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Glossybox

Beauty Boxes

Why I’m cancelling my beauty boxes

January 19, 2015

Glossybox January 2014

After what feels like forever, I’ve finally decided to cancel my Glossybox.

Glossybox was my first subscription box, and to be honest I’ve had a good run, but lately I’ve found myself getting less and less excited by the service, and after one too many disappointing boxes I’ve decided to take a break from not only Glossybox, but also Birchbox, Love me Beauty and You Beauty Discovery.

One of the main reasons is that my subscription beauty boxes were racking up to nearly £50 a month, and although you generally get far more for your money how often do you really end up with things that you actually want or need? That £50 is a new Urban Decay palette with change left over for the MUA counter, or a half-decent trip to MAC.

I think there has just been one too many lipstick shades I’ll never wear, far too much by way of skincare samples that I’ll never get around to using, and worst of all a stash of dreaded perfume vials.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) my last Glossybox was actually pretty good, five full size products that all look very nice, however I would never have gone out and purchased any of them individually, so really I’m just bulking up my already overwhelming cosmetic stash with things I could probably live without.

There have been plenty of times where I’ve found wonderful products and brands that I now absolutely couldn’t live without – Laura Mercier Primer, HD Brows powder and Ciate nail polishes all come to mind right away – but they’ve certainly been outnumbered by perfume and skincare samples that I’ve got absolutely no interest in.

I don’t think I’m off the subscription box bug completely though, I’ve decided to keep my Pink Parcel subscription (mostly because of how handy it is – check out my review of this month’s PMT busting box here) and I might order the odd one-off box here and there, but having five or six boxes a month has really taken away the fun of it for me.

When I first started blogging about beauty products, it seemed that I could never get enough new things to try out but in truth it’s all just gathering dust (hypothetically…it’s all organised meticulously in Alex drawers of course…!) and taking up space that I could have filled with things I really really wanted.

If money and storage space weren’t an issue I’d probably keep them all, but both need a serious overhaul in truth so for now it’s bye bye boxes.

How do you feel about beauty subscription boxes? Have they become a bit jaded for you, or do you still wait by the postbox eagerly for your monthy surprise box of treats?

Totally hellbent for deciding what to spend the saved money on!

– Gem

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox September 2014

September 22, 2014
Glossybox September 2014

Glossybox September 2014

 

Glossybox have fallen into my bad books lately. Not only have I received some terrible customer service but also I’ve found the past two boxes a little lacklustre. Considering I was singing their praises to the high heavens till recently, I still have hope that they will be pulling out some awesome boxes again but for now I can’t say that I’m particularly impressed.

The September 2014 Glossybox is designed by Karen Millen, and though I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever stepped foot in one of their stores, I do like the London imagery that covers the box this month.

Inside there are two full size products and six samples along with a £25 off voucher for Karen millen stores when you spend £150 (unlikely).

 

Glossybox September 2014 Model Co More Brows

ModelCo MORE BROWS Fibre Gel

The first full size product is a brow gel from ModelCo in light/medium. I saw the preview video with Binky from Made in Chelsea before the box was shipped and I was quite excited about this product, but I can’t say I’m particularly taken with it in person. I’ve tried these wand applicator brow gels before and I find them messier and less precise than my usual powders and pencils. Honestly this is likely going to end up in the back of a drawer somewhere unused because it’s just not enough to tame and shape my rather sparse brows, if you’ve naturally got a thicker brow though it would probably work a lot better for you!

Full Size

£14.95 from www.modelcocosmetics.com

 

Glossybox September 2014 mythic masque

L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Masque

Next up is a replenishing and nourishing hair mask from L’Oreal. I was initially quite looking forward to trying this, but when you have to towel dry your hair before applying then get back in the shower to rinse it off? Who has time for that! It smells delicious and I have seen good things about this all over the web, so maybe I can convince myself that going through the bother of drying only to condition once more is a good idea (or more likely I’ll just apply it to wet hair >.>)

75ml Sample

£17.99 for 200ml from www.lookfantastic.com

 

Glossybox September 2014 SkinPep

SkinPep Enzyme and Acid Peel & Dark Circle Eraser

I do love getting products from lesser known companies but with only one sachet of eye-cream and two 3.5ml sachets of the face peel, I’m not sure if there’s enough product to really get a feel for them. The full sizes come at a pretty penny so it would be nice to get a slightly bigger sample to decide if you want to invest further or not. I really don’t feel that even a bundle of such sachets constitutes a place in Beauty Boxes if I’m honest, does anyone else feel this way and prefer to get at least a decent sized sample of even very high end products?

2x 3.5ml sample and 1x 2ml sample

£89.99 and £44.99 from Skinpep.com

 

Glossybox September 2014 Nails Inc matte topcoat

Nails Inc Westminster Bridge matte Top Coat

The only thing I really got excited about in my September Glossybox was this lovely matte topcoat from one of my favourite brands, Nails Inc. I’ve been wearing quite a lot of matte nails recently, but with a topcoat you can turn every polish you own matte! It’s a full size bottle which will last for absolutely ages, the brush is so easy to use and it dries pretty quickly for those of you (like me) who are always in a hurry to get your nails finished. Best product by a mile!

Full Size

£12 from NailsInc.com

 

Glossybox September 2014 Vichey

 

Vichy Normaderm Night Detox and Hydrating Care

I’m a big fan of Vichy skincare and even though these tiny samples are only 3ml, because they come in tubes rather than sachets you can likely get a few uses out of each one and thus a better feel for the products. The addition of both a day and night cream means these are perfect for throwing in an overnight bag for any impromptu adventures. I’ve not tried either of these creams before but both are products I’d be interested to purchase so even though I’m usually pretty meh about small skincare samples I’ll let this one slip just this once!

2 x 3ml samples

£12.00 for 40ml and £15.50 for 50ml from Boots.com

 

So overall I have to say this isn’t one of the best boxes I’ve received by a long shot, very heavy on the skincare samples and only one product that I can really get excited about. I’ve not seen many reviews for alternative products this month though, did you get anything different in your box?

Totally hellbent for Nails Inc saving the day

Gem

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox August 2014 Review

August 29, 2014

glossybox-august-14

glossybox-aug-14

I know I cancelled by subscription to Glossybox, but I’ve still ended up with two boxes thanks to my hoard of Glossydots meaning they were free of charge. Since returning from festival season I’ve managed to come back to a Vegan Kind box, Birchbox and this month’s Glossybox so I’ve definitely been spoilt rotten.

We all know my track record with Glossybox has been a little rocky as of late and I’ve had a tendency to be severely disappointed with the contents, so this month I’m going to try and be a little more positive, so on with the contents we go …

glossybox-cashmere

Kryolan for Glossybox – Highlighter in “Cashmere” – 4.5g sample – RRP £12.95 for full size

I do love me a good highlight! Despite my reservations, the formula for this glides on beautifully and gives a lovely highlight – not to mention the packaging is sleek and wonderful. It reminds me a little of the elf studio range, of which I adore the square jars and the matte black lids. Kudos where credit is due though, I’ll be enjoying this.

glossybox-swatches

 

Above: Left – Kryolan for Glossybox Highlighter in “Cashmere” swatch & Right – Essence Longlasting Lipstick in “Natural Beauty” swatch

glossybox-essence

Essence – Longlasting Lipstick in “Natural Beauty” – full size – £2.29

Essence is a brand I’ve heard a lot about recently and I’ve had to try very hard not to purchase anything myself since I’ve been trying to save money for festivals and the new arrival of a puppy (expensive stuff are puppies!). At first I winced at the colour but at second glance I’m pretty pleased with it. It’s a slightly pinker nude which goes well with my skin tone and I have been after a nice nude for a while now.  The application seems Okay but I haven’t tested this out and about so I’m unsure of the longevity yet. I am looking forward to eventually trying a few more things out from Essence though … in time of course.

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Figs & Rough – Mini Hand Cream – 20ml sample – £6.95 for full size

I’m a big fan of hand cream. I generally have one on my desk, in a few bags and by the side of my bed. I also have some next to the kitchen sink so I can top myself up if I’m downstairs. More hand cream is always welcome, and after trying some of their lip balm I’m a massive fan of Figs & Rouge. This hand cream is mango and mandarin and it smells so fruity and delicious. One thing I did notice after applying it was how instantly soft my hands felt. There was no sticky or oily residue and it didn’t feel as though i’d just creamed my hands, but they felt exceptionally smooth. I can’t see this tube lasting for very long at all!

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Philip Kingsley – Elasticizer – 40ml sample – £38 for full size

This one is a little strange – I’m not quite sure what the desired effect is for this. According to the Glossybox info – this is a pre-shampoo treatment delivering unrivalled elasticity, manageability, bounc and shine without weighing down or coating the hair. Well I’m pretty sure my Shampoo & Conditioner also claim to do these things. My only qualm about trying this out, is that it’s a pre-shampoo, meaning you have to apply to damp hair and leave for 10-20 minutes. Not great if you are on a schedule or if it already takes you a good half an hour when washing your hair to complete your shower routine. Still I’ll give this a bash and see what I think. At £38 a bottle though I really am expecting a miracle.

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Yves Rocher – Nail Polish in “Rose” – 3ml sample – £3.60 for full size

Okay, I know I said I was going to be positive about this box, but I definitely rolled my eyes at this one. First of all – pink? Another crummy pink nail varnish? As much as I’ve recently discovered the joys of pink lipstick, one thing I really can’t get into is pink nail varnish. It just isn’t for me. Tie this in with the pitiful 3ml sample and this is definitely the worst product from this month’s box. It applied Okay, but was a little streaky and probably not a brand I’ll be going out of my way to buy any time soon. For now it will be added to the “pink” pile awaiting a new home with someone who appreciates this shade of nail.

glossybox-lamour

Lalique – L’Amour perfume sample – 2ml sample – £67 for full size

I’m generally pretty non chalonce about fragrance samples. I always think most samples I receive are nice but I’ve never had any that have made me instantly want to part with £70 to buy the full size. My vast and expanding fragrance collection generally comes from my two dads at Christmas, which I am eternally grateful for. One dad buys my the expensive designer stuff such as Jean Paul and Dior and the other picks me things up when he goes abroad based on how nice they smell, which is how I discovered Escada (one of my favourite brands). Despite that I do enjoy trying out these samples and they are pretty handy for throwing in a hand bag or taking to gigs. Lalique is actually more of my Winter scent – it’s pretty heavy, and the notes of Rosebud really makes an appearance. With a slight floral undertone, although heavy it’s not too over bearing but definitely more of an evening scent. I was also pretty enthralled by the sample vial. I’ve become heavily accustomed to spray samples so I was a little confused when nothing happened upon pressing the top down. The lid actually comes off and it has a few little holes in the top so this can be rubbed over the skin. A little different to the samples of today. I probably wont be purchasing this any time soon but I wouldn’t complain if someone bought it for me!

I think this month’s box has been pretty good overall. I wasn’t blown away, but I haven’t by Glossybox for a long while now. I was a little disappointed with the size and colour of the nail varnish, but overall I’ve enjoyed all but the varnish in the August box. If you’d like to try Glossybox out, you can do so for just £10 plus P&P here. I still have a few points left to use up, so we’ll see what next month brings.

Totally hellbent for coming back to reality with a host of beauty boxes from the post man

– Pants

Beauty Boxes

Stars and Stripes Glossybox July 2014

July 20, 2014
Glossybox July 2014

Glossybox July 2014

Glossybox July 2014

I have returned from hibernation! There are plenty of reasons why I took a little break from blogging and left HBFL in the very capable hands of Amie for a few weeks, but I shan’t go into them now for there are shiny treats inside this pretty stars and stripes box and playing with make-up is always more fun than waxing lyrical about mushy feelings!

This is an awesome box with four full size products and a generous 15ml sample, I adore the packaging and although it’s a tiny minuscule thing on the scale of importance I’m a little bit in love with the red filling!

Glossybox July 2014

Bellapierre Cosmetics Ltd Mineral Lipstick in Ruby

Wowza! I do so love a red lip so this was a perfect pick for me. I’ve used a few Bellapierre products before but nothing from their lip range, I think after this I’ll definitely be looking to pick up a few more. Ruby applies so easily, the texture is very creamy but doesn’t feel like it slips even after a few hours. The pigmentation is great and there is a gorgeous shimmer finish that isn’t too glossy. An amazing find that gives me a great interest in checking out the other shades in the range.

Full Size

£20 from bellapierre.co.uk

 

Glossybox July 2014

ABSOLUTE New York Perfecting Eyeshadow Primer

I’ve not heard of ABSOLUTE New York before but I’m already a big fan of this eye primer. It has a lovely texture and dries to a soft finish that gives a good smooth base for any colour. I can’t comment on longevity without giving it a few trial runs, but for application this is a great little find.

Full Size

$4.99 from Nicka.com

 

Glossybox July 2014

Carmex Lip Balm

I’m a sucker for lip balms and have a shamefully large collection, however I think I can definitely make room for one more pot with this little treat. Carmex is one of those classic brands that everyone has heard of but I’ve never been particularly tempted to try it out.  I can see now though why it is a favourite amongst celebrities and make-up artists though, in one quick pat on my lips it made them feel smooth and moisturised, it is slightly greasy feeling but I don’t mind that so much. The menthol leaves a slight pleasant tingle so it might be worth some caution if you are very sensitive to such.

Full Size

£2.69 from Graftonsbeauty.co.uk

 

Glossybox July 2014

Color Club Nail Polish in Glossy Seal 

I’ve dabbled with a few Color Club polishes but none as lovely as Glossy Seal. This inky teal-tinged blue is right up my street and surprisingly I can’t find a shade similar in my collection. The formula is a dream, application was quick and streak-free and one coat was enough for an even opaque finish. Love love love!

Full Size

$8 from Shopcolorclub.com

 

Glossybox July 2014

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturiser

This was the least exciting product in the box at first glance, but one sniff of the gorgeous apple scent and I was sold! My only qualm is the SPF 15 seems kind of redundant in this sort of weather, I think I’ll hold onto this for the colder months when I can be a little less strict with keeping my facial SPF above 100.

15ml Sample

£35.75 for 50ml from Naturisimo.com

 

So overall a pretty amazing box for me personally, especially the cosmetic colour choices!

If you want a Glossybox of your very own you can pick one up for £10 (+P&P) from Glossybox.co.uk.

Totally hellbent for a beauty box full of things I will definitely use!

– Gem

Beauty Boxes, Make-up, Nails, Skincare, Travel

Glossybox June 2014 Review

June 16, 2014

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glossybox-june-14-2

This is the last of my beauty boxes to arrive this month, and Gem and I have been waiting on tenterhooks after a few spoilers were going around, but now the wait is over and I can finally see what is in my Glossybox!

The first thing I noticed, is that mine was prepared a little more shoddily than the usually impeccable presentation. My Glossybox (GB)  sticker looked as though it had already been peeled off, and everything was just kind of “thrown in”. I know this has absolutely nothing to do with the contents, but one of the reasons I love GB so much, is down to the presentation and packaging.

That aside, let’s move onto the contents:

glossybox-june-14-nailgirls

nailgirls – 3in1 base/topcoat & nail strengthener | Full Size Product | £13.50

I received a nailgirls in one of my boxes last month, unfortunately it was the most disgusting barbie pink that I am likely never to wear. The formula was amazing though which was a shame, so I’m pretty glad I’ve received another, this time more multi-functional product from them. I am running out of base coat (and at the rate I paint my nails it’s no wonder), so I was gearing up to look around and buy a new one. No need now though. Having base and top coat in one is going to be especially great for when I go away, knowing that I don’t have to fill my bag with lots of varnish. Because when you are on a 6 hour boat ride to a festival, you need to occupy yourself!

glossybox-june-14-teeez

Teeez Trend Cosmetics – Beautiful Flat Stiff Brush | One Size | €19

This brush looked absolutely amazing, but from the moment I tipped the tip out of the box, my heart sank. There it was, the distinct sand coloured bristle that generally means some form of animal hair. I therefore narrowed my eyes and replaced this brush back into it’s box never to be used on my skin. Although my first impressions of the brush were that it looked fab, on closer inspection it is a mere spec on the horizon compared to it’s cruelty free counter parts and the bristles were quite stiff and and rough. I know it’s always difficult to know for sure if a brand is cruelty free, but for a company that thinks it’s Okay to use animal in their brushes, I don’t hold out any hope for the rest of their products. Glossybox take note.

glossybox-june-14-rituals

Rituals … – QI Gong anti-perspirant spray | 50ml | £3.50 for 50ml

Moving onto a product that I am happy to use, Rituals QI Gong antiperspirant spray. A company who appear to be fairly transparent about their cruelty free products and state categorically that they do not test on animals, nor do they allow third parties to. Although they admit to using beeswax and lanolin (wool fat) I can live with these, although I know there a lot of Vegan’s out there who would disagree. Ever since I procured one a Rituals body wash, I’ve relished the chance to try more of their products. This is a perfect size for taking to festivals (of which my first is going to be a week on Thursday!!), it smells absolutely gorgeous – infused with “white lotus and Yi Yi Ren” it’s a light and subtle summery scent, with a slight musky undertone to it. This is definitely going to be packed and I can’t wait to use it.

glossybox-june-14-qv

QV Skincare – QV Skin Lotion | 15ml | £6.06 for 250ml

Really? Really Glossybox? Really? For anyone that is unfamiliar with QV as a brand, they are heavily regarded as one of the cheaper go to companies for Doctors when writing prescriptions for Eczema and dry skin conditions. It’s issued by a pharmaceutical company named “Ego Pharmaceuticals” so sticking with what seems to be today’s theme of cruelty free, the chances of this being animal friendly are probably very slim (thanks to my nursing knowledge of pharmaceutical companies *boo hiss*), I note that they seemingly appear to avoid any questions asked about whether the product is Vegan or Vegetarian through skipping through their website earlier. I have in fact tried QV Lotion before, due to my very dry and sensitive skin and it really didn’t help at all not to mention my sheer reluctance to use a lot of products issues by my Doctor. Anyway, as much as my skin is a pain in the backside at times I definitely prefer organic, natural products. I suppose it’s the thought that counts GB, and I should really presume that you were sending my this because you actually took note of my beauty profile. Although next time I want to test out pharmaceutical lotions and potions, I’ll stop by the Docs.

glossybox-june-14-susan

So Susan Cosmetics – Universal Blush | Full Size Z £18

And a nice end to half and half box. A lovely “cruelty free” (alleged) blush. I do love my blush – not quite as much as Gem, but this is a welcome product to my collection. The colour is a gorgeous shimmery pink/peach and the pigment is perfect. A quick swatch and I’m very pleased and excited to test this out. The packaging is adorable and if that wasn’t enough, this blush supposedly reduces redness and offers UV protection – you know how much we thrive off UV protection here at “Gem and Pants land of pale”. I’ll definitely be looking out for more products from So Susan Cosmetics, given this one is such a hit. My one criticism is the lack of shade/name, but I can live with it.

Overall, 3 out of 5 isn’t bad. That’s over half of the products that I’ve enjoyed right? If I’m going to be honest, this month’s box has put me in a bit of grump. Although there are three fantastic products that I’m really pleased with, the QV lotion and brush have really irritated me. I am definitely siding with Birchbox at the moment who are offering a lot more high end brands and more for your money rather than Glossybox who seem to be offering me products I can either pick up from Superdrug or from the local Doctor. I am really torn as to whether I want to keep my subscription at the moment but perhaps it’s time too move on to better and more animal friendly pastures?

Have you had this month’s Glossybox? What were your thoughts?

If you are wanting to try Glossybox out, you can do so for £10 a month + £3.25 p&p here.

Totally hellbent for not smothering my face in goat hair

-Pants

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox May 2014 – Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

May 16, 2014
Glossybox May 2014 - Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

Glossybox May 2014 - Summer Beauty Edit With SuperdrugGlossybox May 2014 - Summer Beauty Edit With SuperdrugGlossybox May 2014 - Summer Beauty Edit With SuperdrugGlossybox May 2014 - Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

 

Glossybox have been massive teases this month, dropping loads of hints about their upcoming collaboration (we all guessed it would be Superdrug though, right?) but boy was all the suspense worth it! This is hands down my best box ever with a whopping five full sized items and two samples! I’ll use absolutely everything and can honestly say there’s nothing I would change.

 

Glossybox May 2014 - Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer

This alone is worth more than the cost of the box! I wear as much SPF as possible once the sun comes out and having an extra SPF 20 in a primer is an absolutely magical notion for me. Combine this with my foundation (SPF 15) and my moisturiser (SPF 20) and I don’t even have to worry about extra suncream unless I’m planning on being out in direct sunlight for a long time! A quick swatch blended in smoothly and quickly and left a lovely base for make-up, I can’t comment on how much it affects longevity yet but it definitely helped application!

Full Size

£10.99 from Superdrug.com

 

Glossybox May 2014 – Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara – Very Black 

This is a classic iconic mascara and I can’t believe I still haven’t ever tried it! I wont be opening it just yet as I’m still working through my L’Oreal Miss Manga and Rimmel Scandaleyes Rockin’ Curves at the moment. Mascaras don’t have much of a shelf life so I like to use only one or two at a time, this is definitely on the top of my list to open next though!  A lovely addition to the box and another full size item!

Full Size

£4.00 from Superdrug.com

 

Glossybox May 2014 – Summer Beauty Edit With SuperdrugGOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Blueberry Ice

I can’t say I’ve ever tried a frosted lilac eyeliner before, but the texture of this was so lovely when I had a quick swatch on the back of my hand that I had to try it on my eyes IMMEDIATELY! The result was a beautiful shimmery silverish shade that I think would actually make a lovely highlight for beneath the brows! This blends out wonderfully into a pretty shimmery eyeshadow too. I think I’ll be seeking out a black GOSH eyeliner based on the quality of Blueberry Ice.

Full Size

£4.99 from Superdrug.com

 

Glossybox May 2014 – Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

B. Sheer Conditioning Lipstick in Flamingo

Okay so when I said earlier that I wouldn’t change anything, I -might- have preferred this in a less girly shade. Flamingo is a very shimmery frosted pink, but it’s so creamy and feels so soft on the lips I find it hard to even complain that I would have preferred something a little more vampy. The very pigmented yet somehow sheer lipstick is enriched with Vitamin E, shea butter and aloe vera which explains why it feels absolutely divine on! Another product that has made me definitely want to seek out different shades in the range.

Full Size

RRP £6.99 but currently available for £3.49 from Superdrug.com

 

Glossybox May 2014 – Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

Vaseline Spray & Go Coco

I pulled a bit of a face last time there was a Vaseline product in a Glossyboxas I tend to think of it as a very boring brand. Well I’m eating my words now, this is an amazing product that I’ve instantly decided I don’t want to live without! Spray on moisturiser that actually leaves your skin soft and smelling delicious? Whodathoughtit?! The coco butter scent is to die for and I can see this being perfect for the gym bag or even festivals…or you know everyday. I’m a little bit in love.

Full Size

£4.99 from Superdrug.com

 

Glossybox May 2014 – Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

Garnier Oil Beauty Lotion

The first bonus product (aka sample size product!) was a generous 10ml sachet of oil-infused nourishing lotion. Despite having greasy skin I’ve become quite the convert to body oils, and with an infusion of argan, macadamia, almond and rose oil I’m quite sure I will enjoy this as much as the more expensive offerings I’ve tried of late.

10ml Sample

£4.00 for 250ml from Superdrug.com

 

Glossybox May 2014 – Summer Beauty Edit With Superdrug

GHOST Fragrances Eclipse

Ahh yes, perfume samples, the bane of every beauty box. WELL. This one is -gorgeous- and I couldn’t be happier to have found a new scent to lust after! Fruity-floral with a lovely romantic warm scent this would be perfect for the gorgeous weather we are currently having in the UK and I’ll be popping off to Superdrug very soon to pick up a bottle!

2ml Sample

£33 for 50ml from Superdrug.com

 

I can definitely see this box selling out with the amount of gorgeous full size products inside, so if you want to get your hands on this amazing box head over to  Glossybox.com where you can purchase one of your very own for only £10 (+P&P)

Totally hellbent for the best beauty box ever ever ever

-Gem

 

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox April 2014

April 15, 2014

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glossybox-april-14-contents

Gem actually received her Glossybox yesterday, but mine ended up at the post office instead since I’d spent the morning at the gym and there was no one to open the door to the postman. On collecting it today though, I’m pretty pleased with the contents – even if I did sneak a peek at Gem’s yesterday.

Whats in the box?

glossybox-april-14-emite

Emite Make Up – Lip Brush – L312 (£17)

I’ve been thinking of buying a high end lip brush for a little while now so this has come at just the right time! The brush is also synthetic which means it’s safe for Gem and I to use. It’s slanted and a good size as well which will make application much easier than some of the smaller lip brushes I’ve used in the past. Well done to Glossybox for bring this one out of the bag (or should I say box?)

Visit the emite website 

glossybox-april-14-monuspa

MONU Spa – Warming Ginger Massage & Body Oil – 30ml sample (£25 for 100ml)

I love receiving massage and body oil samples, not only can I convince the other half into giving me a lovely back rub, it’s also a step up from your “Ann Summers Love Oil” so it’s great for your skin! This oil smells absolutely gorgeous and I’m a big fan of ginger at the moment. If this is anything like their other products, I’m sure I’ll be hooked.

Visit the MONU website

glossybox-april-14-mememe

MeMeMe Cosmetics – Beat the blues Pearl Pink – Full size product receied (£5.50 for 12ml)

This looks similar to Benefit’s High Beam which is a huge essential in my everyday (and not so everyday) make-up regime. In terms of application, it looks quite nice with a subtle highlight, whereas the Benefit High Beam has more of a shimmer. I quite like the end result of this for a more toned down look, the only thing I don’t like is the brush applicator it comes with – it’s quite hard and I can imagine using it on my face will irritate me a little. Not to worry though, that’s what fingers are for right? I’m definitely going to get some use out of this, especially since it will prolong the longevity of my Benefit High Beam!

Vist the MeMeMe website

glossybox-april-14-tresemme

TRESemmé – Instant Refresh Cleansing Dry Shampoo – 100ml sample (£4.99 for 200ml)

I do enjoy a good dry Shampoo – since I try to avoid washing my hair more than once a week to keep my colour for longer, I’m often reaching for one of these to refresh my locks mid-wash. I’ve not tried the TRESemmé one before so this is a welcome treat. It smells quite fruity and applies like most dry shampoos. It seems a little pricey at £4.99 for the full 200ml can, but time will tell whether I like this enough to buy it over my current cheaper Superdrug own brand or Batiste.

Visit the TRESemmé website

glossybox-april-14-sun-sense

SunSense UK – Daily Face SPF 50+ – 10g sample (£20.99 for 75g)

Gem was incredible annoyed when she found out I got this in my box. She ended up with some awful tanning product which I was also expecting, but was pleasantly surprised when I received this treat. It’s slightly tinted and has SPF 50+ which is perfect! Gem and I are always on the look out for face products with a high SPF and I know this is going to be just perfect for festival season. Unfortunately the tube has one of those annoying “tabs” instead of an actual cap, so I haven’t opened it, but come the festival season, I’ll be decanting this into one of my many many empties and hoping it helps me avoid the usually inevitable “dreaded-orange-face” over the summer – as well as protecting me from the Sun of course. If it passes the test of the holy Wacken lands at it’s hottest, I’ll definitely be purchasing some more.

Visit the Crawford Health Care website

glossybox-april-14-greenandblacks

Extra Treat!

Like Gemma, it seems I too have been subscribing to Glossybox for over a year, I received this cute Green & Blacks Dark Chocolate as a thank you. I’m no stranger to these mini chocolate bars since Birchbox often dish them out and I think they are most splendid! Just enough chocolate to satisfy your taste buds with minimal feelings of guilt – perfect.

If you want to get your hands on a Glossybox, you can subscribe here for just for £10 (+ P&P) per month. 

Totally hellbent for SPF 50+ samples!

-Pants

 

 

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox March 2014 Review

March 19, 2014
Glossybox March 2014 Review

Glossybox March 2014 ReviewGlossybox March 2014 Review

Glossybox March 2014 Review

 

Glossybox is usually my favourite subscription box, and after seeing the sneak preview product I was sure this would be a great one. As it is I’m torn on my feelings for what could have been a great box but unfortunately turned into a bit of a let down.

There are five products this month (three full size) and I got a bonus as I’ve been a subscriber for one year now.

 

Mitchell and Peach Body Cream

Mitchell and Peach Body Cream

I wasn’t at all excited when I first saw this body cream but actually the smell won me over in an instant! It’s so deliciously natural smelling with a whole host of  organic oils and extracts including lavender, rose, vanilla, sweet violet, coconut along with English honey and shea butter. Free of parabens, SLS and synthetic colouring this is a really lovely addition to the box.

40ml Sample

£36 for 180ml from MitchellandPeach.com

 

Sleek Pout Polish in Chocolate Kiss

Sleek pout polish in Chocolate Kiss

Sleek Pout Polish in Chocolate Kiss

I was so excited about this when I saw it in the sneak peek but WHY did it have to be in the most disgusting poo-brown colour ever. Am I the only one who thinks brown lipstick the most dated and awful thing? I love that it has SPF15 and I’m a big fan of pretty much everything Sleek make but I don’t think I’ll ever find any use or wear in this colour unfortunately.

Full Size

£4.49 from Sleekmakeup.com

 

Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in SP002 TwilightIMG_8553

Bellapierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in SP002 Twilight

Another product that could have been amazing and unfortunately just happens to be in a colour I really don’t think I will use. Amie got a gorgeous dreamy dark blue shimmer in hers (which I am totally 100% jealous of!) but I got this sandy gold. Though it’s pretty enough I just can’t see myself getting much wear out of this shade. I do however like that it is 100% pure mica.

Full Size

£12.99 from Bellapierre.co.uk

 

Vita Liberata pHenomonal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion

Vita Liberata pHenomonal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion

Nope. Do not want. Not only are these tiny samples but I have never ever in my life used fake tan, nor do I intend to! I fully enjoy being as pale as possible all year round and really cannot ever imagine a time where I would want to even test this out for lulz.

2 x 3ml Samples

£37.50 for 150ml from Vitaliberata.com

 

Dove Hair Therapy Intensive Repair 60 Second Treatment Shot

Dove Hair Therapy Intensive Repair 60 Second Treatment Shot

I love the idea of these bonus little treatments but there never seems to be quite enough for my long thick hair! Still it’s enough to give it a try, especially at it advises you to use it only on the ends of your hair.

Full Size

£1.49 from Superdrug.com

 

Green and Black's Organic Milk Chocolate

Green and Black’s Organic Milk Chocolate

Finally I received a tiny chocolate bar as a thank you for subscribing over a year ago, which was a lovely surprise!

 

So overall not an amazing box for me (though it could have been with different shades in the two full size make-up products!) but not a completely terrible one either.

If you want a Glossybox of your very own you can order one here for £10 (+ P&P)

Totally hellbent for almost getting it right

– Gem

 Don’t forget to enter our competition to win MUA and Etos goodies!

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox February 2014

February 16, 2014
Glossybox February 2014

Here’s yesterday’s Glossybox – I know usually Gem and I swap between us, but unfortunately she is busy on the mainland with Sir Roodington so to avoid it being a further week until you get to view the contents, I’ve defied all sense of normality and just gone for it. (Sorry Gem)

This was the “Valentine’s-esque” edition and the box is just so adorable! I love the themed boxes and they look so cute stacked on top of each other.

Glossybox February 2014

 

And finally onto the box:

Glossybox February 2014

As always, removal of the lid takes you to the most beautifully and lovingly packaged contents that you almost don’t want to spoil.

nougat

Nougat London- Sparkling Body Shimmer – 100ml sample (£14 for full size)

This was first out of the box, ordinarily I would think this was a cute body lotion, but my drawers are absolutely overflowing with lotions of all shapes and sizes at the moment and I’m finding it hard to get excited about something that makes me … well … shiny. I think if I was a slightly darker shade of “white” I might just get away with slapping some of this on my “shins” as recommended, but unfortunately my pasty self that hides behind tights and leggings doesn’t quite make the cut. Besides that, it smells nice and the bottle is quite pretty – application wise, it’s a little greasy at first but then fades into that lovely disco ball shimmery glow that people seems to be keen about these days.

nv

NV – Chunky Eye Crayon – Full Size (£5 for full size)

This is pretty spectacular in terms of application. On trying it out on my hand, grabbing a brush and playing with some blending – this was golden! (Actually more of a lilac, but hey ho). It applies well considering it’s a crayon and I love the texture, unfortunately I’m struggling to work out how and when I would get away with such a disgusting colour. My experience with purple of any kind is that I generally look like I’m on the receiving end of an abusive relationship and I just -can’t- seem to pull the look off. If anyone has any tips on how I could incorporate this into a look, please let me know because I’m desperate to use this little beauty.

ciate

Ciaté London – Paint Pot in “plastic fantastic”

When Gem and I found out we were receiving one of these in the next  Glossybox, we both squeed a little. My previous Ciaté has been well used and is such a classy colour (See one of my nail tutorials here). I was hoping for more of a red colour with it being Valentines day, but actually, this is quite a cute pink and probably something I will use and even incorporate into a few nail designs. It also forces me outside my comfort zone of RED RED RED RED RED RED … did I mention red? I’m pretty pleased with this to be honest.

giovani

Giovanni Eco Chic cosmetics – Chic Ultra Moist range – Shampoo, Condition & Hair mask sample (£7.99 for 251ml)

I’m not usually one to get excited over hair samples, I’m a bit stuck in my way’s with my current hair care regime, but these samples seem to be pretty full so I might just get one wash out of them. My only issue with this, is that it’s hard to trial it over time and see a noticeable difference. Having said that, a useful addition to my growing collection of hair samples for when I’m too poor to buy Shampoo (luckily I haven’t been there yet!)

maybelline

Maybelline New York – Big Eyes Mascara – Full Size (£8.99 for full size)

At the risk of sounding like I have some serious issues here, I also have a vast collection of unopened mascara’s and am at the point where I will not open them until I’ve used my others up for fear of them drying out. This however looks pretty interesting and has two ends – one for the lower lashes and one for the upper. I’m intrigued to see whether this makes a difference or not, so watch this space.

lindt

Lindt – Lindor Treat Bar (£0.79 for one bar)

Oh Glossybox I love you. As if stuffing my face these past two weeks wasn’t enough – throw in Brain’s breaking my cross-trainer, which means I haven’t exercised either and Birchbox plying me with Green & Blacks, you have to add to this with a juicy bar of Lindt. My 12lb loss post Christmas may have gone down the pan but this chocolate bar certainly made up for it. Nom nom nom.

 

There you have it, another beauty box and edging closer to three months into the year. Scary stuff! If you want to give in to Glossybox, you can subscribe here for just for £10 (+ P&P) per month. 

Totally hellbent for all of the chocolate but none of the weight gain

-Pants

 

 

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox January 2014

January 21, 2014

Glossybox January 2014

 

It seems like only yesterday I was oooing and aaaahing over December’s Glossybox, and already here is the first box of 2014!

The first thing of note is that the box itself is bigger and well…glossier! This months theme is “Back to Basics” and contains five products, only one (almost sort of two!) of which is full size.

 

Glossybox contents January 2014

I have to say I wasn’t all that excited upon first impressions, the lack of a make-up item and the sample sizes too were a bit of a let down, but on closer inspection this isn’t a bad box at all.

 

Glossy Box Anatomicals

 

Anatomicals – Puffy The Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches

I’m definitely not a morning person, so anything that can banish the night before the morning after is a good thing in my book. I love Anatomicals and their tongue in cheek packaging and marketing, and definitely got a giggle out of the name. You get two sets of patches in the cute pink pouch, but they are single use so I’ll be saving mine for really dire mornings!

2 x full sized products

£6 for 3 sachets from ASOS.com

 

Glossybox Vintage company floral slanted tweezersThe Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted Tweezers

I can’t say I particularly needed another set of tweezers, but theses are pretty adorable! Made of high quality stainless steel with a slanted edge and a pretty vintage look, they are better than the bog-standard but it is quite hard to get excited about tweezers really isn’t it.

Full size

£8.00 from Boots.com

 

GLossybox Vaseline essential moisture lotionVaseline Essential Moisture Lotion

I tend to think as Vaseline as a very plain and budget brand, something I wouldn’t usually pick up for myself. I gave this a quick try and I feel pretty indifferent towards it to be honest, but I knew there are people who prefer to keep skincare simple and for them this might be okay for a post-shower pick me up.

50ml Sample

£4.99 for 400ml from Superdrug.com

 

Glossybox Balance Me super toning body washBalance Me Super Toning Body Wash

I’ve become quite a fan of Balance Me thanks to various samples from beauty boxes and magazines, so despite shower gel being a bit of a meh product, this was one of the more exciting finds this month. The smell is a delicious mix of juniper, bergamot, geranium and lavender, and it’s always great to know they come from natural oils rather than synthetic sources. The brand  promises 99% natural origin in all it’s products, so great for us eco-types!

50ml Sample

£10.25 for 250ml from Looksfantastic.com

 

GLossybox Yu-Be skin creamYu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream

Another “cult skincare sample”, hrm. I wasn’t overly interested in this, but gave it a quick try and WOW that scent is way way too overpowering to use anywhere near my face! It smells like a very herb heavy vapour rub which is a shame because despite a heavy texture it left my skin feeling amazingly soft. Maybe I’ll save these for next time I have a blocked nose!

2 x 3g sample

£19.50 for 70g from Boots.com

 

So overall a very skin-care heavy box, but I suppose that makes sense for a Back to Basics theme. Let’s hope next month is filled with lovely shiny make-up and exciting treats!

You can order a Glossybox of your very own here for £10 (+ P&P) per monthly box. 

Totally hellbent for a bigger, glossier box – bigger glossier treats to come?

– Gem