September's Birchbox Contents And Review

September's Birchbox has the theme 'Happy Days'...a celebration of new beginnings and reminiscing about our school days and well, just the things that make us happy. So here's what I received in my box this month...

Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream

First up is Benefit's It's Potent!  eye cream (3g sample). I'm currently trialling this eye cream after receiving it in another beauty box recently so it's great to have a little back up as I'm enjoying using it. It's potent is a very thick, almost balm like cream that is packed with active ingredients including cocoa extract and apple extract to help microcirculation and collagen count. As well as being an awesome eye cream the packaging is so cute and looks great on your dressing table!

Agave Healing Oil Treatment

A product that tames frizz and helps heal damaged hair is something that is always welcome in my hair routine. Agave Healing Oil Treatment (4ml sample) is said to help build resiliency and boost radiance and shine. As well as being an intensive hair treatment it also doubles up as a body oil. I'm looking forward to trying this next time I wash my hair!

Korres Citrus Showergel

Showergel is always a product that I'm a bit blah about receiving in my boxes, but they are a practical item and I often do enjoy using them. Korres Citrus Showergel (50ml sample) has a lightweight formula and a refreshing citrus scent, perfect for an early morning pick-me-up!

Premae Mild Pro Dermabrasion

Anyone that reads my blog regularly will know that I love Premae's products! I already own the full size version of their Mild Pro Dermabrasion and love it. I received a 20ml sample which will be perfect to keep aside for nights away from home, this scrub has worked wonders (as part of a routine of Premae's products) for me blemish prone skin. Premae's products only include natural ingredients which I love and as a result of this have really noticed a difference with my skin.

Model Co Lip Lacquer Viva

A couple of weeks prior to despatch Birchbox subscribers were contacted to guarantee and choose between 3 products to go in their box (Model Co Lip Laquer in Viva or Morocco or their Power Lash Mascara) and I chose Model Co's Lip Lacquer  in the shade Viva. To be honest I only went for this product as I presumed it was going to be a matte or velvet product and was a little disappointed to find it was actually a gloss (I haven't done gloss since I was 14!). I'll give it a go, but I'm pretty sure this will go to my sister.

Also in this month's box as lifestyle extra's was a little clip photo holder and a bag of Urban Fruit (I received Strawberry). Not a bad box, but not the best either...after seeing the contents on various social media platforms I really wasn't that enthused when it arrived today. As with all beauty boxes you are going to get your not so great month's, fingers crossed for a better box next month!

The Glamour Beauty Power List 2014 Box From Latest In Beauty

I absolutely adore Latest In Beauty's collaboration boxes with Glamour magazine, they are always excellent value and packed with a great variation of branded products that would each get used. Needless to say when they emailed me two weeks ago releasing a new box 'The Glamour Beauty Power List 2014' I ordered it straight away and waited impatiently for it to be delivered. When it arrived on Thursday although I already knew what the contents were I still let out a little shriek as I unboxed it. With a whopping value of over £80 but yours for £15.99 here's the contents...

• Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish  (30ml with muslin cloth) rrp £5.50
• Eyeko Mascara Off Wipes (10 wipes) rrp £6
• Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defense  (60ml) rrp £7.50
• Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (30ml) rrp £19
• James Read Sleep Mask Tan (25ml sample) rrp £12.50
• Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara (fullsize) rrp £9.99
• Maybelline Coloursensational Lipstick (fullsize) rrp £6.99
• Annual subscription to Glamour magazine (digital version for iphone/ipad) discounted by 62%

I'm already a huge fan of Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish (although I can't use it everyday due to my temperamental skin prone to hormonal break-out's) and I adore everything by Eyeko. The products I've most wanted to try from this box were the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer and James Read Sleep Mask Tan, the concept of an overnight mask that gives you a gorgeous glow in the morning is a winner for me.

I've purchased a few of the Glamour collaborations with Latest In Beauty and this has to be my absolute favorite as I genuinely will use every product! I imagine these boxes will go quite quickly so head on over to Latest In Beauty and buy yours today...you wont be disappointed!

  

September's You Beauty Discovery Box

You Beauty Discovery  celebrates it's 1st birthday this month and they put together a pretty impressive shortlist of products to celebrate. On top of the fabulous shortlist of products including brands such as Perricone MD, Mavala and Eyeko they very generously included a full size Toni&Guy Glamour Volume Pumping Whip, a £25 voucher for Hello Fresh, a cosmetic sponge and some Crabtree and Evelyn tea! So here's my picks for Septembers box...

Eyeko Hydrogel Eye Patch

I adore Eyeko's products, needless to say when I saw their Hydrogel Eye Patches on the shortlist that was my first product choice made! I'm a big fan of under eye patches to help soothe tired eyes after a late night so these will be perfect for the forthcoming festive season (yep, I just mentioned it!). I received 2 sets of patches making the value of this selection £7.50...thanks YBD!

Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm

I've wanted to try some of Pixi's products for as long as I've seen them around but just never gotten round to it so I thought what better opportunity than now. I received Pixi's Tinted Brilliance Balm in the shade 'Lucent Glow' which is a translucent pink with subtle gold shimmer. I found it to b very hydrating and the cute sample size is perfect for throwing in your bag.

I say it every month and I'll say it again...You Beauty Discovery has to be one of my favourite beauty box subscriptions. Sure you don't get the element of surprise every month but I actually look forward to receiving my email with the shortlist of products and hurriedly logging into my account on the 1st of the month to order it! At £6.95 inc P&P YBD is incredible value for money and there really is something for everyone every month!

Trial-Sized Tuesday - Clarins Eye Contour Gel

Last week whilst stocking up on my favourite Clarins product (Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster) I selected a few samples before checking out (you can choose 3 free samples with every order!) one of which was Clarins Eye Contour Gel. I really feel my eyes are the only thing that are starting to give my age away, I've inherited some lovely dark circles from mother and any product that promises to aid with puffiness and lighten the bin bags under my eyes is going to catch my attention.
This eye gel promises 'Expert eye care to fight puffiness and dark circles. A refreshing gel that reduces puffiness and minimises the appearance of dark circles.' Now I've only used this for the last couple of mornings so I can't comment on it aiding the reduction of my dark circles but I can say that this is a refreshing product to use in the morning to help freshen tired eyes. The sample size is a generous one, the full size product is 20ml (around 3 months of use) and the sample 3ml so I expect it will last me a couple of weeks.
Clarins is a new brand for me, not that I've only just heard of them but i am only just delving in to their products and I must say I'm enjoying what I've tried so far. I'm looking forward to trying some of their make-up products, have you tried any? What are your favourites?

The Essential Mini-Break Beauty Kit - Premae's Festival Glower Set

Hello beauties, today I have the pleasure of reviewing the must have beauty kit for the approaching festival season from Premae. Anyone that reads my blog will know that I have a real affinity for Premae skincare and well, just the company themselves. Not only do they create luxury, allergy-free products they also provide excellent customer service, you really feel as though getting some beauty products from a pal and not buying from a big impersonal company.

The Festival Glower Set is an exciting new kit designed and compiled with the festival season in mind. This travel-friendly kit contains everything you need to keep you feeling and looking your best, whether you have a short break booked or you just need some handbag sized essentials to carry with you. Inside the set you will find 9 beauty essentials to keep you feeling fresh and looking groomed...

5ml Premae Balance Rescue Face Wash - Delicate yet thorough for blemish-free skin.

100ml Premae Balance Rescue Face Tonique - Revitalising, pore tightening and make-up refreshing.

5ml Premae Harmony Serum - SPF8 - The essential product to prep and prime your skin.

5ml Premae Harmony Creme Balm - SPF8 - Mattifying 15 hr moisturiser.

5ml Lab Definitive Eye Creme - Soothes and refreshes tired eyes whilst priming for eye make-up.

2-in-1 Compact hairbrush and mirror to keep hair and make-up in check whilst space-saving.

A floral nail file to keep those talons neat and tidy.

Tweezers to keep those brows as groomed as you are.

All of the above are housed it a practical yet cute PVC wash bag (styles may vary) small enough to squeeze into that overpacked backpack or weekend bag. The Festival Glower Kit truly offers everything you need to keep you blemish-free, feeling fresh and looking your best this summer. Worth over £35 but offered at the incredibly affordable price of £21 don't hesitate in purchasing THE essential from-home beauty kit. 

Jodie

xo

May Premae Donna Box Selection

Making my Premae Donna box selection is something I really look forward to. Not only I am kept stocked up with my favourite regular products but it gives me the opportunity to try new products at a fraction if the retail price. I made my selection at the beginning of the month but I wanted to give it a couples of weeks before giving my opinion on the products...although if you know me and you know Premae you know I'll love everything of theirs I try!

Balance Rescue Cleansing Face Wash rrp £22.50

If you've read any of my posts on my skincare routine and products you'll know that Premae's Balance Rescue face wash is a staple product for me. I use this cleanser morning and night, a gentle yet very thorough foaming cleanser that unclogs pores and removes all traces of make-up and other impurities. This cleanser is ideal for blemish prone skin and gives illuminating results.

Pharma 100 Conditioning Creme rrp £19.50  

Pharma 100 was a completely new product for me this month. I've really been looking forward to trying it and after using it for two weeks I feel I can give it a fair enough review. Although I have oily/combination skin on my face I seem to suffer from the complete opposite on my body. Don't get me wrong I'm not covered in dry, flaky patches but I do suffer from quite dry, tight skin on the tops of my arms and shoulders, or should I say did? This creme has been an absolute dream to use, it's very rich, I apply straight out of the shower and my skin drinks it up and I'm left feeling moisturised well into the day. This award-winning creme is great for eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis sufferers alike, leaving skin nourished and fortified.

Lab Definitive Eye Creme rrp £17.50

I briefly touched on Premae's Lab Definitive Eye Creme in my April's favourite's blog post. I've been using it for around a month now and can confidently say that it's fabulous! This eye creme is nourishing yet light and makes for a great eye make-up base. Enriched with Vitamin C and K it refreshes and comfortably tightens delicate skin around the eye area. Although moisturising it's not at all greasy so it keeps eye make-up in place, keeping eye's looking fresh and bright.

I'm looking forward to my June selection, if you're yet to try Premae's products don't hesitate...you won't be disappointed!