April Birchbox 2013

So Mr Sunshine has finally decided to work his magic, the birds are singing, flowers are beginning to bloom, coats are off, sunnies are on and the flip flops may or may not have made a cheeky appearance.

So the arrival of Aprils Birchbox with its 'in bloom' theme couldn't have come at a better time. 

"at Birchbox HQ we're longing for warmer weather, sunny days and a lighter brighter outlook. So, just as the flowers are beginning to bloom, it's time to come out of winter hibernation and show your best self".

A little unimpressed with last months offering, all has definitely been forgiven with this months box. With decent sized samples, including a full size lipstick, this may, just may be one of my favourites so far.

Mirenesse | Glossy Kiss 

What they say: Add a pop of subtle colour with this sheer-but-buildable lip stick. Once you've worn your sample down, just use a sharpener to refresh!

My thoughts: This months box is worth it for the lipstick alone. I have a confession to make, I am a chubby stick virgin (que gasps) so I was really excited to see this sitting pretty at the bottom of my box. Perfect Kiss is a pigmented pinky red with gold undertones. The perfect spring shade, im sure I will get plenty of wear out of this. 

Gerda Spillmann | Renaissance Age Serum

What they say: Keep up your youthful appearance this spring with this antioxidant-enriched hero serum. Add it to your routine for fresh, supple skin for all ages.

My thoughts: This smells divine, and I cannot wait to give it a try, however a teeny tiny 3ml sample, its hard to really get a proper perception of the product. But with its £69 price tag im telling you all now that I will not be purchasing the full size tube. 

La Societe Parisienne De Savons | Soap 

What they say: Fresh scents characterise these soaps by La Societe Parisienne De Savons, and - bonus - the retro packaging will look fab in your bathroom!! 

My thoughts: This is no doubt going to sound silly, but im really not a fan of that squeaky clean feeling you get from traditional soaps, so this will be going to my mum. However that being said it smells lovely (like parma violets), and top marks for the retro packaging.

Natio | Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser

What they say: An effective wash which omits traditional lathering chemicals to prevent skin feeling taught and dry. 

My thoughts: A serial skincare junkie I will welcome most cleansers to my routine with open arms, so I was excited to see the Natio Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser in this months box. This smells divine with notes of Sandalwood, Rosewood and Jojoba, so I cannot wait to give it a try. 

Weleda | Skin Food 

What they say: Victoria Beckham is just one star that swears by this all-natural moisturiser which softens dry heels and elbows with ease. We love it. 

My thoughts: I have already succumbed to the charm of Caudalie which has been highly praised by Posh herself, so im looking forward to trying yet another skincare item loved by the queen of all things beauty & fashion! If its good enough for Mrs Beckham then its definitely worth a shot! 

Lifestyle Extra
Birchbox | Paname Paris Mirror 
They say: Brighten up your outlook with our Birchbox 'Let The Sunshine In' mirror - perfect for those on-the-go touch ups!

My thoughts: I love this months lifestyle extra, a cute, decent sized mirror, perfect to pop in my handbag! Although I question the £7.50 price tag! 

What did you think of this months Birchbox? 

March Birchbox 2013

Is it seriously Birchbox time again?? It only feels like yesterday that I was excitedly awaiting my February box like a crazed lady. Based around Mothers day and our beauty role models (would have to be my nana, she's the reason for my lipstick and nail polish obsession!!), this months box features products from brands "with inspiring stories and results you'll want to pass on".

In all honesty the products I received were a little hit and miss this month, with the arrival of the dreaded perfume sample, and one too many lotions for my liking. That being said there are some hidden gems aswell. Want to know what I got? then read on.

Laura Geller | Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liner (Black) 

what they say: "this smooth long-wearing gel eyeliner comes with a handy brush that makes it super-easy to apply. Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E are among the skin-loving ingredients" 

My thoughts: From first impressions, this eyeliner looks rather promising!! Although not the most pigmented I have tried, it glides onto the skin like a dream, and stays put, which means no fear of panda eyes (waheeey). Im also loving the packaging with the brush hidden within the lid, its a great product for touch ups on the go. 

Molton Brown | Valbonne Fragrance 

What they say: "known for their gorgeous lotion and shower gel scents, Molton Brown's fine fragrance collection is predictably heavenly. Valbonne combines notes of bergamot  dewy orange flower, rose, vetiver and leather for a sophisticated scent that will take you from day to night"

My thoughts: I wont deny that this fragrance smells divine, however im not a fan of perfume samples in beauty boxes, it maybe a sweet little extra but its something easily picked up for free in a department store. 

RMK | Cleansing Balm 

What they say:  "this rose-scented balm echoes your mum or grandmother's cold cream as it melts into skin and becomes a silky liquid that removes even stubborn make- up with ease". 

My thoughts: After lusting after Emma Hardie's cleansing balm for quite some time, I am really looking forward to trying this out. Im not usually keen on rose scents, but this smells super fresh. 

La Sultane De Saba | Body lotion with Argan Oil 

What they say: inspired by the ancient beauty rituals of the the Orient and Asia, La Sultane de Saba's body lotion with rich Argan Oil sinks into skin with ease, leaving a delicate scent". 

My thoughts: if you've read my posts for a while then you may be aware of my slight obsession with scents. Although this lotion leaves the skin feeling super soft, I cannot bare the talcum powder like smell, so I shall be passing this on to my mum. 

Yu-be | Moisturising skin cream  

What they say: "Don't let the primrose colour fool you - this multi-purpose medicated moisturiser is made of tough stuff. A bestseller in Japan since 1957, the comforting camphor scent magically disappears about a minute after application, but leaves you with super-soft skin". 

My thoughts: carrying on with the scent theme (i have issues I know) this moisturising skin cream from yu-be smells amazing (even if it does smell a little like vic haha). After hearing rave reviews about this Japanese product, I cannot wait to put it to the test. 

Beauty Extra

Sanctuary | 30 Day Thermal Transformation Mask 

What they say: "this two-step process includes a peptide transformation serum and a thermal rose clay mask - follow the simple steps to reveal glowing, more youthful skin"

My thoughts: clay masks tend to be a winner with me, so im looking forward to giving this a try. 

Lifestyle extra 

Lindt | LINDOR heart tin filled with chocolate truffles

My thoughts: aside from my passion for beauty and fashion, I may or may not have a massive sweet tooth, so its hardly surprising that these lasted all of two minutes (note to Birchbox, if you fancy adding a tin of these each month, please feel free) 

So there we have it, thats the contents of this months Birchbox. Certainly not my favourite month, down to the perfume sample and one to many body lotions, however all is forgiven with the addition of the RMK Cleansing Balm and the chocolate truffles (have I already mentioned how yummy they were? ha). 

What did you make of this months Birchbox?? 

Glossybox Harrods Edition..my two cents

I never took the leap and indulged in beauty boxes, instead i have always eagerly watched from the sidelines as others unveiled what their boxes had to offer each month. Although tempted, i never caved in. that was until i heard of the announcement on twitter of glossybox's contribution with Harrods. being the lover of all things Harrods along with beauty i finally gave in to temptation and excitedly awaited my box. in my honest opinion the items i received were so so, dont get me wrong theres nothing wrong with them their lovely but nothing really screams Harrods to me. A product i was looking forward to, like many others was the burberry lipstick but in the true hit and miss world of beauty boxes i unfortunately did not receive it. 


one product however that i was excited to see was the clarins Extra Firming Body Cream, however Harrods do not even stock this brand so i dont really understand the connection with the box. 
the bliss bloody orange and white pepper body butter smells absolutely delicious and i cant wait to try it.
 im intrigued to try the revive- intensite cream lustre with the hefty price tag of £200..i love my beauty products but in all honesty if its not life changing i would not pay such a price (okay so maybe this screams of Harrods slightly).
 i adore the cute Versace perfume bottle although im not much of a lover of perfume, but this has something to it that i really like, im rubbish at describing scents, but its a very fresh and crisp one. 
perhaps the biggest disappointment for me was the Lancome Juicy tube, im not the biggest fan of lipgloss, and the toffee smell is overly sickly (this is personal taste, as some may love the scent the size is an issue aswell as its something that would quite easily be bunged in a magazine as a freebie, i think this will probably take homage in a going out bag, one of the very seldom times i use lipgloss.


 Altogether i love the packaging and my products are lovely, but nothing screams wow to me. Although i like the products in my glossybox (fave has to be the perfume sample) being a uni student im not keen on the risk of a hit and miss box and would rather use the £12 to indulge in a single product i would use and love (that could get me another real techniques brush, booyah) i dont want this review to come across as overly negative but i just feel glossybox is not for me, or any other beauty box, ive never been much of a fan of surprises id rather know what to expect. i think i will be rather content going back to watching people delve into their boxes from the sideline.