You Beauty Discovery Box - March 2014

I have to begin this by saying out of all the beauty boxes out there this is my ultimate favourite. It's a little different from the rest as you choose 2 products from a selection and they also include a few products of their own. There's no surprise element in this box which I know some people will not like but the selection of products avaliable to choose from are usually amazing. Another added bonus of this box is that it is the cheapest out there at £6.95 which INCLUDES the P&P and this months box is an absolute BARGAIN. 

It is safe to say I have a little  big obsession with skincare. I can't stop buying cleansers even though I most probably have half the stock of Boots so this box got me so excited and the money I saved is crazy!

The Body Shop - Camomile Sumptious Cleansing Butter & Muslin Cloth 

Full size £12

Worth £12

'This cleanser is an indulgent make-up remover for the whole face. It gently and efficiently melts away make-up and impurities, leaving skin feeling clean, refreshed and pampered.'
Now this I didn't have to think twice about when choosing which products went into my box! I LOVE using cleansing butters/balms to remove my make-up and I had just ran out of my No.7 one so thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try this one. The thing that amazes me is that this is £12 to buy so already my £6.95 is well worth spent and anything else I choose is just an added bonus! 
I used this last night and its love already. It removed all my make-up and made my skin SO smooth and there's a whole lot of product to get through which makes me very happy indeed!
A voucher code for The Body Shop has also been included which gives you £10 off when you spend £25 or more.

Beauty Lab - Glyco Face Wash 

Full size £32

Worth £16

'A skin refining oil free 5% glycolic foaming gel with triggered release technology that works longer and deeper to remove impurities, unclogging pores refining and cleansing whilst helping to prevent future break-outs. Contains pomegranates enzymes, glycolic and salicylic acid infused microspheres, soothing willow bark and lavender.'
Literally when I read the description for this cleanser it was like music to my ears! I love using cleansers that go that extra mile and offer more than usual cleansers. I suffer from breakouts so this seems like the perfect cleanser to use 3-4 times a week to keep my skin in check! 
I used this along side the cleansing butter and my skin was feeling so clean and fresh so a perfect combination together! I'm looking forward to using this cleanser more to get a better idea of how it works with my skin but so far so good!
A voucher code has been included which gives you 20% off every purchase online at beautylab.co.uk

Now onto the extras included in the box...

Dragonfly Tea - Swirling Mist Organic White Tea & Moonlight Jasmine Organic Green Tea

Firstly lets take a minute to completely appreciate the adorable names that these teas have been given! 
I love trying out different teas so I can't wait to try these ones out and if they sound as good as they taste I will certainly be onto a winner!
A coupon has been included to save 50p off any box of Dragonfly tea

The Vintage Company - Toe separators 

These are going to come in so handy when the sun finally decides to make an appearance and the sandals come out! I tend to neglect my feet in the winter when they are stuffed into converse and winter boots so this gives me the boost to actually get round to painting them a pretty colour for spring/summer!

I'm sure you can guess that I LOVED this months selection. The products are perfect and the fact this box is £6.95 is beyond me as the products included are worth so much more!
Already can't wait for next months box! Roll on April!

Rachel xx 

Birchbox UK March 2014 - Lulu Guinness

Oh what a snazzy little box this one is! Sadly its only a cover over the box but it gives you quite a big clue who they have teamed up with for this months box! They have partnered with Lulu Guinness who has picked one of her favourite products that features in the box and a little treat too!

These are the cards that are included in the box with some offers however within the box there is meant to be a magazine connected to Lulu Guinness however mine wasn't included and so Birchbox have promised that it is in the post doh!

Now onto this months selections...

Benefit - Stay don't stray - £20.50 full size

This is Lulu Guinness's pick for the box and it's a good one! At first I did just think it was an eye primer but it is actually a primer for your concealer too which is genius as I always find my concealer wears away during the day. Benefit is quite a big brand so to be found in a beauty box is always a good thing and I'm super excited to try this !

Dr Brandt - Pores no more - £39 full size

Now this is the product that I am excited about the most as it literally sounds perfect for my skin. It claims to refine pores and absorb excess oil which is music to my ears! You can use this in the traditional way that a primer is used, under make-up, or you can apply it over make-up too to instantly mattify the skin. Super super excited to give this a go!

Aroma works - Serenity Body oil - £32.50 full size

I have really got into using oils of late as I feel it sinks in so much better then moisturiser does and just gives your skin an instant hit of hydration so I was excited to see this included. Its smells amazing, really 'citrusy' and includes nourishing coconut oil. Really looking forward to trying this after a nice soak in the bath !

Molton Brown - Rhubarb and rose replenishing hand cream - £10 full size

 Ahh now I do love a hand cream and have constant supplies in my bag to use during the day so this one is more than welcome to join! I have a real soft spot for Molton Brown and this is a fragrance I haven't yet come across. It feels really moisturising on the hands and I can see myself going through this very quickly!

English Laundry - No. 7 For her - £47 full size

I remember receiving a sample from this brand a few months back and really enjoying the fragrance so I was happy to see them back with a new one. This smells really fresh and easy to wear and has a mixture of pear, jasmine, gardenia, vanilla and sandalwood. I feel like this scent is really non offensive and just makes you smell really fresh and put together. Looking forward to spritzing this on me during the week.

Lulu Guinness - Candy rock

Last but not least is the treat form Lulu Guinness which is a stick of rock - Yum! The black and white striped rock is inspired by her spring/summer collection. Looking forward to eating this as a cheeky treat!

I am very happy with this months box and if the products perform as they claim I will have budge proof make-up and sweet smelling skin! 

I feel this month has a lovely mix of products which I am super excited to try :)

Rachel xx

The Amazing Nspa Beauty Box! (From Asda!!)

I first heard about nspa from Ruth (a model recommends) I absolutely love her and her skin is just flawless so when she mentioned liking a hot cloth cleanser from the nspa range in Asda my ears shot up and I knew a trip to Asda was needed immediately!
Now having a brain like a sieve I completely forgot all about and wondered in Asda to actually look for some popcorn for the cinema... Sweet popcorn yuuum! Anyway back onto the subject in matter! A light bulb suddenly went off and I remembered the hot cloth cleanser so I rushed over to the beauty section and was pleasantly surprised about the range of beauty products they do! So when I spotted this beauty box that includes the hot cloth cleanser and 3 other beauty products I snapped it up!

The box itself is so cute and would make an amazing present for someone or yourself (like I did!) and it includes 4 products that you use in order (all of the nspa range has an order of when you should use them so they are number 1-4)

• Number 1 is cleanse and this is the Melting Cleansing Gel
• Number 2 is exfoliate and this is the Hot Cloth Polish with Muslin Cloth
• Number 3 is treat and this is the Illuminating Beauty Serum
• Number 4 is moisturise and this is the Brightening Day Cream with SPF 15

I LOVE the fact that it has an order in which you should use them. Somehow it just makes me want to do the routine! So onto the products in question...

1) Melting Cleansing Gel

This is the first step in the cleansing process and is used to 'draw out impurities and clarify skin, sweeping away make-up for a clear, clean, bright complexion.' Having never used a melting gel before the texture of this took me by surprise as it feels like applying a primer to the skin! It has such a smooth feeling on the skin and once massaged onto the skin I then add some water which turns it into more of a milky consistency.

It feels so unusual on the skin but in a way I quite like it and does get rid of most of the make-up on my face which is where step 2 comes into play...

2) Hot Cloth Polish

Now this is the exfoliating section of the regime as it comes with a standard muslin cloths as all hot cloth polishes do and claims to 'buff away dull skin cells , refining the pores and smoothing the skin for an even tone and soft texture'. I love this! Having used the rather famous Liz Earle one I can safely say its pretty much the same and does exactly what it says. It's an absolute dream to use and I can see why Ruth included it into her favourites!

3) Illuminating Beauty Serum
I got rather excited when I spotted this in here as I must say I have never used any sort of illuminating serum before and this claims to 'condition and replenish the skin with Vitamin E and essential oil of Neroli for a naturally luminous glow.' Now this stuff is gorgeous! It can be a little bit scary when first applied onto the face as your face literally sparkles! But once foundation is added on the top this literally shines through and makes you skin GLOW like nothing else. It's beautiful and this can also be added on top of make-up for a little pick me up. It's really fantastic when your skin is look a little dull as it just makes you look a 100x more awake and fresh!

4) Brightening Day Cream with SPF15
I love the fact that this has an SPF included as I always forget to add an SPF when it comes to my make-up. This claims to 'restore and nourish thirsty skin with luxurious moisturisers to soften and protect the skin.' I'm going to sound like a broken record but this is lovely! It sinks into my skin so easily and just leaves a great base for me to apply my make-up after with the added bonus of the SPF 15 it leaves me knowing that I am protected too!

So honestly this is probably one of my most exciting finds for a long long time. It costs £10 which I think is amazing for 4 products and gives you the opportunity to try out all the products before you commit to buy them full size.
I am seriously impressed with all these products and think the box is genuis!

Rachel xxx