GlossyBox: March 2012 - The Harrods Edition

I haven't written a GlossyBox post for a while, as I unsubscribed back when they introduced the delivery fee.  I kept myself informed, reading all the blogs to see what was in the new boxes, sometimes regretting not having the subscription still.  When I stumbled across a picture GlossyBox posted on  Facebook with the word 'Knightsbridge' - I was curious.  The next day they revealed that the March box would be Limited Edition, Harrods style.  I took the bait and read the spoiler blogs before making my decision and what sold me was that it appeared that you'd get a Burberry lipstick.   Well, when I opened my box this morning, I was more than a little upset to find no lipstick.  I was so upset in fact that I threw my box to the side and planned to properly look through it later on today (I was a tad stressed, had an interview - more on that soon).  

After my beauty tantrum (and the interview) I came home and realised that I actually still had a pretty good box, although was still confused that most of the products were available outside of Harrods. In fact only one product in my box was exclusive to Harrods.  I thought the whole idea of this months box was to give GlossyBox subs some samples of brands they might not have been able to get hold of easily.  So, what did I actually get I hear you ask?

1. Valentino Valentina Perfume Sample - This is such a lovely scent that I will definitely be spritzing for a while.  I've sprayed it onto the information card and every now and then, I get a whiff of it.  The card reads: "A daring and addictive, oriental, floral fragrance.  A true feminine classic, twisted with the pure insolence of Italian ingredients." Full size (100ml), this retails at £71.00.  

2. Molton Brown Vitalising Vitamin A,B + C for Bath and Shower - This smells like it would wake you up on a Monday morning.  The card reads: "Vitamin-rich fruit extracts boost the skin and invigorate the senses." Full size (300ml), this retails at £18.00.

3. SKII Skin Signature - I'm not in the market for a new moisturiser as I'm still smitten with my all Liz Earle skin care routine, but this one feels nice.  The card reads: "An anti-aging moisturising cream which helps to re-condition the skin, improve its resilience and leave the complexion smooth and radiant." Full size (80g), this retails at a whopping £127.00.  

4. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara - I used this, this morning whilst doing my make up and I have to admit, it's bloody good.  I don't really need another mascara as I'm currently going between Benefits 'They're Real' and MUFE 'Smoky Lash' - but this was too good not to consider.  I will test it out a few more times but I may have to use the 20% off coupon with it.  The card reads: "Instant full body volume mascara." Full size (6.5ml), this retails at £21.00.

5. Clarins Extra Firming Body Cream - I think everyone got a sample of this in their box.  I haven't tried it out yet so can't give any first impressions.  The card reads: "A formula rich in regenerating and firming plant extracts which immediately helps to lift and tone, for firmer skin and a younger looking body." Full size (200ml), this retails at £35.50.

6. Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil - I got a small sachet of this, but again, I'm not in the market for a cleanser.  The card reads: "A 3 in 1 cleanser, make-up remover and eye make-up remover that leaves skin soft, balanced and non-oily." Full size (150ml), this retails at £28.00.  

Overall I'm happy with what I received.  I'm not 100% sure if I will continue the subscription yet, but I'm certainly tempted.  Did you get this months GlossyBox? 

Shoulder Pads

Shoulder pads were widely considered a metaphor for power, with women earning suffrage in 1918; this was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship.  In the late thirties, Jacques Heim was one of the first of designers to introduce the shoulder pad into twentieth century fashion, with his three pocket blue tweed tailored jacket.

During the forties women’s wardrobes became less dainty and more masculine with the utility suit consisting of a ‘boxy’ shouldered jacket and skirt made traditionally from herringbone tweed.  When Christian Dior launched his New Look in 1947, shoulder pads had fizzled out of fashion. 

The eighties, a decade of power dressing, New Romantics, stretch dressing and sportswear sees the revival of the padded shoulder. Pop culture saw Joan Collins in Dynasty with abnormally large shoulders and it wasn’t long for the trend to take on.  Joanie told The Times that the renaissance of shoulder pads by Valentino and Versace was a “radical change” and “more flattering than an Italian waiter”.  By the end of the decade stuffed shoulders were no longer just designed to shape a garment, but became, as Collins once said, a monster fashion statement.  Detachable shoulder pads meant that women could sew shoulders into any garment they fancied, from T-shirts to pyjamas.  Women enjoyed how padded shoulders created a silhouette, which smoothed out postural imperfections, acting as a non-permanent form of cosmetic surgery. 

New designer on the block, David Koma, has revolutionised the pronounced shoulder.  Featuring asymmetrical shapes rather than the typical ‘boxy’ shape we are accustomed to.  Koma has given a fresh stamp to the outdated trend throughout both his S/S and A/W collections.  Rihanna has recently been seen in a figure hugging David Koma LBD, which featured rounded, pronounced shoulders with a circular tangerine and noir pattern.  As well as Rihanna, other popular icons such as Beyoncé and Cheryl Cole have also sported Koma’s designs, proving that when it comes to 21^st century shoulder pads, David knows best. In the words of Joan Collins, “welcome back, dear friends.”