Very Blogger Christmas Party Event - #VeryParty

Shopping for festive party outfits is one of my favourite things to do at this time of year! Very.co.uk invited me to their #VeryParty at their headquarters to see their latest fashion launches.

The showroom looked incredible, it was beautifully decorated for Christmas and had sections for ladies partywear, menswear and children's clothing. The outfits were separated into colour coordinating pieces, making it easy to envision outfits and matching pieces.

There were plenty of gorgeous sparkly going out dresses, tops and jumpsuits, all perfect for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Some of my favourite pieces were the embellished blazer, sequin jumpsuit, embellished boots and a cute bee clutch bag.

You can see their full partywear collection here.

There were also some lovely suppliers on hand, Illasmasqua, Skin Doctors and Lola Rose Jewellery. It was amazing to speak to the team members of these brands and learn more about their products. Illasmasqua gave a half an hour smoky eye demonstration, which gave lots of helpful tips about creating that sultry look without the hassle. Skin Doctors were on hand to chat with us about skincare concerns, plus the goody bag had some of their products to try out. Lola Rose Jewellery provided stunning arm candy to go with the Very partywear.

I had an excellent time at the event and I can't wait to order a festive Christmas party outfit!

SHOP THE POST - USE THE ARROW TO FLICK THROUGH

GIVEAWAY - Mococo Thomas Sabo Together Forever Bracelet Worth £89

I'm super excited to be teaming up with Mococo Jewellery for my latest giveaway. If you haven't heard of Mococo before, it's an online jewellery retailer that stocks popular brands like Olivia Burton, ChloBo, Swarovski, Clogau and Thomas Sabo.

If you live in the North West of the UK, they also have stores in Wrexham, Chester, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Warrington, Wigan, Ruthin and Mold.

During the week leading up to Black Friday through to Cyber Monday, they have 20% off when you spend over £100 with the code SPARKLE20. Jewellery makes an excellent gift, so it's an ideal time to buy Christmas presents.

To celebrate their Black Friday offers, Mococo has kindly provided a Thomas Sabo Together Forever Interlocking Ring Bracelet, worth £89, to giveaway to one of my readers. This stylish piece is made of sterling silver and has two interlocking rings, one with the words 'Together Forever' engraved and the other with diamante sparkles.

All you have to do is enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. This is a UK only giveaway and over 18s. There is no cash alternative. Any false entries will mean you are disqualified. Good luck everyone!

*PR sample

a Rafflecopter giveaway

IT Cosmetics - Bye Bye Undereye Concealer, CC Cream, Super Hero Mascara and Brow Powder Pencil Review

I was first introduced to IT Cosmetics by Anna from The Anna Edit, she raved about the IT Cosmetics CC Cream and its lovely glow so I had to try it out. It’s been in my collection for a few months now and I frequently reach for it when I want to opt for a lighter, radiant finish to my base makeup.

IT Cosmetics sent me a cute makeup bag filled with mini samples of their cult products to try. Inside was two mini sizes of the CC Cream, which will be handy to have for travelling. There were also two shades of the Bye Bye Undereye Concealer, a Brow Power Eyebrow Pencil and a Superhero Mascara.

Reviews I’ve read online say that Bye Bye Undereye Concealer literally erases dark circles and I can agree with that. It’s a super thick, slightly tacky paste. You only need a drop the size of a pinhead under each eye and this can be worked into the skin with a beauty blender. I think the consistency would be hard to blend with a traditional concealer brush.

I am very impressed with the coverage of this concealer, I used the shade Light and it really illuminated the eye and hid any unwanted purple tones from my dark circles. I used a very thin powder over the top to matte down the slightly tacky texture. During the testing period, I applied the concealer before a long day travelling to Manchester and shopping and lasted brilliantly.

Although the Brow Power Eyebrow Pencil is labelled as a universal shade, I don’t think it is truly suitable for all. I have ombre hair, dark brown at the roots down to a light blonde on the ends. I usually use a medium brown shade on my brows but the IT Cosmetics one is too dark. I can make it work by using the spoolie on the other end to distribute the colour. The pencil is shaped into a fine line which makes it easy to mimic brow hairs as you draw them in. 

Finally the Super Hero Mascara, this has natural bristles and grabs every lash. It both volumises and lengthens my eyelashes and lasts all day without smudging or flaking.

Have you tried anything from IT Cosmetics? They now have their own UK website and you can get 10% off if you sign up to their newsletter.

*PR Sample

Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette Review

I’m still not over the fact that Urban Decay sent me their Heavy Metals Metallic eyeshadow palette and a rainbow light!

Since I was a teenager I’ve lusted after their Heavy Metal Eyeliners, adding them to my Christmas list each year (sadly I never received any from Santa haha). I was excited to see they have transformed their cult glitter eyeliner concept and sparkle into an eyeshadow palette.

The eyeliner range has gorgeous golds and silvers but also vibrant shades like blues, purples and pinks for those who like to experiment with colour. They have reflected this in the chosen shades for the palette. One side is more ‘wearable’ shades, silvers, golds and bronzes. The opposite, on the other side of the mirror in the middle, are more colourful metallics. These include purples, greens and blues.

I’ve talked about UD eyeshadow palettes on my blog many times as there really isn’t a formula that compares. Unlike the Naked palettes which has mattes and shimmers, the Heavy Metals Metallic palette only have shimmers/metallic eyeshadow options. The latest palette provides the same buttery soft, pigmented formula, consistent with its sister palettes. When applied with a fluffy brush the eyeshadow is a beautiful shimmery, diffused colour. If you use your finger or a flat brush, the pigment and sparkle is amped up providing a non-patchy, glittery eyeshadow look.

My most reached for shades are on the more wearable side, I can’t get enough of Maiden, a ‘suits all’ gold shade. ‘Acoustic’, a shade between gold and silver, and ‘Bass’ a shimmery brown, are also well loved. There is also some beautifully vibrant golds and reds, perfect for an Autumn look.

Left to right - Scream, Roadie, Afterparty, Demo, Bass, Acoustic, Maiden, Angelfire, Starfire and Glory

I’d love to do a festive green look with the shade ‘Mullet’, which is on the more colourful side of the palette. For me, the shades on this side aren’t for everyday wear, but I am glad to have them in my collection for nights out, especially with the party season coming!

Left to right - Twisted, Mullet, Metalhead, Spandex, Ground, Glamrock, Amp, Punk Rock, Dive and Aluminum 

The only gripe I have with this palette is that you must put it back in its purple sleeve the correct way, it has grooves and stoppers so if you try and slide it in another way it won’t go in. I don’t mind the mirror being in the middle but I have seen reviews stating this is a little bit inconvenient.

The Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic palette is priced at £42 and has 20 eyeshadow shades. That works out as £2.10 per eyeshadow! The pan size isn’t huge but the pigment is concentrated so you don’t need to use as much to build the colour and glitter. With the Christmas party season coming, you need to get your hands on this palette!

*PR sample

SHOP THE POST

Busy B 2018 Perfect Planner Review

I’m the person who forgets an event or appointment, so I’m trying to get my sh*t together and get organised. Que the Busy B 2018 Perfect Planner!

I’m now an ambassador for Busy B so I thought I’d share my thoughts on their planner ahead of Christmas, as lots of people put them on their Christmas list.

The Busy B 2018 Perfect Planner is a lovely pale teal colour with gold embossed numbers. It’s a week to view diary, which displays the week over two pages. You’ll also find a section for notes and a mini month calendar on the same page.

There is plenty of space for me to fill in meetings, birthdays and events. I don’t plan my day by hours, so space is ample. A month to view is also available, with a square for each day. Organisation lovers will love the pages dedicated to birthdays, expenses, reminders and contacts.

I love that there are handy pockets to slot papers and tickets as well as a tear off notepad on the back page. Sticker lovers will be happy to know that the planner comes with metallic planning stickers included.

Busy B also kindly sent me a set of pens and some fun sticky notes which I can use inside the planner. I’m very impressed with the quality of the planner and I adore the design features. I can’t wait to get planning 2018!

The Busy B 2018 Perfect Planner is £14.99. You can get 25% off your order with the code CHERRIESXMAS.

My code CHERRIESXMAS gives you 25% off everything at BusyB.co.uk, minimum spend £15, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, including gift sets of two products or more. Valid from 1st – 31st December 2017. Discount cannot be applied after order has been placed.

*This post contains PR samples

Ideal World Bloggers Box - Ideas for Christmas Presents - GIVEAWAY

It’s not often I discover a new way to shop online for beauty products. I’m glad that I’ve been shown Ideal World for beauty shopping, the site is filled with beauty brands and products that are completely new to me.

The blogger box arrived just when I was starting to think of Christmas gifts. Everything included in the box would make a great gift for a beauty lover, whether that be your mum, sister, aunty or a friend, there is something for everyone.

First up in the box was a perfume, Change by Lisa Riley. The clear square bottle would look great on anyone’s dressing table and I adore the orange box that it is presented in. This would be ideal for those who don’t love overly floral fragrances as it has a sexy masculine note running through it. Lisa Riley also has her own clothing line on Ideal World, if you wanted to check it out.

Next up is something that is perfect for the party season. A white smile can really boost your confidence, the Nano Tooth Whitening Kit is perfect for this! I find continued use of a tooth whitening toothpaste really does help keep my teeth looking fresh.

The Strictly Come Dancing Show Stopper Gradual Tanning CC Cream would also be great for nights out during the party season. Gradual tans are the most foolproof way to tan, you can build the layers for an even glow.

Elizabeth Grant products were also featured in the blogger box I received. There was the Face Mask Collection and the Day and Night Cream. The mask set is so handy to have, my skin changes throughout the season so you can switch up which formula you use.

The Blogger Box also contained the Elizabeth Grant Supreme Cell Vitality with Gold Day and Night Cream. The product is housed in beautiful tubs with diamante detailing. They even come with a mini spatula which you can use to hygienically take the cream out of the pot before applying. 

I think there is something for everyone in this box, Ideal World has plenty more fantastic beauty products online.

I'm giving away the contents of the Ideal Beauty Blogger Box to 1 lucky winner. Please use the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Over 18s and UK only.

*This post contains PR samples

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Beauty Box That Changed My Mind

When beauty boxes first launched they were an exciting concept that all beauty bloggers wanted in on. However, the market quickly became oversaturated with options and it was hard to tell which brands had the best deals and products.

I personally haven’t subscribed to a beauty box before, as I’m not a huge fan of not knowing what is in each monthly box, you could end up with some duds! This is where Latest in Beauty comes in.

LIB provides monthly beauty boxes where you can choose the products that come inside. Yes, the surprise is gone but you are guaranteed to receive products which are suitable for your skin and the best value for money.

There are 3 types of subscriptions, Beauty Novice, Beauty Enthusiast and Beauty Guru. Beauty Novice allows you to choose 3 products for £9, Beauty Enthusiast is priced at £15 for 6 products and the Beauty Guru, which I received is £18 for 9 products. All boxes come with free delivery and there is also an option to receive a beauty box as a one-off for a little bit extra. 

There was plenty to choose from when I made my selection. Samples differed from sachets to 30ml sizes. I picked out products that I hadn’t tried before from brands I recognised. Here is what I select in my Latest in Beauty ‘Beauty Guru’ box.

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Hair Healer Leave-In Conditioner

The 30 ml sample should hopefully cover 2 usages. I’ll be adding this to my pamper routine as my hair has become drier since I have had ombre added to my hair.

La Roche Posay Redermic Anti-Wrinkle Care

This comes in a tiny 5ml size but enough for a few applications to test out the formula. It contains 0.3% retinol, an ingredient famous for its anti-ageing properties. Now I’m in my mid-twenties I’m eager to start adding products to my skincare routine that will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the long term.

Sanctuary Spa Foaming Micellar Cleansing Water

This is a bit of an odd product, as I’ve never heard of a foaming micellar water before. It also says it’s suitable for removing eye makeup, I have sensitive eyes, so I’ll report back. The sample size is 50ml.

Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Bath and Shower Oil

I always add these bath oils to my Christmas wishlist but I’m yet to try one out. The fragrance has eucalyptus, pine, tea tree and peppermint notes. It’s refreshing and would be amazing to clear the sinuses if you had a cold, just add a few drops to your night time bath. The sample is 3ml.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

This cleanser will be excellent in the winter months, the AHA’s and BHA’s will work together to remove dead skin cells, leaving a glowy, clear appearance to the skin. The sample is 30ml.

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

You might have seen my Jurlique facial review, where I discussed my love for their facial mists. I’m glad to have this little travel-friendly version, it’s only 15ml.

Omorovicza Refining Facial Polisher

This brand is raved about by skincare bloggers, but I am yet to try anything from their range. It’s a dark cleanser with natural pumice particles to help exfoliate the skin. The sample provided is 30ml.

Masque Bar Pore Refining Crème Mask

Another refining skincare product I selected, this one comes in a 15ml sachet. The only problem with sachets is that you can seal the product back up if you hadn’t finished the mask completely.

Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb

I’m already a huge fan of the Origins masks so I thought it was about time I tried one of their serums. It’s lovely and lightweight and smells zesty and refreshing. The sample is 15ml.

I’m very impressed with the selection of brands available to choose from within the Latest in Beauty boxes. If you selected a one-off box, you could pick a few products a friend might like a personalised pamper box.

Have you had a beauty box from Latest in Beauty?

*This post contains affiliate links and PR samples

SHOP THE POST