Carmine: February Edit

So when I got home today, my Carmine box was waiting for me. And I think I’ve finally decided on which is the beauty box for me. I can’t fault this box. I have now unsubscribed from Glossybox, I just wasn’t using the stuff I got. With Carmine however, I haven’t used everything I received but I have at least tried everything, and a lot of the things I now love.

The main thing I love about Carmine is the balance, the first box I received was a bit make-up heavy but every box since has been  a great balance of hair, body, skincare, and make – up. This box was no different, and I’m excited to use everything in it!

The Balance Me Rose Otto Body Wash is a product I already love. Balance Me are one of my favourite brands, all of they’re products smell amazing, and just feel like a real luxury. When I have used this before it also works well as a bubble bath, great if you want a change from Lush scents. I think Carmine must of known of my love for all things leopard print, my tin of Steam Cream something I have always wanted to try, I love multi-purpose products, great for travelling. I’ll be trying this as a face cream, hand cream, body moisturiser and well anything else I can think of using it for! As somebody who hates the shade of their teeth, I was really happy to see White Glo; a teeth whitening toothpaste that can be used everyday. I also got a lovely aqua blue Andrea Fulerton Nail Varnish and a cute miniature Diego Dalla Palma lipstick in a pretty coral shimmery shade.

As a bonus a fragrance sample of Yardley Peony was also included!

I think I’ll be sticking with Carmine from now on, I haven’t had a box from them that I dislike, and I always find something in there worth repurchasing!

Carmine is a monthly subscription service and costs £10 a month (+ P&P) and you can still get the February box here

Carmine: January Edit

My Carmine box arrived yesterday, and I was a bit disappointed that they were sent so late, yes it was Christmas a month ago but the rest of us had to get back to the real world! As for the contents I was quite happy with what I received as usual with Carmine it included a good balance of body, skin and make-up products.

Korres Wild 24-Hour Moisturising & Brightening Cream I’ve been interested in Korres for a while but I’ve never tried anything fro, them. This moisturiser says its for dry skin on the website, but I’ve found lately I actually get more breakouts when I use stuff aimed at oily skin, so I will be trying this as a night cream.

Eldora False Eyelashes I’ve been pretty predictable with false lashes lately, rarely using anything other than Ardell Demi Wispies but these look like a great winged out shape, and I’ll be using these on a night out.

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil Very excited to see this included I love Balance Me, and I have been wanting to try a face oil for a while (I have oily skin, but as I said it reacts a lot better if I use gentler, more moisturising products) tand his smells lovely. My only complaint would be that it took me forever to get enough out of the rollerball, a little bit tedious when all you want to do is go to bed and collapse!

Westlab Himalayan Pink Salt I love bath products, and although I don’t generally buy bath salts I will definately be trying these out. Apparently these have the same effect as fasting for 3 days, not sure about that but maybe good if your feeling bloated? I shall try them and report back!

Eyeko Fat Stick I received this in shade Petrol Blue which is a very nice shade, and I’ll definitely use this as a base for a blue smokey eye, although after seeing all the lovely neutral shades that were included in other boxes I kinda wish I had got one of those! If I like the wear time/formula I will probably pick up another shade, as they make a great shadow base.

Again another great box from Carmine, and I love that they don’t go the way of other beauty boxes and have one ‘stand out’ product and I always end up using all the products I receive.

Carmine is a monthly subscription service and costs £10 a month + postage, if your intereste in signing up for Carmine you can do so HERE

Carmine: December Edit

Carmine’s December box is another brilliant box, and I feel it has outdone their November box (which I also loved) this box seems to be a lot more balanced, the range of products included is great. The fact that it contains a make-up item, skincare, body care, hair care and a brush means the box doesn’t lean to heavily on one type of item, where as the last box felt very make-up orientated.

In my box I received;

Japonesque Smudger Brush: I love that this was included in the box, up until recently Japonesque was pretty difficult to get hold of in the UK (I will be reviewing selection of they’re Travel brushes, that are now sold at Boots very soon!) and it’s a great way for people to be introduced to the brand. The smudger brush a really useful one to have in your collection, it’s perfect for smudging eyeliner, especially on the lower lashline.

Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash: This smells amazing! I love getting luxury shower products, as I wouldn’t usually spend the money on them myself. This is also full size, so you get plenty of time to test it.

KMS California Free Shape: This is designed to make drying you hair a lot quicker, it claims to make it 50% quicker. I hate drying my hair so I tried this out yesterday, after shampooing my hair (yes I forgot to condition!) and my hair took next to no to dry, and feels great. My hair gets weighed down really easily, and my hair still feels light, and as if I haven’t uses any product. Definite repurchase.

Institut Esthederm Time Technology Cream: I have used this a couple of times, and so far I’m impressed. It’s lightweight, and feels really refreshing on the skin. It brightens my complexion without making me oily/shiny. I was really happy to receive this as I wouldn’t have tried it otherwise.

MyFace Blingtone in Sp’ice’y: Another product I have glanced at Boots but never got round to trying. This is a glittery shadow, with a satin base. This shadow does contain a lot of silver glitter, but it will blend away if you want it too.

Also included was a a voucher for free Brow Threading at any Benito Brows, which I’m not sure if I’ll use as I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my brows!

Do you subscribe to Carmine? Or any other beauty boxes?

Carmine November: I’m in Love!

I’ve kept pretty quiet about the whole beauty box concept since they started launching, mainly to see what each one was offering and whether I felt any of them were right for me. When posts started popping up about the second Carmine box I knew I had to order it.

My box came today and this is what I received:

Lulu’s Time Bomb Flashback Night Cream: I feel like this product is maybe a little misplaced in this box, and doesn’t really fit the market it’s aimed at. I’ll probably passing this onto my Mum, as wrinkles aren’t really a concern of mine (yet!)

Neom Organic Body Lotion: This is a really nice body lotion, it absorbs quickly and my skin feels a lot less dehydrated. The smell is quite floral, and probably won’t be to everyone's taste, but I’m willing to ignore it as it works so well!

Dainty Doll Eyeliner in Goody Two Shoes: I’m a big fan of Dainty Doll products and I love this rich brown shade, I’ve read a loto f complaints that the blue shades were badly pigmented and hard textured, but this shade is soft and applies really well.

New CID i-Pout in Very Cherry: I think I lucked out with the shade that I was sent, a lovely deep cherry red, perfect for the festive seasons. This lipstick has a beautiful texture and feels like you’re not wearing anything, but is still very pigmented. This shade would suit most skin tones, and I’ll definitely be looking at some more shades.

Cosmetics a la Carte Brow Ink in Taupe: I love this! It gives a really precise line, and adds great definition.  A definite repurchase!

I’m so impressed with this box, 3 full size products all of which I would repurchase without a doubt, I would consider repurchasing the Neom body lotio and the only product I didn’t like was the Lulu Night Cream, but thats because I feel I’m too young for it, someone older might love it!

Carmine costs £10 a month (+ £2.75 postage) and you can subscribe on their website.