So a while back River Island had a sale on.. And of course I took the chance to grab a few bits, if I'm honest with you guys I was slightly disappointed I spent the whole of about 15 minutes on the website going through the sale and adding various items to my basket. But when I was finished and clicked to see the basket, to checkout it popped up explaining half of my basket had became out of stock! (Shame) So in the end, I only ended up buying two items... (Even though I originally had about six)
The first, which is the product I'm most excited about is this beautiful bag... I picked it purely down to design, the large style appealed to me purely down to being able to use it for university. Carrying books, laptop etc would be perfect to fit inside this bag (plus I don't always like taking too expensive bags into university!). The bag itself has a large compartment inside which is opened and shut by a small metal clasp button... Perfect to put less expensive products in because it can easily be seen as it's not full shut off, I would personally put things like a hair brush, books etc inside that bit.. Within that compratment it as a small zip area like most other bags. But then the part which I love about this bag is on the back theres a full size compartment which is fully zipped across the top which is very secure and perfect to fit my laptop in! The bag also has the option to be used with a satchel strap (which I personally doubt I will use).
I then purchased these beautiful shoes, (website exclusive) I loved the white colour with the croc design it was great for the end of summer and into fall season... And I must admit these are one of the most comfortable shoes I have worn yet, I was worried about the part which shuts by pushing the metal though the material and clasping shut because I have such small, skinny ankles. Normally with shoes (or belts use the same) I have to end up putting an extra hole to make sure it shuts tight around my ankle but these are perfect! No issues!
I know this is probably the smallest mini haul purchase I've wrote about on the blog, but I just had to mention about the bag because of how perfect it is for school/college/university I highly suggest for people to check out River Island because the bags they offer are just perfect. X
Hey guys so recently I've been needing to purchase a new sonic head for my Clinique sonic cleanser, I saw them post about the newest skincare collection City Block being the deepest cleanse they've brought to the market as of yet. I finally got round to visiting my nearest boots store to get the chance to get a full one-on-one experience and get to know all the details about this range...
After a long discussion and demonstration, it was clear this range would be perfect for me to try out. The aim is to give a deep cleanse, removing all dirty and oil (perfect for my oily skin), plus it's great for those of us who wear makeup, and remove makeup because it gets rid of any left by chance (win). So what did I purchase? Well I needed a new sonic head, so I purchased the City Block brush head and then the City Block cleansing gel. To my surprise staff told me if I purchased a third item I get a freebie (of course that appealed to me) so I ended up buying a full size Moisturizer Gel as mine is running low. And then I got a free gift set AND a free full-size chubby lipstick (colour of my choice from the selection available).
City Block Sonic Brush Head - RRP £17
Now with all Clinique brush heads, they are the same price which is a big bonus because considering this is a new product I had doubts the price might of increased but it never! As for the brush head itself, it's probably by far the softest out of the range (I've tried all the brush heads) and I actually love the dark colour because it doesn't show up as dirty.
- NOTE You need the sonic system in order to use this product, it clips onto the system and then acts as your head. I personally get new brush heads every 6 months to maintain hygiene :-)
- View the Brush Head on Clinique's website here.
City Block Purifying Charcoal Cleansing Gel - RRP £18
Now I've been using this gel for about 2-3 weeks and I must admit I love it... When I first got it I was using it twice a day to maximize the most out of the product, when you squeeze the product out it's very dark and black like colour as for the scent its very different and almost reminds me of the outdoor sea?? (strange haha) It honestly leaves my skin feeling beyond clean and smooth, fresh for the day. As time has past I've now been using this once a day and using my other Clinqiue liquid face soap during the morning and the City Block in the evening to give a deep cleanse ready for the night time. I have very sensitive, oily skin which is prone to breakouts regular but since I've been using this I have noticed my oiliness has been controlled dramatically, my breakouts haven't increased nor have they decreased but I feel like it's improved my skin just in 3 weeks of using the product.
- View the Cleansing Gel on Clinique's website here.
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - 125ml with pump RRP £30
This is my go-to moisturizer, I've been using this product for well over a year now twice a day straight after I've cleansed my skin. I use the GEL version because I am very oily, at first £30 seems a lot of money and a lot of people may think you will run out instantly. But I've used my full size 125ml with pump since last year August and ran out just around June time this year, which is amazing. I use one pump and it does my entire face, it controls my skin with oiliness and helps to make sure it doesn't dry out too much (plus it's very lightweight on your skin).
- View the Moisturizer on Clinique's website here.
Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - FREE GIFT!
So because I purchased three products I received this free full size chubby, I got to choose from a selection of colours but decided to go for 02 whole lotta honey because it was very nude like (plus it would be great for fall season). There isn't much to express on the chubbys apart from they are very hydrating on the lips, easy to apply and very natural like.
Gift Set - FREE GIFT!
I also received a free Clinique gift set with lots of mini's inside, now honestly every-time I've purchased off Clinique they have some sort of offer on to get freebies which I love. I think I received this because I spent over so much, or because I purchased two or more items (can't quite remember). So what did I get?
Makeup Bag
The first major noticeable thing I received was the bright summer colour makeup or toiletry bag, its a decent size easy to fit a wide range of mini's inside or even a few full size products.
Liquid Face Soap 30ml dry combination
One thing I have noticed every time I get a free gift off Clinique you ALWAYS receive a mini face soap of dry combination which is slightly annoying since I am oily based. However I always end up giving this away to a family member who I know will use it to the fullest :-)
Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm
This was probably the product I was most excited about in the gift set, this seems to be a full size chubby cheek product in the shade 02 robust rhubarb. The size of the head makes it a perfect size to drag downwards on your cheeks for a natural blush like colour to your face. Plus it's very rouge like quality which I personally prefer as the colour stays, lasts longer and doesn't wear off after a few hours.
High Impact Mascara 3.5ml
Who doesn't love a free mini mascara right? This is in the shade 01 black, and with most mini mascara's you can easily get 1-2 weeks worth out of them (if you use them daily). There isn't much I can state about this product, the wand applicator is very average styled (no bends, unusual shaped etc).
Prep-Start Eye Cream
This is a small mini size 7ml tube of eye cream great to apply after a skincare routine or before an eye makeup session. It's a smalls size but you only need a small amount per eye (honestly), the product itself is a white cream like substance but is very thin and easy to spread across.
Take The Day Off Makeup Remove - lids, lashes & lips.
A generous size 50ml bottle of makeup remove for lids, lashes and lips which is another regular freebie within the Clinique gift sets but honestly I'm not complaining at all! I love this product, it's easy to use, smells great and works beautifully.
Mini LipStick
And finally a mini lip stick in the shade 06 Bubblegum Pop, another freebie I can say I've had previously (but in a different shade). The small size is perfect to fit into handbags, or to try before buying the full size. And surprisingly the pink tone lipstick isn't too bright at all and a lot more neutral tone.
Overall I am once again in love with all my purchases from Clinique and overjoyed with all the freebies I picked up along my way. The store staff in Boots never disappoints me, they are never pushy to purchase, always there to help and make sure you get exactly what you want. Although this was a slightly expensive splurge you could easily pick up one of the products at a time and grow your collection over a period (that is exactly what I did at the beginning of my Clinique journey). X
Hey guys, so I recently visited the Yankee Candle store in Liverpool city center which is another small size store like most I've managed to visit. I went in just to have a quick browse as whats new and to pick up one or two things, that's when I noticed one entire block of shelves was pretty much empty with only one or two things left... On the side there was a 70% off note sign for this display (hence why it was likely to be left empty).
To my amazement the store even had a security guard on the door, my mum asked what was happening why the huge sale? Was the store shutting down? He laughed with a reply of no, they just have too much stock and need to sell it so they can fit the new stuff in... This is the second day of the sale, but they are about to close the shop for lunch then restock after is there anything in particular your after?" My mum was in complete shock, as where I... She asked if there would be any jars in the sale? He then told her to head towards the back of the store, while he would go get some out the back (there wasn't many people in the store as they had just shut the doors behind us).. He came back with a small box of candles that where we picked up a few jars, then decided to go back after lunch to checkout the restock and ended up buying again! (Crazy, but for 70% off who wouldn't?)
Summer Scoop
When I first went into the store there was several votive's in this scent, but when the security gaurd went in the back to get some jars there was one of this scent which I leaped in to get hold of. I picked up three votive's of summer scoop RRP £1.80, but in the sale they was only £0.54p, then I managed to grab the last medium size jar RRP £18.99, but in the sale it was £5.70. The scent is very fresh, food like with a slight sugary sweet with a vanilla ice-cream hint...
Sweet Apple
There was a few large jars and votive's of this scent when the store restocked after lunch, I picked up one because I was struggling to carry for space... The scent is very food-like, with a sweet sugary apple that isn't too overpowering with 'fruity' and 'foody' smells.
Lavender
This scent was the first I saw and grabbed my hands on, they seemed to have a large amount of these on sale (and I would of bought more if I was able to carry them all back with me haha). To my suprise they even had this scent on display in the 'non' sale section even though it was 70% off, as for the scent its exactly what the name is... A very floral, fresh, powerful 'lavender' smell. I picked up one large jar RRP £21.99 but in the sale only cost me £6.60, one medium jar RRP £18.99 but only costing £5.70 in the sale. And then two votives RRP £1.80 but again, in the sale only costing £0.54p.
Lemon Lavender
There was only a small handful of this scent left, they only had medium size jars so of course I couldn't leave it there... The smell is slightly different to the 'lavender' and more of a sweet, watery lemon smell with a slight hint of floral lavender.
Fluffy Towels
This scent was the last on sale, in fact it wasn't even placed out on display and in one of the sale cardboard boxes on the floor. I was just very cheeky and picked up the medium size jar then asked for the price and shocking it was only £5.70 even though it's RRP £18.99. The scent is one of my all time favorites, it's a very soft fresh like smell that reminds me of talcum powder.
Clean Cotton
This melt was in the same box as the fluffy towels, the last medium jar (or the only one I could see in this scent). I picked it up and asked if it was in the sale, assuming it was since there was lots of lavender jars inside the same box... And of course it was!! Retailing in the sale for only £5.70 I added to my basket and purchased straight away. This scent is very soft, refreshing and 'clean' like almost reminding me of newly washed bedding, or the smell of the detergent you use when cleaning... So refreshing!
Pink Dragon Fruit
This was again, the only jar I could see in store of this scent, and of course because it was very bright and pink I grabbed it before anyone else could! The scent is very sweet and tropical, but not too powerful and only costing £5.70 for the medium jar!!! Even though this is RRP £18.99 still on Yankee's website...
Pink Sands
The store seemed to have lots of this jar in medium and small jars so I decided to pick up one medium (£5.70) and three small jars (£2.70). Personally because I thought the small jar size would be a perfect stocking filler for Christmas (yes, I know, I'm already thinking of Christmas haha!). The scent is very soft, exotic and reminds me of a spicy vanilla but nothing too overpowering or food-like.
Lake Sunset
When the store restocked later on after lunch, there was again lots of small jars in this scent, hence the reason why I decided to pick up three small jars. Again I thought these would be perfect for stocking fillers (If I don't use them by then) but for the sale price I couldn't leave them there! Again this scent is very outdoor, fresh and has an 'air' like smell reminding me of summer nights.
Turquoise Sky
The store also had a lot of small jar's in this scent, hence I decided to pick just one up (I would of gotten more but by this point I had already picked up lots of stuff, and was starting to worry about how I would get it all home on the train lol). The scent is very fresh and outdoor like, reminding me of sea waters and the sandy salt beaches.
Witches Brew
Surprisingly, I picked a votive of this scent up which WASN'T in the 70% off sale, RRP £1.80... In fact it was part of the new Halloween range from Yankee (very exciting), I just loved the scent it was very musk like reminding me slightly of winter spices and something unique and exotic.
Overall, I ended up spending a grand total of £68.94, which seems a lot but considering all but one of these products was 70% off I saved a HUGE amount of money... I'm also rather shocked, because all the products are still FULL price on Yankee's website all round I got myself an amazing deal. Let me know if you guys ever got some pretty awesome Yankee Candle deals in the comments below or over my social media?X
So in case anyone doesn't know QVC stock lots of quality, high end brands from cosmetics, skincare, clothing and even home-ware. They recently had a one off amazing deal on Benefit Cosmetics with a five piece 'best of benefit' collection and a makeup bag for only £44.97, where normally this retails for over triple that price!!! All you had to do was select a colour for the gimme brow product (light, medium or dark).
So what was included?
Hoola Bronzer
So I've never used Benefit Hoola before, I've tried some of there other products but didn't know what to expect. Like always it comes in a super cute packaging which is super visible for traveling, with the lid locking shut with magnets (so its not just going to fall open!) and a small brush which is perfect for application. When I applied it I was shocked, you only need a small amount of product on the brush for a good amount to be applied. It honestly gave me the perfect contour on my cheeks instantly, and then swiping across my forehead for extra colour lifted my entire face. (I will be buying this again)
- RRP £23.50 View the product on Benefit Cosmetics website here.
High Beam Highlighter
I must admit, I have used this product before and again you only need a small amount for the perfect 'highlight' finish shimmering away on your skin.. The product itself is liquid based, I normally apply around 2-4 dots along the tops of my cheeks and then blend in either with a brush, sponge or my finger tips. I personally have recently become more of a fan with powder based highlighters, but love using this product still as an all round favorite...
- RRP £19.50 View the product on Benefit Cosmetics website here.
Benetint (Rose)
This is one of those beauty products every girl will love and use, personally I love this product for the winter to pop inside my handbag because it can be a multi use. First off, dot around 2-4 small dots using the brush applicator you get when unscrewing the lid and apply along the apples of your cheeks. Then blending out again with a brush, sponge or your finger tips it gives a naturally pinky-tone glow. Then for matching (which is my all time favoruite use of this product) you can apply this on your lips for a perfect finished look, me personally I prefer to apply on my lips using my finger tips and blend in. Just the perfect product for a matching, natural finish makeup look. :-)
- RRP £24.50 View the product on Benefit Cosmetics website here.
Gimme Brow
Now this is the only product from this collection where you need to pick a colour, for me personally I went for the 'dark' shade as I have very dark brown hair... But if you was blonde, then you would go for the light shade and if you was more auburn hair, medium shade (which isn't too dark or too light) then you would pick the medium shade. This was the first time I would be using this product so was rather excited to try it out, of course I researched the best way to apply and use the product before having a go myself. Benefit advise you apply this in the opposite direction at first, starting from the end of your brow working towards the inner of your face then work backwards setting all the fine hairs. I will admit, the first time I used this product I struggled, my brows ended up looking rather 'thick' and 'over the top' but after my second go I seemed to of got the hand of it and works a charm... The applicator isn't too big, and isn't too small with an unusual formula which is somewhat like a liquid but almost like a gel too? Either way I have fallen in love with the product.
- RRP £18.50 View the product on Benefit Cosmetics website here.
They're Real Mascara
Now this mascara was my all time favorite before Benefit released Roller Lash, then I never used this product again. But since it came in the bundle pack, I gave it another go and WOW!! I now realize why I loved this product so much and have instantly started using this literally all the time... You only need one or two coats and it maximizes the most of extending your lashes, to look naturally long (I even had someone at work ask what 'false' lashes I use because they look amazing).
- RRP £19.50 View the product on Benefit Cosmetics website here.
Makeup Bag
This was the product I was most excited about receiving, as with many QVC 'bundle offers' you always end up getting an awesome, exclusive freebie. I know previously I've received a brow mirror (handheld), and a folding up mirror which I loved. But when this product came, I wasn't overly 'wowed' or fell in love... I felt like the sizing of this bag isn't all that, its very small and 'travel' size like you could probably get about 4-5 large size products in at a push. But I feel like the quality of stitching on this product was rushed, its not to a 'benefit' standard, in fact there is a lot of loose end pieces of stitching come loose, or not cut off correctly. It was slightly disappointing, but with a pair of scissors I can cut then off and use this product as a small travel bag, or something to keep my main makeup products in inside my handbag.
This collection is still available to buy on QVC (UK) but now retailing for QVC price of £65 (which personally is still a great buy), view on QVC's website here. Honestly, it was beyond great value for money and I love every single one of these products some new which I've not tried before hand and some good old time products. X
So this months box arrived and I am super excited to write about it if I do say so, purely because I love every single melt inside.... In case anyone doesn't know I'm a huge food-like scent lover or anything sweet and sugary, of which this months box is pretty much full of that! (I advise if you'r not a food-like scent lover this box might not be best suited for you this month).
So whats inside?
But First Coffee
Now I'm pretty sure this is a new, exclusive or preview melt because I've never seen it before but I wish it had been introduced to my life sooner. It's a must have melt if I do say so myself, the smell is so divine and tasty. It has a light scent of coffee (but nothing overpowering), coated with a sweet sugary cream scent.
Thunderstorm
Now I'm pretty sure I've had this melt before hand, but its so refreshing among the rest of the melts in this months box. This scent is much more fresh, outdoor, and more 'floral' like.
- RRP £2 View this melt on Flamingo Candle's website here.
Rose & Marshmallow
This melt is one of many close to my heart with such sweet scents, it's packed of a fresh soft floral rose with a small hint of a sweet marshmallow melted among.
- RRP £2 View this melt on Flamingo Candle's website here.
Macaroon & Almond
This melt is new to me, I've never seen or herd of the name before and when I saw it was honestly the first I grabbed to smell. The scent 100% reminds me of marzipan you use in baking, it's food-like, sugary and pure tasty.
- RRP £2 View this melt on Flamingo Candle's website here.
Strawberries & Champagne
Another food like scent which is sweet and sugary, this one gets me all excited and honestly wants to just grab a glass of wine while relaxing in a bath! The scent is very 'strawberry' like, but more of a soft fresh scent that's calmed with a creamy sweet cold rich champagne hint.
- RRP £2 View this melt on Flamingo Candle's website here.
Green Apples
With this scent it's not very strong, or overpowering its much more soft reminding me of the smell you get when you open a fresh pack of apples and place them into a fruit bowl.
- RRP £2 View this melt on Flamingo Candle's website here.
Blackcurrant Jam
Now if your not a blackcurrant fan, this melt honestly ins't for you but oh wow I sure do love it! It's packed with a strong powerful 'blackcurrant' smell reminding me of the juice you can buy, but then its got a twist with a thick sugary jam smell you get when opening up a fresh jar. Its beyond tasty....
- RRP £2 View this melt on Flamingo Candle's website here.
Seville Orange
This melt scent is pretty much what the name says, it's slightly strong with the power of fresh orange you get when pealing one open. But it does have much more of a sugary hint too, just a perfect melt to burn after a long day in work or when your baking in the kitchen.
Asian Pear & Plum (15)
Now I assume this melt is some sort of freebie, gift, or thank you from Flamingo candles I know they've done this previously. This melt isn't on this months subscription paper which tells you all the names of the melt, and it has '15' written on it. Assuming I've been a subscriber for 15 months? Well THANK YOU!!! I love it, the scent is very refreshing and clean like, packed with a watery pear scent and a freshly cut plum mixed together.
- RRP £2 View this melt on Flamingo Candle's website here.
Overall, I love this months box my two favorites which honestly blew me away was the 'Macaroon & Almond' and the 'But First Coffee' they are both so sweet and sugary. X
