GLOSSYBOX #3 - in depth

CIATE Nail Enamel in Big Yellow Taxi no74 : I'm glad I got this product. That is my first CIATE nail polish, the bottle is so cute with the bow and the formulation also gets a thumb up: Formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and toluene free. The colour wouldn't have been my first choice - it's a good dupe for the Chanel' Mimosa (which maybe I was going to buy) but bottom line is I'm not going to wear it too often. Also, it appears a bit streaky even after 2 coats and that's why i've teamed it with the Barry M shatter coat. how do you like it? Hey, it's a full size bottle! :)

ILLAMASQUA Pure Pigment in Marvel : I'm glad I got this colour in this case as I was planning on getting Nars eyeshadow in Etrusque and this is close enough. Also, full size! :)

yes, awkward smile everyone! anyhow, I'm wearing the pigment in this photo and I  like the effect with black kohl.

Inlight Organic Daily Face Oil: never heard of this product before. It is a new concept: daily face oil (which I suppose to be used instead of a daily cream). I'm looking forward to try it but I'm a bit sceptical; main concern is to end up with shiny face. Full size, get in! :)

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil: I'm really excited about this one! I was planning to buy the cellulite oil so I can try this one first and see how it works - this is a firming oil and smells divine. I start repeating myself, but also full size!!!

Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe in Dark: oh well, I don't care for self-tan much, I prefer to stay pale so I will probably try this on my body, instead of face. Sample size.

Introducing / Korres

First of all, I order these on Lookfantastic.com - yay or nay?

It was actually an ordeal! Basically, they sent me 2 wrong/faulty items and I contacted them straight away to check how to proceed. After three days still no answer (mind you, I emailed them every 24hr) so I phoned them up (0845 number, not happy about that!) and I was asked to email the pictures of the products that required replacement. Fine, no problem at all and in fact I sent the pictures the same day.

Another three days go by and no sigh of package or reply from them, so I phoned again and FINALLY they agreed to send me the correct items.

Not sure its worth ordering again from them, to be honest - ok, I admit prices can be good (for example, I placed this order because I received a £5 off on orders of £30); also, in their favour I got to say they didn't ask me to send back anything (suppose as they don't do free returns) but if something goes wrong, its a really hassle. 

Poor, poor customer service!

What about you guys? Any bad experience with them?

Anyway, I wanted to try Korres for a while now and here's what I got:

- Milk Proteins Cleansing & Make Up Removing Wipes: nothing exciting about these wipes, good when travelling and milk proteins are renewed to be good for the skin.

- Lip Butter in Pomegranate: I read many good reviews about this one. Quite nice balm and colour is really bright, in fact so strong that you must be careful when apply and use a mirror. I really like the packaging.

 - Yoghurt mask: this mask is for normal to combination skin and it's describe as "ultra-soothing and cooling mask for long-lasting hydration and comfort to oily, yet dehydrated skin". 

This is my favourite item of the lot - it smells amazing, truly amazing and feels even better on the skin.

In the picture, you can also see the day cream of the same collection because they originally sent me the cream instead of the mask. The cream seems a bit too rich for me and its probably better for mature skin, so I will pass it over to my mum.

 

- Milk Soap for Stressed Skin: as you can tell, I like milk (and derivates) in my face products. :)

Usually, I don't use solid soap on my face but if I end up not liking these, they can also be used for the body. They come in a nice box and carving on the bar - pretty! 

Samples! always welcome, especially Dermatologica's ones.

Finally - in the same order - I bought the followings:

- Ole Henriksen's African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser: this is another hyped product in many blogs, but it has failed to impress ME for now. I've been using it for a week now and I would say my skin is 'a tad' worst; I had same breaks out on my chin which, lucky, is quiet unusual for me. I think I'll give it a rest and try it again in a few weeks. I like the foaming pump tho. 

- Murad's Blemish Spot Treatment: as just mentioned above, I don't usually get spots so I merely bought this because it was down to 2 pounds and I needed to reach the minimum amount to use my coupon. :)

It can always come in handy.

GlossyBox 3 is AWESOME!!!

This is my July GlossyBox and I'm so pleased... what did you lovelies get? Happy as me? :)

A proper review will be up soon after testing these babies...

a

xx

p.s.: you can also check Glossybox no2 here

Delivery / Hobbs

Double delivery today - YAY!

I really like Hobbs - elegant yet edgy designs; what I don't like is the price.

Usually, I wait for the sales as (because of the prices) items don't sold out.

Still, also on sale, pieces are not cheap but the quality and attention to details IS everything!

NW3 Cute Bow Cardi

NW3 Kite Necklace

I'm going to wear the necklace with House of Harlow's earrings... what do you think? :)

Delivery/Topshop

Mink Draped Tux Jacket

I never bought a 'boyfriend jacket' since the trend came out some years ago but I love this one instantly! I tried the black version in store but I wanted it in this colour so I had to order it online.

Three Stone Ring

What I like the most about this vintage inspired ring is the colour of the stone - Amber.

Nail in Celestial

I'm loving this! Also, it stayed on for a whole week with nearly any chipping. Recommended! 

 I don't have any product from Nars - I love the packing! 

I decided to start, trying with a blush; I chose Sex Appeal and I'm really pleased with the colour.

As you can see from the swatch is very very subtle (at least for my skin tone) and I'm mainly using it to do contouring, give a bit of definition because I absolutely HATE using bronzers (despise the all brown on my cheeks/face and it's so easy to go tacky and overboard).

Any way, after the mini rant - I'd like to try other blushers too: Gilda, Sin, Exhibit A, Crazed...

any you girls got any of these? Recommendations? :)

Boudoir Prive VS Glossybox

anybody signed up for this yet?

Boudoir Prive

as I was disappointed with my glossybox, I reckon I could now switch to the new rival... I recommend to sign up with the link about, that way you're going the be the first to hear about it when the project starts soon... then you can decide if you want to buy it at a later stage... brilliant! hurry up tho as it closes tomorrow 5pm!

A couple of months ago, with my last order with ASOS, I received a voucher for a free photo album @ www.Albelli.com - so I finally got around to order one. 

I never tried this service - I know this albums are getting more and more popular - but I still prefer the feel of the photographic paper.

Anyhow, it was for free so I ordered one (only paid for the P&P)

Not bad... still, I wouldn't pay for it...

what do you think? Can you recognize the city? :)

Accessories of the day

On my way to London. Bored on the train so I thought to share what I'm wearing today.

Ring: Orelia at Topshop
Cuff with cameo: Urban Outfitters
Watch: Breil
Wraparound Bracelet: Disney Couture
Bleeding Chanel necklace: don't remember, sorry - US website though.

Anything you like? :)

A
Xx

Sent from my iPhone

I'm going to London tomorrow to see PULP!!! I can't wait... so excited - will definitely try and post an outfit (if I feel like it, meaning brave enough to face a camera).

Anyway, I was off today and popped into town and had a spot of shopping - here is the damage:

3 for 2 in Boots on Revlon means 1 nail polish + 2 foundations: nail polish is called PAssion Fruit and is part of the scented collection (obvious to say it smells like passion fruit?); well, scent is not that strong and last like 2 minutes. I like the colour but I really disliked the handle of the brush, far too thick and difficult to use.

Then, I picked up ColourStay foundation in 220/Natural Beige and PhotoReady in 007/Cool Beige; first impressions, I prefer PhotoReady. I know, many people have a problem with the 'glitter' in it but I don't think it is so overpowering plus it's definitely more noticeable in sun light so I'm planning on use this foundation in the evening (artificial light is totally fine with the shimmer). The packaging is also way better as the bottle has got a pump.

ColourStay is also fine but has the name says, the lasting ability should be its forte - to be honest, I haven't noticed a better durability (comparing to my other foundations).

I've heard a lot of good things about the Biotherm body creams so I decided that it was time to give it a go and take advantages of the 30% discount. I'm pleased the package has got two different types so I can  see which one is the best.

Usually, hand creams from L'occitane are the best! I got this one on sale but for the first time I was disappointed; after full absorption it left a whitey residue on my fingertips :S

~~~~~

In Topshop I picked up this bracelet & ring, both from Orelia; i've been wanting the Zoe bracelet for over a year, but stupidly priced at £18 I always refrained from buying it - very glad I got it on sale. The ring, well, i loved it straight away and couldn't resist. :(

Accessorize - Precious Metal Hammered Ring

I want to wear both rings together on the index and medium fingers of my right hand - what you think?