Garnier B.B. Cream Review

So this morning the postman popped a sample of Garnier's Skin Natural BB Cream through my door and within seconds I was slathering it all over my face.




I've heard good things about this and was really eager to try it out. It's a BB Cream. Never heard of them? No, me neither. BB stands for Blemish Balm - though why they just can't say "blemish balm" I'll never know - and it apparently combines the benefits of skincare and make-up in one.

I'll skip all the blah about it being a cult product in Asia, developed by a German, yadda yadda, and get to the good stuff...

The free sample came with three good sized sachets which I was uber impressed with. And I mean good sized. I tried one sachet out this morning and I had covered my face in half a sachet - I still put more on just to see what would happen. I like to live life on the edge.

It's a nice consistency. Rather heavily perfumed, but it doesn't last too long. And it's got fairly good coverage, for skin tone anyway, not so much for blemishes. But this is a massive plus for me. I have the rosiest cheeks on the planet, which I've always kinda hated but have learned to accept (they've probably saved me a fortune in blusher), and it really softened the redness out without looking too much like it's been covered up.

I wore it on it's own today and it's really stuck around. On first application it looked like it might make my skin a bit too shiny, but it soon matted out a bit. And I'm really impressed.

I'm not one for having lots of foundation, powder etc on, and I really couldn't imagine using this a primer. More just a natural light foundation during the day. But this is something I shall definitely be buying... Especially as the sample included a £1 off voucher.


Peace H xxx

Warning - Christmas Post

The air is getting colder. The days are getting shorter. And I can't stop whistling Christmas tunes.

Yep, it's almost winter.

And winter for me means essentially cosying up indoors, sipping something hot, munching on something delicious, listening to something that's festive, watching something amazing, and reading something fantastic. Oh and you know, CHRISTMAS.

Ok, ok, it's only October. So sue me! I LOVE CHRISTMAS. I LOVE WINTER. And I don't care who knows it.





I usually get Yankee Candles in winter so they always remind me of Christmas. They smell absolutely gorgeous and are guaranteed to get you feeling festive (even if it is only October).





Starbuck's winter range. Possibly the most delicious thing on the planet. Need I say more?





Christmas cards! Love 'em. And am seriously considering doing a blog Christmas card send out so I can send all you lovely ladies (and gentlemen!) some cards :)





Christmas baking! I can't wait to start baking cookies and all sorts of terribly unhealthy but terribly delicious things!





Oh yeah, and SNOW. Hopefully not to the extent last year, but a little sprinkling would be nice!


Hope you're all feeling ridiculously prematurely festive like me.

Peace H
xxx

Glossy Box - October

Yes, I know, you'll have read approximately a gazillion of these reviews already. But it's my first glossy box, I was excited, and I'll make this a quick one.

If you haven't heard of Glossy Box it's, yet another, monthly subscription dealio much like Boudoir Prive and Feel Unique.

Beautifully wrapped...



And jam-packed full of goodies...



This month the lovely people at Glossy Box bestowed upon us not one, but three perfume samples. Which I found all surprisingly wearable.



They are Robert Piguet's Fracas, Visa and Calypso. Which I found all quite nice, especially Calypso. Fruity and fresh but still A/W appropriate if that makes any sense at all.

Along with the fragrance samples, we were really spoiled this month...


Dermalogica Age Smart multivitamin thermafoliant, multivitamin power recover masque, and renewal lip complex
Leighton Denny Expert Nails in Sex Kitten
Stila smudge stick waterproof eyeliner in Moray

As you can see this months box heavily featured Dermalogica samples, which I liked. I liked the ability to really get a feel for the brand, as opposed to just trying out one thing. The masque didn't really have the consistency I expected of it, but it was alright, but not the greatest of scents. As I was applying the thermofoliant it felt extrodinarily greasy, but after rinsing off (and I felt the need to apply a really good moisturiser) my skin did feel great. The "lip renewal complex" was fine too. I was (probably a little too) pleased with the handy cosmetics case too.

The smudge stick eyeliner I love. I love it so much I forgot to photograph it, but it's a lovely dark olive green colour with glitter. Which is something I'd never go for, but I really really like it. Some people have had trouble twisting it out? I don't know, mine was fine!

Finally we got the nail varnish, which I was excited to try out. Unfortunately the colour just doesn't do it for me at all. The oddly named "Sex Kitten" just isn't my colour. It's a good nail varnish don't get me wrong, but I'm sure it'll make a nice gift for someone ;)


And that's your lot!

Stay tuned for next months edition of "I spend too much money on monthly beauty subscriptions!"

Peace H
xxx

Award!

Thanks so much to the lovely Sarah for awarding me this...

There are three rules for this award:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave the award to you.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Send it along to 10 other bloggers and let them know you have awarded them!

So thanks again Sarah, and I've linked your blog above. She also features in my favourites list to the left there, and you should definitely check her out.


And here goes the 7 things about myself...


1. I love to read, as you can probably tell from my previous post, and I'm rarely without a book.

2. I've just started getting into baking, thanks to the GBBO, and it's so much fun! There have been a few disasters (cakes the consistency of biscuits - not good) but overall I think I'm doing well.

3. I'm in my last year at university, and at the point where I really have to decide what to do next. No pressure!

4. I love music. All kinds. Especially live.

5. I named my dog after a Beatles song - guess which one!

6. I was born in England, and have lived in Germany, Cyprus and now Scotland.

7. (my dog's name is Lucy)


And here are the ten bloggers I'd like to pass on the award to, and thoroughly recommend you follow them, now!

1. http://www.littlebirdfashion.com/
***
2. http://amilliondresses.blogspot.com/
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3. http://misskirsty.blogspot.com/
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4. http://gemfatale.blogspot.com/
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5. http://missbudgetbeauty.blogspot.com/
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6. http://fire-exits.blogspot.com/
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7. http://stundon.blogspot.com/
***
8. http://mycupcake-couture.blogspot.com/
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9. http://www.ohreallyblog.com/
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10. http://sunshine-rainbows-and-ribbons.blogspot.com/


Thanks again!

Peace H
xx

Watcha Reading?

I love a good book me, so I thought I'd do a little post on what I'm reading now, and whats on my ever-expanding to-read list.



From top to bottom...

Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
I literally just started reading this last night, but it sounds like a really interesting story. It's about the intertwining lives of Mrs Dalloway and other characters on one day, which apparently draws towards an inevitable suicide. See? Interesting. It's taken a little getting used to and a little re-reading passages to get into Woolf's writing style. It's writen, so far anyway, as one constant stream of thought. So sentences are interrupted mid way through points etc, but it's actually a nice way of writing.

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
I read this book in it's entirety yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's about an island of people, from where the author (Nollop) of the sentence "the quick fox jumps over the lazy dog" was from. And so, they errected a statue of him, along with his sentence, in his honour. Then one day, the letters start falling off, and the islanders interpret this as Nollop's way of telling them to cease using these letters, from beyond his grave. It's written as letters the islanders write to one another and shows a lot of ingenuity in the latter chapters when only a few letters remain! A good read :)

Ulysses by James Joyce
This was a birthday present, but I'm holding off reading it til perhaps the Christmas holidays. I think it's the kind of book one has to devote a lot of time to to get through it.

The Collected Dorothy Parker
Another birthday present, this is pretty much absolutely everything Parker ever wrote including articles, short stories, poems, reviews. I adore it. It's a wonderful book that you just pick up every so often and have a little read of.

The Inheritors by William Golding
I love love love this book. Having studied it in English at school I recently purchased it because I'd love to read it again without having to stop and analyse everything.

The Cornish Trilogy by Robertson Davies
I've read the first book "The Rebel Angels" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to get stuck into the other two!




Again, top to bottom:

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
I originally read this as I thought it was one of those books that you really ought to read at some point in your life. But I adored it. And will most definitely read it again, and probably again and again and again. I would even go as far to say that this is my favourite book. And it's encouraged me to read more Dostoevsky, as well as other Russian authors.

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Another birhday book, I read this on holiday. Ironically reading beautiful, long passages about fire and burning, while sitting in the sun burning myself. It's set in a future where books are banned and firemen are employed to burn them. A fantastic book, I'd say on par with Orwell's 1984.

And all the rest are on my to-read list!

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing

and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte


If any of you out there are avid readers like myself, you might like to consider joining me over at goodreads, a lovely little website where you can update and keep track of what you've been reading as well as have a look and see what you're friends are reading and what they think.


Peace H xx

Boudoir Privé - October Box

Yes, it's another review of Boudoir Privé's October box. But seeing as it's my first box, I thought I'd put in my two cents.



If you didn't already know, Boudoir Privé is a monthly subscription dealio. You give them a little of your hard earned cash each month, and in return they send a lovely little box full of carefully thought out luxury goodies. 6 to be exact, each under the theme skincare, bodycare, haircare, fragrance, lifestyle and make up.

Like I said, this month was my first box, and I wasn't disappointed.



and here are the goodies!




And here are the products in a little more detail...


Skincare


This month for skincare we received Cetuem Illuminating Mask & Creme de Lite. They're fairly decent sized samples, and I'm a sucker for skin care products so can't wait to try these out.


Bodycare


I recieved Korre's Quince body butter, which I've already had a little try of. It smells gorgeous and is a really great moisturiser without being too sticky and greasy. Love it!


Haircare


This month it was Leonor Greyl's Huile de Palme, a pre-shampoo conditioner made only of natural ingredients. I'm really excited to try this product, I've never used a pre-shampoo conditioner before, and my hair could definitely use a little tlc right now.


Fragrance


This months sample fragrance is one of the Memo Paris collection (I recieved Les Eschappees).Some people seem annoyed that perfume samples are always featured in these monthly beauty boxes, as you can easily pick up samples for free. But I quite like the idea of trying out perfumes I normally wouldn't take a second look at, as long as they aren't the main feature of the box. I thought this was quite a nice scent, but a little too mature for me, if you know what I mean?


Lifestyle


This month is Rose & Co's Rose Petal Salve. I was a little puzzled as to why this was classed as a Lifestyle product, but I don't mind one bit as I love love love this. And have in fact just slathered it across my lips right now. It's a full sized sample, which is great, and smells like turkish delight! Which can only be a good thing.


and finally Makeup


This is Studiomakeup's Liner Styler Pen Black, and I have fallen instantly in love with it. I've been looking for a new eyeliner and this may just be it. It's got a lovely intense black colour, and can easily be used to make thin or thick lines. It stays put instantly too. All on top of being, another, full sized product.


Overall, I'm a happy bunny (that smells like turkish delight) this month...

Peace H
xx

Rekindled Love

A few years ago my go-to accessory was earrings, and I was rarely without them. But somehow I just gradually wore them less and less. I was recently sorting out all my jewelry and realised how many great pairs I have, and I definitely need to get back in the way of wearing them!

I'll try my best to remember where they are from...



Top row left to right: eBay and Accessorize
Bottom row left to right: Matalan (?) and eBay


Top row: Topshop
Bottom row: Accessorize


Left to right: Warehouse and Topshop


Bird - gift
Key, wing, elephant - H&M
Horse - Accessorize

Beetlejuice

Is it sad to look forward to the release of a nail varnish colour? If yes, maybe this post isn't for you.

Models Own, the king (or queen) of nail varnish brands, is releasing their Beetlejuice Collection. 5 unusual and gorgeous duo-chrome pearlescent little beauties.

In honesty, they had me at "Beetlejuice".


The five shades are:

Golden Green
Pinky Brown
Purple Blue
Aqua Violet and
Emerald Black

They're avaliable from the 1st of November and you can be sure that I'll be ordering a few of these!


Peace H xxx

What's In Your Filofax?

Finally, finally, finally I've come up with a way of organising my filofax that "works". I absolutely love reading and looking at pictures of how other people organise and use theirs so here's mine!



I still love my raspberry Metropol. The only teensiest complaint I have, is that it scratches too easily, which isn't great considering it spends most of it's time bashing about in my bag...

So right at the front I've got my clear pocket:



At the moment I'm just using the clear pocket for pretty things (the Rob Ryan picture) and keepsakes (my tattoo appointment card).

I'm still using the clear protective sheet as a makeshift post-it holder because I'm way too tight to fork out for the actual post-it insert!



Then I have my week to view diary, which is working well, and the 6 sections...



the sections are day planner, to do, uni, careers, misc, and year planner.

I'm going to go into detail on the sections from the back forwards as it makes a bit more sense this way...

So in section 6 I have my pull out year planners (2011 and 2012)...



I've highlighted yellow during term time, pink for exams and, most importantly, orange for time off. I was finding that the year planners were getting pulled around the rings, if that makes sense, when I shut the filofax. This was starting to rip the punched holes, so I got one of the dividers from the address section (which I don't use) and put that at the end to stop this, which worked perfectly!



In section 5 I've got my finances section, where I roughly work out monthly budgets etc...


Section 5 is the "misc" section so it's also subdivided into a book list and a shopping list too, which I've found really handy...






Section 4 is my careers section, which just now is a list of graduate opportunities along with application deadlines etc...




Section 3 is my uni section which has wound up being like a to do list for all the things I need to do for uni, separated into whether it's for my research project or another class. The things I write down here are usually not needing to be done for a few months or so, so when it gets nearer the time I transfer these to do's to Section 2...



Section 2 is my to do list section, which is pretty self explanatory! Every night I look at my to do list and anything I want to get done the next day I transfer to Section 1. (Now you see why I was working backwards...)



And finally, Section 1 is my day planner. Another self explanatory section. This section has been super duper useful - I'm an extraordinarily forgetful person. And tasks I don't get done that day immediately get put into tomorrows day plan, so nothing gets forgotten about!




And that's your lot!
Til next time...

Today I'm Loving...

Bright lips


Rimmel lasting finish lipstick in "Coral in Gold"


Big hair


Charles Worthington London Salon Finish Body Booster Mousse
[For the record, I am in LOVE with this stuff]


and Leapord Print




Have a great day!



Peace H xxx

What's In Your Bag?

Here's what I've been carrying about with me lately...



From top left...

Sesame Snaps!
These are my new favourite thing to munch on. After having tried them for the first time in Cyprus, I recently discovered that the little shop at uni sells them and have been nibbling on them ever since!

Folders and Notebooks
The curse of the student. Since I started my dissertation I've been forever lugging around journals to whip out and read and notebooks to scribble down important details. At least they're pretty colours, right?

Filofax!
Ah, beloved filofax. Where would I be without you? Not where I'm supposed to be, that's for sure.

Cosmetic Bag
Because you never know when you'll need a touch up!

Highlighters
Addicted.

Chewing Gum
Also addicted.

Pocket Mirror
This was a gift a friend brought back from Shanghai a few years ago and its been in my bag ever since.

Purse
Sadly, filled with more receipts than actual money...

Book
I've always got a book handy for when I get bored of reading journals, which is surprisingly often. This book is a trilogy called The Cornish Trilogy by Robertson Davies and I'm enjoying it so far.


And that's your lot!

Peace, H xxx

Everyday Essentials

Here's a quick post about the products I tend to go to for my everyday look...


MUA Primer
Maybelline Dream Creamy Foundation in Nude
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent
Lord and Berry Lip Pencil in Intimacy
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara
Laura Geller eyeshadows in Peach Pie, Golden Delicious and Brownie
Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir
Prestige Lipstick in Sorbet

Firstly, on my face I use:



The Primer is a new discovery. For only £4 (Superdrug), I think, it does the job really well, smoothing out your complexion and can be worn on it's own or under foundation. There are mixed reviews about the Dreamy Cream foundation but I find it works well on my skin and tends to stay put too, and that's why I've consistently used it for about a year now. Though I'm always on the lookout for others! The Stay Matte powder was a recent purchase, also super cheap, it does the job brilliantly.

For my eyes, I use:



I like this mascara because it gives a nice daytime look. Makes your lashes look longer and thicker without being too much for wearing during the day. Most days I just wear mascara and a little eyeliner. I like this one because it comes with a blending sponge on the end which again is great during the daytime making the line look a little less dramatic. If I do wear eyeshadow it's usually from this set (not usually the darkest colour). They just give a nice light daytime look. They have a little sparkle to them, but again, not too much.

On the lips:



Most days I'll use my Lord and Berry lip pencil, it's a nice colour and stays put well. But sometimes I'll wear the Prestige lipstick, it's a little pinker, and just as nice.


What are your Everyday Essentials?

Peace, H xxx