Glossybox - February

Bonjour!

It's Glossybox time again - February's 'Valentine themed' box arrived last week just in time for the 14th.  This box is meant to be filled with treats that we'll fall in love with and help us to pamper and look gorgeous on 'the big night' - er... my big night saw me falling asleep on the settee as usual!

Pretty box and packaging (my little girl wants the box after I've finished with it!).

Docteur Renard Raspberry Soft Cream - 30ml -Full Size £25/50ml - I've not tried anything from this professional French brand (yet). The products are available from M&S.  A good size sample - meant to be mostly suitable for normal to dry/prone skin - my skin has de-hydrated recently so will give it a go at some stage.

The Fine Fragrance Body Spray in Radiance - Full Size £2.29/100ml - a subtle fresh/floral fragrance -  good size - ideal for chucking in my gym bag.

Glossybox Lolly - my girl has claimed this!

Helen E Cosmetics Moisturising Lipstick in Dusk - Full Size £8/3.5g - a deep raspberry shade - I thought this was a little dark for daytime use for me initially but it worked well as a pretty lip-stain which hung around even after a scone and cup of tea! The hubby even commented that it looked nice! (he usually doesn't notice such things!)

MeMeMe 'Beat the Blues' Illuminator in Oyster Gold - Full Size £5.50/12ml - this looks like a good product to mix with foundation for extra radiance (not sure I'd wear it on it's own at my age as it's a tad sparkly but maybe use sparingly for a night out?).

Micabella Cosmetics Mineral Blush Powder in Siera Suede - 0.8g Full Size £34.95/9g - a teeny sample, more of an peachy/orange tone than I would usually go for and as the full size is pretty expensive not something I'm likely to purchase - but it'll be ok to use maybe when I have a bit of colour.

So  those were the goodies - quite a good selection this month. If I've fallen in love with anything it's the lipstick.  Looking forward to using the Raspberry Soft Cream too. This was on the back of the Glossybox leaflet though - just look at that dress and those boots - love em to bits!

You can check out Glossybox subscription details for yourself here.

What did you get in your Glossybox this month - did you fall asleep on the settee on Valentine's night?

Jen x

Glossybox - January

Bonjour!

January's Glossybox arrived last week - waving the 'Detox' flag. This box is supposed to be all about rejuvenating, replenishing, regenerating and refreshing - don't know about you lot but I could do with some of that right now ...

Quick look at the products...

Lacoste - Eau de Lacoste sample - from £33/30ml - it's meant to evoke the feeling of wearing pure cotton on skin - cotton's not the first thing that springs to mind but I like the fragrance - fresh and clean.

Sanctuary Spa Active Reverse Thermal Transformation Mask 2 sample sachets (serum and mask) Full Size £27.50/Step 1- 50ml Step 2 75ml - this apparently has instant results and after four weeks of use 'visibly firms and refines to reveal smoother, glowing, more even skin'.  I said I wanted to try to use more face masks so will give this a go. Probably two/three uses out of this sample - not sure? (Darcey Bussell is said to like this one - so if it's good enough for Darcey ...)

Mono Micro Exfoliant - 30ml/Full Size £14.50/100ml - love the smell of this - 'delivers instant radiant skin, refining the skin's texture, reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines.' The product contains papaya enzymes which is supposed to help stimulate cell renewal - looking forward to using.
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Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for eyes - 3.5ml/Full Size £57/15ml  - provides 'immediate hydration that firms and awakens the delicate eye area' - sounds good. I'll use the sample but probably wouldn't spend so much on a full size. It would have to be an absolute miracle worker.

BM Beauty Dewy Perfection Finishing Powder - 1g sample/Full Size £8/4g - this can apparently be used under or over foundation, to diminish fine lines, create an airbrushed finish or as a highlighter. It has a bit of a sheen so can use this to 'help me look alive' in the morning.

Glossy dreams sleep mask (bonus product) - a nice idea but I don't use them personally - have given it to my little girl!

So that's it. Quite like the theme of this box - maybe would have been nice to have had one full size product  (is that just me?). All in all though a decent box. Looking forward to using the Mono Micro Exfoliant.

You can check out the Glossybox experience here.

What did you get in this month's Glossybox?

Jen x

Glossybox - December

Bonjour!

My December Glossybox arrived last week....I know everyone's super busy (me included) at the moment with festive preparations - so just thought I do a quick post on the contents - here we go...

So the products ...

Lemon by Mary Greenwell Eau de Parfum Sample 1.5ml Full Size - £90/100ml
I don't think I like this at all I'm afraid - smells very much like an aftershave - bit too zesty for my liking.

Sebamed Anti-Dry Night Intensive Cream 10ml Full Size £9.99/50ml
Apparently one of leading skincare brands designed for sensitive skin. Not sure I'll make full use of this sample so may be passing it on to a friend.

Rituals Magic Touch Ultra Rich Whipped Body Cream Full Size £5/70ml 
This is more like it - I've heard good things about Rituals products.  This body cream has a lovely fragrance -is creamy but rubs in easily - will be ideal for these colder months.

Seche Nail Lacquer in Iconic - Full Size £9.99/14ml
Looks like a really good polish this one and a decent full size. 'Highly pigmented colour for one coat coverage, satin smooth application...'  sound good. Not sure this particular colour is for me though - such a shame and I don't usually go for this sort of finish so will be saving this for a friend!

Sleek Make-Up True Colour Lipstick in Sheen - Full Size £4.99/3.5g
This is a nice little lippie in a vibrant red (looks more orange on my pic but it's not!). Like it.

Glossybox Blusher in Glossy Rosewood - Bonus Product
A bonus product made for Glossybox by Kryolan (Professional Make-Up) so should be a good formulation. I'm not sure whether this colour is a little pale for me so may mix it up with a bronzer.

I'd heard that last year's December Glossybox was a real corker... this one's a bit of a mixed bag for me - some good products - some not so good... anyway...

What did you get in your Christmas Glossybox?

Jen x

Glossybox - November

Bonjour or should I say Bonsoir!

November's Glossybox arrived at the end of last week...the 'Stocking Fillers' box ...presumably filled with 'stocking filler' type things then? Here it is...

Burberry Body Eau de Parfum 4.5ml Orig Product £75/85ml
Gorgeous little weighty 'cut-glass' type bottle - and the stuff inside smells good too. I'm useless at describing fragrance but it smells musky and of vanilla to me - lovely for this time of year. I'll enjoy this if I keep it for myself because I'll not afford the £75 for the full size...!

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant 13g Orig Product £38.50/75g
I'm a newbie to Dermalogica products - a pretty good sample size to start off with - looking forward to trying it out as this is well-liked by Claire over at Another New Day Blog- you can check out her review here.  Don't think this will end up in anyone's stocking!

Alison Claire Natural Beauty Mango Body Butter 50ml Orig Product £15/200ml
I love mangoes and butter so this body butter from 'new brand' Alison Claire is right up my street, an ideal travel size,  not that I travel many places on a regular (or even irregular) basis mind! Smells good too!

Wei Beauty Royal Ming Firming and Hydrating Cream 4ml Orig Product £74/50ml
A small sample of a very luxurious face cream! It sounds fantastic - purifies, energises and replenishes - what more could a girl want? Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to pay the £74 for the full size - may give this to my mum - although she couldn't afford it either!

Nails Inc Notting Hill Gate 4ml Orig Product £11.00/10ml

Cute little Nails Inc Polish - lovely bright neon pink - a good one for summertime (may put this in my little girl's Xmas stocking - on the understanding that no nail-painting is allowed in her bedroom - more to come on that subject in due course!).

So that's the 'Stocking Fillers' Box for this month. A good one I think - looking forward to December's box! You can check out Glossybox subscription details over here if you fancy a nosey?

What did you think of November's Glossybox? Will you be filling up stockings or keeping the goodies for yourself?


Jen x

Glossybox - September

Bonjour!

My Glossybox for this month has finally arrived.  I very nearly emailed Glossybox the other morning to let them know I hadn't received it but decided to wash my hair first, after which it turned up! This is apparently a limited edition box which has been 'exclusively designed by up and coming illustrator Maggi Li.' The contents are meant to be an introduction to 'some of the most exiting rising stars across fashion, design and beauty.'

The box.

What's in the box?

Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play 50ml - Full Size £8.60/300ml

I've been wanting to try this brand for a while but hadn't got round to it. Used it the other day and I do like it, I found it added volume, hold and also texture - used sparingly. If you don't like the feel of 'product' in your hair though this may not be suitable but that doesn't bother me.

Balance Me Wonder Eye-Cream 7ml - Full Size £20/50ml

This seems to ticks all the boxes 'eye-cream wise' (I do like their lip balm and have yet to try out the face wash which I got when the Glamour freebies were on).  I'm happy with my current eye-care at the moment (which - yes - I have still yet to blog about!) but may well give this a go ...

Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Complex 7ml - Full Size £29.99/50ml

Apparently helps smooth the look of fine lines and over time helps reduce the appearance of  wrinkles. Going to try this out on the old neck as I'm noticing deepening of necklace lines and a bit of sagging (oh joy) so need to start paying more attention to this area pronto (now that I'm an older bird and all that).

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum and 5 Minute Facial 2 Sachets each
Full Size - Snake Serum £29.00/10 x 1ml - 5 Minute Facial £10.95/10 x 1ml

The Snake Serum is meant to help 'reduce the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles'. Think this is one of those products that 'freezes' them temporarily, never really fancied anything like this to be honest but I'll either try it out on my forehead or get a fuller fringe cut! I do have a friend who loves stuff like this though so she may end up with these.

The 5 Minute Facial is 'a triple action resurfacing gommage clay mask'.  I've read that this is a highly effective way of exfoliation as it sort of  'rolls off' the skin and hopefully takes the dead skin cells with it when you remove the mask. Will be trying this out shortly.

Lady Gaga Fame Fragrance 1.2 ml - Full Size from £25.00/30ml

Not really sure about this, it reminds me of  Dior's 'Poison', sort of sweet, dark and potent - not my kind of fragrance.  It's definitely one for winter nights out. This will go to a friend.

So that's September's box - the Sexy Hairspray and Wonder Eye-Cream seem about the best products in theory - not a fantastic box considering some of the products in past months but hey - ho!

What did you think of this month's Glossybox?

Jen x

August Favourites!

Bonjour!

I didn't do my July favourites because I was on holiday so here a few of my fave products during July/August and a couple I've managed to (almost) use up!

Original Source Daily Scrub Cranberry and Honey - there's something about Original Source products that's truly mouthwatering and this is no exception! Smells like something you could spread on your toast/crumpet/pikelet/bagel! It's moisturising and provides a gentle yet effective exfoliation experience!

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Spray (sorry I seem to have lost the cover!)- this is described as 'a leave-in finishing treatment that performs like a hairspray'. I love this product, I only use it when my hair is pretty frazzled on the ends, it's like a conditioning treatment in a can with a bit of hold. I find the trick is to use sparingly on fine hair (which is probably why this can has lasted me ages), as with all Ojon products I've used it's pretty concentrated and a little goes a long way. Think it's been re-named though as 'Ojon Damage Reverse Finishing Spray'.

John Frieda Full Repair (Full Body) Shampoo and Conditioner - took these on holiday and then brought them home to finish off (have done so now).  This was a great duo for holiday as I felt it gave my hair a bit of extra protection and moisture in a hot and humid climate.  Not the best volume I've experienced but good on the conditioning front.

Dove Summer Glow Moisturiser (normal to dark) - I've used this moisturiser for a couple of years now, it's great for a bit of extra colour and also for topping up the old tan once you return from holiday. Doesn't give off that obvious self-tan aroma and I've not found it to be too orange in tone but you do have to remember to rub in well around any dry bits!

Chanel Bronze/Revlon Balm Stain/Glossybox Lipstick

Sanctuary Spa Skin Perfecting BB Cream - my ultimate summer BB, been loving this for a while now (that could be the start of a song title!).  It's still my morning 'pick-me-up' complexion wise, seems to keep that bit of holiday colour going. There's loads left in the tube for next spring once I need to 'warm up' my face. I'll definitely be repurchasing this one. You can see my full review here should you with to do so!

Olay Essentials Complete Care Plus Multiradiance Moisturising Lotion (Normal/Oily) - this is a regular re-purchase, especially for the summer months. Absorbs very easily, keeps my skin hydrated, contains SPF 15 and also light reflecting particles which help to give skin a bit of a lift. It's also a bargain in my opinion at £7.99/75ml and has lasted for ages.

Chanel Bronze Universel Sun Illuminator - gorgeous bronzer, a sort of gel/cream texture that gives a natural glow without any shimmer.  This pot has lasted for ages and is nearly finished as you can see. I was once told I looked 'really well' by a friend I bumped into at the supermarket, I can remember being gobsmacked  because I was feeling pretty run-down (as all mums do from time to time) and so put it down to having worn this bronzer on that day!  I told my friend as much! I've not blended the bronzer in (on above swatch) but just smeared a bit on my hand, I think the colour works well on most skintones (it was my 'English Rose' friend who recommended it to me!), hence the 'Universel' vibe!

Revlon 'Just Bitten Kissable' Balm Stain (Rendezvous) - wasn't sure what to expect from this (it looks a bit like a wax crayon from my kids' younger days!),  I fancied something with an orange tone for summer but not too 'full on'.  This provides a wash of translucent colour with a slight sheen but can be built up if you want the colour to be more intense.  Tastes minty and makes my lips tingle! The only thing I would say is I've needed to use a lip balm beforehand because it does tend to cling to any dry areas on the lips (well it does on mine anyway!). Having said that, it is pretty long lasting and does live up to it's name in that it does 'stain' the lips!

Glossybox Lipstick (Glossy Pink) - absolutely love this lipstick, not had one in this tone for a good while and it's been perfect once I had a bit of a tan on my face! It's creamy and moisturising and lasts ok too. I've been a bit lipstick shy for a few years but this has made me want to experiment a bit more on the 'lippy front'!

Erm ... don't know how that got there!  Anyway, this is a childhood favourite of mine. We used to spread it thickly on a slice of bread and have for supper as a treat - very sticky and sweet! Something I like to indulge in now and again.  You'll probably know it's also fantastic when used in cake recipes ...will have to get onto that ...!

So what have been your favourites over the past month? Any childhood treats you'd like to share?

Jen x

August Glossybox!

Bonjour!

So here is the August Glossybox, hot on the heels of the Olympics this is the International Superstars box.  Apparently this box contains 'brands that are well known in the UK as well as products that have cult status in their native country...'

Here's what was in my Glossybox...

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil 30ml - Fullsize £18.50/200ml

DHC Cleansing Oil (from Japan). 'This revolutionary water-soluble cleanser is better than any other make-up remover you've ever tried.'  I'm really loving my current cleansing balm at the moment but will definitely give this a go, interested to see what effect it has on my oily-ish T-zone.

Alessandro Pro White - RRP £7.85/10ml

Alessandro Pro White (from Germany). Apparently an 'Optically brightening effect nail polish with anti-yellowing formula for radiant white and gleaming nails.'  Never heard of this sort of nail treatment, I'm sometimes a bit slack with undercoat and just plonk my polish directly onto my nails. They can become a wee bit discoloured with the highly pigmented nail polishes, so this should be handy.

Lipcote RRP £3.99/7ml

'Original Lipstick Sealer...' (from UK of course!).  This has been around for years and is meant to be applied after lipstick as a sort of 'topcoat' to seal your lippy and prevent fading/feathering etc. Should come in useful for nights out!

Eve's Balm - Fullsize £4.99/7g

A multi-purpose recovery balm to nourish dry, chapped bits! Great for chucking in your handbag with it's lil mirror!  Have used it on lips but should be good on cuticles and nails too, the aroma is very natural and subtle, a lovely balm, I love balms!

Vera Valenti Eyeshadow Palette - RRP £3.85

An eyeshadow palette (from Spain).  I like the neutrals and the darker greens but won't use the paler/minty greens (remember George and Mildred, well obviously just Mildred?).  I used one of the neutral colours the other day and it actually went on ok and lasted quite well (it's got a very slight shimmer to it but not too much for daytime wear!).  Chucked a few of the colours on my arm here ...... the applicators aren't great - bit flimsy, but what the heck eh?

Glossybox Lipstick RRP £9.50

That's more like it!  The lipstick is 'Glossy Pink' a really pretty soft pink, thought it may be too pale for me but it wasn't and looked fine with my bit of tan!

So that's it. Overall I'm pleased with this box, some really nice products, the Eve's Balm and the lovely Glossybox lipstick are my initial faves.

Oh and here's a pic of George and Mildred from the late 70's, just in case any of you youngies were wondering?  Fond memories of my grandparents watching this sitcom...!

'Not now dear, the Horse of the Year Show hasn't finished!'

Glossybox subscription details can be found here for anyone that wants to share the experience! What did you think of this month's box? What was your favourite product?

Jen x