Birchbox UK May 2014 Review

 

First of all I need to applaud the Birchbox customer services department.  They sent me tracking for my box a while ago but it never arrived and the tracking turned out to be an invalid number.  I contacted them on Thursday afternoon, they replied Friday morning to say another box had been dispatched and it arrived in Saturday's post.  I hate Yodel which is their usual carrier and goodness knows where the original box went  but I'm happy Birchbox customer services sorted it out.

 

What a box it was as well.  In association with Harpers Bazaar the box is a lot more colourful than usual and unlike previous collaborations the actual box is printed rather than just being a normal box in a sleeve.

 

and here is what I got.

very rapid coat of this Soigne Nail Lacquer in cerise.  I only used one coat for the photo and it is very messy but I really like the colour and consistency.  You can tell it is a quality product.

Aromatherapy Associates Relax Light Bath and Shower Oil.  This is a tiny one dose sample and I can't see that I would buy it.  First of all it is £39 and secondly oil and bath just do not mix in this house with the number of clumsy males.  We tried some before (a different brand) and no matter how light it promises to be there is always a slippy residue.  Smells gorgeous though.

Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo.  I can take or leave this type of product but if it is there I will use it especially in the summer when my hair frizzes so I tend not to wash it as much. 

 

I'll be honest and say I'm not a big fan of benefit products and I do prefer waterproof mascara for my stupid watery eyes at this time of year.  However I will definitely use it once the hayfever season is gone.

Imedeen Derma One tablets which are supposed to be anti ageing.  I am a bit sceptical about this type of product and need to do a bit of research before I decide to use them.

 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser  -  I love this product.  I ran out of cleanser this week and have been using a very old one which probably should be in the bin so when I saw this I was happy.  The idea is you massage the cleanser into dry skin and then wipe it off with the cloth which has been run under hot water.  I used it this morning and it felt wonderful.

Despite some of the items not really being my cup of tea so to speak I really like this box.  The cleanser is definitely my favourite closely followed by the nail lacquer.  Thumbs up Birchbox UK.

Glossybox October 2012 Review

The October Glossy box has just arrived.  This month the theme is DIY Beauty.


The full contents piccie




and each individual item -


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.  Original product £24/40ml. This is 15ml so about £9 in value.  



It actually says The Boots Company on the packaging which I was surprised at.  I tried a little bit and I like it.  It appears quite dark when you squeeze a little out so I was expecting to be a bit oompaloompa like after applying it but I wasn't.  Maybe a little expensive for me to purchase again but if I could afford it I would consider it.



Olay Regenerist 3-Point Treatment Cream Fragrance Free - doesn't really say much on the info card about it. Olay say it is for areas prone to ageing - eyes, jawline and neck.  Original product £29.99/50ml so this 7ml sample tube is worth around £4.19.




I do like Olay products but this is the second month in a row I have received their products. Nevertheless I will use it.


Skinetica Anti-Blemish - A unique solution for clearing skin blemishes, showing results in 2-3 days. Kind to skin with no side effects. Original product £6.99/100ml.  There is no size on this product but it isn't very big - maybe 10 or 15ml so less than a £1 worth.




I do get blemishes every so often so I will definitely be finding a use for this and if it works as it claims then I may buy the full size for my teenagers.


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. Original product £3.49/200ml so this 75ml sample is worth £1.30. 




Nothing special when I tried it on my hand but it will go into the bathroom with the other shower products that we use in the bath (no shower in our house :( ) I've no idea what bravura means - maybe it just means brave.  I've purposely not linked up to their website because it goes through a film sequence thing at the beginning that gets stuck.


Yves Rocher France - Moisturising Cream Lipstick - Couleurs Nature Framboise - Perfect coverage from the first application: a smooth, supple luminous film covering the lips. Full size product worth £14.50




Now Yves Rocher is a company I used to buy quite a few things from.  They had some great offers but they kind of tailed off a bit so it is nice to see them back.  This product however is not me in the slightest little bit.  It's bright red and definitely not a colour I will use so if anybody fancies swapping for something a little less bright please get in touch (lambournekerry@aol.com)
The call centre for Yves Rocher used to be quite close by and I knew people who used to work there. It always used to make me laugh when I had cause to ring them. The operators had to talk with a french accent.

My Verdict - I'm not disappointed with this box but definitely not thrilled either though. Maybe if the lipstick had been a more muted shade and they hadn't sent Olay for the second month in a row it would be a different verdict.