Boudoir Privé October box

I received my second Boudoir Privé box through the post on Tuesday (by a lovely Sheffield lady postie. Sheffield people are so friendly!) I spoilt it for myself (again!) by reading blog reviews like Lilys, but I was still looking forward to it.

The products in this month's box were: Rose&Co Rose Petal Lipsalve, Studiomakeup eyeliner pen in black, Cetuem Illuminating skin mask and Créme de Lite, Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme pre-shampoo conditioner, Korres Quince body butter and Mémo Paris Les Echappées parfum.

I always enjoy products that I can start using right away, and I was happy to see a liquid eyeliner in the beauty box as I had been meaning to buy one. My liquid eyeliner skills are not great so I'll have a bit of practice before showing you the results of this.

I was happy to receive a lip salve, as my lips do suffer in winter with the dryness of air-con/central heating, however the container of the Rose&Co Rose Petal salve was made of a metal-like material (a bit like vaseline tubs) which I find a turn-off as it can feel greasy to touch and consequently I'm never sure whether the container is clean. I much prefer lip balms to come in tubes.

I really need to start using up my hair treatment samples otherwise I will end up with a backlog from my beauty boxes! In this month's box was a pre-shampoo conditioner for dry and damaged hair from Leonor Greyl. It is to be used before washing your hair as a leave-in treatment from 5 mins to overnight. I think I will give it a try overnight next time my hair is due for a wash. A little looks like it would go a long way with this hair oil.

I really like the packaging for the Quince body butter from Korres, and that really makes a difference to how inclined I feel to use it! (Am quite a visual person). The body butter goes on really smoothly, like a thin cream and sinks into your skin well. The smell is quite mild with a hint of avocado and what seems like rose. It is described by Boudoir Privé as: "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."

The Memo Les Eschappées eau de parfum was my favourite product out of this month's box. I always enjoy different scents and the varying affects they can have on our memory, mood and feelings. This scent is described as "A spicy tuberose underlined by pear." I really liked this perfume as it is so different to my usual scents (citrusy). This perfume is spicy and deep, a little musky, and would be great for winter. It reminds me of drinking mulled wine and eating toffee apples.

What did you think of this months' Boudoir Privé box? Are you subscribed to any other beauty boxes?

Garnier B.B. Cream (Miracle Skin Perfector)

I was pleased to receive a free sample of Garnier's new B.B. Cream Miracle Skin Perfector in the post today. B.B. Creams (short for Blemish Balm) are predominately an Asian beauty product that is only just beginning to be featured in the UK & worldwide markets. B.B. Creams aim to smooth and refine the skin, often by providing light coverage.

Garnier's BB Cream seemed to be hotly anticipated, with a high-profile ad campaign. Garnier's B.B. Cream is an ambitious product which, according to their website aims to provide the following: 24hr hydration, UV protection, and sheer coverage, resulting in smoother, luminous, smoother and softer skin.

I was particularly interested to try it as I don't like wearing a full face of makeup, but I do want my skin to be soft and free of imperfections, often with a light coverage. My skin is also quite dry so it needs moisturising and I appreciate a foundation that has SPF for this reason. Garnier suggests that you can use BB creams as a primer or on its own. Garnier's B.B. Cream only comes in two colours at the moment; light and medium, and I ordered the light shade.

I found that I had to use a moisturiser underneath it as I have dry skin. Once I had applied moisturiser it went on smoothly. Its coverage is very light; it isn't a foundation but does what it says it aims to, which is to blur imperfections. I applied a little more over the areas of my skin that needed it. My skin still needed some mattifying afterward so I applied a loose powder. It doesn't give full coverage, so if I was going to an event I would use it as a primer. I think it would be very effective as a primer as it goes on and sets smoothly. On the packaging Garnier suggests that a time you may want to use it is post-gym, where you don't want a full face but you do want to smooth out the redness on your skin. I think the product would be very effective for use then, but I would still need to use moisturiser underneath.

Garnier's new TV ad- I could only find it in French, despite it being shown on UK TV

Another thing I liked about the product was that in the sachets there was enough product for more than one use per sachet, so I should be able to test it another 4 to 5 times before I decide whether to purchase it. Overall, though I liked the product.

There are loads of fab and informative reviews of Garnier's B.B. Cream from beauty bloggers out there: just google to find more. :)