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

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

AEOS SKINCARE OPTIMAL ESSENTIALS REVIEW

Hello there, I hope you are having a good day. 
I cannot believe we are more than half way through January, Christmas seems so long ago now. One of my new years resolutions was to properly look after my skin and to make sure I had a skincare routine to follow for the new year. 

I recently tried out some new products from AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare)

About the brand
AEOS is an organic brand who use the essential oils of plants and herbs to provide moisture and hydration to the skin. The products are all organic and contain no toxins or synthetics. I tried out the AEOS Optimal Essentials kit,which is designed for maximum hydration and nourishment.

3 Phase System
AEOS products are designed to be used together as a 3 phase system to allow the products to penetrate to deeper layers of the skin to allow maximum effects.

Morning
Phase 1: Renewal
Begin by cleansing your skin with the Gentle cleansing lotion and follow with the Gentle exfoliant. 
The smell is so fresh so it makes me feel more awake in the mornings. 

Phase 2: Rebalance
After cleansing, you should use the Energising condition, followed by the Refreshing Hydrating mist. 

Phase 3: Replenish
The final part of the morning routine is applying the Realive Serum followed by the Enriching Moisturiser. 
A little goes a long way with the moisturiser, you really do not need a lot. I leave the moisturiser to settle for a minute or so and then proceed to apply my makeup. 

Evening
Phase 1: Renewal
First start by removing all makeup with the Cleansing Oil de Maq and follow by cleansing with the Dew Facial Wash.
I found that this oil is very good at removing all traces of makeup including mascara (BONUS!)

Phase 2: Rebalance
Apply the Energising Conditioner followed by the Refreshing Hydrating Mist. 

Phase 3: Replensish
The final step is to apply the Realive Serum followed by the Enriching Moisturiser.

I am so glad that I got to try out these products. My skin definitely looks and feels more healthy after trying these products and I believe this is all down to the Phase 3 system and the natural ingredients. 
My favourite products from this range were the Cleansing Oil de Maq, Realive Serum and the Refreshing Hydrating Mist. 

Want to try AEOS yourself? The Optimal Essentials kit is available to buy here for £68.

Love, Maddie x

GET TO KNOW ME TAG

Hello again!

So today I am going to be doing the Get To Know Me Tag so you can find out a little more about me.

Me
Nicknames: Maddie, Madd
Birthday: 3rd May
Starsign: Taurus
Occupation: Full time college student, part time receptionist and shop assistant

Appearance
Hair colour: Blonde
Hair length: Medium
Eye colour: Hazel
Braces: I've already had them
Tattoos: None, I'm not 18 and I don't particularly want any
Piercings: Two in ear lobes, nose and belly button
Left or right handed: Left

Favourites
Film: I literally don't have a favourite but I'm into comedies and horrors
TV show: KUWTK, Corrie
Book: Paper towns
Drink: SMOOTHIES
Shoes: Vans
Restaurant: Oooo anywhere that serves pizza and pasta
Holiday destination: Has to be EGYPT!!! This year will be my 8th holiday there

Currently
Feeling: Ridiculously tired
Single or taken: Taken
Watching: The Sacconejolys
Wearing: Cosy rabbit onesie from Primark!
Listening to: Nothing atm
Eating: The last thing I ate was a Mcdonalds.. healthy I know

Randoms
Time spent getting ready in mornings: About 45 minutes
Favourite YouTubers: Sacconejolys, Emily Canham, Jake Boys, Zoe and Alfie, Joe, Hannah Renee, Chloe Morton, Eve Bennett (I HAVE SO MANY TO LIST!)
Number of selfies taken a day: I take selfies on good face days
Where do you want to live? London
Favourite artists: Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Justin Bieber
Hobbies: Graphic Design and watching YouTube


So that's the end of this post, I hope you enjoyed reading a bit more about me.
I will have some product reviews up by the end of the week and maybe a small beauty haul, who knows!

Love, Maddie x