Wednesday 1 February 2012

I'll Show You Carmine


This month is the first month I am reviewing anything other than my regular Glossybox service. I've had so many tweets and comments asking me how I think Carmine compares to other beauty boxes on the market, it's by far the most requested review so when they approached me to review January's box I jumped at the chance. Until now I hadn't considered switching my subscription and definitely didn't want to run two concurrently but if you've read this months Glossy review you'll know I'm looking for a change. My main requirement now is that the products I receive are affordable to go on and purchase if I really like them. It's one thing to get money off codes (always appreciated and a great bonus) but if the full price is £100 I'm just never going to buy it.. so what's the point? I think it would be great to be able to chose a budget option with these boxes.. I for one would rather receive one or two extra samples of lower value.. but maybe that's just me.

Anyway... enough babbling, let's take a look inside the box..


First and foremost I love that Carmine have totally bucked the beauty box trend and gone for a completely unique and striking colour scheme where most other options look the same. They're showing that they want to be different which is always a good place to start.

The first thing that stood out at me was the Eyeko Fat Eyestick. I'd already received the Eyeko skinny eyeliner in the Glossybox so when I saw this I was disappointed, I thought it was just a chunky eyeliner but it's totally different. It's more the consistency of the Urban Decay Glide on Shadow pencils. Very impressive and where as the skinny liner didn't peek my interest in Eyeko after opening this one I was on their new site within minutes. I don't know whether it was Carmine or Eyeko that got to make that choice but I for one think it was a good one!

Next had to be the Eldora False Lashes. I've never been very good at lashes but since Christmas I've been practising and I wore them for my hen-do and the wedding so I'm definitely coming around to them and it was nice to see get a new pair in this box. They're so delicate, very different to anything else I've used so far and I love that they have extra length at either side so anyone should be able to get a good fit. They are also said to be reusable even as dainty as they are.


The next three products all seem to be aimed at rejuvenation which I assume is a nod to the New Year but for someone with an 11 week old baby.. that's always welcome!

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil
I have heard of this brand but never been that interested in their products but given that I'm a recent hair oil convert I am definitely up for giving this a go! Much like the designer hair oils this is pretty pricey but I would imagine you wouldn't need too much of it and if it did something extra special it's definitely not totally beyond the budget. I'm yet to give it a go but it promises not only to hydrate and leave you with a healthy glow but also to combat blocked pores... whaat? An oil? I'm intrigued!

Westlab Himalayan Bath Salts
Anything that will make my soak in the tub feel more like a day at the spa gets a big thumbs up from me. Bath salts are bath salts in my experience but if it says it's going to "detoxify" then great!

Korres Wild Rose 24hr Moisturiser
I met this one with mixed emotions. I've always wanted to try something from Korres but have no local stockists and didn't want to buy online without seeing it in the "flesh" first - whole point of a beauty box, no? So I was really pleased to see this sample in the box.. however, it smells of roses. That might just be my least favourite scent! The moisturiser is really lovely to apply and feels great on the skin but the smell just totally ruined it for me. That's a personal preference, I'm sure lots of people would have been happy with it and it will go into my drawer of travel sized goodies to pop in my Vegas toiletries bag. No skin needs moisture more than skin that's been in the desert for a week.


So.. although upon first glance the contents of January's carmine box may not have looked like much I will use all of these products at some point so (although this was sent to me as a PR sample) it's ultimately better value for money than some months Glossyboxes which contain high end products that wow you but are totally unaffordable. Much as I've loved my Glossy subscription I am seriously considering Carmine as an alternative.
I think it's just a bit more budget beauty friendly.

You can find more information about the products mentioned here
In my video review (uploading now) I mention a £5 box but I have no idea where I got that from 'cause from what I can tell that offer ended in October but you can get free delivery here

Miss BB

9 comments:

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  2. When I googled "Glossybox" it brought up a link for £5 off your first Carmine box. I was totally disappointed by my Glossybox this month, and so bored by the ambassador hype so I've decided to give Carmine a go!

    Love your blog and youtube channel!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice blog, interesting tips! I'm glad I found it. I'll even sign for following you.
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  4. I totally recommend going with the Carmine box. I haven't receive one box yet where I wasn't in awe of all of the products but I think the launchbox was by far my favourite. A full size Blush from The Balm, which is worth over £20 to buy here. I like how they have beeing including makeup. December's box had a Japonesque makeup brush which was the star product in that box in my opinion well worth more than £12.95 for the box. Unsubscribing from Glossybox was the best decision I've made and also Boudoir Prive. I'm sticking with Carmine!

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  5. I got my first Carmine box this month. I am struggling with the Balance Me Oil as I'm not sure it actually rolls anything onto your skin when you use it. I can't decide if some is actually coming out (it doesn't feel like it), whether I have a faulty one or whether I'm doing something wrong!! I also had the same thought about the Korres moisturiser. The moisturiser is really nice - shame about the smell. Its very powerful and I can smell it on my skin hours after applying it. I suppose it would be great if you loved the smell!

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  6. How dya get free delivery?? I am really interested after your video comparing the two but a free p&p for first one would be awesome except link doesnt work!! xx

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  7. Heeyy, i seen your previous review of the BB cream and i have tried it and i thought i was won over till i tried the no7 ! its absolutely amazing in comparison to the garnier version, and has 3 types to suit different skins ! Could u do a reivew of that>

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  8. I keep hearing about these beauty box things from the different beauty blogs I read but I've never been brave enough to actually go for it, despite receiving numerous emails and offer codes from these companies. I think it's because I am worried I would get a lot of stuff I really would never used. I'm kind of a basics girl, and even though I do appreciate lovely products, things like false eyelashes are never going to get used by me. I think more research might be needed to see which one would be more suitable for me.

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  9. For some reason im still waiting on both my January Glossybox and Carmine boxes I live in Liverpool not outer Mongolia! Why both are they actually the same company? They do have alot of the same brands. I started a blog a couple of days ago and thought id do posts reviewing these as it would give me some practice, gutted! No point doing them now its Feb and the world and his wife have given their opinions.

    You are obviously really busy but if you do get a free minute id really appreciate some feedback on my site not much there yet maybe you could give me a few pointers. http://loveallthingspretty.blogspot.com/

    Also congratulations on the wedding loved the build up so nice and calm of you to share it with us. When my day comes I will prob be so bridezilla I will need rehab after not a honeymoon. While in Vegas I really recommend you have a look in Ross a large outlet store on the strip its on opposite side of road from treasure island and a little bit further down it is bargain city!! I had to buy another suitcase out there to bring my haul home! Designer shoes and bags for around $20 AMAZING anyways have a great time xxx

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