Saturday, December 1, 2012

This weeks haul....

...is no where near as big as last weeks which I blogged about here (sigh) but I've got some great stuff this week and here it is.

Cult Beauty order #3

I've really fallen in love with Cult Beauty and this is my 3rd order in as many weeks.  They have some great brands, fantastic customer service and an interesting website-I love that on each item there is a 'how to use this product' section with clear guidelines.  They offer 2 options for international delivery.  I always use the Fed Ex express option which costs a flat GBP25-this may sound pricey but the website automatically deducts the VAT when you're shipping abroad so what I save in VAT I use for the shipping-all of my orders have arrived within 3 days which is super impressive.  I could use my Aramex Shop and Ship account but not if I want to ship creams, lotions or liquids and it would take longer to arrive.  I also love that you get 3 free samples with each order of GBP25 or over.  This order also qualified for the Goody Bag offer which I blogged about here.

This time I ordered 6 items (but I can only show 4 of them as the other two are the same but one is for me and one is a Christmas present for a friend so I don't want to blog about it until she has got it!)

I ordered 2 more Belmacz lip glosses, in Scarlet and Madder.  A Caudalie Beauty Elixir (30ml) to try after reading loads about it and also reading Victoria Beckham is a fan!  Finally I bought an Essie nail corrector pen to tidy up any overspill.

None of these products can currently be purchased in Dubai.  Caudalie did tweet me though to say they would look into it.  Essie is in every nail salon here so you'll probably able to get the nail corrector pen soon.

Belmacz Glow Gold Leaf Lip Gloss and Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Essie Nail Corrector

My initial impression of the Essie pen is that it isn't 'wet' enough to be effective.  The nib doesnt seem to contain enough product to clean up spillages.  I'll persevere with it.  It also contains replacement nibs.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a part toner, part serum mist of essential oils and plant active ingredients.  It is formulated to smooth skin, tighten pores and provide radiance.  It can be used as part of your cleansing routine between cleansing and moisturising or during the day to refresh your skin.

I'll be honest, I don't use toner usually and am not one for spraying my face during the day (as it messes up my hair!!!) but this is getting such good reviews I have to try it, plus we're going to Thailand next week so this will be perfect to try on vacation.  I bought the 30ml size but if I like it will purchase the bigger size.  My mum wants some too!

I am loving the Belmacz Glow 24ct Gold Leaf Lip Glosses as reviewed here so much I bought 2 more!  They are an expensive addiction at GBP23 each and even though I now have 4 I still want one more for my collection!!

This time I bought Scarlet and Madder.  Madder is described as 'a desaturated raspberry' but on me its more of an orangey/red colour and is quite highly pigmented.  I also bought Scarlet which is described as a 'strawberry red' but it is very very sheer-easy to wear but the name 'Scarlet' seems misleading as its not and it isn't buildable either.  I think the word scarlet has very clear connotations and to me is maybe a bad choice for this gloss.  I'll definitely use both shades, I could almost apply the Scarlet shade blindfolded so it's going to be perfect for holiday.  And like my other two, they feel light and non-sticky on the lips.  I just want to get the shade Infrared now.

Belmacz Glow Gold Leaf Lip Gloss in Madder (left) and Scarlet (right)

Sephora Favourites

My second purchase this week I am SO pleased with.  I LOVE Sephora-but I love the US stores not the Dubai stores.  The Dubai shop doesn't seem to stock anything exciting, out of the ordinary or half the US brands they stock in the US.  The Dubai store frustrates me, the staff are just sales people, pushy and lacking specific knowledge.  It's messy and disorganised.

The US Sephora website is fantastic.  Full of tips and ideas.  But they don't ship outside the US (sob).  Sephora US does these FANTASTIC sets called "Sephora Favourites" which contain usually between 8-12 trial size products from their most popular ranges.  The sizes are bigger than sample sizes but not as big as a full size.  They're all under $45 to buy.  They are usually themed boxes-I've seen one with only mascaras and one with only lip products and I've seen one that was bride themed.  Quite often you can find them on Ebay which is wear I purchased mine from.  I loved the look of this one called 'In The Glow'.  Other ones currently on Ebay are the fragrance sampler, the lash stash, the my first make up kit and the summer essentials.

In The Glow contains 9 samplers of bronzers, blush and luminizers.  It retails for $45 in Sephora in the States.  The reason I wanted this one was because I'm going on holiday next week (I think I may have mentioned that before lol) and these sizes are the perfect travel companion.  Would be such a lovely gift too as it comes in a presentation case and opens like a book.

Sephora Favourites In The Glow

Sephora Favourites In The Glow
I am familiar with all the brands but have never used Tarte, Lorac or Too Faced.  I am hoping to travel to the States next year and Tarte and Lorac are brands I definitely want to check out.
 
Here's whats is the box;

(Photos are posted with no filter and in natural day light)

Left-right Bare Minerals All Over Face Colour in Pure Radiance, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matt Bronzing Powder, Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic and Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna

Bare Minerals, Too Faced, Laura Mercier and Nars

Bare Minerals All Over Face Colour in Pure Radiance

This has quite a shimmer to it and would probably be best suited for an evening look.  But I think this powder would make a beautiful shimmery eyeshadow.  The Bare Minerals website describes it as 'a healthy clean looking sheen with a soft peach lustre which brightens your features and restores your skins youthful vibrancy'.

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder

This is matte on my skin and apparently contains real cocoa!  I'll be interested to see if its too dark for my pale complexion but I do lightly tan in the sun so could be perfect for holiday.

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic

One of my favourite items in the set.  Reminds me of a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Palette.  Looking forward to using this as a blusher/bronzer and eyeshadow.

Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna

This product has quite cult status and I am a big fan of Nars.  It looks like it could be the perfect bronzer for me-not too dark or shimmery-can't wait to try it!

Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Flush, Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour blush in Splendour, Stila Convertible Colour in Peony, Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight, Benefit High Beam

Tarte, Tarte, Stila, Lorac and Benefit
Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Flush

This is a brand I really want to try if I go to the States, the 2 products in this set I am loving already.  Initially I thought this was going to be a cheek stain like Benefit Benetint but on opening it I discovered its actually a gel blush stick.  Flush is a raspberry scented sheer berry.  Have to say I've looked at their website and there is a few more of these I fancy already!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Splendour

I am in LOVE with this blush!  It's a pink shot with gold, the only thing I can think that might be close is Nars Deep Throat.  I've got it on today-it's too sparkly for the office but this is going to be an evening staple I can tell.  This is a special edition for the 'In the Glow' set which is a bit disappointing knowing I couldn't repurchase.  But again, looking at their website there are others I want now!!  This blush is infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun.  The website says it suits a wide variety of skintones. For oily skin types, Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture.

Stila Convertible Colour in Peony

I am a BIG fan of Stila, will sing its praises all day long.  I have 3 of these convertible colours already but not this shade.   Convertible colour can be used on cheeks and lips and has a creamy, light and non sticky texture.  Peony is a browny-pinky colour and I have fond a great review of this very product here by The Sunday Girl

Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure how to use this product.  Its a powder with a very golden tint to it.  I googled it and the Sephora website says that it is a finishing powder to be applied over your make up, giving your skin a 'luminous red carpet glow'.  Spotlight is described as warm beige so am not sure this colour will suit me but I will try it.

Benefit High Beam

This is the only product in the set that I have owned and used before!  This is a multi purpose liquid highlighter that can be used on the face and body to highlight and luminize.  High Beam suits my complexion more than Moon bean which is more golden.  High Beam is pinky/silver and gives a radiant/dewy glow.  Very easy to blend and a little goes a long way.

I am super pleased with this set and can't wait to get testing all the products.  My favourite are the Tarte Amazonian Clay blusher and the Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc-and they are both so pretty to look at too!

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc and Tarte Amazonian Clay blush (inset)


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