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

My Little Box | July 2015

This month's My Little Box theme is Road Trip and it is filled with adorable travel accessories. I know I say this every month but I love receiving these boxes - it always feels like such a treat and both the contents and illustrations add to that special feeling.

My Little Box July 2015 Contents:

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water | £1.99 for 125ml
Essie Nail Polish | £7.99
DCER Golden Temporary Tattoos | £3.50
My Little Beauty Summer Sorbet After Sun Gel | £9
BIC Cristal Stylus Pen | £1.40
BIC Ready-To-Send Notebook | £3.50
My Little Box Travel Organiser | £10.50

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
I tried this once and have been removing my makeup with it every day since. For something so pure, it really does remove makeup efficiently, no scrubbing required. I can't believe the price on this too - will definitely be re-purchasing!

Essie Nail Polish
I love Essie nail polishes. They're one of the only high-street brands that doesn't chip within 12 hours and have an amazing range of shades. This brown one wasn't my favourite for me. I think it would be gorgeous on someone with a bit of a tan but wouldn't look right on me. Luckily, a colleague of mine gets My Little Box too and had a red glittery shade sent to her so I can swap.

DCER Golden Temporary Tattoos
More of these amazing tattoos! I have tried out the ones I got from Birchbox last month and love them so I'm definitely excited about these. Especially because they're so dainty. Perfect for a pretty little touch to any occassion.

My Little Beauty Summer Sorbet After Sun Gel
Still haven't been sun burned this year so can't really try this out properly but I love the cute packaging of this and it definitely feels nourishing on my normal skin. This might be another one I save for next year's holiday.

BIC Cristal Stylus Pen & BIC Ready-To-Send Notebook
I wasn't really sure what this notebook was at first but when I opened it up, I loved the idea! Imagine being on holiday and sending a postcard back to your self filled with memories, photos or little souvenirs. It would be such a lovely thing to come back to and I can't wait to try this out. Unfortunately, I won't be going on holiday until next year but I will be saving this until then. Bonus points for the pen included which has a rubber tip to act as a stylus for your touchscreen devices.

My Little Box Travel Organiser
Another one that I'll be saving for next year's holiday but so cute and helpful! It's got little pockets for your tickets, passport and credit cards plus a slot for a pen. I can definitely see me making use of this through the airports next year.

I'm always so excited to receive these boxes and can't wait to see what next month's theme will be! I have another post on here for you tomorrow so be sure to check back then. Otherwise, you can subscribe to this blogs and get emails anytime there's a new post - check out the links on the top right of this page for that :-)

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | July 2015

This month's Birchbox was for the first time ever a Birchbag. It is a celebration of summer creating a poolside splash-proof clutch full of what they deem to be 'summer essentials'. I loved this idea, even if I wish we'd been given a colour choice.

I've had this bag for a couple of weeks now (again, sorry for the delay in posts this month) so I've had the chance to try everything inside it a couple of times.

Birchbox July 2015 Contents:

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum | £16
Unani Aloe Vera Gel | £15
POP Beauty Eyeshadow Trio in Peach Parfait | £15.50
Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen | £25
Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter Luminizer Gel (Full Size Sample) | £8.95
Spa to You Nail File | £2.99

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum
I've always kind of liked the product from this brand but I've never loved one until now. I'm always a fan of a good serum so when I tried this one and it not only smelled amazing but worked well too, I was hooked. I've been using it almost every day since I received it. My skin looks and feels fresh after applying this serum. It's made with chamomile, aloe vera and lavender so all my favourite scents in one little tube. I will definitely be purchasing the full size of this product.

Unani Aloe Vera Gel
I haven't burned yet this year so can't say I've tried this on sunburn. However, I've tested it out on my neck and arms after a hot day and can definitely attest to it's cooling powers. It has the added bonus of moisturising the skin too so will be particularly useful for the days following a sunburn where your skin feels dry and flakey.

POP Beauty Eyeshadow Trio in Peach Parfait
I have been doing a peach themed eye since these shadows arrived. I love the quality of these! Highly pigmented with just the right amount of shimmer for summer days. I particularly like the lighter shadow which I've been doubling up as a brow-bone/inner-corner highlight. The shadows last all day with no fading or creasing. These are a definite winner for me.

Benefit Cosmetics Dream Screen
I'm always a bit nervous about sunscreen on my face because of how oily they tend to be. But this product is extremely lightweight and absorbs for a matte finish. It felt more like a really decent primer rather than a sunscreen and with an SPF of 45 I have to say I'm impressed. My skin felt smooth and was shine-free throughout the day. As a Benefit product, it was bound to be a little pricey but I'm already adding it to my list of holiday essentials for next year.

Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter Luminizer Gel
After their last sample refused to open more than once because of really poor packaging, I wasn't too excited about this. I have sampled this a couple of times now and I have to say that Jelly Pong Pong have really redeemed themselves with this one. It is packed with shimmer so a few tiny dots of it go a long way. I tend to shy away from liquid highlighters where I use a powder base but this interacts really well with it. I dabbed a few dots along the top of my cheekbones after setting my foundation and it blended perfectly. I'll definitely be using this a lot across the summer.

Spa to You Nail File
There's not a lot to say on this one given that it is just a nail file, but I've tried it out and it does what it says on the tin. I prefer my nail files to have polish/buff sides to them so will probably be popping this in my handbag as a back-up.

All in all, a great month for Birchbox! There were a couple of standout winners this month and I loved the concept of the Birchbag. As always, if you're interested in them then check out the Birchbox website for more info or to subscribe!

I'm going to be posting tomorrow and Tuesday to make up for my lack of posts this month so definitely come back for that or subscribe using the options at the top right of this page to be notified whenever there's a new post :-)

Tabitha
Xx

Birchbox | June 2015

The June 2015 Birchbox theme was all about ballet-pump brand French Sole and featured some gorgeous box designs inspired by the shoes. New subscribers even got to pick their box design. There were lots of great products this month plus one stand out favourite for me.

Birchbox June 2015 Contents:

English Laundry No. 7 For Her | £60
Yes To Cucumbers Facial Wipes | £4.99
Cowshed Body Lotion in Knackered Cow | £20
Beauty Protector Protect & Oil | £16
Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Angel Kiss | £17.50
STYLondon Temporary Metallic Tattoos | £7.99
Birchbox x French Sole Shoe Box | No Price Listed

English Laundry No. 7 For Her
I would love to review this now but unfortunately, my box arrived without the actual sample :-( I sent a tweet to Birchbox who came back really quickly with an apology and after providing my details, they have arranged for a new one to be sent. I can't wait for it to arrive since the description in the Birchbox booklet makes it sound amazing.

Yes To Cucumbers Facial Wipes
These smell a little too strongly of cucumber for me but they seem to do the job they're made for. I'm pretty happy with my Tesco's own cucumber wipes which performed exactly the same as these and have a nicer scent in my opinion. I doubt I'll be switching to these in future.

Cowshed Body Lotion in Knackered Cow
Love Cowshed products so I was happy to see this addition. It smells like sweet lavender and a little goes a long way so hopefully the sample will last me a while. My skin definitely feels hydrated and the scent really lasts.This is perfect for pre-bed moisturising.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil
You all know I love hair products so I was happy to see not one but two bottles of this in my box. This is supposed to help hydrate your ends while giving your hair a lovely shine. At the same time, it's a heat protector so ideal for protecting your strands from the UV rays. It smells sweet and luxurious so definitely a little treat for pamper days.

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in Angel Kiss
I was excited for a bit of makeup I could use this month's since the May samples weren't for me. This is a lip crayon that can be both high shine (just apply) or a satin/matte finish (apply and blot) or used on the cheeks. The colour is well pigmented and a gorgeous shade. I'm not quite sure it's a good shade for my skin tone now it's summer, but come autumn I think this will be perfect paired with a brown matte lid and thick winged liner.

STYLondon Temporary Metallic Tattoos
This was by far my favourite addition. I've been wanting some of these for ages but haven't seen any designs I've liked yet. I used to love temporary tattoos as a kid so seeing them in these bright metallic styles like a new accessory is exciting. I can't wait to try these out! I can see myself buying these again already.

I don't see myself using the shoe bag for shoes any time soon. More likely it will be used for toiletries or jewellery but it was a nice addition to the box. Definite favourite are the temporary tattoos this month.

I hope you're all enjoying June so far. I'll be back with a new post in a couple of days on this month's My Little Box contents so be sure to check back then. Also, remember to check out the Birchbox Website if you're interested in subscribing to these yourself.

Tabitha
Xx

My Little Box | May 2015

This month's theme is Provence and the box design is just gorgeous! Once again, it took a little longer for me to get My Little Box in the post this month. A colleague of mine who signed up for them too got hers a week and a half before mine arrived. It's worth the wait though.

My Little Box May 2015 Contents:

L'Occitane Mer & Mistral Shower Gel | £12

L'Occitane Roses et Reines Hand and Nail Cream | £14

L'Occitane Verbena Body Lotion | £20

L'Occitane Verbena Leaf Soap | £4.50

My Little Beauty Eyeshadow Crayon | £9

My Little Box My Little Doll Magnets | £6

My Little Box Embroidery Cuff | £15

L'Occitane Mer & Mistral Shower Gel

This stuff smells so amazing. It's a fresh scent that just invokes the ocean in my mind. I'm really pleased with the size of the sample too. Definitely 4 or 5 showers worth in this bottle.

L'Occitane Roses et Reines Hand and Nail Cream

I've just finished the Caudalie Hand Cream sample I was working on so I was excited to see this. However, I really don't like the scent. There's something distinctly 'Grandma's Yardley' about it. The texture of the product is very thin so a little goes a long way. It definitely made my skin feel soft and nourished but I couldn't put up with the scent. 

L'Occitane Verbena Body Lotion

Now this is lovely. I'm pretty sure I've seen this before but I don't remember it smelling so good. It's like a peppery lemongrass and a wonderful quality. It is thin textured again so a little goes a long way. It sinks into my skin so I don't have to deal with that awful sticky feeling. Definitely a winner for me.

L'Occitane Verbena Leaf Soap

When I read the description on this from My Little Box, I was a bit skeptical. I've always associated soaps with drying and felt the last place I would put soap is my face. However, I can admit I was wrong. Not only does this soap have the incredible lemon scent of the body lotion, but it also exfoliates as well as moisturises. My skin felt smooth and hydrated afterwards. Who doesn't want that?

My Little Beauty Eyeshadow Crayon

I love this eyeshadow crayon! I swatched it as soon as I opened the box and have been impressed with it ever since. The colour is a metallic dark brown with a hint of gold shimmer. It goes on really creamy and blends effortlessly. Once it 'dries' it stays put. The swatch on my hand took 5 minutes to scrub off under a tap so this is definitely a long lasting product. The colour is perfect for my ghostly skin and blue eyes so I'm pleased.

My Little Box My Little Doll Magnets

This was a really cute idea but mine wasn't pre-cut well enough so when I tried to press out the dolly, I ended up taking off her legs. Still, it was a really cute bonus and just another added touch which sets My Little Box apart from the rest to me.

My Little Box Embroidery Cuff

Again, a really cute bonus touch. I'm loving the creative vibe of the beauty boxes this month. I don't wear cuffs myself as they fall off my deceptively un-chubby wrists too easily. That said, decorating it is a fun project and it would make a great gift for someone.

So once again, a really lovely box from My Little Box. It could still be my biased love for all things French but I genuinely adore receiving these boxes every month and have been recommending them to everyone. As always, if you're interested, check out the My Little Box website for more information and to subscribe to them. 

On a personal note, I've got a brand new camera so I'm hoping the images will be a better quality moving forward! I tested it out with this post so let me know what you guys think :-)

Tabitha 

Xx

Birchbox | May 2015

The May 2015 Birchbox is themed "Free Your Mind" and it is all about releasing your creativity and trying things you wouldn't normally. It starts with the box design which a fun design that us subscribers get to colour in.

Birchbox May 2015 Contents:

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser in Light | £27
Wah London Nail Art Pen | £7
Parlor by Jeff Chastain Moisturising Sea Salt Spray | £17
Whish Three Whishes Body Butter in Almond | £14.50
Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo in Martinique | £15.95
Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Reconstructing Masque | £36
Birchbox Colouring Pencils

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturiser in Light
I suppose it's always going to be difficult with products that need to match a person's skin tone, but unfortunately I'm unable to make any use of this. I did try it on my face in case it blended well, but sadly I ended up looking like an orange on top of a Milky bar. It seems to go on easy enough with a hydrating texture that sat on the skin nicely - just a shame about the shade.

Wah London Nail Art Pen

This month was another month where you were able to select your preferred product and it was a choice of this pen, press on nails or a nail polish. I don't think I sent my selection in time (I wanted press on nails) so I ended up with this pen. I like my nails quite plain myself though it was fun to experiment with this pen. It comes with two distribution methods - pull the top off for a fine pen and unscrew the lid for a thin brush. The pen was great for intricate designs but the brush function isn't for clumsy hands. The consistency of the product is very watery so it dripped everywhere. It did dry quickly though.

 Parlor by Jedd Chastain Moisturising Sea Salt Spray
With summer coming up, this is the perfect product for creating tousled waves and texture. It's made with almond oil so it didn't feel drying on my hair. It also smells like peaches and cream which was a lovely bonus. I do love a hair product though so I could be biased.

Whish Three Whishes Body Butter in Almond
I can't get enough body butters at the moment so this was a welcome addition. I love the scent of this product. It's like bathing in almond milk. My skin stills feel soft and smooth the day after using this so I'm definitely impressed. I don't see this particular sample lasting very long.

Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo in Martinique
I'm not a fan of this product at all. For starters, it took several attempts by myself and others to actually open the damn packaging. Then the actual product itself was so lacking in pigment that it's hardly worth the effort. I thought maybe it might have just been stiff because it was my first time opening the packaging, but after shutting the lid again I literally can't get it open. So disappointed that there's two makeup samples this month and neither of them can actually be used.

Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Reconstructing Masque
This one I'm saving for the next time I highlight my hair so I can't tell you much about it. That said, I've used samples from this range before and was impressed so I have high hopes for this. You can't go wrong with a good hair mask after-all.

All in all, not a great month of products for me this month. I started to colour in the box but the colouring pencils weren't a great quality so I didn't really enjoy it. I know my sister will love this though - Phoebe does love a good colour-in task. I am hoping that June's Birchbox is better but at least I've still got the May My Little Box to come.

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

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