LookFantastic Beauty Box February 2018 Unboxing, Review

LookFantastic Beauty Box February 2018 Unboxing, Review

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, March 01, 2018

As expected, February's LookFantastic Beauty Box has a Valentine's Day design, with a pink-red-gold colour scheme, and a product booklet featuring red hearts. The box is themed Beauty Rendezvous, and contains products that you would need for your "rendezvous". Tryst, if you like!
There are six products in the box, and the Elle UK magazine for the month is also included. They've recently taken to popping the mag inside the box itself, having increased the size of the beauty box. This actually makes the products inside seem smaller!

Scroll down for my review of the LookFantastic Beauty Box for February 2018.

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Beauty Products Used Up in September 2017

Beauty Products Used Up in September 2017

The Ordinary Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, October 02, 2017

I was going to do an Empties' video; unfortunately, my studio is still undergoing acoustic treatment. The good news is that there are results and the echo is definitely reduced, but the bad news is that all the acoustic foam and the panels are ruining my walls, although they haven't affected the lighting. So this one is a blog post.
Pity, that - I actually managed to use up quite a bit of makeup this month! I'm very proud of that; I now have a self-imposed scheme. For every 10 makeup products (the same applies to skincare) that I empty, I can buy ONE product. I hope this scheme will help curtail buying in 2018, and help me finish up more.

Scroll down for the beauty products I used up in September 2017, and my quick impressions of each.

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LookFantastic Beauty Box August 2017 Review, Unboxing

LookFantastic Beauty Box August 2017 Review, Unboxing

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, August 22, 2017

The theme "Global Glamour" indicates that the August 2017 LookFantastic Beauty Box contains travel essentials that will keep you looking good through your vacation. Being more of a skincare box, I didn't really expect an eyeshadow quad or a mini lipstick, but I knew there would be a good variety of minis I could stash into my suitcase.
The box is mint-green with a world map outlined. It contains the month's Elle UK issue and the in-house magazine.

Scroll down to check out what I received in the LookFantastic Beauty Box for August 2017.

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LookFantastic October 2016 Beauty Box Contents

LookFantastic October 2016 Beauty Box Contents

Reviews Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, October 23, 2016

October 2016's LookFantastic Beauty Box is themed #LFPamper, with products for relaxation and pampering. The baby pink box comes with this month's issue of Elle UK magazine - they had not included the magazine with the two previous boxes, and I am glad they're sending it out again.
Beauty box subscribers will be happy to note that there are NO product repeats from this box in the  2016 LookFantastic Beauty Secret Advent Calendar - whose spoilers and full contents are here (TWO products make up for the entire cost of the calendar).
From the theme, I expected face and hair masks, bath bomb, body lotion/butter/oil, a hand cream and maybe a loofah.

Scroll down for the contents of the LookFantastic Beauty Box for October 2016.

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Holiday 2016 Gift Idea: Beauty Expert Radiance Collection

Holiday 2016 Gift Idea: Beauty Expert Radiance Collection

Zelens Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, October 17, 2016

A few days ago, I posted about the Beauty Expert Rose Edition collection here - a set of six full-sized products for an incredibly low price of £50, with products worth £134 - with a saving of £84.
Now, they have a new Radiance Collection worth more than £210, at the same low price of £50. That is insane! This one is meant for anyone who wants radiant, glowing skin, and glossy, healthy hair, and contains high-end brands such as Zelens, Alpha-H, and Gatineau.
For those who haven't heard of Beauty Expert, they are owned by the Hut Group - yes, the same group who owns my favourite LookFantastic. Speaking of which, have you ordered your Advent Calendar from here? Not many days left, and, believe me, you don't want to miss out! Or, get the Molton Brown one here or the Decleor one here, for some general pampering!

Scroll down for the contents of the Beauty Expert Radiance Collection for Holiday 2016.

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Holiday 2016: Mad Beauty Advent Calendar Ships Worldwide

Holiday 2016: Mad Beauty Advent Calendar Ships Worldwide

Mad beauty Cosmetopia Digest   Wednesday, October 05, 2016

If you have been thinking that beauty advent calendars are overpriced, unaffordable and not worth the money, stop.
Here is one for £10.99. And that is inclusive of free worldwide shipping.
No, it is not April 1.
Nor does it contain empty wrappers. It contains 12 different beauty products. No, not cotton pads or wipes either. Read on.

Scroll down for the lowdown on the Mad Beauty 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar for Holiday 2016.

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Vegan Cuts August 2016 Beauty Box Review

Vegan Cuts August 2016 Beauty Box Review

Yes To Carrots Cosmetopia Digest   Wednesday, September 07, 2016

With postal systems across the world being paranoid about terrorism right now, every package coming into and going out of any country is taking ages to arrive at their ultimate destination. That's why I only got my August Vegan Cuts beauty box in September. At least they didn't confiscate the whole thing and accuse me of smuggling state secrets.
Vegan Cuts is a cruelty-free, vegan beauty subscription that ships worldwide. The boxes contain a mix of four to seven makeup and skincare products, including full sizes, and the average worth of a box ranges from $40 to $60. Best of all, they promise never to include a foil sachet. This alone makes them look good in my book. They will be releasing a quarterly makeup-only beauty box shortly.

Scroll down for the review of the August 2016 Vegan Cuts Beauty Box.

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LookFantastic Best of British Beauty Box August 2016

LookFantastic Best of British Beauty Box August 2016

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, September 02, 2016

I went to university in the UK, and had a lovely time in the aisles of House of Fraser, Debenhams, Boots, Selfridges, Harrods, and Superdrug, despite being on a student budget. So when I found that LookFantastic's August 2016 Beauty Box was themed #LFBestOfBritish, my excitement and expectations hit the roof. So many of my favourite brands are British, and LookFantastic itself retails worldwide from the UK. I did, however, expect the box to be primarily skincare. 

Scroll down for the unboxing of the LookFantastic Best of British Beauty Box for August 2016.

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A Beautiful World Spring/Summer 2016 Sampler Box

A Beautiful World Spring/Summer 2016 Sampler Box

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, June 24, 2016

Eco-friendly luxury beauty retailer A Beautiful World comes out with two beauty boxes each year - one for Spring/Summer and one for Autumn/Winter. The products chosen - from the brands ABW carries - are organic, eco-friendly, preservative-free and cruelty-free. The boxes are always sold out in an hour or two of the launch. This year, I managed to snag one before they sold out.

Scroll down for the contents of the Spring/Summer 2016 Sampler Box from A Beautiful World.

Beauty Products Emptied In April 2016

Beauty Products Emptied In April 2016

Zymogen Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, May 02, 2016

M y new skincare routine includes drinking three litres of water a day - more if I am working out. I work out at least three times a week, even though my derm isn't a huge fan of sweat on my face right now. Also, six hours' sleep. I know, I know; we will get to eight eventually. Baby steps.
Product-wise, I go through non-foaming cleansing, acid toning/pads, hydrating mists, treatment, facial oil and a final coat of moisturiser - in that order - two times a day. Until January 2016, my routine involved a harsh cleanser, some kind of serum OR moisturiser - if I could be bothered - and oodles of benzoyl peroxide. Two - three at the most - glasses of water a day. What sleep? *Hangs head in shame*.

Scroll down to see the beauty products I emptied in April 2016 and for my quick thoughts on each.

Island Kiss Tropique Pomade Lip Moisturisers

Island Kiss Tropique Pomade Lip Moisturisers

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, March 28, 2016

Bad beauty habit confession: I tend to bite, pinch, poke, pull, scratch and chew my lips when stressed. And peel my nails, but we can psychoanalyse me another day. End result: I have seriously flaky, dry lips all the time. Which means I run through lip balms faster than I should.
Enter Island Kiss Tropique Lip Pomades (PR Sample). These are 100% natural, phthalate-, lead-, sulphate-, petroleum and paraben-free lip moisturisers, made of cold-pressed plant-based essential oils and butters. I have three from their 2016 Collection to show you.

Scroll down for a closer look at Island Kiss Tropique Pomade Lip Moisturisers. 

Mad Beauty Vintage Kellogg's Nail and Lip Care Products

Mad Beauty Vintage Kellogg's Nail and Lip Care Products

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, February 06, 2016

Mad Beauty is a UK-based brand that specialises in making cosmetics fun. They have the cutest foot files, glosses, makeup brushes, pretty nail polishes, bags, lip balms, bath and body products and nail art supplies. Whatever I have tried so far is good quality, and the prices are reasonable.
I picked up a few of their products from Notting Hill way back last July, and thought I would show you their Kellogg's range first.

The Mad Beauty Kellogg's range displays a series of vintage Kellogg's advertisements.

LookFantastic November 2015 Christmas Beauty Box 2 Review

LookFantastic November 2015 Christmas Beauty Box 2 Review

Unboxing Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, November 14, 2015

LookFantastic's November 2015 beauty box arrived earlier than usual, before mid-month. Incidentally, my Advent Calendar has also arrived and it is GARGANTUAN, but that is for another post.
The November box is the second in LookFantastic's Christmas trilogy. All three boxes feature special snowflake designs. You can see last month's box here.

Scroll down for the contents of the LookFantastic November 2015 Beauty Box.

Holiday 2015 Gift Ideas: 30 Cutest Beauty Products Ever

Holiday 2015 Gift Ideas: 30 Cutest Beauty Products Ever

Soaps Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, November 06, 2015

A guaranteed way of bringing a smile to someone's face is by slipping a cutely packaged gift into their Christmas stocking. Who, irrespective of age, would not love finding cute lip balms, bath bombs, loofahs, hand creams, sanitisers, mists and other everyday products on December 25th?  
Here is your one-stop source for the cutest beauty gifts ever - and they are all affordable and ship worldwide! A comprehensive list detailing prices and websites along with a pinnable reference image.

Scroll down for the lowdown on the 30 cutest beauty products ever and where to buy them.

Beessential Skin Care Products: Body Cream, Lip Balm, Body Wash and Soap Review

Beessential Skin Care Products: Body Cream, Lip Balm, Body Wash and Soap Review

Soaps Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Whenever we went to his place, my Gramps always tried to give his grandchildren wholesome and, as he called it, "pure" food. He kept a vegetable garden, and grew mango, papaya, banana and guava trees in his backyard. He knew a person who kept cows and got them to deliver fresh milk every morning and evening. He also kept bees for honey. This was part of a cooperative - they would come over to check the bees and collect the honey and beeswax. We would get a share of the honey - I can taste the wild, rich flavour even today. Best of all, the bees NEVER stung. Gramps moved house recently and had to give up up bees and fresh milk and is only creating a new garden. But he instilled in all of us a preference for fresh, handmade, natural produce and products created with care and love.
More than 15 years ago, Ohio-based Amy and David Rzepka began keeping bees on their family farm, when a co-worker asked if they would look after a hive he could no longer care for. One day, David took a look at his shampoo label and was shocked by some of the chemicals listed. A health-conscious couple who wanted their children to eat healthy, they decided to manufacture skin and hair care products from the honey, propolis and beeswax in their own hives.
The process began nine years ago in their basement. Today, they run an established manufacturing unit and their family business, named Beessential, is known for 100% natural, environment-friendly products hand-made in the US using pure honey, beeswax and other harm-free ingredients. 

Scroll down for more about Beessential products and my thoughts on them.

Holika Holika Dessert Time Lip Balm Set Review

Holika Holika Dessert Time Lip Balm Set Review

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, September 29, 2015

If there was a contest for the cutest packaging ever, the Holika Holika Dessert Time Lip Balms would win hands down. LOOK at the photos. Cupcakes!
Does the packaging make you feel hungry? All of these smell as good as they look! I got one in a Memebox last year and ended up buying the whole set from W2Beauty - they ship worldwide with tracking for a mere $2.50.

Holika Holika is one of those cult Korean beauty brands whose packaging takes cuteness to a whole new level. These lip balms have held the pride of place atop my vanity ever since I bought them.

Scroll down for my thoughts on the Holika Holika Dessert Time Lip Balms.

Beauty products emptied in March 2015

Beauty products emptied in March 2015

St Ives Cosmetopia Digest   Friday, April 03, 2015

It has been a rough week, family-wise. I'd like to take a minute to warn you of the dangers that uncontrolled diabetes poses to otherwise healthy people. An uncle of mine died unexpectedly, the cause being high sugar levels. If you or a loved one has diabetes, make sure you/they follow the GP's instructions, keep the sugar levels well within normal and take the prescribed medication/insulin regularly. Hugs!
Moving on to the subject of this post, I particularly loved some of the products I finished up in March 2015. Others have, as usual, brought out the vitriolic side of my tongue.

Check out the beauty products I used up in March 2015 and my thoughts on each.

Bite Beauty 5 Night Fix For Lips review

Bite Beauty 5 Night Fix For Lips review

Skin care Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, March 28, 2015

For soft, smooth and flawless lips in five nights.

I cope with stress by chewing and pulling at my lips, peeling off my nails and twirling my bangs until they form a knot that needs chopping off. Not very sensible or healthy habits. To rub salt into my chapped lips, I spend all day in an air-conditioned environment, which dries my skin further. So my lips end up perpetually flaky, tender and dry.
I have been reading great things about the Bite Beauty 5 Night Fix For Lips for a while now. This set contains two products - the Agave lip mask and the Whipped Cherry lip scrub stick. It promises chap-free lips in five nights of treatment.

Read on for my review of the Bite Beauty 5 Night Fix For Lips, which contains the Agave Lip Mask and the Whipped Cherry Scrub.

Pixi Tinted Brilliance lip balm Radiant Rose review, swatches

Pixi Tinted Brilliance lip balm Radiant Rose review, swatches

Swatches Cosmetopia Digest   Monday, June 16, 2014

I am probably one of the last makeup-using women on the planet to get on the lip crayon bandwagon. At first, I refused to go near anything that looked like it belonged to my junior art class (which I failed) at St Mary's Girls' Convent, than in my makeup bag. I prefer full-coverage lipsticks any day, and, to me, balm-stains sounded just a step away from lip glosses, which I religiously avoid. When I finally got around to trying some of the crayons out, I was unimpressed by the Chubby Sticks, the Just Bittens (just bitten the dust, more like) and other lip crayons. Chubby Twist, seen here, caked and flaked on me. I bought a few Korean lip crayons, including Tony Moly, but remained equally unimpressed.
When I received a Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm from one of my besties for my birthday, my first thought was that I would have to get rid of it without her finding out. And then, I tried it out.

Here is my review and swatches of the Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in Radiant Rose.

Dr Smith's Rosebud Salve review - Best lip balm ever

Dr Smith's Rosebud Salve review - Best lip balm ever

Swatches Cosmetopia Digest   Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Yet another nostalgic post on a long-time-loved product, in the countdown to my blogoversary tomorrow.
Dr Smith's Rosebud Lip Salve has been my absolute favourite lip balm since 2010. I stock up on these like no tomorrow whenever I am abroad, and am probably on my third or fourth tin, and now have six unopened tins in stock. And that's not counting all the tins the rest of my family has stocked up. I believe there's enough to go around in the likelihood of armageddon.

Here is my review of the amazing Smith's Rosebud Salve.