Beauty Boxes

Beauty Boxes

Birchbox September 2013

September 15, 2013

I returned home from the New Disorder Music Festival last night, to a note from a delivery man, telling me this little beauty was outside (with a slug attached to it).

Brains gave me that look … the one he gives when yet another makeup based/girl product arrives, and I grinned, ran into the kitchen, giggled to myself and opened it.

And what a delight did this month’s Birchbox have in-store for me …

From Left to Right:

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel – Body Gel (for use on “problem areas”? perhaps I’ll try this after a workout!)
Révérence de Bastien Nail Polish – Could this have come in a more perfect colour?
Molton Brown Ylang-Ylang Nourishing Body Lotion – (overjoyed at this, since I received the shower gel last month)
ModelCo® Party Proof Lipstick – I’ve heard good things about this Matte look lipstick, so I’m looking forward to trying out the wear-ability of it.
Bioderma – Bioderma H20 – Makeup Remover – I used this last night to remove my stage makeup and it definitely gives Loreal a run for it’s money.
Green & Black’s White Chocolate Bar – Firstly, I love White Chocolate, secondly, I love Green & Blacks and thirdly – how utterly adorable is that!!

So there we have it folks, another month, another box and a whole host of amazing goodies.

You can get your hands on this months (and the next) Birchbox for £10.00 + £2.05 p&p.

Totally hellbent for chick things and chocolate

-Pants

Beauty Boxes

Glossybox September 2013 – The London Edition

September 10, 2013

Officially the most well timed Glossybox ever. It arrived right as my boyfriend returned back to Holland for uni and gave me a much needed burst of cheer and excitement.

First notable thing (other than the gorgeous union jack box!) is the addition of the GB MAG. Gone is the large fold out explanation of the products, and in it’s place a glossy magazine and small card – just like Birchbox.

Eylure Pre-glued Lashes

I can’t say I’ve ever found myself distressed at the lack of glue on bog-standard lashes, but I’m sure I’ll make a grab for these next time I’m in a real hurry.

Full size sample.

£5.29 from Boots.

Elizabeth Arden Untold EDP

Truth be told, most perfume samples in beauty boxes leave us all a little underwhelmed, but when it’s a mini bottle in adorable packaging I get a lot more enthused. The box itself is very luxe, and the perfume bottle adorable.

The scent is very wearable and floral, and I could definitely see me purchasing the full size at some point. Take note perfumeries, the shallowness of beauty bloggers is unfathomable. Put your sample in a pretty bottle and it’s a guaranteed win…you know so long as it smells nice too!

5ml Sample.

£31.50 – £62.10 from Debenhams

TONI&GUY HairMeet Wardrobe – Classic shine and gloss serum

Am I the only one not crazy about the idea of shiny hair? I’m actually dying my hair as I write this so can’t quite test it out, but I don’t imagine it will be something I use often unfortunately.

Full size sample.

£7.19 for 30ml from Boots.

Be A Bombshell Onyx Eye Liner

Well hello! Just when I thought my frivolous flirting with eyeliners was over thanks to the Eyeko Skinny Mini, I may have just been tempted to stray all over again!

After a quick swatch it was very easy to see the versatility of this liner, from subtle flicks to the most grandiose wings! Something I will be playing around with a lot!

Full size sample.

$14 for 3g from www.beabombshell.com

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips

This has been a cult product for a long time, and I’ve been temped to purchase it in the past but instead went for the Nib+Fab offering. As my beloved N+F lip and nip cream has been discontinued I think it’s about time I gave this a shot, so yet again brilliant timing Glossybox!

After a quick test I have to say this is almost an identical product to the Nib+Fab, very very VERY moisturising on the lips. It has a really thick texture which some people aren’t fond of, but I find that using a small amount on my lips just before bed means I very rarely if ever suffer from chapped lips.

100% will be a re-purchase!

3ml sample

Full size £11.50 from www.drlipp.com

All in all this is one of my favourite Glossyboxes to date!

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

Totally hellbent for good timing!

– Gem

Beauty Boxes, Hair

Latest in beauty samples

September 3, 2013

So far I’ve done a really good job of resisting the Latest in Beauty little beauty boxes. Unfortunately, when it comes to having shiny things pushed through the letter box, resistance is futile.

This is my first and probably not my last, but my main reason for indulging was the Amie face mask. I keep seeing this brand everywhere, and I think it’s only right that I give something that has the same name as me a whirl! Plus it’s not often I see other people spelling my name correctly.

I now have the following to look forward to:

Aveda invati solutions for thinning hair – Shampoo & Conditioner
TRESemmé split mend – Shampoo, Conditioner & leave in treatment
Amie cooling clay mask

More updates on the Amie mask when I try this out!

The little beauty box can be purchased for a lovely £1.50 that is added onto your phone bill. You get a choice of three products, my Aveda product was a “mystery sample” since I like to live on the edge a little.

Totally hellbent for products that have my name on it!

– Pants

Beauty Boxes

Birchbox August 2013

August 26, 2013

I know, I know – we are nearing the end of August and I have already had this box since my return from Wacken!!

Unfortunately, real life took over and I have been very slow on the posting horizon, but better late than never, feast your eyes on this:

My juicy contents this month include:

Birchbox Gel Mask
Montibel.lo Gold Oil Essence
Molton Brown Ylang-Yland body wash
Skinlife Energetic Cellular Cream
LAQA & Co’s Fat Lip Pencil in Fairyblood
Gerda Spillmann’s Hydro Pearls Make-up Primer
Propercorn (looking forward to nomming this)

I was a little underwhelmed at the Birchbox last month, but I have to say I am loving this month’s and despite plummeting head first into a financial crisis after deciding to leave my job to work alongside my partner, I think I am going to keep going. Well worth a subscription, even if you do intend on it being for only one month!

Totally hellbent for “just one more month” mentality

-Pants

Beauty Boxes, Hair, Make-up, Skincare

August 2013 Glossybox

August 13, 2013

As well as free things, I also came back to Augusts Glossybox upon the return from Bloodstock. It certainly turned a very glum Pants into a very excitable and distracted one! There is something about this box that makes me feel as though it’s Christmas again. Even though everyone else gets the same packaging, it makes me feel as though this was packaged and wrapped just for me.

So enough with the jabbering and on with the contents you say? Well alright then:

This month brought me the following:

Oceane makeup remover pen (with extra tips)
Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 shadow liner (I had the grey/green like colour)
TRESemme Concentrated rinse off treatment (perfect for post festival hair disasters)
Emite Eyelash Curler (I’ve been thinking about buying some curlers for a while now)
Olay regenerist 3 point treatment cream (can never have enough cream to help with fine lines and sagging right?)

Needless to say, I am more than excited at trying the Jelly Pong Pong after I fell in love with their fairy lashes mascara. Now I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of other beauty boxes to satisfy my addiction for new products and kill the inevitable festival blues.

Totally hellbent for post festival cheer ups

– Pants

Beauty Boxes, Hair, Skincare

Free product joys

August 13, 2013

It’s always sad when festival season finishes, however it is made slightly better when you come back to parcels that contain free things!!!

On my return from Wacken, I received my two free products after signing up to Birchbox:

Wen Cleansing Conditioner, which I confess I used during my first shower back at home and it felt amazing! I was also filled with joy at receiving another L’Occitane moisturiser. I already have one of these from a Glossybox a few months ago and have been using it sparingly so I am pleased this has now been replenished.

To make things even better, upon returning from Bloodstock yesterday, I received this through the letterbox:

A free Maybelline “The Rocket Volum’ Express” mascara. This was from a competition I had entered and clearly forgotten about. I have resisted opening it to test it out for now so I am sure this won’t be the last you will be seeing of this!

Totally hellbent for bonus postal goodies

-Pants

Beauty Boxes

Miss Glossybox July / August 2013

July 24, 2013

Miss Glossybox is the younger sibling of the HBFL favourite, Glossybox. A bi-monthly subscription beauty box aimed at teenagers (or 27 year old’s with a beauty box addiction…*cough*).

The box costs £7.00 (+£2.95 P&P) and everyone receives the same five items.

I was expecting a box within a box in keeping with the grown up Glossybox, but the junior version comes in a purple drawstring bag, that is sizeable enough to be fairly useful in some way or another I’m sure!

Okay onto the shinies –

Kiss Nail Wrap – Cocktail

The first thing that caught my eye – OOOOH ZEBRAS! I love zebras a little too much, and though the pink is a little girly for me I admit I did do a little sequel.

Now I have a confession…I have a drawer full of nail wraps and I’ve never tried any of them. I guess it’s the fear of messing them up and then you’ve wasted the whole product…I might be brave and try these out after festival season.

V05 Plump it up Dry Backcomb Spray

Yup. Definitely my kind of hair product. Gave it a quick try and it gave a lot of volume with little effort. I can say it will 100% be a repurchase, even after only one small test!

Glossybox False Lashes

One can never have too many pairs of falsies, and I don’t own a single pair this full so a great item for me. The Glossybox branded items have always been great products so I’m sure these will be of a high quality too.

Beyonce Midnight Heat

I’m not usually a big fan of perfume samples (is anyone?) unless they are in miniature bottles, but I have to say this smells gorgeous. Not sure why a description of it’s “sensual and enticing” fragrance is included in a box for young girls, but hey-ho.

Miss Patisserie Starlight Macaroon bath fizzy

The gorgeous passion fruit, rose and shea butter scent filled the box even through all the packaging, however I was filled with dismay at finding a bath bomb as I don’t have a bath! When we had the bathroom refitted I decided to have a double shower instead – which means I have lots of room for my products but zero use for a bath bomb.

Overall it was a good box, lacking in make-up items but very usable for me at least. You don’t get as much bang for your buck as you would with a standard Glossybox, but you still end up quids in!

You can order a Miss Glossybox of your own from here for £7.00 +P&P.

Totally hellbent for pretending to still be a teenager

– Gem

Beauty Boxes

July 2013 BirchBox

July 22, 2013

Oh you sneaky beauty box companies! Just when I decide it’s time to curb my spending for a little while you send me an email offering free delivery and two extra products…

BirchBox is a monthly subscription beauty box of 4-5 beauty products and one lifestyle sample. The packaging is decidedly less glamorous than the HBFL favourite Glossybox with a smaller sturdy brown (but eco-friendly looking) box and a fabric drawstring bag inside containing all the spoils.

Well in honesty I’m not sure how I feel about this box. I received two make-up products, two skincare, one hair and one lifestyle which is a very good mix…I just wasn’t particularly excited by any of it.

Beauty Protector protect and de-tangle

Cute packaging, and a product I get through quite a lot of. I really like the scent of the spray, but on first testing it seems a little thicker than my usual de-tangle sprays. I’ll be taking this to Wacken with me to put it to the test!

TheBalm Cosmetics InStain long wearing powder staining blush in Swiss Dot.

What a mouthful! This was probably the most exciting product for me. I love the little magnetic close book packaging, and the colour is one I would definitely pick for myself.

There is a lot of pigmentation, but it blends out quite easily, again this will be going in my festival cosmetics bag as it is absolutely tiny at 0.5g. It will have to really impress me on my face to make me buy the full size at £21.50 though!

Blanc Cashemire Creme de hour protectrice

First up I love the smell and texture of this day cream – it feels every bit a luxury skincare item. It left my skin feeling fresh and soft and was completely non-greasy which is a must for my horrid shiny skin.

Laura Geller Beauty inkwell gel eyeliner

I’m a huge fan of gel eyeliners, and I don’t have a purple so this will fit in to my make up collection nicely. The colour is very metallic and rich, and it applied much easier than I thought it would at first glance.

It comes with a small brush in the lid of the pot, however I couldn’t find out online if the brush was synthetic or animal hair so I shant be putting it on my face any-time soon (If you know either way please do let me know!)

It set very quickly, but didn’t feel dry or stiff as some gel liners can, however it doesn’t come close to the Elf gel liners that are £20 cheaper.

Weleda Skin food

With a long list of natural ingredients and a very strong herby, plant based scent I thought I would love this, but it feels a little too oily for my skin unfortunately. I will give it another chance when I’m having a less shiny day as I’ve heard so many good things about this brand and it’s results!

The Chia Co shots

I love me a good superfood, and as a vegetarian was very happy to see that these seeds are packed with Omega 3 and protein. Rather tasteless, I found that sprinkling them over breakfast gave me a burst of nutrients without even noticing!

I think I may get my hands on some more of these, as I’d much rather get my extra vitamins from food then tablets.

Overall I think I was just a little underwhelmed with this box, despite liking almost all of the products. It feels a little more grown up than Glossybox, but I think that’s where part of the fun is missing.

I’ll be giving BirchBox another month to impress me, and if next month isn’t an improvement I might just have to cancel my subscription and find something more fun.

You can get your very own BirchBox here for £10 (+ 2.95 P&P)

Totally hellbent for my new mini blusher at least!

– Gem

Beauty Boxes, Hair, Skincare

Latest in Beauty – Little Beauty Box

July 18, 2013

I love my beauty boxes, but sometimes waiting a whole month for the next one can be so tedious! Latest in Beauty offer two different types of box that offer some much needed “ooooh a shiny box” in between Glossybox and Birchbox deliveries.

Firstly are their LIB collections, themed sets of pre-determined products where you can see exactly what you are going to get before ordering. The collections are usually somewhere between £7-£20 depending on the nature of the theme, but often sell out very quickly! Amie got her hands on the Glamour Beauty Edit which you can read about here.

Second is the package than popped through my letterbox this morning, the Little Beauty Box.

The Little Beauty Box consists of three small samples, and as with the LIB collections you get to see what you will receive in advance, in fact you get to pick which products you want before committing to the box. There is no recurring subscription as payment is taken via a premium text message for £1.50.

Here’s what I chose.

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate

With an ingredient list that is almost entirely natural essential oils I had to give this a shot. The concentrate is a aromatic oil intended for use as part of the evening skincare routine, and proclaims to clear toxins, reduce puffiness, boost circulation, encourage cell renewal and aid lymphatic drainage.

It smells gorgeous and is a generous 2ml vial of sample, so enough for a few nights at least.

Lavera Liposome Intensive Cream

Again, it was the organic, natural ingredients that drew me towards picking a wrinkle cream that I don’t really need. I received three 1ml sachets, yet somehow they aren’t nearly as exciting as the lovely packaging from Liz Earle.

Curiosity made me open one straight away and the rose scent is just gorgeous, it did feel a little too greasy for my skin, however I will be donating these to Amie’s somewhat dryer skin where I think they will find a happier home!

Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo & Thickening Conditioner

You can opt for one of your samples to be a surprise, and with nothing in the third option making me particularly excited that’s what I went for.

These cute little 10ml tubes smell absolutely amazing, and if my hair takes a liking to them I just might have to go for a full sized based on that alone!

You can order a LIB little beauty box here for £1.50.

Totally hellbent for smelling like a herb garden thanks to my organic picks!

– Gem

Beauty Boxes, Make-up

Trial By “Sweating”

July 14, 2013

This evening I went to see Blood Red Throne, Flayed Disciple and our good friends Kataleptic. It’s been a scorching hot day but despite this, I thought I would try out some new products. I was originally going to write about this pre gig, but I’m glad I waited!

So this is my face pre gig, before leaving the house.

And here the low down on what I used:

Face

elf Mineral Infused Face Primer in clear
Clinique youth surge SPF 15 moisturiser
Avon ideal flawless foundation in light pink
Olay complete radiance foundation in light porcelain (06)
Dainty Doll foundation in very light (001)
MUA Pressed Powder in shade-1
MUA Blusher in Bubble Gum

This was the first time I used the elf primer and I have to say, my face felt absolutely glorious! Due to my slightly tanned face at this time of year, I mixed my moisturiser in with my foundation and have used three different shades for some light coverage. Unfortunately my usual alabaster look doesn’t work when the sun comes out! Also, the Olay foundation – which is amazing – is so old that I don’t think they even make this any more, so if anyone does find it, please let me know! MUA blusher too – enough said really and I absolutely love their new shades. They are very pigmented so only a little bit is needed else you run the risk of looking like a china doll!

Eyes

Maybelline new york eye shadow in Sea Glass 55
elf brightening eye colour in drama (the sparkly grey shadow)
Eyeko London Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner in black
Jelly pong pong Fairy Lashes mascara (from my first ever Glossybox)
JINNYlash Strip eyelashes

The Maybelline eye shadow was a first try, I absolutely love this colour. As I have brown/hazel eyes, green is a really good shade for me but I thought this was quite subtle compared to some shades. I blended it with the sparkly grey colour from my elf eye shadow in the crease of my eyes just to finish this off. I usually use liquid eyeliner after my eyeshadow, and since Gem has been raving about the Eyeko Mini Liquid Eyeliner pen so much, I gave it a whirl. Oh my god!!! Where has this product been all my life? I have used a pen only once but it dried up very quickly, but this went on flawlessly, I didn’t have to keep going over my line to darken it and it was so easy to apply. I really hope this lasts longer than most because I have definitely found my new eyeliner love.

So the jelly pong pong mascara is one I have been using for a while. Perfect, clump free lashes for both a dramatic and subtle look depending on how you layer this. I combined this with my first ever use of false eyelashes. I had every intention of taking them off before I went out, but I loved how they looked so much! I can’t believe how easy they were to apply and I was absolutely convinced they would have come off by the end of the night.

Eyebrows

elf Eyebrow Kit in dark

This is my staple eyebrow product. If I don’t have any make up on, I at least have this! My eyebrows are quite light and it looks very strange as though I have no eyebrows if I don’t go over them. This is by far, the best I have found to match my natural eyebrow shade. I usually mix both colours together as well.

Lips

I don’t usually wear lipliner, but as it was so hot I wanted a nice defined line so my lipstick wouldn’t run. I have to say this was a nice subtle colour and went very well with my lipstick.

The lipstick is from my latest elf haul (a complete accident – Gemma definitely encouraged me to buy makeup …), I am always searching for lovely subtle colours for when I don’t want to wear a bright red shade. I have a feeling this is going to become a regular choice for me.

Anyway, after completing my face and heading to the gig, I was a little concerned as to how I would look by the end of it. It was so hot, that the sweat was literally dripping off people. In fact, half way through the night even the ladies were suffering and nearly everyone looked as though they had been doused with a hose pipe. There was eyeliner and mascara everywhere! Dreading the moment I looked in the mirror, once the gig was over, I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that I still looked marginally acceptable. Even my eyelashes stayed on!

Here is my post gig face, completely unedited, a bit red, but overall pretty damn good! (look how amazing the eyeliner is!!!)