Birchbox May 2013 - Unboxing

My love affair with Birchbox is fading, I've tried very hard to love it unconditionally, but the products don't really cut it for me any more, quite irrelevant to my tastes - too much skin care and not enough make up.   Any way, onto this month's box...

Kusmi Tea Detox Tea 

So random, but just what I needed. I'm up to my eyeballs in stressful revision, 'detox' tea is right what I need. Smells like lemon grass, we'll see how this works out...

WEI Pomegranate Buffing Beads

This half term leads me onto late nights, hopefully this can revive me for school on Monday morning! 

OPI Nail Lacquer in Pompeii Purple

Barbie pink is not quite my style, but it's certainly pretty.

With a purple sheen to it, it catches the eye beautifully.

Laura Geller Beauty Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liner in Black

Woah, product rehash?! I got this in March, and was somewhat impressed.

But again in May? I didn't like it that much. 

Murad Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisture For Eyes

An eye cream - something that I feel totally indifferent to.

But it feels nice, and like the Buffing beads, I hope it makes me look half presentable. 

Electric Hair Intense Treatment Masque 

Truly this is the only thing that got me excited in the whole box. I've never heard of this brand, but I am a fan of hair masks. Gimme gimme! 

For more information about Birchbox click here

Oops... May 2013

In my last post I aired my one of my many weaknesses, Boots. So obviously I went to fulfil my material needs and ended up picking up a few things.

Bourjois Cream Blush in 04 Sweet Cherry

I'm quite excited about this. The packaging is simple, effective (the little mirror is so handy) and the colour range is a small one but with very good variation. 

Boots Natural Collection Powder Blush in Peach Melba 

I've heard about this for AGES. Now I've finally got my hands on it I'm pleasantly surprised,

I definitely underestimated these! 

Real Techniques Blush Brush 

 Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous

This is my first orange lip product, and I like it. It lasts for ages, and the colour is just outstanding.

 Rimmel Kate Nail Vanish in Soul Sessions

Simple lilac toned nude. Another like. 

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara in Black

Nothing can ever replace my love for YSL mascaras, but this will have to fit the bill for now. 

My lashes look super long, but doesn't hold a curl for long enough for my liking. 

 

Seventeen On The Spot Foundation in Fair

I regret buying this. BIG TIME. My skin's been under it these last few weeks (exam stress and the like) so I thought I'd give a budget anti-spot foundation. I hate it. It's sticks to dry patches on my face like no tomorrow, and it's probably a bit too dark for me. But it does last for a substantial amount of time and has a half decent coverage. Maybe I need to stick with it and see how it goes.

There we have it, a couple of things. This is why I shouldn't go shopping on my own, I get far too carried away. 

My Kryptonite

In no way am I saying I'm superman;
1. I'm don't own a cape (secretly, I want one, but we'll keep that between you and I)
2. I don't have an alter ego
3. I don't wear my knickers over tights, but then again my attention span does last for about 3 seconds, so one day it will happen. Put a wager on it.

But what I will say is that I have weakness, my Kryptonite: a trip to boots after payday. For some people, its ice cream or I don't know, shorts maybe. Or more specifically, nail vanish. But me, oh give me the whole hog. I'm not picky.

Its like I'm uncontrollable. I'm like an animal, I rage through the store, basket in hand filled  with random, unexplained items. All of which I don't need and will rarely use.

I have a problem, but I've heard I first steps to recovery is to admit it.

Look at me, trying to justify my greed to materialistic things as an addiction. I'm a horrible person. It's just a habit, an expensive, inefficient habit. Urgh.

So tell me I'm not the only one, what's your Kryptonite, your weakness?
Or alternatively, if you had the opportunity to tell superman that humans do not wear pants over tights, would you?

Have yourself a lovely day!

Homemade Iced Coffee | May Bank Holiday Madness!

I woke up in a VERY good mood this morning; it was one of those mornings where you instantly forget that you have 3 exams in less than a month and that you have a huge bruise on your face (I raced my friend across a field last night and me being me, tripped and fell straight onto my face).

Anywho, it seemed like a perfect morning to make my own iced coffee because quite frankly, I'm not going all the way to Starbucks and paying for something I can make just as good myself - also I fully  intend to spend the entire day in my pjs. So, here we go!

Ingredients:

1 Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream

1 tsp of instant coffee granules (or to taste)

A cup of luke warm water

A drop or two of vanilla extract 

1 tsp of sugar 

Ice cubes

Instructions:

Blitz the ice cream, coffee, water together. It should turn all frothy.

Transfer into a glass (mine's from Ikea)

Add a dash of vanilla and sugar and stir

Add a couple of ice cubes (crush them if you fancy the proper Starbucks treatment)

And enjoy! 

Obvs mine didn't last too long!

April 2013 Favourites

What a hectic month! I feel like I haven't sat down for longer that 10 minutes, and that's why there's been a significant lack of posts this month. Honestly, I've just been overwhelmed with trips away, and coursework. What a combination. So lets get into this...

TV: The IT Crowd
The nerd in me wants to be in the IT Crowd. I don't even care. I want the Roy shirts and I want Moss to be my answer phone message. What I've found with the IT Crowd is that the audience can go either way with it, it's a Marmite programme. However, I'm quite clearly in the 'love it' corner; clever and witty writing, sweet casting, and the fact it's all on Netflix makes me all the happier. Also, it's so 'quotable' it makes cry with joy.

Film: Almost Famous
I watched this at the beginning of the month, but it's a film genre I really like. Set in the 70s, the film sees a high school boy begin to write for Rolling Stone Magazine and follows an up and coming band on their american tour. I really enjoy music films in general  and this movie just has a beautiful juxtaposition of naivety and reality of the music industry. I like it, and plus the cast includes the beautiful Kate Hudson and Zooey Deschanel and the simply great Jason Lee, I don't really know where you can go wring with this. I wouldn't say this is one of my favourite films, but I did enjoy it rather a lot and that's something.

Music: The Strypes
Can we talk about my obsession with the Strypes please?! Even if you say no, I wouldn't listen. I first saw them on Later... with Jools Holland and I was in awe. These boys are 16 and 17 years old and already are talented, tight musicians - Also, how much do they look like the Beatles?! With 60s/70s blues and rock influences, I'm jealous of everything about them. BIG TIME. I guarantee them world domination - after myself of course.

Make up: BeautyBlender
Granted, it's a tool and not a make up product but oh well. Since it turned up in March's Birchbox I've used it every day to apply my foundation. I'll write up a review in the next couple of days, but what I will say is that now I totally understand the HUGE hype over this sponge. Pricey but worth it; you can grab it for £16 pounds each or £24 for 2 on BeautyBay.

Skin Care: Bioderma
Maybe this is my purchase of the year. It's flipping brilliant. a couple of drops on a cotton pad and my entire face of make up has been wiped away, even the stupidly tough mascara. Unfortunately, it can only be purchased in Europe at the minute, however, I've been doing a bit of research and allegedly Bioderma will be coming over to the UK very soon, but there is no set date or designated store just yet. Dammit! I know this bottle is going to last me a long time, but it looks like I'm going to have to take a quick trip to Paris to get some more when it runs out, oh what a shame!