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Monday, April 30, 2012

The New Beauty Box In Town: Lux Box, April

This morning the eagerly anticipated Lux Box arrived at my door. It’s the first box from the company and I was really excited to receive it as they’ve been doing a lot of research into what kind of box people would have wanted.

They were running an introductory offer of 25% off so I received the box for £10.40 (inc. P&P) instead of £12.95 – which seems like the average price for boxes these days.

The mailing box was a pretty boring cardboard box, with no branding. I only realised it was my Lux Box because it was posted last week, and it’s the only other beauty box I get along with GB.

The box itself is a lot like GB box. I love the logo and print on the top, it seems quite sophisticated.

Inside the box is black tissue and cardboard shavings, accentuated with a pink sticker and ribbon. This is pretty much the standard packaging for beauty boxes.

SO, here’s what I got in the box:

STEAMCREAM in ‘Ambigue’ tin – Worth £12

Eldora False Lashes – Worth £4.90 (I think!)

BM Beauty Eyeshadow (2 x 1g) – Worth £7

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream – Worth £13

MOA The Green Balm – Worth £X?

Total: £36.90

Steamcream – I know people are disappointed as this is a repeat from the last Carmine. I love this cream though so I’m really happy it’s in there! Smells lavender-y and absorbs really quickly. And it’s made with steam! Steamcream is apparently the sister company of Lush, and I just love Lush products so this is a definite keeper! Plus this tin is limited edition, love it!

Eldora False Lashes – Another repeat also. I don’t wear lashes myself and I wouldn’t give these a try any way because I don’t like the diamantes. I love the fact that there’s a mix of products though, so I can’t complain that they’re in there.

BM Eye Shadow – Again, repeated. I didn’t like them the first time round and I don’t like them this time. However, I’m pleased there’s makeup. I’m also pleased that there are two this time around. I wouldn’t wear pink or purple eye shadow, as it’s not really me but I do love the fact that they’re mineral, as I love mineral makeup.

Balance Me Eye Cream – I love the Balance Me brand. They’re always popping up in beauty boxes, but I don’t mind, as I love some of the products that I’ve tried over the last few months. Will definitely be giving this a whirl too, if it’s anything like the other products I’ve tried then I know I’ll want the full size!

MOA Green Balm – It’s actually quite bad that this is the smallest product in the box and even though I’m yet to use it it’s my favourite and I’m sure I’ll buy the full size. I’m a sucker for multi-use products. The fact that it’s natural and can be used in your hair, on your face, on your body, AND can be gargled with water is astonishing (plus many more uses!). I absolutely love stuff like this. Disappointed that there was no indication of sample size or worth so I couldn’t work out how much its worth, but hey.

Overall

Overall I’m really pleased. Yes, there are some items I wouldn’t use but you can’t please everyone when it comes to beauty boxes, and the fact that there are things I like and brands I don’t know make it worthwhile. This box also gives me hope for the coming boxes too. I was really disappointed with the first SheSaid box, but I love this one. £40 worth of products for £10.40? Don’t mind if I do, ta!

Another point is that there are a whopping SIX discount codes in the little leaflet inside. SIX. Crazy. Underneath every product description there’s a discount code, either for that specific product or the brand in general. Then there’s the bonus discount of 50% of individual eyelash extensions. For those who’ve read my freebie posts you’ll know I love a good bargain, so these were a lovely touch! Will I be using them? Of course!

I don’t want to jinx it, but I think I may have found my Carmine replacement!

Did anyone else get a Lux Box?

Labels: balance me, balm, beauty box, eldora, lux box, mineral, moa, steam cream

Friday, April 27, 2012

April GLOSSYBOX: Natural Earth Day Theme

It feels like an absolute age since the last Glossybox, so I was excited when they finally sent the despatch emails a couple of days ago.

However, when it comes to Glossybox I’m always pretty harsh on them. They’re a big company, with good links in the beauty industry and lots of subscribers so I expect decent boxes. Unfortunately, Glossybox always seem to disappoint and when I heard that this month’s box was an Earth Day themed box, my expectations weren’t very high at all.

However, Glossybox have surprised me and the box that came today was actually pretty good. I was a bit shocked when it arrived, simply because they ditched the usual purple/pink polka dot mailing box for a normal brown one. I didn’t even realise it was my GB so I went back to bed!

The actual box is biodegradable, and an earthy tan colour along with the tissue, stuffing and sticker, and the ribbon is made out of a beige canvas material. I liked the extra touches.

So, without further ado, in my box was:

Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum 10ml – worth £9.66

Inika Organic Eyeliner in Sapphire full size – worth £11.75

Monu Enriched Body Cream 30ml – worth £3.45

Figs & Rouge Peppermint & Tea Tree Balm full size – worth £3.29

Philip B Drop Dead Straightening Balm 15ml – worth £2.55

Total = £30.70

Caudalie Serum – Full size £29/30ml

I think this was the staple product that came in every box – the size was apparently specially made for GB. I’ve always heard good reviews on Caudalie products but never actually tried any. Looking forward to trying this!

It doesn’t feel full though, which is very disappointing!

Inika Eyeliner – Full size £11.75

It’s blue. And it rubbed off of my hand straight away when I swatched it. Not overly impressed, but I should try it properly before I make up my mind. I like that they’ve put some makeup in the box though!

Monu Body Cream – Full size £23/200ml

I’m a big Monu fan now, after trying their enzyme peel – blogged here – so I’m looking forward to trying this. Smells citrusy with a hint of nutmeg. Mmm!

Figs & Rouge Balm – Full size £3.29/8ml

I already have two of these balms in Sweet Geranium, and I love the fact that they’re multi-use so can be used all over the face and body. Yet another lip product to add to my overflowing collection!

Philip B Straightening balm – Full size £17/178ml

This is probably the product I’m most disappointed with. It has ‘Not for sale’ on the back which makes it look like they give it out as a freebie and not an actual paid sample. I will try it nonetheless and see what it’s like. The full size is only 178ml and retails for £17, so it can’t be awful, right?

So that’s what I got this month. Some people on BBS saw a spoiler of this early this morning and deemed it the ‘worst’ box, but to be honest I’m really happy with it. It’s honestly one of the first boxes that will actually get used in its entirety.

I was lucky enough to be in the ‘first wave’ of boxes, but in my experience the second wave is always best. Looking out for what people receive over the next couple of days!

Did you get a Glossybox this month? What are your thoughts?

Labels: caudalie, figs and rouge, glossybox, inika, lip balm, monu

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Collective Haul ...

Warning: Picture heavy post!

Went into Boots last week and they seem to have everything on offer – 3 for 2! – So thought it’d be a crime not to pick some stuff up.

I did get a lot more than what’s here but everything else for a beauty box for the boy, since he’s jealous of all of mine! Haha

Tresemme Split End Sealing Serum

Fade Out Original Moisturising Cream

Fade Out Nourishing Night Cream

Fade Out Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream

St Ives Apricot Scrub

White Glo Toothpaste (x3)

Tresemme Split End Sealing Serum

I chemically straighten my hair every six weeks, which ends up leaving it dry and brittle and murdering my ends. I’ve been looking for something like this to help me tame them.

Fade Out Original Moisturising Cream | Fade Out Nourishing Night Cream | Face Out Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream

I actually read about these creams on Lea’s blog here. The reviews generally seem pretty decent too. My Clarins Day & Night creams are running low and I can’t afford to spend £80 on two moisturisers so decided to grab these for Project: Face.

They stink and tingle when you apply them (sting, if you’ve applied too much), but I’ll do a full review once I’ve given them a few weeks. These were on offer as well, so I saved myself £10!

St Ives Apricot Scrub

I was lucky enough to get sent a sample of this about a month ago and have been addicted ever since. Scrubs never seem to be ‘scrubby’ enough for me but this one really exfoliates.

White Glo Toothpaste

Since getting this in the last Carmine box (RIP!) I’ve been truly addicted. I went out and bought it as soon as my sample ran out, but found that once that had run out and I switched back to a normal toothpaste for a few days, the ‘wow’ factor had gone and my teeth were really dull again. I got the tea and coffee drinkers formula to try out too, hopefully this will prolong the whiteness if I run out again.

It’s not the cheapest toothpaste at £4 a tube, but with a toothbrush and floss sticks in every pack and visibly whiter teeth, you can’t go wrong! And 3 for 2? I’m sold.

I’ve read a few posts about the Lush Lip Scrubs recently, and as the boy was going shopping I asked (read: begged) him to pick one up for me.

I asked for the bubblegum flavour, as I’m a bit funny with mint sometimes. Smells and tastes amazing, although the aftertaste is a little weird but I think that’s because of the oils.

I’ll spare you the full review, since everyone has been there, done it, and got the tee!

As I mentioned before, I chemically straighten my hair every six weeks and last week I was waaay overdue. I rushed out to get one, admittedly wearing a hat to hide my Medusa mane and some very scruffy clothes, and stumbled across a Sleek counter in the hair shop …

I don’t own any Sleek items, but a lot of the ladies over on BBS rave about the Sleek Rose Gold blush so when I saw the counter I had to have a look!

I only bought two things – watching the pennies! :( The Rose Gold looked a little too ‘rich’ for me.

First up is a blush in Pomegranate. It’s a lovely, deep pink and compliments my skin tone well. But it’s very pigmented so I have to be careful with how I apply it otherwise I look like a clown.

The second thing I bought was the sleek brow pencil in brown. Black pencils make my brows look too heavy, so this brown one fills them in nicely and keeps them natural looking.

So that’s it. Time to tighten the purse strings for a while!

Have you tried any of these products before?

Labels: fade out, haul, lush, project face, sleek, st ives, tresemme, white glo

Monday, April 23, 2012

Beauty Box Secrets: The £4 Glossybox

Just wanted to let you know about an amazing deal that I’ve just come across over on Beauty Box Swaps.

Get 12 GlossyBoxes for less than £4.20 a month! I know, I know it sounds unbelievable, but …

Due to the Carmine merge GB are offering a 30% discount on the 12-month sub when you use the code 'WELCUM30OFF' , bringing the £135.40 (price including P&P) down to £100. But it doesn’t stop there…

TopCashBack after offering a crazy £50.50 cashback when you buy a 1-year Glossy subscription. The cashback deal means that you end up paying less than £50 for your next 12 Glossyboxes. If that’s not a good deal then I don’t know what is! The cash back isn't instant, it takes a couple of weeks but we can wait, right? :)

To take advantage of this momentous deal, click here, search for Glossybox and follow the instructions.

The deal ends soon – I think someone said midnight, but don’t quote me on that! – so grab it while you can!