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Monday, July 30, 2012

Glossybox July 2012

Hi all!

Here's my thoughts on July's Glossybox!
Note: I've put the cost of the box throughout, based on Glossybox prices.

 Contents of my July Glossybox - Bottom left to right - Monu Night Renewel Complex; Bex London - Londoner Urban Fragrance;Elizabeth Arden Visible Skin Balancing Line samples; Nux Huile Prodigieuse; Jelly Pong Pong Lip Frosting; Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist.


Now for some close ups and in depth opinions! .



Bex London - London Urbaner Fragrance in N6

Glossybox say; "Four high concentration, modern fragrances, inspired by the unique character and idiosyncrasies of London."
RRP for 100ml is £81

Sample size - 2ml - £1.62

Personally, I find this perfume a little masculine when initially putting it on the skin, however it does mellow to a slightly sweeter scent. According to Bex London it has top notes of bergamot, English fruit and pink pepper with a heart of rose, jasmine, caramel, amber and sandalwood. Jasmine is by far my favourite scent, I love it. I also really like floral scents but the sandalwood seems really evident in this fragrance. Its also really expensive so not my cuppa tea!

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse

Glossybox say; "Apply this dry oil to your face, body and hair all year round in summer and winter"
RRP £17.50 for 50ml

Sample size - 10ml - £3.50

I love, and I mean I love hair oils. The condition of my hair since I started using them has improved drastically. I've tried lots of different ones since my discovery of them, so I was really super excited to see this! I was however bitterly disappointed when I tried it and the tiniest bit made my hair so, so greasy! Maybe I'm not using it correctly? (If anyone has any ideas, please comment below!)

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing line

Glossybox say; "Elizabeth Arden's skin balancing line works to keep skin looking revitalised and healthy"
RRP From £32 for 50ml

Extra Product

I got three small samples of this line, including cleanser, serum and moisturiser. I have used both the serum and the moisturiser up (I got 2 uses out of each sample) and I can honestly say I am unimpressed. I have combination/oily skin, I put this on in the morning and my make up didn't stay put like usual even although this was the only change I made in my routine. My skin also looked really shiny and felt oily. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for oily skin, but it may be great for other skin types!

Monu Night Renewal Complex

Glossybox say; "A rich complex of actives to help smooth and firm the skin whilst you sleep"
RRP £36.95 for 50ml

Sample size - 20ml - £14.78

This formula boasts marine collagen and polysaccharides to help smooth fine lines, wheat germ and sweet almond oils to soften and replace lost lipids and vitamin E for its antioxidant properties. I haven't yet tried this product but it seems promising. I have tried Monu products in the past and have really liked them. This is a really good sample size too. My fiance also really likes their men's line. Will keep you posted when I try this!

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist

Glossybox say; "Give thirsty hair and skin the moisture they crave. Helps you feel refreshed all day long."
RRP £9.35 for 300ml

Sample size - 100ml - £3.12

Paul Mitchell has a new line of Awapuhi products which is a type of ginger. I can't say that the product has an overly ginger scent which I like because I'm not too fond of the scent of ginger! Awapuhi is said to nourish the hair from the inside out and helps to mend and soften course or brittle hair. This product seems really good so far, it doesn't make my hair greasy (hurray!) and the smell doesn't stick around for long which I like, since it doesn't mix with your perfume. I'd quite like to try the shampoo/conditioner or some of the treatments after trying this! Its also a great sample size.

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Lip Frosting in Irish Cream Pavlova

Glossybox says; "A multifunctional cream gloss. Use on the lips for a tint of colour, or cheeks for a luminous glow."
RRP £10 for 15ml

Full size product - £10

Okay, my Glossybox was worth it JUST for this product.This 'lip frosting' is amazing, the colour is beautiful and it smells beyond divine! You can really sheer out the colour or wear it as shown in the picture for a really bold statement. I will definitely be repurchasing this, because every time I put it on I want to lick it off! It smells so good! It is also full size, hurrah!

Total box worth: £33.02

I was generally very pleased with my box this month! For once the box is actually of a good value, being worth double what I paid for it and shipping. I'm still kind of gutted I didn't get an HD brows palette (again - sob) but so glad I got the Jelly Pong Pong lip frosting! Its amazing!

Do you subscribe to Glossybox? What are your thoughts on July's box?

xoxo






Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Bedside Books: Black Heart Blue by Louisa Reid

I'm a bookworm. I love reading, and I read all sorts of things (including shampoo bottles in the shower) so it's only natural that I'd do some book reviews and let you know of books that I've liked/loved/hated!


I read Black Heart Blue by Louisa Reid around a month ago. To be quite honest, I did judge a book by its cover on this one. I adored the cover art, I thought it was really pretty yet had a tragic element to it, and I loved the use of colour. So, basically that's what made me pick it up and read the blurb, which reads;

"They tried to make me go to my sister's funeral today. In the end I had to give in... I'd been walking in her shadow for sixteen years and I liked its cool darkness. It was a good place to hide.

Rebecca's twin sister Hephzibah was beautiful and daring. She was the one who always wanted more. The one who wouldn't listen. Now she's gone. Rebecca is alone.

While there were two of them, they stayed silent about their home life. But Rebecca, who knows the truth about how her twin died, suddenly finds herself keeping too many secrets. Hephzibah dreamt of escape, but failed. Could Rebecca be the one to find freedom?"


The blurb instantaneously had me interested. I had read another book called "Her Fearful Symmetry" (Review to come) and this blurb reminded me a lot of the story of that book.

I cannot begin to write how tragic this book is, it is however beautifully and meticulously written to the highest standard. The author has a way of really describing each situation in vivid detail which adds immensely to the characterisation of both twins. The book is written from the point of view of both twins for the first half, each chapter alternating between Rebecca and Hephzibah.

This book discusses some themes which some may find difficult to read, exploring both mental and physical abuse alongside disability and religious extremism. It also provides a detailed look into how uplifting the qualities of hope, courage and self-belief are. Whilst reading it, I felt every emotion alongside both twins and their struggles. This was one of 'those' books that left a lasting impression on me - so much so that I read it in one sitting. Louisa Reid is a fantastic author and I would definitely recommend reading this book.

In three words I would describe it as: powerful, disturbing and thought-provoking.

xoxo


(all pictures on this blog are owned by me unless otherwise stated)

 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

MAC Heavenly Creatures

It was my birthday last week! And I was lucky enough that my little sister bought me two beautiful (lovely, gorgeous, yummy) pieces from the MAC Heavenly Creatures collection that I had been eyeing!




MAC - Centre of the Universe (Mineralise Skin Finish)


MAC - Supernova (Mineralise Blush)


(Left - Centre of the Universe, Right - Supernova)

Both of these products are really pigmented (especially Supernova!), so much so that you have to apply them both with a really light hand! I think that the combination of bright pink and gold in Supernova makes it a nice transition colour into autumn, as it has a sort of mauve undertone which is perfect for the colder months. Although here, Centre of the Universe looks like a bronzer, I have actually been using it as a highlight/blush. The swirls of colour make it really versatile and allows you to 'create your own' shade in a way, by mixing or using more of one colour than of another!


Here is a picture of me wearing Centre of the Universe as a blush and highlight!

Have you tried any of the Heavenly Creatures collection? What did you think?

Samantha xo

Five Loves: Lipsticks

I am a huuuuuuge lipstick lover. Not a fan of many glosses (there are a few, though!) but lipsticks are definitely my thing! Here's a look at my current top five;

  


 


 

From left to right; MAC AC1 - Chatterbox, Revlon Lip Butter 015 - Tutti Frutti, L'Oreal Carrese 06 - Aphrodite Scarlet, Revlon Lip Butter 025 - Peach Parfait and MAC A22 - Please Me


Unless it isn't quite obvious I love peaches, pinks and orange/coral colours!

MAC Chatterbox is a lovely deep pink colour, I feel like this colour really warms up my face when I have it on! Its really good for everyday but also feels dressed up when you pair it with a more dramatic eye. Its a great all round summer colour.

Tutti Frutti Revlon lip butter is a great way to try out the orange toned colours without it being over dramatic. Its sheer enough that it doesn't look 'too' orange on the lips, however the colour is buildable which I think is great. I have a few of the lip butters and they are really moisturising (although not as much as some lip balms such as Carmex or Blistex) and are a great alternative to a plain lip balm. I also really like to mix this colour with some of the pink lip butters for a lovely peach effect!

The L'Oreal Caresse lipsticks were something I tried initially whilst eagerly awaiting the Revlon lip butters to arrive in the UK. I like them equally as much and own a few of the different colours. Aphrodite Scarlet has to be my favourite though, its amazing! On the lips it is the most beautiful pink colour, subtle, demure but so (so, so, so) pretty! I prefer the texture of these lipsticks to the lip butters as they are slightly softer and less chunky (I feel that sometimes the lip butters come off in clumps) but are just as moisturising.

Peach Parfait is another of the lip butters and is great for everyday wear. I feel it's my lip colour but better! It definitely enhances the look of my lip colour whilst adding a bit of sparkle. The only thing I'm not mad about is the texture, as I feel the glitter can be quite gritty on the lips.

Finally, MAC Please Me. This is a great matte lipstick for everyday wear. A subtle peach/pink that is ideal to pop on with any day time look. It is simply a lovely colour!

I love to hear recommendations so any you have would be apprecited!

Samantha xo