JANUARY'S LATEST IN BEAUTY BOX

I am literally obsessed with this month's Latest In Beauty box.

I swear they've been on a roll with the products they have been releasing. Every month when it comes to that time to choose my products I never struggle.

And for those of you who don't know much about Latest In Beauty, they are a beauty subscription service but unlike all the other beauty boxes out there, you choose the subscription that best suits you and how many products you want to receive each month.

Not only that, you choose the products too. Every day they add products and each month you go through the list of products and select which ones you want. I absolutely recommend this beauty box for anybody who has subscribed to boxes in the past but felt disappointed with the type of products they receive. I feel with Latest In Beauty you have more control.

Onto the products, I did happen to pick two products from the same brand and I believe I also chose a similar product from their range in last month's box too. The 'Tan Extender body lotion' by Dr. Organic as well as their 'Light Self Tan Mousse' Last month's box I believe I picked out their pre tan exfoliator body polish. I've always used Bondi Sands but I really love the Dr. Organics Vitamin E cream so I definitely want to try out other products they have.

And speaking of Bondi Sands (I'm such a huge fan. I use their Ultra Dark tanning mousse and freaking love it) I also got their self tan eraser. There's nothing worse than when you have quite dark patchy areas (especially on the knees) and can't really correct it. So I'm hoping this will be useful if and when I want to tidy up my tan. To be fair I don't usually find Bondi Sands leave any uneven streaks or patchiness but if I do a crap job at exfoliation beforehand then it can sometimes cause this issue.

The next product I've also had something off them in other beauty boxes before and actually chose something from the brand in last months box too; The Soaper Duper body scrub. I have their hand cream and body lotion and have tried their shower crème too and they smell super nice.

I also picked out the fortifying green bath potion by MOA. I absolutely love taking baths and love these bath oils, etc. This one is peppermint, fennel, and fir needle. Honestly, I love that kind of smell. It's always really refreshing and soothing and makes you feel good if you're run down and feeling kind of crappy.

I have been wanting something for my feet for ages as I walk a lot every day and sometimes my feet just ache and need some tlc. So I picked out the Soothing Balm For Aching Feet & Limbs by Templespa. I've only used it once but it felt good on my feet so I'll definitely use it everyday when I get out of the shower.

This product really interested me because it wasn't something I've seen a lot of. The Cinnamon & Chai Glimmer Skincare Gel by the brand SBC. I have sampled it and it smells absolutely amazing when you first put it on but once it sets it doesn't seem to stay with the same nice smell. It also has glitter in so I'm not sure how I feel about that. Apparently you can use it underneath makeup for a dewy look but I definitely wouldn't due to the glitter but I definitely think it could look pretty bomb on a tan in the summer. I'm definitely going to keep it by for that. The only thing that really irked me is that when I opened the lid (It's one of those pop lids) it just kept running out so when I closed it, it was all around the cap. Not fun and could get messy.

Not that I'm even certain what this product actually does, I did choose it out of curiosity more than anything. The Push Up Buttocks Sculpting Gel by Phergal. I mean I think if we could get creams to push bums up and take away imperfections we wouldn't pay so much money for non-surgical and surgical procedures, etc. I might try this and even do a small blog post review on it after just because I'm intrigued.

The final product which I was really excited to be able to pick out. The Dermalogica microfoliant. It's literally a powder you put on your face and add water which changes the formula to a paste which you then apply on your face and wash away with water. I saw a youtube review on it and it looked pretty interesting. And then I saw the price and couldn't justify spending that much to try a product for the first time so I'm glad there was an opportunity open to try this out.

Are you subscribed to Latest In Beauty? What products did you choose for this month?

ROCCABOX UNBOXING - JANUARY 2019 BOX

The first Roccabox of 2019 is here and I'm pretty impressed with the contents in this month's box.

I've enjoyed nearly every box off them and found most products have been of real use for me so I'm always excited for the arrival of their boxes.

This month's box features 6 products with at least two being full sized products. Now on the information card that comes with each box, they actually only list five products but there is actually six. I'm not sure why the sixth wasn't put on the card and there's no mention of it anywhere so I don't know if it's a full sized product or travel size.

Two of the products included in this box are actually from the same brand. The Definition Duo Eyeliner Pencil by Sportfx and their Sport Stamina Mascara.

It says the eyeliner is smudge free, super long wear and has a micro tipped liner to allow for precision application.

The mascara boasts of a 24 hour staying power (Not that I'm going to wear mascara for that long and I don't know of anybody else who would) and is smudge proof, waterproof, and is guaranteed to last the entire day.

Another primer is included in this month's box from the Korean brand Touch In Sol. And although I absolutely love Korean brands (They're some of the best skincare brands out there in my opinion) I'm just done with primers. I've had so many from previous beauty boxes and have tried quite a few out and I'm not all that wowed by them. I don't know if I'll end up trying this or not. But for those of you who are curious, this primer supposedly contains a unique powder that contains sebum production and creates a velvety smooth canvas. It's also enriched with green tea extract and collagen, so the formula builds an invisible barrier against the elements, protecting skin and helping to keep it smooth and healthy.

The next product is the Wonder Eye Cream by Balance Me. I've also received an eye cream in a different beauty box and am also currently using another one from a different beauty box. I don't know whether I need two so I might give one of them away. This eye cream will brighten dark shadows, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and hydrate the eye area, whilst protecting against premature ageing.

Included is also Skin and Nail Gummy Vitamins by the brand Beauty and the bear hair. A week's supply has been given. I have started to take them but I'm not really a believer of these kind of things. I mean they're a lot of money for a month's supply and a good diet should usually give you the benefits you need unless of course you have a deficiency. I'm not expecting to see a change from taking these. I get there's only a week's supply which one could argue would be a factor into not seeing a difference but I don't really feel like going out and spending that kind of money with a high chance I'm just paying for sweets.

And the final product and the one that's not mentioned anywhere is the Peace Be Still Calming Skin Balm by Templespa. Reading the information on their website, it says it can be used as face and body moisturiser and helps soothe sensitive or irritated skin. It helps soothe and cool skin after sun exposure, is non-greasy and absorbs quickly.

Granted there have been some products in this box that I have already received the same kind of products in other boxes so there will probably be a few things I'll give away but I'm definitely going to keep the mascara as I get through those quickly, I'm going to try the eyeliner as well, and I'll also try out the Skin Balm by Templespa too.

All in all, I've absolutely loved my box from them again and can't wait for the next one.

Are you subscribed to Roccabox? What did you think of this month's box?

GLOSSYBOX UNBOXING - JANUARY 2019 BOX

The first beauty boxes of 2019 are finally starting to arrive and I've been waiting in anticipation to see just what we are all going to be receiving in them. I've already done an unboxing post on January's Look Fantastic box which is just before this blog post (Just an FYI ).

Every month when it comes around to beauty boxes being dispatched I'm always excited in waiting for my boxes to arrive and always get an enjoyment when I return home from work to find they have been delivered. It's like a rush honestly, haha. All jokes aside, it's nice to treat yourself and have something to look forward to.

I have real fun in blogging and letting you all know the products inside and, of course, my own views on them. I think beauty box blogging is a real fun hobby of mine and I get real enjoyment out of reviewing products on my blog and sharing that with you all.

If you frequent my blog posts, then you'll know the kind of posts I blog about and the beauty boxes I am subscribed to. I try and blog on each box I receive. It's not always possible but I always post pictures of each box on my Instagram if I can't commit to my blog (You can find me @theclownthatsmiles)

This month's Glossybox isn't my favourite beauty box by them but it's certainly got some interesting products inside. Not only that, it boasts a product with a RRp of £98 pounds 😮

And seriously, they're not fibbing. I searched up the brand myself and found that their products really do have a high price point and one that most of us really couldn't afford to splurge out on. So it's nice to have such a luxurious brand to try out.

So what is this product with a price point of £98? Well it's only the Deluxe Hyaluronic Acid Vivifying Face & Eye Cream by Avant Skincare. It will rejuvenate tired eyes, promote an even skin tone and minimise the appearance of fine lines and pesky pores. Well I can tell you for £98 pounds I expect a whole entire new face. I'm pretty curious to try this product out. For the price I would definitely be expecting positive results in using it.

Onto the next product, the Dream Blender Foundation Sponge by Maybelline. If I didn't own this myself then I would be pretty excited to try it. I love trying new blending sponges. I just keep on the look out for a blending sponge at a fair price point but one I compare to the loved Beauty Blender. Because I'm sorry but I really haven't found any that compare. There's some pretty great ones out there and ones I love but they're just not comparable. My opinion on the Dream Blender Sponge? Well, confession...I haven't actually gotten around to trying it. I know I definitely need to. I remember watching the videos of people reviewing this sponge with the maybelline dream foundation. Literally years ago.

The third product is such a meh to me. It's the Repairing Deep Conditioning Treatment by Hask. It's such a disappointment to have this product because (And just like face masks) at the moment these products are in nearly every beauty box I receive, every month. Granted they're different brands but I firmly believe hair masks are just overpriced and glorified conditioner. They're usually ridiculously expensive for the product amount and how much you need to use for the results you get. Yes, they do work and make your hair soft and silky and shiny. But so does the £2 conditioners you pick up from the supermarket. At least that is my own opinion of using them. I would honestly be more than happy to have no hair care products for awhile, especially hair masks, etc.

Another haircare product is also in this months box and one I have received quite a few times in other beauty boxes. The Rethink Dry Shampoo by Batiste. It's not that I hate it. I just have so many that I don't need any more of them. I don't use them enough to get through so quickly that I need more. Although they are supposedly good for hair that is weak, frizzy, dry, or flat. Infused with keratin, smoothing coconut, moisturising avocado, they'll refresh, repair, soften, hydrate and revive your hair.

And the final product is the Facial Micro Luffa Foaming Gel by -417.  Formulated with minerals from the dead sea, rare plant extracts and vitamins, it's invigorating formula will leave your skin feeling clean, soft and fresh. I'll definitely be trying this product out. I absolutely love trying face cleansers out. They're one of my favourite products to try.

What did everybody else think of this month's box?

LOOK FANTASTIC - JANUARY 2019 UNBOXING

A big Happy New Year to you all!

Another year is upon us. I swear 2018 just flew by.

 I'm pretty excited to see what this year is going to bring and not to mention that I'm also pretty eager to see what the beauty boxes are going to be like and the new products and brands there will be out there to discover. I've had an absolute blast discovering new brands in 2018 and finding new products to fall in love with. I've tried so many different products and have really had so much fun blogging and reviewing new discoveries. I'm pretty curious as well to see what trends we are going to see this year and if any of them will still be popular from 2018. Anybody else thinking full coverage and matte foundations might not be the number one, just like instabrows and cut creases. I definitely think we will see a change in the beauty industry once again. I'm pretty excited for it actually.

And I know I've lost myself to one of my many rambles so I'm just going to go straight to telling you all about this month's box

Spoiler: (Shhhh) It's not actually all that great >

So if you've read my previous posts where I have reviewed Look Fantastic you'll know I'm kind of on the fence with their boxes and can't decide whether I love them or hate them. I mean I've been holding off being really critical as I haven't been that long of a subscriber and really wanted to get a feel for the boxes before really making a decision on whether I should be unsubscribing or not.

And you know, I have had some great products from Look Fantastic but then I've had some pretty crappy stuff too. I'm not usually one to moan about beauty boxes and products not being great, not my cuppa tea, blah, blah blah, because let's face it, they are pretty much surprise boxes so we can't possibly guarantee we will love every damn product we receive.  But when you get a few boxes in a row where every product is of no use then it's definitely worth becoming critical.

But before I go any further I'm going to go straight into the products in this box and let you know a bit about them. 

I was really bummed to see the Original Clear Balm by Dr Paw Paw as I've already had two of these from other beauty boxes. I've already given one away and definitely don't need a second so I'll be getting rid of this one as well. Great for those who have dry areas such as lips, cuticles, or even your hair however.

Although I haven't gotten around to trying them out yet, I already have pop bands too and actually picked them from a previous box from a different beauty box so when I saw a packet of pop bands in this month's box it didn't wow me. I might give these away as well just because I don't feel I need two lots of them, especially when I haven't gotten around to trying them out yet. I am keen to get using them as apparently they leave your hair bump free and don't snap easy and I have really long thick hair so getting hair bands to not snap is pretty difficult.

As for the third product, is anybody else just sick of hair masks because, seriously, all I seem to be getting in beauty boxes is hair masks and treatments at the moment. I do enjoying using hair masks but in all honesty (And coming from my opinion of using them) they really are just overpriced and glorified conditioner. This product however is a serum and is to be used on towel dry slightly damp hair. It's meant to help hair look glossy and hydrated. Pretty much what a conditioner is right?

Okay, I love face masks and I'm slowly starting to get through the massive packs I have gathered from many different beauty boxes but to have another is just overwhelming. Masks seem to be guaranteed for every beauty box every month at the moment. Will it end? This particular mask is the gold dust sheet mask by Vitamasques. Apparently it has real gold dust inside 😮 I'll end up using it for sure but I definitely wouldn't complain if I didn't receive a few face masks for awhile.

I don't know how I feel about having a banana powder in this month's box. I don't know how I feel about setting powders in general and if they really do make a difference. I have a translucent setting powder from a previous box I am slowly getting through and it really does make my makeup cakey once I've applied it. I know that's only one product but I don't want to try another for it to happen again when I could give it away and it could potentially work for somebody else.

And the final product is the Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturiser by First Aid Beauty. I'm not really one for primers either and that's just because every primer I try with a foundation always seem to make my makeup look worse than when I don't bother. It could be that the primers I try don't respond well to the foundations I use but they just haven't done anything for me in terms of finding a devotional primer. I might try this with fingers crossed that I can actually have my mind changed about primers once and for all.

So how do I feel about this month's box? Well it's wasn't great but it wasn't bad bad. I mean none of the products have really wowed me but most of it is only because I have so many of the same products just different brands. And that's bound to happen when you receive six different beauty boxes a month. I have had a box from Look Fantastic previously where I really loved the box. I think for £15 a month which is a bit more (Not that much mind) than other beauty boxes, I expect something better. I don't think it helps that Look Fantastic and Glossybox (Which I am also subscribed to) are owned by the same company, yet one is so brilliant and has a lot of fantastic products, only for the other not to have the same love put into into it in my opinion. 

Fingers crossed for next month's box. I am excited. 

Are you subscribed to Look Fantastic? What did you think of their first box for 2019?