Category: reviews

beauty, beauty boxes, glossybox, make up, reviews, skincare

Glossybox Let’s Celebrate!

ramblingmads

The festive Glossybox was waiting for me on the doorstep today, all rose gold and sparkly.

image

image

image

Inside are a selection of products to help polish your festive look.

image

Etre Belle Golden Skin Caviar Eye Roll On – this cooling gel is designed to leave you looking refreshed and radiant, great if you’re partying and brilliant for insomniacs like me.

So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil – pretty sure this was in a recent box, but since I like to try and get a little glow in my skin, bound to come in handy.

Cheeky Chat Me Up Nail Paint – wish I had received the polish in the booklet instead of this very pale pink, which I got.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple 3-in-1 Cleanser – definitely had this a while ago. It’s a nice, gentle cleanser, helping to remove your party face.

Essence Liquid Lipstick in Show Off – not a fan of this at all. Runny, gooey. Just no thanks.

image

Bonus product: Starskin Bio-cellulose Second Skin Mask – I am a bit unsure about sheet masks, but as my skin hates cold weather and cries out for moisture, I think I might just pop one of these on.

image

Are you a Glossybox subscriber? What did you think about this month’s box?

ramblingmads

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, perfume, reviews, skincare, you beauty

You Beauty Discovery Box

ramblingmads

I have become increasingly disappointed by YBD, this month is no different and I think it might be my last box from them.

I like the idea of picking some of your samples but the selection is often quite poor and you get little bang for your buck.

Yes, it’s possibly the cheapest beauty box out there but does that mean it should be lacking?

image

From the shortlist I picked;

Philosophy renewed hope in a jar eye cream – or rather a tiny tube. My under eye shadows are rather dark and tired looking at the moment, insomnia does that, and I thought I might road test an eye cream or two. I’ve heard good things about this one. Just a shame it’s such a teeny sample.

image
Not the best swatching but hopefully you can see the golden shimmer

Kilo Long Lasting Stick 8 Hour No-Transfer Eye shadow in 05 – a gold shimmer eye shadow crayon, and you know I love an easy to apply make up item.

The extra samples they threw into the box are a tiny sachet of Studio 10 Miracle Effect Priming Serum and Narciso Rodriguez Narciso Eau de Toilette spritz sample bottle.

image

I dont think there’s enough primer in the sachet for one human sized face, except if you were for some insane reason, making up a baby (they have little faces mostly) but not for an adult.

I have a problem with sending out perfume samples – scent is highly selective, what one person loves and smells amazing on their skin, may not work with anyone else. This mostly smells of alcohol to me. Not nice.

Overall a bit underwhelming. Time to bid adios to this box I think and move on.

Anyone else cancelling beauty boxes they’ve been disappointed by? 

ramblingmads

adventures in post, happy mail, lifestyle boxes, reviews

Happy Mail – Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

ramblingmads

Technically this is November’s box but PayPal had a wobble so it was dispatched a little late. But still in plenty of time for this weekend’s Christmas decorating of the flat.

image

The box is full of fab little festive touches for the home and for presents. I can’t wait to get all these lovely bits up and Christmas up the house, making it all festive and cosy.

image

From funky ribbon to wrap around your gifts, cute decorations for the tree, a candy cane (I love candy canes) and even little signs to hang up or give as gifts for friends to decorate their homes with. Here’s some more photos.

image

image

image

image

image

Have you got your tree up yet? Do you celebrate Christmas? Tell me about your festivities in the comments.

         🎄🎁🎅🎊🎉🎀🍬🍭⛄

ramblingmads

beauty, beauty boxes, haircare, love me beauty, nail polish, nails inc, reviews, skincare

Love Me Beauty – those bonus points…

ramblingmads

So as you know, LMB has been revamping their site, store and packaging. One of the things they’ve changed is the boutique points – you get 60 a month, the problem being most things are 20 points, meaning you might only get three products, which is a lot less than most beauty boxes, and they’re not all full size.

image

To compensate for this, LMB offers bonus points you can buy to add on. This month I decided to splurge a little and get some extra goodies in my box.

As it’s cold and miserable outside I picked a range of products to give my skin, hair and look a boost in the winter.

image

Top row L-R:

Roques O’Neil Therapie Boost Hair & Body Wash – aromatherapy shampoo that can also be used as a body wash.

Nails Inc Gel Effect in Old Burlington Street and Porchester Square – gorgeous pairing for winter nails.

Percy & Reed Dry Instant Volumising Spray – the winter weather seems to just leave my hair completely flat, this should give it a boost.

Bottom row, L-R:

Monu Spa Fiji Facial Treatment Oil – formulated for sensitive skin, this oil might just be the one to change my mind about facial oils.

Nuxe Gentle Exfoliating Gel for Sensitive Skin – winter seems to leave my skin dry and flaky, this should shift that and boost my skin’s health.

Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips – my lips are very prone to drying and cracking, and you guessed it, it gets worse in winter. I’ve heard good things about this, so despite my concerns about lanolin (my skin reacts poorly to it), I thought I’d see if this helps heal up my dry, cracked, sad smile.

Any of you LMB subscribers? What are your thoughts of the changes to the box? Let me know in the comments.

ramblingmads

beauty, beauty boxes, nail polish, reviews

Nailbox – Christmas is coming…

ramblingmads

November’s Nailbox has arrived, bringing with it a hint of Christmas in its red, green and glitter.

image

image

Also in the box, Elegant Touch stick on tips, a file, and a great little booklet of festive patterns for your nails.

image

And the colour coordinated candy cane is a nice touch. I’ve got a few Christmas dos to attend and now festive nail designs!

ramblingmads

books, reviews

The Hog’s Back Mystery – Freeman Wills Croft

ramblingmads

The British Library has released a collection of crime novels from the Golden Age, when writers like Agatha Christie were at their peak. Freeman Wills Croft, who knew Christie, wrote more than 30 novels during this time.

Dr James Earle disappears from his house one Sunday, Inspector French is called in to locate him. Soon other people are disappearing and French is embroiled in a web of romantic entanglements and intrigue.

I really enjoyed this book, I’m a big fan of Christie and other writers of the period, like Raymond Chandler, so I was really pleased when a kind friend sent me this book.

Sometimes I can guess whodunnit, but I prefer it, when like this one, I can’t guess at all how it will unravel.

image

ramblingmads

beauty, beauty boxes, haircare, make up, reviews, skincare, vegan kind

TVK Beauty Box Five

ramblingmads

I love beauty products, make up, skincare, you name it, but I also love animals, I’m mum to five rats, and animal testing horrifies me. The comestic industry really doesn’t need to test shampoo on rabbits or mascara on mice.

image

The Vegan Kind‘s three monthly beauty boxes contain products that demonstrate this fact wholeheartedly. None of these items have been tested on animals and all are suitable for use by humans.

The box contains six items for £18.95, is delivered every three months and this box has donated 20p for every box sold to The Dr Hadwen Trust – the UK’s leading non-animal medical research lab.

Inside the box;

Human+Kind Hand Elbow and Foot Cream 500ml (RRP £6) this rich and pleasant scented multi use cream contains cocoa butter and avocado oil to deliver lasting hydration.

image

Spectrum Collections Concealer and Eyeshadow Brush (RRP £4.99) I am a sucker for a nice brush and love the soft electric blue bristles on this baby. Shaped for applying colour to your lids or concealer to that pesky dark shadow. I might have to use my exclusive discount code to treat myself to a few more.

Cocoyou Coconut Oil 200ml (RRP £5.99) coconut oil is everywhere this year, in baking, stir fries, slathered on skin and hair, used in teeth cleaning (oil pulling). This tub is perfect for your beauty routine, coat your face at night, smooth through the ends of your hair and use it to sort out your cuticles.

image

Emani Vegan Cosmetics Soulmate Lipshine 7ml (RRP £11) this pink gloss goes on clear with a slight sheen of shine.

Vegan Button Mirror – soon to be available from the TVK website, this little pocket mirror is rather sweet with it’s bunny logo.

Green People’s Vegan & Organic Intensive Repair Shampoo 30ml trial size. Strengthens and repairs dry, damaged or weak hair. Excellent for the upcoming party season when too much hairspray and too many late nights stress your hair out. There’s also 20% off for subscribers.

image

ramblingmads

beauty, beauty boxes, glossybox, make up, reviews, skincare

November Glossybox

ramblingmads

image

This month’s Glossybox features five full sized beauty goodies from well known brands.

image

Eylure Natural Lashes – I don’t wear false lashes, despite how blonde I am, I have long lashes that sometimes get caught in my glasses, but I know these are very popular with a lot of my friends for making their eyes pop.

MUA Eyeshadow Palette – I love MUA’s gorgeous, affordable range and this palette from natural shades to smoky is brilliant for the tawny eyed look that I keep seeing on blogs and in magazines.

Emite Diamond Heart Primer – primer has been something I’ve only recently started adding to my routine, and I’m always on the lookout for the perfect one.

Royal Apothic Body Lotion – this is designed to be massaged into damp skin after a shower to lock in moisture, something that my skin craves, especially as the temperature drops.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – infused with vitamin E and avocado oil, this lipstick is designed to provide moisture and a pop of colour. There are four shades available and I received Pink in the Afternoon.

image

ramblingmads

beauty, beauty boxes, my little box, perfume, reviews, skincare

My Little Sweet Box

ramblingmads

This month MLB managed to get delivered in plenty of time! Hooray.

image

It’s also a tin for treats as opposed to a box, rather sweetly decorated too.

image

Inside are baking themed goodies, including jar labels and a cute apron, as well as some beauty treats. They’ve teamed up with food blogger Mimi Thorisson.

image

image

image

image

image

The beauty items are mostly skincare;

* Dr Pierre Ricaud Neck & Decolletage Lifting Cream – this little pot of cream plumps and perks skin cells.

* Yves Rocher Sensual Fragrance – a rather warm and sexy scent in a tiny bottle of perfume.

* My Little Beauty Sweet Hand Cream – marshmallowy sweetness in a rich and soothing cream.

ramblingmads

lifestyle boxes, reviews, waxbox

Waxbox November

ramblingmads

I think I might have to pause this subscription box, I’m drowning in wax.

However there are some rather yummy scents in this month’s box, so we’ll see.

image

As always the wax is handpicked and packed by the lovely Paula and features a range of candle and wax companies – many of whom are small businesses.

image

Wax and Wicks Toffee Latte melt – based in Yorkshire, not to be confused with wicknwax, these three dinky melts are made of soy wax and smell rather nice, a subtle sweetness.

Luxurious Melts, from Warrington, also use soya wax, the crème brulee mini tarts are quite pleasant, with a hint of marshmallow.

Butterfly Scents Mandarin & Berries wax melt is glittery and smells amazing, like a little shot of summer.

The Bridgewater Candle Company votive candle is possibly my favourite scent in the box. Definitely going in my front room to freshen it up.

image

Wax Scentsual’s Avensus is quite a fresh, ocean scent. Perfect for the bathroom.

Regent House’s Wish Upon a Star wax granules are something a bit different. Pour into the burner and melt.

Finally a hint of Christmas in the peppermint mini melts from Wales’ Busy Bee Candles, which I added it to my current marshmallow melt, delicious.

ramblingmads