October 2013 Glossybox Review

Glossybox is a monthly subscription of 5 high-end beauty product samples (with some full-size products sometimes, too) for £10 + £2.95 p+p)

You can earn Glossydots by reviewing the products in a quick survey, or by inviting friends, and redeem points for a free box.  Each survey is worth 50 points, and 1000 Glossydots = 1 free box, so if you review 5 products a month, every 5th Glossybox should be free.  You get 200 Glossydots for every friend that signs up and places an order. 

The October box was yet another disappointment from a formerly great company, and after opening this box, I immediately unsubscribed.  I'll keep this blog short, as there really isn't much to say about any of these products.







First up was Eva Professional Mystic Diamond - a hair oil that uses argan oil and diamond powder to supposedly nourish and regenerate your hair and give it extra shine power.  It made my hair pretty greasy, which I guess is almost the same as shine?  The sample was tiny so I couldn't possibly say if continued use would 'regenerate' my hair, but it all sounds very sci-fi to me so I think I'll stick to my BiOrganics hair oil.
RRP. £22.70/100ml, Expensive, probably not worth it.














Next is Cherubs Blush Cheek & Lip tint from MeMeMe, a brand that I actually loathe.  All of the products I have had from them have been poorly packaged, barely pigmented and not worth owning.  I tried it out nonetheless, and stick to my opinion of the products.  It hardly had any colour, zero staying power (how can they call it a stain???) and felt like gritty water.  Not nice.  RRP. £5.50/12ml.
















I also got a product from Monu, another brand that Glossybox keep insisting on including.  This time it was an illuminating primer.  It has SPF 15 which is the only redeeming feature I could find.  It didn't do a good job of priming my skin, and was quite drying.  RRP. £24.95/50ml.



















Next was Harmony Multi-Vit Serum from Premae.  I had to get my glossybox out and check that I'd actually got this because I couldn't remember it at all.  Turns out I did -  The packaging is bright yellow and looks really cheap and tacky, not something I'd pick up off a shelf.  I've used it a few times now since re-discovering that I had actually received it, and it feels pretty nice on the skin - light and quite refreshing, but it doesn't seem to do very much at all.  My make up doesn't last longer, and my skin doesn't feel any smoother, but it hasn't broken me out which is a plus.  It is a really nice idea though, a primer that acts as a shield against the chemicals etc in your makeup, but maybe just use makeup with less chemicals and a primer that works well? Each to their own though.  RRP. £22.50/50ml.













Finally, to top off the massive disappointment that was this box, it couldn't really have been anything other than a perfume sample.  I got a small sample of Killer Queen by Katy Perry.  It's nothing special really.  RRP. £38.50/100ml















And that concludes my Glossybox reviews!  I have just ordered a Latest In Beauty box, so I will be reviewing that once it arrives, and I have a TON of other stuff backed up waiting to be reviewed, but life has been pretty hectic recently, so I'm a bit behind!  I promise to be better from now on, though!

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June 2013 Glossybox Review

Glossybox is a monthly subscription of 5 high-end beauty product samples (with some full-size products sometimes, too) for £10 + £2.95 p+p)

You can earn Glossydots by reviewing the products in a quick survey, or by inviting friends, and redeem points for a free box.  Each survey is worth 50 points, so if you review 5 products a month, every 5th Glossybox should be free.  You get 200 Glossydots for every friend that signs up and places an order (1000 Glossydots = 1 free box) 

The June Glossybox theme is 'Summer Looks' - the ultimate staples for any summer make up bag.  

The first product I received was a Helen E Shimmer Eye Powder - in Shade 22 - silver.  I've always associated silver with winter, what with it being not at all warm or fun.  It is very sparkly and shimmery etc, but I can't see myself using it until at least October.  It's a good sized pot (1.5g) of loose pigment, and can be used wet or dry.  But I can't help being disappointed that I didn't get a bronze/copper or even the olive green colour they have (Shade 25).  They have at least 14 shades I would use and rave about, but I got silver.  Sad face.

The packaging is really cute, a clear hexagonal pot with a silver lid, and a pepper shaker style dispenser.  I guess that contributes to the price - £5 for 1.5g.  I always find it hard to understand the price difference between products like these, am I paying for the quality or the name? MUA do a range of eye dusts that are very similar, and cost £1 each.  Barry M Dazzle Dusts are £4.59 and Makeup Geek pigments are about £4.50.  I don't see the justification and I can't compare the pigmentation as the silver seems quite sheer, but it doesn't really show up well on my skin tone - is it bad quality or is it my skin colour?

The range is available from Helen-E.com for £5 (Use the discount code PR13 for £10 off orders over £25 until 31/07/13)

The next product in the box was a lip tint from Figs & Rouge in Cherry Blossom.  It's by far my favourite item in this month's box, as it is

- 100% Natural Ingredients

- Petroleum Free
- Paraben Free
- Mineral Oil Free
- Free of Synthetic Colours & Aromas

It comes in really nice bright packaging, which looks like a paint tube, with a screw cap.  The product itself doesn't have a strong smell or that nasty plastic feel to it like some lip products do.  It's moisturising and has a nice colour - kind of a deep dusty pink.  

It lasts quite a long time on the lips and doesn't transfer too much.  It keeps my lips soft and doesn't look too shiny or sticky (and my hair doesn't get stuck in it either, #1 trait of a good lip product)

It can be applied either straight from the tube, with fingers or with a brush.  I keep mine in my bag and use it multiple times throughout the day when I feel it's wearing off a bit - and it's great for summer when my lips are getting dehydrated faster than usual due to the heat we're actually getting for once in the UK.

It retails at £4.95 for 12.5ml and can be bought from FeelUnique.com with free delivery.

Third in the June box was a Long Lasting Nail Gloss from MeMeMe - a brand that keeps popping up in my Glossybox, and to be honest, I wish it wouldn't.  

It claims to be a 'premium, long-lasting, high-shine nail gloss complete with maxi-brush for one-stroke application.'  What I've found it to actually be is an almost clear, very watery nail polish that lasted just long enough for me to see the result and wipe it straight off again.  There was no opacity except at the edges of my nail where the product actually ran to.  I've never had a nail polish that was so watery that it could run before, so that's unique I guess.

Maybe it's that I got the colour Ambitious, which is a dusty pink, but I'm leaning more towards it being a bad product.  

I definitely wouldn't pay £5 for this, but if you want to give it a try, you can use the discount code GBUK15 for 15% off from MeMeMeCosmetics.co.uk

Next up is a Hydrating Moisturiser SPF15 from Monu.

'Soft focus technology helps to blur imperfections and to correct skin tone. We use Zinc Oxide to provide a physical barrier against the sun’s harmful rays. This provides broad spectrum UV protection with good UVA to UVB ratio. Includes Vitamin E, an antioxidant, to fight free radicals. The best way to stop your face from ageing is to protect it from the sun.'

My general rule with moisturisers is that if I can't pronounce at least 50% of the ingredients, it probably isn't good for my skin, and the ingredients on this bottle read like a Swahili tongue twister.

'Aqua (Water), Zinc Oxide, C12- C15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Seed Oil, Isostearic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopherol, Silica, C13-14 isoparaffin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Linallol, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Isoceteth-10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Citronellol, Benzyl Salicylate, Farnesol, Limonene'

I've tried it, and it does moisturise quite well, doesn't smell, and extra SPF is great any time of year.  Again, the price isn't very budget friendly at £29.95/50ml, so I wouldn't recommend it purely based on that if nothing else, but if you want to give it a try you can use the discount code Glossy1 until 01/10/13 on monushop.co.uk

Last in the box was Huile Prodigieuse (R) OR from NUXE, a 'multi-talking desert-island dry oil... forumlated to be easily absorbed and illuminate all skin and hair types with a subtle golden shimmer that looks like it comes from within'.  I'll admit, it is subtle, as I didn't notice any difference at all really.  

The ingredients say to spray the oil into your palms and rub onto the face/hair.  However the sample I got didn't have a spray dispenser, so maybe that affected the application.  It can be used all over the body, face and hair but again, I don't feel that I can comment because the sample wasn't packaged correctly and I can't really use it as it's meant to be used.

At £34/100ml, I won't try to recommend it as that's a lot of money to spend on a product that may or may not work.  However, if you have tried it, please comment below to let me know the best way to use it!  

I also have a 15% off discount code for Nuxe.co.uk - Just enter GLOSSYBOXDISC before 30/6/13.

***Bonus Item***

I would like to mention that in this box there was a bonus item, a sachet of John Frieda Sheer Blonde Everlasting Blonde Shampoo and conditioner - however, being a full on ginge, I won't be using it.  

I do complete my beauty profile on Glossybox regularly, to make sure I get the products that suit me best, but I'm getting the feeling that the information gets lost somewhere.

Overall, the June Glossybox was a bit of a let down - some of the other products available would have been PERFECT for me - Frizz Ease Original Serum, Helen E Waterproof Lip Liner, Monu Soap-Free Facial Wash, Sarah Chapman Intense Hydrating Booster/Skin Tone Perfecting Booster, Gosh Growth Mascara, ANY of those would have been great, and all 5 would have been a great box.  Maybe next month will be better... maybe.

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Review: Glossybox January 2013

Glossybox is a monthly subscription of 5 high-end beauty product samples (with some full-size products sometimes, too) for £10 + £2.95 p+p)

You can Glossydots by reviewing the products in a quick survey, or by inviting friends, and redeem points for a free box.  Each survey is worth 50 points, so if you review 5 products a month, every 5th Glossybox should be free.  You get 200 Glossydots for every friend that signs up and places an order (1000 Glossydots = 1 free box)

The January Glossybox has a Detox theme, and the products I received were mainly organic, natural and paraben free, which I love!

The first product in the 01/13 Glossybox was the Skin Glow Facial Exfoliator by Elemis, from their Teens To Twenties Freshskin range.  The key ingredients are aniseed, bitter cherry, glycerine, jojoba beads, mandarin and sweet almond oil.  The Elemis Freshskin range is also free from Parabens, SLS, SLES, Mineral Oils, Artificial Colours & Silicones.  They use active plant extracts to provide fresh, natural skincare.

The Skin Glow Facial Exfoliator works really well, you massage it into wet skin using 'gentle but fast' circular motions all over your face, and then rinse with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel.  

It smells amazing, and it gets all that dead skin off your face whilst boosting the circulation, so you get a nice tingly-clean feeling after using it.  It cleans right down into your pores and mine looked visibly reduced after use.  My skin felt soft and fresh and I would definitely recommend this product.

(RRP. £12/100ml, Available from ASOS with free delivery)

The second product in the box was a Warming Aromatic Mask from Monu, which claims to help increase vitamin and mineral absorption.  Again, this product uses all natural ingredients - with Attapulgite Clay, Beeswax, Camphor (Rosemary) Essential Oil, Coconut Oil and Lavander Essential Oil.  The clay deep cleans your face whilst stimulating and renewing cell health, leaving the skin 'clear, boosted and radiant looking', and the Beeswax and Coconut oil 'soften, nourish and hydrate skin.'

Used once or twice a week after cleansing, it is applied to the face and neck with fingertips and left for 10-15 minutes.  It won't dry so keep your hair back and don't go headbutting people, it'll make a mess.  Your face instantly starts to warm up, but not too hot, just a soothing sensation - like a hug for your face - it's really relaxing. 

When I washed it off, my skin felt tighter and softer, but I don't think this justifies the price tag.  However, if you feel you can spend the money, by all means try this mask.

(RRP. £24.95, available for £22.95 from FeelUnique.com)

Third in the box was a Mandarin and Bergamot body lotion from Duck Island - a range of skincare products used in hotels.  

It smells citrus-y and floral at the same time, and is extremely moisturising.  It doesn't soak in to skin too quickly so you have to stand around for a bit once you've used it, waiting for it to dry.

Whilst it's a really nice body lotion, I'm confused as to why it was included in the Glossybox - It's available to buy in cases of 200 30ml bottles for £166.78 each - what?

(The cheapest I've found it is £3.32/250ml with £4.99 shipping, from DW Supplies)

Next was a Balance Rescue Face Tonique from Premae - a mattifying and rejuvinating toner, which claims to 'cut through dirt and excess oil, and close clogged pores.'  It does all of those from my experience, and I really like it.

It uses a paraben free, alcohol free, fragrance free, 100% Allergy UK Certified formula of Sandalwood Oil, Rose Water and Lemongrass Oil to nourish and revitalise skin cells.

It is applied with a cotton wool pad, and left on the face (just a thin layer, so it can soak in).  Excess can be removed with another cotton wool pad.

So far, I really like this, and I've been looking for a toner with Rose Water, so I'm very happy about that, too.  The only down side is the price - you could make this yourself for hardly anything, yet Premae are charging £21.50/100ml, and that seems extortionate to me.

The final product in the box is my favourite, and I love it, and I will never stop using it.

It's a Lips Bee Healthier from Jason, a lip balm stick made with 70% organic ingredients.  It's a mass of moisturising miracle ingredients which started to help heal my chapped, dry lips instantly.

Its ingredients include Beeswax, Vitamin E, Green Tea Extract, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Aloe Vera, Marigold Extract and Peppermint Oil.  

The peppermint oil gives the lip balm its fantastic minty smell, and gives a slight tingle to your lips as the mint boosts blood flow.  My chapped lips healed in about 2 days with multiple applications of this balm, and I could not be happier with it. 

It has no lanolin, no GMOs, no petrolium, no mineral oils and no parabens, is water resistant and non-greasy, has UVA and UVB protection and stays on even when I'm eating.

Another thing I love is the packaging - the twist-up bit that's usually on the bottom (and gets caught on everyhting and anything and gradually works its way up and smushes your lip balm all over the lid...) is at the top - by the lid.  I love that. 

I hadn't actually looked at the price until just now, as I was scared it'd be something stupidly high and I'd never be able to buy it again, but it's only £1.99!!  For this miracle balm! I'm now in love with this company and want to try ALL their products.

(RRP. £1.99/4.6g, available from JasonNaturalCare.co.uk)

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