Latest in Beauty - The Glamour Beauty Edit Summer 2014

Now, here's a beauty box that never disappoints. I think I've ordered this every time it's become available. It's immense value for money, and it's nice to know what you are getting in the box, then you know how much you will use everything or what you are keen on trying before you even order it! You get this box from latestinbeauty.com, it's a one off box costing £16.95 including postage, and the stuff in it is apparently worth £86.15! Now, that's worth treating yourself to.

That's a lot of stuff crammed in that box! Let's get looking at the items in more detail!

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

I've had this product in at least two other boxes before now, and I know it works. It takes off makeup really well and is a good cleanser. It's very hydrating too and unclogs pores. Like it.

Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick

This is a lipstick I actually like. It's a very non offensive colour and it goes on so well. It's really creamy and feels nice to apply. I've actually worn it out places, that says a lot with me!

Crabtree & Evelyn Nail Lacquer

I have to admit here, I've not even tried this. It wasn't my kind of colour at all so it's gone straight to the Mother unit. She's been enjoying it, and hasn't reported anything bad back as yet!

Velvotan Tanning Mitt

This looks amazing for applying self tan. Again, this hasn't been tried as yet (it's been packed away for the move!) but it should help me try and get a streak free tan, so I'm all for it!

Rimmel Sun Shimmer Instant Tan BB Skin Perfector

So, tanning is rather new to me. I attempt it at times, but I've never really got into it. I aim to change that this year, I think I'll have to get myself a spray tan for the wedding I'm part of in the winter months, so I'll be trying that shortly to see how it looks. So I might as well start off simply. This Rimmel tan is instant and only lasts until you wash it off. Commitment free. Use the mitt that came in the box as well and it should apply streak free. More things I need to brave!

Toni & Guy Volume Plumping Whip

This helps increase volume without any sticky residue. I've been using it when I have curly hair recently and it's helped the curls stay more voluminous, so I'm happy!

Bourjois Cream Blush Shade 2

This wee blush is so cute. It even has a wee mirror inside! I like this product a lot. It's a cream to powder formula so it goes on well, but then sets like a powder. And it's so small and compact. Win.

Hawaiian Tropic Satin Protection Ultra Radiance Sun Lotion

Annoyingly, this arrived when I was back from my holidays and when the weather up here in Scotland has now decided to be cold and depressing again. Arg. It smells amazing however, with coconut and jojoba. I will use this at the smallest slight of sun. Have no fear.

Magnifibres Brush-On False Lashes

These are fibres to help you look like you have false eyelashes on. When it's really just mascara plus this stuff. I'll be doing a full review of this on the blog shortly, so I won't go into too much detail here. It's a clever product though and I've never been good at using false lashes, so I was keen to investigate this idea!

It's official. This is the best beauty box around. Great value for money and I will use everything (other than the polish!). I think I will always invest in these boxes when they become available. Keep your eye out for the next one!

Stars and Stripes - Glossybox July 2014 Review

Yup. I got sucked in. I had acutally managed to unsubscribe from Glossybox for around 2 months, and then I saw the reviews for this box. I had to get one. To be honest, it was mostly for one of the products only, but everything else was pretty decent too. It seemed good value this month. So, yup. I subscribed again. This month's theme comes from it being the 4th of July celebrations, so everything was famous American brands and the box was pretty awesome too.

Literally, Stars on the top, and stripes on the bottom. I loved the design. In our attempt to cut out having extra stuff though, I had to give it up for recycling which I was a little sad about. But hey, I got to keep the contents of course!

Carmex Lip Balm

Starting with a classic. Carmex. This is a good lip balm, really moisturising, Ive had lots of their products before and they never really disappoint so this is defo useful and I'm glad I've got it.

Bellapierre Cosmetics Ltd Mineral Lipstick

Super orangey red. This will take some bravery on my part to wear this. It has natual mineral pigments in it and it has a nice formula. One day I might be brave enough to wear this, but I'll have to have lost more weight than I have so far before I feel confident enough! (yup, I've started a good eating plan, if you fancy a few food posts and weigh in updates, let me know!). 

Absolute New York Prefecting Eyeshadow Primer

An oil free primer, this helps even out skin tone and locks in eyeshadow. So far, this seems pretty decent. It's not as great as my usual Benefit or Urban Decay Primers, but it beats the Rimmel one hands down. So, value for money wise, this one wins. But I'll probably keep investing in my other ones, I don't mind paying a tad extra for something that really works.

Color Club Exclusive Nail Polish In Glossy Seal

Two pictures here, because I struggled to get this in the right light to show the colour! I love color club polishes and have many in the ol' collection and it's funky that this was an exclusive colour for Glossybox. It's a fun darkish blue, and quite different from any others I have, so I'll no doubt get using this at some stage.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

Now this, Ladies and Gentleman, is why I was sucked into getting this box. I have heard so much about Tarte products through the lovely vloggers on youtube, and I've been dying to try it. And also the higher impact one called Lights, Camera, Flashes. I frigging love this. It really makes lashes look amazing. And it lasts. I will be saving for a full size of this (or the other one if I can get my paws on it!). And they sell it on QVC, so I'll keep my eye on that!

I was well impressed with the box, I knew I would be! I was just praying I got the mascara the whole time! I've now unsubscribed from Glossybox again, but I timed it wrong so I'm still getting the August box, so we'll see how that goes. I'm trying to save with all this house moving happening soon, so I'll try and just keep one box going at a time where possible. I think I might stick to waiting for reviews to come out, then buying it if it's worth it, like I did here. 

Sun, Sea and Sand - Birchbox July 2014 Review

Well, July Birchbox was all centred around holidays and sun, sea and sand. It's all lovely and summery and full of use travel items for holidays! Now, a couple of apologies first guys, I know this is late, but I'm doing catch up today and there's several exciting posts going up! Secondly, when my July Birchbox arrived the bath/shower gel had leaked all over everything, so the box and lovely inner bag were all damaged so I've had to do the photos without them this month, so I really apologise if they look rubbish today! Anyhoo! Let's dig in and see what I got!

Gilchrist & Soames English Spa Sea Kelp Extract Mineral Bath

I was lucky there was some of this left to try to be honest! When I opened the box it was already open and all over everything. At least it smelled nice! I actually used it as a shower gel rather than in the bath and it was lovely. The smell is really fresh and it lathered up nicely. Wish I'd had more to use!

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

I feel like beauty boxes all have an obsession with Balance Me stuff for some reason. I don't think I've ever actually bought any of their products, I think I've had a constant supply from my boxes instead! I've not always been a fan of everything I've had from them though, especially all the rose scented things (just not for me!), but in this case, my Clinique eye cream had just run out, so this was well timed! So far I quite like this. I've not noticed any major differences in my skin as yet, but I'll keep using it and see how I get on!

Weleda Millet Nourishing Shampoo

More shampoo from Weleda. Again, I think I've had a version of this previously in a box. And I wasn't a fan of that one. And the same with this one. I dunno what it is, maybe it's just because it doesn't lather up at all, but I just don't like this. And to be fair, there was really only enough to use to twice or so, so it's hard to say if it had a great effect on my hair as yet. I won't be investing in this anyway.

Ultradex Fresh Breath Oral Spray

Ok. Honesty Time. I've been always been slightly perplexed by these kind of products. I'm more of a Smint girl. I've kept this, but it's been packed in a box (like most of my house at the moment!) so I might give it a proper shot at a later stage, but I just wasn't keen enough to use it immediately, so it'll get saved for another time!

Laqa & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil

I'm sure that I've also had a lip product by this company before too. This one was a more sheer effort though, so slightly different. It's very moisturising and goes one well. But the colour. Hell no. This is not me. It makes me look very pale and just didn't suit me at all. Coral, in this bright state is not a Lynne colour it seems. But maybe in a nude colour I'd get on better?

Compagnie De Provence Mediterranean Sea Hand Cream

I'm sure I've used products from this branch beforehand as well. This is pretty much just your standard hand cream in a handy travel size. To be honest, there's nothing much that stands out about it. It's quite a light formula with shea butter and just a slight scent. I'll get it used up, but otherwise, I'm not keen on it enough to run out and buy another one really.

July's Birchbox wasn't the best one I've had at all really. Especially when you compare it to July's box from Glossybox. It was that impressive I actually signed up for it. That says a lot. But more on that later. Hopefully August's box will be more exciting, we're getting a cute wee travel makeup bag thing included, so that'll be handy for my trip in September, but hopefully the samples will be good too!