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?

Top 5 Summer Scents

This post is about my favourite scents for the summer, it appeared on the lovely Vicky of Lots of Love, Me blog as a guest post. I am a huge lover of perfume and my collection is slowly growing, there are one or two favourites that I could never be without - Bvlgari Pour Femme being one of them.  Every now and again though I like a change and often find my inspiration from some samples that I receive.  All of the perfumes which feature within this post have grown on me and have been purchased from samples.

So as you can see there us quite a few brands here and starting in the top left we have Bvlgari Rose which was released in 2006 and is a scent that I loved from a very first spritz. described as follows:

Rose Essentielle is the richest and most sophisticated fragrance in the Bvlgari pour Femme Collection. Since 2006, this scent has been the ultimate expression of luxury, it offers women who seek an extremely sensual floral signature the perfect evening complement.

The ingredients add a youthful and graceful touch to the original scent, reminiscent of a delicate Rose. The added fruity notes of Bergamot and Orange add a zesty sparkle to the richness of the precious Rose notes in the heart of the composition, making this fragrance refined, transparent and luminous.

The fact there are two rose scents make this perfume absolutely stunning and is something you should all try and sample if like me you love rose scented products.  It has a really good longevity about it once spritzed and is one of those fragrances which will last all day.

Next we have DKNY Be Delicious. This is the only perfume from the range that I currently own, I say currently because I am keen to add more of them to my collection. Again I loved this from the first spritz and is described as follows:

"A modern feast for the senses, this juicy fragrance combines the scent of apple with a sophisticated blend of exotic flowers and sensual woods"

It literally smells just like the description and is one of those scents that has a long lasting scent and I find that if I spray it on my way to work in a morning, I can still catch a sniff of it on my way home 8-9 hours later.

Givenchy Very Irresistible is next and I got a sample of this in a perfume sample subscription box and wore it everyday until the sample ran out and then bought a full sized version.  It is described as follows:

"Very Irresistable Givenchy eau de toilette was created, from a unique alliance of 5 roses, the queen of flowers, emblematic of Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn. The 5 roses are sublimated by their association with star anise, giving a bright, radiant, energetic and mouth-watering twist to the fragrance. The end result is a unique sensation of sheer seduction and luminous attraction".

Again for me it is that rose scent which catches my love and attention, there is something about it which works well with my skin and makes it last for a long time once it has been spritzed.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Sunshine was gifted to me by my work colleagues and at first I wasn't too sure that I liked it.  I persevered with it and now I absolutely love it, more so than the original Daisy.  It is described as a:

"Radiant and sparkling, the fragrance captivates with a mood-brightening infusion of juicy red fruits. The heart blooms with notes of vivid spring blossoms and tender lychee, then dries down to a velvety base of blushing apricot skin and musky woods".

Once you spritz it, the first scent you get is one of fruit and as the scent settles it does become less vibrant and in your face and more subtle and that is when I love it the most. Again it lasts a good 5-6 hours before you would need to re-apply it.

The final perfume is Miss Dior Cherie, a classic and another scent which took a while to grow on me, but once it did I loved it.  Described as follows:

"Romantic by nature, Miss Dior Chérie inspires an intense and playful love, for which she is also searching. She personifies the spontaneous joie de vivre of today's young women, representing a particular type of freedom and seduction. The fragrance is characterised by an instant and captivating charm".

Again this fragrance combines the use of Turkish Rose and Bulgarian Rose to give it one of its main scents so it is not a surprise that I like it, but it also includes Patchouli and Neroli which make up the fruity scent.  This perfume is one which needs just a slight spritzing as it is quite a powerful scent and another one which can and will last all day long, it takes a good 2-3 hours when on my skin to fade slightly and again I can still smell it on my skin 8-9 hours later.

So those are my favourite scents for the summer.  Do you change your perfume during each season?  Do you have a signature scent for the summer and is there anything you would recommend I try?

Sample Sunday - Perfume!

Over the past few weeks I have been delving into my stash of sample perfumes to see if I can find one or two that take my fancy.  I am a subscriber to The Fragrance Club Discovery Box and the one good thing about it is that I am sent samples of fragrances I might not perhaps think to try.  

Having also been to one or two events and been lucky enough to receive some more samples and  as spring has arrived and summer will soon be upon us, I have found this is a really good opportunity to try out and test some of those sample perfumes.

So the ones I have tried are:

Elie Saab - L'eau Couture.  This is the only sample which comes in a cute little box and offers the following description "From the house of Elie Saab comes a new deliciously addictive, soft, almondy floral fragrance. Created to offer a taste of summer, the scent kicks off with a citrusy top that sparkles with zest which leads into a couture-inspired heart topped off with an addictive base".  

This scent I also really like, it is a light scent which is perfect for spring and can be worn either during the day or at night for me.

GUERLAIN - La Petite Robe Noire Couture.  It is described as "The third fragrance to join the hugely successful La Petite Robe Noire collection by Guerlain. The range is inspired by the little black dress, a must have for any fashionista wardrobe. La Petite Robe Noire Couture is a fruity floral vivacious scent fit for the red carpet, perfect for when a splash of luxury is needed!".  

I am indifferent about the scent of this, it is nice, but I wouldn't purchase a full sized bottle, I am happy enough to use the sample.

Loewe Quizas Quizas Quizas pasion which is a Spanish brand that has just come to the UK and is said to be inspired by The Art of Tango - The deep red juice bursts with fruits for a romantic fragrance that leaves a lasting trail wanting those left in its wake wanting more.

I am still on the fence with this scent, it is quite floral and fruity and definitely has a wow factor as soon as it is sprayed but I find it doesn't really last that long once on my skin and I need to reapply it later in the day.  That said, it is a lovely fragrance.

Givenchy Very Irrésistible is the perfume world's first Aromatic Floral. This fragrance is feminine, energising and timeless. It pays homage to the brand's historic culture and reflects an Irresistible woman. floral notes centre around a plethora of roses. Its central floral harmony is made up of five Rose notes: Daring Peony, Spontaneous Fantasia, Intense Passion Rose, Sensual Emotion Rose and Elegant Centifolia Rose. Following this is the aromatic notes of the fragrance, a harmony of Star Anise with a pinch of Verbena leaves. 

If there was one perfume from this sample I would buy from those I have been trying, this would be it.  I absolutely love it, not a perfume I would ever think of trying but now having tried the sample, it is a hit.

So those are the perfumes I have been testing.  I have another batch to test over the next few weeks, so look out for that review too.

Have you tried any of these perfumes before? 

Have you got any samples to try?

Fragrance Shop Discovery Club - Spring Edition 2014

Back in April I brought to my blog a new 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.  

For those of you not in the know this is the description:

"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 Spring 2014 Edition which includes both male and female scents and this is what is in the box:

So in the box we have:

GUERLAIN - La Petite Robe Noire Couture.  It is described as "The third fragrance to join the hugely successful La Petite Robe Noire collection by Guerlain. The range is inspired by the little black dress, a must have for any fashionista wardrobe. La Petite Robe Noire Couture is a fruity floral vivacious scent fit for the red carpet, perfect for when a splash of luxury is needed!".  I am indifferent about the scent of this, it is nice, but I wouldn't purchase a full sized bottle, I am happy enough to use the sample.

Givenchy - Very Irrésistible L'eau En Rose  Which is described as follows "It’s been 10 years since Givenchy launched the original Very Irresistible and to celebrate they welcome L’Eau en Rose to the Very Irresistible family. The fragrance pays homage to the rose in a simple and elegant mannerwith just 3 key ingredients".  This is my favourite scent from all of the female ones within the box, definitely something I would purchase, it smells divine and if you like rose scented products, you will probably like this.

Lacoste - Eau De Lacoste Sensuelle.  Again it comes with this description "Following the launch of Eau de Lacoste Parfum in 2013 comes Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle. The sweetness of the original daytime fragrance is replaced with a gourmand nougatine which offers a more sensual scent, perfect for taking on the night".  Sadly I don't like this scent, it is too strong for me.

Thierry Mugler - Alien Eau Extraordinaire.  Those of you who have read my blog regularly will know that I am not a fan of Thierry Mugler perfumes, I find them too sweet and sickly for my tastes.  This one is described as "A new chapter in the Alien story sees Alien Eau Extraordinaire join the family. Created as a positive, uplifting fragrance with delicate floral notes designed to energise, and a bottle designed as a brilliant crystal gemstone".  Again, not a fan, the scent reminds me too much of of Alien and Angel which I am not a fan of.

Elie Saab - L'eau Couture.  This is the only sample which comes in a cute little box and offers the following description "From the house of Elie Saab comes a new deliciously addictive, soft, almondy floral fragrance. Created to offer a taste of summer, the scent kicks off with a citrusy top that sparkles with zest which leads into a couture-inspired heart topped off with an addictive base".  This scent I also really like, it is a light scent which is perfect for spring and can be worn either during the day or at night for me.

Then we have the two male scents, I leave the description of male aftershaves to my hubby, Beautykinguk, who is better placed and well versed in giving his views on aftershaves, after all he owns enough of them.  However, these are the two scents and their descriptions:

Loewe - Solo Loewe Sport.  Which is described as follows - "Following on from the Loewe Solo launch in 2004 is the new Loewe Solo Sport. The fragrance retains the distinctive bottle design and signature notes of Loewe Solo, but has added zest and energy designed to encapsulate the spirit of sports. The advertising visual features Spanish archery champion Arturo Gracia whose suave looks are emphasised in a vintage Loewe sports kit".

Valentino - Uomo.  This is described as follows: "An aromatic, smooth and leathery fragrance designed to stand the test of time as a modern classic. The scent has heaps of Italian style with the notes composed to reflect an aristocratic Italian family lunch. The advertising campaign is set in Rome and features French actor Louis Garrel, whose striking looks match the equally striking glass studded bottle".

Once again, I am really pleased with this box and I love the fact I have new samples to test and try out without having to go into a shop and cover myself in perfumes to see if they smell okay on my skin, yes I am that lazy.  

Within the accompanying magazine which tells you about all of the fragrances is also an offer of £5 off each fragrance if you purchase them online.

If you think this is something you would like to sign up to, you can find the link HERE along with further information.

So what do you think to my box? Are you a subscriber? 

Will you subscribe?

Sample Sunday

This week I thought I would bring back Sample Sunday as I have been making a conscious effort to use up some of the samples of products that I have and use up the sample sized tubs, tubes and bottles of other products that have come on various trips away with me.

This is my progress:

Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara which is from a Glossybox and I had two samples of it - I actually really like this mascara, though I didn't love it. The sample itself is just 1.5g and lasted for about a week, so not really enough to gage a formed opinion, but I did like the brush and you can see more detail about it HERE when the first sample appeared.

Soap & Glory Scrub Of Your Life  - One of my favourite products from Soap and Glory, I love the fact I can have travel sizes of this and take it with me when I go away. It is apparently the Ultimate soapy, super-smoothing body buffer.  I love the scent and how effective yet gentle this is on my skin.  It retails for around £3 for this travel size and it does last a long time.

Next up there are two Montagne Jeunesse Facemasks.  I am a huge lover of facemasks and love trying them out and these particular masks are just complete bargains.

The first is Chocolate Mud Pie which is an indulgent skin softening mask and it combines Cocoa and shea butter.  This mask smells good enough to eat, it is like someone pushing your face into a lovely chocolate cake and you leave it on for 15-20 minutes, it dries, you rinse it off using warm water and it leaves you with lovely soft to the touch skin, for 99p this is a total bargain and I got it from Asda.

The second is Manuka Honey Peel Off.  Now I love love love facemasks which you peel off, I know I have probably mentioned it before, but there is something so satisfying about waiting for a mask to dry on your skin and then getting to peel it off, yummy.  Anyway, this mask is described as being a famous natural cleanser and it contains Manuka Honey and Jasmin and as with the other mask, cleanse your face, apply, leave for 15-20 minutes and then peel it off.  Another fab mask for 99p

Next comes three Jenoris sachets which I got back in July from the London Blogger Meet and there are two hair masks and a shampoo within this collection.

The Keratin Shampoo, which is sodium chloride free, contains Omega 3,6 and for a healthy scalp and shiny hair.  It includes Keratin for long-term protection, moisturises the hair whilst restoring its natural gloss and vitality.  I actually quite liked this sample, it smells quite nice in that it has the clean smell and it didn't irritate my scalp and my hair was lovely and soft after using.

The Pistachio Hair Mask is described as being ideal for treating split ends, dry, coloured or lightened hair and as with the Keratin Shampoo it contains Omega 3,6 and 9.  With this mask you apply to your hair after washing and leave on for just 3-5 minutes before rinishing it off but if your hair is in a bit of a state, you can leave it for up to 12 minutes for a more intensive treatment.  I am not too sure this mask did anything for my hair in all honesty, it smells lovely and is easy to use but my hair didn't feel any different after using.

The Keratin Hair Mask is again sodium chloride free and is enriched with Omega 3,6 and 9 as well as Pistachio and borage oils as well as keratin to moisturise and give long term protection to your hair.  After using it claims to leave your hair with perfect softness, shine and glamour.  I preferred this hair mask to the pistachio one but again, I didn't really feel too many benefits of using the mask, it would make a much better conditioner in my opinion.

Apivita express beauty with Apricot - this is a gentle exfoliating gel with apricot and I got the sachet from the London Blogger Meet.  This was my first introduction to Aprivita and I loved this gel.  It smells divine, as though someone has just squeezed the life out of some apricots and put them into this sachet.  It is a gentle but effective exfoliator and it leaves your skin feeling super soft after using.  This is a brand I want to explore further.

Elemis Fresh Skin Skin Glow - Put simply, I am a big big fan of this product and I did a whole review of it which you can find HERE and it is a product I would buy again.

Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm - This product has quite a few mentions on my blog and has its own review which you can read HERE.  Before I got it in a Glossybox I had heard so many people compare it to Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour cream which I dislike, I fully expected to dislike this product as well... WRONG... I love it and am sad it has run out, though I fully intend to purchase a full size version.  it has been an absolute lifesaver in this cold weather, I smother my lips in it before bed and it also makes a great base before applying lipstick.

So those are my empty samples for this month and I think I have done quite well in using them up and remembering to keep them for this post.  Have you ever tried any of these products, are you a fan of any of them?

May GlossyBox - What did I find?

So the postman has just been with my May Glossybox - super quick delivery yet again.  Whenever my Glossybox arrives I am always full of anticipation as to what I am going to find within my box.  Naturally if you havent got your box yet and don't want to know what is inside, click away now.

So opening the outer box inside I found the lovely dusty pink box that we have all come to love and like getting.  Now this month it is the 2nd Birthday for Glossybox, so I have my hopes up for some pretty fantastic and something a little unexpected maybe?  Well this is what I got:

I love the Neon Pink Ribbon and the wrapping paper inside this box, so we are off to a good start!

Now the contents:

Givency Noir Courute Mascara - it is in a sachet so this had me intrigued until I opened it to find a miniscule version - said to be a multi-tasker that creates instant volume, length and curl and using an active complex bunch of ingredients it is said to nourish your lashes too... Hmm.... this would cost £22.50 full size price.

Caudalie Divine Oil comes next and it is inside a 15ml glass bottle which costs £4.05 should you wish to buy it.  This Divine Oil is said to be the "Ultimate beauty Elixir for your body, face and hair" and after using it will turn me into a Caudalie Convert.  It can be used on the body, face, hair and nail or added to a hot bath and even used as a massage oil.

Premae Harmony Balm  - said to be a skin protector and primer leaving you with a silky, dewy finish.  It uses antiseptic lemongrass and aloe vera to soothe breakouts and reduce excess oil.  A full size tub of this at 30ml will cost you £26.50, the tub in the Glossybox is a 10ml tub

Beautiful Movements Cosmetics - Formerly known as BM apparently.  This is said to be a new product and a multi-tasking one at that.  It is a Prime and Create Mixing Medium which is an addition to Kimberley Wyatt (Formerly of the Pussycat Dolls) collection and it can be used as a primer to give that matte, shine free base for make-up or mix it with foundation for an air-brush effect or with blushers, bronzers to create a creme tint or even eye shadow pigments to create liquid eye-liner.  This is a 2.5g product within the box and to purchase it is £20 for 20g

Finally we have (yet another) Nails Inc mini - Portobello is mine, eye-catching Neon Shade named after one of London's most popular roads.

As this is a birthday box there is something extra - a matchbox styled box of mini nail-files which I love.  These can quite easily be shoved into your handbags and are so useful to have.  The packaging matches the wrapping paper from within the box and the nail files match the ribbon - cute!

So there you have it - the May Glossybox - what do you think?