Another month, another GlossyBox, and unfortunately this one seems to be a little of a comedown from the fabulous September box (see previous post). Glossybox have continued with their GlossyBox magazine - which I quite like actually - but they have redesigned it slightly to become the 'Glossy' magazine. It offers some great reviews into other brands that are not featured in the box (but I wish they were) and some interviews with industry experts or upcoming brands. I don't know if it's just me but does anyone else wish it was a little smaller? So it would fit inside the beauty box. Maybe it's just me. Overall though, it's a nice little injection of info to keep you up-to-date in the beauty world.
So why was this box a comedown from last month? Well, upon opening there was just nothing hugely exciting that jumped out at me, and don't even get me started on the 'celebrity' fragrance...
MeMeMe Cherub's Blush Cheek and Lip Tint - full size 12ml £5.50
I see these multi-purpose tint products and can't help but think Benefit have been there done that with Benetint. I tried that out many moons ago and it's a product that doesn't really suit my makeup routine. I'm all for the matte finish and a liquid blush just doesn't really work in that way. I've tried this out on my hand and lips though, and I have to say I see very little difference between this and the Benefit version. So if you're a fan of Benetint then I'd definitely give this a go - it's a fraction of the price too! If you don't want to order MeMeMe products online, they are also available in some Superdrug stores in the UK.
Katy Perry Killer Queen Fragrance - 1.5ml sample size - full size 50ml £29.50 RRP
Hmph. A teeny tiny fragrance vial. And a celebrity fragrance at that. I don't have anything against Katy Perry, or celebrities in general, I just find that it's rare I ever like their fragrance launches. Maybe it reminds me too much of 13yr old me, with a collection of Britney Spears' fragrances big enough to start my own shop, and the frequent headaches from the sweet sickly scent of spritzing overkill. I don't hate this one from Katy Perry either, it's just not one that I'd wear. The product card describes it as 'floriental' which I guess means floral/oriental and I don't disagree. It's not really sweet, but is slightly floral and a little heady. I think I can pick out the liquid praline - an interesting choice for a fragrance ingredients don't you think? And come on GlossyBox, we want decent fragrance samples likes last month... If you want to try it out, Killer Queen is available from Boots, Superdrug, The Perfume Shop or The Fragrance Shop as well as many other stores.
Monu Illuminating Primer SPF 15 - 20ml sample size - full size 50ml £24.95
Another Monu product... come on GlossyBox! Seriously?! I don't mind their products but I would like to try some newer brands please. It was pleasing to see a makeup product though compared to the normal skincare samples I've received in the past and I've found myself getting into primers a lot more of recent weeks so I'm keen to give this one a go. It is illuminating which does leave me skeptical for suitability to my oily skin, but I like that it has sun protection and soft focus technology to even out skintone. It has a lovely subtle vitamin E fragrance to it, absorbs really well into the skin, and so far, my makeup has applied smoothly over the top. I could be onto a winner here but I want to keep trying it out for a little longer to be sure.
Premae Multi-Vit Smoothie Serum -20ml sample size - full size 50ml £22.50
We've seen Premae before in the January box and I was pleasantly surprised by the unassuming bottle of tonique. So although the brand could do with jolly good packaging update (sorry Premae but it's not exactly 'pretty' to have on the shelf) I tried to not let that detract from the product. The serum is packed full with multi-vitamins to nourish the skin but it is also designed for combination/blemish skin to soothe redness, hydrate and keep skin matte and shine-free. On the first couple of trials I have to say I like what I see so far. The serum isn't too heavy, has very little scent to it and it absorbs beautifully into my skin without residue. And I can't wait to try their tip of mixing it with a liquid foundation to create a shine-control BB cream...
Broadway Nails imPress Press-On Manicure in Red Carpet - full size £7.99
Oh boy, I took a little double take when I saw these and cringed. If you follow me on instagram then you'll know of my gel polish obsession and the fact that I need little help if any in the growing nails department. False nails do not feature in my life at all but I would be willing to try these and see how they fair if only I hadn't been sent such a horrible design. These are called Red Carpet and there is nothing remotely glamorous about them at all! It's hard to see from the picture above, but they are a French manicure style, with a very pink nail bed and iridescent glitter on the white tip. Dare I say it... they are rather chavtastic! When I can bring myself to try them out, I will do so - but only in the name of giving a fair review - and to cope with their hideousness I will probably paint right over the top. These are available at Boots in the UK and thankfully in some better designs than the one you see here.
An ok-ish box from Glossybox then this month. A couple of disappointments but overall not really seeing how the 'dark romance' theme fits in here...
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