GlossyBox - September - The London Edition

Oh how I've been looking forward to this box! The London edition GlossyBox was designed to coincide with London Fashion Week and for the first time, they also introduced the GlossyBox Magazine. On first impressions this box looks pretty impressive, they seem to have got the right mix of makeup, fragrance, skincare, haircare and extras. So what exactly did I get?

Elizabeth Arden Untold - 5ml sample size - full size 30ml £35.00 50ml £48.00
Now this is how you do a perfume sample! A good size that you can get at least 3 or 4 uses out of. This was love at first sniff for me, I'm not really a fan of many Elizabeth Arden scents but this one just hit all the right notes (pardon the pun). According to the description, Untold is a 'luxurious and modern floral fragrance', now I'm no expert but to me it just smells bloody amazing. It's not too strong, quite delicate in fact, as I find most floral scents quite heady, and it has the slightest sweetness to it but not enough for it to scream 'fruity' at you. This one has gone straight on the Christmas and Birthday list, fingers crossed I get a little spoilt later this year!

Eylure 190 Pre-glued Lashes - full size £5.50
It's been a while since we saw some falsies in a GlossyBox - 2012 in fact - so it's nice to stock up with these. I've never tried pre-glued ones before though, I tend to always use glue on ones, so it will be good to trial these on an upcoming night out with the girls. These ones are the 190 version that are lightweight and don't look too heavy, so they should appear more natural and 'fluttery' when on - just with a little extra length.

Toni&Guy Classic Shine & Gloss Serum - full size 30ml £7.19
Serums are not something I tend to use in my daily haircare routine, I try to steer clear as my hair loses volume and looks greasy if I use the teeniest bit too much. I gave this a little go though and it's actually not too bad. It smells pleasant, and the formula is quite thin so a little goes a long way. Once smoothed through my dry hair it leaves a soft scent and my locks feel smooth and silky but not overly so. This is great for those days when I don't want to straighten as it calms down that post-blowdry-frizz that my barnet seems susceptible to.

Be A... Bombshell Cosmetics Eye Liner in Onyx - full size 3g $14
Be a... bombshell is new to me, it's an American brand that started in 2011 and so far doesn't seem to be available in the UK. This month's box provided a full size eyeliner in Onyx (black) which is highly pigmented and stays put throughout the day (although it's not waterproof). The eyeliner is a thicker felt tip style, which is great for creating that 'flick' and is easy to hold and apply. There's not much to not like but until this brand is able to be purchased more easily in the UK, I will probably look to more readily available high street brands for this style of liner.

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips - 3ml sample size - full size 15ml £11.50
I have to admit I had to take a double take when I read this, I wondered why I'd been sent a nipple balm (??!) and then I read it a little more closely and realised that it is advertised as a lip balm... that is multi-purpose and can also be used on dry cuticles, dry skin patches, burns and abrasions, severely chapped lips, sore nipples, split ends, eczema, babies' bottoms and loads more. Dr. Lipp's balm originally started out as a nipple balm for breastfeeding women, but then quickly turned into a cult beauty must-have because it is ruddy good for sore lips! It kind of reminds me of Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour cream, but without the weird smell.

A very good box from Glossybox in all this month, not quite enough to rival my favourite box of all time (April 2013 Pearl Lowe Edition) but a good contender. Three full size items, plus a very generous fragrance sample, make this a worthwhile edition in terms of value for money.

If you like the idea of subscribing to GlossyBox, then use this referral link to sign up today.

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to GlossyBox out of my own choice and money (damn the fanciful idea of mystery beauty products delivered every month). It was my choice to review the products above and I have done so in a 100% honest manner. I am not compensated for my reviews but if you use my referral link to start a subscription then I can get points towards a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!

GlossyBox - August Edition

Well looky here! Another free box, why thank you very much GlossyBox :) I've been at it again, hoarding away those GlossyDots - if you subscribe to this beauty box service, it is well worth you reviewing the items on their website each month as you can get around 250 points per box, that's 4 box reviews and the 5th box free - well who doesn't want free beauty stuff??!

August's box theme was 'High-Flyers', some hero products from around the word for a girl on the go. So let's see what August's box provided and whether it fitted much within the theme. Did it fair better than the fairly average box of July? Let's take a little look...

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Noir - 1.5ml sample size - full size 30ml £35.00 50ml £47.00
Ah, perfume vials, many subscribers are torn between feeling cheated by one of these and others like them. I'm veering towards the latter but only if I like the brand I've been given - I know, there's just no pleasing me is there?! Well this month provided a Juicy Couture sample, I'm not really a Juicy Couture type of gal, but I didn't mind this one too much. It's very sweet and fruity and reminded me of another fragrance that I just can't for the life of me remember the name of... Anywho, my sister was a big fan and went out to purchase herself a larger bottle almost straight away.

Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Shadow/Liner - full size 2.8g £10.50
Uh oh, be careful GlossyBox... That's three times so far this year that I've seen Jelly Pong Pong crop up in one of my boxes (last seen here in March and May). This month brought me the 2-in-1 shadow liner, essentially a thick pencil that can be used as either - yep you guessed it - a shadow OR a liner! I got a dark slightly shimmery green that I can't find on the website (and annoyingly the pencil doesn't say the shade on it either) but it suits my brown hair and eyes well. The pencil does exactly what it says it will do and I like a creamier eye pencil so I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of this one. Unfortunately these softer, more blendable, styles tend not to last too long so I do have to watch out for smudging throughout the day.

Emite Make Up Eyelash Curler - full size approximately £20.00
I've not heard of this Swedish make-up brand before so was pleased to see a newbie in this month's box. Emite is developed with professional make-up artists to provide high quality make-up and tools for the industry as well as individuals. Not being a user of eyelash curlers I found these a little redundant to be honest but they are sturdy, good quality and curved to fit the eye well. I would have preferred to receive a colour make-up item from Emite - their eyeshadows look amazing - but I'm definitely intrigued now that I've been introduced to a new brand.

TRESemmé Platinum Strength Concentrated Treatment - full size 15ml £1.49
I've not used a TRESemmé shampoo or conditioner for a while now but I religiously use their hairspray. I'd seen this 60 second treatment floating around magazines and in store at my local Boots but had never really considered a purchase before. I like that the little tube has plenty to really work through my long hair and it's a quick an easy treatment for when you don't have hours to spend in the bathroom on pampering. I found that it was easy to apply and afterwards left my hair feeling healthier and smoother. For £1.49 (bargain!) I think future repurchases will almost certainly be in order for when my hair needs a little pick-me-up.

Óceane Makeup Remover Pen - full size (not yet available in UK)
Now why did GlossyBox think it appropriate to send out a product that you can't get in the UK? I've never heard of Óceane before and probably will never use any of their products if I can't get them over here. Make-up remover pens are not a new thing to me, I'm sure I had a Rimmel or Revlon one from years ago, but they are a great handbag essential for those little mascara or eyeliner slips when on the go. If you do fancy purchasing one though, I'd head on over to e.l.f if I were you, theirs is only £3.75 and it's free UK delivery on order over £30 - e.l.f makeup remover pen.

August was not bad in my opinion, a little better than July, but GlossyBox are falling into a bit of a habit with this brand repetition malarkey... I can't wait to see what September's box brings though - I've spotted that classic union jack style box and I need it my life!

If you like the idea of subscribing to GlossyBox, then use this referral link to sign up today.

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to GlossyBox out of my own choice and money (damn the fanciful idea of mystery beauty products delivered every month). It was my choice to review the products above and I have done so in a 100% honest manner. I am not compensated for my reviews but if you use my referral link to start a subscription then I can get points towards a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!

GlossyBox - July - Seaside Splash Edition

Oh I love a special edition GlossyBox - just check out that under-the-sea style packaging! And July's GlossyBox seems to have delivered products well to tie in with the Summer Seaside Splash theme, all I need now is a designer pair of sunnies to finish the look!

Alterna Haircare Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist - 25ml sample size - full size 125ml £23.00
Tousled hair is not something you see me coveting often. My limp barnet struggles with volume and curls at the best of times so I tend to avoid extra styling products as they can weigh it down more and end up giving me less glossy shine and more of a greasy appeal! However, this little styling spray has surprised me somewhat. I've found that I tend to use it on damp hair before blow-drying, even though you can use it on dry hair, and it gives me a soft healthy slightly textured look. It works best when rubbed into the roots, but I have to be careful not to spray too much otherwise I start venturing into that unwashed-hair-look territory - not good!!

Pukka Ayurveda Radiance Serum - 10ml sample size - full size 50ml £32.00
Pukka is a brand I first came across when I read a few bloggers' raving reviews about a couple of their products. But until now I had yet to try any of them out. The Radiance Serum is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive, and is made from 97.5% organic content with has no unnatural additives, fragrances or colours. It contains aloe vera and manuka honey to soothe and refresh the skin whilst gotu kola and lemon balm tone and brighten the complexion. The gel like consistency feels light when applied to the skin, sinks in well (oily skin bonus) and my skin is left feeling silky smooth. There's nothing to not like really!

Ciaté London Paint Pot in Mistress - full size 13.5ml £9.00
I can't believe it's taken me until now to try out this gorgeous British brand - can you believe that this is the first bottle of Ciaté that I have ever owned??! I know, me neither. And what a gorgeous colour to start off with - this is Mistress - Ciaté describe it as a classic pillar box red although I'd say it's a tad more red-orange than 'pillar box' but it it truly beautiful. It goes fairly opaque with one coat, but to avoid the hint of visible white tips underneath I'd go for two just to be sure. The best part of this polish, apart from the cute packaging and glorious colour, is the ease of application. Hands down this is one of the easiest nail polishes I have ever tried, the consistency is so smooth and the brush is the perfect fit for my nail bed. Totally converted!

Coola Organic Suncare Collection Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint - 7ml sample size - full size 50ml £29.99
Aahh, SPF, come to mamma! My pale ghostly white face is never without some sort of sun protection, so it's nice to try out different products available on the market. I am after all constantly on the hunt for the least greasy SPF that I can find to suit my oily skin. BUT, although this sunscreen tint has a few positives - it sinks in well, and doesn't leave too much shine or residue - it does have it's downsides. The tint is way too dark for my pasty complexion and although there's no obvious tide marks, the shade just leaves a shadow that makes my face look a completely different tone to my neck. And second, it's rose essence.... bleurgh! We all must know my dislike of rose scented products by now so I will say no more. Alas, another SPF destined for the 'no' pile.

Anatomicals spray misty for me Facial Spritz - full size 100ml £6.00
Oh, so there's one familiar brand amongst all the others this month. Anatomicals has cropped into a couple GlossyBoxes over the last year but I quite like the brand in general so wasn't minding the brand repetition... although GlossyBox could lay off for a little while now. This facial spritz is probably the product I will use least from this month's items, I just generally don't like the idea of spraying my face to refresh it. Unless I'm sunbathing on holiday, I can't see me finding much use for this.

I have to say all the products fit well with the theme (for once!) and I am especially pleased with the Ciaté paint pot. A fairly average box in my opinion, but you know me, I can't seem to break the subscription box habit! 

If you like the idea of subscribing to GlossyBox, then use this referral link to sign up today.

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to GlossyBox out of my own choice and money (damn the fanciful idea of mystery beauty products delivered every month). It was my choice to review the products above and I have done so in a 100% honest manner. I am not compensated for my reviews but if you use my referral link to start a subscription then I can get points towards a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!

astrid & miyu June Secret Box

June arrived and went but not without my third instalment of the astrid & miyu Secret Box - previously posted about here and here - landing on the doorstep. If you haven't heard about their Secret Box, then check out their website or one of my previous posts - it is essentially like a beauty box subscription but for jewellery instead of beauty products.

For this box there was a Summer theme with some fabulous little cocktail recipes thrown in and I couldn't wait to see what was hidden inside the cute pouches. If you've read my last posts about this beautiful brand and it's gorgeous little jewelled pieces then you'll know how much I've enthused about their previous offerings. So what did I get this month?

Well nestled inside the printed canvas bags were two very different pieces. I got the Screw You 2.0 bracelet and the Butterflies In My Stomach ring.

First up is the Screw You 2.0 bracelet. This bracelet, or cuff, is a leather strap with Zebra print faux hair effect on the outside and gold plated 'screw' studs. It has two poppers to close the bracelet so it can be adjusted to fit most wrist sizes. Which is great as for my chubby little joints I need it on the loosest one!

Screw You 2.0 Bracelet £29

And secondly, was the Butterflies In My Stomach ring. This sturdy little bejewelled wonder is made of rose gold plated brass and encrusted with a whole load of little Swarovski crystals upon each of the three butterflies. The ring doesn't actually close, so it is adjustable to fit fingers just above or below a UK size K (US size 5.5). Like my Love At First Sight ring, it fits my ring finger perfectly.

Butterflies In My Stomach Ring £49

On first impressions I was honestly a little disappointed with this box. Neither were pieces that I would have picked to purchase from their website, especially after two previous boxes that suited me perfectly, and the total worth seemed to decrease. In my last post I talked about how the value of the box was reduced to "up to £100" (from an original £200) which I didn't mind as I still only pay £39 per box, but this box came in at £78 compared to previous boxes at around £90.

I questioned whether I'd continue to subscribe and I'd wear such pieces but over the last couple of months I have surprised myself. The cuff has made an appearance a few times with black skinnies on a night out or to dress up a casual tee and jeans. And the ring, although I'm not much of a butterfly person, has worked perfectly with my rose gold watch for a couple of wedding outfits and I will probably wear it again for all my other nuptial engagements this Summer.

So although this box hasn't quite hit the nail on the head in terms of my usual taste, it has opened up my thoughts on other styles of jewellery that I could try accessorising with. I am going to continue to get the Secret Box for now - well you know me, I'm a sucker for surprises - and I still love the brand and the products they offer. I just hope that September's box comes a little closer to my style.

Disclaimer - I have not been sponsored for this post and I purchased the Secret Box out of my own monies. For the terms and conditions or further information about astrid & miyu's Secret box then please check out their site here.

GlossyBox - June Edition

So June's box was another bonus freebie for me... well what can I say, I do love to hoard those Glossydots! I highly recommend to any regular GlossyBox subscriber to make sure they complete the optional reviews on the website - each box provides around 250 points if you review all it's products. So I make that 4 fully reviewed boxes in order to claim the 5th one for free. Not bad ladies!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR - 10ml sample size - full size 100ml £34.00
Ooh I do love a luxury body oil and Nuxe is the perfect brand in my eyes. This little lovely bottle of goodness is the shimmery version of their classic Dry Oil and is the perfect product to smooth over arms or legs to create that Summer glow. It can also be used on the face or hair, but I much prefer to use this as  Vitamin E enriched hydration for my body to leave my skin feeling soft and silky smooth. It's just frustrating that the sample size doesn't come as a spray - that would make it so much easier to use!

Monu Professional Skincare Hydrating Moistiruser SPF15 - 30ml sample size - full size 50ml £29.95
Dum dum dum... the ultimate repeat brand offender for GlossyBox - it has to be Monu. At least it's not a product I've seen before! This first defence moisturiser is all about damage prevention so it's jam packed with SPF for both UVA and UVB protection as well as Vitamin E for a hydration boost and further free radical protection. It's also incorporated Monu's 'soft focus' technology to blur imperfections and smooth out skin tone - what's not to love? The texture of the cream is kind of whipped, so feels glorious when applied to the face, sinks in well and is also suitable for all skin types. For me though, my greasy mug can only cope with the lightest of gel products so alas this is still a little to heavy for me.

Figs & Rouge Coco Rose Lip Balm - full size 12.5ml £5.00
So this is the new, multi-purpose, lip balm from Figs & Rouge. You may have seen my last post about their normal lip balm here (and yes, it was in a previous GlossyBox) but if not, Figs & Rouge are all about 100% pure, natural and made in Britain. I love their vintage kitsch packaging and this new tinted lip balm is no different. In a pink, flamingo printed tube is a pretty blush pink lip balm/gloss. It squeezes out thicker than a lipgloss and without the stickiness, but it definitely has the colour and shimmer that I would associate more with a gloss than a balm. Hence why I don't think I'd use this anywhere but my lips even though it's a multi purpose balm.

Paul Mitchell Curls Full Circle eave in Treatment and Ultimate Waves - 15ml sample sizes - full size Leave-In Treatment 200ml £14.95 Ultimate Waves 150ml £11.95
For someone who wears their hair straight 99% of the time, curling treatments are pretty much wasted on me. My curly-haired sister however was game to give these a little try out for me. The leave-in treatment was her favourite for smoothing out frizz and creating that soft smooth feel to her curls, while the Ultimate Wave gel was handy for tweaking her curls in between washes to recreate some shape. They both smell amazing too which was an added bonus.

Q Body Spray Radiance - full size 100ml £2.29
I don't particularly like body sprays let alone wear them on a daily basis. Impulse from way back in the day was my last run in with the product and now they just remind me of being 12 again. However this fragrance spray is all 'grown-up' in design... I just think they've gone too far to make it look sophisticated and instead it looks dated (a.k.a something I'd find in my Nan's bathroom cabinet). Don't get me wrong, it smells nice - Iris and Mimosa according to the label - it's just not the product for me.

Well, for a free box I can't hugely complain. But apart from the Nuxe oil, nothing really excited me. Did your GlossyBox box fair better this month?

If you like the idea of subscribing to GlossyBox, then use this referral link to sign up today.

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to GlossyBox out of my own choice and money (damn the fanciful idea of mystery beauty products delivered every month). It was my choice to review the products above and I have done so in a 100% honest manner. I am not compensated for my reviews but if you use my referral link to start a subscription then I can get points towards a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!

GlossyBox - May - Second Anniversary Edition

Two years seems to have flown so fast for GlossyBox as they reached their second anniversary in May this year. Although I haven't been there since the beginning (about 6 months in I jumped on the bandwagon) I still feel very much of a Glossybox veteran and my subscription has remained strong since the start of my love affair with blogging.

After last month's amazing box of goodies I was ready for a bit of a disappointment in the birthday edition - well with the highs there comes inevitable lows after all - but nestled amongst the special edition tissue paper were some pleasant surprises and a whole lot of value-for-money.

Awapuhi Wild Ginger (by Paul Mitchell) Shine Spray - full size 125ml £18.95
With my fine and must-wash-every-day hair, I was initially sceptical over seeing a shine spray in my box. I mean, I have enough grease on my own thank you without encouraging it even more! But this spray proved to be a nice light mist that didn't weigh down my already lifeless mop. Mind you, I went nowhere near my roots - just to be on the safe side - and stuck with the lower half of my hair. For fear of sounding like an advert - it actually did give a lovely soft feel to my hair and a natural, healthy shine. The smell was nicer than I expected, quite a sweet ginger and not one I would have picked, but pleasant anyway. A nice bonus is the fact that it was full size - this spray costs nearly £19 to buy in a salon or online, ouch! Not sure I'll repurchase at that price but it was a great product to try this month.

Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara in Black - full size 8ml £15
Another full size treat?! GlossyBox you spoil me so! Jelly Pong Pong has appeared a couple of times in past GlossyBoxes but as make-up items go, I'm always fairly pleased with their offerings so am happy to try more. Fairy Lashes is their first ever mascara and this water resistant formula is an absolute dream to apply. The formula is extremely lightweight and it feels like I'm wearing nothing at all - believe me you need to try this to appreciate it's nothing-ness. It definitely adds curl to my lashes but does little for the thickness and I end up with a very 'fluttery' but less intense look. I'm keen to share this more in depth with you, so keep an eye out for a review to follow soon...

Beautiful Movements Cosmetics Prime & Create Mixing Medium - 2.5g sample size - full size 20g £20
From the make-up brand formerly known as BM Beauty and founded by ex-Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, comes this little tiny wonder gel. Beautiful Movements Cosmetics have created a primer and mixing medium in one, that allows you to create lots of different make-up finishes from just one product. Now it does contain Silica, so bear that in mind if you're prone to break outs. I love it as a primer base for my foundation (it feels like a more luxurious version of the Collection Prime and Ready from a previous beauty box) and it gives a lovely smooth, matte, shine-free finish. But I also like the idea that I can mix it with mineral powders and pigments to create a different application of a colour. I've got loads of shadows that would look amazing as liners...

Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner in Black - full size 6ml £2.99
Talking of Collection... Another full size offering this month was Collection's liquid black eyeliner. You don't normally see me sporting the harsh black line which is often associated with such eye make-up - I tend to opt for a more blendable creamy liner - but on the odd occasion when one requires a 60's look or the classic Cleopatra flick then this does the job perfectly. It does exactly as it's meant to in terms of liquid liner application and it stays put well under a bit of dry eye-rubbing. A little moisture starts to smudge it but you need a good eye make up remover to shift this at the end of the day. Overall a great classic product that every girl needs in her make-up bag.

Headline Colors Nail Polish in Gunmetal - full size 10ml £9
The final full size product this month was a nail polish by Headline Colors (formally Killer Colours). I got the Gunmetal shade which is exactly as you'd expect, a dark shimmery metallic grey-silver. Headline Colors are all about shades that match the latest trends - so offer only a capsule collection of colours at any one time. I love how pigmented the polish is and like that it is 3-free too. The formula is easy to apply and has pretty good durability too! What's not to love in a nail polish?

And a bonus set of GlossyBox nail files and Green & Black's chocolate were thrown in for good measure!

That was one seriously good box for full sizes this month. One sample amongst the five is probably the best value I've seen yet in a beauty box so money well spent in my eyes. Happy Birthday to you too GlossyBox :)

If you like the idea of subscribing to GlossyBox, then use this referral link to sign up today. 

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to GlossyBox out of my own choice and money (damn the fanciful idea of mystery beauty products delivered every month). It was my choice to review the products above and I have done so in a 100% honest manner. I am not compensated for my reviews but if you use my referral link to start a subscription then I can get points towards a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!

A Naughty Bit of Neon

I've been on a neon mission of late. After spotting Laura's vibrant Topshop find a little while ago on her blog it became a challenge to find myself a little ode to the neon trend.

I found the aforementioned flats in my local Topshop, in the sale, but after I put them on and got the weirdest look from a friend I couldn't bring myself to commit to the ridiculously bright orange. At least not in full anyway. Laura's right, they are VERY orange.

So later that day, strolling past Dune and I spotted these cute woven wonders in the window...

Dune Minky Neon Woven Ballerina Shoes

Perfect! These were just the right amount of neon orange, toned down with the soft buttery nude leather woven in between. Dune also do a completely nude version but that wouldn't have been very productive in my neon quest now would it?

It's worth noting that almost all images of these I've found on the Internet don't do the orange justice in terms of it brightness. The Dune website is exceptionally poor actually and it's their own shoe design! So I've tried to capture it as best I can but neon is just so hard to photograph. The closest colour is probably in the second picture above (the shoes out of the box) on the piping along the back of the heels.

They are really quite comfortable - but they are leather so I wouldn't expect anything less - and there is a certain amount of give in them - again, expected due to the soft leather uppers. So far I've mostly teamed them with skinny jeans, oh they do look fab with denim, but if the British weather ever decides to heat up they'd look equally good with a pair of tailored white shorts.

In the end I got mine from House of Fraser as I had a voucher to spend but I've found them online at Debenhams, Selfridges, John Lewis and of course Dune.

You might have to hunt around a little for your size, they seem to be sporadic in their availability.

Disclaimer - No one has sponsored me for this post I just couldn't resist a bit of neon. The links above are in case you've caught the neon fever too...