GLOSSYBOX FRESH START MUST-HAVES

Hi everyone I hope you are well. Today I want to share with you my first impressions of this month's 'Fresh Start Must-Haves GlossyBox'.

MEMEME EYE LINE PENCIL CLAY

A long lasting soft, glide on eye pencil that does not snag on the skin. The shade clay suits all eye colours. Can be worn on the upper and lower lash lines and the waterline. Not tested on animals.

This pencil does feel smooth on my hand and the shade appears to be very wearable for all eye colours as it's a mid-toned brown. Not too warm or too cool. A nice alternative to black which can be quite harsh and close up the eyes. I am not sure how well this will work on the waterline for me as I have quite watery eyes and find this type of pencil doesn't usually apply well on my waterline.

NICKA K NEW YORK COLORLUXE POWDER BLUSH ROMANTIC

A loose powder blush that applies with a soft, plush applicator puff. Comes in six shades.

This product is designed with the puff so that no powder sprinkles all over your handbag due to the puff applicator. The middle band of the pot however does twist off so I am not sure if that would be the case. It has a pop off lid so be sure to hold the band when removing it. The lid comes with a mirror which is cool. This shade Romantic is a dusky pink. Quite soft and English Rose. Great for paler girls, but can be built up for a slightly more intense blush. I am not a big fan so far of the applicator, but then I am not a big fan of loose powder or pigment products usually because they tend to spread everywhere so I can see why the puff is in place. However I find using a brush easier to get the right amount of product to sweep over the skin rather than dabbing a puff on a certain area.

JELLY PONG PONG ALL OVER GLOW

An brightening oil-free lightweight, luminizing gel with pearlescent pigments to highlight the face for a radiant complexion. Dab onto cheekbones and brow bones. Cruelty free.

This is a gorgeously glowy product that will instantly give you healthy, dewy looking skin. This is another product that is not too cool or too warm and I think would work well with many skin tones. It blends into the skin beautifully. It's not ultra glittery like some highlighting products can be, but instead has micro particles that catch the light giving a 'lit from within, youthful effect'. I think this would look great on cheekbones for an awakened look as well as the cupids bow for plumped, fuller looking lips. I would also try it on my lids for an easy day or night look. It may even be nice to mix with foundations that you would like to make more dewy.

KUESHI NATURAL & PLEASANT COSMETICS REVITALIZING FACE TONER

A soothing and re-hydrating skin re-balancing toner. Controls shine and softens dry areas.

I think some people don't see the point in using toners or just add them in to their skincare routine because they think they should. This is why I am especially intrigued to try this product to see if I think it makes a difference.

NAKED LIPS ORGANIC LIP BALM SUPERFRUITS

A sweet tasting balm that leaves lips nourished with a subtle sheen.

This does feel very nourishing with a silky balm feel. The scent is berry-tastic. I usually find lip balms to not work instantly or work for a while and once my lips get used to the product not work as well. I will keep using this and see how it goes.

I don't want to spoil a product in next month's box, but it is similar to one in this month's which disappoints me a little. I am not a fan of the spoiler card in each box as I like the fact that each month is a total surprise. It's party of the reason I signed up to GlossyBox.

For more information on the UK GlossyBox click here and for the US GlossyBox click here.

Let me know your thoughts on this month's GlossyBox in the comments below.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

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High Flyers GlossyBox

Hi there loves. Today I have my latest GlossyBox products to show you. This box is named High Flyers as it includes items for us girls during our summer travels.

Urban Veda Purifying Exfoliating Facial Polish, £8.99 for 125ml

To be used for a deep cleanse, removing impurities, treating blackheads, reducing excess sebum, tightening pores and leaving skin hydrated.

Apply to a wet face, massage using gentle circular movements, and rinse with cold water to tighten pores and help mattify excessive shine.

This is for oil-prone skin and mine is dry, but I will still try this out. The granules in this scrub feel very fine on my hand. The scent is almost medicated, but in a purifying way. The packaging is green on the website so I guess the design has changed?

Emite Make Up Eyelash Curler, Approx £20.00

Developed with professional make-up artists this tool has a special curved design to suit all eye shapes, without touching your make-up base. 

Insert lashes close to the lash line and press to curl. Use before mascara,

This feels very well made and it's great that it comes with three replacement pads.

Jelly Pong Pong 2-In-1 Black Shadow/Liner, £10.50 

Doubles as an eyeliner for thick, precise lines as well as a perfectly blended eye shadow. This also comes in shades of plum, bronze and steel.

This is a very deeply pigmented black eye crayon. I think this will be great for smudgy liner looks and hopefully as a great shadow/base too.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Concentrated Rinse Off Treatment, £1.49 for 15ml from Superdrug, Boots, Tesco & Waitrose.

Apply once a week to damaged parts of shampooed and rinsed hair, avoiding roots. Leave for 60 seconds and rinse well.

I like that this is a quick treatment as not everyone has time for products to work.

Oceane Makeup Remover Pen, Not yet available in the UK

A make-up touch up/remover solution. 

Shake before removing lid. Replace tip if needed.

I tried this out on the Jelly Pong Pong swatch above and it did take a bit of work, but it pretty much removed it all. I think this sounds like a good idea in theory, but I am just not sure if you will end up making a make-up mistake look worse by removing or smudging other parts of your make-up like foundation. I think it would have been handy if the extra tips came in some sort of separate packaging so that when you open this product they have somewhere to be stored. Especially if this is meant for on the go use.

I think this is a great box this month. I am a little disappointed that I have another product for oily skin instead of dry though.

For more information on GlossyBox UK click here. The US box can be found here.

Which products did you receive in this month's GlossyBox? Are you pleased with them? Let me know with your reasons in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

March 2013 City Chic GlossyBox

Hello my loves. I have worked some overtime today and feel a bit knackered, but it was a nice surprise to come home and find my GlossyBox waiting for me. It always makes me smile. This month's box contains hard-working, multi-tasking, heavy-duty products that give a high-maintenance look with minimum time, money and effort.

The GlossyBox Little Black Book Of Style

GlossyBox shares it's pick of some of the capital's best fashion and beauty destinations. There are some cool stickers inside too.

Bottom Left: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant Fragrance Free, £18.00 for 30ml or £25.00 for 50ml

This skincare classic works efficiently to sooth roughness, redness and minor skin irritations. This award winning cream has also been praised by make-up artists and beauty editors for many years now and no self respecting model would be without this cult product in their make-up bag. First created in 1930 by Elizabeth Arden to soothe skin, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant became an instant and overwhelming success. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant also aids in the temporary relief of chapped lips, smoothes rough spots on your knees, feet and elbows and softens tough, hard cuticles and hangnails. Dermatologist, clinically and allergy tested. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant is suitable for all skin types. A little goes a long way with this intensive moisturiser, so enjoy it sparingly.

I will keep this product for particularly dry areas and minor skin irritations, but I did buy this for myself once before in a full size tube when it was very hyped up. I never replaced my tube because I don't really like the scent of this product which considering it's meant to be fragrance free is a little bizarre? It has a balmy texture.

Bottom Centre: Nails Inc. Bruton Street Nail Polish, £11.00 for 10ml

Bruton Street nail polish is a dusky pink nude shade. Bruton Street is ideal for a sophisticated, everyday look. Apply 2 coats after Kensington Caviar Base Coat, followed by one coat of Kensington Caviar Top Coat.

I really like the look of this polish and will apply it to mine and Mum's nails tomorrow as it's Mother's Day/Mum's birthday and I said I would do Mum's nails for her.

Bottom Right: L'Occitane En Provence Immortelle Precious Cream, £43.00 for 50ml

Ideal for normal to dry skin, the Immortelle Precious is a rich, smooth moisturiser which visibly corrects deep wrinkles and improves firmness.

The combination of organic immortelle and organic immortelle cell extracts offers:

Smoother skin: Immortelle stimulates collagen production, which helps fill in deep wrinkles and restructure the epidermis for smoother skin.

Firmer skin: The support network of the skin is reinforced. 

  

Younger skin: Micro-circulation is boosted to stimulate cell renewal. Skin is protected from free radicals.

The epidermis is re-invigorated, soft and comfortable. Skin is smoother and firmer, its youthfulness is prolonged. Non comedogenic. Tolerance dermatologically tested. 

It has a seal on it that I don't want to break until I start using it as I am trying and testing out other skincare at the moment, but I will let you know how I get on with this when I try it.

Top: Tresemme Salon Finish Extra Hold Hairspray, £4.69 for 500ml 

This spray won’t give you a helmet head but will hold your style through wind and rain. This fantastic hairspray refuses to let frizz take root, thanks to its humidity-resistant formula that keeps flyaways smooth for 24 hours. As an added bonus it's water-free formula goes on dry, giving hair grip and control without stickiness for frizz-free hold. 

I have already tried some Tresemme hairspray's which I have liked so I am pretty sure that if it's of the same standard this one will be good too. It has that typical hairspray old school scent.

Centre: Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Lip Blush (Cranberry), £12.00 for 2.5g

A moisturising lip stain that tints your lips with just the right amount of juicy colour and hydrates like a balm. Apply liberally, purse and let the silky lightweight texture melt onto your lips.

Bonus : Made with beeswax and ceresin wax for a sheer, smooth application.

The information I have says this is a multi-tasker, but there is nothing to say that it is also made for the cheeks as well as the lips. I presume it's meant for both as it's a Lip Blush? Also there is no shade name on the product, but I presume this is the shade Cranberry because there are only two shades in the link above and this looks like it. This is a twist up crayon that feels like it could twist up easily if it was in my bag/make-up bag because the bottom is a little loose and I prefer a click shut lid to prevent mess too.

This feels like a very smooth and moisturising product, although I have only swatched it on my hand. I would say this is more of a strawberry shade than cranberry. It does have a sheer finish, but is also buildable. I look forward to giving this a go. I think it's a great shade for spring/summer.

Overall the lip stain and nail polish are the stand out products of this box for me. I love trying out new skincare too so I hope the L'Occitane product will work well. 

For more information on GlossyBox UK click here and for GlossyBox US click here. 

Which products did you receive in this month's GlossyBox and what are your initial impressions? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

July 2012 GlossyBox

Hey loves. I have given the house a really good clean today which although was not fun in this hot weather I always feel better for doing it. I picked up My July GlossyBox from my Mum's. I thought I had changed the details on my GlossyBox account to my new address, but I will have to investigate. This month's box is festival inspired so let me show you the products.

Left To Right:

Bex London Londoner Urban Fragrance (W1X), £81.00 for 100ml EDT

This sophisticated neo-vintage fragrance is inspired by the opulence and high- octane atmosphere of London’s West-End.

Notes:
 

Top: Coriander, Bergamot, Mandarin, Neroli

Middle: Cardamon, Orris, Rose, Ylang, Tea, White Jasmine, Freesia, Violet, Lily of the Valley,
 

Bottom: Cypress, Cedar Wood, Precious Wood, Patchouli, Vanilla, Vetiver

The fragrance W1X is one of four from this range. I am not sure if this is £81.00 for all four fragrances or each? I would describe this scent as soft and feminine. It's okay, but not something I would buy for myself. With the London culture behind this product I expected something a bit more 'girl about town', but it does say that W1X is a feminine fragrance.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist, £9.25 for 250ml

Deeply hydrates thirsty hair and revives dry, tired skin. Ensures soft, healthy looking skin. Reactivates styling products in the hair. Perfect for touch ups. 

Spray generously on hair and skin.

I am really coming close to finishing my face mist/toner so this will be nice to try. When I smell this spray bottle product it's very subtle and does seem quite refreshing.

Monu Eye Cool Gel, £16.95 for 15ml

A refreshing gel that instantly revives and tones tired eyes, reducing puffiness, fine lines and dark circles. Can be used under make-up. 

Not tested on animals. Wheat-free and paraben-free.

Use morning and night after cleansing and toning. Gently pat a small amount around the eye area, avoiding the eye lids, until completely absorbed.

This feels very cooling. I like the idea that it's a gel formula. It appears to have very little if no scent.

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Lip Frosting in Irish Cream Pavlova, £10.00 for 15ml

A multifunctional cream gloss. Use on lips for a tint of colour, or on cheeks for a luminous glow. This is scented with homemade pavlova. 

This is my first ever Jelly Pong Pong product and so far I like it. The scent is gorgeous. Very sweet and very noticeable. The product came out quite thick and gloopy and quite fast when I squeezed the tube. The gloss is very shiny and this colour is a very sweet pink candy shade. I think this will be great for lips and cheeks.

Centre:

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, £17.50 for 50ml

Apply this dry oil to your face, body and hair all year round. Your face and body are left feeling soft and silky. Your hair is supple, soft and shines with health.

On the face:

- Spray Huile Prodigieuse in the palm of your hands and rub hands together to warm the product.

- Apply Huile Prodigieuse on the face with smoothing strokes from the centre to facial contours.

  

On the body:

- Spray Huile Prodigieuse on selected areas (décolleté, arms, stomach, thighs…).

- Massage Huile Prodigieuse area by area using circular movements.

On the hair:

- Spray Huile Prodigieuse directly on hair (at a distance of about 20 cm). Massage hair and scalp to help penetration.

- Wrap hair in a dry towel and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes for complete penetration of Huile Prodigieuse.

- Wash hair with your daily Shampoo.

I like the scent of this multi-tasking dry oil. It's quite warm yet subtle. I will mostly use this on face and body. Mine is not a spray bottle as it's a 10ml sample, but it's still nice to try a versatile product.

Bonus Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Products:

Left:

Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, Optimizing Skin Serum & Gentle Hydrating Cream SPF15, From £32.00 for 50ml

Gentle Hydrating Cleanser: 

Colloidal Oatmeal particles to gently exfoliate the skin and Oat Protein fine powder to soothe.  

Optimizing Skin Serum: 

Sodium Hyaluronate to lubricate and attract moisture to the skin; and Vitamin C Derivative which provides antioxidant protection and helps brighten the appearance of skin. 

Gentle Hydrating Cream SPF15: 

Advanced Moisture Complex including a combination of high performance moisturizers, humectants, film formers and water binding agents, such as Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Urea, Sodium PCA and Glycerin, provide long lasting moisturisation. Gentle Hydrating Night Cream: Shea Butter which is an effective emollient and moisturizer; and Lavender to calm and soothe skin while providing a relaxing scent.

Dry Skin needs gentle but effective hydration. The 4-step Regime: Cleanse, Tone, Treat, Moisturize will make a Visible Difference in your skin. 

• Cleanse with the Gentle Hydrating Cleanser massaging it onto wet face and rinsing well with warm water. 

• To tone sweep the Gentle Hydrating Toner over cleansed skin with cotton (not included with these samples). 

• Treat with the Optimizing Skin Serum by smoothing onto face and throat, before moisturizer, morning or night. 

• Moisturise with the Gentle Hydrating Cream SPF15 and the Gentle Hydrating Night Cream by smoothing onto cleansed face and throat, (Gentle Hydrating Night Cream not included with samples).

The only Elizabeth Arden skin care I have tried is the 8 hour cream and I didn't like it due to the smell and texture. I know it's really popular with a lot of you though.

I thought there was something else in the sachet on the right of the photo, but it's just information on these samples. I hope these are nice products to use and I will test them out. They are quite pricey, but I will see if they are worth it.

So my overall thoughts on this month's box are pretty good. I will use everything included. The moisture mist and eye gel seem very cooling and good for the skin. I love the shade of the lip frosting too.

For more information on UK GlossyBox please check out this Link :)

GlossyBox has now popped up in the US so check it out in this Link :)

Which products did you receive in your GlossyBox this month and do you like them? What is the US GlossyBox like if you have tried it?

Love to you all