My Little Box July 2017 - Seashell Edition

This month’s My Little Box was a complete surprise to me having avoided/missed any spoilers and hints leading up to delivery day. I really didn’t know what to expect but did enjoy opening the outer packaging to discover a lovely nautical coloured box with the theme ‘seashells’.

Firstly we received these little pack of note cards with envelopes to encourage us to ”go offline”, put down the phones/laptops and instead write a note to a friend. I can’t remember the last time I actually wrote a letter to someone so it was nice to receive these and I will try and put them to good use.

The My Little Beauty item this month was this amazing Sandy Shore Body Scrub. I love everything about this, even down to the gorgeous packaging. This scrub is made from Polynesian Sand, Sea Salt Crystals, Tiare Flower and Seaweed Oils. It does a great job at gently exfoliating dull dead skin cells from the body, leaving skin feeling soft and supple. The scent of this is lovely and I am going to be pretty gutted when it runs out.

I really like these summer night candle holders and tealights. These paper based candle holders are supposed to be used outside, however they recommend putting the tealights into glass containers before popping them into the bags. The tealights are unscented. I like the design on the bag and the metal hangers that come with them mean that you can even hang them up on a tree branch or suchlike. Al fresco dining accessory at its finest!

This seashell sweet is quite intriguing. I heard it was the French equivalent to a freddo, not quite in my eyes! The shell was not edible so to actually eat the sweet without putting the shell into my mouth did prove difficult and if I’m honest I got bored of trying to eat it. The flavours were nice though and I do like that it was served this way.

This shower gel has a lovely scent to it and I loved the packaging, I just wish it was a little bit bigger. I gave this to my sister so hopefully she enjoyed using it!

I really like this Institut Karite Rose Mademoiselle Shea Hand Cream. Although it does not really fit into the seashell theme, it is a nice travel sized product to take along on those short breaks. The cream uses shea butter as a key ingredient and has a great scent of fresh roses. I find it leaves my hands incredibly soft and does not have that sticky residue that some creams have. I will definitely be getting my use from this.

This travel pouch pillow was one of the best things in the box in my opinion this month! You can either use it as a waterproof travel bag, or you can blow it up and use it as a travel pillow. Brilliant! The slogan says “Sea, Nap and Sun” so is perfect for this month’s theme. I just need to plan a beach trip for an excuse to use it! It will comfortable fit a couple of items in, I was thinking some sun lotion and some cooling spritz would be fine.

What do you think of the July My Little Box? I can’t wait to see what they come up with this month.

August 2016 Glossybox - The End of an Era

After being a member of Glossybox for over 4 years I am sad to say it has come to an end. After receiving box after box that I wasn’t overly impressed with, I have finally decided to take the plunge and leave. To replace my love for a surprise subscription box I have decided to continue My Little Box subscription following on from Kim’s birthday gift to me. This will be my last Glossybox for the foreseeable future, keep reading my review to see what I received.

Rae Feather Cosmetic Bag – RRP £20

This month’s pastel box was designed by Rae Feather and this month’s box contained a cosmetic pouch in the same design. It feels good quality and is a reasonable size for small items, ideal for your handbag. The outer material feels like linen and the inside contains a wipe clean water resistant material which is good. I will probably use this but wouldn't have paid £20 for it.

Cowshed - Wild Cow Invigorating Body Lotion – Full Size £20 

The first thing I have to say about this product is that I am not a fan of the bottle and it’s quite hard to get the lotion out of the bottle. The lotion is made in England using natural ingredients and has an oriental fragrance which smells really fresh and invigorating. This contains essential oils, lemongrass, ginger and rosemary. The sample size was  a bit small and I only had enough for one use over my body. My skin did feel moisturised after using the product, I just wish Glossybox provided us with more.

Mudmasky - Facial Detox Purifying Recovery Mask – Full Size £53 

This mask aims to hydrate, smooth, refine pores, brighten and help with anti-aging. You simply put the mask on your face and the amount of time you leave it on varies depending on your skin type. The mask dries and hardens slightly so you know it’s ready to rinse off. When I rinsed this off my skin felt smooth and looked refreshed. I really liked the smell, it reminded me of a spa. This mask is one of the first PH balanced facial treatments and contains all natural ingredients.

MUA - Eyeshadow Palette – Full Size £4

This month Glossybox gave us a choice of 4 MUA palettes and unfortunately they seem to have got it wrong for everyone, including me. I received the Hall of Fame palette which was not the one I chose. The palette contains nice colours and the shades are pigmented with a good colour pay off but I can’t help feeling annoyed that this wasn’t the one I asked for. Glossybox still haven't rectified this problem.

Spa To You - Deep Pore Facial Cleansing Brush – Full Size £6.99 

I have never used a cleansing brush before so I was very intrigued to try this out. The soft bristles on the brush help to buff away dead skin cells for a deep but gentle cleanse. Simply wet the brush and use with your usual cleanser. I really enjoyed using this, my skin felt lovely afterwards and when I applied my makeup it went on beautifully just after one use. The brush also has soft silicone cushions which help with the buffing. I was pleasantly surprised by this product, it wouldn’t be something I would usually pick up but if I continue to get the same results I will definitely repurchase this.

Overall, an average box. Next month’s box contains a Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara which I would have loved to have tried but I am sticking to my guns and leaving the subscription. Glossybox has entertained me for over 4 years, I look forward to my new monthly surprise.

My Little Box - July

This is my second box of the three that Kim very kindly bought me for my birthday and it just seems to get better and better. I am even considering keeping this box on myself for month 4 instead of Glossybox, shock horror!! I am really impressed with the contents of this box and love everything in it, it’s just so on trend and in season. I also really liked the magazine this month and it also included top tips for ways to use coconut oil! Keep reading to see what I received.

Firstly I received a Stella & Dot bracelet. Mine is a gold colour with a coral tassel but I have seen other colours available. I love this colour as it goes with some of my summer outfits already and I look forward to wearing this. It’s going to look great with a tan. This retails at £18. I’ve been loving this style of bracelet recently and have seen it popping up in various stores so I am pleased to get my hands on something similar.

I absolutely love this My Little Beauty Brume De Coco Apres Soleil (RRP £10). It smells absolutely delicious and I love applying this after a day in the sun. As you probably guessed, this after sun has a lovely coconut scent. The product sinks into the skin and after applying this I felt soft and the sweet scent lingered on the skin. I have even tried popping this in the fridge and using it after a day in the sun and it is AMAZING. The items came in this adorable cotton bag illustrated. I love how handy this is and I have been topping it up with essentials and popping it in the bottom of my tote bag to keep everything together.

My FAVOURITE item in this box is the Yves Rocher Noix De Coco EDT. This is the ultimate summer scent and I have been using it religiously to the point where I am worried I am nearly out! It smells like pure coconut, not artificial in the slightest. This retails at £7 but you can get it cheaper via the Yves Rocher website.. if it wasn’t sold out! I really wanted to buy the whole coconut set but unfortunately it was also sold out on the website. I will be checking back regularly to see if I can get my hands on some more.

We then received the Merci Handy Coco Rico Hand Sanitizer which retails at €3. I often use cleansing gel in my job and love having it handy so this is the perfect size to pop in my pocket when I am at work. The one I currently use is a little bit cheap and sticky so I was so pleased to see a nice new one with a scrumptious tropical scent.

Kim really loved this Ojon - Rare Blend Oil which costs £30 for 45ml. This oil is the ultimate moisture therapy for the ends of your hair. My hair has been bleached at the ends and the summer sun appears to have made this very dry. The Ojon oil is infused with natural oils from around the world and helps to hydrate, smooth, soften, boost shine, reduce frizz. What I love about this oil is that you only need a single drop. I have nearly used my oil up now and I have really enjoyed using it. I am even considering buying the full sized product because I really love how nice it has made my hair feel.

This passport cover (RRP £11) is the perfect summer accessory and I love the summer print and tropical design. I just wish I was going on holiday so I could use it! I recently received another passport cover so when I next go away I am going to put this on James passport – I’ll be the one carrying them both anyway so why not carry them in style?

Overall I really liked this box and even preferred it over my Glossybox this month believe it or not! I really feel like the theme tied itself together really well and each product has been suitably chosen and really works well in the box. Thanks again Kim for part 2 of my birthday present! Bring on next month’s box!

July 2016 Glossybox

When this month’s Glossybox arrived I also received My Little Box so it was like Christmas. All these goodies arriving on the same day! Glossybox day seems to come around so quickly. The first thing I saw when I opened the box was a courgette and brown rice spaghetti recipe card. This is a recipe from Eat Beautiful: Nourish Your Skin From the Inside out by Wendy Rowe. The recipe looks nice and it was a nice surprise to get this little added extra card in the box. If you’re intrigued to see what else I received, then carry on reading to see what I got..

Blank Canvas – F20 Flat Brush – Full Size £11.95
I do love trying new makeup brushes out and this comes from a brand I haven’t heard of before. This brush is colourful and is made using dense synthetic fibres. I have been using this to buff in my foundation and it works really well, just as well as my real techniques brushes! The brush feels nice to hold too and of good quality. I can see this sticking around in my makeup bag.

Hairon De-Tangle Brush – Full Size £6.99
This hairbrush is something I have wanted for a long time. Reminiscent of a mini tangle-teezer, this brush fits perfectly in my handbag. The brush fits in the palm of your hand and is really easy to use. It’s perfect for wet hair and hair extensions as it doesn’t tug or rip out the hair. I am really enjoying using this product, I just wish it was in a different colour as I can see it getting dirty in the bottom of my bag.

Hawaiian Tropic – Island Berry Lip Gloss – Full Size £6.99
A lip gloss with an SPF 25?! All my dreams have come true! There is nothing worse than sunburnt lips and now I can protect them whilst also looking glam. The tropical scent is absolutely gorgeous and this is a pleasure to apply to the lips. The formula is smooth and not sticky  and provides you with 12-hours of moisturising.  It also comes with the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Recommendation so stick this in your bag if you’re going on holiday and stay protected in style.

Utan and Tone – Nourishing Night Cream – Full Size £12.50
I was a little nervous to use this night cream with gradual tan in case I woke up completely orange so I did a small skintest on my neck before I committed to putting this on all night. I needn’t have worried, this cream gives you a subtle glow which is natural and not over the top. The formula is odourless which means you won’t end up smelling like a biscuit and also does not stain your pillow. I applied this to my face, neck and down to my chest before going to bed and woke up with a healthy glow. The cream contains anti-oxidants to help repair your skin whilst you sleep. I really like this product, just make sure you wash your hands after applying!

Icona Milano – Emotion Allowed Mascara – Full Size £13.04
This is the first waterproof mascara that I have owned so I didn’t really know what to expect from it! This mascara is water, sweat and humidity resistant so is perfect if you’re going away this summer and want to wear something that won’t end up down your face! The mascara separated my lashes nicely and didn’t cause any fallout throughout the day. I built this up layer by layer and my lashes looked plump and defined. I haven’t heard of this brand before but I will be looking into other products that they may do.

We have also had an August Sneak Peek in celebration of Glossybox 5th Birthday  where we get to choose an MUA palette. Thankfully Kim sent me the email so I could choose mine, for some reason I never get sent them! I even checked my junk mail. Very bizarre. I am looking forward to next month’s box, as it will be free due to my Glossydots!

Do you get Glossybox? Send me your reviews!

September 2015 Glossybox

Another month has passed and it’s Glossybox time, just what I was looking forward to receiving to brighten my month now that the nights are drawing in and Autumn is in full swing. Once again Glossybox have spoiled us with five full-sized products! I could get used to this treatment. Another great box, really glad I am subscribed right now. Onto the products…

So Susan – Highlighting Pencil – Full Size £15

This pencil has a light peach hue and can be used in a number of ways. You can use this as a highlighting pencil along your brow bone, down your nose, in the waterline of your eyes and even on your cheek bones. When I first swatched this it felt a bit waxy for my liking and didn’t have the greatest of smells. If you can get past that, it’s a really lovely product. My favourite place to use it is in the waterline of my eyes, it really makes them pop and they look bigger and brighter. I can’t wait to experiment further with this.

Talika – Photo Hydra-Day – Full Size £24.85

I didn’t realise how expensive this product was until I was typing this up! This is definitely a luxury item, I don’t think I have ever spent that much on a moisturiser before. I love that this product has very little scent, I hate scented moisturisers. This applies really smooth on the skin and sinks in without making your face feel sticky. The cream is soothing, and also acts as a great primer. I’ve been applying this in the mornings where I need a little skin boost and I have really noticed a difference in how my skin feels to touch.

Lanolips – 101 Ointment – Full Size £7.99

I haven’t heard of this brand before, despite being available in Boots which I visit frequently. This multi-use ointment is made from 100% pure lanolin and guarantees to keep your skin nourished. I’m not a fan of how this feels on my lips, but after using this on dry areas of my skin I have grown to love how fast it hydrates dry areas. I’m interested to see how others have been using this product so if you have any ideas, please let me know.

Jelly Pong Pong – Play Paint – Full Size £8.95

I love this multi-use product. I received the colour damson which looked really bright but this product is so buildable and if you only use a tiny amount then it’s really subtle. I first tried this product on my lips, you literally need the smallest amount so this really is going to last. It tastes really nice, so nice that I was afraid to use it anywhere else in case it gave off a scent. I then popped some on my cheeks and blended it out with the Nicka K blending sponge and this gave me a really nice glow, so nice that when I didn’t wear it, I got told I looked pale! Really enjoy this, would love to try some other colours if they are available.

Nicka K – Airbrush Blending Sponge – Full Size £6.50

I have always wanted to try a blending sponge but it’s just one of those things that I never seem to pick up. The shape is really good, the smaller end is great for getting around the eye and in nooks and crannies, and the larger end is great for buffing foundation over the larger areas of your face. You have to wet the sponge and then squeeze the excess water out before use. I found that I needed to use a little bit more foundation than usual with this, but I got a much nicer coverage compared to using a brush. I feel like this gave me a flawless finish and it was also great for buffing in the Jelly Pong Pong Play Paint!

Next month we have a Glossybox first, we get to choose which colour item we receive, and it’s a Revlon lipstick! I can’t wait for November!

May 2015 Glossybox

I feel like my Glossybox was quite late again this month and I noticed a lot of people got theirs before me which is odd! I had to double check the payment had gone through in case, but it turns out my neighbour had it, and Royal Mail hadn't left a calling card. Thanks for that! I'm sorry for the delay in getting this post up.

MeMeMe Enchanted Eyes Dual Ended Eye Wand in Midnight Storm - Full Size £6.95
The first thing I clocked sight on was this MeMeMe Enchanted Eyes Pencil. This is a double ended pencil in Midnight Storm. Being colour-blind it was hard to tell exactly what colour this was, but after some help from Google I have discovered one end is midnight blue, and the other end is more of a turquoise colour. The pencil is really soft and blendable and would work great across your eyelid and also as an eyeliner. I can't wait to wear this out.

Sass Intimate Perfect Skin Concentrate - Full Size £12
This is a product I didn't even know existed. Firstly, I love the packaging of this, it's in a lovely discreet box so if you did want to take this on holiday you could hide it away. This product by Sass is to stop ingrown hairs when shaving more intimate areas and aims to minimise hair regrowth. The product doesn't really have a strong scent and smooths nicely into the skin.

Collection Cosmetics Lipstick in Pink Rose - Full Size £2.99
When I first saw this, I didn't even realise it was a Collection Cosmetics product. I'll be honest I'm not a huge fan of the packaging as I can see it getting dirty easily and it feels a bit clunky. The colour I received was Pink Rose which is a matte pink shade. With any matte lipstick you will need to prep and ensure your lips are exfoliated and hydrated before wearing this. To be honest this isn't really a colour I would wear, it's far too light and makes me look like a wannabe Barbie or even worse, like I have foundation lips!

Etre Belle Aloe Vera Ultra Moisturising Gel - Full Size £15.93
I love the texture of this moisturising gel, it's simply a gel (obviously!) which goes onto the skin really nicely. At first it leaves a slightly sticky residue but that soon disappears when you let it sink in a bit longer. Although this is Aloe Vera scented the smell is not too overpowering. My skin felt really soft after using this and I think it will be great to use to soothe my skin in the summer after being out in the sun.

Zerreau Towel Off Shampoo Foam - Full Size £7.95
I was most excited to try this Zerreau Towel Off Shampoo Foam when I received my box. The product had leaked ever so slightly and I'm not sure if that's due to the packaging or the way my box was handled but either way it still works. This product is going to be great for festival season and an essential to pack in your travel bag. The product is unlike any dry shampoo I have tried before, it's a foam which you massage into the roots of your hair then simply towel dry it off - no water required. I tried this out inbetween hair washes and thought it worked really well and I wasn't left with any residue. It smells fruity and really freshens up your hair leaving it looking healthy and shiny.

What did you think of this box? I was pretty impressed with the range of products and look forward to trying out some new brands.

To sign up to Glossybox, visit them here.

August 2014 Glossybox

 I have been getting Glossybox now for a couple of years and no matter how many times I think about cancelling it, I can't bring myself to do it. I love the surprise each month, it makes me feel like it's my birthday every month. Anyway, on to this month's box.

This month was the 3 year anniversary of Glossybox, so I had high hopes for this one!

The first item I picked out was the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer. This product was created especially for Audrey Hepburn and is a pre-shampoo treatment. I have never used anything like this before so I decided to give it a go straight away. I'll be honest, at first I didn't think this made much of a difference to my hair, but after styling it and curling it, my hair was so silky smooth, the curls just fell straight out and I was left with shiny soft hair. I only put a tiny bit on as well!

The second product I picked up was the Yves Rocher Nail Varnish in 14. Rose. I really like the colour of this nail varnish, and it only needed a couple of coats to get a strong colour. The mini size won't last long though I imagine!

The third item in my box was the Kryolan Highlighter for Glossybox. I am yet to try this out but it looks like a lovely glowy colour swatched on the skin.

I then checked out the 4th item, the Essence Longlasting Lipstick in 07 Natural Beauty. This is such a nice colour, but I can't say it was overly longlasting and seemed to come off my lips as soon as I ate something. I'll try it out again though and let it set longer and see if that works.

A couple of other items I received was a perfume sample from L'alique called L'Amore. This is a really lovely fresh scent and very floral.  It was also very longlasting on the skin. I also received the Figs and Rouge Mini Hand Cream in Mango Mandarin. I've received a sample of this before in the Rose scent and I wasn't a huge fan, but this one is really fruity and the best thing about it is that it's non greasy on the skin. Definitely a handbag essential!

I look forward to receiving next month's glossybox!

To sign up to glossybox from £8.50 per month (depending on length of subscription), click here!