Memebox #39 Cafe Box Review – November 2014

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Memebox #39 Cafe Box
Price of the Box is $29.99 including shipping approx £18.29
No of Products in the Box – 6 items
Total value of contents in the box – £72.99
http://us.memebox.com/memebox-global

The Memebox #39 Cafe Box has landed and as promised features everything you would expect to see in a cosy coffee shop from warming caffeine fixes to sweet indulgent treats which look enough to eat!

 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. They sell out very quickly so you do need to be supersonic. The contents within these boxes are a complete surprise and only one item spoiler gets released prior to shipping which is an aspect I like about Memebox.

 This box is spot on with the cafe theme from the cute packaging to the delightful treats within and some of which smell identical to the beverages and delights you would find in a coffee shop. The box contains 6 full sized items and features mainly skincare and body products.

1. Vella Fresh Creamy Soap – Full Size 100ml  RRP £7.97

This whip cream-textured cleanser is enriched with a hydrating and soothing formula which consists of donkey milk, three kinds of honey complex and four kinds of flower extracts. The high concentrated creamy cleanser cleanses all skin impurities and excess sebum while soothing, protecting and the moisturising the skin.

I’ve never used a product which contains donkey milk however Cleopatra was known to bathe in the milk to preserve her beauty and youth which claimed to be the secret of her flawless complexion.

2. Tonymoly Latte Art Cappuccino Cream Scrub – Full Size 95g RRP £7.97

The cute packaging of this Tonymoly scrub which comes presented in a glass mug really speaks for itself and captures the cafe theme perfectly.

I rely on coffee and caffeine to kick start my day and wake me up in the mornings but it’s also known for it’s beauty benefits which claims to perk up your skin, treats redness and inflammation and reducing the appearance of under-eye circles.

This facial scrub is enriched with milk protein, caffeine, coffee extracts and acetyl hexapeptide-8 and works to effectively remove all skin impurities clogging the pores, delivers moisture and firms up the skin.

As soon as you open the lid there’s a potent burst of aroma which smells pretty much like a freshly brewed coffee. The texture of the scrub is gel-based and feels quite light when applied onto the skin.

3. Holika Holika Desert Time Lip Balm – Full Size 7g RRP £3.68

Oh my this lip balm is ridiculously cute and adorable. I can see this being a crowd pleaser!

There’s three popular cupcakes available from the Holika Holika collection and I received the peach edition which comes presented as a pretty cupcake which visually looks good enough to eat!

The lip balm has a delicate peach scent and has a slight tint to it but nothing too pigmented which is perfect if you’re looking for a natural sheen. It’s creamy texture feels moisturising on the lips without the sticky feel.

4. Cleomee Anti-Wrinkle Donkey Lotion – Full Size 250ml RRP £50.92

Another donkey milk product in the form of a body lotion by Cleomee and it’s worth an incredible £50.00.

This lotion is a gentle and moisturising formula which contains the highly prized ingredient donkey milk along with hyaluronic acid, ceramide, glycerin, vitamin E and EGF complex which delivers rich nutrition and replenishment. The lotion can be used on the face and body.

It is claimed that donkey milk has more goodness than cows milk and goats milk and is similar to a mothers breast milk.

I look forward to seeing how this lotion measures up against my all time favourite body butter by Soap & Glory.

5. Pure Smile Orginal Sheet Mask – Full Size RRP £0.61

We’ve moved on from coffee and cupcakes to a more healthier alternative, a herbal face mask which I’m assuming mimics a cup of herbal tea in the memebox cafe.

There’s two different masks available and I received the original herb sheet mask which is infused with lavender extracts, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and collagen which works to relieve and moisturise the skin. This is left on for 15-20 minutes and the remaining essence is simply patted into the skin as opposed to washing this off.

6. Binu Cok Ice Cream Scoop Cacoa Body Soap – Full Size 70g RRP £1.84

The last item inside the box is a body soap which looks identical to a scoop of chocolate ice cream which not only looks the part but smells utterly delicious and chocolatey. From far you really can’t tell the difference it looks very real!

This soap is 100% natural and hand-made which cleanses away all excess oil, sebum and dead skin cells leaving the skin feeling nice and supple.

My Verdict

I’m really pleased with this Memebox which has been inspired by the cafe theme. Inside the box showcases a great balance of wonderful new discoveries and a selection of delightful treats, all of which are very useable and pleasing to the eye! Memebox were also spot on with the shortlist for this box and all 6 products come full-sized.

The contents within this box is worth £72.99 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.

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.

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. They don’t release any spoilers prior to shipping so it’s a complete surprise when you receive it.

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/

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You Beauty Discovery Box Review – November 2014

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Price of the Box is £6.95 including P&P
No of Products in the Box – 5 items
Total value of contents in the box £7.75
www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

The November 2014 You Beauty Discovery Box has arrived and this month’s shortlist features a selection of gift-worthy treats which didn’t disappoint. I only wish I could of picked more than two products!

To see the November Shortlist please click here

You Beauty Discovery have changed the process of the shortlist menu go live time. The selection menu is now available on the 1st of the month from 7.00am as opposed to previously where you could choose from midnight.

“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.

This month’s selection menu had a great variety to chose from which made the decision process even harder. You really can’t fault this beauty box as it’s incredibly good value for money.

 My box included 2 products of my choice from the shortlist and three extra treats in the form of Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder and 2 sample sachets of Merumaya Cleansing Balm and Iconic Youth Serum. 

1. Invisibobble  – Full Size (3 in a pack) RRP £3.75

I was delighted to see that this month’s shortlist featured my all time favourite hair tie The Invisibobble. I received a pack of these in a previous box and not only is this bobble my hairs best friend it’s also very effective and doesn’t break the hair.

The Invisibobble which is available in various colours is a 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.

2.  Rituals Hammam Delight Shower Foam – Travel Size 50ml RRP £4.00

With the colder season I love reaching out for more indulgent shower gels to make the bathing experience more warming and pampering.

The Rituals Hamman Shower Foam is a unique gel-to-foam technology which transforms it’s gel into a rich relaxing foam. It promises to transform your own bathroom into a true Hammam with it’s infusion of aromatic and revitalising qualities of refreshing Eucalyptus and Rosemary.

As with all Ritual products I’ve tried this smells utterly divine with it’s refreshing and invigorating notes. It’s the perfect shower companion for the wintery days and nights.

3. Extra Samples within the box:

This month, You Beauty Discovery have included a sachet of Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder which is a rich source of vitamin c, contains 50% fibre and is high in antioxidants which are key supplements as we approach winter which is also known for the dreaded cold and flu spell. The powder can be blended into a smoothie or sprinkled onto cereal, porridge or yoghurt.

There’s also two sachet samples of the Merumaya Cleansing Balm and Iconic Youth Serum. Maleka Dattu, founder of  Merumaya has created an evolutionary range of evidence based skincare designed to help prevent, while reducing existing signs of skin ageing; similar in concept only, to Integrative Health.

My Verdict

The November gift-worthy shortlist showcases a great balance of products this month and I am extremely happy with my picks which included my all time favourite hair saviour, the Invisibobble and a lovely indulgent treat from Rituals.

The value of my box is worth £7.75 which is slightly less than usual however it includes great beauty essentials for me.

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” impresses me every month. I always look forward to seeing their menu at the start of the month. Their wide selection of products in their menu has something for everyone and to date I’ve not been disappointed once . This box is a complete steal for £6.95 and worth every penny.

For more information or to subscribe please visit:

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

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Birchbox Review – November 2014

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Monthly subscription is £10.00 Plus £2.95 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6 items

www.birchbox.co.uk

Whilst the winter months play havoc on our beauty routine it also leaves us feeling a little gloomy with the days getting colder and the nights drawing in, however the November 2014 Cosy at Home Birchbox has come to the rescue with a selection of beauty fixes and pick me ups, perfect for the cold wintery days and nights ahead. With Autumn in full force, this month’s box will provide you with goodies that will help you to battle the upcoming winter blues and make the most of your time snuggled up in the toasty warm.

Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription service. The box consists of  4-5 selected hair, make-up and beauty products from well-known brands and new brands. They also include a lifestyle extra within their box too. Birchbox also have an online shop where you can purchase all the brands which have been featured in their boxes. Their reward program really is something to shout about too.

This month’s box showcases a great beauty line up with all area’s covered. The box features a good balance of products and includes of selection of skincare, make up, hair, bodycare and a lifestyle extra in the form of a delicious organic chocolate.

The content’s of the November Birchbox contents will vary. To see what you may receive please click here

1. Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash – Sample Size 20ml. Full Size £8.95

Weleda is a pretty well known eco-friendly skincare company which do not contain synthetics or chemicals and all of their ingredients are certified natural, cruelty-free and mostly vegan. It’s my ultimate favourite when it comes to a natural brand and I’ve tried a few of their products which I’ve been most pleased with.

The pomegranate body wash is a natural, gentle wash for use in the shower and is loaded with nutrients to cleanse and moisturise the skin.  It’s has a rich and creamy formula that lathers well and feels simply wonderful on the skin,  And of course, as with all of their products this smells absolutely divine with hints of neroli, sandalwood and davana which is uplifting and warming, the perfect shower companion!

2. Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Mask – Sample Size 14g. Full Size RRP £16.00

The drop in temperature is my hairs worst enemy be it rain, wind or cold temperatures, my hair gets tangled and dry becoming quite unmanageable and unruly.

This nourishing mask was designed and created by professional stylists and it rejuvenates and protects the hair whilst also adding shine. It contains a mixture of argan oil, honey, amber and crushed pearls and as expected this smelt absolutely divine just like the rest of their product line. You simply leave it on after shampooing for 10-20 depending on your hair type and rinse off.

There’s two generous tubs of the Protect & Treat mask which will give you 1-3 applications depending on the length and thickness of your hair. I welcome these pampering treats which will hopefully restore and replenish my hair.

3. LipGlam Natural Lanolin Lip Balm – Full Size 12ml. Full Size RRP £9.99

It was nice to see another product to equip me for the colder weather. My lips take the biggest hit when it’s cold and I’m forever applying lip balm to fight off the dryness.

LipGlam appears to be a new brand which is born in the UK and known for their natural lanolin lip balm which contains 100% natural ingredients. The lanolin formula delivers instant moisture, beautiful softness and natural shine. It revitalises your skin and restores your lips’ natural beauty and amazingly keeps your skin moisturised for up to 8 hours. This multi-purpose balm can also be used to relieve dry skin, smooth split ends, eyebrow balm as well as other uses.

The balm is really thick and only a tiny amount is needed as a little really goes a long way. It’s incredibly moisturising without any stickiness and is the perfect SOS handbag essential with it’s multiple uses and super nourishing formula.

4. Lord & Berry Mini Bronzer – Sample Size. Full Size RRP £19.00

Whilst I try to embrace my pale skin in the Winter I do miss having a glowing, radiant complexion which the Summer sun brings. I was delighted to see the inclusion of the Lord & Berry Mini Bronzer in the shade sunny which is the perfect make-up essential to get your glow on all year round.

This long-lasting and highly pigmented bronzer creates a sun-kissed glow on your face. The silky formula gives a matte finish for a shine-free, contoured look that will give you a radiant complexion.

The size of the bronzer may appear to be a little on the small side however there’s a good amount of powder to last throughout the remainder of the year as you only need to use this sparingly.

Whilst the shade appeared far too dark compared to what I usually reach out for, when applied this gave my complexion a natural looking glow and was perfect for my pasty skin. I like that this is matte too which is ideal for the winter months. This bronzer certainly gives my pale skin a bit more life and it’s a great pick me up for dull winter skin.

5. Dr Jart + Most Moist Water Act Skin Mist – Full Size 150ml. RRP £18.00

This month’s Birchbox weighed more than usual and I’m not surprised as this skin mist comes in a 150ml full sized bottle! I’ve not tried any of the Dr Jart+ range and welcomed this new discovery. There’s also a guaranteed full-sized Dr Jart+ product for every subscriber this month.

Dr. Jart was a leading Korean dermatologist who gave himself quite a mission: to help each of his patients address all of their top skin concerns. Together with a team of 21 other dermatologists, Dr. Jart devoted his energies to inventing a line of targeted cosmetics; products that not only make skin look good but also deliver long-term benefits.

This moisturizing alcohol free mist which is a toner is capsulated moisturising ingredients increases moisture levels with a 4 free formula which is gentle for even the most sensitive skin. The mist penetrates deep into your skin to restore the skins balance, maintains moisture without any dryness and is spritzed after cleansing.

I really like the idea of a face mist which gives you a surge of moisture. This would also be great for spritzing during the day for a quick hydration fix.

6. Lifestyle Extra – Montezuma’s Mini Chocolate Bar.

When Winter draws in we all tend to indulge in comfort food. My weakness is chocolate not just during winter but pretty much throughout the year!

Montezuma started off in a kitchen by a husband and wife and is now a successful business. Montezuma brings “innovative British Chocolate”.

I received the Organic Milk Chocolate bar which is still in it’s full glory as I type!  I purchased the Montezuma Giant Buttons from the Birchbox shop a couple of weeks ago and they certainly didn’t disappoint.  They are absolutely delicious and taste less sweeter than normal chocolate but are much more smoother with a good quality blend of cocoa.

Not only do Montezuma indulge us with a wide range of chocolate bars they also do a hot chocolate range which is next on my list to try.

My Verdict

I welcome this month’s Birchbox which arrives just in time to step up our winter beauty regime and to banish those winter blues. It’s certainly cheered me up with it’s great line up of essential beauty fixes to get you through the upcoming cold months.

I love the theme which has been captured very well and Birchbox have selected a good variety of key products covering all areas of concern for the colder months as well as some cheerful and indulgent treats for the perfect cosy night in.

This month’s box includes an amazing 6 items, two of which are full-sized and features well known brands and some new discoveries for me. The samples are really decent sized too which gives you an opportunity to really road test the products. I really adore this month’s box, everything’s very usable and will certainly help my beauty regime tackle winter in the nicest possible way.

Thinking of Subscribing?

Join today and get your first Birchbox for only £7.95 by entering the promo code NOV5 at checkout. Alternatively you can use the these codes (only one promo code can be used)

BBXMYSTRIO2 to get a free mystery trio of samples or use the codes below to claim either the Wild about Beauty Palette or the Beauty Blender (The offer below is only valid until 4pm on the 26 November 2014 or while stock lasts)

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To sign up for the October Box or for more information please click here

www.birchbox.co.uk

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So Susan LacquerLove Box Review – November 2014

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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 £46.75
www.sosusan.com

The November 2014 So Susan LacquerLove box has arrived and this month’s theme is The Modern Muse.  Autumn needn’t be dull and gloomy and So Susan have come up with the perfect edit which will set a spark in your step and get you noticed with it’s collection of unique hued varnishes. These come presented with a new silver cap adding elegance and luxe to this month’s box.

So Susan is a brand which is known to have the prettiest quirky packaging and 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.

This 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 1 bonus So Susan Concealer Quad.

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. A nail varnish which contains no nasties making it the ideal product which is kind to you but also great quality.

This month’s box included the shades Imperial Blue, Amethyst, Black Velvet and Mint Cream  (Full sized retailed at £6.95 individually)

The November edit features a selection of different unique shades which are all very wearable throughout the year. The Black Velvet really surprised me as I was expecting to see a shiny finish however this dries as a matte black and I’ve been meaning to pick one up. The Imperial Blue and Amethyst has the most amazing pop of colour and lastly my favourite the Mint Cream, a lovely pastel shade which brings a hint of spring and sunshine.

These nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty good.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat. One coat is all it takes to for an opaque result. They really do give you the most effortlessly application.

2. So Susan Concealer Quad – Full Size RRP £18.95

The November So Susan edit sees the inclusion of their very own concealer quad. I already own this compact and was happy to receive another one as my old one has seen better days!

This compact contain 4 concealer shades that cover dark shades, blemishes and minor imperfections and is formulated with virgin Marula oil.

I love that this product is diverse and the colours can be mixed to achieve the perfect match. This is great if you are looking for light weight coverage which isn’t heavy.

 My Verdict

The November box definitely gives a welcoming break from the dark and metallic colors which we associate with Autumn/Winter and I’m delighted with the shades and the concealer quad within this month’s edit.

Overall this is an unique subscription box  which concentrates only on nails and is the first of it’s kind in the UK subscription market. I love So Susan’s concept of this monthly box it’s certainly one which will ensure you have the latest colour trends in your collection.  I also like that you receive a bonus make up product too making the discovery not just nails. Alternatively this would also make a lovely gift for Christmas which is only 7 weekends away!

This box is worth an amazing £46.75 which is great value for money as the box itself is only £14.95 including P&P. You certainly won’t be in the dark with this box as you will be able to preview the box and all it’s contents prior to it being sent to you. if you don’t fancy the pickings you can simply skip the month giving you complete control and flexibility.

If you tend to stick to classic shades this box definitely gives you the opportunity to try something which you normally wouldn’t reach out for.

 There’s a colour to suit every occasion in this box making it the ultimate box for all you nail varnish enthusiasts.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

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My Little Box Review – November 2014

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My Little Cosy BoxNovember 2014
Price of the Box –  from £13.95 a month
No of Products  – 5 items
www.mylittlebox.co.uk

The November 2014 My Little Box edition has landed from it’s home in France and this month features an all things cosy line up which includes adorable winter essentials to get you through the cold weather and a good selection of eye make-up perfect for the party season ahead. I’m not a fan of winter but I do love snuggling up in fluffy pyjamas and hugging a hot cup of tea.

My unveiling of last month’s box left me truly impressed and I was pretty confident that this edit certainly wasn’t going to disappoint and I wasn’t wrong. From it’s chic presentation to the stylish and luxe contents within, it really captures the cosy scene perfectly.

This box offers something very different 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 in house beauty products known as My Little Beauty.

This month’s cosy edition contains 5 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 useful beauty tips to mouth watering recipes.

1. Arcancil Star Liner Waterproof Eyeliner – Full Size RRP £5.50

I love black eyeliner, it’s a product I use on a daily basis and whilst I have many I was happy to receive one from a new brand.

This pencil combines the waterproof resistance with exceptional colour intensity. It is ideal for creating a smoky look or can also be used to draw a precise line and its waterproof formula makes it long lasting.

The pencil is very creamy and pigmented and is really easy to work with when creating a smokey eye look. I love the depth of the black which makes the eyes pop. This also worked well on the waterline and under the lower lash line.

2. Yves Rocher Eyeshadow – Full Size RRP £13.20

This is a creamy powder textured eyeshadow which is colour intensive and the coverage is adaptable to the desired effect with a lasting hold.

I received the shade Brun café mat which is a dark sultry brown shade in a matte finish. There are other colour variations which you could possibly receive from coffee browns to smokey greys. The eyeshadow comes in a sturdy palette along with a sponge tip applicator.

The powder blends extremely well and the shade is perfect for autumn/winter. I also like that this comes in a matte finish making it suitable for day and evening wear.

3.  My Little Beauty Volume and Care Mascara  – Full Size RRP £16.00

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

Inside this months box is a full sized Volume and Care Mascara which plumps up the lashes whilst the infusion of beeswax, jojoba and sesame oil regenerates and nourishes.

This has a straight wand with thick bristles which capture the lashes effortlessly. The formula makes the lashes look fuller with a natural looking result without any clumping.

4. Lifestyle Items

This month’s box included 2 lifestyle items which really sets the cosy scene.

First up is the My Little Bouillotte by Tsumori Chisato who is a Japanese fashion designer known for her bright patterns and bold colors. She has exclusively designed this heat cushion for this months box which is pretty impressive. The cushion is simply warmed in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.  As well as its warming properties it’s also very adorable with it’s vibrant red material. I’ve not tried this yet but it’s the perfect companion for keeping you warm during the colder months.

Up next is a dinky little Espresso Mug printed with “How is your day gonna be?” and on the opposite side is an illustration by Kanako of a woman drinking expresso. I can’t believe how teeny the mug is, it’s utterly cute and not being an espresso drinker I may have to start!

 My Verdict

I adore this month’s edition from it’s chic presentation to the stylish and luxe contents within. There’s a great selection of cosy must-haves and make-up to spice up the cold winter days. It really amazes me how much love and passion goes into My Little Box. It’s been three months since they launched in the UK and to date they have succeeded in delivering fantastic edits which certainly exceed my expectations month on month.

As soon as you open the box it shouts out quality, class and all things chic. The attention to detail is very intricate and delicate and it’s certainly evident that a lot of effort and planning has goes into delivering each edit.  It’s uniqueness definitely stands out from the rest and their presentation is the prettiest I’ve seen. 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.

The box showcased brands such as Arcancil, Yves Rocher and an item from their in-house My Little Beauty range. I love all of the eye make up which can be used individually or together to create a classic smokey eye look.  The lifestyle items complemented the theme perfectly and I can’t wait to snuggle up with the heat cushion.

This months My Little World Magazine was also good read and contained some useful tips and tricks from messy braided buns to Autumn make-up. There’s even some mouthwatering recipe ideas.

I can’t wait for December’s edition which I’m hoping will have a festive theme.

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

www.mylittlebox.co.uk

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Birchbox Spoiler – November 2014

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Whilst the winter months play havoc on our beauty routine it also leaves us feeling a little gloomy with the days getting colder and the nights drawing in, however the November 2014 Birchbox has come to the rescue with its all things cosy and comforting line up. With Autumn in full force this month’s box will provide you with goodies that will help you to battle the upcoming winter blues and make the most of your time snuggled up in the toasty warm. There’s a great selection of brands to see you through the month such as Dr Jart, OPI, Beauty Protector, Weleda, English Laundry, Lipglam and many more.

My November Birchbox review is available here

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Birchbox Offer

Sign up here to get the November Birchbox for only £7.95 including postage with the code NOV5. Alternatively you can use my exclusive code BBXMYSTRIO2 to get a free mystery trio of samples (only one promo code can be used)

www.birchbox.co.uk

Look Fantastic Beauty Box Review – November 2014

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Price of the Box is £15.00 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6
www.lookfantastic.com

The November box has now sold out. You can pre-order December’s box here

After the success and the great response of last months box which once again flew off the shelf I couldn’t wait to unveil the November 2014 edition which is now available to purchase on the Look Fantastic website. This month’s box contains some all time favourites of mine and I’m delighted that’s there’s even a couple of items which until now remained un-ticked on my wishlist. It’s definitely a box you don’t want to miss out on and will not be around for long.

 Look Fantastic have taken the plunge and bring you their very own monthly beauty box.  Known for providing all things beauty from A-Z via their website if anyone could successfully pull this off it’s certainly them being experts in this trade already. With  over 14,000 products online from more than 400 brands across hair, make up, skin care, nails, electrical, fragrance, health , home and organic it was inevitable that this beauty box was going to deliver and be a hit as soon as it landed. Really isn’t a surprise that these continually sell out when launched.

The box offers a selection of handpicked, must have beauty fixes wrapped in a beautifully presented box and delivered straight to your door. The beauty box will always include a minimum of six products and offers a selection of skin, hair, cosmetic and body products, catering to every kind of beauty lover.

This month’s box is filled with 6 beauty items which have been carefully selected and showcases well known and high end brands such as Eve Lom, GlamGlow, New Cid Cosmetics, Nuxe, Monu and Hand Chemistry.

1.    Eve Lom Cleanser – Sample Size 30ml. Full Size 100ml RRP £55.00
The Eve Lom cleanser is one of my all time favourites which gives the most luxurious cleansing experience along side a muslin cloth.

This pioneering cult beauty balm which featured in Vogue Magazine was recognised as probably the best cleanser in the world. Whilst it’s heavenly formula removes traces of make-up including waterproof mascara it also works well as decongesting, toning and exfoliating the skin gently.

If that’s not enough to entice you it’s infused with a bespoke blend of skin loving ingredients such as Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Cloves and Hops which has the most divine fragrance. This works well alongside a muslin cloth.

2.   Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream  –  Travel Size 30ml. RRP £7.99

The Hand Chemistry range has formed somewhat of a stir in the beauty industry and the store Boots even confirmed that this outselled every other hand and body product in their stores despite the 100ml tube costing £18.00.

Say hello to younger looking hands with the Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream which has a concentrated, multi-functional formula that simultaneously targets eight signs of hand ageing. This nourishing hand cream contains 19.5% active ingredients that work to improve firmness, smoothness and evenness. The most grabbing statement is “expect visible results in less than 11 days”

I was really happy to see this tucked inside the box and I can now try this without buying the full-sized. This sample itself is good-sized which will enable you to test out the 11 days claim. I will definitely be reaching out for this when my hands need a pick me up.

3. GLAMGLOW Youth Mud Tingle Exfoliate Treatment –  Sample Size 15g . Full Size RRP £39.99

I was delighted to see the iconic GLAMGLOW mask inside this month’s box.  It’s been on my wishlist for some time and whilst the full-sized tub doesn’t come cheap I’ve heard miraculous things about this mask.

This exclusive mud facial treatment which is all the rage in Hollywood will leave your face totally rejuvenated and your complexion gleaming within 10 minutes.

Made from only the very finest quality ingredients, such as French sea clay and volcanic minerals. The unique tingling and exfoliating treatment works for all skin types to tackle any problem areas and leaves skin soft and renewed and the results claims to make your complexion look utterly refreshed and glowing for three days after application – now that’s just wow!

I can’t wait to give this go at some point this week and I can finally say goodbye to the GlamGlow Virgin!

4. Monu Recovery Balm – Sample Size 30ml. Full Size 50ml RRP £22.50

This moisturising balm is specifically for tired stressed skin which aims to calm and refresh. The gentle formula of this balm works as immediate relief to soothe irritation and reduce inflammation to all skin types, especially sensitive or over worked skin.

Using only the purest of ingredients it’s packed with Evening Primrose oil, Blackcurrant Seed oils and active ingredients from shea butter to plants. The Monu Recovery Balm will hydrate dry, thirsty skin and leave it feeling refreshed, renewed and perfectly soft.

This also contains relaxing scents of Soft Rose and Bergamot essential oils to calm the senses and smells really therapeutic which is something that appeals to me.

My skin isn’t very happy at the moment and every week I have a new breakout. I’m hoping this works some magic on my skin.

5. New Cid Cosmetics Lip and Cheek Tint  – Full Size RRP £14.00

There’s been quite a few make-up requests to Look Fantastic and they have fulfilled by including a lip and cheek tint from New CID Cosmetics this month. This crayon is a new launch in their collection and comes in 6 different shades.

This is a retractable chubby crayon and I received Strawberry Souffle which is a pretty red shade perfect for evenings out with the upcoming party season. Described as a pencil for on the go, it can be used as a blusher, lip liner and a lip stick.

Usually these types of crayon give a little flush of colour, this is super pigmented and gives a really true shade of red within a couple of sweeps. It feels nourishing on the lips too without any stickiness.

6. NUXE Nuxellence Jeunesse Youth and Radiance Revealing Fluid – Sample Size 15ml. Full Size 5oml RRP £31.30

This moistursing cream improves the texture and appearance of your skin and re-energises your cells to help you create a clearer looking complexion whilst its anti-ageing properties repair mitochondrial DNA to reveal skin’s youth and radiance.

With it’s light floral undertones, this feminine scented fluid has been formulated with 87% natural ingredients and will leave your skin looking youthful, radiant and feeling velvety smooth. It’s suitable for all skin types too.

My Verdict

 After the huge success of last month’s box, Look Fantastic have pulled it out of the bag once again and have delivered another well curated box which has a great balance of products featuring well known brands and a couple of new discoveries for me. This box impresses me each month and it certainly gives you an opportunity to try more upmarket beauty brands without the hefty price tag.

The November box features an amazing line up and showcases well known and popular brands such as Eve Lom, GlamGlow, New Cid Cosmetics, Nuxe, Monu and Hand Chemistry. . I’ve definitely struck gold with November’s box, everything’s very useable and by far this is one of my favourite editions since they launched in September.

As an extra treat, Look Fantastic have also included a £10 gift voucher to spend on luxury fashion site, Coggles.com.

In my opinion the quality, the presentation and the product selection throughout their boxes remains to be consistently great and focuses mainly on medium to high end brands. The samples sizes are very good sized (more travel sized) and this month’s edition included an incredible 6 products,  2 of which are full sized. I think sometimes people forget that the sole purpose of these boxes are  to enable you to trial products before you buy.

If you subscribe to a few boxes already you will know that a lot of the products seem to make their rounds from box to box. I’ve not seen any of these products in the other boxes making this box unique and different.

 It’s certainly a nice monthly treat to receive through your letter box and having had a few tasters I think it’s safe to say that Look Fantastic certainly know the concept of a beauty box.

For only £15.00 it’s a great way to discover new brands and products.

The November box has now sold out. You can pre-order December’s box here

http://www.lookfantastic.com

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You Beauty Discovery Selection Menu – November 2014

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Here’s a sneak peek at November’s You Beauty Discovery selection menu which will be available on the 1st November at 7am. There’s so many delights to chose from this month and I only wish I could chose more than two!

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:

• Skin & Tonic – Steam Clean (15ml)

• Green People – Pencil Eyeliner in Forest Brown (7.38g)

• Rituals – Hammam Delight Shower Foam (50ml)

• Argan Organics – Regeneration Anti-Wrinkle Cream (10ml)

• Bourjois – Cream Blush* (2.5g)

• Magnifibres – Brush-on False Lashes (0.9g)

• Invisibobble – The traceless hair ring* (pack of three)

• Roques O’Neil – Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts (100g)

Plus, each box will include Aduna – Baobab Superfruit Powder (4.5g), Merumaya – Iconic Youth Serum (1ml) and Merumaya – Melting Cleansing Balm (2ml). Also, for a limited time only, receive an exclusive offer to save £50 when you purchase a Magnitone – Pulsar

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

Beauty Pick of the Month – October 2014

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Each month I pick my favourite product which I received in one of my many beauty boxes. This month’s showstopper is the Inika Organic Eye Liner which I received in my Love Lula Beauty Box.  It’s joined my make-up regime this month and I’m truly impressed with the results and it’s incredible formula.

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 liner launches which promise longevity, no smudging and the blackest of black kohl. Unfortunately to date all of the liners I have purchased only fulfilled one or two of these promises that was until I was introduced to the Inika liner in the shade black caviar which not only is certified organic but amazingly ticks all of the boxes for me.

Inika is a 100 percent natural beauty brand incorporating mineral makeup, vegan and organic products that are completely free from synthetic chemicals and harmful ingredients.

The Inika Eyeliner is a divine, creamy and a true black shade which glides on smoothly and effortlessly creating bold striking lines and it’s blackest of black colour definitely draws attention to the eye area. Not only does this liner make your eye’s pop,  it also stays put with very minimal smudging – goodbye panda eyes! If you’re always on the go like me, this liner also conveniently comes with a complimentary sharpener lid.

I’ve tried a huge selection of  liners ranging from the high street to high end brands and this undoubtedly ranks number one for me. It’s amazing that whilst this doesn’t contain any nasty ingredients it’s much more effective compared to those that are not cruelty free. This gentle formula can also be used for the most sensitive of eyes and It’s a complete steal at £13.50.

My review of October’s Love Lula Beauty Box is available here

The Inika range is available to purchase at www.lovelula.com

Memebox #4 Floral Scentbox Review – October 2014

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Memebox Scentbox Floral #4
Price of the Box is $21.99 including shipping approx £13.41
No of Products in the Box – 4 items
Total value of contents in the box – £30.47
http://us.memebox.com/memebox-global

The Scentbox Floral #4 Memebox which came in a series of other scent themed editions is packed with an all things floral line-up from skincare to body products. This edit contains a floral explosion which will transport you to a field of delicate flowers surrounded by bursts of sweet aroma’s to awaken the senses and uplift the mood. With Autumn in full force,  this box sounds perfect to inject a bit of summer sunshine into your day!

 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. They sell out very quickly so you do need to be supersonic. The contents within these boxes are a complete surprise and only one item spoiler gets released prior to shipping which is an aspect I like about Memebox.

 Now and again Memebox release these $15 boxes and recently a few make-up editions were launched, a couple of which are still available on their website .This box contains 4 full sized items and features  skincare and body products.

1. Sally’s Box Friendly Cherry Blossom Hand Mask – Full Size RRP £1.22

I’ve not had the opportunity to try a hand mask from Memebox and was pleased to see this tucked inside the box.

These come in the form of plastic gloves which are infused with skin loving ingredients such as cherry blossom and shea butter to deliver intense hydration and nutrition to dry, roughened hands.

You simply leave these on for around 10-15 minutes and pat the remainder of the solution onto your hands after removing.

These are a necessity for Autumn/Winter when your hands are in need of a moisture surge and I’m sure these will come in useful pretty soon.

2. ESTHE Shower Colonge – Full Size 100ml RRP £15.85

This shower colonge also known as a body spray to you and me is a fine mist body perfume which is spritzed after a shower. I received the scent Floral Dream which is a refreshingly fruity and citrus floral scent however the floral notes are pretty absent from this spray but nonetheless smells quite pleasant, it’s wearable and definitely brings you a step closer to feeling all things Summer!

3. L’Ocean Feromonika Perfume – Full Size 10ml RRP £7.31

This perfume comes in a petite pocket sized bottle in the scent Paros Rose. I love rose scented products and couldn’t wait to get a whiff of this. The scent comes from a series of fragrances which L’Ocean have created for their very own trendy collection using inspiration from popular brands internationally with their own little twist.

Unfortunately this definitely wasn’t what I expected and not sure which popular perfume they were trying to imitate here. There wasn’t even any notes of rose in this fragrance. I found the scent quite musky and strong however this does eventually calm down and wears off pretty quick too! I’m a fan of sweet scents but this was very disappointing.

4. Secret Key Perfume Hand Cream – Full Size 30g RRP £6.09

I love hand creams so was pleased to see this inside the box despite owning a large stash already! This moisture rich cream not only claims to lock in moisture it also promises to give a long-lasting fragrance.

I received 03 which is the Orange Citrus Rose scent out of the six varieties which were available. The cream itself smells very floral and feminine.  The formula isn’t greasy when applied and a little does go a long way with this cream.

My Verdict

Unfortunately this box didn’t blossom into an all things floral line up for me mainly because most of the items didn’t even come close to smelling like a flower despite the obvious theme being floral. I liked the products which are all very usable apart from the perfume.  I would of liked to have seen maybe a shower gel or a body cream which would of provided a better balance within the box as opposed to including two perfumes.

The contents within this box is worth £30.47 and the cost of the box including shipping works out to be around £13.41.

The box itself comes 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.

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. They don’t release any spoilers prior to shipping so it’s a complete surprise when you receive it.

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/

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