Latest in Beauty – The Bloom Box

May 30, 2017July 4, 2017 - Vicki Leave a comment

Latest in Beauty – The Bloom Box

Over the years I have ordered quite a few of these Limited Edition Collection Boxes from Latest in Beauty. They’re always so well curated and offer fantastic value and I really like that you don’t have to sign up to a subscription. You just order as and when you like a box and let me tell you they’re quite often hard to resist.

Their ‘The Bloom’ Box is only £20 but the contents are worth £84, that is quite a saving. This box is perfect way to update your beauty routine with some lovely Spring / Summer offerings. This box is described as featuring a bouquet of floral products, from fragrance to face mist, and even some cute floral nail art. #flowerpower

It really does have a great selection of brands and products all with a floral theme – so what can you expect to find in your box,

IZ Beauty of London Gel Effect Nail Polish (colour may vary)

This is a beautiful mint green nail polish, from a brand I have never tried before. It is always exciting to be introduced to new brands. These gel effect nail colours are designed for smooth application with a high gel-like shine with no need for a UV lamp. The patented plasticiser reduces risk of chipping and offers flexibility and a super gloss finish. Launching in over 40 shades in 6ml Mini Bottles.

iZ Beauty of London Deco iT nail decals

Also from iZ Beauty these floral decals are an easy way to make any manicure look cute. Or if like me you’re terrible at nail art, decals are fun alternative and often very inexpensive too.

LOLA Lipgloss

This is a stunning peachy pink and it looks so fresh and pretty on the lips. It has a high-shine finish and feels comfortable on the lips. It contains hydrating Hyaluronic Acid which works in combination with an active vitamin complex to help condition lips and give a plumped appearance. This is going straight in my handbag.

THE BODY SHOP British Rose Body Butter

This is the perfect size for taking away on holiday. I adore The Body Shop Body Butters because they leave my skin so soft and nourished. This Instant Glow formula has a pearlescent finish that helps skin look glowing and healthy. So not only will your skin smell incredible but is is going to be nourished and look super healthy.

Una Brennan Superfacialist Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser

I love everything from the Una Brennan range and I think this cleanser is a great introduction for people that have never tried this brand. It is extremely gentle and will suit most skin types. It is formulated with moisturising Shea and Cocoa butters plus Pro Vitamin B5 so it won’t leave your skin feeling greasy. Cleansing your face with this creamy rose cleanser will feel pampering and luxurious.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

I’ve spoken about this face mist so many times on my blog and think it is a fantastic product for the warmer months. This product is calming, hydrating and so refreshing, which is why I always travel with one of these mini bottles. This is one of Jurlique’s international best selling products and once you have used it you will see why.

Argan+ Moroccan Rose Super Repair Hand & Nail Cream

This is another new brand for me and I am one of those people that needs a hand cream with them at all times, so I can never have too many tubes. This Argan+ one sounds very luxurious and I am excited to give it a go.

Miller Harris Rose Silence

I am so excited to see this travel friendly version of my favourite perfume included in this box. I adore this fresh rose scent and I can’t describe to you just how beautiful this perfume is. Miller Harris describe it as ‘fruity, flirty, and floral, Rose Silence is a breath of fresh air on a bright summer’s day’ and I have to say they sum it up perfectly. It is a modern rose scent and I always get compliments when I wear it.

Caudalie VineActiv Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream

Another brand I am thrilled to see in this box, Caudalie skincare is luxurious and I have always found it very effective. Eye cream is often a product people overlook from their skincare routine but when you discover that perfect one you realise the difference they can make. This one from Caudalie is ‘designed to help your skin combat the effects of your hectic lifestyle, this gentle, smoothing eye cream visibly alleviates dark circles and energises the eye area’ It is gentle, lightweight and wears well under makeup.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Duo Pencil Sharpener

A pencil sharpener is always a handy beauty tool to have and I love that this duo version is hot pink with white polka dots – who said tools can’t be cute too. A duo version is ideal too because we need to be able to sharpen all our beauty crayons and pencils!

Last but not least Bloom & Wild are offering £10 off fresh flowers, delivered directly through your letterbox. So why not treat yourself to a Spring bouquet!

So you’re getting one jam packed beauty worth over £84 for only £20. Remember this is a limited edition box and when it is gone it’s gone. Get your box here >> Latest in Beauty The Bloom Box

This beauty box was kindly sent to me for review but all words and views are 100% my own.

Updated Lip Balm Collection 2016

January 25, 2016February 3, 2018 - Vicki 7 Comments

Soap & Glory Great Kisser in Juicy Peach

I got this in my stocking and I can’t wait to use it, it smells so good, quite sweet but omg so fruity. If you like peach scented products then this is for you. I have no idea what its like on the lips but I am going to put it in my car so I get a little use out of it. The tin is cute too.

Dr Paw Paw Original Balm

This is a multi-purpose balm with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, the main ingredient is fermented Pawpaw. The Pawpaw has been found to have many soothing properties for our skin and hair, making it a real ‘go to’ product. I swear by this product for preventing and healing chapped lips. I also like to apply it over lipsticks to give them a glossy look! I carry my tube with me everywhere & always recommended it to family and friends. If you suffer from chapped lips you need to invest in this Balm, It really works.

Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment

This is a really good lip treatment and leaves my lips very soft, its much like the Dr PawPaw in texture. It is fragrance-free and colourless which I like. It protects your lips against moisture loss and is a good one to apply before bed because it’s not at all sticky and doesn’t leave your lips greasy. I like the squeeze tube it makes it hygienic and easy to apply. This is also a great price too, especially for more of a luxurious brand £13.

eos Strawberry Sorbet

Over the years I’ve tried almost all the flavours but the berry ones are by far my favourite. I like that they’re both quite sweet but fruity. So pleased that Boots sell them now, which means they’re a lot easier to get your hands on. There is something cute about a lip balm that’s a sphere, am I right? Which is your favourite scent?

Vaseline Sugar Coated

Vaseline have started doing these limited edition tins more frequently and I am a sucker for anything like that. The tin is cute and the product isn’t too bad either, I wouldn’t say this is the most moisturising but it adds a pretty sheen to your lips and is nice to wear with minimal makeup. It also smells lovely and sweet.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour

I love that this is in stick form, I used to have the pot but I much prefer it like this. I use this all the time and have repurchased it over and over again it just works and that’s all there is to it. It keeps the moisture locked in and my lips feeling really healthy. Oh, and it has SPF 15 which I really like so I know my lips are protected from the sun.

Blistex Cherry Intensive Moisturiser

You can’t go wrong with a Blistex lip product, so inexpensive and their range is always growing. There isn’t a Blistex product I have tried and not liked. This Cherry one smells authentic and not too sickly sweet. It has Shea butter & beeswax so it will protect your lips and also it has SPF15. It ticks all the boxes.

The Body Shop Born Lippy in Watermelon

This looks so pretty and glossy on the lips and watermelon is quite a different scent for me but I like it. It smells like Summer. Nothing groundbreaking about this, it’s just a nice hydrating lip balm with a lovely scent.

Olive & Pomegranate Lip Care

My mum bought me this from Greece & its quite soft and almost melts on to your lips. The scent is subtle and a little fruity. It’s a nice chap stick style lip balm to have in your handbag. It keeps my lips soft and hydrated for hours.

Sleek Pout Polish in The Show

I have had this for a while and I have no idea why I overlooked it for so long. It adds a very subtle pink gloss to your lips & looks pretty. It contains Almond Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E so it looks after your lips and it has SPF 15. I think the darker shades would be a little more pigmented but this a great everyday gloss.

Jurlique Love Balm

This is a great all-rounder, so it’s not only for your lips but works to soothe dry or chapped skin. I like to use it on my cuticles and find it works to soften them before I give myself a manicure. It’s a natural salve that’s infused with the natural scent of roses and the scent it subtle but pretty. I like to carry this with me when I travel and find it a great multi purpose product.

NUXE Réve de Miel Lip Balm

For me the NUXE lip balm is more of a treatment because it is quite thick and not the kind of lip product I would wear during the day. I like to put it on last thing at night, so I wake up with soft hydrated lips. I don’t think its great at helping soothe chapped lips but it is good at keeping your lips feeling soft and moisturised. A pot lasts forever & don’t be put off by the fact it says honey because it really doesn’t smell of honey.

Summer Friendly Pink Lips

July 15, 2014February 15, 2018 - Vicki 20 Comments

I have to admit when it comes to wearing lip products I tend to stick with a lip balm but I am trying my best to use the few lip glosses & lipsticks I have in my stash a lot more. I have some really lovely ones & it’s a shame they get overlooked so I have done a little reshuffle with my makeup & I’ve been shopping my stash and this selection of pink lip products has been getting a lot more use this past month.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Cherish

I’ve had this for a couple of years & out of the 5 this is the one I’ve worn the most. It’s a very pretty bright bubblegum pink. Its quite vibrant on the lips & feels glossy but not tacky. I love that this is a twist up crayon & it’s so easy to apply on the go. The colour is quite long wearing and I do like the minty scent of these too. I have a few of these balm stains but this is by far my favourite colour, it just brightens up my face & makes me look awake.

Collection Cream Puff in Cotton Candy

I just spoke about this in my June Favourites post & I was pleasantly surprised by how nice this looked on me & how soft and moisturising it was on my lips. The colour is a deep pink which dries to a velvet matte finish. It smells of candy floss & it’s my first matte lip product & I love it so much that I want all the other shades.

Tanya Burr Lip Gloss in First Date*

This is the sweetest soft pink shade and it makes me look really healthy and adds a really nice pop of colour to my lips. I was impressed by the pigmentation and it really translates on to your lips. It looks like there is shimmer when in the tube but that didn’t translate to the lips. It’s a shade that makes your complexion look bright and having quite a dull complexion I need all the radiance-boosting I can get. Its the perfect pink gloss for summer, the texture is creamy & glossy but not tacky on the lips. Just a lovely simple pink gloss.

Avon Plump Pout

This is one of those minty tingling plumping glosses which is OK but not my favourite, I find it does plump a little but not that anyone else would notice. The colour is really pretty though & on my lips, it looks quite a peachy pink. Its quite a thick consistency & I like that because if I can still feel it on my lips I know that I don’t need to reapply. I like the packaging, its slim, sleek and takes up no room at all in my makeup bag. The wand applicator is a little brush which makes applying this gloss very easy and mess free and you get the most glossy finish on the lips, very pretty.

Wet n Wild Lip Shimmer

This is one of my all-time favourite lip balms as it packs a punch when it comes to colour pay off they are so opaque on the lips. It was such a bargain too at less than $2, the colour is more of a red toned pink and it gives your lips a great pop of colour. It feels moisturising and has a glossy sheen also the colour wears off evenly although it’s not hugely long-lasting. I wish I’d bought more of these when I had the chance. Also, these are called lip shimmers but this one has no shimmer at all on the lips.

Let me know what your favourite pink lip gloss/lip crayons are & have you used any of the ones I have mentioned?

Products that are marked with a * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own

Essence Makeup Launches in the UK

June 27, 2014 - Vicki 11 Comments

I was invited along with lots of other lovely bloggers to the Essence Makeup launch in Manchester & to say I was excited was an understatement. I’d read a few posts about their London launch and that looked like it was a lot of fun so I was looking forward to hearing all about the brand & meeting up with other bloggers (doesn’t happen often enough).

I met up with Natalie from Your Almost Alice & we managed to find The Studio without too much trouble, the room was really nice, it was lovely & bright with plenty of space. We were each given cute name badges – very handy when you only know peoples Twitter Handles. There were lots of tables laid out with all kinds of makeup on them, we were encouraged to try out the makeup & have a play – there was so many lovely products & people on hand to colour match us to the bases & give us advice on what best suited skin types. I have tried a few Essence products & I was so excited to see just how big the range actually was. I was lucky enough to have my nails painted by the Pamper Puff Girls & almost a week on my nails are still looking great.

They had a full size makeup stand, like the ones you see in a shop full to the brim with their whole range & we were given an overview to the brand by their German Team. they spoke of how Essence is sold in over 70 countries & that Britain will be getting the range Nationwide in Wilkinson Stores, so keep your eyes open for that in mid July. Also quite excitingly The Manchester Arndale & London Westfield will boast a huge 3 meter standalone Essence Booth, which will carry all of the limited edition products and a whole selection of exciting Essence Products so if you live near either location you need to pop in & have a look.

Essence is a fun budget friendly brand that is focused on quality & they excel at being on trend with their range. Although their packaging is quite fun & youthful looking their brand is aimed at people who are young at heart (thats me for sure). They are proud to be manufactured in Germany & even though they have purse friendly prices they don’t compromise on quality. Of the few products I have tried I can honestly say this is something I have found, the nail polishes are long wearing & very pigmented, also the eyeshadows are buttery and blendable so they get a thumbs up from me. Essence prices start from as little as 99p & only go as high as £6.99 so very affordable. Another plus point is they are proud to be Cruelty Free.

We had hours to spend chatting to the Essence Team who came over from Germany, they were lovely enough to tell us about their favourite products and spoke with a real passion for their brand. Also we were given free reign to test, try and get excited about the products, Heidi from Flipside PR was excited for us to really take the products that caught our eye & for a beauty addict that was dangerous, although I was very restrained & was already overwhelmed at how incredible the Goody Bags were.

Its safe to say that we all had so much fun – nails were painted (by the lovely Pamper Puff Girls), beauty secrets were shared, food & drink were consumed & we all welcomed Essence to the UK & think they will be a huge success. They will be tough competition for other budget brands to compete with as their quality and product range it HUGE. I have quite a few Essence products to try out so expect a few reviews coming your way.

Let me know if you’ve tried any products from them & if so what you’d recommend.

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Latest in Beauty – The Bloom Box

Latest in Beauty – The Bloom Box