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!