It feels like forever since I last wrote a blog post (3 whole months, in fact!). I've been finding it far easier to post little trichotillomania and beauty posts / updates over on Instagram. Life has been increasingly hectic and blogging is like a part-time job; I feel as though there is less and less time in the day to continue with the hobby and it just becomes yet another thing I need to juggle. A quick snap and sharing my thoughts in a caption is almost all I can muster these days, which is a shame as I used to love updating my little corner of the internet! This post has come about after I splashed out and actually treated myself for once to a bundle of beauty products in the form of the new Latest In Beauty box of Summer Style Essentials in collaboration with the Sunday Times Style. And boy is it a good one...so good that I had to log back onto my old, rusty laptop and share it with you!
This beauty box costs £46.00 (plus delivery) and contains 16 products worth a whopping total of £229.00 (with 6 of them being full size), so straight away I was drawn in by the incredible value for money. I've been put off by beauty boxes in the past either due to the unknown element of what products you will receive, or only liking a couple of the products on the list; most of the products in this box sounded like things I would love, or were brands I use/have used and enjoy, so I knew that I would actually put most of these to good use and they would be well worth the money. None of the products in this box feel like 'space fillers', which is a good sign!
The products you receive in this box are (* are full sized):-
- Elemis Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial (hydrating overnight mask)
- * SUQQU Designing Color Eyes eyeshadow palette (four shades- the shades vary from box to box)
- Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil (Heat/UV Protective Primer)
- Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Body Builder spray (twist the nozzle for more or less oomph to adjust your look)
- * Aveda Hand Relief Moisturising Cream
- * OPI nail varnish in 'Don't Cry Over Spilled Milkshakes' (a gorgeous white shade for summer tans)
- * BareMinerals BarePro Glow Highlighter Drops (I got shade 'Free' but there are 4 different shades available in this range)
- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
- * MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in 'Sultry Move' (a nude tone)
- * CODE8 Precision Liquid Eyeliner in 'Carbon Black'
- Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam (shade 'dark')
- Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum
- Clinique Take The Day Off Make-Up Remover
- Kiehl's Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream (gorgeous and lightweight!)
- Smashbox Super Fan Mascara (I can't wait to try this once I have eyelashes!)
- Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc Eau De Parfum
Whilst I am yet to try a few of these, I've given most a go (I was so impatient that I started using them all before I had the chance to photograph). Here's some products that I have a few words to say about:-
SUQQU palette
This palette is just stunning to both look at and use. The shades I got in my palette are all very neutral (perfect for me as I'm quite boring with eye make-up) and shimmery...so everything I usually go for! They blend perfectly and are quite pigmented with little fall-out. Very easy for everyday wear and the palette itself just feels so luxe. I've seen other palettes also contain some red tones but I think for the most part these quads will offer something for everyone. (These retail at £46.00 alone, so the cost of the whole box!)
BareMinerals BarePro Glow highlighter
When I first use this I had zero expectations or knowledge about the product. So when I first opened and pumped the highlighter onto the back of my hand, a dribble of very runny product came out! This liquid highlighter is oil based and needs a good shake up before use (remember to keep the pumped locked by twisting), but the results are quite stunning. The photo below is the product after having been shaken...still quite runny! The shade I received, 'Free', is a beautiful champagne colour. Although you've got to work quite fast, it does blend well with both a brush or fingers. So far I've only used it as highlight on my cheekbones (together with the other usual light-catching spots) and the result is a lovely, dewy glow. You can also mix a few drops in with your usual foundation or BB/CC cream for an all over gleam. It's one of those products that you've got to learn to use, and whilst the shimmer is fab, I think I still prefer my powder highlighters just for their ease!
MAC Powder Kiss lipstick
I've only ever tried one MAC lipstick and I was totally underwhelmed given the associated hype and price tag. I've steered clear of the brand since but was intrigued to see how round two would fare when I saw that one was included in this box. It turns out, my reaction has done a 360 and this lipstick is one of my favourite pieces from the whole box! I've never been a lover of matte lipsticks (which is what this one is) but I will forgive the slightly drier feel for the long-lasting wear and the perfect nude shade of 'Sultry Move'. It matches my skin tone to a tee and is so easy to wear...I have a feeling this is going to be one of those products that never leaves my bag.
CODE8 liquid eyeliner
This is a new brand to me, and this was one of the products I was most excited to try. I'm a bit of an eyeliner hoarder as I'm always on the look-out for products that will help cover my bald eyelids due to my battle with trichotillomania. It turns out that the perfect liquid eyeliner is difficult to come across, so I've stuck to what I know works for my hair loss needs over the years. I thought this could be a game-changer as it looks set to tick all the boxes; carbon black, super fine-tip brush for precision, water-resistant...but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be my wonder-product on first use. Whilst the above is accurate, it seemed slightly too watery for my liking and didn't give that instant jet-black look that I was after. As you went over the liner to re-define, it wiped the remaining product away and it just became a bit of a faff to use. I gave up in the end and haven't returned to it. Perhaps it's one of those products you need to persevere with...
Overall I think this beauty box has done so well at creating a capsule of some really cracking products for summer. I'm looking forward to really trying each one out more (as these are just my first impressions), and it was such a great way to treat myself to something new that I knew would put a smile on my face after a rubbish few weeks; a bundle of products, each exciting in their own way, that I would look forward to using every day for ages. And obviously the sheer value of this box tipped me over the edge into that I'm buying this NOW frame of mind. You can browse (or buy) this beauty box HERE if you so wish....you won't regret it, I promise you that!
Some other posts you might like:
My Current Skincare Routine
Are We Over Beauty Subscription Boxes?
Why Makeup Is So Important to my Mental Health
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