SELFRIDGES BEAUTY BOX - THE BEAUTY WORKSHOP

This Summer, Selfridges have just launched their newest beauty destination - The Beauty Workshop in-stores. The Beauty Workshop is a concept that opened last week showcasing the latest beauty trends, exclusive services and products in just one exciting space. To celebrate it's arrival Selfridges created their own limited edition beauty box, containing some of their favourite beauty brands for a bargain grand total of £15. Selfridges has to be my favourite department store, and once I had heard about this amazing offer I knew I had to get my hands on one. 

I know a lot of people were trying to get hold of one, as only a limited number were available, and checkout was more than stressful. But I persisted, and I was lucky enough to receive it in the post the next day. The box came beautifully presented in Selfridges signature colours. The box itself contains 7 high-end and well known products. At £15, it really is amazing value considering the products would cost over £200 if they were bought individually. 

Inside the box was;
Philip B Katira Hair Masque 60ml, Fullsize 178ml £30.00 - This product is a hair treatment which fills in weak, damaged spots in the hair cuticle for added smoothness and strength. It claims to revitalise hair colour, speed up blow-drying time and lock in shine. I've heard good things about this brand, so I can't wait to see if this makes a difference to my hair. I'm all for a good hair masque!
Antipodes Avocado and Rosehip Divine Face Oil 30ml, £18.99 - This face oil actively boosts Type 1 collagen in skin cells, targets scars and wrinkles and eases the effects of ageing. Serums are something which I am just introducing to my night-time skin routine, so I'm looking forward to giving this one a try. I really like the natural scent so far.
Stila One Step Correct 30ml, £24.00 - This is a product I have been eyeing up for ages now. It is a primer, colour corrector, brightener and anti-aging skincare serum all in one. I think this is a great product to cover blemishes and provide a flawless base to your make-up. It's great to receive some full-size products in the box, this is going straight in my make-up bag to use under my foundation.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask 5ml, Fullsize 50ml £57.00 - This product is a deep cleansing mask which is packed with mineral-rich moor mud from Lake Heviz. It is rich in calcium and magnesium carbonates, which removed impurities and make-up. It claims to leave skin looking supple and younger-looking. It will be good to see if it helps with any blemishes or scaring. 
Estelle & Thild Lip Balm Raspberry 15ml, £14.00 - This lip balm is saturated with vitamins that nourish, plump and protect your lips. Their products only contain high-quality, organic ingredients that protect your skin's natural balance. I didn't think much to the product when I first opened my box, except for it's pretty packaging. But I love the raspberry scent and it leaves my lips feeling so nourised. This is a product I will definitely be keeping in my handbag.
Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum 15ml, Fullsize 100ml £43.00 - Aesop is a brand I have been wanted to try for a while now. This is a serum for dry, combination and sensitive skin. It is a light moisturising serum which can be used every day and is rich in potent anti-oxidants. This is another serum I will be introducing into my night-time skin routine, if I like this product I am going to look into their face masks next, as I have heard only good things.

Bioeffect EGF Serum 5ml, £49.00 - Just two drops of this concentrated, anti-aging serum once a day delivers dramatic improvement to skin tone and visible reduction in lines, blemishes and dark circles under eyes. This little pot of serum is a bit pricey for the amount you get, but it is great to get the opportunity to try something you wouldn't normally purchase.
Overall, I am really pleased with all the product I received in this one-off box. Anybody who loves skincare would of loved this box, it's just a shame that there was only a limited avaliable. This box is now sold out, but you can buy the products separately online or from The Beauty Workshop itself. I am looking forward to visiting soon. If only all beauty boxes were like this. Did you manage to get a box? What do you think of the products?

GLOSSYBOX - AUGUST 2012 INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS BOX

This month's Glossybox is all about Hero products from around the globe. I really like Glossybox's themed boxes and this ones a winner - following the Olympics. I actually got this Glossybox for free, as I had collected enough Glossydots from giving feedback of past products and recommending friends to the service. So I was more than pleased to receive the contents of this box.
Alessandro - Pro White, 10ml £7.85 - I don't really suffer from discolouration in my nails, but this is a really handy product to receive. This is an optically brightening effect nail polish. I am yet to try out this but have heard good things about it and apparently leave your nails radiant white and gleaming. So I will be reaching for this next time I do my nails.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, Fullsize 200ml  £18.50 - This is a product that I am most intrigued about. This cleansing oil is a water-soluble cleanser that is apparently better than any other make-up remover. I have never really used any oil base cleansers, So I'm looking forward to using this in my skincare routine. I have heard people rave about this product, so lets hope it meets expectations. This is also a good-sized sample.

Broadway Nails - Impress Press-on Manicure, Fullsize 24 Nails £7.99 - I'm so pleased I received these in my box, I have been wanted to try them ever since I saw they were stocked in Boots. I never caved because I thought I would only wear them if I was going to an occasion and not for every day use. I'm also pleased with the colour that I received, definitely something I would choose myself. I can't wait to try these, I have read reviews stating they don't last as long on the nails, but I think it's a really great idea. Hopefully they will be quick and easy to apply.
Vera Valenti - L'ombre a Paupiere Margarita, £3.85 - This is the one product in the box that I'm not sure on. I'm not really one for green eyeshadow. When I received my box, one of the green shades was smashed, which didn't really give me a high expectation of the quality of the shadows. Swatching the colours, the green shades are much more pigmented than the Brown ones,  I think I will be using this palette for maybe eyeliner or to fill in my eyebrows, the concept of the product is nice though.

Lipcote - Lipstick Sealer, 7ml £3.99 - I have always heard good things about this product, but never felt the need to buy it. It's great to just chuck in your handbag though and apply when you want your lipstick to last that little bit longer. It hasn't got the nicest smell to it, but I like the application. It will be a life saver though, for when your out eating and drinking and don't want to keep applying make up.

Glossybox Lipstick - Glossy Pink, 4g £9.50 - This was an added bonus in the box this month. I love the colour of the lipstick, such a nice everyday pink shade. The quality is also really good, and is long-lasting on the lips. I'm not sure I would pay £9.50 for a Glossybox lipstick, but it's nice to have in my collection, and a colour that would suit a lot of people.

I am really happy with my box this month, and think there is a mixture of products to suit everyones taste. Were you pleased with your box this month? What were your favourite products?

Sign up to Glossybox here.

BEAUTY AND FASHION WISHLIST - AUGUST 2012 MUST HAVES

River Island Black Lace and Mesh Dress £30.00 - Every girl need a LBD in their wardrobe and I think I'm in need of a new one. I love how cute but simple this one is, I think it's one of those pieces you can dress up or down for lots of different occasions. I'm not really one for strappy dresses, but the lace detailing is just so pretty! I will definitely be trying this on the next time I go shopping, as I think it's perfect for a girl's night out - and a total bargain also.
Benefit Sugarbomb Blusher £23.50 - For my birthday, my best friends brought me the Lipgloss version of Sugarbomb. (Review coming up) They know I love the Benefit boxed blushers - especially Coralista, but I have never tried the Sugarbomb Blusher although it has always appealed to me. I love the lilac shade, and think all the colours together create such a pretty summer sheen to the cheeks. This will certainly be one of my top buys this month!
Topshop Cable Dip Dye Scarf £18.00 - I feel a bit silly having a scarf in my August wishlist, but the weather has hardly been what I'd call summer. This caught my eye, whilst looking through the Topshop website. I think this will be one of my key accessories for Autumn. I love the navy colour, they also have matches gloves and hat as well. Unfortunately, this is currently out of stock on the Topshop website, so hopefully it will come back in soon :(
Origins Spot Remover Pads £22.00 - I have the original Origins Spot Remover (I even own a back up) but I was really happy to see that they have brought a pad version of the formula out. My local Boots has just brought an Origins stall in to there store, which I am really excited about, but probably is bad for my bank balance as it has become more accessible to me. You get 60 pads in this little pot, so it's going to last a little while. It will be good to see which application I prefer, but Spot Remover is such a good product.
River Island Black Studded Flatforms £25.00 - I've wanted a pair of flatforms for ages, I have just never found 'the ones'. All the previous pairs I have seen are just too plain. I love these though, I really like the gold studded toes and the suede quilted fabric, although I can see them getting quite dirty. I feel these are really on trend, for £25.00 they are so reasonable, I will definitely be trying these on the next time I go shopping.

What's on your wishlist? What do you think I should buy next?

JOHN FRIEDA FULL REPAIR DEEP CONDITIONER HAIR MASK & PERFECT ENDS SHEER MIST

I recently posted about the John Frieda Full Repair Range and there latest Step-by-step styling tutorials. I have loved trying out those techniques on my own hair and getting used to creating the full body blow-dry look, see that post here. In the meantime, I got chance to try some of the products out for myself. I have been using these products for a good two weeks now, so I thought it was about time I shared my own thoughts on them.

Full Repair Deep Conditioner Hair Mask, 150ml £5.99* - I am always one for an intensive hair mask, I think I have about three sitting in my bathroom right now. I like to use heat on my hair most days, (I know, not good) so I do like to give my hair some therapy whilst I'm washing it. What I like about this conditioner, is that it's not too thick, so it doesn't weigh hair down, whilst still nourishing hair back to it's former state. This formula contains lightweight Incha Inchi Oil which conditions deep and repairs the look and feel of over-styled hair. I think this product is also great for coloured hair, it really does give hair some well needed TLC. This conditioner smells amazing, and leaves my hair feeling so silky soft, it is definitely worth a try!

Full Repair Perfect Ends Sheer Mist, 75ml £6.99* - This product is a heat protectant that smoothes fine-textured hair which has been damaged from heated hair tools. I normally use John Frieda's Sheer Blonde Leave-In Conditioner, but have loved using this product so far. You use this on wet hair, concentrating on the ends. Again, I feel this product is really lightweight, and it doesn't feel like you have any product at all in your hair. The Sheer Mist also contains Inca Inchi Oil which is rich in Omega-3 and absorbs into worn-torn strands instead of coating the surface. The product has left my hair feeling really smooth, especially the ends, whilst giving my hair some body and the overall appearance less frizzy, so less need of straightening it. It also smells lovely, the same scent as the conditioner.

Overall, I am really happy with the John Frieda Full Repair range, I will be continuing to use these products and hopefully my hair will be in a better condition than before. For the price, I don't think you can go wrong. I would really recommend using these products if you have dry/over-worked/coloured hair. Hopefully now, any split ends are under control.

*PR Samples

JULY BEAUTY FAVOURITES 2012

I have quite a few favourites this month, July went fast so quickly! but there sure are some products I just can't get enough of...
Clarisonic Mia, Lavender £120.00 - I have been using my Clarisonic Mia for over a month or so now. This tool has become my new best friend, which I have integrated into my night time skincare routine. I have really seen results with using this religiously, my skin has become a lot clearer and seems to glow once I have used it. I am prone to blemishes around the chin area, but they have really calmed down, which I think has been helped by using this and my pores have become visible smaller. I am really glad I caved and bought this item, I don't know what I'd do without it now.
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, 100ml £92.00 - I received this as a birthday present at the end of June, and have been loving it ever since. The scent is described as oriental-fresh, with a floral jasmine-rose blend of intense freshness. I find the scent really light and sophisticated and great for every day use. I haven't stopped using it, it was such a nice present to receive and the bottle looks lovely on my dressing table.
V05 Refresh Me Quick Dry Shampoo, 200ml £3.49 - I am a true Batiste dry shampoo girl, but I have recently been enjoying using Vo5 products so was really excited they had bought out two new dry shampoos to there range. Refresh me quick smells divine, it really reminds me of TIGI Bed Head - Head Rush. A great product for second day hair. I will definitely be trying out the 'Plump me up' version that Vo5 do.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream, Light £6.99 - I featured this product in my monthly empties as I had used up a few sample sachets I had received with an Asos order. I then went out and bought the full size because I loved the coverage so much. It's the best coverage BB cream that I have used and does last a good while on my skin. It has replaced my foundations this month.
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, Honey and Darling £5.99 each - I was so excited for these products to come to the UK, after the hype of the lip butters. They haven't disappointed, read my full review on the shade 'Honey' here. After using Honey for a few days, I knew I had to purchase another shade, so went for 'Darling' such a lovely, unusual shade of lilac. These products are great to just chuck in your handbag and use on the go, as they are so easy to apply.
REN No1 Purity Cleansing Balm, 100ml £23.00 - I bought this product to use with my Clarisonic, see my full post here. I had heard so many good things about REN and I got such a good deal on there website. I have really been enjoying using this cleanser, it is a lot thicker than I first thought it would be, but it foams up just the right amount with my clarisonic. I will be putting this as my favourite product on my REN account, so I can receive 10% of it for life. It does manage to take off all my make-up, including waterproof mascara.

Naked Spoil Me Coco De Mer Bath Foam, 300ml £3.99 - I would pick a bath over a shower any day, so you can imagine I am obsessed with my bath products for a little pamper. I picked up this product to try because of it's scent 'Coco de mer'. I love anything coconut scented and this creates such a lovely scent which lingers on the skin and takes over the whole bathroom. I also love how Naked products are 97% natural and has nothing but goodness in it's bottles. 
Barry M Nail Paint, 324 Silvery Lilac £2.99 - This is such a lovely shade, and nothing like I have seen before. I really reminds me of summer and holidays. I have been applying this to my toes this month and just love the colour. Barry M is so affordable and the colour range is so big, you really can't beat it.
OPI Sensitive and Peeling Nail Envy £18.55 - This is another product I received for my birthday. I know there is a lot of blogger hype over the original version of this. As I am not able to wear nail vanish every day due to my job, this is great for just wearing for a light sheen of coverage. I have seen a big improvement with the quality of my nails, they have become a lot stronger. This formula is rich in vitamin E and Kukai nut oil, while also offering the soothing qualities of Aloe Vera.

What products have you been loving this month?