A bit of a late post, August's edition of You Beauty Discovery has been sat on my dresser waiting for me to riffle through since last Friday. This month's product selection was themed 'Summer Essentials' and the short list included back-to-basics products perfect for the summer months, including products like Eucerin sunscreen and a Marsk eyeshadow. Here's my product selection...

My first choice product was a nude polish by Peggy Sage. I've never tried any products from this brand, in fact I'd never heard of it until this month's shortlist came up so I'm interested to try the product. There was a choice of either a nude polish or or a brighter 'summer collection'  I chose the nude as I have plenty of brights and a nude never goes out of fashion!

Mys second product selection was Lousie Galvin Sacred Locks Treatment Masque as I'm always a sucker for haircare products. This product is said to contain a naturally modified form of honey (what ever that may be!) combined with wheat protein and natural conditioning agents to immediately hydrate hair. I'm loving the sound of this masque and I'm looking forward to putting it to the test and seeing the results!

Also included with this month's box was a sample of Jimmy Choo and Jimmy Choo man (much appreciated by the hubby!) and a handy little nail file/buffing block. 

If you fancy trying out the excellent value You Beauty Discovery box for only £6.95 inc p&p I couldn't recommend it enough. Not is there something for everyone on each month's product shortlist but it's excellent value for money with the brands and sample sizes that are included.

My First Birchbox...

I'm sure Birchbox isn't new to many of you but after a few disappointing boxes from Glossybox I decided to give Birchbox a go...especially when I saw they were collaborating with one of my favorite handbag designers...Lulu Guinness! If you read one of my latest posts about Glossybox you will know I have cancelled my subscription, for me a beauty box should be more about the quality of the contents than the quantity. As I live in a rural part of Somerset and the nearest department store for high end products is 50 odd miles away I want to be able to try products out before I commit to buying and they end up in my ever expanding drawer of once-used products! My first Birchbox didn't dissapoint. The box felt it was put together with care, the products were good quality and the sample sizes were very generous. Lets take a look into my box...

Benefit Stay Don't Stray

I absolutely love this primer! So much so I went on to purchase the full size version. It can be used under eye-shadow or under-eye concealer. I was sent light/medium which compliments my skintone perfectly. I have found it gives me a lovely smooth base and keeps my concealer in place all day. A huge thumbs up from me!

Dr Brandt Pores No More

I'm a sucker for anything that claims to erase my huge pores and give me flawless results, other than the fact this box was a Lulu collaboration, this primer was one of the reasons I subscribed. I hate to say it does nothing for my pores, but it does give me lovely base for my foundation. When you squeeze it out of the tube it's a quite intimidating red/brown colour, but this is not at all apparent when your foundation is applied over it. I also want to mention it has quite a strong fragrance, a nice spicy, floral fragrance. I have enjoyed using the sample but probably wouldn't purchase the full size for £39.

Molton Brown Hand Cream

I love hand creams! The sample only lasted me day as I apply hand cream every time I'm done washing my hands. It had a lovely scent, Rhubarb and Rose and instantly absorbed into my skin (just as they claim). It was a pleasure to use but I don't think I'm swayed from my usual go-to hand cream.

English Laundry Signature EDP

I usually am not too phased when I receive a perfume sample...I have a drawer full of them but this perfume is going onto my birthday wishlist! Its a gorgeous sweet floral smell with a faint hint of toffee. It smells quite alike to Katy Perry's Killer Queen or Britney Spears' Fantasy. I was gutted when the sample ran out! Big thumbs up from me!

Korres Citrus Body Milk

I'm not usually too enthralled my citrus smells, they remind me of cheap air-fresheners for some reason?! This moisturizer is an exception. It has a very fresh, light citrus smell. Although it's a body milk, which in my experience are quite light, this is very moisturizing. Another thumbs up from me!



Also included in the box was a white and black striped stick of rock, very in-keeping with the theme of the box...I munched this on one of my lazy pj days! I'm really please with my first ever Birchbox...I'm wondering why I didn't cancel my Glossybox and sign up earlier! I also must say that their customer service is great, I had a query (being a new customer I wasn't familiar with some of the order processes) and their response was friendly and relatively fast. A huge new fan...

Jodie 

xoxo