Charlotte Tilbury Film-star Bronze & Glow - My thoughts!

I won a blog competition last month and the prize was none other than Charlotte's Film-star Bronze and Glow!!

This bad boy has been on my wish list for absolutely ages!! I always see it mentioned on blogs and you tube videos and I was desperate to try it for myself however the price steared me away. Imaginge my surprise and excitement when I got an email from Laura who blogs at laurzrah to inform me I had won!!

Gorgeous bronzer perfect for attempting - (if you are me!) a contour. The bronze shade goes in the hollows of your cheeks to create the appearance / enhance your cheek bones. Then the highlight shade goes on the tops of your cheekbones to add radiance and draw the eye.

Both shades are so pretty and the packaging is stunning, I smile every time I get this out to use.

Do I think it is worth the price tag? I think that if you are over due a treat to self, have a voucher or a birthday / Christmas fast approaching then it is definitely worth popping on your list. It is such a luxurious face palette to own and gives you the appearance of cheekbones in no time! 

Have you tried CT Bronze and glow? x

Latest in Beauty Summer Edit Box Review

Latest in Beauty

The Glamour Summer Beauty Edit

All of these fantastic items worth over £90 for the bargain price of £17.99!

So what do you get...

Vita Liberata Bronzer, which not only gives you a bronze glow but is also a self tanner too!! With the added bonus of it being a mineral powder. Comes with a full size bronzing brush too.

Pixi Glow Tonic If you haven't tried this wonderful toner/ exfoliator then this is a perfect way to try a sample size before purchasing. I personally love this toner and shall be reserving this for any trips!

Nails inc Gel effect Nail Varnish.

I love the gel effect of this nail varnish and really enjoy using nails inc nail polish. Perfect summer shade too.

L'occitane Shampoo & conditioner. 

Having never tried L'occitane hair care, I am looking forward to testing these out. Also again great travel sizes.

Caudalie Divine Oil. 

This was what I was most excited about, having heard a lot about it, but never actually tried. With extracts of grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan oil I am very much looking forward to slathering this on after a relaxing bath!

Bourjouis Lip Crayon 

Such a lovely light balm with a subtle pop of colour for this summer weather.

Eucerin Sun Protection

As I am such a stickler for suncream especially on my face and a high factor I am excited to test out Eucerin's non oily mattifying version to see if it matches up to my current La Roche Posay Anthelios sunscreen.

Balance Me Super Toning Body Polish, This sounds lovely and a great scrub to try out.

Last of all Seekers of the sun temporary tattoo's. The last time I wore a temporary tattoo I was 9! so I am excited to relive my youth with these pretty designs.

Such great value for these beauty products, as-well as a fab way to try new brands out before committing to a purchase!

Get yours before they're gone! www.latestinbeauty.com/glamour

My June Cohorted Beauty Box

My June Cohorted beauty box arrived! The amount of excitement is unreal, no sooner had the delivery man handed it over - I was tearing away the packaging!

I sadly missed out on last months box so when I finally managed to pre order this June one I was over the moon!

So the box itself is very sleek and sexy, finished off with an adorable ribbon to keep it closed. I will definitely be re-using this to store make-up in, it's far too good to waste.

Next on to the juicy bit, what was inside.....

I got a total of 4 items. Three of which everyone gets the same, with a slight variation of colour for the nail varnish and the 4th is a mystery gift which makes it even more shrouded in mystery!

Cargo Eye Palette - "Let's meet in Paris"

Cargo Bronzer - Light

Essie Nail Varnish - Roarrange

MAC Eyeshadow - 'Shroom'

Having never tried any make-up items from Cargo Cosmetics I am so far really impressed. 

The "Let's meet in Paris" palette is full of such pretty unique colours that when swatched are so pigmented and colourful.

TOP ROW L to R

Macaroon, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Creme Brulee, Bonjour, Cafe.

BOTTOM ROW: L to R

Baguette, Croissant, Versailles, Madame, Bastille, Beret.

 My fave shades are "Creme brulee" and "Madame". 

Bonjour and Baguette were a bit of a let down for me not being as pigmented. Bonjour felt a bit chalky to apply and Baguette was difficult to seebut other than those two the other shades definitely pack a punch! The baroque design of the case is very eye catching and has a luxurious velvety feel!

Cargo Bronzer

The Bronzer is in the shade light which is perfect for me, as it gives a subtle glow and they say it is waterproof! I love the tin design, it's so cute!

Essie Nail Varnish

I got the shade "Roarrrange" which is a bright orange. A lovely striking summer shade. Not a colour I would usually go for but when on gives a lovely pop of colour!

Last of all my mystery gift was a MAC Eyeshadow in "Shroom"

  

With it being so iridescent, it's difficult to capture on camera, but it is a creamy pearly satin shade.

A very subtle but pretty highlight colour that's perfect for the inner corner of the eye and the brow bone.

Overall I am extremely pleased with my beauty box from Cohorted. It provides such amazing value for just £19.99 + P&P. It was definitely worth the wait!

Did you manage to get your hands on a Cohorted box? What was your mystery gift??

Real Techniques Contour Brush, Is it worth the investment?

 Real Techniques Contour Brush 

from the New Bold Metals Collection

I love the original real techniques brushes they are such great quality for their price. Wash well and mine have lasted me well over a year now. There's usually some sort of offer on at boots, so you also get your boots points as an added bonus.

Now when I saw they had released a new collection I was so excited.... that was until i saw the prices....

In total it would cost you a whopping £130 for all 7 brushes from the collection!

I went into boots ADAMANT I would not even look for them, all my resolve melted when I actually saw them out of the corner of my eye, it was like they just called to me.

Reluctant to say they are just so pretty and well shiny!!

My justification: A cheek contouring brush is one brush I actually haven't got, at the moment I just use a normal blush brush which is definitely far too big!
So £22 later I walked out of boots with my fingers crossed, hoping that it really is as good as they say it is.... lets be honest - I want it to actually contour my cheeks for that price!!

The rose gold handle looks and feels luxurious and as for the bristles they are so soft and provide an accurate line of contour to create cheekbones where the don't exist. Can also be used to apply the highlight shade and if used on its flat side the blush too so is very versatile.

So is it worth it?

Brushes are always worth investing in as it's not always the make-up, that makes a look, sometimes it's the tools used. For example, I've used £1 eyelash curlers, whilst they do curl my lashes the curler itself will inevitably will break or fall apart. I find that my Eyeko ones curl my lashes but somehow make the curl stay and have lasted for months and are still going strong. Same goes for my MAC 217 blending brush there's no shedding and I find it washes really well and keeps its shape. Compared to cheaper versions that shed mid application.

Sometimes you do get what you pay for and in this case I feel IF you are in need of a new brush, it's a good investment. So yes I do think it is worth it. Having said that I do wish they had priced them slightly lower, I don't know if it's the mum in me but I am painfully aware of the teenagers who are already hooked on the real techniques brushes, wanting and needing the new additions to the collection.

So my advise would be to pick just one that you need, that you don't already have and don't forget to use your boots advantage card - as that's quite a lot of points. oh and those coupons boots send in the post for double points etc. It all adds up!

Have you tried any of the Real Techniques Bold Metals collection brushes? 

What did you think?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Escentric Molecules 'Molecule 01' Perfume

Meet my new signature fragrance...

Escentric Molecules 01

This is such a gentle smelling fragrance that is supposed to smell different on everyone!

I like the idea of having a scent fragrance that is bespoke and unique to you.

This perfume is created from the aroma chemical Iso-E super, a base-note that is frequently used to add allure to perfumes. It is supposed to meld with your own pheromones. Making it very unique to each person wearing this scent and harder for you to smell it on yourself! It's more for others to smell and compliment!

I'm very picky when it comes to fragrance, as over-powering ones tend to give me a headache so I have to be careful when choosing what scent to wear. Sometimes even being around over-bearing scents is enough to set me off.

This one is subtle enough for me... but smells so good on. Almost fades throughout the day but then unexpectedly you get a lovely hint of deliciousness!

Have you tried Escentric Molecules 01, did you like the scent on you?

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Urban Decay Full Frontal Revolution Lipstick Stash Swatches

I have said before how much I love the revolution lipsticks by urban decay. My review of the ' Turn On' Shade can be found over here: UD Revolution 'Turn on' Lipstick

So when I saw this mini set containing 6 of their shades, thought it would be a great way to experiment with different colours and as an added bonus it also came with a full size lip pencil! Win-win!

L to R

F-Bomb, Illicit, Liar, Gash, Ladyflower, Crush

F-Bomb, Illicit, Liar, Gash, Ladyflower, Crush

Now for the swatches on the lips...

Illicit

Liar

LadyFlower

Gash

F-Bomb

Crush

The lip pencil is their clear shade 'Ozone' 

This can be used with all shades, ensuring that the lipsticks not only stay in place but helps prevent feathering and smudging out of the lip area when applying.

I'm not sure if this set was a limited edition for christmas, but I thought either way it would be nice to share the swatches so if you like the look of any of the colours, you could head over to Urban Decay and pick up the full sized lipsticks.

They really are lovely lipsticks to wear, buttery soft and creamy to apply with the added pow of pigmented shades. Even the nude gives a lovely tone.

I think the clear lip-pencil is such a good idea and I can see me getting lots of use from it!!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Lancome Rouge In love Lipstick Review 379N

I received a goody bag 'Gift with purchase' from Debenhams recently when I made an order. This included trial sample sizes of make-up and fragrance.

I love these, as you get to try out products you never normally would choose for yourself. Allowing you to sometimes step out of your comfort zone!

Mine included a mini Lancome Rouge in Love lipstick. 

Having never tried any Lancome make-up  at all, it's not something I would have picked for myself. 

But oh my! it was love at first swipe!! 

This lipstick is so creamy yet pigmented and hydrating - all at the same time. 

The wear time for this is incredible - I put it on in the afternoon and it was still there come bedtime. I actually needed to remove it with my bioderma micellar water! Never really needed to do that before?!

Like with most lipsticks, they fade during the day through wear / drinking & eating, they end up fading whilst usually leaving an bold outline for all to see. 

This lipstick seems to somehow fade evenly and leaves a lovely all over stain on the lips.

The shade I was sent 379N looks a very very scary shade in the bullet! 

Would not have even looked twice at this colour. Once on it is an intense plum-y-purple shade which then fades down to a very pretty berry shade.

Very fitting for Autumn and I have been wearing this non stop (even doing housework!!) ... to the point where it broke in half!! So I'm off now to google how to fix a broken lipstick. I know its only a sample size but I love it so much!! Such a different shade to anything I have worn before!

That's it I'm utterly hooked and Lancome in love with these lipsticks!!

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo

Indeed Hydraluron Jelly Moisturiser Review

Indeed

 Hydraluron Moisture Jelly

I had a small tube of the original Hydraluron serum which I used up. 

Saw this was new plus a third off in Boots so thought i'd give it a try.

First of all: Hydraluron by Indeed Laboratories is a moisturising serum that contains Hyaluronic acid.

This is an incredibly hydrating ingredient that can hold 1,000 times its weight in water.

It helps to plump up the skin, nourish and hydrate. 

Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the dermis. It acts like a sponge by absorbing and trapping water. Its quantity and quality decrease with age which is why the majority of wrinkle filling products contain hyaluronic acid.

So onto the new moisture 'Jelly' version.....

What it is.....

A clear 'jelly like' daily moisturiser. Great to use both morning and night.

It's suitable for all skin types, is lovely and hydrating to slather on. Skin definitely feels smoother, softer and slightly plumper.

I like how lightweight it is and doesn't feel gloopy or sticky. 

You can apply your foundation afterwards and doesn't feel greasy.

I just love how the pump action works on the pot. Have to say it did take me a short while to figure out what i was supposed to do!! Eventually I figured out that it presses nicely into your palm to dispense the jelly to use. Such a great novel idea and is much more hygienic than sticking your fingers into a pot!

A you can see it's a gel like consistency that sinks nicely into the skin without feeling sticky or greasy.

Have you tried the new 'jelly' version of Hydraluron?

 Highly recommend it as it's a lovely hydrating and refreshing drink of water for the skin.

Take time for you. Take care and look after yourself.

Thanks for popping by luv acesparklestar xoxo