Pin Curl Tutorial Video - Pin Curls the EASY Way!

Since I've had my hair chopped I can now pin curl it (to much delight). If you;re like me and have super straight hair that's a pain in the arse to curl this may be the way for you.

I have frustratingly tried to pin curl my hair before but I never thought to use end papers. I put together this little video as a few of my friends had commented on my photos asking me how I;d done it. When I trued to describe the process it didn't really work, so hopefully this will make it a little clearer.

Please excuse the weird faces I pull when I do my hair, force of habit!



These are a few pics for a close up shot.

Glossybox: July 2012 Review

July's Glossybox is all about summer 

 

HD Brows: Eye and Brow Palette in Bombshell (£19.95 full size).  

I was actually quite surprised I received this in the shade for blondes. I am a redhead, but in no way naturally. I know people have been waxing lyrical about the wonder of HD Brows products but I did wonder if this would be right for me, being in a lighter shade. I wasn't disappointed, this has now become a stable of my make up box....pencils? They seem so bloody primitive now I have this little a palette of loveliness at hand! 

I will never, ever be without a HD Brows palette again in my life. 

 

Jelly Pong Pong Cosmetics Lip Frosting (£10 full size)

Cruelty free, integrity and green committed, this little gloss promises a lot. I found it not too heavy and lovely smelling but it was super sticky, something I don't particularly love about glosses. It does give a very lovely iridescent shine though with a lovely amount of shimmer. 

It's not something I'll be rushing out to spend my money on. 

 

Monu Golden Glow (£23 full size) 

I am as pale as they come, I really quite like it that way, Unfortunately I wont be testing this unless my husband becomes my Guinea pig  for the weekend and lets me tan his butt. 

 

Clynol Salon Exclusive Enrich Colour Shampoo (£9.35 full size)

It's meant to make your hair shiner, it's apparently got jewel liquid extract (seriously, what the hell is that mean to be?! I hate this type of bollocks).

It smells like Impulse O2, which I reeked of as a teenager, so that was a nice little trip down memory lane, and it looks all shimmery when it's on your hand, lathers up nicely BUT I didn't notice it being any shiner than with my normal shampoo if I'm honest.

I don't think I'll be purchasing. 

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Skin Balancing Lotion SPF15 (£32 full size) 

Bonus sachets of:

Skin balancing exfoliating cleanser - It smelt nice, but didn't really exfoliate as well as I thought it would, maybe because of the sample size. 

Optimising Skin Serum  - It didn't really make my skin any more hydrated than usual. 

Skin Balancing lotion SPF15 - same as the main product

This is an oil free lotion, something I am more than happy to smother on my face, having imbalanced skin at the best of times. I do suffer from shiny nose syndrome though, some products do a better job at this than others. This didn't make a bit of difference to my nose (boo) but my skin did feel rehydrated and it was nice to know I wasn't walking round with a tonne of grease on my face. It's great to have in a sample size but I wont be buying. 

Overall, a good box, apart from the tanning lotion! 

Glossybox: June 2012

I wasn't sure what to expect from this month's Glossybox after the themes of the other few boxes beforehand but it appears to be a summer themed box this month. One thing I was happy about; no creams! Not that I don't love them but it means I pretty much get to write this straight away as there is less trying out to do! 

Vichy Dermablend Ultra-corrective Foundation Cream Stick (retails at £19)

I have a few friends who use dermablend for stage makeup and I have heard great things about it, so I was happy to receive the sample pack through the post (and I'm sure my friends will be happy when they get the left over non pale as a ghost samples from me).

I went for 11, the lightest shade as I am an English Rose and paler than a pale thing. I have a scar on my arm from a baking sheet accident a few months ago that has been a pain to cover up so I thought I'd out it to good use and try it out. It covered easily with not much application and looked as though the scar had never happened, leaving me feeling thoroughly chuffed at the outcome. I might invest for the future, it's a good price at £19 for what essentially will cover a multitude of disasters (I am prone to clumsiness!). 

BM Beauty Summer Warmth Bronzer (retails at £8 for 4g) 

So, after reading the above and after saying how pale I am I was somewhat at odds with the bronzer in my glossybox. Not being one to throw my toys out though I thought I'd give it a little test on my hand. It actually looks quite nice, and although I wont be buying it (I'm just really not a bronzer girl) I will be using the pot as a darker highlighter for my eye make up as it gives a lovely shimmer sheen. 

MeMeMe Cosmetics Sensuous Nail Gloss (retails at £4.50)

This is not normally a shade I'd pick up, but this is what I love about Glossybox it puts things in your hand you wouldn't normally use. It boasts of being quick drying and high gloss and it actually delivers and a bargain price at £4.50, I shall definitely be investigating their products further. 

Glossybox Serie Exclusiv Pro Beauty Brush (retails at £15)

I am assuming the glossybox blog will be updated with further info and feature on their venture into make-up brushes. I have to say I was more than happy with this brush, it's super soft and gives good application. I'm not sure if I would pay £15 for it thought when they haven't got the rep of other pro brushes at the same cost. 

Caudalie Eaux Friches in The Des Vignes (retails at £26)

This fragrance is meant for evening wear and it's definitely not something I'd be wearing during the day, it has a musky hue to it but not overpowering and it has a lovely ginger tinge to it. It's a lovely perfume and I'm sure I will use it as it's a great handbag size but I don't think I'll be purchasing based on the sample.  

Overall

Another great Glossybox! 

Glossybox: First Birthday Box May 2012

I eagerly awaited my May glossybox as I knew it was the birthday edition and I was looking forward to seeing what was in store. I had spoilt it a little by noseying online to see what other people were getting and I as crossing my fingers for all sorts. 

 

 

I wasn't disappointed when I opened up the box! 

 

Lolita Lempicka L'eau en Blanc & Eau de Parfum (retails at £35 in Debenhams for 30ml) 

The Eau de Parfum is liquorice based, so not something I particularly like if I'm honest, completely suited to someone else I'm sure but not for me. 

L'eau en blanc is musky but not in the way that Nana's smell, it's actually quite light, and something that I liked, not loved but I'm happy to use the tester even if I wont be purchasing. 

 

Noble Isle Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel (retails at £20 for 250ml)

I loved this bath and shower gel, it builds up quite a lather and smells gorgeous, you can definitely smell the gooseberry and orange blossom in it and the smell of freshly mown grass without having my eyes weep and my nose go into some kind of massive sneezing fit is lovely (yup, hayfever sufferer). It may be a little out of my price range though so I'm not sure about buying it for myself, but it would make a lovely gift for a friend. 

 

Neal's Yard Remedies Rehydrating Rose Daily Moisture (retails at £22.50 for 100ml) 

This moisturisers smells beautiful and I had high hopes but alas it did not agree with me. It markets itself as easy absorbed but I found that I had to stand around like a freaky naked statue covered in white goo while I waited for it to absorb. When it did it made my skin feel a little clammy to tough. This is the first Neal's Yard product I have used and after hearing good things about them I was disappointed.

 

Collection 2000 Lasting Colour Gel Eyeliner (retails at £4.99 per pot)

There has been a bit of bit of a hoo-har over this gel liner, people on the glossybox group complaining about it not being a luxury product, people turning their nose up because it's collection 2000. Drama. 

This was actually my favourite product out of all. It's a brilliant gel liner that's cheaper than a lot out there and is much better quality than some of the other cheaper brands that I've tried out in the past year or so (do not get ELF, it's it's really crap!). 

This glided on, dried in no time and the colour wasn't something I would have automatically picked up but it'e gorgeous and really suits my complexion. I am so happy that I get sent this as I probably wouldn't have picked it up off the shelf but I certainly will be in future, it's a snip at just under a fiver and I will definitely be purchasing in black and gold too. Tip top budget product of high quality, I cannot recommend it enough!

 

Eladora False Eyelashes (the pair I was sent retail at £5.90)

I can't give much of an opinion on these as I haven't tested them out yet, I'm looking for a suitable enough occasion to wear these gold glittery star adorned fab lashes, when I do I'll update this section, going off looks wise though; they're ace! I love a good trashy lash me. 

Overall

A great box with an added bonus of a glassybox compact compact. Thanks Glossybox team! 

Glossybox: The Natural Edition April 2012

The Glossybox arrived fashionably late this month but I'm not one for having a whine about these things and as far as I'm concerned as long as it does turn up at some pint, what's the bother?

This month it came in a plain brown outer box rather than polka dots and the actual box was made of recycled materials, giving it the feel of the inner tube of a toilet roll if I'm honest but I was more than happy to receive it in all it's eco glory. There is a lot of packaging with Glossybox and although I find it beautiful and I use the boxes to keep my make up/embroidery silks/stockings/any other crap in, I do worry about the amount of leftovers. But this box is boi-degradable. Hurrah!

 

I was super chuffed with the items that I received especially the lip balm, it's delicious, but onto that in a bit...

 

Monu Professional Skincare Moisture Rich Collagen Cream (retails at £17.50) 

I have had Monu samples through Glossybox prior to this and I was happy with them the first time round and again this time. The scent is absolutely beautiful rose and geranium (quite like my Nana's garden when I was a nipper - so double points there) and it really reminds me of summer. 

It completely quenched by skin and made a good base for make up rather than using a primer. 

 

Burt's Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion (retails at £9.99)

Also a super smelling, wonder product. Now, I am one of those annoying people that gets put off a product/TV show/book if people rave about it too much, because I assume it's a fad. The same can be said for Burt's Bees and me, and how wrong I was. Word of caution though a little of this stuff spreads a long way, I spent a long time rubbing it in trying to get all of it to absorb because I'd been a little lavish with the lotion. 

I would definitely recommend this (and eat my words whilst doing so!). 

 

Caudalie S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum (retails at £29)

I have mixed emotions about this. It smells great, it does rehydrate to a certain point, but on the other hand it has the consistency of man goo. There we go, I said it. It really actually does. 

Topped off with the high cost I just don't think it's worth it. If they lowered the price maybe, but there are other hydrating lotions and potions out there that work better for your buck as far as I'm concerned. 

 

Figs & Rouge Cherry & Vanilla Lipbalm (retails at £3.29)

Hands down my favourite product this month. It smelts absolutely gorgeous, is non greasy and comes in very pretty packaging, the fact it;s approved by the soil association is a huge added bonus. It does what it says on the tin (ba-boom-tiiiiiiish) and is gorgeously luxurious and moisturising.

On a side note, I shall be using this tin when it's done as somewhere to keep my left over rhinestones as it's so pretty (I also may pretend that they are treasure, just for fun).  

Inka Cosmetics Certified Organic Eye-liner in Peacock Blue (retail price £11.75)

Loved the colour and the ease of application for this eye liner.It has a lovely creamy consistency which means it glides on effortlessly and had fair to good staying power.  Blue eye-liner is something I haven't worn since the Britpop days of my teenage years but I may give it  a bash again, maybe at the Stone Roses gig next month (squeeeeee!). 

Overall:

Another great Glossybox from the Glossybox team. Thanks a million and keep 'em coming! 

Glossybox: The Harrods Edition March 2012

The beautiful Harrods box came in white this month which is great for gals like me who don;t really love pink all that much! And I have another pretty ribbon to add to my collection, needless to say this went straight in my hair while I was perusing the contents!



I was super happy with the contents this month, and very chuffed that I got a mini Burberry lipstick.




So first off the Erno Laszlo Hollywood Collection. The five piece cream gift set comprising of morning beauty rescue, refresh moisture infusion, instant eye repair cream, intensive porcelain veil and velvet night cream.

This collection was put together to celebrate 85 years of Erno Laszlo.

First off I tried the Refresh Moisture Infusion cream which was gorgeous, it smell great and I really did feel like my skin had had a dousing after using this, it wasn't too thick either which is a plus for me, I hate that heavy cream feeling on my face.

Next was the Instant Eye Repair cream, which went on like a dream but I did feel like it made my eyes tingle a little and left them sticky for a fair while. Not a massive problem at all but it wasn't my favourite cream, in fact with the tingling I decided not to use any more of it after that first application.

The Velvet Night Cream  was great too, thick but not too greasy and absorbed quickly into my skin leaving it soft and nourished.

The next morning I tried the Morning Beauty Rescue which was lovely, nice and fresh, quickly absorbed and shimmery making my skin look radiant. I should point out this is a gel rather than a cream. This was definitely my favourite out of the five creams.

Lastly I tried the Intensive Porcelain Veil last, and this morning in fact. It had a lovely cucumber smell to it, was lovely and fresh and did actually hydrate my skin better than any cream I've used for a long time. Super impressed by this!

I'm not sure I'd have the cash to stump up for this beauty collection being the equivalent or a rather gorgeous dress or nice pair of shoes in my eyes which I'd much rather go for if I had the spare cash.




I have received Clarins products through Glossybox before, namely the anti-ageing day and night cream and I was very happy with them. This extra firming body cream retails at just under £40 an expense which I might just give in to. I've tried a lot of firming creams in the past but this one seems to actually give results. I used it mainly on my arms and tummy for a few days as I wanted to see if it would work with a few uses and it did. The cream was quite thick but luxurious and made my skin silky soft.


Fan di Fendi is a beautiful perfume and exactly to my taste, it;s light, fresh and doesn't hum of vanilla which is a bonus in my eyes! It does reminds me of an adult version of CK1 (remember the great CK1 summer of 1994 when pretty much everyone reeked of the stuff? Ah to be a teenager of the 90s!) which I loved when I as younger but I feel it's far too young for me now. I will definitely be splashing the cash on this (retails at £36 - £40 in various stores)


The Burberry Lip Cover I received was in Rosewood (no. 4). It;'s a beautiful colour against my English rose skin, has great staying power and isn't too greasy/glossy. I hadn't tried Burberry's range of lipsticks before but it's definitely something I'm willing to spend my cash on rather than trotting off to the MAC counter straight away.

The lipsticks retail at £23 at Harrods or £22.50 direct from Burberry online



Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum was something I was more than happy to try out. Being a hair dyer for many years I do suffer from dry hair every now and then. I also like the fact you can use it to protect against heat damage when styling your hair. Something I try not to do that often (I usually use foam rollers or pin curls) but when I do reach for the hot rollers or tongs I'll be using this.

It smells lovely and application's a doddle, I did feel like it left my hair silkier than before, but having only dried ir and not put a hot roller set in yet there's not much else I can say. I'll update when I do, but first impressions are good.

It retails at £22 (for 50ml) which is really not a lot considering you need only use a couple of drops per application.

Overall 

I'm very happy with my Glossybox this month, in fact I've been subscribing for around six months now and I'm very happy with their service and the products they send out. Big thumbs up Glossybox!