A Rose Gold Beauty Haul

As bloggers we’re well versed in the justification for our spending being ‘but it’s for the blog’ although I learnt long ago that I had neither the means or ability to keep up with every new beauty release. That said every so often one or two products slip through this invisible net especially when paired with the other excuse that ‘the blogger made me do it’ and today’s post is showcasing those.

It’s only fair to start with the product that started my small spending spree, Monsoon Rose Gold Perfume* which ironically as my asterix tells you was a gifted product. My parents are kind enough to take delivery of my press samples (my dad doesn’t quite understand and believes I have some sort of online shopping addiction) and even nicer is that my mum will drop them off throughout the week so I can admire then when I arrive home from work. Monsoon Rose Gold Perfume was one of those products she had delivered for me and it’s rather beautiful packaging, a white and rose gold box sat atop my desk waiting for its photo shoot at the weekend whilst I enjoyed a spritz here and there.

I had always considered myself a perfume snob in so much as my favourite perfumes are often from the well-known brands such as Chanel but having tried the 007 Fragrance for Women I knew that was no longer justifiable so I was keen to sample Monsoons offering as well as giving them a pat on the back for playing on the trend for rose gold.

The fragrance is more floral than what I would usually lean towards but light enough that I have enjoyed wearing it. I find it’s more suited to day and reminds me of Liz Earle No 20 Botanical Essence. It’s combination of top notes such as rose, tuberose, neroli and cyclamen combined with the base notes of Eastern woods, vanilla, mosses, musk and balsamic amber create a feminine fragrance which belongs in the modern world. In fact I took into work with me yesterday to share with a friend who immediately commented positively and said she too isn’t a lover of floral scents but finds this one to be appealing.

Moving on it is often the case with products I receive throughout the week I will spend my time musing about how I will feature these on Florence and Mary. Will it be an individual review? Do I have any other products that will compliment and create a feature and on it goes. On a trip to Superdrug which I will explain my reasons for later I stumbled across the newly installed Make Up Revolution stand. Top tip for London dwellers, if you want to look at beauty products without dirty stands and testers hit branches in the City area as they tend to be better kept than West End branches. My eyes were immediately drawn to the Vivid Baked Highlighter in Rose Gold Lights. Did I need it? Of course not and having just purchased the Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Palette it was hardly necessary but then I thought oh what about a ‘Rose Gold Beauty Haul’… for the blog.. featuring this and the aforementioned perfume. Job done and the highlighter was mine. And I’m oh so glad I parted with that mere £3 because I’m a lot in love with this product.

It does look a little scary in the pan but do not be afraid because Rose Gold Lights is a beauty. I have a post on my highlighter collection coming up soon and it’s still an area I’m learning about and find myself leaning more towards blushers with a satin finish or a little shimmer for my cheeks. This fits the bill perfectly and is ideal for wearing to work and not blinding anyone with highlight in my meetings. So taken am I with this product I’ve text all my friends immediately and shared the love as I did on Instagram yesterday. Whilst this is not a dupe for Rose Spritz in the Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Palette if it is a shade you’ve been lusting over and want something more affordable I would recommend you check this out.

I alluded earlier in my post that there was a reason for my jaunt to Superdrug and that I was already armed with the excuse ‘the blogger made me do it’ and that blogger was Lydia Elise Millen. I along with many saw her Snapchat on how she was creating a ‘false lash effect’ with two mascaras; L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes So Couture Mascara and L’Oreal Paris False Lash Sculpt Mascara. which you can see on my Instagram today. I wanted to investigate for myself knowing I was already a fan of the L’Oreal Superstar Mascara and its ‘false lash effect’. I can confirm that this mascara duo is a good one although I feel like I need to put in a little more practice but as someone who lacks the time or inclination for false eye lash application this is a worthy alternative. On first use I really appreciate how long my lashes appeared and using the Lash Sculpt meant you could see ‘individual’ lashes rather than a more clumped appearance that others would give.

Of course the photo tells you that I didn’t stop at L’Oreal mascara and in fact took advantage of the 2 for 3 offer in Superdrug on L’Oreal Make up and came home with a rather lovely new red lipstick. Once again did I need another red lipstick? Of course not but something drew me away from the L’Oreal Sexy Balms I originally had in mind to the Gold Obsession Collection.

I had no prior knowledge about this collection and I cannot find much online since, aside from a sneakpeek from Really Ree nor any links to Rouge Gold the shade I chose. Ree mentioned this was a collection launching in the US this month and it appears one or two products have snuck their way into UK stores and I’m pretty happy to have discovered them. There was a gorgeous purple shade which I have my eye on for the Autumn season but from what I can see of the nude and pink shades I would love to try them out too.

I don’t believe I’ve had much experience of L’Oreal lipsticks before but I want to change that after this experience. Rouge Gold is a traditional bright red with a shot of gold shimmer running through that makes lips glisten rather than glitter. It’s something I would look at on paper and think it’s not for me but it translates so well. It’s perfect for the Summer but will translate so nicely to cooler months and I can’t wait to rock this at Christmas parties. I also tend to ignore any thought towards longevity on the lips because as a smoker I expect my lipstick to disappear quickly and require regular application but I’ve found myself impressed on this occasion. I managed to arrive at work after my morning cigarette and commuter coffee with the lipstick still intact which is almost unheard of.

And that brings my small, but successful rose gold haul to a close. What do you think of my purchases.

*this post contains press samples and affiliate links