Perfume Review: Elizabeth Arden Untold

So I was going to post another skin care blog but I am soooooo in love with this new fragrance I could not wait to tell everyone about it.

I was recently given this fragrance as a gift and although I had read lots of good reviews I was still slightly dubious as I mainly associate Elizabeth Arden fragrances with the more mature lady. But I was so thrilled with it; any pre-perceived ideas of Elizabeth Arden have flown right out the window with this one.

Well let’s get started this is what Elizabeth Arden says about Untold.......

     “A luxurious and modern floral composition, UNTOLD celebrates the sophistication and intrigue of the multi-faceted modern woman. From her vibrant optimism and refined femininity to her mysterious aura and magnetic sensuality, UNTOLD takes you on a journey through the many facets that together, make her genuinely beautiful. With its sparkling and fruity introduction, radiant floral heart and mysterious addictive warmth, UNTOLD “

The basic idea of the fragrance is that the modern day women has to be everything all at once. Elizabeth Arden has portrayed that in Untold by the mix of ingredients that it uses, and they are.....

Top Notes: Pink pepper, Bergamot, Pear and Cassis

Middle Notes: Egyptian Jasmine LMR* and Gardenia

Base Notes: Patchouli LMR*, Amber and Musk

When I first read the ingredients I wasn’t too sure how the fresh, sweet top notes would blend with the white floral middle notes but they have done, beautifully. Initially there is a burst of freshness mainly coming from the pink pepper which feels young and fresh. It almost makes your mouth water. Then it fades into a beautiful sophisticated white floral of jasmine and gardenia which makes me feel so elegant and lady like. The base notes then come in with patchouli, amber and musk giving a much deeper, sexy scent with a slight sweetness coming back. I will wear this fragrance for daytime and evening; it will be lovely for winter due to the warm scent that it settles into. Once settled Untold reminded me a little of Dolce and Gabbanna The One in that there is a hint of sweetness but it is a little heady which makes it grown up and sexy.  

Untold fits its concept in every way. The bottle is beautiful with the glass facets which draws reference from the fragrance brief. The way the ingredient blend does this as well, beautifully. It highlights every facet of what the modern day woman is; young, playful and exuberant to elegant and sophisticated to mysterious and sexy. This perfume is truly stunning and is my absolute new favourite.

One last note I love the quote from Elizabeth Arden on the inside of the box it makes me feel beautiful everytime I open it....

“To be beautiful is the birthright of every woman”

-          Elizabeth Arden

(*LMR= Laboratoire Monique Rémy. International Flavours & Fragrances Inc.’s in-house, natural facility situated in Grasse, France, that specializes in extracting natural raw materials through a craftsmanship technique. This means that the essential oils that are produced are rare, fine and some of the best quality in the marketplace.)

Skin Care Essentials

The Basic Products we should all own

Whether you already have a skin care regime or if the process is new to you here is a guide to some basic product we should all be using.

Eye Make-Up Remover

Does what it says on the tin; it is used to remove your eye make-up. It is generally an oil based product which will gently dissolve stubborn eye make-up like mascara or liner. There are a tonne of eye make-up removers you can choose from but my personal favourite is the Botanics Nourishing Eye Make Up Remover from Boots. Unlike a lot of eye make-up removers it is a gel formula so it is less likely to get in your eyes and sting like creams or liquids would. It also contains olive oil extracts so is extremely hydrating for the delicate skin around the eyes and on you lashes.

Cleansers

ALWAYS cleanse your face twice! The first cleanse will remove any superficial dirt from the surface of your skin, like make up, and the second cleanse will be get much deeper into the pores. There are a number of different formulas available from gels to creams. Personally I would encourage everyone to use a cleanser that needs to be removed with hot water such as the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. Using products like this will guarantee a much deeper and thorough cleanse. Balms are also good for this with the added benefit that it encourages you to massage the skin which will have an exfoliating effect along with encouraging lymphatic drainage (getting rid of all those nasty toxins) and increases blood circulation (helping to generate new skin cells. Overall this will help to improve the appearance, tone and texture of your skin.

Toners

Toners are quite basic products. They are used to remove excess oil from the skin surface and to close pores. Be careful when selecting your toner as some can be very astringent so if you have dry or sensitive skin it will make it worse. Generally toners are simple products use them after cleansing. You can however use cold water to have the same effect.

Exfoliators

Exfoliators are used to remove dead skin cells, unblock pores and help to regulate sebum production. Always makes sure that your exfoliator is one designed for facial skin care as body scrubs will be far to abrasive. DO NOT exfoliate everyday!!!! Every 3-5 days will be plenty depending on your skin type. Exfoliation aids desquamation which is the removal of the top layer of skin, this will mainly be dead skin cells. If you exfoliate every day you won’t be giving the new skin cells chance to renew and your face will end up looking very red and feeling sensitive.

Moituriser

Moisturiser keeps skin hydrated, toned and looking youthful. You should use a day cream with an SPF this will protect you from harmful UV rays which, as we should all know by now, are very dangerous and the BIGGEST factor in premature ageing. Trade a light day cream in the summer for a richer cream in the winter. The cold winter weather means you skin will need extra TLC so make sure you are changing your moisturiser. Use a thick, rich cream in the evening to really boost hydration overnight.

So those are your basic skin care products to get you started. I hope you have enjoyed reading this and that it has given you a little more knowledge about skin care.

xoxo

Lucy

Bad Blogger.....

So I know I have been majorly neglecting my blog....

I have recently moved house which as some of you know is very stressful!! However I am all settled in now and finally have internet so I can blog to my hearts content, picking up where I left off with skincare.

See you soon
xoxo