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?

KAREN MILLEN GLOSSYBOX - SEPTEMBER 2014

Last Month, I posted my review see here, of the 3rd Anniversary Glossybox and stated that I was a bit underwhelmed with the contents. This month's box was totally different and is a collaboration with fashion brand Karen Millen. I love the London print skyline on the top of the box and I will definitely be keeping this out on display. Karen Millen's AW14 campaign is a celebration of the unique style and creativity in London hence the theme. I also received a £25.00 off voucher to spend in Karen Millen, which is a nice little extra. For me, this month's box is sky high compared to last month. I received;
ModelCo More Brows Fibre Gel Light/Medium, 3.5ml £9.00 - ModelCo is a brand that keeps popping up in beauty boxes. I have enjoyed a couple of their products and this More Brows is a great dupe for Benefit's Gimme Brow. I like that I received the right shade for my hair tone and at £9.00 its half the price of the higher end version. This thickening fibre gel helps to tint brows, fill in brows and keep brows in place all day. I wouldn't be without a brow gel in my make-up routine now. What I like about this version, is it hasn't seemed to clog up yet around the top like my Benefit one does. If you haven't tried the Benefit one, I would definitely recommend picking this up first.
Nails Inc Westminster Bridge Matte Topcoat, 10ml £12.00 - Nails Inc have recently re-branded themselves changing their bottles as well as their logo, see my post about this here. Saying that, I received the matte polish in the old packaging. I'm not normally one for matte nails, but it's nice to have. It is also another full-size sample, which is an extra bonus. I can imagine this looking really nice over a vampy purple, perfect for Autumn.
L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Hair Masque, 75ml full-size 200ml £15.30 - This is a product I have tried before and loved. My hairdresser recommended this to me and it's great to use on dry hair to hydrate ends. It smells great and the formulation is really thick. The masque intensely nourishes and leaves a glossy look. It's suitable for all hair types and it's a great sized sample to try if you haven't already.
Vichy Normaderm Night Detox and Hydrating Care, 3ml each fullsize 50ml £12.00 40ml £15.50 - I'm very excited to use this duo, their perfect to target adult blemishes. With use, blemishes appear reduced, skin looks purified and balances excess sebum production. I do struggle with blemishes on my chin from time to time, so I'm looking forward to see some results. There is a day and night cream and they're best used in conjunction.
SkinPep Brightening Enzyme and Acid Peel and Dark Circle Eraser, 3.5ml and 2ml Trial Size £6.49 and £7.98 - These are probably my least favorite products in the box, just because they're sachets and in my house these get put somewhere and forgotten about. But after reading more about these products, I'm more interested in using them. The Enzyme and Acid Peel is a highly effective peeling gel which uses Pineapple and Papaya extracts to create gently exfoliated, soft and bright skin. The powerful dark circle eraser uses anti-oxidant ingredients to boost collagen in the delicate undereye area. You can actually buy these trial sizes on their website.
Overall, I'm really happy with this months box, much better than last months. A few full-size products and well known brands, the only thing that would of made it better for me would of been if I had received the Origins product, but you can't have it all. Glossybox also included a leaflet in the box showing us the Pop Art themed box for next month and everyone will receive a full sized Nuxe Masque worth £19.50.

What do you think of September's box?

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?

JULY GLOSSYBOX 2014 - STARS & STRIPES

This month’s Glossybox is covered with the American Flag and contains American brands from around the country. I love the bright starred box and will definitely keep it and have it on display in my room. I have been a Glossybox subscriber for a few years now, you can subscribe here.

Bellapierre Cosmetics Mineral Lipstick, 3.5g £20.00 - This is a full-size lipstick,  I got the shade Mandarina. I love the orangey red shade which is really summery. I haven’t tried much or heard much of the brand but it’s nice to try something a little different. They are formulated with natural waxes, mineral pigments, iron oxides and antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E. I have found this lovely and moisturising and long lasting too. The mineral pigments provide natural protection from the sun, which is great for this summer sun. The product seems to be of good quality, giving you a vibrant colour and the scent is nice too. It doesn’t feel like you have lipstick on as it’s so lightweight, very impressed! Not sure of the £20.00 price tag though.

Pur Minerals Dirty Girl Detoxifying Mudd Masque, 120g £18.00 - I am a face mask junkie, especially when it comes to clay masks. This mask unclogs pores, cleanses skin and gently exfoliates. It gets rid of impurities and removes dead skin cells for fresher more radiant looking skin. I like to leave this on for 10 minutes as a weekly treat and rinse with warm water. This is a sample size product, but you do get quite a few applications in the tube. The colour of the masque is brown when it comes out and drys instantly on your face, the scent isn't over powering and it's easy to remove with water. You can buy this in Marks & Spencer's Beauty Hall.

Color Club Glossy Seal Nail Polish, 15ml £8.00 - I have tried these polishes before from Birchbox. They have a great formulation, fun shades for summer and are very long lasting on the nails. I bought a summer set last year and loved that, so I would really recommend the brand. The formulation is made from non-toxic, cruelty free ingredients. The shade which is included in the box is called ‘Glossy Seal’ which is exclusive to the July Glossybox.

Carmex Lip Balm, 7.5g £2.69 - This is a cult lip product which I have used many times before. It really helps to nourish my lips and restore any chapped areas. Not the most exciting product as I’m sure most people have tried this before. The formula contains menthol, camphor and beeswax, which conditions my lips back to a good base to apply lip products without looking messy.

Absolute New York Perfecting Eye shadow Primer, 7.9g £4.99 - I do have to make sure I use an eye shadow primer as I have oily skin and want my make-up to stay put. It’s oil-free, really creamy and evens skin tone before you apply eye shadow. It helps to keep eye shadow crease-free and helps the pigmentation to appear stronger and lasts longer. I like to use this to hide veins and redness around the eye area, it’s also really blendable. This is another full-size product, it's nice to see so many in one box!

This box wasn’t outstanding for me but I did have a few key products I have been enjoying. My favourite products being the Color Club nail polish and the Pur Minerals Clay Mask. I have liked Glossybox’s themed boxes before but I think the box design wins over the contents inside.

Are you subscribed to Glossybox?

GLOSSYBOX 2ND BIRTHDAY - MAY 2013 BEAUTY BOX

May was the month of Glossybox's 2nd birthday, so expectations were high as to what brands were going to feature in Glossybox's special box. I still can't believe that Glossybox has been available in the UK for two years now, I have been an avid subscriber for a year and a half, so I also received a little extra treat this month (Green & Black's chocolate) for my loyalty.
The first item which caught my eye was a full-size beauty of Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shine Spray which claims to add shine as well as also protecting hair from daily wear and tear. I really like the scent of this product, it reminds me of the Origins Ginger range. You can use this spray on styled hair or whilst using heat styling. Once sprayed into my hair I can smell the scent lingering for hours after. I would recommend this to anyone who wants glossy hair all day and it's ideal for heat styling.
Another full-sized product which I was really impressed with was Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara. This mascara claims to be waterproof, long-lasting and feather light and it didn't disappoint. The wand was smaller than brushes which I normally like but I found the formula lengthening, voluminious and it produced no clumps which I was pleased with. I'm not sure I would repurchase at £15 as it probably matched up to my drugstore favourites.

I have tonnes of nail vanish in my collection, but it's always nice to receive a shade you wouldn't normally choose yourself and to step away from the taupes. Headline Colors is not a brand I was very familar with before receiving this box, but I received the shade Gunmetal which is a lovely metallic grey (not very spring/summer, I know). The colour applied really opaque with two coats and left a glossy finish and had great staying power! I will be looking into more shades as best of all they are free of nasty toxins.
Collection Fast Stroke Black Liquid Eyeliner is an old favourite of mine. I have used this product since the age of 13 back when I first discovered make-up and I still go back to it even now. It was great to see this in last month's box, it reminded me of how good the product really is and the intense black colour.

The final beauty product in the box was Beautiful Movements Prime & Create Mixing Medium, this curious little pot of product is a great multi-tasker that is an aloe vera based gel, which can be turned into a cream foundation, blush and eye shadow that works for all skin types. Formerly known as BM Beauty, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt's range of beauty products have been a firm favourite of mine in past Glossybox's. I use this product alone as a primer to give me a matte, shine-free base - I would say it's great for my combination skin!
Glossybox Emery Boards were also a nice little extra to receive in the box last month. Really handy to chuck in my bag and use on-the-go, more hygienic too! What are your favourite Glossybox picks?

PEARL LOWE FOR GLOSSYBOX - SPRING FEVER APRIL 2013

I absolutely love the box design of last month's Glossybox which was exclusively designed by Pearl Lowe. It's so refreshing to open your box to find a different theme each month, this month was focused around 'Spring Fever'. I think this theme works really well and the products inside really reflect the season. I will definitely be reusing this box and display it on my vanity as storage.
Essie Nail Lacquer in 'We're in it together', Full-Size 13.5ml, £7.99 - I was very excited to hear that there was a full-size Essie polish in April's box. I am a big fan of the formulation of the diffusion line which can be found in Boots and Superdrug. The colour I received was 'We're in it together' which is a lovely baby pink with a slight blue/purple shimmer. It's not a colour I would normally go for but I have really been enjoying wearing it and adding it to my collection. Read my full review of Essie nail polishes here.
Illamasqua Medium Pencil in 'Thrash', Full-Size 1g, £13.00 - I had never tried any products from Illamasqua before so I was intrigued to find out what their products were like. This medium pencil can be used  for eye, lips, face and body, I received the shade 'Thrash' which is a warm burnt orange. I really liked the texture of the product it glided over the skin and gave a long-lasting finish. The colour was a bit scary at first, but I think it looks great on the eye area for a bit of a change from the usual black.

Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow Hand Therapy, Full-Size 100g, £14.00 - Again, I had never tried anything from this brand before, but have only heard good things. I have enjoyed the texture and scent of this hand cream, it leaves my hands feeling really hydrated and moisturised and not greasy at all. It's so handy to throw in my handbag and use on the go, the only downsize is that I'm not a great fan of the packaging as I know it will get harder to get the product out towards the end.
Yves Rocher France So Elixir Purple Eau De Parfum, Full-Size 50ml, £44.00 - It was nice to see a bigger sized fragrance sample in the box this month. The scent is feminine, floral and woody all at the same time. I quite liked the scent once I had put it onto my skin, the fragrance lasted quite well and I could still smell the product hours after I had used it. I'm not too thrilled with the packaging, I think they could update it a bit, but I would love to see what other products they have on offer.

Nip and Fab Pistachio Sundae Body Butter, Full-Size 200ml, £9.95 - This is one of my favourite body butters, I love the scent it's super sweet but I can't wait to put this on after showering. It does come in other flavours including, Coconut Latte (read my review here.) and Mango Smoothie. The texture of this product is lighter than many body butters I have used, and I enjoy using it during the spring/summer months. I will continue to repurchase!
I think this Glossybox is the best I've seen for a good while, so many big brand names in one box finished off with a lovely designed print! You really can't beat the value of a beauty box.

CITY CHIC GLOSSYBOX MARCH 2013

March's Glossybox was all about City Chic. The theme of 'city chic' is all about achieving a glossy & groomed look that city girls maintain from boardroom to barstool. The box also came with a little travelling book full of cute stickers, information about places to visit and room to take notes. This was a nice little extra to receive and something I found really interesting to read. On to the products I received in the box last month;

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush, Full-size 2.5g, £12.00 - Jelly Pong Pong are a brand I haven't really used before, but I was excited to see this product in the box last month. I really like the crayon applicators as they are so easy to use and apply. The colour wasn't something I would usually pick, but it's nice to have something different in my collection and have found myself reaching for it more often than I thought I would and the pigmentation is great! I'm not sure I would repurchase at £12.00 as you can get just as good lip crayons on the high-street from Revlon and Soap & Glory. But I would like to discover more from the brand.
Juicy Couture Couture La La Eau De Parfum Spray, Full-size 50ml, £47.00 - I'm not really a fan of the Juicy Couture line, but was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed wearing this perfume. It has a really nice sweet, floral scent that is very wearable for every-day use. The only downside I could find was it didn't last too long on the skin and I found myself topping it up through-out the day. But I have enjoyed using this feminine, flirty sample up!

Tresemme Salon Finish Extra Hold Hairspray, Full-size 500ml, £4.69 - I already use this hairspray, so it was great to receive a back up. I really like the texture of this product, it doesn't feel too heavy in my hair and it really does last! giving my hair control for most of the day. The scent is also pleasant, where as a lot of hairsprays can be very overpowering and feel crispy in the hair. It brushes out really easily and gives body and fullness where needed. I would carry on repurchasing this hairspray and I would really recommend a lot of other Tresemme styling products.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Fragrance Free, Full-size 50ml, £25.00 - This product really works wonders, it's a multitasking product which can be used to refresh jet-lagged skin, shape brows, revitalise shine, soothe dry hands and chapped lips or smooth cuticles and nails. Again, I already own this product, but it's been handy to have a small sized sample to take around with me. I mainly use this on the lips as it instantly softens them like no other product. A little goes a long way, so i'm still using the sample up - you really can't beat it!

Nails Inc Nail Polish in St.James, Full-size 10ml, £11.00 - I enjoy using Nails Inc polishes so it was great to see this miniature inside the box. It is not really a colour I wear on my finger nails a lot but it's great for toes. The formulation of these vanishes last ages without chipping and you don't need many coats to gain the desired look. This shade is a classic, pillar box red and adds a pop of colour to any outfit.
I like my reviews of Glossybox to be about what I thought of the products after using them for some time, instead of just showing you what I received each month. All in all I thought this was a great box, I received some products I already love and some new make-up ones that I've been trying out and also loving! The theme of the box was really up my street. I've just received April's box and can't wait to share that one, it's a good'un.

MISS GLOSSYBOX

I received an email from Glossybox this morning informing me of a new concept that Glossybox are introducing. Miss Glossybox is a new subscription service which will be launching in May following the success of the original beauty box. The box is aimed at young adults and teenagers broadening Glossybox's consumer. I think it's a great idea, as it gets younger people interested in beauty early and makes sure they take care of important things like skincare. The box looks really bright and fun and the product inside appear to be picked out for the younger skin type. The products are of a lower price point than those of the original box but they come in a reusable pouch which seems to be more appealing to the younger market. The subscription service is £7 (plus p&p) and comes out every two months. Subscription begins with the May box and is only available in the UK. Find more information here.

FEBRUARY VALENTINES THEMED GLOSSYBOX 2013

This is a late review of my Valentines Glossybox, I've had a good amount of time to use all the products now so I feel I can review them in a little bit more detail. I really love the packaging design of the themed box (which I will definitely use again) and also the heart-shaped lollipop was a cute little extra. The product information also includes a step by step guide on how to rock a bold lip, which was nice to see. I've just received my March Glossybox and I'm really impressed, so i'll be sure to share that one soon.
Docteur Renaud Raspberry Soft Cream, Full-size 50ml £25.00 - I hadn't heard a lot about this brand before opening my Glossybox, but I have seen them displayed in a Marks & Spencer's beauty hall. I was a bit confused whether this was a moisturiser for your face or body, but it is for your face. I love the scent of this product, it smells just like a victoria sponge cake. I must admit it was a bit scary putting something so strongly scented on my face at first, but it is very gentle and smoothed my skin instantly. The product also seems to contain a lot of natural ingredients. 
Model Co Eyeshadow Duo in Bronzed Goddess, Full-size trio £18.00 - Again this is another brand I hadn't really heard a lot about. This little product is perfect for on-the-go girls that need to take a day time look to evening. It has a very handy mirror and the shades are very wearable, great for a brown smokey eye! The consistency of the shadows are of high quality but there seemed to be some glitter fall out when I applied them.

Micabella Cosmetics Blush in Siera Suede, Full-size 9g £34.95 - I really like how natural mineral blushes look on the skin. Micabella's collection is made of 100% natural mica. The pigments can be used as eye shadow, lip stick, nail polish, mascara, bronzer and highlight. This may seem like a small sample but I know this product will last me for ages. I received the shade Siera Suede, which is a lovely peachy pink that I think would look great for the summer months when you don't want to be wearing heavy make-up. It is quite hard to get the product out of such a small container, but I usual pat some out onto the back of my hand. The full-size seems to be quite expensive though, so I'm not sure I'd repurchase.
Anatomicals Body Cleanser, Full-size 300ml £5.00 - I enjoyed using the Anatomicals body scrub we received in a past Glossybox, so it was nice to see another product from them. I don't really see their products as a luxury, but they are nice for everyday use. It has a lovely scent of Rose and Jasmine which you can even smell after washing the product off. It's quite a thick consistency, so lathers up really well in the shower. I was impressed with the size of the sample and this isn't even the full-size! I also love the bright packaging and the play on words in their product titles.

Helen E Cosmetics Raspberry Lipstick, Full-size 3.5g £8.00 - Another brand that was new to me this month. I'm not really a fan of the packaging, but the product itself is really creamy and pigmented on the lips. I got the shade 'Raspberry' which is a really nice pinky plum and very flattering on my skin tone. I think this shade goes along with the Valentine's theme very nicely!

It's lovely to discover new brands and products I wouldn't have maybe picked up if it wasn't for Glossybox. However, It would be nice to see what other beauty boxes have to offer. What did you think of the Valentine's Theme? Have you tried any other Beauty boxes like Birchbox?

GLOSSYBOX - DETOX BEAUTY BOX JANUARY 2013

This month's beauty box was all about detoxing after the Christmas break and adopting a healthier lifestyle. I really like the new leaflet style sheet instead of the regular card that comes inside the box, as I feel it gives you a lot more information about the theme and the products themselves. I feel the products inside really fitted in with the theme and I have really got along with most of them. 
Elemis Fresh Skin, Skin Flow Exfoliating Face Wash, Full-size 100ml £12.00 -  I have seen this line in my local Superdrug before and was tempted, but have never picked anything up. I have tried products from Elemis's regular line and have been impressed with those, so this caught my eye straight away. The fresh skin range is catered to teens to mid-twenties and is good for deep pore cleansing. I really like the fruity scent, it reminds me of the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask. I find this nice for a deep pore cleanse, it's not too harsh on the skin and leaves my skin brighter and softer.
Duck Island Limited Body Lotion, Full-size 2X250ml £24.95 - I had never really heard of this brand before, but was interested by the mandarin and bergamot scent. I find a little goes a long way, as the moisturiser is quite rich. I normally prefer quite floral or almond scented lotions but this formulation is quite nice after it has absorbed into damp skin. I'm not sure I would buy the full-size version though. 

Jason Lips Bee Healthier Lip Balm, 4.5g £1.99 - I have heard a lot of good things about this brand so I was keen to try them out. Which is the best thing about beauty boxes, discovering new brands! Jason use a lot of natural ingredients, I'm not the biggest fan of the scent (Aloe & Beeswax) but I find it really cooling on the lips. It took me a while to figure out that you twist the top of the tube for more product instead of the usual bottom. (Blonde moment!) It's great for this weather, I would like to try more from the brand, recommendations please! 
Monu Warming Aromatic Mask, Full-size 100ml £24.95 - I have been impressed with other Monu products that I have received in Glossyboxes, so it was nice to see another product from them. Another product suited to the weather to hydrate the skin and wash any impurities away.  I found the packaging quite hard to read due to the colour of the product inside. The texture of the product is really moisturising and I found it nice and calming on my skin due to the lavender scent. I use this when my face needs a pamper.

Premae Skincare Balance Rescue Face Tonique, Full-size 100ml £17.50 - Another brand which I haven't really heard much about. This toner contains lemongrass, sandalwood oil and rose water and is also alcohol free. I don't think much of the packaging, but I found it nice and refreshing on my skin. I love the sample size as it's great for travel, but I much prefer a toner with a spray dispenser. 

This months box also came with a handy 'Glossy Dreams' eye mask which was a nice addition to the Detox themed box. What did you think of this month's products?

BEJEWELLED CHRISTMAS GLOSSYBOX - DECEMBER 2012

This months Glossybox is of course all about the festive season. It contains products to ensure us Glossies that we all look our most festive in time for the holiday celebrations! As a special holiday bonus they also included a limited edition Glossybox blush in Glossy pink which was a collaboration with Kryolan - which I thought was a nice touch to complete the box. The box also came with a Glossy 'newsletter' which I much preferred over the past cards that are normally in the box, as it seemed much more personal to the consumer and showed a lot more detail on each product inside. 

Rituals Magic Touch Body Cream, full-size 200ml £15.00 - The only other Rituals product I have tried is the Foaming shower gel which was in last December's box which I loved, so I had high expectations for this. I instantly have fallen in love with this body cream, it's such a fresh scented, rich cream of cherry blossom and rice milk. It just melts into your skin and leaves it feeling baby soft. I will be continuing to use this up, and I'm looking forward to maybe trying some other products from the range in the future.

Seche Nail Lacquer, 14ml £9.95 - Seche is a brand I have always wanted to try but have never got around to dipping my toe into. I got the colour Enamored, which is a lovely pink/gold shade. I have since gone and ordered the award-winning Seche Vite Top Coat as I was so impressed with the salon finish of this polish. I would highly recommend these lacquers, they are really pigmented and last so long on the nails.

Milk_Shake Conditioning Whipped Cream, full-size 200ml £11.95 - Milk_Shake is a brand which I hadn't heard of before seeing it in my Glossybox. This leave-in conditioner smells heavenly! You massage this into towel dried hair before styling to help protect and strengthen your hair. It really does make your hair feel incredible soft and shiny. The only downside to this product is the packaging as it produces a lot of product like squirty cream, but I guess that is the fun nature of the product. 
Sleek Makeup i-Divine au naturel palette, £7.99 - I was very excited to see this in my box this month. I have always wanted to try a palette from Sleek but have always left the shop without one, as I have many other palettes to use. I got the au naturel palette which I was very pleased about as it reminds me of some of the shades in the Urban Decay Naked palette - which is great to use everyday. 

Anatomicals Strawberry milkshake lipgloss, £3.49 - This is probably the product I found the least interesting this month. I have received Anatomicals products before inside my Selfridges Lucky bag and found them ok but nothing special. I will however use this up as it's handy to have in my bag for on the go. I would say that it is moisturising and has a nice fruity scent. Nice for the younger Glossy consumer.
I have really been enjoying what I received in my Glossybox this month, saying that I am never really disappointed. It was also a nice treat that I got this box for free as I had collected enough Glossydots to redeem. Added bonus! I wish everyone a Happy New Year and see you in 2013.

WHAT I THOUGHT OF SEPTEMBER'S GLOSSYBOX 2012

I know this is not the most up to date Glossybox but I thought it would be a good idea to review the products I have used up in the box instead of just showing you what I received in my box that month. I am also doing my dissertation around the beauty box concept so it's helpful for me to view each section of the box and look back on it.

September's box was designed by Maggie Li a London based up-and-coming illustrator. I love the design and have since put it to good use on my desk and filled it with any jewellery that was just sitting around.

Lady Gaga Fame Fragrance - Fullsize 30ml, £25.00 - Ever since this product was released I wanted to test it, as I was so intrigued by the black liquid. I did wonder if the scent was going to be like some other sickly sweet Celebrity fragrances and not to my taste, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really like this fragrance, I don't know if I like it enough to buy the full-size for myself, but the sample went straight into my handbag and is on it's last legs as I write this. I think it's a great little innovation how the liquid comes out clear on your skin. 
Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum - Fullsize 25ml, £127.00 - I'd heard a lot about this wonder product before using it, so I was expecting great things from it. Obviously, at the age of 21 I'm not the best person to test this product for results with fine lines and wrinkles. But I did see a visible difference in my skin's appearance and it has got me interested in discovering more affordable serums that I can use in my night time skincare routine.
Rodial 5 Minute Facial - Fullsize 50ml, £35.00 - This is my ideal product to receive in a Glossybox. I love any kind of pamper products and I found that with this mask. Again this product helps with ageing skin, but I loved the clay texture of this and felt this gave me similar results. I have seen a cheaper alternative which I'm tempted to try by Botanicals which is under £5 at the moment in Boots. 
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream - 15ml £20.00 - I'm so glad I received this product as I had just run out of a tube I received in a past magazine. I've really enjoyed using this product , I feel it does brighten up your eye area and it is very soothing on the skin. I would definitely repurchase the full-size after my second tube runs out as the 7ml lasts me a fair few months, so I feel it's very good value for money.

Vichy Idealia Day Care Cream, Fullsize 50ml, £22.00 - This is another skincare item which I have fallen in love with and featured in one of my favourites posts. This moisturiser is for normal to combination skin and smells just like raspberries! I have enjoyed applying this every morning and I feel it helps to illuminate my skin and sooth any dry patches I may have. I would repurchase this as it is the first Vichy product I have tried and I am very impressed by the quality of this day cream.
Maghrabian Hair Oil, Fullsize 50ml, £13.00 - I love trying any kind of oil treatments on my hair, it is definitely a nice treat and leaves my hair feeling so soft and in the best state it could be in. It removes any frizz and protects the ends of your hair. I'm not so keen on the scent, I find it quite 'manly'. But it is a lovely intensive treatment for your hair. 
As you can see I pretty much loved every single product inside September's Glossybox. Which product did you enjoy the most? I was lucky enough to recently win the Glossybox Pinterest Competition in collaboration with DrJart! and received one of three lovely DrJart Boxes with four product from their new skincare range. I will be sure to update you on how I got on with those, but to view my winning Pinterest Board click here.

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.

GLOSSYBOX - JULY 2012 FESTIVAL BEAUTY BOX

I know there is a lot of mixed views around beauty boxes in general, some people love them and some people think they are a waste of money. I personally really enjoy receiving mine each month and seeing what other people received in theirs. I think Glossybox is a great concept and there is always some sort of product that I get along with and keep going back to use. I have only really stuck to my subscription with Glossybox, but I know there are now a number of different beauty boxes offering similar things. This month's Glossybox contains beauty essentials that will get you festival glam in an instant, and I'm really pleased with what I got. 

Clynol Salon Exclusive Enrich Colour Shampoo, Fullsize 300ml £9.35 - This product is a gentle shampoo with liquid jewel extract and UV filters to protect rich tones from fading. I have not really heard much about this brand before, but on first impressions the product smells lovely! It is suited to me as I have highlighted hair and great for protection from the sun.
Monu Golden Glow Self Tan, Fullsize 200ml £23.00 - This is a moisturising treatment for the face and body that provides a safe, natural-looking tan in just 3-5 hours. I am currently using a moisturiser I received in a past Glossybox from Monu and have been really enjoying using that. I'm not much of a fake tan user, but I will definitely be trying this out on my legs as the weather has been so nice! The smell is a bit overpowering though.

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Frosting, Fullsize 15ml £10.00 - This product is a multifunctional cream gloss. You can either use this on the lips or cheeks. I am really happy with this product, it is certainly something I would buy myself. The flavour is Irish Cream Pavlova, I love the colour a true vibrant, coral pink and it smells good enough to eat.
Elisabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion, Fullsize 50ml £32.00, Plus Bonus Sachet - This product is a lightweight, oil-free lotion that helps protect skin from UVA/UVB rays and pollution as it provides hydration all day long. I have used Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream in the past and have really loved that, so looking forward to using these samples up. The sachet includes Skin Balancing Exfoliating Cleanser, Optimizing Skin Serum and Skin Balancing Lotion SPF 15.

HD Brows Eye and Brow Palette In Bombshell, Fullsize £19.95 - And of course my favourite product from this months box. I have been wondering whether to buy this product for a while now. I have only been subscribed to Glossybox since November, so didn't receive the famous HD Brows set last year when it appeared in the box. I know some people haven't been happy to see this product again, but it is Glossybox's most popular product! I think it's great that Glossybox have suited it to my hair colour, by what I stated in my beauty profile. I have loved using this all in one compact palette so far, and can see it fast becoming a favourite.

What are your favourites from this month's box? What other beauty boxes are you subscribed to?