December 2014 – Which Beauty Box UK

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Which Beauty Box UK January 5, 2015

My Little Box Review – December 2014

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

Keep updated on my latest blog posts via:

Which Beauty Box UK December 31, 2014

Beauty Pick of the Month – December 2014

Firstly, Happy New Year to all my readers and a huge thank you for making my first year of blogging an amazing one. I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2015 brings us beauty box addicts.

It’s that time of the month again when I pick my favourite product which I received in one of my many beauty boxes. This month’s showstopper is the wonderful Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil which I received in my Look Fantastic Beauty Box, it’s done wonders for my skin this month.

If you had asked me to try an oil on my face a few months ago I probably would of run a mile! I’ve always been skeptical about facial oils and was convinced that they would never benefit my oily and spot-prone skin. I automatically assumed that I would end up with an even oilier complexion, giving spots the ideal conditions to spawn!

It was only a few months ago that I introduced oils into my beauty regime having received one especially for oily and combination skin in a previous beauty box. So I took the plunge and haven’t looked back since. I’m just kicking myself for not trying these earlier on as they really do work wonders even for oiliest skin types. It was in fact Mr Ole Henriksen himself who said “Fight oil with oil—it works like a charm”! He wasn’t wrong!

The Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil features a lightweight texture infused with natural citrus aromas and absorbs quickly to soften, condition and moisturise dull and tired skin. It’s infused with Rosehip oil, vitamin C and essential fatty acids which improves your skin’s own natural rejuvenating abilities while the tangerine and lemongrass oils soothe inflammation and minimises pores without a greasy residue.

I’ve recently had a bout of bad skin and turned to this oil, hoping it would restore my skin back to its normal state. I’ve been using this three times a week just before bed and I’ve already noticed an improved difference in my skin. My complexion is much more balanced which has prevented any further breakouts and in the morning it leaves my skin glowing, luminous, and much more happy looking. Any scars from previous blemishes also appear to be more blurred. This miracle worker is a great pick me up, perfect for brightening up dull and problematic skin this winter for even the oiliest and sensitive of skin types.

The Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil retails at £47.00 for a 30ml bottle. Whilst it is quite expensive, a little squirt really does go a long way and could possibly last a few months.

The Ole Henriksen range is available at www.lookfantastic.com

Which Beauty Box UK December 30, 2014

So Susan LipLove Subscription Launch – December 2014

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

Which Beauty Box UK December 26, 2014

The Beauteque BB Bag 3 Review – December 2014

The BB Bag 3 – November Edition
Price – $30.00 including shipping approx £18.29
No of Products – 6 items
Total value of contents – £40.02
http://www.beauteque.com/

The BB Bag 3 is the third edition which Beauteque released in November and this edit contains a mixture of skincare products and a lifestyle item in the form of a pretty scarf which will certainly come in useful this winter. The bag contains six full sized products with a value of around £40.02. As with all of the BB Bags there is also an opportunity for customisation where you can choose variations of some of the products and the remainder is a complete surprise, a concept which I really like about Beauteque.

The BB Bag, known as the Beauteque Bag which at the moment is released bi-monthly is a beauty bag containing 5-6 Korean beauty products ranging from skincare, make up, hair and bodycare along with a lifestyle item or a beauty tool. The good news is Beauteque have launched their BB Bag on a monthly basis as of the 26th December, the full details are available here.

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

The contents always come presented in a bag as opposed to a box and are re-usable too, they are great for traveling or weekend breaks. The BB Bag 3 comes in vibrant yellow make-up bag and features mainly skincare products along with a pretty lifestyle item in the form of a scarf.

1. Mizon White Sleeping Mask – Full Size 50ml RRP £7.36

The Mizon’s Good Night White Sleeping Mask is an overnight treatment which claims to improve skin tone and builds protection against moisture loss to nourish and balance skin while you’re sleeping to give you bright, hydrated and radiant skin when you wake up. It’s formulated with natural extracts, including soothing lavender and mulberry and is suitable for all skin types especially those with dull skin and uneven skin tone.

This sounds like a great overnight treatment which is essential for this time of the year especially if you’re skin is all partied out.

2. Mizon Collagen Power Firming Eye Cream – Full Size 10ml RRP £10.12

This Mizon eye cream contains 42% of highly concentrated marine collagen to fight and lift wrinkles around the eyes and claims to restores elasticity to the skin by promoting skin regeneration. It also contains natural ingredients such as adenosine, argan oil and hyaluronic acid. The formula is free from alcohol, fragrance, parabens and colouring.

I’ve been using this for a few days now and whilst it applies very smoothly it doesn’t absorb fast into the skin and almost leaves a film by forming a barrier to lock in moisture. The skin around my eyes feel much hydrated and softer. This would work really well for those who have dry patches under the eye area.

3. It’s Skin Green Tea Lips & Eye Cleansing Pads – Full Size RRP £8.28

With all the late nights recently I’ve been a little lazy when it comes to removing my make up. It’s the worst chore to come home to when you simply just want to go to bed! These fuss-free cleansing pads will certainly come in handy for a quick swipe before bed with minimum effort!

These pads are infused with a gentle formula which eliminate dirt, oil and make-up whilst leaving the skin calm and soothed with it’s green tea extract.

There’s a generous amount of pads within the tub and they are super moist too with a light scented fragrance.

4. Cosmos Facial Blotting Tissue – Full Size RRP £3.68

You were able to choose the type of blotting tissues from five options. I received the Natural and Fresh pack which contains 100 blotting papers.

These blotting papers are fragrance free and gently eradicate excess oil and mattify the skin such as the nose, chin and forehead by simply blotting or wiping the area. Inside the pack is a clever little sticky pad which picks up each paper.

I have oily skin and these are great for keeping in your make up bag or handbag for on the go touch ups to keep your face shine-free.

5. The Face Shop Blackhead Out Aloe Nose Strips – 5 Strips RRP £3.22

The Face Shop Blackhead Out Aloe Nose Strip which comes in a pack of five removes blackheads with it’s strong blackhead and oily secretion absorption properties. It also contains pore minimising ingredients and leaves your nose feeling tight and smooth.

Fortunately I don’t suffer from blackheads however I’ve got a few family members who do and will be putting these to the test when they come and visit!

6. Beauteque Scarf – RRP £7.36

One of the aspects I love about the Beauteque bags is that they also include either a lifestyle item or a beauty tool making the discovery not just lotions and potions.

This edit includes a scarf and out of the two options available I opted for the floral one which has a beautiful colourful print. The quality is really good too and is perfect for brightening up any winter outfit.

My Verdict

I really like the BB Bag 3 edition which showcases a good variety of skincare products and a lifestyle item. All of the items are usable and features well-known Korean brands. I like that I was able to customise a few options too and the remainder was a complete surprise. There’s a great selection of skin pick me ups and essentials in this bag, all of which have arrived at the right time for at me where my skin is a little partied out!

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

The entire contents within the BB Bag are all full sized with a value of £40.02 beating the cost of the bag which works out around £18.29 including shipping. It’s a small price to pay to discover Korean brands which aren’t available in the UK.

Beauteque’s new monthly subscription bag is available now at:
www.beautequemonthly.com

For more information or to purchase the BB Bag 3 please visit
www.beauteque.com

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Which Beauty Box UK December 24, 2014

Love Me Beauty Box Review – December 2014

Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.95 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £40.48
http://www.lovemebeauty.com

My December 2014 Love Me Beauty Box has arrived and this month sees another great line up in their boutique showcasing new make-up, nail varnish and a selection of skincare products.

December’s boutique also featured new brands such as Jessica Nails, Bourjois, L’Oréal and Olay as well as some of their older stock from previous months. For me personally I was delighted with these new additions and my customised box is all things make-up, nail varnish and a unisex shower gel from the comical brand Anatomicals.

Each month The Love Me Beauty monthly subscription is worth 6 credits and you simply chose the items you want inside your box from a selection of products ranging from hair, body, nails, skincare and make-up. Most of the items are either 1 or 2 credits. For information on how the new concept works please visit their website.

All the items are packed within a drawstring bag which is enclosed inside their newly designed box.

1. Jessica Nail Varnish – (2 credits each) Full Size RRP £10.50 each

Despite already possessing a huge amount of nail varnishes I really can’t resist adding more to my collection and within the last few months, a couple have always ended up in my Love Me Beauty Box! I only wish I had an extra 10 pairs of hands to really get maximum use out of them all!

I don’t own any Jessica Nail Varnishes and I’ve had a few manicures using this brand and was pretty impressed with the quality and the longevity.

Within this month’s boutique was a good selection of nail varnishes from the Jessica collection. I choose California Dreaming which is a pretty pink and A La Mode a dusty beige.

I love both of my selections, the shades are soft, feminine and very pretty and the formula applies opaque in two coats without the need of a top coat.

2. Bourjois Colorissimo Lip Palette – (2 credits each) Full Size RRP £7.99 each

I was delighted to see these party ready Bourjois Lip Palettes, they are perfect for the party season and being so compact in size they are great for popping into any purse or clutch-bag for touch-ups on the go.

There were two different palettes available within the boutique from ultimate party reds (Rouge Collection) to everyday pinks (Rose Muses) and I chose both, it would of been criminal not too right?

The Roses Muses palette houses three easy-to-wear pinks, ranging from a soft blush to a vivid fuchsia along with a deep cherry pink. The Rouge Collection contains a standard true red, a bright red orange and a deeper red that has a slight brown undertone.

Each lip collection is housed in a sturdy plastic palette and contain three lipstick shades along with a double ended sponge tip applicator which really doesn’t do any favours for this palette. The sponge tip is absolutely useless and the lipsticks apply much more effectively with a brush.

The formulation of these lipsticks are really creamy and whilst their not the best pigmented lipsticks on the market they do a fairly good job after a few applications. Within the palettes, each lipstick is designed to compliment one another so can be worn alone or blended together to create a brand new shade. I would advise to exfoliate your lips first as the lipsticks don’t take to dry lips very well. All of the colours in both palettes are very wearable and I love that these can transition your lip colour from a day look to a evening look in one easy compact.

3. Anatomicals Shower To The People Body Cleanser – (1 credit) Full Size 200ml RRP £3.50

I’ve been really loving the Anatomicals brand recently and I’m always humoured by their funny annotations on their packaging which is quite comical and requires somewhat of a sense of humour to really appreciate this quirky brand. The brand is also pocket friendly too and great value for money.

Most of their shower gels which I’ve tried have a lovely fruity scent and this month I chose the Grapefruit and Lemongrass Body Cleanser which is unisex so I no longer need to worry about my husband smelling feminine when he comes of out of the shower! The shower gel comes in a very generous 200ml tube and smells really refreshing and uplifting perfect for the mornings when you need a little waking up.

My Verdict

I’m really happy with my selections and the items which were available in the Boutique this month. I love that I can curate my own box allowing full control and flexibility at an affordable monthly price. Whilst this box no longer has the surprise aspect I can simply choose products in accordance with my likes and needs and don’t need to worry about items that may not be suited for me. All of the items are full sized too which is really impressive.

This month’s boutique included a good variety and featured well known brands such as Jessica Nails, Bourjois, L’Oréal and Olay. The boutique itself covers all areas of beauty and whilst this months new additions were mainly make up and nail varnishes again, I hope next month features more skincare and body products. I’ve also noticed that Love Me Beauty have added more products which are one credit meaning subscribers can get more for their 6 credits.

My box is worth an amazing £40.48 beating the cost of the box.

Want to sign up to the new Love Me Beauty Revolution?

Use my code VQ2CX8 at the checkout for 1 free credit when you sign up (credit will be awarded on your second box)

www.lovemebeauty.com

Which Beauty Box UK December 22, 2014

Beauteque’s New Subscription Launch – December 2014

Being a beauty box addict I love hearing about new subscription launches and I am pleased to unveil that Beauteque will be launching their official subscription bag program on Friday 26th December 2014.

Beauteque is an online beauty retailer specialising in Korean Beauty products. They offer unique high end products that aren’t readily available in the UK and and to name a few, they showcase brands such as Etude House, Mizon, Tony Moly, and Lioele. They regularly release a wide variety of beauty bags which include a good mixture of beauty goodies.

Their monthly subscription programme will consist of four different options:

Monthly Subscription is $24 per month (£20.21 per month including shipping)

3 month subscription is $24 per month (£20.21 per month including shipping)

6 month Subscription is $23 per month (£19.60 per month including shipping)

12 month Subscription is $22 per month (£18.98 per month including shipping)

Shipping will be $8.95 for Europe, $3.95 for the US and $5.95 for Canada.

Each month you will receive 7 full sized products with a value between $65 to $85 and will include a selection of make up, skincare, jewellery and lifestyle products from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Europe and America. The good news is there is also a little customisation which means you can choose between variations of some of the products featured in the bag. To see my review on previous bags by Beauteque please click here.

The subscriptions will run from the 15^th to the 15^th (If you subscribe on January 16^th, you will receive the February bag and so on)

The bags will be shipped out from the 5^th to the 15^th and subscribers will be guaranteed to receive their bag within the month.

Beauteque will also email options to their subscribers on the 1^stof each month and you will be required to send back your responses for your preferences by the 5^th or they will simply pick the options for you.

To celebrate Beauteque’s new launch they are offering customers the following offers

If you subscribe to the 6 month prepaid option before the 15th January 2015, you will receive a free gift with every bag AND also a bonus gift set valued at $50 on your last bag.

If you subscribe to the 12 month prepaid option before the 15th January 2015 , you will receive a free gift with every bag AND also a bonus gift set valued at $100 on your last bag.

Customers are eligible to cancel their subscription by emailing subscriptions@beauteque.com

The new website will be launching on the 26th December at:
www.beautequemonthly.com

Which Beauty Box UK December 20, 2014

The Beauteque Polished Holiday Bag Review – December 2014

Polished Holiday Bag
Price of the Bag is £22.00 including P&P
No. of Products – 7
Total value of contents in the bag – £31.36
www.beauteque.com

With the party season already in full swing, Beauteque have launched The Polished Holiday Bag which focuses on getting your hands and feet party ready for the festivities upon us. It contains a great variety of practical must-have essentials and a selection of nail varnishes to get you prepped and primed for the party season.

For the Holiday Season, Beauteque have launched three different bags including the Polished Holiday Bag, the Head to Toe Spaliday Bag and the Tra La La Travel Bag.

The contents come presented in a chic black velvet drawstring bag and features seven full sized products covering all aspects when it comes to prep and priming the hands and feet. This bag also offers a little customisation where you can chose a different type of the Face Shop Cream and two of the nail polish shades.

1. The Face Shop Green Grape Hand & Body Shiffon Cream – Full Size 100ml RRP £5.52

This cream is a non-sticky formula and keeps the skin moisturised and resilient with long lasting softness. It also has an anti-inflammatory and a nourishing effect on the skin with it’s key ingredient being shea butter.

Out of the two variants available I opted for the Green Grape cream as I prefer sweet scents and thought this would be perfect and I wasn’t wrong, it smells utterly delicious and reminds me of one of the flavours in the Willy Wonka’s Gobstopper pack!

I was expecting this cream to be heavy but surprisingly it’s very light and feels silky when applied onto the skin. It’s non greasy formula absorbs into the skin quickly. I really like this cream it’s a great pick me up for the mornings and although it’s not super hydrating I think this would be ideal for the warmer months.

2. Looc Mineral Nail Remover – Full Size 100ml RRP £3.00

There’s a generous size of a mineral nail varnish remover by Looc which isn’t a brand I’ve come across before.

This gentle formula easily removes even the darkest shades of nail polish without drying the surface of the nail or the surrounding skin.

The remover doesn’t smell heavily of acetone either and has a pleasant fruity scent which I really like.

3. Flip Flop Nail Care Kit – Full Size RRP £3.99

Can we take a moment to admire this cute little flip flop case, it’s so cute!

Inside the case is a set of key manicure tools and includes a nail clipper, a metal nail file, nail scissors and a cuticle shaper. It’s the perfect compact travel companion.

4. Foot File – Full Size RRP £3.06

I always welcome foot files in beauty boxes as my feet get really dry during the colder months.

This 4 in 1 foot file includes a nail cleaning brush, a pumice stone, a metal file and a buffing file to really target dry, callused feet and heels.

5. Essie Nail Varnish – Full Size RRP £10.95

I was really shocked to see a nail varnish from Essie considering it’s not a Korean brand however was delighted to see this unexpected surprise which came in the shade After School Blazer, a bold navy blue colour. It’s the perfect winter colour which gives your nails a bold finish and looks stunning with a touch of silver glitter.

6. Scandal Nail Polish – Full Size RRP £3.00

Out of the three variants available I opted for the shade Luxury Purple which is a magenta colour and contains tiny specks of gold shimmer. This nail varnish really stands out with it’s unique provocative corset bottle which grabbed my attention straight away, it’s very different!

The application is great and the color, texture and finish is quite impressive giving you a full opaque result with just one coat. It also has a high shine finish and doesn’t even require a top coat.

7. Make Me Trendy Nail Art Pen – Full Size RRP £1.84

This nail art pen was available in silver and gold and I opted for the latter as silver tends to match with most colours and is more subtle compared to gold.

Whilst this isn’t a pen it’s a striper brush with a short slimline brush which is perfect for doing nail art from dots, stripes to intricate detail. I’ve not attempted any nail art this year so looking forward trying a few designs over the Christmas period.

My Verdict

Beauteque have selected a great variety of products for this edit which focuses on getting your hands and feet prepped and primed for the party season as well as all year round. The bag also includes key essential items to tackle dry skin during the colder months and boasts seven fulled sized products which are all very usable. The aspect I like about the Beauteque Bags is that they offer some personalisation too which allows you to choose products from different variations and the remainder of what you receive is a complete surprise.

Inside the box is also a product card which is in English so you won’t be lost in translation! My only negative about the product card is that it’s not very descriptive and neither does it include the value of the items.

The entire contents within this bag has a value of £31.36 beating the cost of the bag which works out around £22.00 including shipping. It’s a small price to pay to discover Korean brands which aren’t available in the UK to buy.

Beauteque have a wide selection of Beauty Bags via their website at:

www.beauteque.com

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 Please see my disclaimer for more information

Keep updated on my latest blog posts via:

Which Beauty Box UK December 17, 2014

Love Lula Beauty Box Review – December 2014

Price of the Box is £12.50 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 7
Total value of contents in the box – £25.00
http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

The December 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 boasts four full sized products and includes a variety of winter essentials, my all time favourite multi-purpose soap and an indulgent bath time treat. I’m delighted that most 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 four full sized products, 1 deluxe sample and 2 sachet samples.The box features the brands Dr Bronner, Salcura, Fair Squared and JOIK.

1. Dr Bronner’s Lavender Liquid Soap – Full Size 237ml. RRP £5.99

I recently discovered this amazing magic soap by Dr Bronner and have been using this on a daily basis to wash my make-up brushes. It’s gentle yet effective formula definitely makes the chore more pleasant with quick results. I’ve been using the Dr Bronner’s bar of soap and was happy to receive this as it’s more versatile and is much easier to use being in a liquid form.

Whilst this may appear to be just a simple bottle of soap it’s truly natural with it’s no-fuss packaging and boasts eighteen multi- uses .The soap which isn’t restricted just for the face and body, can also be used for household cleaning, laundry washing, even washing pets such as dogs. This gentle formula is not harsh in the slightest with its combination of certified fair trade and organic oil ingredients.

It’s potently scented with a lavender fragrance which smells very soothing, perfect for using in the shower to unwind in the evenings. Alternatively if you’re a fan of lavender scents a little can be added to an oil burner too.

2. Salcura Hand Hydrator – Full Size 75ml. RRP £11.99

In Winter we all tend to reach out for more moisture quenching products as the weather conditions wreak havoc on our skin.

I’ve not tried anything from the brand Salcura and was happy to be introduced to them in the form of their Hand Hydrator.

Founded in 2002, Salcura is a British skin therapy brand who have developed scientifically supported, highly effective, skin kind and skin friendly therapy products.

This hand cream is 99% natural and the star ingredient within the formula is Sea Buckthorn Oil known for its nourishing, regenerative and restorative properties and also contains high concentrations of Omega 3, 6, 7 and 9.

The cream claims to provide quick relief from dry skin and also reduces inflammation fast if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis which both flare up during the winter months.

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.

3. Fair Squared Lip Balm x 2 – Full Size. RRP £2.99 each

Fair Squared provide organic and vegan beauty products and their collection ranges from skincare to bath, bedroom and beyond.

There’s two generous lip balms from Fair Squared in this month’s box which is another new discovery for me. I received Spearmint and Pomegranate from their collection.

Fair Squared lip balms are produced with rich almond oil, precious apricot kernel oil as well as coconut oil and cacao butter.

I use lip balms on a daily basis and was happy to see a couple more to add to my collection.

4. JOIK Lavender bath truffle and Sample Sachets – Sample Size

I spotted this brand on the Love Lula website a few weeks ago and immediately the JOIK collection stood out for me with its luxurious look and feel. I’m really pleased that Love Lula have featured this deluxe sample in their box this month.

JOIK originates from Estonia and their ethos is to use nature to their best advantage whilst caring for it too. Their products contain all the goodness from natural sources combined with luxurious emotions of scent and colour.

The Lavender bath truffle which is 100% natural is infused with natural essential oil offering a relaxing and calming experience. They are rich in cocoa butter leaving your skin wonderfully soft, moisturised and velvety and it’s especially good for dry skin.

The bath truffle sample comes presented in a pretty organza drawstring bag and you can really smell the notes of the lavender even before opening the bag.

This bath truffle looks very creamy in appearance and on the surface lies a scatter of dried lavender and almost looks edible! You simply add the truffle to warm bath water and slowly let it melt. I’m looking forward to trying this over the Christmas period.

Also within the box is two sample sachets of JOIK’s Shimmering raspberry body lotion with sweet almond oil and their Silky Facial Serum with cranberry seed oil.

My Verdict

I’m delighted with this month’s box which features variety of winter essentials, my all time favourite multi-purpose soap and an indulgent bath time treat. The box boasts 4 full sized products and covers a good area of beauty.

This month’s brands were mostly new discoveries for me and included a mixture of full sized products and samples this month.

The December box is slightly less valued compared to previous months and works out to be around £25.00 which still isn’t bad considering the box is only £12.50.

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 December.

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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Which Beauty Box UK December 16, 2014

So Susan LoveLacquer Box Review – December 2014

Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £46.00
www.sosusan.com

The December 2014 So Susan LacquerLove box has arrived and this month’s theme is The Celebration Box which will get your nails party-ready in no time. The box showcases a good selection of party-inspired nail varnishes from impressive high shine shades to an eye-catching glitter varnish, perfect for the festive season and the new year celebrations upon us.

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

The box includes 5 full sized items four of which are 4- free nail varnishes and one bonus make up product each month from either Jelly Pong Pong or So Susan. Each monthly edit features a unique theme and is specially curated.

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

Inside the box is four 4-free nail lacquers and 1 bonus So Susan Universal Blush.

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

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

These nail lacquers are 4-free which means they contain no DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), no Toluene, no Formaldehyde and no Formaldehyde resin, making it the ideal product which is kind to you but also sustains it’s high quality formula.

This month’s box included the shades Violaceous, Lipstick, Merry Mulberry and Gold Foil (Full sized retailed at £6.95 individually)

The December edit features a beautiful selection of party-worthy shades which are very wearable all year round. The shade lipstick is the ultimate Christmas red and the Merry Mulberry is a dashing purple with a high shine finish. My favourite is Violaceous which is a lovely soft lilac hued shade which is ideal for both day and night wear and would look absolutely stunning with a coat of silver glitter varnish. Lastly is Gold Foil, a striking gold glitter varnish which is loaded with specks of glitter, perfect for adding glitz and glamour to any party look.

The So Susan nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty good.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat and one coat is simply enough to achieve a fully opaque finish. The brush also provides great coverage with very little effort making nail painting a complete doddle.

2. So Susan Universal Blush – Full Size RRP £17.95

Although I already own this blusher I was happy to receiving another one. This is a micronized, jet-milled blush that works with your skin’s natural chemistry to create a universal healthy flush that is flattering on all skin tones. It’s made with Buriti Fruit Oil to repair the epidermis and improve skin elasticity.

This diverse blusher is a really pretty shade of pink and contains hints of gold shimmer giving a soft warm glow giving a natural finish. The gold shimmer adds subtle luminosity especially when exposed to light.

The silky texture glides smoothly onto the skin, is easy to blend and can be built up to achieve a more dramatic look. I really love the shade which is perfect for brightening lacklustre skin during the winter months.

My Verdict

I love this month’s edit which includes a great selection of Christmas and party inspired nail varnishes. There’s a good variety of colours and finishes from striking high shine shades to an eye-catching glitter. The Universal Blush was a lovely addition to the box and is perfect for brightening dull complexions this winter.

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

This box is worth an amazing £46.00 which is great value for money as the box itself is only £14.95 including P&P. You certainly won’t be in the dark with this box as you will be able to preview the box and all it’s contents prior to it being sent to you. if you don’t fancy the pickings you can simply skip the month giving you complete control and flexibility.

If you tend to stick to classic shades this box definitely gives you the opportunity to try something which you normally wouldn’t reach out for.

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

So Susan have newly launched their latest Lip Love subscription which is designed to bring you lip-focused products infused with skin-loving ingredients each month.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

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Which Beauty Box UK December 14, 2014

Birchbox Review – December 2014

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

With only a couple of short weeks left, it’s already beginning to feel a lot like Christmas with homes illuminated with sparkling lights, shop windows dressed to impress and of course the December 2014 Birchbox which brings it’s own glamour and sparkle this month with its exclusive festive edit ‘Get your party shoes on’ inspired by British Designer Sophia Webster’s gemstone Suri shoe. This month the iconic brown box has had a glitzy makeover and comes presented as a collectable must-have designed box making a bold fashionable statement just on its own.

With the party season already in full swing, the December box showcases a selection of essential party must-haves, an exclusive-to-Birchbox coin purse designed by Sophia herself and a Benefit cracker with a surprise sample inside. This month’s box also featured a little customisation and subscribers were asked in November to pick their preferred shade of the Model Own’s nail varnish out of the four sparkly shades available.

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.

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 a selection of skincare, make up, perfume, nail varnish a hair product and a lifestyle extra in the form of the coin purse designed by Sophia Webster.

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

1. Models Own Nail Varnish – Full Size RRP £5.00

I already use and love Models Own nail varnish who have a wide array of darks, neutrals, pastels and glitter based shades within their collection.

Last month all Birchbox subscribers were asked to chose a Model Owns nail varnish out of four sparkly shades from the Velvet Goth collection.

This collection from Models Own is unique in design with a textured velvet lid giving it a very festive look and feel.

Nothing says Christmas more then sparkly bold nails which stand out and glisten. I received the shade Amethyst which is a dashing purple and contains tiny specks of glitter and shimmer. This dries as a matte finish and one coat is simply enough for a complete opaque finish. For a glossier effect a top coat can be applied to transform this nail varnish from matte to shiny. It’s the perfect party shade.

2. Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream – Sample Size 10ml. Full Size 50ml RRP £50.00

I’ve not even started to look into anti-ageing products and being in my thirties this is a great introduction to ease my way into the anti-ageing range.

This anti-ageing cream from Eslor works to defend our complexion against the effects of ageing. It contains hyrdolyed marine collagen and a whole host of nutrient-rich botanicals work to lock in moisture, restore elasticity, and boost radiance to leave skin looking more youthful. It’s formulated without parabens or skin irritants to leave the skin feeling soothed and replenished.

The tub is really good sized and there’s enough product for at least a few days.

3. Eyeko Fat Stick – Full Size RRP £8.00

I already own a few Eyeko items and was happy to see this eye crayon which is exclusive to Birchbox only.

There are two party-worthy shades available which subscribers can expect to see this month. I received the shade Smoke, which is charcoal-tinged shade perfect for achieving a sultry smoky eye look.

This multi-use eye crayon which has a retractable twist-up applicator can be used as eyeliner or a eye shadow. The creamy texture glides easily when applied and helps to contour and refine the eyes. It’s super pigmented too and can be applied sheer or opaque with it’s easy to blend formula. This crayon also lines the eyes quickly and easily and you can achieve a variety of effects, from a subtle yet precise look, to a more dramatic definition.

I personally would use this to achieve an evening make up look due to the dark shade. This crayon is great when you’re on the go and if you have little time for any beauty prep this is really handy and will keep your regime super simple.

4. Electric Hair Hydrate Shampoo – Sample Size 30ml. Full Size RRP £17.50

The brand Electric Hair is a new discovery for me and is a British brand taking the haircare world by storm and was founded by Mark Woolley.

The Hydrate Shampoo which was a finalist at the hair awards in 2013 is a nourishing, creamy formula packed with moisture-rich ingredients which retains optimum hydration in your hair and intensifies its natural shine.

Winter really sucks the life out of my hair making it dry and unmanageable at times and this sounds amazing for giving your hair an extra boost of moisture.

5. English Laundry Signature For Her Perfume – Sample Size. Full Size RRP £60.00

Having discovered English Laundry via Birchbox at the beginning of the year, it’s a high-end brand which really stands out for me. Their collection contains a selection of unique and luxurious fragrances which are really feminine and smell absolutely divine.

The English Laundry Signature Perfume taps into the very essence of an English country garden with a beautifully fresh fragrance with top notes of rose geranium and creamy white flowers along with woody spicy and musky notes.

I’ve received a sample of this previously and it’s a great perfume for daily wear which really gets noticed. If you’re a fan of sweet scents you will fall in love with this instantly.

6. Benefit Christmas Cracker containing High Beam – Sample Size. Full Size RRP £19.50

This Benefit Christmas Cracker is teeny but it’s so adorable and inside all subscribers can expect to see a sample of the popular Benefit High Beam highlighter. It’s my all time favourite highlighter which gives the perfect finish to any make-up look.

High Beam which is a subtle pink in shade adds a natural glow and really accentuates features such as your brow bone and cheeks with very little effort. It gives you a fresh-faced and wide awake dewy finish which looks very natural and really enhances your make up look.

7. Lifestyle Extra – Sophia Webster Coin Purse – RRP £10.00

I love this months lifestyle extra which is an exclusive to Birchbox coin purse designed by Sophia Webster and all subscribers will receive this within their box.

I’ve stopped carrying a purse recently mainly because I find them bulky and they never seem to hold large amounts of change. Instead the zipped compartment within my bag holds everything from my bank cards to loose change. It’s not ideal and I was certainly happy to see this purse which is the ideal size for day to day. It’s also great to accompany you on a night out when there is limited room in your clutch bag!

My Verdict

This month’s Birchbox is dressed to impress and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the December edit was a collaboration with Sophia Webster. I was expecting a box with a very typical Christmas design however I was delighted that Birchbox upped the game with something more unique and eye catching. This edit without a doubt has stolen the show and will definitely be a crowd pleaser this month.

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, perfume, nail varnish, a hair product and a lifestyle extra in the form of a coin purse designed by Sophia Webster.

As well as the striking box design which I absolutely love, the box boasts seven items this month, two of which are full sized and contains a selection of beauty must-haves to get you party ready from well known brands and a couple of new discoveries for me.

I really adore this months box which ticks all the boxes for me. All of the items are very usable and the samples are decent sized too giving you an opportunity to really road test the products.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Birchbox have in store for us in 2015.

Thinking of Subscribing?

Join today and get your first Birchbox for only £7.95 by entering the promo code DEC5 at checkout.

For a limited time only receive an exclusive beauty gift worth £45 with the purchase of every 3-, 6- or 12-month gift subscription to Birchbox!

The exclusive gift will include a glitzy make-up bag packed with 3 FULL-SIZE products: an exclusive-to-Birchbox Models Own polish in Terra Firma, a Pixi by Petra Shea Butter Lip Balm in Ripe Raspberry AND Benefit’s Triple Performing Facial Emulsion. PLUS, they have also thrown in £10 to spend on the Birchbox e-shop, on orders over £40!

Use code CHRISTMASWISHES at checkout to redeem but hurry – it’s only valid while stocks last!

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

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