GLOSSYBOX 3RD ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY EDITION - AUGUST 2014

I have been a subscriber of Glossybox for quite some time now, and this August they celebrated their 3rd Birthday. It's a fab concept which has reached beauty lovers from around the world and the brand continue to improve the service they share with us every month. To be honest I was a bit underwhelmed by this months box, I know you shouldn't compare your box against others, but I felt this month just wasn't for me. I'm always happy with my Glossybox and always feel I get value for money, but for a Birthday box nothing really stood out for me. The box design also changed this month, as well as the information card, which I think is nice to change up from now and then. On to what was inside;
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, 40ml £38.00 full-size - Everybody received this product in their box this month. I have received this so many times in beauty boxes and magazine freebies, so I was a little disappointed to see it again. Saying that it is a great hair product, you apply this pre-shampoo and it gives your hair bounce, shine and manageability without weighing your hair down. This product was originally created for Audrey Hepburn and is suitable for all hair types. For me, it's a product I don't get to use very often as I wash my hair in the morning and always run out of time.
Glossybox Highlighter in Cashmere, 4.5g £12.95 - Another product that everyone received was this Highlighter, created with Kryolan especially for Glossybox's birthday. I didn't think too much of this at first, but when I swatched it I saw that it gives quite a nice illuminating effect on the skin. It's quite subtle, but it gives a velvety shine when applied to the cheekbones, a great multi use product.
Essence Longlasting Lipstick, 3.8g £2.29 - I received the Lipstick in Natural Beauty which is a lovely rose pink, great for everyday. I haven't used the formula before, but I found it to be really creamy and moisturising and the colour stayed around for a while after applying which is great considering the price. I'm not a big fan of the packaging, but this will definitely be making it's way into my make-up bag. I did receive a lipstick last month though, so it would have been nice to see something different.
Yves Rocher Pink Nail Polish, 3ml £3.60 - Another pink item, to match the box was this birthday bonus nail polish. The bottle is super tiny, it's not really a colour I would pick due to having many nude/french manicure pinks in my collection. But nice as a little extra and the mini brush is great for a smooth application!
Figs & Rouge Mini Hand Cream, 20ml £3.95 - I wasn't very excited to see a hand cream, as I have many hand cream samples to use up. But this is lovely, the scent is divine - mango and mandarin and it leaves my hands super soft. The hand creams are enriched with shea butter and sinks straight into your skin without feeling greasy.
Lalique L'Amour Eau De Parfum, 2ml £67.00 full-size - Another product I wasn't very excited about. The scent is nice a musky floral which reminds me of something and it stays on the skin for hours. I haven't really heard much about this perfume before so it was nice to try something different that I wouldn't normally pick up.
Products that were also on offer were; an Essence mascara, All that Jazz cuticle balms, Comfort Zone Essentials Cleansing Milk, SuperPep Super C15 Serum and SuperPep Hydra Sun Defence SPF 30 Day Cream. On a brighter note, next month box is a collaboration with Karen Millen and every subscriber will either receive a L'Oreal Professional hair masque or oil which I'm very happy to receive. I still get really excited to discover what's in my box every month, are you subscribed to a Beauty Box?

BIRCHBOX UK - AWAY WE GO! AUGUST 2014

This Month's Birchbox is all about Summer Getaways! The box introduces make-up, skincare and haircare essentials, as well as easy to use products that are compact and don't need tools. The box also contains travel hacks, holiday tick lists, an easy hair tutorial and cute luggage tags to get you ready for your dream destination!
Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect, 200ml £20.00 – This product is a leave in conditioning spray which detangles and protects against heat and sun damage. I’ve never heard of this brand but I like using these kinds of products on damp hair before styling. If you have dry or damaged hair this product is great at strengthening,  repairing, detangling, taming flyaways, nourishing and protecting. The scent is lovely but quite sweet in the hair.

Wild About Beauty Crème Eyeshadow, 1.75g £13.00 – I have used this brand before from another beauty box. It’s a long-lasting, high quality, satin finish shadow from Louise Redknapp and Kim Jacob’s paraben-free range. I like to use crème eyeshadows as a base, they’re easy to apply and blend out with your fingers. The shade I have is 03 Buster, a lovely coppery bronze.

Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Oil, 30ml £58.00 – I have always wanted to try this oil, but have been put off by the price. This nourishing oil is rich in omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9 for hydrated, smooth skin. I like to apply this after cleansing and before moisturising in the evenings. This product claims to transform your skin and reduce the signs of ageing. Having not tried this brand before I was excited to see it in this months box, I’ve been impressed with the results so far, it left my skin hydrated and smooth.

Vasanti Britenup! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, 120ml £26.00 – Another brand I haven’t heard of, but I’m excited to use. This product is a multi-action exfoliator to ensure a renewed, refreshed complexion. It’s great at improving your skin’s texture, my skin is softer and brighter after use. It also gently cleanses with aloe vera, coconut and panternol and it smells lovely. It's packed with exfoliating beads, so it really does revitalise the skin.

Supergoop! Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream, 47ml £32.00 – I was excited to see a CC Cream in the box this month, it adjusts to your natural shade, contains an SPF to smooth fine lines and even out skin tone. We received two 3ml travel sized samples in light/medium which I think was very generous of Birchbox. The CC Cream gives a light coverage but can be layered up for extra coverage. The formula is lightweight and fragrance free and acts as both a primer and a foundation in one. It contains 100% natural ingredients and light-diffusing mica minerals that soften the appearance of pores and wrinkles.

This month all the products came in a cute carry-on bag for your liquids. I will definitely be using this on plane journeys in the future. It’s great for storing all of your beauty essentials and this month’s box even came with a chapter one of the book, The Proposal by Tasmina Perry, which I think is a great idea! 

Are you subscribed to Birchbox?

AUGUST PREMIUM BEAUTY WISH LIST

Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Palette, £48.00 - I am a big fan of eyeshadow palettes, I love the diversity and convenience of them - especially neutral palettes. When I saw this product from Bobbi Brown I had to add it to my wish list. At £48.00 it is pricey compared to other palettes on the market but the shades are so wearable, I know I will get my moneys worth. I can only find this in stock on the Debenhams website now, so the limited edition factor makes me want it even more. I have heard some reviews commenting that the pigmentation is not that great, but I have really enjoyed using Bobbi Brown make-up in the past that I want to give it a go for myself. Not sure of the packaging but the 8 shades inside do this palette justice. 
Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream, £70.00 - I have heard a lot about this wonder cream. Again, another pricey item, but having used two items from Charlotte Tilbury's make-up range (see review here) I know you are paying for the quality. It contains an SPF15, with ingredients like frangipani, damask rose water, organic aloe vera, rose hip oil, sodium hyaluronate, camellia oil and wild pansy. It claims to cheat the appearance of 8 hours sleep, transform tired skin and rehydrate.
Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows, £21.00 - Nars eyeshadows have to be one of my favourites recently, they are so buttery and easy to blend. They have recently released 12 shades of dual-intensity eyeshadows, I am in love with the shades Callisto and Phoebe.  These luxury shadows can be applied dry or wet for dramatic impact and high shine finishes. Totally lusting...
Bumble & Bumble The Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Trio, £19.5o - There is currently lots of hype around this shampoo and conditioner, following the success of the original Hairdresser's Oil. I haven't tried the oil myself, but I'm so eager to try this set - especially for the primer. The products are sulphate free and help to soften, de-frizz and detangle the hair. The set is currently on offer on escentuals.com so this might be the ideal time.
Benefit They're Real Remover, £14.50 - I tried a little sample of this when I recently purchased the They're Real Push-Up Liner. It really lifts eye make-up, even waterproof make-up and is really gentle on the area. I like to apply this on a cotton pad and wipe over lashes and it removes every mark of They're Real mascara which I struggle to get off with certain make-up removers. I will definitely be repurchasing the full-size.

What are you lusting over this month?