Tag: reviews

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

Glossybox: Love is in the air

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So Glossybox loves Valentine’s Day, with a special edition, themed box.

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Five beauty products that are apparently designed to be our beauty soulmates. Randomly this may be the cheapest item selection I’ve seen – only one item tops £10.

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Nicka K New York 24hr Waterproof Eyeliner in Dark Brown – I rarely, if ever, wear eyeliner, but when I do I go for black, so this pencil won’t get much use.

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MUA Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss – there’s already been several complaints I’ve seen about this item, ranging from the low cost of it, people want items in their beauty boxes they otherwise couldn’t get, and also the rather bizarre way it’s been promoted. In the January box GB said you’d receive an email soon to select your shade, but it turns out that the email was supposedly sent in December, and not everyone (including me) received one.
Now as I don’t have a flux capacitor handy I don’t know how I’m supposed to pick a shade, but never fear, the intern will pick one not remotely based on your beauty profile – so I received a brown gloss. I’m a pale skinned, natural blonde, what use is this to me.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers – because you can’t possibly already have tweezers.

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Naobay Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner – I don’t know about you but I usually do a hair mask before washing my hair, but this apparently goes on after and rinse off. I don’t have time to faff about, so this probably won’t get used much.

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Wilkinson Sword Intuition Razor – last February I got a razor in Glossybox, and look, the same thing a year later. Never mind how rude it is to assume we need to shave our legs (FYI you don’t, it’s a personal choice and I have friends who don’t), but a £7 razor doesn’t scream beauty treat to me.

Wow, is this box underwhelming. What is happening to Glossybox? Is this just stuff cluttering up the stockroom?

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

Birchbox – Shine Bright Like a Diamond

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February’s Birchbox is here, and refreshingly, it’s not Valentine’s themed.

Instead, following on from January’s Best Year Ever, comes the encouragement to “Shine Like a Diamond”.

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Ins
ide the box are six items, two full size, designed to help you do just that.

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Spectrum Collections Tapered Powder Brush – full size. Prettiest brush I own, with it’s mermaid blue and purple, super soft bristles and baby pink handle. 

Birchbox are creating their own in-house beauty brand Love of Colour (LOC) and subscribers could choose between a silvery Champagne Problems or copper Perfect Cents, in their One and Done Shadow Stick. I often wear bronze tones so opted to try something different and went for the silver.

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Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster – a vitamin C complex designed to soothe fine lines. Not sure about the name though!

Cochine Water Hyacinth & Lime Blossom Hand & Body Lotion – a floral scented lotion.

theBalm cosmetics Frat Boy Blush/Shadow – a rosy pink blusher that also doubles as eye shadow, should you want pink eyelids!

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Derm Eyes Make-Up Remover Wipes – this is a bonus item, but seriously, one wipe, that’s a bit rubbish.

One lucky subscriber will also receive a £200 diamond necklace, which seems a little strange considering how many people buy the boxes, and surely not that random as they’re tailored to the buyer, especially when you choose a product.

Apart from those little quibbles, this is quite a nice box selection.   

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

Powder Beauty Drawer

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I kept seeing this advertised everywhere but from talking to other beauty bloggers it seems to be very new.

The box costs £30 and you can get free P&P (normally £5) throughout February with the code MCFEB.

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There are thirteen items in the box, some of which are full size. You fill out a beauty profile on the site and the items are tailored to your answers.

The items are skincare, hair care and make up, meaning you get a nice selection of everything from their catalogue – it’s a surprise till it arrives, which is a good touch, so if you want to try it out without spoilers, click here and read the rest of the post later.

I asked for help with my sensitive skin, hair that’s gone slightly limp and to restore my glow. Getting older and living in smoggy London isn’t great for skin. Here’s what they sent me.

Skin:

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Sanctuary Spa Warming Detox Charcoal Wash – designed to open the pores, draw out imperfections all without drying out skin. You only need to use it once a week too.

Balance Me Restore and Replenish Cream Cleanser – massaged into skin this contains collagen and hylauronic acid to plump up skin, add moisture, and remove dead skin cells.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold – glycolic acid that revs up skin cells, stimulates collagen and shifts spots. Apply before bed three days a week for brighter skin.

Merumaya Youth Preservation Moisturiser SPF15 – antioxidants, Euchin oil, SPF to fight off free radicals, wrinkles, age spots and helps keep skin healthy.

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturising Sorbet – soothing and hydrating Shea butters shield skin from dryness, attempts to age and flare-ups.

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St Tropez Gradual Tan in Shower Lotion – apply like shower gel, wait a few minutes, rinse. On light skin this builds up into a natural tan and for dark or black skin it works like a foundation, perfecting scarring, bruises or unevenness.

Starskin Behind the Scenes Balancing Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Face Mask – sheet masks have been a big thing for a while now (pro-tip don’t answer the door while wearing one), this particular one soothes and calms angry skin, breaking down spots and shrinking pores.

Hair:

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L’Oreal Professional Infinitum Extra Strong Hairspray – strong hold, dries instantly, no residue and no weight. What more does hairspray need to do?

L’Oreal Professional Dual Stylers by Techni Art Loss & Pump-Up – soothes frizz, downs those pesky flyaways, doesn’t leave hair looking greasy. A dual action gel-cream (there’s a tube within a tube) that gives mega volume without frizz.

Tresemme 7 Day Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner – with keratin to keep hair from drying out or frizzing up, and the conditioner acts as a heat barrier for styling too.

Face:

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Benefit the POREfessional – a primer full of vitamin E but oil free so it works on all skin types.

Rimmel 24hr Supercurler Mascara – the brush is shaped to give extra curl with a formula that allows you to do ‘no make-up make up’ or build layers for real va-va-voom.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream – backed with antioxidants and vitamin C to tighten under-eye skin and smile lines round the mouth. Store in the fridge for maximum effect.

I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a box with a lot to offer.

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I'm going to use up all my old make up before I buy new make up, said no woman ever

The only thing I’m not crazy about is the white on pink packaging. But that’s not a huge issue (except for blog photos!)

Any thoughts? Are you buying a beauty drawer from Powder?

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beauty, beauty boxes, reviews

Look Fantastic #LFLoves

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February’s here and so are the beauty boxes in pink.

Look Fantastic are having a little Twitter comp on the back of their booklet. Here’s my entry.

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Inside the box are 6 items – two of which are full size.

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Bliss Grapefruit & Aloe Body Butter – fruity and fresh scented body lotion.

Monu Spa Bali Massage & Body Oil – filled with delicious soothing natural oils to keep your skin happy.

Hi Impact Brows Eye and Brow Perfector – 4 shades for brows, eyeshadow and liner. All in one little box.

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Lord & Berry Matte Lipstick Crayon in Intimacy – rich and creamy lip crayon in a red/coral shade (see my competition entry above).

KMS California Colour Protect Conditioner – travel sized and perfect for colour treated hair.

Denman hair brush – keyring sized hairbrush for fixing your ‘do on the go.

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

Love Me Beauty – January

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This is January’s box, but it was doing the rounds in the delivery world so only just made it’s way to me.

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This box is a little more restrained than the December Christmas lunch made me do it one (which apparently was my funniest post – thanks for the feedback).

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The cream and black box is back, one of the classiest designs around, as is the the LMB The Journal (in house magazine) which is a nice addition.

With my membership points I selected four items, three beauty products and a cute bit o’ bling.

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Percy & Reed Invisible Dry Shampoo – I love dry shampoo, but I hate the grainy white residue that looks way too much like dandruff. P&R say theirs doesn’t do that. I am building a fair collection of products from this brand and love the results I’ve had so far.

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Lord & Berry Magic Brow in Wonderful – a double ended brow tool/product. One end is a brush to tidy up those stray hairs that I don’t have! The other is a marble effect pencil to fill in. I’ll probably use this in conjunction with my Clinique brow pen.

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Omnisens Fresh Cleansing Tonic Water – teeny glass bottle with something a little different from the micellar waters currently riding high. I was intrigued and this seemed like a good way to try it out.

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I’m a bit of a magpie, so the jewellery in the LMB boutique is a terrible distraction. I picked the rose gold quartz bracelet, combining my love of rose gold with rose quartz, a healing crystal.

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Are you a Love Me Beauty subscriber? What did you pick from the boutique?

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beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews, skincare

Look Fantastic January Beauty Box

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The Look Fantastic box had an adventure in the post but got here in the end.

January’s box is all about the detox. Something I really don’t get on with as a concept. But anyway, let’s dive in.

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One of the things I find really annoying in beauty boxes is shampoo and conditioner samples. It feels lazy and a bit cheap, so I’m not thrilled to see these Kebelo bottles – clarifying shampoo and silk conditioner.

Bellapierre Shimmer Shadow in Earth –

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These Mica powder shadows often pop up in beauty boxes, they’re hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types. This one can double up as a highlighter.

Dr Lancer The Method: Polish – with plant enzymes and minerals, this polish removes dead skin cells and preps skin for a deeper cleanse.

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Nuxe Nuxellence Detox – overnight anti-ageing cream that eliminates toxins and helps you wake up looking fresh.

Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water – a dinky bottle of a botanical based micellar water.

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

January Glossybox

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The postman was a bit late with this box, so I’m playing catch up.

January’s Glossybox is announcing “the year of more”. Unfortunately this box is “more of the same”.

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Year of more

I’ve had at least three of these products before. Considering the palaver I’ve had with GB recently, I could really have done with a box full of goodies I’ve not encountered before.

Unani Dermo Defense Face Mask (full size) – herbal-based mask, nourishes and hydrates skin, especially sensitive skin.

Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick (full size) in Coral Onyx – a matte coral colour lipstick.

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Lipstick swatches

Madara Cellular Repair Serum (travel size) – boosts hydration and radiance with a cell repairing bio-complex.

Angele Paris Red Nail Lacquer (full size) – if this was a lipstick then I’d love the colour but I’m not sold on it as a nail colour.

Glossybox Eyeshadow in Glossy Mauve (full size) – GB has been developing their own range – this purple shade is part of that.

Randomly there’s an extra lipstick, maybe an apology for messing me around – a Yves Rocher in a mauve/brown shade I would never buy.

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The box

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beauty, beauty boxes, make up, my little box, reviews, skincare

My Little Wish Box

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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.

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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!)

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Then there are the treats, and what a selection they’ve picked.

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There’s a green and gold diary, perfect if you haven’t already got one, full of little messages and illustrations.

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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.

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There’s one final treat in the box. A set of message bracelets to wear yourself or give to friends.

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I’m really happy with this box, MLB had a few weak ones last year but are starting strong in 2016.

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What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments. 

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beauty, beauty boxes, reviews, skincare, you beauty

You Beauty Discovery Box

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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.

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If you follow me on Instagram then you’ll be aware of my love for lipbalms and especially the little cubes from balmi.

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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.

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beauty, beauty boxes, make up, my little box, nail polish, reviews, skincare

The Box That Missed Christmas

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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