This is just a fairly quick one to tell you how much I love this product:
I'm a bath bomb lover, but I'm certainly not an addict: I love LUSH for their goodies but it would be quite a pricey habit to keep that up every week. I see these fizzy lovelies as more of an occasional treat, but it's still not cheap to buy individual bath melts or bath bombs every other week. I was browsing Amazon (surprise surprise) when I came across Bomb Cosmetics. I saw some fair reviews for this packet of Bath Rocks and placed my order.
I was not disappointed - you get a fair amount of bath bomb chunks. Imagine boxes of broken biscuits or misshapen chocolate bars: they might not be perfect but they're still just as good. I wouldn't recommend eating these, however. I love the concept for several reasons - not only do you get to throw in a lump or two of desired sizes, but it's a cost effective way of getting your bath bomb fix, and they're pretty impressive. They might look a bit samey, but they're a total rainbow of colourful awesomeness, and they smell absolutely amazeballs. When you plop them in the water it's almost like a magical fizzy firework display, which, if you are simple like me, is very pleasing.
I don't think you can really see it in this picture, but the pale yellow one on the left was glittery. The one on the right was a broken lump of a bomb that was pink on the outside and yellow in the middle... fab. It might be a bit sad to get this excited over what is essentially a packet of broken bath bombs, but I've really enjoyed experimenting with the different sizes and colours. I've used one or two a fortnight for the last couple of months and still have around half a bag left. The picture below shows how pink the water went with just a tiny rock!
If you fancy getting your own box of Bath Rocks, try them from Amazon here like I did (currently £4.82), or check the Bomb Cosmetics Website where they are £5.99, or to find a stockist (you might find this option a touch more costly, however!)
I'm aware that my blog is drowning somewhat in a sea of beauty boxes, but I just don't want to give any of them up :(
I mentioned this before in my last Latest in Beauty flash box post - these Editor's Picks boxes always sell out super quickly because they are so cheap and awesome. This one was gone in less than 48 hours, so sign up for emails if you want to be first to know about the next one.
Please excuse my obscenely girly Hello Kitty bedding
So, lets have a nosey at the contents, oui? I'd actually popped a couple of these bits on my shopping basket on the LiB website before I got the email. Thank goodness I didn't check out before then!
Mirenesse Secret Weapon 24hr Mascara
I already received this in my last LiB box, which you can see here. I love a mini mascara, and this is ok, but not really worth the hype or the money in my .
Balmi Lip Balm in Blackcurrant
I have a confession to make: I positively despise anything blackcurrant flavoured. I was all set to give this away, but, when I opened it, the scent surprised me - my first reaction was closer to 'it's actually sort of pleasant' than my usual gagging reflex. It's almost like an artificially sweet/muted flavour, which hints at summer fruits as opposed to pure blackcurrant which is nasty. Another £4.99 value lip balm to add to my collection! Blackcurrant seems to be the only one of the five main flavours that Boots doesn't stock. I'd quite like to try the raspberry one too.
Ancienne Ambiance Goddess Body Bath Salts in Rosa
I've already used some of this in a bath and I really liked it. The rose petals added a touch of luxurious glamour and I only needed a small sprinkle to create a beautifully fragranced soak in the tub. I love a bath with bubbles so I don't know if I'd purchase the full size at £20 for 300ml, but if I could find out where to get the small bottles pictured, I'd be tempted to try all of the other fragrances.
Promotional Code Alert: 10% off with the code LIB10
Chia Bia Omega 3 Seeds
I've not tried these yet, but I like the idea that you can sprinkle them in your salads, smoothies or yoghurts. It's quite a hefty sample as well and I could see this lasting for a few different servings.
Japonesque Beauty Fixation boxes
These exact three babies were in my basket at £1.00 each, so when I saw the email detailing the contents of the box I thought to myself: WIN! They seem like such handy little saviours - Nail Polish Touch-up, Make-up Remover Touch-up and Tinted Lip Conditioner. Each box contains 24 pre-filled cotton swabs, you simply snap one end which fills the other end with the liquid inside, ready to use. Genius! You can actually pick the lip conditioner and make-up touch up swabs to go in your Latest in Beauty Little Beauty Box - for £1.50, where you get three samples sent to you. If you're keen to try these then I'd recommend doing this as you get more for your money this way, and the usual choices are often just sachets so this is is a pretty beefy sample in comparison. All you have to do is text them for a code - simples! Do it now though, they sell out quick...
Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser
I wore this today as the only base under my make-up. I could tell it was mattifying, but by lunchtime, there was still the usual tell-tale sheen present on my forehead. I have combination skin, so, bizarrely, I still have dry patches peeking through (I don't understand how this is even possible, it looks ridiculous). Sometimes products like these just highlight and exacerbate the dry areas - I feel like I can't win. This product has been on my wishlist for a while, so I was pleased to receive this sample before diving into the full size and possibly not liking it. I'm umming and ahhing after a day's use, but I'll see how I feel when I've finished this trial size. You can get this alone for £1.50 from the luxury samples section of Latest in Beauty, if you've fancied trying it too.
Nelson Pure & Clear Purifying Daily Facial Wash
I'd been trying to think of where I know the 'nelsons' brand/logo from, when I eventually realised that I see it every day in my cupboard, on my bottle of homeopathic medicine that I keep for my migraines! I've used this wash a few times since receiving this box, but I don't feel ready to pass judgement on it yet. It doesn't really lather up, which is a good thing, but is also a little bit 'medicated' for my liking. I thought I'd put those days behind me, but I'll give it a shot.
And finally, here's some extras that I added at the same time:
Weleda Pomegranate Firming Samples, and Richard Ward Couture Hair Tri-active Serum With Argan Oil. Stocked up on another bottle as I seriously love it and it works out cheaper this way. I'm assuming it will disappear from the site someday :( you can no longer get the Weleda trio for an amazing £3 either.
I also received an additional sample of the Weleda Firming Serum - this was not advertised in the email. You can see that it is missing from the first, promotional photo at the top of the post, but is present in my box. I can only assume this was a freebie because I am extra special and show Latest in Beauty lots of love with my money... so thanks for returning the favour guys ;)
(If I am mistaken and it was included in anybody else's, then we are all special.)
Heed my instructions and you will save some money... I did my research and figured it out for you! So take advantage, beauty bargainista friends.
It's time again for the end of the month round ups - part one being faves from the last month. There are considerably less for September, as I went a tad overboard last time - there's nothing in the bath and body category either.
I simply cannot accept nor fathom that it's already October. I'm back in opaque tights, boots, and I even wore a scarf at work today, such was my feelings of chilliness. Not that I mind, because I prefer to dress for chilly weather, and the wasps go away. There are even Christmas bits popping up in shops already. I don't even want to do Christmas - can we just cancel it and have a takeaway curry instead? I feel physically sick at the thought of having to spend obscene amounts of time and money for unnecessary gifts (uh-oh, in full Scrooge mode now). Right now I'd rather go on holiday.
Hair
Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor
Now, I don't want to say too much about this as I'm planning a lone review, but I'm really pleased I bit the bullet with this one!
Richard Ward Couture Hair Tri-Active Serum with Argan Oil
This stuff is amazing. Every time I've used it (on wet hair), my horrible, scruffy ends have become soft, light, and touchable. Works seriously well with the Joico Reconstructor. If you saw my last post, I mentioned the cost and the possibility of a fairly cheap sample from the Latest in Beauty website. As the full size is £27, and this bottle is half that amount for £8, I went ahead and bought another bottle of the little fudger already.
Dove Hair Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo
I picked this 250ml bottle up from the 99p store, as well as the Intensive Repair Shampoo. I've had samples for both the conditioners and was fairly impressed so for 99p each I decided to grab these. I wasn't expecting to like a 99p shampoo so much but this one felt lovely to use. I once went to an awful hairdresser whose only decent piece of advice was this: "a good shampoo will make your hair feel as though it's already been conditioned when you wash it out" and for me, this one delivered. I don't know if it might create build-up over time, but it's a great starter for a real pampering wash, like this trio here.
Skincare
Origins Super Spot Remover
I have a few bits from an Origins order that I'll probably feature soon, but this was one of the items I was desperate to use. I've heard good things and this has made a visible difference to various skin nasties after just a couple of uses. It's definitely a treatment rather than prevention, but it wasted no time in calming down a few nasties. The bottle is tiny but I'm hoping it will be a case of 'a little goes a long way' with this - I'm pretty clumsy so I will have to be extra careful not to squeeze too much out.
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream
Received in my GlossyBox, I can feel this really firming my under eyes when I use it. I have had constant hereditary dark circles since I was a child, so I don't expect miracles for the 'just had my nose broken in a fight' look, but it certainly perks them up a bit.
Make-Up
Rimmel Volume Flash Scandaleyes Mascara in Extreme Black
I was considering giving this it's own post but thought I may as well tuck my thoughts in here. I love mascaras with big fat brushes. A lot of people would disagree with me over the fact they can be quite tricky to get into those tiny/inner lashes. I'm quite lucky in that my natural eyelashes are quite long to begin with, so I love a bit of volume to beef them up. To me, most mascaras have the same effect on my lashes, hence why I like a big beefy brush to thicken them up a bit. Scandaleyes isn't too dissimilar from Maybelline's False Lash Effect, or at least the one's I've tried anyway. Maybelline seem to produce a new one with ever more ridiculous claims every week - Cat Eyes! Smoky Eyes! Winged Eyes! Squid Eyes!* Here's a pic of my startled looking eye after an every day application:
*note: one of these Mascara names has been fabricated for my own cynical amusement.
I wouldn't necessarily repurchase right now as there are just thousand of mascaras out there, waiting to be tried. I have a favourite for everyday, but that's another story for another time kids.
Real Techniques Brushes, Assorted
I love the word assorted, it makes me think of biscuits, which isn't really difficult to be honest, as I am almost always thinking about biscuits. ANYWAY these brushes have been elevated to Holy Grail status, I treat them as if they were my own children (they're just getting ready for bathtime in the above pics) and love them more than I could ever have possibly envisaged loving a make up brush collection. They bring me pure joy every time I use them. It's true love peeps! You can't ever come between us!
e.l.f. Professional Shine Eraser Oil Absorbing Aheets
It is a sad fact my dears, that I am afflicted by the old oiliness. By lunchtime I'm looking to mop up some of that excess shine, and these do the trick rather nicely. I got two packs when e.l.f. held a 50% off sale, which meant they were ridiculously cheap, even more so than their original price of £1.50. They're cheap, they do what they're supposed to do - what' not to like? Will definitely be repurchasing.
L: Willow, R: Platinum Tiara
L: Platinum Tiara, R: Willow
Love & Beauty by Forever 21 Lip Gloss in Pink/Coral
This caught my eye (as so many pretty things do) whilst queuing for the tills at Forever 21, I was drawn to the lovely pop of pink and when I saw it was only £2.40, I was sold. It reminds me a little of a M.A.C lip glass or dazzle glass, because it smells fab, and the formula feels nice to wear, as well as not having too wishy-washy a colour. It can be built up, and has the perfect amount of shimmer.
Natural Collection Eyeshadow in Willow
I thought I liked last month's shade, but I love this one. It's a gorgeous cool-toned neutral, and reminds me a bit of M.A.C's Naked Lunch. It's buildable and smooth and works really well all over the lid.
Bare Minerals Eye Shadow in Platinum Tiara
I got this in a GlossyBox, and hadn't tried it until recently. I get a little bit precious with fancier products, I hate having to take the packaging off, or spoil the pristine pan of product, as if it's spoiling it somehow. I'm glad I bucked the trend and used this, as it's a perfect accompaniment to Willow. I used my beloved RT brushes to create a smokey eye for a couple of nights out in September. Platinum Tiara looked great in the crease, and I brought it down under the outer third of my lower lashline with my detailer brush - the colours really made my Hazel/Green eyes pop!
Well, I think that's everything. I feel I should have popped my new Balmi in there as well as I'm somewhat besotted with the charming little blob, so you can just pretend.
Have you tried/do you want to try any of my September favourites? What have you been loving lately?
P.S. One last thing... this is really random, even for me, but it just came up on my iPod's shuffle playlist, and I wanted to share my nostalgic singalong with you. I've got a bit of a soft spot for these guys' back catalogue, and I feel this one often gets overlooked amongst all the old corkers, so... enjoy the cheese, and tell me if you remember this!
(Sorry, it's the only version of the original video and track I could find)
Hello Chaps! I know what you're thinking; 'yaaaawn, another beauty box!' but trust me, you're going to love this one. It's from Latest in Beauty and it's a flash box. Now, this one is a tad expensive - a one off of £30 - but it includes mostly full sizes of some really fab bits worth £105, so you really do get your money's worth. If all my beauty box subscriptions combined to be this good every month, it would cost me the same.
I should point out, that you don't need to be a bride to buy this box, yes that's the premise of it, but it's so chock full of lovelies who cares? It's geared towards getting you beautifully prepped for your big day, but it could be easily as useful if you have an event coming up, or even just for some pamper time. I've actually been engaged to Mr BNH for nearly 3 years, and our wedding day is still a long way off, but I can still daydream hey?
Holy Moly look at that! Phwoar. Most items in the box are full sized, but they're all pretty hefty samples. It's all so gorgeous I don't know where to start!
Dr Bragi Intensive Treatment Mask
Another Dr Bragi item - this usually retails for £10! It's a cloth mask which you are meant to apply for 15 minutes. It uses bio marine enzymes to moisturise, firm and plump up your skin. You can get it for £4 from Latest in Beauty's website. I'd like to save this for when I feel I really need it!
Etat Pur Radiant Complexion Care
This item confused me a little at first - I thought it was just a moisturising day treatment but it's actually tinted. It's meant to even your skintone out, make you look brighter and more radiant, moisturise, and give a 'no foundation' effect. I'd say it's about right for my summer colour, but it really doesn't offer any kind of coverage. Unless my skin really clears up, it's of no use to me alone - perhaps over some decent concealer on a good skin day it could work for me. It took a while to sink in when I did try it, but it did leave my skin feeling soft and smooth. I'll definitely give this a chance, as it sounds so promising. I'd like to try more from the Etat Pur range, particularly their Pure Actives. I received their Express Purifying Mask in a past JolieBox, which is a dream to apply and wash off! This is another full size item, worth £12.60 from their website.
Weleda Pomegranate Firming Serum
I've got a few samples from this range but still haven't tried them yet! This range is actually aimed at more mature, 40+ skin, but I always say it's never too early to look after your skin! It claims to re-hydrate and firm, so I will try and get around to using these up to see if I notice any improvement. I've got 2 7ml tubes and a 1ml sachet in my sample stash, which works out at half a full size! A 30ml bottle costs £34.95 from the Weleda website, but you can also try out some minis for just £12.95, or even better, just £3 from Latest in Beauty!
Melvita Fresh Micellar Water
Something else that I've previously received from a Latest in Beauty Box, but I don't mind, because it smells lush, like roses. I have loads of Bioderma to use up but this is perfect for travelling. If it proves it can do a capable job of removing the last scraps of make-up from my face, I might be tempted to repurchase over the Bioderma, purely for the fragrance. It's £15 for 200ml, which isn't really much cheaper if like me, you order your Bioderma online. I could be tempted to try some of their other products from the Rose Nectar range. I just want it all, don't I?! Try a 35ml sample from Latest in Beauty for £3 here.
Richard Ward Couture Hair Tri-Active Serum with Argan Oil
I've used this a couple of times already, and can I just say, wow. This stuff made my hair feel so so soft! It felt like it was part serum, part hair oil, which I'm assuming is because of the Argan oil, but I applied to my damp ends and let my hair dry naturally, and used in conjunction with my super-duper Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Re-constructor (review coming!), my over-processed ends have been rescued from a terrible fate (having to be cut into a short bob again!). The only thing that puts me off about buying the full size is the price - it's £27 for 100ml. I'll finish my 50ml bottle and see how I feel about spending that amount of money, but I will certainly remember this if nothing else makes my hair feel as nourished. You can buy the 50ml size from Latest in Beauty for just £8 however - I'd recommend giving it a go!
Mirenesse Secret Weapon 24hr Mascara
This is a sample size, but it's what is referred to as a luxury sample size, meaning it'll keep you going for a good while. This mascara really intrigued me at first - it allegedly uses a 'micro wrap' formula that creates a tube around the lash, which lengthens it. I was actually a little bit perturbed by the thought of that - you're meant to gently pull them off at the end of the day, but when I tried it, both application and removal felt no different to a standard mascara. I can't see myself ever buying the full size - it's $39.99 AUD (at the time of writing, this means £25.70 GBP), but if you spend £65 ($101 AUD), you get £25 off with the code LONDON. I get better results with drugstore stuff, so I'm sorry Mirenesse, but it's not for me. The Vintage Cosmetics Company Lashes in Betty and Gracie
Wow! As if there wasn't enough loveliness in this box already, these are totally gorgeous and very exciting - not one, but two pair of lovely luscious lashes. There are five styles of lashes available from the range made by The Vintage Cosmetics Company: Connie, Kitty, Nancy, and the two I received, Betty and Gracie. Judging from Latest in Beauty's promotional picture, you will receive any two pairs. I feel really lucky as I'd looked at these lashes before, and Betty and Gracie are the two styles I'd gravitated towards previously. They cost £6 each from the website, which is well worth a look if like me, you love a bit of vintage style.
bellapierre Cosmetics - Mineral Blush in Desert Rose and Shimmer Powder in Wow!
Phew! Don't fret chaps, we're nearly finished now. I've heard of bellapierre but never really did any research. Both these samples are full size. When I first swatched the blusher I was a bit put off by how dark it was - I thought it might be a bit peachier, but it's quite a deep, dusky colour. It manages to look matte with the odd glitter particle at the same time. I'll try it out with a light hand, and if that doesn't work as a blush or even a contour shade, I'll pass it on to a friend or try it with more of a tan. Both powders apply smoothly and feel soft, as I would expect with mineral products.
I think that the shimmer powder was included with the intention of being a multi-use highlighter, but oh boy does it pack a punch in the sparkle stakes. It is shimmery and glittery at the same time! I love the pale rosy pink colour, if the blush had been a similar colour then it would have made me very happy indeed. Wow! is as outrageous as a Barry M dazzle dust - wearing this on my cheekbones would transport me to the age of spice girls and glitter gels in the mid-late 90's! Judging from the other shades of shimmer powders on the website, I'd assume this was meant for eye wear. With careful application it would make a lovely eyeshadow for nights out - perhaps it would work better blended with something else, but all I know is I don't want to be walking down the aisle on my big day with a disco ball for a face.
If you'd like to purchase your own Wedding Prep Box, you can do so for £30 from the Latest in Beauty website here, including delivery. Personally I think this is a fantastic box, I know I've mentioned this before but I love Latest in Beauty, as you know what you're getting, and nothing is ever disappointing. Snap it up now while you still can and sign up so you get a head's up on their other flash boxes - they sell out so quickly! I managed to order the most recent Editor's Picks Box, which has already sold out after less than 2 days - I was about to link it for you but I was too late - sorry guys :( I'd better go to bed, I've had one of my 'can't sleep brain too awake!' moments, so I've been working on finishing this overdue post (damn internet connection) and it's now quarter to 2 in the morning, and I'm still not tired. I've had 5 days off of work with a weekend in the middle and now I'm dreading going back, I know how busy I'm going to be... boo! At least my new box of tricks will help me look a bit more refreshed and awake!
These are some curious little sachets - I like that you can see the product inside. Dr Bragi is a skincare brand known for using 'marine enzyme technology'. A little research revealed that they also leave out nasty or unnecessary ingredients too. This 98% natural exfoliant contains fossilised diatom algae (ooh, fancy) and is meant to provide a similar effect to a microdermabrasion treatment, allowing the rest of your skincare to penetrate the skin properly and work more effectively. Jolie Box have provided a 20% discount code with free P&P - Jolie20 - there are only a few products to choose from and they're pretty pricey, but the £120.00 Age Management Moisturiser is PixiWoo approved. I actually received the £10.00 Intensive Treatment Mask in another box which I will be featuring soon.
I love... Strawberry Face Mask
I had absolutely no idea that I love... did products other than bath bits I'd seen in Superdrug. My mouth is watering looking at their website! I literally want to try everything. Their bubble bath and shower creme are a fave of mine; the Coconut & Cream scent is my absolute HG bubble bath, and it's so inexpensive too! They also do candles and lip shimmers. You can get them from Superdrug or The Bath and Body Shop. However, I'm still not sure where I'd find their face masks, fancier flavours, gift sets etc from.
Twistband
Yawn! Yet another hair tie! At least my hair is just about long enough for these. They claim to not leave kinks like standard hair elastics but, on my 'do at least, they still do. Also, the colours don't suit me at all, plus I think the knot in the end looks a bit too scruffy and ugly, I'd be more inclined to use them if they were one continuous band. I ended up stretching my knot down a bit to make the loop wider as it was too small for my thick mane. They are quite soft and I imagine they wouldn't snag my hair, but they just seem a bit too try-hard-fashionista to me! Their website is worth a browse though - I like the look of their tie-dye or lace printed headbands, but I just don't think I'd wear them. Please JolieBox, stop sending me gimmicky hair ties.
I was pretty chuffed to see this in my box, it's a fab 30ml size too. I love Redken hair products - especially their All Soft range. The Velvet Whip was a continuous re-buy for me, if I'd have known it was being discontinued I would've stocked up - sniff sniff! I have half a bottle left that I've put back in my cupboard as I can't bear to finish it.
REDKEN, Y U NO MAKE VELVET WHIP NO MORE?!? :'(
I was going to try and hunt down a good alternative but I will give this a go as it might replace the gap in my routine - apply to damp hair and blow-dry for sleek, natural looking straight results. It's meant to act as a heat-protector for straightening too. I look forward to trying it out! If I like it, I'll get it from feelunique.com - £12.90 for 150ml.
Balmi Coconut Flavour Lip Balm
Be still my beating heart! I saw that this was on the product card before I saw it in the box (accidentally, I don't like to peek) and when I realised it was the Coconut Flavour I punched the air in triumph. I picked this exact flavour upso many times from the lip balm aisle in Boots, before putting it back down. I'm a lip balm addict and I couldn't justify £4.99 for yet another one. I'd not been fazed by the hype over the eos balms, but I blooming love coconut and this smells deeeeelish! It's a nice full-sized balm with SPF15, not life-changingly-amazing, but it's a pleasure to use. What I initially thought was just a packaging novelty is actually quite practical - no sticky fingers or twisting up sticks, just an easy swipe.
It's got a funny little phone charm-esque strap attached to it, but strangely, you can access the balm from a secret... hatch thingy underneath. This is truly bizarre. I can see myself losing this if I attach it to anything, and I shudder to think of the crap and dirt that would accumulate in that little hole. This will be staying on my bedside table. Speaking of which, Mr BNH looked up at this from bed this morning, causing him to stop mid sentence and exclaim "What the crap is that?!". When I demonstrated the product he looked confused and afraid before revealing that he thought that I'd taken up ping-pong.
I'm pretty pleased with this month's JolieBox, much better than last month. For me the winners were the Balmi and Redken goodies. More like this please! Only without the hair ties, of course.
Are you subscribed to JolieBox? What did you think of what you received?
