I've been eyeing up a number of different beauty subscription boxes over the last few weeks, trying to decide which one I should sign up for. Two of the most popular are Glossybox and Birchbox, so I compared past boxes to see which I would have been happiest receiving.
Glossybox was the winner by a large margin so I decided to treat myself to it seeing as I can't get around much at the moment following my operation. The day I got the dispatch email was the day it arrived, so postage is incredibly quick.
I'm really happy with all of the products in this box so I think I made the right decision. Here's each of the products in June's box and what I think of them:
Glossybox was the winner by a large margin so I decided to treat myself to it seeing as I can't get around much at the moment following my operation. The day I got the dispatch email was the day it arrived, so postage is incredibly quick.
I'm really happy with all of the products in this box so I think I made the right decision. Here's each of the products in June's box and what I think of them:
RRP £19.99
Ladival Sun Protection Spray SPF 15
During the summer, I use sun cream every day. I'm very pale and burn easily so I will smother myself in cream and carry it around in my bag with me to reapply, even if I'm just walking around Leeds. I usually wear SPF50 though and don't even bother with anything lower than SPF30, so I wasn't convinced by the SPF on this one.
I gave it a go though when I left the house for the first time since having my operation. It wasn't the sunniest day so I figured I'd get away with a low SPF, especially as I wasn't going to be out for long.
This sun cream is a spray, so it's quick and easy to apply, especially as a little goes a really long way. It smells strongly of chemicals when you first spray it but this disappears once you rub it in and you aren't left with a strong perfume on your skin as with many sun creams.
The lotion sinks in quickly and doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky, but it also doesn't feel like it has mosturised your skin at all. Basically, there doesn't seem to be anything special about this cream at all so I'll be sticky with the ones I usually buy. However, I will pop this in my handbag to top up my protection throughout the day as the spray bottle is really handy.
I gave it a go though when I left the house for the first time since having my operation. It wasn't the sunniest day so I figured I'd get away with a low SPF, especially as I wasn't going to be out for long.
This sun cream is a spray, so it's quick and easy to apply, especially as a little goes a really long way. It smells strongly of chemicals when you first spray it but this disappears once you rub it in and you aren't left with a strong perfume on your skin as with many sun creams.
The lotion sinks in quickly and doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky, but it also doesn't feel like it has mosturised your skin at all. Basically, there doesn't seem to be anything special about this cream at all so I'll be sticky with the ones I usually buy. However, I will pop this in my handbag to top up my protection throughout the day as the spray bottle is really handy.
RRP £8.50
Starskin Eye Catcher Eye Masks
I am a big fan of eye masks and have recently bought some cheap gel ones that I've been really impressed with. They are the perfect thing when you've had a late night or your eyes are feeling a bit puffy, especially if you pop them in the fridge beforehand.
This meant I was really excited to find the Starskin ones in my Glossybox, especially as I'd read a lot about them recently. Each packet has two masks in - one for each eye - and a lot of serum. You're meant to smooth some of the serum over your eye area first and then put the masks on.
The masks themselves have three layers, two of which go straight in the bin. Because they are covered in so much serum, it is a bit difficult to separate all the layers and I ended up squishing part of the masks together when I tried. I can't help but feel that there is an easier way to package the masks that results in less waste and more ease.
Once on, the masks stay in place well but the cooling sensation quickly disappears even if you've put them in the fridge. When I took them off 15 minutes later, I noticed a slight smoothing result and the pores around my nose were smaller but there wasn't any huge difference - I don't have wrinkles anyway so there wasn't a lot to smooth.
My skin did feel cool and a bit tighter though but I had a similar effect with the pack of four eye masks I bought for £1 so I'd be unlikely to shell out eight times as much for a two pack.
This meant I was really excited to find the Starskin ones in my Glossybox, especially as I'd read a lot about them recently. Each packet has two masks in - one for each eye - and a lot of serum. You're meant to smooth some of the serum over your eye area first and then put the masks on.
The masks themselves have three layers, two of which go straight in the bin. Because they are covered in so much serum, it is a bit difficult to separate all the layers and I ended up squishing part of the masks together when I tried. I can't help but feel that there is an easier way to package the masks that results in less waste and more ease.
Once on, the masks stay in place well but the cooling sensation quickly disappears even if you've put them in the fridge. When I took them off 15 minutes later, I noticed a slight smoothing result and the pores around my nose were smaller but there wasn't any huge difference - I don't have wrinkles anyway so there wasn't a lot to smooth.
My skin did feel cool and a bit tighter though but I had a similar effect with the pack of four eye masks I bought for £1 so I'd be unlikely to shell out eight times as much for a two pack.
RRP £6.99
Spa To You Konjac Sponge
I don't usually use facial sponges, instead I use cotton flannels as they are softer than synthetic sponges on my skin. However, after trying the Konjac Sponge a few times, I may have been converted.
This sponge is made out of vegetable fibre and no synthetics, which means it is totally natural and biodegradable. It is really really soft so it didn't leave my skin looking red after I used it - which other sponges have in the past. I used it with my Heyland and Whittle soap, which foamed up really quickly in the sponge so I hardly needed to use any, suggesting that a bar will last me longer.
To use it, just run it under warm water or soak it for a couple of minutes and squeeze out the excess water. Add your foaming cleanser before using the sponge on your face and neck in tight circles. Rinse it out and use it again to take the rest of the soap off your skin before giving it a final rinse and hanging it up to dry.
It definitely took all my makeup off and my skin felt really soft after using it. I also found that pores didn't look as large as they can do after washing my face and the overall texture of my skin was smoother. The sponge only lasts 6 to 8 weeks, but I think the £6.99 is definitely worth re-buying it.
This sponge is made out of vegetable fibre and no synthetics, which means it is totally natural and biodegradable. It is really really soft so it didn't leave my skin looking red after I used it - which other sponges have in the past. I used it with my Heyland and Whittle soap, which foamed up really quickly in the sponge so I hardly needed to use any, suggesting that a bar will last me longer.
To use it, just run it under warm water or soak it for a couple of minutes and squeeze out the excess water. Add your foaming cleanser before using the sponge on your face and neck in tight circles. Rinse it out and use it again to take the rest of the soap off your skin before giving it a final rinse and hanging it up to dry.
It definitely took all my makeup off and my skin felt really soft after using it. I also found that pores didn't look as large as they can do after washing my face and the overall texture of my skin was smoother. The sponge only lasts 6 to 8 weeks, but I think the £6.99 is definitely worth re-buying it.
RRP £9.48
De Bruyere After Sun Lotion Monoi
I don't really stay out in the sun enough to warrant using an after-sun lotion, but I can see that this might come in handy when I go on holiday in September. However, I did give this a try as a body lotion and can see that it would be really lovely after a day of sun bathing.
The lotion is lovely and light so sinks in incredibly easily without leaving greasy residue on your skin. It also smells amazing! Like seriously amazing. It has a tropical, coconut, fruity scent that smells natural rather than synthetic like a lot of summer lotions. The fragrance lasts on your skin but is nice and light.
A little bit goes a really long way with this lotion and your skin will be left feeling soft and smooth after use. In fact, my skin still felt really moisturised the next day. It is definitely much nicer to use than the typical gel or lotion after-suns so if you want a more luxury product, I recommend this one.
The lotion is lovely and light so sinks in incredibly easily without leaving greasy residue on your skin. It also smells amazing! Like seriously amazing. It has a tropical, coconut, fruity scent that smells natural rather than synthetic like a lot of summer lotions. The fragrance lasts on your skin but is nice and light.
A little bit goes a really long way with this lotion and your skin will be left feeling soft and smooth after use. In fact, my skin still felt really moisturised the next day. It is definitely much nicer to use than the typical gel or lotion after-suns so if you want a more luxury product, I recommend this one.
RRP £12.50
Emite Make Up Lip & Cheek Tint
This is probably my favourite product in the box. I love a good lip and cheek tint but usually find that they are too runny and have rubbish brush applicators. They can also be too dark for my pale complexion, which isn't ideal if I want to use them as a blush as well as on my lips.
Emite's tint is a really refreshing change. For starters, it comes in a tube rather than a bottle and basically looks like a lip gloss, right down to the foam applicator. It is also thicker so you can control application much easier. Top this off with a nice fragrance and you have a winner.
I have tested it on my lips and cheeks now and have been suitably impressed both times. One coat leaves a nice flush that looks beautifully natural, but you can also build the colour if you want something more intense.
Quite often, I find tints drying on my lips but this wasn't the case with Emite's. It actually made my lips feel smooth and moisturised and didn't cause my foundation to go flaky throughout the day. Once I finish this tube, there is a very good chance I'll be buying this bad boy.
Emite's tint is a really refreshing change. For starters, it comes in a tube rather than a bottle and basically looks like a lip gloss, right down to the foam applicator. It is also thicker so you can control application much easier. Top this off with a nice fragrance and you have a winner.
I have tested it on my lips and cheeks now and have been suitably impressed both times. One coat leaves a nice flush that looks beautifully natural, but you can also build the colour if you want something more intense.
Quite often, I find tints drying on my lips but this wasn't the case with Emite's. It actually made my lips feel smooth and moisturised and didn't cause my foundation to go flaky throughout the day. Once I finish this tube, there is a very good chance I'll be buying this bad boy.
RRP: £1.09
Bonus product: Aussie Hair Care 3 Minute Miracle
A sample of Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Deep Conditioner was also included in the box, which I'll be giving away to someone else. This isn't because I don't like the product - I used to love all the Aussie hair care products years ago - but because the brand is owned by P&G. I don't use any products produced by P&G so won't be breaking that to test this one. On the plus side, someone I know gets a freebie!
Next month I have two beauty subscription boxes arriving, Glossybox and LoveLula, so keep an eye out to see what great products they contain.
Next month I have two beauty subscription boxes arriving, Glossybox and LoveLula, so keep an eye out to see what great products they contain.
