BEAUTY BOX LOWDOWN

Ten of the best beauty boxes available!

Beauty boxes are getting more and more popular, and new box options are popping up all the time promising value for money, the best variety of products and the most highly rated brands. But navigating the world of beauty boxes can be a bit of a minefield when there are so many to choose from!

To make it a bit easier, I have picked out some of the best options and sussed them out in terms of what they really have to offer, what subscriptions are available and how much they are, so you can choose which one is right for you.

Glossybox - £10 a month

One of the original beauty box brands and still one of the most popular (and cheapest), Glossybox sends you a different themed box each month containing 5 specially selected beauty samples, including new up and coming brands and products as well as old tried and tested favourites, based on the beauty profile you provide upon subscription. The pretty keepsake box also contains an 'infocard' featuring tips and tricks on how to use the products and is available on 3,6 or 12 month plans.

Contents: 5 products per box - Everything from make-up and skincare to perfume.

Brands include: Yves Saint Laurent, Nails Inc, NARS, Clarins - with over 500 beauty brand partners you get a wide variety!

Contract: Monthly subscription (can be cancelled at any time): £10 + £3.25 P+P per month
Three month subscription: £28.50 + £3.25 P&P per month.
Six month subscription: £54 + £3.25 P&P per month
Annual subscription: £102 + £3.25 P&P per month

Birchbox - £10 per month

The original beauty box - and still regarded as one of the best in terms of variety of products and value for money. Similarly to Glossybox, your beautifully decorated monthly box contains five products that are selected based on your skin and hair type, and any particular concerns you have that you want to address, and you get 10% any full-sized product from your box when you buy on the Birchbox website. They also have a monthly box available for men with tailored grooming and lifestyle products.

Contents: 5 products per box for skin, hair, nails and body based on your preferences

Brands include: Caudalie, Benefit, Nuxe, Bobbi Brown - over 800 brand partners

Contract: Monthly subscription (can be cancelled at any time): £10 + £2.95 P+P per month
Six month subscription: £60 + £2.95 P+P per month (with free delivery on your first box)
Annual subscription: £110 + £2.95 P+P per month

Pink Parcel - £12.99 per month



This box is specifically designed to give you a well needed boost around your time of the month. For £12.99 a month you receive a discreet box filled with feminine care and beauty products to help get you through, and you have the ability to change your period product preferences and delivery date to suit your needs.

Contents: 16 tampons, 8 pads and 6 panty liners, as well as beauty products from cult beauty brands, herbal tea, artisan chocolate and seasonal surprises

Brands include: Your usual femcare brands (Tampax, Always, Lil-Lets), Anatomicals, Patisserie de Bain, Lord and Berry

Contract: Free postage
Monthly subscription: £12.99 per month (can be cancelled anytime)
Three month subscription: £35.97
Six month subscription: £64.95
Annual subscription: £129.90             

Look Fantastic - £15 per month



As well as 6 specially chosen skincare and beauty products, you receive a copy of Elle magazine as well as a copy of Look Fantastic's own Beauty Box magazine full of beauty tips and tricks. Look Fantastic Beauty Box subscribers also get exclusive discounts off full-sized products featured in the box which you can find on their website.

Contents: 6 skincare, hair, body, bath and beauty products, Elle magazine and Look Fantastic Beauty Box magazine

Brands include: The Ordinary, Urban Decay, Shiseido, Perricone MD - over 350 brand partners

Contract: Free worldwide postage
Monthly subscription: £15.00 (can cancel anytime)
Three month subscription: £43.50, or 3 monthly payments of £14.50
Six month subscription: £82.50, or 6 monthly payments of £13.75
Annual subscription: £156, or 12 monthly payments of £13.00

Latest in Beauty - £9-£18 per box



Create your profile and allow for tailored products to be recommended to you, before you choose 3, 6 or 9 of your favourite products to try in personalised build-your-own boxes. Latest In Beauty also do one-off collection boxes - previous editions include the Mother and Daughter box, the Good Housekeeping Beauty Edit and the Byrdie Beauty Box.

Contents: Your choice of 3, 6 or 9 beauty products from a wide range of brands

Brands include: Dr Organic, Rituals, TIGI, Garnier

Contract: Free postage
Monthly subscription: Free delivery and cancel anytime, plus a free limited edition make up bag with your first month
Beauty Novice - 3 products per month: £9.00
Beauty Enthusiast - 6 products per month: £15.00
Beauty Guru - 9 products per month: £18.00

QVC Tili (Try It Love It) Box - £20 per box



I have already done a 'first impressions' review for a TILI box I received here on my blog. The difference with this box is that it is subscription-free - you are not tied in to any contracts, giving you the option to buy each time depending on whether you like the look of the products inside. If you are a QVC buyer you will know already that they stock some fantastic brands so each TILI box is highly likely to be full of great products.

Contents: 8-10 travel and full-sized products from various QVC brands

Brands include: Tarte, Laura Geller, Liz Earle, Elemis

Contract: No contract - just keep your eyes peeled for new boxes every 3 months or so

Look Incredible - £25-£35 per box



Look Incredible's standard beauty box promises 5 full-sized products delivered to you every two months ranging from high quality high street brands to luxury brands such as Gucci and Lancome. They also offer a Deluxe Beauty Box which contains all higher-end products.

Contents: 5 full sized beauty products from brands that are stocked on the Look Incredible website

Brands include: Gucci, Lancome, Too Faced, Tarte

Contract: £25 per box (one every 2 months) - Standard
£35 per box (one every 2 months) - Deluxe

Velvet Scarlet - £26-£35 per box



The Velvet Scarlet Beauty Box is perfect for all beauty and make-up lovers. Each month you’ll receive a box packed full of high quality beauty products which have been carefully selected by the Velvet Scarlet beauty team, ranging from cult classics to completely new brands, you are sure to discover the best beauty treats from all over the world, including vegan and cruelty-free products.

Contents: 3-5 beauty products per month, including lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, lotions and more

Brands include: Lipstick Queen, Paul & Joe, Shiseido, Tonymoly

Contract: Free postage, cancel anytime - £26 per month, or £35 per month for the Luxe ED, featuring luxury brands

Roccabox - £10 per month



Roccabox is a monthly beauty box with a twist. Every month Roccabox collaborates with beauty editors, bloggers, experts and those in the know to create a box of their favourite beauty finds- so you know that everything you receive has been endorsed and recommended by those who know their stuff!

Contents: 5 beauty products specially picked by the influencer of the month

Brands include: Murad, Buxon, Face Inc, Ardell

Contract: £10 + £3.95 P+P per month - cancel anytime
Six month subscription: £54 + £3.95 P+P per month
Twelve month subscription: £102 + £3.95 P+P per month

Cohorted - £35 per month



Although this box is quite a bit more expensive than the ones I have previously mentioned, this one is definitely one to consider if you are into your luxury and high end brands. It has previously been voted 'No.1 Beauty Box' and has featured in top magazines such as Vogue and Glamour. It comes in an elegant black box with a booklet detailing the products and brands contained in the box, and can now be shipped worldwide from the UK.

Contents: A mixture of beauty and make-up items

Brands include: Huda Beauty, MAC, Plum & Ashby, Dior

Contract: £35 per month, can be paused or cancelled anytime - free postage within the UK

So there you have it - ten of the best beauty box options on the market at the moment. I hope you enjoyed this post and I would love to hear your opinions if you have tried out any of these!

L x

My breakout woes... and the products that saved me!

A couple of months ago, I got started on a new contraceptive pill (Loestrin, in addition to the coil which I am already on!) to try and regulate my periods. So far, so good on that front. However - it has played havoc with my skin, and a week or so after starting on the pill I broke out worse than I ever have in my life. I was getting deep red painful acne spots mainly around my chin, but also above my lip, around my nose, and even in odd places that I never get spots, such as my neck, jaw and cheek.

It seemed that my usual skincare routine was just not cutting it for these breakouts. As soon as one seemed to be going away, another would spring up somewhere else. It was infuriating, and anyone who suffers from spots and breakouts will know how much it can affect you and your self confidence.

Here are a list of products that I have used since my skin woes began. Some of these I have already mentioned in my previous posts but this is a pretty comprehensive list of the products that I have been using recently and that have helped beyond belief.

Ren Clarimatte T-Zone Control Cleansing Gel - RRP £19.00

As blemishes had taken over, I wanted to find a cleanser that directly tackled that problem. This cleanser is a purifying, antimicrobial and antibacterial cleansing gel that claims that it 'removes dirt and dissolves excess sebum while unclogging and reducing the appearance of pores'. In terms of my spots I can say that this cleanser definitely helped reduce them quickly and helped my skin to maintain a matte appearance throughout the day.

Pixi Glow Tonic - RRP £18.00 (250ml)

I have been using the Pixi Glow Tonic for a while now and I have yet to find a toner that makes as much of a difference to my skin. It is suitable for all skin types, young and old, and has developed its own cult following after having write-ups in numerous publications including Vogue. Not only does it tone, brighten and prep the skin for lotions and creams after cleansing, but it contains glycolic acid which gently exfoliates to reveal soft, healthy skin (so it is very important to use SPF daily with this product, no matter where you are in the world, as glycolic acid, as with any exfoliant, makes you more susceptible to sun damage).

It is known to diminish the signs of sun damage, fine lines and scarring, and in terms of my spots it was great as it contains witch hazel which is one of the most effective natural acne and spot treatments. I find when using this that my skin looks fresh, bright and more radiant, my pores appear smaller and my spots are diminished. After using this you will be expecting a lot more from your toner.

Kiehls Blue Herbal Moisturiser - RRP £29.50

I have talked about this moisturiser before, and it is still a staple in my skincare collection, particularly when I am suffering with excessive oiliness and breakouts. It is oil free and leaves my skin feeling matte but still hydrated, reduces the appearance of my pores and directly tackles and prevents blemishes with salicylic acid, which works to dissolve the debris that clogs pores.

Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin - RRP £26.50

This mask has been an absolute lifesaver and has become a necessity in my skin routine when my skin isn't playing ball. Origins are renowned for their masks, and for good reason. This one  When skin is too-slic or when more pressing problems start to pop up, Origins is here to keep skin Out Of Trouble. Super-absorbent Zinc Oxide and Sulfur plus calming Camphor rapidly soak up oily-shine, slough off dead cells and sweep away debris. Together they steer skin clear of slippery situations, refine rough texture and pull the plug on troublemakers to help prevent potential outbursts.

Alpha H Liquid Gold - RRP £33.50

Multi-award-winning 'revolutionary resurfacing treatment'. Cult product, Overnight facial that tackles a multitude of issues - acne scarring, wrinkles, texture, sun damage, pigmentation - when I wake up my spots have significantly reduced, my skin tone is improved, skin feels brightened, revitalized, moisturized and hydrated. Option of using alone or under moisturiser - but I always like to use it alone to get the most effective results.

As I have noted above, it is important when you are using products with Glycolic Acid in them to make sure you don't layer products - when I use Liquid Gold I don't use Pixi Glow Tonic as well. SPF is always important, but even more so after using these exfoliant products, and don't use too often or with other exfoliants - I tend to use mine 2-3 times a week as I was finding that any more than that could be too much and sometimes caused redness. Don't be put off - miracle product.don't use with another Glycolic Acid product (such as Liquid Gold) as you will be over-exfoliating!

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate - RRP £38.00

A little goes a very long way with this one - trust me, I took this bottle travelling with me and have been using it frequently since I got back, and I am nowhere near the bottom yet. It is award-winning, with good reason - with 99.8% natural-derived ingredients including Lavender Essential Oil, Primrose Oil and Squalane, which is a highly effective emollient and natural antioxidant, this has become a staple of my skincare regime. I take a few drops in the palm of my hands, rub together and press into my face just before bedtime and when I wake up my skin looks radiant, refreshed and moisturized, and my spots are drastically reduced.

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream - RRP £21.00

Although this product is obviously not directly linked to my blemish issues, I thought that it was definitely worth a mention as I have been really enjoying using it over the past month or so. I had never really given much thought into using eye creams - I am luckily not one that suffers hugely with eye puffiness or dark circles, but I decided now would be a good time to get into the habit of using eye cream. This eye cream definitely makes me look more awake when I dab it around my eye area in the morning and so far, I am really enjoying using it - as with above, you only need a tiny amount so a little pot does last a long time.

Magnitone London Wipeout Cleansing Cloth - RRP £15.00

I was bought this as a Christmas gift and I must admit - I was a bit dubious as to how this could work. Only warm water needed? Surely not... But I have been proved wrong. No need to rub your face until it's sore - makeup comes straight off with this in one swipe, even longwear makeup and stubborn eyeliner and mascara. It is the perfect solution, and now I honestly couldn't be without it! For £15 pounds you get two cloths, which can each be washed and reused up to 1,000 times. They dry really quickly, so perfect for travelling (I so wish I had this for when I was backpacking!) and not only does it mean you don't have to go splashing out on expensive make-up remover cleansers, but you will be doing your bit for the environment by not using wipes.

Origins Super Spot Remover - RRP £15.50

I have tried so many spot creams, but this one really works. If you order this online, you will most likely be alarmed at how small the pot is, but like I have said for so many of the products on this list - a little goes a long way, and I think that goes to show how effective the ingredients in these products are! If I put this on individual spots at night at the end of my skincare routine, by the morning they are much less red and angry - it seems to just super-speed the healing process.

So, there you have it. My current skin saviours! Using these products I have seen a noticeable difference in my skin - of course, problem skin is down to a number of factors, not just hormones and what skincare you use, so it is important that as well as getting the right products for your skin type, you are drinking plenty of water, eating well and trying your hardest not to touch your face throughout the day or pick at blemishes (trust me, I know - and I have the scars to show for it!).

I would love to hear about what your experiences with these products have been, and which products have really turned your skin around!

L x

Hello, it's been a while!

It is great to be back. The past few weeks I have been busy thinking of ideas and planning new posts.
 

The main reason that my beauty blog has suffered has been a shift in my priorities. Last year I decided that I was going to take the plunge and go on a solo trip around the world – this meant that all my time, money and resources had to go into saving and planning for the trip. Any money that I had was going into my travel pot – so I wasn’t able to buy any new, upcoming products to review!

My trip was incredible and I loved every second of it. I went to New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan before returning home just before Christmas.

 

Since I have been back I have been focusing on getting things back on track – namely finding myself a graduate job! Thankfully, after numerous searches, conversations, applications and interviews, I landed a role as an Account Executive at a marketing agency which I am absolutely chuffed about and so excited to start in June. Not only can I get my career started, but I can FINALLY actually have money to spend on make-up/skincare etc. Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty are not going to know what’s hit them!

I am really looking forward to being able to spend a lot more of my time writing on here. It is something I am passionate about and I have some exciting things planned.

One more thing that I just wanted to add. While I was away on my trip my uncle passed away from long-term illness complications. In the last week of his life he was able to stay in Michael Sobell Hospice, which was invaluable for both him and my family – the support and care that they provided and continue to provide is truly phenomenal at such a difficult time. My dad has decided to take on an incredible challenge to contribute to the £1.6m annual funding needed to keep it going. At the end of the month he is walking from the Marlow Bridge to the Source of the Thames (115 miles) before walking the Three Peaks – Sca Fell, Snowdon and Ben Nevis – all in a week. He has already smashed his original £2,500 target and has even featured in our local paper!

My family and I are all so proud of him and I think you can all agree that it is a suitably challenging task to raise money for a wonderful cause close to our hearts. If you can spare any change at all I would be so grateful, just click here to go to his JustGiving page.

Thanks for all your continued support, and see you soon for the next post!

L x

9 ways to kick your January blues

So... the festive season is over, the decorations are down, and it is so damn cold outside. But January doesn't have to be miserable! In fact, the start of a new year can be the perfect time to sort out and de-clutter your life, as well as relax and unwind after the busy festive period.

Here are 9 things you can be doing this month to help brighten up your dreary January!

1. Personal admin
One of the first things I like to do in January is a to-do list, and a general sort out of my finances. Although this may sound like a bit of a drag, it is the best way to feel productive and on top of things after the crazy chaos of Christmas/New Year. 

2. Declutter 

Less mess means less stress! January is the perfect time to clear out all the things you don't need anymore. If you don't have time for a huge clear-out or the thought of that sends you into a spin, take it one step at a time. I guarantee you will feel great for it afterwards.

3. Get active

I know it is one of those cliché things - join a gym in January, go a couple of times, never go again, end up wasting an eye-watering amount of money. We've all been there! But I think the key to it is to do something you enjoy, whether that is going for a swim, Zumba classes, yoga, even just getting outside and going for a stroll. If you have a gym membership and you don't enjoy using the gym, you are far less likely to keep going beyond January. As much as it can be a slog getting the motivation to exercise especially when it is cold and dreary, getting active can really help lift your mood - and even better if you do it with a friend! 

4. Spend time with your friends

Just because you are skint doesn't mean sit in on your own and wallow away the hours. If anyone can cheer you up, it's your mates, and you are all in the same boat. Doing things with them doesn't have to be expensive - go for a drive, have a movie night in, or even just go for a stroll around town.

5. Reflect on all the positive things that have happened in the past year

It's important to take the time to reflect on how far you have come, not just where you plan to go. Make a list of all the great things you did in 2016, and things that you did that make you proud. That can really kick-start your confidence when thinking about what you want to achieve in the year ahead.

(In 2016, I graduated!)

6. Write down your goals for the year ahead 

The whole idea of 'New Year's Resolutions' has become another cliché now, but rather than thinking of things that you want to change, I find that it really helps me to feel better by looking ahead to the year of things that I would like to achieve, and how I will be able to achieve them. Make manageable goals - so you don't feel like a failure if your goal of running the London Marathon doesn't come to fruition straight away. 

7. Plans for the year ahead  

Make some solid plans so that you have things to look forward to in the year ahead. Get a calendar and write all the important dates, birthdays, holidays, trips and events that you have planned, and if you haven't got much planned, then get together with your friends and think about things you would like to do. Festivals, weekends away, particular events that you want to go to. There are some great deals knocking about this month so it is a great time to get planning.

8. Eat well

By this I mean not just going on some crazy fad diet that will only last a few weeks. Just increase your fruit and veg intake, eat less junk and drink more water! Look up wholesome recipes that look good, and take the time to go out and buy everything that you need on your weekly shop. Being more organised in this area and thinking about your meals in advance will ensure that you don't waste money and you get exactly what you need. 

9. Take the time to look after yourself

The Christmas period is often chaotic, and you rarely can get time just to take care of number one. Take the time in January to get on top of your skincare regime, catch up on your favourite TV shows, read a new book, relax in the bath, whack on a face mask and generally recharge!

So there you have it - 9 ways to kick your January blues and get some order back into your life! What plans and goals do you have for the year ahead?

L x

The beginning of December means one thing... ADVENT CALENDARS!

Personally, I think advent calendars could be one of the best ideas... well, ever. As a kid I always got so excited about opening the doors every day to get that little tiny piece of chocolate. Now that I am older, I still get excited about opening the doors each day. But thanks to the creation of beauty advent calendars, I have even MORE reason to be excited!

You may have read my post on all of the different beauty advent calendars on the market. There were so many great ones available this year, and it really got me thinking about which one I was going to choose. 

I have inherited my love of all things beauty from my mum, and this year we both went a bit crazy on the advent calendar front (but that is definitely not a bad thing!) - we eventually settled on getting the You Beauty one and the LookFantastic one and drawing lots on who gets what, which was fair seeing as they are both very similar in terms of the products and brands featured inside. I got the Look Fantastic calendar!

If that wasn't enough, my mum then surprised me with the fact that she couldn't help herself and had bought TWO MORE fantastic calendars - the M&S one and the ASOS Beauty one (isn't she just fab?) and we agreed to swap them each day.

Here is a sneak peek of the products behind the first doors in each of the calendars.

LookFantastic - Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner

ASOS Beauty - Amie Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish

M&S - Bee Lovely Hand Cream

You Beauty - Aurelia Miracle Cleanser

A nice variety of products - so far... so good! I can't wait to see what other treats are in store.

L x

Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask - Review

If you have read my blog before you will know that I have been getting really into sheet masks lately (see some of my previous sheet mask reviews here and here). This year we have been inundated by Asian beauty concepts and sheet masks have definitely started to become mainstream - and the fact that big brands such as Garnier have started to create their own versions just goes to show their popularity! They really are a quick, effortless method for a hefty dose of moisture and overall skin refreshment whenever you fancy, and are perfect for even the laziest skincare lover as all of the product can be rubbed in afterwards (rinsing product away after a face mask is so last year).

The Garnier Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask slots nicely into the already established Moisture Bomb range (which I have yet to try myself). It contains a whole weeks worth of hydrating serum and it really does pack a punch when it comes to intensive moisturising - which is great for dry skin as the cold weather sets in. However one thing I would say is that unlike other sheet masks which I would feel comfortable using frequently, I feel like this one is very rich and would be a little overwhelming to use too often, particularly as I have oilier skin.

The mask itself is made up of 100% natural cellulose fiber tissue to help feed the serum into the skin and help to lock it into place so you can really get the most out of the product. The serum is packed full of goodies for your skin, including hyaluronic acid, which is known for it's ability to retain a LOT of moisture and therefore is great for promoting healthier, younger-looking skin. It also features natural ingredients such as pomegranate which is known for its wonderful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

The mask was a good shape and I had no trouble unfolding it and applying it to my face. It felt cooling and refreshing on my skin and I really enjoyed having it on, even if my boyfriend thought I looked slightly terrifying with it on. Straight after using this mask my skin felt smooth, supple and plump, and continued to look much more radiant and 'awake' for a long time after I had used the mask. Personally I wouldn't use the mask straight before putting make up on as I would be concerned that my foundation would just slide off! As value for money goes, with this mask you cannot go far wrong - 99p for a weeks worth of hydrating serum seems like a steal to me.

Overall, I would definitely use this mask again, but somewhat infrequently compared to some of the others that I have tried out. It has got me wondering about what is to come next with big brands and expanding their product range and creating their own sheet masks! I will certainly be one of the first to try them all out.

L x