August Glossybox Review.

I've been getting Glossyboxes for a few months now so I thought I'd do a review on one. For people who aren't familiar with Glossybox, it's basically a subscription service which allows you to find new products that you may not have found otherwise :)

The first product that was in the Glossybox was a limited edition highlighter from Kryolan.

It was a special edition for Glossybox in the shade 'Cashmere'. I think the packaging looks very sleek: a matte black twist lid with a clear glass container. The product itself is very pigmented and smooth when it goes on.

The next product is a mascara from Essence. Being called the 'I <3 Extreme' mascara I expected it to be very volumising. It's nice mascara but nothing special really.

A hand cream was next. It's nice but I hate rose scents so that ruined it for me but if you like rose scents this would be very good for you!

Before recieving this product I had never heard of anything like it, it's a shampoo primer. Mindblown 😂. Basically it's meant to add more volume to your hair. I haven't tried it yet but it seems like a nice concept!

The final product was a nail varnish for 'Yves Rocher'. I'd never heard of this company so I was very intrigued. This is now my new favourite nail varnish! It's in the prettiest shade: 14- Rose. It could easily be worn all year round.

 

Anna :)

Summer Sale Shopping.

I went shopping yesterday and picked up a few things. They are mainly beauty related but I also got some storagey items. 

The first place I went to was Boots, they had an offer on where if you bought the new Rimmel mascara you got a free Baby Lips. I love a good deal so how could I say no! The mascara is the Wonder'full mascara. It's very volumising and stays for quite a long time.

Mascara

Boots- £5.99 (originally £7.99)- 11ml

The Baby Lips that I got was the Cherry Velvet. It's basically just a lip balm that smells of cherry so nothing too exciting but it is very moisturising so definitely go and check those two out!

Baby Lips Lipbalm

Boots- Free (originally 2.99)

Next I went to Topshop were they are coming to the end of a sale. This is always good as everything is so cheap. I picked up three eyeshadows and a new kabuki brush.

The eyeshadows are so gorgeous and pigmented! I got the shades 'Midnight Hour' - a grape colour marbled with a khaki green/ gold eyeshadow, 'Solstice' - a baby blue colour marbled with a light silver shimmer eyeshadow and 'Backstage Whisper' - a dark navy with a dark grey shimmer eyeshadow. The best part is that they were only £1 each. WHAT?!

'Midnight Hour' 

Topshop- £1 (originally £6)- 2.5g

'Solstice'

Topshop- £1 (originally £6)- 2.5g

'Backstage Whisper'

Topshop- £1 (originally £6)- 2.5g

I needed a new kabuki brush and this one looked quite nice and it was very cheap in the sale so I picked it up. The brush itself is also really nice. It's good for loose and pressed powders and blushes. 

Kabuki Brush

Topshop- £4 (originally £8)

The last place I went to was a homeware shop. I got some lanterns which I thought would be nice to keep makeup brushes in. They are the perfect size and shape and all my brushes fit nicely. 

Lanterns

Home Sense- £1.50 each

That was all I got, I hope this was helpful! 

Anna :)

Mac Makeover and Haul.

For my birthday this year, one of my presents was a makeover (and a skincare chat) at a MAC store and then the opportunity to buy some products that they used during the makeover. This was the finished look!

The first things that I chose to buy were two eyeshadows (I bought the refill versions to go in my palettes). I chose the shades 'Twinks' and 'All That Glitters'. I use 'All That Glitters' all over my lids for a flush of golden colour and 'Twinks' in my outer corner and in the crease. 

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/154/907/Products/Eyes/Shadow/Eye-Shadow-Pro-Palette-Refill-Pan/index.tmpl?tab=finish

The next thing I bought was a 'Pro Palette' with two slots. I bought this so if I'm travelling and I want to bring a few eyeshadows but I don't want to bring a full palette.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/1556/17373/Products/Kit-Essentials/Pro-Palette/Pro-Palette-Eye-Shadow-x-2/index.tmpl

The next thing I bought was the 'Extended Play Lash' mascara. I tried this out in store and loved it so I decided to buy it. It has a wire wand so it separates the lashes, lengthens and volumises.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/152/21069/Products/Eyes/Mascara/Extended-Play-Lash/index.tmpl

The final thing I bought was the 'Prep And Prime BB'. I have it in the shade 'Light Plus' which is about the equivalent of NW15. The coverage is much better than any other one that I've tried and the staying power is quite good.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/160/17377/Products/Face/Primer/Prep-Prime-BB-Beauty-Balm-SPF-35/index.tmpl

Anna :)

Review: Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer.

Today I wanted to review my new favourite concealer, Benefit's 'Boi-ing'. As you can see in the picture above, the packing for the product is very pretty and girly. I think it really suits the product.

The plastic packaging (above) is also very secure and sturdy so it won't open or break in your makeup bag. 

I think that the coverage and staying power is unreal. I have been trying it for a few days now and I have been vey impressed. Not once have I had to touch it up or start over with it. It is called an 'Industrial Concealer' for a reason. It is so high coverage that you only have to use a tiny bit (see picture below) and it will cover any readness/dark circles that you want to cover. Below there is a swatch of the concealer, my camera didn't pick up on it too well but that's probably because it matches my skin tone perfectly! 

It is perfect for completely concealing dark circles and any blemishes and redness on the face. If you wanted to go for a lighter look I wouldn't use any foundation/tinted moisturiser/BB cream and just cover imperfections with this.

I was matched at a makeup counter so I have the perfect shade for me. I'm in shade number 2 and it blends seamlessly into my skin. There is a wide range of shades so one will definitely suit you. Another thing, the blending process is so easy because the product is so smooth and creamy. It is also very moisturising and refreshing to put on.

This product also looks like it will last a long time too (probably because you only use such a tiny bit!). So overall I would really recommend this product to anyone really, it is the perfect all round product!

Anna :)

Mini Primark Haul.

Recently I went to my local Primark to hopefully pick up some last minute things for my summer holiday and a few things for the Autumn time. Unfortunately I didn't find many things either in my size or the style that I wanted. So these are the few things that I picked up.

The first thing was a grey vest top with black umbrellas on it. I thought this would be good either during this summer it in the Autumn/Winter if there is a warmer day. There were loads there in my size so it was ok.

Primark- £3.00

The next thing was another vest top but in a simple black lace design. There wasn't one in my size but in the size above there was one so I would wear it underneath something or as a more slouchy top.

Primark- £2.50

Lastly I bought two pack of socks (interesting I know). The first pack has a grey, a white and a black pair and the second pack has a pink, a dark grey and a white. I bought these because they are useful and they had plenty in my size.

Primark- £2.00 (per pack)

I'm really enjoying these purchases so far. I hope you found this helpful!

Anna :)

Must-have Summer Nail Varnish Shades.

When it comes to summer it can be hard to choose a colour, style or texture for your nail varnish. It is also hard to find the perfect shade to suit the level of tan you have at that time. This summer I have decided to make more of an effort with what's on my nails. These nail varnishes are what I consider as my essentials for summer friendly nails.

The first nail polish that I love for summer time is the Jack Wills Radford Nail Polish in Light Purple. I love this shade for a natural look that isn't too bold. This works best to a medium to darker tan as it shows up better but it would suit anyone's skin tone. I particularly like this formula because it drys quickly and is quite chip resistant.

Jack Wills- £6.50- 14ml

http://m.jackwills.com/en-gb/product/radford-nail-varnish-10000076246

The next nail varnish that I love especially in the summer months is the Models Own Glitter nail varnish in Pink Fizz. I think this is such a pretty glitter in summer because the suns light reflects off of it. This makes it look so pretty. This looks great as a top coat over a nail varnish (I recommend a blue one) or on its own with a few coats.

In this picture I have applied one coat over a blue nail polish.

Models Own- £4.99- 14ml

http://www.modelsownit.com/products/nails/glitter-collection.html

My final favourite summer nail varnish is the Essie nail varnish in Bikini So Teeny. This is such a pretty pale blue shade with little specs of glitter. When you look closely they form a beautiful shimmer. The blue would suit anyone but especially people with a fairer skin tone.

Boots- £7.99- 13ml

http://m.boots.com/mt/www.boots.com/en/Essie-Nail-Varnish-Bikini-So-Teeny-15ml_1347611/

The last thing I would like to mention is the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat. This is my favourite top coat in every season because it is very chip resistant and helps my nail varnishes last longer. It also saves me so much if I'm in a rush because it drys so quickly (literally two seconds).

Boots- £5.99- 13.3ml

http://www.boots.com/en/Sally-Hansen-Insta-Dri-Anti-Chip-Top-Coat_1038032/

I hope this was helpful!

Anna :)

Evening Skincare Routine.

A few months ago my skin wasn't looking it's best so I adapted my routine. Now I use products that are simple but effective and work with my skin. I have normal to oilly skin so if you have a similar skin type this routine may work for you but you can always adapt it to suit your skin. 

The first step I take is to remove my makeup. I use the 'Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion'. I love this as it removes your makeup very gently yet effectively. This is also ridiculously cheap, it costs as little as £3.29 from Superdrug.

Superdrug- £3.29- 200ml

 http://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face/Cleansers-%26-Scrubs/Simple-Purifying-Cleansing-Lotion-200ml/p/949222#.U8omF4m9LCQ

Next I use my 'The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner'. This product is especially formulated for oily and blemished skin so I would definitely not recommend this for dry skin as it would just be too drying. For dry skin I suggest swapping this out for something like the 'Simple Soothing Facial Toner'. This is a lot more moisturising than the Body Shop one.

The Body Shop- £5.00- 250ml

http://m.thebodyshop.co.uk/mt/www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/tea-tree/tea-tree-facial-toner.aspx?un_jtt_v_pdp=yes&un_jtt_redirect

I now apply my 'The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-oil'. This is an oil based serum so it isn't recommended for oily skin but I love it nevertheless. I'm careful with where I apply it- nowhere where I'm breaking out or in oily spots. It is guaranteed for eight hour moisturisation and when I wake up my skin feels refreshed and soft.

The Body Shop- £12.00- 28ml

http://m.thebodyshop.co.uk/mt/www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/vitamin-e/vitamin-e-overnight-serum-in-oil-28ml.aspx?un_jtt_v_pdp=yes&un_jtt_redirect

Finally I apply my 'Simple Protecting Light Moisturiser'. I used to love this product but recently they have reformuated it so it contains SPF 15 in it. This is a good thing but it makes the moisturiser act more like a sunscreen- sticky and a white colour that streaks easily. It used to be a gel based transparent consistency which I preferred but it is always useful to have an SPF I guess.

Superdrug- £4.99- 125ml

http://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face/Face-Moisturisers/Simple-Protecting-Light-Moisturiser/p/719464#.U8oob4m9LCQ

After all these steps my skin has been feeling a lot better and more healthy. These are just the products that I use on my skin and they seem to work.

Anna :)