April Glossybox 2023

Spring is finally here! Although as usual, the Scottish weather has been keeping us on our toes…there have been a few glorious days though and I am loving the lighter nights! Glossybox’s theme this month is ‘Bloom & Grow’, inspired by nature and allowing ourselves to grow and flourish…okay, a bit airy fairy for me but I can see what they are trying to do. Glossybox have provided us with a brown box with a pretty plant design rather than the usual trademark pink and as usual there is a variety of products inside.

I’ll start with what I originally thought was a skincare product but actually turned out to be a hair product (thankfully I discovered this before I used it). The Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub (see, sounds facially) (Deluxe Size RRP £9). This scalp scrub contains sea salt, which is described as a natural exfoliator that cleanses, removes impurities and restores balance. I followed the instructions and applied this as a shampoo and then followed with my usual conditioner. I did find it left my hair feeling squeaky clean and not necessarily in a good way but after applying conditioner or a hair mask, my hair did feel pretty amazing…very soft and clean. I don’t have dandruff or issues with my scalp but I still felt this was a very good product and I think it would be great if you use a lot of product in your hair.

Sticking with the hair theme, we have the Brushworks Scalp Massager (RRP £7.95). This isn’t a product I would usually use…in fact, it would just clutter up the bathroom (much like some of the other accessories that are living in there rent free and unused). Anyway, I gave this a go for research purposes…apparently this massager can remove product build up and stimulate blood flow to encourage hair growth. I initially wasn’t sure if this was to be used on wet or dry hair and after reading up on it, I’m still no further forward…so I tried both. For wet hair, I applied shampoo and then used this to massage it in…which felt nice but also quite unnecessary. For dry hair, I basically just massaged my head which actually did feel very nice, particularly if my hair had been tied up all day, much better than the usual flimsy head massagers! No idea if it helps with hair growth and I feel it is a bit of a gimmick but I will probably use this for a little head massage from time to time.

Next up is another tool, though this time for the face, the Magnitone Wipeout Swipes (RRP £8 for 2 pack). Now this must be around the third time I have received these along with a number of other brands, so I now have reusable pads coming out of my ears…needless to say I was disappointed to see these in yet another box. However, I can’t deny it, these are actually brilliant…these microfibre cloths can remove a full face of make-up with just warm water and then just be chucked in the wash, ready to use again. If you haven’t tried these yet, you definitely should, heck, I have so many now I could send you a pack!

Moving on to make-up, we have the Beautaniq Beauty Great Lengths Mascara (RRP £18). This claims to thicken, lengthen and curl lashes for a voluptuous look. I have previously tried the Nourishing Mascara from this brand and found it didn’t give my lashes enough oomph, so I wasn’t holding out much hope for this…however, I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, I liked the large brush which coated my lashes well and didn’t feel too thin and flimsy. I will say that one coat didn’t give much of an impact but after the recommended three coats, my lashes did look longer and fuller. Not my favourite mascara but I’ll use it for more natural make-up days.

Last but certainly not least, my favourite product from this month’s box…the Nails Inc Nail Polish in shade Mayfair Lane (Deluxe Size RRP £11). This is a pretty pale shade of pink, perfect for Spring. The colour glides on and one coat could be enough (but two just makes it perfect), I love it, I love it, I love it and will definitely be using this for the Spring/ Summer months…who am I kidding, I’ll use this shade all year round.

And there we have March’s offering. I wasn’t overly excited with this month’s box as I don’t know how much use I will get from the hair tool and I already have a million reusable pads…however, I loved the nail varnish and was pleasantly surprised by the mascara so I will definitely be using them again.

If you would like to join Glossybox, you can get £5 off your first box with the code KIRSTY-R25

Until next time,

K x

March Glossybox 2023

Oops, without even noticing I seem to have missed another month…but as they say, better late than never right? The March Glossybox theme was ‘Dreamy Days’, to mark the beginning of Spring…and there was a special surprise ticket in 25 boxes offering the chance to see Frozen the Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (Sadly I did not receive one of these). There’s a good mix of products in the March box and without further ado, let’s see what I received.

I’ll start with make-up as that’s always my favourite, and the first product out the box is the TYNT Phantom Liner in Espresso (Full size RRP 14.48). I have so many black liners but have been meaning to find a brown one for ages (and constantly forgetting) so this was a perfect addition for me and I loved the fact it was a liquid liner rather than a pencil. This has a fine nib and was easy to apply, it glides along the last line with ease. I LOVE the deep brown shade, it has a great colour payoff but isn’t quite as severe as my usual black (no hate, still love a black wing). I have been super happy with this and will be sad when it runs out…which I’m hoping won’t be for a while yet!

Moving on to skincare we have the Jorgobe Niacinamide Serum (Full size RRP £22). This serum contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and claims to reduce impurities, reduce pore size smooth and tighten skin. I liked the consistency of the serum, not too runny, not too thick. It applied really smoothly and left my skin feeling super soft and moisturised. Did it reduce the size of my pores? I can’t say that I’ve noticed any difference so far but my skin looks and feels great so I’d still recommend this and I’ll continue to use it.

Next up is a hair product in the form of the Color Wow One-Minute Transformation Styling Cream (30ml RRP £10, Full size RRP £21.50). I have been interested in this brand for a while but haven’t really tried many of their products and this was a new one to me. It claims to defrizz, hydrate, nourish and smooth hair (my hair is as far from frizzy as you can get but the rest sounds great) and contains ingredients such as avocado and Omega 3’s as well as being vegan, sulphate free and alcohol free. I applied this to my hair after having it tied up all day so it wasn’t looking it’s best, and then blow dried for the recommended 15 seconds. I have to say, I was pretty astonished…my hair looked brand new! No kinks, smooth and shiny…what is this sorcery?! I now definitely need to try some more products from this brand!

I seem to receive a lot of hand cream in my beauty boxes but I never tire of them and I was very happy to see a L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (Travel size RRP £9). I love these so much as a little goes a long way and they are so, so moisturising. This cream contains 95% natural ingredients including 20% organic shea butter and argan and coconut oils to keep hands soft and moisturised. The tube is just the right size to pop in a handbag, so perfect for on the go and it smells divine. There is nothing bad I can say about this product and I don’t think you can ever have enough of them!

Last but certainly not least, and I wasn’t sure what this was at first, but we have the full sized Aurikah Aurasmic Parfum Stick (RRP £19.29). This contains hints of cardamom, rose and woods, it’s quite unusual but I like the scent. It applies to skin like a lip balm and leaves a soft scent behind without any colour or residue…plus you don’t have to worry about it leaking in your handbag. It’s a product I have never used before but I actually really like it and I’ve been carrying it around ever since.

So there we have it, March’s Glossybox in a nutshell. Overall I was quite impressed with this box, I loved the liner, hand cream and the hair styler, plus I discovered a new brand/ product in the solid perfume which I loved. In fact, there wasn’t anything in this box that I disliked which was fantastic. If you fancy joining Glossybox, you can get £5 off your first box with the code KIRSTY-R25.

Until next time,

K x

February Glossybox 2023

And just like that, two Glossybox posts at once! February has already come and gone but at least I have had plenty of time to test the products from the box…and let me tell you, it was another good one! February’s theme was ‘Apres-Chic’ and filled with goodies which are perfect for both ‘cold days out and and cosy evenings inside’.

Seeing as we missed out on make-up last month, I’ll start this month’s unboxing with the full sized Sophia & Mabel Apres-Chic Eyeshadow Palette (RRP £15). This palette is full of deep, rich tones which will be perfect for all year round, though I’d say particularly the Autumn/ Winter months. The shadows themselves are very pigmented but also blend really well and you can create a super natural or a bolder look with ease. The packaging feels a little cheap but it’s pretty and the perfect size for travelling.

Next up is the deluxe sized Glow On 5th Lip Dew Tinted Lip Balm (RRP £12.49). I don’t think you can ever have enough lip balms so I was pleased to see this in my box. This feels nice and light on my lips , almost like a gloss/ balm hybrid and the colour isn’t as bright as it looks in the tube which I’m glad about… just enough to give a hint of colour and shine. I’ll definitely be keeping this in my handbag to use throughout the day.

Moving on to skincare, we have the deluxe sized Gatineau Water Cream (RRP £19.99). This moisturiser contains Barbary fig flow extract, shea butter, vitamin E and seaweed actives and claims to hydrate skin, leaving it soft and smooth. I found this to be incredibly light while still delivering a good punch of moisture to my skin. It also smells divine and my skin felt like it had a bit of a glow. It is quite pricy at £49 for a full sized tube but I would definitely consider this as a treat.

Next up is a deluxe sized This Works Deep Sleep Cocoon Body Lotion (RRP £12.50). I had literally just finished a bottle of this and had loved it so wasn’t disappointed to find another bottle in my box. This body cream is full of natural ingredients such as shea butter, camelia and sativa oils to nourish the skin and contains notes of lavender and camomile which make it perfect to use before bed. I love the consistency of this, not so thick that it takes ages to sink in but still enough to feel luxurious and moisturising. The scent is also very relaxing and I felt that it helped me drift off at night.

Last but not least is another product I was excited to receive and that is the Prowhite Teeth Whitening Pen (RRP £15). I had been looking at different teeth whitening products for ages but couldn’t seem to find one that I wanted to commit to, so this made the decision for me. This seems easy enough, dry your teeth, apply with the brush, smile for 60 seconds to allow to dry…and here’s where I made my mistake. I read the instructions wrong and brushed my teeth straight away…needless to say I saw no difference whatsoever. I then re-read said instructions which actually say to rinse or brush your teeth several hours later…oops. Anyway, I have used it since (not too often as I do get sensitive teeth). I will say it isn’t as good as the professional kit I received after my Invisalign, but for £15 I certainly wouldn’t expect it to be. I would say it took a couple of applications to notice a difference, but I did notice that my teeth started to look whiter – not gleaming, but certainly whiter. Would I buy this again? Probably, but more to tide me over until I can afford a proper treatment.

And there’s February’s box done and dusted…I really liked this box, the lip dew and teeth whitening pen in particular but I will get use out of everything which is a big plus. I have already received my March edition so am currently testing those products which means, if I can get myself in gear, another review post will be coming soon!

If you would like to join Glossybox, you can get £5 off your first subscription with the code KIRSTY-R25

Until next time,

K x

January Glossybox 2023

Whoops, I’ve been a bit MIA over the past few months, but here we are, well into 2023 and I’m back. Although it’s now March, I’m going to start with the first box I received this year because, well, why not? January’s box was aptly named ‘New Horizons’ and featured a very pretty purple and blue coloured box (or at least mine was anyway).

I will start by saying I was disappointed that there were no make-up products in this box but I’ll begin with the Wunder2 Wunderkiss Essential Lip Scrub (RRP £14.99). I must admit, I don’t really use lip scrubs all that often, though I know I would probably benefit from them, so this was a good product to receive. I applied this straight from the bullet and then rubbed in with my finger…it’s not overly scrubby but enough that when removed, it left my lips feeling soft and smooth. I like that it’s a stick rather than a pot too. Overall, I don’t think I would pay nearly £15 for this, but I do like it and will keep using.

Next up and something I was very happy to see, is the 111Skin Cryo De-Puffing Eye Mask (Individual Mask £12, 8 Masks £65). These masks targets dark circles and puffiness and contains ingredients such as seaweed extract and Vitamin E. I applied these before a night out and left on for the required 20 minutes. They stayed in place well and after removing I felt like my eye area was noticeably brighter and fresher looking. I wouldn’t say the results are long lasting but do we really expect them to be? These are prefect for a little pick me up…love them!

Next out the box is a little tube of Cetaphil Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF 50+ (50ml RRP £12.99). I know everyone raves about this brand but I am just not a fan. If I have a reaction to something then this is something I would reach for but otherwise I just find it boring. However, I will say that this moisturiser is one that I haven’t used before and it did feel nice on my skin (not luxurious but nice) and I like that it has added SPF.

As an extra skincare treat this month, we were treated to a little trial sachet of the Loreal 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This was literally a sachet so lasted me one or two applications but it applied really smoothly and left my skin feeling super hydrated. I can’t say whether tackles wrinkles seeing as it was just a tester but I would be tempted to try out the full size (although I haven’t as yet.)

Moving onto haircare, we have the We Are Paradoxx Detox Restorative Hair Mask (RRP £25). This mask is made with 99% natural ingredients including provitamin B-5, vegan keratin, coconut and peppermint and claims to replenish, restore and strengthen hair as well as add shine and reduce brittleness…all sounds good so far. I applied this and left on for the advised minimum time of 30 mins and after washing, my hair definitely felt softer and less tangled. I wouldn’t say there was a noticeable boost in shine but certainly after every use so far, I’ve liked (but not loved) the results.

Last but not least we have the Grace & Stella Exfoliating Dermaplaning Tool (RRP £21.73). I’ve used a couple of products from this brand and have really liked them, however, I will admit that I haven’t tried this and gave it away. I haven’t had dermaplaning done before and I just wasn’t willing to try a DIY version of basically shaving my face. This tool ‘gently shed unneeded dead skin cells and peach fuzz’, and it’s been around long enough that we know some people live by this treatment…but I’m still not convinced enough that I was willing to try…soz guys. However, I have looked online and it does have good reviews so if you’re interested, I suggest checking it out for yourselves.

And there we have January’s edition…I would have preferred to have a make-up product, I found this box very skin heavy (I know, it’s January, I get it). I was pleased with the contents though, I loved the eye masks in particular and I’ll keep using the hair mask and lip scrub. The dermaplaning tool was the only item I didn’t use but that’s not to say it’s a bad product, just personal preference.

For £5 off your first subscription, you can use my code, https://www.glossybox.co.uk/referrals.list?applyCode=KIRSTY-R25

Until next time,

K x

Gift Guide 2022 – Footwear

Anyone who knows me, will know that one of my obsessions is shoes – hence why they are getting a post all of their own! From boots, to heels, to slippers, I’ll cover them all in this post. If you have a shoe lover in your life then this is the gift list for you…or just for yourself, who’s to know?

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Gift Guide 2022 – Fashion

It’s that time of year again where we have to start thinking about Christmas (eeeep so exciting). I had quite the reaction to last years gift guides and if anyone is struggling as much as I am then hopefully this might give one or two ideas! I’m starting with fashion as it is definitely one of my main passions (although I have had to seriously cut down on my shopping addiction thanks to the rise in freakin’ EVERYTHING! So here’s the lowdown on some of my favourite clothing items this year…

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October Glossybox 2022

Ooooh it’s Halloween month…although completely irrelevant now as we are into November (I’m waiting until after bonfire night before thinking about Christmas)! October’s theme was ‘Written in the Stars’ and subscribers received either a fancy looking pink or green box design…I got the pink which I was very happy with and it looks amazing (definitely one to keep as a storage box). The theme was all stuff to do with Astrology which isn’t something I take any interest in (can you tell?) but as always an excellent array of goodies and a mix of full and trial sizes…but definitely more glam than spooky!

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September Glossybox 2022

Here we go again, Autumn is here and while everyone else is looking forward to changing leaves and pumpkin spiced everything, I can’t say I’m looking forward to the colder weather…I’m already wearing a coat indoors! This month’s theme is ‘Golden Hour’ with products to ‘enhance that summer glow throughout the rest of the year’ and with the changing temperature, I’ll be amping up the body care as my skin tends to get drier in the colder months! This month’s box is bursting with goodies so let’s get to it and start unboxing.

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August Glossybox 2022

Here we go again, another summer is nearing it’s end…I’m still hoping for at least one more blast of heat before it disappears altogether but seeing as I’m in Scotland, I’d better not get my hopes up too much. This month’s Glossybox theme is ‘The Art of Beauty’ and hopes to influence subscribers to discover their artistic flair…whatever that means. The box design is a work of art itself and as always subscribers were treated to 5 beauty products inside…so let’s take a look inside!

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July Glossybox 2022

We may be into August but here is a delayed July post…this Glossybox box design was a nice change from the usual pink (which is also very nice) with an underwater scene and a theme of ‘dive in’. This was a more make-up heavy box compared to the previous few months which I was very pleased about! Subscribers also received an extra treat this month so 6 products instead of the usual 5 which was a nice bonus…but enough chit chat, let’s get down to business.

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