Best of Beauty 2011

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What’s in October’s Glossybox?

It’s that time again!

October’s Theme is the SIX PACK, as there’s a 6th bonus product to celebrate 6 glorious months of Glossybox – can you believe this is the 6th Glossybox already?

When I saw names like Stila and Dermalogica on the card I was very excited…

Dermalogica Age Smart Multi Vitamin Thermafoliant 15ml A powerful thermal skin polisher that combines physical and chemical exfoliants. A full, 75ml bottle costs £40.50, therefore a 15ml equivalent is worth £8.10.

Dermalogica Age Smart Multi Vitamin Power Recover Masque 15ml. A full 70 ml bottle retails for £33, equivilant 15ml worth £7.07 A powerful masque of concentrated antioxidant vitamins to help skin recover and regenerate.

Leighton Denny Expert Nails Colour & Care Nail Polish 12ml Leighton Denny Nail colour in Hanky Panky, a true orange shade. I love nail polish and was very excited to see Leighton Denny’s name on the card, but I’m a little disappointed at the shade. I have orange nail polish and don’t find it very wearable. I tested it on one nail, the quality is very good and the colour very opaque, no need for three coats with this one. I would have been happier with the baby pink or blue though. Full size product worth £11.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeline in Moray Another full size product, worth £13. I love Stila and have high hopes for this little stick. A lovely olive shade with golden flecks – can’t wait to try it.

Robert Piguet Eau de Parfums Fracas de Robert Piquet, Visa de Robert Piguet and Calypso de Robert Piguet are three signature scents from the ‘most Parisian of fashion designers’.

And the sixth, bonus gift Dermalogica Renewal Lip Complex 1ml with a handy little bag to keep all your new Dermalogica gifts safe. A daily treatment that restores the delicate lip tissue. Full size 1.75ml product retails for £22.50, so this mini version is worth £12.85  

I think this is a really good box – a perfect mix of make up, skin care and fragrance. I’m very excited to try the Dermalogica products and the Stila liner, and as ever, I’ll let you know my thoughts.

Thinking of subscribing? See what was in August and Septembers boxes.

Magazine Freebie Time

There’s been a drought since the summer but it’s magazine freebie time again! With winter imminent we all need a good hand cream, or two.

Pick up November’s copy of Instyle Magazine £3.70 with Rosamund Pike on the cover and bag FREE Cowshed  Hand Cream worth £8. There’s two to choose from – Cow Pat Moisturising and Cow Slip Soothing. I opted for the Cow Pat with essential oils of grapefruit and coriander – that’s right, the curry herb! But don’t be put off it smells gorgeous and feels divine.

Grab November’s Marie Claire Magazine £3.60 with Reese Witherspoon on the cover and receive a free L’Occitane Hand Cream 30ml worth £7.50. There’s four to collect, the original Shea Butter hand cream and three limited edition designs. They’re thick, rich, creamy and super moisturising.

LOOK Loot

I forgot to share with you the wonderful goodie bag I received at the LOOK fashion show…. it was crammed full of fashion, beauty and confectionary treats.

Treats included Make Believe Night Time Self Tan, Palmers Cocoa Butter, Label M Curl Spray and Next perfume.

Make up treats included an eye shadow and double ended lip product from the upcoming LOOK Magazine range and a Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm.

A very cute H&M scarf and some Monsoon bangles.

Plus the latest LOOK Magazine, of course, discount vouchers, a Miss Selfridges gift card and chocolates and evian that didn’t make the journey home!

Thank you LOOK!

What’s in September’s Glossybox?

What goes up, must come down… After two strong months, I think September’s Glossybox has failed to live up to the standard. I’m excited to try the HD Brows Eye & Brow Palette, other than that, there’s no much jumping out at me and I feel a bit short changed as there’s three mini samples in this months’ box.

This months’ theme – “future classics“… I think that’s code for “stuff you’ve never heard of”

Dead Sea Spa Magik Salt Brushing 2 x 50g sachets

Voted ‘Best Exfoliator’ by You magazine. A harmonious blend of pure Dead Sea Salts, vitamin E and coconut oil with a hypnotic citrus aroma make this wonderfully pampering body exfoliator a number one, best selling product. Salt Brushing is suitable for those who desire a highly nourishing exfoliating treatment that naturally exfoliates without irritating. With anti-oxidant Vitamin E and Coconut oil nourishing and hydrating the skin, it can help break down adipose tissue, reduces cellulite, detoxify the body, speed up cell metabolism and stimulates cell regeneration. A must for rejuvenating the body!

 

HD Brows Eye & Brow Palette

Eyebrow experts HD Brows have developed a handy handbag palette with four matt eyebrow colours, which can also double up as an eye shadow and eyeliner. Full Size product worth £19.95.

 Móa The Green Balm

This is a tiny, tiny pot. Móa is a modern day miracle! Bursting with organic yarrow and a medley of other naturally delectable goodies, a handy little pot of The Green Balm has so many weird and wonderful uses that you’ll just go balm-y over its benefits! Móa’s astonishingly versatile formulation nourishes dry skin and cuticles, fades stretch marks, treats dry and thirsty hair and works wonders as a facial cleanser or mask. Kiss goodbye to chapped lips and cold sores, and seek solace from that dreaded sore throat with a spoonful dissolved in water. Use as a cleansing ritual to give your skin a balancing deep cleanse using a little Móa, some warm water and a cotton face cloth – it’s a bit like treating yourself to a daily facial!

Neal and Wolf GLOW Super Shine Spray 100 ml

GLOW is a weightless spray that adds deep, lasting shine. Its unique formula also helps to smooth hair, controlling frizz and reducing static. The result? Incredible all-over shine that leaves hair glowing! This sounds good but I have greasy hair and NEVER use shine sprays.

Plum by Mary Greenwell 1.5ml tester

The Plum Collection is a quintessentially British proposition by an inspirational make-up legend and a celebrated master of fragrance, Mary Greenwell. I’ve tested i and sorry… it smells like someones Gran!

As ever I’ll give them a good test drive and get back to you with detailed reviews, who knows they might surprise me and become my furture must haves.

Glossybos ENVY – Check out the other variations in this months Glossybox here. Wish I’d received a NUXE Oil.

Beauty Waitlist… VIVO Make up at Tesco

Tesco, is there anything they don’t sell? Ok I know they already do make up in the form of Barbara Daly, but I’m sorry it’s a bit dull and does anyone actually buy it? Their new and exclusive make up range VIVO  celebrates being “Alive with Colour” and looks set to rival other budget brands like MUA and Sleek, who give us great, on-trend products at affordable prices.

The VIVO range will start at a very affordable £1.50 offering the staples – foundation, mascara and lipgloss etc, as well as bronzer/highlighter duos, brow kits and false eye lashes.  There are also some gorgeous eye and cheek palettes containing domed and marble affect blushers and eyeshadows set to retail around £6!

To be honest I don’t think I need anymore distractions when I’m trying to do my weekly shop, I already spend half an hour in the magazine aisle and have to be dragged away from F&F and now, like a bee to honey  I’ll be drawn, actually sucked in, to the make up isle.

 

I might as well just transfer all my wages to Terry Tesco.

VIVO coming soon (End of September) to an oversized Tesco near you!

Duty Free Treats

I thought I’d share with you the duty free treats I picked up in the airport last week.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Essentials

I bought this one whim – partly because I was caught up in the holiday spirit and partly because every girl should own this kit, and some boys too 😉 I make no secret of the fact  I’m a lifelong lover of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, but I’ve never explored the range further… until now.

This pack contains the following products:

• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant – 30ml

• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment – 50ml

• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant Stick – 3.7g

I fancied the lip protectant as I use the original cream on my lips all the time, so it made sense to have a handy little bullet that’s more user friendly, plus this one has an SPF 15, making it an ideal holiday companion. I wasn’t disappointed – it looks and feels like the regular version, it’s super moisturising and surprisingly didn’t melt in the heat. Now the hand cream, this was a real surprise, it’s one of the best hand creams I’ve used. Incredibly thick, rich and moisturising – Looks like I’ve added another two products to my “can’t live without” list.

Duty Free Price £22 – contents worth over £50

Lancôme Doll Eyes Mascara

I won’t say too much about Doll Eyes right now as I’m planning a full review and some comparisons to other mascaras, but I will say it’s fab and as you can see some the photos, so are the results. It worked well in the heat and humidity too.

Duty Free Price £17.45

15 kg! Are you kidding me?

I’m packing for me holiday and just checked me baggage information. I didn’t realise I’m only allowed 15kg of hold luggage. What! My toiletries alone must weight 5kg…

and that’s before I’ve even considered make up, hairstyling products and, oh yeah, clothes and shoes.

I’ve tried to use minis where possible but it’s all stacking up. I hate being seperated from my products, but then I hate the British weather more!

Been Shopping!

I popped to the shops yesterday to make some last minute essential holiday purchases and ended up picking up a few unexpexted extras along the way –  I just didn’t bank on seeing so many bargains!

No7 Soft and Soothed Cleanser £3 Boots

It’s No7 voucher time again and this is my all time favourite cleanser. It’s great for dry skin and leaves a lovely moisturised glow. Normally £8, just £3 with the voucher.

Revlon Nail Enamel in Facets of Fuchsia £4.49 Boots

Words or pictures can do this nail polish justice, it’s seriously HOT! Part of Revlon’s Autumn/Winter 11 collection, it’s a grey polish jam packeked with Berrylicious specs of glitter. Currently on promotion at Boots, save £2. Here’s a quick swatch on my finger.

Rimmel 3 Looks Volume Mascara and 60 Second Nail Polish £1 each Poundland

Poundland can be great for picking up branded cosmetics for, well £1. It can be hit and miss but pretty rewarding when you discover some gems, like this Rimmel 3 Looks Volume Mascara in Black and 60 Second Nail Polish in Desert Beauty.

GOSH Professional Eye Brush £5.99 Superdrug

I’ve been on the look out for a slanted, precision eye shadow brush with firm bristles and this fits the bill nicely. I didn’t want to spend too much and thanks to GOSH, I didn’t have to. Made from synthetic bristles – it’s great for shadow and liner.

Tail Comb 99p Superdrug and Travel Bottles £1 Primark

I have my tangle teezer for battling the holiday hair tatters, but this tailcomb I need for backcombing. And last buy by no means least, these handly little travel bottles so I can decant some shampoo and conditioner – they even come with little lables.

What’s in August’s Glossybox?

August’s Glossybox is here… and it’s looking like a good un! Can it be a month already? In case you’ve been living on the moon and don’t know what Glossybox is all about, read this. I guess so. The theme is Wash and Glow and this is what I’ve got…

MURAD Time Release Blemish Cleanser 30ml

I’m quite excited about this one, I’m prone to the odd spot or five and Murad products are normally pretty effective.

AHAVA Mineral Body Lotion 40ml

Tested a little on my hand, it feels quite rich and intensely moisturising – beware, it’s highly perfumed though.

DANIEL SANDLER Baby Jet Mascara

I’m SUPER excited about this one! Could it be the perfect partner to 17’s Falsifeye Mascara? The tiny wand means it can get in all those little nooks and crannies.

KMS CALIFORNIA HAIRSTAY Style Boost 200ml

I’ve known and loved many KMS products in the past, so I’ve got high hopes for this.

REBEL NAILS Nail Wrap (for TOES)

Um, toe wraps, What now? Finger wraps, maybe, but toe wraps, not so much! We’ll see, maybe one for my little sister.

First impressions are pretty positive this month! There’s some full size products again, I’m pleased to receive an actual make up product and I think I’ll use 4 out of the 5!

I’ll be back with full product reviews once I’ve given them the third degree.

Let me know what you got and what you think of August’s Glossybox.