My Boots Beauty Box

I was sent a beauty box from Boots last December but too much festive spirit prevented me from sharing the contents with you then. The products have still made up my beauty kit and Christmas isn't the only time we like to party so I thought it was still appropriate to share.

Sleek Solstice Highlighting Palette* has come to the attention even more recently when Jaclyn Hill raved about it on her channel. Unlike Sleeks usual black packing they've emphasised the 'highlighting' elements by using rose gold packaging, thus appealing to every blogger across the land.

Inside the palette you will find four highlighting products; one cream and three powders, two of which are baked. The cream is Ecliptic, a shimmery rose beige and Hemisphere is a baked highlighter in lilac which gives a frosty finish. Subsolar is pale gold and finally is Equinox in a more peach tone.

I find that I use Hemisphere the least and I like Subsolar for more of a blush to add some warmth to my skin but all shades can be used to that luminous sheen we're all looking for during Summer - especially when the sun isn't actually shining for us!

If you're off on your travels and trying to keep your products to a minimum this is perfect as it'll give you multiple options in Sleek (see what I did there!) packaging - and the mirror comes in handy too.

Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit* doesn't come in the fanciest of packaging but £6.49 isn't a bad price for the product inside. Three powders; a highlighter, and two shades of brown, medium and dark. The highlighting shade isn't for me, especially when paired alongside the Sleek palette but the contour shades work well and actually blend quite nicely. The high street is certainly upping their game where contouring is concerned. I tend to use the middle shade most frequently so whether I'd actually purchase this for just that one product is another matter.

I had a great experience with the Collection Little Mix Eyeshadow palettes so it wasn't a surprise that the Collection #YouStyleYourMood Eyeshadow Palette* was a success also. The price of eyeshadow palettes is sky rocketing it seems so it's great to find one under £10 on the high street. The only downside for me is the lack of mattes to use as transition shades and of course the packaging is a little blah but otherwise it's perfect for creating a number of looks.

Unfortunately there was a disappointment in the Boots Beauty Box and that was the Nail Apothecary Gel Effect Top Coat by Elegant Touch*. Unfortunately I've found this doesn't give a glossy finish and if anything dulls the look of my polish. I also found the brush too long that it was fiddly to work with. On a positive note it did help with avoiding chipping and nails did last a good few days but the finish spoiled it for me.

And the final product I haven't had an opportunity to use and they are limited edition so even you won't be able to try them out is the Eyelure Party Lashes Frozen Beauty*. These are amazing and I do hope that I will have an excuse and opportunity to wear them one day. Lashes interspersed with silver ribbons these are made for a special occasions.

*this post contains press sample and affiliate links

Natural Collection Beauty Review

Natural Collection, despite 25 years on the shelves of Boots seems to be very much an underrated and overlooked brand. Even in today's beauty blogging peak it's a brand you don't often hear crop up, compared to the others such as Seventeen and No 7. I vaguely remember seeing one of the eyeshadow colours recently featured on one or two blogs being a great transition shade but otherwise it's tumbleweed.

I too haven't given the Natural Collection range so much as cursory glance in store as in honesty it's not the most enticing of brands with it's simple packaging and its 'natural' appearance, is it perhaps too boring for today's beauty fans? This said I did used to use their clear mascara for my eyebrows 'back in the day'.

Luckily for me Boots got in touch and asked if I'd like to try some products from the range and I thought it was a great opportunity to see if I was missing out on Natural Collections offering or was it perhaps right that they have been so overlooked?

When I first glanced inside the box of Natural Collection products I made some typical judgements. The packaging isn't exciting inoffensive although there's something about the products that's a little beige. This in itself is a ridiculous statement as I'm hardly rocking blue lips and bright pink eyeshadow on a regular basis.

I have to say I need to eat my words and learn not to judge a book by it's cover because I've been enjoying the products I've been able to test. Did anyone else know that everything in the range is priced at £1.99. That's amazing. I think the thing that is missed with Natural Collection is that they're all about creating a natural make up look by keeping things simple. Even us beauty bloggers struggle wondering is it bronzing or contouring and what the difference between highlighting and strobing is?

First up is the Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser* which is available in 3 shades; Natural, Fair and Beige. I have Natural. Packaging is a clear tube, with the simple Natural Collection Daisy, perfect for travel and knowing how much product you have left. Natural Collection say it will give your face 'a natural glow and sheer coverage' and for those who want to look natural and not overly made up. I was surprised at how thick the tinted moisturiser was and actually found I was wiping more off my hand than needing for my face so I imagine this tube will last some time. In texture it reminded me surprisingly of my favourite Make Up Forever HD Foundation. For me I found it applied seamlessly and was a fuller coverage than I expected although medium, one of those your skin but better. In fact I was quite impressed and once I went in with my concealer I felt like I had a normal base on. I've been wearing this daily and find it's perfect for 'every day' and saves some of my more affordable foundations whilst not compromising on quality and appearance.

It wore well throughout the day and it was only a little shine that came through towards the of the day. Thankfully I had Natural Collection Pressed Powder* in Warm to hand. I did use this once or twice to set my concealer and I do prefer my Chanel Les Beiges but this is a worthy and far more affordable alternative. Available in three shades; warm, neutral and cool you this is such a silky powder and not at all what I expected. If you're a fan of Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder and want to find something even cheaper than that check your Natural Collection counter.

Again there were more pre-conceived ideas with Natural Collection Suntint Bronzing Powder* in the shade Suntint. Drugstore bronzers are often known to be on the orange side and filled with sparkle and it is true to say there is a glint to Natural Collection's offering hence my assumption I wouldn't like it. It's certainly not one for contouring as such but as I applied it made a lovely bronze look and I can forgo wearing blusher for the more natural look that Natural Collection are aiming for.

Finally is the Natural Collection Blushed Cheers Blusher* in Pink Cloud which is a pretty inoffensive pink to wear. I'm something of a blush addict so I'm not sure it's going to compete with those I favour, nor is it swaying me from bronzing powder at the moment but that is more personal preference than issue with the product.

Without a doubt, and if were not obvious, my two favourite products are the Tinted Moisturiser and Bronzing Powder which will definitely remain in my make up collection. I'm enjoying the ease of applying, not having to reach for multiple bronzers and blushes as I really like the warmth the blusher gives me.

There's very little we can get for £1.99 these days and the fact that there is this unsung brand on our doorstep I'm kicking myself. I think I might have to explore the Natural Collection stand next time I'm in Boots and see what other gems I can find.

Have you ever used Natural Collection cosmetics?

*this post contains press samples

Boots Electronic Cold Sore Machine Review

Boots Electronic Cold Sore Machine

Cold sores might not be the most glamorous of topics but I'm a sufferer and I might have the product that could change your life if you are one too. I first heard about the Boots Cold Sore Machine from Sali Hughes blog and with such a rave review I made a note to pick up one of these fabulous machines.

I've suffered from cold sores as long as I can remember, an unwelcome ailment inherited from my nan and dad. They occur at any random, and often inappropriate moment and tend to stick around for a good two weeks, rendering lipsticks unwearable, often painful and generally unpleasant to look at.

Last November I talked about Compeed Cold Sore Patches being something of saviour to the process as using creams often left things looking, for want of a better word, gunky. There was also the downside that if you left things to dry they would crack and become sore. I'd recently discovered Boots own version of these cold sore patches which I was getting along quite well with as they were smaller in size and less intrusive. I often found that people would ask 'what's on your lip' about the actual patch rather than noticing a cold sore - maybe more of a diversion tactic than actual 'cover up'.

You may ask why if I was suffering cold sores with such frequency (reasons being anything from immune system crashing after a big night out, time of the month or general stress and lack of sleep) hadn't I tried the Cold Sore Machine earlier.

In the first instance the cost of £35 wasn't something to just pop into Boots and pick up 'on a whim' and secondly there was denial, ie I haven't got a cold sore (now) so I don't need it. After a period of cold sores in quick succession interfering with my lifestyle (not the perfect 'pulling' conditions!) I of course decided I would try anything no matter the cost.

My lax attitude was to be punished. For literally about 6 months I could not find the machine in stock. It was sold out online, every Boots I tried, or passed I'd pop my head in to search for it. I had friends on the look out. This was honestly the holy grail (and I must admit even now I still glance at the shelf to see what availability is like just in case I lose or break mine).

Eventually I was able to purchase the machine and not long I woke up one morning and a cold sore had appeared. They're cheeky these cold sores, sometimes you get the warning tingle but this one just appeared overnight. I went to work with the machine. It's a very non nondescript machine that you hold over the sore, press the button and it flashes for 5 minutes and beeps when you're done. That is it. You repeat the process a second time, so I would do it in the morning and of an evening before bed (it sits in my bedside table for this purpose). 

Does it work? Hell yes it does. It's amazing and I urge anyone who suffers from one to immediately try it. It'll change your life. The cold sores which last 7 - 14 days and go through the varying states mentions remain tiny, there's no weepy, oozing, dryness. It's truly amazing. After three days I'm left with little more than a graze and by Friday it's pretty gone away. There is no need for patches or creams as this machine does it all. So that £35 I mentioned pays for itself - and lasts longer than the other products last.

Having a read through of Sali's post during a recent outbreak I see she uses it more than the advised twice a day and I've been increasing my usage during a recent outbreak. I'm not sure whether it's actually cut it down any more dramatically but I'm happy to keep firing at it!

Apologies for the non cold sore sufferers who might have found today's post dull or unpleasant but I'm sure if you're a sufferer this could be the best news you've heard all day.

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links