Jolie Box Review - June 2012

Like most people, my box took a while to get to me. I wasn't that impressed seeing as it was my first box that I'd signed up for; but I'd decided to try it looking for something to replace Glossybox.

Here's an overview of the items that I got. I was very impressed with the size of these samples. There is definitely enough to find out whether you'd be interested in buying the full size product. I know some people were disappointed that there were two moisturisers in the box, but I actually loved both of them.

Yon-Ka Pamplemousse Protective and Vitalizing Cream

The first of these is Yon-Ka Pamplemousse Protective and Vitalizing Cream. This was the customised item; and although I didn't receive the correct box (new subscribers were meant to receive a volumising shampoo also) this was for normal to dry skin which fits me.

As the name suggests, it smells like grapefruit but isn't as overpowering as I thought it would be. A little goes a long way and a pea sized amount gives a light layer all over my face which means that this generous 50ml tube will last a long time!

They say that it should protect skin from external factors and make your complexion look hydrated and bright. For the few days I've used it I can say that it makes me skin very soft and I think it definitely gives my skin a dewy look.

This is actually a full size product and the cheapest price that I could find for it for £25. This means that I'm not sure that I'll buy it after I've finished it as my usual bodyshop moisturiser is £11 and I'm not sure it's worth double the price.

L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream

The second of these is L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream that they say reinforces natural skin hydration and leaves skin looking radiant and fresh.

I haven't used this one too much as I have been using the Yon-Ka moisturiser; but it feels nice on the skin. I don't actually like the scent of most L'Occitane products because I prefer fruity to floral scents so this doesn't appeal to me immediately.

But the little pot is so pretty and ideal for travelling, so I'll definitely use it for a weekend away some time.

Elysambre Lipstick

Next is a product that I really rather like, but I'm not sure I could pull it off!

I received a lipstick by Elysambre that I thought looked a little brown and would be terrible on my lips, but it's actually a beautiful deep red. It looks rather striking against my skin, but would definitely be too much for a day look- and I'm not sure I'm brave enough to wear it at night!

Here you can see it on my morning face. I'd just taken photos of my eyes for a post on Shu Uemura eyelash curlers and for some reason decided that a sleepy full face picture would be a good idea.

I think it's actually a little darker in person than it is in this photo, but it's a beautiful colour. The coverage is amazing, it's surprisingly easy to apply and Elysambre's products are supposed to be all natural which is always a plus.

Institut Esthederm Bronz Repair Body Lotion

The last sample is Institut Esthederm Bronz Repair Body Lotion. It is supposed to fight signs of aging caused by the sun whilst helping the skin to tan. I won't be using this because I don't tan very easily at all and generally stay out of the sun or pile on my SPF 30.

I've given it to my mother because I think she'll use it. I like the idea behind the product even if I wouldn't actually find much use for it.

Joliebox nail file

And lastly a free Jolie Box nail file that is quite cute but I have other files that I'll probably use instead. It's nice as an added extra though.

Overall I loved this box. I much prefer it to Glossybox and so think that I will be cancelling my sub to that and sticking with Joliebox. I adore French beauty products and can't wait for my next box at the end of this month!

If you got the box this month, what did you think of it?  

Glossybox review - June 2012

This morning I was lucky enough to receive three packages. A very cheap (1p!) Maybelline New York lip gloss bargain from Half Price Perfumes, a beautiful Paprika peplum dress from New Look and my beautiful new Glossybox.

 Upon opening my box I actually said out loud “Wow, that's big”; referring to the Clean Start 3-step kit by Dermalogica that sat at the top of my box. This set has three parts to it:

A foaming wash that is said to “clean deep and wipe out dirt and breakouts”

A purifying toner in the form of a spray mist that they say “helps control shine and keep breakouts away”

An spf15 moisturizer that is lightweight and shouldn't block pores.

Foaming wash, Purifying Toner, SPF Moisturizer

I was pretty excited by this set. The card that came with my box says that it has a value of £12 which is practically the price of my box by itself and I'm always looking for new face products. I don't suffer from breakouts but I do get terrible blackheads on my nose so maybe this set will be good for not clogging my pores.

Although I haven't used this set yet (it arrived too late and I'd already finished my morning routine and put on my make up!) I thought I'd open it to feel the consistency of the products.

Foaming Wash

For some reason I thought that the foaming wash would have a creamy formula; probably because of all of my moisturising washes that I have to banish my dry skin on my cheeks. It doesn't smell unpleasant, maybe a little medicinal though.

The mist toner feels lovely on my skin. I sprayed it a little on my neck and it felt very cooling on my skin. I'm not sure if it stops breakouts but it did leave a matte finish once it had dried although I'm not sure how it would fare on oily skin. It also feels amazing on hot days like today!

SPF Moisturizer

The moisturising lotion is lightweight, as promised. It takes a little bit of rubbing to get it to absorb into the skin but seeing as it's a very thin lotion is seems like a little will go a long way.

I think I'll be trying this whole set out starting from tonight.

Next was a 1g pot of Summer Warmth Bronzer by BM Beauty. This little pot is worth around £2 and for a sample it's very full!

Summer Warmth Bronzer

  

In the box was also a natural goat hair blush brush with Glossybox written on it (which matches our compact mirrors from their birthday box!) and a mini Yves Rocher France Ultra-volume Sexy Pulp mascara.

  

The brush is made of natural goat hair and is said to give supersoft make-up application. It had quite a few loose hairs but does feel quite soft. Apparently it retails for £15 but I'm not sure I would have paid that; a very nice addition to the box though. I'll be trying it tomorrow with my blush.

The mascara I haven't been able to test yet because I already have some on. I'm looking forward to trying it though as the brush seems to come out with very little excess product on it. Even if I don't buy the larger version of this I think I'll keep it in my handbag as it's such a useful size. I don't know who thought the word “pulp” sounded sexy though!

  

Last are a collection of 6 shades of Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream Stick by Vichy. It is said to be good for correcting minor to severe skin flaws. Inside the packet it shows before and after images of models covering their flawed skin -including one male model which I thought was quite nice. I've known quite a few men who were embarrassed by their blemishes, it's nice that Vichy aren't just targeting women with this product- men should feel confident in own skin too!

Left to right: Porcelain, Opal, Light, Nude, Sand, Bronze

Here are swatches of all 6 tones. They seem very creamy and I can imagine that they'd be good at covering blemishes. As always they don't really suit my skin, but if there was one that did I'm sure that I'd buy it. The foundation sticks are fragrance free, hypoallergenic and have spf50 as well as being resistant to water and persiration.

This isn't going to be the kind of product that wears off after an hour or so. I've washed my arm twice rather brutally after these swatches and I still have shadows of all 6 shades!

Overall I'm very pleased with this months box. I think it's better than ones that I've received in previous months and I believe that I'll use nearly all of these products.

I was wondering about cancelling Glossybox and sticking just with Joliebox but it seems I'll be sticking with them a while longer.

What do you think about this month's Glossybox? Did you love the products as much as I did? I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else got.