Birchbox x Skinny Dip

This month Birchbox have teamed up with Skinny Dip to create two fantastically designed limited edition boxes which are pastel coloured, shell printed, foil boxes that are just brilliant. If you are a Birchbox subscribers then you can add the Birchbox x Skinny Dip phone case to your box for an additional £4 (rrp £12) and I just love it, slightly see-through, it protects all of the main compenents of your phone, it includes a screen protector and features the shell print to mirror that of the Birchboxes - fab!

Inside the boxes you will find five amazing products and one beauty treat and they are:

Living Proof Restore Instant Repair Cream - This is a brand I have never come across but I like the sound of this product. If you haven't been to the hairdressers in ages (looks sheepish) and your hair is in need of some TLC this lightweight formula smooths and coats the hair shaft, sealing frayed ends while helping prevent new ones. It is also said to make hair up to 15 times stronger, without leaving it greasy or weighed-down. The result? Soft, shiny hair that looks freshly cut - even if your last trim was months ago. You can find it here.

Cowshed Cow Pat Hand Cream - If ever there is a brand to make me snort with laughter it is Cowshed with their product names and who wouldn't want to use a hand cream called cow pat?  Described as being a rich and luxurious, non-greasy yet deeply hydrating hand cream that is packed with nourishing Shea and Cocoa butters with a sprinkling of lavender, grapefruit, and cinnamon, the rich formula quickly absorbs into the skin for never-greasy hydration. This is a full sized 50ml tube and can be found here.

Lord and Berry Silhouette Neutral Lip Liner - If like me you are one of those people who doesn't tend to bother with a lipliner then this might be for you. It is a waxy and completely transparent lip liner and you simply line the lips as you would with any lip liner to prevent your lipstick from smudging, feathering or bleeding and best of all it is totally invisible so you don't have to worry about it matching or being a close match to your favourite lipstick. You can find it here.

REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial - I am a huge fan of REN skincare products and so is my skin, so having this product in the box excites me because I have been wanting to try it for ages.  Described as being a complex of glycolic and lactic acids help to refine and brighten skin tone by triggering cell renewal while omega 3 and sodium lactate, it will repair, soothe and moisturise your skin whilst you sleep and right now, overnight masks are one of my favourite products to use, especially with this horrid weather, so I am looking forward to giving this a go. You can find it here if you want to know more.

Trilogy Make Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm - This is a product I have also been wanting to try for months and I have to admit, I have already used this one and it is as good as I had hoped it would me.  The balm is formulated with a rich blend of pure plant oils and it melts on contact with warm skin and is capable of removing and dissolving every last scrap of make-up to leave your complexion perfectly cleansed, soft, and silky-smooth.

The final item in the box is a perfume sample by English Laundry and it is the Notting Hill Femme Eau de Parfum. I am probably one of the very few that loves a perfume sample in a box, I subscribe to one because I think it is brilliant. The scent of this I absolutely love and it is my favourite scent from English Laundry to date, iand is described as "This fresh, classic scent opens with notes of bergamot, mandarin, and cassis. The heart of the fragrance is pure walk-in-the-garden bliss, blending jasmine, rose, and cyclamen with herbal and green notes. Warm wood, vanilla, and amber round out the scent". It is definitely citrusy from the first spritz but once it settles on the skin, it dies down slightly, the floral notes comes through and it is just divine and has a great longevity about it, pretty much lasting all day long. It costs just £60 for an you can find it here.

One the back of the enclosed booklet you will also find a A £10 giftvoucher to spend at Skinny Dip which is a nice little extra, especially when ive had eye on three different phone cases for months.

I think this is an absolutely brilliant box and one of the best from Birchbox that I have been lucy enough to receive. You can purchase your own here via Birchbox for £10 (+£2.95 p&p).

Back to Basics with Birchbox

Last Month Birchbox celebrated it's 5th Birthday with an incredible box of beauty products and I reviewed it right here. This month subscribers were able to choose which box they would like to receive and it was a choice of the Stylist guest editor box or the back to basic. Yesterday I featured the guest editor box so today, I am sharing the Back to Basic box with you and I would love to know which you would prefer. 

The Back to Basic box is all about mastering the beauty basics which means discovering those everyday essential items. Inside the box are 5 beauty essentials.

The first item is the Eyeko Fat Liquid Eyeliner.  I quite like the look of this eyeliner and am hoping I can get to grips with it. It is a chubby eyeliner pen which is enriched with nourishing algae extract, this liner glides on smoothly for a high-impact look.

Then we have a product which is pretty much a must have item for me and that is Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat.  It does everything it says on the tin, or in this case bottle and it is brilliant. If you haven't tried it and love your manicures, then you need this product.

The third item is Bioderma Hydrabio H2O. Described as being the beauty editors favourite and is a daily cleanser for dehydrated and sensitive skin contains the patented water-retaining complex Aquagenium® to help activate the skin's natural moisturising capacities. Gentle on your skin, it’s alcohol and colourant free and has even been tested under ophthalmological supervision to help protect your eyes.

One item everyone needs is toothpaste and Regenerate Enamel Science™ Advanced Toothpaste not only has a minty-fresh formula protect against cavities and boost original whiteness, but it also works to reverse the early invisible signs of enamel erosion process.  For me, my teeth are just as important as any other part of my body and are something I take great care of (I also have a major false teeth phobia).

Finally we have two products from the Beaver Professional Range, a brand I have never come across until now. In the box there is a Hydro Nutritive Moisturizing Shampoo and a sachet of conditioner, both of which are Birchbox Exclusives! They are both perfect for dry and damaged hair and the shampoo acts as mild cleanser using moisturising avocado oil and aloe vera extracts to repair and rebuild hair, leaving it smoother, softer and shinier. The conditioner deeply nourishes and strengthens dry, frizzy, or damaged hair, leaving it softer, smoother, and healthier looking.

So there you have the Back to Basics Birchbox.  I would love to know what you think to this box and the one I showcased yesterday.  Do you have a preference for which box you think is best? Is there a product which stands out to you?

Birchbox Stylist Guest Editor Box

Last Month Birchbox celebrated it's 5th Birthday with an incredible box of beauty products and I reviewed it right here. This month subscribers were able to choose which box they would like to receive and it was a choice of the Stylist guest editor box or the back to basic. Today I am featuring the guest editor box and tomorrow you can see the basic box and decide which would you prefer. 

The Stylist Guest Editor Box is packed full of must have products chosen by Stylist's Beauty Editor Joanna MGarry and it is described as being the box for those self-confessed beauty buffs. Inside the box are 5 deluxe beauty must-haves which are:

Rituals Yogi Flow. Rituals do some of the best smelling products I have ever used and the Jasmine Dream Candle remains a firm favourite within my collection and is the only candle I have repurchased. Yogi Flow is
a shower foam which smells just divine. It uses the scents of Indian Rose and Sweet Almond Oil to alert your senses and leave your skin feeling really soft and smooth and smelling just amazing.

Next we have the cult product Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water . My experience of Micellar waters isn't great and I am yet to find one I like, so perhaps this little sample can change my mind. It is described as being fantastic for all skin types, but in particular if you have sensitive skin, this miracle removes-everything cleanser is what you’ve been waiting for.

I am a huge of sheet masks, so I am delighted to see one I haven't yet come across. The When Travelmate Sheet Mask is said to help restore skin after sun, wind and dry air damage. It is also great for locking in that much needed moisture your skin needs as the season changes and gets colder and it only takes up 30 minutes of your time which makes it perfect for a good pamper session.

Next is a sample of the English Laundry No.7 For Her perfume. I know some people dislike sample perfumes in their boxes, but I quite like them. This perfume is described as being bright and fruity and it includes top notes of sparkling pear, jasmine, melon and apricot. Gardenia, blooming jasmine and toasted almonds are composed together as the middle notes. Adding beautiful depth to this fragrance, sandalwood, vanilla créme and musk are added to the base notes.  As a scent for me, it took me a few applications 

The next product is a full sized 100% Pure in Peach Bellini, a pretty, pink lip glaze. It comes nestled inside a cardboard tube and the lip glaze itself is packaged inside a round, silver bullet with white flowers emblazoned on it. The glaze itself applies really beautifully to the lip leaving them hydrated with a pop of pink shimmer.

Lastly is a product from a brand I have not come across until now and it is, Parlour by Jeff Chastain. Parlous is a Smoothing Blowout Spray and I am already impressed with the scent which is of ripe peaches but with an earthy tone to it. It is also simple to use. You simply spray it onto damp hair before blow drying to give your hair instant volume and shine. All products within this range are safe for colour-treated hair and are free of sulfates, parabens, and gluten.

So there it is in full, the Stylist Guest Editor Birchbox, what do you think of the box? Did you opt for this one?

Happy 5th Birthday Birchbox

Birchbox was the first beauty box company to launch in the UK, so it earns it status as being very special. Since then there seems to have been an explosion of other beauty boxes flooding the market, but with Birchbox celebrating their 5th birthday, it has clearly got something right.

For their birthday box, Birchbox have gone back to their roots in the USA with each product coming all the way from the good old USA and it is a great box!

My first item comes from New York and it is from Bliss. A 30ml tube of Foot Patrol is one of those all in one products. It exfoliates, cools and conditions your feet giving them a bit of TLC. Now after the Summer, my feet do need some TLC as I've pretty much lived in my Fitflops. Alpha hydroxy and salicylic acids slough skin while cooling peppermint stimulates tired toes and it does, as a cream, smell absolutely delightful and is instantly refreshing when applied. A top tip is to apply to your feet before going to bed, pop on your moisturising socks and wake up the following morning with incredibly smooth feeling skin.

Next there is a 30ml sample of Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant which hails all the way from Seattle. I am not familiar with the brand, so I am looking forward to giving it try. To use you apply once daily to clean skin using a cotton wool pad, you don't rinse off or remove but instead apply your moisturiser over the top. This product utilises Salicylic Acid to exfoliate, remove impurities, soften and brighten the complexion plus it is also said to reduce redness and build collagen.

Next I have a 30ml sample of John Masters Organics Citrus Neroli Detangler which hails all the way from New York. This conditioner uses Coconut Oil and Wheat amino acids to help detangle, repair and nourish the hair shaft, with neroli and grapefruit soothe those troublesome scalps. When using it, you can either rinse it out after 1-3 minutes or you can also use it as a leave in treatment.

Next up from San Francisco and Benefits POREfessional range which every subscriber will get to sample. ThePOREfessional Licence to Blot (which I reviewed here). For me this is a lifesaver of product. It works as an oil blotting stick which is designed to instantly mattify the skin, giving those of us with a slightly shiny t-zone a long-lasting shine-free complexion. This sample size if perfect for make up bags and for carrying in your handbag.

The fifth product is another that all subscribers will receive and it is Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip Pencil which comes all the way from Brooklyn.  My Lip Pencil came in the shade Humble Brag which is described as being a pretty blush pink shade and it is a multitasking item which can be used on the lips and cheeks. It is easy to apply and is really pigmented, much more so than I was expecting it to be. 

The final item is the Birchbrush. A product which you could say is the Birchbox alternative to the Tangle Teezer. Designed to sit comfortably in my hand, this bright orange brush is brilliant, I already love it and it does a great job of easing knots out of my hair without tugging and causing breakage and it also works really well if you have a hair mask on to brush it through and massage into the scalp, so again another fabulous multitasking tool to have.

I think this is a brilliant box.  It has a nice mixture of products which are all a really good size, perfect for a long weekend away, to pop into your handbag or to sample at home.

What do you think to the Birchbox Birthday Box?

June Birchbox with French Sole

So June has arrived much quicker than I thought it would and that means I am only one month away from getting another year older (sobs).  To put a smile on my face though the June Birchbox has arrived and it is just so pretty.

This month Birchbox have collaborated with French Sole for this box which features the most stunning Bassett Allsorts kind of design which really jumps out at you and it is one of the brightest boxes I have seen from Birchbox so far.  French Sole is the flat show of choice for celebrities such as Poppy Delevigne and Olivia Palermo and are described as being comfy and chic!  If you want to get your hands on them, the check out the Birchbox flash sale on June 16th!

Inside this months box are products that are designed to help you make feel fresh faced, cool and down with it!

Firstly is the Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave In Conditioner which is described as being a 'wonder spray detangler' which minimises frizz, safeguards colour and add shine.  The first thing I did was spritz it and it reminds me of Lee Stafford Poker Straight in scent, which I actually quite like, so I am looking forward to giving this a try.

The fabulous brand Cowshed are next with their Knackered Cow Relaxing Body Lotion.  I love Cowshed because whilst their product names a little bit tongue in cheek, everyone I have tried, I have loved.  Knackered Cow contains a lovely mix of essential oils such as lavender and eucalyptus which are not only incredibly relaxing but also beautifully scented too, so your skin is left soft, smooth and smelling amazing.

I was really happy to see a Penhaligon's pefume sample in this box, anyone who knows me will know I love a good perfume sample because it is nice to try a perfume on your skin away from department stores and boutiques to get a really feel as to how it smells. Iris Prima Eau De Parfum is described as being "an elegant fragrance which mingles fresh bergamot top notes with musky Sandalwood and sweet Vanilla". Once it settles on the skin, it smells absolutely divine and is a scent I could happily wear on a night out, or for a special occasion.

The next product is the Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Honey Nectar. I did have a different shade in my October Birchbox, but as I am a fan I am more than happy to add another to my growing list. Described as being super nourishing with ingredients like Shea Butter and Vitamin E, the lip balm adds a pop of colour to your lips as well as leaving them feeling soft, smooth and supple.

I was delighted to see a product from REN in my box too and it is one I was lucky enough to sample a few months ago. The Instant Firming Beauty Shot is a liquid matrix of hyaluronans and phycocolloids which instantly life and firm leaving your skin looking dramatically smoother, lighter and more youthful.

The serum is gel like, only it is a little runnier than your average gel, so you only need a small amount on the top of your finger to cover your entire face. When I used it for the first time, I was quite surprised to find that within half an hour of applying it, my face felt slightly tight and much firmer than usual and these effects lasted all day, 7 hours.

The final product inside the box is a packet of the STYL London Temporary Tattoos.   Whilst they are not really my thing, it isn't going to stop me from trying them out because they are little bit cool. 

If all of that isn't enough, then hidden at the bottom of my box was a drawstring shoe bag in matching print to my box and whilst it is perfect for carrying around a pair of flat shoes in your bag.  Anyone who lives in London will know how heavenly it is to carry a pair of flats around with you in times of need and this bag is perfect for the job, I love it.  If you don't use it for your shoes, it would also double up quite nicely as something to store in your make up, your make up brushes and so on.  

I think this is a fantastic box from Birchbox, it has a nice mixture of products to try and they are all really good sizes too.  There is not a single product in the box that I dislike and I cannot wait to give them all a try properly.  If you like the look of this box and want to get your hands on it then as you know

Birchbox is a monthly beauty box subscription which costs £12.95 a month.

What do you think to this box? 

Exclusive Benefit Mascara Masterclass with Birchbox

Last weekend I attended an event with Birchbox and Benefit, two great brands in one amazing Curls Best Friend pop-up shop for exclusive Benefit Mascara Masterclass.

I arrived at the store on time after a powerwalk from the tube to be greeted with all the lovely Birchbox girls, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting before. Warmly welcomed with a choice of cocktail or mocktail, I quickly made my decision and had a lovely time chatting to fellow bloggers whilst we waited for the event to start.

The event. based upon the March Birchbox, which gave subscribers the choice of three different Benefit Mascaras - Bad Gal, They're Real or the brand new Roller Lash, Lisa Potter-Dixon, who is Benefit's Head Make-up Artist was on hand on to show us some looks she had created using each of the mascaras and an abundance of other Benefit products.  

We were also able to ask questions along the way including advice on which products we could and should be using as well as Lisa giving us some of her top tips - for example... have you ever used Hoola on your eyes or lips? No me neither, but it is a tip I shall be taking away with me and this video shows you some amazing tips and it features the lovely Jessica, Birchbox Editorial Director and Lisa herself.

After the make-up demonstrations we were given the opportunity to go down into the salon to have our make-up and hair done using the products that Lisa had used (not literally) to demonstrate each look with.  The Salon was amazing, I could have spent hours in there just chatting to the staff who were all so helpful and lovely.  I had my make-up done by the lovely Alison, who herself gave me lots of hints and tips when it came to using Boing, Fine One One and the fabulous World Famous Neutrals Most Glamorous Nudes Ever kit, which I now feel I need in my life.

Finally, alongside some amazing cupcakes that were well and truly divine, we were all given an amazing goody bag to take home and play with and it was so incredibly generous, thank you Birchbox and Benefit.

Now there's still time to subscribe and select your very own Benefit mascara! Which mascara will you be choosing?  

Birchbox Slimbox

I love beauty boxes, there is something quite exciting about getting home from work to find a box waiting for you either on the doorstep. However,  more often than not,you get home to be greeted with the "sorry you were out" card knowing that. You dare to look on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or your blog reading list, everyone will have their box and will be merrily posting about it. So Birchbox have decided that to save us all from having to wait that extra 12/24 hours extra waiting should it your box be at the sorting office because they are introducing Slimbox!

So, the idea of Slimbox is that instead of the regular box, this one has been slimmed down to postbox size which means even with the outer packaging, it will fit through most standard sized letter boxes and it is so well made, it remains in tact having come through your letter box.  As you can see it has most definitely been slimmed if you look at the difference between the box I had in January and this one!  

So, inside your Slimbox, you still get your five/six decent sized sample products and within this box, which I have to say is just brilliant, the contents are: as follows:

T London Darjeeling Hand and Body Lotion - A light, silky, floral come citrus body lotion which smells absolutely delightful. Inspired by the delicate, reviving aroma of Darjeeling tea, this silky-soft lotion is packed with jojoba and aloe oils to moisturise and the subtle fragrance of Darjeeling to lift the spirits and renew the skin. This is a 50ml size which is brilliant.

Liz Earle Beauty Co Botanical Shine Shampoo - I am pretty new to the world of Liz Earle, so I am excited to see this product within the box.  Said to include West African shea butter, natural source vitamin E, shine-boosting apple and orange extracts plus naturally derived cleansers, this shampoo gently cleans without stripping to leave hair soft, shiny and smooth. Contains no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate.  This again is a 50ml sized bottle and I cannot wait to try it.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum - I am a huge fan of Caudalie products, especially the oils, so this is a product I am looking forward to trying. Described as being an oil-free serum which uses powerful grape-derived viniferine to promote even tone and a glowing complexion; fading the look of pesky dark spots and preventing them from making an unwelcome appearance. It is perfect for all skin types and the luxe formula is free of irritating ingredients like parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals. This is a 10ml sample.

the Balm Cindy Lou Manizer - this is a product I have heard and read a lot about and have never tried, so whilst it is quite a small sample, I am really looking forward to giving it a try.  Described as being a three-in-one highlighter, eyeshadow, and all-over shimmer it uses light-reflecting silica particles conceal blemishes and fine lines, while the honey colour leaves a sheer wash of shimmer.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black is the final product in the box and it is a full sized product worth £11.  Not a brand I have heard of before but it is a kohl pencil which is described as being a luxe, creamy liners deliver bold color that lasts and lasts. 

The final item in the Slimbox is from The Chia Co and it is a sachet of Oats and Chia. Not something I have every tried and I see so many people adding Chia seeds to everything that I can now find out what all the fuss is about. They come in a range of three flavours which are Banana and Mango, Apple and Spice or Mixed Berry which is the option I have.  The description is "Wholegrain oats and sun ripened chia are blended with the finest quality fruit and virgin coconut oil to give our ‘just add hot water’ Oats+Chia a creamy, dairy-free texture". 

So there you have it, the very first Slimbox which I think is just absolutely brilliant. It is packed full of brilliant products, all of which I have never used before, so it is even more exciting and the packaging is just brilliant, no more trips to the sorting office! Regular subscribers of Birchbox can opt to have their February box as a Slimbox. Birchbox costs £12.95 per month and this included postage and packaging.

What do you think to Slimbox? Are you wanting to sign up/swap your box over to it?