Birchbox // July 2015

So so late with this one, but couldn't not share the contents of my lovely Birchbox!  July's 'Make a Splash' theme Birchbox (which actually came in a bag) was the summer holiday prep edition. With four varieties in the mix: orange for St Tropez, pink for Ibiza, Green for Hydra and yellow for Somerset, I received the lovely pink one!

My 'Ibiza' bag contained: the Balance Me Congested Skin Serum, Unani Aloe Vera Gel, POP Beauty Eyeshadow trio in Peach Parfait, the Benefit Dream Screen, Jelly Pong Pong Glow Getter Luminiser Gel, and the Lifestyle item this month was a Pura Vida Headband in Aqua.

Overall thoughts: I really like the super handy clear bag, especially love it because it's pink (and coincidentally I've not long returned from a lovely holiday to Ibiza myself. Overall I think it was a good mix of products, particularly the luminiser gel (I'm really loving highlighter at the moment)and the Balance Me serum, which are my favourites from this box.

Birchbox // March 2015

 

This month Birchbox collaborated with Habitat to create a gorgeous box bursting full of colour, with a special 20% off voucher for Birchbox subscribers.

 

 

 

 

 

My March box contained: the Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara (so glad I got the one I chose!), Catherine Malandrino Style de Paris fragrance, Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, Serenity Skincare Dead Sea Bath Salt and the Tan Organic Self Tanning Oil. The Lifestyle items month were a Birchbox & Habitat Exclusive Notebook and chapter 1 of 'A Perfect Heritage' by Penny Vincenzi.

 

 

Overall thoughts - A bit disappointing to be honest. Although I was really looking forward to trying the Benefit mascara, apart from that and the Elasticizer the rest of the items don't particularly appeal to me. Such a shame, but hopefully I'll get some more suitable items next month.

 

 

 

Birchbox // December 2014

December's theme was "Put on your party shoes", perfect for this month's festivities. The box was an exclusive design by Sophia Webster who put a gorgeous jewel twist on the regular design.

 

 

 

 

My box contained: Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel, BiOrganics Perfect Rebalancing Shampoo, Eyeko Fat Eye Stick (a full size Birchbox exclusive), Benefit Christmas Cracker High Beam (a sample Birchbox exclusive), Models Own Nail Polish in Obsidian and Magic for Skin Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, with the Lifestyle item this month - a purse also designed by Sophia Webster.

 

 

 

 

Overall thoughts - this has taken over as my favourite Birchbox so far! Once again, receiving such a well compiled box reminds me why I subscribed in the first place. This box is a classic example of how a mix of high street and high end items can work together and I extremely looking forward to trying out these items. In fact, I think the nail polish will be my go-to for NYE nails. I've only got one more box left of subscription and I'll definitely be subscribing again! Just one last thing - how CUTE was the Benefit Cracker?!

 

 

 

Birchbox // September 2014

Time for my third Birchbox already! Since I signed up for my first box in July, time seems to have flown by at a ridiculous rate and the cold months are upon us. So what's in store this month?

September's "Happy Days" theme is based around those special moments in life which make you feel ohh soo nostalgic. September's funky boxes can also be used as a photo frame to display some of your fondest memories (I prefer to use my mine to organise my make up drawers though).

This month's box revealed : an Agave Heating Oil Treatment, Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream, Korres Showergel, ModelCo Lip Lacquer in Viva and a BeautyBlender + cleanser soap. With the Lifestyle section including an Urban Fruit snackbag and the Birchbox Happy Days photo clip.

                      

 

                      

 

 

                       

 



 

 

Thoughts - initially extremely please that I now have a beauty blender! I've been thinking about purchasing the Real Techniques one but I'm glad I didn't as I now have this lovely little pink 'dabber' to play with. On the whole however I was not particularly impressed. I felt like the box was lacking was lacking excitement, as the other products did not particularly catch my eye. I am all for trying new products though so hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.

What did you think of the September Birchbox?

Hello Birchbox!!!

 

After months and months of lusting after subscription beauty boxes I finally decided that the beautiful Birchbox was going to be 'the one' and signed up for a 6-month subscription, eagerly awaiting for my first box to arrive.

 

 

Here's what arrived in my August 2014 Birchbox, which was 'Away We Go' themed:

 

 

Number 4 Super Comb Prep and Protect conditioning spray, Chella Highlighter pencil, Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Oil, Vasanti Brightenup! Enzymatic face rejuvenator, Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream, with an additional Lifestyle treat - the first chapter of The Proposal by Tasmina Perry.

 

 

 

Thoughts - very pleased all in all! This box was all about newbies, as I wasn't familiar with any of the brands in questions, so I'm very keen to play around and get a feel for these new products. The only thing I found a little annoying is that there were two tubes of the CC cream. Even though they are only small, I am not a massive fan of BB/CC creams so didn't need more than one, but I'm hoping this one will help sway my current opinion.

 

 

Completely behind on this next one, but seeing it was my first ever Birchbox, the July 2014 box absolutely deserved a mention! As you all probably know July's theme was 'Sun, Sea and Sand ' and my beautiful box came stocked with:

 

 

 

 

Compagnie De Provence mediterranean sea handcream, Balance Me wonder eye cream, Laqa & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil in Bees Knees, Benefit - The Porefessional, Soigne Nail Lacquer and finally a Lifestyle treat - The Chia Co Shots, super healthy stuff to add to your daily diet.

 

 

First impressions - very exciting! Although I'd seen many reviews and videos it was a hell of a lot more exciting opening up your own box for the first time! I was pleased to find a mixture of brands I already new and ones that I'd never even heard of, as this for me, was exactly what I was hoping to get out of the Birchbox experience.

Reviews coming up when everything has been tried and tested :)

 

 

 

Festival FOTD

 

With Autumn officially upon us and the festival season almost drawn to a close apart from the lucky ones still partying away at Bestival and Outlook over the next few days it seems the ideal time to reminisce about my festical experience this year. Camping at festivals isn't usually my thing, largely due to the ever-so reliable British weather, but this year I finally gave in and joined my friends at Creamfields... and oh boy was it amazing!!. I'm so terrible at taking selfies but managed to actually get few and thought I would share my festival face of the day with you guys.

 

 

My festival face basics included: MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation, Benefit Boi-ing Concealer, Garnier Eye Roll-on, the original Naked Palette, Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick in Gold Bronze, Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara, Bourjois Liquid liner and when it came to lips I alternated between a Calvin Klein Lipstick in Ethereal and a Rimmel Lip Lacquer in Luna. Other items I used to jazz things up included a Wet 'n' Wild white glitter pot, Body Shop shimmer diffuser, Startgazer neon paints in pink and orange (not pictured), a Hair FX Hair Chalk in Pink and Ardell lashes in 105 (applied after the photo was taken).

 

 

And here is the finished product:

 

 

We enjoyed the festival so much that we've already got tickets for Creamfields 2015, keen much?!? Although a whole year away I am already very excited :)

Which festivals did you go to this year? Would love to know what you thought!

 

 

Love You Long Time

 

Seeing as I missed the boat for favourite products of 2013, I thought I would do a round up of my favourite and most used product over the past 12 months or so. Many of these have been on the scene for years and years and will always have a prime spot in my makeup bag.

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous products

 

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Cherry. Batiste is a trusty old friend, always there to save the day, especially when you’re having a bad hair day. Great for on the go kind of girls, perfect to freshen up your hair and give it a bit of a boost.

Soap and Glory Rich and Foamous Body wash. Smells amazing! This is perhaps one of the nicest body washes I have tried in a very long time. It lathers really well and smells like almonds, with a hint of vanilla.

Rimmel SunShimmer fake tan. Fake tan for me tends to be very ‘hit and miss’ and this has definitely been a hit. If applies fairly evenly and the colour selection is just perfect, definitely more bronze toned rather than orange. This particular one is in the shade Fair Matte but my all-time favourite is Light Shimmer.

 

Eyelure false lashes in 145. Eyelure lashes are some of my absolute favourite, so many styles to choose from and the glue is brilliant. MY favourite at the time usually alternate from 140 and 145, but for the majority of the past 12 months 145 seem to be taking the lead.

Calvin Klein Euphoria perfume. Amazing! Highly recommend you try it!

Jelly Pong Pong Blush brush. Purchased at the Clothes Show, many many years ago, this lovely brush finally made it into my make up bag, ready for everyday use. It is really soft and perfect for applying blusher evenly. 

Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer in Mojito. Cannot describe how lovely this smells! Gutted there isn’t a Bath and Body Works in the UK… I would probably be in one every day!

 Eyes and Lips

MUA Palette in Undressed. Priced at an absolute bargain price of £4, I initially did not expect much but was pleasantly surprised with the great colour pay off from all of the colours in this palette. This would be a perfect product for someone who is just starting out in make up and wants to expand their collection.

 Maybelline 24 hour colour tattoo in Turquoise forever. Beautiful colour intensity with amazing staying power (even without primer!).

Bare Minerals eye shadow in High style and snazzy. Absolutely amazing eye shadows wit brilliant staying power. These can be worn just as a mineral powder but I prefer to apply them slightly wet for an added boost of colour intensity.

 

MEMEME Eyesweep eyeliner pen. Perfect for drawing thin lines, especially in the inner corner of your eye. Would highly recommend! 

Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara. Absolutely loved this in 2013. Having only really associated Soap and Glory with lotions and various bath and shower products, it was nice to expand my collection and try some of the cosmetics in the range.

Rimmel Colour Show Off Lipstick in 020 Shake up pink.  This is an oldie but goldie, such a pretty Barbie pink colour and lasts reasonably well.

Pomme Granate lip balm from H&M. This is an absolute gem! Bought on a whim one cold, cold evening in Boston, this lovely lip balm has saved by lips from the brutal American winds.