Birchbox Unboxing - June 2014

June 2014- Global Strikers

This months Birchbox had arrived before any other unboxing had hit the blogs, so I was completely in the dark as to what my fabulous box would contain. And my wasn't I pleased with the selection! This months theme was 'global strikers' based on products originating around the world, as Birchbox's take on the World Cup!

Embryolisse - Lait-Crème Conentré RRP from £12.99

This is a product that I have honestly never heard of in my life. It is apparently a 'cult French moisturiser' which can also be used as a mask. The sample size of this is TINY compared to most of the samples I have received through beauty boxes, which is a bit disappointing, but I'm sure I'll get at least 5 uses out of it. 

On opening the packet there is also a thin paper leaflet (a lot like those which come with medication), which is a bit odd, but I suppose it must be a French thing? (I could be wrong, it is just strange!), you also have to pierce the tube, which again I find a bit odd, but ah well.

Putting the cream on, it doesn't have any scent to it, it just smells a lot like plain cream, however, it does feel moisturising - if a bit greasy on.

To be honest, Im not really a fan of this product and don't think I would go out to buy it myself, it seems a bit greasy for my combination skin which is a shame and it is a rather small sample.

30ml RRP £12.99

5ml Sample Value £2.16

Trinity Rating 4/10

Buy It Here

OPI Brazil Beach Sandies - Kiss Me I'm Brazilian Mini 4 Pack RRP £14.50

This product didn't come with its name, so by guessing through the Birchbox webpage, I'm assuming it is Kiss Me I'm Brazilian. I'm normally not a fan of receiving nail varnishes in beauty boxes, as I don't have much use for them (I cant have painted nails in hospital :( )

I quite like this mini nail varnish, it is a gorgeous hot pink colour and has a great 'sandy' texture. It a bit shimmery but not glittery and overpowering, which I like. Two to Three coats of this is best, as only 1 coat come out patchy. You can see my swatches of this via my Instagram

4x 3.75ml Mini Pack RRP £14.50

1 Sample Value £3.63

Trinity Rating 8/10

Buy It Here

Naobay - Body Radiance Lotion RRP £14

This is another brand I have never heard of, however, unlike before, I really love this product! The sample size is decent also, which is good!

This lotion smells gorgeous! The scent is lovely an fresh - it reminds me a bit of homemade still lemonade! It also goes on fabulously! It soaks straight into my skin and does not leave that awful sticky feeling, whilst making your skin feel wonderful and hydrated. 

250ml RRP £14

30ml Sample value £1.68

Trinity Rating 10/10

Buy It Here

Yves Rocher - Sheer Botanical Lipstick in Marron glace RRP £9.90

This is a brilliant lipstick! It is also a full size YAY!

 It is a fabulous sheer brown colour and applies very sheer, which I like - perfect for going into hospitals in! I really like how hydrating it feels on the lips too. Whilst I would have preferred a brighter colour, I really do like this lipstick! 

3.5g RRP £9.90

Sample Value £9.90

Trinity Rating 8/10

 Buy It Here

Beautyblender & Blendercleanser solid RRP £26.00

I have saved the best, and most exciting for last. I got a beauty blender!!!!! I was beyond happy when I noticed this in my box, I had been meaning to try this cult makeup sponge for ages, but hadn't gotten around to buying it yet.

It really does work brilliantly!! My foundation looks so natural, with no streaks or lines. It also helps me soften the edges of my bronzer and blush, which is great!! I was so glad that it lives up to the hype!! Also included is a blender cleanser, a produce designed to clean your beauty blender for you (making the product last even longer!)

Im not really sure how it compares sidewise with the original product, but I reckon its also full size YAY!

60ml RRP £26.00

Sample Value £26.00

Trinity Rating 10/10

Buy It Here

Lifestyle Extra - Brazil Inspired Birchbox Flipflop Keyring

I thought this was a cute little lifestyle extra, my keychain now looks ready for the World Cup madness!

Birchbox Price : £10/month + 2.95 P&P (cheaper with longer subscriptions)
Birchbox Value: £43.37

Overall, I am really happy with the months Birchbox, and am excited to see what comes next month!!

If you fancy the look of the my Birchbox and want to subscribe, please follow my referral link here.* Also, if you join Birchox before the end of June, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a fabulous Benefit Hamper.

What do you think of my Birchbox? What is your favourite beauty box subscription? 

Trinity

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*if you join Birchbox via my link, I will also get entry into the Benefit Hamper competition and receive 50 Birchbox points to spend in the Birchbox store

A Bit Of Rough - Review

A Bit of Rough*

A Bit of Rough* RRP £12

I was recently sent A Bit of Rough to review and I was so excited to use it that I took it out of its pretty organza bag packaging without taking a picture. However, the exfoliating cloth was sent rolled up and tied with black raffeta, encased in a pretty black organza bag, along with a useful little 'how to use' guide.

The exfoliating cloth was originally produced by a male waxing specialist as a product to reduce ingrown hairs after waxing. However, this cloth has so many more uses that that! It is a BRILLIANt exfoliator both on my body and my face! I was so worried that it would be too scratchy, but it is really quite gentle, despite exfoliating well. It can also be used to reduce steakiness when false tanning. 

The cloth is brilliant to use in the shower! All I do is squeeze a bit of my normal shower gel (currently Honey&Shea Butter by Original Source) and use A Bit of Rough as a normal washcloth. The cloth is quite long (so you can use it to clean your back easier), so I normally fold it in four to wash with. And out of the shower I come with fabulously soft, scale free skin!

Trinity's Score - 8/10

Pros:

• gives me wonderfully soft skin
• not scratchy at all
• great exfoliator
• reduces ingrown hairs after shaving
• dries quickly
• lightweight

Cons:

• a bit too long in length for my uses, so I have to fold it up
• seems a bit expensive for a wash cloth

Sold online at: A Bit of Rough

*I was sent this product for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions are my own.

Birchbox Unboxing May 2014

Hello everyone!!

As of yesterday I have finished my written exam! However, I still have OSCEs (medical practical exams) in a couple of weeks :(

Luckily, my May Birchbox arrived just at the right time for my first blog post in a while. This is my second box from Birchbox - the first one arrived last month when I was in the depths of revision. I had seen a few unboxing of the May Harper's Bazaar inspired box, and was very excited for its arrival!!

This Birchbox had a really high end feel to it, with all bar one sample boxed/wrapped. Also the box itself is GORGEOUS which is a major plus!! (I reuse the boxes around the house as they are so sturdy, at the moment, I have my incense in one and I am going to use this box for my daily  medication!)

Benefit Cosmetics - They're Real Mascara RRP £19.50

I was so excited when seeing other bloggers had received They're Real in their Birchbox and so was delighted to receive the sample size of this fabulous mascara in my box. Its the perfect handbag size!!

I love They're Real, Im already on my second! Benefit has become the only cosmetics company I have used thus far to actually make my tiny eyelashes look like they have some body to them! The formula has a really lovely feel to it and doesn't smudge like other non waterproof mascara when I accidentally rub my eyes.

Soigné - Nail Lacquer RRP £11.00

Now Im normally not a big fan of receiving nail polishes as my full size samples. This is because I can not wear nail varnish in the hospital setting :(.

However, this is a wonderful product and feels very luxurious - especially with its packaging! In reality,  the colour is more of a dark pinky red colour and the photo really doesn't give it justice.

Im excited to try it once I finish the term and am out of hospital!

Aromatherapy Associates - Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil RRP £39.00

Im not so sure about this product, I quite like the idea of body oil and am excited to try it out. Unfortunately, whilst I would prefer to sample this as bath oil,  I only have a shower, but I am still keen to try it out!

Philip Kingsley - One More Day Dry Shampoo RRP £13.50

This is another product that I'm not too sure of. Ive never used dry shampoo - mainly because Im scared it won't help with my curly hair and Im better off having a shower. Also Dry Shampoos require brushing through - something which is a major no no with my hair. We shall see how it works out - who knows- I may be a dry shampoo convert!

Liz Earle Beauty Co. - Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser RRP from £13.25

Cleanse & Polish is not something I have ever heard of, apart from the May Birchbox Unboxing blogs. This product came wrapped up in tissue paper - a lovely touch I think! It comes with a muslin cloth. I believe the idea is that the cleanser is massaged into dry skin and then the muslin cloth is submerged in hot water, wrung out and used to buff the skin.

I am EXTREMELY excited to try this sample!! Maybe I'll even let you know how it is!

So there it is! My May BirchBox! Do you subscribe to any beauty boxes? Which is your favourite? 

Trinity

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Review - Lush Mask of Magnaminty

So another thing I did after my MRI was have a bit of a beauty binge and one of the things I bought was Mask of Magnaminty from Lush.

I love this face mask! It is one of my favourite Lush products. 

When you open the lid you get his wonderful aroma of spearmint with a hint of vanilla. It smells sweet and very refreshing!!

Mask of Magnaminty is a wonderful minty green colour and has ground Aduki beans in it (for that warming scrub feeling when you wash it off))

Even though this face mask is self preserving, I still keep it in the fridge as I like the feel of cool face masks. The fact that this product is self preserving means that it last 6 months (although I don't think it will be unused by then)

Now for the best bit - putting it on! This mask goes on wonderfully! It is nice and cooling and easy to spread across my face. I can work it into my problem areas without it going horrible and clumpy. 

I love how relaxing the cooling effect of the mint is with this mask - just what I need after a stressful day. You can also feel the cleansing power of this mask whilst its working its magic! 

Taking this mask off is also wonderful - not a chore like other face masks can be. The ground Aduki beans scrub nicely into my skin without scratching at all! You can also feel their warming effect when massaging the face mask off!

Afterwards, I am left with baby soft skin, my blemishes are less noticeable and my skin feels so very clean and wonderful!!!

Rating: 10/10

Pros:

• Relaxing formula
• Smells divine
• Self Preserving formula lasts 6 months
• Cleansing
• Leaves skin baby soft

Cons:

I cannot find a single thing to fault about this product!

Lush's Mask of Magnaminty retails for:

•  £5.25 for a 125g pot
•  £9.25 for a 315g pot (15 uses)

Have you ever used Lush's Mask of Magnaminty? If so what did you think of it?

What face mask are you currently loving?


Trinity

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