Amarya Beauty Box - October 2011

I received my lovely beauty box by Amarya yesterday and I was thrilled with the contents. Here's everything and my thoughts:

Lavera Eye Gel - sample sachet (1.5ml?) - price/worth unknown

terre d'Oc Powder Eyeshadow in 502 - Full size - £12.95

Dr Hauschka Daily Revitalising Eye Cream - 1.5ml sample - worth £3.35

Neom Organic Body Wash - 50ml - worth £4.25

Madara Eco Face Travel Set - Full size - £6.95

Total Value of Box: at least £27.50

Amount Paid: £10

Total Saving: £17.50

Here are my first impressions of the box:

I really loved opening it this month, it really and truly felt like I'd got a surprise birthday present, I'm not sure why though! Probably because I hadn't had a package in so long! Anyway...I'm happy with the box overall, very happy with the Madara travel set and as I have combination skin-tone I was impressed with Amarya, even though I secretly knew that everyone has got the same one. I've stored it away for when I do travel, I love the look of the Neom body wash and it smells nice too, think herbal scents. Although I haven't tried the Lavera eye gel or Dr Hauschka's eye cream, I don't like sample sachets to try the creams or any creams, because they dry out before I can utilise them properly - unless I transfer them to a little pot which are always occupied so hard for me to do. Finally the terre d'Oc eyeshadow, it's a loose eyeshadow in a very unique shaped pot and a very pretty colour. I think I'll use it as an all over shade on my lazy days!

Based on my first impressions this box gets a 9/10!

Thank you so much for reading, let me know what you think of your Amarya box, or if you haven't signed up, are you tempted yet? :)

Beauty Boxes...

As we all know there are a lot of beauty boxes on the market now, sending out samples and sometimes full sized items as well for £10-£12.95 a month, possibly more if you choose. I'm subscribed to 4 and I think it's too much, not only do I already have beauty products spilling out of my entire room but now I'm having to make space to place the boxes themselves. They're all a great treat and I get to blog about them and review the products I receive too, which is something I really enjoy. However, for someone who really wants to save up after spending like there's no tomorrow I do feel I should make some cutbacks.

The 4 I'm subscribed to are:

- GlossyBox £12.95
- Boudoir Privé £10
- Amarya £10
- Feel Unique £9.95

I've received at least 1 of all of them apart from the Feel Unique box which I've yet to experience. If you have any ideas on how to cut down or which you think would be best to keep and so on please help! I personally dislike GlossyBox's "ethics" if you will, of adding an additional postage and packaging charge and including a mini of a very clearly non-luxury product but I like their boxes, and I like that they seem to bring me brands I'd never previously heard of and I also like that a lot of the time they provide full-sized products too!

I like Boudoir Privé so far, they've given me brands I hadn't previously heard of and are very luxurious and exclusive if you will - or have that feel about them at least. The issue I have with Boudoir Privé is that sometimes  their samples really don't feel deluxe to me... Amarya is one I think I will be sticking with because of the organic and ethical stance they have on their box and I like that a lot. They've also promised at least one full sized item so that's good.

I was debating between cancelling Feel Unique and/or Boudoir Privé...but I really do like Boudoir Privé's boxes, but I was thinking that I could just buy from the new shop they're launching soon. I really don't know, I'm very stuck! I'll also be posting my thoughts on September's Boudoir Privé beauty box within the next few days if that'll help anyone help me!

I also am a little worried that as soon as I cancel my boxes they're going to put stuff that I really wanted to try in them!

Please leave your thoughts! Thank you so much for reading x

Amarya Beauty Box - September 2011

I received my Amarya Beauty Box in the post this morning and I'm quite happy with it - especially with one item. I've also decided to do a comparison post of all the beauty boxes available in the UK every month as I'm now subscribed to all 4. I'll put this post up closer to the end of the month so that I'm able to use the products for a little while. The Amarya Beauty Box costs £10 per month for a selection of organic products and is available from here.

This is my first ever Amarya Beauty Box and here are some pictures showing you the packaging and the items:

The Box and the Amarya logo

I got an Amarya Beauty Cloth Bag!

The smaller box inside...

Leaflet with more information on other products

Beautifully presented information on each product inside the box

The box wrapped

The box when opened

The products inside the box

Finally! The products themselves!

 Lavera Hand Cream - 20ml sample - worth £1.00

REN Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel - 3ml sample - worth £3.60

Dr Hauschka Skincare Samples - 1.5ml each - worth £1.99 and £2.70

Madara Moon Flower Tinting Fluid - 50ml full size - worth £23

Total Value of Box: £32.29

Amount Paid: £10

Total Saving: £22.29

The values/totals calculated are excluding the lovely bag I received! My first impressions of Amarya are as follows:

- They themselves are very polite and helpful.

- The box was on time, so punctual.

- Everything in the box was as promised and more.

First Impressions of the contents of the box and the box itself:

- I wouldn't keep the actual boxes purely because I have no room left for anything in my room, but the quality is fine and very reusable.

- All products are organic and a lot of them cruelty free - huge tick from me.

- The Lavera Handcream smells very fresh albeit natural, and moisturises my hands well, also the full size (75ml) is only £3.75 so if I do fall in love with it, I may repurchase.

- I don't use eye creams/gels very often but probably should so I'm happy I received the REN eye gel.

- The Dr Hauschka skincare I believe was from the regenerating line and therefore anti-aging so I've given those away.

- The Madara Tinting Fluid looks amazing, so luxurious and I was very happy to see it in my box, I can't wait to try it and it's full size!

Based on my first impressions and everything so far I'd like to award this box a 9/10! :)