REVLON COLORSTAY FOUNDATION REVIEW!

Hello lovelies!
I recently purchased the REVLON Colorstay foundation after hearing many good reviews about it and I've been testing it out for the past few weeks now.

I wanted a more full-coverage foundation which was too heavy on the skin as my skin has been quite dry lately meaning that foundations tend to bring out more of its texture. I'd heard a lot of good reviews about the REVLON colorstay foundation so I thought I'd give it a go - it's currently £9.99 in BOOTS but it is usually priced at £12.99.

I purchased the combination/oily version of the foundation which sounds silly considering my skin is quite dry but the formula is still quite dewy and some parts of my face can become oily throughout the day so I thought this would be the best option. I first tested the lightest shade in the range as I'm extremely pale right now (the name of this shade I can't recall) but this was much too pink for my skin tone. I doubted the next shade up with be pale enough but I was wrong and it was more yellow-toned so fitted my skin a lot better - the shade I ended up choosing is called "Buff" (number 150).

Formula
As I've said, although this foundation is for combination/oily skin, it is still a very dewy, hydrating foundation. It looks absolutely beautiful on my skin and really evens out the colour, especially where I tend to get redness. I'm not sure if others would class this as full-coverage if they use matte foundations regularly, but the foundations I use are usually dewier so, in comparison, the REVLON colorstay is much more full-coverage. 
I also have certain areas where my skin looks more blue-toned due to veins such as around my eyes and temples so the yellow tones in this shade of the foundation evens this out also. 
The only area I have a slight issue with the formula is around my nose and between my eyebrows where my skin is driest - around these areas, it looks slightly cakey but this is less of a problem if I use a really hydrating moisturiser or primer underneath. 

Long-wearing?
On the bottle, REVLON claim that their foundation can last for 24 hours (but is stated in small print on the back "UP TO 24 hours") which is definitely a big claim to make! I will say that it is very long-wearing compared to other foundations but throughout the day it wears off around my nose. However, this is a big problem area of mine with any foundation anyway so it may just be that, where my skin is drier, this version of the foundation isn't suited to stay put for a long amount of time.

Packaging
There's not much to say about the packaging! The product comes in a simple glass bottle with a pump. I think I've heard people say they have recently changed this product to having a pump which is really good as those without a pump really annoy me. The information on the bottle is simple and easy to read and I like the overall appearance.

Overall impression

Overall, this foundation has definitely become one of my favourites from the drugstore and is extremely affordable! The colour is perfectly matched to my skin which is a big selling point for me - it's so hard to find a pale enough foundation which isn't pink-toned. I will probably wear this foundation more so for occasions such as date nights, meals etc. because it looks beautiful for a few hours but I don't think it lasts over the course of a long day on my skin around my nose which really annoys me. But, as I said, it lasts beautifully on all other parts of my face!
I'm really impressed and really happy with this foundation! I may purchase the version for dry skin next time to test out how the coverage compares.

Thank you for reading, I hope this was helpful! I definitely recommend trying this foundation out if you're looking for a more full-coverage foundation which isn't too thick.

Holly Amber X

DECEMBER GLOSSYBOX REVIEW!

Hi lovelies,
After a very busy time at uni lately, the December GLOSSYBOX which contained five items was definitely a welcome treat. 

The first item in the box was a full-sized Luminzer palette from essence which contained a pearly highlight, a rose highlight and a golden highlight (this retails for £3.00). The palette is a generous size and the colours of the highlights are very pretty - my personal favourite is the rose shade. However, they have quite a bit of glitter in them rather than just being shimmery which isn't my favourite but I'm sure this wouldn't bother everyone!

The second item in the box was a REVLON nail polish in the shade "Gray Suede" which usually retails for £6.49. This is definitely my favourite item in the box! I love REVLON nail polishes and this colour is absolutely gorgeous. Although its described as a "gray suede" I definitely think this is more of a pink-nude colour with hints of grey tones. Very very happy with this item!

The third item in the box was a GOSH Mono Eyeshadow in the shade "dark green" which usually retails for £8.99. This shade is a very deep, forest green with a lovely shimmer - for someone more confident with their eyeshadow, I'd apply this with your finger rather than a brush to get a more intense colour and this would look absolutely gorgeous for the current season over Christmas time!

The fourth full-sized item in the box was a semi-matte lipstick from MDMFLOW in the shade "Bossy" which usually retails for £18.00. Glossybox subscribers got to choose between two shades of this lipstick for their box which was a nice idea to get the shade which you preferred. The lipstick is packaged as a gold bullet which is really cute and the shade is a cool-toned brown-pink shade (they describe it as taupe on the information sheet) which is a really unique colour I haven't really seen before. Although this looks mostly matte on the lips, it doesn't feel as drying as other matte lipsticks and you can still rub your lips together as you wear it. 

And finally, the last item in the box was a "Browcote" from the brand Lipcote - an eyebrow setting gel. This waterproof, transparent gel claims to hold your brow hairs and eyebrow products for hours with a weightless finish. I have tried this and the gel was really nice, the little brush went through my eyebrows well and the gel didn't feel uncomfortable when it dried. However, I'm not sure how long this would last as it doesn't feel like your brows are completely set in place indefinitely. But apart from that, I'm happy since I needed a brow gel anyway!

Overall I'm extremely happy with this months GLOSSYBOX and there's still a chance for you to receive it too if you subscribe soon - if you do so through THIS LINK it will also get your 20% off your first box! 
Thank you for reading as always, 

Holly Amber X

SEPTEMBER 2016 GLOSSYBOX REVIEW!

Hi there lovelies!
I've been missing a monthly beauty box treat to myself, from myself so when I saw a sneak peak of what was in the September GLOSSYBOX, I re-subscribed and I was extremely excited to see the postman at the door Saturday morning with it in his hand!

The box's design was the "editor's choice" Red Edition by the beauty director of Red Magazine and inside were 5 items plus a bonus sample of a product! Each GLOSSYBOX also comes with an information card telling you about the products and their normal retail prices which is really helpful.

The first item in the box was the thing I was extremely excited for after seeing the 'sneak peak' in my email - a luxury sample size of the Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' mascara which usually retails for £19.00. I have been wanting to try this mascara out for such a long time now so I can test out this sample before buying the full-size version! Its a brilliant, buildable mascara which both thickens and lengthens lashes and after trying it out I am definitely impressed. The packaging is beautiful and, as a bonus, GLOSSYBOX sent out the waterproof version which is even better.

The second item was the full-size version of the Rodial 'Smokey Eye Pen' which retails for £17.00. It is basically an eye-liner style black kohl product which you can use either as a neat eyeliner or smudged out to create a smokier look. It has a very creamy texture which is extremely pigmented and is really easy to use to create whichever look you are going for! 

The third item was a full-size version of the 'Antioxidant Lip Balm' from the Organic Pharmacy which usually retails for £12.00. I absolutely love receiving lip balms as they always come in handy, especially as we approach the colder months and my lips start to dry out easier. The balm includes ingredients such as shea butter, honey, cocoa butter and rose hip which give it a lovely scent on the lips as it slowly sinks in and moisturises. 

The fourth product I was thrilled to see in my box - a full sized REVLON Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat which usually retails for £7.99. This is by far the best line of nail polishes I've ever tried and you can read my review of them here. This top coat definitely gives the 'diamond' effect as it creates a beautiful shine whilst preventing chips and preserving your manicure for longer than usual - I had just started to run out of this product so perfect timing to receive it in my box!

The fifth product in the box was a full-sized 'Hydro Face Mask' from Vitamasques which usually retails for £7.99. I'm not usually a fan of sheet masks but this one claims to be made from a slicker material which prevents slipping on the face whilst holding in as much moisture as possible, slightly different to your usual sheet mask. It also claims to hydrate your skin for up to 120 hours so we shall see!

Also as a bonus I received a sample of the BODY SHOP Himalayan Charcoal, Puryfying Glow Mask which retails for £15.00 in the full-size. I believe this to be one of the five natural-based, 'vegetarian' face masks the BODY SHOP has created and I actually wanted to give these a try - this sample will allow me to test it out on my skin without buying the full-size to do so! Lovely addition to the box!

The overall retail price of the 5 main products in the box is £63.98 so when you only pay £10.00 for the box, thats definitely a brilliant deal (especially when four out of the five products were full-sized!). You can still get your hands on the September box I believe so if you're interested you can sign up to GLOSSYBOX here which will give you 20% off your first box!
Thanks for reading lovelies, I can't wait to share next month's box with you all!

Holly Amber X

TWO WONDERFUL REVLON LIP PRODUCTS!

I recently took a trip to BOOTS which lead to me to two new purchases - both lip products, both REVLON and I am in loveeeee.

I'm a person who's always looking for the perfect nude lip products and after trying the following two I am extremely happy and they're all I have been wearing since I bought them. 
The first of these products is the (relatively) new REVLON Ultra-HD Matte Lip Colour in the shade 'Seduction' (a peachy-pink nude) which is £8.99. I'd been looking for this shade for weeks and it was always sold out - I can see why as its my favourite shade out of the line by far.
I love the packaging of these with its frosted-glass looking plastic tube which you can see the lip colour through. I also quite like the scent of the actual product - it's slightly sweet but even if you disliked the scent you cannot smell it once it sets on the lips anyway.
The product has quite a 'moussey' texture and I find that it doesn't actually set down completely matte on my lips but I've found this with other matte lipsticks with this texture too such as the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams. This means that it doesn't last on the lips for as long as a liquid lipstick does but this doesn't bother me too much as I've been pairing it with my second lip product anyway.

The second product I've been loving is the REVLON Super Lustrous Lipgloss in the shade 'Super Natural' which is £6.99. This shade is less peachy than the Ultra-HD Lip Colour but pairs beautifully with it as its a little more sheer anyway. The packaging is again quite simple but very pretty and elegant but I much less like the scent of this one. However, this doesn't matter to me anyway as you cannot smell it on the lips either once you apply it.
I just think the shine this gives your lips is absolutely beautiful and it makes them feel a lot more hydrated. The texture is quite sticky but it is bearable and means the product stays on a little longer than other lip glosses. 

I am defintiely loving this lip product combination and will be continuing to wear them daily for a long time. Good job REVLON!
Thanks for reading as always,

Holly Amber X

REVLON COLOURSTAY GEL-ENVY NAIL POLISHES!

REVLON ColourStay Gel-Envy
Nail Polishes.

Happy Monday! Being somebody who was an aggressive nail biter since they were very little, over the past year I have eradicated the bad habit and grown my nails out - this also means that I can very rarely go without having my nails painted one colour or another.

I've tried many nail polishes in this very short year where my nails are long enough to actually paint but very recently, I have found my favourites...

The Revlon COLOURSTAY GEL-ENVY Nail Polishes.

After being introduced to these by a friend, these are the only nail polishes I have been wearing for a long time now, none of my other nail polishes compare. These can be purchased for £6.99 each at BOOTS which (for me anyway) is quite a lot to pay for one nail polish and I don't think I would usually pay that price for one.

However, I would much rather spend that price for one of these nail polishes than getting more for a cheaper price which don't compare. I currently have three shades: Checkmate (540) , Perfect Pair (535) & Hold 'Em (460).

The first shade I purchased was "Perfect Pair (535)" which is a beautiful pinky-nude - the perfect pinky-nude for me. Some nudes I find to be more of a purple-tone which I'm not really a fan of, I much prefer this pink undertone. I think I've already used about half of these nail varnish I've worn it so much. I would say it's my favourite but after trying out my next two shades I don't think I could choose a favourite.

The next shade I have is "Checkmate (540)" which is a very cool-toned stone shade (a grey nude). I've never had a nail polish which is this colour before and I was quite hesitant to purchase it but I really like it! It looks like a very classy, subtle shade on your nails - I really like it!

The last shade I own is "Hold 'Em (460) which is a beautiful plum-purple shade - absolutely gorgeous. Sometimes I really struggle to apply darker nail polishes as they can be quite messy but the formula of these makes them really easy to apply. This shade is the perfect plum - not too dark. 

The formula of the nail polishes is quite thin but has a very great coverage - the darker shades seem to be fine with one coat and I only tend to need two thin coats of the lighter shades just to be sure it fully covers my nail. The brush is a paddle-style brush which means it very easy to use and apply the polish with. They also dry quite quickly (as long as you don't apply too much for each coat). They have that gel-like finish which is really pretty and shiny and it also claims to act as a base coat (which is a bonus since you don't have to use a base coat layer). The more layers of nail polish I apply, the messier it seems to get because of how impatient I am but I find these don't need a top coat as the finish is nice (although they do look extra nice with a top coat).

I can't recommend these enough, I absolutely love them and definitely look forward to purchasing more shades.

Thank you for reading! 

Holly Amber X

 Note: I have just saw on the BOOTS website that they are offering select Gel-Envy nail polishes on a 3 for £12 offer so if you are interested I'd definitely have a look at purchasing some on this offer, great value for money!

NOVEMBER GLOSSYBOX REVIEW!

As always, the box came un-damaged and in its beautiful pink and black design. Upon opening the box I was extremely excited. I had received 3 full sized items and 2 travel sized items (which were still a surprisingly decent size).

The first product I came to in my box was a REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS LIPSTICK which can be purchased on the BOOTS WEBSITE FOR £7.49.

REVLON Super Lustrous
Lipstick.

"Pink in the Afternoon"

Each GLOSSYBOX subscriber this month got to choose between 4 shades of the lipstick. I can't remember the other three shades they had offered but the shade I decided on was "Pink in the Afternoon" - a beautiful, classic pink colour. 
The creamy consistency of these lipsticks is amazing; it makes my lips feel so plump and hydrated whilst being long-lasting at the same time. The lipstick itself contains vitamin E and avacado oil which gives it its moisturising properties.
The only thing I dislike about the lipstick is the scent, but it is barely noticeable after applying and it wouldn't put me off purchasing another of these in a different shade.

MUA Undressed Palette.

The next product I came to was an MUA eyeshadow palette (the UNDRESSED palette.)
I have previously bought many of these palettes and loved the eyeshadow formulation so I was happy to receive another which I hadn't previously owned.
Although these palettes are only £4.00 at most high-street makeup stores, you get 12 beautiful shades which are surprisingly good quality for what you pay.
In the picture to the left, the shades are (from the bottom, upwards) Cool Grey, Fuel, Henna, Tawny, Bronze ore, Lion, Hazel, Gild, Fawn, Rose Ash and Puff. 
I personally think these shades are beautiful, metallic shades which could be used for everyday wear or creating a smokey-eyed look for any occasion.

EYLURE Eyelashes.

The next item in the box was some EYLURE NATURALITES fake eyelashes which also came with the adhesive glue. I was very happy that they included some fake eyelashes which were natural-looking as I really dislike dramatic eyelashes for myself.
These lashes are "sweet and subtle" and add natural volume to your existing lashes without it being too obvious that they aren't your own.

They are suitable for all eye shapes, can be cut down to fit smaller eye shapes and can also be re-used.
There are so many different eyelashes you can choose from on the EYLURE WEBSITE for around £5.00 each and they are wonderful quality.

ROYAL APOTHIC Cream Creme Body
Lotion.

The next item I looked at was one of the two "travel-sized" products.
I had never previously heard of the brand ROYAL APOTHIC so I was intrigued to test out one of their products - a body lotion. 
First of all, the packaging of this product is gorgeous! I love the colours and design used - very appealing.
The instructions for use are to "massage into slightly damp skin after bathing to seal in the moisture". 
I'm not sure what the scent of this product is exactly as I can't find it on the packing or information sheet included in the box but it's very fresh and pleasant with some floral properties - nothing too overwhelming. 
The consistency of this product is very moisturising, creamy and absorbs into the skin quickly. 
"Formulated with milk proteins and lactic acid, this rich cream soothes, softens and hydrates dry skin without ever feeling greasy. Nourish your skin as you indulge your senses with subtle fragrance."

Due to the product being travel-sized, I will probably use this mainly as a hand-cream over the winter months as to not run out too quickly. It can be purchased (full size) on the ROYAL APOTHIC WEBSITE FOR £14.50. 

EMITE MAKE UP Diamond Heart (Illuminating)
Primer.

The last product in the box was also the other "travel-sized" product - EMITE MAKE UP's Diamond Heart (illuminating) Base Primer.
I was slightly concerned about the size of the product but when I tested it, I found that you need barely any product at one time anyway as it spreads quite far.
It feels very light on the skin and the scent is very pleasant but again, not overpowering which I like very much. It gives a very subtle, illuminating sheen to the skin which would look beautiful under foundation to give you a glowing complexion. 
"This peach fluid balances skin tone, boosts radiance and creates a smooth finish, perfectly prepping skin for the day (or night) ahead."
I am extremely excited to try this out under my foundation - I have very high hopes!
The full-sized version of this product can be purchased on the EMITE MAKE UP WEBSITE FOR £25.90.



The overall total of the products in the box this month is just over £57!
Although this isn't as high a total as the previous boxes, it is still 5x the amount you actually pay for the box each month which is pretty good value to me! 
Im so pleased with all 5 products I have received this month - wonderful choice from GLOSSYBOX.

I am very excited for the upcoming partnership of GLOSSYBOX with NARS and I will definitely be purchasing the box! Information about this can be found here, i really do urge you to have a look!

I am also excited for next month's GLOSSYBOX after reading the small message at the bottom of the information leaflet:
"Next month, we have a very exciting collaboration on the cards - a beautiful box to match. Beauty blogger Really Ree will be guest editing the Rose Gold collector's edition GLOSSYBOX - December has never looked so festive"

If you are at all interested in subscribing to GLOSSYBOX and receiving the December box, I'd really appreciate it if you did so through this link as I receive reward points :)

Thank you very much for reading!

Holly Amber x