5 Product Face: 'No Makeup' Makeup Look

Less is most definitely more when it comes to nailing that laidback 'no makeup' makeup look.  The trick is to choose only a few products to prevent overdoing it, so this look is perfect for a 5 Product Face.

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New In: The Spring Skincare Edit

Spring is well and truly in full swing, so I wanted to share some new products that I've been using lately to reflect the warmer weather.

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Review & Swatches: RMK W Colour Mascara in Indigo & Green and Vintage Drop Gloss in Rose - Vintage Sweets Collection S/S15

RMK's latest Vintage Sweets makeup collection for Spring is one of the cutest I've seen so far this year. There are pastel colours galore, a quirky two ended coloured mascara and lots of shiny new Limited Edition products.

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NOTD: RMK Ex-16

Happy Friday!  To kick off the weekend I've slapped on this insanely glittery nail polish from RMK which photographs beautifully and looks just as gorgeous in real life.

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September Favourites

Last month was a particularly great month for discovering some new beauty favourites!  Here's what I've been loving lately.

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RMK 'Power Of Love' A/W 2014 Blogger Event at Selfridges, Birmingham

The other day, I went to visit the Selfridges counter of luxury Japanese brand, RMK, as part of a small blogger event that they were putting on to showcase their new Power Of Love A/W Collection.

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The Triple Review: Organic Surge Fresh Ocean Shower Gel, B.Pure Micellar Water & RMK Refreshing Gel

Ready for a triple whammy of reviewing goodness?  Here are three products that I've been using recently from Organic Surge, B. and RMK.

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Joliebox - May

My Joliebox for May has finally arrived this morning and despite my mild annoyance about the delay, the contents definitely make up for it.  In fact, I think this is one of the best boxes they've ever done!  In my Joliebox, I received:-

• Essential Care Organic Rose Moisturiser 15ml sample tube - I was happy to get this because I received one of these moisturisers in an Amarya box a while ago, but unfortunately that one wasn't for my skin type.  This one says it suits all skin types so I look forward to trying it out.
•  Talika Lipocils Expert sample - An eyelash growth treatment which sounds intriguing and easy to use, will certainly give this a go!
• China Glaze Nail Polish in Dress Me Up full size - From The Hunger Games collection, definitely my favourite item in the box, but of course that's because I love China Glaze anyway.  The shade is a pretty neutral beigey-pink and I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of this.
•  RMK Make Up Base sample - I saw this promoted everywhere when I was in Japan so I was really pleased to see a sample included.  Another product I'm looking forward to trying out.

 If you received a Joliebox last month, what was your favourite product?

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May Empties

It's been another good month for using stuff up, here are my empties for May:-

•  John Frieda Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight - I have a love/hate thing going on with this one.  Sometimes I really love using it because it de-frizzes and straightens my hair like a dream.  Other times, it feels like it leaves a lot of residue which leads to product build up and makes my hair look dull.  Needless to say, I've had this bottle for about 7 months and have only just finished it.  Repurchase?  Probably not, I think I'll stick with my Macadamia Oil instead.
• Boots Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover - This has been a staple of mine for years.  It's cheap and does the job.  Repurchase? Yes.
• Bodhi Ylang Ylang Incensa Sensual Bath & Shower Therapy* - Love, love, love this!  My absolute HG high-end all-natural bath product.  Smells absolutely incredible!  Repurchase? Yes, it's pricey but worth every penny IMO.  Going onto the birthday wishlist.
• Lush American Cream Conditioner - Really like this and have bought it several times.  Smells great and makes my hair lovely and soft, without weighing it down.  Repurchase? Yes.
• Burts Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar - Didn't get on with this at all, sorry to say it's one of the worst shampoos I've ever tried and I had to throw it out after just one use.  Left a horrible greasy, sticky residue type film on my hair which took several rinses to get out.  Not good!  Repurchase? No!
• A'kin 24 Hour Intensive Moisture Leave-In Conditioner - Was pleasantly surprised by this because a lot of leave-in conditioner leave my hair feeling on the greasy side, but this one absorbed into my hair straight away and it felt beautifully light.  My hair was sleek and frizz free, as well as feeling properly hydrated.  Amazing stuff from such a natural product.  Repurchase? Definitely, I got 2 uses out of the sachet sample, which makes getting the full size even more affordable as a little goes a long way.
• Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover - One of the best makeup removers on the market, takes off everything and never irritates my skin.  Repurchase? Yes.
• Lavera Basis Hand Cream - I like this for using in summer as it's nice and light.  Smells good too, a bit like subtle marzipan!  Repurchase? Yes, have another sample tube in my handbag that I'm using.
• RMK Cleansing Oil - Wanted to like this because it's often raved about, but it was just too heavy for my oily/combination skin.  I imagine it would be great for dry skin though. Repurchase? No, not for me.

•  Bodhi Jasmine Falls Relaxing Bath & Shower Therapy* - This is another gorgeous all natural bath product that I adore using.  So soothing and great to use before going to bed.  Repurchase? Yes, I would save up and get a full size of this once I've used some of my other bath products up.
• Lush Fair Trade Foot Lotion - Another staple of mine, I've bought this countless times and find that a tub lasts a good couple of months.  Makes my feet soft and smelling fresh!  Repurchase? Yes.
• Smooch Lip Gloss in Jelly Bean - I liked the sheer colour of this, a pretty coral which is great for layering over lipstick.  Has taken me ages to finish this though because the formula is very sticky, so I mainly used it on nights out.  Repurchase? No, there are others I like more than this.
• Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Aid - Love this, smells and tastes just like lemonade and is super moisturising, whilst also delivering some subtle shimmer.  Repurchase? Yes.
• bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation in Medium Beige - Really do like this a lot, excellent for oily skin, especially in summer.  Coverage is on the sheer side but can be built up if wanted.  Repurchase? Yes, will buy a full size of this soon!
• Clinique Almost Bronzer SPF 15 in 01 Light/Medium - Received this in a bonus time GWP last year I think?  It's far too shimmery for my liking to be used as a bronzer, however it looked gorgeous when used as a highlight which is how I used it up.  Repurchase? No, I have too many highlighters as it is and don't use them that often.
• Evolve Organic Beauty Protein Build Conditioner for Dry/Damaged Hair - Oh my, this smelt insanely good!  Sweet like cookies and cake batter, so strange for a hair conditioner, but I'm not going to complain!  Great conditioner too, noticed my hair feeling softer after just one use.  Repurchase?  Yes, I'm sure I'll get a full size of this at some point.
•  Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup - I thought this was OK but nothing amazing.  Repurchase? No.
• Inlight Organic Daily Face Oil - Lovely oil that absorbed straight away into the skin and didn't feel greasy at all.  Smelt good, bit like vanilla.  Repurchase? Maybe.
• Lush Ceridwen's Cauldron Luxury Bath Melt - Great for dry skin and when my eczema flares up, calms everything down and makes my skin feel normal again, whilst leaving it incredibly soft.  Reviewed here.  Repurchase? Yes.

*PR samples

What are your beauty empties this month?

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Joliebox - February

The Boudoir Prive merger with France's Joliebox excited many in the blogosphere, especially when Joliebox UK announced that there wouldn't be a box for January so that they could devote full attention to the contents of future boxes. Finally, after a great deal of waiting and numerous rumours, the new Joliebox has landed! Before I move onto the contents, let me mention the repackaging, or rather the addition of a black drawstring bag in the box. I don't really get the purpose of it. What the hell am I supposed to do with it?! Anyway, was this all worth the wait?



The contents!



(1) Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water, 100ml - "An antioxidant and tonic makeup remover that will revitalise and purify skin" - This smells nice and is basically a high end makeup remover that has natural water from the Himalayas as one of its key ingredients. It probably couldn't have come at a worst time for me as I've recently fallen in love with Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish, and if you've tried that, you'll know that it's not only an incredible cleanser, but also removes every single trace of make-up. However, I'm sure I will try this out at some point and I like how it's paraben free and suitable for sensitive skin.



(2) Macadamia Deep Repair Masque, 30ml sachet - I've been eyeing this up for some time, so I was happy to receive this and I'm looking forward to using it. I imagine I'll be able to get two uses out of this sample. (3) Lavera Hand Cream, 20ml handbag size - This is the same hand cream that I received in this Latest In Beauty box. I haven't tried it yet as I'm using up my beloved L'Occitane Shea Butter one, but it will be useful for keeping in my handbag. (4) RMK Cleansing Oil, 3ml sachet - Japanese brand which I've heard good stuff about, but I do think sachets for things like cleansers a bit useless as you can't get a good enough feel for them. That said, I will use it up and see what it's like.





(5) Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip and Cheek Stain in Forever Pink, trial size - "An all natural, multi-purpose stain that adjusts its colour to your mood and temperature" - I love the smell of this, it's like fruity sweets! It is absolutely tiny though, see the size comparison below:-





Anyway, I've tried it on my lips and it delivers a very pretty and flattering wash of pink. It's weird seeing it change colour and on me, it looks darker the hotter I feel (for example, I was out in the sunshine today and it turned to a deep fuschia pink!). Not sure I would want this effect on my cheeks, but I'll definitely use it on the lips.

Summary: I think the long wait was a MAJOR letdown. Although I will end up using everything in the box, I don't think there are any amazing standout products, and certainly nothing in my opinion makes this box special in any way. It's 'OK' at best, and I can imagine a lot of people being deeply disappointed with it. The value of the contents is pretty poor too, and I'm sure many will agree with me when I say that I'd rather have better value products in the box over an additional wasteful drawstring bag. I have always been excited to receive Boudoir Prive boxes and the very first Joliebox in December was incredible, but this just wasn't all that great.

Did you receive this box? What are your thoughts? Was it worth the wait or not?

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