GLOSSYBOX (july)

This Glossybox contains festival beauty essentials...

The items in the box;

1. Bex London perfume

2. Paul Mitchell hair mist

3. Monu eye gel

4. Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics lip gloss

5. Nuxe oil

1) BEX LONDON - LONDONER URBAN FRAGRANCE

   - Four high concentration, modern fragrances, inspired by the unique character and idiosyncrasies of London

   - I have the W1X version. They are meant to 'capture a distinctly characterful part of town'. It smells of jasmine and a musty woody smell. I'm not keen on getting perfume samples because I could easily get this from the shop to try out. It smells nice enough, but I don't think I would repurchase. (81.00 - 100ml)

2) PAUL MITCHELL - AWAPUHI MOISTURE MIST

   - Give thirsty hair and skin the moisture they crave. Helps you feel refreshed all day long.

   - It is a mist that hydrates the hair and skin. Really looking forward to trying this out! A generous sample size too (100ml).  (£9.25 - 250ml)

3) MONU - EYE COOL GEL

   - This refreshing gel instantly revives and tones tired eyes, reduces puffiness and dark circles.

   - A clear scentless gel that dissolves quickly into the skin. (£16.95 - 15ml)

4) JELLY PONG PONG COSMETICS - LIP FROSTING

   - A multifunctional cream gloss. Use on lips for a tin of colour, or cheeks for a luminous glow.

   - A gorgeous pink lip gloss that can also be used for the cheeks. It smells of candy. First thing I grabbed out the box to try out. (£10.00 - 15ml)

5) NUXE - HUILE PRODIGIEUSE

   - Apply this dry oil to your face, body and hair all year round, in the summer and in winter.

   - I love receiving oils and trying them out! Nuxe is a lovely brand also and I have this amazing lip balm from there so I am really excited to try this out. (£17.50 - 50ml)

Also in the box I received a 3 different samples from the Elizabeth Arden's Visible Difference Gentle Hydrating Skincare line, a cleanser, serum and a cream. What a great addition to the box!

This Glossybox is definitely a huge improvement from last months box, which was a huge disappointment (Link to Glossybox June). All the samples have been a great size to fully test out and try the products. I love everything in this box and I can't wait to use them and possibly repurchase some of them.

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

Nasty Gal Haul

I had heard about Nasty Gal on youtube and really wanted to check out the website. When I did, I fell in love with so many of the clothes. Unfortunatly it is an American brand, which means delivery time can be upto a month (for the UK), and you have to pay extra tax when collecting your items (this has made me decide not to buy from them again as the tax I had to pay was so high). On the positive side, I love all the items I bought, and they were true to the pictures on the website.

SLASHER FLUCK CUTOFF SHORT ($78)

I really wanted to find a pair of interesting, different shorts and these are exactly what I had in mind. They are slightly high waisted and have slashes down the front and back. Although these shorts are very short, they do cover up the parts you need covering (awkward wording).

BUTTON UP TAIL TOP - MINT ($38)

I've had quite a few compliments on this top. If the colour is unclear in these pictures, I'd describe it as a mint green. I love the asymmetric fall on this top and the collar is very flattering. Its slightly see-through so a top is needed underneath.

WHITE CROP TOP (can't find on website)

A very thin, short top that is slightly longer than a crop top. I bought this to wear over a bikini by the beach.  Its very soft and light which is perfect for summer. (sorry about the creases)

CARMEN LACE DRESS -IVORY ($68)

This is probably my favourite purchase because its so unusual. The fabric is a lovely off white with a floral lace pattern. I love the side cut outs and the collared top. The back is see-through with just the lace pattern.

SPOT STOP DRESS ($70)

This dress was damaged when it came which was very disappointing as it would be pointless sending it back because of the cost. There was a huge hole down the middle where the stitching had either fallen out or never been sown properly. Apart from the damage, the actual dress is really pretty on and for me it fits well. It is quite short, but has a button up collar which balances it out. Ive been wearing this over bikinis while I have been on holiday.

•  Link to the website Nasty Gal

Opium Vapeurs perfume by Yves Saint Laurent

Its full name is Yves Saint Laurent Opium Vapeurs De Parfum Eau De Toilette Légère Spray, long I know!!

It comes in three different types, the original one called Opium, Belle D'Opium and this one called Opium Vapeurs.

The one I have is a slightly lighter version of the original Opium. It's still quite a strong musky smell with a strong fragrance of jasmine. Some people would say its definitely a evening perfume, but I prefer it as a day fragrance. I haven't smelt anything similar to this perfume before which is why I love it, its so unusual.

The bottle is a cool shape and I love the orange. Every time I perfume this scent I forget that it doesn't have a lid and pull off the top of the spray, whoops! So bear that in mind.

• I have the perfume in 75ml and it cost me around £58.00
• Here is a link where you can purchase any of the perfumes/lotion from the Opium line Feel Unique

The Stippling Brush & The Blush Brush from Real Techniques

Both these brushes are from the 'perfect finish' collection. 

The Stippling Brush is a flat compact soft brush. It is a multifunction brush that some people love for foundation, other love to use it for blusher, some for bronzer and some for highlighter. If you buy this brush it takes a little while to find out the best way for you. I use this brush with my cream blushers, such as Maybelline cream blush - Plum. Cost: £11.99 / $10

The Blush brush is a large domed shape brush. It can be used for blusher, bronzer and highlighters. Again with all the Real Techniques brushes, there is no fall out and is also really easy to clean. This brush is able to stand which is so useful. I use this brush for my powder blushers, in particular Nars - Orgasm. Cost: £9.99 / $9

• Link to first post about all brushes (+where to buy them) Real Techniques Brushes
• Link to Real Techniques Powder Brush Review

JOLIEBOX (june)

First things first, I know it's now July, but JolieBox had some delivering difficulties so I only received my box today. Its still always a nice surprise to get a beauty box, so I'm always happy on the day I get one. Its JolieBox's first birthday, so they decided to produce a limited edition box. I love the design of the box, it's so cute :)

The items in the box;

1. Elysambre lipstick

2. Institut Esthederm body lotion

3. L'Occitane cream

4. Yon-ka cream

5. Jolie nail file

1) ELYSAMBRE - LIPSTICK IN 108
- Elysambre's gentle Makeup and Nail ranges were made using innovative technologies and features all-natural vegetal active ingredients.
-Its a nude-brown that personally I love but I'm not sure if it would suit all skin tones. I know that other people have received different shades that they haven't necessarily loved. It did take me a while to figure out how to even open this lipstick, and it's definitely an evening lipstick.

2) INSTITUT ESTHEDERN - BRONZ REPAIR BODY LOTION
- This lotion battles damage caused by the sun and reduces signs of ageing, whilst also helping skin achieve a healthy glow.
- This spray can be applied before or after makeup, as well as all over the body. I find it strange that it doesn't have an SPF since its to be used in the sun but apart from its a great product. I am very conscious of the damage that the sun does to my skin, and constantly like to apply suncream to my face and body, so I'm definitely really interested in this product and see its affects. Its a clear spray, that's lightly scented and soaks quickly into the skin.

3) L'OCCITANE - ANGELICA HYDRATION CREAM
- A smooth facial cream that reinforces natural skin hydration and leaves skin looking radiant and fresh.
- I absolutely love L'Occitane, so was thrilled to see something from them in the box! Its a really light moisturiser, so if you have oily skin, this is suitable for you. Its very moisturising and doesn't have a strong scent, so not overwhelming. It contains organic angelica water and essential oil which is the source of why this cream is so hydrating. The results are meant to be plump, smooth and radiant, which I cannot yet comment on.

4) YON-KA - PAMPLEMOUSSE PROTECTIBE AND VITALIZING CREAM
- This lightweight facial cream protects skin from external factors, making complexions look hydrated and bright.
- This facial cream is full size, but I think it is a little strange for JolieBox to put two facial creams in one box. This one is customised (if you filled in your beauty profile) to your skin type. It smells amazing and is a really thick consistency. I'm not sure why I received the 'normal to oily skin' one, when I put in my beauty profile that I have extremely dry skin, oh well never mind.

5) JOLIE BOX - NAIL FILE
- You can't go wrong with a new one. Its your average double sided nail file, one side pink other white.



Also included in the box is...
-A voucher for Codage where you can receive 30% off their products online.
-A free delivery from the Jolie website.
-A free Angelica cleanser (worth £16) when you buy a full-size Angelica moisturiser.

• I love how it comes with a JOLIEMAG full of makeup tips and new products, as well as some articles from the brands in the box.
• You can subscribe for a Jolie box here (£10 + p&p)

The Powder Brush from Real Techniques

This make-up brush is part of the 'flawless bass' section.

It's the biggest brush from the whole line and covers a huge part of the face which means it's perfect to sweep powder/bronzer/mineral foundations.

The bristles are synthetic taklon which are hand cut making them so soft and really easy to clean. I haven't had any fall out, which is good compared to my MAC brushes that fall out a lot. I use this with my MAC Mineralise Skin Finish Natural just to reduce a bit of shine on my face.

The handle is made of aluminium and is able to stand which makes it easy to store on my dressing table.

• Main post on Real Techniques brushes (to find out where to buy them) Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

Advanced Night Repair - Estée Lauder

I have wanted to buy this serum for quite a while but always thought of it as a serum for older skin to reduce ageing. It wasn't until I saw on other blogs and on Youtube that girls my age use it for other reasons and it could possibly reduce the speed at which your skin ages. On the Estée Lauder website, it says the benefits are that it reduces the look of past damage and helps protect the skin's future.

This Complex as the name suggests is applied at night before moisturiser. I apply only one 'pipette full' amount of the product all over my face and neck and it soaks into the skin almost instantly. I do think I could do with another half 'pipette full' but I'm too reluctant to waste any amount of it as its firstly quite expensive, and secondly I don't want to apply too much to clog my pores. It is targeted at ageing skin (which I can't comment on as of yet) but I love it to keep my spots at bay and I also think it helps reduce the amount of Eczema I get on my face. A lot of people may think the serum is too rich to use on younger skin so would opt for a light one but personally I think its perfect for young dry skin (as well as ageing) Its really hydrating which is why I think it reduces my Eczema and I cannot go a day without using it

I love the bottle that it comes in which hasn't changed much since it first came out, and I like that it has a pipette so its very hygienic! The smell isn't the nicest of smells but trust me when I say its worth it! Even though it is a liquid, it has a very thick consistency 

This product have won multiple awards in the past including ; 

• InStyle Award Winner 2011
• She Magazine 2011: Best Night Cream
• InStyle Best Beauty Buys Winner 2012

I cannot recommend Advanced Night Repair enough, its wonderful for all skin types and ages. Its never too soon to start using it and if used for long enough I believe it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and brighten skin complexions. I have definitely noticed an all round improvement in the way my skin looks and feels just by adding this to my night time skin routine.

• The Advanced Night Repair comes in 30ml - £41.00 and 50ml - £54.00
• You can buy it at Estee Lauder / Boots / John Lewis / Debenhams / Selfridges