Glossybox February 2013 review

I was quite surprised to receive my box this early as they don't usually come until around the 15th so that was a nice treat. This months box is obviously themed around Valentines day and looking good whatever you're doing on the day.

The box is a very pretty pink with some pink shredding instead of the usual black.

Anatomicals - you need a blooming shower!
This is a rose scented body cleanser (fancy word for shower gel?) which does smell very floral so not really mine kind of scent. I've used the grapefruit body scrub before and alright but nothing amazing.
Docteur Renaud - raspberry soft cream
Once rubbed in this really does smell delicious, reminds me of Frutella's, yum. This is a face cream which boost skin cell activity and keeps it hydrated all day.
Bonus item - heart lolly

ModelCo - eyeshadow due in bronzed goddess
Very shimmery, the lighter colour does seem a little rough but then this could be the glitter. Not sure how much I'll be using this though as the colours aren't amazing.
Micbella Cosmetics - mineral blush powder
Mine is in siera suede, I can't tell if this will be too dark for me as I am like a ghost. I prefer pinks to brown shades. If all else fails this can be used as an eyeshadow as I know mica powders are very versatile.
Helen Cosmetics - moisturising lipstick
I knew there would be a lipstick in this box and that it would be red. Mine is in Hollywood Red, very bright. I am not a red fan as it washes me out and it clashes with my pink hair. I will be giving this to my sister so it won't be wasted.

All in all I think the box could have been better, there's nothing in here that got me excited or that I will be using any time soon.

Ciao

Topshop make up haul

Annoyingly the Topshop's near me are quite small and don't sell any make up. After seeing a few reviews I decided to risk it and buy off line. I have mixed feelings about some of the lipsticks but I'll give them a few more tries and then I'll review.

I was on a hunt for some nudes and I purchased 3. (L-R - Whimsical, Nevada, Saint) Nevada and Saint are both velvet finishes while Whimsical is a matte. From the couple of times I put these on I've found they show up all the lines and cracks on my lips. This could be my ignorance and all nudes and light colours do this but I will give the a fair try.

I also got one of the cream blushes - Prime Time. When this arrived I did think wow, that's quite a bright pink! Once buffed in though it gives a nice flush of colour.

I also got 2 lip crayons although says it is a lip stick. The one on top is the lip crayon in Wave Goodbye and the one underneath is the lip stick on Powder Room. These I'm yet to really wear so I will try these out although Powder Room looks like it will be a matte finish.

Seeing other peoples reviews and hauls makes me want to really love these lip products. I already love the blush and will no doubt be looking into what other colours they have.

Ciao

BuyaPowa - my new obsession

A quick post about an amazing find I've recently come across.

Now this may be a case of old news and as always I've come late to the party. I'm sure I don't live under a rock but sometimes I do wonder....Anywho, I have come across an amazing website - buyapower
There are a lot of beauty related items as well as other things such as tablets and at the moment a 3 hour butler service. The site works on co-buying, the more people that buy the lower the price goes down. There are a set number of the products available so sometimes you'll need to get in there quick.

I have so far bought quite a few items which I will do a post about once they have all turned up. Depending on the item you can get a very good discount and who doesn't like saving money?

Go check it out, you might find some amazing bargains.

Ciao

Birchbox January 2013 review

Originally Joliebox, this has now been incorporated into Birchbox, an American beautybox brand. I think it will interesting as the year goes on to see how the UK and US boxes differ. Hopefully with this new take over we will get to see some American brands we haven't before. The theme is fresh start, these products will help to start the year on the right foot.

The first box comes in a pretty pink outer box, we also still get the draw string bag & magazine with I believe the same sort of content. The box itself is brown with metallic pink trim, the same I think as the ones in the US.

KMS California - add volume volumizing spray
A thicken spray with heat protecting, to be used on towel dried hair and then styled. It has eucalyptus to remove excess oil, nice. It seems quite a thick consistency. I don't like blow drying my hair so not sure how much I'll use this.
Fresh - sugar rose lip treatment
Keeps lips flake free and soft with an added SPF 15 thrown in for good measure. This is supposed to leave a little tint on the lips but only having used this once I didn't really see much. I love the packaging and I'm quite the sucker for how things look.
WEI - royal Ming firming and hydrating cream
So this cream is from a 600 year old recipe used by Chinese courtesans. For anyone who doesn't know what that is there are 2 definitions - a person who attends the court of a monarch or prostitute. I'll let you pick which one it is. This contain a boat load of herbs which addresses all the signs of ageing. The full size is £74!!! This in theory should stop you ageing for that price.

Reverence De Bastien - unguent for nail and cuticles
Argan and vitamins treatment for nails which should keep the strong and healthy. The tube looks very much like a lipgloss, what a pretty shade it would make.
Lifestyle extra - Teapigs
I got mine in chamomile.....I hate tea, normal, herbal any type is not welcome. A little coffee sample wouldn't go a miss, cater for the tea haters once in a while.

So not a bad box for the first Birchbox ever. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the make up side of what they have to offer.

Ciao

GlossyBox January 2013 Review

So the first box of 2013 has the theme detox. After consuming your body weight in delicious food over the Christmas period it's probably about time to start the new year detox (unless you are very good and have already started!) Obviously I am a month behind posting this but good intentions and all that.

Premae Skincare - balance rescue face tonique
A toner for combination skin with antiseptic lemongrass & sandalwood oil. I'm currently working my way through a bottle of The Body Shops seaweed toner which can sometimes leave my face feeling really dry. This is supposed to close pores without stripping skin of its natural oils so it will be interesting to compare the 2.
VICHY - normaderm 3in1 cleanser
I'm quickly accumulating a lot of cleansers which I am yet to dabble in, this has just been added to that pile. This can be used as a cleanser, exfoliator or mask. I quite like the idea of a product that can multi skill, I will possibly use this all 3 ways as I'm sure one will work better than the others.
RENU - flash relax mask
A mask which enhances natural radiance and relaxes fine lines. I can't really say anymore until I try this product.
JASON - lips bee healthier
I got one of these last year in a beauty box and I love it. Unlike other lip balms this one isn't greasy and is a harder balm then most. It also smells nice and minty...right at the end of my current one so happy I have a replacement.

Sanctuary Spa - active reverse thermal transformation mask
This is a 2 step treatment, first put the peptide serum on and then a layer of the thermal rose clay mask and it is supposed to give a warming effect. It's been a while since I've used a warming mask so looking forward to trying this. This is supposed to be a 30 day treatment but I don't think there is enough for that long plusssss surely the contents will have dried out by then? Seriously sachets are just not cool

As a little extra they thew in a sleep mask which always comes in handy.

Well, for the first box of the new year it isn't a bad one. A lot of face rescue but then I suppose that is the place that needs the most help when detoxing.

 

Ciao

 

Philosophy haul



 

Way back at the beginning of January I made a few purchases from Philosophy. Having never tried anything from this brand I thought I would give it a go and see just how good it is.

 

Kiss Me Tonight - intense lip therapy.
I am a lip balm addict, I'm always slavering something onto my lips so of course I was tempted by this. This claims to restore health and rosy appearance of lips as well as the usual helping with dry and cracking problems. I use this as a night treatment after using a lip scrub, it is quite a thick consistency so you don't really need to use loads. Upon waking my lips feel so soft that I don't need to use any balm so pretty impressed with that. I've only used it a few times but so far so good.

Soul Owner - exfoliating foot cream.
Apart from the obvious exfoliating this cream has natural, essential eucalyptus oil which works as an emollient and skin freshener. I'm yet to use this but it does have the usual minty smell most foot products do.

As a bathaholic I treated myself to 3 bubble baths although these are multi purpose and can also be used as shower gel and shampoo.
Buttered Rum - this smells soooo good! As you can see I couldn't wait to use it. It smells like melted sugary butter with a little hint of rumminess.
Raspberry Sorbet - this is a really fresh berry smell and not as sweet as others I have had.
I Love Candy Corn - getting this I was hoping for it to be as sweet and delicious as the candy itself and I wasn't disappointed. Sweet, honey/vanilla smell. Yummy!

As I had spent over £40/£45 I was also sent a free samples bag -

As these were free(ish) I'm not going to grumble about the sachets...

Eye Hope - this is a multi tasking eye cream which helps diminish the appearance of dark circles, reduce the appearance of puffiness & minimise the appearance of fine lines. For £40 I should bloody hope so!
The Microdelivery Peel - a two-step, in-home peel that resurfaces and rejuvenates sun-damaged, hyperpigmented and ageing skin. the kit includes vitamin c/peptide crystals and lactic/salicylic acid activating gel....I should basically get a new face once I've used this then?
Miracle Worker - anti age moisturiser, not being up with all the anti ageing jazz the one 'promise' I found most interesting was - helps strengthen skin’s natural rejuvenation potential to guard against all signs of ageing. Always good guarding oneself from father time.

The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash - gentle enough for daily use although I think I will still stick to a few times a week.
Purity Made Simple - 3 in 1 cleanser...need I say more? I'm looking to get a Clarisonic Mia 2 and have heard this is a good cleanser to pair with it so when I eventually find one that won't break the bank I shall give it a go.

I think Philosophy offer some good products or at least they look good. The only downside is the price, I don't think I will be buying anything again until the sales come around.

 

Ciao