Product Rave: Bourjois Cream Blush 03.

If there is one make up item I'm a sucker for, it's a good old cream blush. However, the all time greats undoubtedly come from the high end make up department. Like all good things, where high end goes the high street will inevitably follow. It may take them a little longer to get it bang on, but when they do it's a purse friendly revelation. 

Enter Bourjois Cream Blush. 

I perused each of the four new shades (01 Nude Velvet, 02 Healthy Glow, 03 Rose Tender & 04 Sweet Cherry). Whilst all shades delivered, Rose Tender hit the nail on the head. Not too pink, not too peach. In fact, for all of you Penny Lane fanatics...give Rose Tender a go. Spend your £13 change on something else pretty.

So, Why is it a rave? 

At £7.99 you're looking at a real winner. It's a rich creamy texture and a beautiful natural colour payoff that far surpasses it's price tag. Lasting power is similar to most high end brands, you can't expect miracles with a cream blush but it pops easily into your bag to top up without caking. 

Definitely a rave. 

xx

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre 82 Émerveillé.

Ever since Chanel sent the Illusion D'Ombre shadows out into the beauty world it's been an itch I've been yearning to scratch. After a serious make up spending ban and a clear out I'm finally dipping my toe back into the world of "non-essential essential". This was thoroughly justified by the drying out of many paint pots, primers and paint sticks. Hello Chanel! 

Being the crazy out their kinda gal I am, I went with Émerveillé. It's a glimmering shade of champagne that never fails to set my heart racing. Let's face it, if you're spending £24 on a single shadow, it's got to be wearable. 

If you were trying to pigeon hole this particular product into an existing beauty box, you'd probably put it in the cream eyeshadow family. But the beauty of the Illusion D'Ombre is that they are a delectable fusion of a cream/powder/pressed pigment/whipped mousse shadow. It really is that undefinable. 

The soft whipped texture in the pot, transfers to a smooth metallic powder finish on the skin and easily builds to a stunning finish. If you want to up the amp, MAC's Jest is an almost perfect accompaniment. The photos above show a quick wash of Émerveillé that just screams polished chic. You could take this with you on a weekend away and have no need for much more than a sweep of mascara for a finished look. Perfect. 

This might be the start of a beautiful (and expensive) friendship. 

xx

Taking On a Classic. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream.

For my birthday, I was utterly spoilt with lots of lovely bits and these little gems from Elizabeth Arden came courtesy of my lovely best friend, Katherine. As a seasoned beauty blogger I am ashamed to admit that I had never actually tried the Elizabeth Arden staple, 8 Hour Cream. Since it's emergence as a beauty must have, it's expanded to an entire range. I've been giving the Intensive Daily Moisturiser for Face, Intensive Moisturising Hand Cream & Lip Protectant Stick. 

I also had an adorable mini sample of the 8 hour cream in it's purest form, but it's already been squirreled away into my handbag, it's that good! 

Whilst the strong herbal scent can be a love/hate thing for many beauty lovers, I love it. It's a topical scent that I really like. After giving them all a whirl, I can see why the 8 hour range is such a cult product. 

The Lip Protectant Stick is by far my pick of the bunch. It's great for on the go, moisturises like nothing else and is ever so chic. It's a winner. A classic for a reason! 

xx

Jo Loves.

It started with a love for Jo Malone, it developed into a need to try the latest offerings from the Jo Malone. To inform the uninformed, Jo parted ways with her namesake company in 2006 after selling in 1999 to beauty powerhouse Estée Lauder.  

2011 saw the fragrant phoenix rise from the flames in the form of Jo Loves, a delectable selection of delicious scents. I just had to see what the lady herself had been up to. 

The fragrance that got the whole ball rolling was 'A Shot of Thai Lime Over Mango' - could you think of anything more refreshing to spritz during summer? I couldn't either. Whilst the fresh notes please me, and the delcious list of ingredients that would happily pour into a Taiwanese cocktail (Mango, Kaffir Lime & Mint? Heaven), It's Pomelo that has set my heart racing. Jo describes it like "fresh linen sheets or a glass of bubbling fizzy water with a slice of lime and lots of crushed ice". I couldn't agree more. It's the sharp, zesty kick in the teeth I've needed to truly embrace a citrus summer scent. The grapefruit kick mellows to a almost masculine aroma which is the perfect balance for me. Not too sweet, not too rich, the perfect summer balance. 

Jo Loves. I Love, Lots. 

xx

Empties 04.

I have never, ever been happier to bin a bunch of empties than I have with this lot. Not because I didn't adore many of the products above, but because it was a long hard road to use them up. In the case of the Umberto Giannini & the Toni & Guy Shampoo, they didn't take much and I liked them both but as with many beauty bloggers you'll know there is always something more exciting around the corner. 

What really took time and commitment was the Vera Wang Rock Princess, believe it or not I actually included it in the last empties post believing it was done and dusted, but the little sucker carried on spritzing for at least a few more times. Tarrah Vera, it's been fun but it's time to go! 

The Sally Hansen nail polish remover isn't anything ground breaking, it's a complete staple of mine and I already have a new one in my drawer. 

My MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural took an age (I'm talking nearly 2 years...) to use up, and I can't believe I finally used it up. Can I actually call this an achievement?! 

Finally, I was sad to use the last scrapings of my Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm, especially as it's turned to gold dust online! I need it back in my life but refuse to pay P&P, I am the eternal delivery scrooge. 

So, to the bin!

xx

Home Additions.

Recently, I've been feathering the nest. I'm not sure if it's the change of seasons or my recent obsession with all things interior, but here are a few gems I've collected. 

First and foremost, big up to TKMaxx. I've you've never delved into the Aladdin's cave of homeware you are seriously missing out. It's a dangerous place my friends. 

The gorgeous photo-less photo frame is the exact fit for how I'm liking things at the moment. Clean, fresh and cute. I just need to decide on a photo now! 

Pillow's are courtesy of TK's and a gift from mother. They're a vast improvement to the ancient Habitat numbers that have adorned my bed for yonks. All I need now are two plain white monsters and we're there! 

Finally, I've really got into smells at the moment. I've always been a candle fiend but this cute Bahoma room diffuser is a nice thing to have if you want to come home to a fresh, floral bedroom. The candle* is my latest addition from The Body Shop. The Vanilla & Tonka Bean scent is the perfect warm creamy vanilla that I adore but doesn't smell too sickly that it's hard to stomach. It's a winner. 

What are you adding to your abode this season? 

xx

Happy 2nd Birthday: May Glossybox.

Happy Birthday Glossybox! 2 million boxes worldwide and 500,000 in the UK & Ireland alone, it's certainly advanced for it's age. 

So what birthday treats did Glossybox have to offer this month? 

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shine Spray (full size £18.95 for 125ml)

Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner (full size £2.99 for 6ml)

Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara (full size £15) 

Headline Colors Poolside Party Nail Polish (full size £9 for 10ml) 

Beatiful Moments Prime & Create Mixing Medium (full size £20 for 20ml) 

First Impressions?

I was ecstatic to find another Paul Mitchell Awapuhi product in my box, as his previous offering of the Ginger Oil is one of my favourite hair products. It's a light finishing spray that smells divine. I'm hooked.

Another product that floats my boat is the Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Mascara. I'm all about trying new things for my lashes at the moment, so I'm really looking forward to giving this a whirl. 

Headline Colors Poolside Party is the perfect tropical hue. It's a vibrant turquoise that screams hot summer. 

The two products I'm not so excited by are the Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner. I just don't wear eyeliner enough to be that excited by it. 

The Beautiful Movements Mixing Medium isn't something I'll use. I've given it a quite whirl with a few pigments and it doesn't seem to do anything. It's just blends into nothing. A nice idea but a bit of a dead loss. 

The bonus of travel nail files will always come in handy too, a great gift bag extra! 

What did you get in your box this month? 

xx

Pomegranate Noir.

I've been flirting with the idea of Jo Malone for a while. Unsatisfied with the obvious choices in the perfume department I needed something to feed my addiction to slightly peppery, unusual scents. 

As a long time devotee to Tom Ford Black Orchid I wanted an alternative before I ran my signature scent into the ground. Along came Pomegranate Noir. 

Alongside my maiden voyage into the Malone scent wardrobe, I went off the grid. I selected it blind. No sample, not even a sniff. Something just told me I'd love this scent. My instincts were correct. 

When first sprayed, the pink pepper punches straight through. It soon settles to a deep and fruity but woody fragrance. It's a bold but distinctive smell.

Find it HERE. 

xx

Hello Dolly. Seventeen Doll'd Up Mascara.

I'd like to thank my 'extreme couponing' session in Boots for my recent discovery of the best high street mascara I've tried in a long time. Thank you advantage card vouchers! 

Enter Seventeen (Formally 17) doll'd up mascara.

 It didn't look particularly stunning on the shelf, but on offer for £2 was just too good to resist. 

So, what does it promise? "Up to 24hr curl & wide-eyed volume for doll like lashes". Does it deliver? Yup. 

Before.

After. 

It delivers on all levels. With just one coat it creates long fluttery lashes that would sit pretty on even the most porcelain of dolls. 

I wish I could attribute all of the length just to the mascara alone but I've been using a lash serum for a couple of weeks which I'm convinced is contributing to the flutter factor. 

Even at it's full price £6.29, I'd pay it happily. 

It might even produce better lashes than 'They're Real'. Now that's an accolade. 

xx