bloomzy /

Review: Organix OGX Tea Tree & Peppermint Shampoo & Conditioner

Every time my hair needed a sleek pick-me-up I’d head to Organix. Their Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner would leave my hair shiny and smooth. Well now they’ve changed their name from Organix to OGX, without changing their products. I tested out their Tea Tree Mint Shampoo & Conditioner to see just how good they are.
Pros:
+ Smells lovely
+ Nourishing
+ Left my hair moisturised
+ Gentle on hair
 
Cons:
– Jelly texture to shampoo
– Doesn’t lather easily
 
Notes:
I haven’t reviewed too many shampoos and conditioners on the blog, mainly because I stick to my tried and tested favourites. However over the last few months I’ve been eager to try new brands and switch between them, so OGX came along at the right time. I’m not a fan of tea tree oil so I was happy when I opened these and was greeted by a delicious peppermint scent. The jelly-like texture of the shampoo is a bit odd, and it also made it slightly harder to lather, but this didn’t bother me too much. Of course with shampoo and conditioner it’s all about the outcome. Luckily for me the outcome was good. My hair didn’t feel dry like it can so often do after I’ve washed it. It felt nourished and hydrated. These don’t help get rid of frizzy hair like the Argan Oil, but then they never claimed to. After styling my hair it felt even better and my hair stayed like that for a couple of days. As a fan of Organix, I can say that just because they’ve changed their name it doesn’t mean they’ve lost any of the quality in their products. They have such a great variety of products in their hair care range, and I’d love to try more. For £6.99 these aren’t cheap but they’re worth the money!
You can buy OGX’s Tea Tree & Peppermint Shampoo & Conditioner at Boots.
You can also find some of the other varieties at Superdrug.
bloomzy /

Video: A Date with Viktor & Rolf Bonbon

I was sent the new Viktor & Rolf Bonbon perfume, and I fell in love with it! So I decided to make a little video about our first date together. I will also be posting a review on the blog soon!
You can purchase Viktor & Rolf Bonbon at Debenhams.
Check out more of my videos and subscribe to my Youtube channel – if you like.
bloomzy /

Review: 3 Concept Eyes Lipstick #204

3 Concept Eyes Lipstick #204 – Come to Me*
I was introduced to 3 Concept Eyes lip markers recently, so I was eager to try their lipsticks also. I was sent an orange shade, which I’m sure will be very popular this Spring/Summer. It was my first time using this kind of shade, so I had my serious review hat on.
Swatched on hand in natural light, and on lips in artificial light.

Pros:
+ Creamy texture
+ Didn’t dry my lips out
+ Highly pigmented
+ Easy to apply

Cons:
– Transfers when eating/drinking
– Not long lasting
– Creamy but not moisturising

Notes:
I was a little unsure about this colour because I’m actually quite scared of orange shades. Still, I thought I’d give it a try and see what all the fuss was about with these lipsticks. Luckily I was impressed from the moment I laid eyes on it. Although the poorly applied manicure on the packaging (done on purpose or not?) bugs me, the lipstick itself comes in a classic black tube. The formula is very creamy, so it applies easily, but doesn’t bleed at all. When applied, the colour was pretty much the same as that in the tube – highly pigmented and very orange. It was slightly intimidating. Whereas the lipstick didn’t dry my lips out, it also didn’t stay on my lips after eating/drinking, so it wasn’t exactly long lasting. I love the texture and pigmentation these lipsticks offer, and although this shade isn’t exactly to my taste I’d happily purchase another. For £13.25 this isn’t ‘drugstore’ prices, but if you fancy splurging it’s well worth it. 
You can purchase 3 Concept Eyes Lipstick in Come to Me at Lunatu.
bloomzy /

Review: Birchbox April 2014

Birchbox April 2014 Box
This month’s Birchbox has a food theme.
Products are inspired by natural ingredients, candy colours and more.
You know I’m a foodie so this box is incredibly enticing for me. 
Inside my box was…
TheBalm Cosmetics – Cheek & Lip Cream
Lord & Berry – Kohl Eye Pencil
Color Club – Gala’s Gem Nail Polish
Tommyguns – Pomegranate & Orange Flower Shampoo
One Love Organics – Skin Saviour Waterless Beauty Balm
Propercorn – Fiery Worcester Sauce & Sundried Tomato 

Thoughts?
I’m going to give you the bad news first: It’s my third month in with my Birchbox subscription, and how am I feeling? This is the first box that has left me on the fence, and feeling a little bit “meh.” I have far too many lip balms/stains already and I don’t like cheek creams so I will probably gift the ‘TheBalm Cosmetics’ product. The packaging is cute though and reminds me a bit of Benefit. Next up, the ‘Lord & Berry Kohl Kajal Eyepencil’: I haven’t used an eye pencil since high school, and after converting to liquid eyeliner I probably won’t be going back to them. It’s a shame as I have wanted to try out a Lord & Berry for a while. Now I love ‘Propercorn’, so was glad to see them included as the ‘lifestyle’ item this month, however I can’t handle spice…at all, so these were too much for me. Sadly the other Propercorn option was my favourite – Sweet & Salty, but it was a 50/50 chance I’d get it, so I’m not upset. It’s not all bad though as the fiancé said he will gladly take it off my hands.
Now, for the good news: I am always happy to add another nail polish to my collection, especially when it’s a cute pastel shade. So the ‘Color Club Nail Polish’ was a welcomed addition. I also loved that we were able to choose the shade that went in our box this month. Usually you end up with a generic shade (like red) that everyone else also got. That’s not how Birchbox roll though. They asked us to choose which colour we would like to receive, out of 4 possible pastel shades. I choose the baby blue as I don’t have a similar shade – I know, shocking! This month introduced me to ‘TommyGuns Shampoo’, which smells amazing. I already have a ton of shampoos but I’m eager to try this. Now if only I had the conditioner too…! Birchbox have also introduced me to ‘One Love Organics Beauty Balm’ with this box. The packaging is simple and is different from what you receive if you buy a full size version, but it’s cute. It sounds like a pretty awesome product. I love natural, organic products, and I love skincare – it’s a match made in heaven.
So as you can see the box is pretty much split 50/50 for me this month. I may have received 3 products I’m not keen on/won’t use, but I also received 3 that I will! I understand that I won’t always receive a super amazing box with 5-6 products I adore, so I’m cool with this. Even then, the products I won’t use are still good quality samples that will make someone else very happy. Of course I do wish I’d received items I would get some use from, but I’m sure my friends will be happy. After all, what I don’t use gets given to them or donated to charity. After all folks, you’ve got to look for the silver lining!
You can subscribe or buy a one off box at Birchbox.
Using my link will give you (and me) £5 worth of points to spend in the store.
bloomzy /

Video: French Pharmacy Goodies

I went to Avène & A-Derma’s bloggers breakfast last week and received a personalised skincare goodie bag* full of products from the popular French pharmacy brands. I decided to open up the goodie bag on camera and share what was inside with you all. All of the items in the video can be purchased from Boots, and are in selected Boots stores.

Check out more of my videos and subscribe to my Youtube channel – if you like.

bloomzy /

Review: 3 Concept Eyes Lip Marker

3 Concept Eyes Lip Marker in Red*

3 Concept Eyes is a Korean beauty brand I was introduced to recently. To be honest I’ve used a lot of Korean skincare products, but not much makeup. I love the appeal of lip markers, so when I was sent this one I was eager to try something new. You know I love my red lipsticks too, so this shade was also something I’d pick up myself.
Swatched on hand in natural light, and on lips in artificial light.

Pros:
+ Long lasting
+ Doesn’t transfer/rub off
+ Didn’t dry my lips out
+ Nice shade

Cons:
– More orange than red
– Not pigmented, so colour needs to be built up

Notes:
I have such mixed feelings about this product. On the one hand, it’s an amazing lip product that doesn’t transfer or rub off during wear. It can last a good 8 hours without you having to re-apply it, and it doesn’t dry your lips out. Yet on the other hand this really isn’t the shade I was expecting. As you can see by the hand swatch above, it’s more of an orange than a red. I’m a bit confused as to why it’s sold as a red. The colour does need to be built up with this, like a lot of lip markers, so application takes a little bit longer. I like the product but I feel a little let down by the difference in the shade. However I do like the shade and I will be wearing it again. For £11.25 it’s a bit more than I would usually pay for a brand I’m not familiar with, and due to the shade problem I probably wouldn’t buy this product.
You can purchase 3 Concept Eyes Lip Marker in Red at Lunatu.
bloomzy /

Let’s Get Naked Ladies!

The Lacquer Lab Naked Ladies Collection
Nude polishes make me feel all gooey inside. I’m a big sucker for a subtle shade and an ultra chic nail. Say hello to The Lacquer Lab and their new Naked Ladies collection. They are seriously trying to woe me with these shades and swatches.
The Naked Ladies collection is made up of 6 nude shades: Venus, Nymphette, Kleopatra, Nude Maja, Dita and Pamela. If those names aren’t enough to tempt you then maybe the polishes will. With 2 pearlescent shades and 4 luxe-crème shades, you’re spoilt for choice. The Lacquer Lab have stayed with their large bottles, meaning plenty of product. Don’t forget they’re also cruelty and toxin free, and made right here in Great Britain! The polishes will retail at £7 each, and £35 for the whole collection.
If you’re new to the brand don’t forget to check out my review of their polishes.
The Naked Ladies collection is available from today at The Lacquer Lab.
Use code: FREEUKSHIP20 for free shipping in the UK on orders over £20.