Category: reviews

beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Beauty box round up

ramblingmads

You may have noticed a slight lull in May’s beauty box breakdowns. To be honest May, as Shania Twain once sang ‘that don’t impress me much’. It was pretty underwhelming.

Glossybox was frustrating as usual – so much potential, so much empty box space and ‘meh’ products.

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The highlight of the box for me was the random nail repair gel, my brittle nails need it. The Mr ate the popcorn and my mum made off with the hand cream.

Birchbox wasn’t a great deal better, the ladies of the WhatsApp swap group did quite well out of my lack of love.

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The sachet of coconut oil was the biggest ‘why?’ of the box. Seemed like an unnecessary addition and the promo card with it was about three times the sample’s size.

I did like the My Little Box offering this month, but mostly for the lifestyle items, a shiny ring is almost guaranteed to catch my magpie eye. I can’t remember what the beauty items even were, a definite sign of ‘eh’ as a reaction.

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I was happier with the one-off and quarterly boxes this month.

The Vegan Kind‘s beauty box had a hairmask that smelt like pancakes and a yummy lip scrub. You’re welcome to pop round any time TVK.

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Latest in Beauty scored another sparkler in collaboration with the lovely Jane of British Beauty Blogger fame in their Precious Petals box with products from the L’Occitane family. Very Spring.

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Powder launched their second beauty drawer, hope they do a third. Brilliant products, even if they did forget two of mine (sent separately with a gift card as an apology).

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I think part of the problem for monthly boxes is that they run out of steam some months and just can’t get it together. What’s worrying (for them) is that much smaller groups, like the lovely ladies behind The Blogger Beauty Box, are doing it better than these big name brands with all the contacts, firms and knowledge at their disposal.

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I’ve skipped over the worst boxes (You Beauty and Look Incredible) and of the monthly ones, Look Fantastic did a reasonable job, but still a little weak (yet another hairbrush that is defeated by the stubborn hair on my head).

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So, June has now arrived. And with it a fresh crop of boxes is due to arrive. Fingers crossed I like them a wee bit more.

fun stuff, happy mail, lifestyle boxes, reviews

#happymail Spring box

ramblingmads

This month’s #happymail box popped through my letterbox this weekend, bringing a dose of Spring magic with it.

It’s packed full of sweet things to make your home bright.

As well as a cute art print, there’s a gorgeous scarf printed with swallows, which I will be wearing with my Spring outfits. There’s also a flower print coaster, which will be jollying up my desk at my new job, a ceramic butterfly, cute necklace with dinky silver hearts and a little gift for my mum.

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It’s a really gorgeous selection of goodies Katie at ihearthomes has curated. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next month.

fun stuff, happy mail, lifestyle boxes, reviews

Lucky Dip Club

ramblingmads

I’ve been curious about the Lucky Dip Club sub box for ages, but since I either sleep through the 7am subscription window or am travelling to work at that time, I always fail to score a box on the first of every month.

So I added myself to the reserves list and was lucky enough to score a spare box that way.

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May’s box is essentially Spring in a box.

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There’s seeds to attract bees and butterflies to your garden, a copy of Girl Planet zine, a patch to sew onto your bag or jacket, a funky cactus pin, a tote bag (essential hand bag kit or pay 5p every time you shop!) and a Super Sunflower, which I will use to jazz up my plant pots, all in a cute box that was delivered by a unicorn.

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Are you a Lucky Dip Box subscriber? What are your thoughts? Let me know what you think below. 🌷🌸🌹🌺🌻🌼

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Little Known Box

ramblingmads

This is a new subscription beauty box aiming to showcase (as the name suggests) lesser known brands.

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Just launched, their first box contains five products, four of which are fullsize.

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Flint + Flint Moisturiser 3x – this is a rich cream filled with good things for your skin to repair and regenerate your skin.

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The Vintage Cosmetic Company rose gold eyelash curlers – these are pretty self explanatory, they’re eyelash curlers!

Medusa’s Make-up lip gloss in Space Invader – this cruelty-free US import is a pinky red with a hint of glitter.

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Dirtea Exfoliating Coconut Scrub – this is the only sample sized product in the box, and at first I thought it was a teabag! It’s a body scrub made with black tea extract, coconut oil and and Himalayan pink salt. It also comes in Peppermint and Diamond, all designed to target different skin complaints.

Thumbs Up Nail Wraps – marble accented wraps designed to decorate your nails without damaging them. 

There are discounts available for every brand in the box, perfect if you find something you love and want more of.

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books, reviews

Book review: When We Collided – Emery Lord

ramblingmads

This brightly coloured book was at the bottom of my first Illumincrate (review coming soon) and at a loose end for something to read, despite my endless TBR pile, I picked it up.

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I was hooked on the story of Vivi and Jonah’s summer in the idyllic Californian coastal town of Verona Cove.

Jonah’s dad died six months ago and his mum’s not coping, while he and his siblings try to pull together despite their own grief.

Vivi and her artist mum have moved to the town for the summer following Vivi’s own annus horribilis.

When they meet one morning sparks fly and Vivi’s vibrant brand of fun lights up Jonah’s life.

This book has a lot of heart and more going on underneath than the rainbow cover suggests.

Despite my age, YA lit is something I often dip into, there’s some fantastic writing going on in there.

Have you read When We Collided? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

#paperhaul, adventures in post, art, fun stuff, lifestyle boxes, reviews, stationery

#paperhaul May – weather

ramblingmads

This month’s #paperhaul box of beautiful stationery comes illustrated by Canadian Chad Geran.

As always a percentage from each box goes to the charity Postpals, sending letters and cards to sick children .

As suits May’s (mostly) sunny days the contents are themed around Spring and weather.

There are sweet note cards, stickers, washi tape and a notebook. Perfect for brightening up someone’s day.

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books, lifestyle boxes, reviews

The Bookish Box – Special Edition Outlander box

ramblingmads

Earlier this year I read the first Outlander book and became hooked, devouring all the currently available books in the series.

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While I haven’t quite got round to watching the TV series on Amazon Prime, I can tell you that I will definitely be reading the next book the moment it becomes available.

When The Bookish Box announced a one-off special edition no subscription required Outlander theme box, I had to jump right in.

All of the items in this box are themed around Outlander, which is set partly in 18th Century Scotland, so there’s a strong Scottish feel to the box, from the use of Gaelic words like ‘Sassenach’ meaning ‘Southerner’ but usually used to indicate someone English, to the thistle, Scotland’s national flower.

This all appeals to me as my family’s roots on my mum’s side extend into Scotland, we even have clan tartan.

Let’s dive in and have a proper look at the box.

I love the watercolour inspired finish on the box itself, with tartan print on the side.

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As always with the Bookish Box there’s an Appraising Pages printed T-shirt, this one in a royal blue and gold, quoting the series’ hero Jamie when he tells his beloved Claire this.

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The Sassenach bookmark from artist Lexy Olivia made me smile, technically I’m a Sassenach, but in the context of the book it’s Jamie’s nickname for Claire.

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Next up there’s a mug from Coffee Reading Writing, printed with the Scottish thistle and a quote from one of the books.

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The scent of the Highlands is encapsulated in Novelly Yours’ candle with heather, herbs and firewood evoking the land Jamie loves.

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Finally, and I almost missed this hidden in the box, is a simple silver thistle necklace from Eliza Jane K Jewellery, which I will wear with pride, promoting my heritage.

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The box has clearly been compiled with love and definitely connects with the Outlander series. I am really pleased I got my hands on this box as they were limited, but the regular monthly box can be subscribed anytime.

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Are you a fan of Outlander (the books or the show)? Let me know in the comments.

books, reviews

Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater

ramblingmads

This is the first book in The Raven King series, the last of which has recently been published in paperback.

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All over the world are mysterious paths, known as ley lines, here in the UK they run through places sacred to the ancient Britons, like Glastonbury Tor and Stonehenge.

Gansey has been following clues that he hopes will bring him to the final resting place of an ancient Welsh king Owen Glendower, buried somewhere along one of these ley lines in the hills of Virginia.

His friends Adam, Ronan and Noah may unknowingly hold keys to the puzzle of The Raven King, and local girl, the only non-psychic in her family, Blue, might also be able to help him. If she can stand being around these privileged raven boys for that long.

The whole series is rather compelling and sucked me in. Like the best writing, the plot twists and turns, the characters are really well drawn and the story is rich and enticing.

Don’t let the fact that it’s intended for Young Adult readers put you off, YA lit is hugely popular with so-called “grown ups”, good writing doesn’t have an age limit. This particular series also doesn’t feel gendered, so anyone could enjoy it, the way stories should be.

Have you read The Raven Boys and it’s sequels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

beauty boxes, make up, reviews

Look Incredible box – May

ramblingmads

To be honest I’m not 100% excited by this box, and I’m not entirely sure whether it’s worth the £35 price tag, it’s a bit mixed. Look Incredible, much like Cohorted boxes, specialise in high end make up and skincare, and although this isn’t the Deluxe box (at the same price) you expect things you wouldn’t necessarily pick up because of their price or availability.

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Let’s start with the most disappointing item – three sparkly nail polishes from Claire’s Accessories – somewhere I don’t think I’ve shopped since I was a teenager and moved away from their cheap glittery hair bands. These nail polishes don’t seem particularly great to use – the multi colour glitter in particular went on poorly.

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Korres Anti-aging Eye Primer – a light peachy toned primer with a doe foot applicator, designed to slick on your lids before adding colour. I can see this being really good if you were wearing loose powder shadow or something like Barry M’s Dazzle Dust, which needs a bit of help staying put.

Bare Minerals Ready Blush in French Kiss – in the pot this is a really bright pink, and would probably look amazing on darker skin, luckily if you apply it gently enough and only with one swipe, even ghost skinned girls like me can wear it. Just remember to blend.

MAC Lipstick Crayon in Clever – I’m pretty sure I’ve had this in a previous box, but it’s a nice pinky coloured crayon, although you need to layer it up slightly to get much colour going.

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Swatches – Top: Eye Primer, Middle: MAC crayon, Bottom: Blush

Bellapierre Kabuki Brush – super soft brush (something I think I already have), perfect for blending or applying powder.

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Blush, lip crayon, primer, brush

Bit of a mixed bag this month, the MAC crayon and brush are definitely heading into the stash but the nail polishes, not so much.

beauty, beauty boxes, look fantastic, reviews, skincare

Look Fantastic #LFHelloBeautiful

ramblingmads

A new month means new beauty boxes, and I’m kicking May off with Look Fantastic’s Hello Beautiful Box. Packed full of skincare and hair products to get you looking fabulous in the Spring sunshine. There’s also a free copy of June’s Elle magazine, almost half the price of the box alone.

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Ren Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial – a sample size bottle of Ren’s overnight treatment, combining Glycolic and Lactic acids with Cranberry Seed Oil and Arctic Blackcurrant Seed Oil. Apply after your night time moisturiser to wake up with youthful and plumped skin. Probably not a product I’ll use much as I’m quite happy with my night time skincare regime, but should I feel my skin needs a boost, this might be quite handy.

Ioma Youthful Moisture Cream – seven little pods of rich moisture, infused with Soya and Cotton Oil, to increase the production of collagen and regenerate cells. These are single use pods, and will most likely make their way onto my face on those when my skin feels tight and in need of extra moisture.

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Revlon Uniq One Coconut hair treatment – designed to repair damaged hair and improve shine as well as containing UVA and UVB filters for the summer sun. Most likely this will be popped in my bag for use after swimming, chlorine plays havoc with blonde hair, turning it a delightful shade of green.

Wet Brush – designed especially to comb out wet hair without breaking, this is another for the swim bag, to quickly and gently tidy my hair post-swim.

Vichy Lift Activ – from French pharmacy brand comes this intensely hydrating moisturiser, suitable for sensitive skin. Handy pocket sized pot, perfect for popping in a bag for overnight or weekend breaks.

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Decleor Hydra Floral Gel Cream – 70% water based cream to deliver hydration without feeling heavy. My main bugbear with this is the teeny tube of product, barely enough to check whether it’s something you’d want to invest in.

A bit of a mixed box, with some products I know I’ll make use of and some I’m not that sure about. Part of the problem is so many products are very similar – essentially four different moisturisers, plus a hair brush and hair treatment spray.

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