Category: skincare

beauty, beauty boxes, look fantastic, reviews, skincare

#LFPamper Look Fantastic Box 

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This box contains: 

Oskia Renaissance Mask – passion fruit, grape, lemon, Papaya and grapefruit extracts to exfoliate and decongest skin. 

Mio Liquid Yoga – a bath soak infused with Epsom salts, lavender, arnica and mandarin to ease achey muscles and relax. 

Polaar The Genuine Lapland Cream – a lipbalm free from parabens, fragrance and colour. Contains polar berries, blackberries and lingonberries.  

Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel – a blend of Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C and Indian Figurine to protect against free radicals. 

Laura Geller Pout Perfection Waterproof Lip Liner – creamy lip liner with jojoba oil and Vitamin E to condition. Shade; Cabernet (pinky mauve).

Alterna Caviar Moisture Intense Treatment- pre-shampoo treatment to rehydrate frazzled hair with Caviar extract. 

As winter starts to loom more ominously and the temperature drops skin needs more moisture and protection from the elements.  This box has some good bits in it to offer some support to skin and hair during the upcoming cold snap. 

beauty, beauty boxes, love me beauty, make up, reviews, skincare

Love Me Beauty – The Sundown Edit

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I haven’t done an order from Love Me Beauty for a while. But I heard they had a few of the soon to be in Debenham Kat Von D products, so I thought it was time to have a look at their boutique again. 

Every month you get 60 credits to use and you pick your products. Recently they’ve scaled back the options and shrunk everything down to sample size, which is a bit disappointing when everything used to be fullsize. 

You can buy top up credits if you want more treats from the selection. 

I picked five items which arrived in a stripy make up pouch. Gone are the boxes. 

Omorovicza Budapest Copper Peel – this two part at home facial uses minerals from the healing waters of Hungary. Combining a blue copper paste and a lactic acid activator. My skin’s not too happy at the moment, between commuting on London’s Underground and the cold brewing in my head, so hopefully this will strip out some of the gunk and cheer it up. 

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Skin Toner – refreshing and cooling to tone the skin after cleansing. I haven’t been using toner recently but I read a few articles recently from beauty writers I trust and look up to saying it’s a good step to look after skin so using this tiny bottle for a bit to see the difference before committing. 

Omorovicza Budapest Deep Cleansing Mask – this Hungarian brand seems to be the pick of the boutique and this clay mud mask is full of minerals to deep cleaning skin. 

Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in  Magick – a pinky nude tone with a hint of sparkle, this is quite a nice everyday shade. The tube is studded and looks quite fun in my collection. 


Kat Von D Ink! Liner – I am so rubbish with eyeliner but this superfine pen is supposed to be one of the best on the market and easy peasy to use.  


Swatches

I really liked this selection and the new edit style of options in the boutique. 

It will be interesting to see what the next selection is and whether they bring back full size items. 

Do you subscribe to Love Me Beauty?? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments below. 

beauty, beauty boxes, birchbox, make up, reviews, skincare

Birchbox Heroes

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It’s a Birch-drawer this month, which I prefer to the boxes – they’re really reusable too. The top is decorated with a pastel geometric design which I like. 

Inside is possibly my favourite Birchbox collection ever. 

Starskin Eye Catcher mask – a bio-cellulose mask with coconut juice and liquorice root to brighten, smooth and de-puff. My eyes often need a little love by the end of the evening so these little pads will come in a treat. 

Nuxe Prodigieux Shower Oil – this is very nice, I’ve had it before, it’s fab on freshly shaved legs in the shower. 
Nailtiques Protein Formula 2 – keratin, protein and calcium to bond the layers of nails to stop them splitting and peeling. Which is something that happens to my stressed out nails desperately need. 

Model Co Highlighting Trio – slightly sparkly, this cream highlighter gives you a glittery glow on cheekbones, brow bones and eyelids. 
Amika Bombshell Blowout Spray – volumizing, smoothing and texturising in one, with sea Buckthorn Berry oil antioxidants to strengthen and repair. My hair is a law unto itself – but maybe this can tame it. I’d like some volume and less madness please. 

As a bonus for introducing a friend to Birchbox  (not 100% sure who) I got a dinky little bracelet, embossed with ‘Imagine’ 

There was also a voucher for a photo box from Lalabox – a photo printing app which sends out your snaps in a gift box.  

The drawer/box will be reused too, like previous ones, to store various bits and pieces, and I wish they did it every month, they’re much nicer than the boxes. 

After a few slightly lacking months which have seriously had me thinking of cancelling the box, this was a really good selection of bits. So Birchbox is on notice – next month’s will make or break it. 

beauty, beauty boxes, reviews, skincare, vegan kind

TVK Beauty Box 8 

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Inside TVK’s latest box are seven cruelty free beauty products. 

Vitala Spa  Chakra Balancing Compassion Bath and Body Oil – full of natural extracts and essential oils, designed to soothe skin and leave it smooth and supple. My skin doesn’t like oils so passing this on to my mum. 

Figs & Rouge evAcalm Perfect Calm Moisture+ AM PM Cream –  specifically for use on dehydrated and sensitive skin, to reduce redness and calm stressed out skin. Maybe this will help with my rosacea and grumpy hot face. 

Spectrum CollectionsTapered Finishing Brush – these brushes are gorgeous. Hair free but super soft and gentle. 

The Konjac Sponge Company French Pink Clay Facial Puff Sponge – made from biodegradable vegetable material this cleans your skin without needing cleansers. I’ve used a different one of these sponges and wasn’t that enamoured. 

Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Travel Size Body Wash – almond oil soothes stressed out skin, with shea butter and other skin loving ingredients. This smells pretty nice and as it’s for sensitive skin I’ll pop it on the shower shelf. 

Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Travel Size Hand Cream – to accompany the body wash this hand cream is perfect to pop in a handbag or overnight bag. 

Sheila’s Natural Products Face Cream Deluxe Sample – this is a bonus item containing ingredients designed to appease eczema and acne. I’m always looking for the best moisturiser so maybe this will be it. 

As always 20p from every box sold is donated to Dr Hadwen Trust, the funder of non-animal research in biomedicine.  

beauty boxes, look fantastic, reviews, skincare

#LFBestofBritish

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This month’s Look Fantastic box is all about celebrating British brands, pretty timely with the Olympics going on. 

There are samples from a range of brands, all for face and hair. 

Ren Flash Defence Anti-Pollution Mist – formulated with zinc and amino acids to protect skin from the stress caused by pollution in cities. Chucking this in my bag for commuting – it’s definitely starting to wear my skin out. 
Renu Lip and Eye Active Lift – the thin skin around your eyes and lips can be the first places to show signs of aging. It also apprently helps get rid of dark circles – which sometimes resemble black eyes if you’re me. 

Bloom and Blossom Rejuvenating Facial Spritz – I don’t know why they went with two facial sprays but there you go. This one is designed to refresh tired skin. So pretty much the same as the other one.

 
Percy & Reed Wonder Balm – I’ve tried this before, it’s essentially a flyaway tamer and product primer. 

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum – with various natural ingredients to target pesky spots without harsh chemicals. Non-greasy and suitable for all skin types – hope it’s tough on hormonal lumps and bumps. 

Bee Good Vanilla and Honey Lip Balm – with beeswax from British bees, this rather yummy lip balm softens and moisturises dry and damaged lips. 
Also included is a copy of September’s Elle magazine and the box booklet which has a recipe for strawberry and rose creme fraiche ice cream and recommendations for afternoon tea. 

beauty boxes, glossybox, make up, reviews, skincare

Glossybox Fifth Birthday Box 

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This month Glossybox turns five and they pushed the boat out…actually no they didn’t. 

 

This box is a pretty mixed bag, with some impressive items and one particularly shit item. 

MUA Eyeshadow Palette Starry Night – this is quite nice but at only £4 in the shops it’s not exactly a luxury brand item. 

 
Mudmasky Facial Detox Purifying Recovery Mask – face masks are nice but this stingy sample won’t get the most use – it also smells a bit funny to me. 

Wild Cow Invigorating Body Lotion – this is possibly the smallest bottle of body lotion ever. But at least it smells nice. 

Finally, this should have been a bonus item not one of the five – a Rae Feather make up pouch (which they have irritatingly called a pochette – pretentious much). Apparently this brand is huge with bloggers, but not only have I never heard of it but neither have many of the bloggers I follow – some of whom are quite well known. 

To be very honest this doesn’t feel like a special birthday edition box, it’s rather mixed in terms of brands and quality. 

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Powder Beauty Drawer Season Three

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When you order this box (£29.99 with free P&P) you fill out a questionnaire so the 13 products are tailored to your colouring, skin type and hair colour. This means every box is slightly different – as a blonde with pale, sensitive skin, this is what the Powder team selected for me. 

💄Gold Collagen Pure Gold Collagen Mini – this supplement is designed to boost collagen levels – plumping out skin and strengthening nails. 

💄Nude Skincare Rescue Oil – packed with antioxidants, this oil soothes and perfects skin, blurring imperfections, plumping and purifying, ridding you of toxins. (Too good to be true??)

💄Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser – lathers into a foam, removes impurities without stripping skin of the good stuff. 

💄Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure (fullsize) – with built in base coat this polish is apparently almost impossible to chip – if only it wasn’t such a baby pink shade I’d put it to the test. 

💄Mii Cosmetics Heavenly Bronzing Gel – with SPF15, this gel bronzer blends easily onto skin for a summery glow. 

💄Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence Eau de Parfum – this contains champagne as an ingredient – making quite (to my nose) an alcohol strong smell. 

💄MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder in Iredescent Gold (fullsize) – I keep meaning to pick one of these up, so thanks Powder. 

💄Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day Cream for Normal to Combination Skin (fullsize) – with SPF and hylauronic acid to replenish moisture and protect skin. 

💄Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum – oil-free and non-greasy, this brightens skin while soothing and blurring imperfections. 

💄bareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion – made with superfood ingredients to improve skin’s elasticity and bounce.

💄Moroccanoil Treatment Light – formulated for blondes the argan oil nourishes hair and makes it easier to brush (oh and from personal experience means no more split ends) 

💄Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Mirrorsmooth High Gloss Primer – controls flyaways, protects from heat styling and strengthens hair to prevent breakage. For greasy hair – just apply to the ends.

💄Schwarzkopf Live Colour Refresh (fullsize) – apply like a conditioner, let it soak in for a few minutes then rinse to revive coloured hair or boost your natural colour. 

There are discounts and offers included for every brand included in the box  and beauty tips in the booklet. 
Quite a good selection of products – for me the best is the MUA highlighter and the worst the pink nail polish. If the last beauty drawers are anything to go by everything in this box will get used. 

Bring on season 4 in October. 

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Blogger Beauty Box 

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As always this box is a great mix of items curated by bloggers for bloggers (it’s £10 too – hello bargain!)

There are five items in this month’s box, three are full size. 

I love to smell nice, and a fruity shower gel certainly gets me ready for the day. This little bottle of I Love…Mango & Papaya Bubble Bath & Shower Gel is right up my street. 

One of the things that frustrates me the most is my lack of volume – in my hair, I’m certainly loud enough! So hopefully this Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray does exactly what it says on the bottle. 

One of the more unusual items is the tub of Derma Babies Full of Hope Heavenly Mummy Nipple Cream. Now, I am not currently a nursing mother so you might think I’d have no use for this but because it’s designed for sensitive, damaged skin, it’s actually incredibly useful if you have dry skin, or even ezcema like me. Plus this is full of skin loving ingredients including aloe vera and olive oil. 

The next is a useful addition to your handbag – fab little bag is a clever and discreet way of disposing of used sanitary products. It’s designed to be opened with one hand, made from biodegradable materials and provides a better way of disposing of tampons than flushing. 

Finally there’s a lipstick from new US brand 4U2 Cosmetics, weirdly the shade I have isn’t listed as one of their Lipaholoc shades. They’ve just launched in the UK with their range of PETA certified cruelty free make up. 

 
Really quite happy with this box, should get a use out of each, unlike some other boxes. 

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Little Known Box – Summer Starts Here

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Five products, three fullsize plus one bonus treat – June’s Little Known Box is crammed with great beauty products to get your summer going. 

Oxynergy Paris Power Infuse Cushion Foam cleanser from France, a country that loves great skincare. Wash your face with this lightly scented foaming cleanser containing amino acids, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium. 

Manna Kadar is a cruelty and paraben free brand from the US. Fantasy 3-in-1 is a powder blush, highlighter and eyeshadow in a nude blush pink suitable for all skin types. 

PHB’s Anti-aging Serum with Rose & Sea Buckthorn is vegan, cruelty free and Halal as well as being suitable for all skin types. It smells pretty good too. 

Lucy Annabella travel sized treatment oil for skin, face and hair. This has Orange and Marjoram oils for a restful mood. 

In the Buff Mineral Highlighter in Sunshine Glitz is a golden hued 100% natural ingredients and vegan glow.

Bonus: Creme of Nature 100% Pure Argan Oil & Leave in Conditioner samples.  

beauty, beauty boxes, birchbox, haircare, make up, nail polish, skincare

Never-ending Summer with Birchbox 

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This month’s  Birchbox arrived today, all pink and purple, in collaboration with Millie Mackintosh (one of those famous for being famous types it seems). 

This month’s selection contains five items, three full-size. 

LOC x Millie Ultra Gloss Lip Pencil in Bohemian Rose – Birchbox in-house brand Love of Colour lip pencil in a glossy soft pink. 

John Frieda 7 Days Luxurious Volume – this was my pick between two products from John Freida. This is designed to boost volume from the next time you wash your hair with this in-shower treatment. 

Nails Inc in Abbey Road – a teeny bottle of baby pink polish.

High Definition Brow Define in Bombshell – enriched with waxes to boost the long-lasting brow pencil. 
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Mask – sheet masks are a big thing at the moment and this one promises intense moisture for dry, tired skin. 

It’s an ok box, not the most exciting to come out of Birchbox and really the Nails Inc polish could be in a bigger size, I will probably lose this bottle at some point. It doesn’t feel hugely summery either – last month’s pineapple print was more so, some summer specific goodies like suncream would be more appreciated, all this pink feels Spring not Summer. 

Thoughts? Are you a Birchbox subscriber? What did you think about this month’s box? Let me know in the comments.