Feel Unique - January

I picked up my Feel Unique box from the Post Office on yesterday.  I am generally on the whole liking the contents but missing the inclusion of a make-up item this month.

Inside the box is:

Lierac Coherence L.IR Extreme age-defense firming care - Infrared lifting cream - This is a 15ml pot which is a generous size.  Full size is 50ml and retails at £56.55.  Feel Unique say "this dual use luxuriously soft and velvety cream helps reactivate collagen fibres in the skin  to make it look visibly lifted as it regains optimum firmness.  Use in the morning to provide comfort and protection and at night for intense regeneration and repair".  Never heard of this brand before and like that you can use it AM/PM.  I'm hoping its not too heavy a cream as I prefer lighter textured creams and lotions.

Also included is a 2ml sample of Lierac wrinkle smoother.

Phyto Phytobaume Express Conditioner for color-treated hair - I really like this brand so pleased to see it included in the box.  This is a 20ml size so should get a few uses.  Feel Unique says "this highly hydrating express conditioner is rich in citrus extracts and sea buckthorn to bring long lasting colour and shine to colour treated hair".

2 x 50g sachets Dead Sea Magik Salt Brushing - These were included in a Glossybox (before I'd subscribed).  Happy to try these but a bit fed up of the brand being included in all the boxes.

Caudalie Vinotherapie Nourishing Body Lotion - This is a 30ml tube.  Feel Unique say "rich, hydrating body treatment enriched with delicious plant derived ingredients that provide intense nutrition and antioxidant action to the skin leaving it gorgeously supple and toned".

Green People Gentle Cleanser - this is 10ml sample sized.  Happy to try as I love cleansers! Feel Unique say "this beautifully light organic cleansing lotion rids the skin of pollutants leaving it feeling soft and refreshed".


The other boxes sent out got a different face cream and a bigger cleanser.  I think this was because the face cream in this box is more expensive.

Did you get this box, what are your thoughts?

Amarya - January

The Amarya box's packaging was slightly different this month.  I love the little purple gift bag with butterfly tag.

Included are:

Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream 30ml which retails at £23.95!  Amarya says "with the extract of over 1,075 organic rose petals in each tube this rich, beautifully scented and bestselling moisturiser will regenerate the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and calm".  Can't wait to try this out!

There is also a Caudalie Firming Serum (2ml) and a 2ml sachet of John Masters Vitamin C anti-ageing face serum.

I was pleased with the box this month and thought it was great value.  I also loved the cute packaging.

Did you get the box?  What are your thoughts?

Check out The Life & Times of Lainey LuLu as she is having a fab giveaway - the chance to win an Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

source

Beauty Boxes - my buy again products (2011)

I have found all the brands above via the beauty boxes (apart from the Emma Hardie cleansing balm which I'd tried before - and love!).

October - Feel Unique

Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique Blow Out Balm - absolutely love this, makes hair so smooth and smells so nice.  

Caudalie Radiance Day Fluid - love this, have since bought full size (and got small size pictured here in a gift pack).  

October - Boudoir Prive

Korres Citrus Little Moisturising Body Milk - lovely light lotion with lemon scent.

Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme - if I had to choose one favourite from the boxes it would be this.  You can read my review here.  I'm definitely going to check out other items in the range.  I have also stocked up on this via swaps on Beauty Box Swaps on Facebook.

October - Glossybox

Stila Smudge Waterproof Eyeliner in Moray - lovely shade (olive green) with gold fleck and great staying power.

November - Feel Unique

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm - already loved this so welcome addition to the November box.  

Loved the Prady Candy EDP sample vial and was lucky to get the full size at Christmas.

November - Glossybox

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer - already loved this product, welcome addition to the box.

Illamasqua Freak EDP sample vial - love, finished it. (no pic).

November - Boudoir Prive

Korres Wild Rose 24 hour moisturiser - really moisturising with light scent.

Rahua Volumising Shampoo & Conditioner sachets - really loved this product but wouldn't pay full size price (£27/£28) so always on the lookout for sachets.

December - Feel Unique

Annick Goutal Mandragore EDT - would never have picked this scent but love the fresh, fruity minty scent and a huge 25ml.

December - Glossybox

Cargo Lipgloss - I got Paris in my box (since acquired Morocco and Tokyo via Beauty Box Swaps).  Really great lipgloss, great colour and feels smooth on the lips and not sticky.

December - Joliebox (formerly Boudoir Prive)

Kusmi Detox Tea - delicious!

I loved trying just about all the items in the boxes.  The ones above are my favourites. If you want to read more about the product - check out the blog posts month by month. x

YSL Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil

I went out shopping yesterday lunchtime to pick up the giveaway prize.  

I loved the YSL Waterproof Eye Pencil I got in the Advent Calendar.  I was just going to have a browse but I ended up buying the Amazon Green shade.  It's gorgeous, looking forward to trying it out.  Retails at £19 (and it comes with a sharpner).  I also got given two sachets of the latest launch Forever Youth Liberator which is available to buy at counters on the 16th January.  You can read more about it here.  (so I have failed on my no spend apart from beauty boxes! - although I was only half-heartedly doing so!). x

Nivea Pure & Natural Body Lotion 250ml

I picked this lotion up last week and have been using it in the morning after my shower.

95% of natural origin, paraben, colour, silicone and mineral oil free.  It is a really effective lotion with a light texture which sinks easily into the skin.

Scented with chamomile and contains Argan oil it has a fresh floral scent.  Suitable for normal/dry skin.

Retails at Boots (£3.57) and Superdrug (£3.49) and I guess it will be available in the supermarket too.  A great everyday lotion at a bargain price.  Have you tried it?


p.s. Asda are selling it at £2 - a bargain!

Latest in Beauty - Little Beauty Box

I decided to try another Latest in Beauty sample box.  I got one a few months ago and you can read about it here.

This month I chose -

Gazelli Triple Youth Introductory Kit - 3 x 1ml sachet samples of eye cream, firming serum and age-repair cream.  I haven't heard of this brand before but you can buy it at Urban Retreat in Harrods - so it must be good!  The ingredients list includes pomegranate, pumpkin, black tea and chestnuts.  


I've used the three product once (probably get 2-3 uses out the sachets).  They seem good products but don't like the scent of the serum and cream.  The eye cream is my favourite out the three.

Renu Radiant Skin Peel Mask 5ml mini tube - have enjoyed the Monu samples so looking forward to trying this out.  

Moa The Green Balm mini pot - skin care balm to soothe and nourish dry skin conditions, bites, grazes and burns.

Not bad for £1!  Did you get the Latest in Beauty Box this month?

Kerastase Shampoo & Conditioner

I always come back to this shampoo and conditioner.  Although its a bit more expensive than some it gives consistent results again and again. It leaves hair soft, shiny and healthy.  You can pick it up at Feel Unique at £12.15 for the shampoo and £15.25 for the conditioner and they last for ages. You can also buy it at hair salons.

I also read an interesting article in this month's Prima magazine.  It's titled "size matters" - its an article about how much product you should be using.

For example, for short and fine hair use 1tsp shampoo and for very thick and/or long hair use 3tsp.  As for conditioner you should use 1tsp for short and fine hair and between 2-4tsp for thick/long hair.  


There are recommendations for how much you should be using for various products - hand cream (pea sized amount during the day and small raspberry size at night), body lotion - approximately 4tbsp, cleanser - 1tsp, face mask - amount equivalent to small apricot.  An interesting article!


p.s. Psychologies Magazine this month has an interesting short article on Beauty Bloggers. x

200 Followers Giveaway Winner

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway!

I used random.org to generate a winner.

The winner is George @ Frecklie

Well done! x


(George, I've sent you an email for your address details)

200 Followers Giveaway - update

I have reached my 200 followers goal (201!) Thanks to everyone who follows me.  I really do appreciate it and thanks for all your kind comments on my giveaway post.

Just to let you know I'll be drawing the winner tomorrow night! x

Kreativ Blogger Award

Imagine my delight when two amazing bloggers awarded me this on the same day!  


Thanks so much to Diary of an English-Exile and Claire Louise at XxDollyBlossom.  I am so happy that people like reading my blog!  I find that most friends get fed up of listening to me go on about beauty products most of the time so I am in heaven blogging! (and I also like blogging about holidays and other things too).

Here's what you do - Link back to the person that awarded you - Answer the questions - share 7 random facts about yourself - award 10 other bloggers and let them know.

1. What's your favourite song

One - U2/Adele - Rolling in the Deep/This is the Life - Amy Macdonald

2. Your favourite dessert

love Pana cotta/creme brulee

3. What ticks you off

rude or arrogant people

4. When I'm upset I..

eat chocolate

5. Favourite Pet

easy. our dog Bess (enjoying an ice cream here!)

6. Black or White

I wear black a lot, so black

7. Biggest Fear

spiders/creepy crawlies

8. Everyday attitude

laidback, but can get stressed though try not to show it

9. What is perfection

not really sure what to write here!

10. Guilty pleasure

breakfast in bed

You can read my seven random facts here.

10 beautiful bloggers

Livia @ heads and nails
Gemma @ x-Make-up-Meoww-x
Kelly @ Kelly's Makeup Box
Jazmin @ my pursuit of happiness
Rachel @ RaikuBeauty
Anna-Alina @ Anna-Alina
Sii @ Make up and Hello Kitty Obsessed
Terri @ Hello, Terri Lowe
Hannah @ Hannahmay
Meg @ Meg's Budget Boutique


xxx

beauty products

This is just a small bit of my current beauty stash...I think I definitely need a spending ban!

Versatile Blogger Award

A few weeks ago, Carissa at Vanilla Crush, Natalie at natsbeautybits and Alex at I am a weapon of massive consumption gave me this award.  Thanks girls, I do appreciate it - check out their fab blogs!

Rules-

You have to thank the person that gave you the award and a link back to their blog.

Share 7 facts about yourself.

Send the award on to 15 other bloggers whose blogs that you appreciate and 
 then let them know that they have been given the award.


I have already been lucky enough to have been awarded this blog and you can read my seven facts here.

I pass the award onto:

Claire Louise @ XxDollyBlossom
Danielle @ I want the Fairytale
Nicola @ Princesstinks
Ruby @ Wake up, Make up
Lucy @ Limited Lucy
Caroline @ Beauty, Crafts & Life in General
Mel @ Adventures of Mummy, Daddy & Finn
Hannah Rose @ Lippy in London
Becca @ BDP World
Lauren @ A little bit of Lollie
Nardine @ Live..Laugh..Love
Kat @ Cherries in the Snow
Natalie @ The Beauty Stash
Jessica @ EverythingBeautiful
Cat @ Beauty Inside and Outside


Check out their blogs using the links above! x

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Souffle Body Creme

I was lucky to pick up a set of Laura Mercier body creams in the sales.

The first one I've tried is the Creme Brulee one - delicious!  Its scented with vanilla and caramel and the sweet scent lasts and lasts. (I put it on in the morning after my shower and could still smell it when I went to bed).

It contains Vitamins A, C & E for nourishment and shea butter for moisture.  On the website it says it can be used alone or layered with one of the other gourmand scents.

A luxurious rich cream which sinks easily into the skin (especially dry areas).  I'm now keen to try the other items in the range -

Body Wash (200ml - £29), Honey Bath (300g - £30), Hand Creme (50g - £13), Body Butter (170g - £26) and the Eau de Toilette (50ml - £41.50).

Lush Haul (and Dragon's Egg)

I went and shopped the sales last Wednesday and managed to spend my Xmas Lush gift card.

I got two magic wand my favourite Christmas products with 50% off.  I also picked up another Rose jam bubbleroon as I love it so much.

I also got Turkish Delight, Ro's Argan Body Conditioner and Charity Pot.  A great haul!  I only had to add £6.40 at the checkout :)  Reviews will follow.


I also tried the Dragon's Egg Bath Ballistic I got it ages ago (after reading Angie's post). Absolutely gorgeous - would recommend, scented with jasmine, citrus and bergamot.  And very glittery.  Love it x

Beauty Bible Testing

I applied over a year ago to become a Beauty Bible Tester.  You can read more about this here.  Basically you register your interest and then, if you are successful they will get in touch with you.  Imagine my delight when last week I got an email asking if I wanted to be a tester for 2012!  All I needed to do was email back an information form and pay £30 by paypal (or cheque) for admin and postage costs.

In a few weeks I should receive a package of products to test and review! x

Boots Gift Card

I spent my Christmas Boots Gift card yesterday.  Here is what I got.

Poppy King for No.7 set which contains - sheer wine lipstick, flirty fusica lip gloss, radiant rouge jumbo lip tint, pencil sharpner and compact mirror with pouch.  I've not tried any of the Poppy King products before.

2 x Philosophy Mini Shower Gels - both 60ml - Snow Fairy and Peppermint Bark - I've never  tried any Philosophy shower gels before so looking forward to trying them out.

I read a magazine review which raved about Eucerin Dermato Clean Refreshing Cleansing Gel and Nivea Pure & Natural Body Lotion so picked them up.

The cute little dog bag is actually a mini manicure set.  The Neutrogena Hand Cream 15ml was an impulse buy (at the till).

And...Soap & Glory Do a Bubble Take - I do love some Soap & Glory.


p.s. my first day back at work today :(

Leonor Greyl Masque Fleurs de Jasmin

I got this hair masque in my Best of Boudoir Box.  I was looking forward to trying it as I love Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme as reviewed here. (I have since stocked up on Huile de Palme via lovely swaps on Beauty Box Swaps on Facebook).

The mask comes in a 16ml sachet (which will give me two uses). 

On the back of the sachet are the directions - "After shampooing apply on towel dried hair then untangle to allow for maximum penetration of the capillary fibers.  Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse".  I duly followed the instructions and then put a disposable shower cap on and wandered about doing housework for 10 mins. 

The mask is a rich cream which is exquisitely scented with Jasmine flowers  - gorgeous!  The scent lingers in your hair most of the day.  I love it.

After blow drying hair is soft, nourished and healthy looking (and feels really smooth).  I have discovered that you can buy online at michaeljohn.  It's not cheap at £30.15 for 200ml but it would last for ages.

Have you tried this product?  If so, what do you think?

Tuscany

I always start dreaming of summer holidays as soon as Christmas and New Year are over.  A few years ago we went on my dream holiday to Tuscany.  I thought I'd share some memories with you.

We stayed a week in a tiny little village called Orciatico in the Tuscan hills.  Our accommodation was out of this world - we stayed at La Torre, the only apartment in a medieval tower with a great roof terrace.  You can read more about it here.

We also had 3 nights in Florence which was also breathtaking.  I really want to go back!

I also picked up some lovely Tuscan soaps which you can buy here.  I also wanted to visit the Ortigia shop in Florence but they were closed for the holidays. 

Are you planning any holidays this year? x

200 Followers Giveaway! - CLOSED

Hello!  I am doing a 200 followers giveaway.  The giveaway will end when I reach 200.

The giveaway prize is a gorgeous Tom Ford Lipstick (choice of shade) - my favourite brand of the moment!

To enter you must follow me on GFC (if you don't already).  Please leave a comment below with your email address and which shade you'd like if you win.

If you blog about my giveaway this will give you a second entry. (let me know if you do this).

If you are under 18 you must have your parents permission.

This giveaway is open internationally.

I will chose the winner using random.org.

Good luck! x

source: house of fraser