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Which Beauty Box UK March 19, 2015

GlossyBox Review – March 2015

Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.25 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6 items
Total value of contents in the box is £35.00
www.glossybox.co.uk

The March 2015 Glossy Box has arrived with a spring in it’s step and I think you’ll agree that Glossy Box have been a great contender in delivering a much improved beauty line-up within their boxes not to mention the brands they’ve been partnering with recently. Whilst this month’s box didn’t immediately capture me at first, I was pleasantly surprised when I put some of the products to the test and with Spring in mind there’s a good selection of rejuvenating skin and hair care products alongside some make up treats which always goes down well with subscribers. This month’s box features a great variety and includes four full sized products and two generous sized samples from well-known brands alongside some budget-friendly beauty brands too, with a value of £35.00.

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

1. NAOBAY Moisturising Peeling – Full Size 100ml RRP £13.71

I’ve heard of Naobay but never tried anything from their collection before so was looking forward to trying out my first ever product and it’s full sized too, worth more than the actual price of the box!

The NAOBAY Moisturising Peeling contains natural peeling particles from the Acai palm tree and claims to gently exfoliate the skin, remove surface cells and impurities, whilst also helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

This Moisturising Peel smells amazing with a refreshing citrus scent and comes in light weight milky formula with teeny exfoliating particles which don’t feel abrasive, providing you don’t work the formula too hard. I’m really fussy about what I put on my face due to my troublesome oily skin but this felt really soothing and didn’t irritate my skin at all which could be due to the mixture of both natural and organic ingredients. My skin felt soft, nourished and super-clean. I’m quite impressed with my first introduction to Naobay and my skin absolutely loves the goodness within this formula.

2. Essence Lash Princess Volume Mascara – Full Size 12ml RRP £3.30

This was the first item which caught my eye within this month’s box, mainly due to the pretty princess-y design and Essence is one of those brands that I’ve read lots about but never tried anything from their collection until now. This mascara has a specially shaped cobra brush and promises to cover each individual lash for breathtaking volume with a great curl.

Firstly I loved that the lid featured a raised rubber design, which additionally gives a nice extra grip to the wand, perfect for when you’re trying to get the lashes in the inner corners. The wand is quite unique and not one I’ve come across before but it works very well with the formula and is great for building and picking up the lashes without any clumping. The formula is a bit wet for my liking but the pigment is very black and really gives a noticeable finish and in terms of volume it does make the lashes look naturally fuller and thicker.

This definitely performs as promised and being under £4 I’m really impressed, it’s even better than some of the more expensive volume mascara’s I’ve tried and this one won’t break the bank either!

3. Dove Youthful Vitality Shampoo & Conditioner Duo – Travel Size 50ml x 2

This appears to be a new range from Dove and mainly concentrates on ageing hair to give it the boost it needs with a unique formula infused with Cysteine rich-Protein and Elasto-Lipids, bringing a deep replenishment with double fullness to create youthful and thicker looking hair. One of my pet peeves is receiving a shampoo without the conditioner or vice versa so it was good to see a duo within this month’s box to really get a feel of Dove’s Youthful Vitality range.

I received this same duo in another beauty box this month and unfortunately it’s not for me which is a shame but I’m sure a family member will happily take these off my hands. Both of the samples come in 50ml which is great for weekends away or short breaks.

4. ncLA Nail Lacquer – Full Size 15ml RRP £13.00

I’m a self-confessed obsessive when it comes to nail varnish and was delighted to see one from a he cruelty-free brand ncLA in the shade “I only fly private”.

The ncLA are “5 Free” luxury nail lacquers, meaning they are 100% free of DBP, toulene, and formaldehyde, but also of camphor and animal testing

I wasn’t too drawn to the colour initially as I normally steer away from orange and yellow shades, but this is more of a muted orange and looks much softer, it’s the perfect spring/summer shade. You may receive a different shade to mine but the others I’ve seen so far are beautiful too.

5. Sleek MakeUP Pout Paint – Full Size 8ml RRP £4.99

This little tube in the shade Port is literally filled with an intense pigmented lip formula and is very true to the colour in the tube being a lovely pink colour. It has a soft, creamy and moisturising texture which adds a vibrant pop of colour effortlessly with a semi-matte finish and feels just like a lipstick texture when applied. With these kinds of products I usually expect a little stickiness but surprisingly it wasn’t at all making it really comfortable to wear over a long period of time without drying out my lips. I especially like the small nozzle too as it perfect for getting just the right amount of product.I’m really smitten with this lip paint from Sleek and I actually can’t believe how affordable it is especially with it being so pigmented, I will definitely be looking into some of their other shades.

My Verdict

Whilst I wasn’t visually drawn to some of the products featured inside this month’s box, I was pleasantly surprised when I delved in further. There’s some great highlights within this edition which also covers a good area of beauty and not forgetting the four full sized products which totals up to £35.00 in value. Apart from the hair products I will certainly continue to use the remainder and can’t wait to pick up some more Sleek Pout Paints. I’m sure you will agree that Glossybox have really upped their game recently and I can’t wait to receive the April box as it’s another collector’s edition which taps into a golden era.

Glossybox always include a generous amount of full sized products and the total value always beats the actual monthly subscription cost so it’s a great affordable way to discover products from well known and new brands. It also comes beautifully wrapped and feels very much like receiving a gift each month.

April Spoiler Alert – All subscribers will receive a full sized Lord & Berry Crayon Lipstick.

Fancy Subscribing to Glossybox?

Click here to sign up

www.glossybox.co.uk

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Which Beauty Box UK March 18, 2015

My Little Box Review – March 2015

My Little Super Box – March 2015
Price of the Box – from £13.95 a month
No of Products – 5 items
Value – £58.79
www.mylittlebox.co.uk

The March My Little Box has landed and this month see’s a fun and very comic inspired edition than the usual chic and relaxed versions we’re use to. Whilst there isn’t a magical cape, stretchy pants or any super powers within this month’s box (not that us women need these!) it certainly has the wow and pow factor shouting all things girl power. I love the super-hero theme and it was nice to see something a little different this month without compromising on any of those intricate details or the quality inside. Just when you think you’ve seen the best of My Little Box they go and surprise us with another showstopping edition and I’m sure you will agree there’s a lot to love about this month’s box which debuts the first ever clothing item.

I know I say this every month but this box never fails to impress me with this months edition being no exception. From it’s chic presentation to the stylish and luxe contents within, it beautifully captures this month’s theme.

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. Every month the box truly captures me and the contents and loveliness inside is even more pleasing, it’s something which My Little Box do extremely well.

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.

The February edition features five items with an incredible value of £58.79 and includes a mixture of skin and hair care products contained within a charming drawstring bag alongside two lifestyle items. Enclosed is the My Little World Magazine which is always a good read with interview features, useful beauty tips to mouth watering recipes.

1. Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream – Full-Size 50ml RRP £12.99

I don’t know what it is but recently I’ve acquired quite a few anti-ageing products and can’t help but think someones trying to subtly tell me something! This innovative, self-smoothing texture cream by Garnier envelops the skin and visibly helps reduce the appearance of signs of fatigue during the night, promising visible results from the 1st morning. Whilst this is branded as an anti-ageing product it also focuses on tired skin and claims to leave the skin looking fresh and radiant while helping to regenerate the skin too.

I’m not quite there yet with the anti-ageing products but I’m definitely willing to give this a try to see if it does transform my skin overnight.

2. Keratase Lait Crystal Conditioner – Travel Size 75ml Worth £7.50

I’ve tried this range from Keratase last year and absolutely adored what it did for my problematic, frizz-prone hair.

If you have dry hair like mine, this unique conditioner will give you tremendous softness and volume and the secret lies within the triple-threat formula. Liquid light reflectors deliver mega-watt shine, while eco-friendly polymers restore brittle, uneven follicles on a microscopic level and the Vitamin-rich aloe vera hydrates the hair without weighing it down, giving a silky texture which we all crave.

The conditioner texture is really light weight and works great as a daily conditioner for my long, thick hair as it doesn’t weigh it down and leaves my hair feeling soft, free flowing and bouncy ( just like the hair adverts!) and not forgetting how divine it leaves my hair smelling afterwards. It’s definitely my little hero this month and happy to reacquainted again.

3. My Little Beauty Lip Nourishing Stick – Full Size RRP £5.30

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

This month see’s a full sized Lip Nourishing Stick, made with sweet almond oil and shea butter to hydrate and nourish the lips. Unfortunately I have a severe nut allergy so wasn’t able to try this which is a shame as I love lip balms.

4. Lifestyle Items

This month’s box included two lifestyle items which really complemented the theme and excitedly contained the first ever clothing item for subscribers in the UK.

First up is a T’shirt designed by Gat Rimon and My Little Box (RRP £29) and there’s a few different one’s I’ve seen in terms of the statement on the front but they are all grey in colour with black writing. The quality is quite impressive and doesn’t look cheap or tacky. In fact it looks really stylish with it’s rolled-up sleeves. For me this is definitely the showstopper within the box and I absolutely love mine but there’s a little bit of a down side – that damn song keeps springing to mind every time!

Up next is a sheet of Super Stickers (RRP £4.00) which contains a variety of super-hero inspired stickers from outfits to empowering quotes. I’m not really too wowed by these but I’m sure I’ve got a boring notebook at work which could do with a little sprucing up!

My Verdict

I loved this month’s edition and it was quite refreshing to see something a little more fun and different compared to previous editions and as per every month the attention to detail, intricate design and content is impressive which is something this box never fails on. In terms of the beauty line up, it wasn’t what I was hoping for in comparison to what others received such as a Caudalie hand cream and a lip and cheek crayon, but nevertheless the t’shirt made up for this and I think it’s definitely the highlight within the box and I can see this being quite popular amongst subscribers. This month’s box has an amazing value of around £58.79 beating the price of the box and there was also a few discount codes included to redeem against some of the brands showcased.

One of the aspects I really like about the My Little Box is that they include a great handbag sized magazine which includes interview features, beauty tips along with recipes too. As well as all of the pretty photo’s it’s a great read too.

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

If you like chic and adorable lifestyle items along with good beauty brands, you will simply fall in love with this box and I can’t recommend it enough!

My Little Box Offer

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

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

http://www.mylittlebox.co.uk

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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 2, 2015

Beauty Pick of the Month – February 2015

Is it me or has February just flown by! It’s that time of the month again when I pick my favourite product which I received in one of my many beauty boxes. February’s showstopper was the super-impressive Cynthia Rowley Eyeliner Pencil which I received in my Birchbox and being a self-confessed eyeliner obsessive, this pencil is a game-changer for me.

I don’t know what it is, but as soon as a new eyeliner lands on my doorstop I am immediately drawn to it mainly because I’m always looking for the ultimate eye popping liner which comes with all of the benefits too such as depth, longevity and a super-creamy texture. Initially I thought I was asking for too much but along came the Cynthia Rowley Eyeliner which changed everything and blew all of my other liners out of the water and yes it really is that impressive!

Cynthia Rowley is more commonly known as a New York Fashion Designer and it was only via Birchbox that I discovered she also had a beauty range.

As well as the pretty polka dot design and the dashing gold and black colour combination, the pencil is smooth, dark and long wearing. It’s true black shade creates striking bold lines and gives big immediate drama thanks to it’s true black pigment.

I’ve really fallen head over heels with this eyeliner and my only sadness is that Birchbox won’t be stocking the black shade but they do have various other colours that are available via the Birchbox Shop for £11.00.

Have you tried the Cynthia Rowley Eyeliner?

www.birchbox.co.uk

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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Which Beauty Box UK February 27, 2015

You Beauty Discovery Box Shortlist – March 2015

Here’s a sneak peek at the March You Beauty Discovery shortlist menu which will be available on the 1st March at 7am. This month’s shortlist theme is Best of British and has all areas covered. I’m definitely lusting after that Illamasqua Lipstick!

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

Items in the shortlist menu include:

• Illamasqua – Lipstick in Sangers – Matt finish, Blood Red (4g)
• The Vintage Cosmetic Company – Eyelash Curlers*
• STYLondon – Instant Gel Nail Wraps, Two Phased Red
• Percy & Reed – Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Hair Mousse (50ml)
• Astral – Astral Original Moisturiser (50ml)
• Good Things – Manuka Honey Radiance Face Mask (15ml)
• LipGlam – 100% Natural Lanolin Lip Balm (12ml)
• Yardley London – Contemporary Classics The Floral Fragrance Collection (4 x 1.5ml)

Plus, each box will include Dove Hair – Youthful Vitality Shampoo & Conditioner (50ml each) and a nâkd – Berry Delight Bar or Cocoa Orange Bar (35g)*.

Contents may vary, subject to availability while stocks last. *Type or flavour may vary.

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

Which Beauty Box UK February 23, 2015

Period Box Review – February 2015

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Period Box – February 2015
Price ranges from £15.95 to £18.95
No. of Products in the Box – 6 items
www.periodbox.co.uk

It’s that time of the month again and not to mention that all important delivery which brings everything you could possibly need and more for a much happier period. The February 2015 Period Box arrives on time as promised to get me through the next few days in the nicest possible way. This month’s box not only contains my chosen monthly sanitary items but also includes chic and premium treats to make that time of the month an escape from reality to something much more pleasant and luxurious. It also takes the chore out of buying your monthly pads or tampons, and if you’re anything like me it usually tends to get forgotten about until last minute! Let’s face it us women aren’t the happiest creatures during this time but this box certainly puts a smile on my face. I was pretty impressed with the January box but this month’s edit is truly my favourite and I wouldn’t expect any less from the ladies at Period Box who curate their boxes with so much love and care.

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

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

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

1. Period Essentials (2-3 days cycle)

I opted for the short flow customised package which is for a 2-3 days cycle. I chose a mixture of pads suitable for both day and night. Inside the box was 10 pads (mixture of day and night pads) with four liners too.

Dependent on flows, I personally think the box included the perfect amount, some of which could certainly be carried over for the following month. I was particularly happy to see Always, a brand which I trust and turn to and find them super comfortable, reliable and discreet.

2. Life NK Bath and Shower Gels – Travel Size 100ml x2

There’s nothing more dreamy than slathering yourself with an indulgent body wash especially in the evenings to simply relax and unwind. Within this month’s box is two very generous sized shower gels from Space NK’s own beauty collection. Both of the gels have a gentle formula and are paraben-free and sulphate-free meaning it’s much kinder to the skin.

The Drift Away Bath & Shower Gel contains an infusion of patchouli, vanilla, musk and white neroli flowers with hints of jasmine and rose whilst the Ultimate Unwind Bath & Shower Gel is fragranced with lime and green tea spiced with hints of cardamon and ginger.

These shower gels are great for using in the evenings due to their aromatic blend of soothing and calming notes, and not only do they smell utterly divine they really help to relax the body and mind to a point where I didn’t want to leave the shower. The shower gels lather up wonderfully, so you only need a little bit to escape into a truly relaxing bathing experience.

3. English Tea Shop, Sensual Me – 4 Tea Bag sachets

Whatever your cup of tea, I love that Period Box include a variety of unique tea’s from different companies, mainly sourced from brands I’ve not heard of before. This month’s box features four Sensual Me tea bags from The English Tea Shop who have a delicious range of handpicked teas for novices and tea connoisseurs a like.

The Sensual Me tea has a wonderful union of organic Lemongrass, Hibiscus, Rooibos and Blackberry leaves that dance with organic Lavender, Liquorice and Cinnamon, to awaken your sensuality.

4. Madecasse Dark Salted Almond Bar – Full Size 100g

Period Box really know how to spoil a girl and all subscribers can expect to see a full sized bar of chocolate inside their box each month!

This month showcases Madecasse who source their pure cocoa ethically in line with Fairtrade standards from 200 miles off the coast of Africa, on the island of Madagascar.The savory-sweet classic Dark Salted Almond bar has a time-tested combination of chocolate and salted almonds and is made with 63% pure Madagascar cocoa.

The bar has a paper wrapping with a rustic look and feel and is tied with a piece of straw-like material with detailed information about the company and the rare cocoa they use to produce the quality flavours present in their chocolate. Whilst this alone left my mouth watering, unfortunately I’m allergic to nuts and therefore was unable to try it but my mum was at the ready. My mum isn’t a fan of dark chocolate but loved that it didn’t have a bitter taste and the salt and the sweetness had just the right balance along with the the crunch of the almonds which made it taste even more delicious! For someone who usually dislikes dark chocolate has managed to not even leave a crumb!

4. Heathcote and Ivory Wild Daisy and Elderflower Fragranced Sachet – Full Size

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

This month I received a beautiful designed fragrance sachet from Heathcote and Ivory. The sachet harnesses the benefits of plant extracts and is enriched with vitamins and essential oils of black pepper, cedar wood and cyprus oil to enhance the mood. The fragrance has a very calming scent with really delicate notes creating a lovely relaxing scent.

I find these types of sachets very useful and they can bring new life to almost anything! They’re great in small spaces such as wardrobes, drawers, bathrooms and even the car.

5. Cura-Heat Period Pain Patch – Full Size

As well as all of the delights above, Period Box also include a non-medicinal pain patch to help relieve cramps and abdominal pain which is very common during the time of the month. I certainly welcome this patch with open arms.

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

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

My Verdict

I adore this month’s box, it’s definitely my favourite edition which includes a unique and chic line up of treats to make that dreaded time of the month a much happier one. We all look for comforts and indulgence in the form of food and pampering treats to get us through the cycle and this box really has it all covered from soothing bath treats, indulgent chocolate, reviving tea, a fragranced sachet which I absolutely adore and a little warming relief patch to make it that much more bearable. Period Box have really got this concept spot-on and it impresses me how they cover every aspect within the box each month. It’s a great little survival kit which has something for the first day to even the last day of your period whilst accommodating for all of the uncanny stuff that happens in between!

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

The main aspect which is certainly apparent is that the founders are very passionate about the subject and impressively nothing has been overlooked when putting this box together and I wouldn’t expect any less from the ladies at Period Box who curate their boxes with so much love and care.

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

Offer for my readers:

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

www.periodbox.co.uk

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