Cohorted Beauty Box Launch – February 2015

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I’ve literally been bursting at the seams with excitement to reveal that Cohorted will very soon be launching their first ever monthly Beauty Box on the 9th February 2015, and if you like the finer things in life you are in for a real treat! For those of you who are not familiar with Cohorted, they are an online beauty retailer with a little twist! Every Monday at 6pm they launch four new products in ‘Cohorts’. Each Cohort has limited stock, and as the stock sells out the price drops. Each buyer will only ever pay the end amount when the Cohort closes, whether that is due to selling out of stock or it reaching the following Monday. I’ve purchased a few beauty products myself from Cohorted who feature well known and loved brands such as Urban Decay, Benefit, MAC, NARS, Dolce & Gabbana, Real Techniques, plus many more for an affordable and discounted price. For more information on their unique shopping concept please visit www.cohorted.co.uk

About the Beauty Box

The Cohorted Beauty Box will offer a monthly selection of products from well-known beauty brands to UK shoppers and will be available for purchase exclusively from their website on the 9th February 2015 and ties in with them celebrating their new brand and website launch. The Box will be available as a singular transaction each month and is not a contract based subscription service.

The February edition will have a combined item value (if purchased separately) totaling £67.50 and will be available to buy for an one off price at £19.99 excluding shipping . The beautifully presented box showcases five beauty products (three full size products and two deluxe samples) from lust-worthy and premium brands and includes a selection of make-up and skincare treats. I’ve already had little peek and can confirm that I’ve fallen head over heels with the impressive line up. This box will certainly be a crowd pleaser amongst beauty addicts and lovers alike.

This is definitely a box you don’t want to miss on and with only one hundred available you will need to be super-quick as these will literally fly off the shelves. If the above isn’t enough to tempt you, as an extra treat 5 random February boxes will include the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette.

 www.cohorted.co.uk

You Beauty Discovery Box Shortlist – February 2015

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Here’s a sneak peek at February’s You Beauty Discovery shortlist menu which will be available on the 1st February at 7am. This month’s shortlist theme is Red Carpet and features a great variety of all things beauty from skincare treats, an indulgent body scrub and also an innovative hair product to disguise those grey hairs in three different shades.

Subscribers have the option to choose two products of their choice and as a bonus 2-4 extra samples are thrown in too by You Beauty Discovery. A complete steal for only £6.95 a month.

Items in the shortlist menu include:

• Age Defy+ – 24Hour Brightening Moisturiser (10ml)
• Proto-col – moisturising facial gel (20ml)
• IN.FUSED – Coconut Body Scrub (100g)
• Kiss The Moon – After Dark Face Oil* (3ml)
• Kiss The Moon – After Dark Bath Oil* (3ml)
• L’Occitane en Provence – Almond Delicious Hands (10ml)
• Josh Wood – Light Brown Blending Wand (28ml)
• Josh Wood – Dark Brown Blending Wand (28ml)
• Josh Wood – Dark Blonde Blending Wand (28ml)

Plus, each box will include bareMinerals – bareSkin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation (One time use) and Lindt – Lindor Milk Truffles (50g)​.  

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

Period Box Review – January 2015

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Period Box – January 2015
Prices range from £15.95 to £18.95

No. of Products in the Box – 6 items
www.periodbox.co.uk

I’m featuring something quite different on the blog today, my review of the Period Box. This clever concept has been created by three friends and their ultimate goal is to deliver a little box of loveliness each month for that dreaded time of the month. The box not only contains monthly necessities but also includes chic and premium treats to make that time of the month an escape from reality to something much more pleasant and luxurious. It also takes the chore out of buying your monthly pads or tampons, and if you’re anything like me it usually tends to get forgotten about until last minute!

Period Box which is fairly new to the subscription market, is a premium UK monthly subscription service that bundles your choice of tampons and pads with hand-picked goodies and exquisite treats to cheer you up when you most need it. With every box you will get a selection of premium teas, chocolates from artisan manufacturers and high-end beauty samples. You will also receive a unique design gift or a beautiful art print by their featured artist of the month.

Period Box literally takes care of everything and will ship your package five days before your  period is due. If you’re worried about flows and absorbances, Period Box has that covered too. You can mix and match to suit your flow based on the length of your period, you can select the number of items in your box and choose the tampons and/or pads of your choice from well-known and trusted brands such as Tampax, Always and Lillets. No matter what your personal preference is your box is completely bespoke to meet your needs both day and night.

Upon opening the box it was literally brimmed to the top. I loved how the treats were beautifully  wrapped instead of just being thrown into the box. It really gives the feel of opening presents. As well as the monthly essentials the box also included six additional items to enjoy, indulge in and an extra SOS item to make it that much more bearable.

1. Period Essentials (4-5 days cycle)

I opted for the medium flow customised package which is for a 4-5 days cycle. I chose a mixture of pads suitable for both day and night. Inside the box was 13 pads for the day and 6 for the night along with 8 liners too.

Dependent on flows, I personally think the box included plenty of pads and liners, some of which could certainly be carried over for the following month. I was particularly happy to see the popular brand Always as they are the one’s that I turn to and find them super comfortable, reliable and discreet.

2. Scottish Fine Soaps Au Lait Body Milk and Shower Gel duo –  Travel Size 50ml

Within the box is two very generous sized samples from the brand Scottish Fine Soaps. I’ve not heard of this brand before and welcomed the new discoveries from their best-selling Au Lait range.

The Scottish Fine Soaps Company which is a family run business, blend gorgeous ingredients with contemporary Scottish style to create bath and beauty collections to make you look, feel and smell fantastic. I can’t wait to try these as they smell similar to baby bathing products with a very calming and soothing fragrance making it the perfect duo for unwinding in the evening.

3. Brewhaha Super Happiness Tea  – 4 Tea Bag sachets

Brewhaha teas is a new discovery for me and brings tea lovers a fun loving brand with a retro and vintage feel, using the finest Sri Lankan tea.

Inside the box is four generous Super Happiness tea bags from their collection and is a reviving Green Tea with warming vanilla and cherry marigold to give you a lovely glow.

4.  Chocolate & Love Caramel and Sea Salt Chocolate  – Full Size 100g

I rarely need a excuse to turn to chocolate and was delighted to see a full-sized bar from Chocolate and Love which is family run business specialising in quality organic chocolate.

The pretty and vibrant wrapper caught my eye immediately, it was almost too pretty to open! I received the Caramel and Sea Salt bar which isn’t a combination I would usually pick up when shopping. The subtle hint of sea salt with the crunchy bits of caramel was utterly delicious and surprisingly the two ingredients really complimented one another. I’m not usually a fan of dark chocolate but this was particularly moreish and addictive!

4.  Art Print by Olga Angelloz  – Full Size

Every month you can expect to see a unique gift from an art print, to design stationery to a hand crafted jewelery item.

I received a beautiful print from Belarusian illustrator and designer Olga Angelloz who combines fashion illustration and anthropomorphism from her latest project called “Fashion Humanimals”.

Being a lover of both cats and Chanel I instantly fell in love with this exclusive-to- Period Box art print and it will be taking centre stage on my dressing table.

5.  Cura-Heat Period Pain Patch – Full Size

I was really surprised to see this additional item inside the box, it’s such a useful non-medicinal aid to help relieve cramps and abdominal pain which is very common during the time of the month. I certainly welcome this patch with open arms. I told you Period Box had it all covered!

Cura-Heat Period Pain is an adhesive patch to provide targeted relief from menstrual discomfort and cramps. I received one patch which is designed to be applied to the abdominal area where the heat radiates through the skin to the source of pain relaxing sore muscles for up to 12 hours. Cura-Heat Period Pain pads are subtle enough to be worn under clothing to provide temporary relief from a variety of complaints and are also non medical with a discreet design.

I love the addition of the patch which is a great standby item should you require it. If not it can be saved for that moment of need.

  My Verdict

I really love the concept of this box which not only focuses on monthly essentials but also includes a unique and chic line up of treats to make that dreaded time of the month a much happier one. We all look for comforts and indulgence in the form of food and pampering treats to get us through the cycle and this box really has it all covered from beauty treats, indulgent chocolate, reviving tea, an art print which I absolutely adore and a little warming relief patch to make it that much more bearable. Period Box have got this concept spot-on and I’m really impressed that they have managed to cover every aspect within the box. You can tell the founders are very passionate about the subject which is certainly apparent as nothing has been overlooked when putting this box together.

The presentation, the thoughtful contents along with the intricate details such as the stickers and the wrapping are a lovely touch and really shows the amount of love which goes into these boxes. Period Box is full of charm and I loved unwrapping all of the individual treats to see what surprises were enclosed. I felt like an excited child opening gifts on Christmas day!

I really dread the time of the month and this box was a much welcomed distraction and a lovely pick me up. It really is a little box of loveliness which makes the monthly visit much more pleasant and something to actually look forward to – did I just say that?

Offer for my readers:

Get 15% off your first Period Box using the code HAPPY15 at the checkout.

www.periodbox.co.uk

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So Susan LacquerLove Box Review – January 2015

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Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £39.75
www.sosusan.com

It’s the start of the new year and a time where we tend to put all our glittery nail vanishes to one side and reach out for wintery colours again from darks to rather more subdued shades. The January 2015 So Susan LacquerLove box has arrived and this month’s theme is New Beginnings and includes four shades to brighten and liven up the miserable month of January and sees a range of refreshing colours which usually dominate the months of summer. The box showcases a good selection of pastel hues to a fiery metallic shade, perfect for giving your nails a fresh start for 2015.

Unfortunately this will be the last LacquerLove edit from So Susan and it’s a box that I am really going to miss. As with all new beginnings I’m looking forward to the newly launched LipLove Subscription which looks amazing. More information on the new box is available here.

So Susan has the prettiest quirky packaging and is definitely a brand which stands out. Their collection of products ranges from make-up to nail varnish combining their lovely portfolio of colours with science. Their philosophy is to create colours which last and is kind to your skin.

The box includes 5 full sized items, four of which are 4- free nail varnishes and one bonus make up product each month from either Jelly Pong Pong or So Susan. Each monthly edit features a unique theme and is specially curated.

This pastel coloured and elegantly designed box is very So Susan designed and comes in the form of a gift box which is secured by a magnetic fastener.

Inside the box is four 4-free nail lacquers and a bonus So Susan make up item .

1. So Susan 4-Free Nail Lacquers – Full Size. RRP £6.95 each

The So Susan nail lacquers are highly pigmented and are formulated to be chip-free and to remain intense with shine from the first application. The formula has quick drying time and is enriched with Rosehip fruit oil to moisturise and strengthen your nails and the delicate skin around it.

These nail lacquers are 4-free which means they contain no DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), no Toluene, no Formaldehyde and no Formaldehyde resin, making it the ideal product which is kind to you but also sustains it’s high quality formula.

This month’s box included the shades Hope, Faith, Dream and Resolution which are all based around new beginnings and very fitting for the month of January.

The January edit features a beautiful selection of pastel hues as well as a fiery metallic shade and it was a refreshing change from the typical colours colours which we associate with winter. The shade Dream is a lovely subtle peach and Faith is a dashing fiery orange with a high shine finish and specks of shimmer.  My favourite is Resolution which is a soft pistachio shade perfect for the months of spring. Lastly is Hope, a striking pastel blue which is the perfect summer holiday shade and really reminds me of the beach!

The So Susan nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty amazing.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat and depending on the shade, one coat is simply enough to achieve a fully opaque finish. The brush also provides great coverage with very little effort making nail painting a complete doddle.

2. So Susan Dual Brow Powder Palette – Full Size RRP £11.95

Brow filling is a must for me to give the brows that extra definition and shape. I’ve always used a brow pencil and never really looked into a powder alternative so was happy to give this a go.

This smudge-proof dual-shade compact comes in a medium coverage  and is infused with Aloe Extract and Carrot Seed Oil to nourish and rejuvenate the sensitive skin around the eyes.

The palette itself is robust and contains two powder shades, one being a light brown and the other a darker brown. It also has a mirror inside and an angled application brush so you can get right underneath the brow line. I tried the darkest shade but unfortunately it just wasn’t dark enough for my brows.

Although the colour wasn’t an exact match,  I loved the compact and surprisingly the powder adhered really well with no smudging. I would love to see this palette in a darker shade as it ticked all of the boxes for me.

 My Verdict

I love this month’s edit which gives a welcoming break from the dark colors which we associate with winter. There’s a good variety of colours and finishes from high shine pastel shades to a striking metallic. I loved trying out the brow palette which also gave me the opportunity to put a powder brow product to the test and I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

The LacquerLove Box was an unique subscription box which only concentrated on nails and was the first of it’s kind to launch in the UK and although this is the last box from So Susan, a few of their previous edits are available to purchase as an one off on their website. It’s such a shame to see this box go as it was one of my favourites and allowed me to try shades that I wouldn’t normally reach out for. As well as the box helping me to steer away from classic shades, I also loved the impressive quality and the high-shine formula of the nail lacquers.

This box is worth an amazing £39.75 which is great value for money and beats the actual price of the box.

So Susan have newly launched their latest Lip Love subscription which is designed to bring you lip-focused products infused with skin-loving ingredients each month.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

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Get The Gloss Beauty Insider’s Kit by Latest in Beauty – Janaury 2015

GTGJAN14I’m a big fan of Latest of Beauty who curate incredible beauty boxes and showcase worthy and well-known brands for a very affordable price. Since Christmas they’ve been pretty quiet on the new releases but I knew in the background they were super-busy planning and working their magic to bring the next installment of boxes for 2015. I’ve been eagerly waiting for a new edition and to my delight they have just launched the Get the Gloss Beauty Insider Kit.

To kick-start the new year Latest in Beauty have launched their very first box in collaboration with Get The Gloss, an online editorial showcasing expert knowledge in beauty, health, and lifestyle. The Get the Gloss Beauty Insider Kit showcases a beauty overhaul and includes well-known and loved brands such as Glamglow, Shiseido, Laura Mercier, Essie and many more. If that’s not enough the box is worth an incredible £116 and is available now for only £19.95.

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The box includes nine beauty treats:

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (10ml), Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner (2g), GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment (10g), Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (30ml), Therapie Roques ONeil Cherish Skin Repair Serum (30ml), Daniel Sandler Concealer Brush, Essie Nail Lacquer x2 (5ml), Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (10ml) and the James Read Sleep Mask Tan (25ml)

The Get the Gloss Beauty Insider’s Kit is available now at:
www.latestinbeauty.com

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My Little Box Review – January 2015

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My Little Energy Box – January 2015
Price of the Box –  from £13.95 a month
No of Products  – 5 items
www.mylittlebox.co.uk

The January 2015 box has landed from it’s home in France and this month’s edit is My Little Energy Box, focused around positive vibes and energy to get you looking and feeling great again. January is the time to purge the toxins, take up that invigorating new activity and of course to be a better you!  This edit features a gym bag to kick-start those resolutions, an adorable calender to keep you super-organised and a selection of beauty treats from energising skincare to a nail varnish from a brand I love.

This box offers something very unique compared to the other boxes and if their previous boxes are anything to go by you will certainly not be disappointed. It’s definitely a showstopper and one which is beautifully composed with their very own in-house illustrator Kanako.

My Little Box is a hand-picked and beautifully designed box of beauty, fashion and lifestyle surprises. With fashion accessories, beauty products and other goodies created exclusively for you and based around a different theme every month, each box promises to delight their subscribers. They also produce their own in-house beauty products known as My Little Beauty.

The January edition contains five items and includes a mixture of beauty products which is contained within a charming drawstring bag and also lifestyle items. Enclosed is the My Little World Magazine which is always a good read with interview features, useful beauty tips to mouth watering recipes.

1. Talika Photo-Hydra Day – Travel Size 50ml. Full Size 50ml RRP £43.50

Within this month’s box is a very generous sized sample of Talika’s Photo Hydra Day Cream and in line with this month’s theme, the cream uses the energy from natural light to deeply moisturise and hydrate the skin making it much more than just an average moisturiser. The cream also contains the powerful moisture-binding ingredient Hyaluronic Acid which creates an effective water reservoir within the skin cells and plumps the skin for a rejuvenating and youthful effect alongside Mango Butter, which nourishes the skin and prevents dehydration.

Talika isn’t a brand I’ve heard of before however I’m really excited to try out this cream which claims to offer multiple skin benefits for all skin types.

2. Nails Inc Nail Varnish – Full Size 10ml RRP £11.00

I was delighted to see a Nails Inc nail varnish in the shade Tate, a classic red which is very parisian.

Tate is a deep blood red with a lovely glossy finish and a couple of coats gives you a fully opaque result.

I love the shade which will pair well with any outfit and can be worn all year round.

3.  My Little Beauty Energising Mist  – Full Size RRP £7.50

I think it’s pretty amazing that My Little Box also have their own beauty range which is called My Little Beauty.

Inside this month’s box is a full sized Energising Mist which is very fitting for this month’s box.

This face and body mist is enriched with Vitamin C and green tea to help refresh the appearance of dull and fatigued skin as well as re-energising a tired body.

The mist has a gorgeous and non-artificial smell which smells really refreshing with subtle floral notes.

I think the inclusion of the mist was a great choice for this month’s box. Not only is it a great pick me up to wake up the skin but the handy sized spray will easily fit into a handbag for on-the-go touch ups as well as it being an essential for the gym bag too.

4. Lifestyle Items

This month’s box included two lifestyle extras in the form of a gym bag and an adorable calender.

First up is a very good sized gym bag made from nylon with a motivational quote on the side “Energy is Contagious”. It’s the ideal size with smaller compartments inside to store money and keys. It’s also very light weight, perfect for carrying around especially if you don’t drive. It’s a good all rounder bag that can double up as a weekend bag too if you’re not a gym enthusiast.

Up next is an adorable calender in an A5 size which can be hung up or alternatively it’s even small enough to fit inside your handbag. A great essential to keep you super-organised this year.

 My Verdict

I really love this month’s box which not only focuses on fitness but also has a great balance of beauty and lifestyle essentials to help kick start the year. As per every month the attention to detail, intricate design and content is impressive which is something this box never fails on.

My Little Box is full of charm and I love the surprise aspect as they do not release any spoilers. This is a box which I eagerly wait for each month and one which holds it’s own class and uniqueness.

This month’s box showcased brands such as Talika, Nails Inc and an item from their in-house My Little Beauty range. I particularly liked all of the beauty products this month which are all good sized and usable. The lifestyle items complemented the first box of year perfectly.

This months My Little World Magazine was also good read and contained fitness challenges, some useful tutorials from nail art to hair and even some healthy breakfast ideas.

I’m looking forward to the February edit and hoping it’s themed around the month of red hearts!

My Little Box Offer

Get your first My Little Box for only £11.00 using the promo code FIRSTBOX

For more information or to subscribe to My Little Box please visit:

www.mylittlebox.co.uk

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Love Lula Beauty Box Review – January 2015

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Price of the Box is £12.50 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 8
http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

The January 2015 Love Lula Beauty Box has arrived and this month all subscribers are in for such a treat! The box showcases an impressive beauty overhaul boasting eight beauty items which includes skin and bodycare products along with some mini make up brushes. There’s a good variety of beauty revivers from skincare rescuers to much needed pick me ups making it the perfect kick-start box for January. This month’s box is one of my favourite edits from Love Lula and features well-known brands as well as a couple of new discoveries.

Love Lula brings together an unparalleled selection of the world’s finest natural and organic beauty products. Their brands are hand-picked and tested: products are created using only the highest grades of ethically sourced natural and organic ingredients and must be effective, luxurious and guilt-free.

They insist on NO parabens, NO SLS’s and NO animal testing. Beyond this they seek out the most innovative companies and strive to support morally run and environmentally driven businesses. Love Lula also have a online shop which has a huge selection of the world’s finest natural and organic beauty products.

This month’s box includes four full sized products, 2 deluxe samples and 2 sachet samples.The box features the brands Balance Me, Eco Tools, Vinali, Yes to, Nourish and Funny Bee.

1.    EcoTools 6 Mini Brush Set – Full Size. RRP £4.99

EcoTools is a brand which I already use and love. I own a couple of their make-up brush sets and have always found their brushes of good quality and very budget friendly. If that’s not enough they also use cruelty-free bristles and natural, recycled materials.

The EcoTools Bamboo 6 Mini Makeup Brushes can be used to apply eyeshadow, lip gloss or lip colour and concealer and they are perfect for traveling especially when using make up housed in palettes.

2.    Vinali Body Lotion and Face Cream –  Travel Size 25ml and Sample Sachet 2ml.

In Winter we all tend to reach out for more moisture quenching products to make our skin that much more weather-proof and I was happy to be introduced to two samples from the brand Vinali who’s collection has recently been added to the Love Lula website.

Founded in 2009 although the founders were already experts in wineries prior to this, Vinali was the first organic Spanish range of Vino-Cosmetics who conducted pioneering research into the antioxidant properties of wine to bring a range of products combining the properties of grape and other carefully selected powerful natural ingredients.

The body lotion contains Grape Seed Oil, Organic firming Cocoa and Shea butter to deeply nourish and help regenerate and tone the skin.

The formula is really light weight and sinks into the skin effortlessly. The scent is really subtle and feels refreshing on the skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. The cream left my skin smooth and hydrated ready to face the cold wintery weather.

As well as the body lotion there was also a sample sachet of their day cream which I am yet to try.

3.   Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream – Travel Size 30ml

I’m inundated with hand creams at the moment but the Balance Me Rose Otto cream has been one I’ve been wanting to try for quite a while and I was delighted to see a very good sized sample within this month’s box.

This cream has a ultra-soothing and skin-quenching formula which deeply smooths and moisturises dry hands with its emollient blend of anti-oxidant rich, protective Arctic cloudberry and exquisite aroma of softening rose otto, palma rosa and rose geranium essential oils.

It’s quite simply one of the nicest hand creams I’ve used. Its beautiful rose scent gently perfumes the air whilst the rich but non-greasy formula really absorbs into the skin leaving your hands super hydrated, soft and moisturised. As well as the hands this can also be applied to the feet which I’m looking forward to trying.

This cream also goes a very, very long way so, although it’s not cheap, it won’t need replacing for ages.

4.  Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes – Travel Pack RRP £1.99

I’ve not had much dealings with the Yes to range who are a organic eco-friendly brand.

These all-natural, biogradable and hypoallergenic wipes are made with soothing ingredients such as cucumbers, green tea, and aloe vera. One single cloth naturally exfoliates, detoxifies, and rejuvenates as well as gently removing dirt, sweat and makeup.

I occasionally use wipes if I’m feeling too tired to do a full cleanse and these sound perfect for my skin type being oil-free and hypoallergenic. They feel refreshing and make the skin feel clean without drying the skin out. I was expecting a very artificial scent but surprisingly the wipes smell identical to cucumbers!

This travel pack of 10 is ideal whether you’re out and about, at the gym, or traveling.

5.  Madara Detox Mud Mask  – Travel Size 12.5ml

I’m feeling really spoilt and I’ve not even got to the last product yet! This mask excites me as not only is it suitable for oily skin, it’s exactly what my skin needs to get back to it normal state.

This detox mud mask contains Nordic forest lake mud and it’s aim is to clean, tighten pores and conditions, to leave the skin fresh, matt and revitalised.

This hard-working mask offers five effects which clarifies, detoxifies. rejuvenates, recharges and hydrates and is recommended to be used twice a week as clarifying treatment for oily, combination skin, skin with enlarged pores, blemishes, acne, and to combat skin dullness, tiredness and occasional inflammation it can be used once a week. If that’s not impressive the mask is also suitable for vegans, is nut free, cruelty free and natural and organic.

I really love face masks as they provide a quick pick me up to remove impurities and generally leave the skin feeling refreshed and renewed.

I’m looking forward to trying this mask which appears to offer real benefits for oily and spot-prone skin.

6.  Nourish Kale Enzyme Exfoliating Cleanser  – Sample Size 2ml

This cleanser is fairly new to the Nourish range and only launched last year. It contains the key ingredient Kale, a well known detoxifier to help protect skin from damaging free radicals. As well as it’s key performer the cream itself contains lots of skin-soothing oils as well as phytoactive pomegranate enzymes which gently exfoliate.

As well as this product being a cleanser, it’s multi purpose formula can also be used as an exfoliating mask and for a revitalising facial which is great to really benefit from the key ingredients.

7.  Funny Bee Pretty BB Cream – Sample Size 1.5ml

I love BB creams they are a great lighter alternative to foundation with multi-tasking abilities. It’s definitely my preferred option during the day.

This all-in-1 organic BB Cream moisturises, protects, perfects skin texture, covers imperfections and gives a natural and healthy glow without silicone or artificial coloring and contains skin loving ingredients such as shea butter, organic apricot stone, perilla and sesame oils and hyaluronic acid.

The cream looked very orange initially however once applied onto the skin it blends very easily with the shade being a perfect near match . The cream also has a subtle fruity scent but soon fades once applied. I found that the cream didn’t cover my blemishes as much as I’d liked however it did leave my skin looking more luminous with a very natural finish.

Love Lula have kick started the year with an amazing edit this month which boasts eight beauty treats covering skincare, bodycare and even some travel-sized make up brushes. I’m really into my skincare at the moment and this arrived at the perfect time for me where I’m on a quest to improve my current regime. I love that the box featured well-known brands as well as a few new discoveries and included a mixture of full sized products and very good sized samples.

Love Lula also included a 20% off promotional code to use in their online shop on all of the brands which were featured in this month’s box.

The Love Lula Beauty Box offers a completely unique beauty discovery experience compared to the others boxes and focuses only on all things natural and organic.

If you love organic, natural and cruelty-free products or want to detoxify your beauty regime with a more skin friendly alternative this is definitely a box you don’t want to miss out on. I have discovered some wonderful natural skin loving treats thanks to Love Lula.

If you missed out on any of the Love Lula beauty boxes they are now available to buy without a subscription here.

For more information on Love Lula’s Beauty Box please visit:

http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

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Glossybox Review – January 2015

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Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.25 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5 items
Total value of contents in the box is £34.36
www.glossybox.co.uk

The January 2015 Glossybox has landed and this month’s edit kick-starts the new year with a beauty revival box boasting an impressive five full sized products to help recover and revive tired partied out skin. As we soldier through the most miserable month of the year, this month’s box is the perfect pick me up to beat those January blues.  I also love that the box focuses mainly on make up giving a welcomed break from skincare. There’s also a few new brands featured this month which is always good to see.

Glossybox already revealed two of the products which you could expect to see inside this month’s box and I was pretty excited to try the organic toner and the mineral blusher, both of which come from brands I’ve not heard of before. The box mainly features make-up and a toner this month from brands such as Nicka K New York, Kueshi, Jelly Pong Pong, MeMeMe Cosmetics and Naked Lips.

Glossybox is a monthly beauty subscription service. The box consists of 4-5 selected hair, make-up , body and nail products from well-known brands and new brands and includes a mixture of full sized and sample products.

1. Kueshi Revitalising Face Toner – Full Size 200ml RRP £8.36

Last month’s box revealed that all subscribers would be greeted by this revitalising toner from the organic brand Kueshi. I’m on a quest to really shake up my cleansing routine and this arrives at the perfect time in a very generous sized bottle.

Kueshi is a Spanish brand who’s products combine high quality active ingredients and natural products for their effectiveness, smoothness and texture, providing optimal results which are natural and kind to your skin.

The toner contains skin-loving ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and calendula that combine to soothe the skin leaving it feeling comfortable, fresh, healthy and perfectly clean. The formula is gentle for even the most sensitive of skin types and comes subtly fragranced.

This toner removes any last traces of excess oils and makeup effortlessly and leaves the skin feeling rebalanced, refreshed and hydrated making it the perfect base for moisturiser application.

My only gripe is the brand isn’t readily available in the UK and I can see myself falling for this toner!

2. MeMeMe Eye Liner Pencil – Full Size RRP £4.00

Eyeliner is a make-up bag must-have for me and it’s very rare that I switch from my all time favourite shade, the blackest of black.

The pencil is really soft and creamy and comes in the shade clay which is dark brown in colour. I wasn’t expecting much from this eyeliner but it applies on the waterline effortlessly and smoothly. After a few hours the colour had faded a little but was still clearly visible without any smudging. The shade really softens the eyes whilst still giving you that defined look.

3. Nicka K New York Colorluxe Powder Blush – Full Size RRP £7.00

I was really excited to try out this innovative loose blusher by Nicka K New York which promises to give you radiant and glowing skin, a much needed make up fix to brighten dull and lacklustre skin during the months of winter.

All subscribers can expect to see this revolutionary blush in the shade Romantic which is pink with a red undertone. I love that the blusher is housed in a compact tub with a plush applicator and also includes a mirror which is great for on the go touch ups.

Unfortunately the applicator does dispense quite a bit of powder and doesn’t apply evenly which resulted in some parts being patchy. I found that using a brush as opposed to the applicator worked much better to soften the colour for a more natural and even result. If you’re a fan of brighter cheek shades unlike me who is more drawn to muted shades, this pigmented blusher really gives a healthy pop of colour and can be built up to achieve the desired result. I love the overall concept but for me the shade let it down.

4. Jelly Pong Pong All Over Glow Illuminator –  Full Size RRP £10.00

This oil-free lightweight luminising gel is enriched with micronised pearlescent pigments & jasmine extract to highlight the face for a fresh, radiant complexion by simply dabbing a little onto the cheekbones and the brow bone.

The shade is a lovely golden peach with hints of gold shimmer and a pearly finish. The formula is very pigmented and a little goes a long way.  This blends in effortlessly leaving a beautiful sheen and you can really see the luminousity when the light reflects on the skin . As well as the cheeks and the brow bone, a very tiny amount can also be mixed in with foundation to add a little glow.

I really like this illuminator, the subtle shade really brings warmth to the skin as well as giving an instant luminous and radiant glow.

5. Naked Lips Organic Lip Balm – Full Size RRP £5.00

I’ve been reaching out for lip balms much more recently for keeping my lips weatherproof during the colder months.

Naked Lips is a European brand who just focus on organic lip products. I received the super fruits balm which is quite impressive with it’s creamy and super-moisturising 100% natural formula. It’s packed with oils from anti-oxidant fruits and has the most delicious scent which is very similar to the love heart sweets! As well as it’s good enough to eat fragrance, it also works wonders on dry chapped lips making them feel much more softer and hydrated.

My Verdict

Glossybox have curated a great box to kick start the year and will certainly be a crowd pleaser amongst subscribers this month and is one of my favourite edits. The box showcases an impressive line up which includes five full sized products and mainly focuses on make up treats as well as the soothing toner which I’ve fallen in love with. It was good to see a few new brands within the box too. As well as the beauty treats there was also a £25 Hello Fresh card to redeem against any of their boxes.

Glossybox always include some full sized products which bumps up the value of the box so it’s a great affordable way to discover and trial products from well known and new brands. This months box has a value of £34.36 beating the cost of the box.

February Spoiler Alert – All subscribers will receive a full sized Royal Apothic Tintie Lip Butter which has just been launched in the UK and has already hit the shelves at Space.NK

Fancy Subscribing to Glossybox?

Click here to sign up

www.glossybox.co.uk

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You Beauty Discovery Box Review – January 2015

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Price of the Box is £6.95 including P&P
No of items in the box – 7 items
Total value of contents in the box £18.35
www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

It’s the start of a new year and as well as it being a catalyst for a healthier and fitter you, it’s also the perfect time to make some beauty resolutions and one my resolutions this year is to more regimented with my evening cleansing regime. I did a fair share of falling asleep with my makeup on after a few late nights last year! The January 2015 You Beauty Discovery Box has landed and this month’s New Year, New You shortlist mainly featured skincare which worked out quite well for me considering I’m on quest at the moment. As well as the skincare products  there were also a couple of nail varnishes from the Sainsbury’s Boutique Collection too.

To see the January Shortlist please click here

“You Beauty Discovery” is a monthly beauty subscription service. The box consists of 2 selected hair, make-up and beauty products from well-known and new brands and they also include 2-3 bonus samples. Unlike the other subscription boxes you get to choose two products of your choice from a diverse selection menu each month.

 My box included 2 products of my choice from the shortlist and three extra bonus treats in the form of a sachet sample of the Dove Youthful Vitality Hair BB Cream , 3 Dragon Fly Teabags and a £25 Hello Fresh card.

1.  AFYNA Organic Detoxifying Body Scrub – Travel Size 60ml. Worth £10.00

I  tend to reach out for exfoliating products more often during the colder months and was happy to see this body scrub from a new British organic brand.

AFYNA is a new organic skincare range developed by its founder, Sara Young who is an experienced spa therapist. Their  groundbreaking product formulations use certified organic ingredients combined with powerful bio-extracts such as hyaluronic acid and lupine peptides. AFYNA is expertly hand blended in Cornwall and provides effective organic skincare for the modern woman.

The AFYNA Detoxifying Body Scrub is a gentle organic exfoliating gel that uses apricot kernel to polish away dead skin cells to reveal younger looking skin which is visibly brighter, smoother and refreshed. It contains five carefully selected essential oils including juniper berry and grapefruit which encourages the body to detoxify and reduce the signs of cellulite.

I like that this is in a gel texture as it feels much more refreshing on the skin as opposed to a creamy formula. It’s quite gritty but not where it’s abrasive on the skin, it’s very gentle. This scrub releases an abundant therapeutic aroma which made my bathroom smell divine and very spa-like.

I really enjoy this using this body scrub and not only is it kind to the skin, it’s a great skin saviour which restores, hydrates and sloughs away any dryness unveiling brighter and radiant looking skin.

2. Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm & Overnight Recharge Night Cream – Sample Size 30ml and 3ml. Worth £8.35

I’m on a quest this year to improve my evening cleansing regime especially when coming home the wrong side of midnight which usually results in skipping that all important cleanse. This comes in a duo set and and includes a cleansing balm and there newly launched Overnight Recharge Night Cream.

Meruyama is a brand I’ve heard of but I’ve not tried anything from their range before and being relatively new to the market, they have already established a reputable name for themselves.

The Melting Cleansing Balm by Merumaya consists of a double cleanse method which removes make up and grime first, and on the second use it cleans your skin. This luxurious balm is infused with skin loving ingredients such as sweet almond oil, echium seed oil (RevitElix™), Mangosteen extract and the MERUMAYA Signature Essence Blend which smells utterly divine with a subtle floral fragrance. It’s also suitable for all skin types including oily and spot-prone skin which is one of the main reasons why this appealed to me as well as it being a firm favourite amongst the blogging community.

Firstly I love that this balm comes in a tube instead of a tub as it’s definitely much more hygienic, easier to use and minimises wastage.

The balm removes make-up, dirt and grime effortlessly, applies like a dream and feels utterly luxurious. It doesn’t make your skin feel tight or dry and if you’re oily skinned like me it doesn’t leave behind any traces of oil on the skin.  As well as it’s beautifying properties the balm is scented with a floral fragrance which makes the cleansing process much more pleasant.

I’ve been using this for a couple of days now with a muslin cloth and it’s a great daily cleanser which is gentle on the skin, works effectively and is such a pleasure to use. I’m really impressed with my first experience with Merumaya, and will definitely be looking into more of their products as well as trying the overnight re-charge cream which came alongside this cleanser.

3. Extra Samples within the box:

This month, You Beauty Discovery included a sachet sample of the Dove Youthful Vitality Hair BB Cream which is new form of a BB cream which is for the hair, there was also 3 types of  Dragon Fly Teabags and a £25 Hello Fresh card.

My Verdict

I was a little disappointed with this months shortlist however the products I selected definitely made up for this. I’m really happy with my choices and the discoveries I’ve made this month. There was also a generous amount of extra bonus samples too. I loved the inclusion of the Dragon Fly Teas which arrive just in time for that all important inner cleanse.

The value of my box is worth £18.35 beating the actual cost of the box and includes very good sized samples.

The magazine contained within the box includes various discount codes for all of the brands which have been featured this month which is great if you want to buy further products.

You Beauty Discovery is one of favourite beauty boxes and it’s a great way to discover new and well known brands from a good selection of beauty products. I love that I can personalise my box giving me full control on what I receive. The box itself is only £6.95 each month making it super affordable and good value for money.

For more information or to subscribe please visit:

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

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The Beauteque Head to Toe Milk Bag Review – January 2015

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Head to Toe Milk Bag
Price of the Bag is £20.82 including P&P
No. of Products  – 7
Total value of contents in the bag –  £40.46
www.beauteque.com

As well as Beauteque unveiling their exciting new monthly subscription bag this month, they have also kick started the year with the new limited edition Head to Toe Milk Bag which is available now to buy as an one off purchase. The Head to Toe Milk Bag contains an impressive beauty overhaul from skin loving treats to some innovative milk sponges, all based around the key ingredient milk. The likes of Egyptian goddess Cleopatra was renowned throughout history for her radiant skin and her stunning beauty, and was known to bathe in milk to keep her skin soft and supple. As well as it’s beautifying properties , milk also has healing properties that repairs sun damaged skin, prevents premature aging, and also provides abundant nutrients for a youthful look.

Beauteque in a nutshell is two words, beauty and boutique and they are an online retailer specialising in Korean Beauty products. They offer unique high end products that aren’t readily available in the UK and and to name a few, they showcase brands such as Etude House, Mizon, Tony Moly, and Lioele.

The contents come presented in a black and white checked make-up bag which really complements the theme. This edit contans seven full sized products covering all aspects of beauty and as with all of the Beauteque Bags there was a little customisation available too which is a feature I really like. I love the illustration of the cute cow on the information card which has it’s very own Beauteque Bell around it’s neck!

1.  Secret Key Milk Brightening Toner  – Full Size 248ml RRP £11.65

There’s a very generous sized brightening toner inside the bag by Secret Key.

The toner contains an abundant mix of vitamins, minerals and ions which aids the skins immunity along with the vitamins and minerals from milk to provide the skin with nutrients and moisture. As well as it’s moisturising and brightening properties, it’s also balances the skin’s oil making it ideal for all skin types.

The liquid itself looks like milk watered down and smells really pleasant with a floral fragrance. This feels really refreshing on the skin and didn’t make my skin feel dry or tight in the slightest. It’s contains no alcohol either making it skin friendly too.

2.  Skinfood Green Tea Milk Cleansing Foam – Full Size 150ml RRP £7.36

I’m on a quest at the moment to really shake up my cleansing regime this year and this cleanser arrived at the perfect time. Out of the two options available I chose the Green Tea (Fresh) Milk Cleansing foam which is suitable for oily and combination skin. The other option which is also available is Wild Berry which is more suited for dry skin types.

The green tea cleansing foam is enriched with green tea extracts, a powerful antioxidant that protects skin against free radical-damage and smooth milk extracts to provide gentle exfoliation by buffing away dead skin cells for smoother and glowing skin.

The gentle formula is pretty creamy and it lathers up really well even when using a tiny amount. It did leave my skin feeling fresh and clean however it wasn’t that effective in removing a full face of make-up which resulted in a double cleanse. I think this would be more suited for the mornings for a quick refresh.

3.  Secret key Milk Whipping Hand Cream  – Full Size RRP £3.98

I love hand creams and was happy to welcome another product from the Secret Key collection.

Out of the two options available I chose the Secret Key Milk Hand Cream instead of the Somang hand cream.

This hand cream contains donkey milk which is rich in essential fatty acids, minerals and nutrients. The cream has a light weight and oil-free texture and sinks into the skin effortlessly leaving your hands soft, replenished and moisturised. The scent is really pleasant too with subtle floral notes. This is a great hand cream especially for the months of winter.

4. Skinfood Shea Butter Milk Lip Balm – Full Size RRP £4.29

I’ve been reaching out for lip balms more frequently recently and this one in particular is quite impressive with it’s creamy and super-moisturising shea butter formula. This really works wonders on dry chapped lips.

5.  Skinfood Milk Creamy Nail Polish – Full Size RRP £5.21

This little nail varnish which comes in a milk bottle is utterly cute and is the star product inside this bag. There is a good choice of colours available and from the selection I chose mint which is the perfect pastel shade for Spring.

As well as the adorable bottle which I love, the formula applies opaque within two coats which is normal for a pastel shade. I’ve not tried any nail varnishes from Skinfood so it will be interesting to see what the longevity is like.

6. 3W Clinic Milk Mask – Full Size RRP £1.84

There were two mask choices available, I chose the 3W milk mask instead of the Somang Milk Mask.

This is a sheet mask which I absolutely love, it contains milk and protein extract which leaves the skin smooth and moisturised. The instructions advise to pop this into the fridge first for an ultimate cooling effect which sounds appealing just on it’s own.

7. Milk Wash Off Sponge – Full Size x2 sponges RRP £6.13

Lastly inside the milk bag is a pack of two gentle exfoliating milk sponges which slough away dead skin cells in the most delicate approach. You simply add some cleanser and water to the sponge ensuring that it’s completely soaked through and use it in circular motions on your face.  As well as removing dirt and grime it also massages, stimulates tired skin and encourages skin renewal. I’m looking forward to trying these over the weekend.

 My Verdict

I really love this bag which Beauteque have carefully curated, it contains a great variety of milk themed products which covers all things beauty from skincare treats to an adorable nail varnish. As with all of their themed bags, Beauteque they have hit the nail on the head from the presentation to the contents within which is something they never appear to fail on. The bag boasts seven full sized products which are all very usable, very good sized and even included well known Korean brands.  The aspect I like about the Beauteque Bags is that they offer some personalisation too which allows you to choose products from different variations and the remainder of what you receive is a complete surprise. I’ve had a few tasters of the Beauteque Bags and they are definitely a company who get it right each time.

Inside the box is also a product card which is in English so you won’t be lost in translation. Each product within the bag is listed on the card along with a brief description and the value.

The entire contents within this bag has a value of  £40.46 beating the cost of the bag which works out around £20.82 including shipping. It’s a small price to pay to discover Korean brands which aren’t available in the UK to buy.

Beauteque also have a wide selection of Beauty Bags via their website at:
www.beauteque.com

For more information on the Beauteque monthly subscription bag please visit:
http://www.beautequemonthly.com

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