Journal
Our writing on beauty, fragrance, home, children, jewellery and gifting: how to choose, how to use, and the houses behind it.
Everything we publish, in one place
Latest
Jean Paul Gaultier Perfume: Choosing Scandal, Classique or Divine
How to choose Jean Paul Gaultier perfume for women: the character of Scandal, Classique and Divine, eau de parfum or eau de toilette, layering and gifting.
Chanel Perfume: Choosing Your First Fragrance or a Gift
How to choose a Chanel perfume: the fragrance lines and their characters, parfum, eau de parfum and eau de toilette in plain words, and simple choices for a gift.
Dior Perfume: The House's Fragrance Lines and How to Choose
Dior's fragrance lines explained, from the warm Poison family to fresh floral classics, with eau de parfum and eau de toilette in plain words, gift advice and layering.
How to Choose a Fragrance or Beauty Gift for Someone Else
Choosing scent for someone else is a question about them. How to read the taste you already know, what to do when you know nothing, and where the line falls between a safe gift and a personal one.
Gifting by Occasion: Milestones, Thank Yous and First Gifts
A milestone, a thank you and a first gift are three different briefs. What each one should say, and how to choose a scent that says it.
Wedding Rings and Bands: How to Choose
How to choose a wedding ring: the band profile, the right width, plain or eternity, matching it to an engagement ring, sizing and stacking.
Masterclass
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Wedding Rings and Bands: How to Choose
How to choose a wedding ring: the band profile, the right width, plain or eternity, matching it to an engagement ring, sizing and stacking.
How to Choose an Engagement Ring
How to choose an engagement ring she will love: the shape of the stone, solitaire, halo, pavé and three-stone settings, the metal, band width and finding her size discreetly.
Bangles, Tennis, Charm or Beaded: Which Bracelet Suits You?
Bangles, chains, tennis, charm and beaded bracelets each do something different. How to choose between them, measure your wrist and build a stack.
Chains, Pendants, Pearls or Tennis: Which Necklace Suits You?
Chains, pendants, pearls and tennis necklaces each do something different. How to choose between them, the right length for your neckline, and how to layer them.
Gold or Silver: How to Choose Your Jewellery Metal
Gold, silver or rose gold? How to choose by skin tone and the jewellery you already wear, what 925, 18ct, 9ct and gold-plated mean, and how to care for each.
Studs, Hoops, Drops or Huggies: Which Earrings Suit You?
Studs, hoops, drops and huggies each do something different for the face. How to choose between them, and how to wear them together.
Ritual
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Reed Diffusers: How to Scent a Room Without a Flame
How a reed diffuser works, which scent character suits which room, and how to control the strength.
An Evening Ritual at Home: Rituals' Relaxation Sets
An evening ritual is a sequence, not a product. How the Rituals relaxation sets are built, and which to choose.
Sesderma and Instituto Español: A Summer Vitamin C Ritual
A summer routine in two halves: vitamin C on the face in the morning, and a body ritual for after the shower.
Caffeine for the Scalp: Plantur 39 and How a Tonic Fits In
Where a leave-in scalp tonic belongs in a hair routine, and how the Plantur 39 shampoo and tonic are used together.
La Roche-Posay: A Sensitive-Skin Routine, Step by Step
How a sensitive-skin routine is built with La Roche-Posay: what to use, in what order, and how often.
Sensitive and Dry Skin in an Irish Climate: Eucerin and Avène
A face, body and hand routine for skin that is dry in winter and easily reactive the rest of the year.
Ingredient
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Neroli: What It Is, What It Smells Like, and What It Does in a Fragrance
Neroli is steam distilled from bitter orange blossom. What it smells like, how it differs from orange blossom absolute and petitgrain, and how perfumers use it.
The Houses
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Jean Paul Gaultier Perfume: Choosing Scandal, Classique or Divine
How to choose Jean Paul Gaultier perfume for women: the character of Scandal, Classique and Divine, eau de parfum or eau de toilette, layering and gifting.
Chanel Perfume: Choosing Your First Fragrance or a Gift
How to choose a Chanel perfume: the fragrance lines and their characters, parfum, eau de parfum and eau de toilette in plain words, and simple choices for a gift.
Dior Perfume: The House's Fragrance Lines and How to Choose
Dior's fragrance lines explained, from the warm Poison family to fresh floral classics, with eau de parfum and eau de toilette in plain words, gift advice and layering.
Kérastase: Choosing Shampoo, Hair Masks and Serums for Your Hair
How to choose Kérastase shampoo, conditioner, hair mask and serum by hair need, build a three-step routine, and put together a gift from one range.
Guess: How to Wear the House's Jewellery and Eyewear
The Guess look in jewellery and eyewear: building an everyday set in one tone, choosing glasses and sunglasses, and wearing the pieces together.
Stroili: Italian Jewellery and Watches for Every Day
Stroili is an Italian jewellery and watch house built around accessible, everyday pieces. Its earrings, bracelets, necklaces and watches, and how to wear them as a set.
Gift Guide
All
How to Choose a Fragrance or Beauty Gift for Someone Else
Choosing scent for someone else is a question about them. How to read the taste you already know, what to do when you know nothing, and where the line falls between a safe gift and a personal one.
Gifting by Occasion: Milestones, Thank Yous and First Gifts
A milestone, a thank you and a first gift are three different briefs. What each one should say, and how to choose a scent that says it.
