YOU BEAUTY DISCOVERY BOX - NOVEMBER 2014

This months You Beauty Discovery shortlist of products was based around gift worthy goodies. I do find it quite tricky to pick only two products from the shortlist. This month you could pick from; Skin & Tonic Steam Clean, Argan Organics Regeneration Anti Wrinkle Cream, Bourjous Cream Blush, Microfibres Brush On False Lashes, Green People Pencil Eyeliner and Invisibobble. The extra treats this month were Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder and sample sachets of Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm and Iconic Youth Serum.
Roques O'Neil Therapie Himalayen Detox Salts - I have always wanted to try these bath salts after always hearing great things about them, so they had to be my first choice this month. I’m always interested with anything bath and pamper related. These bath salts are calming on the skin, balance energy flow and help combat insomnia. The Himalayan Detox Salts are designed to dissolve the accumulated physical and emotional toxins that build up in the body. The mineral salts contain powdered Amethyst and essential oils of Lemongrass, Juniper and Geranium. I love using this product, they make bath time heavenly! This mini is worth £10.00 and contains enough product for around three baths, so more than enough to feel pampered.
Rituals Hamman Delight Shower Foam - This is the other product I chose this month. I have tried Rituals shower foam before and really enjoyed how luxurious this product is. I received the fragrance Yogi Flow from a past Glossybox and think it's a great concept which is a little more exciting than normal shower gel. The Hamman Delight fragrance combines the aromatic and revitalising qualities of refreshing eucalyptus and rosemary. I really like to use this scent in the mornings, it's great for dry skin as it's really moisturising. This size is great for travel and really reasonable priced at £4.00 for 50ml. The gel formulation turns into a foam when mixed with water. This product stems from one of the oldest cleansing traditions in the world. The aromas and ingredients help to sooth and calm your body. Originating in Turkey, the Hammam, meaning ‘Spreader of Warmth’, helps to cleanse both the soul and body to promote inner and outer harmony and balance. These products are great to use together or on their own at the weekend for a well-deserved pamper.

What were your picks in this month's You Beauty Discovery Box?

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?

YOU BEAUTY DISCOVERY BOX - MAY CEW UK EDITION

I have subscribed to many beauty boxes, Glossybox, Birchbox and Latest in Beauty naming a few. I really like the concept of sampling products before you commit to buying the full-size. You Beauty Discovery Box is a bit different; it allows its members to choose two products from a theme shortlist of skincare and make-up at an affordable price of £6.95 every month. They deliver your box between 5-7 days and P&P is always included in the price. I have been a member since the box was first released, as the months have gone on, the box has become more popular and choosing your products has become more competitive as only a limited number of each product are available. I like the idea of choosing my own products to receive and try but this does come at a cost of waiting up till 12am to choose my selection to make sure I receive what I want. The shortlist is available on the 1^st of every month, with a preview being emailed a couple of days before hand.

May’s shortlist was based around CEW UK beauty award winners. There was a large range to choose from and found this May's shortlist to be the hardest to pick yet. Brands included Glamglow, Batiste, Carmex, Philip Kingsley, Oriflame, Manuka Doctor, Lola Cosmetics, Fake Bake, Dr. Organic and Burt’s Bees. In the end I chose the following products;

Margaret Dabbs Foot Cream – This cream is formulated to address common complaints relating to the skin of the feet. Great for general foot hygiene, you can apply this product twice weekly and it restores beautiful feet by warming a small amount of cream in the hand, and then applying all over the feet and nails. The cream is a thick balm texture and is really effective and quick-acting. It contains a combination of ingredients include Benzoic and Salicylic acids to treat, as well as Emu Oil to promote skin renewal and hydration. This is a full-sized product at 100ml and is retailed at £18.00.

Percy & Reed Hair Shine Spray – This product acts as a multi-tasker, it is a hair fragrance and a shine spray in one. The scent is rose, you spray it over your locks and it leaves you with a glossy shine – it’s the perfect finishing spray. The product can be used by holding the can 10cm away and misting onto dry, styled hair. Salon Secret: Mist a blusher brush with Eau My Goodness Shine & Fragrance Spray and sweep over the surface of dry hair for a finish that radiates shine. I have enjoyed Percy & Reed products in the past and the packaging of this is lovely. It is a good sample at 50ml and I would go onto purchase the full-sized product of 100ml for £22.00.
As the Margaret Dabbs foot cream had a slight delay, they also gave me an extra gift which was a nourishing nail and cuticle serum. I was really pleased with the customer service and have loved discovering a new brand. Overall I think this is a great box to be subscribed to. You get great value for money, you can choose what you receive and most of the products are full-sized. It’s a refreshing change from the 5 sample beauty boxes that have flooded the market.