BIRCHBOX JUNE 2016 - PARADISE FOUND

I'm not going to lie, when I first had a peek at what was inside my box, I wasn't estatic. I saw tubes of creams and a neon pink lip balm, my initial thoughts were disappointing. After giving all of these products a try, I proved myself wrong. I LOVE this months box. From the box design to the contents, everything about this box just SCREAMS summer to me. 

Jelly Pong Pong Paradise Pigment in Fig Jam RRP £17.95

This would look lovely on darker skin tones, but if you are fair skinned with bleach blonde hair, like me, then I'm afraid this is not for you. The formula is nice and creamy. Although I would recommend applying this with a brush and not your fingers, just to get a more precise application.

Absolution Le Nettoyant Purete RRP £26

This gel cleanser uses natural ingredients like chamomile and oats to remove dirt and make up, as well as reducing redness and irritation. I really like the formula of this, it feels so light and gentle on the skin.

Whish Coconut Milk CC Body Cream RRP £15.50

This has got to be my favourite product from this months box. In fact, it's probably one of my favourite products I've ever received in a Birchbox. This cream is designed to hydrate the skin but also bronze at the same time. It gives the skin a gorgeous shimmer which is going to look amazing on top of a tan. The smell is also INCREDIBLE! If you love coconut scented things then you are going to love this. I cannot praise this enough, I will definitely be purchasing this when I run out.

Huygens Le Gommage Visage RRP £17.90

This brand was totally new to me so I was especially looking forward to trying this out. This creamy scrub is amazing at buffing away dead skin cells. It has a strong citrus smell which leaves you feeling cool and refreshed.

Percy & Reed Reassuringly Firm Session Hold Hairspray RRP £12

So far I am impressed with this hairspray. I used it for the first time this morning to keep my braids in place. Just over 5 hours later, my hair is still looking as fresh as it did this morning. It's humidity-resistant, which makes it great for summer and ideal for taking on holiday with you.

This month you also have the option to upgrade your box to receive a beautiful pair of Quay Australia sunglasses at a heavily discounted price. I wish I had done this now because I've seen so many pictures of the sunglasses and they look gorge!

If you would like to treat yourself to your very own Birchbox, use my referral link to sign up and you will receive 50 points (worth £5) to spend in the Birchbox store. If you use the code TUBE you will get a massive 30% off of your first box.

Love, Maddie x

BIRCHBOX MAY 2016 - FOR THE DREAMERS

It's that time again where I get to share with you what I got in this months Birchbox! The theme for May is 'For the dreamers'. A box packed with beauty products to make you look and feel like a dream.

This months box arrived topped with a special silver coating - like the stuff on scratch cards. Three lucky subscribers will have a secret message underneath telling them that they've won a holiday courtesy of Destinology Holidays. I wish I took a 'before' picture, but I just couldn't wait to scratch off the surface to see if I was one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately I wasn't, but I still had a lot of fun scratching off every single bit of the coating. Needless to say, I did NOT have fun cleaning up the mess it made. I'd recommend doing this outside so you don't make a mess of your mums carpet like I did - lol!

Spectrum Collections Unicorn Tears Wonder Sponge RRP £4.99

First up is this make up blending sponge from Spectrum. Can we just start by appreciating the name of this product! I mean, unicorn tears?! How cute! I am a total sponge convert ever since buying my beauty blender, so I'm happy to add another to my collection. What's also good is that this month every subscriber gets to choose what colour sponge they would like. I chose purple so I don't get mixed up with my pink Beautyblender.

Vita Coco Coconut Oil RRP £9.99

When I saw this in my box I instantly thought of Anna SacconeJoly. She literally always uses this when she's cooking meals, so I'm looking forward to trying this myself. What excites me more is that not only can this be used for cooking, but it can be used as a hair mask, as a moisturiser or to remove eye make up. A truly versatile product which I am excited to try out!

TheBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen RRP £10.00

I was really hoping to get this in my Birchbox this month when I saw the sneak peeks. I am a massive fan of the Balm cosmetics, especially their eye palettes. This is a raspberry tinted cheek stain which also doubles up as a lip tint. The colour is quite subtle but it is buildable if you want that more intense pop of colour. Its quite a small sample which is quite disappointing, however it's a great size for popping into your handbag. I am so happy I got to try out this product!

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet RRP £23.00

I have never tried anything from this brand before but I have heard good things. This sorbet is packed with antioxidant-boosting benefits to really treat your skin. The gel to cream formula is designed to hydrate, reduce redness and soothe skin. I am going to give this to my mum as I'm not massively into moisturisers but I will be sure to update you guys on what she thinks of the product.

Rituals Tao Wai Wang Mild Exfoliating Body Scrub RRP £19.50

Next up is this body scrub made with ultra fine Chinese bamboo particles, white lotus and Yi Yi Ren extract. This stuff is described as 'a spa treatment in a pot'. I first discovered Rituals when I received a shower gel in my beauty box a few months back. If you're looking to invest in a luxury bath time treat, definitely try out this brand.

Philip Kingsley Prep Polishing Balm RRP £18.50

Last but not least, we have this hair balm from one of my all time favourite haircare brands - Philip Kingsley! This balm-to-serum formula is designed to tame flyaways and condition frazzled and dry ends. I'm all about sleek, healthy looking hair so I can't wait to see the results. This little tube is also great for using on-the-go so I will be popping this into my handbag.

So that's everything that I got in this months Birchbox. Once again, I am super duper happy with the selection of products and brands. 

If you would like to treat yourself to your very own Birchbox, use my referral link to sign up and you will receive 50 points (worth £5) to spend on anything in the Birchbox store. If you are a student and have access to Unidays, you can also snag yourself a massive 25% off of your first box.

Hope you enjoyed this post, 

Love Maddie x

HOLIDAY BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

I have just returned from an amazing holiday to Morocco so I thought it was a good idea to share with you my Holiday Beauty Essentials. Trust me, my make up bags were absolutely brimming, so I have just picked out a handful of things that I think are the absolute necessities for travel.

First up are these cleansing face wipes from a brand I have only recently discovered - YesTo. I am literally obsessed with these cleansing wipes, they are coconut scented so they smell divine. They make your face feel really hydrated and do a good job at removing make up, including waterproof mascara! I also took these in my hand luggage so I could use them to clean my hands on the plane. 

I have so many skincare products so it was really difficult to decide on what to take with me. I opted for this REN wonderful night-time facial. It's really moisturising and smells nice too. This particular one is 10ml so it was perfect for travel and the size also meant that I could take it on the plane with me.

Batiste is my ultimate holiday essential! When I am on holiday my hair tends to get 'dirtier' quicker from all the sun cream and pool water. Instead of washing my hair every single day, I like to use dry shampoo in between washes to freshen up my hair. I chose the tropical Batiste because it smells AMAZING and reminds me of holidays! You can also pick this up in mini travel sized cans which is super handy if you're on a luggage weight restriction.

Next up is my trusty Tangle Teezer! It is compact so it doesn't take up lots of room and it also has a cap which prevents things getting caught up in the bristles. The Tangle Teezer can also be used on both wet and dry hair so it is really handy to take to the pool.

If you're like me and you don't tan what so ever, then bronzer is going to be your best friend whilst on holiday! My all time favourite is Benefits Hoola. Its a lovely matte bronzer with cool undertones. It also comes with a little compact brush so you don't need to worry about packing one.

Cleaning make up brushes is always a chore but if you're going away for a long period then you're going to have to clean your brushes at some point. Beautyblender's Solid Cleanser is perfect for travelling because it is so . You won't need to worry about packing a big bottle of baby shampoo or brush cleanser because this does the same job.

A good highlighter is also a necessity. If you don't feel like wearing a full face of make up, then you can pop on a little bit of this to give you a lovely healthy looking glow. I loooove Benefit's High Beam because it looks so natural and blends really well.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I'd love to hear what products you take with you on your holidays!
Love, Maddie x

WE ONLY WANT YOU FOR YOUR BODY - ANATOMICALS REVIEW

For those of you who don't know me, I am a graphic designer so I am a sucker for fun and creative packaging. I was so happy when I got this package through the door from Anatomicals. Not only are their products great but the language used on their packaging is just brilliant. The attention to detail is superb and the random and humorous paragraphs are just guaranteed to make you laugh (or at least smile!). Their slogan is 'we only want you for your body'. 

I had never tried anything from their brand before, but I had seen some of their products on both Asos and Urban Outfitters, so I was really excited to try out this little selection.

The first product I got was the 'Hawaii Five-Glow Tropical Hydrating Face Mask'. This mask is enriched with coconut water, papaya and pineapple extracts, cocoa seeds and soy beans to cleanse skin and leave silky smooth. The bright yellow packaging is great and the smell reminds me of holidays! There is a generous 15ml in the sachet which is enough to cover your entire face.
After applying this all over my face and leaving it to work its magic for about 15 minutes, I then wiped it off with a wet cloth. It left my face feeling smooth and hydrated.

Next, I got another face mask, this one is the 'Farewell The Scarlet Pimplehell Deep Cleansing Mud Mask'. This contains special minerals to absorb oils and deeply embedded dirt and make up. It helps control spots and fights blackheads. This thick and gloopy mud smells quite nice. I had applied a generous layer to my face and there was still some left over, so I gave this to my sister for her to use.
I left this on my face for about 20 minutes whilst I had a bath, and once it set, I wiped it off with a wet cloth. I really love how you can benefit from all the goodness in such a short space of time. 

I was also given a 'Puffy The Eye Bag Slayer Revitalising Eye Mask'. This gel eye mask has an elasticated strap that slips over your head and can be used either hot or cold. Just place it in hot water or in the fridge for 10 minutes. I used mine cold to help soothe my eyes. I love how this mask can be reused and the name is cool as well! 

Finally, I have the 'Englands Clean and Pleasant Hand Norfolk Lavender Hand Wipes'. This is a pack of 15 wipes. I don't really like the smell of lavender so I wasn't expecting to like these wipes. However, the scent was subtle and not overpowering, so they were actually quite pleasant. My hands felt clean and moisturised after using the wipes so they have the thumbs up from me! This pack is the perfect size for slipping in to my handbag because I am always carrying around antibacterial gel or wipes when I am catching the bus to college.

If you have tried out anything from Anatomicals, let me know! I'd love to know what your favourite products are. 

Shop the whole Anatomicals range on ASOS and on Urban Outfitters

Love, Maddie x

BIRCHBOX MARCH 2016 - WORD UP

Yesterday I recieved this little gift in the post.. my monthly Birchbox subscription! This months theme was Word Up! It's a beauty related, word searched designed box which aims to help you find your ultimate beauty discovery. Inside this months box is 6 luxe treats, two of which are full sized products. There was three different boxes this month, each tailored to your online beauty profile. I got the turquoise box!

So here's what was inside...

ModelCo More Brows (RRP £13)

First up is this brow gel from ModelCo. After trying one of their lipsticks in Decembers box, I was really looking forward to trying this. I got mine in the shade Light-Medium. Birchbox sent out the shades based on your hair colour which you filled out on your online profile. The hair like particles create the illusion of fuller brows, just sweep over your brows and leave to dry for 60 seconds. 

I really love this brow gel and it's a much cheaper version of Benefits Gimme Brow so I will definitely be repurchasing this!

Philip B Drop Dead Straightening Baume (RRP £20)

Next we have this hair baume from Philip B. I have never tried any of their products, in fact I wasn't even aware of the brand before I discovered it in this months box. This silicone free baume helps tame hair and shortens your blow dry time. I used a pea sized amount on my hair last night and I am happy to say that it did help reduce some frizziness so I am really impressed.

Polaar Polar Night Cream (RRP £32)

This facial night cream uses ingredients that react with the light of the moon - COOL HUH? It gets to work whilst you sleep which is amazing because I never have the time to sit with masks and creams on my face during the day. I don't think I don't think it's worth £32.

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash (RRP £10.90)

When I saw this in my box, I thought "oh just another body wash" but after using it, I thought "this is great". It lathers up really well. The smell is nice, not too over powering and lingers on your skin after your shower. At £10.90 I won't be buying this, as I don't think its worth it for a pretty standard body wash.

Arrow Boost Colour Enhancing Lip Balm (RRP £11)

Next up we have this lip balm from Birchboxs own brand 'Arrow'. This has got to be one of my favourite products in this months box. The brand itself is vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free so theres no harsh chemicals or ingredients. The balm protects lips and adjusts to your pH to create one that's totally unique to you. It's not really glossy and it makes your lips look healthy and moist. It is the perfect size for popping into your handbag. I will definitely be buying this again!

Number 4 Lumiere d'hiver Reconstructing Mask (RRP £36)

Finally we have this hair mask from a brand called Number 4. It is packed with soy protein and shea butter so you can just imagine how soft and sleek your hairs going to be after using this! I am going to save this mask for when I go on holiday because my hair tends to get really dry from the sun. I will be sure to let you know my thoughts after using this.

I am once again impressed with this months box, I got a selection of hair, skincare and makeup products and a few products from brands which I was totally new to!

If you would like to treat yourself, or somebody else, to Birchbox, use my referral link to sign up and you will recieve 50 points (worth £5) to spend on anything in the Birchbox store. You can also use the code GOODTIMES, after signing up through the link, to get 50% off your first box.

Love, Maddie x

MAC LIPSTICK COLLECTION AND SWATCHES

MAC lipsticks are a must for any girls make up bag! It doesn't matter what skin tone you are or what colour hair you have, there are plenty of shades to choose from. I love everything about MAC lipsticks, the range of colours, finishes and of course, that distinctive vanilla smell! 

I also think that MAC lipsticks are well priced. Each lipstick costs £15.50, so it's kind of in between the drugstore and high end price bracket.

My first ever purchase from MAC was a lipstick, which I got just after my birthday last year. 10 months later I have my hands on 7 gorgeous nudes! (If you are wondering why only 6 are pictured below, I have duplicates of Velvet Teddy!)

Mehr (Matte)

This is the darkest shade in my collection. It's more of a deep pink shade with plum undertones. I'd say its a bit similar to Brave but in matte form. Although it is a matte finish, it still feels quite moisturising and not at all drying.

Velvet Teddy (Matte)

Probably the most hyped about lipstick of 2015 thanks to the lady herself, Kylie Jenner! This is a brown toned nude which can be worn day to day and is perfect when paired with Whirl lip liner. I love this lipstick so much that I actually have 3 of them lol!

Please Me (Matte)

This has got to be one of my favourite lipsticks that I own. It's the most beautiful pink matte colour, not too bright and in your face. I am definitely going to repurchase this as it's nearly all gone! 

Faux (Satin)

This was my first ever MAC lipstick. It's a muted mauve-pink colour and is perfect for every day wear.

Brave (Satin)

Very similar to Faux, but slightly more rosier. It's a satin finish so it provides plenty of colour and lasts all day! This looks great when paired with Soar lip liner.

Shy Girl (Cremesheen)
Shy girl is the lightest shade that I own. Its a nude that has orangey under tones. I think this shade really compliments my skin tone. Shy girl is a cremesheen so it's really moisturising and glossy!

So that's it for my little collection. As you can see, my favourite finishes are Matte and Satin as they are so packed with colour! I am not as keen on shimmery and 'see through' lipsticks.

I have made a list of the shades that I'd like to purchase at duty free when I go away next month. I've got my eyes on...

• Viva Glam II
• Twig
• Creme Cup
• Blankety 
• Hue

I'd love to know what your favourite MAC lipsticks are. If there is any that you would like to purchase for yourself, click here.

Love, Maddie x

LIZ EARLE BRIGHTENING TREATMENT MASK REVIEW

Hello again!

Last week I was lucky enough to be sent this Brightening Treatment Mask from the wonderful Liz Earle. I have only recently started using Liz Earle skin care as I have always been too lazy to cleanse, exfoliate and drown my skin in moisturisers every morning/night.

Since trying Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish I have taken a lot more care in looking after my skin. 

Problem: dull, lacklustre skin.

Solution: our fast-acting mask instantly revitalises dull skin. It contains stimulating camphor oil and toning witch hazel to help give your skin a natural-looking radiance.

Use in the morning or whenever a quick fix is needed.

Naturally active ingredients include aloe vera, witch hazel and white clay.

This treatment mask soon became a staple in my skincare routine. Apply a generous layer over your face and then wipe using the muslim cloth that came in the set. I love how you only need to leave it on for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. I tend to put it on at night and leave it on whilst I brush my teeth etc. This is enough time to benefit from all of the natural ingredients, aloe vera, witch hazel and white clay.

This mask leaves my skin feeling and looking healthy and radiant. It helps calm my irritated skin and helps reduce redness and dark circles. 

I am very impressed with this product and this is definitely one that I will be repurchasing myself. I look forward to trying other products in their skincare range, I know for certain that they won't let me down!

Want to try out Liz Earle for yourself? The Brightening Treatment Mask Starter Kit is available to buy here for £16.00.

Alternatively, you can check out the whole skincare range here.

I'd love to know what your favourite products are! 
Love, Maddie x

JURLIQUE SKINCARE REVIEW

Hi everybody, I hope you are all well.

The latest additions to my skincare routine are these beautiful products from Jurlique! 

Jurlique is a cruelty free brand who apply advanced technologies to biodynamic ingredients from their Australian farm to produce high performance and quality skin care.

Rosewater Balancing Mist

So what does it do?

This light, hydrating mist with precious rose essential oil is designed to help improve skin tone, moisture levels and skin balance. Marshmallow (Althaea Officinalis Root Extract) and Aloe help to hydrate skin's surface. Skin feels hydrated, refreshed and dewy.

The benefits are:

• Restores and hydrates skin
• Skin is refreshed, balanced and soothed
• Possesses antioxidant properties

I use this mist as a toner after cleansing and when I feel that my skin needs hydrating. I have been using this product for over a week now and it has definitely made my skin look more radiant and healthy. It is a must for these cold wintery months where I need to take a bit more care with my skin.

The delicate rose scent is elegant and not too overpowering - a must for any lovers of rose scented products. It also comes in a matte glass bottle which I really love because it looks super elegant in your bathroom.

Overall I would score this product a 7/10.

Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Cleanser

Next up we have the hydrating foaming cleanser. 

This lightweight cleanser is packed with an antioxidant complex that helps moisturise and protect dry and dehydrated skin.

The benefits are:

• Dissolves dirt and impurities
• Enhances cell turnover
• Provides immediate and lasting hydration

I am a big fan of cleansers so I was really excited to see how this compares to my usual. 

It is really lightweight, it doesn't feel heavy on the skin and it leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed (what more can you ask for?!). Again, the rose scent is not too overpowering.

The packaging is simple and sturdy and it is the perfect size for taking away on holidays or weekends away. 

I would score this cleanser a solid 8/10.

Want to try Jurlique for yourself? Check out their full range of skincare products here.

Love, Maddie x

BIRCHBOX FEBRUARY 2016 - SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND

Hello everybody! 

So it's that time of the month where I get a special delivery from my favourite beauty subscription service - Birchbox!

This months theme is Shine Bright Like A Diamond and placed delicately inside this beautiful box is 6 luxe beauty treats guaranteed to make your beauty routine extra special. Did I also mention that two of these are full sized products?

Without further ado, lets take a peek inside...

Spectrum Collections Tapered Powder Brush (RRP £7.99)

When I saw that this months Birchbox included a Spectrum brush I was even more excited to receive my box! I mean, just look it! Not only does this brush look super pretty, but it is also just as soft. 

LOC One and Done Shadow Stick in Champagne Problems (RRP £8)

LOC is Birchboxs' brand new make up brand, so this month we were treated to one of their full sized eyes hadow stick. There was a choice between two shades - Champagne Problems, a smokey silver shade and Perfect Cents, a beautiful warm copper shade. These shadow sticks are super pigmented and the creamy formula allows you to apply this seamlessly over your lids.

Korres Milk Proteins 3 in 1 Cleansing Emulsion (RRP £15)

Next up we have a 16ml sample of this Korres Milk Cleansing Emulsion. I am a sucker for a good cleanser so I am excited to try this out. It is packed full of nourishing milk proteins and natural oils to cleanse, tone and remove make up and is also suitable for all skin types.

theBalm Frat Boy Blush/Shadow (RRP £15.50)

Now I LOVE theBalm make up, it is really good quality and affordable, so I was excited to try out this mini blush! At first I thought that the sample seemed really small but the pigmentation pulls off and provides a beautiful flush of colour. It is a handy size for slipping into your make up bag.


Number 4 Lumiere d'Hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect (RRP £20)

Next up I got something to treat my locks! This hair spray claims to strengthen, repair, de-tangle hair, as well as tame flyaways, so it is a bit of an all rounder. I am excited to see how this compares to my usual hair products.

Derm Eyes Make-up Remover Wipes (RRP £9.50)

Finally I have some make up remover wipes from Derm Eyes. They come in a handy sealed packet so they are perfect for popping in your handbag or travel bag. I am yet to try these but I don't think you can go wrong with a make up wipe!

The choice of brands and products in this months box were great and there was a bit of make up, skincare and haircare so overall I am impressed.

If you would like to treat yourself to your very own Birchbox, use my referral link to sign up and you will receive 50 points (worth £5) to spend on anything in the Birchbox store. You can also use the code HAPPYDAYS to get £5 off your first box.

Love, Maddie x

EVERYDAY DRUGSTORE MAKEUP

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil: http://bit.ly/1Kas3H5

Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer: http://bit.ly/1KEVETX

Kiko Cream Crush: http://bit.ly/1TPbgJZ

Sleek iDivine Oh So Special Palette: http://bit.ly/1Vr3gPC

Ardell Demi Wispie Lashes: http://amzn.to/1QrXhZN

Maybelline Baby Skin: http://bit.ly/1PASSR8

L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Foundation: http://bit.ly/1ZSD55H

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer: http://bit.ly/1lbqMEe

L'Oreal Infallible Matte Powder: http://bit.ly/1PSocuU

Sleek Bronze Block Light: http://bit.ly/1WNH83n

Sleek Precious Metals Highlighting Palette: http://bit.ly/1TnBVzw

Lord and Berry Lip Liner (Silhouette): http://bit.ly/1Tnx1m0

Rimmel Kate Nude 45: http://bit.ly/1ZSDLbl

Sorry about the quality of the images! That's iPhone cameras for ya!

Love, Maddie x

L'OREAL INFALLIBLE 24HR FOUNDATION REVIEW

Hello! I hope you've had a good week. 

Last weekend, I managed to pick up the L'Oreal Infallible 24hr Foundation and Matte Powder.

Okay, so maybe I didn't entirely neeeed these products but after trying out the testers in store I really couldn't resist! (Plus, I did get to use up some of my Superdrug beauty points!)

The L'Oreal Infallible 24hr foundation costs £9.99 and the Matte powder costs £4.99, but I was lucky enough to snap up these products on a 'buy one get one half price' deal in Superdrug.
I've heard everyone raving about the Infallible primer and Matte foundation so I was super excited to get my hands on these.

The foundation claims:

• 24 hour coverage
• No transfer
• No visible imperfections
• No visible shine
• No dry-out
• No mask-effect

It is also enriched with hydrating hyaluron and extreme hold pigments for optimum comfort.

This foundation comes in 8 different shades with 'Porcelain' being the lightest and 'Golden Sun' being the darkest. Of course, I picked up the lightest shade for my milk bottle skin tone.

I have quite oily skin and I always opt for a full coverage. I applied two layers of this so it's totally buildable and it didn't leave me looking really cakey.

However, my face ended up pretty shiney after a full day at college. So unfortunately, it didn't last 24 hours like it claimed to, but what do you expect?

The Infallible Matte powder comes in 3 different shades. Again, I picked up the lightest shade which is 123 Warm Vanilla.

I applied this over the foundation to reduce shine and I was really impressed with the matte finish that it gave. 

Another thing that I really like about this product is that it has a little mirror in the compartment underneath, so it is ideal for touch ups on the go!

Overall, I was really impressed with these products and I would definitely repurchase them again.

Check out the Infallible range in Superdrug here

Love, Maddie x