Inside This Months Birchbox | March Edition

I said I was going to cancel beauty boxes at the start of this year to catch up on the bag full of samples I have, but guess what I'm still getting a Birchbox through my door every month.

For the past two months now I've been getting different items in my box from the card description which is very annoying and if it carries on I will cancel my subscription.

Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm RRP £11 Full Size | link

Arrow is a brand for vegans which is paraben-free (harmful chemicals used to preserve cosmetics) and animal cruelty free. This is a unique lip balm as it looks different on everyone because it adjusts to your Ph. It isn't really that moisturising so I wouldn't use this when you have chapped lips but it does feel comfortable to wear when your lips are in good condition.

Model Co More Brows RRP £13 Full Size | link

Model Co is a brand that got introduced to me through Birchbox and I've receieved a couple of there products which have never failed to impress me. This more brows is tiny and seems like it's a sample size but reminds me very much of the 'Benefit Gimme Brows' gel maybe going as far as calling it a dupe as it's a cheaper alternative. The spoolie brush is small which I love as I can really work the gel into my brows, I have the shade medium/dark which is a tad too dark for me but I can definately see me repurchasing this once I've ran out.

Korres Santorini Vine Shower Gel RRP £8 | link

The scent of this is very fresh which makes it appealing, it lathers up well and feels lovely on my skin but I don't think this has persuaded me to stop buying my Lush shower gels.

Amika Nourishing Mask RRP £19.99 | link

This is a hair treatment to help seal split ends and fight dryness by hydrating your hair using organic ingredients such as jojoba oil and buckthorn berries to soften and repair damage hair. Using once a week after shampooing and letting it soak in for 5 to 10 minutes. This has made my hair feel really soft as it was feeling a bit dry, hair treatments can sometimes be handy when you need that moisture boost when your conditioner is just not working. I also found it a lot easier to brush my hair after using this.

Pure & Light Organic Revitalising Facial Exfoliatior RRP £25 | link

A skin brightning exfoliator with the essences of rose, ylang ylang oils, berry seeds to act as micro beads and hyalouronic acid and silica to help achieve a radiant youthful glow. This is suitable for all skin types and I have been using this 2-3 times a week. I find the berry seeds to be a whole lot gentlier on my skin and it doesn't make my skin feel tight and dry.

Birchbox Accessories Hair Tie | link

Can be used whenever you need, I tend to use these when I'm tying my hair out the way in the mornings getting ready to start my makeup and at night when I go to bed. The only problem I have found is because I have thick long hair I need to double twist my hair bands and this struggles with that.

My Current Morning Skincare Routine Spring/Summer Edition

Sometimes it's nice to take a break from blogging and just focus on spending time with family, I recently went on holiday with my family to Greece which was lovely but it was about time I got motivated to get back into writing. I originally wanted to post this mid summer but I was always changing products and never stuck to the same skincare routine which is what I want to share this with you now.

I am by no means a skincare expert but have learnt a lot about it this year and since starting an AM/PM routine my skin has improved by appearance and by texture massively. If you don't know where to start then let this be a guide, you do not have to follow this order exactly as I've seen so many different orders so who knows which one is the best, this is just one that works for me.
1. Cleanser

Every morning I wash my face with warm water using the Kiehl's Centella Skin-Calming Facial Cleanser* for anyone who suffers from dry, sensitive skin I'd recommend this as it contains ingredients Aloe Vera and Chamomile known for calming sensitive skin. It isn't a foamy face wash which I like and can be used without water if needed. My favourite thing about using this cleanser is you aren't left with tight feeling skin which makes me feel very uncomfortable.

2. Exfoliate

I try not to exfoliate too often but sometimes my skin can feel a bit spotty and I get little bumps on my chin from whiteheads so I've been using the Kiehl's Clearly Corrective White Skin Brightening Exfoliator* to help remove dead skin cells, improve the feel of my skin and to illuminate my dull looking skin. This leaves my skin feeling very soft and clear.

3. Tone

Something which is new to me this year is toning and since doing it I have noticed a massive difference since I've been using Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliator Toner from Spring to Summer and it has really reduced the redness of my cheeks, it's suitable for all skin types. If you have any blemish scars which I sometimes get this really helps to fade them away after gradual use. I use this by adding a few drops on a cotton wool pad and sweep it over my face and neck.

4. Eye Cream

Something which I never bothered with in the past but has helped me feel more comfortable and beneficial in the mornings. I've been using Origins Eye Doctor a moisturiser for around the eye area as I tend to get dry cracked skin under my eyes, this cream helps reduce this if it gets really bad then I have to use something else, It's also very cooling due to its ingredients cucumber, rosemary and ginseng.

5. Serum

Something all dry skin types should consider, if you aren't using a serum then I strongly suggest you start using one now. You don't have to splash out and get an expensive one as I like to repurchase Superdrug's Vitamin E Moisture Boost Serum for under £5. All through the warmer months, I've finally given the Nib + Fab Dragon's Blood Fix Serum ago which gives you that shot of hydration boost before applying your moisturiser as it contains a lot of hyaluronic acids making my skin feel softer. I can't live without serums, once you have one in your routine you won't go without.

6. Oil/Essence

Some people skip this step but if I can add more moisture to my face I'm going to jump at the chance. I've been using the Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate Facial Oil* to help boost radiance and to protect my skin from environmental aggressors such as pollution by applying 2-3 drops in my hand and patting my face and neck, a little goes a long way with this product and I love it so much. I want to get the Midnight Concentrate to pair with this in my night routine.

Since using this product I've discovered a love for oils when I've always been scared to use them because I didn't know how if I'm honest and thought it would be greasy and give me spots but it's so lightweight.

7. Moisturiser

Finally, we are on the step that only last year was the only skincare product I applied and now I'm applying 8 products on my face! I've been using the Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Moisturiser which I got for Christmas but was saving this for summer as it's a lightweight, radiant moisturiser which smells like oranges (just screams summer) and keeps my face hydrated all day. I would definitely buy this again for next year.

8. SPF

Most SPF's are already in skincare/makeup products but If not I do like to apply a bit of suncream on my face before applying foundation. I've been using the La Roche Posay Ultra Light 50+ Suncream which is light weight, has a matte finish so none of that greasy feeling which makes this perfect for applying before makeup. SPF has so many benefits and should play a part in your routine if sun damage is a concern to you, as a fair skinned girl this is massively important to me. This little bottle has been with me through my travels as it's perfect handbag size if you want to top up throughout the day.

If you know any tips on how I can improve my routine? or product recommendations? then please share in the comments.

Look out for my evening routine in a couple of months and how I slowly prepare my skin for winter.

Kiko Summer Trend Collection 2016 | Limited Edition

Kiko have released their newest limited edition launch for the Summer Trend collection. I don't have everything from the range but it is my favourite along with the Rebel Romantic collection, which I did a review about featuring their lip products here.

This collection has everything from blushes to bronzers to a gorgeous make up bag, lip oils and perfumes. There's something for everyone.

First, let's just admire the packaging, OH MY GOD when I first saw this on Twitter I headed straight to Kiko to admire all the glory for myself. I really had to restrain myself from buying the whole collection so I just picked up two products as I needed to save my money. I love the gold and how glam it looks for it's money. Kiko just kill it with great packaging at an affordable price. I love the bobble spot effect plus the quality is so good for the price. I like collecting rose gold/gold products to sit on my dressing table as it just looks so elegant on show.

I picked up the Heatwave Lip Oil because I've never used an oil for my lips, but I know Clarins have one so I'm glad to see other brands jump on board with this too. These come in 3 shades so I got the shade 03 which is the coral peachy colour which will be perfect for summer. As this is a tint of colour it doesn't show up, but gives a glossy finish and not sticky at all if you hate that from lip glosses and it's so easy to apply as it glides on the lips. If you have dry lips this works just as well as a balm with it's ingredients containing jojoba oil, shea butter, wild mango butter and vitamin E which all help dry skin. I do love products that come with perks don't you? I like to throw this on when I'm in a rush and my lips need a bit of a moisture boost.

The second product I picked up was the Out Of Bounds Eyeliner Pen because when I swatched this in store it was jet black, dried quick and a felt tip, some of the things that I look for in a liner. When I got this home and started using it everyday as I pretty much wear eyeliner everyday a few things became a problem which made me disappointed with this product. I don't know if it's just me, but I really struggle to get the lid off. It's just so tough, I have to wrap my sleeve or bed sheet around to just get some grip, another problem which started to happen was this started to dry out quickly. I don't like and have the time to sit and go over the lines so this kind of put me off the product, but apart from what I can remember it did a good job at staying on for most of the day and it's easy to remove, so if you can overlook these little downsides then you'll like this eyeliner but I'm afraid I've moved on and gone back to my Stila Stay All Day Liquid pen.

I wanted to try more from this collection while I still had the chance, so I then made an order online and bought two more products as I got free delivery.

Mirage Lip Stylo in 01 is a rose nude and after the first use I fell in love, the colour payoff is great for one swipe but, the colour can be built up, even though this is a lipstick it feels like a balm with it's shiny finish and smooth application which makes this comfortable to wear but because of this means it doesn't wear as long with food and drink which doesn't bother me as I can top up throughout the day. This is probably my favourite product from all the items and not just because I'm a lipstick junkie.

Finally, we have the Sunshine DD Cream, I know first we have BB creams then, CC creams (which I love) and now what the hell is a DD cream. Well, let me explain as this is all new to me, DD stands for Daily Defence they are very similar to BB creams/tinted moisturisers but contain SPF which helps create a barrier to prevent moisture loss and sun damage. What I love about this Kiko DD cream is the SPF 30 because that's important, but the way it makes my skin look so healthy, bronzed and glowing. It has a light coverage, which covers some redness but not blemishes so that's when concealer comes in handy. It's great for dry skin/dry patches as it helps moisturise those areas. This feels so lightweight and yes, it does look and feel like second skin. I have the shade very light and find this doesn't go patchy throughout the day, but it doesn't stay on all day as it fades nicely. This would be perfect to take away with you on your holidays if you want to wear something more natural looking with freckles peaking through. The packaging is in a squeezy tube so you can use as much as preferred but only a small blob will go far, I'd also like to mention that this product is paraben free, so that means no nasty chemicals as this helps benefit the skin with the added vitamin C making it a radiant finish.

L to R: Sunshine DD Cream, Out Of Bounds Eyeliner, Heatwave Lip Oil & Mirage Lip Stylo

Have you tried anything from this collection? What's your favourites?