Empties - February 2014

So, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and get on with this empties malarkey! I love watching these videos on YouTube, so I thought I would do one every so often on the blog to show you guys what products I've been loving just that much that I've used them up totally! Let's face it, essentially this is a post about my rubbish. But hey, it might be interesting! Only a few products this month that were worth showing here, so I'll need to collect more for next time I guess! So, let's get a start on the products! Apologises in advance for the pictures, they were slightly rushed!

 

Lush - Snow Fairy Showergel/Shampoo

 

 

It's official, I am addicted to this stuff. Every time Christmas comes around, I hit Lush to treat myself to this beauty. I've been buying it for years anyway! It does take me a while to get through a bottle, mostly because I like to actually use this as a shampoo. It used to state on the bottle that it was a showergel/shampoo but there's no mention on this more recent packaging. But still, I love to use it on my hair. It makes it smell like candy floss. What's not to like? I find the scent lingers on my hair as well, more so than it does if I were to just use it as a shower gel anyhoo. Top product, more to come as soon as I can buy it again I would think!

 

Givenchy - Noir Couture Mascara Sample

 

 

I recently discovered this again, after getting it a Glossybox a while back and never using it. Just decided I would try and get it used up! It's got a weird wand with different sections on it and I found that this helped with volume on my lashes. It did begin to flake a little by the end of the day, but it did make my lashes look good all of my working day, so I stuck it out and got it used up. I would never pay the full price for this whatsoever though, so although it was a decent mascara, I have cheaper ones that do the same really.

 

Macadamia - Nourishing Leave in Cream

 

 

This is a leave in texturizing cream from macadamia. This means mostly that it smells insanely yummy. Like most macadamia products really! I used this on days I wasn't going to straighten my hair, so it would help give my curls texture and help them last a little longer. Since this ran out I've switched to a tigi product for my curls and they are both performing similarly so I'll maybe investigate if I can find a cheaper alternative when that runs out. I only tend to wear my hair curly on my 2 days off a week, so it will take me some time to get through my current product, but cheaper is what I'll look for next! Well, why not?

 

Urban Decay - All Nighter Make Up Setting Spray

 

 

Now, this product has taken me forever to use up. I honestly cannot remember when I bought it originally. It took me some time to start using it every day, I literally used to save it for nights out so it would help my makeup last all night, rather than using it to help it last all day as well. But hooray for youtubers using it in tutorials and I swapped to using it every day. I think it does help my make up last that bit longer, and I notice less creasing etc with my eyeshadows than I do when I've not used the spray. Really good product, I would buy again if I could afford to do so and now Urban Decay have lots of different versions of this spray so I'll need to investigate which one will suit me best first. At the moment I've done my usual and swapped to a cheaper alternative for now to see how it works for me. I couldn't really argue paying £3 for a similar product from MUA. Worth a shot I say!

 

That's it then! I hope this is actually interesting to you guys, please let me know if you want to see these posts more regularly and I'll do my best to remember and save my empty products to show off!

 

American Makeup Swap Haul!

Towards the end of last year the opportunity came up through a facebook to do a makeup swap with a lovely girl over in America. I sent over a selection of UK make up products, and in return I got a selection of make up from the USA! The package finally arrived last week, and I was so excited to get using some of the products! I've taken some shots of the products I was most excited about, but I'll go through everything I got if I can!

 

Are you ready? Here's the full haul!

 

 

 

This is just the candy!

 

 

I've already munched through a lot of this! I've still got all the chewing gum and some of the cookie dough bites, and gummy bears. The bears are really odd, but at the same time yummy! Never had chocolate coated gummy bears before!

 

 Just the Makeup Products

 

 

New Physicians Formula Treats

 

 

I've already had a go of these two and I've loving the mascara! The Nude palette is really nice, the colours are quite subtle and need a bit of building but they look great along side some black eyeliner! They can be used as eyeliner too when went, so I'll need to get around to trying that!

 

Finally, a funky Maybelline Lipstick

 

 

I've always liked the look of the color whispers when I've seen them on youtube, so I'm excited to have one! This is a lovely peach colour that is quite subtle, but is really moisturising and I love the packaging.

 

Other products I got include: Wet N Wild Mascara, Loreal Lipgloss, Physicians Formula Bronzer, City Color Bronzer blusher and highlighter set, Urban Decay eyecolour, Bath and Body Works Shower gel, anti bacterial gel and various creams and a mini candle and Maybelline Baby Lips in Rose. I adore everything and I'm really enjoying trying some different products! It was worth the wait!

 

January Shopping Haul (19th January)

Just thought I'd let you guys nosy at what I managed to treat myself to on a recent shopping trip! Let me know if you like these posts, I like doing them!

 

 

MUA Make Up Fixing Spray £4 and Barry M Glamour Puss Palette £7 - Superdrug

 

 

Starting with the makeup, why not?! I recently ran out of my lovely Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray stuff, so I was on the look out for a cheaper replacement. Hooray for MUA! This spray has so far been very good and is helping my makeup last a bit longer, and it smells yummy, which makes it win over the Urban Decay version! The Barry M palette is lovely and sparkly eyeshadows plus a nice pink blush, the colours take a bit of building up, but otherwise it's definitely a good palette for the price!

 

Tiger Haul - Chopping Board £2, Brush Holder £2 and Stationary from 50p

 

 
 

 

I adore Tiger. I don't know if I've ever been in a that shop and not bought something. I couldn't resist this fish shaped chopping board. Just because ok. The green holder I'm hoping to put to use for my larger makeup brushes and I just couldn't walk past tape printed with cake! Who can?! Plus some random cards for good measure. I collect things like these in advance of birthdays and things. Slight addiction to stationary. I'm fully aware of this.

 

Primark Haul - Cardigan £7, Scarf £4, Printed Tee £5 and Belt £2

 

 

 

 

A good selection from Primark. With my new job, I've been living in cardigans, so I naturally needed more! This one is navy with kind of batwing sleeves and it's dead comfy. I got a cute tee with sailing stuff on just because. I needed a new belt and this simple black one only has small details which I like and I got a scarf because I have an addiction. Again, I know this. Issues.

 

There we go! I hope you guys find this interesting, sorry it took me so long to post, but hopefully some of these items will still be in the shops now!

 

 

Twiggd Jewellery Review

 

So, time for something different! I've been meaning to get around to doing this review for what seems like ages, but everything just seemed to get on top of me! I discovered this lovely selection of different jewellery when I worked at my old job over in Edinburgh. I met the lovely lady (Tara) who makes the jewellery through my work and had to get my hands on a selection! I then started following her business on Facebook, and there's constantly more I want to buy! I sense a habit coming on! At the moment, I only have three pieces from her collection, but I know at least one more thing I need to get as soon as I get paid this month! Tara sells her lovely jewellery on Esty as well as Notonthehighstreet, so please feel free to check her pieces out over there! Everything is handmade by Tara in Edinburgh. Here's the few bits I own to let you see!

 

Triangle Wooden Stud Earrings - £14

 

 

These were one of the first things I bought from Twiggd. They are made of walnut, then hand painted with the mint colour at the bottom. They are just so eye catching and different to any other earrings I have, and I like the way they sit. I have issues with mint coloured things, so these suit me well! It does come in other colours as well as circle shapes too!

 

Wooden Chevron Necklace - £25

 

 

 

 

 

 

This necklace, is again hand painted with mint and gold on the chevron. I love it so much, even down to the small detail of the twiggd logo on the end of the chain. You can vary the length the necklace sits at, but I find it looks best on me when wearing something with a wider neck. It's eye catching and I always get a lot of comments when I wear this! Excuse the cheesy picture from Instagram, but it does show me wearing the necklace, so you can see how nicely it sits! This is available in a selection of colours such as red and blue as well!

 

Walnut and Mirror Acrylic Love Heart Stud Earrings - £14

 

 

These are without a doubt my favourite item I've bought from Twiggd. They are red mirror hearts surrounded by walnut. I wear these nearly every day and again, they just look so different and interesting I really adore them. Tara has just brought out more earrings and brooches with this mirror design as well, I need to get my hands on them too!

 

So anyhoo! Something a bit different for me, but I like finding new and exciting accessories! Please feel free to go have a nosy at Tara's lovely jewellery selection, and find her on Facebook! This post was not sponsored, I just love the pieces so much I felt I had to let more people know about them!

 

 



Glossybox February 2014 Review

So, time for the February Glossybox! What a cheesy box print we had this month, but as much as it pains me, I am actually fairly impressed with this months box. Uhoh. The theme was 'Be Mine' so I'm guessing this is rather obviously directed at Valentines day! Much happier the box came earlier in the month this month as well and I've actually got my review done on the same day I received the box! Go me! It does mean that I can't really comment on the products as I have only had a little test though, but anyhoo! Onto the products!

 

Eldora - False Eyelashes £3.90

 

 

I really need to be able to put on false eyelashes. I discovered today that I have more than 10 sets of lashes (all from previous beauty boxes) but I never wear them. Mostly, because I just can't put them on. I sense a lot of youtube tutorial watching coming up! This pair look nice, so I'll try and give them a shot this coming Saturday night.

 

Nought London - Sparkling Body Shimmer £14

 

 

This is basically a cream with a slight shimmer in it. It's fragrance is cherry blossom and it does smell pretty yummy! The shimmer is very subtle and pretty so again, I'll be trying that out properly for next Saturday night, yey!

 

Lindt - Lindor Treat Bar 79p

 

 

I can't believe I actually managed to get a photo of this. It was gobbled up pretty quickly to be honest!! Damn tasty.

 

Giovanni Eco Chic Cosmetics - Ultra Sleek Range from £7.99

 

 

Ok , I'm not gonna deny that getting samples is pretty annoying. But to be honest, for once I'm glad it's hair stuff and not more frigging moisturiser or serum or something. And these look interesting at least. I got the ultra sleek range, handy since I almost always straighten my hair, and it comes with a shampoo, conditioner and a leave in conditioner so a good selection to try. I'll try these out next week!

 

Maybelline New York - Color Sensational Stripped Nudes Lipstick £6.99

 

 

I'm a sucker for nice packaging (ha!) so this lipstick caught my eye before I even saw the colour. Whoops. This is the nudes collection so this is very different from anything I might normally pick up. I have swatched it quickly on the back of my hand and it's definitely a really nude shade (it was called coffee I think) and only has a subtle colour pay off. I'm looking forward to wearing this properly tomorrow, might as well give it a go! I've decided to try and wear lipstick more often so it looks more normal on me, at the moment my other half looks at me strangely when I wear it, because it's so rare I ever do, even though I have a good selection! Must try harder with this!

 

Ciate London - Paint Pot £9

 

 

Wahey again! I love me some Ciate polish! Again, this isn't a colour I would normally gravitate towards, so it's nice to have a change. This very red colour is called 'Cocktail Dress' and it's fully opaque in two coats. I reckon this will be saved for my toes in the summer months! It's very rare for me to wear red on my nails, but I might give a shot with some extra designs over it, I might manage to use this some!

 

Well, like I said at the start, annoyingly, I actually liked this box. Are Glossybox trying to make a come back? I still feel overall that Birchbox are winning here, but this month Glossybox made a much better attempt than normal and it has left me debating again over keeping my subscription going or not. I think it depends how many glossydots (reward points) I have left. We shall see!

Birchbox February 2014 Review

 

Birchbox were quick off the mark this month, boxes out in great time, love receiving it quickly! This months theme was London Fashion Week and We Love Your Style and it's showcased a lot of products to help you look fab and survive a hectic week! As usual, birchbox were doing pretty great this month, so let's get onto the products!

 

Eyeko - Skinny Liquid Eyeliner £12

 

 

I've used this product before, but not in black, but olive green. I tested it out on dress down Friday just passed at my work, and even over a very strong silver eyeshadow it went on well and lasted all through my shift without budging. It did look a little worse for wear later in the evening, but otherwise, all good and I'm pretty impressed with this one.

 

Beauty Protector - Protect & Oil £16

 

 

This was pretty hard to photograph, but hey! It's a small bottle of hair oil. You put a few drops onto damp hair and it'll help smooth and protect against UV rays, heat and breakage. Not half bad. I love the smell of it. It's just lovely, and I can smell it all day too. It has made a difference to the feel of my hair as well, it seems a lot smoother. Only small thing that annoyed me about this was the fact that it doesn't have a pump (the full size might though I guess), which means that sometimes I was getting too much oil out from it, but otherwise, I do really like it.

 

Janjira - Argan Oil Concentrate Serum £48

 

 

Serums have become a stable in my morning skincare routine now, so I do actually like trying new ones. This one so far has been lovely feeling on my skin, it smells ok but I've yet to see if it'll make any difference in my skin. It's meant to be youth boosting and plump up the skin, this still remains to be seen! But either way, no chance would I be paying the full price for this. Holy moly.

 

Green & Blacks - Dark Chocolate £2.29

 

 

Nom Nom. That is all.

 

Gilchrist & Soames - The London Collection Shower Gel £13.75

 

 

Standard showergel sample again, but this one smells pretty yummy so they're almost forgiven. It wakes you up nicely in your morning shower and it has left my skin feeling really soft today, so wahey!

 

Leighton Denny - Nail Colour £11

 

 

Yey a nail polish! by now you all know I love me some nail polish. Just a tad. Honest. I'm not the biggest fan of Leighton Denny, but it's a nice dark silver colour and probably worth a shot. I feel like I already have a colour very like this in my stash though, so I'll have to compare and keep the best one! I'll let you know how I get on!

 

Now, I really can't wait until the march Birchbox. Apparently, Birchbox have partnered with Lulu Guinness for this one, so that's really exciting! Hopefully it'll look gorgeous as well! I'm looking forward to reviewing it anyway!

Glossybox January 2014 Review

 

New Year, new Glossybox? So apparently the box was redesigned this month...

 

 

 

so, yea. It's pretty much the same. The box was more shiny and there was a different ribbon. Bout all I noticed anyway! Nothing desperately exciting! This was meant to be my last Glossybox but since hearing we're meant to be getting a Ciate polish in the Valentine's one, I'm hanging on for February, then I need to start saving money so it really has to go! Plus they seem to charge you for them really quickly at the moment, like they charged for the Febraury box on the like the 5th, before I really had to chance to decide what I was going to do! But if I get a Ciate, that at least softens the blow I guess. Anyhoo, let's get onto January's box. Well, again, I just wasn't overly impressed. Let's see how.

 



 Yu-Be Moisturising Skin Cream: Full size £13.50

 

This, I've definatley tried in a box before and was never really bothered by it then either. It's meant to revamp your skin and protect it from the elements. It's trying to be the 8 hour cream I think. And it just doesn't get there. Handy size for the handbag to help with dry patches, but otherwise, I'm just not bothered!

 

Balance Me Super Toning Body Wash: Full Size £10.25

 

 

I dunno what it is with Glossybox and balance me products. But, generally, I've had enough of receiving them. They are always very floral smelling (bleurgh!) and they just don't entice me at all. I would never pay the full price for any of their products at all. I appreciate that their organic and natural products, but still! Give us something different rather than a shower gel I'll end up saving to take travelling!

 

Vintage Cosmetics Company Floral Tweezers : £8

 

 

Awww. Cute. But at the end of the day? It's just a pair of tweezers. They do work well, and they look pretty, but they do seem expensive for basic tweezers with a pattern.

 

Vaseline Essential Moisture Lotion: Full Size £4.99

 

 

Vaseline Lotion. I can easily pick this up in Boots. Which makes it less exciting really. This has pure oat extract in it, which means it smells rather odd. Not unpleasant but kinda odd. It does the job and is a good moisturiser, just not overly exciting I guess. If I'd wanted to try this I probably would have bought it already myself.

 

Anatomicals Puffy the Eye Bag Slayer Wake-Up Under Eye Patches: Full Size £6 for 3

 

 

Now, I do love me almost anything from Anatomicals. Mostly because of their names and the blurb on the products that makes you laugh. I've used these previously so I did actually appreciate getting more of the them. They generally revitalise your eye area and are cooling as well. Lovely stuff. So, all in all a bit of a miss mash this month, some good and some annoyingly familiar. I must be picky that I just want to see something I couldn't find down the shops, or to try something I might normally be able to afford and these days I feel Glossybox is going more high street and there's just less of that! Here's hoping the valentines box is good anyway, I'll aim to get the post up quicker this time I promise!