Beauty, Bargains and Beyond

Here's a quick look at what I received in the November 2014 Birchbox (I didn't write about the October box as I didn't receive it until the end of October as the original box went missing in transit).  I have to say this box is impressive with 2 full size products included. I received the following: A full size OPI Nail Polish Turn on The Haute Light (worth £11.95) A full size Dr Jart+ Pore Refine Tight Effect Toner (140ml worth £18.00) Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil (10ml worth £1.60) Jane Iredale Purelash Lash Extender & Conditioner Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Masks (2x 14g) Drinkwel (6 vegetarian capsules food supplement for people who drink) This is a great box and the products are spot on for my needs and the value is brilliant.  If you are interested in signing up, here is my referral link  (I will receive 50 Birchbox points if you sign up using this link).  You can also enter this code VC5OFF to receive £5 off your first b...

Here's my Birchbox Review of the August 2014 box.  The theme of the box is Away We Go celebrating everything that makes summer getaways magical.  Here's what was in the box: Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect  (30ml worth £3)– a leave in conditioning spray to detangle and protect against heat and sun damage. Wild About Beauty Crème Eyeshadow in the shade Matilda  (1.75g worth £13) -  A long lasting satin finish shadow from Louise Redknapp and Kim Jacob’s paraben-free range.  This is a shimmery bronze shade. Nude ProGenius Omega Treatment Oil (5ml worth £9.67) – This nourishing oil is rich in omegas 3,6,7 and 9 for hydrated, smooth skin. Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator (20g worth £4.33) – a multi-action exfoliator to ensure a renewed, refreshed complexion. Supergoop Daily Correct SPF35 CC Cream (I received 2x 3ml worth £4.08) – a natural shade-adjusting CC cream with SPF to smooth fine lines and even out...

Its always nice to receive my Birchbox every month, as it's great to receive some new products to try out. This months box theme is Sun, Sea and Sand and here's a photo of the contents: I received the following: Weleda Millet Nourishing Shampoo (18ml - worth £0.84) - this shampoo is for normal hair and mine is dry.  I think it would be useful to put a shampoo and conditioner set in the box rather than just a shampoo, so that you can find out if the set works for your hair.  I definitely need to use a conditioner on my thick, curly hair. Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream (7ml - worth £9.33) - this is a nice enough product, but the problem is I have about 4 of them already as they have been in every single beauty box over the years.  I am a bit bored of Balance Me in beauty boxes (and also magazines) because it happens too often.  I think Balance Me are hurting their brand by being in so many beauty boxes.  The aim is surely to encourage you to buy the...

I just received my June Birchbox and I have to say that I am super happy.  I had seen some of the boxes that other bloggers and facebookers had received and I was keeping my fingers crossed that I received one or two of the items that I had seen.  I know that you can log onto your account before you receive your box to find out what's going to be in it, but I decided not to just in case I was disappointed.   Well I can 100% say that I am not at all disappointed.  There are some great brands in my box and I received 2 items that I really wanted.  I would have liked an Embryolisse product, but no matter as I am going to use the Birchbox points that I have saved up from reviewing products on their site to buy it with.  The theme of this months box is Global Strikers (yeah! world cup reference) top beauty players from around the globe. Here's what I got: BeautyBlender & BlenderCleanser Solid - this was the product I really really...

I have just received the May Birchbox and colour me impressed.  It's a collaboration with Harper's Bazaar and I am really happy with the contents. Here's what I received: This box suits me down to the ground and in all honesty there's only one product that I won't use. My box contained: Benefit They're Real Mascara (3g) - worth approx £6.88.  I haven't tried this mascara, so very happy to receive a travel size version which I will take with me when I travel. Soigne Nail Lacquer -  This is full size worth £11.  This is a lovely bright orange colour called Persimmon which will be perfect for summer.  I love the packaging that this comes in and its free of formaldehyde. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil - 3ml - worth approx £2.18 - I love putting these oils in my bath for a long soak and I already have a set from Christmas so happy to add to my collection. Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo -...

I still like the idea of getting a mystery box of beauty treats every month.  Most of the time I can't help but check out spoilers, but this time due to being really busy at work and also revising for an exam, I didn't have the time or inclination to check out any spoilers.  The only item that I knew about was the nail polish because they allowed you to pick the colour that you wanted to receive, prior to receiving the box. Hopefully, this is something that Birchbox will expand on and allow you more choice about what you receive in your box. Here's what I received: I received a sample of TheBalm Cosmetics How 'Bout Them Apples Lip & Cheek Cream. Its a very small sample, enough to try out and see if its worth buying the full size of. The packaging is super cute, like a book where the cover opens to reveal the product. I received the shade Pie.  As mentioned above, I received a Nail Polish by Color Club.  I chose the shade Aquamarine Az...

I received another great beauty box from You Beauty this month.  This box has an Organic and Natural inspired theme. The two items that I picked were both face masks.  The Clayspray Brightening Mask (white clay with ginseng) which exfoliates, renews and energises for normal/combination skin and  Clayspray Glow Mask (red clay with cacao) which exfoliates, rejuvenates and nourishes for normal/combination skin.  Both are 30ml and cost £15 each at feelunique.com . I also received a sachet of The Organic Pharmacy Face Cream Antioxidant and a 9bar fruity which is a mixed seed energy bar.  I can't wait to try out the masks.    Rather than spray the mask directly on to your face, which is what I expected (and would probably be way too messy), you spray or moisten your skin with natural mineral water, then dispense the product on your hand and massage into the area to be treated.  Leave on until dry and wash skin with water until clay...

I was really excited to find out that this months Birchbox was a collaboration with the designer Lulu Guinness, but I think the concept has been slightly overhyped to be honest. Don't get me wrong its a decent box, but I am not sure why a designer has been asked to pick the items for the box.  Really all that has been contributed is a sleeve that goes over the normal box and bizarrely a stick of lulu themed rock. Heres what I received: Benefit Stay Don't Stray primer for concealers & eyeshadows - 2.5ml (worth £5.13) - I already have this product and I am not a big fan.  It has the consistency of a concealer anyway so you have to blend it in on your eyelids quite a lot before applying eyeshadow and I don't generally need a a primer for concealers. Dr.Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - 7.5ml (worth £5.77) - This is an instant matifying pore refiner.  I have not tried this brand before, so I am looking forward to giving it...

Its always nice to receive a beauty box to open at the end of a hard day and Birchbox is one of  my favourites.  Its very rare that it disappoints and Februarys box is no exception.  The theme of this months box is We Love Your Style (inspired by London Fashion Week).  Here's what I received in my box. Leighton Denny Nail Polish in the colour Meteor Match.  This is a full size product worth £11.  This is a shimmering pale marine colour injected with glitter.  This is a really nice colour, but it does take at least 3 coats to become opaque. Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black.  I already have this from a magazine freebie last year and I don't use liquid eyeliner so I will give this one to a friend.  This is just over half the size of the normal full size product and is worth approx £6.85 (based on full size retailing at £12). Gilchrist & Soames Shower Gel 45ml.  In all honesty this looks like the sort or product yo...

Here is my very belated Birchbox review.  This is the first Birchbox of 2014 and I am very happy with it.  It has some great products which I cant wait to try out.  The January box is based on Tiny Tweaks - focusing on some small daily changes that will make a big difference by year end.  This is what I received in my box. First of all the Rodial Bee Venom Moisturiser which is 5ml and is worth £15 (full size retails at a whopping £150, so I think this will be the only time that I own this product, unless it performs miracles and makes a real difference to my skin).  I was very happy to receive this high end product. Honey Bee Venom works in synergy with a unique complex of plant stem cells to improve skin tone and elasticity.  I can't wait to try this product out. If that wasn't enough there is also a Benefit product included this month.   Benefit The POREfessional is an award winning primer that magically erases pores and leaves skin v...

I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much from the December Birchbox, after seeing some posts on Facebook from people who were disappointed. Since my expectations were so low, I have to say that I was pretty happy with the products I received.  Granted, its not the best beauty box Birchbox have ever done, but its nowhere near the worst beauty box I have received. They have managed to pack the box with brands that I have never tried and products that I will definitely find a use for.  Here's what I received: Number 4 Non Aerosol Hair Spray 43ml - This botanical-rich formula provides flexible hold (full size costs £18.50) Nail Rock Nail Velvet nail polish - This is a full size polish and costs £6.99.  I am interested to try this as I have never tried a velvet polish before.  The colour is navy. Sin-Care Booster Serums Party Girl Serum 5ml - activates the skins detoxification process, reduces dark circles, plus it de-stresses and brightens your complexio...

I know its a little bit late but I thought that I would still review the September Birchbox.  I really can't fault Birchbox, they present their boxes so well and there are always interesting products included.  I have been subscribed for well over a year and I can't remember being disappointed with any box that I have received, which is pretty good going.  Here's a photo of the contents. First up is Reverence de Bastien Nail Polish I think the shade is called No8 and its a bright bubblegum pink (its brighter than the photo above) which is quite nice although more suited to summer I guess.  I haven't tried this out yet but it says it needs 2 coats.  This is a full size product and costs £16.00.   Next is a mini bottle of Bioderma H2O - 20ml.  I think its great that a beauty box has finally included a cult product like this.  I already have a couple of bottles in my stash, but its a great product and I will take this with me when I g...