Jo Loves

Jo Loves is by Jo Malone. I decided to treat myself after numerous hints for my birthday didn't work. I read about this Graffiti body spray in a magazine and knew I had to try it.

Because I love Grapefruit scented products, I chose that one but it comes in other flavours although the thought of Tuberose or Fig makes me want to heave but whatever floats your boat.

I love this, it's been perfect for this long hot summer and the scent lasts really well. It cools you down as well. I've not used a body spray since my teenage days of Impulse and I'd forgotten how nice they can be for a subtle, all-over saturation of very light fragrance. I can't see me using this in the deep and dark days of winter but for summer and holidays, it's lovely.

I also bought a fragrance paint brush.

I chose White Roses and Lemon Leaves which was nice enough but a bit of an obvious scent to my nose (I ordered these online). I love the portability of this, I took it into work and brushed it on my wrists. I like that you are not obviously applying perfume and choking people around you with a spray.

However, after a week, it stopped working. No more gel was coming out of the brush. I clicked away but to no avail. The customer service was interesting. I sent an email explaining the problem. I got an answer back quickly that I needed to shake it vigorously. I did this, nope, didn't work. I emailed back and explained this. I was told that I needed to pack it up sturdily and they'd send a driver to pick it up on a day I chose. I did all this and driver duly turned up. I then received an email saying, yes it is broken, would I like a new one or a refund? No apology and I didn't like the implication that somehow I had been lying until they had tested it. I asked for a refund because by the point I was annoyed and I wasn't massively into the smell anyway.

Jo Loves is a top-end and luxury retailer. They should have immediately sent me another one when I sent my first email. This is clearly a known problem. It's very disappointing.

Christmas shopping

If you've not completed your shopping yet or you want a treat for yourself (entirely understandable) then here are my thoughts.

First up, my beloved Bobbi Brown. Someone please buy a city palette. They are beyond divine. I want all of them but if forced to choose, I'd pick London:

I also have loved the Bobbi Luxe lipstick this year. One of the few lippies I've found that don't dry my lips.

Nail polish - always a winner. OPI has a new Breakfast at Tiffany's collection. I admit to not being a fan of the film but it's iconic, no arguments from me there. I especially like this colour: Can't Read Without My Lipstick:

I also want YSL Rouge Pop Art. I've said it before but I like to repeat myself, YSL nail varnish is the easiest to apply for a perfect home manicure.

New perfume? Yes, always. I am taken with Jo Loves in Pomelo. Gorgeous bottle and as delightful as you would expect it to be.

I also want to try the Byredo Unnamed. Exactly what it sounds like, it has no name, you make your own up.

I don't think anyone would be disappointed in a Charlotte Tilbury palette. The Rebel makes my heart race with those gorgeous greens.

After all the parties and family get togethers, there is nothing better than a bubble bath and there are no finer oils than Aromatherapy Associates. All of them are wonderful but Relax does the job. Expensive but a little goes a long way.

You'll need a scented candle too. I adore Diptyque, you can't go wrong with this brand and it's always a treat to receive a candle. The Menthe Verte is refreshing and clears the head.

I shall be back with a specific skin care Christmas guide soon.