Love Me Beauty Box Review – November 2014

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Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.95 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £43.35
http://www.lovemebeauty.com

My November 2014 Love Me Beauty Box has finally arrived and this month sees a wide array of products featured in their boutique from make-up to nail varnish.

November’s boutique featured a much improved line up of new products from brands such as OPI, Ciate, Max Factor, Eco Tools and Sally Hansen as well as some of their older stock. For me personally I was delighted with these new additions and my customised box is all things make-up, nail varnish and a fool-proof tanning item this month.

Each month their monthly subscription is worth 6 credits and you simply chose the items you want inside your box from a selection of products ranging from hair, body, nails, skincare and make-up. Most of the items are either 1 or 2 credits. For information on how the new concept works please visit their website.

All the items are packed within a drawstring bag which is enclosed inside the newly designed box which made it’s debut last month.

1.   Mirabella Pretty & Provocative Lipstick in ‘Fever’ –  (2 credits) Full Size RRP £13.41

With the party season approaching  a red lipstick along with a classic black dress is the perfect combination to look glam and chic this season.

I was after a red lipstick and spotted the Mirabella lipstick in the shade Fever which is vibrant rich red.

Fever is wonderfully pigmented and is super creamy, moisturising and it’s longevity is pretty impressive too. It’s nourishing formula simply glides on and doesn’t dry out the lips. I think all skin tones could pull off this particular shade as it’s quite versatile and looks stunning when applied.

2.  Headline Colors Nail Polish in ‘Belladonna’  –  (1 credit) Full Size RRP £8.00

Killer Colours was a indie nail brand that released a small collection of catwalk inspired shades each season however it appears that they no longer exist and may of disbanded as a company.

There were a few different shades available from this brand in the boutique and one which stood out immediately was Belladonna, an eye catching electric blue shade.

This does apply streaky on the first coat, however it evens out with a second with full opacity and dries to a matte finish which can easily be made shiny with a top coat.  I had no issues with the formula in terms of thickness or being too thin, it applied smoothly and dried within minutes. I really love the colour it’s a true electric blue shade which looks bold and striking.

3. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in ‘Plum’s The Word’  –  (1 credit) Full Size RRP £6.99

This Sally Hansen range promises to covers in just one coat, brilliantly. The Perfectionist Brush™ contours to any nail, so colour always glides on precisely, quickly, flawlessly. And, the exclusive Flexiglass Complex combines beautiful, brilliant shine and super-strong wear.

I don’t own any Sally Hansen nail varnish so it was nice to try a different brand. The shade is a muted mauve/plum colour.

The bottle is really good sized and there’s a useful innovative rubber ring at the base of the lid which is helpful when opening the bottle. The brush itself is flat and rounded giving an even finish in a few strokes. The formula applies amazingly well and only one coat is needed to get a opaque and super shiny finish.

This is definitely a shade which will pair well with any outfit and can be worn all year round.

4. Bronze Buffer Sponge –  (1 credit) Full Size RRP £4.00

If you’re not a pro at applying fake tan like me you will welcome this miracle sponge which reverses all of the common mishaps when it comes to fake tan applications.

This claims to gently remove streaks and application mishaps to colour buildup on palms, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, feet and beyond. Bronze Buffer has no added ingredients or chemicals. You simply add a little water to the sponge to gently exfoliate unwanted self-tanner on the uppermost layers of skin, leaving you with a flawless, natural-looking golden glow. I don’t usually apply fake tan this time of the year however I will be saving this for summer.

5. Oriflame Skin Dream BB Cream SPF 30 –  (2 credit) Full Size 30ml RRP £10.95

I’m a big fan of BB creams and love to experiment with ones which claim to do an all in one job quickly and effortlessly.

Oriflame’s 5-in-1 skin dream BB cream promises to deliver everything your skin needs in one super-charged beauty balm and containing SPF 30 it protects your skin too whilst nourishing and healing the skin, as well as camouflaging any redness. 

This cream itself is quite thick and applies smoothly to the skin and with it’s medium coverage it makes the skin look radiant with a soft dewy finish. It’s not so effective at covering blemishes and redness however a little dab of concealer before applying this will do the trick. The BB cream is also oil free making it suitable for oil prone and sensitive skin types.

This really is a great quick fix answer for those who are always on the go. It gives your skin a lovely glow and with it’s no shine formula it’s ideal for wearing during the day and in the evening.

 My Verdict

I’m really happy with my selections this month and I’m warming to the new concept which allows the creation of curating your own box giving you full control and flexibility.

This month’s boutique had a much improved line up with more variety and featured well known brands such as OPI and Ciate. The boutique itself covers all areas of beauty and whilst this months new additions were mainly make up and nail varnishes I hope next month features more skincare and body products. I’ve also noticed that Love Me Beauty have added more products which are one credit meaning subscribers can get more for their 6 credits.

My box is worth an amazing  £43.35 beating the cost of the box.

Want to sign up to the new Love Me Beauty Revolution?

Use my code VQ2CX8 at the checkout for 1 free credit when you sign up (credit will be awarded on your second box)

www.lovemebeauty.com

You Beauty Discovery Selection Menu – December 2014

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Here’s a sneak peek at December’s You Beauty Discovery selection menu which will be available on the 1st December at 7am. This month’s shortlist is all things party prep and includes a selection of beauty fixes and a little sparkle for the festivities ahead.

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 selection menu include:

• NIP+FAB – Body Slim Fix (45ml)
• Teeez – Head over Heels Nail Lacquer: Frosted Gleam (7ml)
• Teeez – Head over Heels Nail Lacquer: Smoking Gun (7ml)
• COLAB – LONDON & RIO Dry Shampoo Duo (50ml each)
• Amie – Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash & Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturiser Duo (10ml each)
• Wilkinson Sword – Intuition Naturals Sensitive Care (full size)
• Nourish – Golden Glow Toning Body Shimmer (2ml)
• Kneipp – Lavender Herbal Bath Oil (20ml)
• Halo – Eye Make Up Remover Pads (30 pads)

Plus, each box will include Lindt – Christmas Mini Bear Chocolate (10g), Yardley London – Hydrating & Enriching Body Lotion* (10ml sachet) and Le Couvent des Minimes – Hiker’s Foot Healer (2ml sachet, 2 per box).

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

Latest in Beauty BBB Dream Box 2 Review – November 2014

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Price of the Box is £21.95 including P&P
No of Products in the Box – 18 items
Total Value of contents in the box – £129.00
http://www.latestinbeauty.com

The long awaited announcement finally hit us on the 17th November and I was certainly delighted and some what relieved to get my hands on the British Beauty Blogger Dream Box 2 after missing out on the first one which was a huge hit. Jane Cunningham (The British Beauty Blogger) and Latest in Beauty joined forces again to bring you a second edition bursting with 18 worthy beauty products with an exceptional value of £129.00. It really isn’t surprising that due to phenomenal demand the website crashed within minutes of it being released and the boxes had to be purchased via a waiting list. Yes Jane Cunningham broke the Latest in Beauty website and it’s no surprise that this box has now sold out.

The BBB Dream Box 2 has all area’s covered from skin loving treats, make up for the party season ahead and some hair and body fixes perfect for tackling the months of winter. The box showcases brands such Ardell, Elizabeth Arden, Ciate, and Essie and many more.

As well as a fabulous line up the box includes a selection of good sized deluxe samples and full sized products personally selected by Jane and is either a long-time favourite of hers or an impressive new discovery.

1.    Ardell Natural Style Demi Wispies – Full Size £5.49

I love false lashes and was happy to see a set from Ardell which is normally the brand I favour over others.

These lashes live up to their name and are are super light, full of length and volume and are perfect for those who want a more natural look that is not too dramatic. They are suitable for any occasion and are subtle enough to wear during the day too.

2.    Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream – Sample Size 15ml worth £4.80

I’m a newbie to the Vichy range so it was great to finally be introduced in the form of their Thermal Light Cream.

This cream combines Vichy Thermal Spa Water and a micro-encapsulated delivery system of Activ Hyaluronine to improve the diffusion of moisture into the surface of the epidermis. The skin feels replenished with water, as if continuously hydrated by misting micro-sprays and claims that skin will be refreshed, velvety soft and free of the sensation of tightness all day long.

The cream has a very light weight texture and being oily skinned this is lighter than others I’ve used which is my preference when it comes to day creams. A tiny amount is needed and it spreads and sinks into the skin within seconds leaving no traces of oiliness on the surface. Dry skin types will love this as the skin literally drinks this up within seconds.

3.   Kerastase Bain Satin 1 and Kerastase Lait Vital – Travel Size 30ml & 20ml worth £3.03

I am a big fan of Keratase and was happy to see that both a shampoo and conditioner from the Nutritive Range was within the box. I received the same set a few month’s ago which are both empty now so was happy to receive another set.

The Nutritive range is specially formulated to meet the needs of normal to slightly dry hair which gently cleanses your hair of dirt, excess oil and product build-up, whilst deeply moisturising and conditioning your hair to restore it back to full health.

These are both great and work well together to tackle rebellious hair like mine, it definitely tamed some of the frizz whilst leaving my hair feeling more nourished and smooth.

4.   Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF15 – Full Size 3.7g £20.00

The renowned Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour range is a true classic which has been around for years and loved by many.

The lip protectant stick moisturises, softens and smooths the lips and provides antioxidant protection with vitamin E. It also has the added bonus of UV protection as well as the same amazing healing and moisturising properties as the Eight Hour range.

When applied this leaves the lips feeling soft and nourished and doesn’t feel sticky or heavy. The moisturising formula is great to tackle the elements of winter. I particularly like that this is in the same form as a lipstick as opposed to being within a tub. It’s subtly scented with a citrus scent which is really pleasant too.

5.   Mio Double Buff Dual Action Enzyme Exfoliator – Travel Size 50ml worth £7.66

On first impressions I assumed this was a facial exfoliator and I was pleased to discover that this was for the body.

The Mio Double Buff exfoliator instantly transforms rough, dull skin into skin that’s superbly soft, smooth, radiant and dewy. It claims to soften the skin and hydrate whilst brightening uneven skin tone.

The exfoliator has fine grainy particles which feel gentle on the skin and isn’t abrasive. This has a creamy texture which doesn’t leave an oily film on the surface unlike others I’ve tried. The product is very good sized too at 50ml.

6.   Sleek MakeUP Mini Pout Polish – Sample Size 4.5g worth £2.49

I tried a sleek pout polish a few months ago and I really love their non sticky formula which feels moisturising and keeps the lips amazingly soft.

There were two variants of this pout polish and I received The Show, a pretty subtle pink shade which provides more of a natural sheen which mainly enhances the natural colour and shine of your lips. It also appears that the two shades are exclusive for this box only which is impressive.

7.   LOLA Make Up Ultra Shine Lipstick – Full Size £12.00

There were two variants of shades available in the Lola lipstick and I received Strawberry Fields which is a lovely pink shade. Visually this looks quite vibrant however when applied it isn’t so bright and is ideal for brightening up your winter make-up look. The lipstick has a glossy and a subtle hint of shimmer which gives the lips a radiant flush of colour.

8.  Invisibobble The Traceless Hair Ring – Full Size £3.75

I was delighted to see my all time favourite hair tie The Invisibobble within Jane’s shortlist. I received a pack of these in My You Beauty Discovery box this month and also purchased some more via Latest in Beauty’s build your own box. Whilst I have around five packs I was happy to receive another as back-up. Sometimes the odd one goes missing as the cat seems to pinch these and according to her they make the best toys ever, never to be seen again!

The Invisibobble which is available in various colours is a simply yet effective traceless hair tie which leaves no kinks or marks in your hair. It is also kind to your hair and helps to avoid split ends. I have hair extensions and these are great for keeping my hair tied without any pulling. I tie my hair before I go sleep to ensure my extensions don’t matt and tangle, it does the job perfectly and in the morning the Invisibobble still remains in my hair unlike others which simply just fall out.

9.  Agent Provocateur Fatale – Sample Vial 2ml

The Agent Provocateur Fatale speaks seduction and sexy as soon as you see the packaging. Fatale is a new fragrance and is infused with a striking blend of notes including Madagascan pink pepper, succulent mango and blackcurrant to name a few. I received a sample of this in July and the full size has been on my wishlist ever since.

This smells utterly amazing and has a very sweet scent which is what I normally go for in a perfume and it lasts well too.

10.  Eylure Brow Crayon in Mild Brown – Full Size £6.45

I knew from moment I saw this in Jane’s unboxing video this was going to be way too light for my dark brows which wasn’t really an issue as I have a friend who is a perfect match for this shade.

This soft pencil ensures intense, long lasting colour for the brows and with it’s fine point it’s perfect for filling in, shaping the brows and adding definition.

11.  Le Couvent des Minimes Gardener’s Hand Healer – Travel Size 15ml worth £4.95

Inspired by the Gardinarius, the monk who tended the Convent’s plants, the Gardener’s Hand Healer helps to repair dry and damaged hands and contains skin loving ingredients such as nourishing Shea butter and 7 Beneficial Plants in a rich, emollient cream. This intensive formula acts like an invisible glove to help protect against cracked and chapped skin and is recommended for gardening or DIY

Whilst I’m not green fingered or  a fan of DIY this would be perfect as an intensive night treatment to soothe and nourish the hands.

12. Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Duo – Full Size £7.99

The Bourjois Delice de Poudre is a bronzing and highlighter duo palette which provides a contoured glowing complexion pberfect for rightening dull and lack-lustre skin this winter.

The palette has two chunks of the chocolatey bronzer and two of a shimmery highlighter. The bronzer has a matte finish which gives a natural looking glow, it also works well to sculpt the cheekbones too. The highlighter has a soft shimmer finish which is great for definition and accentuating your facial features.

In line with its chocolate theme this palette has the most delicious chocolate scent to it which literally smells good enough to eat.

13. Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream – Travel Size worth £3.00

Burt’s Bees’ Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream  gives your needy nails a helping hand and nourishes and moisturise nails and cuticles with an intensive, natural treatment.

I was expecting this to be oily but surprisingly it isn’t in the slightest and contains ingredients such as sweet almond oil and Cocoa Seed Butter to moisturise and soften your cuticles along with Vitamin E and Sunflower Oil to nourish brittle nails. It’s also infused with lemon oil which is very potent within the fragrance and smells quite refreshing.

Unlike other cuticle treatments I’ve tried this absorbs into the skin and doesn’t leave any traces of oil. I hardly bare my naked nails they are always painted so I look forward to trying this and giving my nails a well deserved break with this nourishing cream.

14. The Body Shop Beautifying Oil – Full Size £9.00

The Beautifying Oils by The Body Shop is a lightweight multitasking oil for your hair, body and face and come in a range of different scents. I received Olive which has a fruity scent which is subtle.

This “dry” beautifying oil promises to banish dry skin, promote a smoother texture and add radiance to skin. As opposed to wetter oils this dry oil absorbs quicker into skin with it’s beautiful, lightly scented fragrance. The oil glides on and leaves the skin soft and feeling nourished.

The oil is very versatile too and can be used in many different ways. I prefer using dry oils after a shower on slightly damp skin as I find it works better then applying directly onto dry skin.

15. Essie Nail Polish – Sample Size worth £2.66

Nothing says Christmas more then sparkly bold nails which stand out and glisten. The Essie glitter nail polish in the shade Toggle to the Top is all things Chrismasy with it’s rich garnet red formula containing tiny specks of glitter and shimmer.

This is quite a unique colour which is truly a stunning. It seems to be quite popular too with the nail addicts.

16. Nude Skincare Pro Genius Treatment Oil – Deluxe Sample Size worth £20.00

I’ve heard amazing things about the Nude Pro Genius Treatment Oil and with it’s £58 price tag for a full size I was extremely happy to see this deluxe sample inside the box.

This is Nude’s signature product and has 10 carefully-selected, nutritious plant oils. These replenishing oils are rich in omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9, and provide essential building blocks for youthful, healthy-looking skin and provides 24-hours of moisture, plumps fine lines and reveals a smoother complexion. You can apply this day and night and can be used alone, before moisturising, or worn under foundation for a smoother application.

I’m thankful that this comes with a dropper applicator as being oil based you only need a little and this ensure there’s no wastage. I’m interested in seeing how my oily skin reacts with this oil.

17. Ciate Lash Lites – Full Size £16.00

Ciate recently launched their new lash lites range this year which was a complete surprise as to you and me they are popularly known for their pretty nail varnish bottles with the iconic black bow. It’s was nice see that they had now ventured out into make up in the form of their vibrant coloured mascara which comes 6 eye popping shades.

I received the shade electric which is a vibrant blue very similar to the Benefit Badgal Mascara but the results are ten times better. I don’t usually opt for any other shade apart from black since my teen days however the pigmentation is very impressive even when applied onto the lashes without any mascara. The colour adds some drama to your make up look and really makes the eyes noticeably more brighter. I will definitely be using this on evenings out.

My Verdict

I’m really wowed with Jane’s picks in collaboration with Latest in Beauty which is another fabulous edit bursting with a wide selection of beauty fixes and delightful treats. There’s also a handful of winter must-haves which will come in very useful during the cold months. It’s amazing how many items have been crammed into this box, 18 products to be exact and I certainly struggled to fit all of the contents into one photo!

The BBB Dream Box 2 has all area’s covered from skin loving treats, make up for the party season ahead and some hair and body fixes perfect for tackling the months of winter. I’m simply blown away by the box and it’s fabulous line up which showcases brands we all know and love and there’s even few new discoveries for me too. All of the products are really good sized with a mixture of deluxe samples and full sized products.

This box is incredible value for money and worth an amazing £129.00 and for only £21.95 it’s such an affordable way to discover brands and products.

As well as the fabulous line up there were also discounts codes included for some of the brands featured  inside the box which is great to redeem against something you loved inside the box.

 Did you manage to get your hands on the BBB Dream Box?

Whilst this has now sold out, Latest in Beauty have other collections available on their website including their newly launched Beauty Christmas Crackers.

www.latestinbeauty.com

Birchbox Spoiler – December 2014

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The December 2014 Birchbox is all things glitter and glamour with an exclusive festive edit inspired by Sophia Webster’s gemstone Suri shoe and comes presented in a collectable must-have designed box which makes a bold fashionable statement just on its own.

Inside you will find an exclusive-to-Birchbox coin purse designed by Sophia herself along with worthy samples from Birchbox’s signature and discovery brands including an exclusive Benefit cracker with a surprise sample inside and an Eyeko Fat Eye Stick.

The Sophia Webster Box will be available from the 1st December.

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*The December box will include a selection of the above.

Birchbox Offer:

Sign up to Birchbox and get the December box for only £7.95 including p&p by using the code DEC5 at the checkout.

www.birchbox.co.uk

The Naturally Beautiful Box by Latest in Beauty Review – November 2014

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Price of the Box is £24.95 including P&P
No of Products in the Box – 14 items
Total Value of contents in the box – over £80.00
http://www.latestinbeauty.com

Christmas is slowly creeping upon us and with only five weekends left there’s not long to go before we all start to enjoy the festivities and exchange gifts with our loved ones. I love this time of the year which see’s the release of bespoke and limited edition beauty boxes which make the perfect Christmas gifts or a much needed treat for yourself to beat the winter blues.

With the launch of the Latest in Beauty’s Gift shop they have curated three themed boxes brimmed with premium, cult and classic beauty products with brands such as Caudalie, L’Occitane, Loreal Paris, Crabtree & Evelyn and many more.

I kindly got sent The Naturally Beautiful Box to review which contains active skincare, delicious body treats, make up for the party season ahead and some indulgent treats making it the perfect box for pampering both the body and mind this winter.

The box is tied with a pretty pink bow and the contents are wrapped within festive paper embossed with gold specks. It’s very presentable and comes with a card too, perfect for gifting this Christmas.

1.    Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Antiwrinkle Sample Set – Worth £9.95

I adore Caudalie products and inside this box is three generous offerings from their Polyphenol C15 Antiwrinkle range which includes the Defense Serum (10ml), Defense Eye & Lip Cream (5ml) and the SPF 20 Antiwrinkle Protect Fluid (15ml).

The Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Antiwrinkle range is packed with antioxidant filled ingredients such as grape seed, polyphenols, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid and it’s aim is to protect and plump your skin.

Latest in Beauty have this exact set for £9.95 on their website and it’s amazing that these have also been included within this edit. The set will also enable you to fully road test this range and give you a good for the brand itself.

2.    Dr Bronner’s All-One Hemp Lavender Pure Castile Soap –  Travel Size 30g.

Whilst this may appear to be just a simple bar of soap it’s truly natural with it’s no-fuss packaging and it’s multi-purpose uses. The soap which isn’t restricted just for the face and body can also be used for household cleaning and laundry washing, and amazingly it’s not harsh in the slightest. This soap is completely biodegradable, vegetable based and is made with certified fair trade and organic oils.

Scented with relaxing lavender which smells very natural it’s very soothing and relaxing, perfect for using in the shower to unwind in the evenings.

I’ve heard raving reviews about this soap and it’s effectiveness in cleaning make-up brushes and sponges. Brush cleaning is a chore and one where I procrastinate. However last night was the perfect opportunity to try out the soap as my beauty blender had definitely seen better days! This lathers up pretty well and surprisingly this soap works just as well as the beauty blender cleanser solid only this one will last longer and doesn’t cost half as much. A very welcomed discovery which makes brush and sponge cleaning a little more pleasant!

3.   Herbacin Wuta Kamille Hand Cream –  Travel Size 20ml. RRP £1.99

The Herbacin hand cream is a proven Canadian classic with it’s triple action formula which soothes and nourishes hard working hands with the healing powers of the camomile. The Glycerin moisturizes, repairs your skin and makes it perceptibly softer and smoother without leaving a greasy film. The cream also contains silicone which acts as an invisible glove and offers optimal defenses against daily environmental influences at work, at home or when gardening.

I use hand creams religiously during winter so receiving another one as a back-up is always welcomed. This can also be used as an intensive night-treatment by smothering your hands with the cream and wearing gloves to lock in the moisture.

4.   ModelCo Black Lengthening Mascara – Full Size. RRP £10.00

I love eye make up and along with eyeliners which are my favourite make-up staple, Mascara is also on the top of my list when it comes to daily make-up must-haves. I tend to stick to lengthening formulas rather than volume so was pleased to see a ModelCo one tucked inside the box.

The brush itself is tapered and captures each lash perfectly even the pesky small ones towards the inner corner of the eye without any clumping. The the end result is very natural yet impressive as my lashes certainly look much longer without any product build up. I’m pleasantly surprised by this mascara which is perfect for everyday wear.

5.    Nailberry Nail Polish –  Full Size 15ml. RRP £13.50

I’m a newbie to the Nailberry collection which hosts a collection of 4 free nail polishes, free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP and Camphor. It is also cruelty free and boasts ultra long wear and resistant, high pigmentation, contains UV filter to prevent discoloration and yellowing and dries very quickly. They have a wide collection of beautiful colours which are unique and include brights, neutrals, darks and pastels, all of which are contained within a very chic designed bottle.

I received the shade Pink Me Up which is described as an honest pink and is perfect for a natural nail look along with its high shine payoff. The brush is ideal for the clumsiest of people and the varnish dries pretty quick too.

6.   Maddi Alexander Frivolous Bath Oil –  Travel Size 10ml. RRP £10.00

There’s nothing more relaxing then immersing into a hot running bath infused with a luxurious bath oil especially during the colder months. I only wish I had the time to indulge in such activities.

The bath oil hydrates, soothes and nourishes your skin whilst the uplifting and refreshing blend of Sicilian lemon, bergamot, sweet orange, ginger and clove focus the mind and invigorate the spirit.  The scent reminds me of mince pies due to it’s sweet spicy notes, it’s very festive and comes enclosed within a little gift box too.

I’m hoping I find some time to enjoy this bath oil as I rarely get a chance to have a nice relaxing bath.

Whilst on the subject of Maddi Alexander, Latest in Beauty also have a box which includes a selection of Maddi Alexander’s Rose range which is available here.

7.   L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate – Travel Size 50ml.

I’m a big fan of  L’occitane, who’s products smell absolutely divine.Their distinct potent scents can always be smelt when walking past their pretty dressed windows.

Enriched with powerful almond extracts, the Almond Milk Concentrate melts into the skin to help the skin look firmer and smoother whilst giving 48 hours of hydration.

The texture feels heavenly and luxurious and it’s the perfect consistency which glides onto the skin effortlessly with quick absorption resulting in silky, velvety, and moisturised skin.

As with all L’Occitane products this smells wonderful with subtle floral notes which is sweet and fresh. Dry skins will love this pampering treat during winter.

8.   Dr Organic Snail Gel Facial Serum –  Full Size 30ml. RRP £17.99

Snail based products are renowned for their restorative and healing properties and has hit the beauty industry like a storm with it being hailed as the latest beauty wonder product promising great skin benefits and boasts as being a miracle face fixer. Whilst some of you may frown, I can confirm snail secretion filtrate is the main ingredient, also known as snail slime and no snails were harmed in the process.

This Snail Gel serum with Olive Leaf Extract, Levan and Jujube Seed Extract is a soothing non greasy serum that penetrates deep into the epidermis, instantly hydrates for smoother, nourished and restored skin, revealing a more youthful glow.

The serum is quite light which is what I look for in facial serums due to my oily skin and I think this will work for most skin types. It’s very refreshing and simply just sinks into the skin. I’m not too sure of the scent but it soon fades after a few minutes once applied.

9.   Rose & Co Cherry Kiss Lip Balm –  Full Size 10g. RRP £5.00

This lush and lovely lip balm is sweetly scented with a rich cherry fragrance and a hint of red cherry colour. Gives lips a surge of protective moisture for soft and scented cherry lips.

The balm glides onto your lips and makes the lips feel super soft, it’s a bit sticky but tends to stay put for longer. It’s a great nourishing aid for the colder months whilst the wash of sheer red provides a subtle hint of colour.

10.  Amphora Aromatics Orange & Clove Candle – Full Size. RRP £2.70

Christmas has certainly been captured in this very festive scented candle infused with notes of uplifting orange and warming spiced cloves. I love lighting candles in the winter it makes the house feel that little bit more cosy and at the same time lifts the mood and relaxes the mind.

The candle is made from pure essential oils and 100% natural plant wax from sustainable sources and it’s one of Amphora Aromatics best sellers.

This warm luxurious fragrance really takes you back to Christmas past and the musky notes released from the cloves combined with the orange really fills the room with a warming spicy scent with a hint of citrus.

11.   Latest in Beauty Pocket Mirror – Full Size

This is the ultimate handbag essential – a pocket sized mirror to accompany you on night outs from lipstick top-ups or to check that your mascara hasn’t smudged from tipsy episodes of laughter! It’s the perfect size and would even fit into the smallest of clutch bags.

12.  Lindt Milk Chocolate Novelty Hollow Figure 10g

Last but not least is the cute iconic chocolate reindeer by Lindt which definitely is a sign that Christmas is on it’s way and finishes off the box perfectly.

My Verdict

I’m really smitten with The Naturally Beautiful box which is perfectly presented, wrapped to perfection and contains a wide selection of luxurious and lust worthy essentials,  perfect for pampering your mind and body this winter. Upon opening the box there’s also a unintentional warming welcome with the scent of the festive candle which has fragranced the whole of the box – very fitting indeed!

The box is brimmed to the top with an impressive 14 products and covers all aspects of beauty. It contains active skincare, delicious body treats, make up for the party season ahead and some indulgent treats all from well-known brands. All of the products are really good sized too with a mixture of deluxe samples and full sized products.

This box is incredible value for money and worth over £80.00. Everything’s very usable making it the ultimate beauty gift this Christmas or the perfect pampering treat. 

For anyone who is looking to detoxify their beauty regime with a more skin friendly alternative this box boasts a selection of natural and organic products, ideal for the new year.

As well as The Naturally Beautiful Box there is also The Pamper Box and The Party Prep Box. Each box comes complete with a premium finish, tissue paper, bow and a card. All of the boxes are £24.95 plus free delivery.

Latest in Beauty have an amazing offer where you can get 3 boxes for the price of 2.

http://www.latestinbeauty.com/giftshop/

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Glossybox Review – November 2014

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Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.25 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6 items
Total value of contents in the box is £46.13
www.glossybox.co.uk

The November 2014 Glossybox has landed and this month sees the return of the sleek iconic pink box. Glossybox already revealed two of the products which you could expect to see inside this month’s box and I was pretty excited about the Lollipop eye pencil and the lip gloss from Burt’s Bees which I’ve been meaning to try. The box includes 3 full sized products, 2 sample sized products and a £20 gift card to spend at Best Secret which is a members only online fashion shop.

This month’s box covers all aspects of beauty and features brands such as Lollipops Make Up, Burt’s Bees, H20+, Monu Skincare and Umberto Giannini.

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. Lollipops Make up Eye Pencil – Full Size RRP £11.14

Last month’s box revealed that all subscribers would be greeted by this retractable black eye pencil by lollipops make up.

I tend to mainly focus on my eyes when perfecting my desired make-up look whether it’s to brighten the eye area or to create a sexy, sultry smokey eye look, eyeliner is the one staple make-up product which I can’t live without. I always get excited about new liners which promise longevity, no smudging and the blackest of black kohl.

This eye pencil has a creamy texture which glides on smoothly and effortlessly creating bold striking lines with a deep black pigment. I applied this to my water line and as promised the longevity is great and lasted pretty much all day with no smudging.

2. Burt’s Bees Lip Shine – Full Size 14g  RRP £6.99

I’ve been meaning to try out the Burt’s Bees Lip Shines as I’m a big fan of their popular lip balms.

Out of the six shade variants and I received Wink which is a sheer pink with a fruity scent. This lip shine is 100% natural and is enriched with apricot wax which glides onto your lips giving a super glossy finish and fuller looking lips. The formula is quite thick and isn’t sticky when applied. It’s a great nourishing aid for the colder months whilst the wash of sheer pink provides a natural looking colour.

3. H20+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment – Sample Size 8ml

This oil-free hydrating gel is a striking turquoise blue  and reminds me of the ocean and since it contains marine botanicals, it’s very fitting!

The oil-free gel delivers deep hydration while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and rapidly replenises depleted skin and fills surface lines with a surge of moisture. It contains multivitamins A and E to help skin resist daily damage from environmental stress factors.

With it’s light weight formula this would be perfect for applying in the morning.

4. Monu Skincare Refining Capri Facial Oil –  Sample Size 30ml

This facial oil is specifically targeted for oily or spot prone skin types. The formula works to cleanse, tone and restore the skin making the skin look more refreshed and revitalised.

Using only the purest of ingredients it contains natural citrus oils which are known for their antibacterial action, Camphor which cleanses whilst refining the pores and grape seed oil to tighten and tone the skin.

I’m not a fan of oil-based face products mainly because my skin produces enough oil however with winter in force and the indoor heating constantly on, my skin gets dehydrated resulting in dull and lacklustre skin. This is a night treatment and the oil magically sinks into the skin without leaving a oily film on the surface which wasn’t what I was expecting from this oil formula.

As with all Monu products this smells amazingly therapeutic with uplifting zesty notes. I’m looking forward to giving this a try as it sounds like a great pick me up.

5. Umberto Giannini Miracle Worker – Full Size 125ml RRP £8.00

I have thick coarse hair which annoyingly turns frizzy as soon as it comes into contact with wintery weather and the perfect blow dry soon turns into a mess!

This salon formula which is an ancient hair repairing remedy with it’s silicone blend leaves hair protected, supple and full of softness and shine and instantly and visibly transforms even the most dry, frizzy coarse hair. It’s perfect for dry, rebellious hair with the magic ingredient being Argan Oil known for working wonders on the hair.

The applicator is a pump dispenser which is great for serum type products to ensure you get even amounts. This can be applied to damp hair before a blow dry or alternatively can be used as a finishing serum for shiny, smooth results. A little does go a long with this serum and due to the oiliness this would be more suited for applying to the ends of your hair only.

 My Verdict

 I’m quite pleased with this month’s offerings which covers all areas of beauty from make-up to skincare. There’s some great essentials to help tackle the havoc which winter brings to our beauty regime and the products all are very usable. I love the Burt’s Bees lip shine which adds a sheer wash of colour, great for days when you opt for a more natural make-up look and the miracle worker serum will certainly come in useful for keeping the frizz at bay.

November’s box included 3 full sized products,  2 sample sized products and a £20 Best Secret gift card. The contents within this month’s box is worth £46.13.

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.

December Spoiler Alert – All subscribers will receive the newly launched Bellápierre Lip and Cheek stain worth £12.99 in the December box and a Anatomicals Zap Spot Stick. There’s also four full-sized products too!

 Thinking of signing up?
Click here to sign up

www.glossybox.co.uk

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Latest in Beauty BBB Dream Box 2 – November 2014

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The long awaited announcement has finally landed and I’m pleased to reveal that Jane Cunningham and Latest in Beauty have joined forces again to bring you the British Beauty Blogger Dream Box 2 which will be hitting the shelves today at approximately 12pm via Latest in Beauty.

If you purchased the last BBB Dream Box you will know that the box was bursting full of worthy beauty products and the second edit is no exception containing an incredible 18 products from brands such as Elizabeth Arden, Keratase, Ardell and Vichy to name a few.

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The box is £21.95 including postage with an exceptional value of £129. With only 2000 available it’s definitely a box you don’t want to miss out on.

Whether it’s a treat for yourself or a gift for a loved one this box covers all area’s and features a great line-up of brands and products.

The BBB Dream Box 2 will be available today at www.latestinbeauty.com

You can also check out The British Beauty Blogger’s post here to see what’s inside.

Memebox #7 CutiePieMarzia 3 Box Review – November 2014

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Memebox #7 CutiePie Marzia 3 Review
Price of the Box is $29.99 including shipping approx £18.29
No of Products in the Box – 8 items
Total value of contents in the box – £53.94
http://us.memebox.com/memebox-global

This is my first CutiePie Marzia collaboration box from Memebox, in fact it’s my first ever collaboration Memebox! Memebox released another two editions with CutiePie Marzia prior to this one and whilst the other two didn’t really appeal to me I took quite a liking to this edit which looked promising from the outset. In all honestly it was the lollipop soap which did it for me as sad as it sounds! CutiePie Marzia is a beauty and lifestyle vlogger with over 3 million subscribers on YouTube and has teamed up with Memebox to bring a series of boxes which include cute, adorable and darling beauty products. This box which is the finale in the series is bursting with 8 full-sized products and in my opinion they definitely saved the best till last.

As with all of the collaboration boxes you get to see everything inside the box unlike the other Memeboxes which are a complete surprise.

 Memebox is a rapidly-growing, leading e-commerce beauty retailer born in Seoul, currently headquartered in San Francisco, California and provide Korean Beauty Boxes.

They offer a huge range of different themed beauty boxes which caters for everyone’s needs and likes and the good news is they ship to the UK and other parts of the world for only $6.99. These are not monthly subscription boxes and are available to buy as one offs. The majority of the boxes sell out very quickly so you do need to be supersonic.

 This box is all things cute, charming and delightful and features a great line up of fun and usable products. The box contains 8 full sized items and features mainly skincare and body products.

1. Etude House Melting Summer Nail Beads – Full Size  RRP £2.45

Enclosed in an ice cream shaped cone are tiny little nail beads which come in two colour variations. I received the pastel pink and blue mix which are really pretty. This is more of a spring/summer mix and isn’t a colour I would go this time of the year so I will be saving these for next year.

I’ve used these types of beads before and whilst they are a little messy they really do jazz up your nails. I love the packaging which is really cute and very Etude House who are known for their adorable packaging.

2. Ensoap Lollipop Natural Soap – Full Size RRP £3.06

This 100% natural soap which is in the shape of a lollipop caught my attention straight away and is the culprit which led me to buy this box.

The soap is hand crafted and is formulated with high concentrates of centella asiatica which is known for its antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, hyaluronic acid and hydrogenated camellia oil. It’s gentle formula can be used on all skin types and conditions and has a really pleasant scent which consists of citrus notes.

3. Missha Lucid Nail Polish – Full Size 8ml RRP £2.45

The Missha nail polish comes with a one-touch brush and is a rich and pigmented formula in a coral shade. It also claims to leave a fragrant rosemary scent after it’s dried.

I really like the colour which is very wearable. I don’t own any scented nail polishes so it was nice to finally own one.

4. Sua Young Berristure Cream – Full Size 100g RRP £24.53

This berrylicous moisturising cream is packed with various berry extracts and the Cos 5 complex, delivering an instant replenishment to the skin. The tiny collagen capsules within the formula helps lock in moisture for a more elastic, suppler complexion.

As the name suggests this smells wonderfully fruity and the cream has a gel consistency which feels refreshing and extremely light on the skin.

5. Purederm Nose Pore Strips – Full Size Pack of 6 RRP £3.68

The choco cacao nose pore strips which come in a pack of 6 are a one step pore care treatment which work to unclog blackheads, whiteheads and dirt.

These work the same way as the usual blackhead strips, you simply moisten the nose area with water, apply the strip and leave it on for around 10-15 minutes.

Fortunately I don’t suffer with blackheads however I do love trying these out on family members and seeing the aftermath! Is that weird?

6. Dearberry Ice Cream Hand Cream – Full Size 30ml RRP £4.29

Another hand cream for my collection and this one is the most adorable one to join my stash.

With it’s ice cream appearance, this creamy and scrumptious scented hand balm penetrates the skin quickly and moisturises and replenishes dehydrated hands.

The formula is enriched with naturally nourishing ingredients this claims to give you the softest hands ever.

7. Pure Smile Honey Queen Cleansing Oil – Full Size 100ml RRP £8.58

I love the bright packaging this cleanser comes presented in, it’s very eye catching with its honeycomb design.

This oil cleanser is formulated with real honey and acai berries which melts away the most adherent waterproof eye and lip make up without dehydrating or stimulating the skin.

8. Skin Food Honey Pot Lip Balm – Full Size 6g RRP £4.90

This honey pot lip balm is simply heart melting alongside the wooden application spatula.

The honey-textured lip balm which comes in a bright red shade isn’t vibrant as I was expecting. It’s not pigmented at all and gives more of a natural sheen. It’s super shiny formula is perfect for making the lips look fuller and glossier.

My Verdict

I am really impressed with the CutiePie Marzia edit 3. This box is all things cute, charming and delightful and features a great line up of fun and usable products! Within the box features some great show stoppers and Memebox have definitely curated a well thought out box which sees a great end to the Cutiepie Marzia series.

 Inside the box showcases a great balance of wonderful, charming new discoveries and a selection of delightful treats, all of which are very useable and pleasing to the eye!  What blew me away the most is that this box included 8 full sized products which is incredible.

The box itself came well packaged in a robust padded envelope and I can confirm that no custom charges were incurred.The information about the products and how to apply them is in English on a ‘card enclosed inside of the box so you won’t be lost in translation.

The contents within this box is worth £53.94 and the cost of the box including shipping works out to be around £18.29. It’s a small price to pay to discover these hidden gems which have an incredible box value as majority of the products are always full sized.

What makes Memebox very different is the variety and choice of beauty boxes which they offer their customers as a one off purchase. They release a huge amount of boxes throughout the year and will simply leave you spoilt for choice.

Memebox enables me to discover Korean beauty products which are not available here in the UK and their boxes definitely give you an opportunity to try out the latest beauty trends in Korea .

Want to discover Memebox?

Get $5 off when you spend $30 using my promo code H6BNIH. Offer expires on the 30 November 2014.

http://us.memebox.com/

Love Lula Beauty Box Review – November 2014

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Price of the Box is £12.50 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box –  £50.00+
http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

The November 2014 Love Lula Beauty Box has arrived and there’s nothing more delightful then receiving a box filled with natural skin loving treats. This month’s box contains a variety of  winter essentials from skin rescuers to instant moisture fixes which are perfect for tackling the colder weather upon us. I’m delighted that all of the brands within this edit are new discoveries for me.

LoveLula 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 2 full sized products, 3 travel sized samples and 1 Hello Fresh Gift Card. The box features the brands Barefoot SOS, Jason, Giovanni, Living Nature and Suti.

1.    Barefoot SOS Face and Body Rescue Cream –  Travel Size 25ml. RRP £5.95

With Winter upon us we all tend to reach out for more moisture quenching products as the weather conditions wreak havoc on our beauty regime.

The multi award-winning, intensively rich and nourishing Rescue Cream by Barefoot which is 100% natural combines the highest quality botanical extracts, pure natural moisturisers and the finest essential oils  to provide welcome relief for all kinds of dry, sensitive, uncomfortable and problem skin.

This multi-purpose cream can be used on the face and body to moisturise, soothe and hydrate the skin. Not only is this a saviour for dry skin it can also be applied to patches of eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis including any allergic flare-ups making it the perfect skincare essential for the months of winter.

Normally creams like these come non scented however this has a refreshing aroma of real French lavender, Neroli and Camomile which is really pleasant and smells quite therapeutic.

2.   Jason Brightening Apricot Facial Wash and Scrub –  Full Size 113g. RRP £5.49

This naturally gentle, soap-free foaming scrub polishes away impurities, oil and makeup for a clean, comfortable feel and contains apricot oil and triple refined walnut powder which gently washes away dead skin cells, revealing a smooth, glowing complexion. Mild enough to use everyday, this scrub is a gentle way to wake up your skin, with no pore-clogging residue.

I welcome this full sized product as I tend to reach out for exfoliating products more often in winter as the cold weather and indoor heating really dehydrates my skin making it look dull and tired.

3.   Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo – Travel Size 60ml.

Winter really is my hairs worst enemy especially if you have unruly hair like mine which turns into a frizzy mess as soon as it comes into contact with rain or wind! Another welcomed addition in the form of the Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo which claims to transform your hair into a silky palette whilst calming unruly hair to alleviate frizz.

I look forward to trying this over the weekend and hope this is the rescue product I’ve been searching for.

4. Living Nature Nourishing Hand Cream  – Full Size 50ml. RRP £16.00

My all time favourite winter essential is hand cream and I was pleased to be introduced to a full sized one from Living Nature.

This hand cream contains active manuka honey and larch tree extract to help repair chaffed hands and gives extra protection from moisture loss. I work in a hospital and I’m constantly washing my hands with the not so friendly hand wash, it really doesn’t do any wonders to my skin!

The hand cream is lighted scented and it’s rich formula sinks straight into the skin leaving no greasy residue. My hands were left soft, supple and extremely nourished. This definitely gets top marks from me!

5. Suti Cleansing Balm – Sample Size 4ml.

The Suti cleansing balm is an uplifting oil that melts instantly into the skin, penetrating the dermis and drawing out impurities, cleansing the skin of dirt, pollutants and make-up. It also states that you can apply this as a face mask whilst in the bath perfect for cosy nights in.

Unfortunately I tried this a few months ago and I found it too oily for my skin. This would be more suited for dry skin types.

I’m delighted with this month’s box which features a variety of winter essentials from skin rescuers to instant moisture fixes,  perfect for tackling the colder weather upon us.  The box covers all area’s and everything is very useable.

This month’s brands were all new discoveries for me and included a mixture of full sized products and good sized samples this month including a £25 gift card to spend at Hello Fresh.

The value of this month’s box is around £52.44 which includes the value of the Hello Fresh Gift Card beating the cost of the actual box.

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

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

If you love organic, natural and cruelty free products 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.

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

http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

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Latest in Beauty Gift Shop Launch – November 2014

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Christmas is slowly creeping upon us and with only seven weekends left there’s not long to go before we all start to enjoy the festivities and exchange gifts with our loved ones. I love this time of the year which see’s the release of bespoke and limited edition beauty boxes which make the perfect Christmas gifts or a treat to spoil yourself.

Latest in Beauty have launched their new Gift Shop, a one stop shop which features three themed boxes brimmed with premuim, cult and classic beauty products with brands such as Caudalie, L’Occitane, Loreal Paris, Crabtree & Evelyn and many more.

The boxes available include their season Christmas Box, The Party Prep Box and The Naturally Beautiful Box

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Each box comes complete with a premium finish, tissue paper, bow and a card. All of the boxes are £24.95 plus free delivery.

Latest in Beauty have an amazing offer where you can get 3 boxes for the price of 2.

For more information please visit:

http://www.latestinbeauty.com/giftshop/