Category: reviews

beauty, beauty boxes, glossybox, make up, reviews, skincare

Glossybox October Unboxing

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This box has been put together with blogger Estee Lalonde as part of the promotion for her new book, which features heavily in the box card insert. Beyond that I don’t really see the connection as it’s the usual pink and black packaging, unlike previous collaboration boxes. 

Inside are five products and a bonus mystery item.  

Trifle Cosmetics Lip Parfait – the packaging on this is very cute but the actual lipstick is a really pale, almost translucent pink. To be honest I don’t know if I’ll get much use out of it as it’s several shades lighter than my actual lip colour so wouldn’t even work as a nude tone. 
Nuxe Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigeuese- I’ve had this in so many boxes now it’s getting a bit silly. However as Christmas party season looms and I like glitter, the shimmer in this oil is a good look in my blonde hair or on my pale skin. 

Top – lip parfait, bottom – cheek/lip stain

Universal Beauty Cosmetics Secret Flush Soothing Cream Blusher and Lip Stain Duo – I used to be very into these two-in- one products and the pink on this would work better as a nude lip colour than the Parfait.  But there’s probably too much shimmer in there for a blusher. 

Bee Good Honey & Camomile Facial Exfoliator – I really like the lipbalms and moisturisers I’ve had from Bee Good so this gentle exfoliating mask, made with honey from British bees (and the company helps keep bees going – which is vitally important) is definitely being added to my bathroom stash of masks.

 

PS…Pro Illuminating Primer – so Glossybox supposedly is always full of premium brands right. Well this primer is from Primark’s own range. It just seems an odd addition. 

The bonus secret item – mystery shampoo. Possibly a Head & Shoulders number  (due to bottle design) this will be revealed on Estee’s blog at some point. It seems a pointless exercise for a travel bottle of shampoo. 
To be quite frank this was supposed to be my last Glossybox, I was cashing in the points for a freebie but due to a glitch in the system, that will now be November’s box. While this box wasn’t as bad as some have been, it wasn’t the best ever.

 

beauty, make up, reviews

Doing the Dupe Shoop…

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For a while I was a bit of a snob about buying dupes, thinking it was always better to buy the fancy, expensive version. 

But buying dupes allows you to try the product before spending your hard earned pennies on the premium version. 

EBay and Amazon marketplace are a dream for dupe hunters – ok so the quality isn’t 100% but at these bargain basement prices it’s hard to argue.  

Shipping is often from China and pretty cheap or even free so while it does take a whole to arrive, it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg just in postage. 

These are some of my favourite dupes so far. 

Kabuki brush – Sal Ummbaby mentioned this a while ago and I had to give it a go. It’s probably my favourite dupe item ever – and despite being cheap as chips it’s lasted really well and washed nicely, holding its shape and not shedding much – better than some of my pricier brushes have. 

Beauty Sponge – I wanted to try a sponge but didn’t fancy paying 10 quid for one so these beauties were a great alternative. They last a while and wash ok, although be gentle when washing them as the sponge shreds if you’re too vigorous. 


Brush Egg – I saw a very expensive brush washing mat on a blog post somewhere and wanted something a bit less pricey to get my brushes properly clean and this little gadget does the trick. You swirl the brush over the ridges and the grime shifts (I use a little blob of gentle shampoo and warm water too). 

Oval brush – these seemed to be a big thing and once again a bit pricier than I was willing to pay to try it out.  I don’t think they’re for me.  And it didn’t cost much to find that out. This was OK as cheap brushes go, fairly soft and stiff, washed well without too much shedding. I just prefer my sponge blender. 

Rainbow highlighter – I think it’s wanting to be a mermaid/unicorn/pirate/spacewoman/superhero/princess that attracted me to the idea of a rainbow highlighter. Swooshing colour across my cheeks. I blame Rainbow Brite. Again this was expensive and almost impossible to find. But this cheap and cheerful knockoff was easy and simple to buy and while it isn’t the fanciest packaging ever, it’s good for a bit of the ol’ I’m a rainbow shimmy. 

Nail Polish holder – this is pretty ingenious, although the original is more than some of my nail polishes. It sits on your fingers and holds the polish bottle so if you haven’t got a flat surface (or surprisingly firm and well balanced thighs) it keeps the polish from spilling. 

I haven’t written about high street dupes because they’re everywhere and I think most of you know about them, but feel free to suggest them, or any other clever alternatives in the comments. 

beauty, beauty boxes, my little box, reviews

My Little Mademoiselle Box

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This box opens like a book, tied with a ribbon, which is rather neat. Collaborating with Freddy My Love & Claudie Pierlot this box isn’t the most packed ever but it does feel super French. 

Soft leather embossed envelope purse from Claudie Pierlot. 

Erborian Ginseng Shot Mask 

My Little Beauty Audacious Volume Mascara Mademoiselle 

Yves Rocher Perfume 

My Little World magazine 

films, movie night, politics, reviews

Why Trump won’t like the new Magnificent Seven – a sort of review

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Last week we went to the cinema intending to use our free ticket voucher from Sainsbury’s to see Miss Peregrine.  According to both the website and the interactive noticeboard at the cinema there were seats but the dead eyed staffer said it was sold out. Normally we would have just said sod it and gone to Nandos. But the voucher was due to expire so we went to see The Magnificent Seven instead. 

I grew up with a father who loved sci fi and cowboy films. I remember watching the original version with Yul Brynner  (who will forever be the King of Siam to me, however inaccurate that film was) and indeed watching the Seven Samurai aka the original of the original. 

So I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this, but Chris Pratt was in it and I find him amusing and for six seconds the very pretty Matt Bomer was as well. 

I have a whole theory about Chris Pratt and his mission to recreate Toy Story by himself – he’s played Andy (Parks & Rec), a spaceman (Guardians of the Galaxy), run with dinosaurs, because unless you’re Andy Serkis you can’t be a dinosaur  (Jurassic World) and now a cowboy. Next up Bo Peep, a slinky dog or a pig (remake of Babe maybe).


Anyway. Onto the title of this post. There may be spoilers ahead so read on only if you don’t care.  

The plot centres around a small frontier town in California during the Gold Rush, where a wealthy and ruthless man plans to drive the locals out to dig more mines. Matt Bomer dies in a shootout and the church is burned down. 

Matt’s widow (Haley Bennett) decides to find someone to help her town and sets off with human puppy dog in tow.  

She finds Denzel Washington, a bound sheriff doing his duty, interestingly dressed all in black, counter to most cowboy films where the heroes wear white hats (something much referenced in Buffy the Vampire Slayer). 

He recruits gambling sharpshooter Faraday (Pratt) and sets out gathering a posse. 

There are seven men, one woman and the aforementioned human puppy. No one assaults her, no one even intimates rape. Not even the Mexican or Native American. (Trump would dislike that). 

After a rather explosive shootout with the bad guys – most of the seven and many of the townsfolk are dead. The villain gets his comeuppance and is shot by the heroine. 

The three heroes who ride out of town are a black man, a Mexican and a Native American – hardly Trump’s fan base. The four buried in town include the son of Irish immigrants (Faraday), a Chinese man (himself an immigrant), a crazy mountain man who spouts the Bible – in a good way, and a Cajun from New Orleans who again would be descended from immigrants. 

They stood up and defended strangers against a wicked man only concerned with his own wealth and power.   

I think Hollywood just allied itself even more firmly with Hilary Clinton. The true hero is a woman who united people, who found the best people for the job, regardless of their background or ethnicity. 

While Clinton is far from perfect (she is human) I think she’d probably enjoy the film a damn sight more than Trump. I just really hope the Americans can see that Trump is not President material. 

beauty, beauty boxes, look fantastic, reviews, skincare

#LFPamper Look Fantastic Box 

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This box contains: 

Oskia Renaissance Mask – passion fruit, grape, lemon, Papaya and grapefruit extracts to exfoliate and decongest skin. 

Mio Liquid Yoga – a bath soak infused with Epsom salts, lavender, arnica and mandarin to ease achey muscles and relax. 

Polaar The Genuine Lapland Cream – a lipbalm free from parabens, fragrance and colour. Contains polar berries, blackberries and lingonberries.  

Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel – a blend of Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C and Indian Figurine to protect against free radicals. 

Laura Geller Pout Perfection Waterproof Lip Liner – creamy lip liner with jojoba oil and Vitamin E to condition. Shade; Cabernet (pinky mauve).

Alterna Caviar Moisture Intense Treatment- pre-shampoo treatment to rehydrate frazzled hair with Caviar extract. 

As winter starts to loom more ominously and the temperature drops skin needs more moisture and protection from the elements.  This box has some good bits in it to offer some support to skin and hair during the upcoming cold snap. 

books, reviews

Book Review: Crooked Kingdom – Leigh Bardugo

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If you haven’t read the prequel, Six of Crows, go do so and come back. 


Has Kez Brekker gone too far this time? After being double crossed at the end of Six of Crows he and his gang are after revenge.  

An elaborate scheme to get what they’re owed and then some, but with enemies piling up and short on resources, can Kez and Co pull it off? 

This is a read it in one sitting book, rip roaring alone at some pace and peopled with the characters I loved in the first book. Nina the Grisha Heartrender and her stoic Fjerdan love Matthew, fast on the draw Jesper and clever but illiterate Wylan.

This definitely needs to be read after Six of Crows, so much of the plot depends on knowing the first book. 

I don’t want to say too much or spoil the book so I’ll post this very short almost a review. 

If you love fantasy and thrillers, read Six of Crows and then read Crooked Kingdom. 

books, reviews

Book Review: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

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I got this in my last Illumicrate and for some reason put off reading it till now. I think I just wasn’t sure about it. Foolish me. This book is a right cracker. 

Mia Corvere was once a pampered daughter of a wealthy and important man, now she is a creature of death and shadows.  

She wants vengeance for the deaths of her family and will train in the ways of the Red Church to get there, if it doesn’t kill her. 

The writing is strong and the characters are fun, from a horse called Bastard to the shadow-cat only Mia can see, they’re richly drawn and as the plot thickens and gathers tempo I found it harder and harder to put it down. 

The first in a planned trilogy Nevernight is set in an alternate world, with three suns in the sky and warring gods whose squabbles are echoed by their believers. 

beauty, beauty boxes, love me beauty, make up, reviews, skincare

Love Me Beauty – The Sundown Edit

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I haven’t done an order from Love Me Beauty for a while. But I heard they had a few of the soon to be in Debenham Kat Von D products, so I thought it was time to have a look at their boutique again. 

Every month you get 60 credits to use and you pick your products. Recently they’ve scaled back the options and shrunk everything down to sample size, which is a bit disappointing when everything used to be fullsize. 

You can buy top up credits if you want more treats from the selection. 

I picked five items which arrived in a stripy make up pouch. Gone are the boxes. 

Omorovicza Budapest Copper Peel – this two part at home facial uses minerals from the healing waters of Hungary. Combining a blue copper paste and a lactic acid activator. My skin’s not too happy at the moment, between commuting on London’s Underground and the cold brewing in my head, so hopefully this will strip out some of the gunk and cheer it up. 

Aromatherapy Associates Hydrating Rose Skin Toner – refreshing and cooling to tone the skin after cleansing. I haven’t been using toner recently but I read a few articles recently from beauty writers I trust and look up to saying it’s a good step to look after skin so using this tiny bottle for a bit to see the difference before committing. 

Omorovicza Budapest Deep Cleansing Mask – this Hungarian brand seems to be the pick of the boutique and this clay mud mask is full of minerals to deep cleaning skin. 

Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in  Magick – a pinky nude tone with a hint of sparkle, this is quite a nice everyday shade. The tube is studded and looks quite fun in my collection. 


Kat Von D Ink! Liner – I am so rubbish with eyeliner but this superfine pen is supposed to be one of the best on the market and easy peasy to use.  


Swatches

I really liked this selection and the new edit style of options in the boutique. 

It will be interesting to see what the next selection is and whether they bring back full size items. 

Do you subscribe to Love Me Beauty?? Thoughts? Let me know in the comments below. 

beauty, beauty boxes, make up, reviews

Little Known Box – Face Firsts

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This month’s box is all about trying new things as it’s a new season (autumn!)

Peeks Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in shade Quick Sand. This is a matte brown-y colour which to be quite honest is not really my thing. It would probably be good on someone with a darker skin tone but not on my ridiculously pale face. 

Lash Unlimited Strip Lashes – another dud for me, I have naturally long, very pale lashes, so I’ve never bothered with falsies, but I do think they can look amazing.  

Nanshy 4-in-1 Marvel Blender – this is more my speed, I’ve really got into using a sponge blender so a spare is always welcome. 

Siskyn Skincare Oils Frankincense & Jasmine Night Facial Oil – this scented oil is a blend of 18 botanical oils to soothe, replenish and rejuvenate skin while you sleep. I am starting to get quite into oils – especially the new generation that neither dry you out or leave you looking like an oil slick. 

Epic Blend Vegan Lip Balm in Wild Berry – petroleum and gluten free lip balm. Added to my stash already. 

books, fun stuff, lifestyle boxes, reviews

The Bookish Box – Literary Ladies 

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September’s Bookish Box has arrived and it’s all about the ladies. 

LeviosA earrings from J&Co Jewellery – silver feather studs

Kimmy Scmidt magnet from Jar of Buttons “Females are strong as hell” 

Pride & Prejudice tea from First Edition Tea Co – citrus and roasted mate tea

Katniss Arrow Pen & Highlighter holder from Nonies Custom Creations 

Thrones of Glass watercolour bookmark from Lexy Olivia 

The Bookish Box Bookworm highlighter & Matilda sticky noted

Appraising Pages Hermione t-shirt 
Chapter sampler from The Call by Peader O’Guilin 

Some really lovely things in this box, really impressed at how the team behind this box find so many lovely literary things every month.