had the real pleasure of trying the glorious and uplifting Colonia IV EdT (100ml - £60)* from Ancienne Ambiance's exquisite niche perfume collection. Each perfume is presented in a glass column bottle and nestled in a luxury handcrafted box.

Colonia IV won an award from Biteable Beauty in 2016. The perfumes are created and handcrafted in small quantities in France using the finest ingredients.

The perfume is predominantly citrus and suitable for everyday wear. It'll take you on a journey "to the citrus crop fields of Southern Italy". With top notes of Italian Lemon, Red Tangerine, Brazilian Sweet Orange and Italian Bergamot, a heart of French Lavender and Orange Blossom with bases notes of Tonka Bean and White Musc. It's beautifully refreshing with floral tones and a little bit of depth in the base notes.

Apply liberally to wrists, inside elbows, behind the ears and at the base of the neck. It can also be sprayed onto a scarf or hairbrush for scented notes throughout the day.

Pick your perfumes up HERE.

*complimentary

October: Lately I've Been Loving

So many October loves! We were in London for the American Football at the beginning of the month and we shopped, ate out, drank cocktails and met up with friends, Nardin and Sam.

Hubby treated me to a bottle of my favourite Jo Loves Pomelo (see my review HERE). I also tried the fragrance paintbrush and have dropped some hints for Christmas (I'd love it in Pomelo). So good for use on the go instead of lugging the 50ml bottle around with me.

I picked up a Stella Says Rosewood & Geranium Hand Rescue Balm at Maltby Street Market (and Stella popped a little treat in - her best-selling Lavender & Chamomile Lip Rescue Balm*. Expect a review of this duo soon!

We were staying at our favourite London Hotel - Taj St James Court Hotel and they very kindly upgraded us to a Executive King which was a lovely spacious room. 

It was great to visit Shay & Blue again, and get to try out all the new perfumes. The friendliest welcome was from Adriana at Ancienne Ambiance it was so, so lovely to meet her (and she very generously gave me some treats to take away). The Tuberosa Tuberose Tea-Light candles launched on Thursday - they are gorgeous! With a really good throw and a 6hr burn time each.

The shop I was most disappointed in was one I was keen to visit. As you'll know I had a Bloom Perfumery perfume subscription for two years and I'm a huge fan of the shop. The assistant couldn't have cared less and I felt like I was annoying her speaking to her.  So not a good experience!

A Little Bird Gin Negroni is a must at Maltby Street Market oh and I loved a Rose & Lavender G&T at Tuttons Covent Garden.

The American Football was very disappointing but I did pick up a pretty necklace from an American girl in the bar beforehand! (the guys were all jealous haha).

We went to local Edinburgh Gastropub, The Ox and my two standout dishes were a divine Avocado Houmous with pitta bread and Chocolate, fruit and nut brownie with rum & raisin ice cream. Looking forward to going back!

I attended the brilliant Portobello Book Festival and heard some amazing authors speak. Oh course I had to get a signed book or two! (and The Angel in the Stone is brilliant!)

I've been trying more and more artisan candles and this one by Samuel & Paris is just divine. It's got a gentle seaside scent and a woodwick. Love!

The usem note cards* are such a clever invention. They slip easily inside your wallet or pocket and are fab for jotting down a quick note or shopping list.

What have you been loving in October?

*complimentary

Current Favourite Scents

I adore smaller size perfumes and rollerballs, the 15ml or less variety and the ones above I keep reaching for again and again.

One I've talked about time and time again on here is Diptyque's Philosykos EdT (12ml) which for me smells of summer on the Greek islands. It just takes me back!

I'm a huge kai fan and I always have this tiny roller-ball (4ml) of perfume oil in my stash. It is tropical beaches with lush fragrant gardenia and spiked with green notes.

From Bamford - One Evening Splash (10ml) which is blended to scent the whole body and contains notes of woodsmoke, vetiver, incense, cedar, musk and oakmoss. Pick it up at Naturisimo.

I love 4160Tuesdays perfumes. They are just so artisan - handmade with love, care and passion. My absolute favourite if I had to choose is the lemongrass spiked London 1969 (I've gone through countless bottles since I found it). Check it out HERE.

The first Jo Malone perfume I bought was grapefruit cologne (love the classic layer with Lime, Basil & Mandarin) and I'll always love it. Refreshing, bright and zingy.

Last December, Santal33 EdP 15ml by Le Labo was in one of the drawers of the Liberty Advent Calendar last year. It's a beautiful blend freshly formulated with notes of leather, iris, violet, cardamon, ambrox, musk, sandalwood, cedar and woods. It's one of my favourite handbag (or pocket) sized scents.

Laura Mercier's Tart au Citron 15ml EdT which I reviewed HERE. It really is a beautiful gourmand scent.

My final two are by the gorgeous Ancienne Ambiance - Colonia VI* which has notes of orange, lemon, blackcurrant and geranium which is sweet and delicious. See my review HERE. Also from Ancienne Ambiance is Colonia VII which is figgy with greens and woods. See my review HERE.

Do we share any favourites?

*complimentary

Ancienne Ambiance: Colonia IX & VII

I've had the real pleasure of trying out two new perfume samples* from Ancienne Ambiance (and, you've probably guessed it, I love them both). You can see my thoughts on perfumes IV, VI and VII here.

The two samples above are from the new EdP range - Colonia IX and Colonia VIII.

The range is niche and produced in limited numbers. They are blended in France in small batches using the finest ingredients. If you buy either of these perfumes you'll receive them full size (100ml - £60). The perfumes are presented in a glass column bottle in a hand crafted luxury gift box. (you can see images of the full size bottles HERE).

Colonia IX* is from the Woody Oriental family and is beautiful. It cocoons and comforts. It has top notes of bergamot, cardamon and lavender with a heart of white flowers and a base of sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli and white musk.

Use on pulse points - wrist, behind ears, elbow, at the base of the neck, behind knees. You can also spray on your brush before brushing your hair.

I'm also in love with Colonia VIII* which is from the Sweet Woody family. I'm a huge fan of fig scents and this is up there with my favourite from Dipytque. It has sweet fig notes, with greens and wood and is so wearable!  Use as above.

Have you tried any scents from Ancienne Ambiance?

*complimentary

November: Lately I've been Loving

The arrival of my Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar. I had lots of stresses regarding delivery and customer services weren't the best.  It is lovely but it will be my one and only online order from Liberty. The calendar itself is beautiful and the contents super luxe. Roll on 1st December!

My Love Me Beauty picks from The #Nightfall Edit included a second Kat Von D lipstick mini (1.2g). I absolutely love the shade magick - so wearable! My other picks were two Caudalie Hand Creams (each 30ml) and Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm (25ml). I also adore that make up bag it's so cute! 

Get £21 worth of credit if you use my code SANDR174.

My gin baubles arrived from Pickering's Gin each one is filled with 50ml of gin! Can't wait until I get my Christmas tree! (if they last that long!)

I swithered about getting the recent Cult Goody Bag - buying 3 Christmas presents softened the blow a bit! As ever the goody bag is jam packed full of beautiful things to try.

This book called Reunions by Chris Porsz is one of the most amazing things! He took photos in the 70s, 80s, and 90s in Peterborough and revisits the locations and people and takes the photo again in the current day. It's a must read. Every picture really does tell a story..pick yours up HERE.

I won tickets on a twitter competition to Edinburgh Foodies Festival - thanks again My Little Black Book! We had a great time sampling delicious food and drinks - some things which caught my eye (and tastebuds) - Narcissus Flowers, Loch Ness Gin, Mademoiselle Macaron (the rose ones are my favourite!) and Aelder Elixir. Roll on the summer one!

I've been testing out two new perfumes* from Ancienne Ambiance which are absolutely gorgeous - Colonia IX EdP which is a woody oriental and Colonia VIII EdP which is sweet/woody. Expect a full review shortly - I absolutely love both of them.

What have you been loving this month?

*complimentary