Another Birchbox Review? | Beauty

Ok, so I know what you're thinking if you read my blog regularly, I had said I was cancelling subscription to Birchbox, however I forgot to unsubscribe. So I'm tied in for another 6 months, but there are worse things to get through the post so I'm not too gutted!

The next 6 months however I'm going to stop writing a review on each box, because it just gets boring. I don't know whether anyone actually likes my reviews on the box or they prefer individual product reviews? But let me know. I'm going to do a much shorter "overall" review of the box, just so that people can see what's inside.

Let's just take a moment to point out how cute this box is, it's a collab with Habitat, I mean it's beautiful isn't it, gets me feeling very summery! Also I like that there is tissue paper instead of that draw string bag that I never use anyway.

Every time I open a Birchbox, there is always that one product that I get extremely excited to see and in this box it was the Serenity Dead Sea Bath Salts. I haven't used bath salts in years, like years upon years. These ones help you unwind and de-stress but they also help aching muscles, which as you know I'm a bit gym obsessed at the moment so this it definitely going to be used.

This month you also were able to choose which Benefit mascara you wanted in your box, but as I though I had unsubscribed I didn't choose. But fate chose Benefit's Roller Lash, I have already received a sample from Elle Magazine the other month but I actually really love this mascara so I am happy to have another one.I also tried out the Philip Kingsley hair product, which was nice but I didn't like the smell at all. I really love that you get a little notebook, the writer/journalist in me actually loves this more than any other thing in the box.

Let me know if you'd like me to review any of the other products in the box.

Have you subscribed to Birchbox?

Pamper Session | Lifestyle

I was ill recently, I don't know how! I'm working really hard at the gym, eating really well and now I get ill, I blame the germy commuters on my trains in the morning.

So today I thought I would share with you this week's pampering session, when you are feeling a little run down I always think it's good to have a relaxing bath and just treat yourself/body/skin.

First things first, the bath - you know it has to be a comforting bubble bath which means the only option is Lush Comforter Bubble Bar, you know it makes sense. I love the scent of this bar it's fruity and fresh which instantly peps me up a little bit.

As I'm running the bath, I always exfoliate my face with the Simple Face Scrub, it's gentle and always works well for me. After I have done this I just use the Simple face mask and then jump straight into the bath.

This time around I thought it would be a good idea to try out the Philip Kingsley - Elasticizer  my hair has been looking a little drab lately, it's constantly being pulled back into a pony tail with no real styling done. You are supposed to leave it in your hair for 10-20 mins before shampooing so bath time is probably the best time to use this stuff as you aren't doing anything anyway.

And then I just relax.

When it start drawing towards the end of my bath I think focus on my body. I'm a massive fan of using scrubs and/or glove exfoliators for my body, I always feel so much better after a good scrub and this time I am trying out Butterflies London salt scrub, which I will be writing a full review on so keep a look out next week.

Then once I am out I always follow up with my favourite Dove moisturiser.

What are your bath time pampering favorites?

January Birchbox | Beauty

I know, I'm a little late to the party this month, however in my defense my box arrived whilst I was in New York! What's a gal to do? 

I was so excited when I received mine, I have read loads of spoilers online and thought it sounded like one of the best boxes yet. This one was a collab with Women's Health and I adore that magazine. I was so happy when they actually started doing the mag because I used to read parts of my dad's Men's Health one. I just like the layout of these there are no tacky "celebrity diets" it's about genuine health tips and exercise tips, love it. 

Shall we take a look?

Loads of little lotions and potions all to help us get healthy skin and hair, whilst adding a dash of Glamour with the Stila Lip Glaze. I must admit I am pretty happy with the contents. 

So let's get started with...

Caudalie - Vinoperfect Radience Serum

I'll be honest with you I have never tried anything from Caudalie before and I haven't really read that many reviews on their products either so I'm pretty open minded with this one. Its a Complexion Correcting lotion that you are supposed to use day and night, as you probably know by now, I break out into a cold sweat every time I receive any creams for my face. I have a very simple routine and temperamental skin. 

Saying that, I am always happy to try out new things but my hopes are never very high because I know what works for my skin. One thing that I kinda like about this product is that the scent is so subtle I can't even really tell you what it smells like. It's very fresh though and quite pleasant. 

Matcha - Green Tea

I always love getting teas in these boxes, it's just a nice touch. Personally I am a fan of green tea, I quite like it with cranberry or lemon though. It's very refreshing and it's pretty good for you. The difference with the Matcha tea is that this one is a powder, I've never had a green tea powder before so I am looking forward to trying it. The Birchbox card that comes with each box suggests just adding half of the packet in hot water or with smoothies, however the back of the packet says to add the entire contents so we'll see. 

Activbod - Cooling Finish Lotion

I really like the smell of this Activbod lotion, it has a strong menthol scent which you know will feel amazing once on your skin. I've been working out a lot recently and this lotion is to be used after you've had your little workout, once you've showered because it has a cooling action with it. I think this is going to feel amazing after a work out, so I'm really keen to try it.

Philip Kingsley - Body Building Conditioner

This is one product I'm probably least excited about, I mean I have fine hair and I don't really believe a conditioner alone will help make it thicker but of course, I'm always going to try it out. It smells really nice and I like the fact it's kept with the theme because it's a "body building" product. I have heard quite a lot of good things about Philip Kingsley products but haven't tried anything myself so I am looking forward to giving it ago. 

Healgel - Intensive

I have heard a lot about Healgel, there are a lot of fans so I'm quite happy that I received a sample from this brand. I was a little confused to start with, it's a tiny tube but where do I use it? My face or just random patches on my body? Having investigated a bit further I think I can use this anywhere I have concerns with my skin. There is very limited information on the sample, which I understand because you can only put a small amount of writing on it but I just would have liked a little more, I mean the back of the product had plenty of space to add something. 

I've deceided I'm going to try it out on my shins, I get quite dry legs in the winter so then I will be able to get a better idea of whether this product actually works as it supposed to soothe, repair and protect. I may do a review on it, so watch this space. 

Stila - Lip Glaze in Glamour

I'm going to do a proper review on this product so this is just my first impressions. Again I don't have anything from Stila so I'm very happy that this came, also I like the fact it adds a touch of glamour to the box. I'm pretty happy with the shade I received, it's like a berry red however it is very shimmery so if you don't like a bit of sparkle on the lips then it may not be for you. 

Pilates Band

Oh I just love a fun lifestyle product and this definitely is right up my street! Obviously, like everyone else, I am on a fitness buzz so I'm back going to the gym and this can definitely help with exercising. The leaflet suggests that you can put it around your ankles or put it around you knees. At first I laughed because it's a very small band, how the hell would it get around my mammoth legs but I had a little play with it and it does. I do want to see whether there are any arm workouts I can do with it as well so we'll see. 


I just wanted to add another thing I received in the box which was a booklet with 12 little challenges you should do, I thought this was a great insert. You can tear them out of the book and there are tips on the back of each one. 

There we have it, I bloody love this months box. 

What did you get in yours?