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

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HJ MANICURE LUXURY 5 FREE NAIL POLISH

Hey sweets. Happy Sunday to you all. Where did this week go? I have no idea. 

I have recently been sent some nail polishes to try that are free from Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutylphthalate (DBP), Camphor and Formaldehyde Resin. Perfect for cruelty free and vegan friendly beauty lovers. HJ MANICURE has been created by model/session manicurist Helen J. 

So what do these products promise? A glossy, professional formula that is fast drying, highly pigmented and long lasting with a smooth application while reinforcing and protecting the natural nail. 

There are 4 collections aptly named HOLIDAY, CLASSIC, HJ SIGNATURE & NUDE. In the core range there are 16 vivid colours as well as 4 new shades and a Dual Top & Base coat.

Left: COCO & Right: MIDNIGHT SKY

Coco is described as a brown/pink shade. I would say it's a brown based nude with a pink undertone. It looks a deeper shade than the camera was picking up here, but not as dark as shown on the HJ website linked above. This is a great everyday shade for any occasion. Very wearable.

Midnight Sky is from the A/W Shimmer Collection. This is the signature navy blue shade at HJ MANICURE. It is a gorgeous deep blue with a fantastic, glossy shimmer.

I applied both of these shades at the same time to alternate nails for an effective contrast of subtle and deep shimmer.

It's advised to apply the Dual Top & Base coat first, followed by two coats of your chosen shade and finally the dual product once again. I did not have this dual HJ product so instead I used my own dual top and base coat.

These are very opaque and pigmented polishes that apply easily with a not too thick brush that covers the nails beds with the perfect amount of product. They both have a lovely finish. The shade Midnight Sky was a lot more glossy because of the shimmer effect. They did dry very quickly with a smooth application. I like the fuss free packaging that looks polished in itself and would sit well on display in any nail polish collection.

My only negative is that they did not last more than 2 days for me before chipping. I can not say if the HJ MANICURE Top & Base coat or another such like product would have kept the polish on for longer, but I have had other polishes last longer using my own dual top & base coat.

Let me know your favourite shades from the HJ MANICURE COLLECTION in the comments below.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

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CHRIS JAMES BRILLIANT BIOTIC & GORGEOUS GREENS SUPPLEMENTS

Hi all and welcome to this post which is all about good gut health. Not the usual type of post from me I admit, but I am very interested in finding ways to improve my digestion and gut health as I have been an IBS sufferer all my life.

I met Chris James who is a well respected and sought after teacher of yoga and meditation as well as nutrition and health enthusiast at THE ANTI-AGEING HEALTH & BEAUTY SHOW back in May. Chris is a fantastically glowing person both in personality and appearance. He just oozes health from his very core so I knew this was someone I wanted to know better as he obviously knows his stuff. Chris informed be about lots of his quality ingredient products as well as the 12 Day Cleanse program. I was given the opportunity to try out 2 of Chris' vegan food supplements from his range which I took continuously for 30 days.

BRILLIANT BIOTIC

With premium ingredients for the bowel to optimise gut health and support digestive function. Enhancing nutrition absorption as well as immune function. Beauty that begins in the gut.

GORGEOUS GREENS

Gorgeous greens is a unique blend of chlorophyll rich green foods which can help strengthen the immune system, restore PH balance and and help with bowel regularity. Gorgeous Greens also helps defuse free radicals and support skin to fight ageing. Maintaining a balance of acidity versus alkalinity for the mind and body to function optimally.

Both supplements are free from wheat, yeast, starch, gluten, lactose, soy, added colourings, sweeteners and preservatives. Suitable for vegetarians.

I took one of each capsule a day after breakfast and one of each after dinner for 30 days. 

So I am going to be honest and say that I ate very healthily for the about the first two weeks and then not as healthy, but not all bad for the two weeks after. I was on holiday leave, had some celebrations to enjoy and got really busy. I know making time to be healthy or healthier is your own responsibility so no excuses here, but it was quite interesting to see how the supplements worked when eating and drinking healthy and nutritious foods versus the naughty and devilish.

On day 2 coincidence I think as I had no other days like this I was awoken at about 5am with a stirring in my tummy. A quick panicked leap from my bed led to lets just say an emptied bowel. Sorry if this is TMI, but this post is about bowel health, regularity and digestive function. I felt pretty unwell for about a day with a couple more rushed loo trips and an awful feeling in my tummy. I hadn't eaten anything unhealthy or different in the days prior so I can't blame my diet, but I don't feel I can blame these products either as in a day I was back to normal with no other days like this within the 30 days.

I would say that these supplements did help with normal regularity of my bowel function. I would go every day which can sometimes be unusual for me. I can go anything from not going for a week to 7 times a day while eating and drinking in the same way. There are certain foods that will bind me up such as bread, pasta and rice so I know when I have had too much. During my naughty eating phase I was perhaps just a little less frequent in bowel movement with extra bloating and trapped wind, but it was still better than I usually am without the supplements.

I think these supplements are a great addition to a healthy style of living. Most of us won't stick to purity (myself included) 24/7 when it comes to food and drink, but I think knowing your own body is a big part of knowing what you need and what your limits are. I know that I can't scoff pizza, bread and other such foods every day like my friends and family, but sometimes I let the little devil on my shoulder convince me. 

I have previously tried an elimination diet where I cut out all yeast, wheat, sugar and dairy. I gradually introduced certain foods back into my diet to see how my body liked them. I would say I felt healthier from this type of diet, but I still suffered with IBS symptoms daily. I am by no means as pure and saintly as this now, but I do my best to eat healthily at lunch and breakfast and cook meals from scratch most of the time.

I am glad that I got the opportunity to try out these products as better bowel function was definitely achieved!

Let me know your tips and tricks for better bowel health and digestive function in the comments below. Especially if you desire a better lifestyle free from IBS woes.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

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FAITH IN NATURE POMEGRANATE & ROOIBOS SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

Hi everyone. I am back again today with a hair care review from a brand that is new to me FAITH IN NATURE. 

FAITH IN NATURE POMEGRANATE & ROOIBOS SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

Both products are suitable for all hair types with certified organic ingredients, cruelty free and vegan friendly. Pomegranate and Rooibos are natural antioxidants packed with nutrients that are great for cleansing your hair and skin. I chose this shampoo which was also kindly sent to me with a matching conditioner because I like the idea of something cleansing and natural to really nourish my hair and scalp. 

The scent of these products is natural and refreshing, but not in a peppermint zingy kind of way. 

The shampoo I applied to wet hair massaging it in to remove product build up and applied again to clean my scalp followed by rinsing. I always do this two step process to ensure my hair and scalp are clean and free from product. I then applied the conditioner from mid lengths to ends, leaving it on for a few minutes while I exfoliate, wash, shave or whatever in the shower for a deeper treatment followed my rinsing.

I found this shampoo to be quite strengthening and thickening. It adds density to the hair strands which suprised me as when washing my hair felt so squeaky clean I thought it would end up perhaps flatter without product. The conditioner worked well as a partner to the shampoo.

I would recommend the shampoo to those who want a thickening, cleansing and strengthening shampoo. The conditioner is nice if you want a matching set perhaps for scent, but I would say it's not as essential as the shampoo.

These products are very affordable in these 400ml sizes I have, but they are also available in massive 5 litre options.

I found it very difficult choosing which product I wanted to try from the shampoo range as there are so many fantastic options for different hair types.

As well as hair care FAITH IN NATURE also have lots of products for body care, skin care, baby care, home care and gifts.

Have you tried products from FAITH IN NATURE? Let me know your favourites or which ones you want to try in the comments below.

Love to you all

Vicky xx

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