Delving into My Sample Stash #5

October 20, 2016 - Vicki Leave a comment

Benefit Gimme Brow in Number 5

This came free with Glamour Magazine a couple of months ago to coincide with the huge launch of all the new Benefit brow products. I have been saving this mini one so I could take it away on holiday with me. Benefit have extended the shade selection which is fab news and I have the darkest shade – Number 5. Its a tinted brow gel with volumising microfibres which give your brows a fuller look. This is so quick and easy to use, it puts down a good amount of colour and it keeps my brows in place all day. I really like the new packaging too, its fun and very Benefit!

Estée Lauder ANR Synchronized Recovery Complex II

I have repurchased the full size of this so many times, I adore it. Its quite a thick overnight serum and it feels so good on the skin, it instantly hydrates and soothes fatigued skin. This serum makes my skin so happy – that translates to looking radiant, fresher, brighter and all importantly well rested. I have a couple of these very cute mini bottles for travelling, its the perfect skin pick me up after a flight and I swear by it. Have you tried it?

This Works In Transit Camera Close Up

This is a moisturising Primer, it hydrates, smooths and helps skin look radiant. I wore this under my makeup everyday whilst in Amsterdam and I loved how well my makeup applied on top of this, it made a really nice primer. I had quite a few late nights whilst on holiday and I relied on this to keep my skin looking bright, which I have to say it did. This high-performance Superblend features Bio Boost – which is the This Works’ unique blend of anti-oxidant plant oils – to rebuild and protect the skin barrier, along with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and Caffeine to rebalance and revitalise. Its a must have for anyone that wants their skin to look well rested and healthy.

Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen

This is one of the creamiest, deepest black, long wearing pencil eyeliner I have ever used. I used this to tightline as I like to use a liquid line for my actual eyeliner but this Pixi pencil was so good on my water line and stayed put all night without wearing off. Like I said its extremely pigmented and very black, I hate it when you are expecting your liner to be black and its more on the grey side, this is a fab pencil to have in your makeup stash and I loved using it. These eyeliners are Paraben-free. Mineral oil-free. Preservative-free. Hypoallergenic & contain Vitamin E which nourishes and protects delicate skin around the eye.

Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy Sculpting Gloss

This isn’t the kind of lip product I would reach for but I am trying to use up my samples, the only thing that puts me off this is that it has quite the sparkle. I am not a fan of glitter but I do have a few nights out coming up & I am sure I can make it work. The colour is Reckless Bloom and its actually quite a pretty pink, I’m thinking of pairing it with a nice nude lipstick. We will see, I may end up having to pass this on.

Let me know if you hoard samples, I have quite a stash to get through but I have been making a big effort this year to actually use them. I love to empty them all out and pick a selection of new things to try, its a fab way to discover new brands & products and test things out before committing to purchase the full size. I get most of my samples from beauty boxes, gwp or magazines. Samples are perfect for taking away with you on holiday, I need to book more holidays so I can use up more of them, that sounds like a great plan.

QVC Tili Beauty Box

July 25, 2016 - Vicki 6 Comments

When I saw this new box on the lovely Stephanie’s blog last week I knew I had to snap one up. It’s the Try it Love it (Tili) Beauty Box from QVC and before you ask if there is really room for another beauty box on the market – just take a look at the contents! Its jam packed full of luxurious, current must have beauty products.

This box is a complete bargain, the contents are worth over £60 but is selling for only £20 with free shipping. You get such value for money and the brands in this box are all premium brands. I’ve never tried anything from Alpha-H, Becca or Nexxus so I’m thrilled to try those brands out. You get 8 products in the box and it is a nice balance of skincare, haircare and makeup. Unlike most beauty boxed there are no meh products and I’m actually (very) excited to try every single product.

In your box:

Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers (13.5ml) – a classic sheer pink
Nexxus Nutritive Shampoo (89ml) – enriched with a Caviar Complex, this hydrating shampoo that gives dry hair a thorough cleanse while delivering moisture from roots to tips
Nexxus Nutritive Conditioner (89ml) – infused with pure elastin protein and a Caviar Complex, this restorative conditioner helps to maintain your hair’s natural protective barrier to leave it feeling balanced and flexible
Vita Liberata Phenomenal Mousse and Mini Mitt (25ml) – a fast-drying self-tanning mousse designed to last up to three weeks
Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water (50ml) – a lightweight cleansing water that removes make-up, dirt and impurities from the skin to leave your complexion looking radiant and feeling refreshed.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold (50ml) – an overnight exfoliating formula to refresh and revitalise tired and dull skin, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles and minimise the appearance of pores
Bareminerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion (7.5ml) – a lightweight, hybrid serum designed to help revitalise and protect your skin from environmental elements and leave it looking luminous
Becca Backlight Priming Filter (6ml) – this weightless primer gives illuminating coverage, blurring the appearance of imperfections to create a flawless, dewy canvas

So yes, I think there is more than room for this Beauty Box amongst all the more established ones & they may just have raised the bar in terms of value for money and the quality of brands included.

This months Tili Beauty Box is still available but be quick as I have a feeling it will sell out soon. Although if you miss out on the September box, keep your eyes peeled for our second box, coming this October. I can’t wait to see what treats they have in store for us next month.

Tili Beauty Box : £20

Look Fantastic June 2016 Beauty Box

June 10, 2016 - Vicki Leave a comment

‘This month we’re taking you on a journey to become an #LFJetsetter! Your Beauty Box is packed full of treats that will make you gorgeous and beautiful ready for your travels. Their handy travel sizes will also mean you can pack them in your suitcase to stay radiant no matter where you are in the world!

The June Look Fantastic Beauty Box* includes mostly skincare which is OK by me but I feel a lot of people would prefer more of an even mix of makeup and skincare. I do also like that you get a copy of Elle Magazine with this months box, I will be reading my copy on the beach this week.

Cowshed Cow Pat Moisturising Hand Cream

This is a beautiful, rich & hydrating hand cream. It will keep your hands feeling nourished and smooth, especially after being in the sun all day long. This one is made with Chamomile, Grapefruit and Cinnamon so it smells fantastic too. This is a great size to pop in your handbag or take away with you on your holiday.

Korres Basil Lemon Showergel

I am a big fan of these Korres showergels & I recently finished the Water Lily one. They are gentle on the skin and smell grown up which I like as quite a lot of shower products smell overly sweet or artificial. I have the Basil Lemon one & it is infused with Vitamin C, E and also Zinc. Again this bottle is the perfect size for travel.

Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream

Caudalie is a brand that knows how to do excellent skincare. I haven’t had any of their products in my routine for a while so I am very excited to try this eye cream. It is infused with Copper and Silver and Iridescent Pearls, which help combat dullness and illuminate the skin. Ideal for those Summer no makeup days! This is a very generous size at 7ml, eye cream always lasts such a long time so this will keep me going for months.

Naobay Oxygenating Cream

This is made with 98% natural ingredients including Rosehip and Sweet Almond Oils, to keep your skin radiant, moisturised and smooth. This will be perfect for getting my legs prepped ready for Summer.

Dead Sea Spa Magik Beauty Balm

I am a big fan of BB Creams and think they make the perefect lightweight Summer base. This promised to give the skin a healthy holiday glow. It is infused with Dead Sea Minerals and Vitamin E so its nourishing and hydrating too.

Tan Organic Self Tan Oil

I have never used a self tan oil – although I am 100% in the fake tan camp. I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. This sounds simple enough to use that even a tanning noob like me will be able to make it work. So you apply a liitle oil to the skin and massage it in, but make sure you have exfoliated well before hand. You don’t need to use a tanning mitt but make sure you wash your hands after application. This tan develops over 6-8 hours & you can apply more depending on how dark you like to tan. I am looking forward to bronzing up my legs & seeing how well this works.

Mr Blanc Teeth Whitening Strips

I’m always so worried to use anything whitening on my teeth, they are so sensitive as it is. These Mr Blanc Strips are peroxide free and promise to be gentle and won’t leave any lasting sensitivity. Have you used these? Would you recommend them?

I am quite pleased with this months box, I will get use out of all the products although I think I will pass on the Teeth Whitening Strips to a friend. I have never tried anything from Cowshed but I have heard nothing but positive reviews of this brand. Caudalie is always a lovely brand to see in beauty boxes & I am always excited to try anything from them.

What do you think of this months box?

These boxes always sell out super quickly so if you want this months #LFHelloBeautiful Box then you best be quick.

LookFantastic Beauty Box £15

*PR Sample

Origins Ornament Christmas Bauble

December 20, 2015 - Vicki 1 Comment

Whilst in Debenhams buying Christmas gifts I just couldn’t resist treating myself to one of these super festive Origin Ornament Baubles. For the past couple of years I have wanted one but they always sell out so quickly and if I am not mistaken used to just be exclusive to Selfridges so this year I snapped one up early on so I wasn’t disappointed.

When you purchase this limited edition bauble you also support Origins and Global ReLeaf 25th Anniversary with the “Give & Give Back” campaign & they will plant a tree on your behalf.

For £12 you get 5 deluxe samples, a great selection of Origins skincare & a makeup item too. The bauble is cute too and you could easily reuse it each year and pop something inside.

Modern Friction™ Nature’s gentle dermabrasion
Original Skin™ Retexturing Mask with Rose Clay
Clear Improvement® Active charcoal mask to clear pores
Drink Up™ Hydrating lip balm in Plum Punch
Peace of Mind® On-the-spot relief

I have tried two out of the three products and I love them. Modern Friction, Peace of Mind & Drink Up Lip Balm are new to me and I’m excited to try them out. The lipbalm is in a gorgeous berry shade and smells minty. There is something fun about mini sized products & I am away in January for a couple of days so will be taking all of these away with me.

All the Origins Christmas gift options this year are so nice and I bought a few as gifts but thought this was a good treat to myself without spending too much money. If you still have gifts to buy or want to treat yourself to a festive Origins set then you can find them in Debenhams, John Lewis and Boots so there is still time before Xmas to snap one up.

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