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?

You Beauty Discovery Box - August Edition

For the past few months I have been getting the You Beauty Discovery Box which you can see February,  March,  April,  May,  June and July with previous box contents.  This month my sixth box has arrived and I have said I am just as impressed.

Whenever it is time to pick the contents of your box, there is always one item that goes really quickly, no matter how early I find myself logging in to select the products I would like to try, I miss the one I want to try most.  That said, I like this months box and this is it.

This months box is themed "Summer Essentials" and it is designed to give me an insight into what the team at YBD thought should be on the shortlist for the Summer essentials and it became a mixture of protection, recovery, hydration, nourishment and camouflage! As I have said before, I love is how the box fits through my letterbox, it is packed really delicately and the box really study and it has never looked disheveled.

Within the magazine which comes with the box we given the opportunity to try some of the following products, the idea being you choose two and there will also be two little extra treats, so this month there are not two, but four and they included:

So we have two samples of Jimmy Choo perfume, one for him and one for her.  Eau De Parfam which is for her is described as:

"Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum expresses an aura of strength and beauty. Glamorous in attitude, confident, intelligent and with a sense of fashion and fun, the fragrance is a modern Fruity Chypre with warm, rich, woody depths".

And Jimmy Choo Man which has just launched is descirbed as:

"Jimmy Choo MAN has a powerful freshness set amongst a woody, aromatic fougère. The fragrance opens with crisp vivacity complemented with calming lavender notes. Mandarin essence tempers the citrus notes and blends with the subtle sweetness of fruity notes from honeydew melon".

Then we have FaceD 3-Luronics instant effect cream serum which is desgined to visible reduce wrinkles and expression lines from the first application - BIG CLAIM!! It then goes on to say:

Formulated with super lightweight molecules of hyaluronic acid that act in depth, obtaining an improvement of skin hydration over time:

• Hydration increase of 9% after 14 days.
• Elasticity increase of 9% after 14 days.

So I am looking forward to seeing how good this actually is, though I only have a sachet which contains 2ml.

The final free product is a 4 way nail buffer to file, smooth, buff and polish your nails, something you can never have too many of in my opinion.

So now to my choices, this month there was a choice of nine products which included: 

• ROSE & CO.
• CHERRY KISS LIP BALM, PEGGY SAGE
• NAIL POLISH (Nude COLLECTION), MARSK
• RICH LIST, MINERAL EYESHADOW, LOUISE GALVIN
• SACRED LOCKS TREATMENT MASQUE, JUSTBE BOTANICALS
• HYDRATING SERUM, GAZELLI
• TRIPLE YOUTH WITH WHITE OIL DUO, EUCERIN
• SUN FLUID MATTIFYING SPF50, EUCERIN
• SUN FLUID MATTIFYING SPF30, DANIEL SANDLER
• LONG LASTING WATERPROOF EYELINER (AQUA)

This is what I selected:

Peggy Sage Nail Polish Nude Selection.  I am always on the look out for a nice nude shade, not one which is cream or pearly white, they annoy me, I want nude.  This one is described as follows:

Natural-looking nails with a Nude Attitude!

Discover the very trendy natural and sensual Nude collection, perfect for discreet beauties and fans of elegant nude colours! A very fluid texture for easy application - and quick drying time. Hold lasts for up to 6 days and the colour retains its shine for up to 4 days.

The Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Moisture Masque which is described as follows:

The masque contains a naturally modified form of honey combined with wheat proteins and natural conditioning agents to immediately hydrate the hair, leaving it nourished, shiny and full of body.

Ximenia oil, also known as Seaside Plum acts as natural ‘silicone’ to smooth and treat hair without creating build up. The masque is a twice-weekly intensive treatment for hair but can also be used as a daily conditioner for moisture depleted hair.

It contains no SLS, Parabens, silicones, petrochemicals, polymers or synthetic fragrances and smells really fruity.

So for a £6.95 subscription, my box has a value of around £15 which is more than double the value for money and not a bad box.

What do you think to do this? Do you subscribe to these boxes?  What would you have chosen? If you subscribe, link your post below so I can see what you got.