Products I use everyday

This is something that I have been intending to do for a long time because it sums up all of the products that I love, and perhaps don't give enough credit to. Also, I didn't realise how many things I actually view as 'essentials' before posting this... wow!

 

 

 

MAKE-UP:

Soap & Glory - Great Kisser Lip Balm in 'Juicy Peach'

Collection - Fast Stroke Eyeliner

Colletion - Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Fair'

Soap & Glory - Show Good Face 2in1 Foundation & Primer in 'A Good Light'

Jelly Pong Pong - Fairy Lashes Mascara

Soap & Glory - Thick & Fast High Definition Mascara

Soap & Glory - Solar Powder Bronzer

 

Eco Tools - Foundation Brush

Forever 21 - Eyebrow Brush

Seventeen - Powder Brush

 

 

FACE & BODY:

Nivea - Facial Cleansing Wipes

Boots Natural Collection - 'Passionfruit' Body Lotion

Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant

Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Cream

Soap & Glory - Hand Food

Monu - Gentle Cleanser

Soap & Glory - 'Catch A Wrinkle In Time' Moisturiser & Anti-wrinkle Cream

 

 

HAIR:

TRESemmé - Heat Defence Spray

Silvikrin - Maximum Hold Hairspray

TRESemmmé - 24 Hour Body Blow Dry Lotion

Richard Ward - Hair Couture Volumising Spray

 

 

FRAGRANCE:

Marc Jacobs - Dot 100ml

Boots Natural Collection - Passionfruit Body Spray

Q - Body Spray

 

SHOWERING:

Alberto Balsam - 'Juicy Green Apple' Shampoo

Alberto Balsam - 'Mandarin & Papaya' Conditioner

Original Source - Lemon & Tea Tree Shower

Soap & Glory - Face Soap Clarity

 



Glossybox UK June: Opening & Review

Hey there, well I was a little bit annoyed to be woken up by the Glossybox deliver man banging repeatedly on the door at 7am on a Saturday morning! (How rude) But yep, it was worth the wake up call and I have even tried all the products out so that I can also give you a quick review too. Who ever thought that it would actually be sunny and hot in Britain for more than a day? Which brings me on to the theme for this months box which is summer looks.

 

When I first opened the box, I thought I had received six items but there are actually two bottles of one of the items, which both have slightly different functions. It was a good box this month, not absolutely amazing - but it was ok.

 

 

Q - Body spray

 

I am a sucker for a great smelling body spray! This body spray is my favourite item from this month's box as it smells girly and floral yet sophisticated. We received the full sized version of this product, which is 100ml and it retails at just £2.29 - which is definitely a bargain for such a fantastic quality summer essential. It's small enough to fit into your bag and the scent sticks around for a long time, which is great for those hot summer days.

 

 

Paul Mitchell Curls - Full Circle Leave-In Treatment & Ultimate Wave

 

We have basically recieved a '2 for 1' product; 2 items from the same brand but different products, which is great to compare and decide which one you like the best. Loose summer curls are definitely in this season so it's lovely to be able to keep up with current trends in this months box. I have only tried the Ultimate Wave cream, but am really keen to try the Leave-In Treatment too. The Ultimate Wave Cream has a really nice scent and assisted in defining curls - however it didn't last for as long as i'd hoped.

 

 

Monu - Hydrating Moisturiser SPF 15

 

I was pretty excited when I saw this as I've always has good experience with Monu as a brand; their products are always excellent quality and they take extra care to look after your skin - I don't understand why they still aren't that well heard of. Anyway, I have tried this moisturiser and it lived up to my expectations. Its soft and creamy consistency sank into my skin, leaving it hydrated and glowing. It's very pricey though at £29.95 for the full sized product, however Glossybox subscribers do receieve 10% off their next Monu purchase with the discount code.

 

 

Nuxe - Huile Prodigieuse Or

 

I know, I know... its name doesn't really give you any clues of what it is! I genuinely believed that this was a nail polish at first due to the bottle size and shape. This is a multi-purpose spray (though the spray on mine has become stuck in the lid) which can be used to moisturise the face, illuminate selected areas of the body or even as a strenghtening hair mask. 3 products in 1 = very convenient! I have used it as a facial moisturiser today and to be honest, my face feels too oily so I'm not sure whether I'll be using it again.

 

 

Figs & Rouge - Coco Rose

 

Subscribers will have either recieved the Coco Rose or Cherry Blossom flavour lip balm. It smells and tastes amazing. I am a huge lip balm snob though (but what can you expect when I'm addicted to Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Lip Protectant as a daily lip balm?) and though it does hydrate the lips really well, I've found it to be very gloopy and messy - so nope, I've not been converted. But hey, it's another full-sized product.

 

 

I always love to hear what everybody else has receieved - let me know!



I've reached 100 followers & *Glossybox SPOILER*

What a lovely surprise to come online and see that I've reached 100 followers! I have only been blogging for around 3 months so to achieve 100 followers already means a lot to me. I would like to say a mahoosive thank you to all of my followers and to everyone who has dropped by along the way! I apologise for not blogging as often as I used to but this is down to my work schedule and whenever I get spare time I will always be blogging. I miss you all!

 

Also, I've just recieved my Glossybox! (YAY) so I will be writing a full review on that soon - most likely on Wednesday. Of course, this month we are celebrating Glossybox's 2nd birthday so the box is dedicated to the birthday theme. It is the usual pink box but when I opened it I squeeled with excitement when I noticed the lovely decorative wrapping and yellow (yes, yellow) shredded paper. Also, we receieved a sixth gift this month. The products are fantastic and I can't wait to tell you about them in more detail! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLOSSYBOX :)

 

Here's a cheeky little spoiler for you!

 



What have I been buying?

I've been shopping a few times recently so I thought it would be nice to show you my purchases. There's nothing massively exciting but they are mostly all little bits and pieces that I'm loving at the moment, so hopefully you'll like them too!

 

 

Seventeen blusher brush - Boots

Seventeen powder brush - Boots

EcoTools Bamboo foundation brush - Boots

I was in desperate need of more make-up brushes and while Boots still have their '3 for 2, mix & match' promotion on, I thought I may as well buy them now. The foundation brush is my favourite of the three (and the most expensive) as it blends my foundation evenly around my face and it is just generally a good quality brush. I'm not massive fans of the other two though; when I used the blusher brush, I felt like it just 'deposited' the blusher on my cheek rather than blending it in, no matter how hard I tried! I ended up switching back to my old brush. The powder brush isn't much better either.

 

Original Source lemon & tea tree shower gel - Most supermarkets stock this

 

I only purchased this one week ago and look how much I have used! I am obsessed with anything lemon-scented or lemon-flavoured so as soon as I saw this, I just had to buy it. A lot of beauty bloggers have recommended Original Source shower gels due to the unbelievable scent at such a bargain price. I paid just 99p for this from B&M Bargains, but I belive that most supermarkets sell this for around the same price. If you are an early bird and find it hard to wake up in the morning, purchase this and you'll feel wide awake and fresh instantly. The zesty scent will make you fall in love, I promise.

 

 

Chunky bracelets - Republic

Heart earrings set - Republic

 

I really wanted some more bracelets and at the moment, I'm loving chunky jewelry. I picked these up from Republic, which isn't usually a store I'd shop in but ended up doing so while shopping with friends. The bracelets really finish off a simple outfit and the colours go with pretty much anything. I like the earrings too; they are simple but look really cute and one of them is leopard print - and I love anything leopard print.

 

 

Floral scarf - Peacocks

 

I was in need of a cute, floral scarf for Spring and spotted this in Peacocks. The pattern is mostly pink, purple and green floral print on a chiffon, frilly style of scarf. It's definitely an essential during Spring, which finishes off any outfit and keeps you warm - as it is still a little cold here in Britain. I'm always wearing this now!

 

 

TRESemmé 24 hour body blow dry lotion - Boots

 

I am loving big hair at the moment but have noticed that my volume dies down throughout the day so I purchased this blow dry spray to add volume to my hair and maximise roots. To use, I spray evenly on to wet hair - particularly around the roots - and then blow dry as normal. For best results, it's good to brush hair upwards whilst blow drying and perhaps even tip your head upside down at some points. This spray is easy to use and added long-lasting volume to my hair. It works particularly well if you have lots of layers. It's a bargain too - it cost me less than £4!

Collection 2000: Make-up Haul

(Hey everyone! I apologise for being distant this past week - I've been pretty busy and haven't been dedicating as much time as I should be to this blog. But I'm back now and I have plenty of great posts planned for you! Follow for follow?)

So today I am doing a haul and review of my Collection 2000 make-up; I have very mixed opinions on their products. I love most of their products but there is a few I really don't like. It isn't exactly 'high-end' or 'luxury' but if your bank account is already suffering and you need a cheap make-up alternative - this is where you go to!

Boots are still offering their '3 for 2, mix & match' promotion and it does include a wide range of make-up products, including Collection 2000 - so now is a great time to take advantage. I am a self-confessed Boots addict!
 

 

Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Foundation (Shade = 3 Biscuit)

 

This is one of my all time favourite foundations, which is also affordable. The shade I use is 3 Biscuit which is a pale beige shade. This foundation gives you an amazing flawless coverage, with a 'photoshopped' effect. It blends in really well and lasts for hours; I rarely feel the need to reapply this throughout the day.

 

 

Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Powder

 

This powder isn't my favourite and I think it retails at around £2.99 - so I guess you get what you pay for. It is a cheap alternative which I usually apply throughout the day to keep my make-up looking good. However, I believe that this is only available in one shade - which is quite dark actually - so I usually only apply a small amount.

 

 

Extreme Coloured Length Mascara (Colour = Black)

 

I've tried lots of mascaras in the past but I have always found myself going back to this one! Not only is it an absolute bargain but it is an incredible product. This mascara defines lashes really well - making them thick but not clumpy. It lasts all day long yet is so easy to take off at night. It is great for an everyday, natural look and also for a more dramatic effect. I have stood by this mascara for years.

 

 

Lasting Perfection Concealer (Shade = Fair)

 

This concealer is often praised in the beauty community and I can see why. I use this concealer every single day. It is quick and easy to apply but has lasting effects. It covers up dark circles under the eyes as well as hiding any spots or other unwanted visitors on your face. It doesn't just 'conceal' them though - it blends into your face to create an unbelievable natural look.

 

 

Fast Stroke Eyeliner (Colour = Black)

 

I have only recently started to use this liquid eye liner. I don't have a steady hand so most days it gets very messy and I end up with it in my eyes and all over my face *sigh* but messiness aside, it's a good product. It looks amazing when applied and the applicator is thin enough to create a slik line. However, I've found that it can fade or rub off in some places - mainly tearducts - so it does need reapplying throughout the day.



Elizabeth Arden 'Beauty Gift' Haul/Review

On last weeks 'beauty deal of the week' I wrote about the Elizabeth Arden beauty gift worth £77, which you could get for free if you ordered two Elizabeth Arden products - at least one being skincare - from the Boots website. (Click HERE to read this post.) I just couldn't turn down this offer! After being converted to the brand through their amazing Eight Hour Lip Protectant, I had to give this a try. I believe that the offer has now ended - so it looks like I got in there at the right time.

 

I'll be honest; my first impression wasn't as amazing as I'd hoped but this was due to me being confused about some of the products! I'll go through them individually and give you my opinions - though after trying them all, I like every single one.

Oh and I think that the bag which the products came in will be very useful as a travel bag, filled with all my make-up and beauty bits. It's the perfect size and looks very cool and stylish too.

 

 



Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant - £25/50ml

 

This product is a massive essential in the world of beauty! Like I have said previously on my blog, I am not a huge fan of this product on my skin because it is basically a vey thick gel with an oily consistency so it is literally only best for particular dry or damaged parts of the skin, as opposed to using in various places. However, I have recently discovered this product as a lip balm and yes, I have been absolutely raving about this ever since this find. It is literally the best lip product I have ever come across. I have never been able to find a lip balm which comes anywhere close to this product; I've always had to put up with 'average' alternatives. I can't go anywhere without it now! One downside is that it is advertised as a fragrance-free product, but it definitely has some sort of scent, though I can't quite figure out what it is...

 

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Eight-Hour-Cream-Skin-Protectant-50ml_9783/?cm_re=ElizabethArden_Home-_-P2B-_-C9083_Link1&cm_sp=ElizabethArden-_-8_Hour_Cream-_-ElizabethArdenC9083_Link1

 

 

Visible Difference Skin-Balancing Exfoliating Cleanser - £17/125ml

 

I was really excited to try this product out - my favourite cleansers are those that you can use in the shower as it is much more convenient and less time consuming, especially if you have quite a busy lifestyle. It couldn't be any more easier to use: you put a pea-sized amount on to your finger tips, rub your fingers together and apply to a wet face, which creates a foaming substance and then you wash it off with warm water. I love how it feels on my skin and it contains microbeads - which is something I look for in face products! It is slightly cheaper than most of their other products but it is still great to use. My skin feels soft and squeeky clean! It makes my skin look much more bright and awake - so would be a perfect match for women with tired or dull skin.

 

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Visible-Difference-Skin-Balancing-Exfoliating-Cleanser-125ml_1268917/

 

 

Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum - £80/90 Capsules

 

My first thoughts on this product was something like "what is this? How do I use this? They look so weird!" I did receive the sample version of this product, which contains 14 capsules, though I still think that this is a generous-sized sample. It must be the strangest, most confusing beauty product I have ever come across. To use, I  ripped open the end of the capsule - which did get a little messy so have some tissues ready if you are going to use. I then applied the product to my face and was very surprised at how quickly it sank into my skin. It's a very weird serum; it is like a clear oil, which doesn't sound convincing but I saw instant results. It moisturised my skin naturally, without the feeling of having products on my face. It removed any dry areas instantly and left me with a noticeably softer complexion. However, the full sized version of this product is very, very expensive and I don't think that I would be prepared to spend £80 on this!

 

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Ceramide-Capsules-Daily-Youth-Restoring-Serum-90-Capsules_1291197/

 

2.2g Quad Beautiful Color Eyeshadows in Sterling, Sugar Cube and Black Tie-Contour - £20

I love the shades of all of these eye shadows and to be honest, this was the product I was most looking forward to trying. These four shades are perfect for either smokey-eye looks or even to just complete a different look. I have only tried the shade on the far right, which is a smooth mid-grey colour - which I applied from the outer corners of my eyes and into my crease and blended. I wore this with a thin line of black liquid eyeliner and black mascara for a classic, simple smokey eyes look. The quality of this product is flawless and I now definitely want to check out more make-up from Elizabeth Arden.

 

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Beautiful-Colour-Eyeshadow-Duo_1276312/

 

 

PREVAGE Anti-Aging Moisture Cream - £105/50ml

 

Wow, this is a really expensive product! This cream works as a great moisturiser, though I believe that it would be more beneficial to 'older' people, as it is an anti-aging cream. I am unable to comment on the anti-aging side of this product - though I have read excellent reviews on this. But yes, it is a very extensive moisturiser which leaves skin feeling softer to the touch and lasts all day. You do only have to use a very small amount of this product for it to work, which I guess makes the hefty price tag seem a little less worrying as it will most likely last longer than most other moisturisers. It is also recommended to use on sun damaged skin as not only does it revive moisture but it also has a Broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreens to help shield from the sun. I can see this being an essential during the summer months!

 

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-PREVAGE-Day-Intensive-Anti-aging-Moisture-Cream-SPF-30-50ml_1238614/

March Favourites

So we are coming towards the end of March now and (hopefully) closer to Spring weather - it is still freezing here in sunny Britain! I've loved quite a few products this month but here are my favourites.

 

 

Elizabeth Arden - Eight Hour Lip Protectant

 

This lip protectant is absolutely perfect! I have always had an issue with getting chapped lips easily but this product has helped me so much. It is the 'lip version' of the very popular Eight Hour Cream by Elizabeth Arden, which moisturises your lips beautifully, leaving them soft for hours on end. I only find myself having to reapply this once during the day. This lip product is a million times better than most, average lip balms which moisturise your lips for a short while and after years of using cheap brands, you really see the difference when you start using this. It is expensive but it is worth every single penny - one of my proudest purchases ever!

 

 

Murad - Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture For Eyes

 

This eye cream is an essential during the cold weather. As well as my usual moisturiser, I am also applying this product daily too. Of course, the eye area is a lot more sensitive and gets damaged much more easily than other parts of the face so having a good quality eye cream is a must. It keeps the area around the eyes feeling soft all day long, while also brightening the eyes and reviving tired skin.

 

 

Soap & Glory - Rich & Foamous Body Wash

 

I'm sure you have already seen my review on this product? (Click HERE to read this review!) A few weeks later and I am still in love with the smell of this - it seriously smells like cakes.  Its ingrediants are M-Suds MoistureBoost, raw flower honey, almond milk and supersoft skin conditioner with a yummy almond, oats and brown sugar scent which is such a brilliant combination. Not only does it smell gorgeous but it leaves your skin feeling super soft and moist too.

 

 

Miss Selfridge - Black Ankle Boots

 

I have been wanting to buy some ankle boots like these for ages and ages! After visiting almost every shop in the Trafford Centre, I finally found these. They are black suede boots with a slight 'wrinkley' effect on the front and black tassles on the back. They are flat-heeled which is preferable seeing as I'm very tall. They are the type of boots you could wear with a nice dress on a night out or pair with some leggings and a casual shirt, which is another reason I love them. They're stylish and comfy - brilliant find!