Glossybox - June Beauty Edition

I was really looking forward to this months box so - as ever - got very excited when the postman arrived. He usually just has mine (I have it delivered to work) this time he had arms full. I am taking credit for spreading the good word around the building. He didn't look too chuffed with all the extra weight lifting though.

Speaking of weight, it wasn't very heavy. I know it doesn't equal quality but I like a box with a bit of weight to it! Makes me feel I'm in for a real treat. When I opened the box I could see why, the products were mainly very dainty.

First thing to notice was the large card that housed 6 Vichy Derma Blend concealers. They are almost packaged like pills. It's a shame everyone will only get the benefit from one of these little pill poppers, depending on the tone of their skin. A colleague tried it out and was really impressed. Personally I don't use a lot of concealer products - just a Bobbi Brown under eye kit, but generally I can get away without (she says...cue break out.)

Next up I grabbed the Agent Provocateur Perfume, this was satisfyingly heavy for a perfume sample. It wasn't until later I opened it to realise it was actually three standard (re: small) perfume samples. The black one 'L'Agent is very eveningy and quite strong. I liked it and someone would certainly know if you walked within a few feet of them wearing it. Think very heavy hanging in the air (and because it's black I'm now thinking boudoir. Perhaps this is the desired effect). The pink one next - simply called Agent Provocateur, I'm guessing it is the signature fragrance. This was much nicer, spring like and feminine. You could easily get away with this everyday and still not be forgotten. The red one - Maitresse I didn't rate as much. It is quite spicy and very heavy, but not in the good way of the first.

I'm now up to my eyes in tiny perfume samples! I may change my preferences so I don't get so many of these. However a colleague in another box had a huge Caudalie perfume. Me, jealous?!
Next up I was very happy to see a new make up brush. I think we are all probably guilty of not washing/binning our make up brushes often enough, but when you do you really notice the difference. Just what I need, and at a value of £15 that's this months box paid for itself. Thank you very much.

Next up is the teeny tiny, yet gorgeous brushed mascara. I really liked the brush as soon as I pulled it out and you can't go far wrong with black mascara. I will definitely be trying this as a new contender. I am currently using a combination of Benefit 'They're Real' and L'oreal  False Lash Telescopic. They both do the job, but I am still open to finding a new one. At full size this comes in at a RRP of £16.90, so right in the middle of the scale (for a decent mascara.) The brand is Yves Rocher France in 'Sexy Pulp'.

You can see how carefully I opened the box

Finally the BM Beauty Summer Warmth Bronzer. I would love to find a brush small enough and effective enough to go in this pot! Personally I'm not a big advocate of bronzer as I am so fair skinned (I generally come in the 'porcelain' shade). There's £2 worth in this pot. Not sure if that will ever get used to be honest. Perhaps I will try and fashion into some sort of eye shadow/highlighter affair.

After seeing some of the other products available in the June box I wouldn't rate mine as high as some previous months. I would have loved the Paul Mitchell Conditioner and Clean Start day and Night kit. Still, this is the luck of the draw! Also, apologies for the quality of the pictures, I have left my camera cord elsewhere...Instagram it is.

Now I know why the box was so light..

Until next month...

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Stylist Magazine Beauty Picnic

Last night I was invited to the Stylist Magazine summer beauty picnic. M&S bubbles, Space NK makeup and manicures? Marks & Spencer food and drink? I'm in.

These things can be billed much better than the reality, thankfully this didn't just live up to expectations, it exceeded them on all levels. On arrival, a gorgeous goodie bag awaited, bonus. I personally prefer to wait until I get home, OK at least on the tube until I dive in to a goodie bag. Firstly, so not cool to pretend to be impressed by a goodie bag, secondly I like the surprise. My date however could not contain herself! B was right in excitedly telling me what was stuffed under the tissue paper, you however have to wait. (I will tell you it was satisfyingly heavy, and there was a sneaky copy of the latest stylist magazine poking out)...

Having my nails already done (obviously) and my make up fully prepped, I was keen on the hand massage on offer from the Space NK treatments available. I can see how one would be completely made over had they the time or inclination.

Luckily we arrived in good time and there wasn't a queue for such services. We had our massages which took between 10-15 minutes, I wasn't counting nor was I aware...I was enjoying. I also haven't any photos of myself enjoying the treatment (I was enjoying it, duh...) but you get the idea. It was heaven. I chose the Brighton scent from the four products available. They are all based on traditional UK scents from the southern coast to the Scottish highlands via West London.

B then wanted to take advantage of the manicure and nail painting, so I stocked up on a plate of  food and waited with her for a manicurist to be available. The goodies was compliments of Marks & Spencer, who had on offer some delicious sandwiches, rolls and deserts. I wasn't aware they stocked some of the things and I'm in M&S a fair bit! The chorizo and chicken rolls were the stand out for me, as was the patisserie cream on the fresh fruit tarts, deelish.

Rococo nail varnishes were on offer, one of these may have also been in the goodie bag...

Choux - or something creamy like that. Yum

Fresh fruit tarts, the patisserie cream in these was incredible

The Cava flowed freely and the setting was gorge. The harpist set the mood amazingly, and was rocking a seriously gorgeous simple yet elegant long black dress.

Apply heavily from hand to mouth to cure bad hair day

All in all a top evening. So the goodie bag...what lies within, luckily for me the Brighton bath and body lotion, the same scent I chose in the moisturiser for my hand massage. It honestly is divine, every time my hand comes near my face (even now hours later) I can smell it. You are unlucky that you can't. Also within; a 'Jean Queen' lip gloss and a Rococo nail varnish in a colour that would suit anyone. The total  RRP of the goodie bag is over £55 (I Googled, this is not advertised in the bag!)

Check out the bath lotions here

Buy yours here

You can buy this here

Thank you Stylist Magazine for inviting us, thank you M&S for the food and drink and thank you Space NK for the pampering. We felt truly spoilt and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, it was a treat to be on Manchester Square again after working there relentlessly all those years ago...

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Carrie Travels; The Amalfi Coast

Following my Sorrento marathon of a post I promised an update on both the Amalfi coast and Capri. Now I intend to keep that promise.First thing was first - we had to head down to the harbour of Sorrento to get the boat. You can drive, but sailing around the coast is far more fun. This was down the mammoth cliff face (almost) via 131 steps. Yes we counted. The harbour is pretty gorge. 

On arrival in the port of Amalfi it was bloody windy. We aimed towards what looked like the centre of town and tried to escape the blusters. We seemed to find the central square very easily. It was lovely. Drink was the first thing on the menu, out of the gale was preferable. We ended up at a lovely little 'typical' cafe just at the foot of the church stairs. We wanted a light lunch so ordered wine and a slice of pizza. I would love to see what the whole pizza looked like if these were slices!

While here we seen the most gorgeous beagle puppy. The owner even tried to make him pose for me but it was to no avail he was far too interested in sniffing out everything around. To work off the pizza slice we walked up the stairs to the church. We couldn't go in as I was not wearing a dress past my knees and did not have anything to cover my shoulders with. Not that bothered...we could still see some nice shops...

Not your average pizza express

Where we had lunch

As in Sorrento the fruit and vegetables are amazing. I particularly liked the natural Viagra on offer.

We hopped on the boat back into Sorrento and walked up the million stairs. I liked Amalfi but it was good to be back. It could just be we didn't know where we were going but it felt very small and that there wasn't much to do.

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