Birchbox First Impressions & Review | June Box

If you've seen my past Youtube videos, then you'll know that I used to be subscribed to Glossybox. In fact, in past blog posts as well, you will be able to see boxes I'd got from them. I had loved being subscribed to Glossybox, but in the end I cancelled my subscription because I felt that I was getting the same old brands and similar products, and I was never using anything I got. 
After cancelling my subscription, I missed getting my monthly surprise goodies. So I looked into trying out a different box. After much researching, I came across Birchbox, who admittedly is very similar to Glossybox. I had seen videos of guru's and their Birchboxes on Youtube, and the products looked more to my taste - so I decided to get a subscription with them and I got my first box today! 

So a little bit about the box before I show you what I got. Birchbox is a monthly subscription box which costs £10 plus £2.95 p+p. I didn't have to pay postage for this box as being a new subscriber to the box, I had a code that meant I got it for free. I believe that code is no longer in use, but if you check their website, they might have codes go up in the future. You can also buy full sized makeup from the Birchbox website which is really cool as they usually have special offers on products. Check out the Birchbox website here - https://birchbox.co.uk/

In your box you get 4-5 samples, as well as a card with relevant information about your boxes theme and the products contained, and also a mini magazine containing more info on your products and how to use them. 

I did also get a little welcome card (as you can see in the picture above) which I thought was lovely, as it gave me all the relevant information I need to know about my subscription & box.
When you get your box delivered, it comes in an outer box (which keeps your box inside safe), and then inside you have your box. The products contained in the box are inside a little drawstring bag which is ever so cute, and I like that the main box is of an easily recyclable material, unlike the Glossybox's which were quite bulky and in general, too nice to throw away!!

I like that I can keep my products in the little bag until I get around to using them. It is very handy indeed!

So now onto what products I got!!
On the Birchbox website, you can personalise a profile, so you get the choice of products you will like each month. For this months box I cheated, because I ordered it after it had been released, so I pretty much knew what I was going to get. But normally the box will be a surprise each month - which is the best bit!

In my box I got 5 samples, plus an extra free gift! This months box has the theme of Global strikers - in other words, the world cup football on at the moment!

The one item that caught my eye was the Beautyblender! I was over the moon when I saw this in my box, as I have wanted to buy it for ages! The Beautyblender itself is worth £26, and the box only cost me £10 - bargain! I was going to buy this a few months back and I am so glad I didn't. You also get a little soap with the Beautyblender too, so you can clean it. I am very excited to try this out!

Next I got a little miniature OPI nail polish which is from the Brazil collection. The full collection is worth £11.95. My colour is a goldy yellow with shimmer, which is not a colour I would usually go for, but it's still pretty and I will use it.

The next product is the Caudalie Vinoperfect day perfecting fluid. This is a 10ml sample and the full size would be £38. I have recently got into trying new skincare, so this moisturiser looks interesting to try out, as I have never tried anything from Caudalie before.

One product that I will always get use out of is body lotion. So to get a 30ml sample of the Naobay body radiance lotion, makes me happy indeed! The full size of this is £14. It has shea butter, olive and avocado oils in it, and it smells lovely and lemony! I think I will enjoy using it!

Another brand I'm always excited to see products from is The Balm. I got a little sample of the 'How 'Bout Them Apples?' cheek & lip cream. This costs £26 for the palette, and the sample shade I got was 'Pie'. It is a gorgeous pinky/peach/orange colour, and feels soo buttery. I love products from The Balm.

And finally, I got a little extra gift, which is a Birchbox flip flop keyring - very cute!!

Overall I am so impressed with my box. Obviously I did have an idea what I was going to be getting but I am happy with the variety of items I received. With Glossybox I always ended up getting mostly skincare and haircare items, and maybe one makeup item. I prefer to have makeup mostly and a couple of either skincare & haircare products. With the special profile you fill in on the website, it helps to choose the right products for you. But with Glossybox, even though they had a similar profile thing on their website, I never got anything I liked. Hopefully Birchbox will continue to be as good as it is at the moment, and I am already super excited to receive my next box!

I was going to do an unboxing video for this box, but seeing as I knew what my items might be, I've decided I'll skip that until next time. Keep tuned on my Youtube channel for when that video goes up next month!

If you have a subscription with either Glossybox or Birchbox, let me know what you think of your boxes! x

Goodbye Glossybox! December Glossybox

Hi all,

Sorry this is a bit late, most people will have already put up their Glossybox blog posts! But I did want to get this up as this is the December Glossybox, and my last ever one! Unfortunately I have had to cancel my subscription to Glossybox for financial reasons, and I also find I don't end up using half the products I get so always seems like a waste of money. But I can always go back to my subscription in the future if I like. 

So I thought I'd do a little show and tell of all the bits I got in my box. And December boxes are always the best in my mind! I love the christmas themed box, very festive I must say! So onto the goodies I got!

As usual you get your little information card which tells you all about the products you've got and also there is the glossy magazine. This months box has the theme 'festive treasures'!.

The first thing I noticed when I opened my box was this razor by wilkinson sword. This retails at £6.49 and I usually don't buy these razors as the refills are so expensive, but I'm happy I've got a chance to try this one out. It has four blades which are surrounded by a soap which will help to keep you moisturised. It's also has a little holder so you can pop your razor on your bathroom wall. I'm excited to try this out!

Next I got the sanctuary resurface and refine ultra polish. I've never tried any of the sanctuary products but this one smells really nice - like sugary lemon! This looks interesting so I'm eager to see if it's any good!

I then got a maybelinne color tattoo in the shade 'on and on bronze'. I was really excited when I saw this because I love the color tattoos but sadly I got given a colour I already have. However it is my favorite shade so now I'm all stocked up!

I also got a full size Seche nail polish in the shade 'snapdragon'. Although I have lots of hot pink/fushia colours like this, I am happy because this nail polish is usually £9.95 and I like this brand!

Finally I got a sample of a lipgloss by the brand beautiful movements. It's a lovely nude colour which will be great for everyday use.

That is all for my last ever Glossybox. I will miss my monthly treats but I can always subscribe again if I want to.  What did you guys get in your box?

Sara x 

October Glossybox

So it's now that time of the month where I get my monthly goodies in the post, Glossybox! 

This months box has the theme of 'dark romance' which I think is a perfect theme for autumn. As usual you get your five sample/full size products, and your little card telling you about the products you've got. Glossybox have also started doing their own magazine which is something they only started doing last month.

The first item I got was these two sachet samples of Vita Liberata, Latte Illuminating Skin Finish. This retails at £29.95 for 30ml. From what I can work out this is something you use for your skin as like a bronzed finish. I'm not sure if I'll like this as I don't usually use products like this, but I'll give it a go. You can buy it from www.vitaliberata.co.uk/store

Next is the Premae, Multi-vit Smoothie Serum, which retails at £22.50 for 50ml. This is a skin product which you can use in the morning and evening as part of your skin care routine. It also says you can mix this with a foundation to create a bb cream, which sounds really interesting. I may have to try that out! Buy at www.premaeskincare.com/shop

I have received products from this brand before. It's the Monu Illuminating Primer. I am so excited to try this as I am in need of a new primer so this has come in good time! This retails at £24.95 for 50ml. It's seems like it should be quite good, so I am expecting good things from this. Buy from www.monushop.co.uk

Next I have a sample of the Katy Perry perfume, Killer Queen. I am soooo glad I've got this because I was wondering what it was like. This is £29.50 for 50ml which I think is so cheap compared to other perfumes! I had to spritz this as soon as I got my box this morning and it smells divine. It's has a mixture of floral and darkness to it, yet sweet at the same time. I really like it! I have have to get the full version. You can buy this from anywhere that sells perfume. Boots, super drug, etc.

The final thing I got is the Me Me Me, Cherubs Blush cheek & lip tint. This is usually £5.50 and you can get this from super drug or from their website at www.mememecosmetics.co.uk

I'm really happy with this. I've tried it out on my lips and cheeks already and it looks so pretty. It smells a bit like Turkish delight too!! Annoyingly my bottle has decided to leak but I can't see myself having to repurchase this as a little goes a long way. 

If I get on well with the products I will be doing a full review on the products. But for now I thought I'd show you what I got :) x

May Glossybox!

Another month, another Glossybox.

I always get rather excited when I know my next Glossybox is due in, especially when I realised it was Glossybox's 2nd birthday, so there is bound to  be a delightful box waiting for me to open!

Sadly, I received my box 3 days later than everyone else did, I know, how annoying. But now that I've got it, I thought I would show you what I got!

The first thing that caught my eye was this rather large can of spray stuff. Turns out it's actually a shine spray for your hair. By the company 'Awapuhi', this retails at £18.95 and is meant to add shine to your hair, as well as protect it. I'm all for trying new hair products, especially when my current hair shine spray is running out, so now I have a replacement!  This smells really nice and it's key ingredient is Ginger which you can smell. It didn't leave my hair feeling damp or tangly, only soft and healthy which is a very good thing! And seeing as this is the full size, this is a brilliant product in the box!

I always get overly excited when I see a full size nail polish in my box. This one is by the brand 'Headline Colors' and is usually £9. I got mine in this gorgeous bluey-turquoise colour which was called 'Poolside Party'. This polish is really pigmented and such a perfect colour for the summer, so I am very happy with that!

The next item I wasn't so pleased to see. It's the Collection liquid eyeliner and is usually £2.99. The reason why I wasn't happy to see this was because I hate it! I've tried it before and the brush is so stiff and the liquid dries up really quickly. It's not a good liquid eyeliner, and I don't think I will try to use it.

Next I got a mascara by 'Jelly Pong Pong' and this is usually £15! I haven't tried this yet but I am expecting good things from it seeing as it's so expensive. So if I like it I will let you guys know in another post!

This strange little pot is apparently a multi-functional product. It's a clear gel which can be mixed with powders such as blushers, foundation powder, eyeshadows. It then creates a cream products, so for example a cream blusher. It also can be used as a primer which I may try out as usually most primers break me out. However I have tried it with a powder blush and it seems quite good and isn't too heavy on the skin. Again, this is something I will keep you posted on when I try it out more!

 

 

Finally I got a glossybox own product which was just a little pack of mini nail files which I thought was super cute! Hope you liked this post.

 

Sara x

April GlossyBox

Hi everyone,

Today I received my Glossybox in the post (a day later than most people mind you!), so I thought I would share my thoughts of the contents with you!

This months box is the April box, and it's theme is springtime. As you can see from the above picture, the box itself is also a different design which I absolutely love! And I have to say, this months box is probably the best I've ever had! So now on to the contents!

My first goody in the box was an Essie nail polish, which I was excited about/also disappointed! I love Essie nail polishes sooooo much, and I was so excited when I saw one in the box! But the disappointing thing about it was that I already have this colour, WAAA!!
Nevertheless, I am very pleased with colour, which was the much hyped about 'Bikini so teeny', but obviously the downside being that I already have it. It would of been nice to have got a colour I didn't have, but oh well, I'm all stocked up on that shade!! And in case you didn't know, you can get Essie nail polishes from boots for £7.99.

Next I got a body butter by Nip+Fab, in Pistachio Sundae. OMG......I LOVE THIS! This body butter is the most gorgeous yummy smell I think I have ever smelt. I would say it smells too much like Pistachio's, but it's very sweet and I could quite possibly eat it. The texture of the product is really soft and creamy, and it's something I'm going to enjoy using. This is usually £9.95 for 200ml, which is quite expensive for a body butter, but I would splash out that much money for it because it smells delicious!

The next item is a hand cream by Crabtree & Evelyn. I'm always open to try new hand care products as it's something that I always use, and I am pleased with this. It seems really moisurising and refreshing, yet it smells so nice and pleasant as well. This retails at £14 for 100g which I think is a fair enough price, and this seems like a product that I will get on really well with and possibly purchase in the future.

Glossybox is always a brilliant way to discover new perfumes, and I was very excited to see a perfume sample in the box! This one is by Yves Rocher and is called So Elixir Purple. I'm starting to become more aware of Yves Rocher products recently and this perfume seems to be another good product. It's a very dark night-time scent, feminine yet classy. It's a scent that wouldn't usually be my taste but it's something that I possibly may look at buying.

The final product was a pencil by Illamasqua which is usually £13.I got mine in the shade Spell, which is a pretty coral/pink, and these pencils can be used on your eyes, lips and brows. Obviously this colour I would use on my lips, because I don't fancy having pink eyebrows! But the colour is very pretty and the pencil seems like really good quality, so I am excited to start using this!

That was all in the April Glossybox! If you got this months box, then leave a comment below as to what you thought of it! x

What's in this months Glossybox?

Hello!
So, I returned from work today today to find a little gem waiting for me....only this months Glossybox!

I thought I would do a quick post on what I got, and maybe I will do a review of what I thought of the products at a later date.
So this months box is titled the 'Detox' box, with many products for your skin! I have to say, usually I'm not that bothered about skincare products, but recently I have been getting back into using them so I'm eager to try these little beauties! So what did I get??

 Firstly I got this sample size (30ml) of a body lotion by the brand 'Duck Island', which I think is a really funky name! This would usually be £24.95 for 500ml, so I wouldn't say its too expensive. Now I usually love body lotions, but I am a little put off this. It looks and smells like the bathroom cleaner ciff! Or Jiff (I'm not sure what it's called now but I'm sure you know what I mean!). I have yet to try it so I may be pleasantly surprised, but so far, first impression is not good!

Next I have a warming face mask by 'Monu'. My sample size is 30ml, and this product is usually £24.95 for 100ml. I'm very eager to try this because I do love face masks, and it doesn't smell too bad either. This seems like it could be a very promising product, as it claims to help increase vitamin and mineral absorption, as well as renewing cell health.

Now this is the only product that I've tried so far! And it seems good at the moment! This is called the 'Lip Bee Healthier' lip balm by Jason, and is usually £1.99. It contains Aloe and Beeswax, and is meant to soothe and protect your lips! It seemed to moisturise my lips which is what I especially want from a lip balm, but it did make my lips tingle a little bit which was bit weird! But I do like this product!

Next is an exfoliating face wash by 'Elemis' (30ml), and this is usually £12 for 100ml. I do love a good face wash, and this one seems like it could be good. It smells really nice and is ok-priced for the full size.I'm excited to try this because I love nothing more than my face feeling clean and refreshed, so i need a product that is going to do that.

Next is this face toner by 'Premae Skincare' (30ml), this is usually £27.50 for 50ml. With this being quite a pricey product I would expect it to be good!! I have been looking for a new toner so maybe this is the one for me!? It looks and smells good, so I have a feeling I will be getting good results from this!

Finally, Glossybox threw in a little extra freebie. This cute eye patch thing for sleepy nights or just relaxing. I wouldn't usually use one of these, but its too cute and i think i may have to try it out!

So that was everything in this months box. I will do a review on what I thought of the products at a later date. Did you get the same products in this months box? If so, what do you think of them?

xx

September Glossybox

 

 

Hurrah! The September Glossybox has arrived!

 

Hello all, sorry for the odd welcome but I am very excited to show you what was in this months Glossybox! As you can see, the box is a different design to the usual one, but it's fab and I love it. Totally keeping for storage!

 

 

 

So I have to admit, this was my first EVER Glossybox. Yes, yes, I know, shocker! I've always wanted to join the Glossybox parade and get my beauties once a month, but I had never been able to afford it. Hurrah to new jobs, eh!?!! So now I've jumped on the Glossybox bandwagon and am loving it!

 

Sooooo, what's in this months box??

 



Lady Gaga has brought out a perfume called 'Fame', and Glossybox gave us a sample! Oooh how kind! I had been eager to see what this smelt like, but I have to say, I am a little bit dissapointed! It just smells so tacky and overpowering! Really not what I expected at all. But I guess it being Lady Gaga, it had to be a little bit OTT! Did like the fact that the tester was a really cute spritzer, but shame about the smell. Some people might like it, but I'm afraid it's just not for me!

 

 

I am super happy with these 4 samples of Rodial skincare. 2 of them are clay masks which are brilliant and I am really happy with because I needed to buy some anyway! Overall a great product and worth buying!

 

 



Hair oil is something I'm not too keen on, as I always feel like it makes your hair too greasy, even though it's really good for it! So I am sorry, but I haven't tried this yet, but in time I hope to be brave enough to do so. Haha I'm such a wimp! But the product does smell really great and has Argan Oil in which is fab-a-dab!!

Luckily I don't suffer from bags under my eyes, so eye cream is not something I need to use. However, I Have tried this and it is a good product. It does leave your skin feeling tight and a bit sticky, but it makes you look revitalised and awake! Plus it smells great too!

The final product in the box was the Vichy day cream! I love this and really want to buy a full size of it! It's such a good day cream and it smells lush, like rasberries!! I like to apply this first thing in the morning and it makes me feel refreshed and more awake. Totally recommend this if you want a new day cream. I really liked the packaging too, very professional! Now I just need to find a shop that will stock this!

So, that was the September Glossybox! Overall I do really like my first experience of Glossybox and can't wait to recieve next months goodies!

What did you think of this months box? Let me know!