Beauty Box || May Birchbox 2016

Birchbox are definitely one of the better beauty box subscriptions out there as they routinely offer a good variety of products within each monthly box and they always have a theme for each month too! This month, Birchbox have been inspired by fantastic dreams so they've created a unique box design that you have to scratch away at the coating in order to reveal. And if you're ucky enough to have an extra special message on the top of the box then you've won a dream holiday which sadly I didn't win this time around ;) Let's delve into what Birchbox have delivered this month!

The first product that I spotted is the Spectrum Unicorn Tears Wonder Sponge (£4.99) which you had the option of choosing which colour you preferred - purple or pink. I personally wasn't fussed which colour I received as it really makes no difference. This is very much like the BeautyBlender in the sense that you have to dampen the sponge before using in order to create a flawless base. I still haven't got round to using any of my BeautyBlenders as I'm still obsessed with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge but as soon as I throw out my current sponge, I'll definitely be trying the Spectrum one out.

Next up is one product that I was most excited about seeing which is the Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths (£12) which are one of the most hyped up, expensive wipes I've come across! I personally don't use makeup wipes for removing makeup and instead use them for cleaning off foundation and the very occasional freshen up. I would personally never use these particular ones for removing makeup but instead I'll use them on days when I'm not at work just to freshen up my face.

I haven't really been wearing a full face of makeup for just over a month now so I'm wondering if the addition of the Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (£18) will make me start wearing it again. I remember that this was the mascara to use when I first started blogging as it helps to truly lift and curl your lashes whilst being completely smudge proof. I like how it's not like traditional mascaras and is instead in a squeezy tube!

The next addition in this months box is the Philip Kingsley PK Prep Polishing Balm (£18.50) that helps to tame frizzy hair and transform it so that it looks sleek and glossy whilst always delivering a shot of ProVitamin B5 and Vitamin A to nourish your hair deep down. I've never tried a polishing balm before so I've got high hopes for this as I do suffer with frizzy hair especially the day after I've washed my hair as it's so soft and frizzy!

Whenever I get a blemish, it feels like it takes forever to go away and when it does it leaves a red scar that also takes forever to disappear so I'm rather excited to see a sample of Puriskin Resurfacing Cream (£13.99) in this months box. This is one of those does it all wonder products that helps battle dry skin, blemishes, scarring, stretch marks etc and it helps to soothe and calm the area. I'm truly hoping that helps with a few blemish scars that I have which no amount of rosehip oil seems to be helping with!

The last addition to the box is a sample of the Givenchy Live Irresistible Fragrance (£44+) which smells really fruity and floral and is perfect for the summer months! As much as fragrance samples annoy me, I truly am grateful for them as they're handy to have in my bag for when I want to quickly spritz myself on a night out. 

Feel Unique Skincare Superstars

Considering the fact that this month is my birthday month and I haven't asked for anything in particular from my family, I've decided to do what I do best which is of course treat yo'self! As I have more than enough skincare for any normal person and a stash to rival even the likes of Caroline Hirons at times when I came across the Feel Unique Skincare Superstars Beauty Box, I instantly caved in and bought it! The box itself contains everything needed to give your skin some much needed TLC with some of the best complexion boosting products around and with a value of £87 at the bargain price of £30, you would be mad not to!

I'm a huge fan of La Roche Posay products and in particular the Effaclar Duo+ so with the box containing a decent sized sample of the Physiological Micellar Solution (£12) I was a very happy lady! It's essentially a micellar water to remove makeup and acts as your first cleanse however this particular one is suitable for even the most sensitive of complexions. The real test with this is if it can remove even waterproof makeup so if it does, I'm sold!

Next up is a full size Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (£30) which I've had on my list of products to try for the longest time! It's ideal for transforming dull, dehydrated skin into a radiant, dewy and glowing complexion which creating a perfectly even tone by calming areas prone to redness. I've been really getting back into my facial oils recently and have even started mixing them into my morning moisturiser to help make my skin appear more dewy so I'm excited to start giving this a go. This actually costs the same price as the box so everything else is just extra!

I've never tried the This Works In Transit Camera Close Up (£30) and I've heard nothing but good things about it so I'm really happy to see that it was included in the box. It acts as a mask, moisturiser and primer all in one so it's the perfect product to take away on holiday with especially when it's a long haul flight! I'm hoping that my skin loves this as much as everybody raves about as I could easily see myself buying this in full size!

Another addition to the box is the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa (£26.50) which as the name suggests is a night time moisturiser. It's enriched with hyaluronic acid, aquabioryl and Vichy Thermal Spa Water which provides intense hydration for the skin that looks visibly nourished and radiant come morning. I absolutely love using thick, rich creams at night as my skin feels naturally dehydrated no matter how many different serums/oils/creams I use so I'm hoping that this works a treat.

I appear to have acquired a few sample sized products from Ole Henriksen recently so I was excited to see the Truth Sugar Glow Polishing Mask (£38) included in the box. This contains sugar and pomegranate seeds to refine skin texture with honey to nourish, soften and sooth the skin with rose hips and pumpkin extracts to help naturally brighten and boost radiance. I love anything that helps add radiance back into my skin so I cannot wait to start using this!

Saving the best till last is a full size REN Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial (£32) which is an overnight transforming treatment that leaves skin visibly brighter, refined, more luminous and even toned come morning. I've tried quite a few of these kind of products and have always seen great results from them so I have high hopes for this and I'm hoping that this works wonders for my skin.

Beauty Box || April Birchbox + Rifle Paper Co

Following on from last months mishmash products, Birchbox this month have teamed up on their April Edition with Rifle Paper Co who are known for their prints. Subscribers had the option of choosing which print they would prefer so naturally I chose the pink floral print for this months box. Before I delve into the contents, I just wanted to point out that there was a big delay with my box so I only really received last week whereas I normally receive the first week that they post them out. Also, the contents are not the same contents that were on my profile back at the start of the month so I'm rather annoying that I didn't receive the Benefit Liquid Hoola Bronzer which I was going to get but regardless, let's delve into what I got this month.

As every box this month had a definite Benefit product into it, I was surprised to see a travel size BADgal Lash Mascara (£17.50) inside the box especially after all the drama. This has an oversized wand that helps to create sultry, voluminous lashes that literally coats every lash. I haven't used this before so I'm hoping it's as good as everyone says as I don't yet have a personal favourite Benefit mascara.

Next up is the So Susan Lip Dome in Melon (£10) that is the only full size in this months box. It is packed with hyaluronic acid and goji berry extracts to help nourish and protect your lips all whilst giving intense colour. This shade is definitely not for me so it will be getting passed onto a friend who will get more use from it.

I've never tried anything from Nuxe before so I was excited to see a teeny Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (£17+) that is a multi-purpose oil that you can use all over your hair, body or skin to hydrate and nourish. It contains a unique blend of six essential oils including sweet almond, hazelnut and macadamia along with reparative plant oils and Vitamin E that makes it one of the most nourishing oils I've come across so far. 

I've really been getting into my hair products recently especially since I've got ombre hair that needs a lot of maintenance so the Parlor by Jeff Chastain Detangling Leave-In Conditioner (£17) is a welcome addition to my stash. I believe I gave my last one of these away to a family friend so I'm glad to have another sample of it that I can use. This contains a sweet blend of almond extract and vitamin B5 that helps deliver softer, shinier, sleeker hair all whilst doubling up as a heat protection spray.

Lastly in this months box is the Kueshi Foot Care Cream (£12) which I'm not all that fussed about. It is enriched with sweet almond oil and royal jelly to help soothe and soften dry feet whilst the added extra of tea tree oil helps to calm and relieve aching feet that sinks in almost instantly. I'm not particularly wowed by foot creams as they all seem to be the same but I'll give it a go regardless at some point.

What did you think of April's Birchbox 2016?

Beauty Box || Birchbox Word Up March 2016

After being subscribed to beauty boxes for coming up to two years now, I like to think that I've seen them all. I've seen absolutely bloody brilliant boxes as well as seeing some right old disappointing ones with the occasional on the fence ones which sadly is how I feel about this months Word Up March Birchbox. I feel like this box is pretty meh when compared to previous boxes - a complete mix match of products with no real stand outs. With that being said, let's delve into what I got in this months box..

Firstly, we have a 5ml sample of This Works Deep Sleep Plus+ Pillow Spray (£16+) which contains both lavender and a potent blend of vetiver and chamomile to help you achieve a longer night's sleep by up to two hours. Now I'm a huge fan of the The Body Shop's edition and I've also included the Boots Re:Balance offering into my stash too so whilst I am intrigued to see how this livens up to the hype surrounding it, I'm a little underwhelmed as 5ml is hardly enough to get a real feel for the product.

Next up is the Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm (£11) which is both paraben and cruelty free whilst being completely vegan and a Birchbox own brand. It adjusts to your pH to a create a shade that is completely unique. On myself, I found that it's pretty much a my lips but slightly better shade so I'm little disappointed in that. I probably won't really use this as I tend to stick with my trusty EOS lip balms.

I tend to stick to my usual brow routine which uses three products in total ranging from Natural Collection to MAC with a little bit of Benefit thrown in for good measure as it's a routine that has been tried and tested for a year or so now, so when I saw the ModelCo More Brows (£13) I was intrigued. I received the shade Light/Medium which is pretty much identical to the Benefit offering except being a fraction or so cheaper. It's also the same story when it comes to applying it onto my brows, matches perfectly so I will definitely be using this when my Benefit one dries up.

I absolutely love hair masks so the Amika Nourishing Mask (£19.99) is a welcome addition to my stash albeit being a one use wonder. This helps to seal split ends and fight dryness with a hydrating concoction of sea buckthorn berry and jojoba oil. As I'm currently coming to the end of my current conditioners, this will help me kickstart on using up my sample ones.

Hand Creams and I have fallen out in the last year as I've been far too lazy to apply it as much as I used too so I'm hoping that the full size Lanolips Rose Balm Intense (£9.50) will help kickstart me into using it more frequently again. This particular offering was created for those with specially dry hands as it contains medical-grade lanolin, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, rose oil and vitamin E to help moisture the skin deep down whilst creating a protective shield to keep the skin moisturised. 

Lastly in this months box is the Doux Me Comforting Face Mask & Exfoliator (£18) which contains an interesting concoction of apricot oil, chamomile and marshmallow extracts that is gentle enough to be used on even the most sensitive skin. I love a good exfoliator as much as the next one so I'm hoping this will be gritty enough for my liking; if not then I'll just use it as a face mask instead.

What did you think of the March Birchbox 2016?

February Shine Bright Like A Diamond Birchbox 2016

I've been a little laid back recently when it comes to blogging as some of you may have noticed. I'm not going to make up any excuses as to why but just simply life has been getting a little hectic so without further ado, I'm back with a review of this month's birchbox!

Birchbox have definitely been upping their game recently when it comes to their monthly subscription boxes and unlike other beauty boxes that have been taking the Valentines Day approcach, Birchbox have changed up the ballgame and continued with their powerful messages with this months box being no exception. This month's theme is Shine Bright Like A Diamond which is filled with products to help you look and feel bright like a diamond also. So let's delve in and see what's inside!

The first product in the box is from their inhouse brand LOC; One And Done Shadow Stick (£8) that all subscribers got to choose which shade they preferred. I went ahead and chose Champagne Problems which as the name suggests, is a beautiful champagne colour that just looks effortless on the lids. This is actually a full size product which is rather tiny but I'll making sure to give it a lot of loving!

Next up a sample of the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster (£47) that I've been wanting to try for the longest time ever after hearing many people rave about it! It contains a high powered vitamin C complex that helps to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles to protect the skin from further damage. It's loaded with antioxidants and moisture binding ingredients that help to keep the skin nourished and hydrated. I'm looking forward to introducing this into my skincare routine although I'm a little worried that if my skin likes it, I'll have to buy the full size which is rather pricey!

One of the most exciting additions to the box is a full size Spectrum Tapered Powder Brush (£7.99) that I've been seeing a lot recently on Instagram! The brush is certainly eye catching with a pink handle and blue and purple bristles to match which are ever so soft! I bet this would work wonders with setting concealer under the eyes or even applying blusher, not that I wear any that is!

I tend to stick to my usual body butters in a tub so I doubt the Cochine Water Hyacinth & Lime Blossom Hand & Body Lotion (£19) will be getting much use from me sadly. It's packaged with shea butter and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate the skin with hints of zestly lime blossom and woodsy water hyacinth to scent the skin. Although with that being said, I could just add it to my stash of hand creams to use.

It appears that I have an abundance of theBalm Frat Boy Blush/Shadow (£15.50) samples from recent beauty boxes so this addition will be getting passed onto a friend for sure! It's a beautiful pale pink with a subtle hint of shimmer that would look beautiful on pale complexions for a hint of colour.

The last addition to this months box is a Derm Eyes Make-Up Remover Wipe (£9.50) which I'll be keeping in my handbag for an emergency as I don't tend to remove my makeup with a wipe as I opt for micellar waters or cleansing oils if I'm honest. These are hypoallergenic cleansing wipes that are ideal for sensitive eyes as they've been created with a super soft fabric to both cleanse and hydrate the eye area without irritation.

This box sure contains a wide variety of items and have definitely got me excited for the March edition!

Beauty Box || The Birchbox Beauty Junkies Box

Birchbox have definitely been upping the ante recently with their latest boxes which have been ranging from brilliant themed boxes to including cult beauty products. However for August, they've decided to go one step further and dedicate the box to all the beauty junkies out there and celebrate being a fully fledged beauty addict. It's jam packed with a variety of products ranging from makeup to bodycare with a few little extras thrown in for good measure. Without further ado, let's delve in and see what Birchbox are spoiling us with this month!

This month they're giving every subscriber not one but two makeup samples with the first being a Lord & Berry Blush in Lotus (£18) which is a neutral, rosy shade that is both stunning and flattering on the skin; whilst the other addition is a The Balm Bronzer in Desert (£15) which is pretty much almost identical to the cult favourite NARS Laguna in colour albeit containing a lot more shimmer that shows on the skin. Whilst the blush won't be getting a lot of love from me, I can guarantee that the bronzer will be getting used almost daily especially for heavier bronzed looks.

Next up is a generous sized Huygens Exfoliating Cream (£17.90) which is a cream based scrub containing nourishing sesame oil and anti-oxidant boosting green tea that uses rice powder particles to help smooth and slough away dead skin cells to reveal more radiant skin. As it is so gentle, you could easily get away with using it almost daily although for me, I think I'll stick to using a manual exfoliator twice a week. As it is one of the most cutest travel sized samples ever, I'll be reserving it for my next trip abroad!

Seeing as our face is covered, Birchbox have thrown in a decent sized Rituals Fortune Scrub (£10) for our body that covers both body wash and body scrub together. It contains an uplifting formula that is packed with sweet orange and cedar wood to slough away dull looking skin to reveal fresh, brighter skin that smells absolutely divine. I adore body scrubs especially those that smell almost edible so this will be getting used up almost instantly!

I've only ever used one clarifying shampoo in my life which is extremely gentle so I'm a little wary of the Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo (£13.95) as I don't want it to strip my hair colour, especially after getting it at the exact colour I've wanted it for ages. A little research into it and it apparently promises to give your hair a massive detox from both product build up and styling stress to leaving your tresses feeling incredibly soft and purified. Whilst it truly does sound good, I don't want to be taking that risk so this will be getting passed onto a friend who will get more use out of it than me.

A few little extras thrown in are the Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimizing Patches (£2.95) which are essentially 21 teeny single use patches that are packed with tea tree extract and grape seed that help to soothe blemish prone skin overnight so that in the morning it's visibly clearer. I'm both a little skeptical and intrigued at the same time as to if these will work and if they're as good as to what they say there are. Lastly are some emoji themed stickers that are exclusive to Birchbox that are so adorable, I don't want to use them!

What do you think of this months box?

Beauty Box || The Radiant Skin Edit

One of my biggest bug-bears with my skin is that I can create radiant looking skin with makeup however when it comes to wearing no makeup at all, my skin can look quite the opposite and be rather dull. One morning at work, a fellow blogger shared a link to her blogpost citing how incredible value the Feel Unique Radiant Skin Beauty Box was which instantly made me purchase it, especially after googling for a cheeky discount code too!

The only product that I've tried from the box is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir (30ml, worth £11.50) which stupidly I did not review at all despite it being such a cult product in the blogging world. It is essentially a facial spray that is packed full with natural waters and essential oils that smells both incredibly refreshing and instantly perks up the skin. I used to use this as my toner daily however with this travel size, I'm going to preserve it for when my skin is in need of a pick me up.

Next up is a product that I'm most excited about trying which is of course the REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial (75ml, worth £32) which is the quicker acting sister of the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask just without the quite as dramatic results. I've never used this before but after reading up a few reviews, I'm rather excited to start using it! To use, you simply dampen your fingers and apply the mask whilst gently massaging it in as you apply it. Leave it for one minute so that the Vitamin C can do it's thing before rinsing it off.

Another addition to the box is the Glam Glow Youth Mud Exfoliating Mask (15g, worth £15) which despite being a rather small sample, it definitely packs a punch! This is another product that I haven't used before either however it is a cult product that I should have tried out sooner. It's a grainy feeling texture that you leave on the skin for up to ten minutes before removing it off which essentially manually exfoliates the skin whilst also chemically exfoliating the skin from having left the mask on. After removal, the skin instantly looks more clear and radiant. I'm truly hoping that I don't fall head over heels in love with this product as the price tag for it in full size.

Saving the best till last are the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (x28, worth £12) which I've been debating about purchasing for the longest time ever! These act very similar to the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads which I've reviewed in full here albeit being slightly more travel friendly. Depending on your skin type, you can use these twice a day after cleansing to help gently exfoliate the skin which in turn will help make the skin appear more radiant. I'm literally so excited to start using these and I bet this will turn into a long love affair too!

Make A Splash! July 2015 BirchBAG Review

Long time followers of Birchbox will know that each month, they share a sneak peak as to what's to come in that month's Birchbox across all social networks. At the beginning of July, they shared a sneak peak of the July box which as the sneak peak revealed, is in fact a BirchBAG rather than the traditional Birchbox!

July 2015's BirchBAG theme is 'Make A Splash' which is perfect for summer, especially for those lucky people who escaping the UK to catch some rays abroad over the next few months. Unlike most months where Birchbox just change the colour of the box or the bag inside, they've decided to replace the box with a bright neon pouch which is perfect for popping your everyday essentials into your handbag or your summer must haves with you down on the beach. There are four different coloured pouches, each representing a different holiday destination selected by editors of some of the most elite magazines. Birchbox UK's very own Jess Diner selected the neon pink pouch to represent Ibiza; Edwina Ings-Chambers who is the Beauty Director at Sunday Times Style selected the coral pouch to represent St. Tropez; Fiona Joseph who is the Fashion & Beauty Director at Conde Nast Traveller selected the turquoise bag to represent Hydra, Greece whilst my beautiful neon yellow pouch was selected by Rose Beer who is the Beauty Editor at Grazia to represent none other than Somerset in the UK! 

The first product that I noticed upon unzipping my pouch is a teeny tiny sample of Benefit Dream Screen (£25) which is currently making it's rounds being billed as the facial sunscreen to own! It's described as being a super light-weight matte finish with a rather impressive SPF45 which will definitely be getting a lot of love when I go abroad in October.

Next up we have the Pop Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio in Peach Parfait (£15.50) which contains some beautiful shimmery shades! The lightest shade is a pale white highlight shade, the middle shade is lovely pinky peach shade whilst the darkest shade is a beautiful burnt copper. These are some of the softest like butter eyeshadows I've tried which are just a dream to both apply and blend!

Moving onto skincare, included in the pouch is a adorable sample of the Balance Me Congested Skin Serum (£16) which I've been wanting to try for the longest time! It's to be used in times when your skin is in need of a little SOS as it will help restore the balance. It's packed with chamomile, lavender and aloe vera to pinpoint breakouts and soothe the skin whilst being suitable for all skin types. This will definitely be getting a lot of love from me tonight!

Next up, we have a generous sized Cowshed Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream (£18) that contains various rejuvenating essential oils including grapefruit to uplift your spirits and coriander to soothe the skin whilst leaving your hands feeling incredibly soft and moisturised. I do have more than my fair share of hand creams to be getting through but this will be getting added to my stockpile none the less!

I am a complete sun worshipper yet I burn ever so easily so the Unani Aloe Vera Gel (£15) is right up our streets! Everybody and their nan knows that aloe vera is incredibly good to relieve the pain from sun burn and is a must have for any sun lover! I personally prefer the good 'ole Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel however as this is more convenient handbag size, this will be getting a lot of use over the the next month or so.

Last but by no means least is a Barely Prep, Blot & Blend Sponge (£5.99) which is this month's bonus beauty extra. I am a self-confessed makeup sponge addict and love nothing more than applying my base makeup with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge so I'm hoping that this compares to it!

Overall, I'm extremely happy with this months BirchBAG and every single product will definitely be getting used as well as the bright yellow pouch which will most likely be getting used to store my beauty essentials at work.

Latest In Beauty Awards 2015 Box

There's something that I love about beauty boxes especially one off boxes that are limited in number or boxes where you can choose which products you want in it. So imagine my happiness when I discovered that Latest In Beauty are doing their Beauty Awards 2015 Box where you can pick from 30 finalist products across various categories including Cult Classic, Green Award, Best Newcomer, Skincare Saviour and Must-have Makeup to name just a few. You have the choice of three different boxes where you can either pick 3, 6 or 9 products for a set price and you'll be automatically entered into a prize draw for the chance to win every single full size finalist product which is worth over £875!

I went ahead and chose six products despite knowing that I've well and truly failed my new year beauty resolutions. Out of all the products available, I chose mainly products that I knew that I would use as well as products that would cover the cost of the box and more whilst still being products that I've been wanting to try out for ages!

Despite recently buying a few Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, I couldn't resist choosing both the Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream (£10.20) and the Bee Good Honey & Propolis 2-in-1 Cream Cleanser (£11.50) which are both natural products that promise to cleanse your skin properly without making it feel dry, tight and irritated. Another skincare product that I simply couldn't resist is the Dr Organic Snail Gel Anti-Aging Facial Serum (£17.99) that has been intriguing me for the longest time ever. I'm hoping that isn't as gross as the name suggests..

Not too long ago, everybody was raving about Magnifibres (£16.99) which is a fibre infused mascara like brush that you simply brush on after applying your first coat of mascara, wait thirty seconds before proceeding to apply a second of mascara which gives dramatically longer lashes. So it seemed only fair to choose it for my box especially when I'm struggling with my own short, stumpy lashes! Another addition to the box that everybody and their nan raves about is a teeny sample of the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (£29) that helps add serious strength to damaged hair whilst reducing any breakage. Whilst I don't necessarily have overly damaged hair, I am struggling with breakage so I'm hoping that this will transform my locks! The last addition that I chose for my box is the Zoella Fresh Tutti Fruity Bath Fizzer (£5) which I will admit that I only chose because I'm running out of bath bombs. Hopefully this is as good as the world says!

Have you taken advantage of the Latest In Beauty Awards Box? What products did you choose?

June Birchbox Review

I cannot believe that we are now coming towards the end of June! Where has the year gone?! Birchbox have certainly made this half of the year has gone moment a lot better as they've collaborated with French Sole to bring this months edition. There are three different designs to choose from and I went ahead and chose the From Paris With Love design as nothing really can beat some good ole' nautical! In addition to a beautifully designed box, there's a matching shoe bag which you can use for a number things and not just for storing your shoes in! Let's delve in and see what I received in this months edition..

Firstly, I got a very generous sized bottle of Cowshed Gorgeous Cow Blissful Body Lotion (£20) which contans wildcrafted essential oils of ylang ylang, rose, palmarose and lavender to help evoke a happy, blissful mood whilst soothing and balancing the mind at the same time. Now, I'm not sure about you but this reminds me an awful lot of cinnamon which I detest so I'll be passing this along to a family friend who I'm sure will got a lot of use out of it.

The next item is a teeny tiny sample pot of Premae Mild Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub (£25) which is a skin-loving vegan body scrub containing italian olive granules to help decongest, brighten and smoothe the skin whilst being gentle enough to be used on the face too! I love a good manual scrub to use on days when I'm not using a chemical exfoliator so this will definitely be getting used at the next given opportunity. As it is such a small sample pot, it would even be good for taking on holiday with too.

I was little underwhelmed when I saw a sample of Penhaligon's Iris Prima Perfume (£85) as I seem to have acquired a lot of perfume samples in a short space of time. Regardless, these are handy to have to throw into a clutch or going on holiday with as they hardly take up any room. This particular fragrance smells rather fresh yet comforting at the same time.

I'm currently in the process of stocking up on travel sized hair products for my holiday away in October so this generous sized sample of HIP Ultra Shine Shampoo (£15) is a welcome addition to my stash! This contains a blend of peppermint and eucalyptus oils to help detoxify the hair whilst boosting circulation and soothing the hair as well giving it an unbeatable shine for healthy, happy hair.

The only makeup addition to the box and an apparent Birchbox exclusive is the Cynthia Rowley Beauty Creamy Lip Stain in Poppy (£14) which is a pretty coral-pinky-red hue that stains the lips whilst moisturising them and giving the shine of a gloss. I wouldn't personally pick nor wear this shade so this will be getting passed onto a friend.

The last addition to the box and is an extra beauty bonus are the STYLondon Temporary Metallic Tattoos (£7.99) which are some beautiful, golden temporary tattoos that you can use on both nails and skin. I feel that these are a little childish for me especially considering that I've got real tattoos however I can seem them being perfect for festivals or a night out.

Latest In Beauty Heart FM Beauty Essentials Box Review

It's not very often that I buy particular beauty boxes based on their collaboration unless it's products that I would generally use. When I saw that Latest In Beauty had teamed up with Heart FM to bring out the Heart FM Beauty Essentials Box, I couldn't check out fast enough! Boasting an incredible thirteen products of which three are full size with the rest generous sample sizes, I'm surprised that they could even fit the lid on with everything packaged up inside. There's a good mix of brands and products so without futher ado, let's delve into the contents..

The star product by far is a full size Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Varnish in Hyde Park Palace (£14) which is a pale, stoney grey which would look good all year round but I'll be saving it exclusively to start wearing in Autumn. The next star product in my books is a full size Wild About Beauty Eyeshadow in Becca (£13) which is a beautiful coppery bronze shade which would look good sweeped all across the eyelid or in a bronzey smokey eye. Another makeup addition is two satchets of bareMinerals Complexion Rescue (£26) which is their new tinted hydrating gel cream. Two shades were included; Vanilla and Natural and I reckon Vanilla looks like a perfect match for me.

Moving onto skincare and included is a travel sized Philosophy Purity Cleanser (£28.50) which I'll looking forward to trying out despite it's mixed reviews. They've also thrown in a full size Amie Morning Light Hydrating Daily Moisturiser (£4.95) which is both skin friendly and made from natural extracts without costing the earth. I'm glad to see a sample of Vichy Idealia Life Serum (£31) included as I have quite a few of these now to give it a good trial run! This helps make your skin look more radiant and fresh with a more even skin tone so I'm excited to see how this compares to Lancome Visionnaire which costs the earth.

I've tried the Balance Me Radiance Face Mask (£18) before and I enjoyed it quite a lot so I'm glad to have another sample of this in my life. It's one of those masks with exfoliating beads that you leave on for 10 minutes and then wipe off which helps to exfoliate the skin to reveal brighter, more radiant skin. Heart FM have truly thought of everything as they've also included a generous sample of Green People Sun Lotion SPF15 with Tan Accelerator (£14.30) which is ideal for us Brits as we don't see enough sun. I love a good hand cream so the Le Couvent des Minimes Cloisters Hand Cream (£3) is a welcome addition! It's rose and berry scented so I'm hoping that will smell good enough to eat.

I never seem to have enough travel sized shampoos and conditioners unless you count satchets so the Dove Youthful Vitality Duo (£5.99 each) will definitely be coming with me on my next trip away! I haven't had anything about Kneipp Herbal Bath Back Comfort Devils Claw (£9.95) before but it definitely intrigues me as it's meant to be soothing and relaxing for the back, shoulders and neck. I'm not exactly sure of when I'll be able to put the Skyn Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels (£25 for 8 packs) to good use as I don't suffer with puffy eyes but I'm sure that these will be very soothing on the eye area. Lastly, Heart FM have thrown in a cute heart shaped face cloth that expands in water which as a kid, I always loved watching.

As this box is priced at £15 + P+P and is worth over £70, it's incredibly good value and will be getting a lot of love from me!

 

May Birchbox Review

Unlike previous Birchboxes in the past, this months edition is rather special. Instead of the usual collaborations and themes, Birchbox have decided to go ahead with a rather unique way to free your mind - literally. Gone are the plain brown boxes for this month and instead, they've been replaced with a white and black box which you can colour in! Various studies have proven that taking time out to colour something in is a very therapeutic way to help de-stress and clear your mind and I will most definitely be taking this to work with me in a bid to get over stressful customers. Without further ado, let's delve into this months contents..

The Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser in Light (£27) definitely got my heart racing when I first opened up the box as it's a product that I've had my eye on for quite a while. It's one of those lightweight moisturisers that is a true multitasker, both treating and brightening the skin whilst adding a little light coverage to those areas that need it most. Best of all, the shade Light matches my skin perfectly so I'll definitely be wearing this most Sundays.

I was a little late to the bandwagon when it came choosing my sample this month so I got lumbered with the WAH London Nail Art Pen in 08 (£7) which is a rather royal blue. I haven't experimented with any nail art in forever so this won't be getting much love from me but I bet it would look incredible over a white nail..

I very briefly experimented with salt sprays at the beginning of last year and haven't tried it again since so the Parlor by Jeff Chastain Moisturising Sea Salt Spray (£17) will be most likely getting passed onto a friend who enjoys experimenting with their hair. Unlike most salt sprays which smell surprisingly of salt, this one smells of ripe peaches and freshly cut grass so it would be interesting to see how long that scent lasts in the hair.

I love slathering myself in body butters so the Whish Body Butter in Almond (£14.50) is a most welcome addition to my stash! I've actually tried the Lavendar version of this from a previous box and thoroughly enjoyed it so I'm hoping that this scent will be even better. Made with aloe, shea butter and raspberry butter, it'll be sure to help battle even the most driest of bodies!

Bronzers are one of my weaknesses so I was excited to see the Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo in Martinique (£15.95) in this months box although that excitement was short lived when I opened it up. The bronzer is more orange toned and therefore doesn't show up on my skin and the blush is far too shimmery for my liking so this will be getting passed onto a family friend who's just starting out with makeup.

As I'm currently more blonde than brunette, the Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Reconstructing Masque (£36) satchet will be getting some serious loving at some point in the near future when my hair is looking a little dry and dull. As it contains soy proteins, shea butter, sunflower seed oil and jojoba seed oil, it will help leave hair smooth, strengthened and shiny again.

Seeing as this months theme is to free your mind, it seemed only right to have Birchbox throw in some colouring pencils to help transform our boxes into a beautiful, colourful masterpiece.

The British Beauty Blogger Edit || Clinique

Whenever Jane Cunningham mentions that she's bringing out another The British Beauty Blogger Edit, the entire beauty blogging world goes crazy! This results in the box selling out in record time albeit having a limited number of boxes in the first place. Instead of having a mixture of her ultimate products, she's teamed up with Clinique to bring us her edit of products she loves and products that she would recommend to everyone. I had read about what it contained a few days before the official release but it was only until I saw that a few friends on twitter had purchased one that I decided to bite the bullet and buy one for myself. Featuring five classic, travel size products as well as two full sized and priced at only £18.50, it's easy to see why it sold out so quickly.

The first product to catch my eye is the full size High Impact Mascara (£17.50) which I've already tried a sample of previously. This promises to give incredible volume and give the blackest of lashes whilst adding length and definition which I do stand by. I prefer it more when it's just been opened as I find then when it starts to dry out, it doesn't have quite the same result.

I'm a huge skincare junkie so seeing a deluxe sized Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief (£34) included definitely got me excited especially after considering purchasing it for the longest time! It's a gel cream consistency that plumps up skin with hydration that lasts all day with immediate results. It's one of those products that you can use in all different situations - as a skin pick me up, as an overnight hydrating mask, as a cream, as a makeup refresher. 

Another skincare addition that I've been wanting to try for the longest time is the Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+ (£30) which has been long hailed as one of the moisturisers to have on hand. Unlike the original, this new updated version helps keep moisture locked in whilst strengthening the skin's own moisture barrier. The good thing about this is that is sinks in very fast and leaves the skin feeling immediately silkier with a hydrated feel that will last all day.

I love nothing more than taking off a days worth of makeup so having a travel sized Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips (£17) on hand for when stubborn mascara will not budge is a welcome addition. Unlike most makeup removers, this is targeted specifically for lids, lashes and lips and it works by loostening stubborn mascara's grips on the lashes so that you can gently sweep it away. As by the end of the day any lip colour is already long gone, I will be using this only for my eye makeup.

A product that I'm a little wary of using is the Liquid Facial Soap Mild (£16) which despite it being targeted as a cleanser, the name of the product puts me off. This is first step of the infamous 3-Step regime and it comes in a mild, non irritating formula to cleanse the skin ready for the next step.

The other full sized addition is a Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Plumped Up Pink (£17) which is half way between both a lipstick and a lipgloss. Infused with shea butter, mango seed butter and jojoba seed oil, this highly moisturising lip colour helps protect and pamper lips with immediate and long-lasting moisturisation without skipping out on the colour payoff.

The last product included in the box is a miniature Happy Perfume (£39 for 50ml) which is the perfect handbag size for a night out. Infused with ruby red grapefruit, boysenberry bush flower and hawaiian wedding flower; this truly makes it one sparkling floral, citrus burst fragrance.

April Birchbox Review

Whenever I come home and find this months Birchbox waiting for me, I get really excited. Especially when this months edition included not six, but seven beauty products?! (The joys of choosing which sample I wanted and discovering that the particular sample I wanted was already out of stock) Girl (..or boy), don't get even get my started!

Birchbox are celebrating the arrival of the fourth in line to the throne by putting their own favourite products on a pedestal with a delightful twist with the boxes - some are pink and some are blue and depending on whether the royal baby is a girl or boy, those with matching boxes will get the chance to win a huge colour co-ordinated beauty hamper. Now, onto the products..

The Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Supreme Lash Building Mascara (£19.50) certainly wins the award for having the most longest name in the history of makeup, ever which hopefully lives up to its claims of dramatically lengthened, curled, sculpted, thicker lashes without any clumps which lasts all day long. The Laura Mercier Longwear Creme Eye Pencil in Violet (£18) makes a welcome change to the standard black and nude eye pencils that grace my waterline on a daily basis. It certainly will give the pop of colour needed to finish any intense eye look and will definitely last all day.

Oils are one of my weaknesses so the Percy & Reed Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil (£14) is a much welcome addition to my arsenal of hair oils. Unlike the oils that I currently have in my stash that promise to hydrate even the most driest of hair, this actually is completely different in the sense that it will tame hair without weighing it down which I need, like now.

I'm not a fan of foaming face washes so the Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (£19.50) will most definitely be getting passed onto a friend although it does claim to be both a cleanser and exfoliator in one which leaves the skin soft and fresh with a blend of rosehip, chamomile and passion flower. So I may just end up keeping it for myself after all..

Granted the fact that I've never tried a Lola Barcelona Nail Varnish (£7.50) before but this particular shade Rambla; a beautiful pinky coral shade, is getting me excited for summer! Despite the fact that it looks ever so similar to Essie Cute As A Button albeit slightly darker, this will certainly be gracing both my fingers and toes over the next few months.

One thing that I hate about the sun shining is that I will suffer with heat rash and I'm currently itching my feet like no other so the Pommade Divine Nature's Remedy Balm (£19.80) is already being used all over and it's a life saviour! It's one of those multi purpose balms that you can use literally for everything and will do the trick so it's no wonder that it's causing quite the stir in the beauty industry!

I don't always trust health supplements that come in boxes especially those that claim to do a billion things so the Inner Me Beauty & The Green Coffee Bean (£10) will be getting put to the back of a drawer and forgotten about no doubt. Despite it claiming to give energy and mainting skin and hair, I highly doubt that it would work for me.

March Birchbox Review

For March, Birchbox have teamed up with Habitat to create this months theme Do Try This At Home which comes in a brightly coloued, uplifting box which I'll be no doubt be reusing for storage. Along with the usual samples/full size, it's jam packed with fab tips and ideas which are included in the inserts to help motivate you to some DIY; whether that's sprucing up a room in the house or doing a much needed home-pampering treat for yourself. Also included is an exclusive discount for Birchbox subscribers to receieve 20% off at Habitat which is extremely generous!

The first (and only) product that I was excited to get is a sample of Benefit Roller Lash (£19.50) which has only just launched in recent weeks. This claims to seperate, lift and curl lashes whilst holding them for 12 hours without the need of using eyelash curlers which I'll most definitely be putting to the test!

A sample that I was least excited about is the TanOrganic Self Tanning Oil (£24.99) which is described as being the worlds first ever tanning oil which claims to give a natural looking tan whilst also moisturising the skin. I'm actually not a fan of self tanning and would much rather pay for a spray tan so this won't be getting any use from me at the moment.

The last sample I received in this months Birchbox is a generous sized packet of Serenity Skincare Dead Sea Bath Salt (£9.50) which are supposedly to help in relieving skin disorders, stress, strains, muscle aches as well as a general body detox. I'm currently still making my way through some bath salts so I won't be putting these to the test any time soon I'm afraid but they certainly do sound good!

One of two lifestyle extras is a sample chapter from A Perfect Heritage by Penny Vincenzi (£7.99) which is said to be an epic tale of ambition, passion and ego with the beauty industry as its backdrop. I will most definitely be packing this in my bag for when I have a few spare minutes on my travels and if I enjoy it, I will be more than likely to purchase the paperbook. The last lifestyle extra in this months Birchbox is a little Birchbox & Habitat Exclusive Notebook which is the perfect size for jotting down any thoughts at a moments notice.

Despite the good variety within this months box, I'm disappointed with the products included in my box as well as the fact that I'm actually missing two samples (Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris). This is the second time in a row that this has happened now which is making me question my subscription to their beauty box service. I do truly love Birchbox but I just wish that they would ensure that everybody recieves the correct number of samples.

Look Fantastic March Beauty Box #LFBeautyBox

For a while now, I've been rather content with just having the one beauty box subscription as that particular box is one that is always surprising me and leaving me feeling happy that I got more than my moneys worth. A little over a week ago, a lot of people were giving the March #LFBeautyBox a lot of hype and saying that is was a must have box so naturally, I had to order one. Unlike other beauty boxes, this contains six products and is worth over £70 so lets delve straight in!

The first product that caught my eye is the brightly coloured pink The Wet Brush The Squirt which is a detangling brush that can be used on both wet and dry hair and on all different types of hair. I've already rather happy with my Michael Mercier Detangling Brush but I'm sure I'll find some use for this little pink guy. The next product that caught my eye is a deluxe sized sample of Bliss Fat Girl Slim which is a skin firming cream that claims to visibly diminish dimples with Qusome encapsulated caffeine molecules for quick and targeted results. I'm personally going to reserve this for nearer to the summer in particular my holiday in June to really put it to the test.

Next up is a full size NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye Color in Gilt which is a beautifully creamy goldy peach-ish shade. This alone is worth £24 so I'm surprised that Look Fantastic have included it in the box! I'll definitely be rocking this over the next few months in a gold smokey eye. I'm already inundated with lip balms so I was a little underwhelmed to see a Cowshed Lippy Cow Natural Lip Balm included in the box. This natural lipbalm is both paraben and sulphate free as well as being free from mineral oil and petrolatum. It contains a combination of essential oils to protect and soothe chapped lips as well as to intensely moisture them all with a subtle fruity scent.

Also included in the box is a deluxe sized sample of Nuxe Nuxellence Detox which is a detoxifying and youth revealing anti-aging night care that you apply at night which then recharges the skin by detoxifying skin cells and repairing mitochondrial DNA which come morning, the skin has a radiant glow. I will definitely be putting this to the test come winter as it definitely sounds right up my street! The last addition to the box is a travel size Lord & Berry Eyeliner in Black of which I already have a full size of. It's a rather standard, creamy black which for the price, there are most definitely cheaper alternatives to.

Overall, this box is definitely worth the money especially as it contains a mixture of deluxe sized samples and full size products, both drugstore and high end. I wouldn't necessarily commit to buying a box each month but definitely the occasional, one off ones like these especially when its good value for money!

February Birchbox Review

To tie in with Valentine's Day, the February box has a theme of "Birchbox Loves" - a selection of products both beauty and lifestyle which the Birchbox team love and adore! As always, they've included the usual inserts of the standard postcard format (not pictured) where they cover product favourites from cult brand Caudalie as well as tips and tricks on how to get ready Birchbox style as well as different ways on using coconut oil.

The first product that caught me eye a generous sized sample of the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (£45) which is a highly concentrated serum that helps reduce of the appearance of acne marks, scars and general dark spots and reavel a brighter, more even complexion. This serum is right up my street and I cannot wait to start using it!

Another product that I was excited to see is the KMS Hair Play Dry Wax (£15.50) which essentially is a dry wax spray that helps achieve a perfectly undone look with tousled definition and a matte finish with lots of volume and texture. As I'm so bored with my normal go to hair look, I'm excited to start experimenting and what better way to experiment with my hair than with this!

Next up is a Birchbox exclusive in the form of T London Darjeeling Hand & Body Lotion (£6.50+) which reminds me so much of my good friend Sophia! This is inspired by the reviving, delicate aroma of Darjeeling tea which is packed with jojoba and aloe oil to uplift your spirit and renew the skin all whilst leaving it silky soft and moisturised. Despite not being a tea drinker myself, I'm sure I will put these to good use epecially on a pamper evening.

Another Birchbox exclusive is the Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black (£11) which is one of the most creamiest formulas I've used! The shade itself is a intense, bold black which should last all day which you can both use as an eyeliner or blend it out for a smokey eye look. 

Another makeup edition to the box is theBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen (£10) which is one of those lip-to-cheek gel tints that I've never really been a huge fan of. It's a beautiful red-ish toned pink that you can either swipe on the lips for a hint of colour and immense gloss or dot onto the cheeks and quickly blend on the cheeks for a flushed look. I doubt I'll get much use from this so it'll be getting passed along to a friend.

Last but not least is a lifestyle extra in the form of a satchet of The Chia Co Oats + Chia (£4.95 for 5) which comes in many different flavours of which I receieved the Mixed Berry flavour! I've never tried chia seeds but I sure love oats so I'm excited to see how this compares to my normal porridge.