Belated Birthday Haul

Ciao Bella!

So this a really belated post, but i have been so busy lately with new exciting upcoming events it’s been hard to fit blogging in. But I'm back now and have a few posts planned for the next upcoming week. It was my 20th birthday back in May, so as expected here is my (belated) birthday haul. I didn't get a lot of stuff but i got what i asked for so i can't really complain..


MAKEUP

I always ask for  makeup products that i haven't tried yet, as i love trying out new products or old favourites.

Sleek Blusher & Sleek Pout Paint
I've been dying to try Sleek blushers as many YouTube guru boast how good these are. I was persuaded to ask to a coral shade – sunrise. It looks so natural and almost like a complimentary high lighter.
The sleek pout paints are a dupe for the obsessive compulsive cosmetics lip tar. I was gifted the dark fuchsia shade shade 159 Port which is a deep pink – perfect for a bold statement lip. 

L’Oreal Studio Secret Primer

I’ve tried many different primers but always seem to come back to this little gem. Its priced at £14.29 for 15ml (nearly £1 per 1ml – but its worth it!) . You only need to apply a pea sized amount so it does last a couple of month if you use it every day. It’s a velvet texture which easily glides onto my skin and is easily rubbed in. I apply the primer after I have applied my moisturiser. I can’t go without a base primer as It makes my makeup look flawless and last all day. I would class this primer as heavy duty as it more durable than other primers such as the Rimmel Fix and perfect.

Left to Right:
Clinique eyeliner
Sleek blush in shade
L'oreal Studio secret primer

Benefit They’re Real Mascara
This is a another anticipated product I couldn't wait to try out as Benefits they're real mascara has been such a controversial product within the beauty world. You either love it or hate it. Although the majority of reviews I have watched and read have been brilliant. Although I’m not sure I will be replacing it after I have used this birthday gift, as it is expensively priced at £19 for 8.5g.

Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake
Id heard rave reviews about Illamasqua highly pigment eyebrow cake and was in no hesitant state to put It on my birthday wish list. I choose the dark brown shade – thunder. Eye brown cakes aims to ‘Give your eyebrows the edge. Shape and define to frame your eyes and enhance your expressive side. Match with your natural colour or experiment with different tones for an alternative look. Use dry for soft definition or mixed with water or Sealing Gel for a sharp shape.’ So far I have loved this product and have been teaming it with the inexpensive MUA eyebrow pencil and Illamasqua sealing gel, to really make my brows frame my face. Eyebrow cake retails at £15.50 and is available in 6 different shades.

Left to Right:
Sleek Pout Paint in shade Port
Benefit they're real mascara
Illamasqua in shade thunder

ACCESSORIES 
Okay , so I got quite a strange mix of accessories for my birthday but it was 

essentials I needed. Venus & Olay Razor , elegant touch crackle nails and a real techniques powder brush. 

Venus & Olay Razor
This is Venus’ newest razor and contains Olay Moisture Bars to release skin conditioners to help reduce dryness and also has 5 Venus blades. It’s like a 2 in 1 razor as you don’t need shaving gel to shave with this as it is ‘built in’. Any Venus blades fit a Venus razor so, after I have finished using this blade I’m going to try out a few differen tones.

Elegant Touch Crackle Nails

The limited edition pack contains 24 short nails in 10 different sizes , glue included. Crackle polish is still on-going trend and having falsies combined with crackle are perfect for when im in a rush to get ready for a spontaneous (or planned) night out.  I haven't tried these out yet but can’t wait to do so.

 Real Techniques Powder Brush.

I already have  real techniques  but I suppose I girl can't have too many makeup brushes! As this is quite a versatile brush , can be used to apply powder foundations , setting powder, bronzer just to name a few . It does help to have more than one.

PERFUME

I wear perfume every single day and usually choose my scent depending on my mood. The two fab perfumes i received for my birthday was the new Britney spears Island Fantasy perfume and Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia.

Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia
I wouldn't usually go for Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia as i don't feel that its aimed at young people, but its a pleasant surprise as it smells so lovely and slightly fruity.  I would definitely suggest you beauties try and smells this scent as it surprisingly enticing.  

·        Heartnotes

Jasmine, aquatic note

·        Top notes

Crushed mint leaves, limone primo flore

·        Basenotes

Cedarwood heart, brown sugar, labdanum

·        Scent

Aquatic

·        Feel

Powerful   (takenfrom www.theperfumeshop.com)

Britney spears Island Fantasy
I have collected all of the Britney Spears fantasy perfumes as they sweet and fruity - just what i like in a evening perfume. Its described as a 'mouthwatering mix of citrus cocktail, mandarin, clementine, watery melon and red fruits intertwines with refreshing floral notes of jasmine, freesia and violet A surprising finish of soft musky undertones and sugar cane makes the tantalizing aroma carefree, flirty and feminine'. This is perfect for summer but is a little too heavy to wear during the day.  Out of all the Fantasty perfumes this is so far my favourite. 

o    Heart notes

Jasmine, Violet, and Freesia

o    Top notes

citrus, mandarin, clementine, and watermelon

o    Base notes

Musk and Sugar Cane

o    Scent

Fruity  

o    Feel

Flirty (taken from www.theperfumeshop.com)

AND FINALLY MY NEW CAMERA . . .

I have been itching to get a professional SLR camera for ages. So was extremely  happy when i got the EOS Digital SLR Canon 600D for my birthday.  Its main features include:  18-megapixel CMOS sensor, Scene Intelligent Auto mode, Full-HD EOS Movie, On-screen Feature Guide,Up to 3.7fps continuous shooting ,Basic+ and Creative Filters and Built-in wireless flash control. You can expect clearing looking pictures from me now and when i get to grips with editing software maybe a few videos too. 

What's on your birthday wish list?
Lucilla xx

Glossybox May 2013 (Birthday edition)

Ciao Bella!

Admittedly this is my first Glossybox ever! I have been wanting to get them for well over a year but for some reason never got round to it. 

I got the 2nd birthday Glossybox coincidentally for my birthday, which is also in may off a friend. I coudlnt wait to see what goodies would be inside! 'Glossybox Uk is celebrating its second birthday with beauty treats from some its trusted and most beloved brands.' The theme of this box was not just 2nd birthday but the celebration of 'premium skincare and beauty heros".  

What is a glossy box?

'Glossybox is a monthly beauty subscription service, which delivers 5 beauty samples wrapped in a beautiful box straight to your door.'

What did i get?

L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE ANGELICA HYDRATION CREAM - 15ML

"Made with organic angelica from the Drôme region of France, the fresh and silky-smooth Angelica Hydration Cream deeply moisturises and revitalises the skin. L'OCCITANE's patented angelica complex reinforces natural skin hydration by stimulating aquaporines, improves skin elasticity and protects from free radicals. Skin is plumped, smoothed and radiant. "

I'm confused why i was sent out this as the question-air before you order your first glossy box asked which skin type i had - Oily/Combination., this cream is ideal for dry to normal skin. Although its dermatologically tested , non-comedogenic and from a well respected brand i am a bit wary  about using it as i don't want it to make my oily skin any worse.
How much was my sample  worth? £9.0030.00 £ / 50ml (Original size)

CAUDALIE DIVINE OIL - 15ml

"The Beauty Elixir for your body, face and hair, the Divine Oil offers everything you need to make your skin positively exquisite.  Divine Oil is a dry oil that is both light and hydrating; its unique blend of grape, hibiscus, sesame and Argan oils are immediately absorbed into the skin with a non-greasy finish.Divine oil can be used on the body, face, hair, nails, added to a hot bath, or used as a massage oil."
I've used this on my hair and face and it left them  feeling so soft and luxurious! I love how its a multi-purpose oil and is not just for the hair but for basically all over your body including nails and face.  The luxury oils withing the Caudalie Divine Oil include;

•  Grape Oil: which had a high concentration of omega 6 which is highly nourishing.

•  Extra virgin Argan Oil: popularly  withing the beauty world. The Argan oil within this divine oil is organically farmed and fair trade certified and originates from South Morocco. Argan oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and inoleic acid (precursor of vitamin F), it helps restore the hydrolipidic film and participates in maintaining the quality of skin cells.

• Extra Virgin Hibiscus Oil: Grown in India and known as the ""flower of eternity,"" this oil is extracted by cold pressing the seeds. Hibiscus oil plays an essential role in restricting epidermal water loss.

• Sesame Oil: Composed of linoleic and oleic fatty acids, sesame oil aids in the softening and soothing of skin.

Divine oil also includes fair trade Shea Butter widely known for its restorative powers and nourishing properties.  I am so tempted to purchase the full size of this oil as a little goes a long way and will last a long while , so it would be a worthwhile purchase.
How much was my sample  worth? £4.0527.00 £ / 100ml (Original size)


Whats your favourite beauty oil?

PRIME & CREATE MIXING MEDIUM - 2.5g 

"When combined with mineral powders and pigments, this amazingly versatile product will allow you to create dozens of different make up finishes. Use under your foundation as a matte finish primer or mix with loose or compact powders to create many different products. Mix with mineral foundation powder for a long lasting airbrush finish or with mineral concealer for heavy duty coverage. You can also mix Prime & Create with eyeshadow pigments to create an intense finish or as a liquid liner. Use alone as a primer to give a matte, shine free base for flawless make up application.Mix with mineral foundation and concealer powders for an airbrush effect and maximum coverage with a matte finish. Mix with powder blushers and bronzers to create a cream tint for eyes, lips or cheeks.Mix with eyeshadow pigments to create liquid eyeliners and intense eyeshadow finishes"

The packaging of this sample really lets the product down. Its a small 1p coin size clear pot with a minute label stuck on the back. But the product in size is such a wonder, you mix it with powder makeup to create many different makeup finishes or use it alone as a primer underneath your makeup. Good versatile product but really let down by its packaging. 

How much was my sample  worth?  £2.50

20.00 £ / 20g (Original size)

JELLY PONG PONG FAIRY LASHES MASCARA - 8ml (full size)

"This is not for the faint-hearted. Our first ever mascara is formulated to make eye lashes flutter & flap. Water-resistant, Fairy Lashes makes eyelashes thicker & curvier while allowing them to be spectacularly soft & light. A truly fabulous effect for the woman who wants to emphasize one deep, intense, seductive look. 

Bonus : A combination of blue lake & black pigments helps to intensify the colour for a truly deep, black effect"

This was the most expensive sample withing the whole box and one of the two full sized items. Its available in two shades violet and intense black, i received intense  black much to my delight. This mascara is fantastic makes your lashes look full and voluminous minus the clumps!

How do you apply? Apply liberally & sweep the heavy wand upwards for thick, luscious lashes. 

How much was my sample  worth? £15£15.00  / 8ml (Original size)

HEADLINES NAIL POLISH - 10ML (full size)

"Headline Colors is the brand new, must-have nail color collection following the heartbeat of fashion, offering a capsule collection of only the hottest nail colors based on the very latest fashion trends. Apply two thin coats to clean nails. The first coat will 'fix' the polish to the nail. The second will provide the opaque, glossy top coat"

Ive not been able to try this on yet as  i cant get the lid off the nail polish. (I think its stuck). Ive contacting Glossybox and hopefully i should get a replacement  nail varnish or product sent out soon.I cant wait to try it as the built in top coat sounds so convenient. 

How much is it worth? £9.00
£9.00  / 10ml (Original size)

Glossy box nail files

I love how these are cute miniature purse friendly nails files perfect for on the go. I'm going to keep these in my handbag so they are at hand if i need them.

My favourite product of the Glossybox May 2013, has to be the Caudalie Divine Oil. As i find it so nourishing , luxurious and its has so many beneficial multipurpose uses. My least favourite product out of the Glossybox has to be  Prime & Create Mixing Medium , what lets this product down the most is the packaging, which looked so cheap and uninviting.

Overall my box price came to £24.70, which is less than half what the box costs (£10+ £2.95 P+P). I'm going to trial Glossybox for another month , but i was left a little disappointing by the samples i received considering it was their birthday box i didn't feel the products were that special. 

What was in your May Glossybox?

Its my birthday!

Ciao Bella!

So yesterday i turned 20 years old and waved goodbye to my teenage years!  
I was supposed to be having a barbecue/picnic in my local park, but due to the good old English weather i had to postpone. Instead me and my sister spontaneously decided to take a trip to the Blue Planet Aquarium and to Cheshire oaks  shopping center as it was near by. In the evening i caught up with a few friends for a few drinks to round my 20th  birthday off. Below I've posted a few pictures from the day.

Makeup for the evening
Eyes: Bonjour intense shade 02 , Max Factor liquid effect eyeliner in black , Eylure lashes 140 , Rimmel accelerator mascara
Lips : MAC Strong woman
Face: MAC Studio fix powder plus foundation in NC50 , MAC studio fix fluid NC45 , SEVENTEEN blush and glow in peachy

*~*~ New post coming up this evening. *~*~

Bella Vogue Beauty hits 1 month old!

Ciao Bella!

My Bella Vogue Beauty Blog hits 1 month old today. I know its not a long time but its the first official month i have kept at blogging! Thank you beauties for the support you've shown & thank you for following!

As exams are over i shall be posting more frequently. New blog post coming up this evening. Its my own birthday this weekend, so fingers crossed i'll have some new stuff to share with you beauties throughout next week.

Good luck to everyone who still has exams coming up and to those who dont , i hope your enjoying the sunshine.