Happy Valentines Day

Every year Glossybox always take advantage of the major holidays and do a special box, which comes in alternative packaging, and this year they have outdone themselves... packaging wise.  

The box is candy pink and glossy with a drawing of a bow on the front with the Glossybox logo in the centre.   What is extra nice about this is that the ribbon isnt just on the lid and thats where the effort ends, no the ribbon is also drawn across the base of the box and ends at the back with a drawn on Glossybox sticker holding it in place.  Ten out of ten for effort there Glossybox, its such a pretty box and i cant wait to put it up on my shelf where it can be seen and admired (yes i admit it im a crazy box and tin lady).

Inside, frosted pink paper and rose pink shredded paper just add to the lovely overall prettiness of the box.  And then on to what I got.....

I get 2 boxes as I am lucky enough that my husband also gets me a box a month.  Both profiles are completed differently so that the boxes vary in what I get.

BOX 1

 Looks promising...... right? 

First the item that just about everyone seems to have received.  I have had some Dr Rennauds before in a flashbox and they are lovely, my only objection here is the smell.  I think not only are strawberries more valentines day than raspberrries I think that they are a more loved smell than raspberries.  That said this is a lovely cream, its almost like a white gel but dissolves right into the skin and does have a fresh raspberry yoghurt smell.  This is 30ml and at full size of 50ml it retails at £25.  This size is therefore worth £15, which is not bad.  

 The next item is from Anatomicals, and this definitely screams valentines to me, why? Its gorgeous rose scent of course.  It smells lovely and its not a fake rose smell, its that lovely fresh cut garden rose smell.  Its lovely on the skin and isnt overpowering.  This is not a full size but its huge nonetheless.

Next, those dreaded mini makeup samples.  Though some think they are messy to use as you cant get your brush in, just tip upside down and allowing some product to settle in the lid and they are much less messy.  This one is in suede, and its from Micabella cosmetics - a mineral blush.  Its a nice enough coral/brown colour and blends out beautifully.  Not bad, and ive been lucky enough to avoid these before this box... sadly I would like to avoid them for the future to lol.  Its not that they arent nice, i just like my blusher pressed not loose.

Next item is a lipstick from Helen E cosmetics, this retails at £8, not sure of its quality as i didnt swatch it, this is heading right into a giveaway.  I dont like these shades and as you know I am a MAC lipstick fiend so I dont use other lippys very much at all.  No offensive smell though, and the packaging is nice enough with a see through lid which is always great if they are standing in a drawer so you can see the colour and dont spend forever searching for the colour you want.

The last item is from MODEL CO, and is full sized.  This is an eyeshadow duo in Bronze Goddess and the shades are Maldives and Jamaica.  I wasnt too sure at first, but then i swatched the colours and they are lovely.  I have worn them and they are soft and blend easy, the lighter champagne colour is very similar to the MAC pressed pigment in light touch - its a touch peachier but just as sparkly. 

The added treat in the box is a red heart lollipop, yum this is gorgeous, I would love to know who the supplier is as I definitely would love more.

Overall, I like this box, I will give the blusher a go, and the lipstick is a nice addition to my giveaway.  The eyeshadow duo is lovely and the shower gel but the raspberry cream will take some getting used to, its an odd smell for me.  Im happy with this box.

BOX 2

This box again had the raspberry soft cream in it, as well as another blusher and lipstick, this time though in different colours.

This lipstick is not for me either, this is natural which is a browny peach colour, and another addition to my upcoming giveaway.  

The blusher is in terracotta, this I do like, its a lovely coral colour and I am pretty pleased that this I can wear and will give a try.  

The next item is a liquid highlighter called BEAT THE BLUES, from the brand MEMEME, and its in Oyster Gold.  This brand is big on duping Benefit, and this is pretty nice, its not a yellow gold which is great as I hate gold highlighters on me - gold is not my colour.  I think I can work with this and will give it a try.  

The last item in the box is a body spray, this is a very cheap item even at its full size, but it does retail in Boots and Sainsburys so at least if you like it you can get hold of it easy enough.  I love love love the smell of this spray and have worn it, it smells nice on the skin and clothes and did last quite a while.  Alec loved it and noticed it rightaway, asking what perfume do you have on? Thats a huge thumbs up.  I would buy this again and cant wait to see what other smells there are in the range.

Overall I loved the 2nd box to.  Love the spray and the blusher is a pretty colour, the lipstick completes one of the giveaway prizes and i will enjoy trying the highlighter out, and pass it on if i dont like it.  And that cream, lol, i better start liking it now i have two of them.

OVERALL

I think there is too much makeup in these boxes.  Im not a fan of makeup in boxes, im pretty set in the brands I like for things such as eyeshadows, lipsticks etc and I think its a gamble getting a colour the recipient of the box will like.  I love skincare in my boxes, I love trying new things.  These boxes brought me a footspray i love, hair oil which i hadnt used before and now cant be without, and various body lotions and moisturisers I just love.  This box therefore was a little disappointing for me in that respect.  I feel there was a lack of balance, maybe one less makeup item and a nail item instead would have been better.

Somehow all the hype around these special boxes just never quite delivers.  As always its a nice box but its not amazing.  I guess we just hype it too much and then its kinda disappointing when we do get it, I never expect too much so I'm never too disappointed.  This box is nice, but its not amazing.  Maybe next month will be better, I always feel the standard boxes are so much better anyway and for me I am a huge Glossybox fan.  Theres always something to rescue the box.

Happy Valentines Day everyone xx