Glossybox UK June: Opening & Review

Hey there, well I was a little bit annoyed to be woken up by the Glossybox deliver man banging repeatedly on the door at 7am on a Saturday morning! (How rude) But yep, it was worth the wake up call and I have even tried all the products out so that I can also give you a quick review too. Who ever thought that it would actually be sunny and hot in Britain for more than a day? Which brings me on to the theme for this months box which is summer looks.

 

When I first opened the box, I thought I had received six items but there are actually two bottles of one of the items, which both have slightly different functions. It was a good box this month, not absolutely amazing - but it was ok.

 

 

Q - Body spray

 

I am a sucker for a great smelling body spray! This body spray is my favourite item from this month's box as it smells girly and floral yet sophisticated. We received the full sized version of this product, which is 100ml and it retails at just £2.29 - which is definitely a bargain for such a fantastic quality summer essential. It's small enough to fit into your bag and the scent sticks around for a long time, which is great for those hot summer days.

 

 

Paul Mitchell Curls - Full Circle Leave-In Treatment & Ultimate Wave

 

We have basically recieved a '2 for 1' product; 2 items from the same brand but different products, which is great to compare and decide which one you like the best. Loose summer curls are definitely in this season so it's lovely to be able to keep up with current trends in this months box. I have only tried the Ultimate Wave cream, but am really keen to try the Leave-In Treatment too. The Ultimate Wave Cream has a really nice scent and assisted in defining curls - however it didn't last for as long as i'd hoped.

 

 

Monu - Hydrating Moisturiser SPF 15

 

I was pretty excited when I saw this as I've always has good experience with Monu as a brand; their products are always excellent quality and they take extra care to look after your skin - I don't understand why they still aren't that well heard of. Anyway, I have tried this moisturiser and it lived up to my expectations. Its soft and creamy consistency sank into my skin, leaving it hydrated and glowing. It's very pricey though at £29.95 for the full sized product, however Glossybox subscribers do receieve 10% off their next Monu purchase with the discount code.

 

 

Nuxe - Huile Prodigieuse Or

 

I know, I know... its name doesn't really give you any clues of what it is! I genuinely believed that this was a nail polish at first due to the bottle size and shape. This is a multi-purpose spray (though the spray on mine has become stuck in the lid) which can be used to moisturise the face, illuminate selected areas of the body or even as a strenghtening hair mask. 3 products in 1 = very convenient! I have used it as a facial moisturiser today and to be honest, my face feels too oily so I'm not sure whether I'll be using it again.

 

 

Figs & Rouge - Coco Rose

 

Subscribers will have either recieved the Coco Rose or Cherry Blossom flavour lip balm. It smells and tastes amazing. I am a huge lip balm snob though (but what can you expect when I'm addicted to Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Lip Protectant as a daily lip balm?) and though it does hydrate the lips really well, I've found it to be very gloopy and messy - so nope, I've not been converted. But hey, it's another full-sized product.

 

 

I always love to hear what everybody else has receieved - let me know!



Samples haul and review!

I seem to have gained a large number of samples over the last 6 months from different places: some are from Glossybox's and others are whilst I was out and about shopping. I am a firm believer that if you don't love something when you first try it, you never will - so I guess this is when samples come in useful.

 

I have watched a few 'sample haul' YouTube videos from beauty vloggers and I've really enjoyed watching them, so I've decided to try it out too. I have a box full of samples and I have picked out a few to let you know whether it was love at first erm.. use or whether it will be shoved in a drawer and forgotten about forever!

 

 

 



Lemon by Mary Greenwell

 



This sample is teeny tiny and I would literally have gotten a handful of uses out of it, if I could have brought myself to use it more than once! When I saw the name 'Lemon' I was excited for a fresh, citrus scent but instead I was met with something an old lady would wear, but with the slight hint of grass. I honestly don't know why anyone would want to smell like this. The packaging is so pretty and it's yellow (my favourite colour) - so misleading.

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? No way!

 

 

Dermalogica daily microfoliant

 

The full-sized version of this product is pretty pricey - £38 and as you'd imagine based on that, it is popular with a number of celebrities. I can definitely see why because it is amazing! This daily microfoliant is a powder which you put on the palm of your hands, wet and rub your hands together to create a lovely, foamy substance - it pretty much acts as a fancy face wash. It's super easy to use and leaves your skin feeling unbeliveably soft and squeeky clean. I'd be really keen to try out more of their products or perhaps see if they have a cheaper alternative?

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? Yes - though I would need to have extra money lying around.

 

 

Monu Micro-exfoliant

 

I have previously written a review on a different Monu product (http://rainbowsandbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/monu-gentle-cleanser-review.html) and before I used the product I reviewed, I tried out something else which I fell in love with - yep, this sample is that product! Monu are so little heard of in the beauty community and it's so unfourunate because they make amazing products and really look after your skin. The Micro-exfoliant is easy to use and doesn't leave behind any residue or other nasty surprises. You literally just wet your face, rub it in and wash it off - simple! I always love products with microbeads; is it just me who feels like they work better?

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? Yes, and I've been converted to their other products.

 

 

Burberry Body

 

I was a little bit apprihensive when I first received this product due to its well-known 'chav' connotations but you should never judge a book by its cover. Despite the lid on this product being broke, meaning the squirty part (apologises for the bad technical terms) not working, it is a good product. It smells lovely and though it isn't the usual scent I would go for, I would buy it. It's perfect for a night out or a fancy meal, though I wouldn't wear it for day-to-day use. My fiancé also has a Burberry fragrance (Burberry Touch) and I think that smells great too. In conclusion, Burberry make good smelling fragrances!

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? Yes.

 

 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

It is mainly known for being a skin cream but I can't stand it on my skin because of the consistency: it's very thick and gel-like, as opposed to soft and creamy. However, it is an AMAZING lip balm! I could certainly see the difference through just one use of this product after many years of using cheaper lip products. My lips feel super soft and moisturised and it only needs to be reapplied once or twice more throughout the day. I couldn't recommend it enough as a lip balm - best find ever!

 

Would I purchase based on the sample? I already have!

 

Would you like to see more sample hauls?

Monu Gentle Cleanser: Review

I have been using the Monu Gentle Cleanser for a few weeks. I purchased it shortly after receving the January 2013 Glossybox as there was a different Monu product inside which i loved. After trying the sample of the Monu Micro-exfoliant, I had a look on their website at what other products they have on offer. At the time, I was on the look out for a new cleanser or moisturiser which doesn't irritate my skin (because my skin breaks out so easily) and I spotted the Gentle Cleanser.

Monu had a variety of cleansers on their website but I went for the 'gentle' one because it said that it was suitable for sensitive skin. Monu use only natural products, which assured me that my skin would improve and not get worse through use. It is reasonably pricey: £17.50 a bottle, but I wasn't bothered as long as it worked.

I applied the cleanser by putting a small amount on my finger tip and gently massaging it into my face. I took it off with a muslin cloth; on the bottle, it recommends that you take it off with a tissue or cotton pad but I preferred to do it this way so you don't get unwanted bits on your face. I didn't 'dry' it as much, just kind of dabbed and rubbed slightly. Afterwards, my skin felt so soft that I didn't even feel the need to moisturise. My face looked noticeably brighter and my complexion has improved in general. I now use it on a daily basis, usually just after I've had a shower as the steam helps it to seep in more.

On the back of the bottle, it always gives a tip on how to have a mini-facial with the product, which I now follow once a week. It states that you should take a little longer massaging gently into the skin, keep on the face for a couple of minute longer before using a hot, damp muslin/facial cloth to take it off. I like to just place the hot, damp muslin/facial cloth on my face and hold it there for a little while before just 'dabbing' it off.

Almost a 2-in-1 product; I will definitely be repurchasing. Also, Monu send a mini brochure of their products when you order online.

To purchase the Monu Gentle Cleanser, click here

www.monuskin.co.uk