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Tried & Tested Paul Smith Storyteller Candle

Paul Smith expands its growing home fragrance collection with a new wintery scent, Storyteller that recalls cosy nights in, open fires and Paul’s winter trips. Like the wider Paul Smith home fragrance collection – which launched in 2022 – Storyteller is based on Paul’s fond memories, in this case his inspiration trips to the Nottinghamshire countryside. With notes of Madagascan clove bud, intense woods, and patchouli, the scent is smoky, woody, and warming to evoke wintertime evenings by the fireside. The name, which follows the rest in the collection by being named for character traits, is also a nod to Paul’s personality and love of storytelling. Storyteller has been created by IFF perfumer Meabh McCurtin. They say: “Storyteller captures the warm feeling of sitting in front...

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Label To Know Side Story Fragrance

“When you pass someone in a hallway and get a whisper of their fragrance you have a window into their story. These moments happen serendipitously, but they can reveal so much about a person.” says Muj Rana, Founder of Side Story  Muj Rana, founder of new fragrance brand Side Story, recalls that scent played an integral role in his early experiences. His grandfather’s Indian sandalwood plantations were the source of the soft, balsamic wood which his childhood toys and trinkets were made from. Today, the woody scent still evokes memories of that distinctive time and place.  Each bottle of Side Story begins in Grasse, Provence, the only place where Muj felt the perfume oil could legitimately be crafted. The perfumers are Jacques Chabert, Valerie Bessone, Laurent Marrone...

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Label To Know Marc-Antoine Barrois Fragrance

The blue rabbit inside Marc-Antoine Barrois’ London store at 4 Piccadilly Arcade, and the reason the new candle is called No.4 Marc-Antoine Barrois is a French menswear couturier from a family of textile manufacturers in the North of France. He opened his first boutique in 2013 at 6, rue de Budapest in Paris and offers Parisian crafted collections of jewellery and accessories alongside his bespoke haute couture men’s clothing. After learning patterns, cutting, and sewing while studying textile engineering, he designed his first collection in Lille in 2006. This success then led Marc- Antoine Barrois to collaborate with Dominique Sirop, Jean-Paul Gaultier at Maison Hermes and Jean-Claude Jitrois before creating his own Maison de Couture for men. Offering men what women...

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Tried & Tested Shakeup Age Def-Eye Instant Lifting Eye Cream

Shakeup has launched the new Age Def-Eye Instant Lifting Eye Cream. Combining caffeine, squalane, shea butter, and two revolutionary trademarked ingredients – Inst’Tight and Ipeptide, it instantly tightens, refreshes, and revives tired looking eyes and minimises puffy eye bags and dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. The product is made in Britain, cruelty free, vegan friendly and PETA approved. TheChicGeek says, “Shakeup is reinvigorating the men’s beauty market. Its flagship product, a BB cream, is number one on Chinese mega online shop TMall, beating Lab Series, Kiehl’s, L’Oreal Men Expert and Boy de Chanel. This male beauty David was founded in 2020 by twin brothers Jake and Shane Carnell-Xu. As Chinese British (born in Beijing and grew up in...

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Tried & Tested Thameen London Bravi Fragrance

Under the “artistic residency” of Christopher Chong, Thameen London is proud to announce the release of the third fragrance from The Britologne Collection, titled Bravi. It reimagines a Cologne Elixir with more faceted nuances layering over the classical structure of cologne. Bravi’s adventure begins at the opera house, which is the most iconic building in Covent Garden. Perfumer Bruno Jovanovic, says, “The final chapter of the Covent Garden trilogy is all about wannabe divos and a diva. We imagine the idea of creating a Queen of the Night flower fragrance that would be essential to the magic of the performance. “The fragrance has to be extremely sexy, perfect for the evening. Intoxicating tuberose is spiced up with an overdose of ginger and dramatised with a novel walnut milk...

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Tried & Tested SL:PT Sleep Supplement & Pillow Spray

The SL:PT brand was created to provide carefully crafted tools to support sleep and contribute to better physical and mental health, significantly influencing overall wellbeing.  It is during sleep that the body repairs and rejuvenates itself, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed and energised. In addition, getting enough sleep has been linked to a wide range of health benefits, including a stronger immune system, better mental health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. SL:PT believe everyone should sleep well, but also safely with a roof over their heads and are proud to support Shelter the U.K. charity which helps millions of people every year struggling with poor housing or homelessness. The brand donate 50p to Shelter for every...

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Tried & Tested Officine Universelle Buly Les Jardin Français

Officine Universelle Buly has taken a trip to the allotment, or jardin ouvrier in French, and been inspired to create six new fragrances. Each has been inspired by a collection of very old seeds and seedlings curated by 18th and 19th century botanists. Les Jardin Français brings to life an intoxicating and unique palette of garden fragrances all with vegetal ingredients, from oriental watercress to Afghan carrot and Iraqi beetroot. The fragrance include: Andes Verbena & Ulu Basil, Indian Cucumber & Syrian Mint, Oriental Watercress & Sardinian Parsley, Scandinavian Redcurrant & Peruvian Tomato, Iraqi Beetroot & Egyptian Rhubarb and Afghan Carrot & Caribbean Sweet Potato. Officine Universelle Buly – Les Jardin Français – 75ml – £145 TheChicGeek...

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Exhibition V&A DIVA

DIVA celebrates the power and creativity of iconic performers, exploring and redefining the role of ‘diva’ and how this has been subverted or embraced over time across opera, stage, popular music, and film. Showcasing over 250 objects drawn from the V&A collection and loans from across the world, the exhibition explores the powerful and personal stories of creativity, ambition, and resilience of some of the best-known divas, from opera goddesses and silent movie stars to sirens of the big screen and today’s global megastars.  TheChicGeek says, “The difficult temporary exhibition space above and in the centre of the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Fashion Gallery is my least favourite. Things just don’t pop here. They really should think about the lighting...

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Tried & Tested Anokha Man Skincare

Anokha Skincare says men and women are different. Men’s skin tends to have more sebum as a result of testosterone production. They also shave (sometimes), which creates more sources of irritation and sensitivity. While unisex brands are a ‘thing’ right now, they don’t do justice to the differences in men’s skin types.  Anokha Man has launched with three products: Rice & Hinoki Facial Cleanser, White Tea & Lychee Toner and Sake & Sandalwood Facial Lotion, to be used day and night. Anokha Skincare was established in 2008 by New York-based, board-certified plastic surgeon Nina S. Naidu, MD FACS. Naidu witnessed an increasing number of significant reactions to standard topical preparations including Bacitracin and Neosporin (over the counter antibacterial...

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