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.

June 2016 Glossybox

I have been receiving my Glossybox for over 5 years now, I cannot believe how crazy that is and how many products I have received in that time. Nevertheless, the excitement every month is still there and that is what keeps me coming back time and time again. This month’s box had a summer vibe to it and contained things that I will definitely be using this summer. We also received a bonus item which was good, read on for my full review.

Konjac Sponge – Full Size £6.99

I have seen these sponges around and I wanted to try one for a while now. These sponges are the latest trend in Japan and are made from the natural fibres of the konjac vegetable. These sponges are known for their ability to hold water and can buff your skin beautifully. The sponge is more gently than a scrub but left my skin feeling very smooth. The texture feels like rubber. You need to hang this sponge up to dry to keep it fresh which is my only annoyance as I can’t take it to the gym but I really like what this has done for me so far. I would definitely repurchase these if I saw them in a store.

Ladival – Sun Protection Spray – Full Size £19.99

After receiving a sun protection oil last month I was initially disappointed to see another one in the box, especially as it has the same SPF. It would have been nicer to perhaps receive a higher SPF so I had  range to try out. That being said I really do like this product. The lotion sprays on so applies easily and really sinks into the skin which I like. This isn’t necessarily a product I would pick up in store as the packaging doesn’t appeal to me but I would definitely buy this again. The Ladival spray provides protection against four types of UV rays which most sunscreens don’t do. It’s also water resistant and free from perfume so works really well with my eczema. It’s great to feel that I’m really protected when wearing this.

De Bruyere – After Sun Lotion – Full Size £9.48

After sun is something I definitely like to use in the summer to keep my skin hydrated and avoid any peeling if I get sunburnt. I love the packaging of this product, it’s so pretty compared to well-known brands. The first thing I noticed when I went to use this was the smell due to the coconut oil properties. It smells like Malibu cocktails and summer all rolled into one – it’s absolutely gorgeous! It is also totally paraben and silicone free too, so you know you aren’t putting anything harmful onto your skin. I haven’t been lucky enough to get much sun this year (thank you England!) but when I do, this is going to be one of my summer staples.

Origins – GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream – Full Size £20

This is quite a small sized sample and I’m not sure if there was enough to really notice any differences when trialling this cream. This gel like formula aims to instantly reduce dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. You simply dab this around the eye area in the morning. 

Emite Make Up – Lip & Cheek Tint – Full Size £12.50

I found this a bit daunting when I opened it as it’s a deep red colour and I pictured myself looking like a clown but then I saw Kim wearing it and it looked really nice and subtle. The trick is to only apply a few drops when wearing this on the cheeks and then blending it out. It gives a lovely pink glow and once I got the hang of not putting too much on I really liked the result. This is such a large product as well it is going to last ages.

Aussie Hair Care – Deep Conditioner – Full Size £1.09

This sachet was a bonus product this month. I do love a deep conditioner as they always make my hair feel really soft and I like to save these for special occasions. I haven’t used this yet as I am saving it for when my hair starts to feel dry again but this was a welcomed addition to this month’s box.

They also provided a sneak peek for July, we will be receiving a night tanner, I am excited to try this out! What did you get in your Glossybox this month? If you’d like to sign up for Glossybox, click here.

May 2016 Glossybox

A couple of weeks ago now I received the latest Glossybox and I was really impressed with this month’s offerings. The boxes were themed on city breaks and had a limited edition design. I received the New York box which I was really happy with and I hope to go to New York next year so I think I received the best box design for me. The box contents contained some great goodies ideal for City Breaks, all I need is a ticket!

Propercorn – Lightly Salted 
The first item I saw on the top of my box was this little 10g packet of Propercorn popcorn. This is gluten free and also suitable for vegans and only contained 43 calories for the small bag. I love the packaging and it was nice to get a little extra treat in our boxes this month. I have tried other flavours from this brand and they’re all delicious.

Hawaiian Tropic Protective Dry Oil – Full Size £13.99
I have been meaning to get myself some sun tan lotion for the summer and Hawaiian Tropic is a brand I see often but have never tried. This lotion has an SPF of 15 so is great for the British ‘summer’ where we don’t get extreme heats but I would want something with a higher SPF if I was going abroad somewhere warm. I absolutely love the scent of this lotion with extracts of coconut and guava, it smells like Malibu and reminds me of summer instantly. This oil applies really well and doesn’t leave your skin feeling shiny or sticky it just sinks in really well.

Hairon – Zero Crease Hair Tie – Full Size £3.99
I received some similar hairtyes to these in a previous Glossybox but they always come in handy and the bright pink colour is great for summer. These are great for reducing damage on your hair and I love wearing them to the gym to get my hair out of my face. This handy 3 pack will keep me going for ages.

Bee Good Youth – Enhancing Plump and Firm Moisturiser – Full Size £23.50
I have previously tried Bee Good products and really like them. This moisturiser aims to plump and smooth your complexion leaving it dewy and glowing. I have been using a small amount of this on my face in the morning and night and I have already noticed a difference. My makeup has been applying smoother especially over areas with fine lines. I am very impressed and will continue to use this alongside other Bee Good items.

Revlon Mascara – Super Length - Full Sized £9.99
A couple of months ago Glossybox gave us the chance to choose one of five Revlon mascaras from their new range. Each one was designed with a different look from volume boosting to lash lengthening. I chose super length and I am extremely happy with my choice. My NARS mascara had started to dry up so this couldn’t have come at a better time. I love the formula of this mascara and it really does work to lengthen the lashes. I actually want to try other ones in this range, has anyone tried to mix and match and use two different ones at once?

Absolute New York – Velvet Lippie – Full Size £4.93
The final item I received in my Glossybox was this matte lipstick in the shade ‘toasted’. I’ll be honest when I first opened my box I thought this was a concealer and when applying this to my lips it looked like one too! This shade is basically the same colour as my skin so for me it really doesn’t work. I would have loved to receive a different shade. I am sure this looks lovely on different skintones.

What did you get in your Glossybox this month? If you’d like to sign up for Glossybox, click here.

April 2016 Glossybox

After receiving a slightly disappointing Glossybox last month I was over the moon with this month’s box! I received 4 full sized items and one mini and all of them are things I will definitely use. Onto the review.

Next – Make Me Beautiful Lip Chubby – Full Size £8

I love this chubby crayon stick and having never tried any cosmetics from Next I was really excited to see how this turned out. I received a lovely pinky red colour which is easily buildable. This lip crayon goes onto the lips so smoothly and doesn’t smudge. I am really impressed with the colour pay off and would love to see what the other colours are like.

The Body Shop –Oils Of Life Facial Oil – Full Size £28

I love when I open the box to a familiar brand and as a massive fan of The Body Shop, this excited me! This intensely revitalising facial oil has been a great addition to my beauty routine. I have been massaging a couple of drops of this product into my face and neck and it really does revive my complexion and make my skin feel amazing. A little really does go a long way too so despite only having a small sample size, I know this is really going to last. This is something I would definitely repurchase and I now want to check out other products in this range.

Leighton Denny Expert Nails – Miracle Mist – Full Size £12

I already own a quick-dry nail varnish spray so this probably isn’t something I would have went out and bought but I am really impressed with the results. After applying nail varnish, simply spray this product over the nails for a few seconds. They become touch-dry in less than a minute. I am absolutely loving this mist especially as I am usually too busy to paint my nails and wait for them to dry. This has cut minutes off my drying time meaning I am more likely to paint my nails. Great product.

Studio 10 – Brow Lift Perfecting Liner – Full Size £22

Wow, I can’t believe the price of this product! As a true Anastasia Dip Pomade Fan I was a bit sceptical about trying this out as I have had bad experiences with pencils in the past. This double ended pencil comes with a brow pencil and also a highlighting pencil to really enhance the arch of your brow. I am not a huge fan of the brow pencil end as it’s not an exact shade for me but I have been loving the highlighter end teamed with my dip pomade, this makes a great on-fleek brow. 

Swiss Smile – Whitening Toothpaste – Full Size £28.95

I am really pleased I got this product as it’s worth nearly £30 and I saw a few other people get stick-on tattoos which I wouldn’t have probably used. This whitening toothpaste is from a brand I have never heard of before but I absolutely love this. I noticed results after just one use and my teeth looked brighter and cleaner. I went to the hygienist at the dental surgery after using this for a week and she barely needed to clean my teeth – bonus because it’s pretty painful! I probably wouldn’t repurchase due to the price but I am very happy with this and recommend it if you’re after a more luxurious toothpaste that really works.

What did you get in your Glossybox this month? If you’d like to sign up for Glossybox, click here.

March 2016 Glossybox

This month’s Glossybox was a bit if a disappointment if I’m honest. I felt a bit cheated as if the items could have been picked up for free on beauty counters. I’ve been a member of Glossybox for over 4 years and have loved it but I haven’t had a box like this for a while. As usual I will persevere and await next month’s box with great anticipation!

Hey Honey – Good Morning Honey Silk Facial Serum – Full Size £28.81
This travel sized serum from Hey Honey is a brand I have never come across before. It is worth noting that you need to cut the end off of the nib on the tube before you can use it. I saw many people on Instagram and Twitter complaining that theirs was broken but that’s not the case – you just need to open it! This serum was nice to use and I love wearing it underneath makeup. It makes the application of my makeup go on really well and has a nice fresh scent to it.

Olay Regenerist – Luminous Skin Tone Perfecting Cream – Full Size £29.99
This tiny sample of the Olay perfecting cream is a good trial size and is suggested by Glossybox that it is a mini travel item. This cream aims to fade the look of discolouration and dark spots and evens out your skin tone. There isn’t enough cream to really see the effects so I don’t really know if it works or not. It made my skin feel soft as any other moisturiser would but the tube ran out before I noticed real results. For £29.99 I don’t think this is an item I will be repurchasing without really having the chance to trial it properly.

Luxie - Rose Gold Large Angled Face Brush – Full Size £10.42
This Luxie Brush was probably my favourite item from the whole box and I know I will get good use out of this. This angled brush is the perfect shape for getting right into the contours of your face and great for bronzer and highlighter. This brush is very similar to my real techniques brushes which I swear by. I would love to see if there are other sized brushes available, this one is the 504 so I assume there is a whole range. At just over £10 I think this is quite reasonable too and I love the rose gold and baby pink design.

Collection – Speedy Highlighter – Full Size £3.99
I have highlighters coming out of my ears but I have never tried one from Collection despite being a brand I regularly use. The application of this is so simple as essentially it is a giant crayon so you can draw on the areas you want to highlight. The colour I received has a subtle glow, not too much that it’s overpowering. I’ve been wearing it on the tops of my cheekbones and blending it into my blusher with the Luxie Brush.

-417 – Catharsis Vitamin Mineral Shampoo and Conditioner – Full Size £16.89
These -417 Shampoo and Conditioner samples are a good size for travelling and weekend breaks. It does feel like these aren’t really worth too much but I do like this sized item for my gym bag. The dead sea minerals in these shampoos allow for a really hydrating wash and left my hair feeling soft and shiny. This is something I would consider buying if there was an offer on, however generally I tend to spend no more than £5 on my shampoo and conditioners.

Overall, I wasn’t overly impressed by the box but I think I will get use out of it. I just didn’t get that excited buzz I usually get when I open a good box, it felt a bit empty. Next month’s box contains an item from The Body Shop so I am actually looking forward to that, I think it will be a good one!

If you’d like to sign up for Glossybox, click here.

January 2016 Glossybox

I was looking forward to this month’s Glossybox as I love a fresh start with cosmetics and products for the new year and could do with a bit of a spring clean with my old products. My box arrived over a week ago now so I have had a good chance to use all of the products I received.

Unani Dermo Defense Face Mask - Full Size £11.36
When I first tried this mask out I expected the consistency to be thick but it's clear and light. This mask is ideal for sensitive skin which is a bonus as my skin doesn't always take to new products. The packaging is simple yet effective and it was clear to see what I had to do with this. I have been using this once a week after cleansing and my skin does feel softer and more hydrated.

Glossybox Eyeshadow - Glossy Mauve - Full Size £7.10
The second item I picked up was the Glossybox Eyeshadow.  I am really starting to build up a collection of Glossybox make up now. This satin eyeshadow appears dark in its pressed form but once swept across the eye this is sheer and blendable. This is definitely a colour I can see myself wearing and it is suggested if you use a wet brush you can get a more dramatic colour which I can't wait to try on my next night out.

Madara Cellular Repair Serum - Full Size £38.00
When I first opened this item I wasn't 100% sure on what I actually had to do with it. A quick google search prompted the answer, apply this serum morning and night before moisturising. The serum is a liquid consistency and aims to plump skin whilst boosting hydration. I am colourblind so I can't be 100% sure on this but I think this is green, although applies clear on the skin. Results have been known to arise after 4 weeks so I look forward to continuing to use this.

Teeez Cosmetics - Oasis Gem Lipstick - Full Size £11.93
This lipstick packaging is brilliant, I love the vibrant colours. I definitely won't be losing this in the bottom of my cosmetic bag! I love the coral/pink shade of this aptly named (coral onyx) lipstick and it does look really nice on. I suggest using a lip balm first as if this is applied to dry lips it does seem to emphasise that so I add a bit of vaseline first. This isn't as long lasting as other lipsticks I have tried but with funky packaging like this I don't mind having to get it out and reapplying it.

Angele Paris Red Nail Lacquer - Full Size £6.32
The last item I tried out was this gorgeous classic red nail varnish. I own a few different reds and always welcome trying new brands. I applied tow coats of this onto a base and then finished with a clear top coat. This nail varnish was long lasting and I even gave myself a matching red pedicure. The colour is perfect for this time of year when I just want to use something with a deeper colour.

December 2015 Glossybox

I was really looking forward to this month’s box, especially as it’s the rose gold edit and I love rose gold. The box is beautiful and Christmassy and in collaboration with Really Ree - a blogger I have only recently had the pleasure in discovering! This month we got 6 items which impressed me and was a nice little Christmas bonus.

Etre Belle – Golden Skin Caviar eye Roll on – Full Size £30.66
This product aims to sooth and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes. It is quite an expensive product, not one I would go out and buy myself. I really like the feeling that this produces, it really does make my eyes feel fresh and I am loving putting this on in the morning just to wake my eyes up. The roll on contains a cooling gel which is so nice and great for the party season to widen tired eyes! Lovely product but a little bit too expensive for me to repurchase.

So Susan – Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil – Full Size £15
I own a few So Susan products now and one thing I love is the exciting fun packaging. This pencil is a lovely colour and perfect for adding a bit of highlight around your cheekbones and along the bridge of your nose. I love that this product glides on smoothly and doesn’t drag on the skin. It is easy to bled out with your finger or a beauty blender to achieve a natural glow. I don’t own any other product like this so it was a welcome addition to this month’s box.

Cheeky – Chat Me Up Nail Paint – Crush On You – Full Size £7
I love the name of this nail varnish, it’s fun and flirty. The colour I received is called Crush On You and is a baby pink colour. This isn’t a colour I own and is probably a little bit too light for me but I love the formula. You only need to apply 2 coats to get a nice even coverage and the finish is glossy and smooth. I think I’ll save this one for the summer, it would look great with a nice tan.

Philosophy – Purity Made Simple 3 in 1 Cleanser – Full Size £18
I do love trying new cleansers but nothing beats my Liz Earle. I haven’t tried this cleanser before so I was interested to see how it worked. Massage the product into damp skin and it removes all signs of any makeup that may have been on the skin. This deep cleans! Even after wiping my makeup off with a face wipe this continued to get rid of excess grime that I couldn’t even see. I really like this, I will consider buying the full sized product when I ran out.

Essence – Liquid Lipstick – Show off – Full Size £2.50
For £2.50 I didn’t have high hopes for this product. I do own some items from the essence range and I often find that you do get what you pay for. The packaging was lost on me, it’s a gloss but the bottle is made to look like it’s a lipstick. I didn’t even notice this, my boyfriend actually noticed when I was taking the photos for it. The applicator is good for applying this precisely but for me this product simply didn’t deliver how I wanted it to. I found the formula quite sticky and could see myself getting my hair stuck in it if I went outside. It’s a lovely colour that can be worn by everyone and I think some people would really benefit from this but it’s not one I’ll be using religiously.

Starskin – Bio-Celluloise Second Skin Mask – Full Size £8.50
This was our bonus item for this month and I couldn’t wait to relax and try this out. I was a bit cautious as my skin has been reacting to products lately but this was fine. The serum was really lovely and left my skin feeling so hydrated afterwards. I want to try out all of the different masks now! It’s a shame I don’t live near a Selfridges to pick some up.