GlossyBox September 2011

I recieved my GlossyBox over a week ago but didn't get a chance to blog about it straight away so I'm a little late but at least I've had time to try each product more than once and form a proper opinion on them.

This month I've included the discount codes for each product incase any of you want to take advantage of them.

Neal and Wolf Harmony Intensive Care Treatment £12.95
Recieve 15% off the range at www.nealandwolf.com using code GLOSSYBOX.
Expires 14/11/11

I was happy to see this product included in my box as I'm always on the look out for a good intensive conditioner but it simply isn't effective enough on my dry, frizzy, chemically treated locks.
It left my hair dry and tangly and did nothing for the shine or condition of my hair, I think if you have fairly healthy hair this would be great but if you have hair similar to mine stay well clear.
It's a shame cause it smells amazing.

HD Brows Eye Brows Palette in Foxy £19.99

Recieve £5 off at www.hd-brows.co.uk using code Glossy3 on any complimentary product including: Grow Baby Grow, Brow Beater or Vibe and Eye Smoothing Serum.

Expires 19/10/11

My favourite item in this months box! I'm lucky that I don't really need any extra help in the brow department but this just makes them look more defined without being too dark and it also doubles up as an eye shadow quad so it's good value for money.

I'm really impressed with how it last all day without fading or smudging.

Dead Sea Spa Magik Salt Brushing £13.30 500g tub, £1.80 50g satchet
Recieve 25% off your next purchase from www.shopforspa.com when entering code GLOSSYBOX.
Expires 08/10/11

I've used this product in the past so I know it's good stuff, it as dead sea salts in a coconut oil base and it scrubs and moisturises your skin all at once.
It's one of those "proper" scrubs that really exfoliates skin and can be a little harsh if your not careful also watch out if you use it in the shower cause it makes the floor incredibly slippery.
It's perfect to use once a week as an intensive body treatment.

Kimia Exquisite Rejuvenating Facial System £69
Use voucher code soften40a to recieve 40% discount off the entire Kimia range at www.kimia.co.uk.
Expires 31/10/11

This is a two step system consisting of a facial oil and hydrating spray to help nourish and moisturise your skin.
I love the facial oil, smells amazing and leaves skin feeling hydrated and smooth not sure if the mist does anything though, I used the oil on it's own and got the same results.
This is the one product I can see myself purchasing and will be taking advantage of the money off voucher while I can.

Plum by Mary Greenwell £90
Recieve 20% when purchasing your second item from the plum collection at www.marygreenwell.com
Expires 30/09/11

Nice light fruity scent with a musky, ambery dry down, nice but not one I would wear often, I'll enjoy using this up but wouldn't purchase the full size.
I've noticed quite a few people describe this as a more mature scent and I would have to agree.

August Favourites!

Skincare

Alpha H Liquid Gold
Used to used this all the time a couple of years ago and my skin was always clear and glowy, I stopped using it and my skin looked awful so I finally decided to get a new bottle.
It's a glycolic acid treatment that you put on before bed to gently resurface your skin as you sleep, it does it's job quite effectively and I would recommend it to anyone who is breakout prone or suffers with dull uneven skin tone.

Chanel Hydramax Lotion
Another old favourite, it suits my skin type brilliantly and provides just enough hydration without breaking me out.
Expensive but so worth it.

Garnier Tinted Roll-On
I like to use this as my morning eye treatment as it cools and de-puffs eyes while helping to conceal dark circles.

Makeup

Chanel Vitalimiere Aqua
Brilliant light/medium coverage foundation that looks natural on the skin, this is a step up from tinted moisturiser.
I have the colour B10 and it's the best match out of all the foundations that I own, the only slightly negative thing about it is it doesn't last as long as I would like it to.

Bourjois Healthy Mix
This is perfect for days were I want a little extra coverage and a more matte finish, glides on effortlessly and provides medium coverage that lasts all day.

Christian Dior Diorskin Nude Powder
This can be used like you would a mineral powder foundation but I find that way useless however it makes a great setting powder for all my foundations and a little goes a long way, I feel I've had my pot forever.

Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes
I was given a sample a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it!
The tapered brush means you can get every little hard to reach lash and it leaves them looking long and full.
Will re-purchase as soon as my little tube runs out.

Hair

Joico Color Endure Violet Shampoo

I've recently had my old colour stripped and gone back to blonde so I needed a purple shampoo to keep my new shade brass free and bright looking.

I did my research and this was the one everyone recommended and it's brilliant, it's so rich in violet pigment and works so well to cool down any gold tones in your hair, it works so much better than the L'Oreal one I used too use.

Joico K-Pack Deep Penetrating Reconstructor

Like I said above I've gone back to blonde after two years of dying my hair brown, (it took 4 hours to do, I had my hair stripped 3 times and some highlights put in) and the process can be quite harsh on your hair and leave it feeling dry and weak.

It took one application of this treatment to restore the strength in my hair and make it feel normal again, it's a miracle worker but needs to be followed up with a moisturising treatment as this one is protein based and can make your hair feel dry.

Joico K-Pack Intense Hydrator
I use this after I've used the Deep Penetrating Reconstructor, it's moisturising enough to leave hair soft and shiny but doesn't weigh it down or make it limp and greasy.
I think I could get away with using this as my daily conditioner as I don't find regular conditioner moisturising enough.

Perfume

Elie Saab La Parfum
Not usually the sort of perfume I go for as it's a floral and I normally go for very sweet, fruity scents but there something so addictive about this.
It's a strong neroli and jasmine scent and quite heavy and sweet something about it reminds me of summer back home in Italy.

Gucci Flora
Gorgeous summer scent,not that we've had much of a summer in the UK, very fresh and fruity without being overpowering.

What were your favourites of August?

March Favourites

I've not been buying too much new stuff as I want to get trough what I already have so a lot of the products mentioned are old favourites that I use day in day out with the odd new product here and there.

Chanel Hyramax+ Active Moisture Fluid, expensive but worth every penny. Gives me just enough moisture without being greasy and is an excellent make-up base.

Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Serum and Night Cream, I use this combo before bed to exfoliate my skin, in the morning skin is softer, brighter and more even toned.

MAC's Brushes # 187, #138 and #224, I can do my whole face using these 3 brushes alone. I use the 187 to apply my foundation and cream blush, the 138 to apply powder products and the 224 to apply and blend my eyeshadow.

Keihl's Lip Balm #1 in Vanilla, nice and glossy and not heavy feeling while still being really moisturising.

Shu Uemura Art Of Air Essence Absolue, so much better than Moroccan Oil (which I still think is good). Leaves my hair feeling so nice and smooth and cuts out frizz completely, smells amazing too, I also tried a sample of the shampoo and conditioner and they were fantastic.

Laboratoire Physcience Hair Sublim and Wassen Silica-OK, I've been taking these help make my hair grow faster after my disastrous hair cut and I think they work really well. I feel my hair as grown faster but also it seems thicker and healthier too.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Make-Up Remover Refreshing Oil-Free Wipes, these are amazing at removing make-up really quickly without leaving my skin feeling irritated and they smell good too. I stocked up last time Superdrug had their 3for2 offer.

Britney Spears Fantasy Perfume, best fragrance ever!!

MAC Spring Colour Forecast & Too Fabulous Haul

I must admit I went a little crazy with these two collections, infact I could have easily picked up a few more things but I stopped myself.

Spring Colour Forecast is huge probably MAC's largest collection to date, or at least that I can think of.
The thing I wanted most was Ripe Peach and my store had sold out of Ripe Peach in 3 hours, I had to ring around and did manage to find a store that still had them but I couldn't use my pro discount as I bought from a counter and to be honest now that I've got my hands on it I don't think it's that great.

Too Fabulous is composed entirely of lip product and if I had any self control I should have skipped it entirely but they were so pretty i couldn't resist.

Spring Colour Forecast


Colour 4 Quad - Full of nice bronzy neutrals not that I need more of them.
Bubblegum Lipstick - Funnily enough I don't have anything like this in my collection, great pinky purple shade but you really have to layer it to get the color to show.
Ripe Peach Blush Ombres - Pretty but overated, wouldn't bother to search for it if you missed it.
Victorian Lipstick - Love, love, love!
Azelea Blossom Blush Ombres - Might be going back as I have a million colors like it.
Ember Glow Lipglass - Lovely peachy shade with gold shimmer, saving this one for when the weather warms up.

Too Fabulous


Deelight Cremesheen Glass - a great natural shade with an hint of brown.
Just Superb Cremesheen Glass - a neutral pink that would look great with a smoky eye.
Richer, Lusher cremesheen Glass- a lovely peachy coral that's not overly bright.
Two Virtues Mineralize Blush - Going back cause I have too many colors like it.
Naked Lip Pencil
In Synch Lip Pencil
Trimmed In Pink Lip Pencil
Boldly Bare Lip Pencil

Illamasqua Haul

I recieved my first Illamasqua order last Saturday and in the short while I've been playing with the items perchased I can safely say it's gonna take over as my favourite brand of makeup.
I was gonna post the haul and review combined but I've decided that I'll be doing it in 3 parts, haul, review and swatches.



Bronzing Duo in Glint/Writhe
Rude cream Blusher
4 Color Lip Palette Submit/Liv/Sonnet/Maneater
Thrust Powder Blusher
Absorb Intense Lipgloss
Rich Liquid Foundation in RF135

April's: The Good and The Bad

Okay so officially two days late on this one but I didn't get a chance to post yesterday.

I've tried not to include anything I bought to recently or that's not been used more than once as I feel that would be to quick to make a judgement.

The Good:

MAC Studio Moisture Cream, love the way it provides just the right amount of moisture for my combination skin.
Chanel Mat Lumiere Fluid Foundation, perfect for when my skin is oilier and needs more coverage.
MAC Studio Fix Powder, love this so much more than the MUFA HD powder to set my makeup and provide extra coverage.
NARS Laguna Bronzer, love that it's not to light, not too dark and it's not orange.
NARS Taj Mahal Blush, applied with a very light hand it makes my fair NC20 skin look alive and glowing.
NARS Albatross, perfect highlighter need I say more.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero and Bourbon, last forever on the waterline and those two shades are very versatile.
YSL Lingerie Pink Lipstick, my new favourite pink lipstick, bright but still very wearable.
MAC Angel Lipstick, perfect nude everyday pink.
MAC Show Orchid Lipstick, I absolutely love this lipstick it's the perfect bright cool pink shade that make your teeth look whiter too.
Gosh Cool Lip Jam in #100, looks white in the tube but goes on clear with a blue irridescence, how cool is that?
Kerastase Nectar Thermique, the best heat protectant in the world.
Batiste Original Dry Shampoo, perfect for when you can be bothered to wash your hair but still want it to look clean.
Tigi Bed Head Afterparty, the only thing that makes my hair look smooth an shiny.

The Bad:

MAC Penultimate Liner, used it twice and it dried up complete waste of money.
Barry M Lip Paint in #100 and #101, super dry texture and doesn't go on smooth.
Wella Enrich Mask, did absolutely nothing for my hair apart from make it frizzy.