SheerLuxe Box: The Spring Edit

My friend Julie gave me for part of my birthday The Spring Edit Box by SheerLuxe which came from Latest in Beauty. There currently are some in stock - it's an excellent box and it's contents are worth over £260.

It's absolutely stuffed full of beauty goodies!

Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban

Luxe T-Shirt 

100 Acres Rose & Lavender Bubble Bath 300ml

balance me Supermoisturising Hand Cream 100ml

Soigne Nail Polish in Creme au Beurre 10ml

Living Proof Healthy Hair Night Cap Overnight Perfector 118ml

Perricone MD Photo Plasma Broad Spectrum SPF30

Smith & Cult Above it All Top Coat 14ml

thisworks Stress Check Breathe in 8ml

Scentered Love Candle 85g

Browtician Minimalist Square Tip Tweezers

Institut Esthederm Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser 75ml

Konjac Sponge

Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips 15ml

I'll let you know how I get on with the products. There are are a few I'm really excited to try. Did you pick up a "The Spring Edit" Collection?

Advent Calendars: Days 7 to 15

I've been enjoying most of the items from my Advent calendars.  You can see what I got Days 7 - 15 here:

7 December:  

YOU Beauty - Konjac Sponge - I've used these in the past. Passed this one onto a friend.

M&S - Rituals Zensation Shower Foam 50ml - My friend Magi loves these shower foams. So gave it to her.

4160Tuesdays - today gave us Who Knew? - which is a mix of perfumery materials blended together to see what happens. This is a lush dark rose scent with smokey vetivert, Benzoin, Vanilla and Green Tea Absolute. Pretty keen on this one.

8 December: 

YOU Beauty: Heaven Skincare Bee Venom Eyes 15ml - this is a great size sample. I'm not really into products with Bee Venom in them so passed to a friend.

M&S: pure Grape Day Cream 30ml - a decent size sample and I'll give it a whirl.

4160Tuesdays: Paris 1948 - a chypre inspired by Paris masters in the late 1940s. With top notes of peach, grapefruit and basil with heart notes of rose, cedarwood, orange blossom, rosewood and honey with base notes of oakmoss, hay, musk and labdanum.

9 December: 

YOU Beauty: ESPA £15 Gift Card plus Optimal Skin Pro Serum 8ml - I'm a huge fan of the serum and can always find something to buy online!

M&S: Filorga Time Filler 10ml - I've not heard of this brand so will need to read up on it. I've not got a huge amount of wrinkles (yet).

4160Tuesdays: Rome 1963 - a unisex scent which has top notes of bergamot and chocolate, heart notes of heady tuberose, ylang ylang and cedarwood with base notes of tobacco and patchouli.

10 December: 

YOU Beauty: Teeez Read my Lips Lipstick - this seems quite nice. Still to try it!

M&S: Neals Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream 25ml - I've a feeling I've tried this before and I didn't love the scent. I'll give it another try as I'm a huge fan of the brand.

4160Tuesdays: Midnight in the Palace Garden - with Atlas cedarwood, frangipani, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood, blood orange, vanilla, coffee.

11 December:

YOU Beauty: Lipcote Lipstick Sealer - I used this in the 80s and found it totally dried my lips up. I won't be using this one.

M&S: Josh Wood Volume Shampoo 50ml - this seems nice enough but don't really notice any extra volume - maybe it would be best using with the matching conditioner.

4160 Tuesdays: Centrepiece - with honey, frangipani, green tea, cedarwood, vanilla, citrus sorbet and and a hint of chocolate. Inspired by the Ice Cream parlour at Fortnum & Masons.

12 December:

YOU Beauty: Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pencil - Noir - this seems quite nice and non-dragging. Will be used!

M&S: Diego Dalla Palma Lipstick No.46 - a really pretty shade from a brand I haven't tried before.

4160Tuesdays: Fruits of the Tree of Knowlege - a rich fruity sweet scent with notes of grapefruit, lemon, yuzu, cucumber, watermelon, cherry, rose violet, raspberry with a base of sandalwood.

13 December:

YOU Beauty: Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Replenishing Body Lotion 50ml - this has a delicious fig scent. I've use the perfume before and loved it. So looking forward to using this.

M&S: Mio Skincare Liquid Yoga 53ml - this relaxing bath soak smells amazing. Looking forward to trying it out after a stressful day.

4160Tuesdays: Tokyo Spring Blossoms - with Spring flowers, fresh fruit, petals of rose and violet over balsams.

14 December:

YOU Beauty - Burt's Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream 20g - always happy to try a new cleanser.

M&S: Percy & Reed No Oil Oil 30ml - I've always been happy with this brand  so this will be used!

4160Tuesdays: Sleep Knot - with jasmine, sandalwood, ylang ylang and black pepper...for nights when you don't plan to sleep...

15 December: 

YOU Beauty: Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum 10ml - I find this one a little bit rich for my skin so I've passed it on.

M&S: Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuer Hand Cream 30ml - this is lovely and matching the body lotion from a couple of days ago.

4160Tuesdays: Babylon Sunset with honey, rose, jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla. This smells lush.

I've been enjoying most items from my Advent calendars and I'm looking forward to having time to try everything out properly (especially the perfumes)

Are you enjoying your advent calendar(s) or did you not buy one this year?

a beautiful world - A/W Sampler Box 14

My a beautiful world A/W Sampler box arrived yesterday. It is stuffed full of lots of fab products and it came with a branded pink bag.

MuLondon Organic Fragrance Free Foaming Face Wash - I've tried a couple of the other products from this brand and loved them.  I'll use this in my morning shower.

A 28g trial size of Valia's Purifying Wash which is suitable for all skin types. I'm super pleased to see this in the box as this product was on my "to try" list.

BRAD Biophotonic Ultra Peel 7.5ml sample - I've been wanting to try something from this brand since it's launch!  

Josh Rosebrook Deep Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner - these minis are ideal for travel/try me size. Looking forward to using them. A review will follow!

SW Basics Exfoliant - this is a full size item 118ml and worth £18! I'm a fan of the brand but have not tried this particular product before.

The Body Deli Creme de la Rose 10ml pot - I've wanted to try this super luxe cream like forever! Really pleased to see this sample in my box. 

Konjac French Pink Clay Sponge - I've tried these sponges before but not this variety.  The final item is a polish by Intensae a five-free lacquer in Marnie which is a bright red shade.

Did you get the box? What items did you receive?

Fuller reviews will follow.

Love Lula Haul

I came back from hols and spotted Love Lula's Clean Sweep Selection Box (£19.95 for seven items) and worth £39.50! I just had to snap it up!

KONJAC French Red Clay Vegetable Fibre Sponge (Full Size - £6.99) this sponge is suitable for dry and sensitive skin.  Leaves the skin clean and radiant.

Mitchell & Peach Luxury Shower Wash 50ml - huge fan of this luxe lavender scented shower gel.

La Claree Gentle Cleansing Milk trial size - not tried anything from this brand yet. It smells lovely.

Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser (30ml - £10.95) - excited to use this product again. I used it long before I was a blogger. Deliciously scented with lemongrass, it is a natural exfoliant which is suitable for most skin types. Looking forward to reacquainting myself with this one!

MOX Botanicals Bath Milk in Coconut & Vanilla Bean (£8) - I recently tried these giant teabags for the bath and loved them.  Looking forward to trying a different scent.  See my review here.

UrbanVeda Purifying Facial Polish 20ml - I've received this in various beauty boxes.  See my review here.

Gielly Green Hand & Body Wash (50ml  - £5) - a deliciously scented product. See my review here.

Love Lula also let you choose up to 3 samples per order of £10 or more.  See more details here.  As these were two separate orders I was able to pick up two lots of samples.

I also picked up John Masters Organics latest UK launch - Rose & Apricot Hair Milk (118ml - on special currently at £20) - this leave in conditioner smells gorgeous and I can't wait to try it out - full review to follow.

Have you had any splurges recently?

Love Lula Beauty Box - January

Even though I'm on #NoBuyJanuary I'm allowing myself my beauty boxes. It was a real treat to receive my January Love Lula box yesterday.

So what's inside:

balance Me Rose Otto Body Cream 30ml - this is a lovely rose scented rich cream which melts into the skin leaving the skin smelling of roses. Simply gorgeous and a balance Me product I've not tried. Super happy to see this in the box!

BiOrganics Perfect Balance Shampoo 50ml - I was excited to see this and another BiOrganics product in the box as I am always looking for organic haircare to try. This is natural shampoo which is affordable - looking forward to testing this out.

BiOrganics Salon Secret Elixir Hair Perfecting Oil - mini sample - this oil strengthens and repairs the hair and also adds shine. Helps eliminate frizz and strengthen the hair.  Also protects from heat styling and reduces drying time. Again, looking forward to trying this.

Konjac Sponge - huge fan of Konjac sponges so happy to see this in the box. It is made from pure vegetable fibre with natural vitamins and minerals which help to exfoliate, soften and clean the skin.

John Masters Organics Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk 10ml sachet - love John Masters products. Will pack this away for my next weekend away.

Did you get this month's box? What are your thoughts on the contents?

a beautiful world - A/W '13 Sampler Box

I was super excited to receive my a beautiful world A/W '13 Sampler Box yesterday.  The box went "live" at 6am on Wednesday and I was one of the first to buy.  Simply amazing customer service - the box arrived the very next day! And what a box!

Costing an amazing £20 including P&P the sampler box is stuffed full of gorgeous full sizes and samples - I kept finding them hidden inside the crinkly paper packaging.

Here's the contents:

001 GLA & Anti-Oxidant Balancing Cream - this is a totally new UK boutique skincare brand that hasn't even launched at a beautiful world yet! It gives your skin an instant burst of moisture, it feels light on the skin and contains natural actives, replenishing oils, Omegas 3, 6 and 9 and Vitamin E. It smells lovely too. It contains essential oils along with Rosa Damascena extract and Vanilla Planifolia fruit extract. One of my favourite items in the box.  

Yarok Feed your Ends Leave in Conditioner (2oz) - I'm a huge fan of Yarok's Feed your Youth Hair & Scalp Serum - see my review here so I can't wait to try this leave in conditioner and heat protection spray.  Perfect for me as I use hair straightners every day!

Marble & Milkweed Nourishing Body Oil (3.7ml) - this comes in a tiny little bottle which has a piece of ribbon at the top. I've been tempted to buy this for a while. Scented with Rose, Cardamon and Sandalwood oils. I tried it last night and it is quite simply one of the nicest body oils I've ever used. It moisturises the skin and the scent is just lovely - rosy and spicy notes with a distinct smell of Cardamon - I'm buying this full size.

Marble & Milkweed Modern Chai Tea No.2 - a single use sachet. I simply love this chai tea.  See my review here.

SW Basics Cocoa Lip Balm (4.5g - full size) - one of my favourite lip balms. I reviewed it when the company was called Sprout - see here. Super moisturising it smells nice and leaves lips glossy and smooth.  Contains Organic Cocoa Butter, Beeswax and Organic Coconut Oil.

SW Basics Shea Butter Cream - this comes in a cute little screw top jar and is made of only 3 ingredients - Fair Trade Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Olive Oil. It instantly melts on contact with warm skin and is ideal for dry areas. You can even use it on your face as a night cream.

Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil - one of the best facial oils I've ever used.  See my review here.

VMV Hypoallergenics Know-it-Oil 50ml - 100% Organic Virgin Coconut Oil use all over the body and great for taming flyaway hair or as a deep conditioning treatment. You can eat it too!

butter London Tea & Toast Nail Varnish - (full size) - the perfect nude shade.

Konjac Sponge Puff with added French Pink Clay (full size) - I received a natural version in my September Souk Souk box which I haven't tried yet. Pleased to have a different variety to try.

Naisture Collagen Mask Pack (single use) - super moisturising mask. Have tried before and loved it.

Tili Bag - reusable, resealable bag which is perfect for storing make up, skincare, bits and bobs - anything really.

WOW what an amazing box. Also included was a 20% discount on any purchases. Reviews will follow.  Did you pick up the box? What are your thoughts?

See the website here

Follow on Twitter @abw_uk 

SoukSouk September Beauty Box

My SoukSouk box arrived on Wednesday.  I love the fact that I've not tried a single thing before! If you pay monthly it costs £12 plus £2.95 P&P.  You can see the payment plans here.

So what's inside:

Full Size Nourish Smoothing Hand Lotion 100ml (£12) - I can never have enough hand creams or lip balms. Not tried much from Nourish - so this is a welcome addition in the box.  A 94% organic certified hand lotion made with aloe vera, shea, sunflower and borage oils and scented with orange and mandarin.

Konjac Puff Sponge (£6.99) - another item which I am excited about. A 100% natural vegetable fibre sponge. Can be used for cleansing, exfoliating and removing make up. I like that when you've finished with it you can recycle it on the compost heap (after approximately 2-3 months use).

Gwdihw Vanilla Lip Balm 25g (£4.49) and Gwdihw Nail Wizard Hand Balm 25g (£4.49) - have heard of this brand but not used any of the products. Both smell gorgeous!

Glow Skincare Rose & Macadamia Face Cream - sample pot - another brand I've not heard of. This cream smells divine. Looking forward to trying it out! The product is fresh, organic and hand made to order.

Box Bonus - a mini Green & Black's Butterscotch Milk Chocolate.

The magazine also mentions that Souk Souk are now offering Limited Edition boxes, Bespoke boxes and an online shop - see here. You also get to see inside Editor Victoria's make up bag.

Did you get the box?  What are your thoughts?