My Little Box January 2017

January 19, 2017 - Vicki 2 Comments

Quite often subscription boxes can feel quite underwhelming and a little repetitive but I have recently been introduced to My Little Box and they have reignited my curiosity of the subscription box.

‘Created in Paris, My Little Box brings a monthly selection of French-inspired fashion, beauty, and lifestyle picks right to your door. With a surprise theme every month, each box promises to bring a touch of Parisian chic to the lucky recipient’

This is a lifestyle box so you get a nice mix of treats inside which I really like. This is their January Box and it is focused around having a ‘Fresh Start’ and being focused on what you want to achieve. Its a very positive box which included a sweet illustrated card included with a lovely positive message. It seems My Little Box always includes these pretty illustrations and they’re nice enough to frame and keep.

In the January Box you get 4 beauty related products and 2 more lifestyle additions. So the two lifestyle bits in the box are my favourite and they’re, a very pretty snood and a gorgeous planner to help you you organised for the year ahead. I know that most months the products arrive in a box but this month they have put all your goodies into a beautiful tote style draw string bag. This is going to get a lot of use from me, I find these so handy to travel with and to organise bits and bobs.

The snood is a pretty dark blue with a taupe pattern running through. It feels soft and is a good colour for getting a lot of wear from. I always wear a scarf so is this right up my street, although I think my Mum has her eye on it too. It’s a nice size & I am able to wrap it round twice and it still is comfortable to wear. Very happy to have this in my box.

The beauty products included are mostly all from My Little Box, which I don’t mind too much but it would have been nice to have a little variety. They included, a hand cream, body lotion, toothpaste (by Merci Handy) and a tiny sachet of Garnier conditioner.

I will pop the hand cream into my handbag, you can never have too many tubes on the go! During the colder months I do tend to moisturise more so the body lotion will get used up before too long but the Toothpaste isn’t that exciting to me nor the Garnier sachet but on the whole I do like the January Box & I am looking forward to seeing what My Little Box have in store for February.

The Timeless Planner is my favourite thing in this months box (bag) I like the illustrations & positive messages throughout but I also like that it doesn’t have any dates in there, you’re free to start it when you like or customise it to your needs. Its fantastic quality and it is more that just a diary. I’m looking forward to using it.

If you want to browse past boxes or start a subscription then pop over to My Little Box

This box was kindly sent to me for review

Current Go To Face Masks

January 17, 2017 - Vicki Leave a comment

Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator Mask

This is a super scrubby mask – its not too abrasive but I would air on the side of caution if you have super sensitive skin. I like to use this mask every 2 weeks or so depending on how my skin is feeling. Its a really great way to help your skin feel smooth and to revive your skin to get its healthy glow back. I find this mask is quite relaxing and I think it is because it has menthol which is such a soothing scent and it also has grape pulp which will deeply moisturise your skin. The scrubbies are environmentally friendly and are natural micro-grains, derived from corn so no need to worry about them being harmful to marine life and the oceans.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

Such a cult skincare product and one that I have used a lot over the years. I only have a tiny sample size at the moment but it was enough to take away with me to Scotland in December to combat the dry, cold weather. It contains Avocado Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil which deeply quenches compromised moisture reserves whilst Japanese Seaweed repairs skin’s barrier. This overnight mask will replenish moisture all night and ensure you wake up to a lovely hydrated, refreshed looking complexion. This is a great mask to use over these colder months, or I like to use it on long haul flights because it is just like a rich moisturiser and nobody knows you’re wearing a face mask.

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask

This is one luxury product I love and have repurchased, much to my husbands dismay. This is one of those masks that you use when you need your skin to look AMAzing quickly. I use it before I go out, or have special occasion to attend, it gives my skin a boost of hydration and works some kind of radiant magic so after 10 minutes my skin looks refreshed, rejuvenated and my makeup applies like a dream. You can leave it on longer for a super pamper but this is fab when you’re in a rush. This beautiful mask is enriched with anti-aging active ingredients and contains trace elements, vitamins and anti-aging ingredients to restore the vitality and freshness to you dull skin.

I know that Sisley are a very expensive brand but I have to say this mask is worth every penny. Its more of a treatment and one that you see results from, so for that reason I always have a tube of this in my collection and really like it. It is just as well that a little product goes a long way otherwise I would be in trouble.

Elemis Pro Collagen Quartz Lift Mask

I would say this is targeted more for older skin so 35+ and it’s a very luxurious cream formula. It is a mask that combines the power of Quartz with Padina Pavonica (a unique Mediterranean algae with proven outstanding anti-ageing benefits), adaptogenic Noni (preserves the skin’s elasticity, thus slowing the aging process), Moringa and Argan Tree Oil to instantly uplift and hydrate the skin, minimising the signs of ageing for a more youthful, firmer appearance. It is a lovely mask to apply in the evening to put the goodness back in to your skin whilst helping to address the early signs of aging.

Caudalie Instant Detox Mask

This is another great mask to use if you’re pushed for time, it is a detox mask so it is going to draw out all the impurities and excess sebum in your skin. You only need to use a thin layer of this and leave it on your skin for 5 – 10 minutes, then remove with your warm cloth. It is a great mask to use to address tired, dull skin, this mask is very gentle but effective. Main ingredients are pink clay, grape marc and coffee. Grape Marc is Detoxifying, draining whilst Pink Clay, Coffee are Clarifying and Papaya Enzymes give Immediate radiance so this mask is like a kick start for your skin!

What face masks have you been using to keep your skin looking refreshed and healthy this January?

This post contains PR Samples

Shopping My Stash January 2017

January 15, 2017January 15, 2017 - Vicki 2 Comments

As I said in a previous post 2017 is the year I’m going to only keep products that I 100% love. So I thought shopping my stash would be a great way of rotating my makeup and either rediscovering old favourites or realising there is a reason you’ve not reached for something in a while and thats when it’s time to pass it on.

Vichy Dermablend 3D Correction Foundation

This foundation has such a creamy formula, although don’t be scared into thinking that it is going to be too heavy or greasy on the skin. It is lovely to blend and gives a medium coverage but you are able to build up to more of a full coverage. It covers all those blemish scars, redness and dark patches that you might otherwise use concealer on. This takes care of them all with ease. I’m pretty happy to have rediscovered this. I have the shade 25 Nude and that is a great match for my skin over the Winter months.

The Body Shop All in One Concealer in 00

This is meant as a concealer but I have quite a peachy shade which I find works really well to brighten my under eye area. It’s not the best colour match to use on blemishes but it can be good to brighten dark, old blemish scars and the coverage is very good. I like how creamy the formula is and because its so creamy it blends nicely. I always over look stick foundations / concealers but this one has made me think twice. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends these past few weeks so I am loving having this in my makeup bag to help me appear more awake and bright eyed. The formula also contains Vitamin E and Community Trade Marula Oil, so it is lovely and hydrating

Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil

2016 saw Benefit do a massive overhaul of their brow range and add so many exciting new additions to the collection & I have been using the Goof Proof pencil on and off for a couple of months. I do like the angled tip so you can easily sweep it across your brows filling in any sparse patches and It lays down a good amount of colour without feeling too overdone. I have started to get my brows waxed again as they were looking a little unkempt and so I’m excited to use this more in 2017. I might get a lighter shade too just for more of a subtle daytime brow

Rimmel Magnif’Eye Palette in London Nudes Calling*

OK so this isn’t old but I haven’t used it since it was sent to me back in December. I haven’t been wearing too much makeup over the festive holidays but I have dug this out and I fully intend to use it a lot. This is full of rich neutral colours that are 100% me, you get 8 wearable shades and a mix of shimmer and matte shades. They apply with a little fall out but nothing that can’t be tidied up after.

Lacura Concealer Pen

This is part of Aldi’s makeup collection and it has almost run out, I have had it for quite a few months though. Its a click pen with a brush applicator (much like the cult beauty favourite YSL Touche Le Clait) I like to use it on my eyelids as a corrector and a primer and also under my eyes to brighten dark circles. I use a beauty blender as I find it gives a nice even finish and for a budget option the coverage is pretty good. I will be repurchasing it when it runs out.

Lord & Berry Crayon Lipstick in Prelude

I mostly wear lip crayons as I just find them so convenient and easy to apply. Lord & Berry do some beautiful lip products and I used this quite a lot during last summer, I am pleased to have rediscovered it. Its a gorgeous rosy brown shade, a perfect everyday colour. It has a soft, creamy matte finish and I love how long it wears. I have put this straight into my handbag and it will be my Jan / Feb lip option.

Rimmel The Kate Sculpting Palette in Coral Glow*

How pretty does this trio of face powders look? I love the touch of rose gold they’ve included around the edge of the lid. The highlight shade is a champagne shade but its a little on the light side, I think this could have been more radiant. However the contour and blush shade are more pigmented and although the contour is a little on the warm side all is not lost because I have been using it more as a bronzer and I its perfect for that. The blush shade is a gorgeous matte coral pink, very flattering colour. I am looking forward to using this a little more, I think this trio is idea for travel or your on the go makeup bag as the packaging is compact and sturdy.

PR Sample

Nail Polish Clearout 2017

January 11, 2017February 12, 2018 - Vicki Leave a comment

During 2016 I began to notice I was reaching for my nail polish collection less, I wasn’t excited about buying new colours or taking the time to even paint my nails. I have never been into nail art or trying out super fancy things with my nails, I’m pretty low maintenance in this department so I thought it was about time I downsized my collection even more (I did have a minor clear out of polishes that were past their best in the Summer)

Part of the reason I have been using my collection less is, I have found a lovely nail salon in my village and the ladies in there are so good and use really nice polishes, I never get gels only a manicure and polish which is only £10. So for the few times, I need my nails painting I have been going there to have them done professionally and its a nice pampering thing to do, a little me time.

I realised that I don’t need 4 polishes of a similar colour & that they were not getting used enough so I have managed to half my collection & my friends will be excited to get some new polishes. I love passing products on to people & one of my goals this year is not to hoard things that I know I won’t use, no matter how beautiful they are.

I condensed my collection down from 60+ polishes to under 30 and I’m very pleased with that number. Although after taking the photo of the colours I kept, I took 3 more colours out of the box to pass on. I have no desire to add anymore polishes to this and think I have a very good selection of shades, everything from bright oranges to black & a couple of glitters and duo chrome effects too. I think I have covered all bases.

I have kept quite a few of the Mavala Polishes as I really like that their bottles are smaller, I never finish a polish and their formula is so easy to apply and it dries quickly too.

I also enjoy the Nails Inc range and have a few colours, most of them have come free with Glamour magazine. I like how long these wear on me and the brush is a really nice one for applying in a hurry but not making a complete mess.

BarryM – always going to be a firm favourite and I think they have to be the best budget friendly nail polish brand. Their colour selection is huge and I have never been disappointed with the formula or application of their polishes.

I have tried to keep a good spectrum of colours and a few colours that I wear on my toes too. I love pinks and turquoise blues but I have a habit of wearing more nude shades most of the time. Glitter polishes are my pet peeve, I love how pretty they look on your nails but I detest removing them so I am only keeping two, one gold and one red option.

Although I am sad to let some of these colours go, how many blue polishes does one lady need? I fell out of love with Models Own as their formula seems to be quite thin and I only get 2 – 3 days wear without chipping. So I have parted with quite a few of them & some lovely colours too.

The NARS polishes although I really wanted to keep these I wasn’tusing them at all and I have similar colours in other brands that I prefer more and I know a couple of people that will love to have these in their life.

I am passing on many glitter polishes as I just can’t deal with the hassle of removing them.

So there you have it, I have started 2017 as I mean to go on. More organised and only keeping products I 100% love, even if they have sentimental value or cost me a fortune to buy. Its another step on my journey to living more consciously and more minimal.

Let me know how many polishes you own & how many you actually use.

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