Birchbox Review – September 2014

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Monthly subscription is £10.00 Plus £2.95 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 7 items
www.birchbox.co.uk

The September 2014 Birchbox has arrived and this month’s theme is Happy Days celebrating and capturing your happiest memories and making new ones and gently reminding you to embrace the new school year with the attitude that you’re never to old to learn. Whether it be childhood or adulthood memories, past or present this month’s Birchbox has certainly got it covered  and it’s definitely made me reminisce about my most happiest times. On the subject of happy times the Beauty Blender is also making an reappearance this month and if you’re lucky you could see this inside your box.

The specially designed fun and cute Birchbox this month is ready to be used as frame and includes a Happy Days photo clip where you can keep your happiest memories close.

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

This month’s box features a great line up and includes of selection of skincare, make up, hair oil and a lifestyle extra this month in the form a fruit snack. A good variety this month with the inclusion of an photo clip by Photobox.

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

I have an exclusive promo code for all my readers where you can get your first Birchbox for only £7.95 including P&P. All new subscribers will receive the Beauty Blender this month! Please see the end of my post for more details.

 1. Agave Healing Oil Treatment – Sample Vial 4ml. Full Size 60ml RRP £16.00

Agave Healing Oil is nature’s miracle healing answer for all hair types. It smooths frizz, tames volume, controls curls, and polishes dry, dull-looking hair.

Derived from Mexico’s “Blue Webber” agave plant, Agave’s amino sugars lock moisture inside the hair, building strength, resiliency, and elasticity. These plant sugars also help improve manageability while helping retain vibrancy and lengthening color life.

This oil is infused with natural botanicals such as coconut, vanilla, sunflower, and safflower and smells absolutely divine, you can really pick up the dominating sweet notes of the coconut and vanilla.

I currently have extensions in however these also need some TLC too from the constant heat styling. My hair is naturally frizzy and finding products which work to tame my hair is difficult. This oil transformed my hair and left me with silky smooth locks with a visible healthy shine . Unlike other oils I have tried, this is really light weight and didn’t make my hair look or feel greasy. This amazing oil made my unruly hair behave and in my opinion is a significant breakthrough. I will definitely be purchasing the full size.

2. Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream – Sample Size 30g. Full Size RRP £25.50

Sometimes I think Birchbox can read my mind as I’ve been wanting to try this Eye Cream and here it is for me to finally give it a go without buying the full sized.

The Benefit it’s Potent! Eye cream banishes dark circles, smooths fine lines and protects against free radicals and brightens the eye area in one step with it’s light peptide-packed formula.

This is really light weight and when applied feels refreshing on the skin. Whilst the area did look brighter on the first application continual use will definitely give me an indicator whether this works for me or not.

3. Premae Mild Dermabrasion Face and Body Scrub – Sample Size 20ml. Full Size RRP £25.00

Premae is the Worlds 1st Multi-Award winning Allergy UK tested Vegan Natural beauty brand. They make luxury products for women, to reverse: Adult Acne, Dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis and signs of Ageing.

This face and body scrub contains Italian olive granules to offer a gentle yet powerful skin polish, removing dead skin cells, black heads, blemishes and trapped dirt. The gentle formula is also suitable for the face too for reducing bacteria build up and eliminating acne and blemishes.

This appears to be perfect for my skin type and as it’s more of an intensive scrub you are advised to only use this 1-2 times a weeks. I can’t wait to try this later on in the week.

4. ModelCo Power Lash Mascara – Sample size 5g. Full Size RRP £24.00

Being a fan of all things lashes I was pleased to see this ModelCo Mascara. Birchbox kindly let their subscribers choose the ModelCo make up items they wanted in their box from a selection of either a choice of two lip products or a mascara.

The Power Lash Mascara is an intensely black, lengthening mascara which is created with a unique formula that gives you the look of gorgeous, full, luxurious lashes with staying power. It claims to give your lashes a little more oomph and a lot more drama.

The applicator brush is the ideal size and fully coated my lashes perfectly without any clumping. This lengthened my lashes  with noticeable results. I’m really impressed with the formula and it certainly delivers on it’s claims.

5. Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper  – Sample Size. Full Size RRP £22.00

I was introduced to a Jane Iredale lip product a few months ago and wasn’t overly impressed however was willing to give it another go.

This sample sized lip plumper is extremely cute and came in the shade RiO which is an orange/brown colour an perfect for Autumn/Winter. The Kissable You range delivers a blast of moisture along with some plumping action.

The lip product contains cool mint, ginger and special peptides for visible plumping which lasts.

I swept this on my lips and it’s a lovely sheer colour which is very wearable. Within seconds I could feel the tingling sensation and 30 minutes later I could still feel this working. My lips certainly felt fuller and moisturised.

I’m so happy to have been given another chance to try this brand and will certainly be thinking about purchasing a full sized one.

6. Birchbox Happy Days Photo Clip

There’s a great addition to this month’s box  – an exclusively designed Birchbox  photo clip by Photobox which is available in 5 different colours.

I had lot’s of fun rummaging through old photo albums this weekend to pick my happy memory and the one which stood out for me was my trip to Disney World with my mum when I was around 8 years old. It was truly a magical experience and up until this day I remember it very well. Love the striped trousers Mum, Thanks!

7. Lifestyle Extra – Urban Fruit Smashing Strawberry Snack Packet – 6 packs for £13.20

These are a 100%  fruit snack which are baked and also come in perfect pineapple and magnificent mango.

I received Smashing Strawberry which is my favourite of fruits. I’m looking forward to eating these at my desk tomorrow. A much healthier alternative to chocolate!

My Verdict

I am totally smitten with this month’s Happy Days Birchbox. Whether it be childhood or adulthood memories, past or present this month’s Birchbox has certainly got it covered  and it’s definitely made me reminisce about my most happiest times.

This month’s fun packed box features well known brands and some great new discoveries. I’ve also been introduced to the Agave Healing Oil Treatment which has become my hair’s new best friend and my saviour. Happy hair in my books equals Happy Days thanks to Birchbox

I love everything inside this month’s box it’s perfect in every form and the theme has been delivered incredibly well from the packaging to the contents within.

Thinking of subscribing?

Join today and get your first Birchbox for only £7.95 by entering my promo code BBX5WHICHBOX at checkout (Offer ends at midnight on the 30th September 2014).  Alternatively you can use the codes below to receive either of the The Balm palettes which are worth £26 (Offer ends at midnight on the 27th September)

Also all new subscribers will receive the Beauty Blender this month.

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

BBOffer

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

Birchbox Spoiler – September 2014

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The September 2014 Birchbox theme is ‘Happy Days’ and the box is specially designed and ready to be used as a frame and includes a cute Happy Days photo clip in your box (it comes in 5 colours!) you can keep your happiest memories close by.

 This month’s specially designed Birchbox celebrates capturing your happiest memories and making new ones, gently reminding you to embrace the new school year with the attitude that you’re never to old to learn. For those of you who missed out on the Beauty Blender it’s making another appearance this month and if you’re lucky could see this inside your box.

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Thinking of subscribing?

Join today and get your first Birchbox for only £7.95 by entering my promo code BBX5WHICHBOX at checkout (Offer ends at midnight on the 30th September 2014). Alternatively you can use the codes below to receive either of the The Balm palettes which are worth £26 (Offer ends at midnight on the 27th September)

Also all new subscribers will receive the Beauty Blender this month.

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

BBOffer

 

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Lip Factory Box Review – August 2014

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Price of the Box is $32.00 approx £19.00 including shipping
No of Products in the Box – 6 items
Total value of contents in the box – £34.45
www.lipfactoryinc.com

The August Lip Factory Inc Box has finally made it all the way from the USA and was definitely worth the wait. I wasn’t too impressed with my box last month mainly because of the shades I had received however the August box is probably the best I have received from Lip Factory since signing up and has made up for the disappointment!

 The Lip Factory Inc Box is an American subscription beauty box which is all things make-up. Each month their box contains 5 to 7 of your favorite makeup brands. Although the kit may include a full face of makeup products, their focus is on the lips!  Their products are chosen each month by their expert team of beauty specialists and makeup artists. You are required to complete a beauty profile to ensure you receive products in accordance with your preferences making it more of a personalised box.

My box included 6 full sized products and features a good mix of products.

1.    LASplash Mineral Blush – Full Size RRP £9.14

This is my first introduction to the brand to LASplash.

LASplash Cosmetics, a division of Jon Davler, Incorporated, was founded February 2001 in Los Angeles, California. Their primary goal is to create high quality, colorful cosmetics for trendy, hip, modern and fashion-forward consumers. They FDA approved raw materials in their formulations which are purchased only in the United States, thus maintaining strict quality standards.

This long wearing mineral blusher which comes in a loose powder form creates a soft radiant glow and is ideal for all skin types including problematic and sensitive skin.

I received the shade Beach Party which is a pretty baby pink colour. The blush itself has a shimmer finish and when applied illuminates the cheeks giving a very natural pop of colour.

I’ve never used or been inclined to move towards loose powder blushes mainly because of the mess they can make however I love this mineral blush which is very wearable and a little sweep on the brush is all you need.

2.   LASplash Lip Lacquer – Full Size RRP £5.48

The LASplash Lip Lacquer is a high shine gloss giving a sheer coverage and promises to hydrate your lips without any stickiness. It contains shea butter, Vitamin E and is infused with Vanilla Mint.

I received the shade Tantalizing which is a fushia like colour and contains tiny specks of light-reflecting glitters making it quite sparkly when applied.

The formula is quite creamy and wasn’t sticky at all. Whilst I like the properties of this gloss the colour is way too vibrant for me and I would of preferred a more classic colour.

3.     Medusa’s Makeup Stick it Eye Primer – Full Size RRP £4.87

Another new brand and comes in the form of a eye primer and it’s name comes from the famous Greek Mythology.

The primer trains the eyeshadow or pigment to stay all day and night. It contains a natural wax base and is suitable for vegans.

The formula is really light and glides on the eyelid smoothly. It’s also colourless and therefore is suitable for all skin tones.

Whilst I’m not a regular wearer of eye shadows I usually use a primer before I apply my  liner on my top lid. This worked exceptionally well and created the ideal base enabling the liner to glide smoothly on without tugging the skin.

4.   Cult Nails Lacquer  – Full Size 15ml RRP £7.31

My eyes simply lit up when I saw this amazing glitter nail varnish it’s so sparkly and contains the most beautiful explosion of colours.

Nail Cult is a niche brand which focuses on all things nails from nail lacquers to nail treatments.

I received the shade Dance all Night which is a gorgeous mixture of green and turquoise glitter with duochrome  yellow-orange micro-glitter suspended in a clear base and it’s a definite stand out in this month’s box. The size of the varnish is very good sized too at 15ml.

5. Pink Powder Parlor Lipstick – Full Size RRP £6.00

Firstly this lipstick had no branding on it and was simply just a plain packaged lipstick which is quite unusual for any product. Only by looking at the information card the brand is called Pink Powder Parlor.

Pink Powder Parlor is a young, fun, and exciting new cosmetic brand that is taking the color pink to new levels and as you’ve probably guessed their colour collection is just pinks!

Having researched further it appears that unlike the shades on their website, all of the lipsticks which were in the Lip Factory box had numbers rather than names on the bottom of the tubes. From what I understand, this is because the shades are brand new and not even available on their website yet! Now, that’s impressive!

I received the shade 702 which is a light but bold pink colour when applied. This has a chalk like colour which I’m not a fan of and didn’t suit me at all. I love pink but I certainly can’t pull this colour off!

6. Red Cherry False Lashes – Full Size RRP £1.52

It’s been quite a while since I’ve received a set of lashes in any of my boxes so welcomed these.

Red Cherry lashes are designed to create various effects and to naturally accentuate different eye shapes. These 100% human hair lashes come in various natural and glam styles. The likes of Kim Kardashian has also be known to wear lashes from this brand too.

I received #110 which is a striking set. These lashes have a lot of hand-tied strands giving both length and volume.

Being a fan of false eyelashes, these lashes are are really good quality and the price is so affordable. They have around 20 different types of lashes in their collection which is pretty impressive.

These are also available in the UK via some online retailers.

My Verdict

I’m quite content with the August box and it’s my favorite edition so far. This box covered a good range of make up and included all new brands which I haven’t discovered before.

Apart from the lip products the remainder of the products are all wearable and will be put to use.

The contents within this box is worth £34.45 beating the cost of the box which is around £19.00.   Not a huge value this month but I loved all the brands which were featured and I’ve discovered a new found love in the form of the Red Cherry Eyelashes and the Cult Nail varnish.

If you’re a make-up lover and want to discover American brands this box is a great start.

For more information please visit www.lipfactoryinc.com

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My Little Box has Launched – September 2014

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Originally born in France, the Parisian My Little Box is now available in the UK and 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.

The Little Box definitely offers something different and for me it’s way too cute and chic to turn a blind eye!

Their monthly subscription package starts from £13.95 a month and includes shipping.

For more information and to see their previous boxes please visit www.mylittlebox.co.uk

You Beauty Discovery Selection Menu – September 2014

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Here’s a sneak peek at September’s You Beauty Discovery selection menu which will be available on the 1st September at www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

As August draws to a close, You Beauty Discovery celebrate their 1st Birthday and have put together this amazing menu.

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

Items in the selection menu include:

ARK Age Aware Skincare – Body Butter & Shower Gel Duo** (30ml each)

Eyeko – 2 Hydrogel Eye Patch Sachets

Germaine de Capuccini – Excel Therapy 02 Continuous Defence Cream & Multi   Regenerating Rose Hip Oil Duo (5ml & 3ml)

John Frieda – Brilliant Brunette Colour Protecting Moisturising Shampoo & Conditioner Duo (50ml each)

Mavala – Mavadry Manicure Time-Save Fast Drying Nail Polish Finish (5ml)

Perricone MD – No Foundation Foundation (7.5ml)

Pixi – Endless Silky Eye Pen** (0.8g)

Pixi – Tinted Brilliance Balm** (1.8g)

Sanctuary Spa – White Lily & Damask Rose Body Lotion (75ml)

Wild About Beauty – Nutrilips Colour Lipstick SPF15** (Full size)

Plus each box will contain two teabags from Crabtree & Evelyn – one Afternoon Tea & one NEW Green Tea with Blackberry (2g each), one £25 OFF voucher from Hello Fresh and a YOU Beauty Discovery Face Sponge. As a special 1st Birthday Anniversary treat all YBD members will also receive a free TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe Glamour Volume Plumping Whip (90ml).

*Contents may vary, subject to availability while stocks last. ** Shade and fragrance may vary.

Beauty Pick of the Month – August 2014

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Every month I pick my favourite product which I received in one of my Beauty Subscription boxes. This month my beauty hero is the Supergoop CC Cream sample which I received in my August Birchbox. It’s literally been my saviour this month and has simplified my make up routine with it’s multitasking properties.

A CC cream for me plays such an important factor in my everyday make-up regime whether it’s to cover imperfections or to simply achieve a flawless look. This CC cream gives you the best of both worlds without being heavy or giving you the dreaded cakey look and at the same time gives you the perfect base for setting the remainder of your make-up.

Supergoop, which is an American brand is a silky, all-in-one sun defense formula which covers imperfections and corrects uneven skin while targeting the signs of aging. Potent antioxidants and triple protection from UVA, UVB and IRA rays minimize the signs of photoaging and inflammation. This velvety cream comes in three self-adjusting shades to suit a variety of skin tones and is suitable for sensitive skin types. Usually products containing SPF doesn’t agree with my skin however this formula did not irritate my skin at all it was very friendly to my skin.

Supergoop strive to formulate products that you and your family actually want to put on: they are lightweight, never greasy or sticky and easily absorb into skin. Supergoop is the first and only prestige skincare brand completely dedicated to sun protection and is endorsed by Maria Sharapova as co-owner and ambassador for suncare as skincare.

I received the shade light to medium which was perfect for my skin tone and magically this CC cream adjusts to match your skin. This blended in very well and covered my imperfections thoroughly. I was pleasantly surprised how light weight this formula felt on my skin. It’s the ideal consistency for the warmer weather and a great alternative to using a full on foundation.

A big thank you to Birchbox this month – I’ve found my CC holy grail in the comfort of my own home and I didn’t even have to leave the house! Having always used a traditional foundation along with the aid of primers and setting sprays/powders, I now have more simplified routine which is effective and definitely saves me time in the morning.

The Supergoop range is available via the Birchbox shop here

Glossybox Review – August 2014

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Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.25 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6 items
Total value of contents in the box is £36.10
www.glossybox.co.uk

The perfectly wrapped August 2014 Glossybox has arrived and this month they celebrate their 3rd anniversary in style including a subtle make over of their iconic pink box. I was particularly looking forward to this month’s box as celebratory boxes usually mean a box full of treats and in my opinion I wasn’t wrong!

As well as the revamp of the box and the intricate detail, the product card has also had a make over and now comes in the form of a foldable insert which is more informative and easy on the eye.

This month’s box covers all aspects of beauty and features a great line up of brands including Kryolan, Comfort Zone, Figs & Rouge, Philip Kingsley, Yves Rocher and Lalique.

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.

This month’s box included 3 full sized products and 3 sample sized products. A total of 6 products this month.

To see the August Glossybox spoiler and the products featured please click here

1.   Philip Kingsley Elasticizer  – Sample Size 40ml. Full Size 250ml RRP £38.00

There’s a guaranteed Elasticizer in every Glossybox this month and a product which I’ve been keen to try for quite a while due to it’s raving reviews.

This pre-shampoo treatment was originally created specifically for the beauty Audrey Hepburn and delivers unrivalled elasticity, manageability, bounce ans shine without weighing down or coating the hair.

I’ve never used a pre-shampoo treatment where the hair needs to be wet before applying. I look forward to trying this out.

2.     Yves Rocher Nail Polish – Full Size 3ml  RRP £3.60

This must be the tiniest nail polish I’ve ever owned at 3ml and it’s a birthday bonus item this month.

The shade is a pretty pink which goes hand in hand with the coordination of their colour theme.

Being a fan of all things pink I welcomed this nail polish and the colour is adorably pretty.

3.     Kryolan Highlighter  – Full Size 4.5g RRP £12.50

I was particularly looking forward to trying out this highlighter by Kryolan who are known for their professional make up line used by make up artists and celebrities.  This was imprinted with the Glossybox logo and came in the shade Cashmere.

The shade Cashmere is sold on Kryolan’s website and is a versatile, lightweight cream with a gloss finish. It gives cheekbones, lips, and other parts of the skin a beautiful velvety shine.

I love the colour which looks really natural and accentuates specific area’s when applied. The shade is really diverse making it suitable for all complexions.

4.   Figs and Rouge Mini Hand Cream –  Sample Size 20ml. Full Size 80ml RRP £6.95

I do love a good hand cream and owning many types I was pleased to see the inclusion of Figs and Rouge which is a brand I’ve not tried before.

I received the hand cream in Mango and Mandarin in a vibrant coloured tube.

The tropical fragrance is uplifting and not too overpowering. You can really pick up the fruity tones of the Mango and Mandarin . This non greasy formula which is rich in texture sinks straight into the skin giving a nourishing feel and is enriched with shea butter, natural antioxidants and algea extract.

Whilst this may be a sample it’s very good sized at 20ml.

5.   Comfort Zone Essentials Cleansing Milk – Full Size 200ml RRP £20.00
This brand is completely new to me and their range appears to fall within spa type products.

The comfort zone brand was conceived and launched in 1996 as the skincare division of The Davines Group, which was founded in Parma, Italy, in 1983 by the Bollati family. What began as a research laboratory for the development of high-quality, highly effective products has grown into an internationally successful professional spa brand with a diverse range of product and treatment offerings.

This is a creamy, revitalizing, cleansing milk for daily use and is suitable for all skin conditions.

It removes make-up and impurities, respecting the skin’s balance and bringing back the complexion’s natural brightness.
It’s gentle formula feels very refreshing on the skin and applies onto the skin like a dream. I’m not a fan of overpowering fragranced facial products and was delighted that this had a delicate and subtle scent. Most importantly this cleanser is suitable for all skin conditions which is great for all subscribers who receive this.

This product is definitely the main highlight within this month’s box and comes in an amazing size of 200ml.

6.  L’amour Lalique Perfume Vial – Sample Size. Full Size 50ml RRP £67.00
I love discovering new scents and most of the perfumes I have bought recently are thanks to the little samples within the beauty boxes I receive.
I am a fan of floral scents and this is a soft sensual fragrance which has delicate notes of rosebuds laced with fresh bergamot. I love the subtle scent of this perfume making it perfect for wearing during the day.
 My Verdict

I’m impressed with the celebratory Glossybox this month. It covers all aspects of beauty and most importantly all of the products are very usable. I’ve made some great discoveries this month which has given me the opportunity to try out some new brands which were not familiar to me.

This month see’s a change in the design of their box which is now more square and chic in appearance. The texture is now matte instead of the usual glossy box. I much prefer this re-design and I love the intricate detail from their wrapping to their 3rd anniversary sticker!

This month’s box included 3 full sized products and 3 sample sized products totaling 6 products. The contents within this month’s box is worth £36.10 and all subscribers will receive a minimum value of £33.00.

Glossybox do include some full sized products which bumps up the value of the box so it’s a great price to pay to discover and trial products from well known and new brands.  I will be making use of all of the products featured in this month’s box.

A good effort by Glossybox this month from the intricate detail of the box to the contents enclosed.

I do love coming home to Glossybox for the surprise aspect it’s like having a birthday present to unwrap every month!

What did you think of August’s Glossybox?

 Thinking of signing up?

Subscribe to any 3, 6 or 12 month Glossybox plan and receive a Free Luxury Box from their previous Limited Edition Collection. Enter the promo code GLOSSY01 at the checkout.
Click here to sign up

www.glossybox.co.uk

GBOffer

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

So Susan LacquerLove Box Review – August 2014

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Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £37.80
www.sosusan.com

The August So Susan LacquerLove monthly subscription box has arrived and this month’s theme is Festival Chic incorporating the festival season which comes to life this time of the year. Come rain or shine rock your nails in style with this month’s LacquerLove Box.

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

This box includes 5 full sized items four of which are 4- free nail varnishes and one bonus make up product each month from Jelly Pong Pong with So Susan being the sister company. Their monthly edits include lacquer shades especially selected to compliment their theme for the month.

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

Inside the box was four 4-free nail lacquers and a bonus Jelly Pong-pong Blusher & Contour Palette from the Dainty Doll range.

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

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

These nail lacquers they are 4-free which means they contain no DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), no Toluene, no Formaldehyde and no Formaldehyde resin. A nail varnish which contains no nasties making it the ideal product which is kind to you.

This month’s box  included the shades Bangles, Strawberry, Rock & Roll and Orange Glow (Full sized retailed at £6.95 individually).

These nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty good.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat and one coat is all it takes to show it’s true colour.

I love that this month’s box featured a range of different finishes which included vibrant, glitter and metallic.

2. Dainty Doll Blusher & Contour Palette by Nicola Roberts – Full Size RRP £10.00

In 2008 Nicola Roberts, of Girls Aloud joined forces with brand Jelly Pong Pong to create Dainty Doll, a makeup collection for pale faced beauties . The concept was to embrace porcelain skin by delicately accentuating your features instead of overpowering them with harsh colours and formulas.

This dual compact is a blush and contour in the shade Blossom which comes in peach and a slight brown shade. The peach blush is delicate and quite subtle and ideal for paler complexions.

It appears that this product along with the Dainty Doll brand has now discontinued and there’s a handful of items available on ebay!

My Verdict

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

This box is worth £37.80 which is great value for money as the box itself is only £14.95 including P&P. You certainly won’t be in the dark with this box as you will be able to preview the box and all it’s contents prior to it being sent to you however if you don’t fancy the pickings you can simply skip the month giving you complete control and flexibility.

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

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

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

Love Me Beauty Box Review – August 2014

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Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £2.95 P&P
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No. of Products in the Box – 4
Total value of contents in the box £64.94
www.lovemebeauty.com

The August Love Me Beauty Box perfectly wrapped in pink has finally arrived and this month it’s themed on all things make-up and very similar to last month’s pickings. I feel that this month’s box is lacking in substance and only includes 4 products. There is no lifestyle extra this month which would of possibly filled the void. On a positive note all of the products are full-sized and the box itself has an incredible value. I think we got a teeny bit spoilt last month!

The line up this month was mainly all things make-up featuring the brands  MirabellaA La Carte Cosmetics, Marsk and Oriflame

“Love Me Beauty” is a Beauty subscription service like the other boxes however you get to choose the products you want from a choice of 3 menu’s each month. Each menu has a slightly different set of  items to complement the diverse needs of their subscribers.

This month I opted for Menu 1. To see what was available this month please click here.

My box included 4 full sized products.

1.    Marsk Mineral Eye Shadow  – Full Size RRP £14.49

This mineral eye shadow is 100% natural and cruelty free and came in the shade “You’re Toast” which is a subtle metallic light brown colour with shimmery gold particles.

The eye shadow is highly pigmented and applies smoothly with a satin like finish. The overall result can be worked upon to create the desired depth and intensity. This can also be used wet or dry.

I love the colour which can be used to achieve both a day and evening look.

2.    A La Carte Smudge Proof Eyebrow Definer  –  Full Size RRP £23.00

When the August menu was released I was baffled as to why there was only one shade available in all three of their menu’s which came in the form of Blonde.

The shade itself is medium brown and not blonde at all which in itself is quite deceiving. The skinny tip pen has great precision for filling in your eyebrows and it’s staying power is pretty impressive.

Really disappointed that this shade didn’t match my eyebrows as this really does deliver as a brow product.

3.    Oriflame Ecollagen Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream – Full Size RRP £16.95

This roller ball eye cream was the decider for me in choosing Menu 1 and it claims to be a powerful, lightweight cream and the first to be enriched plant stem cell extracts to aid stimulation collagen production and re-plump wrinkles from within.

Whilst I don’t have any wrinkles this also addresses dark circles and puffiness which are my main concerns. I tend to have a lot of late nights and early starts so hope this helps in making me look more awake in the morning alongside my daily dose of caffeine!

4.   Mirabella Lip Luster Liner – Full Size RRP £10.50

I recently got introduced to Mirabella in a previous beauty box I received and was happy to see them make a debut in this month’s Love Me Beauty Box.

I received the shade “Bashful” which is a pretty light pink with a slight plum hue. This glides on smoothly and I applied this to the whole area of my lips instead of using as a liner. The aloe vera properties gives a moisturising base and with a little bit of lip balm gives you the perfect finish.

My Verdict

This month’s box featured all things make-up and very similar to last month’s pickings. I feel that  the box is lacking in substance and only included 4 products this month. There is also no lifestyle extra this month which would of possibly filled the void.

On a positive note all of the products are full-sized and the box itself has an incredible value of £64.94.

The line up this month featured the brands MirabellaA La Carte Cosmetics, Marsk and Oriflame 

Overall I’m pretty pleased with the contents with the exception of the brow definer.

I am hoping that Love Me Beauty have got their mojo back as they are definitely back on the right track. I hope they sustain this quality and variety within their boxes each month.

Fancy subscribing to Love Me Beauty?

Get 1 free credit to redeem against any item in the Love Me Beauty Boutique when customising your box.  Enter my invite code VQ2CX8 at checkout.

www.lovemebeauty.com

Have you received your August “Love Me Beauty” box?

Love Lula Beauty Box Review – August 2014

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Price of the Box is £12.50 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box –  £27.70
http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

The August 2014 Love Lula Beauty Box has arrived and this month it contains an incredible 3 full sized products.

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

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

This month’s box included 3 full sized products and 2 sample sachets. The box features Tan Organic, Eco Tools, John Masters Organics and Sophyto.

1.    Tan Organic Self Tanning Oil –  Full Size 100ml RRP £19.99

I was recently introduced to this brand in a previous beauty box and received the Tan Organic dry oil which works hand in hand with this self tanning oil. I was delighted to get my hands on this.

TanOrganic’s Aloe Vera based formula contains no synthetic ingredients, parabens, colours or fragrances and is fully Ecocertified. The ultra moisturising formula in TanOrganic develops with no unpleasant aroma and is perfect for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin.

I’ve got no summer escapes planned this year and judging by the weather I can’t see the sun coming out anytime soon so this self tanning oil will come in useful to get the perfect summer glow come rain or shine.

2.   John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner –  Sample Sachet. Full Size 207ml RRP £22.00

There’s no getting away from John Masters Organics who has appeared frequently in my array of beauty boxes. Being a fan of this brand I always relish trying out their luxury organic products.

This intensive conditioner is infused with Lavender and avocado oil combined with over 10 certified-organic plant extracts and oils to bring intense moisture and vitality to dry hair. Hair is left shiny, soft and luxurious and is perfect for dry, damaged hair.

I look forward to giving my hair a pampered treat this weekend.

3.  EcoTools Eye Shadow Brush – Full Size RRP £3.72

Created by actress Alicia Silverstone, EcoTools provides environmentally friendly makeup brushes, applicators, makeup cases and other products that are earth-friendly, cruelty-free and budget friendly.

Within this pretty pouch is an eye shadow brush with an eco-friendly bamboo handle and recycled aluminium ferrules.

The brush itself is soft to the touch and picks up eye shadow pigments perfectly. The bristles are tightly combined to give you complete precision when applying.

I really like the quality of this brush and most of all its great value for money and completely cruelty free.

4. Hurraw Green Tree Lip Balm – Full Size 4.3g. RRP £3.99

Born in the USA, Hurraw Balm started out of pure intent; a personal obsession to create the perfect balm which all natural, vegan, made from premium raw, organic and fair trade ingredients, complete with a bunch of natural and fun flavor options

I received the Green Tea Lip Balm which contains organic Canadian grown cold pressed Hemp oil.

My lip balm collection is slowly developing into a small mountain however it’s always nice to try another brand which isn’t so readily available or known of in the UK.

5. SoPhyto Total Protection Serum – Sample Sachet. Full Size 30ml RRP £32.00

SOPHYTO known for being anti-ageing experts, base their products on the advanced science of phytotherapy. This holistic approach to skincare harnesses the healing power of botanicals and other powerful bioactive ingredients to naturally nourish and restore skin’s youthful glow.

This serum offers concentrated antioxidant replenishment to brighten the skin and leaves the complexion looking smooth, youthful and radiant.

Having oily/combination skin leaves you feeling a bit left out sometimes and unfortunately this isn’t a serum suited to my skin type and therefore will not be giving this a go.

My Verdict

This month’s line up has featured some wonderful goodies  from cruelty free brands which have no nasties in them.

The box included 3 full sized products and 2 sample sachets. The box featured Tan Organic, Eco Tools, John Masters Organics and Sophyto.

My only flaw with this month’s box is the Self Tanning Oil by Tan Organic which every subscriber would of received. Whilst I am a big fan of self tanning products and greatly appreciated receiving this what about those who don’t use tanning products? Being a full sized product and in my opinion the main highlight within the box I don’t think this product spells out diversity to their subscribers.

This is in the same price range as the other beauty  boxes and you are getting a completely different experience compared to the others boxes in relation to the products. Love Lula really do curate good quality boxes.

Love Lula also gave a 20% off promotional code to use on their website on any of the brands which were featured in this month’s box which is valid throughout August which is a nice bonus.

This month’s box was worth £27.70 beating the cost of the box.

If you love organic, natural and cruelty free products this is definitely the box for you. I have discovered some wonderful brands thanks to Love Lula.

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

http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com