The You Beauty Box has had a bit of a facelift, is moving website and is apparently going to be even better come February. Hope it stays at the same price of £6.95 inc p&p, and with the select your samples idea.
This month’s samples were from a wide range of brands and types.
If you follow me on Instagram then you’ll be aware of my love for lipbalms and especially the little cubes from balmi.
So it was pretty obvious I’d be popping their rose gold roseberry flavour in my box. With SPF 15, Shea butter, vitamin E and other skin loving ingredients, these little pots are a firm favourite.
My other pick was Korres Bergamot & Pear Body Milk (body lotion to you and me). I love the smell of this, having had it in a box sometime last year. Might have to treat myself to a full size tub at some point.
Also in the box are sample sachets of Dr Organic Snail Gel – something I’m not entirely convinced by, and Perfection Gel Cushions for those slightly uncomfy shoes.
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.
Longer answer – still yes. They’re not mutually exclusive.
I’m a feminist, more than that I’m an intersectional feminist who doesn’t hate men, has never burned a bra (those things cost) and loves beauty products and wearing make up.
Feminist and beauty blogger, you bet'cha
If you’re not, then that’s cool. If you think the beauty industry subjucates women, is fatphobic, racist etc, then that’s fine. I see your point, I even agree with some of that, but I don’t see the harm in wanting to make up my face, in enjoying skincare and perfume and washing my hair.
Beauty faves
I read feminist media like Bitch and Bust magazines, The Riveter, and others, but I also haunt the make up aisles of Superdrug and read beauty blogs, follow Caroline Hirons and Sali Hughes (beauty writers, who also happen to be awesome women) and listen to music that isn’t mainstream.
Feminist stickers and magazines
And that’s cool. There’s room for all sorts in the world. There really is. Just not if you’re an asshole – please take your negative, bigotted views elsewhere. There’s a world that needs changing out there, and I am so looking forward to it.
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!
Following the lovely Which Beauty Box UK is lethal to my bank account! Showcasing the best boxes around, and inspiring other beauty lovers. And so it is with Dollibox.
A fairly new box, it contains five cult and premium beauty products, full size and sample size.
I’m not madly keen on how pink the packaging is, but since that gets recycled, it doesn’t really matter.
What’s inside counts. The box is £10 plus postage, and this month’s is worth over £30.
Anubis Polivitamic Cleansing Mousse – containing the essential vitamin C, this gentle mousse promises to soothe and cleanse your skin.
Bare Naturals Pomegranate & Pink Grapefruit soap – made with 100% natural ingredients, this delicately scented soap is designed to leave hands clean and soft.
Model Co Highlighting Trio – featuring a luminizer, blush and bronzer, this little pot is designed to suit any skin tone and leave you with glowing skin.
Osmo Intensive Deep Repair Mask – containing jojoba oil, patchouli and ylang ylang to nourish and repair stressed out hair.
Barefoot Lavender & Mint Foot Cream – with tea tree oil and other natural ingredients, no parabens, this soothes tired feet, reviving them and softening the skin.
All in all, this is a nicely curated box, perfect for the party season, and for spoiling yourself in the cold, wet winter.
It’s been a bit quiet round here, I’ve been a wee bit busy.
I started a new job last week, which so far, so good. But it’s meant I’ve been a bit knackered and not had the energy to write much. Once I get my routine sorted, that will change, promise!
Working a three day week, then it’s Christmas, so that’ll hopefully give me some blogging time, before I head back to the office in the New Year.
However, I am a bit more active on Instagram and Twitter, so feel free to find me there and say hello, I’m @ramblingmads on both.
Keep an eye out for the posts I am busily drafting and polishing.
The postman brought me a lovely treat this week. The limited edition Birchbox Home box.
This would make an amazing gift for Christmas if you’re stuck for ideas.
Inside is a range of lovely home accessories and foodie treats to add a touch of colour in these dark days. I mean, sunset before 4pm, what’s that all about!?!
Coming B Birdie Recipe Holder – this sweet resin bird holds your recipe cards so they don’t end up covered in sticky fingerprints.
La Cocette Paris Chic Chick Oven Glove in Ochre – really cute oven mitt, but the Mr says the print on it is something a little cheeky. 🍈🍈
Jamini 2 Table Placemats in Blue Wave – these are lovely and machine washable (which is very important when you live with a messy eater!)
Birchbox Home Tea Time Mug – this has already been swiped and filled with a brew.
To accompany the mug –
Mini Labo x Birchbox Home Tea Time Ball Infuser and Kusmi Tea Tsarevna (a Russian inspired blend of black tea with spices and oranges)
Continuing with the tea time theme are a recipe card and jar of lemon curd from Kitchen Trotter
There’s also an English Scone Mix from Marlette – all you need to add is butter, milk and eggs, everything else has been measured and mixed for you.
Garden Trading 4 Measuring Spoons – ceramic measuring spoons to help you get your measurements perfect.
Mini Labo x Birchbox Home Tea Tray (see above) – this is a lovely way to make your afternoon cuppa seem like a luxury, put your mug and biscuits on this pretty patterned tray to serve.
Finally there’s a lovely scented soap bar to scrub up after all the baking. Scented with rose, white musk, jasmine and iris, with poppy oil.
I can’t wait to pop the kettle on and make great use of these goodies.
