Latest in Beauty | The GLAMOUR Beauty Edit

Latest in Beauty | The GLAMOUR Beauty Edit Box | £14.95 | Link

When I saw all the hype surrounding the 'Latest in Beauty GLAMOUR Edit' box, I knew it wouldn't be long before I caved.  I wasn't wrong. A few days after I first heard of it, a little package arrived safe and sound on my doorstep and I tore it open like a kid at Christmas.  I loved the fact that you could just buy the one box without commitment or signing up to further boxes, and the contents totally blew me away. The box is worth a whopping £65 in total - so for just £14.95 - it really was a bargain and the perfect treat. I'm sure you've all heard about it by now as I really was a little late on the bandwagon, but I thought I'd give you the lowdown on what's in the box nonetheless...

HD Brows | Eye & Brow Palette in 'Foxy' 

I'm a massive fan of the HD Brows kits but they're hard to get your mitts on unless you want to pay a fortune! So when I saw that the box contained a full size HD Brows palette, I was sold! I usually use the shade 'Bombshell', but on comparing the 2, there really isn't a great deal of shade difference between the two.  If you've never tried HD Brows, I really recommend them. The powders are amazingly pigmented and soft, and don't smudge or fade through the day.  They're also great to use for eyeshadow and I've often blended the brown shades onto my eyelids and through the crease for a beautiful neutral look.   I have a review of my 'Bombshell' palette over here if you want to have a read up!

Eyeko | Lash Curlers

I adore eyelash curlers! I've been faithful to my beloved Tweezermans since secondary school now and nothing has ever come close, so I'm really looking forward to trying these beauties to see what they have to offer! I've heard such good things and the velvet handles are to die for! Who can say no to a dash of purple velvet?! Not me, i'll say...

Maybelline | Baby Lips in 'Hydrate'

Beauty bloggers have gone crazy for this cult favourite! I already own the peach coloured version and I must admit it's a lip balm I do tend to reach for a great deal - it's not super hydrating but there's something about the cute packaging and yummy scents that attract me to them. I find them to be hydrating enough for daytime wear without feeling too heavy or sticky on the lips and they add a little bit off glossiness. I have a full review of the Baby Lips here if you fancy a read.

Benefit | They're Real Mascara (travel size)

I'm extremely fussy with mascaras but this one has to be one of my all time favourites so I was glad to be getting another one in the box!  It's so intensely black and fans your lashes out like nothing else. I'm usually not too keen on plastic brushes but this one does it's job amazingly well and if you still haven't tried 'They're Real' I really recommend it.  I adore it.  I have a full review of the mascara here if you're interested in reading about it in detail.

Philip Kingsly | One More Day | 50ml Size

I'm a massive fan of dry shampoo. I hardly ever wash my hair daily and tend to use  dry shampoo on the second day to revive my hair at the root and add a bit of volume and texture.  I'm really excited to start trying this once my usual bottle has ran out - it's said to absorb excess sebum without drying out the scalp or leaving residue - which is one problem with the majority of dry shampoos out there. 

Balance Me | Extra Care Radiance Face Oil | 10ml

I've never really caught on to face oils.  There's something about them that scares me a little bit but I'm planning on using this in the new year once the weather really does take it's hold over my skin and I get more dry areas. I must admit, I've always got on well with Balance Me and their products seem to suit my skin quite well - so I'm quite excited about trying this one. It has a rollerball applicator which is so handy - as I hate pour-y bottles (I'm clumsy...). Balance Me say the products is the 'perfect rescue and repair for partied-out, sleep deprived skin' and is said to 'nourish, condition and glowify'. I don't know about you but my skin could do with some glowify-ing!

Toni & Guy | Glamour Firm Hold Hairspray | 75ml

This hairspray is said to provide firm hold without stickyness or weighing the hair down.   I usually use Elnett due to it's light, weightless feel as I like my hair to look natural and still have movement when it's styled - but this one might be great for rainy or windy days where I need a little extra something to help keep stray away hair at bay! Nobody likes a mop head.

Overall, a fabulous box and all for £14.95! I'm so glad I got one and there isn't a single product in there that I wouldn't want to use, test and try out for myself.  I love HD Brows (mine's starting to hit pan) so buying the box was well worth it as a full sized palette on it's own is already worth more than the £14.95 the box cost me! Amazing.  As well as this, the box is packaged beautifully and you really feel as if you've treated yourself when you open the box to the pretty tissue paper wrapping and glossy information cards. I definitely won't be throwing out the box either, that's for sure.  It's really sturdy and of a great size so I might store something in there (wow I don't sound like a recycling geek at all do i?). I also love the fact that you can choose some samples to throw in to your order as well for a few pounds each - I'm so glad I've found out about Latest in Beauty and will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled on their website in the future!

Did you grab a Latest in Beauty box? What was your favourite product?

Beauty Bargains | Blog Sale Buys

Products | Blank Canvas Cosmetics Blush & Bronzer Palette / Mac Lipsticks in 'Cut a Caper' and 'Chatterbox' / O.P.I 'Teal the Cows Come Home' / Benefit 'That Gal' Brightening Primer / Nars 'Copacobana' Multiple/ HD Brows Palette / POP Lid - Eyeshadows Palette / Nars 'Voyage' Eyeshadow

One thing I'm good at is building up my ever growing wish list of beauty bits I want to own. Another thing I'm also pretty good at is spending money on these beauty bits from said wish list.  My bank balance often falls victim to a few too many cheeky 'treats' now and again, but ever since I started blogging it's opened my eyes to the world of blog sales and saving the pennies a little bit more. We're a fickle bunch, us beauty bloggers.  As soon as we've treated ourselves to one new lipstick, we're pretty much already clocking which shade we're going to slip into the basket next time. Our beauty collection grows continuously by the day - and testing and trying new products means that blogging can sometimes turn into a pretty expensive little hobby. It's not always the case though. Being the little cosmetic magpie that I am, I often turn to blog sales now and again to see if I can scout out any bargains. I know, just call me David Dickinson.  I thought I'd put together a little post to show you all what I've managed to pick up the past few months in various blog sales (I'd love to name and link all of the bloggers but I cannot for the life of me remember where I got each product from so for that I do apologise!)

 It is no secret that one thing I'm partial to is a Mac lipstick or two.  At £14 a pop they aren't the cheapest of treats, but I often find brand new Mac lipsticks in blog sales.  We've all been there, got the lipstick and decided that actually, it's not the shade we're after at all.  This is where blog sales come in handy.  I actually manged to find Mac's 'Cut a Caper' in a sale a little while back - a limited edition shade that I wish i'd grabbed when I had the chance but had sold out everywhere the day I decided I'd make a purchase.  It's always worth keeping an eye out for Limited Edition shades - people often buy them in a rush before they sell out, and then realise they actually aren't too fussed and sell them on a few months later when it's been sitting in their makeup drawer. I know I've made the same mistake before! 

I don't think I paid more than £10 for any of these items above and the majority of them haven't even been used - just swatched.  Most bloggers are more than happy to accept offers if you're the haggling type. Personally, if I'm only taking one item I will just take the item for the price stated, but if you're taking more than one item it's worth just asking what the best price they could do them for! Bloggers are a lovely bunch - there's no harm in asking.  If I'm after a certain product, I'll sometimes ask on Twitter if anyone is selling the item, or I'll simply search for blog sales and knock myself out looking through each one (search 'bbloggers sale' on Twitter and you'll come up with a few links) It gets pretty addictive after a while.  It's also a good way to discover new blogs and talk to the people who write them - so many times I've stumbled across blogs I like purely looking around for certain products and end up adding them to my reading list.  It's also a good way to try high end products without the commitment of spending the full whack on something you might not like.  

I haven't yet run a blog sale.  But I have plenty of products I don't use sitting in a drawer somewhere that I'm thinking of selling over summer.  Being the beauty fanatics that we are, it's good to pass on those items we don't like.  Its bound to happen when we're constantly looking for that new 'holy grail' item - it's a very good way of getting rid of the stuff you don't use and selling them on to another blogger to try and test til their hearts content. One man's trash is another man's treasure and all that!  I'm sure you'll see these products I've featured on my blog later down the line - I've already written about a few of them. You can find my review of the HD Brows palette here, or take a look at what 'Teal the Cows Come Home' looks like swatched here.  Both products I really, really love and I don't think I paid more than £5 for either one of them!

Are you a bit of a bargain hunter like me?

What's been your best blog sale buy?

Current Eyebrow Favourite | HD Brow Kit in 'Bombshell'

Even before I started blogging, I wanted a HD Brows kit. When I saw this kit in a blogsale a good while back for around the £6 mark I practically snapped the fellow blogger's hands off for it.  Sadly, I wasn't handed the naturally amazing eyebrows card in life, and after a serious over-plucking mishap when I was about 13 I think it's fair to say that I'm definitely not blessed with the most defined, full brows in the world. Trust me - without a little bit of colour whipped through them they look quite sparse to say the least.  Being blonde, my eyebrows haven't got a great deal of colour to them as it is, and as eyebrows essentially frame your face, I find that I do need a selection of products in order to give me a helping hand. I like them to look naturally defined and noticeably darker than my hair, but not so much so that I end up rocking a scouse brow.  For a good while now I've been happy using my Sleek Eyebrow Kit which comes with the wax and the powder - but ever since I purchased my HD Brows I've been switching back to pure powders a little more.

I bought my palette in the shade 'Bombshell'. I'd always had my eyes peeled for the brunette version (I believe it's called Foxy?) as I must admit I'm partial to a slightly darker brow, but when I saw this I thought I'd just throw caution to the wind and give it a try whilst I had the chance.  I'm so glad I got the blonde version now - the colours are actually quite pigmented and look dark enough without look false. I won't harp on about the kit too much as I'm sure you can all recall the rave reviews that hit your laptop screens a couple of years ago now when people received these palettes in their Glossyboxes, but I really think it's worth a mention on my blog as it's something I've really been loving recently.  The powders themselves are very soft to the touch and really highly pigmented, making them perfect for definition. You definitely don't get any 'fluffy' smudgy edges with these shadows and it's very easy to get a crisp, even line.  Usually, I don't use the brushes that come with kits and palettes, but I actually really like the little brush in this one - the slanted edged one is particularly useful for getting that perfect shape and defining the arch - and the fact it's so travel friendly means it's great for on the go (you even get a mirror in the lid). I personally find a mixture of the two brown shades works a treat for me, and I use the slightly darker one for the arch of my brow.  I pop on a little bit of Mac's Brow Set in 'Beguided' on afterwards to add that finishing touch and I'm good to go. If I want an even more defined look, I will apply a little bit of wax from my Sleek kit beforehand and apply the powders from this set over the top to set the colour from the wax.

The nude shade doesn't show up on me too well unfortunately - and for that reason it doesn't get a great deal of use but I often pop a little bit under the brow bone for a subtle finishing touch.  What I love about the HD Brows kit is that it's so versatile.  You can use the powders as long wearing eyeshadows also - meaning Carbon is perfect for a smokey eye on a night out.  I've used eyebrow powders in the past and have always been a little bit disappointed with the finish and the wear time, but the HD Brows kit really does last all day and stays in place whilst looking natural and groomed. I'd go as far as to say I couldn't be without it in my makeup drawer now. I really do think it's worth browsing blog sales every now and then - I've certainly grabbed some bargains! If you spot a product you've always wanted to try but never been able to get your hands on or never been able to justify the price tag - then it's a really good way to try something out. I picked up an barely used Nars Multiple the other week and am so glad I found it as I'd never felt entirely sure about parting with £30 for one! I shall be doing a post on blog sales soon - I've found some really good things from my fellow bloggers and it's a really good way to discover things you might not have discovered before.

Have you found any bargains in any blog sales recently? If you have one running currently then let me know - I'm getting quite the bargain hunter! David Dickinson eat your heart out, pal!

March Favourites

Where has this month gone? In fact, where is this year going?! Nothing highlights how fast the years begin to go by when you're getting old like a good ol' monthly favourites post. Last week saw the clocks go forward ready for Spring. I must admit, getting an extra hour of daylight each day is a blogger's dream - no longer have I got to get up at the crack of dawn to photograph products like a mad woman! I missed the boat for my monthly favourites last month, so I relished picking out some of my favourites from the past few weeks for March's offering (explains why I have 10 - a little more than usual..apologies!). Here's my mini-reviews and thoughts for you to dip into this month..

Ecotools Bamboo Kabuki Brush | £9.99 | 

I've been wanting a brush for a while that I can apply bronzer to my face with, but one that offers a sheer, even coverage. This one is perfect. I'd never tried Ecotools before but I really like them (I've also picked up an eye brush recently) - the bristles are so soft and smooth and the chunky handle is really good for grip. Also fairly lightweight and small in size, this brush has been my perfect bronzing companion.

Mac 'Plink' Lipstick (lustre) | £14.50

Another Mac lipstick. I swear I adopt a new favourite Mac lipstick every month! A while back I did a collection post on my Mac lippies - but I'm going to have to redo it in Summer as the selection I have seems to have bred slightly... This colour is beautiful for everyday. It's a lovely seashell pink with a little bit of shimmer to it.  It shows up on the lips even though it's a lustre finish, and is a perfect 'your lips but better' colour that brightens the complexion and looks lovely with a natural blush and neutral eyes. I love it.

YSL Rouge Volupte 'Nude Beige (#1)' | £24.50

I bought this a while back whilst on holiday but it's a lipstick I always go back to. I really love the formulation - although it's very soft and can be quite slippery to apply, the colour pay-off is second to none and the colour is really natural and pretty. It's a lovely nude shade with hints of warm, light pink. Very flattering on my paler skin throughout these colder months.

HD Brows Palette in 'Bombshell' | Bought in a blog sale 

I've wanted a HD Brows palette for ages. When I saw this one in a blog sale recently I snapped it up! I had my eyes on the dark version but threw caution to the wind and went for it anyway. I'm so glad I did, as the colours are spot on for me. The powders are wonderful - really silky and smooth and apply really evenly, and the little brush and mirror that come with the palette is really handy. They also last amazingly well and the dark shade, 'Carbon' works very well as an eyeshadow. I might do a more in-depth post for this palette soon which I why I've skipped on the swatches.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Polish in 'Blueberry' | £3.99 

I did a post on these beauties a while back including swatches (you can find that here). I love them even more than the regular Barry M polishes and dashed out to grab more or less the whole spectrum of colours. They apply really nicely (2 coats and you're done) and dry very glossy.  Blue is my favourite colour to wear on my nails so I've been getting a lot of use out of this one (Greenberry is also a current fave!)

Hugo Boss 'Orange' Perfume | £32 (30ml)

One of my lovely colleagues at work bought me this a couple of years ago for Christmas. It's not a fragrance I'd have chosen for myself but when I got a whiff of it I fell in love. I've since bought 2 more bottles and am currently spritzing my way down this one! I'm not one for describing scents, but it smells really fruity - but not in the way you'd expect - very luxurious and a little spicy. I currently have my eye on the summer version,  'Orange Sunset' - definitely one to whack on the summer wish-list!

St Tropez Everyday Moisturiser for Face in 'Medium Dark' 

I'm very loyal to my St Tropez. I love their tanning mousse and very rarely cheat on it with other fake tans. This one I've recently started using again. It's a summer staple for me and I apply it when I want a bit of colour in my face! It's quite thick, so some of you may be put off by this, and it also smells a little more 'tan-like' than the mousse. But it does the job and I never look orange from using this - my skin always looks really smooth and even.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream (mini)

I got this as a sample ages ago. I've been using this the past few weeks and typically, I've fallen in love with it. I reckon the full-size is about £20 - so it isn't in the bargain bin of all the eye creams available on the market, but it's one that really does what it says on the tin. It's really smooth and has a gel-like consistency that applies like a dream and doesn't leave a sticky residue like a lot of eye creams I've tried. It feels really refreshing and de-puffs your eyeballs in an instant. Result.

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush in Shade 2 - 'Peach' | £6.49

I was so intrigued by the formula of these blushes and when I found out they had a peach shade, I was sold.  It's not exactly mousse-like (definitely not the same as the Dream Matte Mousse formula - if you're wondering!), but it's very smooth and creamy, and really light and silky to the touch. Unlike any other cream blushes I own consistency wise, this one has become a current favourite and It's so easy to apply either with your fingers or with a stippling blush. It looks natural, and feels so light on the skin. It also blends incredibly well. A winner in my books! I wish they'd bring out a couple more shades!

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 'Soft Beige' | £6.99

I won't say too much about this, as I'm planning a full review soon. But my goodness, is this a good drugstore foundation.  As much as I love my YSL Touche Eclat (review here), I wanted an alternative for days when I wasn't going to be out long or just needed a quick fix. I've been wearing this for a good month now and have to say I really, really like it.  It's knocked 'Wake Me Up' out of the water for me and I much prefer the consistency of this one. It's less dewy, and gives a semi-matte/satin finish on the skin.  It can show up dry patches but I haven't really had many problems with this, and I currently have dry skin! A really good all-rounder that is worth a try if you're in the market for a good, medium coverage and lasting foundation that doesn't look overly dewy or overly matte.

What have you been loving this month? Anything here that tickles your fancy?

 ♥