Back For Good....

"Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it  

I just want you back for good  

Want you back, want you back I want you back for good
Whenever I'm wrong Just tell me the song and I'll sing it  

You'll be right and understood  

Want you back, want you back I want you back for good"

I couldn't help myself with the little Take That reference ( I now have it stuck in my head) But yes, as the title suggest i am back, and for good this time.

I've honestly truly missed blogging regularly, it's almost like something is missing, I've finished uni, so i never have a scary deadline creeping up on me, and you know i kind of miss it! I feel a little bit lost, knowing i have no work i HAVE to do. Its a strange feeling, knowing i can lie in and not feel guilty because I've got a 10million word essay to write or 10thousand sketchbooks to fill, obviously i work and things, but actually having spare time is a strange concept to get used to.

But blogging has definitely been missed, I finally have my room pretty much organised or enough to properly sit down and get some work done. My wardrobes been built i have all my furniture in its places and my bits and bots are starting to fill my room, slowly but surely. The main parts that need doing now, is the decorating, my room is semi-painted, but it needs another coat and my wardrobe painting/papering. I will get round to doing a room tour post, and possibly a post on how i plan to decorate the wall/wardrobe area, all in due course.

I have so much i want to blog about! Haven't there been some amazing make up releases lately?

I'm going to start with February Glossy Box though, it turned up yesterday, and i thought what perfect timing, to get back into the blogging swing of things. 

Glossy Box is now the only beauty box I'm subbed to, I've found it's been the only one I've been consistently happy with and it was getting to the point where with other boxes i wasn't excited about then arriving, and they were just getting a bit 'meh' Glossy Box survived the Cull, and i must say, I'm really loving this months box.

The actual box this month is so stinking CUTE i love it. Possibly my favourite box so far.

Cute little touch this month, a heart shaped lollipop, which I've munched while typing out this post *it was delicious*

This months selection of lovely products, I think this month, the balance has been struck pretty well. I'm pretty sure there is something for everyone, its almost like a 'go to' box, you know what i mean? like if you had to leave suddenly and you could only grab this Glossy Box i think you'd be pretty sorted. A moisturiser, a fragrance, a highlighter, a lipstick & a blusher. Pretty sorted i think.

*Please excuse my bruised hand in the swatch photos, I recently had more ankle surgery, and my hands suffered from my cannula/drip what ever its called*

First up...

Micabella Cosmetics, Mineral Blush Powder.

This is a brand I've not heard of, (that's another thing about not blogging, i feel so out of the 'loop'!) The blush is made of 100% natural Mica, which is crystal-like mineral.

The blush has gorgeous pigmentation not to heavy, but not to sheer. Its got a really subtle shimmer to it, i often find with mineral products especially loose powder, the are insanely shimmery. But this has a lovely subtle shimmer. Mine is in the shade Siera Suede, almost like a terracotta colour which i think will look lovely in the summer with a bit of a tan. The other great thing, this blush has an SPF15 I've never seen a blusher contain SPF before, that's pretty good.

The sample is 0.8g, full size is 9g and retails for £34.95 and are available here.

Helen É Cosmetics, Moisturisng LipStick.

Has this brand been around for years? I seem to remember it from a long long time ago, but it not being a very well known brand? I have some shimmery eye dust, which I'm sure i bought from the clothes show when i was like 18?

But anyway, this lipstick,  have the shade Dusk, a Plummy/Red colour.

The lipstick has well pigmented, and a lovely glossy sheen, i wouldn't say it feels the most moisturising on the lips, but its not incredibly drying either. The shade is definitely a more of an Autumn/Winter colour, but I've found applying with my finger like a balm, creates more of a stain and is a bit less 'dramatic' a bit more subtle.

This is a full size sample, which retails for £8.00 and is available here.

MeMeMe Cosmetics, Beat The Blues.

I've read so many posts on this little beauty, I'm so excited to get in a box. I was actually planning on purchasing this at some point. I think highlighter is my favourite product, i never feel quite right if i don't apply any.

The MeMeMe Beat The Blues, has be said to be a dupe for Benefit Highlighters, i received the shade Oyster Gold, which i believe is a dupe for Benefit MoonBeam, the other shade in the range is Pearl Pink, which is a dupe for the Pink Toned Benefit HighBeam. Having not used MoonBeam before, i can't say whether this is a true dupe or not, but if you look at swatches online or even other blog posts i think its pretty obvious. Steph from Hope Freedom Love did a great post comparing the two products, if you want to check that out for the comparison.

Its an absolute bargain at £5.50/12ml compared to the £18.50/13ml Benefit price. 

Oyster Gold, as it says is a gorgeous gold toned highlighter, which can be used to accentuate the cheekbones and brow bones. You can also, mix a little bit of it with your usual foundation or moisturiser to give you a nice all over, Dewey glow. I love doing that in summer when I've got a tan and perhaps don't wear foundation, but want a little summin summin, more than moisturiser.

Q, The Fine Fragrance Body Spray.

Again a brand I've not heard of, that is, according to the information sheet, available in boots and sainsburys.

It is a high quality fine fragrance body spray, mine is Radiance 'A seductive blend of Rose and Bergamot' Its love light floral scent, which is also to fresh. It isn't to over powering or to 'old lady-esque' On Boots the only flavour i can find is 'Awe' Which is Jasmine & Rose, The 100ml bottle retails for £2.29 on Boots.com

Last Up,

Docteur Renaud, Raspberry Soft Cream.

"This luscious Raspberry cream that enfold your skin in absolute softness and hydration combines 4 Raspberry extracts that offer the skin suppleness, comfort and protection all day long. Morning and/or evening, on the face and neck."

I'm yet to take the seal off of this, as I'm currently using other skincare products, so i cant give much of an opinion on this. I'm really hoping its going to have subtle Raspberry scent. Reading the information sheet, it sounds like this cream might be perfect for my horribly dry winter skin. I look forward to trying this product out for sure.

There we have it, a classic Glossy Box post to ease me back into the blogger cycle.

I'd love to know if there was much variation on this months box?

Lots of Love

X

Glossy Box; Harrods Edition

A few months ago, Glossy Box ran an offer where if you ordered that months month you could choose to have either a Harrods box or the Earthy/Natural box completely free with your order, this was for new subscribers only, so i set up a new account to order a 2nd box for that month and chose to get the Harrods box for free, as i had already had a couple of the Natural boxes.

I was really actually very very pleased with my Harrods boxes, as there tend to be a bit of difference in products most month, i really wasn't expecting to get this Harrods box. But here's what i got...

The Erno Laszlo samples, I've received in a number of beauty boxes so i shan't talk about them agaaiiiinnn.

Also the Clarins cream i got in my original Harrods box, so you can read about that here.

The Remaining three products are the ones i am most excited about, i believe this may have been 'the good box' first time around.

This, Burberry lipstick. Isn't it just beautiful? I believe its in the colour rosewood? I can't lay my hands on it to double check, and I've conveniently unpacked the box already. Everything about it feels so luxurious. The packaging is beautiful and the lipstick itself is even embossed with the Burberry pattern, its a teeny tiny sample. But it is beautiful.

Such a nice perfume, I am completely useless at describing scents. Is anyone good at describing perfume? I shall tell you what it includes, though tbh I'm not sure if that's ever useful? most of the time if i read a list of whats in a perfume I'm like great, no clue what any of that is. But i looooove the smell haha.

Top Notes

A fresh radiant opening

• Lemon petit grain from Sicily

• Tangerine from Calabria

• Green tea - blackcurrant accord

Heart Notes:

A solar floral heart

• Broom flower Absolute from Italy

• Yellow jasmine accord

Base Notes:

A sensual addictive base

• Patchouli from Indonesia

• Soft leather accord

Now you know exactly how it smells haha.

Probably the product I'm most excited about! Ojon Damage Reverse Hair Serum!! YaaY, it was worth ordering the extra box just for this item i think. I'm so excited to try it out, and i am expecting miracles. so *fingers crossed*

Did you take advantage of the the Glossy Box offer waaaaaaaay back?

Natural or Harrods?

Lots of Love

X

Tk Maxx & Boots Haul

After my hair cut me and my mum had a little look around the shops.

Tk Maxx has been on top form lately, especially with their beauty offerings! Packs of Stila make up, Bella pierré and Nails Inc Galore!

Here are a few goodies i picked up...

I literally wanted everything in TK Maxx, but managed to keep to these few things.

A ped egg, my mum has one of these and literally raves about it, but i just didn't want to spend £10 on one from boots, so was chuffed when they had one in TK Maxx for £5.99 and in green, my favourite colour!

And the cute little cake cases, with a vintage paisley design were just £1.99 for 60!!

I also got a set of Colour Club Glitter Polishes, £7.99 for 6 glitters and a clear top coat. I haven't been able to swatch them yet as I've already got my nails painted, but they look gorgeous. I cant wait to try them out!

Was a little pack of Stila make up, for £7.99 it contained 3 items, but one of them I'm using in a surprise swap so didn't photograph. The 2 items I'm keeping though are the Lip Colour in 06 Fiona & The Lip Pot Tinted Lip Balm in Baie.

This lip stick has a bit of a funny smell to it, but i love the colour! The tinted lip balm, is really subtle but still noticeable and again i love the colour Its also quite moisturising. I also really like the packaging its so simple, but really pretty.

Top; Lip Balm Bottom; Lip Stick

The rest of my goodies...

I've been looking everywhere for Models Own polish in Indian Ocean, and i finally found a boots that had them in stock! Models own was buy 2 products and get a free nail art pen so i also got Models Own in Hedonist, which is a bright fluorescent coral colour, perfect toe nail colour for summer! and chose the black nail art pen free (should have been £6.00) I got the new Bourjois nail polish remover as I've seen some many great reviews on it, and it really is speedy! And the lovely headband to go with my new hair, again a orangey corally colour, pretty floral very summery. My last purchase was my first ever Revlon Lip Butter, they've had so much hype around them, i tested them in boots a while back when they first came out and i wasnt amazingly impressed. But i picked up Tutti Frutti and I'm so pleased with the colour, again and orange/coral colour (can you see a pattern?) It hasn't got big chunks of glitter in like some of the colours have, i think that's what i like about it.

Revlon Lip Butter; Tutti Frutti

As I'd had a new hair cut and I've been feeling a little down lately, my mum treated me to a nice new hair dryer.

We had no idea what to look for in a hair dyer, so eventually we decided on this one, i think it was about £30.00 but it came with all the things picture on the box so it seemed like a good deal.

The dryer itself is really lightweight and fairly compact, so it'll be good for travelling. I've never really owned a hair dryer before (like i said in my previous post, i neglect my hair) so I'm a bit excited haha.

So that's all my shopping goodies. I'm very very pleased with everything, and already wanting to go back to TK Maxx to see what new things they have!

I Will Leave you with one last photo....

New Hair, New Lipstick, New Me!

Lots of Love

X

Latest In Beauty; Red Carpet

The much anticipated Latest In Beauty; Red Carpet Box. The thing i and i think most people love about latest in beauty is the fact you know exactly what your are getting, so you can decide to buy it or not, there's no monthly subscription and no surprises. (not that i don't like surprises, i LOVE no knowing whats in my glossybox) This box, i feel has out done the rest, plenty of full size and high end products, lots of products I've never tried/heard of, so plenty to discover...

Jam Packed Box This Month

This box is so full of goodies, its well worth the £14 something pounds i spent on it.

First up we have Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara this is full size product and seems to be one of the ones alot of people are excited about, and I'm not surprise, with it claiming this on the box... ' Full exposure provides a 104% increase in lash volume plus lengthening fibres in one to create scene stealing lashes at every angle' I've read so much about all these mascaras that have lengthening fibres in them. I haven't used the mascara yet, but when i do I'll do a blog post on it and let you know what i think. I have high hopes for this, the brand is a good well known brand, the brush looks great, and everyones been talking about it. I've not seen Smashbox in shops (I don't think) though I'm pretty sure it often features on QVC.

The Brush

Next is a brand I've never come across before Essential Care, ' 100% natural mineral colour, vitamin-rich organic plant extracts and Shea butter to enhance the natural beauty of your eyes. A pure synergy of nature and nurture.' This came in the form of a black eyeliner pencil, which is always a welcome addition to any makeup bag. This is one of THE softest eyeliners i think I've ever come across, its so smooth and silky, just melts onto the skin. Its really pigmented and easy to blend for those that prefer a smokier line. Essential care have a range of products available here, the eyeliner retails for £12.50

Eyeliner Swatch

Young Blood, i want to say I've heard of this product, but i don't know if its one of those things, where i think i know it but i actually don't. But anyway, in the box we got the Mineral Primer (5ml sample) The product feels really silky and velvety, but (and did anyone else notice this?) it smells a teeenie bit funny when you first apply it? I dunno it might just be me, I'm abit funny with smells. It reminds me alot of one of the GOSH primers. I do have a bit of a thing for primers, so I'm looking forward to using this on a night out. Young Blood mineral primer is available here for £30.00/30ml

Smooch, is a brand i definitely haven't heard of,  but i love their Vintage-esque packaging,  the pink and the lace print gives it an almost burlesque touch.The lipstick is nicely pigmented and has a lovely glossy finish, though i'm not much a of lipstick wearer, it is always handy to have a red lipstick (i am a lover of fancy dress) I've had a look through their other products and they all look really good, and reasonably priced! they have some gorgeous nail polish colours! Go have a look... here.  Lipsticks cost £7.50 and I'm assuming we received a full size, as its a good sized lipstick.

Smooch; Rocking Red

Sorry about that bad picture

Sorry about the bad quality the face mask was a bitch to photography its too shiny! I'll start with that now I've mentioned it, this is probably the product I'm most intrigued about trying. Dr Bragi is again a brand I've never heard of and what we have is a Marine Enzyme Intensive Treatment Mask. 'Professional strength marine enzyme mask, designed to rapidly target redness, dehydration, loss of firmness and signs of premature aging' Now I'm hoping at 21 i don't have signs of premature ageing, but redness and dehydration is something my skin has always suffered with. I'm yet to read any reviews on this product but I'm definitely excited to try it out. The mask and other products are available here. you can purchase the mask individually for £10 or a pack of 3 for £25.

Since I've been getting beauty boxes, I've really been getting into hand creams, and now apply them most days, often more than once! QMS Medi Cosmetics another brand i haven't heard of (I'm not very good at this brand malarkey haha) I like the simple packaging of this product though it does look slightly medicinal. It has a really nice soapy smell to it, and sinks in beautifully leaving not greasy residue, i do love hand creams that leave no residue. It also leaves my hands really moisturised, always a bonus. as much as i love this product so far, i don't think i shall be purchasing it anytime soon, at £20.00 for 75ml i think it is a bit pricey for a hand cream. The hand cream and other skincare products are available here.

Richard Ward Energiser Styling spray, this IS a brand I've heard of! Though I've never tried any of his products, again since beauty boxes hair products is another thing I've really been getting into, I love trying to new things, finding things that work and things that don't. I'm yet to try this, as I'm currently trying our my Paul Mitchell (from GlossyBox) 'My dual-action, multi-tasking spray contains heat & UV protection, Humidity Defence technology and AQUARICH®, a unique advanced moisture compound to help counteract frizz and damage and increase shine. With an All in One Vitamin Complex and energising Lime Oil hair feels strengthened with bounce, leaving you with frizz-free, no-residue, glide-through volumous hair.' Things that tackle frizz are what I'm looking for, and anything that makes my hair shinier and healthier looking! Yes Please! Available here for £19.00/150ml.

Last But not Least.... Mont-Bleau Crystal Nail File with crystallised Swarovski elements. Crystal nail files are everywhere these days, My mum is a big big fan of them, I'm yet to try one. Filing nails make me cringe a little bit and i don't know if i like the texture of this enough to try it, it seems like one of those 'nails down a chalk board' things' So i may just pass this on to my mum who i know will muchly appreciate it!.

So i hope you've enjoyed My LIB Red Carpet review, i hope you've enjoyed it.

Did you get the Red Carpet box? What were your thoughts on the products?

Lots of Love

x

Carmine; February

There's been so much drama over this months box! 

To begin with, everyone was getting the same box (that included a full size SteamCream & a full size Balance Me body wash) Carmine then informed everyone that they had actually run out of said Full Size products and were unable to get any more, so replacing them with products from previous boxes.

 I'm still not sure how i feel about this, as its my first carmine box i don't feel i can complain, as i don't already have the products that they were replacing them with, but i also feel very annoyed as i subbed in January before i even knew what the boxes would have in them, yet in my first ever carmine box, i wont even be receiving the items (which i would have loved to have tried) So i had a slight annoyance/disappointment when i did eventually get my box, nonetheless i am semi pleased with what i got, as it has given me new products to try and introduced me to new brands. Which is the purpose of beauty boxes. Saying all of that, i completely understand why there has been so many issues with this box, Carmine just saying we aren't getting (in my opinion) the 2 best products in the box so blasé (don't know how to spell) without giving the people who only subbed for that reason or even people that had previously subbed but were getting the reworked box, to cancel. But they were welcome to send their box back (at their own expense) for a refund, which I'm guessing was less postage (TWO lots of postage). I really didn't mean to rant this much BUT once you start and all that, i shall leave it now. Please feel free to comment below. Now onto the products!

In My Box...

I Got...

- The Balm FratBoy All-In-One Shadow/Blush (replacement)

- Daniel Sandler Eye Delight (replacement)

- Andrea Fuller Nail Varnish (full size)

- Diego Dalla Palma Lipstick

- White Glo Whitening Toothpaste

- Yardley London Peony Fragrance (bonus)

I'll start with the replacement items...

The Balm is a brand I'd never heard of, but I've seen a lot of reviews of this product as i believe it featured in the October Carmine (along with the Daniel Sandler) as disappointed as i am not receive the cream and the body wash, i am pleased i got this product as i have wanted to try it, and I'm in need of a new blusher, this one is really pigmented and i love the packaging. It retails for £16.00 and is available at feelunique.com

Right; Daniel Sandler Left; The Balm FratBoy

Next is the Daniel Sandler in Ice, again i am please i got this product over some of the other things they could have added in as it is also a product I've been wanting to try, its really well pigmented and has a great shimmer, it will be a welcome addition to my make up kit. It can be used either wet or dry depending on how much intensity you'd like. Another Daniel Sandler product I'd like to try is the Watercolour Blush. Daniel Sandler products are available here and the eye delight retails for £10.25

Next up is Diego Dalla Palma The Lipstick, this again is brand I've never come across. The lipstick is available in 20 high pigmented shades, my came in shade 32 a nice peachy/corally colour with a hint of shimmer. I'm not the biggest lipstick fan, but this sample is so cute i can't not try it! Full size lipsticks are available here and retail for £20.30. I've just noticed it has an almost cocoa butter scent, so think this lipstick could be really moisturising!

Shade 32

Andrea Fullerton is a brand i have heard of, as they stock it in SuperDrug. I've often looked at the range of products there seem to be some great nail effects/art items. So i was really pleased to see this turn up the colour i received is called Julia. Again I'm really pleased with the colour, i have a vast collection of nail polishes and this is one that isn't a common with in my collect (i may have a boujois one similar) I have an awful lot of greens and other bright colours, and i think everyone need a subdued neutral colour varnish in their collection. As i mention this Brand is available at Superdrug and the individual polishes retail at £4.99 (I ha vent swatched as my nails are already painted, sorrryyy!)

White Glo, I'm really pleased to see this product in here, i know its a 'beauty' box but it makes a really nice change to face cream samples and things. I also know that this toothpaste is available in boots and I'm pretty sure you get a toothbrush with the full size version ( or you did when my mum purchased it) I look forward to trying this to see what its like, sometimes i find whitening toothpastes have a funny taste, but we shall see.... White Glo is available at boots.com for £4.07

And last but not least our 'bonus' item Yardley London, this brand is always something I've associated with old people, my grans favourite is Yardley Lavender Talc. Very stereotypical i know, but its just one of those things, I'm not a massive fan of overly floral smelling things, i like the smell of rose stuff, but not a lot else. So i was pleasantly surprised with this, its really light and fresh and not like old lady floral. I remember a friend had peony's as her wedding flower, and then too they smelt beautiful. This also is available in boots and at boots.com for £13.49/125ml

So after going through each product individually i am generally pleased with the contents of this box, disputer my initial disappointment. I very much look forward to trying all the products and seeing how they work out.

Which Carmine box did you receive this month? I hope you enjoy all your products!

P.s i apoligise for my rant at the start!

Lots of Love

X