My Little Box Review – January 2015

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My Little Energy Box – January 2015
Price of the Box –  from £13.95 a month
No of Products  – 5 items
www.mylittlebox.co.uk

The January 2015 box has landed from it’s home in France and this month’s edit is My Little Energy Box, focused around positive vibes and energy to get you looking and feeling great again. January is the time to purge the toxins, take up that invigorating new activity and of course to be a better you!  This edit features a gym bag to kick-start those resolutions, an adorable calender to keep you super-organised and a selection of beauty treats from energising skincare to a nail varnish from a brand I love.

This box offers something very unique compared to the other boxes and if their previous boxes are anything to go by you will certainly not be disappointed. It’s definitely a showstopper and one which is beautifully composed with their very own in-house illustrator Kanako.

My Little Box is a hand-picked and beautifully designed box of beauty, fashion and lifestyle surprises. With fashion accessories, beauty products and other goodies created exclusively for you and based around a different theme every month, each box promises to delight their subscribers. They also produce their own in-house beauty products known as My Little Beauty.

The January edition contains five items and includes a mixture of beauty products which is contained within a charming drawstring bag and also lifestyle items. Enclosed is the My Little World Magazine which is always a good read with interview features, useful beauty tips to mouth watering recipes.

1. Talika Photo-Hydra Day – Travel Size 50ml. Full Size 50ml RRP £43.50

Within this month’s box is a very generous sized sample of Talika’s Photo Hydra Day Cream and in line with this month’s theme, the cream uses the energy from natural light to deeply moisturise and hydrate the skin making it much more than just an average moisturiser. The cream also contains the powerful moisture-binding ingredient Hyaluronic Acid which creates an effective water reservoir within the skin cells and plumps the skin for a rejuvenating and youthful effect alongside Mango Butter, which nourishes the skin and prevents dehydration.

Talika isn’t a brand I’ve heard of before however I’m really excited to try out this cream which claims to offer multiple skin benefits for all skin types.

2. Nails Inc Nail Varnish – Full Size 10ml RRP £11.00

I was delighted to see a Nails Inc nail varnish in the shade Tate, a classic red which is very parisian.

Tate is a deep blood red with a lovely glossy finish and a couple of coats gives you a fully opaque result.

I love the shade which will pair well with any outfit and can be worn all year round.

3.  My Little Beauty Energising Mist  – Full Size RRP £7.50

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

Inside this month’s box is a full sized Energising Mist which is very fitting for this month’s box.

This face and body mist is enriched with Vitamin C and green tea to help refresh the appearance of dull and fatigued skin as well as re-energising a tired body.

The mist has a gorgeous and non-artificial smell which smells really refreshing with subtle floral notes.

I think the inclusion of the mist was a great choice for this month’s box. Not only is it a great pick me up to wake up the skin but the handy sized spray will easily fit into a handbag for on-the-go touch ups as well as it being an essential for the gym bag too.

4. Lifestyle Items

This month’s box included two lifestyle extras in the form of a gym bag and an adorable calender.

First up is a very good sized gym bag made from nylon with a motivational quote on the side “Energy is Contagious”. It’s the ideal size with smaller compartments inside to store money and keys. It’s also very light weight, perfect for carrying around especially if you don’t drive. It’s a good all rounder bag that can double up as a weekend bag too if you’re not a gym enthusiast.

Up next is an adorable calender in an A5 size which can be hung up or alternatively it’s even small enough to fit inside your handbag. A great essential to keep you super-organised this year.

 My Verdict

I really love this month’s box which not only focuses on fitness but also has a great balance of beauty and lifestyle essentials to help kick start the year. As per every month the attention to detail, intricate design and content is impressive which is something this box never fails on.

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

This month’s box showcased brands such as Talika, Nails Inc and an item from their in-house My Little Beauty range. I particularly liked all of the beauty products this month which are all good sized and usable. The lifestyle items complemented the first box of year perfectly.

This months My Little World Magazine was also good read and contained fitness challenges, some useful tutorials from nail art to hair and even some healthy breakfast ideas.

I’m looking forward to the February edit and hoping it’s themed around the month of red hearts!

My Little Box Offer

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

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

www.mylittlebox.co.uk

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Love Lula Beauty Box Review – January 2015

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Price of the Box is £12.50 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 8
http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

The January 2015 Love Lula Beauty Box has arrived and this month all subscribers are in for such a treat! The box showcases an impressive beauty overhaul boasting eight beauty items which includes skin and bodycare products along with some mini make up brushes. There’s a good variety of beauty revivers from skincare rescuers to much needed pick me ups making it the perfect kick-start box for January. This month’s box is one of my favourite edits from Love Lula and features well-known brands as well as a couple of new discoveries.

Love Lula 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 four full sized products, 2 deluxe samples and 2 sachet samples.The box features the brands Balance Me, Eco Tools, Vinali, Yes to, Nourish and Funny Bee.

1.    EcoTools 6 Mini Brush Set – Full Size. RRP £4.99

EcoTools is a brand which I already use and love. I own a couple of their make-up brush sets and have always found their brushes of good quality and very budget friendly. If that’s not enough they also use cruelty-free bristles and natural, recycled materials.

The EcoTools Bamboo 6 Mini Makeup Brushes can be used to apply eyeshadow, lip gloss or lip colour and concealer and they are perfect for traveling especially when using make up housed in palettes.

2.    Vinali Body Lotion and Face Cream –  Travel Size 25ml and Sample Sachet 2ml.

In Winter we all tend to reach out for more moisture quenching products to make our skin that much more weather-proof and I was happy to be introduced to two samples from the brand Vinali who’s collection has recently been added to the Love Lula website.

Founded in 2009 although the founders were already experts in wineries prior to this, Vinali was the first organic Spanish range of Vino-Cosmetics who conducted pioneering research into the antioxidant properties of wine to bring a range of products combining the properties of grape and other carefully selected powerful natural ingredients.

The body lotion contains Grape Seed Oil, Organic firming Cocoa and Shea butter to deeply nourish and help regenerate and tone the skin.

The formula is really light weight and sinks into the skin effortlessly. The scent is really subtle and feels refreshing on the skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. The cream left my skin smooth and hydrated ready to face the cold wintery weather.

As well as the body lotion there was also a sample sachet of their day cream which I am yet to try.

3.   Balance Me Rose Otto Hand Cream – Travel Size 30ml

I’m inundated with hand creams at the moment but the Balance Me Rose Otto cream has been one I’ve been wanting to try for quite a while and I was delighted to see a very good sized sample within this month’s box.

This cream has a ultra-soothing and skin-quenching formula which deeply smooths and moisturises dry hands with its emollient blend of anti-oxidant rich, protective Arctic cloudberry and exquisite aroma of softening rose otto, palma rosa and rose geranium essential oils.

It’s quite simply one of the nicest hand creams I’ve used. Its beautiful rose scent gently perfumes the air whilst the rich but non-greasy formula really absorbs into the skin leaving your hands super hydrated, soft and moisturised. As well as the hands this can also be applied to the feet which I’m looking forward to trying.

This cream also goes a very, very long way so, although it’s not cheap, it won’t need replacing for ages.

4.  Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes – Travel Pack RRP £1.99

I’ve not had much dealings with the Yes to range who are a organic eco-friendly brand.

These all-natural, biogradable and hypoallergenic wipes are made with soothing ingredients such as cucumbers, green tea, and aloe vera. One single cloth naturally exfoliates, detoxifies, and rejuvenates as well as gently removing dirt, sweat and makeup.

I occasionally use wipes if I’m feeling too tired to do a full cleanse and these sound perfect for my skin type being oil-free and hypoallergenic. They feel refreshing and make the skin feel clean without drying the skin out. I was expecting a very artificial scent but surprisingly the wipes smell identical to cucumbers!

This travel pack of 10 is ideal whether you’re out and about, at the gym, or traveling.

5.  Madara Detox Mud Mask  – Travel Size 12.5ml

I’m feeling really spoilt and I’ve not even got to the last product yet! This mask excites me as not only is it suitable for oily skin, it’s exactly what my skin needs to get back to it normal state.

This detox mud mask contains Nordic forest lake mud and it’s aim is to clean, tighten pores and conditions, to leave the skin fresh, matt and revitalised.

This hard-working mask offers five effects which clarifies, detoxifies. rejuvenates, recharges and hydrates and is recommended to be used twice a week as clarifying treatment for oily, combination skin, skin with enlarged pores, blemishes, acne, and to combat skin dullness, tiredness and occasional inflammation it can be used once a week. If that’s not impressive the mask is also suitable for vegans, is nut free, cruelty free and natural and organic.

I really love face masks as they provide a quick pick me up to remove impurities and generally leave the skin feeling refreshed and renewed.

I’m looking forward to trying this mask which appears to offer real benefits for oily and spot-prone skin.

6.  Nourish Kale Enzyme Exfoliating Cleanser  – Sample Size 2ml

This cleanser is fairly new to the Nourish range and only launched last year. It contains the key ingredient Kale, a well known detoxifier to help protect skin from damaging free radicals. As well as it’s key performer the cream itself contains lots of skin-soothing oils as well as phytoactive pomegranate enzymes which gently exfoliate.

As well as this product being a cleanser, it’s multi purpose formula can also be used as an exfoliating mask and for a revitalising facial which is great to really benefit from the key ingredients.

7.  Funny Bee Pretty BB Cream – Sample Size 1.5ml

I love BB creams they are a great lighter alternative to foundation with multi-tasking abilities. It’s definitely my preferred option during the day.

This all-in-1 organic BB Cream moisturises, protects, perfects skin texture, covers imperfections and gives a natural and healthy glow without silicone or artificial coloring and contains skin loving ingredients such as shea butter, organic apricot stone, perilla and sesame oils and hyaluronic acid.

The cream looked very orange initially however once applied onto the skin it blends very easily with the shade being a perfect near match . The cream also has a subtle fruity scent but soon fades once applied. I found that the cream didn’t cover my blemishes as much as I’d liked however it did leave my skin looking more luminous with a very natural finish.

Love Lula have kick started the year with an amazing edit this month which boasts eight beauty treats covering skincare, bodycare and even some travel-sized make up brushes. I’m really into my skincare at the moment and this arrived at the perfect time for me where I’m on a quest to improve my current regime. I love that the box featured well-known brands as well as a few new discoveries and included a mixture of full sized products and very good sized samples.

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

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

If you love organic, natural and cruelty-free products or want to detoxify your beauty regime with a more skin friendly alternative 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.

If you missed out on any of the Love Lula beauty boxes they are now available to buy without a subscription here.

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

http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

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Glossybox Review – January 2015

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Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.25 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5 items
Total value of contents in the box is £34.36
www.glossybox.co.uk

The January 2015 Glossybox has landed and this month’s edit kick-starts the new year with a beauty revival box boasting an impressive five full sized products to help recover and revive tired partied out skin. As we soldier through the most miserable month of the year, this month’s box is the perfect pick me up to beat those January blues.  I also love that the box focuses mainly on make up giving a welcomed break from skincare. There’s also a few new brands featured this month which is always good to see.

Glossybox already revealed two of the products which you could expect to see inside this month’s box and I was pretty excited to try the organic toner and the mineral blusher, both of which come from brands I’ve not heard of before. The box mainly features make-up and a toner this month from brands such as Nicka K New York, Kueshi, Jelly Pong Pong, MeMeMe Cosmetics and Naked Lips.

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. Kueshi Revitalising Face Toner – Full Size 200ml RRP £8.36

Last month’s box revealed that all subscribers would be greeted by this revitalising toner from the organic brand Kueshi. I’m on a quest to really shake up my cleansing routine and this arrives at the perfect time in a very generous sized bottle.

Kueshi is a Spanish brand who’s products combine high quality active ingredients and natural products for their effectiveness, smoothness and texture, providing optimal results which are natural and kind to your skin.

The toner contains skin-loving ingredients such as aloe vera, chamomile and calendula that combine to soothe the skin leaving it feeling comfortable, fresh, healthy and perfectly clean. The formula is gentle for even the most sensitive of skin types and comes subtly fragranced.

This toner removes any last traces of excess oils and makeup effortlessly and leaves the skin feeling rebalanced, refreshed and hydrated making it the perfect base for moisturiser application.

My only gripe is the brand isn’t readily available in the UK and I can see myself falling for this toner!

2. MeMeMe Eye Liner Pencil – Full Size RRP £4.00

Eyeliner is a make-up bag must-have for me and it’s very rare that I switch from my all time favourite shade, the blackest of black.

The pencil is really soft and creamy and comes in the shade clay which is dark brown in colour. I wasn’t expecting much from this eyeliner but it applies on the waterline effortlessly and smoothly. After a few hours the colour had faded a little but was still clearly visible without any smudging. The shade really softens the eyes whilst still giving you that defined look.

3. Nicka K New York Colorluxe Powder Blush – Full Size RRP £7.00

I was really excited to try out this innovative loose blusher by Nicka K New York which promises to give you radiant and glowing skin, a much needed make up fix to brighten dull and lacklustre skin during the months of winter.

All subscribers can expect to see this revolutionary blush in the shade Romantic which is pink with a red undertone. I love that the blusher is housed in a compact tub with a plush applicator and also includes a mirror which is great for on the go touch ups.

Unfortunately the applicator does dispense quite a bit of powder and doesn’t apply evenly which resulted in some parts being patchy. I found that using a brush as opposed to the applicator worked much better to soften the colour for a more natural and even result. If you’re a fan of brighter cheek shades unlike me who is more drawn to muted shades, this pigmented blusher really gives a healthy pop of colour and can be built up to achieve the desired result. I love the overall concept but for me the shade let it down.

4. Jelly Pong Pong All Over Glow Illuminator –  Full Size RRP £10.00

This oil-free lightweight luminising gel is enriched with micronised pearlescent pigments & jasmine extract to highlight the face for a fresh, radiant complexion by simply dabbing a little onto the cheekbones and the brow bone.

The shade is a lovely golden peach with hints of gold shimmer and a pearly finish. The formula is very pigmented and a little goes a long way.  This blends in effortlessly leaving a beautiful sheen and you can really see the luminousity when the light reflects on the skin . As well as the cheeks and the brow bone, a very tiny amount can also be mixed in with foundation to add a little glow.

I really like this illuminator, the subtle shade really brings warmth to the skin as well as giving an instant luminous and radiant glow.

5. Naked Lips Organic Lip Balm – Full Size RRP £5.00

I’ve been reaching out for lip balms much more recently for keeping my lips weatherproof during the colder months.

Naked Lips is a European brand who just focus on organic lip products. I received the super fruits balm which is quite impressive with it’s creamy and super-moisturising 100% natural formula. It’s packed with oils from anti-oxidant fruits and has the most delicious scent which is very similar to the love heart sweets! As well as it’s good enough to eat fragrance, it also works wonders on dry chapped lips making them feel much more softer and hydrated.

My Verdict

Glossybox have curated a great box to kick start the year and will certainly be a crowd pleaser amongst subscribers this month and is one of my favourite edits. The box showcases an impressive line up which includes five full sized products and mainly focuses on make up treats as well as the soothing toner which I’ve fallen in love with. It was good to see a few new brands within the box too. As well as the beauty treats there was also a £25 Hello Fresh card to redeem against any of their boxes.

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. This months box has a value of £34.36 beating the cost of the box.

February Spoiler Alert – All subscribers will receive a full sized Royal Apothic Tintie Lip Butter which has just been launched in the UK and has already hit the shelves at Space.NK

Fancy Subscribing to Glossybox?

Click here to sign up

www.glossybox.co.uk

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You Beauty Discovery Box Review – January 2015

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Price of the Box is £6.95 including P&P
No of items in the box – 7 items
Total value of contents in the box £18.35
www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

It’s the start of a new year and as well as it being a catalyst for a healthier and fitter you, it’s also the perfect time to make some beauty resolutions and one my resolutions this year is to more regimented with my evening cleansing regime. I did a fair share of falling asleep with my makeup on after a few late nights last year! The January 2015 You Beauty Discovery Box has landed and this month’s New Year, New You shortlist mainly featured skincare which worked out quite well for me considering I’m on quest at the moment. As well as the skincare products  there were also a couple of nail varnishes from the Sainsbury’s Boutique Collection too.

To see the January Shortlist please click here

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

 My box included 2 products of my choice from the shortlist and three extra bonus treats in the form of a sachet sample of the Dove Youthful Vitality Hair BB Cream , 3 Dragon Fly Teabags and a £25 Hello Fresh card.

1.  AFYNA Organic Detoxifying Body Scrub – Travel Size 60ml. Worth £10.00

I  tend to reach out for exfoliating products more often during the colder months and was happy to see this body scrub from a new British organic brand.

AFYNA is a new organic skincare range developed by its founder, Sara Young who is an experienced spa therapist. Their  groundbreaking product formulations use certified organic ingredients combined with powerful bio-extracts such as hyaluronic acid and lupine peptides. AFYNA is expertly hand blended in Cornwall and provides effective organic skincare for the modern woman.

The AFYNA Detoxifying Body Scrub is a gentle organic exfoliating gel that uses apricot kernel to polish away dead skin cells to reveal younger looking skin which is visibly brighter, smoother and refreshed. It contains five carefully selected essential oils including juniper berry and grapefruit which encourages the body to detoxify and reduce the signs of cellulite.

I like that this is in a gel texture as it feels much more refreshing on the skin as opposed to a creamy formula. It’s quite gritty but not where it’s abrasive on the skin, it’s very gentle. This scrub releases an abundant therapeutic aroma which made my bathroom smell divine and very spa-like.

I really enjoy this using this body scrub and not only is it kind to the skin, it’s a great skin saviour which restores, hydrates and sloughs away any dryness unveiling brighter and radiant looking skin.

2. Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm & Overnight Recharge Night Cream – Sample Size 30ml and 3ml. Worth £8.35

I’m on a quest this year to improve my evening cleansing regime especially when coming home the wrong side of midnight which usually results in skipping that all important cleanse. This comes in a duo set and and includes a cleansing balm and there newly launched Overnight Recharge Night Cream.

Meruyama is a brand I’ve heard of but I’ve not tried anything from their range before and being relatively new to the market, they have already established a reputable name for themselves.

The Melting Cleansing Balm by Merumaya consists of a double cleanse method which removes make up and grime first, and on the second use it cleans your skin. This luxurious balm is infused with skin loving ingredients such as sweet almond oil, echium seed oil (RevitElix™), Mangosteen extract and the MERUMAYA Signature Essence Blend which smells utterly divine with a subtle floral fragrance. It’s also suitable for all skin types including oily and spot-prone skin which is one of the main reasons why this appealed to me as well as it being a firm favourite amongst the blogging community.

Firstly I love that this balm comes in a tube instead of a tub as it’s definitely much more hygienic, easier to use and minimises wastage.

The balm removes make-up, dirt and grime effortlessly, applies like a dream and feels utterly luxurious. It doesn’t make your skin feel tight or dry and if you’re oily skinned like me it doesn’t leave behind any traces of oil on the skin.  As well as it’s beautifying properties the balm is scented with a floral fragrance which makes the cleansing process much more pleasant.

I’ve been using this for a couple of days now with a muslin cloth and it’s a great daily cleanser which is gentle on the skin, works effectively and is such a pleasure to use. I’m really impressed with my first experience with Merumaya, and will definitely be looking into more of their products as well as trying the overnight re-charge cream which came alongside this cleanser.

3. Extra Samples within the box:

This month, You Beauty Discovery included a sachet sample of the Dove Youthful Vitality Hair BB Cream which is new form of a BB cream which is for the hair, there was also 3 types of  Dragon Fly Teabags and a £25 Hello Fresh card.

My Verdict

I was a little disappointed with this months shortlist however the products I selected definitely made up for this. I’m really happy with my choices and the discoveries I’ve made this month. There was also a generous amount of extra bonus samples too. I loved the inclusion of the Dragon Fly Teas which arrive just in time for that all important inner cleanse.

The value of my box is worth £18.35 beating the actual cost of the box and includes very good sized samples.

The magazine contained within the box includes various discount codes for all of the brands which have been featured this month which is great if you want to buy further products.

You Beauty Discovery is one of favourite beauty boxes and it’s a great way to discover new and well known brands from a good selection of beauty products. I love that I can personalise my box giving me full control on what I receive. The box itself is only £6.95 each month making it super affordable and good value for money.

For more information or to subscribe please visit:

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

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My Little Box Review – December 2014

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My Little Box – Fleur De Force – December 2014
Price of the Box –  from £13.95 a month
No of Products  – 7 items
www.mylittlebox.co.uk

I’m a little late to the party with this month’s review as my December 2014 My Little Box went astray and had to be sent out again hence posting this review today.

The December box month sees a collaboration with Beauty and Fashion Blogger Fleur De Force. Last month I attended the My Little Box party where the December box was showcased along with lots of food and drink and not forgetting the lovely team at My Little Box who were all very welcoming and lovely. This edit features a festive line up which includes adorable gift wrapping essentials to get your creativity juices flowing, a must-have winter headband and a good selection of beauty discoveries from skin loving treats to a party lipstick. This edition is one of my favourites from My Little Box and as per every month the attention to detail, design and content is impressive which is something which this box never fails on.

This box offers something very different compared to the other boxes and if their previous boxes are anything to go by you will certainly not be disappointed. It’s definitely a showstopper and one which is beautifully composed with their very own in-house illustrator Kanako.

My Little Box is a hand-picked and beautifully designed box of beauty, fashion and lifestyle surprises. With fashion accessories, beauty products and other goodies created exclusively for you and based around a different theme every month, each box promises to delight their subscribers. They also produce their own in-house beauty products known as My Little Beauty.

The December edition contains 7 items and includes a mixture of beauty products which is contained within a charming drawstring bag and also lifestyle items. Enclosed is the My Little World Magazine which is always a good read with interview features, useful beauty tips to mouth watering recipes.

1. Cowshed Wild Cow Invigorating Body Lotion – Travel Size 100ml RRP £10.00

I love Cowshed products and you definitely need some what of a sense of humour to really appreciate this brand. There is a range for all sorts of different cows from lazy cow to even a saucy cow as well as others! I was happy to see a generous sized body lotion inside this month’s box.

Cowshed products are quintessentially British and all Made in England. Inspired by nature, Cowshed’s range of honest, natural and therapeutic products, use only the best organic and wildcrafted plant extracts and the highest quality essential oils.

I received the Wild Cow Invigorating Body Lotion which contains the finest quality Shea and Cocoa Butters to moisturise and tone the skin. It’s infusion of Lemongrass, Ginger and Rosemary helps to refresh and cleanse, awaken the senses and sharpen the mind. The texture of the cream is quite rich and feels really nourishing on the skin which is perfect for the months of winter.

This is a great pick me up in the morning after a shower to wake up the body and mind.

2. L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Crème – Sample Size 15ml

This is a good sized sample of a new triple-action formula with which boasts an even higher concentration of active molecules to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, boosts the skin’s firmness and offer’s lasting anti-ageing protection. It’s Ideal for normal to dry skin with the cream being rich and smooth in texture, it visibly corrects deep wrinkles and helps restore firmness to the skin with a combination of organic immortelle essential oil and organic immortelle cell extracts.

I really love L’Occintane products but unfortunately this isn’t suited for my skin type.

3.  My Little Beauty Lipstick  – Full Size RRP £15.00

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

Inside this months box is a full sized lipstick which comes in an ultimate party red shade with a hint of pink and claims to suit all complexions even your hair colour won’t come in between you and this universal shade!

I really love the shade which is quite pigmented with a glossy finish. I was expecting this to be a full on red but surprisingly it’s not that vibrant making it suitable for wearing during the day too. The formula is really hydrating and I like that the colour can be built up. The only aspect which lets this down is the cardboard packaging the lipstick is housed in. Although it looks really cute it’s very child-like!

4. Lifestyle Items

The December box included a variety of lifestyle extras from a headband to adorable gift wrapping essentials.

First up is the pretty collection of masking tape, gift tags and a reel of cotton, the perfect assortment for wrapping up presents. Whilst I wasn’t able to make use of these during the Christmas period, the designs are not all festive focused which is great as I can use these for wrapping birthday presents instead and the remainder can always be used for next Christmas. The masking tape and gift tags both have a good variety of designs and there’s a generous amount too.

Up next is a stylish head band in a sand colour with subtle glittery strands of thread running through the wool, it’s the perfect chic essential to keep you warm this winter and I’ve already pack this for my trip to Amsterdam. They could of easily left this loose in the box but I love the little gift box which this came presented in it’s so cute!

 My Verdict

I adore this month’s edition from it’s chic presentation to the stylish and luxe contents within. There’s a great selection of beauty and lifestyle items from skin loving treats, a party lipstick, a generous assortment of adorable gift wrapping essentials and a winter head band. This edition is one of my favourites from My Little Box and as per every month the attention to detail, the intricate design and curated content is impressive which is something which this box never fails on.

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

This month’s box showcased brands such as Cowshed, L’Occitane and an item from their in-house My Little Beauty range. I particularly liked the Cowshed body lotion and the universal red lipstick. The lifestyle items complemented the December edit perfectly and I’m looking forward to putting my creativity to the test with the gift wrapping goodies.

This months My Little World Magazine was also good read and contained an interview feature with Fleur De Force,  some useful tutorials from gift wrapping to party make-up and even some mouthwatering recipe ideas.

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

www.mylittlebox.co.uk

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Birchbox Review – January 2015

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January 2015 Birchbox
Monthly subscription is £10.00 Plus £2.95 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 7 items

www.birchbox.co.uk

So, we’ve made it through the Christmas and New Year celebrations and like me, you’ve probably braved a month of mad shopping, manic preparations, late nights and a near-mental breakdown along the way! Yes that pretty much sums up the last couple of weeks for me. The party’s over and it’s time to clean up and kick start 2015 with the January Birchbox who sees in the new year with their health and well-being ‘Hit Refresh’ box in partnership with Women’s Health. This month the box has had a detoxifying make over with a refreshing design which complements the theme perfectly.

This month’s box kick starts the year with a beauty overhaul and contains key essentials to make you feel wholesome again, inside & out and tip to toe. The box features a selection of invigorating and restoring skin and body care products, a lip glaze, a hair conditioner to give you a little oomph and a sample of an antioxidant tea to fire up the immune system. The box also includes a fitness lifestyle extra in the form of a Pilates Band, great to tone and define those trouble areas. There’s also an adorable little booklet replacing the usual cards this month and contains 12 bite-sized challenges and includes handy little tips and tricks.

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

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

1.  Stila Lip Glaze – Full Size RRP £15.00

What better way to start the year than a Stila Lip Glaze, which alone is worth more than the actual price of the box. I’ve not tried anything from the Stila collection and welcomed this make-up addition inside the box.

I received the shade Glow which is a light apricot colour with subtle hints of shimmer.  It provides an impressive pigmented colour and wears quite long with it’s thick formula without too much stickiness. The gloss comes in a click style pen with an attached lip brush for application and has a subtle vanilla flavour and fragrance.

This can be worn alone or over a lip colour to enhance shine or to make the lips look fuller. I like that this is a natural shade as it’s ideal for lazy days when you can’t be bothered to do a full face of make-up and can be worn during the day and in the evenings.

I’m really impressed with the lip glaze formula and they have a huge selection of shades to chose from.

2.  Philip Kingsley Body Building ConditionerSample Size 20ml. Full Size 20ml RRP £19.00

I’ve got a growing collection of Philip Kingsley hair products and was happy to receive another to join the stash.

The Philip Kingsley Body Building Conditioner is for fine textured hair with little or no processing. Perfect for those who wish to add body to limp, lifeless hair. This unique formula claims to detangle, controls flyaways and add shine without weighing the hair down. It also contains wheat protein to improves the hair’s overall volume and at the same time strengthens the condition of each individual strand.

My hair sometimes lacks a bit oomph and volume so I’m hoping this gives me thicker looking and bouncier hair. I would of liked to have seen the shampoo too within this month’s box to really get a feel of the body building range.

3.  REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask – Sample Size 10ml. Full Size RRP £30.00

There’s two brands within this month’s box which I’ve been wanting to try for while with REN being one of them. I was delighted to see a product from their collection to finally try out and what makes me even more happy is that it’s suitable for my oily and spot-prone skin!

The REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask is a potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone. It also removes dead skin cells to renew the complexion and helps combat congestion, blackheads and blemishes. The mask has a really potent fruity aroma and contains natural fruit acids from Passion Fruit, Lemon, Grape, Pineapple and Papain from Papaya.

The texture is really smooth and whilst on feels refreshing with it’s uplifting scent. As per the instructions I left this on for ten minutes and then washed off it off with a muslin cloth. My skin felt fresh and clean and looked amazingly more radiant with a noticeable glow which is impressive for a ten minute treatment. This is the perfect pick me and arrived at the right time for me where my skin is still a little partied out from the festive season.

I’m really impressed with my first experience with REN, and will definitely be looking into more of their products.

4.  HealGel Intensive – Sample Size 5ml. Full Size RRP £37.50

HealGel was created by a team of leading British plastic and cosmetic surgeons with the help of a renowned dermatological biochemist and a well known actor is another brand which I’ve been wanting to try for a while.

Out of the variants available I received the HealGel Intensive which is a scientifically-designed, multi-purpose, skin rescue gel which brings an intelligent approach to skincare. HealGel Intensive unites the finest active ingredients such as Anica and Madecassoside amongst others to soothe, restore and protect your skin in a light, delicately scented and easily absorbed cooling aqueous gel to restore and protect the areas where it is most needed.

It has a lightweight clear gel texture which is non-greasy and can also be used as a make up primer.

I’m really looking forward to trying this over the next few days as it sounds like the perfect skin rescuer which is exactly what my skin needs at the moment.

5.  Activbod Cooling Finish Lotion – Sample Size. Full Size RRP £12.00

Activbod is a new on my radar and is a brand that gives you a complete regime of products to keep you enjoying your exercise. With their unique beauty concept which targets sports and gym enthusiasts, they cover a range of products from cooling lotions, rejuvenating shower gels to recovery potions for both men and women.

I received the cooling finish lotion which is a clear lightweight gel with a subtle menthol scent. The formula with provides a refreshing feeling is ideal for applying after a workout session. I love the cooling sensation which feels quite tingly on the skin. This is the perfect gym buddy and will definitely leave you feeling invigorated and fresh.

6.  Embrace Matcha Green Tea – 1 Sachet. Full Size RRP £24.99

We all jump on the green tea wagon this time of the year as it’s a great way to fire up the immune system back to it’s normal state not to mention the wide array of health benefits it boasts.

Matcha tea is 100% natural and is packed full of antioxidants and nutrients and contains up to 10 times the antioxidants of a cup of regular green tea making it supercharged.

I assumed this was a tea bag initially but the tea leaves and other ingredients are finely grounded and comes loose within the sachet. It can be whisked into hot or cold water, in a latte or in smoothies and juices.

Usually I would turn my nose up at a tea sample but this concept is quite unique and I like that the sachet can be added to cold drinks as well as hot drinks. I think these are really good especially if you’re on the go as you can simply pop the contents into a bottle of water or a juice drink.

7. Lifestyle Extra – Birchbox Pilates Band – RRP £7.99

In line with the health and well-being theme, there’s an Exclusive-to-Birchbox Pilates Band to help you tone, increase strength and improve muscle endurance and it arrives at the ideal time of the year to target those stubborn areas from overindulging over the festive period or to use alongside your current fitness regime.

I’ve never really got into the pilates craze but this month’s addition definitely puts the fun factor back into boring exercise regimes. There’s also a few tips within the booklet on how to make the most of the band in the comfort of your own home or even in the office. I love that it’s pretty easy to use too.

My Verdict

 As well as a great beauty line up which covers all areas, this month’s Birchbox in partnership with Women’s Health focuses on health and well-being and it arrives at the perfect time where most of us try to set goals for the year ahead. The Pilates Band was a nice addition to the box and is perfect to tone and define those stubborn areas especially if you’ve overindulged over the Christmas period. There are also some key beauty rescuers and pick me ups, perfect to restore partied out and lacklustre skin.

The box boasts seven items this month, two of which are full sized and contains a selection of tip to toe discoveries covering both inner and outer beauty this month.

I was delighted to see products from REN and HealGel inside this month’s box as I’ve been wanting to try both brands for a while. All of the items are very usable and the samples are decent sized too giving you an opportunity to really road test the products.

Inside the box there is also an exclusive subscription offer for 10 issues of Women’s Health Magazine for only £18.00 giving you a 52% saving!

I really love this months box which not only gets you looking and feeling great again but also focuses on health and well-being, giving you a little head start to a healthier new you.

Thinking of Subscribing?

Subscribe today and get the iconic beauty blender worth £26.00 FREE by using the promo code BBXBEAUTYBL1 or alternatively use the promo code JAN5 to get your first Birchbox for only £7.95.

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

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Birchbox Spoiler – January 2015

Spoiler-WH1-2

 So, we’ve made it through the Christmas and New Year celebrations and like me, you’ve probably braved a month of mad shopping, manic preparations, late nights and a near-mental breakdown along the way! Yes that pretty much sums up the last couple of weeks for me. The party’s over and it’s time to clean up and kick start 2015 with the January Birchbox which sees in the new year with their health and well-being ‘Hit Refresh’ box in partnership with Women’s Health.

Spoiler-WH1

Inside you will find an Exclusive-to-Birchbox Pilates Band along with worthy samples from Birchbox’s signature and discovery brands such as HealGel, REN, Philip Kingsley, Activbod, Caudalie and Stila to name a few. This month’s box features a selection of tip to toe discoveries covering both inner and outer beauty.

The January edit has a great beauty line up and it’s perfect for giving you that much needed head start to achieve those goals for 2015.

The Hit Refresh Birchbox is available now. Please click here to read my review of this month’s Birchbox.

Thinking of Subscribing?

Subscribe today and get the iconic beauty blender worth £26.00 FREE by using the promo code BBXBEAUTYBL1 or alternatively use the promo code JAN5 to get your first Birchbox for only £7.95.

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

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So Susan LipLove Subscription Launch – December 2014

So Susan LipLove

There’s a good selection of beauty subscription boxes in the UK which offer choice & flexibility and all contain a mixture of beauty treats from lotions and potions to the occasional make up item however there’s always been a gap in the UK market for a box which just contains all things make up. I’m really excited to announce that So Susan who are already experts in the cosmetics field have unveiled their new launch of the LipLove Subscription Box, designed to bring you lip-focused products infused with skin-loving ingredients along with a bonus make-up item too.

So Susan will release a box every month via their website and each box will contain an impressive 5 full sized items, 4 of which are lip based and 1 bonus item which caters for other parts of the face for only £14.95 each month.

The January Bag is available now and includes:

  • Cheek Jelly
  • Lip Dome in “Rhubarb Rouge”
  • Lip Dome in “Melon”
  • Supermodel Stain by Jelly Pong Pong
  • BONUS ITEM : Concealer Quad

For more information please visit:
www.sosusan.com

You Beauty Discovery Selection Menu – January 2015

January Box - New Year, New You

Here’s a sneak peek at January’s You Beauty Discovery selection menu which will be available on the 2nd January at 7am. This month’s shortlist theme is New Year, New You and mainly features skincare this month which is great if your skin is a little partied out from the festive period and needs some extra TLC along with a couple of nail varnishes from the Sainsbury’s Boutique Collection.

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:

• Afyna – Organic Detoxifying Body Lotion (60ml)
• Afyna – Organic Detoxifying Body Scrub (60ml)
• Burt’s Bees – Beeswax Lip Balm (4.25g)
• Boutique by Sainsbury’s – Nail Varnish: Away with the Fairies (11ml)
• Boutique by Sainsbury’s – Nail varnish: A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss (11ml)
• DHC – Deep Cleansing Oil (30ml)
• Elemis – Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (15ml)
• Merumaya – Melting Cleansing Balm™ (30ml) & Overnight Recharge Night Cream™ (3ml)
• TRESemmè – Platinum Strength 60 Second Treatment Shot (14ml)

Plus, each box will include: 3 Dragonfly Tea bags (4 flavours available: Green Gaucho organic mate tea, Mountain Honeybush organic tea, Swirling Mist organic white tea, Emerald Mountain organic green tea), Dove Hair – Youthful Vitality Hair BB Cream (5ml) and Hello Fresh – £25 OFF voucher card.

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

Look Fantastic Beauty Box Review – January 2015

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

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a well rested break. I’ve already kick started the new year early with my first beauty box for 2015, the January Look Fantastic Beauty Box and I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for us this month. Since launching only last September, this box has been a big hit with beauty lovers and addicts alike. This month showcases a variety of luxury hair and skin care essentials, an exhilarating shower treat and a tube of Vitamin C supplements, a must-have, if you’re still feeling the wrath of Christmas past.

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

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

This month’s box is filled with an incredible 6 beauty items which have been carefully selected and showcases well known and premium brands such as Nuxe, Phillip Kingsley, Goldwell, Molton Brown, Gatineau and My Vitamins.

1.  Nuxe Crème Fraiche de Beaute Mask – Full Size 50ml RRP £19.50

We all reach out for more hydrating and nourishing skincare during the winter months as the cold weather and indoor heating play havoc on our beauty regime. The Nuxe Crème Fraiche de Beaute Mask injects the skin with a surge of moisture within 10 ten minutes and promises to provide 24 hour rehydration for thirsty skin. It’s suitable for sensitive and dehydrated skin types.

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

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

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

2.    Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence  –  Travel Size 60ml. Full Size 250ml RRP £22.00

I was introduced to the iconic Philip Kingsley Elastizer only a few months ago and receiving another product from the collection is always welcomed and comes in the form of the Daily Damage Defence Spray.

This award winning anti-breakage, heat protecting conditioning spray is for all hair types and not only offers protection from daily environmental wear, such as UV rays and heated styling aids, but also instantly boosts your hair’s overall condition, manageability and shine.

I regularly use heat styling tools on my hair and I must admit I tend to stay away from using too many products before blow drying as they weigh my hair down and sometimes also make my hair greasy. However this rescue remedy is a conditioner, detangler and a heat protector all in one single spritz which makes me a fan instantly.

3.   Molton Brown Eucalyptus Body Wash  –  Travel Size 100ml. Full Size 300ml RRP £18.00

I was delighted to see a product from Molton Brown which is a brand we all know and love, and for me it’s the star product within this month’s box. There are two different variants which you can expect to see inside your box, Eucalyptus or Templetree.

I received the Eucalyptus Body Wash which invigorates both your skin and mind with it’s potent infusion of eucalyptus oil, wild mint, menthol and cedarwood. The body wash gently cleanses and conditions your skin whilst helping to clear your head to aid relaxation.

I was expecting this to be very overpowering but It’s subtly scented and you can really pick up the woody notes along with the refreshing menthol which is really warming. This is a great a pick-me-up in the morning to awaken the senses or in the evening to simply relax and unwind.

On first impressions I wasn’t expecting to like this shower gel mainly because menthol scented products remind me of cold and flu remedies, however this scent has a really nice unexpected twist and is something which I’m looking forward to using before bedtime.

4.   Goldwell Dualsenses Color 60Sec Treatment – Travel Size 50ml. Full Size 200ml RRP £11.00

Commonly used by many hair stylists, Goldwell is classed as a professional hairdressing brand that takes salons to the next level of creative excellence. I’ve not personally used any products from Goldwell and was happy to make the discovery inside this month’s box.

Goldwell have created this wonder hair product and ultra-fast working formula especially for colour-treated hair and contains a specially developed Brilliance System with anti-oxidative pomegranate extract that acts quickly and effectively on your hair to leave it silky soft and smooth with an enviable healthy glow. It also claims to have ultra-fast and effective results on your hair with an infusion of raspberry seed oil which smells utterly berrylicious!

I try to treat my hair at least once a week but when time is limited I prefer treatment shots which can simply be left on while lathering on your favourite shower gel.

This is perfect for a quick pick me up when your hair needs an extra boost and a little restoration.

5.   Gatineau Strategie Jeunesse Eye Pads – 1 Sample Pack. Pack of 6 RRP £34.50

I’ve got the common tell tell signs of tired eyes at the moment and I welcome these eye pads which promise to revive and rejuvenate your eyes. These come in the form of pads which are drenched in a soothing, marine-based collagen solution.

These eye pads help reduce dark shadows, plump out wrinkles and relax your eye contour for a more youthful, toned appearance.

I’m looking forward to trying these to banish my tired looking eyes!

6.   MyVitamins Vitamin C Effervescent Tablets – Full Size (20 tablets) RRP £4.49

MyVitamins is a brand who takes a fresh approach to health & well-being delivering vitamins, minerals & extracts for the whole family, direct to your door.

Within this month’s box is a tube of Vitamin C Effervescent dissolvable tablets containing 1000mg of Vitamin C. These tablets are available in two fruity flavours raspberry and natural orange. You simply pop one tablet into a glass water for a great tasting drink which is easy to consume.

This time of year our immune systems are really challenged by sickness bugs and Christmas fatigue and it’s very easy for our bodies to take a sudden dip. These tablets come at the right time to fire up and restore the normal function of the immune system.

The tube contains a generous 20 tablets which gives you an opportunity to road test the brand and the concept. These are a great addition to this month’s box especially if you’re still feeling the wrath of  Christmas past or feeling run down.

My Verdict

 Look Fantastic have showcased a great box to kick start the new year and features mainly premium brands giving their customers a tip to toe discovery experience covering both inner and outer beauty this month.

The January edit has all area’s covered and includes a selection of winter skincare essentials, products to prep and prime the hair, a refreshing shower gel and a tube of energising vitamins to give you a little boost if you’re still all partied out from the festive season. The box boasts six products this month with two being full size.

This box impresses me each month and it certainly gives you an opportunity to try more upmarket beauty brands without the hefty price tag. I’m pretty chuffed with the January line up which has a good selection of products to road test including a few new discoveries.

In my opinion the quality, the presentation and the product selection throughout their boxes remains to be consistently great and focuses mainly on medium and high end brands. The samples sizes are very good sized too and are ideal to accompany you on short breaks and weekends away.

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

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

The January box is available now and 20 ghd Eclipse Stylers (each worth £145.00) have been hidden in 20 boxes. For more information please visit:
http://www.lookfantastic.com

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