Blogmas - Day Seven: December Birchbox

Hi guys.

Today's post is a bitter sweet one as it is my last Birchbox of this year.  I ordered a Birchbox back in November 2014 to try it out plus I had a code to get the box for about £7 so I jumped at the chance to use it and try out out because I had seen and heard a lot about it and I was intrigued to see what it was like.  I loved it so this January, I got a years subscription and I haven't regretted that decision.  I have tried and been introduced to a lot of new brands as well as brands I had tried before.  

This months Birchbox came in a small clutch bag which has glitter and green suede.  A very pretty bag and I may find some use for it as a makeup bag for travelling.  So inside the bag was some very exciting products.

The first item I got was The Ultimate Party Kit by Benefit - Puff Off! and They're Real Push-up Liner.  

Birchbox says: You'll find everything you need to perfect your peepers for party season inside this GORGEOUS kit!  Heading out? A slick of this jet-black liner will complete any makeup look in style.  The morning after?  Soothe tired eyes with the de-puffing formula.  I have always wanted to try this liner from benefit and getting a small sample of this made my day.  I am also wanting to find a good eye cream so if this is any good I may purchase the full size!

Full price: £41 for both products.

The next product I received is Model Co's Ultra Long-Lasting Lipstick in Smitten.  

Birchbox says: There's nothing worse than perfecting your party lip only to check all night for smudges.  Luckily, this hydrating, semi-matte formula provides nourishment and long-lasting colour - so you don't have to worry!  I am always on the hunt for a red lip that suits my skin tone and when I swatched this, it seemed to agree with my colouring.  I am looking forward to trying this colour out when I go out later this week.  

Full price: £15.50 for a set of 3

Next is Ciate London Paint Pot in Power Dressing.

Birchbox says: These iconic polishes are beloved for a reason - they're super-pigmented, ultra long-lasting and a cinch to apply!  For a pretty. party- ready mani, they can't be rivalled (and we'll have how-to's over at blog.birchbox.co.uk if you're in need of a little inspiration!)  This super cute little mini polish is a beautiful royal blue colour that I don't have in my collection of nail polishes so I am happy to receive this little cutie.

Full price: £9

Another product I received is the Balance Me Congested Skin Serum.

Birchbox says: Uh-oh - it's officially party season and you've woken up to an enormous breakout.  Don't panic!  This soothing serum blends chamomile, aloe vera and lavender to calm and restore skin's balance without drying it out.  I am prone to the odd spot here and there especially since I am at uni and I am under some stress so a spot treatment is always welcome in my collection.

Full price: £16

A body product this time and this is the Skin & Co Sicilian Body Gel.

Birchbox says: Packed with zesty ingredients sourced from Italy (we're talking Sicilian orange and olive extracts) it purifies and moisturises skin while transforming your morning shower into an aromatic haven.  This smells amazing and I cannot wait to start using this in the shower to cleanse my skin.

Full price: £15

The final product I received is Roloxin Lift Instant Skin Smoothing Masque.

Birchbox says: If you've got a big party coming up, or you just want to feel a little more skin confident, then this wrinkle-smoothing mask will be your new BBF.  It diminishes pore, firms the skin and boots radiance - for up to 24 hours after use!  I am not one for using masks but I really want to get into using them more.  I will try this next time I am feeling like a pamper night!

Full price: £79

So that is it for today's post and for my subscription of Birchbox.  I cannot believe it has been a full 12 months and countless products later and I have received my last one.  I have been loving it but now feel that a new subscription is in order.  

What did you receive this month?  Have you got any recommendations for a new box to try next year?

Bye for now.

Jess. X

Blogmas - Day Three: The Christmas Tag

I did a similar tag last year during Blogmas but this year I decided to do a different one courtesy of Beth from Miss Beauty Obsession (linked here).  I will also link my last Christmas Tag from last year here.

What is your favourite Christmas movie?

I have a few favourite Christmas movies; The Muppet's Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz and The Miracle on 34th Street.  I have done an in depth blogpost on my favourite Christmas movies which I will link here.

Do you open presents on Christmas Morning or Christmas Eve?
We have a tradition in my family to open one present on Christmas eve while in out new Christmas PJ's and open the rest on Christmas morning.

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I don't really have a Christmas memory as for the last few years have been really good.  I guess if I had to choose one it would be spending time with family when I was a child.

What's your favourite festive food?

Christmas dinner hands down.  My flatmates and I recently had a flat Christmas dinner which went really well as some of my flat mates have never tried a British Christmas dinner and they enjoyed it so much.  I have some pictures on Intsagram (linked here)

What's been your favourite Christmas gift?

I would have to say my favourite Christmas gift has to be my Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy perfume which I got for my very first Christmas with my ex-boyfriend.

What's your favourite Christmas scent?

My favourite Christmas scent is anything with spiced apple and cinnamon as it reminds me of home when my mum would burn candles smelling of this as well as having air fresheners.  I always make sure I have a can of air freshener that has this scent every year so it reminds me of home.

Do you have a Christmas Eve Tradition?

Like I mentioned above our family tradition is to sit around and open one present while wearing our new PJ's  I try to keep this tradition even if I am not at home anymore.

What tops your tree?

At the moment I have a silver angel at the top of my tree.  I have had this for 5 years and it is still going strong.

As a child, what was the one (crazy, extravagant) gift you wanted but never got?

I honestly cannot remember.  It has been so long since I have looked through the Argos catalogue as a child and I guess if I looked through it now it would be completely different.

What do you think is the best part of Christmas?

The countdown and the excitement of knowing Christmas is coming closer.  This Christmas will be a bit different as I am staying at uni and working (sad I know but Christmas wont be the same this year).

So that is my tag for this year hope you enjoy reading my answers this year.  Please feel free to do this tag and I tag anyone who reads this and please go and check out Beth's blog, it is awesome.

Bye for now.
Jess. X 

Blogmas - Day One

Blogmas - Day One

I cannot believe my blog is now one year old! How time flies. I don't know as of yet what I want to do to celebrate this occasion but I will do something (ideas would be appreciated). I also can't believe that I have kept to my word of posting as regular as I can (I know I missed a few months due to a busy schedule but I will hopefully get this sorted out). 

As I enjoyed doing Blogmas last year, I have decided I am going to do this again. So as it is the 1st of December, I am going to kick this years Blogmas off with an update.  I know I have done a few recently but I have been MIA for a few weeks and it will be a catch up as well as a get to know me for my new followers. 

So as some may know, I'm Jess and I am a second year student at the University of Bradford studying Health, Wellbeing and Social Care.  Most of my life at the moment is uni work as well as my two part time jobs (one being a Student Ambassador for my faculty and the other and more frequent is crew member at Burger King). I spend most of my free time studying (boring I know but it's gotta be done). 

I created this blog a year ago today and have loved writing posts and reviewing products. I want to be more involved with my blog this next coming year and hopefully start a YouTube channel but that is only in the planning stages in my head and want to get into a regular routine with my blog. 

I recently became single and am starting to love the single life although I do miss being in a relationship.  I do have to say, I have had a lot of support through this.  Being in a relationship for three years is a long time and we both were serious throughout the duration of the relationship but things started to get a bit strained and we decided it was best to end it.  I was devastated but as time has gone on, I am slowly getting over it and getting on with my life.

I will be staying at uni for the Christmas holidays, working and finishing off assignments.  I am aiming to do well in my next two years of uni.  I cannot believe that I graduate in a year and a half.  Time is going by so fast.

What is going on in your lives?  Hope you all have a great Blogmas.  Let me know if you are participating in Blogmas and I'll have a look.

Bye for now.

Jess. X