MyLittleHappyBox - MLB Swap from France!

What a lovely surprise I had last week when my MLB from my lovely French counterpart arrived - I had nearly forgotten!!

We had arranged to peek in each others boxes before hand, and also add some extras of our own this time.

I had sent May GlossyBox - and was SO pleased that she didn't get the duffer box!!

In return, I had requested the MLB which I had to wait a wee bit longer for and I am so glad I did!

Here is my box.....!

I love that MLB has a theme each month. This is the My Little 'HAPPY' Box.

The pics show my extras popped on top, but  I'll go into those later.

I LOVE that it come wrapped in a cute bag, and has the ribbon around it. What I didn't like was the amount of confetti I had to pick up as it was EVERYWHERE!! You get some cute little magazines, and explanation cards, all in French of course!

Le Petite Marseillais Spray Soin & Brilliance

(Care Spray and Gloss)

Smells delicious - a simple spray making hair super soft and shiny, and NON greasy which is laaaafly. Approx 4-5 Euros.

Tweezers, which came in various designs, I  like my little burlesque ones though! From Filosofille these are 7.12Euros

Arcanil Starliner Eyeliner in Black. Approx 5 euros, this is well pigmented and lasted all day when I used it. Though, as ever, with a pencil - smudged by the end of the day. Great for touch ups maybe but I shall stick to my Bobbi Brown Gel in the mean time!

Kibio Soft Scrubbing Cream - again smells yum, am yet to try this yet though, other variations of Kibio products where in the box, cleansers and moisturisers, but I like this. and its a good size to try it out. 19Euros full size!

Now, this was a surprise! I have yet to see another MLB with this in it! How interesting! An overnight cream by Biotherm, full size it is about 50 Euros for 50ml, so my 15ml pot is a great size, and great value-for-money item in my box! CHUFFED :D

I love the extras MLB added. This cute phone cover and stamping set where in my box (as well as some delicious Carambar sweets; which failed to make it to photo stage ;) )

The phone cover, which is a nice touch - was a risk though?! What if i just so happened to not have an Iphone4?!?! Good thing I do really...though I have no need for another case...!

And these are my LOVELY extras. Perfume samples, skin care samples. an interesting soap - nail polish, shower gel! Oh so much to play with!!

Have you had a French Box yet?!

Pound Shop Purchases

I have been after trying the new Boujois Dissolvant Nail Polish Remover, and on the hunt for new nail art pens, I noticed these in my local pound land!

Twist and Out nail polish remover, and the Sally Hanson Colour Quick Pens!

The pens are very cute, I have fuchsia and silver, the pens need a good shake, and you click the bottom to push the polish up. The brush is a really easy one to use, and it's a fast dry polish which is SUPER fast.

These arent nail art pens like the Models Own WAH ones, or similar, but they are cure and easy to use as an all over polish.

These are ideal for throwing in a bag for touch ups or if you have only a spare min to do your nails before going out! Colours are really good too...wonder if there's more!

The nail polish remover is as equally quick! Stick your thumb/finger in the hole in the sponge, swizzle it about and off the polish comes! So quick!

I wonder how it'll fair up with a couple coats and some Seche Vite though!!!

Have you had any finds recently?!

Make Your Own Lady Gaga Lobster!

Well, this is a new one.....!

A friend of mine is having a birthday, the theme, of course, Lady Gaga Vs Keith Lemon (YAY)

Now, as much as I'd love to dress up as the legendary Mr Lemon, how can anyone turn down the opportunity to make a Gaga recreation!!!

Theres quite a few of us going, so outfits where bound to be snatched up quickly! I decided to roll with the Latex and Lobster suit! The outfit itself, I decided to tone down somewhat - and concentrate on the UBER creation that is the Lobster hat! Who cares whats on your body when that's on your head right!

Well, being on a budget here is how I managed to make 'Jeffery' as he has been fondly named....

First up - get yourself a lobster. You can make one from various items, foam, polystyrene, wood (?) but I had neither the time nor patience...!

Jeffrey came to me thanks to the wonder of Ebay! I was lucky to have found him! He was listed as a 'Food Decoration' and would 'Look good amongst a seafood platter' which I translated to ' Would look good on my head in silver'.  I just had to pray he hadn't already had a lay down amongst the prawns and crab sticks and wouldn't smell!

Bargainous at just £7 incl postage!

I gave him a good bath, and made sure he was fresh as a daisy ready to have his Gaga-Over....

I Laid A LOT of newspaper down and got to work with some silver decoration spray. I picked this up at a local £1 shop, for 89p (HA more fool you - I was SO prepared to spend a whole £1)

The spray really does hang in the air, and get everywhere so make sure you cover all surfaces. Id also suggest gloves, took 20 Min's to take the stuff off my hands afterwards!

I gave him two coats over two days so he was totally covered...looking  peach already!!!

Next up I had to figure out how to get him to sit on my head - upright! Looking at the pics of LG, it looked like it was on a hoop over her head - which made perfect sense rather than an Alice band which was my first thought.

My other half suggested something like an electrical wire, as it would have more rigidity to stay in place, and support the weight too.

I picked up a meter of this at Wilko's for 65p!!

I wrapped it around my head, leaving the ends crossed over and sticking up like antennae, this would then go up the back of Jeffrey to keep him in place.

I used some cut off material from my outfit to wrap around the 'halo' of it to keep it comfy and tied the cross over.

So far so good!!

Next up - attaching them together!!

My super friend had a glue gun that she lent me to stick in place. I'm so glad she did, because I have NO idea what I'd have done! Was contemplating picture wire for a while!

Anwho, I smoothed the length of wire down the 'belly' and place where the front of the 'halo' should sit from underneath. Because of the fabric, I was able to glue right where i needed to!

I secured the lengths in place and glued both against the sides, and the middle of the two to make sure that bad boy wasn't going anywhere, and tied it really tightly while it set.

I left it turned over so the weight would hold it down.

Whilst I left it, I attacked the top side with more silver, and threw a heap load of silver glitter for extra 'Gaga-Glam'!! (hobby craft - £1.69)

The pictures just don't do it justice but Jeffrey is the most AWESOME lobster in town!

Sits up really nicely, isn't overly uncomfortable, and all for less than £12

 Now, come on....its not BAD is it really?!?!?!

Watch this space and I will provide pics from the night with FULL Gaga Costume, and other AMAZING costumes!!

Body Shop Sale Items

So, perusing the local Body Shop by accident (the HUGE sale signs may have had a thing or two do do with it) I managed to pick up some absolute STEALS!!!

I picked up a few items, took them to the till and the lovely sales assistant told me that even the sale items of make up where in the 3 for 2 offer! AMAZE!

So here is what I got!!

Flawless Skin Protecting Foundation  SPF 25 in 01 (such a find - last super pale there was!) Reduced from £16 to £3!

Loose Powder Foundation SPF 25  reduced from £16.00 to £4

Matte and Shimmer Cheek Colour £12.00 reduced to £2

Hemp Moisture High Balm from £6.00 to £1

and A Nail Buffer and Polish from £2.00 to 50p!!!

So not only did I manage to get £52.00 worth of items for £10.50 - the Blush was actually free making my grand total come to just £8.50!

The foundation is lovely, really creamy and blends well, a great match for my skin tone as well.

The blush is subtly, and not glittery, more a slight shimmer, and really warm summer colours too.

The loose powder was to replace my lost MAC (sob sob) so for £4 really chuffed, and the balm is super rich but not greasy. I have suffered with odd patches of dry skin recently so this should help out a treat.

I'm really happy about how much Ive saved, and how lucky I was to find the colours that are for me actually!

Anyone else got any super savings recently?!?

MUA £1 Lipsticks

So, I picked up my first ever MUA lippies on a whim the other day, at just a pound a go, rude not to really!!

From left to right Shade7, Shade 4 and the 'New' Shade 14....

The shade 7, is like a deep peach on me, nicely pigmented and smooth on,

The pink Shade 4, is a lot lighter, takes a good few swipes to get some colour, but is so wearable despite the hot pinkness, which I cannot always pull off!

The new shade, number 14 is a total surprise....I'm even going to throw this out there.....MAC creme d'nude dupe.....?!

A slinky nude brown, sooooo nice on!

I'm a huge lover of my new MAC Hug me, which I wear all the time, this may have just become my cheaper alternative!

At just £1 each I'm really happy, they aren't as long lasting as higher end ones, but at £1 what do you expect! Looking at the other shades, a lot where very glittery and not for me, these three are a real winner, that nude is sooooooo good I may stock up before they are gone!

Have you tried MUA?

 

LuxBox mark Deux

So, apologies for the delay in a new post, I was hollibobbing with the fam!

On the day of my return, I had me my second LuxBox delivered!

I had practically forgotten about it....I shall proceed with the contents tout suite....

Inside we have 

Mocha Rose Lip Balm full size at £7 a pop,

Flick Tips - £8.99

Di Palomo Orange Blossom with Wild Honey and Olive  Hand and Nail cream (25ml) which is £6.50 for 75ml

Papier Poudre - Powder paper £7.20 for three booklets (of which there is about 25sheets)  

Murad ExfoliatingCleanser  £34 for 200ml on the feelunique website. This is 30ml

Now, I like this box, to some, this may not be exciting, but I have not EVER used any of these products. Which is what its all about...!

I will get back to you how each fair up. I'm not holding out on the oil paper because I don't get oily skin really....but other than that. YAY.

The eye flicks are intriguing! I love my winged liner, and if this saves me stressing out on getting them even, or even looking for some added drama to my eyes then WAHOO!

On a side note, I cancelled my June box for now (funds are tight....but I know I'll re sub later!) and I tweeted and emailed LuxBox on Tuesday (the Jubilee Bank Holiday) and I was responded to in mere minutes! They where super kind, friendly, and sorted it out almost immediately!

So BRAVO LuxBox, your customer services has been wonderful. The box did its job, and I look forward to the next!!!

Have you had LuxBox??

MAC Paintpot Rubenesque vs Benefit Sippin n' Dippin

Just wanted to post a blog of two delicious cream eyeshadows, which are super similar....

I love MAC paint pots. Mostly because I love cream shadows. I don't know why I do, I always get frustrated that they dont blend as well, and they tend to crease over the course of the day, but, I still love them! Saying that, these dont crease, they nearly always stay put, maybe thats because I use it as a base rather than a solid colour...

So, we have MAC Paintpot in Rubenesque - £14.50  and Benefits Creaseless cream shadow/liner in  Sippin' n Dippin'  £14.

So right off the mark, price difference is minimal. MAC weighing 5g and the Benefit 4.5g. again minimal difference

I love these colours...love them.

Beautiful warm golden coppers, very very similar, the MAC is the lighter by a smidge, but still very pretty and the more you use the deeper the colour.

Texture wise, the MAC is the pot is hard to the touch, whereas the Benefit is very creamy, allowing more pigmentation in one sweep which I like.

They both dry soft and silky and don't budge, I always apply with a finger as the warmth through the product makes it easier to apply, then I'd blend the edges with a brush, or smudge sponge.

These both make for a fantastic base before applying shadows on top, make the colours really shine with warmth.

Top photo natural light...

Photos below; with and without flash...

I love them both, but I have parted with the MAC so it can be loved by another. I have no need for two items nearly identical.

All in all, two shadows, nearly identical, both beauts - its pure label fever....

What do you prefer?