February Glossy Box

 

Micabella Cosmetics - Mineral Blush Powder
Mirabella's collection is made of 100% natural mica, a crystal-like mineral. The Mineral Blush Powder offers a beautiful hint of colour and natural glitter that can be applied to the cheeks and temples for a healthy translucent glow. With excellent coverage, SPF15 protection and that ultimate staple of youth: a healthy natural blush.
RRP: £34.95 / 9g

Voulez-Vous - Warming Body Oil
Rich in natural ingredients, this warming body oil can be applied on any part of the body. Formulated in various aromas, each giving a specific effect. The skin gets smoother, the muscles relax, time passes.... the atmosphere electrifies!
RRP: £20 for set of 6

MeMeMe Cosmetics - FatCat Lengthening Mascara
Create lashes full of volume and alluring depth with MeMeMe's best-selling FatCat formula. The whiskered brush provides purrrfect eye catching results every time, making this an absolute must-have for Valentine's Day!
RRP: £7.00 / 8ml

Helen E Cosmetics - Moisturising Lipstick
If you love your lipstick, you'll fall in love with Helen E's creamy, moisturising range of natural and vibrant colours. Use alone of with a Helen E lip pencil to shape and define your lips, creating that perfect sultry Valentine's look.
RRP: £8.00 / 3.5g

Narciso Rodriguez - for her l'eau
A cult product among beauty insiders and particularly popular with Brides. Narciso Rodriguez For Her gets a sexy, edgy update. This version of the classic, feminine fragrance is launching nation-wide this month. A modern and sensual fragrance, for her l'eau forgoes the traditional citrus and blends a symphony of floral top notes with a 'heart of musk', making it the perfect sultry scent for Valentine's Day.
RRP: £23.00 / 30ml; £46.00 / 50ml; £66.00 / 100ml

Models Own - Heart Shaped Lollypop

Review - milk_shake Conditioning Whipped Cream

milk_shake Conditioning Whipped Cream

With a mouth-watering fragrance of freshly whipped cream, it's unlike any haircare product we've ever tried. This gorgeous leave-in conditioning foam with milk, wheat germ and casein proteins will treat, protect and strengthen your hair for smoothness and shine.

RRP: £14.79 - 200ml

I received this in my December Glossy Box and, to be honest, when I first opened the box I was so impressed and overwhelmed with the rest of the box that this got completely over looked. It wasn't until I was actually writing up the Review that I read more into it and, decided, on the spot, that this product was exactly what I was missing in my life!

I've never really used a separate conditioner before; I've either used a combination shampoo/conditioner or just not bothered; and actually, I've never really seen any effects from using a conditioner. But this!? This seemed perfect.

Let's start with my hair routine: I wash my hair, wrap it up in a towel, then sit in bed watching the television pretty much forgetting about it! Then about an hour later I drag myself out of bed and start to make an effort by brushing and drying it - I know, lazy right!? But, ideal for the usage of this conditioner. I can brush this through just before drying without the need to re-wash my hair!

This conditioner leaves my hair feeling and looking soft and shiny; without drying it out or making it greasy in the slightest.

The smell is * divine * it definitely lives up to it's 'Whipped Cream' name, and smells exactly like vanilla cream; yummm! And when I've used my Lush Snow Fairy Hair & Body Wash (only the Shower Gel is available at the moment) as a shampoo I smell like a walking patisserie; in other words, awesome! When I pull my hair out of a top-knot the smell that wafts around the room is like heaven; and I've had so many compliments on it!

All in all; my dream product! Thank you Glossy Box!

January Glossy Box

Eco-Boutique - Body Lotion with Aloe Leaf and Green Tea
With a soothing and delicate scent of mimosa and invigorating ingredients of organic green tea and natural aloe leaf, this body lotion is the idea way to gently detox your skin after the long winter months. Packaged in a bottle made from 97% recycled materials, this product is free from parabens, SLS, SLES, paraffin oil, artificial colours and silicones.
RRP: Only available as part of a 6 piece gift set priced at £8.50 / 50ml

Monu - Micro Exfolioant
This powerful dual-action microdermabrasion delivers instant radiant skin, refining the skin's texture, reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. This instant pick-me up with papaya enzymes and Shea butter provides an immediate healthy 'new skin' effect.
RRP: £14.50 / 100ml

Murad - HydroDynamic™UltimateMoistureForEyes
First the bad news: the skin around your eyes does not produce its own oil to moisture and hydrate. This means it's one of the first areas to show signs of dehydration, ageing and an unhealthy lifestyle. Even worse: long-term, dry under-eye skin leads to wrinkles, dark circles and bags. The good news is: a good under eye-cream will give you that fresh look to go with your fresh start to 2013. Even better: Murad's hydrating cream infuses the delicate eye area with moisture for up to eight hours, giving both immediate and long term relief from dry skin.
RRP: £57.00 / 15ml

Sanctuary Spa - Active Reverse Thermal Transformation Mask
This mask is soothing to use and its results are instantly visible. It has 'detox' written all over it. If you are looking to dramatically improve the appearance of your skin without cosmetic injections, this intensely warming two-step mask is for you. While results are instant, it is after four weeks of use that it visibly firms and refines to reveal smoother, glowing, more even skin and minimised fine lines and wrinkles.
RRP: £27.50 / Step 1 - 50ml; Step 2 - 75ml

BM Beauty - Dewy Perfection Finishing Powder
The brain child of Kimberly Wyatt and celebrity make-up artist Laura McComiskie, BM Beauty is dedicated to creating light-weight, skin-friendly make-up made naturally from anti-inflammatory zinc oxide and other natural minerals, while being cruelty, paraben, synthetic dyes, and fragrance free. A translucent powder with a 100% natural mineral formula, this Dewy Perfection Finishing Powder does what it says on the tin. A true multi-tasker, you can use this on its own to create a dewy finish, under foundation to diminish fine lines and blemish, over foundation for an airbrushed finish, that keeps your base in place all day, or even as a highlighter on cheek and brow bones.
RRP: £8.00 / 4g

Glossy Box - Glossy Dreams Sleep Mask

December Glossy Box

Rituals - Magic Touch
An ultra-rich whipped body cream that intensively nourishes and firms the skin. Combining rice milk, antioxidants, the indulgent fragrance of cherry blossom and velvety smooth texture, Rituals Magic Touch nourishes and strengthens the skin, while stimulating your senses.
RRP: £15.00 / 200ml

Seche - Seche Nail Lacquer
Highly pigmented colour for one coat coverage, satin smooth application dries quickly. Add Seche's Fast Top Coat for a rapid-dry protective layer that will give nails a gorgeous, salon-finish.
RRP: £9.95 / 14ml (full size)

Milk_Shake - Conditioning Whipped Cream
With a mouth-watering fragrance of freshly whipped cream, it's unlike any haircare product we've ever tried. This gorgeous leave-in conditioning foam with milk, wheat germ and casein proteins will treat, protect and strengthen your hair for smoothness and shine.
RRP: £14.79 / 200ml

Sleek Makeup - i-Divine True
Perfect for soft, subtle eyes or a smoky look with rich, pigmented colours.
RRP: £7.99 / 12 x 1.1g (full size)

Anatomicals - what a complete and utter glosser. i never fake strawberry milkshake. fruity lip gloss tube
A fabulously fruity strawberry lip gloss that gives long-lasting shimmer and shine coupled with the fruity title makes this a typical Anatomicals herp-product.
RRP: £3.49 / 10ml

Bonus:
Glossy Box - Glossy Pink Blusher
A colour intensive powder blush, velvety feeling with long-lasting colour that flatters all skintones.

Extra Bonus:
Dr Jart - Water Fuse Beauty Balm

I am actually really excited about this months Glossy Box; it's jam packed with 'my kind' of make-up. Also, I really love the fact they remembered to include an 'extra bonus' for me for duplicating one of my items last month. Thank you Glossy Box; this is, in my eyes, definitely you're best box!

Review - Clarins Water Purify One Stop Cleanser

I'm so lazy when it comes to removing make-up / creams at the end of the day. Soap doesn't generally agree with me and my sensitive skin and the face wash I use is very grainy and too harsh to be using twice a day; so I have been known to leave my ‘face’ on over night and then just remove what ever is on it in the morning using the face wash. Shocking, I know. It’s no wonder my skin is so bad.

But then I discovered Clarins Water Purify One Stop Cleanser

You just dab it on a cotton pad and ‘wash’ your face with it. No water needed. Perfect for a lazy bum like me!

It’s so light and dries within seconds of touching the skin. It also smells and feels very fresh, sort of minty cucumber.

It leaves my skin feeling so clean and soft, not at all greasy or dry, and it copes very well with my sensitive areas (primarily around my nose). It is essentially the perfect cleanser.

Saying that though, it does struggle with eye make-up; I'm yet to find a cleanser that doesn't! But, when I was in the Airport coming home from Venice I bought the Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover which is the same premise (no water needed) but for use especially on eye make-up, so maybe this is the one! - Review to follow no doubt.

November Glossy Box

Olay - Olay Regenerist 3-Point Treatment Cream Fragrance Free
Olay Regenerist's award winnings, best selling moisturiser is now available fragrance free.
RRP: £29.99 / 50ml

Wei Beauty - Jujube Age Control Serum
This all-in-one anti-aging serum renews, revitalizes, and restores suppleness and elasticity.
RRP: £60.00 / 30ml

Alison Claire Natural Beauty - Mango Body Butter
A delicious blend of organic mango and cocoa butters will leave your skin feeling wonderful.
RRP: £15.00 / 200ml

Nails Inc. - Kensington Caviar Top Coat / Porchester Square / Notting Hill Gate
3 nails inc best sellers including traffic stopping brights and the award winning Caviar Top Coat.
RRP: £11/12 / 10ml

Dermalogica - Daily Microfoliant
A unique rice-based powder that gently exfoliates skin, leaving it noticeably smoother and brighter.
RRP: £38.50 / 75g

My feelings are a bit mixed with this box. I already had the Olay Regenerist in the October Box; so that's a bit disappointing to get the same thing two times in a row, I'd read on Twitter (shameless 'Follow Me' plug!) that some people had received Burberry Perfume; I'd have much preferred that; and I'm not sure if I read it correctly, but my understanding is that there should be 3 Nails Inc. polishes in the Box, but I only got one; but it is the Top Coat, so I'm happy about that, and I'm looking forward to trying out the Body Butter (I'm a sucker for anything Mango 'flavoured') and the Dermalogica Microfoliant.

Update: About 30mins after posting this, I received an e-mail from Glossy Box apologising for sending me the Olay Regenerist again; I don't know if it was because of the Tweet I sent them or if it was just a general e-mail sent to everyone affected; but the result is they will add an extra product in my December box - makes this box better now :) Thank you Glossy Box

Review - Kryolan Satin Powder

I got this back in July in the July Glossy Box; but I've realised I've reviewed hardly any of the products I've been getting, even though I've been using them, so expect a few reviews in the coming weeks.

Kryolan Satin Powder

This micro-fine powder will create extraordinary shimmer effect eye make up.

R.R.P. £4.75 / 3g

First off I'll say; I've never heard of Kryolan before; but after typing Kryolan into Google doing a bit of research I've discovered it's a brand best know for the theatre / film / TV industry. The theatre mask logo on the packaging should have given it away really.

I was pleased when this appeared in my Glossy Box back in July though, the colour I received is SP333 which, when in the tub looks very orange, but when on is a nice warm shimmery golden peach colour which suits my Autumnal palette; auburn/brown hair / green eyes.

The packaging isn't overly inspiring, very basic; but it's small, compact, light weight, perfect for popping in you bag for a night out. The little hole in the lid is very useful; it reduces the chance of all the powder flying everywhere if you accidentally knock it over (tried and tested!) and is the perfect size so you're not getting out more than you need.

It is a really fine powder so you don't need a lot and it is easy to apply smoothly; but then you have the trouble with micro-fine, in that it turns up everywhere weeks after you thought you'd got rid of it!

So, saying that the staying power is impressive. Obviously you would expect a small amount of fading after a while, but mine managed to last roughly 7/8 hours (before I had to take it off) and still look really shimmery.

I don't think this should be limited to just your eyes; using a large brush it can easily be applied to your décolletage and arms and used as a body shimmer.

Over all I'm happy with it; the price, I feel, is a bit steep for the amount, but I can see myself using it quite often, and not just on my eyes!

October Glossy Box

Now this is much better, compared to last month! I was considering cancelling my subscription I was so disappointed in last months box; this months definitely makes up for it!

Anatomicals - Don't Just Clean It Woman, Scrub It Body Scrub

A pink grapefruit body scrub that buffs with a bravura sense of charm and wit.

RRP: £3.49 / 200ml

Olay - Olay Regenerist 3-Point Treatment Cream Fragrance Free

Olay Regenerist's award winning, best selling moisturiser is now available fragrance free.

RRP: £29.99 / 50ml

Skinetica - Anti-Blemish

A unique solution for clearing skin blemishes, showing results in 2-3 days. Kind to skin with no side effects.

RRP: £6.99 / 100ml

Yves Rocher France - Moisturising Cream Lipstick - Couleurs Nature

Perfect coverage from the first application: a smooth, supple luminous film covering the lips.

RRP: £14.50 / 3.7g

Dr. Jart - Premium Beauty Balm

This Dr Jart+ BB Cream provides high SPF40 protection with anti-oxidents. A slightly glossy, low coverage cream which helps fight ageing. Particularly suitable for those over 30.

RRP: £24.00 / 40ml

September Glossy Box

This month GlossyBox arrived in the post today; I must say, I'm not at all impressed. I love the box, just not the contents. I cant see myself using any of the products; and half of the 'samples' are the sort of things that fall out of a magazine when you first open it. *MiniRantOver*

I'm going to try and not 'judge a book by it's cover' as it were, and I will give a couple of the products a go; if only so I don't feel depressed about spending money on these things. Possible reviews to follow.

Lady Gaga - Fame Fragrance
An opulent, crushed floral fragrance that's black like the soul of fame but transparent once airborne.
RRP: £25 / 30ml

Rodial - Glamoxy Snake Serum and 5 Minute Facial
Glamoxy Snake Serum is a revolutionary product with instantly visible results, helping to reduce the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles. 5 Minute Facial is a triple action resurfacing gommage clay mask.
RRP: Snake Serum: £29 / 10x1ml
       5 Minute Facial: £10.95 / 10x1ml

Balance Me - Wonder Eye Cream
A triple-action cream designed to soothe tired eyes, smooth away dark shadows and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
RRP: £20 / 15ml

VICY - Idealia Day Care Cream
A smoothing and illuminating day cream that smooths skin's texture and improves complexion radiance.
RRP: £25 / 50ml

Maghrabian - Hair Oil
Nutrition, hydration, conditioning, softness, shine and long-term vitality. Hair absorbs the oil quickly, instantly improving its appearance.
RRP: £24 / 100ml

Update: Sorry for the negativity; I know some people don't like that on Reviews; and sorry for the hideously blurry bottom picture - I've only just realised how bad it is!! I'll re-do it so you can actually see the products! 

Review - DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

I received a sample of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil in my August GlossyBox

This revolutionary water-soluble cleanser is better than any other make-up remover you've ever tried.

Quite a bold statement to make - and I'm not sure I completely agree.

It is a very good make-up remover - not 'better than any other', just very good. It managed to get off all of my lipstick and Lipcote, which had both stayed put for over 12 hours, and coped really well with my foundation, eye make-up and mascara. But it really struggled with my eye-liner, I ended up having to use eye make-up remover pads to get that off.

I wasn't to keen on the application instructions of "use your hands" - I would have much preferred to use a cotton pad, as it left my fingers feeling a bit greasy. But it coped very well with the sensitive skin around my nose, and didn't cause any irritation, and though my hands felt greasy after applying it, my face didn't, which is always a bonus. My face felt soft, smooth and quite fresh after using.

I will be using this again, but I'll try applying with a cotton pad. Maybe the texture of the cotton pad will help with the removal of my eye-liner? Over all, I am happy with it. Thank you again GlossyBox!

Review - Lipcote / GlossyBox Lipstick

So I got this in the August GlossyBox and it is, in my eyes, the greatest invention ever!

I have never really been one to wear lipstick for a night out, I've never seen the point, it always came off after a drink or two. Maybe it was me? Maybe it was the cheap lipsticks I was buying? So I gave up using them.... until now.

In my August GlossyBox was also a GlossyBox Lipstick in 'Glossy Pink' a lovely shiny glossy pink colour, that when on, matched my natural lip colour, so just looked like a creamy gloss.

Professional beauty lipstick for soft and glamorous lips with a luminous, long-lasting colour

Now, I can't comment on the long-lasting-ness of this lipstick, because I only wore it with the Lipcote over it, so on to the Lipcote review....

The Original Lipstick Sealer and secret of long lasting, feather fade and water resistant lipstick

Following the instructions, you are to apply a thin even layer over the lipstick, keep your lips apart whilst it dries, and then don't drink for 15 minutes afterwards - I didn't do any of this! I had the girlies round getting ready at mine, so keeping my lips apart whilst it dried was never going to happen when there was gossiping to be doing... and as for the no drinking for 15 minutes after application, we had a bottle of Chambord - 'nuff said. I also applied twice, because I couldn't remember if I had done it the first time - I was assured I had!

So even with all the blatantly ignoring the instructions, it still worked! And really well! 6 hours, and multiple drinks and shots later my lips were still as creamy and glossy as when I applied the lipstick - well impressed.

Even the morning after the night before, after being ever so naughty and collapsing into bed still in my make up. Waking up, I was sure my face would be a lipstick smeared mess - but it wasn't... there was a bit of fading, but what do you expect after 13 hours!? But it was all still perfectly in place.

Taking it off was no problem either - you'd think with it being so effective that it would be a 'mare to get off... it wasn't - I don't know if that's down to my make-up remover though (DHC Deep Cleansing Oil - review soon).

The only fault I can find with Lipcote is that it's quite difficult to apply.... because the brush is so darn ticklish!

I can see myself wearing lipstick a lot more now because of this genius invention! Thank you GlossyBox for bringing it into my life!!

Review - Elysambre Short Eyelashes Mascara

I received a full sized version of the Elysambre Short Eyelashes Mascara in my June JolieBox, and have used it a few times since, including for a night out with the girlies last night.

What I wasn't expecting was the colour, it's a nice burgundy / plum shade, which I thought was a bit different. The colour is not so obvious when on [according to the mother] but I liked it, I found it highlighted my eyes more.

The packaging is very plain, and not at all interesting - although, after doing a bit of reading up on this brand, I've come to learn that the actual mascara packaging is refill-able, so I'm guessing what I've been sent is a refill.

I'm impressed by this mascara, it's quite thick, but not claggy, and there was no sticking together of eyelashes. There was no smudging and it lasted really well, especially in the heat of a nightclub! I'll definitely be carrying on with this.

Pretty Quik Magic

So, I've been hearing a lot of good reviews about Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - and it sounded absolutely perfect! You just dip your finger in, twist, and the polish comes off! Ideal if you balls up nail art and just want to take off one nail - so I bought it!

But in reading up about it, I kept coming across the name Pretty Quik - same idea, same premise, different brand - and, according to a lot of reviewers, better than Bourjois - so I bought it too!

Now, to para-phrase Harry Hill, there's only one way to find out which is better............... fight!

Let battle commence.....

So, to start off, all four of my test nails had the same type and amount of nail varnish on them.

Round 1 - Speed

Bourjois claims to be "1 second per nail" - it isn't. Well, not for me anyway. But it is quick, say 3-4 seconds.

Pretty Quik doesn't specify a time frame, except that it is 'Pretty Quik' - which it is. I would say marginally quicker than Bourjois.

Round 1 Winner - Pretty Quik

Round 2 - Looks

Bourjois bottle isn't offencive, it's a nice pink, looks good quality. The sponge inside is dark grey/black, so you can't see any of the removed nail polish. The bottle is also the bigger of the two, so you can fit your whole finger into it.

Pretty Quik is in a smaller bottle, and honestly, the colours and labelling scream "cheap" to me. Like a budget brand might. The sponge is a light pink colour, so you can see the removed polish, but after a while it seems to disappear. It's quite a small sponge, I had trouble covering all my nail. Also, the sponge had twisted itself around I had trouble finding the hole you are to put your finger in!

Round 2 Winner - Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

Round 3 - Smell

Bourjois says on the bottle it's "Red Fruit & Vanilla Fragrance" - when I smelt it in the bottle I defiantly did not get that! It is ever so strong smelling. But after I had used it and it was on my fingers, I can smell it, and it smells more fruity than vanilla, but really nice.

Pretty Quik doesn't claim to have a fragrance. Smelling it in the bottle it just smells like strong generic nail varnish remover. After using it and with it on my fingers the smell tones down and almost has a fruity smell to it. But not much.

Round 3 Winner - Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

Round 4 - Price

I bought both of these nail polish removers from Superdrug (though I can't find them on their website), prices reflect what I paid.

Bourjois was £4.99 for 75ml
Pretty Quik was £2.49 for 30ml

Although Bourjois is the more expensive of the two, you get more for your money. In comparison, 75ml of Pretty Quik would cost you £6.23. At £4.99, it's still expensive, but, although I don't know how long it will last, up to now, I think it's worth it.

Round 4 Winner - Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

And so ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.............   Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

Quick and easy to use, smells great, and you get more for your money.