Glossybox: July 2012

 Festivals was the theme for this month's Glossybox, with a nice mixture of products, although the Nuxe oil was a recurrence for me, as was the Monu product. Would I have taken any of these to a festival? Some of them for sure, but maybe not the Elizabeth Arden facial products- I have never washed my face at a festival and prefer to rely on good old make up wipes for a few days! I would however, take the perfume to keep me smelling lovely, the Paul Mitchell moisture spray to keep my hair refreshed, and also the lip gloss which smells amazing.
 Overall, a good box, but if I have to be picky then I would comment on the reappearance of a few brands/products. Luckily I can swap some with a lady I work with as she received different products, so I can't really complain, but I still wonder if we really get our money's worth every month. I would love to see some new, different products from other brands in the future, and also the opportunity to review previous box's contents, as these haven't been updated online for months. Anyway, little grump over, here are the products I got this month:

 Elizabeth Arden Cleanser, Serum and Skin Balance Lotion.
This will be a product I will be swapping with my friend, this brand has never really appealed to me in skin care terms and I don't really need it as I have lots of cleansers at the moment. Still, it was a nice product to get and would be really handy for taking on holiday and maximising your luggage space for more clothes haha!

Londoner N6 Urban Fragrance sample by Bex Londoner.
I love discovering new scents and this one is lovely- quite strong and musky for an EDT and it has good staying power. These scents are based on areas of London, N6 is inspired by Highgate Village and Hampstead Heath, and smells very herbal in a good way. I really enjoy getting the perfume samples, I take them when I travel so my perfume bottles are out of danger from being dropped, plus I can take a few and have them on rotation.

Nuxe Multi-Usage Dry Oil.
Another product I will be swapping as I already have an unused one from a previous box, and I have my Vo5 hair oil to use up first before I try this one out, although I have read very positive reviews! You can use this on hair, face, body etc, although I have also heard it can cause breakouts, so maybe approach with caution? I think I will stick to using this on my hair when I finally get round to using it.

Monu Night Renewal Complex cream.
I'm really enjoying this overnight moisturiser, I got a daytime one in a previous box and didn't really like it, but this one is much better. It's very heavily scented, very herbal, but I like that. So far nothing bad has happened to my skin, but no real improvements either, so maybe this will happen over time, but this is a nice cream and makes my skin feel soft and nourished. It's not tested on animals either, win.

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Gloss in Irish Cream Pavlova.
The scent of this reminds me of something from my childhood, but I cannot think of what! Maybe if I keep sniffing it then I will remember, and as it smells so good I don't mind doing that haha ;) This is a thick, bright pink lip gloss which does indeed smell like sweet pavlova. It's lovely worn alone or over my Collection 2000 matte lip creme, and feels very nourishing on my lips. The tube is quite big so will be lasting me for ages, this is my favourite product this month.

Paul Mitchell Moisture Hydrating Spray for face and hair.
Kind of like Fix Plus, but by Paul Mitchell. This is quite a nice product, ideal for the recent hot weather we've had in the UK. This did react with my hair spray, making my hair crispy, so it's best applied to clean/un-styled hair I think. It is refreshing, but I do avoid my face with it as I'm paranoid about products which could potentially cause spots. Nice hair product though and I will be taking this with me when I go on holiday.

 So, there are July's offerings! Did you get the same ones, or something a little different? What do you think of the products?

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MAC 15 Palette

 I thought I'd post about this as I love seeing what eyeshadows people have in their palettes, and hopefully this will give someone some makeup inspiration ;) This has been built up over a good year or so, I only got a palette when it became apparent that my collection was growing far too big for my makeup bag and really needed a more compact and secure home. I also have a little quad palette so I can decant some shades when I go away/on holiday and they can travel safely!

 I really rate MAC's eyeshadows, they are my favourite mac product and well worth the money- I use this palette every day and so far I have never had to replace a single shadow- they really last- both as a product and also very well on my eyelids throughout the day. Neutral shimmery colours are my favourite (All That Glitters is my absolute favourite so far), but I also have some slightly more 'out there' shades such as Swish, Amber Lights and Beauty' Marked to mix things up a little. I won't be stopping here though, with a vast shade range there are lots more I'd like to own, I think Coppering is pretty high up on that list, although I'm really drawn to the names as well, Mythology is a good example (and a beautiful colour)!
 I usually pick these up at the MAC counter in Bournemouth where I can spend ages choosing and swatching colours (sorry Adam!), so I expect some more will find their way to me :)

 If you're thinking of investing in some MAC eyeshadows, or are building a palette of your own, then I'd love to know. Any recommendations for my next purchase?

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July Faves

 Flora by Gucci 50ml EDT, Noble Isle Summer Rising Cornish Hedgerows shower gel, Maybelline Super Stay 10 hour tint gloss in Endless Ruby, Burts Bees Mango lip balm, Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover foundation.

 Just some products I cannot put down this month, highly recommend the Double Wear foundation, plus the Noble Isle shower gel. It smells divine and was a feature in a Glossybox a while back. For a long lasting red lip/stain, check out the 10 hour tint- this stuff does not budge. I swear.


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Wilton House outing

 I could quite happily live here- half of it is still privately owned, lucky people! We wandered around the beautiful grounds, ate a picnic plus a very yummy caramel fudge ice cream, and took Adam's little sister to the adventure play ground- haven't enjoyed myself so much in ages! We went to a quiz night that evening and our team managed to win! I had quite an indulgent weekend food wise, but still managed to loose 1.5lbs at slimming world- score!

 Today I took my new Cinnamon Trust dog for a walk, he had a nice swim in the river and succeeded to splash me until I was pretty soaked, but it was so hot I forgave him haha. I hope this little heatwave lasts!

 I have some new Avon makeup to show and review soon, plus this month's favourites and also Glossybox as usual. I just need to get on and photograph everything, but when this weather makes a rare appearence I want to make the most of it outside.
 My Goodwood Revival tickets came, so I have been putting together a 1940s outfit and watching numerous youtube videos for hair style inspiration, think it's victory roll time! Just got about 8 weeks to find a cheap curling wand, some pin curl clips and also practice!!

Have you been enjoying the sun? I have yet to get a decent tan... time for some St. Tropez magic!

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The Weekend Post: I Capture the Castle

 I went to a National Trust castle today, not far from where I live. It was amazing weather- really hot and sunny for a change (hello summer??), and I took my Pentax and my digital camera. I seem to be developing a love of taking macro shots of plants, there is something quite satisfying about getting a really detailed photograph, I wish my film camera could do this but I really need a lens for this type of photography, hopefully ebay might have the answer!

 The gardens there were lovely, especially the tiny wendy house plus miniature garden- so cute! I wore my disco pants out for the first time, they are very comfortable despite being quite thick and very very tight on the legs, but I didn't feel self-conscious in them and I can see them becoming a wardrobe staple, I'm very glad I invested!

 This week I'll be braving the rain, taking a new dog for a walk on Wednesday for the Cinnamon Trust, and getting ready to head to Dorset on Friday evening, I'm a bit worried that the road I take will be closed due to flooding, so I really want some more typical July weather to make an appearance! Please?!

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sagittarius rising

Credits: Google, tumblr, John Howe.com

 I'm sat here, eating a cinnamon swirl and wallowing in a chair on a Friday night. I won't go into the details but I'm suffering from an ongoing health issue which is making me feel quite sad and alone. Nothing I can really do about it though, so I will finish my swirl and attempt to cheer the hell up!

 Reasons to be cheerful:
 -The pictures above, more of which can be found on my tumblr. I have been really getting back into art recently and rediscovering my favourite artists. If you haven't heard of Alan Lee, Brian Froud, John Howe or Brom then I suggest you do a quick google- I'm a very big fan of fantasy art and I love all the concept artwork for Lord of the Rings- nothing wrong with releasing your inner art geek.
 -I've also made quite a bit of money from ebay recently, I had a bid cancelled by ebay as the buyer was, and I quote, 'suspicious'- all very mysterious haha. I haven't lost any money though, so no harm done :)
 -I lost 3lbs at slimming world last week, despite eating what felt like my weight in cake during the week- I'm trying to be good this week in case it all catches up, but these cinnamon swirls might be my downfall...that and some twix at work. Yikes.
 -I have very nearly finished my nvq course, which means a pay rise! Albeit a small one, but still it means more money I can save for university next year spend in Topshop...ahem.
 -Adam and I have Goodwood Revival tickets, I am so looking forward to rummaging for some vintage clothes and finally going in September! And we also have our holiday to York in October to look forward to :)

 I feel much better after typing that little lot. Sometimes I need to get things out there, it really does me no good to bottle it all up. I'm going to have some tea now read my book. The post title refers to a new book I really want to read, about fighter pilots in WWII. I need to get back into reading for pleasure again, and not spend so much time on my laptop. So, farewell! For about 5 minutes...!

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currently: clothes & tea cup prints

Morrocan candle holder- Homebase.

Burt's Bees lip balm in Mango, Flora by Gucci EDT.

Zara skull tank, Topshop knit, AA Disco Pants, AX Paris skull shirt.

M&S undies!

How amazing is the print?! Tea cups!

 Just some things I have accumulated recently over the past few weeks. I have managed to spend most of my money and have very little to live on until payday. Sigh, stupid car tax and mots! I caved and got the disco pants though, I'm not quite sure how I feel about them at the moment, they make my bum look better however haha! I got the 50ml of Gucci for...£9. I kid you not. It was half price where I work and with my staff discount it was under a tenner! It lasts a surprisingly long time for an EDT, worth the money for sure.

 Today I am putting lots of stuff on ebay, and trying to have a syn free day on slimming world after scoffing my way through Wimbledon yesterday- what a match!?! Actually I also had a ridiculous amount of cake at work this past week, not sure those 2lbs I put on last week have gone anywhere...oopsy.

 How nice is that bra?? I love it! It's a special Jubilee celebration range M&S are doing and it's instore now if like me, you are a tea addict. I love M&S underwear, it fits properly and lasts ages.

 I also got my hair done the other day (hmm now I know where my money went), it's being bleached and toned a platinum silvery shade next month, using a brand new Loreal toner so I'm really looking forward to that. Love having freshly dyed hair :)

 Off to watch some tv now and wallow in my day off, look up some haunted hotels in York to stay in with Adam in October, drink more tea and maybe have a sneaky nap. But the Avon catalouge arrived this morning, it'd be rude not to have a peek!

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