GlossyBox Beauty Soulmates February Edition - What's Inside Mine

February's Edition of Glossybox is billed as the Beauty Soulmates edition - pairing you with beauty essentials and perfect product matches ... I have to say they have done a great job on my box!

The limited edition box design is super cute and apt for Valentine's Day/February also known as the month of love...

What's inside ?

Nicka K 24H Waterproof Eyeliner - £3.99 

I absolutely love a decent rich brown eyeliner and this one doesn't disappoint. A flattering brown shade, once set it really doesn't budge. A nice precise tip,  a blender at the other end and a built in sharpener.

MUA Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss - £3.50 

My shade is HUSH which is a gorgeous sheer peachy nude which is just the kind of shade I adore. It smells lovely with a hint of vanilla. I will definitely be wearing this once the wind dies down!

NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner - £10.64 

I do like a good hair mask and I was particularly impressed with the Maria Nila Luminous Hair Masque that appeared in a previous Glossybox so I am looking forward to trying this one. It has a nice fresh citrus scent.

Wilkinson Sword Intuition Razor - £6.99

This box was sent at the perfect time, I was just about to pop out to buy some blades for my preferred razor but I am willing to give this a go. It has built in soap to help the razor glide against your skin.

Browtician Love Skull Tweezers Ltd Edit - £7.99 

I must admit I am a Tweezerman girl through and through and have been for many years... how is this going to compare!

Final thoughts 

February's Glossybox features 5 full size products which for just £10 + p&p makes it outstanding value. 

*PR Sample

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balm Review

These Colour Intensifying Lip Balms from Max Factor have been my Spring to Summer go to lip choice as they are so easy to wear, providing the right amount of colour and sheen to the lips without any stickiness (ideal for those super windy says we have been having recently)

Max Factor say 

This lip Colour Balm really earns its place in your make-up bag as it’s just so flexible. The lightweight buildable formula lets you dial up and dial down your lip look -

• Build colour and intensity in smooth, defined layers.
• Helps moisturise and protect your lips from dryness.
• Lightweight formula that doesn’t feel heavy.
• Smooth, even finish that’s free from stickiness.

My thoughts 

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balm Swatches

From Bottom to top, one application and then 3 - Shades Refined Rose, Luscious Red & Classy Cherry

I love the sleek, slim bullet that the lip balm is cased in and the matching case to the shade (and see -through lid) makes it easy to identify quickly the shade you want to use.

The lip balm provides a simple wash of colour but this is buildable if you want more colour intensity, hence its product name. There is no stickiness or dryness to contend with, just lovely colours and a beautiful glossy sheen. The result is that the Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balms are a winner with me.

Wearing my fave shade  - Classy Cherry 

Wearing Classy Cherry

Max Factor Colour Intensifying Balms come in 9 shades and cost £8.99

*PR Samples

Kiko Spring Collection - Generation Next - Review

I have said before that Kiko is one of my favourite makeup brands and their new wearable Spring Collection - Generation Next is no exception.

The stunning geometric packaging is  inspired by the famous Italian Murano glassware and channels the theme of  the future with its shiny and colourful range.

I was sent a few items to try out.

Masterpiece Bronzer in 01 Forward Sienna £14.90

Gorgeous and sturdy packing house this three shade bronzer - either use the shades separately to sculpt the face or swirl together for an allover glow. This is the perfect matte bronzer shade for warmth and the lighter shades brighten. Texture wise this powder is buttery soft and blends beautifully.

Cool Touch Eyeshadow in 01 Original Cream £8.90

The eyeshadows are described as intense and giving a long lasting, metallic and glossy finish. I was sent Original Cream to review and it is a wonderfully rich golden shade that will really brighten the eye area this Spring/Summer. I think it imparts a slight wet look which I love and application is smooth and even. Available in 8 shades, this eyeshadow is housed in a flip top pot.

Crystal Eyeliner £6.90 

I love these eyeliners, they have already found their way into my everyday makeup bag. I was sent two shades - 03 a metallic brown and 06 metallic grey which are both really complimentary to my green eyes. They are super soft to apply just gliding over the eyelid but imparting a strong colour. Once set these do not budge, at all. Love, love, love. Available in 6 shades.

Frosted Look Lipstick £7.50 

Although these are described as giving a frosted look to lips ,the shade I have - 02 - which is a nude pinky shade is surprisingly matte in swatches and on my lips. This was the most disappointing product in terms of its description. That said I have been wearing this as it is a nice nude shade. This is a soft and creamy chubby pencil style product but the nib is like a lipstick which is a little different from the usual crayon lipsticks. Available in 6 shades.

Glassy Lipgloss £7.90

For the lips this is far more exciting! I really like the mirror packaging with a huge window so you can see the colour of the shade inside. The doe foot applicator is excellent too. The bright coral shade is the perfect Spring/Summer shade and one that really lifts my complexion and brightens my face and eyes. Ultra glossy, wet look finish this is a lipstick/lipgloss hybrid with vivid colour the water based formula coats lips whilst moisturising. This gives a beautiful colour but is not at all heavy on the lips. Another winner for me. Available in 6 shades.

Kiko Milano Next Generation Spring Collection is available now from Kiko stores and online at its website. 

*PR Samples

L'Oreal Makeup Gift With Purchase Offer - L'Oreal Paris So Couture Gift Set

I have had my eyes on a few makeup bits from L'Oreal MakeUp for a little while now and so when I saw they had a GWP in Boots worth £30 (which incidentally came with the mascara I was wanting to try) when you spent £14.99 I had to indulge.

I bought the following items

L'Oreal Paris Color Nail Gold Leaf Top Coat
L'Oreal Paris L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche in Nude Vibrato and Nude Ballet

*I spent £22

and received the following 

Gift With Purchase -  L'Oreal Paris So Couture Gift Set

Containing all full size products of

L'Oreal Paris Million Lashes So Couture So Black Mascara

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Lipstick in Scarlett Creme 

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Nails in Exquisite Scarlet

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Le Khol in Immaculate Snow  

I'd say that was a bargain!

Bareminerals Survivor Lipgloss For Look Good Feel Better

To support Breast Cancer Awareness Month bareMinerals has teamed up with Look Good Feel Better to launch an exclusive pink lipgloss. This partnership aims to raise awareness and provide vital funds for the charity.

Survivior is a suit all Carnation pink shade - as with all Marvelous Moxie Lipglosses, it is infused with vitamins and minerals to smooth and hydrate lips, lips look fuller for a luscious pout. It features a delicious minty scent and is super glossy with sheer to medium opacity. 

For those who love a tingle, this gloss certainly has it!

For each sale of this £16 lipgloss a very generous £5 will go directly to the Look Good, Feel Better charity.

Look Good Feel Better is the only international cancer charity, providing free skincare and make-up workshops and self-help materials to help women and teenagers combat the visible side effects of cancer treatment.

Available now from bareMinerals boutiques and online at bareMinerals. 

*PR Sample

L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick - Gorgeous Nudes!

I spotted these gorgeous nudes from the L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick collection whilst out shopping the other day - they have decent colour opacity and are super glossy, plus they smell fruity lovely too!

Nude Vibrato is a pinky/peachy nude and Nude Ballet is a browny nude - both are equally lovely, I think I need to purchase them both...

 L'Oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick £8.99 each

#MyNo7Feeling Look 4 - Seven Days Of Makeup

Day 4 of the Boots No7 #MyNo7Feeling challenge and today we move into the Berry shades which I am right at home with, they really bring out my green eyes.

I already have the lip crayon from this trio and needless to say I adore it. If you haven't tried the lip crayons from No7, I strongly recommend them.

Look 4

This look consists of the following items

No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Berry £9
No7  Natural Blush Tint Powder in Spice £8
No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Temptress £6

The blusher is really fine and soft and a really gorgeous warm yet natural shade. I found it really light but buildable and I may have been tempted to apply a bit stronger but that is just because I like really defined cheeks :)

The disappointment for me was the nail polish, I found it watery, streaky and uneven which made it hard to apply. I had to apply 3 coats to get that rich colour that the bottle promises. It is a shame as the pink I tried earlier in the week from the same range was fantastic.

Anyway here is the finished Look 4

*PR Samples

#MyNo7Feeling Look 3 - Seven Days Of Makeup

Day 3 of the Boots No7 #MyNo7Feeling challenge. I am getting used to the idea that my make up is set out for me! Although the products have been grouped, it has been left to me to decide which group to use on which day.

Look 3

So we have the following three items

No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Statement £9

No7 Stay Perfect Shade And Define in Glistening Ray £8

No7 Lash Impact Mascara in Black £13.50

As soon as I saw the shade of the lip crayon I knew I was going to love this look. I have the High Shine Lip Crayon in Daydreamer which I adore. These are a great dupe for the Clinique Chubby Sticks and much cheaper!

I applied Glistening Ray which is a creamy shimmery shade on the whole of my eyelid and on my bottom lash line (not on the waterline) this brightened up the eye area. For definition I applied a little black eyeliner for definition and completed the look with the Lash Impact Mascara which gives volumous lashes. 

I always maintain that the right lipstick for you is one that makes your eyes stand out which Statement really does. 

Take a look at the finished look 

*PR Samples

#MyNo7Feeling Look 2 - Seven Days Of Makeup

On Wednesdays, we wear pink..so say The Mean Girls. Naturally I opted for the pink grouping for today's look. I don't tend to gravitate to pinks, I tend to prefer corals or raspberries for more of a colour punch but when I do wear pink I don't mind it at all. On the other hand, pink on my nails especially in the Summer is glorious.

Look 2 

Today's look comprised of

No7 Pop & Glow Cream Blush Stick in Rose Blossom £9.95 

No7 Sheer Temptation Lipstick in Pretty Please £9.75

No7 Gel-Look Shine Nail Colour in Holiday £7

I already have the Pop & Glow Cream Blush, it is great for Summer as you don't get a powdery finish and it blendable and buildable. The lipstick is pink and glossy, a little sheer. The whole look was very natural, very sheer so I wore nothing on my eye apart from mascara. 

The nail polish is a lovely formula with a great wide brush for easy application. I needed two coats to achieve opacity and the colour comes out brighter than it looks in the bottle. 

Here is the finished look

What do you think?

#MyNo7Feeling Look 1 - Seven Days Of Makeup

I am taking part in the Boots No7 #MyNo7Feeling challenge where for the next seven days I am going to try out seven different looks from Boots No7 Makeup Range and share them with you.

I am looking forward to experimenting and pushing myself out of my self imposed comfort zone. I have been given free reign as to which look to wear when so I am easing myself in slowly with this first look that is totally up my street! A golden bronze summer face with a coral/orange lip. I adore this look!

This look is inspired by these 3 items

Stay Perfect Mascara £12.95 I happen to love this mascara so was delighted that this was included in this little bundle. A great long lasting, good definition mascara that doesn't budge until you just wash it away with water.

Instant Radiance Bronzing Highlighter £9.95 - I use a highlighter in some form pretty much every day so I was in my element when this was included, this is really easy to use with its crayon style applicator and creamy texture. Just apply and blend on the cheek bone for a gorgeous golden glow. Can also my used across the bridge of your nose and cupid bow.

BB Beauty Lips SPF15 in Geranium £9 The BB Lips provide three benefits - Soothing nourishment, beautiful colour and UV protection. Geranium is that perfect Summer shade, a bright and happy mood enhancing shade. The formula is non sticky, feels good on the lips actually, not at all drying either. I think it is brilliant that it has SPF15 as well. Good price and good creamy but sheer colour pay off. I would look at other shades in this range.

So here is the finished look 

What do you think?

*PR Samples

Poolside Glamour

Three items on my recent holiday helped keep me up there in the glamour stakes by the pool. Now I am not talking about false lashes, heavy foundation and some thick gloopy pale gloss but more subtle tricks that meant that I looked alive whilst sat by the pool and they had the added advantage of containing SPF and being good for my skin!

The first product I popped on after my suncare was the Ginvera Green Tea Nude Cover BB Cream . I have waxed lyrical about this product both in a blog post and on twitter and I still think the same.. it is fabulous. A light product that hides imperfections, evens out skin tone and makes skin look so much better and yet so natural, PLUS it contains an SPF30 for additional protection.

The second product was the new(ish) Smashbox Full Exposure Waterproof Mascara, lashes look long and luscious, it comes in a nice rich black and does a great job after a dip in the pool. There were no panda eyes here!

Finally, the third product I used by day was the Lanolips Lip Ointment With Colour SPF15 in shade Apples This conditioned my lips leaving them beautifully soft, protected them from the Sun with the SPF15 and provided a pretty and subtle red glossy hue to my lips. What is there not to love.

Anna Sui Lip & Eye Colour Palettes Reviewed

I was so excited to review these absolutely gorgeous ANNA SUI Eye & Lip Colour Palettes. The Baroque packaging design is stunning, you could easily leave these out on the dressing table as they are so pretty and have that all important shelf appeal.

However, inside the contents are just as pretty and certainly do not disappoint.. I don't often scream in excitement but I can tell you in this case I was very nearly tempted!!

Take a look at these

Anna Sui Eye Colour Palette 

Inside are 10 wearable eye shadow shades from light to dark and a foam applicator and brush. Personally I would ditch the applicator and use your own brushes, ones inside eye palettes are rarely good.

The pale shades are great for every day and the darker shadows are perfect for evening and moving into Autumn (it pays to be prepared ;-))

Swatches 

The white is a brilliant white shimmery highlighting shade, you also get a nude (in my case it matches my skin-tone completely so you can just about see it) for a base shade, a pink, a taupe, 3 various shades of browns (one a brown/gold one shimmer, one satin, a pretty purple, a muddy green and finally a black with chunky glitter.

Day to Evening in one easy palette!

Anna Sui Lip Colour Palette 

Now this palette delighted me the most, I was expecting light glosses/tints and certainly not a palette of rich and creamy textured highly pigmented lipsticks. I made the mistake of putting the brush into the white pearlescent one and the brush disappeared into the creamy liquid! Now there is a shade for every occasion, gorgeous, gorgeous nudes, pinks, reds and a super bright coral. The shades are all surprisingly flattering.

Once again I wasn't really taken with the brush applicator, I would use my own lip brush.

Swatches 

Anna Sui Lip & Eye Colour Palettes retail for £28 a palette but Escentual.Com have them on offer for just £14 each!!

*Samples provided by escentual.com

Paul & Joe Makeup Spring/Summer 2014 and A Sneaky Autumn Peek!

I have already shown you the Paul & Joe Indigo Blues Nail Polish  from the Ice Cream Parlour and now I have a few more items of beauty.

First up is the Eye Colour Trio in April Paris 

A gorgeous trio of shades - yes there is a glittery blue but on the skin this transforms to a cool bright shade that is just ideal for highlighting and brightening the inner corner of the eyes and brow bone. A matte pink neutral shade that is the perfect base for your eyes and a light shimmer brown that is great for shading/crease. So 3 shades, 3 textures and the effects are subtle but pretty. The textures are great to work with, blending beautifully and lasting.

Paul & Joe Eye Color Trio in April Paris

Note - The compact shadow doesn't come in a case, Paul & Joe have launched 4 different compact cases to choose from . Above you can see the sweet Kitty Compact 002, however it also comes in two super pretty floral designs (Chrysanthemum and Floral) which I adore. It also comes in Compact I - the classic case (matches the lid of the glossy lip color)

Finally, the Paul & Joe Glossy Lip Color in shade 04 Flamingo

This shade is sublime, a perfect for Summer not too bright and yet super juicy coral. It is creamy and glossy, with rich colour pay off and it is not shimmery or glittery. It applies evenly and doesn't feel gloopy or sticky on the lips. I love the packaging, it is compact and has a pretty white lid with a raised embossed print. The wand is curved for easy application. A winner. 

The only problem is that the new collection of Glossy Lip Colors are not available until October!! 

Paul & Joe Eye Color Trio £23

Paul & Joe Compact Case £7

Paul & Joe Glossy Lip Color £20 

*PR Samples

Lanolips Lip Ointment With Colour SPF - Apples

For a pop of colour with the added benefit of SPF you cannot go wrong with Lanolips Lip Ointment With Colour SPF15 

I like Apples -  a scary bright red in the tube but on the lips provides a subtle brightness, a bit like I imagine how Snow White's lips would look like stained with apple...

Mirror Mirror on the wall...

Lanolips Lip Ointment with Colour contains Ultra Pure Grade Lanolin, Pure Pigment and SPF. It gives glossy shine and hydration without feeling sticky and the SPF is ideal over the Summer months..days just like this in fact.

Lanolips Lip Ointment With Colour SPF is available in 5 shades 

Beauty Look - How to do Sultry

I love playing with and trying out make up and of course creating different beauty looks. I love seeing just how different my face can look with the help of a few colours and tricks!

The look above is one that I particularly adore - A bit sultry, a bit sex kitten. This is a look where the focus is predominantly on the Kohl eyes but the rest of the makeup has to be soft but sculpted for real impact. I think this is great date night make up.

The products I used 

Foundation - Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in Champagne 
Bronzer - Little Mix by Collection Bronze It Jesy Bronzer
Contour Blush - Smashbox Blush Silhouette in Rush - Create fabulous cheek bones
Blusher - Cargo Cosmetics Blush in Tonga - A neutral blush
Highlighter - Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc Pink Tourmaline - I love this shimmer bloc as a radiance enhancer.
Lip Gloss - Beautiful Movements Cosmetics Nude Lip Gloss - The perfect peachy pink nude gloss allowing the eyes to shine.
Mascara - Benefit They're Real Mascara
Eyeliner - Maybelline New York Master Kajal Kohl Liner in Pitch Black - For added interest I have drawn two flicks coming out at the corner of my eyes.

Chanel Spring 2014 Makeup Swatches

Chanel's Spring Makeup Collection for 2014 is beautifully understated, I was immediately drawn to the stand from its images and couldn't resist a swatching a few of the lipsticks and glosses. As a makeup lover I do find myself choosing to update my collection with a lipstick or a gloss. It is such a simple thing to do but it can make the world of difference and take your look from Winter to Spring etc. Also it is a fairly inexpensive way to embrace a trend.

This Spring, maybe predictably, there are a lot of pinks and corals on the stands but Chanel was one of the cosmetic brands that made me stop in my tracks. A fresh flawless skin with a pinky/coral lip is a real statement and one that I adore. Light and wearable, it is just utterly gorgeous.

Below, I have swatches of

136 Melodieuse Rouge Allure Lip Colour, 
60 Triomphe Rouge Coco 

and the two complimenting glosses 

Lèvres Scintillantes, Sonate - the sheer one

and the creamy peachy one that you can see in the pic next to 60 Triomphe that I am afraid I didn't get the name of! 

I am very, very tempted!

Seven Nude Glosses and Lipsticks In My Handbag - With Swatches

My handbag is a treasure trove of mystery, it always seems so heavy and in an attempt to lighten the load I realised that it was being weighed down by makeup and more accurately umpteen lipsticks and glosses.. I thought I had removed a few of the offending items (yes, there are even more nude shades that are not shown here) but it seemed when I yet again emptied my bag that there were no less than 7 nude shades of lipsticks and glosses that I came across. I might add I do also have two bright shades of lipstick permanently in my bag, you know for those just in case moments!

Pictured above are the 7 shades that seem to live in my handbag or get thrown in when I fancy yet another shade of ..nude.

Swatches 

Pictured from left to right

New CID Cosmetics i-gloss in Honey Pot

Burberry Lip Velvet in Pink Apricot 

No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Daydreamer

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Nudist

Collection Little Mix Jade's Lipstick

Benefit Hoola Ultra Plush Lip Gloss 

No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in Coral Kiss

Boots No7 High Shine Lip Crayon - Berry - Easy Way To Embrace Autumn Trends

No7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Berry shade is the perfect product to dip into the A/W trends for a warm and wearable berry lip without committing fully..

I love lip crayons and this one is really good, featuring just the right amount of pigment and glossiness to enhance the lips without feeling heavy and sticky. The berry colour is very flattering tone.

Swatch of Berry 

Wearing Berry 

Boots No7 High Shine Lip Crayon - £9

*PR Sample