BENEFIT GROOVY KIND-A LOVE! CHRISTMAS GIFT SET MAKE-UP KIT

Every year I look forward to the Christmas Beauty gift sets hitting the shelves and flicking through the Boots Christmas catalogue to find the perfect presents for my friends and family. Benefit offer a broad range of limited-edition gifts at different price points featuring your Benefit favourites to stock up on. Currently available are cute tin's featuring four of their bestselling products, skincare and lipgloss sets and travel minis offering great value for money.  Benefit's packaging is gorgeous! the make-up is great quality and the sets even come with handy tips on how to create the perfect Christmas make-up look.
Groovy Kind-A Love £29.50 has to be my favourite set from this year's collection which includes, the POREfessional mini, they're real mini, benetint medium, dandelion & gimme fever cheek powder duo with brush and limited edition eyeshadow palette with double-ended sponge applicator, which together can create a complete kit for eyes, lips, cheeks & face. You can instantly transform your look from am to pm, as it's great as a travel set for people who are always on-the-go.
They're real has to be one of my favourite mascara's that I've used in a long time, it really does lengthen the lashes and separates them fully. The eyeshadow palette is really pigmented and would make a lovely smokey neutral look for the Christmas parties! and the cheek duo is great for illuminating your high points. The only thing missing in this kit is a good base for flawless skin! I think any beauty lover would be happy to receive this for Christmas and even someone who hasn't tried Benefit cosmetics before, as it's a great starter set to try a range of different products from the brand.

What are your Christmas gift recommendations?

WINTER ACCESSORIES - CONVERSE WARM HIGHTOP TRAINERS

TOPSHOP TOP 

TOPSHOP SKIRT

H&M SCARF

PRIMARK BAG

CONVERSE HIGH TOPS*

Winter is coming, the layers are getting thicker. Keeping warm and cosy is essential but keeping your style fashionable without getting frumpy is even more important. Who said Converse are a Summer shoe? Converse have a range of weatherised trainers which have a faux-fur lining meaning you can wear them in any weather without worrying about getting cold feet. These Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Warm High-Top Trainers in Burgundy £65* are suede and so easy to update any outfit for the new season. They are the perfect shade for Autumn/Winter. John Lewis have a great range of Converse to choose from. I've styled them with a big cosy Jacquard-weave scarf £12.99 from H&M in a soft fabric and fun print. This scarf is so big it can double up as a blanket! I then paired them with a staple black bag from Primark £8, so handy with a long strap to hang off your shoulder and two compartments (I also had to buy this in grey). They are super cute and so affordable! 

What do you style your converse with?

 *PR Sample

ICONEMESIS IPHONE 5 CASE - COFFEE COLLECTION BY LILY X

Iconemesis is a fast growing lifestyle brand, which is becoming a cult favourite among bloggers - showcasing the best up and coming British design talent on your iPhone.  They have a range of different designs including Fifi Lapin, Gemma Correll and Pomme Chan. In the future they are looking to expand the range by stocking luxury handbags and other accessories.
Since having my iPhone 5, my beloved dotty Kate Spade case has done me well, but it is nice to change it up every now and then. I bought an Iconemesis phone case a while back for my iPhone 3GS - Bear Honey by Gemma Correll. I was really impressed with the quality of the case and the variety of unique designs. When Iconemesis contacted me to choose a new case for my iPhone 5, I was excited to choose a totally different design to the one I had been using before. I went for the Coffee Collection by Lily X* case. I thought this suited my personality and shows my love for coffee. I see a Phone case as an accessory, just like a piece of jewellery or scarf to any outfit, so it was important that the case was cute and easy to find in my over packed handbags.
The quality of the case is great! This case fits my phone really well without making it feel bulky or uncomfortable to hold. It protects my phone from scratches and incase I was to accidentally drop it. I really like the design, and I know I won't get bored of it after I've used it for a while. I would definitely recommend them if your looking for something different to brighten up your phone. They currently stock iPhone 4, 4S and 5/5S cases. The cases are usually £24.99, but there is currently 20% off discount using the code OCT202. Free shipping is also offered if you live in the UK.

What is your favourite Iconemesis design?

*PR Sample

SOAP & GLORY KISS ASS INSTANT RETOUCH PRESSED POWDER

I'm a sucker for anything new from Soap & Glory, if I see a new product has been launched I have to go out and buy it, to test it for myself. My last Soap & Glory blog post wasn't too long ago (see here), so you can tell they are a brand that appears a lot in my day-to-day life, whether it be in my make-up bag or around my bathroom.
Soap & Glory Kick Ass Instant Retouch Pressed Powder is right up my street, I currently have an oily/combination skin type, so I'm always looking for products which can keep a shiny forehead at bay for a few more hours. This is a product which I keep in my handbag for what it says embossed into the powder an 'instant retouch'.
You can wear this product as a primer under make-up, or alone for a weightless and natural translucent finish. The powder offers 'Superblur' technology with microline, light scattering silica spheres and Camouflawge 3D to perfect skin using a natural filler effect containing plant-based, muscle relaxant with anti-wrinkle actives. It also feautures seven age-delaying and free radical scavengers and is free from preservatives, mineral oil, paraffnum and tallow. It's silky soft and weightless to wear.
I love the packaging - a step up from the usual cardboard design and comes with a handy compact mirror. I think I prefer this powder to 'One Heck Of A Blot' (also from Soap & Glory) as it's less powdery and I can use Kick Ass through out the day without getting build up. Priced at £12 and available at Boots. 

What's your favourite Soap & Glory cosmetics product?

MARKS & SPENCER BEAUTY DISCOVERY EVENT - REN SKINCARE

Marks and Spencer are currently holding a Beauty Discovery event, which means if you buy one product or two products depending on the brand you can bag yourself a free gift (while stocks last). Brands include; Ren, Bliss, Nuxe, James Read, Philip Kingsley, Murad, Jurlique and many more.
My favourite pick from the brands was this luxury travel set from Ren. Ren Clean Skincare has to be one of my favourite skincare brands and I wanted to try some products from the new Rosa Centifolia line, so I bought the Rosa Centifolia 3-in-1 Cleansing Water and the Rosa Centifolia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. Ren Clean Skincare gives you healthier, more beautiful skin that looks younger for longer. Their products are free from parabens and suitble for vegans and vegetarians.
In the Ren Clean Skincare Discovery Kit you receive 6 mini's of some of Ren's best selling products including; Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream 50ml, Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash 50ml, Vita-Mineral Day Cream 15ml, Glcolactic Radiance Renewal Mask 15ml, Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream 15ml and Rose Centifolia Cleansing Gel 25ml. Which all comes in a cute travel bag and is worth £40. 
I think it's such a great way of promoting beauty brands at M&S and gives the customer a variety of products to try from the range. The Beauty Discovery event is on until September 11th so hurry, you don't want to miss out on this great beauty find!

Update: The Beauty Discovery Event has been extended for another week till the 18th September!

What are your Ren recommendations?

LAURA MERCIER CUSTOM ARTIST PORTFOLIO - PETITE

I first set my eyes on this Beauty Portfolio whilst shopping in Selfridges' beauty hall. The sales assistant was totally selling it, but I knew I couldn't part with that much money there and then on essentially a make-up bag. But last month, I was lucky enough to win one when I entered a twitter competition with Space NK! Laura Mercier has to be one of my favourite high-end brands, so I was so excited to receive something which had been on my wish list for a long time.
The exclusive Laura Mercier Custom Artist Portfolio - Petite - £85* is an all-in-one Beauty Portfolio for home and away. This exclusive organiser features two custom designed removable mesh cosmetic bags and a double-sided pocketed brush page. The mesh cosmetic bags are magnetic so they are perfect to transfer into your handbag for daily use. The set also includes four eyeshadows in; Pale Pink, Granite, Morning Dew and Sea Storm. A Blusher in; Rose Petal, a Lip Glace in Pink Prep and an Eye Pencil in Stone Slate which is a deluxe travel size. My favourite being the blush! The eyeshadows are so creamy and easy to blend - so I'm interested to discover more shades from the collection to fit into my palette.
The set is ideal for travelling and the 3-well custom compact means you can fit four shadows and a blusher and change them out when you like. The hard shell means it's quite bulky to fit into your luggage, but at least you know your make-up is all in one place and not going to get ruined at all. I have had lots of fun transferring some of my make-up into my organiser. I can't wait to use this some more when I'm staying away from home or on holiday, it is ideal for weekend trips if you want a variety of make-up in your stash.

What do you think of Beauty Portfolios?

*Won in a Space NK twitter competition

SOAP & GLORY ACCESSORIES - JUMBO MASSAGE GLOVE AND A BRUSH WITH GREATNESS

Soap and Glory has to be my favourite brand to find in Boots. My collection of S&G products is out of control, (it's even won a competition!) I can't help buying the latest products to hit the shelves and trying them out for myself, as I know I won't be disappointed. I'm no stranger to their accessories line and a couple of weeks ago I found a couple of new products to add to my hoard. 
Jumbo Massage Glove - £8.50 can be used on damp skin in the shower with shower gel or body scrub, or on dry skin with body butter or lotion. I believe this product has just been repackaged, but it has definitely become a firm favourite come bath time. It also claims to help with tight muscles and cellulite.

A Brush With Greatness - £6.50 can be used on damp skin, ideally with a little cleanser. Surface-sweep first with the bristles and rinse. Then gently massage with the reverse side to stimulate circulation. Before I bought this I used the S&G face massage mini mitt on days that I didn't want to use my Clarisonic. I feel using a DIY facial mitt can really help to boost my circulation and makes my skin feel super soft after use. A Brush With Greatness is a step up from this with bristles for an even deeper clean and a handle for easy use.

What are your favourite S&G accessories?

H&M TRANSITIONAL AUTUMN FASHION PICKS

As we are heading into September, it's time to trade the sun dresses for trousers and replace those trusty wardrobe staples to update your already full wardrobe. Here are my H&M High Street picks that I currently have my eye on.
Grey Jersey T-shirt, £6.99 - Every girl needs basic's in her wardrobe, this jersey tee is a great simple essential when pairing with printed bottoms or just when you want to rock the preppy vibe. At such an affordable price you can pick it up in white also.
Black Shoulder Bag, £14.99 - I absolutely love the stitching detail on this bag. This shoulder bag comes with a detachable strap and tassel, great for everyday when you don't need to carry as much around. It also comes in a gorgeous powder pink!
Floral Super-Stretch Treggings, £12.99 - These treggings come in super-stretch fabric with pockets at the back and an elasticated waist, making them so comfortable and easy to wear. They come in so many colour ways if your not so confident in wearing print on your bottom half and are amazing value!
Monocrome Jacquard-Weave Jacket, £29.99 - This jacket is perfect for the transitional seasons. This short, straight-style jacket in a jacquard weave is an ideal way of making a simple outfit look smart. Also comes in red if your more into the aztec trend.
Burgundy Studded Low Boots, £29.99 - Shoes have to be one of my favourite things to buy from H&M, they are great value and last you all season. These ankle boots come in burgundy and black and the studding detail around the front adds to the basic design. These are also an online exclusive, so nab them while you can!
Current discount codes; 25% of one item - 0560, £5 0ff - 1304, Free Shipping until 08/09/13 - 0769.

What are your transitional fashion picks?

SELFRIDGES FESTIVAL BEAUTY BOX

I really enjoy the whole concept of a beauty box. You get to try new beauty products that you maybe wouldn't choose out for yourself and discover brands that you have admired from afar but have never took the plunge to commit to one product. This is the fourth Beauty box from Selfridges, I have managed to get my hands on all of them except for the valentines box which I wasn't really too fussed about, but this festival themed exclusive really won me over. The box contains eleven beauty essentials with a combined value of £110, making it the ultimate summer survival kit. I'm not attending a festival this year but the contents was too good to miss!

The box contains; Sol de Janerio Coconut Water Cooling Mist - This product is one of my favourites from the bunch, anything coconut scented is a hit with me! You can spray this on your face and body anytime to refresh your skin. It delivers a cooling sensation and would be ideal to take on holiday with you. Cowshed Antibacterial Hand Gel - This hand gel smells lovely! and doesn't have the normal overpowering antibacterial scent. It's ideal to pop in your handbag for travelling. My only dislike about it is that it doesn't seem to sink into the skin as quickly as others I've tried. Azature Nail Lacquer in Champagne - Festivals are all about the glitter! This nail polish contains gold, bronze and silver glitter and looks lovely over any nail base or simply on it's own. NPW Mini Scented Hand & Face Wet Wipes - Another handbag friendly product, also without the generic wet wipe scent. NPW Chubby Glitter Stick in Hottest Pink - I'm not too sure when I'm going to use this product, it would be great for parties or fancy dress. The stick contains bright pink and multicoloured glitter and is so easy to apply. Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Navy Blue - This eyeko eyeliner is foolproof, the colour is lovely, it's so easy to apply and doesn't smudge at all. The felt tip application means you can control the pen in a single stroke.

Topshop Lip Crayon in Powder Room - I had been wanting to try a Lip crayon from Topshop for a while. This one is in Power Room which is a bright baby pink, the formulation is matte but really creamy! Great to use even when you haven't got a mirror handy. Illamasqua Liquid Metal in Surge (Plus a complimentary eye colour consultation) - This is another one of my favourites from the box. I haven't tried many products from the brand but this cream eyeshadow is gorgeous! It gives a lovely metallic sheen and would be ideal for a dramatic eye. Bare Minerals Pretty Amazing Lip Gloss in Moxie - The formula of this lip gloss is really creamy which leaves you with a high-impact shine and vibrant colour - A real barbie pink shade. Colorsmash Hair Shadow in Je ne sais quoi - Another festival perfect product, Colorsmash temporary hair colour can be applied by rubbing it into the desired section of the hair and sealing it with hair spray. To remove, juat wash it out. It's as easy as that! Violent Lips Lip Appliques in The Warm Rainbow - This is the only product I am yet to use from the box. They would be ideal for parties or a night out. I love the colours, they last up to 8 hours and look quite easy to apply.

As you can see the contents is well worth the bargain price tag! The Selfridges Festival Beauty Box is £25 and is available here. Have you got yours yet?

VERA WANG - LOVESTRUCK FLORAL RUSH EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY

Vera Wang Lovestruck Floral Rush perfume is the newest fragrance in my ever growing collection. The scent is light, floral and youthful - with a sparkling floral bouquet that attracts with its juicy notes. The notes include; Champagne, Pink Pepper, Apricot Blossom, Pink Passion Flower, Marigold, White Freesie, Ambergris, Musk and Cashmere Wood. I think the scent is a very easy to wear, romantic fragrance. I would say the scent is still sweet like Lovestruck's little sister fragrance 'Princess' but a little more floral and mature.
I must admit I was drawn in by the packaging, it is a lovely addition to my dressing table and definitely stands out from other more simple perfume bottles that I own. I much prefer the lilac bottle and bow over the original pink Lovestruck design. The bouquet and bow means it's not very practical to carry in your handbag on-the-go but you can always carry it without the lid or transfer some into a Travalo.
The 30ml bottle is currently on offer at Boots for an absolute bargain £19.99 (normally priced at £35.00). I would definitely recommend picking this up whilst it's on offer if you are after a girly, everyday fragrance.

What is your favourite Spring/Summer fragrance?

SUMMER BEAUTY PRODUCT EMPTIES - JULY 2013

For me, using one product at a time is hard. I constantly enjoy using different products and finding the right products that work best for me. This month I have come to the end of many of my favourite products which I need to repurchase, and I thought I would share my views on them (and stop hoarding the packaging.)
VO5 Refresh Me Quick Dry Shampoo, 200ml £3.59 - This has to be the best dry shampoo I have used, I have raved about this before - read here. I have tried both the dry shampoo's from VO5, but refresh me quick has to be on top! It gets rid of oily roots instantly, meaning I don't have to wash my hair everyday and the scent is lovely. Would I repurchase? Yes I always have my next bottle at the ready!
Soap & Glory Foam Call Body Wash, 500ml £6.50 - I'm such a big fan of Soap & Glory body wash, I love the Fruitigo fragrance and the pump bottles. You really can't beat Soap & Glory on the high street! For the amount of product you get, it really is cost efficient as they last for ages. My favourite body wash in the line has to be Rich and Foamous - read my review here. Would I repurchase? Yes, I am using Rich and Foamous in my shower at the moment.
Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo, 200ml £8.75  - I haven't tried many products from Liz Earle apart from a skincare try-me kit. So I didn't really know what to expect from their shampoo - but I was impressed! The shampoo is free from SLS/SLES and only contains naturally active ingredients including; natural vitamin e, aloe vera, west african shea butter, apple and orange extracts. The shampoo creates a rich lather and restores my hairs natural shine. Would I repurchase? Yes, the price isn't too bad for a mid-range brand.
Soap & Glory Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath, 500ml £6.00 - Another staple in my bathroom has to be this product. This bubble bath contains the 'Original Pink' scent and has body lotion built in, which is an added bonus for lazy days. Would I repurchase? Yes, always!
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution, 500ml £11.60 - I was hesitant to try this hyped product at first, but I'm so glad I did. I use this product to take the bulk of my make-up off before using a cleanser in the evenings. It dissolves all my make-up including my eye make-up which I was really impressed with. I'm so glad they have made this more readably available in the UK. Would I repurchase? Yes, I am trying the one for oily skin at the moment.
Aveeno Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, 150ml £5.99 - This is the first product I have tried from Aveeno, I decided to pick it up one day as it was on offer and new. This cleanser claims to brighten skin with naturally active Soy and smooth microbeads that gently exfoliate while cleansing. I kept this product in the shower and used it in the mornings to wake my skin up. Would I repurchase? Maybe, I would like to see what other products they have in the range.

Ren Omega 3 Night Repair Serum, Full-size 50ml £34.00 - I received this little sample free with a promotion  from WIMH - read here. Ren has to be one of my favourite skincare brands of the moment. I would use this serum on my face and neck before moisturising each night. I definitely saw a difference with incorporating a serum into my night time skincare routine. The only downfall was that I wasn't too keen on the scent. Would I repurchase? I don't think I would because of the scent, but I want to see if they have any other serums that work the same way.
Batiste Dry Shampoo, Cherry, Savanna and Mamba, 50ml £1.50 - These travel sized Batiste bottles are really handy for your handbag for use on the go. If I ever need to sort my hair out on-the-go or after the gym I will reach for one of these. The cherry and tropical scent are my favourite and are a great staple to have in my stash. Would I repurchase? Yes, a classic repurchase.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, 30ml £10.35 - Another cult product which every one talks about. I like to use this in the evenings before moisturising or in the day to refresh my face. I think it works great if you have any breakouts or redness as it really helps to calm down the skin. The scent is lovely! Would I repurchase? Yes, I purchased the Selfridges Summer Box which had a 100ml bottle inside. Bargain!
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation, 30ml £10.99 - This has to be the best high street foundation that I have used. No other formula has come close to my higher end base's. I have tried the regular Healthy Mix and the new formulation but I like this one the most. I have the shade 51 which is the lightest and the shade matches me well which is rare on the high street. Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm missing this in my collection.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream, Full-size 100ml £13.99 - A little sample I got with a free gift which I was happy to receive. I had been wanting to try this hand cream after hearing only good things and I have definitely seen the benefits. It helps to moisturise and soften hands as well as strengthen nails and minimising visible signs of ageing. A little goes a long way! Would I repurchase? Yes I love the formula, but I do love a small bottle of hand cream for travel.
Origins VitaZing Moisturiser, 50ml £28.00 - This product is my daily go to moisturiser, I like to apply this before I start my make-up for the day as the sheer tint release really helps to wake-up my skin for the day ahead. It also contains an SPF15 which is an essential for day time and the scent it heavenly! I cut open the back of this product to scrape the last remaining product out. It is pricey but totally worth it. Would I repurchase? Yes, holy grail! 
Ren Vetiver v7 Hand and Body Cream, Full-size 100ml £9.00 - Another little ren sample, formulated with Javanese Vetiver Oil that leaves skin optimally hydrated, smoothed and conditioned. I used this product as a hand cream, as it was handy to chuck in my bag or reach for on my desk. Would I repurchase? Not a bad price for a Ren product, maybe I would in the future.

GLOSSYBOX 2ND BIRTHDAY - MAY 2013 BEAUTY BOX

May was the month of Glossybox's 2nd birthday, so expectations were high as to what brands were going to feature in Glossybox's special box. I still can't believe that Glossybox has been available in the UK for two years now, I have been an avid subscriber for a year and a half, so I also received a little extra treat this month (Green & Black's chocolate) for my loyalty.
The first item which caught my eye was a full-size beauty of Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shine Spray which claims to add shine as well as also protecting hair from daily wear and tear. I really like the scent of this product, it reminds me of the Origins Ginger range. You can use this spray on styled hair or whilst using heat styling. Once sprayed into my hair I can smell the scent lingering for hours after. I would recommend this to anyone who wants glossy hair all day and it's ideal for heat styling.
Another full-sized product which I was really impressed with was Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara. This mascara claims to be waterproof, long-lasting and feather light and it didn't disappoint. The wand was smaller than brushes which I normally like but I found the formula lengthening, voluminious and it produced no clumps which I was pleased with. I'm not sure I would repurchase at £15 as it probably matched up to my drugstore favourites.

I have tonnes of nail vanish in my collection, but it's always nice to receive a shade you wouldn't normally choose yourself and to step away from the taupes. Headline Colors is not a brand I was very familar with before receiving this box, but I received the shade Gunmetal which is a lovely metallic grey (not very spring/summer, I know). The colour applied really opaque with two coats and left a glossy finish and had great staying power! I will be looking into more shades as best of all they are free of nasty toxins.
Collection Fast Stroke Black Liquid Eyeliner is an old favourite of mine. I have used this product since the age of 13 back when I first discovered make-up and I still go back to it even now. It was great to see this in last month's box, it reminded me of how good the product really is and the intense black colour.

The final beauty product in the box was Beautiful Movements Prime & Create Mixing Medium, this curious little pot of product is a great multi-tasker that is an aloe vera based gel, which can be turned into a cream foundation, blush and eye shadow that works for all skin types. Formerly known as BM Beauty, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt's range of beauty products have been a firm favourite of mine in past Glossybox's. I use this product alone as a primer to give me a matte, shine-free base - I would say it's great for my combination skin!
Glossybox Emery Boards were also a nice little extra to receive in the box last month. Really handy to chuck in my bag and use on-the-go, more hygienic too! What are your favourite Glossybox picks?

SPRING/SUMMER 2013 BEAUTY TRENDS - STATEMENT EYES

Christian Dior's take on Spring/Summer 2013 make-up is all about the eyes. Full-on pop of colour with neon eyeshadows and lots of Swarovski crystals scattered across the lids. Keeping everything else really simple so the eyes are the statement piece.

Chanel's look is focused on the striking metallic silver Illusion d'Ombre eye shadow, with smoky black eyeliner used on the lash line. The look reminds me very much of Black Swan, pared with Rouge Allure in Gracile on the lips to create the pretty shade of shell pink.

Images: beautyeditor.ca

Versace's Spring/Summer trend is big on the metallic gold eyes complemented with big lashes and natural face make-up. Any of these looks would look great on a summer's evening, letting the eyes do the talking! 

GLAM! THE PERFORMANCE OF STYLE - TATE, LIVERPOOL

On my recent trip to Liverpool last week, I visited the Tate. I am a keen visitor to the Tate Modern in London, but had never actually visited the one in Liverpool, so it was nice to visit the gallery in different surroundings. We were visiting to mainly see Glam! The performance of style which ended on the 12th of May, but we did look around the rest of the Gallery exhibitions and I was impressed with the vast collection of works.

Glam! The performance of style is the first exhibition to explore glam style and sensibility in depth. The exhibition investigated the extravagant pop style which exploded across Britain during the years 1971-5. The exhibition looks at artistic developments in Britain, Europe and North America through the prism of glam, examining painting, sculpture, installation art, film, photography and performance. Themes of glamour, camp, exaggerated identity, androgyny, eroticism and dandyism is explored in the works of David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Allen Jones, Richard Hamilton and many more. I really enjoyed the exhibition, maybe if I had lived through the era I would understand the randomness of some of the works a lot more. But I was really interested in Richard Hamilton's work and seeing certain trends of beauty and fashion that have come back into fashion today.

BEAUTY BAZAAR, HARVEY NICHOLS - LIVERPOOL

Last week I visited Liverpool for the day, whilst I was there I took a look around Beauty Bazaar. Beauty Bazaar, Harvey Nichols is a new beauty concept store, which opened in 2012. It's the UK's first one-stop destination for all things beauty across three falls in the heart of Liverpool. The store has 22,000 square feet of white, glitzy space dedicated to beauty with an array of treatment rooms on offer including; James Read spray tans, HD brows and STRIP waxing. There is even a champagne bar for post-pampering. The concept is so new to the UK that there isn't any competition, as it's one of a kind. I think it's a great concept, and would love to see stores like this in a few more major cities across the country. I was really impressed with the variety of brands stocked, any beauty lovers could spend hours in there! Have you visited Beauty Bazaar?

PEARL LOWE FOR GLOSSYBOX - SPRING FEVER APRIL 2013

I absolutely love the box design of last month's Glossybox which was exclusively designed by Pearl Lowe. It's so refreshing to open your box to find a different theme each month, this month was focused around 'Spring Fever'. I think this theme works really well and the products inside really reflect the season. I will definitely be reusing this box and display it on my vanity as storage.
Essie Nail Lacquer in 'We're in it together', Full-Size 13.5ml, £7.99 - I was very excited to hear that there was a full-size Essie polish in April's box. I am a big fan of the formulation of the diffusion line which can be found in Boots and Superdrug. The colour I received was 'We're in it together' which is a lovely baby pink with a slight blue/purple shimmer. It's not a colour I would normally go for but I have really been enjoying wearing it and adding it to my collection. Read my full review of Essie nail polishes here.
Illamasqua Medium Pencil in 'Thrash', Full-Size 1g, £13.00 - I had never tried any products from Illamasqua before so I was intrigued to find out what their products were like. This medium pencil can be used  for eye, lips, face and body, I received the shade 'Thrash' which is a warm burnt orange. I really liked the texture of the product it glided over the skin and gave a long-lasting finish. The colour was a bit scary at first, but I think it looks great on the eye area for a bit of a change from the usual black.

Crabtree & Evelyn Somerset Meadow Hand Therapy, Full-Size 100g, £14.00 - Again, I had never tried anything from this brand before, but have only heard good things. I have enjoyed the texture and scent of this hand cream, it leaves my hands feeling really hydrated and moisturised and not greasy at all. It's so handy to throw in my handbag and use on the go, the only downsize is that I'm not a great fan of the packaging as I know it will get harder to get the product out towards the end.
Yves Rocher France So Elixir Purple Eau De Parfum, Full-Size 50ml, £44.00 - It was nice to see a bigger sized fragrance sample in the box this month. The scent is feminine, floral and woody all at the same time. I quite liked the scent once I had put it onto my skin, the fragrance lasted quite well and I could still smell the product hours after I had used it. I'm not too thrilled with the packaging, I think they could update it a bit, but I would love to see what other products they have on offer.

Nip and Fab Pistachio Sundae Body Butter, Full-Size 200ml, £9.95 - This is one of my favourite body butters, I love the scent it's super sweet but I can't wait to put this on after showering. It does come in other flavours including, Coconut Latte (read my review here.) and Mango Smoothie. The texture of this product is lighter than many body butters I have used, and I enjoy using it during the spring/summer months. I will continue to repurchase!
I think this Glossybox is the best I've seen for a good while, so many big brand names in one box finished off with a lovely designed print! You really can't beat the value of a beauty box.