My First Birchbox

So Birchbox are the new Joliebix really. And I thought as there was a nice cheap dealio on I'd see what they'd do to impress me....

Ill keep the post short as its nice and sunny and I'd rather be outside ;-)

The box itself isn't exciting I assume its recycled cardboard (I'd hope) and not nearly as fancy as the Pearl Lowe Glossybox!

Inside you get a magazine, contents card and an introduction to Birchbox.

All items are in a bag, tied up, I don't like the bag. I don't know why it's jus unnecessary really.

Contents....

La Société Parisienne De Savons - soap. The packaging is cute - vintage-esque but soap? A hard soap too? Back of the drawer product for me I'm afraid.

Nick Chavez Plump n'leave-in thickening mist. This is a good size sample at 59ml, smells nice enough and i will try it out - I always neglect my hair so this is an encouragement.

Gerda Spillman Age Serum - a tiny sample, but at £69 full size I, it surprised by its size. I also can say without trying it - not a purchase I'd be making. 'Hero serum' we shall see....3ml of hero to try...

Weleda Skin Food - weleda seems to pop up in a lot of boxes these days and I don't really have an opinion on them as a brand yet. This is dry skin fix item, not something I have a problem with so ill save I imagine.

Mirenesse Glossy kiss - the only make up item in the box is yet another brands chubby stick, in no.14 perfect kiss, this is a red with a gold shimmer. Tis nice enough and well pigmented. This is a full size item at £17.50.

As a bonus 'lifestyle extra' a round mirror. I thought this was actually a badge when I opened the box. Bit naff really - will pass it off to the little one ;-)

All in all it's OK. I'm not overly enamoured by it but to be honest I think with the amount of boxes available these days nothing's going to have the wow factor....

 

Did you get a birch box?? What do you think?

 

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April Glossybox with Pearl Lowe

This months glossy has arrived!

 

Here's mine....First up the box itself is super cute. Very nice touch! Content wise I'm letting it sink in a little. There seems to be a million and one variations this month. Not just in shade/scent but product difference.

Here's mine....

Super to see my fave brand Illamasqua inside! Medium pencil in Elate, which is white. Yay. This is £13 to buy so already have my money back.

 

Nip + Fab mango smoothie baby butter. Again pretty happy as I love mango smells. The alternative pistachio I wouldn't much have cared for.

 

Etre Belle collagen and aloe mask - well I don't know a lot on this, and know have the one mask to try, according to the glossy leaflet it's worth €25.95 in a pack of 10.... It's a paper mask so good to scare the other half with one night maybe....mwahah!

 

Yves Rocher So elixir purple. A fragrance in a very cute bottle, 5ml so quite generous, and the smell is not bad actually. Floral and girly. For 50ml full size this is £44.

 

And finally....

 

Lipcote. My mum used to have this. Not very exciting and a repeat in the box for some. Oh dear. It would appear this is the substitute for a nice nail polish or Crabtree hand cream based on others boxes. So short straw maybe.....?!

 

All in all I'm pretty happy though. This will get me my dots for a freebie next month anyways!!

 

What do you think?

 

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Illamasqua Blushers - SOPHIE and Lover

So, I may have made a sneaky purchase of two blushers I have been after a wee while.

SOPHIE and Lover... here they are in all there marvelous glory!

 

SOPHIE being the pink of the two with a slight shimmer, bringing a lovely warmth through, and Lover, a peachy colour.

As with all my other Illamasqua items, pigmentation is second to none and a little truely does go a long way!!

 

Im really hoping that I'll be able to pull these off with my alabaster skin!

 

 The colour payoff is amazing, a light swipe with a brush really is all you need - so plenty product for the money. Which is good when they are about £18 each - but you are able to get a 10% discount after your third order.

 

Im already a fan of the cream blushes so glad that the powder ones are of equal quality.

 

 

You can pick the blushers up here.

 

How do you like them?

Nail Foils - The Cost Effective Way! Tutorial and Review

 

So I was liking the Nail Foils that are doing the rounds at the moment and Ciates little kit costing around the £18 mark per kit wasn't too bad I thought but after a little research I managed to do it for less than half AND have enough stuff to last a lifetime!!

 

The Ciate kit contains 30 assorted foil sheets , a foil fix glue, a paint pot polish and nail wheel for practicing. They have different kits with different colour choices.

 

 Kudos on the nail wheel there, always a good idea to have a practice run...!

 

I bought 5 nail foils (1.5m per foil) in a variety of colours from eBay, (of which there are THOUSANDS to pick from I swear) they come in handy tubs all wrapped up, nail foil glue, nail wheels (I already had these though) for a minuscule £9+postage.

 

 

 

Practising on my wheels I found the look very easy to recreate.

 

Simply apply a base coat of polish of your choice - I went with China Glaze in Flying Dragon and Turned Up Turquoise and Ciate Power Dressing which is a navy blue to try with the different coloured foils.

 

Cut the foils to the right size so you don't get in a tizz, this would be about the size of your nail I'd say, makes it all a lot more manageable

 

When the polish is dry, apply the nail foil glue as you want. You could go all over, or dab it in spots - whatever tickles your fancy!

now wait....

and wait

and be patient and wait a bit more.

 

The glue needs to have gone clear and tacky at least or you'll be wasting your time.

 

Apply the foil, shiny side up in this case (yes I did try the wrong way for a while...) and smooth down with a finger.

Pull off the paper et VOILA!

 

You can add more to get the desired effect you like, change up with different colours and just have fun with it. When your happy, apply a top coat to seal the deal.

 

I went with gold foil over the purple, rose pink over the green and a silver/rippled colour over the navy.

 

Who needs OPI MWTGG when you have that gold ey!!!

I'm pretty happy, and it was a lot easier than those bloody caviar beads!

 

I think I'll try an all over foil next time....

 

What do you think??  Do you even like the foiled looks??

 

GlossyBox March 2013

I may have accidentally let my Glossy sub continue this month...oops. And well, I cant say I mind too much.

 

Here we have the March edition.... 'City Chic' being the theme this month, well I guess that's fitting with the contents...

 

Treseme Hairspray

Nails Inc mini in James St

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour Cream

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush in a pink

and

Juicy Couture Perfume in Couture La La.

 

I quite like the lip blush I have to admit, its a nice pink shade for me and balmy with a sheen to it. Jelly Pong Pong have been seen in the boxes before though, so not new and exciting much. Some others have seemed less impressed, even with the red.

 

Treseme Hairspray - whilst this is good timing for me and my need of a replacement, wow glossybox. This shiz is exciting....not. HOWEVER, I suppose on the 'City Chic' girl on the go kinda box, this works.

 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. A skin protectant balm, this is much hyped product and on first glance its nice enough. May feel like your smearing Vaseline over your face BUT it does soak in nicely and isn't greasy. Will need further investigation I think.

 

Juicy Couture Perfume sample. I don't mind a perfume sample in a box, its nice, but on the whole, in comparison to a L'occitaine hand cream some got, not the same. Juicy Couture is a brand on the whole I'd avoid. It screams chav, fake handbags, and dog coats. No thank you please.

 

Nails Inc in St James, I like polish, I like Nails inc. I'm happy. Dunno why mine says Jermyn St though! Jermyn St being a beige/nude and this a red red red!!!

 

People get hung up I think on their box worth per item. Are you getting your £10+pnp's worth?? I believe the box will always be what you think its worth. And to me, I'll get the use out of everything here so overall I'm happy enough.

Brand wise its up there (no 99p eyeshadow palettes!!) but its not massively exciting and full of new brands. Cant nblame them with the mass saturation of beauty boxes/sample senders though I suppose!

 

Now I need to decide if Im goint to 'forget' about it again!

 

What did you think of Glossy this month?

 

Max Factor Face Finity Review

 

So, another day, another foundation....!

 

Here we have the Max Factor Face Finity - my attention was drawn to this by a fellow blogger and BBB member Emma see her bloggeroonie here. As an alternative to her favourite Estee Lauder Double Wear.

I didn't get on with DW so a cheaper alternative with the same results definately rang bells with me for the days I'm after more full coverage and she really raved about it. So, what the hell - lets have a go - if its pants, I'll add it to the 120 others I have 'just in case'.

 

First impressions - very good!!!
Definately a full coverage product, but not cakey or too heavy.

Throughout the day I didnt feel I needed to touch up, I didnt have it create those hiddeous lines you get with a heavier foundation either.

 

 

It boasts being a 3 in 1, containing a cocktail of primer, concealer and foundation to finish. Im a 'Warm Almond' this time around which sounds a lot nicer than the 'porcelains' or 'alabasters' Im usually under!

 

At around the £12 mark, what a saving from DW.

 

 

In action!

No primer or concealer used - just a touch of blush, gloss and mascara! Over all I am super chuffed with this foundation. Applied, as ever, with my stipling brush and a wee buff in at the end.

 

Thanks Emma! Very happy!

 

 

Philosophy Divine Illuminator Eyeshadow and Lip Gloss

 

Perusing the aisles of the local TK Maxx and came across these goodies!

 

Philosophy Divine Illuminator Lip Gloss and Eye Colour.

 

 

A lot of people rave on Philopshy, and whilst I haven't tried a lot of their things, I thought I'd give these a go!

Really like the packaging, the boxes are lovely and textured with embossed writing, with divine in raised cream (which you cant see in the photo sorry!)

 

In my ickle bundle I had two lip glosses in Lilac Rose and Golden Rose, and a cream shadow in Golden Stardust.

 

 

Natural Light vs Inside Lighting

 

VERY pretty indeed. I have become a fan of the eye colour very quick. So subtle and warm, a great quick shadow and also a great base, and probably a great highlighter thinking of it!

Ive used it twice in my everyday make up and no creasing which was fab - I usually have this issue with cream shadows,

 

The lip glosses are  also very very pretty. I will have to do a pic later to show them. Lilac rose is a 'lips' kinda colour, golden rose is a pinkie shimmer (not my usual but very pretty for spring).

 

Now - I am struggling to find info on these on t'interweb, rubbish...so if anyone has any pointers- help! The original label stated rrp £32 for two and I got them for £10 so, not complaining either way!

 Most I can find is the American Amazon selling them at $12 each! Bargain anywho!

Have you tried any Philosophy goodies recently?

 



My Make Up Storage - Photo Heavy!!

 

I always like seeing how other people store their make up.

Im a naturally messy person (shock horror) but still enjoy seeing all the bits in the right places!

 

My mother dear bought me my first storage solution for my make up - god knows how long ago - and now I see how incredibly popular it is amongst the blogosphere!! *check her blog here!!* Ive added to it over the years as my collection has grown and no doubt shall again!

 

I love my acrylic storage, its tidied away but I can still see where everything it too :)

 

TADA!

On the right, three slimmer drawers with all brushes and most pencils/liners and pens in the holder on the top plus the odd bits I use regularly...

These drawers contain some of my many lippies, as well as single eyeshadows and pigments...

The majority of my brushes and pencils and liners all just about squish in the top holder...I actually found this in TK Maxx for £3 - bargain! And yes - my brushes need a good clean!!

On top of the taller set I have more lippies, more foundation and some pefumes....these are the quick access grab items for work days - the femail equivalent of the splash and dash...!?

 

 These drawers are the wide drawers from Muji. I think they are a bargain at £12 ish. I have 3 stacked on each other, they have grooves on them so they dont slide off...very clever right!

 

Top drawes contain palletes - the infamous Urban Decay Naked - an absolute treasure,as well as the ELF warm palette, loads of colours - little expenditure! Plus as sneaky Sleek palette....

 

 

Yet more palettes - at least their easily stackable! Three from Urban Decay (the top white.cartoon one is an absolute vintage  - NO IDEA where it came from, what its called, fab colours though- eyeshadows, lip glosses and a blush in that little treasure...!) Dangerous Palette with eyeshadow primer - new in box - clearly a sign I have too much!

 Naked Basics - matte shadows - amazing and my go to when I cant be arsed with colour...

I also have the clinique quad as acquired from a lovely lady from BBB and my elf brow kit just hidden on the right.

 

A few more palettes *shocker* including the illamasqua sirens, topshop smokey eye palette and a laura mercier trio.

MAC LE blush with an amazing packaging design!

 

Just a few more single eyeshadows from Illa, plus my fave blushers, illamasqua katie (powder) and devour (cream).

 

A few more shadows in the shape of MAC paintpots (essentials!), pigments and some other eye products.

 

Pigments and more pigments! The right ones are inherited from my mother, vintage colours which are AMAZING...must remember to swatch/post these...I have very little details on this so would love to share and see if anyone could enlighten me!! Mary Quant I believe they are.

 

All the ones on the right are from a wonderful lady from BBB who sent me MAC pigments! EEP soooooo pretty!!!! I believe I may have blogged already...here

 

Lotions and potions. Im reusing glass jars to hold my cotton pads and excess brushes....and just a big  box at the mo for all the rest of my bits!

 

 

Tip of the iceberg anyone....!!

 

Very much a work in progress but Im pretty happy! Hoping to get my mits on a nice dressing table to use in the future as the poor drawers I have are knackered!!!

 

 

How do you store your make up???



 

 

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation Review

Foundation, I bloody hate buying it. I usually would just pick up the same as I normally use, but unfortunately, preggo skin mixed with curiosity and the vast number of new products out there made me try and venture out a little.

 

My usual wear would be the Revlon Photo Ready foundation or a Boujois one, this would depend on the time of the year or how much coverage I'm after.

 

I had a sample of the YSL Touch Eclat which I am a big fan of, but at close to £30 and a baby on the way (I cant foresee me me wearing a full face of make up much) I didn't feel the investment worth it.

 

I tried (and failed at liking) the infamous Estee Lauder Double Wear - it just made my face cakey.

So after becoming VERY bored at swatching different pink and yellow toned foundations I picked up the newest foundation from Revlon - Nearly Naked.

 

So much nudity involved in make up names these days thanks to UD....

 

The good thing is I already like Revlon, plus the idea of this being a lighter foundation coming into springtime and not wanting a heavy wintry coverage - this boasted to be light and barely there..... worth a shot ey.

 

I picked up shell - same as the photo ready range I have....

Packaging wise - meh. Naked I'd say!

 

BIG ISSUE - NO PUMP!

Why???????

Ridic. Seriously. I appreciate there is wastage issues with foundations/other products with pumps and you cant then get into the bottle after for those pesky last bits you don't want to bin, but to take the pump away all together is a pain.

I used the end of another brush to take the liquid out and then apply as needed....

 

Here's my mug for you....

I'm very pasty, and its very easy for me to go 'oompa loompa'. I think this has some definite yellow tones to it, pretty good though.

 

 

Coverage wise - did the job, blended well with my RT stippling brush and really doesn't feel like its there which is nice. Definitely a lighter/summer coverage foundation - if you like to feel covered this wont be for you. Maybe not so good with a bad skin day either.

 

 

 As I went through the day - I didn't feel it lasted brilliantly. Definitely looked a lot more tired than when I started out. But that's to be expected with such a light finish I suppose. I paid £7 for this on offer (usually £9 I believe). I'm happy enough will be good for summer for sure, but glad I picked up a second foundation - watch this space for review....!

 

Over 7.5/10

 

Do you change your foundation in the warmer months? Do you prefer a heavy or lighter product??

Illamasqua Brow Cake and Cream Blush Multi-Uses!!

We all know I am a sucker for Illamasqua, and well, this doesnt disappoint either!

 

Once again, pigmentation is second to none, for a powder brow product this is fab. Blendable and easy to use and also mixed with my Inglot duraline you can create superb bold lines lasting longer than you will throughout the day. Not chalky or drying.

 

You dont get a brush/applictaor with it, but the product size is HUGE for what it is, so I dont care. And I already have all the tools I need. At £14.50 a pop these are an investment....but worth it. I cant see me hitting the pan any time soon.

 

The colour is a warm chocolate, which is probably too light for me, but over the warmer summer months, this will be a nice softener to my brows I think.

 

 

The other thing to remember is that you dont need to limit this, or any other product to what its 'designated name' is. I'd use this a an eyeliner or shadow any day.

 

And I am a big fan of mixing things up at the moment....another love is the Illamasqua Cream Blush in Devour (shocking bright red - yum) is great on the lips....and super fast when applied with a finger, making it a lot softer. On the cheeks, super warm rosy apple glow. Very Snow White...!

 

Again, an investment at £18, but after your third order you get 10% off, or you could wait for a sale definately worth it when you think of the application prosepcts though!!

 

 

 

Im always so happy with their products....nothings disappointed me yet...go Illamasqua I dares ya!!!

 

 

 

Maybelline Popstick - Citrus Slice - Mini Review

OK, I know these popsticks are old news really, but I picked one up half price on a whim and thought I'd share quickly.

 

They only had 'Citrus Slice 060' half price (still at £3.50ish though) and I didnt think much of it in the bullet....only after I swatched was I more intrigued.

 

Im not a huge Maybelline fan, I dont know why I just dont find their products too exciting...just me???

 

 

The bullet itself is a translucent orange, which was odd, I assumed this would come out as an orangy lip-balm type. Well it is lipbalmy in appearance, but definately a pink to it which I was really keen on. (I appreciate this hasnt show up too great in the photo....it is subtle!)

 

I like the packaging, its cutesy for spring/summer coming up (eventually) and so thought I'd have a try.

 

At £7.20 ish I wouldnt have been so happy...its not THAT good, but for £3.50 Im pretty happy. Its smells like citrus sweeties and applies smooth and moisturisingly nice.

 

 

I think it leaves a nice pinky hue to my lips too. I look at it as more of a lip balm/tint than anything else. I know its marketed as a 'shine with a hint of popsickle tint'. Thats about it really. Whilst I do quite like it, again, Maybelline, nothing extraordinary here...!

 

Have you tried any other Popsticks? What do you think??

 

 

 

PS. Wrinkley eyelids anyone!? Jebus..... apparently pregnancy is making my eyelids fat....

How Many Red Lipsticks Do You Need?

Tons.

Basically.

 

I was going through my drawers checking a few things and realised I really do own a lot of red lipsticks.

To the untrained eye (mostly the boyf's) this is madness - they are all 'the same'.

No no no no no.

EVERY ONE IS ESSENTIAL!

 

Here's a few faves, and exactly why they are all oh so very different.

 

 

Ooooh you beauties....

 

 

Right, first up - Revlon Lip Butters... Lollipop and Berry Smoothie

the finish of a lip butter is shiny, and balmy - or buttery you may say (see what I did there) with a good pigmentation, both Lollipop and Berry (as the name says) very different - Lollipop is a hot pink colour - warm and vibrant with Berry being a lot deeper and rich.

 

Revlon Matte Red - GORGEOUS. One of my faves. Staying power like no tomorrow, super pigmented orange- red and a go-to work shade (if your daring enough) without breaking the bank either.

No7 - the name escapes me  (sorry!) I wanted a more neutral red -a 'lips but better colour' this did the trick nicely also a good work shade!

 

 

New CiD or <id (?)  again a hot red, easy to apply, this served me well on a fancy dress night as has a handy mirror and light - yup a light!!

Illamasqua - my FAVE brand - Drench and Sangers. Dench is a darker

Sangers has been likened to MACs Russian Red - which I dont own, Sangers is slightly orangey in comparison to Drench, with a sheer finish. I likey. 

 

MAC - gotta have a MAC red in there somewhere right!

Ruby Woo. Bloody gorgeous.

A faultless matte red. True blue toned Stunning. 'Nuff Said.

 

I'd like to point out theres about another 4/5 reds I own which I haven't included.

Love a red lippie me

 

Do you have any multiple shades of____?

Whats your favourite red lippie?

 

x

Illamasqua Eyeshadows Swatched and Reviwed

Well as promised I have some lovely bright swatches from the lovely Illamasqua sale! One of the best things about this brand is their lack of fear in what they make. Never ones to 'go with the flow' their whole ethos as a company is right up my street.

 

Here's the set of greens I got my mits on this time:

 

Hype - super pigmented as ever with Illamasqua, bright vivid acid yellow, this is not for the feint hearted! A lot of people I don't think use yellow, but this is such a fab colour to highlight the corner of the eye - and a yellow will also make the whites of your eyes brighter!

 

Pivot - a lime green, again a huge pop of colour, and matte, like the others. super bendable.

 

Fame - a grass green colour, bright and on the happy scale of green as with the other two.

 

Fledgling - this I'd call a more muted forest green, on the darker side for sure.

 

Taboo - another shade darker, excellent for under the eye, especially as a liner. Super with green or brown eyes.

 

Burst - probably my favourite from this set. A blue/green and very rich. stunning colour on which i know I'll use regularly.

 

  

 

NEXT!

 

Apex - BRIGHT orange, very bright - this will be fun to play with!

 

Angst - deep red, I'm nervous about this slightly more as red eye shadows instantly turn to 'punched eyes' which I'd like to avoid but with the yellows and orange should interesting!

 

Imagine -  baby blue, cant remember wearing baby blue eyeshadow apart from when i was about 14. Probably best we don't relive it and try and re invent it maybe! 

 

Never - is a stunning navy blue, much more my hue and hoping I can pull off...

 

Inception - purple/lilac with cooler tones I'd say. Probably not my norm colour to go for but again it makes me want to play!

 

Lestat - a deep black. simple. Always have a black in your make up (I have many)

 

All in all these are some shades I both love already, and know I will grow to love.

The joy of the brand is its about being more adventurous, playing and learning and experimenting.

 

Check them out here at Illamasqua.

 

So I better get started!

 

I'll separately swatch the lipstick, inks and brow cakes....watch this space!

 

 

 

The Mother of all Sales Hauls - Illamasqua and Space NK

So, January comes around and with it comes the mother load of sales which we cant afford to take advantage of because December wiped us out - yeah thanks for that Chrimbo.

Well - this would be the case unless you anticipate these super sales and pop some money to one side.... that's right, I am in fact a super villain make up buying genius!

Now, I'm not going to put a figure on how much I've spent....BUT I can say that I have saved close to £300....and lets face it - that's AWESOME!

Here we go..... prepare to be DAZZLED with some of the bargains of the century....

Order Number One - Illamasqua

Consisting of Powder foundation in 140 - extra handy as Id just hit the pan in my current one!

Nail Varnish in Radium - a neon slightly iridescent green, and Vice - a deep plum purple.

 

 

Eye shadows! I flipping LOVE their shadows. So well pigmented, easily blended and such vivid colours - Hype - bright yellow, Burst -  a gorgeous blue green, Angst - deep red, Imagine - a 'perriwinkle' blue and Lestat - BLACK! Stunners and at £5 each what a bargain! These are all matte colours too which I adore twice as much!

 

 

The only lippie that I bought in their sale was Sangers. Much likened to MACs Russian Red- this is a deeeeeeeep red with a matte finish. Flippin BEAUT!

Order Number Two - Illamasqua

(sorry for the pants photo!)

Precision Ink - Glister - which is a neutral coloured eye liner, has a definite purple shimmer too it which I wasn't expecting  - I will get round to doing proper swatches of these.

 

 

Nail Varnishes in Faux Pas and Grab - Faux pas is a rubber polish in purple, great texture - big fan though I know some people are less so! Grab is a pink which I wouldn't usually go for but its more a purple-grape tone then bright pink, and Stagnate which is a muddy grey mauve,

More eye shadows in various greens - Fledgling, Taboo, Fame, Pivot and their bright bright orange Apex.

Again, I will swatch properly!

 

Third Order from Illamasqua - I know I'm and ANIMAL!

 

Nail polish in Rampage - forest green, and Baptise, which is a deeeeep shimmery purple.

Final two shadows in Inception and Never, purple and a navy blue. Also the precision ink in Havoc which is an aubergine plum colour.

 

Space NK - my only order this year!

 

I opted for the Diptyque perfume after; a - I heard some amazing reviews on it, and b- the price dropped to a shocking £15 for £60! EEP! Plus they sent a wee tester of something which is nice!

I'll try get the swatches done as soon as possible, in the mean time here's a little play I had with some of the shadows....