BIRCHBOX SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED MARCH 2017

I used to have so many beauty box subscriptions each month that I had so many samples building up that I decided to stop my subscriptions even though I really enjoyed receiving them each month. It’s been over a year since I last received a Birchbox. I saw that March’s box would include one of the new Benefit lip products, even better you could choose which shade you wanted, so I decided to purchase a box. This was the content of my box;
Benefit They’re Real! Double The Lip – I chose the colour Lusty Rose which is a lovely rosy nude shade. The feature of these lip products is that it’s a lip colour and lip liner in one and it really does work. This means you just need one product instead of two, which is great for on the go! The formula is semi matte but it's moisturising on the lips. I really liked the shade I picked, I would definitely look into some more shades of these.
Marcelle Gentle Make-up Remover for Sensitive Eyes – I had never heard of this brand before receiving it in my beauty box, but I was excited to use it as I tend to stick to Bioderma and it’s nice to try something new. I found this removed most of my make-up, I still cleansed my skin after using but the visible make-up had gone. This formula also helps to diminish dark circles and under eye puffiness using cucumber and green tea. It’s nice and gentle so it’s great for even sensitive eyes.
Balance Me Instant Lift Primer – I really like Balance Me body products, this was a little bit different from the range as it's verging on the make-up side of things. I liked the texture of this primer, it has a really nice citrus scent and my skin felt smooth before I applied the rest of my make-up. The primer contains hyaluronic acid and acacia gum to tighten and blur enlarged pores.
Model Co Highlighting Trio – This is a full-size product, which is quite impressive. But I’m not sure I would purchase this at £17.00. You get three colours in the palette; a peachy-pink blush, a pearlescent highlighter and a coppery bronzer. I like that these are cream products so you can put this palette in your handbag and top up on the go. The products are multi-purpose so you can use them on your cheekbones, brow bones and eyelids. The colours are pigmented and creamy in texture but they turn into a powder on your skin.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray – This is a product I have received quite a few times in beauty boxes before but have never repurchased the full size. I really like the texture this product gives my hair for an effortless style. I love this product but I’m not convinced on the price when I can get a high street equivalent for a fraction of the price. This size is great for your handbag or travel though, so I might save this for a holiday.
I was really impressed with the contents of my box last month. Birchbox reverted back to the original kraft box in March to celebrate hitting 100,000 subscribers in the UK. Other products available last month include the Korres Santorini Shower Gel, Batiste Dry 2in1 Invisible Dry Shampoo & Conditioner and the Bobbi Brown face masks.
As a little extra I added the promotion code MANI at the checkout and received a full size Smith & Cult Nail Polish. I have never tried anything from this brand before, so I’m excited to give it a go the next time I give myself a manicure or maybe a pedicure.
This month's box is a collaboration with Boden and the box is so pretty! I’m not saying I will keep my subscription every month, but it is nice to receive one every so often.

Which product is your favourite from last months Birchbox?

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BENEFIT AIR PATROL BB CREAM EYELID PRIMER

Benefit are known for their quirky packaging and individual products. Air Patrol is their newest product to the range which is an eye primer. I normally use the Urban Decay Primer Potion to prime my eyes or currently I'm using the Soap & Glory It's About Prime, but the Benefit version is a little different. It contains an SPF 20 which helps guard your delicate eyelids against the sun, smoke and pollutants. I normally like to apply a concealer and an eyeshadow primer before applying eyeshadow on top, but this is like two products in one and means I can miss a step in my routine. The BB Cream hides any blue veins or redness around your eyes and you could even use it under your eyes to hide dark circles. It also helps to extend the wear of eyeshadow and doesn’t crease or fade throughout the day. The product actually makes my eyeshadow appear more pigmented and this colour stays around all day.

You use the product by clicking the bottom of the pen and the formula appears on the silicone tip at the top. The cushion tip is pressure free which means it’s softer than your finger so you protect the thin skin around your eye to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. You then massage the formulation onto the eyelid and evenly blend. If you’re not using eyeshadow you can still use Air Patrol alone as the shade gives a natural-looking colour correction on all skintones. This actually works with my pale natural tone but I’m not sure if it will work on darker skin tones as well. I don't feel like I have to touch up my eyeshadow when using Air Patrol and I don't have to smooth out any creasing during the day like I normally do. The formula is quite light on the eyes and gives your skin a satin finish.

I have found with continual use that my eye area is hydrated, I have dry eyes but this product doesn’t seem to irritate them at all. I haven't really come across a product like this, which protects your eyes from sun damage, normally it's lip products which get more care. I guess it's not a necessity, but it's a nice product to use especially in the Summer months.

I actually purchased this product from Birchbox for £1.50 as I had £20.00 worth of Birchbox points to spend. I thought it was the ideal opportunity to try a new product from Benefit. I’m not sure how long this product will last but you do only need a tiny amount per eye. I'm not sure I would run out and repurchase it if I ran out, but it's a nice little extra product to add to my make-up bag. I think this product is probably more suited to women older than Benefit's normal target market because of the smoothing benefits, but we've all got to take care of our eyes!

Have you tried Benefit's new innovation?

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BOOTS CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2015

The Boots Christmas gift guide came out last week, I’m always excited as it’s the first thing of the year that makes me feel Christmassy. I’ve looked through the gift guide and online and collated my favourite offerings from this year! Boots have definitely upped their game with their guide this year, it definitely looks more of a glossy magazine. Most of these gift sets are in the mix and match 3 for 2 offer so you can pick up some great bargains for your friends, family or even treat yourself!

Champneys Relaxation Hamper, £60.00 – I’m hoping this one will be on star gift offer one week! Champneys have recently updated their range and packaging and I love the new look. Inside the hamper you get lots of pampering treats including; Heavenly Days Relaxing Bubble Heaven, Butter Souffle, Shower Cream and a candle. The Harmonious Hands Restoring Hand and Nail Cream SPF 15, Barefoot Beauty Restoring Foot Butter and a pair of cosy socks. The hamper is great to use after all the products have gone, I would definitely use it for my Lush bath bombs.

Soap & Glory Belle of the Ball, £12.00 – I normally wait for the Soap & Glory star gift to go on offer. But this year this gift set has caught my eye. I love the massive bauble packaging and the range inside is my favourite scent from Soap & Glory - Smoothie Star. The set includes; a body wash, the Breakfast Scrub body smoother, a body buttercream and Hand Food hand cream. I love the pistachio, almond and sweet vanilla scent.

Benefit You’re so Party Set, £39.50 – Benefit always do fun Christmas gift sets, this year they have quite a bright Pop Art theme packaging and there are three different designs of tins to choose from. My favourite is the pink tin which includes the they’re real mascara, the hoola bronzing powder, a mini size of the POREfessional primer and a mini ultra plush lip gloss mini in the shade hoola.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Xmas Edition, Sweet Orange & Mint, £9.75 – Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser has to be one of my favourite cleansers to use and I have tried a lot of the different limited edition scents. I was eager to try this limited edition version when it first came out last year but never got the chance. This bottle is a smaller size than the normal sized tube, so it’s great as a try me gift or to travel with. The cleanser also comes with one pure muslin cloth with a gold trim. The fragrance is a combination of zesty sweet orange oil with the refreshing aroma of mint which is energising and great to use in the mornings to wake you up.

So Snug Gingerbread PJ Set, £18.00 – Anyone who knows me knows I’m obsessed with anything Gingerbread related when Christmas comes around. I managed to pick up a pair of pyjama’s from Sainsbury’s last Christmas, but these are just so cute! I also love the Gingerbread house packaging that they come in. This brand always do some great things at Christmas, I remember one year I received some socks in a bauble. The vest top and trousers are made from single jersey so they’re comfortable and snuggly to wear.

So Snug Gingerbread Socks, £5.00 – Also with the Gingerbread theme are these matching socks. This would be a really great present as a stocking filler or a secret Santa!

Bareminerals Precious Gen Lip Oil-Balm Trio, £25.00 – These balms are formulated with passion fruit seed oil with Vitamin E, they’re moisturising, shiny and leave a tint of colour on the lips. This set contains Blueberry Pop, Pink Passion and Nude Passion. I have been wanting to try these since they came out, so this is a great way of trying them.

Malibu Kilner Jar, £10.00 – Not beauty related, but something that caught my eye are these Kilner Jars. I have been after some Kilner Jars for a while and these ones have been teamed with your favourite alcoholic drinks. Another present which would be great as a stocking filler, they also do a Smirnoff Vodka version in a red shade instead of the green.
Boots Star Gift this week is the Smashbox #Shapematters 3 in 1 Contouring Palette, which is half price at £30.00. I will be popping one of those in my basket, looks like a great palette!

What's on your Christmas wish list from Boots?

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BEAUTY ICON HAIR & MAKE-UP INSPIRATION - AUDREY HEPBURN

My ultimate beauty icon of all time has to be Audrey Hepburn. I always tend to turn to the starlets of the past much more than today's celebrities for hair and make-up inspiration. Women of that era seemed more confident in their own skin, instead of using plastic surgery or caking on far too much makeup to make themselves feel beautiful or younger. Hepburn's make-up look was always so chic and polished. I could see an image of Audrey Hepburn's eyes and know they're hers straight away, I even have a canvas on my wall of her. She had a classic style, timeless beauty and an iconic look which still looks modern today. She was a minimalist, yet very feminine. I've always been obsessed with her as Breakfast at Tiffany's has to be one of my favourite films. I've created an inspired look which is ideal for everyday below using the following products.

Audrey had a fair few hairstyles in her time, from the pixie crop to the sleek beehives and she always looked so elegant. Philip Kingsley created the Elasticizer personally for Audrey Hepburn back in the 70's. She wanted a product that would keep her hair looking fantastic on set, due to the constant processing and styling. The Elasticizer is a pre-shampoo treatment which intensively conditions whilst adding elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine. This cult product is suitable for all hair types especially damaged hair. It also provides UV protection even after washing, helping prolong the life of colour treated hair. I really like the way this makes my hair feel so glossy, if it's good enough for Hepburn, it's good enough for me! I have yet to buy a full-size of this product as I receive so many samples in beauty boxes/magazines.

Audrey always had fresh, natural looking base make-up that really brought out her bone structure. Audrey wore very little foundation, but always opted for a lightweight base for a youthful, glowy complexion. I decided to use the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer which is a lightweight, creamy gel formula which creates the perfect even canvas for foundation. This helps to keep my make-up in place, as I have oily skin I always apply a primer before my base make-up so it doesn't slip off my face throughout the day. The gel formula leaves my make-up looking fresh and colour-true for the entire day. I then used the Yves Saint Laurent Fusion Ink Foundation in the shade B10 Porcelain. I find this foundation gives a matte finish but still looks velvety and non-greasy on my skin. You can build the coverage up but I like that you can still see my freckles through the make-up. It blends away pores and it last for most of the day. I love the packaging, I just wish the bottle had a pump! I have reviewed this product in full here.

Thicker brows have come back in style and Audrey's brows were accentuated to look thicker and fuller. Her innocent doe eyes and large eyebrows were her trademark look leaving everything else quite simple and understated. I like to use the Benefit Gimme Brow in light/medium to fill in and shape my eyebrows. I haven't made my brows as thick as Audrey's but this product makes my eyebrows look stronger and creates that perfect arch. This brow gel is water resistant, long wearing and buildable. I like that the packaging is so compact and it's so quick and easy to use! I've created Hepburn's iconic little cat eye flick with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in the shade Stag which is a deep satin brown shade. I don't think you can beat Urban Decay eyeliners, they glide on so nicely and the shade range is fantastic! I applied the liner close to my lash line and smudged it out a little with a brush to soften the look. Audrey famously used a pin to separate each of her lashes after applying mascara, which is crazy!
Audrey's favourite colours were shades of pink, so of course I had to choose a nude pink lip. I've applied my lip liner a little outside my natural lip line to make them appear fuller. I have then applied the Dior Rouge Nude Dior Lipstick in Grege 1947 which is a lovely vintage, peachy nude. These lipsticks are creamy, pigmented and moisturising on the lips. Audrey always defined her cupid's bow which made her look more sophisticated and glamorous. She used very little colour on her cheeks, making the eyes and lips the focus. Audrey Hepburn's hollywood look is so iconic and I have made her look more wearable for everyday using some of my favourite beauty products. You can find most of the products I used on the House of Fraser website.

"I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls."

Who is your Beauty Icon?
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BENEFIT PUFF OFF INSTANT EYE GEL

Benefit have had a few new releases lately, they're always coming up with innovative products and there is always a massive hype surrounding them. Puff Off is their latest skincare product to hit the line. Benefit’s Puff Off is an eye cooling gel which I have added to my morning skincare routine. I really like using It's Potent eye cream in the evenings, so this product is nice to use first thing in the mornings and I like to use this daily. Benefit are known for their gimmicky packaging and this eye gel doesn't have the usual rollerball dispenser like other products on the market. Instead the applicator is shaped like an iron, where the product comes out of. I squeeze a small amount up on to the cooling part and swipe it underneath my eyes after moisturising to hydrate and refresh my under eyes. I like how it actually irons out any creases or puffiness I might have around my eyes and it’s a nice base primer to then apply concealer. I find it sinks in well, feels silky smooth and a little goes a long way. I find my concealer goes on a bit nicer and doesn't collect in any fine lines. I really like the cooling part as it awakens my skin, so perfect to use on early morning. I will have to try putting it in the fridge for seriously tired days. It actually works on bare skin or over the top of make up, you just pat over any leftover product that is sitting on top of the skin. If I don't use enough product I find the metal tip seems to get stuck and drags my skin along with I don't like. The light pink gel hides any dark areas I might have and makes me feel more alert. I really like the packaging and find the iron tip design so cute! I think this tube is going to last a while as you don’t need much of the product. The formulation smells really lovely too.

This product has only just been released but there has been so much hype about it. I find the metal nozzle is the perfect shape to fit under the eyes. I think this is a great product aimed for late teens and 20 something’s looking for something to pep up their skin, but I think if you're looking for an anti-ageing product this isn't the one. I find it to be really lightweight and gentle on my skin. I do think Benefit have done a good job on this product, I definitely think they needed to up their game on the skincare front. Puff Off is priced at £22.50, which I don’t think is too bad for 10ml of product. Maybe it would be nice to see a concealer version next…

What are your favourite Benefit products?

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WHAT'S IN MY TRAVEL WASH BAG/IN-FLIGHT BAG - DUBAI EDITION

I'm off to Dubai next weekend and of course the first thing I've packed are my toiletries. I have collected so many mini sized samples by getting numerous beauty boxes a month, so it's a great time to use them up and try new things. I always find these sort of posts helpful when I'm packing myself and by doing my own version I can look back on this when I travel in the future. Let me know if I have forgotten anything or think I might benefit from taking something else or if you have tried any of these products and what you thought about them.
In my main Kate Spade wash bag which I will be putting in my main luggage there is; Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 1 and Lait Vital which I received in a Look Fantastic beauty box, my hair loves these. I have also popped in a couple of Bumble and Bumble samples of the Surf and Thickening shampoo and conditioner, if I want to use something different. For styling products I have; the KMS Free Shape Quick Blow Dry Spray, KMS Hair Play Texturising Spray, Bumble and Bumble Shine Finishing Spray and the Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo. I have my favourite Mitchum Shower Fresh Deodrant, Korres Citrus Shower Gel and Body Milk which I also received in beauty boxes, thought this scent would be great to use on holiday! For sun lotion I have packed the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 30 Protective Sun Lotion and the matching After Sun, which I always get along with. I also have a Coola SPF 30 Classic Sunscreen for my face, which I'm looking forward to using properly. My skin is very pale so I have also throw in a St Tropez Instant Tan Wash Off Face & Body Lotion for the start of the holiday. For skincare I have packed the Ren Rosa Centifolia 3-in-1 Cleansing Water, which I already use full-size and the Ren Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel. For toning I'm using the Premae Skincare Balance Rescue Face Tonique and if my face wants a treat I have the Ren Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial. I also have a couple of sachets of Origins GinZing Refeshing Scrub Cleanser and a tub of Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream, which I can't get enough of. I then just have essentials like the Elegant Touch Nail Polish Remover Pads, a standard razor, flannels and muslin cloths, cotton pads, cotton buds, hair elastics and a tanning mitt.
In my In-Flight bag which contains 100ml and under products which will be in my hand luggage I have packed; the Cowshed Cow Slip Antibacterial Hand Gel, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (which is holy grail!), Gatineau Collagene Expert Smoothing Face Cream, La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water Spray which will be my life saver at the beach. Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment and Peace of Mind On-The-Spot Relief which I like to use just before boarding my flight. I also have my mini toothpaste and toothbrush, hand and face wipes, Eve Lom Kiss Mix Lip Balm, a mini first aid kit containing plasters and a hair bobble. I also have three mini perfume samples; Thierry Mugler Alien, Ghost Eclipse and Chanel Coco Noir as I'm hoping to pick up the new Chloe - Love Story perfume in Duty Free. I will definitely have to review my favourite products of the holiday when I come back.

What are your holiday wash bag essentials?

BOOTS CHRISTMAS WISH LIST 2014

For me, the Boots Christmas Catalogue is kind of a big thing, sad I know. When the 3 for 2 gift sets hit the shops, I feel it's the start of that christmassy feeling and getting my hands on the catalogue is the next best thing. This year the catalogue includes brands that we know and love and are featured every year and a couple of brand new ones to get excited about.

One gift that is on everyones wish list is the Soap & Glory £60.00 gift which is always reduced in the star gift promotion a few weeks before Christmas. This year it's called The Next Big Thing and contains 10 full-size products and some of my favourites including the Orangeasm body wash and the Whipped Clean shower butter. I'm very excited about this, it's such great value!

Next up is the Nails Inc Alexa Hearts Collection which features six of the new Alexa range nail polishes, a nail file and a make-up bag. I am most excited about the stars and hearts polishes. I recently brought one of the new polishes in the new bottles and was really impressed with the new brush shape and the bottles are so luxe, read more about my views here. This set is priced at £45.00.

All of the Benefit sets are so pretty and last year I received one of the cute tins with the Benefit girls on them. This year they've stepped up the game, they have these lovely gingerbread shop tins filled with make-up and skincare, I have my eye on the skincare set called Complexion Confections which is £39.50 and includes the Triple Performing Facial Emulsion, It's Potent Eye Cream, a mini The POREfessional and a mini Instant Comeback Facial Serum.

A bit of a pricey gift which is now available at Boots is the Foreo Luna Mini Skincare Device which is similar to the Clarisonic. The facial device directs T-Sonic pulsations through the silicone brush. It's compact, gently cleanses deep into the skin and there is no need for replacement brush heads, I've heard good things. These come in lots of different colours and are priced at £99.00 each.

Another cute nail polish set is the Ciate Candy Cane House, this contains four polishes which are glittery, scented and perfect for the holiday season. I love the packaging and these shades would look great on Christmas day. For £25.00, this is a little cheaper than the Nails Inc version.

A brand that I love to lust over when they release their Christmas sets is Smashbox. This year Smashbox Christmas sets are part of the On The Rocks Collection. Their biggest set is this gorgeous On The Rocks Eye Shadow Palette with 28 party perfect eye shadows which you could create so many looks with. Smashbox eyeshadows are super blendable, highly pigmented and long lasting, so this is ideal for any palette lovers. This is priced at £49.00.

A great stocking filler is the Soap & Glory Santa Gloss for £6.00. This would look great coming out of a stocking and the Sexy Mother Pucker lip shine lacquers are lovely! The shade is called Charm Offensive and there are so many other great Soap & Glory gift sets at different price points.

There are so many Gifts I could of chose for my wish list, but those are a few of my favourite picks. You can view the Christmas catalogue online or pick up one now from your local store. Boots are also doing a No7 Advent Calendar which is coming later this month. It's a shame that they aren't doing there own Advent Calendar like last year, as I loved opening that every day. I now have my eye on The Body Shop one.

If your looking for the lastest offers from Boots, vouchercloud have some great online discounts which can help you save money whilst Christmas shopping. What is on your Christmas wish list from Boots?

CURRENT AUTUMN SKINCARE HEROES

I wrote about my evening skincare routine back in July here, I have since then used up products and swapped in new products that suit the change in season. I have combination to oily skin type and these products are currently working for me, as you may be able to tell I'm a big fan of Origins.

Origins Dr Weil Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Cream - This is the first Dr Weil product I have tried from Origins and I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s much thicker than what I’m used to, I normally use Origins Night-a-mins or Make a difference plus + rejuvenating treatment which are more of a gel like formula and oil free. This cream hydrates and instantly calms skin, so I like to apply it in the evenings. This formula visibly reduces redness and sensitivity. This is great for the colder months, the scent is very pleasant too. I bought this in a Christmas set last year, the cream is pretty pricey separately but I’m looking forward to trying the other products in the range.

Origins Plantscription Youth-Renewing Face Oil* - This is a product I received to try through the Debenhams Beauty Club. This is again the first product I have tried from the Plantscription Anti-Ageing range. I like to apply this in the evenings and swap and change between this and The Body Shop Vitamin E one. It has done my skin the world of good, it contains 20 precious oils from around the world including; Raspberry Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Tamanu Oil and Evening Primrose. This helps repair skin’s barrier and replace vital youth-renewing lipids lost with age. This oil leaves my skin silky soft and is soothing without being greasy. I like to use 2/3 drops of this oil, warm it between my hands and gently press the oil into my skin before applying my moisturiser.
Indeed Labs Eysilix Eye Cream - I have really got into using Indeed Labs recently, after really enjoying Hydraluron and the Facial Powdered Exfoliator religiously. I picked up this eye cream as it looked very similar to the Balance Me wonder eye cream which I love. I think I prefer a squeeze tube eye cream than a pot, it's more hygienic as you can squeeze it straight into place. It is a little more pricey than what I'd normally like to spend on an eye cream but I have really enjoyed using this and Indeed Labs are always on some kind of offer in Boots. It helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, fatigue and crows feet. It's creamy but still light on the skin. At 23, I haven't got many wrinkles but it's nice to know I might be preventing them.

Benefit They're Real Remover - I was a bit sceptical about using a cream based eye make-up remover as I normally like to use an oil based remover, but I was surprised how much I liked using it. As we know They're Real mascara is a pain to remove, but using this makes it so much easier. It's creamy, not irritating on the eye area and removes every last bit of mascara before I go in with a cleanser. The cream formula feels like it's conditioning my lashes as it's not harsh at all. It lifts off waterproof makeup and even the new push up liner, read more here.

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator - This is a brightening, exfoliating toner which I like to use after cleansing. It helps to smooth and soften skin and prevents a build up of dead skin cells. It's great for blemishes, helps to strengthen the skin's resistance to wrinkles and encourages cell renewal. This is so gentle to use and I like to use it about 2 or 3 times a week. It's suitable for all skin types and I'm a total convert to chemical exfoliants as they get rid of flaky, dry skin and leave my skin looking radiant and fresh.

What skincare products are you using this Autumn?

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?

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?

BENEFIT THEY'RE REAL PUSH-UP LINER & REMOVER

I have to admit, I'm not your average winged eyeliner girl. I spent my teens wearing eyeliner underneath my eyes, but finally out grew that for every day and now I'm more likely to apply it on my top lash line without the flick. I'm not a pro at applying the product, the problem with eyeliner is if you go wrong you have to wipe it off and start again, I haven't go time for that. My favourite type of eyeliner to use most recently has been liquid formulas, reaching for the Dior Art Pen Felt-Tip Eyeliner or Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner as I know these are quick and easy to use and have an intense black pigmentation.
After the success of Benefit's They're Real Mascara, the brand have brought out a gel liner pen called They're Real Push-Up Liner to sit next to the best selling product. I am a big fan of the mascara so after hearing good reviews about the new eyeliner I decided to try it for myself. The eyeliner claims to hug the lash line, make eyes look visibly larger, be long wearing and most impressive of all be waterproof. As I have quite hooded eyes, I like to apply my eyeliner as close to my natural line as possible. I found this eyeliner quite hard to get used to at first, you twist the pen up to push up the product, but be careful not to twist it too much as too much product can leave you with a crumbly mess and the product just falls off, wasted. Having said that, the clever Accuflex tip allows you to move the pen easily around the lash line and the colour is really matte black. Once the product is set, it's not going anywhere, it doesn't smudge and I have even been swimming wearing this. It's hard to know how much product you have left, or how long the pens going to last, but I'm getting better at using this every time I apply it. Just make sure you wipe off any excess from previous use. This product is priced at £18.50 which I think is great if your confident at applying eyeliner, but you can purchase a mini version if you want to try it first.

Benefit have also introduced to their range They're Real Remover which lifts away long wearing and waterproof mascara and eyeliner. As we know the mascara is quite hard to remove and so is the eyeliner, which is good if we want our make-up to last all day. When it's time to remove it, this creamy gel formula is gentle and dissolves make-up around the delicate eye area. I like to use this on my eyes with a cotton pad before going in with a cleanser and it allows the bulk of my make-up to be removed without the panda eyes. The formula feels light and silky and my skin is left feeling soft and clean, with no trace of mascara or eyeliner. At £14.50 for 50ml I will definitely be repurchasing as a little goes a long way.

Have you tried the They're Real range?

EVERYDAY MAKE-UP ESSENTIALS - SHOPPING MY STASH

This is the make-up that I'm currently wearing most week days, I like to mix it up a bit on weekends or evenings out but I do like to stick to the same products that I know work for me, so that they're quick and easy to reach for in the mornings. I store my everyday makeup in my Muji drawers and I shop my stash whenever I get bored of using a product. This is what my drawer currently contains;

Face

Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer, 30ml £6.99 - The main reason I wear primer is to make my foundation stay around for longer. But this formula minimises pores, mattifies my oily skin and evens out skin before applying the rest of my make-up. I have nearly finished this tube, but you get a good amount of product for the price. I have already repurchased. YSL Fusion Ink Foundation, 30ml £30.50 - This is the newest foundation from YSL, I got a 7 day sample from a counter to try it before I buy the full-size. I'm really enjoying wearing it so far, it gives you a light to medium coverage, it drys matte which is great for my oily skin but is still glowing, really natural and leaves my skin super soft. Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer, 6.8ml £7.99 - This is great for dark circles, I do find it does crease if I don't set it with powder. But the formulation really does erase tiredness. The sponge applicator isn't very hygienic but the twist tube allows you to get every last drop of product out. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, £4.19 - This is my go to concealer for hiding blemishes and redness. It lasts a while on the skin and doesn't look cakey at all. Soap & Glory Kick Ass Powder, 7g £12.00 - I then matte my skin, using this weightless and translucent powder. It's great for retouching and feels smooth on the skin. I have hit pan on this and would definitely repurchase. See my full post here.

Cheeks

Soap & Glory Love At First Blush, 7g £11.00 - I have been using this blush for ages and still haven't hit pan. It's still in the old cardboard packaging, but it gives a lovely rosy sheen on the cheeks. It has a small amount of shimmer, but it's great for everyday. 

Eyes

MAC Eyeshadows Omega & Soba, £10.00 each - I use these eyeshadows in my eyebrows to make them look as natural as possible. Benefit Gimme Brow, 3g £17.50 - I then set my eyebrows with this, it gives them a bit of definition, shapes and tints. It's long wearing, water resistant and build-able. I wouldn't be without this now. Urban Decay Primer Potion, 11ml £16.00 - I always use a base for my eyeshadows, as I have oily skin it's difficult to find shadows that don't slide down my face. This helps to make my make-up stay around the longer and prevents creasing. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, £22.00 - This is a great neutral matte palette which is really wearable for everyday. It's the perfect size to just pop in your bag and the shadows are creamy and blendable. I have seen that Urban Decay are releasing a second Naked Basics palette, so I'm looking forward to that. Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara, 11g £19.00 - I like a mascara with a big brush wand. This mascara is jet black, it lengthening and volumises lashes and holds a curl all day. I'm really enjoying using this at the moment.

Lips

Loreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick, £7.99 - This has to be my most wearable lip colour for everyday. It's a Loreal Caresse in the shade 101 Tempting Lilac, the formulation is so creamy and the colour is a subtle rose lilac. Sadly I'm nearly at the end of this.

Do you keep your everyday make-up separate? What are your recommendations?

AUGUST PREMIUM BEAUTY WISH LIST

Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Palette, £48.00 - I am a big fan of eyeshadow palettes, I love the diversity and convenience of them - especially neutral palettes. When I saw this product from Bobbi Brown I had to add it to my wish list. At £48.00 it is pricey compared to other palettes on the market but the shades are so wearable, I know I will get my moneys worth. I can only find this in stock on the Debenhams website now, so the limited edition factor makes me want it even more. I have heard some reviews commenting that the pigmentation is not that great, but I have really enjoyed using Bobbi Brown make-up in the past that I want to give it a go for myself. Not sure of the packaging but the 8 shades inside do this palette justice. 
Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream, £70.00 - I have heard a lot about this wonder cream. Again, another pricey item, but having used two items from Charlotte Tilbury's make-up range (see review here) I know you are paying for the quality. It contains an SPF15, with ingredients like frangipani, damask rose water, organic aloe vera, rose hip oil, sodium hyaluronate, camellia oil and wild pansy. It claims to cheat the appearance of 8 hours sleep, transform tired skin and rehydrate.
Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadows, £21.00 - Nars eyeshadows have to be one of my favourites recently, they are so buttery and easy to blend. They have recently released 12 shades of dual-intensity eyeshadows, I am in love with the shades Callisto and Phoebe.  These luxury shadows can be applied dry or wet for dramatic impact and high shine finishes. Totally lusting...
Bumble & Bumble The Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Trio, £19.5o - There is currently lots of hype around this shampoo and conditioner, following the success of the original Hairdresser's Oil. I haven't tried the oil myself, but I'm so eager to try this set - especially for the primer. The products are sulphate free and help to soften, de-frizz and detangle the hair. The set is currently on offer on escentuals.com so this might be the ideal time.
Benefit They're Real Remover, £14.50 - I tried a little sample of this when I recently purchased the They're Real Push-Up Liner. It really lifts eye make-up, even waterproof make-up and is really gentle on the area. I like to apply this on a cotton pad and wipe over lashes and it removes every mark of They're Real mascara which I struggle to get off with certain make-up removers. I will definitely be repurchasing the full-size.

What are you lusting over this month?