September Glossybox

Sadly, I was unable to get last months Glossybox. The courier that delivers it annoyingly doesn't knock and just leaves the box on the doorstep and, as I was on holiday, and I didn't want it to just sit there, braving the elements and alerting nearby burglars to our absence, I reluctantly had to cancel my subscription. I renewed as soon as I returned, however, and I must say, I'm so glad it wasn't this month's I skipped, as I think that this British beaut is my favourite so far. I usually get something that's not to my taste, but there is nothing that I wouldn't have considered in the September box! Jumping on the theme provided by the presence of London Fashion Week, the box is filled with some fantastic, home-grown products.

The products I received this month were:

Be A Bombshell Onyx Eye Liner

Toni & Guy Classic Shine & Gloss Serum

Elizabeth Arden Untold

Eyelure Pre-Glued Lashes

Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips

First things first, I received an eye liner from Be A Bombshell Cosmetics. I'm dead chuffed that I got a black eye liner as I've been on the lookout for a new one - I'm not particularly happy with the Bourjois one I'm using currently. This wasn't a brand I had heard of before, so I wouldn't have considered buying it if it hadn't been sent to me, but I must admit, they've made a rather good first impression. The liner looks a bit thick and daunting at first, as if you're about to go at your face with a permanent marker, but it's actually fairly easy to control the thickness of application. This is the main plus for me, as I usually really struggle with liquid eye liner, but with this product I was able to create the perfect feline flick in an instant. It's very pigmented, dries almost immediately upon application, and lasts all day. And what more do you want from an eye liner, really? Upon visiting the website (which is actually www.beabombshellcosmetics.com, the one printed in the box isn't a registered domain - oops!) it looks like the brand is actually American, which is a bit confusing, but never mind, eh? But after a bit of exploring, I discovered that another plus from the brand is that the founder, Tonya Thompson, says that it was born out of  a desire to provide cosmetics suitable for the most sensitive of skins. Struggling with highly sensitive skin herself, she was sick to death of being so limited in the products she could use, and so she pioneered the brand to combat the problem. Now I don't suffer with sensitive skin, so I can't really preach about it, but all of the Be A Bombshell products are tried and tested by her, so if you do struggle to find products that work with your sensitive skin, maybe it's worth giving this brand a go.

The second product I found in the box was the Toni & Guy Classic Shine & Gloss Serum. The limited edition packaging, designed by Lulu Kennedy, is really lovely but, to be perfectly honest, I'm more interested in the product inside. The serum is similar to the Frizz Ease range, in the way that it is designed to tame frizz whilst adding a healthy shine to your hair, and actually, it really does! You put it onto dry hair, which felt a bit unnatural to me, as I'm used to putting serum on before I blow dry, but I went with it, and I was left with soft, silky smooth locks and a reinforced love for Toni & Guy products. It's perfect for getting rid of those annoying flyaways that make me look like a baby owl, and I was so impressed by the fact that it left absolutely no residue on my hands when I had finished working it through my tresses. Added bonus - it smells like the Toni & Guy Sea Salt Spray! Wohoo! Love that stuff!

Next up was a 5 ml sample of Elizabeth Arden's new fragrance, Untold (Also American, no? I think I've misunderstood the theme). First of all, the bottle made me want to cry a little bit from the cuteness of it all. It's just so dinky and adorable. I love elegant perfume bottles, and if you make them mini, well then I just can't help myself! As for the smell, it's a very soft, sweet floral scent, which is just beautiful. It's not what I'd usually opt for, fruity fragrances usually being my ideal, but that's the reason I like Glossybox - for discovering little gems like this one that I might have overlooked at the perfume counter. I think this delicate scent will be perfect to pop in my handbag for evenings out, and I'm sure it will get a lot of use, despite it being rather different from my signature scent.

The fourth item I was given was a set of Eyelure Pre-Glued Lashes. I love wearing false lashes. I think they add a wonderful element of glamour to a look, although I only tend wear them on special occasions, as I feel like they're much too much effort to be fussing around with on a regular basis. I haven't had a chance to wear these yet, but I'll be really interested to see how well the glue compares to the normal Eyelure lashes. I would hope that they are easier to use, and if that does turn out to be the case, who knows, I might start wearing falsies much more frequently. As a matter of fact, it's my birthday next week, the perfect occasion to give these fluttery babies a test run. 

Last, and sadly, least in this months box was the Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips. I've heard a lot about this product, and although I wasn't about to rush out and buy it, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about. Not that I had much of an opportunity to! The already minuscule sample had barely any product in it. It was like the grapple you have with your toothpaste when you're down to the very last dregs. Not what I want from something I haven't even used yet! The product itself is rather dense, and, although not sticky, it's quite difficult to apply and move around. And once it's on, I didn't find it to be particularly moisturising, soothing or hydrating. I'm not even sure what it's supposed to do to be honest, but it didn't really do much of anything. I mean, it's OK, but it isn't great, and definitely not a product I'll be purchasing any time soon.

Et voilà. I hope you enjoyed my round up of glossy treats for this month. I think it's probably the best I've received so far, but what do you think? Did you get the same products as I did? What was your favourite? Let me know!

S.

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July Glossybox

My second instalment of Glossybox goodness came this weekend, sporting a Seaside Splash theme, perfect for this magnificent heat wave. Designed for effortless yet glamorous beach days, it has an array of products perfectly suited for the occasion. And the box, oh the box. I will pretty much buy anything if you pop it in pretty packaging, so when this nautical beauty arrived, I loved it before I'd even seen it's contents. But let's take a look at them anyway, shall we. 

My favourite from this months offerings is the Alterna Haircare - Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousle Texture Mist (and... breathe). A dedicated fan of the Toni & Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray, I love that tousled beach look. I think it's just so effortlessly beautiful, and so easy to maintain. I know a couple of people who don't like the drying effect that these kind of products have on your hair, but mine has been a vibrant red for the last four years, so I'm not exactly a poster child for luscious, healthy locks. And I feel like this product does the same thing as a sea salt spray, but with none of the draw backs. For starters, it doesn't  actually contain sea salt, but it does have bamboo and blue yucca root, both of which are supposed to have a healthy effect on your hair (both used to prevent hair loss actually), so Alterna are already winning there. I also find that sea salt sprays feel a bit sticky on my hands after I've styled my hair, and without careful distribution, they leave my hair feeling ever so slightly crispy. But there's none of that with this spray. It leaves my hair feeling soft and beautifully styled, and it is a fine enough mist that it doesn't leave my hair damp after application. I love it, and I'll almost certainly be repurchasing when this diddy 25ml sample runs out. 

I'm also a fan of the next item, the Coola Mineral Face SPF 20 - Unscented. I believe that this month's Birchbox also had a cucumber scented sample, although I might be wrong there. I haven't tried that one, but I'm really glad that I got an unscented version. I find that a lot of sun care products have a scent to them, and wearing them alongside other scented products can become a bit overpowering. I'm also a huge fan of the formula. Upon applying, it instantly melts into the skin, leaving no trace and allowing me to apply other products immediately. It's also an organic product, which claims to have the anti-ageing benefits of Acai Oil, as well as being packed with anti-oxidants and having the beauty benefits of soothing, toning and minimising pores. Lovely. Sadly, the factor isn't high enough for my milky complexion. I don't particularly like to wear anything lower than SPF 50 on my face when the temperature rises, 40 at a push, and as far as I can see, the Coola Mineral Face range only go as high as SPF 30. So even though I love all of it's wonderful qualities, I don't think I'll be purchasing this. Such a shame. Sort it out Coola! 

Thirdly, I received the Anatomicals - Spray Misty For Me Facial Spritz. I was about to go out and buy Soap and Glory - Girligo (not technically for your face, I know) for use on the 13 hour flight (wahh!) that I will be on in less than a month, but the kind people at Glossybox are one step ahead, because this suits me perfectly. It claims to be both a refreshing mist, and a setting spray, something I'm rather sceptical about. The mist isn't really fine enough that I'd feel comfortable spraying it over a full face of make up. As for it's refreshing qualities, I don't find it to be particularly hydrating, but it is a sigh of refreshing relief in a bottle, and, containing peppermint and lavender, it smells divine! It has some quippy, Soap and Glory-esque description on the packaging too, and who doesn't love some quirky reading material whilst spritzing. It only retails for £6, and so far, I'm loving it, so I'd absolutely repurchase in the future.

Next, I received not one, but two Sleek Pout Paints, one in Rosetta, a dark pink colour, the other in Cloud 9, which is white. Upon opening it, my initial thought was, 'who the hell would want a white lip gloss?!', but on further inspection, I learned that they are supposed to be mixed with other products to alter the colour, although a minimal amount can be applied on it's own for a shot of vibrancy. Surprisingly, these are the first Sleek products I have ever owned, and I'm pleased as punch to finally be acquainted with the brand. My first, and favourite thing about the products is their smell. They have the most delicious tangerine scent and I can't stop sniffing them! Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the consistency. I was expecting quite a drying product, reminiscent of Rimmel Apocalips lip lacquers, however, they are very silky smooth to apply, and not at all dehydrating. I have only applied Rosetta on its own so far, and have yet to mix them with other products, but I'm not sure I will, as I'm not too keen on the colours I received. Rosetta is very blue toned, which isn't flattering on my skin tone, although I may find use for Cloud 9 on some occasion. I'm also not entirely convinced that they fit with the beach theme, as they aren't particularly effortless, and they are a bit too pigmented for casual day wear in my opinion, but, for a product that I wasn't really expecting to get on with, I'm really pleasantly surprised. I'm sure they will get used at some point, but I don't think summer will be their season. 

Last, and unfortunately least, I received the Essie Sleek Sticks - a new long wearing nail sticker from one of my favourite nail brands. Now, these stick on manicures have never really been to my taste. I always find that there are never enough that are close to the right size for each nail (seriously, who has fingernails that size?!), and with all the effort of cutting, filing and shaping, it would be less of a chore to just paint your nails and have done with it. However, I did find myself eyeing up some of these in Boots last week (a black and white set with writing on them, which, after a quick Google, I have discovered are called Love To Love You), and I'm a big fan of Essie nail varnishes. I don't think I'll be trying these for a while, as the set that I received, a dark zebra print aptly named A To Zebra, doesn't really float my boat, and is definitely not summer appropriate, but who knows, I'll give them a whirl in the winter months and they might make a nail sticker lover out of me!

So there you go. My views on this month's Glossy goodies. Some products a little more impressive than others, but overall, I'm chuffed with my July treats. I'm sure the majority will get a lot of use in this sweltering heat.

Did you receive any of the same products? What do you think of Glossybox's July offerings? Let me know! 

S.

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My First Glossybox...

This morning, I reluctantly peeled myself out of bed to answer the door to the postman. I was all ready to greet him with a few grunts and snarls, when I realised he was delivering my first ever Glossybox! Wohoo! Of course, I then silently forgave him for waking me up at such an ungodly hour (it was 10, judge me if you will), and proceeded to greedily unwrap my new treat as if I were a child on Christmas Day. Oh it was glorious! Here is a peek at what I recieved:

Firstly, I absolutely adore the packaging! It's very sleek and sophisticated, and feels like a real luxury. One might even describe it as glossy. I think I see what they did there.

Sorry for the less than great quality pictures. I'm still learning!

 

In my box, I recieved:

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR

MeMeMe Cosmetics Long Lasting Nail Gloss in Wild

John Frieda Frizz Ease Original Serum

Figs & Rouge Cherry Blossom Lip Balm

Q Body Spray

The first thing that caught my eye was the Figs & Rouge Lip Balm, as I'm finding myself a bit obsessed with lip products at the moment and I love me some pretty packaging. I've also been kind of desperate to try a Figs & Rouge product ever since Emma Watson announced they were here fave (if it's good enough for Hermione, it's good enough for me). Packaging aside, the product itself feels amazing on the lips and has a lovely subtle pink tint to it, which makes it perfect for a natural, everyday look. I think it'll be great for work. I would have quite liked it to have more of a cherry scent to it, but I am aware that not everyone likes scented cosmetics and with it being 100% natural, you can't really complain that they haven't chucked in a load of perfume. Also, the Glossybox description claims that you can use it on 'cuticles, elbows and knees' and to 'tame unruly eyebrows'. Now, I'm not sure how I would feel about pink tinted eyebrows, but hey. Each to their own.

Lookit! Aaah!

Next up, I tried out the Nuxe product, which I'm not going to attempt to type the name of again. I've never really been one for oils. I find that they leave me feeling quite greasy and like I need a good shower. I don't know, maybe I use them wrong... But I've always wanted to try a Nuxe product and I've heard great things about the original, non-shimmery version of this product, so I thought I might as well. Nothing to lose, right? And I was really pleasantly surprised! It didn't leave my skin feeling greasy at all. It is described online as a shimmering dry oil (clearly I only have an issue with those pesky wet oils), which contains plant oils and Vitamin E to nourish and soften skin and hair. Lovely. It also does really leave a beautiful but subtle shimmer. Not at all disco-bally, which is always a plus. I think this will be the perfect product for the summer, when it finally decides to make an appearance. I'm also excited to try it as a hair oil, but I haven't had the chance yet. I'll let you know.

Thirdly, I recieved a MeMeMe Long Lasting Nail Gloss in the colour Wild, which is a deep, blue-toned purple. I haven't tried it yet, but my initial thought is that it is going to be a bit too dark for my pale skin tone, and I definitely prefer brights and pastels for this time of year, and think that this dark colour is more suited for winter. I think I will just tuck it away in my collection for a few months and dig it back out when the frost resurfaces. See how I feel about it then.

I also recieved the John Frieda Frizz Ease Original Serum. I haven't opened it yet, but I used this product a lot when I was younger and have just sort of forgotten about it over time. I loved it then though, so I'm sure I will love it now. I don't have particularly frizzy hair, but I do have baby hair around my face, which infuriates me as it never stays put. I find that putting some of the serum on straight after a shower does a great job of taming those annoying flyaways, and I am excited to start using it again.

 

Lastly, I have not had a chance to try out the Q Body Spray yet. However, I'm really excited to give it a go as it has a really beautiful, light smell to it. The bottle says floral, but it somehow smells quite citrussy to me. Regardless, it smells good, so who really cares. I am visiting Singapore during the summer, which I've heard gets rather toasty, so this will definitely be going in my case!

 

Overall, I think my favourite items are the Figs & Rouge and the Nuxe products, although there is nothing in the box that I am disappointed by. I am very impressed with the contents of my first ever Glossybox, and I cannot wait for the next one. Roll on July!

 

 

Did you get any of the same products? Do you like them as much as I do? Let me know!

S.

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