April Birchbox

This month, Birchbox have provided such a beautiful looking box. The theme is "Royally Good" to celebrate royal baby number two. The box this time comes in two colours, and happily I got mine in the baby blue colour.I hope Birchbox keep up these gorgeous looking boxes. I am enjoying getting them every month. It makes it hard to get rid of them though!

Now Birchbox have introduced the slimline box, the products are a bit smaller this month and so the box seemed much emptier when I opened it. I won't lie, I felt a little disappointed. But the quality of the products certainly weren't bad this month.

Laura Mercier Eye Pencil - This month,subscribers got the chance to pick out of three items. Unfortunately, I didn't get the email with the chance to pick, so I didn't know what I was getting. I ended up with the the eye pencil in the colour Violet. It isn't the item I would have chosen as it's not a colour I would normally wear as an eyeliner. It seems like very good quality though. When I swiped it on my hand it took some getting off. I'm not sure what use I will get out of this.We'll see if I decide to wear this.

Lola Barcelona Nail Polish - This is a shade which Birchbox teamed up exclusively with Lola Barcelona to produce. The colour is Born, which is a pastel, shimmery shade. As soon as I got it I thought I'd try it out. A couple of days in and it's wearing well. I think it's a great neutral, everyday shade. The only downside is that the packaging of the varnish is so boring.

Percy & Reed London Volumising Smooth, Sealed and Sensational Oil No Oil - This has such a long name to type out! It helps smooth and tame hair. I'm not sure I will use this one, as I've always thought my hair has enough volume. I like the scent and texture though, so I may see how it works out.

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash  - I like to spend time away from home, so I appreciate receiving face wash samples. This one has rose hips, chamomile and passion flower to leave the skin soft and fresh. I don't know if it is just the ones I received, but it doesn't foam up. Either way, I am looking forward to using this.

Pommade Devine Nature's Remedy Balm - This is a nifty little balm that, using 97% natural ingredients, can be used on imperfections such as flaky skin to help soothe and protect. I have had a cold recently so the skin around my nose is a little drier. I have been using this, and it helps. The only thing I don't like about it is the smell.

Befine Warming Clay Mask - This is mask has cardamom, arnica and pomegranate to help purify the skin. It also warms on the skin, which sounds crazy. For that fact alone I am looking forward to using this, It's also natural which gives it a big thumbs up.

One year on; Birch Box disappointments

I don't like to be negative, but I think it's hard to have gone one year without some disappointing products within the Birchbox. Due to the nature of the box, not everything is going to be amazing. It's always a gamble.

There are products that I have used, and enjoyed but probably wouldn't buy again, but then there are the products that have just disappointed me. Either my face fell when I saw them in the box, or I had so much hope for them, but they just didn't rise up to my expectations. Luckily this is a short list, but I wanted to highlight the products that I just didn't like.

I would like to point out before I get into them, that these are all personal to me. Someone else could find these products perfect!

The biggest disappointment for me were the Drinkwel capules, which are designed to help you recover after a night out partying, I was actually a little annoyed at receiving these on two accounts; 1) I don't drink, so it immediately makes them redundant, and 2) I don't like the idea of taking pills for those types of things. Other people may find them perfect, but they were very, very wrong for me,

One of the other biggest disappointments was the Stila lip glaze. I was actually very excited about receiving it, as I really wanted to try something from Stila. I like the design of tube - you twist the bottom and it brings product onto the brush at the top, even though it did take a while to initially get some product out. The finish though just doesn't cut it. There is no pigment at all to the formula. It gives a gloss, but it mostly just wipes glitter onto the lips. I personally cannot see a time when I will want glittery lips. To top it off, it is very, very sticky. It just didn't work out at all.

The next ones are a very personal disappointment which I'm sure most people don't share. I have said multiple times I do not like red nail polish, and I received two in consecutive boxes - one from the OPI Coca-Cola collection and one from Lollipops. The formula may be great, but they were never ones I was interested in trying out to see how they fared in the first place. Benefit's It's Potent eye cream is another one that falls under this category. I used the eye cream prior to receiving it in the box (here), and it just doesn't work for me, as it's not gentle enough.

I think I may have been more disappointed by the Model Co lip lacquer than I would have been if it wasn't a choose-your-own product that didn't work out. Not only was there not much off a colour pay-off, but it was also too gloopy and sticky, so I couldn't really find any benefits to using it.

Finally, the last thing on this list is another nail polish. This was the Model's Own glitter nail polish (not pictured as I gave it away ) I received back in the July box. The Model's Own nail polishes have redeemed themselves since (with a glitter one!), but this one was disappointing. The pay-off is very minimal with this one, as it is effectively just pink glitter with nothing else to it. I think it may be obvious about now that I am not a fan of glitter!

Have you tried any of these products?

March Birchbox

This month, Birchbox is collaborating with Habitat for a theme they are calling 'DO try this at home'. It's all about spring cleaning the everyday, from beauty to the home. The thing I love the most about this month is the box it comes in. It's such a lively design!

Birchbox appears to have started a new look with their boxes, and gone are the usual pouches the products come in. I'm a little sad about that, but I guess I never knew what to do with them anyway! They're also offering a slimmer box which can fit through the letter box. For now, I am happy sticking to the regular box, but I'm happy that option is there.

This month the products are hit and miss for me. there are some I'm happy to see, but others I'm just not interested in.

Benefit Roller Lash - This month Birchbox gave all subscribers the chance to pick which Benefit mascara to try. I was a bit late in choosing, but luckily I got the product I wanted. Having tried the other two Benefit mascaras previously, I was excited about getting the new Roller Lash. The brush on this is interesting, as it is curved. It's designed to curl and define your lashes using what Benefit call the 'hook 'n' roll' technique. I'm going to try this one out and then do a proper review in the near future, so look out for that!

Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris - I know fragrance samples and can be a bit of a hit and miss, and many people who don't enjoy receiving them. I am not one of those. I think they're great for trying a perfume out before shelling out a lot of money, especially as they can be so expensive. I've not road tested this one yet, but the fruity notes in the fragrance is giving me a good first impression.

Philip Kingsley Elastizer - This is a pre-shampoo treatment, which is intensive and super-conditioning, so it's great for damaged hair. I don't dye or use much heat on my hair any more so it's not in a terrible condition. I think this is one I may give or away or hang onto it for in case I need it in the future.

Serenity Skincare Dead Sea Bath Salt - I think this is one another one that I'm going to hang onto. I really like products to help unwind, though my bath isn't very suitable to relax in. It's too small! But I can definitely see me getting use out of it in the future when I have a pamper day.

TanOrganic Self Tanning Oil - This is probably the thing I am least excited about, as I don't self tan. I'm actually someone who doesn't care about being tanned at all, and prefer my paler skin! Apparently this is the world's first tanning oil, and it's organic, so I can see that there are benefits for people who do like to use tanning products.

A Perfect Heritage by Penny Vincenzi - One thing I do not like getting in the box is book samples. Generally, all the samples are ones I'm not interested in and wouldn't read, so this isn't for me at all.

Birchbox and Habitat Exclusive Notebook - I must admit, I can be addicted to notebooks! This is another one to add to my collection. It's very small which makes it great for jotting down notes or shopping lists, and so will fit great in any handbag.

Have you tried any of this month's products?

One year on; best Birch Box discoveries

I have now officially received twelve Birch Boxes, and so March marks my one year Birch Box anniversary! To celebrate, I decided to take a look over what I have received throughout the year to see what my favourite discoveries have been.

Some products I have gone out and bought full size, some I plan on doing getting in future, and others I use in my everyday routine. I have liked a lot of the products in my boxes, but these are ones that have made such an impact on me that I want to rave about them.

So without further ado, let me introduce you to the products I've loved.

My first box back in March last year was a great introduction to what Birch Box was all about, and I fell in love with two products immediately; one of which I still continue to buy today. These were the Molton Brown replenishing hand cream  and the English Laundry perfume. The hand cream not only smells gorgeous, but helps my hands feel so soft, and the perfume is just the perfect scent for spring. Birch Box is also where I discovered my favourite mascara of all time; Benefit They're Real. I love how much definition it gives to my lashes, and it lasts throughout the day.

I have found some great skincare products. In the April box, I discovered the Yes to Cucumber face wipes, which are great at get rid of daily dirt without being too harsh. I like to use them when I need to refresh my face. I was introduced to the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser the month after, which is great for not only removing all make-up but gently exfoliating too. I have liked giving my face a deeper cleanse with the Cattier clay face mask. I really loved how my face felt after using it.

One of my favourite products from all the boxes I received was the Pixi lip balm which I still use every day. It has shea butter to soften the lips, and then a hint of colour! The October box was a great box, as it also introduced me to The Cool Fix, which is perfect to use after shaving the legs to get rid of any irritation.

I have received a number of nail polishes in the boxes and there have been a couple of particular stand-outs. These were the OPI Thrill of Brazil and the Model's Own Nail Polish is Amethyst, which are both sparkly and such gorgeous shades, they are so hard to resist!

One of the new, exciting brands I have discovered over the year is TheBalm. The aesthetic of their packaging is really quirky, and I love the quality of their products. They are a brand I really want to try more from, and I already have my eye on a few of their other products.

There have been some great lifestyle products throughout the year. My favourites are usually the food! Back in April I discovered Proper Corn which is a very delicious way to eat popcorn as they have such great flavours. I particularly love the very tasty vanilla and coconut flavour. I have also received Urban Fruit and most recently Chia oats, which is a healthy way to have breakfast.

Have you tried any of these products? what do you think?

December Birch Box

It's party season! Well, sadly not for me - I am missing out on my work's Christmas party this year, so I still need to find an excuse to glam up. But Birch Box are helping out for anyone who is partying it up in the cold months.

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil - Rosehip oil is very good for this time of year. The cold weather can be very drying, and this is a very natural way to add the nourishment back into your skin. Generally my skin is the very opposite to dry, but it is still very handy to have.

Models Own Nail Polish - The last time I received a Models Own nail polish in the box, I wasn't impressed. It was just glitter and offered no coverage to my nails. So, I didn't have high expectations when I saw another one. However, this one has been so much superior to the previous. I received mine in Amethyst which is a gorgeous glittery, purple shade. It's so beautiful and sparkly for this time of year. The packaging is also lovely as it has a velvet top. I love it so much. It is incredibly hard to get off though!

Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream - This is a really decent sample size for the cream, and I'm sure it will last for some time. It helps give the skin a plumping boost and hydrates. I tried this on my hand and it made my skin feel very soft and not sticky at all. I'm looking forward to trying out this one properly.

Electric Hair Electric Hydrate Shampoo - This shampoo is perfect for winter as it is designed to repair damage and improve shine, that the  dry weather can cause. It also has a really lovely and fruity scent which is a plus for me. I'm looking forward to using this one on my next overnight trip.

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick - This jumbo eye pencil in 'smoke', is perfect more creating a quick, but effective smoky eye. It gives an intense colour, but it is really easy to blend out for the desired look. What makes this even better is that it is a full size sample.

Benefit Chiristmas Cracker - High Beam - It was a lovely surprise, to have a cracker included in the box. Inside was a sample of High Beam. I already own a sample of this highlighter, and I love it, so I was really happy to see it again. It is one of my favourite highlighters, as it gives a soft shimmer and is really easy to apply.

Sophia Webster Purse - December's box was in collaboration with designer Sophia Webster, so the lifestyle extra was this purse, which has leopard print on the front and stripes on the back. It will be a great little edition to my bag.

October Birch Box

I am aware we are almost in time for the November Birch Box. However, I have only just received the October one. There was some hiccup somewhere along the way, but the Birchbox team were really great, and helpful and sent me a replacement box. I hope my November box gets to me okay.

But back to October's surprise, I must say that I really love this box. It was so good, that I wanted to share it with you guys. 

Cattier Pink Clay Face Mask - I'm excited about using this. There were two samples in the box, which will help to see how it looks after a multiple uses. I've never actually used a face mask. I know, I know. I should, and I plan to. This will be perfect to give them a go. 

KMS California Hair Play Playable Texture - This is probably the product I am least excited about in the box. I usually use products that are specifically made for making my curls look great. I think I will give this a try and see how it looks, but I'm not sure it would become part of my routine.

Shaveworks The Cool Fix - I do have trouble with ingrown hairs and this product is made to combat that, as well as razor bumps and redness. I'm really looking forward to trying this one.

Pixi by Petra Shea Butter Lip Balm - This is probably my favourite thing in the box. It feels so soft on my lips and has a little colour to it. I received it in the shade Honey Nectar, and it's such a lovely muted colour. It makes my lips look great, I really love it.

Lollipops Nail Lacquer - I'm sure I've said this before but I'm not a fan for red nail colours, so I'm not sure I'll use this one. It seems like a good product, but it's just not the colour for me. I think I may give this one away.

Birchbox Lipstick Pen - This seems a little of little random product. It's a pen, shaped  like a lipstick. There's not more I can say than that.

September Birch Box

It's that time again, when a Birch Box is pushed through my letterbox, and I excitedly open it for my little surprises. This is already my seventh one. Time has gone so quickly!

This month the theme is Happy Days, in which Birch Box are concentrating on creating memories, after having to go back to school after the summer. I like this month's theme a lot, It's such a lovely idea to create memories to remember summer by. I also love the look of the box. It's a beautiful blue and pink, with some really cool designs on. They should make their boxes artsy every month. It's much better than the usual boring cardboard. 

Here's what I received in September's box:

Agave Healing Oil Treatment - This is oil helps to de-frizz the hair and generally make it silky and smooth. The idea is to simply work a small amount through damp hair. I'm looking forward to using this one as my hair can get pretty frizzy, and hopefully this will help to make it look smoother.

Korres Citrus Showergel - For a moment I thought this was the body milk I received a few months back, as the packaging is exactly the same. Luckily it's not. This time it's showergel, and oddly, this is the one I'm most excited about, simply because I adore the scent. This will be a great one to keep for the next time I go away.

Premae Mild Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub - This is a gentle body scrub that is made from olive granules! Apparently it's also gentle enough for the face. The tub also says it's excellent for use after hair removal. I'm a little dubious, so I want to use after shaving my legs to be sure! 

Benefit It's Potent! Eye cream - I have had a sample of this before when I purchased the Benefit skincare pack. The issue I had with it then was that it was a little irritable on my eyes. It stung a little. It's still the same now, so I think I wil be giving this one away.

ModelCo Lip Lacquer - This is a product that we had sight of beforehand, as we were able to pick from a selection which product we wanted to receive. I chose this lip laquer in the shade Morocco. I'll be honest, it's not what I was expecting. I was expecting something more like Rimmel's Apocalips, but this is really just a sheer lip gloss. In fact, I can't see any colour pay-off at all, but I did choose one that was close to my lip tone so it would look more natural. It's also a little too gloopy and sticky for my taste, but it does give a great shine. So far, I'm not really that impressed, which is a little disappointing.

Birchbox Happy Days Photo Clip - We had a lot of these types of photo holders growing up. It's a simple thing but I like it. I think I mostly like the colour. It's such a lovely blue.

Urban Fruit Smashing Strawberry - I already know I love Urban Fruit so I was very happy to see this. These are delicious strawberry pieces. I'm looking forward to snacking on these.

What do you like the look of?

August Birch Box

It's August! And it's Birch Box time!

This month, Birch Box is focussing on getting away from it all, travelling away to far flung destinations complete with sandy beaches and palm trees. They've packed a box full of travelling essentials to help us through the holiday season.

I do think it might be bit late for this theme. We seem to have hit autumn here in Britain, and I'm sure most people have gone on their travels by now. But it is most certainly not a bad little box. I've not been enthused by it as much as I have with previous boxes, but I am still loving my little surprises every month and there are still some great products included.

One particular exciting thing about this month's box is that instead of the usual fabric bag, all the goodies around in this very cute plastic pouch, which will be great for taking travelling with. Even if you're not going away, it will be very useful for everyday make-up.

 So, included in this month is:

Dead Sea Spa Magik Refreshing Bath Shower Gel - I don't really feel like I have much to say about this one, as really it's just another bath/shower gel. I think the scent is lovely. It smells fresh, like the sea. It's a great product to take away on holiday, but other that that, it doesn't seem very special. I do like that the gel is blue though.

Number 4 Super Comb Prep & Protect - This is a leave-in conditioning spray which helps protect against heat and sun damage. As I've got naturally curly hair, any products I use are to help define them and I find it hard to pull away from that. I think this will be great for anyone with straight hair. In fact I've given it to my sister as it's perfect for her. It's just not for me.

Supergoop! Daily Correct SPF 35 CC Cream - Finally something I am looking forward to. I've never used a CC cream before, and this one looks a good one to start giving it a go! It's a light cream to even out the skin tone, and I particularly love that it has SPF 35. I don't normally see foundations with sun protection that high. My one concern is that my sample came in the shade light/medium but it seems incredibly dark. Hopefully it'll blend in well and look great.

Vasanti Brightenup! Enzymatic Face Rejuvanator - This is a facial exfoliator and sounds great. It's definitely one I'm excited to try. The packaging tells me it's enriched with papaya, micro-crytals and aloe. The grains are very small with I find feels better on the skin as it's not too rough. I think this will be great all year round especially in the colder months to perk up the skin.

Wild About Beauty Powder Eyeshadow - I was a little disappointed by this one at first. I don't really wear eyeshadow, so I thought this was going to be another one to give away. However, upon opening, I fell in love immediately. The colour is absolutely gorgeous. It's a bronzy-copper sort of shade which is perfect for summer and it has a beautiful shimmer to it. I'm planing on using this over my lid or to define my crease. It is the shade that may encourage me to use eyeshadow more often!

The Proposal by Tasmina Terry - As a lifestyle extra this month we received the first chapter of a summer read. It is a romantic novel 'which spans 1950s London and present day NYC'. I must admit that this does not interest me at all. As you can probably tell from this post, I don't really read romantic novels. Not only that, but after skimming through and seeing mentions of people playing polo, drinking champagne and generally being high-fliers, I don't think it's a book I can relate to. To cut a long story short - I'm going to give this one a miss. It's really not my thing. But if it is your thing, then it may be worth giving it a go.

Which products sound good to you?

July Birch Box

It's time for another Birch Box! The theme for July is Sun, Sea & Sand, and the Birch Box team are helping for a summer away by suggesting products for taking away on holiday.

This is most is not the best box I've received, and it's quite hit and miss if I'm honest. It was always going to be hard to keep up the level of the last one. I am however, looking forward to using a couple of products in this box.

So here is what I received:

Benefit Porefessional - I was disappointed that this appeared in my box to be honest. Now I love the Porefessional, it is one of my favourite products and I use it daily; and that is the exact reason I was disappointed. For me Birch Box is about finding new products to love. I'm sure for anyone who has never used the Porefessional then it will be a great surprise as the product is great. I guess it means it will keep me going a little longer.

Whish Body Butter - This is in a lovely subtle lavender scent. I've used it once but it doesn't seemed to have lasted very long. I love the scent and it sinks into the skin beautifully. However, it did seem to leave my skin slightly sticky. Not one I am bothered about purchasing in the future.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream - Now this is one I am looking forward to using as it sounds so good and couldn't turn up at a better time. I have been looking for a good eye cream now that I have finished my Bobbi Brown sample.It's light on the skin and doesn't make my skin sting which is always a bonus. It says it brightens the eye area and keeps wrinkles at bay, so I have high hopes for this.

Laqa & Co Lip Lube pencil - So after I'd stopped giggling at the name, I could assess this one. I got mine in the colour Menatour which is a very purple shade. I'm not sure I'd ever wear this out in public for that reason... I know it's a trend for this season, and purple is my favourite colour, but it's just not so keen with it on my lips. I'm very much a neutral gal so it' not really my shade. It does feel really nice on the lips though, so we'll see. I could change my mind! It won't be the first time.

Models Own Nail Polish - This one came in the shade Magenta Divine which is a pink glitter shade, and if there is one thing I don't like it's glitter. I think I just have memories of it getting everywhere and having glitter all over my face. Glitter polish itself reminds me of being 14 and getting this type of polish free with magazines. I don't think I'll wear this one at all as it's really not me. I'm more likely to give it away to my niece.

Finally, the lifestyle extra is the Filosofille 4-sided nail buffer, which looks so cute!It doesn't seem very sturdy but does look like it'll get the job done. It's a nice little extra thins month. These things always come in handy.

Which product do you like the look of?

Birch Box June 2014

It's that time of the month again when I receive my little surprises through the post.

This month, Birch Box have jumped into the World Cup theme and have produced a Brazil and beyond inspired box. The pouch that it came in is particularly cute. It is green with yellow text and just looks so apt. Each product this month is either in, or represents a different country. I don't care for football at all, but I have to admit I love this.

Without further ado, here is the contents of this month's box:

Beauty Blender - This is something I  have seen quite a lot around the internet. It seems to be the favourite of a lot of bloggers. I've never really looked twice at it before as I don't usually like sponges, but I am looking forward to see how this works out. I especially like how it comes with a solid soap to enable to clean it easily.

Yves Rocher Sheer Botanical Lipstick - I think calling this a lipstick is not quite right. I received mine in the shade Litchi but the colour pay-off in this is barely noticeable. It does make the lips glossier and it gives a tint to the lips. This is also supposed to moisturise the lips, and I definitely agree with that. It felts soft on my lips and I think I'll definitely be wearing this more as a tinted lipbalm, rather than a lipstick.

OPI Nail Lacquer - This is from OPI's Brazilian Collection. I can't find a name to the shade, but it's a lovely shimmery, pink/red shade. Now, as I mentioned before, I'm not really a fan of red or pink nail shades but my mum convinced me this will look good, so I'm going to give it a try.

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion - This is a lovely moisturiser, but nothing I'm excited about. It's made using natural and organic products and it sinks well into the skin. The formula is quite thick, and it has a lemon scent that is a little odd. It doesn't seem a stand-out to other moisturisers on the market so I don't think I'd buy a full sized product, but I will continue to use this one up.

Embryolisse Lait-creme Concentre - This is a deeper moisturiser and it looks like it'll be a good one for dry skin. The sample of this is quite small, but as my skin seems to be the complete opposite of dry, I may end up giving this one away.

Brazil Inspired-Keyring - This is a little bit of fun in the box. I love the colours. It's just very cute.
I may be hanging my keys on this over the World Cup period.

It was a good box this month. It certainly wasn't as exciting as last month's, but I still enjoyed it.

Birch Box May 2014

I received my Birch Box a bit earlier this month, and I'm glad to say it's a good one. This time it's in collaboration with Harper's Bazaar, and the box in particular looks fabulous.

The theme on this one is the great outdoors. Now it's getting warm(ish) it's time to look at beauty products that are suitable for the outdoors, whether that be sunning it on a beach or camping in a field, and the idea behind this box is to show what products are good to use.

I won't lie, I love this month's box. There are some really great things included. Usually there may be one thing I'm not so bothered about but I have been excited by it all this month.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath and Shower Oil - First off I'd like to point out how gorgeous this smells. It really does give off an invigorating scent. The idea of this one is to add it to your bath or put it on your body before showering to revive you for the day. A 55ml bottle retails at £39.00, so I'm not sure if I'll pick this up in the future, but I'm looking forward to trying it.

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - I pretty much love this mascara. I tried it out and it really does make my eyelashes look great. I think a good mascara is a staple of an everyday routine. However,
I get through mascaras quite quickly, I'm not sure I'm prepared to pay £19 every time.

Soigne Nail Lacquer (full size) - I received mine in the shade Persimmon which is a red/orange colour. Normally I stay away from reds and pinks as they're really not what I go for, but I am really tempted to use this.

Beauty Protector Protect & Shampoo / Protect & Condition - I am very much looking forward to trying these, but as I think they'll be great to use when I go away, I'm going to wait until then. They smell really great and I love the packaging.

Liz Earle Beauty Co. Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser - I think I am the most excited about trying this as I am looking to try some better cleansers. This one has apparently won lots of awards, so it has to be great, right? But secretly I have fallen for the fact that it also comes with a little muslin cloth. The idea behind this one is to use the cleanser over dry skin and then use a wet muslin cloth to wipe it off.

Birch Box - April 2014

Yesterday I finally received April's Birch Box. Because the March one was so good, I was excited to see what little surprises April's would bring me. It is fast becoming a favourite part of the month. I love finding new things that I wouldn't have considered purchasing at all otherwise. It is great for trying out new products. And this month in no exception. There were some great items in the box.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes: I'm saving these for when I go away this year, as it is just the perfect size pack away with me.They look great, and with them being cucumber,it means they will be extra refreshing. I'm looking forward to trying these out.

Thebalm 'How 'bout Them Apples?' Cheek and Lip Cream: I absolutely love this product. The palette I received came in the shade 'Pie', and it is just the right size to keep in my bag to be able to top-up on the go. It is very creamy and goes on lovely. And first I thought the shade would be too bright on my lips and cheek, but it enhances them perfectly. A added bonus is the cheeky packaging. I'm definitely considering a full size of this one.

Campos De Ibiza Almond Body Milk: This smells absolutely delicious and it is in a really great sample size. Unfortunately, the big down to this product is that it is full of parabens. The ingredients lists five, so it has made me reluctant to use it. I'm not sure whether I'll try this one or not.

Colour Club Nail Polish: I received mine in the colour Heirloom Pearls, which is such a beautiful shade. It's a lovely pearl colour which paints on opaquely. It has a beautiful shimmer to it. I'm looking forward to using this one throughout the summer.

Lord & Berry Eye Pencil: To me, this product is what it is. It's a pencil. I'm not sure I could justify spending £10 on a pencil which I could get a similar quality for a much cheaper price, especially when I don't use eye pencils that often. It is nice to have a little extra one handy though.

Proper Corn: This is a healthy alternative snack. The flavour of this is Sweet Coconut and Vanilla. What a delicious sounding flavour combination. I cannot wait to try this!

Birch Box - March 2014 Review

I've been reading and watching good things about subscription boxes recently. Beauty ones especially seem to be the perfect little thing for trying out new products, especially things I may not have considered before. I decided it was time that I tried one for myself.

I decided on trying the very popular Birch Box to be my first ever Beauty Box. March's box was a collaboration with designer Lulu Guinness and inspired by her new collection. The box costs £10 plus £2.95 for postage on top of that. Of course, this is only a good price as long as the products are worth it.

Every box comes with a little glossy booklet. This month it was entitled Life Lessons as told by Lulu Guinness, which, if I'm honest, wasn't very interesting. I was more excited about the products themselves.

Benefit Stay Don't Stray -  This is a primer for eye shadow and concealer. Being out the house for around nine hours a day to work means that often my concealer will fade throughout the day. Hopefully this will mean that it will last a bit longer. It's a very small sample size but as a little goes a long way it doesn't really matter.

Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - I thought this would be useful as like most people, I have quite large pores and I've been wanted to find a good product to help reduce them. As this retails at £39 it would have to be pretty good for me to justify spending that amount on it. Sadly, I haven't found it to be. After a couple of applications, I can't see any difference.

Korres Citrus Body Milk - This is one I've not yet tried, but it smells very nice. It's also one of the better sized samples.

English Laundry For Her Fragrance - I absolutely love this and I will definitely be investing in a full bottle. The scent is absolutely gorgeous and it lasts for such a long time. I was really happy with this sample.

Molton Brown Rhubarb & Rose Replenishing Hand Cream - This is another one I am considering in investing in. It rubs in really well and made my hands feel great afterwards. Not only that but it also smells great!

A stick of Rock - Probably the most useless thing in this box for me. As I'm cutting down on sugar I really can't eat anything like a big stick of sugar. For anyone else who loves sugar, I'm sure this will be great. For me, however, I'm going to have to give it away.

I found this box included some great introductory products and I was happy with it. I'm very much looking forward to April's box now!