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Colour Club

Beauty Boxes

Stars and Stripes Glossybox July 2014

July 20, 2014
Glossybox July 2014

Glossybox July 2014

Glossybox July 2014

I have returned from hibernation! There are plenty of reasons why I took a little break from blogging and left HBFL in the very capable hands of Amie for a few weeks, but I shan’t go into them now for there are shiny treats inside this pretty stars and stripes box and playing with make-up is always more fun than waxing lyrical about mushy feelings!

This is an awesome box with four full size products and a generous 15ml sample, I adore the packaging and although it’s a tiny minuscule thing on the scale of importance I’m a little bit in love with the red filling!

Glossybox July 2014

Bellapierre Cosmetics Ltd Mineral Lipstick in Ruby

Wowza! I do so love a red lip so this was a perfect pick for me. I’ve used a few Bellapierre products before but nothing from their lip range, I think after this I’ll definitely be looking to pick up a few more. Ruby applies so easily, the texture is very creamy but doesn’t feel like it slips even after a few hours. The pigmentation is great and there is a gorgeous shimmer finish that isn’t too glossy. An amazing find that gives me a great interest in checking out the other shades in the range.

Full Size

£20 from bellapierre.co.uk

 

Glossybox July 2014

ABSOLUTE New York Perfecting Eyeshadow Primer

I’ve not heard of ABSOLUTE New York before but I’m already a big fan of this eye primer. It has a lovely texture and dries to a soft finish that gives a good smooth base for any colour. I can’t comment on longevity without giving it a few trial runs, but for application this is a great little find.

Full Size

$4.99 from Nicka.com

 

Glossybox July 2014

Carmex Lip Balm

I’m a sucker for lip balms and have a shamefully large collection, however I think I can definitely make room for one more pot with this little treat. Carmex is one of those classic brands that everyone has heard of but I’ve never been particularly tempted to try it out.  I can see now though why it is a favourite amongst celebrities and make-up artists though, in one quick pat on my lips it made them feel smooth and moisturised, it is slightly greasy feeling but I don’t mind that so much. The menthol leaves a slight pleasant tingle so it might be worth some caution if you are very sensitive to such.

Full Size

£2.69 from Graftonsbeauty.co.uk

 

Glossybox July 2014

Color Club Nail Polish in Glossy Seal 

I’ve dabbled with a few Color Club polishes but none as lovely as Glossy Seal. This inky teal-tinged blue is right up my street and surprisingly I can’t find a shade similar in my collection. The formula is a dream, application was quick and streak-free and one coat was enough for an even opaque finish. Love love love!

Full Size

$8 from Shopcolorclub.com

 

Glossybox July 2014

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 15 Moisturiser

This was the least exciting product in the box at first glance, but one sniff of the gorgeous apple scent and I was sold! My only qualm is the SPF 15 seems kind of redundant in this sort of weather, I think I’ll hold onto this for the colder months when I can be a little less strict with keeping my facial SPF above 100.

15ml Sample

£35.75 for 50ml from Naturisimo.com

 

So overall a pretty amazing box for me personally, especially the cosmetic colour choices!

If you want a Glossybox of your very own you can pick one up for £10 (+P&P) from Glossybox.co.uk.

Totally hellbent for a beauty box full of things I will definitely use!

– Gem

Beauty Boxes

Birchbox April 2014 Review

April 12, 2014
Birchbox April 2014 Review

Birchbox April 2014 Review

Birchbox April 2014 Contents

I’m sure the courier who delivers my beauty boxes thinks I’m absolutely mad because I squeal with delight every single time!

I have to say I’m really impressed with this month’s Birchbox on every factor except one – the new delivery box! The outer box was taped shut and I scored the box beneath in my excitement to find the treasure inside! I know it’s only a tiny thing but the usual boxes were just fine! Anyway, tiny side-issue nitpicking aside, this really is a great box, and though it has only one full size product (and one full size lifestyle extra) alongside four sample sizes, I’m really excited about every single product (and how often does that happen?!)

2014 April Birchbox- TheBalm Cosmetics - How 'Bout Them Apples Cheek & Lip Cream

 TheBalm Cosmetics – How ‘Bout Them Apples Cheek & Lip Cream in Pie

I love these tiny TheBalm samples as they take up so little space in my make-up bag. This is a multitasking product that can be used both as a cream blush and a lip colour in a gorgeous pinky-red shade. If the quick play I had with this is anything to go by I will be rushing to get the full palette sometime soon! I’m usually more of a powder blush girl but this blended so smoothly into a subtle flush of colour that I could see myself being converted towards the way of the cream blusher!

0.57g Sample

Full palette £26 from Birchbox.co.uk

 

April 2014 Birchbox RMK Make up base

RMK Make-up Base 

When I first spotted this I thought it was another nail polish, but actually it is a make-up base. Not quite a primer (however it does promise to make your foundation last longer!) but a moisturising skin prep. It’s a very lightweight lotion with quite a thin consistency but a quick test on the back of the hand did leave my skin very soft and even. Perhaps something for those days when I’m in a hurry and just want something to throw my foundation on top of!

15ml Sample

Full size £28 for 30ml from Birchbox.co.uk

 

Birchbox April 2014 Colour Blum Gala's Gems Nail Polish In Breakfast at...

Colour Club Gala Gems Nail Polish in Breakfast At…

Birchbox sent an email a few weeks ago allowing subscribers to choose which colour of polish they would receive, which was a really nice touch and ensured that no-one got lumbered with a shade they would not wear. I picked this lovely metallic mint green and I’m happy to say it’s even prettier in person that I expected. I don’t really buy into the seasonal nail varnish trends but if you are the sort that does I think this would be great for a pretty spring shade. The swatch above is only one coat, though I’d likely go with two and a top cot on my nails for longevity!

Full Size

Set of four for £15 from Birchbox.co.uk

 

 

Birchbox April 2014 Laura Mercier Souffle Body Butter

 Laura Mercia Body Butter in  Creme Brule

A squeezable body butter? I wasn’t convinced at first (and it is really more of a thick lotion than a butter!) but actually this is very luxurious and left my skin feeling extremely soft. The scent isn’t something I’d pick out myself and it’s quite strong, however I don’t dislike it enough not to use the rest of this up based on how well it moisturises.

30g Sample

Full size £27 from Birchbox.co.uk

 

Birchbox April 2013 - Yin Yang Natural Moisturiser

 Yin Yang Natural Moisturiser

Made with a whole host of natural organic ingredients and a lovely wholesome scent, this moisturiser won me over right away. It’s got quite a citrus smell but not so overwhelming that you wouldn’t want to use it on your face. The consistency is quite light and I think this will make for a lovely day moisturiser (though unfortunately it has no SPF) however I won’t be using it myself as it says that it is not suitable for those with oily skin *sadface*.

10ml Sample

Full size £13.95 for 50ml from Birchbox.co.uk

 

 

Birchbox April 2014 Propercorn Sweet Coconut & Vanilla

 

Propercorn Sweet Coconut & Vanilla

I’ve been snacking on popcorn a lot recently so this was a pleasant surprise! At only 40 calories I didn’t feel even slightly guilty tucking into it and was so surprised at how sweet and flavoursome it was for such a healthy treat! I’m not the biggest fan of coconut but the flavour was very subtle and really you could have told me this was just sweet popcorn and I’d have believed you. Absolutely scrumptious and definitely going on my food shopping list!

Full size

£0.90 from Birchbox.co.uk

 

Yet another great box from Birchbox! If you like what you’ve seen, you can get your very own monthy box of treats from www.BirchBox.co.uk for £10 & P&P.

Totally hellbent for tiny treats and yummy snacks

– Gem