GLOSSYBOX (june)

This box is based on travel, containing items for 'summer beauty'. It also has the idea of light weight products when luggage is an issue.

 The items in the box;

1. Glossybox makeup brush

2. Yves Rocher mascara

3. BM bronzer

4. Dermalogica cleansing kit

5. Vichy foundation

1) GLOSSYBOX - SERIE EXCLUSIV PRO BEAUTY BRUSH

    - This classic series natural goat hair blush brush gives a supersoft make-up application.

    - This is the worst makeup brush I have ever used! I actually cannot believe Glossybox thought it was good enough to include in this box. The bristles are far from soft and scratch my face when I've tried to use it. There is no density to the brush, so it just deposits the blush/bronzer onto once part of the face. Very disappointing. (£15.00)

2) YVES ROCHER FRANCE - MINI MASCARA ULTRA-VOLUME SEXY PULP

    - An innovative maxi-brush with generous curves for a lash plumping result. 12-hour wear.

    - I like how its a bristled mascara wand, as opposed to a rubber one which I'm not keep on using. I always like trying out new mascaras so I was pleased to receive one. (£16.90 - 9ml)

3) BM BEAUTY - SUMMER WARMTH BRONZER

   - Multi-purpose pure-mineral bronzer. Add a touch of summer warmth to your face.

   - Wow, I love the shade of this bronzer! Definitely perfect for summer evening makeup looks and I cannot wait to start using it! As it is a loose powder bronzer, its very pigmented so a little goes a long way. I'm not too sure if this shade would suit people with paler skin, but for me, its perfect and I have already used it a couple of times. (£8.00 - 4g)

4) DERMALOGICA - CLEAN START

   - Cleanse, tone and moisturise with the Day/Night 3-step mini kit.

   - This is going to be really good to take on holiday, when I don't have much room or baggage allowance for all my normal products I like to use on my face. Dermalogica are such a well known and trusted brand that I feel everyone knows that whatever Dermalogica sells, is going to be worth it. (£12.00 - kit)

5) VICHY - DERMABLEND ULTRA-CORRECTIVE FOUNDATION CREAM STICK

   - Vichy's expert camouflage foundation stick for minor to severe skin flaws.

    - Hmm.. They seem to have 6 different shades, from Porcelain to Bronze. Anyone with darker skin tones than 'bronze' won't find this sample useful at all, so its not catered for everyone. On the beauty profile on Glossybox, why don't they ask what shade skin you have, and then send you a full size one in the correct shade, instead of potentially wasting 5 of the shades. There is also only enough product to use once, which in my opinion isn't enough to decide if I like it or not. (£19.00 - 12g)

I don't like talking so negatively about beauty products but overall I was quite disappointed with this box. Although there are a few products I like, most are just not cutting it. I know I'm not the only one who thinks so either. Glossybox recently seems to be a bit of a gamble when it comes to their samples.

• You can subscribe for a Glossybox at http://www.glossybox.co.uk/ (£10.00 a month + p&p)

Soothing Hydrating Serum from Eau Thermale Avène

When I went to France recently, I was in dire need for a lip balm and when I went to a pharmacy the lady recommended one from Avène. I loved it and still use it now. 

I then saw the brand was being sold in Boots and I took the opportunity to try out their serum.

..Anyways, long story short I bought the serum and have been trying it for a couple of weeks now.

Background on Avène

- The thermal water comes from springs in the Cévennes mountains in southern France.

- The spring water is valued in treating many dermatological disorders.

- The properties of the spring water have been proven to lower threshold of skin reactivity, improve cellular exchange and optimise immunological defences.

My Thoughts

The serum is made for sensitive skin that's prone to redness. I have been using it every morning, after I've cleansed and before I've moisturised. FYI my skin is very dry and I suffer from Eczema.

I am SO disappointed with this serum :-(. It is meant to hydrate the skin, but for me it completely dried it out and my skin felt very tight after I applied it. Its the first serum I have purchased (since receiving a Caudalie serum in a Glossybox which I loved). 

Although I find it not hydrating enough for my skin, I think it is really good for sensitive skin. When I apply it, it never stings or irritates my skin, which is rare when it comes to skincare for me. So I'm sure this serum would work for other people with slightly different skin types such as normal and combination.

Appearance

It is in a nice glass bottle, with a hygienic pump that dispenses the right amount to use on the whole face. I don't really like the scent, to me the smell reminds me of baby wipes and nappies which isn't a very luxurious smell to be applying onto your face (in my opinion as my mum seems to quite like the smell).

<= Photo of the pump




     Photo of the actual serum (2xpumps) =>

• HOWEVER, this has not stopped me from wanting to try out and test more Avène products! I'm very keen on trying out the Gentle milk cleanser and Gentle toner.
• Remember this is my opinion so don't necessarily take my word for it. Read other review before making up your mind!
• Link to their UK website http://www.avene.co.uk/
• The serum cost £17.00
• You can buy Avène products in most French pharmacies, Boots (UK)

Real Techniques Make-up Brushes

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while!!

The line of makeup brushes were designed by makeup artist Samantha Chapman.

They are colour coordinated according to what job their made for.

- Blue is for 'enhanced eyes'

- Gold is for 'flawless base'

- Pink is for 'perfect finish'

I don't have the full collection but at the moment I have 'The Core Collection', 'Shading Brush', 'Powder Brush', 'Stippling Brush' and 'Blush Brush'.

If I wrote about all the brushes I have in one post, it would be extremely long, so I thought I would do them in sections.

• You can buy these brushes from Boots if you're in the UK, or Real Techniques Website
• You can check out how to use these brushes on the Real techniques Website as well if your not sure what you could use them for.
• Samantha Chapman is also on youtube Pixiwoo