Tag: November

GLOSSYBOX NOVEMBER 2019: WINTER WARMERS – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date November 15, 2019
2 Comments on GLOSSYBOX NOVEMBER 2019: WINTER WARMERS – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I hope you’re all having a great month so far! It’s already been a busy one for me. I’ve already celebrated my own birthday as well as three others and we’re only three weeks in! Since I received last months Glossybox, I’ve been so excited for November’s edit. I cannot wait to show you everything! Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Glossybox 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 Glossybox:

Glossybox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beautifully wrapped boxes containing 5 surprise beauty products. Every box will feature brand new products as well as some cult favourites. Glossybox is fantastic for being able to discover and find out more about new brand and products. There are also lots of benefits from being a member of the Glossyboz community. For example, by participating in suverys and referring friends, subscribers can earn GLOSSYCREDITS to spend on beauty treats. The Glossybox monthly subscription plans start from £10 and there are 3, 6 and 12 month options to choose from. You can create and edit your beauty profile to ensure that you receive products that are best suited to your skin/hair type and perosnal preferences. The boxes are beautifully packagaed, it’s genuinely like receieving a present in the post.

This month’s edit is all about getting snuggled up and celebrating the beginning of “cosy nights in” season – my favourite! This box is full of goodies to keep us feeling warm and wonderful throughout November. At this time of year, I tend to have lots more bubble baths and pamper nights so this box couldn’t have had a better theme!

Mudmasky – Leave-Me-On Winter Mask – RRP £43.50

This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. This is a full sized product worth £43.50. “Blown away” doesn’t even cover it. I really did not expect a product of this value to be included in an £11.75 beauty subscription box! Thank you, GlossyBox! I always feel like my skin needs a real boost during the colder seasons and thanks to MudMasky Winter Mask that’s exactly what it got. According to Glossybox, this stuff creates an invisible shield on the surface of your complexion to keep it protected from the cold. It also helps to nourish and hydrate your skin – yes please! I like to use this before I go outside to keep my skin feeling healthy and moisturised despite what the weather is throwing at it.

Rituals – The Ritual of Ayurveda Soothing Hand Balm – RRP £9

I flipping love this luxurious little hand balm from Rituals. The word “Balm” immediately had me intrigued about the texture of the product. It doesn’t leave my hands feeling sticky or wet but it does leave a my hands feeling silky (a balm-like texture funnily enough) which I don’t mind at all. It’s at this time of year that I start doing everything I can to prevent dry and cracked hands. This product couldn’t have come into my life at a better time – it’s a must for this season! My hands have never felt so soft and smooth! Featuring, Indian rose and sweet almond oil, it smells absolutely incredible. I am very tempted to stock up on a few more tubes of this magical stuff!

Cetaphil – Gentle Skin Cleanser – RRP £1.10 (Deluxe mini 29ml) / £8.99 (Full-size)

I’ve seen a lot about this brand and their skincare so I was actually really keen to put the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser to the test! It’s a real multitasker as it removes makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of the oils and the pH levels that it needs! In terms of scent, there’s quite literally nothing there. In terms of results, I have definitely noticed a difference. This cleanser has managed to banish a few blemishes as well as keep my skin looking fresh and hydrated! It’s not drying whatsoever and that’s exactly what I want during Winter.

Kandi Cosmetics – Glow Up Primer and Setting Spray – RRP £20

Well hello there setting spray of dreams. I’ve been wanting to try one of these sprays for such a long time! I’m sure you can imagine my squeal of delight as I spotted the Kandi Cosmettics Glow Up Spray inside this box. This is another multitasker! First of all, it can be used as a primer for a natural and glowing base. It can also be used as a setting spray to provide an extra layer of glam! Who would have thought that it could even be used as a body spray to give you a gorgeous subtle shimmer? I love how this product can be used in different ways, I think it will be a big hit with a lot of subscribers! I don’t leave the house without a spritz of this stuff – it makes such a difference!

Hask Exotics – Argan Hair Oil – RRP £2.49

I’ve only just started appreciating the power of Argan oil. It works wonders for my hair so I was extremely excited to receive a sample of the Hask Exotics Argan Hair Oil! I use a lot of heated styling tools so I’m always looking for products containing Argan oil to keep it looking healthy and hydrated. I’ve been applying the product to my hair whilst it was damp and left it to work its magic. My hair already looks in better condition! I love that it doesn’t leave an oily residue too – I really hate that feeling! I will absolutely be purchasing some more of this stuff!

Offblak – Fruit Tea – RRP £0.84 (Extra Treats) / £9.98 (Full-size)

I just LOVE that Glossybox send us lovely extra treats in our boxes. I already have a lot of love for Offblak and their adorable packaging. Their quirky flavours are also amazing so I cannot wait to try Brighten Up and You’re Golden. They couldn’t have picked better flavours for getting warm and cosy during Winter!

Overall, I’m so happy with the November box! First of all, we received four full-size beauty products as well as two extra little treats. Most noteworthy, one product was worth a whopping £43.50! The total value of the products together, is £77.83 – wow! Not only were there a real variety of bits included but they all work really well with the season! As usual, I’m very impressed with Glossybox! Are you subscribed to Glossybox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments!

N xxxx

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Tags Autumn, BEAUTY, Beauty Subscription, Christmas, Glossybox, Makeup, November, Photography, Photos, Skincare, Winter

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX NOVEMBER 2019: FROZEN II – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date November 12, 2019
No Comments on BIRCHBOX NOVEMBER 2019: FROZEN II – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! It’s been a busy month for me! I’ve been planning all of my Blogmas content for this year and I cannot wait for you to see it. The November Birchbox only encouraged the festive fun to continue, just wait until you see the box! 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.

Read my review of the October box here

*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)

This month’s box is in collaboration with Disney, who they also teamed up with last November for the release of The Nutcracker and The Four Realms (read that review here). However, this time we’re celebrating the well anticipated sequel, Frozen II. As a Disney lover, I think this is a fabulous festive design! I can also see why it was chosen, as female characters from Frozen represent strength and beauty – very fitting for a beauty subscription box! However, for those that don’t particularly love Disney, I can imagine this probably felt a little too childish and may struggle to relate to the theme. It’s probably going to be fairly hit and miss with the subscribers. That doesn’t mean that the contents should be dismissed though as there some lovely products in this box! Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Lise Watier – Rouge Gourmand Lipstick in “Gingerbread” – RRP £23

Although the sample is tiny, I am a big fan of the Lise Watier Rouge Gourmand lipstick! During the colder months, I tend to search high and low for hydrating lip products that aren’t glosses as the wind and my hair tend to clash with that. This lipstick offers hydration without the stickiness and that’s exactly what I’m looking for! It contains castor seed oil which apparently means it will never settle into fine lines. I hate when my lips are dry and a lipstick only makes them look worse so fingers crossed, this one will come to the rescue and keep them looking moisturised throughout Winter! It’s also worth mentioning that this also actually plumps the lips too – yes please!

Bodyography – Lip Pencil in “Heatherberry” (Full Size) – RRP £11

I think I have a slight addiction when it comes to lip liners! I seem to get through so many of them. In my opinion, they really complete a makeup look and they completely transform the appearance of my lips! The Bodyography Lip Pencil has such a beautifully soft formula. I hate when lip liners are dry and this one seems to simply glide on. It’s so easy to outline and fill in my lips with and so far, I haven’t noticed any feathering or bleeding which is always a good sign. I can definitely see this becoming a new staple of mine. I’d also never come across Bodyography before, who believe in “beauty with a conscience” and are actually cruelty-free, paraben-free and sulphate-free!

INC.redible – Flower Power Hydrating Sheet Mask (Full Size) – RRP £5

I blooming (pardon the pun) love the INC.redible Flower Power Hydrating Sheet Mask! This is exactly what my skin needs a this time of year; nourishment and hydration! A real multitasker, the mask also smoothes, refreshes and protects the skin too. It’s packed with goodness featuring ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen and vitamin E! After giving it 15 minutes, I was thoroughly impressed with the results. My skin felt absolutely amazing. I didn’t personally experience any negative reactions but if you have sensitive skin or if you feel any tingling, Birchbox have advised you to remove the mask immediately!

Sebamed – Clear Face Cleasing Bar – RRP £4.69

I am a huge fan of this brand and their blemish busting skincare. It would’ve been nice to have been sent a full sample of the Sebamed Cleansing Bar as the sample is tiny! However, I still enjoyed using it and I am definitely considering purchasing the full sized version. The bar contains lots of ingredients to combat pimples and blackheads which help to reduce breakouts and keep skin clear. This couldn’t have come into my life at a better time as my skin seems to be going through a rough patch at the moment. I’m currently putting this to the test and I want to give it a little more time so I’ll keep you updated. So far so good though!

Number 4 – Jour d’automne Blow Dry Lotion – RRP £26

I’ve received a few samples from this brand through Birchbox before and so far, I’ve loved everything! However, I don’t actually blow dry my hair very often so I doubt that I will get much use out of the Jour d’automne Blow Dry Lotion. For the sake of the review, I did still give it a whirl and I was pleasantly surprised! Not only did it offer thermal protection but it also helped my hair to dry so much faster. I have long and thick hair so getting it to dry is usually a fairly lengthy and frustrating task. Anything to make that process quicker gets a yes from me! On the occasions that I do decide to pick up the hairdryer, I will definitely be picking this product up too.

I really enjoyed the November box. In my opinion, the design is gorgeous and I think it will be a big hit with the Disney fans among the Birchbox subscribers. I also loved the products! I know I will use a majority of them and I can see myself repurchasing some too! However, I do think that Birchbox could have been slightly more generous with the sample sizes. That being said, we still got to try out £69.69 worth of beauty products that we otherwise may not have come across! 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 Pixi Glow Mist with the code: “MIST” at checkout!

N xxxx

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Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, Birchbox Review, Disney, Frozen, Makeup, November, Photography, Photos, Skincare

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX NOVEMBER 2018: THE NUTCRACKER & THE FOUR REALMS

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date November 9, 2018
No Comments on BIRCHBOX NOVEMBER 2018: THE NUTCRACKER & THE FOUR REALMS

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m packing to go away with my boyfriend for the weekend. We’re going to the Harry Potter Studio tour on Saturday, as well as seeing The Cursed Child in London on Sunday. I’m super excited and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Are any of you Harry Potter fans? Let me know which of the films or books are your favourites! I think the Deathly Hallows (plus the final two films) are my favourites – the plot thickens and it becomes much more serious and interesting! Speaking of movies, this month’s Birchbox was in collaboration with Disney to celebrate the release of their new film, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. I always loved the story as a child but I’m intrigued as to how they’ve turned it into a film with a bit of a twist. As usual, 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!

When I found out that Birchbox were collaborating with Disney this month, I was so excited to see the packaging that they would come up with! Look at how beautiful it is! I love the micture of dark reds and the reflective gold text, it looks so magical and festive! I think this month’s products are focused on preparing for the party season ahead, which I love! I’m no party animal but I definitely love a good pamper evening during Winter, especially after a long day of Christmas shopping or being out in the cold. I love a pamper night all year round but there’s something much more satisying about it when it’s dark and freezing cold outside!

Manna Kadar Cosmetics – Diamond Dust Roller Shadow in Enchanted – RRP £15 (Full Size)

I’m a sucker for all things eyeshadow related, so to be honest, I’m happy with anything, but a gold roller shadow is a whole new level. I didn’t even know that roller shadows existed?! I also love this brand, I’ve recieved lots of their products over the years and I’ve enjoyed them all so I know that I’ll enjoy this one too. Last month we were given the choice of two shades to receive and so I chose Enchanted which is a beautiful sparkly golden colour. It can be applied not only as an eyeshadow but also on the tops of your cheekbones or as a glossy lip topper! I really love multi-use products because they’re perfect to travel with and they barely take up any room in my makeup bag! When swatching the shadow, I noticed that it was quite subtle once blended out. I reckon it should be applied in layers to intensify it or it can always just be left as a touch of sparkle on it’s own. It’s exclusive to Birchbox so if you want to try it, head on over to their shop!

Lottie London – Slay All Day Longwear Lip Liner Pencil in Werk it – RRP £3.95 (Full Size)

I seem to have a bit of an obsession with liners, whether that’s for my eyes or lips, I will always find an excuse to add another one to my stash! That’s probably why it was so easy to welcome this one into my collection. Birchbox have never sent me anything by Lottie London before, however I’ve always loved their branding and I use their makeup brushes all the time so I was excited to try their makeup for once! I love nude liners as I wear nude lipsticks all the time so they always come in handy. I love that it’s long-wearing, so it can stay strong throughout the many hot chocolates that I get through every day. Plus, this liner can be sharpened! One of my biggest pet peeves is when liners can’t be sharpened because it leaves you with barely any product once you’ve used the part that you can see. I can’t wait to use this! Keep an eye out for my Instagram posts as I’m sure I’ll be talking about it and sharing some pictures of the looks I’ve created.

Polaar – Night Cream – RRP £32

Birchbox have sent me a Polaar suncream before and I absolutely loved it so I reckon this product will be something I end up using a lot. I’ve always liked the idea that some skincare can get to work whilst I’m fast asleep, minimal effort required! This moisturiser is packed with boreal algae, which reacts to the blue light of the moon (I know, it sounds like something Brian Cox came up with) which in turn, boosts your cell renewal. If all of that can happen whilst I’m out of it then I’m down!

WUNDER2 – WUNDERKISS Essential Lip Scrub – RRP £14.95 (Full Size)

I’ve known about the wonders of lip scrubs for such a long time, but I just couldn’t get over the whole friction and lumpy bumpy situation. However, when I saw this in my November box, I was actually really excited to try it! It doesn’t look as “lumpy bumpy” (as I creatively put it just now) and it seems pretty tame. I like that it’s almost like a crayon which makes it much easier to apply and be accurate without getting the scrub up my nose or on my forehead or something (believe me I’m capable).

Spacemasks – Self-Heating Eye Mask – RRP £3.50 (Full Size)

Yes to self-heating face masks! Typically, when it comes to eyes, I’m used to using things that are cooling to reduce swelling or puffiness but I’m intrigued about using something warm. Apparently we are to expect soothing results! I reckon I will be using this when I’m needing some down time, possibly just before I go to sleep. It seems like the perfect thing to pop on before bed when I’m not doing anything or even if I’m busy, it’s still something I can make time for! I love the packaging too – it’s reminding me of Glamglow for some reason?

In conclusion, I think this may be one of my favourite boxes so far! I loved every single product. The focus of it being on preparing for the party season ahead was absolutely perfect! I know that I will use everything and I’ll most likely by replacements too. 4/5 of the products were full size which is insane. I’ve unsubscribed from lots of beauty boxes because so many are reluctant to give out full sized products whereas Birchbox are always generous. The products, together, are worth roughly £69 and consdering that I pay £12.95 per month, that works out at great value! You may have noticed a difference in my photography and that’s because I was lucky enough to get a new camera for my birthday! I’m still experimenting but I definitely prefer how it looks now, what do you think?

N xxxx

Want to try Birchbox for yourself? Click here and use my referral link to get £5 off your first box! Get 2 boxes for just £5 plus £2.95 P&P using the code FRIYAY. You’ll not only receive the November box but also a surprise box containing 5 customer favourites!