My Little Los Angeles Box

Finally, My Little Box has arrived once again and this one has got me falling right back in love with it. When I tore open the box and saw the Los Angeles design, I was over the moon at the theme. This is the second box that has been themed on a destination that I have visited (the other being Brooklyn) so the theme to me is even closer to home. I love the destination themes, I think they work so well and the products seem to be pretty spot on. Anyway on to what I received.

This map was included in the box and it really did bring back memories of my holiday and the places I visited. I had to get out my photo album and match up the landmarks on the map with my own photos and I think this will be a great addition to the scrapbook I made back when I visited. It would also look nice framed on the wall in my office so I am unsure what to do with it at the moment.

 

Next up was this bracelet. The packaging states this was inspired by the cotton candy colours of a Californian sunset. Each of the beads represents a wish for love, health and happiness. I have enjoyed styling this with some of my summer outfits, it just gives a nice pop of colour.

I then received a small sized bottle of the Palmers Coconut Oil body lotion. I love this lotion as the scent is amazing compared to some lotions that don't really smell of much. The size is perfect for travelling too and I love using this on sunburn too ad it really hydrates the skin.

The next My Little Beauty item I received was this Coco Sunrise hair and body oil which I love. Again, it smells delicious and sinks into the skin with ease without leaving a greasy residue.

Burt's Bees is a brand I have known and used for a while so I was very happy to see a familiar name in this box. This deep cleansing cream is amazing and I cannot fault it. It gently removes excess oil, dirt and make up from the skin. I have enjoyed using this and feeling like I am getting a really deep clean.

One of the lifestyle items in this months box was this tote bag with 'Take Me Away' written on it. It's a decent size and I will probably take it on holiday with me to pack essentials and it can double up as a shopper if I go out for the day too. The design is colourful and bright, I love it.

Finally, we received some stickers with a California theme. I am in love with the cactus sticker. I am going to use these in my California scrap book so that my memories can live on.

Really impressed with this box. What do you think?

Discover Arbonne Event

I recently attended an event in Norwich where I was able to discover a new brand I had never heard of before called Arbonne which sells a variety of health and beauty products. 

When I arrived I was greeted by Sarah and Kate who had set the event up. There was a table full of goodies and I couldn’t wait to try everything. Sarah and Kate were both lovely and very knowledgeable about the brand and ready to answer any questions we had. They made me feel very welcome and I love how the room was set out.

 

 We learned a bit about Arbonne. They have over 500 products in total ranging from skincare to nutrition, make-up to baby products. All of the products are vegan, gluten free and kosher. Kim was impressed as she is gluten intolerant so it was good to know she could use all of these products without getting a reaction.

We got to try out a lot of the products. It was a bit like a Body Shop Party where items were passed around and talked about whilst we tried them out. One of my favourite items was the primer. I always got told to put primer in the crease between your thumb and forefinger and if you can notice a difference in the wrinkles then you know the primer is going to be good. This one smoothed out all of the fine lines and left my skin feeling so smooth. 

We also tried out some of the foundations. The liquid foundation has an SPF of 15, is matte and has a buildable coverage. There was also a mineral powder which I would be intrigued to try. The setting powder was weightless and stops any oily shine. Initially I thought this had a bit too much shimmer in it but once it was on the skin it blended out like a dream. I loved the bronzer too. There is only one shade but this can be blended out or layered up to suit all skin tones. The bronzer contains lavender extracts to hydrate the skin, chamomile to smooth and liquorice to moisturise. I also adored the Arbonne brush set which was so nice to use. I would love to be fully made over in Arbonne products to see how they fair to my current ones.

I was very kindly given some products to take away and try. These were labelled depending on your skin type. I was given FC5 for my dry skin. In the pack there was a cleanser, day cream, night cream and eye cream. I have been using these for just over a week now and I love that they feel lightweight on my skin and have really improved the texture. I no longer have dry patches on my skin when putting my makeup on. I also received an ultra hydrating hand cream which is exactly as it says on the tube. I love it. I am actually going to save this for when the weather starts getting colder and my hands are dryer.  

I met four lovely bloggers whilst I was there, I also attended the event with my best blogger friend Kim. I have posted all of their links below so please check them out if you are looking for some lovely new bloggers to follow.

Kim – Romanovs Views 

Shelley – The Shelley Diaries 

Laura – Laura Loves 

Anna - Farewell May 

Claire – My Scribble Spot 

Have you ever heard of Arbonne? Is this something you would like to try out. If you’re from Norwich, follow Kate on twitter for news of future events.

Elizabeth Arden All Over Miracle Oil*

During the colder months our skin can get very dehydrated so when I heard about this amazing multi-use oil by Elizabeth Arden I knew it would really help my skin feel soft and smooth. I received this Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream All-Over Miracle Oil which has a multitude of benefits. It arrived in this gorgeous box so I would like to thank the brand for such lovely packaging!

The bottle is a joy to hold with a matte feel to it and a spray lid, this is just so easy to use and spray wherever your body needs it. I received a postcard with 8 great ways to use this oil and I have tried them all out as explained below.

1. All-over moisture – this oil really can be used all over the body. I love spraying this on after a bath onto damp skin, it soaks in really well and locks in moisture for up to 12 hours.

2. Reduces dry, rough skin – use this oil on your knees and elbows and anywhere that often gets neglected. It helps to soften dry skin.

3. Adds shine to dull dry hair – add this oil to the ends of your hair for soft silky results. Can be used on damp or dry hair and does not leave a greasy residue.

4. Post-shave moisture – for silky skin after shaving, spray your shaved areas with this oil and feel how smooth your skin can be.

5. Massage away stress – this is an oil after all so why not use it for massage purposes? You could even convince your partner to work it into tired shoulders.

6. Scent promotes a sense of wellbeing – the pleasant citrus and floral scent of this oil really does make me feel relaxed and reminds me of being in a spa.

7. Cuticle softener – use twice a day on cuticles on your hands and feet and really notice a difference!

8. Instant shine – achieve natural radiance! Mist a thin layer of the oil onto your face and lightly massage.

The formula contains natural ingredients such as grape seed oil, ginger root extract, vitamin E, olive, avocado and sunflower seed oils resulting in a multitude of benefits.

I love this oil even more than I love the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream which we all know is a cult classic and one of the most well-known beauty products in the world. I have been using this for a couple of weeks now and I have really noticed the difference especially in my skin. I feel a lot more hydrated and soft and the dry itchy skin I usually to get on my legs in the winter has completely disappeared. It has evened out the redness on my face and I am loads happier with the way my skin is looking at the moment. It is gentle enough for all skin types and does not clog pores which is perfect for my sensitive skin.

You can buy this product from Elizabeth Arden for just £29.00.

How do you wear yours?

*I received this product free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

February 2016 Glossybox

I always look forward to the February Glossybox because from past experience it’s usually a limited edition design and usually full of great goodies. In the past we have even received chocolate! This month was no exception, with a fun and flirty design I couldn’t wait to crack open my box and see what was inside. With 5 full sized items we were certainly in for a treat.

Browtician – Love Skull Tweezers – Full Size £7.99
I have never heard of this brand before but it is readily available in Superdrug. I was in need of some new tweezers as my mum stole mine so these couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I love the limited edition packaging. It makes them super easy to see in my makeup bag. The tip of these tweezers have been finished by hand and allow great precision when plucking those pesky hairs. I can see these being my new favourite.

Naobay – Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner – Full Size £10.64
I have received a few Naobay products before from Glossybox and it is a brand I like but I was disappointed the packaging didn’t follow on from previous products with the wood finish lid. Nevertheless I love a conditioning mask. I use heat on my hair often so it’s always nice to be able to give my hair a deep nourishing conditioning session. Upon trying this I loved how my hair felt. It was silky smooth and really easy to comb through at the end which was great. I would repurchase this product and use it every so often when I am in need of a pamper.

Nicka K New York – 24 Hr Waterproof Eyeliner – Full Size £3.99
I have previously received items from Nicka K in the past from Glossybox so this is a brand that is familiar to me (see my product directory for previous reviews). I love waterproof eyeliners as they don’t budge and they are great for the colder weather when the icy winds make your eyes water. I received this in the colour brown which I do not currently own and I enjoy wearing this when I want something less harsh than dark black. The great thing about this eyeliner is that it comes equipped with a built in sharpener.

MUA – Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss – Full Size £3.50
I will be honest I am not a huge fan of this product as I don’t like sticky glosses. I have seen that some people were able to choose the colour they wanted but I must have missed the email as I never got to choose. I received the colour Serenity which is a lovely pink colour with sheer colour payoff. I love the subtle hint of colour it provides but the formula is too sticky for me. For £5 off when you spend £20 or more, use code MUAGLOSSY2 online.

Wilkinson Sword – Intuition Razor – Full Size £6.99
Correct me if I am wrong but have we received this item in a Glossybox before? I’m not sure but I was pleased as this is the razor I currently use and it saves me buying some new heads for a little while. I recommend taking the head off after each use and popping it back in the plastic container because otherwise the soapy bit gets everywhere especially when I pop this in my gym bag. I am a huge fan of Wilkinson Sword and love this razor. It is great for more sensitive areas and provides a really close smooth shave without leaving nasty rashes or bumps. I will continue repurchasing this item.

Overall I really like this month’s box and will be making full use out of it. Do you get Glossybox? Link me your reviews in the comments.

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She Who Dares Fragrance Review*

I love trying out new scents so when I was given the chance to try one from the brand She Who Dares I was excited to see what it was like. I was kindly sent some samples of the fragrance Dalliance and Eminence which I thought were both lovely but my favourite of the two was Dalliance.

I was sent a full bottle of this gorgeous perfume and I have been wearing it daily since and have received multiple compliments. I was in the queue at Boots and the lady behind even said “your perfume smells lovely” – that’s never happened before! Firstly, how beautiful is the bottle? One I am proud to display on my shelf amongst the others. I love the shape, it’s not like any other bottle I own and it’s been very carefully designed this way for a reason. The colouring on the bottle is cream and gold and this reflects the pure, innocent and light heartedness of the Dalliance woman. The curves on the bottle echo the femininity and confidence of a woman. The bottle is then topped with the She Who Dares iconic rose lid. The rose itself is a symbol of recognition for the women that receives it. The name Dalliance means flirtation and compliments the fun and flirty notes in the fragrance.

Dalliance is a fruity and floral scent that lasts on the skin for hours on end. The top notes are jasmine, tuberose and magnolia with pears at the heart of the scent and a musky base note. The She Who Dares founder, Rachel Lowe MBE is proud to support UK business by sourcing every component of the fragrance from packaging to ingredients all from Britain. I think that is a really great ethical way to create perfume and something to be proud of.

The She Who Dare’s Dalliance Eau de Parfum retails at £32.00 for a 30ml bottle and can be bought exclusively at Jarrold and from She Who Dares.

*I received this perfume free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

December 2015 Glossybox

I was really looking forward to this month’s box, especially as it’s the rose gold edit and I love rose gold. The box is beautiful and Christmassy and in collaboration with Really Ree - a blogger I have only recently had the pleasure in discovering! This month we got 6 items which impressed me and was a nice little Christmas bonus.

Etre Belle – Golden Skin Caviar eye Roll on – Full Size £30.66
This product aims to sooth and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes. It is quite an expensive product, not one I would go out and buy myself. I really like the feeling that this produces, it really does make my eyes feel fresh and I am loving putting this on in the morning just to wake my eyes up. The roll on contains a cooling gel which is so nice and great for the party season to widen tired eyes! Lovely product but a little bit too expensive for me to repurchase.

So Susan – Statement Skin Highlighter Pencil – Full Size £15
I own a few So Susan products now and one thing I love is the exciting fun packaging. This pencil is a lovely colour and perfect for adding a bit of highlight around your cheekbones and along the bridge of your nose. I love that this product glides on smoothly and doesn’t drag on the skin. It is easy to bled out with your finger or a beauty blender to achieve a natural glow. I don’t own any other product like this so it was a welcome addition to this month’s box.

Cheeky – Chat Me Up Nail Paint – Crush On You – Full Size £7
I love the name of this nail varnish, it’s fun and flirty. The colour I received is called Crush On You and is a baby pink colour. This isn’t a colour I own and is probably a little bit too light for me but I love the formula. You only need to apply 2 coats to get a nice even coverage and the finish is glossy and smooth. I think I’ll save this one for the summer, it would look great with a nice tan.

Philosophy – Purity Made Simple 3 in 1 Cleanser – Full Size £18
I do love trying new cleansers but nothing beats my Liz Earle. I haven’t tried this cleanser before so I was interested to see how it worked. Massage the product into damp skin and it removes all signs of any makeup that may have been on the skin. This deep cleans! Even after wiping my makeup off with a face wipe this continued to get rid of excess grime that I couldn’t even see. I really like this, I will consider buying the full sized product when I ran out.

Essence – Liquid Lipstick – Show off – Full Size £2.50
For £2.50 I didn’t have high hopes for this product. I do own some items from the essence range and I often find that you do get what you pay for. The packaging was lost on me, it’s a gloss but the bottle is made to look like it’s a lipstick. I didn’t even notice this, my boyfriend actually noticed when I was taking the photos for it. The applicator is good for applying this precisely but for me this product simply didn’t deliver how I wanted it to. I found the formula quite sticky and could see myself getting my hair stuck in it if I went outside. It’s a lovely colour that can be worn by everyone and I think some people would really benefit from this but it’s not one I’ll be using religiously.

Starskin – Bio-Celluloise Second Skin Mask – Full Size £8.50
This was our bonus item for this month and I couldn’t wait to relax and try this out. I was a bit cautious as my skin has been reacting to products lately but this was fine. The serum was really lovely and left my skin feeling so hydrated afterwards. I want to try out all of the different masks now! It’s a shame I don’t live near a Selfridges to pick some up.

NARS Limited Edition Glossybox Review

A few weeks ago now I ordered the NARS limited edition Glossybox which cost £30. The box contained 5 NARS items and I couldn’t wait to open it. I very nearly missed the chance at getting one, thankfully Kim from Romanov's Views gave me reminders every hour to go online! Phew! You can see her review of the box here. I loved all of the products I received and having never tried NARS before I couldn’t wait to try out these cult classics.

NARS The Multiple – Orgasm – Full Size £29
I love this product. As the name suggests, this can be used in multiple ways and works really well with the NARS blush in Orgasm. I’ve used this as a highlight and it gives the perfect amount of shimmer when your cheekbones hit the lights. This can also be used on the eyes, lips and even on the body. It is really buildable. I popped this on my cheeks before using the blush and it really enhanced the colour and gave me a beautiful warm flushed look.

NARS Blush – Orgasm – Full Size £23
I have heard so many good things about this product, I was most excited to see this in my box. I love the smooth packaging which comes with a little mirror for on the go touch ups. This product gives you a natural warm looking flush and I love how easy it is to apply to the skin. This works really well with ‘The Multiple’ to turn your look from day to night.

NARS Satin Lip Pencil – Rikugien – Full Size £19
I love this lip pencil, I really want to try other colours in the range. This colour is a subtle dusty rose shade which glides on the lips like a dream. You can either apply this all over or apply a small amount to the middle and blend it out. It does need topping up throughout the day but the great thing about it being a sheer pencil is that you don’t need to use a lip liner with it.

NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner – Via Veneto – Full Size £19
This eyeliner claims to last 12 hours and I must admit without timing it, it did last all day on the waterline. I put this on and at first my eyes stung a little bit but I put that down to not wearing eyeliner very often. After a few wears, my eyes no longer stung. The colour is a deep black and applies very smooth. I love that this comes with a little pencil sharpener on the end to keep the point sharp. It’s also smudge proof. I am yet to try this on my upper lash line.

NARS Audacious Mascara – Full Size £21
This mini mascara is the perfect addition to any on-the-go make up bags. At first I wasn’t comfortable with how big the wand was and I did manage to poke myself in the eye! After a few attempts I got the hang of it and I learned to love it. This really amplifies my lashes. It’s harder to apply to the bottom lashes but I think I will eventually get the hang of it. I love the packaging on this. Not only is it smooth, the touch of red makes it look really expensive.

Did you get the limited edition box? Paste your link in the comments so I can check your posts out.

November 2015 Glossybox

I was pretty excited for this month’s box, especially as I had enough Glossydots to get a free one so I didn’t have to pay this month thanks to my friend Kim using my referral code. Always a bonus. This month’s box contained 3 full sized items and 2 travel sized items which I think is all you need to get ready for a night out on the town. Just what I needed in time for party season!

MUA – Eyeshadow Palette – Full Size £4
I received this MUA eyeshadow palette in Undressed which is a well-known dupe for one of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. I already have this palette so I will probably donate this to my sister who I know will love it. The palette is packed with neutral shades in matte and shimmer. MUA palettes are really reliable and I find they give a great colour pay off and last all day. I have most of the MUA palettes and this one is definitely one of my favourites. If you’d like 20% off everything in store, head over to the MUA website and enter code MUAGLOSSY at the checkout (expires 31.12.15).

Royal Apothic – Body Lotion – Full Size £14.50
This Royal Apothic body lotion came in some beautiful vintage packaging and I can’t get enough of it. Massage this lotion into damp skin after showering and it goes on so smooth and sinks in really nicely. It has a really nice scent to it as well which lingers on the skin for hours afterwards. The smell is fresh and not overpowering. The handy travel sized tube we received is perfect for popping in your wash bag or taking away with you when you go away for the weekend.

Eylure – Natural Lashes – Full Size £5

I used to wear false lashes a lot when I went out and Eylure was always my go-to brand. Having not worn them for ages, I was delighted to see a natural looking pair in my Glossybox to ease my transition back into wearing them. These lashes apply really easily and I love the glue that comes with them as it keeps them on all night. I can’t wait to wear these to upcoming parties, they’re subtle enough that they aren’t noticeable but give a great volume and boost to my eyelashes. To received 25% off your next purchase at Eylure use code glossy25 at the checkout (expires 30.11.15)

Emite – Diamond Heart Primer – Full Size £25.90

Another travel sized item, this Emite primer aims to balance skin tone, boost radiance and give a smooth finish. I didn’t expect it to have a colour to it when I first tried it, but this went onto the skin leaving no obvious signs that you’ve put it there. This did leave my face feeling soft but did no better job than my go to primer so this is not something I would repurchase.

Revlon – Super Lustrous Lipstick – Full Size £7.99

This Revlon Lipstick  is the item I thought we were able to choose, however I don’t recall receiving any correspondence allowing me to pick a shade. I received the colour Black Cherry which I was very happy with because I don’t have any other colours like this. I really like how this goes on, however it tends to cling to any dry patches so make sure your lips are hydrated before applying this. I’m on the lookout for a matching lip-liner if anyone has any suggestions? Kim over at Romanov’s Views suggested a MAC one which is a great shout. Boots have 3 for 2 on all Revlon products in store and online until 25.11.15 if you would like to check out the other colours in the range.

Next month’s box has been guest edited by beauty blogger Really Ree to bring us a Rose Gold collectors box for the festive season. It’s going to be a good one, I can feel it already!

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