Latest In Beauty Sample Box

Yesterday I received my Latest in Beauty sample box which includes 3 samples of my choice out of a small selection. I've mentioned LIB before; you pay £1.50 for p&p (via text), for 3 samples. They are usually sachets. There is often perfume samples which is a great way to try a certain perfume before purchasing. I've also received a lot of face creams. Unfortunately LIB don't update the options that frequently, and some months I couldn't order a box because I had tried all the samples already & you only try them once each. You can order every 30 days. 

This time I got:

James Bond 007 Eau de Toilette - I gave to my boyfriend but he didn't like it so I tried it aswell and agreed. This fragrance is the typical 'manly' perfume scent, way too strong & overpowering. It wasn't unpleasant; we just prefer more interesting scents. I found it strange that it was a gel-like liquid. I was expecting a little piece of fabric soaked in the stuff. There was also a lot in there; you could use this a few times. It was 0.7ml which is a similar amount to the little perfume vials / bottles so I don't quite understand why they decided to package it this way.
Will not be purchasing.

Melvita Ultra Nourishing Face Cream - For dry & delicate skin.
This face moisturiser is the most unique smelling cream (for face) I've smelt. It is supposed to be apricot scent, but it is hard to describe what it really smells like. It's a very strong scent, which some people may not like for their face cream. I used this at night only; its too thick for day time, plus it's for very dry skin, so it would work better without any make up over the top. I found it did a good job; and it was greasy or too thick-feeling on my skin. This is a possible repurchase for me, I've enjoyed the Melvita products I have used so far. The 2.0ml sachet lasted me about 3 or 4 applications - not bad!

'Mystery Item' Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo - 'Solution for thinning hair'

I liked how LIB gave me the choice of a mystery item, as I haven't seen that before, and receiving a shampoo was a refreshing change. Although a small size for shampoo (10ml), its good to be able to try a shampoo like this as its £19.95 for 200ml. I've used once & have about half left. I have very long, thick, dry hair so this small sample wasn't ever going to go far for me. Also it is for thickening hair, which I don't need, but I didn't find it thickened up my hair any more so, which is probably a good thing. The smell was an unusual, herby kind of scent. Interesting and I quite like the scent. The formula was a liquid-y consistency &  caramel-coloured, but it didn't have any exfoliating parts like the name suggests. I didn't think this product was that great, it didn't lather up as well as my usual shampoos, I had to use quite a lot, and it felt like I couldn't wash it out full either. Won't be purchasing.

Pearl Lowe x Glossy Box April 2013

Glossybox 

April

IT HAS COME.

I have been waiting so long for this months Glossybox, I only got it yesterday at 5.30pm, not even outside my door - outside my block of flat's door?! (I started writing this like a week ago, only just got round to posting it!) Sometimes their delivery can be pretty good and pretty fast, I usually get my box a day or two after my dispatch email, however this month it forever just to get the email, but I'm glad I fiiinally got it. They also made us all wait even longer this month - I mean its nearly the end and we pay in the first week of the month! 

Moving on...

The box itself is gorgeous, I always love Glossy's packaging (even the packaging outside the box has Glossy logos all over it), but this month's box is the best one I've ever seen. I've kept all my boxes because they are amazing for storage - I put all my make up etc in them.

 

The box is peach in colour with white & black flowers printed all over, and on the bottom right hand corner is 'Pearl Lowe for Glossybox'. It is really sturdy as usual, and also it is black inside rather than the Glossy logo repeated all over. Anyway, what was inside?

Firstly, Glossybox's leaflet informing you on the products inside and also featuring interviews and tips. As it is Pearl Lowe x Glossybox, there is a interview with Pearl herself, who designed the box. The leaflet is basically a big piece of paper folded, so it makes a little booklet. Other beauty boxes have a proper magazine, but this is okay just to know what you've received. 

NIP + FAB DRY SKIN FIX BODY BUTTER - Mango

The choices were Pistachio, Mango or Coconut Latte but they have more choices on their website.

Price - £9.95 / 200ml

Product Link - www.nipandfab.com

Special Offer - 50% off on the website at the mo (link above) Full size for £4.95!

Sample Size - 50ml

Glossybox's despription - 

Winter can be tough on your skin. Now that Spring has finally arrived, it's time to treat your hands to an all-around recovery programme. Nip + Fab's ultra-rich Mini Mango Smoothie Body Butter. This indulgent, whipped body butter repairs dry and dehydrated skin with the 24-hour moisture-boosting ingredient Aquaxyl, which has been shown to improve the skin's water reserves, instantly improving the appearance of your skin.

Nip + Fab's description -

Their description is pretty much the same as Glossy's but they did add this:

Mango Smoothie Body Butter contains;

• aquaxyl™ 24h moisture + shine

• shea butter soothe + moisturise

• mineral oil condition + soften

I still don't know if mineral oil is bad or not but I have a lot of products with it and I don't seem to mind it. I have seen products promoting they don't include any mineral oil as if it's bad - I don't know! Feel free to tell me haha.

So down to the basics;

Packaging - 

Small (ish) round tub that is about the size of my palm. Simple sticker on front and back - orange, and simple block letter font. Screw on lid. On the back sticker it says 'Energises the senses with a fresh fruity scent' and directions. 

Application - 

Apply to clean, towel-dried skin after showering or bathing.

Scent - 

As mine was Mango, it smelt very mango-ey! Strong fragrance - but delicious. Comparing to the Alison Claire mango body cream in a previous Glossybox, this scent is much more gorgeous.

Appearance / Texture - 

Yellowish / cream in colour, very rich but not overly thick. Skin sucks it up like a mango smoothie!

Value for money - 

This is a good sample size, 50ml will last me a while and will definitely be enough for me to make my decision whether to purchase or not. This is worth £2.95.

I haven't tried Nip + Fab yet but I have been tempted! So this is a good way for me to try out the brand. This body cream sank in immediately and I can't stop sniffing myself! Also it's a great bargain at the mo with 50% off! Get in there!

Yves Rocher Nutritive Vegetal - 24hr Comfort Nourishing Cream

Price - £13.50 / 50ml

Product Link - www.yves-rocher.co.uk

Sample Size - 15ml

Special Offer - Enter code 5GLOSSYR35 to enjoy £5 off any order over £35 & free postage (Valid until 15th May) Also on the link above you can get the night cream to go with it for free!

I've bought from Yves Rocher before as they are always sucking me in with their deals and free gifts. I got a lovely purple bathrobe as a free gift which I wear all the time, along with a completely free translucent powder! 

Glossybox's description - 

Yves Rocher's Nutritive Vegetal 24hr Comfort Nourishing Cream is an absolute skincare essential! This hard-working moisturiser, containing Ash tree sap extract, Macadamia oil, shea butter and organic witch hazel water, intensely nourishes the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple for a full 24 hours. What's even beter, this skincare must-have is completely free of parabens and colouring. 

Yves Rocher's description - 

Soft, supple and comfortable skin set.

The Comfort nourishing cream will immediately nourish your skin for 24 hours.
It also decreases skin discomfort and tightness.

Bonus + : A real cold weather cream without greasy effect.

Packaging - 

Small, yellow tube with white frosted screw on lid. Quite similar colours and font to the mango body butter actually. Nothing too special - I think the full size is a tub. with a yellow lid.

Application - 

Apply every morning on perfectly cleansed skin.

Scent - 

Fresh and quite florally. Very pleasant.

Appearance / Texture - 

A white cream. Turns balm-like whilst rubbing in. Feels smooth on skin. Leaves a small amount of shine but looks healthy; not greasy.

Value for money - 

15ml is a fairly small sample but good enough I suppose. The deal on Yves Rocher's website at the moment is pretty good, the day cream and night cream together for only £13.50. Might possibly repurchase after using for longer. 

The deal breaker for me with Yves Rocher is their free gifts! They definitely encourage you to buy more and more, quite naughty really. Especially as I've bought quite a lot of products recently! I can't help myself (E.L.F you're partially responsible!)

Balance Me Radiance Face Mask

Price - £18.00 / 75ml

Product Link - www.balanceme.co.uk

Sample Size - 15ml

Special Offer - 15% off this mask by entering GLOSSYMAY at checkout (Valid until 30th May)

Glossybox's description - 

Prepare your skin for that perfect dewy spring look! Balance Me's triple-action Radiance Face Mask works threefold: it cleanses, exfoliates and brightens thanks to a unique blend of purifying kaolin clay, skin-brightening fruit acid complex, ground walnut ahells and calming essential oils.

Balance Me's description - 

Benefit from our triple-action mask that deeply cleanses, exfoliates and brightens. We believe in good old fashioned multi-tasking and this mask is equally effective as an exfoliating face wash!
Ground walnut shells gently slough away dead skin cells and encourage cell renewal, purifying kaolin clay helps eliminate impurities and our fruit acid complex works on restoring the skin’s natural radiance. We have enhanced our mask with a bespoke blend of rosemary, palma rosa, lavender and Roman chamomile oils to help soften, calm and cleanse.

Packaging - 

Mini white tube with clear screw on lid. Purple accents & font.

Application - (According to Balance Me's site)

Smooth over cleansed face and neck, using circular massage movements to allow the ground walnut shell particles to gently exfoliate the skin. Avoid the delicate eye area. Leave for up to five minutes and then remove with damp cotton wool or a wash cloth. Splash face and neck with water and pat dry before applying one of our face moisturisers or oils. 

Scent - 

Strong, you can smell the clay. Not much else to say really.

Appearance / Texture - 

Clay-like, and smooth but with a slight grainy texture. Once on, it wasn't very noticeable. I just looked a bit paler. It dries fairly quickly, and washes off quite easily.

Value for money -

This sample size of 15ml is worth £3.60, so quite a lot for such a small size & considering you don't need to use that much, although they could of made it bigger.

I did like this face mask, but I don't really get all the hype. Then again, whenever I use face masks I don't seem to notice that much difference other than my skin feels clean and smooth. Maybe I'm purchasing the wrong ones?! I wouldn't pay £18 for this; firstly I couldn't afford it and secondly I couldn't justify spending that amount on something I simply thought 'meh' about.

Richard Ward Couture Hair Optimiser Style Reviver

Price - £19.00 / 150ml

Product Link - http://richardward.com

Sample Size - 50ml

Special Offer - For 20% enter GLOSSYBOX at checkout (link above)

Glossybox's description - 

The ultimate multi-tasker: Richard Ward Couture Hair has been designed for you hair's every styling need, giving you effortless, achievable and long lasting results. we've absolutely fallen in love with the lightweight Optimiser Style Reviver Spray with Wheat Protein and Kukui Oil from the Couture Hair range! Not only does it counteract frizz and increase shine, but it also creates amazing volume with the typical residue or stickiness.

Richard Ward's description - 

Couture Hair® has been designed by me to cater for your hair’s every styling need, delivering premium performance and giving you effortless, achievable and long lasting results.

All products in Couture Hair® contain:

• • AQUARICH® a unique advanced moisture compound that helps counteract frizz and damage and increase shine
• • Colour Lock technology to help your colour remain vibrant for longer and shine with health
• • Humidity Defence technology to cope with any weather’s air moisture content - hot & humid or damp & drizzly
• 
  
  hold factor:3
  Lightweight, non-tacky reviving spray with Wheat Protein and Kukui Oil to refresh and volumise hair between washes without residue or stickiness.
  
  
  Packaging - 
  A palm-sized bottle, with a spray/lid almost half the size of the bottle. It is a plain clear spray bottle (with cap) and front & back sticker with info on. The 'Couture hair' is in silver font. Also on the front sticker it says the 'hold factor' is 3/5, for normal/ fine hair. 
  
  
  Application - 

  Apply as desired to dry hair. Separate hair into sections and living each section lightly spray Optimiser from roots to mid-lengths, holding spray 15-20cm away. Comb through and then re-style / blow dry as usual. For me, I dried my hair, then sprayed, then dried with cool air.
  
  
  Scent - 
  After smelling straight away, I definitely noticed the alcohol. After a couple of seconds, it just smells like you average hair product/spray. Fairly strong scent.
  
  
  Appearance / Texture - 
  Peachy orange in colour. Very liquid, similar consistancy to water. Hair didn't feel particular softer or smooth after, but it did ease my frizz.
  
  
  Value for money -

  This bottle is worth around £7 (I think) which is pretty good considering Glossybox is a tenner (not including p&p). I have the same size Richard Ward Volumiser Root Booster from the Latest in Beauty advent calendar which alright but same as this, I didn't find it really did much for my hair. I found it weird that this product was to be used after you dry your hair & I just didn't really get the instructions.
  
  Yeah, this is a nice product to just have, but I wouldn't go out to buy such a thing, plus with the price it is and the results I got, I have no real reason to.
  
  
  Essie Nail Laquer - Geranium
  
  
  
  
  

Price - £7.99 / 13.5ml

Product Link - www.essie.com

Sample Size - Full size (13.5ml)

Glossybox's description - 

With spring having officially arrive (and it's about time!), it's time to break out the colours! Essie has provided an infinite pallet of shades for high-quality professional-looking manicures, and we've handpicked 15 vibrant, eye-popping, can't-live-without shades that will be sure to kick-start your style transition into spring.

Essie says - 

an award-winning dynamic red-orange burst.

DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free

Packaging - 

Essie's nail polish design is very sleek and elegant, a square shaped glass bottle, with a white screw on lid, with 'essie' embossed into the glass.

Application - 

Apply one layer of Essie Base Coat. Follow with two coats of Essie Colour. Finish with your chosen Essie Top Coat to prevent the colour from chipping.

The formula is gorgeous - very smooth and self-levelling. After one coat I could clearly see the white end of my nail through the colour. The second coat covered the nail much more, however not completely. 

Scent - 

Strong, standard nail polish scent. Wouldn't go sniffing this too much!

Appearance / Texture - 

Bright, corally red. Looks better on than in the bottle. As always, essie have got the formula right. Once dried, it is very smooth and glossy on the nail. My photo doesn't show the shade completely accurately, but its near enough.

Value for money -

This was the only full sized product in my box. £7.99 for a nail polish might seem a bit steep to some people, but in my opinion most nail polishes I've bought that have amazing formula & colour are usually above £7.

Why Glossy, why did you have to give me another red nail polish! I have above ten reds (ridiculous, I know) but I hardly ever wear red. It's such a standard colour, that it comes in all the collections etc, so I have loads. I just don't really like the colour. I don't wear any red clothes or accessories either. It's just not my thing. Also in a previous box, I got the red Nail Inc shade, rather than the pink shade which I would be more inclined to wear. I think they could of considered this and sent the people who got a red Nails Inc, a pink / different shade of Essie, and the other way round.

Although this shade is a brighter, 'coral' colour, I can't see myself wearing it that much, maybe more on my toes. I was looking forward to this product the most and just my luck I get this shade. To have another Essie nail polish in my collection is great though; my first Essie was the Matte Top Coat, which is pretty good, and then I bought a neutral grey shade, which looked different in the bottle than on my nails, but still nice. *Update* After wearing this colour for a few days, it really grew on me. As far as reds go; this is a lovely shade.

So that was my April Glossybox, please let me know what you got in yours as I'm always interested to know! I thought this box was lovely, very worth it and I have used / will use all my products. I loveee the box, hopefully they will do more beautiful boxes like this in the future, and keep up to this level. All the brands I have experimented with already, excluding Nip + Fab, so I knew of the quality, and they are quite 'luxury' brands, like Glossybox claims to have.

Samples to try

Samples I haven't tried yet

I've got a little collection growing - I'm slowing getting through them.

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Renew - (unknown amount)

'Targets wrinkles, skin firmness & skin texture leaving it smoother, plumper & more even'.

Got this in the April issue of Marie Claire mag.

Yves Rocher Comfort Cream Foundation - 1ml

I've tried a bit of this, its a nice foundation, very smooth and blurs imperfections but it totally wasn't my shade, as is the case with most samples of foundation. (I'm too pale for my own good).

One of three samples from online ordering.

Yves Rocher Anti-Aggressions Flash Mask - 1ml

'Apply to freshly cleansed skin & leave on for 5 mins. Rinse with water'.

One of three free samples from ordering online with Yves Rocher.

Lavera 'Faces' Organic Wild Rose Cream - 1ml x 5

For 'dry & mature skin'. 'Pro active skin care to diminish the appearance of wrinkles'.

This was in my sample box from Latest in Beauty, I got 5 instead of 4, (£1.50 for three different samples)

L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream - 1ml

Colour correcter. 'Wakes up complexion'

I got this in April issue of Marie Claire which is still available now.

Garnier Moisture Match - 1.5ml x 3

- Combination to oily skin

- Normal skin

- Dull skin

I got these from signing up to receive samples from Garnier. You supposedly chose which ones you want (out of 5) but I don't think these were the ones I chose.

111 Skin Facelift Serum - 2ml x 2

'Gently apply to face & neck at night after normal cleansing routine'.

These were sent to me because I think I might have signed up to their mailing list or something. This stuff is expensive, I've used up one so far and they last a few uses, didn't notice an immediate effect but I liked the stuff.

La Potion Infinie Argentum Anti-Age Cream - 5ml x 2

'All skin types / Use twice daily on face, eyes and neck'.

I think I got these from Glossybox. I am pretty sure you can get them for free via their website. You should, because this cream is the best cream I've ever used in my life. It's well over £100, so I will probably never get to use it again, so I've saved this second sachet. It holds 5ml which is generous, and this cream tightens your skin like no other! It is amazing. 

Whenever I get the chance to try out free samples I nab 'em up and hoard them. It's definitely the best thing to do especially if you're about to spend a lot on a product you don't know is perfect for your skin yet.

L'Occitane Hydration Cream

L'Occitane Creme Radieuse Hydration Cream with Organic Angelica Water and Essential Oil

This is a sample size which is 15ml and it is definitely enough test out for a while before purchasing the full size. I got mine from Latest In Beauty (where you can try free samples but pay £1.50 for p&p, and you can also buy luxury samples and beauty box collections). I think I paid bout £5 for it which isn't bad as its lasted me a good few months with regular use.

It came in a cute little box;

And the actual cream was in a green, plastic round tub with a silver plastic screw on lid. Ideal for the sample size, but a little tricky to get out, especially with long nails, and also a bit unhygienic.

The normal packaging for the full size is very similar but not plastic (below)

(image courtesy of L'Occitane's website)

I really like the face cream as it smells lovely, the cream actually gets absorbed by my skin and it is a good base for foundation.

Price - £30.00 / 50ml
Product Link - http://uk.loccitane.com
Where I bought it - www.latestinbeauty.com
Sample Size - 15ml

What it claims -

(From L'Occitane's site)

Made with organic angelica from the Drome region of France, the fresh and silky smooth Angelica Hydration Cream efficiently moisturises and revitalises the skin. 
L'OCCITANE's patented angelica complex reinforces natural skin hydration by stimulating aquaporines, improves skin elasticity and protects from free radicals. 
Skin is plumped, smoothed and more radiant. 

Ideal for dry to normal skin. 
Dermatologically tested. Non-comedogenic

Packaging - 

(Sample size) Small cardboard box, white and green. Green tub with silver lid (all plastic)

Application - 

Apply to the face and neck morning and evening after cleansing the skin.

It was smooth to apply, didn't need a huge amount, absorbed into skin fairly quickly, leaving a dewy finish but not greasy.

Scent - 

Botanical scent. Not over powering, but noticeable. 

Appearance / Texture - 

White, fairly light cream. Feels smooth on skin.

Value for money -

This little travel sized / sample pot is a good way to try out this cream, which is fairly pricey at £30, or good for travelling. The pot was around a fiver, I think, so good value.

It has been my go-to face cream for quite a while now, using mostly everyday. I've nearly used it all up. I've used / got creams that absorb instantly, (reviews soon) & are perfect for applying make up straight after. Although this product doesn't absorb super quick, it does make my skin feel very soft and feels moisturised. I wouldn't use it at night, as it has such nice effects in the day time. At night I use a richer, thicker night cream that may look greasy but I don't care too much as I'm going to bed. I probably won't be purchasing, any time soon anyway, because of the price and I have my eye on another one that I LOVE, at half the price tag.

Also the pot will be very handy. I really like L'Occitane but I haven't been able to try that many of their products as its quite expensive. Have you tried their hand creams? I just got another little sample of one - I love it so much!

Pros - 

• Pleasant scent
• Moisturising
• Don't have to wait too long for it to absorb
• A good base for make up
• Lightweight

Cons -

• Expensive
• You might want one that absorbs instantly
• L'Occitane are no longer animal friendly (To sell in China it must be tested on animals. Some companies have stood their ground and decided not to sell to China. However L'Occitane are obviously a bit too greedy, like others, and sell their products there. Not wise, not clever and they will lose a good amount of customers from losing their bunny).

There you have it!