LOVE EDITION GLOSSYBOX

Hi there beauty lovers. Last night I picked up my Love Edition GlossyBox from the post office which includes a 'Fifty Shades' mineral eyeshadow and a few other make-up treats. Here are my first impressions :)

WILKINSON SWORD HYDRO SILK

Designed with 5 blades and a water-activated moisturising serum bar to keep skin hydrated for up to 2 hours after shaving.

Razors are something that I don't usually spend too much money on, but I am going to test this out tonight to see how good it is at giving me a close shave that is hopefully smooth on the skin. I always moisturise after shaving so I see the moisture bar as part of the shaving process only.

MARSK MINERAL EYESHADOW - FIFTY SHADES

A 100% natural highly pigmented mineral loose powder eyeshadow with a creamy texture.

Inspired by the film 'Fifty Shades Of Grey' which I am sure you are all fully aware of this Valentine's weekend Marsk have created this beautiful grey mineral pigment that looks to be very wearable. 

I think it's great for day or night as applied with one layer it gives light smoke of grey with pretty light reflects. For more intensity, especially at night time I think it would look stunning applied with a wet brush.

I hardly ever use eye pigments simply because things can get messy very quickly and I am very clumsy. Not a good combo. This is why I wish brands would create more pigments that come in a tube with a sponge applicator or in a pressed pigment form for ease of use.

ROYAL APOTHIC CORAL TINTIE

A nourishing, moisturising lip tint that Victoria Beckham is rumoured to be a fan of. Tinties come in 4 other shades including berry, kissed, nude and pink.

The scent of this lip tint is very sweet I think due to the trio of oils (argan, grape seed and almond). If you don't like the taste of almonds you won't like this. It's a bit like marzipan. 

It does feel nourishing on the lips and you can tell it's oil based, but it doesn't feel greasy. The pigment is not as high as I had hoped, but it is just a tint so I would use this as a lip butter only not as a lip shade. I have never been a fan of dipping my fingers into pots, but it is a cute design.

SO SUSAN ROSE QUARTET LIP & CHEEK PALETTE

A richly pigmented, hydrating lip & cheek pomade that delivers 12 hours of wear without dryness, creasing or smudging. 100% cruelty free. Fragrance free.

The size of this palette for travel is great because it is so compact however the casing does not click shut so it would have to be kept in the box. I wish that a mirror had been included in the top of the lid too.

The two berry shades on the left are quite pigmented and good for noticeable, but not too bold lips. The shades on the right are much more subtle and I would perhaps reserve for the cheeks.

Because of the packaging not being great quality and the fact that the product actually sits in the palette a bit uneven this makes it look a bit cheap.

B. COSMETICS B. ALL LENGTHENING, DEFINING AND VOLUMISING WATERPROOF MASCARA BLACK

A conditioning waterproof, smudge proof and tear proof mascara that lengthens, defines and volumises. Push lashes upwards waiting for the mascara to dry to set into shape. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

I love trying out new mascaras and although I usually get smudging under my eyes from applying mascara to my lower lashes I never think to pick up a waterproof one.

A mini pack of love hearts sweets were also included in this Love Edition GlossyBox.

I love the actual design of this month's GlossyBox, but I am not as excited as I first was when I opened it as I wanted the make-up pigments to be more bold. I may not use the make-up much if at all apart from the mascara due to how they need to be applied.

For more information on the UK GlossyBox click here and for the US GlossyBox click here.

Let me know your favourite products from this month's GlossyBox in the comments below.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

BLOGLOVIN' | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TBP

GLOSSYBOX: STARS AND STRIPES

Hi beauties and Happy Sunday. How amazing has the weather been? A little erratic I know, but then in the UK that's normal. Today I have my first impressions of this month's American themed 'Stars and Stripes' GlossyBox for you.

BELLAPIERRE COSMETICS LTD MINERAL LIPSTICK

This cult American favourite is formulated with natural waxes, mineral pigments and antioxidants, providing moisturising long lasting colour and protection against the sun.

I have the shade Ruby shown in the swatch above. This to me is a real American girl shade. This blue based red is stunning and highly pigmented. It feels very smooth and glided onto my hand beautifully. It appears to be quite moisturising in texture and I think this shade in particular will last quite well, but I of course will need to test this out when I wear it. The quilted packaging design of the lipstick tube really appeals to me. There are 5 other shades within this range which I would love to try.

ABSOLUTE NEW YORK PERFECTING EYESHADOW PRIMER

An oil and fragrance free lightweight, moisturising formula to even out the skin tone, reducing redness and brightening the eyes while keeping eyeshadow crease-free and colour-true for a lasting look.

Apply this creamy formula with the doe foot applicator to the lids and blend with fingers.

It looks very similar to the E.L.F. eyelid primer. It has a skin tone shade that blends away sheer. I am looking forward to seeing how well my eye shadows last when using this product.

CARMEX LIP BALM

Loved by celebrities and make-up artists this staple product is designed to soothe, relieve and moisturise dry, chapped lips.

I have tried this on my lips today. The balm does feel very nourishing and softening. There is a slight tingling from the menthol, but it is not uncomfortable on the lips. I am not overly keen on the scent as I don't really enjoy beeswax products. I don't really like dipping my fingers into products like this either, but I will use it anyway as it does appear on my first application to have a nourishing formula. These are currently on a 3 for 2 offer in the link above.

COLOR CLUB NAIL POLISH

This is a non-toxic, cruelty free nail polish.

The shade Glossy Seal that I have has been especially formulated for the July GlossyBox so I don't think you will be able to get your hands on it, sorry. However there are some really gorgeous shades within the collection, including some fantastic duo chromes so check out the link above. I have not tried this brand of nail polish before so I hope it applies well and lasts well too.

JUICE BEAUTY GREEN APPLE SPF15 MOISTURISER

This is a lightweight daily moisturiser that offers sun protection as well as revitalising, brightening and age-defying benefits. For normal, mature, blemish, oily and combination skin types. Apply to a cleansed face and neck.

This has a seal on it so I won't open it yet. This is another new brand to me so I will let you know how I find this product to work on my skin.

The stand out product for me in this box so far is the lipstick. It's such an impact shade that will instantly make you look like you have put a lot of effort into your make-up whether you have or not.

What were your favourite GlossyBox products this month? Let me know your thoughts on these products if you have used them before also in the comments below.

For more information on the UK GlossyBox click here and for the US GlossyBox click here.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

Facial Skincare Reviews

Hi beauties. Today I am going to get straight into this post as I have many facial skincare reviews for you.

Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover ~ £17.00 for 125ml

Winner of the SHE Magazine Beauty Awards 2011 for Best Eye Makeup Remover. This 50ml bottle I won in a charity raffle at work. I really like this make-up remover which can be used on lids, lashes and lips. It easily removes any stubborn makeup without stinging sensitive areas such as the eyes. Suitable for contact lens wearers although I can't imagine removing my make-up with my lenses in. I simply give the bottle a shake, apply to a cotton pad and rub gently on the area to remove all traces of make-up. The lid design now appears to have changed, but I have not heard that the formula is any different.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream ~ £18.50 for 100ml

Suitable for all skin types. I picked up this product with an issue of Glamour Magazine. This is a cream exfoliator that is fragrance free. I used this in the shower twice a week after my face wash. It worked well enough, but I wouldn't say that it made such a difference that I would buy it full price.

Dermalogica Age Smart Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque ~ £34.50 for 74ml

I received this product in my October 2011 GlossyBox. I really did enjoy using this masque. I applied this in quite a thick layer to a cleansed face and neck 1-2 times a week and left it on for 15 mins. When I washed it off with a soft flannel and warm water my skin felt really smooth and pampered. This masque is meant for ageing, stressed and damaged skin. My skin was plumped, glowy and youthful looking after using this product.

Dermalogica Total Eye Care ~ £37.90 for 15ml

I received this sample size at an event. The product had a skin tone shade to it, but when absorbed into the skin that disappeared. I did like applying this product that contains SPF15 because of the texture. I don't really suffer with dark circles so I can't comment on how it affects those. I don't really have bad fine lines yet either. The puffiness that usually appears however around my eyes I did not find reduced by this product.

Coola Organic Suncare Collection Mineral Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint ~ Various prices and sizes on Amazon

I received this product in my July 2013 GlossyBox. I didn't love the rose scent of this product when applying it, but I didn't hate it either. Once applied I never really noticed it anyway. This gave a lovely healthy looking glow to my skin, but it was just a tad too orange for me. Water resistant (40 mins).

Caudalie Divine Oil ~ Choice of size and price

I received this product in my May 2013 GlossyBox. This product was divine indeed. I did try it on my hair and body, but I loved savouring it for the evenings to smooth over my cleansed face and neck. I massaged it in thoroughly inhaling the scent which made me feel deeply relaxed.

Vichy Idelia Life Serum ~ Various stockists

Vichy Idelia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream ~ Various stockists

These Vichy products I received in my November 2013 GlossyBox. They felt nice enough on my skin when applied. Very glowing, healthy and youthful in appearance. Once the product had sunk in thoroughly though I wouldn't say that I noticed any dramatic difference.

So that's all of my latest facial skincare reviews. I hope that you found at least one of them useful. Let me know your favourites and why in the comments below. Have a great Sunday!

Love to you all 

Make-Up Eye Palette 2013 Favourites

Hi once again beauties. Today I am eager to share with you the 2nd part to my eye make-up 2013 favourites which are my most used eye palettes of the past year. I have been trying to make a real effort to use them more often as I sometimes find it easier to pick out my singular shades when I know the colours I want to use. This is because I have too many palettes (yes I said it) and sometimes I forget which shades are in them (shock horror)!

Sleek MakeUP I-Divine Palettes

I have many more than these four from the Sleek MakeUP I-Divine collection, but I found that I used these four palettes the most from the Sleek MakeUp line last year. There is such a great array of soft, light and nude shades here as well as much deeper tones for smokey eye looks. I love the Sleek MakeUP I-Divine palettes so much because they have great pigmentation, well thought out palette colour combinations and are great quality at just £7.99 per palette. That's 12 shades for less than a pound per colour. 

The Nude Collection Au Naturel palette (top left) I previously spoke about, including swatches and a brief description of each shade. I think this palette is great for those who prefer simple eye looks that can be smoked up when the mood strikes. A great everyday palette.

The Oh So Special palette (bottom right) I believed was limited edition at the time of my previous post, but it is still available to purchase now. This palette has some gorgeous pink and peach tones on the left with more smokey shades to its right.

The Bad Girl palette (top right) is definitely not for the faint hearted. When I pick up this palette I know I want dark, smokey impact eyes. It's a well named palette for you vixens out there.

The Limited Edition Paraguaya palette (bottom left) is no longer available on the Sleek MakeUP website, but you may be able to find it on Ebay or Amazon. This palette's collection of colours are real peach and rose tones. This is one of Sleek MakeUP's more lighter palettes with only one real dark shade. Applied carefully these shades can look amazing, but be careful if you do pick up this palette as some of these shades if applied to heavily, especially under the eyes can make you look a little hungover.

Each of these palettes has a mixture of matte and shimmer shades. They all have a really good sized mirror and very slimline packaging that stays shut when needed so great for carrying around if necessary. I just wish that there was some indication on the back of the shades included like colour swatches so that when I scramble through my make-up deciding what to use I can see the shade range at a glance.

Sleek MakeUp Molten Metal In Gold Leaf & Pewter

Oh my god let me just say that if you want bold metallic eyes that are easy to apply then this is a duo not to miss. As you can see I have used the shade on the right more, but OMG once again they are both beautiful gleaming cream shades. I love to use my fingers to apply the right shade to my eyelids and then smoke them up on the outer corners. Instant look at me eyes with sexy smoulder. These do not crease on me either, even without a primer and last all day.

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette

Now this palette was the first in the Urban Decay Naked line. There was so much hype around blogs at the time about it that you kind of felt like you must have it or you weren't part of the IT crowd. Maybe that sounds a bit OTT, but after oohing and ahhing over it for so long I took the plunge handed over my cash and here we are. I must say that I am so glad I did. These shadows are without doubt an investment. They are so smooth and creamy. I feel like I am treating myself still when I pull this out to decorate my eyes. Although this is a very neutral palette there are lots of glitter and shimmer shades in here and just two matte. I do think there are some great shades to just make your eyes pop using only one of the colours looking like you have made more effort than you actually have. Great for last minute invites! This came with the Urban Decay Primer Potion which was great, but I will still purchase my E.L.F. Eyelid Primer that works better and is a lot cheaper. I have the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Zero & Whiskey too that came with the palette. At the time I remember these palettes were selling out so fast that they had to bring out more, but with an eyeshadow brush instead of the pencils. My only negative towards this palette is the casing which is a velvet texture. Mine is very clean compared to what I have seen on a lot of blogs because I still keep it in the original plastic packaging otherwise make-up and dust would have covered it by now. I would therefore say it's not as travel friendly as the Urban Decay Naked 2 and Naked 3 palettes which have a tin design that should keep a lot more clean. There are 12 shades (including 7 best sellers) in this palette which works out to be just over £3.00 per shade. I really don't think that's bad for such a high quality product. I have been tempted by the Urban Decay Naked 2 & 3 palettes, but at the time I just couldn't justify spending the money on them. Obviously we have just had Xmas and I have 3 birthdays to pay for this month so I can't see me buying them any time soon.

So that's all for my most used eye palettes of 2013. Please let me know your favourites in the comments below along with any requests for make up looks from any of these palettes or swatches that are not linked in this post.

Love to you all   

Make-Up For The Eyes 2013 Favourites

Hi there cherubs. How are you doing today? I am sure bored of this rain now, but hey ho there are worse things than bad weather right? I have the second part of my 2013 make-up favourites for you today. This post is focused on eye make-up.

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer

I have used the E.L.F. sheer eye primer for so long because it works so well as a base for eyeshadow to cling to and last longer on the eyes. It works as good as if not better in my opinion than the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I have linked here an E.L.F. haul including swatches where I purchased both of these E.L.F. primers. The thinner tube is the regular sheer which is a bargain at just £1.50. It also comes in shades of Champagne, Pearl & Golden. The thicker tube shown in this photo and also linked in my E.L.F. haul I purchased at the time as part of a trio including Nude, Pearl & Champagne. My nude tube however says sheer? To me they work the same and I will just continue to buy the sheer thinner tube. To view my comparison post testing out the E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in sheer alongside the Urban Decay Primer Potion please see this link!

DreamWeave Lash Construct Mascara Black

For a full review on this mascara please check out this post! This is the mascara I am currently using. The formula still works fantastically. It lengthens, separates, volumises and adds a very black pigment to my lashes.

E.L.F. Mineral Eye Liner Black

This eyeliner is the first I always go to for a simple kohl liner look. This is a twist up pen that is rounded rather than pointed at the end so unless you are using in the waterline this will give you a smudgy rather than precise liner look. The pigmentation is very black, but the more it is smudged out it gives a slightly less harsh appearance. For a quick no fuss defined eye I recommend this product. I sometimes just add a little on the outer corners of my eyes to make them look more wing shaped. This is also a bargain at £3.00.

Primark Eye Liner Pen Black

In this November Outfit Post you can see my make-up close up where I have used this pen. This is so black and has a great pointed nib for easy of control. A great tool for precision eye liner looks. This was £1.50 so great value for money.

E.L.F. Studio Mascara Primer

This product does make a difference to my mascara. It definitely acts as a base for the mascara to cling to and thickens the lashes before my regular mascara is applied. The formula is white and almost creamy, but covers easily when regular mascara is applied over the top. I will repurchase this when this one runs out. At £3.75 you can't go wrong.

Emite Make Up Eyelash Curler

I received these curlers in my August GlossyBox. I was hesitant to include these in this post because I am not sure that they are that easy to get hold of. They do make such a difference to my lashes though so I have to tell you why. These are really easy to hold and I have never pinched my eyes with them. That being said I am very careful and take my time when using them as I don't fancy ripping any lashes or layers of skin off. I squeeze my lashes in them them a few times at the lash root, then move up half way and do the same and finally the same near the end of the lashes. I coat my lashes with my mascara primer, then regular mascara and I am left with wide open eyes that are long, thick, separated, curled and very black. Perfect!

So that's today's post. I have another post on my favourite eye palettes coming up so keep an eye out for that. Let me know what have been your favourite eye products in 2013 in the comments below.

Love to you all

FOTN Using Proto-col Natural Mineral Cosmetics

Hi my beautiful Beauty Addicts. I hope you are all doing fine this Saturday. My head is absolutely banging, but I am plodding on and trying to take my mind off it so I thought I would write this post.

The lovely Kat from Touch Media sent me some mineral make-up products for free to try and review so here they are :)

Left: Proto-col L.E.D. Lip Gloss (Coconut Ice), £11.95 for 9ml

Proto-col lip gloss collection has a gel formulation for a fabulous lightweight effect on the lips. This non-sticky formulation gives a glamorous shine that really lasts. Available in 5 gorgeous shades all enriched with mineral oil to hydrate and moisturise the lips.

 

When I saw this shade I was excited because it has a duo-chrome type effect. It's a very milky pink with gold and I think a deeper pink running through it. There is a mirror on the back that is a great size, but to be honest the lid is a good enough mirror in itself and the L.E.D. light in the lid is great for nights out. It also comes with a brush applicator. This lip gloss did feel a little bit tacky, but only when applying. It didn't dry my lips, but I wouldn't say it was moisturising. It gave my lips a nice glossy shine, but I think this shade would work better over a lipstick as you don't see the tones of colour as you do in the tube.

Right: Proto-col Baked Mineral Eye Shadows (Olive Trio), £19.95 for 2.2g 

Create an array of stunning soft, subtle or dark, smoky eyes with proto-col''s mineral eye shadows.

With a range of beautiful baked minerals to enhance your colour palette the natural ingredients work to provide a sensational appearance.

Usually I am not a fan of eye shadows in the same palette that are joined together and by that I mean they don't have their own individual pot within the palette. My reasoning for this is that I find some powders can transfer into the other shades which means you apply unwanted shades to your eyes. This is so annoying, especially when they are next to a white, light cream or black for example. I used all three shades for this FOTN and they hardly moved into each other in the palette at all which is great. The texture of these shadows felt really nice to apply to the eye area as they felt velvety. I would say the pigmentation of these are pretty good, but not amazing. I'm not sure if perhaps other shades from this range would show up better. There is a mirror inside the compact which you can see your whole eye in at the right distance, but I prefer a slightly larger mirror to apply my eye make-up as I look back and forth between both eyes to try and make them appear more or less the same in appearance and that would be hard to do with this mirror. The lightest shade is a golden peach that I wish showed up a little more. The right shade is an olive green with gold and the brown shade has a touch of sparkle which I think is gold.

 Neither of these products are tested on animals.

I attended an event last night which I will be blogging about very soon. I wore these products to that event so this is how they look.

From the eye palette I applied the golden peach shade to the inner section of my eyes. I then applied the green shade to the outer portion of my lids, on the outer V and to the underneath of my eye between the golden peach and the the brown. I also applied the brown into the crease of my eyes and outer V. I kept blending the colours and reapplying more where needed until I was happy.

Other products used in this FOTN are:

Model Co Face Base Skin Primer*

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm

Natural Collection CoverUp Cream (Light)

E.L.F. Studio High Definition Powder (Translucent)

17 Clear Definition Mascara

E.L.F. Studio Cool Bronzer

No7 Exceptional Definition Nutrient Enriched Mascara (Black)

E.L.F. Studio Mist & Set

*Sent to me for free and previously reviewed here.
 

I am intrigued by the nutritional and skincare products on the proto-col website so thank you Kat for introducing me to this brand.

Are you a fan of any proto-col products? Which ones do you recommend or even dislike and why? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

Valentine's Day. Will You Be Ours? GlossyBox February 2013

Hey, hey, hey Beauty Addicts how you doing? I hope the answer is good. My GlossyBox arrived which always puts a smile on my face :) With Valentine's Day approaching this week the GlossyBox team have put together a box of treats to fall in love with whether you are single or attached as everyone wants to look and feel good right? So here is the box and the products.

 The box is pink not purple as it is showing up here

Left: MicaBella Cosmetics Mineral Blush Powder (MB-4 Siera Suede), £34.95 for 9g

Micabella Blush Powder provides excellent coverage and protects skin with an SPF 15. Micabella Mineral Blush offers a beautiful hint of colour and natural glitter that can be applied to the cheeks and temples for a healthy translucent glow. Safe to use on eyes or lips.

Apply with a blush brush in thin layers from the apple of the cheek to the hair line or use a darker shade to contour cheek bones.

There is some sparkle in this product so if that's not your cup of tea this may not be for you. It's not massive chunks of glitter, but it does show up when it catches the light. I like this shade, but I tried to get this out of the pot and it wasn't that easy because of the sample size so I may have to take the plastic insert off to dip a brush into this.

Right: ModelCo Eyeshadow Duo: Eyeshadow Palette in Bronzed Goddess, £18.00 for the 3 shadow palette including these 2 shades ~ 2.35g each

The EYE SHADOW TRIO eye shadow palette range is a classic collection of lustre and matte finishes - shimmering bronzes, khakis & browns collide with champagnes & golds, pops of aqua & rich midnight blue – a definitive array of colour to shade, shadow & define.

 Complete with a stylish slim-line black compact containing all the tools you need to create a defined, sultry eye. The clear window makes for easy selection of shades, and the inbuilt mirror & double-ended applicator is perfect for eye makeup glamour on-the-go!

As you can see the third shade that is usually included in this palette is not there so the price above is for the 3 shades. This is a great little compact for creating a subtle or smokey eye. The left shade is a gorgeous sparkling champagne colour that will definitely highlight the eyes. The right shade is a golden brown that sparkles too. I am so in love with the left shade and can't wait to try this palette out.

Centre: Anatomicals You Need A Blooming Shower! Your Nose Smells Rose Body Cleanser, £5.00 for 300ml

This vitalising body cleanser makes every shower a flower-power experience. You are left feeling as fresh and fragrant as a flower.

Lather entire body, gently scrub and rinse off thoroughly.

I don't hate the rose scent of this, but I don't love it either. It's a little old fashioned for me. I don't know why it's usually always rose scented products that get added to beauty boxes. I have added a link to the Anatomicals website above, but I couldn't find this exact product, sorry.

Left: Helen E Cosmetics Moisturising Lipstick (Sienna), £8.00 for 3.5g 

• Cream and pearlised colours
• A selection of neutral and vibrant colours
• 21 long lasting colours

Use alone or with a Helen E Lip Pencil to define and give you fuller looking lips.

This lipstick does look moisturisng. It has a very creamy consistency. The shade is a warm golden brown red. It will be interesting to see how this looks on the lips. It has a really nice sheen to it to make the lips look fuller. This lipstick shows up as a Long Lasting Lip Colour on the website as shown in the link above. There are some really nice looking shades in this range.

Centre: Docteur Renaud Raspberry Soft Cream, £25.00 for 50ml

This luscious raspberry cream enfolds your skin in absolute softness and hydration. Offering the skin comfort and protection. This formula is enriched in exhilarating Docteur Renaud Phyto-Endorphins, a plant complex that sends an instant message of well-being for visibly relaxed and radiant skin. Your skin is perfectly hydrated, supple, comfortable and protected all day long. Suitable for normal to dry skin.

Directions:  Apply in the morning and / or evening to the face and the neck perfectly cleansed.

This limited edition product smells like raspberry sweets. The cream feels nice too so I look forward to trying this one out.

Right: GlossyBox Heart Lollipop, Free

This is a lovely sweet treat. Last time GlossyBox included a bit of GlossyBox rock in one of their boxes there wasn't one in mine so I'm glad I got mine this time :)

Swatches of the blush, eye shadows & lipstick

I will use everything in this box, but the stand out products for me are the eye palette, the lipstick and of course the lollipop, ha ha ;)

For more info on GlossyBox UK click here and for the US GlossyBox click here.

Which products did you get in your GlossyBox? Are you happy with them? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Love to you all

E.L.F. 50% Off Haul

Hi there gorgeous Beauty Addicts. I hope you are all doing good. Today is my first day back at work after two weeks off for the festive season. Did you have much time off or were you back into work mode straight away?

Just before Xmas I bought some things from E.L.F. (eyeslipsface.co.uk) as I needed to replace some products and wanted to take advantage of such a good discount so here is what I picked up.

Left: Studio Translucent Matte Powder £3.75, Link

This product looks lightly pigmented, but it does go on clear. I don't use the sponge it comes with. Instead I use a large powder brush and sweep it over my face after foundation and concealer to set it. This is a great product for those on the go. The compact is very slim and clicks shut so you know it's secure. It is not hard to open like some compacts can be. The mirror is so handy too. I use this every day as part of my make-up routine unless I am using the product to the right.

Right: Studio High Definition Powder (Translucent) £6.00, Link

I prefer the effect that this product gives, but it can be a little messy to open and close. Thankfully the powder particles are translucent so you are not left with coloured pigment all over the area where you apply your make-up. When I apply this I tip the container upside down, shake it side to side, tip it the right way up, open it and use the same powder brush that I use for the above product in the same way. I have tried the sponge, but it doesn't sweep over my make-up as I would like. I think this product is amazing. It really gives you a soft focus effect. I think it would look great on anyone as it just gives a softer look to the skin and makes my base make-up look a little more flawless. This now also comes in Colour Shimmer. A nude skin-tone shade and Colour Corrective Yellow which describes itself. I did think about getting the Colour Shimmer shade, but I am waiting for reviews on it as I don't know if I want a colour powder. The Colour Corrective Yellow shade I am unsure on. I believe yellow correctors are meant to tone down redness and even out skin-tones, but please correct me if I am wrong. I guess if you suffer with rosacea or have quite blemished skin then it may work well, but again I am waiting to see reviews on this.

Left: Studio Brush Shampoo £3.75, Link

I have already previously reviewed this product here so I won't harp on about it. Mine had run out so I had to replace it.

Right: Studio Powder Brush £3.75, Link

I still have one of these and it cleans up really well, but the top feels a bit loose so in case it comes off I thought I may as well get another while the sale was on. This brush is fantastic at applying my foundation. It is made from synthetic fibre and the brush hairs fan out into a flat top. They have movement, but are still quite dense. I apply my foundation section by section. I put my foundation on the back of my hand and dab the brush into just a little product for each part of my face. I then stipple the product on and voila I get a nice even finish. Sometimes I add more product to areas that are a little more red. 

Right: Studio Makeup Mist & Set £3.75, Link

I have already bought this product a few times, but I haven't used it for quite a while as I was waiting to order more things. I previously reviewed this product here.

Left: Studio Bronzer (Cool) £3.75, Link

I have always wanted to try this bronzer, but because I have so many already I felt too guilty to buy another. Because this was reduced to 50% off though I felt like it was okay to try. 

Swatches Described In Photo As In Palette

I think this is a nice palette to have. These matte shades I think are perfect as they are not to dark a bronzer for my pale skin tone. I wanted to get this palette also because I think it will double up as a great eyeshadow palette. Perfect for travellers and so compact with again a good sized mirror.

Top: Mineral Eye Liner (Black) £3.00, Link

I had to replace my previous one of these as I was rushing one day and twisted up too far before applying it. Needless to say it snapped off. It was my fault so I can't blame the product at all otherwise I wouldn't have bought another one. I also have this in the shades Coffee, Midnight & Ash. There is another shade called Metallic Purple too. I think this is such great value. It goes on very smoothly to create a thin or thick line. A great product for those who are new to using eye liner or just not that confident with it.

Bottom: Studio Matte Lip Color (Rich Red) £3.75, Link 

I already have this product in the shades Coral, Tea Rose & Praline I believe. There are other shades of Natural and Nearly Nude, but I thought I would go for something bold. I have yet to try this shade, but the ones I already have from this range are so easy to throw on for an every day look. This shade I will need to take more care when applying though or I will look like a clown.

 Top: Mineral Eye Liner (Black)

Bottom: Studio Matte Lip Color (Rich Red)

The lip color looks more fuchsia pink than red to me, but it is still a very nice bold shade.

All prices shown in this post so far have been the full price. For this haul with my 50% off discount including delivery I only paid £18.70 which I think is blooming brilliant for 8 products.

So that's everything cherubs. I hope these reviews were helpful. Did you take part in this 50% off sale? What are your E.L.F. likes/dislikes and why? Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

 

February 2012 GlossyBox

Hello Beauties. Apologies for only writing about my February GlossyBox now, but mine only arrived very late this week. This box is named 'The Fashion Week Edition'.

Left To Right: DuWop Venom Gloss (Buttercup), Link :), DR Bronner's Magic Liquid Soap, Link :), Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm, Link :), BM Beauty Pure Mineral Eyeshadow (Storm Cloud), Link :), Como Shambhala Invigorate Body Lotion, Link :)

DuWop Venom Gloss (Buttercup) ~ £16.00 For 10.4ml

The Information:

DuWop has taken the classic tinted lip gloss, chosen nine fabulous universal shades and mixed in just the right amount of the Lip Venom formula to create Venom Gloss. This gloss has the same ingredients as the other Lip Venom infused products; Jojoba, Avocado and Sunflower Oil and added Beeswax for protection and Green Tea for soothing, however they have also added the subtlest amount of colour so that when you’re looking for that Venom pout but also colour, you have it right here. Each tube has a handy angled head to allow easy application. If beautiful shine with stunning colour and the Venom tingle is what you're looking for, Venom Gloss delivers. Venom Gloss gives you full, soft, hydrated lips.

Application:

Each tube is designed with an angled head to allow for easy application, apply to lips as and when required.

Ingredients:

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Flavor (Aroma), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia Chinenses (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba). May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Mica (CI 77019), Red Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Yellow Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Black Iron Oxide (CI 77489), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360).

More Information:

Venom Gloss is paraben-free, sulfate-free, petro-chemical-free, fragrance-free, free of pthalates, no GMO's, no PPG's, no MEA, DEA, TEA's, formaldehyde-free, and triclosan-free. DuWop does not use animal testing on any of their products. 

My Thoughts:

This is a nice caramel shade with light shimmer. It actually does smell like caramel which I like. I have yet to try it on my lips, but here is a swatch.

DR Bronner's Magic Liquid Soap ~ £1.99 For 59ml

The Information:

Unlike any you’ve ever used. A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin silky-smooth and refreshed. Completely Biodegradable and Vegetable-Based. Made with Certified Fair Trade and Organic Oils. Multi-Purpose: 18-in-1 Uses. No Synthetic Foaming Agents, Thickeners or Preservatives. (PCR) Cylinder Bottles and Paper Labels. Simple, Ecological Formulations Based on Old100% Post - Consumer Recycled - World Quality and Expertise.

Application:

For everyday body-washing: Get wet and pour soap full-strength onto hands-washcloth-loofah. Lather up, scrub down, rinse off, and tingle fresh & clean.
 

For other uses: Dilute from one part soap into 40 parts water for light cleaning, to cutting it in half or using it full strength for heavy-duty grease-cutting jobs.
 

For shampoo: Though they now recommend their new Shikakai soaps for this, many people are fond of using it as such. The method of application is to wet hair and scalp very thoroughly, squirt some soap into hands and work into a lather. Wash hair, then rinse well. Afterwards use our new citrus hair rinse and leave-in conditioners as directed.
 

For the laundry: Use 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup for one regular load; adjust as needed depending on hardness of water. Apparently adding a dash of baking soda makes it even better.
 

For tooth brushing: Apply a drop or two of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap to a wet toothbrush. Brush as you normally would, rinsing accordingly. Be careful about using more than a couple drops of soap, as you might start foaming at the mouth. Many people with sensitive or softer teeth like to use the soap as a toothpaste because it lacks abrasives.

Ingredients:

Water, Saponified Organic Coconut, Organic Palmand Organic Olive Oils (w/Retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils, Citric Acid, Vitamin E.

My Thoughts:

This smells fresh and minty. It will be interesting with the many uses of this product. If it works then it's great value, although brushing my teeth with soap does sound weird.

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm ~ £15.25 For 200ml

The Information:

Intense hydrating treatment. Provides superior slip and wet combing, softens without plumping the hair shaft, and helps prevent mechanical damage to the cuticle. Their exclusive Super Skinny Complex penetrates into the hair where it softens and constricts the fibre. The result is a smoother surface, tighter diameter and greatly reduced drying time. Smoothes and Softens – Wheat and vegetable proteins team up with conditioning ingredients to moisturize hair from within, protecting locks while leaving them soft and silky smooth. Resists Humidity – A unique, humidity resistant ingredient provides incredible memory that lasts in any weather, creating an ideal foundation for heat styling. Saves Time – Skinnier strands make heat styling a cinch; the exclusive Super Skinny Complex displaces water and constricts every strand for reduced dry time and speedy styling. 

Application:

This amazing treatment is a great styling tool, using 3-4 pumps will retain the moisture levels and porosity levels for consistent tension, and letting the super skinny complex work it’s magic- setting you up for an instant win with a long lasting super smooth result. 

Ingredients:

Water/Eau/Aqua, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolised Corn Starch, Propylene Glycol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Wheat Amino Acids, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Pareth 9, Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Amodimethicone, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydrolised Wheat Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Penoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben. Citric Acid, Fragrance/Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Limonene.

My Thoughts:

The idea of shrinking the hair to make it super sleek and drying time quicker sounds okay if you are going for that look, but if you like volume then this product probably isn't for you.

BM Beauty Pure Mineral Eyeshadow (Storm Cloud) ~ £7.00 For 2g

The Information:

So what is BM Beauty? Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt, joined forces with her Scottish business partner and friend Laura McComiskie to bring you an exciting, new, all natural make up brand, BM Beauty - BM standing for Beautiful Movements. Kimberly and Laura are both passionate about the environment and cosmetics so it was a natural progression to combine the two. Through BM Beauty it is their aim to provide exciting, high quality cosmetics along with the advice on how to create the looks you desire.

Is it natural? Of course! And cruelty free. They are proud to say that the BM Beauty range has been approved by the BUAV. That's the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. That means that their products and the ingredients in them are not tested on animals.

  

• 100% natural mineral formula
• Oil free
• Cruelty free and BUAV approved
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
• Highly pigmented mineral colour

Application:

Apply by patting over the lid for a subtle colour wash and build up the layers for more intense colour. Try mixing with a little water for a dramatic colour hit. Mix mineral eyeshadow with a little water and apply as an eyeliner.

Ingredients:

Mica, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Chromium Oxide, Prussian Blue.

Tip:

Apply Marble Sparkle eyeshadow to the inner corner of the eye, where you naturally have a dark shadow for a youthful, wide eyed look.

My Thoughts:

This shade is described as a matt grey/green. It looks like it also has a little gold sparkle in there. It is a nice subtle shade. Please see the swatch below. 

 Como Shambhala Invigorate Body Lotion ~ £20.00 For 300ml

The Information:

Invigorate Body Lotion. Start your day on a refreshing note with this light hydrating body moisturiser. Skin-softening eucalyptus and geranium, wellbeing-enhancing lavender and stimulating peppermint essential oils make this the perfect wake-me-up.

Application:

Invigorate Body Lotion, apply after a shower or bath.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol,Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Ceteareth 30, Cetyl Alcohol, Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus), Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender), Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium), Mentha piperita (Peppermint), Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral. 

My Thoughts:

Now where do I start. I have received this sample product already from GlossyBox so why on earth would I want to sample it again? Here is my very 1st blog post and GlossyBox containing that product, Link :) This was actually a nice enough cream when I used it before, but I am furious that I have a repeated sample product. The idea is to try new things, not the same products from the same company. I would have been happy to try the Invigorate Shower Gel that some people received as it is actually a differeent product. I am going to see what arrives in my March GlossyBox, but if they don't redeem themselves I am thinking of unsubscribing.

I also received a leaflet with informatin about London Fashion Weekend with 15% off tickets, but as my GlossyBox arrived late this was unusable.

For more information on GlossyBox please see this link here.

Did you like the products you received in your February GlossyBox? Were any of them repeated from previous GlossyBoxes? If yes, will you stay subscribed? Did your box arrive on time?

Love to you all