BIRCHBOX August 2015 #BEAUTYJUNKIE

I'm so new to the whole Birchbox thing because as a general rule I am always late to the party. I have been getting this for the past 3 months (haven't blogged about them) so I think it's safe to say that I am, so far, taken by them.

This month was centred all around the emoji which is quite clearly shown by the very cute design of the box. within this box there are 6 products to try and 2 of which are make up items (yay!) and also a set of BIRCHBOX Emoji stickers. I have given most of the stuff a try so let me tell you a bit about them...

RITUALS FORTUNE SCRUB - £10
I am fast becoming a scrub-a-holic. This one has a Sweet Orange and Cedar Wood scent which I am really enjoying and does kind of get me in the mood or Autumn and more warming scents. The scrub has quite a fine grain, which I prefer, this allows it to be able to really give your pores a deep clean and help slough (sluff?) off dead skin cells.

(theBalm left, Lord&Berry right)

THEBALM COSMETICS BALM DESERT BRONZER - £15
Another brand I was too excited to try, I was a little disappointed when I saw the shade however, I feel that it's a little too dark for my skintone, though I understand that it with fit the majority of subscribers. Instead, I used this as an eyeshadow, it does come in quite a dinky little square pan so I thought this was quite fortunate for me, I think I would have been frustrated trying to get the product evenly onto a larger brush. It is a really nice medium warm brown shade with a light amount of shimmer and it blends really nicely into the crease.


LORD & BERRY BLUSH IN LOTUS - £17
Lord&Berry seem to come out of nowhere for me if I'm honest and I was totally dubious of the quality because I'd never heard about them before. When I did see the blush arrive in the box I was very excited because it means that I finally get to try something from them. The blush is in the shade lotus which I would describe as being a dusty rose sort of shade, ideal for pretty much every skintone and definitely a safe option for me. The product is so incredibly pigmented (light hand necessary!) and really easy to blend out. I have a little bit of love/hate for the packaging of this - It was sent as a pan. In some ways I love this because it is roughly about the size of a MAC shadow so you could fit it into and empty slot on a palette. However, if you don't have an empty palette to spare then you've got to keep the plastic outer packaging and I hate that because it really doesn't look very neat and tidy. Still a good product though!

(theBalm left, Lord&Berry right)

HUYGENS EXFOLIATING CREAM - £17.90
This is the only one I haven't tried yet, I think I'm going to wait until I have ran out of my other exfoliator before trying this. My face always needs a good exfoliate so this really comes in handy for me. The scrub uses rice powder to both smooth and purify the skin without causing irritation, I'll have to be the judge of that considering my skin is notoriously finicky.


KEBELO CLARIFYING SHAMPOO - £13.95
I was over the moon to see something like this arrive. I have been wanting to try a clarifying shampoo for the longest time but I never got around to buying one because they're always a little too pricey for my liking. These types of shampoos are used to really give a deep cleanse and help rid your hair of product build up from general styling. You are only supposed to use this once/twice a month, it could be damaging if you used it like a regular shampoo. My hair felt really revived and like brand new when I used this though I would recommend using and intensive conditioning treatment with this to give your hair an ultra soft feel.


FORMULA 10.0.6 OVERNIGHT SUCCESS SPOT MINIMIZING PATCHES - £2.95
This is the full size item in this months box and really I'm not sure about it. They are little patches that you apply over the top of blemishes before you go to bed and keep on over night. they use Tea Tree and Grape Seed to help create a more soothed complexion. I tried this and I wasn't impressed if I'm honest, I didn't see a single difference over night but I really didn't expect anything to happen. I kind of felt like an idiot with bits of sellotape on my face. I won't lie, I'm going to keep using these because, well, what's the worst that could happen?


For the most part I really like this box, I think it's a fantastic mix of everything. I've got to use most of this box and liked a lot of it so I count that as a total success. I am really looking forward to seeing what is in store for next months box too.

What did you think of this month's box?

Speak soon
Roo xx

Products I've Used Up | Empties

I don't do too many of these posts because usually I am too forgetful and end up throwing away something I could have talked about. Thankfully, I have remembered and created a little stash of empties that I can talk about.

I felt like I was being artsy and mysterious with this photo but let's face it, it hasn't turned out that way haha. I feel like there were a few other things I could have included at a push but it would only be grasping at straws. I mean how interested could you possibly be in my thoughts on Boots' own brand cotton buds?

LANCOME DREAM TONE 1 SERUM
Honestly I would never ever buy this for myself unless I was feeling super flush. This was bought as a birthday present and I finished it ages ago but I haven't been that active online and also haven't had a lot of empties to talk about so that's why it's taken a while to get around to. I really like this product if I'm honest, which makes it a lot harder to part with. It's very silky and moisturising and whilst I can't saw that I saw that changes that it promised (remove dark spots and even skin tone) I definitely liked using it but I think that there would be better, cheaper alternatives.


BATISTE DRY SHAMPOO LIGHT&BLONDE
I kind of wasn't a fan of this if I'm honest. I love Batiste Dry Shampoos but what really let me down about this was the pigment it came with. I've tried a few of Batiste's tinted formulas and I really think that the colours are so off. This one was extremely yellow which really wasn't what I wanted especially considering I had just bleached and toned my hair so I was trying to get away from that brassy/ straw look. It's a similar issue with the one formulated for red hair, unless your hair is dyed bright crimson the this will look incredibly obvious when you use it. I would skip this and try sticking to an uncoloured version.


NO7 BEAUTIFUL SKIN HOT CLOTH CLEANSER
If you are looking for a inexpensive alternative for Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish then look no further. This doesn't have an amazing spa like smell like Liz Earle but it ain't half bad. You literally rub this all over your face (including your eye area) and wipe of with a hot muslin cloth, which they include in the box and it will get rid of everything. I would wait until you get a £5 off skincare voucher from No7 because then it makes it even better value but if you don't have one then it is still pretty affordable.


ST TROPEZ TAN OPTIMISER BODY POLISH
This, to me, has a similar feel to the Clinique Sparkle Skin scrub. It's a very fine scrub that you use before and after you apply fake tan. I'm not much of a tanner but this scrub was really nice to use anyway. it helps smooth the skin and make it incredibly soft. This also has a pretty nice smell and is opalescent so it's got a really pretty shimmer to it.


LADY GAGA FAME EDP 100ML
I got this because I am a bit of a Gaga obsessive. I think she is amazing and super talented but I won't dwell too much on that. I usually get put off buying a celeb perfume because generally I think they are all a bit samey when you boil it down. Don't get me wrong, I loved this perfume and there is something appealing about those types of fragrances but I feel at times they can be a little juvenile (not that it's always a bad thing) when what I am after is something a bit more sophisticated. I probably won't go out of my way to buy this but I may try her newer fragrance, Eau De Gaga, in hopes that it is a bit more unique.


L'OREAL ELVIVE EXTRAORDINARY OIL
I think this is a fantastic hair oil, especially if you are just testing the waters (or should I say oils, heh). Generally I like to apply this to the ends of damp hair and then blow dry but I have recently gotten into smoothing over my fly-aways with the teeeniest amount so that I look a bit more pulled together. It does have a little bit of a fragrance but it's nothing offensive and I would really recommend this to everyone who is looking to tame or condition their hair a bit better.


THE BODY SHOP SHEA SHOWER CREAM
I got this as a Christmas present and it's a really luxurious feeling body wash though I do find the strangest thing about it - Before I actually apply it, it smells weirdly like PVA glue but then when I begin to lather it the shea butter, chocolatey/vanilla scent comes out. I do feel like I went through this pretty fast though :/


LUSH RO'S ARGAN BODY CONDITIONER
I swear one day soon I will invest in a vat of this stuff I love it that much! Another Christmas present that I used up long ago but haven't gotten round to repurchasing. Typically I hate rose scents but there is something about this, given that it is mixed with Argan oil, that makes the smell just divine. Every time I used this it felt like such a treat as well, some lotions I just hate applying because it feels like effort but because this is so smooth and velvety it just makes moisturising so much easier.


COLLECTION 24HR EXTREME LINER
I've been on a bit of a liner journey and sometimes you can't beat the basics. There has never been a truer thought than when it comes to this product. This has one of the most opaque and precise lines I have ever come across and I have tried my fair share of eyeliner. The nib is the perfect firmness to be able to control your line without pulling the skin too much. The only downside I would say is that it's not waterproof so that is something to be careful with.


KEVYN AUCOIN PRECISION BROW IN WARM BLONDE
I was looking for brow inspiration when Anastasia Beverley Hills Brow Whiz took over the scene. It's not such a readily available product for me but I had heard great things about an Hourglass pencil and went in search of that one instead. So I headed to my local Space NK only to find that they don't stock a huge amount of Hourglass and didn't have the pencil I was after but the lovely woman who worked there showed me the Kevyn Aucoin Precision Brow instead so I purchased it on a whim. Turned out to be slightly more affordable than the Hourglass one and the colour match is amazing! I'm on my second one currently and though I am looking out for new things to try I know that this is going to be a top contender.



That is everything for this empties post but I have a feeling that it won't be too long until my next one as I seem to be finishing off a lot of products.

What have you used up recently that you have been loving?


Speak soon,
Roo xx

Dr Paw Paw - The Multi-tasking Miracle

I recently received a sample of this in the post and was really excited to give it a go. I've been hearing a lot about Dr PawPaw lately and how amazing it is, obviously I wanted to see if it really was worth the hype it's gaining. 

If you aren't familiar with Dr PawPaw then here everything you really need to know.

Dr PawPaw is a multi-purpose balm that can be used on lips, skin, heels and nails to treat dry or under nourished problem areas. It is made using Olive Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and it's defining ingredient, Carica Papaya.

Carica Papaya is jam packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals and when applied to this skin it can help repair damage whilst adding moisture to prevent any further issues. 

I've been using this on both my lips and cuticles and it is just such a nice product to use. As you apply this is just seems to melt and really work into the skin. It's also non sticky which is an added bonus, especially for those who can't tolerate that tacky feeling. I've really noticed a difference to the texture of my lips as they've become softer and smoother. My cuticles don't feel so dry either and it really takes manicure to that next level when your skin looks good. 

This is also available in a peach pink and a red tinted version for those who want to add a bit of colour to their care. It is also fragrance free, great for those who have fragrance allergies or for anyone who doesn't like their products to come with a smell.  

This retails for only £6.95 and is available from the Dr PawPaw website here. 

Let me know if you have tried this. What do you think? 

Speak soon

Roo xx

*PR Sample

The Multi-Tasking Make Up Tutorial

I have found, over my many years of wearing make up, that when I need to look put together or glam I tend to stick with one look. It's a relatively simple look and it's certainly one that you can tone down or intensify depending on your own personal taste.

I wanted to do a photo tutorial as something different, so with this look I am going to take it from the bare basics right the way through to the final product. I really think it's important to see every element of a look to be able to understand it. Like I say you can totally improvise this to fit your own needs, so just have fun with it!

I'm starting off with a fresh base and in the picture on the left all I have done is apply my daily skincare. I cleanse using Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish the use a Liz Earle Toner and moisturise with Embryolisse Lait Cream Concentre. After I have done my skincare routine I wait around 5-10 minutes to let my moisturiser sink in, you could go make a cuppa in this time if you fancy. Before I start any sort of make up I use a primer my favourite has been the bareMinerals Neutralising Prime Time, this has a yellow pigment that will help counteract any redness and it also has an SPF30 which means that you're getting sun protection without adding any unnecessary products into your routine. I also apply my Urban Decay Primer Potion to my eyelids at this time so that all of my priming is done and dusted.

I had to tie my hair back because it started to get a bit wild. In the left picture I have applied my foundation, I use Chanel Perfection Lumiere in 12 Beige Rose, for a while now I have been using a beautyblender to apply my base products because honestly I think it gives the best finish for my skin, it stops the product from clinging to dry patches and generally helps blend to foundation into your skin. In the picture on the right I have put some concealer in the areas where I need it most, I use MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC15. I haven't applied any concealer under my eyes because I have been super into the YSL Touche Eclat which you will see next. 

In the left picture I used the YSL Touche Eclat under my eyes, down my nose, on my chin and on my forehead. I really think that this helps lift my complexion and stops me from looking quite so work out. I will say that you really need to powder straight after applying this because it does have a tendancy to crease but it will stay put if you apply a powder.

In the right I applied Hourglass Incandescent Light on the high points of my cheeks, down my nose, on my chin and forhead. This is such a natural looking highlight and I think that it really just adds a super nice glow to the skin without looking chunky and glittery. I also applied Hourglass Mood Exposure as my blush. This is quite a brown/rose colour so it really works well on cooler skin tones.I hasn't massively picked up on my camera, I'm still working out my lighting.

I always like to do my brows before my eyeshadow, you can always do it after, It just depends on what you prefer to do. I used the Kevyn Aucoin Precsion Brow in Warm Blonde. This comes with a spoolie so it makes it really easy to comb through your brows and blend the colour with your hairs. Warm blonde I think is especially good for red hair as it has warm reddish tones to it.

Close up time! My brows do need a bit of grooming haha. I have applied M1 from the Smashbox Full Exposure palette all over my lids, this sort of blots the natural oils on my eyelid and helps other shadows blend easily with out catching and becoming patchy.









Here I have applied a mixture of M3 and M5 from the same palette an used this as a transition shade in the crease. M3 is a very warm medium brown and M5 is an ashy medium brown. I like to mix the two so that I get a little warmth without it looking out of place on my cool skintone.








Essentially I am only using the Smashbox Full Exposure palette for my shadows. I have deepened the crease with M2 and M6, again a combination of a warm and a cool tone deep brown.

 On the lid I applied MAC Paint in Bare Canvas. It does have quite a bit of shimmer but it makes an excellent base for shimmer shadows and it really helps amp up the pigment.

 Over the top of the MAC Paint I pressed S1, which is a champagne colour with an intense shimmer, onto my lid. Adding a shimmer onto the centre of the lid really adds a lot of dimension and makes the lids look larger.









Here comes the hard part. This is totally optional, I do love a bit of winged liner but you could easily replace it with something a bit less stress inducing and time consuming.

I used the Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion. This is a super black liner with a high pigment. It does require a little shake before use but it creates some of the cleanest and sharpest lines ever.




























Here's an open and closed eye picture of the finished eye look, I applied a combination of Lancome Hypnose and Grandiose mascaras to finish it off. You could add false lashes to make this more glam or leave them without like I have.

Onto the lips, I have used a GOSH lip liner in Antique Rose, I've outlines the shape and also feathered the colour inwards so the line isn't as harsh. This is going to create a lot of depth as I am choosing a lighter lipstick it will create an ombre effect which will make the lips look fuller.

Here I have applied MAC Angel lipstick over the top of the lipliner, it's important to blend out harsh edges so that you get the true full lip effect.

If you really want to amp up the plump effect the you can take a little bit of clear or shimmery gloss, here I'm using Lancome Colour Fever Gloss in Sparkling Light. It will just help to add a bit more shine.

And ta-dah! This is the complete look. This is my absolute favourite go to make up look, it's simple and it's so versatile. I really hope you like this look, let me know if you would like to see more tutorials. Also I was thinking about getting back into doing tutorial videos so definitely let me know if this is something you would be interested in seeing.

Speak soon
Roo xx

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Review

I've been testing out the YSL Touche Eclat for a few weeks now and I honestly feel like the last person alive to try this. I was really hesitant to buy this down to the fact that it's really no the cheapest item out there and there are a load of drug store alternatives currently available. But I have taken the plunge and here are my thoughts...

Obviously I'm going to start with the packaging because, after all, it is the first thing you see. We're all pretty familiar with the gold pen/brush for the YSL Touche Eclat but I ended up getting one of the limited design packs, not sure if it makes a difference in the price but this was what they were offering. I really like how sturdy this feels, it really doesn't feel cheap by any means. The clicker at the bottom is also quite secure and certainly doesn't feel like it will break any time soon.

I get a sort of (loosely linked) art deco vibe from the packaging, like it should be refillable or something but that could just be me.

For some reason the flash on my camera has made my body look tan, but let's ignore that. 

On the left is without the Touche Eclat, Just foundation and concealer and on the right is the the Touche Eclat applied under just the left eye. I felt really stupid buying this because when I first swatched it out of the shop it looked like it would do nothing for me. Whilst it definitely brightens my under eye area, it doesn't provide the whole Kim K highlight that seems to be advertised with this. Of course I'm not expecting that because as an exceptionally pale person I find it hard enough to find foundations in my shade let alone anything else. I would suggest that if you are maybe a couple of shade darker than me (I'm NC15 for ref, would be NC10 if they made such a shade) then you could use 1, 1.5 or 2 to get a really highlighter look. I do find that you have to powder almost immediately after application to prevent creasing but this is no big deal for me considering I set my under eyes anyway.

  

Here I am with both sides done. I honestly love this, It looks so natural on my skin (I apply using a BeautyBlender) and it really helps me to not look so tired. I don't dispute for one second that there are great alternatives on the more inexpensive side but if you are looking to treat yourself or if you want to get to know YSL as a brand the I think it is something to consider.


Have you tried this? What do you think?

Speak soon
Roo xx