LookFantastic Beauty Box December Edition

For the last three months, LookFantastic have been doing their Christmas Edition boxes and you can see boxes one which came in October and two in November on my blog. The third box has arrived a little earlier than usual, so it was a nice surprise when it arrived.

Again a beautifully designed white and gold box to tempt you in, this months box features six products to test and try out and again there is a cute little eight page magazine which has information on each of the products and a guide that tells you have to achieve the perfect facial - something I will definitely be reading and trying out.

The first item out of the box this month is from Eve Lom an it is a 50ml Morning Time Cleanser. This cleanser is a lightweight rinse-off balm that cleanses the skin of makeup and dirt without stripping it of moisture. Papaya fruit enzymes help brighten and gently exfoliate while carrot oil nourishes and stimulates collagen production. Suitable for all skin types, this is a product which is perfectly designed for those on the go because you only need to massage it onto dry skin and leave for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water, so for me perfect for when I am waiting for the shower to warm up in a morning.

Lord & Berry Pailette Glitter Eye Pencil - Pailette is a classic black eye pencil which is infused with glitter, therefore making it perfect for the party season. It is said to have a subtle finish but long lasting effect. I never ever use eyeliner, I think it makes me look weird, so thankfully this has already found itself a home.

I was chuffed to see another the Wet Brush Squirt in my box and in a colour I don't have, in this case yellow. This brush helps you to detangle with no pulling, tugging or pain to leave our hair healthy with no split ends and less breakage. The Wet Brush Intellifelx bristles glide through hair effortlessly and the ultra-soft polytips SoftTips make this brush ideal for sensitive scalps and also provide a massaging action. I have a pink and now a yellow Wet brush and I am a big fan.

Codage No.3 Radiance & Energy Serum. Codage is a brand I am slowly getting to know through beauty boxes and this is one of the reasons why I am a fan of beauty boxes, without them, this is the sort of product I would not have tried. Described as being a genuine elixir of cellular replenishment, this serum is formulated to detoxify and restore brightness to lacklustre skin whilst helping to erase signs of fatigue. To be used on a morning and/or evening onto cleansed skin using your fingertips.

Eyelure Double Lash in No.156 Exaggerate - Described as being big and beautiful, these double-layered effect lashes are handmade, 100% natural and reusable. I am not the most patient person when it comes to the application of false lashes and anything that has a glue with it is not going to be used because it usually irritates my eyes. That said, I know they are a popular brand with bloggers and I am sure I can find them a home.

The final item in the box comes from Molton Brown and it is in the form of a body wash. I have Coco and Sandalwood as a scent and it isn't once I have come across before. Sounding quite masculine, this scent is actually really nice and uses a combination of Coconut and Jasmine alongside the sandalwood to give it a really nice scent and one that I will definitely be using.

So that is the third and final installment of the Christmas Edition Boxes and I have really liked all three and have enjoyed the nice mixture of brands and product types included, I have made some new discoveries with brands such as Codage that I really like and it is nice to be reacquainted with brands such as Ole Henriksen Wet Brush and Ren.

LookFantastic 1st Birthday Beauty Box

The Lookfantasic Beauty Box has reached a huge milestone as beauty boxes go and the September Box is the 1st Birthday Box which is packed full of products to test an try out, 8 in total.

The first item is from Bliss with the Fabulous Foaming Face Wash. This is a 30ml travel size, which is not too bad a size to test something out and take away for a long weekend. It is described as being a gentle yet effective 2-in-1 cleanser and exfoliator, it carefully buffs away dead skin cells with the round exfoliating beads, as well as removing make-up, dirt and impurities. Enriched with rose hips, chamomile and passion flower, it calms and soothes your skin to leave it wonderfully clean and clear. A Bliss best-seller, it's the perfect multi-tasker. This has an rrp £3.50.

Next there is Tanworx Tan Maintainer which arrives in a 60ml tube. Made by Monu, a brand I really like, it is said to help maintain your tan for longer the tan maintainer is formulated with carrot oil, coconut oil and sunflower oil to moisturise the skin, plus Hyaluronic Acid and Seaweed. Perfect for avoiding steaks, the formula will help you to maintain your golden glow.  Now all I need is a spray tan or some sun injection to give this a try, otherwise it will be cupboard bound till 2016. This has an rrp £7.

Phyto is a brand I have heard of but never used and in my box I have Phytokeratin Extreme Creme which whilst it doesn't explain what it is, I managed to find out that it is infact a leave-in cream to nourish and repair hair. Provides thermal protection up to 220ºC to prevent further breakage and split ends and shields from humidity so you can experience frizz-free, silky smooth locks. It has been specially formulated with keratin plant, an ingredient that delivers essential amino acids, whilst sapote butter and baobab oil soften hair and restore the intercellular cement in the hair fibres. Infused with pink peony petals, the luxurious cream moisturises hair to leave you with hydrated, healthy-looking and manageable locks. This bottle has a value of around £9.

Next I have a Sebastian Shampoo and Conditoner in 50ml bottles. I used to love Potion 9 as a teen and used it religiously on my hair but as I got older and my hair changed, it became less effective. In this box I have the Penetraitt which is described as being a rescue formula dedicated to strengthening and repairing over processed, chemically treated hair. Guarding from every day stresses and deeply penetrating to remove debris and product build up, the rich concoction with colour safe Active Rescue System will reconstruct the hair follicles and effectively cleanse for revitalised, strong and soft results. Each bottle has a value of around £3.

I was chuffed to see Caudalie make an appearance within this box and instead of getting one product, I have two from the Vinosource range. Starting with moisturising sorbet creme is designed to Calm irritated and stressed skin with the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet. This gel-cream formula has immediate soothing properties and leaves skin refreshed and comfortable. It uses organic grape water to hydrate and calming chamomile. Ideal for any skin type that experiences reactionary sensitivity, this nourishing formula leaves skin clear, smooth and soft. The second produce is Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum which is said to provide intense, long-lasting hydration to skin that needs it most. Enriched with soothing organic grape water, plumping hyaluronic acid, and packed with antioxidants, it reveals a radiant, dewy look to any complexion. Together they have a value of around £14.

The final item in the box is by Codage, another brand I have only heard of recently but not yet used. It is a French brand and the Scrubbing Cream which is in my box is described as being a rich and soothing emulsion made from fine rice particles which enables optimal facial exfoliation. Respectful of even the most sensitive skin types, this scrubbing cream eliminates impurities and dead skin cells, while stimulating elasticity and cellular renewal. The complexion is smooth, even and glowing. The product contains no parabens, no essential oils, is not tested on animals and nor is there any phtalates. This 25ml tube has an approximate value of £17!

For a celebratory box, I think this is one that shows off the products you can purchase on Lookfantastic amazingly well and I am really chuffed with it.  I haven't tried a single product within the box until it arrived, but each one has fascinated me and I cannot wait to give them all a try, especially Codage, which I am totally intrigued with and the whole range looks amazing!

What do you think to this box?

LookFantastic Beauty Box - July

The July Lookfantastic box arrived a few days ago, which is really quick considering we are only just into July and it has a value of £50. This month we have six delightful products to try out, some of which come from my favourite brands and others I have yet to try something from, so here are the contents:

First up is a handy sized 10ml pot of Trilogy Everything Balm. I am a huge fan of Trilogy and have had this balm on my 'must try' list for some time now, so I am delighted to see it in this box. Described as being a multi-purpose balm it comes with the following information 

"Soothe, soften and condition skin anywhere on the face or body with Trilogy Everything Balm, the perfect multi-tasking beauty tool, ideally sized for travel. Helping to replenish, repair and soothe, it makes the perfect handbag-sized protectant.

Everything Balm combines antioxidant-rich certified organic marula oil and certified organic rosehip oil, both revered for their skin healing and preservative properties, as well as jojoba, olive, avocado, honey and vitamin E to deeply nourish your skin. Softening dry elbows, knees, hands and feet, Trilogy Everything Balm provides pure and natural skin care for baby and makes dry lips delicious again".

The second product is from another of my favourite brands Nuxe and this time it is the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (7ml). Suitable for all skin types, the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is described as a "Multi Usage Dry Oil is the perfect choice for your face-nourishing needs. After use, your face will be velvety soft and your skin will look healthier than ever before. If you decide to use this multi-use oil on your hair, it will quickly become more supple and full of volume and shine, without feeling greasy". Included is lots of vitamin E, which makes sure that the skin is repaired and softened. It also includes various plant oils, which are very efficient at removing any visible signs of stretch marks.

Monu are next with a 30ml Monu Fiji Facial Treatment Oil. I have tried a few Monu products to date and have always been really impressed with this. The Fiji Facial Oil is a soothing facial oil which has been formulated to nourish and protect the skin whilst preventing dehydration. This product uses a blend of rosewood oil and patchouli provide essential protection to soothe dry skin and stimulate your complexion.  It is also Paraben free.

I am always delighted to see a Balance Me product in any beauty box and within this one there is the fabulous Pure Skin Facial Wash. I have used this product before and had run out, so it is always handy to have a spare one around just in case. 

This face wash is perfect for Balancing normal/combination skin, calming congestion and preventing breakouts. This gentle cleanser removes make-up and impurities without stripping away skins moisture. Described as a "Super-fast and effective to use, this gentle, wash-off face cleanser effortlessly removes all make-up and impurities. To improve and smooth the appearance of congested, inflamed complexions we’ve blended together balancing grapefruit and petit grain, with soothing frankincense essential oils and calming spruce knot extract. We have also packed this skin-boosting cleanser full with anti-oxidant rich moringa and rice bran oils to help brighten and illuminate dull skin with every wash. Use in the morning to wake up and revive tired complexions, or in the evening for skin that feels squeaky clean no matter what it has faced".

Next is The Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo which is a brand I have never come across. The shampoo is designed to be used once or twice a month and is described as "Rid your hair of built up impurities with the Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo. Paraben and sulphate free, the detoxing shampoo is gentle in formula but tough on grime. Deeply cleansing, the blend of mild ingredients work to exfoliate your hair, rejuvenating every strand for purified, soft results. Can be used as little as once a month dependent on your lifestyle and even as an invigorating body wash for your skin. Suitable for all hair types" so this is a product I am really looking forward to trying out.

The final product in the box is a Lord & Berry Ultimate Lip Liner. Lip liners are one of those beauty products I should probably buy and use but never do. This is described as a nude version which is waterproof, infused with macadamia oil and waterlily extracts and is said to be highly blendable. Of all the products within the box, this is the one I am probably least likely to use, but as it is there, I might try it out eventually.

I think this month’s box is a great box, it is nice to see a mixture of products from some brands I know and recognise to some that I know little or nothing about.

What do you think to the July Box?

Look Fantastic Beauty Box - February Edition

I have been getting the Look Fantastic box for the last few months and it has all been detailed on my blog if you would like to see previous boxes. For just £15 a month you get such great quality products that for me, this is one of the best subscription boxes that there is out there. The January Box last month was amazing, there was nothing I disliked or wouldn't use, so for me February had a lot to live up to! 

This is what I found in my box:

The first product nestled inside the February is a 25ml bottle of the Moroccanoil Treatment which is worth £13.45.  I am a huge fan of these products because it is great at eliminating any frizz and detangling any knots especially when you are on holiday.  Whenever I go away, I always ensure I have a bottle of this in my bag because it is just amazing and you only need to use such a small amount. This oil also helps to provide long-term conditioning and added shine.

Next up is this cute little 10ml sample tube of the Dr. PawPaw Multipurpose Soothing Balm worth around £2.50. The balm is a multipurpose balm which means it can be used on your lips, hair and skin and it is made in the UK from a variety of natural ingredients including Pawpaw, Olive Oil and Aloe Vera Oil which, blended together, create a multi-purpose formula for you to carry around at all times thanks to the handy little tube.

The next product is a 50ml bottle of Korres Citrus Little Body Milk which has a value of around £2.50. I am a huge fan of Korres products but have never tried a moisturising body milk, so I am really delighted to see this in my box.  This Body Milk is enriched with vitamins, trace elements and essential skin energy boosting agents along with a combination of almond oil, active aloe, b5 and shea butter for long-lasting hydration. This citrus scent smells quite fresh and because the milk is such a lightweight consistency it absorbs really quickly leaving behind soft moistursed skin.

The next product is this tiny 17g Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar which has a value of around £5.50. It is described as being 'Iconic' it is a cleansing bar that removes impurities and exfoliates the skin for soft, smooth skin. The soap is 97% natural and contains therapeutic dead sea mud to dramatically improve the overall quality of your skin.  It has three different roles - exfoliates to remove dead skin cells for more radiant skin, it stimulates to improve circulation and motivate natural skin regeneration and finally it cleanses to makeup and grime without stripping the skin of natural oils. I love the sound of this soap and wish the sample was much bigger so I could give it a really good try.  That said, I am going away for a long weekend in a few weeks and will take it with me to try.

My next item is a 20ml bottle of MONU Illuminating Primer which is worth £11. This Primer has an SPF of 15 and has a paraben free formula that acts as a base for makeup. It is said to smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes to create a lasting radiant glow.  I have used tis product before and was sat on the fence as to whether or not I liked it, the consistency is really nice though to me it is more of a moisturiser than a primer because it is so hydrating, so I am more than willing to try it again to see if my opinion changes.

The last product in the box is a full sized Bellapiere Cosmetics Lip Liner in shade Cinnamon worth £16. Sadly this isn't a shade I would use as it is too dark and too brown for me which is a shame because when I swatched it on my hand, it simply glided onto my skin with no effort and is so smooth.  Bellapierre lip liner pencils provide a finished look for a beautiful pout. Available in 4 shades (Natural, Nude, Cinnamon and Truly Red) they are made from 100% pure mineral pigments, all natural botanical waxes such as jojoba, safflower, and vitamin E creating waterproof wear so you never have to worry about re-applying after eating or drinking.

So that was the February Box.  I don't think it is as good as the January Bo which I absolutely loved, but I do think this box was full of great products that I am going to really enjoy using. I love that these boxes include a nice range of products from well known and high end brands and that the sizes are really generous on the whole, especially when it only costs £15!  If you like the look of this box you can purchase your own here.

December Look Fantastic Box

It's no lie that I have been so impressed with the Lookfantastic Beauty Boxes that I have literally crooned across a few posts, namely with the boxes for September October, November and now I bring you the December offering which is slightly earlier than I was expecting, but here it is.

The box is always so well presented and everthing is neatly packaged so that there is no wriggle room and nothing falls out of place. Inside my box, whilst I had seen a few spoilers are the following items:

• Macademia Healing Oil Infused Comb. Full size, £6.00
• Ole Henriksen’s Pure Truth Youth Activating Oil 15ml - £23.50 
• Pure Gold Collagen Drink  £3.50
• Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml £8.85 
• Murad Essential-C Cleanser 45ml £7.65. 
• Bourjois Intense Smoky Eyeshadow Palette. Full size, £7.99
• Lord & Berry H2ohhh designer Lip Gloss. Full size, £12.00
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So it would seem that the total value of this box is in the region of £69 which I think is pretty impressive given one item in the box alone is worth £23.50 and there are three full sized items. I am really pleased to see a mixture of skincare, haircare and make-up within a box and especially with amazing brands like these.  

You can never have too many wide toothed comb and this Macadamia Healing infused one has caught my attention because the well known Macadamia Oil has somehow been formulated within the resin on the comb, so that when you brush your hair, not only should it be easier to detangle but also treat your hair without leaving any residue behind - the mind boggles with that one!

The Ole Henriksens Pure Truth Oil is described as being an anti ageing treatment which uses 100% concentrated Rosehip Oil which activates the skins natural reparative ability with potent antioxidents and essential fatty acids to reveal your skins youthful state. 

You can spritz this to your face and neck and it works to quickly penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin to help heal, nourish and hydrate your skin. It claims that this should help reduce visible lines and that skin immediately appears brighter and more radiant and it smells absolutely amazing!

Murad Essential-C Cleanser contains Vitamins A,C and E as well as various other vital ingredients which should add moisture back into the skin. 

It also rejuvenates your skin whilst promoting a healthy and beautiful complexion by using Allantoin and Sodium PCA. The product smells so fruity too!

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel uses the natural exfoliating fruit enzyme of Papaya and Pineapple which contain nourishing milk protein, anti-oxidant rich vitamin E and Marine algae to moisturise, repair and protect the skin. 

This peel smells amazing, I have used it once before, some time ago and it feels amazing on the skin, so cannot wait to try that again.

Pure Gold Collagen I have had in another beauty box and it remains untouched. But for those wanting to know what it is, essentially it is a liquid food supplement that improves the skins appearance from the inside out. The special blends of hydrolysed collagen,vitamins and minerals is said to reactivate the formation of collagen to give you brighter,plumper and more youthful skin.

Bourjois Intense Smoky I am a huge fan of Bourjois products, and they are definitely one of my favourite high-street brands so when I saw this little trio in my box I was quite chuffed. It contains 2 eye shadows and a liner and also includes a mini brush to apply it with. On the back of the palette are instructions for use, so one shade is a light shade for going above the crease on your eyelid, the darker shade going below that and then to define the liner is found with shade 3. The shades on this palette are not ones I would use, having blue eyes, purple most definitely is not a shade I can get away with, though to look at, it is stunning. I am just more of a nude eye kind of girl.

The final product is a Lord and Berry clear lipgloss which is a full sized product. There isn;t much to really say about a lipgloss other than it thankfully isn't a sticky one once applied and it can be used on its own or over lipstick, lip balm and so on.

I thought this was a brilliant box and I am really happy with the included content and cannot wait for January's Box!

I’d love to hear if you bought this box and what you thought of it?

Look Fantastic November Beauty Box

Today see's the LookFantastic November Beauty Box on my blog and I have to say it is pretty fantastic yet again. For £15 you are sent a great selection of handpicked, must have beauty fixes wrapped in a beautifully presented box and delivered straight to your door. The beauty box will always include a minimum of six products and will offer a selection of skin, hair, cosmetic and body products, catering to every kind of beauty lover. I have had both the September and October boxes and I was really excited about getting my hands on the November box and I wasn't disappointed.

The first item in the box which I was chuffed with is the HAND CHEMISTRY Intense Youth Complex Hand Cream, 30 mls. (Full size 100ml for £18.99) As far as I am concerned this is the best hand cream I have ever used and having just run out, I am glad I already have another one to use, not that I am ever short of hand cream, but you can never have too many.

Next is some make-up and this time it is the New CID i - crayon. Full Size £14.00 and I have shade Strawberry Souffle which is not perhaps a shade I would ever buy but I am still looking for my perfect red and I am going to give this a go. The crayon is a multi-use one being both a lip and cheek tint.

Then we have the Monu Recovery Balm. 30 ml (Full size 50ml. £22.50). I have tried quite a few Monu products over time and have always been impressed with them, this is one I havent tried so I am looking forward to giving it a go. Said to be a soothing balm for sensitised and stress skin. What I love is that you can apply it at night before going to bed and wake up with super smooth skin in the morning. So this I am really looking forward to trying.

Nuxe are next with their NUXE Nuxellence Jeunesse (Youth and Radiance Revealing Fluid. 15ml (Full size 50 ml, £47.50) when I first looked at it, I have to admit, I wasn't too sure what it was, so I Googled it to find that it is an anti-ageing fluid that claims to improve the skins feel and texture and give it a big boost of radiance.  I have only used a few Nuxe products, so I am looking forward to trying it.

The next product is the Eve Lom Cleanser. 30ml (Full size 100ml. £55.00). I have had a really small trial pot of this before which didn't have much in it, so I am chuffed I have a decent sized tub to try. Said to be a multi-tasking marvel which removed every last trace of make-up, even waterproof mascara, it also decongests, tones and gently exfoliates the skin!

The final item in the box is the rather fabulous GLAMGLOW Youth Mud Face Mask. 15g. (Full size 50g. £49.99). I am a huge fan of this mask having had a sample and raved about it HERE and because I loved it so much, I am chuffed to be able to have more.

I absolutely love this box, I think it is fabulous, so juch so that I have already ordered the December box and cannot wait to get my hands on it.  For me this box goes from strength to strength and manages to impress me every time.

Have you tried a Lookfantastic box yet?  What do you think to this one, is there anything you really want to try?