FOUR HER: Gold Shimmer Oud Crystal Keyring

Whether it's through hair, makeup, clothing, or accessories, we all love to express ourselves through our appearance, and those of us at The Amazing Blog are no different! However, if we had to choose just one product it’d be this eye-catching and aromatic Gold Shimmer Oud from FOUR HER with its multitude of uses.

FOUR HER is a UK based clothing and beauty brand created by four sisters Sadia, Nadia, Shereen, and Nazima Chuhan in 2019. Although they were born and raised in London, the sisters grew up immersed in their multicultural family background. Influenced by fashion and beauty trends of the Middle East, Pakistan, and Africa, the sisters have blended these international elements with Western trends to create their unique style. They began to design their own clothing, receiving a flood of comments and compliments from others wherever they went. Over time, they began to receive requests from friends and private commissions both within the UAE and the UK, which formed the foundation and inspired them to launch FOUR HER. The sisters aim to bring together both modern and traditional women from all heritages, creating clothing that allows, as they say, "everyone to embrace the elegance whilst feeling and looking happy, inside and out." Since then, the FOUR HER founding sisters have expanded the brand to also include a children's clothing line and their exclusive Gold Shimmer Oud perfume oil. Across all designs and clothing lines, they prioritise using exclusive fabrics and limited editions, taking significant measures to ensure top quality control of each piece. 

FOUR HER sent us their Gold Shimmer Oud Crystal Keyring, a travel-size version of their Gold Shimmer Oud Perfume Oil is packaged in a sleek and convenient crystal glass bottle with a golden stopper and keyring. The FOUR HER Gold Shimmer Oud is a perfume enriched with biodegradable gold shimmer particles and sweet floral notes of rose petals and ylang ylang enveloped by white musk and woody sandalwood. The perfume also contains chords of soft vanilla patchouli, rich strands of saffron, and balancing accents of calabrian lemon, creating a romantic, indulging, and lasting fragrance. Oud oil (often called ‘liquid gold’ and worth about 1.5 times more than gold) is derived from the tropical Agar tree native to the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. When the agar tree becomes infected by a mould called phialophora parasitica, it produces a resin to protect itself. Oud is extracted from the resin by distilling or melting the resin.. However, only about 2% of trees in the wild produce this resin, making Oud a rare and expensive ingredient in the essential oil market. Oud oil smells intense and smoky in its raw state but can also be simultaneously pleasing and sensual. There can be slight fragrance variations based on the climate in which the Agar trees grow, the age of the trees, the harvesting techniques, and how the skin's chemistry reacts with the oil. Oud is associated with harmony and serenity, and if applied regularly, it’s believed to remove negative energies in one's life, aid in mediation, and improve mental clarity. In addition to the benefits that the oud provides, there are also benefits to using perfume oils. They don't evaporate into the air because they don't contain alcohol, so the scent lasts longer, and you have to apply less to get the same effects. Oil-based perfumes are also less drying to the skin and can provide moisturisation, making them ideal for anyone with dry skin. To apply the Gold Shimmer Oud, carefully shake the bottle to activate the gold shimmer. We then applied 1-3 drops of oil onto the skin with the stick applicator, gently dabbing until it’s left a light shimmering sheen. You can focus on pulse points like the wrists and neck or apply it to highlight cheek or collarbones. FOURHER even suggests adding it on the ends of the hair to make it glisten! The fragrance is divine…with warm and seductive notes that envelop you with rose, vanilla and sandalwood. To experience this luxurious and warm scent of this exclusive Gold Shimmer Oud, you can purchase the Gold Shimmer Oud Crystal Keyring in three different bottle designs here  at £10.00 for 3ml. 

Les Parfums de Rosine: Rose Griotte

On these midsummer days like these, we think that there’s nothing better than after the rain, taking a stroll through the garden with the flowers in full bloom and their scent is at its most potent . Today, we bring you another one of our #amazingfinds with Les Parfums de Rosine. Regular readers of The Amazing Blog  will know that at we’ve been fans of Les Parfum de Rosine for quite a while, as we've already reviewed their Ballerina No. 5 and Bois Fuchsia. We’d now like to introduce one of their newest fragrance: Rose Griotte.

Les Parfums de Rosine is a French perfume house founded by Marie-Hélène Rogeon. She comes from a longline of distinguished perfumers, where her great grandfather Louis Panafieu even created an Eau de Cologne for Emperor Napoleon III. Inspired by her illustrious heritage Marie-Hélène immersed herself in the world of perfume, where she’s combined her love of fragrance with her passion for cultivating roses. She has a collection of rose perfumes, each one different, all stemming from two main rose varieties, the fresher Un Zest de Rose to the more sensuous Une Folie de Rose. Marie-Hélène curates collections of rose based aromas which are made with natural essences. These result in a wide range of floral scents that are "immediately understandable and readable."  She also has a keen eye for detail and all bottles are carefully adorned with a silk tassel, hand-wrapped in coloured tissue paper before being delicately place into the luxuriously embossed cardboard boxes.

Rose Griotte is a perfume released in early 2021 under the creative direction of Marie-Hélène and formulated by Nicolas Bonneville. At the age of 14, Nicolas fell in love with the world of perfumes after traveling to Grasse, where he was captivated by its abundant plants and flourishing perfume industry. Similar to Marie-Hélène, he has a passion for scents and travels world-wide to harvest botanicals for his fragrances, and even cultivates a few exclusive floral varieties himself in Paris. They first collaborated in 2015 on the perfume La Cologne De Rosine and they have once again combined their mutual love for flowers to create Rose Griotte. This fragrance is part of the LES SOLIFORES COLLECTION which also includes fragrances such as Mon Amie La Rose, Le Muguet De Rosine, and Le Magnolia De Rosine.

The griotte cherry is one of the most popular cherry varieties in France and blooms every May, where its bloom and fragrance has inspired poets and artists since the beginning of time. Likewise, the griotte cherry’s beauty influenced Marie-Hélène to develop this very special Rose Griotte. The key element of the Eau de Parfum is cherry blossom which represents purity and prosperity, and the cherry fruit itself is synonymous with beauty and softness. Mirroring the plant that inspired it, this is a fresh fragrance that has both "light juicy and fruity inflexions,” balancing the cherry blossom’s delicacy, with the cherry fruit’s tartness, and the sweetness of the rose. The top notes are tangerine essence, nashi pear, bergamot and pink pepper. The middle notes are Sakura flower (Japanese cherry blossom), peony, osmanthus, and sambac jasmine; lastly, the base notes are heliotrope flower, musk, cedar and white amber. All of these notes combine together to create a delightfully light and fruity fragrance that transports you to the middle of a blooming cherry blossom garden. Best of all, Rose Griotte has lasting longevity of an astonishing 10 to 12 hours! We think it is the perfect fresh summer scent and if you'd like to experience this soft, fresh, fruity and floral beauty of Rose Griotte for yourself, you can purchase it here for 108,00€ for 50ml or 140,00€ for 100ml.  

David Jourquin Paris: Cuir Mandarine Eau de Parfum

We think that a scent can immediately change your mood, bringing good memories back or creating new and exciting ones. Finding that one and only fragrance that encompasses your style, personality and suits each season - is a case of trial and error. This is why at The Amazing Blog we love exploring new olfactory experiences. Meet David Jourquin with and his inventive range of fragrance, today we are reviewing the delicious Cuir Mandarine.

David Jourquin created his fragrance company in 2011  after a lifetime of being surrounded by all sorts of olfactory inspiration. His mother always went to work wearing her famous leather coat and loved sprinkling tiny drops of perfume on the cushion pillows. His father smoked cigars and took David to the market in Pointe-à-Pitre,Guadeloupe, where he revelled in all the spices’ sweet, robust aromas. For David, these memories have shaped who he is today, and inspired him to recreate them in the form of his unique fragrances. Motivated by intense passion, each of his fragrances expresses a different facet of his intimate universe. Inspired by seasons and places he has created a core collection with Vendômen offering seven different Eau de Parfum where these scents are characterised by their personality and emotional impact. The Opéra collection are the refill flacons ready to be slipped into the leather coverings of the Vendôme Collection, or left bare, according to one’s desires and budget. For Jourquin, fragrances are emotional touchstones: "They speak the truth in a language that is invisible yet essential, intimate yet universal. My greatest joy is to share these fragrances with you, to create secret paths that bring us closer to ourselves so that in turn, we can get closer to others." We were excited to experience this magic.

We couldn’t wait to try one of his first launch fragrances with the much talked about  Cuir Mandarine which was a recent Gold winner with Best New Premium Fragrance at the 2020 Pure Beauty Awards.  it emits a very soft and slightly sweet unique mix of mandarin and leather. The square bottle itself is clad in hand-stitched calfskin with a solid wood grain top to accentuate its masculinity. The vibrant top notes of mandarin, pepper and lavender are very evident and immediately greet you. However, what makes this so unusual is the middle notes of leather and patchouli. The five different varieties of patchouli used originate from the mint family and are cultivated in tropical Asia. Here the patchouli has subtle musk that enhances the other fragrance notes. The base notes are the rich blond Virginian tobacco and amber which add a dimension to the sweet and earthy notes, holding everything in balance. Although Cuir Mandarin luxurious fragrance that is aimed at the male market with its timeless and classic scent and modern twist; we loved the sensual, rich, warm and sweet aroma which conjured up the change of seasons, taking us swiftly from autumn to winter.  It ‘s certainly a scent we’d recommend spritzing to uplift spirits and transport you to warmer climes even on a grey and wet English day! You can purchase Cuir Mandarin in 100 ml for €230 in 5 ml for €8.90 here. 

Quarnero - Scent of the Mediterranean Face & Body Oils: Refresh, Relax, Sensual & Spirit

Remember those relaxing and soothing Quarnero’s Fleur de Sel Relax Bath Salts? Well, today, at The Amazing Blog we’re back with more of Quarnero’s nature-inspired skincare; but this time, it’s with their set of four Mediterranean Face & Body Oils. These are ideal for uplifting mind and body; so we thought, what could be a more appropriate time to use these now we’re still in #lockdown.

As previously mentioned, Quarnero is a family based business with mother and son team, Zorica and Rešid Seferović, in the Kvarner region of Croatia. This is where they produce natural and organic face and body care. Ingredients are mainly derived from the local region where wild plants flourish in the clean air, unpolluted Adriatic shoreline and the historical landscape. Other key organic ingredients are sourced from carefully selected organic locations – such as organic cold pressed sesame oil and some of the essentials oils. They use organic and natural biodynamic plant actives combined with their time-honoured knowledge of ancient medicinal remedies to bring these unique products to life – for them it’s taking ingredients back to basics with a ‘less is more’ philosophy. All products have the prized certification from NATRUE, International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association , an organisation committed to promoting and protecting global natural and organic cosmetics. All Quarnero products are handmade, vegan and delivered in solid, simple apothecary-style jars with Miron violet glass. Interestingly, this violet glass is scientifically proven to maintain fresh ingredients longer than clear glass. It also acts as a barrier preventing the loss of bioenergy, enzymes, smell or colour from the product stored within, making preservatives less necessary. The brand is now available in 39 countries, with six products in total, which are within the two ranges of Face & Body Oils and Bath Salts.

Quarnero’s luxury vegan and organic unisex oils featured here today are suitable for both the face and body, making them incredible multitasking oils. We were sent the full set of Scent of Mediterranean Face & Body Oils, which are: Sensual, Relax, Spirit and Refresh. They offer all-year-round skin nourishment as each one contains a combination of pure bio-organic plant actives in the oils with a base of organic cold-pressed sesame oil. These ingredients are non-greasy, quick to absorb and designed to primarily help regenerate, soothe and protect the skin, emitting their unique Quarnero ‘Scent of the Mediterranean’ fragrance. The carrier oil in each is the cold-pressed sesame oil which is an excellent choice, as it doesn’t interfere with the essential oil’s therapeutic properties and is also full of antioxidants, vitamin E and omega fatty acids. It has a natural SPF 4 for protection and best of all, it keeps the skin gently nourished. The other ingredient common in three of the oils is lavender augustifolia (lavender oil) – see our photo above. This is one of the most versatile and popular distilled essential oils and best known to promote relaxation, treat anxiety, depression and insomnia. 

Each oil in this Scent of Mediterranean Face & Body Oil range offers specific mood enhancing property. The  Sensual emits softness and warmth with the cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) blended with delicate camellia oil, citrus essential oil; this will relax tense muscles, eliminate stress and anxiety, uplift and stimulate awakening sensuality. The Relax has an impressive combination of rosemary, lavender, geranium leaf and bergamot to relieve tired and irritated skin from negative environmental factors.It is also recommended for massaging into the body as an anti-cellulite treatment to aid with lymphatic drainage and make skin smoother. Spirit has a blend of excellent regenerative properties; these include rosemary, lavender, lemon and bergamot, which refresh the skin with a slightly zesty fragrance. This also has a stimulating effect on mood and we found it inspired in us a more optimistic outlook. Finally, the Refresh is a fusion of tangerine, lavender and mentha piperita leaf (peppermint). This mix has cooling and soothing characteristics, and when inhaled gave a feeling of elevated calm.

So, where to begin? We started by opening each of the four bottles in turn. Whichever one we instinctively felt most drawn to, we then applied. This was directly onto damp skin after an evening shower or bath. We recommend decanting the oils into a 20ml glass bottle; they work best warmed up bain-marie style, and then massaged to the skin. Left overnight the ingredients can fully absorb and work their magic. Quarnero also recommends using these oils to heal the skin after exposure to extreme cold or heat and as an added bonus, these oils are gentle enough to even be massaged into beards or the scalp. Once again, we’ve been won over by Quarnero’s skincare, where they offer their unique gifts from the earth, sun and sea and we cannot wait for to try more. To purchase Quarnero Scent of Mediterranean Face and Body oils, 100ml at €33 each, please email info@quarnero.hr for enquiries due to the online shop currently being unavailable.

Bōbé Beauty: Natural Perfume Oils

The power of fragrance to influence our mood or recall a memory…is something we all tend to underestimate. These could be key moments in our lives: people, places and situations…like the smell of a cake slowly baking in the family kitchen, or the scent that our grandmother wore. Today at The Amazing Blog  we’re featuring  Bōbé Beauty, a Canadian aromatherapy brand that has created a unique trio of 100% natural perfume oils. 

Marlese Assman is the founder of Bōbé Beauty and a practitioner in aromatherapy, reflexology and Chinese medicine based in Saskatchewan Canada. Her curiosity for flora and fauna fuelled her passion for creating her own line of botanical perfume oils. Assman trained with fragrance experts based in Barcelona, New York and France; making her dream of producing a natural fragrance line become a reality, where she has transferred her aromatherapy expertise into the world of perfumery. Assman said: “I’ve been scouring the French countryside for ancient roses, the hidden apothecaries of Greenwich Village for the perfect patchouli, and slipping into Saskatchewan’s own fragrant forests to encapsulate fresh cut wood and campfire.” Her trio of Bōbé Beauty perfume oils offer an intimate, sensual botanical journey where her goal is to provide a feeling of “youthful experience through assured independence” and ancient luxury for the modern muse. These perfume oils are all free from parabens, petroleum, alcohol, phthalate, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. With their all-natural ingredients tested on humans, not animals are made with love and care in small batches (photo here by special request is credited to Flint + Feather Photography).

The first out of the three perfume oils that we tried is Darya with the silver top which embodies ‘the modern mermaid’. In this subtle yet complex fragrance, the purple passion fruit and citrus balance the jasmine and coconut. While the seaweed brings this earthy, seaside smell that transports you to a tropical island with its fruity notes; you can almost visualise the beach with lapping waves. Other ingredients here are blackcurrant bud, myrrh, liquidambar, amber resin, rock rose. Darya is available here. Moving on to the second perfume oil Metsa with the gold top. This one captures ‘The woman of the forest’ (see our photo above) With its earthy scents, this perfume oil reflects the strength of nature. The musk and the wood intertwine to create a mixture of warm, spicy and sweet yet powerfully green fragrance that is perfect for inspiring sensuality. Ingredients include perus balsam, labdanum, patchouli, clary sage, rose de mai, davana, pink  peppercorns and juniper berry. Metsa is available here. The third perfume oil that we tried is Sepeideh with the rose gold top, which translates as ‘before the dawn’ in Persian. This youthful but sensual perfume oil was named after Marlese’s daughter. In this fragrance, the green leaves gently mix with the smell of sunbathed flowers, while the citrus adds a twist and the softwoods carrying you to the beginning of the forest, in the quiet early morning when you feel safe and in harmony with nature slowly awakening. This was our favourite with its more unusual ingredients of nerolina, rhododendron, vanilla and ambette seed.You can purchase Sepeideh here. 

These empowering and uplifting natural oil perfumes are in a base of organic jojoba oil, and the unique combination of essential oils and fragrances have all been strategically sourced from around the globe. We used these alone and even combine one or two of the trio to create an individual scent that resonated with our given mood. They lift the spirits and are comforting to wear - we think ideal for our current #lockdown situation! They are available for purchase on Bōbé Beauty’s website here each of 10ml rollerball bottles are $50.00 CAD (approx. £28.92).