Friday 24 May 2013

Selfridges Summer Beauty Box 2013

Today my Selfridges Summer Beauty Box arrived and I was so excited to share it with you. The value of the box is £70 but you can get it for only £25 - what a bargain!



You probably have heard of the original Tangle Teezer which many people have raved about, but this unusual looking thing is actually the Aqua Splash Tangle Teezer for wet hair. It's the latest innovation from Tangle Teezer and it has an upright design with unique drying feet which allows water to drain quickly after use. I'm actually really excited to try this out, as you know wet hair is a pain to brush. It actually is hollow in the middle which makes it really lightweight - perfect for travelling! It has revolutionary convex teeth for pain-free detangling and distributes conditioner and treatments evenly. I'm so happy that I finally have a Tangle Teezer and even though this one is for wet hair, it also works just as well on dry hair.


I was super ecstatic to see the Caudalie Beauty Elixir in this beauty box because I have always been intrigued to see how it works because this is one of the cult beauty products. It is perfect for all skin types and is a powerful plant-based skincare which smoothes features, tightens pores and gives a burst of radiance to the skin. Not only is it for women but also men can use it too for after shaving.


This face lotion adds a velvety smooth tint and an all-over glow to your face. It deeply hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling soft, smooth and radiant. It is non-transferable and can easily be washed off with a cleanser. I have been wanting to try this product because when I use St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, my face is always lighter than my body because of cleansing and using my Clarisonic Mia 2 which takes off the fake tan, so I thought this would be perfect for making my face match the rest of my body!


I'm really excited to try this neon pink nail polish because I've never owned a neon nail polish before and it is perfect for summer coming up. The shade of this nail polish is called Bubblegum. I'm also interested to try out the formula of Models Own nail polishes and to see how they live up to my all time favourite OPI nail polishes.


I have super straight hair so I think that this product will be perfect for me because it recreates the tousled beach hair and adds texture. It contains extracts of sea kelp which adds shine and manageability. 


This BB cream is a 3-in-1 formulation that combines a moisturiser, sun protection and foundation. It contains Korean Red Ginseng which is a natural element known for its regenerating and energising properties. This BB cream gives your skin a soft, flawless, no makeup look that last throughout the day and provides perfect coverage that is often better than foundation. I'm really looking forward to try this out because I've always been intrigued by BB creams but they usually don't have enough coverage to cover up scars, but this one claims to have really good coverage and healing benefits. 


This is a lightweight, fast-penetrating after sun for the face and body which gives a soothing sensation while intensifying melanin production, naturally enhancing tanning by 50% to 80% for the perfect tan. It leaves the skin soft and makes your tan more radiant and long-lasting. It has active hydrating properties which re-moisturise dehydrated skin and reduces the risk of peeling. I'm looking forward to trying this out, because I have never used such a high-tech after sun before, so I'm interested to see how it performs.


 This is one of Molton Brown's exotically fragranced bath and shower gels that gives you a taste of island life with plant extracts that help to hydrate the skin. It has templetree flower with jasmine and patchouli which smells incredible!


These clips have a beautiful summery design and the set contains three large clips and two bobby pins. I love the design of these clips so much and the gradient effect makes them more interesting. I don't often use clips in my hair when I'm out but I always use clips to pin back my hair when doing my makeup.


As something extra they included this St Tropez exclusive in-store offer card which you can receive a limited edition beach bag with any spray tan treatment. Sadly I don't live near a Selfridges so I can't use this but it's a nice extra for the people who do have access to Selfridges.

Have you bought the Selfridges Beauty Box? If not do you think all these goodies have convinced you to?

Thursday 23 May 2013

Urban Decay Naked Basics Review and Swatches

I've been a fan of the original Urban Decay Naked palette so when I heard that they had a Naked Basics palette I just knew I had to get it. 


The palette is much smaller than I imagined however the eyeshadows are the exact same size as the original Naked and Naked 2 palette (1.3g). I find that it is quite hard to open and that I need to use my nail which I am always worried about chipping my nail polish, but thankfully it is always fine.


I love using Venus in the inner corner and as a highlighter on the brow bone and tear duct, Foxy and Walk of Shame all over the lid, Naked 2 and Faint in the crease and Crave as a liner or in the outer corner for a more smokey look. Recently I have been obsessed with using Naked 2 in the crease because it is so natural and looks perfect with any look.


The eyeshadows are very smooth and almost creamy which is to be expected from Urban Decay and they also apply really well onto the lids with a good longevity. I must admit that I do still prefer my Naked palette because of the wide range of colours and finishes but also the eyeshadows compliment my skin tone more. 

From left to right: Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame, Naked 2, Faint, Crave

Venus - soft off-white demi-matte
Foxy - cream bisque matte
Walk of Shame - very light nude matte
Naked 2 - taupe matte
Faint - warm dusty brown matte
Crave - darkest brown/black matte

Have you got the Naked Basics palette, or want to get it? Are you more of a matte or shimmer girl?

Sunday 19 May 2013

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Review

Today I'm going to be reviewing a few John Frieda Frizz-Ease products which I have been trying out for a while now. So first of all I think I should tell you about my hair; my hair is long and naturally straight and not frizzy at all, however I do get a hair bit of fly aways as does everyone else. I really like using hydrating and nourishing hair products in my hair to restore the moisture which is lost from washing and blow drying my hair every day.



This intensive hair mask has to be my favourite product that I tried from the John Frieda Frizz-Ease range. It is used as a conditioner that you leave in for a minute, which is what I typically do with ordinary conditioners however this honestly leaves my hair feeling ultra soft and silky. It also makes brushing my damp so effortless rather than having a battle with my hair and worrying about breaking the strands. It says to use this daily however I don't have the need to use it daily because it leaves my hair feeling nourished for a few days so I use this every other day.


This smoothing creme can be used in damp and dry hair, but I tend to apply it to damp hair then blow dry it. I must admit that I never use a heat protectant for when I blow dry my hair everyday, which you would never think that blow drying your hair can be that damaging but in fact it is and I'm so bad at realising that it actually is so I never bother using anything to prevent the damage. I discovered this smoothing creme that contains ThermaGuard® Complex which helps protect against damage from heat tools as well as smoothing frizz and helping block humidity. This product helps tame my fly aways throughout the day and also would be perfect for the summer or countries with humid climates. It also claims to keep hair silky-straight for up to 24 hours which I can't really test because my hair is straight already, however when I use this product my hair doesn't become as kinky which it tends to get when it is windy. An added bonus is that it also contains sweet almond oil and milk protein which smoothes and conditions the hair leaving it silky and healthy.


This perfecting creme is perfect for my hair as it replaces the natural oils lost through blow drying and helps with camouflaging split ends. I don't get a lot of split ends but I do get a few and this perfecting creme makes my ends look really healthy and nourished. It also adds shine without looking greasy which I love, even though my hair is naturally silky, I still love using products that give my hair a healthy glow. It also has a UV filter which really appeals to me because it will help prevent my hair becoming really dry in the summer. I apply this to dry hair after blow drying it, concentrating the product on the ends and working the excess up the hair to the roots. 


I love using this hairspray for smoothing down fly aways. I spray the top of my hair from a distance then smooth the fly aways with my hand and they seem to stay put for most of the day. I also love how it doesn't make the hair feel hard and crispy which is a hairspray pet peeve for me. It also contains a UV filter and barrier against humidity which is perfect for summer and hot humid countries.

Overall I'm really enjoying using these products and they are great value for money. I can't really tell you how they perform at keeping your hair straight throughout the day, however they are definitely good at controlling fly aways, so if you're looking for some affordable hair care then I'd recommend these especially for taming your fly aways and hydrating your hair from the loss of moisture caused by heat tools.

You can check out the whole range of Frizz-Ease products here.

They also have a YouTube channel which has videos of expert hair styling tips, which you can check out here.

Have you ever tried any John Frieda products before?

Wednesday 15 May 2013

Bourjois Healthy Glow Little Round Pot Cream Blush

You may have seen in my previous post that Bourjois have launched four new cream blushes and they are now officially sold in Selfridges and Boots nationwide. 


I have shade 02 Healthy Glow which is a beautiful vibrant peach with a pearl finish. I also love the look of the other three shades so I may have to get my hands on them! Although they only have four shades, there is definitely one which will suit your skin tone.


Bourjois have reinvented their powder blushes which a new innovative cream to powder technology which I think is a brilliant idea because they have realised that not everyone likes the heavy, sticky masked feeling normal cream blushes have. The new technology also makes it easy to apply and blend without the harsh edges. The blush feels super silky and luxurious which glides effortlessly onto the skin for the perfect natural blush.


Healthy Glow has a slight gold shimmer which adds a beautiful glow to the skin without being too dramatic. It applied onto the skin with almost a matte finish and feels really light. It has a really delicate rose scent which isn't overpowering or noticeable when wearing.


Overall I'm really impressed with the performance of this blush and I love the innovative cream to powder technology because it feels really light on the skin with no sticky feeling! 

I also checked on the Boots website and they have a £1 off offer on, so the blushes are only £6.99 at the moment!

OPI Euro Centale Spring/Summer 2013 Collection Swatches

Today I'm going to share with you OPI's Spring/Summer 2013 collection, Euro Centrale. I have five of twelve gorgeous polishes and they are perfect for spring. Like all OPI nail polishes they are all highly pigmented and a treat to work with. 


OPI also have a Euro Centrale Mini Collection set which is perfect for if you want to try out some of the colours for a fraction of the price!


Polka.com has blue, teal, violet and pink glitter suspended in a clear base nail which has both large hexagonal glitters as well as small. It looks beautiful layered on top of another colour, especially a dark purple but can also be built up, which I think looks quite like a disco ball. 


A Woman's Prague-ative is a gorgeous orange copper with gold shimmer. I think that this colour will definitely attract attention and would be great for transitioning into fall. It also has good pigmentation and only two coats is needed for full opacity.


Hands Off My Kielbasa! is a bronzy tan which is one of my favourites from the collection. It has almost a slight metallic sheen and is really flattering on pale skin. I think that this nail polish almost has a milky look to it which I think is really unusual for a shimmery polish. The pigmentation of this one is excellent and you can probably get away with only one coat.


You're Such a BudaPest is a periwinkle purple and has a beautiful creme finish with a hint of shimmer. The pigmentation of this is very good and only needs two coats for full opacity. This is definitely one of the prettiest light purple nail polishes that I have come across.


Can't Find My Czechbook is a dusty aqua. It is the perfect shade of blue and is a bit different from others that I have seen. The formula was really opaque and easy to apply, which only two coats needed for full opacity.

Tuesday 14 May 2013

OPI Liquid Sand Swatches - The Impossible and Get Your Number

OPI have introduced Liquid Sand which is their new innovative nail polishes with texture. They dry to a matte finish infused with reflective sparkles. 



OPI have partnered with Mariah Carey to launch 8 new limited edition shades and I have two to show you.


The Impossible is a matte fuchsia with glitter and star confetti. The photo hasn't picked up the beautiful fuchsia colour and is coming across red, but in person it is absolutely stunning. It applied glossy but dried to a matte concrete finish and only two coats is needed for full opacity. I find that the star confetti sometimes tends to not stick down fully and has a bend corner, which makes it snag on some fabric. I think that it is fine if you put another coat on top of the stars or even a top coat for a glossy finish.


Get Your Number is a matte blue with sparkles. It's such a gorgeous shade and is super sparkly and fun. It only needs two coats for full opacity and the formula is really easy to work with. The concrete finish has a slight gritty finish, but isn't majorly rough that it clings to fabric.

Monday 13 May 2013

Glossybox May 2013

This month is a special month as it is the 2nd anniversary of Glossybox! I can't believe it has been two years since they first launched - time flies by!


I was actually expecting a little bit more seen as though it is their 2nd anniversary however I have enjoyed trying these products.


Headline Colors Nail Polish - £9 for 10ml

I received this Headline Colors nail polish which is actually a colour from their autumn/winter collection. I don't tend to wear dark colours like this, but it looks perfect for when autumn comes around. I'm hoping that it won't appear almost black as some dark polishes I have tend to do. These nail polishes claim to be ultra-high pigmented for an intense colour and has UV absorbers for staying power. It also is free from toxins which is really appealing as I have never heard of a toxin-free nail polish before.

 Awapugi Wild Ginger Shine Spray - £18.95 for 125ml

This product is part of the Paul Mitchell line and is used to add moisture and shine to the hair. I love the smell of this and I really enjoy using it. It makes my hair feel softer and really easy to glide my fingers through. I didn't notice a huge difference in the amount of shine it gave my hair, but it does give a nice subtle hint of shine.

 Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara - £15 for 8ml

I'm pretty excited to try this out as it is a long-lasting waterproof mascara that is feather light. I'm intrigued to see how light it feels on the lashes because I find that waterproof mascaras tend to be heavier and make the lashes feel hard. It claims to be non-clumpy but at the same time, lengthening and volumising - sounds perfect doesn't it?

Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner - £2.99 for 6ml

This eyeliner has a waterproof formula, which I have actually wanted to get a waterproof eyeliner but never knew of any decent ones. For liquid eyeliners, I love the kind of dip in packaging as it doesn't dry out like felt tips. I was actually disappointed this how it applied because the foam tip is really hard so it's difficult to control and it leaves a jaggered edge rather than a smooth line. When you curl the lashes and apply mascara, it masks the jaggered effect but I want to be able to apply eyeliner in a few clean swipes and with a smooth edge. I definitely will be using it again and trying to figure out different techniques to see if I can manage to make a smooth edge but I also really love the longevity of it. Also for a waterproof product, it is really easy to take off - a facial wipe is enough to take it off, so there's no need to use eye makeup remover. It's really good because you don't have to tug on your delicate eyes!

Beautiful Movements Prime and Create Mixing Medium - £20 for 20g

Beauty Moments, formerly known as BM Beauty have launched a new multi-tasking product which is a primer as well as a mixing medium. It apparently is a clear aloe vera based gel, however it feels very silicony. A little bit goes a long way this with product and it makes my skin feel super soft. I used it under my Revlon Colorstay foundation and it stayed in place pretty well. I will also be trying this out with loose eyeshadows and seeing how it performs.


I received this small dark chocolate which I assume is for the celebration of Glossybox's 2nd anniversary. I actually don't like dark chocolate but I think it is a really sweet gift!


As a little something extra, Glossybox have included a little box set of five mini nail files which are absolutely adorable and will definitely come in handy as I am always misplacing my nail files!

Wednesday 8 May 2013

OPI Skyfall and Dutch Treats Mini Collection Giveaway!

I've decided to host a giveaway to give back to my followers. There are going to be two lucky winners who will receive either the Skyfall or Dutch Treats mini set. Seen as it is spring I thought the Dutch Treats collection was perfect, but also I thought I would giveaway set with deeper colours which is perfect for evenings and for when winter comes around. GoldenEye from the Skyfall collection is honestly the most beautiful gold I have ever see and OPI nail polishes are really good quality.


There will be two winners - one for the Skyfall set and one for the Dutch Treats set. 
This giveaway is international so anyone can enter. If you are under 18 years old, please get permission to enter from your guardian.
You must be following my blog for your entries to count!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday 7 May 2013

New Bourjois Cream Blush!

Bourjois have unveiled their new cream blushes which are now available at Selfridges and soon to be at Boots on May 15th!


For the first time in 150 years, Bourjois have reinvented their blush with a new innovative cream to powder technology. I am absolutely excited to try out these fascinating blushes; I'm really intrigued to find out how they apply as they claim to glide effortlessly for a fresh and natural complexion. They are also infused with a gorgeous rose scent, and I am a sucker for anything that smell good!


There are only four shades available at the moment and I am in love with each one! There may not be a huge colour selection however I think that they cater for everyone and are universally flattering. 

01 Nude Velvet - light delicate peach with matte finish
02 Healthy Glow - vibrant apricot with pearl finish
03 Rose Tender - soft pink with pearl finish
04 Sweet Cherry - deep brown-pink with matte finish

Monday 6 May 2013

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer Review and Swatches

Today I'm going to review these Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers which I have been testing out. There are a total of 8 shades with a range from nude to red. They have a great colour selection which I think cater for everyone, so you're bound to find a shade you'll love!


The consistency of these are very creamy and incredibly opaque that glide effortlessly onto the lips, which is what made me fall in love with these lip lacquers! They dry to a semi-matte finish which is not at all sticky and the colour lasts on the lips for a really long time, even after eating. One dip of the applicator can be applied to the whole of my lips which I really love and if you want a more intense opaque look you can apply a second coat.

From left to right: Galaxy, Celestial

I picked up two colours, Galaxy and Celestial which are more of the natural colours from the collection. I have to say that Celestial is my ultimate favourite because it is really flattering and it would look great on most people. It is pink/mauve shade which looks really natural and not too vibrant. Galaxy is a plum/purple with a hint of shimmer. It is a much deeper colour than Celestial which personally I find to be too deep for me however it works well sheered out. I would definitely wear this on a night out because it is a gorgeous colour but for everyday use it's too dark.

From left to right: Galaxy, Celestial

Overall I think these are absolutely fantastic and for the price of only £5.99 you can't go wrong with them. They have really nailed the formula and are one of the best drugstore lip products I have tried.

Sunday 5 May 2013

Liebster Award!

I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Amaislyn which I thought was really sweet and it made my day! I've seen this award on a few peoples blog but I didn't really know what exactly it was. It's basically a honorary award which is passed around to bloggers with under 200 followers.


Liebster Rules


1. Each blogger should answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
2. Choose 11 new bloggers to pass the award onto and link them in your post.
3. Create 11 new questions for the chosen bloggers.
4. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
5. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
6. No tag backs!


My Nominees

Aislinn from A Beauty Moment
Caroline from Lovely In Lipstick
Jasmine from whimsical jasmine
Christine from Vodka & Candy
Hazel from Which Hazel?
Amy from iburntyourtoast
Lisa from Damn Precious
Lesley from yeslesley
Helena From In A Few Nutshells


11 Random Facts About Me
  1. I have three Chihuahua cross dogs called Coco, Tommy and Roxy
  2. When I was younger I had a guinea pig called Bella who then died and when I got a hamster I named her Bella again and they were actually both the same colour
  3. I have been vegetarian for around four years
  4. I'm really short - only 4'9!
  5. I live by the seaside which is where I got the idea for my blog name
  6. I have an obsession with California, even though I have never been there before!
  7. When I was younger I use have my hair cut into a bob a lot and now is the only time I've had my hair long before
  8. I have to always be carrying lipbalm with me at all times, and a few years ago I use to carry around 6 different lipbalms in my bag! I know... so unnecessary
  9. I have an addiction to beauty and shopping!
  10. I always put on perfume before I go out anywhere
  11. At the moment my favourite TV programmes are 90210, Pretty Little Liars and Made in Chelsea

My Answers to Amailyn's Questions

What has been your best experience as a blogger?
My best experience so far is reaching 100 followers and meeting other bloggers!

If you could go one place in the world you have never been, where would it be & why?
Definitely California, especially Los Angeles! I've wanted to go there ever since I was really young and I also want to live there one day

What's the first good memory that comes to mind when you think of your childhood?
Playing around with my sister in paddling pools and going to my dads and swimming around in the pool with flippers and a rubber ring!

Favourite drugstore makeup brand/product?
I think my favourite has to be Maybelline - they have amazing mascaras and I love their 24hr Colour Tattoos

What are your interests outside of your blog/blogging?
I don't really have any hobbies but I guess it would have to be shopping

Favourite food?
This is really hard, I don't have a favourite but I like a lot of different things like, risotto, Indian food, homemade chips, baby potato salad!

Who do you admire most?
I really like Rachel McAdams because all the movies she's in are my favourite, especially the romantic movies! 

What was your best vacation?
I think my best vacation has to be when I went Finland and Estonia with my friends a few months ago. It really makes a holiday so much more fun with friends!

Favourite clothing store?
I love Zara and Hollister especially for summer clothes

What famous/iconic person would you love to meet (dead or alive)?
There are loads of famous people I would love to meet, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Zac Efron, the cast of 90210 and Pretty Little Liars and probably more who I can't think of right now!

Favourite genre of music?
I don't have a favourite genre but I pretty much like whatever is in the charts


My Questions for You!
  1. What inspired you to start your blog and how did you come up with your name?
  2. If you could do anything, what would be your dream job?
  3. What one thing can you not help but splurge on?
  4. What makeup brand is your guilty pleasure?
  5. Are you more of a lipstick or eyeshadow girl?
  6. What one beauty item can you not leave your house without?
  7. What is your go to outfit and makeup look?
  8. What are you most proud of about your blog?
  9. How old were you when you first started wearing makeup? What was it and what made you want to use it?
  10. What's your holy grail product at the moment?
  11. Do you spend more on beauty or fashion when shopping?
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