I bought the very first Spring edit of the Marie Claire The Parcel this time last year and was impressed with it but understandably sceptical as to whether they would keep it up or go the way of most other beauty boxes, ie fabulous start, crap offerings there after. So didn't get any other boxes until I saw there was going to be a special 20th Anniversary Special Edition version for this Spring's box.
It contains 4 full sized (John Frieda Frizz Ease Shampoo and Conditioner, Redwin Coconut Balm, L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Matte Erotique) and 4 deluxe sample sized products (Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge perfume, St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower, Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum, MOR Rosa Noir Hand & Body Milk).
Hits:
* I love a good serum so I'm eager to try the Clinique serum.
* The MOR Hand & Body Milk smells divine so its going straight into my handbag.
Misses:
* Modern Muse Le Rouge - Both previous Modern Muse incarnations just aren't my style of perfume and neither is this one. Mum on the other hand will probably love it so I'll pass this one along.
* The St Tropez Gradual Tan is completely wasted on me as I'm one of those annoying individuals who tans without trying and wears sunscreen to avoid gaining that sunkissed bronze look.
On the Fence:
* The smell of the Redwin Coconut Balm reminds me of summers on the beach from my childhood but it is quite overpowering so I'm not sure whether I'll be able to stomach wearing it on my face.
* I haven't had the best of luck with John Frieda haircare in the past and my hair isn't frizzy so I'm not sure if I'll get anything out of the shampoo and conditioner - maybe treat it like a regular hydrating shampoo/conditioner ??
* The colour of the lippy looks promising - a rosy nude that leans a little brown. I've never tried a L'Oreal lipstick before so I'm not sure if I'll like the formula, especially as this is a matte. Keen to try it though.
Overall I'm really impressed that half of these are full sized and the other half are generous samples so not only is it great value but you're able to really try the product. However, I was expecting it to have a few more luxe product samples to make this anniversary box stand out from their previous boxes. Also, although the box has always claimed to contain "the best and latest in beauty and cosmetics" this is only the fifth Parcel to come out yet the same brands keep appearing (John Frieda and L'Oreal have each appeared in 3 of the 5 boxes) so it seems I was mistaken in my initial impression that they would cover a large range of brands to better represent 'the best and latest'.
I was really hoping that this box would wow me and I'd want to sign up for more but it looks like I'll pass yet again.
On the Fence:
* The smell of the Redwin Coconut Balm reminds me of summers on the beach from my childhood but it is quite overpowering so I'm not sure whether I'll be able to stomach wearing it on my face.
* I haven't had the best of luck with John Frieda haircare in the past and my hair isn't frizzy so I'm not sure if I'll get anything out of the shampoo and conditioner - maybe treat it like a regular hydrating shampoo/conditioner ??
* The colour of the lippy looks promising - a rosy nude that leans a little brown. I've never tried a L'Oreal lipstick before so I'm not sure if I'll like the formula, especially as this is a matte. Keen to try it though.
Overall I'm really impressed that half of these are full sized and the other half are generous samples so not only is it great value but you're able to really try the product. However, I was expecting it to have a few more luxe product samples to make this anniversary box stand out from their previous boxes. Also, although the box has always claimed to contain "the best and latest in beauty and cosmetics" this is only the fifth Parcel to come out yet the same brands keep appearing (John Frieda and L'Oreal have each appeared in 3 of the 5 boxes) so it seems I was mistaken in my initial impression that they would cover a large range of brands to better represent 'the best and latest'.
I was really hoping that this box would wow me and I'd want to sign up for more but it looks like I'll pass yet again.
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