What's inside the Glossybox Advent Calendar? Full Review with Spoilers!

I love Beauty Advent Calendars as much as I love Beauty Boxes and that is a lot! Each year little snippets sneak out earlier and earlier and this year, I started writing my post (here) back in July.

One of the biggest surprises was that Glossybox were to release their very own Advent Calendar and this is what I am reviewing on my blog today. Spoiler alert! If you don’t want to know what products are inside the 2018 Glossybox Advent Calendar then look away now! There is always a discussion as to when the right date is to open your Advent Calendar with different people using different factors to determine those 12 days of Christmas.  With this Advent Calendar from Glossybox, there are 25 doors to open, so you have a brand new treat for every day of December, including Christmas Day itself. 

Featuring makeup, skincare, haircare and beauty tools, this Beauty Calendar boasts 17 full-size products, is worth over £300 and as packaging goes, it looks just absolutely stunning with its pink and rose gold colour theme, it weighs an absolute tonne and titled "All I want" here is what you will find inside.

Day One to Day Five - I am already impressed with what I have found behind the first few doors in my Glossybox Advent Calendar which includes:

Already there are some big brands popping out of the first five doors and this is what you find:

• Day One - Nars Burning Love.   Described as being a cool red with a cream finish, this velvet Lip Glide is an incredible colour for the festive season.  There will be two shades available but only one per Calendar.
• Day Two - Nip & Fab Dragons Blood Plumping Serum - Described as being a A lightweight serum that delivers an instant shot of moisture to dehydrated skin. It uses both Hyaluronic acid and delicate velvet flower to leave the skin looking plumper with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles reduced.
• Day 3 - Yankee Candle Season Of Peace.  It has been some time since I have burnt a Yankee Candle and this one is a lovely scent that is perfect for the colder months, quite warming but relaxing.  There will be three different scents but one per Calendar.
• Day 4 - Philip Kingsley Body Builder Conditioner. I usually expect to see the Cult product that is Elasticizer popping up everywhere right now but it makes a nice change to try something new. it is said that this Conditioner will keep your hair moisturised without causing build-up. It will add body and fullness to your hair.
• Day 5 - MDMFlow Greater Than Mascara. Described as being the most intense, highly pigmented XXL black, volumising mascara which has an indented brush for increased volume and clump-free application.

I am sure you will agree that this is a great start to the opening of the first five doors!

Day 6 to Day 10 - Again, Glossybox has managed to conceal the products really well inside different shaped boxes so you still have no idea what is behind each number.

Behind doors 6 to 10 we have a real variety of products, some that I have tried, more that I haven't and one I am really looking forward to trying.

• Day 6 - 3ina Lip Primer - I adore 3ina as a brand and I love popping into their Covent Garden store to see what is new.  This Lip Primer is a product that you can use on its own to condition lips, under a lip color for a smoother finish, or over the top of lipstick for a mattifying effect.
• Day 7 - Patisserie De Bain Strawberry Cupcake bath and shower cream 50ml - If you like your bathing products to be sweet, fruity and still moisturise and hydrate the skin, then you will love the purse friendly Patisserie De Bain
• Day 8 - Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - A brush I am sure needs no introduction! 
• Day 9 - Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Body Booster Mousse 50ml - Designed to give vital body, bounce, and control to lifeless hair. The formulation contains style memory technology to keep hair full of volume all day long.
• Day 10 - BareMinerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion 7.5ml - Described as being a dynamic, first of its kind infusion is designed to revive and help maintain your skin’s most vibrant look of health, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  I really like the sound of this and am looking forward to giving it a try.

Again, I think Glossybox have managed to include some really interesting products in the boxes and all ones that I will use.

Day 11 to Day 15 - We have now reached the mid-point of this Calendar and have been treated to some lovely products.  

These doors are again a great mixture of makeup and haircare and whilst I am more familiar with brands such as MUA and Bellapierre, the rest of the products featured here I am not so.

• Day 11 - Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Finish - This is a brand I came to know through Glossybox and the Kiss Proof Lip Finish is described as being a hydrating, clear lip gloss designed for application on top of Kiss Proof Lip Cremes. The unique formula will not remove the matte lip color underneath and creates a beautiful, glossy look that lasts
• Day 12 - MUA Cosmic Vixen Palette - This is a new release from MUA and it is said to have taken inspiration from its sister palette Fire Vixen.  Featuring 15 bright and bold shades, all of which are talc free, the formula is said to be highly pigmented formulas in both matte and pearl that blend easily
• Day 13 - Karmameju Charcoal Konjac Sponge -  This is a new brand to me but I am a huge fan of Konja sponges in general.  Described as being a soft, cleansing and exfoliating Konjac sponge infused with active Bamboo Charcoal to help prevent blemishes and breakouts.
• Day 14 - Elgon Refibra Haircare Concentrated Restoring Mask - This is another new brand for me and I am a huge fan of hair masks. Described as being a mask which helps to restore any hair damaged by excessive styling or exposure to harsh elements back to its full-bodied, soft, beautiful self. It uses Marine Lichen and a combination of essential minerals and glycerine.
• Day 15 - INC.redicle Jelly Shot Lip Quencher - Enriched with moisture-boosting and protecting ingredients to help nourish, moisturise and repair your lips. Formulated with a blend of avocado, vitamin E and rice bran oil, the transparent jelly shot comes in fun tints with a super cute hidden flower detail.

Again, some more amazing products that I am yet to try and I am intrigued by the hair mask and the Lip quencher as I haven't tried INC.redible either.

Day 16 to Day 20 - Not many boxes left to go and still some big names to appear, here are the next few products.

Again, the boxes are so well designed that I had no idea what products I would find behind each of these numbers.
Day 16 - Pop Beauty Metallic Copper Pigment - I have never come across Pop Beauty as a brand before and this eyeshadow pigment is really quite striking. I have the shade Metallic Copper and it is every bit as stunning as you might expect being an almost burnt burgundy shade.

Day 17 - Luxie Beauty Tapered Highlighter Brush - Again, this is another brand I have never come across. Said to have launched in 2014, this brush has fluffy and soft synthetic bristles and is designed to add a shimmering glow to your complexion. 

Day 18 - Lollipops face liquid highlighter - Keeping up with the products that I have never come across or used before, Lollipops beauty is quite a shimmery highlighter and as it comes nestled inside a tube.

Day 19 - Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater and Pink Peppercorn Hand Therapy -  I am a huge fan of Crabtree & Evelyn hand creams and this is one I am yet to try. Using a blend of Shea Butter and ceramides, the rich formula rapidly absorbs into skin, delivering an instant moisture boost with Hyaluronic Acid whilst forming a soothing, protective barrier. Skin is left feeling softened and rejuvenated, with a lingering, fresh fragrance of Rose Petal, deepened with a hint of spicy Peppercorn and Patchouli.

Day 20 - Steve Laurent Lip Ggloss in shade Eggplant - This is another brand I have got to know via Glossybox and to date, there isn't a single product I dislike. Described as being a luxury formula is lightweight and doesn't clump or stick. It is said to be one-part balm and three parts silk, formulated with a creamy, high-tech, lip-softening texture, it is a one of a kind hybrid gel-oil mix that will moisturize and hydrate with just one swipe.

Days 21-24 - Now we are coming to the end of this Calendar with just five days left to open and this time I am sharing with you the final four doors before one big reveal.

These four doors have been my favourite to open and I cannot wait to give each of the products a try.

• Day 21 - Pixi Beauty Beach Rose Blush - This blush is just stunningly pretty.  A soft rose shade, it is for me a product which sits between a bronzer and blusher, if you like neither product then this is the solution. It uses light-diffusing powder blush is made with vitamin E to keep your skin soft, smooth, and hydrated.
• Day 22 - Zelens Transformer Mask - Despite so many people raving about this mask, until now I have never tried it.  Described as being a refreshing cream mask packed with antioxidants that work to hydrate and energise your complexion. 
• Day 23 - Eyeko Fat Eyestick in shade Satin - This Chubby eyestick is a stunning shimmering Taupe which is really pigmented. Using a twist-up design, the easy-to-control jumbo pencil glides on without dragging or tugging. 
• Day 24 - Mitchell and Peach Flora No.1 Fine radiance facial oil - The penultimate box and what a fantastic oil this is, I couldn't wait to open it and try. Described as being rich in powerful natural antioxidants and vitamins which will be instantly absorbed by the skin leaving it glowing with radiance.  Having since discovered there is an entire Mitchell and Peach range I really want to try the candle and the bath oil!

I am really happy with the contents of this Glossybox Advent Calendar, it has such a good mixture of products from a range of brands reaching from the Highstreet to High End brands but there is just one more door to reveal and again,if you do not want to know what is behind door 25, then click away now!

Spoiler Alert - Day 25

FINALLY, we have Day 25 of the Glossybox Advent Calendar and it is one which made me squeal with delight and it is quite exceptional to find and here it is:

The Huda Beauty Winter Solstice Highlighter Palette! I am sure Huda needs no introduction and I am sure most people reading this will own at least product from her ever-growing range? For me, this is my first ever Huda Palette and I am shocked by how stunning it is.

Inspired by the icy complexion of a winter goddess, Huda Beauty’s Winter Solstice Highlighter Palette adds a serious glow to your cheekbones. Featuring three pearlescent powders in duo-chrome shades and one creamy 'melted strobe' hue, Huda’s latest creation allows you to build custom radiance that complements all skin tones. The unique blend of light-reflecting pearls and super-soft formula makes for effortless blending, whether you wear each shade individually or layered for a holographic effect.

I really like that there are four different shades to choose from and they are described as follows:

• Frosted Kiss has a light milky, white base with iridescent pink pearl,
• Arctic Glow is a light-medium, cool-toned lavender which has a blue-to-violet shifting pearl,
• Northern Lights is a light-medium gold that has subtle, warm undertones with a metallic sheen and is probably my favourite shade on the palette,
• Winter Rose is a light-medium pink which has warm, coppery undertones and slight pink-to-coral shifting shimmer.

As this is my first Huda product, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but this is an incredible palette!

If I have managed to convince you just how amazing this Glossybox Advent Calendar is, then you can join the waiting list right here. 

It is available now to subscribers but to those of you who are not a Glossybox subscriber then set your clocks for 7pm on Monday 15th October because that is when this beauty launches and it will cost just £99 but has a value of over £300!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

Essence Instant Perfect Liquid Make Up

When it comes to liquid foundations I am incredibly choosy about what does and does not go on my skin. I absolutely hate anything that is really thick and makes my skin feel as though it is caked but equally, I am not a fan of anything that oxidises, gives patchy coverage or makes me look orange.  I want a foundation which is medium coverage and works with combination skin. 

So when I was invited along to the fabulous Duck & Dry Salon in London's West End to have the fabulous Kenneth Soh colour match me to the brand new Essence Instant Perfect Liquid Make-up, I was quite excited to see if there was something to suit my skin.  Whenever I am colour matched for anything, I am always, without question one of the two lightest shades that are available, sometimes I need to have two different shades mixed together to work for me and other times, in fact, twice now, I have been told that the lightest shade is too dark for my skin tone!

Achieve a flawless, matt look with this Essence Insta Perfect Liquid Make-Up. It boasts a waterproof finish and, drop by drop, you can build the coverage to nail your look. There are various different shades available (sold separately), which can be mixed and matched to build the perfect colour for every skin type - making sure you're #instaperfect.

I was matched to shade 30, which is called Funny Ivory and it is near enough perfect for my skin. There are two lighter shades which come before this one with shade 10 being Cool Porcelain and shade 20 being Very Vanilla. Then upwards of my shade, there is 40 which is Pretty Beige, 50 which is Perfect Honey, 60 which is Crazy Caramel, 70 which is Sweet Almond, 80 which is Hot Chocolate and 90 is Lovely Mocha.  I know some people will think there should be a lot more shades and some will think 9 is just about right. 

What I like about this liquid texture is that it isn't too thick, it isn't too thick in fact it is just about perfect.  Designed in what is called practical drop-packaging, the shape of the bottle allows you to 'drop' the liquid onto your hand, brush or beauty blender and what I like about this is that I find I need fewer drops than I expected and the formula is buildable without looking 'caked on' and it does give a medium coverage.  

What I really like about this foundation is how it sits on my skin.  Alongside my primer, I find that there is no clinging to dry skin, one of the downsides to having combination skin is that I have an oily t-zone with dry cheeks, it does a pretty good job at dealing with my t-zone but what surprised me the most is that once applied, I found it lasts pretty much all day, by which I mean it is applied around 8am and by 6pm it is still visible, but if I am going out of an evening, then I do need to touch up.  I set my make up every time and for £4.50 this Essence Instant Perfect Liquid Make Up is fabulous, I literally can not fault it at all.

This has been a first little foray into the world of Essence and whilst I am lucky enough to have been given a goodie bag full of products that I am working my way through, this is one product I cannot recommend enough.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here

StarSkin Coco Nuts Nourishing Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask

I love a good mask. A mask for my face, under eye, feet, hands and even my hair. Just lately I’ve had a little more time on my hands owing to a badly sprained ankle with torn ligaments, so I’ve made the most of pampering myself that little bit more because sitting down is pretty much all I have been able to do.

Part of my hair care routine is to enjoy a weekly mask or treatment and it is something I have been doing ever since I was in my teens and VO5 Hot Oil was the in thing to use. As I've got older, my hair has changed quite a lot. Gone is the bottom length naturally wavy hair and in its place is shoulder length straightened hair, which is much easier to manage. The mask I have used recently comes from Starskin and it is the Coco Nuts Nourishing Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask and it is just beautiful.

Treat your tresses to the STARSKIN Coco-Nuts Nourishing Hot Oil Hair Mask, a deeply conditioning treatment to leave locks super-soft and silky. 

Using a powerful blend of natural oils such as:

• Premium-grade Virgin Coconut Oil is blended with best hair superfoods to penetrate hair shaft to repair and nourish the hair (and scalp) from inside out.
• Starflower Seed Oil – Thickening, 
• Baobab Seed Oil – Nourishing, 
• Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil – Volumizing 
• Sacha Inchi Seed Oil – Strengthening.

These ingredients come together to penetrate the hair shaft to repair damage and strengthen hair strands from the inside out. Ideal for locks which need a bit of a boost, the pre-shampoo mask will help hair become shinier, stronger and visibly healthier.

Earlier in this review, I mention the Hot Oil I used to use on my hair and if you remember how to use it, then this is very similar. You either heat the unopened hair mask sachet in the microwave for 20 seconds or sit it (unopened) in a mug of hot water for 30 seconds. Before opening, remember it will be hot, so please be careful, but cutting along the dotted line, you massage the hot oil onto to your dry hair and scalp ensuring you cover everywhere from root to tip. Then, using the accompanying hair mask/shower cap, cover your head for 20 minutes and then rinse twice using a clarifying shampoo and conditioner if you feel you need too. You can also use this mask as an overnight treatment too and even though you are wearing the shower cap, I would advise leaving a towel on your pillow as to not stain it with the oils. 

What I love about the Starskin Coco Nuts Mask is that it is so easy to use and not as messy as I was expecting it to be. When pouring the oil onto my hair, I actually poured it slowly into the palm of my hand, so I could also check the temperature and then applied to my hair and scalp, brushing through with a wide-toothed comb to ensure I covered every possible part of my head and scalp.

Not only does this mask smell just incredible, if you love the scent of Coconuts, then you will absolutely love this because alongside that scent is also a slight hint of berries too. Coconut Oil is an amazing ingredient for your hair and my hair stylist told me that not only is it one of the only oils that can fully penetrate the hair shaft, it is also so incredibly hydrating that moisturises and nourishes too. Whenever your hair is feeling really lank and lacklustre, Coconut Oil is amazing at restoring life to your tresses.

This mask for my hair has been just amazing. I used it in place of my usual hair mask and honestly, the difference is incredible. My hair is soft, it is smooth, it has that just left the salon shine and styling is just a breeze, my hair straighteners ran through my hair easily and I have no flyway’s, a first for a very long time. Suitable for all hair types, including hair which has been coloured, this hair mask is free from parabens, phthalates, silicone, alcohol, mineral oils, sulphates, triclosan, mercury, artificial colouring and harsh chemical preservatives. StarSkin also recommends that you should use this mask at least 1-2 times a week, but for me, my hair feels so good after one use, I haven’t felt the need to use it quite so soon. This mask is priced at £8.50 and you can purchase it from LookFantastic, BeautyBay, Selfridges and Feelunique.

Have you ever tried anything from StarSkin before?! 

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here