The TSNC Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2021

11 February, 2021

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and I have a gorgeous selection of gift ideas to share with you if you’re looking for some last minute gifting inspiration. I have some newly launched fragrances, as well as a few older must-haves, some makeup, jewellery and drinks. I hope you enjoy!Let’s kick things off with some beautiful brand new fragrances, starting with L’Occitane Rose Calisson EDT. This is a rose scent unlike any other – L’Occitane have combined a classic rose fragrance with calisson, a traditional French pastry with candied fruit, almonds and royal icing, to create a deliciously sweet feminine floral fragrance with a powdery trail. If you like rose fragrances, this is definitely worth checking out! The Rose Calisson collection also includes Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hand Cream, and a Perfume in Gel.

Top Notes: Nectarine & Mandarin
Heart Notes: Rosa Centifolia, Rosa Damascena, Magnolia & Orange Blossom
Base Notes: Calisson, Woody Notes & Cedar Wood.

Jimmy Choo I Want Choo EDP is another new launch that would make for a wonderful Valentine’s gift. I Want Choo is described as an ode to the playful spirit and alluring glamour that epitomises the Jimmy Choo woman. It’s a beautiful oriental floral fragrance opening with a sparkling citrus top note of Mandarin juice and velvety Peach, leading to a floral heart of Red Spider Lily and Jasmine Sambac, and a warming base of Vanilla and Benzoin. This is a great every day fragrance – I love the peach in this!

Top Notes: Peach & Mandarin Orange
Heart Notes: Red Spider Lily & Jasmine Sambac
Base Notes: Vanilla & Benzoin

I also have the stunning new Versace Dylan Blue Turquoise EDT – this is a floral, woody, musky fragrance inviting you to escape to faraway islands where the blue sky meets crystal waters, and the sea breeze caresses the skin. Fresh, zesty and luminous, Dylan Blue Turquoise opens with energetic Primofiore lemon, juicy Sicilian mandarin and pink peppercorn, leading to a heart of tropical Guava complemented by transparent Jasmine petals and the essence of Freesia. The base note of Clearwood contrasts with a blend of Vibrant Woods and White Musk leaving you with a beautiful clean and fresh dry down.

Top Notes: Sicilian Mandarin Essence, Lemon Primofiore Essence & Pink Pepper
Heart Notes: Blackcurrant Bud Absolute, Jasmin Petals, Guava & Freesia
Base Notes: Clearwood, Vibrant Woods & White Musk

I also wanted to recommend my first ever scent from Maison Sybarite – Maison Sybarite 720. This brand is a little different to traditional fragrance brands as they don’t use any alcohol in their fragrances – there’s also no chemical solvents, parabens, phthalates or silicones, and the brand is also vegan friendly and cruelty-free. The juice itself is an oil-in-water formula, that sprays white on the skin rather than clear. This is the first non-alcohol fragrance I’ve tried, and it’s definitely an interesting experience – the formula allows the scent to sit on the skin in a different way, that’s somehow all enveloping and just ‘more’ than an alcohol based scent it seems. It really needs to be experienced!

I’m sure you can tell I’m impressed, but the fragrance 720 really is something special. It’s rich with spices, intense and aromatic. This is a dark scent, for night time only, it’s sophisticated and complex, with notes of Birch Tar, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Tonka. The overall vibe makes me think of Tom Ford Black Orchid, but this is less sweet, more unisex and deeper. A must try!

Top Notes: Birch Tar & Lavender
Heart Notes: Cardamom, Cinnamon & Nutmeg
Base Notes: Ambrox, Tonka Bean, Patchouli & Cedarwood

I also have a gorgeous fragrance from Penhaligon’s – Penhaligon’s The Favourite EDP. The Favourite is elegant, feminine and really quite beautiful. It’s a sweet, floral, powdery scent that’s uplifting, clean and contemporary. The fragrance opens with notes of Freesia, Violet, Mandarin & Bergamot, leading to a floral heart of Mimosa, Iris & Jasmine Sambac, and Indian Sandalwood, Musk & Amber at the base. This is just overall a very pretty, uplifting scent, perfect for the coming Spring.

Top Notes: Freesia, Violet, Mandarin & Bergamot
Heart Notes: Mimosa, Iris & Jasmine Sambac
Base Notes: Indian Sandalwood, Musk & Amber

I also have a beautiful scent from Kierin, Kierin Nitro Noir – described as spicy, intoxicating and hypnotic, Nitro Noir is a chypre, floral, gourmand fragrance that’s perfect for evening wear or a night out (not that we can go anywhere at the moment!) I’d say this is a unisex scent, leaning slightly towards feminine, Nitro Noir is decadent, alluring and distinctive. It has a powdery lipstick note, but don’t let that fool you, it’s also spicy, fruity and enticing, with notes of Italian Bergamot, Pink Berries and Patchouli.Another brand new fragrance that has literally just landed at TSNC HQ is Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl EDP. The latest in the Good Girl line is a fun, fruity and lighter version of the original Good Girl, almost like Good Girl’s younger sister. Very Good Girl opens with juicy fruity Redcurrant and Lychee, with a heart of Rose and Vetiver and Vanilla at the base. This will be perfect for the coming summer months!And last but not least for fragrance, I have MOR Marshmallow EDP. If you’re a fan of super sweet scents, this could be the one for you. Think sugar dipped Rose Petals infused with Pink Musk, Cotton Candy and Vanilla Musk. This fragrance is feminine, sweet and deliciously intense. MOR also have a selection of matching products in the Marshmallow range, including the Marshmallow Body Cream which pairs perfectly with the EDP.Jewellery is always a fantastic idea for Valentine’s gifting, and Daisy London have a gorgeous selection of women’s necklaces available. The Estee Lalonde Goddess Medalion T Bar Necklace is a beautiful statement piece, with a medallion style goddess pendant hanging from a t-bar chain fastening. This one is 18ct gold plated sterling silver, and they also have a silver option available, and a matching ring.On to makeup now, I have a couple of products from KVD Vegan Beauty I wanted to include. The KVD XO Vinyl Lip Cream Lip Gloss is one of their latest launches, and it’s perfect for those that love the look of a gloss, with an intense colour payoff. This gloss gives a beautiful shiny vinyl finish with bold colour, and without drying out the lips. I have shades Blossom, Carnation and Tulip above.I also have the KVD Everlasting Blush in Foxglove. This really is such a pretty shade! KVD’s Everlasting Blush promises extreme long wear and a beautiful soft-matte finish that won’t fade throughout the day. This highly pigment powder will also last you a long time, as a little really does go a long way.And lastly, for those that like a tipple, maybe Four Roses Bourbon could be a lovely gift? Hailing from Kentucky, Four Roses small batch bourbon began when the brand’s founder fell in love with a girl, he sent a proposal to her, and she replied that if her answer were “Yes”, she would wear a corsage of four roses on her gown to an upcoming ball – which she did. Four Roses is super smooth and creamy, with notes of caramel and honey – perfect for sipping on its own, or creating cocktails such as the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.