Review : December JolieBox / Boudoir Prive

I received the all new JolieBox today which I was very excited about. For those of you who don't know Boudoir Prive have gone into partnership with JolieBox.

My box...

The Contents...

OPI Gold Shatter Nail Lacquer 15ml (full size) £10.50

JolieBox say : Apply over any dry nail lacquer to create a stunning "shattered" effect

I say : I was very pleased to see a full sized OPI in my box, then a little disappointed to see that it was a shatter one, then pleased again when I tried it. I'm getting a little bored of the crackle trend now but this is the prettiest shatter polish I have seen. I love the shimmer in it.

Mitchell and Peach Shower Wash 50ml approx value £4.00

JolieBox say : An invigorating shower wash containing natural English honey, Vitamin E and wheat proteins

I say : This smells very strong, too strong for my liking. I'm sure some people would love it though and I will give it a go. Hopefully the smell doesn't linger...

New CID Cosmetics i-gloss 6.2g (full size) £16.00

JolieBox say : Light up lip gloss with mirror for a non-sticky, long-lasting and high-glam shine

I say : I received this in Baby Doll which is a gorgeous pinky colour. The packaging is cute. I remember having a cheap lipgloss from Peacocks a few years back that lit up, everyone would be amazed when I pulled it out in the night clubs! The formula of this is lovely.

Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust 1.8g (full size) £12.00

JolieBox say : A multi-use shimmer powder in shade Rose Gold to apply to cheeks, eyes, lips, body and even hair

I say : This is very pigmented and has lovely flecks of glitter through it. I think this would look lovely applied to cheeks with a very light hand, although I do tend to avoid shimmery blushers as my skin looks greasy enough already.

Yon-Ka Vital Defense 5ml value approx £4.00

JolieBox say : Anti-aging prevention, antioxidant and anti-pollution cream to help the skin to preserve its youthfulness

I say : I love the smell of this and I love to receive a good anti-aging product so this is a win for me. My internet finds seem to suggest that this is a very popular brand amongst the celebs. It also seems to be quite difficult to get hold of. 

Bonus products...

Kusmi Detox Tea 20g value approx £1.90

JolieBox say : A delicious blend of Maté, Chinese Green Tea and lemon grass full flavoured with lemon 

I say : This was a lovely little bonus to receive and I look forward to trying it. JolieBox suggest that we have it the day after the night before, I'm sure the festive season will bring me plenty of opportunities to test this out!

JolieBox Concealer Brush

JolieBox say : Designed for blending concealer, the pointed tip provides precision for small imperfections whilst the flat side smoothes coverage across larger areas such as under the eye

I say : This was a lovely touch in a lovely box. JolieBox suggest that we use this with the Jane Iredale mineral powder. It feels like a soft but firm brush that should work well.

Overall verdict...

• Overall a huge thumbs up for the JolieBox & Boudoir Prive partnership. 
• I love the new box, it is sleek and sophisticated. A lot nicer than the old pink boxes.
• The box contents total approx £48.40, we received five products plus two bonus products. Three of the five products were full size.
• The card suggests how we use all the products together while 'getting primped for festive soirées' which I think is a lovely touch.
• To continue the festive party theme we also had a code entitling us to 20% off at WishWantWear.com.
• This box was so amazing due to the fact that its Christmas and its the first box of the partnership so fingers crossed standards won't start to slip.
• I don't like the box that the information card doesn't tell you where you can buy the products, I spent a lot of time trawling the internet trying to find product prices.

November Boudoir Prive : Review

I love when my beauty box arrives on a Saturday, it makes life a lot easier and I actually get to see the contents before I see any spoilers!

My Box...

The Contents...


Skincare - Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturiser

Boudoir Prive say : A 24-hour moisturising and brightening cream. The Wild Rose oil is a natural source of vitamin C and helps repair fine lines and uneven skin tone. The combination of grape seed and phytic acid work together to maintain a youthful complexion.


I say : This really does have a lovely smell, it isn't as powerful as I'd expected which is a good thing for me. It is a facial moisturiser and has SPF protection. I'll definitely be using this.

The price : £19 for 40ml, we received 10ml which makes this sample worth approx £4.75

Haircare - Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner

Boudoir Prive say : Create thick, glossy and bouncy hair with this 100% natural voluminous shampoo & conditioner. The lemongrass and green tea remove excess oils from the hair, whilst jojoba adds moisture and nourishment. Rich in Omega-9, it deeply penetrates the hair and helps restore and strengthen follicles.


I say : I'll be honest, I'm disappointed to receive sachets in my box. When I subbed to GB I had the option to say that I didn't want to receive sachets, with BP I didn't have the option. I find sachets such a nuisance, I never remember to open them before going in the shower and then they become impossible to open when your hands are wet! I will try these though and they do sound very good with all the natural oils.

The price : Voluminous Shampoo £27 for 275ml, we received two 10ml sachets which makes this sample worth approx £1.96
Voluminous Conditioner £28.50 for 275ml, we received two 8ml sachets which makes this sample worth approx £1.66

Bodycare - Dead Sea Spa Magik Silky Smooth Body Lotion

Boudoir Prive say : Dead sea minerals are renowned for their therapeutic and cosmetic properties. This creamy and silky body lotion will leave your skin feeling deeply hydrated and nourished. It aims to improve elasticity whilst soothing and preventing dryness.


I say : This isn't the nicest smelling moisturiser I've ever tried but it isn't a horrible smell either. It sinks into the skin nicely and leaves it feeling soft.

The price : £7.70 for 350ml, we received 50ml which makes this sample worth approx £1.10

Make-up - Studiomakeup Rich Hydration Lipstick shade Shimmering Sands

Boudoir Prive say : For lustrous lips use Studiomakeup's creamy and hydrating lipstick. Available in 4 rich and vibrant colours, the anti-aging and moisturising formula is perfect for the coming frosty months.


I say : I love the idea of this nourishing lipstick and I love the packaging. I was very pleased to see this in the box until I saw the colour. This is not a colour I would tend to wear. This is why we could do with a beauty profile.

The price : £12.25 for 4g, we received a full size lipstick

Lifestyle - Vinies Ayurveda's Soul Luminous Skin Mask

Boudoir Prive say : As featured on Vogue.co.uk, enhance your complexion with Vinies Luminous Skin Mask. The gentle exfoliants and natural skin brighteners will even skin tone and keep your skin glowing through the day. With the finest ingredients including mint leaf, Licorice root and magnolia extract, this product is suitable for all skin types.


I say : This has quite a strange smell, as you would expect from the ingredients! The smell is quite fresh though and I'm sure it will leave skin feeling very refreshed. This looks like a product that may work well. I'm looking forward to trying it.

The price : £32.85 for 400gm, we received two 15gm pots which makes this sample worth approx £24.68

Overall verdict

• Total box price is approximately £46.40
• All of the products bar the lipstick will get used. Which is a shame because the lipstick would be so nice in different colour.
• Boudoir Prive have now rewarded their loyal subscribers by not charging us the postage price that has recently been introduced. This has made me feel a lot happier with BP as I did start to feel that they were focusing too much on new customers and not us loyal subscribers.

Did you receive a BP box this month? Did you have the same contents as me?

If anyone has had a different shade lipstick to me and would like to swap please let me know :)

October Boudoir Prive : Review

Hi all, I came back from the Millenium Stadium yesterday (which was fricking awesome!) to a while you were out card. I had a feeling it would be my beautiful pink box so dragged Spencer straight to the sorting office!

My box...

The contents...

Skincare - Ceteum Illuminating Mask & Crème de Lite

Boudoir Prive say : Listed as one of the top 100 beauty brands by Harper's Bazaar, Cetuem is a breakthrough in skincare. These products will help you maintain a youthful complexion whilst brightening the skin and eliminating uneven skin tones. 

I say : I'm looking forward to trying these out. The Crème de Lite feels lovely and moisturising on my hand so I think it will be nice on the face. The mask is an exfoliating one which again felt lovely on the hand. I think these will both be lovely treats.

The price : Crème De Lite £45 for 50ml, we received 5ml which is roughly £4.50
Illuminating Mask £25 for 50g, we received 5ml which is roughly £2.50

Bodycare - Korres Quince Body Butter

Boudoir Prive say : An extremely rich and soothing cream for dry and chapped skin. The combination of vegetable oils has excellent compatibility with the skin, allowing for easy absorption. It provides uplifting and long lasting moisture.

I say : The smell of this body butter is really nice, it isn't too overpowering and it absorbs into the skin quickly.

The price : £12.50 for 150ml, we received 50ml which is roughly £4.17

Haircare - Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme

Boudoir Prive say : Huile de Palme is a pre-shampoo conditioner that will soften and nourish dry and damaged hair. From a range of hair care products that use only natural ingredients, delicate aromas and plant extracts.

I say : I've never heard of pre-shampoo conditioner before so am quite excited to try this, that is if I can get it out of the bottle! The oil seems to have congealed and gone quite clumpy and it doesn't want to budge! Not really sure what to do with it! It smells nice though!

The price : £24 for 95ml, we received 25ml which is roughly £6.32

Fragrance - Memo Paris Les Echappees (Sundance) 

Boudoir Prive say : Memo is a new Paris-based niche line of fragrances created by Clara Molloy. The samples are a mix of three ranges; Les Echappees, Les Orientaux and Voyages Naturels. Memo invites us on a sensory journey and aims to evoke ideas of dream and travel.

I say : I received Les Echappees which is described as A spicy tuberose underlined by pear. This perfume sample is a little better than the rest that I have received in beauty boxes because it has a pump. Its also better because I really, really like it! I don't think I'll ever be buying it due to the price tag but I will enjoy this little sample!

The price : £69 for 30ml / £105 for 75ml. I'm not sure of the size of the sample that I received.

Lifestyle - Rose & Co Rose Petal Salve

Boudoir Prive say : This rose scented salve soothes chapped lips and dry skin. It can also be worn as a glossy top coat over lipstick, an eye gloss, on brow bones or mixed with a shimmer powder to give a glamorous glow.

I say : How cute is this?! The packaging is just gorgeous. As you can see it is a pinky colour in the tin but goes on clear. The rose smell is actually quite powerful, if you don't like rose scent avoid this! I like it, it kind of tastes like Parma Voilets when wearing it on my lips! It feels really nice on my dry lips.

The price : £5 for 20g, we received a full size pot

Makeup - Studiomakeup Liner Styler Pen Black

Boudoir Prive say : For intense eye definition this deep black Liner Styler Pen glides on for a long lasting and crease-proof line. The slim and soft tip provides precision in a single stroke.

I say : I'm not won over by this to be honest. Roughly 5 minutes after the swatch photo was taken I rubbed it to test if it had dried, it smudged really badly! I then rubbed again after a further 2 minutes, it almost all rubbed off! It takes a very long time to dry! It does glide on nicely though.

The price : £12 for 1.1ml, we received a full size pen.

We also received a leaflet that entitles us to a skin consultation and relaxing mini facial with RMK in Selfridges. There are also goody bags while stocks last. This can be redeemed 3rd - 7th November. Unfortunately this is no good to me as we don't have a Selfridges in Wales! If anyone would like this let me know, if there are a few of you I will use random org to decide who to give it to.

Overall verdict

• I love the majority of the contents in this month's box, we received two full size products and the total box contents come to roughly £35 not included the perfume sample.
• I am a little annoyed to see that new subscribers received two extra samples in this box, they were samples that we received last month but that isn't the point. I have been a subscriber from the start and have received no benefit. People who subscribed to the second box got it for £5 and people who have subscribed for this box got two free products. I feel as though as loyal subscribers aren't being rewarded.
• Despite feeling a little annoyed with Boudoir Prive I will be continuing my subscription because I do feel that their boxes are improving month on month.

Did you receive this box? Did you like it? Are you a subscriber from the start who feels a little neglected?

September Boudoir Prive : Review

Hi all, I'm sure by now you've seen a million other reviews on this month's Boudoir Prive box but I still wanted to share my thoughts on the box so I hope you don't mind another post on it!

I got mine a little later than most people, it turned out that it had been left with a neighbour. They hadn't bought it round and the postman did his usual trick of not letting me know that it was there.

My box...

I'm sure by now that you are familiar with the concept of Boudoir Prive. You pay £10 a month and they send you six high end samples in a beautifully packaged box. They categorise their samples into six sections, of which you will receive a product within every month. The sections are Skincare, Lifestyle, Make-up, Bodycare, Fragrance and Haircare.

The theme for this month's box is Les Indispensables, things that are absolutely necessary, essential.

The contents...

Skincare - Colbert MD Nourish Eye Cream

They say : Colbert MD, the skincare used daily by HRH Kate Middleton and Sienna Miller, brings you a new impressive Eye Cream which rehydrates the skin around your eyes and reduces puffiness and dark circles. Apply around and under your eyes morning or night.

I say : I haven't gotten around to trying this yet but if its good enough for her royal highness I'm sure its good enough for common old me! It doesn't really have any smell to it which is good, I personally don't like scented products for use around the eye. No matter how good this is I can say for sure that at £90 a pot I won't be re-purchasing! I'm pleased to have received this little pot of luxury as I would never normally be able to try something so expensive.

The price : £90 for 15ml (!)

Bodycare - Tropic Skin Body Smooth

They say : We love this 100% natural Body Smooth from Tropic Skincare, founded by the Apprentice's Susan Ma. Enriched with nourishing Sea Minerals, Jojoba and Macadamia oil, it smoothes and hydrates skin wonderfully. Rub onto dry hands for 20 seconds, rinse with warm water and pat dry.

I say : The first thing I noticed with this is the scent, it is very overpowering. I'm not really sure I like the idea of using this on my hands because they will probably stink for the rest of the day! Its not an unpleasant smell, its very nice and fruity, but its just so strong that I think it will linger and start to become annoying!

The price : £19.95 for 200ml

Haircare - Macadamia Hair Repair

They say : This oil treatment, suitable for all hair types, will make your hair visibly smooth, frizz-free and shiny. An amazing product to repair your hair after the damage caused over the summer. Apply to either dry or wet hair, focusing on the ends. Use as an overnight treatment for best results.

I say : I was really pleased to receive this as I have heard some rave reviews about it. The smell is nice and subtle and I like the promises that it makes. Its also a full size 10ml bottle which is always good :)

The price : £5.75 for 10ml / £29.95 for 125ml.

Fragrance - Agent Provocateur L'Agent

They say : This seductive scent will turn you into the centre of attention and will make you feel sexy, mysterious and captivating. A new, classic scent for ladies by Agent Provocateur. Apply the perfume to bare skin, focusing on your pressure points.

I say : I really do wish that these perfume samples were a little bigger and in nice miniature bottles, but we can't have it all! This perfume is very strong! When smelling it from the bottle it is too strong for my liking, however a tiny dab of this on the wrist is actually quite pleasant.

The price : £70 for 100ml / £50 for 50ml

Make-up - Cargo Cosmetics Boogie Nights Eye Pencil in shade 02 Blue

They say : Make your eyes pop with this stunningly wild eye pencil from Cargo Cosmetics. A perfect shimmery pencil for day and night wear. Draw across upper eyelids. For extra impact, apply to your lower lids.

I say : This is a lovely colour and I do like the glitter, I'm just not sure if its me. I haven't worn blue eyeliner since I was about 14 and wearing blue eyeshadow, blue eyeliner and blue mascara. It just brings me back to my 'chavy' days!

The price : £13 for a set of five

Lifestyle - Zoya Nail Polish in shade ZP575 Jem

They say : Add a beautiful touch of shimmer to your fingertips with this nail polish from Zoya's new Smoke & Mirrors Collection for Autumn/Winter 2011. Apply a base coat and up to two layers of lacquer before finishing with a top cat.

I say : This nail varnish looks lovely and I like the fact they that provided the swatches of all the other colours in this collection, although I did wonder if Zoya were being very clever and using the knowledge that bloggers write about these boxes as a bit of free advertising...

The price : £9.98

Free gift - Mai Couture Blot & Bronze

This month's boxes were sent out later than expected due to Hurricane Irene, as an apology they said they were going to give us a present, this was it, two blotting papers. I don't mean to sound ungrateful as they didn't have to send anything extra but it would of been nice to have more than two sheets of this!
Anyway, the blot & bronze sheets claim to eliminate excess oil without disturbing your makeup. The pigmeneted paper deposits a hint of golden colour to even out skin tone while the refined shimmer gives the skin a radiant glow. The result is an oil-free sun-kissed complexion. The photo of my hand was taken after rubbing the sheet across my hand, as you can see it does have a nice shimmery bronze to it. When dabbing this onto my face it did remove the oil but strangely didn't deposit any of the bronzer. I'm not sure if this is because my skin is too oily? It certainly didn't leave me with a sun-kissed complexion.

Overall Verdict

Anther thumbs up to Boudoir Prive. I'm pretty sure that I'll be using most of these products.

August Boudoir Prive : Review

I received my eagerly anticipated Boudoir Prive box today, I'd seen a few reviews already so I knew what to expect but I thought I'd share my thoughts and opinions with you.

Packaging

Looks very similar doesn't it? I was quite surprised at just how similar the Boudoir Prive box is to the GlossyBox, even down to the websites being very similar. I'm wondering if they are the same company? The one noticeable difference with the box is that it has a flip down magnetic lid as oppose to the lift off lid that GlossyBox has. I prefer this box.
Boudoir Prive also enclose a little hand written note which is a very sweet touch!

The contents

Boudoir Prive is split into six sections, which I assume it will be every month. The sections are Lifestyle, Skincare, Fragrance, Bodycare, Make-up and Haircare. I think this is a really good idea as we should receive a good variety of products each month.

My thoughts on the individual products...

Bloom Green tea & White tea duo

They say : Keep your concentration levels high and your stress levels low throughout the day with these two delicious teas from Bloom's Tea Treatment collection.

I say : I know that there has been a lot of uproar about this, I've seen so many tweets along the lines of "tea, in a beauty box?". I must be one of the rare few people that was pleasantly surprised at the 'lifestyle' section of the box. I'm not a tea drinker at all, but I've not tried any herbal teas so I am looking forward to trying this (and to be honest probably spitting it straight back out!).
I'm a proper 'foodie' and love trying out new stuff so am hoping that this section will remain. I hope to see some luxurious chocolates in a box one day :)

The price - £4 for a pack of 10, making this sample worth £0.80.

Babor HSR Lifting Extra Firming Cream

They say : Soften your skin and prevent wrinkles with this cream by German skincare brand Babor. Active ingredients, efficiency and luxury, all packed into one product!

I say : I'm 26 now so this is a welcome addition to my skincare routine. I haven't yet bought any anti-ageing products but am at the age where I really should start using them. I'm looking forward to trying this out.

The price - £82 for 50ml.

Etat Libre D'Orange Archives 69 & Rien

They say : Rien and new fragrance Archives 69 are incredibly rich perfumes that will keep you smelling fantastic all throughout the day. Two must-haves from the Etat Libre d'Orange range.

I say : unfortunately I don't like either of these perfumes. They are indeed incredibly rich, too rich for my liking! I think these perfumes are more suited to an older lady, but, luckily we are all different and some people may love these fragrances.

The price - Rien £52.50 for 50ml, Archives 69 £74.00 for 50ml.

Olavie Antioxidant Body Butter

They say : Pamper yourself with this rich body butter by Wine Therapy specialists Olavie. Your skin will feel smooth, hydrated and refreshed.

I say : This product smells lovely and I'm really drawn to the idea of wine therapy! It rubs in easily and leaves the skin feeling super soft. This is a product I'll definitely be using up.

The price - £43.55 for 240ml

Jane Iredale PureLash Extender and Conditioner

They say : Mineral cosmetics wonder Jane Iredale will blow you away with this innovative product, which encourages the growth of eyelashes and facilitates the application of mascara.

I say : I was super excited to receive this in my box and can't wait to try it out, I just hope that this teeny sample is enough to see a difference.

The price - £13.00 for 89ml

Sachajuan Conditioner

They say : This conditioner's smart Ocean Silk Technology suits all hair types, and will do a great job at untangling your locks. A must-try product from Swedish brand Sachajuan!

I say : I've heard good things about this brand previously so was pleased to receive this. My hair is in okay-ish condition but we could all do with a little pick me up! This product smells lovely and isn't too overpowering.

The price - £10.00 for 100ml (the sample we received is 3.4 fl oz which I think works out at about 100ml, correct me if I'm wrong!)

Overall verdict

I am very pleased with my first Boudoir Prive box. I was planning on signing up just for the first box and then cancelling, but now I've received this one I want more! I love the idea of the lifestyle section and hope that the fact that this box seems more geared towards the more 'mature lady' means that there will be plenty more anti-ageing products for me to try.

I foresee a huge amount of unwanted perfume samples coming my way from both this box and my GlossyBox, I think I will save them all up in an empty box and give them to my mother along with her Christmas presents, she will probably appreciate that and I may have quite a few come Christmas!

The main flaw for me is that the majority of the samples don't state the size, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who likes to work out how much each individual sample is worth! I would love it if Boudoir Prive could add this information to the little information card provided.

I have three codes which enable three lucky people to receive their first box half price! These expire on 31 August 2011. If you haven't yet signed up and are interested simply leave a comment below, I will email the first three people with the voucher codes.

Did you sign up to Boudoir Prive? What are your impressions?