Eyeko

Beauty Boxes

Birchbox December 2014 Box Review

December 28, 2014

Birchbox is definitely going up and up in my estimations, after a good few month’s of rubbish Glossybox contents, they have come to the rescue and gifted upon me all things I enjoy. This month was mostly no exception and with the exclusive Sophie Webster design, brought a little sparkle to my day when it eventually arrived through the post!

Whats in the box;

Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream – 10ml sample – £50 for full size

This is where the “mostly no exception” comes in. As much as I love the idea of slapping firming collagen day cream upon my self, I can not use this. Although eslor say their products are not tested on animals, this cream contains hydrolyzed marine collagen, which is extracted from fish. So that is all I have to say on this cream and I will be gifting it upon someone who will at least use it.

Electric Hair Electric Hydrate Shampoo – 30ml sample – £17.50 for full size

This smells amazing, and allegedly promises to repair damage and improve shine. I can probably squeeze two applications out of this little sample but it will be strictly saved for when my colours have faded and I’m left with cotton candy pink hair as I am a strict sulfate free Shampoo user these day’s as I do not enjoy the 5+ hours it take Gem and I to complete the mammoth task of dying our hair, thus like to delay the inevitable for as long as possible.

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in “Smoke” – 4g product – £8 for full size

I do enjoy Eyeko quite a significant amount – my first product of their’s was the Skinny Eyeliner pen that I literally bled dry. This is a little thicker than that though and I’m glad I received the shade “smoke” which is a very blend-able black. Application wise this glides on like a dream, however the longevity of it is a little more disappointing with a tendency to smudge a little and give you those panda eyes. Having said that I’m sure a little bit of primer will go a long way with helping this problem out and even a little makeup setting mist to help with the corpse paint look.

Benefit Christmas Cracker High Beam – sample received – £19.50 for full size

First of all I have to say, if you do not own this already as a highlighter, you really do need it in your life. I have about three of these tiny samples in my collection and I haven’t even dented the first one. It’s my staple go to highlighter which I use on my brow bone and to highlight my cheeks. It blends beautifully and can be built upon as required. Best of all, once applied, you can guarantee it will see you through the night until you reach for your trust micellar water to wipe away your face. So in a nut shell, thanks for another Birchbox, I absolutely love it.

Models Own Velvet Goth Nail Polish in “Absinthe” – 14ml product – £5 for full size

I coerced Roode Gem’s partner into buying her the Velvet Goth set for Christmas last year. Neither of us are particularly into Model’s Own, for no reason other than we hadn’t really tried much of their stuff, but as soon as I saw the glittery matte goodness of this collection I knew she needed it in her life. After sampling the red on boxing day with a post Christmas, hangover fueled nail painting session in her living room I was so jealous. When Birchbox announced that we would be receiving these in this month’s box and we got to choose our own colour I was definitely over the moon. I don’t actually remember choosing Absinthe, which is an emerald green, but I obviously did because it’s now mine and I don’t mind one bit. I enjoyed swatching this so much for my photo’s that when I used my Birchbox points to purchase a Benefit push up liner a few day’s ago, I also picked up two other shades from the collection. I definitely recommend a really good base coat when applying these though as they are difficult to remove, but so worth it. I also love how a top coat can be applied to transform the Velvety consistency to a bright and shiny nail for a completely different look.

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil – 2.5ml sample – £16.50 for full size

Oil seems to have been a pretty popular product this year, not that I’m complaining because I’ve become quite a fan, it’s incredibly multi functional and I find does wonder’s for my dry skin but is also great for a massage when the other half is helping me to de-stress! What I love about this sample is the pipette applicator, which makes applying it so much easier. Although this is only a 3.5ml sample I expect it to last a fair while too.

Sophie Webster Purse – £25

To top the box off and in keeping with the theme of course, this month’s box features this utterly adorable Sophie Webster purse. A perfect fit for throwing into a handbag or clutch and with a cute leopard print design I’m imagining this will go with pretty much any outfit I throw together.

Overall this month’s box has been another spectacular one. Birchbox are definitely in the lead as far as beauty boxes for for me at the moment and with an amazing 7 products, all of which I’m enthused about (with the exception of eslor of course) I really do feel I got my money’s worth this month. If you’d like to try Birchbox, you can sign up here via their website for just £10 a month plus p&p.

I’d love to know what your thoughts were on this month’s box or whether you are thinking about signing up – just leave a comment below to share.

Totally hellbent for glittery nails and benefit crackers

– Pants

Beauty Boxes

Birchbox February 2014

February 13, 2014

This month’s Birchbox has certainly come around quickly. The first thing I noticed however, is that they have reverted back to their old ways, with the little drawstring bag and the Birchbox cards, bound together by a cute strip of paper. Don’t get me wrong, I love their quirky cards and the drawstring bags have had their uses, but I am beginning to build up a vast collection of these and fast running out of ways in which I can use them, other than for sitting astride my dressing table, waiting to be put somewhere else. Alas, on with box:

Beauty Protector – Protect & Oil – Full Size: £16 (Small glass vial sample)

An oil that promises to battle UV rays, heat and hair breakage. Perhaps not too suited to the current British Winter we are having, but I’ve recently become a little bit of a “hair oil” fan. Only needing 2-3 drops of this, means it will last me a good while and is teeny enough to sneak into my festival bags for the Summer. It smells nice and has the typical Oil texture you find in these hair products, but if used correctly, hair oil can make your locks look a treat!

Eyeko – Skinny Liquid Eye-liner – Full Size: £12.00 (1.2g sample)

Gem and I have done pretty well at picking these up in magazines, see Gem’s post here. I love the Eyeko Skinny Mini, it applies beautifully and lasts all day. My only gripe with pen eye-liners is that they don’t last too long. Having said that, the tip is so wonderful, there is nothing stopping you from dipping it into one of your older liquid eye-liners if it fits. I have a fair few lying around that I don’t use because I hate the tip. This is definitely an eye-liner to give a whirl, especially if you aren’t overly confident at applying it – the pen shape is such a helpful addition. This was the smaller version, but still packs a punch and should last me a while.

Janjira – Argan Oil Concentrate Serum – Full Size: £49 (Small Sample)

At first glance, I thought this was -another- hair oil product, but this is actually Argan Oil for the face. Allegedly to plump and protect the skin, pat this into cleansed dry skin and follow with day or night cream. I’ve been using facial oil a lot recently which has helped my dry skin (thanks to all the humid air – courtesy of the heating being on), but I’ve read a few other beauty blogs that advice applying the oil on top of your regular cream, because this seals in the moisture. Anywhom, after trying this for a few weeks it was a great success and my skin felt much better so I’ll give this a go both pre and post facial moisturising. The smell is a little clinical though, and unless this transforms me back to my youth, I’m not sure I would spend £49 on facial oil. Saying that, it’s nice to have a little luxury in my beauty box.

Leighton Denny – Nail Colour in “purely plutonic” – Full Size: £11 (Full Size Bottle)

Wow – Just wow … I love receiving Nail Varnishes, especially when the colour is as stunning as this. I bought a similar colour from Elf last year, but unfortunately the coverage was rubbish and I ended up with streaky, sticky and bumpy nails. Although not quite the same colour, this is a beautiful gun-metal. I applied two coats to the nail wheel, but I really didn’t need to. I’ve been heavily prompted into removing my red nails and exchanging it with this for today. Oh did I mention how utterly gorgeous the bottle is? My mind is already conjuring up images of other colours in the collection, lined up neatly next to each other.

Gilchrist & Soames – The London Collection Shower Gel – Full Size:£13.75 (45ml sample)

This is probably my most disappointing product out of the box. A paraben-free formula with red tea, grape seed and milk thistle (unfortunately milk thistle reminds me of steroid abusers, who like to take this as a supplement to prevent themselves from growing moobs). Honestly, I need to stop receiving shower gel. I’ve reached the point now where I can no longer squeeze the tiniest bottles into my very large bathroom cabinets, and my box of “festival minis” is also overspilling into several other boxes. I think if this had a more alluring smell I’d be more excited, but on opening the bottle it was more reminiscent of sitting at the hair dressers – an array of random synthetic smells filling the air. So beauty boxes – for the next year, please refrain from sending me Shower Gel, unless it is L’Occitane as featured in my February’s most wanted.

Lifestyle Extra – Green & Black’s Dark Chocolate Mini Bar – Full Size: £2.29

I’ve received one of these before as my Lifestyle Extra and I can’t really complain. I love dark chocolate and these little samples are just enough to satisfy a sweet tooth, without you having to have the willpower to cut yourself off at half a bar and save the rest until later. My last bar sat untouched in the cupboard for months, but this one however was munched on, enjoyed and even shared with Brains as I typed out this review.

Halfway through yet another month in 2014. If’ you’d like to try Birchbox out, head on over to their website here. It’s £10 a month with £2.95 P&P. You also have the added bonus of collecting points when you complete surveys on your products, which you can spend in their shop on all the lovely products you get in your box each month!

Totally hellbent for deep rooted nail varnish issues

-Pants

Beauty Boxes

Latest In Beauty – The Glamour Beauty Edit Beauty Box 2

November 23, 2013

There’s just something about a pretty box full of squiggly bits of paper and beauty products that gets my heart racing!

This is the second limited edition box put together by Latest In Beauty and Glamour magazine, I missed out on the first so made sure I got right in there for round two.

First off the box itself looks very luxe, the presentation as a whole is just lovely. Inside there are seven treats worth an amazing £65, so with the box itself costing only £15 you are definitely winning.

HD Brows Eyebrow Palette in Foxy

This was the biggest selling point for me, I’ve been having some issues finding a brow kit and have heard great things about HD Brows, and this alone is worth more than the whole box.

Unfortunately I’ll have to continue my hunt for perfect brows, as these are also too dark for me. Luckily all four shades double up as lovely neautral eyeshadows so it will certainly get some wear!

Full Size

£19.96 from HDBrows.com

Maybeline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss

Was this the most hyped beauty product of 2013? Certainly one I read about on almost all of my favourite blogs, yet I’ve not actually tried one till now. I have a massive love for all things lip balm, but I think it was actually the packaging that put me off getting one of my very own.

As ever I should learn that looks can be very deceiving as this is an amazing balm with a very sheer wash of colour and a delicious peachy scent.

Full Size

£2.99 from Superdrug.com

Eyeko Lash Curlers

As far as eyelash curlers go I think there are only really good and bad. I find it hard to get excited about them, and really didn’t need another set! Still these fall firmly into the good category with a solid build and ergonomic handle. Lovely as the soft blue handles are though, they’re already picking up bits of dust so I think I’d rather have had a standard rubber grip.

Full Size

£12 from Eyeko.com

Benefit They’re Real!

As someone absolutely in love with all things Benefit, this was certainly a highlight for me. Another product that’s been hyped like crazy, this lives up to all the expectations.

A quick test left my lashes looking amazing – longer, thicker and more curved lashes with just one quick coat.

3.0g Sample

Full size £19.50 from Benefit.co.uk

Toni & Guy Glamour Firm Hold Hairspray

This struck me as the least exciting product in the whole box, but I was pleasantly surprised after a quick test. First up the smell is actually very lovely, something I never expect from hairspray! It gave a great hold on my long thick hair without feeling sticky or heavy, and my hair still felt soft and easy to comb my fingers through.

I do like to have a few small hairsprays to keep in my gigging bags or for festivals, so this will certainly get a longer road-test at some point!

75ml Sample

Full size £6.39 from Boots.com

Phillip Kingsley One More Day dry shampoo

Dry shampoo is the saviour of my poor coloured hair, but I’ve never ventured from the Batiste range with it’s bargain price, gorgeous scents and bright packaging. A quick spray of One More Day was in instant confirmation of price = results. My limp, unwashed hair was suddenly not only fresh but so voluminous I started to wonder if there was a blow dry somewhere in the tiny white can!

Definitely going to consider a re-purchase!

50ml Sample

Full size £13.50 from Philipkingsley.co.uk

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil

It took me a long time to come around to the idea that putting oil based products on my oily skin could actually work, but this is the final bit of proof I need to really open up to the concept.

A mixture of gorgeous natural oils in a handy roller-ball, just a quick test left my skin feeling amazingly soft, and not greasy at all.

Full Size

£15 from Balanceme.co.uk

Overall I have to say this box was worth every penny, but if you fancy one for yourself you’d best be quick! The last box sold out pretty quickly, and as this makes such an amazing christmas gift for any beauty lovers I wouldn’t imagine this will last long at this time of year!

Available from Latest in Beauty for £15 (+p&p).

Totally hellbent for a glamorous box of treats!

– Gem

Make-up

Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner

July 11, 2013

I had long ago given up on liquid eye-liner, instead relying on the lasting power of gel pots to keep my favourite look from sliding down my face, but that has all changed….

I’m pretty easily swayed when it comes to magazine freebies. There’s no way I would usually pick up a copy of Marie Claire (do I care what Kate Moss is wearing at Glastonbury, or how I can keep a man interested in 10 easy steps? NO!) but something made me pick up this month’s, and I can assure you that something was a little blue box.

I’d heard high praise of Eyeko‘s mascaras on a few other beauty blogs and thought I’d give it a go. Seeing as the eyeliner usually retails at £10 and the magazine was only £2.50 it was hardly a major investment, but now I’m so glad I decided to give it a try!

Here on the left I’m just about ready to leave for work, it was about 26 degrees outside, clammy, sticky and all around uncomfortable. I’ve just applied my face which explains why it isn’t running down my neck yet!

But what’s this! On the right, seven hours later after a manic night of rehearsals in a stuffy school my eyeliner has not budged one bit.

The tiny pen tip made it almost too easy to apply, and it was dry within seconds! The packaging is lovely (and metal ;) ) and I know 100% that my Skinny Mini will be joining me on the road and throughout festival season for a long time to come.

I literally cannot encourage you to go out and buy this enough, especially if you can track down a copy of Marie Claire.

You can buy Eyeko Skinny Mini Liquid Eyeliner here.

Totally hellbent for falling in love with liquid liner all over again!

– Gem