OK so it has been a while. I am very sorry. I did plan on doing this beauty of a blog last Sunday but alas- a hen party very nearly killed me off. I would say I have still not fully recovered to be honest but it was a day/night to remember.
First we arrived at the Hilton, Manchester and had champagne (and lots of it) for breakfast. Super nutritional.
Then we made lots of lovely cocktails. My strawberry Daiquiri was to DIE FOR if I do say so myself. I would love another right now. Nom noms.
Next we popped over to a cute little apartment in town, got all dolled up even more and drank lots, lots more at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club through willy straws. How beautiful is the bride to be btw?!
We then staggered to the Birdcage to party the night away like drag queens to lots of cheesy music. Perfect.
Unsurprising, I woke up feeling like death- had the beer shakes and super glued myself to the couch and spent the Sunday watching reality TV- my guilty pleasure.
But this post should be well worth the wait- July was my BEST beauty box month so far- I was very spoiled and there are some great products that I have never heard of before that I can share with you.
Time for me to open this lovely bottle of Red and crack on. I have tried all the products so these are my real opinions even if all aren't too pretty. Enjoy.
And third place goes to Love Me Beauty...
This month the box was hit and miss. Some great products and some terrible so Love Me Beauty deserves third place.
1. The TeaShed 4am Tea 20 Whole Lead White Tea Silky Pyramid Teabags Plus and Emergency Tea- RRP. £3.50 - Full Sized
I must say these look very posh for tea but I am not a tea drinker so I cannot really comment on the quality because if I try these I may vom everywhere. They are also low in caffeine so some tea drinkers may love these and some may hate as they may not work so well on that dreaded Monday morning. They are not beauty related also so they are a thumbs down for me anyway but I have popped them in the cupboard for visitors.
2. Weleda- Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion- RRP £15.95 - Full Sized
This full sized body lotion is mahoosive- just the way I like it. This smells like lemons, sinks in like a dream, is super light and there is no sticky texture in sight. It is so refreshing and I would definitely recommend this to all body lotion lovers out there. A lovely new product for me.
3. Lashem (2ml sample)- Lash Enhancing Serum- RRP £40 (3.5ml)
I am really unsure what to say about this. It claims to enhance your lashes when applied to the base of them and I have been using this for over two weeks- but I have noticed no difference. It may work in more time- I do not know, but I haven't noticed anything so far. Its like wrinkle cream to me- does it actually work. All I know is don't let this get in your eyes- it burns like hell.
4. So Susan- Flutter Mascara- £14.95 - Full Sized
Please. Please. Please. If you take one piece of advice from me- avoid this like the plague. This is another one of So Susan's ultimate flops (like the concealer quad I received last month from Glossybox) and I am in utter shock that this was given out at all. It makes me question if this was even tested because it is that bad.
I have average length lashes so 9 out of 10 mascaras, even if they are quite poor, will do SOMETHING. This did nothing. I couldn't even take a photo to show you because you could see no difference to before and after.
The brush for starters is very, very small and the shape makes it incredibly difficult to use. I kept finding it had a mind of its own and kept smudging onto my lids. Straight in the bin (and I don't throw products away lightly).
5. So Susan- Dual Brow Powder- RRP £11.95 - Full Sized
Now this will shock you. LOVE THIS. Yes I do. Its fantastic and has replaced my previous brow kits. The first So Susan product that I will quite happily scream nothing but good things from the roof tops. HALLALUJAH.
There are two shades in the kit. One for blondes and one for brunettes. I use the latter though as I love the Gwen Stefani brow look.
The one bad point about this kit is the brush is as useful as a chocolate fireguard. Far too thin and I threw it away. Use a decent brush and this powder glides on so so soft and the colour melts into your brows. Lasts all day- even through those intense gym workouts. I would buy again.
6. OFRA- Universal Eyebrow Eyeliner- RRP £7.60 - Full sized
This a brand spanking new brand I have never heard of and you all know me- a sucker for a good eyebrow pencil. Too bad it was a complete disappointment. The shade was a medium brown so a happy medium really for all but once applied to the brow area- it was like my skin had turned to laminated cardboard. Imagine taking a pencil and trying to write on laminated cardboard- it doesn't work. It in fact very rudely indeed took of my brow powder I had just so neatly applied. I wont be replacing my MAC brow liner anytime soon.
7. OFRA- Pressed Eye Shadow in 'Sublime'- RRPS £8.80- Full sized
I can't rave about the shade as its a red/ pink and made me look like the grim reaper had been to see me and had stern words. BUT as a product- in another shade more suited to me- this would be a great shadow. Its really easy to build up and stays on like a bitch. It seriously took some force for me to get this off. I am quite certain this will come in handy at Halloween when I do the usual dead schoolgirl.
So yes- great that I got so many full sized products this month from Love Me Beauty- but the quality was hit and miss I am afraid unlike the next two dream boxes.
Look what you did to me Love Me Beauty. Cruel.
So second place goes to.... once again.... Glossybox ( Will they ever beat Birchbox?)
What I love about Glossybox and Birchbox is that they have a monthly theme- If this ranking was based on themes Glossybox would have won hands down. This was based on as you can see- America. This box was amazing with 4 full sized products and 1 sample sized product- but just not as amazing as Birchbox.
1. Bellapierre Cosmetics LTD- Mineral Lipstick- RRP £20
This is my new staple red party lippy. There are plenty of lipsticks claiming to be moisturising out there but this beats them all- lips did not feel dry even after hours of wear. Its super long lasting and the colour is a warm summery red. I absolutely love it. Perfect for those classy birds out there. If in doubt- Pout.
2. ABSOLUTE New York- Perfecting Eye Shadow Primer- RRP $4.99- Full Size
This is an absolute steal at $4.99 for what it does. I am SO impressed. Pity I don't live in America- I am going to hunt this down when I go in October for sure. I have pretty high expectations in eye primer because I only know what wonderfulness to expect from Urban Decays Primer Potion.
This is very light and watery but is oil free. I find I have none of those ugly creases when I use this which is what I look for. If this was readily available over here- I would without a doubt swap from Urban Decay- such a bargain.
3. Carmex Lip Balm- RRP £2.69- Full Size
This is lovely. I suffer from chapped lips all year round and normally use Vaseline Rose lip balm on a daily basis. This is definitely on par sorting out those sore lips and I love how minty fresh it leaves your lips feeling. Even the fiancé loves it- got to be a winner then right? Staple handbag item right here.
4. Color Club - Glossy Seal- RRP $8- Full Size
For me this is my kind of shade. Its like a matt dirty blue. Very rocky. So as you can guess I am also very happy with this product. You need 2 coats maximum to get a deep beautiful colour and its made with cruelty free ingredients- YAY. Thanks Glossybox.
5. Pur Minerals- Dirty Girl Detoxifying Mudd Mask- Sample Size- RRP at full sized for £18
Last Sunday when I was rotting away- This was the perfect treat for me and my fiancé and I so wish I got this as a full sized item! I have never used an actual mud mask before and found it quite entertaining that after five minutes we couldn't move our faces like normal people. Once this was off- our faces were as smooth as a baby's bottom and felt so refreshed and revived. I WANT MORE. (Bet your disappointed I didn't post a mud mask face photo).
Glossybox- As always, a pleasure.
FIRST PLACE- BIRCHBOX
This months box was glorious (It had to be to beat Glossybox). The theme was Sun, Sea and Sand which was perfectly fitting for the lovely sunshine we have had lately. So let me run through the products that won first place.
1. Whish- Three Wishes Lavender Body Butter- Sample Sized- Full Size RRPs £14.50
This is sweet- Feels super light, soaks right in and is perfect to use after a long soak in the bath or steamy shower. Lavender scented and makes you feel revitalised and fresh. Lovely jubbly.
2. Balance Me- Wonder Eye Cream- (Not sure if this is full or sample sized)- RRP £20
This is another favourite of mine and Dave's- we have been using it every day. SO REFRESHING for those tired peepers. This brightens the eye area and claims to keep wrinkles at bay. For the wrinkle part- I cant comment as I wont be using it for that long to make a true judgement but it definitely brightens the eye area and makes you look much more awake. Great product for those who don't get their 8 hours a night.
3.Laqa & Co- Sheer Lip Lube Pencil in Menatour- Full Sized- RRP £14
At first I was worried. All I saw was purple and thought I DONT WEAR PURPLE (shocked face). But this is amazing. It does glide on like a red/ dark purple but it looks gorgeous. And what made me love this so much is- It is literally a lip balm and lip stick in one. It tastes of pure minty goodness. So moisturising and so refreshing yet looks so good also- perfect for nights out where you want your lips to look sultry and moisturised.
The packaging is also pretty hot don't you think.
This is what I love about Birchbox- They think out of the box every time choosing products you may not normally go for and surprise you.
Here is me sporting the purple pout.
4. Models Own- Nail Polish- Full Sized- RRP £5
This was another product where I initially though OH HELL NO. Sparkly light blue nail varnish- its a rockers worse nightmare. But once I tried this I fell completely in love. It is a brilliant product. It will take any plan nail varnish and turn it into a sparkly, sexy polish. It doesn't actually go on as baby blue at all- it is clear with sequin pieces. I am going to use this over black nail polish- it will work a treat. Here is a picture of it on its own also.
5. Filosofile- 4 sided nail buffer- Lifestyle Extra
This is a lovely little treat- I do love that you always get a lifestyle extra from Birchbox- Oh so kind. You do spoil me! This has 4 numbered sides to guide you to perfectly buffed nails. Buffing for dummies. Thanks Birchbox.
And now onto the wonder product Birchbox kindly provided this month and my favourite primer.
6. Benefit- The Porefessional- Sample Sized- RRP £24.50 full sized
I have already reviewed this fantastic face primer in my primer post so I wont repeat myself and you can take a peek at my previous review if you like. All I will say is- This is the best freaking primer in the world and its in my Birchbox. I am very happy. Just try it- your skin will look FLAWLESS.
I never dreamed two months in a row that I would get a product from benefit. It is also a very decent sized sample and I am saving this for special occasions.
So there you have it- Birchbox did it again and they deserved it! Comments and views are welcome as always.
Lots of love beautiful people
