Blog Birthday Giveaway! #1 Masquerade Amor

This competition is now CLOSED - thanks for your entries!

It's Becky's Boudoir's 2nd birthday today!

I want to take this opportunity to celebrate and thank YOU, my loyal readers and friends for reading every little post I've written and put up for all of you to read.  Not only has it been my personal thoughts, opinions and photos since the 18th February in 2011 but, you've help me find a new passion (and obsession!) and for that I'm so very grateful and honoured to have you here.  :-)

Some of our favourite brands and online shops have been so awesome as to donate an array of fantastic prizes to enable me to host a week of giveaways!  How amazing is that?!  Be sure to stop by each day this week to enter yourself into the draws to win something pretty, which will run for a week each.  Bring your friends too - the more the merrier!

Today's giveaway is from the fabulous My Curves and Me website - selling top D+ lingerie and swimwear brands including Panache, Cleo, Masquerade and Atlantis at prices less than RRP!

We've got up for grabs, courtesy of My Curves and Me, 1 stunning Masquerade 'Amor' Bra and Brief set in the lucky winner's size.  To enter, simply complete the quick 'n' easy tasks in the Rafflecopter below.  

This draw ends one week from today on the 25th February 2013 - so be quick!

Terms and conditions apply, provided upon request.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

Festive Red Lingerie & Cleo Marcie Review

Red lingerie must be the most gifted shade of underwear.  Not surprising, considering men love to buy it for their special woman in their life and women feel pretty darn good wearing it.  Red lingerie defines seduction and luxury and as such deserves to be given the gift wrapped treatment on more occasions than Valentines.  Being a fantastically festive colour, Christmas is the perfect excuse.

With only a few days to go until Christmas Day itself, now's your last chance to treat yourself or your special lady to some special lingerie.  Luckily there are many options for D cups and above.

These are my favourites for stunning Christmas gifts >

The gorgeous Dita Von Teese lingerie brand, Von Follies (which you can buy from Debenhams as well as other stores), stars the exquisite Red Eyelash Lace bra RRP £30.00.  This is a beautiful collection that includes knickers and suspender belt.  Sadly only up to a DD but I had just had to include this beauty!

Masquerade Rosetti is still on my list!  It's a beautiful design and flattering balcony shape.  RRP £40.

Wonderbra has released the Ultimate Strapless Lace in a vibrant red - perfect for a feisty feeling under your strapless party dress this Christmas!  RRP £36

Boux Avenue Alexus is a luxurious silk and lace treat, available up to a G cup.  RRP £30.00

Curvy Kate Wild bra is a unique design this Christmas featuring red satin, animal print and gold trimmings which work surprisingly well.  RRP £29.00

Cleo Marcie is a stunning bra in a true festive bold red.  RRP £25.00

Santa is bringing me this bra for Christmas and he allowed me to try it on specially for this post.  (Thanks Santa!)

I'm usually a 28H in both Freya and Masquerade, but I'm finding with Cleo a 28GG fits much better.  So, judging by my experience with Cleo's Meg in a 28H, I ordered the 28GG for the Marcie.  It fits perfectly!

The band is just how I like it, firm but not overbearing.  The back fastening is only double hook and eye but it works very well and isn't narrow.  The style is balcony which cuts nicely over my bust.  It's not full covering so allows a nice shelf of cleavage.  The straps are ribbed, which I love, and they're wide enough without looking frumpy.

I liken Marcie to Cleo's best selling Lucy.  The cup fitting is very similar with the same three sections and lace panel.  Where Lucy has flowers Marcie has spots which I love.  The centre bow also has the addition of a cute tiny button.  What's different in the bra structure is the band which continues around the whole bra beneath the under wiring, providing additional support to the front.  I think it makes it look a lot more attractive too.

I fell in love with Marcie ever since I first saw it online but I was wary about how it would fit considering some reviews I'd read.  My experience has been extremely positive which I'm relieved to report.  Something I had to do with my Cleo Lucy was amend the centre gore by stitching it closer together to fit my close set boobs.  I haven't needed to do this with Marcie which is just perfect.  The band is as I'd expect and the bra is just really good fitting; it looks good and feels great to wear.  I fully recommend you give this one a go!

Have you asked Santa for anything red this Christmas?  Or do you prefer another colour?

Becky x

Read More

Christmas Lingerie Wish List

*I've had this post in the making for the past week but with one thing or another (mainly being nurse to my poorly guinea pig who is currently not well at all) it's been opened and saved, never to the point of publishing.  So here it is!*

With Christmas now just glistening on the horizon it's time to think about your own christmas wish list.  I'm all for surprise gifts on the big day but when it comes to lingerie, there's huge risk involved.  Your better half buying the wrong size can be offensive, embarrassing and a complete waste of time, so avoid the whole rigmarole and buy exactly the lingerie you love and the size that'll fit.

There are some especially desirable lingerie sets right now which are just waiting to slink into your Christmas stocking!  Here's what's on my wish list to Santa...(as long as he gets my size right!)

Fauve 'Emmanuelle' in Ink RRP £54 >

Masquerade 'Rosetti' in Scarlet RRP £40 >

Miss Mandalay 'Paris' in Black RRP £39 >

Freya "Deco Honey" in Iris RRP £32 >

Parfait 'Angelina' in Noir RRP £34 >

Bravissimo 'Satine' in Cobalt Blue RRP £29 >

Not related to lingerie at all but Christmas in a nutshell - The Snowman.  This year we'll see a brand new special return to this iconic classic called 'The Snowman and The Snowdog' which is the same age as me this year - 30 years old.  It's been a favourite of mine since I was little and got tons of Snowman paraphernalia, including my Snowman board game and an empty bubble bath bottle Snowman (minus his scarf and a dubiously darkened head) which I used to play in the bath with, both of which I still have.  :-)

Here's a teaser trailer for you.  I'm so excited!  

Becky x

Read More

Panache Bra Fit & Masquerade Persia Review

Panache are a god send to many D+ bra wearers.  With the Superbra, Cleo and Masquerade lingerie lines catering for varying tastes and budgets, not forgetting Panache Swimwear, it wouldn't be uncommon for most busty girls to own at least one Panache brand bra.  Whether we're wearing the best size for us is another matter, which is why, some three months ago, Panache launched the Bra Fit Challenge.

They designed some really cool posters for the challenge which I just fell in love with.  There's a vintage loveliness about them in a modern sweetie coloured palette.  These were my favourites - 

Found on Panache's Facebook page and website, The Bra Fit Challenge is a simple series of questions about how your current bras fit you to establish whether you're wearing the right size.  Addressing issues such as a band which rides up at the back - which means your band size is too big and you need to downside - and other bra fit problems including straps that slide off, cups that bulge and under wires that dig in.  Before you find out what bra size Panache think you should be wearing you do need to provide your name and email address, which could be seen as a sneaky way of collecting people's data, but I didn't mind giving mine so long as it means I stay in the loop of the latest offers and releases!

I thought I would take the Bra Fit Challenge to see what size I would be told.  Having used some questionably dubious bra fitters elsewhere on the web I was expecting an equally funny response.  So it was pretty refreshing to see, following the good advice and pointers throughout the short survey, that the size I wear, a 28H, is my Panache recommended size.  Phew!

I had forgotten all about the challenge until recently when I received an email telling me I'd won a lingerie set from the competition!  Alongside the challenge ran a competition to win one of 50 lingerie sets and I had won one of them.  I'd been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my surprise parcel so it was exciting when my delivery landed just last week.

I had won a beautiful Masquerade bra and brief set called Persia which particularly made my day because I LOVE Masquerade bras.  Not only are they luxurious and well made but they always make me feel fantastic.

The Persia is an exotic collection oozing Middle Eastern delight.  The new colour added for the winter season is this stunning sapphire blue, the perfect jewel for the festive period, fashioned in silky satin and fully embroidered cups.  The lace detailing runs up alongside the front of the straps with the same fine lace adorning the briefs.  Where bows are commonplace, tassels instead grace the centre gore and the top hem of the knickers.

Whilst I adore Masquerade's never failing quality and attention to detail, I'm sadly not disillusioned by the grandeur of Persia.  The full covering balcony style didn't fit my boobs properly, it looked distorted, unfilled and unhappy on me.  Lifting, scooping and rearranging did nothing to improve the situation.  My boobs were having none of it.

And that was all once I'd managed to get it on.  Usually a 28H Masquerade fits me like a dream but I seriously struggled to fasten the band because it was so tight.  Laying it out next to my Masquerade Amira I found the Persia was a good centimetre shorter in the band.  Despite eventually hooking it up, it was far too restrictive to keep wearing.

I know plunging bras fit me best but there are many balconettes exception to the rule.  As long as the centre wires are close or the centre gore sits high enough then it's no problem.  I'm undecided whether a higher set bust would fit into Persia better than me, or whether the strange cup design and small back is down to miscalculated design?

I'm hoping this is just another bra that doesn't fit me well and that there's still some fabulous beauties yet to come from Masquerade.

The Panache Bra Fit Challenge is back on for the run up to Christmas, so if you missed out last time you still have chance to bag a beautiful lingerie set in your very own size.  Get checking now!

Becky x

Read More

Review - Masquerade Amira

Following my discovery of Masquerade's Rosa bra I was keen to look at this brand further and I was delighted to be given the chance to check out exquisite Amira, S/S '12s new addition to the Masquerade family.  What a star she is!

Masquerade Amira - ad campaign

Amira is an exotic beauty fabricated in a sensuous satin that feels like silk to the touch.  The colour is very dusky, a powdery silver lavender - or elderberry which is its official colourway.  An intricate lace applique emblazons the straps and flows down onto the top of the cups with a delicate applique to the centre gore in the same lace overlay.

Amira plunge bra

The beautiful detail trim

In keeping with Rosa's fantastic plunge style Amira offers a gorgeous cleavage enhancing shape while still managing to give amazing support.

Me wearing the Amira set

Amira is clearly beyond the territory of any old plunge bra with a design that commands adoration.

I ordered the Amira in 28H and it is a perfect fit for me.  Boobs being uniquely different as they are, my right side has an ever so slight gape, but its barely noticeable and okay because both my boobs are quite happy and well encapsulated.

Close up of me in Amira

Just a slight gape in the right cup

I got the gorgeous matching briefs in my usual size 12, and they're a perfect fit.  The fabric is beautiful and skims the skin, owing to its smooth almost totally seamfree line.

The silky smooth Amira brief

Again like Rosa, Amira's cups are lightly padded for additional comfort and a smooth line over the bust.  I love how soft and silky it feels to wear and it makes me feel amazingly supported.

Prior to receiving the Amira set, I asked Panache (parent company of Masquerade) which other bras are like Rosa, in which they told me of Amira.   Writing this review it made me think how the two bras are similar, so I decided to compare Amira with old friend, Rosa.

My 'tweet' from Panache

Surprisingly I found that the bands and straps are not alike.  Some people found with the Rosa that the straps were a little too narrow and I did note myself that the back band was very thin.  If you didn't like the Rosa for that, you'll be over the moon with Amira.  Amira has a really good width of back band; not hugely wider but a marked difference as you'll see from my photos.  Rosa's band is about 3cm where Amira is almost 4cm.  Amira's straps are also 2mm wider, at 2.3cm.

The marked difference between Rosa (bottom) and Amira (top)

So Amira in specification is a much improved Rosa without compromising on its super fit and stunning design.  Its a contemporary modern design whilst maintaining a luxurious and refined edge.  To find out if Amira's range covers your size, check out the official Masquerade website and also the Panache main website for more of their large cup brands.  The Amira plunge bra retails at £38 while the brief is £18.50.

For a truly boudoir sensation Amira is the set to embrace.

Becky x

Read More

Review - Masquerade Rosa

Okay, I'm a little behind the times with this one because Masquerade's Rosa is sadly now unavailable but I was lucky to lay my hands on this bra when it appeared in Figleaves' eBay store (never again, more about that later) and I wanted to share my experience with it.

Masquerade Rosa

I have to be honest, I've been struggling to find a bra I'm totally happy with and I was beginning to lose hope.  Then I realised I was possibly going for the same style of bra every time, so I decided to go for something I normally wouldn't have.  For a long time I considered having bigger boobs meant plunge style bras were out of the question but that's maybe because I was continuously going for the wrong size, as opposed to the wrong style.  When I came across the Rosa plunge bra I was instantly attracted and I barely hesitated to buy it, although I was worried I'd jumped into the purchase and thought I would regret it.  I'm so glad I followed my heart!

Rosa is my first experience of Masquerade and I feel a love affair coming on.

I had nothing to worry about regarding the daring plunge; it totally suits my close-set bust and really shows off my natural cleavage without ridiculous uplift.  It is padded but very lightly and it's not heavy and overbearing like I'd expect a large cup padded bra to feel.  I opted for the 28H and really happy I did as it's a perfect fit.

Me wearing Rosa

Side view of me in Rosa

The romantic rose print is simply gorgeous while the black base colour gives it a completely modern look to prevent it from looking mumsy.  The luxurious satin under band, straps and three section trim makes for a glamorous finish.

The Rosa

I've been wearing Rosa for a week now and I'm really enjoying how comfy and supportive it is.  The plunge is deep enough without causing spillage when I'm bending over (usually sorting out my laundry!)

The plunge

The band is quite narrow with a slim double hook and eye clasp.  This may disappoint those of you who prefer a deeper, more sturdy band.  For myself, it's perfectly adequate and doesn't bother me.

The back

The only negative?  I'm finding the cups are a little on the wide side and often cut in under my armpit.  It really annoys me and after a lot of movement it can leave me feeling sore.  Because of this, I'm thinking Rosa is possibly more suited to being an 'evening out' bra; it's glamorous and sophisticated and gives a fabulous cleavage but isn't so much a working woman's bra - so no more household duties wearing this one!

I was so pleased that I found this bra through Figleaves' ebay store but I will never again buy through it.  Not only were their postage fees double what everyone else charges to post out a bra but the delivery was unbelievably slow.  I emailed Figleaves about it to say that it really wasn't on and they weren't bothered.  I now wish I'd read their appalling feedback beforehand which proved I wasn't the only unhappy customer.  So never again!  I will say though, eBay is generally a fantastic place to snap up a bargain or source a past season bra so I will be continuing my bargain endeavours as always.

Becky x

Read More