SOAP AND GLORY - FIRST IMPRESSIONS

When it comes to Soap & Glory makeup, I'm a fanatic. I haven't tried a single product I haven't liked yet and the packaging always draws me in so when I spotted they were on offer for 3 for 2 in Boots, I couldn't help but have a peak. As a result I ending up walking out with three products I hadn't tried before.

I instantly knew I wanted to try the 'One Heck of a Blot' Super Translucent Mattifying Powder. I've always preferred translucent powder because it doesn't make me look cakey like some coloured pressed powders do, plus every blogger out there raves about this. As far as translucent powders go, this is fab. It mattifys my skin whilst feeling lightweight and doesn't change the colour of my foundation underneath. Fab stuff.

I'm a sucker for brow products, forever wanting that perfect 'MAC employee' brow but I can be lazy sometimes. On those days, pencils are for me. So I instantly grabbed the 'Arch de Triumph' two step shaping and highlighting crayon in Taupe/Buff. If I'm honest I'm not a massive fan of the brow pencil part. I have only tried it once but I've found it struggled to transfer onto my brows, almost like I was dragging it across with minimal effect. The highlighter on the other hand is just stunning. It's such a gorgeous champagne pink shimmery that is so buttery and blends beautifully into the skin.

The product I was most excited to try is the 'Sexy Mother Blusher' in Onamatopeacha. Firstly, the name is so clever, I literally announced it to everyone who was around me (got some weird looks!) Secondly, best blusher ever. Bold statement and I mean every word of it. It goes from a cream stick to powder blush effortlessly, blends out like a dream and is such a beautiful colour. I am so impressed with this!

Have you tried any of these? What did you think?

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Sexy Mother Blusher

One Heck of a Blot

Arch de Triumph

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REVIEW - BELLA & BEAR HAIR SHE GOES SPRING HAIR REMOVER KIT

Facial hair is the enemy of every woman; whether it's your brows, chin or the dreaded moustache and fortunately for me I'm not a 'hairy' person but whenever I spot a hair it has to go, then and there. So when the lovely ladies over at Bella & Bear offered me the chance to try their Hair She Goes Spring Facial Hair Remover Kit*, I leapt at the chance.

I have sensitive skin which can become easily irritated by wax and removal creams so I was praying for this to be my saviour, and it didn't disappoint. Firstly it's really easily use; it's literally bend, twist and bye bye hair! It even works on my eyebrows which I was totally surprised about because not even wax strips work on these guys. I'd describe the remover to be threading at your fingertips 'cause it does the same thing just without the string and the kerfuffle. I really can't fault this packaging either. It's so cute and the neon coral colouring on the remover and tweezers is so pretty. Overall the product seems like a really good quality, I haven't found any faults!  Oh and I have to say these tweezers are the best tweezers I've ever used. They manage to get those teeny tiny hairs that everything else struggles with and they work wonders of my boyfriends' bushy brows (sorry Chris).

In 100% honesty I can't fault the product, it has done exactly what it says it will!

*pr sample (opinions are completely my own)

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Hair She Goes Spring Facial Hair Remover Kit

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BEST --- HAND CREAM

Like I said a couple of weeks back, I'll be giving my opinion on three to four products every two weeks - telling you my faves, the ones I dislike and the average products, and this week it's hand cream!

QUICK DISCLAIMER- just because I may love/dislike a product doesn't mean you'll feel the same way so if you want to give them a try, don't let my opinion put you off!

THE GOOD
Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream with Hyrda IQ for Dry Hands
As you can probably tell by the travel size, I purchased this at the airport before my holiday in June and I really like it. As the name suggests; it's very nourishing, has that typical Nivea products smell that I love and has a nice rich consistency. The only thing I don't like about this product is how my hands feel afterwards. Sometimes it leaves my hands feeling greasy and 'too nourished' if that makes sense? You know like that fake feeling? I don't know but anyways it's a good hand cream that does the trick!
The Body Shop Vitamin E Hand & Nail Treatment
This cream does wonders for my cuticles and never fails to leave my hands feeling really soft. The consistency is nice, a tad watery but nice and takes a little while to sink in, but once it has I can't fault it!

THE BAD
Soap and Glory Hand Food
Part of me feels bad for putting this in my 'bad' section because I used to love this little guy but nowadays, he's a thing of the past. Unlike every beauty blogger and their mum's aunt, I'm no longer a fan of this hand cream. I find it greasy, the smell is far to artificial for my liking and it takes ages for this it to sink in! I've found so many creams that I prefer now.

THE BEST
The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Butter
Although the smell isn't my favourite, I'm willing to learn to love it because this butter is so good! It's super moisturising, has an amazing consistency and nothing has ever made my hands feel better. It leaves my hands feeling so soft, without feeling fake and works miracles for my nails. I can't explain how much I love this product, especially because no matter what condition my hands are in, it does the trick regardless!

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The Body Shop Vitamin E Hand & Nail Treatment

The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Butter

Soap and Glory Hand Food

Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream for dry hands

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LAQA & CO LIP LUBE - POSSIBLY THE BEST FORMULA EVER?

Now don't get me wrong, matte finishes for any lip product are my all time faves but there is something about this product which makes me think twice. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Laqa & Co Lip Lube in Menatour. 

I received this at the beginning of the month as a sample out of my July Birchbox and its made quite few appearances since. Laqa & Co are a brand I had never heard of before but just by searching their name I could see there is a real buzz about them, and I completely understand why.

Here comes my bold statement, I think this is product has the best formula I have ever tried! And I'll tell you why...

What typically steers me away from glossy finishing lip products is the pigmentation and longevity of the product. I've found most to be so sheer there's no colour and they've melted of my lips within an hour, and if I'm going to wear a lipstick/gloss/anything on my lips, I want something bold and something that will last.

Laqa & Co Lip Lube in Menatour is such a gorgeous shade that's bold and lasts all day. Obviously every product is different on everyone but this one is a winner in my eyes. With it's strong almost neon purple shade and moisturising finish, I doubt anyone could hate it. It stays true to its colour and almost creates a stain upon the lips, doesn't cling to any dry patches and has the most amazing smell! It smells like peppermint, so so nice! I personally found it really easy to apply, either straight from the stick or with a lip brush and both looked good, but if you'd want a more defined lip I'd say the lip brush will be your best friend with this product.

As you can see, the product can be built up well without creating that obvious layered lipstick look. I personally adore this shade and I can't wait to try more of the Laqa & Co Lip Lube shades!

Have you tried the Lip Lubes from Laqa & Co?

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Lip Lube in Menatour

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JULY BIRCHBOX

The beginning of a new month means a new birchbox and I cannot explain to you lot how much I love these, I definitely rate them more than the glossybox. This month is no except, the products never fail to disappointment me. So lets get on and see what I have in this months box...

Models Own Nail Polish - Rocket // full size

I love Models Own polishes so I was so pleased to see this. The formula of their polishes is amazing and it dries in a jiffy so I know this polish will be making a few appearances this summer!

Benefit's The Porefessional // sample size

Another product I love and from trying a sample from a magazine a couple of months back I had to purchase the full size so this sample will come in handy. It's a slightly larger size sample so it will be perfect for when I'm travelling. 

Whish Three Whishes Lavender Body Butter // sample size

Like I've said before I'm a lazy body moisturiser but I'm trying my best to change this, so I'll definitely give this a go! I'm not a lover of lavender but this smells soooooo amazing! With it's promises of soft, smooth and firm skin I've got high hopes.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream // sample size

I've tried, tested and loved plenty of products from this brand so I'm excited to give this a go, especially because 99% of its ingredients are natural. From what I swatched on my hand, it has a pleasant fresh scent and feels nourishing so I'll be letting you know what I think about it soon.

Laqa & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil - Menatour

I'm not sure of this is full size or sample size but it's a sample then blimey, it's a bloody good one. I love this shade as for me it's so wearable and can transform my makeup from day to night with ease. The formula feels nice and the pigment is amazing so except some love from me for this product in up coming posts!

Fiosofille 4-sided Nail Buffer // full size

How cute is the name for this file?! Four sided files are my thing so there's no doubt in my mind that this will get some loving.

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Models Own Nail Polish - Rocket

Laqa & Co Sheer Lip Lube Pencil - Menatour

Benefit Porefessional

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream

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THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BEST ---- HAIR MASKS

Hey ladies! So whilst I'm sitting here nursing the mother of all hangovers, I thought I'd create a new series for my blog - the good, the bad and the best. I thought that every week or two I'd write a post about three products in the same category and tell you what I think was the best out of them and the worst, and to start it off I'm talking about hair masks. 

Quick disclaimer - just because I may love/dislike a product doesn't mean you'll feel the same way so if you want to give them a go, do it!

THE GOOD

Garnier Ultimate Blends 1 Minute Treatment - The sleek restorer

I really like this hair mask, it's quick, affordable and does what it says it will. It definitely made my hair more manageable. With a lovely scent and thick consistency this will be a winner for many of you I'm sure. My only problem is with my thick hair, I find it can cause a 'build up' and occasionally it has been a pain to wash out. Nevertheless a good quick hair mask.

THE BAD

Silk + Honey Shea Butter Hair Mask

I really wanted to love this product but I just can't. I received it in a birchbox and from snopping around the internet it seems pretty new to the market. The fact you can buy the kit and make it yourself seemed so exciting to me with all it's natural products but I just can't seem to get along with it. The smell, for me, is so off putting and it felt like it made no difference to my hair in the slightest but of course, everyone is different so don't knock it because I don't like it!

THE BEST

Umberto Giannini Frizzi When Nothing Else Will Do Intense Recovery Mask with argan oil

I love love love LOVE this! I've tried my fair share of hair masks and I can honestly say that nothing I've tried can top this! It's so affordable and it really is my 'when nothing else will do'! This is a god send for my hair! It only needs a couple of minutes to transform my frizzy hair but if I want something more intense, I'll leave it on for anything up to two hours. In complete honesty, the smell is strange and may not be for some peoples taste, but I really like it. If you're looking for an affordable hair mask that does what it says it will then this is the one for you!

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Umberto Giannini Frizzi Mask

Silk + Honey Shea Butter Hair Mask

Garnier Ultimate Blends - The sleek restorer

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JUNE FAVOURITES

I know I say it every month but how quick is this year going? I swear when I was younger it used drag like crazy! But anyways, another month, another set of monthly favourites.

Vaseline Spray & Go Cocoa Radiant
I'm a lazy person when it comes to body moisturiser and I can't explain how much I love this product.  I first tried this when it launched about a year ago (I think I did a post about it?!) and I loved it then and love it know. I'll always repurchase this one!

Umberto Giannini Frizzi Hair Mask
I've always had dry hair but since I went on holiday at the beginning of June, it's been feeling so lifeless. Probably due to all the sun and chlorine! This has to be my favourite mask I've ever tried. It really does tame my frizz and help my hair to be a bit more manageable whilst making it feel cashmere soft.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat and Effaclar A.I
Recently I've been prone to breakouts but these have helped clear them up and prevent them from returning in no time, see my full review of them here and here.

Beautyblender Classic
I received this in my June Birchbox so I'm cheating when I say it's a monthly favourite but seriously, it hasn't left my side since! Although it's hard work and brushes are much easier, the end result is so flawless.

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Vaseline Spray & Go

Umberto Giannini Hair Mask

Effaclar A.I

Effaclar Mat

Beautyblender Classic

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