LookFantastic x Rituals Box

 

We all know how much I adore the monthly and limited edition boxes from LookFantastic! They are some of my all time favourite beauty subscription boxes and I've been receiving (either for review or with my own money) their boxes for years; they've consistently been fantastic! As much as I recommend their monthly boxes, the limited edition box they release every so often, particularly for events such as Mother's Day, are incredible. If you follow me on instagram (@ofbeautyand) or my reviews on www.allsubscriptionboxes.co.uk, you may have seen my review or unboxing already. 

*LookFantastic x Rituals Box (£40, worth £80)

The latest LookFantastic limited edition box is a collaboration with Rituals Cosmetics which is a brand I've tried a few products from in the past and loved. So I was very interested in this box and not just because the packaging is utterly gorgeous although it is. The packaging design for all of the boxes I've received have been wonderful but I love the simplicity and shades used within this design. 

The box contains six items from Rituals, all of which are part of 'The Rituals of Jing' collection. The items include a candle, shower oil, body lotion, body scrub, hand lotion and pillow mist. The scent is the ideal mix of lavender, summer days and a relaxing spa so if that sounds incredible to you then you'll adore this range, as I do. I've been using the hand cream, pillow mist and body scrub the most since receiving the box a week or so ago and I still can't stop sniffing the products at every chance I get! 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Hand Lotion

I'll start with my most used item from the box and it has to be the wonderful and very effective hand lotion. I love the packaging, the scent is heavenly and the hand cream leaves my skin not only with a scent I want to wear everyday but also with silky soft skin. The cream absorbs quickly and has been helping to keep my very dry hands more comfortable and moisturised recently. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Pillow Mist 

My second favourite product, although it is very difficult to choose as they're all fantastic, is the pillow mist. I've been using the pillow mist as a general room, pillow and linen spray as I cannot get enough of the divine scent. I'll spray it a couple of times throughout the day so I don't think this bottle will last very long! 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Shower Oil

One of the few products from the box that I haven't tried yet is the shower oil; actually, I don't think I've ever used a shower oil! It contains sandalwood and lavender for a rich and relaxing scent. The texture changes from a nourishing oil to a luxurious foam when lathered into the skin so it sounds like a great product for dry skin or during the upcoming cooler months. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Body Lotion

I have tried their cherry blossom or sakura body lotion before and absolutely loved it so I knew I'd like this one too. It has the same utterly relaxing and calming scent as the other products in the range but I find that it does linger on the skin the longest, out of the products I've tried. The lotion has such a silky texture and leaves the skin feeling very moisturised, smooth and nourished. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Body Scrub 

I love a good body scrub and the more abrasive the better so I was a little apprehensive to try this item as it is described as 'mild', thankfully I don't think it is. It is a fantastic, abrasive body scrub that has just the right amount of rough particles to give my skin a good exfoliating scrub but not too much that it feels very harsh. 

*Rituals 'The Ritual of Jing' Scented Candle 

Last but not least is the only other product, as well as the shower oil, that I haven't tried before. I love scented candles but I'm one of those people who buys enough to fill a store and then saves the candles, not wanting to burn them...However, I will burn this one and soon as the scent is heavenly. I also think it would make a lovely little planter when I've used up the candle!

Have you tried anything from Rituals? Will you be buying this limited edition box? 

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Treat Trunk Vegan Snack Box

There are so many subscription boxes on the market, so many of which I love, from beauty, lifestyle and stationery boxes to books, drinks, food and snacks. However, there's one subscription box that stands out to me as it is filled with a plethora of solely vegan snacks! Treat Trunk is a UK based vegan snack subscription box filled with fun, healthy and nutritious vegan snacks for children, adults, or both, depending on the box you choose. 

Treat Trunk has a wide range of box and subscription options from a one off box, a monthly subscription or their 'new mum' box (£29.99). The box size varies from the mini box (12 to 15 snacks) or the standard box (22 to 25 snacks). You can further personalise the box to your needs by selecting whether you want an adults box, kids box or a combination. As well as my review, you can check out their website to see examples of their previous boxes to have a look at the snacks they include within their monthly boxes. 

*Treat Trunk Mini Box (£24.99)

The box contained such a wide range of snacks, from well known vegan brands to smaller companies I'd never heard of. My box contained a variety of snack bars, protein bars, dried fruit snacks, seeds, tea and more. I have tried a couple of the items in the box before, mainly the delicious The Protein Ball Co raspberry brownie snack which I absolutely love and the Nakd raisins. If you have read any of my DegustaBox review posts then you'll know that I love healthier snacks and snack bars so this was the perfect box for me, especially with all of the easy desk snacks that I eat often. 

There were so many delicious snacks in the box but my favourite snack (that wasn't a snack bar or protein bar) was definitely the pineapple chunks which is the healthy version of candy - I could eat these snacks all day! Another favourite snack has to be the Squirrel Sisters peanut caramel protein bars which were very small but oh so yummy. Lastly for my favourite snacks the Vive hazelnut protein bite and the Creative Nature salted caramel gnawbles. 

There are still a few snacks I have tried from the box including the popped lotus seeds (which look very interesting) and a couple of the snack bars as well as the teat but everything else I've tried has been delicious. I think there are a great range of brands and snacks within the box so you'll be sure to find a few that you love. It would also be fantastic to share with your family, friends or roommates as there are so many snacks to mix and match between a household. 

Overall, I'm very impressed with my first experience with Treat Trunk! I think the box concept is fantastic as it is a great way to try new vegan snacks (for yourself or as a gift for someone else) and to try new brands. There are so many vegan snacks on the market so it can be a little hit or miss but a box like this is an easy way of try a lot of different options. I cannot recommend it enough!

Have you tried Treat Trunk or any of the snacks I've mentioned? 

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Little Known Box: October 2016

I love subscription boxes, I think it is mostly because of the mystery and not knowing what I'm getting - they are the adult version of the Claire's Accessories pink goody bags that were £5 back in the 90's! I have tried quite few and I have a lot of favourites but I'm always really happy to try others as since they came onto the market a few years ago, there have been an almost constant influx of subscription boxes and I'm all for that!

I was very kindly sent the *Little Known Box (£15.95 - October) which is a new subscription box to me and I was instantly impressed; it's the October 'autumn anniversary' box which is still available to purchase from their website. The box contains five items as well as two bonus items, all of which are beauty related.

The first item that caught my eye was the Dinki Belle Nail Wrap Gift Set (£7.99, full size) which are nail wraps in the perfect design/print for bloggers...marble. I've tried a few nail wraps/stickers and I like them but this design is my favourite. I love the packaging, the design and it comes with a nail file/accessories to help you apply the wraps. They are supposed to last for two weeks, they are an easy and quick alternative to nail polish and there are 20 nail wraps in the pack.

Next up, the Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm (25ml) which I have already tried the full size of already and you can read my full review if you want more information but I did give it 5/5 stars. There are also a couple of Merumaya sample sachet serums as a bonus item.

The final skincare items from the box are the Samaya Aquveda Anti-Ageing Cream (three 5ml pots). The cream comes in three cute pots so it would be ideal for travelling and it is an all natural brand. It has a bit of an unusual scent but the texture is gorgeously silky and absorbs quickly.

Next up, the nicest smelling item in the box, The Herb Garden Massage Bar (15g travel size) which I presume is in the 'relaxing' scent. The packaging is cute and the massage bar is in the shape of a flower! The massage bar has a floral, clean and creamy scent to it and the bar itself is really smooth and creamy.

The makeup item in the box is the Lin & Lo Satin Lipstick (£19) in the shade Pearl Pink which is a pretty, natural tan rosy shade - it would be perfect for everyday. The price is a little high, in my opinion but the packaging feels so luxe! It's really heavy and the lid has a satisfying magnetic closure.

Last but not least, the second bonus item - Fab Little Bag (£1.99) which contains five biodegradable tampon disposal bags that are made from 35% organic material. I love receiving practical and eco friendly products in subscription boxes and this is a great bonus item.

Overall, I love the box and packaging design as it looks really luxe! The box contains a few full size items and smaller sizes as well as a range of brands/products that I'm very happy with overall. I love the lipstick, the nail wraps, massage bar and it's great to have a travel size of the lovely Merumaya Cleansing Balm. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried this subscription box? Are you subscribed to any? 

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September Mini Lifebox + Smoothie Recipe

I've tried quite a lot of subscription boxes, from beauty and lifestyle to stationery, fandom and food boxes but nothing like this - I hadn't heard of LifeBox until I received an email and I was instantly intrigued. LifeBox is a monthly healthy snack/food box and there are so many options to choose from including the cleanse box, women's active health box, mens box, everyday box, junior box and the one I have which is the *Mini LifeBox (£14.95). 

The Mini LifeBox is a trial version of the standard box but even so, you wouldn't have thought that it was a trial box as there are so many products in the box - I was so surprised at how many items there were! There are quite a few full size items in the box and sample sizes too; the range of items is great from chocolate, biscuits and snacks to tea, smoothie powders, peanut butter and more! I don't think I've been as impressed by a subscription box for a long time. 

In the box I received: Kiki Health (sachet), Big Treefarms Coco Hydro (sachet), Inspiral Kale Chips, Pip & Nut Peanut Butter (sachet), Chia Seeds (sachet), Big Treefarms Coconut Sugar (sachet), The Raw Chocolate Co Bar, Yogi Sweet Chili Tea (sachet), Pulsin Brownie Bar, Ibiza Superfood Sample (sachet), Raw Gorilla Munchies, Rhythm 108 Tea Biscuits and PHD Natural Plant and Superfood Blend (sachet). 

I have already tried the Raw Munchies Raw Maca & Cinnamon Bites which are so yummy as is the Pip & Nut Peanut Butter, Vanoffe Dark Chocolate Bar and the Pulsin Raspberry & Goji Raw Chocolate Brownie Bar. I can't wait to try the other products, all of which as a vegetarian I can eat - I cannot recommend this subscription box enough and for £14.99, you can so much for your money, there are brands and products in the box that I never would have tried before. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!

Now onto a quick and easy post-workout smoothie recipe! Since I bought a cross trainer/exercise bike, I've been looking for specific smoothie combinations to drink post-workout and I've been trying out a lot of concoctions, some have turned out better than others...but a new favourite of mine is a mixture of spinach, carrot, ginger, orange juice, chia seeds and a smoothie powder. I have been using the Indigo herbs Cat's Claw Powder recently as it is supposed to help with swollen joints and minor joint pain but the smoothie powders in the Mini LifeBox would be great too. Definitely check out the SimplyHealth train and recovery page - they have some great smoothie ideas too.

What smoothie combinations do you like? What do you think of the Mini LifeBox? Are you subscribed to any subscription boxes? 

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Secret Scent Subscription Box

Perfume is one of those beauty items I will always want to have a wide collection of, I always love to try new fragrances although most are fairly pricey; so sample sizes and subscription boxes are an amazing way of trying new fragrances without having to pay the full price. Also I always have a couple of fragrance samples in my bag, just in case I need them throughout the day.

I was kindly sent the *Secret Scent Box (£15) which is a monthly UK fragrance sample subscription box in which you receive three mystery fragrances per month - there's a box for women's fragrances and a box of men's fragrances. It's letterbox friendly so you don't need to be at home for it to be delivered, it contains designer fragrances in Secret Scent Box packaging and the three samples together are supposed to last for three months, although with me they definitely won't last that long!

The fragrances I received in this months box include: Versace Vanitas, YSL Mon Paris and Burberry Touch For Women. I haven't tried any of these fragrances which is one of the best things with subscription boxes, as they can introduce you to new brands/products you haven't tried before. The fragrances come well packaged and they are all spray bottles.

Versace Vanitas EDP: Freesia, Rose, Osmanthus, Tiare Flower, Cedar & Tea

The fragrance to me is a classic, musky but sweet fragrance that would be perfect as an evening fragrance. I think it could be viewed as an 'old fashioned' fragrance but I really like it as a more formal fragrance. The longevity is pretty good and my mum would love this perfume so I'm going to pass this one onto her.

YSL Mon Paris EDP: Pear, Orchid, White Flowers, Patchouli & White Musk 

This perfume sample is my favourite of the three in this box, it's sweet, floral and feminine. It's a perfect casual, daytime fragrance; the longevity isn't amazing but the sample bottle means that you can take it with you on the go.

Burberry Touch For Women: Orange, Blackcurrent, Pink Peppercorn, Jasmine, Lily, Oak Moss, Vanilla & Cedarwood 

Some fragrances manage to evoke memories, emotions and thoughts with a few notes but this fragrance has SO many notes, that it feels a little heavy and overbearing at times. The initial scent is just gorgeous however, it's sweet, musky and clean but it does become more musky as it develops; it's still a really nice fragrance though.

Overall, I think the Secret Scent Box is a fantastic idea, especially for someone like me who likes to change up fragrances often, likes to try new perfumes and who likes to use fragrances on the go. The perfumes in this box are ones I've never tried. I like all of them however the YSL Mon Paris EDP is definitely my favourite of the three. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

Here's a discount code to get 15% off your first box: OFBEAUTY15

Have you tried any of these fragrances? Have you tried any fragrance subscription boxes? 

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Sherbet Lane Stationery Subscription Box

If there are a group of products that I love to buy and own the most, that list for me would include: beauty products, candles, books, food...any food and stationery. I have a stationery obsession which boarders on addiction which I think is a common problem amongst bloggers and my weakness has to be notebooks, cards and sticky notes. So a stationery subscription box...hell yes!

*Sherbet Lane Stationery Subscription Box - July (£15 per month)

Enter Sherbet Lane, a gorgeous stationery online store who recently launched their own stationery subscription box packed with lots of interesting and themed goodies. The box easily managed to fit through our letter box so you don't have to worry about not being home for the delivery. The theme for July is At The Seaside which is the perfect summer theme! The seaside summer theme is really nostalgic for me as every summer we used to go camping around the UK with friends and eating rock on the beach was a common occurrence! This months box features summery greetings cards with envelopes, prints, candy, a pencil, gift tag and my favourite item, a cute tin containing stripy paperclips, stickers and magnets.

I love all of the items in the box, which is rare for a subscription box, as there are usually one or two items that I'm not a massive fan of but I will use everything in the box. The paperclips, magnets, stickers and prints are adorable and I love the tin too - I'm a stationery addict so I will find a use for everything. I think the box is fantastic value in terms of not just the quality of the items include or the range but the amount of products too. 

I cannot recommend this stationery subscription box enough! Sadly this July box has sold out now but the next box will be released on the 1st August and you can order a one off box or a longer subscription. I think this box would make a lovely and unique gift too. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5. 

Have you tried any stationery subscription boxes? Are you a stationery addict like me? 

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My Little French Riviera Box

The June edition of the My Little Box was late this time round due to a production problem but in my opinion it was well worth the wait. The theme for this months box is the French riviera and the box design and products are making me wish I was going abroad this year *cries*

There are three beauty products and two lifestyle items in this months box as well as the usual magazine, drawstring bag (which are super cute and useful) and print. The boxes themselves are also useful and great for storage. The boxes I believe are £14.95 per month including postage and packaging and although it is a little more expensive than other subscription boxes, it is definitely the best, in my opinion. 

For the lifestyle items, I received a pair gorgeous matte purple sunglasses which were designed in collaboration with My Little Box and Sarah Lavoine who is an interior designer. I love the retro, unique design and the matte finish! The second lifestyle items are plant pot covers which is a really unique idea - I haven't seen anything like this before. There are two sizes, one larger and the other is really quite small. I love the summery, nautical design. 

Now onto the beauty items, the first is a gorgeous nail polish which is again a collaboration between My Little Box and Sarah Lavoine. It is in the shade 501, it's a gorgeous deep teal. It has a thin brush which is my only complaint as it is a little difficult to apply but on the whole it's a really nice polish. I will have a photo of the polish on my nails on my instagram (heathernixon4) later today. Next up, the My Little Beauty Sailor Scrub which is a sea salt scrub in the most adorable packaging - it has little anchors on it! Last but not least, I received the Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Resurfacing Strengthening Hair Milk which I cannot wait to try.

Overall, I am very happy with everything in this months box and the theme/design is making me want to go on holiday. I will definitely get use out of all of the items. It isn't my favourite My Little Box (that would be the dream box) but it's a lovely summery box. 

Are you subscribed to My Little Box? What do you think of the items included?

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My Little Dream Box (April 2015)

My Little Box is the only subscription box I am currently subscribed to and in my opinion it is by far the best! I have received about four/five boxes from them now (they are around £13 per month) and some have been better than others but on the whole it is such a pleasant surprise to see what is inside. This months box is the best yet!

This months box is the 'dream' box and it contains three beauty items, one accessory and one lifestyle product. The My Little Boxes are always so beautifully packaged and so pinterest worthy but this one is even better! You get a magazine in the box as you always do but this time it is a pull out sheet rather than an actual magazine, I'm not a fan but that is the only negative in this box. 

The three beauty items are: My Little Beauty Repairing Hair Mask For Dry Ends (£7, 100ml), Nominoe Gentle Foam Cleanser (£21, 150ml - 50ml included) and the Loved By Lou Lesage Baume Rouge Velour which is a red tinted lip balm. I only received my box yesterday so I haven't tried any of the products but they all look great!

Now onto the accessory, it came in an adorable cloud pouch! The award for the best packaging ever definitely goes to My Little Box! Cut out a corner of the cloud and there is a gorgeous gold coin necklace with a coral cord from Delphine Parienne X My Little Box (£20) which is just adorable. I'm wearing the necklace now, it's perfect for spring/summer as it is simple and classic but it has some colour to it. It easy to wear, it is light weight and comfortable. It has 'Bonne Etoile' print on one side and the designers name on the other. 

Last but not least, my favourite item that I have ever received in a subscription box...It's a rubber stamp (£8) which has 12 different rotations such as 'made with love', 'To do', 'merci beaucoup' and more. The stamp also comes with a pad of black ink too. I cannot wait to start using it *stationary nerd*

Overall, I think this is one of the best subscription boxes I've ever received! I am so happy with everything, especially the necklace and stamp/ink which I will be using very soon. 

Have you tried My Little Box? What do you think of this months 'dream' box?

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