March 2015 – Page 2 – Which Beauty Box UK

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Which Beauty Box UK March 16, 2015

Cohorted Beauty Box Review – March 2015

Cohorted Beauty Box – March 2015
Price of the box – £19.99 plus £2.50 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 4 items (worth £70.00)
www.cohorted.co.uk

After last month’s huge success of Cohorted’s first ever beauty box I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for us this month. Like it’s predecessor, the March box also sold out super-quick and just when I thought they couldn’t beat the February box, Cohorted surprise us again with another fantastic line-up that even exceeded my expectations and I actually think it’s even better than the first. For those of you who are not familiar with Cohorted, they are an online cult beauty retailer who provide a much fairer price when it comes to purchasing well known and loved brands such as Urban Decay, Benefit, MAC, NARS, Dolce & Gabbana, Real Techniques, plus many more. With this brand portfolio in mind it was inevitable that this box was going to deliver and be a crowd pleaser from the outset. Unlike any of the other beauty boxes, this features lust-worthy and luxurious brands which automatically puts this box within a league of it’s own. I certainly to date have not seen the likes of premium brands showcase within a beauty box until now! As well as the incredible line up, all of the products are exceptionally good sized with three being full-size and if you love the finer things in life, you are in for a real treat which won’t break the bank. This month also see’s a re-design of the original box making it more reusable and it’s great for storing nail varnishes!

The March box features another incredible line up worth £70.00 and showcases well known brands such as Urban Decay, bareMinerals, Sleek and Too Faced. The contents come beautifully presented within a chic black box secured with an organza ribbon giving it a very luxurious look and feel.

1. bareMinerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment – Full Size 150ml RRP £45.00

This revolutionary night time mineral treatment by bareMinerals promises to replenish your skin whilst you’re sleep to give you radiant looking skin when you wake up in the morning. I’ve not tried much from this brand but I think it’s pretty impressive that Cohorted have included a full sized tub as the RRP is a whooping £45.00!

Initially I assumed this was a cream and was surprised to discover a loose powder with a good-sized brush within the lid. The idea behind this product is to reduce the appearance of pores whilst giving your skin a glow and also increases cell turnover which helps the skin perfect itself. All this is done through the bareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex which provides the skin with renewing benefits overnight.

I’m already in love with the concept and I like the idea that I can go to sleep and look perfectly made up guilt-free! It’s also kind to the skin too and clinically proven to reduce the appearance of pores without any clogging. It will be interesting to see if this lives up to its claims.

2. Urban Decay Perversion Mascara – Travel Size 3ml. Worth £8.00

I’m a big fan of Urban Decay products especially their popular eye shadow palettes but apart from those I’ve not tried anything else from their collection and was happy to see the Perversion Mascara within this month’s box as I’ve been wanting to give this a go.

This mascara claims to give you bigger, blacker, and badder lashes which in itself is quite some statement! Upon opening the mascara, I noticed straight away that the formula was very rich and deep black with a classic spiral wand. I didn’t see any dramatic results but it did give some length to my lashes but the real drama definitely stems from it’s very black pigmented formula, and the few hours I did have it on I didn’t experience any smudging or flaking. It’s not the best mascara Ive tried but it’s great for everyday use.

3. Too Faced Exotic Color Eye Shadow – Full Size 15ml RRP £15.00

I don’t buy single eye shadows too often as palettes usually offer more value but I was excited to try my first ever Too Faced product in the form of their Copper Peony eye shadow from their exotic collection.

I love the black flower case it’s packaged in and it even has a small see-through hole so you can identify the colour quickly within your stash. This eye shadow comes in a beautiful metallic golden cooper shade with lots of shimmer and looks quite prominent when applied and I love that the shade didn’t lose any of it’s sparkle either when I was blending it out. Due to it’s great pigmentation this really gives the eyes an intense pop of colour making it perfect for evenings out. I’m really impressed with my first experience with Too Faced.

4. Sleek Face & Body Precious Metals Highlighter – Full Size RRP £9.99

I can see this Precious Metals Highlighter Palette from Sleek being a crowd pleaser this month, you just have to look at those beautiful light reflecting colours, it’s truly love at first sight!

This multitasking palette claims to create a gorgeous all-over shimmer that instantly enhances the complexion with a fresh, radiant glow.

Within this quad are four colours which pretty much cover all bases complementing all skin tones with three velvet cream formulas and one powder. The three cream shades vary in tone ranging from a pearly champagne colour to two more slightly golden shades, whilst the powder highlighter is a little more on the bronze side.

The highlighters are very pigmented and the the velvet creams along with the powder apply smooth and evenly however It’s very easy to over do it with the velvet creams since they are so pigmented and you simply need is a tiny bit to avoid a disco ball look! This palette is a great all-rounder and adds a radiant glow and a luminous polish to the skin and works well to really accentuate the brow bone, the cheeks and even across the décolletage. Really impressed with the quality from this budget brand and it’s definitely something I will continue to use.

My Verdict

Just when I thought I had seen the best from Cohorted they go and pull out another showstopping edition boasting a great selection of products from well-known and popular beauty brands. This month’s box will certainly put smiles on faces as it mainly focuses on make-up which I very much welcome and in my opinion I think this edit without a doubt even beats the February box with everything being very usable and versatile this month. As well as the beauty line up, I loved the presentation and the makeover of the box which is now secured with an organza ribbon and is a little bigger and square in shape but still keeps it’s luxurious look and feel. This month’s box boasts an incredible value of £70.00 which is really impressive and included three full sized products alongside one sample. I love everything within this month’s box and with this being Cohorted’s second box I’ve been really impressed so far in terms of the brands, the size of the products and the value of each box, and its great to see that the quality to date has remained consistent.

I really lust over premium brands but not knowing how the product will perform is the main factor which usually stops me from splurging out, but this box really gives you an opportunity to try before you buy at such a steal with a mixture of full sized and generous sized samples without any teeny samples in sight. Although the box isn’t cheap compared to the others, the value really does make up for this and one of the items alone this month equates to the box itself. If you need a little cheering up or a guilt-free treat each month this box can be purchased as a one off transaction so there’s no subscription involved giving you full control and flexibility to purchase as and when you want to.

I can’t wait to see what the April edition has in store although the pre-order boxes have now sold out.

Did you manage to get the March or April Cohorted Beauty Box?

www.cohorted.co.uk

**PR Sample**
 Please see my disclaimer for more information

Which Beauty Box UK March 16, 2015

The BBB Dream Box III – March 2015

It’s that time again and Jane Cunningham, The British Beauty Blogger in collaboration with Latest in Beauty has released the much anticipated BBB Dream Box III. If you’ve been lucky enough in the past to get hold of one, you will know that they are exceptionally great value for money, are literally brimmed to the top with beauty products and being very popular you will need to race to the Latest in Beauty website as this box doesn’t stick around for long. Individually, the 16 products would cost a whopping £110.00, but you can get your hands on the whole lot for just £21.95 via: http://www.latestinbeauty.com

Inside the Box:

1 x OLEHENRIKSEN Pure Truth Melting Cleanser 15ml
1 x Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion (Medium, 20ml) with Tanning Mitt.
1 x Benefit They’re Real! Remover 7.5ml
1 x Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet 7.7ml (Full size)
1 x DECIEM Hand Chemistry Intense Youth Complex (30ml)
1 x Nuxe Crème Fraiche de Beauté Mask 50ml (Full Size)
1 x SALON SCIENCE® Reglosse™ Smoothing Serum 50ml
1 x Eye Of Horus Pencil Eyeliner 1.2g (Full size)
1 x Makeup Revolution One Fluid Blush 14.4g (Full size)
1 x Dr Organic Lip Balm 5.7ml (Full size)
1 x essence Nail Polishes 2x 8ml (Full size)
1 x Crabtree & Evelyn Pear and Pink Magnolia Body Lotion 50ml
1 x The Scottish Fine Soaps Company Luxury Soap 100g
1 x Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Eau de Parfum 1.5ml vial
1 x Orelia Temporary Tattoos (1 sheet)

http://www.latestinbeauty.com

Which Beauty Box UK March 15, 2015

Beauteque Head to Toe Breakfast Bag Review – March 2015

Head to Toe Breakfast Bag
Price of the Bag is £20.82 including P&P
No. of Products – 7
Total value of contents in the bag – £45.72
www.beauteque.com

The March Head to Toe Breakfast Bag has arrived and whilst it’s not your typical breakfast line up, Beauteque have cleverly incorporated a wholesome menu of beauty treats that is impressively spot on with the theme. Unfortunately none of its edible but there’s a great selection of beauty products to kick start your day in the nicest possible way from skin loving treats alongside a lifestyle item in the form of an apron. All of the products come presented within a pretty floral toiletry bag which I absolutely adore and is slightly different compared to previous months where it’s mainly been make-up bags so welcomed the change this month. The bag also showcases well-known brands such as Tony Moly, Skin Food and Etude House as well as some new discoveries for me.

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

This month’s bag contains seven full sized products covering mainly skin and body care. The concept which I really love about Beauteque is that they offer some degree of customisation giving you control over what you want to receive leaving the remainder a complete surprise.

1. too cool for school Egg Cream Mask – Full Size 28g RRP £3.26

This is my first introduction to the brand “too cool for school” and within the bag you can expect to see an Egg Cream Sheet Mask which is suitable for all skin types.

The mask comes in a soft microfiber fabric and is concentrated with egg yolk extracts to nourish, moisturise, brighten the skin as well as minimising the appearance of pores. It’s also paraben, mineral oil, benzopenone-9 and triethanolamine free, making it suitable for sensitive skin too.

I love that this hard-working mask is an all-rounder and targets quite a few skincare concerns so it will be interesting to see how beneficial the egg yolk extract performs on the skin as it’s not something I’ve tried before.

2. Evas Vitamin Cleansing Foam in Citrus Lemon Fruit Extract – Full Size 150ml RRP £6.53

Citrus extracts within cleansing products are commonly known for their anti-bacterial properties, however they are particularly beneficial for those who suffer from oily and congested skin as well as revitalising tired and dull looking skin.

This cleanser contains AHA multi-vitamins as well as hyaluronic acid and claims to brighten your skin and remove pores. The formula has a really thick texture and a little really goes a long way due to it’s creaminess leaving your skin feeling fresh and squeaky clean. I love the zesty refreshing fragrance it really awakens the senses first thing in the morning!

3. From Nature e Choice Fermented Tea Skin Drinks Sleeping Pack – Full Size 70g RRP £7.84

You needn’t worry if you’re not tea lover as this sleeping pack has no obvious fragrant notes of tea and claims to hydrate, revitalise and rejuvenate, all whilst you’re asleep. The formula is infused with a calming and soothing mix of extracts from jasmine, rose, chamomile, green tea and white tea extracts as well as an oriental tea complex. This sounds wonderful especially if your skin is a little on the stressed side. I can’t wait to give this a go.

4. Tonymoly Magic Food Banana Hand Milk – Full Size 45ml RRP £6.53

Can we take a moment to admire this banana shaped hand cream its utterly cute and comes from Tony Moly, a brand that I truly adore, and admittedly I’ve been meaning to purchase this primarily because of the packaging and was delighted to see this within the breakfast bag.

This hand milk focuses on rich moisturisation and nutrition supply and whilst it’s not the greatest hand cream I’ve tried, the true banana scent and the packaging really is the highlight and it certainly grabs attention and not to mention the funny stares when you’re out and about but I love it!

5. Skin Food Bath Fizzer – Full Size RRP £7.84

As much I love bath bombs, they mainly take center-stage inside a jar within my bathroom as I’m more of a shower girl and rarely have baths but it was lovely to see a bath product in this month’s bag in the form of the Skin Food Bath Fizzer. There’s a few variants available and I chose Honey Salt which has a lovely sweet scent although it’s a little on the overpowering side and being completely sealed, it even fragranced the bag!

These bath bombs contain sea salt and minerals to cleanse the skin and keep your skin soft and you simply just pop one into the bath and let it dissolve.

6. Etude House Sunshine in Spoon Massage Yoghurt – Full Size RRP £3.92

Breakfast wouldn’t be complete without a yoghurt and Beauteque have incorporated this by including four massage cream sachets by Etude House.

I opted for the apple and the raspberry creams and both are packed with vitamins to make your skin clear and soft. These wash-off packs are used after cleansing and you simply massage the cream for 2-3 minutes and wash-off.

7. Cherry Apron – RRP £9.80

Lastly inside the Head to Toe Breakfast Bag is a vibrant cherry printed apron and I won’t go into too much detail here but it’s nice finishing touch to the bag!

My Verdict

Beauteque have cleverly incorporated a wholesome menu of beauty treats that is impressively spot on with the theme from the inside and out and is something that they never appear to fail on with this edition being one of my favourites. The line up mainly showcases skin & body care this month alongside a lifestyle extra, and with last month’s bag being very make-up focused it was good to receive a different mix as well as the pretty floral toiletry bag which will really come in handy for weekend breaks. The bag boasts seven products which are all very usable, all full size and features well known Korean brands as well as a couple of new discoveries. The aspect I like about the Beauteque Bags is that they offer some personalisation too which allows you to choose products from different variations and the remainder of what you receive is a complete surprise. I’ve had a few tasters of the Beauteque Bags and they are a great way to discover Korean beauty products and always include a good variety at an affordable price.

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

The entire contents within this bag has a value of £45.72 beating the cost of the bag which works out around £20.82 including shipping. It’s a small price to pay to discover Korean brands which aren’t available in the UK to buy.

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

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

**PR Sample**

Please see my disclaimer for more information

Which Beauty Box UK March 9, 2015

Love Me Beauty Box Review – March 2015

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 £31.29
http://www.lovemebeauty.com

It’s a new month which means new beauty treats and trends within the Love Me Beauty Boutique and since introducing their new beauty revelation concept I feel that recently they have been showcasing a much better variety of brands from well known to those not so known from around the globe. The March boutique covers a good area of beauty so it’s not just dominated by make up and nail varnish as previous months.

This month’s boutique features new brands such as Lipcote, Mr.Bean (not Rowan Atkinson!), CAILYN Cosmetics and Lord & Berry as well as some of their older stock from previous months.

Each month The Love Me Beauty 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.

All the items are packed within a drawstring bag which is enclosed inside a sturdy good-sized box which can also be re-used for storage.

1. Lipcote Original Lipstick Sealer – (1 credit) Full Size 7ml. RRP £3.69

Lipcote is an oldie but a classic as far back as I remember and was one of the items my mum always stored in her make-up bag. I remember back then it was quite drying and burning on the lips so I was intrigued to see if they had advanced their formula from 20 years ago.

In terms of packaging nothings really changed since the brand began and comes in portable and practical bottle with a twist off lid and an applicator brush. The brush is smooth and coats the lips well but unfortunately for me things hadn’t changed much at all, the same burning sensation upon application was still there along with the dryness making your lips feel quite uncomfortable. It does increase the wear of your lipstick significantly however I really would of thought with more advanced ingredients these days this would of been a bit more skin friendly. I guess if your on-the-go and can’t be bothered for touch-ups it’s not too bad being under £4.00.

2. CAILYN Cosmetics Linefix Gel Eyeliner – (2 credit) Full Size RRP £15.00

CAILYN Cosmetics is an american brand who select quality ingredients to formulate cutting edge products to design outstanding packages that are dynamically engineered and meticulously processed. It’s not a brand I’ve heard of before so was happy to be introduced in the form of their gel eyeliner. If your read my posts regularly you will already know that I love black eyeliners in any shape and form!

The gel is compressed within a little pot with a built in brush in the lid that keeps everything nice and neat. This formula is very easy to work due to it’s creaminess and even if you’re not an expert in drawing straight lines the hairs on the brush are short and firm enough to give you that precision. One thing I did notice is that it didn’t immediately dry after application giving you some time to perfect and alter your line. Whilst it’s not very pigmented like a liquid liner, it’s similar to a pencil finish with more of a color payoff and the longevity and smudge-proof formula is really impressive too and remained in tact for most of the day. I’m really impressed with my first introduction to CAILYN Cosmetics.

3. Popband – (1 credit) Sample Size Worth £1.60

There were three different Popband collections via the boutique this month and if you didn’t read the small print you will assume that you’re receiving a full pack just like the picture advertises, unfortunately it is just the one Popband I’m afraid. I picked the Bubblegum collection which is inspired by Hubba-Bubba, sweet shops and first loves and mainly included pretty shades of pinks.

Popbands are soft, stretchy ‘no dent’ hair ties that hold ponytails up tight, but still leave the hair fresh and kink-free when you take it down and are available in a wide selection of colours and themes. They claim to not rip or damage hair and they even encourage you to embrace this fashionable accessory by wearing it on your wrist and I guess it would look more trendy as opposed to normal hair ties.

I stand by the Invisibobbles since discovering them last year and nothing else has even come close to date. Both designs have the same concept but the Popband gives you a little more flexibility as it’s elastic. Unfortunately, as my hair is really thick it felt slightly tight and just wasn’t suited for hair type but overall I think these are great for kids and adults alike and they come in a huge variety of colours and patterns.

4. Nails Inc Nail Polish in ‘Aylesford Street’ – (1 credit) Full Size 10ml. RRP £11.00

Love Me Beauty added seven Nails Inc varnishes this month and whilst it was hard to pick just the one, I settled for Aylesford Street, a lovely rasberry red. They’re only one credit too!

5. MONU Conditioning Body Wash – (1 credit) Sample Size

I love the Monu facial oil that I discovered last year and wanted to try something different from their range so I picked the Conditioning Body Wash.

This delicate body wash has been specially created with naturally derived foaming agents to softly cleanse the skin whilst an added natural honey product ensures the body is thoroughly conditioned to leave it feeling soft, supple and utterly nourished. The body wash has a zesty cocktail of Grapefruit, Lemon, Bergamot and Lemongrass essential oils and smell absolutely divine with a very uplifting and invigorating fragrance without being on the artificial side making it the perfect companion for those morning showers when you need a little waking up.

My Verdict

I’m really happy with most of my selections this month and it was great to see a much better line up of both brands and products covering a good area of beauty unlike previous months where the boutique has heavily dominated by nail varnish and make up. I think Love Me Beauty are somewhat on the right track compared to when they first introduced their new concept. My only bug bear is that new items are not added simultaneously when the credits renew but instead are scattered at different intervals throughout the month meaning you may miss out on these products (if stock is limited) once your credits renew again.

I enjoy curating my own box filling it with products to meet my likes and needs which in turn gives me full control and flexibility at an affordable monthly price, A concept which I really like. My box this month includes a mixture of both samples and full sized products with a value of £31.29.

I’m looking forward to seeing who Love Me Beauty have on board next month.

Want to sign up to the Love Me Beauty Revolution? Please visit:

www.lovemebeauty.com

Which Beauty Box UK March 7, 2015

You Beauty Discovery Box Review – March 2015

Price of the Box is £6.95 including P&P
No of items in the box – 5 items
Total value of contents in the box £27.00
www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

The March 2015 You Beauty Discovery Box has landed and this month’s shortlist theme is The Best of British and features a great variety of all things beauty from established and well known brands born and bread in the UK. This month’s line up definitely showcased a much better range of products and there was also a generous amount of extra samples thrown in too.

To see the March Shortlist please click here

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

My box included 2 products of my choice from the shortlist and three extra bonus treats.

1. Illamasqua Lipstick in Sangers – Full Size. RRP £18.50

I think the majority like me were lusting after this lipstick by Illamasqua and with popular items flying off the shelf pretty quick from the shortlist menu I knew that I would have to sacrifice that all important beauty sleep to grab one of these! Well the good news is I managed to get one and shock horror it’s still available!

I really struggle to find the perfect red toned lipstick and was particularly drawn to this shade as it claims to suit most complexions and is described as a true red. It is incredibly rich in colour, needing very little product to yield an opaque finish. The formula is excellent for how long it wears, but it could do with a touch more creaminess although once applied it feels very comfortable on the lips.

I absolutely adore this lipstick by Illamasqua. It’s all things a red lipstick should be, brilliantly pigmented, long lasting and will definitely not fail to get you noticed!

2. The Vintage Cosmetic Company Eyelash Curlers – Full Size. RRP £8.50

I’m not joking but the last time I used eyelash curlers was probably in secondary school and back then it was the coolest and “in thing” to have in you make up bag so I’m quite excited to be reacquainted again! I’ve tried various products from The Vintage Cosmetic Company and as well as there retro and girly packaging I loved their false eyelashes which I received in a previous beauty box.

I received the limited edition Rose Gold eyelash curlers which adds curl to your lashes. There may be different types of colours available if you opt for this but I was very pleased to have received this particular one as brands are now switching to this colour and it’s much more nicer than sliver or gold. Their instructions also state that the curlers can be warmed for a few seconds with a hair dryer to produce a better curl that lasts longer. I can’t wait to put these to the test.

3. Extra Samples within the box:

This month, You Beauty Discovery included a generous amount of samples. There was a shampoo and conditioner from Dove’s Youth Vitality range (both 50ml) and a Berry Delight nakd Bar.

My Verdict

This month see’s a much better shortlist menu that covers a good area of beauty too. I’m smitten with my picks this month and loved the generous amount of extras that were also thrown in. I’m particularly pleased with the Illamasqua lipstick especially as reds can usually be hit and miss but I can see this shade being really popular amongst subscribers who picked this.

The value of my box is worth £27.00 beating the actual cost of the box and includes three full sized products with the remainder being sample sized.

The magazine within the box included various discount codes for all of the brands featured this month which is great if you want to purchase further products.

You Beauty Discovery is one of favourite beauty boxes and it’s a great way to discover emerging and well known brands from a good selection of beauty products, and although it seemed they had lost their sparkle the last few months I think they have finally found their mojo again! I do love that I can personalise my box giving me full control on what I receive. The box itself is only £6.95 each month making it super affordable and good value for money.

For more information or to subscribe please visit:

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

Which Beauty Box UK March 6, 2015

Birchbox Review – March 2015

Birchbox “Do Try this at Home” March 2015 Edition
Monthly subscription is £10.00 Plus £2.95 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 7 items
www.birchbox.co.uk

I think the majority of us can’t wait to see the back of winter and thankfully spring is slowly but surely approaching and with this in mind the March 2015 Birchbox sees a surprising but exciting collaboration with Homeware and Lifestyle experts Habitat to inspire us to embrace the new season of renewal, whether it’s adding bursts of bright colours to your wardrobe, freshening up your existing beauty regime or introducing springtime motifs into your home. The “Do Try It at Home” edition features a spring-ready beauty line-up and comes presented in a refreshing, vibrant designed box which I absolutely adore. If that’s not enough to entice you, this month sees the return of choose your own sample with Benefit, a brand we all know and love. This month also sees the launch of Habitat’s SS15 Collection of dressing tables and beauty storage boxes and it’s the perfect partnership this month as both beauty and storage solutions go hand in hand.

This month’s box has all areas covered and features a selection of treats to get you in the mood for the spring including skin and body care products, your chosen Benefit Mascara sample, a hair smoothing cream, a springtime fragrance alongside two lifestyle extras.

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 offers exceptional benefits too.

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

1. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara – Sample Size 3.0g. Full Size RRP £19.50

Despite all of the surrounding hype and everyone posting pictures of their roller lash mascara last month I somehow don’t ask me how, managed to miss the boat of the free sample in Elle Magazine and was very delighted to see one tucked inside this month’s box. As it’s choose you own sample there’s three different Benefit Mascaras to choose from, all of which are hailed for enhancing your lashes in some form or another, so if you missed out too there’s still a chance to get one inside your box!

Benefit’s newly launched Roller Lash Mascara promises to hook, lift and curl the lashes and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The formula goes on clump-free and the brush really separates and grips the lashes giving both length and lift. It’s not the best mascara I’ve tried but in terms of it’s main objective it did much better than what I was initially expecting.

2. Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris Perfume – Sample Vial. Full Size from £50.00

I don’t mind receiving samples of perfumes especially from Birchbox as I’ve discovered some great niche and unique scents which are exclusive only to the Birchbox shop so I know I’m getting something a little more special and this one by Catherine Malandrino is no exception.

Style de Paris by Catherine Malandrino is a powder soft scent with citrus top notes that open up to aromas of lush orange blossom, sweet jasmine, and fresh gardenia with hints of amber and musk.

When I smelt this, it was love at first whiff with it’s delicate burst of floral notes with a very sweet twist. You need to like floral/sweet scents to really appreciate this but if you do, it will not disappoint. It’s the perfect scent to get you in the mood for spring.

3. TanOrganic Self Tanning Oil – Sample Size 25ml. Full Size RRP £24.99 My skin has definitely been looking on the pasty side recently and I’m talking Edward Cullen style so was happy to see a self tanning oil sample from TanOrganic to get my spring glow-on.

This self tanning oil by TanOrganic is the world’s first self-tanning oil and is essentially a moisturising dry oil with a elegant subtle tan. With its moisturising qualities it instantly illuminates the skin with an irresistible glow and contains no synthetic colours, preservatives or parabens making it much kinder for your skin. In comparison to other tanning products which smell unpleasant this oil has a refreshing and uplifting citrus scent and is something that I really like.

On first impressions the sample is teeny for it’s purpose however this will undoubtedly cover some area’s or alternatively you could do a little patch test to really get a feel of the formula and the developed colour. I was introduced to TanOrganic last year and got on quite well with their skin friendly formula and this has just reminded me to hunt for the bigger bottle I own! It’s a great product to achieve a healthy, natural glow and being a dry-oil it feels really comfortable on the skin compared to creams and mousses.

4. Philip Kingsley Smooth Cream – Sample Size. Full Size RRP £18.00

The Philip Kingsley Smooth Cream is for medium textured, coarse, curly or frizzy hair types and promises to tame frizz and calm and define waves and curls to leave hair superbly shiny and under control. It also contains sunscreen for UV protection and to extend the life of colour treated hair. This sounds like the perfect solution for my troublesome hair and I love that it can also be used on wet and dry hair.

Whilst I love the Philip Kingsley samples I’ve received via Birchbox, it’s apparent that the brand has become a regular guest and although it’s very welcomed, I would love to see some other haircare brands showcased to mix it up a little.

5. Janjira Pomegranate & Acai Facial Scrub Cleanser – Sample Size 10ml. Full Size RRP £24.00

I’ve not tried anything from Janjira who is a brand born and bread in Thailand and was happy to make the discovery.

This scrub cleanser helps to deeply cleanse and exfoliate whilst retaining moisture and brightening the complexion. It contains walnut shell to gently removes dead skin cells, dirt and black heads leaving the skin soft and smooth alongside fruit oils to help reduce the appearance of pores and moisturise the skin. If it’s pore fighting. I’m definitely in!

The cleanser has a subtle pomegranate scent and smells absolutely delicious, the fruitiness even comes through when squeezing the product out of the tube. It has a very thick consistency with a slight shimmer which gives it that luxurious element. Whilst the scrub contains walnut shell it’s broken down into miniscule grains and feels very gentle on the skin and combined with the creamy texture I couldn’t stop rubbing this on my face, it felt really therapeutic! If you like that squeaky clean feeling you are in for a real treat with this scrub and it doesn’t strip or dry out the skin but instead leaves your skin feeling rather pampered and clean.

6. Lifestyle Extra – A Perfect Heritage by Penny Vincenzi

An unusual lifestyle extra this month exclusively for Birchbox subscribers in the form of a book which gives you a chapter sampler of “A perfect Heritage” written by Penny Vincenzi, a novel which has the beauty industry as a backdrop.

I think the inclusion of one chapter is a great idea especially when I think about the amount of times a book has let me down or failed to grip me. This concept gives you much more control and if you like what you’ve read you’ll probably be more inclined to purchase the book to find out what happens next!

7. Lifestyle Extra – Birchbox & Habitat Exclusive Notebook

This handy little notebook has been designed by both Birchbox and habitat and the quality is fantastic with a durable cover making it robust for even the messiest and the brimmed to the top handbags.

My Verdict

This month’s Birchbox in collaboration with Habitat literally brings the beauty of spring straight to your door and embraces the season of renewal with a good balance of samples all contained within a cheerful, spring-inspired box. When it comes to spring cleaning, I really enjoy refreshing my beauty stash and replacing the old with the new and there’s definitely a few new discoveries which I will continue to use. There was also a little customisation available this month in form of pick your own sample which is always popular with subscribers.

I loved the unexpected collaboration with Habitat and the design of the box and whilst there was only few items that really stood out for me, all of the products are usable with the box showcasing a good mix of well-known and emerging brands. This month’s edition boasts seven items covering a good area of beauty and I’m looking forward to incorporating these new discoveries into my spring regime.

I’m super excited for April as next month there will be another “pick your own sample” from Laura Mercier and Birchbox will also be releasing a limited edition box in collaboration with Tatler and will be available as an one off purchase for £25.00 (worth £60.00) on the 2nd April 2015. You can register your interest here.

Thinking of Subscribing?

Join today and get your first Birchbox for only £7.95 by entering the promo code BBXHABITAT at checkout.

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

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Which Beauty Box UK March 4, 2015

The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit Review – March 2015

Price of the Box is £16.99 plus free shipping
No of Products in the Box – 9 items
Total Value of contents in the box – £99.00
http://www.latestinbeauty.com

With spring soon approaching, it’s nearly time to send winter packing and with this in mind Latest in Beauty have partnered with Glamour Magazine to bring us beauty addicts The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit, a spring-ready beauty box to refresh our make-up bags and beauty regimes to embrace the season of renewal and get us in the mood for spring. The box boasts 9 beauty must-haves making it the perfect debut as we slowly transition from winter to spring. I really love the line-up which fits in so well with the theme and includes a selection of beauty treats from skincare, make-up, a hair mask, nail products and a sample of a true springtime fragrance.

If that’s not enough the box is worth an incredible £99.00 and features eight full size products and only one sample, now that’s impressive. As well as the beauty line up there’s also a discount code for the Glamour magazine 12 month print subscription with a saving of 62% with free access to the iPad and iPhone editions.

1. MorrocanOil Intense Hydrating Mask – Full Size 75ml

I must admit I am the worst when it comes to looking after my hair. As much as I love having hair extensions it’s made me somewhat lazy in keeping my real hair in good condition so I was happy to see this hair mask from MoroccanOil which has a deep conditioning element to it.

The Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask is a rich, creamy treatment, designed to hydrate, repair damage and provide the hair with much needed moisture and protein whilst adding elasticity and shine.

The formula is quite rich and thick in consistency and smells amazing. I can’t wait to really pamper my hair with this mask and with my hair being so thick it’s definitely the kind of treatment I need at the moment.

2. Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beaute Mask – Full Size 50ml

The Nuxe Crème Fraiche de Beaute Mask injects the skin with a surge of moisture within 10 ten minutes and promises to provide 24 hour rehydration for thirsty skin. It’s suitable for sensitive and dehydrated skin types.

The mask hydrates, soothes the skin and instantly reduces discomfort or redness with its skin loving ingredients such as 8 plant milks, aloe vera sap, almond and orange white flowers, all of which are abundant within the lovely fragrance of this mask.

I’ve used this masque quite a few times this year and I really like the instant cooling and soothing sensation it provides as well as giving a radiant and brighter complexion.

Not only can this be used as a hydrating mask it’s also great for all year round especially for soothing skin that’s been over-exposed to the sun.

3. Elie Saab L’Eau Couture – Sample Vial Size 0.8ml

L’Eau Couture was developed by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, who created the original Elie Saab Le Parfum. The L’Eau Couture is a much lighter version and includes notes of bergamot, magnolia, orange blossom, green almond and vanilla and is a true springtime fragrance.

When I smelt this, it was truly captivating with a light and delicate burst of a refreshing floral scent with a sweet twist once settled. It’s an amazing mood-booster that brings to mind the memories of being somewhere nice, sunny, and warm. I love the rather simple selection of notes with each one retaining its own vibrant character. You need to like floral scents to really appreciate this but if you do, it will not disappoint.

4. Model Co Creme Rouge Cheek & Lips – Full Size 0.12oz

As well as a lipstick, this also doubles up as blush too and comes in a creamy matte peach/coral shade which might seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually a very wearable colour that comes in a handy sized case. It’s buildable formula means it can be applied sheer or you can go all out with a more bold and defined finish and If you’re not feeling the matte lip colour just add some gloss. Easy peasy! I love the colour and can see this suiting all skin tones.

5. Rimmel Oh My Gloss! Lip Gloss – Full Size 6.5ml

Within the box you can expect to see a new product launch from Rimmel who have partnered with Rita Ora to bring a collection of festival inspired lip gloss shades.I received the shade snog although you could receive a different variant from the collection.

I really like the texture which feels super- comfy on the lips without a trace of stickiness. The shade snog has a combination of pink and brown tones along with a great shine formula that simply adds a soft sheen of colour making it a great everyday gloss. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for other shades from this collection as this by far is the best formula I’ve come across in a long time.

6. Beauty UK High Brow Kit- Full Size

I must admit I’m picky when it comes to brow products mainly because I already have a few holygrail products and deep down I wasn’t expecting much from this brow kit. Well, it was very bad of me for judging a book by it’s cover, I was actually really wowed by it.

The palette is housed within a sturdy plastic case and inside there’s three different shades of powders, a clear wax, tweezers and a double-ended brow brush.

The darker shade matched my eyebrows perfectly and surprisingly the powder sticks to the brush like a magnet and doesn’t go everywhere unlike others I’ve tried. The brush has the ideal shape and flexibility giving a defined finish, and the most impressive factor was the longevity, the powder remained intact from 8am until 6pm without any fading or smudging.

I love this brow kit, it brings everything you need to achieve natural and defined looking brows. The RRP is complete steal at only £3.99 and whilst it’s budget friendly it really doesn’t compromise on quality.

7. Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow – Full Size

I’ve not tried anything from the brand KiKo so was happy to be introduced in the form of their Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick.

I received the 06 shade which is a deep metallic bronze with a hint of shimmer and you could possibly receive a different one as there’s three shade variants. The product itself is very creamy, super pigmented with a very smooth texture. It’s extremely easy to blend or smudge whether you’re using a brush or your fingers and once set it has serious staying power and looks very flattering. It’s buildable too and can transition you from a day to night look effortlessly. It works really well as a liner too. Really impressed with my first product from Kiko and will certainly be looking into more of their collection.

8. Revlon Colourstay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel and Diamond Top Coat – Full Size 10ml

I personally like to coordinate with the seasons and pastel and bright polishes are perfect for spring time. This however isn’t your average nail lacquer it’s a gel based formula and comes alongside a diamond top coat too. I’ve not tried any gel formula’s before so was happy to be finally introduced.

From Revlon’s innovation in their ColorStay collection this pioneering nail collection promises to provide brilliant colour, gel-shine and a long lasting wear in an easy at-home 2-step system.

From the six variants I received the shade 320 Full House which is a lovely light sky blue colour and shouts all things spring and sunny. I’m looking forward to trying these especially the top coat.

9. Glamour Magazine Discounted Subscription

As well as the beauty line up, I think it’s great and very generous of Glamour Magazine to include a code to get a free Glamour magazine 12 month print subscription which also gives you free access to the iPad and iPhone editions. It’s a great way to keep up with the latest beauty trends and gossip whilst you’re on the go.

My Verdict

Just when you think you’ve seen the best of the Latest in Beauty Glamour edits, they pull out another showstopping box, although I wouldn’t expect anything less from this partnership, it’s something which they get right each time. This box really gets you in the mood for spring and boasts a great selection of products all of which are contained within a vibrant spring- inspired box. What amazes me is that eight out of the nine items are full sized and showcases well-known brands making it exceptional value for money. I also like that it’s not dominated by skincare giving a much welcomed break, and plus you can never have enough make-up and nail varnish!

Overall I’ve really enjoyed discovering everything within this box and there’s nothing that I won’t continue to use. I particularly love the shades that have been selected for the spring edition and whilst dark lips and nails are beautiful, I’m so ready to stash these away and pull out the bright and pastel colours.

Individually, the products would cost a whopping £99.00, but you can get your hands on the whole lot for just £16.99 making it super-affordable and great value for money.The box also includes some discount codes to redeem against the brands showcased within the box, which is great if you fall in love with any of the products.

I’m a big fan of the Latest of Beauty who curate incredible beauty boxes and showcase worthy and well-known brands for a very affordable price with the Glamour editions being my favourite partnership when it comes to collaborations. As with all of the editions there’s always something that I manage to fall in love with and usually it’s not just the one product! I’ve gone on to purchase quite a few products that I’ve discovered via their boxes.

The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit is available now and you can use the code HELLO10 to get 10% off your first order.

www.latestinbeauty.com

Which Beauty Box UK March 3, 2015

The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit – March 2015

With spring soon approaching, it’s nearly time to send winter packing and with this in mind Latest in Beauty have partnered with Glamour Magazine to bring us beauty addicts The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit, a spring-ready beauty box to refresh our make-up bags and beauty regimes as we make the transition. The box boasts 9 beauty must-haves and is worth an incredible £99.00. It’s available now for £16.99 plus free shipping at www.latestinbeauty.com

Inside the Box:

Model Co Creme Rouge Cheek & Lips
Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beaute Mask
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
Beauty UK High Brow Kit
Rimmel Oh My Gloss! Lip Gloss
Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow
Elie Saab L’Eau Couture
Revlon Colourstay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel
Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat

Get 10% off your first order by using the promo code HELLO10
www.latestinbeauty.com

Which Beauty Box UK March 1, 2015

Birchbox Spoiler – March 2015

I think the majority of us can’t wait to see the back of winter and thankfully spring is slowly but surely approaching and with this in mind the March 2015 Birchbox sees a surprising but exciting collaboration with Homeware and Lifestyle experts Habitat to inspire us to embrace the new season, whether it be adding bursts of bright colours to your wardrobe, a make-up bag spring clean or freshening up your existing beauty regime. The “Do Try It at Home” edition features a spring-ready line-up and comes presented in a refreshing, vibrant designed box which I absolutely adore. If that’s not enough to entice you, this month sees the return of choose your own sample with Benefit, a brand we all know and love.

This month’s box has all areas covered and inside you will find a selection of worthy samples from Birchbox’s signature and discovery brands such as Benefit, Serenity, Tan Organic, Janjira, Catherine Malandrino and Philip Kingsley to name a few along with two lifestyle items too.

The March Birchbox is available now.

Join today and get your first Birchbox for only £7.95 by entering the promo code BBXHABITAT at checkout.

www.birchbox.co.uk

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Which Beauty Box UK March 1, 2015

Look Fantastic Beauty Box Review – March 2015

Price of the Box is £15.00 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6
Worth over £71.48
www.lookfantastic.com

I’ve kick started the month with the March Look Fantastic Beauty Box and as per every month it’s a box which I can’t wait to get my hands on and one which I have complete confidence in.There’s many reasons why this box stands out for me but the main reason being is that I know there will be something inside which I will simply fall in love with. Since launching only last September, this box has been a big hit with beauty lovers and addicts alike and this month’s box is definitely one of my favourite editions as it showcases a great variety of products from innovative skincare ,a couple of make up treats and a detangling brush too. There’s so many new wonderful discoveries and the sizes of the products are really generous too with three out of the six being full-size and not forgetting that this month’s box is worth an incredible £71.48, now that’s impressive!

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. It 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 skincare, haircare, cosmetic and body products, catering to every kind of beauty lover.

This month’s box is filled with an incredible 6 beauty treats which have been carefully selected and showcases well known and premium brands along with a few new discoveries too. The box features products from Bliss, Cowshed, Caudalie, Lord & Berry, NUDESTIX and Wet Brush.

1. Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Antiwrinkle Defense Serum – Sample Size 10ml worth £11.66. Full Size 30ml RRP £35.00

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Defense Serum is a concentrated antioxidant serum that promises to visibly reduce existing wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles from forming. This serum also defends against free radicals caused by UV rays and pollution, as well as hydrating and plumping the skin.

The serum comes packaged in a green, glass jar with a dropper dispenser and the formula is nearly opaque with a fairly light-weight consistency. This also comes fragranced in a very floral but pleasant scent, so if you’re sensitive to perfumed products, you may want to sit this one out. I’m not quite there with the anti-ageing regime but it was great to see the likes of Caudalie showcased within the box.

2. Bliss Fatgirlslim – Deluxe Size 2oz Worth £9.83. Full Size 6oz RRP £29.50

The Bliss Fat Girl Slim utilises a unique delivery system called QuSome, encapsulated caffeine molecules that target problem areas. The caffeine stimulates the skin surface and also claims to rejuvenate as well as firming to visibly reducing the dimpling effect. The company also makes it very clear that this is not a fat or weight loss product.

I’m all for innovative products but when it comes to body-shaping treatments in the form of lotions I’m as skeptical as it gets. I only believe in old-fashioned cures like: regular exercise, eating healthy, drinking a lot of water and cutting down on bad eating habits however I’ve read really good reviews on this firming cream and seen their result statistics and it has somewhat swayed my opinion. The sample also comes in a generous size enabling a good opportunity to really trial the formula.

3. Cowshed Lippy Cow Natural Lip Balm – Full Size 5ml. RRP £5.00

Cowshed is one of those brands which I think everyone has heard of due to their quirky product names and I’m always happy to receive something new from their collection to try out.

The Lippy Cow lip balm is full of natural ingredients including essential oils, rose geranium and ylang ylang promising to soften the lips leaving them supple. The balm is quite thick with a subtle citrus fragrance that soon disappears. The key ingredient’s not only revive dry lips but also help to calm and soothe, great for winter chapped lips. I really like the non-sticky formula and it’s not too heavy and simply just sinks into the skin whilst still retaining the moisture.

4. NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye Color – Full Size RRP £24.00

It was only recently that Look Fantastic added this fairly new brand to their portfolio and I think it was pretty nice of them to include something from the NUDESTIX collection to make the introduction to us too.

The NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye crayon highlights, colours, lines, primes and is also waterproof and crease proof making it great for all eyelids, even those that are oily.

I’m a big fan of shadow sticks, they’re time saving and only require a few swipes with some blending and you’re done. My only problem has been finding one that that has staying power and doesn’t crease.

I received the shade Gilt which is a warm golden beige shade and I can see this suiting all skin tones although there could be different shade variants this month. I adore the colour which has a subtle hint of shimmer with stunning depth. It’s a very natural shade making it perfect for both day and night wear. The creamy formula glides onto the lid without dragging the skin and it literally takes a little blending with your fingers to achieve the perfect finish. I left this on for only a couple of hours but in that time I was impressed that the shadow was still in tact.

5. Lord & Berry Line/Shade Eye Pencil and Liner – Travel Size. Full Size RRP £9.00

Being a self-confessed black eyeliner addict, I was happy to see an eye liner from Lord & Berry. I already own the smudgeproof liner and was hoping this one would deliver the same quality and results.

The Lord and Berry Line/Shade eye pencil is formulated from a special mix of kajal and kohl to give a rich and consistent colour that will make your eyes pop. The pencil claims to blendable, long-lasting, waterproof and comfortable making it suitable for even the most sensitive of eyes. This multi-purpose pencil can be used to create a sharp line or a smudged, smokey effect.

This liner is super creamy and resistant enough to not end up everywhere by the end of the evening if you’re using it as a liner! It has an intense black pigment and I love that it also has the option of being smudged out if you want to create a smokey eye look.

6. Wet Brush – Full Size RRP £7.99

It was nice to see a beauty tool addition within this month’s box and it’s the first that has been included since they launched last year so I was pretty delighted to see the appearance.

The innovative Wet Brush is a lightweight and easy to wield that separates all knots and tats without compromising precious strands. This is due to the revolutionary ‘Intelliflex’ technology; the thin, strong yet super flexible bristles. The ball-tip bristles can also be used for gently stimulating circulation near the scalp too! It’s suitable for all hair types, all ages and can be used on wet and dry hair.

For me personally this brush is definitely a showstopper within the box mainly because it works extremely well with my Cinderella hair extensions. Since I remember I’ve only used the tangle teezer mainly because it gently bypasses the bonds but the Wet Brush is a complete game changer for me. Not only does it detangle, the flexibility of the bristles lightly sweeps through the hair and the bonds without any pulling and actually feels like my hair has been brushed. I think it’s pretty clever that the brush is coated in rubber to prevent it from slipping out of your hand which is essential when using on wet hair especially the amount of times my brush has gone flying! I’ve not used this on wet hair as of yet but have high hopes that it will work just as well if not better.

My Verdict

Look Fantastic have showcased another great box and I think there’s a lot to love this month. Not only does it feature a mixture of well-known brands and new discoveries but it also covers a good area of beauty with very generous sized samples and full-sized products. The box includes six items this month and boasts an incredible value of £71.40 which is pretty amazing. I like that the box wasn’t overly dominated by skincare, it has the perfect balance and is something which Look Fantastic always get right each month. I’m thrilled with the make-up bits they’ve been including recently too, after all you can never have enough! It was also great to receive the Wet Brush this month and would love to see the inclusion of more beauty tools in future boxes.

This box never fails to impress me and it certainly gives you an opportunity to try more upmarket beauty brands without the hefty price tag. In my opinion the quality, the presentation and the product selection throughout their boxes remains to be consistently great and focuses mainly on medium and high end brands. The samples sizes are very good sized too and are ideal to accompany you on short breaks and weekends away.

It’s certainly a nice monthly treat to receive through your letter box and Look Fantastic certainly know the concept of a beauty box and are a company who get it right each month.

For only £15.00 it’s a great way to trial beauty products from brands we love and know along with some new discoveries too.

The March box is available now and as a special treat, Look Fantastic have added the ‘ghd Gold Series Styler’, worth £125.00, to 30 random boxes. Will you be one of the lucky ones?

For more information please visit:
http://www.lookfantastic.com

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