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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

MOST REPURCHASED BEAUTY PRODUCTS

I am the sort of girl who likes to buy and try new products on a regular basis, but there are some products which I have to repurchase time and time again because I love them and know they work for me. There isn't many, but here is the selection of products I always miss when I run out of them and simply can't live without.
Origins VitaZing - This is my go to morning/day moisturiser, I have repurchased this so many times. I do sometimes try something else but always end up going back to this. The formulation has an SPF15 and I really like that it comes with an added tint to even out my skin tone. This energy boosting moisturiser is really hydrating, gives you glowing, radiant skin and is best for dehydrated skin types. If i'm not going out that day, I will just apply this and it gives me the light coverage I need. It absorbs really quickly into the skin and has a really light texture and doesn't make my skin feel oilier.
V05 Dry Shampoo - This has to be my favourite drugstore dry shampoo that I've tried so far. It doesn't leave white marks at all, it smells great, not musky and it gets rid of oily roots. It's really affordable, I just wish they did a travel sized version. It's really light and refreshing in the hair and it comes in two version, Plump me up which gives you added volume and Refresh me quick, which is my favourite. I like to use it on busy mornings or after the gym if I haven't got time to wash my hair. I always have one of these on stand by.
Soap & Glory Body Wash - Soap and Glory do some of my favourite bath and body products from the drugstore. I always have one of their shower gels on the go, Foam Call is the one i'm currently using. I love that they come in these massive 500ml pump bottles which last ages and the pump makes it so easy to dispense the products. All the scents are lovely, this one is really fruity and fresh and they lather up nicely on the body. I swap and change between the scents, I think Rich & Foamous has to be my all time favourite. The formulation is really moisturising, the scent last for ages and you can layer up the products with your favourite S&G body scrub or moisturiser.
Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment - This is another Origins product I am forever repurchasing as I know it only does good things to my skin. It's a wonder cream for blemishes and clears them up quickly over night. I like the treatment version over the cream as it's more of a gel formula which is perfect for my combination/oily skin type. The formula is oil free and instantly boosts skins hydration. I like to use this in the evenings to finish my skincare routine and the scent is just lovely. I have found by using this the general look of my skin has improved massively. 
Chloe Fragrances - Chloe has to be my all time favourite classic signature scent, and I have bought into most fragrances they have brought out. I am currently really liking the Chloe - Roses de Chloe scent, which has gorgeous notes of rose, bergamot, amber and white musk but still has the classic, floral fresh Chloe smell. I will continue to purchase Chloe fragrance as I know they suit me, they're great quality and last ages on my skin. I have also really been loving their See by Chloe line. I can't wait for Chloe's newest fragrance to be released which is called Love Story.
What are your most repurchased products?

Saturday, September 27, 2014

BEAUTY TREND - BLUE NAILS

I have recently sorted through my nail polishes, as you may have seen on Instagram I am a true addict and may have colour co-ordinated them, so I thought I would share the shades I have been reaching for most recently. As the seasons have changed and everybody has transitioned to Autumn berry shades on their lips and nails, I have found myself still reaching for blue colours, not being able to shift the summer as quickly. Oceanic shades were really in for Spring/Summer this year and this trend has carried on into Autumn/Winter. I think blue can be a bit of a controversial colour to wear on the nails and not a shade everyone thinks they can pull off, but I think blue nails can look very sophisticated, if you want to go for a dreamy vibe or a punchy cobalt pop. My collection of blue nail polishes has certainly grown over the past year and I have many favourites, but I thought I would show you a few I have been using on rotation. Firstly is Essie polish in Midnight Cami a gorgeous navy blue which is nearly, but not quite black. This is a very special nail polish as I wore it for my Graduation early this year as it was the perfect colour to go with my gown. Essie formulations have to be some of my favourite and the brushes are the perfect shape to use to equally distribute colour. This is the ideal shade for Autumn and you don't need to apply many coats to get the full effect. My next favourite is Models Own Hyper Gel in Cornflower Gleam, Model Own launched their gel formulas earlier this year. This shade is more of a dusky cornflower blue, which is nice for all seasons. I do struggle with the formulas of these polishes, I find that I have to apply thin coats or the layers can get too thick and gloopy, but I like the overall finish. Another gel formula polish is the Nails Inc Gel Effect Polish in Regents Place. Again, another cornflower blue with a lilac undertone. I love the formulation of these, they provide a gorgeous flawless, high gloss manicure. I also like this one of my toes! Another new formulation to me this year are the Revlon Pafumerie range this one is in the shade Surf Spray. When the polish has dried on your nails you can still smell the scent of the nail vanish for days afterwards. I love this metallic blue shade with a purple shimmer running through it. I like to wear this one more if I'm going out for the evening than a day to day polish, but it still is very wearable. My last blue favourite is the Essie polish in Bikini So Teeny, similar to the Nails Inc one but with a silver shimmer. I like to apply two coats and I'm left with such a cute shade.
What shade of polish have you been enjoying?

Thursday, September 25, 2014

BOOK REVIEW - PIECES OF YOU BY ELLA HARPER

Product Details image
Published – 14/08/14 Publisher – Avon
Pages – 400  Genre – Click Lit/Romance
Synopsis – 
Lucy. I don’t even know how to start this letter. 
Something happened. Something terrible . . .
Lucy was always sure of one thing – her future with husband and soulmate Luke. But after eight long, heartbreaking years trying to have a baby, that future is crumbling before her eyes.
When a terrible accident puts Luke into a coma, Lucy is forced to reassess everything she thought she wanted.
Then a woman arrives with a shocking secret that will force Lucy to make the hardest decision of her life.  
My Thoughts – 
It did take me a while to get through this book, but I just loved the whole story line. I haven't read anything similar in the past, but the story felt so real and I really felt for the main character, Lucy. This book took me through lots of different emotions and I liked how we saw the many relationships in the book through many different eyes and changes between the past to present. I also liked how the book showed how you're life can change just like that, without notice and to not take the people closest to you for granted. This was a difficult story which dealt with matters such as grief, pregnancy, divorce, miscarriage and infidelity. I felt it was really well written and I still have lots of questions after finishing the book. I would definitely read more of her books in the future.
My Rating - 4/5
Follow my reviews on Goodreads.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

KAREN MILLEN GLOSSYBOX - SEPTEMBER 2014

Last Month, I posted my review see here, of the 3rd Anniversary Glossybox and stated that I was a bit underwhelmed with the contents. This month's box was totally different and is a collaboration with fashion brand Karen Millen. I love the London print skyline on the top of the box and I will definitely be keeping this out on display. Karen Millen's AW14 campaign is a celebration of the unique style and creativity in London hence the theme. I also received a £25.00 off voucher to spend in Karen Millen, which is a nice little extra. For me, this month's box is sky high compared to last month. I received;
ModelCo More Brows Fibre Gel Light/Medium, 3.5ml £9.00 - ModelCo is a brand that keeps popping up in beauty boxes. I have enjoyed a couple of their products and this More Brows is a great dupe for Benefit's Gimme Brow. I like that I received the right shade for my hair tone and at £9.00 its half the price of the higher end version. This thickening fibre gel helps to tint brows, fill in brows and keep brows in place all day. I wouldn't be without a brow gel in my make-up routine now. What I like about this version, is it hasn't seemed to clog up yet around the top like my Benefit one does. If you haven't tried the Benefit one, I would definitely recommend picking this up first.
Nails Inc Westminster Bridge Matte Topcoat, 10ml £12.00 - Nails Inc have recently re-branded themselves changing their bottles as well as their logo, see my post about this here. Saying that, I received the matte polish in the old packaging. I'm not normally one for matte nails, but it's nice to have. It is also another full-size sample, which is an extra bonus. I can imagine this looking really nice over a vampy purple, perfect for Autumn.
L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Hair Masque, 75ml full-size 200ml £15.30 - This is a product I have tried before and loved. My hairdresser recommended this to me and it's great to use on dry hair to hydrate ends. It smells great and the formulation is really thick. The masque intensely nourishes and leaves a glossy look. It's suitable for all hair types and it's a great sized sample to try if you haven't already.
Vichy Normaderm Night Detox and Hydrating Care, 3ml each fullsize 50ml £12.00 40ml £15.50 - I'm very excited to use this duo, their perfect to target adult blemishes. With use, blemishes appear reduced, skin looks purified and balances excess sebum production. I do struggle with blemishes on my chin from time to time, so I'm looking forward to see some results. There is a day and night cream and they're best used in conjunction.
SkinPep Brightening Enzyme and Acid Peel and Dark Circle Eraser, 3.5ml and 2ml Trial Size £6.49 and £7.98 - These are probably my least favorite products in the box, just because they're sachets and in my house these get put somewhere and forgotten about. But after reading more about these products, I'm more interested in using them. The Enzyme and Acid Peel is a highly effective peeling gel which uses Pineapple and Papaya extracts to create gently exfoliated, soft and bright skin. The powerful dark circle eraser uses anti-oxidant ingredients to boost collagen in the delicate undereye area. You can actually buy these trial sizes on their website.
Overall, I'm really happy with this months box, much better than last months. A few full-size products and well known brands, the only thing that would of made it better for me would of been if I had received the Origins product, but you can't have it all. Glossybox also included a leaflet in the box showing us the Pop Art themed box for next month and everyone will receive a full sized Nuxe Masque worth £19.50.
What do you think of September's box?

Sunday, September 21, 2014

NAILS INC SPECIAL EFFECT - EXHIBITION ROAD

Nails Inc has always been one my favourite higher-end nail polish brands. I have enjoyed collecting their bottles in the past and love their little sets, including the My Nail Polish Diary that I picked up last year. Nails Inc has undergone a major rebrand to mark it's 15th anniversary, with a brand new logo and bottle redesign. The new packaging is just right up my street, the glass bottles feel weighty and expensive to hold and the concave design is sleek and modern looking. You remove the chrome lid and use the plastic wand to apply the polish. This new bottle design is very clever indeed, if you place your finger underneath the bottle you can see what the shade looks like against your skin tone. The brush is also new, a wide flat brush which is curved at the ends to fill the whole nail, I much prefer this smooth application. The bottles were designed in collaboration with Art Director and Editor Fabien Baron and contains 40% more product than the old bottle design.
There were so many shades I could of picked up including the new Alexa Chung Range, but I picked the special effects colour is Exhibition Road, which is a lovely lilac and gold chunky glitter. Exhibition Road is a new limited edition shade which is inspired by Pop Art. You can apply 2-3 coats for a full coverage finish or apply one coat over your favourite polish. I would definitely recommend the new brush, it's so much easy to apply the polish, if you are a fan of the Essie brush you will like this one. The polishes leave a lovely glossy look to your nails and the colour stays around with no chips, like every Nails Inc polish does.
Alexa Chung is the new face of Nails Inc for Autumn/Winter 2014 and has collaborated on her own range of fabric inspired polishes. Nails Inc have also formulated a range with the Superfood Kale 'NailKale' in it's ingredients, which apparently helps to strengthen and nourish the nails, I will definitely have to hunt these down. At £15 a pop they're a real treat, but I can see myself picking up a few more colours in the near future. I'm in love with the Alexa shades in Lace and Camo and I've also seen Alexa Hearts and Stars are coming soon, I think I've started a new obsession...
What do you think of Nails Inc re-branding?

Saturday, September 20, 2014

HAPPY DAYS BIRCHBOX - SEPTEMBER 2014

This month's Birchbox is themed around the back to school season and reminiscing about the happiest days of out lives. The products in this month's box celebrate capturing these moments and making new ones. Inside there are products that will help you look your best during your happiest days.
Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream, full-size 14.2g £25.50 - This is an eye cream that I have used samples of before, really enjoyed it, but never purchased the full-size. The formula is really creamy, but still lightweight and I like that it comes in a pot. It's really refreshing around the eye and seems to reduce dark circles. It helps to smooth fine lines and protect against free radicals with this light peptide-packed formula.
Korres Citrus Body Milk, full-size 200ml £9.50 - Korres is a brand I always have a look at when I go down the beauty aisle at Waitrose. I have tried a couple of their moisturisers and lip products. The body milks are lightweight, so it's better to use this in the summer months. I like to use this out of the shower and you can layer up the scents by using the matching shower gel. It contains almond oil and shea butter and is great for dry skin.
Model Co Lip Lacquer in Morocco, full-size 3ml £15.oo - This month everybody got to choose one product they would receive. The choice was out of the Model Co Lip Lacquer in Morocco or Viva or the Model Co Powerlash Mascara. I chose the Lip Lacquer in Morocco which is a lovely nude pink. I haven't tried many products from Model Co before, but the Lip Lacquer is long wearing and highly pigmented. The formula isn't sticky at all, they're hydrating on the lips and I really like the glossy finish. This is one of my favourite discoveries this month.
Premae Mild Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub, full-size 100ml £25.00 - Premae is a brand I have only used from beauty boxes before. The brand is well known for their Vegan values. This product is a face and body scrub containing olive granules. This is great for blemishes, decongested pores and dull skin. I do get worried about using a scrub on my face which is also suitable for the body, but this isn't harsh at all and my skin is always super soft afterwards. This is also great for use after tanning and hair removal.
Agave Healing Oil Treatment, full-size 120ml £27.00 - Not a brand I have heard of before, but this lightweight oil helps to smooth hair, build resiliency and boost shine and colour. You can use this or dry or damp hair from roots to ends and I love the coconut scent. I would definitely be interested in purchasing the full-size of this.
The lifestyle choices this month were a Birchbox Happy Days photo clip, which went with the theme of the box. They also included Urban Fruit Smashing Strawberry, which are so yummy, I'm going to have to try the other flavours. I'm now off to redeem some Birchbox points in the e-shop against my favourite full-sized products.
Are you subscribed to Birchbox?

Thursday, September 18, 2014

ZOEVA ROSE GOLDEN LUXURY BRUSH SET

Zoeva is a German make-up and professional make-up tool brand founded in 2009. I must admit it isn't a brand I was very aware of before seeing products on blogs and YouTube. I understand it's more popular in America, last year the brand expanded by shipping internationally. They sell products like, eyeliner, eyeshadow palettes, lipstick and brushes and this Rose Golden Luxury Make-up Brush Set just kept popping up and playing on my mind. Currently my favourite brushes to use are the Real Techniques collection, the Smashbox Wondervision brush set or a Mac 217 eye brush. I was looking for a higher-end brush set that would have a brush for every use and this set has everything a girl could need.
The set contains eight essential brushes to use within your daily make-up routine, for the face; 106 Powder Brush to apply loose and pressed powder. 102 Silk Finish to apply and blend foundation. 110 Face Shape to contour the face with cream and powder products. 127 Luxe Sheer Cheek to apply powder blush. 142 Concealer Buffer to apply and blend concealer. For the eyes; 227 Soft Definer to blend and smooth eyeshadow. 231 Petit Crease for accentuating and blending in the crease. 317 Wing Liner for detailed eyeliner strokes and to create a perfect wing. As you can see there is something for every make-up product and many of the brushes are multi-use so you can create lots of different looks. They do a great job at blending and one of my favourite brushes has to be the Face Shape brush, which I like to use for contour or highlighter.
The handcrafted brushes are of high quality and look gorgeous on any dressing table. The set comes in a great brown travel bag or you could even use this as a make-up bag or clutch. The brushes are made with high quality natural hair and synthetic taklon bristles, so they can be used with cream or powder based products. The brush handles are in a gorgeous brown and rose gold and feel weighty and luxe to hold and use. I have yet to wash my brushes, but by using them they haven't shed at all and have kept their shape well. I ordered my set from love-makeup for £56.95 which is a little pricey, but when you think of the single brush breakdown it's a little over £7.00 per brush so you really are getting a good deal. I'm excited to try more from the brand and have my eyes on the many eyeshadow palettes.
Have you tried anything from Zoeva?

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

LOOK FANTASTIC BEAUTY BOX - SEPTEMBER 2014

Look Fantastic is the latest brand to release a beauty box. It’s nice to see an online beauty store bringing something different to the ever growing industry. I have always been interested in the concept, some people became uninterested in the whole idea but I’m always excited to see another new box released. Look Fantastic is always an online shop I check for deals and offers that are cheaper than the high-street. The Look Fantastic Beauty Box will contain a minimum of six products every month and you can decide if you want to order it instead of signing up to a subscription. The first box sold out really quickly, you don’t know what you’re going to receive before you get it through your letterbox and by using popular brands I know this box will be popular. The products included in September’s box were;
Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 1 and Lait Vital, full-size 250ml and 200ml £22.20 for both – I am a big fan of Kerastase hair products, you know you are getting quality hair care from this brand. I wish I had ordered my mum a box at the same time, as she loves this shampoo and conditioner. I sadly went back on the website that evening and it had sold out. I will definitely be taking these on holiday with me, it’s so nice to see deluxe samples. I have used this hair care range before so I know I will enjoy using them. This hair duo is perfect for drier hair types, they're super moisturising and has a nourishing formula that protects hair to an award winning standard.
Caudalie Divine Oil, full-size 50ml £17.50 – I have already tried and loved this product, but it’s nice to have an extra sample for travel. This is a multiuse product which can be used on the body, hair and face. I love the glass bottle packaging, I’m most likely to use this on my body. Caudalie are committed to planting one tree for every bottle sold. The oil has a light, floral fragrance with woody notes.
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, full-size 75ml £16.00 – I have always wanted to try this product, another product my mum swears by. I don’t have any trouble sleeping, but this is nice to spray on my pillow to relax me before sleep. Deep Sleep Pillow Spray is clinically proven to help you sleep better than normal, make you fall asleep faster and feel more refreshed in the morning. The soothing scent is wild camomile, vetiver and true lavender, which helps to calm the mind - I will definitely be spraying this on my bed sheets tonight.
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum, full-size 30ml £49.50 – Another product I was very excited about receiving. I haven’t tried many Jurlique products in the past, but the ones I have tried I have really enjoyed. This serum helps to recover your radiance, it features a proprietary active complex, Naturadiance PB18+ to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, restore radiance and increase hydration. I will be adding this to my evening skincare routine.
St Tropez Bronzing Mousse, 50ml £9.99 – This is probably my least favourite product in the box, just because I’m not much of a tanner. If I was to tan though, I would use St.Tropez as I’m always happy with the results, so this will come in use at some point. It gives a lovely even colour and this is a great sized product to touch up a holiday tan. I much prefer using a mousse product than a liquid. This bronzing mousse creates a streak-free, natural looking golden glow that lasts for days. I like to apply this with an applicator mitt for stain free hands.
Overall I'm really happy with the contents, so refreshing to find new products from brands I love and deluxe sized samples instead of sachets. The stand out product for me is the Jurlique Advanced Serum. I have already pre-ordered the October box, lets hope it lives up to their first box. Five random boxes will also receive a mystery gift worth £149.99, there's limited available so pre-order yours quick here.
What are your thoughts on Beauty Boxes?

Sunday, September 14, 2014

END OF SUMMER BEAUTY EMPTIES - HAIR, BODY & SKINCARE

Empties posts are some of my favourite blog posts to read. I probably get through hair products the most, but this post is a mixture of beauty products which I have finished recently.
Lee Stafford My Big Fat Healthy Hair Shampoo, 250ml £5.99 - This is actually a product my mum passed onto me as she wasn't enjoying it. I used to really like Lee Stafford products when I was a teen, especially their hair growth treatment. This shampoo was ok, as it was a volume boosting formula it had grittiness to the formula which didn't make my hair feel too clean after use. It did work at creating more volume though. Would I repurchase? Probably not, but I'm interested to try the new Ubunto Oil range, which smells gorgeous!
Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 - I always have a Soap & Glory body wash on the go, this citrus scented one is the newest in the collection. I love this scent, it's great to use in the mornings to refresh and revitalise your body. I can't get enough of the pump bottles, it lathers up well and the 500ml sized bottles last ages, read more here. Would I repurchase? Yes, definitely.
Liz Earle Botanical Shine Conditioner for Normal Hair, 200ml £8.75 - I featured the shampoo in another empties here. This was my first try of anything other than skincare from Liz Earle, and I wasn't disappointed. The shampoo is free from SLS and only contains naturally active ingredients, I really enjoyed the results, it left my hair glossy and soft. Would I repurchase? Yes, I really enjoyed the product.
Naked Blonder Lightening Conditioner, 250ml £3.98 - This is a great conditioner to use through the Summer months. Another natural conditioner, it really brings out my blonde highlights and I really like the Cassia and Sunflower Oil scent. I featured the shampoo here, it really moisturised my dry ends and the product didn't build up in my hair which I liked. Would I repurchase? Yes, maybe next summer.
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo, 400ml £3.99 - I have had this empty for ages, I mentioned the conditioner in this post here. I love the coconut scent, this is a product I pick up on offer as I know it works and does the job. It makes my hair feel moisturised and shiny and it's really affordable. Suitable for dry/damaged hair, my favourite product from the range has to be the intensive conditioner. Would I repurchase? Yes, if it's on offer.
Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Shampoo & Conditioner, 250ml £5.99 each - I purchased this shampoo and conditioner after really enjoyed the dry texturising spray from the range. I found the bottles really tricky to get the product out, but the formula did create volume from the roots and my hair did appear thicker. The formula also contains heat protectant which you don't normally see from a shampoo or conditioner. The scent was lovely and I really enjoyed using the pair. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would try other products from the Salon at Home range.
Rituals Qi Gong Anti-Perspirant Spray, 50ml £8.00 Full-Size - This was a sample that I received from a beauty box, but I have really been enjoying Rituals products recently. This was nice to use from my usual deodorant, I liked the Organic White Lotus & Yi Yi Ren scent and the product helped me stay sweat free throughout the day. Would I repurchase? Deodorant isn't normally a product I like to spend money on, but this was lovely.
Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique, 125ml £14.60 - This is my go to heat protectant. I love the leave in cream texture, it's suitable for dry, damaged hair and the scent is heavenly. It reminds me of that classic hairdressers scent and I always apply this if I'm going to blow-dry or style my hair with straighteners. A little pricey, but a little goes a long way and the bottle lasts a while. Would I repurchase? Yes definitely, I need it back in my stash.
Beauty Protector Leave In Condtioner, Full-Size £15.00 - Another product from a beauty box, I used this while travelling and instantly got on with it. The scent is lovely when sprayed into the hair, I like that it comes with a pump and it really does help protect hair and detangle any knotty bits. It's suitable for all hair types and it's exclusive to Birchbox. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would also love to try the oil in the range.
Umberto Giannini Pure Beauty Shampoo and Intense Beauty Conditioner, 75ml £5.60 each Full-Size - I tried these hair products in a Christmas set from boots. I really like the packaging and the formulas really helped cleanse and restore my hair. My hair felt moisturised and hydrated and looked shiny. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would try other products in the range.
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution, 250ml £9.99 - I always end up coming back to this cleansing water. It's great at cleansing, removing make-up and soothing the skin. I always make sure I have one of these on the go, you can't go wrong with this stuff. All of these skincare products featured in my Skincare routine here. Would I repurchase? Yes, always.
Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner, 150ml £18.50 - I love this toner, it's great for my oily skin. The Mint really helps to control oil and the Saw Palmetto helps to clear skin and minimise pores. I like that it gives my skin a smooth matte finish and that my skin feels refreshed after use. Would I repurchase? Yes, I need to.
Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins 50ml £34.50 - This is the oil-free mineral enriched cream which I like to apply every evening. I switch between this and the Make A Difference Treatment, they both smell lovely and renew my skin overnight. Origins has to be my favourite brand for moisturisers at the moment. Would I repurchase? Yes, I love this product.
Soap & Glory Supereyes Supereyes Moisturising Gel, 15ml - I don't think you can purchase this product any more, it has either been discontinued or the name and packaging has changed. I really like using a gel formula rather than a cream for around my eyes. As I am still in my early 20's I think it's nice to use something not too heavy and something that will hydrate my skin instead. Would I repurchase? Yes, I would purchase a different Soap & Glory eye cream.
Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, 125ml £20.00 - This is such a nice cleanser, it comes out as a gel formula and once you mix it with water it becomes a milk consistency. It's nice and light on the skin and breaks down make-up really well. Would I repurchase? Yes I would love to, but I have so many cleansers to use.
Have you tried any of these products?

Saturday, September 13, 2014

LATEST IN BEAUTY - THE GLAMOUR BEAUTY POWER LIST 2014 BOX

I am currently obsessed with beauty boxes, I say currently, I have been since I subscribed to my first box and even wrote my dissertation around the whole concept. Glamour have collaborated with Latest in Beauty to come up with a beauty box based on their Beauty Power List. They have collaborated with Latest In Beauty before, I didn't pick up that box because I had tried most of the products featured, but I thought this box was definitely worth trying. The box contains seven handpicked beauty products which featured in the 2014 Beauty Power List and have Glamour's Beauty Director's stamp of approval. The total value of the box is £83.47 and you can buy it for £15.99 with postage and packaging included, so it definitely is a one-off steal at that price and it means you get to try new up and coming products. On top of that you also receive an annual subscription to the iPad or iPhone digital edition of Glamour for you or a friend, which I think is a really good deal.
Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray – I’m really into leave in conditioners at the moment. I have tried quite a few Philip Kingsley products recently and have been pleased with the results. This leave in protective conditioning spray defends against daily heat, styling and breakage. You spray this into wet hair to detangle, add shine and it smells divine. It's suitable for coloured hair and it's a great deluxe sample size at 60ml.
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser – This is a cult product that everyone raves about. If my skin is acting up I always go back to this cleanser. I have tried the original formula and the limited edition scents and have enjoyed all of them. This is definitely a sample I will keep for holidays or nights away, it even comes with a muslin cloth. It removes dirt and make-up to leave skin clean and conditioned. It works on every skin type and any age.
Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara – I have been wanting to try this mascara for ages, I have heard nothing but good things. It claims to give 360 degree volume the second it's applied. The unique wand coats every lash, without clumping. I haven't tried many Bourjois mascara's before, but this one doesn't disappoint, it's a full-size product and the formula is extra black.
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – I have the radiance version of this primer which I love, so it’s great to try out the normal formula from the brand. It’s a generous sized sample of 30ml and the formula is lightweight, has a creamy gel consistency and makes your make-up stick around for longer. Meaning you don't have to touch up through out the day, which is perfect for my oily skin.
James Read Sleep Mask Tan – I’m not big on tanning but this is a great sample size to have to travel with. This product combines overnight skin beautifying ingredients with a touch of self-tan. It is a lightweight formula, that moisturises and soothes the skin overnight and leaves you with a subtle golden glow by morning. This is great for a quick pick me up and evens out your skin tone.
Maybelline Nude Colour Sensational Lipstick - I am big on nude lipsticks, they're great for everyday and right on-trend. Maybelline have five flesh tone shades in the collection to create an understated glossy finish. I received the shade Tantalizing Taupe, it's moisturising and pigmented, I will definitely be getting a lot of use from this lipstick.
Eyeko Mascara Off Make-up Remover Wipes - I am getting more into Eyeko products recently, these wipes will come in handy for travelling. They remove even waterproof mascara and smokey eye make-up, so they're great for lazy days or quick touch ups. These 100% pure cotton pads contain olive oil and aloe extract to condition and soothe, I will be popping these straight into my handbag.
PS - Fearne's make-up looks amazing in this months Glamour and it's all Revlon products.
Will you be picking up Latest In Beauty's newest box?

Thursday, September 11, 2014

YSL FUSION INK FOUNDATION

In my everyday make-up post here, I mentioned that I was testing out a 7 day sample of the new YSL Fusion Ink Foundation which I got from Boots. Since then, I have enjoyed the formula that much that I have purchased the full-size version. I haven’t used a YSL foundation before but have always heard great things especially about the touché éclat make-up. I have really enjoyed YSL products recently, the rose gold primer has been one of my most used products, see my review here.
This foundation is very lightweight, non-greasy but still has a flawless medium coverage. I still have to conceal blemishes but it does a great job at evening out skin tone. The formulation is silky with a matte, velvety finish and blends nicely into the skin. I have oily skin, it does last a long time on my face, but I do find myself having to powder late afternoon to avoid a shiny forehead. I have the lightest shade B10 Porcelain which is a perfect match for my fair skin. I wouldn’t say it lasts for 24 hours like YSL claims, but who does wear foundation for that long.
The packaging is not ideal, it doesn’t come with a pump, only a wand which means application is trickier than with other foundations.  The wand is good to distribute foundation around the face, but I’m used to a pump. The frosted matte bottle is very pretty and the gold lid is so luxe. The bottle isn’t very practical, but it’s nice to see how much product you have left and does look stunning on any dressing table, but not so ideal for travelling.
There was a lot of hype around the launch of this foundation and it doesn’t disappoints. You can build the coverage and it gives a nice glowy finish. It has SPF18 and is available in 16 shades. I like to wear this in the daytime or evenings, it doesn't feel like I have a layer of make-up on at all, which is great as it doesn't clog pores. It's moisturising on the skin and feels like a powder once it's sunk in. It's really natural looking and I like the soft texture on my skin. It's priced at £30.50 for 25ml, which is pretty standard for a high-end foundation and I don't mind paying that because I know it works for me.
Will you be trying YSL's newest launch?

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

BUMBLE AND BUMBLE - HAIRDRESSER'S INVISIBLE OIL TRIO TRAVEL SET

I have tried a few Bumble and Bumble Shampoo's and Conditioner's in the past and Crème De Coco has to be my favourite I’ve used. I normally have a high street and a more expensive shampoo on the go and swap and change between the two, so my hair doesn’t get used to one sort of shampoo and to keep costs down as I wash my hair quite often but still want to treat my hair. The latest hair range from Bumble & Bumble is the Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Range which is suitable for all hair ranges and has been on my wish list for a while now. I haven’t tried the Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil from the range, but have always heard good things. In the set you get, the Hairdresser's Invisible Oil shampoo, conditioner and primer. The formula is infused with six feather weight oils soften, detangle, de-frizz, tame flyways, ease styling, protect against breakage, heat styling and UV damage. The range is lovely for dry, brittle hair as they help to increase softness and shine for more manageable hair. It’s key ingredients are coconut oil, argan oil, macadamia nut oil, sweet almond oil, safflower seed oil and grapeseed oil. The products are ideal to protect my coloured hair and I would definitely take them away on holiday with me as they're a great size. The set of minis is perfect for travelling or just trying before you buy the full-size versions. It comes in a cute plastic resealable case which is also handy for travelling. Bumble and Bumble do mini's in most of their haircare lines, so it's a great way to test them out first to see if you like them. All of the products smell amazing!
The primer has to be my favourite out of the three, I would definitely repurchase this. The primer left my hair in a lush condition and it’s convenient to use after swimming or showering at the gym for detangling. It’s the perfect pre-styler, it can be used on dry or wet hair, I’m really going to have to try the oil next. The primer protects hair against the sun and I find my hair so much easier to style using these products. I like to finish using the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray, my hair is left silkier without the frizz. You'd think because it's an oil it would weigh your hair down, but this isn't the case at all. I love that the conditioner comes in a squeeze out tube instead of Bumble's original packaging. If you’re looking for a more upmarket hair care duo, I would definitely give this shampoo and conditioner a go, your hair will thank you for it. I bought the trio for £19.50 from Escentual.com
Have you tried Bumble and Bumble's haircare?

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

YOU BEAUTY DISCOVERY BIRTHDAY SPECIAL SEPTEMBER 2014

You Beauty Discovery has become one of my favourite beauty boxes to receive every month. It’s now been a year since they launched and I've been a subscriber since the beginning. The concept of the box is that they give the customer the choice to pick two items from a list of around ten products every month. I love picking my choices and it still gives you that surprise element as they might be items you wouldn't normally pick up, or beauty products you have wanted to try for a while.
This month they also included some birthday treats, £25 off your first order with Hello Fresh, two soothing Crabtree & Evelyn tea bags and a face sponge. Everyone also received an extra full-sized product, the Toni & Guy Glamour Volume Plumping Whip – which I already own and love. This is applied at the roots before blow drying to create body and volume.
The first product I chose was the Eyeko Hydrogel Eye Patches which come in packs of two and we received two sachets. I’m always excited by these kind of skincare products, I love a good face mask. You place these directly underneath the eyes and they help to instantly brighten and revive tired eyes. Great to use after a night out or if your feeling extra tired as they help with puffiness and dark shadows and leave your skin hydrated. Just leave them on for 30 minutes, take them off and carry on with the rest of your skincare routine. You can gently pat the eye area to help the skin absorb the nutrients, they contain concentrated botanical blend with Vitamin B and fruit extracts to treat the delicate eye area. I haven't tried much from Eyeko, so I'm looking forward to giving these a go on a pamper evening.
My second choice was from a brand I hadn't really heard much of, Ark. I received the Ark Age Aware Skincare Loving Body Wash and Body Butter duo. These are great products to have with the colder months coming and perfect for travel. These products help to soften skin with a blend of essential oils, chosen to boost your well-being. The scent is lovely - a creamy, sweet floral Rose, Jasmine and Orange flower, it actually reminds me of the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish.
You Beauty still have a few options available for this month, but a lot of them went out of stock straight away, so you have to be quick to make sure you get what you want. I think You Beauty Discovery is a great box if you enjoy discovering new products and at £6.95 it’s a lot cheaper than other beauty boxes.
Are you subscribed to a beauty box?

Monday, September 08, 2014

BENEFIT MAJORETTE CREAM BLUSHER

Benefit are well known for their boxed powder blushers in their cute, compact packaging. Coralista, Bella Bamba, Sugarbomb and Dallas are a few of my favourite shades. The box powders are handy as they come with a brush, mirror and plenty of product which lasts ages. The newest make-up item to the Benefit collection is the Majorette Cream Blusher. The blush is a cream to powder formula, which you can wear alone or layer under your favourite boxed blush for more colour. The shade is a lovely pink peach which is definitely my sort of colour. There is no shimmer which is actually quite refreshing as many of their boxed blushers do, but it still gives a nice healthy glow to the cheeks. The formulation is creamy and a little goes a long way. You can apply this with your fingers or I like to use the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and apply it to the top of my cheeks. The shade is really natural, the formulation is long wearing and definitely stays around longer than my powder blushers. You could even use this on the lips too. I've always said I'm much more of a powder blush kinda-girl, but cream blushers are becoming more and more popular and brands are bringing out multi-use products which are so much easier to use on the go as you don't need tools.
The packaging is so cute, much bigger than I thought it was going to be, but still compact. The round, scalloped edged compact is a gorgeous item to have handy in your handbag. The product didn't come with any outer packaging, which I thought was strange for Benefit, but the blush is pretty enough on it's own. The blusher also has a lovely, sweet pomegranate scent which is nice when you're applying it. The name of the product is much more suited to the American market, but I think it fits in nicely with the rest of Benefit's make-up line. The blush is priced at £23.50 for 7g of product. I'm really looking forward to using this more throughout Autumn, another great make-up release from the brand, they have been on point this year with their new products. It will be nice to see if they release any more shades in the future. 
Will you be trying Benefit's newest cheek product?

Sunday, September 07, 2014

FEELUNIQUE SALE BEAUTY HAUL

Feelunique currently have a massive sale on with up to 50% off, so I decided to treat myself to a few things I've had my eye on for ages. There were so many bargain beauty buys I could of added to my basket, but I held back and only chose things that I have been desperate to try for a while. My package arrived really fast and I'm really pleased with my purchases so far, so I thought I would share with you what I bought.
Firstly, I was after a mask to sort out my congested skin around the chin area and ended up buying two. I spotted the Clarisonic Deep Pore Decongesting Clay Mask which was £16.50 and decided to give this a try after really enjoyed the Clarisonic Deep Pore Brush Head. This mask is suited to oily skin or skin with enlarged pores, you use it twice weekly and it helps to decongest pores. I have already used this once, it's a really thick formula and I like the idea that you leave a thin layer on for 10-15 minutes and then take the mask off using the Clarisonic. My skin instantly looked less irritated and any redness had faded, the clay absorbed all the oil and removed dead skin cells and impurities. They also do a cleanser in this range, which I'm interested in trying.
The other mask I bought was the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Instant Oatmeal Mask which was £14.00. I have wanted to try this for ages, ever since FleurdeForce raved about it. This is a mask aimed at more dry or distressed skin and helps to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. I think this will be a great mask to apply during the week for a much needed pick me up that will help hydrate the skin. You leave this one on for 10 minutes and First Aid Beauty's range is perfect for even sensitive skins.
I then bought the Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Cream Limited Edition which was £16.80, this has to be the most unnecessary purchase of the haul. I didn't need another body cream, but I'm sure it's going to be a product I'm really going to enjoy and it's a bit of a treat buy. Elemis have created this special edition body cream to celebrate 10 years of the award winning Frangipani Body Oil. The cream is enriched with macadamia oil, sesame oil and Tahitian mono oil, which gives the product it's luxurious scent and leaves the skin hydrated and silky smooth.
My last purchase from feelunique was the Redken All Soft Supple Touch which was £12.11. I have used the Shampoo and Conditioner from the same line before and really enjoyed them, so wanted to try more products from them. I've also been really into leave in treatments and conditioning my hair, especially the ends. This has all the benefits of a cream in a lightweight spray version and improves the lasting condition and shine of your hair, I'm very excited to start using this.
You can currently receive an extra 10% off everything including sale items using the code FINAL10.
Will you be buying anything from the Feelunique Sale?

Saturday, September 06, 2014

PERFECT PAMPER PRODUCTS - BATH TIME

My favourite way to pamper myself is to take a bubble bath after a busy day. So I light a few candles, use a bath bomb or bath melt and read my kindle or a magazine. I find this the perfect way to relax and have a bit of me time. I am currently reading Pieces of You By Ella Harper on my kindle - really enjoying it so far. My candle of choice is the Champneys Mediterranean Bliss which makes you feel like your at a spa, when actually your in the comfort of your own home. I also love these cute Bath Mallows and Bath Tulips from Bomb Cosmetics.
The Body Shop Honeymania Bubble Bath Melt, 300ml £8.00 - I take more baths than showers and this product helps to enhance that experience. I love that the product comes in a tub rather than a bottle. It does mean you have to scoop the product out though, making you use more of the product than you actually need. The scent is heavenly and the formula creates so many bubbles which moisturise my skin at the same time. This has to be one of my favourite products from the Honeymania range, it's so luxurious, creamy and has a rich floral scent. This helps me relax and leaves my skin feeling super soft.
Aromatherapy Associates Revive Evening Bath Oil, 55ml £40.00 - When I don't want so many bubbles but still want the relaxing scent I like to use a bath oil. I only like to use this on special pamper evenings when I've got time to enjoy the product. You only have to use a tiny amount but the scent fills the whole room. This is a treat product but it re-energises your body and a little goes a long way.
Ren ClearCalm 3 Clarity Restoring Mask, 50ml £30.00 - This is a product which I like to apply while I'm in the bath. This is great for clearing up blemish prone skin. I like to cleanse skin, apply this and leave it on for 15 minutes. I like to use this once a week when my skin is feeling more congested. It soothes, calms, reduces the size of pores and gets rid of redness. It's great if you have oily or combination skin, the formula is thick and creamy and you can see a difference instantly. I recommend Ren products to anyone.
Rituals Sweet Orange & Cedar Fortune Scrub, 150ml £10.00 - I got this product free with a magazine a while ago and instantly fell in love with the uplifting scent. It's a lovely product to use on legs for silky smooth skin. The formulation is a scrub and cream in one, so it's not harsh on the skin and it moisturises at the same time. I would definitely try a different scent when this one runs out.
Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Butter, 300ml £10.00 - I have loved orange scented products recently. I just used up the body wash from the same line and couldn't get enough of the scent. The formula is thick and creamy and contains orange beads which melt into the skin. This is a great product to use on dry skin and perfect for the colder months coming. The fresh scent lingers around for hours on the skin, I like to apply this straight out of the bath in the evening. Soap and Glory will always be my number one for body care, read more about my thoughts here.
Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream, 125ml £5.50 - Another Soap & Glory product which I love. I have gone through so many tubes of this, the product is so effective. When my feet are in need of some love I like to apply this before I go to sleep and I wake up with super soft feet. If my feet are feeling dry or worn out I apply socks over the cream for a more intense treat.
What are your favourite pampering products?

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