Glossybox December 2013

I had so much fun writing my post about last month's Glossybox that I decided to make it a regular thing on my blog. I have a rolling monthly subscription to Glossybox and it's always so exciting when it arrives each month. 

Each month is themed and this month was 'Festive Treasures.'

Everything about the presentation of the box was so festive and it got me so excited about the festive season. Even down to the candy canes on the wrapper, you have to admire their attention to detail to make this box as perfect as they can.

The products inside, on the other hand I was severely disappointed with.

For the past few months I suppose I've been expecting too much from my Glossybox and they've been rather average. I was completely in love with last month's box and had extremely high expectations for December's. 

I think my problem was that there wasn't enough glamour in the box. I wasn't expecting tonnes and tonnes of glitter-covered, gold coloured items, but not a single item put me in the party mood, which being the last box of the year and in a way an early christmas present was what I was expecting.

Items in my box were :

| BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS COSMETICS | Nude Lip Gloss |

| WILKINSON SWORD INTUITION | Naturals Razor |

| MAYBELLINE NEW YORK | Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara |

| SECHE | Seche Nail Lacquer, Portobello |

| RITUALS... | Miracle Balm |

SECHE |  Seche Nail Lacquer, Portobello.

£9.95 for 14ml.

I've explained before why I dislike receiving nail related products in my glossyboxes. I've actually had a Seche polish before in a previous box and never used it, except when I first tried it after opening my box. Despite not wearing it for any longer than a day, I was completely impressed with how rich in colour and glossy these polishes are. I dislike the colour I got given this month, it puts me in a rather autumnal mood rather than festive one. It's actually a milk chocolately brown colour when applied and I just didn't like it at all. In my opinion, it's far too dark for this season and rather gloomy. Besides the colour, I'm not too bothered about this product since I never wear nail varnish, anyway.

BEAUTIFUL MOVEMENTS COSMETICS | Lip Gloss, Nude.

£12 for 8ml.

I'm not the biggest fan of lip glosses, I find they can be overly sticky and especially in this weather we're having at the moment, as soon as the slightest bit of wind comes along, I no longer have lips and find myself eating my hair. I was surprised when I tried this lip gloss, it's rich in jojoba oil which keeps your lips moisturised, I find that extremely important at this time of year. I was actually a little surprised when I found out the brand, Beautiful Movements was co-founded by Kimberly Wyatt, from the Pussycat Dolls. The entire brand is cruelty free and the products are free from harsh chemicals and fragrances, meaning it is suitable for all skin types and is actually beneficial to the skin. I expect we'll be seeing and hearing a lot more from Beautiful Movements in the future! The colour of the lipgloss itself is similar to my actual lip colour, but a tad more corally, so it's perfect for an effortless natural make up look.

I was sent a sample size of 4ml, which will easily fit in a pocket, or clutch bag for a night out. I will definitely keep using this product.

RITUALS...| Miracle Balm.

£10 for 75ml.

I just lovelovelove hand creams and balms. I find myself actually getting jealous of people with incredibly soft and healthy hands and I'm pretty sure I'll try almost anything to try and get mine the same. I adore this product so much it's unreal. I've actually worked it into my daily routine and have found that it works best for me when applied before bed, to allow the moisture to sink in properly. It's incredibly rich in texture and I've found a little goes an extremely long way. It smells amazing!! It can be a little over-powering some times but the white lotus and ginkgo biloba leaves a fresh floral scent to your hands. The ingredients include Glycerine, which is the main help in leaving your hands soft and provides the nourishment needed to repair dry, rough hands. The packaging is lovely and I would definitely recommend this balm with dry or rough hands.

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK| Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara.

£4.99 for 7.6ml.

I really did not like this product at all. First of all, I was send the colour 'dark brown' which is a completely different colour to my selection in my beauty profile; so the mascara was far too dark for me to start with. I feel like this mascara is more suited for those with naturally full eyebrows as it adds a little more definition but can draw attention to gaps already in the brows. I found that it is easy to accidentally apply to much, leaving your brows looking and feeling fairly hard and in a way, stale. I also feel the wand is completely the wrong shape, making it difficult to apply to the thinner end of the brow without smudging it either side of the hair. I really did not get along with this product at all, but I would recommend it if you feel you can benefit from extra enhancement of your eyebrows. Even if you decide to purchase it to try it, it's more affordable than the higher end alternatives available. I definitely suggest testing the colour out before you purchase it. I don't think I'll go out and buy the right colour for me, I rely on filling in my eyebrows far too much since they're not as full as I'd like them to be.

WILKINSON SWORD INTUITION | Naturals Razor.

£6.49.

I opened my glossybox and this was the first thing that caught my eye. I thought it was extremely weird to be given a razor but I'm so glad that I was. Nothing feels better than having freshly shaved legs and fresh bedding. I usually opt for the cheapest pack of disposable razors the shop has and often find myself trying to shave my legs in the shower in as little time as possible, leaving myself with battle wounds all over my legs. This razor is actually perfect. I haven't cut myself using it once (yet.) Surrounding the blades is a conditioning solid, meaning you don't need shaving cream or any alternative. All you have to do is ensure the solid is wet and shave away. It turns creamy when water is applied and moisturises as you shave. I actually felt really glamorous after using it for the first time. It comes with a cover for the top of the razor, so you don't get the conditioning solid everywhere after using it and it also comes with a holder which can be attached to the wall, or wherever you want to store the razor. 

It's refillable so once your conditioning solid had bitten the dust you can just replace it with a new one. I wasn't given any refills, but I've just looked online and you can get a pack of three for about £7. 

I definitely recommend checking it out, I have a feeling it's changed my way of shaving from now on.

It actually pains me a little to write a bad review of a product. I really dislike it when something doesn't meet my expectations, or I don't get along with it at all. All these opinions are my own  and obviously not everything will suit everyone, especially with things like beauty boxes, where you don't actually know what you're going to get. It's all part of the fun, though. I love trying new products and brands and I don't think I would be using half the things I do now if it wasn't for beauty boxes and other people's reviews. 

If anyone has anything in mind that they think I may like, or something you'd just like me to try out, please let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Are you subscribed to a beauty box like Glossybox or any other alternative?

What did you think of this month's box? and I'd love to hear what would be in your dream box?

     twitter | instagram | tumblr | bloglovin'

Discount On Jimmy Choo Perfume At Superdrug.

Earlier today I was online shopping for Christmas presents. I made my way to the Superdrug website, since I know they do a wide choice of gift sets often a little cheaper than in perfume shops.

I found they're doing an offer on Jimmy Choo perfume.

100ml for £50 on any of the Jimmy Choo products.

Which means you can get 100ml of Flash for £50, saving you £11.

Also, you can get the Jimmy Choo EDT for £50, saving you £7.

or the Jimmy Choo EDP for £50, saving you £17.

This offer is only web exclusive and ends Tuesday 3rd December.

You also qualify for free home shipping, since you spent over £10.

The fun doesn't end there. Enter code 'XMAS20' at the checkout and receive 20% off.

Promotional discount code expires Sunday 1st December.

Which means, you will have paid £40 for 100ml of Jimmy Choo perfume.

Not bad if you ask me.

Since the Jimmy Choo EDP is my favorite fragrance, 

I thought I'd share my discovery.

twitter | instagram | tumblr | bloglovin'

My Winter Essentials

                'Tis not only the season to be jolly, but also the season to be toasty and warm. 

When you think of winter; images of hot water bottles and marshmallows being roasted on a fire may pop into your head, or maybe you remember the constant lingering smell of cinnamon and gingerbread. Starbucks has brought back the festive red cups and nearly everyone and their dog has seen the coke advert, which means festivities have officially begun.

So, here is a few things that have become essential to me since the temperature changed.

NAVY BLUE PARKA          

New Look, £49.99             

This is by far one of my most favourite purchases for quite a while. I've not actually worn a coat for some years now, must have gone through a coat hating phase. Bad weather, or freezing temperatures would arrive and I'd throw on one of my hollister hoodies (admittedly, so warm and cosy, I never needed a coat.) I had my eye on an lovely coat from Topshop when I came across this one. After trying it on and falling instantly in love with the colour and fit, I had to buy it. I have never been so warm in my entire life. The only thing I'm disappointed with is the fact the hood is HUGE. When worn fully, it goes down past my eyes, making it difficult to see. But I love the fur trimming around the hood and how flattering a larger hood does make you look. It comes in two other colours, beige and khaki, but I feel navy co-ordinates with more of the clothing I own. I definitely recommend this parka to anyone looking for a coat of that style. Considering the other coat I wanted from Topshop was twice the price, I don't think I've done too badly.

My photos do not do the coat justice, I would definitely suggest checking it out on the New Look website.

BURGUNDY MOHAIR MIX KNIT SNOOD  

New Look,£7.99  

I've never worn a snood before I bought this and had absolutely no idea how to wear it, I'm still a little iffy about whether I'm wrapping it correctly but I'll get there eventually. I bought this on a whim, because the colour stood out to me. A few months back, I bought a bag of similar, if not the same colour. Since it's my favourite bag and I'm always in need of a good scarf, or snood in this case, I indulged. There are so many other colours and designs as well as this one, but this one was SCREAMING at me to purchase it. (That, and my local store isn't the best.) The only down side is that I often end up with stray fibers in my mouth of eye, which isn't the most pleasant thing to experience.

FLEECE LINED TIGHTS

New Look, £6.99

Even in the winter you'll end up finding me in a skirt or a dress. I don't know what it is but I really don't like wearing trousers. Black tights are like my saviour, and the thicker, the better. Which is why I adore these tights so much. They're near enough opaque, which I find looks better than the stretched, faded and easy to damage of the lower deniers. That's not even the best part. They're fleece lined! I've not owned a pair of tights like these before and believe me, I completely regret all those fleece-less years. These tights are so comfortable it's unreal, especially after you've shaved your legs. Not only do I never want to take them off, but they're so warm. Obviously wearing a dress or a skirt, or even shorts in winter when it may possibly snow is a dangerous decision, but while wearing these tights, my legs haven't been cold once. Even after washing, the lining is still so super soft.

VITAMIN E MOISTURE CREAM

The Body Shop, 50ml, £10

I actually got this as a free gift when I ordered from The Body Shop's website. But I love it. I've actually used this product before and adored it. Although I occasionally have oily skin, in the winter my skin tends to dry out a stupid amount and it leaves me with flakey skin on my nose and elsewhere. This cream is perfect for me. I only really need it during this time of year so in my opinion, it's affordable and it works well, so what more could I ask for? My skin looks and feels healthier, I get less paranoid about how my face looks, since sometimes make up accentuates the dry areas. It has a non-offensive smell, similar to the Vitamin E Facial wash, but nicer than the Vitamin E Face Mask. The consistency is perfect, in my eyes. It's not thick and allows the skin to absorb it without hassle. Some moisturisers can leave your skin feeling sticky and uncomfortable.This cream is perfect for everyone, of all skin types and ages.

CARMEX MOISTURISING LIP BALM

Superdrug, 7.5g, £2.55

I've actually mentioned this in my September Favourites post and this is actually the same pot I've been using for the entirety of this year. I've used this lip balm almost every day of this year and I still have loads left. For such a tiny pot, I'm genuinely surprised with how long the product lasts. As winter is now here and the weather is much more harsh than before, I find my lips drying out so easily. This little pot is all I need to keep my lips moisturised and even when they become dry, it's enough to help my lips recover. The Aloe Vera Vaseline is also a cheap and great alternative. 

MONU ILLUMINATING PRIMER WITH SPF 15

Monu, 50ml, £24.95

I actually got this in my Glossybox from October, so it's only a sample size of 20ml, but it's lasted me such a long time. I find you only really need a little amount to get the best results. The formula is a little thick, in my eyes, but it doesn't leave the stickiness after being absorbed, so that's always a good sign. This is part of my winter essentials because whether or not your skin is highly moisturised, you still want it to look it and that's what I find this primer does. It's illuminating, therefore it boosts the radiance of the complexion as well as having light reflective qualities. It makes you feel like you're glowing, I'm so glad I received this sample and I'm definitely tempted to go out and buy the full size when I run out. It's for all skin types and is perfect for all year around, because the ingredients help form a barrier to protect your skin against harmful sun rays and help prevent UV damage.

COLLECTION 2000 LASTING PERFECTION CONCEALER

Boots, 4g, £4.19, Fair.

I have no idea why the lettering always manages to come off almost every product I own. But I am in love with this concealer. It claims to give you up for 16 hour coverage, and it completely does. The only thing I'm not happy with is how quickly it dries on the skin, you have to blend it fairly quickly otherwise it can look patchy. Also, I've found you only really need to use a little amount otherwise you start to look cakey. The coverage is buildable and I found the one I use (fair) to be a lovely shade and perfect for my skin tone. I honestly would not expect a concealer so cheap to be such a high quality product. This is essential to me because I often get very little sleep so my under eyes are disgustingly darkened. This concealer gives me the lift I need, completely covers the darkness and brightens my entire face. 

'FLASH' BY JIMMY CHOO

Boots, 60ml, £45.

I love the Jimmy Choo fragrances and actually got a sample of this one when I re-ordered my Naked 2 palette this time last year. I wasn't too sure at first, the Jimmy Choo EDP is my favourite fragrance and has been since I bought it a couple of years back so I was a tad apprehensions that the second fragrance would completely disappoint me. It didn't. It was different, I admit that, but it was far more sophisticated. The perfume is extremely floral and fruity with main notes of Tuberose, Strawberry and Jasmine, but as it starts to dry it matures with notes of White Wood and Heliotrope. Only a couple of sprays is needed as it actually can be a little overpowering and obnoxious. But it is strong and the strength lasts for an extremely long time, maybe about six hours. This is perfect for this time of year because nearing the end of the year everyone celebrates. With christmas and new year's eve the month of December is just a huge excuse to have and attend as many parties as you can. This perfume is perfect for that. It's glamorous, long wearing and although it can appear highly sophisticated, it's also really playful.

THISWORKS PERFECT HANDS INTENSE MOISTURE CREAM

thisworks, 75ml, £18.

I love thisworks. The brand can be a little pricey but their name says it all, because the products they sell really work. So, where do I start? The fragrance. I love it, but I feel like I'm the only one who does. Everyone I've asked the opinions of claim 'it smells old womany' but I'm convinced it's the rose oil. Most rose scented products I've tried often leave that impression of being 'old womany'. The cream itself is highly moisturising, it hydrates my hands instantly without leaving the greasy shine that some hand creams do. The cream also is a lovely consistency and only a little is needed to keep your hands moisturised. The aims of this cream is to reduce the appearance of dark spots, tighten the skin and to lock in moisture. I believe it does all of these things. If these objectives are what you're looking for in a hand cream and don't mind the price. I would more than suggest to buy it.  If the price is concerning you, I have had mine since April, although I use it twice a day, I still have way over half the tube left. 

LIPSTICKS

(Left to Right)

| Captive | MAC | £15 |

| Capricious | MAC | £15 |

| Jewel Red | Bobbi Brown | £19 |

I'm aware and stupidly frustrated that the photos on this blog post are terrible and I'm looking into buying a decent camera rather than using my phones. But I never realised before how difficult it is to photograph lipsticks and capture their true colours. The swatches could have came out better, as well. Oh well.

Enough of that, these three are my favourite lipsticks to wear this time of year. I love to wear them on their own, but also sometimes a combination of them. 

Captive is a dark pinky plum colour lipstick, it's one of the lipsticks MAC do with a satin finish, meaning it's almost matte but more creamy. I love it because it's highly pigmented, meaning you get a rather bold look. Captive will definitely go with all skin types, in my opinion. 

Capricious is more of a rosey plum colour. The finish you get from it is lustre, which I was quite disappointed with, I find the lipstick is rather sheer and doesn't stay on for too long, especially whilst drinking etc. 

Jewel Red isn't actually available anymore, but it's one of my favourite red lipsticks,considering I accidentally bought it. It's sort of brick like in colour, but with a hint of gold and shimmer. It's an extremely sheer lipstick, which I dislike but when blended with one or both of the two lipsticks I've mentioned, it looks lovely. This really puts me in the festive mood, purely because of the colour.

I'm actually yet to find a pair of gloves or wellies I have fallen in love with, chances are, when I do I will update this post. I can't believe I'm prepared for winter for once hahaha.

Those are my winter essentials for this season.

 I'm so excited now winter has actually arrived. 

What products and items are essential to you this season?

twitter | instagram | tumblr | bloglovin'