bloomzy /

Review: Harper’s Bazaar x Birchbox Collaboration Box May 2014

So soon after the Lulu Guinness box, we have been gifted with another collaboration from Birchbox. This time round it’s with the ever popular women’s fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar. As soon as the email declaring May’s box fell into my inbox, I was giddy with excitement. Back when I bought magazines (before I started blogging) I would always buy Harper’s. The thick glossy pages were always alluring, offering articles in a similar vein to Vogue. Maybe that will help you understand the expectations I had for a collaboration with such a well-known and established brand. 
Inside my box was…
Soigné – Nail Lacquer in Crème au Beurre (full size)
Aromatherapy Associates – Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil
Beauty Protector – Protect & Shampoo/Condition
Thoughts?
Well done Birchbox, my hat goes off to you! I don’t easily profess my love for beauty boxes, so you know that this one has got to be something special. When I first looked inside I was saddened at the lack of a lifestyle product, but then I gazed down upon the contents and my eyes glistened with excitement. Inside were a variety of beauty products that I would be proud to have grace my shelves. In fact I already owned some of them, so I was extremely happy to have travel size versions to add to my collection – I really can’t get enough of my favourites in travel size. The two products I owned already were Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara (what beauty obsessed blogger doesn’t?) and Liz Earle’s Hot Cloth Cleanser (do I really need to repeat myself?). Not only are both products desirable must-haves, they are also a decent size. They went straight into my travel case for the next time I need trusty favourites, but don’t have the space for full size versions. A product that was new to me was Beauty Protector’s Shampoo & Conditioner, which is free of all those nasty parabens etc. and is vegan friendly too! I can’t wait to try these out! But for me, the stand out product in this box is Soigné’s Nail Polish in Crème au Beurre (Buttercream). You know I can’t get enough of nail polish (I have an ever growing collection of about 100+), and this is one brand I’ve been wanting to try for quite a while. The shade is absolutely perfect (there is a selection of 4) and the packaging is très chic! I am so so happy with it, and I can’t wait to get it on my nails!! I have to be honest though, and as much as I love this box I will admit that I won’t use the Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil. I’m not a fan of oils although I’m sure this one is lovely. I’ll just pass it on to a friend instead.
Bath oil aside, this has to be the best Birchbox I have received to date. The box matches the theme perfectly in my opinion – higher end established beauty products that you can definitely imagine gracing the pages of Harper’s Bazaar, if they haven’t already. I predict that this box will be a sell out! This has cemented my feelings that Birchbox is the Queen (& King) of beauty boxes. All hail Birchbox!
You can buy the Harper’s Bazaar box at Birchbox.
Using my link will give you (and me) £5 worth of points to spend in the store.
bloomzy /

Review: Witch Anti-Blemish Skin Clearing Primer

Witch Anti-Blemish Skin Clearing Primer*

I love a good primer, especially one that has added properties. My latest foray into the world of primers is the Witch Anti-Blemish Primer. I have been using it for about a month or two now, to see if it lives up to it’s claims.
What Witch has to say about it:
“This clever, silicon-based primer helps prepare skin for your favourite foundation. 
It mattifies and absorbs excess oils for a smooth, silky base, even application and a long lasting finish, perfect for helping to keep your foundation in place in warmer weather. Ideal for those with oily/combination skin, this primer helps to prevent and target imperfections by protecting skin from the layers of makeup, which can cause or aggravate blemishes. Ingredients include pure witch hazel extract, antibacterial actives, liquorice root extract to calm the skin, and glycerine and Provitamin B5 to condition and hydrate.”

Pros:

+ Nice texture
+ Good application
+ Makeup applies well over it
+ Kept my skin blemish free
+ Makeup stays all day
+ Fragrance-free
Cons:
– Silicon-based
– Didn’t reduce shine
Notes:
I’m someone who goes in between primers often. I usually find that I either dislike the texture of the primer, or it just doesn’t keep my make-up in place. However Witch’s Anti-Blemish Skin Clearing Primer won me over on both accounts. The gel formula applies well (not super easily but I got used to it), and it feels nice. It also sits comfortably on my skin and my make-up applies really well on top of it. Unfortunately it didn’t seem to reduce the shine on my combination skin, but my make-up does stay put for the whole day. The only other concern I have is that it is silicon-based. Whereas silicon does have it’s benefits for your skin, it does also have it’s downsides. It creates a layer on top of your skin, which can keep in moisture and dirt etc. However on that note, you can see why it is good in this product, as it creates a barrier between your skin and make-up, to avoid blemishes. So I’m on the fence about it being used in a product (especially one that I use most days) as I’m just not sure about it as an ingredient. Still those are my only concerns and my general feeling about this is that it’s one of the better primers I’ve tried. It retails at £6.99 which is on the average end of the scale. Ultimately, would I purchase it? Yes. It has kept my skin free from blemishes and it works well as a primer.
You can purchase Witch’s Anti-Blemish Skin Clearing Primer at Superdrug.
bloomzy /

Review: Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail

Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail with a shot of B12*
Ever felt like your skin could do with a pick me up? Well this little mystery bottle claims to contain the ingredients to do just that. Sometimes a long list of ingredients and claims can be quite confusing though. So here’s what Time Bomb have to say about their own product:
“Complexion Cocktail with a shot of B12, formulated with high levels of Vitamins B12 and B3 plus Brown Algae, jolts skin’s own energy production into high gear. Formulated with Centella and Ginseng, this potent concentrate improves micro-circulation for better skin tone and enlivened color. A powerful blend of 12 Amino Acids and two types of Hyaluronic Acid replenishes skin’s surface layers and helps retain moisture for immediate visible plumping.”
But what did I think?
Pros:
+ Feels good on skin
+ Nice texture (liquid not cream)
+ Cute packaging
+ Brightens up my skin
+ Left my skin soft & supple
 
Cons:
– Small bottle
 
Notes:
This little product may not look like much but it has won a place in my beauty cabinet. Although I was unimpressed with the size of the bottle when it arrived, I knew that I had to stay positive. They say you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but I love the packaging of this. It’s cute, simple and it gets it’s point across – and the little drawstring bag is a nice added touch. Even though it appears to be green, the contents are actually a red (cleanser-like) liquid. The lid makes sure that you don’t waste half a bottle when pouring it onto your cotton pad – although they do suggest you saturate the pad when applying. There is no perfume (not that I picked up on) which is always nice, and the texture of the liquid is pleasing. It applies well and absorbs into the skin quickly, leaving soft and supple skin behind. This does brighten my skin up and leaves it feeling a bit more lively. It also helped with my complexion and clearing up blemishes. I can’t comment on the anti-ageing affect right now, but I have faith in it. For £24 for 100ml, it does seem pricey but this isn’t something you need to use everyday. I would gladly purchase it and keep it in my cabinet for when my skin feels like it needs reviving.
You can purchase Time Bomb’s Complexion Cocktail at Time Bomb.
bloomzy /

Review: Viktor & Rolf Bonbon Perfume

Viktor & Rolf Bonbon Perfume*

This is a different kind of review for me. I’ve not reviewed a perfume before, purely for how difficult it is. All perfumes smell different to each individual, but I thought I’d do my best. I really love this perfume so I wanted to share it with you all too. So here’s a short and sweet review of the fragrance. Viktor & Rolf are back again with another effortlessly enchanting fragrance.  At first glance the playfully pink box looks like it’s hiding something sweet, however what it actually hides is an elegantly gorgeous bottle. Bonbon is a subtly sweet scent with hints of caramel, mandarin and peach. For me it is reminiscent of sunny Spring afternoons spent cavorting around London cafes, browsing the endless selection of delicious cakes on offer. This is perfectly suited to those who enjoy a young, fun perfume. I also had a little fun and made a video about what the perfume feels like to me. It features me messing around in the park, with lots of blossoms and baby ducks. Yep, it is as random as it sounds. You can check it out on my Youtube channel.

Viktor & Rolf’s Bonbon retails at around £50-£94, depending on size.
You can purchase it at Debenhams and The Perfume Shop.

bloomzy /

Review: Playboy Lipstick in Playmate

Playboy Makeup Lipstick in Playmate*
Playboy would not be the first brand to pop into my mind when I think of make-up. However they recently challenged that idea and have released their own cosmetic line. The capsule collection consists of lipstick, bronzer, nail polish, liquid liner and more. I reviewed their liquid liner, and now I’m reviewing their lipstick.
Swatched on hand in natural light, and on lips in artificial light.
Pros:
+ Highly pigmented
+ Creamy texture
+ Applies easily

Cons:
– Slight transfer when eating/drinking
– Shade isn’t suited to my skin tone
– Scent doesn’t appeal to me

Notes:
I was pretty excited by this shade when I first saw it – it looked like an affordable dupe for Lime Crime’s Great Pink Planet lipstick. After swatching it, I was convinced. The lipstick is highly pigmented and has a creamy texture that makes it easy to apply, and it isn’t drying. I was very impressed with the pigmentation on this as so many lipsticks get it wrong. So for a new brand to bring out something like this, it’s impressive. Unfortunately after applying it I realised the shade isn’t suited to my pale skin tone, which is a shame. I still really love this colour though. It does transfer when eating/drinking, but not as much as some lipsticks I’ve worn. It’s still annoying, but at least you won’t be left completely bare lipped afterwards. As for the scent, I can’t quite pin it down as it’s quite generic, but I dislike my lipsticks having a scent so it doesn’t really matter anyway – it’s nothing personal against this brand. I’m on the fence about this lipstick as I love the pigmentation, the texture and I can appreciate the shade, however I wouldn’t purchase it as it just doesn’t suit me. These lipsticks rrp at £7.95 which isn’t too bad, and I would be tempted to buy another shade, however there is currently a sale on at Direct Cosmetics, and the lipsticks are now only £3.95 – bargain!
You can purchase Playboy Lipstick in Playmate at Direct Cosmetics.
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 /

Where to Eat in London: Onthebab

Onthebab | Korean Streetfood | Lunch/Dinner | Old Street, Shoreditch | Website
– reservations not available –

Onthebab is a lone Korean restaurant in the heart of Shoreditch. I headed there around 12pm on a Tuesday with V.A of Chopstickpanorama.

Onthebab is a tiny restaurant located on Old Street, yet they’ve managed to fit in as many tables (and a bar) as possible, without it feeling uncomfortable. The interior matches the exterior, making sure the minimal chic feel of the restaurant stays in touch with it’s Shoreditch roots. We were greeted by a very welcoming waitress, and an empty restaurant. I gave a sigh of relief that we had made it before the lunchtime rush. We had a hard time choosing which dishes to have, not because there were too many, but because they all sounded delicious. We finally decided on the Spicy Pork Buns (to share) and a Bulgogi Bibimbap (each). I started my meal with a refreshing Cinnamon Punch – a Korean soft drink that I don’t see often. I was a little worried when the pork buns arrived, with their almost glowing red innards. No matter how much I try, my tolerance for spice is extremely low. They were spicy, but just under my barrier, and boy were they delicious. The flavour inside one of those tiny little buns is immense! I imagine this was partly due to the cut of pork and the way it had been cooked to perfection. I found myself fearful at the impending last bite. Unfortunately it came, but I was eager to try my Bulgogi Bibimbap so I recovered pretty quickly. Bibimbap is a traditional Korean rice dish with vegetables and gochujang (chilli pepper paste), usually served with a fried egg and meat. Well at Onthebab you get the whole shebang! We chose the bulgogi beef as it’s a favourite of ours. The dish was large and came with plenty of meat, egg, fresh vegetables and rice. It didn’t taste spicy, so I added a little more gochujang to mine, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Towards the end of our meals the lunchtime rush had hit and the restaurant was almost full. Still, the service was fast and impeccable. I left satisfied, and impressed with the food and the lovely people running the establishment.

It’s not often that I crave a particular dish, but I can honestly say that I will be back to Onthebab for the Spicy Pork Buns alone . Of course I’d also love to try out more of their delicious dishes too. This is one restaurant you can not overlook!

You can read more of my restaurant reviews on Zomato.