Latest in Beauty: Le Fashion Fetish Beauty Box

The Le Fashion Fetish Beauty Box from Latest in Beauty is in collaboration with blogger Anna Shearer and features some of her favourite products (the box costs £60, although I bought it with a tenner off - thanks for the code LIB! And the box is now down to a bargainous £45!) I adore Tada & Toy earrings so that kind of swayed me!

So what's inside:

Tada & Toy Crescent Moon Studs

Chantecaille Bio-Lifting Cream 10ml

Rosalena Rock & Rose Radiance Boosting Face Oil 5ml

Maria Nila Luminous Colour Masque 250g

Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream 50ml

Smith & Cult Lip Gloss 5ml

OM Konjac Sponge

OM Pure Glow Cleanser 5ml

NIP+FAB Viper Venom Micro Blur 40ml

Skimono Mask

Nails Inc. 14ml Colville Mews

Strip Wax Bar Brow Wax (London)

My favourites:

Pick your box up (while stocks last) at Latest in Beauty.

The Perfume Society: Precious Perfumes Discovery Box

It's been a while since I bought a Perfume Society Discovery Box. Precious Perfumes Discovery Box costs £17.50 for non-members and £12.50 for members plus P&P. But.... they are currently offering free P&P as a Black Friday Deal which ends on Monday at 10.00am. Use code "thankyou". 

Pick yours up HERE.

Inside is:

Charlotte Tilbury Scent of a Dream EdP 1.5ml which is a CHYPRE FLORAL. It has top notes of Joy accord (lemon, peach, black pepper, saffron, mandarin & bergamot) with a heart of Fleurotic accord (tuberose, jasmine, patchouli, frankincense, lily of the valley, orange flower, rose, magnolia) with base notes of Psycho active accord (fire tree, Iso E super, hedione, ambroxan, precious woods, cistus, amber, musks). I rather like this one!

Miller Harris Etui Noir EdP 2ml (which I've tried before and love!) and is from the LEATHER family and has top notes of bergamot, tangerine, elemi gum with a heart of Moroccan iris butter, incense, cashmere wood and a base of Indonesian patchouli, Haitian vetiver, leather, amber, birch and labdanum.

From Maison Francis Kurkdjian we have Baccarat Rouge 540 EdP 2ml which is from the FLORIENTAL fragrance family which has top notes of jasmine and saffron, a heart of amberwood and base notes of fir, resin and cedar. The perfume began as an exclusive commission for French crystal house Baccarat who wanted to offer a limited run of 250 flacons to honour their 250th anniversary.

Bvlgari's Rose Goldea EdP 1.5ml is from the FLORAL family and is deeply rosey and floral. It has top notes of pomegranate, musk, rose and bergamot with a heart of damask rose, jasmine, peony and peach and base notes of musk, olibanum, sandalwood and vanilla. Love this one!

Nejma 7 EdP 1.5ml is from the GOURMAND family. This is a perfume house I've never heard of before. It's extremely mouthwatering!  With top notes of pink grapefruit, green mandarin and Calabrian citrus a heart of neroli flower, cacao and coconut with a base of oudh, white musk and patchouli. Again, love this one!

Versace Eros Pour Femme EdT 5ml is from the FLORAL FRUITY family and has top notes of lemon, mandarin, raspberry, white currant with a heart of jasmine, freesia, magnolia and orange blossom with base notes of patchouli, exotic woods, ambrox and musk. This is really beautiful - it's fresh and fruity with a floral heart. Love the cute little bottle too.

I've already had the pleasure of trying latest launch from Beaufort London. Fathom V EdP 2ml (in Bloom Perfumery's October Sample Pack) which is from the FOUGERE family and has top notes of earth, green leaves, aquatic notes, a heart of cumin, lily and black pepper with base notes of vetiver, moss and salt. Huge fan of this brand and love this.

From Ormonde Jayne we have Tsarina EdP 2ml which is from the FLORIENTAL fragrance family. It has top notes of mandarin, bergamot, coriander and cassis with a heart of hedoine, freesia, jasmine, sambac, iris and suede with base notes of sandalwood, cedar, vanilla bean, labdanum and musk. This is beautiful with spicy, rich and warm woody and slightly sweet notes. Simply stunning!

The final perfume in the box is Hermes Galop D'Hermes Pure Perfume 4ml which is from the FLORIENTAL family. It has notes of quince, rose, saffron and leather. Again, I love this one!

Extras as always are fab!

We have a 30ml bottle of Molton Brown's newest launch Rosa Absolute Bath & Shower Gel. I've been itching to try this so I'm delighted to find a small bottle in the box. It has notes of blackcurrant, geranium, Italian rose and patchouli.

And a full size bottle of Nails Inc Electric Avenue polish which is perfect for party nails and worth £15!

I'm absolutely delighted with the contents of the box. Did you pick one up or will you?

Get the Gloss Summer 'It Kit' with Latest in Beauty

Latest in Beauty's Get the Gloss - Summer 'It Kit' is jam packed full of perfect goodies for holidays both at home and away.  It costs £19 plus P&P.

The first thing that jumped out at me is Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Refine & Polish Balm (15ml) which you can either use as a exfoliator or mask - I love a multi-purpose product!  See my review of the Miracle Cleanser and Revitalise & Glow Serum here. Looking forward to trying.

I've tried a few Anne Semonin products before but not the Eye Express Radiance Cubes (1 inside). You need to pop it in the freezer before placing in the little bag provided and then applying it around the eye area. Perfect to use prior to a big night out or the morning after!

Philip Kingsley Swimcap (50ml) is great for use before swimming in the sea or pool and helps with damage from sun and wind. One to pop in the holiday bag I reckon!

I'm a huge fan of Elemental Herbology and included is Cell Plumping Facial Hydrator SPF8 (15ml) it's a best seller which nourishes and plumps up the skin. I've used it a few times before.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR (10ml) love this little oil which is perfect with a sun tan! Use on the body and hair for a little bit of shimmer. 

Salon Science Aqua Cacteen Hydrasoothe Cooling Spray (150ml - full size) is an ultra-hydrating cooling spray which gives instant relief to dehydrated scalps and boosts hair hydration.

The two items I'll probably gift are Bourjois Aqua Blush (10ml) and Nails Inc Gel Effect Polish (8ml).

Did you pick up this box? What are your thoughts on the contents?

p.s. You can create your own LIB Beauty Awards box of 3, 6 or 9 products - see more details HERE. It includes favourites from Skin & Tonic, Shay & Blue and Bee Good to name a few.

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?

Weekend Away

We were over in Glasgow for a wedding reception on Saturday night and decided to make a weekend of it and stay the Friday night too with my folks.  We had lunch on Friday at  House for an Art Lover Cafe - we go here quite a lot and the food is fantastic as well as great value.  In the shop I bought this cute little spoon rest which was in the sale.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Whole Foods Market Giffnock which was wonderful - we picked up some foodie bits (and I managed to buy a beauty item too!)  The beauty section is packed full of natural brands - so nice to see Antipodes, Pai, Weleda, Intelligent Nutrients and Bach perfumes to name a few - I normally just see these brands online.

My mum had got me up some lovely bits and pieces from offers in the Daily Mail newspaper - thanks mum!

Included is:

A gift set which contains - Pecksniff's Happy Hand & Body Moisturiser 250ml, Pecksniff's Alive Bath & Shower Gel 250ml, Arran Aromatics Lavender & Tea Tree Facial Gel Wash 100ml, bellapierre Volumising Black Mascara 9ml, a Calvin Klein lipstick in Flutter and a mini Nails Inc polish.  

The other two items were separate offers - PH Advantage AM Multi-Complex Moisturizer SPF 20 51ml and Essential Care Organic Hand & Body Lotion 150ml.  I'm really pleased.

Here is my overnight beauty bag - 

When coming home we stopped by Krispy Kreme for a lovely box of assorted donuts nom nom!

What did you get up to at the weekend?

Spending Ban Update & a Haul

I did rubbish on my Spending ban! I think I just need to have a beauty budget - a ban seems to make me want to spend, spend, spend!

I bought these items before my ban ended oops....

Latest in Beauty CEW Beauty Awards Finalists' Discovery Box (£9.95) - I hummed and hawed over getting this box and when LIB were offering free postage I thought it would be rude not to!

My second splurge was Therapie Spring Offer (250ml bottle Boost Hair & Body Wash and Himalayan Detox Salts 400g) for £36 saving £15.  I first read about the salts at The Beauty Shortlist - I have since read so many amazing reviews - looking forward to trying both the products out (the packaging is simple but really luxe so this would make a great gift too) The set also comes with an exfoliating cloth, a sachet of Spring Detox Tea and a Step into Spring 28 Day Action Plan for a Mind & Body Detox.  

Full reviews will follow.  I used the detox salts on Friday night and I've got to say I had the best night's sleep I've had in a long time!

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?

Feel Unique Beauty Box - December

Imagine my excitement to hear the postman at the door this morning, especially as I knew I was due my Feel Unique Beauty Box!

It's a really fab box, I am really pleased with the contents. 

"Finishing Touches...add some magic to your Christmas...

Sparkle your way through the Festive season with this month's fabulous finishing touches.  With a sprinkle of sugar, a touch of gloss and a spritz of fragrance, all eyes will be on you!"

They are also giving £5 off any product if you spend £30 or more.

Onto the contents:

25ml Annick Goutal Mandragore EDT - this retails at £62.05 for 100ml.  It has notes of Bergamot, pepper, mint, star anise, boxwood, ginger and mandrake. It smells really fresh, fruity and minty on my skin.  A unisex scent, I love it!  I think it is a very generous addition to the box (its also in a cute little purple bag with tassled drawstring).  Would also make an excellent gift.

1g Tigi Bed Head Candy Fixations Sugar Dust a full size product at £9.35.  We got something similar in a previous box (which I haven't tried yet) but happy to give this a shot though.

30ml Clarisonic Nourishing Care Cleanser for normal/dry skin.  Not sure if I'll use this as I have combination skin although my skin is a bit dry this time of year.

4ml Nails Inc. in Oxford Circus, a candy pink colour.

8ml - full size Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium Balm which retails at £3.49.  It can be used for cuticles, dry skin areas, lips etc.  Have used this before and loved it especially the smell of geranium.

Finally, a trio of Living Nature skin samples - all 2ml - vitalising cleanser, extra hydrating toning gel and nourishing day cream.

I was really pleased with this box and will probably use everything in it and thought it was excellent value.  Did you get this box?  What are your thoughts?