Glossybox x Grazia Best of Beauty Box July 2020

Glossybox have been teasing us with their next limited edition box, which is a collaboration with Grazia and it launches tomorrow  right here* and if you want to get your hands it, then you will need to sign up, because it will sell out.

Worth £165, the Glossybox x Grazia Box is jam packed full with 12 products from brands such as NARS, Too Faced, MAC and Kiehls, all big names that I haven't seen together in a Glossybox ever before.  The last collaboration with Grazia and Glossybox was back in in April, which I had on my blog here, was skincare based, so it is nice to see a change.  If you don't want to know the exact contents of the box then scroll no further, but they are listed below:

The full list of products included in the Best of Beauty Box are:

• Dr. Pawpaw Original Balm Full Size
• St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel
• St. Tropez Dual Sided Velvet Luxe Mitt Full Size
• NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder
• M·A·C Matte Lipstick – Down To An Art Full Size
• Dr. Jart+ Cica Pair Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream Full Size
• Real Techniques® Perfect Crease Duo Full Size
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep Conditioning Pre‐Shampoo Treatment
• Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara
• Project Lip Lipscrub
• Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm
• Kiehl’s Vital Skin - Strengthening Super Serum

I love that there are many full-sized products within this box and I love the range of brands inside too, most of them I have heard of, but many of the products I haven't tried.

The box will retail at £45 and you can sign up to hear exactly when it launches and get your hands on it quickly, I suspect, it will be offered to those who subscribe to Glossybox first, so there is the option to do that here*

I would love to know what you think to this box and whether any of the products inside capture your attention!

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

Blooming Blends Sleep Easy Collection

I have had these two products from Blooming Blends for quite some time and they are just absolutely divine to use on their own or as part of a pre-sleep ritual. If you follow me on Instagram, you will have noticed that I suffer from bouts of insomnia, though in recent weeks this has improved. For me, falling asleep isn't always the issue, it is staying asleep that I have a problem with, so I was delighted to give these two products a try.

The two products I was very kindly sent are the Sleep Easy Botanical Sensory Facial Mist and the Sleep Easy Herbal Tincture.

I absolutely love a facial mist, there isn't one day which goes by that I don't use one. It was during a facial a few years ago that the therapist suggested that one should be part of my everyday routine because I spend a lot of my time sitting in front of a computer screen. Using a spray not only gives me that refresh, but it also stops my skin from feeling really dry.  However, from Blooming Blends, the Sleep Easy Facial Mist (£18) is quite unlike others that I have used.

Sleep Easy is described as being a is a botanical sensory facial mist to soothe and settle the senses and help you find the perfect night's sleep. The mist is made using a balanced blend of soothing essential oils and Blooming Blends very own, homemade flower waters which are designed to help your body relax and quieten as you drift into an easy sleep.

The Blooming Blends homemade flower waters include a mixture of lavender, petitgrain and chamomile three ingredients that I associate with relaxing and calming and as a mist it does smell absolutely lovely. You'll notice there is also a hint of Witch Hazel, which I am told is included to help preserve the mist. To use, the advice is to hold the bottle 30cm from your face, spray liberally over your face and pillow and sheets and inhale deeply. As a mist, it doesn't soak your face thoroughly, it is more of a light dusting. Delightful to use and definitely a very calming blend.

The second product is the Sleep Easy Herbal Tincture (£22) which was created, as Blooming Blends state, to help you sleep deep, long and well, the Sleep blend will try to bring you comfort and peace. Unlike the Facial Mist, this is a liquid designed to be taken internally.

To use, it is one pipette under the tongue before you go to sleep. It is made up of a botanical blend of ethanol (25-45% v/v) and vegetable glycerine extracts which include - Oat Straw, Passionflower, Catnip, Chamomile, Lavender and Ashwagandha.  Blooming Blends state that their tincture formulas are created using a ratio of 1:3 to 1:1 herb to liquid so they are at their best possible strength.

When taking this blend, I didn't notice any immediate benefits, it doesn't have a particular taste to it, it definitely doesn't make you pull faces! I think for me, knowing it should and is designed to help me get a better nights sleep rather than fall asleep, I don't stress myself out if I don't immediately nod off as soon as my head hits my pillow, but instead, if I wake up feeling refreshed, it is a bonus.

You can find out more about Botanical Blends from their website. Alongside the Sleep Easy Range, you will find a whole host of other ranges such as a De-Stress and Brain Boost Range.

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

4 Things to Know When Buying a Hair Brush

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A hair brush is an essential tool when you want to groom yourself. This is because it enables you to straighten hair strands without breaking them, especially if they are already entangled. It’s actually the secret to donning beautiful curls. In fact, styling your hair is supposed to be fun and easy when you are armed with the right brush. And since sharing brushes is not healthy, it’s always a good idea you buy your own to minimize the chances of spreading bacteria such as dandruff that might end up damaging your hair.  On the other hand, buying the right brush is easier said than done. In fact, most people settle for the first brush they see when they visit a store. Here is a list of considerations that you should make when shopping for Spornette Hair Brushes.

1. Brushes come in Various Shapes - If you ask most people, they will tell you that all brushes are the same. The truth is that brushes come in various shapes which also determines when they should be used. Lest you forget, a comb can never replace a brush and vice versa. The most common type of brush is known as boar bristle brush. And just like the name suggests, the brush comes with bristles that have smooth tips. This design helps in ensuring that they don’t break into delicate hair strands. A vented brush is also made to look like a boar only that it’s bristles are widely spaced. This is done to aerate the hair strands to prevent entanglement. The brush also has open gaps at the back. Then there are those that are round in shape. These ones are ideal for setting long hair.

2. Bristles are your Friend - The experience you get after using a hair brush is usually determined by the bristles. In fact, the bristles are the ones that let you know to replace an old brush. There are actually brushes that come with either metallic, plastic or wooden material. The advantage of using a brush is that it can last for many years without calling for replacement. It’s also important you confirm that the brush is made from stainless steel. Wooden brushes should only be used on short hair as they can break easily. On the other hand, plastic bristles rock the most because they are strong enough to withstand an entangled hair.

3. Never Ignore the Handle - If you are like most people, you obviously look at the bristles of a brush and ignore the handle. Opting for a brush that has a smooth handle is a huge mistake. This is because you will have to hold the brush firmly when setting your hair to prevent the brush from slipping out of your hands.  You can avoid such time wasting instances by picking a brush that has a rugged handle. Such a brush can never slip even if your hands are wet or oily.

4.  Bigger is Always Better - This one is needless to say. A brush that has a bigger length is always much better than a smaller type. This is because it helps in ensuring that you finish setting your hair within the shortest time possible as you are able to cover a large area in a single stroke. Smaller combs should only be used when you only want to style a small part of your hair such as the side or the front.

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

5 Unconventional Ways To Practise Self Care

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Self-care goes beyond getting the best beauty products to make you look and feel good about yourself. There are so many other ways that you can take care of yourself, which will be discussed in this article.

Don’t neglect the power of human connection

Sometimes people assume self-care is only about disconnecting from people to focus on yourself - after all, it's SELF-care. But there is something about being around healthy personalities that brings some happiness and joy. So, reach out to those people in your life that foster a feeling of understanding and acceptance, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Spend quality time with them when it’s possible, and it can be virtual or not. Don’t only rely on social media to know what is going on with people. 

Speak to yourself with love

The tone you speak to yourself in is as important as any other form of self-care. So make it a point to be conscious about the way you speak even in your thoughts. Try as much as you can to use the tone you’d use as if you were speaking to someone you love even in those moments where you don’t feel too proud of yourself. Try to make it a daily habit to practise positive mantra, and if you cannot always speak, writing them down is also good enough.

Pamper yourself with some clean silk sheets

Sleep is vital and can go a long way in affecting how you feel throughout your day. Having a good nap is also about what you’re sleeping on. Silk sheets are comfortable and luxurious, and you’ll feel twice as good as compared to sleeping on regular sheets. They are also gentle on the skin, and you’ll wake up feeling much more refreshed and ready to take on the day.

Get in touch with your spiritual side

Self-care involves getting in touch with every part of yourself, which includes the spiritual aspect. To fully unlock your best self, you’ll have to experience a level of connection to something more than yourself. It is some kind of assurance that gives you peace and purpose and makes you feel more fulfilled and hence happier. So once in a while, you can get psychic phone readings, for example, to help you see your life in a new light. That way, you don’t just make rash decisions but more informed ones that bring you closer to reaching your potential.

Meal prep

Self-care isn’t complete if there isn’t something about nutrition. Your physical wellbeing is one crucial aspect that your existence depends on. So make sure that you’re not skipping any meals, and they are wholesome. One way to achieve that is to have your meals prepped before time. That way, you will be prepared and on time. 

Self-care is good for everyone, and these five ways are just a few to get it done successfully. Also, remember that there is no perfect time to take care of yourself, and you’ll get better results if you do it frequently and consistently.

 

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