Love Me Beauty Box Review – February 2015

Price of the Box is £10.00 Plus £3.95 P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 3
Total value of contents in the box £40.50
http://www.lovemebeauty.com

My February 2015 Love Me Beauty Box has arrived and this month sees a great line up in their boutique showcasing new make-up, nail varnish, a selection of skin and bodycare products along with some hair accessories too. I’m really liking the brands which they have been partnering with lately and only wish I had more credits to spend!

February’s boutique features new brands such as Nailberry, Melvita, Mirabella, Popband and Monu as well as some of their older stock from previous months. I must admit, I’m a self-confessed nail varnish obsessive and I vowed that I wouldn’t even look at any more nail varnish let alone purchase any but this month was certainly an exception as Love Me Beauty released five beautiful nail varnish shades from the chic and sophisticated brand Nailberry,  and as the story goes… I ended up with three of them!

Each month The Love Me Beauty monthly subscription is worth 6 credits and you simply chose the items you want inside your box from a selection of products ranging from hair, body, nails, skincare and make-up. Most of the items are either 1 or 2 credits.

All the items are packed within a drawstring bag which is enclosed inside a sturdy good-sized box which can also be re-used for storage.

1.   Nailberry Nail Varnish –  (2 credits each) Full Size RRP £13.50 each

It would have been criminal to turn a blind eye to these classy and sophisticated nail varnishes by Nailberry, the bottles are truly stunning and oozes chicness in true parisienne style. I already own a couple of their nail varnishes and not only are they pretty to look at, but their 4-free and cruelty-free formula is also very impressive, with these three shades being no exception. Their wide collection of colours includes brights, neutrals, darks and a range of shimmery shades, catering for everyone and all occasions.

From the five shades which we available I chose Baby Blue, the perfect debut for Spring, Strawberry Jam, a red varnish with a twist of fushia and Cherry Cherie, a light red which is very close to a summer orange shade.

The formula is truly amazing and apply opaque in one single coat with a high shine finish. It applies streak-free and the brush gives the utmost precision making the entire process really quick and simple without comprising on quality.

 My Verdict

I’m really happy with my selections this month. I love that I can curate my own box allowing full control and flexibility at an affordable monthly price. Whilst this box no longer has the surprise aspect I can simply choose products in accordance with my likes and needs and don’t need to worry about items that may not be suited for me, a concept which I actually like. All of my items are full sized too with an incredible value of £40.50.

This month’s boutique included a good variety of all things beauty and featured a selection of new brands along with some new additions such as skincare, bath & body products and hair accessories.  I’ve also noticed that the boutique features more products that are 1 credit meaning subscribers have the opportunity to get more for their 6 credits. I’m really liking the brands which Love Me Beauty have been working with recently and I’m looking forward to seeing who they have on board next month.

Want to sign up to the Love Me Beauty Revolution?

Use my code VQ2CX8 at the checkout for 1 free credit when you sign up (credit will be awarded on your second box)

http://www.lovemebeauty.com

So Susan LacquerLove Box Review – January 2015

Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £39.75
www.sosusan.com

It’s the start of the new year and a time where we tend to put all our glittery nail vanishes to one side and reach out for wintery colours again from darks to rather more subdued shades. The January 2015 So Susan LacquerLove box has arrived and this month’s theme is New Beginnings and includes four shades to brighten and liven up the miserable month of January and sees a range of refreshing colours which usually dominate the months of summer. The box showcases a good selection of pastel hues to a fiery metallic shade, perfect for giving your nails a fresh start for 2015.

Unfortunately this will be the last LacquerLove edit from So Susan and it’s a box that I am really going to miss. As with all new beginnings I’m looking forward to the newly launched LipLove Subscription which looks amazing. More information on the new box is available here.

So Susan has the prettiest quirky packaging and is definitely a brand which stands out. Their collection of products ranges from make-up to nail varnish combining their lovely portfolio of colours with science. Their philosophy is to create colours which last and is kind to your skin.

The box includes 5 full sized items, four of which are 4- free nail varnishes and one bonus make up product each month from either Jelly Pong Pong or So Susan. Each monthly edit features a unique theme and is specially curated.

This pastel coloured and elegantly designed box is very So Susan designed and comes in the form of a gift box which is secured by a magnetic fastener.

Inside the box is four 4-free nail lacquers and a bonus So Susan make up item .

1. So Susan 4-Free Nail Lacquers – Full Size. RRP £6.95 each

The So Susan nail lacquers are highly pigmented and are formulated to be chip-free and to remain intense with shine from the first application. The formula has quick drying time and is enriched with Rosehip fruit oil to moisturise and strengthen your nails and the delicate skin around it.

These nail lacquers are 4-free which means they contain no DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), no Toluene, no Formaldehyde and no Formaldehyde resin, making it the ideal product which is kind to you but also sustains it’s high quality formula.

This month’s box included the shades Hope, Faith, Dream and Resolution which are all based around new beginnings and very fitting for the month of January.

The January edit features a beautiful selection of pastel hues as well as a fiery metallic shade and it was a refreshing change from the typical colours colours which we associate with winter. The shade Dream is a lovely subtle peach and Faith is a dashing fiery orange with a high shine finish and specks of shimmer.  My favourite is Resolution which is a soft pistachio shade perfect for the months of spring. Lastly is Hope, a striking pastel blue which is the perfect summer holiday shade and really reminds me of the beach!

The So Susan nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty amazing.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat and depending on the shade, one coat is simply enough to achieve a fully opaque finish. The brush also provides great coverage with very little effort making nail painting a complete doddle.

2. So Susan Dual Brow Powder Palette – Full Size RRP £11.95

Brow filling is a must for me to give the brows that extra definition and shape. I’ve always used a brow pencil and never really looked into a powder alternative so was happy to give this a go.

This smudge-proof dual-shade compact comes in a medium coverage  and is infused with Aloe Extract and Carrot Seed Oil to nourish and rejuvenate the sensitive skin around the eyes.

The palette itself is robust and contains two powder shades, one being a light brown and the other a darker brown. It also has a mirror inside and an angled application brush so you can get right underneath the brow line. I tried the darkest shade but unfortunately it just wasn’t dark enough for my brows.

Although the colour wasn’t an exact match,  I loved the compact and surprisingly the powder adhered really well with no smudging. I would love to see this palette in a darker shade as it ticked all of the boxes for me.

 My Verdict

I love this month’s edit which gives a welcoming break from the dark colors which we associate with winter. There’s a good variety of colours and finishes from high shine pastel shades to a striking metallic. I loved trying out the brow palette which also gave me the opportunity to put a powder brow product to the test and I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

The LacquerLove Box was an unique subscription box which only concentrated on nails and was the first of it’s kind to launch in the UK and although this is the last box from So Susan, a few of their previous edits are available to purchase as an one off on their website. It’s such a shame to see this box go as it was one of my favourites and allowed me to try shades that I wouldn’t normally reach out for. As well as the box helping me to steer away from classic shades, I also loved the impressive quality and the high-shine formula of the nail lacquers.

This box is worth an amazing £39.75 which is great value for money and beats the actual price of the box.

So Susan have newly launched their latest Lip Love subscription which is designed to bring you lip-focused products infused with skin-loving ingredients each month.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

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The Beauteque Polished Holiday Bag Review – December 2014

Polished Holiday Bag
Price of the Bag is £22.00 including P&P
No. of Products  – 7
Total value of contents in the bag –  £31.36
http://www.beauteque.com

With the party season already in full swing, Beauteque have launched The Polished Holiday Bag which focuses on getting your hands and feet party ready for the festivities upon us. It contains a great variety of practical must-have essentials and a selection of nail varnishes to get you prepped and primed for the party season.

For the Holiday Season, Beauteque have launched three different bags including the Polished Holiday Bag, the Head to Toe Spaliday Bag and the Tra La La Travel Bag.

Beauteque in a nutshell is two words, beauty and boutique and they are an online retailer specialising in Korean Beauty products. They offer unique high end products that aren’t readily available in the UK and and to name a few, they showcase brands such as Etude House, Mizon, Tony Moly, and Lioele.

The contents come presented in a chic black velvet drawstring bag and features seven full sized products covering all aspects when it comes to prep and priming the hands and feet. This bag also offers a little customisation where you can chose a different type of the Face Shop Cream and two of the nail polish shades.

1.  The Face Shop Green Grape Hand & Body Shiffon Cream – Full Size 100ml RRP £5.52

This cream is a non-sticky formula and keeps the skin moisturised and resilient with long lasting softness. It also has an anti-inflammatory and a nourishing effect on the skin with it’s key ingredient being shea butter.

Out of the two variants available I opted for the Green Grape cream as I prefer sweet scents and thought this would be perfect and I wasn’t wrong, it smells utterly delicious and reminds me of one of the flavours in the Willy Wonka’s Gobstopper pack!

I was expecting this cream to be heavy but surprisingly it’s very light and feels silky when applied onto the skin. It’s non greasy formula absorbs into the skin quickly. I really like this cream it’s a great pick me up for the mornings and although it’s not super hydrating I think this would be ideal for the warmer months.

2.  Looc Mineral Nail Remover – Full Size 100ml RRP £3.00

There’s a generous size of a mineral nail varnish remover by Looc which isn’t a brand I’ve come across before.

This gentle formula easily removes even the darkest shades of nail polish without drying the surface of the nail or the surrounding skin.

The remover doesn’t smell heavily of acetone either and has a pleasant fruity scent which I really like.

3.  Flip Flop Nail Care Kit – Full Size RRP £3.99

Can we take a moment to admire this cute little flip flop case, it’s so cute!

Inside the case is a set of key manicure tools and includes a nail clipper, a metal nail file, nail scissors and a cuticle shaper. It’s the perfect compact travel companion.

4. Foot File – Full Size RRP £3.06

I always welcome foot files in beauty boxes as my feet get really dry during the colder months.

This 4 in 1 foot file includes a nail cleaning brush, a pumice stone, a metal file and a buffing file to really target dry, callused feet and heels.

5. Essie Nail Varnish – Full Size RRP £10.95

I was really shocked to see a nail varnish from Essie considering it’s not a Korean brand however was delighted to see this unexpected surprise which came in the shade After School Blazer, a bold navy blue colour. It’s the perfect winter colour which gives your nails a bold finish and looks stunning with a touch of silver glitter.

6. Scandal Nail Polish – Full Size RRP £3.00

Out of the three variants available I opted for the shade Luxury Purple which is a magenta colour and contains tiny specks of gold shimmer. This nail varnish really stands out with it’s unique provocative corset bottle which grabbed my attention straight away, it’s very different!

The application is great and the color, texture and finish is quite impressive giving you a full opaque result with just one coat. It also has a high shine finish and doesn’t even require a top coat.

7. Make Me Trendy Nail Art Pen – Full Size RRP £1.84

This nail art pen was available in silver and gold and I opted for the latter as silver tends to match with most colours and is more subtle compared to gold.

Whilst this isn’t a pen it’s a striper brush with a short slimline brush which is perfect for doing nail art from dots, stripes to intricate detail. I’ve not attempted any nail art this year so looking forward trying a few designs over the Christmas period.

 My Verdict

Beauteque have selected a great variety of products for this edit which focuses on getting your hands and feet prepped and primed for the party season as well as all year round. The bag also includes key essential items to tackle dry skin during the colder months and boasts seven fulled sized products which are all very usable. The aspect I like about the Beauteque Bags is that they offer some personalisation too which allows you to choose products from different variations and the remainder of what you receive is a complete surprise.

Inside the box is also a product card which is in English so you won’t be lost in translation! My only negative about the product card is that it’s not very descriptive and neither does it include the value of the items.

The entire contents within this bag has a value of  £31.36 beating the cost of the bag which works out around £22.00 including shipping. It’s a small price to pay to discover Korean brands which aren’t available in the UK to buy.

Beauteque have a wide selection of Beauty Bags via their website at:

http://www.beauteque.com

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So Susan LoveLacquer Box Review – December 2014

Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £46.00
www.sosusan.com

The December 2014 So Susan LacquerLove box has arrived and this month’s theme is The Celebration Box which will get your nails party-ready in no time. The box showcases a good selection of party-inspired nail varnishes from impressive high shine shades to an eye-catching glitter varnish, perfect for the festive season and the new year celebrations upon us.

So Susan is a brand which is known to have the prettiest quirky packaging and definitely a brand which stands out. Their collection of products ranges from make-up to nail varnish combining their lovely portfolio of colours with science. Their philosophy is to create colours which last and is kind to your skin.

The box includes 5 full sized items four of which are 4- free nail varnishes and one bonus make up product each month from either Jelly Pong Pong or So Susan. Each monthly edit features a unique theme and is specially curated.

This pastel coloured and elegantly designed box is very So Susan designed and comes in the form of a gift box which is secured by a magnetic fastener.

Inside the box is four 4-free nail lacquers and 1 bonus So Susan Universal Blush.

1. So Susan 4-Free Nail Lacquers – Full Size. RRP £6.95 each

The So Susan nail lacquers are highly pigmented and are formulated to be chip-free and to remain intense with shine from the first application. The formula has quick drying time and is enriched with Rosehip fruit oil to moisturise and strengthen your nails and the delicate skin around it.

These nail lacquers are 4-free which means they contain no DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), no Toluene, no Formaldehyde and no Formaldehyde resin, making it the ideal product which is kind to you but also sustains it’s high quality formula.

This month’s box included the shades Violaceous, Lipstick, Merry Mulberry and Gold Foil  (Full sized retailed at £6.95 individually)

The December edit features a beautiful selection of party-worthy shades which are very wearable all year round. The shade lipstick is the ultimate Christmas red and the Merry Mulberry is a dashing purple with a high shine finish.  My favourite is Violaceous which is a lovely soft lilac hued shade which is ideal for both day and night wear and would look absolutely stunning with a coat of silver glitter varnish. Lastly is Gold Foil, a striking gold glitter varnish which is loaded with specks of glitter, perfect for adding glitz and glamour to any party look.

The So Susan nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty good.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat and one coat is simply enough to achieve a fully opaque finish. The brush also provides great coverage with very little effort making nail painting a complete doddle.

2. So Susan Universal Blush – Full Size RRP £17.95

Although I already own this blusher I was happy to receiving another one. This is a micronized, jet-milled blush that works with your skin’s natural chemistry to create a universal healthy flush that is flattering on all skin tones. It’s made with Buriti Fruit Oil to repair the epidermis and improve skin elasticity.

This diverse blusher is a really pretty shade of pink and contains hints of gold shimmer giving a soft warm glow giving a natural finish. The gold shimmer adds subtle luminosity especially when exposed to light.

The silky texture glides smoothly onto the skin, is easy to blend and can be built up to achieve a more dramatic look. I really love the shade which is perfect for brightening lacklustre skin during the winter months.

 My Verdict

I love this month’s edit which includes a great selection of Christmas and party inspired nail varnishes. There’s a good variety of colours and finishes from striking high shine shades to an eye-catching glitter. The Universal Blush was a lovely addition to the box and is perfect for brightening dull complexions this winter.

Overall this is an unique subscription box  which concentrates only on nails and is the first of it’s kind in the UK subscription market. I love So Susan’s concept of this monthly box it’s certainly one which will ensure you have the latest colour trends in your collection.  I also like that you receive a bonus make up product too making the discovery not just nails. Alternatively this would also make a lovely gift for Christmas which isn’t far now.

This box is worth an amazing £46.00 which is great value for money as the box itself is only £14.95 including P&P. You certainly won’t be in the dark with this box as you will be able to preview the box and all it’s contents prior to it being sent to you. if you don’t fancy the pickings you can simply skip the month giving you complete control and flexibility.

If you tend to stick to classic shades this box definitely gives you the opportunity to try something which you normally wouldn’t reach out for.

 There’s a colour to suit every occasion in this box making it the ultimate box for all you nail varnish enthusiasts.

So Susan have newly launched their latest Lip Love subscription which is designed to bring you lip-focused products infused with skin-loving ingredients each month.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

**PR Sample**
 Please see my disclaimer for more information

So Susan LacquerLove Box Review – November 2014

Price of the Box is £14.95 including P&P
No. of Products in the Box – 5
Total value of contents in the box £46.75
www.sosusan.com

The November 2014 So Susan LacquerLove box has arrived and this month’s theme is The Modern Muse.  Autumn needn’t be dull and gloomy and So Susan have come up with the perfect edit which will set a spark in your step and get you noticed with it’s collection of unique hued varnishes. These come presented with a new silver cap adding elegance and luxe to this month’s box.

So Susan is a brand which is known to have the prettiest quirky packaging and definitely a brand which stands out. Their collection of products ranges from make-up to nail varnish combining their lovely portfolio of colours with science. Their philosophy is to create colours which last and is kind to your skin.

This box includes 5 full sized items four of which are 4- free nail varnishes and one bonus make up product each month from either Jelly Pong Pong or So Susan. Each monthly edit features a unique theme and is specially curated.

This pastel coloured and elegantly designed box is very So Susan designed and comes in the form of a gift box which is secured by a magnetic fastener.

Inside the box is four 4-free nail lacquers and 1 bonus So Susan Concealer Quad.

1. So Susan 4-Free Nail Lacquers – Full Size. RRP £6.95 each

The So Susan nail lacquers are highly pigmented and are formulated to be chip-free and to remain intense with shine from the first application. The formula has quick drying time and is enriched with Rosehip fruit oil to moisturise and strengthen your nails and the delicate skin around it.

These nail lacquers are 4-free which means they contain no DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate), no Toluene, no Formaldehyde and no Formaldehyde resin. A nail varnish which contains no nasties making it the ideal product which is kind to you but also great quality.

This month’s box included the shades Imperial Blue, Amethyst, Black Velvet and Mint Cream  (Full sized retailed at £6.95 individually)

The November edit features a selection of different unique shades which are all very wearable throughout the year. The Black Velvet really surprised me as I was expecting to see a shiny finish however this dries as a matte black and I’ve been meaning to pick one up. The Imperial Blue and Amethyst has the most amazing pop of colour and lastly my favourite the Mint Cream, a lovely pastel shade which brings a hint of spring and sunshine.

These nail lacquers have a wonderful formula and the colour payoff is pretty good.The most impressive factor is the shine which these lacquers give without the need for a top coat. One coat is all it takes to for an opaque result. They really do give you the most effortlessly application.

2. So Susan Concealer Quad – Full Size RRP £18.95

The November So Susan edit sees the inclusion of their very own concealer quad. I already own this compact and was happy to receive another one as my old one has seen better days!

This compact contain 4 concealer shades that cover dark shades, blemishes and minor imperfections and is formulated with virgin Marula oil.

I love that this product is diverse and the colours can be mixed to achieve the perfect match. This is great if you are looking for light weight coverage which isn’t heavy.

 My Verdict

The November box definitely gives a welcoming break from the dark and metallic colors which we associate with Autumn/Winter and I’m delighted with the shades and the concealer quad within this month’s edit.

Overall this is an unique subscription box  which concentrates only on nails and is the first of it’s kind in the UK subscription market. I love So Susan’s concept of this monthly box it’s certainly one which will ensure you have the latest colour trends in your collection.  I also like that you receive a bonus make up product too making the discovery not just nails. Alternatively this would also make a lovely gift for Christmas which is only 7 weekends away!

This box is worth an amazing £46.75 which is great value for money as the box itself is only £14.95 including P&P. You certainly won’t be in the dark with this box as you will be able to preview the box and all it’s contents prior to it being sent to you. if you don’t fancy the pickings you can simply skip the month giving you complete control and flexibility.

If you tend to stick to classic shades this box definitely gives you the opportunity to try something which you normally wouldn’t reach out for.

 There’s a colour to suit every occasion in this box making it the ultimate box for all you nail varnish enthusiasts.

For more information please visit:

www.sosusan.com

**PR Sample**
 Please see my disclaimer for more information