Tried and Tested Archives

Tried & Tested New AW23 Eaux Triples Buly Fragrances

Written on November 20, 2023.

Officine Universelle Buly has added four new scents to its water based Eaux Triples collection. They include Madagascar Amber, Maltese Iris, Lebanese Cedar and Eritrean Myrrh. TheChicGeek says, “Buly is all about stepping back in time. The level of detail and volume of products – there are over 140 different types of combs and brushes – gives you the sense of tangible ancient history. You can just imagine Napoleon using the products in the latest blockbuster. The Eaux Triples range of fragrances are water based so they are very light. This is not for the lover of strong and overpowering. They are like colognes, so can be splashed lots and often. My favourite from the new range is Lebanese Cedar. It has a cedarwood note infused with verbena and vetiver. My...

Tried & Tested Paul Smith Storyteller Candle

Written on November 20, 2023.

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...

Tried & Tested Ishga Hydra+ Marine Cream Moisturiser

Written on October 19, 2023.

Ishga – Hydra+ Marine Cream Ishga, the made-in-Scotland, certified organic skincare brand has introduced the latest addition to its award-winning skincare collection. Developed from ten years of expertise in seaweed, science and skincare, Hydra+ Marine Cream is an advanced formula which features multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish different skin layers. The formula includes Ishga’s unique Hebridean seaweed extract, rich in antioxidants and sourced from the purest Scottish waters, visibly rejuvenating skin. Prickly pear oil stimulates collagen, brightens, and provides an added boost of hydration. Lus Nan Laogh, an ancient Hebridean healing remedy, has been included for its anti-inflammatory and protective properties. Nourishing...

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

Written on October 19, 2023.

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...

Tried & Tested Thameen London Bravi Fragrance

Written on October 13, 2023.

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...

Tried & Tested SL:PT Sleep Supplement & Pillow Spray

Written on October 12, 2023.

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...

Tried & Tested Waken Sonic Toothbrush

Written on August 2, 2023.

Waken, the premium oral care brand, has announced its latest product – the Waken Sonic Toothbrush. Building on the brand’s reputation for innovative solutions, it has been engineered to deliver a superior cleaning experience while championing environmental sustainability at an industry-disrupting price point. A game-changing mix of innovation and eco-conscious design, the Waken Sonic Toothbrush offers new patent-protected ‘Precision-Power’ technology, a long-life rechargeable battery and three cleaning modes. Waken’s Sonic Toothbrush is also eco-conscious. The handle is made from post-consumer recycled plastic, the brush heads are crafted from bio-plastic produced using 100% certified renewable energy, and the soft bristles are made from castor oil. One full charge supports...

Tried & Tested Officine Universelle Buly Les Jardin Français

Written on July 4, 2023.

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...

Tried & Tested Anokha Man Skincare

Written on June 14, 2023.

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...

Tried & Tested Thameen London Bohemian Infusion Fragrance

Written on May 16, 2023.

Inspired by the stories of the Piazza at Covent Garden in the 19th and early 20th centuries when it was a playground for sinful and decadent pleasures, Thameen London, under the “artistic residency” of Christopher Chong, focuses on the lifestyles of the dandies and literati intoxicated with substances for hallucinatory carnal pleasures, immersing into a perversive playground at the cafés and pubs with other social underlings, like the thespians of the nearby Drury Lane and West End theatres. Remembering anecdotes and historical stories from his PhD research on Subversive Fashion, Sexuality and Semiotics, Chong reminisces, “I’ve always been drawn to the psychoanalytical angle of the subculture and underworld of the dandies and flâneur. I invited world renowned Master Perfumer, Maurice...