LookFantastic October 2014 beauty box unboxing

After the runaway success of the inaugural September 2014 LookFantastic beauty box, which I had reviewed here, expectations were sky-high where the second edition was concerned. I could hardly wait. I love that they start shipping on the very first of every month and that you get your box - shipped worldwide tracked - in four business days! And no, I have not had to pay customs duties till date. A number of boxes, where shipping begins on the 20th and you get your box well into the following month, could learn from LookFantastic. And, rather than being hastily put together, the contents of these boxes are well-curated and chosen thoughtfully.

Read on for my review and unboxing of the October 2014 LookFantastic Beauty Box.

The contents of the October 2014 LookFantastic Beauty Box are:

1. Korres Citrus Shower Gel
2. KMS California Freeshape Quick Blow Dry
3. Gatineau Collagene Expert Ultimate Smoothing Cream
4. Balance Me Facial Expression Filler
5. L'Oreal Professionel Pro-Keratin Refill Masque
6. L'Oreal Professionel Pro-Keratin Refill Shampoo
7. ThisWorks Sleep+ Pillow Spray

Seven products, mostly travel- and deluxe-sized. A quick look at each:

Korres Citrus Shower Gel

I have a major love for Korres, the Greek brand, and simply adore their concealer. This smells absolutely divine and there is 50ml here. It contains wheat proteins, aloe vera and lactic acid, all of which are good for the skin. This is going into my shower already.

KMS California Freeshape Quick Blow Dry

This, for me, is the winner in this box. A bi-phase blow-dry spray, this conditions as well as provides heat production and speeds up drying time. The first time I tried this out, I forgot to shake the can and ended up with a rather strong smelling spray. The second time, I shook it for all I was worth and, yes, my blow dry was, for once, not looking like something the cat dragged in. Impressive!

Gatineau Collagene Expert Ultimate Smoothing Cream

This is a luxurious day and night cream which absorbs instantly and reduces wrinkles and improves skin texture. I love LookFantastic for including brands such as Gatineau and Jurlique in their boxes - not easy to find in beauty boxes. Can't wait to try out this cream.

Balance Me Facial Expression Filler

This, apparently, is a natural botox fix! It contains no parabens, silicones, sulphates, mineral oils and a host of other debatable ingredients. I am nowhere near needing botox but this sounds nice to use! Or maybe it can go to my Mum who celebrates her birthday on the 27th of this month.

L'Oreal Professionel Pro-Keratin Refill Masque and Shampoo

The Pro-Keratin products are both from L'Oreal's Professionel salon range. I don't mind getting salon products, especially if they guarantee breakage prevention and intensive repair, as these do. I love that these last a month, like last time's Keratase products. LookFantastic's sister concern, HQHair, is primarily intended for hair care, so I can understand why these boxes lean towards hair care. Send me any number of hair masks, please! My hair is crap.

ThisWorks Sleep+ Pillow Spray

Last month, they had sent out ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. Apparently, this is a new and improved version! I won't mind if these are monthly inclusions, simply because these sprays are doing me all the good in the world.

Summary and where to buy

I love this box more than last month's! They had fake tan last time and not this time, so I can and will use every single thing. I do not mind the absence of makeup - I hardly use any lipstick which is not dusty rose, they WILL get my foundation and concealer shades wrong, and I have enough peach blushes and eyebrow pencils for a lifetime and enough mascara for a year, so that only leaves eyeshadow and eyeliner for them to send out. The thing is, makeup has to be a lot more personalised than skincare, and I would prefer skin and hair care products when someone else is choosing them.
So. The November 2014 LookFantastic beauty box is up for preorder here and guess who has already ordered it? Warning: They sell out sooner than Memeboxes, so don't come back and tick me off if it is not available already. They are only 15 quid, apart from tracked postage  which varies from country to country.
Also, if you want to place a shop order at LookFantastic, use code LFNEW for 10% off. They have the most amazing GWPs, so keep checking here.

I paid for the box; not a PR sample. Affiliate  links.