GlossyBox - January Edition - A New Look for 2014

Hello there 2014 and welcome to a new look GlossyBox! And you'll never guess... yep, another free one, damn I'm good :)

The new year has seen in a slightly revamped packaging for the monthly beauty box which some love and some loathe. So what's different? Well the box has gone 'glossier' with a sleek shiny outer, the box is now longer so the magazine fits inside (oh my god this was one of my biggest annoyances before!) and the branding has stepped up to a 'GlossyBox' stamp on the outer lid and also on the ribbon inside. I have to admit, like others, I was a bit disappointed that GlossyBox have slathered their branding all over the box - the ribbons aren't really reusable now and the box was much more chic with the simple logo on the front. But hey ho, as long as the goodies inside keep on coming I guess I'm happy.

January's theme is a 'back to basics' idea - healthy eating, living and generally everything I guess. Well isn't every new year? So this month's box is aimed at simple beauty regimes to get us gals "back on the road", let's see if it provides what is claims...

Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Care - 2 x 3g sample size - full size 33g £13.50 
available at Boots, Space.NK or Look Fantastic.
On first glance this looked exceedingly unappealing to me. I have to be honest, hyped-up 'cult' skin creams have never really been on my radar much but this little wonder could fast change my mind. Yu-Be is one of the longest and best selling products in Japan, a glycerin-based moisturising cream that helps hydrate and soothe dry skin. It absorbs almost instantly and stays locked in for hours which makes it very effective on severe dry skin. As well as being enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2 and camphor it holds a certain scent that I just couldn't put my finger on.. and then it hit me, Vicks! Yup, it smells like vapor rub. Hmmm, not so happy to put it all over my face because of this but as a minor eczema sufferer this is perfect for those little dry patches you get.

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash - 50ml sample size - full size 260ml £10.25
also available at Debenhams or Look Fantastic.
Ooh it's been a little while since a Balance Me product found it's way into a box - last time was the Maggie Li edition from 2012. Overall I quite like Balance Me products so am always happy to try another but the smell of them sometimes puts me off. Unfortunately, this is one of those cases. Maybe it's the bergamot or juniper, but I'm just not too keen. I will happily throw this into the travel size pile - I'm always running out of body washes - but I won't be repurchasing. As for the 'super toning' element, I really couldn't comment, I don't use it enough to see if it makes any difference but if I was to, I'd be doubtful that a body wash could really tone your body.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers - full size £8.00
also available at feelunique or Boots.
Cute or what?! I love these little tweezers. I have been extremely loyal to my HD Brows ones that I got in an old GlossyBox - June 2012 I think - but these little lovelies are just too kitsch to pass up. They do the job, so there's nothing to really comment about there and they look great on the dressing table.

Anatomicals Puffy The Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches - 2 pack sample size - full size 3pack £6.00
LOVE these eye patches! Firstly the name is awesome - anatomicals you genius you - and secondly I am currently wearing them whilst I write this post. They feel sooooo good! I don't look particularly attractive right now mind you, but then these aren't really designed to look sexy. The jelly-like boomerang shaped patches should be applied to clean, dry skin, with the largest end near your nose and left on for 30 minutes. They are foil packed to keep them fresh and the moisture contained, so you should use them straight after opening. They feel great on, really refreshing and I will write a post dedicated to just these little wonders soon, so stay posted... 

Vaseline Essential Moisture Lotion - 50ml sample size - full size 400ml £4.99
A little boring GlossyBox, but yes I agree, a definite back to basics skin need. Who doesn't love Vaseline? I've used a variety of their products since I was a small child so there's not much not to like really. This particular moisturiser is enriched with pure oat extract and Stratys3 multi-layer moisture, which gives a clean feeling for healthy soft skin. I haven't used this much as I have other body creams I tend to use at home, but this size is perfect for travel, so it's gone straight in to my 'travel size' drawer... yes, I have so much stuff that I have a drawer dedicated to travel size items for holidays etc. Sad, I know!

Not a bad box for the first one of 2014. In terms of value for money I don't think it's really pushed the boat out, but then again it was free so I guess I can't complain! I do think they've thought well about products that fit the theme this month though. Well done GlossyBox!

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

Disclaimer - I subscribe to GlossyBox out of my own choice and money because I'm a sucker for random surprise beauty packages delivered on a monthly basis. I have reviewed the listed products in a 100% honest manner and I am not compensated for my reviews. But if you use the referral link above to start a subscription then I can get points towards a free box next time... get in!

GlossyBox - November Edition

It's getting closer to that time of year again.....!! November's box is all about that Christmas Wishlist and the Glossy Magazine features some handy little hints to add to that list for Father Christmas... (I want that Marc Jacobs gold foil iphone case in my life!) So did anything from the box tempt its way onto my wishlist? Let's see what I got this month:

Vichy Idéalia Life Serum - 2x 3ml sample sizes - full size 30ml £29.50 at Boots.com

Vichy Idéalia cream for normal to combination skin - 3ml sample size - full size 50ml £22.00 Boots.com

Now this little wonder has created a little bit of hype amongst GlossyBox subscribers this month. Not only have they treated us to a sample of the raved about Idéalia serum, but they've given us two of the serum plus one of the moisturiser in a pretty pink organza drawstring bag. This was definitely hailed to be the star of the box, so what is all the hype about? Well Idéalia is Vichy's first skin idealiser - a serum that helps to transform your skin's appearance and protect it from pollutants, stress and other factors. It is easily absorbed into the skin, gives a subtle glow and is suitable for even sensitive skins as it is allergy tested. The moisturiser cream I have already tried in a previous GlossyBox (Maggie Li edition) so wasn't as bothered with testing this one out. So far I like what I see with the serum though and will continue to trial it before considering purchasing the bigger size.

Emite Make Up Micronized Eyeshadow in Nect - full size 1.48g approximately £16.80
We were first introduced to Emite Make Up by GlossyBox in the August box with their eyelash curlers. I am pleased to see that this month though we get to try some of their make up. Although my product cards says I got the black shadow, I actually received the shade Nect which I would describe as a pale 'biscuit' colour. It has a soft shimmer to it that isn't too glittery and it glides on like a dream. These eyeshadows are oil, nickel, parabens and perfume free making them suitable for sensitive eyes, and the colour pigment is micronized (what ever that means) which helps with application and a smooth finish. There's nothing negative I can say about this really, I just wish there was a UK stockist, I'd love to get my hands on their foundations and blushers...

Yves Rocher France Hand Cream in Cocoa & Raspberry - full size 75ml £1.95
Wow this smells gooooood! Chocolate. Raspberry. Delicious.

This doesn't just smell amazing, it actually does the job too. It's quite lightweight so spreads really well and sinks in nicely without residue. I just put some on and 30 seconds later I'm typing away again with no fear of leaving greasy fingerprints all over the computer. I loathe hand creams that still feel sticky after application and this doesn't do that at all. I have heard great things about the Cocoa & Orange one as well but if I go down that line I might actually be at risk of absent-mindedly nibbling on my hands! Excellent value for money, I highly recommend purchasing.

Elegant Touch Nail Polish Remover Pads - full size 20 pads £2.00 at Boots, Superdrug or Missguided.

Um, these are nail polish remover pads, acetone-free, but they just remove nail polish. That's it. After the pleasing contents of the rest of the box these are a bit of a downer to be honest. It's not that I don't like them or they don't work because they do, but I'm just not sure how or why these even relate to a Christmas wishlist. Surely these are a staple beauty item in most people's dressing tables? Most people have used nail polish remover at some point in their life haven't they?...

Connock London Kukui Eau de Parfum - 1.5ml sample size - full size 100ml £75.00
Now this is a better perfume trial than previous boxes. It's nice to see a non-mainstream brand for a change. Kukui is Connock London's signature scent and has been blended to reflect the beauty and soul of Hawaii. It is a floriental fragrance (floral-oriental) which essentially means fresh floral notes with a woody base - Gardenia, Calla Lily, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Vetiver to name but a few. It wasn't my cup of tea on first spritz but as it's settled it's grown on me a little. I will have a couple more wears before I decide for sure though as this only comes in one size - 100ml - and that's a lot to pay if I'm not sure.

Overall I really liked this month's Glossybox, I'm still a little confused over the nail polish remover pads but meh, never mind. I can't complain really, as there were some really nice items that I've discovered in this box. Fancy getting yourself a little beauty indulgence every month too? Then check out my link below:

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 - 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 - February - Valentine's Edition

Love is in the air so GlossyBox have gone all pink. Naturally! How much this month's box actually fits with the theme of love is fairly questionable but they've managed to pick out a few pink-ish things that fit.

It looked like a good-un until closer inspection left me feeling a little all out of love....

Micabella Cosmetics Mineral Blush Powder in Terracotta - sample size - full size 9g £34.95
I thought I'd come across this brand before, but apparently not. I was thinking of another, similar mica powder cosmetics company. Anywho, I was intrigued to find a blusher as the foundation/powder samples I often get are inevitably too dark for my pasty complexion.The shade I got was Terracotta, a nice soft peachy bronze tone that won't be too dark once applied. I like that it has SPF 15 coverage too and am keen to give this a try out and step away from my comfort zone of pressed powder blushers.

ModelCo Eyeshadow Duo in Bronzed Goddess - full size 2 x 2.35g £18
I've seen ModelCo tanning products before and of course the famous fibrelash brush on false lases, but have yet to try any of their makeup. So it was nice to see a full size eyeshadow duo in this month's box, and in some colours that form a pretty staple shade palette for me. The colour combination is called Bronze Goddess and consists of a pale gold shimmer and rich bronze-brown tone - great for a subtle, natural glimmer or building up a full on bronzed blend.

Anatomicals You Need A Blooming Shower - 150ml sample size - full size 300ml £5
Ah, another anatomicals product! So that's October, December and now February... we must be on an every-other-month thing! I wouldn't normally mind as anatomicals win me over with their product names alone, but this one is a little different. It's rose scented, and we all know how I feel about rose *retch* the smell justs gets to me and gives me a headache. Ah well, I'll chuck this shower gel at my sisters and see if they can get some use out of it.

Helen É Cosmetics Moisturising Lipstick in Café Au Lait - full size 3.5g £8
Now a lipstick makes sense for the theme of this box, but shouldn't it at least be pink? Or red? Or kiss proof? I do prefer moisturising lipsticks, but not in yucky brown shades. This is still sat, unopened, cellophane intact, in a drawer gathering dust. I just wish they would send more appealing shades!

Docteur Renaud Raspberry Soft Cream - 30ml sample size - full size 50ml £25
Ooh this smells yummy, but it's a cream for normal to dry skin and that, I do not have. Ah well. Another for the 'sister' pile. I've heard a lot of great things in the beauty blogging world about Docteur Renaud products and was keen to give this raspberry cream a go, but it just won't work on my oily skin and I daren't risk overloading my face and the inevitable breakout that will surely follow. For those of you with normal-dry complexions, this moisturiser is designed to protect, hydrate and soften your skin all day long. And is raspberry scented, what's not to like?!

And a lollipop. Well, that was tasty! Here's hoping that March comes a little bit more up to scratch 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?!!

SheSaidBeauty's Last Box - December Edition

 

So December was the last ever instalment of the SheSaid Beauty box. First it was the feelunique.com box to disappear, closely followed by Carmine and now SheSaidBeauty have joined the graveyard of beauty boxes been and gone.

So what did the last box offer? Well it was a nice mix of products with a couple of treats thrown in for good measure and Christmas cheer...

MesmerEyez Coloured Contact Lenses  RRP £6.99
I have never tried contacts before, let alone coloured ones. So these little lovelies were a really nice surprise. I'd always wanted to try them, but had never wanted to fork out for something I might not feel comfortable in. Turns out they were tricky to put in but once they were in, they were rather comfortable to wear. I have a full review coming up soon so stay posted...

Jamela 24k gold Under Eye Mask SheSaidBeauty Box December 2012 RRP £32.50 for 16 pairs
Now don't these look fancy?! These Jamela eye masks are 24k gold infused to help with the rejuvenation of collagen in the skin. It's a little frustrating that they don't seem to come with any instructions on how long they should be applied for, but I'm saving them for a special occasion to treat myself - I highly doubt I'll be investing in 'gold' skincare treats on a regular basis.

Dr Duve Anti-Ageing & Firming Eye Cream RRP £115 for 30ml and Dr Duve Skin Boosting Cream RRP £129 for 50ml
It's a little frustrating when a tiny sample sachet get passed off as a product in these boxes, even more so when it's two! But I can forgive this when I look at the price tag... *whistle*... that's a lot of pennies for some cream! These anti ageing potions are for mature skin though and luckily, mature I am not. I will be passing these onto Mother dearest.

Technic Nail Varnish in Tawny Port RRP £1.25 12ml
I've seen this brand popping up a little on instagram but have yet to try their polishes, when my current Shellac mani wears out, I'll pop this on and give it a go. It reminds me of a favourite No7 polish of mine, I think it's called Blackberry, but this doesn't have the subtle metallic shimmer.

Amie Spring Clean Cooling Clay Mask RRP £1.60 per sachet
Uh! Another repeat sample. I got one of these clay masks back in the SheSaidBeauty September box and it was really menthol heavy - it made my skin burn and sting quite a bit. I prefer my Clinique pore minimizing refining clay mask so will pass this onto someone else to try out.

Jing Whole Leaf Teabags RRP £5.40 for 15 teabags
Ooh I love me some posh tea! I got some tasty flowering dragon eye tea in my first ever SheSaidBeauty March box and LOVED it. I got two little sachets in this one - a Jasmine Silver Needle and a Jade Sword. I actually gave these two samples to a friend who is a big fan of herbal and loose leaf teas, and she consumed these pretty quick - I guess that was an indication that she liked them!

So, it's a farewell to SheSaidBeauty boxes and I have to say, this was a fairly nice box to finish with. Ah well, at least my bank balance will thank me for only one beauty box subscription per month now!!

Disclaimer - I subscribed to the SheSaidBeauty box out of my own choice and money, but alas that is to be no more. It was my choice to review the products above and I have done so in a 100% honest manner,  I am also not compensated for my reviews.

GlossyBox - November Edition

After the bland appearance of last month's GlossyBox I was keen to see if we were back on track for November. Once I'd got the box out of its shipping packaging, there was a slight flutter when I realised how heavy it was. Now heavy must be a good sign, or so I figured. I eagerly opened it up and was met with.... blah.... Oh, no not again?! Well we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover should we? So I took a closer look and actually this box was far more promising than I first thought....

Ayuuri Sandalwood Face Cream - full size 200ml £4.99
Now I'll start with the least favourite item of mine this month, Ayuuri's Sandalwood face cream. This big ol' tube was the culprit of the heavy issue. Now I assumed it was a body cream or wash at first look but then I realised it was a face cream. Bloody hell! That's one massive tube of moisturiser! I have to admit, I knew instantly that I was unlikely to use it, you guys know how careful I am with my oily skin, but I thought I'd give it a sniff. And woah! that's one strong scent! I'm not sure why someone decided Sandalwood would be a suitable fragrance for a facial product but it gave me an instant ache of the head. There's no way I can bear to use this on my face but as a general body moisturiser I'll give it a go.

Burberry Body Eau de Parfum - 4.5ml sample size - full size 85ml £75
Oooh, this me like very much! I was very impressed with the Burberry lipstick in the special edition Harrods box so when I saw a perfume sample this month, you can bet it was the first thing to be yanked from the box for sampling! I am most pleased that it isn't a dribble of fragrance either, Burberry have gifted us with quite a sizeable 4.5ml glass vial of Burberry Body. The scent is actually really very nice and very me - the contents card says that it is an effortlessly sensual, feminine fragrance with an eclectic combination of green absinthe, rose and cashmeran - now I don't claim to know anything about perfumes, except that I love it! You're best bet is to pop to Boots and try it out, each to their own and all that, but this is definitely a winner for me.

Alison Claire Natural Beauty Mango Body Butter - 50ml sample size - full size 200ml £15
This is a new brand on the market and is part of the reason these beauty boxes exist - to bring us brands that we otherwise wouldn't have heard of. The Alison Claire range consists of products that are irritant free, over 70% organic and not tested on animals. So far so good. At first I thought it was a face product, but opposite to the Ayuuri assumption, I soon found it was actually a body product. Now this mango body butter smells amazing, skin-licking sort of amazing-ness to be exact, but my favourite aspect has to be the easy pump dispenser. I like body butters but I loathe using them - I just can't cope with the mess of scooping it from a tub and getting it all under my nails. Fussy I know. If I'm to compare this another well known body butter tub (Body Shop's) it is a tad more expensive for the 200ml size but the 200ml is in a tub and I like the pump. So my interest would lie in the smaller 50ml travel size. However £7.99 for 50ml is a tad pricey for a body butter don't you think?

Nails Inc. Kensington Caviar Top Coat - 4ml sample size - full size 10ml £11-12
You can't go wrong with a bit of Nails Inc., fact. Other bloggers were disappointed to not get a colour but out of the three options available the Caviar Top Coat would be the one I would have chosen. I have a few favourite Nails Inc. polishes in my collection so was keen to see how their top coat fared to my favoured Seche Vite or Jessica Brilliance. It is most similar to the Jessica - it dries fairly quickly but doesn't leave the finish all that glossy. A nice little product to receive and try out.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - 13g sample size - full size 75g £38.50
Dermalogica is a brand I've been recommended by so many but have yet to dip into to. So when I saw this little shaker of brilliance I was very excited. Of all the types of products to try, an exfoliant is probably the most suitable for me. And Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant is no ordinary scrub. It is a very fine rice-based powder that you dispense into wet hands and lather into a creamy paste. You then massage this paste onto the face and rinse off after about a minute. It left my skin feeling soft, smooth and very clean. The large sized sample will take me a little while to work through, which is good, but if I am to repurchase nearly £40 seems quite steep for an exfoliator. We'll see how this goes I guess and how hooked I get will ultimately depend on whether there will be a small Dermologica sized hole in my purse...

In all, a fab month from GlossyBox don't you think? I can't wait to see what samples they accumulate for December and especially because I've got enough GlossyDots to redeem the Christmas edition for free :) yay, freebies!

If you love the idea of the GlossyBox beauty box and want to sign up too, then use this referral link to subscribe now.

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?!!

SheSaidBeauty Box - November Edition

I'm finally catching up... onto my November beauty boxes now, then I can finally get stuck into December's. Phew!

So November's box from SheSaidBeauty felt like a little beauty prep box, ready for the festive season. And I have to admit, they did a pretty good job of covering all bases. A bit of haircare, fragrance, make-up, skincare and nail care

So...? Brit Body Spray - 50ml full size worth £1.99
Oh my God I instantly feel 12 years old again! This was certainly a blast from the past to find in this month's box. I don't think I've bought a body spray for well over 10 years and after a quick sniff of this patriotic edition of So...? I remembered why. They just smell of 'girl' don't they? You know what I mean, there's nothing woman or lady about it, body spray's literally scream teenager. It's every girl's introduction to perfume before she can afford the decent stuff in glass bottles. I like my current fragrance collection just fine thank you, so this just wasn't really for me... just a nice, but brief, wander down memory lane.

Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream - 5ml sample size - full size 30ml £14.95
Uh, bloody Weleda. I got the Iris day cream in a past GlossyBox and really wasn't that fussed about it. The fact that this is a night cream *sigh* and a Wild Rose one at that *double sigh* really didn't spark my interest. As I've moaned many a time before, I just don't do night creams and Rose scents seems to give me a thick head. So I already anticipate that this will end up in my 'samples to give away' box, along with the Iris Day Cream and Pomegranate body wash from an old Carmine Box. Sorry Weleda, I'm just not that into you.

Redken Smooth Lock Shampoo & Conditioner - 2x 10ml sample sachets - full size 300ml shampoo £11.85 250ml conditioner £13.40
Ooh yes, I love me some Redken. Now I know I like to hate upon repeated brands across beauty boxes, let alone within the same brand beauty box but I can forgive SheSaidBeauty for this one (Redken also appeared in the August edition here). My hair salon uses Redken and I have used/currently use a few of their products for well over a year or two. My usual hair washing duo is the red colour protect formulae but the Smooth Lock sachets sound appealing as my ends look a bit unruly at the moment! I can't say how effective these are long term, as I got at most two trials out of these samples. But the after effect was smooth, frizz free and shiny. I think for now I will stick with my colour protection bottles though as I'd fear the repercussions of the almond oil in these on my greasy roots. It's nice to try other ranges though from time to time.

Makebelieve enhance Sunbeam Bronzer and Brush - full size 6g worth £15.00
What a beautifully boxed bronzer and it comes with it's own kabuki brush! I've heard good things about the Makebelieve self tan range so was very pleased to see this bronzer in my box. I don't currently have any bronzer loyalty, I've tried a few on the market and none of them have wowed me yet, so I'm open to influence! On closer inspection, the brush is just a soft as I'd hoped and the perfect little travel size, but the inner packaging, holding the brush and bronzer itself, is not ideal. It's big and clumsy, and looks quite shoddily made. I was hoping for more of an HD brows kind of quality but ah well, I'll try it out regardless. The bronzer isn't shimmery and gives a nice golden glow that blends well. It's doesn't wow me, but I will definitely use it up. It's just a pity that it's not really makeup bag sized, so this will have to remain on the dressing table.

Yardley Royal English Daisy Eau de Toilette - 1ml sample size - full size 50ml £9.99 125ml £14.95
Oh for pity sake! SheSaidBeauty... Yardley? Again? Really?! I wasn't all that impressed after Yardley was inlcuded in the June box and now we have it again in November. That's three times I've got one of these fragrance samples in the last year, including the one in the February Carmine box. On the plus side, this one is the nicest scent of them all - fresh and slightly sweet but not overpowering - but I'm just not a Yardley sort of gal I'm afraid.

Murray's Manicure Matchbook Nail Files - full size worth £1.99
Mini nail files, what a nice little bonus. There's not much I can say about these really; it's a match book, of 15 mini emery boards in a candy stripe pink design. Perfect for the handbag and those little nail emergencies.

So an interesting bunch for November, kind of average in my opinion, I hope they pull out all the stops for December's box. It is Christmas after all :)

If you like the idea of the SheSaidBeauty box then use this referral link to start your subscription now!

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to the SheSaidBeauty box 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 a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!

SheSaidBeauty Box - October Edition

Oh sweet Jesus! I MUST get my butt in gear! Right, new pact to myself - get all my beauty box reviews done before the end of 2012 or scrap them completely. Deal! I have toyed with bothering to do my October, November and December reviews but in the end decided that I have too much I want to share with you from them so I'm going to plod on regardless.

Anyways, let's get back to it, SheSaidBeauty's October box so what did we get here?....

Amy Child's Fragrance by Jigsaw ESL - sample size - full size 30ml £14.99 50ml £19.99
Oh there's nothing quite like a tacky celebrity fragrance sample is there?! Sorry, I sound like a right snob! But I'm just not a fan. Amy Child's contribution to the world of perfumery is pleasant but far from elegant - it's sweet and fruity but doesn't last particularly long on the skin. Repurchase? I think I'll give this one a miss...

Cellnique Advanced Bio Renewal Masque - 3g sample - 50g full size $51.00
Now Cellnique is not a brand I've heard of before and after looking through my contents card for this month's box, I notice a few products with an RRP in $ - including this masque. I wish it had been a bigger sample size, but I made use of every drop in the sample pot - all in one go of course! This is best described as a cross between a clay mask and scrub. I applied it like a clay mask, let it dry and then rinsed it off with warm water and by rubbing my fingertips in a circular motion to get the exfoliant benefits. I have to point out that this masque smells A-MAZ-ING it's probably the fruit acids and enzymes and if I could, I would have tried licking my face clean! It left my face feeling smooth and soft and I'm seriously considering a repurchase.

B.liv Off With Those Heads - 3ml sample - full size 30ml $49.00 45ml $63.00
B.liv is actually part of the Cellnique brand and this little sample tube was the big winner in the October box for me. And don't you just the love the slightly gross but catchy name? It's a clear blackhead sebum gel that you apply daily to areas with blemishes and it promises to clear up skin and keep it blemish free in 14 days. I applied this at night and definitely started to notice my skin clearing - but alas the sample was not enough to see the benefits past two weeks. This gel really reminded me of something too and it took me a long while, racking my brain, to try and work out what it was - and then it hit me one night - Bonjela! this gel has a scent and texture not unlike the ulcer treatment product. Weird, but not enough to put me off. Repurchase? hell yes!

Biao Beauty Rejuvenating Night Crème 2x 2g sample sachet - 118ml full size $24.50
Nope. Didn't like this one at all! I'm not a fan of night creams, preferring instead to just use a little blob of Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair, but I thought I'd try it out. And yep, I'm more convinced I don't like night creams! It was heavy on my skin, had a strong floral (rose maybe?) scent that went straight to my head and my face felt very greasy on the morning. I daren't use it a second time for fear of overloading my skin and breaking out. It's a no from me I'm afraid.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Travel Size Lotion - full size 50ml £1.19 - 250ml £3.85
Ah, good old Palmer's Cocoa Butter. My sister swears by this stuff and I have many friends attesting to it's smoothing properties for helping to avoid/reduce the appearance of stretch marks. I have tried out the brand before and I like the product but haven't used it since my teens. I'm tempted to keep hold of this little sample size for holidays but will look to pick up a bigger bottle on my next trip to Boots.

Myvitamins Total Green Tea Extract - 30 tablets full size £2.49
Hmmm, I wasn't quite sure what to do when I saw that we got some vitamins to try out. I think my initial thought was Ooo, these will be nice to try quickly followed by Who are you kidding? You'll never take them! And of course, I tried out one and they have sat on my side table ever since. Damn! I'm not a huge lover of vitamin supplements and instead prefer to try and eat a balanced diet. So as for effectiveness? I haven't the foggiest! But if you're into these health kick diet thingys then I guess a new brand would be interesting to try out.

So in summary... well October's box is not as 'wow' as September's but SheSaidBeauty have really impressed me by looking further afield to find some alternative brands. The Cellnique and B.liv products have impressed me the most and well, I'll leave you to guess which one I could have done without!

If you like the idea of the SheSaidBeauty box then use this referral link to start your subscription now!

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to the SheSaidBeauty box 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 a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!

GlossyBox - September - The Maggie Li Edition

So back in September, GlossyBox teamed up with Maggie Li for a limited edition illustrated box and provided us with some samples of new product launches all in time for London Fashion Week. Let's see what GlossyBox have spoilt us with this time....

Lady Gaga Fame Fragrance - 1.2ml sample size - full size 30ml £25 50ml £32 100ml £61
This was an exclusive preview of Gaga's new fragrance, something that I was actually glad to receive as I doubt I'd get round to sniffing it in Boots anytime soon. Normally I'm a big hater of perfume samples but this one I can forgive. 'Fame' is a little bit special because it's actually a black liquid that turns transparent once airborne- not that you'd notice. As for smell, well this ticks all the boxes in floral and fruity, in fact it smells quite blackcurrant like to me. I love it, but not sure if I'll make a purchase yet.

Rodial 5 Minute Facial - 2 x 1ml sample sachets - full size 10 x 1ml £10.95
1ml sample size?? Really?! It was almost impossible to try out this facial because there was so little of the product available. I had to use both sachets in order to cover more of my face than not! Having said that, it was effective in leaving my skin soft, smooth and looking brighter. I like the way that it dries tight like a clay mask, but then you rub off the residue in an exfoliating action. Reminds me of the Clinique Turnaround 15-Minute Facial mask....

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum - 2 x 1ml sample sachets - full size 10 x 1ml £29
Bloody hell, more minuscule sample sizes. Unlike the facial, at least I could get two uses out of this one. I applied the snake serum to clean skin and it sunk in really well. My skin felt smooth and refreshed after application but I didn't notice any of the instant wrinkle-filling/plumping effects. I'll stick to my Estee Lauder concentrates I think.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream - 7ml sample size - full size 15ml £20
Oh my God! Will the beauty boxes quit it with the Balance Me samples already!!! This is the now the fifth or sixth sample I've received from the brand - and I'm getting quite bored now. I tried it out nonetheless and what can I say, it's an eye cream. It certainly doesn't rival my La Prairie but it will make a perfect little travel size I suppose.

Vichy Idealia Day Care Cream Normal to Combination Skin - 15ml sample size - full size 50ml £25
Ah, Vichy has creeped into a couple of the GlossyBoxes now and I have to say this French brand intrigues me. I was very pleased to see a cream for normal to combination skin too - normally I end up with dry skin formulations that I daren't try out on my greaseball face for fear of breaking out. This cream is quite thick like most pot moisturisers can be, but it sank in very well and left my skin soft without residue. After a few hours though, my face felt quite greasy so I'll probably save this for skin saviour days in the winter, not every day wear.

Maghrabian Hair Oil - 10ml sample size - full size 50ml £13 100ml £24
I've tried and tried to get into hair oils but I'm just so scared of overloading and just looking greasy. This Argan oil from Maghrabian is very similar to most others out there. It smells and feels very similar and has the same effect. I know for a fact that after trying this once I'm unlikely to ever use it again. Oh well, I'm just not a  hair oil type of girl I guess!

In all, a fairly average GlossyBox for me. Dare I say it, this month SheSaidBeauty box (here) was actually more appealing, a first I think for me! Of course, it's not going to stop me subscribing anytime soon :)

If you love the idea of the GlossyBox beauty box and want to sign up too, then use this referral link to subscribe now.

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 Edition

"Ooooooo...!" was pretty much my reaction when I opened last month's GlossyBox. After a slightly disappointing contents from June - did you feel like you were left wanting more? - this month has completely met my expectations.

GlossyBox went with a slight 'festival theme' this time, with products to get you through the nights of long hard partying. And is it just me or did your July box feel like it was tailored to your preferences? If not, mine must just be sheer luck but I have never opened a box and felt that it's products were picked specifically for me before...

HD Brows Eye & Brow Palette in Foxy - full size worth £19.95

Oh yes, thank you GlossyBox! I couldn't believe it when I saw that I had the HD Brows palette and instantly gone was my hesitation of a repeated brand two months in a row - fickle I know! I was gutted when I missed this in the September box so hopefully this isn't a repeated item for any of the old-time subscribers. It is a bit naughty of GlossyBox really, as this is now the 4th or 5th time they've featured the brand and 2nd time of giving out this exact product... but I wanted this palette so much, I couldn't care less! I got the Foxy shade for brunettes - perfect or what???! Can't wait to give it a go...

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Lip Frosting in Irish Cream Pavlova - full size 15ml worth £15.00

Mmm scented lip frosting... this smells good enough to eat! I have not tried any jelly pong pong products before but I have in the past tried many of Nicola Robert's Dainty Doll range which was by Jelly Pong Pong originally (not sure if it still is though). So far, so good. This is a lip balm/gloss hybrid in my eyes, not sticky enough to be a gloss but too liquid to be a balm. It gives a subtle pink shimmer and isn't sticky at all. The scent is meant to be Irish Cream Pavlova but all I can think is bubblegum! It says this can be multi-purpose too and used for cheeks to add a little cheekbone shimmer, I'll be sticking to lips though.

Monu Spa Golden Glow Face and Body Bronzer - 30ml sample - full size 200ml £23.00

Uh oh, another repeat brand offender! Monu appeared back in the November and April boxes but at least this exact product has not been featured before. Initially I wasn't impressed that I had received another Monu product but when I realised it was fake tan, I changed my mind. As many of you know, I rely on fake tan to not look dead in the Summer months. Yes, I am freakishly pale! But as I am currently sporting a Fake Bake session from last week, I cannot try this out properly until that has worn off so I'm looking forward to giving it a go in the next couple of weeks.

Clynol Salon Exclusive Enrich Colour Shampoo - 50ml sample size - full size 300ml £9.95

Wow, GlossyBox do know me well! A shampoo and it's for coloured hair. Bonus! I hate getting haircare samples that aren't designed for colour treated hair as when I use anything not remotely suitable for my colour, it fades and it fades fast. Clynol is not a brand I've come across before so I'm keen to see how it fairs against my Redken. It contains liquid jewel extract (whatever that means) and UV filters to give "diamond-like shine" and prevent against fading. This sounds exactly like what I need but I am a little dubious to see if it'll live up to it's claim of "30 washes later, you've still got 90% colour intensity" hmmm, we'll see!

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion SPF15 - 5ml sample size - full size 50ml £32.00

Now Elizabeth Arden is a brand I have most definitely heard of, but apart from their make-up, I have tried very little of what else they have on offer. Believe it or not, 8-hour cream has still yet to appear in my skincare collection! I am once again impressed at GlossyBox's ability (or accidental luck) to provide me with a skin product suitable for oily skin. Yay! I am so far really impressed with this lightweight lotion that is oil-free, contains SPF 15 and UVA/UVB protection. It feels really cooling on application and smells of cucumber. That's better protection than my current Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturisung Gel...

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Skincare for Combination Skin x3 sachets - bonus sample

And GlossyBox have treated us with a sample this month - nice! Trying to contend with SheSaidBeauty by any chance? Anywho, I liked this little extra as it gave me a quick tryout of the full range from Elizabeth Arden. The cleanser left my skin clean, soft and didn't leave a residue. The serum felt a little too heavy for my liking but maybe 'less is more' is the key here. And of course, the lotion as I mentioned above, is a winner for me.


Well GlossyBox, you have surpassed yourselves this month! I'm still amazed at how much the products were suitable for me - for brunettes, coloured hair, a fake-tan lover and oily skin! I can't pretend that they knew I was lusting for the HD Brows palette, but I did receive it in the right shade. The lip frosting fits in less so but it is a product that I really like and I'm a big fan of lip balms/glosses more than lipstick, so it's still a win for me.

In spite of the negativity GlossyBox has received from subscribers recently, I am still very pleased with their service and boxes that they have provided. Now I cannot wait for August's box to arrive...

 If you love the idea of the GlossyBox beauty box and want to sign up too, then use this referral link to subscribe now.

 

And if you also enter the code RAF20OFF before 15/08/12 you can get 20% off your first box.

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?!!

SheSaidBeauty Box - July Edition

August's box arrived promptly on my doormat this morning - yikes, SheSaidBeauty are on the ball with delivery! And it spurred me into realising that I had still to post about July's box... ooops!

So for my second beauty box review today, I give you the July box from SheSaidBeauty:

Freeze 24-7 Ice Crystals Anti-Aging Prep & Polish Exfoliator - 1.2ml sample - full size 70g £35.00

One use sachets really bug me because you just can't get enough to decide if you'll buy the product. Saying that, this one sure packs a punch in one use! The consistency is a bit like toothpaste and you have to be quite gentle when you apply it to damp skin, because this has some serious exfoliating action! Normally, I scrub my face hard with exfoliators and they never seem enough, but this is AMAZING! Sensitive skins be careful though as it might feel quite strong. It left a menthol-type tingle and my face was really soft after use. Repurchase? I think so!

LaylaD Honey Moisturiser - 15ml sample size - full size 50ml £12.99

Now this is a gorgeous smelling cream that contains pure organic honey and coconut oil - it made me want to eat it! It sank into my skin well and a little goes quite a long way, but I avoided using this on my face during the day because I felt it left a slight residue on my skin after use. So I've reserved it for night time use only which actually suits its design to "soothe and restore dry or blemish prone skin". Dry skin and blemishes? Sounds contradictory doesn't it? Well only time will tell if it really works. For now, it just feels and smells goooood!

Miners Cosmetics Love Phat Liner in Bandit - full size pencil £3.99

Who doesn't love a good old eyeliner?! And what a blast from the past with Miners Cosmetics! I quite like this thick creamy pencil as it applied smoothly without dragging across the eye. It was also easy to smudge - to soften the line and create the "smokey eye" look. But I found that this didn't last particularly well on me and transferred a little to my eye socket from my upper lid throughout the day - but to be honest, most creamy liners do this on me anyway. Damn greasy skin!

Murad Time Release Blemish Cleanser - full size 30ml £5.50 (200ml £29.00)

Murad... Murad... where have we had this before? Ah yes, GlossyBox back in January. For some reason, I find it a bit annoying that SheSaid Beauty have begun repeating brands that GlossyBox have already covered but at least it's a different product I suppose. I've tried this out a couple of times, and it's OK but nothing much to rave about. It cleans the skin but I haven't noticed any other major benefits. I think I'll stick to my Clinique Liquid Facial Soap as I prefer a cleanser that will lather up - something to do with feeling more 'clean' I guess.

Stylfile S-file - full size nail file £4.49

Now this is a product that has grown on me. I have to be honest, when I first opened the box, I initially thought 'What the heck is this?' and I don't think Tom Pellereau's face on the packaging does much to sell it to me as a product that I need because he invented it??! But now I've tried it out my mind is starting to change. It is surprisingly easy to use - especially for your non-dominant hand. Other than that, there's not much to say, it's only a  nail file after all!

Eden Natural Nail Polish Remover - unsure of sample size - full size 50ml £12.00

I LOVE the idea of a natural nail polish remover and really hoped that this product would deliver. On smell it certainly ticked the boxes - no strong acetone scent, just a citrus lime aroma. But there wasn't enough in the sample to try out on a full manicure and with what was there, it wasn't as effective as acetone. I'd love to stop using normal chemical based nail polish removers, but for ease of use, they do the job so much better. Sorry Eden!


 
Debenhams Beauty Club Card - free in Debenhams Department Stores!!!!

Now this seriously fooked me off! I don't mind things like this being included in beauty boxes, as part of the leaflets/offers/advertising but DON'T pass it off as a 'bonus' sample! I can pick one of these up in my local department store, and in fact, I did a long while back and have reaped it's benefits ever since! This unfortunately put a dampener on the whole box for me this month. I still can't quite believe the cheek of it being included as a bonus sample.... OK... rant over.



So in all, a similar feeling to last month for me. Some of July's box was great and other parts less so. The stand out product for me (and actually the smallest sample!) was the Freeze 24-7 exfoliator - I cannot get over how soft it left my skin... and I'm sure you can guess my biggest frustration - the damn beauty club card! I do still think however, that I have got great value for money at £9 per month plus P&P and will of course be continuing my subscription.

If you like the idea of the SheSaidBeauty box then use this referral link to start your subscription now!

Disclaimer - I have subscribed to the SheSaidBeauty box 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 a free box next time... well who doesn't want free beauty stuff?!!