I'm co-hosting this week's Friend Connect Blog Hop!

It's Tuesday again which means it's time for the Friend Connect Blog Hop!

It's the time to meet new friends and find new blogs. You can choose to follow the cohosts in whatever way is best for YOU! Here are some of my favorite ways: GFC, BlogLovin', HelloCotton, RSS, Twitter, Facebook.

Ok, so let's get to the party, shall we?

RULES are simple:

1. Follow your host 

The First link below

2. Follow your co-hosts 

The Next 8 links below

3. Link up below using your main blog url not a specific post.

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link up and follow them 

and if you want to leave them a comment, I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well.

5. Tweet about this blog hop

Tweet

6. Share about this blog hop by grabbing a button and putting it on your sidebar!

<a href="http://www.thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com/search/label/gfcbloghop"> <img src="http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z237/melissaenault/fcbloghop_zps81aaa394.gif" border="0" /></a>

I have cohost spots available! Email me if you're interested at melissa@thelifeofanotsoordinarywife.com

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Glossybox UK April Opening

This month I have decided to do something different for my Glossybox opening post and instead, I've filmed a video of me opening my box for the first time, which I thought you may prefer as you'll be able to see my genuine first reaction to the products and the box itself rather than me just telling you afterwards.

 

Of course, I know there will be some readers who would prefer a blog post to a video and that is perfectly fine so I will also write what I think of the products too :)

 

 

 



 

 

This month's box was 'spring fever' and I received:

- Richard Ward Couture Hair Optimiser Style Reviver

- Yves Rocher Nutritive Vegetal 24H Comfort Nourishing Cream

- Nip + Fab Dry Skin Fix Body Butter in Mango

- Essie Nail Lacquer

- Balance Me Radiance Face Mask

 

This month's Glossybox was really late; I received it a week and a half later than usual. The vintage box was designed by Pearl Lowe and looks incredibly cute! It was a good box, but not my favourite ever. I loved every product apart from the Essie Nail Lacquer, which I didn't like purely due to the shade not being something I would normally choose.

 

Do you prefer the video of me opening my box for the first time? Or would you prefer my usual long blog posts? Let me know!

Garnier Moisture Match Review

(I posted recently that I won't be blogging as regularly due to my internet being broke but I will try to post as often as possible via my mobile's internet. Hopefully, my internet will be fixed in 2 weeks.

 

Also, this is totally unrelated but has anyone else not received their April Glossybox (UK) this month? I usually receive mine around the 10th of each month but I haven't even had a dispatch email yet! :( please let me know.)

 

 



 

I received a sample of the Garnier Moisture Match for dull skin, normal skin and normal to dry skin. I was a little bit 'in between' when decided whether I have normal or dull skin, so trying out three samples was really useful.

 

 

Normal Skin

 

The 'normal skin' sample was the best suited to my skin and worked much better than the others - so this would be the one that I would repurchase. My skin felt instantly moisturised and soft but not oily. This creamy moisturiser did exactly what it was advertised to do. Trying out all three of the samples before buying has really helped to make my decision as I probably wouldn't of purchased the 'normal skin' moisturiser beforehand.

 

 

Dull skin

 

I tried this moisturiser out first because I thought that it would be best suited to my skin and I was hoping that perhaps it would awaken and revitalise my sometimes tired skin. However, this was the moisturiser I hated! It was way too oily and made my face look shiney instead of giving it a slight glow. An oily face isn't the look I want to go for! I will definitely not purchase this moisturiser.

 

 

Normal to dry skin

 

This moisturiser worked but it didn't wow me. Of course, this would probably be one of the least suited to my skin which is probably why I didn't see a huge effect. It defintely moisturised but not much else. I wouldn't repurchase this one.

 

 

I found it really useful to be be able to try out three of Garnier's five 'moisture match' moisturisers before buying. I did actually only request the 'dull skin' product but unexpectedly recieved these three instead but I'm so happy about that because it turns out that it was a completely different one which suited my skin best. I would defintely recommend getting the samples before purchasing one of the moisturisers as I was surprised at which one actually best suited me.

 

I believe that Garnier are still offering their tailor-made moisturisers to be sampled, click HERE to try before buying.



Sorry!

My internet is broke so I am relying entirely on my phones internet now :( it is gonna be quite long and fiddly to do an entire blog post by phone so I may not be posting as often as I'd like to, probably for the next fortnight. Still leave me comments and I'll check you out :) sorry about this!

I've reached a milestone by the way - 1000 page views which I'm super happy about considering I only began blogging 2 months ago. Thank you to all my lovely followers and to everyone who has read my posts along the way. I'll hopefully be posting properly again soon! Thanks again :D

My Favourite Blemish Treatment

I don't get many spots but when I do, they tend to be big and in the worst and most obvious places possible. For me, most spot treatments either just don't have any effect or break me out even more but I've found the answer and wow, I love it!

 

Skinetica anti-blemish skincare treatment

 

 

The treatment is a liquid, which comes without any kind of applicator. To apply, I dipped in a cotton bud and then lightly 'dabbed' that on to and around the affected area. For best results, you should apply twice a day before you use any other products on your face or apply make-up. Leave it to dry naturally, which usually only takes a few minutes.

 

Skinetica is super easy to use and doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or toxins, so is 100% kind to skin. I have been using this product for months and I don't know how it isn't more well-known as I have never come across a blemish treatment which works so well. Not only does it help to get rid of spots but it reduces blackheads too! The website also suggests that if you apply it regularly after blemishes have disappeared, it can help prevent their return. I usually see results within the first day of use - and that is such a rare thing with products like this.

 

Not convinced? Skinetica are giving out free samples to try before you buy - click HERE. Though the sample is free, you do have to pay £1 for P&P and I believe that this service is only available for UK residents.

 

http://www.skinetica.co.uk/buy-skinetica-online.html

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.