That monthly thing

pink-parcel-review - 2Girls don’t really talk about our periods a lot. Not that it is the kind of thing that comes up in conversation all the time, but many tend to avoid any mention.

Truth is, it is (almost) always there. There is the discomfort, the PMS, the tenderness, the bloating, swelling, cramps… some have it much worst than others, but for most of us, it just doesn’t go unnoticed.

I am quite sensitive in my privates (sorry, over sharing), so I always keep an eye on it; I get irritation, thrush and UTI quite often if I don’t look after myself properly; that include trying to control the stresses of daily life, which do not help the cause.

That’s why I welcomed the Pink Parcel this month, my first since coming off the pill for a very long time. I was expecting it to be a nightmare, which it wasn’t, but this monthly useful treat really made it a bit better.

The Pink Parcel comes with all your tampon and pads needs – when signing up, you can pick your brand so you stick with what you like, and you can mix pads and tampons, to suit your taste. They send you enough for a normal 3-4 period so you don’t have to worry.

They have three shipping dates in the month, so you can pick the one closer to your time. Personally, I think getting it 3-5 days before my period is the best, so I can reach out for treats during the dreaded PMS.

The box comes split in neat (I love that) “sections” if you wish; “for now”, a fabric pouch, comes with pads and tampons for every day, to go in the handbag; “for later”, more pads and tampons to keep and replenish that handy little bag, “for down there”, some soothing and/or cleansing product (mine came with one of my faves Femfresh wipes) and “for you” comes packed with treats.

pink-parcel-review - 10I was very impressed with the amount of pads and tampons, as well as the “for you” treat box: something sweet, but not too much, some relaxing items, like the Badger Sleep Balm and tea plus beauty treats including favourite brands like Simple and lottie London, and some new to discover, like True Brit nail polish.

Every month, you can count on the box to come with tampons (your selected brand and something new to try), pads, tea, something sweet and beauty products.

Beauty boxes for me are not that appealing, but this is actually useful as  it comes in the right time, giving me exactly what I need!

You can subscribe to your Pink Parcel via their website, the first one costs only £6.99 including P&P, and the following one, £10.50, P&P also included!

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

 

Flirting with the light side: nude on my lips

laura-mercier-sheer-lip-review - 1Wait. Is that a nude-ish lipstick. Ok. You got me.

My eternal affair with red is undeniable but it turns out that in the past months I became less and less monogamous.

laura-mercier-sheer-lip-review - 2I feel nude-ish lipsticks are just easy to wear and uncomplicated. This might not be the “classic” nude, but we know the definition of nude is a bit skewed; it should be what comes close to your natural shade.

For me, the best “nudes” are the pinkish ones, which are – ahem – close to my natural lip colour, so it feels just like it’s amped up, shinier, softer and prettier.

Enter Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips, all the way from the gorgeous Liberty. This lipstick is super soft and glides beautifully on the lips. The smell is lightly sweet.

It is semi-matte and delivers a good colour for its “sheer” name; it also feels hydrating and has anti-ageing properties.

For being creamy and sheer, admittedly, it does not last forever on the lips, but does a good job fading evenly, not feathering, bleeding or drying lips.

Apart from this brand new addition to my unlikely growing selection of nudes, I love Sleek Private Booth and GOSH Matte in Rose.

Who would know?

The Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour is available at Liberty in six flattering colours and costs £19.50.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Discovering Mii cosmetics

mii-cosmetics-review - 2Discovering new brands is a huge perk of blogging and when you’ve been doing it for a while, it’s a bit rare to come across a brand you never even heard before.

Mii makeup was one of those, and I went into their immersion event, at the gorgeous ME London penthouse, with a very open mind and very curious.

mii-cosmetics-review - 1After a fab Mii spray tan, I got to explore their very extensive makeup range, for all tastes and complexions. And I got to try a few items, which surprised me with their quality.

The Celestial Skin Shimmer in Rose Quartz is as good as it is pretty.

mii-cosmetics-review - 5Within is mosaic, a mix of golds, pinks and corals, that mixed create a beautiful flush and glow to the cheeks.mii-cosmetics-review - 7

The lighter shade is also a handy and effective highlighter.

mii-cosmetics-review - 3Makeup brushes make me happy. I have more than I could ever use and I still manage to go through a fair few.

The Miracle Base Brush is packed with compacted soft bristles, making it quite firm. Made from liquid and cream foundation, I think this works very well with powder too, for a heavier application and great blend.

mii-cosmetics-review - 6Finally, the Forever Eye Crayon in Sorbet a shimmery beige leaning towards peach that also works wonders as a highlighter. On the brow bone and for me, it’s hero use, the Cupid bow to make those lips pop.

The durability is fantastic, it sets quickly after application, with enough time Tom blend and it comes in 8 colours.

mii-cosmetics-review - 4Mii is a salon brand, brought to the UK by Gerrard International, the same company behind the fab Jessica nail polish, which is also a professional brand.

The Celestial Skim Shimmer costs £27.50 and comes in two shades – mine, Rose Quartz and Aurora, the Miracle Base Brush, £21.50 and the Forever Eye Crayon, £17 each.

You can browse their fantastic range on the Mii cosmetics website.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

I’ll bag that, thank you very much!

biba-clutch bag-house-of-fraser - 5My life obsession has always been shoes. Ok, and makeup. Bags were not that much on top of my agenda, but in the past year I suddenly became a bit obsessed, and made a few extravagant purchases.

Because they don’t need to be super expensive to be oh-so-pretty, House of Fraser offers a huge variety of bags to suit all tastes, needs and very importantly, budgets.

biba-clutch bag-house-of-fraser - 2I recently got this gorgeous clutch from a brand I love, Biba, which is stocked by House of Fraser.

They have a fabulous range of Biba bags, and most some glimpses on the art deco style the brand was known for in the 60, but styled for today.

My choice, the Geometric Box Clutch, has it all. It’s golden, has some copper geometric snake skin panels. The shape is comfortable to hold, it has a great weight to it and a magnetic clasp with a big black jewel on.

biba-clutch bag-house-of-fraser - 4The inside is lined with the iconic Biba logo in black satin, and to make it even better, is also has a delicate, but sturdy, chain if you get tired of clutching it.

But Dani, what if I am not that into golden clutches? Fear not. Biba has loads of options and even better, at House of Fraser, you can find thousands of styles (in fact, at the moment, more than 4,000 on the website), from as little as £10! Yes, a tenner.

biba-clutch bag-house-of-fraser - 6This pretty and shiny, as well as super chic Biba Geometric Clutch bag costs £59.

Delivery was super speedy, well packaged to keep our treasured bags in tip-top shape. The website is easy to navigate, the purchase process very straight forward (I didn’t order this bag through it, but used it before for purchases) and you can search by all different criteria to help find the right thing for you.

Of course, you can always go to the shops and touch them all (not in a creepy way… *cough cough*); they stock handbags from high-street to premium brands like Mulberry and Lulu Guinness.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

For spring and summer, Sleek takes us on a Whimsical Wonderland ride

sleek-whimsical-wonderland-collection-review - 1Every season I can count on Sleek to bring my makeup up to date.

For Spring/Summer 16, this is not different: the Whimsical Wonderland collection will take you straight into the spring blooms and summer sun rays.

sleek-whimsical-wonderland-collection-review - 5The iDivine eyeshadow palette in All the Fun in the Fair (£8.99) comes in deliciously pastel shades with a few neutral shades thrown in.

As per usual, there’s a mix of matte and shimmer in the 12 colours, with the cutest names around, and the pigmentation, as well as blending, is exceptional. I am a huge fan of the iDivine palettes and use one of them regularly for my every day looks.

sleek-whimsical-wonderland-collection-review - 3A new product pops in, which is very exciting. The Sweet Cheeks Blushers (£5.50 each) will give you a fresh flush of colour.

They have a gel formula, which applies and blends very well, and feel surprisingly fresh upon application. It is very quick to apply, making it a morning hero.

sleek-whimsical-wonderland-collection-review - 7There are three shades: Likety Split (orange), Hullaballoo (violet) and Tomfoolery (berry). They might seem a bit out there, but they actually work very well.

sleek-whimsical-wonderland-collection-review - 2Finally, the lipsticks. You know how much I love their Lip VIP range (£5.50 each), which has a semi-matte finish and is super moisturising.

Sleek just added more to the collection: frosty lavender Big Shot, bright peach Fancy Pants and flowery deep pink Hot Tottie.

sleek-whimsical-wonderland-collection-review - 8Overall, a great addition to their expansive – and gorgeous collection.

If you are looking for a pop of colour this season, and don’t want to break the bank, rush to a Sleek counter now, or order online. Or you can just browse the beautiful Whimsical Wonderland collection to your heart’s content.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Brows, brows, brows, Gimme Brow

benefit-gimme-brow-review - 1Since the first time I had my eyebrows filled, I never looked back. It did feel a bit weird at the time, but soon, weird became not having them filled.

I am trying new products all the time, and found a little gem in Benefit’s Gimme Brow Gel. That’s because it is so easy to apply, last a long time and really, the effect is just great.

Gimme Brow is a gel with buildable micro-fibre particles that stick to your own eyebrow hair and skin, filling it up and making it look fuller, and thicker.

Because it is a gel, it also keeps the brow in place, shaping them too.

benefit-gimme-brow-review - 2The tiny little tapered brush spreads the gel beautifully on the brows and its precision tip does a great job of shaping them; creating a fab lift and defined arch is easy-peasy.

It is water resistant and I can vouch for the panels findings of brows looking fuller and natural – and that’s the main thing for me: they are full, thick, but very natural, not painted on.

Here you can see my right eyebrow, with Gimme Brow and my sad left one, with nothing!

Plus, it is soooo easy to apply, easier than any other beloved brow product I ever used, so perfect for every day use. It can also be used on top of a filler (powder or pencil) for extra sharp effect.

The Benefit Gimme Brow costs £18.50, is available in two shades (Light/Medium and Medium/Dark, which I am using) and can be bought from House of Fraser.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

My favourite every day eyeshadow palettes

favourite-day-eyeshadow-palettes - 8Anyone who knows me in person will know I wear eyeshadow and eyeliner pretty much every day.

I wrote about my favourite eyeliners a while back and it would only be fair to talk about the eyeshadow palettes I wear very frequently – and some show!

favourite-day-eyeshadow-palettes - 3I’ll start with Urban Decay Naked 2. Now, I have 3 and Smokey, but they don’t quite measure up. The mix of earthy and gold tones, in shimmer and matte, are perfect for any occasion. Add a matte black and voilá: you cannot go wrong.

favourite-day-eyeshadow-palettes - 4The GOSH Copenhagen palette is a matte dream: 9 super wearable shades that take you from day to night, with one massive advantage: this palette is so small that is perfect to carry around with you.

favourite-day-eyeshadow-palettes - 6Sleek has a couple that really work for me. The iDivine eyeshadow palette in ‘A New Day’ mixes beautiful golds and browns in shimmer and matte, as well as a bit of pinkish earthy tones, for an all-round look. The browns are dark enough for a lovely smokey that is not too heavy.

favourite-day-eyeshadow-palettes - 5The Sleek eye and cheek palette in “A midsummer’s dream” is a fabulous one to take away too; great colours for the eyes, buildable and a bonus cheek shades.

favourite-day-eyeshadow-palettes - 7This Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro 2 palette is huge: 16 shades, a good mix of shimmer and matte, lots of neutrals but also a couple surprise colours to amp up a look – navy, moss and mauve, I am looking at you!

Of course, I have many other palettes and plenty individual colours too I go to when I am creating a special look, but these are really the ones I go to every day!

favourite-day-eyeshadow-palettes - 1And they are all quite affordable, ranging from £6.99 (Makeup Revolution) to £38.50 (Naked 2).

What about you? Do you have a go to eyeshadow palette?

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Some of the palettes featured on this post are press samples.

Embracing the power and purity of plants in my skincare routine

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 1The Herbfarmacy is a company you cannot help but love. They love their plants: they take good care of them, they nurture and give them time and space to create fabulous organic skincare.

They grow their own organic herbs and create their products from plant to jars in their farm in the Welsh border.

From the planting to the infusion process, all care is taken so we get the purest active ingredients into the products, which are suitable for sensitive skin and carry nourishing, conditioning and cleansing plants and oils, and are very fresh.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 6Now, I tried a few and have to say I am impressed.

Starting with the gorgeous Rose & Mallow Facial Oil (£24.50, 25ml), which combines plants and oils to hydrate the skin and promote radiance.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 2The damask rose is toning, the marshmallow, nurturing and protecting, the calendula, calming, the evening primrose oil, anti-inflammatory, the rosehip oil, regenerating and the hempseed oil, restoring and soothing. Phew.

With all this goodness packed in, it is not surprising that this rich facial oil makes skin feel supple, bright and moisturised.

I mentioned a few times I love a facial mist and once again, the Herbfarmacy offer does not disappoint.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 3The Rose & Echinacea Toner (£17.50, 95ml)  is fresh and cool on the skin. Echinacea is a natural astringent which helps detoxify and close pores. The damask rose is a skin tonic and also adds a lovely smell.

Sometimes, I just spray it to freshen up and give my face a mid-day uplift!

Beauty balms, for me, were never that highly rated, until now. The Mallow Beauty Balm is award-winning for a reason: it softens, moisturises and gives radiance, as well as healing and protecting, thanks to the marshmallow, mullein and calendula in its formulation.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 4It is also multi-tasking as it can be used as a cleanser or a balm directly on the skin for fine lines or deep skin repair. I like it on lips, battered hands from hoop, scrapes and grazes, as well as around the eyes.

Balms are “their things” and they have a fabulous, extensive range, including the Meadowsweet Muscle Balm, which is fantastic to rub on tired muscles post workout.

I’ve been using is an awful lot, and apart from working a treat on my shoulders and back, it also has the most amazing smell that comes from eucalyptus, pepper and ginger essential oils, which is invigorating.

It contains soothing and repairing comfrey, tension-easing and ache-calming hypericum and sore muscles-relieving meadowsweet.

Other balms, looking after body and mind, include the Skin Rescue, Temple and Easy Breathe. But there are many more in their extensive range of balms.

All balms mentioned are 100% organic and cost only £15 for 30ml (Temple and Easy Breathe £8.50 for 15ml), which goes a long way.

herbfarmacy-skincare-review - 5My obsession with face creams is never ending, so I was happy to also try their Replenishing Face Cream (£24, 60ml). It is pure skin food to rejuvenate mature or very dry skin.

With the nurturing and protecting properties of marshmallow and healing calendula, it promotes regeneration and restores radiance.

The Herbfarmacy has, apart from the Replenishing, a Calming (£19.50), a Balancing(£19.50) and a Nourishing Face Cream (£19.50) in their range.

The founder of Herbfarmacy, Paul Richards is absolutely lovely and we can feel the passion and care he has for the herbs and process, so it is not surprising you can actually see all that translated into each product.

I recommend watching their video on spring seedlings to feel the love!

Not to mention their amazing price point – exceptionally good value for money.

You can get your hands on the Herbfarmacy Skincare organic range on their brand new website.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

The sun is out – don’t forget your sun cream!

eucerin-anti-ageing-sunfluid-review - 2Maybe I am overreacting with my title… it’s sort of out. Ish. Ok, ok. Should be out.

It’s that time of the year when we can finally feel some rays hitting our face and sadly, when people start thinking about wearing sun protection.

Truth is, it should be worn all year round and whereas in the winter the high SPF in my makeup is usually enough to keep me protected, in the summer a proper sun cream 30+ daily is a must.

Last summer I fell in love with Eucerin’s mattifying fluid and their tinted SPF.

This year I thought I’d stick with them, but they brought out the Sun Fluid Anti-Age and the Sun Cream Tinted CC, which have quickly become favourites in my routine.

The Eucerin Sun Fluid Anti-Age comes in SPF 30 and 50.

It has broadband UVA and UVB sun protection, it also counts with biological cell protection in the form of antioxidants glycyrrhethinic acid, which supports skin DNA protection and repair and licochalcone A, which helps protect skin against free radicals.

eucerin-anti-ageing-sunfluid-review - 1To top it off, it also has two types of hyaluronic acid, to deeply moisturise and help plump those fine lines.

A serious protection and care product for everyday.

Now, talking about that, how about a bit of makeup? Well, a little bit!

Eucerin also brought out the Sun Cream Tinted CC. I’m a fan of their tinted SPF, so no wonder I’m into this one too!

With its huge 50+ SPF, it contains colour pigments for a natural, light and even cover. Perfect for the beach, pool or lazy makeup days.

It also behaves well under makeup, as its mattifying.

Just like the Sun Fluid, it contains UVA ABD UVB filters, glycyrrhethinic acid and licochalcone A, to protect and care for the skin.

Both are quickly absorbed, unperfumed, paraben-free, non-comedogenic and of course, suitable for sensitive skin.

The sun Eucerin Fluid Anti-Age costs £20 (available in SPF 30 and 50). The Sun Cream Tinted CC costs £18 and is available in light and medium.

You can find Eucerin in all major retailers nationwide.

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.

Pretty face: Givenchy Teint Couture Balm foundation

givenchy-teint-couture-balm-review - 1Summer usually asks for a lighter foundation, which for me is s problem as they tend to have less coverage.

When I saw the Givenchy Teint Couture Balm I thought it would be way too sheer for my needs.

Surprisingly, this smooth balm, which unifies the skin making it look fresh, gives light but decent coverage with a flattering blur and illuminating effect.

givenchy-teint-couture-balm-review - 2

The “Light & Blur” complex helps conceal imperfections such as fine lines and blemishes, creating a more natural, lightly corrected and glowy complexion.

It has no oils and applies well; apparently it has some volatile ingredients that vanish as the balm melts into the skin, contributing to its lightness.

givenchy-teint-couture-balm-review - 3Durability wise, I’d say it stands a full work day with some wear; in warmer climates, it looks great for at least six hours.

The Givenchy Teint Couture Balm foundation costs £30 for 30 ml and you can get it from Debenhams, which has a fabulous range of makeup to cater for all your beautifying needs!

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This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.