Skincare – Page 4 – Which Beauty Box UK

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Which Beauty Box UK March 1, 2015

Birchbox Spoiler – March 2015

I think the majority of us can’t wait to see the back of winter and thankfully spring is slowly but surely approaching and with this in mind the March 2015 Birchbox sees a surprising but exciting collaboration with Homeware and Lifestyle experts Habitat to inspire us to embrace the new season, whether it be adding bursts of bright colours to your wardrobe, a make-up bag spring clean or freshening up your existing beauty regime. The “Do Try It at Home” edition features a spring-ready line-up and comes presented in a refreshing, vibrant designed box which I absolutely adore. If that’s not enough to entice you, this month sees the return of choose your own sample with Benefit, a brand we all know and love.

This month’s box has all areas covered and inside you will find a selection of worthy samples from Birchbox’s signature and discovery brands such as Benefit, Serenity, Tan Organic, Janjira, Catherine Malandrino and Philip Kingsley to name a few along with two lifestyle items too.

The March Birchbox is available now.

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

www.birchbox.co.uk

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Which Beauty Box UK March 1, 2015

Look Fantastic Beauty Box Review – March 2015

Price of the Box is £15.00 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6
Worth over £71.48
www.lookfantastic.com

I’ve kick started the month with the March Look Fantastic Beauty Box and as per every month it’s a box which I can’t wait to get my hands on and one which I have complete confidence in.There’s many reasons why this box stands out for me but the main reason being is that I know there will be something inside which I will simply fall in love with. Since launching only last September, this box has been a big hit with beauty lovers and addicts alike and this month’s box is definitely one of my favourite editions as it showcases a great variety of products from innovative skincare ,a couple of make up treats and a detangling brush too. There’s so many new wonderful discoveries and the sizes of the products are really generous too with three out of the six being full-size and not forgetting that this month’s box is worth an incredible £71.48, now that’s impressive!

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

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

This month’s box is filled with an incredible 6 beauty treats which have been carefully selected and showcases well known and premium brands along with a few new discoveries too. The box features products from Bliss, Cowshed, Caudalie, Lord & Berry, NUDESTIX and Wet Brush.

1. Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Antiwrinkle Defense Serum – Sample Size 10ml worth £11.66. Full Size 30ml RRP £35.00

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Defense Serum is a concentrated antioxidant serum that promises to visibly reduce existing wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles from forming. This serum also defends against free radicals caused by UV rays and pollution, as well as hydrating and plumping the skin.

The serum comes packaged in a green, glass jar with a dropper dispenser and the formula is nearly opaque with a fairly light-weight consistency. This also comes fragranced in a very floral but pleasant scent, so if you’re sensitive to perfumed products, you may want to sit this one out. I’m not quite there with the anti-ageing regime but it was great to see the likes of Caudalie showcased within the box.

2. Bliss Fatgirlslim – Deluxe Size 2oz Worth £9.83. Full Size 6oz RRP £29.50

The Bliss Fat Girl Slim utilises a unique delivery system called QuSome, encapsulated caffeine molecules that target problem areas. The caffeine stimulates the skin surface and also claims to rejuvenate as well as firming to visibly reducing the dimpling effect. The company also makes it very clear that this is not a fat or weight loss product.

I’m all for innovative products but when it comes to body-shaping treatments in the form of lotions I’m as skeptical as it gets. I only believe in old-fashioned cures like: regular exercise, eating healthy, drinking a lot of water and cutting down on bad eating habits however I’ve read really good reviews on this firming cream and seen their result statistics and it has somewhat swayed my opinion. The sample also comes in a generous size enabling a good opportunity to really trial the formula.

3. Cowshed Lippy Cow Natural Lip Balm – Full Size 5ml. RRP £5.00

Cowshed is one of those brands which I think everyone has heard of due to their quirky product names and I’m always happy to receive something new from their collection to try out.

The Lippy Cow lip balm is full of natural ingredients including essential oils, rose geranium and ylang ylang promising to soften the lips leaving them supple. The balm is quite thick with a subtle citrus fragrance that soon disappears. The key ingredient’s not only revive dry lips but also help to calm and soothe, great for winter chapped lips. I really like the non-sticky formula and it’s not too heavy and simply just sinks into the skin whilst still retaining the moisture.

4. NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye Color – Full Size RRP £24.00

It was only recently that Look Fantastic added this fairly new brand to their portfolio and I think it was pretty nice of them to include something from the NUDESTIX collection to make the introduction to us too.

The NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye crayon highlights, colours, lines, primes and is also waterproof and crease proof making it great for all eyelids, even those that are oily.

I’m a big fan of shadow sticks, they’re time saving and only require a few swipes with some blending and you’re done. My only problem has been finding one that that has staying power and doesn’t crease.

I received the shade Gilt which is a warm golden beige shade and I can see this suiting all skin tones although there could be different shade variants this month. I adore the colour which has a subtle hint of shimmer with stunning depth. It’s a very natural shade making it perfect for both day and night wear. The creamy formula glides onto the lid without dragging the skin and it literally takes a little blending with your fingers to achieve the perfect finish. I left this on for only a couple of hours but in that time I was impressed that the shadow was still in tact.

5. Lord & Berry Line/Shade Eye Pencil and Liner – Travel Size. Full Size RRP £9.00

Being a self-confessed black eyeliner addict, I was happy to see an eye liner from Lord & Berry. I already own the smudgeproof liner and was hoping this one would deliver the same quality and results.

The Lord and Berry Line/Shade eye pencil is formulated from a special mix of kajal and kohl to give a rich and consistent colour that will make your eyes pop. The pencil claims to blendable, long-lasting, waterproof and comfortable making it suitable for even the most sensitive of eyes. This multi-purpose pencil can be used to create a sharp line or a smudged, smokey effect.

This liner is super creamy and resistant enough to not end up everywhere by the end of the evening if you’re using it as a liner! It has an intense black pigment and I love that it also has the option of being smudged out if you want to create a smokey eye look.

6. Wet Brush – Full Size RRP £7.99

It was nice to see a beauty tool addition within this month’s box and it’s the first that has been included since they launched last year so I was pretty delighted to see the appearance.

The innovative Wet Brush is a lightweight and easy to wield that separates all knots and tats without compromising precious strands. This is due to the revolutionary ‘Intelliflex’ technology; the thin, strong yet super flexible bristles. The ball-tip bristles can also be used for gently stimulating circulation near the scalp too! It’s suitable for all hair types, all ages and can be used on wet and dry hair.

For me personally this brush is definitely a showstopper within the box mainly because it works extremely well with my Cinderella hair extensions. Since I remember I’ve only used the tangle teezer mainly because it gently bypasses the bonds but the Wet Brush is a complete game changer for me. Not only does it detangle, the flexibility of the bristles lightly sweeps through the hair and the bonds without any pulling and actually feels like my hair has been brushed. I think it’s pretty clever that the brush is coated in rubber to prevent it from slipping out of your hand which is essential when using on wet hair especially the amount of times my brush has gone flying! I’ve not used this on wet hair as of yet but have high hopes that it will work just as well if not better.

My Verdict

Look Fantastic have showcased another great box and I think there’s a lot to love this month. Not only does it feature a mixture of well-known brands and new discoveries but it also covers a good area of beauty with very generous sized samples and full-sized products. The box includes six items this month and boasts an incredible value of £71.40 which is pretty amazing. I like that the box wasn’t overly dominated by skincare, it has the perfect balance and is something which Look Fantastic always get right each month. I’m thrilled with the make-up bits they’ve been including recently too, after all you can never have enough! It was also great to receive the Wet Brush this month and would love to see the inclusion of more beauty tools in future boxes.

This box never fails to impress me and it certainly gives you an opportunity to try more upmarket beauty brands without the hefty price tag. In my opinion the quality, the presentation and the product selection throughout their boxes remains to be consistently great and focuses mainly on medium and high end brands. The samples sizes are very good sized too and are ideal to accompany you on short breaks and weekends away.

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

For only £15.00 it’s a great way to trial beauty products from brands we love and know along with some new discoveries too.

The March box is available now and as a special treat, Look Fantastic have added the ‘ghd Gold Series Styler’, worth £125.00, to 30 random boxes. Will you be one of the lucky ones?

For more information please visit:
http://www.lookfantastic.com

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Which Beauty Box UK February 27, 2015

You Beauty Discovery Box Shortlist – March 2015

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

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

Items in the shortlist menu include:

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

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

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

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

Which Beauty Box UK February 26, 2015

Beauteque Head to Toe Pink Bag Review – February 2015

Head to Toe Pink Bag
Price of the Bag is £20.82 including P&P
No. of Products – 7
Total value of contents in the bag – £43.16
www.beauteque.com

As well as Beauteque’s monthly subscription bag, they also release a themed Head to Toe Bag each month which is available to buy as an one off purchase. The February Head to Toe Pink Bag showcases a very girly line up of all things pink from skin loving treats to pink themed make-up all contained within a pretty fushia make up bag which I absolutely adore. I’m a very girly girl so welcomed this month’s bag and the contents which includes the likes of Etude House, Tony Moly and even Shiseido.

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.

This month’s bag contains seven full sized products covering mainly skincare and make up. The concept which I really love about Beauteque is that they offer some degree of customisation giving you control over what you want to receive leaving the remainder a complete surprise.

1. Etude House Sleeping Spoon Cream – Full Size 6g RRP £2.58

I love Etude House products their packaging is really adorable with this sleeping cream being no exception! I received the Rosehip cream which is housed within a plastic spoon mould and is packed with nutrients to give you round the clock hydration to add luster and energy to a dull and tired complexions. The hydrating blend of herb water gel and nourishing cream effectively wakes up and invigorates skin.

I’m particularly drawn to the gel-like texture and can’t wait to give this a go.

2. Femme Couture Highlighting Luminizer – Full Size 63g RRP £7.51

This isn’t a brand I’ve heard of before and the product claims to Illuminate and highlight both the face and body with a shimmering glow that can be used alone or can be mixed with a foundation or moisturiser.

Using the term shimmer within their description really was an understatement, it’s ridiculously shimmery and certainly not something I would recommend. If that wasn’t enough to put me off the product comes out way too quickly from the tube mainly due to the ingredients not binding together properly in the first place. I did shake the tube quite a few times and the texture didn’t change so it’s either badly made or it’s expired.

3. It’s Skin Capsule Wash-Off Masks – Full Size x 2 RRP £3.26

It’s Skin is one of my favourite K Beauty brands and welcomed these two Capsule Wash-Off Masks that come packaged within a cute little tub perfect when traveling or weekends away.

The gel-textured masks are enriched with vitamins to firm and make the skin more resilient. It contains pomegranate and shea butter which are rich in vitamins and estrogen.

4. Hada Senka by Shiseido Moisturising Milk – Full Size RRP £10.42

I was quite shocked to see a product from Shiseido which is already popular in the UK and the Hada Senka line appears to be within a much affordable price bracket, mainly sold in drug stores.

There are two variants available and with the labeling being in just Japanese it took some researching to find out whether this was the toner or the emulsion. Eventually I realised that I had received the emulsion and it contains royal jelly and hyaluronic acid. I was expecting this to be really heavy but it has a very light texture that is quite rich and creamy without leaving a greasy residue on the skin.

If you have dry skin and want to treat dryness without overloading the skin this is a great cream that leaves the skin feeling hydrated and super smooth.

5. Tony Moly Auto Lip Liner – Full Size RRP £4.73

Another brand that I truly adore is Tony Moly and was happy to see a lip-based product inside this month’s bag.

The liner has a twist up applicator and also includes a lip brush on the other end. The formula is really creamy and glides onto the lips effortlessly without tugging the skin. I love the shade in Rose Pink which also has a tiny hint of shimmer. I can see this matching perfectly with some of my lipstick shades.

6. Tony Moly Circle Lens Mascara – Full Size RRP £4.24

I love trying out new mascara’s although I usually tend to go for length rather than volume and this one by Tony Moly has a gentle formula and includes argan oil and black rice extracts making it wearable for even the most sensitive of eyes and even contact lense wearers.

The slim wand makes it easy to use and found that it did a better job in lengthening my lashes as opposed to making them look more fuller. It’s not the greatest mascara I’ve tried but if you’re looking for a more natural look this does the job.

7. Lameila Blending Sponge – Full Size RRP £10.42

Lastly inside the pink bag is pink make-up sponge by Chinese brand Lameila and pretty much has the same concept as a beauty blender. I use the Beauty Blender religiously and admittedly nothing really comes close to it. What alarms me is the price of this sponge and think it’s somewhat been inflated. Personally I don’t like the shape however I would probably use the narrower end for blending out concealer.

My Verdict

Being a lover of all things pink, Beauteque have done a great job curating this bag from the lovely fushia make-up bag to the contents within and this is an aspect which they never appear to fail on. I love the mix this month which mainly contains make-up giving a much welcomed break from skincare. I loved the fushia bag this month and can see this accompanying me on future breaks. The bag boasts seven full sized products which are all very usable, all full sized and even included well known Korean brands although I am little concerned about the Luminzer which was a complete let-down. 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. I’ve had a few tasters of the Beauteque Bags and they are a great way to discover Korean brands and products which always include a good variety at an affordable price.

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. I think it would be beneficial if Beauteque included what skin types the products are suitable for too in my opinion.

The entire contents within this bag has a value of £43.16 beating the cost of the bag which works out around £20.82 including shipping. It’s a small price to pay to discover Korean brands which aren’t available in the UK to buy.

Beauteque also have a wide selection of Beauty Bags via their website at:
www.beauteque.com

For more information on the Beauteque monthly subscription bag please visit:
http://www.beautequemonthly.com

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

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Which Beauty Box UK February 21, 2015

Love Lula Beauty Box Review – February 2015

Price of the Box is £12.50 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Value – £22.94
http://www.lovelulabeautybox.com

The February 2015 Love Lula Beauty Box has arrived and this month all subscribers can expect to see a larger box than usual land on their doorstep, I was certainly eager to find out what was was within the bigger box and was pleasantly surprised. The box showcases an impressive line up with four full-sized products and one sample with a selection of skincare products alongside some bath & body treats. This month’s box features well-known brands as well as some new discoveries for me. I feel that Love Lula have really upped their game recently and I’m loving their new step in direction.

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 and one good sized sample .The box features the brands Lovea, Skin Blossom, REN, Madara and Fair Squared.

1. Lovea Guava Body Wash – Full Size 400ml. RRP £6.49

This massive sized shower gel was the culprit that took up most of the space within the box and I was delighted to see this everyday essential. It’s definitely one of the highlights inside the box and who doesn’t love a fruity fragranced shower gel!

This shower gel contains a 100% natural fragrance and is enriched with soothing Organic Aloe Vera that gently cleanses while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture balance to leave the skin soft, smooth and delicately perfumed.

The scent is utterly divine and has refreshing and uplifting notes, perfect for a wake-me-up shower. I was expecting this to have an artificial scent but surprisingly it smells very natural just like the fruit itself. I can’t wait to put all my winter shower gels to one side to welcome this one as we soon approach Spring.

2. Skin Blossom Reviving Eye Cream – Full Size 15ml. RRP £5.95

I love slathering on a eye cream especially when my eyes are feeling tired, or if I don’t get enough sleep and want to avoid obvious panda eyes the next morning.

This eye cream by Skin Blossom promises to revive and restore THE skin around eyes with it’s moisturising antioxidant cream which contains a special blend of Green Tea, Eyebright and Buckwheat extract. It’s also made with 85% organic ingredients and certified to the strict Soil Association organic skin care standard making it suitable for all skin types, including even the most sensitive skin.

The cream is light and soaks into skin quickly without leaving any kind of residue and leaves the area around the eyes feeling soothed and relieved. I have been using this for a few days and whilst I haven’t seen any noticeable changes to the skin around my eyes I’m hoping I gradually see some results.

3. REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot – Sample Size 3ml

I’ve really been liking what I’ve tried so far from the REN collection and welcomed another discovery within this month’s box which is a new addition to their range.

This super-charged gel-serum claims to instantly firm, lift and plump the skin to leave it looking dramatically smoother, tighter and more youthful. It contains a liquid matrix of Hyaluronans that supercharges the skin with firming moisture and encourages elastin synthesis to firm and remodel the skin over time.

4. Madara Cranberry Soap – Full Size 150g RRP £6.00

I love bath soaps and whilst they mainly take center stage within a big jar in my bathroom, I do sometimes use the more fragrant ones to unwind in the evenings so it was nice to receive a soap from Madara who’s products are entirely natural and certified according to the international ECOCERT standard.

Madara’s hand & body soap purifies and nourishes the skin with the vitality of cranberry and the freshness of juniper. The botanical base of the soap purifies while the jojoba oil nourishes the skin, leaving the skin full of energy.

This soap has a beautiful and delicate scent with uplifting and energising notes making it the perfect pick me up for the mornings.

5. Fair Squared Almond Hand Cream – Full Size 100ml. RRP £4.50

I’m absolutely drowning in hand creams at the moment and I’ve seen one pop up quite regularly within the Love Lula boxes and whilst I use hand creams regularly I only wish I had more hands to get through the ones I already have. Nevertheless I do love hand creams so was happy to add another to the stockpile from Fair Squared who I got introduced to a couple a months ago. I loved their lip balm formula so had high hopes for this hand cream.

The Fair Squared Hand Almond Cream regenerates dry, chapped hands. The rich hand cream nourishes the skin, providing long-lasting moisture and protects it from dehydration and premature aging and contains native Fairtrade certified olive oil, almond oil and nourishing honey, which benefits farmers in Palestine, Pakistan and Chile.

The texture of the cream is quite rich and sinks into the skin leaving the hands feeling soft and nourished. I was expecting a really overpowering fragrance but it’s actually quite delicate and very much to my liking.

My Verdict

Another great edit by Love Lula this month which features a great selection of affordable natural and organic beauty treats to trial . I was pretty relieved that the box wasn’t so much dominated by skincare as I’m currently drowning in products at the moment but I loved that they mixed it up a little this month with some lovely bath and body treats and along with an eye cream and a newly launched product from REN. The box featured well-known brands as well as a few new discoveries for me and included mainly full sized products this month. I feel that Love Lula have really upped their game recently and I’m loving their new step in direction.

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 which is great if there’s something in the box you really love.

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 there’s a few 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 February 18, 2015

Glossybox Limited Edition Mother’s Day Treatment Collection Box – February 2015

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been shocked by the sudden appearance of Mother’s Day in the calendar and it’s soon approaching with only a few weeks left!

With Mother’s Day in mind, Glossybox have curated a limited edition Treatment Collection with our favourite people in mind, our mums or alternatively a treat for you! Each box is perfectly packaged with an edit of little luxuries from leading brands including Decleor, Vichy and Wild About Beauty.

The Glossybox Treatment Collection is packed full of indulgent treats and is worth over £100 and the box will be available to order for £30.00 from the 23rd February 2015 via www.glossybox.co.uk while stock lasts.

The Treatment Box includes:

Decleor Aromessence Iris Super Serum – 15ml
Sacha Juan Hair Serum – Full Size
Scentered Stress Less Therapy Balm – Full Size
Wild About Beauty Botanical Skin Prep Serum – Full Size
Naobay Body Radiance Lotion – Full Size
Urban Apothecary Glass Tealight candle – Full Size
Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Day Cream – 15ml
Little Ondine Twins Nail Polish – Full Size

You can register your interest now at:

http://campaigns.glossybox.co.uk/uk/treatment-collection

Which Beauty Box UK February 14, 2015

Givenchy British Beauty Blogger Edit by Latest in Beauty Review – February 2015

Givenchy British Beauty Blogger Edit
Price of the Box is £18.95 including free P&P
No of Products in the Box – 9 items
http://www.latestinbeauty.com

With Valentines Day in mind, I took the initiative and treated myself to the lust-worthy and luxurious Givenchy British Beauty Blogger Edit by Latest in Beauty, and with my husband being pretty clueless on what to buy me as per usual, I wasted no time getting in there first although surprisingly he did quite well with the gifts this year! This limited edition box includes Jane’s personal picks of Givenchy Iconic Products and each item has an emblem of excellence within the brand to allow you to get to know Givenchy a little better. As well as the box being a great little sampler set to get a feel of this famous Parisian brand, I was also really lusting after the coin purse although I would of been equally happy with the notebook too. Unfortunately and to no surprise this box has now sold out so I’m even more happy that I managed to purchase one just in time!

Firstly, the presentation and the packaging is in true Givenchy form and really gives it that luxurious and premium feel. It’s almost too pretty to unwrap and feels like a true little treat! Interesting fact – the packing team wore white gloves to put this one together so the white glossy box and all the contents were absolutely pristine. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Latest in Beauty!

The box showcases an impressive beauty line-up from the luxury brand Givenchy and covers a good area of beauty from innovative skincare, make-up treats to sensual fragrances. As well as beauty there was also a chic handbag accessory in the form of a notebook or a coin purse.

Okay, so there’s no full-sized products but remember this is a taster edit to welcome beauty lovers into the world of Givenchy and enables you trial some iconic discoveries without splurging out on full size items.

1. Givenchy Foundation (1 empty bottle for a 5 day foundation trial + FREE make-over invitation)

I’ve seen a little controversy over this empty bottle but personally I think this is a great concept and one which I really welcome and wish more brands would incorporate this. There’s nothing worse then receiving a foundation shade which doesn’t match your skin tone and this will allow you to get a perfect match from the experts themselves along with a free-make over. The bottle gives a 5 day foundation trial which is great to really decide if you want to purchase the full-size.

2. Phenomen’Eyes Mascara: The Iconic Reinvented – Sample Size (4g)

I love mascara in all shapes and forms and I must admit this one looks a like medieval mace with it’s spikey applicator although it’s not harsh in the slightest! I’ve not tried a sphere applicator like this before so couldn’t wait to see what magic this had in store for my lashes.

This reinvented new launch of the original Phenomen’Eyes Mascara promises to give more length, more curl and more definition which is exactly what I look for in a mascara.

Admittedly, it took me a couple of minutes to get to the grips with the sphere applicator but once I had got the hang of it I was pretty much a pro. The brush surprisingly works very well, it gives you complete control, separates the lashes without any clumping and also manages to grip the tiniest of hairs. The end result was even more impressive and I loved how this mascara enhanced the length of my lashes with a very natural finish without compromising on the impact. It’s not the quickest of mascaras to apply but seeing the results and the precision it’s definitely worth spending the extra time.

3. Mini Le Rouge Lipstick (shade 202 Rose Dressing) – Sample Size 1.5g

I really couldn’t take my eyes off the pretty packaging this lipstick came presented in, it’s so chic and utterly adorable.

Rose Dressing is a warm coral pink shade that has a semi-matte finish and impressively applies opaque in one swipe. According to Givenchy’s description, it contains micro-spheres that “glide into the fine lines of lips and lock in moisture growing 50x larger to make your lips look plumper and revitalised. I’m not sure if I noticed my lips looking plumper, but they definitely looked smoother and felt much more hydrated.

This has to be the most easy-on-the-lips matte lipstick that I’ve come across and with it not being so bright it simply adds a touch of class and sophistication.

4. Hydra Sparkling Luminescence Moisturizing Cream – Sample Size 5ml

This velvety, feather-light hydrating cream is specially formulated for normal and combination skin type and it’s texture is soft and comfortable with a non-greasy, non-sticky finish.

I did open the tube and it has a light perfumed scent which smells quite refreshing however my skin is quite oily so it’s probably wise that I didn’t try this one.

5. Hydra Sparkling One Minute Glow Powder – Sachet Sample 0.5g

We all need a little skin boost especially during the colder months and I was delighted to see this innovative Hydra Sparkling One-Minute Glow Powder. It’s a micro-peeling cleanser with a light as talc texture and when in contact with water it transforms into a delicate foam to eliminate impurities.

The gentle formula can be used daily and it’s suitable for all skin types too. I’m saving this for that emergency skin moment and can’t wait to see what this does for my skin.

6. Hydra Sparkling Nude Look BB Cream – Sample Size 2ml

I love trying out new BB creams and really favour them over foundations especially on days when I don’t need much coverage or when there simply isn’t enough time in the morning. They provide a quick fix and tend to do everything from skin brightening to covering blemishes within one single formula making it a staple for the make up bag.

The Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Nude Look BB Cream is a multi-perfecting cream that balances the skin and provides 24-hour continued hydration whilst giving a flawless radiant finish. Its universal chameleon formula is suitable for all skin types and all skin tones.

The texture is a light fluid that feels super-comfy on the skin and simply glides on like a dream making it very easy to work with. The coverage is very impressive and managed to blur my imperfections perfectly which wins me over automatically although the end result was even more pleasing with it’s soft, natural and radiant finish, a result I haven’t seen with any of the BB creams I’ve tried. I think I’ve just found my holy grail BB cream!

7. Dahlia Divin sample & Gold Blotter – Sample Size 1ml and Gentlemen Only Intense sample & Costume Blotter – Sample Size 1ml

As well as the signature make up and innovative skincare the box also included perfume samples from Dahlia Divin and Gentleman only, all of which came within an organza bag.

8. Givenchy Purse

Last but certainly not least is the adorable and chic Givenchy coin purse which I’ve been lusting after since the box was launched. It’s the perfect companion on a night out which easily fits into a clutch bag and it’s good quality too and looks very classy. There’s certainly going to be some envy when I pull this one out of the bag on a night out with my friends!

My Verdict

Just visually, my first impressions were “wow” especially the presentation and the intricate detail of the wrapping, even the Givenchy sticker made it feel that extra special and it felt like a treat even before I had delved into the contents. I’ve not tried anything from Givenchy and this box gave me a fantastic opportunity to trial some of their iconic beauty gems, handpicked by Jane herself who I completely trust when it comes to beauty and with this in mind I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed. In fact the box actually exceeded my expectations and turned out to be very worthwhile.

This box has been a great introduction to a luxurious brand which truly captures the best of the Givenchy and I will definitely be looking into more of their products.

I’m really impressed with my first experiance with Givenchy and I’m looking forward to visiting my nearest counter to find my perfect match foundation and to purchase a few of the items I’ve already fallen in love with, although I don’t think my husband will be best pleased on my new found obsession!

Another great box by the British Beauty Blogger and Latest in Beauty, thank you so much for the introduction!

Keep updated on my latest blog posts via:

Which Beauty Box UK February 13, 2015

Beauteque BB Bag Review – February 2015

February BB Bag
Price – $32.95 including shipping approx £21.54
No of Products – 9 items
Total value of contents – £50.00
http://www.beauteque.com/

With the Beauteque monthly subscription programme now in full force, I’m delighted to unveil the February 2015 BB Bag which is curated around the day of love, Valentines Day. The Beauteque Sweethearts edit contains a beauty overhaul with a mixture of skincare, make-up, a fragrance and a lifestyle item in the form of a Spa Hair Towel and boasts an impressive eight full sized products with a incredible value of around £50.00. As with all of the BB Bags subscribers have an opportunity to chose some variations of the products, leaving the remainder of what you receive a complete surprise, a concept that I really love about Beauteque. Subscribers are definitely in for a treat this month, I can’t believe how many products were crammed inside this month’s bag!

The BB Bag, known as the Beauteque Bag is monthly 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 impressive factor is that all of the products are full-sized so you really are getting great value for money as well as discovering korean brands which aren’t readily available in the UK.

If you love KBeauty, the Beauteque Bags are a great, affordable concept who deliver great Korean brands and the latest beauty trends straight to your door. As well as their beauty bags they also have an online shop which showcases popular Korean brands such as Etude House, Mizon, Tony Moly, and Lioele.

The contents as always come presented in a bag as opposed to a box and being reusable, they are great for traveling or weekend breaks. This month’s bag comes in black satin type make-up bag although with the theme being Valentines Day, I would of liked to have seen a red bag or something with hearts on it.

1. A’Pieu Nonoco Teatree Emulsion – Full Size 50ml RRP £8.54

Having oily and spot-prone skin, I was immediately drawn to this emulsion which contains tea tree goodness along with natural herbal extracts to make your skin clear and healthy whilst reducing redness and blemishes.

This non-sticky emulsion has a light weight milky formula with an abundant tea tree scent, which I actually quite like. It absorbs well and leaves a silky finish leaving the skin hydrated and soft. I love that this comes in a pump dispenser too and the texture is great for the warmer months.

2. It’s Skin Mango White Lip and Eye Remover – Full Size RRP £3.28

I’m not the best when it comes to removing my make up, especially after a late night and these wipes are very welcomed.

These mango scented wipes are mainly for removing make up from the lip and the eye area and contains extracts of mangosteen, green tea, orange, olive oil and argan oil.

There’s a total of 15 wipes within the pack and they are super moist with a fresh and uplifting scent. These fuss-free wipes will certainly come in handy and are the perfect handbag size too.

3. Etude House Collagen Eye Patch – Full Size RRP £2.62

I love Etude House and was delighted to receive these eye patches.

The eye patches are formulated with collagen that helps plump up, minimise lines and wrinkles around the eyes and also includes Vitamins A and E along with green tea extracts to soothe and nourish the skin.

I tend to reach out for these when my eyes are feeling especially tired, or if I don’t get enough sleep and want to avoid obvious panda eyes. It doesn’t do much to reduce the appearance of dark circles, but it certainly helped to soothe the area.

4. Skinfood Black Bean Eye Brow Pencil – Full Size RRP £7.23

Brow filling is a must for me to give me extra definition and shape. I’ve always favoured a pencil over powder so was happy to see this within the bag. Subscribers were also able to choose the shade and I opted for the black.

This pencil contains black bean nutrients which nourishes and moisturises the skin and it’s creamy formula glides onto the skin with the shade being a perfect near match for me. I would of liked the pencil itself to have been a little more slimmer and pointed for better precision but apart from that it’s quite usable.

5. E Choice Peptide Cream – Full Size RRP £9.86

There were two different types of creams to chose from and I picked the Peptide cream instead of the ceramide cream, although I was none the wiser as to what they actually did until researching further.

Peptide is similar to skin proteins and assists with skin regeneration delivering elasticity and vitality to dry and rough skin, and is mainly used within anti-aging products.

6. Face Masks – Full Size x 2 RRP £3.28

Within this month’s bag there were two face masks , both from brands I haven’t heard of before.

I received the Nextbeau Elasticity/Collagen Wrinkle Mask which has a cute piggy on the front and the Daylight & Hue Arbutus Essence Mask.

The Nextbeau Elasticity/Collagen Wrinkle Mask contains abundant ingredients to supply the skin with moisture and vibrance. It also contains hydraulic acid to keep the skin plump and hydrated and is more suited for drier skin types.

Next up is the Daylight & Hue Arbutus Essence Mask which I was quite intrigued about as the ingredient arbutus isn’t one I’ve heard of before. Arbutus are small trees or shrubs with edible red berries and it’s this extract that stimulates the skin to make it more transparent and healthy. I can’t wait to try this one as it appears to be much more suited for my skin type.

7. Tony Moly Petit Art Perfume Mist – Full Size 65ml RRP £7.89

Another brand which I absolutely adore is Tony Moly and I was delighted to see a fragrance from this brand within the February line up. There were 2 variations available and I opted for Fresh Green.

The fragrance is really refreshing and uplifting which is what I hoping for when I chose this scent and it didn’t disappoint and neither is it sickly or overpowering, it actually reminds me of Spring. It also comes in a handy sized spray that easily fits into the handbag.

8. Beauteque Hair Spa Towel – RRP £6.57

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 month’s edit includes a Spa Hair Towel which is pretty much like those turbie towels and wraps up the hair nice and snug once washed. I’ve seen different colours of these but delighted I received the purple one.

My Verdict

I’m really impressed with this month’s edition which not only covers a good area of beauty but also includes a very generous amount of products, all of which are full sized featuring well-known Korean brands including some new discoveries for me. In my opinion Beauteque are really stepping up the game with their bags and they have certainly got the concept spot on.

The entire contents within the bag are all full sized with an incredible value of around £50.00 beating the cost of the bag which works out around £21.54 including shipping. It’s a small price to pay to discover Korean brands which aren’t available in the UK. I also love that I was able to customise a few options too and the remainder was a complete surprise.

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.

If you love K Beauty, the Beauteque Bags are a great, affordable concept who deliver great Korean brands and the latest beauty trends straight to your door.

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

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

Which Beauty Box UK February 11, 2015

You Beauty Discovery Box Review – February 2015

Price of the Box is £6.95 including P&P
No of items in the box – 4 items
Total value of contents in the box £16.51
www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

The February 2015 You Beauty Discovery Box has landed and this month’s shortlist theme is Red Carpet and features a variety of all things beauty from skin and bodycare treats, an indulgent body scrub and also an innovative hair wand to disguise those grey hairs in three different shades. As well as the beauty treats, all subscribers will receive a little treat from chocolate connoisseur’s Lindt.

To see the February 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 two extra bonus treats in the form of a sample of the BareMinerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation and a mini box of Lindt – Lindor Milk Truffles (50g)

1. Josh Wood Colour Blending Wand – Full Size 28ml. RRP £12.50

Within a few weeks after having my hair coloured I always seem to catch a glimpse of an awful sprout of grey hairs and being dark haired it’s hard to disguise them although I have been known to use mascara at the front of my hairline which works quite well for those emergency moments! In light of this I was particularly excited to see this innovative hair wand which promises a quick fix solution in between hairdressing appointments.

The Josh Wood range is new and exclusive to Marks & Spencers and these non permanent hair colour wands claim to instantly blend away grey regrowth in a few easy steps, allowing you to keep your hair looking great in between salon visits. You simply apply to wet or dry hair and blow dry to set the formula. It also claims to last for up to three shampoos which is really impressive. The applicator is a brush which I like as it’s more likely to give better coverage and an even application.

Whilst I’ve got no greys at the moment, I did try a little on my hair and the shade dark brown is a perfect near match for me. This is liquid based so you do need to be extra careful to ensure it doesn’t go everywhere. I found the applicator brush very easy to use and it gives an even application with good coverage without overloading roots with product. On first impressions I really love the concept but the greatest test will be whether it actually covers the grey and it’s lasting power. From what I’ve seen so far I have high hopes!

2. L’Occitane en Provence Almond Delicious Hands – Sample Size 10ml. Worth £2.66

When I walk past a L’Occitane store, without fail I feel the need to stroll in. Not that I always need or even want something of course. Most of the times I come out empty-handed, but still, I love to enter and just sniff at everything I see.

I love hand creams and decided to chose the Almond Delicious Hands, it’s formulated with softening almond milk and smoothing almond proteins to instantly helps to nourish and soften the hands.

The scent as with all L’Occitane is beautiful with delicate notes. It has a gel texture, and is very easily absorbed with no greasy residue. It hydrates well, but if your hands are pretty dry, you might have to reapply more often as it’s not that rich.

This hand-bag essential is perfect for hydrating hands throughout the day.

3. Extra Samples within the box:

This month, You Beauty Discovery included a sachet sample of the BareMinerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation and a mini box of Lindt – Lindor Milk Truffles (50g £1.35) which was a nice touch seeing as it’s Valentines Day soon.

My Verdict

For me personally there were only a few stand outs in this month shortlist despite it being a red carpet theme. I would of liked to have seen some make up however I’m really happy with my choices and the discoveries I’ve made. I think the box of chocolates was a lovely touch and I can’t wait to put the hair wand to the test, I have high hopes for this covering my greys!

The value of my box is worth £16.51 beating the actual cost of the box and includes 1 full sized product with the remainder being sample sized.

The magazine 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 emerging and well known brands from a good selection of beauty products, although recently it does feel like they’ve lost their sparkle a little compared to previous shortlists. I do love that I can personalise my box giving me full control on what I receive. The box itself is only £6.95 each month making it super affordable and good value for money.

For more information or to subscribe please visit:

www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk

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Which Beauty Box UK February 10, 2015

Cohorted Beauty Box Review – February 2015

ry 2015

Cohorted Beauty Box – February 2015
Price of the box – £19.99 plus £2.50 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5 items (worth £67.50)
www.cohorted.co.uk

I’ve literally been bursting at the seams with excitement to unveil the February Cohorted Beauty Box, the first ever edition with many more in the making for us beauty addicts each month. For those of you who are not familiar with Cohorted, they are an online cult beauty retailer who provide a much fairer price when it comes to purchasing well known and loved brands such as Urban Decay, Benefit, MAC, NARS, Dolce & Gabbana, Real Techniques, plus many more. With this brand portfolio in mind it was inevitable that this box was going to deliver and be a crowd pleaser from the outset. Unlike any of the other beauty boxes, this features lust-worthy and luxurious brands which automatically puts this box within a league of it’s own. I certainly to date have not seen the likes of Dolce & Gabbana or Bobbi Brown showcase within a beauty box until now! As well as the incredible line up, all of the products are exceptionally good sized with three being full-size and if you love the finer things in life, you are in for a real treat which won’t break the bank.

The February box being their first ever edition has now sold out and it features an incredible line up worth £67.50 and showcases well known brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Bobbi Brown, Benefit and Korres. The contents come beautifully presented within a chic black box tied with a satin ribbon giving it a very luxurious look and feel.

1. Dolce & Gabbana Clarifying Lotion – Full Size 150ml RRP £20.00

I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I first set eyes on this full sized Dolce & Gabbana Clarifying Lotion, I certainly to date have not seen this luxurious brand feature in any beauty boxes.

This make-up remover which is alcohol-free is an all-rounder formula that cleanses, gently exfoliates and tones. It’s unique formula effectively sweeps away dead surface skin cells, leaving the skin feeling smoother and with a visibly refined, luminous appearance as well as removing all traces of makeup.

I’ve not tried anything from the Dolce & Gabbanna skincare range so look forward to giving this a go.

2. Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara – Travel Size 3ml. Worth £8.00

I know I’m not the only one who is such a sucker for mascara. I don’t know what it is, but as soon as a new mascara lands on my doorstop I am immediately drawn to it mainly because I am always looking for a magical makeup miracle, and this Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara is no exception although I was more overwhelmed to see this brand inside the box. I’m relatively new to Bobbi Brown’s make up collection so was happy to see this brand showcased.

Upon opening the mascara, I noticed straight away that the formula is very rich and deep black. It was not thick or overly wet upon the first stroke of application. What I really loved was the immediate effect of BOOM it gave my lashes. If you want lash drama and do not want to spend 5 minutes trying to build up the lashes, this mascara is for you. The brush is a classic spiral wand, but with tons and tons of bristles which is my preference over others wands.

I loved the big immediate drama thanks to it’s deep black pigment, but I also noticed that it’s not the most buildable mascara on the planet. It can get a little chunky when too much is applied. Not my Holy Grail mascara, but better than the majority of the prestige and high end mascara’s I’ve tried.

3. Benefit Bella Bamba Ultra Plush Lipgloss – Full Size 15ml RRP £14.50

I’ve long had a love affair with Benefit from their famous boxes of blush to their concealers since I was 16 years old and welcomed this full sized Bella Bamba Ultra Plush Lip Gloss formula that corresponds with the gorgeous blush colour too.

This plush gloss comes in a soft-squeezable tube with a custom tip designed for even application and the Bella Bamba is a sheer bright watermelon shade.

I really like the texture which feels super- comfy on the lips without a trace of stickiness. It has a sweet fruity scent which smells utterly delicious. I was hoping this had a little more pigment and with it being sheer it simply adds a natural soft sheen of colour making it a great everyday gloss.

4. Korres Quercetin & Oak Eye Primer – Full Size 4ml RRP £10.00

I don’t wear eyeshadow much, but when I do, I rely on a good primer to keep my eyeshadow in-tact and crease-free throughout the day. This one by Korres is a 3 in 1 formula which primes, corrects and helps against anti aging. It’s enriched with Quercetin & Oak extracts which smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and it’s built-in apricot undertone claims to instantly correct darkness and imperfections on the eyelid and underneath the eye area.

The texture and the apricot colour really makes the eyeshadow look more vibrant and it also worked well under my eyes as a colour corrector which neutralised a little of my dark circles. After a good six hours or so my eyeshadow was still in-tact, crease-free and looked fresh as when I first applied it. I’m really impressed with the results and I like that this also works as an under eye brightener and as well as an anti-aging product.

5. Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cleanser – Travel Size 50ml. Worth £15.00

As well as it’s calcium goodness, milk also has many beauty benefits too and is commonly used in products. Cleopatra reputedly bathed in the stuff, which was said to be her secret to that alluring & youthful glow. The Korres Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser which comes in a generous sized sample, harnesses all the beneficial ingredients of this miracle ingredient to remove everyday impurities and make-up from the face and eyes without stripping the skin.

Firstly I love that this has a flip-top cap making it easy to use one-handed and ensures no fumbling around compared to a screw cap. The fragrance has a warm vanilla/buttery scent that almost makes you want to taste it, although I didn’t of course! This lathers up pretty well and it’s natural cleansing agents and emulsifiers ensures a very mild formula which doesn’t strip the skin. It’s is very nourishing which is great for colder months although I would probably use this first thing in the morning as it still left a little of my make up on.

My Verdict

I’ve fallen head over heels with Cohorted’s first ever beauty box and in my opinion this is a luxurious beauty box which is big on premium and well-known brands. I certainly wouldn’t be able to justify spending over £60 plus on beauty products each month and this box by Cohorted by far softens the blow with it’s affordable price tag. I didn’t know what to expect when Cohorted got in touch with me and although I had high hopes due to their brand portfolio, I was actually blown away when I saw the contents inside. As well as the beauty line up, I loved the presentation and the design of the box which really gives it that luxurious look and feel and for their first ever attempt I think they’ve done extremely well and hope to see this quality throughout their monthly edits.

I really lust over premium brands but not knowing how the product will perform is the main factor which usually stops me from splurging out, but this box really gives you an opportunity to try before you buy at such a steal with a mixture of full sized and generous sized samples without any teeny samples in sight. Although the box isn’t cheap compared to the others, the value really does make up for this and one of the items alone this month equates to the box itself. If you need a little cheering up or a guilt-free treat each month this box can be purchased as a one off transaction so there’s no subscription involved giving you full control and flexibility to purchase as and when you want to.

Overall taking into account the brands featured, the size of the products and the value I really can’t fault this box.

My only negative is that so many customers missed out on the box due to their website experiencing technical difficulties, I only hope that this was an one off and we can see a much smoother and fairer transaction process from here onwards.

I can’t wait to see what the March edition has in store although the pre-order boxes have also now sold out.

Did you manage to get the February Cohorted Beauty Box?

www.cohorted.co.uk

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

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