My April Wish List

My top 3 items to buy in April

Ginvera Green Tea Exfoliating Marvel Gel available from Janiro (£19.95 for 60g)

Picture taken from Janiro website

I received a 10g sample size of this product in my January You Beauty Discovery box and loved it. I haven't got around to buying the full size yet but its definitely top of the list to buy this month. Its a gentle exfoliator to be used on dry skin. It works by dissolving and removing the dead skin cells on the top layer of epidermis (skin). Great at removing black heads!

Goldwell Kerasilk Ultra Rich Care Shampoo from Hairtrade (£6.05 for 250ml)

Picture taken from Hairtrade website

Again another product I tested in my January You Beauty Discovery box. This is one of the best shampoos I've used in a while. It made my hair really soft, shiny and smooth - my hair is very thick and frizzy so a product that makes my hair smooth is always a bonus for me! The Goldwell range is fairly new to the UK, only being launched at the beginning of February. I may also buy the Goldwell Kerasilk Ultra Rich Care Treatment too.

Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillè Soufflé Body Crème Birchbox (£44.50 for 300g)

Picture taken from Birchbox website

I got a sample size of this product from Birchbox in January and its just about finished. It has an amazing vanilla smell, I would eat it if I could! I use it multiple times a day, more as a hand cream than its intended purpose of a body cream. Unfortunately its currently out of stock on Birchbox so I may need to search elsewhere. Or maybe see if I can buy another sample from ebay to tide me over until its back in stock at Birchbox. Laura Mercier also have a body scrub in the same scent - That is without a doubt going on my birthday wishlist for May.

Manuka Doctor Haul Post

Today I received a recent order I made at Manuka Doctor.  I had ordered a free sample of the Mini Hero Kit through Sampleyes (an app for your phone that gives away free samples) which included a voucher for 25% off an online order.  So of course I made an order.  The website is currently still offering the mini hero kit for free (so I got another) and they are offering an ApiNourish Try Me Set for free so I added that to my basket too. If you spend over £20 you are entitled to free delivery.  My total order with discount came to £21 which meant I could get free delivery! What a brilliant deal I'm sure you will agree!  

Here's what I ordered

ApiClear Blemish Busters Bundle was £16.97 NOW £11

Contains Blemish Cream (25ml), 25 Facial Wipes and Ease & Repair Gel (25ml)

ApiClear Purifying Introductory Kit was £14.99 NOW £7

Contains ApiClear Foaming Cleanser (25ml), ApiClear Skin Treatment Serum (15ml) and ApiClear Facial Moisturising Lotion (25ml).

Platinum Introductory Kit was £19.99 NOW £10

Contains the best-selling Rejuvenating Face Mask (25ml), the ApiClear Skin Treatment Serum (15ml)and the ApiRevive Rub Ease Balm (25ml).

Then the FREE gifts

ApiNourish Try Me Kit 

Contains Rejuvenating Face Mask (7ml), Age-defying Serum (7ml), Restoring Night Cream (7ml)

Manuka Doctor Mini Hero Kit 

Contains ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask (7ml), ApiClear Skin Treatment Serum (5ml), ApiRefine Targeted Wrinkle Filler (3ml)

As you may have noticed a few of the kits contain the Skin Treatment Serum but I am pleased about this. I can't wait to try these all out! I will hopefully do a review on some of the products later once I've used them a bit.  

Glossybox UK March 2014 Unboxing

I gave in to temptation and finally signed up to Glossybox!  A beauty subscription box service that gives you 5 beauty treats each month for £10 + p&p.  I had been debating joining for a few months now.  I had read so many bad reviews of people getting cheap poundshop brands or small sachet samples or perfume samples that can be picked up in department stores for free.  But lets face it there are a few beauty boxes on the go that give perfume samples in boxes.  I agree its not fair when you are expecting 5 luxury high end brands and end up with something you can pick up for free yourself.  So why join now I hear you ask?  Well despite the worry of getting 'free samples' a lot of the boxes contained products that looked not half bad and I would use.  At the end of the day its about the quality of products not the quantity or size of products.  As long as the overall value of the boxes are more than I pay for them, then I'll be happy. 

So I signed up for the March box hoping against hope that I would get the product that stood out in everyone's boxes for me, in the colour I longed for.  That product is the Shimmer Powder by Bellapierre Cosmetics Ltd.  This item alone covers the cost of the box.  A full size retailing at £12.99.  The colour I wanted is called 'Sensation'.  And I got it! :-)

Now for some this colour may seem boring or unusable.  But for me its the kind of shade I would get the most use out of.  It's a glittery white colour which is shimmery when applied.  The Shimmer Powders are a multi-use product.  Can be mixed into blusher, nail polish or lip gloss.  I will be using it as a highlighter or adding it to the corners of my eyes when I do a 'smokey' look.


Next up is a product that will make me the envy of many...sorry ladies I really didn't think I'd get this in my box, but have to say I'm pleased I did.  Maitrise du Temps by Helenere is an intensive serum which claims to moisturise deeply while preventing skin ageing and adds skin elasticity to give a brighter complexion.  This product is full size at 10ml and cost £38.50!  I love that it comes in a dropper form, its makes for easier application.

Others received perfume samples or sachets of fake tan - which I think is very unfair as the price comparison of these items are nowhere near the same value of the serum.  I do hope Glossybox add an extra item next month into the boxes of those who didn't receive the serum to make up for the difference in box values.

I'm getting more and more into anti-ageing products.  I'm coming up for 27 and apparently women should be starting to think about using anti-ageing products from 25 onwards as that is when your skin starts to change. I'm not sure about the truth behind this claim as aging affects everyone differently but its always a good idea to start thinking about it sooner rather than later.  It's also important to have a healthy diet as the food you eat can change the way your skin looks aswell.  

Next out the box is a Sleek MakeUP Pout Polish in 'Bare Minimum'.  It's a tinted lip balm which moisturises while leaving your lips with a hint of a sheen. I'm kind of glad it doesnt add much colour to the lips as I prefer a more natural look on my lips.  Again this is a full sized product £4.49 for 10g.

Dove is a brand I've used before but only their soaps and shower creams.  This Intensive Repair 60 Second Treatment Shot is as you would expect a hair treatment.  I used it this morning and although it has left my hair soft I'm not sure I would buy it again.  There are many expensive hair treatments on the market so this one is good value for money with full size being £1.49.  Would be good to take away on holiday instead of packing a larger product but it seemed too much like a normal conditioner to me. 

Last is the product I'd use the least.  Body Cream from Mitchell and Peach. Containing English honey, organic cocoa, vitamin B5 and shea butter.  I can't quite decide what it smells of but it's not a bad smell.  I will use it but not something I'd be rushing out to buy again.  This is the only sample size product in this months box.  Full size is 180ml and costs £36 making this sample worth £8.

Overall I'm very happy with my box this month and hope Glossybox continue to impress me.  Total value of my box is £65.47 (mostly due to receiving the serum)


Leave a comment to let me know what you thought of this months box. If you got the March Glossybox did you get the same products? Were you happy with the selection this month? 

You Beauty Discovery March 2014 Unboxing

This month when I saw what was on offer for the You Beauty Discovery box I just about screamed the house down! I couldn't believe the value of the products as so many of them were full sized or big samples. It was going to be a hard choice to make. I was so tempted by The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter which retails at £12 but I have a few cleansers on the go at the moment so I didn't really need another one.

Content of my 'Best of British' box.

In the end I opted for GlycoWash by BeautyLab London which came in an impressive 100ml bottle.  Full size is 200ml with RRP of £32 making this 'sample' worth £16.

My second choice this month was a no brainer for me. Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips. I've wanted to try this for ages but never got around to buying it. I was so happy to see it as an option in this month's box. I've enjoyed using this lip balm so far. It has a nice thick texture, and a little goes a long way! This is a 15ml full sized product retailing at £11.50.

The first thing of the added extras this month are two tea samples from DragonFly Tea. I'm not much of a tea drinker - I prefer coffee - but I have to say I really enjoyed these. Excuse the picture, I used the white tea before I took the photos. Also included is a voucher for 50p off a box which can be used in many local supermarkets. I will be using this voucher as soon as I decide on a flavour!

Last but not least I received Toe Separators from The Vintage Cosmetics Company.  I don't paint my toe nails so will have no use for these. They will be passed on to a new home where they will be loved!


Overall an excellent box this month.  As always You Beauty Discovery delivers month after month.  For £6.95 a month and free p&p, it is by far the best value beauty box on the market.

Love Lula Competition - Odylique Essential Care Toning Fruit Butter

Last week I entered a competition on Love Lula's Facebook page for a chance to win 3 Odylique Essential Care Toning Fruit Butters for 1 Winner plus 2 lucky friends of their choosing!

Guess what? I won!!

I received an email on Friday morning informing me of my win and requesting my address to send the products to.  Then yesterday (Saturday) they arrived.  After just 1 day!

So Delighted :-)

I won 3 full size Toning Fruit Butters which are worth £20 each.  I'm going to be sending one to my sister this week and give the other one to a friend.

This product is 100% natural and 100% organic so contains no nasty chemicals.  Always a plus for skincare.  To be used after sun exposure or bathing for a sublime skin toning treat. Contains sea buckthorn (rich in omega 7) which protects against aging UV damage and stretch marks.

I'm currently using Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Butter.  I'm just about finished the tub so will be using the Odylique Toning Fruit Butter as of next week.  

I couldn't resist trying it though! 

The Toning Fruit Butter contains hydrating raw shea, coconut & extra virgin olive fruit oils & toning oils of ylang ylang, bergamot and lemon.  It has a very citrusy smell.  On contact with the skin, I found the butter melted quickly into an oil like substance which absorbed nicely.

This 150g will last me quite a while.  I'm so pleased I won - I never win anything!

LoveLula also do a monthly Beauty Box.  I haven't subscribed as I already subscribe to 3 beauty boxes (which I think is as far as my budget will stretch atm) They do sometimes have past boxes for sale I have bought their Hair Rehab Selection Box which you can buy HERE

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January & February Birchbox UK Boxes

Heres a peek at what I got in my jan/feb boxes

January Birchbox Tiny Tweaks

February Birchbox Love Style

Details will be added asap. Sorry for delay.