Glossybox Merry Metallics

This month Glossybox have treated us to quite the beauty of a box with a varied mix of products inside. There is no denying that the festive season is upon on and by the time this review goes live, we will be looking towards 2020 and saying goodbye to 2019 - how quickly did that come about by the way?

Promising to give your routine a touch of glitz and glamour, the Merry Metallics edit is filled with full-sized products which features everything you need to see in the new year looking absolutely fabulous!

The first product out of the box comes from Lasplash Cosmetics with their Golden Gatsby 3D Faux Mink Lashes.  Can any look be truly complete without long, flirty and fluttery lashes?

Designed to help you channel your inner 1920's flapper girl, these cruelty-free false lashes are quite stunning and all you need is your lash glue and you are good to go.  I am really picky when it comes to false lashes, I tend to prefer ones which are pre-glued, though these ones are really easy to work with.

The second item out of the box comes from Original Source with the Sweet Rhubarb and Raspberry Shower Gel.

This shower gel is described as being packed with 4 essential oils which are designed to leave your skin glowing as well as scented with the fragrance which reminds me of Rhubarb and Custard sweets.  What's more, this bottle is recyclable and the product is vegan.

A brand I got to know through beauty boxes is Bellapierre and within this box we have the Liquid Eye Shadow Eye Candy in the shade Venus which is just stunning.

Liquid Eyeshadows seem to have been quite the thing to use during the whole of 2019 and this one definitely does deserve a mention.  Extremely pigmented, it has an easy to use applicator wand which allows for easy application and once in place, it doesn't move or crease, which is definitely a huge plus point.  I love the shade, it is definitely one which is within my comfort zone being a bronze colour and whilst it is pigmented with shimmer, it isn't something which irritates my eyes like some brands have done.

If a loose powder pigment is more your product, then we have another brand that I have again got to know via Glossybox and that is Steve Laurant.

This glittery multi-purpose pigment powder is very much the formula that you can use on your eyelids for that shimmery look, it can also be used wet and applied along the lash line for a sparkly eyeliner, or if you are wanting to really make your look pop, a little dabbing above the cheekbones for a beautiful highlight.  The one thing I will say is that you only need a small amount to create an impact.  Again, this shade sits within my comfort zone of colours because again, it a bronze shade with a slight rose gold hue.

The final item within the box comes from L.O.V and it is the Lipaffair color and care lipstick.  I have the nude shade and actually quite like it.

Described as being a lipstick which boasts a unique blend of pigments, the texture is quite creamy and it applies nice and evenly without dragging or pulling over the lips.  Enriched with Kendi Oil and Hyaluronic filling spheres which help to smooth your pout, it is also said to visibly plump the lips too, though this isn't something I have noticed.  It definitely does give really good colour payoff and it lasts a good 4-5 hours because it has totally disappeared and needs to be re-applied, but overall, I really like the shade.

Again for me, this is another really good box from Glossybox and one which fits with the Merry Metallic theme, though I think it is more of a New Years Eve than a Christmas Eve box for helping to create that wow factor look. 

As always you can subscribe to Glossybox right here and if you use the code BQUEEN20 you can get yourself 20% off that first box!  

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

Polaar | Arctic Beauty Secrets

I love discovering new beauty brands and the latest one to land in my lap comes from Polaar, a brand which has quite the story to tell and it looks just as good as it sounds.

The Polaar adventure began 30 years ago with a lovely story which goes like this:

During his Arctic expeditions, Daniel Kurbiel discovered the unique ability of native plant life to survive in extreme weather conditions thanks to their natural active ingredients. With this knowledge, Daniel joined forces with Karine Roche to found Polaar - a range of hard-working skincare using concentrated ingredients from these plants to strengthen, purify, and protect your skin in all seasons.

So having been kindly sent The Genuine Lapland collection box, I was keen to get to know these products and try them out.

The first one to catch my eye was the Polaar Genuine Lapland Cream which comes packaged inside a beautiful tin which fastens tightly to keep the freshness.

The cream is formulated to be used on either your face and body. It uses a unique mix of three berries – arctic raspberries, cloudberries, and lingonberries all of which are known for their antioxidant properties, and all are rich in vitamins A, C, and E. On the skin, this cream not only nourishes and pampers dry skin but it also leaves behind a protective layer of hydration.

What I particularly like about this cream is that it doesn't have an overly thick texture, it glides onto the skin smoothly and absorbs quickly.

The second product from the package is the Polaar Genuine Lapland Handcream which comes packaged inside a squeezy metallic tube.

I am a huge fan of hand creams and without question, it is a product I always have on my desk, in my handbag and beside the bed. This particular hand cream, like the cream above, is enriched with Arctic Berries. Its job is to deliver a cocoon of moisture and protection to the hands to soften, replenish and relieve. 

When I use a hand cream, I want something that absorbs quickly without being greasy and I want something which isn't oily. From Polaar we get a hand which ticks both of those boxes and it leaves my hands not only feeling soft and smooth, but also hydrated and without too much of a fragrance.

The final product within this trio is the Polaar Genuine Lapland Lip Balm and like hand cream, for me, a lip balm is a must-have beauty product and it is something I go through quite a lot of.

Again, it will come as no surprise that this lip balm, like the two products before it has a formula which is infused with a vitamin-rich blend of arctic raspberries, blackberries and lingonberries for powerful antioxidant protection against wind, cold temperatures and pollution.  Alongside the berries, this lip balm is also packed with Shea butter, Beeswax and Coconut Oil, all of which come together to repair dryness, moisturise and comfort the skin.

This balm has a slanted tip, so the application is really easy.  Once on the lips, it absorbs really quickly, much quicker than some other balms I have tried.  It is non-greasy and has little fragrance to it.

As a brand, Polaar has other collections available which include Northern Lights, IcyMagic and Eternal Snow to name just a few and you can find them all here from lookfantastic.  The range is cruelty-free, vegan and contains no mineral oil or alcohol.

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

MOR Precious Pomegranate Giftset

With a newly renovated bathroom comes the excuse and excitement to open new products and make the bathroom look all pretty, I promise there is a post coming about the changes soon.  As a brand, I have featured MOR a few times on my blog, here with a beautiful candle and again here with the Marshmallow range.

Recently added to the bathroom from MOR is the Precious Pomegranate Giftset (£35) and it smells just as divine as the name might suggest. Packaged inside a beautiful red tin with fetching black bow, you will find a Pomegranate Hand & Body Wash and a Pomegranate Hand and Body Milk.

Discover a fragrant Orchard. Rich with fruity perfumes and bursting with ruby pomegranates and blackcurrant berries, it's a paradise of deliciousness to delight and pleasure your senses.

The one thing about MOR as a brand is that their descriptions of the product scents have always been absolutely spot on and this range is no different.

The hand & body wash is blended with oils of Blackcurrant, Rosehip, Neroli, Apricot and Hazelnut Seed to nourish the body and it also contains Ginger Root, Mango and Peach extract known for their skin conditioning properties.  As soon as the wash is released onto the skin, the boldness of the Blackcurrant is not something you can miss and it is so fresh a scent that you cannot help but really enjoy it.  It lathers slightly when in contact with the water and in doing so, it leaves the skin slightly scented with the fragrance after use.

The hand & body milk is the perfect accompaniment to the wash, again it is blended with oils of Blackcurrant, Rosehip, Neroli, Soybean, Sweet Almond and Macadamia Seed for silky-soft skin and alongside this comes Mango and Peach extracts known for their skin conditioning properties before the final inclusion of nourishing SheaButter to hydrate body.  What I really like about this body milk is that it is much more of a lotion than a milk, it isn't as runny as I had expected it to be, but once on the skin, it absorbs quite quickly and without being greasy or tacky on the skin, it leaves behind a beautiful fresh scent of berries. 

This Precious Pomegranate gift set would make a lovely gift for anyone who not only loves luxurious products in their bathroom, but it makes a nice alternative to what other brands have to offer.  You can find MOR products readily available online from sites such as Lookfantastic and Feelunique.

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

Stocking Filler Gift Guide

One of my favourite things to shop for at Christmas is stocking fillers and there are so many amazing products out there to choose from. Today's post is my little guide to finding the perfect stocking filler.

Within this stocking filler gift guide, you will find everything from skincare and makeup to perfume and sleep aids to everything in between.  Most of these products can be found on the High Street and many of them already on sale.

The first item comes from Kat Von D with the Big Saintly Lashes Gift Set (£37) and this gift set contains two full-size products inside a beautiful white and red gift box, with its silver foil branding. 

Inside this gift set is a full size of the Kat Von D Go Big or Go Home Mascara and a 30ml size of the Kat Von D Saint Eau de Parfum.  The 'Saint' Eau de parfum features notes of warm vanilla, jasmine petals and musk which is absolutely stunning as a scent, quite the feminine fragrance which is perfect for daytime wear. The 'Go Big or Go Home' Mascara is powered by plant-based fats and it comes with quite the big bushy wand to give volume to the lashes.

Next from Balm Kind, we have the 3D Limited Edition Christmas Tree (£13). This tree hanging gift contains a full-size tube of our award-winning Alpine Rose & Lysine Lip Balm (10ml).

This formula contains a nourishing blend of antioxidant-rich fruit and flower oils and extracts with an essential amino acid, hydrating oat lipids and soothing liquorice root which work to nourish, soothe and protect even the most parched winter lips.

From Emma Hardie, we have Merrily Moringa (£10) which I featured in this post.  Anyone who reads my blog will know that I am a huge fan of Emma Hardie and in particular the Merrily Moringa Cleansing Balm.

The perfect stocking filler, secret Santa or something to hang on your tree, this Merrily Moringa kit is one to grab. Inside you will find Emma Hardie's Award-winning Moringa Cleansing Balm and Dual-Action Cleansing Cloth in a deluxe travel size (15ml).

One brand who always has some amazing gifts for Christmas is Burt's Bees, which I dedicated a post to (here).  With stocking fillers. Burt's Bees have some amazing tree ornaments in the shape of baubles (£6.99).

Inside the gold-coloured bauble are two products. The first product is the Beeswax Peppermint lip balm which gives a lovely coolness to the lips and it is designed to moisturise and hydrate your lips. The second product inside the bauble is the Burt's Bees Hand Salve and with its fresh herb scent, this hand salve is used to bring hydration and moisturise to hard-working hands, particularly good if you have dry skin.

Next, we have the Morning Glamour Satin Pillowcase (£12.99). If you have read my blog in recent months, you will have noticed that I am a convert to silk pillowcases.

Available in different patterns, I chose the Leopard Print option and absolutely love it. As you might expect, the Satin pillowcase comes with many benefits, some of which include helping to eliminate hair loss, snagging, reducing sleep wrinkles and creases and they also ensure that any beauty products you apply to your skin before bed are not transferred to the pillow, but instead stay on your skin. 

Again with Kat Von D is the cutest cracker (£20). Titled Love Big or Go Home Beauty Cracker Gift Set.

Packaged inside the matte black cracker you will find two Kat Von D products. The first product is a 3ml sample of the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Lovecraft. Lovecraft is best described as a ‘mauve pink nude’ and it is a shade I really like and will wear.  The second product is a full-sized Go Big and Go Home Volumizing Mascara, which is featured above in another Kat Von D giftset.

From REN Clean Skincare we have some of the cutest gifts this Christmas and one of those gifts includes this Now To Sleep Stocking Filler (£12).

I first featured Now To Sleep on my blog over a year ago (here) and is described as being a scent which will send you to deeper sleep. Enriched with a unique blend of pure essential oils, it works to restore calm and pre-sleep tranquillity, so that you and your skin can renew and regenerate naturally. Within this stocking filler are two 10ml tubes of product.

For those who love natural skincare, we have the Antipodes Beauty Icons gift set (£38). I am quite a fan of Antipodes as a brand and have featured them on my blog quite a few times over the past few years.

Inside the box, you will find three luxurious moisturising products which are designed to replenish tired and thirsty skin. The first product is the water-based Apostle Skin-Brightening Serum whose job is to target pigmentation and brighten skin. Then we have the international bestseller Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream and I already adore this cream, its job is to soothe skin while reducing the signs of ageing. The final product is the nutrient-rich Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream featuring antibacterial manuka honey.

Caudalie is a brand I absolutely adore and one of my most favourite products from the brand is the Beauty Elixir and this stocking filler is just perfect (£12).

This Elixir, once spritzed, fills the air with notes of benzoin, myrrh, orange, blossom, grape and rose, all of which work to give your complexion a rosy glow. Add to that astringent rosemary and the stimulating essence of lemon balm and mint and the scent is really quite incredible and it is of course really gentle on the skin.  The ingredients coming together to smooths away fine lines tightens pores and gives the complexion an instant boost of radiance, helps calm redness and not forgetting that this product can also be used to set makeup! 

Feelunique has a whole host of Stocking Fillers and whether you prefer makeup, skincare or fragrance, there is something for everyone.  I have a beautifully packaged mini Jimmy Choo perfume.

Packaged inside a holographic box, the fragrance Fever is described as being a hot floral fragrance, a bit sweet and with a dark background. With top notes of black plum, litchee, grapefruit; heart notes of heliotrope and base notes of benzoin, sandalwood, tonka bean, what I love about this fragrance is how natural the scent of plum is when the fragrance is first applied and then as it dries down the fruit notes make their mark to create quite a fragrance and one I would purchase a full size of.

The third and final stocking filler from Kat Von D within this gift guide is the Everlasting love Liquid Lipstick Set (£13.50).

This set features six liquid lipsticks in the shades Lovecraft a Mauve Pink Nude, Hawkind which is also a Nude, Nocturna which is a Deep Grape, Bow N Arrow which is more of a light Nude, Nahz Fur Atoo which is a stunning Blood Crimson and finally we have Bauhaus which is a Deep Rasberry shade. This set makes a great gift for anyone who is a fan of the Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks.

The Pretty Little Present from Too Faced (£14) is one of the cutest stocking fillers within this gift guide and one that is a must for any Too Faced fan.

Inside the beautiful box you will find two products. The first is a Travel-sized Better Than Sex Mascara.  This mascara has one of the best wands I have ever used and it is described as being an hourglass brush with extra stiff bristles which work to ensure even coverage of carbon black pigment. This mascara is also enriched with collagen to create thick, curled lashes and protective acacia Senegal tree extract which will hydrate the lashes to keep them in optimum condition.  The second product is a travel-sized rich & dazzling High-Shine Sparkling Lip Gloss in shade Sunset Crush.  These lipglosses are non-sticky and as well as giving multi-dimensional colours, these glosses are infused with light-reflecting glitters and natural oils for a nourished, comfortable colour.

The final product within this stocking filler gift guide comes from Murad, a brand I am absolutely loving to get to know right now. Glowy Vibes (£10) features a Hydro-Dynamic™ Ultimate Moisture in a travel-ready size.

Described as being the most hydrating moisturiser Murad has ever created. The non-greasy, easily absorbed formula contains some amazing ingredients which include avocado, sunflower and olive fruit which work to enhance skin’s moisture levels, and a collagen support complex to boost skin’s resilience and plump dehydrated skin.

So there you have my 2019 Stocking Filler gift guide and if you are wondering what to grab as those last-minute gifts as you head to the shops over the next few days, hopefully, I have given you some food for thought.

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