The final month of the year is upon us and I was going to start this post by saying 'tis the season to spoil yourself' but scrap that because I believe every season and every day should be reason to spoil yourself. You only get one life so make every day as special as you can by whatever way possible. Christmas is just an added 'excuse' to do it even more! With that in mind we are talking about indulgent Winter Skincare; a way to take the pressure off what can be a busy time of year for everyone with some major TLC and gift giving. Even if that gift is "to you, from you".
Mintd Box are here with their stunning Christmas Edition Box with an agenda that Christmas isn't a season, it's a feeling! Isn't that so true? Without the right feel, emotion and atmosphere, Christmas is just another annual event on the Calendar. "Enchanted" means to fill someone with great delight and Mintd Box will enchant us all to unlock the magic behind this years Christmas Edition Box ... to say I was excited for this one was an understatement.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
Like with all of my monthly Mintd Box reviews, as always I will reiterate in case you are not yet a regular reader to my blog, what Mintd Box is. In brief, when you subscribe to Mintd Box, every month or every other month, you only ever receive FULL sized or DELUXE sized luxury beauty products that are themed for the month and shall save you a small fortune. No Samples, no let downs, just a beauty must have. You can in fact head on over to a previous post which explains it all here or click Mintd Boxes in Categories in the header bar where you can see all previous months boxes and their contents. It mainly features skincare as opposed to make-up but all is only ever 'high end'.
The Christmas Enchanted Box contains 4 FULL SIZED + 1 SUPER DELUXE SIZED products of which are all stocked in high end beauty stores such as Space NK, Harvey Nicols and Net A Porter.
The products featured have all been chosen for their soothing, calming, nourishing and energising benefits. All shall compliment the skin and mind to make this month a very special one.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
'Enchanted' Luxury Contents:-
1. Votary Jasmine & Calendula Facial Oil (Full Size £65)
2. Oribe Balmessence Lip Treatment (Full Size £27)
3. African Botanics Marula Cleansing Mask (Super Deluxe Size £25)
4. Skin Laundry Renewing Eye Cream (Full Size £26)
5. De Mamiel Altitude Oil (Full Size £28)
The contents of this box have a combined value of over £171/€194 for which you only pay £65/€74 per month or bi-monthly giving you an enormous £106/€120 saving as opposed to buying all products individually. A very pleasing festive saving!
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
A change in climate really does has a massive effect on the skin and these box curations really do cater for us all. It has turned very cold here, like artic cold, so my normal slightly combination skin has become a lot drier and irritated so the products inside here once again could not have come at a better time. Last month's box contents are all in my bathroom being used as we speak along with many other months to be fair! This is because Mintd know what our skin needs at what time they is what sets them apart from anyone else.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, Votary Facial Oil |
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, Votary Facial Oil |
Votary London is a brand that was developed by British make-up artist and former beauty editor Arabella Preston, creating luxury skincare with lots of plant power and active ingredients. This oil in particular is a super light blend of natural oils including Jasmine and Calendula making it ideal for sensitive, oil prone skin that sits perfectly under makeup. Votary products are all made without mineral oils, petro-chemicals and preservatives and are suitable for all skins. Unlike other brands who use off the shelf bases, all Votary formulations are blended and tested by Arabella personally. Having read up a little more about the brand I like the fact these oils are designed to help all skins and I do mean all.
Not only am I sold by the brand testimony itself, having used my first ever Votary product, I am sold wholeheartedly. Votary is a brand that has stalked my IG feed for many months now so my curiosity had peaked for sure. I was so happy to receive the Jasmine and Calendula Oil for calming because as I mentioned my skin has become so dry and irritated and even a few uses, it has helped massively. I watched the demo video of Arabella using the oil (here) to make sure that I was using it correctly and I love that she gives the tip of 'letting the oil fall' into your hand, none of this shaking business because this is how you get the right dosage and a tip I always go by myself with any oil. It smells incredible and inhaling the oil in your palms before applying to the face really adds to your skincare ritual. I did find that I personally only needed 2-3 drops as opposed to 4-5 as that was too much for my face and I am not wasting this one! The oil sinks in beautifully and leaves a gorgeous radiance on the surface of your skin. I prefer to use it at night as I find that it can be a little too rich for the day on my skin but it did create a really lovely base for make-up so I would even be tempted to mix in a few drops with my foundation. What can I say, for me this product is the star of the show because since I opened it up, there has not been one day where I haven't used it. This is truly amazing and if you love facial oils, you will adore this line. I already want to try more from Votary as I know this oil shall be a re-purchase. I absolutely love this product.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, Oribe Lip Treatment |
2. Oribe Balmessence Lip Treatment (Full Size £27) [buy here!]
Oribe is famously known for it's exquisite and very luxurious haircare but they have most recently moved into skincare and make-up which I am yet to try and is why I was most intrigued by the Lip Treatment featured in this months box. Balmessence is a silky balm designed to smooth and soften lips containing Camelina Oil, Vitamin E and Shea Butter to deliver hydration and protection from harsh elements and Jojoba and Orange Oil to help them look plumper.
I love lip treatments as they are literally scattered in every room around my apartment yet I am very fussy to which ones I like. I have to say, this is definitely the fanciest lip treatment that I now own, I mean look at that lid detail, it looks Royal! If the Queen was to have a lip product sitting in her bathroom, I feel this would look very much the part. It's super fancy and you know me, I love fancy. The balm itself has a lovely Lemon Rose flavour and is indeed very silky and lightweight. It is pricy yes, but this is a treatment not just a balm so it is more of a remedy and a cure and a bit extra special. Not an essential product to own as there are many great lip treatments out on the market, but this one is a real treat for the lips in all aspects of the word - making this another good reason why you should get your hands on this month's Mintd Box.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, African Botanics Mineral Cleansing Mask |
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, African Botanics Mineral Cleansing Mask |
3. African Botanics Marula Cleansing Mask (Super Deluxe Size £25) [buy here!]
A detoxifying treatment mask that has been designed to tone, nourish and refresh tired skin to help fight redness, inflammation, acne, congestion. It uses targeted anti-aging actives that deliver oxygen, nutrients and minerals rich in iron, zinc, copper and magnesium to skin cells whilst boosting circulation and cell renewal. Ideal sensitive, normal, dry, mature, combination, oily and blemished skins.
I love African Botanics as a brand because their products are all so aromatic and therapeutic and this is my first skincare item from them but the Marula hand cream is one of my favourite products from them featured in last months box (here). The mask smells incredible; you instantly get the trademark scent of essential oils including Rose, Rose Geranium and Clementine that instantly help to rebalance your mind as well as your skin. The mask itself is really creamy which keeps it feeling soft when it dries and is very gentle for a clay mask. It definitely helped to brighten my skin after only one use. I need to use it more to see how it works to tackle other concerns but first impressions are very good. At £66 for a full size, it isn't cheap, so this deluxe size is the perfect way to try be introduced to the African Botanics skincare line plus this will serve many applications.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, Skin Laundry Eye Cream |
4. Skin Laundry Renewing Eye Cream (Full Size £26) [buy here!]
A potent eye cream that helps to reduce the appearance of crows feet, brighten dark circles and reduce puffiness. Rich in multi Peptides, Antioxidants and natural moisturisers. The Californian brand Skin Laundry has a new spin on skin; low maintenance and high performance hence they have created formulas that slot into each of our skin routines.
Being new to Skin Laundry as a brand, I already like their philosophy because when I get asked for skincare advice the line I hear the most is the need for low maintenance, high performance products. As I always tell people, the skin around the eye is so delicate and much finer than that on the face, so your eye cream needs to be used with a light hand (remember grain of rice when it comes to how much!) and your eye product needs to be potent so that it can really get to work. First impressions are good as the Renewing Eye Cream feels lovely and lightweight on the eyes and more of a lotion feel than cream which I like as it feels cooling and soothing yet hydrating at the same time. I haven't used it long enough to tell you anymore but shall keep you updated should you want to know. I love trying new eye products but I don't often get sent many so I was very happy to have this new one to add into my collection.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, de Mamiel Altitude Oil |
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December, de Mamiel Altitude Oil |
This is Annee de Mamiel's ultimate hand blended, multi-tasking elixir that was designed as an inhalation essence to help keep a clear head and energise the mind when constantly on the go. Designed to be inhaled whenever you need a lift during your day; for instance when sat in an office in stale air-con, when travelling on planes, buses, trains etc when your run down and so on. This oil is a tonic to stimulate, soothe, revive and thrive when you really need it. This product is so popular that it is in fact part of Vogue's Centenary celebration Beauty Hall of Fame, being one of their favourite products in the last 100 years. For a small independent brand, this a very special achievement indeed.
In the beauty world, I have only ever heard amazing reviews about this oil and have been recommended it myself time after time but some how never got around to trying it hence my excitement was off the chart when I saw they had collaborated with Mintd this month. First off, the packaging is so beautiful and I love the powder blue ribbon touch and the quotation making it an ideal gift for anyone.
For me, I travel on planes a lot and I always get sick as I have a really poor immune system so am always rundown. So did Annee, hence she created this Altitude oil to help during and after flights when you feel a little run down. It smells incredible containing a blend of all natural oils including jojoba, lavender, eucalyptus, fragonia, peppermint, pine, lemon myrtle and patchouli. You can either inhale the oil from the bottle or add a few drops to a tissue or under your nose, then you breathe deep and let it get to work. It's absolutely amazing and it does work! I am a huge fan of aromatherapy oils and a big believer in the benefits of inhalation and I can't believe I didn't get this oil sooner. It shall now accompany me on every flight I take. As I sit here with the oil beside me on my desk, I without a doubt believe we could all do with one because who doesn't need to clear their head and be re-enegised? It is actually very affordable for what it does and how well it works but once again, Mintd Box gives you the great value here! I really hope that we see more from De Mamiel in next year's Mintd boxes as it sure is a brand that has my full attention and the rest of the range sounds divine!
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
Well, Mintd Box have ended the year just as they started it ... in the most astounding of ways! This year Mintd Box have been responsible for about 80% of what is currently is in use in my skincare regime, many products becoming new staples of mine and for that introduction I thank the Mintd team greatly. The Enchanted stars of this box are definitely for me the Votary Facial Oil and De Mamiel Altitude Oil, two of which have been on my hotlist for some time and have not disappointed in the slightest and would definitely purchase again.
For bloggers like me that bring you these reviews every month, I have to say with Mintd Box, every product inside is genuinely a joy to review as I have had far more hits than misses and I would not stake my reputation on a brand that I didn't fully believe in. As you read now, I am very passionate about Minted Box as I know they are the best when it comes to beauty subscriptions. I don't even like putting them in the same category if truth be told of 'subscriptions' because they are so much more than that ... they are a beauty lifestyle. They know what you need and when, just like having your very own personal beauty shopper. Even if the box isn't for you then I like to think that Mintd Box and my reviews help you to discover brands and products that you wouldnt have done so before, as has been the case for me.
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| Mintd Box Enchanted, December |
Sign up ...
You can sign up to Mintd Box here with free delivery in the UK and FREE Delivery Worldwide on your first box using code WELCOME17! Available online Worldwide and ships to UK, W Europe, North America and Australia.
The Gift Store ..
Mintd Box have a Christmas Gift Store full of amazing beauty gifts like the de Mamiel discovery set which I have my eye on .... and Mintd are kindly offering all my followers FREE Delivery with code KLXMB as a little festive extra here!
✨ What has enchanted you the most? ✨
