November Empties: Products I've Used Up

Another month is rapidly coming to a close so I think it's time for another Empties post! Here are my thoughts on everything that I've managed to use up recently, and whether I would repurchase them again.

Antonia Burrell Bright & Light Eye Cream* 

I featured this beautiful eye cream in my February Favourites earlier this year and I'd say it's one of my top 3 favourite eye creams, ever! I loved everything about it - from the light but easily absorbed texture, the way it smoothed and nourished my skin, to the cooling roll-on applicator which made puffy eyes disappear in the morning. Repurchase? Yes, definitely! I have some other eye creams to use up first, but it's on my shopping list!

Green People Natural Lip Primer*   

I have notoriously dry lips, especially during the Winter months, so I'm not surprised to see this Natural Lip Primer in this month's Empties pile. It feels like a regular, moisturising lip balm that comes in a twist-up lipstick style applicator and provides the perfect smooth base for any lipstick. Repurchase? Maybe - I'm not sure that it did anything that my regular lip balm doesn't do, but I did enjoy using it.

Caudalie Divine Oil

I've lost count of the number of times that I've raved about this amazing multi-purpose oil and its gorgeous scent, but I think this might be the last travel size bottle in my stash - nooooo! I love applying this to the ends and lengths of my hair as a leave-in conditioning oil, and it's simply divine as an all over pampering body oil too. Repurchase? On the Christmas wishlist!

Balance Me Restore & Replenish Cream Cleanser

Despite being a big fan of Balance Me, I didn't particularly like this cream cleanser for my combination skin. I felt it was too heavy and left a bit of residue, so you might like this more if your skin is drier. Repurchase? No.

Green People Fruit Scrub Exfoliator*

This is a really nice and gentle facial exfoliator made with natural and organic ingredients. Did a great job of unblocking clogged pores and made my whole complexion look brighter and clearer. A lovely find! Repurchase? Yes.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+

There was a time when I used this on a regular basis and saw results, but for some reason, this product no longer works for my skin. It just doesn't seem to do anything for me anymore and simply feels like a regular moisturiser that's neither hydrating or mattifying. Repurchase? No.

Tisserand Sweet Dreams Bath Oil*

Regular readers (and my Instagram followers no doubt!) will know that I'm not a good sleeper so I rely on a lot of aromatherapy products to help me unwind. I love Tisserand's Sweet Dreams range for this reason and their Bath Oil is so lovely and relaxing to use before going to bed. Repurchase? I think I already have a travel size of this somewhere - will need to dig it out!

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo & 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Calming Conditioner

I've gone through a couple of these travel size bottles from Giovanni's haircare range, and this combo is definitely the one that works the best for my hair. The shampoo is great for oily roots but doesn't feel stripping, and the conditioner is just moisturising enough for regular use and doesn't weigh down my fine hair. Repurchase? Yes, I'll definitely pick up the full sizes once I've used up some of my other haircare products. 

Kadalys Hydramuse Comforting Cream*

I discovered this in a French beauty box and it's a beautiful daily facial moisturiser that feels calming and hydrating, and sinks into the skin quickly without any greasiness or sticky feeling. Great for Winter skin and makes a super smooth base for makeup in the morning. Repurchase? I can't find anywhere that sells this in the UK - if anyone knows a stockist, please let me know!

Which beauty products have you used up this month?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Foodie Friday: Whateverbox review + Reader Discount Code

Happy Friday! For this week's Foodie Friday post, I'm introducing a new healthy lifestyle subscription box that I came across recently via Instagram called Whatever Box.

Whatever Box is a monthly subscription box that sends you a selection of healthy products, so you can expect things like drinks, snacks, cooking ingredients, supplements and more. They offer two different options; a BOX which contains 10-13 full-size health products (including one of the following - a fitness item, a piece of kitchenware or a beauty product), and a BAG that will have 5-7 selected products from the Box. I think this is a great idea because it suits different budgets, but it still means you can treat yourself every month.

The lovely team at Whatever Box kindly sent me a parcel which included a mixture of health products from both their Box and Bag subscription options, to give you a good overall idea of what you can expect from them. Let's get stuck in!

 The Primal Pantry Cotton Tote Bag

Reusable cotton tote bags always come in handy for shopping and this one is from The Primal Pantry who do some amazing raw protein bars!

 Chill Factor Drink Bottle 

My favourite colour is purple so I was thrilled to see this bright purple bottle from Chill Factor. I haven't heard of this brand or product before, but it's basically a resuable drinks bottle that has a freezer bag-style inner core to keep your drinks cold. It's easy to use, has a cool colour changing effect to show when your drink is perfectly chilled and all of the materials are BPA-free. Pretty neat!

 Ape Snacks Crispy Coconut Curls in Salted Chocolate

I've tried these before from one of my The Vegan Kind boxes and they are amazing. They're crunchy strips of freeze-dried coconut which are sprinkled with a little Cocoa and Sea Salt for a super tasty high fibre snack. Yum! 

 Arctic Powder Berries Blackcurrant Powder

I love trying out new supplements and health foods, and I've heard a lot of positive things about Blackcurrant Powder to give you a natural boost thanks to their antioxidant properties. This is especially useful during the Winter months to protect you against colds and flu, and it tastes really good too. I just add a teaspoon to my morning smoothie and that's all you need.

 Chewsy All Natural Chewing Gum in Peppermint

If you're looking for an all-natural alternative to mainstream chewing gum, Chewsy are one of the leading brands. Their gum is free from artificial sweeteners, sugar, preservatives, flavours and doesn't contain the common plastic gum base that's found in other brands.

 Mr Filbert's Olive Snack

For a healthy, low-fat snack, you can't beat a pack of olives and these ones from Mr Filbert's offer a mess-free solution for snacking on the go. These juicy green olives come ready pitted and are freshly marinated in Lemon and Oregano with no oil - perfect for commuters!

 Trek Bar in Cocoa Chaos

I always carry a protein bar of some kind with me and lately, I've been obsessed with Trek Bars. Their Cocoa Chaos flavour is my favourite and packs in 10g of soy-based protein in every bar. Suitable for vegans and free from gluten, wheat and dairy, these are perfect as a post-workout treat!

 Vita Coco Coconut Water with Pineapple

Vita Coco are one of my favourite brands of coconut water so I was very pleased to see a drink from them included in the box. This one combines their natural coconut water with pineapple for a refreshing and tropical healthy drink.

 Pip & Nut Limited Edition Crunchy Maple Peanut Butter

Saving the very best for (nearly) last, I was over the moon to find a tub of Pip & Nut's Crunchy Maple Peanut Butter! This Limited Edition flavour is made from just a handful of natural ingredients; Peanuts, Maple Syrup, Coconut Oil and Sea Salt and it's delicious on basically everything! 

Hambleden Teas Hibiscus Organic Herbal Tea

At the bottom of the box I also found a couple of sachets of Hibiscus Tea from Hambleden Teas which are really good - a lovely discovery all round!

Special Reader Discount Code

Whateverbox have kindly given me a discount code to share with my readers so that you can get 10% off your first two months! To take advantage of this deal subscribe here and you can also use the code EVE to get an extra free product - valid until 5th December 2017 - enjoy!

What's your favourite healthy lifestyle subscription box?

[Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest]

Read more

Currently Loving: Green People Damask Rose Facial Oil review + UK Giveaway!

Give your skin a truly luxurious winter treat with the new Damask Rose Facial Oil from Green People, which is one of the nicest face oils that I've tried this year!

If you're a green beauty lover or simply enjoy your organic skincare, you may have seen that British brand, Green People, have been celebrating their 20th anniversary this year which is incredible. I can only imagine what it must have been like to start up an organic beauty brand 20 years ago and to now be such a driving force in all of the changes that have happened since then. Congrats GP! 

To mark the occasion, Green People launched their Special Edition Collection, which includes the new Damask Rose and Orange Blossom ranges.  I featured their Velvet Matte Lipstick in Damask Rose back in April (read my review and swatches here), so I was thrilled to see that their latest addition to the Special Edition Collection is another Damask Rose product; this time a beautiful Damask Rose Facial Oil. 

This new facial oil is really something special and I've had the pleasure of testing it out since it launched last month. Suitable for all skin types, it contains 99.7% certified organic ingredients and features a super nourishing blend of plant-based oils, including Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Avocado, Rosehip and Thistle Seed. It has a gloriously lightweight and easily absorbed texture, yet really helps to lock-in moisture, deeply hydrating the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. I love the way that it makes my skin feel more supple and smooth, and it's the perfect evening/nighttime facial oil to reach for during the colder Winter months - although I know I'll be probably using this all year long!

Best of all though, this facial oil has the most incredible all-natural scent. It's seriously divine. Composed of an exquisite blend of Rose Otto, Lavender, Basil, Marjoram, Jasmine, Ho Wood, Ylang Ylang and Lemon Peel, it's like the icing on the cake and provides the finishing touch for a truly luxurious pampering skincare experience.  

UK Giveaway!

Green People are very kindly offering one of my UK readers the chance to win a bottle of this beautiful Damask Rose Facial Oil (worth £29) so that they can try it out for themselves. All you need to do is pop your details into the Rafflecopter below and I'll draw a winner at random next week. Giveaway ends on 30th November 2017- good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read more

Haircare Review: Conscious Skincare Cypress & Sage Organic Shampoo & Conditioner

Welsh organic beauty brand, Conscious Skincare, has recently launched several new products including this enticing Cypress and Sage haircare duo which I've been testing out over the past couple of weeks.

I've been a fan of Conscious Skincare for a number of years now, and I love their simple, but effective, formulas which are packed full of beneficial organic and natural ingredients. Their products are cruelty-free and free from a range of 'nasties' such as SLS, Sulphates, Parabens, Phthalates, Synthetic Chemical Preservatives, Colours and Fillers. Their eco-friendly and recyclable packaging also seems to reflect their green stance, with a clean and simplistic design. Although I've used several Conscious Skincare products in the past, these have all been from their skincare and body care ranges, so this the first time I've tried their haircare. Here's are my thoughts!

Conscious Skincare Cypress and Sage Organic Shampoo* (250ml, £11, link)

Described as being full of 'hair-loving' ingredients, this Organic Shampoo uses ProVitamin B5 as one of its key actives which helps to nourish the hair and protect it against everyday stresses. It's a great ingredient to use in hair care and something that really does make a difference whenever I see it included in a shampoo or conditioner. Alongside B5, there's the pre-biotic Inulin that is a natural foodstuff for good bacteria to munch on, helping to create a happy and balanced environment on your scalp, and Jojoba Oil which deeply nourishes, hydrates and adds shine for swish-worthy hair. This shampoo has a lovely fresh, earthy and invigorating scent thanks to a combination of Cypress, Sage and Lavender Essential Oils (which all have their own individual benefits as well - they're not just included for their scent!), and it spreads easily over wet hair, for a blissfully deep cleanse. Suitable for all hair types, it left mine clean (without the squeakiness), refreshed and with a glossy shine - wonderful!

Conscious Skincare Cypress and Sage Organic Conditioner* (250ml, £11, link)

I often struggle to find conditioners that are hydrating enough for my dry hair, but thankfully this matching Cypress and Sage one is definitely one of the best that I've tried for daily or regular use. Packed full of nourishing ingredients such as Organic Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Olive Oil, it manages to moisturise and strengthen, whilst not weighing down my fine hair. It may be a little too rich for oily hair though, but I imagine this would work well for most other hair types. I absolutely adore the Cypress and Sage scent too - the more I use it, the more I love it!

Shop the full range of Conscious Skincare direct from conscious-skincare.com

Do you use SLS-free haircare?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - November 2017 review

Earlier last week, my LoveLula Beauty Box arrived and I've been enjoying testing out this month's featured goodies which include three full-size products and an incredible overall value of £60! Sounds good? Read on to find out more!

Madara Smart Anti-Fatigue Eye Rescue Cream (full size, RRP £31)

The star of the box for me this month is this full-sized Anti-Fatigue Eye Rescue Cream from Madara's anti-ageing Smart range. I've tried a lot of skincare from Madara (most of which I've loved and several products I've repurchased many times over), but I haven't really explored the Smart range properly yet. This line is packed full of antioxidants and innovative natural formulas for noticeable and effective anti-ageing results, so I've been wanting to try this Eye Cream because the eyes are always the first area that shows up those very first signs of ageing. I've only been testing this out for a week, but so far so good, and I love the texture of it. It promises to target fine lines, dark circles and reduce puffiness, so keep your 'eye' on a future Empties post to see how I get on with it.

REN Perfect Canvas Skin Finishing Serum (2ml sample- full size is 30ml for £50)

This new launch from REN is an interesting one as their Perfect Canvas Skin Finishing Serum acts as a 'primer serum', to perfectly prep your skin for makeup. Free from silicones and rich in Probiotics, it leaves the skin feeling more plumped up and super smooth which I really like. I'm not sure if it's something that I'd purchase the full size of though, as it's very expensive and I feel like I already have a lot of similar serums in my skincare stash that give me the same results, but I've been enjoying trying it out nonetheless.

Inika Organic Lipstick in Naked Kiss (full size - RRP £18)

I love Inika's makeup (I used their Liquid Foundation and a mineral blush from them this morning!), so I was over the moon to see this beautiful Organic Lipstick in this month's box. Formulated with Organic Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil, it has a creamy and moisturising feel which is perfect for dry winter lips and this shade Naked Kiss is a gorgeous, super easy-to-wear, everyday neutral pink that has a lovely golden sheen to it.

The Seaweed Bath Co Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner (sample set)

The Seaweed Bath Co are one of the newest brands to be stocked on LoveLula and to mark the launch, they've included this sample set of their Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner. These are the only products that I haven't yet used as I'm going to save them for my travel bag, but they sound promising for my tricky combination hair.

Laidbare Working 9 To 5 Anti-Ageing Hydration Cream (full size - RRP £7.99) 

The last product is an anti-ageing facial moisturiser from Laidbare which I've tried in the past, and sadly it's not for my skin type. As a general rule, my skin seems to love all the other Laidbare products, but this 9 To 5 Hydration Cream is just too rich and thick for my oily/combination skin, and would definitely suit dry and mature skin types much better, so I'll be passing this onto my mum.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

New In Beauty: My Favourites from CND Vinylux Nightspell & Glacial Illusion 2017 Collections - Review & Swatches

If you hate nail polishes that just don't seem to last longer than two days before chipping, CND Vinylux Weekly Polish is the range for you! With a bold claim of lasting up to 7 days, I had to try some out for myself and was thrilled to see not one, but TWO, brand spanking new collections that they've launched recently.

Both of these new CND Vinylux collections are at the opposite ends of the colour spectrums, with the Glacial Illusion Collection being all delicate, creamy, icy cool tones and pale shimmers, and the Nightspell Collection comprising of mainly darker, moody and more intense, magical shimmers. Each collection boasts six shades each and I wanted to share some of my favourites because these are damn good nail polishes.  

CND Vinylux - Cashmere Wrap (Glacial Illusion Collection 2017)

I'm a sucker for a high-quality, creamy pale nude and Cashmere Wrap ticks all the right boxes. Perfect for a chic manicure that will see you through the Winter months and beyond. Applies smoothly in two easy coats (just ignore my messed up pinky nail - that'll teach me to try to rush taking photos when it starts to go dark at 4pm!).

CND Vinylux - Mystic Slate (Glacial Illusion Collection 2017)

My top pick from the Glacial Illusion Collection is this stunning shade called Mystic Slate. Even the name is cool, huh?! This cool toned grey-blue creme is absolutely beautiful and is neutral toned enough to go with lots of different outfits. Like Cashmere Wrap, this polish applied smoothly and evenly in just two coats.

CND Vinylux - Ice Bar (Glacial Illusion Collection 2017)

Glitter fans will love Ice Bar; a sheer pearlescent glitter with an interesting pink hue to it. It's impossible to photograph and looks a million times more mesmerizing in real life. This is one of those very sheer glitter polishes that definitely suits being a top coat glitter, rather than being built up and worn on its own (which isn't really achievable), so I've layered it here on top of Cashmere Wrap.

CND Vinylux - Eternal Midnight (Nightspell Collection)

Another tricky to photograph shade is Eternal Midnight from the Nightspell Collection, and this one really looks special when the light catches it from different angles. A midnight blue with deep purple undertones and a spectacular duo-chromatic fine shimmer swirling through it, this is a fantastic option if you're looking to wear something darker and different this Winter. 

CND Vinylux - Hypnotic Dreams (Nightspell Collection)

My favourite from both collections (and quite possibly my favourite new nail polish shade of the entire year!) is Hypnotic Dreams. My oh my! This rusty toned mega-shimmer has elements of bronze, purple, brown and a smidge of green. It applies sheer if you use two coats (see The Happy Sloths swatch here), but when layered over a brown or purple base, it really pops like you can see above where I've applied it over a dark brown shade. Hypnotic indeed!

Overall thoughts on the formula?

CND's Vinylux Weekly Polish have been specially formulated to be used with their Weekly Top Coat to provide up to 7 days of chip-resistant, vibrant colour. The Weekly Top Coat also delivers a glossy shine, and when your nails are exposed to natural light with this on it, help to ensure a longer-lasting manicure. So did it last 7 days? Not exactly as I saw some minor chipping start to happen around day 5, BUT I'm still impressed by this as many of my nail polishes only last 2-3 days max on me, so 5 days is definitely an achievement!

CND Vinylux Nightspell & Glacial Illusion Weekly Polishes* (15ml each) are currently on offer at Nail Polish Direct for £6.95 and £7.95 each. Shop the range here.  

What do you think of these new collections?

[Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest]

Read more

Foodie Friday: Unboxing The Vegan Kind - November 2017 review

The Vegan Kind is one of my favourite foodie and lifestyle boxes, and it's a great way to try out a whole range of new and exciting products for a small monthly subscription fee. 

Everything in The Vegan Kind is suitable for vegans (so no dairy, no eggs, no animal ingredients of any kind etc) and I really enjoy the mix of food, drink, lifestyle, and sometimes beauty products, that they include in the boxes. I've been subscribed to them for almost two years now and they never disappoint, so let's jump right in and unbox November's TVK!

 Fabulous Free From Factory Sea-Salted Chocovered Fudgee Bites (65g, RRP £1.85)

I absolutely adore anything that's salted caramel flavour and these generously sized Fudgee Bites are made with hand-crafted sea-salted fudge which is covered in creamy dairy-free chocolate. So they're kinda like salted caramel and have a similar taste! As well as being dairy-free, these are also gluten-free and contain no hydrogenated fats, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. They're super moreish and a real treat for when you have a sugar craving!

 Big Boss Palm Coconut & Vanilla Soda (250ml, RRP £2.29)

How pretty is the packaging for this soft drink? I haven't heard of Big Boss Palm before, but this is their Coconut & Vanilla Soda which is 99% sparkling coconut water, has no added sugar and contains all-natural ingredients and flavourings. I have to agree with the TVK on this one - it tastes very much like an adult version of cream soda - very sweet and bizarrely, it tastes a bit like a milkshake! I like it though as it's strangely refreshing and completely different from anything that I've tried before.

Good Hemp Hemp Flour (250g, RRP £5.49) 

This gluten and nut-free flour is an easy way to add extra protein, fibre and omega 3 to your home baking. You can use it in your cakes, breads, brownies, muffins and more, and as this flour is made from 100% natural hemp protein, you can rest assured that there are no other artificial ingredients in it. I love baking so I'm looking forward to trying this out.

 Holly's Lollies Raspberry Prosecco Lollipop (85g, RRP £3.50)

Despite the fact that you can buy prosecco-flavoured everything these days, I was still pleasantly surprised to find a GIANT prosecco-flavoured lollipop in this month's box (and yes, it does contain actual prosecco!). Hollie's Lollies specialise in alcoholic confectionary and this lolly tastes amazing. It might take me a while to get through it all though!   

 Astonish Rhubarb & Raspberry Antibacterial Handwash (500ml, RRP £1)

Antibacterial handwash may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but given how many bottles of it we get through in this house, I'll always happily welcome another! This one from Astonish has a delectable fruity Rhubarb & Raspberry scent and despite containing SLS, it doesn't feel drying on the hands after use. 

 Landgarten Organic Coconut in Dark Chocolate (50g, RRP £1.99)

Next up, I found a bag of freeze-dried organic coconut pieces which are covered in a delicious dairy-free dark chocolate. These are one of the latest vegan-friendly additions to the Landgarten range, and I really enjoyed them. As well as being organic, I was also pleased to see that this product is fairtrade too.

Eat Real Tomato & Basil Hummus Chips (45g, RRP £0.70)

I'm a big fan of the Eat Real snacks and have purchased these Hummus Chips in a range of flavours including this tasty tomato and basil one. Made from all-natural ingredients, they're gluten and lactose-free and also contain 48% less fat than traditional potato crisps, but they are so yummy that you wouldn't even notice the difference! 

Also in the box: This month's recipe card by the Ginger Vegan is for some delicious looking Sticky Toffee Cupcakes, and November's chosen charity is Hugletts Wood Farm, who rescue farm animals and birds from the meat and dairy industry, giving them a new life on their sanctuary. Check out their Facebook page here for more info.

To find out more about The Vegan Kind, visit their website here. £10 + p&p each month in the UK, with worldwide shipping options available.

Have you signed up to The Vegan Kind?

What's your favourite, non-beauty lifestyle subscription box?

[Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest]

Read more

Give Your Feet some TLC this Winter with Dr. Ceuticals

It's easy to forget about your feet when they're wrapped up in your cosiest pair of fluffy socks, but give them a little some TLC now, and you'll feel a million times more confident when it comes to slipping into your favourite pair of dancing shoes at your next Christmas Party!

I've tried a lot of footcare products over the years, and Dr. Ceuticals is one of those dermatological brands that many people (including myself) repeatedly go back to. They're not a natural brand, as most dermatological brands aren't, but they do have a decent percentage of natural ingredients in their formulas, and the synthetic ingredients are ones that I will happily tolerate on my stubborn to treat feet. Like the rest of my skin, my feet can get really dry very quickly, especially in the colder months, so I've been reaching for this superstar duo to help sort them out this year.

Dr. Ceuticals Pumice Foot Scrub* (150ml, £6.99, link)

This foot scrub is the next best thing if you don't like using things like files or those 'cheese grater' style devices on your feet! It's infused with Pumice to you an intense exfoliation which will remove hard dead skin and any rough patches easily, whilst Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter help to keep things nice and soft at the same time. It has a lovely minty scent thanks to the Peppermint Leaf Oil in the formula and rinses off easily, without any stickiness or residue. Soft, smooth feet in less than five minutes!

Dr. Ceuticals Cracked Heel Repair* (100ml, £9.99, link)

Cracked heels can be incredibly painful, especially if you have a job where you're on your feet all day, but thankfully this Cracked Heel Repair cream gets to work quickly to soothe and soften. Enriched with 25% Urea as it's key ingredient, it also contains Keratin and Shea Butter to deeply moisturise, nourish and help to repair damaged skin, making it soft and supple within just three days. Although the cream feels lightweight, I'd recommend only using a small amount of it as the formula is quite intensive, so a little definitely goes a long way. Like the scrub above, it has a pleasant, fresh Peppermint scent and it's one those products that helps to improve the texture of your feet in the long term. Very handy to have on your nightstand to apply before going to bed each night.

Dr. Ceuticals is currently in the Buy 1, get 2nd Half Price Offer at Boots, both in stores and online at boots.com

Are you a fan of Dr. Ceuticals?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Introducing: Powder Beauty Drawer - November 2017 review

You may have spotted this pale pink beauty drawer advertised in the glossy women's magazines, but I feel it's still one of those subscription boxes that has remained somewhat under the blogger radar when you compare it to the big boys like Glossybox and Birchbox. 

With this in mind, I wanted to feature Powder in my Introducing series for those who are looking for a new beauty box to try out - plus I really, really love the fact that the Powder 'box' is actually a pull-out drawer that you can stack and re-use, and it's a decent size too.

Powder is similar to other beauty boxes, but where most of the monthly beauty boxes send you four or five beauty treats, with Powder you'll receive up to seven products which will be a mix of full-size and samples from a range leading brands. The boxes are put together by a team of beauty experts (the company that runs Powder, Time Inc, also owns Marie Claire, InStyle etc), and they provide lots of additional tips and tricks on their website and with the accompanying leaflet, to help you to get the most out of the products included. Perfect for beauty beginners and anyone who loves trying out new launches!

Let's see what's inside the November Powder Beauty Drawer, shall we?

 FaceInc by Nails Inc Night Night Soothing Hydro Night Mask (1 mask, RRP £5)

Night masks are becoming more and more popular, but I had no idea that Nails Inc had branched out into skincare?! Their FaceInc line is full of sheet masks and quick fix skincare treatments, where most of their products can be used in just 15 minutes. I used this Night Night Soothing Hydro Night Mask on Sunday night and loved how soft and nourished my skin felt on Monday morning. This Vitamin E enriched mask does a great job of plumping up the skin and giving it a moisture boost, so it will be ideal to use throughout the colder Winter months.

 Lottie London Nail Lacquer in Happy Hump Day (full size, RRP £5.99)

Inside this month's Powder, you'll receive a full-size Lottie London Nail Lacquer in one of seven different shades. I was really pleased that I got Happy Hump Day which is an awesome, blingtastic multi-coloured glitter with gold, silver, green and blue particles, all suspended in a sheer gel base. This nail polish is just screaming to be used for a Christmas party!

 HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner (50ml, RRP £2.49)

Free from Sulphates, Parabens, Phthalates, Gluten, Alcohol and artificial colours, this Smoothing Deep Conditioner from HASK is formulated with Keratin Protein to strengthen and restore weak, dry and damaged hair. I've used it a few times in the past and it does a really good job of deeply hydrating frazzled hair that needs some TLC.  The generous 50ml sachet will happily provide two treatments for my hair so it's a very affordable option to use on a regular basis.

 The Organic Pharmacy Lip & Eye Cream (full size, RRP £26.95)

I'm a big fan of The Organic Pharmacy and have been wanting to try their Lip & Eye Cream for a while now, so thank you Powder! This rich and nourishing dual action cream is infused with the likes of Cranberry Seed Oil, Beeswax, Squalene Eyebright, Fennel, Bilberry and Frankincense, to reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. I will definitely try this on both my lips and eyes, but I think it could possibly work better as an eye cream for me as I have a lot of lip balms currently on the go - we shall see how this compares!

 Brush Works HD Multi-Tasking Sponge (RRP £6.49)

I always want to try out new makeup sponges and I love the look of this quirky, bright pink HD Multi-Tasking Sponge from Brush Works. It's soft and bouncy, with a pointed tip to blend concealer underneath the eyes and a flatter slanted edge to cover larger areas of the face. I used it this morning to apply my Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation and I was really impressed with it!   

Hugo Boss The Scent Intense For Her & For Him EDPs (1.5ml samples)

To finish off this month's Powder Beauty Drawer, I found two samples of Hugo Boss The Scent Intense (one for him, one for her) tucked away at the bottom of the white paper packaging. I've tried the female scent before and it's not my thing, so I'll be popping these two into a Christmas stocking for a friend to try out instead.

 Powder Beauty Drawer* is a beauty box subscription which costs £15 per month. To find out more and to subscribe, visit thisispowder.co.uk

Have you tried Powder?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

5 Products from B. to Add To Your Autumn/Winter Makeup Bag

Want to give your makeup bag a seasonal update, but are on a budget? Head over to your nearest Superdrug and pick up these affordable, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly products from B.

B. Luminous Silk Lipstick in Suis Mois* (£6.99, link) and B. Velvet Matte Lipstick in Tainted* (£6.99, link)

One of the easiest ways to update your makeup bag for the new season is with a lipstick and B. have a fantastic range of lippies available in different shades and finishes. Their Luminous Silk Lipsticks are a firm favourite of mine because the formulas have Jojoba Oil in them, so they feel creamy, glide on effortlessly, have great colour payoff, and help to keep lips hydrated (a must at this time of the year!). From that range, I'd recommend the shade Suis Mois, which is one of those gorgeous, fuss-free, neutral pinks that you can quickly apply when you're in a rush in the morning. 

For something more vampy for an evening out, or an upcoming Christmas party, check out Tainted in the Velvet Mattes line. This stunning deep red ticks all the right boxes for a dramatic lip and has a comfortable, non-drying velvet matte texture. I wouldn't say it's a true matte as it still had a bit of a sheen to it, even when it had dried down, but the formula is lovely nonetheless and enriched with Shea Butter to keep dry lips at bay. 

B. Luminous Silk Lipstick in Suis Mois

 B. Velvet Matte Lipstick in Tainted

 B. Powder Blusher in Darl* (6g, £7.99, link)

If you find that darker or berry coloured blushers don't suit you, opting for a medium-toned dusky pink can be much more flattering during Autumn and Winter. I've been wearing this B. Powder Blusher in Darl almost every day for a month now and I absolutely love how silky soft the powder is. It's so easy to blend and can be applied lightly or built up, depending on the look you're going for. Highly recommended if you're new to makeup or blushers, and want something that's foolproof to apply!

B. Pro Brow Styler in 02 Dark Brown* (£4.99, link), B. Kohl Eye Liner in 01 Black* (£4.99, link) and B. Glitter Pigment in Olive La Vida Loca* (£4.99, link)

A/W is a great time to experiment with a new look, so if you've always wanted to try out a bolder brow for example, why not try something like the budget-friendly B. Pro Brow Styler? Available in a range of shades, it comes with a slanted thin tip for feathering in some cheeky extra brow hairs in a way that looks very natural, and it also has a handly little spoolie brush on the other end to brush and style any wayward hairs. 

A good quality eyeliner is a must-have in my makeup bag and I've been loving the B. Kohl Eye liner in Black. This twist-up kohl liner is seriously pigmented (check out the swatch below!), long-lasting, smudge-proof, and applies smoothly without any dragging or pulling on the delicate eye area.

Lastly, I wanted to mention the B. Glitter Pigments which are an affordable way to add some Christmas sparkle to your party looks this year, and come in eight different colours. These loose pigments can be used to add a subtle or intense level of shimmer to your eyes, depending on how much you apply and whether you use them wet or dry. For a lighter look, I've swatched it dry below, but they're very easy to build up and really 'pop' when layered over an eyeshadow primer. I have the shade Olive La Vida Loca which is a beautiful olive green with golden shimmer - super wearable and so pretty for the festive season!

Swatches! From L-R: B. Glitter Pigment in Olive La Vida Loca, B. Powder Blusher in Darl, B. Velvet Matte Lipstick in Tainted, B. Luminous Silk Lipstick in Suis Mois, B. Pro Brow Styler in 02 Dark Brown & B. Kohl Eye Liner in 01 Black.

B. is exclusive to Superdrug, both in stores nationwide and online at superdrug.com

Have you tried anything from B.?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more