What's In My July Birchbox?

The theme to the July Birchbox is Sun, Sea & Sand - preparing people for their summer holidays (not me, sob sob!) or a hot English summer. The box, they say, contains samples that will see you through the hottest season.

So, lets' see what's in the box....

Weleda - Millet Nourishing Shampoo - 18ml (Full size is 190ml for £8.95)
This is a non-lathering shampoo containing organic macadamia nut oil, and extracts of organic millet husks and sage to clean your hair gently, while stopping the hair from becoming dry. I'm happy to try out shampoo samples in my beauty boxes, I just wish they would also include the corresponding conditioner, so you can really give it a go! Other than that, this is a great sample - gentle enough that I can use on the kids too.

Gilchrist & Soames - English Spa Sea Kelp Mineral Bath - 40ml  (Full size is 236ml for £11.25)
I always like to try brands I've not used before - and in this case, not heard of! Used as a bubble bath , it really foams up well under hot running water. It can also be used as a shower gel, and is a perfect size to take on holiday without taking up vital shoe-room! It leaves the skin feeling clean and fresh without any dryness or tightness,

Balance Me - Wonder Eye Cream - 7ml (Full size is 15ml for £20)
I have used this cream before - it's a lightweight eye cream, designed to brighten the under-eye area, as well as smoothing away dark shadows and fine lines. It's packed full of natural ingredients, such as Roman chamomille, lemon, cucumber oil, witch hazel, hyaluronic acid, spruce knot, virgin coconut, rosehip and carrot oils, and absorbs quickly into the skin.

LAQA & CO - Sheer Lip Lube Pencil - Bees Knees - 0.07oz (FULL SIZE! RRP £14)
There are two shades being split between the boxes - Bees Knees, the one I have which is a gorgeous pale coral, and Menatour a purpley pink. I love it, and is definitely my favourite thing in the box. It's sheer yet gives just the right amount of colour to the lips. Plus it's really pepperminty and fresh and feels moisturising to wear.

Whish - Three Little Whishes - Lavender Body Butter 22ml (Full size is 150ml for $24)
Whish is another brand I hadn't heard of until now - and with a little investigation I have seen that they are an American brand, which doesn't seem readily available in the UK yet. That makes me want to try it even more, I 'm a sucker for things that are hard to get hold of (then I fall in love with it and can't get hold of it... story of my life!) Aaaaaaaaanyway.... the little tube of body butter comes in a variety of scents, and although this one is lavender, it's not lavender as you might imagine it - it smells modern and delicate and, well, good enough to lick! It sinks in well to the skin and leaves it feeling really supple and gorgeous. Must. check. more. of. the. range.

and this month's lifestyle extra is

Ultradex - Oral Spray 9ml (FULL SIZE! RRP £3.65)
A little spray to pop in your hand bag for a quick breath-freshen-up on the go! As well as leaving a minty fresh taste, it actually works to kill any harmful bacteria that could be lurking in there!

All in all, quite a body-orientated box this month, although they all seem like top quality and intriguing products - I definitely want to use them all!

To find out more, and subscribe - check out the Birchboxwebsite.

May 2014 Birchbox with Harpers Bazaar

This month, Birchbox have collaborated with Harpers Bazaar to create a box literally jam packed with beauty and lifestyle samples chosen by the magazines experts and Birchbox editors, with the theme of the Great Outdoors. The idea is that the warmer weather is (or at least should be!) coming, we're getting out more - whether that is a stroll into the countryside or a festival.

They have put together a little magazine featuring the products and lots of tips on how to use them, and why they chose them - with gorgeous photography and graphics. Harpers Bazaar have also included an exclusive subscriber offer to get 12 issues of their magazine for just £12, which is a massive saving of £3.20 per issue! The box itself is absolutely stunning - this one shall definitely house something for me... just look at it!

 Right, let's get onto the important part... what's inside this month?

Benefit They're Real Mascara - 3.0g (£19.50 for 18.5g)
This one has done the rounds in the beauty boxes but I'm sure it's always a welcome sample. They're Real Mascara is the number one selling mascara in the UK - it promises dramatic length and volume, curling and lifting action to the lashes, and to last alllll daayyyyyy loooonnnngggg! I have to confess, when it was originally released I bought some and didn't like it as my skin was so oily it gave me panda eyes, but I will definitely try it again thanks to this mini tube - the majority of people I know use this as their mascara and love it!

Soigné Nail Laquer - Cerise - FULL SIZE! (£11)
Soigné is a new brand to the scene - every time I've seen photos of their polishes I think how lovely they look and classy the bottle is. Included in my box was the shade Cerise - a gorgeous raspberry pink. The brush is wide which is my favourite kind, can't wait to give this non toxic polish a whirl.

Aromatherapy Associates - Relax Light Bath & Shower Oil - 3ml (£40 for 55ml)
I'm so pleased to see this sample in the box. I've wanted to try some of the Aromatherapy Associates Relax oils for a while, but couldn't bear to part with the £40 necessary to do so. This is the perfect way for me to try before I buy - with enough in the mini bottle for one bath, or for you to put all over your body before having a shower, I am looking forward to the results as it states "a great post-work lifter, perfect to ease a tired body and mind". With ylang ylang, lavender and petitgrain, it sounds like it's going to be a little slice of Heaven in the bathroom.

Philip Kingsley - One More Day Dry Shampoo 50ml (£5.95)
This is a full sized mini of the One More Day Dry Shampoo which retails at £5.95 - with 50ml inside it's enough to keep you going for a while and the perfect size to chuck in your bag or to travel with. I've used this before and really enjoyed the results - it doesn't leave your hair chalky and has a refreshing, delicate clean fragrance.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 30ml + 1 muslin cloth (£5.50)
Another full sized mini here! Liz Earle has recently celebrated winning 100 awards which is pretty good going! This gives subscribers the chance to give the Cleanse & Polish cleanser a go. I love how it melts makeup off your face, and using the muslin cloth ensures you get every last scrap off your face leaving it clean and nourished. There's rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter and eucalyptus essential oil inside the creamy cleanser - I think it's one of those ones everyone should try at some point in their lives.

...and this months Lifestyle Extra is

Imedeen - Derma One - 30 tablets / 15 days supply (£37.99 for 60 tablets / 30 day supply)
Derma One helps to tackle the first signs of ageing for people aged 30+. This makes me wonder if Birchbox are now tailoring their boxes to specific people, as I happen to be 30! I'd be interested to hear if anyone in their teens or early 20s were also given these in their box. They contain a blend of Marine Complex, Vitamin C and Zinc to improve skin quality, moisture balance, radiance and give your skin on the face and body a softer, more smoother feel. Sounds good, but the only issue is that it says to expect to see results in 12 weeks... when there's only a 2 week supply in here, I don't know if any results would be visible, but it's a good way to get started if you were thinking of starting a supplement for your skin.

All in all I think this months box is fabulous, and worth so much more than the £10 subscription fee. If you subscribe before 31st May you'll be able to Get The Harper's Bazaar x Birchbox May Box!

What's in my April Birchbox?

This month, the Birchbox theme is 'good enough to eat' - everything inside the monthly-subscription box having some kind of relation to food and gorgeousness.

The open box reveals a concertina of foodie postcards, with lovely ideas on the back - places to go and visit, natural face masks to make in your own kitchen, a recipe for salted caramel cupcakes, more info on some of the products featured in the box, as well as details on how to win the full sized version of all of them.

Enough rambling - on with the contents....!

The Balm Cosmetics - How 'Bout Them Apples? Cheek & Lip Cream in Pie - 0.57 g ...or I reckon about a 1p sized pan (£26 for the full sized palette containing all 6 shades)
I was just thinking the other day that I would like to try some more of The Balm's products so this was a really well timed surprise for me. How 'Bout Them Apples is a cheek and lip cream palette - I'm guessing subscribers will have received some of the other shades, the one I got was Pie - a corally red shade which leaves a lovely 'just bitten' shade to the lips or can be easily blended down to a natural flushed tone for the cheek. It's super easy to apply with the fingers and a fab product for summer. The size of it means perfect for slipping into your handbag for when a quick touch up or transformation is needed.

Lord & Berry - Couture Kohl SILK Kajal Eye Pencil in Black - 0.6g ....or a half sized pencil (full size is £10)
I'm a big fan of Lord & Berry but was yet to try any of the SILK Kajal Kohl Liners, and in my opinion, I can never have enough black liner - it's one of those things I will always use. This seems to glide onto the skin easily and is a true black. It's smudgeable for a softer, smokier look, although not overly creamy.

Color Club - Gala's Gems Nail Polish in Aquamarine Azulino - mini polish (£15 for set of 4)
Birchbox have teamed up with London-based Spanish blogger Gala Gonzalez to create a collection of four Color Club nail polishes exclusive to Birchbox called Gala's Gems. Each of the polishes is a pearlescent pastel shade - I received Aquamarine Azulino a gorgeous pearly sky-blue colour. I do love Color Club polishes and look forward to giving this one a go - it looks like the perfect spring shade.

Yes To Cucumbers - Soothing Facial Towelettes - 10 wipes (full size 30 wipes £4.99)
I don't really 'do' face wipes, but if I did, these would sound pretty good to me - 95% natural, hypoallergenic, oil free, and packed with cucumber and aloe vera. I think these will go in my kit for emergency situations!

Laura Mercier - Souffle Body Creme in Ambre Vanilla - 25g (full size 170g is £27)
A gorgeously luxurious body cream which sinks easily into the skin leaving a fragrance that sticks around for (seemily) ever! Subscribers will have received a creme or body butter - I'm extremely pleased with mine, particularly that I was given Ambre Vanilla as I love vanilla scents. It's packed with conditioning grape seed oil, vanilla and honey which soothes the skin, and really does smell, and feel, good enough to eat.

And this months lifestyle extra is...

Propercorn - Sweet Coconut and Vanilla popcorn - 8g (90p for 20g)
I'm not very adventurous when it comes to popcorn flavours, but coconut and vanilla certainly sounds interesting! The mini bag contains under 40 calories worth of popcorn, so if it's good, I will definitely repurchase!

All in all I think the April box has been a fantastic one - I can find a use for everything in my box, and the high proportion of makeup makes me a happy girl! It's not too late to order this box if you would like one for yourself. You can check it out, subscribe and shop for all the full sized items featured in the box on the BIRCHBOXwebsite.

Let me know your thoughts!

What's Inside my Latest in Beauty - 'The Glamour Beauty Edit' Spring Edition Box?

Back by popular demand, beauty-box supremos Latest in Beauty have teamed up with Glamour Magazine for the third time to create a Beauty Edit box. Beauty Director of Glamour Magazine Alessandra Steinherr has put together some of her essential products for getting happy and pretty for spring, which are available to buy in one box for a massively discounted price. Here's the run down of what's inside....

Rituals Zensation Organic Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom Foaming Shower Gel - 50ml (RRP £8.50 for 200ml)
This is a gorgeously scented shower gel that turns from a gel to a densely packed foam - super easy to apply, mess-free, and a little goes a long way. The size is perfect for travelling or the gym (if you're that way inclined!) Latest in Beauty have also included a code for 20% off at www.rituals.com which is pretty good as far as discounts go!

L'Oreal Mega Volume Miss Manga Mascara - FULL SIZE (RRP £7.99)
The bumph promises that this will build natural lashes to their plumpest, lushest, maximum thickness. I have given it a whirl and it definitely adds volume and doesn't clump. The brush is really full, and is on a very flexible tip - I can't decide if I like this feature or not, but it does mean that you create a nice, even layer of mascara without over-doing it.

*Exclusive* Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in Aqua Velvet  - FULL SIZE (RRP £9.25)
Daniel Sandler created this stunning turquoise shade of his famous waterproof eyeliner purely for this beauty box - and what a great exclusive it is! The colour works perfectly with all eye colours, and will be fab for spring. There's also a code for 20% off Daniel Sandler online - score!

Cheeky Chat Me Up Nail Paint in 'Tongue 'n' Cheek' - FULL SIZE (RRP £7)
Cheeky is a new brand from the makers of Cowshed - and the nail polishes are amazing! This coraley pink will definitely be making numerous appearances on my nails! High quality, glossy, and gorgeous.

Invisibobble - FULL SIZE (RRP £3.75 for a box of 3)
Well this was a new one to me! These hair bands are like the springy piece of plastic that I used to have on a keyring as a child. They aren't invisible in the hair, but they do leave no trace of a having had a hairband in the hair, so no more kinks - hurrah! Perfect to chuck in your bag to tie your perfect 'do' up with when braving the windy weather, before letting it back out without any tell-tale signs once you're inside.

Percy & Reed Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Mousse - 50ml (RRP £12 for 200ml)
Again, the perfect sized bottle for travelling or gymming - this mousse promises to give your hair extreme, lasting volume without the stiffness or stickiness. It's lightweight and smells good too - what more could you want from a mousse!?

Burt's Bees Lip Balm - FULL SIZE (RRP £2.99)
A girl can never have too many lip balms, and Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm is definitely one that does what it's meant to do. It's enriched with Vitamin E which really nourishes your lips, and it isn't greasy - so it's perfect for pre-lipstick, plus it tastes of After Eights. They've also included a 25% off code for use on the Burt's Bees website.

The box offers a nice variety of products for beauty junkies to enjoy, there's a nice even spread of make up, hair and body. Skincare is very personal, I feel, so I'm glad there's none of that in this box. The contents of the box are worth £45, but Latest In Beauty are selling The Glamour Beauty Edit box for a mere £14.95 - definitely worth it. They're limited edition, so once they're gone they're gone. If you'd like to get your hands on a box - you can do so by clicking here.

What's Inside my January Birchbox?

Birchbox is back in my life - and for that, I am grateful!

This year, it kick started with the Tiny Tweaks box - all about the little fixes you can do to get yourself back on the straight and narrow after all the Christmas partying - to make you feel, and look better. As well as the 6 items in the box, the little magazine that comes with it, is packed with ideas for little things you can do to make yourself happier, little resolutions you can actually stick to - which I thought was a really nice touch.

Although I really enjoy the box subscription services that you choose what products you'll be getting, I still really like the idea of a surprise box, and that's how Birchbox run their ship. You don't know what will be inside your box until you open it. It feels like a birthday when you have no idea what to expect beneath the layers of wrapping, and it's nice. Even that helps to make you feel happier!

So, in this months box there was....

Philip Kingsley - Moisture Balancing Conditioner - 20ml (£7.50 for 75ml)
This product is designed to add a boost of moisture to medium textured, wavy or fine processed hair. It's weightless so doesn't weigh the hair down, and leaves the hair smooth, shiny, and tangle-free. It's also great to use on children because of the detangling agents - I just wish there was also the shampoo from the same range included in the box, to really give the range a good test.

Benefit - The POREfessional - 7.5ml (£24.50 for 22ml)
I absolutely love this primer, so the more little samples of this the better! It's actually rather a large size bottle and a fantastic size for adding to your bag for travelling. I use this primer on a daily basis to smooth out my skin, shrink my pores, and make my makeup last longer. I just love it!

Vasanti - Detox Nutrient-Rich Purifying Facial Cleanser - 20ml (5.07oz for $24)
This is a brand I've never heard of before - I just visited their website to get some info for this post, and the reviews of this product are fantastic! It's a cleanser suitable for all skin types - even acne prone and sensitive skins. The general buzz is that it's really good at removing all traces of make up and controlling oil - sounds right up my street! It also contains omegas 3 and 6 to leave you with radiant looking skin.

Rodial - Bee Venom Moisturiser - 5ml (£150 for 50ml)
This is a revolutionary product which contains honey bee venom to trick the skin into thinking it has been stung, forcing it to repair itself. The result is a great anti-ageing formula, which leaves skin looking firmer and younger. The clinical trials they did to test the results were taken on women over the age of 50, and the blurb on their site talks a great deal about getting rid of the effects of menopause on the face, so I wonder how many people this cream may actually be useful for that have received it in their Birchbox. That said, I will still give it a go, and see if it makes any difference to my skin.

Premae - Anatomy Nutrients Body Oil - 20ml (£9.50 for 100ml)
Another brand I hadn't heard of prior to this, but my research found interesting results. This brand is allergy-free; it contains no treenuts, soy, wheat and oats, as well as petrochemicals, parabens and SLS. I can imagine this must make a world of difference to allergy sufferers that still want to enjoy luxury products. This is a spray-on oil designed to be used after showering to lock in moisture to your skin. I've used it a couple of times, and although the spray is a bit forceful, the smell is really lovely, and the oil sinks into the skin quickly leaving it with a really soft finish.

And Birchbox likes to include a 'Lifestyle Extra', which this month, is...

Itsu - Miso Soup - 25g (£2.25 for 3 25g sachets)
Miso soup is rich in amino acids and antioxidants, aids digestion and strengthens the immune system... apparently it's yummy... to be honest the ingredients list boasting cooked soybeans, natural yeast, rice, barley, wakame, spring onion and tofu doesn't really do it for me, but if it does float your boat this is a handy little sachet to pop in your bag for work.

There are a nice variety of products in this month's box. I have seen on the Birchbox site that other boxes this month contained Aromatherapy Associates and Laura Mercier products, I would have liked to have had one of them, it really is the luck of the draw!

If you'd like to sign up, you can subscribe here for £10 a month (+£2.95 p&p) or save when you sign up for 6 months or more.

Latest in Beauty - The Glamour Beauty Edit

Latest in Beauty is a beauty-box company with a difference. Each box has a different theme, and you always know what you'll be getting. There's no subscription fee - a new box launches, you like it, you buy it! One of the boxes they have at the moment is The Glamour Beauty Edit, featuring products handpicked by the Beauty Director of Glamour magazine, Alessandra Steinherr as her ultimate party musts.

It's one of the best beauty boxes I've had, because everything seems so relevant and will 100% get used rather than tossed into the ever growing 'samples for beauty boxes I have no use for' pile.

Inside the box are (L-R)

Toni & Guy Glamour - Firm Hold Hair Spray - 75ml (RRP £6.39 for 250ml)
Alex chose this hairspray because it keeps hair in place without stickiness or dullness. I love that it's the perfect size to put in your handbag or overnight bag, and doesn't have that old-lady hairspray smell!

Eyeko Lash Curlers (RRP £12)
Eyelash curlers are an essential in my book - using them will help to open up your eye and give you a full on fluttery look. I'd never tried the Eyeko ones before - the combo of the big gap to fit your lashes and the big velvety handles makes them easy to use. Plus they come with two spare rubber pieces so these will really last you a while.

Maybelline Baby Lips - Mint Fresh (RRP £2.99)
These are *the* thing for softening your lips at the moment, I've done a whole blog post on them (here) - in this weather a lip balm in essential, and this will do the job nicely.

HD Brows - Eye & Brow Palette - Foxy (RRP £19.96)
I already own one of these and use it in my makeup kit - it's a great little brow palette that you can also use as an eyeshadow palette. Its really versatile and can be used for auburn to light brown to dark haired people as a brow palette, or really lovely neutral browns as eyeshadow, perfect for daytime and smokey eyed looks.

Balance Me - Extra Care - Radiance Face Oil - 10ml (RRP £15)
Another great sized product for whipping in your bag, Alex says this is the "perfect rescue and repair for partied-out, sleep-deprived skin" that will leave your skin nourished, conditioned and glowy. It's 100% natural and comes with a rollerball applicator so you don't get oil all over the place. A really genius product for radiant skin.

Philip Kingsley - One More Day 50ml 
This is a life saver when getting in late from parties straight to work the next day and need that extra time in bed without having to do your hair.... a quick spritz from this dry shampoo and you go from limp to lovely. It can also be used to add texture to your hair when you want to create volume or backcomb. It's one of Alex's desert island essentials - that's good enough for me!

Benefit - They're Real Mascara - 3g (RRP £18.50 for 19.5g)

This is a best selling mascara, which in tests 90% saw dramatic length and volume, 90% saw base-to-tip curl, 94% saw visible lift and 100% saw long-wearing results. I bought this when it first came out, and remember the lady in Boots demo-ing it over the mascara I already had on, and I was amazed at how much fuller my lashes looked! I hadn't tried it again since that first tube, so this is a really nice way to try out a mascara with the mini version.

As you can see, the box contents are worth a lot of money - they are really generously sized samples, many being full sized, and was nice to see the box so tightly packed when I opened it! The box is for sale for £14.95, but you are getting a whopping £65 worth of products in there. You even get codes for 10% off Benefit, 20% off HD Brows and Philip Kingsley, and 15% off Balance Me. It would make a great, thoughtful present for Christmas.... or a nice present to yourself, let's be honest here!

Get yours now before they all sell out, at Latest in Beauty

What's in my Love Me Beauty Box?

It's that time again when the postman makes me a happy girl and delivers my monthly Love Me Beauty Box. The difference with this beauty box subscription is you get to choose between three menus which contents you'd like to receive - this month I went for menu number 3.

Inside was...

Lord & Berry - Smudge Proof Eyeliner (£7.50) - FULL SIZE!

I have loved Lord & Berry products that I have tried before - so Im excited to try out this grey liner in Smoke. When they say 'smudgeproof', they really mean it - when I tried it on the back of my hand, it literally does not budge! 

*This is one of the products that is in all the boxes this month.

Lord & Berry - Scuba Mascara (£12) - FULL SIZE!

This is a thickening and lengthening waterproof mascara. Sounds like it ticks all the boxes! It promises to "keep lashes silky, soft and flexible" and is "smudge resistant" - I look forward to putting it to the test!

*This is one of the products that is in all the boxes this month.

Balm Balm - Indulge Bath & Shower - 5ml (£6 per 5ml) - FULL SIZE!

This is a tiny bottle of aromatherapy oil which is enough for two or three baths or showers. You add it to your bath, or a damp flannel in the shower to pamper and luxuriate yourself, apparently! Sounds heavenly....

Weleda - Millet Nourishing Shampoo - 18ml (£8.90 per 190ml)

Millet Nourishing Shampoo is designed for normal hair and contains organic macadamia nut oil and extracts of organic millet husks and sage to provide gentle cleansing to nourish and maintain the hair's natural suppleness. I kinda wish there was a matching conditioner in the box too as I like to use hair products with the intended partners!

Amie Skincare - Bright Eyes 125ml - (£4.95) - FULL SIZE!

Bright Eyes eye make up remover is one of the reasons I chose this box. It's something I need constantly, and I'm interested to try new brands. This is suitable for people with sensitive eyes and says it removes all traces of eye make up efortlessley which is exactly what I look for in an eye make up remover. 

The box costs £10 + P&P per month (or cheaper if you join for a number of months) - and with that you do get a lot more back in terms of products. I like that you can choose the products that are coming to you - it does take away the surprise element of beauty boxes, but it means its more tailored to your personal needs and you're more likely to use the products. 

Visit Love Me Beauty to find out more, and to subscribe.

What's in My Love Me Beauty Box?

Beauteco has rebranded, and have now become Love Me Beauty - it's still the same principle, but with a new name and logo.

Its a monthly beauty box subscription service filled with natural products ranging from skincare, to hair products and make up. The difference is, that each month subscribers get to choose from three 'menus' which box they'd like to receive. Two or three products are generally the same between the boxes, with the rest of the products being whatever suits you the best.

This month, I picked Menu One for my box, which consisted of:

Matriskin - Collagen Serum - 7.5ml ($157 per 30ml)

This serum is from a brand I have yet to experience. It's a serum to prevent and cure signs of aging and stated that it fills and reduces wrinkles from the first application and removes expression lines in 30 days! With claims like that I am definitely going to give it a go. 

*This is one of the products that is in all the boxes this month.

Murad - Osmolyte Tonic - 15ml (£10 per 15ml) - FULL SIZE!

This is a toning mist to moisturise and replensih the skin - it's suitable for all skin types and adds a boost of hydration to your face after cleansing. 

*This is one of the products that is in all the boxes this month.

Nip + Fab - Dry Leg Fix - 100ml (£10.25 per 100ml) - FULL SIZE!

Dry Leg Fix is the main reason I chose this menu this month - it's an intensive balm to smooth dry and flaky skin and leaves legs glossy and moisturised. At the time I ordered, my legs were out a lot more and in need of added smoothness. Hopefully this will do the trick!

Anatomicals - No Bags Allowed - 15ml (£3.25 per 15ml) - FULL SIZE!

Although my box arrived this morning, I've already given this a whirl. It's really cooling and great for reducing puffiness under the eyes. It contains arnica and orange flower water which both have fantastic soothing properties. 

Essential Care - Lip Silk - 4.5g (£5.50 for 4.5g) - FULL SIZE!

I do love a good lip balm, and this was another product that made me choose this menu. It's an 100% organic, natural lip balm packed with shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax and orange essential oil. It has a slight zesty flavour to it and feels really moisturising on the lips. 

The box costs £10 + P&P per month (or cheaper if you join for a number of months) - and with that you do get a lot more back in terms of products. I like that you can choose the products that are coming to you - it does take away the surprise element of beauty boxes, but it means its more tailored to your personal needs and you're more likely to use the products. 

Visit Love Me Beauty to find out more, and to subscribe.

What's in my Birchbox?

My June Birchbox is in my possession! I've recorded a video showing what was inside mine. I am really pleased with this months box - check out the video to find out more!

What's in my Beauteco Box?

June is the second month in business for Beautecobox, a beauty box subscription which lets you choose what you get in your box, including two (or sometimes three!) full sized products each month. If you'd like to find out more and see what was in my box this month, have a watch of the video below.

What's in my Birchbox?

It's May Birchbox time already! If you'd like to see what's inside my box and my thoughts, check out my video below:



Let me know your thoughts and if you got anything different in your box.

Beautecobox - a New Beauty Box

A new beauty box has launched today - Beautecobox. They are an eco-friendly company, using 100% recyclable materials and trying not to use excess packaging. The box differs from other beauty boxes, as there is a choice of which box you'll get before it comes. Subscribers will get to choose from 3 menus meaning the contents will be much more suited to each individual. Each box will contain 1 or 2 star items (full sized products), and 3 or 4 trial sized products.

I've recorded a video of the unboxing of my Beauteco box if you'd like to have a nosey...



The boxes will be £10 each month, + £2.95 p+p, although subscription packages are available which saves money.

You can sign up for a subscription at www.beautecobox.co.uk

A Make Up Only Beauty Box! Starbox

I've been wanging on for forever and a day saying how great a make up only beauty box would be - whyyyy has it not been done?! Then lo and behold, I recently stumbled upon Starbox - which is exactly that. The only difference from the box in my head is that Starbox contains only their own brand of make up, Starlooks, but even so - it's a great way to try new products you wouldn't usually lean towards - colour, finish and formula-wise.

Starbox offer a monthly subscription for $15 - yes, it's an American company - shipping within the states is $2.68, but they do ship internationally - you have to contact them for a quote for anything outside of USA.

As in the Birchbox's and Glossybox's - what's coming each month is left as a surprise, but if you want a sneak peek, you can view the 'lookbook' for that month on their website - which is photos of a model wearing the make up.

I was sent the February box, which is a collaboration with one of their affiliates, Lauren Clark, who is a make up artist. The box itself is cute, the fact it's a lot thinner than the empty beauty boxes taking over my home was welcome - maybe it will make a nice lipstick holder!?

Each month there are 3-4 full sized Starlooks make up items in the box. This month the products were selected by Lauren Clark herself.

Inside the box was a lavender lipgloss, pale pink eyeliner, pink liquid blusher, and orange lip liner. I never would have picked up any of those pink items - pink eyeliner?! But it actually makes a great base for eye shadow. The pink blush in that formula is something I just would never have gone for, but again, it's wearable and I'm glad to have tried it. My favourite item in the box - and I would have bought this and would rebuy it now, is the lip liner - its so creamy and gorgeous!

So you're sent these make up items you never would have gone for - and then what? Where do you go from here?! In the information included there are a couple of face charts with ideas for how you can wear your new make up, with step by step tutorials. They do use other Starlooks products that aren't in the box, so if you wanted to follow it step by step you'd need to go on their site to see what kind of product it was and use something you already own that's similar.

I used the face charts as inspiration to create my own look with the products in the box.

Here I'm wearing the eyeliner as an eyeshadow base, the fluid blush and the lip gloss. I also made a video showing the products and swatches.



So.... what do you think of this idea? Is it the kind of thing you'd use or would you prefer a box with make up from different brands in?

You can find out more and subscribe at the Starlooks website

What's in my Birchbox UK?

January is the first month that Joliebox has changed to Birchbox UK, so I was rather excited to find out what was in my beauty box this month. Check out my video to see what was inside.


What do you think of this month's box?

What's in my Joliebox and LAST EVER She Said Beauty Box?

The news has come that She Said Beauty will no longer be offering their beauty box subscription service, instead focusing on being a social media website. They have referred their existing subscribers to Joliebox.

I have made videos showing what is in the December Joliebox and She Said Beauty Box.



As always, let me know your thoughts and if you got anything different in your box

What's in my Joliebox?

Although I thought I would unsubscribe from Joliebox last month, I was reminded of their collaboration with Birchbox and decided to stick with them.... here is the November box unveiling....




Please let me know what you got in your box and what you think of the box. Thanks for watching :)

What's in my All About Beauty Box?

All About Beauty is a new box subscription service in the UK which offers only full sized products in their box. I was sent one to try out - have a watch of my video if you'd like to see what was inside, my thoughts, and find out more info.



Thanks for watching :)

What's in my She Said Beauty Box?

Please excuse my non-made-up-bloodshot-lasered eyes, but if you'd like to know what was in my November She Said Beauty box - check out my video!



Thanks for watching :)

What's in my She Said Beauty Box?

The October edition of the She Said Beauty box has arrived - here is my video showing what's inside and my thoughts...



What do you think?

What's in my She Said Beauty Box?

My She Said Beauty Box arrived today, and once again I am really pleased with the contents. Check out my video to see what I got :



What do you think of this month's box? Did you get anything different?