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?
This is January’s box, but it was doing the rounds in the delivery world so only just made it’s way to me.
This box is a little more restrained than the December Christmas lunch made me do it one (which apparently was my funniest post – thanks for the feedback).
The cream and black box is back, one of the classiest designs around, as is the the LMB The Journal (in house magazine) which is a nice addition.
With my membership points I selected four items, three beauty products and a cute bit o’ bling.
Percy & Reed Invisible Dry Shampoo – I love dry shampoo, but I hate the grainy white residue that looks way too much like dandruff. P&R say theirs doesn’t do that. I am building a fair collection of products from this brand and love the results I’ve had so far.
Lord & Berry Magic Brow in Wonderful – a double ended brow tool/product. One end is a brush to tidy up those stray hairs that I don’t have! The other is a marble effect pencil to fill in. I’ll probably use this in conjunction with my Clinique brow pen.
Omnisens Fresh Cleansing Tonic Water – teeny glass bottle with something a little different from the micellar waters currently riding high. I was intrigued and this seemed like a good way to try it out.
I’m a bit of a magpie, so the jewellery in the LMB boutique is a terrible distraction. I picked the rose gold quartz bracelet, combining my love of rose gold with rose quartz, a healing crystal.
Are you a Love Me Beauty subscriber? What did you pick from the boutique?
The Look Fantastic box had an adventure in the post but got here in the end.
January’s box is all about the detox. Something I really don’t get on with as a concept. But anyway, let’s dive in.
One of the things I find really annoying in beauty boxes is shampoo and conditioner samples. It feels lazy and a bit cheap, so I’m not thrilled to see these Kebelo bottles – clarifying shampoo and silk conditioner.
Bellapierre Shimmer Shadow in Earth –
These Mica powder shadows often pop up in beauty boxes, they’re hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types. This one can double up as a highlighter.
Dr Lancer The Method: Polish – with plant enzymes and minerals, this polish removes dead skin cells and preps skin for a deeper cleanse.
Nuxe Nuxellence Detox – overnight anti-ageing cream that eliminates toxins and helps you wake up looking fresh.
Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water – a dinky bottle of a botanical based micellar water.
The postman was a bit late with this box, so I’m playing catch up.
January’s Glossybox is announcing “the year of more”. Unfortunately this box is “more of the same”.
Year of more
I’ve had at least three of these products before. Considering the palaver I’ve had with GB recently, I could really have done with a box full of goodies I’ve not encountered before.
Unani Dermo Defense Face Mask (full size) – herbal-based mask, nourishes and hydrates skin, especially sensitive skin.
Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick (full size) in Coral Onyx – a matte coral colour lipstick.
Lipstick swatches
Madara Cellular Repair Serum (travel size) – boosts hydration and radiance with a cell repairing bio-complex.
Angele Paris Red Nail Lacquer (full size) – if this was a lipstick then I’d love the colour but I’m not sold on it as a nail colour.
Glossybox Eyeshadow in Glossy Mauve (full size) – GB has been developing their own range – this purple shade is part of that.
Randomly there’s an extra lipstick, maybe an apology for messing me around – a Yves Rocher in a mauve/brown shade I would never buy.
A new year a new box from My Little Box. Illustrated by regular artist Kamako the box edge offers us the MLB team’s wishes for the upcoming box, which is rather lovely.
Inside the colour theme of mint green and soft yellow/orange. As well as a lovely quote card for your wall, there’s a copy of the in-house magazine (and it’s staying a magazine, woohoo!)
Then there are the treats, and what a selection they’ve picked.
There’s a green and gold diary, perfect if you haven’t already got one, full of little messages and illustrations.
The little cloth bag holds three treats, a full size tub of Garnier Miracle Wake Up Cream, a little bottle of Ren 3 – in – 1 micellar cleansing water and a My Little Beauty lip balm.
There’s one final treat in the box. A set of message bracelets to wear yourself or give to friends.
I’m really happy with this box, MLB had a few weak ones last year but are starting strong in 2016.
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments.
It was Christmas Day, I was digesting an enormous lunch watching The Second Best Marigold Hotel (it was OK) from around the Christmas Tree at the out-laws, when my phone alerted me to the renewal of my LMB points and so off I went to see what the boutique could offer me.
While they have added lots of new products to the line up, you still need to get those bonus points (££) to get much.
And as it was Christmas, I thought, oh I’ll get some bonus points, they’ll last me. They did not. I spent them all.
This is not the cautionary tale – this is – do not shop online while under the influence of vast quantities of turkey, just don’t. I could not for the life of me remember what I’d bought so this box was a bit of a surprise when I opened it.
LMB have returned to their silver boxes, I preferred the rather fancier cream and black they sent out a few months back. But I digress. “What was in the box?” I hear you cry. Well here’s what my roast potato enduced memory wipe kept from me.
A handbag sized make up bag – I actually need this, daft as it sounds, woman of a million make up bags.
More like a few bits of make up, plasters and paracetamol
Lord & Berry Fluid Delicate Make Up Remover – did I mean to pick this? I have no idea. Blame the parsnips. But make up remover is always useful.
Percy & Reed Foaming Treatment Mask – I like P&R but they are not cheap so getting their products this way is a bargain. I probably did indeed select this.
Cailyn Mineral Eye Polish in Snow – I have no idea, probably picked out by the stuffing. This is very light, almost invisible eye shadow. My sister would like it, but it’s not very me.
Dr PawPaw Balm – I read an article raving about this Aussie lip balm/chafe balm/grumpy skin balm. The gravy remembered that and put this in my box. I’ll add it to the thousands of lip balms in my life.
Nails Inc in Colville Mews – I love Nails Inc, I love nail polish. Can I blame the fact that I picked a colour I already have on the cranberry sauce?
Roques ONeil Therapie Restore Aura Spray – something I definitely need I think. Spray onto face when frazzled, or opening boxes you have no memory of buying.
LMB have also added a range of jewellery items to their shop, and yep, you guessed it, my Christmas dinner coma picked out a few bits there too.
Pink quartz earrings – these look like upside down traffic cones. Therefore I love them. Also could probably stab someone with them. Pink quartz is a healing crystal and there’s me with my unicorn horn stabbing people earrings…
Gold necklace with green stone. Pretty self explanatory.
Pointy silver bracelet – again, says exactly what it is. Although when I first looked at it I wasn’t sure if I wore it on my wrist or my neck.
Green thread bracelet with bobbly silver charm – it’s a really good thing I don’t write the descriptions on the website.
Did your food coma induce you to buy anything you don’t remember this Christmas? Or is it just me?
My Little Beauty’s My Little Magic Box has been off on its adventures. The December party season themed box has only just made it into my hands.
I’m rather glad it turned up and to be honest I was so busy over Christmas I barely noticed. Hope you a great time box.
Inside the box, the boat has been well and truly pushed out for the festive season.
My Little World – the in-box magazine is magazine format once more, thank goodness, and I hope it stays that way.
On to the goodies.
The very chic make up bag inside the box, not the usual cloth drawstring, but one you might pop in an overnight bag.
Heat retaining mittens – the funny thing is I was walking to the bus stop in minus 2 the other day and I wished I had some gloves. How funny that these then arrive! I love the navy blue and gold, a theme throughout the box, and they’re really cosy. As someone who’s always tapping away on her phone, mittens are more use the full gloves and as we’re having a bit of a cold snap, these will see a lot of use.
The other mitten has bonded with my hand
Kusmi Tea – Anastasia blend. Made in France, these teas definitely have a Russian bent, this one is named after the famous Romanov princess, and is a blend of China and Ceylon teas.
Rituals Honey Touch Body Cream – rich and nourishing, with honey and rose.
Vice-Versa nail polishes – continuing the blue and gold colour scheme.
Nars blush in Orgasm – naughty Nars with your cheeky names.
It would have been nice to have had this box in December but it will all come in use in this bitter January. I’m actually wearing the mittens as I type this!
Captioned “Best. Year. Ever” Birchbox kicks off 2016 with a collaboration with online scrapbook site Pinterest.
Pinning has become a huge trend, with people compiling their dream weddings, cars, cakes, shoes and other things onto Pinterest’s digital mood boards. I do it too. Much handier than covering my walls in magazine cuttings like we did pre-internet. (Yes, there was such a time).
So how does a collab between a beauty box and a website work exactly? Well, inside the beauty booklet are suggestions for boards to create on Pinterest for the upcoming year. There are also five cute cards designed by illustrator Viktorija Semjonova in keeping with the theme. The Birchbox blog will have more throughout the year.
Onto the beauty samples.
There are five products in the box, and annoyingly some of them have been here before.
Left to Right.
Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle – I’ve had this little chap several times in the past. While it does work quite well as a dentangler, so does my conditioner.
Absolution L’Eau Soir et Martin – basically a micellar water, 2015’s big product. Containing aloe vera and hazelnut oil, a no rinse required make up remover.
Benefit They’re Real! Tinted Primer – apparently this coats and seperates lashes before your mascara. Or on its own.
Birchbox pocket mirror.
Jelly Pong Pong Lighten Up Brightener + Waterliner – I definitely have one of these, I used it the other day. Suppose it saves me buying a new one. It’s a great highlighter pencil, scribble it on!
Whish Three Whishes Almond Body Butter – I am all about almonds, I eat them, drink them (almond milk hot chocolate anyone?) and smother them on my skin and hair so this’ll be a little treat for my skin.
Are you a Birchbox subscriber? What did you think about this box? Let me know below.
January is finally here and with it more drizzly, wet, cold, miserable weather. Which is hell on skin, even if it’s not as ridiculously sensitive as mine!
Here are my tips and tricks for happy skin in the New Year.
💜 Drink water. An obvious one – what you put in your body is what you get out. We’re 75% water, and without it your skin struggles. It helps keep skin soft and plump, slows down wrinkles, and cleans up the gunk that becomes spots.
💜 Moisturise! water inside – moisture outside. Find one that works for you and slap it on, even if you’re just sitting around the house without make up – feed your skin. Central heating doesn’t help.
Current favourite moisturiser
💜 Cleanse – personally I think washing my face is a brilliant way to perk up. I always feel a bit more awake and alive with a clean face. Since I got a sonic brush (use once a week) I definitely see a difference.
💜 Don’t neglect your smile. Lips have thinner skin than the rest of your face. Skin that is more prone to cracking and peeling. Invest in a good lip balm. I have dozens, and top up throughout the day.
The best lip balm ever!
💜 But I can’t see my own nose! With winter comes colds, flu and other nasty bugs. Constant nose blowing leaves the skin around your nostrils damaged, dry and unhappy. A bit of extra moisture never goes awry – a dab of good ol’ Vaseline should do the trick.
Vaseline & Dr Lipp - dry skin beware!
💜 Don’t sleep in your make up. Seriously. This is horrid. I admit I have done this in the past (I blame the booze) but that way lies breakouts and blocked pores. Invest in a decent make up remover/cleanser and take the face off before you crash.
Loving these at the moment.
💜 Show your hair some love too. Don a hair turban and let a mask soak in, wash out the pollution and rub in some argan oil. I swear by it – no more split ends and happier hair – brilliant!
ramblingmads 