HOT OR NOT - BEAUTY BOX PRODUCTS OCTOBER 2014

As I missed out reviewing most of my October beauty boxes, I thought I would give an overview on which products I enjoyed and would repurchase and which ones I would give a miss. I reviewed my current favourite box - Look Fantastic, so all of these products are from Glossybox, Birchbox or You Beauty Discovery box. Glossybox's theme last month was based around a pop art box, which I love and will be keeping after use. The limited edition box came in four different colour ways and included four full-size products and two samples, which really impressed me. October's Birchbox was a collaboration with Coppafeel as October is also breast cancer awareness month. I loved that all the products featured in that months box fit in a cute pink zip up pouch and the box also came with a handy lipstick pen, which is perfect for any beauty lovers! You Beauty Discovery's product list was based on handbag heroes which are effective in the quick fix approach. I love this beauty box as it gives you the chance to try samples you actually want to try at a really reasonable price tag.
Hot Products -
The products I got on with the most were; Ciate Paint Pot in Ditch The Heels (Glossybox) - I received a gorgeous green shade called Ditch The Heels. I've tried many Ciate nail polishes in the past and really like the glossy finish. Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute (Glossybox) - I was really impressed to receive a full-size product from Nuxe. This is priced at £19.50 and is similar to the Origins Drink Up Intensive mask, so great for dry skin types. So Susan Flutter Mascara (Glossybox) - Mascara is probably my least favourite make-up product to receive in a beauty box, just because I know if I try it I have to use it up within the next few months, so I have a stock pile building up. But I decided to try this and really liked the way it lengthened my lashes. Etre Belle Liplift Peel (Glossybox) - I had never heard of this brand, but I was intrigued as I haven't used many products like it. This gives your lips a gentle exfoliation to prepare your lips for lipstick and I was impressed with the results. Balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm (Birchbox) - I have tried samples of this before, I really enjoy the balm texture. It's a product I go back to again and again but have yet to purchase it as I keep receiving samples. Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Honey Nectar (Birchbox) - I was very excited for this product as I haven't tried many products from Pixi. This gives a lovely nude tint to the lips and helps moisturise them as well, great for the winter months! KMS California Hair Play Playable Texture (Birchbox) - I have been loving KMS products and this one is a must try! You can use this before or after blow drying and it helps to build style and define layers without making your hair feel weighed down. Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick in Tease (You Beauty Discovery) - This was my first choice from You Beauty last month as I haven't tried a lipstick from Illamasqua before. I received the shade Tease which is a gorgeous matte nude and goes lovely with my skin tone. Crystal Clear Skincare Intense Anti-Ageing Serum (You Beauty Discovery) - I love a good serum and I knew this was a pricey brand so I thought I would give it a go. It helps to reduce wrinkles and firm the skin, I'm sure this is for an older target market but I love the way it peps up my skin. Cowshed Anti-Ageing Perfecting Night Serum (You Beauty Discovery) - Another serum similar to the Crystal Clear one, I liked massaging this into my face in the evening. It has made me want to try more from the brand!
Not So Hot Products -
The products I didn't rate were; Yves Rocher Quelques Notes D'Amour Perfume (Glossybox) - I'm not a big fan of perfume samples in beauty boxes, this one is a little too sweet for me! Rimmel BB Cream Matte in Light (Glossybox) - A nice little extra, but even the light shade is too orange toned for my skin. Shaveworks The Cool Fix Gel Lotion (Birchbox) - As I don't have any issues with shaving my legs this isn't a product I would normally pick up. It is really smoothing and cooling though, so maybe nice to leave until the summer months, not too sure of the manly scent though. Lollipops Paris Nail Lacquer (Birchbox) - I had never heard of this brand before, I really like the festive shade and the shade is quite pigmented. But I wasn't very impressed with the staying power as it chipped quite easily. Gold Collagen Forte (You Beauty Discovery) - I have received one of these before in a beauty box and I must admit I haven't tried it. It's aimed at the 40+ market, but I can't imagine it's a nice beauty supplement to drink, I think I will give it a miss.

I think my favourite box out of the three October editions has to be Birchbox.

Which is your favourite Beauty Box?

CIATE BIG BEAUTY BUS COLLECTION - BOOTS OFFER OF THE WEEK

Ciate London is such a cute nail brand. I have brought many of their sets in the past including the Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar, the House Collections and the Caviar Manicure gift sets. I'm always impressed with their huge shade range and how long lasting they are on the nails. Boots have started to bring out their Offers Of The Week and star gifts which change every week before the run up to Christmas. One of the offers this week is this Ciate London Big Beauty Bus Set which is so cute, I had to pick it up! This is £25.00 on the Ciate website and is reduced to £12.00 at Boots, which is great value! You receive six 5ml bottles in must-have shades; Ferris Wheel, Pom Pom, Hopscotch, Pool Party, Locket and Snow Virgin. There is a lovely mix of fashion shades in the obviously London colours, red, white and blue and then a baby blue, a hot pink and a silver glitter shade. It's great to try the mini polishes in a set before plumping for your most used shade in the full-size. The polishes are highly pigmented, give a high gloss finish and the brush is so easy to apply with. The long handle provides the best strokes every time and the curved bottle is designed to sit comfortably in your hand for maximum control. Ciate is a new brand to be stocked in Boots and I have added the Candy Cane House gift set to my Christmas Wish List. Ciate also do a Nail Taxi Collection with the same London theme, which features three full-size paint pots. The packaging is so creative and playful and this would be a great gift or even just a treat for yourself! My favourites shades in the set are Pool Party the gorgeous bright blue and Locket the silver foil, which is great to apply over the other shades. I would really recommend picking up this set if your a nail polish junkie like me, it works out at £2.00 per polish so you are getting such a good deal. You could even split up this set and give your friends a single nail polish as a stocking filler. I will be keeping my eye out for more great Boot's offers. Ciate are also doing there own Nail Advent Calendar again this year, so exciting!

Have you tried Ciate paint pots?

#bigbeautybus

CIATE MINI MANI MONTH - ADVENT CALENDAR 2012

It's the First of December and we can officially get excited for Christmas! If you were lucky enough to get your hands on one of these (as I know they kept going in and out of stock online), you will be starting your advent today. This Advent Calendar appeals to me a lot more than the average chocolate ones, although deeming more expensive at £38. The calendar includes 17 of their best selling mini pots, 4 caviar blends plus funnel and 3 exclusive new glitter shades. You get all of this for the price tag of just 4 full-size regular paint pots.

The first colour behind door number one was 'Cupcake Queen' a lovely shimmery, bright pink. I really like the look of 'cookies and cream' and 'halo' shades and can't wait to get them on my nails. I love the formula of Ciate polishes as I think they dry so quickly on the nails and have a great colour pay off. I can't wait to open a door to find a bottle of caviar pearls as I haven't tried these yet. I'm also looking forward to finding out what the exclusive shades are too!

It's such a great gift for a friend, any beauty lovers out there or even an early Christmas present for yourself. There are still some available here if you want to get your hands on one! I think it's such a great concept and the design of the packaging is so lovely. I hope other beauty brands take note for next year. 

Have you got a beauty advent calendar this year?