LATEST IN BEAUTY - GET THE GLOSS SUMMER 'IT KIT'

I have recently really enjoyed Latest in Beauty boxes, as they have included many new releases and products that are exciting that I want to try for myself. Some beauty boxes disappoint me by featuring the same products over and over again which I already own and don't really need. I have gone off the Look Fantastic beauty box for now as there were too many duplicates and I received rubbish customer service after the delivery man decided to throw my box over the gate. But anyway, a beauty box should be crammed full of new releases and generous samples and I think this edition ticks every box.

Latest in Beauty have teamed up with Get the Gloss which is the UK’s leading online authority in beauty and health, with reviews and expert advice to create a Summer 'It Kit'. I'm signed up to their newsletter and know these ladies know a good product when they see one. The box is bursting with eight summer ready products that could be added to any girls ‘it kit’ I thought a lot of these products would be ideal to take on holiday with me.

Philip Kingsley Swimcap 50ml – This is such a genius product to take on holiday with you. Swipcap works as a guard to protect hair against discolouration and damage that can be caused by the sun, sea, chlorine and wind. It’s suitable for all hair textures and contains sunscreen for UV protection. This product was originally developed at the request of the first US Olympic Synchronised Swimming Team, PABA prevents oxidisation and colours fade and it is also a super conditioning treatment for your hair. You use this in wet hair and comb through your hair, you can reapply as necessary after swimming and rinse with water. It’s a summer saviour and a must-have for swimmers, I will definitely be taking this on holiday with me!

Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish 8ml – I have quite a good collection of these gel effect polishes now. I received the colour Regents Place, which is a lovely cornflower blue which would look great on toes on the beach! I like the formulation of these polishes, they're not too thick in texture and the colour range is spot on! The formula is long lasting and I actually already own the blue shade, but it's one of my favourites!

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Refine & Polish Miracle Balm 15ml – I have never tried anything from Aurelia before but I'm looking forward to using this multi-use product. You can use this as an instant exfoliator to gently get rid of dead skin cells and stimulate circulation and you can also use it as an enzyme mask to allow the active fruit enzymes to deeply exfoliate. It’s suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types and works to transform and brighten dull, rough, congested skin. The Miracle Balm is fragranced with uplifting essential oil blend of Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Bergamot. Skin is left silky soft, smooth and glowing!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR Multi-Usage Dry Oil Golden Shimmer 10ml– I have been wanting to try this product for ages, another item I will be putting in my wash bag for my holiday. This is a multi use product for face, body and hair. This dry oil has a unique super-activated formula combining Precious Plant Oils and Vitamin E to nourish, repair and soften skin. It has iridescent golden particles which illuminate with shiny reflections.  It leaves your skin soft and velvety, hair is glossy and full of volume and it also improves the overall appearance of stretch marks.

Bourjois Aqua Blush 10ml – I was excited about these new blush releases from Bourjois, I received the shade Pink twice, which is a lovely girly pink. They claim to last up to 12hrs and boost your skin’s natural radiance. They are a water-light gel formula which leaves skin with a refreshed, sheer, fresh colour. They're currently available in four sorbet shades, which are great for summer! I like the pump bottle, they add a lovely hint of pink to your cheeks and they smell lovely too. They last on my cheeks much longer than a powder blush, so ideal if you're in the sun.

Elemental Herbology Cell Plumping Facial Hydrator SPF8 15ml – This moisturiser combines antioxidants, marine actives and hydrating botanicals to help protect against the elements, reactivate pro-collagen synthesis to leave you with a youthful glow. It’s perfect for dry or sun-weathered skin to help plump up the skin and it contains an SPF8 which is great for everyday use.

Salon Science AquaCacteen Hydrasoothe Cooling Spray 150ml – This is not a brand I have heard much about, but it sounds an interesting product to try. It contains the ultra-refined elixir of organic cactus to help shield the hair and scalp against environmental stress and help prevent further irritation. It also contains soothing and moisturising actives such as Aloe and Panthenol to help refresh and provide instant relief to a dehydrated scalp and instant hydration to dry hair. You can use this on either dry or damp hair by just spraying from root to tip. This is the perfect product to take on holiday in your beach bag to relieve burn on the scalp or if you can feel your head getting hot in the sun. I don't really suffer from an itchy scalp but I can see this working well as a refresher and something to add moisture to my hair.

Anne Semonin Eye Express Radiance Cube 4ml – These eye cubes are designed to be stored in the freezer and placed over your eyes like you would do with cucumber. They soothe and refresh tired, puffy eyes to drain toxins and maximise skin’s absorption. They contain natural active ingredients such as Ginkgo biloba, gourd extract and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, reduce dark circles and anti-wrinkle. These would be great to use before going out for the evening after too much sun!

Latest in Beauty have also teamed up with the brands in the box to offer you some exclusive discounts on their products as well, which is a nice little bonus! The box is priced at £19.00 which is a real bargain for all these decent sized samples as the contents is worth over £85.00, they will definitely see me through the holiday season this summer. Which beauty boxes would you recommend?

#GTGITKIT

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LATEST IN BEAUTY - THE GLAMOUR SUMMER EDIT

Latest In Beauty have recently released their newest instalment of their Glamour beauty box ready for Summer. The Glamour Summer Edit is packed full with 10 different beauty items to make sure you're all set for the new season. Latest In Beauty always manage to outdo their last beauty box. Especially the Glamour boxes, these are some of my favourite to invest in. They've teamed up with Glamour’s Beauty Director, Alessandra Steinherr, to bring you the hottest Summer must haves. The contents are worth over £90.00, so at the retail price of £17.99 you're really getting a great deal! Included in the box is; the Vita Liberata Trystal Minerals and Luxury Kabuki Brush, Pixi Glow Tonic, Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish, L’Occitane Aromachology Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner, Caudalie Divine Oil, Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon, Eucerin Sun Protection, Balance Me Super Toning Body Polish and Seekers of the Sun Temporary Tattoos.

Vita Liberata Trystal Minerals is quite an exciting new launch, it’s the first ever self-tanning bronzer, which you dust over your face and a natural looking tan appears which lasts up to five days. The brush is full-size and feels so soft, you could even use this all over your body. I was quite scared applying this for the first time as I didn't want it to look too dark on my skin tone, but it just gives a natural, glowy look to your skin. I have wanted to try the Pixi Glow Tonic for ages, I was a little disappointed by the size of this sample but excited to use it as well. This product gently exfoliates your skin while infusing it with hydration, leaving you with a healthy glow. I received the shade Uptown in the Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish which is a lovely nude pink shade that I was very pleased about. I have used this formula of polish before and have really liked the glossy, high-shine finish on the nails. I have received samples before of the L’Occitane Aromachology Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner in another beauty box. They helps to strengthen, repair, hydrate and protect my hair as well as making my hair feel silky soft. They're perfect to use during Summer and ideal travel sizes to take on holiday with you. I have also used the Caudalie Divine Oil before, I love the scent of this! This oil is a multi-purpose dry oil which moisturises, nourishes and enhances the skin, you can also use this in your hair! I received the Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Fuchsia Libre. I have used these formulations before but didn’t have this shade which is good! I’ve really got into using crayons on my lips, I find them hydrating and last a good while on the lips. This shade is really pigmented and not something I would normally wear but I was really surprised how much I liked it. No Summer Edit is complete without some suncream, so they've added the Eucerin Sun Cream for the face. I will be saving this sample for the next time I go away, but it’s a handy size to take to the beach with you. The Balance Me Super Toning Body Polish is designed to give your skin a detoxifying workout, great for firming and smoothing. I have been after some temporary metallic tattoos for a while now. These Seekers of the Sun Temporary Tattoos are limited edition and have been designed especially for this box. They're ideal for festivals or Summer days or nights out, I can't wait to try these out!

The Glamour Summer Edit is such great value and it gives me the chance to try products I have wanted to try for ages! My favourite products have to be the Pixi Glow Tonic and the Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish. You can also win every Glamour Beauty Edit Latest In Beauty release for the next year by taking a selfie with your box and posting it on instagram or twitter with the hashtag #ShowUsYourSmile, find out more here.

What is your favourite product from the Glamour Summer Edit?

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WINTER BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES - DECEMBER 2014

Philosophy The Gingerbread Girl Shower Gel, Bubble Bath & Shampoo, 480ml £14.00 – This took me so long to use up, just because the bottle is so big. I received this as a Christmas present as everyone knows I love gingerbread. This is a multi-use product, but I just like to use it as a bubble bath. It creates lots of bubbles and smells lovely, I currently have the Christmas Cookie version on the go. Would I repurchase? Yes I love Philosophy formulas.

Garnier Ultimate Blends Shampoo & Conditioner, 250ml and 200ml £2.79 each – This duo is a basic shampoo and conditioner which do the job but aren’t anything special. I like the coconut scent and they did make my hair feel sleek and smooth. This range is suited for dry, frizzy hair and it definitely did tame my flyaways. I did a whole blog post on this range, here. Would I repurchase? Maybe not this scent, but I would try other products from the range.

Chloe Eau De Parfum Spray, 30ml £36.95 – This is my all-time favourite scent. I will forever repurchase this and will never be without it. I have tried most of the Chloe fragrances and haven’t found one I didn’t like, I’m currently really enjoying the See by Chloe fragrances. I love how cute the bottle is and looks pretty on any dressing table. Would I repurchase? Yes, forever.

Chloe Perfumed Shower Gel, 200ml £19.95 – I wouldn’t normally buy an expensive fragrance shower gel, but this was on offer at the time. Being my favourite fragrance I really enjoyed using it and saved it for special occasions than using it every day. Would I repurchase? I would buy this again if it was on some kind of offer and it’s great as a gift to buy someone their favourite scent in a shower gel version.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation (In both old and new packaging), 30ml £9.99 – This is one of the first drugstore foundations I tried and fell in love with. I don’t like that they changed the packaging, as the old packaging pushed up any remaining product and you could see exactly how much was left. The colour is a good match for my pale skin and it gives me a light/medium coverage which doesn’t look cakey at all or oxidises throughout the day. I like the way it looks on my skin and I like that the bottle comes with a pump. Would I repurchase? Yes, Bourjois do some of my favourite high-street foundations.

Redken Blonde Idol Shampoo, 300ml £9.90 – I have really been enjoying Redken shampoo and conditioner this year. This shampoo is especially designed for blonde hair and helps to prevent my highlights fading too quickly. I like the scent and it foams up really nicely, I have reviewed this fully on my blog, here. Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m currently using the Diamond Oil range.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation, 30ml £6.99 – I really like how well this foundation matched my skin tone. For a drugstore foundation it is really pale and perfect to use all year round, unlike the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation which is a little too bronzed for me during Autumn/Winter. It so affordable and has an SPF 18 which is great to see from a high street foundation. Would I repurchase? Yes, it’s a good affordable foundation.

Vo5 Refresh Me Quick Dry Shampoo, 200ml £3.59 – I have raved about this dry shampoo again and again, I always go back to this brand. It’s really affordable and I know it works for me. I’m currently using another brand and not enjoying it so much, so will have to return to this one after I’ve used it up. Would I repurchase? Yes, I always make sure I have one at hand.

Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Butter, 300ml £10.00 – This product has to be one of my favourite discoveries of 2014. I have really been enjoying Orange scented products and you can always rely on a Soap & Glory body butter to keep your skin moisturised and hydrated. I have reviewed this fully on my blog, here. Would I repurchase? Yes I would buy any of the Soap & Glory body butters.

Soap & Glory Heels Genius Foot Cream, 125ml £5.50 – This is another product I use all the time, nothing seems to work as well as this. It’s a thick cream which I like to massage into any dry areas and cover with socks in the evening. My feet are left feeling super soft and it makes me feel so much more relaxed. Would I repurchase? Yes this is holy grail for me, I've restocked up by buying the Annual Soap & Glory Star Gift at Boots!

Have you tried any of these products? What would you replace them with?

LATEST IN BEAUTY - THE GLAMOUR BEAUTY POWER LIST 2014 BOX

I am currently obsessed with beauty boxes, I say currently, I have been since I subscribed to my first box and even wrote my dissertation around the whole concept. Glamour have collaborated with Latest in Beauty to come up with a beauty box based on their Beauty Power List. They have collaborated with Latest In Beauty before, I didn't pick up that box because I had tried most of the products featured, but I thought this box was definitely worth trying. The box contains seven handpicked beauty products which featured in the 2014 Beauty Power List and have Glamour's Beauty Director's stamp of approval. The total value of the box is £83.47 and you can buy it for £15.99 with postage and packaging included, so it definitely is a one-off steal at that price and it means you get to try new up and coming products. On top of that you also receive an annual subscription to the iPad or iPhone digital edition of Glamour for you or a friend, which I think is a really good deal.
Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray – I’m really into leave in conditioners at the moment. I have tried quite a few Philip Kingsley products recently and have been pleased with the results. This leave in protective conditioning spray defends against daily heat, styling and breakage. You spray this into wet hair to detangle, add shine and it smells divine. It's suitable for coloured hair and it's a great deluxe sample size at 60ml.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser – This is a cult product that everyone raves about. If my skin is acting up I always go back to this cleanser. I have tried the original formula and the limited edition scents and have enjoyed all of them. This is definitely a sample I will keep for holidays or nights away, it even comes with a muslin cloth. It removes dirt and make-up to leave skin clean and conditioned. It works on every skin type and any age.

Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara – I have been wanting to try this mascara for ages, I have heard nothing but good things. It claims to give 360 degree volume the second it's applied. The unique wand coats every lash, without clumping. I haven't tried many Bourjois mascara's before, but this one doesn't disappoint, it's a full-size product and the formula is extra black.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – I have the radiance version of this primer which I love, so it’s great to try out the normal formula from the brand. It’s a generous sized sample of 30ml and the formula is lightweight, has a creamy gel consistency and makes your make-up stick around for longer. Meaning you don't have to touch up through out the day, which is perfect for my oily skin.

James Read Sleep Mask Tan – I’m not big on tanning but this is a great sample size to have to travel with. This product combines overnight skin beautifying ingredients with a touch of self-tan. It is a lightweight formula, that moisturises and soothes the skin overnight and leaves you with a subtle golden glow by morning. This is great for a quick pick me up and evens out your skin tone.

Maybelline Nude Colour Sensational Lipstick - I am big on nude lipsticks, they're great for everyday and right on-trend. Maybelline have five flesh tone shades in the collection to create an understated glossy finish. I received the shade Tantalizing Taupe, it's moisturising and pigmented, I will definitely be getting a lot of use from this lipstick.

Eyeko Mascara Off Make-up Remover Wipes - I am getting more into Eyeko products recently, these wipes will come in handy for travelling. They remove even waterproof mascara and smokey eye make-up, so they're great for lazy days or quick touch ups. These 100% pure cotton pads contain olive oil and aloe extract to condition and soothe, I will be popping these straight into my handbag.

PS - Fearne's make-up looks amazing in this months Glamour and it's all Revlon products.

Will you be picking up Latest In Beauty's newest box?

SUMMER BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES - JULY 2013

For me, using one product at a time is hard. I constantly enjoy using different products and finding the right products that work best for me. This month I have come to the end of many of my favourite products which I need to repurchase, and I thought I would share my views on them (and stop hoarding the packaging.)
VO5 Refresh Me Quick Dry Shampoo, 200ml £3.59 - This has to be the best dry shampoo I have used, I have raved about this before - read here. I have tried both the dry shampoo's from VO5, but refresh me quick has to be on top! It gets rid of oily roots instantly, meaning I don't have to wash my hair everyday and the scent is lovely. Would I repurchase? Yes I always have my next bottle at the ready!
Soap & Glory Foam Call Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 - I'm such a big fan of Soap & Glory body wash, I love the Fruitigo fragrance and the pump bottles. You really can't beat Soap & Glory on the high street! For the amount of product you get, it really is cost efficient as they last for ages. My favourite body wash in the line has to be Rich and Foamous - read my review here. Would I repurchase? Yes, I am using Rich and Foamous in my shower at the moment.
Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo, 200ml £8.75  - I haven't tried many products from Liz Earle apart from a skincare try-me kit. So I didn't really know what to expect from their shampoo - but I was impressed! The shampoo is free from SLS/SLES and only contains naturally active ingredients including; natural vitamin e, aloe vera, west african shea butter, apple and orange extracts. The shampoo creates a rich lather and restores my hairs natural shine. Would I repurchase? Yes, the price isn't too bad for a mid-range brand.
Soap & Glory Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath, 500ml £6.00 - Another staple in my bathroom has to be this product. This bubble bath contains the 'Original Pink' scent and has body lotion built in, which is an added bonus for lazy days. Would I repurchase? Yes, always!
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution, 500ml £11.60 - I was hesitant to try this hyped product at first, but I'm so glad I did. I use this product to take the bulk of my make-up off before using a cleanser in the evenings. It dissolves all my make-up including my eye make-up which I was really impressed with. I'm so glad they have made this more readably available in the UK. Would I repurchase? Yes, I am trying the one for oily skin at the moment.
Aveeno Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, 150ml £5.99 - This is the first product I have tried from Aveeno, I decided to pick it up one day as it was on offer and new. This cleanser claims to brighten skin with naturally active Soy and smooth microbeads that gently exfoliate while cleansing. I kept this product in the shower and used it in the mornings to wake my skin up. Would I repurchase? Maybe, I would like to see what other products they have in the range.

Ren Omega 3 Night Repair Serum, Full-size 50ml £34.00 - I received this little sample free with a promotion  from WIMH - read here. Ren has to be one of my favourite skincare brands of the moment. I would use this serum on my face and neck before moisturising each night. I definitely saw a difference with incorporating a serum into my night time skincare routine. The only downfall was that I wasn't too keen on the scent. Would I repurchase? I don't think I would because of the scent, but I want to see if they have any other serums that work the same way.
Batiste Dry Shampoo, Cherry, Savanna and Mamba, 50ml £1.50 - These travel sized Batiste bottles are really handy for your handbag for use on the go. If I ever need to sort my hair out on-the-go or after the gym I will reach for one of these. The cherry and tropical scent are my favourite and are a great staple to have in my stash. Would I repurchase? Yes, a classic repurchase.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, 30ml £10.35 - Another cult product which every one talks about. I like to use this in the evenings before moisturising or in the day to refresh my face. I think it works great if you have any breakouts or redness as it really helps to calm down the skin. The scent is lovely! Would I repurchase? Yes, I purchased the Selfridges Summer Box which had a 100ml bottle inside. Bargain!
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation, 30ml £10.99 - This has to be the best high street foundation that I have used. No other formula has come close to my higher end base's. I have tried the regular Healthy Mix and the new formulation but I like this one the most. I have the shade 51 which is the lightest and the shade matches me well which is rare on the high street. Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm missing this in my collection.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, Full-size 100ml £13.99 - A little sample I got with a free gift which I was happy to receive. I had been wanting to try this hand cream after hearing only good things and I have definitely seen the benefits. It helps to moisturise and soften hands as well as strengthen nails and minimising visible signs of ageing. A little goes a long way! Would I repurchase? Yes I love the formula, but I do love a small bottle of hand cream for travel.
Origins VitaZing Moisturiser, 50ml £28.00 - This product is my daily go to moisturiser, I like to apply this before I start my make-up for the day as the sheer tint release really helps to wake-up my skin for the day ahead. It also contains an SPF15 which is an essential for day time and the scent it heavenly! I cut open the back of this product to scrape the last remaining product out. It is pricey but totally worth it. Would I repurchase? Yes, holy grail! 
Ren Vetiver v7 Hand and Body Cream, Full-size 100ml £9.00 - Another little ren sample, formulated with Javanese Vetiver Oil that leaves skin optimally hydrated, smoothed and conditioned. I used this product as a hand cream, as it was handy to chuck in my bag or reach for on my desk. Would I repurchase? Not a bad price for a Ren product, maybe I would in the future.

NOTD - BOURJOIS 10 DAY NAIL POLISH GUIMAUVE T26

I don't normally go for girlie, barbie pink colours when picking out nail vanish. But there was something about this shade which was so unusual that it caught my eye. My favourite thing about this polish is the brush, its perfect for application and covers the entire nail in one brush stroke. It is wide, angled and short, so it is great for touchups. It doesn't last 10 days without chipping with a top coat but to be honest I didn't expect it to. It still lasts a good 4-5 days without chipping and I am impressed with the quality.

For the price, £5.99 I would probably pick out an Essie nail vanish next time instead, but it is a nice colour for summer. I bought this when Boots were doing an offer of buy any Bourjois product get another one half price. But Bourjois are currently offering 3 for 2 on selected products at boots.