Tag: Haircare

BIRCHBOX DECEMBER 2019: READY, SET, GLAM – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date December 12, 2019
2 Comments on BIRCHBOX DECEMBER 2019: READY, SET, GLAM – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Welcome to Blogmas Day 12! Somehow we’re almost halfway through December and that means it’s time for another Birchbox review. After last month’s box, I was expecting great things when this little package arrived! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling.

*This post contains affiliate links

About Birchbox:

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for years and I still look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve been sent because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too!

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link)

Whether you’re planning on making the most of the mini bar or you’re already caught up in the Christmas chaos, don’t forget to take some time to wind down! This month’s box is focused on the glitz and the glamour of the festive season – just in time for Christmas parties, big nights out and a fair amount of recovering… The packaging is absolutely gorgeous! It’s been a while since we received our products in a bag so I was pleased that they mixed it up a little this month. The pouch looks and feels luxurious, especially with that glittery star on the front! It would make for a lovely Christmas present either for yourself (I won’t judge) or for a fellow beauty lover in your life. I think this will be a really popular box design with the Birchbox subscribers. Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Forgive Me Suzie – Eyeshadow Palette in “Eye-Swear” – RRP £9

As most of you will know, I’m absolutely nuts about eyeshadow so, of course, I was very excited to see this pretty little palette in my December Birchbox. From Forgive Me Suzie, a British cruelty-free and vegan brand, the Eye-Swear eyeshadow palette is a Birchbox exclusive! It contains five beautiful warm-toned shades suitable for daytime looks or nighttime glam. I’m glad that it features matte, metallic and shimmer shadows as it means lots of different looks are possible to create. I was very impressed with the level of pigmentation too! That being said, it’s definitely more of an Autumnal selection of shades, which is a tad disappointing. I will definitely still be using it but I would’ve preferred to see something with bright reds, silvers and glittery shades.

Birchbox – Eyeshadow Brush – RRP £4

A girl can never have too many eyeshadow brushes. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself… This brush is the “perfect partner” to our palette, to blend our eyeshadow to perfection! The bristles are soft and densely packed, which is usually a sign of great quality when it comes to brushes. I will definitely be getting plenty of use out of this!

Daily Concepts – Mother of Pearl Soap Sponge – RRP £6

Who doesn’t love multi-tasking skincare? This sponge not only gives skin a radiance boost but it also exfoliates! Both of which are very much needed during the colder months. It’s worth nothing that this little sponge can be used roughly 60 times before it needs replacing! Amazing!

ikoo – Infusions Thermal Treatment Hair Wrap Detox and Balance Mask – RRP £5.95

I was blown away when I realised that this was a hair mask! It’s basically a sheet mask for your barnet, that helps to repair damage, clam any scalp irritation and seal those pesky split ends. I use my hair straighteners quite a lot so anything to prevent damage is a necessity in my haircare routine! Packed with plenty of natural ingredients such as blackberry, blueberry and sea kelp extracts, this mask helps to soften hair and leave it shiny. I’ve one hundred percent noticed a difference since using this! It smells amazing for one, but my hair actually feels a lot softer and looks a lot healthier. That being said, I would prefer a pot or a tube because a hair wrap is a bit more complicated to put on. It’s a cool concept though!

Brave.New.Care – Twinkle Twinkle Hair And Body Shimmer – RRP £11.50

Another exclusive, Brave.New.Care cannot be found anywhere but Birchbox! I don’t think I’ve ever been excited to see a pot of shimmery liquid in all my life. Look how sparkly it is! This pretty little pot is not only meant to moisturise our bodies but it’s also designed to soften our hair too! Like I said, we love a multi-tasking products – especially ones that make us glow like lightbulbs. Also, this stuff smells absolutely incredible. It’s so fresh and minty! Personally, I prefer to use this on my legs as it gives them a glow that I could never normally achieve! I don’t know how I feel about shimmery hair though…

Anna Sui – Gel Foundation Primer – RRP £22

In my opinion, applying a primer is the most important part of a makeup routine! If you want your foundation to stay in place, you’re going to need a good base (rhyme unintended but I’m proud of it ngl). This primer has a gel-like formula, which I love as it’s so lightweight. It hydrates and plumps the skin to provide the perfect base for your makeup – what more could you need? It literally feels like I’m dipping my face in velvet. Also, it absorbs any excess oil so that your makeup stays in place all day – nobody wants their cheeks sliding off now, do they? I love this stuff!

Candy Kittens Wild Strawberry Sweets

Funnily enough these are some of my favourite sweets! I just love the flavour. In fact, they’re made from completely natural flavours and real fruit juice! They’re also gluten-free too! They’re great stocking fillers if you know someone with a sweet tooth. Personally, I’ll be demolishing mine all by myself.

I’m pretty chuffed with the December box (or bag in this case). I think the design will be appealing to anyone that loves a bit of sparkle. The pouch is so festive and it looks and feels so luxurious! I love every product. The only thing I’m a little unsure of is the hair wrap, which no doubt works wonders, it’s just a bit of a faff to get it on in the first place. That being said, I can’t expect everything to always be perfect when it comes to a subscription box! We got to put £58.45 worth of products to the test, which isn’t quite as good as last month’s box but it’s still pretty impressive! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments.

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link). You can also get a free ICONIC London Illuminator with your box (worth £30!) Use code PEARL to pick a shimmery pink or BRONZE for a deep copper.

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, BLOGMAS, Christmas, December, Haircare, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare

BEAUTY HAIR

MY CURRENT FAVOURITE HAIR PRODUCTS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date October 11, 2019
1 Comment on MY CURRENT FAVOURITE HAIR PRODUCTS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Today’s post is all about hair products. I have to admit, up until halfway through university I pretty much ignored the whole haircare thing. Obviously, I washed it regularly and occasionally spritzed it with heat protectant when I remembered. Other than that, I barely knew anything about how to look after it properly and I very rarely invested in new hair products. One afternoon I was doing my usual lap of my local TK Maxx when I realised that they weren’t just selling shampoos and conditioner. There were hundreds of serums, masks, sprays and treatments too! I grabbed a few bits to get me started and since then, I’ve never looked back!

I thought it would be a nice idea to share my current favourite hair products with you! As usual, if you have any suggestions, go ahead and tell me in the comments – I love hearing about your favourites too! I’ve also written a post about some of my favourite face masks – check that out too!

*This post contains gifted products and affiliate links

Herbal Essences – Daily Detox Conditioners

I usually try be as sensible as possible with shampoo and conditioner and go for products that actually work and don’t just smell good . These do both! They smell absolutely incredible and they keep my hair really healthy. The Crimson Orange & Mint conditioner works on making your hair look fuller whilst the Golden Raspberry & Mint conditioner works on giving your hair a deep cleanse. I also use the shampoos in the range too and my hair has never looked or felt better!

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush MUCHo Moisture Mask*

I love a hair mask but this has got to be one of the best that I’ve tried. The Lee Stafford MUCHo Moisture Mask provides “instant and long lasting hydration to quench hair’s thirst”. I like to curl and straighten my hair a lot which means the ends of my hair can often feel quite dry. This mask has not only helped my split ends but it has made all of my hair look glossy and healthy again! It’s the perfect mask for anyone that wants to give their hair the moisture boost that it needs.

Schwarzkopf – Gliss Shine Tonic

The Schwarzkopf Shine Tonic has been one of my favourite hair products for a couple of years now. It’s basically a spray that adds a shimmering shine to your hair in just one spritz. I like to use it right after I’ve straightened my hair to give it a sleek and shiny finish. It literally completes the look for me. I don’t go anywhere without this stuff! Also, it smells amazing too.

Pantene: Repair and Protect

The Panetene Repair and Protect Dry Oil was something I discovered earlier this year. I’d heard a bit about hair oils before, but I just couldn’t shake the whole greasy strands thing from my mind (thanks but no thanks). That was certainly enough to put me off for a while. However, after I’d done some research, I realised that some oils don’t actually leave any residue. I decided to invest in this little bottle of goodness and I’m so glad I did! I apply three pumps of oil to the middle of my hair down to my roots. It dries without a trace! No stickiness whatsoever! My hair looks so much healthier which is absolutely down to this stuff.

Lee Stafford – Cactus Crush THirsty SPRay

The Lee Stafford THirsty SPRay has been a real saviour for my hair. As I’ve mentioned, I use a lot of heated tools so I’m always looking for products to keep the ends of my hair hydrated. This spray contains cactus, wild lime and kalahari melon oil to give hair a moisture boost and that, it absolutely does! My hair no longer looks dehydrated thanks to this stuff. It made for the perfect holiday companion after my hair had been exposed to a lot of chlorine and sunshine. It’s also really lightweight and can be applied to wet hair – no oiliness. It also smells absolutely flipping delicious. You know those products that you can still smell hours later? This is one of those!

What are your favourite hair products? Let me know in the comments! I’ve put links to all of my social media down below and I’d love it if you would come and say hi!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, Favourites, Hair, Hair Products, Haircare, Photography, Photos, Review

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX APRIL 2019: YOU’RE A GEM – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date April 16, 2019
2 Comments on BIRCHBOX APRIL 2019: YOU’RE A GEM – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! Although I said that I wouldn’t be posting over April due to deadlines and exams, I couldn’t just forget about my monthly Birchbox review, could I? I was over the moon when this beautiful little box arrived at my flat this week, I don’t think I have ever needed a pick-me-up more in my life! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much is costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling.

About Birchbox –

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for years and I still look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve been sent because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too! If you want to try Birchbox for yourself, click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box!

This month’s box is about embracing the beautiful season that is, of course, Spring! The healing power of crystals is also referenced and although this isn’t something that I believe in, I love the idea of self-care and positive vibes – especially during my final term at university! This month, we have received cosmetics and products for our skin, body and hair! Two items are full sized too. The design is absolutely gorgeous, I love the bright and bold colour scheme. It also flips open, like a jewellery box rather than the usual sliding drawers that we get. Although I was originally digging this new style, it’s actually really flimsy and it’s already coming apart. Normally, I’d re-use the boxes as storage but I’m not sure how long this one will last. Either way, let’s see what’s inside shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

ESTATE Cosmetics Dew Me Baked Highlighter – in Lit (Full Size) – RRP £10

This highlighter is from the brand Estate cosmetics, which I’ve actually never heard of, but I love being introduced to new brands so I’m cool with that! The packaging is fairly basic, but it’s quite cute and girly too. I like the way that it opens, no fancy bits and bobs, it’s pretty straightforward. The highlighter itself is stunning, I just love the shade. If you have skin with yellow undertones like me, I think this beautiful vanilla shade will be a great match for you. Typically, I find the consistency of baked highlighters to be quite powdery but this one feels soft and silky. It’s really easy to apply and blend and for those that want a more intense glow, it’s can definitely be built-up to a blinding level.

Benefit – The POREfessional – RRP £28

Probably the most disappointing product that I received. I have actually been sent this by Birchbox before but that wasn’t the main issue for me. Could it get any smaller? I feel like Tinkerbell could just about get what she needed out of this tube. It would’ve been nice to be sent something slightly larger so we get a chance to properly use the product . Either way, I do actually really like this primer. It feels so silky soft and leaves my skin looking airbrushed every time I use it. I like using it on my nose and under my eyes to reduce the appearance of pores and lines. It’s just a bit too pricey for me so I tend to find cheaper alternatives but it’s nice to try it every now and again…even if it’s miniscule.

Vitamasques – Diamond Eye Pads – RRP £4.99

I love anything that can get rid of puffiness from my eyes! Some mornings I wake up and they just feel really irritated or scratchy and it’s products like this that I keep ready and waiting for those days! It contains caffeine to hydrate, brighten AND de-puff, all in 10-15 minutes so you’re getting a fabulous multi-tasker here. The packaging, although really difficult to photograph, is so pretty! I love that it’s completely holographic – it looks so luxurious and glam! I’m definitely going to save this for when I really need it – no doubt I’ll be getting puffy eyes as soon as it starts getting colder in Autumn (joy). Is anyone else absolutely dreading waking up to a dark sky every morning?

Human+Kind – Body Souffle – RRP £16.45

Who doesn’t love a moisturiser during summer? I always like to keep my skin as hydrated as possible whilst it’s hot and sunny outside – protect your skin kids! I usually have a hand cream in my bag all the time and I now make sure that I moisturise every single night before bed. I’ve used some products from Human+Kind before and I’ve loved them so I knew that this would be a new fave of mine. Their packaging is always so bright and pretty – it just screams summer. It also smells incredible and contains aloe vera and lots of botanical oils! I will definitely be taking this on holiday with me to keep my skin hydrated every day!

Beaver – Cherry Blossom Conditioner – RRP £19.40

If you’ve read my post all about my first tattoo, you’ll know that cherry blossom is one of may favourite things ever. I love the fragrance of it almost as much as I love the flowers! This conditioner smells UNREAL. It’s like they’ve bottled up a tiny piece of heaven. It has a strengthening, balancing AND detangling formula that keeps hair hydrated and nourished – another must during summer! I’m really impressed with the size of the sample too – it’s enough to get a good few uses out of it. I will also be taking this on holiday with me as all my hair will definitely need some TLC after being exposed to all of that chlorine every day!

Overall I’m really happy with this month’s box. I’m slightly disappointed with the size of the POREfessional sample but because of how much I love everything else, I’m okay with that. I absolutely love the highlighter, the eye pads, the body souffle and the conditioner – all of which I know that I will get so much use out of. The value of the products inside the box, altogether comes to £78.84, less than last month but still really good value. The subscription itself costs only £12.95 per month, which I think is more than worth it if you get to try a variety of products that you wouldn’t normally invest in! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beaut boxes? Let me know in the comments. Check out last month’s Birchbox review!

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box! (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, Birchbox Review, blogger, Haircare, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX MARCH 2019: YOU GO GIRL – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date March 15, 2019
No Comments on BIRCHBOX MARCH 2019: YOU GO GIRL – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and that you’ve had a great week so far! I’ve been enjoying the first week in a while where I haven’t had to work on my dissertation. I literally spent all day every day over the last two weeks in the library! People must have wondered if I had anywhere else to go. Good job scanning our student cards on the barriers goes towards our attendance…Thanks to Birchbox, I had some new beauty treats to come home to after a long day at the library and that means it’s time for another review! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much is costs and all that jazz below!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time now and I stil look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too as they’re too pretty to throw away! If you want to try Birchbox for yourself, click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box!

This month’s box is all about celebrating women, which is fitting given that international Women’s Day was on Saturday! Birchbox have provided us with a selection of beauty products that can help keep us feeling fresh and glam even when life is feeling pretty hectic. This box couldn’t have come at a better time either because with all of these deadlines, it’s been easy to forget about self-care! Let’s see what’s inside shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

The Beauty Crop “You Go Girl” Bronzer Compact – in Sardinia Sand – RRP £8 (Full Size)

Apparently Spring is on it’s way but knowing the UK, the weather is bound to go in all kinds of directions before that day arrives. After getting a taste of that summer sunshine a few weeks ago, I’m more than prepared to add some colour to makeup routine! When it comes to bronzer, I’m painfully predictable, I mainly stick to Benefit’s Hoola most of the time. It’s the perfect shade for contouring on my skin tone and I just love the formula. That’s why I fell in love with this bronzer from The Beauty Crop. I was a tiny bit unsure when I first saw it but as soon as I’d done swatches, I was obsessed. I simply apply it with a big fluffy brush and voila, I look sun-kissed even if I haven’t left the library for a week!

Chella – Eyebrow Defining Gel – in Clear – RRP £15.50 (Full Size)

I can’t believe that I never used brow gels as they’re now a staple in my makeup bag! This one in particular is a new favourite of mine. It’s clear, so it’s perfect for setting your brows in place on top of powders, pencils or pomades and would also work on it’s own too. It tames and locks brow hairs into place so that they don’t budge all day! It also doesn’t give that horrible straw-like texture that some other brow gels do. I’d definitely recommend giving this a try if it’s within your budget, but it is quite pricey and this is the full size version of the product too!

Generation Clay – Detoxifying Clay Mask – RRP £28.50

This was the product that we were able to choose in advance, to be included in this month’s box. I love clay masks and I find that they offer the most benefits for my skin. This one in particular, is packed with activated charcoal to draw out any impurities, whilst hydrating and boosting the skin too! It also reduces the appearance of pores and prevents a build up of oil. Who would’ve thought that one mask could be capable of all of that within 10 minutes? I’ll let you know how I get on with this over on my Instagram, so be sure to give me a follow (@ninalouiselaw)!

Caudalie – Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum – RRP £29

I really love Caudalie’s skincare so I was really pleased to find this product in my March Birchbox! This serum is 97% natural and it’s oil free, so you don’t have to worry about feeling like an eel after you’ve applied it to your skin. Apparently, it uses the “power of grapes” (never heard that one before?) to rejuvenate and hydrate dry skin. With the stress of third year finally catching up with me, I’ve never needed a skincare saviour like this more! I can’t wait to see the difference that it makes to my skin.

BOD – Glitter Body Scrub – in Pink Salt & Coconut – RRP £4.99

I have to admit, I tend to use scrubs on my face but not so much on my body. However, the fact that it’s pink and glittery had me really keen to use it. The first thing I noticed when I tried this product, was that the glitter literally just fell off whilst I was scrubbing and the scrub itself felt quite harsh on my skin. I’m all for some exfoliation every now and again but this was really rough and I would’ve preferred something softer.

Charlotte Tilbury – Scent Of A Dream – RRP £49

I don’t know about you, but I had no idea that Charlotte Tilbury produced fragrances! This perfume features lemon, peach and black pepper, complimented by floral notes of jasmine, tuberose, violet, patchouli- and amber base notes (phew!). It’s not as sweet as the perfumes that I usually go for but it’s definitely growing on me. I probably won’t repurchase it but I’m glad I was able to try it!

Some of the items included just weren’t for me. I was excited for the scrub, but I was disappointed with how rough it felt on my skin. I was excited to try the perfume but it just wasn’t to my taste. I would have preferred a choice when it came to the fragrance, just because it’s something that really depends on an individuals’ taste and could even lead to the purchasing of the full-size product. I know I will use all of the other products, so I still feel as though I got my money’s worth to an extent. The value of the products inside the box, altogether comes to a whopping £134.99. I’d say I thoroughly enjoyed £81 of that and on any normal day, there’s no way I’d be able to spend that on products. I still think this month was good value! The subscription itself costs only £12.95 per month, which I think is more than worth it if you get to try a variety of products that you wouldn’t normally invest in! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beaut boxes? Let me know in the comments. Check out last month’s Birchbox review!

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box! (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, blogger, Haircare, Makeup, Photographs, Photos, Review, Skincare, Subscription Box

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2019: LET LOVE GROW – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 15, 2019
3 Comments on BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2019: LET LOVE GROW – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well and that you had a lovely Valentine’s Day, no natter who you spent it with or what you did! I explored a lovely little town called Matlock with dad yesterday. We sat and watched the world go by whilst sharing a huge slab of white chocolate and raspberry cake. Anyway, it’s time for another Birchbox review and I’m really excited for this one! This month, we received some amazing products and I can’t wait to tell you about them! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much is costs and all that jazz below!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time now and I stil look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too as they’re too pretty to throw away! If you want to try Birchbox for yourself, click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box!

This month’s box is all about celebrating love, which makes sense because after all, it’s February and that means Valentine’s Day is upon us once again! Birchbox have collaborated with the gifting gods from notonthehighstreet to remind us all about acts of thoughtfulness and kindness. I think it’s a lovely idea, especially as lots of us are feeling a bit down in the dumps after the January blues and could definitely do with a pick-me-up. Let’s see what’s included shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

LOC – Liquid Shimmer Shadow in Eclipse – RRP £8 (Full Size & Birchbox Exclusive)

If you’ve read my recent post about my latest makeup obsession, then you’ll know how much I love liquid eyeshadows. Powder formulas can get a bit boring so it’s nice to just sweep some shimmer onto my lid and be able to leave the house within five minutes – no blending necessary. It’s described to add a “subtle hint of colour” but I certainly wouldn’t call it subtle…as you can see from the swatch, she is PIGMENTED. I was expecting a sheer formula, perhaps something that needs building but this is on another level. I’m not complaining though, it just may disappoint those of you that were hoping for something more natural looking. It’s really smooth and buttery, making is easy to apply and shift around the lid until it looks exactly how I want it to. It dries pretty quickly and when it does, it’s going nowhere fast! Ten hours after application, it still hadn’t budged and it only came off with makeup remover.

Anatomicals – Shower Gel – RRP £4 (Full Size & Birchbox Exclusive)

This smells absolutely amazing! I already have a lot of love for Anatomicals. I’m a huge fan of their packaging too, I love how vibrant and eye-catching it all is, plus they know how to make puns like it’s nobody’s business. It’s like they’re a conveyor belt of beauty related humour and I love it! It makes a change from the boring packaging we see everywhere else, right?

Coco & Eve – Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque – RPP £9 (Full Size)

I spend so much time thinking about skincare and makeup that I forget to about my hair! Given that I love to fry it with straighteners on a regular basis and I’m guilty of forgetting heat protectant on a few occasions, I should probably change this! When I’m straightening my hair, I’m usually in a rush to get out of the house so I don’t have time to faff about with sprays and creams. The idea of a hair mask sounds so appealing – you can even be doing something else whilst it’s on. For example, when you have those heavy duty baths/showers, where you have to wash your hair, shave and exfoliate (if you know, you know), you could apply this mask, leave it for 5-10 minutes whilst you’re faffing around with everything else! Meanwhile, the mask is repairing damage, improving texture and shine, deeply hydrating AND sealing split ends – one heck of a multi-tasker!

Luxie – 205 Tapered Blending Dreamcatcher – RRP £11 (Full Size)

Since I started wearing makeup, I’ve learnt that the key to flawless eyeshadow is blending. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have the right brushes for this though and the Luxie Tapered Blending brush is perfect for the job! It’s so soft and fluffy, great for creating seamless eyeshadow looks. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and hypoallergenic. With brushes like this, it barely takes any effort to get the look you want.

Joliderm – Nose Patch – RRP £13.90 (Birchbox Exclusive)

Patches are some of my favourite skincare must-haves! I always have some in to target blocked pores, blackheads and impurities. Apparently these strips only take 10-15 minutes and then you’re able to “wave goodbye” to all the bad stuff immediately. However, I tried this patch last night and I just didn’t notice any difference, at all. I also noticed how expensive they were too. Had it been a great product, I might have repurchased them but I definitely won’t be. I’ve found cheaper alternative that are much more effective!

I’m really impressed with this month’s box. We received four full size products when typically it’s only one or two. There was such a variety, we had makeup, skincare, haircare and an beauty tool too! Although I was disappointed by one of the products, I’m okay with that. When you subscribe to something like Birchbox, you have to be prepared to receive something you might not like at some point and I guess that’s what happened here! I know that I will use everything else though, especially the makeup and the blending brush. Altogether, the products inside the February box are worth roughly £45, which is less than usual but still good value. The subscription itself costs only £12.95 per month! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beaut boxes? Let me know in the comments. Check out last month’s Birchbox review!

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box! (affiliate link)

N xxxx

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Tags 2019, BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, BIRCHBOX, February, Haircare, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2019: SHAKE YOUR POM POMS – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date January 15, 2019
No Comments on BIRCHBOX JANUARY 2019: SHAKE YOUR POM POMS – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! It’s hard to believe that we’re already well into the first month of 2019 but somehow, here we are and of course that means another Birchbox review is coming your way! Even though I’ve been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time, I still feel excited when one of their lovely little boxes arrives at my door every month. Before I dive in, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and other important info below but if you’re just here for the review, keep scrolling! RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for a long time now and I look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the older boxes to store makeup in too as the designs are too pretty to throw away!

This month’s Birchbox is focused on beating the January Blues by making each day more vibrant – even if it’s dark and gloomy outside! As usual, the packaging is gorgeous. I love how bright and colourful it is, definitely one to keep on show! I’ll probably store some of my makeup in it as it’s far too pretty to get rid of. Is there anyone out there that actually throws these boxes away?

CLĒ Cosmetics – Essence Moonlighter Cushion in Apricot Tinge – RRP £22 (Full Size)

In all honesty, at first glance, I wasn’t too sure about this. I nearly always use a powder highlighter as I just seem to get on better with a a dry formula. However, I wanted to give this product a shot so I kept an open mind whilst doing swatches and it turns out that I bloody loved it! The Moonlighter Cushion is enriched with luminescent pearl powder to add a gorgeous gleam to your skin. It’s sponge-like texture allows for a precise amount of product to be picked up and applied. A little bit goes a long way! It has a really refreshing and cooling sensation on the skin, something that makes it stand out from the other highlighters in my collection! I expected it to be darker in colour but it’s actually a pearly white shade when swatched! It’s so easy to apply and because it’s liquid-based it doesn’t appear cakey or cling to any dry patches. It’s also full-size and I understand that Birchbox can’t always do this, but sometimes it’s really nice to have the whole thing rather than a tiny sample – especially if it’s a product that I really like!

Dr. Botanicals – Cleansing Bar in Pomegranate – RRP £5.90 (Full Size)

If you’ve read my latest post, 5 face masks that you need in your life, you’ll know just how much I love the Dr. Botanicals Pomegranate range. I was so excited to find this cleansing bar in my January Birchbox! It promises to restore our skin’s natural glow and I don’t know about you, but mine seems to have been left in 2018, so I would quite like it back. Although it acts as an exfoliator, it’s not rough whatsoever. In fact, it lathers beautifully for a gentle and soothing cleanse, leaving the skin radiant and glowing. Despite how hard it has to work, it also manages to smell amazing too. Also, I was expecting it to cost a small fortune but £5.90 seems too good to be true!

Philip Kingsley – Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo – RRP £24

I’d say my hair is more on the damaged/lifeless side of things, rather than flaky or itchy so I was unsure of how this would help me until I read the description. Apparently you don’t need to have those issues to benefit from using this product! This shampoo was created to help maintain a healthy scalp but also to encourage a good haircare routine. It gently cleanses to soothe irritation and clear product build-up, leaving your hair silky, soft and shiny. The 3 S’s that you need in your life (as opposed, to straggly, slimy and split ends)

Afterspa – Facial Micro Scrubber – RRP £7 (Full Size)

I already use their makeup removing cloths and my god they’re good so my expectations for this scrubber were pretty high. The dual-sided scrubber can be used every day for exfoliation on the face and neck. It wipes away any dead cells, dirt, oil and impurities, leaving skin feeling cleaner and healthier. You can use it alongside your favourite cleanser too – so it can easily fit into your skincare routine.

Lord & Berry – Line/Shade in Purple – RRP £14

Now, I’m sure the perfectionists amongst you will have picked up on something wrong, just as I did. The top of the pencil seems to have been sliced off in transit but I couldn’t find it anywhere so who knows! I actually love using coloured pencils along my waterline, they quickly make an everyday makeup look a bit less boring! This liner is waterproof, so it stays put all day without budging. I like that it’s an actual pencil too as there’s nothing worse than those stingy ones that you can’t twist up or sharpen. I can’t wait to get creative with this!

Birchbox – Pom Pom Hair Ties

This month we were given a little something extra in the form of two cute little Pom pom hairbands! Like socks, hair ties seem to disappear without a trace so I always like to top up my supply! I always go for the boring pack of brown ones so for once, I will have something colourful to use!

As usual, we received some amazing bits and bobs. This month had a real variety! We had skincare, makeup and makeup and even three full-size products too! I’m sure I will get lots of use out of everything, particularly the skincare as my face has decided to hate me right now. Altogether, the products inside the January box, are worth roughly £72 which is pretty good given that the subscription costs only £12.95. Are you subscribed to Birchbox? Are you subscribed to any other beauty boxes? Which is your favourite?

N xxxx

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box!