So Susan LacquerLove Box Review – October 2014

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 6
Total value of contents in the box £31.95
www.sosusan.com

The October 2014 So Susan LacquerLove box has arrived and this month’s theme is inspired by Halloween and whilst the 31st of the month may be doom and gloom for some, So Susan have come up with an edit which includes a selection of pretty and sparkly nail lacquers embracing magic and fantasy with illuminating and supernatural shades from ghouls and goblins to mermaids and ice queens. 

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

This box includes 5 full sized items four of which are 4- free nail varnishes and one bonus make up product each month from Jelly Pong Pong with So Susan being the sister company. 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 was four 4-free nail lacquers and 2 bonus Jelly Pong Pong Liner/Shadow crayons chosen randomly from 3 make-up items.

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. A nail varnish which contains no nasties making it the ideal product which is kind to you but also great quality.

This month’s box included the shades Mermaid, Red Cape, Aurora and Ice Queen (Full sized retailed at £6.95 individually).

This Halloween edit features a selection of different unique shades and look absolutely stunning when applied. My favourite is the Ice Queen as it’s so sparkly and reminds of crisp frosty mornings in the Winter. The Aurora nail lacquer is unique in colour with its tiny specks of glitter and the Mermaid and Red Cape is the perfect companion alongside your Autumn wardrobe.

These nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty good.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat. One coat is all it takes to for an opaque result. They really do give you the most effortlessly application.

2. Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Shadow/Liner x2 – Full Size RRP £10.50 each

This month So Susan are surprising their subscribers with a selection of 3 different make-up items which are chosen randomly.

I was delighted to receive not one but two of these liners which are uniquely formulated to double as an eyeliner for thick, precise lines as well as a perfectly-blended eye shadow. The exclusive combination of Italian-formulated waxes and pigments allows you to build up the colour, smudge or create bold lines quickly and easily.

The black liner/shadow applies smoothly giving a striking bold line on the waterline and the plum shade is more of subtle pink which is a lovely natural colour. Both blend quite easily on the eyelid or under the water line or above. I love that these liners are multi-purpose which can be used together to achieve either a natural look for the day or a dashing smokey eye look for the evening.

 My Verdict

This is by far one of my favourite edits by So Susan. I love the beautiful shades which provides the perfect finishing touch whether you’re off to a Halloween party or simply looking for the perfect nail colour to compliment your autumn wardrobe.

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.

This box is worth an amazing £31.95 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.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

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

So Susan LacquerLove Box Review – September 2014

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £45.75
www.sosusan.com

The September 2014 So Susan LacquerLove monthly subscription box has arrived and this month’s theme is Fashionista celebrating London Fashion Week. This month’s box contains hot runway trends with 4 new shades for every fashion icon.

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

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

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

Inside the box was four 4-free nail lacquers and a bonus So Susan Universal Blush which I received from a mystery selection this month.

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

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

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

This month’s box  included the shades Peplum, Emerald Dust, Dark Denim and Aqua Marine (Full sized retailed at £6.95 individually).

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

This month’s box featured a range of different unique shades and look absolutely stunning when applied. I welcome the very subtle aqua blue and the vibrant emerald green as I don’t own any similar shades in my collection. The darker shades in the form of the dark purple and blue are great for the Autumn Fall which is nearing upon us.

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

This month So Susan are surprising their subscribers with a mystery make up item.

I was delighted to receive the Universal Blush which I’ve been wanting to try having read really positive reviews. 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. Made with Buriti Fruit Oil to repair the epidermis and improve skin elasticity.

This diverse blusher is the most amazing shade of pink which gives a soft warm glow. It’s looks very natural once on and the depth of colour is ideal for achieving the perfect rosy cheeks. The texture of the powder glides smoothly onto your skin.

My Verdict

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

This box is worth an amazing £45.75 which is great value for money as the box itself is only £14.95 including P&P. You certainly won’t be in the dark with this box as you will be able to preview the box and all it’s contents prior to it being sent to you however if you don’t fancy the pickings you can simply skip the month giving you complete control and flexibility.

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 and fans.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

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

Love Me Beauty Box Review – July 2014

IMG_7902[1]

IMG_7917[1]

image

image

image

image

image

Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £2.95 P&P
Menu 2
No. of Products in the Box – 7
Total value of contents in the box £63.05
www.lovemebeauty.com

The July Love Me Beauty Box perfectly wrapped in pink has finally arrived and this month it’s brimmed to the top with all you could want from a subscription beauty box. This month’s box took longer than usual to arrive however it was certainly worth the wait.

The line up this month was mainly all things make-up featuring brands such as So Susan, OFRA Cosmetics and Lash Em. There was also a lifestyle product from Teashed and as a bonus the first 450 subscribers who picked their box also will receive an amazing full size product from Weleda.

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

This month I opted for Menu 2. To see what was available this month please click here.

My box included 6 full sized products and 1 sample sized product.

1.    Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick  – Full Size RRP £11.60

I’ve never tried this brand but have seen this making an appearance in some American beauty boxes. This is a nice creamy and smooth textured lipstick. I initially thought this was a lip gloss as it’s applicator was the same as you would find in gloss related products.

The shade is called Hollywood and is a bright pink colour which is quite vibrant. One sweep on the lips is all it takes to get the desired result as the pigmentation is great.

The lasting power is good however I found it quite drying after 10 minutes however nothing that a lip balm can’t solve!

2.    Ofra Pressed Eye Shadow in Bliss –  Full Size RRP £8.80

This pressed eyeshadow is from OFRA’s “Diamonds are Forever” palette collection. It has a great depth of colour which is a gold shimmery shade and subtle enough to wear during the day. This can also be applied with a wet brush for a more dramatic look in the evenings. It’s a stunning colour.

There’s also a little secret compartment under the eye shadow base – flip open and there’s a little mirror and room for a tiny applicator.

I’m not usually an eyeshadow fan but I’m looking forward to wearing this one.

3.    So Susan Dual Brow Powder Palette – Full Size RRP £11.95

Brow filling is part of my day to day make up regime and to date I have always used a brow pencil. I’ve never felt the need to try a powder mainly because it spells out messy for me however I am always willing to try new formulas.

The palette itself was robust and contained two powder shades. It also had a mirror inside and an application brush which was angled so you can get right underneath the brow line. I tried the darkest shade which was a medium/dark brown. Unfortunately it just wasn’t dark enough for my brows.

A good product but just wasn’t the right shade for me. The powder did take to the skin well and didn’t smudge.

4.   So Susan Flutter Mascara – Full Size RRP £14.95

Being a regular wearer of Mascara I always look forward to receiving these in my boxes as they all claim to give you longer lashes and intense volume.

This is new to the So Susan line and is an intense carbon black mascara formulated with hyaluronic spheres to help you achieve the darkest, curviest lashes possible.

The brush is good and ensures each lash is separated however despite applying this several times to my lashes I didn’t really notice a significant difference in the appearance of my lashes. I really did give this a chance but it delivered nothing for me.

5. Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion – Full Size 200ml RRP £15.95

I was certainly happy to see this amazing full-size product in my box which was a nice surprise as only the first 450 subscribers to this month’s box will receive this. A lovely additional treat which I welcomed.

I love Weleda mainly because of their ethical values of having no nasties in their products. A consistent theme with Weleda is that their products are high quality and they smell so great. It really is nature in a bottle. This is for dry skin and contains skin-related essential fatty acids providing visible and lasting care for the skin which is formulated with vitamin-rich oil from organic sea buckthorn, mallow extract and shea butter. It protects skin from moisture loss and activates its self-regulating functions.

This smells quite fruity and uplifting. When appliedthis soaks straight into the skin without leaving a trace of greasiness and comes in a uniquely shaped award winning bottle which is an airless bag-in-bottle system with a pump dispenser.

A very generous sized product which I will enjoy using however the expiry date is very short lived – it expires at the end of August so I will need to start using this now to ensure I get the maximum use out of it.

6. Lashem Lash Enhancing Serum – Sample Size 2ml. Full Size 3.5ml RRP £40.00

This serum claims to give your lashes a helping hand to make an appearance and also nourishes and conditions. The fortifying formula continues to work long after application and takes your lashes to the next level. Results have found longer looking lashes in two weeks.

I’m quite cynical about these serums which promise longer lashes however I will definitely give this a trial run until the sample runs out to determine whether the claims above are true.

Although this may appear to be a tiny sample it’s really not as the full sized serum is only 3.5ml. If used sparingly once day you will certainly get the most out of this. It’s a good trial sized product.

7. The Teashed 4am Tea – Full Size Packet of 20 tea bags RRP £3.50

A very generous offering of tea this month from The Teashed. A whole pack consisting of 20 tea bags which are in a unique silky bag which enables you to see the tea leaves dancing around when popped into some hot water.

This is a white tea which is naturally low in caffeine which means you can drink this during the day and at night. It also helps you to sleep and is full of antioxidants.

I’m not a regular tea drinker however it’s always useful to keep these at home for guests. They will be talking about my posh tea for years to come!

My Verdict

A big improvement in my opinion for Love Me Beauty this month. I loved the selections on offer including the brands which were featured. The generous extra Weleda product was a nice touch too and finished the overall box quite nicely.

I was delighted to see that the line up this month was mainly all things make-up featuring brands such as So Susan, OFRA Cosmetics and Lash Em. There was also a lifestyle product from Teashed and as a bonus the first 450 subscribers who picked their box also will receive an amazing full size product from Weleda.

The box was brimmed to the top and included 6 full sized products and 1 sample sized product which is simply amazing.

The value of this month’s box is worth £63.05 which is incredibly good value for money.

Overall I’m pretty pleased with the contents. They definitely put on a good show this month.

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

Fancy subscribing to Love Me Beauty?

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

www.lovemebeauty.com

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

Love Me Beauty Selection Menu’s – July 2014

Banner-website-July (2)

A box full of make-up at Love Me Beauty this month – what’s not to like!

Brands this month include Lashem, OFRA, So Susan and Teashed! 

Which menu will you be choosing? Think I may go for Menu 2 this month!

Thinking of Subscribing?

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

For more information please visit www.lovemebeauty.com

GlossyBox Review – June 2014

image

image

image

image

Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.25 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5 items
Total value of contents in the box is £48.71
www.glossybox.co.uk

The June 2014 GlossyBox has arrived and I think most subscribers were eagerly waiting to find out what goodies were in store this month.  GlossyBox released a couple of cheeky spoilers before dispatch day and promised that 3 out of the 5 products in the box will be full sized with a minimum value of £45.00

This month GlossyBox are embracing the great British summer. They have curated their June Box to help you update your summer beauty routine in one easy step.

“GlossyBox” is a  monthly beauty subscription service. The box consists of  4-5 selected hair, make-up , body and nail products from well-known brands and new brands.

This month’s box included 4 full sized products and 1 sample  sized set . A good mix of products this month.

Not all subscribers got the same as me as the products do vary. To see what was on offer please click here

1.     Teez Beautiful Eyes Flat Stiff Brush  – Full Size RRP 19 £15.21

This is probably the first item in the box which stood out straight away. It’s colourful packaging is so vibrant and pretty.

I have used Teeez products before and do like their make up range . This brush has quite a nice texture to it and whilst I do not use eye shadow it can also be used to apply eye cream or concealer.

The handle also has a vibrant design – you will never lose it within your make up brushes!

2.     Nail Girls 3 in 1 Base/Top Coat and Strengthener – Full Size RRP £13.50

I received a nail varnish from Nail Girls in a previous box last month so welcomed this 3 in 1 clear varnish which is multi purpose. This has a lovely shine and has just saved me from buying a new top coat!

The brand has been set up by two sisters. Their nail polish is chemical-free, which is great for mothers who are breastfeeding and women who are pregnant. Nailgirls are also British company.

3.     So Susan Concealer Quad – Full Size RRP £17.00

So Susan  launched  its new Concealer Quad in May this year. The brand uses wrinkle relief technology to offer anti-ageing qualities in its cosmetics. The new Concealer Quad contains four shades to cover imperfections and customisable colours to match all skin tones. It can be used to cover dark shades, blemishes and minor imperfections and is formulated with virgin Marula oil.

I’ve never tried this brand but I love the packaging it’s so girly and chic.

The pigmentation of this product isn’t the best however a good result can be achieved by building up the colour. The concealer isn’t so heavy either and therefore a great alternative for warmer climates.  I love that this product is diverse.

The texture of this product is quite dry however I have oily skin so wasn’t that much of an issue for me.

4.    Roger & Gallet Replenishing Body Lotion, Shower Cream and Perfume Vial in Fleur de Figuier –  Sample Sized

I have never heard of this brand but it sounds absolutely amazing and judging by the scent its divine. I’m already won over!

Here’s a history lesson for you all… The great adventure of Roger & Gallet started in 1695. Jean-Paul Feminis, who came from Italy and settled in Cologne, claimed to have been given the secret of a unique formula for water with amazing healing properties known as Aqua Mirabilis (Eau Admirable). In 1806, Jean-Marie Farina, the heir to the formula for Eau de Cologne, opened a perfumery business in rue Saint-Honore, Paris. In 1862 the heirs to Maison Farina, Armand Roger and Charles Gallet, formed a partnership which sealed the company’s future. Research and creativity were their keywords. They were to modernize the perfumery universe with shapes and volumes, with olfactive innovations and creation of perfumes.

The scent of these products has floral and sweet tones which is definitely my kind of scent. A great sample which I’m happy to have been introduced to.

5.  Schwarzkopt got2b Rise n Shine SouffleFull Size 100ml RRP £3.00

Schwarzkopf got2b Rise ‘n Shine souffle gives your hair textured volume and silky shine and you apply this to dry hair. For more of a volume boost this can be applied to the roots too.

I love that this looks like a souffle visually it smells great too.

I’ve not tried this yet but I like the fact that this is a weightless product.

My Verdict

I’m quite impressed with my GlossyBox this month its a big improvement compared to the last couple of months. The Glossy magazine was also a good read as per usual.

This month’s box included 4 full sized products and 1 sample  sized set which is pretty amazing. The box mainly consisted of  Body, make up, hair and nail products this month. Definitely a good mix of products.  I was hoping for the perfume but none the less GlossyBox have definitely delivered this month. I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

The contents within this month’s box is worth an amazing £48.71 which is great value for money.  Unfortunately I didn’t receive my product card this month so have researched the RRP prices myself.

There’s only one product this month that I wont make use out of so this month was a great box for me.

GlossyBox can be hit and miss sometimes and may not cater for everyone’s likes and needs each month however this is the risk when you cannot choose your own products. However I also understand that it’s hard to please everyone.  I do love coming home to my GlossyBox for the surprise aspect it’s like having a birthday present to unwrap every month!

I hope this is a new step in direction for GlossyBox and fingers crossed they continue to deliver these standard of boxes. I know most subscribers from my social media networks were very happy with their boxes this month.

Subscribers don’t forget to update your beauty profiles if any of your preferences have changed.

What did you think of your June “GlossyBox”?

GlossyBox Spoiler – June 2014

If you can’t wait here’s a spoiler of what you will find in your June GlossyBox

This month GlossyBox are embracing the great British summer with 3 out of 5 FULL SIZE products! They have curated their June box to help you update your summer beauty routine in one easy step.

PLUS each box will have a minimum value of £45

To see my review of June’s GlossyBox please click here

image