Beauty Boxes - Do you need them?

This coming week on my blog I am going to devote each day to a different Beauty Box. Why? Well they are a big part of the bloggers blogging life for me and they take me through a roller coaster of emotions each month/quarter when they are due to arrive or when I am notified by email I need to do some product choosing. But do we need them?

When I first stated blogging, I had only ever heard of Glossybox because some non-blogging friends has subscribed and they raved about how good it was, so I hopped aboard the bandwagon and now over a year later, I still subscribe.  Now there are more and more of these boxes coming onto the market and I have tried some amazing ones, many as a one off and some as I have mentioned I subscribe too.   Glossybox, Birchbox, Look Fantastic box, Wantable Box, You Discovery, My Little Box, Latest in Beauty, Love Lula Box, SoukSouk, Memebox, Fragrance Shop Discovery Club and Love Me Beauty to name all of the ones off the top of my head.  I have no doubt there are more, so if you subscribe to others, please do let me know.  

So why are they important to me? As I have said, it is all about those roller coaster of emotions when you know that something is on its way.  The one box I always know the contents of is You Discovery Beauty box because, unlike others, you get to choose two items from a list of products.  I am glad I get to do this with one box because, let's me honest, so beauty boxes have been shockingly bad and their contents really really awful, so knowing I am getting two products I have chosen, is a relief but still exciting at the same time.  The word excitement is also quite important with these boxes.  Not knowing what you are going to get within these boxes is exciting, even if your box turns out to be a bit rubbish, it is exciting until you unwrap it, the deflation afterwards is another emotion to deal with as well, the whole screwing up your top lip to form an impression of Elvis is something I have done on more occasions than I care to remember, but I still subscribe!  

The other reason I subscribe is because I love beauty products - whether they are for skincare, hair care, body care, foot care, face care, make-up, nail polish or beauty tools to name but a few things, I love them, want them and relish trying them out.  A lot of the products I have received over time are ones I probably would never have tried, had I not been sent it in a beauty box, on the reverse, I have come across products I would never use again.  So there is always a 50/50 chance with these boxes that you like or hate the enclosures.

My own experience with the boxes I have had, has been more positive than negative.  The brands I have come across, such as Caudalie, Rodial, Dr Jart+ and one of my holy grail products Dr Lipp Nipple Balm to name some of them.  

As always, people will have their own views on whether or not here boxes are worth the money we pay for them and how much better that money could be spent and I am genuinely interested in all of those views.  This week you will be seeing reviews on Birchbox, Glossybox, You Beauty, Look Fantastic Box and a new box which I was lucky enough to attend the launch of this week and I would love to know your thoughts on each and everyone of them and if there is a box you absolutely would recommend singing up too!

As for whether or not we need them, well probably not, but they are a bit of fun, you never know what you might come across and the rollercoaster of emotions you feel whilst waiting for the impending arrival is often worth every penny!  Do you agree?

So do you subscribe to Beauty Boxes? Do you have a favourite? 

Is there one you really want to try?

Kosmea Daily Skincare

I love being introduced to new brands, one of the best things about being a blogger is the introduction to brands you might never have heard of, thought of using or have put off using.  Kosmea is an Australian skincare brand which has recently become available in the UK and when I was offered the opportunity to put some of their products to the test I jumped at the chance.  Why? well I liked their ethos for a start which is "skincare as nature intended" which for me intrigued me enough to want to find out more. 

The products are based around the certified healing properties of organic Rosehip Oil which is packed full of essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants making it ideal for ideal for dry, scarred, sensitive and sun-damaged skin.  Kosmea products also contain no SLS, mineral oils, petrochemicals and artificial colours or fragrances.

The two products I was sent to try was the replenishing moisturising cream and radiance 24/7 youth boost.

Replenishing Moisture Cream 50ml - £28.95

Described as being "Like a multi-vitamin pill for the skin and the perfect base for make-up" it is suitable for all skin types and contains: Rosehip Oil, Carrot Oil, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Rose Flower Water, Jojoba Seed Oil, horsetail, nettle and Green Tea just to name a few!

When I first went to use this cream I was surprised to find that it wasn't that perfect white colour I had been so used to using with other moisturising creams, instead it has a slightly yellow tone to it.  The formula is fairly thick in texture and you need just the smallest amount to cover your entire face and neck.  When using this cream you are advised to apply after cleansing and then massage it into your face and neck.

Once applied to the skin, the first thing you notice is the lovely scent.  The kind of scent you find in a spa during a facial, that lovely clean essential oil scent that is really relaxing and leaves you safe in the knowledge the ingredients are doing something nice to your skin, which, in this case they are. The Organic rose hip oil helps to nurture your skin because it hosts skin-protecting antioxidants and essential fatty acids. The carrot oil provides a natural source of Vitamin A which then helps to improve elasticity. Horsetail and nettle extract, for me the two most intriguing ingredients are said to aid in the rebuilding of collagen, helping to plump out those fine lines and wrinkles. Green tea extract, which is an antioxidant protects against the signs of ageing.

So this cream is definitely hydrating.  With all this change in the weather, one minute it is warm, then very warm then raining, my skin becomes a bit of a nightmare and needs a bit of TLC and this cream has been absolutely amazing at keeping my face hydrated.  I am lucky that I am yet to find those fine lines or wrinkles, but what it has done is ease the puffiness under my eyes due to lack of sleep and it has left my skin looking much healthier, much more plumper and my complexion that bit brighter, meaning as one of my colleagues says "OOh you are positively glowing today, what make-up or cream are you slapping on"!

Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost - 20ml £29.95

Described as being a product which "Boost your skins radiance 24/7 with this powerhouse combination of antioxidant rich berry oils". it arrives in this little 20ml glass bottle and excitingly has a pipette to help with distribution. It uses the active ingredients of rose hip oil, seabuckthorn oil, apricot oil, pomegranate oil and camelia oil.

As someone with combination skin which leads towards the oily side, I was always afraid of using facial oils, I assumed quite wrongly that I would be left with an even shinier looking face, when in actual fact, every oil I have tried has done the exact opposite.

Firstly the oil is a bright orange colour, almost the colour of carrots and it has quite a fruity scent to it.  Naturally because this is an oil, its consistency is obviously very runny, but once it is on the skin, it does absorb very well into the skin, and it doesn't leave any oily residue behind.  I have found that just three drops of the oil is plenty to ensure my face has been covered.  So using the pipette, I drop the oil into the palm of my hands, rub them together and apply to my face, as with any cream, massaging the oil into the skin.  

When it comes to using this oil, the instructions advise you to apply 2-3 drops to clean, damp skin morning and night, I have been using this two or three times a week in an evening after I have double cleansed rather than in a morning and once it is on the skin, there is a definitely softness and when I wake up the following morning, my skin is so soft and smooth, I almost don't feel the need to add a moisturiser to my face (but of course I do).

I have become a huge fan of these two products, whenever I feel my skin is in need of a boost and some TLC, these products are the ones I would go too without question. 

Have you tried any products from Kosmea? 

Vichy Idealia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream!

Vichy is not a company whose products I had used many of, infact until I got my hands on this Idealia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream it is fair to say they were not a brand on my radar, since then I've been been to a Blogger Event which introduced me to Dermablend, but that's a whole new post.

The Idealia cream came into my life via the BBBBox which I was lucky enough to get my hands on and then I have had quite a few samples from a Glossybox which you can see HERE.  What I love about this particular product is the cuteness of the tub, it is so small and dinky, yet perfect for travelling and having in your bag should you want too.

What Vichy say: "Vichy Idealia Smoothing & Illuminating Cream visibly smoothes the appearance of wrinkles, and leaves skin's texture refined, and softer. It re-awakens the skin's natural radiance for a fresh, and even complexion".

First things first, this cream smells amazing, infact it is more like a soufflé than a cream because it is just so soft to the touch not mention that it is pink, is there anything else you want from a cream? As soon as you apply it to your skin it most definitely does leave your skin feeling so much smoother and it does instantly brighten the skin, giving that a fresh faced glow look. It also illuminates the skin and I tend to apply it underneath my foundation because it not only makes for a much easier and smoother application, but you can also the glow comes through giving an instant sheen in the skin.

This is my second 15ml pot and it really does last a good 4-6 weeks of using it everyday and it is most definitely one that I would consider purchasing once I have used up my current cream and I would quite happily make my way through the rest of the range, knowing how good this cream is.

Vichy Idealia is available for dry skin and normal/combination skin, it contains fortifying Vichy Thermal Spa Water. It is Paraben-free and suitable for sensitive skin and it costs between £14-£22 online.

Have you tried anything from this range? Is there anything you would really recommend?

Wantable Make-up Box for February

I don't know whether you have heard of Wantable and that they now ship to the UK?  Well I was offered the chance to try and test out of their boxes** for review purposes.  The choice of boxes with Wantable are:

• Make-up - within your box you will get 4-5 full sized products
• Fashion Accessories - 3-4 boutique accessories
• Intimate - 4-5 premium essentials

All the products you get within your box come from your profile which you set-up and then complete a series of questions answering how much you like/dislike things, it is quite a comprehensive form and the idea is that it is used to select products for you box, so for example, if you don't like mascara, you can say so and you should not get any within your box.

I opted for the make-up box to try and test, completed my questionnaire and firstly, I was quite impressed with how sturdy the box is and how really nice packaged the contents were as to avoid them getting broken, dented or smashed during its shipment.

Now to the contents in a bit more detail:

ncLA Nail Lacquer - retails for $16

In shade Drop Dead Gorgeous which is deep royal blue shade with added sparkle, I am yet to try this, but it is the kind of shade I would wear on my toes.

LAQA & Co - Fat lip pencil in Wolfman - retails for $18

This isn't a product I have come across before, though I do love how pretty the shade is and it is really lovely once applied.

DEX New York Lipgloss - retails for $18

The shade of this is called Christopher Street Orchid and as you can see from the picture above it is a lovely shade of pink and once on the lips it is slightly tacky, but not so much that I want to rub it off.  It looks great on its own or over some lipstick

Sorme Shimmer Glow - retails for $24.5

This is a sparkling mineral face and body bronzer in Bronzed 85 and it is like nothing I have used before.  You simply shake the powder down into the brush by turning it upside down and then brush it over your face and body as you deem appropriate.  Inside the wand, the shade does look quite dark, but once applied it is quite light and there is a lot of sparkle.

Sorme Anti-aging Trial Size - retails for $0

It says on the packet that this is a silky perfecting primer which smoothes skins surface, fills in wrinkles and diminishes discolourations for flawless long lasting make-up.  It then goes on to say "cliniqually proven Dermaxyl helps reduce the depth of lines, wrinkles and crows feet as Vitamins A, C and E plus nourishing Grape Seed Oil hydrate the skin and help prevent free radical damage".  So quite a lot of claims for this little sachet to live up too and I am looking forward to putting it to the test. 

Wantable boxes cost $36 per box, which is roughly £21-£22 per month, my box is worth a whopping $76.5 or £46 which is amazing really and I have been introduced to some new brands and some products I have never used before. 

If this is something you think you might like to try, simply click HERE and choose your box.

My Favourite Products of 2013 - Part 3

So far I have brought to you my favourite hair and body and lip products for 2013 and today you get to read about my favourite face products.

Face

I found this one of the easiest categories to put together from all of the ones that I am sharing with you in this little series of posts.

DermaCo Revitalising Toner - I was introduced to DermaCo back in August and reviewed the product I am featuring today which you can see HERE.  This is my second bottle of the Toner which shows how much I really like.  It looks really good alonside my other products which sit on my bedside table and when I use it, it leaves me skin feeling soft, smooth and incredibly clean and there is no horrible chemical scent which used to put me off wanting to use Toners.

HealGel Face and Eye - Two products that would always feature in my favourites because they are just that.  I reviewed the Eye product which you can find HERE and the Face version is coming up on my blog shortly. From the packaging which is superb to the effects this product claims and lives up to, it is brilliant.

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil - One of my favourite brands to date, Balance Me introduced me to the world that is facial oil, a product that I never thought I would be able to using having combination/oily skin.  This was the first facial oil I used and I reviewed it HERE and I still love how it makes my skin feel.

La-Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water - a product I bought on the recommendation of other bloggers and one that I have enjoyed using, particularly when we had that hot blast of weather in the summer. I reviewed it HERE and love how it refreshed my skin whilst cooling me down during those hot few weeks.

Simple Kind to Skin Illuminating Radiance Cream - I am a huge huge fan of Simple products because you get exactly what you pay for and they do what they claim to do.  I love this Skin Illuminating Radiance Cream which I reviewed HERE and I love how it made my skin feel once I had applied it and it certainly adds a little something.

Origins High Potency Night A Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream - Which is a bit of a mouthful to say but worth saying.  I got this cream in my goody bag after attending my very first blogger event with Company magazine and I had been looking for a good night cream and having been given this decided to try it out.  A review of it is coming soon but what I can say about it is that the cream itself is a really lovely texture which sinks into your skin as soon as it is applied and in the morning when I wake up, my skin feels lovely and moisturised, so it is especially good when my skin is needing a little TLC.

There you have my favourite skin care products of 2013, seven of them in total and each one of them has been a product I have gone back to time and time again.  

Would or have any of these products feature in your favourite products list?

Hand Chemistry - The hand cream that promises 10 years in 10 days!

Hand Chemistry from the makers of Inhibitif is descirbed and referred to as 'The hand cream that promises 10 years in 10 days' and I have some right now which I am going to put to the test.

It is described as follows:

"Concentrated multi- functional hand cream targets 8 signs of hand aging simultaneously. The extraordinary 19.5% active complex concentration visibly improves firmness, elasticity, density, evenness, brightness, texture, smoothness and hydration"

Designed to be used and applied to clean hands both in the morning and in the evening results should be visible in as little as 11 days with continued improvement for up to 2 months. Continue use to maintain results. Intended for use on hands and forearms only.

Tube Posters

This hand cream arrives in a rather fetching white and pink coloured box and inside is a matching tube.  Everything you need to know about this product can be found on the box and it includes a list of ingredients and you will see that it is tested on humans.

The cream itself is not too thick a consistency and is very easily absorbed into the skin where it leaves behind a lovely citrus scent and an immediate softness of the skin on your hands which lasts until you next apply the cream.  What I like about this cream is that it is designed to be used twice a day and not constantly, so once again, for me, I tend to use it as part of my morning and evening skin regime when I am washing my face and applying moisturising cream anyway, it is no extra hassle and I am really excited to see what the results will actually be like.  Below you will find a photograph of my hands before I started to use this hand cream and in 11 days time, I will report back on my findings and show another photo to see what the difference is.

Project Shoebox - needs YOUR help!

So I have Grace from AllThatSlap to thank for alerting me to this amazing cause that I too had to share with you.

Project Shoebox was an idea brought to life by a lady called Kate just 6 weeks ago and she, like many of us Beauty Bloggers has a bit of an addiction to buying beauty products and then a few weeks later realising we have so many that there are not enough hours in the day to not only use them or review them but we forget about them too. Kate took it upon herself to ring her local shelter for woman to see if they could make some use of the product she did really need. Many of these women are victims of domestic violence, who have been traumatized and often have to leave their homes with absolutely nothing, just the clothes they are wearing.

The appeal itself is asking for any unwanted beauty products to give to these women at a shelter who have been through a lot during this year, and Christmas may not be something they are looking forward to or have any presents to either give or receive.

I am the first to admit that I could probably fill more than one shoebox and I am guilty of having products sat around that I bought and didn't like so just leave them there until I eventually throw them out.  But rather than throwing them out, this year I am giving them to this fantastic cause and I hope some of you will be doing the same too.   This is just some of the stuff that has been sent to support this project to date:

All of these photos have been kindly given to me by Katie herself and feature her baby son. As you can see, there has been a lot of generosity so far, but still more is needed. Below you will find a list of what are deemed accepted products, naturally they are preferable unused:

*The Basics List*

Toothbrush and paste
Shower gel
Shampoo
Some sort of moisturiser
Tampons/towels

*Luxury List*

Hair conditioner
Hair products - spray, mousse, gel, etc
Body lotion, cream
Hand/Foot cream
Facial wash/cleanser, toner, moisturiser
Body scrub/loofah
Make up remover
Make up - unused mascara, lippy, etc
Cosmetics
Razors
Hairbrush/comb

If you think it a worthy cause, please give what you can. Simply go to the Facebook page which you can find by clicking here, send them a note with your postcode and a paid label to simply print off, as well as a list of local shops for you to drop your goodies off to will be given to you as quick as that.  It really couldn't be easier.

So get rooting through those drawes, cupboards,boxes, bags, sacks and anywhere else you hide your stash and give it to someone who needs it much more than you do!