Category Archives: Beautify

It’s been a few months since I indulged in a beauty box, but I was tempted back into the waters by a recent launch from Latest in Beauty and Glamour magazine. For £17.99, you receive 9 products hand picked by the Glamour Beauty Director, Alessandra Steinherr. She has selected her summer must-haves, ensuring you have a summer in a box.

I love the packaging! Very summer appropriate. As well as the products you also receive discount vouchers for all the brands included.

The first item is a sheet of metallic temporary tattoos from Seekers of the Sun. I think these are really cute and I’m sure would be great for festival goers. I like the dots and the mendhi style patterns and I will be trying them out as finger tattoos.

I’ve seen this Caudelie Divine Oil in lots of beauty boxes in the past, but have never picked one up. It’s a dry oil that can be used on your hair and skin or in your bath. I like oils like this for overnight moisture and look forward to having a go with this.

The Pixi Glow Tonic was the item that made me decide to buy the box. I’ve heard loads of good things about the Glow Tonic but £18 it’s quite pricey for a toner – especially since (so far) all toners seem to be pretty similar. So, despite the dinky size, I’m excited to trial this. Will let you know how I get on!

Next up is the L’Occitane Shampoo and Conditioner which includes 5 essential oils. I like the small size so I’m going to take them to Edinburgh with me (going home for a week!). I’m hoping for shiny, nourished hair.

I was also looking forward to trying out a Nails Inc Gel Effect nail polish but oh my God, this colour choice is terrible. It’s called ‘Uptown’ and is a dusky pink-greige. What is summery about that??!! Sorry, but I am sick of the ‘safe‘ boring nail colour choices these boxes always make. This range includes a yellow, an ice-cream mint, a bright orchid colour…lots that are so much more summer appropriate than this one. It’s probably the least summery colour in the collection. Gah! It’s been chucked in the drawer until October.

On a more positive note, I love the Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon. Unfortunately, I already have this colour, but I’m more than happy to share the love and pass it on to a pal. This is called ‘Peach on the Beach’ and is summery!

I like the look of this Balance Me Super Toning Body Polish. I’m the worst at using remembering to use scrubs, but this is an exfoliator, toner and moisturiser in one so I’m sure I can get  use of it.

The second big disappointment of this box for me is the Eucerin Sun Creme. Again, this was something I was excited to try, and one of the main reasons I bought the box. The Eucerin range is a high-factor SPF but is great for the face as it is not as oily as other brands. However, this one is tinted – argh! It’s way to dark for me and as it’s an SPF, you need to put a decent amount on to ensure adequate protection. Seriously, who has skin that dark and needs SPF 50?! (Obviously I know people with darker skin tones also need sun protection, but not that high!). So annoyed I can’t use this.

Lastly is the Vita Liberata Trystral Minerals self-tanning bronzer. The idea is that it’s a powder gradual facial fake tan. I don’t use fake tan so I knew I wouldn’t use this so I’m not disappointed. In fact, I’m quite pleased because the brush that came with it seems great. It’s very soft and dense so I’m not sure what I’ll use it for but sure it’ll be handy. I would say that if I had wanted to use the bronzer, I’d probably be a bit miffed that the pot was less than half full…

So overall, a bit of a mixed bag. I guess I’ll get over my disappointment with the Nails Inc colour – I’m probably being a bit bratty because it is a generous addition. I am pleased with the brush and tattoos and I’m looking forward to trying the Pixi, Caudelie and Balance Me products.

Ending on a positive! Let me know what you think of this box.