More Beauty Swaps

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

I'm not too bothered with hair products; I like a mask here and there but I don't have one that I swear by and I always try a different one (usually, what's on offer in Boots).

Then, I heard that the Elasticizer was originally created for Audrey Hepburn so I HAD to try it.

This is pre-shampoo treatment with improves elasticity and shine and provides UV protection.

I love it! It will, definitely, become a staple in my hair routine (in fact, I noticed it's on the 'wish-list' on buyapowa and looking forward to buy a full size!!).

I swapped with the gorgeous Emily @ peoniesandsweetpeas.blogspot.com

Trind Nail Repair

This is a treatment supposed to straighten your nails - you need to apply it everyday for 2 weeks but remove the previous coat before (which I thought was a pain plus using acetone everyday... surely can't do any good). I really didn't see any improvement on my nails appearance but I liked the shiny finish so I will just use it up as a top coat.

The Balm Frat Boy Blush

This is such a gorgeous colour!!! It has no shimmer, not too over-powering but easy buildable and so cream - it's a joy to apply. Definitely, one of my fave blusher of all time. <3

Both of the above, traded with the talented Katie @ Facebook.com/heartbeads


Gatineau Strategie Jeuness Throat Gel

Gatineau Defi Lift 3D Mask has been on my wish-list for a long time (and probably stay there for a bit longer) - apparently, it's a red carpet must have... so when I saw this product, I jumped at the chance of trying the brand and hopefully banish the double chin, before the big day!! ;)
So far so good - I'm loving this gel: it's very fresh and light, lovely smell and it has definitely a tensor effect. I would expect this to be very expensive so I don't think I'm gonna buy again but I'm definitely enjoying this tube.

Elizabeth Arden All-Over Cellulite Skin Treatment with Green Tea

I didn't really enjoy this product - It smelled funny and it didn't do anything for my cellulite, to be honest. Also, it was a bit sticky and It didn't even firm my skin. I think it has been discontinued now and I understand why.

Biotherm Body Resculpt Svelt 

Biotherm is one of my favourite body cream on the market - sure, they're on the expensive side but I like how they perform and I usually stock up when they are on offer (they regularly run 3for2 in Boots)... and this one didn't disappoint either. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it on the market in Uk - they have probably replaced it with their S & D code but it's still available to buy in Europe.

Last three creams got from Martina Smith.

This Works Clean Skin Daily Wash

Since receiving my Clarisonic at Christmas, I have been trying all different cleansers with it. This one is, definitely, in the top 3: It works very well with the Clarisonic but it fairs well also 'manually'.
It gets rid of make up easily and the olive oil performs as a moisturiser too. It never dries my skin or make me break out. I'll definitely consider buy the full size.
Swapped with Dorothy @ http://dorothyinbeauty.blogspot.com/

Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Mask

I'm a huge fan of this brand - and you can read me raving about their body stuff here & here.
Unfortunately, the face mask didnt live up to my expectations; it really didn't do anything for me. :(
I received this from Charlotte Johnson.

Are you a fellow swapper?? :)

Boudoir Prive' -November and LAST issue

Here goes the LAST BP review. In few days, we should all received the first JolieBox. I'm excited and looking forward to it - it seems really promising.

DEAD SEA SPA MAGIK Silky Smooth Body Lotion

I'm a big fan of Dead Sea Spa Magik (have a read here if you're interested in check my history with this brand). I had never tried this product before but It's a lovely cream. They also suggest to use it on damp skin, which I did, and I felt absorbed really quickly, leaving my skin comfortably moisturized. Consistency is pretty light and non-greasy plus it has a lovely scent too.

KORRES Wild Rose 24-hour Moisturiser

This face cream delivers 24h moisturization. The smell, as you may guess, is really nice. I like Korres and the natural philosophy they follow. This cream, in particular, was very lovely to use and sinked in nicely into my skin but it didn't blow me away.

RAHUA New Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner

Amazing!!! and I'm not easily impressed with hair products. I could really see a difference in my hair - definitely in volume and general healthiness. Both shampoo and conditioner were a joy to use, lathering very nicely and easy to rinse. I got 2 uses out of each satchet but at £27/28.50, I'm pretty sure I can't efford to purchase, I'm afraid. :(

I know this items were already send in September GlossyBox but there're not in my box - I'm glad I got a second chance to try them!

VINIES AYURVEDA'S SOUL Luminous Skin Mask

We received 2 small pots of this product, which I thought it was nice - also because it should prolong the durability of the second pot (if you keep it sealed, whilst you finish the first).

Personally, I liked this face mask! I read many girls experienced nasty side effects like redness and burning sensation but luckly everything was normal with me. The first time, I left it for the minimum 2 minutes and then increased to 5, for the following applications. I didn't feel anything different when it was on my face but I experienced tingling after I washed it off. I'm thinking, maybe, the trick is to use COLD water (as directed). I did see (and felt) a difference and althought it says you could use it daily, I'm happy using it only once a week. It feels like 'heavy-duty' treatment and I wouldn't want to put my skin under too much stress - if you know what I mean.

It smells quite strongly of liquorice but I'm totally fine with that - I like chewing liquorice roots, so yeah not a problem for me!

STUDIOMAKEUP Rich Hydration Lipstick

I, actually, received the truly red shade but I swapped it for the tender pink. Mainly because I already have too many reds but now I'm in two minds about the pink; It's quite nice swatched on my hand but I'm not sure it really suits my skintone. I reckon I'm put off by the frost but maybe mixed with another pink, I'll manage to use it. What I learnt? Never impulse swap!!! ;)

November-wise: this was my favourite box, out of the three I receive. Which beauty boxes do you get? Which was your favourite?

xx

GlossyBox - November Edition

ARBONNE FC5 Cooling Foot Creme

I didn't enjoy using this product, purely for the smell.

The cream is, definitely, very fresh and pleasant on the skin at the end of the day or after the gym but the smell really put me off.

It's true it's made with 'fresh kiwi cell' but I don't know how people can say it smells like kiwis. Honestly, I can only think they never ate the fruit before. To me, It had a really strong and pungent chemical scent (which ok, It only goes on my feet - I can live with that, I thought) but it totally totally intoxicated my bathroom every time I used it. I swear, I could still smell it the morning after AND leaving the bathroom window open all night!!!

Personally, I can positively say I'm not going to purchase it for that reason, which could be an important factor for somebody else, but I'm really smell sensitive and the minor 'upset' could trigger an headache for me.

I'd be curious to see if the hand cream also smells the same - anybody tried both??

DEAD SEA SPA MAGIK Dead Sea Bath Salts

I'm a big fan of Dead Sea Spa Magik.

I was using their Algimud Peel-off Body Mask about 3 years ago regularly but unfortunately, my local Debenhams stopped stocking it so I has becoming a bit of a pain to buy it.

I'm glad I'm having the chance to be re-introduced to this brand again and to try other products too - in fact I'm a 'believer' of the dead sea, mud and seaweed benefits.

I'm using these salts to add extra goodness to my bath but apparently, you can also make a concentrate solution for aching hands and feet and re-use it for up to 2 weeks, simply re-heating it.

It's also a generous sample here: I can easily see 4/5 baths coming out of it. 

MONU Skin Perfector

THE HOLY GRAIL!!!

I love love love this cream - I'm so excited even writing about it. I've been using it like a  2-in-1 morning moisturiser/primer, the days I put make up on. I haven't used another primer since I received this one.

I really like everything about it: the smell is a nice soft waking up experience and it feels so light on the skin. I feel it creates a perfect smooth canvas on my face.

I know, a couple of different versions were sent out and I'm desperately trying to get my hands on the Recovery Balm as well - so, pretty please, if you have one that you don't want I'm prepared to give it a good home. :)))

NAIL ROCK Designer Nail Wraps

I'm not excited about these. I haven't even used the toe wraps that I received a couple of boxes ago, yet. I'm curious to try this new trend which is 'nail wrapping' but the pattern, that I received, is really not me - hopefully, I'll manage to swap them for some other one.

SERGE LUTENS L'Eau Serge Lutens & Vitriol d'Oeillet

and finally, the perfume samples, of course!

If I need to pick one, I prefer the white one (L'Eau) but I'm not going to wear neither of them, honestly.

I tried to flog the black to my fiancé - since both fragrances are unisex - but he also didn't like it.

So, there you go - both fragrances failed both sexes!

You heard me complaining about perfume samples before; I, also, find that these wee flacons are not appealing at all - do you remember the Lalique bottle from the beginning? That was a nice object per se (or check the one my sister got in the italian GlossyBox) and I felt an effort was made.

All in all this wasn't a great box but it was good: I discovered Monu - a brand which I never heard about before and that now I want to try every single product!!!
On that principle, I can't complain really because that's what these boxes are all about!

What are your thoughts on these products?

Beauty Box Delivery

Boudoir Prive' - November 2011

I'm quite happy with this box really - although I still think it's a no-no to resend the same brands again (even if it's different products).

 Luckly for me, I don't have any duplicates (from GlossyBox I received the Salt from Dead Sea Spa Magik and I didn't received the Rahua shampoo and conditioner from a couple of Glossy Boxes ago).

Also, I couldn't help but notice - on the Boudior Prive' Brands page - that they added Yon-ka but I didn't receive any product from this brand. Anybody got anything from them? I was looking forward to it. :(

But yes, I like it - I will probably use every product. What about you girls? Happy or disappointed?

xx