The Body Shop Joy Card

Another little freebie inside December's issue of Glamour is this Joy Card, which will give you either £3, £15, or £100 off a purchase in-store. Simply take the card in to find out which amount your card is worth! It's a great way if saving some money on a Christmas present, or even treating yourself to a little something. Your card could also raise £1000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity too!

 

If you haven't got your copy of Glamour yet, make sure you pick one up quick as you also get a Kate Spade by nails inc. nail polish!

 

Have you spent your Joy Card yet? Which amount did you get?

 

 

Magazine Freebies

I know I'm a bit late off the mark with this one, but I don't buy that many magazines anymore as I struggle to find the time to sit down and enjoy them. However I made an exception when I saw the treats available on December's issues of Glamour and Cosmopolitan (UK editions).

 

Glamour is giving away a Kate Spade by nails inc. polish, and I chose the shade 'Soho Silver'. I love metallic shades and I can't wait to give this one a try.

 

Cosmopolitan on the other hand have a selection of four ORLY polishes to choose from - I opted for 'Star Spangled', which is a classic red shimmer that'll be perfect for the festive season.

 

 

Have you bought your copies of Glamour and Cosmopolitan? Which shades did you go for?

 

 

Glossybox November 2013

 

With the theme of this month's Glossybox being 'The Glossy Wishlist', I was expecting some luxury, indulgent products to enjoy in time for Christmas, but sadly I was left a little disappointed with the November offering.

 

Here is what I got:

 

1. Yves Rocher Collection Cacao Cocoa and Raspberry Hand Cream, 75ml (full size), worth £1.95: This smells delicious and doesn't make my hands feel too greasy. I would say that this is my favourite product from the box.

 

2. Connock London Kukui Perfume, 1.5ml sample, worth about 75p: I found this scent a bit overpowering - it's very floral, with notes of gardenia, white jasmine and lily that rest on a woody base. My sample was only half full too, so I guess it's a good job that I'm not that fussed on it! I'm starting to get a bit sick perfume samples now. Switch it up a bit Glossybox!

 

3. Emite Make Up Micronized Eyeshadow in Dams, 1.48g (full size), worth £16.80: Although this is great for sensitive eyes like mine, it's not a colour I'd really wear, so I'll just use this as a base when I do a smokey eye. I could never justify paying that price for a single eyeshadow though, so it definitely bumps up the worth value of the box.

 

4. Elegant Touch Nail Polish Remover Pads, 20 pads (full size), worth £2: I'm a total nail polish junkie and I always remove it using pads, so these will come in super handy.

 

5. Vichy Idealia Life Serum 2 x 3ml, and Vichy Idealia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream 1 x 3ml, worth around £2.90 in total: My skin can often look quite dull, so I'm looking forward to seeing if these can perk up my complexion. I wish they were a more generous size though.

 

This box is a bit hit and miss for me - I'd like to see less perfume samples and if it wasn't for the eyeshadow, this box would have been worth less than the £10 paid for it.

 

What did you get in your Glossybox this month? Were you happy with your selection of products?

 

 

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Foundation

Foundation is the one beauty product I couldn't live without. My skin has a really uneven tone naturally, and without it I feel really self-conscious. I've tried many different foundations over the years, but the one I keep coming back to is Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour.

 

I find this one works really well with my oily skin, and it doesn't 'gather' in my open pores like a lot of foundations do. It's an absolute dream to apply (I apply it with a foundation brush from H&M which cost about £1.50, so I'm not even using high quality tools), and it really does last the whole day. If I feel my skin getting extra oily, I just dab a little powder over the top and it looks as though it's just been applied.

 

As someone who is pale skinned, it's also nice to find a foundation with a shade that's pale enough to look natural, but not so pale that it borders on making me look like a ghost. 005 Light Beige is the perfect shade for me.

 

I would definitely recommend this to those of you with oily skin who are looking for a long-lasting and affordable foundation. At £8.99, it's a great drug store purchase.

Which is your go-to foundation?

 

Tangle Teezer Compact Syler Review

After hearing and reading much hype about the Tangle Teezer, I decided to treat myself to the compact version and give it a go for myself. My hair gets knotted really easily, and with it being both fine and bleached, it's quite prone to breakages.

Designed for both wet and dry use, my main reason for purchasing was to see if it did a better job than my wide-toothed comb at removing knots when my hair was wet and freshly washed. I used it last night to distribute my conditioner, and it glided through my hair so effortlessly that I couldn't feel any pulls or tugs like I do with my comb. There were also far fewer hairs left hanging in the bristles, whereas my comb would fetch out chunks at a time!

 

With a protective case, the Tangle Teezer uses memory flex technology and a revolutionary teeth configuration, meaning it removes knots painlessly and quickly. It's also ergonomically designed, so it sits comfortably in your hands.

 



Overall, I'm really impressed with the Compact Styler. Whilst my usual comb and brush did eventually remove knots, this does so far more smoothly, so it should hopefully help to keep my hair in better condition. It's also great for distributing conditioners and hair masks. LookFantastic offers a great range of Tangle Teezers, and this pink and black Compact Styler is £11.99.

Have you got a Tangle Teezer? Are you thinking of getting one?

BirchBox October 2013

After a slightly disappointing Glossybox this month, I was hoping I'd be more impressed with the contents of my BirchBox, and thankfully I was!

 

Here are my goodies:

 

1. KMS California Free Shape Deep Conditioner 50ml: Although this says it's for coarse hair (which mine most definitely isn't), I'll still use this. My hair can get very dry, especially when I've just had my highlights re-done, so I'll try this out after my next salon visit next weekend.

 

2. 3 x 3ml samples of Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream: I've used this before and love it, it's so versatile. The cream transforms into an oil on your fingertips, and can be used to treat a range of skin complaints from cuts and burns to eczema and severe dryness. Think of it as being similar to Sudocrem.

 

3. Stainiac Cheek and Lip Tint 1.2ml: Just like the MeMeMe lip/cheek tint in this month's Glossybox, this seems very similar to Benefit's Benetint, however this has more of a jelly-like texture and applies with sponge wand. I'm looking forward to trying this out.

 

4. Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips: I love a good lip balm, and this multi-purpose one can also be used on areas of dry skin, cuticles, and as the name suggests, the nipples! It's a tiny sample size, however it's great for popping in my bag to keep my lips nourished when I'm out and about.

 

5. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF 20 14.7ml: Another product which I can't wait to try! I love BB creams and tinted moisturisers, they're a great alternative when you can't be bothered with full foundation. This one promises lightweight, flawless coverage, whilst hydrating the skin and providing SPF protection. Bonus!

 

6. Akane Mask Cocoon Nocturn 12ml: I've never tried a mask that you leave on while you sleep, so this will be a first for me. Designed to refresh the skin and reduce signs of fatigue, I'll definitely be packing this when I go on a night out!

 

7. UltraDEX Recalcifying and Whitening Toothpaste 15ml: Classed as this month's lifestyle extra, this mini toothpaste will be great for overnight stays.

 

I'd go as far as saying that this is my favourite BirchBox yet, there's such as versatile range of products and they're all things I'll use.

 

Were you happy with your BirchBox this month? Which monthly beauty boxes do you subscribe to?

 

 

 

 

Glossybox October 2013

The theme of this month's Glossybox was 'Dark Romance', however I'm not sure that the products I received really fitted the bill. I was expecting vampy lip colours, gorgeous autumnal nail polishes and tools to create smouldering eyes, however this month's Glossybox has been a bit of a let down.

 

Here's the contents of my box this month:

 

 

1. Eva Cosmetics Mystic Diamond Oil, 6ml sample worth £1.36 - I'm not a lover of hair oils, they just turn my fine hair really greasy, but I'll give it a go. It's formulated with argan oil and diamond powder to hydrate your hair and add shine. Not sure how it really fits the theme though.

 

2. Monu First Defence Illuminating Primer SPF 15, 20ml sample worth £9.98 - Although I'm not sure how this fits the theme, I'm looking forward to trying it out. My skin can sometimes look a bit lacklustre, and this promises to enhance radiance and give a smooth finish.

 

3. MeMeMe Cherub's Blush Cheek & Lip Tint, full size worth £5.50 - This is a dupe of Benefit's Benetint, which I have used previously and really liked, so this is a good product for me. It even smells like Benetint! It also fits the Dark Romance theme which is a bonus!

 

4. Premae Harmony Moisturising Smoothie Serum, 20ml sample worth £9 - Again not quite sure how this is in keeping with the theme, but at least it's something I'll use. Made with lemongrass oil, it's designed to provide lightweight hydration, so it'll be good for my oily skin.

 

5. Killer Queen by Katy Perry Perfume Sample, 1.5ml worth about 44p - This is quite a sultry scent so I can see why it was included in the box, however it's far to sweet for my liking. It smells quite chocolate-y, and combines fruity top notes with a floral heart, and has a base of cashmeran, natural patchouli heart and liquid praline. I'll use it up but it's not a scent I'll be re-purchasing.

 

Total box worth: £26.28

 

I would say this is quite an average box, due to the lack of full sized products and the fact most of them had no relevance to the theme. That said, I had a great box last month so I guess you win some and lose some.

 

Where you happy with your Glossybox this month? What did you think of the products/theme?

 

 



B. Complete Long-Lasting Nail Polish in 145 Bubble Gum

 

I'm finally back on track with my blog! This week I had another set-back after getting a nasty infection and narrowly avoiding a stay in hospital. On Thursday it was my birthday, but sadly it was memorable for the wrong reasons this year, and I spent most of it dosed up on medication in bed!

 

Amongst my presents was this lovely B. Complete nail polish, so today I decided to try it out today. Bubble Gum is an apt name, it's such a vibrant pink and has a gorgeous shimmery blue undertone to it.

 

The brush is a little wide for my liking, however the polish applied so smoothly and evenly, with no need for a second coat.

 

 

It took quite a while for that 'tacky' feeling to go, so it's not one if you're applying in a rush as it seems to take its time to fully dry. There's nothing worse than smudged nails! However I'm really pleased with the colour. What do you think?

 

 

 

This is my first B. Complete nail varnish and I'm sure it won't be my last. It has a high-shine finish too for that extra bit of glamour! You can get this shade for £3.32 at Superdrug.

 

Have you tried any other products from B. Complete? What's your favourite bargain nail polish?

 

 

 

Guerlain Paris La Petite Robe Noir Eau de Toilette

During a shopping trip to Liverpool last weekend, I was handed a sample of the latest fragrance from Guerlain Paris called 'La Petite Robe Noir' (or 'The Little Black Dress in English) in Debenhams. I love trying new fragrances, and was excited to give this one a spritz.

The fragrance is described on the card as 'A fresh and romantic floral lace embroidered with sparkling fruity notes'.

 

When first spritzed it, I found the scent to be quite powerful - a little too overbearing for me. However after a couple of minutes it settled into a delicate floral aroma that's great for everyday wear. I couldn't really detect the fruity notes, and despite the name suggesting that it's more of an evening fragrance, I personally feel it's too understated for a night on the town. I guess a romantic night in would be more fitting.

 

I also would have liked the fragrance to last a little longer. It seemed to wear off quite quickly on me, but everyone will be different in that respect based on body temperature etc.

 

It's not a fragrance I would choose personally, but I'll use up the rest of the tester. I do love testers that come in spray bottles, they're so handy for popping in your bag!

 

Will you be giving this fragrance a try? Which perfumes are you loving at the moment?

 

Carmex Everyday Soothing Lip Balm

Despite being hugely popular, I'd never actually tried Carmex Lip Balms until recently. After realising I'd packed my usual Elizabeth Arden one in my case which has already been checked in, I picked this up at the airport to see me through the 11 hour flight back to England.

My lips were feeling pretty dry, and I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with this. Not only did it have an odd taste (quite chemically), it didn't do the best job at rehydrating and softening my lips. I felt like it soon wore off too, so I had to reapply it frequently throughout the flight.

I don't think I'll be purchasing any more Carmex products on home turf, I really was expecting it to be better than it was.

What are your thoughts on Carmex? Are you a fan or are there other lip balms that you rate more highly?

Nivea Visage Pure and Natural Soothing Day Cream

One of the only negatives points of going to Las Vegas was that the water over there really dried my skin out. I usually have oily skin, so it takes a lot for me to get visible dry patches on my face. By the second day my skin was cracking, so I went on the hunt for something that was a little stronger than my usual oil-free moisturiser.

As a fan of Nivea, I thought I'd give this Soothing Day Cream a go, in the hope that it would hydrate my skin and relieve the soreness from the flaky areas that were popping up all over my face. And I'm pleased to report that it did just that!

Made from 95% ingredients of natural origin, it contains organically-grown chamomile and argan oil to nourish and calm the skin, and promises to intensively moisturise for 24 hours. In just two days, all my dry patches had gone and my skin felt so soft and smooth. A great bonus was that it didn't feel heavy or make my skin go into oil overdrive like a lot of moisturisers do!

I would definitely recommend this for dry, winter skin, and I think it's a great choice for those who have oily skin but want that extra bit of protection during the colder months. You can buy Nivea Visage Pure and Natural Soothing Day Cream for £5.35 from Boots.

Which are your go-to moisturisers? Are you a fan of Nivea products?

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Repair Lip Balm

I was lucky enough to receive this Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Repair Lip Balm as a freebie from LookFantastic, who I work for, and after using it for a few weeks I can definitely notice and improvement in the condition of my lips.

Formulated with vitamins and emollients, as well as natural ingredients including watercress extract and honey, it locks in moisture and heals dry, chapped skin. It has a slightly odd menthol taste and leaves your lips tingling slightly when first applied, but you can really feel it soothing any areas of dryness.

I apply this before I go to bed and my lips feel so soft and smooth when I wake up. It's quite pricey, and retails around the £20 mark, however a little goes a long way so a pot will last you a long time.

What are your favourite lip balms? Have you tried this one yourself?

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Stick in Shocking Coral

 

 

 

 

I love my lipsticks, and recently I picked up this gorgeous coral pink one from Maybelline. Although it looks more red-toned in the bullet, it actually comes out as a really bright pink.

 

Here it is without flash:

 

 

And with flash:

 

 

I think it's a great statement shade that's perfect for both day and evening wear. It also has a slightly glossy finish for an extra glam look, as well as being long-lasting. It wasn't the smoothest to go on, but overall I'm really impressed with it, and I'll definitely be purchasing more Color Sensational shades.

 

What are your favourite lipsticks? What kind of colours to you like to wear?

 

 

 

Birchbox UK September 2013

Yesterday this lovely box of goodies arrived at my door, and I couldn't wait to see what was inside. This is only my third Birchbox, (I subscribed to see whether it bettered Glossybox), and so far, I have to say that although the contents are good, I prefer the fact that Glossybox gives more full-sized samples and uses more well-known brands.

                                Anyway, here is what I got inside my Birchbox this month:

 

1. Bioderma Sebium H20 Micellar Water, 20ml sample, worth less than £1 (my maths isn't great!)

2. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Body Gel 40ml, worth £6.20

3. ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick in Kitty, full size worth around £5.16

4. Reverence de Bastien Nail Polish, full size worth £16

5. Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Nourishing Body Lotion, 30ml worth £2.50

6. Green & Black's White Chocolate Sample

 

Total worth: Around £30

 

Overall, I'm really pleased with my box this month. I love nail polishes and this gorgeous red is definitely a shade I'd go for, and the Molton Brown lotion smells divine. I'm looking forward to trying the micellar water as I've heard it's great for sensitive eyes as it has the same pH as your tears, and the Aromatherapy Associates gel will come in handy when I've put on a few pounds on my holiday, as it helps to smooth and tone the skin. Although I love lipsticks, this particular shade isn't quite 'me', and doesn't really give my lips much colour, which is a shame. I love white chocolate though, so the little extra was a nice bonus!

 

Which is your favourite beauty box? Are there any others I should try out?

 

 

Glossybox September 2013

I love getting my Glossybox each month, and this month was no exception. 'The London Edition' was presented in a beautiful Union Jack box, with decorative London-themed tissue paper packaging.

 

I was really happy with this month's selection of treats overall, and I felt that this box offered good value for money with 4 of my products being full sized.

 

 

My first product was this Rimmel Stay Blushed Blusher 14ml (full size), worth £4.49. I got shade 001 Pop of Pink, which should give my pale skin a really natural hint of rosiness. It promises to last 24 hours too, which is great for my oily complexion. I'm excited to try this out.

 

 

 Next up is a 5ml sample of Elizabeth Arden Untold, worth £4.80. I really like the fact that this is a decent size for sample compared to other perfume vials I've has in previous Glossyboxes. Fragrance-wise, it's a delicate floral accord, which is really light. I think this is a lovely fragrance and one that's not overpowering.

 

The bottle is cute too!

 

 

 

 

My next treat was this Toni & Guy Classic Shine Gloss Serum 30ml (full size), worth £7.19. I've used serums before and this one is supposed to be lightweight, so hopefully it won't make my fine hair look greasy.

 

 

I found this Be A Bombshell Eye Liner in Onxy 3g to be a strange choice for the London-themed box as it seems to only be available in America. That said, it seems like a great felt-tip style liner and looks really pigmented when swatched on the back of my hand. At $14, this is worth about £8.80 give or take the exchange rate.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally were these Eylure Pre-Glued lashes, worth £5.06. I'm not really a false lash wearer but I'm prepared to give these a go next time I have a night out. I like the self-adhesive aspect though, it sounds much better than faffing around with glue.

 

In total my box this month was worth £30.34. Also, if you take your product card to a Debenhams store, you can also get a free Elizabeth Arden Untold Body Lotion 100ml. Not bad, eh?

 

What did you get in your Glossybox this month? Were you happy with your products?