Beauty Blog
My first impressions of the second Beauty Cocoon Box, the November edition, is now on YouTube!
As a little spoiler, I like it more than the launch box! Here are some product photos:
Continue reading “Beauty Cocoon Box November 2017 First Impressions”
Hey, so I filmed a video! I did it a few weeks ago but have only just been able to edit it. It thought I’d try something new by giving my first impressions of a new beauty box for women of colour called “Beauty Cocoon Box”.
There are two boxes to choose from: a beauty box which is makeup and makeup tools costing £21 (not £20 as I said in the vid) and a skincare box which costs £25. I went for the makeup box obviously!
Continue reading “Beauty Cocoon Box First Impressions October 2017”
Sarah Fynn asked me if I wanted to do a blogger box swap. It seemed like fun so I said yes!
When I received a voucher code in one of the various magazines I subscribe to (can’t remember which one), I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try a Love Me Beauty box.
Although I am still on a beauty spending ban, I managed to get hold of the first My Chocobelle box by begging my husband to buy it for me. It’s ridiculous right? Well, now I have it!
I saw the postman approach my house but I couldn’t see a box shaped parcel in his hand so I was a little disappointed. This was only heightened when he knocked on the door and handed me a parcel in a purple bag which still didn’t look like a beauty box.
When I opened up the envelope, inside was a gold cardboard gift box tied with pink ribbon and a gold glitter handwritten tag saying “Hello lovely We hope you love & enjoy this months box MCB x”. This explained everything! The mystery package was the My Chocobelle Box. Also inside the bag was a set of Curvy Ardell lashes. I was just about to throw the purple envelope away when I felt something else. I thought it might be a guide to the products but I was a postcard giving 35% at C.A.K.E Cosmetics. Now that’s a nice surprise!
Inside the box were five further beauty items plus two little chocolates. I received:
I would say that’s a nice little mix of make-up, skincare and nail care, however I would prefer that everything fits in the box – I almost threw my discount away!
I put together this look following my Givenchy make-up lesson using a combination of products from the Givenchy Iconic Products beauty box – the British Beauty Blogger Edit, products purchased from my make-up lesson and samples provided from my make-up lesson.
Face
After cleansing my face with Givenchy Skin Drink and moisturising with Givenchy Velvet Luminescence Moisturising Cream I applied a light layer of Teint Couture Foundation in shade No8 using my Real Techniques expert face brush. I dabbed a little onto the back of my hand, dabbed the brush into the foundation then buffed the foundation onto my face using circular motions. I then placed some Givenchy Mister Light in shade No5 on the back of my hand and mixed this with some of the foundation. I applied this to the areas I wanted to highlight and lighten – my cupids bow, under my eyes up to my temples and underneath my eyebrows, using my Real Techniques pointed foundation brush. I applied the same mixture right up to my lower lash line using my Real Techniques detailer brush. Finally I applied a little blusher using my Real Techniques blush brush – No7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush.
Eyes
For my eyes, I used a sample of the Givenchy Prisime Quatour in No1 Caresse. First I applied the light peach shimmer shade all over my lids up to my brows using my Real Techniques angled shadow brush. I the applied the pink colour to my lids using my Real Techniques base shadow brush. I applied the lighter brown shade to the crease and blended it out for a subtle smoke effect using my Real Techniques essential crease brush. I then lined the upper and lower lash-line with the dark brown shade using my Real Techniques eyeliner brush to add some definition and depth to the appearance of my eyelashes.
I applied one coat of Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes mascara in No1 Deep Black to my top and bottom lashes (I’ll post later how best to do this). To brighten my waterline I applied Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof eye pencil in 60 taupe of the top. I finished by defining my brows with L’Oreal Brow Artist Shaper pencil in 04 Dark Brunette, first filling in my brows using the pencil, neatening with the brush and setting with the wax.
Lips
I applied Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick in 202 Rose Dressing using my Real Techniques retractable lip brush. I used the lip brush because I did not have a matching lip liner and it was easier to get a defined line with the brush. I blotted the lip colour then repeated the process.
The British Beauty Blogger Givenchy beauty box was the perfect introduction to the brand and I enjoyed applying the make-up. I also bought the Givenchy Color Kajal in No3 – a gorgeous violet colour. I’ll show you that in another post.
I was lucky enough to get hold of one of the British Beauty Blogger Givenchy beauty boxes. Inside was an empty bottle which I could take to a Givenchy beauty counter to collect a five-day sample of foundation. There was also encouragement to try one of the Givenchy makeovers so I booked a full make-up lesson at House of Fraser in London Victoria.
I was warmly welcomed by Faith the consultant and Shadia the Givenchy makeup artist, with a glass of bubbly and a mini cake. I’ll try to remember the products used – I wanted to enjoy the pampering so I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to write a blog post about it until now. We began with a discussion on my skin type and what look I wanted to go for. I have dry and oily skin and I love bright colours so I asked for a bold look.
Skincare
Shadia prepared my skin by cleansing it with Skin Drink, applying Flash Luminescence Serum and finishing with Hydra Velvet Moisturising Cream.
Base and Complexion
Shadia evened out my skin tone using Acti’Mine Makeup Base SPF 15 in shade 5. I decided I wanted a natural looking foundation so Shadia used Teint Couture in shade 8. She didn’t use any powder as this would have taken away the glowing skin effect. She then mixed the foundation with the Mister Light Corrective Pen in shade 5 and applied this to the upper part of my cheekbones, under my eyes and up to my temples to highlight. She then added depth using Poudre Bonne Mine in Ambre Croisiere (shade 3) in the hollows of my cheeks and around the top of my forehead where the shadows naturally fall. She finished my complexion with Le Prisime Blush in Vintage Pink, a very pretty combination of four soft pinks.
Eyes
Shadia prepared my eyelids using Ombre Couture in Prune Taffetas as a base then finished the eyeshadow using Prisime Quatour Eyeshadow in Tentation, a palette of purples and a green which is one of my favourite combinations. She lined my upper lid with Givenchy Liner Couture, a felt-tip style eyeliner and flicked it out. Shadia lined my waterline with black eyeliner and lined the lower lash line with a limited edition Colour Kajal in N3 Purple. She finished my eyes with Phenomen’Eyes mascara in Deep Black and defined my eyebrows using Eye Brow Show Pencil (although I’m not sure which shade she used).
Lips
My lips were dry so Shadia prepared them using Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm Moisturizing Rosy Glow. I think “magic” is an appropriate name for this balm – it was very soothing and hydrating which was expected. What I didn’t expect was the gorgeous pink shade it turned my lips which did not resemble what I saw in the pot! I would wear the balm on its own without any need to add colour on top. Shadia then applied a deep pink creamy lipstick and finished by defining my lips with lip pencil. Sorry but I don’t know the shades of either product.
Unfortunately I don’t have any blog-worthy photos of my face to post. I forgot to bring my camera, the lighting was bad so my phone photos are not great then on the way home I got caught in the heaviest rain I can ever remember encountering. By the time I got home, I was soaked through with mascara in my eyes and running down my face!
I was very happy with the service and impressed with the products. As you may know from other blog posts, service is everything – even if I love a product, if the service is bad I’ll probably walk away, most likely in the direction of another beauty counter. I bought a couple of items and received some more samples. I’ll post about the two items I bought separately but for now, why not guess which products I chose?
For me, the Glamour Beauty Power List 2014 beauty box from latestinbeauty.com was the best one so far. I actually really wanted nearly everything in the box!
I am a fan of Philip Kingsley so I was looking forward to trying out one of his styling products and the Daily Damage Defence Conditioning Spray is as good a place to start as any.
I really like the Maybelline Color Sensational Nude Lipsticks so I was hoping to get another shade that would suit me as I already have Coffee Craze.
I had recently made my first Laura Mercia purchase – a foundation which I reviewed here so I definitely wanted to try the primer.
I have heard a lot about Liz Earle skincare so I definitely wanted to try her Hot Cloth Cleanser, which came with a muslin cloth!
I’ve read a few blog posts on the Eyeko Mascara Off Eye Makeup Remover Wipes and I wanted to see for myself if they are anything special, especially for the price.
Finally, I was intrigued by the whole concept of a 1 Seconde Mascara by Bourjois. I have used the 1 Seconde nail polishes but how does this work with a mascara?
I’m not sure I can call the James Read Sleep Mask Tan an added bonus, bronzer will be fine for me!
I’ll review the products I have used as soon as I can!
