I opened Lookfantastic’s £50 Mother’s Day beauty box and was impressed with what’s inside

Mother’s Day is on the approach, and if the mum figure in your life is into beauty and skincare, a box full of goodies is a great way to go. There’s a lot on the market, though, with the likes of Boots, Next, and Marks and Spencer all offering their own special boxes for make-up and skincare lovers. But if high-end beauty brands are more of your mum’s thing, the Look Fantastic With Love box could be a good place to start.

Lookfantastic already offers a monthly subscription beauty box, but the brand releases limited editions for special occasions, including for Mother’s Day. But with so many beauty boxes on the market, is this one worth buying? As a writer, I know that some aren’t worth the money – particularly when they are filled with sample-size products.

The offers a notable saving – the contents are worth over £215, but the box costs £50 – saving £165.

How I tested

When the  first arrived, I took note of how the products were presented, the design of the box, and the quality of the packaging to assess whether it was worthy of giving as a gift.

Then, I unboxed and tried out each product individually, incorporating them into my usual routine where possible. For example, I used the Eve Lom cleanser when removing my makeup for a few days in a row in place of my usual cleansing balm, so I was able to experience the texture, scent, and efficiency of the product.

Finally, I considered the overall value for money by weighing up the price, the savings, and the size of the products.

Lookfantastic Mother’s Day Beauty Edit review

On first impressions, I was happy to find that the box looked well-filled, thanks to the selection of primarily full-sized products. I often find that beauty boxes can look good online but are less impressive when they arrive. This isn’t the case with the Lookfantastic box.

The lilac packaging is relatively minimal, with a chic design that doesn’t overplay the Mother’s Day theme, which means it could be gifted for another occasion. Once opened, the box displays the message ‘with love’ in a deep purple font. Lookfantastic also offers delivery in two-to-three days for free.

The box contains seven products, and I think the variety is good—there’s a fragrance, a hair mask, two lip products (a lipstick and a balm), and three facial bits. The only thing missing is a body product.

I was already familiar with every brand in the  The biggest names in the box include Eve Lom, Aveda, Clinique, and bareMinerals, and I like that five out of the seven products are full-sized. While travel sizes can be useful, they don’t allow much trialling of a new product. 

One of my mum’s main concerns is ageing, so she would like the anti-ageing moisturiser included . The bareMinerals Ageless Phyto Collagen Face Cream is the star of the show in my opinion. The product alone is the most expensive in the box, worth £64, and is full-size.

Though I don’t share the same skin worries as my mum, when I put it to the test, I found that the thick consistency feels nourishing on the skin and is only very lightly scented, which I prefer in a moisturiser, not least to minimise skin irritation. The all-natural formula has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and firm the skin, and ceramides can help with skin renewal, forming a barrier against moisture loss. In a clinical test on 57 consumers, 81% said their skin looked firmer and more tightened after one week.

The Eve Lom Cleanser works for all skin types. It has a balm texture with a scent that reminds me of a spa. The inclusion of four plant oils claims to produce clear, soft and radiant skin when used to melt away dirt and makeup – or you can use it for a fresh skin base in the morning before applying makeup. I would probably use it for both. It’s designed to be used with the branded 100% muslin cloth, and although it’s not listed in the contents online, this is included in the box, too.

Another product that would suit most mums is the Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, a leave-in mask that they could use once a week as a post-hair wash treat. It claims to reduce breakage and protect against damage when heat styling. It’s a universal product that is a luxurious addition to the box. 

The Clinique lip treatment is great for popping in your bag to keep your lips hydrated and prevent chapping throughout the day. Its consistency is somewhere between a thick lip balm and a lip mask, and my mum and I would use it. 

The​ Ghost Orb of Night perfume is also a handy size for when you’re out and about and comes in a mini version of the iconic moon-shaped bottle. It’s a dabber perfume, not a spray, and the cherry-almond and floral scent is one that I’d say would have universal appeal.

Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base is a cult product, so it’s nice to get it in the box if you’ve never tried it. It’s meant to prep the skin for makeup—ensuring that the skin is well-hydrated first can help make-up look smoother and more flawless.

I’ve tried it before, and although it’s an extra step I wouldn’t do every day, it helps my dry skin stay supple throughout the day when I’m wearing makeup. The product included in the box is a mini size, so it’s more of a trial than anything.

Finally, the Natasha Denona Lip Styletto has a super-slim tube and comes in a classic, true red shade, so it’s great if you’re a red lipstick fan. Some lipsticks can dry the lips, but this one feels hydrating.

Final verdict

Overall, I think the Lookfantastic  is good value, considering the price of the products when purchased individually. I like the way it’s presented, and I think it’s a convenient alternative to putting together a gift yourself. You probably don’t even need to wrap it. 

Speaking from experience, I know my mum rarely treats herself to high-end skincare, even though she enjoys using it. That’s why it is such a nice idea to gift her something she will use. 

I would happily gift this to my mum. I think it looks impressive, and the full-sized products are great for trying out new premium brands—especially with the Eve Lom cleanser and bareMinerals anti-ageing cream inside.

One of the main positives is the variety of products included because there’s likely to be something for everyone. However, I would have preferred the Natasha Denona lipstick in a more universal shade. My mum would not wear the red shade, though it may be nice for some people looking to try out a bolder colour.

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