The Perfume Shop - Gucci Guilty Gift Set - Christmas Inspiration

Think Christmas gifts and one of the top things on my list would be perfume and aftershave. At Christmas the stores are full of great value gifts sets that usually include an extra something for the same price as a single bottle of the chosen scent.

I love this Gucci Guilty Gift Set as the Gucci print pocket mirror is just perfect for my handbag and a bit different from the usual body lotion or shower gel that usually comes with these types of sets.

The clever people at The Perfume Shop matched me up with Gucci Guilty after I gave them a list of the types of perfume that I have liked and worn in the past.... so if you or the gift recipient likes these perfumes the chances are you or they will love Gucci Guilty.

Stella Mccartney,
Roberto Cavalli (the original)
Narcisco Rodriguez EDP
SI Giorgio Armani. 

Gucci Guilty EDT is described in the following way...

Gucci takes as a catalyst its iconic entwined Gs and brings us a heroine who regards this emblem as an incitement to subvert. For this most contemporary of rebels, Gucci is the brand of sex and power. In Gucci Guilty, this woman discovers the very scent of defiance.

Top notes

Mandarin, Pink Pepper

Heart notes

Peach, Lilac, Geranium

Base notes

Ambery Notes, Patchouli, Lilac, Geranium

The perfume is an oriental floral scent that is warm, sensuous and oozing glamour and class. The gold bottle is a mix of metal and glass in a sleek and elegant design that encompasses the classic entwined Gs. It also has that all important bathroom shelf appeal which one expects of the Gucci brand. 

I cannot believe I have never tried this gorgeous fragrance before, The Perfume Shop have helped me discover a new firm favourite. 

Gucci Guilty EDT 50ml Gift Set costs £53 from The Perfume Shop (This is a The Perfume Shop exclusive)

Visit the Christmas Shop today 

*PR Sample

The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club 'Classics Collection' 9 Reviewed

If you are not familiar with The Fragrance Shop's Discovery Club, there has never been a better time to get acquainted.

This month they are celebrating two years of the club being up and running and are offering a bumper box of ten fragrances samples and an extra special gift of a miniature bottle (7ml) of Estee Lauder's top selling Modern Muse. Also included, vouchers with up to £60 worth of savings.

The way it works 

This is a no commitment, cancel anytime subscription quarterly box delivered to your door that costs £5. You will receive fragrance samples and money off vouchers for the fragrances featured with anything up to £10 off the price if you want to go ahead and purchase a full size bottle.

In this birthday box there are 10 fragrance vials included - seven for women and three for men.

The 'Classics Collection' features some of the biggest fragrance launches in the last few years and there are a fair few of my all time faves in there!

What's Included

For women -

Givenchy Very Irresistible EDT (£10 voucher off a 50ml purchase included)

Thierry Mugler Angel EDT (£5 voucher off a full size product) - Angel is probably one of my all time favourite Gourmand fragrances and the EDT is a softer scent than the original but without losing any of its sensuality.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau My Gold! EDT (£5 off voucher included) Not quite a classic yet but I am looking forward to trying this one out.

Nina Ricci Nina EDT (£5 off voucher included) Although this came out in 2006 I have yet to smell this one, described as fresh, floral and fruity I cannot wait to wear this.

Jimmy Choo Original EDP (£5 off voucher included) I have reviewed EDP before, you can read my review here.

Lacoste Touch Of Pink EDT (£5 off voucher included) Only recently have I got to try this fragrance and it is fun and different. A really nice fragrance for every day.

Jean Paul Gaultier 'Classique' EDP (£5 off voucher included) JPG is one of my all time favourite perfumes, I love its vanilla scent and of course its iconic bottle. Seductive and delicious, I owned this as soon as it was released. It is indeed quite simply a classic.

For men -

Hugo Boss Boss Bottled EDT (£5 off voucher included) Aah Boss Bottled, this has to be my all time favourite men's fragrance. Fresh and fruity with a spicy heart and a base of woods. This is an incredibly sexy fragrance. I love it and luckily my husband agrees!

Paco Rabanne Invictus EDT (£5 off voucher included) Paco Rabanne invite you to 'inhale the scent of victory' with this fragrance, this was iconic with its trophy shaped bottle and sport inferences. I will let you know how we get on...

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issy Pour Homme EDT (£5 off voucher included) The women's version will always remind me of my mum as she adored it when I was growing up. This is described as fresh, vibrant and elegant, it has some really interesting notes so I will be interested to see what my husband makes of it. It looks promising though!

Finally - The bonus gift

A gorgeous 7ml miniature bottle of Modern Muse which is just the cutest thing. I have already reviewed this perfume here if you want to know my thoughts on it. There is also a £10 off voucher included

Final thoughts 

A wonderful introduction to The Fragrance Shop Discovery Club, this really is a bumper discovery box.

To find out more and sign up for your own box please visit here

*PR Sample

Top Fragrances This Christmas - Gift Ideas

For women my choice of perfume would be Alien Essence Absolute (EDP) by Thierry Mugler. A gorgeous bottle inspired by a drop of precious gold, showcases the sacred Amber Elixir with sculpted facets and curves and with the inclusion of Myrrh has to be the gift of Christmas!

The scent is described as an Amber, Floral Vanilla creation.

Top Note of Jasmine
Heart Notes of Cashmeran Wood and Myrrh
Base Notes of White Amber and Vanilla

Alien Essence Absolute EDP costs £52.50 for 30ml www.muglerstore.com

The name on everyone's lips this Winter is Bond, James Bond. This year is the 50th Anniversary of Bond and the latest film - Skyfall with Daniel Craig - has done phenomenally at the Box Office.

Coinciding with its release comes the launch of James Bond 007 Gold Edition Fragrance (EDT). Give your man the gift of sauve, sophistication with this very appealing and deliciously masculine scent.

Top Note of Apple
Heart Note of Cardamom
Base Notes of Sandalwood, Vetiver, Lavender, Coumarin, Moss

James Bond 007 Gold Edition Fragrance (EDT) Limited Edition costs £24.50 for 50ml www.theperfumeshop.com

However...  If you find it hard to select a scent for a loved one or a friend The Perfume Shop have the perfect gift idea again this year - the Vivabox!

I think this is a brilliant idea, each Vivabox comes with 7 samples so whoever you buy for can choose their favourite and swap the voucher inside for ONE full size bottle from The Perfume Shop nationwide.

What I particularly love is the choice of scents in these boxes, there is a good variety and one is bound to appeal as the selection is of some fabulous and top selling fragrances.

Women's Fragrance Selection 2012 - £34.99

Contains samples of: Nina Ricci Nina, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, Lacoste Touch of Pink, BOSS Orange, Very Irrésistible Givenchy, Elizabeth Arden Red Door, Paco Rabanne Lady Million

Men's Fragrance Selection 2012 - £37.99

Contains samples of: Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme, Diesel Only The Brave Tattoo, BOSS Orange Man, HUGO Just Different, Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Men, Montblanc Legend, Givenchy Play

Boss Orange Perfume Review

Boss Orange EDT has to be my favourite female scent from the Boss collection.

It is described as a floral-fruity scent but I don't personally find it overly fruity which is perfect as I am not too keen on overtly fruity fragrances.

It features top notes of Sweet Apples, heart notes of White Flower Notes and Orange Blossom and base notes of Sandalwood, Olive Wood and Vanilla.

Well no surprises there ..containing some of the notes that really appeal to me mainly orange blossom, vanilla this was bound to be a hit. I have to be honest and say to my untrained scentometer I struggle to identify the sweet apples, not a problem though as I adore the orange blossom mixed with vanilla that I do detect.

It is gorgeous, but I do find it a little overpowering and heavy, if I spray too much I find that I can get a headache and not sure if I am imagining this.. heart palpitations! 

It reminds me a lot of the perfume Ghost EDT which was a favourite of mine in my early 20's - Top notes of Ambrette seeds, Rose, heart notes of Jasmine, Hibiscus, Apricot and base notes of Incense, Sandalwood,  Vanilla, Musk and Amber.

Boss Orange has the all important husband approval with him declaring ' you smell good'! As I find this too much for daytime, I save this scent to wear for evenings out.

Boss Orange EDT 75ml costs £48.50 from The Perfume Shop

*PR Sample

BeautySwot Best Christmas Gift Guide Under £50 - 2011

If you still haven't got your presents all wrapped up and need some ideas, worry not as I have picked out my top picks of Christmas gifts and they all cost under £50!

Whether you are looking for a Secret Santa present or a stocking filler a trip to a Lush store is a must.

I really love Latte Lip Tint - £4.95 for 10g

Latte is a moistursing lip balm and tint that leaves a beautiful bronze shimmer on your lips. As well as looking gorgeous on the lips, it smells incredible thanks to the ingredients of icing sugar, fairtrade coffee, vanilla powder and vanilla absolute.

Ted Baker Cosmetic Purse - £8 - Selected Boots Stores

I was drawn to this pretty fairy print bag whilst out shopping on Saturday, the bag comes in various sizes and prices.

Aromatherapy Associates Little Star - £10 for 7.5ml

How about a gift that doubles as a decoration for the tree? This little star contains Deep Relax luxurious bath and shower oil.

It must be the year for decorative gifts as Paul & Joe have packaged some fabulous shades of eye shadow inside eye catching tree decorations.

Paul & Joe Ornamental Select Select Eye Colour - £12

Fa-La-La-La-La -Bronze

I have shown just one of the shades here but they are available in 5 beautiful colours, each one having its own outer packaging print. Shades are

001 Fa La La La La - Bronze
002 Deck The Hall - Green
003 Midnight Clear - Blue
004 Silent Night - Purple
005 Joy To The World - Pink 

These are highly pigmented eye shadows that are formulated to be easy to blend.

Available at Fenwicks, Bond Street and Harrods.

Nails Inc The Show Stoppers - £15

I love the shades in this set of 5 glossy mini nail polishes


Finsbury Park – Gold Glitter

Gloucester Place - Metallic Deep Red 

Regents Palace – Deep Metallic Purple

George Yard - Metallic Champagne

Chelsea Manor Street – Gun-metal Shimmer

Once again Benefit have brought out some must have limited edition Christmas kits with something for everyone.


Benefit Ticket To Glossytown - £19.50

Fans of lip gloss will love this set of 6 mini glosses all in gorgeous and wearable shades -

So frisk me (gilded berry)
Nudie-tude (goldspun twist)
Spiked punch (juicy coral)
Life on the A list (bubblegum pink)
Foxy lady (diamond rose)
Kiss you (clear fuchsia)

Give someone the gift of the glow with this great set -

Tess Daly Tricks of The Trade Face And Body Glow Kit £22 - Available at Marks and Spencer

This set featuring best selling products provides everything you need to for radiant glamour 

Body cream 200ml
Highlighter compact 15g
Lip balm stick 3g

Perfume is such a personal choice and yet remains one of the top gifts at Christmas. To avoid bottles sitting in cupboards unloved the clever people at The Perfume Shop have come up with the perfect solution

The Perfume Shop Vivabox - £39.99

Vivabox is a collection of 7 sample size designer perfumes -

BOSS Orange, Beyonce Heat, Paco Rabanne Black XS, Giorgio Armani Code, Emporio Armani Diamonds, DKNY Be Delicious EDP, Carolina Herrera 212 VIP


Once the recipient has tried them out and picked their favourite there is a voucher which they can take along to The Perfume Shop to swap for a full size bottle of their choice.

Way back in August I had a preview of the wonderful gifts on offer at Elemis for Christmas, below is the one that caught my eye the most.

Elemis Superstars Face and body award winners - RRP £45 

This fabulous gift set from the Christmas Starlight Collection not only has a lovely white bag to hold all the products but also contains some of my favourite products from Elemis and will be a real treat for the lucky recipient.

Inside -

Papaya Enzyme Peel - 50ml Full Size
Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules -14 caps
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream - 30ml
Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream - 50ml
Skin Nourishing Milk Bath - 125ml
Frangipani Monoi Body Oil - 35ml

L'Occitane are always a favourite of mine to visit at this time of the year as they have such great value gifts and this year is no exception. Many of the products are packaged in boxes complete with a gift tag so there is no need for you to do your own wrapping.

My choice would be

L'Occitane Delightful Almond Collection (Ltd Edition) - £46 

This wonderfully scented and body nourishing gift collection includes:

500ml Almond Shower Oil
250ml Almond Milk Veil
50ml Almond Delicious Paste
3 x 50g Almond Delicious Soaps

Happy Shopping!