CHRISTMAS presents. Don't worry they won't see them xD

Estee Lauder Barely Nude lipstick

Clinique eyeshadow & blush compact pink blush

Comes with mascara, eyeliner and makeup remover!

NOVEMBER Glossybox

I wasn't at home when I received my glossybox so I had a cheeky look on the glossybox facebook page for spoilers.

I was so shocked to see bad review after bad review to this months box! Most were threatening to unsubsribe due to the lack of makeup related products and the rumour about bloggers getting sent better boxes for free as a sense of false advertisement. It came to the point where I wasn't even excited to open mine at the end of the day.

This is the contents of my box.

 

 

01 ARBONNE Ultra Hydrating Hand Creme

Soothing creme moisturises hands, leaving a healthy appearance and skin feel smooth and refreshed.

Full size £19.00/118ml

No discount code (cheap b*stards xD)

As winter is here we do all need that extra moisture on our hands so a small sample size is perfect. I'm honestly not too fussy with hand creams they just need to smell quite nice, quickly absorb into my skin without leaving a sticky residue.

 

02 DEAD SEA SPA MAGIK Delicate Boosting Mask

A creamy mask containing pure Dead Sea Mud in a gentle formulation, showing immediate and remarkable results.

Full size £8.80

Discount code: GLOSSYBOX2 for 20% off expires 31/12/11

Now, my skin doesn't tend to like face masks - whenever I've used masks in the past (apart from Lush fresh masks) my skin tends to break out - I don't know if its because I have sensitive skin but I don't want to take the risk! So I'll probably end up giving that away as part of a stocking filler for Christmas!

 

03 ILLAMASQUA Freak Eau De Parfum

Celebrate the night with Freak, the dangerously exotic first fragrance from cult British beauty brand, Illamasqua.

Full size 75ml/ £59.00

Discount code: GLOSSYFREAK for 20% off of full range! Expires 15/12/11.

There is a LOOOOOOOOOOOOT of controvesy with receiving perfume samples, I think its safe to say that all of the beauty boxes have put in perfume samples to bulk them out. Not everyone has the same taste in scents, not everyone is even looking to buy another perfume especially from a brand that they've never heard of (I have heard of ILLAMASQUA!). 

I think that its perfectly fine to include them occasionally or not as part of the samples that you're technically paying for because we could easily go out and get every single perfume sample for FREE. The only one I found acceptable is when they put Orla Kiely in the August box because it was 5ml which is quite a lot!

04 NAIL ROCK Designer Nail Wraps

The new NAIL ROCK designer nail wrap range is designed to last up to 7 days on nails and 8 weeks on the toes. They won't chip or stain the nail, requires no drying time and deliver on trend style in just 15 minutes.

Full size £6.65 per pack

Discount code: NRGB15 for 15% off all range. Expires 31/12/11

Now I'm not really interested in this nail wrap hype going on, mostly because I have really tiny nails and it all seems a bit fiddly to me. I'd rather get a nail polish - a chrismassy one! But I guess I'm just a tradionalist. Perhaps one of my friends will find better use for it then me.

05 PHILIP KINGSLEY Elasticizer
Intensive, super-moisturizing pre shampoo treatment for all hair types. Adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine.

Full size £52.10/ 500ml
Discount code: GB1 for 20% off entire range. Expires 31/01/12.

My FAVOURITE THING from the whole box definitely has to be the Elasticizer from Philip Kingsley. In a previous post I'd said I wanted to try it and low and behold here it is.

The weird part is I now have a pre-shampoo, shampoo, pre-conditioner, conditioner and pre hairdrying products. Phew. I can't wait to try this out and possibly repurchase with the discount code.

SUMMARY

As soon as I opened my parcel to reveal the contents - just carrying the pink box out of the grey packaging box I could already feel that there was a light amount of content in the box.

I think that some people were overexaggerating, so long as they're not including the exact same product you've received before does it matter if its from the same or similar brand.

Overall I'm not as dissapointed as I was last month. I think I'll stick with it until the December box and if things don't improve I'll look to getting a different beauty box!

What did you get in your glossy box & what do you think??

xxx

Winter HAUL

So winter is upon us, personally although I can't stand the cold, it is my favourite season clothes wise. I love wrapping up in chunky knitwear, layering blouses with dresses & snuggling on the couch with a pipping hot drink.

I've done a bit of shopping as of late (for me its a LOT as I don't usually buy many clothes at one time) and I thought I'd share it.

Before you look at the pictures I just want to apologise for the extremely creased clothing you are about to see. In my defence they've been stuck in bags since I bought them. :3

TOPSHOP

So I went into Topshop last week, I wasn't really looking for anything in particular but my friend was looking for a skirt, I found her this exact one but in a teal colour. After a while I came across the same skirt in the burgundy/purple colour & I loved it instantly! We ended up buying the same skirt in different colours but same size so we can easily swap for a different look! XD

You can still buy it here.

It was £35 but I get student discount so I got it for £31.50 :3

 You can see it on the website here, well its a similar version but just plain. Now I like this dress because although its plain, I love the colour, the silhouette, it is a tad low on me but that's the beauty of winter - layering! You can wear a vest underneath, a furry gilet on top, layer necklaces, wear it with boots, a hoodie - it doesn't matter. It was £34 but I got it for £30.60 with discount!

ASOS

Now I'm extremely pear shaped. I have a big big butt & hips so this a-line dress is very flattering on me. I never wear brown so suddenly I have an influx just for winter~ 

I got it from ASOS for just £12! I think its the cheapest dress I've bought in a while!

This wrap skirt is from Vera Moda, it was originally like £60 but I got it for half price! I had my eye on this skirt for a while now~ since July! But finally it was reduced! Just like I knew it would so I snapped it up quickly.

 Another skirt from VERA MODA which I also purchased from ASOS. There was a 20% off for students day and this skirt was reduced to £21 I believe. I think it was meant for summer but it can easily be manipulated for the winter wardrobe.

STYLIST PICK

Now possibly the most exciting recent purchase. Just recently I heard of this website called Stylist Pick. You fill out their questionnaire which produces an idea as to what your style is and every month they handpick a showroom of accessories tailor made to your style. Shoes, bags and jewelry all delivered for free for £39.95. The items are truly beautiful, definitely worth the money considering the free delivery! Now for your first purchase you get a special 25% off making it £29.95!

I almost threw away the box until I realised there was a small black bag. To my surprise they also gave a free gorgeous ring with a personal thank you for purchasing message and pouch! 

What do you guys think of my purchases?

What's your favourite season?

xxx

YSL OVAL RING

Fool me twice, shame on me!

I'm very new to blogging and with it blog trends. After browsing around I have found that this YSL ring was a big hit for Summer 2011! 

Celebs like Kim Kardashian, Alexa Chung and model Dree Hemingway pioneered this ring infront of our very eyes. Now that summer is over, this ring is almost impossible to find as its sold out everywhere! However, fear not as there is a very decent copy flying about at the moment...

REAL OR FAKE?

REAL OR FAKE?

Of course nothing is like the original but when you're both out of patience and money, finding a cheaper alternative that is readily available is as satisfying as it gets!

They're available in a variety of colours but I ordered the turquoise one, I don't care if its "autumn/fall/winter" however you term it I prefer this colour on myself above the rest regardless if its out of season.

Here's a link to the website if anyone's interested.

Let me know if you buy it!

xxx

COOKING LESSON in ROMA

When in Rome, do as the Romans!

Me and my friend Rachel rather recently (June, cough) went to Rome. 
It was one of the best experiences of my life and I would highly recommend visiting Italy. A country of such rich history, art, culture and love for the good life can certainly teach you to relax and enjoy the beauty of doing nothing "Il bel far niente". I think there is an underlying message there, us busy Londoners almost crave keeping busy, in a constant rush, instead of enjoying a peaceful and stress free life. We can learn a lot from Italians.

Anyway one of the things which we planned (well I planned) was to take up a cooking lesson in Rome. Ever since becoming a vegetarian one of the most difficult things is having enough variety, so as not to get sick of eating the same food, the way I like to avoid this is by trying out different cuisines.

Here's just a collage of my favourite images from the lesson. The food was absolutely delicious and every wine pairing was impeccable. I'm only 20 years old so I don't have much experience with wine, my general motto is to buy the cheapest, but after a brief lesson I feel like a connoisseur. 

Chef Andrea was quite the character, very loud and oddly humorous considering the slight language barrier. He made sure to make an example of us since we were quite late (but not the latest). I suppose the mix of characters added to the joy of the lesson: we had a few Londoners, then some from the States, and finally a couple from Switzerland.

My favourite item from the whole menu was definitely the first course, and the wine that was paired with it! How I wish I could find it in London... However my sister is going to Tuscany soon so hopefully she can track it down for me! 

Other courses included homemade fettuccine with homemade sauce, eggplant parmigiana and finally our personalized chocolate souffle.

Favourite dish: Pumpkin Flowers with eggplant and mozzarella with Southern Style Pesto

 Wine: Chardonnay Spumante 2008

 xxx 

MYLO my pwetteh kitteh

MEET MYLO

 This fluffy little man is my beloved pet.

Now, don't let this handsome face fool you into his engaging eyes of innocence. He has powerful Gemini tendencies to show absolute tender affections and ever so abrasively be cunningly violent.

My my my if only I were brave enough to show you a few of the scars that still linger on myself and others who have so bravely endured his punishments.

Of course I'm joking, he can be quite aggressive but he means well.

MYLO'S LIKES

• Sleeping in very peculiar and  uncomfortable positions
• Pasta

MYLO'S DISLIKES

• Pillows
• Other cats
• Meowing

xxx

NANO EYE MASK: Bright Up

After recently becoming obsessed with buying off of eBay, I starting recollecting all the items I wish I could purchase if it wasn't for the excessively priced shipping costs!

Almost matches the colour of my room!

So eventually I found a decent seller & decided to purchase the highly recommended eye mask from Nano.

Now as far as I know they do a vast variety of masks and creams, but their cult item definitely has to be the red Bright Up eye mask.

One of my biggest problems with my skin is my ridiculously dark circles. You will probably never see me outside without at least concealer on. I'm really insecure about them. Its not even a hereditary problem, I just have an olive skin tone and deep set eyes so I think it's almost logical discolouration, unfortunately for me. Therefore I'm willing to trial any product that can reduce the appearance of my dark circles, I know they will never completely disappear but a girl can try!


WHATS ON THE PACKAGING:

Japanese Nano Techno.

The newly imported nano technology, combined with a close-fitting mask cutting, can effectively release essence nutrients into skin cells to bring you a unique skin care experience.

Research has shown that Vitamin B3 can interfere the transmission of melanin up to the dermal cells, thus help to minimize dark circles and improve skin texture. Algae extract can enhance blood circulation and stimulate metabolism, keep your eyes healthy and energetic, bright and fresh.

DIRECTIONS:

Spread eye mask over under-eye area and gently press on eye mask with fingertips to ensure a snug fit. Leave eye mask on for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove. Wipe off remaining essence with a cotton pad. Use 1 to 2 times a week, or more often if necessary. 

Showing my face like that is actually embarrassing but I wanted to give a clear view of what the product looks like before and after.

VERDICT:

8/10

This is my second time using the mask in about a week. I know I'm not supposed to be seeing dramatic results straight away but I definitely feel an improvement on the texture of my skin after I have wiped the residue away. Under my eyes, the discolouration has been slightly improved, I think the formula aims to neutralize the colour by means of brightening the skin.

All in all I'm pretty happy with these eye masks which is great because I accidentally ordered 2 boxes...

I would recommend it to anyone looking to improve the skin under your eyes, perhaps you have: thin skin, puffy, dark circles. 

Even if you are lucky to not suffer from dark circles having bright under eyes can make your eyes look bigger, younger and more vibrant.

xxx

MISSHA PERFECT COVER BB CREAM

 BB CREAMS! 

The new beauty craze is upon us! The incredible influx of BB creams have arrived and I have been dying to try one! From affordable products from Garnier B.B Cream Miracle Skin Perfecter, £9.99 to luxurious Estee Lauder Cyber White Brilliant Cells, costing more than £60!!

BB cream aka Blemish Balm is a super product; both a skin care and make up product. Acquiring massive popularity in Korea and other Asian countries, the concept first derived in Germany as an ointment for plastic surgery (chemical peel) patients.

 

The cream not only soothed and protected skin, but also covered redness. It was later commercialised and the ointment was sold as a blemish balm.

What the balm claims to achieve:

• It brightens skin in the same way a primer does
• Evens out complexion like a lightweight foundation
• Covers blemishes like a concealer
• Has the hydrating properties of a moisturiser
• Soothes skin like an anti-inflammatory
• Contains UV protection — so no need for sunblock
• Has the sort of anti-ageing ingredients more commonly found in serums.

In short, it’s the Swiss Army knife of the beauty industry. 

After much deliberation, research and general lack of patience I opted for my FIRST BB Cream to be an original, as it were, if I was going to test this supposed miracle cream I might as well test the most idolized product I can get my hands on. Many bloggers agree that the MISSHA PERFECT COVER BB CREAM is amongst the best Korean BB cream available.

I found an eBay seller who will also provided 5 free samples with purchase so this also swayed my bargaining power.

 

The five free products: two toners, another BB cream sample, two different SPF 30 creams.

VERDICT:

7/10

This is what my face looked like shortly after applying. I have to be honest I was not particularly impressed with it. I don't feel like it has enough coverage to be compared to a tinted moisturizer, I still feel like I'd need concealer to cover my dark circles. However it does give the skin a boosted radiance & skin does feel hydrated throughout the day.

The product comes in a 50ml bottle and I feel like I have to use quite a bit to cover my face evenly so I'm not sure how long the bottle will actually last me.

I think this product is best used in the summer as it wouldn't melt off, gives you great sun protection & a natural glow! 

Converseley although its hydrating, I don't think it would be very suitable for winter & if you don't have naturally PERFECT skin. My dark circles and scars are still visible.

I've only tried one BB CREAM so perhaps I haven't found the correct one this time, but hopefully I will eventually. 

Stay tuned!

xxx

HALLOWEEN makeup

On Saturday I went out to celebrate Halloween! It was quite a last minute deal so I just about managed to find some fangs! I only had about 10 minutes (which is not a great deal of time for me) to put makeup on so this is what I achieved.

Makeup used:

Bobbi brown skin foundation 2.5

Bobbi brown corrector light bisque

MAC fluidline (silver)

Bobbi brown gel liner get black

Loreal extreme lash mascara

NARS blush luster (used a bit in the crease aswell)

MAC lipstick Russian Red 

After seeing the elaborate display of Halloween costumes that London had to offer, my halloween getup was majorly flawed. Regardless I still had a good night!

♡

PHONE decoration

When I first got a BB I was quite dissapointed that I couldn't put a phone charm on it, I always had thing for statement phonecharms. But now I've found my alternative to make my phone stand out a bit.

What do you think?

Do you think I made it myself? (o ~)

My VIVIENNE WESTWOOD obsession

My obsession with Vivienne Westwood began about 3-4 years ago. 

It all started when I started getting into the Japanese culture, language, fashion which inevitably led to reading manga and watching anime. Eventually I was led to watch a live action movie (of a manga that developed into an anime and then.... you get the picture) called NANA.

The story, briefly, is about two girls who meet coincidentally on a train to Tokyo city and happen to share the same name and age but apart from these two factors they don't seem to have much in common; the have completely different styles and personalities but their lives soon intertwine when they end up living together. Anyway, despite this many of the characters in the film wear a lot of Vivienne Westwood clothing and accessories, most noticeable being a statement armour ring, and a huge orb pendant that is actually a lighter!

The ironic thing is that VW is a British designer yet somehow she became iconic more in Japan then here (or so it appears) so it was easily accessible here in the UK.

Most of the collection

Originally I had this teddy bear in its phone charm form, but whilst on the train I sadly lost it. One of my friends managed to find it on eBay as a bag charm & gave it to me as a Christmas present. It's not quite the same but I still love it! It stays permanently on my diesel bag that I got in the boxing day sales.

 

It was difficult to take a picture of this one but its a long necklace with a small orb pendant which conveniently seems to somehow look slightly like a kem göz [evil eye] which looks like this. You would wear an evil eye to protect you from a person who is jealous of you. For example if you had just bought new shoes and someone was jealous of you they didn't want you to have it there is a almost superstition if the shoes were to miraculously break.

Yeah one of my friends bought me this for my 19th birthday, I was really shocked! I didn't know what to say or whether to accept it or not because of the situation and the implications it would have. But, I clearly still have it. (^^')

 

This is my favourite necklace. I don't wear it that much anymore because it just reminds me of a certain time when I wore it. That's really stupid, it cost me a lot xD I'm sure in the near future I will wear it often again. I think its because I stopped wearing a lot of jewelry I used to layer necklaces a lot in college but I don't have time for that anymore and it just gets in the way as I'm at work all the time. Conversely NO ONE makes an effort at uni and I'd rather blend in then stand out, uni people are weird.

Ignore my hands.

Now, this is a ring that I wanted for about 2 years before I actually received it for my 18th birthday. This is the notorious ring from the NANA film, the armour ring I mentioned. Isn't it beaaaaaaaaauttttttttttttiiiiiiiiiiifffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul?

Before I got it my sister asked me if someone gave it to me, what I would do, knowing full well that I was going to get it. I said, foolishly that I couldn't accept it! That it's too much for one person to get me, especially on their own! Mainly because I couldn't even imagine anyone even wanting to get it for me. But, again I still have it.

I felt so special when I got it, its still my most prized possession I think :3

I've had this purse for 3 years! 3 years! NEVER EVER EVER has a purse lasted me that long & it's still going strong! The thing is I remember buying this for like £65 (I think) now any of the Vivienne Westwood purses of this size could set you up more then double that so good thing I bought it when I did! :D

I got this perfume for Christmas last year from my older sister and I've only used it like 3 times because I really don't wanna waste it! I love the smell! I adore the body cream that it comes with and funnily enough I've never even tried the bracelet that it came with until today because its SO loose it would be annoying to wear daily or throughout the day.

 

This was a gift from my friend, not that I'd ever purchase it myself because I think its a ghastly waste of money to have a notebook I can't bring myself to spoil with my horrendous writing or even photos of myself. I joked that I'd save it for my marriage pictures but it looks like I'll do just that. How lovely it would be to honour my favourite designer with my wedding photos. GLORIOUS.

Lastly here is my Vivienne Westwood nautical bag. Its a bowling bag with embroidered orbs in one of my favourite colours ever! The lining is adorable and its way more spacious then it looks!

After explaining all of my pieces a lot of this stuff were gifts given to me so that says a lot about how much my friends and family love me :3 well I like to think so at least.