That's What She Said...

My second (and last) SheSaidBeauty box arrived today so as usual I thought I'd show you what I got..

The Vintage Cosmetic Company

"Kitty" False Lashes £6.00

I have a drawer full of false lashes that I never use so this will just be added to the pile. They look nice and all but I don't need to try out false lashes.. it's not really a beauty sample is it?

Green People

SPF15 With Tan Accelerator £12.99 for 100ml

 When I first read the blurb on this I thought it had to contain an element of fake tan but having done a little google research it would seem that it in fact.. does not! Consider me shocked! It supposedly increases the melanin in the skin encouraging it to tan. Who knows if it works but it's a handy size to keep in my makeup bag to remind me to apply sunscreen every day!!!

Kim Kardashian

Eau De Parfum £22.95 for 30ml

This was the first thing I saw upon opening the box. Nowhere near me (that I'm aware of) stocks this but I've always wanted to smell it. Turns out it's really not for me but the packaging is super cute and the rollerball tester is a fab idea so had I liked the scent I would have loved this!

Inika 

Certified Vegan Lip Whip, Apricot £14.30

This is possibly the most overpriced makeup product I've come across to date. It's tiny yet apparently 'full sized' and everything from the packaging to the colour seems so dated to me. I guess the market for organic/vegan type products is growing all the time but I would never pay £14.30 for this.

Natio

Lotus Soap Trio £8.50 for 3

I think this was what hammered the final nail in the coffin for me.. a soap. A soap? What? 

It's 1 of 3 you can buy in a set for £8.50 all of which are feature mood enhancing scents used during yoga. Ok.. all I know is this is not a beauty product.. I don't care what 'she says'!

Snowberry

3 Sample Bonus Gift

Bright Defence Serum & Day Cream and Nourishing Lite Day Cream

I actually really liked this..  I always thought this is what beauty boxes should have been about. I'd have preferred a box full of little sachet samples that random bars of soap any day. They're great for travel and you can try a whole new range.. isn't that what we wanted?

Overall I wasn't uber impressed this month and in contrast to the awesome April Glossybox this has reminded me why I've cancelled subscription services altogether. Yes sometimes you get a brilliant selection but most of the time you don't and it works out a great big waste of money! This is a good exampe of what I've come to expect from beauty boxes and I'm just not impressed anymore.

For more info on this months box stockists and how to sign up

Visit their website here

Have you given up on the craze yet?

Miss BB

April Glossybox

First and foremost I would like to announce I have cancelled all beauty box subscriptions as of next month. I am still yet to received April's SheSaidBeauty box but after that I'm done. Of course I then receive this months Glossy and am totally in love all over again.. how do they do this to me? The packaging is quite possibly the cutest yet, recycled cardboard for their 'Natural' themed box. It's all eco-friendly and most is organic, I've always preferred their themed boxes but I'm sticking to my guns (for now at least) and won't be re-subscribing. I will mention that almost as soon as I cancelled Glossy and SheSaid a company contacted me to review a new French full-sized-products-only beauty box so you can expect to see that soon. 

Anyway.. here's what was in this months box...

Inika Cosmetics 

Certified Organic Eyeliner in Peacock Blue

Full Size £11.75

"A rich and creamy consistency unparallelled in the world of natural liners"

Enter GBX0412 for 25% off

This eyeliner is really nice, I was more than relieves to receive a shade other than black and despite my eyes being brown in colour this is actually a very flattering shade of blue for me. Being that it's organic I would imagine it's missing some of those superstay ingredients as it's lasting power is not fantastic but it's very soft and applies nicely.

Monu Professional Skincare

Moisture Rich Collagen Cream

Full Size 50ml £17.50 

"A rich, luxurious cream to relieve dryness and smooth fine lines"

Enter GLOSSY1 for 10% off

This is the most exciting addition to a beauty box I've received in a long time and to top it off.. it's full size! I've recently started using anti-aging skincare and have dabbled with various creams but am yet to find a lightweight alternative for day or the evenings I feel the richer formula's are too much. This is just that. I can't review it in full having used it only once but I'm pleased to see the price is not totally unreasonable - though more than I usually care to spend on moisturiser.

 Caudalie

Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum

Full Size 30ml £29.00 (sample is 10ml)

"This newly launched ulta-concentrated serum is extremely natural and plant-based, ensuring your skin never lacks moisture. The deluxe size is also exclusive to GLOSSYBOX" 

When I first opened the box and saw Caudalie I got a little excited that it would be the beauty elixir I've heard so much about but I wasn't disappointed to receive a serum. As I mentioned I've been sampling new types of skincare and for several months a serum beneath my night cream has become a staple in my new routine. I am still very much interested in the elixir so this serum may be a gateway product for me in to the world of Caudalie.

 

Figs & Rouge

Lip Balm

Full Size 8ml £3.29

"100% Pure 100% Natural & 100% Organic multipurpose balm. Excellent for soothing and naturally hydrating dry lips & skin."

Enter FIGS20 for 20% off

A lip balm will always get used, right? My main issue with balms is generally the scent, if I dislike it I'm not going to want to put it under my nose, am I? This smells delicious! Cherry and Vanilla to me translates to cherry coke and it's just generally yummy. Not the most moisturising product ever to have graced me pout but nice all the same.

Burt's Bee's

Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion

Full Size 190g £9.99 (sample is 70g)

"Nourishment that lasts - up to a full 24 hours. 99% Natural

GLOSSYBOX0412 for 20% off

Lastly... Burt's Bee's Body Lotion. This was the one thing I saw and didn't expect to enjoy using. My experience with Burt's Bee's has not been positive, I bought a gift set in the sale one year and the lotion smelt vile. It's seriously smelt like (for use of no better explanation) vomit!.. I applied it before a night out once and had to get back in the shower!! As you can imagine I never felt the urge to give the brand another go but having smelled this and been pleasantly surprised I'm fairly convinced the lotion I'd tried previously was out of date or just a bad batch. Again I can't say much more than it's a nice, fresh smelling lotion at this stage but expect a big body lotion review soon.

So.. my last Glossybox review for the foreseeable future. It's not a bad product or a bad brand I'm just kind of 'over' the beauty box craze as it is. Like I mentioned I do have a new launch review coming up but it does seem to be a slightly new take on the idea and I'm going to have a box to giveaway to one of you lucky readers too so how could I say no?

Have any of you tried anything I received?

Thoughts?

Miss BB

What Did She Say?

SHE SAID BEAUTY!

I haven't heard much about SheSaidBeauty thus far so thought I would share this as it may be new to you. Unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to make the debut box but if you want to see what was in it you can check out the Fee from makeupsavvy's post here

I have to admit the duck egg, Tiffany blue box was what sold it to me initially but I am actually really pleased with what I received. Lifting the lid you'll find pretty pink paper and ribbon, all very glossybox-esque but I very much liked the straw touch which I assumed was a nod to the Easter Holidays but turns out is just a coincidence - slightly disappointing. You will be familiar with the overall idea of a beauty box by now so I wont bore you with an explanation but these are the basics.

The service is £9.00 + £2.95 P+P monthly for 5 beauty samples from 'top brands'

You have the opportunity to save money when subscribing for multiple months at a time - nice touch - but otherwise it's a rolling month by month subscription that you can cancel at any time.

I know for some the random direct debit dates are an issue and most Beauty Boxes seem to take money (and deliver) whenever they feel like it, I'm not sure about this point yet but will report my experience in a couple of months.

So here's what I got...

Mischa Barton Luscious Lips in Pink Pop

(full size) £12.00 for 8g here

First of all who know Mischa Barton had branched out in to cosmetics? Not me! I love her bags but this seems like such a random step, anyway.. There's zero colour to this product but it is supposedly a 'hydrating lip protector' and has SP15 so I can forgive them and toss it in my handbag for a balm.

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Champagne

(full size) £12.99 for 2.35g here

Now this is really really lovely. I know I will likely never use it as loose pigments are just a bitch for me but it's a very beautiful shade, really flattering and a lovely product all the same.

Bharti Vyas Face & Neck Polisher

(sample size) £22.50 for 125ml here

Quite possibly the least interesting packaging I've ever laid eyes on. The product might be fantastic but nothing about it makes me want to try it. Am I being overly mean here? Another thing.. I don't like that the sample is in a little screw top pot. It should have been a tube or a sachet, it just doesn't make sense and screams cheap to me when it's really not. Had the product been £5.00 full price I think my standards would have been lower but it's £22.50!!

Filthy Gorgeous Nail Polish in Vampish

(full size) £9.00 for 10ml here

I hate to dis the packaging again.. this stuff looks cheap! I remember when I first saw it in Debenhams I thought it was their own generic brand only to discover the whopping £9.00 price tag. People tend to review this stuff well though so I will hold my judgement 'til I've tried it myself. I like the colour, though it's not entirely season appropriate.

Erno Laszlo

The Hollywood Collection available here from £85.00

Now this was an interesting one. The prices are sky high so it's unlikely I'd purchase from the range myself but this is for me what beauty boxes should be about. I want to try lots of samples of products that I wouldn't want to shell out big money for before trying them at home first. Ok so this is a little extreme - The Velvet Night Cream retails at £175! - but they don't know my budget and even if I had that kind of money to spend I'd still want to give it a spin before I made the commitment!

 

Comfort Zone - Body Expert Kit

 available here from £19.95

I don't believe you can buy this bunch of samples but having done a little digging it would seem that certain online retailers have had them as gift with purchase etc so chances are you could bag one on eBay. Comfort Zone featured in the first box so my guess is that they're gonna be popping up as frequently as Murad in Glossyboxes but I'd prefer lots of mini sample to just one. I got 6 sachets and chances are I'm going to like one of them.. it just makes so much more sense to do it this way than send one big sample which you might hate. This isn't a budget brand but it's affordable if there as something I really love.

Don't let my intermittent negativity fool you, I loved this box! I thought it was a good mix of products and really liked the sachets. There were 3 full sized products which though unnecessary is always nice and I more than got my moneys worth. Above all that this is their tricky second box.. the one that everyone expects to be a let down and they totally knocked it out of the park in my opinion. Maybe it's not for you but SheSaidBeauty is definitely for me!

For more info on what was in the box and lots more reviews check out

SheSaidBeauty.com

Miss BB

Glossybox - The Harrods Edition

I've had mixed emotions about Glossybox since I subscribed to their service last June. There have been some really great boxes and some that just.. well they weren't so great. I would always advise that when signing up for a beaty box of any kind you have to be prepared to lose your money. You have no idea what they might send and you might hate ALL of it. Saying that I have heard recently that if you return and entirely unused Glossybox they will refund you by way of "glossy dots" on your account which you can use towards a free box. Not quite as good as a traditional refund but still.. more than I expected from a brand that's not known for it's great customer service. Anyway.. on to this months box..

This is what I would consider to be one of the best Glossyboxes I've received. It will still be my last but if every box I'd received had been like this one I don't think I'd have ever complained. I've heard mixed reviews of the Harrods themed box with many annoyed that the products are not exclusive to the store but I know that SK-II is exclusive even if nothing else is. I think teaming up with one brand or one department store etc is a fantastic idea for the beauty box providers and hope to see more of it in the future. It creates more buzz and I thin this might be the first box that hasn't been over-hyped. I mentioned that I had signed up for the box in a recent video and some people volunteered to ruin the surprise for me (I'm not bitter at all) so I did check out some posts ahead of receiving it this month and have seen the alternatives others received. Having said that I'm happy with my selection. 

It's a toss up as to which my favourite sample is, Either the  SK-II Anti-ageing cream (yes I'm only 26 but as they say.. prevention is cheaper than the cure!) Or the Clarins Extra Firming Body Cream. I've been trying my hand at DIY body wrapping this week.. cling film and all so any firming cream/cellulite treatment is very welcome and having read reviews this one is a goodie! After last months big hoohaa about the half empty Clarins samples I had to check this one out before I posted and although it's not 'full' I wouldn't say it's half empty and 30ml is still a very generous sample size.The SK-II moisturiser is 15ml but the consistency is thin so I think I'll get a lot of use from that one pot.

Another stand out from this months box has to be the Lancome mascara. I've tried very few high end mascaras because I struggle to find something that makes my lashes do.. anything and £20+ is a lot of money just to make them black so I can't wait to try this. When I first read about Glossybox this is what I thought it would be about. High end makeup samples that you either can't get or daren't ask for in stores. If every month I'd received this kind of selection I'd have been over the moon.
Somewhere along the line a really great concept was lost and I hope someone picks up on that!

I'm not going to go through everything I got because these posts are out there in the masses now, I just wanted to give my 2 cents on my favourites from the box. I didn't post on Februarys because it led me to cancel my subscription.. I didn't really have anything good to say so as they advise.. don't say anything at all. I did however film a video about it last week so if you are interested here it is...

One last thing.. I got an 'exclusive' 20% off code for all products here at Harrods.com

I'm not sure if it's a use once delay or if everyone got the same code but I don't intend to use it so if you think you might then here it is... GBK2WTLMM

Be sure to mention in the comments if you've used it or tried to for future ref 

Miss BB 

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

My Glossy Valentine

I did so well to avoid the spoiler posts this month so when I received my box this morning it was a TOTAL surprise which I always love. unfortunately other than the awesomeness of the hot pink Valentines-themed box I was distinctly underwhelmed. As usual the army of glossy ambassadors had hyped the valentines "special" up beyond any realistic expectations. Don't get me wrong if they sent me roses maybe I'd love everything too but I often wish we could just receive the box without the circus beforehand. I mean I've already subscribed to the service.. they've got me.. why not leave it as a surprise? I thought that was the whole point. I know from that intro you're probably expecting this whole post to be a downer but that's actually not the case. I changed my mind upon closer inspection when I discovered that this might just be the first box tailored to my personal needs. We all filled out a questionnaire upon joining to asses what products would suit us best but it never seemed to make a difference to the items I received.. is it just me? I'd say every other month I go hmmm... should I keep this service or try another and then the next month they win me back.. well the Davines hair products in this months box were definitely winners for me. I know you want to see what I got so I'll quite babbling and let you get a look at the goodies...

MURAD Skin Perfecting Primer

Primers... ahh primers... I really should use them but I don't. I received the Mememe primer in last months box and I did give that a go (very nice formula by the way... review to come) but I can't keep it up.. it seems like an unnecessary extra step for me. I do give them a whirl every now and then though and if this one really knocks my socks off you will hear about it!

Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner

I haven't tried anything from Eyeko since they relaunched last year. I hear some people had already received this in a Carmine box which is unfortunate.. I know they're all in competition but you'd think they would try to stay away from the same products when lots of people are subscribing to multiple boxes. Just from swatching it I can see it has a nice formula and I like the depth of colour but I already have black liners I'm happy with, it's not something I actively seek to improve.

Davines Cleansing Nectar

Here's where the box got interesting. This cleanser is designed for both hair and body (though I think it would be wasted on my skin) and is of an unusually oily texture. It's made with 98% natural ingredients and is said to be exceptionally gentle and moisturising.. as you'd expect from an oil.

Davines Moisturising Balm 

Before now I'd never heard of the brand Davines so the two generous samples in this months Glossybox is a great introduction to the range. The balm much the same as the Cleanser is designed for hair and body, I've already read some fab reviews and this seems to really work for people both as an intensive conditioner and as a face cleanser.. to be used in a similar way to the Liz Earle.

FAB Gentle Body Wash

I've never been enthralled about body washes.. I like them to smell nice, if they claim to be moisturising then, hey! that's a bonus but I don't think they really do anything special for my "normal" skin. This will be relegated to my travel sized goods drawer for holidays and nights away. It will be sued but it's just not something I'm going to get excited about.

At the end of the day I feel these reviews aren't really fair. We can all tell you what we get each month and what we think of each product but it's kind of like someone buying the same gift for every member of your family. No matter the value there will be some who absolutely LOVE it and others that just know it's not for them. If that's a big issue for you you can't really subscribe to a beauty box. If you have a month where not one product will be used then you've wasted £12.95.. but then the next month could be full of absolute gems that you've always wanted to try. I know there are some out there still bitter about the full sized Nars they hooked us all in with in the first box but ultimately whenever I open a box and sigh I remind myself.. it's a luxury sample service. That's what I signed up to.. you don't choose the samples.. it's all random, that's the whole point! It forces you to try brands you may never have looked twice at otherwise. There are some great discoveries I've made since I've been subscribed to Glossybox... I don't think I've repurchased any yet but there have been a couple that have tempted me. The reason I've not gone out and spent the money is because the products I love are usually so expensive. On the one hand that's great because you get to try stuff you maybe can't afford but on the other.. if I can't afford it I don't really want to love it. My ideal would be a beautybox that offered drugstore samples.. maybe 10 rather than 5 given the difference in value, because they would be products I really might go out and buy. That would be far more useful for me.. so next month I think i will expand my search for the perfect beauty box. I will keep my glossy subscription for now but I'm not sure it's for me in the long run.

Regardless of all that I have been pleased with the Glossybox service over the past 6 months, I love the premise of a beauty box and think I will always maintain at least one subscription to what is effectively an adult lucky bag (God I used to love those, didn't you?) and there's nothing to say that I won't stick with them but I would like to see either more tailored products as I feel it was the service that was initially sold to us or I'd like more mainstream brands. Gemsmaquillage did a fantastic comparison of the current boxes on the market where she outlines what she believes to be the core demographic for each. you can watch that here and perhaps you'll get a better insight in to which box might be for you.

 Miss BB

NOTD - Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle

First off.. loving this! I know not everyone was overly enamoured of their December Glossybox but no matter what i got I think this would have won me over. I love me some glitter at Christmas time and having purchased from this brand before I was aware it's NOT CHEAP! I love the special glitter shades from Deborah Lippmann but I've only tried one polish from the brand previously and it chipped so quickly it really put me off trying any others. I have to say though..  after trying this one I'm already chomping at the bit to add to my collection. I've had it on my nails for a couple of days and it's showing very little sign of wear. I already knew that it would look fabulous but if it chips an hour after I've applied it I'm not interested. Glossybox absolutely got it right for me this month. They've made a customer of me where I'd written DL off as a bad job. This is going to be an expensive habit!

The polish is luxuriously dark and festive cranberry shade with an overload of raspberry glitter. I can't think of anything more fitting for the Holidays.

A full sized polish is 15ml and a mini is approx 9ml (I had to do some fl oz - ml calculations as I couldn't find a volume online on any UK site) I think that's a really nice size. For something like this that you wouldn't wear every day the mini size is ideal! FYI The polish on the right is 'Waking Up In Vegas' and the yellow colour shakes out.. it settles like that when it's left to sit.

Have you tried anything from Deborah Lippmann?

Miss BB

Something Glossy For the Guys

I was SO excited when I saw this advertised in last months Glossybox. My other half is very much a modern man, somewhat of a "metro-sexual" you might say so I knew I had to subscribe to the new

Glossybox for Men

In this post I'll show you what he got in his first months box

His review with more product info will follow once he's had chance to try them out.

Personally I like the first box. The products are all things he'd try and nice sizes, The Cool Fix for example will last him a few months. I'm sure the Goldwell hair gel will go down well as he's always looking for something that will tame his unruly barnet but would never pay Goldwell prices. It's also a nice little tub to reuse for travelling.

It's great that someone has finally acknowledged that men want to look after themselves too. I think this is the perfect way for guys that don't necessarily feel comfortable going up to a counter and asking for advice to try lots of different products in the comfort of their own home and potentially find something they love in the process. Of course It won't appeal to all men but I know it will appeal to mine!

Glossybox for Men is a quarterly service in which you will receive 7 luxury sized samples.

It's priced at £15.00 per box + shipping and you can subscribe here

Miss BB