Monday 22 December 2014

What's in my Birchbox? | December 2014


FINALLY!!!

After much anticipation and christmas postal service delays at an all time high, I finally received my December Birchbox yesterday- and boy was it worth the wait! 

The final box of 2014 is a collaboration with accessories designer extraordinary Sophia Webster. An seeing as the festive season is now in full swing, what better way to celebrate than with an exclusive Sophia Webster designed purse, an exclusive Benefit cracker with a little surprise inside and an Eyeko eyeshadow stick in a gorgeous shimmery shade! Let the good times roll!


Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel | £40

Rejuvenates your complexion with natural actives derived from apples,papayas and orange peel. Simple massage into skin using small,circular motions. Leave for 4 mins and rinse with warm water. I tried a small bit on my hand when I first opened this box, and it smells so fruity and luxurious.

BiOrganics Perfect Balance Rebalancing Shampoo | £9

A replenishing shampoo for all hair types with a aromatic blend of lavender, chamomile and aloe vera. Smells so spa like! 

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil | £16.50

A fine blend of pure rose hip oil for when your skin's in a need of some extra nourishment. I've always been quite sceptical about face oils, as the one I've tried have always been greasy and heavy, so I will see how this compares.


Models Own Nail Polish in Absinthe | £5 

Oh my God I love this nail polish! Perfect for christmas- or any special occasion really. Matte, yet sparkly, this multi-dimensional shade has a velvety finish that I'm obsessed with. And the best part is - no top coat needed! 

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Smoke | £8

Now... This colour is gorgeous don't get me wrong- but I'm not a fan of black smokey colours around my eyes. Usually I like more softer smokes like chocolate browns, bronzes and gold. I feel like sometimes because my complexion is a bit more pale, black can tend to make me look washed our and even more pale. But I'm all for an easy application with the jumbo pigmented pencil. I think I will more likely use this as an eyeliner colour and smoke out, rather than all over the lid as a base. But thats not to say I don't like this product- so don't get your knickers in a twist!

Benefit High Beam Christmas Cracker | £19.50

This is probably one of my holy grail products ever ever ever! A suits-all-skintones liquid illuminator which gives you that J-Lo-esque glow. Plus it comes in the cutest little christmas cracker ever. Bravo Birchbox!

LIFESTYLE

Sophia Webster Purse | £25

Take a walk on the wild side with this leopard print pouch from the coveted designer. This is adorable and anything with a little leopard print gets a yes in my book. 


December Birchbox 10/10 from me!! 

If you would like to subscribe to Birchbox for £10 per month + P&P - Click Here!
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Tuesday 9 December 2014

Christmas Makeup Look | Red Lip

                           
                                                                               Hi Guys!

I thought I'd do a quick and simple christmas look that can easily be worn in the daytime or add a bit of glitter for a classic night time party look! I was a bit out of my comfort zone adding a red lip but I think it doesn't look too bad. 

Products Used :-

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer- Buy it here!
Makeup Forever HD Foundation in N117- Buy it here!
Maybelline Eraser Concealer in Light- Buy it here!
Collection Lasting Perfect Concealer- Buy it here!
Sleek Brow Kit in Light- Buy it here!
Sleek Contour Kit in Light- Buy it here!
MAC Blush in Pinch Me- Buy it here!
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle- Buy it here!
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (Trick on the lid + Factory in the crease)- Buy it here!
MAC Vanilla Eyeshadow (inner corners and highlight)- Buy it here!
MAC Pigment in Tan- Buy it here!
Collection Glam Crystal Glitter Liner in Funk- Buy it here!
Maybelline 24hr Gel Liner in Black (used with a Real Techniques Angled Brush)- Buy it here!
MAC Sized to Go False Lash- Buy it here!
Sleek Lipstick in Stiletto- Buy it here!

Not a lot then? I really enjoyed creating this look- simple yet chic. 

Liss xx

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Sunday 7 December 2014

Top 10 Beauty Products under £10

Who's ready for some beauty bargains?

Here are my top 10 products for under a tenner, and believe me it was so hard to choose just 10!
L'oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation - £9.99- Boots

This is incredibly similar to my beloved Bare Minerals Bare Skin Foundation (Review Here) I personally hate a heavy based foundation- but I still want flawless coverage. Shake well and add a few drops to your finger tips to feel a texture that is "lighter than water" It's incredible for those who are just starting out wearing makeup for school, or for those who like me, want to have amazing coverage but not feel like you have anything on your skin. And we all know that L'oreal provides an extensive range of shades for all skin tones, so it really is worth checking out!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - £4.19- Boots

I highly doubt that any beauty blogger or Youtuber has never heard of this product. When I first started to read blogs and watch makeup videos online this was a beauty staple- and it's star is still shining! It conceals flaws, imperfections and blemishes for upto 16 hours and is transfer resistant - what more could you ask for? I really like this for under the eyes as it doesn't seem to crease as much as other concealers do. A win - win in my eyes!

Slee Contour Kit - £6.49- Superdrug

Fat faces rejoice!!! This for me is the ultimate sculpting and highlighting powder to slim down my chubby cheeks and fake them defined cheekbones. I use the shade "Light" and its perfect for me. The contour powder is matte so it looks quite natural and the iridescent highlighter adds a subtle glow. My only advise is that all Sleek products have a lot of pigment- so a little goes a long way.

LOreal Paris Colour Riche Nudes Collection - £6.99- Boots

All hail my nude lip lovers! I am a massive fan of all LOreal Lipsticks so when they released a nude collection tailor made for all skin types, you can imagine the ear to ear grin. My personal favourite is the Cheryl and Eva nudes - the closest I'm ever gonna get to looking like Cheryl and Eva right? Creamy formulated and long lasting - I will forever repurchase.

Maybelline Falsies Mascara - £7.99- Boots

Instant false lash glam with a flare. Patented spoon curler brush fans out lashes from corner-to-corner, while the pro-keratin formula builds up intense volume without clumping. Most of the time I really haven't got the patience to attempt false lashes- so this is a perfect alternative.

Rimmel Glameyes Quad Eyeshadow in Smokey Brun - £6.99- Boots

Get ready to get your glam on ladies! This perfect little quad is simple and easy to pop in your makeup bag for instant glamify-ing on the go. I can use this for natural daytime looks and smokey chic night time looks to. The eyeshadows are very soft, shimmery and really easy to blend.

No7 Pampering Dry Skin Oil Body Spray - £7.50- Boots

I love pampering products. But sometimes I really hate the greasy-ness of a body oil or body lotion. I just want something that is quick and sinks in nicely without any residue. This dry oil gives skin an instant boost with just a few sprays. It contains almond oil and vitamin E to soothe and soften the skin and on a plus note, it smells incredible!!

LOreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray - £6.60- Boots

As legendary as it comes. Personally this is the one product that has been passed down through generations in my family - my nan, my mum, me have all used this- and I will most probably pass this down to my children!  Fine spray and easy to comb out- no crispy tangles.

OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener - £9.33- Amazon

BEAUTY BARGAIN ALERT! I love finding deals on Amazon, and when I found the OPI Nail Envy at almost half the price, I ordered backups. This is a perfect little help-me-out for all of you who are nail biters or generally have weak nails. Nails grow harder, stronger and longer whilst resisting peeling, cracking and splitting. I use this as a base coat and I love it!

Garnier Skin Naturals Soft Essentials Nourishing Day Cream - £4.70- Boots

So I recently had a stinking winter cold and with that comes dry, DRY skin- to the point of flaking. I tried my usual "sick skincare" of E45 cream and even that didn't seem to help. So whilst helping my mum with the weekly shop in Tesco, I had a little look at the new Beauty Hall (AMAZING) . I came across this Garnier cream and thought- why not? Specially formulated for dry sensitive skin, it contains rose water to soothe and soften, shea butter to nourish and vitamin E for its antioxidant properties. And it really help with the dry skin around my nose from blowing it constantly and I've continued to use it.

PERFECT FOR ANY XMAS STOCKING FILLERS!

Any other beauty favourites I should know about?

Liss xx
















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Monday 1 December 2014

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas....

                                   
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling......
I'm so happy its finally December! The countdown begins. I can't wait for the savvy shopping, face stuffing and champagne toasting for the most cheerful time of the year. But now its December, I realise I am yet to buy a SINGLE present. I need to pull my socks up. 

We don't do subtle in the Molyneux household, as you can probably tell ^. So here are just a little pic of our main tree this year (we usually have 3/4!) It was really nice this year to have a little reminder of our visit to New York on our tree this year too. More pics on my Instagram!

I was thinking about some blog posts to do throughout the christmas period. Maybe do a few christmas party makeup looks/outfits?

Comment below with some ideas!

Liss xx
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Monday 24 November 2014

Hair's the Deal! | Aveda Scalp Benefits Shampoo and Conditioner

See what I did there!

So I was out shopping a couple of weeks ago with my mum and of course I went into Debenhams, as any beauty blogger would tell you- this is a must! I religiously look through all the makeup counters, searching for some newbies or treats that catch my eye and then bite the bullet and purchase them. I never really look at haircare. Enter Aveda....

I sometimes suffer with dry scalp. If you are like me, you know it is extremely embarrassing to brush your hair and see little flakes around your hair line, the crown and the nape of your neck where your scalp is crying for moisture. I've tried Polytar, T-Gel, Head and Shoulders and nothing seemed to work. Even shampoo and conditioners specifically formulated to moisturise your scalp and hair.

I don't really know much about Aveda, Sure I'd heard of the brand and seen the gorgeous advertising campaign with models who have long luxurious glossy hair. So I thought I would have a nose..

Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo 250ml | £17.50

"Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp" YES! This formula cleans right down to the route whilst removing excess sebum and buildup. The formula is sulphate free and creates the ideal foundation for healthy looking hair. A little goes a long way, plus the price tag makes you a bit cautious about putting a massive dollop in your hand.  It gently cleanses, nourishes and balances the scalp so all hair types look and feel their best. With a unique blend of burdock root, echinacea and sage, it smells almost herbal and calming.  Buy it here!

                           


Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Conditioner 200ml | £20.50

Hello silky smooth hair! This conditioner soothes and hydrates the hair and scalp to relieve your hair of that nasty dry itch. Also with similar ingredients to the shampoo it balances the scalp and is suitable for all hair types. I really love how your hair is soft but still manageable when dry. Plus the smell stays with you! Buy it here!

I'm really happy I've found this brand, and I'm eager to try more of their products and see how they compare.

Check out Aveda Haircare at Aveda.co.uk

Have you tried any Aveda Products, or similar hair care brands?

Liss xxx



                               
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Tuesday 18 November 2014

Foundation Review #1 | Bare Minerals Bare Skin Foundation


It's all about the face!

I've been a fan of the mineral foundation from Bare Minerals for a couple of years, but when I heard that the liquid foundation was due to be released I thought YES! Thank the Lord above!

Now I know this foundation came out this summer, but after wearing it for a nearly 5 months I think it's time to review it. And oh my lord.. this is a beauty!

So a quick background of what the product is. 

"Our first ever mineral foundation and skincare serum in one. This ultra-thin, skin-perfecting fluid provides seamless adjustable coverage, a natural finish and the look and feel of beautiful skin. Supercharged Lilac Plant Stem Cells and Vitamin C help to reveal brighter, more even-looking skin tone. It's like nothing you've ever felt before."

I completely agree! When I first tried it on my face the feel reminds me so much of the Loreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint foundation (which I love) where it kind of feels like your makeup on, but it does't look like your have makeup on, but you can tell you have coverage, but its really light and looks so natural. 

I originally bought the shade Bare Linen 03 when I first purchased it for summer. I bought it straight from QVC direct which scared me a bit because I hadn't seen the full shade range (there are 20 shades all together - eek!) but I was really happy that it matched perfectly. I recently had to buy the shade Bare Porcelain 01 for the winter time, which again matches perfectly. I would say that this foundation gives me a good 7 hour wear before my t-zone starts to become slightly oily towards the end of the day . I feel if you have dry/normal skin this would be perfect for you, and if you have a slightly more oily skin, I would recommend to use a blotting powder just to touch up throughout the day. 

So Bare Minerals recommend to apply the product with the Perfecting Face Brush which is a unique buffing brush style applicator with a "fluid reservoir" which holds the drops of foundation. Personally, I didn't bother buying the brush, because I have a million and one foundation brushes, and I'm sure this brush is amazing, but it wasn't for me. I enjoy applying this with either the Real Techniques Buffing Brush, or a damp Beauty Blender. 

The coverage is light to medium but definitely build-able. It recommends that you should start with 1-2 drops. Or you can use 3-4 for a medium coverage and 5-6 drops for full coverage. I always want a full flawless coverage so I usually use 5-6 drops (i'm just in denial about my fat head) on the back of my hand and then dot around my face and blend. It has a natural, dewy finish to it which is good because I am definitely not a matte-foundation fan. The one tip I would give before you apply, it to shake the bottle really well. It is super-concentrated, so the more you shake it, the less chance you will have of the foundation being really runny and thin. 

It currently retails for £26.00 which to me is kind of an in the middle price for a high-end style foundation. Believe me I have paid ridiculous amounts of money looking for the perfect foundation, so this is somewhat reasonable to me. But if your looking to try this before christmas, or maybe want to drop the hint to your boyfriend, friends or family to add to your christmas list, it currently is on sale on FeelUnique for a limited time only. Trust me you will not regret it!

(Apologies for the foundation filled makeup applicators)

Let me know your thoughts.

Liss xxxxx




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Wednesday 12 November 2014

What's in my box? | Birchbox November 2014


Welcome back!

November's birchbox is here! From cosying up in front of a fire and piling on layers of clothes to becoming a hermit for the next 3-4 months, there are plenty of ways to keep warm this winter. This month Birchbox provides us with all the goodies that will help us battle the upcoming winter blues and make the most of your time being all cuddled up and toasty. 

English Laundry | Signature for Her £60

Inspired by classic country gardens this charming scent melds rosy floral top notes with hints of musk. My honest opinion? I'm so undecided with this, I don't know whether its a nice smell, or its grannyish? No idea.

Beauty Protector | Protect & Detangle £14

Hair Woes Goodbye! This wonder spray detangles, minimises frizz, safeguards colour and add shine. Simply spritz onto clean, damp hair and comb through. Job done! I am prone to a slight case of frizz so i'm excited to try this out.

Lord & Berry | Mini Bronzer in Sienna £19

Super fine, matte, bronzing pigments create a healthy glow for a burst of radiance without any shimmer! From a quick swatch on my hand, the colour is not too orange, its quite light and natural, so will look perfect swept over the temples and cheekbones. 


Weleda | Wild Rose Body Oil £19.95

Wild musk rose, enriching jojoba and sweet almond oils nourish and protect skin to leave it soft, suple and smooth. I tried this after getting out of the bath, and it seems to be really soft feeling and dries quickly.

Dr Jart + | V7 Balancing Toner £18 Full Size!

A toner that moisturises? Who knew! A regenerating blend of vitamins brighten and revitalise even the most sensitive of skin. I'm so glad this is my full size treat! I'm running low of my beloved Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic so it came at the right time. It will be interesting to see how it compares, and if it helps my dry skin, thats a bonus!

Bonus : Montezuma's | Mini Bar £2.39 for 100g

This creamy milk chocolate is made from the finest organic cocoa beans for a sophisticated flavour. Get the kettle on!

Overall, It was a bit of a hit and miss box for me this month. I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. It's kind of just "meh". But I'm going to give it a chance and try the products and see how it goes. 

What did you find in your box this month?


Liss xxxx

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Sunday 9 November 2014

NYC Makeup Haul


I'll apologise now! I am too easily tempted!

So I've recently just come back from New York, and there is no way I couldn't take advantage of the shopping experience whilst I was there. These are some of my favourite bits that I am not sorry they burnt a hole in my budget! When in New York.......

If there wasn't a starbucks on every corner, it was Duane Reade (kind of like our version of Boots).

OPI Nail Polish in My Voice is a Little Noise and Black Cherry Chutney
Maybelline True Match Crayon Concealer in Light/Medium
EOS Lipbalm in Vanilla Mint, Summer Fruits and Strawberry Sorbet

Sephora, Sephora, Sephora. Why not?

Makeupforever HD Foundation Kit in including HD Primer, Foundation and Powder.
GlamGlow Original Mask



Bloomingdales in Soho was one of my favourite places to visit. Full of brands including MAC, Nars and Tom Ford, I think my dad would have had a nervous breakdown if I stayed in any longer!

I was very excited to see that the Christmas Collections where already out in NYC, so of course I had to have a peek. And then ended up nearly buying it all....

MAC Studio Brush Kit 
MAC Nude Lip BAg
MAC Eyeshadow in Vanilla and Antiqued
MAC Lipstick in Plumful



It wouldn't be a right if I didn't go to Victoria's Secret.. $165 dollars later...

VS Night Perfume 100ml
VS Very Sexy Pink Satin Robe
VS Makeup Bag
VS Phone Case for Iphone 5S


I am yet to try all of the products but I am in love with the nude lip bag from MAC as it isn't your typical nude, it has a sort of mauve colour to it, which is perfect because of my skin tone. If you've tried any of the above let me know what you think!

Liss xxx

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Sunday 2 November 2014

Concrete Jungle | My Week in NYC

























































New York City- I Love You <3 

xxxxxxx

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