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!

Samples I've Used Up 030

I've used up a decent sized sample of Redken Colour Extend Conditioner which I recieved in a beauty box many moons ago that I only recently discovered in my stash. I managed to get nearly three full applications from this and I used it every other time I washed my hair to maintain my blonde after toning it the wash before. It didn't particularly wow me so I won't be buying in full size. I've finished up a REN Rose Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser which I got four uses from and as far as hot cloth cleansers go, this wasn't my favourite one. I've used up two Activbod Cooling Finish Lotions which I used after I had a shower after the gym and it was okay although I used it primarily to moisturise my body that to cool it down. I didn't finish the Beauty Protector Beauty Cream Hand & Body Moisturiser purely because it's so darn thick, you can't easily get it out of the bottle so a very bad packaging fail there sample wise. I've used up the Nip + Fab Dry Leg Fix which I used all over rather than just my legs and it kept my body moisturised however I wouldn't rush out to buy it.

I've finished up the No7 Eye Makeup Remover which I had to really rub at my eyes in order to remove even the tiniest amount of eye makeup which is not ideal. I've used up the Nuxe Nuxellence Detox which I liken to Lancome Visionnaire except not as pricey. I love the results that it gives and I've already got a full size of this waiting to be used in my stash. I managed to get three full face applications from the Glamglow Youthmud Exfoliating Treatment and I just loved how it made my skin look and feel when I removed it. Luckily enough, I have a full size of this in my stash which I will start to use once I've used up a few face masks. I've used up the ESPA Hydrating Floral Splash which I used as a hydrating toner after using an acidic toner. Funnily enough, I also have this in full size in my stash waiting to be used once I've used up a few more toners. I've finished up the Sk:n Brightening & Firming Eye Cream which is pretty much identical to the Origins Ginzing offering as it gives almost the same results. I've used up the Lancome Genefique which I've raved about before and won't bore you with it again.

I've finished up the ESPA 24 Hour Replenishing Moisturiser which smelt very natural but did a brilliant job at hydrating the skin. If I didn't have lots of moisturisers to use up then I would repurchase this in a heart beat! I've used up the last of my samples of Lancome Visionnaire which if it wasn't so pricey, I would buy in a full size however I will stick with Nuxe Nuxellence Detox as it gives near identical results but for a fraction of the price. I've finished up the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief which I felt that it did nothing for my skin in terms of keeping it hydrated when we had the freezing weather a few weeks ago however I believe that it's best suited when it's a lot warmer so I may try it out again in the next few months. I've used up two fragrance samples - Estee Lauder Modern Muse and Paco Rabanne Lady Million; both of which smell beautiful and would buy in full size as soon as I've used up a lot of fragrances. I've finished up the Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Supreme Lash Building Mascara which I used primarily after using a fibre mascara as it just helped to build my lashes even more. I've used up the No7 Extreme Length Mascara which is looking a little worse for wear as I used it to seperate and define my lashes inbetween coats of mascara. Lastly, I've finished up the Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara which I used immediately after using a white mascara primer to help make my lashes darker whilst creating some serious volume. 

January Empties 2016 || Products I've Used Up

I've used up the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water which is a brilliant budget friendly micellar water that removes practically all traces of makeup which comes in a massive bottle! I've finished up another Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which I will forever to have in my stash as it's one of the best hot cloth cleansers I've used which doesn't irritate my skin. I haven't used up the Lush The Kiss Lip Scrub however I'm having to throw it out because it smells off despite not actually going off till March. I've used up the Lancome Effacil Gentle Eye Makeup Remover which removed all eye makeup but I felt like I went through it too quickly especially when it is rather pricey. I've finished up another No7 Youthful Eye Serum which I use under eye cream to help keep my under eye area hydrated. I've finally used up the Dove Nourishing Oil Care Leave In Conditioning Spray which has helped keep my locks silky soft and nourished.

I've finished up another bottle of the Soap & Glory Clean On Me Shower Gel which long term readers will know I use to shave my legs with as it helps keep the just shaved feeling for longer. I've used up another Boots Build Up Removal Shampoo which I use every sunday to remove any product build up that I may have built up during thr week. I've finished up the I Love.. Perfectly Peachy Shower Gel which smells absolutely beautiful, lathers up well and promotes us women to CoppaFeel - literally! I've used up two tubs of the No7 Intensive Radiance Body Scrub which is one of the more grittier scrubs I've used without being too harsh on the skin. I've finished up the No7 Intensive Body Butter which smells divine and leaves the skin silky soft too.

I've finished up the No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer which doesn't necessarily airbrush away all imperfections but it does create a nice base ready for foundation. I've used up the Talika Eye Therapy Patch which I got two instead of three uses from and they helped to hydrate my under eye area. I've finished up the Seventeen Stay Time 18 Hour Concealer in Extra Fair which I use to conceal any blemishes and my dark circles. I've used up the Lush Pink FUN which I primarily used to create bubbles with. I've finished up the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob which I used to create the appearance of a fuller lip and to create a base for any lipstick I used on top. I've used up the Lancome Cils Booster XL which helped to make my lashes look fanned out and more defined. I've finished up the Benefit Gimme Brow which I use to set my eyebrows once I've my eyebrow pencil and powder. I've used up the Pretty Perfect Twist & Out Instant Nail Varnish Remover which is the only nail varnish I use. I've finished up a L'Oreal Mythic Oil Hair Mask which I used mainly as a conditioner as it helps nourish my hair and keep it in tip top condition.

I've finished up three packs of the No7 Quick Thinking Wipes which I use to remove foundation off my hands, clean surfaces with and to define my eye makeup with. I've used up two packs of the Wilko Maxi Oval Cotton Pads which are the only cotton pads I use as they don't fall apart at the first sign of liquid. I've also used up a few things from Lush including a Butter Bear Bath Bomb which is so cute and makes your skin feel really soft; a Cinders Bath Bomb which makes the bath crackle and pop and the Golden Wonder Bath Bomb which is a huge bath bomb that puts on a wicked water show.

Samples I've Used Up 029

I've finished up the CoLab Dry Shampoo in Tokyo which gave second or even third day hair look freshly washed complete with a nice scent. I've used up a cute travel sized Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic which I have tried before and I do absolutely love this as a refreshing toner. I've finished up decent sized sample of the Yin Yang Natural Moisturiser that I managed to get atleast two weeks use of - it smelt very natural and felt light on the skin yet made my skin feel really hydrated. I managed to get one full use of the Suti Cleanse Balm which smelt nice and cleansed my skin well just I prefer cleansers and oils over balms. I've used up two samples from Avene which was their Light Hydrating Cream and the Rich Compensating Cream - both hydrated my skin just I much preferred the rich one especially at night. I used up the Silk + Honey Shea Butter Hair Mask all in one use which I didn't realise at the time but had actually expired back in August 2014 which explains why it smelt a little funky. I managed to get two full body applications from the Whish Body Butter in Almond which smelt so bloody good and left the skin feeling incredible soft and moisturised. I didn't really use the Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara as I used it a few times and then just moved on to something else and completely forgot about it so I don't really remember if I liked it or not. The No7 Lash Impact Mascara on the other hand is one of my favouite mascaras as it helps to make the lashes look really defined and gives a lot of volume.

I've used up the Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel which all bloggers seem to love as it's the most sweetest shower gel ever and this certainly didn't disappoint! I've finished up a decent sized Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish which I've used up countless bottles of as it's one of the best hot cloth cleansers around as it cleanses the skin without making it feel dry and tight afterwards. I've finished up two perfume vials; the Lancome La Vie Est Belle is a little mature for my own taste but still smells nice none the less whereas Juicy Couture I Am Juicy Couture is right up my street and a purchase is definitely on the cards! I've used up the Arbonne Calm Soothing Facial Serum which made my skin feel soft and kept it hydrated too so I may consider buying this in full size at some point. I've finished up the Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Multi-Correcting Cream which I really loved using especially when my skin was playing up! I just wish this wasn't so expensive as I would buy this in a heartbeat! I've used up two mascara samples; the Benefit Roller Lash helped define my lashes and made them look fuller and the Lancome Hypnose Volume-a-Porter pretty much did the exact same - I loved both mascaras and would consider purchasing one of these in full at some point. I haven't necessarily used up the Lord & Berry Black Eyeliner but it's gotten all short from sharpening that I can no longer hold it! It's a simple black eyeliner that did the job but wouldn't necessarily rush out to buy.