Each month we pick our five favourite reviews. These review are picked for being helpful, insightful or just really interesting. Each reviewer picked will receive a £20 Escentual gift voucher!

For your chance to win, simply review your past purchases.

 missundaztood‘s Review of Stella McCartney’s Stella Eau de Parfum Spray

Stella herself told that she wanted to achieve smell of older rose, but I must say I don’t smell “that” rose in this scent, because I imagine that old rose scent would smell something like Lalique – Encre Noir, but that’s just mine opinion on old rose, and I wan’t to write you my opinion on this rose from Stella.

This rose is modern, gentle, soft and little bit oily rose, with perfect combination of peony and mandarin, and all that is gently balanced with great amber finish.
This fragrance was created in companionship with one of the famous fragrance designer Jacques Cavalliera you my already “smell” his work through Poeme, Midnight Poison, Hot Couture, Elle, Alchime, Cinema … and many more.

But, if you’re looking for nice, modern, gentle and little sexy rose smell I think you can’t go wrong with this Stella!

 

Bellatrix‘s review of La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ Melt-In Cream

Needless to say I will not search for any other high SPF everyday face cream. I have been looking for the perfect one for a long time and most of them are too greasy, too heavy and some decent USA products are either too expensive for me or difficult to get hold of in UK.

This is light, easy to apply and quickly absorbing cream. Little goes a long way, it gives skin a subtle shine, without looking too greasy. It glides on easily, smells bit like a medicine/ointment but the smell is not strong so it doesn’t bother me, especially I can’t smell it when applied on my face, only if I smell it straight from a packaging. Have to remember – perfume free, doesn’t mean fragrance free.

What is the most important to me it sits so well underneath the make up. I was concerned with trying another high SPF cream because most of them either roll or cake the foundation. This is not the case with this one. My make up sits on the top of this cream so beautifully, and only needs some powdering in T zone on warm/hot day every 4 hours, but this is typical for my combination skin.

I have been using this cream for over a month now and I had not break outs whatsoever (my skin is prone to breakouts on the T zone), it doesn’t clog the pores or emphasize them.

I will keep using this cream everyday, as I strongly believe the prevention is better than cure and I hope high SPF will slow down wrinkles from appearing. I also use it on my neck.

 

Shoo‘s review of Clarin’s Stretch Mark Control 

Start using this cream in my third trimester and I’m glad to say I can already see my stretch marks fading away. I use this cream every night on my breasts, hips, belly and my legs. During the day I use the clarins tonic oil after showering. I find that both do work very well. The cream has no strong smell and absorbs in to my skin very quick. I just wish I used this cream from the start of my pregnancy…. Will be purchasing another one as it can’t go wrong with the price. Best price so far 🙂

 

Puddley‘s review of Serge Lutens Fille En Aiguilles Eau de Parfum

A marvelous elixir paying homage to the great pine tree..

The pursuit of a truly authentic wood scent is a lengthy chase, with most mainstream fragrances houses popping in a heavy dose of floral or citric notes to make it ‘palatable’ to the modern nose. In Fille en Aiguilles, Serge Lutens has created a fragrance that offers no compromise. It is a majestic great waft of thick, syrupy, resinous, sweet, dark wood that oozes the true sensation of a stroll through a hot pine forest in the searing heat of the Mediterranean.

It journeys me back to the Extremadura Mountains in Palma Mallorca where i lingered, eyes closed, amongst the Pine trees inhaling the scent of their woody secretions. Is it possible the create the smell of ‘heat’? It’s as close as possible in Fille en Aiguilles, where the Bay Leaf and spices add a subtle spicy heat to the woods, ensuring a comforting wrap of uplifting emotion.

With every spritz of this wonderful juice I’ll be transported far far away..

 

Studentdolly‘s review of Etat Libre d’Orange Charogne Eau de parfum

I first came across this fragrance in the sample selection. I will admit that when I first tested it, I did not like it, it was so strong and heady, it made my head spin a little, but I could not stop sniffing my wrist. I left it on to settle, I wanted to give it a chance. I am so glad I did, this scent is so complex and goes through so many different little interludes of glorious splendour.

It really is the beauty and the beast combined in one fragrance. The beast comes first before it is transformed into the beauty. It starts off very strong and heady, sweet and musky. You are immediately taken into a world of lust and unrequited love. It is so sensual and sultry, like slipping on a slinky black dress and a mysterious venetian mask. You will feel so feminine and strong, the dominatrix of the upper classes.

After an hour or so, the scent becomes more soft and elegant, still sexy but more understated. Wherever you go, you will leave a trail of stunned men. As time goes on, the scent transforms into the beauty, sweet and musky, elegant and splendid.

This perfume is truly amazing, you will not be disappointed. Do not be put off by the strength of the beast in the beginning, you will be rewarded with beauty.