Hi Everyone

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas / holiday time.

I received my December Birchbox mid December, although my review is a bit late decided to post as few followers had asked for it and there is still a few days left to get the December box (while stocks last).  Theme of this month’s box is ‘Life’s Little Treasures’ – Birchbox teamed up with fashion designer Matthew Williamson.    Love the design of the box this month – v festive colours as well.

Birchbox is a monthly subscription box which costs £12.95 (inclusive of p&p) per month and 3, 6 & 12 monthly subscriptions are also available.  Usually five personalised beauty treats are included each month.

This month every subscriber was able to choose a FULL SIZE  lip product – I chose the LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in Color Me Confident, the other option was a PIXI Shea Butter Lip Balm in Natural Rose.   A product  / beauty information booklet and the following four products were also included in my box:

LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in Color Me Confident (Birchbox exclusive)  – Full size RRP £6.50 – this is a lovely dark red lipstick and although it is a matt formula does not feel too drying on the lips.  It is also long-lasting, although I find with all red lipsticks you need to reapply to keep true colour.  As I am not really a fan of matt lipsticks I usually wear a light lip balm or lip oil over it but need to be careful if you do, to avoid ‘bleeding’. Impressed with the quality/staying power – exceeded my expectations.  Has a light sweet fragrance as well, similar to MAC lipsticks which I like;

Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Foaming Shower Gel  (50ml) – RRP £4.50 – Larger Size is 200ml RRP £8.50 – already love a number of Rituals products and their shower gels are among these.  This has a pump applicator with a gel formula which turns into a beautiful creamy foam when you massage with water.  The fragrance is gorgeous, lingers on the skin and the rose element is not overpowering which prefer.  Cleanses your skin without drying it, although I always put on a body lotion/butter afterwards.  V happy this was included and this is the perfect size for travelling – definitely recommend trying Rituals products if you haven’t already.  

Currently you still seem to be able to claim (unable to confirm but worth a try if you haven’t claimed already, a friends order went through online but she is after being refunded, so maybe no stock left although still showing there is) a free Rituals Yogi Foam Shower Foam when you complete the online form  (An e-mail should be sent to you containing a code to receive a free full size Yogi Flow shower foam worth £8.50 (now reduced to £5.95) – show your code in store or if you order online enter code Marieclaire at checkout, need to pay postage of £2.99 but still worth it and great way to try the foam / introduction to the Rituals brand.  I hope still available when you try but if not keep a look out for other Rituals offers;

FaceD 3-Luronics Instant Depuffing Eye Mask (one pair)- Anti-fatique (Made in Italy) – 14.90 euro for 8 pairs – v happy to see an eye mask included as this is one of my areas of concern.  Never heard of this brand before either, love discovering new brands. States is a hydrogel mask for instant bag reduction (depuffs bags in 15 mins) and immediately reduces signs of tiredness.   Eyemask comes sealed in a foil packet which is great – masks have a ‘heavier’ feel and are non messy which is great, apply so easily (not like a lot of other eye masks) and also stay put as well.   Feels v comfortable on the skin, masks do dry the longer you have on and then slightly sticky to remove – puffiness does appear reduced when removed and eyes seem brighter and less tired.    Will definitely repurchase as initially think this is one of the best eye masks I have tried but need to try for a longer period of time to confirm; 

ECOTOOLS Contour Perfecting Applicator RRP £5.99  (but can get for less) – have tried a few of the ecotools brushes before and although they were ok not my favourite.  This contour sponge is firm and does help to sculpt / contour but feels a bit more awkward to use than my normal brushes and results are not any better so although good to try would not purchase.

 

Spectrum Collection B04 Angled Blender Brush – Full Size states RRP £4.99 on card (although £5.99 on Birchbox site) – as you know if you have been following my posts I love spectrum brushes, love the black and rose gold colours as well.  This is the perfect brush for applying eye shadow at the corner, as a transition shade / crease colour or defining.  V happy to see this included as well.

 

 

Impressed with this months box only one product this month I would not go on and purchase, the ECOTOOLS contour applicator – not that is a bad product but not as good as brushes I currently use .  This box has definitely been one of the best Birchboxes for me in 2017 – I personally think all the beauty boxes have been better this month so making it more difficult  to decide which ones to cancel for a while – I have already cancelled the Love Me Beauty subscription– not that it is a bad box, always great value but already have all the products, disappointed not more new products introduced recently, however saying that January’s choice will probably be better now.

If you are thinking of  subscribing to Birchbox UK – you can get £5 off your first box -(box is normally £10 +£2.95 shipping – you will get for £5 +£2.95 shipping) by clicking  link here and then copy and paste code at checkout to get your discount.    Thank you in advance if you use this link.

Look forward to any comments you may have – if you have received this month’s box would love to know what you thought.

If you are not already a follower would love you to follow my blog too – would mean a lot.

Thank you – have a great weekend – more posts will be up later today or tomorrow/over the weekend.

Take care.

Best Wishes Liz x