#LFLOVES Beauty Box - Valentines Day 2016

This months LookFantastic Beauty Box** is a thing of beauty. Decorated in bright fuscia pink with a gold heart and lettering, there is no denying that the Valentines theme is alive and kicking at Lookfantastic HQ. As well as the box, this month there is also a copy of the latest Elle Magazine which has been a delight to read.

The theme for this box is falling in love with products which make us feel beautiful and each item has been especially chosen by the Lookfantastic team because they love it so much, they hope we will too and it features everything from haircare, skincare, bodycare and make-up to do just that.

The first item out of the box is from MonuSpa, a brand I really like and it is the Monuspa Bali Massage Oil which is described as being a comforting treatment oil for the ultimate spa experience. Formulated with a blend of apricot kernel and grape seed oils, its formula can be added to the bath or shower to nourish and hydrate tired skin. A scent of relaxing sandalwood and rosewood rejuvenates the body and senses, leaving you feeling calm and relaxed with touchably soft, smooth skin. I have used a full sized bottle of this in the past and really enjoyed it, so I am glad to be able to add a bottle back into my stash.

The second item is from Bliss and it is the Pink Grapefruit and Aloe Body Butter. Described as being a sweet smelling nourishing body butter it is scented with a blend of sweet pink grapefruit and fresh, crisp aloe. Boasting a soft formula which never feels greasy, this body butter is suitable for everyday use and works to keep your skin feeling soft and supple. It does smell absolutely divine and I actually have been using it. Regular readers of Beautyqueenuk will know that I can be a bit lacking when it comes to body butters, but once I find one I like, I use it until it runs out.

The third item in the box is this really cute Denman Mini Keyring Brush. I am a huge fan of Denman Brushes and have a few within my stash at home and at work. I love that this is small enough to keep in my make up bag for being on the go.

KMS California are next with a bottle of Color Vitality Conditioner. KMS California Colorvitality Conditioner is infused with lilac and ginger, which help to calm your scalp and assist in gently cleansing your hair, while protecting from UV rays. Formulated with IOPS, (Inside Out Protective System), it penetrates deep into your hair, making it more vibrant and healthier.

The makeup item within the box is from a matte lipstick pencil from Lord & Berry , mine is shade Intimacy which is a dusky pink shade which is quite pretty, though I have been using it as a lip liner as I find it works well with one of my lipsticks perfectly.

The final item in the box is a new brand to Lookfantastic and it is the Hi Impact Eyes &Brow Perfector Palette. This is a brand new brand to Look Fantastic and it is designed to give you perfect brows, but it can also be used for eyeliner and eyeshadow too. It comes with a handy mirror and angled brush to help you achieve your desired look. 

I think this is a really cute box and I am pleased to see a new brand being included and one with a product I am looking forward to using. This Beauty Box is a monthly subscription box which offers you many different options when singing up, it could be a one off payment of £15 or you can sign up to a plan of 3,6 or 12 months.

What do you think to this edition?

DHC Olive Virgin Oil Swabs

Every so often I come across a product and wonder why on earth I hadn't thought of trying it, inventing it or even thinking of it when in need. So when I came across the DHC Olive Oil Swabs, it was one of those 'OMG this is genius, why did I not think of this' moments and a complete life changer all in one.

DHC, which stands for "Daigaku Honyaku Center, are a Japans No. 1 direct skincare company and their Cleansing Oil is a product most people are possibly more familiar with. The vision behind DHC is rooted in the beneficial properties of virgin olive oil, Flor de Aceite – the finest quality, extracted from organic Spanish olives. The entire skincare range was founded on the beneficial properties of olive oil. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it is a highly effective component in neutralising damaging free radicals. Olive oil also helps balance your skin's moisture. With its unique ability to mix with water, our olive oil helps moisturise without clogging pores. Oxidised oils cause blackheads and a host of other problems, but because olive oil has a naturally lower oxidation rate than your skin's natural oils, it is a perfect barrier to protect skin from irritants.

Back to the product in questions and yes, a cotton bud soaked in Olive Oil is what I am talking about and if you have never seen them, I urge you to look for them because honestly, like dry shampoo, I am not sure how I managed without them until now.

Each swab or cotton bud if you prefer, is individually wrapped to ensure it remains hygienic and clean and so that the olive oil doesn't leak on anything. 

Opening the wrapper, the buds are moist but not dripping in oil and they have a multitude of used and can be used for cleansing delicate areas, soothing cuticles, erasing eye makeup mishaps especially when your mascara runs, if you smudge any make-up, these are so delicate they can erase it and you don't have to do your whole face again - how amazing right?  What's more is each box contains 50 swabs and they cost just £5.50, so worth every penny as far as I am concerned.

Have you tried any products from DHC?

Melvita Nectar de Roses Body Collection

Melvita have got an amazing collection due to launch called the Nectar de Roses Body Collection and if like me you love the scent of fresh roses, then this is right up your street. 

The range combines three wild roses, including wild rose extract, a new active ingredient that's known to activate skin hydration by increasing aquaporin synthesis to stimulate moisture circulation. There are four products within the range and I have been using them all for the last few months and I have to say, the scent is just stunning.

Nectar de Roses Rose Petal Shower Gel(£13) is a beautiful fresh scented gel, which is not too thick in texture but is one which does transform into a foam and is incredibly hydrating and moisturising on the skin.  When combined with the Nectar de Roses Hydrating Body Veil (£15) the scent is one which lingers on the skin. The body veil is enriched with rose floral water to provide intense hydration for up to 24 hours. As a formula it is really luxurious when applied to the skin, as soon as it comes into contact, it absorbs leaving behind a lovely rose scent, one which I associate with freshly cut roses, it is just divine.

You can never have too many balms and the Nectar de Roses (£10) is a balm everyone needs. As multi-purpose balm it can be applied to dry skin, cuticles, lip and even the ends of your hair. It is balm that melts on contact with your fingers, the pot within which it comes, is so cute and dainty that there is just enough room for two fingers to swipe the balm for using. I adore this balm, the rose scent isn't as strong as it is within the other products within this range, but it is there.

The final item in this range is the stunning Rose Sauvages Eau de Toilette (£36). This perfume combines the three wild roses rosa canina, rose gallica and rose mosqueta with woody base notes of the leaves and it is a beautiful floral scent which reminds me slightly of Johnson's Baby Lotion at a first sniff but as it settles on the skin, the scent of the three roses come to life and make for such a perfect spring fragrance which is light, not overly heavy and dominating but one which is long lasting.

For me this is a collection for everyone of all ages. It is purse friendly and just stunning and if you are looking for a little something for Valentines Day that combines the scent of roses rather than buying the roses, well this ticks all the boxes.

Bee Good Youth Enhancing Lift and Brighten Eye Cream

Bee Good have had some amazing products appear on the shelves over the last year and their latest one is right up there with brilliance. The Youth Enhancing Lift and Brighten Eye Cream is one of those products.

I use an eye cream as part of my everyday skincare routine, something I have done since my 20's and something I will always do because I believe it to be as important as everything else I do. The Lift and Brighten Eye Cream is part of the Youth Enhancing range which currently has three products - Plump and Firm Moisturiser which I reviewed here, Youth Enhancing Serum and now the Eye Cream.

Suitable for all skin types, this cream is described as being a powerful multi-action eye treatment which lifts, tightens, reduces dark circles and visibly improves the signs of ageing. It is also incredibly hydrating and it helps to strengthen and enhances skin elasticity.  Plus you can also apply it to fine lines around the lips which is also impressive, though not something I have yet tried.

As with all Bee Good products, there is an extensive list of amazing ingredients and this one is no different. It contains antioxidant-rich British propolis, nourishing British echium oil and protective natural source vitamin E are expertly blended with skin tightening oat extract and silk tree extract to reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines. British Wildflower Honey is also rich in anti-oxidants and is high in essential amino acids which help protect against fine lines and wrinkles.

Consistency for an eye cream is quite important for me, anything too thick is a pain to massage in and Bee Good have managed to make a cream which takes on a serum-like texture, as soon as it comes into contact with the skin, it begins to absorb itself.  The tube comes with a pump dispenser and one pump is enough for both eyes.  When I apply eye cream I use the tip of my wedding ring finger to gently apply the cream and tap lightly on the skin as I do so.  One issue that always comes up on a skin scan is the dehydration under my eyes, so I am hoping that when I have my next one, there will be some marked improvement because this cream does feel both hydrating and moisturising, it isn't sticky or tacky when on the skin and if like me, you suffer from bouts of insomnia, you need something to help dull the suitcases which can appear under your eyes.

If you have been on the lookout for a new eye cream then this one is worth looking at. The eye cream is available in a 5ml travel size for £8, a 15ml standard size for £19.75 which are more than reasonable when you consider how long this tube will last.