I was browsing the old internet recently when I came across the You Beauty Discovery Box. As I'm always the skintest ever, this concept really appealed to me as it costs just £6.95 a month to get involved including shipping - every budget babe's dream. And I've always wanted to try a subscription box; I might be a tight arse but I do like to try new products and experiment with my beauty regime from time to time. You know, as a treat.
How it works
- You pick two of the products you'd like to see in your box from the range of available choices,
- The You Beauty Discovery team throw in some extras and post your box out to you,
- You live the dream.
This month's choice of products
This month is the Best of British Edition and you got to pick two of the following products to put in your You Beauty Discovery Box:
- Yardley London Contemporary Classics, The Floral Fragrance Collection [minis]
- The Vintage Cosmetic Company Gold Eyelash Curlers,
- STYLondon Instant Gel Nail Wraps, Two Phased Red,
- Percy & Reed Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Hair Mousse,
- Nakd Bars,
- Illamasqua Lipstick in Sangers, Matte Finish, Blood Red,
- Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance Face Mask,
- Dove Youthful Vitality Shampoo and Conditioner,
- Astral Original Moisturising Cream,
- #Lipglam 100% Natural Lanolin Lip Balm.
So, after a lot of deliberation, I chose the STYLondon Instant Gel Nail Wraps in Two Phased Red and the Illamasqua Lipstick in Sangers; Matte Finish, Blood Red.
STYLondon Instant Gel Nail Wraps in Two Phased Red
So often, during my Twitter stalking sprees, I clock other bloggers' nails looking incredibly fierce. However, I personally cannot function with acrylics or gel nails and I'll never forgive that team of ferocious Chinese nail artists in Manchester city centre who ground my nails down to the point where it took about 3 years for them to return to full health. Being a contact lens wearer as well, it isn't really practical for me to have long nails unless I want to risk a daily poke-in-the-eye.
I'll let you know how I get on with these; but with them being gel, my initial thoughts are that they'll apply well. They also come with a tiny little pink nail file, which is useful. They feel really great to the touch, the colours are fab and will go well when worn with my new...
Illamasqua Lipstick in Sangers; Matte Finish, Blood Red
As soon as I saw Illamasqua were involved this month, I was right on it. I've never owned a lippy that holds such high-end status and as I'd never normally be able to justify splashing the cash on an Illamasqua product, I thought this would be a great way in which to try the brand. I also lost my favourite red lippy at a promo event I worked in London a few years ago, so I needed a new one [I won't use this opportunity to name drop... but the promo event involved working with a lady whose surname rhymes with Carsmashian. With a K.]
Sangers is a fab colour; red with blue undertones so that [hopefully] it will make my teeth look whiter. That's something I'm always really conscious of when buying a new lipstick. The website assures me that this colour will suit most complexions and that red never goes out of fashion ... so I'll definitely post again with how I got on and the looks I create with this colour.
Swatch #1 - with flash
Swatch #2 - without flash
In the meantime, here's some swatches; unedited so that you get an idea of the colour. FYI - it applies really nicely on the back of my hand; which hopefully means it'll be equally as fab on my lips!
Dove Youthful Vitality Shampoo & Conditioner Minis
Behold - two cute minis from Dove's Advanced Hair Series. They are from the Youthful Vitality range, for ageing hair [and to be fair, I am getting on a bit.] The little blurb in the magazine says:
'Dove Advanced Hair Series Youthful Vitality Range helps to replenish hair's lost nutrients, so hair is left stronger, sleeker and with double fullness.'
They are the perfect size for taking on a weekend away and smell amazingly fruity and fresh. I haven't really used many Dove shampoos - I'm usually into my Tresemme or L'Oreal [or, being totally honest, whatever's on offer in Tesco] - so I'm looking forward to seeing how my hair gets on with these. And with the length it's getting to now; the more shampoo I stock up on, the better!
Nakd Berry Delight Bar
'Nakd bars are a great way to eat nutrtious, healthy food without compromising on taste! Made from fruit and nuts 'smooshed' together into a yummy bar for you to enjoy.'
So, you get sent either a Berry Delight or a Cocoa Orange bar with this month's You Beauty box. And I was sent the former. The bar itself goes towards one of your five a day and is 100% vegan; one of those snacks that's right good for you and makes you feel like a great human being. I'm getting really into health foods at the minute, so this was a good sample for me; especially as I find Nakd bars too expensive to justify buying them in everyday life [unless you buy them in bulk, off eBay.]
Anyway, I haven't gobbled it down yet but I have tried Nakd products before and they were really nice, so I have no complaints with this sample.
You Beauty Magazine
You get a little magazine in your box, which has more about this months' product choice and also discount codes for the online retailers of all the brands involved with / products available as part of this month's subscription. It's a nice little flick-though pamphlet, with striking imagery.
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So that was my very first experience with a subscription box. And I have to say; for £6.95 including postage - for all those products and the surprise of the free gifts - this box is well worth it; especially for those of us who are on a budget. Like me. All the time.
I would have paid wayyyy more than £6.95 to try these products if i bought them from another retailer - and this fact makes me feel very savvy. Subscription boxes are a great way of trying new things and recreates a mini Christmas to your door each month.
Have you tried the You Beauty Discovery Box yet?
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