Nailbox - A new kind of Subscription Box

It's no lie that I am a huge fan of subscription boxes, I love the excitement (and sometimes disappointment) of what you might find in the box and equally there is usually something you would probably never buy or have come across if it wasn't in your box, which for me has been true on numerous occasions.

So when I was asked if I would like to try a Nailbox**, I was intrigued. I love nail polish as much as everyone else and am always bamboozled by how much choice there is out there. I am one of those people who is awful at making a decision, so picking a new nail polish is just often beyond me and I always seem to opt for the same sort of shade - a dark purpley red/black and I often chastise myself for not trying something new.

Anyway, Nailbox is a brand new, monthly subscription box full of the hottest nail polish and essential nail tools.  The contents of the box are kept as a total surprise, all you know is that each month you'll receive a nailbox with three or four nail colours, and one or two nail tools or treatments. Occasionally they may send other beauty or cosmetic items instead of a nail tool or treatment.

So how does it work?  Well, there are four different subscription plans which you can read more about here, that said costing just £15 per month (inclusive of packaging) and is an absolute bargain when you see the contents, I think you will be pleasantly surprised too. Once the payment is taken, your box should arrive around 21st of each Month and it comes via Royal Mail.   When it arrives, it comes in a brown cardboard box which is nothing fancy or over the top, but the contents inside are really securely wrapped.  So here are the contents of my box:

So as you can see in my box, I have four stunning shades of polish which are most definitely summery shades and they are from some amazing brands - Essie, OPI, Rimmel and Orly.  I really like each of the shades which are as follows:

• Orly - Fiery Orange and within it, it has chunks of glitter which looks great on their own or over other polishes. It has an rrp £9.50
• Essie - Status Symbol which is a fiesty hot pink shade which I really like and is perfect for the summer. It has an rrp £7.99
• Rimmel - Lucky Lilac is a lovely lilac shade and it literally does dry in 60 seconds and ive only used one coat. It has an rrp £4.99
• Nicole by OPI - Alex by the books which is quite a cool name is a minty seagreen shade once it has dried. It has an rrp £7.95

Add to that to the Elegant Touch Cuticle Pusher and nail cleaner which has an rrp £9.50 and is used to tidy up those cuticles and help with cleaning underneath nails.

The total value of this box is just under £40 which is absolutely amazing value for money and I just love the whole concept.

Is this something you would like to subscribe too?

Magnitone Lucid Daily Cleanser & Exfoliating Brush

A few weeks ago, you might have seen the hashtag #BHTWITTERPARTY with the lovely people of the bloggers hub, this is the second one I have taken part in and essentially it is an opportunity to tweet and become lucky to try some fabulous products. I was lucky enough to be sent the magnitone lucid* in this fabulous pink shade and having never used one before, despite buying one as a present for my goddaughter, I was excited to give it a go and see what all the fuss is about.

Despite being a blogger for years, I have never tried a cleansing brush before. This Magnitone brush claims to leave your skin not only feeling softer, brighter but also clearer skin in just seven days due to its ability to gently exfoliate and give those pores some deep cleaning, all of which is quite a bold statement to make.

In the box there is an adaptor plug, this is already a huge massive thumbs up from me because the number of products I have bought/been sent which don't have a UK plug with them is really annoying. Not only does it have the plug, but on the bottom of the brush handle is this magnetic plug point, which you can remove whilst using, to helpfully charge it and keep everything together, once fully charged it lasts for 2 weeks before you need to charge it again, so it is a great device for holidays.

Powered by what is referred to as 'Active Electromagnetic Technology™', the Magnitone Lucid uses enhanced electromagnetic pulsations which send rapid vibrations into skin. Sounds quite scary when you read that but what they actually are doing is unclogging those pores whilst sweeping away dry and dead skin cells. This is then said to leave you with that clearer complexion. As you use the brush, it is said that it does over 10,000 movements per minute (wow) and this allows your skin to absorb all those products you put onto it to keep it soft, smooth, wrinkle and line free much better because those lotions, potions, gels and serums don't have to fight their way through the skin, past all that dirt and grime to work their magic.

When it comes to using, the Magnitone Lucid could not be easier, though I would always recommend reading the manual which accompanies it for reference, you need to ensure your face is damp and then taking your cleanser of choice, ensure you have got some on the white brush, (not your face) choose your setting, be it normal or one for those with senstive skin and then once switched on, move it around your face in circular motions.  When I first used this I was quite surprised at how quiet it was compared to what I was expecting, though there is of course some buzzing as you use it.  The bristles on the brush are incredibly soft, so they are not overly abrasive and they don't scratch your skin but you can feel it on the skin.  As you move around your face, I tend to stick to problematic areas for around 20-30 seconds each time I use it, my cleanser, which is a foaming cleanser, gets to work its magic.

My skin is combination. I have an oily tzone with dry patches of skin on both cheeks. I don't have enlarged pores and I do double cleanse every night because living in London, all that pollution is not good for your skin, so to that end, my skin has adapted really well to the Magnitone, bearing in mind I was told not to use one. I don't use the brush every day as I don't feel my skin needs it, but I do use it three times a week currently and I absolutely love it. Like a twit, I deleted all my before photos when trying to free up memory space on my card, but my work colleagues have noticed a difference in my skin. Not only does it feel clean after using the brush, the kind of clean you feel after a really good facial, but it is so soft and smooth and probably in better condition than it has been since I moved to London 15 years ago, that is how impressed I am with this little device. 

The Magnitone Lucid is priced at just £69.99 but right now you can get 20% off, in the colour of your choice using my discount code BLOVE20 so be sure to go and snap one up here quick! (expires 31st July 2015)

Will you be getting yourself a Magnitone Lucid? What do you think of brush cleansers? Do you have a favourite one?

LookFantastic Beauty Box - July

The July Lookfantastic box arrived a few days ago, which is really quick considering we are only just into July and it has a value of £50. This month we have six delightful products to try out, some of which come from my favourite brands and others I have yet to try something from, so here are the contents:

First up is a handy sized 10ml pot of Trilogy Everything Balm. I am a huge fan of Trilogy and have had this balm on my 'must try' list for some time now, so I am delighted to see it in this box. Described as being a multi-purpose balm it comes with the following information 

"Soothe, soften and condition skin anywhere on the face or body with Trilogy Everything Balm, the perfect multi-tasking beauty tool, ideally sized for travel. Helping to replenish, repair and soothe, it makes the perfect handbag-sized protectant.

Everything Balm combines antioxidant-rich certified organic marula oil and certified organic rosehip oil, both revered for their skin healing and preservative properties, as well as jojoba, olive, avocado, honey and vitamin E to deeply nourish your skin. Softening dry elbows, knees, hands and feet, Trilogy Everything Balm provides pure and natural skin care for baby and makes dry lips delicious again".

The second product is from another of my favourite brands Nuxe and this time it is the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (7ml). Suitable for all skin types, the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is described as a "Multi Usage Dry Oil is the perfect choice for your face-nourishing needs. After use, your face will be velvety soft and your skin will look healthier than ever before. If you decide to use this multi-use oil on your hair, it will quickly become more supple and full of volume and shine, without feeling greasy". Included is lots of vitamin E, which makes sure that the skin is repaired and softened. It also includes various plant oils, which are very efficient at removing any visible signs of stretch marks.

Monu are next with a 30ml Monu Fiji Facial Treatment Oil. I have tried a few Monu products to date and have always been really impressed with this. The Fiji Facial Oil is a soothing facial oil which has been formulated to nourish and protect the skin whilst preventing dehydration. This product uses a blend of rosewood oil and patchouli provide essential protection to soothe dry skin and stimulate your complexion.  It is also Paraben free.

I am always delighted to see a Balance Me product in any beauty box and within this one there is the fabulous Pure Skin Facial Wash. I have used this product before and had run out, so it is always handy to have a spare one around just in case. 

This face wash is perfect for Balancing normal/combination skin, calming congestion and preventing breakouts. This gentle cleanser removes make-up and impurities without stripping away skins moisture. Described as a "Super-fast and effective to use, this gentle, wash-off face cleanser effortlessly removes all make-up and impurities. To improve and smooth the appearance of congested, inflamed complexions we’ve blended together balancing grapefruit and petit grain, with soothing frankincense essential oils and calming spruce knot extract. We have also packed this skin-boosting cleanser full with anti-oxidant rich moringa and rice bran oils to help brighten and illuminate dull skin with every wash. Use in the morning to wake up and revive tired complexions, or in the evening for skin that feels squeaky clean no matter what it has faced".

Next is The Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo which is a brand I have never come across. The shampoo is designed to be used once or twice a month and is described as "Rid your hair of built up impurities with the Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo. Paraben and sulphate free, the detoxing shampoo is gentle in formula but tough on grime. Deeply cleansing, the blend of mild ingredients work to exfoliate your hair, rejuvenating every strand for purified, soft results. Can be used as little as once a month dependent on your lifestyle and even as an invigorating body wash for your skin. Suitable for all hair types" so this is a product I am really looking forward to trying out.

The final product in the box is a Lord & Berry Ultimate Lip Liner. Lip liners are one of those beauty products I should probably buy and use but never do. This is described as a nude version which is waterproof, infused with macadamia oil and waterlily extracts and is said to be highly blendable. Of all the products within the box, this is the one I am probably least likely to use, but as it is there, I might try it out eventually.

I think this month’s box is a great box, it is nice to see a mixture of products from some brands I know and recognise to some that I know little or nothing about.

What do you think to the July Box?

Magazine Freebies - August 2015

Everyone loves a good Magazine Freebie, I know I do and each month I have a look and decide whether or not it is a product I want, need or have been waiting to try. Last Month I did a preview of the July freebies - HERE and to be honest it was a fantastic month, so I had high hopes for the August freebies and here they are: 

InStyle UK - This freebie I have already succumbed to because it is one product I have really wanted to try.  This month there is a 50ml version of the new St. Tropez In Shower Gradual tan.  I am not really a fake tan fan but I loved the sound of this one when I read a few review about it and have been itching to try it out.

Also inside InStyle UK you will find a little coupon on page 156 to grab yourself some free L'Occitane Almond Velvet Balm (Which I reviewed HERE) and Almond Supple Skin Oil.  Plus there is also a 15% off code for FeelUnique!

Marie Claire - This month is perfect for you if you not only love nail polish but love Ciate nail polish. This month Marie Claire features a mini Ciate polish duo with a top coat and a coloured shade and there are six different shades available, so hunt around for your favourite and they are worth £10.

Elle - This month you get three trial sized products from the Organic Pharmacy which consists of a moisturiser, cleanser and lip balm. The set is worth £13 which for three products, though they are mini, is great value for money and they are the perfect sizes for long weekend away.

Harpers Bazaar - Moving onto hair care this month with Harpers Bazaar and they have a luxury shampoo and conditioner duo from the fabulous L'Occitane worth £11.

Red - This is again another freebie for the nail polish fans out there.  This month there is a choice of four different summery shades of Jessica nail polish, all of which are full-size and retail for about £10 each.

Cosmopolitan - This month, Cosmo offer a choice of a lipgloss which is in three different shades or a mascara from New CID makeup.  Together it is claimed they are worth £60 and they are all full sized items.

You can see the freebies in a bit more detail on my Instagram page.

Will you be picking up any of these freebies?