bloomzy /

Review: Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser

Eau Thermale Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser*

Remember my personalised skincare routine from Avène?
Well I wanted to review one of my favourite products from it.
Avène’s Extremely Gentle Cleanser is for sensitive and irritated skin.
I think that pretty much sums up my awkward skin – so how did it work out?
Pros:
+ Non-greasy
+ Very gentle & light
+ A little goes a long way
+ Clears my skin up amazingly
+ Easily wiped away with a cotton pad
Cons:
– Quite runny

Notes:
This has been working wonders on my skin.
As soon as I started using it I noticed that it was clearing my skin up.
I always like to give products a few weeks to prove their worth, but this worked in a few days.
That might not be the same for everyone who uses it but my skin adores it. That said, my skin likes to get in a mood and break out if I happen to forget to use it (which doesn’t happen very often). Still that’s my own fault and I am happy with the results that I’m seeing from this so I will definitely be purchasing it after I run out. It’s extremely gentle and kind to skin, although the formula is slightly runny so be careful you don’t drip it everywhere when using it! It wipes off easily with a cotton pad and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling, or any product behind. I would definitely recommend this to people who have sensitive skin or react badly to some cleansers, because this is amazing and the price point isn’t bad either.
You can purchase Avène at Boots and in Boots stores nationwide.
bloomzy /

October ‘Dark Romance’ Glossybox 2013 & Why I Will Be Cancelling My Subscription

October ‘Dark Romance’ Glossybox 2013

My never ending inner battle with Glossybox continues. I haven’t ordered one since May 2012 after I ended my subscription. Why? I was unimpressed with the products, boxes and lack of personalisation. So why buy another one? Good question! Well I liked, no loved, the sound of ‘Dark Romance’. I wear red lips everyday and love a ‘gothic’ vibe to my make-up so I re-subscribed for it. Glossybox promised “gothic beauty, sensual scents, blood red lips and smokey eyes”. Hmm well I don’t know about you but I’m not feeling that from the box above.

What was wrong with the box?
+ The MeMeMe Cheek & Lip Tint, is the only plus about this box, and it’s full size too.
– However those PRESS ON nails? They’re more beauty pageant than gothic Princess, don’t you think?
you could get for free just by asking at any perfume counter.
– The primer isn’t so bad, but I don’t use them really and I don’t see the link to the theme.
– Finally the smoothing skin serum – again, not connected to the theme at all.

Why am I cancelling my subscription?
Glossybox just haven’t improved over the years unfortunately.

If you’re going to do a theme, do it justice, don’t do it halfheartedly. And that’s what this box is, it’s a very vague halfhearted attempt at ‘Dark Romance’. They’ve also been promising from the beginning that boxes would end up being personalised. The whole point is to receive a box of products/samples tailored to your loves, likes and dislikes. Yet they still haven’t listened or improved on the never ending complaints about them not using it. You only need to visit the Glossybox Facebook page to see ‘fans’ saying they’re cancelling their subscription. I also had problems with their customer service team not replying to my emails, which is a bit of a let down. This is really sad and I don’t want to start a boycott of Glossybox or anything but I feel it needs to be said. The company hasn’t improved from what I’ve received myself and have seen others receiving. Nor does it seem to be learning from it’s past mistakes, which everyone knows is vital. I was really hoping to be impressed and fall back in love with this box/Glossybox. I guess that didn’t happen though.

bloomzy /

Shoes: New Look Jeffrey Campbell Coltrane Dupes

New Look’s Black Chunky Cut Out Buckle Ankle Boots
I have been after these babies for a long time.
They originally came out earlier this year but I wasn’t interested.
Why? Well I’m odd and don’t like buying boots when it isn’t Autumn/Winter.
Anyway, they pretty much sold out straight away as they’re dupes for the Jeffrey Campbell Coltrane.
However I was lucky enough to grab a pair last week when they went back up on the website again!
Now I’m a UK size 4 in shoes but sometimes 5 in boots, so I ordered a 5.
Just my luck that the 5 was way too big for me so I had to return them and get a 4.
I went to the Holborn New Look branch during my lunch, it was raining and I had a cold.
You can guess that I wasn’t really in the mood to be messing around with returns and exchanges.
Except I had exceptionally wonderful and kind service from the staff in the store, who helped me out.
They refunded me onto a giftcard (even though I’d paid via paypal – awkward!) and ordered me a new pair.
I was so happy because they did everything in-store, at the till, saving me a lot of time – thank you so much!
I like to mention good customer service on here because I think it’s important and should be rewarded.
So my size 4s arrived the next day and they fit like a dream = happy Emma!
Now I just need a dry day so I can wear them outside.
Fancy trying them out in your size?
You can buy them at New Look.
bloomzy /

Introducing: Belif Beauty

A selection of Belif beauty products for face, body and lips*

Recently I was sent some samples by a brand I hadn’t heard of before, named Belif.
I like the look of the packaging, simple yet memorable, and the products sounded good too.
I decided to do a little investigating to find out more about the brand and the products they create.
“The beauty brand belif combines our founder, Duncan Napier’s original skin care expertise and the best of modern natural cosmetic science. Eleven skin formulas – each for a different skin type – using herbs packed full of active ingredients form the base of each product.”

It turns out the brand itself is a branch off of the brand Napiers.
Now I had heard of them before but I wasn’t quite sure in what context.
It started as a natural healthcare and herbal medicine company founded in 1860.
The brand is British and everything is still made in Britain – now that’s quite impressive.
Napiers uses natural products although the ingredients in some of Belif’s products scare me a little.
I only say that because I don’t like seeing tons of abnormally long named ingredients in my beauty products.
Still, the basis of the Belif products are herbs, as you might have seen them mention in the blurb above.
I haven’t yet had the chance to try the products out as life has been quite hectic for the past few months.
The ‘Essence Water’ and ‘Anti-Hangover Mask’ are the most intriguing to me though, I have to admit.
You can visit Napiers Belif to browse the selection of products available.
bloomzy /

Haul: Tatty Devine Necklaces & Brooch

As if My Tatty Devine Collection wasn’t big enough already.
I added a few more pieces to it recently because you can never have enough!
Say hello to the Tiger Necklace, AW13 Sky Lab Bear Brooch and my new name necklace.
I loved the original orange tiger necklace but unfortunately I wasn’t quick enough to grab one.
Still, I think this version of the necklace is more me and is definitely just as gorgeous, right? Right!
As for the Sky Lab Bear Brooch, well that is the one piece of the AW13 Collection that I wanted straightaway.
I always take so long to justify purchases, especially when it’s jewellery, so that’s a big deal for me.
The name necklace was something I’d been thinking about for a while – personalising one isn’t easy.
I wanted something other than my name on it, as I already have one, and it had to be personal to me.
‘Bonjour’ made a lot of sense as I’m a big ol’ Francophile and everyone knows French is a classy language.
I’d also been lusting after the tortoiseshell and gold colourway after getting one done for a friend.
They’re the perfect additions to my Autumn wardrobe, I think.
bloomzy /

Giveaway: Try it first…

For a while now I’ve been collecting samples for a giveaway.
I think it’s a great way to discover and try new products and brands.
This means I can offer someone the chance to try out some well known products too.
I’ve included a variety of items, some for skin, hair, make-up and even some false eyelashes.
Disclaimer: The Redken, Topicrem, NYX, Facefacts and Dr Bronner’ sproducts were PR samples sent to me.
The rest of the samples are items I have bought myself to add to the giveaway, or were given when making purchases.
What can you win?
A collection of skin, hair, eyelash, make-up and beauty samples.
As shown in the photo at the top of this post.

How to enter:
+ Be a follower of ‘Bloomzy’ via Bloglovin
+ Earn extra entries on Twitter, Facebook etc.
– Entrants who do not follow the rules will be disqualified
– Twitter accounts created purely for giveaways will be disqualified.
The giveaway is open for 2 weeks (ending 27th Oct at 12am)
This giveaway is open internationally.
Good luck!

bloomzy /

Avène Personalised Skincare Routine

Avèn3 Extremely Gentle Cleanser*, Eau Thermale Water Spray, Rich Skin Recovery Cream

It’s no secret that Avène are my favourite skincare brand.
They know how to look after sensitive skin, so they’re perfect for me.
I always stock up on Avène products in France, or Boots if I run out when I’m in the UK.
So when I signed up to the Avène website I was interested to see a personalised skincare routine.
The brand have decided to help those out who aren’t sure what products of theirs to use.
I decided to give it a go to see if they could recommend anything I hadn’t used before.
Using their Skin Diagnosis I filled out everything that applied to me and my skin.
I choose the ‘fair skin’ option and filled in the rest as follows:
As you can see they recommended me the three products I have above:
+ Extremely Gentle Cleanser
+ Eau Thermale Water Spray
+ Rich Skin Recovery Cream
My skin has not felt anywhere near as irritated as it was before I started using these together.
It stopped a blemish I felt that was on it’s way, and it has also cleared up my skin and left it fresh.
I really love that the site also tells you how to use these products and what they’re good for.
If you’re new to Avène or just want some help with your skincare routine this is for you.
They even sent me some samples of 2 of the products in my diagnosis after I signed up.
I don’t know if this is the same every time but I imagine they send them to everyone.
It’s handy for those who don’t want to invest in products without trying them first.
Find out your own personalised skin diagnosis here.
You can buy Avène products in Boots stores nationwide, and on Boots.com