Birchbox UK | July 2015

Birchbox - July 2015 Edition

Wow, a year since I have done a Birchbox post! This month is more of a Birchbag - a cute, bright yellow bag to be precise. It's a fun change from the usual box packaging and the bag will be handy for holding my toiletries when out and about, and gives me that holiday feeling!

Birchbox this month had a very summery vibe with lots of products that cater towards travelling, perfect for those going away as they are all in handy sample sizes too!

Cowshed | Cow Pat Hand Cream

This rather odd blend of grapefruit and coriander actually complimented each other pretty well, though it did take getting used to! I prefer more floral, fruity scents with my hand creams but the results were great and I was left with smooth, soft hands. I liked that it left my hands smelling fresh and melted in really quickly.

Balance Me| Congested Skin Serum

I love Balance Me products! I am always pleasantly surprised at how well they work and how great they leave my skin feeling. This 'congested skin serum' has a gorgeous scent, a blend of chamomile, lavender and aloe vera. It smells a lot better than what I usually put on skin blemishes and is great for calming break outs.

UNANI | Aloe Vera Gel

I'm not really sure what to make of this one! It's for soothing burns, blemishes, eczema and bites. It doesn't have much scent, but I guess it wouldn't as it's basically a medicinal product. However I am planning to use it after shaving, hopefully it will soothe my skin and improve the feel without irritating.

POP Beauty | Eyeshadow Trio in Peach Parfait

This cute pallet has gorgeous, warm tones. A mix of shimmery, creamy copper colours. They seem to have a good pigment to them and they blend really well. I can't wait to try these out for summer, they are perfect for summer days and the beach!

Benefit Cosmetics | Dream Screen

The sun cream smells so subtle and blends quickly and efficiently. I loved that it felt barely there, especially as sun creams can feel so heavy and sweaty on your face. It's also SPF 45, perfect for those who are subject to burning (like myself!).

Barely| Prep, Blot & Blend Sponge

I love blending sponges so can't wait to try this - just worried because my cat is OBSESSED with sponges, especially make up sponges! Keeping it in the bag for now until I have somewhere I can hide them from him!

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!

Birchbox UK | June 2014

Birchbox - May 2014 Edition

I cannot seem to get away from the football madness at the moment, something that was confirmed to me when I realised that the theme for Birchbox this month was footie related. Le sigh. However, the box did not disappoint. It was more of a global theme than a sports theme, with lovely products from around the world. Here is my round-up:

Embryolisse | Lait-Crème Concentré

I found this moisturiser to be very rich, though it did melt into the skin very quickly. I'm not sure how those with sensitive skin would find it, but I found it really pleasant on my combination skin. My skin tends to get drier in the winter months, and I have a feeling this would be a brilliant moisturiser for then.

Silk + Honey| Shea Butter Hair Mask

I only have showers, so to have to stand about for 15 minutes for this to soak in was never going to be a good idea for me. I loved the scent which was fresh and feminine, but it didn't stay after my hair was dried. I wasn't very pleased with the product (I'm used to a thicker, quicker hair mask). However, I did get lots of compliments later about how shiny my hair was looking so I can't deny that it worked!

OPI | Nail Lacquer - The Brazil Collection

I received the colour 'Next Stop the Bikini Zone'. It is a shimmery lilac shade, very feminine and metallic. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the colour, though the solution went on a treat. I've decided I'm going to give this away to my Mum and sister, who both tried some on when we were opening the box and fell in love with it!

Yves Rocher | Sheer Botanical Lipstick

This shade (corail doux) is a beautiful orangey pink that goes really well with my complexion. The stick is velvety and goes on really well, leaving lips very moisturised. I definitely recommend this if you find lipsticks dry out your lips or if you aren't used to wearing lipstick, as it was a lovely subtle formula. This was probably my favourite product this month and it's already become a handbag staple!

Naobay | Body Radiance Lotion

This citrus scented body lotion left my skin feeling very silky and the scent lasted a decent amount of time. It's a light formula and felt very fresh, making it a brilliant morning pick-me-up! It's organic and also against animal testing which is always great to see.

I also got a wee yellow and green flip-flop keyring as my lifestyle product, but there isn't much to say about it apart from it's now on my window keys! It was a great box with lots of really good pampering products as well as products for use on the go. I loved all the sweet and citrus summer scents and how moisturising all the products were.

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!

Birchbox UK | May 2014

Birchbox - May 2014 Edition

Wow! What a gorgeous Birchbox this month! An exclusive collaboration with Harper's Bazaar celebrating the great outdoors and all things summer, this box was all about flexible samples that are perfect for freshening up. Sophie Bloomfield, the beauty director at Harper's Bazaar, also contributed her own tips for the box which are actually very helpful and made the in-box magazine a fantastic read. Here is a round-up of my box opening:

Benefit Cosmetics | They're Real! Mascara

Mascara is definitely one of my essentials and I am always on the hunt for a mascara that lasts without clumps or flaking. This is a neat sized sample with a brilliant wand so I'm really happy with the packaging. The formula itself promises "both volume and length to all types of lashes" and is a beautiful jet black, perfect for framing the eyes.

Soigné | Nail Lacquer

I was a bit hesitant at first as I am quite fussy with my nail varnishes and before I knew what colour it was, I just hoped it would be a summer shade! Luckily, I got this absolutely gorgeous nude with a slight pearl sheen, 'crème au beurre'. The formula is non-toxic, animal cruelty free and vegan which is great to see. They have a stunning selection of nail shades that I may just have to order as they all look fabulous.

Aromatherapy Associates | Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil

This is an odd product, an oil that, if you have a shower, you are recommended to smooth over your body before showering, then you wash it off (if you are having a bath, you add it to the bath water before getting in). However, I absolutely love an oil product as my skin really appreciates the moisturising effects and it is perfect for summer when you need to lock in all the moisture that you can! Also, the scent of pink grapefruit, rosemary and juniper berry is amazing and lasts ages. The suggestion by Harper Bazaar's beauty director Sophie Bloomfield is to wear it as a fragrance which I am tempted to do as I just love the luxurious scent.

Beauty Protector | Protect & Shampoo, Protect & Condition

I am really glad Birchbox put in the two samples of both a shampoo and conditioner so you can get the full effect of both products! Exclusive to Birchbox, these two products are perfect if, like me, you are guilty of using heat on your hair. The honey pearl powder works like keratin to help repair any damage to the hair like frizz and split ends whilst also protecting from any future damage to the hair with UV protection.

Liz Earle Beauty Co. | Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I love hot cloth cleansers so I am so excited to try this out! Muslin clothes are excellent at buffing, giving you a unique glow to your skin. The product is celebrating an amazing 100 beauty awards, so you just know that this is going to be fantastic.

I loved my box this month, it was just so on point with the packaging, the products and the collaboration with Harper's Bazaar. With the box came a subscription offer with £12 for 12 issues of Harper's Bazaar which is a really good extra for Birchbox subscribers. I just feel the boxes are getting better and better, this one in particular felt so me and I cannot wait to use these products!

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!

Birchbox UK | April 2014

Birchbox - April 2014 Edition

This month, Birchbox was inspired by all things foodie related. Many of the products had scents and influences from the kitchen! Here is a round-up of my box opening:

theBalm® cosmetics | How 'Bout Them Apples

The packaging is adorable and I loved how it felt on my lips as it is a soft, creamy balm that felt very moisturising. The colour palette is really good too. I loved trying out the shade 'pie', it was a vibrant, deep pink that really suited my skintone. Not sure I'll be trying this product on my cheeks as I think the colour might come off a bit strong on my pale skin, but really pleased with this tester.

Lord & Berry | Couture Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil

Apart from the sample pencil being absolutely tiny, this was a decent eyeliner to try out. The pencil was a thick, dramatic black which framed my eyes perfectly. I'm thinking of trying out a darker, smokier eye on my next evening out so I will definitely be returning to this sample!

Color Club | Gala's Gems Nail Polish

A mini collab between colour club and blogger Gala Gonzalez brought about these really pretty polishes. They are exclusive to birchbox and come in four pastel colours, inspired by retro lacquers of the 70s and 80s and perfect for spring. I received 'aquamarine azulino', a pearlised duck egg blue. The colour really stands out and is really beautiful once on. The formula was super easy and quick to apply, so very pleased with the quality of this product!

Propercorn | Sweet Coconut & Vanilla

Ok, firstly I will say I am not a big fan of popcorn! My sister once broke a tooth on a piece and I've been a bit reluctant to trying it since! However, I am super excited to try this flavour, I can't help it, I have a really bad sweet tooth and coconut vanilla sounds tasty! I'm going to save it for my lunch tomorrow!

Yes To Cucumbers | Facial Wipes

These towelettes are a really handy size and promise to be very moisturising as well as cleansing. The cucumber, aloe vera and green tea should be gentle on my skin, which isn't particularly sensitive but can sometimes feel dry after using wipes. Also, the wipes won a best of beauty award from allure, so I'm excited to try this product out.

Campos de Ibiza | Almond Body Milk

I have never tried body milk before so I am a bit apprehensive about this product, as I tried a wee bit on my arms and it felt a lot like runny body lotion! It smells amazing, very floral and summery. I'm hoping it surprises me and becomes a must have because I love when that happens, it's the best part of trying these boxes!

The box this month was a varied mix and I'm excited to try all the products more fully over the next few weeks. I am already in love with the nail polish and lip stain!

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!

Birchbox UK | March 2014

Birchbox - March 2014 Edition

I just love the look of this month's Birchbox, in collaboration with Lulu Guinness! It was so different from the usual box designs and really lovely and bright. Here is a round-up of my box opening:

Benefit | Stay Don't Stray

Benefit is a really good quality brand you can rely on so I'm really excited to try this eye primer. The packaging is adorable. I have a few cheap eye shadows that are really bad for clotting when I'm out at night, but I love the colours and can't bare to get rid, so hopefully this will be the perfect product to help out.

Dr. Brandt | Pores No More Pore Refiner

I am a huge fan of Dr. Brandt products, they are really expensive (a full size of this product is £39) but they really work. This will be a nice alternative to primer for a more natural look, I'm hoping it will leave my skin looking dewy and clear.

Aroma Works | Serenity Body Oil

This oil smells so good! The scent is a mix of lemongrass, neroli and geranium, it's really fresh and sweet. I love that it is a citrus scent in an oil, it would be the perfect wake up call for early mornings. The texture is smooth too so it goes on really easily and it feels really luxurious. It absorbed really well, especially on my legs that were left with a subtle glow (not too shiny like other oils!)

Molton Brown | Rhubarb & Rose Replenishing Hand Cream

My hands get so dry at work so this is definitely going in my hand bag! It isn't as strong as other hand moisturisers but it does make a difference. It is such an unusual scent, rhubarb is definitely not something I would have chosen for myself, but I'm so glad it was chosen for me! One of the main reasons I love my birchbox is because it chooses products I wouldn't otherwise try. The rhubarb is a different choice, but it's a winner for me, I love that it reminds me of my mum's rhubarb pie!

English Laundry | No. 7 For Her

This perfume is described as having 'top notes of pear and jasmine blend with gardenia, vanilla and sandalwood'. It's a sweet smelling perfume, personally I would use it as day wear perfume. It is quite a fruity scent but the vanilla balances that out.

Candy Rock

A cute stripy piece of rock was popped in as a lifestyle extra. It represents the Lulu Guinness side of the collaboration, as she was inspired in her Spring/Summer 2014 collection by traditional sweet shops. It has been ages since I've had a piece of rock, it always reminds me of my Grandad and visiting him in Great Yarmouth!

I really loved the design of the box this month, the collaboration with Lulu Guinness was awesome. There were a lot of lovely scents this month, perfect to get me into the mood for Spring and out of the hibernation mind set!

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!

Birchbox UK | February 2014

Birchbox - February 2014 Edition

My February Birchbox arrived this weekend and though I've not had a chance to sample the products fully, here is a round-up of my box opening:

Beauty Protector | Protect & Oil

Newly launched, this hair oil is suitable for all hair types and protects against UV rays and heat damage. I'm hoping this will be a lovely light product to use as an alternative to my heat spray, it smells amazing and promises to be light so I should still be able to style my hair in up-dos. I'm really excited to try it!

Eyeko | Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

I have used Eyeko products before but I always felt like it was a brand I grew out of because the packaging was really focussed on tweenies. Now they've grown up and updated. The new face of the brand is Alexa Chung, a really fantastic spokeswoman as she is really expert at eyeliner flicks. I love winged eyes and it's a look I regularly do so I'll definitely get the use out of this product.

Urbanveda | Radiance Exfoliating Facial Polish

I love the facial exfoliators you get from birchbox as they are usually really high end and fun to sample. This one smells amazing, ayurvedic turmeric with an infusion of marigold, papaya and coriander, it's a deeply luxurious smell but fresh and light too. The brands focus is natural skincare, so that means no SLS, no parabens and no GM ingredients, and approval from the vegetarian society which is always brilliant to see. I have a feeling this is going to be my favourite product to sample this month!

Gilchrist & Soames | The London Collection Shower Gel

A lovely enough product boasting antioxidant-rich botanicals of red tea, soy, ginkgo biloba, grape seed and milk thistle. It smells very sweet and I'm hoping the scent lasts and the formula (another cruelty free brand containing no parabens or phthalate) leaves my skin feeling moisturised.

Leighton Denny | Nail Colour

I love a good nail varnish and this shade is just gorgeous, a pale pink that will be perfect for the spring tones coming in this season. It couldn't have come at a better time! There were a few shades available in the boxes this month, but I'm in love with this colour, it came just in time for valentines day. The name "mine's a rosé" suits me to a t!

Green & Black's | Dark 70% Chocolate

The lifestyle extra this month was a chocolate sample from Green & Black's. Fair trade and organic, it's a fab sample of a sweet treat. Pretty sure this won't last very long!

This was actually one of my favourite boxes, there were so many different samples, two were full sized and the products were thoughtful and catered to me really well. The theme, 'love style', focussed on fashion week and was also quite influenced by Valentines day which I thought was cute. I loved the cards with inspirational quotes that came with the magazine, I've saved a couple and I'm thinking I might frame them! Birchbox have partnered with Lulu Guinness for the March box, I can't wait to see what they come up with.

You can subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month (plus £2.95 for P&P). You receive 5-6 beauty samples to try each month, and makes a great present for family and friends, or just a monthly treat for yourself!