Ciate – the Dewy Stix Highlighter

When it comes to highlighters, it’s fair to say I’m a little obsessed with them and have quite a growing collection of different shapes, colours, textures and finishes. When this Ciate Dewy Stix landed through my letterbox I was quite excited to see how it worked, I don't own very much from Ciate by make of makeup, so this is a first for me.

"Take your beauty game to the next level with Ciate London's new Dewy Stix. Add an instant life-from-within radiance without heavy pearls or shimmer" says the description.

The packaging already appeals to my inner magpie, show me something shiney and I am wanting to touch it add to that a chubby stick look and applicator and I am a fan before I have swatched it. With a unique formula that creates a dewy complexion without that heavy shimmer, or oily look as I prefer to call it, the balm-like texture of this stick simply glides onto the skin with minimal fuss. It is non-sticky or tacky and leaves behinds a really pretty finish, Skin Glossing the term is called and a huge beauty trend right now.

It can be used on cheekbones, brow bones, cupids bow and anywhere the light would naturally hit your face. It can also be used over eyeshadow to create a wet-look finish. If worn on top of foundation whether it is a cream, powder or liquid, it doesn't move or remove it as I thought it would, it just glides on top leaving a really subtle highlight, which if you prefer, can be built up using multiple strokes.

The Dewy Stix also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and it is cruelty-free. Priced at £22 and is available from the Ciate website.

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise

New Launch: Roccabox

Just when you thought there were enough subscription boxes out there, here comes another one. Meet Roccabox which is brand new to the scene and for their first box, they have collaborated with none other than the fabulous Paula from The LDN Diaries.

Founded by Tia Roqqa who has worked in PR for many brands, the new venture of Roccabox will collaborate with a top beauty influencer to create a bespoke box of their favourite beauty products each month and these boxes will include 5 deluxe beauty products and a mini magazine put together by the influencer who curated the box with all their top hints and tips. Roccabox aims to be an ‘introducer’ box to not only discover brands and new product ranges. However, what I love most about the box is that they have partnered with Paperworks, a charity for people with Autism, learning difficulties and other complex needs. Each month, the boxes are packed by the people at Paperworks who love to work with their hands and learn new skills.

So the first item out of the box is one I have not, until now, come across and it is a Kevin Murphy Young Again Hair Oil which has an RRP £30. Described as being a weightless leave in oil which is infused with Immortelle to counteract the oxidisation and ageing process. Indulge yourself with intensely conditioned smooth, soft hair. Bur Oil improves hair strength, shine and body as well as helping to penetrate the scalp to relieve dry, flaky skin. Horse Chestnut Seed Extract which adds strength, shine and body. Safflower Seed Oil which acts as a lubricant to give the hair a soft and smooth appearance and Apple Extracts which help to remove dead cells from the hair’s surface plus quite a few others.

Balance Me Radiance Facial Oil (10ml) - I have used this before on many occasions and it was the very first facial oil to convert me to using them. Described as being Dewy Skin in a bottle, this powerfully active face oil feeds the skin with a rich, replenishing blend of skin boosting and smoothing ingredients such as Amazonian Buriti Nut, Cameilla and Rosehip Oil all of which work to reduce redness and address uneven skin tones and minimise the visible signs of scarring. Yarrow, Benzoin and Roman Camomile which work together to create a highly moisturising effect and Sweet Almond Oil which not only smells incredible but is great for moisturising the skin.

New CID Cosmetics - i-Prime Mini (10ml) - i-Prime is the makeup artists' secret weapon for the flawless application of foundation. Featuring pigments which are said to help blur imperfections on the skin, i-prime Foundation Primer is described as being the perfect base to apply your foundation. Using skin quenching shea butter and antioxidant vitamin E, this serum is really lightweight and you only need a pea sized amount which you apply to clean, moisturised skin.

Nanshy - Marvel 4-in-1 make-up Sponge. An incredibly soft sponge which has been created to give that airbrushed flawless finish. Each edge of this sponge has a use, whether it is the flat edge to contour, the larger area to apply foundation or the tip for those harder to reach areas such as the corner of the eyes, to apply concealer or to cover blemishes. You can also use it dry for a more fuller coverage of your foundation. This is a full-size item which has an RRP £5.95.

The final item in the box comes from one of my go to, holy grail if you like, products and that is Dr Lipp, the original nipple balm for lips. I literally cannot rave about this stuff enough, I adore it, my lips adore it and you can use it on dry, cracked, sensitive or itchy skin anywhere. It is a 100% natural product which helps the skin to heal itself and I have featured it more than once on my blog.

I am really impressed with this box and I am glad to have been introduced to some new products and brands that I haven't yet tried or come across.  You can subscribe to Roccabox for just £10 per month (plus £3.95 p&p) and can cancel it at any time. For more information and to sign up, everything you need to know is here. 

*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise