FOTD

Face

Laura Mercier Mineral Primer

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Santa Fe

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in no 7 Warm Light

Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Pop

Urban Decay Dew Me Setting Spray

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal

Eyes

YSL Ombres 5 Lumiere in no. 11

L'oreal Volume Million Lashes in Extra-Black

Benefit Bad Gal pencil

Lips

Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose

CatchUp

ohhhhh, forgot to mention that I joined Hellcotton (wee bottom on the right)...

I'm liking and exploring it - but please bear with me as I'm still trying to get my head around Bloglovin' :S

(btw, is there a way to see your followers on Bloglovin'??!)

Anyway, let me know if you're in there as well! :)

Also, don't forget to enter my G I V E A W A Y

here

Have a nice weekend everyone!!! xxx

Beauty Swaps

Many of you already know Beauty Box Swaps - Facebook page where you can exchange unwanted products from the beauty boxes with other fellow subscribers... or also any other beauty item that it's just not for you. I have been swapping since the beginning and now it has become and ever growing community ... Thanks goes to the founder Lucy Brown!! 

I only had good experiences myself - fingers crossed - and every swap turned out perfectly.

Here is a summary of some of the swaps I made... I apologize if I forgot to include any of you but only recently I started keeping a record of these items... so, please, if you remember swapping with me let me know! :)

Zoya in Kendal

This is a gorgeous pastel lilac and, definitely, missing from my collection. It's pretty stunning on the fingers and one coat is enough for good coverage.

Unfortunately, not the best lasting performance and it started chipping after 3 days.

I paired with Planks a Lot from the Pirates of the Caribbean collection.

Swapped with Sandra @ Beauty Balm 

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm

I was soooo eager to try this!!! I didn't get it in my box and took me a good couple of months before I found somebody to swap with.

What a disappointment!!! :(

At first, it looks very similar to Emma Hardie' cleanser (which I adore!): same smell of almond oil/marzipan and same paste consistency that you need to work with a bit of water in your hands, before applying. 

BUT Omorovicza is so incredibly oily!!! It's a nightmare to rinse off... in fact, you need another cleanser on top to be able to wash it off. Very disappointing for the price and I'm glad I managed to try it, first.

Bionova Eye Wrinkle Treatment

I've been getting a bit obsessed with eye creams, lately so I had to try this one!

It's pretty expensive at £43 / 14.18gr and was intrigued by the nano skin technology.

I read many people complaining about the smell and I must admit is not very pleasant. First few applications, I wasn't too bothered but then I had to stop and use it only before bedtime because of the smell.

Personally, I haven't seen any consistent improvement in wrinkles and fine lines but It's a good moisturising cream.

Origins Youthtopia Firming Eye Cream

Another rather disappointing eye cream - It didn't do much for fine lines.

Illamasqua Freak Parfume

I love this perfume. I tried it in store but I didn't get one in my GlossyBox - Typical!!!
So I manage to get 2 sample from the lovely Stacey
It's pretty pricey so I don't want to invest in a full size bottle; I like to rotate my scents and the samples will last me for some time.

SilDerm Stretch Mark Massage Oil

another hard to find product as not many people received it in the GlossyBox. This is full size and I'm going to use it after shower/bath on wet skin. It has been, specifically, formulated for pregnant women but of course you can use it even if you're not... it must mean it has no nasty ingredients in it. Score! :)

Teapigs Tummy Tonic

I like when beauty boxes also include other extras like this... it's a lovely peppermint tea, nothing more to say, really. :)

I exchanged the last 3 with the lovely Stacey @ lisainherownworld.blogspot.com

...more swaps to come...

Shopping / Boots

Boots is doing again their 3for2 offer and this time you can mix&match between body and face products... which makes me veeeery happy!! :)

Nivea Firming Body Oil: this is a new product which just came out. I'm a fan of Nivea Q10 line for many years and I'm fan of body oils so I had to try it.

I like using body oils just after a bath or shower on wet skin; recently, I have been using the Monu oil and I keep it in my bath and planning of keeping this new one in the shower, instead.

Being clumsy, I like that it has a plastic bottle but I'm not a fan of the screw top (too fiddling).

I have only used it twice but I love it - beautiful smell and will definitely re-buy once it's finished.

Biore' Deep Cleansing Pore Strips: I use these on my nose from time to time... they're kinda of ewww but it's kind of satisfying to see all the dirt coming out - sorry for the grossness! ;P

Simple Kind to Eyes Make-up Corrector Pen: I like my make up to be a bit messy, kinda of rock chick but it's good to have a back up in case you need a flawless work. I've been meaning to try this for some time but always holding off because of the price (I think nearly 5quid) so I picked it up now and it was free (because of the 3for2, of course).

Kleenex Facial Cloths Cotton Touch: I bought these to use with my make-up brushes more than on my face. I, sometimes, use a spray to quickly change colours on my brushes, in between proper washes, and I found that wiping them off with toilet paper it's just a mess; the paper breaks leaving all residues on the brittles. I'm hoping these will work better, being more resistant.

Real Techniques Powder Brush: yes, I caved in and got another RT brush. 

I have many blush brushes but only 1 kabuki for the face... so you see I REALLY needed this one. ;)

I already got the Core Collection (review here) so it was a natural step to buy this brand again.

It's super soft and it's the perfect size for a face brush (I like them huge and fluffy to applying setting powders). 

just to give you an idea of the size

Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Cream:  I've been wanting to try this for so long!!! Unfortunately, it's a disappointment :(

It smells divine in the pot - proper banana that you want to eat it but then once rubbed into your hands, it transforms into a wax smell (not too pleasant). It's also very very thick and I can only use it before bedtime.

Lanolips Lemonaid: here is something which never disappoint, instead. :)

I'm a huge fan, love their original 101 version and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this too. Of course, at 10quid, it's not cheap and that's when Boots offers comes in handy. 

This is already my favourite: it has organic lemon oil to hydrate and naturally exfoliate plus a hint of shimmer. I bet it'll look great as a top coat on lipsticks... or also on its own. 

Lanolips Rose Balm Everyday for Dry Hands & Nails: have I mentioned I love Lanolips yet?? hehe

well, they also have a couple of hands creams... again not cheap but technically free.

I like it very much so... I find the smell very soothing, comforting and it absorbs beautifully. In fact in that sense, it's the best I have ever tried; if you can't stand hand creams because of the residue or greasiness they may leave, you definitely need to give this one a go.

Have you tried any of this products before?

How are you going to take advantage of the Boots' offer?

x 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain

http://youtu.be/pN5zCZqfkbM

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain is something you're going to fall in love with!
Are you a lipstick-kinda-of-girl or lipgloss or stain ?? Doesn't matter because this little pot of gorgeousness will satisfy every one of us...

Initially, it was exclusive for Selfridges London but on Valentine's Day (how appropriate), it became available nationwide.
There are 20 shades, spanning from the deepest and most daring red to soft nudes and pink.

First, I tried no 17 Encre Rose and loved how it felt on my lips; I wanted the full glossiness and applied 2 coats in the morning, without blotting. I went out with a friend and the stain survived lunch and a Starbucks coffee for 5 hours. Great great performance!!!

The beauty is that no matter which colour you pick, you can make it as intense or as subtle as you need - it really is the perfect product for every occasion!
So next thing I'm in Debenhams swatching away for 40 minutes!!!
There are so many sweet colours and all wearable that I had an hard time deciding... in the end, I came home with no 7 Corail Aquatique. :)

It's the perfect coral and it works very well with my skin complexion... in fact, I actually wore it on my hen-do over the weekend... is there a bigger compliment?? :)

Anyway, I already know that I will have to add no 12 Corail Fauve to my collection too.
Have you bought one of this already? Which colour??
xx

* one pr sample - one bought by me *