BIRCHBOX MARCH 2016 - WORD UP

Yesterday I recieved this little gift in the post.. my monthly Birchbox subscription! This months theme was Word Up! It's a beauty related, word searched designed box which aims to help you find your ultimate beauty discovery. Inside this months box is 6 luxe treats, two of which are full sized products. There was three different boxes this month, each tailored to your online beauty profile. I got the turquoise box!

So here's what was inside...

ModelCo More Brows (RRP £13)

First up is this brow gel from ModelCo. After trying one of their lipsticks in Decembers box, I was really looking forward to trying this. I got mine in the shade Light-Medium. Birchbox sent out the shades based on your hair colour which you filled out on your online profile. The hair like particles create the illusion of fuller brows, just sweep over your brows and leave to dry for 60 seconds. 

I really love this brow gel and it's a much cheaper version of Benefits Gimme Brow so I will definitely be repurchasing this!

Philip B Drop Dead Straightening Baume (RRP £20)

Next we have this hair baume from Philip B. I have never tried any of their products, in fact I wasn't even aware of the brand before I discovered it in this months box. This silicone free baume helps tame hair and shortens your blow dry time. I used a pea sized amount on my hair last night and I am happy to say that it did help reduce some frizziness so I am really impressed.

Polaar Polar Night Cream (RRP £32)

This facial night cream uses ingredients that react with the light of the moon - COOL HUH? It gets to work whilst you sleep which is amazing because I never have the time to sit with masks and creams on my face during the day. I don't think I don't think it's worth £32.

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash (RRP £10.90)

When I saw this in my box, I thought "oh just another body wash" but after using it, I thought "this is great". It lathers up really well. The smell is nice, not too over powering and lingers on your skin after your shower. At £10.90 I won't be buying this, as I don't think its worth it for a pretty standard body wash.

Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm (RRP £11)

Next up we have this lip balm from Birchboxs own brand 'Arrow'. This has got to be one of my favourite products in this months box. The brand itself is vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free so theres no harsh chemicals or ingredients. The balm protects lips and adjusts to your pH to create one that's totally unique to you. It's not really glossy and it makes your lips look healthy and moist. It is the perfect size for popping into your handbag. I will definitely be buying this again!

Number 4 Lumiere d'hiver Reconstructing Mask (RRP £36)

Finally we have this hair mask from a brand called Number 4. It is packed with soy protein and shea butter so you can just imagine how soft and sleek your hairs going to be after using this! I am going to save this mask for when I go on holiday because my hair tends to get really dry from the sun. I will be sure to let you know my thoughts after using this.

I am once again impressed with this months box, I got a selection of hair, skincare and makeup products and a few products from brands which I was totally new to!

If you would like to treat yourself, or somebody else, to Birchbox, use my referral link to sign up and you will recieve 50 points (worth £5) to spend on anything in the Birchbox store. You can also use the code GOODTIMES, after signing up through the link, to get 50% off your first box.

Love, Maddie x

AEOS SKINCARE OPTIMAL ESSENTIALS REVIEW

Hello there, I hope you are having a good day. 
I cannot believe we are more than half way through January, Christmas seems so long ago now. One of my new years resolutions was to properly look after my skin and to make sure I had a skincare routine to follow for the new year. 

I recently tried out some new products from AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare)

About the brand
AEOS is an organic brand who use the essential oils of plants and herbs to provide moisture and hydration to the skin. The products are all organic and contain no toxins or synthetics. I tried out the AEOS Optimal Essentials kit,which is designed for maximum hydration and nourishment.

3 Phase System
AEOS products are designed to be used together as a 3 phase system to allow the products to penetrate to deeper layers of the skin to allow maximum effects.

Morning
Phase 1: Renewal
Begin by cleansing your skin with the Gentle cleansing lotion and follow with the Gentle exfoliant. 
The smell is so fresh so it makes me feel more awake in the mornings. 

Phase 2: Rebalance
After cleansing, you should use the Energising condition, followed by the Refreshing Hydrating mist. 

Phase 3: Replenish
The final part of the morning routine is applying the Realive Serum followed by the Enriching Moisturiser. 
A little goes a long way with the moisturiser, you really do not need a lot. I leave the moisturiser to settle for a minute or so and then proceed to apply my makeup. 

Evening
Phase 1: Renewal
First start by removing all makeup with the Cleansing Oil de Maq and follow by cleansing with the Dew Facial Wash.
I found that this oil is very good at removing all traces of makeup including mascara (BONUS!)

Phase 2: Rebalance
Apply the Energising Conditioner followed by the Refreshing Hydrating Mist. 

Phase 3: Replensish
The final step is to apply the Realive Serum followed by the Enriching Moisturiser.

I am so glad that I got to try out these products. My skin definitely looks and feels more healthy after trying these products and I believe this is all down to the Phase 3 system and the natural ingredients. 
My favourite products from this range were the Cleansing Oil de Maq, Realive Serum and the Refreshing Hydrating Mist. 

Want to try AEOS yourself? The Optimal Essentials kit is available to buy here for £68.

Love, Maddie x

WOULD YOU RATHER BEAUTY TAG

Questions:

1) If you had £1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup? 

I'd have to say makeup because there is sooooo many products that I am desperate to try out!

2) Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?

Well we don't have a Sephora in the UK so it would have to be MAC. However, if I had the choice I'd choose Sephora because there is so many brands to choose from.

3) Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

I'd definitely have to go without nail polish. I don't know what I'd do without makeup.

4) Would you rather have no eyelashes or no eyebrows?

No eyebrows because I fill mine in anyway! I wouldn't be able to apply false eye lashes every day haha!

5) Would you rather use just one eye shadow colour or one lip colour for the rest of your life?

I'd have to say one eye shadow colour because I tend to use the same colours daily anyway.

6) Would you rather have Kylie Jenners lips or Cara Delevignes brows?

CARAS BROWS! Gosh, that girls brows are on fleek.

7) Would you rather only wash your hair once a month or only brush your teeth once a month?
This has to be the grossest question. I'd say only wash my hair once a month because you can use dry shampoo. 

8) Would you rather throw away your entire makeup collection or your entire skincare collection?

I have so much more makeup products so I'd say I'd have to get rid of my skincare collection.

9) Would you rather have a faint monobrow that you can't remove or a faint moustache that you can't remove?

Hmmmm... I'd rather have a faint monobrow lol!

10) Would you rather have a bad haircut or a bad hair colour?
I'd rather have a bad haircut because eventually it would grow out and you can always tie it up so it's not on show.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I enjoyed answering these questions! 

Please let me know some of your ideas for future blog posts! 

M x