Glossybox, May 2019.

I missed my usual Glossybox blog post last month, a cross between forgetting and then laziness when I remembered I hadn't done it. And I'm writing about the May box in June. All signs point to a blogging slump, one that I want to try to combat.

May's box featured the usual five items, all of which were full size. The total value of all the products comes to a whopping £81, when the cost of the box is only £10 plus P&P. The box cost can lower depending on what method you choose when you subscribe. I pay once per month and can cancel whenever I like but 3 month, 6 month and yearly subscriptions are available too. You can also sign up for a year and still pay monthly, which comes out at £8.50 instead of £10 per month.

Barry M Cosmic Lights Highlighting Palette

Full size, RRP £7.99

"From glass skin to yoga skin, a glowing complexion is always en vogue. That's where your Barry M highlighting palette comes in! Boasting 6 shades, including 2 creamy hues and 4 irridescent powders, it's the perfect companion to give your complexion a luminous, healthy glow. Apply the creams for subtle radiance, use the powders to create a shimmery look, or layer the two to build an on-trend, dewy glow."

I'm not going to be keeping this. The majority of shades look too dark for me. It was nice to see but I do wish I'd gotten the contour palette instead.

Annabelle Minerals Mineral Blush in Rose

Full size, RRP £12.50

"Mineral makeup is a trend that's here to stay. Boasting natural and lightweight ingredients, it's not only suitable for all skin types, but actually helps heal, soothe and protect your complexion. That's why we love this blush so much! 100% organic, it's formulated with 4 mineral ingredients that help maintain healthy skin. Plus, the gorgeous pink shade will give your cheeks a rosy and radiant flush."

I love this! It's such a perfect, subtle shade and the packaging means they'll be no powder spillages even when travelling. 

Beauty Kitchen Natural Lip Treatment

Full size, RRP £2.99

"2019 is all about sustainable beauty! Beauty Kitchen have created this 0% petroleum sustainable lip treatment that is more effective and less greasy that petroleum jelly alternatives. Made with 100% natural ingredients, this balm moisturises and protects your lips for up to 8 hours, keeping them soft, beautiful and healthy. Better yet, the packaging is 100% recyclable and made from recycled tinplate- good for the environment, great for your lips!"

The description for this sounds great but there's only so many lipbalms I can use at one time and there seems to have been an influx of them in beauty boxes recently. I could do with a break from the lipbalms for now please glossybox!

Mudmasky Aftermask Vitamin Serum

Full size, RRP £43

"This serum is at the forefront of an up-and-coming beauty trend! The first skincare product in the world specially designed to be used after a facemask, it nourishes your complexion with the vitamins your skin will craving after an intense clay, charcoal, sheet or peel off mask treatment. Simpy apply a thin layer to your face after removing your mask and you'll have soft and smooth skin!"

This sounds amazing. Not only do I like the idea of this product, but Mudmasky is a brand I've enjoyed using in the past so I'm really happy to have this.

Nailberry Nail Polish in Love Me Tender

Full size, RRP £14.50

"Meet the next generation of state-of-the-art nail polish! Part of Nailberry's revolutionary Oxygene range, this multi-award winning nail polish uses patented technology to deliver a healthier manicure without compromising on colour quality. It covers your nail with a unique film which allows air and water vaper to pass through it, ensuring your cuticles are protected, even while wearing nail polish."

This is so similar to other shades I've already got but it's my go-to shade so I'll definitely me trying this. It'll be interesting to see how this compares to my favourite Nails Inc polish!

The sneak peak for June's box is an Avant Primer, worth £85!

What do you think of May's box?

Glossybox, March 2019

Glossybox are on a roll this year. March marks another sold out month and it's easy to see why. Glossybox offers one of the best value beauty boxes on the market for only £10 a month or £8.50 per month if you opt to go for a year's worth of boxes over 12 payments. Block subscriptions are also available. Postage costs £3.25 per box and you can track your box through each step of the delivery process.

But what's in March's box? Contents can vary but here's what I got in mine...

Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme in Coral Stone (Full size RRP £20)

"Feel like a goddess with one of Bellapierre's full coverage, high impact liquid lipsticks. Its creamy formula glides on effortlessly and dries instantly for a gorgeous matte finish. Best of all, the colour payoff  lasts for hours without needing a touchup."

That shade! There were various shades available and I'm so pleased with this one! I agree with the claims about the staying power, I've swatched it and it hasn't budged all day. The best item in this month's box!

BYBI Plumper Lip Balm (Full size RRP £9)

"Boasting a thick and creamy formula, this plumping lip balm restores and protects dry lips, leaving them soft, smooth and healthy. It also contains hints of peppermint and capsicum that plump your pout and enhance its natural shape."

I always find lip balms handy to throw in a handbag so I'm glad of any to add to my stash. This one is natural and vegan, even the packaging is biodegradable. 

Essence Glow to Go Illuminating Setting Spray (Full size RRP £3.30)

"This illuminating setting spray not only stops your makep from smudging, but it boasts fine light-reflecting particles that will give you a glowing complexion in seconds. Spray it 30cm from your face for a confidence-boosting shimmer that lasts all day!"

I love a dewy finish  so I'm pleased to get this setting spray over some of the others that were available. The small size will also make it handy for travelling. It's inexpensive too so I won't hesitate to repurchase this.

Laritzy Cosmetics Dew Pot in Utopia (Full size RRP £15.30)

"This smooth and blendable highlighter provides a dewy radiance that lasts all day. It's formulated with ultrafine shimmer that accentuates your features and enhances all skin tones. Apply to your cheekbones, brow bones and cupid's bow for a rosy lit-from-within glow."

I'm going to pass on this. We've been getting a lot of Laritzy products over the last year and I haven't found them to be that great. Plus, all skin tones?! This highlighter isn't going to work for my pale skin, maybe as a cream blush but not for a highlight.

Toni & Guy Radiant Rose Illuminating Hair Perfume (Handbag size RRP £8.25)

"Your hair is the crown you wear everyday, so give it an extra boost with this glittery hair perfume. Mist it over your locks after styling to enhance it's natural fragrance, smoothness, sparkle and shine."

I've never used a hair perfume before but I tried this out and Glenn commented how nice my hair smelt. So, it definitely works! I can't see myself using it a lot but it'll be nice to use for special occasions.

The sneak peak for April's box is the Dr Botanicals Pomegranate Superfood Regenerating Sleeping Mask. I've received this before in a Birchbox but I'm still yet to try it out. Fingers crossed I end up liking it!

What do you think to March's box? Have you tried any of these products before?

Danni

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I Don't Understand the BeautyBlender Hype.

Before buying the original Beauty Blender I'd heard so many different versions of "Once you try it, you'll never go back to using a normal beauty sponge." Do I agree with this statement now I actually have tried it? No. Do I think it's worth the extra money? No.

I put off buying a Beauty Blender for so long based on the price. Why would I spend that much on a simple sponge when I could buy a sponge that does a great job for under a fiver?!

But there I was on holiday in the US, ready to buy my Ulta purchases and they had Beauty Blenders right by the tills. I had spending money to spare so I thought 'fuck it, just buy it.'

I honestly hardly reach for it now I have bought it. I find it soaks up more product than other sponges I've tried and I don't think my foundation looks any better using it. My sponge of choice is one I actually bought at the same time, the EcoTools Total Perfecting Blender. I love the fact this is a little less squidgy and has two flat edges, which is something I also like about the Real Techniques sponge and the No 7 one.

My advice here? Don't always believe the hype, what works for someone else might now work for you so don't feel pressured to love a product just because everyone else seems to.

What do you think of the original Beauty Blender? 
What's your favourite brand of makeup sponge?

Danni
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Sephora, Ulta & Duty Free Haul.

Ulta and Sephora were on my must visit list while in America. Dragging Glenn round three different sephoras and two different ultas was probably not the best idea but there was only mild complaining. I definitely spent more than I probably should have...

Elizabeth Arden Fragrance Free Eight Hour Cream

I picked this up at duty free because I had some dollars left over. Now we're heading into the winter months, I know my dry skin will be even worse. I've been applying this to my lips before bed and I can already notice a difference.

Benefit Hoola Lite

This has been on my wishlist for a while so I got this a duty free with my remaining dollars. This bronzer is aimed at those with fair or pale skin.

Bliss Makeup Melt

Another product I picked up at the airport. Bliss is a brand I've wanted to try properly for a while. The only thing I've used before and still use regularly is the Fabulips lip balm.

Kat Von D Fetish Eyeshadow Palette

I knew I wanted this palette as soon as I saw it on instagram before we even left the UK. For the first week we were there, it wasn't in stores and only on the Sephora website. Two days before we came home, we went in the Sephora in Downtown Disney and it was in store. And I got the last one!

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

I ran out of my travel size of this a few days into our holiday so I picked this up as it was a necessity. 

Josie Maran Vibrancy Argan Oil Foundation in Dynamic

I knew I wanted this foundation before we left. It's almost impossible to get hold of this in the UK unless you're willing to spend £80 on it! I've been loving using this. It's not cakey and it sits on my skin beautifully.

Bite Sephora Birthday Gift

I got this free for joining beauty insider. It includes samples of the lip scrub and lip balm plus two minis of the lip crayon and a mini lipstick. I've already worn the lipstick since I've been back and it's the perfect autumn shade.

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer

Another one that was on my list to get. I've really been liking this and I love the scent of it. It reminds me of being on a hot beach.

Ecotools Total Perfecting Blender

Another one I knew I wanted, most of these were on my list due to watching Thataylaa on youtube. I haven't got round to trying this yet and the only reason for that is I also made a last minute purchase at the tills in Ulta.

Beauty Blender Original

I finally gave in. I've always held back from trying out the original beauty blender just because it seems so expensive for what it is. These were right by the till in Ulta and I couldn't help myself.

Catrice Prime and Fine Smoothing Refiner

Catrice was one of the brands I was most interested in checking out and I didn't hesitate in picking up this primer.

Catrice Prime and Fine Professional Contouring Palette in Ashy Radiance

I've heard great things about this contour palette, especially from those with pale skin so I picked two up to keep me going for the next year. I also wanted to get the Dewy Setting spray from Catrice but it wasn't in store.

BH Cosmetics Naturally Flawless Liquid Foundation in Ivory

I honestly don't know what possessed me to buy this, it was spur of the moment decision and I'm not wowed by this foundation but it's always good to have a foundation to use so I don't have to use my more expensive ones all the time.

L-R: Neutrogena HydroBoost in Classic Ivory, BH foundation in Ivory.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint in Classic Ivory

I bought this as I have dry skin and thought it would be good to use on work days rather than a proper foundation. I like it but I bought the lightest shade and it's slightly too dark for me.

Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in Fair Light

I don't need any more loose powders but I'd heard good things about this and as it isn't available in the UK, I thought I may as well get it!

Too Faced Gingerbread Spice Eyeshadow Palette

I didn't have any intention of buying this but I picked it up to look at it and set off the security tag alarm. One of the employees had to take it behind the till to sort it out and I felt so bad that when I was paying I said I'd buy it. You can never have too many eyeshadow palettes, right?

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Gingerbread Girl

Melted Matte are one of my favourite formulas of liquid lipsticks and I originally wanted to get my hands on Gingerbead Man but it wasn't in stock so I picked Gingerbread Girl up instead. This is darker than Gingerbread Man but is still such a me shade.

So that's all the makeup and beauty I bought while in America. I did a fair bit of damage but it was worth it!

Have you tried any of these?

Danni

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Glossybox VS Birchbox, June 2018.

June is almost over so what better time to review and compare this month's Birchbox and Glossybox? Both boxes cost £10 a box on a month to month basis, so I think it's always interesting to compare what you get for your money with each box considering they're the same price. Birchbox's P&P costs £2.95 and they use Hermes for delivery. I find the service lacking here, as the drivers have just left my boxes outside in different places without even ring the doorbell or pushing a card through telling me where they've put it. Glossybox's P&P costs £3.25 through Royal Mail's tracked service which I've never had a problem with.

Birchbox came in a gorgeous tin instead of the usual cardboard drawer. I don't know what I'm going to use it for but I'm definitely keeping it.

My favourite product inside Birchbox was the Ella Eden Compact Eyeshadow in the shade Julia. (Full size, RRP £12.99) This is such a pretty, subtle shade that is perfect for everyday.

The next product is the Number 4 Smoothing Balm. I'm not a fan of receiving hair products in subscription boxes so I probably won't keep this.

Next up is Lord & Berry Strobing Highlighter Pencil. I've seen highlighter sticks before but they're all chubby compared to this one. I'm probably just use this one for underneath by brow bone but it's a lovely shade.

Being a pale girl, I'm also happy to see sun protection in a beauty box. The Polaar Sun Fluid Face & Body is SPF30 and the perfect size to throw in a handbag to use as a top up throughout the day.

I'm looking forward to trying Benefit Porefessional Pearl Primer, I just wish the sample wasn't so tiny! I haven't tried the normal porefessional either yet but I do like a bit of glow in my primer sometimes.

Also in the tin was an extra from Whittard of Chelsea of three individual teabags. I won't be using these as I'm a commoner when it comes to a cuppa, tetley or nothing!

So Birchbox had one full size product, making the overall value not that impressive. The sneak peak for July is a Manna Kadar full sized long-wear powder with two shades to choose from.

Glossybox came in the usual baby pink box and was very skincare heavy this month, so it wasn't one of my favourites.

First up is the Monu Skin Eye Cool Gel. (Full size, RRP £24.95) This sounds like it'll be good for me as I suffer with dark circles and dry skin on my undereyes.

The Gatineau Strategie Jeunesse Firming Throat gel is also a full sized products and has an RRP of £49! I've passed this on to my mum as she'll get more use out of it than me.

Another product my mum claimed is the Novex Mystic Black Deep Hair Mask. This sounds like a miracle product for dry hair and as I suffer from oily hair, I was more than happy to give this away, it did smell lovely when I had a quick sniff in the pot though.

We have another skincare product in the Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Fix. Out of the three skincare products, this is the one I'm most excited about. I love Nip + Fab as a brand so I have high hopes for this.

My favourite boxes are the ones that are makeup heavy but the only makeup in this month's box is the Laritzy Cosmetics Shade Stix in the shade Aloha (Full Size, RRP £18.) I haven't dabbled in cream bronzer before so this is a little scary to me but I'm going to give it a try.

The sneak peak for next month is a Sea Water Hair Spray by Senhor Do Bonfim for beachy waves. I'm more excited about this than Birchbox's sneak peak so I'm looking forward to that already.

I wasn't really blown away by either box this month. It's the first time I haven't loved one box more than the other but Glossybox did give more value for money.

Which box do you prefer? Are you subscribed to any of these?

Danni
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