Perfect Blends
The world of fragrance is big business with more than 600 new names hitting the shelves every year. Predictably, most fail, so to launch 12 at the same time, as American designer Tom Ford did in 2007, takes a certain amount of confidence. Private Blend consists of a set of a dozen unisex fragrances, each developed with a back-to-basics approach following Ford’s classic fashion philosophy. The collection ranges from woody, heavier notes to fresher, more floral fragrances. Available for the first time in Wales at House Of Fraser, Cardiff, the fragrances may be on the pricey side (£100 for 50ml), but they are so beautifully packaged and are a million miles away from the one-smell-fits-all of the mass market, the wallet dent is worth it.

Spa Turn
Meridian Gate Spa at Radisson BLU Hotel, Cardiff Recommended treatment: Aromatherapy Fitness Massage, £55 for 70 minutes, is a great treatment before or after exercise as it uses the essential oils of lavender, rosemary and clove to help increase circulation and warm muscles, preventing strains and relieving aches and pains. Prices: Incredibly reasonable. One of the cheapest treatments is the Express Facial, which comes in at 29 quid, but even the more expensive treatments are still on the reasonable-side compared with other high-end spas. Most impressive of all are the prices of the massages which start as low as £29, but can hover around the £100 mark elsewhere. Service: Understated but super-attentive, the staff make you feel pampered without going over the top. Their relaxed approach makes the high-gloss surroundings feel homely and not the least bit intimidating. The X Factor: The relaxation room. It’s suitably Zen-like, plus it has an adjoining sauna and steam room for maximum zoning out. Score: 9 out of 10

<<<BAC Forget common scents, says Jason Jones, try some more unique aromas