Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Classics Collection

If you hadn't guessed by now, I am a huge fan of The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club boxes. This box arrives every quarter and costs just £5. Inside there will be samples of some of the latest fragrances to have launched. The reason I love it so much is because I absolutely love perfume, I am obsessed with it but one of my pet hates is testing them out in a department store because I never feel like a quick spritz is enough to make a decision as to whether or not that perfume is for you.  It might smell good whilst you are wandering around, but you never really get a chance to let it settle on the skin and it is more often than not mixed with other scents. So for me, this box is a great idea.

This quarter see's the re-introduction and re-discovery of some classics with the 'Classics Collection' and inside the box there are ten samples to devour and enjoy with six females fragrances and four male fragrances.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million perfume represents luxury and wealth with fresh floral accords wrapped in a gold diamond. A perfect fit to the 1 Million Man, the Lady Million perfume embodies the luxurious lifestyle through a fresh, woody floral fragrance, offset by sweet Honey.   This is for me, just a fragrance I cannot get on with, there is something about it I just don't like.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for Women is a delicate blend of florals and fruits creating a mouth water, fresh fragrance. Using the top notes of Bergamot, Cedar, Bellflower and Lemon  with heart notes of Rose, Bamboo and Jasmine and finally base notes of Amber and Musk, added together this is a stunning scent and it isnt a surprise to me to find that I really like because any scent which contains Jasmine, works well with my skin and smells really nice on me.

Touch of Pink By Lacoste is a fruity floral fragrance for the youthful, energetic female with passion and power. Described as being "The modern classic Lacoste Touch of Pink captures the essence of a woman full of youthful sensuality. She is young yet grown-up, classic yet modern, innocent yet knowing. Her femininity shines from within and her unique charm is as compelling as it is captivating".  I do like this scent a lot, though I always feel that being 30+ I am somewhat too old to like it and wear it.

Jimmy Choo Parfum expresses an aura of strength and beauty and has a dazzling aura of glittering femininity. With top notes of orange, Pear, Green, middle note of Orchid and base notes of Toffee and Patchouli, I find this scent a little too over the top for my liking.  It is one of those which needs a good hour to settle down on my skin and sadly it is just not for me.

Nina Ricci Nina This magical fragrance is a promise of charm, temptation and seductive femininity. Described as being "A modern-day fairy tale of a princess and her enchanting fragrance, a fresh fruity-floral fragrance with mouth-watering red toffee apple accents". I absolutely love this scent, it is one of those that I liked as soon as I spritzed it and it is the peony and apple for me which make this such as lovely scent.

Hugo Boss, Hugo Woman. Last spring, Hugo Boss welcomed Hugo Woman to their collection of fragrances. This fruity, floral scent has an unconventional boyish twist.  Again, it contains Jasmine so I really like it and this is a first for me when it comes to Hugo Boss scents for women because I have never liked a single one until I got this sample.

The four male aftershaves within this collection include:

Lacoste Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. Blanc -  Cool and crisp as a fresh polo shirt. It opens with refreshing grapefruit, laced with the spice of cardamom and rosemary, around a passionate and idiosyncratic tuberose heart. Leather, suede, vetiver and cedar wood lend an insouciant masculinity to its base. Eau De Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc is a pure, clean day sent.  I am personally on the fence with this one, I don't hate it but I wouldn't rush out to buy it either, is one of those scents that if someone asked me what I thought about it I would shrug my shoulders.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million - A fresh spicy leather fragrance that forms the main pillar of the Million range. Originally launches in 2008, it expresses every man's desires and fantasies, he is sure of himself and irresistible. With Paco Rabanne 1 Million, everything is possible with a click of the fingers! The fragrance features peppermint, mandarin, rose, cinnamon and leather for an irresistibly sexy fragrance for men.  Now this scent is so much better than the ladies version, in my opinion, though it isn't one I would buy for the mister because I know he would hate it.

Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme - Since 1994, L'Eau D'Isse Pour Homme has become a hallmark of sophistication in the world of fragrances. It awakens the senses with its blend of citrus, precious woods and spices. The pure, energising scent is perfect for a modern, independent man.  This is such an amazing scent, the mister already had a massive bottle, just to ensure it never runs out.

Hugo Boss - Boss Bottled - A true male iconic fragrance that remains as popular now as its launch in 1994. The juice is fresh and sharp with a warm woody base whilst the bottle offers a sleek, uncomplicated but very masculine look. Again for me, Hugo Boss can do nothing wrong when it comes to male scents, this one is just lovely and there isn't a Boss fragrance for men I dislike.

This has been a great box. It has been great to be reacquainted with some classic fragrances as well as be reminded that some, nice though they are, are just not for me.

Are there any scents here that you like/love/loathe?

Fragrance Shop Discovery Club - Gucci Edition

I am a huge fan of the The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club boxes, which as a regular reader you might know, so when I saw there was a Gucci Selection, I was really excited to get hold of it.  In conjuction with the launch of Gucci Bamboo, this box gives you the chance to try out some of the most popular Gucci fragrances along with Gucci Bamboo.

Within the box there are four samples to try, three for us ladies and one for the man in your life.  I have personally never tried a Gucci perfume, they have just never appealed to me when I have wanted something new, so this was an absolute first for me and if you read my misters blog, then you will know his views on Gucci Rush!

Gucci Bamboo is the latest perfume to launch and it is described as being a scent which emanates the Gucci woman's diverse sides: her femininity, confidence, savvy and strength. What you have are Top notes of Italian Bergamot and Orange Blossom, with the heart notes of Casablanca Lily, Ylang Ylang which lead to the base notes of Deep Sandalwood, heady Tahitian Vanilla and unique grey Amber accords. Those together make for a lovely floral scent which lingers really well on the skin and doesn't become overpowered by the Tahitian Vanilla, which I am pleased about because it isn't an ingredient I am a fan of. 

Gucci Guilty for Women is described as being sexy and daring, a thrilling sensation pushing you to the extreme. It uses top notes of Mandarin Orange, Pink Pepper, heart notes of Geranium, Peach and Lilac with base notes of Patchouli and Amber. Now this is a scent I liked immediately after tying it, I like the floral notes of lilac and geranium mixed with peach which give it a very soft scent that is a perfect day time fragrance.  If there was one scent I would be most likely to purchase from the box, then it would be Gucci Guilty.

Gucci Guilty Pour Homme is described as being 'a masculine aromatic fougère with sex appeal and attitude'. It has top notes of Lavender and Lemon. Heart notes of Orange Flowers with base notes of Patchouli, and Cedar. Now this is most definitely a male scent and for me it is the Cedar which gives it that masculine punch, it is quite an earthy scent which hits the senses as soon as it is sprayed, then once it has settled, whilst there is no sign of the Lavender, there is a hint of Patchouli and Lemon which actually work to make a nice fragrance, but not one I can see my mister wanting to wear, more because of his dalliance with Gucci Rush which has scarred him for life against Gucci scents.

The final sample in this box is Gucci Premiere, the only scent I have never heard of. Said to be inspired by timeless Hollywood Glamour and fronted by a modern icon - Blake Lively, Gucci Premiere is described as being a timeless allure that epitomises absolute glamour; womanly, intriguing and seductive.. This scent has top notes of Orange Blossom and light citrus oils, Heart notes of White Flower and base notes of Leather, Patchouli and Musky notes.  This is the one scent within the box that I instantly disliked, I found it to be too over the top with the musky notes and patchouli to the point where it made me cough and gag slightly.  It is very much a scent for some one much older than me, perhaps someone who likes a strong scented perfume, where only a small amount will leave a trail behind you.

So there is a small sample of some Gucci scents that I have had the pleasure to try over the the last week and it was full of surprises.  Some of the scents I liked, loved or hated.  I would have liked to have had at least one more male fragrance sample plus a sample of Gucci Guilty Black, which I like the sound of, but considering this box cost me absolutely nothing, I can't complain too much.

Are you a fan of Gucci Scents?  Do you have a favourite?

Fragrance Shop Summer Sale

Everyone loves a good sale, I know I do.  Right now the Fragrance Shop have a massive up to 70% off sale and the offer last until 21st August and some of the prices are amazing.

I first became a fan of the Fragrance Shop when I subscribed to the Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Box which I have featured on my blog numerous times now and from having these boxes, the Mister and I have bought a few fair fragrances that we have really liked, some of which are now in that sale.

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of DKNY fragrances and two of my favourites are in that sale:

Be Delicious Skin Hydrating 100ml is now £28 instead of £54 and DKNY MYNY is now £18 instead of £37 which is amazing value for money

If DKNY aren't for you then other savings include these two gift sets which have caught my eye:

I am quite a fan of Hugo Boss Orange after discovering it one of the Discovery Shop Perfume boxes. The set is on offer for £38 and is described as "a captivating scent with a strong personality. The apple notes blend with the delicate florals of White flowers and orange blossom, giving an optimistic impression".

Ermenegildo Zegna Uomo Eau De Toilette 50ml Gift Set for him is priced at £22 which is more than the full price offering and it sounds divine "Magnetic, charismatic. The Uomo man projects an unmistakable aura. He exudes confidence and power. He is the master of all he undertakes. The refreshing scent consists of citruses and bergamot from Zegna's visit to Calabria, Italia. With harmonious notes of violet leaf essence. This is a woody perfume with accents cedar and vetiver which adds to its masculine elegance".

As I have said before The Discovery Club box costs just £5 per quarter and you can read some of my reviews about it HERE, HERE and HERE to give you a taste as to what you might find. It might also be worth me adding that five pence from every transaction is donated to “Rays of Sunshine” children’s charity. To date, over £400,000 has been donated, helping to enrich the lives of many seriously ill children in the UK.

Do you subscribe to The Discovery Box Club or have you bought anything in the sale?

This is not a sponsored post.

Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Classics Edition

I am a huge perfume fan, love it and I am one of those people who loves perfume samples. What better way to decide whether or not you like the scent of something? We do it with make-up, so why not perfume? Back in April 2013 I brought to my blog a new subscription box from The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club which you can see HERE and again in June which is HERE and then September which is HERE, then the final box of 2013 HERE if you didn’t see it. Already in 2014 I have had the spring edition which you can find HERE, the summer edition which is HERE and the Autumn Edition which I showed not too long ago on my blog is HERE

For those of you not in the know this is the description of the box, which is a subscription:

"If you love fragrance, then you'll love our Discovery Club.

Our exciting new club allows you to explore the very latest fragrance launches from the comfort of your own home. For just £5 per quarter, each edition comes with fragrance samples for you to try, details on each of the fragrances included, as well as discount vouchers so you can make some big savings on all the scents featured."

Today I have before me the 'Classics Collection' to celebrate The Fragrance Shop's 2nd Birthday and I am super impressed with this box and this is what can be found inside.

Thierry Mugler Angel - Angel is a luxurious, chic and timeless fragrance, a delicate blend of exotic fruits, soft caramel, honey and chocolate combined with the captivating power of patchouli and vanilla. Top notes are Bergamot and Helional, with middle notes of Dewberry, Exotic fruits and Honey. Base notes are Vanilla, Chocolate, Patchouli and Caramel.  

No matter how many times I smell Angel, I dislike it.  I don't know what it is about the fragrance, but it definitely is not for me.

Jimmy Choo Parfum expresses an aura of strength and beauty and has a dazzling aura of glittering femininity. With top notes of mandarin orange and green pear, middle notes of orchid and base notes of toffee and patchouli, this fragrance is every bit as stylish as the eponymous shoe brand that bears the same name.

I like this but don't love it.  It is just a nice scent, quite floral and fruity without being too harsh on the nose.

Givenchy Very Irrésistible - A very dynamic sensual fragrance possessing the elegant floral top notes of rose and the exotic daring combination of peony and rose fantasia. A very appealing feminine scent by Givenchy.

This fragrance I adore and have purchased a full bottle of it through having a sample in a previous box.  Wonderful scent which lasts all day and is just lovely.

Touch of Pink By Lacoste which is a fruity floral fragrance for the youthful, energetic female with passion and power. Starting with notes of orange, coriander, peach, and cardamom. A heart of notes of carrot seed, jasmine and violet leaf boasting base notes of sandalwood, musk and vanilla.

One of my trusty faithful perfumes to go to.  Always have a bottle of this around and use it a lot more than I ever thought I would, more so because I am not a fan of things with Vanilla in them, but within this it is so light.

Lady Million Eau My Gold by Paco Rabanne  Lady Million Eau My Gold. The composition of this latest fragrance consists of notes of mango, neroli, bergmot, mandarin and grapefruit.

I am still sat on the fence with this scent, neither like or dislike it.

Nina Ricci - Nina - This magical fragrance is a promise of charm, enchantment and seductive femininity. A fresh floral-fruity fragrance with mouth watering red toffee apple accents.

Absolutely lovely scent and one I really enjoy using, would definitely feature on a wishlist to buy a full sized bottle of.

The final two samples are:

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique - The classic fragrance for women by Jean Paul Gaultier. The corset demonstrates confidence, romance, and timeless style, while the scent embodies femininity with a bewitching, voluptuous rose Eau de Parfum.

Not a fragrance I got too excited about i have to admit.  It is nice but that is really all I can say about it.  If I was given a bottle I would be happy about it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase it.

The most exciting part for me is the Estée Lauder bottle which is just stunning, instead of just having a sample vial, within my box is this super dooper little bottle.

Estée Lauder Modern Muse - Be an inspiration. Experience the fragrance that captures your style, your confidence, your creative spirit. An alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek, sensual woods. 

Now this scent is really lovely, one you would perhaps use for special occasions rather than everyday wear.  It is the first time I have come across it and being honest I would it would be a bit 'Mumsy' and something I would buy my own mum, but actually it isn't.

Then we have some samples for the men folk which are

Hugo Boss, Boss Bottled - This is a fresh, crisp citrus aroma with a blend of oriental woods. It's sophisticated and confident created for the modern man. Featuring top notes of oakmoss, bergamot, apple and lemon a heart of mahogany, carnation and cinnamon and a base notes of sandalwood, vanilla, oak tree and cedar.

Sat on the fence with this one, it is alright but not one either of us would rush out to buy.

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme - Since 1994, L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme has become a hallmark of sophistication in the world of fragrances. It awakens the senses with its blend of citrus, precious woods and spices. The pure, energising scent is perfect for a modern, independent man.

A hit with Steve and a scent he really likes and keeps hinting about! Better be good for Santa!

Paco Rabanne, Invictus for Men - This is purely energising and fresh. The attraction of sensual symbolises masculinity and power. Inhale the scent of victory. Top notes of grapefruit, mandarin orange and marine accords give way to bay leaf and jasmine middle notes. Finishing the scent we have guaiac wood, oakmoss, patchouli and ambergris.

As soon as Steve smelt this he wanted it, that is how nice a scent it is, so I bought him a full sized version and it really is lovely.

I have really enjoyed getting these boxes, from them both Steve and I have acquired quite a few fragrances because we have enjoyed the samples so much and it also helps having voucher codes for money off.

So what do you think to this quarters box? 

Are there any perfume samples you like the sound of?

Fragrance Club Discovery Box - Autumn Winter 2014

I am a huge perfume fan, love it and I am one of those people who loves perfume samples. What better way to decide whether or not you like the scent of something? We do it with make-up, so why not perfume? Back in April 2013 I brought to my blog a new subcription box from The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club which you can see HERE and again in June which is HERE and then September which is HERE, then the final box of 2013 HERE if you didn’t see it. Already in 2014 I have had the spring edition which you can find HERE and the summer edition which is HERE.

For those of you not in the know this is the description of the box, which is a subscription:

"If you love fragrance, then you'll love our Discovery Club.

Our exciting new club allows you to explore the very latest fragrance launches from the comfort of your own home. For just £5 per quarter, each edition comes with fragrance samples for you to try, details on each of the fragrances included, as well as discount vouchers so you can make some big savings on all the scents featured."

This quarter I have the Autumn Winter Edition 2014 which includes both male and female scents and this is what is in the box:

So inside the box as you can see there is:

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Intense, which is an update on the original Classique fragrance. The new scent is more vivacious, intensive, oriental and solar, containing notes of tiare, pomegranate and gourmand accords at the top, with the heart of orange blossom, rose and jasmine and the base of patchouli and vanilla.

I have to admit I do like this, I didn't want too though, there is something about Jean Paul Gaultier which annoys me.  This scent contains a lot of my favourite scents - Rose, Jasmine, Orange Blossom and thankfully the Vanilla is over the top headache-making.

Kenzo Jeu d'Amour celebrates the romantic lovers game with an ultra-feminine, sensual and captivating fragrance. While notes of tea, mandarin and pomegranate set the mood, tuberose and freesia sign an ultra-feminine floral heart over a sensual base of musks and creamy sandalwood.

I actually really like this once it has settled on my skin. It is so delicate and floral you cannot help but love it.  One that I am tempted to purchase.

Loewe Quizás Seducción. Representing seductive sexiness, Quizás Seducción has a fruity-floral aphrodisiac quality. Top notes of blackberry, passion fruit and sweet orange give way to elegant sambac jasmine with strong tuberose and orange blossom. Base notes include caramel and vanilla.

I am currently not a fan of this scent, it smells nice until it hits my skin where it then smells horrid which is a shame because it has all the ingredients of being a lovely scent.

Loewe Aura Eau de Toilette. The scent represents feminine mystery and magnetism. A relaxed and carefree force that is inescapably alluring. Loyal to the past, loyal to the present, loyal to Loewe. A fresh floral and fruity Eau de Toilette.

I can't decide whether I like this or not, it is one of those fragrances which leaves me sitting on the fence.  It is nice, but I doubt I would buy it, though I would be happy if someone else bought it for me.

For the men folk we have:

Jimmy Choo MAN -  This masculine fragrance is a woody aromatic fougère. Top notes of lavender and mandarin spray are softened by the fruity notes of honeydew melon, followed by heart notes of pink pepper and geranium mixed with pineapple leaf. Finally the fragrance unveils a lasting print of patchouli, suede and ambery woods.

I really don't like this and I should do because it again contains all the ingredients I really like the scent of, but there is just something about it which is really just not for me, not that I would be wearing it, but isn't one I would buy for someone else.

So this quarter has produced a really interesting box again, one or two perfumes I would want to buy and some I most definitely would not.  The thing I do like about these boxes is that I get to sample the products at home. I can wear then to work, around the house, going for coffee with friends or just shopping.  I am not trying them in a department store where I can be easily influenced to part with money for a scent I am not totally sure of.  That said, the spring box did lead to my buying Valentino Uomo for Beautykinguk who has written his own version of what he thinks of the fragrance on his own blog.

So what do you think to this quarters box? Are there any perfume samples you like the sound of?