Florse: Capturing the Essence of Feminine Spring

Florse by Scent & Stories

My experience with Scent & Stories fragrances goes back to quite a while, sparked by a salesperson's initial introduction. They've constantly impressed me! While Elegant (their impression of Coco Mademoiselle) is usually my favorite, I decided to try Florse (their impression of Gucci Bloom) this time.

Florse: Capturing the Essence of Feminine Spring

Imagine the delicate beauty of springtime captured in a bottle. That's Florse, a captivating floral fragrance from Scents & Stories that resonates with absolute feminine energy. It's a beautiful mix of light and deep scents, making it a unique fragrance. And I have always admired floral fragrances. 

A Symphony of Notes

Florse is a blooming bouquet with a carefully curated blend of notes:

• Top Notes: The fragrance opens with a burst of freshness, combining the zesty brightness of Citruses and Mandarin Orange with the delicate floral sweetness of Peony.
• Middle Notes: At its heart, Florse reveals a romantic and elegant bouquet. The intoxicating aroma of Rose intertwines with the unique, fruity-floral scent of Osmanthus, creating a captivating and feminine core.
• Base Notes: As the fragrance settles, it leaves a warm and sensual trail. Sandalwood provides a creamy, woody depth, while Pink Pepper adds a subtle spice and a touch of intrigue. Patchouli grounds the fragrance with its earthy, slightly musky character, adding complexity and longevity.

More than just a scent, it's an experience.

Florse is more than just a perfume; it's an embodiment of feminine grace and the vibrant energy of spring. It's perfect for the woman who embraces her delicate side while possessing a quiet strength and depth.

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A Venetian Love Letter - Guess Amour Venezia

 Guess Amour Venezia - A Venetian Love Letter in Fragrance

Guess Amour Venezia, a captivating new Oriental Floral fragrance awakens the enchanting spirit of Venice on a romantic summer night. This beautiful fragrance tries to capture the mesmerising beauty, romance and refinement that characterize the magical city. 

The Fragrance:                                                                  

        Top Notes: Calabrain Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Juniper Berry

            Heart Notes: Tuscan Orris, May Rose, Cotton Peony

                       Base Notes: Olibanum, Soft Suede, Vanilla Infusion

This fragrance opens with a vibrant and aromatic infusion of Calabrian Bergamot, zesty Pink Pepper, and aromatic Juniper Berry. The perfume starts with a beautiful mix of flowers like Orris, Rose and Peony. Then, the fragrance slowly changes into a warm and cosy scent with notes of Olibanum, soft suede and a hint of sweet vanilla. 

A Sensory Journey to Venice: This exquisite fragrance invites you on a sensory journey to the heart of Venice. Imagine strolling along the canals under a starlit sky, the air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Guess Amour Vanazia captures this romantic ambience, offering a truly unforgettable olfactory experience. 

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Chanel Gabrielle | Perfume Review

Hello Readers,

Before creating the House of CHANEL, Coco was Gabrielle. A rebel at heart...passionate and free. The inspiration for the luminous floral fragrance: GABRIELLE CHANEL. 
 
The fragrance appears to be weightlessly suspended within the striking square bottle. Made with ultra-thin glass, the 4 transparent sides fade into the background, letting light radiate through. The label and the stopper have the same square shape and precious lamé hue, a delicate balance between gold and silver, and the interior is warmed with an even more resplendent gold. The bottle is carefully protected by a sleeve imprinted with its silhouette. 

In-House Perfumer-Creator Olivier Polge crafted this Eau de Parfum as an imaginary flower—a radiant, purely feminine bloom based on a bouquet of 4 vibrant white flowers. A rich, enveloping heart of intense jasmine shimmers with the fruity green notes of ylang-ylang, while fresh and sparkling orange blossom shines through, offering a glimpse of smooth Grasse tuberose captured at its finest. 

Notes

Mandarin Peel, Grapefruit, Blackcurrant, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and Tuberose. 

XOXO

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My Rose Of Bulgaria | Shower Gel

My Rose of Bulgaria is based on natural extracts of the oil bearing Bulgarian Rose Damascena, that is in every product.

My Rose of Bulgaria is a refreshing, summery shower gel. It is prepared especially for normal skin. The fragrance is soft and delicate, not overpowering or strong. It is just right for hot, dry summer days' showers. It is not a luxury item nor does it come in a very luxury packaging. However, it is just right to be part of your summer treats. The added panthenol and allantoin makes the skin smooth and silky soft. With a natural extracts of the Bulgarian Rose Damascena, rich in vitamins, microelements and antioxidants for a soothing and refreshing effect. 

Gives a feeling of freshness and leaves an incredible aroma. 

Find more about these products on https://www.myrose.bg/

XOXO

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AVEENO Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash

Lavender..

..the color and scent of relaxation, youthfulness, creativity, imagination, optimism. 

Lavender is also one of my favorite flowers. I saw the beauty of this Mediterranean herb while I visited Germany a few years back. Lavender has long been used in aromatherapy and making essential oil.  Lavender is usually associated with two things: its fragrance and its color. This brings me to this amazing body wash I recently discovered from the brand Aveeno. 

Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash is a lightly fragranced body wash that moisturizes your skin and is enriched with Lavender, Chamomile, and Ylang-Ylang, natural ingredients known for their calming benefits. I came across it while casually looking for a body wash. It comes in a nice packaging with lavender flowers on the front giving a very calming effect to the eyes. The fragrance is nice and light during the bath and the creamy lather moisturizes the skin. It is equally great for the senses. As winter is slowly approaching, this calming body wash is a perfect treat as it leaves the skin soft and smooth while you feel calm and relaxed. If you have dry skin then I would highly recommend giving Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash a try. 

AVEENO POSITIVELY NOURSHING Calming Body Wash

I would highly recommend Aveeno Positively Nourishing Calming Body Wash and will definitely repurchase the same one or a different one from the wide range they offer. It is however an expensive product as compared to the other over-the-counter body washes and will cost you around PKR 2500. Nevertheless, I would say give it a try once if your pocket allows, as a single bottle will last a very long time.

Here's is a beautiful view of the Islamabad-Murree Expressway. It was a very beautiful day to take photos and luckily I had this beautiful bottle with me which gave me the opportunity to take a few clicks. 

Islamabad - Murree Expressway

Do you know that the most beautiful Lavender fields in the world are located in Valensole, France? 

Let me leave you with a few photos so that you could explore it yourself.

Source: Awesome Places To Visit

Source: Awesome Places To Visit

Source: Tiptoeing World

Source: Tiptoeing World

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Estee Lauder | Advanced Night Repair Serum

Hi lovelies,

I hope all of you remember some time back I did a post on Sheshido Ultimute Power Infusing Concentrate and how I think in my 30's I want to have more specialized skincare regime than before. During my 20's one of my all time favorite brand for fragrances was Estee Lauder. My first designer fragrance was Intuition by Estee Lauder, sweet memory of which is still embedded in my mind. In time, I discovered that Estee Lauder does not only create beautiful fragrances (my other favorites: Pleasures, Pleasures Intense, Pure White Linen, Modern Muse) but also gorgeous makeup and luxury skincare. Over the years, I looked up to this brand for luxury fragrances and now when I really want to invest in anti-ageing skin care regime I picked one of Estee Lauder's best sellers - Advanced Night Repair serum.

" B e a u t y   S l e e p   i s   r e a l ...."

The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum comes in a slightly transparent dark brown bottle with a gold colored cap. It comes with a dropper which makes it so hygienic to use and gives you more control on the amount of product you need every time. The texture of the serum is quite watery with a very mild scent. The consistency, however is dense but it absorbs nicely in the skin. I would say I am not too fond of the scent it has though it is very light almost odourless: I feel it has a bit of a 'medicated' feel to it. On the outside, the packaging is of light bluish shade with the brand's seal in gold on top which looks beautiful! Fighting all the key signs of ageing, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum seemed like the best choice. I have always preferred skincare products made specifically for night time. I believe a product works best on a nicely cleansed skin while you are asleep. As a nightly ritual, I cleanse my face thoroughly (you can use Estee Lauder's cleansers) and pat dry. I take around 2 - 3 drops of the serum and massage a little on my fingertips. Then I smooth in gently with my fingertips all over my face and neck in an outward motion. 

It has been more than two weeks now that I am using Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum. It has a combination of vitamins and anti-oxidants that aim to repair the skin while you sleep. The brand spent great amount of time and effort to find out the effects of lack of sleep on our skin and finally created a formula that combats skin ageing in a much better way. Skin cells of bad sleepers (count me in!) do not recover well during the night, moreover skin looses a lot of moisture as well hence the signs of ageing. With ChromoluxCB Technology, cell renewal and cell regeneration gets a boost to make your skin feel smoother, younger and more radiant. It is ideal for:

Multiple Signs of Ageing

Visible Age Prevention

Dryness, Dehydration

Lines and Wrinkles
Dullness, Loss of Radiance

Oil-Free

In two weeks, I have felt that my skin looks brighter and plumped up. Initially, I thought it was due to me sleeping better at night and over weekends. But in time I realized that it was actually Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum doing its work gradually. It will not improve my skin appearance overnight but I am sure I will see more improvement in time. I believe this 50 ml bottle will be enough for more than 2 months. I will show up later with an update when I have used more than half the bottle. The serum is formulated for all skin types so do not worry about break-outs or clogged pores. I, however do not use a moisturizer when I apply this serum. If you are someone like me who loves to give luxury products a try, go for this one!

Which is your favorite luxury skincare product?

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The Seductive "Forbidden Flower" | The Body Shop

Happy Weekend lovelies,

This season I have purchased  dozens of fragrances. However, I also received a few PR samples especially from the bloggers favorite brand The Body Shop. From expensive high-end fragrances to regular everyday body mists, one tiny bottle really captured my attention - Limited Edition Forbidden Flower* Eau de Toilette by The Body Shop. In some (more liberal I suppose) countries it is launched under the name Smoky Poppy. This came as part of a gift hamper I received from The Body Shop sometime back which included the scandalous Red Musk. I only started using it recently and could not admire this lovely fragrance enough hence a new favorite.

The Body Shop says...

"....Inspired by nature's most controversial flower, the poppy, 

the new limited edition forbidden flower range blends potent moisture, seductive textures 

and a euphoric scent for the ultimate to total body bliss...."

Forbidden Flower was launched around Valentines Day earlier this year and hence you can guess a bit of the composition and notes of this fragrance. The entire range comes in a dark, black containers with a beautiful red, yet mysterious poppy flower on top and will lure you right in. This is something that I haven't seen in any other The Body Shop ranges as most of them are light and bright in color. All I can say is that the new launches are just getting better ad better! There is something definitely dark and sultry about this fragrance.

The mysterious yet seductive Forbidden Flower Eau de Toilette is inspired by the controversial poppy flower. A flower which is beautiful (have you seen poppy fields?), intoxicating and dangerous (do you know why?) at the same time. The fragrance is infused with extracts of oil-rich and hand-picked poppies from Ankara region of Turkey. According to Greek methodology, the poppy flower symbolizes love and fertility as well as goddess of harvest, Demeter. All this talk and information about the poppy flower made me wonder how the actual flower smelled! I'm not sure if I will be able to do the former but if it smells as beautiful as Forbidden Flower Eau de Toilette then its sweet and sexy at the same time and absolutely gorgeous!

If I talk specifically about the fragrance itself - its Euphoric! This fragrance is not your typical The Body Shop floral. On first spray, the fragrance is bold but not loud. It begins with a smoky, almost incense like notes but remains subtle. Once the fragrance settles down it transforms into something floral and powdery. Being of of the most seductive and indulgent fragrance (and range) to date, Forbidden Flower is a captivating blend of sultry warm spices, elegant floral and earthy-woody heart notes. Seducing all those who dare - it is a dose blissfully addictive scent that leaves you longing for more.

I have read a lot of reviews for Forbidden Flower over the web where some compared it to YSL Opium and called it a lighter version of the fragrance. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to smell Opium to make a comparison. I do, however, had a detailed sniff of Chanel No 5 and believe me when I say it; the two definitely have something in common. It was not hard to figure out the similarities. Both fragrances turn powdery as they reach the heart notes and hence have a slight retro feel to it. Though Forbidden Flower is a very modern fragrance, poppy flower give this fragrance character and depth, and hence in comparison with high street fragrance like YSL Opium.

If you like floral scents with that certain something you will love Forbidden Flower! Its available in a 30 ml Eau de Toilette along with an entire collection that contains items like bath bombs, massage oil, shower gel, body scrub, body butter and body lotion. For guys - The range also makes a beautiful gift for your girl-friend, wife, your best friend, sister and even mom! Its very wearable during daytime and suitable for everyday use. I have it on continuous rotation ever since the first spray and absolutely mesmerized by this tiny bottle filled with seductive aroma.

You are only a spritz away from seduction..

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Neutrogena | Fine Fairness Cleanser

Hi lovelies,

So, reverting back to Neutrogena, I picked Fine Fairness Cleanser recently. This cleanser is part of the Neutrogena's Fine Fairness Range created to assure women of fair and radiant skin that lasts. I've had enough of the tan I got recently while driving my car daily to and back from work. I've always had great experience with Neutrogena products in the past. These have always been my go-to products. I've recently reviewed Neutrogena's Deep Clean Gentle Scrub and had amazing results with this product. Hence, the motivation to invest into a few more quality skin care products.

What Neutrogena says..

"..Fine Fairness® works because of Neutrogena Healthy White Complex. This technology is composed of nature's activities - Essential Soy, stabilized Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 and Portaluca - and serves as the foundation of Fine Fairness®..."

Essential Soy is a patented soy extract that limits transfer of melanin to keratinocytes (outermost layer of skin) in order to achieve fair and clear skin.

Stabilized Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant that blocks free radicalls, and reduces Tyrosinase, an essential enzyme in melanin formation. This stable form of Vitamin C ensures a prolonged release for a long-lasting healthy glow. 

Vitamin B3 enhances skin renewal and turnover.

Portulaca soothes inflammation to reduce pigmentation that is often triggered by inflammation. 

Neutrogena Fine Fairness Cleanser comes in a squeeze-tube container. The cleanser has a soft, rich and creamy texture with mild fragrance. I squeeze a small amount on my palm and work it all over my face and neck. It feels soft and gentle on the skin and gently lifts dirt and excessive oil from the skin. I badly need this treatment these days since by skin is really acting up due to the hot and humid weather. After every wash I feel my skin has rejuvenated with no oil residue but without stripping skin of its natural moisture. The cleanser also lifts the skin dulling dead cells leaving my skin feeling radiant. Not only this, the ingredients explained about like Vitamin C and Essential Soy along with proven skin lighters help skin with that desired fair glow.

The Neutrogena Fine Fairness Range also includes Lotion, Toner, Brightening Moisture, Deep Whitening Mask and Serum. All these products, infused with Healthy White Complex work in 8 synergistic ways to give you radiant skin.

1. Protects your skin from UVB rays.

2. Shields you from UVA rays.

3. Restores healthy skin by helping block free radicals.

4. Prevents skin darkening by helping to normalize melanin production.

5. Blocks the appearance of melanin so skin stays clear.

6. Enhances surface skin renewal.

7. Helps calm and soothe skin to maintain an even tone.

8. Lightens skin by providing an immediate effect.

So there you are! So many more reasons to give Neutrogena's Fine Fairness Range a try. Let me know if you are already using any of the products.

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Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral | Fragrance

Hello Lovelies,

It is Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral time of the year (summers!) for me. I received this one as a gift from a dear friend of mine who was visiting London. If your idea of elegance is understated and casual, then Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral is the one for you. I haven't tried a lot of fragrances from Burberry. The previous one that I had tried was Burberry Body which, as I recall, was a really nice fragrance I bought on my way to London. If I compare Brit Rhythm with Burberry Body I would pick the later as I loved the youthful twist and sweetness of Burberry Body. But having said this, Burberry Brit Rhythm for Her Floral is no doubt a classy British fruity-floral fragrance with an edge.

Burberry introduced a fragrance pair inspired by the British rock scene, Brit Rhythm for Him in 2013, followed by the feminine edition Brit Rhythm for Her in 2014. In February this year new flankers of the fragrance came out - Brit Rhythm for Him Intense and Brit Rhythm for Her Floral. It was designed by Francis Kurkdjian who says, "I personally wanted to express the uncompromising energy of music with a twist of youthful attitude and sexiness. The scent is bright - fluid - vertical - young."

Burberry describes it as..

 "   A sensual, floral fragrance with an unexpected fruity twist. Fresh top notes of Orchid Fruit, Sicilian Lemon and Orange open up an exotic heart of Egyptian Jasmine, Lotus Blossom and dewy Lilac. Base notes of Amber Woods, Driftwood and Musk gives a sultry dry down.  "

The signature Burberry ridged glass bottle gives so much character to this fragrance. I love the classic tweed designed embossed onto the glass bottle which allows you to see the dusky pink fragrance inside. The original Burberry Brit Rhythm is apparently inspired by "the exhilaration and adrenaline of live music and electric energy of the crowd". The original fragrance was created by the remarkable perfumers Nathalie Cetto and Maisondieu of Givaudan on behalf of Burberry.

Brit Rhythm for Her Floral is soft, powdery, seductive, uplifting and a bit masculine I would say. I've only used it once or twice (since I already opened so many perfumes at the same time and want to safe a few for rainy days..) and received a lot of compliments. Everyone wants to know 'which fragrance is it?'. The fragrance was impressively long lasting but I cannot really confirm for how long since I am in a habit of spraying every few hours. It's sensual but not overpowering which I really admire.

As seen on my Instagram Pretty.Gloss

As seen on my Instagram Pretty.Gloss

 Burberry Brit Rhythm campaign stars British models Suki Waterhouse and George Barnett.

Which is your favorite Burberry fragrance?

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Neutrogena | Deep Clean Gentle Scrub

Hi Lovelies!

So here I am after a bit - been really busy with a few things this month. But I am finally back with a new post of a product that I recently purchased.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub is a skincare product I recently purchased. I am someone who always, always has a scrub around whether facial or body scrub (I even have The Body Shop's Long Handle Cactus Bath Brush for the purpose). Thanks to my difficult-to-manage combination skin, I am often left with either whiteheads or dry patches on my skin. Consequently, scrubbing my face as well as body religiously is very important to keep those pores from clogging and smooth out any dead skin. But having said this, too much of something is always bad and I often get carried away! Hence, most of the time I go for mild cleansing scrubs so that I do not unintentionally overdo my skin. Keeping all this in mind I picked Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub which is perfect for daily use.

A face scrub.. 

The main reason for having a skincare regime is to, obviously, look your best. While facewashes and skin moisturizers play a significant role in promoting a healthy, glowing skin; there's an unsung hero that is more than often neglected from skincare routines - a face scrub. A face scrub comes with multiple benefits ensuring that flawless complexion. Not only does a facial scrub help remove dirt and grime, it also keeps your pores un-clogged and gently buffs away dry and flaky skin. 

Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub comes in the form of a squeeze tube with a nice flip cap ensuring no accidental leak hence good to go along in your travel bag as well. I love the texture which is just the perfect creamy consistency neither too thick nor too light. Open the flip cap and you get to smell fresh oranges which is very refreshing especially in summers. I wet face and apply a little amount of scrub on the palms of my hand. I massage it gently all over my face (sometimes on my neck as well especially during a shower!) avoiding the eye area and rinse thoroughly.

What Neutrogena says..

" .. a daily scrub with Beta Hydroxy proven to clean deep down into your pores, yet is gentle enough to use everyday. Beta Hydroxy formula penetrates deep into pores to remove blackheads-causing dirt and oil. Gentle mircobeads exfoliate dull, dead skin surface. Its rich, foaming creamy lather rinses clean. Skin is instantly softer, smoother, healthier looking and refreshed.  "

Overall, its one of the better facial scrubs I have used in the past. I did try a lot of products from Neutrogena in the past and have found these of really good quality. I certainly recommend Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub as part of your daily skincare regime. Do visit Neutrogena online to check out their entire range of skincare.

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Elie Saab Le Parfum | Resort Collection 2015

Hi Lovelies,

Summers is here. While I'm trying my best to embrace summers with summer prints, sunglasses and fruit punch, one thing that is meant to change with the season is my perfume. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle remains my all-time, all-season favorite fragrance; next in line is a new spring fragrance to my collection  - Elie Saab Le Parfum from the Elie Saab Resort Collection 2015.

Elie Saab is a fashion designer renowned for his exquisite fashion gowns. His creations are drop dead gorgeous and I absolutely love the choice of colors and shades he uses for his gowns. Elie Saab launched his first fragrance simply called Le Parfum in 2011. However, for 2015 the designer launched its first limited edition - Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection. Created by Francis Kurkdjian, the perfume came out at the end of February 2015. It is inspired by the summer couture collection and reflection of sun in the water.

"The fragrance is released in waves like a warm gentle breeze caressing the face of a woman who stands on the deck of her yacht wearing a stunning long dress in a shade of blue that is reminiscent of the sea. It is a fleeting but intense moment filled with noting but harmony" - Francis Kurkdjian, the perfumer.

The packaging gives a true insight to this fragrance. The blue shade of this new bottle perfectly matches the Resort Collection 2015. With the infinite range of captivating shades of blue, this beautifully faceted crystal bottle mirrors the changing reflections on the surface of water taking you the journey across Amalfi Coast - a chic and glamorous escape to the Mediterranean!

To me Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a beachy fragrance which is fresh, light and summery. What I love most about this fragrance is the beautiful warmth of Mediterranean, the tropical feel which spreads with the first spray and makes you feel as if you are strolling on a tropical island on a humid day. I think when I visit a beach this summers I will definitely take this fragrance along to experience the harmony of everything around with this scent.

Anyone knows which flowers are those in the background? I randomly picked these from the florist.

Notes

Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a springtime reinterpretation of Elie Saab orange flower signature enhanced with a sweet and gourmand fig. Top notes of a sweet fig and a mandarin zest adds a delicious and fresh sensation to this fragrance. One spray and you know exactly what you are dealing with! This is also my favorite note. In the heart note, the white and luminous bouquet of the original fragrance signature is enriched by a solar frangipani flower and white jasmine. At heart Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a fresh, orange blossom fragrance. The base note of cedar and amber gives a beautiful elegance and sensuality to the fragrance. A fruity-floral and modern fragrance, this scent is your best companion to summer vacation trip this year. Luminous and refreshing, the fragrance will not overpower at any point while you take a stroll along a white sandy beach with the bluest of ocean right in front of you!

While I have considered many fragrances to be perfect for summers in the past, I am almost certain that Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection is a glamorous designer fragrance choice and will definitely recommend it to you. The perfume truly holds the essence of Elie Saab and is as sophisticated and chic as his collections. It has great staying power and fades elegantly to its base note.

 Image: Elie Saab 

Here are some of my favorite designs from the collection! 

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Image: Elie Saab

Have you tried Elie Saab Le Parfum Resort Collection yet? 

SHOP ONLINE!

50 ml  £ 47

Boots // Selfridges // Nordstorm // House of Fraser // John Lewis // Ebay

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