Beauty hor d’oeuvres

Beauty hors d’oeuvres serves up bite-sized nuggets of information about new beauty releases, store openings or events with quick, cursory thoughts on them. It is presented as an appetizer to whet your appetite for something meatier and designed to offer quick information. More detailed write-ups are found in the product reviews.

Beauty hors d’oeuvres: The Body Shop 100% Natural Shea Butter for all your moisture and DIY skincare needs

April 4, 2019 Paris B 2 Comments

Those of you who have a more creative, experimental nature might be pleased to know that you can now get 100% Natural Shea Butter that comes from a fair-trade, reputable source. Just head on down to The Body Shop!

While The Body Shop has always had a shea butter range of products (I used to use their Shea Butter Body Butters for chronically dry skin – Dad swore by it for cracked heels!) I believe it’s the first time that we’re getting shea butter in its pure form.

So, what can you do with it?

Beauty hors d’oeuvres: Diptyque Damascena and Centifolia Rose Candles put you in the mood for love

January 22, 2019 Paris B 8 Comments

Each year, at around this time, luxury perfume and candle maker, Diptyque gets in touch with their romantic side. Each year, they release a special candle in tribute to the most romantic of all flowers – the rose.

This year, Diptyque celebrates not just the rose, but 2 beautiful species of roses.

Diptyque celebrates the Damascena Rose and the Centifolia Rose in two beautiful limited edition scented candles jars. They are not only a treat to the eyes (and a beautiful decorative piece in the home), they are a treat to the olfactory senses too.

Beauty Hors d’Oeuvres: Diptyque Christmas 2018 brings to life the Legende du Nord

November 7, 2018 Paris B Leave a Comment

Each year, nothing signals Christmas more clearly to me, than the arrival of the Diptyque Christmas collections and their Christmas candles. There is always an interesting story behind their new designs and scents. Last year’s was an undisputed winner, I’m sure you all agree! So, Diptyque Christmas 2018 had a lot to live up to in my eyes!

I confess that when I first laid eyes on the Diptyque Christmas 2018 collection – Legende du Nord, I felt a little disappointed. It is still a beautiful collection. But coming down from last year’s with its sleek black jars adorned with mystical creatures, and coloured wax, I felt this to be almost normal 🙁

It isn’t however. It goes back to Diptyque’s regular Christmas offerings – each year, as you can see from 2016, Diptyque houses their Christmas candles in coloured jars, with a back story to them. This year is no different.

Beauty Hors d’oeuvres: Unlocking the secrets of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette

September 28, 2018 Paris B 2 Comments

I wish I didn’t have to rush this “review” out, and I almost never showcase 2 items from the same brand back to back. This time, I am constrained to, as I’ve gotten so many questions about it, which means there is definitely a demand for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette. My fingers couldn’t keep up with all the questions flooding me on Instagram LOL!

This is the palette in question. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit palette, that is named “Unlocked”. It boasts 6 brand new shades of finishing powder, bronzer, blush and metallic strobe powder, and it is the first 100% vegan palette by Hourglass. This is in line with their commitment to go cruelty-free and vegan by 2020. Kudos to them!

But what surprises me is that we will be seeing another Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit palette pop up next month. Considering that these palettes are limited edition items, it surprises me that Hourglass will release 2 similar palettes so close to each other (granted colours are different).

But here are some quick thoughts I have about this Hourglass Unlocked Palette, having used it a grand total of 2 times LOL! So, cast your eye a little warily, because this isn’t an in-depth review ok? 😀

Beauty hor d’oeuvres

I tell stories on Instagram @parisbmws