My First Birchbox - April Edition 😍💄💐🎁

When I had told my fellow beauty obsessed friend that I hadn't signed up to Birchbox naturally she was shocked and got me straight on her computer to sign up! I didn't need much convincing however when I visited the Birchbox website and saw how beautiful the April box was and that it included a Benefit trial product too! I was literally counting down the days until my box arrived, wondering what little goodies the lovely people at Birchbox would surprise me with! Finally the day came and it felt like Christmas, I've never opened anything so quickly and the first impressions of the box itself did not disappoint. The Rifle Co design 'Jardin de Paris' is beautiful, a modern floral pattern in pinks, oranges and yellows it's definitely something I'm going to hoard!

Inside was a mixture of treats they are as follows -
Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Repairing Shampoo 40ml and Conditioner Sachet 10ml
Kueshi Foot Care Cream 40ml
Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black 0.8g
LOC One and Done Shadow Stick in Empress Me Full Size
Benefit Cosmetics Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer 1.5ml

Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner - RRP from £11.50
I tried the Beaver hair products first, admittedly it's not a brand I'm familiar with so I was very curious to see how well these products matched up to their description. This particular range from Beaver Professional is to benefit dry, damaged hair containing avacado oil and aloe vera to nourish and repair split ends, leaving hair feeling softer and looking shiner. To be honest I was unsure of why this collection was chosen for me as I put my hair concern as "oily" and "wavy hair" so this emrange doesn't really match up buy of course I tried the products anyway! Despite my concerns I actually really like the results of the products, both the shampoo and conditioner left my hair feeling surprisingly purified, nourished, amazingly soft and shiny and my ends looked smoother! I would definitely recommend these products for anyone who has damaged hair from colouring or suffers with split ends!


Kueshi Foot Care Cream - RRP £12
This is another brand that is new to me and honestly body products are my downfall, I hardly ever use them! Any foot creams I've tried previously have been really heavy duty and made me unable to walk for 20 minutes until the product absorbed so I was really hoping this one from Kueshi would be a game changer. Upon application I was worried the texture was too thin but as soon as you've massaged the product in even slightly it's instantly absorbed and leaves no residue behind at all! Tea Tree gives the feet a cooling, refreshing feeling and Royal Jelly hydrates the skin, my feet have never felt so soft and smooth! This is something I'd definitely purchase!

Cynthia Rowley Eyeliner in Black - RRP £11
The Cynthia Rowley Eyeliner is a Birchbox exclusive, as soon as I saw the packaging I couldn't wait to try it! The texture of this liner is gorgeous, it glides on the lids so smoothly making it so easy and foolproof to apply and within 30 seconds it's set and ready for the day! It's definitely a budge proof formula as it lasted me all day long and even the swatch I did on the back of my hand I struggled to get off for 2 days!  All in all, probably the best pencil eye liner I've used! This could be the one to convert me from my liquid liners!

LOC One and Done Shadow Stick in "Empress Me" - RRP £8
I've not really used shadow sticks before, I tend to always use your standard pan shadows and due to my oily eyelids I always opt for matte eyeshadows. However I could very much be swayed given the beautiful "Empress me" shade of this LOC One and Done Shadow Stick and what a pigment punch this packs! It's a gorgeous taupe/gold shade with an almost metallic finish that lasts all day! LOC provides waterproof, creaseless colour and foolproof, quick application all in one product, it's simply perfect for those of us who are always on the go just apply on the lids and blend with your fingertips or use a bold liner!

Benefit Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer - RRP £21.50 
My Benefit treat in my box was Air Patrol, a BB Cream Eyelid Primer and I have to admit even as a Benefit fan I've not heard of this product before! However as I said before my eyelids tend to be oily making a simple nude eyeshadow look hard to hold for even a few hours so an eyelid primer is something I'm always shopping around for. The shade is a natural nude shade with a yellow undertone, perfectly disguising any discolouration on the lids and providing a suitable wear-alone shade. The texture at first I thought was going to be slightly too wet but once you begin applying to
the lids (I used my fingertips) it sets to a beautiful semi-matte finish, making it an ideal base for any eyeshadows or liners! As for helping to prolong the wear of eyeshadows, I would say it helped mine to stay for a few hours longer than what I would get without a primer but it's probably the longest lasting result I've had from any eyelid primer I've tried as my lids are just too oily!

 I love how Air Patrol offers SPF 20 protection and uses their unique EnviroDefend complex to offer total eye protection against the harmful effects of sun, pollution and smoke.
A product that can offer you all these benefits (Get it?) in one product is very hard to find and for me very sought after, I can see this becoming something I use everyday!

That sums up my very first Birchbox and I have to say I'm impressed and cannot wait for next months edition after seeing my May sneak peek!

What are your thoughts on Birchbox? Did you recieve April's edition, I'd love to know what goodies you got!

💕 Lucy 

L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary Clay Collection 💆🏼🛀🏼

These products are what I have been waiting for for as long as I can remember, they perfectly describe my hair type "Oily Roots and Dry Ends" so as you can imagine I was instantly excited when I saw the product advert online and couldn't wait to get my hands on these products! Launching earlier this year, L'oreal have created a innovative product range using a blend of 3 refined clays to 'deeply purify the scalp for 72 hours', hydrate dry ends for 'fluid, free flowing lengths' and to 'revitalise the hair with softness, shine and bounce'. I honestly think this is the most exciting product launch this year so far,  there really isn't anything else like it on the shelves!

I managed to snap up these beauties in Boots during their 3 for 2 haircare offer, which meant I got the 150ml Pre Shampoo Clay Masque, 400ml Extraordinary Clay Re-balancing Shampoo & 400ml Re-balancing Conditioner for £9.98, saving me £3.99! The Clay to Spray Dry Shampoo I managed to get in Superdrug on a 'better than half price' offer for £1.98 instead of £3.99!

I was so excited I tried the products that same day, starting with the Pre Shampoo Clay Masque. Surprisingly there's actually very little instructions on the Masque packaging so I turned to Google (naturally) to make sure I was applying it correctly. Some hair masques you apply on wet hair however this one you apply to dry hair directly onto the roots whilst massaging in, covering the whole scalp, leaving for up to 5 minutes. I found it very strange to apply, given the very thick and bouncy consistency, especially on dry hair but overall simple and quick to apply and surprisingly not a lot of product is needed to cover the scalp when you section the hair! The smell was a little strange for me personally, it's certainly a fresh almost mineral like scent but it kind of reminded me of washing powder! Rinsing out the masque is as easy as A, B ,C with the only instruction being massage scalp whilst rinsing until water runs clear and it does rinse out very easily without leaving the scalp feeling dried out or tight. Using the Pre Shampoo Masque definitely helps the shampoo to lather up easier, making a small amount go further! Both the shampoo and conditioner rinse out very easily, don't weigh the hair down or leave any residue behind.

The result on dry hair? Amazing! My hair has never looked so shiny, even making my highlights look more visible and brighter, roots very fresh and wonderfully clean and ends hydrated just the right amount. So yes the promise of 'fluid, free flowing lengths' and revitalised hair 'with softness, shine and bounce' is spot on however the promise of a purified scalp for 72 hours needs some editting! Something like "72 hours... with the help of a little dry shampoo 24 hours later and a hell of a lot 48 hours later!" I bet you're thinking hold on I thought they had a clay to spray dry shampoo? You're not mistaken, yes they do indeed but when I've used talc based dry shampoo's such as Batiste for a long time that instantly refresh oily roots this dry shampoo just didn't live up to expectations. It's an invisible finish so you can say goodbye to white powdery roots that scream 'I couldn't be bothered to wash my hair last night' however you can say hello to your oily roots because this dry shampoo just doesn't absorb excess oil or refresh roots at all. I'd waited till the day after I'd washed my hair to use this so it's not even that I'm extraordinarily greasy but it's got that 'It could use a wash tonight' kind of look, so after spraying lots of clay to spray onto my roots I resorted to my usual Batiste to save the day!

Overall I think this is probably the best Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque I've used that is predominately for oily roots simple because for 24 hours my hair is glowing, fresh, purified and isn't left feeling weighed down but I just wish the results for me would last longer than a day. I certainly wouldn't purchase the dry shampoo again but that could be down to the fact my hair is fine (so the roots would possibly be greasier) and might work better for someone with thicker hair especially with the invisible finish.

Have you used this range before? How did you find them?
Let me know in the comments below!

💕 Lucy 

The Setting Test: Urban Decay All Nighter vs Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control

Ever wondered whether setting sprays are worth it? I know I did before I invested but I can definitely say I now couldn't be without one. However with so many now on the shelves it's a question of where to even start! Do you splurge on a premium brand or opt for a bargain drugstore brand? This is the exact question I asked myself so naturally I bought two different setting sprays to find out if the price or even the brand makes any difference. Having heard amazing reviews from friends I chose the Urban Decay All Nighter make up setting spray which set me back a painful £22 and the other from up and coming brand Makeup Revolution with their Pro Fix Oil Control makeup fixing spray at only £5. 

Honestly out of the two I had to try urban decay first, there was something irresistible about it that I just couldn't control so I trialled the All Nighter for a few days whilst I had the all day shifts at work. On appearance the UD All Nighter is visually appealing with its smooth, sleek bottle and gives lots of information and tips on the bottle itself. The application is recommended as follows "hold the bottle 8-10 inches away and mist 2-4 times in an X and T formation" and mist it most certainly does, leaving a fine layer on the skin which dries quickly. I was hopeful for the day ahead with the bottle boasting "temperature control technology", "oil free formula", "16 hour hold" and "keeps you looking gorgeously just-applied; no melting, cracking or fading" 

Now normally I have to reapply powder around 3 times a day (having mega oily skin) but I found during my work shifts using UD I've only had to touch up once or twice to maintain my just-applied look due to slight melting around the nose and chin and creasing of my eyeshadow. However my foundation remained smooth without cracks or fading in all other areas and felt comfortable all day long. 

Next came the two day trial of the Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control, again I used during all day shifts. Visually the MUR Pro Fix is simple and to the point with its bottle design and again gives information and tips on the bottle. Directions are pretty similar bar UD's unique "X" and "T" formation. 

This spray lists benefits such as "helps deflect surface shine", "keeps foundation and eye makeup in place" and a up to 12 hour hold. On first application the smell is certainly stronger than UD but after about 10-15 seconds when the product has dried it doesn't hang around! The mist isn't as fine as UD and feels slightly wetter on the skin but dries beautifully without effecting makeup appearance. The overall all day result? Amazing! Perfectly matte, shine free, no creasing or melting and makeup that lasted from 8am until 7pm with only one touch up in the day! For me that's certainly what I call a miracle and I now swear by this product everyday whether it's on top of foundation, powder or BB cream it just works wonders!

Definitely in my opinion (with having oily/combination but dehydrated skin) I would certainly opt for the Makeup Revoltion Pro Fix Oil Control makeup fixing spray over premium beauty brand Urban Decay's All Nighter setting spray and I would recommend highly to anyone who needs to blot or touch up their t-zone during the day or just wants to maintain a matte long lasting
finish! Not forgetting to mention the £17 saving this switch gives you!

You can find Makeup Revoltion Pro Fix Oil Control Makeup fixing spray online at www.makeuprevolutionstore.com, www.superdrug.com or if you're lucky in your nearest superdrug store for £5 (100ml) and Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray online at www.urbandecay.co.uk or in your nearest Debenhams store for £22 (118ml)

Have you tried either setting spray? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
💕 Lucy

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My oh mi-cellar! Garnier PureActive Micellar Cleansing Water 💧💁🏼

Yes micellar cleansing waters aren't brand new but to my routine they are! I tend to be quite stuck in my ways of cleansing, sticking to what I've used for years but that doesn't mean it's right or the best way to cleanse my skin. So I ventured out to Boots (one of my most favourite things to do) and spent a questionable amount of time searching for something new, something quick but most of all something effective. Seriously I spent so long in my local Boots I think the security guard was following me, but much to his dismay I purchased the Garnier PureActive Micellar Cleansing Water. Sitting in the new products section I had to pick it up and upon reading the product details I just had to have it, I mean cleansing with no rinsing? This is my lazy girl paradise product! There were two other varieties of Garnier Micellar Water's one pink cap version for all skin types especially sensitive and one green cap version for combination skin, however the PureActive version drew me in more due to it being specifically for oily and blemish prone skin types. The product details boast that it easily removes makeup including eyes and lips with no rinsing required, purifies and minimises blemishes and reduces imperfections. It also comes in a luxury 400ml size claiming to be 200 uses and on offer at £3.00 (RRP £4.99) I just couldn't walk out of there without it!

I've used this product now for 7 days, using most mornings but every evening to remove my makeup. I really wish I'd found this product sooner as I've never removed my makeup so easily or so effectively especially without rinsing! Whether it was a full Double Wear & Dipbrow day or just BB cream this magic micellar water removed every trace including eye makeup without ever feeling harsh or drying on my skin. Surprisingly for a anti-blemish product there is no overwhelming alcohol smell but I can't say it's helped to reduce my blemishes or imperfections but then again I haven't had my full "200 uses"
Personally I would recommend this to anyone with oily skin looking for a new quick cleansing fix or for those lazy cleansers out there who like me just can't get out of bed to the sink after 8pm!
You can find the Garnier PureActive Micellar Cleansing Water in your local Boots, Superdrug or even Tesco store for RRP £4.99.
What are your thoughts on the Micellar water craze, have you tried one before?

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