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

Sure Women Crystal Invisible Black + White Diamond Anti-Perspirant Compressed Review

If ever there was a product made for me in mind it would be Sure Crystal Invisible Black + White Diamond...

I pretty much have a wardrobe packed with either black, white or monochrome clothing with the odd splash of colour for good measure.

Sure say 

Anti- white marks
Anti- yellow stains
Anti- sweat
48hr protection
0% alcohol

Provides our best ever protection

My thoughts 

I was sent the compressed bottle which contains 125ml but lasts as long as a 250ml can. I love the fact that it is small so great for travel or just to take up less space on the dressing table. I found that the spray did not irritate me at all and true to its word I could get dressed immediately. I must admit so far I haven't worn much white to put the anti-yellow stains claim to the test which is unfortunate as this is one of my major Summer bugbears.

However I haven't had any horrid white marks on my clothing and the protection is fantastic at keeping sweat at bay. The scent is one that I would call just a spray scent and it would have been nice for it to be a bit more feminine, that said my husband would happily use this particular product as it doesn't smell 'girly'.

So far, so good!

Sure Women Crystal Invisible Black + White Diamond Anti-Perspirant Compressed costs £3.39

*PR Sample

Zoya Nail Polish Payton - Nails Of The Day

Today's Nails Of The Day come courtesy of Zoya Nail Polish and the shade Payton. Payton is a pretty fully pigmented dark berry shade with holographic glitter running through it. This looks gorgeous in the sunlight but I found really hard to capture in a photo.

Zoya is a professional brand and it really shows in the ease of application and the consistency of the polish. The brush is absolutely perfect with application even and extremely smooth for a glitter polish (although this is fine glitter).

I couldn't fault it at all and on top of that I am impressed with how well it is lasting on my fingers which I shouldn't have been too surprised about as Zoya Nail Polish was named the longest wearing natural nail polish by an independent panel in Women’s Health Magazine.

Zoya is a natural brand and is free from the big 5

Free from Toluene
Free from Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde resin
Free from DBP (Phthalates) and Camphor 

Vegan friendly
Cruelty Free
Safe during pregnancy

That is not all, with over 500 shades in its collection from creme formulas to shimmer and glitter, there literally is  bound to be something for everyone. 

This was my first foray into the Zoya world and I would definitely try more.

Zoya nail polish can be found in most Natural stores like Wholefood Market and Nature Intended. Along with all major natural beauty websites like www.naturismo.com and www.lovelula.com and www.zoyapolish.co.uk  Many salons and spas throughout the UK also stock it.

*PR Sample

Schwarzkopf got2b Mind Blowing Xpress Dry Styling Spray Review

I have mentioned before on these pages that my hair is thick and porous and takes an age to dry whether naturally or by hair dryer so of course I am always looking for products that can speed up this process.

Back in mid December I was sent the new Schwarzkopf got2b Mind Blowing xpress dry styling spray to try out and have been using it every time I wash my hair.

Schwarzkopf say 

NEW got2b Mind Blowing xpress dry styling spray speeds up your blow-dry, detangles and conditions the hair and provides heat protection against hair dryers for perfectly styled hair in a fraction of the time.

My thoughts 

The spray has a lovely fresh and fruity scent and the one thing I learnt from using it is that you should use it with a bit of restraint. The first time I used it was I was a bit too happy to over apply and I ended with with hair that looked lank and was full of product. The second time I used it I applied far less (I didn't saturate my towel dried hair) and it worked a treat.

I particularly love that it detangles the hair, I have a section of my hair that is always knotted and a real mess and this spray made light work of it. It speeds up blow-drying time to under 10 minutes and it provides heat protection. Hair is left feeling soft and smooth and used correctly leaves no trace of product.

Schwarzkopf got2b Mind Blowing xpress dry styling spray 200ml costs £3.99 

*PR Sample

Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Salt Scrub Review

Sanctuary Spa say 

Our iconic dead sea salt scrub that leaves skin perfectly. polished and gorgeously moisturised.

Our multi award-winning and much-loved treatment contains sea salt from the renowned Dead Sea enveloped by a rich mix of moisturising oils: jojoba, coconut and almond.

While the salt gently exfoliates dead cells to stimulate and promote renewal, the oils soak into skin leaving it gleaming and exquisitely scented.

My thoughts 

When it's cold and wet outside there is no better time to disappear into the bathroom for a nice long soak and treat my skin to some body pampering. In winter time I like my baths hot (not too hot as they will dry out the skin) and I love the products I use to have great aromas.

When I finished my last scrub I was wondering what to purchase next and was about to repurchase The Sanctuary Body Scrub which I really like when I came across the Ultimate Salt Scrub on the shelf in Boots, well with a name like that I had to try it!

I have to say I am really glad I did. The Ultimate Salt Scrub is wonderfully indulgent but at an affordable price, it smells so glorious and sweet and far more expensive than the price tag suggests. The salt scrub is quite scrubby for great skin exfoliation but it comes accompanied with rich and delicious oils of Almond, Jojoba and Coconut which moisturise and condition the skin. The oils leave a residue when the skin is wet but when you dry off you are left with just fabulously soft, smooth skin.

I don't have particularly dry skin but I don't feel the need to use a separate moisturiser after.

A huge thumbs up from me.

Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Salt Scrub 650g costs £11.50 

Milk Frother Review - Awesome Frothy Milk Made At Home

It is not often I get enthused by gadgets or tools but being a coffee and chai latte drinker this simple milk frother has got me all whipped up with excitement.

After popping in the 2 AA batteries needed to make it work you simply heat up some milk and turn it on.

It took me three attempts to get it perfect, who knew there was a knack to this!

The first time it made a huge mess and there was milk everywhere, clearly too much milk was in the cup.

The second time I put less milk in the cup and it worked better but initially there was a spray of milk that for the third time I wanted to avoid.

Third time lucky - I put the right amount of hot milk in the cup (hold the cup with one hand, machine in other).

Tip time - If you put the whisk bit just under the the surface of the milk and hold the switch fully down for 30 seconds you get beautifully creamy, frothy milk that is just perfect to tip into your glass or mug for an authentic coffee latte, chai latte or cappuccino.

An inexpensive, nice and easy way to bring the coffee shop experience into your home.

Argos Milk Frother £4.99

Twinings Bollywood Chai Latte Review

I still find it hard to believe that I didn't start drinking tea or coffee until I was twenty five as I sure have been making up for lost time. I like plain old tea but to be honest I am always on the look out for great tasting and alternative teas.. this Winter I have really got into drinking Chai Lattes. 

Chai Lattes originate from India and are usually a black tea with the added feature of a blend of spices like Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger and Pepper (or variations of this). They are sweet, spiced teas that you can drink with milk or for added sweetness add sugar. Personally I don't add sugar but traditional street vendors will sell them milky and sweet. I loved the concept and naturally was curious to give them a try.

When I was in Waitrose I spotted a recipe card for rice pudding that used the Twinings Bollywood Chai Latte and promptly went off to the tea aisle to make my purchase.

Twinings Bollywood Chai Latte is described as smooth, sweet and delicately spiced, it is made from Black Tea (Assam), Almond, Spice & Honey Flavourings and Flavourings.

It comes in Loose Leaf Pyramid Form and the tag is long enough to fit into a tall Latte glass.

The outer packaging is pretty don't you think?

As you open the bag the scent hits you, a deliciously sweet Almond aroma.

How to make - 

Pop a teabag into a latte glass or mug.
Fill about a third full with boiling water and let it brew for at least 3 minutes followed by a good stir and a squeeze to release all the flavour.
Top up with hot milk, frothy if possible, add a pinch of sugar if you like.

My thoughts 

I have had a a few glasses of this now and I can recommend that you ensure that you keep the teabag in for the full 3 minutes or even longer to get the full flavour, if you don't then the taste is quite insipid. When prepared correctly it is delicious. I tried it with hot milk and it is lovely but hot frothy milk enhances the whole chai latte experience.

Twinings Bollywood Chai Latte is sweet and packed with almond flavour and a hint of spice. I really like it as an alternative to my morning or afternoon cuppa.

Twinings Bollywood Chai Latte (12 Pyramids) costs £3.49