Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - May 2018 review

May's LoveLula Beauty Box arrived earlier on in the month and I've been really enjoying trying out the contents which are worth over £46! 

This month, there are five products inside:-

Botanico Vida Omega Oil (sample)

Usually, I'm a little disappointed when I see a sachet sample in a beauty box, but as I've been wanting to try out Botanico Vida's Omega Oil for a while, the stars seemed to have aligned and now I get to finally try it - hooray! This is a beautiful multi-purpose oil which contains Sacha Inchi (the richest source of plant-based Omegas 3-6-9), and it's brilliant for stretch marks, old scars, uneven skin tone, and drier/mature skin. I'm really impressed with it and will definitely be picking up the full-size at some point.

Alteya Organic Rose Water (full size, RRP £7.20)

I was pleased to see this as it's another product I've had my eye on and I'm thrilled - the Organic Rose Water from Alteya is absolutely lush! Steam distilled and bottled in the heart of the Valley of Roses in Bulgaria, it's certified organic and is just 100% pure and natural Organic Rose Water. Very refreshing on the skin, especially if you keep it in the fridge as a cooling spritz for hot days. 

PHB Ethical Beauty Anti-Ageing Eye Gel (full size, RRP £16.95)

Next, I found another full-size skincare treat, this time from PHB. Described as a firming eye gel which targets the signs of ageing, it's packed full of plant-based bio-actives such as Argan Oil, Seaweed, Rock Rose and Lavender. I've used their Brightening Eye Gel in the past and loved that, and I have to say that this is very similar in terms of overall texture/feel and the results that it gives.

Lyonsleaf Calendula & Marshmallow Balm (30ml, RRP £8.99)

Lyonsleaf are one of my favourite all-natural skincare brands and I particularly admire their clever waterless formulas which mean that they don't need to add any preservatives to their products. I've used their Calendula & Marshmallow Balm before and it's an incredible multi-purpose balm that you can use on any dry, chapped, rough and irritated area. Perfect for sensitive skin and a little goes a long way!

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Lava (full size, RRP £12.99) 

With the festival and Summer holiday season just ahead, this Shimmer Powder from Bellapierre will be a gorgeous addition to your makeup bag. Made from 100% pure Mica Powder, this shade Lava is a stunning warm metallic bronze with an insane amount of gold shimmer! Use it all over the lid for a dramatic evening/night look, or apply it to the lower lashline for a more subtle, but still sparkly, pop of colour.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

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Summer Makeup: Bellapierre Glowing Palette - Review & Swatches

The popularity of highlighters continues to grow, and more and more brands are bringing out whole palettes devoted to getting that instantly enviable glow. The green beauty world are often a little late to the party when it comes to makeup trends, but Bellapierre have absolutely nailed it with their beautiful Glowing Palette!

It was truly love at first sight when I spotted Bellapierre's Glowing Palette on LoveLula last month, and I'm pleased to say that it's even more stunning in real life.

Packaged in a sleek, gold coloured case that feels reassuringly weighty (despite being made from a thick but sturdy type of cardboard), the Glowing Palette is a nice and compact A6 size and features a mirror in the reverse lid. When you open it up, you're greeted by six large pans of mineral-based, pressed powder highlighters in an assortment of shades to suit a wide range of skin tones. The highlighters are held in place by a strong magnetic board, but can be easily removed and refilled if desired. 

The formula of these highlighters has really impressed me as they're incredibly buttery soft to the touch and are super easy to work with. The pigmentation and colour payoff isn't as immediately intense as mainstream brands like Becca or MAC, but these highlighters can be easily layered up to achieve a much stronger look if wanted (I've swatched them quite heavily below so you can see them at their most vibrant!) and I think they look so pretty when applied lightly for a more subtle finish.

That said, the Glowing Palette really lives up to its name as each of these highlighters offers a gorgeous glowy sheen to the skin, without being chunky or glittery, and I love the range of colours that Bellapierre have included.

The top row features Moonshine (a cool toned, almost icy looking pink with pale gold shimmer), Stellar (similar to Moonshine but it's got more of a rosy toned baby pink to it with cool metallic shimmer), Glimmer (a light bronze with gold shimmer), and the bottom row has Beam (a pale yellow with white and gold shimmer), Amorous (a peachy pink with much less shimmer than the other highlighters), and Glint (a warm toned coppery bronze with gold shimmer).

I've mostly been wearing the bronzey shades Glint and especially Glimmer recently, as they really suit my skin at the moment now that it's more tanned for Summer, and I also love Amorous as a glowy blusher shade too. The other three do look amazing though, especially for nights out when you want to feel more glam and dressed up.

I think this is a great cruelty-free palette and it's an excellent dupe for the popular Sun Dipped Glow Kit from Anastasia Beverly Hills (plus you get two extra pans of highlighter with this one, so it's better value for money!). If you're a glow-getter or a highlighter fiend, you need this in your life! 

Bellapierre Glowing Palette* retails for £40 and is available from LoveLula.com who offer free worldwide shipping.

What do you think of this palette?

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June Beauty Favourites

Can you believe it's July already?! I think it's time for my June Favourites then - here's a roundup of everything that I've been loving in the world of beauty this past month.

 Image Skincare I Masks - Biomolecular Hydrating Recovery Mask* & Anti-Aging Radiance Mask* (£9 each, link)

Regular readers will know that I'm obsessed with sheet masks, so I was very excited to try out these new I Masks from Image Skincare when they dropped through my letterbox a couple of weeks ago. These masks have been formulated with the latest German skincare technology and feature a new, patented 'next-generation' hydrogel material that's derived from Red Algae and Carob Tree which allows the active ingredients to penetrate the skin better. It feels like a second-skin when you put it on and fits really well. 

The Hydrating Recovery Mask is infused with mineral charged Volcanic Water, Ginseng Root Extract, Amino Acids and Antioxidants to deeply hydrate the skin, whilst offering anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits at the same time. I particularly love this one - after 30 minutes, my face feels so plump and soft and I noticed that the results lasted for around 2-3 days. The Anti-Aging Radiance Mask, on the other hand, is a fantastic mask for anyone who is starting to see the first signs of ageing and has dull skin. It's packed full of Peptides, Amino Acids and active Botanicals to help give the skin a real boost of radiance - a lovely pampering treat! I was lucky enough to win some more samples of these recently, so I can't wait to use them again for a special occasion.

 Rio Rosa Mosqueta Antioxidant Facial Oil* (30ml, £24.99, link)

A new face oil that I've been loving all month long has been from a natural and organic brand called Rio Rosa Moqueta. Their Antioxidant Facial Oil is one of the best new oils that I've tried this year and I can imagine most skin types getting on well with it. This oil features an interesting Cityshield Anti-Pollution Complex to protect the skin from ageing free radicals and environmental aggressors, so it's perfect for anyone who works in a city or travels frequently. Some of the key ingredients include Cranberry Seed Oil, Rosa Mosqueta Seed Oil, Sacha Inchi Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, so you get a really powerful blend of several multi-functioning natural oils in just one bottle! 

It also contains Vitamin E and Vitamin A, and I love how light and easily absorbed this oil is. I've mainly been using it as the last step in my morning skincare routine as it sits so well underneath makeup. So if you're in the market for a new facial oil, be sure to give this one a go.  

Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme in Antique Pink* (£20, link)

This was my favourite product in last month's Love Lula beauty box and I've been wearing it almost every day since it arrived. Antique Pink is one of those beautiful, easy to wear shades - I can just apply this in the morning and I'm good to go. It dries down to a matte finish but doesn't feel drying, and the colour stays put throughout most of the day (sometimes needs a little touch up after drinking, but holds up well throughout meals!). 

Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser* (200ml, £14.99, link)

Given the sheer boom of new self-tanning formulas that have exploded onto the market in the past couple of years, it seems long overdue for a brand to launch a proper self-tan eraser, as we all know that removing self-tan or fixing any mistakes can be a bit of a pain in the ass, to say the least. Described as a 'world first', one of my holy grail tanning brands Bondi Sands, has finally come up with a product that will put an end to harsh scrubbing and dodgy DIY methods that never seemed to work. Meet the Self Tan Eraser, a rather nifty foam that will remove any self-tan within just 5 minutes!

I must admit that I was slightly sceptical when I first saw this product, but thankfully it does work. To use it, you just pump out some of the foam, apply to dry skin and massage it in. No scrubbing or exfoliating mitt needed. The formula then gets to work and 5 minutes later, all traces of self-tan are gone with a quick wipe. Best of all, it doesn't feel drying or stripping on the skin and instead leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Genius! 

Green People Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF 30* (200ml, £22 - full review here)

We've had some pretty intense heatwaves here in the UK recently and with another one planned for this week, it's more important than ever to remember to slap on your sunscreen! This fragrance-free sun lotion from Green People is great for anyone who has sensitive skin, and it offers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't feel greasy or sticky, so it's ideal for anyone who hates that 'thick' feeling of sunscreen on their skin.

Schwarzkopf got2b Fresh It Up Dry Shampoo in Dark Brown* (200ml, £2 in Primark)

With the warmer weather, I've been using dry shampoo a lot more than usual to freshen up my hair and I've been particularly enjoying using this new one from Schwarzkopf's popular got2b range. There are lots of different ones available, but Dark Brown suits my hair the best as it doesn't leave any telltale white cast or residue, and you can use it to cover up any root growth if desired. It's a really good dry shampoo for sucking up any excess oil or dirt and only costs £2 for a big can in Primark - bargain!

What are your current beauty favourites?

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Green Beauty Box: LoveLula Beauty Box - June 2017 review

My favourite green beauty box from LoveLula arrived last week and I've been enjoying its contents as it includes a good mix of makeup and skincare from some amazing brands.

Here's what I found inside:-

Balm Balm Hibiscus Face Mask with Muslin Cloth (5g travel size) 

This gentle exfoliating face mask comes as a loose powder that you mix with a little water to create a paste. It's made from simple natural ingredients such as Brown Rice Flour, Ground Hibiscus and Rose Geranium Essential Oil, to give the skin a deep cleanse that draws out clogged pores and impurities. I've only used it once so far but it left my skin looking much clearer and brighter so I''m looking forward to using it more often in the future!

John Masters Organics Lavender, Rose Geranium and Ylang Ylang Soap (42g, RRP £3)

I always have a solid bar of soap on the go in my bathroom, usually as a hand soap by my sink, and this one from John Masters Organics features three of my favourite essential oils; Lavender, Rose Geranium and Ylang Ylang. Needless to say it smells beautiful, and the SLS-free base of Organic Olive Oil and Cupuacu Butter means it won't dry out my hands. 

Bellapierre Kiss Proof Lip Creme in Antique Pink (full size, RRP £20)

I was really pleased to see a makeup item in this month's box because I feel they've been missed in previous months, but this liquid lipstick from Bellapierre certainly makes up for it! Worth £20 on its own, I received the shade Antique Pink which is such a gorgeous everyday shade for me to wear, and the matte formula is really great too. It even smells good - win win!

Madara Daily Defence Ultra Rich Balm (full size, RRP £15)

You guys all know that I love my multi-purpose products and Madara's Daily Defence Ultra Rich Balm has been on my wishlist for a while now. Suitable for face, body, hands and any dry bits like cuticles and elbows etc, this balm-meets-super-rich-cream helps to protect the skin from dryness and extreme weather conditions by giving it an intense shot of moisture where it's needed the most. It's something that I'll definitely get more use out of in the winter months, but I'll be keeping it on my bedside table to tackle my dry cuticles and hands until then.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Beauty Box: Naturisimo Absolutely Flawless Makeup Discovery Box - Review & Swatches

The newest Discovery Box from Naturisimo has been released, and it features a special edit of bestselling natural and organic makeup to get you looking flawless for all those upcoming Christmas parties. Let's take a closer look!

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May Favourites

Well another month has been and gone, so it's time I posted about my May Favourites!  These are all products that I highly recommend as I've been loving them recently.

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Review: Naturisimo Limited Edition Kiss & Makeup Discovery Box

Naturisimo's latest Limited Edition Discovery box is a fab option for those of you who are looking to branch out and try more 'green' makeup products at a bargain price.

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Shopping My Stash: Easy NYE Makeup for Eyes & Lips

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!  I've been shopping my makeup stash for tomorrow's NYE celebrations and have rediscovered some new and old favourites for eyes and lips.

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July Empties / Products I've Used Up

Empties time!  You all know the drill by now; here are the products I've finished off this month, my thoughts on them, and whether I'll be repurchasing them in the future.

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Currently Using: Mascaras

Mascaras.  Oh, mascaras.  I used to have a serious addiction for them a few years ago, and couldn't go into a shop that sold them without coming out with at least one or two (or more if they were on offer!).  This addiction has calmed down since those days, but I still love trying them out.  At the moment I currently have five on the go which showcase the good, the not so good and the simply 'meh'.

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Review: Bellapierre Lash Building Mascara

 Bellapierre Lash Building Mascara in Black (9ml, £19.99, link)

Over the weekend, I had a brief switch up of my everyday make-up items and decided to include this Bellapierre mascara in my new set up.  This is one of many mascaras that have been languishing in a drawer, waiting to be opened up and taken out of their boxes.  To put it into perspective, this particular mascara came to me via a Joliebox back in April, so it was really time that I finally tried it out.

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Joliebox - April

The little black beauty box known as Joliebox arrived on my doorstep today and I couldn't wait to open it up. Inside were the following products:-

[1] 15ml tube of Balance Me Daily Essentials Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm: this is 100% natural and sounds like a balm version of Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish.

[2] 10ml jar of Tropic Skincare Skin Revive: a firming and nourishing moisturiser which has a subtle citrusy scent that I'm not sure I'm keen at just yet, as I generally prefer unscented skincare. I'm sure I'll give it a go at some point.

[3] Sample bottle of Pure Fiji Exotic Bath and Body Oil: love, love, LOVE coconut oil as an intensive moisturising treat, so naturally was very pleased to see this included! This one is blended with 'exotic nut extracts' and is a wonderful multi-purpose product that can be used in the bath, on the body and on the hair. Going to be trying this out tonight I think.

[4] Full size Bellapierre Lash Building Mascara in Black: I'm something of a mascara fiend, so always like receiving these in beauty boxes. Have seen Bellapierre products on the Naturismo site and always wanted to try something by them as they're a mostly natural/chemical free brand, but their make-up is a little on the pricey side! I'll certainly look forward to trying out this mascara.

[5] 30ml KMS California Freeshape Hot Flex Spray: Have spoken before of how much I loved the KMS California Quick Blow Spray sample that was in another beauty box, so I'm excited to try out this one. It's a protective heat spray that provides a flexible hold, which they claim will last until your next wash. Will be putting this to the test soon.

Summary: Another great box from Joliebox, again all products that I'm interested to try out and that appeal to me personally. A happy camper!

Did you receive a Joliebox? What did you think?

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