How much is my face worth?

So I have seen this floating around on a couple of blogs and I thought how much I really wanted to give it a go! So this is where I price up the make up products I use on a daily basis. So the products in the photo above are products that I use when I go to work!

Theodora Palette by Urban Decay- £35.00

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation- £9.99

Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer- £7.49

L'oreal True Match Powder- £8.19

Lush Eyes Bright Mascara- £12.00

Mac Lipstick (Colour Varies) £14.00

Bourjois Cream Blusher 03-  £7.99

Mac Soft and Gentle- £21.50

Total: £116.16...ouch!

Bank Holiday Mac Splurge

So it doesn't take many purchases to class as a splurge in Mac. It was a bank holiday last weekend and I just felt the need to treat myself for some reason, like we do. The two products I picked up are two I have had my eye on for quite some time now. When it comes to Mac I like to make sure that I really want the product before spending the money.

The first product is the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle. I think I have had my eye on this product for over a year now and I haven't been able to find a cheaper product that fills my craving. I saw rave reviews of this online and just decided to go for it. It's stunning, the glitter is quite chunky which will take some getting used to but the glow it gives is so healthy! Perfect for this time of year, and I haven't been very well recently so I need a bit of radiance to my skin!

I then thought I would pick up another Mac lipstick as I would like to extend my collection. I bought Patisserie, this seems like the perfect nude with a bit of sparkle. I have quite bad lips so I have to make sure that they are super soft before I use this otherwise it can look a bit yuk. My lips are quite pigmented so I don't see the same effect that I see people talking about. But all in all, I'm going to get this to work.

What are your favourite Mac Products?

Urban Decay Theodora Palette

I was in two minds about this product for a while and I was in two minds about which one to get. But I decided to go with the Theodora palette as I know I will get lots more use out of this one- and I have already! I purchased it from Debenhams and also got 10% off and triple points! Winner.

The palette is the style of the Urban Decay Build Your Own Palettes, only this is a steal as it's full already and you get a travel sized eyeliner and lipstick!

The Shadows are shades Broken, Beware, Bewitch, West, Spell and Jealous.

I love the fact there are also duo shadows here, two for the price of one! I get a lot of use out of all the colours and I'm so glad I purchased it after a large debate with myself. In usual Urban Decay standard the eyeshadows are really pigmented, nice and shimmery and just a pleasure to use. I never doubt Urban Decay when it comes to eyeshadows. 

Have you bought any Urban Decay Limited Edition Palettes?

Glossybox May 2013!

I'm totally in love with this months and it may of rekindled my love for beauty boxes! I was so surprised to see 2 make up products in my box this month- but I'm over the moon! It's so rare and I love both. This month Glossybox 2 so it's a birthday box, with lovely tissue paper and really vibrant ribbon. This month in my box I received:

• Caudalie Divine Oil- This is a multipurpose oil, it can be used on body, face and hair. I'm all over multipurpose products as I find they are really beneficial to have as they can be used for a number of things. Caudalie has become a big brand recently and I have been tempted by this product quite a few times so I'm really glad I get to try this, it's such a decent size and I can imagine it will last a while.
• Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lash Mascara- First off, what a cute name?! And the packaging is lovely. I'm really looking forward to testing this out, it claims to be a light weight mascara that you can't feel on your lashes (and I hate that feeling.) Mascara's are something I am always interested in trying as I change mine all the time.
• Bellapierre Cosmetics Super Lip Gloss in Raspberry- This is so my colour! I can't wait to test this, I'm interested in the sticky factor but I think this will be a really pigmented gloss. But purples are well up my valley! So pleased to receive another full sized make up product.
• L'Occitaine Angelica Hydration Cream- Another brand I love. I admire the hand creams so I am really looking forward to testing this face cream. It's a really decent sample sized and I'm sure it will be enough for me to test it properly. I am in the market for some new face creams so this could be an interesting one!
• Beautiful Movements Cosmetics Prime and Create Mixing Medium- This is the one product I am a bit hmm about in the box. You can use it alone as a primer to give a matte base for make up products. Or you can mix it with powder products to create cream products. To me this does seem a bit of a faff especially in the week when I'm going to work in the mornings. But I am interesting in seeing how it does mix. I will probably try it with a blusher.

Overall I am so pleased with this box, there are 2 full sized products and decent sample sizes, for a birthday box this is definitely great! There is a gift included from Glossybox as well- travel nail files in a match box style!

B.Pure Micellar Water

Living in England I can't get my hands on the famous Bioderma very easily and I don't wish to pay the hefty price tag in the places that do sell it. I have noticed a number of micellar waters in the drugstore recently and I was in superdrug, saw this one on offer and thought- why not! So far I am in love. This is the best, easiest and quickest way to remove my make up after a long day at the office!

It's so easy to use, just put on a cotton pad, I then tend to press it on my eye for a couple of seconds and remove. No pain whatsoever! My eyes are extremely sensitive so to find something that works for me is great. I can't compare it to any other micellar water as I have never tried one, but I'm pretty content with this one anyway!

I think I picked this up for about £3.99 it might still be on offer in superdrug so go and check it out!

New Perfume| Vera Wang Pink Princess

Around this time last year I absolutely fell in love with Vera Wang's Princess Night fragrance (the purple glittery heart) I wore the perfume every single day and once it ran out I really struggled getting back into my others. When you have been wearing the same for everyday it's always strange to change it up.

Doing some bank holiday shopping this weekend and I come across this fragrance in Debenhams. Oh, my god. I had to smell to it, as it was the same style bottle of my all time favourite. I fell in love. It's a really sweet perfume, but quite floral at the same time, it's a nice light scent. It has top notes of pink grapefruit and raspberry sorbet. Heart notes of pink hibiscus and honeysuckle. Base notes of marshmallow and winter amber. I would say I agree with the description. I'm not sure whether it beats the Vera Wang Princess Night which I lust over all the time. But it's a nice difference and I'm enjoying wearing it now the summer seems to be coming.

I also got a free bag with the purchase!

Have you tried any Vera Wang perfumes?

Jarome Alexander Magic Minerals Stackables

A friend at work was on about this product the other day, raving about how good it is. I searched online and found it for £8.99 when she had paid around £20. So I thought I would pick it up and give it a go- I LOVE IT. For the price this is the best buy that I have had in ages! Jarome Alexander Magic Mineral stackables comes with an all over face powder, blusher and bronzer, 4 eyeshadows, 3 brushes and a mirror.

Lets start with the all over powder- this is amazing. I was worried it was going to be too dark for my pale complexion but it adjusts well and can be used on all. I don't have the best skin, the occasional spot and I still have acne scarring so I didn't really have a great hope in this. But I was wrong. It's so light and it covers everything so well! It has four colour correctors in the powder. Lavender- to correct sallow complexions. Pink- to conceal dark circles and uneven skin tone. Yellow- to brighten dull skin. Mint- to reduce redness and blemishes. It works so well and it's a nice light coverage so you don't feel like your wearing anything on your skin, perfect for this time of year!

The blusher and the bronzer are very nice when they are mixed together, using the blusher alone I didn't really feel like there was a lot of colour pay off but using them both together you get a nice sunkissed, healthy glow which everyone craves!

I'm not all that big on the eyeshadows yet, but I do love sticking to my naked palettes and I don't think there will really be anything that can take me away from that. I find the colours a very random selection but they are very nice quality and workable into a subtle look.

The brushes are also really nice quality which did surprise me!

All in all I think this is a great product for when I'm in a rush in the mornings. It will also be good for travel purposes as it's all in one!

Have you ever tried anything from Jarmone Alexander before?

Empties

• Naked Shampoo- I love this range and have totally moved over to this, no my sulphates for my hair!
• Champeneys body butter and scrub- What luxury products these are, really love them. The consistency of the body butter is really interesting but is great.
• Johnsons Baby Oil- I add this to the bath sometimes, to add moisture to my skin, would recommend this as a cheap bath oil!
• La Roche Posay Matte Moisturiser- This stuff is amazing now I've ran out I find my skin to be so oily!

I took another photo of some empties but can't seem to find it! It included;

• Dove Maximum protection deodorant
• About 3 old mascara's
• Some blotting papers
• L'oral true match powder
• Tesco Body Wash
• Steam cream
• Soap and Glory Body Butter

Sheer Cover Smokey Eye Palette

Todays post is on this palette by Sheer Cover. I received this in my December Lux Box and was so pleased to see a full sized palette! I love a smokey eye so this was right up my street. I have used it a couple of times but I think the colours are gorgeous and the pigmentation is amazing!

Colours L- R: White Ice, Silver Polish, Soft Coal, Royal Blue, Deep Violet and Starry Night

This is the perfect palette to through in your bag and take your look from day to night! I really love using soft coal and deep violet, out of the whole palette these two shades are by far my favourite!

Have you ever tried any Sheer Colour products before?

Quick Empties Post

TAAJ Hand Cream- Loved this stuff, smelt amazing and it didn't leave my hands feeling sticky. Once I put it on and rubbed it in I could just carry on with what I was doing!

Clarins Eye Cream- This was ok, I didn't really notice much of a difference when I used it. But yeah I don't think I would purchase this.

Clarins toning body balm- Loved this, smelt amazing, can't say I felt anymore toned but I did really enjoy using this product.

The Body Shop Ginger Sparkle Body Scrub- Loved this, lots of grains in it and the smell was very christmasy!

WEI Eye Cream- I did quite enjoy this product but I don't think I'm old enough to see the results of an eye cream yet. But I did enjoy the consistency and smell.

Long Barn Lavender Bath Oil- I won this from the Lux Box christmas calendar- I loved this and found it very relaxing! I'd get this again.

Clairns Instant Smooth- I want this again! This was a sample and I loved it, my skin looked so smooth such a great make up base.

Maccadamia hair oil spray- Holy Grail- need I say more?

PIXI Early Bird Palette

This is pretty much an all in one palette for your face. After Christmas I went on the PIXI site as I was interested in trying out some of their eyeliners as I hear such good reviews about them. But then I came across this little number. Behind those beautifully designed closed doors are 4 shadow bases, 16 eyeshadows, 3 blushers, 2 bronzers and a highlighter. I thought wow that would be perfect for my weekday mornings where I'm up early and in a rush to go to work! So I picked it up for £16.

Above you can see the shadow bases and the eyeshadows themselves. There is a good range of colours here I'm not disappointed. I love the shadow bases and would actually wear them on their own sometimes. The majority of the eyeshadows are shimmery, there is one matte brown, for me this is where the palette is let down as I do like my matte shades. The pigmentation is good although can sometimes be a bit grainy.

The bronzers are both shimmery, not too much but it is noticeable. The highlight is beautiful it could probably be my favourite thing about the whole palette, it slides on so well and gives a perfectly radiant glow. As for the blushers, I've only just really started getting in to them and I do lie heavily faithful to my Benefit Harvana. I love the plum blusher and the pink one, but me and orange don't really go. the consistency and pigmentation of these are good and I do recommend them. 

I'm glad I had this palette as it will be great to throw in my bag is I'm staying away for the night, it's got everything in it and it's so compact, for the price I really don't think I can complain, I think I will get a pair bit of use out of this product.

Have you tried any PIXI products?

17 Doll'd up Eyeliner

Back last summer I saw that Clarins came out with a 3 dot liner, I couldn't believe how impressed I was with it, I rushed to buy one, and they had all sold out. I then thought did I really need it? (as I do with a lot of my make up purchases) and decided no, maybe I would buy the one from Too Faced. Anyway my fascination with these liners had died down.

Until I was in Boots looking for a new mascara. I'd never tried anything by 17 before and I saw that they had this offer on, where if you bought their new Doll'd Up mascara you would get a free eyeliner. The mascara was only £5- bargain. So when I got home I was so surprised to see that the eyeliner was a 3 dot liner.

I have tried this out a couple of times and I can't compare it to any others that have been on the market as I have not tried them. But so far I'm really liking this. I stopped wearing liquid eyeliner for a while and now I feel that this product is getting me back into it. You can do a variation of different lines from a nice subtle line close to the lash line or bold liner. It takes a bit of practicing to get used to this product as it is different but the results are really good. But the main winner factors for me is that its quick in the morning and the price! It's brilliant if you want to give something like this a go. 

Do you think you will try this product? Whats your favourite eyeliner out there?

My thoughts on beauty boxes

So last year we saw a boom in the industry for monthly subscription beauty boxes. Everybody was wanting one and we had companies up to our eyeballs offering them. I remember being so intrigued by the concept, I thought- it's like a goodie bag (we used to have them as kids) but these beauty one's are obviously more expensive. So I dipped my fingers into the water by sampling a Carmine box, it was my first so I was very impressed. Since then I have tried boxes from Glossybox, She Said Beauty, Birch Box and Lux Box. Overall I would say I have been most impressed with Lux Box. But were they all really worth my £10 a month?

That is the big question that seems to lie over everyones head. An I don't really know.

I love the fact that it's a surprise every month, but if I don't like what's in the boxes then it's not really a good surprise- I end up feeling disappointed. I like the fact you get to try brands that are new to you, and that I wouldn't normally buy- maybe due to the price. But some of the samples aren't that great, sometimes you just end up with sachets and to me, that's not really trying the product. Some boxes I have had and I have been really pleased with, but others, not so much. To me that £10 could go on a product that I really want. I now wait for the reviews to show up online to decide as to whether I want a box or not and I find this the best way after testing a number of boxes. For £10 a month I think I expect a variety, decent sample sizes and quality service. Some months the boxes hit these expectations, others they don't. Overall, in my experience they are rather hit and miss.

What do you think of the monthly beauty box subscription world? Have you ever tried any, or would you ever consider trying any? Let's talk!

Lush lip scrub!

Following on from my last post I mentioned that I have been using the Lush lip scrub! I again, bought this because I had heard some great reviews about the product.  I tend to only buy items that I know I’m going to like. So I’ve given it a go! I bought the bubblegum flavor because I’m all about sweet smelling products. Now, admittedly this is a bit too sweet for me, so therefore I don’t lick it off afterwards (which you can do!) I just tend to wipe it off with a tissue.

I find this scrub quite good; however I haven’t used any others in which I can compare it to. For the price you get a great amount of product which I’m sure will last a long time. After using it I can feel the benefits of my new smooth lips! You can use it as much as you like as well, because it isn’t a harsh scrub it can be used quite regularly. I really like using this and then finishing off with a lip balm- to basically give me new lips!

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm

Today I wanted to write a post on a product that has totally made a difference to me. I’m sure it’s something that you have all heard of before...introducing the Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm. I had seen some many people talk about this on their blogs on or on youtube. Everybody seemed to rave about it! For as long as I can remember I have also suffered with really bad chapped lips, Nivea and Chapstick don’t help one bit for me. It’s kind of distressing sometimes as I just wanted smooth lips like everyone else! Having heard people say what a saviour this product is for chapped lips I just had to jump on the bandwagon. So as I was browsing the feelunique sale I just thought why not! I’m doing an order let’s make it worthwhile!

I’ve only had this product a week and already I can’t imagine where I would be without it anymore! I have been using this as my main lip balm just to get my lips in the condition I want them. When they are feeling a little better then I will probably just switch to using it at night. I have been using it alongside my Lush lip scrub and what a dream team they are! The Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm has a lovely citrus smell that isn’t too overpowering- in fact it is almost relaxing. With the results I am seeing I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to anyone! It’s a great thick, nourishing lip balm that really does wonders for those of us who suffer with chapped lips!

Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm- Clarins

This appeared in my Ebay purchases and gosh isn't it stunning? The colour and the packaging just made me fall in love with this baby. I managed to snap this up for about £8. I have been using this every day since I bought it. The shade is crystal violet, yum.

From the picture you can see there is a lipstick centre with an outer balm. Now this is my kinda thing! I tried the Revlon Lip Butters and didn't get on with it. I tried the L'oreal twin and loved it! But my love for this Clarins lip balm has taken over! I've become a right sucker for Clarins products too.

I think these are limited edition also..shh! Grab one while you can :) you won't regret it!

OPI Nail Envy Review

This product is my go to product for my nails! I have bought it in a mini size as I wasn't sure I would like it enough to spend the rrp! I've had the mini size for about 4/5 months and I use it every week as a base for my nail polish and my bottle is still going strong. I think I picked it up for about £3 on ebay. Bargain city. 

As I said I have been using this product as a base for my nail polish. I find it makes my nails feel stronger and less brittle, and the amount I paint my nails this is a good thing. It's a good base as it seems to fill the ridges in my nails in. Sometimes if I don't feel like much colour on my nails then I'll just wear this for the week. I really like this product as I feel it does exactly what is says on the pot! It may be a bit pricey but I think it's worth the tag and the hype. 

Fake Benefit

It pains me to write this post, it really does. But I feel it's something that may help people in the future. A couple of days ago I went on Ebay and searched for Benefit products as I have also wanted to try items from this brand and wondered if I could get them any cheaper. I thought I was lucky in the fact I found some, I was wrong and this is why I'm posting this. When I bought these products it did run through my mind, with the price- are they fake? Well yes, they are. After reading about it I know they are and have emailed the sellers, but no replies. Here are the two products I bought and how they are spotted as fake.

Dallas

The box is wonky on the base, and doesn't fit together properly.

The colours are wrong, this is my box and I'll link the real deal below.

Complete give away as this is pink and not red.

You can't peel here.

This is the product inside, I actually thought it's quite a nice colour.

But it didn't transfer that well.

This just shows that you can't sneak out and buy an expensive brand for cheap. Yeah I like the colour of this product but I'm unsure of using it as can I trust what is really in it? I'm pretty sure that I don't want to risk it, the product is fake, the ingredients list can be fake also.

Along with this I always purchased Lemon Aid, so I will do a blogpost on this as well. I hope this may help some of you. Any questions please feel free to comment.

Cupcake Lush Facemask

"We invented this mask for younger skins and for those who are new to face masks and want to use something that’s cheerful and cheeky but still effective and good at its job.

The serious side of this mask has linseed infusion to nourish and soften the skin, fresh mint for toning, cocoa butter to moisturise and rhassoul mud to absorb grease and give a deep cleanse

The lighthearted side of this mask has cocoa powder, vanilla absolute and spearmint oil - because we wanted this to bring all the comfort of a chocolate bar.  Well, a chocolate bar that doesn’t cause spots, of course!"

Highly recommend this product when it is on it smells amazing! As you can see I have already used a fair bit of this face mask but there is plenty more to go! For those of you who haven't tried Lush face masks before they have to be used within 3 week of purchase and there is a date on them. They are to be stored in the fridge and it is recommended that you do 2 face masks a week. But my skin is loving this face mask so I highly recommend it for those of you with problem skin.