Caudalie Vinosouce SOS thirst Quenching Serum Review

I got this 10ml sample in the natural Glossybox and have been using it nearly everyday since, although not twice a day as I was trying to stretch it out. I have only been using it on my forehead and neck as I get dry skin that can sometimes feel tight and sensitive. It's a brand that I had never used before and I know bloggers have raved about other Caudalie products so I was really pleased to receive it in the Glossybox! So here are my thoughts...

Pros

I know this might seem strange but I love the consistency, it's quite watery which means that it is really easy to apply and sinks in quickly without feeling sticky. 

My skin looks much better and a lot less dull, I was really pleased with the results.

The fragrance is also nice it almost smells really fresh a bit like cucumber, but it isn't overpowering.

Cons

I don't think that my skin is any more moisturised than normal despite looking less dull, maybe it would do more if I used it twice a day but I wanted to stretch the product out.

The price! The normal sized product costs £29...

Verdict

I won't buy this again unless the price is significantly reduced in a sale! I just can't justify paying £29 for this product, I have bought a Vitamin E Moisture Serum from the Body Shop to try out as an alternative, so I will let you know how that goes.

Elaine

Don't forget to enter our Essie Trio giveaway here.

Beauty Box Withdrawal

So this is my first month not to receive a Glossybox or Joliebox... and I have to admit I have been reading all the posts about the birthday box with green eyes! 

After I read the first couple of posts I was seriously tempted to just buy this months box I loved the idea of trying the HD brows and lash serum, but after I read more posts I saw the different variety of box's they had again this month, and there were some boxes with products that I really wasn't interested in, so decided not to bother.

The more posts I read the better I felt about cancelling my subscription, whenever I got my box I always felt that I got the dud box compared to others... grass is greener and all that!

It would be better if the boxes were actually aimed to different skin types & preferences that you state in the questionnaire when you signed up, although I know that would be a massive task.

Overall I am pleased I cancelled the subscriptions but I do really miss the excitement of waiting to see  what was in the box each month! 

Elaine

My Miracle Lip Balm

I have heard a lot of bloggers raving about this lip balm so I was excited to receive it in the April Natural Glossybox, the balm contains organic ingredients and is petroleum free.

I have really dry lips and I find that when I use lip products including some lip balms like Vaseline, lip sticks and lip glosses after wearing them for about an hour or so they always seem to congeal on my lips which doesn't look very appealing! So although I love lipsticks I used to wipe them off after a couple of hours.

So I wasn't sure what to expect when I tried this, but after the first time I used this I was instantly hooked, I used this ten minutes before putting my lipsticks on and they lasted perfectly and didn't congeal! I love this lip balm, the only down side is that my lips seem to be addicted to this balm and feel dryer/tighter when I don't use it, but it's only a small downside.

This balm can be used on your lips, face and body, but to be honest as it's such a small pot I will stick to using it on my lips.

It really is my miracle lip balm and what's even better is that it is only £4!

Have you tried Figs & Rouge products? What did you think?

Elaine

April's Natural Glossybox

I have finally picked up my glossybox from the post office, I was really good and didn't read any of the spoiler posts!

So as you probably already know this month was the natural glossybox so the usual baby pink box was a natural beige box, even the delivery box was just a normal cardboard box not the usual patterned box. I really liked this idea, and think the themed boxes are fun.

So here is what's inside...

Caudalie - Vinosource SOS Thist-Quenching Serum

This newly launched ultra concentrated serum is extremely natural and plant based, ensuring your skin never lacks moisture.

£29.00 / 30ml 

This is an interesting product, i'm looking forward to trying this out on the dry skin on my forehead.

Inka Cosmetics - Certified Organic Eyeliner in Coco 

A rich creamy consistency unparalleled in the world of natural eyeliners.

£11.75 per Liner

I have tried this out on my hand and it's really good, the eyeliner is lovely and soft and the colour is a pigmented rich brown colour. I can't wait to use this on my eyes, though I'm not sure I would pay £11.75 for an eyeliner.

Monu Professional Skincare - Moisture Rich Collagen Cream

A rich, luxurious cream to relieve dryness and smooth fine lines.

£17.50 / 50ml 

This isn't my kind of thing, I will probably give it to Rachel.

Figs & Rouge - Lipbalm in Cherry and Vanilla

100% pure, 100% natural and 100% organic multi-purpose balm. Excellent for soothing and naturally hydrating dry lips and skin.

£3.29 / 8ml 

I'm really excited that this in this months box, it's a product I hear a lot of bloggers raving about, the scent is gorgeous and will be a must have in my bag. 

Burt's Bees - Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion

Nourishment that lasts up to a full 24 hours. 99% natural.

£9.99 / 190g

This was a really interesting product, although I had heard a Burt's Bees I had never thought of their brand for body lotion, I always associate them with products for feet! I will be trying this out and let you know what it's like.

So overall I'm happy with this months Glossy box, I really like the lipbalm, eyeliner and body lotion, but...

 I have already cancelled my subscription, I have really enjoyed getting a treat in the post every month but I still have a lot of samples that I haven't used and it was starting to become bad value for money, I might end up subscribing to another beauty box again in the future but for now I'm happy enough with my last beauty box. I would definitely recommend them as a one off treat for someone as a present, it's something different and unique.

Elaine

Harrods (March) Glossybox Review

So the Harrods Edition Glossybox arrived yesterday, and as you might of seen in my last post I was really excited to get home to open it... I really liked the white box and the Harrods ribbon... so here is what was inside.

You also received a code for 20% off selected Harrods beauty products, which is GB9HXS0KP.

Molton Brown - Heavenly Ginger-Lily Moisture Bath & Shower

Vitamin-rich fruit extracts boost the skin and invigorate the senses.

I know everyone raves about Molton Brown products but I'm really not that fussed, yeah this does smell nice but I prefer more fruity shower gels, I will probably end up giving this away if I'm honest.

YSL - Forever Youth Liberator Serum

A powerful serum enriched with 3 glycans to help increase youthful activity in skin cells.

I didn't really know what to make of this when I first saw it, but the more I looked at it I was quite impressed, the bottle is tiny but the product does go a long way, I was thinking about getting a serum for under my eyes (I'm getting paranoid about wrinkles!) so I am really pleased that I got this. Though I'm pretty sure I wouldn't buy it again as I expect it to be very expensive!

Burberry Beauty - Miniature Lip Mist Copper No. 202

With a balmy, lip-loving formula, Lip Mist offers sheer colour with an irresistible gloss shine.

I was soo excited when I saw this in the box, I love the packaging and how the Burberry stripes are on the lipstick! But I'm not crazy on the colour as it is very natural looking it would have been nice to have a more striking colour, and this lipstick definitely does not have an irresistible gloss shine, but it is moisturising. Overall I like it but mainly because of the novelty of having a Burberry lipstick even if it is tiny!

Clarins - Extra-firming Body Cream

A formula rich in regenerating and firming plant extracts which immediately helps to lift and tone, for firmer skin and a younger looking body.

Another Clairns product... I wasn't too keen on the Clarins moisturisers in the February box and neither was Rachel who I gave them too, so I'm not too sure about this, I will give it a try but I'm not really excited about this product.

Narciso Rodriguez - For Her Eau De Parfum

For Her is Narciso Rodriguez's first fragrance. A tribute to Women's grace and power of inspiration.

I can't even tell you how disappointed I was to see a small perfume sample as one of the 5 products, I really don't like them, mainly because I am paying to receive quality samples so technically I have paid for this sample when I could have gone to Boots or John Lewis and asked for a FREE sample if I wanted to. Plus if they aren't the spray samples you end up spilling most of the perfume trying to get it open in the first place! 

Overall I am really disappointed with this Glossybox as there are only 2 products that I sort of like, I know that they can't cater for everyone, but I was disappointed and I'm not sure what about the box made it special to Harrods apart from the ribbon, I think I was expecting more. 

It has made me question whether I am actually getting value for money, as Glossybox does cost £12.95 each month, especially as me and Rachel went to Boots and got some really good free samples today of different foundations (post coming soon!) I may have been too hasty canceling my Joliebox subscription, I might cancel Glossybox and reactivate Joliebox or just stop getting beauty boxes all together.

So what do you think of the Harrods edition of Glossbox?

Elaine

Glossybox won!

So in earlier posts I had mentioned that I had temporarily signed up for Jolie Box as well as Glossybox to see which one I preferred... no matter how much I tried I really couldn't justify paying for 2 beauty boxes.

I really liked the February Jolie Box but I have decided to stick with Glossybox, although the gimicks they seem to be doing are a bit annoying they are fun... and ever since I got a text from my boyfriend to say my Harrods Glossybox had arrived this morning I have been really excited and can't wait to get home from work to open it!

So I think I have made the right choice, yeah sometimes I am disappointed with what I actually get in the Glossybox but I love the fun of rushing home to open it!

You might be able to tell Saturday's aren't very busy for me at work!

Elaine

February Jolie Box Review

I got my first Jolie Box today, I have really been looking forward to trying this box out, the first thing I noticed is that the box (delivery) it arrives in is just plain, when I opened the box I loved the styling and immediately noticed that the box is smaller than Glossybox.

Inside the beauty box is a draw string bag with the samples, I love this touch and I think it makes it stand out from the other beauty boxes.

So here is what was in the box...

Jane Iredale - Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink

An all natural, multi-purpose stain that adjusts its colour to your mood and temperature.

This is a tiny sample but when I tried it out I really liked it, the lipstick itself doesn't have much colour but it turned a nice bright pink, I'm not sure how good it is as a stain though....

Lavera - Basis Sensitive Organic Hand Cream

An organic hand cream with shea butter and almond extracts.

It seems like a nice hand cream, but I already have loads of hand creams so don't think I would ever be in a rush to go out and buy more!

Macadamia - Deep Repair Masque

This ultra-conditioning hair masque will rebuild damaged hair for improved shine and elasticity.

I'm pleased this is in the box I really wanted to try this brand, but I really don't like sachet samples! 

RMK - RMK Cleansing Oil

A cleansing facial oil with a refreshing scent of mint and Damascus Rose.

I'm not sure on this product and as it's in a sachet, if I'm honest I probably wont try this out.

TAAJ - Himalaya Micellar Water

An antioxidant and tonic make-up remover that will revitalise and purify skin.

I really like the look of this product and cant wait to try it out, it is perfect timing as I needed a eye make-up remover, so there will be a review to follow.

AND

A Jolie Box Make-up brush... (Yay) they don't mention it in their list of products so maybe it's a secret extra?

So... I like this beauty box and was really happy with it, but I really don't like sachet samples and was disappointed that they were included, but I did love the make-up brush, the lipstick sample and I'm looking forward to trying the make-up remover.

Now I just have to decide whether to keep the Jolie Box or Glossybox Subscription, I definitely don't think I can justify having two subscriptions... what do you think?

February Glossybox Review

I'm really liking this months Glossybox and can't wait to try everything out! 

So this is what is in February's Glossybox....

Duwop Venom Gloss in Buttercup - Full Size 10.4ml £16

I wouldn't have chosen this colour for myself so it's a nice change, I have quickly tested this out, and it's a very neutral colour and it's very glossy! The lip gloss also has a tingling sensation to plump up lips. I will give it a proper test and do a review soon.

Dr Bronner Magic Liquid Soap (full size 59ml) - £1.50

I have to be honest and say I'm not sure what to do with this product, I think it is just waterless soap... I do like the old fashioned style packaging but it's a little hard to understand, I will definitely be googling this product for more information...

Paul Mitchell Round Trip - Full Size 200ml £12.95

Neither me or Rachel has curly hair so I was a little disappointed to see this, I guess I will try it out when I curl or wave my hair and see how it goes.

BM Beauty Pure Mineral Eyeshadow in Storm Cloud - Full Size 2g £7

This is one of my favourite things out of all the glossyboxes, it is a really nice grey dark green colour (which isn't showing too well in the picture), I have been looking for a colour like this and I will definitely be using this all the time, It's subtle enough for casual eyes but can be built up for a more dramatic smokey eye. 

Como Shambhala Invigorate Body Lotion - Full size 300ml £20

This body lotion smells gorgeous, it has a lovely lavender and peppermint smell, I'm looking forward to trying it out.

I have to say there is still nothing to entice me to buy a full size version, but that's mainly because the full sizes are normally quite expensive even with the glossy discount. But I am very happy with these samples!

This was also in the box... wonder what this means...

does anybody know what the mystery box is??

So I checked this out today and you on the site each day to get a new letter which will give you a clue for the next box... I'm not sure what I think about Glossybox being so gimicky... What do you think?

Beauty Box Review

So there is a lot of talk on blogs and youtube about beauty boxes, if you like me only really heard about them when you started reading beauty blogs it can be a bit daunting! So this is just looking at the 4 main ones I know of and 1 new box, Glossybox, Bourdoir Prive/Jolie Box, Carmine, Feelunique.com Beauty Box and She Said Beauty Box.

Glossybox

Glossybox is the most popular beauty box, and it was the reviews for this brand that I saw first, so I signed up. I do enjoy getting this every month and the packaging is soo pretty even the outer cardboard box it is delivered in is glamorous! 

I have enjoyed getting this but do find that when I look on blog reviews I never seem to have the best box and can sometimes be disappointed when other bloggers are raving about the box. There are a lot of Glossybox Ambassadors and some bloggers get their boxes for free, so sometimes reviews rate them better than they are, I'm not saying the bloggers lie, but if you got a beauty box free each month I'd think it was brilliant too, but when you know you have spent £12.95 it's hard not to feel disappointed sometimes. But I do love getting my Glossybox each month.

Feel Unique Beauty Box

I haven't received this beauty box, but it really intrigues me as I really like the feelunique website, and I love the concept of the beauty box being a drawer it makes the box itself much more useful and stakable! I think this beauty box is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Would love to hear people's thoughts on this box.

Carmine Beauty Box

 I signed up to the Carmine box this month as it was on special offer for new subscribers to receive your first box for only £5 bargain! usually £12.95. If your like me and cautious about signing up to direct debits its worth knowing you can leave at anytime easily. This link will take you to Carmine using my account so I received points (yey - hope you don't think that's rude) and you will receive the £5 first box -

To be honest if this box hadn't been on offer I don't think I would have signed up as I think other boxes look more exciting (however I thought the December box looked amazing). I'm not sure I love the look of the packaging compared to other boxes as it doesn't look quite as classy but maybe I should listen to that age old saying 'don't judge a book by its cover'. I am really excited to receive this as its my first beauty box (I promise to review this asap) - although I will no doubt be very jealous of Elaine's two boxes this month!

Jollie Box

I signed up to this box straight after I saw the reviews of the December box as I had previously heard good things about the Bourdoir Prive boxes but it seems that now they have joined up with Jollie box they are even better. This box is the same price as Glossybox and Carmine at £12.95 each month, so I have no intention of paying for two beauty boxes each month but thought I would give it a try and see if it tempts me to cancel my Glossybox!

She Said Beauty

Sorry for the blurry picture!

A new beauty box on the block is She Said Beauty, it starts in March and there is already a lot of hype building about it as there are a lot of industry experts being linked to the brand, currently they have an offer for the first box (March) at £9.70 and then it goes back to £11.95, the offer ends at the end of February. I'm tempted to give the first box a try to see what it's like! Link


One thing to remember if you sign up for a beauty box is that it doesn't fit through your letter box, so the initial Yay it's arrived is followed by oh but I have to go pick it up from the post office... when I have time!

Plus most beauty boxes now have an option to pay for 3 or 6 months worth of boxes for a discounted rate.

So February is pretty much going to Beauty Box month for us!

* all beauty boxes are paid for by us.

January Glossybox: It's Arrived!

The valentine's glossybox has finally arrived!! I love the hot pink limited edition packaging! 

But I have to be honest I was a little disappointed and I'm not sure why... as I would be more than happy with this box any month... I think it is because it was hyped up soo much as a special box, so maybe my expectations were far too high?

So what's inside?...

Eyeko Skinny Eyeliner in Plum - £9.50

Clarins Extra Firming Night Cream - £48 / 50ml

Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream - £46.50 / 50ml

FAB Gentle Body Wash - £10 / 226.8g

Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer in Dewy Finish - £29 / 30ml

And a cute Glossybox sweet

Reviews coming soon!

What do you think of the January Glossybox?

January Glossybox

The January Glossybox is apparently a special Glossybox for Valentines Day, so it won't be getting dispatched until 27th January. I'm really looking forward to seeing whether it actually is a special box... but would have been nice to know earlier that we were being invoiced on a later date rather than the day it was actually invoiced, and that it probably won't be arriving until February it would have saved me a lot of disappointment of rushing home after work to see if it had arrived yet! Nothing better than getting a surprise parcel of beauty goodies.