LookFantastic Beauty Box - July

The July Lookfantastic box arrived a few days ago, which is really quick considering we are only just into July and it has a value of £50. This month we have six delightful products to try out, some of which come from my favourite brands and others I have yet to try something from, so here are the contents:

First up is a handy sized 10ml pot of Trilogy Everything Balm. I am a huge fan of Trilogy and have had this balm on my 'must try' list for some time now, so I am delighted to see it in this box. Described as being a multi-purpose balm it comes with the following information 

"Soothe, soften and condition skin anywhere on the face or body with Trilogy Everything Balm, the perfect multi-tasking beauty tool, ideally sized for travel. Helping to replenish, repair and soothe, it makes the perfect handbag-sized protectant.

Everything Balm combines antioxidant-rich certified organic marula oil and certified organic rosehip oil, both revered for their skin healing and preservative properties, as well as jojoba, olive, avocado, honey and vitamin E to deeply nourish your skin. Softening dry elbows, knees, hands and feet, Trilogy Everything Balm provides pure and natural skin care for baby and makes dry lips delicious again".

The second product is from another of my favourite brands Nuxe and this time it is the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (7ml). Suitable for all skin types, the NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is described as a "Multi Usage Dry Oil is the perfect choice for your face-nourishing needs. After use, your face will be velvety soft and your skin will look healthier than ever before. If you decide to use this multi-use oil on your hair, it will quickly become more supple and full of volume and shine, without feeling greasy". Included is lots of vitamin E, which makes sure that the skin is repaired and softened. It also includes various plant oils, which are very efficient at removing any visible signs of stretch marks.

Monu are next with a 30ml Monu Fiji Facial Treatment Oil. I have tried a few Monu products to date and have always been really impressed with this. The Fiji Facial Oil is a soothing facial oil which has been formulated to nourish and protect the skin whilst preventing dehydration. This product uses a blend of rosewood oil and patchouli provide essential protection to soothe dry skin and stimulate your complexion.  It is also Paraben free.

I am always delighted to see a Balance Me product in any beauty box and within this one there is the fabulous Pure Skin Facial Wash. I have used this product before and had run out, so it is always handy to have a spare one around just in case. 

This face wash is perfect for Balancing normal/combination skin, calming congestion and preventing breakouts. This gentle cleanser removes make-up and impurities without stripping away skins moisture. Described as a "Super-fast and effective to use, this gentle, wash-off face cleanser effortlessly removes all make-up and impurities. To improve and smooth the appearance of congested, inflamed complexions we’ve blended together balancing grapefruit and petit grain, with soothing frankincense essential oils and calming spruce knot extract. We have also packed this skin-boosting cleanser full with anti-oxidant rich moringa and rice bran oils to help brighten and illuminate dull skin with every wash. Use in the morning to wake up and revive tired complexions, or in the evening for skin that feels squeaky clean no matter what it has faced".

Next is The Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo which is a brand I have never come across. The shampoo is designed to be used once or twice a month and is described as "Rid your hair of built up impurities with the Kebelo Clarifying Shampoo. Paraben and sulphate free, the detoxing shampoo is gentle in formula but tough on grime. Deeply cleansing, the blend of mild ingredients work to exfoliate your hair, rejuvenating every strand for purified, soft results. Can be used as little as once a month dependent on your lifestyle and even as an invigorating body wash for your skin. Suitable for all hair types" so this is a product I am really looking forward to trying out.

The final product in the box is a Lord & Berry Ultimate Lip Liner. Lip liners are one of those beauty products I should probably buy and use but never do. This is described as a nude version which is waterproof, infused with macadamia oil and waterlily extracts and is said to be highly blendable. Of all the products within the box, this is the one I am probably least likely to use, but as it is there, I might try it out eventually.

I think this month’s box is a great box, it is nice to see a mixture of products from some brands I know and recognise to some that I know little or nothing about.

What do you think to the July Box?

Magazine Freebies - August 2015

Everyone loves a good Magazine Freebie, I know I do and each month I have a look and decide whether or not it is a product I want, need or have been waiting to try. Last Month I did a preview of the July freebies - HERE and to be honest it was a fantastic month, so I had high hopes for the August freebies and here they are: 

InStyle UK - This freebie I have already succumbed to because it is one product I have really wanted to try.  This month there is a 50ml version of the new St. Tropez In Shower Gradual tan.  I am not really a fake tan fan but I loved the sound of this one when I read a few review about it and have been itching to try it out.

Also inside InStyle UK you will find a little coupon on page 156 to grab yourself some free L'Occitane Almond Velvet Balm (Which I reviewed HERE) and Almond Supple Skin Oil.  Plus there is also a 15% off code for FeelUnique!

Marie Claire - This month is perfect for you if you not only love nail polish but love Ciate nail polish. This month Marie Claire features a mini Ciate polish duo with a top coat and a coloured shade and there are six different shades available, so hunt around for your favourite and they are worth £10.

Elle - This month you get three trial sized products from the Organic Pharmacy which consists of a moisturiser, cleanser and lip balm. The set is worth £13 which for three products, though they are mini, is great value for money and they are the perfect sizes for long weekend away.

Harpers Bazaar - Moving onto hair care this month with Harpers Bazaar and they have a luxury shampoo and conditioner duo from the fabulous L'Occitane worth £11.

Red - This is again another freebie for the nail polish fans out there.  This month there is a choice of four different summery shades of Jessica nail polish, all of which are full-size and retail for about £10 each.

Cosmopolitan - This month, Cosmo offer a choice of a lipgloss which is in three different shades or a mascara from New CID makeup.  Together it is claimed they are worth £60 and they are all full sized items.

You can see the freebies in a bit more detail on my Instagram page.

Will you be picking up any of these freebies?

Keeping Your Cool

With the heatwave we currently have, trying to keep cool and not melt is something I am sure we are all trying to do.  Whether it is using a fan, drinking ice cold drinks or even taking cool showers, we all do what we can to keep cool. 

Anyone who reads my blog will know that the mister and I have three cats affectionately known as the 'fur-kids' and in this weather keeping them cool is paramount.

Cats are really intelligent, and on a recent visit to the vet with Dexter, thank god for pet insurance, as he had a higher than normal temperature, he had a major operation recently so I have to keep my eye on him.  As a pet cannot tell you when they are ill, it is always advisable to seek advice from an expert.  My vet re-assured me that cats can stay cool on their own but you can help them by giving them the proper resources, so here are some of my tips:

• Ensure that they have a comfortable bed in a shaded area.  We have cat kennels which have no windows, just an entrance for my boys to get in and out.  Inside there are fleece blankets for them to lay on.
• If your cat will tolerate it and mine do after constant attempts, wipe them down with a cooled cloth, not one wringing wet with water as they won't like it, but something cool and allow them to lie on it around the home.  
• In hot weather like this, I tend to put some frozen peas under the blankets to cool them down. Cats love the coolness of the blankets to keep their temperature down.  Around the house, putting ice cubes inside toys and covering them with catnip always sparks their interest and encourages them to touch it and play.
• I always ensure there are two bowls of fresh water. One bowl is fresh from the tap and I put a few ice cubes in it to keep it cool for a while and the other is from the freezer which I put in every night so that the water thaws throughout the day.  It is important to ensure there is enough water for your cats all day long.
• Brushing your cat daily works to allow the air to move freely through their fur, whilst also removing loose fur due to malting.  

If at any time you don't think your cat or indeed any pet is being themselves, ensure you take them straight to the vet, like humans, cats can suffer from heat stroke and sunburn. 

What do you do to keep your pet cool in weather like this?

*Collaboration, all words my own.

4 Ways to Revamp Your Beauty Routine

Source

Do you feel like your beauty routine just isn’t working for you? If you need a beauty revamp to help get you back on track for the new season, try these four tips to have your skin feeling better than ever in no time.

Eat better

We all know that healthy skin starts from within, so make sure you focus on eating a wholesome, balanced diet with foods rich in vitamins to give your skin the best foundation layer possible. Carrots, strawberries, tomatoes, green tea, coconut oil and dark chocolate are all known to have additional bonuses for your beauty routine because they contain extra nutritional benefits, including anti-aging vitamin C. For great skin, it also important that you drink lots of water—at least two litres a day—because water will help flush out any toxins in your body, increase your fluid levels and replenish water in your cells. Eating well and drinking lots of water will help clear up your skin and also make you feel more energised throughout the day.

Use organic and eco-friendly skincare products

Wherever possible, opt for natural, organic and eco-friendly skincare, makeup and body products. Choose products that contain natural ingredients rather than the harmful chemicals and toxins in generic, supermarket products. As an added bonus, natural, organic and eco-friendly beauty products are much safer for the environment and their packaging is also more likely to be recyclable and ethically sourced. Next time your current products run out and you go to replace them, sample some new eco-friendly brands to find a more natural solution. 

Remove your makeup

One of the best things you can do to have clearer skin is to remove all of your makeup at night and apply an overnight treatment before you go to bed. Get yourself into a routine where you remove all makeup, cleanse and tone your face and then apply a vitamin E moisturiser and a spot of face oil. Block out 10 minutes every night to complete these three steps, and you will notice improvements to your skin and complexion in no time. 

Consider cosmetic surgery
If you want to make a more permanent change to your beauty routine and revamp your look, you may wish to consider cosmetic surgery to enhance your natural features. Whether you are interested in a small procedure such as a minimal invasive facelift or a more major procedure such as a full facelift or rhinoplasty, it is important that you seek professional advice before you make a decision. If you are considering surgery or enhancements, always look to specialists in the field, such as Cosmetic Surgery For Women .

Revamping your beauty routine can be as easy as changing your diet and switching to organic skincare products, or you can choose from a range of cosmetic procedures. As cliché as it sounds, beauty comes from within, so start by nourishing your skin from the inside out; look after your body to help your skin, face and hair shine. And always choose whatever makes you feel the most confident version of yourself.

*Guest post

Buckley Jewellery

Today I am bringing Buckley Jewellery to my readers, a brand who has some of the most exquisite pieces of jewellery that I want to wear, so when I was accepted to receive these amazing mesh bracelets, I was also given the option to choose a further item of my choice. Wow, what an absolute honour it was to be asked and I could only narrow down my choice to three items, so the lovely Kate chose one for me and it duly arrived and I was ecstatic!

I am a huge fan of jewellery and I like pieces that I can wear everyday as well as pieces that can be saved for special occasions. For me Buckley Jewellery fits into both of those categories. The first item I was sent are these three stunning Sparkle Mesh Bracelets. Described as being "Beautifully delicate, yet stunningly eye-catching, Buckley London’s new range of hearts and kisses mesh bracelets will be a favourite this season. Hand-set crystals set into a choice of mesh in a gold, black rhodium, rose gold or rhodium tone, make these bracelets the perfect gifting purchase". What I love about these bracelets is that they can be worn alone or stacked.

I have bracelets in Rose Gold, Silver and Black Rhodium as my selection and each one is styled differently, for me the Black Rhodium mesh bracelet is my favourite with the heart charm and I love that all three bracelets work so well together. 

The second item I was kindly sent was this absolutely stunning Russian Versa Pendant which caught my eye as soon as I saw it on the screen in front of me. Described as "Dare to dazzle with this striking three tone crystal pendant. Three interlocking rings plated in either warm, feminine rose gold, with silk crystals, black rhodium, with daring jet crystals, or cool rhodium with ice clear Austrain crystals, suspended on a polished rolo chain, make this pendant perfect for every outfit and every mood" and it is one item that more than definitely catches your attention.

The chain for this pendant is approximately 18 inches in length which is perfect. I am quite fussy when it comes to pendants and really don't like them to be too close to my neck, this one as you can see sits in the perfect place and because of the rose gold chain is so delicate, it doesn't detract from the beautiful interlocked rings.

This Russian Versa Pendant, when worn with the three Mesh Bracelets really does complete any outfit.  I have now worn the pieces of jewellery on three occasions and am always asked where they came from.

If you are looking for some new pieces of jewellery, Buckley Jewellery is definitely somewhere you should take a look at!

Birthday Wishlist

In just a few weeks time the annual celebration of my birth will arrive and as ever the pressure will be on to give people some ideas as to what I would like and like most Cancerians, I can be incredibly indecisive.  That said, I have managed to put together a wishlist or ideas board.

YSL Black Opium is a perfume I have had my eye on for months and months. It is a scent I absolutely adore and happen to think it smells pretty good on my skin too. It ranges in price depending on where you shop, but on average 50ml is priced at around £55.  If people are feeling extra generous then Givenchy Very Irresistible is also a current want.

NUXE Reve de Miel Lip Balm is it seems a Bloggers favourite and one lip balm, despite my obsession, that I am yet to try. Priced between £6-£9

Olympus Pen E-PL7 Camera is something most people I know are coveting and is the most expensive item on this list costing around £400. I currently have a Canon E0S1000D which I adore, but it is on the heavy side for carrying around in my handbag.

Too Faced is one of my favourite brands, especially when it comes to bronzers and this Too Faced Bronzer Wardrobe just looks amazing. Priced between £18-£30 (yes really) it has everything you ever need from a bronzer.

Another cult product comes next with the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. It seems most people have tried this and loved it and anyone who reads my blog will know that I am a huge fan of cleansers. It costs around £38.

As a recent Liz Earle convert, the limited edition Hot Cloth Cleanser Jasmine & Osmanthus is currently on my want list because I absolutely adore the scent of Jasmine and having red a few reviews, this sounds like an absolute delight.  Priced at £20.75 it sounds like an absolute bargain.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara is another product I have been lusting after for some time now. Having read mixed reviews on it, I am mascara obsessed and never leave the house without it. I have never tried anything from Tarte and do love the sound of this, whether it can rival They're Real or Better than Sex remains to be seen. Priced at £21.50 from QVC.

Cowshed is a brand I love for their quirky product names. These Sleepy Cow Bath Salts sound absolutely divine with the inclusion of Melissa and Lemon Myrtle essential oils plus Himalyan Salts, I am sure they are perfect for their calming and relaxing abilities. I absolutely love bath salts and have featured quite a few different ones on this blog. These ones are priced at £16 for a 300ml tub.

Fitflops are the absolute comfiest pair of shoes I have ever owned and again are something I have mentioned time and time again and I do need a new pair as mine are ancient.  These ruffled ones are just divine and will compliment most outfits I wear and are priced between £35-£55.

The final item on my list is the GHD Platinum Styler.  My GHDs are also ancient and you cannot even buy them anymore and I am sure they are soon to conk out which would leave me distraught.  I love the sound of the Platinum edition ones.  They are priced at around £145.

The joy of your birthday falling on a week day also means, well for me anyway, that I get the day off work  - now what to plan and do with myself! 

What do you currently have on your wishlist?

Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Summer 2015

My Fragrance Shop Discovery Club Summer 2015 box has just arrived and I am glad to see that the box is the thin oblong shaped box which fits through the letterbox rather nicely.  This box is packed full of 8 samples to try and test and for just £5 per quarter, I think it is a great value for money subscription box because it allows you try a huge array of fragrance samples at home, away from stores to give you a chance to decide whether or not you like them.

Inside the Summer 2015 Box the 8 samples are:

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Salina - This is described as being a fresh floral scent that opens with fresh vine leaves and violet leaves. The heart includes yellow freesia, jasmine and orange blossom. The base notes are amber, cedar and white musk. Having used this for a few days now, I actually quite like the scent. It is definitely a summer scent and is so fresh that it lingers for hours before you need to re-apply it.

Givenchy Dahlia Divin is described as being like an Haute Couture gown, this fragrance of the light envelops you in freshness and sensual softness that reveal the divine within you. This scent I absolutely adore and is possibly my favourite of the box, the scent of Jasmine, one of which I am a huge fan is really prominent alongside white flowers and Mirabelle Plum.

Hugo Boss Boss Ma Vie Pour Femme woman is described as being her most captivating, exuding a glow of femininity and confidence. Fresh, indulgent and unique, experience the blend of cactus, floral notes and cedar for a feminine and elegant fragrance. This is a really lovely scent and again one which is perfectly summery and one I have really taken a shine too.

007 For Women is described as being a dark yet feminine ingredients convey an air of thrilling intimacy. An initial burst of spicy Black Pepper enveloped in Rose Milk ignites an intriguing paradox of danger and sensuality. This isn't a scent that I actually like, there is something about it that doesn't sit right with my senses, so it is a definite no from me.

I was delighted to see that within the box was also some samples for the Mister and for him we have:

Paco Rabanne 1 Million - A lighter variation of the original 1 Million Eau de Toilette is perfect for Summer, with an energetic and fresh scent.  Im on the fence with this scent, I neither love it nor hate it, I just think it is okay and isn't one that I would likely purchase.

Prada Luna Rossa Sport is said to evoke man’s deepest emotions the night before his defining challenge. Combining unexpected ingredients that express the heightened reality of the race. It was through this box that we both loved the original Prada Luna Rossa, so to find another alternative is brilliant and unsurprisingly it ticks all the right boxes and will I am sure be purchased at some stage.

Dolce & Gabbana Intenso - Intenso is described as being elegant and pure, the iconic signature of a contemporary man.It is a woody aromatic fragrance that opens with green accents of Basil and Lavender. It is a really nice scent though not too sure whether or not I can imagine the mister wanting it to be added to his selection.

Loewe Solo Loewe Cedro is described as being full of contrasts in which the energy of citrus fruits and aromatic herbs are combined with the sophistication, the strength and personality of a great composition based on wood. Im on the fence with this one, it is nice but that is about all I can say about it, nice.  It doesn't wow or make me want to ensure the mister has it, but ive smelt worse.

So there you have my Summer Box for 2015 and I have to say it isn't one of my favourite boxes to date but there are some lovely scents in there that I wouldn't have ordinarily chosen to try.

What do you think?