BIRCHBOX SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED MARCH 2017

I used to have so many beauty box subscriptions each month that I had so many samples building up that I decided to stop my subscriptions even though I really enjoyed receiving them each month. It’s been over a year since I last received a Birchbox. I saw that March’s box would include one of the new Benefit lip products, even better you could choose which shade you wanted, so I decided to purchase a box. This was the content of my box;
Benefit They’re Real! Double The Lip – I chose the colour Lusty Rose which is a lovely rosy nude shade. The feature of these lip products is that it’s a lip colour and lip liner in one and it really does work. This means you just need one product instead of two, which is great for on the go! The formula is semi matte but it's moisturising on the lips. I really liked the shade I picked, I would definitely look into some more shades of these.
Marcelle Gentle Make-up Remover for Sensitive Eyes – I had never heard of this brand before receiving it in my beauty box, but I was excited to use it as I tend to stick to Bioderma and it’s nice to try something new. I found this removed most of my make-up, I still cleansed my skin after using but the visible make-up had gone. This formula also helps to diminish dark circles and under eye puffiness using cucumber and green tea. It’s nice and gentle so it’s great for even sensitive eyes.
Balance Me Instant Lift Primer – I really like Balance Me body products, this was a little bit different from the range as it's verging on the make-up side of things. I liked the texture of this primer, it has a really nice citrus scent and my skin felt smooth before I applied the rest of my make-up. The primer contains hyaluronic acid and acacia gum to tighten and blur enlarged pores.
Model Co Highlighting Trio – This is a full-size product, which is quite impressive. But I’m not sure I would purchase this at £17.00. You get three colours in the palette; a peachy-pink blush, a pearlescent highlighter and a coppery bronzer. I like that these are cream products so you can put this palette in your handbag and top up on the go. The products are multi-purpose so you can use them on your cheekbones, brow bones and eyelids. The colours are pigmented and creamy in texture but they turn into a powder on your skin.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – This is a product I have received quite a few times in beauty boxes before but have never repurchased the full size. I really like the texture this product gives my hair for an effortless style. I love this product but I’m not convinced on the price when I can get a high street equivalent for a fraction of the price. This size is great for your handbag or travel though, so I might save this for a holiday.
I was really impressed with the contents of my box last month. Birchbox reverted back to the original kraft box in March to celebrate hitting 100,000 subscribers in the UK. Other products available last month include the Korres Santorini Shower Gel, Batiste Dry 2in1 Invisible Dry Shampoo & Conditioner and the Bobbi Brown face masks.
As a little extra I added the promotion code MANI at the checkout and received a full size Smith & Cult Nail Polish. I have never tried anything from this brand before, so I’m excited to give it a go the next time I give myself a manicure or maybe a pedicure.
This month's box is a collaboration with Boden and the box is so pretty! I’m not saying I will keep my subscription every month, but it is nice to receive one every so often.

Which product is your favourite from last months Birchbox?

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SOAP & GLORY - ONE HECK OF A BLOT PRIMER & FOUNDATION

With a lot of brands, I have to try the newest products available as soon as possible. Anyone who has read my blog before will know I’m a massive fan of Soap & Glory and I constantly have one of their Shower gels on the go and have a never ending Blusher which doesn’t seem to be ending for an empties post any time soon even though I use it most days. Soap & Glory have recently added to their make-up line One Heck of a Blot. I have been using the powder of this range for a while now as I loved the Kick Ass Powder from the brand so much. They have added a primer and a foundation to the One Heck of a Blot range and I grabbed them at my local Boots when they were on a 3 for 2 offer.

I always use a primer before applying my make-up as I have quite an oily forehead and I try and hold on to my make-up for as long as possible throughout the day. The Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Instant-Perfecting Power Primer claims to instantly shrink pores and perfect the skin. It’s suitable for all skin types, but it’s most suited for people with Oily/Combination skin who are looking to keep the shine controlled and hide imperfections. It evens out your skin tone and reduces the appearance of redness, which I definitely like about it. The primer reminds me of the Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer which I have really enjoyed in the past. I find that my make-up does stay around for longer when using this product, instead of using a foundation straight onto my skin. You can also use it over make-up similarly to the Benefit Porefessional where you can touch up throughout the day. I don’t tend to do this, but I guess it’s a great pro if you’re out for the whole day. I really like the tube design it looks a lot more expensive than it actually is and you get a good 30ml size for £10.00, I would definitely repurchase this.

I also purchased the Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot All Day Liquid-to-Powder Foundation. This foundation claims to give a full coverage flawless finish, It contains Shine-Bloc 12hr Long wear Technology so the base stays around all day whatever you may be doing. It also has Super-Blur Powders which help to blur away the appearance of pores, imperfections and redness. I find this foundation is more of a cream than a liquid, I’m not used to such a thick base so I found it hard to work with at first. It comes in four shades; Fair Enough, Cool Sand, Happy Medium and Caramel. So not the widest range of shades, but I’m the shade Fair Enough which is a little too dark for my skin tone. Again, this foundation is suited for oily skin and it does look great once you have buffed it in. I did find during the day the foundation was collecting in certain areas especially on my forehead where I am most oily. It was like the foundation was just sitting on the surface and needed to be buffed in some more. It does feel nice on the skin, really lightweight even though it’s such a full coverage. I still do set my make-up with the One Heck of a Blot Powder. I think I need to try the foundation in a few other ways, maybe applying with my fingers or just top up my powder throughout the day. It’s priced at £12.00 for 30ml, so at the high end of the High Street foundations but you can always find some sort of offer.

I have to say the powder is still my favourite product from the One Heck of a Blot line. It’s velvety, translucent and absorbs oil from my skin straight away for a matte finish. Soap & Glory are currently offering a great gift with purchase when you spend £15 on make-up including; a mascara, my favourite everyday blusher and a gloss stick! Have you tried Soap & Glory make-up?

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BUMBLE AND BUMBLE - HAIRDRESSER'S INVISIBLE OIL TRIO TRAVEL SET

I have tried a few Bumble and Bumble Shampoo's and Conditioner's in the past and Crème De Coco has to be my favourite I’ve used. I normally have a high street and a more expensive shampoo on the go and swap and change between the two, so my hair doesn’t get used to one sort of shampoo and to keep costs down as I wash my hair quite often but still want to treat my hair. The latest hair range from Bumble & Bumble is the Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Range which is suitable for all hair ranges and has been on my wish list for a while now. I haven’t tried the Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil from the range, but have always heard good things. In the set you get, the Hairdresser's Invisible Oil shampoo, conditioner and primer. The formula is infused with six feather weight oils soften, detangle, de-frizz, tame flyways, ease styling, protect against breakage, heat styling and UV damage. The range is lovely for dry, brittle hair as they help to increase softness and shine for more manageable hair. It’s key ingredients are coconut oil, argan oil, macadamia nut oil, sweet almond oil, safflower seed oil and grapeseed oil. The products are ideal to protect my coloured hair and I would definitely take them away on holiday with me as they're a great size. The set of minis is perfect for travelling or just trying before you buy the full-size versions. It comes in a cute plastic resealable case which is also handy for travelling. Bumble and Bumble do mini's in most of their haircare lines, so it's a great way to test them out first to see if you like them. All of the products smell amazing!

The primer has to be my favourite out of the three, I would definitely repurchase this. The primer left my hair in a lush condition and it’s convenient to use after swimming or showering at the gym for detangling. It’s the perfect pre-styler, it can be used on dry or wet hair, I’m really going to have to try the oil next. The primer protects hair against the sun and I find my hair so much easier to style using these products. I like to finish using the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray, my hair is left silkier without the frizz. You'd think because it's an oil it would weigh your hair down, but this isn't the case at all. I love that the conditioner comes in a squeeze out tube instead of Bumble's original packaging. If you’re looking for a more upmarket hair care duo, I would definitely give this shampoo and conditioner a go, your hair will thank you for it. I bought the trio for £19.50 from Escentual.com

Have you tried Bumble and Bumble's haircare?