GLOSSYBOX: STEP INTO SPRING

Hiya beauties. I have another post for you sharing my first impressions of the 'Step Into Spring' GlossyBox.

NAOBAY MOISTURIZING PEELING

This is an organic peeling milk from Spanish eco-brand Naobay that removes dead skin cells and brightens the complexion.

Massage gently with only a little pressure over damp skin.

When I first heard the word peeling I thought this seemed a little scary, but by the sounds of it it's like an exfoliating moisturiser hybrid. I love the earthy packaging.

ESSENCE LASH PRINCESS VOLUME MASCARA

With a cobra head-shaped wand to create length and dramatic volume for inky black eyes.

Zig zag the mascara from base to tip when applying.

I do love a mascara that can tick all the boxes. I love length, curl, volume and a jet black pigment. The packaging is adorable. This is my first Essence product so I am excited to try it out.

DOVE ADVANCED HAIR SERIES YOUTHFUL VITALITY SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

This hydrating duo repairs brittle tresses while replenishing lost nutrients. Hair is left stronger, sleeker and looking twice as thick.

Massage the shampoo into wet hair and rinse. Squeeze out excess water and apply the conditioner. Leave on for 2-3 mins before rinsing.

I have previously used other Dove haircare products and loved them so I am sure these will be a treat.

NCLA NAIL LACQUER SANTA MONICA SHORE THING

Free of toxins is this quick drying neon pastel nail lacquer in a light mint cream shade.

After applying a base coat apply two coats of this nail lacquer. Run hands under cold water to dry your manicure.

This is an okay shade, but it doesn't excite me too much. I like the packaging, but the sticker on the bottom has been placed on a bit haphazardly. I do like that it's cruelty free, but I can see more exciting nail lacquers in their range.

CARMEX MOISTURE PLUS ULTRA HYDRATING LIP BALM BERRY SHEER TINT

A moisturising sheer tint lip balm with superfood ingredients for a lip enhancing effect.

I am still unsure if I like the scent/taste as it has the classic Carmex scent with added sweetness. The product does feel very moisturising on the lips from trying it out today and the colour is actually a really nice glossy berry shade that is somewhere between a tint and a lipstick in pigmentation. It really is lip enhancing making your pout look plumped and kissable.

I am really pleased with this GlossyBox. My only negative is the chosen nail shade.

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

Love to you all

Vicky xx

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CARMEX LIP BALM & SMOOCH BLACK LASH MASCARA

Hey lovelies. I am back once again today with two more quick-fire product reviews for lips and lashes.

CARMEX LIP BALM

I received this product in my STARS & STRIPES GLOSSYBOX where you can see product info and my first impressions. This product is very popular among the beauty community as well as a couple of my friends. I am sure that I tried the squeezy tube version of this years ago and it did nothing for me. I am not a lover of the beeswax scent and prefer a stick packaging as it's less messy. I did however give this another try, but I just can't love it like others do. 

I was going through a phase of very dry and sore lips where I was desperate to find a solution. I reached for this product and sadly it did nothing for my lips or the dry, cracked sores around my mouth. The balm itself is very soft and the menthol scent made me think in my mind that this would be like some sort of medicinal treat for my mouth so that I could talk and eat without feeling soreness. It did not however live up to my expectations. It just doesn't work for me, but as I know others that love it don't take my word for it and perhaps try it for yourself.

SMOOCH BLACK LASH MASCARA

This was gifted to me at an event. I have never tried any products from Smooch before so I was excited to try this mascara. The rubber texture of this tube stays really clean and makes it easy to hold. The lace detail is pretty too. The brush is a standard bristle style which tapers at the end. There is no funky, innovative design to show you. The formula appears to be a creamy silicon texture and the colour is very black. It's also very buildable giving great fluttery, lengthened lashes. I always wear mascara on my bottom lashes and that is only where I see this product to fail for me. It smudges loads under the eyes, but if you only apply it to the top lash line it's fantastic. I have added a link to Amazon as the Smooch website is down so I am not sure if it is discontinued.

Let me know your favourite lip balms and mascaras (for use on bottom lashes too) in the comments below.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

BLOGLOVIN' | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TBP | GLIPHO

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