GlossyBox April 2012 | Limited Edition Natural Box

Aprils GlossyBox* was another special edition. These are definitely my favourite kind of beauty boxes, something about it being different from the norm, makes the anticipation of un-peeling the sticker that little bit more exciting. This months box was full of products guaranteed to make you feel your best whilst satisfying the green goddess within. Inside the limited edition 100% biodegradable box, are 5 eco friendly and ethical products. I know that for a lot of you, products sourced naturally with no harmful nastiness is quite an important factor when shopping for cosmetics. So for those of you who prefer your products to be a little more organic, look no further. I was really hoping that GlossyBox would do a box like this, as I think it is very appealing to a vast majority of us. I know I love it any-who. 

The products included in my GlossyBox:

Caudalie SOS Thirst-Quenching Serum - Caudalie is a fairly new brand on the beauty blog scene. We've all heard how marvellous the beauty elixir is (I have just purchased it myself also) so I was super intrigued to try out this serum. Although you only receive 10ml, I think it's a good amount to indicate if you enjoy using the product. The 30ml full size product is worth £29, which is quite steep but for a serum but if it does what it says on the tube, you get what you pay for. I've used this twice, and so far I do really like it. It's very easy to use quite a lot though, as it sinks into your skin so quickly, you almost feel as though you need more. I haven't noticed any dramatic changes to my skin, but I'm not expecting miracles after 2 uses. It does however, leave your skin feeling silky smooth, and made my makeup application that little bit easier. 

Inika Cosmetics Certified Organic Lip Liner - Inika is not a brand i'd heard of previous to receiving this box. They use a blend of cold pressed plant waxes, oils and natural pigments to make up their liners. I think I would have preferred to receive an eyeliner, as opposed to a lip liner, as i'm one of those people who never uses lipliners. Saying this however, the pigmentation was very good, and the liner very easy to use, so I can't fault it for that. I do think this will end up going to my mum though :) 

Ayuuri Natural Body Wash - Now, i'll be honest, when I first saw this giant shower gel, I wasn't overly excited. I have SO many body washes to get through, and the packaging didn't entrall me (I definitely judge a product by it's packaging... shallow but true) The fragrance I received was "rose" and I am absolutely OBSESSED with it. I definitely didn't think i'd end up loving this so much that I'd use it twice in one shower session! It smells amazing, but more importantly just feels so lovely and moisturising on my skin. At only £4.95 for a whole 235g of product, i'm going to be buying some more. 

Figs & Rouge Lip Balm - This is the product that I was initially excited to try. I've heard so many great things about these little lip balms. They are 100% pure, natural and organic and can be used as a multipurpose product on your lips or skin. The one I received is "Peppermint and Tea Tree", it is so lovely to apply and tastes yummy. I already want more of these to keep on my desk, in my handbag and next to my bed.

Philip B Styling Gel - When I initially saw this, I wasn't too excited by it. After all, when you hear/see the words "styling gel", you automatically think of boyish hairstyles being slicked back Danny Zuko style, for an awful wet "do"...no? Just me then? I was actually relieved to discover that this can be applied to damp hair, and is just an aid to styling and to boost volume at the crown of the head before blow drying. I've not used this yet, but i'll be sure to let you know if it's gravity defying stuff :)

What did you all think of the April GlossyBox?

♥

Luxury Bath Time | Neom Organics

When it comes to ultimate relaxation, there are 3 vital things I require. The first being a bath. As most of you are aware, I am an anxious person at the best of times (or worst shall we say) so I have to find time to just chill out & switch off. The best place for me to do that, is in a deep, hot bubble bath with a good magazine. This then brings me onto the second requirement, something calming and relaxing to bathe in. I'm definitely more of a bubbles girl, as they cover your dignity & lets be honest, they are a hoot (don't pretend the child within you doesn't enjoy a mound of bubbles) but when it comes to having a slightly less fun, more mature bath however, a good bath oil will be my weapon of choice. The oil I have mostly been reaching for over the last few months is the "Neom Luxury Organics Refresh Bath Oil"* Not only does this smell absolutely amazing, it also soothes & moisturises my skin. I don't even find myself reaching for the moisturiser post bath, as the oil does a good enough job on its own. The main scents of this bath oil are sicilian lemon and fresh basil, designed to give you an instant refresh, and to awaken your mood. Although quite pricey (£32 a bottle), a little goes a very long way. As it's an oil, you only need to add two capfuls each bath time. I'm already nosey-ing up which one to buy next. If you like the idea of trying out a bath oil but don't want to spend £32 on one bottle, they do a little set of mini's which include all 5 of their scents for only £16, which would be a great way of trying before buying, and seeing which you like best. 

The third thing in my ultimate relaxation requirements list, is a candle. Not just any candle though, one that I know will smell amazing, burn well & lift my mood. When I first received this candle, I thought "how could a candle possibly be worth £39.50" but I cannot stress to you enough, how utterly amazing this candle is. Firstly, i'll point out that it's a massive 380g worth of candle (1kg if you count the glass) and burns for up to 55 hours. They are made using vegetable wax and pure essential oils, rather than synthetic scents so they burn without releasing any nastiness or soot. They actually work as holistic treatments as you breathe them in, to help soothe your mind and de-stress you. The candle I have is the Neom Happiness Candle* and do you know what, it really does make me happy. It contains white neroli, mimosa and lemon. I am actually a bit scared to light this too often as I just love it so much I never want it to end. Of all the candles I have ever used (and I am quite the candle junky), this is by far my favourite. The scent doesn't disappear, it burns well (no unburnt, hard wax up the side of the glass) & it's just the perfect companion for bath time, or bedroom chillaxing time. Again, i'm eyeing up which one to go for next. 

What are you luxury bath time essentials? 

♥

Topshop Makeup | Nail Polish

Left to Right:
Crystal Clouds, Green Room, Sketch, Louder*, Dead Ringer*, Awol*, Parma Violet

Hidden Treasure & Gypsy Night

Polishes from the "Sandstorm" Collection last year.
L-R: Cylone & The last two were a duo called "Wilderness"*

New Glitter polishes! 
L-R: Ice Crush*, Adrenalin*, Razzmatazz*

L-R:

Adrenalin, Ice Crush, Razzmatazz, Sketch, Wilderness Duo, Parma Violet, Crystal Clouds, Cyclone, Awol, Green Room, Louder, Dead Ringer, Wilderness Duo, Hidden Treasure, Gypsy Night

Following on from my post about the Topshop Lipsticks, I thought i'd write about the nail polishes. I own a fair few, as you can see. I am a huge fan of these little beauties. I do remember when they first came on the scene, I wasn't massively impressed with the size or shape of the bottle, I just didn't think they looked very pretty and were quite small, but now I absolutely love them. They could be deemed slightly smaller than the average nail polish, but actually, I think they are just right. I own so many larger nail polishes (like O.P.I & China Glaze) and I never come anywhere close to using the whole bottle up before it goes thick & gloopy. 

The quality is really good, I have yet to use any shade which hasn't delivered a nice opacity, or painted on appallingly. I also think there is a fantastic range of colours. Whenever I see the makeup stand in Topshop, and all the pretty colours lined up so beautifully, I always feel as though I need to own more of them, so I can stand them in my bedroom looking equally as pretty. 

The standard range of basic colours are priced at £5 (your reds, blues, pinks, pastels & brights) & the more exciting/special polishes (The multi-tonal, glitter & crackle) are priced at £6. There are a few on the website at the moment which are part of the "Sisters of the New Moon" collection and they are priced at £6.50. I think the pricing is very fair. I'm quite happy to pay this nice mid-way price for a decent nail polish, compared with higher, more well-known brands at a much higher cost. I don't particularly look for a nail polish with the highest of quality, I'm definitely more of a "if I like the colour, i'm buying it regardless of the price" person. So if it's a gorgeous colour, i'll buy it if it's 50p or £10. I do know that some of you will be reading this who DO look for decent quality in a nail polish, possibly if your job involves you looking immaculate, and chipped nails are a nono? I can honestly say, I've NEVER come across a nail polish that doesn't chip on real nails. I'm an acrylics girl, so my nails aren't real most of the time, therefore polish is usually on there until I decide to change it. However, anytime I haven't had acrylics, and I've worn the Topshop nail polishes on my real nails, they've lasted just like any other polish. I'd say 5-6 days totally chip free (with a top coat). Even the more expensive polishes chip on me in this same amount of time (I don't think my natural nails take well to polish haha)

My current favourites are Green Room, Ice Crush, Hidden Treasure, and the metallic silver one from the Wilderness duo (annoyingly, they don't have separate names that I can see, and they aren't on the website anymore, but they do have a metallic silver which could very well be exactly the same)

Have you tried the Topshop nail polishes? Can you think of any colours that I'd love and don't already own? (not that I need anymore clearly)

♥

New Lipstick Love | Sisley Hydrating Lipstick

Sisley Hydrating Long Lasting Lipstick* L31 Rose Fushia £31

As most of you will be aware, I am the biggest lipstick junkie. Always on the scout for a new and exciting member to add to my ever growing collection. Sisley isn't a brand i'd ever think to look for lipsticks, but after being introduced to this one, I feel that I NEED all of them in the collection. This definitely isn't a lipstick for those of you on a tight budget. Priced at £31 a pop, they are the cream of the crop & a complete luxury makeup splurge item, which i'm aware not all of you can justify. However, if like me, you tend to make naughty little purchases on that one makeup item that makes you feel a bit special, then this may be for you. There is not one thing I disslike about this lipstick (besides the slightly higher price tag, resulting in me not being able to buy the whole lot all at once). They glide on so effortlessly, with a beautiful super pigmented shine. They don't feel drying on the lips at all, in fact they feel almost like a balm, you could easily forget you are wearing this. With moisturising lipsticks, you don't expect them to stay on for very long, as they slide right off, but this one does not do that, and for £31, you wouldn't expect it to. One of my favourite things about the lipstick, is the overall look of it. Shallow yes, but looks how beautiful it is! The packaging is amazing, and the shape of the lipstick is not only fabulous, but makes application easy too.

If you can afford to buy these lipsticks, possibly as a little treat, I would totally recommend them. I'm already looking at purchasing different shades when a rainy day comes along. This is BY FAR, the most amazing lipstick in my collection. It makes all the others seem like paupers! It's everything a lipstick should be, I just wish they were a little more purse friendly.

♥

GlossyBox | Limited Edition Harrods Box

So, I do feel i've arrived to this party a little late and i'm aware that this may be old news to some of you, but I couldn't NOT post about this special edition GlossyBox* which arrived on my doorstep towards the middle of March. It really is too amazing not to give my two cents on.

So most of you will know that one of my favourite things about GlossyBox as a beauty box sampling service, is that they produce limited edition/themed boxes, unlike any other brands i've come across. It brings a little more excitement to receiving a beauty box, knowing it's a special one. This one was an extra special "Harrods Edition', which contained designer samples. I have to admit, that this was my favourite box so far, not because it was 'Harrods" per say, but because it contained the CUTEST little mini products, which excited me more than a normal person should be at the sight of miniature products. Not only this, but I was chuffed with everything I received.

Fendi "Fan de Fendi" Eau de Toilette - This was one of the miniatures that was just too adorable to even use. I just want to sit it on my dressing table looking all cute and small. Although it is a huge bonus that it smells delicious as well.

Burberry Lipstick No.4 Rosewood - Another adorable little miniature product, but still with EVERYTHING that the full size owns, even down to the embossed lipstick & packaging. I'd never tried Burberry lipstick, in fact i'd never tried any Burberry makeup, but I was super impressed with this. Being a complete lipstick fiend, I can totally see myself splurging on a full size.

Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum - Got that? Quite the mouthful wasn't it. I have recently discovered the magic that is the brand Ojon. Expensive, yes, but so amazing & totally worth every penny. This serum will also not disappoint. It was my favourite item from the box, a complete gem, and something i've been using over and over. It has totally transformed the ends of my hair, and I really do think this works wonders. Split ends be gone!

Erno Laszlo "The Hollywood Collection" 5 piece cream gift set - The first thing I noticed when I looked at this online was the extortionate price tag. £175 for 75ml. Yikes. Although I was quite excited to try out a few of the creams from this set, to see if they really were worth the price tag. The set contains a "velvet" night cream, instant eye repair (excited to use this), refresh moisture infusion, intensive porcelain veil & morning beauty rescue (worn as a makeup primer, also sounds intriguing). Expensive creams scare me, not because they are expensive, but in case I fall in love with them and have to repurchase! eeek.

Clarins Extra Firming Body Lotion - After Louise received some Clarins samples in her January GlossyBox and raved about them, I was quite excited to try this, and I was right to be. It's so lovely, and feels so luxurious on the skin. Clarins isn't really a brand i'd ever think to go to for a body lotion, or anything really. After trying this, I don't think I will walk past the Clarins counter so blindly :)

I think this is the very essence of what beauty box subscriptions should be. Exciting, different & full of cute little miniatures from brands i'd not normally try out & the fact that this was a limited edition designer box, made it that little bit more special.

♥

My 22nd Birthday Shenanigans

* Chilling on the beach * A shot of me on the beach * The Harbour x 2 * Pretty pastel houses * Bunting street shot * Prettiest bouquet of flowers i've ever had from my mummy * Cerne Abbas naughty man * Me & the naughty man * Looking intently at the sign (I was hoping to discover why they thought they'd put a penis on the naughty man, no such luck i'm affraid) * My chocolate sweety cake*

It literally only feels like yesterday that I turned 21, and here I am, one year later, still blogging & enjoying life. Although I am slightly bitter, as I was hoping to stay 21 forever.

This year, I wanted to be beside the seaside, and thankfully, the weather was on my side this year & my birthday fell right in the week of sun & summer weather. To be honest, that made my day perfect regardless of what I did. The sun is an instant mood booster for me. The original plan was to head over to Brighton for the night, but after we'd spent the morning chilling & opening cards etc, we realised that by the time we'd done the 3+ hours car journey, we wouldn't get much of the day to fit everything in, and I want to go to Brighton when we have a few days to make sure we don't miss anything. So, instead, we headed off in the opposite direction for only 2 hours, to Weymouth. Weymouth is a little seaside town, and has a really pretty scenic drive (It's all about the road trip too - cheesy music and Haribo). I basically just wanted sand, sea, sun...and an arcade (who doesn't love the penny slots) . We had a lovely evening just chilling on the beach, wasting money in the arcade & buying rubbish food to take back to our little hotel room (which looked out onto the beach). The next day, whilst heading home after another day of ice creams on the beach and arcade fun, we drove a pretty little countryside route through old villages with pretty houses. We then found ourselves in Cerne Abbas, the home of the rudey man on the hill. So we pulled over and did a little photo shoot (I would love to be able to show you the extent of our silly photoshoot, but it is just too daft...haha). It was the perfect little birthday getaway.

♥

Maxi Skirts | Wearing & Styling Tips

Maxi Skirt: New Look - Jumper: Charity Shop - Hair Band: New Look - Belt: Primark

I don't often do fashion how to posts, as, well, I don't really consider myself hugely fashionable or highly knowledgeable when it comes to all things catwalk or "on trend". I wear what I like, and something I feel happy & confident in. I gather all my inspiration from people around me and those who I claim DO have a fair amount of clothing know-how. However, when I recently filmed a haul video on YouTube, I showed a couple of maxi skirts and asked if anyone *may* be interested to see how I wore them. I had an overwhelming amount of "yes pleases". So, with the help of Louise as camera lady, I set out and created the video especially for those of you who asked.

Maxi skirts are my summertime essential. As someone who suffers with "I despise my legs" syndrome, they are my perfect go-to on a warm day where tights and leggings would be an awful & sweltering idea. They cover my legs, provide a cool breeze, suit my shape & frame, yet still look quite glamorous & effortless.

A few tips & hints:

• If you are short, wear a maxi skirt at your waist, rather than your hips, it elongates the legs making you appear much taller, as well as shortening the length slightly.
• If a maxi skirt is too long, but you absolutely love the style & colour, then take it up! Don't be lazy, it takes minutes to stitch up a hem, or even use the iron on webbing if you aren't very good with a needle and thread.
• If you are on the shorter side, and anything "maxi" is just too long or you can't be bothered with adjusting the length yourself, then count yourself lucky that you can wear some killer wedges with it. You appear taller, feel more elegant, and nobody will ever know ;)
• If you are taller and find maxi skirts impossible to fit you length-wise , try going for a maxi skirt which is designed to be sat at the waist, and wear it on your hips. This way you are shortening the length and the appearance of your legs.
• You don't ONLY have to wear maxi skirts in the summer or when it's hot, put on a pair of leggings or tights underneath for a bit of added warmth on those days where the sun is shining but there's still a slight chill. Nobody will ever know!
• You can also layer up with different t shirts, jumpers & scarves in the colder months. I find that jersey like fabrics sit better for colder days, and floaty fabrics look a lot more summery for the hotter days.
• As maxi skirts are so long, you can get away with wearing many different top variations and tucking them in. You could even wear a pretty dress or swimming costume underneath & all would be concealed.
• I find that cropped jackets & blazers look best with my maxi skirts, as it helps to balance everything out. I tend to opt for a cropped denim jacket for a more casual look, and if i'm going somewhere nice, I'll go for a cropped blazer.

There really are no set rules around styling maxi skirts, tuck tops in, let tops hang out, wear flip flops, wear boots, wear leggings, wear at the waist, wear at the hips, wear in winter, wear in summer...you make the rules. I know that not everybody will feel the same love I do for a floor-length skirt but it's such an easy thing to dress up, or dress down, and if you aren't blessed with gorgeous pins as I unfortunately haven't been, they are a summer life-saver, plus, you feel so elegant & feminine!

♥