NEW Matiere Premiere London Store

new shop

I have an emotional relationship with perfume, it is usually something I invest in when I travel and want to remember a special trip. Recently I’ve loved Xinu from Mexico City, Strange Invisible from LA’s Venice Beach and Fueguia 1833’s collaboration with Fife Arms in Scotland. It’s rare I fall in love with a scent on home turf… but when I heard Matiere Premiere’s story, and founder Aurélien Guichard’s dedication to the brand, I was completely engrossed. So when I discovered they were opening their first London store, I was one of the first through the doors.

In their own words… “Matiere Premiere creates its perfumes from an overdose of a central natural material, cultivated or chosen for its unique strength. Its raw beauty and texture are brought to the forefront, without compromise or artifice.” Aurélien has created a radical perfumery where he cultivates and picks many of his own ingredients (think roses in the flower fields of Grasse) ensuring a scent that is both powerful and alluring, it truly lingers on your skin all day.

In the sleek Scandinavian-style store the minimalist design allows the product to command all the attention. Smell the raw pure ingredients (I fell hard for Coffee Extract from Venezuela), try the perfumes and get invested in the beautiful range of skin and hair products, and the irresistible candles ~ I highly recommend ‘Rose de Mai’ for a flavour of Provence at home.

I recommend you visit to find yourself a new perfume for Spring ~ ‘Vanilla Powder’ is the most iconic in the collection – a sweet and creamy scent that you can’t help but fall in love with, while ‘Encens Suave’ is a more mellow fragrance that reminded me of incense in church. Or pop in and find a gift for someone special with the genius ‘Discovery Set’ ~ you can hand-pick a selection of MP miniatures, and then the recipient can try them out and choose their favourite to invest in.

The Matiere Premiere perfumes are available to buy online, or in store at the new Covent Garden store. More information here.

Last minute beauty stocking fillers

Just a couple of weeks left till the big day and if, like me, you’ve already braved the highstreets you’ll be ready to finish your Christmas shopping online, curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and no crowds to contend with! Here’s a few of my wintery beauty favourites to top up those festive stockings.

Beauty stocking fillers

Officine Universelle Buly Savon Superfin – The packaging alone of this historic brand is special, and inside the scented soaps are just as lovely, pick from a collection with includes ‘damask rose’ and ‘komi forest’.

Beauty stocking fillers

Diptyque Coton – Every year the candle kings at Diptyque bring out a limited edition range of candles. This year ‘Coton’ is part of the festive collection – a soft and smooth scent featuring tonka bean, musk and iris, encased in a beautiful glass adorned with blue and gold flames.

Beauty stocking fillers

Fresh – I love the Fresh products, fuss free and effective with lovely scents. The gift sets are perfect for Christmas, brilliant collections of their most loved products. The ‘Hydration Boost’ set is ideal for winter worn skin with the gentle Soy Face Wash, Tea Elixir Serum to remedy tired skin and Rose Face Cream to strengthen the skin’s barrier, delivering dewy skin that’s plumped with moisture.

Beauty stocking fillers

Jones Road – Simplified make-up for all skin types, wrapped up in perfect little pink boxes. For festive maekovers the ‘Miracle Balm’ is great for adding a dewy glow to your complexion, I pair it with ‘Sparkle Wash’ – a shimmery eyeshadow perfect for party season.

Beauty stocking fillers

Grown Alchemist Giving Face set – A Christmas set which includes the Grown Alchemist favourites to cleanse and moisterise your skin, all packaged up in sizes ideal for travelling.

Beauty stocking fillers

Thameen Discovery Set – I love this trio of perfumes from Thameen which has a scent for every Christmas occasion – Fanfare, Bohemian Infusion and Bravi. Each one pays tribute to one of the most iconic sights in London, Covent Garden. Fanfare, for example, delights with notes of lemon, flower market accord and patchouli to bottle the scent of the bustling Flower Market.

Beauty stocking fillers

Gisou – This award-winning honey-infused hair oil is the perfect antidote to cold weather. Use this finishing product as the last step in your hair routine – just rub a few drops in your hands and smooth over your hair to eliminate frizz and promote maximum shine. A great present for all.

Beauty stocking fillers

Victoria Beckham – I love the whole Victoria Beckham make-up range – and these little boxes of luxury are the perfect stocking filler. If you aren’t sure of someone’s skin type / shade I recommend a universal eye liner, these ones are long lasting and bold so make an effect on every eye.

Beauty stocking fillers

Vieve – The ultimate party shimmer from Vieve. A high-impact, liquid highlighter that gives the look of ethereal glass skin whilst delivering serious staying power. It comes in three shades and is a great mood-lifter year round, but particularly fitting for festive shindigs!

Beauty stocking fillers

Ultra Violette Vi’s Faves – A best-selling duo to protect and nourish both your face and body. Includes the Fave Fluid SPF 50+ and Extreme Screen SPF 50+. Because sun-protection isn’t just for summer.

Includes some gifted products.

Beauty Brands to Make You Feel Good This September

Despite having the best intentions for my mental and physical state of mind at the beginning of the new School season, I always feel frazzled in September. This year a few trusted beauty brands have helped get my mind and skin back on track, and feeling ready for Autumn.

September beauty

Summer may be waning but SPF is a must all year round, the Ultra Violette ‘Preen Screen SPF Reapplication Mist’ is super easy and quick to incorporate into your daily routine, and the ideal product to use on the go. The final step of your skincare regime, just spray a layer over your make-up for protection from unwanted rays. Pair with the ‘Fave Fluid’ which delivers a soft, natural finish.

September beauty

My first try of Mirror Water did not disappoint, an award-winning brand which is all about self-care. The 100% Naturally-Derived Bath Salts and Smooth Body Oil are the perfect duo for an evening in this September. As the nights get cooler sooth your skin with a long warm bath followed by a generous layer of this daily body oil which will leave your skin feeling luxuriously soft and nourished.

September beauty

I’ve been on the lookout for a new serum and moisturiser duo to treat my skin to this Autumn. With the change of seasons my skin has felt dull and unloved. The Skinceuticals range has often rescued me before so I felt confident that the C E Ferulic high potency serum and Daily Moisture moisturiser would do the trick. Just a few drops of the serum worked immediately, diminishing the appearance of fine lines while also adding a glowy tone to my face. The lightweight moisturiser followed well, minimising the pores on my t-zone particularly well.

September beauty

I’ve always loved the Fresh skincare but never tried their bodycare selection before. The Rise Morning Body Wash and Body Lotion are the perfect duo for putting you in a good mood in the morning. Jump in the shower with this happy floral scented product and let the Vitamin C & E in the product cleanse without stripping your skin of goodness. Follow with the body lotion to stay soft and scented for the whole day ahead.

September beauty

Everyone raves about no-fuss brand CeraVe and now I know why. With the change of seasons and weather fluctuations my skin always suffers. The Blemish Control range has kept my break-outs to a minimum unclogging pores efficiently and delicately while also improving the smoothness of the skin. Both these products contain 3 essential ceramides, glycolic and lactic acids to improve your complexion, fast.

September beauty

Acqua di Parma are one of my favourite luxury Perfume brands for year-round use. The range of scents match the seasons with something to suit everyone. Lily of the Valley is a bright, citrusy scent, ideal for late summer days out… with powerful aromas of jasmine, magnolia and geranium coming through. For Autumnal evenings out I like the Oud & Spice, a lovely unisex perfume with more woody notes. When you first spray it on the skin I noticed hints of Raspberry and Rose (a combination I’ve always loved) but it mellows quickly and gives a lovely warmth to your skin as it matures.

September beauty

As the air gets cooler I like to wear warmer scents that keep me feeling comforted all day. The Ostens Patchouli Heart No. 1 is a aromatic perfume with notes of Amber and Patchouli in the base, with higher notes of lavender and pink pepper. I love the addition of liquorice to the perfume, it feels exciting and modern but sophisticated.

September beauty

Thameen‘s The Cora fragrance is inspired by The Cora Sun-Drop Diamond. Founded in South Africa in 2010, it is known as the yellow pear shaped diamond. A great trans-seasonal scent with an alluring recipe of Rose, Vanilla, jasmine and patchouli. The perfume lasted so well on my skin, evolving throughout the day with a feminine warmth.

September beauty

Victoria Beckham can do no wrong, her beauty line is as stylish as it is effective. The Highlighter stick is my new handbag essential, a slick golden wand offering a fresh, glass-like glow when applied (I put it below my eyebrows and on my cheekbone). Amber is the new shade, ideal for sunkissed September complexions. For a minimal make-up look pair with a neutral lip and a lick of the Victoria Beckham Vast Lash mascara which voluminises and lashes while also being smudge resistant and easy to remove. It ticks every box for me.

September beauty

I am a novice when it comes to probiotics, but I’m trying to learn more as the results are undeniable. The Seed brand is as stylish as it is effective. I love that the Seed products don’t need to be kept in the fridge (always a problem when you are a frequent traveller) and are suitable for kids too. This Pediatric Daily Synbiotic stabilises the bacteria in your gut promoting a healthier digestive system. These powder sachets can be stirred into water or food and begin to work within a few days, making you feel healthier without a major lifestyle change.

This post contains some press samples.