Clinique Bonus Box.

Last month I went to Bicester Village and bought my self a few bits and bobs. One of the things I picked up whilst I was there, that I was really impressed with, was this Clinique Bonus Box for just £15.

This gorgeous little box contains 8 well sized beauty products, some that I have been using on and off and others that I have been using everyday. I'm really impressed with the majority of the products and for the price I think it's a fantastic set so with that said here's a brief review of each one from my absolute favourite to my least favourite.

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Love

1st: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, £34 for 50ml

By far my favourite product in the set! This peachy coloured serum goes on brilliantly and leaves you with hydrated and glowing skin all day, great for when you've got a tan and foundation isn't requires. Having said that, it does soak in completely making it a perfect product to use before applying makeup

This 15ml tub is lasting me such a long time so the price tag for 50ml isn't putting me off as much as it usually would have done. 

2nd: All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage, £23 for 15ml

Soothing, cooling, massaging and sensitive on the eyes, I'm loving this product especially the the roller ball application as it's very gentle and you get the perfect amount meaning it doesn't get wasted. This serum is a life saver on those early mornings.

3rd: City Block Anti-Pollution, £18 for 40ml
I applied this to my cheeks and couldn't see a thing, then I applied it to my chin where I had a small pimple and it was immediately less visible. Wear alone or as a primer, this product is lightweight and breathable and my skin felt hydrated all day. I particularly liked wearing it alone on days the sun was out and I didn't want to wear foundation.

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Like

4th: Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion+, £17.50 for 50ml

I have used this product for a long time now and the tiny 15ml bottles last absolutely ages so ignore the fact it's almost £18 for a moisturiser. For dry skin it's an amazing product and when used before primer and foundation stops your skin drying out and from  your makeup appearing caked on, however when used on it's own my skin can sometimes feel too sticky and look rather shiny.

5th: Clincial Dark Spot Corrector, £42 for 30ml

Now I don't think I've used this product enough to see results that make me want to spend £42 however I have noticed some slight improvement in the evenness of my skin tone when the product is on. It goes on really nicely and works as a great base for concealer or foundation as it doesn't dry out the skin, instead leaves a healthy glow with a matte finish.

6th: Long Last Lipstick, In Water Melon, £17.50

This lipstick goes on nicely, is very true to colour and does last a long time however after a while I did notice it started to dry out my lips due to the matte finish which in this colour can appear quite visible, not a colour I would usually pick for myself.

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Dislike

7th: Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser, £17 100ml

I'm afraid to say I didn't really enjoy using this product, though it did foam up nicely and remove my makeup it had a very strong soap smell which I am not keen on and also left my face feeling like it had a coating on it, very much like bars of soap do.

8th: Even Better Make-up SPF 15, £24.50

I found this product to be a bit too dry on my skin which is surprising as my skin is rather oily. The coverage isn't fantastic and it didn't spread very well so I ended up with powdery patches. For the price I am quite dissapointed.

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To end on a positive, I have really liked using most of the products in this set and have definitely got my self a few new beauty favourites. For just £15 this is a great set for yourself or to buy as a gift. I hope you enjoyed reading my reviews and have found them helpful, if you have a difference in opinion I would love to hear.


What are your favourite Clinique products?

The MUA's £1 Lipstick.

First of all lets just stop for a moment and appreciate the fact that these lipsticks are only £1, that means that I got four lipsticks for just £4. Thank you Make-up Academy! Now we've all established that these are a total steal let's have a look at the product.

First, the packaging. With their clean, simple, modern and very stylish look these lipsticks do not look cheap at all and I would say look in the price range of £7-£10, I know its whats inside that counts but nobody wants to be seen applying an ugly looking lipstick. One of the features I love about this product is that I can easily see which lipstick I am picking up as not only do the normal lipsticks come in black and the matte lipsticks in white but each one has their colour at the bottom. This is a downside to the MAC and Elizabeth Arden range as I am forever rummaging through reading silly little labels to find the one I want.

Now for the product it self. I picked the MUA lipsticks up in four shades that I thought would be suitable for spring, two normal and two matte. The first is Peachy Keen in Matte which is very subtle and I think would look lovely if you was already wearing a brightly coloured top. The second is Nectar, a brighter and shinier version of Peachy Keen, it is a lovely pinky/orange colour that would look gorgeous if you wear wearing a crisp white top or blazer. Third is Scarlett Siren in Matte, this is probably my favourite colour as though it looks almost pillar box red, upon application it is much pinker which goes well with my olive skin. I shall be wearing this with monochrome outfits. Finally is Shade 11, I'm not sure why it doesn't have a name but it is very similar to my favourite MAC lipstick, Cosmo, a darker shade of my natural lip so perfect for wearing with most outfits.

The matte lipsticks require several more coats than your pricier lipsticks in order to become visible and are slightly drier, but with a touch of Vaseline underneath and in the summer months when lips are much less chapped I don't think it will cause much of a problem. Although I would be careful with Scarlett Siren as if you go over the same area too many times it seems to fade, which in such a bright colour can be quite noticeable. The normal lipsticks go on very well and Shade 11 is almost and exact dupe of MAC Cosmo, the only difference is that my MAC one does last longer, though for £15.50 I should hope it does!

If you suffer from chapped lips I would suggest staying away from the matte ones and go for the medium to dark shades of the normal lipsticks, as with most brands lighter coloured lipsticks highlight dry areas.

For just £1 from Superdrug these Make-Up Academy lipsticks are worth checking out and I will definitely be buying some more as well as having a look at the other products they sell.

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muastore.co.uk / superdrug.com

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Have you tried the MUA lipsticks?

Sleek Make Up - Summer Ready Skin.

As I've got older my skin has become much clearer, scars I had from my teens have almost vanished and I'm much more confident when it comes to my skin and only wear makeup if  I'm going out. With that said I do still get breakouts occasionally.

I'm sure many of you can agree that with the warmer weather comes clearer skin and the need for foundation lessens. With summer approaching fast I decided I wanted to find a lighter wear foundation that still provided  some coverage, in case of a breakout. I'm pleased to say I found it.

Having olive skin I have always found getting the right foundation very difficult so always stuck to my Rimmel one but it's rather heavy and I was desperate for something lighter. I decided it was time to do a thorough investigation into the foundations available in Boots and was dissapointed by the lack of choices, the darker ones would have left me looking orange whilst the lighter foundations suddenly become very pink. I am so glad Boots now stock Sleek Make-Up.

I've been using the Sleek Make-Up brow palette for several months now and I honestly couldn't live without it, it's amazing. I also own the lip palette which has four gorgeous long lasting and moistursing colours so I decided it was time to buy some more of their products and I'm so glad I did.

The foundations go on brilliantly. They're light, smooth and blend so well, meaning you can highlight and contour without any lines and also mix the two colours to create the perfect shade. This foundation left my skin looking so dewy yet flawless and lasted all day without going greasy. As it isn't very thick the cover obviously is fantastic but it evened out the skin, covered small blemishes and for any imperfections that weren't covered by the foundation I simply used concealer.

After applying my foundation I used the contour kit. Not a lot of powder is needed on the brushes as it's visible almost immediately meaning you don't end up looking caked up and powdery. First I used the darker powder for contouring, it is fairly dark so be careful, for best results I apply my powder last so that my foundation has fully soaked in meaning I don't end up with a dark patch where my brush first touched my face.

Next I highlighted. This powder is almost translucent which is great as it doesn't effect the colour of your foundation, however it does have quite a bit of shine so just a very light dusting will do. I highlight last as I can then dust over the edge of my contouring to create an even more subtle merging and remove any harsh lines.

Foundations, £8.99 - Shell & Praline

Contour Kit, £6.49 - Light

Brow Kit, £8.49 - Dark

Lip Palette, £8.99 - Ballet

Sleek Make-Up really is amazing and I can't wait to buy some more of their products. This foundation is definitely my new favourite and I wouldn't be able to live without my brow kit. All their products are at fantastic prices and not only work great but look great too. The "sleek" black packaging is just my style and each foldable piece has it's own mirror! I have been taking my essentials out with me in this gorgeous makeup bag from Next, it's the perfect size and I love the colour.

Have you tried any Sleek products yet?

Some Much Needed Me Time.

Work, play and not a lot of sleep, it's safe to say the past week has caught up on me big time. At the weekend I went to a wedding reception and drank a little too much and this week I have been working none stop with very little sleep. 

All this combined has resulted in me becoming run down, so finding these little goodies on my trip to Tesco was just what I needed to make me realise some "me time" was desperately needed.

This gorgeous glass bistro mug was what I spotted first. It's perfect for my delicious cup of hot lemon and ginger water in the morning, the best drink to kick start your day as it's refreshing and great for boosting the immune system, just what you need when you're feeling under the weather. Oh and it aids weight loss, just in case you needed another reason to try it!

This lovely dusky pink mug was just too cute to resist once it had caught my eye, I've been using it for a cheeky hot chocolate at night time whilst sat in bed with this delicately scented candle beside me. I know it's very simple but the colour matches my room and for a £1 I wasn't going to say no. Anyway it isn't simple anymore as a bit of lace and some double sided sticky tape fixed that.

Last but not least are these super adorable sleepy lamb slippers which I saw on my way to the till. They are so comfy and snug and I just couldn't resist them, I mean lambs are just the cutest right?! These slippers have been a life saver these cold early mornings on my tiled kitchen floor!

It's Thursday now and I'm feeling much better from taking this week off to just relax in bed watching netflix under my fairy lights.

How do you like to unwind?

Amazing Arbonne Skincare Review.

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you may have seen that I was recently asked to try and review a range of products and after a week of using them I am now ready to share with you some amazing feedback.

The company is called Arbonne and they do a wide variety of products from skincare and hair care to fragrances and nutrition. Arbonne pride themselves on using botanical based ingredients and those which have not been tested on animals.

If you're like me then you've probably never heard of Arbonne as they do not advertise, they simply rely on advertisement through word of mouth and their independent sales representatives, from whom I was approached by. Sharon is a lovely women who has been there to answer all of my questions and also ensured she sent me products that were suitable for me. I was lucky enough to be sent samples of their Calm Skincare range, their Pure Vibrance Hair Care range and their Makeup Primer.

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The Calm Skincare Range

This set contains four different products suitable for sensitive skin, a daily cleanser, a daily moisturiser, a soothing facial serum and an eye gel. I used these products in this order every morning for six days. Yes, these tiny bottles lasted six days. The key ingredients in this range are aloe vera, cucumber, liquorice, mallow, chamomile, sea mayweed and Japanese green tea to comfort the skin and provide antioxidants.

Step one is the cleanser. It's a clear fluid with no scent to it and a pea sized amount is all that is needed as it lathers up well. It's gentle on the skin and upon drying my face I immediately noticed a difference to my skin compared to when I have used other face washes. Having sensitive skin, after washing my face I often feel tightness, dryness and discomfort all of which these products claim to take away, and they do. My skin felt soft and hydrated and their was no redness or itching.

I followed on with the facial serum, a step I have never incorporated into my skincare regime. Again this is a clear fluid with a gel like consistency and no noticeable scent, I used a small amount and gently applied to my skin. It soaked in quickly and straight away my skin had a lovely glow with no sticky residue. The job of the serum is to soothe and lock in moisture leaving the skin feeling hydrated. This products is incredible and I can't believe I haven't used a serum before, I'm definitely converted.

The third step is the moisturiser, a white cream with a sort of toothpaste smell, not mint but that original fresh scent. A pea sized amount is all that was required to cover my face as it spread nicely, soaking into my skin. Unlike most moisturisers that leave you looking shiny and feeling sticky, this one doesn't, instead it has a mattifying effect but still allows for a nice healthy glow. At first I was nervous that this may cause dryness or an outbreak but instead my skin remained hydrated all day without the usual oily shine that starts to appear when I don't wear makeup.

Finally I applied the eye serum which has by far been my favourite of the products. This clear liquid is a miracle worker, with only a tiny amount being needed. It immediately soothed my tired eyes, making me feel and look more awake, I also noticed that my dark circles appeared less visible. This product is super sensitive and even being a contact wearer it caused no discomfort.

Calm Gentle Daily Cleanser, £17

Calm Soothing Facial Serum, £35

Calm Gentle Daily Moisturiser, £26

Calm Soothing Eye Gel, £23

The Full Calm Range, £90

Now these products are a fair bit more money than what I usually spend on skincare but after using them for a week and seeing fantastic, lasting results I do think they are worth the money. Afterall, I wouldn't think twice about spending £90 on a handbag so why not invest in the health of my skin, something people will see everyday.

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The Makeup Primer

I have used this primer both following on from the Calm range and my own skincare products as to see if there was any difference, both times I got wonderful results. This primer is a milky white gel that only requires a small amount as it is so light and soaks in beautifully leaving a flawless, mattifyed canvas.

Unlike other primers that can dry out your skin or leave makeup appearing caked on, this primer allowed for easy application of makeup. My foundation blended better than it ever has before and remained in place all day leaving my skin oil free but still with that healthy glow. For £26 I shall definitely be purchasing the Arbonne Makeup Primer.

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The Pure Vibrance Hair Care Range

Having very thick and curly hair I was only able to use the Shampoo and Conditioner once, so I don't feel I am able to write a full review. However, from the great results I got from that one use along with the Hair Masque I shall definitely be buying them to test out for a longer period of time.

Pure Vibrance Lustre Fortifying Shampoo, £25

Pure Vibrance Fortifying Creme Conditioner, £25

Pure Vibrance Hair Revitalising Masque, £30

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I have had a wonderful time testing the Arbonne products and I hope you liked the review. Everything I have written is purely my own opinion and of my own research so I am being honest when I say these are fantastic products that I will definitely use again.

Sharon is an independent consultant for Arbonne and

her consultant ID is 441244082

arbonneinternational.co.uk

sharonroberts.arbonne@gmail.com

 Have you used any of the Arbonne products?

Oh My Manuka Doctor.

My skin has never felt so soft.. Wow!

As I mentioned in my all about me, I am super scared of getting wrinkles! I've always had a fuller face that has never shown laugh lines or lines on my forehead etc and I intend to keep it like that. For as long as possible anyway.

I have never been a fan of facemasks as I feel they dry out my skin and can cause outbreaks, but being a sucker for all things natural and after reading about this product from their apinourish range I thought it was worth the shot and believe me it really was.

So about the product. It's called Manuka Doctor Rejuvenating Bee Venom Face Mask and you get a 50ml jar for £49.99. It is amazing! If you've never heard of the Manuka Doctor range before they are a selection of skincare products that use natural ingredients to help protect and refresh your skin, their main ingredients are Purified Bee Venom and Manuka Honey.

In the past I have used their Lip Enhancer, £13.99 from the ApiRefine range. This is simply a tingly sort of lipgloss that's helps keep lips looking fuller, but I'll do a post about that product at a later date. Right now I want to tell you about this super, duper, incredibly amazing face mask they do. Yes I think it's that good. 

So, I asked for this off Santa now that I'm getting near to that old age of 22 haha and was lucky enough to get it! But I wanted to wait and use it on a day when I could finally relax and do nothing, that night finally came.

I had my shower, got into my pjs and took off the lid. The smell isn't the greatest but you can only really smell it if you put your nose right to the jar. It's quite a bit thicker than I expected but it goes on really nicely, however at first I was a bit worried. As I put it on to my skin I couldn't see it and thought I would have to use loads and that for the price it wouldn't last very long, but actually you don't need a really thick layer because it works by soaking into the skin.

I applied to my face and neck and left it for 30 minutes as directed (can be taken off after 15mins). As I layed there listening to music I could feel it very slightly tingling my skin and unlike other face masks my face wasn't all tight and itchy!

30 minutes was up, much to my disappointment. I took a wet cloth and was able to easily and gently remove the creamy mask and as I did I could tell immediately that my face felt softer. I patted my face dry with a towel and went down stairs to tell my mum how pleased I was with the mask she looked at my skin and said how fresh it looked, pores and blotches were all less visible.

I am also pleased to say that I woke up this morning to skin that still felt soft! And no spots! You definitely need to check out their products, I know I'll be buying lots more!

What facemasks do you use? Have you heard of Manuka Doctor?

Freshen up with nspa.

7am, snow on the ground, lots of walking and cleaning to do, I need to be woken up!

In winter it can be so hard to wake up, it's cold, it's dark.. You want your duvet! But unfortunately the day calls and you've got to answer! The solution? For me it's a hot shower with raspberry, mint, lime or cherry scented shower gels to get my senses working in those early hours! These fragrances are also perfect for when you want to freshen up after a workout!

This gift set by nspa is in "fresh, sweet raspberry" according to the bottle and I'll tell you now, the bottle does not lie! So sweet, so fresh. I am extremely excited to have this product again as I used to use it all the time after Aqua Fit as it got rid of that awful chlorine smell brilliantly and I am pleased to say the product is still as good, my shower smelt amazing and I definitely feel more awake! This product lathers up well and a small bit goes a long way, the only downside? You can't smell it much afterwards, but bring in the body butter, problem solved! I now smell nice and fruity (if you smell me that is, I won't knock you out just from entering the room). My only niggle with the body butter is that it's very thick and doesn't spread that far, but I do feel soft!

500ml versions of this shower gel and 200ml body butters are available for just £3 at Asda.

Have you used any nspa products before? I'd love to know!