Empties / January 2014

Bodycare:

Di Palomo Moisturizing Liquid Soap: I have totally fallen for this brand and with this hand wash, in particular. It leaves my hands soft, not dry and beautifully scented. You just need a drop and it cuts through grease (like foundation) easily, so it lasted a decent time too.

Repurchase: yes.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream: the Reve de Miel range is a favourite of mine, since it came out and this hand cream is as lovely as the much-hyped lipbalm. I like how quickly it absorbs and doesn't leave any greasy residue on the skin; it's quite heavily scented so you may want to be aware of that, if this fragrance is not your cup of tea. It does not bother me.

Repurchase: yep!

Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control: this is another great body cream from Clarins (like this one!). I had a dozen of these samples and I can say that, with regular use, I could definitely see an improvement on the skin on my legs and bum. It's pricey but it delivers and it feels like a real luxury treat.

Repurchase: maybe.

Skincare:

Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash: I really didn't care for this cleanser. The glue-ish consistency made it awkward to work into the skin and wasteful; it is also not 'powerful' enough to remove make-up so I have only been using it on make-up free days. I guess it could be a nice cleanser for the morning routine but I'm happy with my cleansing milk, in the mornings.

Repurchase: no.

Alpha H Liquid Gold Smoothing & Perfecting Mask: this is a great purifying mask and gentle, at the same time. It says it contains lavender but doesn't have the scent. It feels very much like a mud mask but doesn't dry the skin as much.

Repurchase: yes.

Lavera Eyegel: unfortunately - although their products are lovely - I just don't agree with the smell of Lavera creams; the handcream was also a fail for me.

The consistency of the eyegel is balmy and silky, it felt really nice on the skin... I just don't see the need of such an overpowering scent in an eyecream!

Repuchase: nope! 

*** Sorry if this post is coming pretty late but I'm having issues with the broadband at home... fingers crossed, it will be sorted by the end of the week! ;) ***

Empties / July

Body:

Clarins High Definition Body Lift: a favourite of mine, I have gone through a couple of these already. It absorbs fast and doesn't feel sticky on the skin. It's pricey but it's one of the few creams where I can actually see some improvement. It smells lovely and floraly too and comes with a booklet with massaging tips.

Repurchase: probably, like a treat due to the price.

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Cuticle & Nail Refiner: I've been using it once every fortnight; it's pretty gritty and an high duty exfoliant and a little goes a long way but I can't say it made any significant difference to the appearance of my cuticles.

Repurchase: probably not.

Percy & Reed Totally TLC Hydrating Mask: Definitely in my Top5 of favourite hair masks; I got it for free in a magazine... added bonus. I love how soft it leaves my hair and it's pretty fast acting in 10 minutes; I'm just not too crazy about the 'manly' scent.

Repurchase: yes.

The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub: I'm not a huge fan of The Body Shop, if I'm honest and I can't say to shop there regularly but their body scrubs are my absolute favourites. They are good value for money, they are just the right consistency for my liking and come in so many beautiful scents; Talked about the pink grapefruit one here.

Repurchase: Hell Yeah!

Face:

L'Oreal Perfect Clean Foaming Cream Wash - Soothing: this is actually not finished but I have had it for ages and when I tried to use it again it stung my face... I think it may have gone off, better safe than sorry!
I remember I quite liked this and the wee brush too - there are a couple of different ones and the blue, I liked it even better, very refreshing on the skin. I can recommend this but I'm not sure if I would repurchase, simply because I tend to spend a bit more money on face cleansers nowadays.
Repurchase: see above.
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream: nope - Balance Me just doesn't blow me away; I have tried few different products now but I'm once again underwhelmed. It's an ok cream but not moisturizing enough, for my needs. I was pretty glad to finish it off, actually.
Repurchase: no.
Ren Keep Young And Beautiful SH2C Serum: same as above - Underwhelmed! There are maybe 2 products from this brand that I like but the rest just disappointed me. This serum also broke me out so definitely thumbs down in this case.
Repurchase: no.
Yes to Cucumber Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towellets: I use face wipes to remove most of my make up before the gym and then I do a deep cleanse before bed. These served me pretty well: they are a handy travel size and stayed moist until the end (hate when wipes dry out mid-pack!). Scent is not annoying and not harsh on the skin.
Repurchase: yes.
St. Ives Apricot Scrub Invigorating: LoveLoveLove! Who doesn't like the St. Ives scrub, let's be honest?!
I love everything - from the apricot scent to the exfoliating particles to the price! It does the job and it does it well, it's easily available on the high street and convenient.
Repurchase: yep!

Have you tried any of these products?

Month's collection of mag freebies/swaps/samples

Red Magazine with Ren Trio

I was really looking forward to get my hands on this! Initially, I thought you had to choose One of the three but - in actual facts - you get a mini set... even better ;)

The trio contains: Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream, Vetiver v7 Hand and Body Cream, Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel.

I've already started using these as I've been waiting for somE time to try this brand... so far so good, I haven't seen any major improvment but I'm liking how they feel on the skin.

 Talika Lipocils Expert
I swapped this with Sandra from Beauty Balm - she is the sweetest gal ever! Look how pretty wrapped was the packaging. :)
At the moment, I have no beauty boxes subscription but still want to try some products... I've been using this every day, twice a day... hopefully, I'll see an improvement to my eyelashes.

She, also, sent me a Balance Me sample as she knew I wanted to try more from this brand... I told you, she is THE sweetest!!! :)

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in light

Again, another product I'm looking forward to try as I've seen some promising reviews online.

I got this through the post from Boots, I believe...

L'Oreal Youth Code Luminize Super Serum

Free sample that you can request on the L'Oreal website.

This is quite nice but I consider it more like a primer than a serum, honestly.

It has a pearlessence to it which helps illuminate but it appears to be only a temporary effect and not a long-term benefit.

L'Oreal Revitalift 10 Repair BB Cream in medium tinted

HATED HATED HATED!

This just makes you shine... all in the wrong places! Usually, I don't have these problems on my chin but I had to powder constantly while wearing this product.

Apart that the shade was totally wrong for me - my husband actually asked me if I'd been using fake tan - it, also, broke me out pretty badly!

Another swap arranged on Beauty Box Swappers on Facebook, including Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliating Cream and Avon Anew Clinical Lift and Tuck Professional Body Shaper; both a chance to discover Clinique & Avon body products that I have never tried before.

Finally, Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser that I'm really looking forward to try as I'm a fan of AHA exfoliant... also, another opportunity for Murad to wow me (which has always failed so far!).

Glamour with Balance Me

You can choose between 4 different items with August issue - I picked up a Pure Skin Face Wash and Rose Otto Intensive Lip Salve.

So far, not too sure about the lip salve - the smell is putting me off... you know, I really really want to like/love all these new brands with natural ethic but they really need to sort out the herbaly scents!

Enough with the lavender, rosemary and geranium!

LuxBox UK

Personally, this box is a disappointment!

Mainly because I wouldn't call these LUX products/brands - also, many are just doubles from other boxes. Luckily, the only item I had previously received is the eyeshadow, otherwise I'd be even more pissed off!

It's my fault really - I cancelled all my subscription last month and I haven't regret it so I should have just stuck with it...  not to mention, I have just cancelled this too.

Have you subscribed to LuxBox - happy or not??

xxx