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.
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!
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.
For their December edition Birchbox has set out a jazzy festive clutch bag full of products designed to help you through the party season.
Benefit Puff Off! & They’re Real Push Up Liner Duo – exclusive to Birchbox, this liner and eye cream work together – the liner to complete your look and the cream to de-puff those under eye bags.
Model Co Ultra Long Lasting Lipstick in Kitty – this is a full size lipstick in a pretty pink shade, which sadly isn’t mine.
Ciate London Mini Paint Pot – I received the shade Iced Frappé – which I wouldn’t say is particularly festive but colours vary.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream – this moisturiser features Mediterranean algae to fight aging. Apparently it reduces wrinkles, firm skin and boost radiance in 15 days, but I don’t think there’s enough in this sample sized tube to test that theory.
Skin & Co Sicilian Body Gel – with Sicilian orange and olive extracts, this little bottle packs a sweet smelling punch. Perfect for waking you up in the morning after the night before.
Bonus – Roloxin Lift Instant Skin Smoothing Masque – a 10 minute face mask to smooth wrinkles and hide party fatigue. Saving this for New Year’s Day recovery!
The bag itself is very festive, in dark green velvet like the dresses I wore at Christmas as a child, with lots of gold sparkles. It’s a good size for all your bits and bobs too.
The festive Glossybox was waiting for me on the doorstep today, all rose gold and sparkly.
Inside are a selection of products to help polish your festive look.
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.
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.
Are you a Glossybox subscriber? What did you think about this month’s box?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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 