GLOSSYBOX: FRANCE

GlossyBox France.  

I was one of two winners of the French GlossyBox during the Olympics.  This box is white with a people cartoon design around the outside.  The packaging was much like like you'd expect except with less shredded paper.

I was very excited to be selected as a winner (Thank you Glossybox USA) and to see what products I would receive.  As you can imaging they are fabulous and most have instructions in English as well as other languages. I included the products web sites in as well in my reviews.

Ohh la la! Everything about the box says I'm from France! There were 5 different products: 1 for hair, 3 for skin, and 1 make up.  I decided to take a little extra time trying out each product and researching the companies. Most of the information I found was in French (duh) but pictures from the web sites do a lot of self explaining.

All of the products were what I consider full size samples! (Super Yeah!) No packets, no one time use only, no mini uber small containers.  This was a sample set done RIGHT! It would be great to be able to get a box like this from the other countries (Germany, China, England etc) just to see what is available to women around the world.  So here we go:

http://www.schwarzkopf.com/sk/en/home.html
BC Hair Therapy After Sun Treatment
The USA portion of this company was unavailable so I used the link above which has a lot of hair care/hair color information.  I could not find this particular product on their web site.  This product is a conditioner that you spray into your hair, wait about 10 minutes and wash out. It is suppose to protect hair from UV rays. I really like this product (so does my teenager) and would buy it if available Stateside.

La Sultane de Saba http://www.lasultanedesaba.com
The website is in both French and English with a HUGE selection of lotions, candles, exfoliants, body oils and much more.  The lotion I received is difficult to get out of the bottle but once you do it absorbs quickly leaving the skin soft but it does have a strong scent that lingers so I use it sparingly.

http://www.arnaud-institut.com/ This site is in French but from what I can tell they have skin care products for men, women and children. I received the "masque gommant fondant" which is a melt in exfoliation mask. I really like this product and it jsut a great job of exfoliating the skin without over drying or leaving any irritation.  It leaves your face feeling clean and refreshed! I would buy this if it was available in the States.

http://www.sampar.com/en
Sampar Skin Quenching Mist. The spray nozzle cannot be removed so I use it as a toner with a cotton ball instead of spraying my face with it.  It is also moisturizing and a barely there scent.  The company web site is in English and provides a lot of information about their skin care products. I like this but I prefer a cream to a mist-just a personal preference.

http://www.3fees.com/ 3 Fees is a mineral based cosmetic company with a large assortment of products.  I received a mineral blush called Gourmandise. I think that is French for Pinkish Orange with lots of Glitter. It goes onto the skin easily but the light really reflects the glitter so this appears to be better suited for going out at night than wearing it during the day.

GlossyBox August 2012: PURE LUXURY

This month's GlossyBox did not disappoint!  The theme this time is Pure Luxury and contains products for your hair, nails, lips and two for your face.  Near perfection! Great job GlossyBox!

As you can see there is something from Ellis Faas, Ole Henriksen, Touch in Sol, Biolage, and Illamsqua.

Touch in Sol: Feel Like Honey Moon Skin Base.  I had not heard of this product before and the packaging was intriguing. "All in one moisturizer and make up base." I thought it was going to be a type of primer, but it was more like a gel. Once it soaks into the skin, my face feels like new canvas and it does not leave any noticeable residue. Clean almost citrus scent and with tiny gold particles.  I have been using this and am very pleased.  Check out the website for more products!

This must be the most anticipated nail collection in quite some time! Illamasqua is not a nail polish or gel its a VARNISH! Beware it dries super fast and two coats will provide amazing color that doesn't chip and it comes in over 50 different shades! If you add a clear top coat you can go a week without seeing a chip.
I also had some difficulty removing the varnish too. Otherwise, its a great product line!

I was thrilled to see this since I've heard so much about Vit.C being so good for your skin, especially to diminish fine lines around the eyes. It has a nice citrus scent and quickly soaks into the skin.  The best part is a little goes a long way, but I can see myself buying more in the future.

Hair oils are being a dime a dozen now, but I was excited to see a sample of the Biolage Exquisite Oil Replenishing Treatment.  It tames frizz and fly aways while making my hair soft and shiny without weighing it down.  I use about 3 drops, rub it in my hands, and then my hair.  If you have fine hair 1 drop may be all you need!

I wasn't sure that to make of this!  I had not heard of this product before and it looks like a powerful silver bullet. Amazingly enough this is one of the best (if not the best) lip moisturizer out there. Its not thick and sticky, it is surprisingly light weight and the color can last for HOURS! Now, I wasn't thrilled with the color I received which is L209 that resembles well, light colored mud. However, my lips felt great, soft and velvety. 

 If I can find a more suitable color, like a soft pink then I will definitely purchase!

Oh! And don't forget to read this months mag with lots of insightful information and gorgeous photographs!

Let me know what you thought of the August box and what your favorite item is!

Beauty Bar: August 2012

While this wasn't my favorite Beauty Bar/Sample Society box, it does contain some awesome products!

At first glance I didn't know what to think because nothing super duper really jumped out at me.  But after taking a closer look I started to realize how cool most of the items are.

I love the Deborah Lipmann purple but wasn't sure if it was a color I could pull off, but I received so many complements on it that I don't think I'll be shy wearing it.  I do have to go shopping to find some blouses that match the color (yeah shopping)!

When you begin to enter your 40's all moisturizers are good, even for oily skin.  I have combination skin that leans toward more dry than oily.  This product goes into the skin and lasts all day without any skin irritations.

I have wanted to try this brand for a while now.  Its a great treatment you soak into the hair about 15 minutes and wash  it out.  I shower at night and allow my hair to air dry.  In the morning my hair is super soft and shiny!  Love this!

At first I wasn't sure what this was, but its a toner (Arcona) and a very good one with a soft cranberry scent.  It smells incredible and doesn't over dry my skin. I usually skip the toner due to my dry skin but this just may change my mind.  I also Love this one!

This is another product I had not heard of and its another moisturizer (when you are my age, no you cannot have too many) and I use it at night before bedtime.  Its a little runny and a little goes a long way.  I use it on my face and neck and I am very pleased with it.

Jane Iredale is a product I am becoming more and more familiar with and this thickening mascara is a little too thick for me.  I wear contacts and this sometimes gets into my eyes so I gave it to my teenager who sports with uber long lashes.  She loves it and doesn't leave the house with out it.

Overall this really is a great box with a nice variety of products to try and I can't wait to see what they come up with next month!

Glossy Box July Edition: Summer Nights

Its always a great surprise to receive Glossybox and see the wonderful items inside!  The glossy mag is full of wonderful products to try.  I just try to look at all of the pics before my teenager comes along and "borrows" the mag and will return it "in a minute" and I never see it again.  At least I can get the box to the bathroom, lock the door and enjoy the samples!!

This month's box does not disappoint!  It has everything you need to keep that summer loving going strong while looking fantastic! Goodies include Sebastian shampoo/conditioner, a wonderful hand and body lotion, a little something to help out with that pedicure, sexy summer lip gloss, and an eyebrow pencil to create those dramatic eyes like a Hollywood starlite!

Here you have fab basics to keep your glowing good looks including a great shampoo/conditioner to keep those locks healthy,

This luscious lather for your hands and body will keep the dry skin far away and out of mind.

Every girl should have pretty feet and if you don't have time for all of the fab nail art (would stick people look good on toes anyway?) then you can at least exfoliate and moisturize.  Strappy sandals or flip flops you'll look like you've just stepped out of the salon. I use this at night and love the non greasy feel!

Loose lips sink ships but not with this double whammy of sexy glittter sand colored lips gloss and sexy beachy sunset colored lip gloss. Each gloss can be used together or separately and the gloss lasts forever!

I've been reading a lot into eyebrows.  Why?  Well, normally its something I just do not put a lot of thought or work into.  Mine are somewhat thin, not much of an arch, and darker than my hair color.  To me they are easy to maintain and I think that's the way it should be!  However, they could use a little definition to become a bit bolder.  I was thinking of using an eye brow stencil.

Have you used one and what was the experience like?