Marc Jacobs Oh Lola! Sunsheer
Having not smelt the original version of this (which I should – note to self!), this is one of my current favourites; I’m zipping through this bottle so fast, I’d better think about grabbing another before they’re gone!
Marc Jacobs Oh Lola! Sunsheer
This is super-fruity, without being sweet and sickly! It’s very light and refreshing – just the thing on a hot day!
Top notes are (most definitely!!) pear, raspberry and wild strawberry. It does have a base of vanilla and sandalwood – which seem to be a winner when combined with most fruity notes.
It doesn’t last long – around two hours. But it is meant to be light; too heavy and I don’t think I could wear it all day.
Marc Jacobs Oh Lola! Sunsheer is available now at £47 for 50ml (ouch!).
This super-duper BB Cream promises to “revitalize, protect and even skin tone”. The texture can be likened to a gel-cream consistency; it almost feels cooling on the skin. It also contains natural mineral sunscreen (SPF 25) and is oil-free too.
I was really looking forward to trying the new BB cream from Clarins; I LOVE their skincare products and ADORE their treatment fragrances. Unfortunately, the shade of this BB Cream let it down so much, that I simply couldn’t wear it! 
Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream
Whilst I could potentially wear this as a warming skin-tint / liquid bronzer, it’s just far, far too dark for all-over application. The insane thing is that this is the lightest shade – 01!!!
Even blended, I couldn’t get it to merge with my skin without looking obvious.
Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream in 01 Light
Granted the skin on my inside arm is pale, but it’s a good representation of the skin on my face (yes: I really am that pasty!).
It’s such a shame as this ticks SO many boxes for me. It’s just the colour that lets it down
Maybe you’ll have better luck.
Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream £28 for 45 ml. Available in three shades: Light 01, Medium 02 and Dark 03.
Hands down, this generous sized bottle from YSL has to be the bargain of the summer! The original YSL Paris (in existence since 1983) is a heady floral mix of wild roses (top note) and lily of the valley - a combo I found to be too heavy for day-wear.
YSL Paris Premieres Roses
Oddly enough, YSL Paris was the first ever perfume I purchased with my own money! I was aboard a ferry, crossing from Ireland to Wales. I had £20 in my pocket (birthday cash) and I took a wander down to the duty-free shop on board. With time to kill, I spent a good hour perusing the shelves, spraying and sniffing. Having always been a fan of rose-scented body stuff, I immediately fell in love with YSL Paris.
Whilst many rose-scented fragrances can be reminiscent of old ladies and drawer liners (!), YSL Paris manages to stay on the youthful side thanks to the clever combination of wild rose with sandalwood and musk.
Celebrating 30 years, the YSL Premieres Roses EDT is a far lighter version of the original. For £29, you get a generous 125ml in a beautiful, pale pink, cut glass bottle.
As it’s so light and refreshing, you can afford to be generous with this fragrance. A thorough spritzing genuinely awakens and refreshes the senses, whilst adding subtle fragrance at the same time.
Escada – Cherry In The Air
If you’re a fan of all things cherry scented (and flavoured I might add!), then this limited edition offering from Escada will be right up your street.
Escada Cherry In The Air Eau De Toilette 50ml
Whilst you may think this scent will be sweet, sickly and over-powering, I can assure you it isn’t.
What it is, is refreshing and uplifting; it has a very natural cherry undertone to it – not that artificial type of cherry scent (like Dr Pepper or Cherryade).
It is slightly sweet and powdery, but also has hints of almond and sandalwood, making it more grown-up that you’d think.
It’s not my favourite scent of the summer, but it’s still totally wearable for day. When the temperature rises, it’ll come into its own I think; people will be sure to ask what scent you’re wearing!
Escada Cherry In The Air Eau De Toilette available now in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml sizes.
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Summer Fragrance (Eau d’Ete).
For those of you familiar with the Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance (which has been around forever!), this lighter version for summer 2013 (packaged in the iconic shaped bottle) features some lighter, pleasant tweaks to the original.
Jean Paul Gaultier Classic Summer Fragrance
As much as I love the original, I feel it is generally WAY too heavy – which is why it’s usually reserved for evening wear.
The paired down version for summer – Eau d’Ete – features rose as its top note, with sweet and powdery undertones. It also has hints of vanilla – which makes it quite a warming fragrance.
It’s a great way of wearing a usually heavy fragrance (as I really do adore the original but find too cloying for all day wear), in a lighter, fresher way.
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau D’Ete available now, £40 for 100ml.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent.
This is a re-release of last year’s (and the year before I believe!) summer fragrance offering from Estee Lauder.
This is the THIRD year in a row I’ve purchased it now! I look forward to its release each summer as to me, it is the epitome of summer on the beach.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent
Inspired by the Mediterranean, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent fragrance is described as being a citrus-floral blend containing notes of bergamot and orange blossom.
To me it smells very “beachy”: Hawaiian Tropic Sun Cream, frangipani, coconut and a hint of pineapple.
It’s so, so gorgeous in the evening; it almost prolongs the summer heat and mood well into the twilight hours.
It’s £45 for 100ml - which is definitely at the high-end of the summer fragrance market (most seem to be priced around the £30 mark) – but I can guarantee, once you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked!
There is an accompanying spray body oil to accompany this scent too – a well needed hydrating treat for sun-parched and thirsty skin.
Clarins Sunshine Fragrance
Since I’m discovering all things Clarins at the moment – especially their makeup and body care - I thought I’d blog n’ blurb about their limited edition summer offering (which is available exclusively from the website only) Clarins Sunshine Fragrance…
Clarins Sunshine Fragrance
Clarins Sunshine Fragrance (£29 for 100 ml) does a good job at putting all the scents of the beach in a bottle.
It contain notes of mandarin, grapefruit, ylang-ylang and patchouli. But the first thing that hits me when I spray it is that is smells just like the sea air! It dries down to smoky-citrus scent that’s beautifully subtle.
And, as with other Clarins fragrances, this also treats and moisturises the skin - thanks to the added extras of watermelon, camomile, mimosa and linden extracts.
This can also be worn in the sunshine without irritating the skin.
There is also a body lotion version which (surprise, surprise!) I already have!
