With every Birchbox there’s the opportunity to accrue points to use in their shop. 100 points = £10 to spend.
But they only last six months and mine were stacking up. Time to hit the (virtual) shop!
As you know I love balmi’s lip balm blocks so I snapped one up pronto – running a bit low on my supplies.
Cowshed is another brand I quite like, although a little out of my budget. But this cracker, featuring the famous Cow Pat hand cream and a Lippy Cow lip balm, was in the sale and I snapped it up.
Finally I popped the Birchbox x Benefit box “Good Things Come in Small Packages” into my virtual basket. Featuring sample sized Benefit goodies including the new Dew the Hoola, it’s a great way to trial more products without breaking the bank.
If you want to join Birchbox and score some great beauty treats – click this link, get £5 of points to start yourself off.
I think the Glamour collaborations with Latest in Beauty are among the best beauty boxes out there.
This one is jammed full of great products to play with as it hopefully warms up outside.
MUA Luxe 10 shade palette (1 of 2 variations) – this palette is gorgeous and MUA is a brand I love.
Morocanoil Treatment Light – I love argan oil, it healed my split ends and adds shine to my hair post wash. So this bottle is a bonus.
Rosie for Autograph Nuit Parfum EDP – funnily enough I just bought this M&S exclusive perfume a week ago. This little bottle will be in my bag to refresh my scent on the go.
Bareminerals Bare skin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation SPF20 – I’ve been hearing good things about this product so I’m looking forward to testing this out.
Illamasqua Precision Ink Eyeliner – I can’t do a perfect cat’s eye flick to save my life but it doesn’t stop me trying and this liquid liner is supposed to be the bees knees.
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser – a 3-in-1 cleanser to leave skin hydrated and happy – will definitely try this out, my skin needs to glow in this gloom.
Malin+Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser – vitamin E is a skin friendly vitamin, and it boosts sensitive skin too.
There’s also discount vouchers in the box for some of the featured brands.
Glossybox – 5 products, two full size. This month; -417 Catharsis Vitamin Mineral Shampoo & Conditioner (travel sized), Olay Regenerist Luminous Skin Tone Perfecting Cream (sample size), Hey Honey Good Morning Silk Facial Serum (sample size), So Susan Light Diffuser Highlighter (full size), Luxie Rose Gold Large Angled Face Brush 504 (full size).
Birchbox – 6 products, three full size. This month; Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm (full size), ModelCo More Brows gel (full size), Lanolips Antibacterial Hand Cream (full size), Crea-m Anti aging Serum (sample size), Amika Nourishing Mask (sample size), Doctor Duve Anti-aging & Firming Eye Cream (sample size).
Birchbox is themed and the box decorated with a beauty themed wordsearch.
Glossybox is in its usual pink and black.
To be honest, I’m a little bored with Glossybox, every other month seems to bring similar samples and it feels a little lacklustre.
Birchbox has been powering along, this month brings the launch of their second in-house brand, vegan, paraben free Arrow, with a lip balm in every box.
What are your thoughts? Are you a Glossy or Birchbox subscriber?
This is a beauty box designed by a blogger for bloggers and all for only £10 a month.
It’s a pretty new venture and doesn’t yet have a whole slick website set up, and in a way, I prefer that. It feels more friendly and hands on.
It’s a really packed box, full of fab products. Many of them full size, which is always a plus in my book.
Merumaya Eye Make-Up Remover – this skin kind remover says it removes even stubborn mascara, while not causing upset to your skin.
DHC Mineral Mask – mud mask that only takes 10 minutes to deep clean skin and brighten complexion.
Threads Sex Kitten Lashes – while I don’t wear false lashes (I don’t have the knack and have ended up with lashes on my cheeks) these feathery, soft lashes come with adhesive and would look amazing.
Madame La La Tan – instant bronzing for your face, already swiped by my bestie for her winter glow. Not tested on animals, paraben free this builds up a bronzed finish.
Puriskin Lip Treat – a clear balm that is suitable for vegans, gluten-free, and contains lots of lovely ingredients to keep lips moisturised and soft.
Jrnaturorganics Mandarin & Chamomile Hydrating Mist and Balancing Moisturiser – designed for sensitive skin, choc full of essential oils and skin friendly natural ingredients, these tiny pots smell gorgeous too.
Every three months TVK dispatch a beauty box of cruelty free goodies. And they’re usually all full size.
Let’s dive in to the first box of the year.
Amie Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash – no harsh chemicals, great for sensitive skin, pH balanced, not tested on animals, smells fairly pleasant. Not sure what else you need – oh and there’s a 25% off voucher in the box.
Saturated Colour KISStick in First Kiss (different colours in different boxes) – unfortunately this isn’t my colour, but bright colours and moisture aren’t bad.
Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter – I use this every day, basically a gold crayon that makes me look bright and healthy. I love that Barry M is cruelty free when so many high street brands aren’t. It doesn’t cost more to be kind.
Floral Engraved Wooden Incense Holder and Sacred Elephant Sandalwood Incense – something a bit different, sandalwood is a delicious, woody scent, used all over the world.
A donation from each box sold goes to the Dr Hadwen Trust – the UK’s leading non-animal medical research charity.
I really like this box, even though the lipstick isn’t my colour, and it saves me a trip to Boots for a new highlighter!
Do you subscribe to this box? Share your thoughts below.
This month’s Dollibox just popped through the door with five full size products for £10.
Bubble T Hand Cream in Lemongrass & Green Tea – paraben and SLS free, this hand cream is lightly scented and keeps hands soft.
Pixi Lip Blush in Youth – the best way to describe this is felt tip for your face. Unfortunately this shade is way too girly pink for me, I prefer a darker tint. (4 possible shades)
Little Ondine Nail Polish in Red Red Wine – these are super clever nail polishes, paint on, peel off when you want to change. With only three ingredients (water, resin, colour) it’s nail friendly too. (3 possible shades)
Pop Kajal Pen Eyeliner in Inky Purple – a dual ended pencil to deliver a splash of colour to your lash line. Coloured liner is big news this year.
The Hippy Bee Collection Plane Perfect – coconut oil that you can take on a plane as it comes in under the allowance. Use it pretty much anywhere, probably my favourite multi use item.
So Glossybox loves Valentine’s Day, with a special edition, themed box.
Five beauty products that are apparently designed to be our beauty soulmates. Randomly this may be the cheapest item selection I’ve seen – only one item tops £10.
Nicka K New York 24hr Waterproof Eyeliner in Dark Brown – I rarely, if ever, wear eyeliner, but when I do I go for black, so this pencil won’t get much use.
MUA Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss – there’s already been several complaints I’ve seen about this item, ranging from the low cost of it, people want items in their beauty boxes they otherwise couldn’t get, and also the rather bizarre way it’s been promoted. In the January box GB said you’d receive an email soon to select your shade, but it turns out that the email was supposedly sent in December, and not everyone (including me) received one.
Now as I don’t have a flux capacitor handy I don’t know how I’m supposed to pick a shade, but never fear, the intern will pick one not remotely based on your beauty profile – so I received a brown gloss. I’m a pale skinned, natural blonde, what use is this to me.
The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers – because you can’t possibly already have tweezers.
Naobay Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner – I don’t know about you but I usually do a hair mask before washing my hair, but this apparently goes on after and rinse off. I don’t have time to faff about, so this probably won’t get used much.
Wilkinson Sword Intuition Razor – last February I got a razor in Glossybox, and look, the same thing a year later. Never mind how rude it is to assume we need to shave our legs (FYI you don’t, it’s a personal choice and I have friends who don’t), but a £7 razor doesn’t scream beauty treat to me.
Wow, is this box underwhelming. What is happening to Glossybox? Is this just stuff cluttering up the stockroom?
February’s Birchbox is here, and refreshingly, it’s not Valentine’s themed.
Instead, following on from January’s Best Year Ever, comes the encouragement to “Shine Like a Diamond”.
Ins
ide the box are six items, two full size, designed to help you do just that.
Spectrum Collections Tapered Powder Brush – full size. Prettiest brush I own, with it’s mermaid blue and purple, super soft bristles and baby pink handle.
Birchbox are creating their own in-house beauty brand Love of Colour (LOC) and subscribers could choose between a silvery Champagne Problems or copper Perfect Cents, in their One and Done Shadow Stick. I often wear bronze tones so opted to try something different and went for the silver.
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster – a vitamin C complex designed to soothe fine lines. Not sure about the name though!
Cochine Water Hyacinth & Lime Blossom Hand & Body Lotion – a floral scented lotion.
theBalm cosmetics Frat Boy Blush/Shadow – a rosy pink blusher that also doubles as eye shadow, should you want pink eyelids!
Derm Eyes Make-Up Remover Wipes – this is a bonus item, but seriously, one wipe, that’s a bit rubbish.
One lucky subscriber will also receive a £200 diamond necklace, which seems a little strange considering how many people buy the boxes, and surely not that random as they’re tailored to the buyer, especially when you choose a product.
Apart from those little quibbles, this is quite a nice box selection.
I kept seeing this advertised everywhere but from talking to other beauty bloggers it seems to be very new.
The box costs £30 and you can get free P&P (normally £5) throughout February with the code MCFEB.
There are thirteen items in the box, some of which are full size. You fill out a beauty profile on the site and the items are tailored to your answers.
The items are skincare, hair care and make up, meaning you get a nice selection of everything from their catalogue – it’s a surprise till it arrives, which is a good touch, so if you want to try it out without spoilers, click here and read the rest of the post later.
I asked for help with my sensitive skin, hair that’s gone slightly limp and to restore my glow. Getting older and living in smoggy London isn’t great for skin. Here’s what they sent me.
Skin:
Sanctuary Spa Warming Detox Charcoal Wash – designed to open the pores, draw out imperfections all without drying out skin. You only need to use it once a week too.
Balance Me Restore and Replenish Cream Cleanser – massaged into skin this contains collagen and hylauronic acid to plump up skin, add moisture, and remove dead skin cells.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold – glycolic acid that revs up skin cells, stimulates collagen and shifts spots. Apply before bed three days a week for brighter skin.
Merumaya Youth Preservation Moisturiser SPF15 – antioxidants, Euchin oil, SPF to fight off free radicals, wrinkles, age spots and helps keep skin healthy.
Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Sorbet – soothing and hydrating Shea butters shield skin from dryness, attempts to age and flare-ups.
St Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower Lotion – apply like shower gel, wait a few minutes, rinse. On light skin this builds up into a natural tan and for dark or black skin it works like a foundation, perfecting scarring, bruises or unevenness.
Starskin Behind the Scenes Balancing Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Face Mask – sheet masks have been a big thing for a while now (pro-tip don’t answer the door while wearing one), this particular one soothes and calms angry skin, breaking down spots and shrinking pores.
Hair:
L’Oreal Professional Infinitum Extra Strong Hairspray – strong hold, dries instantly, no residue and no weight. What more does hairspray need to do?
L’Oreal Professional Dual Stylers by Techni Art Loss & Pump-Up – soothes frizz, downs those pesky flyaways, doesn’t leave hair looking greasy. A dual action gel-cream (there’s a tube within a tube) that gives mega volume without frizz.
Tresemme 7 Day Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner – with keratin to keep hair from drying out or frizzing up, and the conditioner acts as a heat barrier for styling too.
Face:
Benefit the POREfessional – a primer full of vitamin E but oil free so it works on all skin types.
Rimmel 24hr Supercurler Mascara – the brush is shaped to give extra curl with a formula that allows you to do ‘no make-up make up’ or build layers for real va-va-voom.
Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream – backed with antioxidants and vitamin C to tighten under-eye skin and smile lines round the mouth. Store in the fridge for maximum effect.
I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a box with a lot to offer.
I'm going to use up all my old make up before I buy new make up, said no woman ever
The only thing I’m not crazy about is the white on pink packaging. But that’s not a huge issue (except for blog photos!)
Any thoughts? Are you buying a beauty drawer from Powder?
ramblingmads 