I went a bit Christmas crazy. I’d always set it in my head I’d do two Boudoir Privé subscriptions, and then two Carmine ones (box is due to arrive next week, alas), then Glossybox went and spoilt it by letting me know I could get their Christmas box at a reduced price… so I went for it. Five beauty boxes in two months is probably overdoing it, but hey.

Add to that Boudoir Privé are now Joliebox, having merged with the french company, so there’s extra more goodies this month to celebrate this – and they didn’t disappoint. My first Glossybox arrived this morning and I was really happy again with what I received.

Will I keep up these subscriptions? Probably not, I now have lots of lovely new makeup to keep me going for a long time – it was a great treat and something I might dip in and out of. I like how with Glossybox you can still order a box once it’s been released, whereas with Joliebox you only have the one chance. Carmine also seem to follow the same route as Glossybox which is nice.

So, what did I get? My Joliebox had some lovely things in it – some OPI Gold Shatter Nail Lacquer (which I’m currently wearing on its own and amazingly it hasn’t chipped yet!), Mitchell and Peach Shower Wash (not tried yet, but it smells good – it smells of flowery gardens), a New CID Cosmetics i-gloss (hurrah! A lipgloss with the mirror and light on it, I like this brand!), Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust (once I’d sussed it out, it’s a nice shimmer powder – which you can also put in your hair!), Yon-Ka Vital Defens – a nice cream (which helps preserve youthfulness, which quite frankly I do like). There were also bonuses – some Kusmi Detox Tea (had I gone to my work Christmas Do, this would be needed this morning, but oh, it smells so good) and a Joliebox concealer brush (which I can’t wait to try out).

Glossybox had some lovely things too – a Blink + Go Hi-Definition Mascara (full sized
too which is good as I needed a new one), Cargo Cosmetics – Classic Lip Gloss (I’ve had
so many lip glosses now I might save this one or give it away – this is a good colour though, more me, darker shade ‘morocco’), Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle Mini Nail Varnish and Stripped to Go sachet (oh this is a loooovely colour, a really deep deep red, and I love the idea of a polish remover in a mitt, with one mitt doing all ten fingers – though I bet it’s quite costly), Jurlique Age Defying Ultra Firm and Lift Cream (a 5ml sample which I’ll be trying today, which apparently helps regenerate new skin cells), and finally a Rituals Foaming Shower Gel (full size too, Organic Rice Milk and Cherry Blossom).

I’ve really enjoyed receiving boxes of things I wouldn’t normally buy, or wouldn’t know where to start looking. It’s felt like a nice pamper without having to do too much. As I’m a working mum I spend a lot more time on my daughter than myself, so this was a nice treat, even if it was quite pricey. I love that Joliebox included tea in their box (and it smells amazing) – although they’re at crazy prices on their site, so I’m sticking with Teapigs… for now.

Okay, so after getting my first Boudoir Privé box last weekend, I went a bit crazy and had a look around at other boxes out there – Carmine offer a discount for the first box, I knew I’d get the November one (only the second one they’ve done) which looked kind of interesting, so I went for it – and it arrived this morning.

Inside there’s some good samples, and definitely things I’d think about using.

• Lulu’s Time Bomb – Flashback Night Cream. Yep – Lulu – this is described as a ‘extremely powerful anti-ageing time machine’ – and while my love of Dr Who kind of went when Christopher Eccleston left, I’m willing to give this a go.
• New CID – iPout Lipstick – okay, another lipstick. H looked in horror when I said I had one, while I looked on in amazement at the really simple idea of building in a mirror – and get this – a light too, for when you apply it. Brilliant!!
• Dainty Doll – Eyeliner Pencil. Oh yes, it’s Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud’s makeup range which made me feel a bit young, but actually, it applies really nicely, and I can see myself using it a fair bit – in a nice browny shade too.
• Neom Organics – Real Luxury Body Lotion – apparently an equivalent to fine chocolates and champagne, my very dry skin liked it, although I think I probably need some more… packed with the smells of lavender, jasmine, basil and more – smells gooood.
• Cosmetics A La Carte – Brow Ink. Okay, this one is the one I’m liking the look of the most – a semi-permanent ink where you can draw in eyebrows and not accidentally wipe them off. I’ll let you in to a secret – when I was about thirteen my sister threw a swingball bat at my head (I kept winning), and it split a section of skin open on my eyebrow – it’s never been the same, and always looked odd on photos. This could give me proper eyebrows again! So I’ll definitely be using it. It can also be used as a liner – I would definitely buy this.

Anyway, without trying to compare the two boxes too much, I’d say right now Carmine appears to be more my kind of thing, I’m definitely going to get another box of each to see what’s on offer for December (some perfume please, or a good concealer!) – now if only someone would start doing a Mummy Box…

I decided that as I’ve been putting a little bit of cash away each month in a Christmas Club, part of my treat for myself would be to subscribe to the Boudoir Privé Monthly Beauty Box. I’m not big on fashion (as anyone who knows me can tell), though I do like my fancy makeup. I’m a creature of habit, quite happily stuck in my Clarins land, though do like to try other things, and quite frankly, I deserve a treat – it hasn’t been the greatest year. This was also inspired by Mummy vs Work, and her review of Glossybox.

I did weigh up whether I’d be a Boudoir Privé or a Glossybox kind of girl, and after reading lots of reviews, I think as I’m a bit older, BP may be more me. We’ll see… You pay £10 a month (though this price has now gone up to include postage & packing), and you get a box full of surprises each month.

 

 

My first box has just arrived – and ooh, it’s all in the presentation! It’s small enough the postman brings it (rather than a van), even though it wont fit through the letterbox.  It’s packaged in a good strong outer card box, with a pretty pink inner, all lovingly wrapped and sealed with a card and ribbon, with information (and prices) on the samples you’ve received.

This month’s box contained Dead Sea Spa Magic – Silky Smooth Body Lotion 50ml, Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturiser 10ml, Rahua Voluminous Shampoo and Conditioner (two 10ml & 8ml sachets in a nice organza bag), Vinies Ayurveda’s Soul Luminous Skin Mask (two 15gm pots) and Studiomakeup’s Rich Hydration Lipstick 4g (full sized!).

 

On the card you’ve prices to buy this stuff – and the lipstick alone is £12.25. Given the box was £10, I’ve already gained… (the skin mask is £32.85 for 40gm – crazy prices, potentially I’ll have amazing skin!) – these are properly lovely cosmetics, a treat, and something I’ll be making sure I save for a good pamper occasion (rather than just everyday).

I’m really looking forward to next months box – these aren’t brands I’d be splashing out on normally so I’m quite enjoying this treat…. would I buy these after sampling them? If they’re comparable in price and quality to my Clarins love-in, then maybe..