She Said Beauty June's beauty box

She Said Beauty beauty box, June* - £9 (+p&p)

I have been receiving the She Said Beauty beauty boxes for the past few months now, ever since joining them as a beauty contributor writing for their blog, but have yet to share with you their contents. However I was really impressed with the June beauty box so wanted to indulge you with this month's selection of samples. It brought us a nice mix of products, including two full sized ones and a cheeky bonus item as well!



Elemis Tranquil Touch Indulgent Bath Elixir
Close your eyes and drift away to an exotic retreat with this dreamy bath elixir packed full of sensuous patchouli and fragrant cedarwood. This product is a real treat and bubbles beautifully when added to your bath. Its heady and rich aroma lingers on the skin and the cocoa butter rich formula leaves your body feeling soft and soothed.

Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream (Full Size - £6)
I was really happy to find a full sized sample of the Balance Me Moisturising Hand Cream in this month's box, as I have previously used and loved this product. It has a very powerful moisturising formula that effectively combats dry skin and helps your hands stay conditioned and soft to the touch. It is perfect for every day use and with its sunshine-bright packaging, it is easy to locate from the depths of your handbag!



St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturiser
I remember St Tropez mousse being the first ever tanning product I tried while on the pasty path to bronzed beauty. I haven't yet tried this product but am excited to use it when I want to build up a subtle tan, whilst moisturising and nourishing my skin. This lotion is enriched with aloe vera as well as a healthy touch of bronze, so you can flaunt super smooth skin whilst building a gradual golden tan every day. It is a fairly decent sized sample as well!



Let's Go Lashes (Full Size - £8.95)
I think false lashes are always a winning product to slip inside a beauty box. Whether you flaunt them every day, or chose to bring them out only when ultimate glamour beckons, they are an item that I think many subscribers will enjoy. These lashes from Let's Go are fun and easy to apply and come in over 40 different styles to suit all occasions, personalities and moods, from the subtle, feathery and girly to the flamboyant, lavish and diamante-studded!



Yardley London Royal Diamond Eau de Toilette
The controversial perfume sample makes an appearance in this month's beauty box, but I think we can forgive She Said Beauty on this one as it is merely to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - and it would be rude not to! With a touch pear and bergamot, surrounded by a subtle note of honey and vanilla, this fragrance isn't really to my taste and is my least favourite item from the box this month.

Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream (Bonus)
We were treated to a Brucie Bonus in this month's box with this BB Cream from Ginvera. BB Creams are big news at the moment in the beauty industry yet I have strategically side-stepped them all. I haven't really been lured in by the whole premise of blemish balms but am excited to cast my preconceptions aside and give this sample a whirl.

What are your thoughts on this month's She Said Beauty box? Are you a subscriber?
If not and you want to treat yourself to the She Said Beauty sampling service, then you can find out more here.

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good things from glossybox

No, this is not a feature on this month's most recent Glossybox but in fact a celebration of a few products I have particularly loved receiving in my Glossyboxes* over the last few months. I think it is sometimes nice to take a step back and look at all the new brands and products you have been introduced to and see if they have infiltrated your everyday beauty collection. I thought I would share with you just a sample of products which have been personal favourites of mine - I would love to hear if you share my love for them too.



Figs & Rouge Lip Balm (from the April box) - Not only does it smell like mint humbugs, but this balm is just amazing at combating all areas of dry skin, whether it be your lips, face or body. It is one of those handy little tins that is great for on the go and can be used to condition cuticles, tame unruly eyebrows and moisturise chapped lips. I love that it isn't overly greasing and absorbs into the skin quickly. I definitely want to pick up the cherry and vanilla scent now.



YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum (from the March 'Harrods' box) - Anti-aging or skincare products are often received with a mixed and weary reception as skin products are a very personal thing, but I have to say I am very happy to have been introduced to the YSL Youth Liberator Serum. I honestly don't think I will be purchasing the full sized product for a whopping £60 but I have loved using this little sample of heaven. With only a few drops, it glides onto your skin beautifully, leaving it feeling hydrated and soft. It also makes for a great primer before applying your makeup.

Philip B Drop Dead Straightening Balm (from the April box) - Possibly the perfect product for curly-haired girls like me who are after sleek, straight, tangle-free locks. This balm is a non-greasy, silicone-free styling aid that weighs the hair down without being greasy and leaves it feeling smooth and free of frizz and flyaways. It also supposedly shortens the blow-drying time and helps maintain your straight style for longer.

Clarins Extra Firming Body Cream (from the March 'Harrods' box) - I am partial to Clarins makeup but hadn't ever really ventured into their skincare collection. This extra-firming body cream is a rich, luxurious formula which restores the skin's youthful density and elasticity. I am not too fussy when it comes to body moisturiser but have really enjoyed pampering my body with this one.



Lolita Lempicka L'eau en Blanc & Si Lolita perfume samples (from the May box) - I know perfume samples can be a sore subject when it comes to beauty boxes, and usually I am not a fan of receiving fragrances myself, but this month I made an exception. I believe the beauty box sampling service is all about introducing you to new brands and products that you may not have normally tried, and Lolita Lempicka was just this brand. These fairytale-inspired fragrances are just gorgeous - so delicate and feminine, and are shrouded by a whimsical narrative and elaborate packaging.



Leighton Denny High Performance Nail Colour - Honey Trap (from the March 'Harrods' box) - This was a nail brand that I hadn't heard of, let alone tried before receiving it in my March glossybox. This clay/beige colour (with a hint of mushroom) is just so normal, it is actually really interesting. It has a gorgeous creamy finish and works really well when used to recreate a classic french manicure. I also love that we received a mini sample, because whenever do you finish a whole nail polish anyway?!

You can subscribe to Glossybox online here for £10 a month (plus p&p)

I would love to hear what products you have really rated from your beauty boxes recently. Have any of them lead to full size purchases?

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Carmine: the February box

Carmine Beauty Box*

subscribe to online.

It doesn't seem five minutes ago I was writing my feature on Carmine's January box and feeling a bit miffed about its offerings after their climatic Christmas box. Well I do believe Carmine have truly redeemed themselves with this month's delivery and I was really pleased with the products I unveiled today. I think this just proves how changeable, and subjective, beauty boxes can be. Some months can bit real hits, and other months can be complete misses. Signing up can be a gamble, but that is the nature of beauty boxes, and invariably if there are at least two or three standout products that you are keen to try out - I say it is worth the money. And who doesn't love a surprise parcel popping through your letterbox each month...

1. Andrea Fulerton Nail Varnish (full size) - You will probably recognise celebrity nail technician Andrea Fulerton's nail products from those swirly stands in Superdrug, even if you haven't actually tried them yourself. In this month's box I found a full sized bottle of Andrea Fulerton's nail varnish in the shade Kim, which is a gorgeous dense, browny-red. The professional formula is rich and creamy and finishes opaque with just two coats.

2. White Glo Professional Choice whitening toothpaste - A pleasantly surprising discovery in a beauty box, I was really pleased to find a generous sample of White Glo toothpaste in this month's box. I guess this is a 'nice' safe product that everyone will use and no one can really grumble about. Considering I am always on the campaign for pearly whites, I am looking forward to testing this product out.

3. Diego Dalla Palma lipstick - I am always happy when a lipstick wriggles its way into a beauty box, even if it is on the teeny tiny size. Diego Dalla Palma is one of Italy's top makeup brands which has recently crossed oceans and is making waves here on English soil. Their lipsticks come in a whole host of sophisticated shades, promising rich pigmentation and lasting colour. I received no.47, a pretty coral colour, perfect for a Springtime pout.

4. Steam Cream steam-infused skincare (full size) - The second of three full sized product in this month's Carmine box, Steam Cream is a lightweight, all-in-one moisturiser featuring nourishing oils. I adore the kooky Japanese-designed tins and the fact that this moisturiser can be used head to toe. Steam Cream has been very much hyped in the blogging world over the last year or so, so I am keen to see if it lives up to the rave reviews.

5. Balance Me Rose Otto Moisturising Body Wash (full size) - Full sized sample number three coming right up. The Balance Me Moisturising Body Wash smells amazing - so delicately fragranced with all the blooms of Spring and it will leave your skin velvety soft and smooth. I personally love finding bath products in beauty boxes (just no bath salts please!) and I will enjoy adding this Balance Me Body Wash to my already brimming army of body washes.

6. Yardley London Peony fragrance - Yes, there is a perfume sample in this month's box, but hold onto those toys before slinging them out the pram, as this is a bonus product in addition to the other five fabulous items to be found in this month's box. I am not a fan of perfume samples but I cannot really complain considering this was an extra item...and it does actually smell quite nice.

All in all, a very good box in my opinion. It offers a great range of products, ticking all the right boxes in regards to skincare, makeup and nail products, and delivers us a nice mix of well known brands along with some new names to discover.

What are your thoughts on Carmine's box this month?

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Carmine: the January box

Carmine's January beauty box*

1. Westlab Himalayan Pink Salt: A natural, mineral-rich treasure straight from the Himalayan mountain range that will transform your bath to a heavenly soak, helping you to relax and detox. 

2. Balance Me Radiance Face Oil: This 100% natural face oil is set to dramatically renew your skin, leaving it glowing and moisturised. Simply massage it onto your face and neck to give your skin back the radiance it deserves.

3. Korres Wild Rose 24 hour Moisturising & Brightening Cream: A lovely treat from sunny Greece. This organic face cream will not only brighten and repair your complexion, but it will also pump up the hydration for a full 24 hours.

4. Eyeko Fat Eye Stick: A chubby stick of soft creamy colour works as a liner and as a shadow to create the perfect smoky-eye. Available in six different colours.

5. Eldora handmade lashes: With over 200 different types of lashes, Eldora offer an extension range of hand created lashes fit for every occasion; from diamante encrusted to glow in the dark.

This month's beauty box from Carmine could definitely be described as a bit of a mixed bag. I certainly didn't get a pang of excitement as I lifted the lid and revealed the contents like I have in previous months. I saw bath salts and my heart dropped. Bath salts really don't float my boat! But on closer inspection, I would have been foolish to dismiss this month's box quite so quickly. The eyelashes look fabulous - I am a big fan of falsies and I know I will find the perfect occasion to flaunt these. Eyeko's fat eyestick is a chunky eye kohl ideal for lining the eyes as well as giving your lids a glossy slick of colour. It is soft and creamy and will suffice as a new eyeliner when my current one runs out. I don't go crazy for Eyeko products; I feel much love was lost when they stop doing their dinky nail varnishes, but for an eyeliner, this is actually alright. The Korres Wild Rose Moisturising Cream should be a nice product to try based on my pleasant experiences with a few other Korres products, plus it does smell lovely. And as for the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil with its rollerball applicator...the jury are still out on this one!

So all in all, I felt it was a bit hit and miss this month. The false lashes and Eyeko fat eyestick were good finds in the box and it is nice they can be used in conjunction with each other to create a dramatic, evening eye look. The Korres Moisturising Cream will be a nice addition to my skincare selection, but the other products didn't really bowl me over.

What are your thoughts on this month's box?

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Glossybox for men

 

Let me introduce to you Glossybox for men.* A quarterly beauty box filled with 7 luxury sized grooming products to satiate every modern man's needs. January's box is packed full of finely picked, yet little less than man-sized samples, that range from haircare, shaving and fragrance. I presented my boyfriend Rob with this latest offering from Glossybox and we unveiled the contents in unison with great anticipation. As the charcoal grey lid was lifted, the ribbon untied and the paper parted ripped open, we were met with some familiar brands, as well as some lesser known names.

1. Goldwell StyleSign Roughman - Matt Cream Paste  2. Monu Vitru Energy Rub

3. Monu Vitru Conditioning Body Wash  4. Goldwell Dualsenses Hair & Body Shampoo

5. Shaveworks The Cool Fix  6. Murad Clarifying Mask  7. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L'Homme and L'Homme fragrances

I think it is transparent that, broadly speaking, the female demographic have been reeled in by the lure of beauty boxes, hook, line and sinker! A further excuse to laden our already brimming beauty bounty with more products and new discoveries was always going to be a no-brainer. But is this move by Glossybox into a male beauty box imprudent or ingenious? Let's hear the verdict from the man himself...



- Hair and body shampoo? Legendary! A product that does two jobs in one is a winner with me.
The samples are the perfect size for my gym bag - much more feasible than lugging around a full sized body wash with me.
This is the perfect lazy boy's option to shopping and sampling new products.
I would definitely consider ordering one for a friend as a gift.
I especially like that it only comes every three months. I like trying new products but would feel a bit overwhelmed if seven new samples were descending upon me each month! -

The products in this (first) month's box are high-end and varied and were really liked by Rob. Whereas I would usually be the first to snubbed the fragrance samples, I think these were a really good addition to the box. From experience, men can get stuck in a rut with aftershave; just repurchasing their trusty old faithfuls. Sometimes it is time to put down the Old Spice and branch out and sniff new things! And the YSL samples are actually divine, such an amazing scent. I will definitely be urging Rob to purchase the full sized product of La Nuit de L'Homme in particular. Rob was impressed, genuinely impressed with Glossybox for men, and rather thrilled that he for once was in receipt of a parcel from the postman!

For more information, the details and deals on Glossybox for men, then you can visit their website.
What are you thoughts on Glossybox's maverick move into a male grooming beauty box? Would the man in your life be pleased or perplexed by this?

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Carmine: the December box

Apparently 'tis the season to be jolly and all, but I am feeling anything but as I am snuggled up at home nursing the dreaded lurgy. One benefit however of being bed-bound, with only some balsam tissues for company, is that I was actually able to receive my post today as it arrived rather than impatiently waiting until I get home from work. In between drinking gallons of orange juice and blowing my ridiculously red nose, I managed to muster up some strength to open up Carmine's December box and share with you its Christmas offerings. This month we have been treated to not five, but six, products. This will just be a quick overview in case you wanted a sneak peak inside the Christmas box; obviously I haven't had a chance to try any of the products so can't comment too much on how great (or not) they are.

Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash

 I have been using Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil recently which I absolutely love, so I was very happy to see a (full sized) Weleda product in this box. This body wash smells heavenly, a fruity and herbal combination, and is packed full of nutrients and organic pomegranate oil.

KMS California Freeshape Quick Blow Dry

A small sample of KMS California's Quick blow dry spray. It apparently can reduce your blowdrying time by up to 50% and leaves your hair soft and smooth. Blowdrying my mane is a mammoth task so anything that might help make the task a little less arduous is a winner with me.

Institut Esthederm Time Technology Cream

This is described as a miracle, light reflecting cream for all ages. It gives your face an instant glow whilst providing deep moisturisation to your skin. It is nice to receive a cream that is suitable for all ages, rather than an anti-aging product like last month which would not have suited everybody.

MyFace Cosmetics Blingtone (Silver Screen)

This Grazia awarding winning pot of colour will definitely add some bling to your eyes during this festive time. I received Silver Screen, a fierce metallic shimmer with a pretty pewter finish, but there are two other colours in the boxes. I really like this shadow, just perfect for creating a sparkly eye look. These retail at £9.99 so I think this was a fabulous addition to the box and will definitely appease those who like to make sure they get their money's worth.

Japonesque Smudger Brush

I recently reviewed some Japonesque brushes and was highly impressed with them, so it was great to see one of their brushes in this month's box. The smudger brush gives you control for creating a variety of looks and blending eyeliner or shadows. I think it is a nice touch that they have included two products that can be used together, ie: the blingtone and the brush. 

Benito Brow Bar Eyebrow Threading voucher

This card entitles you to a free brow threading at any Benito Brow Bar, as well as offering you 20% off a wow lash treatment. There are quite a few Benito Brow Bars nationwide, a full list is available here, and I had a great experience there last week when I went and had some eyelash extensions done. I have wanted to get my brows threaded for a while now so I am looking forward to using this.

So there we have it. What are your thoughts on this month's Carmine box?

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glossybox - the christmas edition

What's red and shiny and comes through your letterbox a few days before Christmas? It's the Glossybox Christmas Edition!* 

The usually girlish pink box has had a festive facelift and is as shiny and red as Rudolph's nose! This box is part two of the Glossybox Christmas Gift Guide and is packed full of products to get you in the seasonal spirit. 

This is the first time I have decided to feature my Glossybox contents on my blog, despite kindly being sent a few boxes in the past. I am always a bit too late to the table with my posts and then I feel I have nothing much to add to whatever has already been said. However I am so impressed with this month's offerings, so much so I may have even snuffled a little squeak of glee as I raised the lid and revealed its goodies, that I really wanted to share them with you.

Blink + Go Eyeshadow and Blush Palette, (full size - RRP 14.95)

Popping a full sized makeup item in the box is a sure fire way to get my eyes dancing with delight! I was really pleased to unearth this palette rather than the mascara that I have seen in some of the other Christmas glossyboxes. I think it is nice that they have varied the contents slightly, but that is because I am smugly happy with my box. This is way more exciting than a mascara. The palette has two layers, the top layer offering six very wearable eyeshadow colours, the bottom revealing two pink-toned blushers. I can't vouch for the quality of this product yet, but am looking forward to giving it a whirl.

Bioniva Eye Wrinkle Treatment (small sample size)

Possible the consolation product in this month's box. No not a perfume sample, but a small pot of Bionova's eye wrinkle treatment cream. This doesn't really float my boat, but that's because I don't have eye wrinkles...yet. Others may be thrilled that they can trial something that retails at £43 for a full-sized product, and isn't that the whole point?

Rituals Foaming Shower Gel (full size - £6.50)

At first glance I thought this was a deodorant which I thought was an odd addition to the Christmas Glossybox, unless they suspect us all getting a little bit sweaty as we race around the shops doing our last minute shopping! But no, it is a foaming shower gel from Rituals which has an amazingly sweet, floral aroma.

Cargo Cosmetics Classic Lip Gloss, Serengeti (travel size)

A lipgloss: thumbs up. A lipgloss in a gorgeous, iridescent peach colour: double thumbs up! The full size of this lipgloss retails at £10, but I think this dinky travel-sized product is more than adequate. Lipgloss seems to last me ages anyway. I really love the look of this and am excited to review it in more detail in a future post.

Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle Mini Nail Vanish (mini) with Stripped to Go Sachet

Possibly the trump card of this month's offerings. This mini Deborah Lippmann nail colour is an enticing blackened raspberry varnish with magenta and red glitter. It is really quite fabulous and perfect for the impending party season! Full size, this would cost £16 so I am more than happy with my little pot of Razzle Dazzle. Along with the nail varnish there was also a Deborah Lippmann polish remover finger nail mitt. Can't say I have ever used a finger mitt before but sure it will be very handy.

 So all in all, Glossybox's Special Christmas Edition certainly got my bells a ringing-dinging and it really did feel like Christmas had come early when this box arrived!

To sign up or to find out more about Glossybox, then you can find all the info here.

What are your thoughts on this month's box?

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Carmine: the November box

I present to you this month's Carmine beauty box.

After much shaking and shimmying of the lid, swiftly followed by much huffing and puffing and a few cursed words, I finally managed to detach the stubborn lid from the box and reveal its contents. Apparently there is a particular 'lid-removal' technique. Clearly I have not quite mastered this technique yet! Faced with a reluctant lid and a box packed full of surprise products, maybe it is all just a clever ploy to heighten the excitement of the whole experience!

So here is what I received in November's box...

This is what Carmine says about the products...

Neom Organics Real Luxury Body Lotion (50ml)

An organic product from an award-winning brand, this lotion is packed with the fragrances of lavender, jasmine and basil. 

Lulu's Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream (15ml)

A powerful anti-ageing night cream that turns back time whilst you sleep.

New Cid i-Pout lipstick

A revolutionary and incredibly wearable lipstick equipped with a built-in mirror and light for perfect application in absolutely any circumstance.

Cosmetics a la carte Brow Ink

A soft, semi-permanent ink which allows you to define your brows perfectly by allowing you draw in individual hairs. It can also be used as an eyeliner.

Dainty Doll Eyeliner Pencil

From the makeup line of fashion icon and solo artist Nicola Roberts, this eyeliner pencil contains skin-loving vitamins and is just oozing with colour.

Well I was pleasantly surprised with the items in this month's Carmine box, mainly because there were three full-sized makeup products, and I would always choose makeup over skincare any day. The fact there was a lipstick in the box absolutely delighted me, especially as it is a really nice colour and is from a brand that I am familiar with but never sampled before. 

The Neom Organics body lotion is an alright sample size at 50ml. It smells rather lovely and is a nice, rich consistency. I have never tried anything from Neom Organics so it will be interesting to trial one of their products, however I am not sure it will lure me away from my Body Shop body butters! The Lulu's Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream doesn't really excite me, purely because I am naively living under the illusion that I am not getting old and do not need to invest in anti-ageing remedies just yet. I suppose from such a small sample, it would be very hard to gage whether this is an effective product or not, but I have passed this to mother bear for her appraisal.

I think the two winning products in this month's box are the Cosmetics a la Carte brow ink and the Dainty Doll Eyeliner pencil, although understandably the colour might not be to your personal taste. I absolutely love the look of these two products and look forward to featuring them in a more detailed review. I am having a slight love affair with my brows at the moment so can't wait to try this felt-tip like pen to define and shape them. The Dainty Doll eyeliner is quite an exquisite emerald green which I think could make for a really pretty peacock-inspired eye look.

You can discover more about the Carmine beauty box and subscribe via their website.

What are your thoughts of this month's products?

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