The Perfume Society: Making Memories Discovery Box

The Perfume Society's Making Memories Discovery Box is just fantastic! It's stuffed full of perfume samples and trial sizes (as well as a 30ml Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser with cloth)  Costing £15 for non-members and a tenner for VIP Subscribers.  The box would make a great Mother's Day pressie.

Included is smelling notes and Perfume Society blotters.

Onto the scents:

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORIENTAL

Valentino Valentina 4ml EDP - this comes in the cutest little bottle! With notes of Calabrian bergamot, white Alba truffles, jasmine, Amalfi orange blossom, tuberose, wild strawberries, cedar, amber and vanilla. This is a really pretty scent. I love the wild strawberry note.

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: ORIENTAL GOURMAND

Thierry Mugler Angel 5ml EDP - this is a love/hate scent. I'm in the love category! With top notes of bergamot and helional, heart notes of exotic fruits, honey, caramel and praline with base notes of vanilla and patchouli.

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL

Shay & Blue Amber Rose 2ml - I'm a huge fan of Shay & Blue and I've not tried this scent before!  It has notes of rare May rose from Grasse, Dulce de Leche and white amber. It's beautiful!

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: CHYPRE

Angela Flanders Precious One EDP sample vial - Another perfume I've been dying to try! With top notes of tuberose, jasmine and orange blossom, heart note of oakmoss with a base of sandalwood, vetivert and cedarwood. Angela made this scent for her daughter Kate.

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FRESH

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier - this is an intriguing little sample - it has a eau fraiche scent vial (1.5ml) and a sachet each of shower cream and body lotion making it perfect for layering your scent.  With top notes of fig pulp and mandarin, heart notes of caraway seeds, fig leaves and grapefruit and base notes of cedar and fig milk. Looking forward to trying this one!

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FRESH

Annick Goutal Eau D'Hadrien 1.5ml EDT - this is gorgeous! Light and refreshing and perfect for spring and summer. It has notes of Sicilian lemon, bergamot, citron, grapefruit, cypress, galbanum, basil, juniper berry, ylang ylang and woods.  A happy scent!

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL

L'Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons 1ml EDT - I'm a huge fan of their Mure et Musc scent. This has top notes of bergamot, lime blossom and pink pepper with heart notes of orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine and linden with base notes of ylang ylang. Looking forward to trying.

FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL

Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.100 2ml EDP - with top notes of bergamot and mandarin, heart notes of Damask rose, jasmine and orange flower and base notes of vanilla, cypress and sandalwood. This is a really uplifting floral scent and I'm looking forward to wearing it.

VALEUR ABSOLUE - this is a trio of 1.5ml vials: I've not heard of this brand before.  You can layer these scents.

Harmonie - FLORAL - with notes of Sicilian Bergamot, orange peel, cardamon, nutmeg, neroli, jasmine, earl grey tea, vanilla, musk and guaiac wood.

Joie-Eclat - FRESH - with notes of grapefruit, cardamon, mandarin, tuberose, white jasmine, Italian cypress, vetivert and white woods.

Sensualite - FLORAL - with notes of Sicilian Bergamot, white pepper, Rose de Mai, Sambac jasmine, cedarwood, amber and musk.

The final item is a little sachet of Fragonard Maman Cherie "a beautiful bouquet of fruit and flowers to evoke the special scented bond between a mother and her child".

I think this is a great box. What are your thoughts?  Pick it up here.

The Perfume Society: The Holiday Collection Discovery Box

The Perfume Society is a website which shares "everything you ever wanted to know about fragrances".  As well as learning about perfumes you can be one of the first to see the latest launches, get invitations to events, read a super informative e-magazine magazine called The Scented Letter (this is free to VIP Subscribers). Join as a VIP Subscriber for a year for £25. You get the magazine (8 issues a year), invitations to events, a Perfume Discovery Fragrance Edition, special content on the website which is only for subscribers and subsequent Discovery boxes for £10 with free P&P.

As I'm not a subscriber (yet) my The Holiday Collection Discovery Box cost £15 with free P&P.  It is absolutely jam packed with perfume samples and a couple of extra treats.

Inside there are in-depth information cards about each product and a book of blotters - use these before trying the perfume on your skin as the heart and base notes of a perfume are the ones you live with once the top notes subside.

I'll start with a perfume I already love. L'Artisan Mure et Musc EDT 1.5ml - I've been lucky enough to own a bottle of this beautiful scent.  It has top notes of lemon, orange, basil, mint and red berries. A heart of blackberry and jasmine and base notes of patchouli, musks, oak and moss.  I love the fresh blackberry floral notes.  Think a bottle of this is going on the wishlist as I'd forgotten how lovely it is!

Another perfume I adore is Shay & Blue's Atropa Belladonna 2ml - it is an intoxicating scent and I reviewed it here. I'm currently on my second bottle.

The second last scent in the box that I've tried previously is Liz Earle's Botanical Essence No 15 EDP 2ml - a "fresh oriental" with top notes of pink pepper, bergamot and cinnamon leaves, a heart of rose absolute Damascena, cypriol and cedarwood with a base of vanilla bourbon, amberiff, sandalwood and tonka bean. Spicy and warm with floral and earthy notes.

The final perfume I've tried before is Plum by Mary Greenwell EDP 2ml - I didn't love this the first time I tried it but I'll try it again.  It has top notes of peach, bergamot, lemon, plum and blackcurrant with heart notes of gardenia, tuberose, orange blossom, rose and jasmine (I love these notes!) with a base of sandalwood, oak moss, patchouli, amber and white musk.  I'll let you know my thoughts once I've given it another go.

All the rest of the perfumes I haven't tried before. I'll give you an update later as to my thoughts on them when I try them.

Agent Provocateur Fatale EDP 2ml - this has top notes of pink pepper, mango and blackcurrant with a heart of velvet gardenia, orris absolute and patchouli with a base of vanilla, skin musk, chocolate gourmand addiction and labdanum.

Judith Williams I love Milano, Principessa EDP 10ml - this smells beautiful and is a great size!  With top notes of mandarin, green leaf accord and passionfruit, heart notes of jasmine, tuberose and gardenia and base notes of amber, musk, vanilla and solar accord.

L'Occitane Collection de Grasse The Vert & Bigarade EDT 7.5ml - I adore Magnolia & Mure from this range.  This one has top notes of orange and bitter orange, heart notes of green tea and yerba mate with base notes of cedar, thyme and musk.

Versace Crystal Collection - Yellow Diamond, Bright Crystal and Crystal Noir EDT 1ml - two in the trio are florals and one is oriental. They were created to "celebrate the rich and infinite variety of personalities that embody the Versace women".

The extra treats are:

A full size (8ml) nails inc Gel Effect Polish in St James and a 5ml trial size of Sarah Chapman's Skinesis Overnight Facial.

A great box I think. What are your thoughts?

Samples #7

It's ages since I've done a samples post - you can see my last one here.

Erno Laszlo Hollywood Collection - Instant Eye Repair, Intensive Porcelain Veil, Velvet Night Cream, Refresh Moisture Infusion, Morning Beauty Rescue - I love these especially the eye cream and night cream.  Only one not so keen on is Morning Beauty Rescue as it's a bit sparkly.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Mattifying Fluid - nice product but tiny sample - hard to tell if this suited my skin as I only got one use.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar, Eye Hope and Purity 3-in-1 Cleanser - I liked using the eye cream and the cleanser.  I didn't like the scent of the moisturiser.

Manuka Doctor Rejuvenating Face Mask - this was lovely smelt amazing and felt fab on the skin.  Would perhaps buy full size.

Avon Advanced Techniques Shampoo and Leave in Conditioner - these seemed quite good but I didn't like the scent of them so wouldn't buy.

Weleda Skin Food and Pomegranate Body Lotion - loved both of these especially the Pomegranate Body Lotion which I'll definitely buy at some point.  Loved the fruity scent and how it felt on my skin.

Vav Hand Cream - tiny sachet seemed a nice enough cream but hard to tell as it's such a small sachet.

I also used Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate sample vial - nice enough product but there are other face oils I prefer.

The Oh Lola! EDP sample came from my Perfume Samples challenge.  Love its light, fruity & floral scent - I'd definitely buy this perfume.

As you can see I'm still in sample overload!

These are the samples I've picked for #8:

Tea Tree & Peppermint Intensive Treatment Foot Pack - 1 treatment

Lavera Balancing Face Mask 10ml

L'Oreal Everpure Shampoo & Conditioner both 10ml

Neal's Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm 2g

Sisley Moisturiser with Cucumber 4ml

Beemy Honey Moisturising Cream 5ml

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Lotion 4ml

Elemental Herbology Cool & Clear Facial Cleanser 3ml

Cotswold Collection Jasmine & Orange Blossom Hand Cream 5ml

Comfort Zone Tranquility Cream

Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ 2.5ml

REN Keep Young & Beautiful Serum 3ml

Evolve Protein Build Conditioner 7ml

Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Hair Treatment 8ml

Avon Advanced Techniques Moroccan Oil Leave in Treatment

Have you used any of these products?

October Wants

source

I finished my Prada Candy EDP recently and I am missing it.  I'm dropping hints to Santa.

source

I got a sample vial of this perfume recently and I loved it.  Tempted as Liz Earle are offering free P&P until 31st October and if you spend £70 you get a free gift set.

source

Liz Earle Advent Calendar with 24 mini gifts. It's super fabulous but at £100 it will just be a want.  I'm hoping to pick up the Latest in Beauty Advent Calendar which goes live next Sunday 4th November.  If you buy on the 4th they are offering free P&P.

source

I got one of these hand creams recently in Harper's Bazaar magazine.  It's one of the best I've ever used.  Wish I'd bought a few then as this retails at £20 for 75ml.

What products are you lusting after this month?

Latest in Beauty - the Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible Box

My Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible box arrived on Monday - its super-fabulous!  Costing £19.95 plus £2.95 P&P (worth over £90).

I am excited to try Temple Spa Skin Truffle 15ml a Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible award winner.  I tried it on the back of my hand and it made my skin feel so soft and radiant.  Ingredients include diamond powder, black truffles, gold and silk, champagne, strawberries and cocoa butter - it sounds good enough to eat!  Can be used in the morning and at night.  (I've used it the last couple of days and I'm in love!)

Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser 30ml - I have used this cleanser before several times, smells good and great at removing eye make up and general everyday grime.  One for my travel bag I think.

Inika Mineral Lip Liner in Nude Delight - a full size product and a nice shade.  Happy to use this and was just needing a natural toned lip pencil.

Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Shampoo 100ml - was happy to get a product suitable to my hair type - for fine hair and colour treated hair.  Smells nice too.

Thalgo thalgomince Thalgo Cream 5ml sachet - will try but such a small sachet it won't go far.

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate 2ml vial - another product I've used before and happy to use again.

LP Skin Therapy Overnight Replenish Cream 15ml - have heard of the brand but not tried anything.  So happy to try.

Lulu Time Bomb Trouble Shooter, Neck, Jaw & Chest Cream 15ml - always on the lookout for a good neck cream.  My current favourite is Clarins Extra-Firming Neck Cream.

Balance Me Supermoisturising Hand Cream 30ml - tried this recently for the first time.  A fab hand cream.

Caudalie Vinexpert Eye & Lip Serum - this 1.5ml sample is a bonus item.  Again, happy to use as love Caudalie products.

Also included are leaflets and money off coupons.  A great value box - I love that I'll use everything.  Did you buy it?

Liz Earle Rose & Lavender Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I'd read on several blogs about this Limited Edition Rose & Lavender Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.

"From every special edition Cleanse & Polish (£19.75) sold £2 of your money will go towards supporting The Prince's Trust's vital work.  With your help, we are hoping to raise £100,000 for this worthy cause".

I'd forgotten how lovely it is to get a parcel from Liz Earle!  Beautifully wrapped in white tissue and with two lovely extras.

I am enjoying using the cleanser although I only really smell the lavender scent.  I am using it before bed and enjoying its calming scent.

It contains cocoa butter to soften, rosemary, chamomile and hops to tone and soothe and rose petal and high-altitude lavender essential oils to relax and calm.

I was sent a free 30ml spritzer bottle of Instant Boost Skin Tonic and a sample of  the new perfume (launching Monday) Botanical Essence No.15 - its gorgeous!  With notes of bergamot, cedarwood, patchouli, guaiacwood, sandalwood, tonka bean, cypriol, benzoin, damask rose, elemi, cinnamon leaf, clove bud, pink pepper, Bourbon vanilla and vetivert.  It is a spicy, rich, warm and sexy scent.  One I'm adding to my wishlist!

What's your favourite Liz Earle product?

Overnight Essentials

These are what I took for a night away from home at the weekend:

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner sachets - these were from November's Boudoir Prive Box.  I loved them so much I acquired several packs in swaps - great for a night or two away.

Melvita Eau Fraiche Micellaire Water 35ml - received this recently in the Latest in Beauty Editor's Picks Box - really like it.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 30ml - always got one of these on the go love the scent and the results.

L'Occitane Immortelle Essential Water 30ml - one of my favourite toners in a handy travel size.  You can read my review here.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment for Neck & Bust 15ml - love this, try and pick it up when I can in GWP promotions.

Elemis Absolute Eye Serum 15ml - this product really works and I always come back to it even though I like trying other eye products.

Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator 15ml - this came in the Latest in Beauty YOU Anti-Ageing Box.  

Sisleya Global Anti-Ageing Day & Night Cream 5ml - this came in the Latest in Beauty YOU 20 Years of Beauty Greats Box - have collected a few in swaps and blog sales.  Love it.

Noble Isle Summer Rising Cornish Hedgerow Bath & Shower Gel 30ml - a bigger version of this came in one of the beauty boxes (I don't sub to it) and I picked up several of these smaller sizes on ebay.  

Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion with Shea Butter 100ml - a Clarins classic - its been around for years.  Supermoisturising and lightly scented.  One of my favourite body lotions.

Do you use any of these products?

We also went out for lunch on Saturday and this was my amazing pudding - nom nom x

Current Cleansers

This is my current stash of cleansers.

Make up Removers

Bliss Lid + Lash Wash Makeup Remover 30ml - I received this in my April Amitee box.  You can read my review here.  I am about half way through this mini and its one I'd buy full size.

TAAJ Eau Micellaire De L'Himalaya 100ml - Purifying & Revitalising Make-up Remover - I got this in my February Joliebox.  Great for taking your whole face off before cleansing or for gently cleansing the skin on non-make up days.  One I'd definitely purchase.

Melvita Eau fraiche Micellaire Fresh Micellar Water for face and eyes 35ml - got this in my recent Latest in Beauty box.  Really like this brand and I am enjoying using this to remove make up and it smells nice.

Hot Cloth Cleansers

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 30ml - an award winning product.  I always have one of these in my collection just because it works and I love the scent.  I've picked up a lot of this size in beauty boxes recently (all complete with muslin cloths).

Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser 200ml - I picked this up at £2.99 - an absolute steal and it works really well leaving the skin fresh and clean.

Cleansing Oils

Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Cleansing Oil - I got this mini in my Advent Calendar - love this, removes all make up, even heavy eye make up in an instant.  

Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil - I picked this 10ml trial size up at Naturisimo for £2.95.  The scent is a bit over-powering and I found the oil didn't remove every trace of make up and left my skin feeling dry.  I'll finish it up but wouldn't purchase.

Rinse off Cleansers - Cream and Gel

Palmers Cocoa Butter Daily Cleansing Gel - Fragrance Free - 150ml - I first read about this cleanser on The Bristol Beauty Blog and its the one I tend to reach for most often in the shower.  I'd buy this again.

Eucerin Dermato CLEAN Refreshing Cleansing Gel normal/combination skin 200ml - read rave reviews about this one.  Nice cleanser at a good price.

L'Occitane D'Angelique Bio Cleansing Gel - 50ml - I picked this up with June's Glamour Magazine.  It seems really nice and a handy size for travelling.  L'Occitane is one of my favourite brands.

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed for Normal or Combination Skin 75ml - a generous GWP size.  Foamy with a lovely scent.

Santaverde Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel 100ml - I got this in my June Amarya Box - only used it a couple of times so far but it seems a good product.

Cleansing Balms

Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm 15ml - I love this.  First received it in Joliebox - you can read my review here.

Just Be Cleansed Cleansing Balm 60ml (comes with muslin cloth) - I first tried this product a little while before I went for my Just Be Anti-Ageing Facial.  A rich balm which is scented with Geranium Bourbon and Petigrain.  It cleanses deeply and smells divine.  You can view the online shop here.

AD Skin Synergy Essential Cleansing Balm 10ml trial size - I picked this up recently from Amarya in a travel kit - you can read my full review here.

Lastly, a mini 5g Botanicals Chamomile Cleansing Melt which I received in my latest Amitee box.  It seems an okay product but not one I would purchase.

Do you use any of these cleansers?  What's your favourite cleanser?

Latest in Beauty Little Beauty Box

I got my Latest in Beauty, Little Beauty Box last week.  Here's what I picked:

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint x 3 sachets.  The only shade I won't use is the darkest one.

Erno Laszlo - The Hollywood Collection x 5 sachets.  Have collected a few of these packs in swaps as I love the products.  The eye cream costs £85 full size.  Lush as it is, I'll never be buying!

Finally, Lavera Faces Organic Wild Rose Eye Gel 4 x 1ml sachets. 

Have you bought a Little Beauty Box lately?  Or used any of these products?

CEW (UK) Beauty Awards 2012 Box (YOU)

I got my CEW (UK) Beauty Awards 2012 box in association with Latest in Beauty and featured in YOU magazine yesterday. Again, another fabulous box!  It cost £8.95 plus £2.95 P&P.

Included in the box is:

30ml Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and Muslin Cloth (and 3 x sachets Sheer Skin Tint).  This cult product has been nominated for the Most Revolutionary Beauty Product in the past 20 years.  Love this product.

Percy & Reed No-fuss Flawless Dry Conditioner 50ml - a finalist for the Best New Haircare/Styling Product.  It conditions the hair without the need for water.  Interesting! - looking forward to trying it out.

Elie Saab Le Parfum - 1ml vial - a Best New Women's Scent finalist nomination for the designer's debut scent.  Got a sample in another box and quite liked it so happy to use again.  Ideal size for nights out/desk drawer.

L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Hand Care SPF 15 - 15ml - love hand cream so looking forward to trying this out.  This was nominated in the Best New Hand, Foot and Nail Care Product category.

Nails Inc Porchester Square Nail Polish 10ml - a mushroom shade, a hero colour and a Best British Brand finalist.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Body Cream 50ml - adore this.  You can read my review on it here.  It was nominated in the Best New Bath and Body Product category.

Benefit The POREfessional 7.5ml - a finalist in the Best New Make Up Product category.  I already love this product.  This little sample will be great for my make up bag.  Glamour magazine at the end of May is offering a choice of 3 Benefit minis and this is one of them - I'll be stocking up!

Mont-Blanc Legend EDT 1.2ml sample vial - a Best New Men's Fragrance Finalist.

All in all, another great box.  Did you get this too?  What are your thoughts on the contents?

Red magazine - free Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish 30ml & Muslin Cloth

Red Magazine are giving away a free Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 30ml and a muslin cloth worth £5.50 with May's edition.  A total must have!

Latest in Beauty - YOU 20 Years of Beauty Greats Discovery Box

Guess what arrived this morning?  My YOU Latest in Beauty Box.  It's fabulous! It comes in a pink and white cardboard box.

It's so worth the £5.95 plus £2.95 P&P.

It contains:

30ml Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (with cloth) which retails at £5.25.

5ml Sisley Sisleya Global Anti-Age Day & Night Cream (50ml of this retails at £243.00!)  Would never be able to afford this cream so looking forward to trying the sample pot.

mini pot and brush BareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation - they have given us a tiny amount which will probably last about twice!  Still, I suppose its enough to try the product out - I already love this product.

Bamford Geranium Trio - the bath oil is my favourite! 30ml bath oil, 50ml body wash and 50ml body lotion.  I've had this trio before as Latest in Beauty luxury samples - gorgeous!

Dr Nick Lowe Oil Control Day Cream 20ml - a good size sample - will look forward to trying this.  I already love the cooling menthol face mask in the range which you can read about here.

Finally, a sachet of Lanolips 101 Ointment - keep reading about this so keen to try!

What are your thoughts?  Did you manage to get a box?

YOU Fragrance Discovery Box

As featured in YOU magazine - the YOU Fragrance Discovery set is available at Latest in Beauty.  You can view the set here. It costs £2.95 plus P&P of £2.  For £4.95 you get - 

15ml boxed "sample" of Laughter EDT by SpaceNK - which retails at £20!!!!  You can view this here.  I've worn this before and its quite a fruity perfume - I may gift this.

5ml boxed mini L'Occitaine Pivoine Floral EDP  - you can read more here.

1ml boxed vial Elie Saab EDP - floral and woody, read more here.

2ml carded vial Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.1 EDP, with notes of bergamot, geranium, lavender, coriander, vetiver, tonka bean, patchouli, mandarin, bitter  orange, cardamon, nutmeg, cedarwood and damask rose.

1ml carded vial Yardley Royal English Daisy EDT, with green florals, apple, hyacinth, white rose, sandalwood and musk.

L'Occitane Gift Guide - with free gift worth £20 when you spend £25 or more.

I think this is great value.  Would you buy? x