Farewell Glossybox - February Edition

I've been debating weather to give up my monthly subscription to Glossybox for quite some time. The February box marked my 16th box and first and foremost I've run out of things to do with the boxes themselves. Secondly I've not been particularly impressed with the offerings recently certain brands keep making it into the box month after month (anatomicals) and I find there are nowhere near enough products that make me go wow I need this full size. I've also found that I read so many blogs these days that my £13 a month could be much better spent on something I actually really want and will love.

I've nothing against the Glossybox brand at all and I've found their service and responses to be some of the best customer service I've experienced. However the boxes just aren't what they used to be and for me the debate ended with this February box and I've cancelled my subscription.

There's nothing particularly bad about the February box but again not a single thing made me go wow I'm so glad I paid £13 to find this little gem. Yet another shower gel and yet another anatomicals product. I personally find the scents of this brand really unappealing and despite the cute packaging I've had one of their products in a good 4 boxes now. The MeMeMe fatcat mascara was nice but didn't blow me away - it gave me every day lashes but nothing that I would rave about. Not a huge fan of loose eyeshadows so the Mica Bella product in this box didn't tick all of my boxes but it is a lovely shimmery brown that I will definitely get use out of.

Then came the Miners Cosmetics Lipstick. I don't have a particularly positive feeling towards Miners as they are local brand and always seem to be in the 99p bin of my local pharmacy. Getting your product in a Glossybox is such an amazing opportunity to get in the hands of so many beauty loving women it's ridiculous. They just took that opportunity and slapped it round the face by providing perhaps the ugliest shade of lipstick I've ever come across. Named 'mulled wine' it's a deep browny gold tone that I can't imagine suiting anyone. For the first time in my Glossybox history this one didn't even make it to the hands of friend, nor the back of my drawer it literally went straight in the bin.

The best product from this box was the Vidal Sasoon Shine Spray - a perfect little mini for travel that gives a gorgeous glossy finish to my hair.

Basically this box made my decision pretty easy and I did cancel my subscription straight after it came. I'm not ruling out Glossybox forever but it's just not for me right now. Also I really wanted to give my spending ban a full go and I start really clearing out my drawers full of samples I've accrued since I started my Glossybox subscription many months ago.

Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick Shade 110

Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick Shade 110 Boots £5.49 (currently 3 for 2)

I've been searching for a wearable red lipstick that doesn't completely wash me out - I've found it in this delicious orange toned red from the Rimmel Kate range. It has a velvety texture and after a few coats gives really good coverage. I can't wait to sport this with a black dress and a bit of a tan on a night out in a few weeks. It's the red I've been looking for and it's matte which is a bit like a dream for me. I don't really like the packaging of this lipstick something about the bright red and black  together don't really do anything for me but I'll let it go as I love the shade too much. 

Home Fragrance Obsessions

I've only had my own place for 6 weeks and I've already become one of those girls a little obsessed with candles. It seems to happen to the best of us years of being told by dad I can't light a single candle has left me with a desire to light them every evening. Also in our open plan lounge/kitchen it is a must to make sure you're not just spending the evening surrounded by the scent of your dinner. My favourite scent is by far apple spices and that hint of Christmas (yes I can't give it up) and these tealights from Asda Asda Apple and Spice Tealights £3 are the perfect bargain. I'm a big fan of supermarket candle offerings as I can't bear to part with too much money for something I'm ultimately going to burn away. I wince regularly at pictures of girls buying candles worth £50 or more. I'd have to win the lottery to justify that kind of spend and even then I'm not sure I could do it.

Asda is opposite my work so most of my collection are from there as is the few reed diffusers I have ever in apple and spice again or this delicious vanilla fragrance they offer Asda Reed Diffuser - £3. As mentioned I'm not going to be spending a lot on candles but when they come in reuseable and super pretty pots like this Marks and Spencer Sweet Pea Candle £6 I can't resist. I also love the Yankee ranges in supermarkets right now as they are huge and very reasonable for their strong scents. This one is one of my favourites Yankee Medium Vanilla Frosting Candle £8.

Finally I have to share my sheer love for Ikea and its candles and beautiful candle holders. Their price points are spot on and I can't get enough of the designs. The Ikea Candle in a Jar £2.50 is gorgeous and with a 25 hour burn time you can not go wrong. Also the Ikea Scented candles in floral pots £3.50 are too pretty to burn but once you do you can fill them with your own tea lights which makes them amazing value for money. Of course an obsession with candles leads to an obsession with the pretty pots you put them in
these three from Ikea are some of my favourites Ikea Tealight Holder £1.25, Ikea Block Candle Holder £2.50 and White Ikea Candle Holder £2.25.

Love Beyond Reason

It would be hard to let the 14th February pass without doing a wee post on the fact it's valentines day. I find valentines day a little blah. I don't think anyone is a winner on valentines day - singles are reminded that they're single, restaurants start charging double and men are running around picking up odd gifts like soft toy bears holding soft toy hearts. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with sharing a little love but we should be sharing the love everyday not just on the day they tell us too. I love love and I thought it maybe the day to share my favourite quote about love - cheese! I hope everyone has had a lovely day weather your doing the valentines thing or not. I will be eating lamb with Blig and sharing a mid week wine (as I really just need any excuse to drink wine) - Happy Valentines Day :)

Lent Beauty Commitments

I'm not religious whatsoever but as Lent starts today I thought it was the perfect opportunity to start something that I've been meaning to do for ages. I'm going too until the 30th March ... 

give up buying anything beauty related 

It's a bit crazy I know - because well obviously I spend a lot of money on hair care, skin care and make-up but I'm giving it all up and going on a spending ban. I've worked out that I shouldn't run out of anything between now and the 30th March because I am a complete hoarder and have a stupid stash of shampoo's and shower gels hiding in drawers full to the brim. I wanted to write this post to make it official and make sure I don't back out of it. It's on - not a single beauty related product will be purchased with card or cash with my hands, I hope to have clearer drawers and a healthier bank balance come March 30th. Wish me luck, I think I'll need it. 

L'Oreal Colour Riche Rose Tendre 303

L'Oreal Colour Riche Rose Tendre 303 Feel Unique £8.16

I go through massive phases with my purchases and right now I'm definitely in lipstick zone. I picked up this L'Oreal Colour Riche Rose Tendre 303 in Asda for like £1.50 and upon searching the web I think it's because it's discontinued but it is available still at feel unique. I got a little over excited in Asda surrounded by £1.50 lipsticks that I didn't even notice the 'blondes' tag to this lipstick. This lipstick is designed for blondes and fair skin tones however I think other's could kind of work with it. I don't really like the blue toned shimmer than runs through it. However saying that it is super creamy to apply and a nice light pink that can be worn day to day. I'm glad I picked it up as I don't really have a pink like it - it's super pigmented too and lasts pretty well. It's made me want to try different color riche shades - I like the idea of a range designed for different hair colours/ skin tones but I cross over quite a few of the brackets so not sure how useful it is. It's a little pigeon holing and I think it takes the fun out of swatching a hundred lipsticks to find the shade you want and that suits you. 

VIVO Baked Bronze Sun Kiss

So I'm sure we're all fully aware of my literal obsession with the Vivo Baked Bronze in shade healthy glow. It's featured in many a favourites list and is worn on my skin everyday. It gives such a flawless finish to even the cheapest of foundations and I can't get enough of it. When I was in Tesco doing my weekly shop I thought why haven't I picked up either of the other two shades yet ... so of course I bought myself sun kiss. It's got darker veining running through it which lends itself to a much bronzer look. With a tan this is subtle enough to sweep all over your face but for now it's perfect on the apples of cheeks giving the perfect bronzing highlight to most looks. I love it of course and right now they are even on offer down from £5 to £3 online here and in most Tesco stores. I can't recommend this product enough it's my most used face product that is perfect for day or night. 

Rimmel Apocalips Luna

Rimmel Apocalips Luna £5.99

I've read so much about Apocalips in the last few weeks and had to get my hands on it. After seeing all the shades swatched so amazingly over on Katies Beauty Blog I knew Luna would be the shade for me. I'm a massive fan of coral lip shades and normally head for more of a matte finish but this product is a dream to wear. It glides on super smoothly and really lasts a good amount of time for me. I normally can't wear anything with as much gloss to this as my lips are really sensitive but this product has an almost cream like texture to it and leaves a gorgeous not overly glossy look. I adore it and of course have now added lots more shades to my wish list. They are currently 3 for 2 at boots so it would only be fair to add stella, big bang and nova to my collection.

Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner

Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner 250ml £15.20 75ml £6.05

I've had this product for so long and my experience has been a bit blah. The biggest hurdle for me is the directions for use - you need to apply this to clean dry roots. It took ages to build up to giving this ago as why would you want to cover your lovely clean roots with product? It just isn't natural and even when I did get round to trying it I did it on a Sunday when I had no where to go. 

It doesn't give you greasy roots - massive plus. It's an odd product as it is the consistency of water, doesn't really smell of anything and your kind of left wondering if you've been a little conned into buying a very pretty bottle of water. I have had a really dry scalp this winter - nothing I've tried has really combated it and I'm not sure this has either. I honestly think this product has done nothing for me - my hair hasn't grown any more than normal and my scalp doesn't seem to improve when using it. I really wanted this product to be a little miracle worker but I can't put my finger on any real reason why I'd buy it again. 

I'd love to hear other people's experiences or any tips on combating dry scalps in these cold winter months?

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (Full size £30 John Lewis) 

(15ml sample in the REN sample kit for normal skin £13)

I've read so much about this mask and I'm going to be honest I didn't want to like it at all. For the simple fact I can't afford to keep falling in love with all of these high end skin care products. But I have. The REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal mask is a peel mask designed to renew the complexion  reduce fine lines and improve skin tone. I don't have a need just yet for the reduction of fine lines but by god has it improved my complexion and skin tone. It is a shiny mask that leaves you pretty greasy looking but when washed off my skin feels completely regenerated. It's really helped improve some dark marks on my skin caused by some nasty spots and has helped the overall tone to my skin. I am nearly at the end of my little tester tube now and it is firmly on my list of products I need to buy.  

MAC Pro Sculpting Cream - Accentuate

MAC Pro Sculpting Cream - Accentuate £17.50

Going to be honest I'm not a huge MAC convert - I've never enjoyed the store experience and a few products I've tried from them have been quite disappointing for their price tag. That mixed with the fact there isn't a single MAC counter in the whole of Southampton leaves me with little knowledge about most of their products overall and I often don't get the hype. The only thing I've been completely sold on is their lipsticks I'd have them all if I could... anyway ...  

The MAC pro sculpting cream is a cream to powder formula designed for sculpting and shaping the key features of your face. All of the shades in the range are neutral and go from this very light shade for highlighting into much deeper browns for contouring on a range of skin tones. I actually love this product and I'm so surprised to find it within the discontinued section on the MAC website. It's so so soft and is perfect for adding a really natural highlight to cheek bones and eyebrows. I so wish I'd picked up naturally defined or pure sculpture for contouring too as it blends effortlessly. I've worn it every single day since I bought it and it's absolutely perfect for picking up my cheekbones when I don't want an overly shimmery look. It also works really well with cream blushers as the two blend in so well. I really can't sing it's praises enough it is a welcome addition to my every day make-up routine and I will now be trying to get my mitts on one of the contouring shades before they disappear forever. 

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub £5.25

I'm a massive matte lipstick fan and the harsh winter weather has left my lips in no condition to wear it so I thought it was time to invest in a lip scrub to get them matte lipstick ready. To be honest I couldn't find many out there to try but this Lush popcorn scrub immediately appealed. Scrub in and then lick away the excess as it's made from natural ingredients. This stuff tastes and smells just like popcorn like the name suggests. Made of sugar it's not too harsh a scrub but it strong enough for you to be left with really soft lips. It makes a noticeable difference and I've loved using it. Applying a little balm or moisturiser after using this scrub leaves you with a perfect lipstick base. It's left me able to wear matte lipsticks in one of the coldest months so I'm super happy with this purchase. You also only need the tiniest amount so I know it's going to last me ages.