Birchbox Black Friday Offers

Black Friday for Birchbox gets up and running from this coming Monday and if you are wanting to grab yourself, a friend or loved one a bargain for Christmas, then there are some amazing offers.

Black Friday Offers from Birchbox

BIRCHBOX SUBSCRIPTION 

Anyone as Disney mad as I am will love everything about this Frozen II box! However...the offers are:

• Self subscription offer - First 2 boxes for £5 when you subscribe (usually one box for £10), running from Monday 25th November - Monday 2nd December. Available at birchbox.co.uk/subscribe.
• 20% off all gift subscriptions (3, 6 and 12 months) running from Monday 25th November - Monday 2nd December

THE BIRCHBOX SHOP (full-size product)

25% off everything on The Birchbox Shop from Friday 29th November - Monday 2nd December

• Birchbox Kits with sequin bag:
• The 'Out Out' Kit featuring Benefit, Eyeko, Polaar and Nuxe. Was £30, now £15.00. Products in the kit are worth over £89.00.
• Other kits on offer include Back to Basics, Sleep Tight and Birchbox Exclusives. All kits were £30, now £15.00.

THE £5 SHOP - Birchbox subscriber exclusive offer

The first-ever '£5 Shop' will launch at birchbox.co.uk/shop5 which is an exclusive shop for Birchbox subscribers only. Customers will be able to shop a selection of specially sourced items, both beauty and lifestyle, with huge savings. 

The £5 shop will be live from Monday, 25th November - Monday 2nd December. The deals include, but are not limited to:

• Eve Lom 50ml Cleanser - RRP £40.00. Exclusive Birchbox subscriber price: £5.00 (£35 saving)
• Swell 17oz Water Bottle - RRP £35.00. Exclusive Birchbox subscriber price: £5.00 (£30 saving)
• The Beauty Crop Espresso Yourself Eyeshadow Palette - RRP £25.00. Exclusive Birchbox subscriber price: £5.00 (£20 saving) as seen above.

I am sure there is more than enough within this post to tempt you over to Birchbox to grab some bargains!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Erborian - My Perfect Routine with Ginseng Gift Set

One of the brands I have really loved getting to know over the last few years is Erborian and if you click on the K-Beauty section of my blog, you will see just how much I like the brand.  This holiday season, Erborian has handed over the reins to an incredible Tattoo Artist, Sasha Unisex.  Sasha draws inspiration for designs from nature and uses water-coloured tones to create some of the most vibrant, lavish and poetic tattoos. It is said that Sashas style is world-renowned and recognised.

This Christmas, Erborian has a whole host of gift sets on offer and each and every single one is just fantastic, with prices ranging from £18 right up to £80 and if you have never tried anything from Erborian before, this is a great way to try the products.  

I was kindly sent the 'My Perfect Routine with Ginseng' (£50 but worth £69.90). Ginseng is quite the ingredient to be used to Erborian and it is said that for over 2,000 years, Ginseng Root has been part of the traditional South Korean pharmacopoeia. Requiring lots of love and care, Ginseng takes 4-6 years to reach maturity before it can be harvested. After harvesting this prized root, it goes through a steam distillation process stabilising the many rich compounds. Ginseng gathers so active ingredients that it takes nearly 15 years for the soil to be suitable again for suitable cultivation.

This is a Limited Edition Box which features five products from the range and they include:

• EAU GINSENG 30ml - One of the first products I ever used from Erborian, this Eau Ginseng Lotion is inspired by Korean skincare routines and is described as being a product which helps to make your complexion glow whilst immediately hydrating skin and providing a feeling of comfort. Incredibly hydrating and an easy step to add to your skincare routine. Full review here.
• GINSENG INFUSION 5ml - Described as being a tensor effect day cream enriched with natural ginseng extract for a plumped, radiant and soft complexion. Infused with ginseng, this cream helps the skin to look and feel firmer, not only is it hydrating but this cream also works to nourish the complexion beyond its surface. This cream is really lightweight on the skin, it isn't greasy or tacky and what I really like is just how hydrating it is.
• GINSENG EYE PATCH 5g - I am a huge fan of eye-patches and find them really relaxing to use. From Erborian, these patches are described as being steeped in a tincture of ginseng root, these masks are said to plump up the delicate skin around the eyes, helping to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines, while glycerine delivers a dose of hydration. Silica power acts to mattify any oily patches while extracts of tara fruit and red seaweed boost suppleness. On the skin, these patches are so soothing and are ideal for giving you at least 15 minutes of downtime as they work their magic. Once removed, any leftover product should be gently patted onto the skin until it is fully absorbed.
• BB CRÈME CLAIR 45ml - With its SPF20 UV Protection, this product is described as being the beauty essential which is a smart combination of skincare and makeup. On the skin, it melts almost instantly on contact and as it does, it also moisturises and helps to even out and mattify the complexion while giving a non-oily, velvety finish. This Ginseng BB Cream is available in four shades, from the lightest to the darkest: Clair, Nude, Doré and Caramel.
• CC CRÈME CLAIR 15ml - The formula is enriched with SPF 25 and is described as being a multi-purpose formula which has an ultra-fine texture, contains pigments to enhance your skin's appearance while enriching and improving its texture and quality. When applied to the skin, this cream appears white, but upon application, it adapts precisely to match your skin tone which then gives a more even complexion, leaving skin luminous and soft as well as a reduction in the appearance of blemishes. I personally prefer the CC cream to the BB cream on my skin, but both products do exactly what you want them too.

If you have never used a product from Erborian, then sets like this are a great introduction to the brand and a really nice way of getting to know some of the hero products from the range. Ginseng is a fascinating ingredient and one which my skin absolutely laps up whenever I use it, especially within the Ginseng Infusion, which I use when my skin is feeling really parched.

You can find this set and the rest of the Christmas offerings from Erborian right here.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Ark Skincare Face Masks

I love a good face masking session, whether it is the application of one mask, a sheet mask, a gel mask, a clay mask or a cream mask, I am a huge fan of masking, even more so of multi-masking when my skin is in need of some TLC.  Ark skincare is a brand I have become quite familiar with over the last 6 months and in recent times have featured the Skin Perfector SPF30 Primer and the Age Defend Collection.  Today sees the turn of two masks that I have been using - the Triple-action exfoliator and the Hydration injection masque.

I am lucky enough to not suffer from a breakout of spots, even when it is that time of the month, but in exchange, I do have combination oily skin which has dry patches and that means using masks and other treatments is a must for me. The first mask I tried was the Hydration Injection Mask (£35) which is described as being an intensive multivitamin hydration injection masque to quench skin, plump wrinkles and restore vibrancy. This rejuvenating treatment masque is the ideal weekly pick me up for skin which looks tired, stressed or lacking in radiance.

This mask is also full of some pretty incredible ingredients which include Vitamin A to regulate collagen synthesis; Vitamin B5 for smoothness; Vitamin C to fade pigmentation and Vitamin E to act as an anti-inflammatory and to prevent UV damage. A Hyaluronic Acid Booster drenches skin with moisture, optimising the circulation of water through all skin layers and providing 24-hour protection against water loss. Finally, we have the inclusion of both Sugar Beet and Abyssinian Oil which work to intensely nourish the skin for a plush, luxury skin feel.

On the skin, this mask is really soothing, I have regular flare-ups of redness on both my cheeks, usually stress-related, but annoying none-the-less and I am always keen to use products to calm down the redness.  Using a thin layer on my skin, I tend to leave this mask on for around ten minutes before removing with a warm cloth.

The second mask is my favourite of the two and it is the Triple Action Exfoliator Mask (£35) which is described as being an innovative triple effect exfoliator with physical, fruit acid and enzymatic action to create exceptionally smooth skin.

This mask is described as being an innovative triple effect exfoliator with physical, fruit acid and enzymatic action to create exceptionally smooth skin. It uses Bamboo micro-particles gently slough dead skin and debris from the surface, creating a flawless, polished texture. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) from Bilberry, Sugar Cane, Sugar Maple, Orange and Lemon increase the range of cell renewal, helping to diminish acne scars and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Skin Regenerating Enzyme dissolves desmosomes to release dead skin cells, fade pigmentation and improve nutrient absorption.

What I love about this product is how it feels on the skin, rather than being overly abrasive and once applied to the skin, you can feel that it is working.  When I use it, I ensure my skin is damp and then apply a small amount to my skin, massage it on using circular motions and then leave it on my skin, as directed for up to two minutes before rinsing it off.  The feeling afterwards is soft, smooth skin with no irritation or tingling.

More Information

If you have never come across the ARK Skincare brand before, it is developed & manufactured in Britain. It is Cruelty-Free and you will find that many of their products are Vegan-friendly. There is a lot more information about the entire range on their website www.arkskincare.com and tailor your skincare for your specific skin concerns and age.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Burt's Bees Hand Cream with Shea Butter

At this time of the year, using a hand cream is almost like second nature for me, I always have one or two (maybe 3 or 4) tubes on the go, one in each handbag, on my desk, on the bedside table and usually one in the bathroom as well.  One of my favourite brands, Burt's Bees has just released some pretty amazing hand creams, which if you read this post last week, you might notice some similarities.

New to the range are these Moisturising hand creams with Shea Butter and there is three different ones to choose from - Lavender & Honey, Rosemary & Lemon and Orange Blossom & Pistachio and each one is the perfect size for travelling with.

I have been using two of the lip butters in Lavender & Honey as well as the Orange Blossom & Pistachio and the two accompanying hand creams are just as divine to use.  

All three of these hand creams are formulated with 99% naturally moisturising ingredients such as Shea Butter, Baobab Oil and Pumpkin Seed Oil for softer, smoother hands. 

Each hand cream really does have an amazing texture when applied to the skin, lightweight and non-greasy, they absorb quickly without leaving any trace behind other than the most wonderful fragrance.   The skin on my hands tends to become quite dry on my palms rather than anywhere else, so this is the place I ensure I rub in a little extra cream and regularly exfoliate to ensure the issue doesn't get worse.

The Orange Blossom and Pistachio hand cream is one I absolutely love the fragrance of and it is one I hope the lovely people at Burt's Bees extend the range of, it is zesty and fresh scented and as the Orange Blossom comes to life, the Pistachio is also present, but it isn't overbearing.  The Lavender and Honey cream again smells exactly as you might expect it will, the Lavender is really fresh and there is a slight sweetness to it too.  The final hand cream is the Rosemary and Lemon scent and I love the earthy notes of this mixed in with sharpness of the Lemon makes quite the fragrance.

If you are in need of new hand cream, then Burt's Bees ticks a lot of boxes.  My hands absolutely love this and as the formula is dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, it is definitely worth looking out for.  You can find all the new products from Burt's Bees on Lookfantastic and they have some amazing gift sets too.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.