November Glossybox

First off I'll admit I was a touch disappointed when I first opened Novembers box. They've spoiled recently with full sized "samples" and real luxury brands so this month was a bit of an anticlimax. I got over that pretty quickly, however, when I looked at what I'd got. I should mention that at the time of writing this I haven't seen another review and have no idea what other products were received so I can't compare my box to others, I generally avoid reading other Glossybox posts as I'd like to think I got the best selection and if I didn't I'd rather not know. So.. here's what I did get...

Arbonne Ultra Hydrating Hande Creme 

Dead Sea Spa Magik Delicate Boosting Mask

Illamasqua Freak Eau De Parfum

Nail Rock Designer Nail Wraps

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Now that last one... that really turned me around on this months box. I love any kind of hair treatment and this one looks a bit special. It's an "Intensive, super moisturising pre shampoo treatment for all hair types. Adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine." Who wouldn't want to try that? Its a 40ml sample and a full sized 500ml tube would set me back a whopping £52.10 so it's definitely a try before you buy kind of product. I'd very much doubt I'd shell out that kind of money unless it left my hair feeling virgin-soft but it will be a nice treat for my first post-baby pamper. 

The  hand cream.. it's always nice to have travel sized hand creams for your bag, right?

The perfume sample.. I'm not sure about yet... there may be a follow up review on that.

The nail wraps.. I haven't used the last ones I got in my glossy box yet but as these are leopard print they're more likely to get worn.

Lastly, the spa mask. The last sample I got from the Dead Sea Spa range was a huge disappointment. It was the exfoliator sachets and they stung my skin so badly (I don't have particularly sensitive skin so I was surprised at the reaction) so I'm a bit dubious about this one but I do love a face mask so I will definitely try it out.

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The little info card that came with this months box said that November and Decembers selections would be aimed at products to add to your Christmas wish list or gift to others. I like that idea in theory but let's be real.. this box is no different to any other month, the items are not particularly festive or "gifty" but it's a nice marketing spin on the last 2 boxes of the year. I am very interested in the new Mens Glossybox they are launching which was also advertised and will be ordering one for the man in my life for sure.

I love the sample box idea, he will appreciate little bits to try almost as much as I do and the thought of little grey glossy boxes stacking up next to my pink ones has me sold. 

Miss BB

Halloween Nails

I wanted to try a Halloween nail tutorial so I enlisted my Mum as a hand model. We have an annual Halloween party so I considered it a dry run for next weeks festivities. None of us has decided what to go as yet.. any suggestions are very welcome! Anyway... I saw a picture of Jack-O-Lantern style nails somewhere and was inspired. I wasn't sure how easy it would be so played it safe with crackle glaze over most nails and a statement nail art finger. I think I will try some different styles during the week.. maybe ghosts or witches... hmmm...

The pumpkin pattern was actually really simple to achieve with the nail art pen I have so I think I could be more adventurous with my next try.

What I used..

Models Own polish in Orange Sorbet

Barry M Crackle Nail Paint

Models Own Wahl Nail Art Pen

Let it be known that the extra bit of nail art (on the left)... entirely the models idea! Not that I'm not totally on board but it gives you an insight in to the mind of the woman who raised me and perhaps why I am like I am...

Glitter Tips

I tried so hard to get a good photo of this.. These were the best I could do on my phone. I'm not sure it really does the blue colour justice. I used MUA dark blue with really fine glitter.. Impossible to read the shade number. On the tips I used OPI Coronation.. First time I've used this.. Very nice! I sealed it all with my favourite Sally Hansen top coat.
Have to say.. MUA don't get enough recognition for their polishes, I have most of them and they never fail to impress me for quality, this shade in particular looks so much more expensive than it's £1 price tag.

So thats my nail art for the week... Whaddayathink?

Leopard Print - Nailed!

I am totally loving the leopard print nails trend that hit a while ago and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. I keep seeing it on posts from other bloggers I follow and every time I think I must try that for myself.. well since I bought the Models Own Nail Art Pen I had no excuse not to give it a go so... here is my first attempt.

I first applied 2True Fast Dry Nail Colour in Shade 9

Once dry I blobbed on some Soiree from MAC

Then I just kind of doodled around it in a leopard print fashion.. it's not my neatest work but that's the beauty of this.. it doesn't really have to be! I will definitely be trying this out with some other colours but If you've tried this yourself I'd love to see your versions so leave me a link in the comments or email me a picture. Having scoured Google Images for inspiration prior to doing it myself I've seen so many different versions, I love to see the different interpretations of a trend. So many new and creative ways to keep it fresh.

Models Own Nail Art Pen

I have wanted this for the longest time but never bought it. I don't know whether I thought I wouldn't use it or it was just a bit more than I wanted to spend (£6, can be bought online here) but I've just never taken the plunge and made the purchase. I kept seeing all these cool posts on the nail art of other bloggers and I just couldn't resist any longer so here it is, it's finally mine and I love it!

The only available colour right now is black but I hear there is a white on the horizon so it's only a matter of time 'til colours are introduced. After I bought this I also saw an Andrea Fullton Version in Superdrug that was slightly cheaper I believe and had silver and pink versions so I may have to try those next.

Anyway... it has two applicators , one when you unscrew the lid as you would a conventional polish is a very fine "striping" brush.. see below 

The other when you pop off the cap on the lid is a pen. You squeeze the polish through the tiny nib, it's a genius little device really that allows you these two effects from one relatively inexpensive product.

It's easy to control and you could either achieve some really detailed patterns or a simple dotted effect with a lot less effort than you'd think.

As you can see from my random doodle... I think the pen end will be my favoured applicator, the striper is all well and good but there's a lot more room for error with smudging and the like.

Are you into Nail Art?

Any great pens you'd recommend?

Friday Night Swag

I love a bit of Friday night, after-work shopping, don't you? The only thing is I see things I don't buy and then the next day is Saturday so I inevitably return to purchase those items I've decided I must have after all.. d'oh! The whole point of late night shopping is to avoid the weekend crowds!!! Anywho. I thought I would share a few offers I noticed. Number one on my list was Boots are giving away a free Glam Eyes liquid eyeliner with any purchase over £5. Now they did me good 'cause I went in for the mint green nailpolish you see here which was £4.49 and there was no way I could find something for 50p to top uo my purchase so I ended up replacing my Stay Matte powder which died recently. Rimmel's Exaggerate liquid liner is my all time fave so I'm really looking forward to trying out the Glam Eyes. Second deal of the evening was Maybelline's new Colossal Cat Eyes mascara was down to £5.99 from £7.99 in Superdrug for it's launch PLUS you get 300 beauty card points with the purchase!! bargain! I know I bought a new mascara last week but with that kind of logic this one was practically free (expect pics and review very soon). Unfortunately as I am a total numpty I forgot to give them my beauty card when I got to the till so I'm more than a little peeved but am hoping they will add my points from my receipt.. I haven't opened it just in case.. I figured I was probably going back today anyway.

Not all of you will be interested in this next one but as I'm getting more and more fat.. okay, pregnant, I am developing the worst cellulite of my life and it's all the way down to my knee!! I know us girls are plagued with the orange peel, dimpled thighs but it's getting beyond a joke. I seem to remember getting a little obsessive about cellulite the first time round so I'm hoping it's just a symptom that will go away but none the less I couldn't resist half price Perfect Slim from Loreal. They do a whole range of "sculpting" type gels and creams and they are all half price in Superdrug right now so if you love them or have ever wanted to try them now is the time to go pick one up! I did also buy a new MUA eyeliner I've never tried before as well as a Models Own nail art doodah that I've wanted forever but they weren't as exciting as my final buy.. Coconut Oil. I forget the exact price but it was under £2 for sure. It can be used on the skin as a moisturiser, it can be used as a leave in conditioner on your hair and it can be used as an intensive mask for those with dry or damaged tresses like mine. Result! I slathered (lying - Lee slathered) it all over myself last night and this morning I am feeling pretty darn moisturised. It's a bizarre formula that is hard in the tub and melts on contact with your skin to a kind of oil. I will post about it in more detail but I urge you all to go out and get a tub.. I will be trying it out on my hair this morning too.. can't wait!

I also feel it necessary to mention this awesome jumper I got from Primark for the fabulous price of £10

I am totally in love and very excited that these plain, chunky knits are back in fashion. They are so my style and what I like is so rarely "in" so I will be embracing this trend to replenish my wardrobe for years to come. One of the items I'm going back for today is a Zara cardigan that I just can't stop thinking about. I dearly wish brands would give up putting weird elbow patches on stuff but the ones in Zara are the least vile so I think I must have it.

Do any of you indulge in a weekly spree? what awesome finds did you pick up this week?

Leopard Nails

This is so easy if you follow these steps...

The two colours could be anything but I chose Molten by Miners and Formidable by MAC 

Molten went on first, just one coat... 

 

Then Formidable..

This was a good choice as it's sheer.. 

I did kind of a half manicure... no need to be neat as you're pretty much covering it all up anyway..

Lastly Barry M's Nail Effects... this is the magic ingredient... 

VERY IMPORTANT

this is a one coat deal.. two coats and you'll ruin it!

As you can see a little better in this picture putting the nail effects over the top kind of blends the colours beneath.. I love the effect! These two colours looked very leopard printy but I tried it will some different shades for halloween and it looks really cool no matter what you use! 

Try it out and send me your pictures to missbudgetbeauty@hotmail.co.uk

xoxo

miss bb