August's Joliebox

This month's box was delayed a bit because people were going away on holidays, which to be honest was a bit annoying I don't see why the box has to be delayed. 

This month the boxes were designed by Timai Hua and I got a lovely blue box with various other colours.  I really liked the look of this box.

The theme of this box is a jolie holiday, now that we are supposedly in the middle of summer, though given the British weather you might not think that, definately doesn't feel like we are.

Excuse the cat in the top corner of the picture.

Dr Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap 'pillows':  I was really happy to see these in this box, I have been wanting to try these for ages and now I am able to.  I got peppermint, citrus orange and unscented baby mild.  I love the packaging that these come in, it is so cute.  These are vegetable oil based organic liquid soaps that you can use not only on yourself but also to clean almost anything else.  I have reaf about people using it to clean makeup brushes, floors, their dog and clothes just to name a few.

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous, Dry Clean Revitalising Dry Shampoo:  Love the pink, looks really good.  Not tried this yet, but looking forward to trying it. Having recently got into dry shampoo after geting my hair cut, I'm looking for a good one. 

So Susan Cosmetics, Lip Cushion:  Love the packaging.  It says a sheer gloss to tint and moisturise chapped lips.  In the little tub it is bright pink with sparkle, on the lips it is a lovely sheer gloss.  I really like it, I like having a subtle shimmer on my lips most days.  Some people may not like this.  It smells so yummy, its a joy to use.  Not to sure about how moisturising it is, but I tend to put a lip balm under my glosses anyway so that doesn't matter to me.

So Susan Cosmetics, Wide Awake Face Palette:  Sorry for the finger marks in this but I just had to try it when I opened it.  It has an illuminating cream, highlighting cream and an eyebrow sculptor, it also has a pair of tweezers and from other pictures I've seen my one is missing a brush.  The illuminating cream is used to hide under eye circles, the highlighting cream to highlight cheeks and brow bones, both of these are really good, easy to use and work really well.  The eyebrow colours I won't be using for my brows as there is too much shimmer in them, but they make lovely eyeshadows.  Even with the missing brush I love this.  Also this is palette is fragrance free and both So Susan products are cruelty free, and have no nasties in them.

And as a bonus product we get a leather hair styling lace and on Jolibox's you tube channel there will be varios videos showing how to use it.  This is a great idea, if my hair was longer I would have loved this idea. But as it isn't I'm going to use this as a wrap bracelet as I love the teal/green colour.

Once again another box I love.  Joliebox just seem to get it right every month.  Even with a missing brush, that doesn't dent how much I like this box.  I am quite happy to pay the money for this box every month.

You can sign up for Joliebox here.

Revlon, Just Bitten Kissable.

As I am loving Revlon lip products at the moment I was excited to try these.  I really like the idea of not having to reapply a lip product during the day and as these are a stain, you shouldn't have to reapply as much.

I got this in Cherish and Darling.

L-R: Cherish, Darling

L-R: Cherish, Darling

These combine a moisturising balm and a stain, so they are not meant to be as drying as some stains can be.  I felt that they are very moisturising.  I do like stains but do find that they can be drying on the lips and that was not the case with these.  The balm is great, really moisturing and gives a hint of a shine when these are applied.

They are easy to use, in an retractable chubby crayon style which means there is no need to sharpen them, brilliant.  I hate having to sharpen makeup pencils.

I really like these and may purchase some more of these.

Garnier 7 Days

Being addicted to body lotions the way I am, I am always keen to try out new ones.  I got this sample from the Garnier website. 

This sample included 7 sachets of the 7 days body lotion with Shea butter for dry to extra dry skin.  I was really happy this is what I got as I have really dry skin on my legs and some body lotions even the ones for dry skin just don't work.

This is meant to be used daily for hydration that is meant to last.  These are meant to be non-greasy and absorbed into the skin quickly.

I tried this for the 7 days using it everynight and was impressed with this until day 6. It sinks into the skin really well and is not greasy at all.  Up till that point it was doing a really good job of keeping my legs moisturised, smooth and looking good.  On day 6 they started to feel a bit itchy and uncomfortable.   This is what my legs are like if they are not getting enough moisture. So I used one of my body oils under this moisturiser and finished the last two sachets.

I did enough using this and I felt that for 5 days it did keep my legs moisturised well. I normally have to use quite thick heavy creams every couple of days and with this I didn't.  Yes I had to add an extra level of moisture on day 6 but this was still an easier routine than what I normally do. 

I think I am going to buy the full size of this and see how I get on, if it goes as well as it did in the 7 day challenge I will be happy as it will be a better routine to use during the summer. Yes it didn't give me enough moisture for the 7 days but 5 days is a lot better then what I get from lighter body lotions so on me it worked well. This will be good to use during the summer months as it is a lighter texture.

Maybelline BB Cream

Having tried other BB Creams when they first were launched, I really didn't like them, I wanted to but the texture and finish were just not right for my skin  type.  I recieved some free samples of this from the Maybelline website, as I wanted to try it before spending my money.

Maybelline state that this will do the following things:
(taken from website)
 • Imperfections look blurred
• A natural looking glow
• Fresh feel
• Compliments skin tone
• Skin looks smooth
• Hydrates
• Protects with SPF 30
• Oil free, non greasy

I really like this, I wasn't expecting much but I'm impressed.  It applied really easily, I tried this using fingers and brushes, I liked either way.  It did look and feel good on my skin, worked well with my skin tone.  I am very pale and the light shade worked well.  It did help blur some imperfections, I only had to conceal some red looking spots.  It lasted well on my skin, I did have to powder my t-zone but I do with most things.
I could easily wear this by itself to give an even look to my skin or also with other makeup.

I will be purchasing the full size of this, itis a great product.  I really liked being able to try it before buying it.

Leighton Denny Nail Polishes

About 4/5 years ago my partner bought me a kit from Leighton Denny and I have used and loved the brand since then.  For me it is not only his colours that are great but also his nail care products.

I buy from either Leighton Denny's website or from QVC.  On QVC you can get really good prices on different kits and also some polishes are made only for QVC.  I love watching Leighton on QVC, I like the fact that he goes on to show, demonstrate and talk about his products.  I also enjoy the chemistry between Leighton and Nina, the model he always uses and also the QVC presenters, the hours are always fun to watch aswell as informative. 

All of the Leighton Denny polishes that I own.  Just a few there, not many at all!!

I love the whites in the range for doing a french manicure, they give great coverage and are easy to apply.

His pale pinks, cream colours are great. I use alot of these for wearing to work which they are great for and as part of a french manicure.
                                                                   

Some of the colours I use the most.

I love his beige/neutral colours.  From Supermodel when it first came out I love wearing these colours.  They look great on and are so easy to wear.

I thought I would pick my top 10 polishes but it was harder than I thought it would be to get 10, some of these are always my fave and some are changeable. I enjoy using all the colours that I have but these are what ones I love the most. Excuse the pj bottoms, it was the only place I could get them looking their best!

L-R: Jailbird, Doing Time, Zero Gravity & Butterfly Wings.

Lolly Pop

L-R: Stormy Weather, Rebel, Steel Appeal & Your Planet Or Mine.

Healthy Glow

                                              

 Doing time I think is the colour that surprised me the most.  I got it as part of a kit, criminal collection I think it was called and it was the one I thought I wouldn't like and once I tried it, its become one of my faves.  Jailbird is also from that collection.  There is one colour that I don't have yet and I really must buy it, this is Big Bang, it is a black and silver glitter polish that looks so good. I think this will be my next purchase.

 I also use some of Leighton Denny's treatments, removers etc and these are just as good as his polishes.

L-R: Brilliance Treatment Remover, Essential Remover

These are great nail poilsh removers work really well and smell not too bad.  The Brilliance remover is part of the Brilliance treatment set and helps to improve the nail appearance.

L-R: One For All, Brilliance Treatment Shield, Brilliance Treatment Serum, Slick Tips & Illuminating Hand Cream

I love the Brilliance treatment range, it is designed to help keep your nails looking healthy and the whites white.  Works really well on my nails as my nails have never been the greatest looking.  I will always use this as part on my weekly manicure.

Slick Tips is a nail and cuticle oil and its great.  Works really well and so far the only oil that doesn't aggravate the dry skin I have on some of my fingers.

Illuminating Hand Cream was part of a TSV and I love it, makes my hands look healthy anf is also really moisturing.  I use this very carefully as it is not part of the core range and I don't want it to end.  Will not be happy when it finishes.

L-R: Miracle Mist, Corrector Fluid & Miracle Drops

Miracle Mist and Miracle Drops speed dry your polish.

Corrector Fluid is the secret to my nails looking so good.  I use this to tidy up my nail polish when I've finished.  I'm always told my nails look professionally done and this is my wee secret  to help achieve that look.

L-R: VIP Diamond Buffer, Crystal Nail File & Brush for Corrector Fluid

VIP Diamond Buffer is my favourite buffer that I've ever tried, nails are so shiny after using this.

Crystal Nail File:  My holygrail nail product! Turns nails into dust.  So easy to use. I used to have nails that split, peeled but since using this my nails are great.  This has gave me the nails I've always wanted and I can grow my nails now.

A quick mention to some products that I love but don't have at the moment but must repurchase soon!

Remove and Rectify: A cuticle remover, really easy to use.

Diamond Skin Like Silk:  An exfoilator for the hands. Easy to use, smells great and the best hand scrub I've found so far.
Best Defence:   The hand cream that is available all the time, works really well.

Sorry this post is so long but I love these products and I wanted everything in the one post.  As you can tell I love Leighton Denny's products.  The colours are amazing and the nail care products really work for me.  Oh and all of these products have been bought by myself.

July Empties.

I never thought I was much good at finishing products, but seem to be pretty consitant with these posts which is a good thing.  Just need to tackle the huge amount of shower gels that I have.

As you can see, theres a few things here.

Garnier, Simply Essentials 2 in 1 Makeup Remover:  This has been featured before and I still love this.  Had a bottle in backup waiting for this to finish.  It's one of those split solutions that you have to shake before you use it.  It's great, doesn't annoy my eyes removes all makeup really well.  Will rebuy this again.

Avene, Eau Thermale, Thermal Water Spray:  I use this in place of a toner in the mornings.  It's great my skin is looking really good.  This is my second bottle and I will rebuy this again.  When we had that week of nice weather in May I also sprayed this on my sunburn and it was really refreshing.

Clinique, High Impact Curling Mascara:  This used to be my work mascara because it doesn't budge at all.  It's not too dramatic which is what I want at work.  I don't know how many I've used of these. It's great and I would rebuy it again but I have found a cheaper mascara that so far is just as good.

Mally, Volumising Mascara:  I get this from QVC and this is an American brand.  It's a great mascara, it is so black.  I don't find that it smudges at all.  Infact in the past I've worn this to work if I've not had any of my Clinique one as it will last a 12hr shift.  Have another couple of these in my collection to use.

Talika, Lipocils Expert:  I got this in a beauty box, Joliebox I think and it really worked. I had always wanted to try a lash growth product but was reluctant to spend money on them.  I got just over a months use out of this and there was def an improvement in my eyelashes.  I wil be buying this once I've finished the eyelash conditioning gel I have.

Decleor, Aromessence Neroli:  This is an oil that I used in the mornings.  It's great, need only a very small amount so it lasts for ages.  It's meant to soothe and relax the skin and comfort the skin exposed to the stresses of daily living.  Makes my skin look really good, doesn't leave it oily looking at all.  Would repurchase this in a kit, as at £44 for full size I probably  wouldn't spend that but in a good value kit I would purchase it.

Soap & Glory, Dr Spot Invisible Spot Fighting Gel:  Haf one of these in backup so that tells you how good I think this is.  I use this at night and it makes a big difference in my spots by morning,  would repurchase this again.

Eucerin, Dry Scalp Relief Shampoo 5% Urea:  This is my second bottle of this and I had one in backup ready to go when this finished.  Doesn't annoy my scalp at all.  Will always have a bottle of this in the house.

Lush, The Olive Branch Shower Gel:  Really like this, would buy this again.  It had loads of olive oil in it so you do need to shake it before you use it as it sits on top.

Jessica, Nail Polish Remover:  Again another product that I had a backup of.  This has acetone in it so I only use this to remove my glitter polishes, which it is really good at.

Leighton Denny, Precision Corrector Fluid:  I have used so many of these and I will always use this.  It comes with a brush that you dip into this then correct any mistakes you have made while painting your nails. I have two of these in backup. It makes painting my nails hassel free.

Mac, Brush Cleaner:  Does what it says on the tin.  I really like it for cleaning my brushes, have ordered another one.

Not a bad amount of things used up, all of which I would repurchase.  I tend not to buy things that I don;'t like.  I put a lot of research into something before I buy it so generally I'm not disappointed.

 

July Favourites

It's that time of the month when it's time to round up all my favourite products I've been using.  I realised this month that I never put anything in that isn't in my bedroom, so I'm missing out on some skincare, bath/shower and nail products, will have to fix that nect month.

Quite a few products this month including a few new things that I love and will become repeat buys I'm sure.

Lush, Bubblegum Lip Scrub:  Love this.  Smells so yummy, really easy to use.  I use this about 4 times a week.  Have seen some reviews saying that it doesn't last very long, I've had mine ages.  I use a baby wipe or tissue to wipe it off my mouth, you can lick it off as it is safe to do so.  It tastes as good as it smells. 

Alpha H, Liquid Gold:  I've had this for ages, got it as part of a kit never used it.  Decided to start using it just over a month ago and I love it, wish I had started to use it when I got it.  You put some on a cotton pad and wipe it over your face at night and you don't use any other night cream etc with it. You onbly use it 2-3 times a week.  It does tingle when you apply it but it doesn't last for long. My skin looks amazing the next day after I've use this.  This bottle is nearly finished and I will have to order another one soon!

Balance Me, Wonder Eye Cream:  A freebie from Glamour magazine.  It's amazing, love this.  I only use this at night as I prefer a gel texture in the morning.  I'm a nightshift worker so you can imagine how bad my eyes can look, this helps combat all of those things and my eyes look good.  Will buy this when this runs out.

Ren, Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream: I got this as a free sample when I placed an order from Ren.  It's a great night cream. This wee sample has lasted a really long time.  Its meant to hydrate, recharge and revitalise your skin overnight and my skin looks great the next morning.  I have combination skin with dry cheeks and this works really well with my skin, my cheeks aren't dry at all using this and it isn't making my skin any oilier infact I'd day my skin has been looking quite good since using this.  I can see another purchase having to be made when this is finished.

Ren, Active 7 Radient Eye Gel:  I got this as a free sample from Red magazine, it was one of three items.  I use this in the morning. It is meant to revive and brighten, I feel that it does that.  It's nice and cool on application and I enjoy using this in the mornings or when I'm getting ready to go to work.  It helps make my eyes look more awake and when you work nightshift that  is no easy task at times!

Skindivina, No More Shine Makeup Finish:  This is a setting spray.  I use it before I've applied my foundation and once all my makeup is done.  I really like this and feels like it helps my makeup last a lot longer than normal.  If I'm going to be out and about all day then I'll use this.

L'Oreal Paris, Telescopic Mascara: This is in black and it's the waterproof version.  I got this as a cheaper alternative to the Clinique one that I usually use for my work.  I always wear waterproof versions to my work, I find that they last better during a 12hr shift.  It's great and I will be repurchasing this when it is fnished. 

17, Peep Show Mascara:  This is a brilliant mascara, I have this in black and just the normal version.  This has been in my favourites before and I'm still loving this.  Makes my lashes look really long and fab.  This has become my go to mascara and some of my more expensive mascaras are hardly touched anymore.  This does everything I want a mascara to do and I love the packaging.  This has become a staple in my makeup bag.

HD Brows, Brow Kit:  I got this in July's Glossybox and I have loved it ever since.  Great wee brow kit, really easy to use.  Never really did my brows before now I'm loving doing them and they look so much better.

Rimmel, Wake Me Up Foundation:  Have had this for a while thought it was ok, but this month I have been loving it. I use this on the days when my skin looks tired and not so great.  Lasts ok on my skin, doesn't last a full 12hr shift but very few things do.

Bourjois, Healthy Mix Serum Foundation:  Another product I've had for a wee bit and that I've been loving this month.  Used this the days I've not used the Rimmel one.  This smells so yummy. I like the finish on the skin, doesn't cover everything.

Rimmel, Wake Me Up Concealer:  This has become my go to under eye concealer.  It's great.  Applies really easily, blends brilliantly.  I find it lasts with no creasing.  I don't use it on spots or anything, just for my eyes.

Collection 2000, Lasting Perfection Concealer:   I bought this because of the number of great reviews and write ups it was getting.  It is as good as everyone says it is.  Its great on spots, marks, under the eyes. The only bad thing I have to say about this is that the writing comes off. Another product that has become a staple.

Aussie, Miracle Colour Insurance Leave-in Conditioner:  This is a great product, I never used to like leave-in conditioners but this is great in my hair.  Smells amazing. Works in my hair if I leave it to dry naturally or use heat on my hair.  It makes my hair look great and feel soft.

VO5, Miracle Concentrate Elixir with Argan Oil: I use this on wet/dry hair, works well on both.  Doesn't make my hair look or feel oily which I thought it would as I have oily hair.  My hair has been looking and feeling great since I introduced these two products.  I use this everyday and sometimes as an intensive treatment where I put about 5/6 drops into my hair and either leave it overnight or for a few hours then wash out, works great as this.  I have had this for about 4/5 months and considering I use it everyday I have only just gone below the top of the label, so this is going to last a long time.

Quite a few favourites this month, I didn't realise it was so many until I started typing this up.