My Little Box | September 2015

Ah, My Little Box - you never let me down. Every month, this is the box that I look forward to receiving most. If memory serves, they've been available in the UK for about a year now and in that time the contents have just got better and better.

This month's theme is My Little Fashion Box which ties in nicely with London Fashion Week here in the UK.

My Little Box September 2015 Contents:
Kerastase Couture Styling Spray a Porter | £21
La Roche-Posay Hydreane BB Cream | £15
Alfa-K Nail Decals | £4.35
American Vintage Scarf | £17.69
My Little Beauty Red Dingue Lip Colour | £16.21
Cointreau & Recipe Book

Kerastase Couture Styling Spray a Porter
I used this on dry pin-curled hair to try and help hold a style for longer. I'd say it definitely made a difference and the spray smells gorgeous too. I've yet to try it on damp hair which is mostly because I've been seriously un-arsed to wash my hair lately, but it promises effortless beach waves without the stickyness.

La Roche-Posay Hydreane BB Cream
I'll admit that I groaned a little bit when I saw a BB Cream in here. It's been a good few years since the BB cream trend really kicked off over here and I've yet to find one that isn't too orange on my paper white skin. However, I gave this a swatch and it seemed to blend really well. I tried it on my face yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. It applies like a dream and the shade - while orange against my skin initially - blended beautifully. Obviously its not designed to be a full coverage but it just evened everything out so effortlessly. Plus its SPF 20 so ideal for protecting my skin too. Definitely a convert to this.

Alfa-K Nail Decals
These look really cute. I haven't tried them yet but next time I'm feeling a bit creative I'll give them a go.

American Vintage Scarf
I love this scarf! Simple design but it will match most outfits that way. The quality of the fabric is really lovely too. It's a square scarf so perfect for warmer Autumn days or coming into Spring next year.

My Little Beauty Red Dingue Lip Colour
I always love the My Little Beauty additions and this month was no different. The lip colour is a perfect match to my skintone and it applies beautifully. It dries matte so lasts quite a while though it did start to flake off a little bit after 5 or 6 hours. Not on the lips as much, but onto cup rims etc. It reapplied really nicely though so that was a bonus.

Cointreau & Recipe Book
Legitimately. They sent Cointreau.
How much cooler can a monthly beauty box get? The little recipe book that comes with it is filled with fizzy Cointreau cocktail recipes which is a really nice touch. But lets be honest, I'll be pouring this into hot chocolates and getting tipsy in front of X Factor until Christmas.

I know I say this every month, but I already can't wait for next month's box to arrive. New post tomorrow on an AMAZING new highlighter that I've discovered so check back then. Otherwise, hit the subscribe button on the top left of the page and be my best friend forevz.

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | September 2015

First of all, where the f*ck has September gone? I'm either too busy at work to notice time flying by or just getting older and appreciating the moments less. Either way, I'm losing.

I received September's Birchbox a couple of weeks back now. So long ago that I've lost the information leaflet - or else I chucked it out with bitter disappointment that I (yet again) did not receive the box design of my choice. At least it's been long enough that I've had a chance to use most of the samples I received this month.

Birchbox September 2015 Contents:
Laura Mercier Face Polish | £26
John Masters Organic Citrus & Neroli Detangler | £16
Benefit Porefessional License to Blot | £15.50
Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser | £8
Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip Pencil in Cray Cray | £16.75
Birchbox Birchbrush | £5.99

Laura Mercier Face Polish
Being a massive fan of the primer from Laura Mercier (which is close to running out - kill me) I was very excited by this sample. I tried it out and it's just as amazing as I'd worked it up to be. It's so rare that expectations are met like this. The scrub itself has a very tiny exfoliate in it which makes it feel like a luxurious liquid sandpaper. Aggressive as that sounds, it's exactly what my oil-slick skin needs and I was gutted when the sample finally ran out. I would pay £26 for the full size of this once I marry rich and can afford to.

John Masters Organic Citrus & Neroli Detangler
I've been using this as a leave-in conditioner rather than rinsing out. According to the bottle you can do either. I can't say I've noticed it makes any kind of difference to my tangled hair but it definitely makes it smell nice. Equally though, a bit of Tresemme would do the same so I wouldn't be buying this.

Benefit Porefessional License to Blot
I'm still not sure what this product is supposed to do. Perhaps the information leaflet had some kind of magic instructions or my skin is just too greasy for it to cope. I am definitely still oily and can't say that this 'mattifying' product made a lick of difference. Likely going straight in the bin the next time I have a product cull.

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser
I enjoyed this body wash as is definitely smelled good. Usual complaint about the packaging this company use being such hard plastic that you can't squeeze any product out though. Lovely change to the current Grapefruit Body Wash from Body Shop routine but I don't think it's worth £8 a bottle.

Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip Pencil in Cray Cray
Loved the colour of this and the formula goes on great. That said, it didn't last very long on my lips and I ended up with a coral outlined lip and nothing else. Good if you're used to applying lip colour back on regularly, but I prefer a longer lasting product personally.

Birchbox Birchbrush
I love my Tangle Teezers so I was really excited to see this addition to the box. Particularly as I've been considering a handbag sized Tangle Teezer purchase and this has saved me about £13. Perfect compact size and non-tug bristles make this one a win for me.

There was definitely a good range of products in this month's Birthday themed box. It's a shame that most of them didn't suit my tastes but there were a few highlights so not a bad box.

I've received My Little Box in the last couple of weeks too so be sure to come back tomorrow when I'll have a post on that one. Subscribe using the link to the top right if you want alerts of all my new posts.

Tabitha
Xx

My Little Box | August 2015

This month's theme is 'gypset' - an adjective meaning someone with a passionate soul, an adventurous mind and a bohemian nature (according to the My Little Box definition that arrived with the box). The contents were suitably bohemian in nature with a definite festival feel.

My Little Box August 2015 Contents:

So Susan Colour Hybrid | £14.50
Korres Body Milk | £10
Antik Batik Bucket Bag | No Price Listed
My Little Box Hair Tie Bracelets | No Price Listed
My Little Beauty Bronzing Powder | No Price Listed

So Susan Colour Hybrid
I swatched this when my box first arrived at the office and was both impressed and full of regret at the same time. One tiny, minuscule drop of this goes a very long way and it is deeply pigmented. The colour I received is quite a bright fuchsia which might be nice on the lips. However, this product is designed to go on both cheeks and lips. I didn't want to put it anywhere near my face with how pigmented it was already so I tried to blend out a pinprick amount on the back of my hand instead, and it was still too pigmented. Fantastic staying power though so it will be great for my lips.

Korres Body Milk
If this looks familiar to anyone, it's because it came in April's Birchbox. It still smells amazing and works a treat so I'm happy to receive it again.

Antik Batik Bucket Bag
I love that this box gets sent with accessories as well. This bag is so cute! Perfect for a little beach trip or to accessorise a bohemian style outfit. The quality of the fabric is really lovely and I love the design so this one was definitely a win for me!

My Little Box Hair Tie Bracelets
I love the idea of these. As much as I love wearing my Invisibobble in my hair, I feel like a knob when I wear it on my wrist. These are well elasticated hair bands that have a cute design on them too so another accessory win from this month's box.

My Little Beauty Bronzing Powder | No Price Listed
I'm not a big wearer of bronzer usually but I'm going to a wedding next weekend and will be trying out a fake tan for the first time (eek!) so this may come in handy to help my face match my body! It's a really lovely colour with only the tiniest bit of shimmer in it and a mirror in the lid so very practical. If nothing else, it can join the collection of bronzers I have been sent that get used as eyeshadows :-)

That's it for this month's My Little Box. I'm already looking forward to September's boxes from both My Little Box and Birchbox. I review these boxes every month so make sure to subscribe to this blog via the links at the top right of the page to receive a notification of when I do :-)

I'll be back with a new post tomorrow on my latest box subscription/obsession: Graze.

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | August 2015

This month's Birchbox theme is Beauty Junkie and blissfully contains not one but two make-up samples! Make-up samples are my favourite so I'm delighted with the August theme.

Birchbox August 2015 Contents:

Rituals Fortune Scrub | £10
Lord & Berry Blush in Lotus | £17
Huygens Exfoliating Cream | £17.90
Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo | £13.95
theBalm Cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer | £15
Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimizing Patches | £2.95

Rituals Fortune Scrub
I love the smell of this! It's sweet orange and cedar wood scented so smells fresh but luxurious. It is a shower scrub combining body wash with exfoliator. The texture of the scrub itself is very fine grained so is gentle enough for daily use. This is the perfect everyday exfoliator to achieve smooth summer skin.

Lord & Berry Blush in Lotus
The first of this month's make-up samples is this blush from Lord & Berry. I loved the bronzer from Lord & Berry sent a few months back so I was excited to try this blush. They've tried to pick a shade that will be flattering for most skintones but this blush is highly pigmented so I'll definitely have to be light-handed with it. I loved how easily the formula blends though.

Huygens Exfoliating Cream
Another exfoliator in this month's box but this one is for my face. The formula is made with rice powder particles to leave a smooth complexion without irritating the skin - perfect if you've got sensitive skin. It smells like mint and citrus so it feels really fresh on the skin. I'm going to replace my usual daily scrub with this sample until it runs out and see what difference it can make to my skin.

Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo
This sample leaked a little bit so it was a little bit messy the first time I opened it. But the mess is worth it for the effect it has on my hair. I don't use a massive amount of product on my hair if I can help it but even occasional use of leave-in conditioner can leave hair feeling flat. This shampoo removes that product build-up and leaves your hair fresh and full of body again.

theBalm Cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer
The second of this months make-up samples is this bronzer from theBalm. I have always loved the samples Birchbox sends from theBalm and this one is no different. It's a gorgeous colour that I would happily use as both a contour or eyeshadow. It's a long-wearing formula so it should last all day.

Formula 10.0.6 Overnight Success Spot Minimizing Patches
I haven't been able to test these yet since it is (blissfully) very rare that I get a spot these days. I love the idea of these though and really hope they work. The pack contains 21 single-use patches so this full size sample should last a good while. At £2.95 for 21 patches, it would be a bargain to repurchase if it works too.

I liked this month's box and thought the addition of the emoji stickers was very cute. If you're interested in subscribing to Birchbox for yourself, check out the Birchbox website for more information, Otherwise, I'll continue to un-box and review the contents here on the blog so be sure to follow by email at the top right of the page or on Bloglovin' :-)

Tabitha
Xx

My Little Box | June 2015

This month's My Little Box is themed around the French Riviera and it's contents are a perfect compliment to this. It's a rainy day as I write this and this box is making me crave a holiday on a sunny French beach so bad!

My Little Box June 2015 Contents:

Kerastase Ciment Thermique, Blow-Dry Care for Damaged Hair | £19.50

Loved By Sarah Lavoine Nail Polish | £6.50

My Little Beauty Sea Salt Fresh Scrub | £8.50

Sarah Lavoine x My Little Box Sunglasses | £18

My Little Box Planters Duo | £6.50

Kerastase Ciment Thermique, Blow-Dry Care for Damaged Hair

This stuff smells amazing! It's like a mango/papaya sweet scent that lasts all day. This is a leave-in conditioner that helps to repair damaged hair plus make your split ends seem sealed up and shiny. It doubles up as a heat protector too so ideal with the (occasionally) hot summer heat.

Loved By Sarah Lavoine Nail Polish

I have been looking for the perfect summer blue colour for ages and have finally found it. I can't wait to see how long this lasts. If it can make it a good few days without chipping, I'll be wearing this colour all summer.

My Little Beauty Sea Salt Fresh Scrub

The My Little Beauty products never let me down. The quality of this scrub is amazing. You only need the tiniest blob as it is packed with salt crystals. It doesn't have a very strong smell but I get a faint hint of cucumber which adds to the fresh feeling. The packaging is super cute too.

Sarah Lavoine x My Little Box Sunglasses 

My main reason for loving this box is the accessory aspect. A fresh pair of sunglasses are always a welcome addition and I love the style of these. I have the type of face/head that can't carry off most sunglasses styles well but these seem to really suit me. The frames aren't the most amazing quality in the world and are similar to what you'd find at Primark. That said, the lenses are lovely and do come with 400 UV protection.

My Little Box Planters Duo

These are so cute! I don't have any plants but they're perfect for putting my brush holders in for an added summer feel (and to hide the fact that I store my brushes in an old Primark candle jar). There's a smaller size tucked into the large one that you don't see pictured too.

I know I say this every month, but it's another great box from My Little Box this month. Definitely check out the My Little Box website if you're interested in subscribing to them. They also have an app with a daily surprise (search My Little App on the app store) and a really cute Instagram account (@my_little_box_uk) if you want to low-key creep on their brand first.

Tabitha
Xx

My Little Box | April 2015

It took a little longer for me to get my hands on this month's My Little Box. They were sent out mid-month but I've been out of the office for a week with some annual leave so I've only managed to pick up the box now.

As usual, I love it! Not only is the box design and illustration just as adorable as always, but the products inside are exactly what I love to receive - make-up, perfume and hair products!

The theme of this month's box is Dreams.

My Little Box April 2015 Contents:

Sabe Masson Soft Perfume in Copacabana | £15
Loved By Lip Balm Loved by Lou Lesage | £8
Delphine Pariente Bonne Etoile Necklace | £20
My Little Beauty Repairing Hair Mask for Dry Ends | £7
My Little Box Rotating Stamp | £8

Sabe Masson Soft Perfume in Copacabana
So I'm already won over by the packaging which is eye-catching in itself. The perfume is made in France and smells incredible. It's a solid perfume stick and rubs on with a lip balm texture. The scent is definitely on the floral/citrus side of things and very delicate. It smells like elegance to me, that's the best way to describe it. I feel like it will definitely make a home in my bag for on-the-go perfume.

Loved By Lip Balm Loved by Lou Lesage
I was excited by the red as soon as I saw it. I love lip colours but especially in red shades. This is a tinted lip balm so the colour pay off is subtle. That said, it feels like a good quality balm that really lasted with zero stickyness. There's no scent or flavour to the balm so I quite honestly forgot I had it on most of the day. It will be perfect to give a touch of oomph to a more natural everyday look.

Delphine Pariente Bonne Etoile Necklace
I know I'm a sucker for marketing/packaging but I loved the way that this was sent. The necklace was hidden inside the little white cloud like an extra surprise. The little pendant reads "Bonne Etoile" which translates as Lucky Star. It feeds into the box theme of dreaming big and is a really cute touch.

My Little Beauty Repairing Hair Mask for Dry Ends
Anyone with longer hair appreciates the necessity of a regular hair mask session. I can't wait to try this out! It's made with walnut oil and shea butter so it smells creamy and indulgent. It's specially formulated for dry ends which my hair desperately needs help with right now.

My Little Box Rotating Stamp
This is so adorable. It comes with 12 different messages but my favourite was the "Made with Love" option that is pictured below. I love the stationary I've received from My Little Box. I still have a drawer with their cute tape and ribbon from the Christmas box. This stamp will come in very handy for birthday cards or handmade gifts.

I still love getting these boxes each month and will continue to review their contents here. If you're interested in receiving these boxes for yourself, have a look on the My Little Box website for more information. Or if you still need convincing, just keep checking back here every month for a look at what I'm receiving with my subscription.

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | April 2015

The April 2015 Birchbox has a Tatler theme in Baby Blue and Baby Pink to celebrate Royal Baby #2 on the way. There were audible gasps of approval at the style of this month's box when I opened it at my desk yesterday.

Birchbox April 2015 Contents:

- Laura Mercier Eye Pencil | from £17.50
- Lola Barcelona Nail Polish in Born | £7.50 (Birchbox Exclusive)
- Percy & Reed London Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil | £14
- Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash | £19.50
- Korres Bergamot Pear Body Milk | £10
- Befine Warming Clay Mask | £17

Laura Mercier Eye Pencil
Having fallen instantly in love with the primer from Laura Mercier sent in a Birchbox of the past (which I still use every time I do make up and have yet to actually run out of), I was very excited to try out another product! This is the Laura Mercier Eye Pencil in the colour Violet:

It's a gorgeous colour and completely smudge-proof. I put it on my hand when I first opened the box and tried smudging it off after 30 seconds only to find the line wouldn't budge. Even several hand washes later, the product was still there in the same precise line and bright colour that I had originally drawn. Between this product and the Laura Mercier Primer, it seems as though I need to expand my Laura Mercier makeup collection!

Lola Barcelona Nail Polish in Born
Makeup and nail polishes are my favourite things to receive in my monthly beauty boxes so I was pleased to see this month's addition. It's a nude/lilac shade with just the tiniest hint of shimmer that it perfect for the transition between Spring and Summer. I can't wait to try this out!

Percy & Reed London Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational Volumising No Oil Oil

Despite the mouthful of a name, I have become instantly infatuated with this product! I love oils to give my hair a sleek shine, but too often I find them greasy no matter how little product I use. This No-Oil Oil is the solution I've been waiting for. Not only does it smell luxury as monogrammed napkins, but it actually does exactly what it says it will! I rubbed 3 pumps into my hair when it was towel-dry, concentrating on the tips but moving the leftover onto the roots. 

The result was smooth and shiny hair with a gorgeous bounce. Plus, the scent of the oil was still in my hair even by the next day. I looked like a freak, but I couldn't stop sniffing my own hair.

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash

This product was a massive disappointment. You all know I'm not a fan of receiving skincare products anyway but I've been giving them all a fair whack recently to see if any can convince me to break from my routine. This product will never convince me to breakaway from my trusted products. 

The scent was decent, but it was a struggle to even squeeze some product out of the packet. It was housed in some super thick plastic that made it difficult to comfortably squeeze out. 

I put it on my face with damp hands as instructed only to find that it didn't even foam! I wasn't expecting a bubble bath on my face since clearly that would have been uncomfortable. However, to have foaming on the packet and for me to barely experience suds was a massive let down. 

Add to that how my face didn't even feel clean afterwards. I definitely won't be forking out £19.50 for the full size of this face wash. 

Korres Bergamot Pear Body Milk

I've loved all the previous Korres products I've been sent and this one certainly didn't let me down. It smells absolutely gorgeous. I'm still not entirely sure what bergamot is, but this product smells and feels amazing. I put it on my forearm to test since they have been a little dry lately, and they already feel so much softer!

Befine Warming Clay Mask

I do love a well-deserved mini pamper session and this mask definitely made me feel pampered! It didn't warm to a point that I noticed after initially putting it on but it smelled like pomegranate seeds on top of caramalised apple so it was certainly indulgent feeling. The only downside is that it didn't dry solid on the skin which is  my favourite part of a mask - who doesn't love to crack it all with facial expressions when you're about to wash it off? That said, my skin felt plump and radiant afterwards so I'd use it again.

I hope that this was post was helpful! I'll continue to review the Birchboxes that I receive each month.

As always, all the products mentioned are available on the Birchbox website in the Shop section individually or you can subscribe to the boxes for yourself to get your own monthly surprise :-)

Tabitha

Xx

My Little Box | March 2015

My Little Box was spectacular again this month with a theme all about women as superheroes. An amazing range of samples as well as feeling empowered is exactly what I need from time to time.

My Little Box March 2015 Contents:

Kerastase Lait Cristal | £20
Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream | £12
My Little Beauty Lips & Cheeks Pencil | £10.50
Superstickers | £4
Gat Rimon Super Hero T-Shirt | £29

Kerastase Lait Cristal
I mentioned on my Birchbox March 2015 post that I love receiving hair products and samples like this reaffirm my reason why. This conditioner is amazing. I am a fan of all and any L'Oreal products which you all already know. But this took my fandom to a higher level - my hair has never felt so soft. I've mentioned before that my hair is like old rope at the best of times. This conditioner made my hair feel so nourished and pliable. Plus the scent is so gorgeous. I am currently torn between saving the rest of this sample for a special occasion or just treating myself to amazing hair until I can get my hands on the full size product.

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream
I'm not usually a fan of Caudalie products as the scent is usually a little too rose-y/old lady for me. But this hand cream is really lovely. I took it into work to keep on my desk and have been using it constantly. My hands feel so moisturised and soft. I think I've finally found a hand cream that actually encourages me to use it!

My Little Beauty Lips & Cheeks Pencil
When I first swatched this on my arm, I was so excited to try this one out. The colour is a gorgeous coral that I thought would compliment my skintone perfectly for spring. While the colour is just as lovely as I first thought, the texture on this product is not good. It feels very grainy and I didn't enjoy feeling like I had sand on my lips for a few hours. The colour wears well and didn't transfer for a good few hours but I don't think I'll be wearing it again because of that texture.

Gat Rimon Super Hero T-Shirt
As a rather rotund woman, I was concerned about having received an item of clothing that claimed to be 'One Size Fits All'. I won't lie to you and say that it fit just like the model on the front of the My Little Box magazine, but I could get it on and have it be a tight but comfortable fit. It's a bit short on me but will be perfect for lazing about the house on weekends.

All in all, another incredible month by My Little Box. My favourite is still the Diane Von Furstenburg My Little Box in October 2014 because I am clearly an underground designer fiend but I can honestly say I haven't been disappointed in a single one of their boxes so far.

Are any of you subscribed to My Little Box? If so, which has been your favourite so far?

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | March 2015

I've been excited about receiving the March 2015 Birchbox since I got to pick which Benefit Mascara I could be sent. I decided on the Benefit Roller Lash and have been using it every day since. This month's box was teamed with Habitat and had very cheerful packaging.

Birchbox March 2015 Contents:

- Benefit Roller Lash | £19.50

- Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris | From £50

- Philip Kingsley Smooth Cream | £18

- Serenity Skincare Dead Sea Bath Salt | £9.50

- Lord & Berry Brozer in Sienna | £19

- A Perfect Heritage by Penny Vincenzi | £7.99

- Birchbox & Habitat Exclusive Notebook

Benefit Roller Lash

I fell in instant love with this mascara! I wasn't a fan of "They're Real" by Benefit so my expectations weren't too high for this one. I was wrong to be hesitant - the formula does exactly what it says on the box and curls my lashes to perfection. I will definitely be investing in the full size when the sample has run out.

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris

I don't mind sampling any high-end scent but there isn't a lot that can tear me away from my Diesel Loverdose. That said, this has a gorgeous scent and if I was ever in the market for a new perfume, I'd definitely consider this one. It smells like satsumas and grapefruit with just the tiniest hint of licorice. I could still smell it on my skin 4 hours later so the staying power of this one is decent too. 

Philip Kingsely Smooth Cream

Shine and luxury scents in your hair - what more could you want? My favourite thing to receive after makeup is hair products. I tried this one when I wore my hair down and slightly wavy for Mother's Day. It smells like it should cost £60 and the tiniest amount made my hair smoothed out and shiny without being heavy on my hair. 

Serenity Skincare Dead Sea Bath Salt

I don't have a bath so I couldn't actually test this out. I tried to palm it off to my boyfriend for his Mum as well as to a few of my friends but none of them were keen on long baths. Personally, you can't keep me out of a bath and I can't wait for the day when I have a house with one in it. Maybe I'll save this until then.

Lord & Berry Bronzer in Sienna

I've always heard great things about this brand but have never had the chance to try any of their products. The colour of this bronzer is absolutely gorgeous and application was smooth/subtle enough that it doesn't look orange or cakey. I still love my Sleek Face Form palette but this is a nice alternative that I can actually wear on my super pale skin.

There's a coupon inside the box for 20% off Habitat valid until the end of this month which will be great for some.

Personally, I'm just excited for the Sneak Peek card inside this month's box that said next month is a Tatler Box! It looks like we might get to choose a Laura Mercier product as well. As a fan of their primer, I'm definitely excited!

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know if you have any Lord & Berry products you'd recommend that I try.

Tabitha

Xx