I asked to receive the Carnal Pleasures Collection kit|Sensual kits: Carnal pleasures collection by Shunga Erotic Art just in time for Valentine’s day because I figured what better way to celebrate than by giving the person of my choice an erotic massage|The New Art of Erotic Massage - Educational and informative books? There are certain aspects of the kit that I was really happy with and others that I was disappointed in.

First, the "sweet snow" edible body powder left much to be desired. You are essentially licking powdered sugar off the person you are fucking. This may sound hot, but in actuality it is chalky and sticky. Though the taste wasn’t entirely bad, the act was more messy than sexy and neither my partner nor me had any desire to do it again.

The "intimate kisses" aphrodisiac oil  and "sensations balm" were mediocre. Both the oil and balm smelled and tasted vaguely of cough syrup (the balm was similar to cherry cough syrup while the oil was more of a grape flavor). The kit suggested “rubbing the oil on the most sensitive areas of your partner's body” but both the oil and cream contained glycerin, which many women have bad reactions to, so I was hesitant to use it as directed. On other erogenous zones it wasn’t incredibly effective, and, like I said, remniscent of cough syrup.

The massage oil included in the kit was fantastic. It’s made up of a combination of almond, safflower, avocado and sesame oil, all cold-pressed, with ylang ylang and vitamin E! It smelled great, and not in that synthetic tacky perfume way. I have extremely sensitive skin and had no problems with it as far as having an allergic reaction or breaking out. The lotion included in the kit was also good, though I was more excited by the oil and the lotion seemed excessive to me on top of it.

All in all, I was happy with the kit and it was more or less what I hoped it would be but I would suggest skipping the body powder and “intimate oils” and ordering the massage oil separately. The kit isn’t bad as a whole, but in my opinion it’s not worth spending 68 dollars.