Glossybox October - Popart edition

This month's Glossybox was to be a Pop-art edition and if you saw my Instagram, you will have seen my excitement about the outer packaging!  Inside the box was just amazing and it is fair to say that I absolutely love this box and it is one I will not be throwing away.

As usual there was one spoiler which everyone would get within their box and it is a 50ml Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche, which is a full sized product worth £19.50.  The masque is said to quench the thirst of the driest skin types to leave your face feeling smooth and moisturised] not to mention radiant.


Next in the box was a full size Ciate nail polish.  I got the shade Ditch in heels' which is a mint green colour, not one I will be using sadly, but watch out for it in a giveaway.  

Rimmel Matte BB cream is next in shade light and it has an SPF 15 which I like and I actually quite like the BB Cream, the colour is almost perfect for my skin tone, I just need to buff a little extra after applying and it gives a really nice feel to the skin, not to mention is great for covering my oily patches!  This is an 8ml sample which is an alright size, you get to use it for a few days before deciding whether or not you want to purchase a full sized tube which costs £6.99 from Boots for 30ml.

So Susan is next, i'm not sure what it is about these products but I start off liking them and then within days come to dislike them.  In my box was a flutter mascara in black and it has an RRP £14.99. Described as being an intense carbon-black mascara formulated with hyaluronic spheres to help you achieve the darkest, curviest lashes possible. The long brush with extra stiff bristles helps to achieve voluminous, multi-dimensional lashes in just one coat. Suitable for contact lens wearers.  We'll see, I can't say I am over-excited about it, but I do love mascara and will give it a try.

Etre Belle comes next, a brand ive never heard of but a product that intrigues me because it is called a Liplift peel which is given the following description "Up to 54% more lip volume and smoothing wrinkles without injections. Pure hyaluronic microspheres smooth quickly and effectively deep wrinkles around the lips and restructure the lip volume. The lip contour is replenished and redefined". Well worth giving it a go and as a full sized product it is worth around £10

The final product is a perfume sample, which I am a fan of in general, especially when they come in actual cute bottles.  From Yves Rocher this is called Quelques Notes d'Amour and it is very very floral, one of those perfumes that you only need the tiniest amount of before you over do it and give yourself a headache.  Possibly not the scent for me, but more for my Mam who would love it, infact it is winging its way to her, so hopefully she does like it.

So there you have my box.  I actually think this is one of the better ones that I have seen floating around and although I wouldn't use everything within in box, I like that I have some new products to play around with.

So what do you think to this box? Good or Bad?

The best Beauty Advent Calendars 2014 + A giveaway

I don't know about you but my inbox is fairly quiet on the whole 'Christmas' thing right now, there was a flurry of activity around the beginning of the month and now, well not so much.

One thing I am seeing more and more of however is the launching of Beauty a advent Calendars, remember last there when there was a stampede into Benefit for their calendar, only for them to run out and be found on eBay for almost quadruple the price? Well this year it seems there has been an explosion in Beauty Advent Calendars and having spent a few days reading about them through various means, I thought I would share them with you - one thing to note... Why is there nothing for the men folk?  

Tesco - Costing just £50 instead of the actual retail value of a whopping £125, Tesco have announced they are to launch an advent calendar this year. Contents include Nip + Fab, Korres, Tanya Burr, and Dr Lewinn's plus many more.

The Benefit advent calendar is back and it is packed with mini products from the brand's bestsellers as well as some beauty accessories which look too cute. Priced at £60, it becomes available at benefitcosmetics.co.uk and debenhams.com from 16th October

For £85 you might want to look at the Selfridges Enchanted Spells advent calendar which has a selection of fragrances, makeup and skincare from some amazing beauty brands such as Lancôme, Yves Saint Laurent, Kiehl's and Victor & Rolf to name but a few. To get your hands on it, go to the Selfridges website and sign up for notifications of its release.

The advent calendar that I am excited comes from the Liberty. Designed to look just like the actual London department store, inside each of the drawers you will find the most amazing luxury beauty treats such as NARS, Diptyque, Dermalogica, Kiehls, Eve Lom and Laura Mercier to name just a few! This calendar is Available in store and at liberty.co.uk from November and costs £125

No.7 comes next and again, I am liking the look of this purse friendly advent calendar. The items inside are said to be worth a massive £130, this calendar is packed with skincare and makeup must-haves which is said to include the iconic No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Day Cream. Available at Boots stores and online from 29th October and is priced at £35

Elemis is next. I am a huge Elemis fan and this calendar Priced at £59.50 and is Available now from timetospa.co.uk.  It differs slightly to the other calendars in that it is. 12 days of Christmas calendar which means, you only get 12 doors to open.  That said inside you will find products such as 

• Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 20g
• Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 15ml
• Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream 15ml
• Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm 7ml
• Papaya Enzyme Peel 15ml
• Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules 14 caps
• Revitalising Babassu Facial Wipes 4 sachets
• Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream 50ml
• Frangipani Monoi Body Oil 35ml
• Skin Nourishing Shower Cream 50ml
• Pro-Radiance Hand & Nail Cream 20ml
• Treat Your Feet Foot Cream 20ml

L'Occtaine is next and again there are not 25 or 24 doors to open but instead there are 13. Why? The holiday tradition in Provence is to have 13 deserts on the festival table, so with that in mind, this calendar has 13 treats waiting for you. From fragrance, body and skincare surprise are behind each door. Available at loccitane.co.uk from 3rd November this calendar is priced at £45

W7 advent Calendar - I have featured this already, but have to include because it is such good value for money costing just £19.99. Behind each of the doors you will find a sample sized treat from the W7 range such as nail polishes, mascara, lipstick and one or two other surprises. Date for release TBC.

At just £49 Ciaté's Mini Mani Manor is exceptionally cute. Behind each door you are likely to find this seasons must haves, some best-selling shades, texture polishes and even festive transfers. Nailed it. Available now at Selfridges, John Lewis, ASOS and www.ciate.co.uk and if you go to your local TK Maxx you can find them for just £19.99!

The latest release to reach my inbox, is the Jo Malone Calendar, just look at how pretty it all is/ Costing an eye-watering £250, it is sure to sell out quickly, so keep your eyes peeled if you want it! This calendar is filled with 24 fragrances and mini body lotions.  

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a candle or five would it? Well this years Yankee Candle advent Calendar is one on my short list of calendars I'd like, I mean how cute. Priced at around £23 (prices differ on a few sites) and available now, this 3D shaped calendar is packed full of Yankee a Candles, some of those scents include Candy Cane Lane, Christmas Memories, Christmas Garland, Spiced Orange and Snowflake Cookie to name just a few and....there is an added surprise behind one of the doors, but you will find no spoiler here telling you what it is!

The Body Shop which will retail for £55, with total contents are valued at £80

I am sure over the next free weeks other beauty calendars will be announced... Over the last few years there has been Liz Earle, Boots and even Lancôme and L'Oreal which I've managed to find mentioned online.

With all of that in mind and in celebration of the fact Beautyqueenuk has just hit 500,000 page views, yes that is Half a Million... Woah! I thought it would be a good idea to create my own Beauty Advent Calendar for someone to open...it will be filled with things that I love and use. All you need to do is complete the Rafflecopter form below to take part - Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So which a Advent Calendar are you hoping to get your hands on this year if any?

The Radiant Orchid Challenge!

When challenged to find an outfit for £60 to celebrate Pantones colour of the year being ‘Radiant Orchid’ I readily agreed but wow what a challenge it turned out to be.  For those of you who are not aware what the colour Radiant Orchid looks like, here it is:

Described as follows "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health".

So off I went in search of an outfit that I could purchase to celebrate this colour, I thought it would be easy because a lot of stores now have their spring items coming into stores, but oh how wrong was I when it came to finding something that might represent that above.  For hours I wondered up and down Oxford Street, went to Westfield before finally finding this:

Yes I managed to find a dress which I think suits the Radiant Orchid theme and it was priced at £13 which was at least a start, but an outfit is more than one item. So, as I have an event coming up in a few weeks time I decided that this dress would be the outfit for said occasion but I needed things to go with it and this is what I bought for the rest of the outfit.

Shoes which cost £10, Bracelet and necklace £8 from local boutique, Bag £29.50 from Marks and Spencer and the nail polish and tights are my own and all of that came to £60.50 and I have a lovely black cardigan which works really well should I get a little chilly.

One of the reasons I decided I would quite like this challenge is because I love black clothes, my Husband will tell you all that my wardrobe and drawers contain items that are mainly black with bits of blue and purple thrown here there, so predominantly darker colours which I am more comfortable with.  So, now was a good a time as any to inject some colour into my wardrobe, even if it does have black accessories.

Have you bought anything that could be classed as Radiant Orchid?

**SP

February Glossybox - Be Mine!

So my Glossybox has arrived and I did feel quite apprehensive about opening it because lets me honest, January's box was awful!  To be fair, I have had one or two emails from Glossybox with a survey attached to ask questions about my views on the box because it had been noted that most of us had been unhappy with the box contents.  So issues aside, what did February have in store?

Well it is a themed box and Valentines Day the natural choice, the box is totally brilliant, I loved it and here it is:

The kisses all over the box, which in itself had a make-over for the start of 2014 - it now has more depth to it and has a glossy finish, but this box is my favourite to date.

As for the contents, well here they are:

So this is quite a full box this month with 7 things in it!  My only grumble with the box is the Eldora Eyelashes.  One thing I don't use are false eyelashes because I cannot apply them for love nor money and end up getting quite stressed out about it, so instead I settle for a good mascara.  Anyway they retail for £3.90 and are described as follows "Every cosmetic connoisseur adore these simple and beautiful, high quality lashes by Eldora.  Their extensive range means there's a style to suit everyone".  Anyway, I am sure I can find them a good home!

Next up is Nougat London with their Sparkling Body Shimmer.  This bottle is 100ml and comes with the following description "Add radiance to your skincare regime with Sparkling Body Shimmer.  This body lotion with mallow extract, vitamin E and wheatgerm enriched oil will leave your skin luxuriously perfumed with a hint of sparkle"  Its actual scent is called Cherry Blossom and it smells divine, quite a thin texture, so it easily absorbs into the skin but it does leave behind a bit of a glitter effect on the skin.  A full sized 250ml product retails for £14 making this worth around £5.60

H2K Skincare comes next and not a brand I am familar with, but with two products in my box this might change.  I have a conditioning shampoo and a hydrating hair conditioner both of which are said to revitalise and nourish my hair.  Hmm well not too much of an introduction to a brand I have never heard of in all honesty, but they will go into my jar for weekend away products which is the intention.  Both of these sizes retail at £2.48 each

Ciate London Nail Polish - Now you can never have too many nail polishes right?  I am a huge fan of Ciate and have quite a lot of different shades and I already have this one which I won in a twitter competition as you can see HERE.  That said it is a fabulous shade and is desvribed as follows "Even without the gin, this yummy berry magenta is as toxically delicious as its namesake". This is a full sized product and retails for £9.

The final product is Maybelline New York Big Eyes Mascara.  Again, I am a mascara lover and it is the one product I will never leave the house without, so whenever I get a new one, I am quite chuffed.  This is a new product and is described as follows "Double the drama with Maybelline's first eye-opening double brush mascara.  Built with specific upper and lower lash brushes, Big Eyes Mascara produces an all-around eye-opening effect". Now this product excites me and I want to rip it open and try it out, but I must use up and finish two other mascaras that are almost empty first, but doesn't it just sound like the perfect mascara?.  Anyway it is available for £8.99

In this months box was a little treat, a Lindor Treat Bar which is just fabulous and now all gone.  Retails for 79p per bar and is delicious.

So a box that has contents worth around £33 and for me a great box this month and I just hope Glossybox manage to keep this up!  What do you think to this box?

The Beauty Blogger's Perfect Christmas Tree!

As a beauty blogger there are many things that excite me and nothing could currently be more exciting than a Beauty Themed Christmas Tree.  I am amazed at some of the things you can buy as a Christmas Decoration and if I was to build my perfect Beauty Blogger Tree, some of these items would be making an appearance.

Starting with the top of the tree

The Liz Earle Christmas Star - £5.50-£14.00
How much of a bargain is that?! Inside your star, you will get a 30ml of the iconic Hot Cloth Cleanser and Muslin cloth to go with it which costs £5.50. Or there is a choice of two different shades of signature lipsticks which cost £14.00 or a choice of two shades of nail strengthening polish which cost £7.50 each.

Available from the Liz Earl website. 

Then we put on some crackers

I am quite excited about all of these crackers if I am honest and some of them are such good value for money.  These are just some of my favourites:

Nails Inc Christmas Crackers – £29.50

Take your dinner party to the next level and adorn your table with these stylish crackers. Each cracker is complete with a full size polish and fashion quote. 

• Mayfair Mews – navy Fibre Optic polish
• Baker Street – cobalt blue
• Marylebone Lane – red full coverage glitter polish
• King’s Road – rose gold Foil effect polish
• Kensington High Street - deep wine polish
• Trafalgar Crescent – silver Galaxy polish

 They are available from Nails Inc

Balm Balm Frankincense Organic Skincare Collection Cracker - £22.50In this cracker you will get:

• Balm Balm Frankincense Hydrosol 100% Organic 30ml
• Balm Balm Frankincense Deep Cleansing Balm 100% Organic 30ml
• Balm Balm Frankincense Light Facial Oil 100% Organic 10ml

Available from Feel Unique

Cowshed - Cracking Cow Christmas Cracker £10.00 each

A ‘cracking’ stocking filler or Christmas table decoration to add a touch of fun during the festivities and in this racker you will get:

• Wild Cow Invigorating Bath & Shower Gel (30ml) and a 
• Knackered Cow Relaxing Body Lotion (30ml). 

Available from Selfridges

Clarins - Box of 6 Crackers £39.00
In these crackers you will find quite a few lovely beauty treats which include:

• Beauty Flash Balm, 
• Mascara, 
• Lipstick, 
• Hand and Nail lotion, 
• Eau de Jardins 
• Gentle exfoliator. 

Available from Selfridges

Weleda Crackers for Men and Woman - ££14.95-£5.95
A choice of a moisturising cream for the man in your life or for yourself a wild rose smoothing day cream plus a Skin Food Cracker too.  

All Crackers are 30ml and available from Feel Unique 

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker - £30
Spoil every dinner guest with our Christmas Cracker, full of scented surprises. Tart-juicy Blackberry & Bay Cologne. Reviving Lime Basil & Mandarin Body & Hand Wash. Enlivening Grapefruit Body Crème. Tied with ribbon to set the table with style. 

Available from Jo Malone.

More crackers:

Marks and Spencer Crackers:

• Autograph Crackers - A collection of 6 novelty beauty crackers, each containing a specially selected mini make up product and beauty tip. Unwrap each to discover your Autograph lip gloss, liquid glow illuminator, mascara and kohl pencil eyeliner.  Cost £18 for 6
• Royal Jelly - A limited edition collection of luxurious hand creams from the Royal Jelly range and cost £6 each
• Nature's Extracts Lemon Verbena - Experience daily luxury with our Nature's Extracts collection in a festive cracker gift set. These limited edition body care essentials have been enriched with natural extract of lemon verbena - either a shower gel or hand and body lotion. Currently on offer at £2 each
• Happy Holiday Pick N Pix Cracker - Adding some festive fun to your bath with this cracker, costs £5

Now onto your trinkets and baubles.  Again there is so much choice out there that making a decision as to what I was to include was quite difficult, but here are some of my favourites:

Ciate Tree Trinkets - 6 Baubles for £30.00Each bauble is wrapped in a signature Ciaté bow, with a mini Paint Pot in a glamorous glitter shade peeking through, ready to be worn. 

Available from Selfridges

Lancôme In Love Christmas Cubes 4 for - £39.00
These festive cubes contain, a full size Nail Polish in Love, Mini Lip Gloss in Love, Mini Lipstick in Love and Mini Hypnôse Classic Mascara. 

Available from Selfridges

Rodial Glam Balm Christmas Tree Decoration -  £12.00
Give the gift of glam this year with Rodial glam balm LIP SPF 15 Xmas tree decoration. STEMCELL super-food SPF15 glam balm lip is a rose flavoured lip balm, with stem cells and the added benefit of SPF15.

Available from Debenhams 

The Rodial Glam Balm is also available as a little pot for £2 more which you can find HERE

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES Little Bell gift set  - £10

Awaken your senses with Aromatherapy Associates' delectably uplifting and invigorating wonders of grapefruit, rosemary and juniper for a truly reviving start to the day. Includes Revive Morning bath and shower oil.  

Available from FeelUnique

Mistletoe Kisses - Coca Cola Lip Smacker - £3
Time to get festive with the heart shaped lip balm that you can use to decorate your tree or just simply save for that special kiss under the mistletoe this year. £3.00 available in Sainsburys

This Works Perfect Beauty Baubles – £12.00

Silent Night Bauble is a sleep balm to help calm the senses and Shimmer Balm a pocket sized pot of glittery balm. In two words: this works. – 

Available from ASOS

Jo Malone Christmas Ornament - £20

Trim the tree with this season's most desired decoration...a smart little box that opens to reveal a Pomegranate Noir Cologne and a delicious English Pear & Freesia Body Crème. Wrapped and ready to hang for a best-dressed Christmas. 

Available from Jo Malone.

More trinkets for your tree:

• The Body Shop Mini Shower Gels which cost £8 
• Mavala Nail Baubles which cost £5
• Cath Kidson egg shaped soap which costs between £4-£8 online and there are three different ones available
• M&S Limited Collection beauty bauble which contains a mini nail polish and two mini lip glosses and costs £5

And if all of that isn’t enough for you Beauty Bloggers then how about a Liz Earle Limited Edition Stocking? Designed by Jan Constantine and costing £50 

this stunning limited-edition Christmas stocking is brimming with treats, including:

• Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 100ml pump
• Instant Boost Skin Tonic 50ml bottle
• Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/combination 15ml tube
• Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash 100ml bottle
• Nourishing Botanical Body cream 50ml tube
• Two pure Muslin Cloths

So there you have it, my idea of the perfect Beauty Blogger Christmas Tree with decorations, baubles and even a star or five.

What would be on your Beauty Christmas Tree?