ESSENCE FACE & EYE PALETTES

Essence is a brand I am just getting to know and so far, I am really impressed. Just a few weeks ago I showcased Insta Matte Perfect (here) and today it is the turn of four brand new Face and Eyeshadow palettes that I have been lucky enough to play with for the last few weeks.

The first thing people mention whenever I say 'Essence Cosmetics' is just how amazing the mascaras are. I haven't yet tried them, though I do have one to try at some stage.  For me, what stands out is the affordability and availability because if you have a local Wilko, then that is where you will find them. Essence is one of my favourite affordable brands and it's always the first place I visit whenever I'm in Wilko! These are four of the newest launches from Essence and I have fallen in love with two of them specially. I can't believe just how affordable these palettes are.

On each of these four Face and Eye Palettes, you get nine shades in different sized pans and they are made up of eyeshadows, highlighters and blushes but, what I think is really clever is that you can mix and match these shades to use them however you like and there is something for everyone within each of them.

The first palette is Born Awesome and it is easily recognisable by its bright orange, almost psychedelic packaging. 

This palette is definitely more of a warm toned palette and it features some beautiful nude and orange shades with a blue thrown in for good measure.

The second palette is titled The Future Is Me and again, the packaging fits right in with the name of the palette. 

Featuring a mirror which runs the length of the top half, the second has shades which can best be described as coll tones and shimmery with a few matte shades thrown in.  If you like a blue eyeshadow, then this palette has your name on it.

The aptly named Too Glam to Give a Damn palette is my second favourite of the four. I love the floralness of the outer packaging which really stands out and again, as well as having a mirror which runs the entire length of the top, there are some pretty shades.

Packed full of glamorous metallic shades including a beautiful purple and yellow, this palette is for the more adventurous than myself but it does have some shades I am loving wearing.

The final palette - Not Your Princess is adorned with bright graphics of birds, hearts and has a few nautical-themed pictures too. Again, the mirror which has featured on the previous three palettes is also evident.

The shades on this palette are much more pink in shade and there are a few grey shimmers thrown in. I quite like grey and pink together. On this palette, I do really like the nude shades, especially the taupe.

For me, these palettes are as fun as they are vibrant and I really like that each one is absolutely different. They can be used alongside one another or on their own, so you can mix and match and work across each palette. When it comes to pigmentation, I was really surprised at the quality. Much less fall out than I have had with other palettes from high street brands and the shimmers really do shimmer whereas the matte shades are exactly that, matte without being chalky.

The Essence Face & Eye Palettes are available for £7 at Wilko - HERE.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe + Giveaway

Beauty Advent Calendars are still exciting to me, I love waiting to see who will be the first to release one, which brands appear with their very first one and to add to all the fun, see the look on peoples faces as they start to arrive as the contents are released. One Advent that is always incredible swooned over comes from Charlotte Tilbury and it isn't too hard to see why. This year, for 2018, Charlotte Tilbury’s advent box, aptly named Beauty Universe, is described as being like a miniature version of her personal makeup kit - not just any kit, but the one she uses on celebrities such as Amal Clooney, Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne that we see on social media. 

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe is one of the reasons Beauty Advent Calendars still excite me, this calendar has all the glitz and glam for any beauty lover but it is also an incredible gift and I am giving one away to one of you lovely lot. Hidden behind 12 glittery doors, you will find products that are perfect for day-to-day products, as well as some of the most loved, yearned for and wanted and here is what you will find inside.

• Take It All Off Genius Eye Make-up Remover - Said to eliminate even the most stubborn mascara and shadow in one easy swipe. Described as being an oil-rich, two-toned cleanser, enriched with soothing organic cornflower water and regenerating Veronica Extract.
• Hollywood Lips Matte Contour Liquid Lipstick -  The shade is Screen Siren and it is said to be the perfect shade of ruby-red. Enriched with moisturizing Beeswax and Sea Lavender Extract that gives it a creamy feel. 
• Eyes To Mesmerise - I have been wanting to try these eyeshadows for some time and inside this calendar is champagne-pink Jean which not only pays homage to Marilyn Monroe but is enriched with Vitamin E and has a brightening, illuminating effect on every skin tone or eye colour.
• Rock 'N' Kohl Liquid Eye Pencil - This pencil is described as having the silky smooth glide of a liquid liner with the soft, sooty, pigment-rich result of a kohl.
• Colour Chameleon - The bronze tone of 'Colour Chameleon' in Amber Haze is said to beautifully complement brown eyes
• Wonder Glow Instant Soft-Focus Beauty Flash -  A product that can be worn under or over foundation, or even on its own, for "lit-from-within luminosity".
• Goddess Skin Clay Mask - The nutrient-rich formula is packed with Spanish Clay to absorb oil and draw out impurities and Essential Oils to hydrate. It instantly moisturizes and tightens pores leaving you with a dewy, glowing complexion.   
• Supermodel Body - Described as being like shapewear Lingerie for the skin, this is a firming and illuminating formula that gives limbs a radiant glow, making them appear leaner and longer
• Multi-Miracle Glow Cleanser, Mask & Balm - Designed to be used as a wrinkle-defying softening cleanser, or as an emergency treatment on dry, cracked skin, it is enriched with firming and nourishing ingredients.
• Charlotte's Magic Cream - One of the more famous products in Charlotte Tilbury's arsenal, this cream is said to instantly rehydrate dull and stressed complextions. It is enriched with nourishing ingredients and also has an SPF15.
• Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk - If there is one shade that is forever selling out, it is this one!  Said to enhance the natural hue of lips, making them appear fuller and wider. Enriched with Papaya and Orchid Extracts, this incredibly hydrating formula glides on effortlessly and dries to a soft matte finish. 
• Full Fat Lashes 5 Star Mascara - Described as being a 5-in-1 multitasking mascara, Full Fat lashes not only curls, separates, boosts volume it also lengthens for maximum drama.

All of these products nestled inside the trademark Burgundy and Gold Charlotte Tilberry Packaging with added glitter for the wow factor, Beauty Universe is an absolute must for any Charlotte Tilbury fan and even more of a treat for anyone who has yet to step into this world and try any products, because here, you have absolutely everything you need!

The lovely people over at Charlotte Tilbury have given me one of these advent calendars to give away to one of you and the rules are simple.  

1 - You need to be aged 18 or over to enter, or have parental permission because I will need your home address.

2 - There is no cash alternative

3 - The winner will be chosen at random and you must have followed the mandatory rules on the widget below or your entry will be null and void.

4 - You need to live in the UK

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Sanctuary Spa Signature Candle

I am sure most of you are familiar with Sanctuary Spa and have tried more than one of their products. For me, the Luxury Bath Float has been a favourite for some time, but there are just so many amazing scented products to choose from.

With Autumn having well and truly arrived, you wake up in a morning and it is as dark as it was when you went to bed.  You leave work and the nights are drawing in and everything about you is changing and getting ready for winter.  As soon as I get home, I love to close the curtains, light some candles and relax.  But... imagine if your favourite Sanctuary Spa product scent had been replicated and was now a candle or a Reed Diffuser!

If you have been into your local Boots store, you might have noticed one or two Sanctuary Spa Candles in a beautiful presentation box but there is more to come.  With six different candles to choose from, there is quite a choice when it comes to selecting your scent - Pink Grapefruit & Neroli, Fig & Black Amber, White Jasmine & Myrrh, Driftwood & Sea Spray, Luxury Oud and of course the Signature Sanctuary Spa Scent - which is the one I have.

Cocoon yourself in our unique, classic Sanctuary Spa fragrance. A stunning combination of sparkling citrus notes, bergamot & jasmine, blended with a sensuous warming fusion of vanilla, patchouli & sandalwood. Truly an aroma to wrap yourself up in.

Packaged inside a beautifully decorated tin, these 200g candles would make a wonderful gift. As I mentioned, my favourite Sanctuary Spa product is the Luxury Bath Float and that is exactly what scent this candle has.  It becomes noticeable as soon as the lid is removed and it remains for a good while after the flame has been extinguished.  

Priced at just £12.50 with a burn time of 45 hours, they are well worthy of purchasing, as long as you can decide on which scent is the stand out for you, otherwise, you might need them all! Find them here at Boots.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page here