August Glossybox | International Superstars |

As I went to snap the pics for this blog post my camera battery ran out and I have mentioned in previous blog posts my camera is in for repairs and I am borrowing a snazzy camera. I can't quite work out how to charge it yet so I am sorry for this picture lacking post. Anyway, down to the more important things. This months Glossybox was themed around items from all over the world. It couldn't have come at a better time with all the Olympics hype just ending. Many of the items are cult products in that particular country so it's really interesting to get to test things out that I normally wouldn't be able to get my hands on.

The first thing that caught my eye was the Vera Valenti eyeshadow palette. I was so excited to see this however when I swatched it the pigmentation was awful and reminded me of those eyeshadows you used to get in make up sets when I was 5. In saying this, I used a mixture of the dark browns today as a crease colour and after a lot of building up, it actually looked quite good.

The other item which I got excited about was the Alessandro Pro White which claims to optically brighten the appearance of nails which may be yellowed from staining. I have used this once and as it's blue tinged to cancel out the yellow tones, you can see it in some lights which isn't the most flattering. I will have to use this more as I am not sure whether it just claims to brighten the nails once it is on or produce long lasting whitened nails once used for a long period of time.

One of my favourites from the box has to be the All For Eve Eve's Balm which is an easily absorbed recovery balm to help moisturise any dry areas. In the pan, the product just looks like a plain balm however when you touch it, it turns into an oil. I love to use this on my lips while doing makeup ready for the application of a lipstick or gloss.

Lots of lip products in this months box! As an added extra I received the Glossybox Lipstick in Glossy Pink. It is a lovely rasberry pink colour which has a surprisingly smooth texture. After the brush that the Glossybox team sent out a few boxes ago, I was dubious of the Glossybox own brand however this is a really good product. I assume the Lipcote was put in there to team with this product and I have always wanted to try it out. Lipcote is a lipstick sealer which helps to create a more long lasting lip colour. I will definitely be doing a future blog post on this to see whether it is worth the hype or not.

Last of all, I received the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil which is a water soluble cleanser which helps to remove any makeup, dirt or impurities built up on your face during the day. I have used this once and as I have never used an oil cleanser before I didn't really know how to use it. I just whacked it on my face an massaged it in before attempting to use a cotton pad to remove the rest of the oil and makeup. This method didn't really work. The instructions say to wash your face afterwards so I guess I will do it in the shower next time and use a face wash afterwards. Even if it was a fail on my part, I love the concept of an oil cleanser and I think my skin will benefit from it in the winter when it gets super dry.

Hayley xxx

Glossybox: July 2012

This is just going to be a quick post to give you a sneak peak of what I received in my July Glossybox. The theme of this one is surrounded by festivals and includes five samples plus a bonus product. Also, as a quick side note, my camera has gone to repairs so I am borrowing a snazzy DSLR which will greatly improve picture quality for the next few weeks.

Probably the most disappointing thing I received in my box was yet another perfume. I don't mind getting the odd sample here and there however I have for every single box I have got so far whereas other peoples boxes haven't. This may have been something to do with my profile as you can select sample preferences and I had selected 'all'. I have since narrowed it down to only skincare, makeup and haircare. Anyway, this is the Bex London  Londoner Urban Fragrance which actually smells ok however the full size bottle is a whopping £8.

This is the Paul Mitchell Moisture Mist which I was quite excited about as moisture/cooling/refreshing sprays are something I have wanted to try ever since the infamous Caudalie Beauty Elixer came onto the scene. This one has a bit of a twist however as it can be used on  both the skin and hair which is great for the summer. The full size is a reasonable £9.25 for 250ml and the sample I have is a very generous 100ml. The smell isn't in your face at all and I look forward to giving this a go.

Above is the Jelly Pong Pong Lip Frosting which is a multifunctional cream gloss which can be used on the lips and cheeks. I have used it on the lips and it gives a nice sheer colour however seems too greasy to be used as a blush however I have yet to test it on my cheeks. Mine is the Irish cream pavlova scent which smells delicious. This is priced at £10 for 15ml which I think is quite a lot for a mediocre gloss.

I was very excited to receive an eye gel in my box as I don't yet use eye creams because I deem myself too young. However prevention is the best cure and I planned to start using an eye cream/gel casually once I found one that was light, decent and not overpriced. This Monu eye cool gel claims to revive and tone tired eyes as well as reduce puffiness (which I don't especially need) and dark circles (which I really do need.) The sample is  20ml which is actually more than the full sized version which is just £15 ml and priced at £16.95. This is one of the reason why I love Glossybox as I get to try great products that I usually would not spend my money on.

This is the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse  which is basically a dry oil which you can apply to your face, hair and body. I plan to save this to use in the Autumn/Winter months as my skin gets dry (and when I say dry I mean extremely dry!) If you were to purchase this product yourself it would set you back £17.50 for  50ml.

The last product I received was the bonus product which was a trio of Elizabeth Arden products. I got the Gentle hydrating Cleanser, the Optimizing Skin Serum and the Gentle Hydrating Cream SPF 15 which are all part of the Visible Difference skincare range. I look forward to using these and if you present the card at any Debenhams Elizabeth Arden counter you receive a free deluxe sample which I will definitely try and get my hands on.

That's it for the Glossybox round up. I have seen some other boxes which included the HD bows kit which I was so jealous of because I wasn't a subscriber last year when it got put in the boxes and really wanted it then. Ohhh well my brows will have to endure the MUA clear mascara for a little while longer. What was in your Glossybox that wasn't in mine?

Hayley xxx

GLOSSYBOX, May 2012

This is the first month I have been a subscriber to Glossybox and I knew it would be a good'un as this month is the companies 1st birthday. 

The box came beautifully packaged slightly differently than usual with printed tissue paper and as soon as I

                                                            unwrapped it I got excited.

As you can see from the picture, these samples are really decent sizes with the above containing 75ml. The Noble Isle Summer Rising bath and shower gel  is described as inspired by the natural and cultural riches of 

     the British Isles. I've had a little whiff and it smells so fresh and summery! I can't wait to use this.

Next up are the Lolita Lempicka Eau de Parfum and Si Lolita and I haven't worn them  yet so I can't comment on notes however from what I have read they are heavier musky scents which are probably more appropriate for evening wear. From an initial smell I like them both but prefer the Eau de Parfum. 

This is the Apivita  Express Beauty mask and this is where Glossybox really impressed me as when you subscribe, you fill out a beauty profile where you tell them your hair colour, skin type etc.. My skin is dry so they sent me a moisturising and nourishing mask which my skin will probably really benefit from. I have really high hopes for this product and isn't too overpriced at £3.50 per sachet. As a bonus this product also contains no parabens, silicones or propylene glycol.

Now, this is definitely the product that made the whole box for me. It's the Berber Oil Hair Treatment which contains argon oil. I have wanted to try hair oils/serums for so long however it is quite an investment to get a good quality one that improves your hair and not just coats it to make it look shiny. The full size is £19.99 for 100ml which is a lot however it might just be worth it. I will definitely be testing this out asap!

These Eldora false lashes were probably the most disappointing item in the box. As you can see they are comically long and blingy which really aren't my style at all. Maybe other boxes had more wearable lashes? These won't go to waste though as I am thinking of trimming them down (a lot) to achieve a more natural subtle look. 

Lastly, there were a few added bonuses to celebrate Glossybox's birthday with the first being a compact which a double mirror inside and the second being a balloon. Both are really nice gestures and I am sure I will get a lot of use out of the compact (and maybe less so out of the balloon.)

I amm really impressed with the service Glossybox provides and I am excited to use all the products I received this month. I will definitely keep my subscription and I am already excited about next month! Which monthly boxes are you subscribed to?

Hayley xxx