New from Sleek Makeup - Lip VIP lipstick collection

Sleek Makeup have some amazing new releases to be looking out for in your local Superdrug and I am sharing them with you today. 

The NEW Sleek MakeUP Lip VIP lipstick collection boasts six velvety, on trend shades which have been inspired by the luxuries of being a VIP – think red carpet premieres, the front row of fashion shows and celebrity photo shoots. Each lipstick has a luxuriously creamy, long-lasting formula which glides on smoothly to leave an even, semi-matte finish. These lipsticks are also packed with Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Coconut Oil, a new formula which is really moisturising.

The six new shades are:

• Reserved - A sweet candy pink for everyday wear
• Private Booth - A Classic nude, a make-up bag must have
• Backstage - A warm coral pink to take you from day to night
• Guest List - Bright coral, sure to get you noticed 
• Flaunt It - A punchy, stand out orange
• Night Spot - A chic red for opulent Hollywood glamour

So there is a different shade right across the spectrum and here is how amazing they look:  

From L-R we have Reserved, Private Booth, Backstage, Guest List, Flaunt it and Night Spot

The Lip VIP Lipstick Collection are now available from Boots and Superdrug and are priced at £5.49.

Do you have a favourite shade?

I had the Celebrity Facial Everyone is Talking About!

On Friday night I was booked in to Beauty Rehab in Muswell Hill, here in London, to have the Skinbreeze Facial, the celebrity facial everyone is talking about. The Skinbreeze treatment has picked up a celebrity following that includes: Made in Chelsea’s Binky Felstead, Rosie Fortescue and Spencer Matthews. Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff and TOWIE’s Chloe Lewis, Lewis Bloor and James Diags. Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry and Marnie Simpson are also Skinbreeze fans. Now going back to work after two weeks off has been hard, getting back into a routine, getting up in a morning and this horrible cold weather has left me feeling rather 'eurgh' to be blunt. So a chance to have a bit of pampering really cheered me up.

The Skinbreeze Skin Rejuvenation system provides a wide range of result-driven treatments utilising five different technologies that dramatically improve the skin’s condition. Living in London, my skin can feel clogged up, dirty and just vile in general, even though I double cleanse twice a day. 

Once inside the salon, I was given a brief overview as to what the facial would entail, asked whether I had any particular issues and whether or not my skin is sensitive. I was then asked to make myself comfortable on the treatment couch and the treatment began. One thing that I did like, was being asked what skin issues I had, it put me at ease. The first part of the treatment starts with Orbital Microdermabrasion and it felt so nice to have someone else exfoliate my skin for me, it didn't hurt, there was no pulling or scraping of the skin, I didn't feel as though someone was rubbing my face with sandpaper, infact I was so relaxed I almost dozed off. The process lasted about 15 minutes to complete and even the underside of my chin and neck was exfoliated.

Next came the LED Light Therapy which I was told might make a few crackling sounds but is perfectly normal. What this part of the treatment does is utilise the therapeutic properties of red light and blue light to calm the skin, neutralise any bacteria and reduce redness in order to help tackle acne, blemishes and scar tissue. Now for me, I had mentioned the redness on both cheeks was an issue, not that it is in anyway itchy or sore, it is just there and I use plenty of products to cover it when I am out and about. This part of the treat again took around 15-20 minutes and it was really relaxing.

The part I had been really looking forward too because when it was explained to me I was intrigued was the O2 infusion. What it does is deliver bursts of air to drive specially formulated Skinbreeze serums, which are applied by hand beforehand, deep down into the skin to enhance the effectiveness of their active ingredients. So as it happens, you can feel the short bursts of air, which at first made me jump slightly, but I soon got used to them. This process really helps to rehydrate the skin, plumps and smooths lines and wrinkles, so it is essentially providing you with a painless, needle-free alternative to dermal fillers.

O3 Ozone therapy which has an anti-bacterial action on the skin that helps to heal acne and blemishes. This part of the treatment is said to create a warm sensation, which it does, but it isn't at all uncomfortable, to increase blood circulation, improve lymphatic drainage, reduce dark circles under the eyes, stimulate collagen and elastin.

The final part of the treatment is called the 02 Product Spray The O2 Spray which is the delivery application for the liquid based Skinbreeze skincare products. The Hydro Mask filled with hyaluronic acid was then applied onto my face and the sensation was incredible. I am a huge fan of sheets masks anyway, but this one was slightly different to anything that I had ever used. It is formed in two parts, the top half and the bottom half and each one is applied by your therapist and left for up to 20 minutes. For me, it was the perfect mask because not only was it soothing and calming, it also worked to immediately reduce the appearance of skin redness and irritation and as soon as I saw my skin afterwards, I was surprised at how much my redness had faded. So once the mask is removed, any excess product is massaged into the skin and then the 02 spray is used and again a fine mist is gently spritzed across the face and neck and in doing so, it instantly refreshes and calms irritated, sensitive and sun damaged skin.

This facial took just over an hour and it was one of the most relaxing facials I have ever had. As everything had been explained beforehand, I was left to drift off into a sea of nothingness and forget where I was and what was happening whilst my skin was being looked after. As soon as the experience was over, my skin felt tight, a bit like the feeling you have as a mask is about to set on your face, so I knew the facial was something pretty special. My skin felt amazing, I am not sure it has ever felt so soft to the touch and just free of dirt and grime, as though I had been cleansing it all day long.

As I write this two days after the treatment, my skin still feels just incredible and I don't feel like I just want to scrub my face until it is raw.  As a treatment, it is definitely something I wouldnt hesitate to have all over again. Skinbreeze Skin Rejuvenation facial is priced at £120 at Beauty Rehab London

Barry M Light Me Up Liquid Highlighter

If you haven't guessed by now, I am a bit of a highlighter obsessive and I have quite a few within my collection.  It is an item I use pretty much everyday and I don't mind whether it is liquid, powder, gel based or even a cream, if it does what I want it to do, then it gets the thumbs up.

Barry M Light Me Up Liquid Highlighter is described as being the fast track to giving your skin a gorgeous, natural glow.  With this highlighter, you can apply to the parts of you face which you highlight, you can also mix it with your moisturiser or foundation for that extra glow.  Personally, because this highlighter is quite pigmented, I prefer to dab it and blend it down the centre of my nose, along my temple, on my chin and on my cupids bow.

What I love about this highlighter is that it does have a pump action dispenser, but you need such a small amount because as you can see from the photos above, you get a lot out of one pump and it is more than you will need.  Once out of the tube, there is a slight rose/pink colour to it, but once onto the skin, the colour doesn't transfer and instead it leaves behind a soft, subtle glow.

At just £4.99 I think this is totally worthy of trying!  

Do you have a favourite highlighter?

La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur

There are so many amazing products coming from La Roche-Posay right now, it is hard to decide what I love more. There is one product that I have been wearing daily since we were introduced and that is the BB Blur.

Having tried numerous BB, CC and DD creams, I have never really settled on a BB cream that I have wanted to keep on purchasing until now. Effaclar BB Blur is said to not only blur the appearance of pores, blemishes and fine lines but also absorb excess oil all day long - something which excited me incredibly and it has SPF20!

So, I already love that this product has been specifically tailored for oily skin and from using it for the past 5 weeks, not only does BB Blur provide all day-long control of shine, I don't even feel the need to re-apply it. It comes with an impressive list of sciencey sounding ingredients such as Aircilium and Perlite but thankfully they are a little easier to explain their function than it is to say their name. Aircilium is described as being a cutting-edge ingredient that forms a supple and resistant film over the skin that smooths its surface whilst letting it breathe and it is said to absorbs an amazing 3 times its weight in oil,! So the secret is out as to how I manage to keep my skin looking matte rather than a shiny oil slick! Perlite is composed of silica that is 5 times more powerful than talc, and protects against humidity with its continuous blotting paper effect. Suitable for the most sensitive of skin, the skin-perfecting formula contains blurring technology that scatters light to visibly fade pores and fine lines. Add to that, this cream mousse contains shade adapting pigments that work to colour match the skin on application, whilst providing medium coverage that will erase imperfections and leave a radiant, flawless finish. What's not to love?

It is currently only available in two shades Fair/Light and Light/Medium and I have Fair/Light which is pretty perfect for my skin tone and I am very pale. With a mousse like formula, this product is one of those that I begin to apply using my fingers and then use my buffing brush to complete the application. It is easy to apply and for me, it gives just the right amount of coverage that I am happy with and if I am in a rush and haven't had time to finish my make-up, I am confident enough that this BB Blur is enough for me to wear.

I have also mentioned in a few reviews that I have a love for blemish covering products, be they from Primark or Makeup Revolution, and this BB Blur goes some way to be its own little blemish cover and it is working progress to get to the stage where I am happy enough I am covered fully.

So the time has come to bin all of your BB and CC creams and head on over to La Roche-Posays BB Blur because I am yet to try anything that comes anywhere close to being as amazing as this is and it is currently on offer for just £11 on Escentual, which is an absolute bargain that has seen me multi-purchase it so I don't run out!

The Perfume Society: Scent with Love

I am obsessed with perfumes and I am possibly one of the only people you know that has a love of perfume samples. I am choosy about what I will and won't wear, it is rare that I fall in love with a scent on the very first spritz and I detest trying out a perfume in a department store, to me it gives a false impression as to what that scent is and it needs to be given the chance to settle on your skin and breathe before a decision is made as to whether or not it is for you.  So for me, a sample should be something you try over a few days, ask a few people what they think and then make a decision as to whether or not it is added to your wishlist or shopping basket.

The latest The Perfume Society box called Scent with Love is a subscription that would make the perfect gift and treat for someone like me and with Valentines Day looming around the corner, well all I am saying is... do it!

Inside this box you will find something for everyone and it features some pretty amazing brands and there are two sneaky previews of some soon to launch perfumes from Ellie Saab and Shay and & Blue included.

Ellie Saab Rose Couture launches in February and I adore it already. With top notes of orange blossom, peony and rose with heart notes of jasmine, rose, vanilla and fruity notes with a base of sandalwood and patchouli. It has everything I want in a perfume, it is just beautiful and is one I am very likely to purchase.

Shay & Blue's English Cherry Blossom launches in March and has top notes of bergamot, pink cherry blossoms and green mandarin with a heart of black cherry, honeysuckle and iris with a base of cherry wood. I am new to Shay & Blue perfumes, having never tried them before. When I first tried this I wasn't at all keen, but given the chance to settle on my skin and breathe, it was only then that I could appreciate how truly wonderful a scent it is. If you like something which is both citrus and floral, then this is one to look out for.

4160Tuesdays Sex Goddess (2.25ml) - This is another brand that I am not at all familiar with, so I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about. Sex Goddess has top notes of peach and blackcurrant, a heart of strawberry and geranium with a musk and vanilla base. I have to admit, that this is not a scent for me, the vanilla base is a little too much for my senses and vanilla and I do not go together at all. That said, I know my mum would absolutely love this as a scent, it is quite a fruity scent and the musk gives it that little extra bit of sass. 

Moschino Fresh Couture (1ml) - Is quite possibly the weirdest get kookiest perfume designs I have ever seen. When it first exploded onto the blogs, I wanted to try it for myself and until now, havent managed to track it down. It has top notes of bergamot, mandarin and ylang ylang with a heart of raspberry, white peony and osmanthus with a base of cedarwood, ambrox and white patchouli. Again as soon as I tried this I loved it. The White Peony mixed with bergamot and Mandarin make for a scent that I would happily wear all day everyday and it has been added to my wishlist to purchase.

Narciso Rodriguez for Her (0.8ml) - I haven't worn this scent for a very long time, infact an ex of mine used to absolutely love it and he used to buy it for me. It has top notes of peach and rose, a heart of amber and musk and a base of sandalwood and patchouli. The rose and peach make this a truly wonderful scent for me and it has been nice to be reacquainted with such a delightful scent.

Agonist Vanilla Marble (2ml) - this is everything I should hate in a scent but it is one that makes me want to eat a Cherry Bakewell! It has top notes of vanilla, almond and tiare flower with heart notes of orchid, white fig, amber and patchouli with a base of sandalwood, vanilla, benzoin and tonka bean. I am personally not too sure I would buy it as a perfume, but I can imagine it would make the most wonderful candle.

L'Artisan Mure et Musc (1.5ml) - this is the first time I have come across a L'Artisan perfume and I really like it an awful lot. It has top notes of lemon, orange, basil and lavender, heart notes of blackberry and jasmine with a base of musks, patchouli and oakmoss. The combination of both fruit and musk make this a delightful scent which is perfect for a spring day, it isn't too over the top and it is distinctive enough in scent for people to ask what it is you are wearing.

Juicy Couture I am Juicy Couture (1.5ml) - I have never been a fan of any of the Juicy Couture fragrances to date, I find them a little too synthetic in scent and most definitely not for my age group. This offering has top notes of raspberry, pomelo and passionfruit with a heart of gardenia, heliotrope, rose de Mai and sweet pea with a base of musk, woods and amber. I think my god daughter would love this rather than me.

Taylor Swift Incredible Things (1.5ml) - Again, not a scent to which I would personally purchase for myself but I don't dislike it. It has top notes of grapefruit and pink pepper, a heart of suede, passion flower and vanilla orchid with a base of musk, vetiver, white amber and vanilla.

This is such an incredible box with some amazing scents enclosed but there is also two extra little enclosures which make this more truly incredible.  There is a sample Vial of Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Firm & Revitalise Dry Body Oil which can be used before or after your bath or shower, blended with your moisturiser and used as a welcome skin-soother, post-hair removal. And alongside being intensely nourishing for your skin it sinks in incredibly quickly and I have been so impressed with this sample, that it is on my list to explore more. 

The second extra is a 30ml tube of Time Bomb Hand to Hand Combat Hand Cream. In this weather, we all need as much hand cream as we can. Time Bomb’s advanced formula combines top ingredient that plump and smooth the skin on your hands, ‘feeding’ cuticles to keep them soft and snag-free. It combines vitamin E, essential fatty acids, pea extract and the multi-tasking wonder ingredient, argan oil.

If this sounds like a box you want to explore more, it costs just £12.50 for VIP Subscribers and £17.50 for non-subscribers and you can find it right HERE.

Springtime sunglasses essentials

As my inbox fills up with information and press releases about Valentines Day and Mothers Day, it serves as a reminder that Spring is also on its way and for me, the warmer weather cannot come soon enough. Think lambs in the field, ice cream, not having to wear coat, scarf and gloves and finally wanting to wear something other than chunky knits and twenty three tshirts just to keep warm.

As well as celebrating with new handbags in lovely pastel shades, finally getting to wear my beloved Fitflops again right through until it turns cold, sunglasses become an almost must have accessory for me to have, though there are days in the winter months that I also wear them.  MyGlassesGuru is one of those clever little sites which has glasses and sunglasses in every style, shade and design you can imagine, but what makes it different to everyone else is that it can help you narrow down your choices based on your face shape, hair colour, skin tone, what frame colour is your preference and which designer you prefer and surprisingly you can find Ted Baker, Radley, Swarovski, Tom Ford and even budget brands such as Superdry make an appearance.  

I was quite surprised to find so many options for my face shape and hair colour, but more surprisingly, all of these sunglasses are ones that I would actually wear and they are not too dissimilar to some that I have owned in the past.

Top left we have Tom Ford Eva Sunglasses which are an Aviator with a Twist! The lenses are in a stunning mirrored blue tint, framed with an elegant rose gold rim and classic Havana sides and they retail for £195

Next we have Imogen by Radley (top right) and these are square lensed glasses with full UV Filter in Gloss Nude shade. They retail for just £60

In the middle we have Blair by Ted Baker. These are described as being a full, soft square, acetate frame with spiral metal detail on the temples. They retail for just £61.95 and have three frame colour options.

Over to the bottom row and on the left we have Tom Ford again and this time with Charles. They are again the iconic aviator sunglasses and this option is rose gold frame with full UV radiant brown lenses. Priced at £157.95 they are quite the bargain.

Finally we have Cate by Swarovski, a strong, yet elegant feminine design with Swanflower® motif, pearl and Swarovski crystal detail to temples and in shade Gloss Black. They retail for £178 and I love the oversized frame on these glasses.

If you had to make a choice between these five pairs of sunglasses, which one would you chose?

*collaboration

Eloquence Beauty Skincare Range

One thing I really enjoy as a blogger is discovering new brands. Had I not been blogging then I dont think I would have come across or appreciated the sheer number of amazing products that I have been lucky enough to use. Eloquence is one of those brands.

If you have never come across or hear of Eloquence before, they are one of the UK’s newest beauty skin care companies whose products are made from the finest sourced ingredients with a focus on anti-ageing, skin hydration and skin health. Those ingredients include Sachi Inchi Oil, something I had never heard of until now. The Oil is renowned for its own unique combination of Omega 3 which helps to restore the skins elasticity, Omega 6 helps to combat skin dehydration and Omega 9 helps against premature ageing by intensely nourishing and protecting the skin from environmental stress. 

I have got 5 different products from the range - Facial Cleanser, A Serum, Eye Gel, Treatment Oil and Repair Cream, all of which form part of a 5 step routine.

Purifying Facial Cleanser 20ml contains Cucumber and Coconut extract to cleanse your skin leaving is feeling comfortably refreshed, never tight, pulled or parched. I am a two cleanse kind of girl and I love my cleansing balms. What I love about this is the texture, it is fairly thick and thankfully comes with a pump action bottle. You only need a few pumps to release enough cleanser for your entire face and once on the skin, it literally dissolves anything in its path, even my waterproof mascara which impressed me immensely. It costs just £7.99.

Firm & Tone Serum 20ml incorporates with Glycerin and Coconut oil is said to illuminate the skin and give it a flawless appearance. Hyaluronic Acid has been added to give a boost of Collagen, which will keep your skin plump, smooth and supple. This serum is not at all what I was expecting, to me a serum is usually quite liquid like and almost like an oil. This one looks like a cream and is incredibly soothing on the skin, again it has a pump action dispense and one pump will give you enough to massage into your face, which once completed leaves soft, smooth skin. This product also costs £19.99.

Firming & Moisturising Eye Gel 15ml is designed to target dark circles and puffiness and with added Hyaluronic acid will keep your eye area plump and will smooth out fine lines. I am a big believer in the use of eye creams as it is part of my face that gets quickly dehydrated, so I use an eye cream both morning and evening. This eye gel has been one of my favourite products from this range. I love the design on the tube which has the handy applicator to make the application easy, the eye gel is slightly runnier than some I have tried, so don't over squeeze the tube. It is also hydrating, it is soothing and it does help with puffiness under the eyes. Purchase price is £19.99 and it is well worth its money. 

Protect & Repair 24HR Cream 20ml has added Hyaluronic Acid making it an intensive moisturiser. Use during the day to not only condition your skin but to give UVA & UVB protection, and also at night to hydrate and replenish your skin while you sleep. What I like about this cream is that not only does a little go a long way, but how instantly refreshed and moisurised it leaves my skin feeling. I have only been using it during the daytime and the one thing I wish it had was an SPF but that aside, it is a lovely cream. Priced at £14.99 it is well worth its money. 

Nourishing Treatment Oil 50ml has been blended with Coconut and Sweet Almond Oil which will help to Renew, Repair and Revitalise skin, hair and nails. This oil feels incredible on the skin, it isn't greasy or tacky when applied and with a pump action dispenser, two pumps is more than enough for your face. As well as your face, you can use this oil on any part of your body where you feel there is a need for some nourishing oil treatment. I have used this on my arms, elbows, knees and shins, all my problem dry areas and it is a delight to use. I have also mixed it with my body butter for a bit of a treat and it is just so lovely. Priced at £29.99 this is a product that will last for a very long time.

If you are looking for a new brand of products to try, then Eloquence is more than worth looking at, more so because their products contain no artificial perfume or colour and no harsh chemicals, which makes them suitable for all skin types.

Two New The Porefessional Releases from Benefit Cosmetics!

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen that earlier last week I went to meet the Benebabes for breakfast and whilst tucking in to an amazing Avocado and poached egg on sourdough toast, drinking fresh coffee and fresh juices, I was introduced to two of Benefit Cosmetic's latest Porefessional products.

The first of the new products is the Porefessional Instant Wipeout Masks, which come in this really cute little briefcase, which inside contains eight super clearing sheet masks.  These masks, which look a bit like a batman logo,  can be used on your forehead, chin or across your nose and cheeks to eradicate large and congested pores - Wow! However, the most exciting part of this mask is that it comes with a little press button that once pressed releases liquid into the sheet mask and I honestly cannot tell you how satisfying it is to press that button, Benefit should market it as duel product for skincare and stress relief because I could honestly sit here and press those buttons all day, it is like a prettier version of bubblewrap and we all know what fun that brings!

The Instant Wipeout Masks contain mushroom extract which seems to be appearing in quite a few skincare products at the minute.  It is known to help clear pores and has a menthol smell to it, so if something has that clean smell, I have high hopes it will work. One side of the mask is smooth whilst the other side is designed to help exfoliate. I applied the mask to my nose, which for me is always a problem area with being clogged up.  I used mine whilst laying in the bath, in hope the steam would open my pores and allow the mask to work its magic, and do that it did. After the ten minutes of being on my nose, I removed the mask and wiped off any excess liquid, flipped over the mask and gently rubbed my nose and cheeks to remove any debris that had been brought to the surface.  Once I had patted my skin dry, there was no redness and my nose felt and looked less clogged and visibly cleaner.  So these are a hit with me.

The second new release from Benefit is the Porefessional Matte Rescue primer and I absolutely love the original Porefessional primer, so I had high hopes for this one.  Matte Rescue is a lightweight, water based gel primer which has been designed to absorb surface oil and shine as well as blur imperfections and pores, it doesn't say hide them, eradicate them or minimise them, it is to blur them. I have combination skin which leaves me with an oily tzone, so come lunch time, I tend to be reaching for my Blot Stick to remove excess oil from my face, with this primer, it is much later in the day when I am having to do that, almost time for me to leave my office and either head home or go out, so I am impressed with that.   

As a primer, if you love Porefessional, then you will love this, though I do feel Matt Rescue is much lighter in texture and feel when applied than it's big sister.  It doesn't have that silicone feel to it that Porefessional has and I find this one sinks into the skin instead of sitting just on the surface, so when it comes to applying your foundation, which for me is either By Terry or Hello Flawless, it gives a great base and helps my foundation last pretty much all day, I only tend to touch up if I have an evening function, otherwise it is home and make-up off.

I am absolutely loving both of these products, the primer is just brilliant and will now replace the original within my stash and the masks are also lovely and you should buy them just to feel the pleasure of pressing the button, honestly it is such a great stress reliever! Both products have launched and you can find them right here.

The Melt Crowd

I am a huge fan of candles and melts, there is always something burning when I am at home and I love discovering new scents.  The Melt Crowd subscription box is one of those products everyone needs to try, especially, if like me you love candles and melts.

At just £10 per box, for which you will get 8 melts and an oil burner in your first box to get you on your way, this is an amazing opportunity to try something new.   These melts are hand poured and have a burn time for up to 30 hours, which in itself is quite impressive.  To compare their size, they are the same size as my lens cap for my Canon DLSR.

The January box arrived through my door a few days ago and I just love each scent that was included within the box and upon opening it, the combination of those 8 scents was just amazing and this is what I found.

Coconut - I absolutely love anything coconut.  Food, drinks and the scent.  This melt fuels that love with its fresh scent and if you love coconut bites, then you'll love this.

Crystal Mountain Water - This is such a light scent that it takes a few seconds to get used to and then once you do, it is a lovely fresh scent that is perfect for a cold dark gloomy day.

Orange and Lemongrass - This is one of those scents that comes with a punch and smells every bit as the name would suggest, the scent of lemongrass being slightly more dominant it is one amazing smell.

Cinnamon and Mandarin - This is Christmas in a melt.  The Mandarin manages to calm down the scent of cinnamon which I often find too over-baring, but this is just lovely and again, perfect for winding down.

Strawberry Jam - This is perhaps my least favourite of the 8 melts, whilst it does smell of strawberries, I am not too sure it gives the same fresh scent the other melts have but it does remind me of Strawberry Laces which I rather like eating.

Pink Denim - Powdery fresh with a hint of florals this is the perfect spring scent and one which I adore.

Baby Powder - If you love the scent of Johnson's Talcum powder, then you will love this scent because to me it is identical.  I love scents like this which are clean and it more than reminds me of my childhood.

Whisky - I dont think ive ever seen a scent like this nor smelt one like it.  It smells exactly as I thought it would and reminds me of a coffee my grandma used to make which had a hint of whisky in it. It isn't over-powering but the scent of whisky is most definitely present.

I am thoroughly enjoying my first Melt Crowd Box, it is a joy to discover some new scents and I think the idea is just brilliant.  Now only is it a nice treat for yourself, but it would make a great gift for a friend, relative and even just because you want to gift someone.  Each box has an RRP£18.95 and the cost to you is just £10 which is an absolute bargain and I love that your first box includes an oil burner, which means, if you don't have one, the box isn't wasted.

Have you tried The Melt Crowd?

Top 5 Lipsticks of 2015

A post about my five favourite lipsticks of 2015 is not a post I ever thought I would be writing, but lipstick has become a huge part of my make up routine and it is something I wear every single day, unless I am at home doing very little.

Over the past year, I have managed to try quite a few different lipsticks and these are the five that I have used and loved the most.

As you can see there is an amazing mixture of brands with the inclusion of Dior and Chanel, plus the well known and much loved MAC, Highstreet favourite Topshop and a brand I haven't seen much about, but it is one I really like and that is RMK.

With lipstick, it has taken me an age to move away from my trusted nude pink shade. I am not quite ready to branch out into red, I simply don't think it is the shade for me at all, but I am hoping some of these might surprise you.

Dior Addict Fashion Night was an instant love for me. Nestled inside a stunning silver case with Dior clearly visible, this lipstick it is described as being a visibly soft but medium-dark berry pink with a mixture of a lighter fuchsia and violet pearl. It has semi-sheer color coverage. It boasts of using a hydra-gel core with a top coat effect for sensational mirror shine. The lipstick isn't at all drying on the lips and glides on effortlessly and it lasts a good 4 hours before the need to re-apply.  Priced at £26.50, I think it is worth every penny.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick - I have shade 62 which is Monte Carlo and I have to say the outer packaging is much more exciting than that which cases the lipstick. I know it is Chanel, but surely they could make it a little more attractive! Described as being a semi-sheer, pinked red with subtle pink shimmer lipstick, this is as close as I get to something being a red lipstick on my lips. The colour is stunning as is the formula which is so incredibly hydrating on the lips because it is enriched with Meadowfoam Oil derivative to protect and maintain hydration for up to 8 hours.  As you might expect, when applied  it glides effortlessly on the lips, where it remains for around three hours before I feel the need to re-apply.

RMK Deep Rose - RMK is a Japanese brand that I came to love via a makeover in Selfridges last year.  They have so many amazing products just waiting to be discovered and this lipstick has been one of my best finds. Packaged inside a silver bulky case, which is really light, this lipstick is described as being a deep rose shade, much like its name. It isn't quite purple, but is on the route to being there and is perfect for those people who are wanting to move away from the pinks and onto purple lips.  It applies really easily onto the lips and stays there for a good 4 hours before you need to apply. It is moisturising and it does give a real pop of colour and it costs just £19.50.

MAC Lipstick - I do love a good MAC lipstick and having become a tad bored with Creme Cup and Fanfare, I decided I needed something new in my life and when bored at St Pancras waiting for your family to get off the Eurostar accidents happen and I found myself in MAC.  The shade I went for is one that is totally out of my comfort zone but one I adore and that Amorous. A satin finish lipstick, Amorous is again moving towards the purples, but is more of a mauve/plum shade. It applies smoothly and gives more than a pop of colour to the lips and it is not at all glossy and nor is it matte, for me it is just right. Priced at £15.50 I think this is an absolute bargain and it is my new favourite MAC.

The final lipstick in my most loved 5 of 2015 is from Topshop.  I am quite new to the Topshop make up range, but do love a good old stroll around BeautyMart touching and swatching everything, it is the bright lights of the sign which draw me in.  I love the simpleness of the packaging and the fact it is such good value for money. The lipstick I chose is Lovestruck, not a shade I had intended on buying, but I loved it.  Described as having a creamy finish, Lovestuck is again a pinky/rose shade which is really pretty and once applied it lasts for around 4 hours, which seems to be the norm for me and lipsticks these days.  It is hydrating and doesn't leave the lips feeling dry, but if you do have dry lips then it does cling to them, so always exfoliate before applying.  For just £8 this is an absolute bargain and well worth the money.

Having seen all of these lipsticks this is how they look swatched and the top photo is with the flash and the bottom without.  Starting from Left to Right we have Dior, Chanel, RMK, Mac and then Topshop and I am sure you won't be surprised to find that the two which stand out the most for their pop of colour is MAC and Topshop, though I love them all.

Do you have a favourite lipstick of 2015?  Are there any brands you think I should be looking at?