Hi Everyone

I received my May 2016 YOU beauty box yesterday  – I  am still on the Gold Plan (£10.95 a month – chose of 4 items)  but subscriptions start at £6.95 (including p&p) for two items plus the extras. (please see my previous post here for overview, how to subscribe  and the May shortlist / selection of products here). I  selected / received the following four products  and extras:

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser  (236ml) (FULL SIZE)  = (available from number of stores at different prices but Superdrug currently selling for £5.99)

States non comedogenic fragrance free and soap free.

Have heard a lot about this product (also received a free sample of it recently), has a light lotion consistency does cleanse the skin well with no irritation but need to use for a longer period to see how good it actually is.

Indeed Laboratories 10balm Soothing Cream  (30ml) (FULL SIZE) RRP £19.99 (however currently available at Boots for £13.33) 

States ‘an intensive cream that helps to soothe and repair skin using a unique blend of nature’s 10 most powerful healing ingredients’.

Has a light cream consistency and although states fragrance free, can find a v light ‘medical’ type fragrance, still looking forward to using but not sure if fragrance would put me off slightly. 

 

Maskorea Instant Glow Sheet Mask (25g) – 1 Mask = RRP £7.99

Gold Members also received a full size lipstick from Bellapierre (worth £20.00) this month – I received the colour catwalk which is a beautiful dark rose pink colour and although I already have it I do not mind receiving another one as  love this beautiful creamy lipstick – this is also the main reason why I remained with the Gold membership this month.

Although I personally was a bit disappointed with the product selection this month as no makeup items included (except for the free lipstick for gold members), I still am looking forward to trying all the products and with the inclusion of the additional items and free gift, absolutely fantastic value as got all for just £10.95.

I would definitely recommend trying the YOU beauty box if you can because of the value of products / cost of box, with subscriptions starting at £6.95,  one of the cheapest beauty boxes around at the moment and definitely worth getting, if you can.  However as always, please remember if you are interested in specific products you need to make your choice as early as possible as some products may sell out quickly.

If you are already subscribed would love to know what you thought of the selection of products this month and also love to know if you are considering subscribing.

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

Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.

Thank you and take care.

Best Wishes Liz x

Hi Again

I received my first Roccabox beauty box today, the May 2017 edition.   Roccabox is a new monthly subscription beauty box which costs £10 a month (plus £3.95 p&p).   This is their third box  and each month you’ll receive a box of  beauty treats hand picked by one of the industry’s best loved personalities / influencer, along with their top beauty hints and tips – for more details please see link here.

This month Roccabox have teamed up with the blogger ‘Sassy In The City’  and included 5 of her hero products in the box.  Products come packaged  in an outer white box with rosegold lettering and an information card which includes the RRP for all the products which I prefer.

This months box contained the following products:

Glo & Ray Longwear Precision Brown Eyeliner – Full Size RRP £6.90  – have tried a few products from this brand before and as you know I love eyeliners so was delighted to see a brown one included, very easy to use, however not as pigmented as I would like and unsure about the longwear element but this is only my initial thoughts so when I get a chance to try properly will do a separate review if impressed;

Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Softening Body Lotion  – 50 ml (sample size) – Full Size RRP £6.50  – This product smells divine, has a beautiful creamy consistency, leaves skin feeling soft and lightly fragranced – states cream in leaflet and lotion on jar but definitely has a creamy consistency;

iZ Beauty Blooming Beautiful Collection Nail Polish Full Size RRP £6 (6ml)  – you will receive one of two colours – I received ‘Lily Romance’ which is a candy pink, other option is a light blue – I have never heard of this brand before, applied ok and although pretty pigmented,  first coat was slightly patchy so takes two coats but does dry to a lovely gel effect finish, not a colour I would reach for personally but still a perfect colour for spring / summer;

Monu Hydrating Mask (100ml) Full Size RRP £29.95 – Have tried a number of Monu products but had never tried this mask, contains Royal Jelly and Evening Primrose Oil and states is a non setting , hydrating mask for the face and neck; and

Wilkinson Sword Intuition Razor  Full Size RRP £8.99 – already have this particular razor, good to have a spare – although this razor is good and you really do not need any shave gel as you can ‘lather and shave’ in one step it is not very compact for travelling so usually keep this one for home.

This box is good value as total value of products are worth over £50 and as I will use all the products, that is a bonus.  I would have preferred to have had more makeup items included, however as advised before this is what beauty boxes are all about discovering / trying new products and therefore it is a bonus if you love all the products.    I would definitely recommend trying this box if you can, as it will be a lovely surprise to see who the collaboration will be with each month; and currently if you use the code Sassy10 you can get 10% off your first box – valid until 31st May 2017.

I hope you found this useful – welcome any comments and would love to know if you are already subscribed to this box, what you thought of this months box?

If you are not already a follower would love you to follow my blog too – would mean a lot and be v much appreciated.

Thank you – take care  – more posts to come soon.

Best Wishes Liz x

Hi Everyone

I have been looking for the perfect foundation for a long time, one which would give me light to full coverage with a natural healthy finish and also feel that you are not wearing makeup. Therefore when I seen that IT Cosmetics had a Full Coverage Your Skin But Better CC cream with SPF 50+ which claimed to be both a full coverage cream + anti aging hydrating serum and seen that QVC UK were selling it with a heavenly skin brush for £31.92  I decided to purchase as excellent value and great way to try.    The CC Cream is available in choice of colours; Fair, Light, Medium, Tan and Rich, so I ordered the Light option as seemed the nearest to my skin tone.

Brush described as:

A revolutionary brush featuring patent-pending, skincare-infused brush hair for flawless-looking skin and makeup.  A Skin Perfecting Brush to help you create the perfect canvas.    Love this brush, which comes in a clear cylinder container, the sleek silver handle with white bristles is so stylist and the bristles although v soft are still firm enough to apply foundation, blusher, bronzer or contour.  You can see finger marks on the handle but very easy to wipe clean.

CC+ Cream described as:

A multi-tasking cream which aims to provide full coverage, protect your skin with SPF50+, as well as moisturise.   Can be used as your moisturiser, anti aging serum, concealer, foundation and sunscreen based on your coverage needs.  Also states is paraben and cruelty free and enriched with hydrolysed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, B, C and E, plus chemical-free SPF50+.

Love the sleek silver packaging.  The CC+ Cream comes in a  silver and clear squeezeable tube with a pump applicator.  I prefer a tube and I personally feel  that the pump applicator makes it more hygienic than a screw top bottle.

The pump applicator is so easy to use and the CC Cream has a creamy consistency with a v light not overpowering fragrance.   I used one pump and buffed it into my skin with the brush, it applied v easily,  give me a lovely dewy (not greasy) natural finish with good coverage,  also felt it was moisturising my skin at the same time, not heavy at all, does not settle into any fine lines either and ‘Light’ was the correct choice for me.   If you prefer a heavier coverage you can use two pumps but it is buildable so would recommend starting with one pump (advises applying 1-2 pumps to clean skin).     Although I do like the finish I get with the brush  I have used the CC+ cream with a beauty blender and my fingertips as well, sometimes I think I get an even better finish this way.    However I still love the brush, and also use it for contouring, as well as for applying bronzer, powder, blusher.

I absolutely love this CC Cream which is so, so much more, provides moisture, excellent coverage, which is also buildable depending on the coverage you want, has SPF 50+ and feels like you are not wearing makeup, which I love.  I definitely agree can be used as a concealer as well on areas where you want more coverage (however I still prefer using a light concealer on these areas as well), also leaves your skin feeling hydrated, looking healthy with a natural radiant glow and skin feels smooth to the touch.  I also find it does last well throughout the day as well.

I will be repurchasing and I would definitely recommend trying.  As QVC have a 30 day return policy, if you find it not suitable for you and you return your product within this time period you will get a full refund so definitely a great way to try this product to see if it is suitable for you as well.

As not many UK retailers stock it at the minute (although I think I have seen advertised previously that Selfridges should be stocking the brand from June 2017),  I have included details of the QVC UK offer below but note ‘Light’ is now only available by signing up to their waiting list.

• QVC UK:, – £31.92 (plus £3.95 p&p) – IT Cosmetics Full Coverage SPF 50+CC Cream & Heavenly Skin Brush (30 day money back guarantee)

Look forward to any comments you may have – have you tried this CC+ cream already, if so, do you like it as much as me?   If you are not already a follower would love you to follow my blog too – would mean a lot.

Thank you – take care.

Best Wishes Liz x

Hi Everyone

Hope you all had a lovely Easter break.

Hard to believe but it is the  YOU Beauty box  shortlist time again – the May theme is  ‘Global Edit’ and selection will be available on 1st May 2017 from 7 am  – for details on how to subscribe / different plans which start from £6.95 please see my previous post here.

Shortlist / Products you can choose from:

• Indeed Labs 10 Balm Smoothing Cream 30ml;
• MADARA Smart Antioxidants Fine Line Minimising Day Cream 20ml;
• Resultime Hydrating Cream 15ml;
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum 10ml;
• Dr Hauschka Quince Day Cream & Cleansing Cream Duo 5ml & 10ml;
• Andalou Naturals Instant Brighten & Tighten Hydro Serum Facial Mask 18ml;
• Andalou Naturals Instant Lift & Firm Hydro Serum Facial Mask 18ml;
• Skyn ICELAND Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels 3.2g;
• Merci Handy Cleansing Hand Gel 30ml*
• SkinYoga Coffee Body Scrub 22g;
• Maskorea Instant Glow 3-Step Face Mask 25ml; and
• Cetaphil Gentle cleanser 236ml;

Extra May Treats – Gazelli – £5 OFF (£30 min spend) discount card, Intensive Age-Repair Cream sachet 2ml, Skin Balancing Cleanser sachet 2ml, Reviving Eye Cream sachet 1ml.

Gold members will also receive a FREE full size Bellápierre Mineral Lipstick, worth £20.

Although still a wide selection of different skincare products / brands to choose from and still v good value for money,  not overly excited again this month with the choice of  items especially as no makeup,  with the exception of the ‘FREE’ Bellápierre Mineral Lipstick for ‘Gold’ members (worth £20).      However will still stay with the Gold Plan this month because of the addition of the free Bellápierre lipstick for ‘Gold’ members as I enjoy wearing their lipsticks, I find them creamy, hydrating and pigmented.    As a YOU Beauty box  member you are entitled to choose between two to four samples from the YOU Beauty Box shortlist each month, depending on which price plan you are on – Gold Plan (four samples).

Look forward to any comments you may have – if you are not already a follower would love you to follow my blog too – would mean a lot.

Thank you  – take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Best Wishes Liz x

Inserts – credit YOU Beauty box.

Hi Again

I received my April 2017 Look Incredible Deluxe beauty box yesterday.  It is one of the more expensive beauty boxes at £35 a month but contains all full size products and subscriptions start at £18.99 per month for a ‘standard’ beauty box.

Products come beautifully packaged each month in an outer white magnetic box with a red / white dot ribbon and an information card which includes the RRP for all the products which I love.

This months box contained the following products:

Perricone MD Blue Plasma – 59ml – RRP £79 – had heard a lot about this product but had not got round to trying  – states helps rebalance skin’s hydration and plump the appearance of fine lines, designed to reveal luminous younger looking skin, so if you have youthful luminous skin already you may not need this;

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Navy – RRP £12 – have used this before in the black version and thought it was good, it is long lasting and you able to do a fine line or a thicker one quite easily so I  am happy to see this included as when wearing jeans, any navy clothing, I like to put a navy over a black eyeliner at the corners but know some people just do not like navy eyeliners so maybe it would have been better to include the black version but as I said I am happy that the navy one was included;

Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matt Lip Paint – RRP £15  – love majority of Tarte products and this is a beautiful colour; states is a quick dry, full coverage, transfer proof liquid lipstick and initially, although I do not like majority of matt lipsticks, was still happy to see this included.  However although I can confirm very pigmented, does provide full coverage and seems to be transfer proof I personally found it just too drying on my lips, even with using lip balm prior to applying the lipstick;

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Slimlight – RRP £24 – was delighted to see this in the box as love Becca powder highlighters.  This is a highlighting stick which is perfect for using when you want precise highlighting; at the inner corners of the eyes, on the cupids bow, underneath your eyebrows or anywhere you want to highlight – love this product and my favourite item in this months box; and

Spa Retreats Indulgence Smoothing Body Scrub – RRP £12 – Formulated with essential oils of damask rose and rose geranium so if you not a fan of rose fragrance in products (like myself) do not think this will be for you as very strongly scented.    However I can confirm it definitely has a lovely consistently and does leave skin very smooth, but unfortunately it is just too fragrant for me personally.

Although two of the products (worth £24) are not for me personally, box is still v good value as total value of products are £142.  This is what beauty boxes are all about discovering / trying new products and therefore it is a bonus if you love all the products so not too disappointed as v happy with the other three.  I definitely would recommend trying this box if you can, remember standard box is £18.99 a month, especially if you love receiving full size items, discovering high value brands/products.  Although I love this box I have cancelled for a while to enable me to use / try all the products  I have already.

I hope you found this useful – welcome any comments and would love to know if you are already subscribed to this box, what you thought of this months box.

If you are not already a follower would love you to follow my blog too – would mean a lot and be v much appreciated.

Thank you – take care  – more posts to come v soon.

Best Wishes Liz x

Hi Everyone

Happy Easter – hope your day and Easter break going well.

I received my April 2017 My Little Box late last week.   This month’s theme is ‘Garden’, perfect theme for this time of year – the Illustrated box, cards, packaging is all coordinated perfectly in line with this month’s theme as always (however no glossy My Little Box booklet this month either).  All came in a box again this month, loved the bag last month and hope we have more bags in the future, even a few times a year.   As advised before it is one of my favourite monthly subscription boxes and costs £14.95 (inclusive of p&p) per month (always check to see if any offers on first, if thinking of subscribing).

Included in this months box are:  

‘My Little Box’  Patterned Bandana –Green / Navy/ White cotton patterned scarf – can be worn a number of ways, hair, neck, on your bag / belt – suggested styles are included on the front of the paper packaging as well;

‘My Little Box’ Magnetic Shopping List Notebook – a useful addition and as it is magnetic if you position it somewhere in sight, it will be handy when you need to write those lists, few useful recipes also included; 

‘My Little Box’ Fruit Shake Infuser Bottle – another useful addition – fashionable water bottle – intrigued as fruit section with perforations included within bottle to flavour your water, have not used it yet but interested to see how in works in practice;

Mixa Sensitive Skin Expert Restoring Body Lotion for V Dry Skin– 250 ml (full size) –  Never heard of this brand before and as I use body lotions / creams on a daily basis happy to see this included – has a creamy consistency and does leave skin hydrated and soft  however the fragrance slightly too much for me initially,  hard to say what the fragrance is – states is fast absorbing with no parabens; 

My Little Beauty Vitamin Shot Face Scrub– 75ml (full size)   – has an orange jelly consistency with micro beads – hardly any fragrance and you massage into moistened skin 1-2 times a week, concentrating on t zone and then rinse  – I found it did leave my skin feeling and looking fresher;

My Little Beauty Summer Lips SPF 15 – 3.5g (full size)   – another My Little Beauty product this month, leaves a coral / red sheen to your lips – sheer coverage – however good it has an SPF;

Extras included this month is a ‘Garden to Table’ – seasonable vegetable list and a sample packet of ‘Ape’ Crunchy Coconut Bites – three ‘bites’ in the packet – crispy coconut biscuit /snacks which are tasty if you like coconut – also states high in fibre and gluten free.

As always I would  recommend subscribing to this box as it is still one of my favourite subscription boxes.   However although this months box was still good value and included different products, it is probably one of my least favourite My Little Boxes to date – also a lot of skincare this month and two My Little Beauty items (personally think one My Little Beauty product is enough) – prefer when different brands are included,  hoping next month has more variety.

Any queries / comments please let me know and if you would like a separate review on any of the above products just let me know.  Also if you received this months box would love to know what you thought of it?

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

Thank you – take care.

Best Wishes Liz x