Sephora Haul

If you're a reader of this blog, you'll know that last month I travelled to Vegas with my boyfriend. There will be a full post on this, but I'm still sorting out photos so bear with me. For now, you can have this. I went overboard in Sephora, my first time in the shop and in America so why the hell not?! Buckle down, this is going to be a long one.

Birchbox Delivery // 05

Morning people;

My 5th Birchbox and it still never lets me down! This month Birchbox collaborated with Lulu Guinness, who according to Sian is a designer. I'm not gonna lie and this may lose me a few followers, but I have no idea who this woman is and in all honesty, I don't have the time to research these things. I'm not into designers, I like my Primark leggings and my Asda slippers, other than make-up I don't tend to splurge on expensive items of clothing. But anyway, she put rock in my Birchbox, the woman is a legend. Oh look, I've rambled again, shall we begin?

Benefit - Stay Don't Stray | £20.50
An eye primer you can count on! Ensure eyeshadow and concealer stays out from AM to PM. Dot above and below the eye, gently blending in with your fingertip. 

I was quite happy to see this in my box - at first I thought it was an eyeshadow, HA how silly of me. I'm quite new to the primer world, I've started using POREfessional on nights out now and now I have an eyeshadow primer too! Ooo, how exciting - and how sad am I that I get excited about primers? Anyway - looking forward to trying this out next week - ON MY BIRTHDAY.

Dr. Brandt - Pores No More Pore Refiner | £39
A favourite of photo-read celebs, this sheer formula minimises pores and absorbs excess oil. Apply a thin layer to your face before make-up and after moisturiser. 

So - is this a primer? Or a cleanser? Or, I don't even know. Guys, why do I even have a beauty blog? I know nothing! I've never heard this brand - but if it's gonna make my skin look good, then I will try it! But £39? Even if this transforms my skin and makes me look like Katy Perry - I will not be repurchasing at that price.

Aroma Works - Nurture Body Oil | £32.50
A blend of sumptuous oils - including nourishing coconut oil - to leave limbs silky and smelling divine. After a bath or shower, massage into skin and enjoy the aroma.

I just made Stuart smell this and this was his response - 'Woah, that's a bit lemony' so guys, this smells like lemons. Which I didn't think I would like, but I actually do. Oils scare the hell out of me, I have a couple that I haven't used. I use one on the ends of my hair, but that's about as far into the world of oil that I've ventured - unless using it for a suntan counts? I think I might use this a few times a week after a nice bath? I dunno. It'll probably go in the 'I don't dare use' box.

Molton Brown - Rhubarb & Rose Replenishing Hand Cream | £10
A fast-absorbing, repairing and deeply nourishing lotion to leave hands delectably soft and smelling sweet. Massage into hands for a moisture kick.

Right. Beauty box makers - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I have enough hand creams to fill a bath tub, please stop putting them in your boxes! There is only so many we can go through - and when you don't even have dry hands, well what am I supposed to do with them all?! I must admit, this smells divine - but UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Stop it.

English Laundry - No. 7 for Her | £47
Top notes of pear and jasmine blend with gardenia, vanilla and sandalwood in this delightful scent. Spritz onto pulse points and enjoy the fresh fragrance.

I still have no idea what sandalwood is - someone please enlighten me. I received a sample of an English Laundry perfume in my first Birchbox and I was so impressed I nearly went and brought it and again, I am not disappointed. This is a very fresh fragrance and if you guys know me at all, you'll know I'm shite at describing scents. I can however, smell Jasmine and vanilla and well, that's all I need!

Lifestyle Extra - Candy Rock
This stripey candy represents the traditional sweet shops that inspired Lulu Guinness' fabulous Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Unwrap and enjoy!

It almost killed me waiting till I had taken photos and eaten this - and once I unwrapped it, it was gone in minutes, my poor teeth! This is my favourite out of the box, I love rock! This was mint flavoured (I expected it to be aniseed) and oooo, yeah.

So, this months Birchbox - maybe my least favourite box so far?! HOWEVER, I'm still not disappointed. Even though there were no full-sized products in this months box :( sad face - I'm chuffed with the Benefit primer, the perfume AND mate, who can not be overjoyed with a stick of rock?

What did you guys think to your boxes?!

- Charli, xo

Benefit - Do The Bright Thing

I just want to say; OH MY GOD. OH. OH. OH. LOOK AT IT. IT'S SO SHINY. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. LOOK. JUST LOOK AT IT. IT HAS A MIRROR.
This was my reaction when I opened this a few days before Christmas. Every year a few friends and I get to together, cook a big Christmas dinner (my job is to eat as they cook, which I get shouted at for every single year) and give out presents. Now I was expecting the usual; books, Lush boxes and other smellies, chocolate and winewinewine - oh, oh how delighted was I when I opened this bad boy? I literally did a wee in my pants. Literally. Clearly shows that my friends know me preeeeetty well. Anyway;

Benefit - Do the Bright Thing - £26.50 HERE

So this is a total face kit really, which is awesome. And not bad for the price me thinks. Here's what it includes;

"That Gal" Brightening Face Primer - 7.5ml

I didn't even realise Benefit had more than one primer, I've only ever seen the Porefessional (not even sure if that's spelt right) one so this was a nice little surprise. Uhm, it's pink? I used this on Christmas Day, I don't usually use primers but thought I'd have a bash and I wasn't too keen on it. My skin was awful that day so I will give this another go the next time I have a night out!

Dandelion Brightening Blusher - 3g

Ooo I really like this! I currently use Rockateur which I lovelovelove, but when I saw this little cutie I thought, ooerrr! It reminds me of ballerinas. I like light blushers as I'm quite fair skinned (WAAAAA) so darker ones look a bit shitty. Looking forward to using this! And it comes with a brush which is always a plus.

High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer - 4g

I have never, ever used a highlighter, I don't even know what it's supposed to do. From what I can gather, a few dabs under your eye/along your cheekbones is supposed to make you look mint? I dunno. I might have dabble with this before my next night out. It looks like it might last a while seeing as you only need a few spots!

BADgal Liner Waterproof Extra Black - 0.5g

Ooft I'm always up for a bit of eyeliner. This looks, SUPER BLACK on the pencil, I haven't tried it yet because it just looks so pretty and I hate starting new eyeliners and ruining them :( Again, I think I'll save using this for a nice occasion seeing as it's rare that I actually get to use Benefit!

'They're real!' Beyond Mascara - 3g

Oh boy, was I happy to see this in the set. I've been hankering over this for months now and me and my BFF Sian are having a Benefit make-over in January in our local Debenhams and I was planning on purchasing this, but I've never actually tried it so I'm super super happy that I've got a little sample! I have used this and I have to say, I was impressed. I love the brush and I love that my eyelashes don't clump either! Thumbs up!

Okay so, there's a little blab about each, I'm really looking forward to giving these a proper try when I have the opportunity. I think one of my resolutions should be to experiment with make-up a bit more, cause I'm pretty damn boring. I wanna be a sexy lady, yano?

Have you tried any of these products? Or have this kit?

Let me know below!

 

- Charli, xo

The Week #1

I'm a bit behind on my Instaweek posts - so these pictures are mostly from Edinburgh and just before. 

My poorly Kasper after his operation | BFFs on tour | I have acquired some rings |

BF and BFF | I got married | Urbcan Decay, Mac, Benefit|

Pretty light | BFFs on tour | I love you