Betrousse Glitz & Glamour Box

Beauty boxes - the subject can get any beauty blogger a twitter on them, subscriptions ones I feel have had their day now. They are now getting to hit and miss for people to pay up to £120 upfront for them. I have always been very vocal on my love for latestinbeauty.com and the fact that you get to see what you are paying for before you order.

Betrousse have been a huge hit in French (hence the French ranges) and now have launched over here to tackle the UK market. Same as latestinbeauty.com, you see what you get in your box before purchasing.

The main difference I have found and be impressed with is that the products are full sized, not a sample size in sight. The second is that there are some hidden French gems to be discovered, for me that is the purpose of boxes like these is to try something you wouldn't normally use.

This is the Glitz & Glamour box that is to Purchase for £10 (Contents valued at £70). Contains 5 full sized products.

Make Believe Beauty Shimmer Lip Gloss

Gorgeous colour, a light neutral pink/peach tone with shimmer. Says that it enhances tan, but being a pale person it doesn't met that claim. It is however a delicate scented non tacky gloss that will work on it's own or on top of lipstick. Valued at £10.

JĀSÖN Normalising Shampoo

Natural brand that is scented with Rose and Chamomile to neutralise the PH of the scalp as well as clean. It has less lather because it doesn't contain the surfactant ingredient, I found this strange at first but have got used to it after a few uses, safe in the knowledge that it isn't harming my hair. Valued at £7.69

(Longest Product title ever)
G-1 exfoliating Facial cleanser for boys and girls - Regulating line

Another natural brand that uses natural ingredients that provides a gentle everyday exfoliation, smells really pleasant and not girly so this stays with the unisex philosophy. Skin has felt smoother and softer afterwards, but I did find it a little more on the watery side, with the redemption of crushed apricot seeds. Valued at £14.

Fair Naturally Mango & Safflower Body Moisturiser

Smells as good as it sounds, and uses Fair-trade ingredients. It's feels a hybrid of lotion and butter, sinks in easily and skin felt nourished afterwards. Valued at £3.99, it's a bargain.

Tulecos Tonifying oil with organic Peppermint essential oil

This is an oil for your feet, which is something I have not come across in mainstream yet. I know they came be made, but I haven't seen anything like this is a beauty box before. Comes in a glass pump bottle, you apply to feet (I do mine before bed). You can smell the peppermint but it is not over powering. It has softened the harder skin on my feet that I can easily remove using a pumice stone. V alued at £33 it is more on the expensive side.

As a whole box, I'm really happy with the selection with a good mix of products that cover the head to toe. Can be purchased on www.betrousse.co.uk

This was supplied to me by Betrouse UK for review, so my thanks to them.

Sorry Balance Me, You Are Just Not For Me

And believe me, I've tried...

Over the past few months I have collection numerous samples of Balance Me products after seeing other beauty bloggers talk about how they like this range of natural skin care. I got balancing face moisturiser in my Latest In Beauty Editor's box. Being stuck one night after losing my regular moisturiser I dug into my sample bag and grab this.

After the normal cleanse I put this one, the smell was Rosy (and this is for someone who likes rose as a scent). It just seemed to sit on my skin and leave a film on it, now considering I have combination skin I found it strange that my dryer parts didn't drink this up as normal. I tried this a few times to see if  it was a one off and every time it was the same - In the bin that went.

The next I tried was radiance face mask which I cannot remember where this came from except it was in my sample bag. I really like a good mask one that general gives the skin a good clear out. This was good, it has exfoliation crushed walnut shells and sebum wiping kaolin. To me it didn't have that wow factor to it, I feel that the mask wasn't thick enough to cover and so I didn't feel 'clean' as normal. I did however, finish the whole sample tube.

And lastly, I got the Rose Otto lip balm in the Glamour magazine offer last year. I really like a lip balm, I have a small bag of them (but never have one on me when I need one) so i was excited to add another one to it. I hated this, I tried and failed to try this 6 times. I dislike the smell, to me it's not of delicate roses but of the main ingredient - Lanolin. For also this ingredient also makes it taste disgusting, and as soon as I put it on I am wiping it off. This is now in the bin.

 

So Balance Me I'm leaving you to your fan base, but for me it wasn't meant to be.

So Long, Farewell Empties

While my computer is indisposed I'm relying on my little tablet to write my entries on. I have a ASUS Honeycomb with a dock so I can turn it into a laptop to type. However, it does have it restrictions like with some websites (like blogger) it won't let me edit the page as much as I could on a normal desk top. This does throw a little spanner in the works, especially as this computer has my rough drafts of my Masterclasses so at the moment they are on hold until my IT Tech of a husband can get the thing working (It will be worth the wait, I promise!)

Until then we shall carry on...

This is the first time that I have really finished anything that isn't a small sample to actually write a 'empties' post about. The way things have worked out is that all of my favourite long term products have finished all at once so I wanted to pile them together and talk about them.

First up is the Shampoo and conditioner from Ojon that I got in the promotion they did about March/April time. This is where when you spent over £20 you got a pair of their Volume shampoo and conditioner. I started using this about late April/May and finished mid November time (using 2-3 times a week). I am impressed with the lasting time of this, it is a 200ml bottle and I found that you need a small amount like 5p pence to get a good lather. The conditioner is also still rich with the smallest amounts. I do dye my hair I use the given treatment conditioner once a week instead of this, that also extended its use.

The scent is a warm nut oil scent because of the Ojon oil content, I found this pleasant and not overbearing, that also lingers well without over powering. Does it deserve it's £16 per a bottle price tag? I certainly do think it does, it provided a volume and smoothing that my hair needed. Doing the beauty maths each bottle cost me £2.66 a month for the 6 months. The hair oil that I had from the range from my March Glossybox is still going strong at 7 months.

The next product is Tesco's Coco Butter body lotion for the princely sum of £1.15. I brought this when it was closer to the end of the month and money was tighter but I till didn't want to neglect my body. It is basic, and the Cocoa butter scent is sickly and artificial, but it did the job it stopped my skin from drying out and feeling itchy.

Then there is Etat Pur Miceller Water hat I got June time from my latestinbeauty.com YOU skincare box. I didn't know much about micellers waters before this, and I didn't like toners before, I thought there were a waste of money as I never found one I liked. This is designed to be a supplement cleanser, I use it on days where I'm not wearing wearing make up as a water cleanser that refreshes. For when I am wearing make up I use it as an extra cleanser step, it still pulls of dirt that I've missed. It doesn't irritate my eyes or skin, and for about £7 for 250ml I'm repurchasing as soon as possible.

For my last it is the fondest farewell for Estee Lauder's Re-Nutriv Hand Cream. I have had this for 3 years (but only been using it for 2 years), it was a gift from Estee Lauder when I worked for them when we hit an incentive (I think it was selling a lot of mascaras at a new launch). I got this with the matching body cream (which has long gone!). It is £52 lets get that out  of the way, and it is stunningly rich to the point that you need to push a lot into the tube to get this thick cream out. I used it in the evenings before bed, which meant in the morning my hands are softer and my nails stronger. Since I finished this I miss it greatly, and now I am on the hunt for my replacement that can still give me the benefits but maybe not for £52.

Bloggers Block and Solving it with a Q&A

This weekend I've drawn a blank, which has never happened. I am sure it happens to most bloggers that you just cannot get inspired to find something to talk about. I am currently in the middle of trailing some new products out like Avon's new skincare treatment, Purity skincare, and some fantastic Montenge Jessense products (including a lip balm!). At the end of the month I am also going to Olympia Beauty, a beauty trade show to browse what is coming up over the AW season as well as anything I want to add my collection.

I spotted the below on one of the blogs (Mymaneblog) I follow who is also one of the #bbloggers who works tireless to make sure that everything is run as fairly as possible for our twitter chats on a Wed/Sun night at 8pm. It also provides a few answers on a few basics about my own skincare and make up routines which you will hopefully find useful.

I do also want to take this time to say hello to readers and say thank you for the comments I have had over the weekend (I will replying over the next week to you all).

Skincare

Q: How many times do you wash your face daily?
A: If I'm not wearing make up I just use a foaming face wash, or I cleanse the make off and then give it a wash if feel I haven't got that 'clean' feel.

Q: What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
A: The traditional T-zone over the head, nose and chin. Now I'm getting older it's starting to change that need to give it a bit more TLC on the drier parts

Q: What is your current facial wash?
A: Love Your Skin Rosewood wash - Got this in my LatestinBeauty Editiors Box, love the delicate scent, soft exfoliating action and pump bottle.

Q: Do you exfoliate?
A: I do but not as much as I used to because it used to make my skin inflamed.

Q: What brand do you use?
A: Currently a mixture of Purity, Avon, Boots No.7, whatever I'm trailing out really.

Q: What moisturiser do you use?
A: Currently the Avon treatment with some Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm if my skin needs a boost.

Q: Do you have freckles?
A: Yes, they come out more when I catch the skin, but it's also why I have to be careful with the sunscreen.

Q: Do you use eye cream?
A: No, I don't really just because I don't have any. My favourite has been Estee Lauders Advance Night Repair, you need the smallest amount but it's light and does what it says.

Q: Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
A: Not as bad as when I was a teen but I still get them, epically on the days I really don't need them!

 

Make Up

 

 

Q: What foundation do you use?
A: Currently MUA BB Cream

Q: How about concealer?
A: I use YSL's Touche Eclat and Estee Lauder's Disappear as mentioned here

Q: Do you know your undertone colour?
A: Olive, but often get mistaken for more of English rose pink.

Q: What do you think of fake eyelashes?
A: Nothing wrong with them at all! Worn them when on special occasions and when the lashes are the focus of the look.

Q: Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
A: Yes of course, my maximum is 6 months of usage before it goes.

Q: What brand of mascara do you use?
A: Max Factor Masterpiece in black brown, still love 2000 Calories as well.

Q: Boots or Superdrug?
A: Being a former Boots girl it'll have to be Boots, but Superdrug because I love MUA Cosmetics and it's exclusive there

Q: What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
A: Can't live without my brushes and clean fingers to finish off.

Q: Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
A: A bit of concealer and powder before eyeshadow still works for me.

Q: For the face?
A: However my face still needs a helping hand, just finishing Benefits Porefessional.

Q: What is your favourite eyeshadow (colour or shade)?
A: Was Estee Lauder's Tea Biscuit, best base shadow ever! Need to find a replacement.

Q: Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
A: Pencil for day then liquid for night

Q: How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
A: Not as much as I used to!

Q: Do you use mineral makeup?
A: Great for day wear and sensitive skins. They're now coming on leaps and bounds, might be my next investment, so any recommendations will be great.

Q: What is your favourite lipstick?
A: Red - Always on the look for a new red lippie, a girl can never ever have enough red lip!

Q: How about lipgloss?
A: Juicy Tubes, I have tubes that seem to be going on for years. Melon is the perfect all rounder colour.

Q: What is your favourite blush to use?
A: I fall in and out of love with blusher, still trying to find the 'one'

Q: Do you buy your makeup on eBay?
A: Nail varnish yes (See Here), other stuff - not really not without knowing what I'm buying.

Q: Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
A: Currently doing my BTEC in Make Up Artistry so yes I may have.

Q: Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
A: No I did at first, the brush used to shake in my hands when I did my first customer.

Q: Name a makeup crime that you hate?
A: Any foundation too dark or too light, there are no excuses for it anymore.

Q: Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
A: Neutral eyes but a bright lip, I'm still trying to embrace colour on eyes without looking like a drag queen.

Q: If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?
A: Lip balm, I have loads because my lips dry out and get flaky without it.

Q: Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
A: Yes I do. See below: Scotland April 2012

Q: Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
A: I like to think I look OK, it's not the end of the world. I try look after my skin so even without make up it still looks the best it can.

Q: In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
A: I will always hold a soft spot for Estee Lauder as I worked for them a long time and they gave me my first job in cosmetics. Other than that Bourjois just make the cutest packaging and colours, while Urban Decay are just fun and funky.

Q: What do you think of Makeup?
A: I've found that I've made friends just by talking nail varnish or lipstick. We want the same thing: To be the best that we can be. There are some women who are just stunning, but who hide underneath a mask because they lack the confidence. I really wish they knew how stunning they really are.

LatestInBeauty In-Flight Box

This is now very long over due, however bear with me there is a reason why it's taken a while to get round to this one.

I received my box a few days after ordered and dived straight into it as soon as I got home form work. The box was brimming as you can see.

I pulled everything out and was happy with everything, however I did notice my OPI nail varnish wasn't the colour that was said on the website. I got 'William Tell Me About OPI' (AW 2010 limited Edition), a deep purple creme, when the choice was between two The Muppet's Limited Editions which I had been looking forward to because I missed out on them when they launched.

 I thought why not just check? Within 5 minutes of emailing them I got an email back saying that OPI sent wrong varnishes and that some of these had made it into the boxes, with their apologies, do I want to swap it for another?

After checking swatches out on line, yes I did want to swap and duly sent it back 2nd class to them. A few days later I got Wocka Wocka, a Burgundy red that goes brighter red in the sun and deeper in artificial light (so gorgeous it's getting it's own entry!). I was over the moon with not only the colour but the helpfulness of the customer service.

The rest of the box I still like just as much and have pretty much used all of it now

The whole box was themed like your were going on holiday so you have self tan with Xen-Tan Dark Lotion, Hydration with Urban Health Acai Sachet that was great when a few weeks back I has to go on antibiotics for laryngitis; Good to Go Wipes each with its own sealed packet that have gone straight into my handbag; Balitiste Dry Shampoo in Cherry that I've already had before and loved; L'Oreal Mythic Oil which is going head-to-head with my Ojon in the next few weeks, and samples of Garnier BB Cream which is nearly as good as my MUA BB Cream.

In addition there is also a tin of mints that are actually cinnamon which are very different and do take a little while to get used to but now have become a staple in my handbag. I also have the cutest little bottle of Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist which after putting into the fridge have been the most refreshing thing to spray on my face for the past few days in the heat. This after my StiVectin-SH Age Protection Lotion SPF30 to stop my pale skin burning (with added bonus of a bracelet that turns blue when the sun is really strong to remind you not to stay out in it for too long!). There is also Acqua D'Alfresco a insect repellent that I have passed onto the husband as insects seem to love him at this time of the year!

A lot of bloggers have been mixed about this, some love the mixture (like me) or just didn't like it at all, however this is the beauty of LatestinBeauty = no likie, no buyie.

LatestInBeauty's Editor Box July

Introducing this months LatestInBeauty's editors box and what a beauty it is! We have two full sized products, a handbag sized, and miniatures for £14.95 including P&P that is valued at £43. I loved my last YOU box (read about my gushing here), and was pumping they're twitter feed for when they was revealing the next one. LIB's customer service has been brilliant, at moment I'm at least tweeting them once a week about something and unlike some companies answer back to the point of having long conversations!

The two full sized products are the Love Your Skin Cleanse and Smooth Exfoliating face wash and Mavala Liberty Nail varnish. Love Your Skin has just launched their website of products and have been finalists in the Elle Beauty Awards 2012. The Wash is a light exfoliate that can be used everyday and the scent is a soft floral wood. It contains two scrubbing actions small beads and the Willow Bark that has salicylic acid that gently exfoliates. I adore this after two uses!

Second Full sized is the Mavata nail varnish in Liberty - a creme peachy nude. It's a 5ml size that the company specialises in, a glossy professional finish that evens out easily.

Baltise Dry Shampoo in Cherry is a prefect handbag sized dry shampoo. It is a new addiction to the range of emergency hair refreshers that has a girly sweet scent of cherries that suits the sun (when it's out!). I'm throwing this one into my handbag for on the go.

The miniatures: Melvita Micellar Water - a rose scent cleansing water with a soft scent of rose that isn't over powering like other rose scented products. Have tried their moisture lotion from the previous YOU box and have liked it so far. Weleda Firming Serum and Night Cream is from their hero range of products that has won the CEW Eco Beauty award, I haven't used this brand before so this will be a perfect opportunity to. And finally, Balance Me Radiance Face Mask, I'm hoping that this will change my mixed views on the range as well as give my skin some TLC that it needs.

There are some still available here

A good mixture this time, however I'm already drooling over the next box due out on Sunday: Another YOU inspired box that I've already been told that there is going to be OPI (full size), Alfresco, Garnier, L'Oreal, StriVectin, Jurlique and many more. In total there's going to 12 items for £9.95 + £2.95 P&P, but it is limited to 2,000 boxes! People who are already on the mailing list will get a preview of the box on Friday, if you are not on the mailing list rush over to here and get yourself on there ASAP.

MUA's All-In-One BB Cream

I have committed a make up sin the past few months, I have been wearing foundation that is far too dark for my pale skin. It was brought when I was unemployed and broke for a pound in Poundland, but this really isn't an excuse for looking an orange freak. I even started to pile on the tan to try and make it look better, it didn't the tone of it was too wrong, I resolved that the first pay check I receive I would at least buy a new foundation.

Now normally I would of plumped for a heavy coverage as previously I was underneath bright shop lighting all day, however my new reception job means that I am in natural daylight all day. Also after using my latestinbeauty.com YOU box my skin has come leap and bounds in look brighter and nourished that I could even get away with tinted moisturiser on some days.

Everyone has now heard of BB creams, they are dominating the market because they supply everything that we are looking for in one tube. I follow The London Lipgloss's blog who is also a fellow pale person, she had tried this out and said that it genuinely surprised her.

For me the fact that it was £4.00 was a big plus, I also had been using their waterproof liquid liner (that is a £1) that has a narrow brush which I really like and is as stay put as I hoped. I have this in the palest which is light, I also have a mixture of pink and yellow tones in my skin so picking foundation is always interesting (always too pink or too yellow). This does blend in well colour wise, the texture is more of cream, and I find that will have to set it with a powder on the area I'm slightly more oilier.

It can last me a good 8 hour shift with only showing signs of wear where I am oilier. I like the fact it is not heavy and feels like I have a reasonable light to medium coverage (only having to cover a few blemishes). For the value I could not argue with it, for something that is suppose to be budget I defiantly think it could compete with the premier side.

LatestinBeauty.com YOU Skincare Box

Oh My ....

This is a conintuation of my entry from last week (Part one: My First Order with Latestinbeauty.com), As I mentioned at the end I ordered the limited edition YOU skincare set and was awaiting it's arrival.

First of all a bit on latestinbeauty.com, so far I have been really impressed with them. They sent a mail the day before the offer to say what it was and as well as what is in the box. When my box arrived today I found that everything is suited to what I delcared in my skin profile (dry, and ahem, getting a little older). Loved everything instantly, so prepared to feel a little bit of envy:

L'Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream (15ml)

New to the brand, promises to reinforce skin hydration so skin can look more plumper and radiant. Smells a delicate fresh scent, with a cream finish that sinks in quickly and without residue. Hvae used this now for 3 days and I'm already looking at investing in it, for a full size it is £29.00 and I really love the smell. It uses Angelica oil and water (a by-product of the extraction process), has a fresh herby scent, which has stress relief and reviving properties.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concertrate (4ml)

Small droplet brown bottle that is used at night time under moisturiser (I'm thinking Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair). Loving the sound of the ingrediants: Evening Primrose Oil, Lavender oil, Fatty Acids = The perfect skin support. The sample looks tiny, after reading instructions you need 3 drops patted into the skin before moisturier, when I woke up skin looks more even tone (no red patches) and looked plumped as well as feeling very soft. £36.00 for a full size, that has the promise of lasting a long time.

Melvita Moisturizing Rose Nectar (15ml)

The first of my two rose scented products, "sheer" cream for use during the daytime. First ingrediant on the list Rosa Damascena water (there is also the oil), I like that fact it gives the latin name of the roses that they use in the product. The aromatherapist in me is dribbling over the oils and shea butter, sunk in beautifully and felt soft for most of the day. Rose oil is a natural anti-inflammarty and anti-depressant, and has a sweet-mellow fragrance of english rose gardens. £26.00 for a full size.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (30ml)

This is the brand created by Dr. Murad and I am very interested about him after trading his background in the skin care industry in trade magazines. Promises a smoother and softer skin, has no scent and scrub feels like it won't irritate the skin. I found this was leaving my skin scrubbed with feeling like I was aking it raw. It has fruits acids inside it as well as exfoliation beads so you get a double hit. At £34.00 it's a little higher than what I would normally pay for a scrub, however only a pea size amount is needed.

Etat Pur Micellar Cleansing Water (190ml and full size)

New company to the market that claims that it uses as many natural prodcuts as possible. Light weight cleansing water that was put up against my everyday make up. It was good but my non waterproof mascara took a little longer to remove with no irritation. Used it for nearly a week now and used very little of the 190ml bottle, and the price is very good at £6.40

Balance Me Moisture-rich Face Cream (10ml)

My second rose scented product, contains Rosehip oil, Jojoba oil (rich in fatty acids), Cloudberry oil, and shea butters. Sinks in easily with rose scent that settles down to a soft floral scent. Feels much more of a thick lotion rather than a cream, is more suited for skin that is still dry but doens't want to use something that isn't too thick on the skin.

This box had input from the ladies at The Beauty Bible, which is one of the go to places for inpartical advice and reviews on products that have been going for many many years now. They believe is natural products (but so test others), and do entensive testing of prodcuts to bring the best in their publications. They are weekly guest columists of YOU magazize that comes with the Mail on Sunday.

 I've now given this about a week, my skin has vastly improved. Now, instead of wearing a foundation it's improved so much that I've now gone onto a moitursing tint. I'm very happy with this box, everything I have used, my only gripe would that there are two products with the same main ingrediants. I very much look forward to the next box!

Ciate's Bon Bon Vs. Nails Inc. Portchester Square

Left: Ciate in Bon Bon. Right: Nails Inc. Portchester Road

I never really been a nude nail girl, I'd rather have my nails making a bold statement, but then I may be mellowing in my old age and starting to think about getting some nudes in my collection. Marie Claire has this one in their magazine as a freebie (it will be ending this week so grab then while you can, there are two other colours to collect). I did wear it for a while (NOTD here), and while it's a reasonable varnish, the colour really didn't bowl me over.

I then did an order with LatestInBeauty (Here) where they were (and still are) selling this colour for £6.00 instead of £11 and thought why not? I received my order on Saturday and while watching the F1 (wasn't it an awesome race?!) painted my nails and wondered how the two together would compare.

Taken on daylight (when it was sunny!)

The first thing that strikes me is that the Ciate Bon Bon is acutally more of a lilac, while the Nails Inc. Porcester Square is a lot more of a nuder brown. I also found the Bon Bon against my skintone was right at all, while the Nails Inc complimented more. Painting wise, I found the Nails Inc much more easier to use and in these pictures it's only one coat while the Ciate has two.

I also put them to ultimate manicure test - I painted each hand in the colours and did two hours of housework (scrubbing, hot water, cleaning chemicals, the whole thing!). The Ciate didn't fair well and started to chip towards the end. However, the Nails Inc stood up to the test and still look reasonable glossy.

So sorry Ciate as pretty as your bottles are, when it comes down to giving it some punishment it didn't stand the test of a good house clean. Nails Inc wins!