bloomzy /

Review: Little Mix Collection Jade Lipstick

Collection x Little Mix Collaboration – Jade’s Lipstick*

You all know by now that red is my signature lip colour.
In fact it got to a point where it felt odd for me to wear another colour.
So I took a plunge and decided to try out this lipstick from the Collection Little Mix range.
I loved the look of it and it gave me that push I needed to try something different.
Swatch on hand in natural light, and on lips in artificial light.

Pros:
+ Creamy formula
+ Soft and smooth
+ Good application
+ Didn’t dry my lips out
+ Great price point

Cons:
– Packaging could be better

Notes:
I was very, very surprised with this lipstick. I didn’t think it would be easy for me to switch to wearing colours other than red, but I really liked this one. It has a red-brown base, and came out as a darker neutral shade on my lips. It applies easily and has a very creamy texture to it, so it feels quite hydrating. I have found in the past that cheaper lipsticks dry my lips out, however this didn’t dry them out at all. It didn’t last through a meal, but then I’ve come to realise that only a miracle can make that happen. However I didn’t use a seal on top as I wanted to see how it stayed by itself first. 
I am really won over by how good this lipstick is, and at only £2.99 it’s a steal! 
You can buy Jade’s Lipstick at Superdrug and Boots.
bloomzy /

Review: Birchbox February 2014 – New Subscription!

You may have thought I’d sworn off beauty boxes forever – especially after this debacle.
Well as the title of this post confirms, you’d be wrong – last week I started a new subscription with Birchbox.
I’d been wanting to start up a subscription again but didn’t know which beauty box brand to choose.
The answer was really there all along though as Birchbox have impressed me in the past.
Inside my box was…
Nail Rock – Nail Glitter
Beauty Protector – Protect & Oil 
Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
Urbanveda Radiance Exfoliating Facial Polish
Gilchrist & Soames The London Collection Shower Gel
Green & Black’s Dark 70% Mini Chocolate Bar
Thoughts?
Birchbox didn’t resort to the usual Valentine’s theme, which I appreciate.
Instead they’ve released a box full of genuinely good products that I can’t wait to use.
They included one full size product – Nail Rocks, which retails at £6.99 – great value.
Also included is a 1.2g Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner (usually 2g for £12), which works out about £7.20.
With those two products alone you have made your money back, with a little bit of pocket change too.
Both are products I’ve been wanting to try for ages, and am very excited to receive in my Birchbox this month.
I can take or leave the shower gel, as it’s useful to have travel size, but it won’t get used all too often.
The hair oil falls under the same category as the shower gel, useful but really only for travelling.
I’m looking forward to trying the facial polish as it’s a product I’ll definitely be happy to use.
And finally, who is ever going to complain about receiving chocolate? It’s always a good thing!
I loved this box and can’t wait for next month’s special collaboration with Lulu Guinness!!
You can subscribe to Birchbox here – using my link will give you (and me) £5 worth of points to spend.
bloomzy /

Press Event: Collection Spring Summer ’14 Range


Yesterday I woke up bright and early for a very colourful breakfast with Collection.
I was excited to hear all about their Spring/Summer 2014 collections, and to check them out.
Amongst the adorable mini eggs florentine, and the delightful macarons was something even more wonderful.

The new Collection range for Spring/Summer 14 features a whole new range of products.
The most inciting for me is the new range of 24 nail polish shades that will hit stores soon.
With neons, pastels and colours ranging from sea green to nude, there’s a colour for most tastes.
I was really impressed with the selection of shades and the colours they had chosen to work with.
There are some great fun, basic shades but there are also a few gorgeous hard-to-find shades included.
It’s always good to see on-trend colours, but I like unique shades too, and Collection have delivered.
The Lasting Perfection range was also on show, and I got to find my foundation match – not easy!
I have used the concealer and powders before, so I have a lot of faith in this particular range.
The new Bronzer range, will leave you looking super sun kissed, even if we don’t see the sun.
The stand-out product for me though is the soon to be released Work The Colour Eyebrow Kit.
The set includes 3 eyebrow shadows, a combo angled/blending brush and a clear eyebrow mascara.
The possibilities are endless with this little kit and the demo held by Francesca Neill sealed the deal.

These are products to keep an eye out for, and I know I can’t wait to try them all!
The Lasting Perfection range is in-stores now, as are the Work The Colour Eyeshadow palettes.
The Work The Colour Eyebrow Kit, nail polishes and bronzers will be available from March/April.

You can find Collection products in Superdrug and Boots.

bloomzy /

Review: Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Hand Cream

Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Hand Cream*
 
I’ve not reviewed many hand creams on here, which is odd as I’m always using one.
I’ve used face products by Australian Bodycare before so that’s why I thought I would review theirs.
This particular cream is for all skin types, even sensitive, and includes tea tree and Argan oil.
There are no added perfumes and it is completely paraben free.
Pros:
+ Paraben free
+ Moisturising
+ Leaves my hands hydrated for several hours
+ Applies well and soaks in after a minute or two
+ Strong smell of tea tree oil
 
Cons:
– Strong smell of tea tree oil
– Leaves hands slightly greasy for a few minutes after applying
 
Notes:
You may have noticed one of those pros and cons is the same in both categories. That’s because I can’t stand the smell of tea tree oil (after using it for years as a kid). However my fiancé absolutely loves the smell. As a hand cream to use at home I really like this as it moisturises and leaves my hands feeling hydrated for several hours. The only reason I wouldn’t carry this with me though is because it does take a minute to soak in, and you are left with a slightly greasy feeling on your hands for a few minutes after applying it. This just makes it a little difficult if you want to handle something straight away after, like your phone. Still, this is a good basic hand cream and is definitely one for those who love tea tree oil as a main ingredient. Priced at around £7, this is a bit too high for a cream that I’m not won over by the smell of. That might sound odd but smell is a big seller for me in hand creams. It is a little hard to find in stores, and you’re actually more likely to find it in your local spa. However you can find it online.
You can purchase Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Hand Cream at Feel Unique.
bloomzy /

Review: Bobbi Brown Crystal Eye Palette


Bobbi Brown Crystal Eye Palette, from the Nude Glow Collection
I’ve been lusting after this palette
since it’s release.
So after a couple of weeks of thinking ‘I
need this’, I finally bought it.
The Nude Glow Collection is Bobbi Brown’s grown-up
take on sparkles and shimmer.
Out of the 3 eyeshadow palettes
available, Crystal Eyes was the one that stood out to me.
Pros:
+ Good pigmentation
+ Gorgeous packaging
+ Complimentary colours
+ Matte and shimmer shadows
+ Shades are subtle yet noticeable
+ Great for travelling/keeping in
handbag
Cons:
– Shades may not suit everyone
– Limited edition
Notes:
This palette is everything I wanted it
to be. I have been using matte browns and cream shades for so long
that I had forgotten all about pinks, and sparkly shadows. I’m not
going to lie, the advertising for the Nude Glow Collection was a
major factor in me purchasing it. Katie Holmes looks almost ethereal
in the campaign and as a fellow pale lady I felt that if Joey Potter
could work it, then maybe I could too. These shades may be subtle but
they are perfect for brightening up your eyes. I’m not usually a fan
of shimmer shades but these almost look as if you’re wearing teeny
tiny crystals on your eye lids…well done Bobbi! I think this
palette would suit most people, but understandably not everyone is a
fan of pink and shimmers. I wasn’t even really, but I’ve been won
over by these. The Nude Glow Collection is limited edition and this
particular palette is selling out fast, so it may be a case of
tracking it down online or at your local Bobbi Brown concession asap,
before they’re all snapped up!

The Bobbi Brown Crystal Eyeshadow Palette is sold out at most online stockists.
If you would like to purchase it, I would suggest heading to your local Bobbi Brown concession.

bloomzy /

Review: Canmake Lip Care Essence

Canmake Lip Care Essence

This is a product I’ve kept hidden from you all for a while. But I can’t be selfish any longer, so I’ve decided to review it for you. Canmake are a Japanese drugstore-equivalent beauty brand. They can be found in most stores across Japan that stock beauty products. They are also available in some stores across other parts of Asia, and online. The collections are usually very well priced for the quality of the goods. I’ve been using Canmake products for around 6 years now and I love them.

Pros:
+ Very moisturising
+ Helped when I had chapped lips
+ Great base for lipstick
+ Cute packaging
+ Can be used as a gloss

Cons:
– Sticky

Notes:
As an avid user of lip balms I wasn’t expecting much from a gloss lip care product. Yet Canmake have won me over again with this one. This gloss is an amazing all rounder product that works great for general lip-care but is also good as a base for lipsticks, or to get a natural gloss look on lips. It can be sticky, like all glosses, so probably best to avoid wearing it on a windy day – trust me, I know from experience. However it has kept my lips chap free, and even helped when I had chapped lips recently. It’s a great size so it would fit into any handbag easily, but there’s plenty of product. It leaves my lips hydrated, soft and smooth, and doesn’t stay sticky for too long. It’s worth mentioning that this has a very very light pink tone to it, and there is also a cherry toned one. This was bought in Japan for a very reasonable 680円 (around £4.10). You can buy this particular product online but unfortunately like most imported products, prices have been hiked up.

You can buy Canmake’s Lip Care Essence on eBay and at YesStyle.

bloomzy /

Valentine’s Day: Lingerie Gift Set from F&F

Valentine’s Day gift from F & F Clothing*
 
When I told the fiancé someone had sent me some lingerie as a Valentine’s gift he was appalled.
He calmed down though when I told him it was from the lovely people at F & F Clothing, at Tesco.
Not only do I feel lucky to be receiving presents from someone other than him, but look at these beauties!
The lingerie set is so cute, and as you know I’m not a massive fan of pink.
However when I tried this set on, I was taken aback at how lovely it looked on.
Not to be too cliché, but this set just seems so perfect as a Valentine’s Day gift.
The floral pattern, diamante detail and the small cut-out works really well together.
The set comes off as pretty, sexy and classy all in one, which I don’t think is very easy to do.
Not only is it lovely, but it fit perfectly too, which can be difficult with the variety in sizing.
The bra comes in an array of sizes from a B cup to all the way up to a G cup – nice one!
I’m sure a lot of you know how annoying it is when a gorgeous bra doesn’t come in your size.
Well done F & F for covering all the bases there. A lot of ladies will be very happy with that.
I’m really won over by the quality of this set, and am very thankful.
Not only was the bra a nice surprise but look at the rest of these goodies!
Chocolate, check. Selection of appropriate beauty products, check.
This is the perfect gift to keep me looking fabulous this Valentine’s day.
You can purchase the Miranda Embroided Bra set in sizes 34DD – 40G at F&F Clothing.
You can also find sizes 32B – 38DD at F&F Clothing.