Empties / March

oh man, I've been away for a while!

I've been sick and literally stayed in bed for over a week and I'm still recovering, feeling very weak and generally tender in the throat/stomach department; actually, my husband also commented that he had never seen me so ill (and that's something because I'm notoriously a proper wimp!)

I usually write my posts daily and post them and yep, even typing was too much of a task... anyway, that taught me I should start to schedule!!!

Bit of catching up to do now... starting with my recent empties:

The Beauty Parlour Boob Tubes Day/Night: I got these creams for the breast area in Superdrug - they were around £6 on offer and they are huge size bottles so lasted a long time. I can't say I have been impressed by either: the day product is a cream, whilst the night is a gel. The performance was pretty similar but nothing special. I want high performance ingredients for this delicate area and these were just ordinary good moisturizers.

Repurchase: no.

Aveda Energizing All Over Body Cleanser: underimpressed by this item too. It has a lovely refreshing and herbaly scent and milky consistency but honestly, I would never spend that kind of money on a body wash. It was nice to try it but didn't particularly impress me.

Repurchase: no.

Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream: I love Clarins body products and the Clarins High Definition Body Lift is one of my all time favourite.

This cream is pretty thick and I wouldn't normally need something so rich but It melts in the skin beautifully and has a gorgeous scent, too. I like to use it at night, for that reason and I bet it will do wonders if you have dry skin. Can't vouch on the firming properties because the sample didn't last long but I'd be glad to use it again.

Repurchase: maybe, if I find it on offer.

Sprout Lip Balm: this is an all natural cocoa lip heaven goodness! It melts on contact with the lips, it is extremely moisturizing and if you're a lip balm junkie, you definitely need to try this!

 I love the packaging of this range too - you can read more here.

Repurchase: yes - the citrus version is already on my wishlist. :)

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque: Originally, I got the first sample in a GlossyBox ages ago and then I managed to stock up on a few other bottles; I think this is the third one that I finished and I still love this mask as much as the first time I tried it.

It works very gently but leaves the skin revitalized and looking radiant like nothing else... will definitely need to invest on a full size real soon.

Repurchase: hell yeah!

BioEffect EGF Serum: my holy grail! Another GlossyBox discovery and again I have used few of this wee bottles in the past 2 years. I don't use only this thing as my skin routine, purely because I like to try different products but when my curiosity will reach saturation point, I will settle for this! Well, settle is probably not the right word since it's bloody expensive but totally worth it.

Repurchase: yes, for life!!!

Which products did you discover last month??

xxx

Selfridges Beauty Box

I would say the much anticipated box is here... but actually, Selfridges only announced it last week - released yesterday and I received it today!

First of all, very impressed with the delivery service - I know some people haven't received it yet - but as far as I know there was only an option of £4.95 p&p.

 Also, I know it was a limited edition but they should have really made more - may people were left disappointed and annoyed... not a good strategy, in my opinion.

 I got to say, I don't have any other beauty box subscription going at the moment (and haven't regretted so far) but as soon as I saw a preview of this, I WANTED it!

It's such a shame that people are already selling half of the items they received or flogging it entirely and personally, I really don't understand: I spent a few good hours, trying to buying it yesterday and I most definitely wouldn't have bothered just to resell it! It's really disappointing when other people really wanted one but didn't manage to get one.

Anyway, onto the box - Really amazing selection of brands and products and for that price!

I think it's a one-off box and marks Selfridges Beauty Workshop - "a revolutionary space designed to create a unique playground of exclusive services and products with over 100 new niche brands and cult classics."

 There's a booklet in the box, explaining more about The Beauty Workshop and with information about the products; there're, also, special offers and counter invitations but I'm pretty far from a Selfridges so unfortunately, I won't be able to take advantage of these.

Clearly, I can't review the products as I haven't tried them yet (they'll come in due course) but here is what you get:

Philip B Katira Hair Masque

Personally, I don't know this brand but I'm not a haircare expert; whilst, I don't use styling products massively, I do enjoy an hair mask weekly.

Star ingredient is the pure Katira extract which should help filling damage in the cuticles to add smoothness and strengh.

It can be used both as an instant 2 minutes treatment or overnight.

Antipodes Organic Avocado and Rosehip Divine Face Oil

Excited about this product - I've been looking forward to try this brand, for a while!

It boosts Type 1 collagen in skin cells, easing the effects of aging and leaving skin fresh and plumped.

I believe this is a full size bottle and comes with a dropper applicator.

Stila One Step Correct

Apart that it looks beautiful (!!!) -I think it's weird that it's described as a serum when in actual facts it's a primer.

So you would apply it as a primer, before foundation, and the three colours combined, target different concerns: green - redness, lavender - sallow undertones, peach - illuminates.

Again, full size product and looking forward to try this multi-helix technology.

Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask

This mask is packed with mineral-rich moor mud from the lake Heviz - effectively purifies and at the same time soothes the skin. It looks like a mud/clay mask which is a staple in my routine but we'll see how I get on with this as I was rather disappointed by the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm.

Sample size, clearly - still around 6quid in value.

Estelle & Thild Lip Balm

This is the other brand I've never heard about; apparently, they're a swedish company, certified organic and their products are saturated with high-quality ingredients and vitamins.

Absolutely love the packaging and smells of raspberry - delicious! I got the natural, clear version but they do tinted ones, too.

If I don't absolutely hate this balm, I'm looking forward to explore this brand more in the future.

Full size.

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum

Another brand that I wanted to try for a while.

Glad we got a serum in the box because I'm a total serum junkie and it's the type of facial skincare that I'm always excited to try out. This serum is good to use on all skin types and should leave a matte finish so I suppose, it can be used both in the evenings and mornings.

Good sample size but I just wish the bottle came with a dropper - it's gonna be unpractical to dispense.

BioEffect EGF Serum

Finally, the item that all alone was making this box exciting for me!

I adore BioEffect: I've been using it regularly since I first discovered in a GlossyBox, last year; I love it that much that I've used it (nearly exclusively) in the months previous to my wedding.

I can, honestly, say that I would be happy to use it exclusively but I like trying different products too much. :)

This little sucker is £49 (and worth it).

Did you get this box?

Have you tried any of these products before?

xxx

 

GLOSSYBOX #2

UPDATE 21/07/11: all right, it's been a month and i had time to try the products:

- Bioeffect Serum: i have been using this one, as directed, every night on my face, including eyelids and neck. Appplying only the serum without any cream... and i have seen an improvement definitely!!! it's really really good, my skin feels soft, pampered, nourished. But at over 100quid, i don't think i will purchase it.

also, I'm including swatches of lipgloss and nail polish. OPI has been a nice re-discover; i'm liking the glitter which is kinda holographic, the product stays smooth on application (some shimmering nail varnishes leave a rough surface), it's not super glossy (neither matt tho) but it requires few coats (in fact i prefer it as a top coat on a darker colour, as my ring finger in the picture.

The lipgloss - well, i still don't like it; it is just not my colour.

Finally, finally this morning I received my first glossybox!!! The May one was sent on 20th so I was expecting this one to arrive the same day... And I have - basically - been waiting for it all week!!!

First thought: a bit disappointed really. :( maybe because the first one was truly amazing and was expecting more...
Also, looking on the website, appears that they didn't send everybody the same 5 items; 3 stables plus 2 different ones (for example, the nail polish I would have preferred the other colour and instead of the lipgloss, one of the foot treatment product). Anyway, I didn't cancelled my subscription yet. I reckon I'll just a couple more - also because apparently they will start to charge for postage from September (so, I will probably get the September box too as I think few people will unsubscribe and maybe benefit from a very special box... If you know what I mean ;))




































Ok, so what we got here:

- OPI Nail Lacquer: this is a mini from Designer Series, I got the silver shade but as mentioned before I would have prefered the purple. Pros: I'm looking forward to try OPI product and the mini bottle is super cute.
Cons: looks too glittery for my personal taste.

Bioeffect EGF Serum: this is the item I'm most excited to try. I'm well into serum as I'm getting older and this is safe to use on eyelids and doesn't need to be follow by other night products. It also comes with a card that gives you £30 off if you buy a bottle in the next month - oh yeah, forgot to mention is £125. Must really be miraculous for that price.

Batiste Original: this is the most disappointing! Are you kidding me??! Wasn't it supposed to be 5 luxury samples? This bottle is like 3quid... Plus, I used it before, it's not for me (I don't think it's suitable for fringes which is the part of my hair which gets greasiest the most) and wasn't planning on purchase it again; now, I have 2 bottles that will last me for a lifetime.

Lalique perfume: this fragrance is called Perles de Lalique and unfortunately is not my taste. :( That's just bad luck.
I will probably give it to my mum, but it's cute, retro bottle. Plus, there's a guide to' Lalique parfumes and 10% off voucher if you wish to buy a full bottle ( 'suppose also handy if you need to buy a present).

Rouge Bunny Rouge Lipgloss: I'm sure somebody else would have loved this item... Not me. :( again, bad luck!
First, I don't use lip glosses in general and on top of that the shade doesn't really suit me. It's called Secret Places of Love #54, kind of coraly but too browny as well and also tooooo glittery ( sorry for all the yyyyyyy :P).
Cons: very smooth and not sticky.


Finally, the box which is worth mentioning I think... Sturdy & will come in handy to store jewelry or makeup.


That's it then, what did you receive? Happy with that?



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