Winner Of Ginvera BB Cream and Green Tea Marvel Gel

The winner as selected by random.org is......

Sarah Berryman

Congratulations Sarah - please email within 48 hours to claim your prize - bettina@beautyswot.com

Thank you to everyone who entered, I loved reading about your favourite holiday destinations and have put a few on my to visit list!

What's Inside The April GlossyBox 2013 - Pearl Lowe Design

The April Edition GlossyBox has been designed by Pearl Lowe in a collaboration with GlossyBox, now as I reuse my boxes to store makeup and have them on display, I have to say this is a very pretty floral print and I am looking forward to filling it!

As ever it is the attention to detail that makes this such a pleasure to open

However, pretty is all very nice and good but do the contents please ...?

What's inside my box 

Billed as the Spring Fever box it contains all you need ready for Spring - As I am writing this the weather has warmed up nicely so pretty well timed :-)

I have to say I was pretty excited when I opened it up and saw the contents happy - it has the perfect mix of makeup, skincare and scent. Value wise I feel that this is an excellent box.

Contents

Sunsense Daily Face SPF 50+  10g (Full size is 75g and costs £18.50)

This is described as a light, soft cream tinted for a sheer matte finish. It has a high SPF and is oil free making it ideal for all skin types. I haven't opened this yet because I think it has a snap top and I am not ready to try it yet. I would think this would be perfect to pop in your bag if you were going away.

So Elixir Purple - Yves Rocher Eau de Parfum 5ml ( 50ml costs £44)

I am saving this for a Perfume Sample Saturday post - cute bottle! However the blurb says that this is 'an intoxicating and magnetic fragrance boasting a unique infusion of Tuberose,Vetiver and Patchouli culminating in a floral-woody elixir'.

ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint in Rosy Red Full Size 10ml costing £15

Multi tasking lip and cheek tint in a nice shade that provides a pretty flushed appearance. I have a real problem with these products as I cannot get on with the runny gel formula on my lips and this was true to form for me but as a cheek tint this is ace. I applied a tiny amount to my cheeks and it stayed there all day. Easy to use and blend.

Nip+Fab Dry Skin Fix Body Butter 50ml (200ml retails for £9.95)

Available in Mango, Coconut Latte or Pistachio I was sent the Pistachio. This looks and smells exactly like pistachio ice cream. The body butter comes in a generous 50ml tub and is heavily scented and sweet so if you don't like  pistachio you will hate it! Happily I do like this scent and the butter is nice, soft and creamy which makes it easy to apply and absorbs quickly, leaving skin satin smooth.

and finally..

Essie Nail Lacquer in shade Nice is Nice Full Size 13.5ml £7.99

A perfect Spring pastel shade - this lilac is beautifully creamy and delicate. I love it against my skin tone and I don't own anything like it in my collection. I think most people will be pleased to receive an Essie polish in the box.

Final thoughts 

2 full size products totalling £23 and 3 decent sized sample products ensure that Glossybox have pulled out all the stops with this box, complete with a collaboration with Pearl Lowe for the box design mean that this box is one that will be pretty sought after....

For more details on Glossybox and how to subscribe visit www.glossybox.co.uk

*PR Sample

The Other Woman - The Friday Column

The Other Woman - A poem 

Bound by the chains of emotion
I couldn't see right from wrong
Hurt by past indiscretions
I'd never felt love this strong

Waiting for the phone to ring
Tears falling down my cheek
Coming together at midnight
I know I shouldn't be so weak

When I am with you I feel so secure
Heaven knows why I feel this way
Safe just for tonight held in strong arms
Come morning I know you won't stay

Forever condemned as the other woman
Missing out on all that life brings
Never fear my love I'll be waiting
For the day you make my heart sing

An original work of fiction - all rights reserved

The Tea Guild Announces The Winner of Top London Afternoon Tea 2013

The Tea Guild's Top London Afternoon Tea 2013 Award has been announced and the winner is .....

The Goring Hotel!

Congratulations to The Goring Hotel on the well deserved award.

In case you are wondering how the Tea Guild choose the winner of Top London Afternoon Tea, they use the following criteria to base their decision on -

The anonymous judges award points for the variety, flavour and knowledge of the teas offered, together with the quality of food, service, décor, ambience, and presentation. 

The Goring Hotel in Belgravia, Central London, received the top award for London tea destinations after gaining a near perfect score by the Tea Guild’s very impressed judges. Guests can enjoy an elegant afternoon tea by a roaring fire in the hotel’s lounge. In more clement weather The Goring boasts a delightful garden, offering one of the few al fresco afternoon teas in the capital. Its afternoon tea menu consists of dainty finger sandwiches, homemade buttery scones, and numerous hand-crafted patisseries, all served with an excellent selection of carefully selected and perfectly brewed teas.

Head of The Tea Guild Irene Gorman said: “Afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel is a truly special experience. The elegant surroundings and faultless presentation make it a memorable occasion aided by friendly, efficient and knowledgeable staff. It is easy to understand why this leading establishment attracts so many, of all ages, to take afternoon tea.”

I have yet to try the Afternoon Tea at The Goring Hotel but it has been on the list for some time. Really looking forward to trying it now!

Once again congratulations to The Goring Hotel on being named Top London Afternoon Tea 2013

The Office Fling - The Friday Column

The Office Fling - A Poem

Was it just a fling or an office romance
All I knew was my heart started to dance
Our eyes met, pure escapism started
I knew then we should never be parted

Back at home I stared at my life full of drudgery
Long gone the feelings that made us all fluttery
Temptation was calling, grass greener on the other side
Yes looking at this I had made up my mind

So there it happened I said goodbye to one
Ready for my new life, a life in the Sun
Full of hope this time I had made it right
A love like no other, the future looked bright

My intentions were good please don't doubt
I will let you into a secret, the truth be out
The grass greener was not the solution
In my desperation, it was just an illusion

So here I am five years later, oh the shame
Because it seems my life is just the same
Let this be a warning oh whimsical one
You can't turn back the clock, it can't be done

An original work of fiction - all rights reserved

Hampstead Tea London - Iced Teas Reviewed

I was recently sent some Iced Teas to review from Hampstead Tea. Now the last time I drank iced tea was way back in the late 1980's when my dad brought some back from America in a 'look at what I found over there' gift haul.

As a child I didn't drink tea so I was suitably unimpressed with the iced tea he brought back .. my tastes have changed a lot since I was a child and I love tea now so was only too happy try these iced teas out.

When I opened the parcel I was instantly taken by the cute carton packaging and design. These mini cartons are adorable and looked fun and bright in my fridge - I know it is all about the taste but aesthetically these are very pleasing and tempting!

Hampstead Tea London say 

Great taste from fine leaf tea
Low calories, full of antioxidants
No preservatives
Recyclable packaging

My thoughts 

I was sent all three flavours in the range

Raspberry Darjeeling Organic Iced Tea

Just like a fruit tea but whereas they smell much better than they taste this is full of delicious fruity raspberry flavour, a really nice tea blend.

Ingredients

Darjeeling tea
Raspberry Juice (4%)
Sugar
Lemon juice (0.6%)

Elderflower Oolong Organic Iced Tea

Out of the three this was my least favourite. It had a nice subtle taste and scent of elderflower but I found the aftertaste a bit too bitter for my palate.

Ingredients

Oolong tea
Sugar
Elderflower (3.5%)
Lemon juice

Lemon Green Organic Iced Tea

The Lemon Green was my absolute favourite, bright and refreshing this tasted fantastic. A green tea with just the right amount of lemon flavour. I love how natural this tastes, no nasty synthetic lemon flavour in sight!

Ingredients

Green tea
Lemongrass tea
Sugar
Lemon juice (2%)

Final thoughts

When the hot weather hits I love an ice cold frappe but these Iced Teas are thirst quenching, refreshing and low calorie. They make a great alternative. Best served ice cold.

For more details visit Hampstead Tea www.hampsteadtea.com

*Samples sent for review

Barry M Lash Vegas Black Mascara - Review

Barry M says 

New Lash Vegas Mascara features a new spiral shaped brush that has been specifically designed to separate, define and reach the smallest of lashes giving exceptional length and unrivalled definition.

Featuring bristles that work close to the root for ultimate oooomph, this brush promises to give you show-stopping volume!.

The mascara wand

Before 

After

My thoughts 

I had my reservations when I saw the wand, it looks so messy!

Consistency wise the formula is neither wet or dry. The after shot shows one swipe of mascara and this is really impressive. Two coats of mascara just ended up being a gloopy, clumpy mess. This mascara is brilliant if you are in a hurry as one swipe is all you need and you are ready to go.

I am really impressed with this mascara from Barry M. The black is nice and rich, the length for one coat is insane. The wand separates the lashes and defines well, really opening and widening my eyes. The curl holds too for hours.

Brilliant mascara and at a very affordable price.

Barry M Lash Vegas Mascara costs £6.49

*PR Sample