Birchbox UK May 2013 Unboxing

It's that time again! Birchbox time. I've already put up a unboxing video on my YouTube channel, so if you'd prefer, go and watch that. 




May's Red Carpet Ready box is full of goodies to leave you ready for your own red carpet worthy moment. It's also in support of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. It's not a charity I've heard of before, but I'm all for supporting any breast cancer charity. I donate monthly to one as it's a cause close to my heart. This month, Birchbox will be donating to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer: 30% of e-shop sales and £5 when you refer a friend to Birchbox UK. Sounds good to me!

OPI Nail Lacquer:

It's always exciting to see a mini of an OPI nail polish in these beauty boxes, but it's certainly not something new. Unfortunately, I'm less than impressed with the color I got. I still don't know the color, but it's just an off white, bit grey. Pretty much, BORING.

Elemental Herbology Cell Plumping Facial Moisturizer SPF8:

I was quite excited to see this as I've been eager to try something from this brand for awhile now. I've used this only twice now, but so far so good. It's not broken me out and it leaves my skin looking lovely and fresh and feeling soft and plump.

B/Attitude Body Souffle:

Not too excited about this, just because I don't care for body moisturizers because I'm a lazy cow. ;) It smells nice enough, but the more I smell it the less I like it. It's reminding me of baby powder!

MakeBelieve Enhance: 

I'm a bit worried this will be too sparkly for my oily skin and for a daily basis, but I'm thinking it could be nice for a dramatic or night out look. 

Doctor Duve Anti-Aging & Firming Eye Cream:

This was the beauty extra, hence them being in those annoying sample packets. I'm quite excited to try these. Mostly because the full size costs £115 and I feel a bit posh using an expensive eye cream. Just kidding. I'm interested in seeing whether or not it's that different to my far cheaper eye creams. 

Kusmi Tea Detox:

Not my cup of tea. SEE WHAT I DID THERE? I'm much more of a coffee girl, but I'll either give this to my friend or let my boyfriend try it. 



What was in your Birchbox this month? Comment below!

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so Fresh Sunshine Edition

Marc Jacobs have remixed some of their most popular Daisy scents just in time for the Spring and Summer seasons. If I'm honest, what first made me give this perfume a whiff when I caught sight of it at Boots was the design of the cap. It just looked so pretty! Of course if it had smelled horrible, I wouldn't of bought it and would of saved myself some cash. The last thing I needed was another fruity floral perfume but sadly it smelled too amazing to pass up. I tried to ignore it's call, but I kept coming back to it and dousing myself in it at the fragrance cabinet until I finally decided FINE, I'll buy it. 



Daisy Eau so Fresh Sunshine Edition is said to have a "bolder, fruitier twist" to the original. I've still not smelled the original Eau so Fresh, but I'll take the Macy's website's word for it. ;) It certainly does smell quite fruity.

Top Notes: Strawberry, Apple Blossom and Pink Grapefruit.
Mid Notes: Jasmine Petals, Day Lily and Rose.
Base Notes: Violet Leaf, White Oak Moss and Amber Wood. 

The scent I smell the most from this perfume is definitely the strawberry. 



The only downside to this lovely perfume is that it's not the longest lasting of scents, because it is eau de toilette as opposed to parfum.

Overall, this is a wonderful Spring/Summer scent and if you don't already own a dozen of perfumes perfectly suited to this season, (...like me) then give this one a whirl. 

April 2013 Favorites!

Hey guys! It's April Favorites time. Not. More like it's almost time for May Favorites. But I like to procrastinate. Sorry!! Hope you enjoy.

Daytime Serums - yay or nay?

When it comes to serums, Estee Lauder knows what they're doing. So when I made my first foray into a serum for the daytime, I turned to them. 

I've used serums in the past, but usually only at night time. Mainly because at night our skin is more receptive to these types of products and that's when you'll really notice the difference. I never thought there was much point to using a serum during the day. I just felt like it was going to be an extra step and an unnecessary layer. 

Unfortunately, I think I'm still in that frame of mind. 

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator:

My good friend gave me this to finish off because she hadn't been liking it and said I should try it. When used on it's own, it does give the skin a gorgeous glow, but I find that by the end of the day my makeup looks more oily than if I hadn't even bothered using it at all. I prefer mixing this with foundations, especially the Estee Lauder Double Wear. Those two together look absolutely stunning. Again, it takes down the wear time by a little bit, but it stops the Double Wear from looking like a caked on mess. So while I don't use this on it's own, at least not on days when I need long lasting wear, I do love this mixed with otherwise too heavy foundations.

Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refresher:

This was the serum I turned to once I found the Even Skintone Illuminator to be too heavy for work use. At work, I have to wear a lot of makeup and it's long hours so it needs to stay PUT. So I hoped this would help. It's lovely on the skin and does smooth out the skin and make the pores look reduced. Overall, it makes a great base for makeup, but I just find my primer does a better job of keeping my makeup in place throughout the day. If I use a serum, primer AND THEN my foundation, it's all just a tad too much.

So is a daytime serum really necessary? Perhaps not if you have oily skin like me, and if you work in an environment where you wear a full face of makeup on a pretty much daily basis and need it to last. Sometimes, less really is more!

What are your thoughts on serums during the day time? Necessary or not?

Ojon Full Detox Rub Out Dry Cleansing Spray Review

This has to be one of the priciest dry shampoos I own, with one of the fanciest smanciest names. That means it must be the best one I own, right!?

You would think so, but unfortunately that's not the case. It's a lovely product on the inside. When I first used this dry shampoo I was so sure I'd found the one true love for me! Well, in the shape of a dry shampoo, that is. 

It didn't leave too bad of a white cast to the hair, it didn't feel greasy, it felt light and gave my hair the perfect amount of volume while making it look less oily and flat. I'm not a huge fan of the scent, it smells very herbal, but it didn't stick around so I wasn't that offended.

Sadly, this dry shampoo has the world's most evil packaging! DRAMATIC MUSIC. It just clogs far too easily and stops product from coming out. Even when I've tried unclogging it, it's still a nuisance to work with. 

I need a product that's going to be amazing to the last drop, not just quit by Day 3. Yep, didn't take long for this to start clogging at all.

I've seen a few people complain about this on the Ojon website. At £18 a can, this stuff isn't cheap. Hopefully they'll update the packaging soon. 

Have you tried this dry shampoo? What's your favorite dry shampoo? Comment below!

Chanel Goodie Bag

I'm not sure if this event is still going on (so helpful, I know) but in Westfield White City there was a little interactive advert outside of Boots where you could pick your favorite Chance Chanel scent, text a number and then go into Boots, Debenhams or House of Fraser to your Chanel counter and get a free little goodie bag.

Being a lover of Chanel and freebies, I said yes please!

Here's what's inside:

Chanel Le Volume De Chanel: 

The newest mascara from Chanel that promises "instant volume and intensely lush color in a single stroke". I must admit, you get some pretty wowza lashes from this mascara. And they look so lifted and curled without needing to curl them. But be warned, it's a VERY wet formula. I'm kind of waiting for mine to dry out a little because it caused some clumpage the other day. It is a sample size, so maybe the full size isn't as bad, but you're warned! I quite like the brush. A lot of mascaras that promise volume think it's necessary to give you a brush the size of a ear of corn. But this is quite easy to use. 

Chanel Glossimer in Amour 166:

I was so excited to try a Chanel Glossimer because a lot of people claim they're one of the nicest glosses they've tried. I adore the pinky coral shade and the subtle yet certainly there glitter, but I wish there was just a bit more pigment to it. Oh well! 

Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme:

I still haven't tried this, because I was saving it for a friend. She used it and it seriously, no lie, cured her flakey dry skin all in one night. But she's refusing to purchase it because, well, it's expensive for a moisturizer. Anyways, I think that speaks enough for the product, regardless of whether or not I've tried it. I have tried the Hydra Beauty serum and loved it. I wouldn't need it on a daily basis, but when I suffer from the rare but occasional dry skin (due to excessive blowing…of the nose, darlings) it sorts it out in a jiffy. 

Chance Chanel Eau Tendre:

Finally, you get a sample of the fragrance you originally chose on the interactive advert. SO CHOOSE WISELY. Just kidding. I'm sure you're allowed to change your mind. We're women. It's bound to happen. Anyways, I chose this one because my twin sister used to wear it and it reminds me of her. -creeeeeeper- Nah, it's a gorgeous scent and man does it wear well! 

Not bad for a free goodie bag, eh? Like I said, I'm not sure if it's still available, but if you're in Westfields have a look.

They see me rollin...

Why have UK stockists refused to embrace perfume rollerballs? I stocked up on these lovelies when I was home in the US. I haven't got much to say about them other than they're wonderful. They're great for travel. I know that's simply stating the obvious but they're perfect for that. You never have to worry about carrying around a huge bottle of fragrance. They're also wonderful for topping up your fragrance on the go. They're also far less obnixous than spritizing yourself and making the whole train carriage smell your scent, whether they want to or not. Dabbing on a bit of fragrance is far more dainty and lady like. It deposits far less fragrance too and won't offend others around you. Not that I'm that fussed. I'm sure my Viva La Juicy smells much nicer than the scent of tube. Gag. 



Or if you're like me and never finish a bottle of perfume but rather hoard them, then a rollerball size is perfect for trying out a new scent without investing in the full size.I realize they're terrible value for money, but they're so convenient I don't mind paying the slightly silly price. 

So I suppose this isn't much of a review and more of a plea to anywhere in the UK that sells perfumes. START SELLING ROLLER BALLS.

Thanks!!!