SWEET TREATS GLOSSYBOX

Hi there everyone and Happy Easter Sunday! It may be a dull and wet day, but for most of you I hope there is another day off tomorrow so it's all good. I have my April GlossyBox products to show you today. This box is called 'Sweet Treats'.

EMITE MAKE UP LIP BRUSH (L312) ~ £17

I have never seen a slanted lip brush like this before. The synthetic taklon hair is very smooth and will hopefully keep its shape well. It's allergy free and supposed to be easy to clean. I could not find this product on the Emite website so I have not added a link.

MONU SPA WARMING GINGER MASSAGE & BODY OIL ~ £25.00 FOR 100ML

Guaranteed to restore elasticity and suppleness leaving you with skin that feels nourished, soft and thoroughly pampered. With a mixture of aromatic essential oils to uplift, awaken, refresh and energise. Relaxing the body and revitalising tired muscles. Paraben free. Suitable for all skin types.

Add a small amount to your bath or under the shower before rinsing as the oil will emulsify into a milk leaving no oily residue on the skin. Can also be used as a regular massage oil.

This smells spicy with a slight lemon zest. It looks more like a loose liquid than other body oils.

MEMEME COSMETICS BEAT THE BLUES (PEARL PINK) ~ £5.50 FOR 12ML

This is a multi-purpose product designed to illuminate and highlight. Can be used on cheekbones or on brow bones to highlight. Apply under blusher for a natural dewy glow or mix with foundation for a subtle shimmer.

I am in love with this product already and I have only tried it on my hand. This has a gorgeous glow that looks very natural when blended out like you just have healthy skin. The shade is a pearly pink which looks more white or pink in different lighting. The swatch shown above is one swipe of solid colour not blended. When left to dry this swatch gave a very strong pigmented colour. I would actually love to try this on my lips for a statement look and possibly even on the eye lids, but I am not sure if it would crease. It appears to have pretty good staying power as I rubbed this swatch once dried and most of the product stayed put.

TRESEMME INSTANT REFRESH CLEANSING DRY SHAMPOO ~ £4.99 FOR 200ML

To keep hair fresh between washes this product absorbs oil and adds volume.

Shake the can vigorously. Lift hair in sections, spraying roots outwards. Let the product absorb into the hair and massage in.

Dry shampoos are always handy to have not only for days when you don't want to wash your hair, but for an added volume boost.

VICHY LIFTACTIV ADVANCED FILLER ~ £31.00 FOR 30ML

This product has been produced to visibly correct the look of deep and vertical wrinkles as if filled. To give you a happier less sad and tired appearance. This moisturiser is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.

Apply to face and neck day and night alone or with your usual daily moisturiser.

Due to high pure retinol content please note!

When using this product it is advised to use an SPF of at least 15 during the day. Avoid sun exposure or artificial UV exposure. Do not use in conjunction with other retinoid products. Space out to using every two days if you have feelings of discomfort in the early days of use to allow the skin to become used to the retinol. Avoid the delicate eye area.

This sounds like quite a strong product which I will try out, but I am confused that it is suitable for all skin types due to the warnings. If I had really problematic sensitive skin I may be a little nervous trying this, but it does advise to ease your skin into using it so I guess its down to each individual to decide if it's right for them.

VICHY LIFTACTIV SERUM 10 EYES & LASHES ~ £24.50 FOR 15ML

Suitable for all skin types and sensitive eyes. Illuminating eye contours for a more youthful appearance as well as fortifying the lashes. Hypoallergenic and paraben free. 

Apply with fingertips gently to the eye contours.

Hopefully this will be great for tired eye days. I guess that it can be applied to the lashes in the same way, but the Boots website doesn't really advise on this so if anyone knows please advise in the comments below.

The stand out product for me in this month's box so far is the MeMeMe Cosmetics product. 

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

What are your favourite products in this months GlossyBox. Let me know in the comments below.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

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

November GlossyBox

Hi sweetie pies. Have you got an interesting weekend planned? I have nothing on the agenda today or tomorrow other than blogging and mooching around the house. My GlossyBox products for this month are sat next to me right now so I thought I would share my initial impressions with you. 

Connock London Kukui Eau de Parfum ~ £75.00 for 100ml

This elegant floriental fragrance is built around the Gardenia flower and is complimented by a full bouquet of fresh flowers including Italian Bergamot, Moroccan Rose, White Jasmine and Calla Lily. The scent is further enriched with Sandalwood, Vetiver, White Amber and layers of cashmere and sheer musks, completed with the rich bitter chocolate sweetness of Vanilla Absolute and Tonka Bean.

My Thoughts:

This is a very calming scent. It's quite pure and settling. I imagine this to be a scent for some who always looks presentable even if they are just lounging around their house at the weekend reading a book.

Vichy Idelia Life Serum ~ £29.50 for 30ml at Boots

Instantly, complexion looks radiant and fresh, with a more even tone. Pores appear tightened and skin texture feels refined. Facial features look rested and skin looks younger and healthier. Tested on sensitive skin under dermatological control. Suitable for all skin types. Can be applied before moisturising.

- Hypoallergenic

- With soothing and fortifying Vichy Thermal Spa Water

- Non-comedogenic

- Paraben-free

My thoughts:

There are two samples of this in the GlossyBox. I am not sure why as I think trying three different Vichy products might have been better? Saying that though I have put some on my hand and it appears to give a lovely luminous glow. I am really looking forward to trying this out. I have added a link to Boots above, but this product is also available at other stockists. Please see here.

Vichy Idelia Smoothing and Illuminating Cream for Normal to Combination Skin ~ £22.00 for 50ml at Boots

Idealia cream visibly smoothes the look of wrinkles. The skin texture appears refined. Skin feels softer and more supple. It reawakens skin's natural radiance for a fresh and even complexion. Vichy Idéalia is tested under dermatological control. Apply after cleansing morning and/or evening.

- Hypoallergenic.

- Uses soothing and fortifying Vichy Thermal Spa Water.

- Paraben free.

My thoughts:

Again I have linked to Boots above, but you can also purchase from other stockists. Please see this link. This product also has a slight luminosity to it. I am looking forward to trying it out with the product above. This is also available for dry skin which I am on my GlossyBox profile so I don't know why I keep getting sent products for other skin types? Here is a link to the dry skin formula.

Elegant Touch Nail Polish remover Pads ~ £2.00 for 20 pads at Sainsbury's

Acetone free with vitamin E and moisturisers. 

My thoughts:

I have linked them above at Sainsbury's, but again they are available at many stockists. Please see this link. I will try these out, but usually I use nail polish remover that contains acetone to remove stubborn polish.

Emite Make Up Micronized Eye Shadow (Nect)

Micronized Eye Shadow - NECT is a highly pigmented eyeshadow that is completely nickel-free, paraben and perfume. The pigment is micronized to facilitate the application and to create an even and fine results. An excellent choice for lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes. Not tested on animals.

My thoughts:

I hope that you can see this product well enough in the photo above as I am pretty much as pale as this colour. When I swatched this on my hand I straight away thought of the moonlight. It's not ultra glowy or bright, but a really subtle pale shimmer shade. I think it would be great for the inner corners to brighten and open up the eyes making you look more awake or as an all over lid colour. It would be a good contrast against black liner and as the main lid shade for a smokey crease look. I don't think Emite Make Up is available in the UK at the moment and I am not sure on the price as there was no information card in my GlossyBox this month, sorry.

Yves Rocher France Moisturizing Hand Cream Cocoa & Raspberry ~ £1.95 for 30ml

Irresistible softness and indulgent fragrance to pamper your hands all winter long.

My thoughts:

OMG this really does smell of chocolate raspberries. Instantly I thought of the chocolate raspberry creams that I will be devouring from our Roses tin this Xmas. The smell is quite addictive already. For this price too it's a winner so far. The cream sinks really easily into the hands with no greasy residue.

The products from Vichy, Yves Rocher and Emite Make Up are the most impressive to me at the moment in this box. This GlossyBox did come with a GlossyBox magazine, but no information card? I find that really useful to find more information in the products in the box, prices, website links etc so will we not be getting those anymore?

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

If you received a GlossyBox this month which products did you receive and are you impressed so far? Did you have an information card included in your box? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Love to you all

High Flyers GlossyBox

Hi there loves. Today I have my latest GlossyBox products to show you. This box is named High Flyers as it includes items for us girls during our summer travels.

Urban Veda Purifying Exfoliating Facial Polish, £8.99 for 125ml

To be used for a deep cleanse, removing impurities, treating blackheads, reducing excess sebum, tightening pores and leaving skin hydrated.

Apply to a wet face, massage using gentle circular movements, and rinse with cold water to tighten pores and help mattify excessive shine.

This is for oil-prone skin and mine is dry, but I will still try this out. The granules in this scrub feel very fine on my hand. The scent is almost medicated, but in a purifying way. The packaging is green on the website so I guess the design has changed?

Emite Make Up Eyelash Curler, Approx £20.00

Developed with professional make-up artists this tool has a special curved design to suit all eye shapes, without touching your make-up base. 

Insert lashes close to the lash line and press to curl. Use before mascara,

This feels very well made and it's great that it comes with three replacement pads.

Jelly Pong Pong 2-In-1 Black Shadow/Liner, £10.50 

Doubles as an eyeliner for thick, precise lines as well as a perfectly blended eye shadow. This also comes in shades of plum, bronze and steel.

This is a very deeply pigmented black eye crayon. I think this will be great for smudgy liner looks and hopefully as a great shadow/base too.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Concentrated Rinse Off Treatment, £1.49 for 15ml from Superdrug, Boots, Tesco & Waitrose.

Apply once a week to damaged parts of shampooed and rinsed hair, avoiding roots. Leave for 60 seconds and rinse well.

I like that this is a quick treatment as not everyone has time for products to work.

Oceane Makeup Remover Pen, Not yet available in the UK

A make-up touch up/remover solution. 

Shake before removing lid. Replace tip if needed.

I tried this out on the Jelly Pong Pong swatch above and it did take a bit of work, but it pretty much removed it all. I think this sounds like a good idea in theory, but I am just not sure if you will end up making a make-up mistake look worse by removing or smudging other parts of your make-up like foundation. I think it would have been handy if the extra tips came in some sort of separate packaging so that when you open this product they have somewhere to be stored. Especially if this is meant for on the go use.

I think this is a great box this month. I am a little disappointed that I have another product for oily skin instead of dry though.

For more information on GlossyBox UK click here. The US box can be found here.

Which products did you receive in this month's GlossyBox? Are you pleased with them? Let me know with your reasons in the comments below.

Love to you all