FREEBIE FRIDAY- Le Rouge Perfecto Givenchy lipstick product review

I received this little beauty in the post the other day and it's so cute, I love it! There were two sample choices in the Le Rouge a-porter range. Naturally, I opted for the coral type colour as I already have so many red lippies, I really don't need anymore. I loved everything about the Le Rouge Perfecto Givenchy lipstick from the packaging to the lippie itself. Le Rouge Perfecto Givenchy lipstick came all wrapped up in a small sophisticated black leather slip case lovingly wrapped in tissue paper. The tiny sample size came in the ever so cute trademarked Givenchy lippie looking very suave and sophisticated in the small silver case with twist bottom. The full sized tube (which is about 2ml) retails at around £30 (or $36) and looks just as elegant as its sample tube! Personally, I wouldn't usually spend so much on a lippie but Le Rouge Perfecto Givenchy lipstick range really is something else. Not only are you paying for the name but you're also paying for the loving care and attention that Le Rouge lipsticks come in. Unfortunately, the information that I received with my freebie doesn't detail the shades or colours. If you search Perfecto onto the Sephora website it comes up with the fuchsia counterpart so I'm sure what the exact shade of my freebie is called.

There appears to be numerous shades on the Sephora website (something my friends rave about but I've yet to visit), but the chosen samples were between Le Rouge, Le Rouge a-porter and Le Rouge Perfecto which of course do not seem to resemble the true colours of the lipstick. My Le Rouge Perfecto goes onto the lips as more of a coral colour but when photographed, or out of the tube, resembles more of a pale pink colour instead. Le Rouge Perfecto glides onto the lips seamlessly as it's quite a creamy lipstick although it did initially feel a little greasy on the lips. Surprisingly, Le Rouge Perfecto doesn't slip of the lips particularly easy and stayed put for quite a while.

Le Rouge Perfecto is a very subtle coral colour which I was initially unsure about what it would like against my pale complexion but it really seemed to compliment my skin tone.  If anything Le Rouge Perfecto is more of a subtle peachy colour rather than a garish coral which is what I had thought it might be. I really liked the Le Rouge Perfecto Givenchy freebie and I can't recommend it enough. It's a definite keeper for me!

Did you receive your free sample of Le Rouge range? Let me know in the comments below which one you received and what you thought of it xx 

Love is in the Air Februrary Glossybox product review

The design of February's box was typically lovey dovey to commemorate St. Valentines day. A pink and red box with hearts adorning the lid.

Februrary's Glossybox was a bit of an odd combination in my opinion. It seemed that February's box was concerned with maintaining hair as well as pampering existing hair. The February Glossybox had rather unusual products given that the theme was Valentines day. I found it especially odd that February's box included tweezers, a razor and hair masque. Of course all are used to pamper oneself but tweezers are a basic staple so I found it strange that they were included. It was a bit of an odd box with the Nicka K New York 24h brown waterproof eyeliner which I was especially dubious about.

The Vintage Cosmetic Company Floral Slanted tweezers, although aesthetically pleasing with the vintage rose floral design, are too large to comfortably use. The tweezers felt really cheap and flimsy when I used them on my eyebrows. As the tweezers are quite large it makes it difficult to grasp the hairs. The tweezers are however angled to aid in removing the hair but as they're so large it makes it difficult to pluck your brows with them. I was disappointed with the quality of the tweezers but they'll do as a back up for when I'm at my boyfriend's house. The tweezers I usually use are small, strong metal ones from The Body Shop which I've had for years. They may not be pleasing to look at but they do the job perfectly.

I've use the Wilkinson's Sword Hydro Silk razor before and again it comes in handy to keep when at my boyfriend's house. The idea with this particular razor is that once the blades are wet it's meant to lather up so you can shave without the need for shaving creams or gels. This ingenuity however, only works when the legs are arms are wet and then the wet blade is applied to the skin. It is not however appropriate to wet the blade and use it on dry skin. I used the Wilkinson's Sword Hydro Silk razor as a quick fix because I was supposed to be going swimming the next day and wouldn't have time in the morning to shave. I have used this razor before but decided to see how effective the blades were by running that under water. Needless to say it is not sufficient and is essentially the same as dry shaving. My skin was broken, sore and really itchy the next couple of days so it's best to wet the skin before using this razor. For the areas that the razor does lather up on the skin it leaves a slimy trail on the skin which strangely feels quite smooth on the skin. The idea of the trail is that it also enables you to see where you've been on the skin as well as prevent any skin irritation from the razor.

Back in about November/December time Glossybox sent out a survey for customers to chose their preferred shade of lipstick in the February box. With this in mind I was greatly anticipating the February box knowing that a new shiny lipstick was headed my way. Another Glossybox fave February's box included a MUA Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss lipgloss which my chosen shade was nude. However, I was unfortunately disappointed with February's item as I stopped wearing lipglosses a long time ago so I was originally anticipating a lipstick or crayon not a gloss. The MUA Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss is the typical twist pen design with a soft brush at the end. It took the full twist of the pen until the liquid eventually came through onto the brush. When it did eventually come through it's really difficult to apply to the lips. My lips became really sticky and heavy with the product and I found it hard to blend the gloss with the brush as the brush is too soft in conjunction with the thick liquid. My lips looked very shiny and glossy a look which I've since decided doesn't really suit me. Luckily the gloss didn't last very long and it wiped off really easily. The downside of this (as I smushed my lips against one another) the gloss seemed to strip the skin from my lips. My lips were particularly sore and skinned and it took a few days of lip balm to bring them back to normal. Incidentally, the heavy gloss made my lips look like they were plumped which again isn't a look that suits me. The Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss isn't a product that will stay in my make up bag sadly.
                                                 

I was really dubious about trying the Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown at first. I wear black eyeliner and have done for years so I'm always reluctant to steer away from this look. The leaflet for the Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown suggested that the eyeliner could be used with a smoky eye so I thought I would attempt it to see what it looked like. I was pleasantly surprised with the Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown as it really does last all day. The colour isn't too obvious or strange and actually complimented my golden eyes. From a distance the Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown looks like my usual black eyeliner so there was no obvious difference to my make up look. The Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown is a non-sharpening eyeliner that you twist the tube to push out the eyeliner. The Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown has a pointed tip so it makes precision drawing so much easier. The only downside was that the nib for the eyeliner is too thin for my liking so you need to apply a couple of coats which makes it difficult to draw along the straight line on the eyelid. The Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown retails at £3.99 meaning that it's cheap and does the job perfectly Furthermore, the Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner has a built in sharpener and comes with a smudger on the opposite end. The Nicka K New York 24h Waterproof eyeliner in brown is surprisingly a keeper for me.
                               
 The image shown is actually one taken from Google because my phone is terrible for photos. The NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner that I received is a solid white plastic bottle rather than the one pictured above with the wooden lid. The white plastic and wooden lid design are aesthetically pleasing and I think it makes it look organic. I was unsure about trying the NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner purely because I've had bad reactions with conditioning hair masks before. I've also been really disappointed with the ones I've received so far from Glossybox or other subscription boxes. I'm happy to report however, that neither was the case for the NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner. I loved the NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner because it was really thick and worked wonders on my hair. I left the NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner on for less than the recommended three minutes and my hair felt really thick and full of volume even when it was wet. When I rinsed the NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner out and let my hair dry naturally my hair was full of bounce. My hair looked shiny and glossy after using it. Retailing at £10.64 for a 200ml bottle I would definitely re-purchase this. The NAOBAY Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner is a keeper for me!

Let me know what you thought of February's Glossybox, any products you liked or disliked, in the comments below xx

Autumn Spell October Glossybox review

I was really disappointed with the Autumn Glossybox as not only did it come with products I've never heard of (a highlighting pencil and a blending sponge) but it came with mascara. I don't use mascara and this is the third time Glossybox have included mascara. I contacted the company because each box is meant to be tailored to you. As I've previously explained you answer a questionnaire before you receive your first box and this is supposed to cater the products to you. I was told by Glossybox that they would pass on my review to the relevant people who pack the boxes but because they're generic they can't tailor the boxes to each individual. Of course I understand this but given that I specified that I do not use mascara it's frustrating that this is the months' product that every box had to receive. A full-sized  Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Curl mascara is priced at £17.95 and it's a product I won't be reviewing.

Like the September Glossybox it took me a while to use this box. I just don't use this array of products so I really had to push myself out of my comfort zone. I've had a few poor Glossyboxes so I am seriously considering stopping my subscription as there's always a few products that I'm disappointed it. Of course this is bound to happen and I won't be happy with nor use all the products that come in the box but it seems to be more and more frequent that this is happening each month. This was especially true with the Nicka K Airbrush Blending Sponge which was surprisingly heavy and cumbersome to use. I had expected that with it being a sponge it would be light and airy but it was really difficult to use. I tried to use the Nicka K Airbrush Blending Sponge on my face after applying foundation but found it really hard and that it hurt my face using it. For £6.50 I expected a much better product than this small and unusual product. Unfortunately, I won't be reusing the Nicka K Airbrush Blending Sponge.

Next up I tried the Talika Photo-Hydra Day which retails at £24.85. I used this on the face first then followed by serum. The OLAY moisturiser that I usually use doubles up as a primer and a moisturiser so I was essentially testing whether or not the Talika Photo-Hydra Day would serve a multi-purpose. Surprisingly, the Talika Photo-Hydra Day does work well as a primer and my make up lasted just as long when using it. I hasten to add if you exercise during the day you will sweat the make up so of course the Talika Photo-Hydra Day doesn't prevent this but usual day wear ensures that your make up is kept in place. A little goes a long way with the Talika Photo-Hydra Day because otherwise the liquid feels really greasy when you apply it to the skin. It's quite surprising that the Talika Photo-Hydra Day feels greasy if you apply too much as the solution itself feels very weak and watery. It almost seems like the bottle itself restricts how much you can apply to the face as it seems to release the moisturiser in small spurts which is enough to cover the face. I liked the Talika Photo-Hydra Day but it won't replace my usual OLAY moisturiser.

One of my all time favourite products is the Lanolips 101 Ointment which retails at £7.99 and is an absolute miracle worker. I have previously reviewed the Lanolips 101 ointment which you can read about it here whereby I used it to treat burnt skin. For such a small tube it is an absolute godsend as it can be used to treat anything from insect bites, chapped or burnt skin and probably even dry skin. I loved the Lanolips 101 Ointment because the results are almost immediate and it really works to soothe skin troubles. This is a definite re-buy for me and a beauty essential for every hand bag.

It's taken me a while to post this review because I received a So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil in the October Glossybox. I've already said in a previous review that I didn't jump on the highlighting and contouring trend partly because I don't understand it. I tried the So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil out alongside the So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil and both are supposed to be used along the cupids' brow and along the nose to highlight the skin. The So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil can also be used along the inner rim of the eyes to make them pop and to help colour stick to the lids. I disliked the So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil because I found it quite hard to colour the lid in. The So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil isn't as soft as the So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil so it makes it difficult to blend onto the skin. At £15 I don't think it's worth the price and I don't believe it did much to highlight my skin. I used the So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil as a primer for my eyeshadow but my MUA eyeshadow didn't last all day. The colour stayed in the corners of my eyes but unfortunately slid off from my eyelids. I wasn't a fan of this So Susan Haute Light Highlighting Pencil and won't be using it again.

It's taken me about 5 months to use all of the products in October's Glossybox and I wasn't taken with all of them. There were two definite products that I loved and use on a regular basis but unfortunately this was a disappointing box for me. Let me know what you thought of October's Glossybox in the comments below xx

Glossybox The Rose Gold Edit December review

The December Rose Gold Edit Glossybox merely reaffirmed my desire to cancel my subscription. December's box included a Kiko Extra Sculpt Mascara £8.90 (surprise surprise, which I won't be reviewing) a So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil  an (which a similar one featured in the autumn box), a bright red lipstick laquer which is far too bright realistically, a Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask and a 3-in-1 cleanser by Philosophy. So Susan and Philosophy have already featured in a Glossybox fairly recently so it was again disappointing to receive these.

I wasn't really sure what the être belle caviar eye roll on was for as it doesn't explicitly specify on the accompanying leaflet. Until I received the être belle caviar roll on in the December Glossybox I had never heard of the brand before. After a quick Google I found out the être belle caviar eye roll on retails at around €20 (given that it's French I couldn't seem to find a price in GBP). I've used eye roll ons' before but I wasn't sure if this one would be different to others that I've tried. I liked the être belle caviar eye roll on although it's unforgivably cold on the skin due to the metal ball inside the être belle caviar eye roll on. I found it takes a little while to dry so it's best to ensure that it's completely dry on the skin before applying under eye make up. The skin seemed brighter under the eyes and less tired looking but I think it's a product that I need to persevere with rather than use it as a one time use product. It's definitely staying in my make up bag so I can continuously use it.   

I was really unsure about trying out the So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil and my reluctance is the sole reason that it's taken me months to post this review. I didn't jump on the highlighting and contouring trend like everyone else so I was really quite sceptical about using a highlighter pencil. I finally bit the bullet recently and tried out the So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil on top of my foundation. I wasn't sure how to use the highlighter pencil by So Susan and it was a case of trial and error on my part. The unusual angled crayon glides onto the skin and leaves a golden shimmer on the skin. I applied it to the corner of my eyes and blended it into the skin as directed on the leaflet. Admittedly, I noticed a difference to my eyes and found that it did pop my eyes and make them look brighter. You're supposed to apply the crayon to the cupid's brow, the corners of the eyes and along the nose and it helps to brighten the skin. I was really unsure about the So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil but this is a definite new favourite product of mine. Retailing at £15 for a small crayon it is pricey but there was immediate results with this highlighting pencil so it may even be a re-purchase from me.  

I really liked the  3-in-1 cleanser by Philosophy and use it daily in the shower. On the leaflet provided it states that the cleanser should be used to take off make up, presumably at the end of the night. I prefer to use make up wipes to properly remove make up so instead I opted to use the  3-in-1 cleanser by Philosophy at the beginning of my day. The clean lemony scent is really refreshing on the skin so it's perfect for slapping on the face when you first wake up. A little really goes a long way with the  3-in-1 cleanser by Philosophy as it lathers up on the face. The  3-in-1 cleanser by Philosophy seemed a little greasy on the skin because I had applied too much initially. I wet my face first and then applied the  3-in-1 cleanser by Philosophy leaving it for about a minute. I washed it off and then patted my face dry once it was clean. My skin felt really clean and refreshed although I would advice not using it on broken or inflamed skin and it tingled slightly across my nose when I first used this. The small sample size bottle isn't nearly enough though as I pretty much finished the  3-in-1 cleanser by Philosophy with just a few applications. Priced at £8.50 for 90ml this is a definite repurchase for me. 

 

I really don't know what to make of the essence liquid lipstick in 04 show off! The image shown really doesn't do it justice how bright the colour is in the tube but it is quite a surprising little lipstick. Essence liquid lipstick in 04 show off! is more of a lipgloss than a lipstick as it leaves a wet shine to the lips. The essence liquid lipstick in 04 show off! doesn't seem to dry into the lips which means it doesn't dry the lips out either. I was really sceptical about the essence liquid lipstick in 04 show off! when I first used it as it looked really watery on the lips. At first the colour was a watery pinky red which looked a bit like I'd melted a crayon and stuck that on my lips. After a while though the colour changes and gets progressively more pink throughout the day. I really liked the end colour of this and it has salvaged the essence liquid lipstick somewhat as I was prepared to write it off when I first applied it. I thought I’d outgrown lipglosses but I actually love the colour of 04 show off! and it compliments my skin tone well. The consistency is a bit strange at first but it left my lips feeling silky and smooth. Priced at just £2.50 it’s an absolute bargain lippy. Unfortunately the essence liquid lipstick in 04 show off! doesn't seem to last very long and it keeps changing colour and eventually became quite a dark pink rather than a pinky red.

I'm always dubious about trying face masks that I've received in subscription boxes. I know the usual brands that I buy so when it comes to face masks I'm reluctant to try them in case I have a reaction. Unfortunately this is true for the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask. It was an added bonus in December's box as a 'festive treat.' Honestly though I wish they hadn't of bothered. The Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask is quite a strange looking product and not at all what I had expected it to be. Inside the packaging it feels as if it would be a normal liquid face mask but when I opened it the packaging was dripping wet. I advise opening and applying this over a sink as it gets really messy very quickly. The mask and the inside of the packaging were soaking wet and quite slimy to the touch. Although there is a picture on the front of the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask which shows the mask I did not for one second think it would be an actual mask, I looked ridiculous when I put it on. The mask of course is a standard size but for my tiny face the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask looked absolutely massive on me. The chin part of the mask did not reach my skin and I feel the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask would have been more effective had I lain flat for 20 minutes. The Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask is so large that I could feel it sliding down my face so I had to keep fairly still for this short period of time.

When I applied the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask it really was quite unpleasant to the touch and freezing cold on the skin. It took a lot of determination to pat down that horrible, slimy, cold mask onto my face which I did out of sheer curiosity for the product. It was unfortunately straight away that my reaction started as I found the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask to be really uncomfortable across my cheeks and a little itchy at first. Furthermore, as the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask was too big for my face, the mask blocked my eyesight. This in turn transferred the serum (of which the mask is covered in) to my eyelashes which of course put it into my eyes. Lastly, the slipping mask then dripped onto my lips which I couldn't help but taste after 20 minutes and it tastes awful.

I persevered with the Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask however and found that the mask made the skin around my eyes and my eyebrow hair sting like crazy. Knowing what it felt like to the touch I was less than reluctant to peel the mask of so instead bent forward with my head overhanging the bin and let the mask fall off so there was no need to touch it. Hindsight is a wonderful thing as they say and I wish I had taken the  Starskin Bio-Cellulose Second Skin Mask off the second I felt the itching. Needless to say I persevered still and proceeded to pat the serum into the face as the instructions suggested. When the mask came off there was still a lot of excess serum on the skin and even more left in the packaging which can be applied to the neck area. The reminder of the serum ended up in the bin although I did attempt to pat the serum into my face. In doing so I made the reaction worse and my whole face felt itchy so I washed the serum off with cold water. After 10 minutes from taking the mask off parts of my face began to burn and became really itchy. In an attempt to counteract this I applied a sample moisturiser of L'Occitane Perfection in the hope of cooling my face but this didn't seem to help much. Although my skin calmed down a lot over the night it still stung around my eyes. I notice that the reaction was mainly around the thinnest areas of my face (i.e. under my eyes) or areas where I had spotty or inflamed skin. As a word of warning do NOT use this product on broken skin. My cheeks (which were relatively inflamed and angry before I began) were particularly tight whereas the areas with spots felt sore. I definitely would not recommend this product and quite frankly I'd like it I never received another hair mask or face mask again from Glossybox given that these are two products that I've had allergic reactions to.

I don't seem to have much luck with face masks or skincare products but all in all I liked most of the products in December's Glossybox. Three products are a definite winner in my book. Let me know what you thought of December's Glossybox in the comments below xx.

NYC New York Color skin matching foundation product review

I haven't splurged on The Cosmetics Fairy website in a while so I thought I would take advantage of their 99p offer on O.P.I nail varnish (but that's a review for another day). I am quickly running out of my favourite Bourjois Paris Brush Foundation in 32 Rosé clair that resides at my boyfriend's house and I need a replacement. I am always a little dubious about buying foundation online as you really can't trust the colour on the internet. This is definitely true for the NYC New York Color skin matching foundation which is unfortunate saying as it has 'adapting technology', I know, I thought the same how can a foundation have the technology to match to your skin, but. I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.

There was a couple of options on The Cosmetics Fairy website and I decided to try the Cocoa Light in 695. The NYC New York Color skin matching foundation in Cocoa Light 695 looked a little dark on the website but I wanted to try out this 'adapting technology' as promised. The image on the website is really quite deceiving when compared to the actual foundation that I received. Firstly, the 30ml tube feels incredibly light so I wonder if it was actually filled to begin with. Secondly, I don't know how anyone wears NYC New York Color skin matching foundation the texture and the consistency is awful. I applied the NYC New York Color skin matching foundation to my foundation brush and attempted to sweep it across my face. The colour stuck to my cheek and I found it really difficult to blend in. Lastly, I have no idea who Cocoa Light in 695 is designed to suit. When I persevered and swept the NYC New York Color skin matching foundation over my face the 'adaptive technology' clearly matched my skin to one of Charlie and the chocolate factory's oompa loompa. The NYC New York Color skin matching foundation in Cocoa Light 695 is a hideous colour.

Not only did the NYC New York Color skin matching foundation not blend in to my face and sat proud on top of my skin, my skin tone darkened several shades of orange. I attempted then to further rectify this disaster by applying a nude BB cream on top which merely whitened my nose and left my chin dark. The first opportunity I got I wiped the NYC New York Color skin matching foundation off my face. I was bitterly disappointed with this and for £4.99 for such a small tube I expected better than this. When I applied the NYC New York Color skin matching foundation in Cocoa Light the colour was a brassy orange and I cannot understand what skin tone that could possibly be matched to. Next time I buy foundation I won't be doing it online.

Have you had any bad experiences with foundation? Let me know in the comments below xx

January Glossybox 'The Year of More' product review

I've felt really underwhelmed by my recent Glossyboxes and had considered stopping the subscriptions. It seems that I haven't received a useful box in months so I was apprehensive about this box. I'm pleased to say that I was wrong in my apprehensions. I absolutely love January's box and couldn't wait to use everything. In this month's box I received: a full size bottle of UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask which retails at £11.36 for 100ml, Madara Cellular Repair Serum which retails at £38, a full-sized Glossybox Eyeshadow in Glossy Mauve retailing at £7.10, a full-sized bottle of ANGELE Paris Red Nail Lacquer retailing at £6.32 and a full sized stick of Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick in Coral Onyx retailing at £11.93.

I really liked the Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick in Coral Onyx but when I wound the lipstick up in the tube, it looks like the lipstick has been put in the wrong way. The tube is angled to follow the conquers of your lips but unfortunately the lipstick has been put in back to front so the larger part of the lipstick was squashed onto the shallow angle. Instead the lipstick should follow the larger angle in the tube. I contacted Glossybox and they vowed that they would send another one out in the post which they did really quickly. They also sent me a bee venom moisturiser by way of apology and two packets of eye tattoos (which let's be honest I won't be tryng out). Despite the original sloppiness I really like the Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick in Coral Onyx. The packaging is really quirky and cool and the colour despite the name, is more of a pale pink than a coral. The Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick in Coral Onyx is a moisturising lipstick that is kiss proof and looks amazing on. The Teeez Cosmetics Oasis Gem Lipstick in Coral Onyx is a definite winner in my book although it does taste a little bit like a crayon.

Next up was ANGELE Paris Red Nail Lacquer and like most women I already own about ten different shades of red nail varnish. I really like the colour of this nail lacquer. The ANGELE Paris Red Nail Lacquer is a more pinky red than a true red and it looks great on. The brush is quite wide so you can do your nails with just a few strokes and it dried super quickly so it means you can get on with your day quickly. The ANGELE Paris Red Nail Lacquer is a little bit thin if you just apply one coat so a couple of coats are necessary for a deeper colour. The ANGELE Paris Red Nail Lacquer is a definite keeper for me! However, the colour chips quite easily and after a day at work the ends of my nails were white and patchy where the lacquer had chipped off. I also have a prominent white fleck on my ring finger at the minute (I've heard that this is the result of a lack of calcium or too much salt in the diet but I don't know which is true), and unfortunately the white fleck is still noticeable under the reddy pink lacquer. I really liked the colour of the ANGELE Paris Red Nail Lacquer but it doesn't provide as much coverage as I would like. I found that after a couple of days my nails started to chip and flake which often happens to me when I use gel and lacquer type nail varnishes. I don't know why but if I don't use clear nail varnish as a base coat for my nail varnish my nails peels like mad. I've since regifted ANGELE Paris Red Nail Lacquer as it seems to weaken my nails which is a shame as I really liked the colour of this polish.

I was quite excited to try the  Glossybox Eyeshadow Glossy Mauve as I needed a new mauve eyeshadow to stay in my make up bag that I keep at my boyfriend's house. The colour in the compact is a subtle mauve with a hint of glitter so it's not offensive in any way. I applied a thin coat with my MASK bamboo eyeshadow brush which I previously received from another subscription box. Quite a lot of the product seems to go onto the brush which at first I thought was a good thing. The  Glossybox Eyeshadow in Glossy Mauve really had very little show on the eyelids at first. I had to apply several coats of the Glossybox Eyeshadow in Glossy Mauve to see any difference to my lids. As a result of the excess product applied to the brush however, I had a lot of residue powder fall onto my cheeks. This of course is easily rectified by rubbing it from my cheeks but it will still a bit annoying to have to do that. I liked the colour of the Glossybox Eyeshadow in Glossy Mauve after a few coats but I found that it didn't last all day on the lids. A disappointing eyeshadow that I don't think is worth £7.10.

The Madara Cellular Repair Serum states that you should use it morning and night as a base for moisturiser. I was pleasantly surprised by the Madara Cellular Repair Serum especially as the liquid is green. The Madara Cellular Repair Serum felt really smooth when applied to the skin and offers a cooling sensation to the face. I haven't noticed any change to my face so I'm not sure what it's supposed to repair but I do like the Madara Cellular Repair Serum all the same. I haven't realy noticed a change in my skin but I like using it and will continue to do so until it runs out.

 

Lastly, I tried the UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask which a full size bottle retails at £11.36. The packaging is really quite aesthetically pleasing with its' basic white and silver bottle. The face mask that I was lucky enough to try is defined for sensitive skin so I was looking forward to trying it out. I have mixed feelings about UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask. The UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask is really unusual compared to other face masks that I have tried. The UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask is essentially a clear gel solution that you apply to the face. It's like nothing I've ever tried before and left something of a dewy complexion on my face. Less is definitely more with this as I applied way too much and hoped that my skin would absorb it. With face masks I'm used to it drying onto the skin and producing a coloured mask that you can phyically peal off when it's dry. The UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask is completely different to what I'm used to as it left my face feeling very sticky and restrictive at first. The UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask doesn't dry onto the face to produce a mask but rather it is absorbed by the skin. Despite the fact that it states that it is specific for sensitive skin my skin felt very tight and itchy when I used this product. I left the UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask on the skin for around ten minutes and my face felt very cold and bare as a result. I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask as my face felt very itchy and raw after 10 minutes of having this on my face. There is no noticeable fragrance with the UNANI Dermo Defense Face Mask which is a bonus. There was an evident difference in the apperance of my face. When I washed it off (which FYI it takes a while and a lot of warm water to actually rid the product from your face) my skin was so bright and clear afterwards. I have mixed feelings because there was a visible difference to the appearance of my skin but my skin felt tight, restrictive, itchy and raw during the 10 minutes it was on my face and afterwards. My cheeks in particular felt especially raw so I think this may be a product that I pass on as the skin reaction is slightly worrying.

That's my thoughts on January's Glossybox, let me know what you think of this post and what your favourite products were in the comments below xx

The L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer product review

At the time of writing this post I'm approaching one week post op and my skin looks terrible. I've had two operations for various things within the last four months and both times my skin dried out, peeled and then eventually became really greasy and shiny. I did a quick Google search and apparently this is a common reaction post surgery due to the anti-bacterial scrub that is used. Other forum users have also suggested that the skin peels because of the swelling which causes the skin to flake or peel. I've tried combatting this flakiness with exfoliating scrub and my usual daily moisturiser but neither seem to have helped. In both cases I couldn't wear make up for a few days as the surgery was carried out on my face. It was after a few days that I noticed my skin started to over-produce on oils (which I assumed was compensating for the lack of make up) and then my skin eventually dried out in patches on my nose and across my cheeks. I keep slathering moisturiser on these areas but unfortunately the flaky patches will not budge. The skin does return to normal however after suffering a trauma. As a result of my recent op I've obviously been unable to try out any new facial products so instead I've opted to review a recent eyeshadow primer purchase.

The L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer is essentially like a concealer for your eyes. The product is a reasonably sized pencil which is somewhat aesthetically pleasing and looks quite expensive for a priming pencil. The gold and black bands around the white pencil automatically make it seem more appealing. The L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer is a little heavy so it can be particularly cumbersome applying it to your eyelids. I dragged the L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer over my eyelids and rubbed it in with my finger. The L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer goes onto the lids like a pale concealer and has the same thick texture. I found it quite difficult to drag the pencil along my eyelid and found that rubbing it in works best. Although the L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer looks impressive there is no twist mechanism at the end of the pencil but I assume you can sharpen it. Although after reading other reviews online others seem to be disappointed with the amount of product in the pencil so it seems unlikely that you can sharpen it. It's quite disappointing for a pencil that's priced between £4.75 and £8.95 depending on the retailer.

I tried some of the gold colours from my MUA eyeshadow palette as I know they often slip from my eyelids during the day. I found that with using the L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer I needed to apply a few coats of eyeshadow to hide the nude colour of the primer. I really had high hopes for the L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Fixing and Unifying Eye Shadow Primer but unfortunately there was noticeable colour transference by the end of the day to the top of my eyes. I'm willing to persevere with this product as it has high ratings on the internet but it unfortunately failed at the first test with the MUA eyeshadow palette.

MUA Make Up Academy Intense Colour Lip Liner in Caramel Nougat product review

I mentioned in my November Glossybox review that I needed to buy a lip liner to compliment my new nude lipstick. After a few uses of the lipstick and sporting noticeable outer pink lips I decided it was time to succumb to a lip liner. Shamefully, I'd never heard of MUA until I received the eyeshadow palette in November's Glossybox yet it seems that MUA is everywhere now. I decided to pop out to buy a lip liner and ended up in Superdrug purchasing the MUA Make Up Academy Intense Colour Lip Liner in Caramel Nougat for just £1. As I didn't have the lipstick with me (a rooky mistake) I was trying to compliment the shade of the lipstick with the lip liner from memory. I was torn between the cheap MUA lip liner or a dearer lip liner at around £6 which I think was by Maybelline. I can't remember the colour of the Maybelline lip liner but I remember thinking at the time that it was probably a closer match to the Revlon lipstick in Nude Attitude as both have golden and pink hues to the colour.

As luck would have it the MUA Make Up Academy Intense Colour Lip Liner in Caramel Nougat is a great compliment to the Revlon lipstick in Nude Attitude. I've recently understood the importance of a complimentary lip liner and vow to use lip liners alongside all of my coloured lipsticks in future. It's important to not over do the lip liner though as it has resulted in looking a little too pink in comparison to the Nude lipstick. Lightly follow the contours of your lips with the pencils and then fill in the middle with your chosen lipstick. My lipstick look is so much more defined with a lip liner and especially when using a nude colour I'm not left with an outer shade of pink and two completely different colours. The MUA Make Up Academy Intense Colour Lip Liner in Caramel Nougat is a handy little lip liner as it comes packaged with sharpener (not that I need one as I have two Bourjois Paris sharpeners with covers) but nevertheless it's still quite handy to have. One application of the MUA Make Up Academy Intense Colour Lip Liner in Caramel Nougat is sufficient to set off your colour and is a favourite within my make up bag.

I hope you liked this short review and if so feel free to leave me comments below xx

November Glossybox

I was really excited to receive the November Glossybox as it was packed full of cool stuff. Before you sign up to Glossybox you're required to fill out a quick survey so they can tailor make the boxes to you. Or so they say. I don't, nor have I ever, worn mascara or false eyelashes and I don't intend on doing so anytime soon. Fortunately for me I have long eyelashes so I don't need to bother with these little extras. I specified that I don't wear mascara so it's frustrating that Glossybox sent out two boxes one with mascara and one with eyelashes which I won't be testing out. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the MUA eyeshadow palette. A small amount of the powder is sufficient as it really does go a long way. The neutral colours are perfect my skin tone and I actually love all of the colours displayed. It's really easy to create a smoky eye with this palette as you can use the darker colours for the corners of your eye and blend it with the light shades. The palette comes with a double sided eyeshadow brush which was really soft and makes applications so easy. I literally can't fault this palette as it stayed put all day and really set my eyeliner off. I love this and it might even replace my favoured Isa Dora compact palettes (although they are a fraction of the price cheaper so maybe I won't replace them just yet). For a fiver this is a brilliant eyeshadow palette and you can create  the perfect smoky eye, I love it!

I was really excited to receive the Revlon lipstick in Nude Attitude because all the beauty bloggers are raving about nude lipstick. This was the sneak peek item which we got to choose our own shades for the box. I opted for a nude as I don't have one even though the light pink, bright pink and purple all looked very appealing. The Revlon lipstick is quite a plush looking case in all black and the lipstick itself if sheathed in a shiny gold plastic. I really liked the colour of Nude Attitude 001 as it didn't wash my face out at all. It dries as a matt finish but it did slip off the lips eventually so the usual reapplications or Lipcote are essential with this one. Unfortunately my lips are just a little too pink to be able to comfortably pull off a nude lip and I really need to buy a nude lipliner (this is on my to-do list when I a) get a minute and b) remember to do that). I've never really understood the point of a lipliner until now as when I applied the Revlon lipstick my pink lips were outlined by the lack of liner. It's definitely a complimentary make-up product that you need for a striking lip.

Next up I tried the Emite Diamond Heart Primer which retails at a whopping £25.90 for a full sized bottle although I can't seem to find out how big a bottle is. I intend to keep the Emite Diamond Heart Primer at my boyfriend's house to replace my now dwindling supply of Smashbox primer. When I first tried the Emite Diamond Heart Primer I found it to be quite a greasy formula when used in conjunction with my AVON foundation. When I first tried this out it felt like it moisturised my face but it had an obvious dew to the touch. The write up states that you can use this as a base for foundation or BB cream. I haven't used it with my BB cream yet so I might give this yet another chance but using it with my  normal foundation was a mistake. My skin produced an obvious shine after using Emite Diamond Heart Primer and I felt awful in myself. I have since tried this with my Bourjois Rose Eclait foundation and witch hazel shine control moisturiser from Boots and have found this to be a better combination. No longer did my face feel dewy or heavy with product so I think maybe the Bourjois foundation is a lot lighter than my preferred AVON foundation. After trying the Emite Diamond Heart Primer out a second time I've become quite fond of the product. My skin didn't look shiny and my make up stayed put all day. I think next time I use it however I might blend it with a foundation brush first as it comes out pinky on the skin which is difficult to blend with just your fingers. A little seems to go a very long way with the Emite Diamond Heart Primer so use it sparingly.

Lastly in November's box was the Royal Apothic Body Lotion priced at £14.50 for a full size. The packaging is really pretty and cute so this was a winner straight away. I applied this to my feet before bed and let it sink in which it did pretty quickly. The write up recommends that you 'massage it into damp skin post shower'. Unfortunately, I can't test this part out as I seem to have misplaced the moisturiser entirely. I've had this review written for a while and saved as a draft with every intention of returning to it to properly review the Royal Apothic Body Lotion. If at some point I find the elusive Royal Apothic Body Lotion I will edit this post at a later date. Sorry about this guys!


Despite the repetitive eye accessories that I don't use I really liked November's box and the MUA eyeshadow palette and Revlon Lipstick have become staple favourites in my make up bag. Until next time and thanks for reading xx

#glambassador #glossybox #beautyunboxed #glossyboxunboxed

Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON product review

When BB creams first became all the rage in beauty I was never really taken with them. I've since come to love BB creams and prefer them instead to using foundation. I went through a phase of buying cheap BB creams from make up barrels in town but I found them to be quite watery and provided little coverage. This was definitely true for the W7 BB Magic cream technology which I found provided no coverage and didn't improve my complexion at all.

I bought the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON a while ago in an attempt to steer myself away from using foundation every day. The beauty of BB cream is that it's not meant to clog up your pores as much as foundation does. I've tried other BB cream's before and never really taken to them as I always feel like I don't have enough coverage on my face. It's taken me a while to use the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON as I have so much foundation to get through.

When I stay at my boyfriend's house I like to use the small tester bottles of  Bourjois  Paris that I bought from the Cosmetics Fairy website (you can read about it here). I spend so much time nowadays at my boyfriend's house that the Bourjois Paris foundation has become a beauty favourite. Nevertheless I decided to try out the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON to give my skin a break from foundation.

At home I use Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation in Nude by AVON. I used to really like the Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation in Nude by AVON as it provided even coverage, it blended well, was the perfect colour for my pale skin tone and stayed put all day. As well as this there is SPF15 in the formula which is a bonus for me as it means I don't have to worry about applying sun tan lotion over my face particularly in the warmer months.

I'm not sure if it's because I've changed my foundation and prefer to use the Bourjois Paris foundation or if there's something different with the Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation in Nude by AVON but I really dislike using this foundation now. It leaves my face feeling greasy and provides a visible shine to the skin. I also feel that it sits on top of the skin and slips off really easily now. A problem that I've never really had with AVON until recently.

When I first tried out the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON I really didn't like. Originally, I was a bit too slap happy when I applied this so it may just be that I put too much on my face but my skin has felt heavy and sticky all day from the product. I took a tissue to my face to remove some of the excess product and then followed it up by blotting my face with the Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets which seemed to supress a lot of the shine. Having read the product description however it specifies that it deliver moisture to the face so this is perhaps why I looked shiny as I always apply a base-coat of moisturiser first. Now however I love Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON and actually prefer it to my usual AVON foundation. Unlike the Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation in Nude by AVON which often leaves a greasy shine atop of my forehead, the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON doesn't do that at all! Another bonus of the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON is that it also has SPF15 in the formula which is perfect! When I first bought the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON in the same colour as the foundation which I initially thought was a shade too light for my skin, I've grown to love the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON. I looked incredibly washed out when I first applied it but as it's essentially the same colour as my skin it just looked like I had no foundation on which I guess is a good thing. I love how much coverage the Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON provides and although I still can't quite work out how much is too much to apply, I love how it looks with the rest of my make up. The Ideal Flawless Skin Loving BB Beauty Balm Cream in Nude by AVON turned out to be a surprising favourite for me.

I'd welcome any thoughts on BB creams and foundations, leave me comments below xx.  

Happy Birchday beauty box September review

This little beauty box was the perfect accompaniment for me recently when I was working away from home. The only thing I didn't take with me were the lip crayon and the blotting balm. Working as an archaeologist it wasn't really necessary to keep my face looking nice, let's be honest I spent most of my time covered from head to toe in mud so it was really unnecessary. A good skincare routine however should not be overlooked and it's even more essential when working outside in harsh/cold/wet conditions.

I absolutely love the Bliss Body Butter in sage and lemon. It solves a multitude of sins and I definitely think it's going to become a staple favourite. It was the perfect travel size for when I was last working away and it meant that I could pop it in my bag and not worry about taking up any space.


I used the Bliss Body Butter morning and night as it works really well to prep you up. The lemon and sage scent is really energizing and refreshing, it smells good enough to eat. It isn't too overpowering but there's definitely a lingering scent there. I used this as an all over-body moisturiser when I was working and since I've returned I used it on my feet. Unfortunately the un-glamorous life of a field archaeologist means you're on your feet all the time often in tight steel toe boots. Over time my feet have dried out and have started peeling because of my shoes. The Bliss Body Butter sorted this unsightly area right out. I applied the Bliss body butter on to my feet overnight and left it to absorb into the skin by wearing cotton socks. After a couple of applications my feet were back to their normal smooth self. I will say however that I also applied this the next morning and after walking around for a little while, my feet felt very slippery even on carpet. If you are going to use this on your tootsies do it at night time to really let it sink into your skin.

The moisturiser is quite thick (which isn't unusual for a body butter) and it sinks right into the skin. There's no greasy residue and it's the perfect moisturiser. The only downside with this product is that when you're approaching the end of the (sample) tube it's really quite difficult to get the rest of the moisturiser out. I will definitely re-purchase this when I run out, I love it that much! It ranges from £6.50 to £22 depending on the size and the retailer but I think I'll opt for the £6.50 version.


I have a collection of sample skincare tubes that live at my boyfriend's house and the Beauty Protector Beauty Wash was one of them. I've since finished the bottle and it seemed to last quite a while which was surprising given the small size. I'm undecided about the Beauty Wash partly because it foamed and lathered when I was showering which I don't really like. The write up in the booklet states that it has a 'sumptuous fragrance' but if there was one it wasn't overpowering. In fact it had very little fragrance to it which I'm not sure is a good thing given that you're meant to smell like the shower gel you're using. Evidently the Beauty Protector Beauty Wash doubles up as bath crème which I guess makes sense as to why it foams up. I think the Beauty Protector Beauty Wash is better suited to the bath but it worked for a quick fix when I'd ran out of other shower gels. The Beauty Protector Beauty Wash retails at £8 which is dearer than most shower gels.

I bought a tangle teaser years ago when they first came out and although I like it I don't really believe they're as good as they claim to be. The idea is that you can use them wet or dry and because the bristles are positioned on a diagonal it makes it easier to remove tats from your hair. I disagree however and I only ever use mine when my hair is wet. I usually put my parting in using a long-tail comb then I use my tangle teaser to get as many of the tats out. After this there's usually still some tats lingering so I use a wide paddle brush to leave my hair silky soft. I've found that when I use the tangle teaser when my hair is dry the bristles get stuck or it doesn't remove all of the tats. The Sally Hansen tangle teaser that I have is an ergonomic design but the Birchbrush pictured above is a lot smaller. It was quite difficult to use as you can't really get a proper grip on the brush. It's ideal for travelling though as it's small enough to throw into your handbag but it doesn't really work as an everyday hairbrush. Unfortunately, the plastic used in the Birchbrush is really hard and sharp so you actually scrape your scalp when brushing. It's an alright brush for quick fixes but it won't replace my other hairbrushes, wet or dry.


Birchbox went all out on the lemon scent this month and the John Masters Organic Citrus and Neroli Detangler was no different. I prefer to use the Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-in-Conditioner but as this is a large and heavy bottle the John Masters Organic Citrus and Neroli Detangler was the perfect size for travelling. The John Masters Organic Citrus and Neroli Detangler retails from £4.49 to £19.95 and prices in between. The John Masters Organic Citrus and Neroli Detangler has a subtle lemon scent and works to condition the hair rather than sit on top of it. It does exactly what it says on the tin and removes all tangles and tats which is great. I applied this after my shower as I would normally with the Aussie Leave-in-Conditioner but I'm actually not sure if the John Masters Organic Citrus and Neroli Detangler is a wash out or leave-in-conditioner so don't take my word for this. I can't really comment on the texture of my hair though as I was using hotel shampoo which dried my hair out no end but I'm sure that in conjunction with your normal shampoo it would be the perfect accompaniment.

I was really quite unsure about the Laqa and Co Cheeky Lip crayon in Humble Brag and I'm not entirely sure why. In all honesty I think it was the packaging that put me off. The lip crayon that Glossybox sent out recently (the competitor of Birchbox) was an actual pencil with a clear lid so you could see the colour. The Laqa and Co Cheeky Lip looks a bit like a pink felt tip pen. The Laqa and Co Cheeky Lip is quite chunky for a lipstick with quite a large lid so it looks a little odd given that the logo dominates the tube. When you pull the top off the inside isn't any more appealing as it literally looks like a Crayola crayon. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I twisted the end and applied it to my lips. The Humble Brag Laqa and Co Cheeky Lip is quite a bright pink lipstick which of course I love. It's not too bright that it looks ridiculous but it's definitely noticeable. It's a little greasy but I like this as it feels like it moisturisers my lips as well as looking good. I really liked this lip crayon and it's definitely going to stay in my handbag alongside my Glossybox lip crayon. The only issue unfortunately is that it does smell strongly like a crayon so that's not great but it's worth it for how it looks. It also tastes like a wax crayon but if you can bypass the smell and the taste it's a really pretty colour. It does eventually dry onto the lips after a little while but as I applied it without a base coat first my lips cracked underneath. For once this wasn't a problem as it meant my lips were nicely exfoliated. The Laqa and Co Cheeky Lip crayon also stays put after food so it has an enormous amount of advantages. At £17 however it's very pricey for what is essentially a chunky felt tip pen.

And finally last but by no means least is the Pore Professional License to Blot by Benefit which
retails at between £11.56 and £15.50. I wasn't sure about this when I received it so it took me a while to use it. As I'd also bought the Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets I wasn't entirely sure when I would next get an opportunity to try the Pore Professional License to Blot out. The Pore Professional License to Blot can be used before make up acting as a base or on top of make up to manage shine control. I decided to use this after I'd applied my make up and it worked an absolute dream. The sample size was about 4oz (whatever that is in metric) and it was essentially a giant and chunky lip balm. It has the same kind of creamy feeling as lip balm which felt weird dragging it across my face. My problem shiny areas are my upper lip and across my cheeks where a nice shine develops over the day. I tried the Pore Professional License to Blot when I was at work on a busy Saturday when it was absolutely boiling in the shop. It's safe to say the shine stayed away and I didn't have to retouch the application up once. It depends how much shine control you need but I very lightly dabbed the balm across my cheeks and this provided enough control for my skin. I love the Pore Professional License to Blot and honestly I will buy it again regardless of the price. The 4oz tube is the perfect size to fit into my handbag and the 10g size (which is probably just a smidge larger than the sample size) would be a handy handbag essential.

I was really pleased with September's Birchbox beauty box. I only wish this had been the first box I'd purchased as it would have encouraged me to continue my subscription. As my first box was particularly unsatisfactory I won't repurchase from Birchbox again and I only did so this time because the box was half price. September's beauty box was a definite 5 stars from me!

What did you think of September's box? Leave me comments on the link below, ciao xx

Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons review

I've been quite pro-active this year and already bought some of my Christmas presents (I just have another three to buy and then I'm done). As Boots have their usual 3 for 2 offer on I decided to take full advantage of it and treat myself in the process. Since discovering eye crayons and pencils I've never looked back. At first I was dubious of them and found them tricky to use as it felt like I was literally colouring my eye in. After a couple of applications and playing around with them I love them and they're starting to replace my preferred eye shadow compacts. The Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons were part of the 3 for 2 offer and as they were the cheapest item, I got them for free! On Amazon the Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons  are double the price at £16! (Although I have seen them advertised on one online retailer for a whopping £32.73 which is just an insane price to charge for eye crayons). The Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons come in four colours; black, silver, purple and blue. I hasten to add I was unsure about the black and have yet to use it.


I love these crayons as they glide onto the eye really easily and the popping colours are really stunning. The crayons are contained in a plastic pen with a twist mechanism at the top to reveal more of the crayon when you've worn it down. Unlike other eye crayons I've used the Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons are so easy to apply. I never feel like I'm colouring my eye in when I use the Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons. I've since learnt that the easiest way to apply them is to apply it like eyeliner. I draw a line across the bottom of my lid and then build it up and the corners working in lines all the time. It makes it much easier than colouring the lid in which would often transfer the colour to my eyebrows. Retailing at £8 from Boots for a box of four they're fairly cheap at £2 each. The Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons  have a very smooth gel-like finish which help them to glide onto lid rather than getting stuck like other crayons that I've previously used.

I've taken to wearing the silver and the purple and have since branched out to wear the blue crayon. The blue unfortunately is just a shade too bright for me and makes my eyes really pop. Once the crayon has been on the lid for a while the colour starts to dull and produces a much calmer blue rather than it being so in your face. The only downside with the Pretty & Witty Eye Crayons is that they don't stay on the lids very long. They seem to crease and disappear on the lids so a good primer is probably needed. As they're a gel based crayon this may be difficult to make the colour stick to the lid as they have a tendency to slide off as a result. I'd never used Pretty and Witty until now nor had I ever heard of the brand but I do like it. It's quite kitsch with the cat logo that adorns the packaging (probably another reason I gravitated to it on a subconscious level).


I'm still unsure about the black eye crayon and might save this for when I finally run out of eyeliner. I can't see how it would look appealing on the eye as an overall colour.

NIVEA Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml and Lip Care Soft Rose Products Review

As usual I bought the Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml and Lip Care Soft Rose a while ago but have only just gotten around to uploading my review. Admittedly, I purchased the Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml and Lip Care Soft Rose for two reasons. First and foremost I was curious about the Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml and wondered if it really was as good as it promised on the advert. Secondly, the deciding factor for me purchasing the goods from the NIVEA website and not a supermarket or pharmacy as I usually would was the enticing free gift. At the time of purchase if you spent over £5 you received the NIVEA Facial Cleansing Wipes - Dry/Sensitive free of charge.

I prefer to use these make up wipes and so decided to take advantage of the freebie offer whilst I had the chance. As I'm sure you're aware I have dry/sensitive combination skin so the NIVEA Facial Cleansing Wipes - Dry/Sensitive are perfect for my skin. They work to clean and moisturise the face so they don't dry my skin out like other make up wipes I've tried before. I really like these wipes as they don't make my skin greasy and I honestly believe they remove all traces of make up. The wipes retail from around £2.80-£3.45 depending on the retailer, the product specification and the quantity of the pack. At the minute Boots have a 2 for £5 offer on which is really quite reasonable.

Having bought the NIVEA Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml mainly for the free gift I did start to have second thoughts with my order. It occurred to me when I was placing my order that I already know that I like the make up wipes so why bother changing to use the NIVEA Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml. The 3 in 1 formula on the make up wipes means that removing stubborn eye make up is a doddle so I really didn't need to change from the wipes. Like I said I was curious how effective the Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml would be. If you haven't seen the television advert yet it's very convincing that it works. The idea is that with just a couple of swipes of the pad your stubborn eye make up (including waterproof mascara) will be easily removed. Of course the advert's sped up with stages missing but it seemed pretty simple in theory. In practice however it's not so great.




I applied a fair amount of the liquid onto a cotton pad and dragged it across my eyes several times. Unfortunately my heavy black eyeliner stayed put. I found the formula really greasy and sat on my cheeks when I tried to remove the make up. I normally prefer to use NIVEA products as they're very gentle but the Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml aggravated my eyes. My eyes were stinging, red and sore for a short while after, something I'm used to experiencing with other companies but never NIVEA. To say I was disappointed with this product is an understatement. It did nothing that it promised to do and for £3.49 I expected a larger bottle than 125ml. After using this once I passed it on to someone else and it won't replace my preferred make up wipes.

The order wasn't a complete disaster however. I also purchased the Lip Care Soft Rose lip balm. I really like NIVEA's lip balms as they provide protection and lubrication for the lips to stop them drying out. They're a perfect accompaniment to the cold and drying winter months. I read somewhere that almond oil and jojoba oil work wonders for chapped lips and as the Lip Care Soft Rose has both I decided to buy it. I wasn't too fussed about it being a tinted lip balm and just bought it solely for the protection that it offered. It goes on a very subtle pink which isn't too obvious so that's fine. It really works to soften and smooth chapped lips and for £1.65 it's enough to pay for it.




I'm excited to try NIVEA's new exfoliating make up wipes which I might buy at some point.

Feel free to leave me any comments if you wish xx