Pink Parcel: June - First Review!

It's that time of the month (TMI?).. And now periods are made simpler for us thanks to the growing trend that is subscription boxes. Pink Parcel is marketing genius. I really wish I had thought of this first! For only £9.95 a month (or per cycle, whatever you prefer!) you will receive a discretly packaged box through the mail containing 25 tampons of your choice of flow and brand, along with a few little extras to make you feel more human during those few days when you turn into a hormonal mess. This is my first box, and I pretty impressed!

The box is laid out in three sections, 'for now' 'for later' and 'for you'. The tampons themselves come in two boxes of 10, and a drawstring bag with 5 in, designed to fit in your handbag. So cute! The packaging of everything is so clean and well designed, it's not über femmine or plastered in horrible words such as period or sanitary. Just how it should be.

The third section is some beauty and lifestyle treats, which is obviously the most exciting part! I've received Maybelline Baby Lips in Intensive care (value of £2.99), luckily one I haven't yet brought. I've also got Simple Kind to Skin+ Moisture boost Hydro Mist (value of £5.99), this is a refreshing facial mist, designed to refresh and moisturise even over makeup. Winner! I also have a travel size of Impulse in Very Pink (value of £1.20) which smells lovely, and a great size for handbags! 

My lifestyle extras were a Teapigs sample of chamomile tea (value of £0.60) which are whole flowers in a biodegradable bag and a mini bar of Montezuma's smooth milk chocolate (value of £0.85). Both of these I'm going to enjoy, probably together, while nursing the mother of all cramps. 

Overall, without the tampons included, the value of the Box came to £11.63. Which seeming when postage is included and you do get enough tampons for your cycle (minus the embarrassment of walking round Tesco with them shoved in your basket) is quite good value. You also have the flexibility of changing which brand your sent at any time, as well as changing plans from single flow to multi flow. Customer services (as I've already found out) are fabulous and there's already plans in place to add more brands as well as towels.

As fair as periods go I think I'm going to enjoy this one thanks to Pink Parcel! I love everything about it, from how it all looks to the fact that all the packing is recyclable (as well as FSC approved!) and of course what's in the actual box. I very much reccomend! 

Hannah x

Glossybox: June - Summer is Here

Welcome sunny June! So far it's been fabulous and Glossybox have got it right by theming this box with summer essentials! Lucky for me this was another free box paid for using Glossydots (their points system, gainable by completing surveys. Easy!) which makes it all that much sweeter!

So Susan Cosmetics Universal Blush

£18 for 4g. Full size received.

This is beautiful! It's defiantly my favourite thing this month, and that's why I had to start with it! (It's not all downhill from here though I promise!) I'm assuming by calling this a universal blush it's suitable for all skin tones, but the packing claims that it works with your skins chemistry to create a healthy flush. Sweet! For me it's a gorgeous rose gold hue, and I can't stop swatching it. I guess I'm going to have to get my life together today and do my face just so I can wear it somewhere other than the back of my hand! 

Teez Trend Cosmetics Beautiful Flat Stiff Brush

£15.20. Full size received.

This brush design is crazy! But it's great to get a useful brush in a box. Flat it is, stiff it is not. But I don't see why you would want it to be. The hairs are natural, which does bother me a little bit, I haven't as yet done research into how they source their bristles, but im hoping it's cruelty free. The rose gold feral is very pretty, doesn't quite match the handle design, but I can live with it! I'm looking toward to seeing how this plays against my real techniques brushes.

Nip+Fab CC Eye Fix

£9.95 1.8ml. Full size received.

I very nearly brought this a few months back and now I'm quite glad I didn't! It's a salmon pink toned cream concealer designed to hide dark circle and brighten the eye area. Sounds good to me, however the 1.8ml size seems a little small, if it lives up to its hype I can't see it lasting long! I haven't as yet tried anything from Nip+Fab either, so this might have to be reviewed at a later stage.

Schwarzkopf got2be Rise 'n Shine Soufflé

£4.07 for 100ml. Full size received. 

This is so bizarre! It's a styling moose like product that's for texture, volume and shine. Sounds great to me, and also smells fab! The rose gold packaging is up my street too (do I sense a theme here GB?). I think this might take a little experimenting with to get a good effect, I have quite fine hair so volume is always needed. But I'm definitely happy with this.

QV Skincare Skin Lotion

£6.06 for 250ml. Sample of 15ml worth £0.36

This is the only product I'm a little disappointed with. After so many great full size and useable products, the box is let down slightly buy this small lotion sample (at least it's not in a sachet I suppose!). With products like this you really need to use them a few times to see weather they work for you, especially with products for dry skin. I doubt this is going to go very far, a larger sample would have been better. 

Total box worth: £47.58

Foxybeauty raring: 4/5

Such a great box this month, very happy with the contents! It shows GB are upping their game, and I'm glad I'm a subscriber. And what a great box value! They did promise a value over £45, and with my box they have delivered! Happy days!

Hannah x

Product Review: Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Sooo! Rimmel have a new gel eyeliner, and as an avid gel and liquid liner fanatic (will never been seen without my signature cat eye) not picking this up wasn't an option. And with product claims such as dramatic intense colour, non smudging, precise and waterproof with up to 24 hours of wear. All sounds fantastic, but at £4.99 from my local Sainsbury's it all sounded too good to be true.

But is it? The product is potted like most gel liners, in a clear plastic container with Rimmel's signature crown in silver on the lid. I can't help but think it feels cheap compared to Maybelline's glass jar, but then I remember how little I paid. Also the odd little "professional brush" is an odd shape, great for thick lines, not so great for fine ones. I'm sticking with my Pixel Point Liner brush from Real Techniques for now, which I also find a little think but that's another story.

The consistency is nice, however it doesn't apply pitch black, but not too far from it. Easy to layer though, if that's what you desire. Once dry, it doesn't budge, no water or finger rubbing is going to budge this. Fab-u-lous. So once on your good all day. Apprently. 

I've road tested this plenty of times now, on a usual non working day and also when working at night, so anything from 7 to 12 hours of wear. I believe that you could wear this all day and night if you wanted to, however 5 or so hours down the line it does start to flaw. It doesn't crumble as such but there is ever so little flaking, which does make your makeup look worn. 

But really, apart from that, so far I can't fault it. Of course my product is only a few weeks old, I expect it to start to dry after a while, so do expect an update somewhere down the line. It's incredibly good value, an does (mostly) do what it says on the tin (box).

Next on my list is a liquid liner, any suggestions?

Hannah x

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Liner is available at Boots.com 

Glossybox: May - Superdrug Collaboration

Another month another Glossybox! We've been teased by GB for two weeks now about who will be this months collaborator, with clues as to which beauty retailer has worked with them. I should have guessed it was Superdrug, what with it being their 50th birthday and all the advertising surrounding their milestone. There were some guesses of L'Oreal and Selfridges (take note GB, that would be a people pleaser!) but alas, Superdrug it is. I can only assume some subscribers will be dissapointed with the high street content, but with a promise of at least 4 full sized products they were setting this box up to be a good one. 

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original 6 effects Serum

£3.99 for 25ml. Full size received.

I must say this isn't a product I would usually pick up, I have a few oils for my tips and more than not I'm plumping up my roots. But this serum claims to eliminate frizz (that's a given!), protect from heat and humidity, smoother hydrate and tame. So it will be interesting to see what this does for me. It has a fairly pleasant clean scent which is good, as I don't like products that overpower my perfume or clash with the smell of my shampoo. So pretty happy with this! 

Simple Kind to Skin+ Illuminating Radiance Cream

£8.99 for 50ml. Full size received.

This was a nice surprise, I do use the odd simple product but mostly just moisturisers now. This product is supposed to work like an illuminator/highlighter under your foundation. It's unclear as to weather this is based on a moisturiser, so I doubt I'll be using this on it's own. It does look a little glittery however, which might put me off wearing it on my face. But I'm happy with this.

Eylure Volume 107 Lashes

£5.35. Full size received.

I love lashes. I'm pretty sure I've said it a million times, so it won't be a surprise to anyone that I love these. Such a beautiful shape and I adore Eylure's new packaging. It's sleek and simple,  just stunning. Not too much to report on these really I will definitely get some great use out of them! #winning

I Love Cosmetics Strawberries & Milkshake Shimmer & Shine Lip Gloss

£1.29 for 15ml. Full size received. 

Now onto the few items that didn't really float my boat. First being this lip gloss. It's good in the way it's a sheer pretty colour and not in anyway sticky, however the shimmer and strong scent put me off somewhat. I'm not saying this won't get used, as I'm pretty sure it will, over a lipstick maybe, or a no make up day. But it's a brand I haven't really heard of and worth very little. So bit meh on this.

Maybelline Colorshow Crystallize Nail Polish in Nearly Black

£3.99 for 7ml. Full size received.

Nail varnish isn't something I like receiving due to have next to no nails most of the time. All nail growth products excluded however! This looks nice though, don't think I've worn a black nail since I was in my teens however. Sadly this will probably be swapped or passed on.

Garnier Oil Beauty Lotion

£4.99 for 250ml. Sample of 10ml worth £0.20

We were lucky to get a few extra samples thrown into the mix too! This body oil come lotion does look interesting, hoping it will help the dryness of my legs! Hopefully 10ml will cover both of them..

Ghost Eclipse

£33 for 50ml. Sample of 2ml worth £1.32

This does smell great, a grown up but not too old woman floral scent. However perfume samples are getting up most peoples noses I think (no pun intended of course). It's good that's it's a middle of the road brand, rather than one I'll never be able to afford. 

Total box worth: £25.13

Not a bad box I think! With quite a good total value, maybe it takes collaborations for Glossybox to get it right. Although I hope not seeming the last one was in the summer of last year! I'm still fairly undecided as to my future with GB. I'd like to make it to their next birthday at least. There was only one other product I would have liked from the range this month and that was the Max Factor Facefinity primer. No doubt I'll end up buying it anyway..

How was your box?

Hannah x

Glossybox: April - Sweet Treats

Another month, another Glossybox! April brings us "sweet treats" apparently, very spring... This months dispatch day was Friday 11th, and I got my box on Monday 14th, so not too bad. This month will be interesting, as I caved in and brought Birchbox p too, so expect another review after this as well as a 'Box Off' comparing the two. But let's get on with this one shall we!

Emite Make Up Lip Brush (L312)

One size £17.

This was the first item I saw in the box, a lip brush from Emite. I've had two other Emite products in the past (in the last 10 months), which have been good, but would have preferred a brush from a better known brand. I'm not sure how much use I'll get from this as I normally apply lipsticks straight from the stick, but it may be good as a soft angle brush. I'm not too sure how I feel about this, but it does feel soft and feels good quality, so it will get some use.

TRESemmé Instant Refresh Cleansing Dry Shampoo

£4.99 for 200ml. Sample of 100ml worth £2.49

I do love a bit of dry shampoo, it helps with those messy second day hair days, but TRESemmé isn't a brand I've used before. I've dabbed in their shampoos and conditioners but haven't loved them. The large salon sized bottles are fab, but when talking to hairdressers, they've told me to stay clear. It's handy that this is a travel size, so will be great to take on holiday with me (eventually!) it will be interesting to see how this holds up against other dry shampoos. It will definitely get used, so relitively happy with this.

Monu Spa Warming Ginger Massage & Body Oil

£25 for 100ml. Sample of 30ml worth £7.50

This oil does look interesting, and smells quite nice due to the ginger. However I can't believe how expenise this is! I have a Champneys facial oil which I brought for much less, which will be the bench mark to meet here. I don't use oils very often though, so his isn't something I would have wanted to try or pick up before. It's a fairly decent sized sample when you consider the full size, and worth a fair amount.

Unica Cosmetics Radience Plus

£12.95 for 50ml. Guesstimate sample of 5ml worth £1.29

This I find truly laughable. GB have stated that this sample was specially made for their boxes but hasn't got a size on the packaging. I can assure you, it's very small, so I've guessed that it's about 5ml. It's an anti aging face cream for fine lines and wrinkles. Something a girl of 22 doesn't have! I'm starting to think that filling out the questionnaire about my skin type and preferences was a waste of time. But surely my age must have given something away... Safe to say my mum will benefit from this months box. That's if she can find enough to cover her face...

MeMeMe Cosmetics Best the Blues in Pearl Pink

£5.50 for 12ml. Full size product.

This is probably the best item in the box, a liquid highlighter/illuminator from independent brand MeMeMe. Again another brand that I've seen in the last 10 months. I've never been sure about the brand, it came across as a bit cheap when Superdrug stocked it a while back, but I've had very little experience if it. I've also not used liquid highlighters before, so maybe this will be a nice easy introduction to them. Can also be applied mixed into foundation to make a dewy skin effect.

Over this box was worth £33.78, so three times the cost. I'm not sure I'm overly happy with the contents, most of it I will use but nothing really that excites me. I'm worried that Glossybox aren't sourcing enough brands to make each box different and exciting. A few months ago We were recently asked to fill out a questionnaire to discover what we expected from out boxes. I think it may have gone unnoticed. I hate to speak ill of Glossybox, but they need to do something drastic to keep us subscribers interested. I won't be quitting just yet, cause apparently they have a collaboration coming next month, and sadly I want it. I'm so weak.

How was your box?

Hannah x

No Money March: The Magazine freebie!

March has been great for magazine giveaways, feels like I'm a child again when every magazine would do it every month (as well as cereal boxes and comic books). And still being rather immature I can't resist seeing freebies, and being lured in by a hair serum or lipgloss by simply spending a few quid.

I've found that this month there has been some great offers, I personally got hooked by Glamour with the option of 5 different products from Model Cosmetics - that's one way to sell magazines! If Lea Michele's gorgeous face didn't tempt me (sorry guys, I'm a bit of a Gleek!) the price did at only £2 with a product worth up to £16. I'll take 3 please...

Model Cosmetics Shine Ultra Lip Gloss in 'Berry Pink' and 'Striptease'

Found for £12 each on Model Co website, Glamour claims them to be £15.

These lip glosses were the first I picked up, I'm on a bit of a lip thing at the moment, and these looked good. On one side they have a mirror which is dead handy! Although seeming how sheer these glosses are I really doubt you'll need it. Berry Pink is obviously the pink shade, it has a little colour payoff and nicely enhances lipsticks of a similar colour. Striptease is much a peachy nude that it's practically skin coloured, but as you can see, very little payoff. But I don't mind, they both smell beautiful and aren't too sticky. So far I've enjoyed using these.

Model Cosmetics Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner in 'Nude'

Found for £16 on Model Co website, same as Glamour's claim.

I wasn't going to pick anything else up, but once I realised this would make a good post I convinced myself to get one more thing. Seeming I'm a little wary of any old mascaras and I have enough eyeliners to colour my body in, I opted for this. Model Co claim this to be a one shade suits all lip enhancing liner, for fuller looking lips. I didn't think it would match my lips, bit it really is close and dose kind of work! It does look a little freaky if your not used to using lip liners like me, but I'm pretty glad I took the punt on this one.

Overall I spent £6 for £46 worth of product! Nicely done I think. And what's great is that these aren't the only freebies availble this month! 

Company Magazine - Company branded Mascara, with feature from our very own blogging princess Zoella! Only £2.60

Marie Claire - Neal's Yard Remedies lip gloss, 15ml worth £9.50. Also a free Ganier Skin Oil sample on the inside. £3.50 I believe...

Elle - Percy & Reed Wonder Balm for Hair. 75ml, worth £18! And again, a free Ganier Skin Oil sample on the inside. Might get this one myself.. £4.00

Lots of lovely stuff to be bad, but remember we're nearing the end of the month now so it's time to get in there quick. It's great what a couple of quid can get you, and don't forget the magazine itself! Can't put a price on catching up with the latest in fashion and beauty ;) here's to next months magazines!

Anyone know of any other freebies I should know about?

Hannah x

Glossybox: March - The Beauty Blossom box

It's that time of the month again where I expose my Glossybox for you all. This month brings big changes in the way our boxes have been delivered. Some subscribers were complaining about the previous courier (not me, my lady was lovely!) so GB responded by moving to Royal Mail tracked which has, sadly, bumped up the price of P&P. They claim to have taken on a lot of the extra cost, and only passing a small amount of that onto us, but I can't help but feel this might effect our products in the long run. But we shall see! I can only guess that this is the reason dispatch day was 3 days later than last month. This change does make Glossbox more expensive than it's nearest competitor.

On the plus side this was my free box, paid for using Glossdots, the reward points scheme achieved by filling out surveys and inviting friends. And how fortunate it happens to be No Money March! Let's start shall we...

Vita Liberata pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion

£37.50 for 150ml. Sample of 6ml worth £1.50

This is the biggest disappointment of the box (sorry for starting on a downer!), two 3ml sachets of fake tanner. Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't naturally tan due to being so fair, but I actually like it that way. So this won't get used. Not to mention that 6ml probably won't cover a leg let alone my whole body. This might be the only occasion where I would have preferred the perfume samples, annoyingly from my favorite brand, Juicy Couture. Safe to say these will get passed onto a friend, defiantly not my cup of tea. I've now read that is supposed to be for your face... Yeah. I know. 

Dove Hair Therapy Intensive Repair 60 second Treatmeant Shot

£1.49 for 15ml. Full size

I'm not disappointed as such by this, as I do have dry hair and always looking for the next big fix. However, it's an item I can easily find in my nearest supermarket, so nothing high end or unheard of. That and my last box included shampoo and conditioner samples for dry hair, so a change up would have been nice. I will use this, and if it works that's great, but I haven't discovered anything new from this item.

Mitchell and Peach Body Cream

£36 for 180ml. Sample of 40ml worth £8

Body lotion isn't a great love of mine, if you've read my previous haul you'll know that I've only just started using moisturisers to combat my dry 'pole' skin. This has a typical floral smell, and I'll probably end up using this as a hand cream, if at all. The full size has quite a hefty price tag, so I'm guessing it's a good product and because of that I'll stick this in my handbag and it might get used. It's a great sample size however!

Sleek Makeup Pout Polish in 'Bonaire'

£4.49 for 10g. Full size

This was the spoiler for the month, so we all knew that this would appear in our boxes, but of course, a totally surpise as to which colour. I pulled this out and panicked. It looks bright orange, not a pastel pink or nude that I was hoping, and It's part of the limited edition Caribbean collection (apparently). Luckily it comes out really sheer, which I wasn't expecting seeming the one I brought a few years ago in 'Powder Pink' has a great colour payoff. But for me, it's not a bad thing, I don't think I'm quite ready for orange lips just yet! It's a really nice smooth lip treatment which is super moisturising, it does have quite a strong scent however, which seems to be the same across the range. It's fun and I'll get good use from this!

Bellápierre Cosmetics Shimmer Powder in 'Coral Reef'

£12.99 for 2.35g. Full size

I'm pretty tired of creams, lotions and hair products so getting two makeup products in a box is always great. This is very shimmery loose powder pigment, designed to do anything you want it to, from being used like a normal eyeshadow to mixing in with a lipgloss to create a new shade. I love this colour, it's a metallic bronze which will look great with some similar coloured neautral shadows. They remind me of Barry M's dazzle dust, but somewhat more grow up.

Overall my total box value was £28.47. Which isn't bad. However, some people received a terribly expensive facial serum (selected for those interested in anti aging products, fair enough!), which I think is a little unfair as we all pay the same but get a different overall value. I'm not too bummed out by this box, I will use most of it... Eventually. But after January's drama I thought GB might have upped their game more than this. I do think that the products did fit the theme well however!

I sound pretty moans today, sorry everyone! What did you get in yours?

Hannah x