The Grand Opening of my September Glossy Box
When I arrived home from my yoga class yesterday my September Glossy Box was waiting for me. I wasn’t expecting it because I had not received a dispatch notice and last month my Boudoir Prive box arrived first. I had to put my first impressions review on hold until today because I was busy yesterday on my acting adventure: learning lines and attending a rehearsal for the PADOS production of Willy Russell’s Breezeblock Park.
Although this is my fourth Glossy Box the super gorgeous packaging still excites me, I just love the layers of anticipation as you tear open the outer box, lift the lid on the inner box, untie the pink ribbon and carefully tease open the tissue paper to reveal…
Dead Sea Spa Magik – Salt Brushing
Two generous 50g Sachets. Smells of orange Lucozade on opening. This is one for me to try and report back on. Whilst my preference is obviously for full-sized products or failing that dinky mini product samples ideally in the same or similar packaging as the original. I have no objections to receiving sachets in monthly subscription boxes. There is also a 25% discount for Glossy Box subscribers.
HD Brows – Eye&Brow Palatte
Wow… this must certainly be the star product of this months Glossy Box. It’s full-sized and fabulous. The kit includes an applicator and I also got a double ended High Definition Brows applicator with a spongy smudging tool at one end and an angle brush at the other… Bonus! However because I am blond I have arranged to swap my Vamp kit for Sarah’s Bombshell kit so I will have to wait a few days longer to test it out. But what a fab item to include in a Glossy Box. My Mac eyebrow pencil is on it’s last legs so I am beyond thrilled to get this kit, thank-you Glossy Box! The HD kit does put this months other offerings in the shade but in my opinion this product alone justifies the £12.95 cost of the box. A £5 online discount for http://www.hd-brows.co.uk is also supplied.
MOA – The Green Balm
Dinky pot. I tried this instantly on my lips… you can never have too many balms especially in this season of biting winds and drying central heating. 100% natural with an un-intrusive fragrance and taste, what’s not to love? You also get a 20% off discount code.
Neal and wolf – HARMONY Intensive Care Treatment
Just to echo my August Glossy Box Review ‘200ml, 200ml! Who says size doesn’t matter. Is it wrong that I’m already impressed with this product, because it’s big?’. Exotic and expensive smelling I am excited to give this a whirl. This is most excellent timing Glossy Box as my much loved Sachajuan Conditioner from the August Boudoir Prive Box is nearly all gone! 15% discount for Glossy Box subscribers.
Plum by Mary Greenwell – Eau de Parfum
1.5 ml sample bottle. As I have fallen in love with the scent, which I would never have otherwise tried, I can’t complain. I agree with the sleeve that it is indeed ‘intoxicating loveliness’. If anybody out there is not delighted with their samples of PLUM please feel free to donate them to me 😉 20% discount for Glossy Box Subscribers.
So first impressions of my September Glossy Box are hugely positive. I am genuinely not feeling any product envy for the alternative products others may have received partly because I haven’t checked out the other blogs yet and also because I am confident I will use ALL the products in this month’s box. Thank-you Glossy Box.
My only grumble is that if the beauty profiles were in use that we wouldn’t have to make our own arrangements to swap our HD Kits on Beauty Box Swaps because we would have received the one most suited to our colouring at the outset.
I currently pay for my own monthly subscription beauty boxes including Glossy Box. I am aware Glossy Box gifted selected bloggers with free boxes this month, however for some reason they overlooked offering one to me 😉
Lucy Brown & Benefit: The Interview
It looks like my adventure with Benefit could have some legs.
Today at 5pm I attended the interview. They asked some challenging questions I had to think really hard to answer them, but answer them I did.
The outcome of the interview is that I am going to be working for them part-time for a minimum of 7 hours. I requested part-time not only for reasons of work/family life balance but also so that I can pursue my other career interests paid and unpaid.
Benefit were fortunately happy to work round my PADOS rehearsal schedule, I’m playing Vera in Willy Russell’s Breezeblock Park. You may recall I was also signed to a background artists (extras) agency this week. I remain interested in doula-ing and baby massage instructing too.
I feel very proud of myself to have got through Benefit’s challenging 3 stage recruitment process. The next stage in the Benefit process is store approval.
I will keep you updated as my Benefit Tale develops… woo hoo I’m very nearly a BeneBabe!
The Grand Opening of my August Glossy Box
When I arrived home from my Benefit Recruitment Event adventure yesterday my August Glossy Box was waiting for me. I resisted opening it though because I wanted to share the experience with you. So here is my first impressions review.
The packaging was lovely as always. However in comparison to the Boudoir Prive Box there was no glossy product information leaflet or handwritten card.
My first impressions of the all important contents:
MURAD – Time Release Blemish Cleanser
Good sized 30ml Sample, like the packaging and it’s pleasant smelling will let you know if it lives up to it’s claims of reducing ‘blemishes while diminishing wrinkles’. There is also a generous 33% discount for Glossy Box subscribers.
Being a lazy girl I usually use wipes to cleanse my favourites are: age defiance wipes 2 for a £1. I’m going to swap my wipes for the cleanser until it runs out then review.
AHAVA – Mineral Body Lotion
Another generous sample, 40mls, classy packaging. Highly perfumed but not over powering I like the scent it has a luxurious, expensive fragrance. I rubbed a small amount into the back of my hand, it absorbed quickly and left it feeling smooth, not greasy. 10% discount for Glossy Box Subscribers.
Being a lazy girl I am not a fan of body lotions, I prefer oils including Bio Oil and Weleda. I just put a few drops in my daily bath and get moisturized without getting my hands sticky. I will test this out though but it’s in a queue with the OLAIVE product from my August Boudoir Prive.
DANIEL SANDLER – Baby Jet Mascara
Full-Size 4.5 ml sample, simple and effective packaging. 10% discount for Glossy Box subscribers. Going to try it out immediately! be back in a mini mo…
… the brush is indeed ideal for reaching very short lashes around the inner and outer corners of the eyes. However my application experience was unfortunately tainted by a blob of mascara. I am going to use this properly later today when I get made up for my Benefit interview. Although I am thinking of using it in combination with another mascara.
KMS CALIFORNIA – Hairstay, style boost
200ml, 200ml! Who says size doesn’t matter. Is it wrong that I’m already impressed with this product, because it’s big? Need to trial this too.
No discount for Glossy Box subscribers.
REBEL NAILS – Nail Wraps
Like the idea and pleased I got them for fingernails, but not so keen on the design included in my box, debating whether to try or swap on my facebook page Beauty Box Swaps. 15% discount for Glossy Box Subscribers.
So first impressions of my August Glossy Box are largely positive. The box does contain four products I don’t normally use: Body Lotion, Cleanser, Hair Primer and Nail Wraps but I’m not complaining Subscription Beauty Boxes offer an opportunity to try products we wouldn’t necessarily choose for ourselves. In all fairness I am not wowed by my box, other than the generous product sizes, but I am pleased with it. Thank-you Glossy Box.
Lucy Brown & Benefit: The Recruitment Event
I attended the Benefit Recruitment Event at the Trafford Centre today.
The event started at 10am. The first stage was a brief screening interview. At this stage we found out if we had got through to the next stage which involved coming back at 1pm wearing black.
I was successful however they were not happy with my trusty, comfy, everyday footwear of choice Fit Flops, for health and safety reasons. I had hoped these would be okay as they were black and sequiny but readily accepted that I would ‘reluctanly’ have to go shoe shopping… *such a shame*
This presented a dilemma should I:
a. Invest a little more in a useful addition to my shoe wardrobe
or
b. Buy some less flattering cheap pumps
After looking at several pairs of shoes, and trying on quite a few, I reluctantly compromised on some cute mary-jane black pumps £15 from Office. I do not ❤ them but they were comfy and I decided I may get also get some am dram wear out of them too.
I am going to be discreet about the afternoon process and only provide a vague summary as I don’t want to disclose too much information as I believe the surprise element is an important factor in Benefit’s recruitment process.
We started with some training this involved an element of role play. We were told some secrets. We practiced with some products on each other before being let loose on the shop floor.
We were observed on the shop floor and then were then told as the afternoon progressed whether we were being invited back for interview the next day.
Benefit had tactfully explained prior to this that we should approach them if we decided it wasn’t for us and that in turn they would have a discreet word if they felt it was time we left the process.
I am happy to report I have made it to the interview stage, yay! My interview is at 5pm tomorrow if you wish to send me positive vibes or perhaps a good luck comment.
Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow this process has made me love benefit even more! I have added You Rebel and Dr Feelgood to my wishlist the only question is will I be purchasing them as a member of staff? or with the thank-you discount I received for making it through to the second stage of their recruitment process?
Lucy Brown & Benefit
I am attending a Benefit Recruitment Event tomorrow. Below is an extract of my innovative mini (bookmark sized) CV:
Lotus, Nottingham Boots provided the inspiration with a product demonstration. Using your brand on a daily basis has further convinced me of the power of your products to help people look the best possible versions of themselves and feel better as a result. An enthusiastic user and promoter of Benefit products to friends and family, I want to demonstrate and share the benefits of your brand with a wider audience. Considerable customer service performance, including sales achievement awards, marketing qualifications and experience, in combination with my outgoing and approachable personality, make me an ideal ambassador for Benefit.
Would you employ me?
Extra… Extra… Read all about it
You may recall one of my promised adventures was to get signed as an Extra. Well I am thrilled to announce as of today I now have an agent. I have today been registered with Industry Casting and I promise to keep you updated with my adventures as a background artist. I will of course be discreet, and not disclose any future story lines or comment about any of the actors on set, in compliance with Industry Castings Terms and Conditions of Business. The next steps are: to get some bookings and in 30 days time I get my pictures professionally taken for their website… exciting times…
The Grand Opening of my August Boudoir Prive Box
I love presents and I also love surprises, of the good variety, although this wasn’t always the case. I have also relatively late on in life discovered a love of make-up and beauty products. This interest has been building steadily since Christmas 2009 when I treated myself to Urban Decay‘s Book of Shadows Volume II.
So it will probably come as no surprise that I have totally failed to resist the new Beauty Box subscription services. I have been with Glossy Box since June, so sadly missed their much feted May Box. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake with Boudoir Prive though and I managed to get their limited edition August Box.
It arrived early today, but I have somehow resisted opening it because I wanted to share this adventure with you.
I am going to open it, take pictures and share my immediate reactions to and impressions of the contents. I will add more through product reviews at a later date after I have tried and tested the products more fully.
It is possible I may even choose to swap some items using my facebook page Beauty Box Swaps.
I do like the Boudoir Prive Box. It’s very similar in colour scheme to Glossy Box but they have opted for a flap-over lid with magnetic fastening. They have also gone for a pink ribbon, which is wider and more satiny than their competitor. The packaging material inside the tissue paper appears identical to that of their rival. I also love the super glossy looking glass sticker.
OLAVIE – Antioxidant Body Butter
First impressions of the packaging are it’s a bit dull and not very glam, I would have preferred a mini version of the full-sized product. The product itself smells yummy. I tested a tiny bit on my hand and it was lovely and light and sank in without leaving any greasy residue.
JANE IREDALE – PureLash Extender and Conditioner
Happier with the look of the packaging as it is a mini version of the product. However when I say mini I mean teeny tiny. The instructions say to apply before applying mascara. So I will try it out over the next few days. Trying to ignore the resemblence of the product to Tippex.
SACHAJUAN – Conditioner
Yay, this product is a full-sized 100 ml. The packaging looks a bit medicine bottley to me. It has a subtle fragrance. I will trial this and let you know if I have any dramatic results.
BLOOM – Green tea & White tea duo
I do like herbal tea or ‘freaky tea’ as my colleague used to refer to it so I am looking forward to trying these. I like the packaging too as it is very informative about both brewing process and benefits. I will let you know my verdict on these teas after tasting them.
BABOR – HSR Lifting Extra Firming Cream
The box excited me as it is shiny and similar to the full-sized box, the mini container inside is much plainer than the luxurious packaging of the original. It has a subtle fragrance and was absorbed easily into the back of my hand, however it does leave a slight residue on the skin. Looking forward to testing this but it will mean giving up my BIOeffect routine for a week to fairly judge the results.
ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE – Archives 69 & Rien
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuu! I got Archives 69 in my July Glossy Box so I can’t help being disappointed by the repeat. I will now have a sniff of Rien. Not keen… it smells of musky leather! The packaging is not worth a mention as it’s just bog standard perfume sample bottles with the company’s logo on.
So casting a critical eye over my first Boudoir Prive box. My initial impressions are it’s lacking the wow factor as it misses the instant gratification that can be provided by a lippy or a nail varnish. However be mindful of the fact that my favourite Glossy Box product up to now is BIOeffect which did not provide instant gratification but thrilled me, with it’s results over the days and weeks since it’s delivery, as it has truly delivered. Watch this space for my more considered reviews when I test out the products.
The Adventures of Lucy Brown 
