Beauty, Bargains and Beyond

You may have seen my regular empties posts showing you all the products that I have used up every couple of months, so I thought I would take inspiration from YouTube and take part in Project Use It Up where I pick 10 products that I want to finish.  I am not going to set myself a target date, I am just using it as a way of reminding myself which products to prioritise as most of them are at least half empty. Here's the 10 products that I decided to start the project off with: Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne 30ml - There's less than a quarter left, so this should be really easy to get through.  I love the scent, but I've had it for a while so would like to finish it up so that I can try out a different Jo Malone Fragrance.   Finished 8th December 2015. MAC Strobe Cream 30ml - there's about half a tube left so I am gonna use this under my foundation for the rest of the year to use it up. Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub 25g - again there is about half left.  I t...

Gin & Tonic is the 2nd scent that I have tried from The Library of Fragrance. You can read my review of Sunshine here .  I really love this clean, fresh & crisp fragrance. It's the perfect scent for a cold winter day. It's a light, cool citrus fragrance that gives you a wonderful wake up call when you spray it on every morning. I would say this is unisex as it's not sweet or floral.  I have no idea if it's anything like a real gin & tonic, but if this scent is anything to go by I think I will have to give the drink a try. Overall Gin & Tonic is a lovely fresh fragrance that I wear on a daily basis. I have had so many compliments since I first started using Library of Fragrance Gin & Tonic Cologne Spray. The Library of Fragrance colognes can be layered to create unique fragrances and you can find out more about which scents to layer with Gin & Tonic on their website . They cost £15 for 30ml and Boots are currently doing an offer of 2 for ...

I really couldn't resist the Marks & Spencer Ultimate Beauty Advent Calendar when I saw it in Leeds store the other day.  I really thought I'd missed the boat with this one as they were already sold out online and I couldn't get into town on the day they were released. Luckily they were still available in store when I went on Thursday, so I would advise you to get to your nearest store asap if you still want to buy one as they will probably sell out pretty quickly if they haven't already. It's a real bargain at £25 when you spend an additional £25 on beauty products, which is really easy to do considering M&S now stock Ren, Pixi, Stila, L'Occitane, Leighton Denny & Nuxe to name but a few.  I also used a 20% voucher which made it £20. It's worth over £200 and if you don't want any spoilers don't look any further. Here's what's in the calendar: Pur Minerals - Volume Vixen Mascara Mini - 4.8ml  Stila Lip...

I have to admit that  I kind of like writing these empties posts, as it gives me a warm glow to see that I can actually use up all the products that I buy.  Here's a quick glimpse at some of the products that I have finished in the last couple of months. I have used up a few body sprays and perfumes: Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Fragrance Mist - This is one of my favourite B&BWs fragrances so I will definitely repurchase next time I visit the US (WBA). The Body Shop Shea Body Mist - A really light and subtle scent that is perfect for working days - I would buy this again (WBA). The Body Shop Moringa EDT - a sweet sugary fragrance that is perfect for summer (WBA). YSL Parisienne EDP - this is a really pleasant floral scent that was perfect in the summer, but it's not special enough to repurchase (Would not buy again WNBA). Here are some lotions and hand creams that I have finished: I really liked the Victoria's Secrets Body Lotions i...

I do love a good beauty box and this is the first time that I have been able to get hold of one of the A Beautiful World Sampler Boxes.  You have to be online early as they sell out quickly.  The Autumn/Winter Sampler '15 box is no longer available and the next one is due out in May 2016.  The box cost £23.95 including postage and packing. Here's what was in the box: I have to admit that at first glance I was a little disappointed as it was a big box and the samples were sooooo small.  One of the samples had also leaked a little bit.  In terms of the items included in the box,  I think there was a nice range of brands that I have never tried before, so that's a plus. The box contained the following: 2 samples from Indie Lee - the COQ-10 Toner and Squalane Facial Oil (there's no size listed on either sample).  Indie Lee is an eco-friendly line that uses the finest all-natural ingredients from around the world. Youth to the People (YTTP)...

Recently I have done the following: Been to see the new James Bond Film Spectre.  WOW! I am not a huge James Bond fan, (although I have probably watched all the recent ones from Pierce Brosnan onwards), but Spectra was brilliant, really entertaining and the 2.5 hour movie just flew by.  I hope this isn't Daniel Craigs last movie as Bond, but if it is then it's a great one to end on.  I loved the references to characters that have appeared in previous James Bond movies that Daniel Craig has been in.                         Found a new favourite tipple.  I was invited to the  Blind Pig Cider event at The Maven Bar in Leeds and I have to say although the flavours are unusual, they are very, very nice and I would definitely buy them in the future, My favourite flavour was Bourbon & Blueberry, but the Whisky, Honey & Apple and Rum & Poached Pear tasted great too.  Used my Taste...

I was just finishing a little shop at my local Asda store when I noticed a really nice tote bag for sale at the end of the checkout.  On closer inspection, it was by the fashion designer Julien MacDonald in aid of Tickled Pink. Tickled Pink has been raising money for Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now for the last 18 years and has raised £43 million so far.  Across the UK around 500,000 people (including 400 men) will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year and you can find more details about how to check your breasts on the Ticked Pink website. The bag costs £2.50 and 89p from the sale of each bag will be donated to Tickled Pink.  The bag is made from Jute, a natural and biodegradable material. I can't find this bag to buy online, so it looks like it's only available in Asda stores. It's also a good time to purchase bags like these now that stores are charging 5p per carrier bag.  Its better for the environment and over time you will ...

I think that beauty boxes are a great way of trying out lots of different brands and they make a great treat every month.  I have been loyal to Birchbox for a number of years now and they rarely disappoint.  I have just received the November box and I am very happy with it.  I love the pretty shell pattern on the box, so I will definitely be keeping that for storage.  Here's what I received in the box: Living Proof frizz  nourishing styling cream - 30ml.   This product stops frizz so is perfect for me.  I have heard many good things about this brand so I can't wait to try this out. REN Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial - 10ml. This is a night-time mask that contains a blend of glycolic and lactic acids which trigger cell renewal whilst you sleep.  I love REN products, but I haven't tried this one yet so really glad to have this one in my box. Delarom Acquaconfort Cream - 15ml.  I haven't heard of this brand before, but this product con...

Whoops I've done it again as the classic Britney Spears song goes.  Yes this is my 2nd beauty advent calendar purchase and it's a biggy, but it had to be done. The Charlotte Tilbury Book of Makeup Magic costs £150 and it's still available on Charlotte Tilburys website here . It contains 12 mini and full size products and is a mixture of makeup and skincare. The reason that I bought this is because it's a great opportunity to try out a range of Charlotte Tilbury products without paying the cost of the full size products.  You can find a list of the contents here (I won't list them as I don't want to spoil it for anyone).  One of the products contained in this most luxurious of beauty calendars is the yet to be released Magic Night Cream which means that you get to try out a product that is not yet available to buy. I love how each product is stored in a box rather than behind a door that you need to tear open as this means that the box will not get...

I went on a bit of a Beauty Box spendathon last week and I have already written about the The Glamour Beauty Power List 2015 Beauty Box from Latest in Beauty here .  I also bought The Dream Box IV by British Beauty Blogger from Latest In Beauty .  Sadly it's already sold out, but I wanted to show you what great value these boxes are.  It cost £21.95 including postage and packing and the total value of the box is £106.20. Here's what was in the box: Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Raise The Bar - a suit everyone shade worth £7.00 Beauty Kitchen Love Me Wonderbalm - a multi purpose balm for lips and dry bits - full size worth £2.99 Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy - Full Size worth £9 Shay & Blue Framboise Noire Fragrance - 2ml worth £5 Maybelline Dr Rescue SOS Nail Balm - Full Size worth £3.99 Nuxe Prodigieux Eye Cream - Full Size worth £18.50 Erborian CC Cream - 15ml worth £17 L'Occitane Almond Oil - 35ml worth £3 L'O...

I can tell Christmas is close because all the beauty advent calendars are going on sale.  My first beauty advent calendar purchase this year is from Clarins (it does not appear to be available to purchase online anymore). There are 24 mini clarins products which is a great way to try out a brand. I also received 6 deluxe samples as my order was over £60, along with 3 additional smaller samples.  Delivery was also free and the Clarins Advent calendar costs £60.   Free samples received with order I can't wait for December so that I can start opening this calendar.  Have you bought any advent calendars yet?   Leighlee I bought this with my own money.

I recently bought The Glamour Beauty Power List 2015 Beauty Box from Latest in Beauty .  The box costs £18.99 and is worth £92.87.  It has been curated by Alessandra Steinherr, the Beauty Director at Glamour Magazine.   Here's what's in the box: Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick - there are 3 colours available and unfortunately I got the red one called Gladiolus which I know I won't wear, so I will pass that on to someone who will. Garnier Miracle Sleeping Cream - this is a full size product and was one of the reasons that I bought this box as I really want to try out this sleep mask. Nails Inc NailKale Superfood Base Coat - this is another full size product and the 2nd reason that I really wanted this box.  I have been trying to improve the condition of my nails this year as they break so easily, so I can't wait to give this product a go. Kiko Velvet Touch Creamy Blush - yet another full size product which comes in 3 variations.  I got 04 Hot P...

There are some great magazine freebies out this month (November 2015). First of all I received my subscription issue of Elle Magazine which included a free travel sized sample of Benefits new They're Real Tinted Primer.  What's exciting about this is that the product doesn't even launch for another 9 weeks, so Elle Magazine readers get to try this product before anyone else.  It's a mink-brown tinted lash primer that can be worn on its own or under mascara. It's a 3g sample.  I've tried the Benefit They're Real Lash Primer on its own and it works as a pretty good mascara for a more subtle look, but I love that Benefit have realised that a lash primer should be brown rather than white so it doesn't take ages to cover up with a black mascara.  I have used the lash primer underneath the Benefit They're Real Mascara and also the Benefit Roller Mascara (you can use any mascara, but those just happened to be the two I had to hand). I also find t...

I recently hit 1000 followers on Bloglovin, so I thought that I would celebrate with a giveaway. As promised this giveaway is open internationally.  Here's a look at what you can win: Little Mix Press-On Nails - Perrie - Created by Elegant Touch Sephora Anti-Aging & Smoothing Fiber Mask Makeup Revolution London Redemption Palette Romantic Smoked Good luck everyone.  Thanks for reading my blog. Leighlee a Rafflecopter giveaway