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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11.   Latest in Beauty Pocket Mirror – Full Size

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

12.  Lindt Milk Chocolate Novelty Hollow Figure 10g

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

My Verdict

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Glossybox Review – November 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 My Verdict

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

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

Glossybox always include some full sized products which bumps up the value of the box so it’s a great affordable way to discover and trial products from well known and new brands.

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

 Thinking of signing up?
Click here to sign up

www.glossybox.co.uk

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Latest in Beauty BBB Dream Box 2 – November 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

Memebox #7 CutiePieMarzia 3 Box Review – November 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Verdict

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

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

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

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

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

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

Want to discover Memebox?

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

http://us.memebox.com/

Love Lula Beauty Box Review – November 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Suti Cleansing Balm – Sample Size 4ml.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you love organic, natural and cruelty free products this is definitely a box you don’t want to miss out on. I have discovered some wonderful natural skin loving treats thanks to Love Lula.

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

http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

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Latest in Beauty Gift Shop Launch – November 2014

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

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

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

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

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

For more information please visit:

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

Memebox #39 Cafe Box Review – November 2014

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

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

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

They offer a huge range of different themed beauty boxes which caters for everyone’s needs and likes and the good news is they ship to the UK and other parts of the world for only $6.99. These are not monthly subscription boxes and are available to buy as one offs. They sell out very quickly so you do need to be supersonic. The contents within these boxes are a complete surprise and only one item spoiler gets released prior to shipping which is an aspect I like about Memebox.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Verdict

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

The contents within this box is worth £72.99 and the cost of the box including shipping works out to be around £18.29. It’s a small price to pay to discover these hidden gems which have an incredible box value as majority of the products are always full sized.

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

What makes Memebox very different is the variety and choice of beauty boxes which they offer their customers as a one off purchase. They release a huge amount of boxes throughout the year and will simply leave you spoilt for choice. They don’t release any spoilers prior to shipping so it’s a complete surprise when you receive it.

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

Want to discover Memebox?

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

http://us.memebox.com/

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Birchbox Review – November 2014

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Verdict

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

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

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

Thinking of Subscribing?

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

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

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

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Birchbox Spoiler – November 2014

BBNov14

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

My November Birchbox review is available here

BBNov1

Birchbox Offer

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

Look Fantastic Beauty Box Review – November 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Verdict

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.lookfantastic.com

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