WARNING - NON BEAUTY POST

Ok, so today I am going to do a short post and its not beauty related.... Don't worry though because over the next few days I will be doing a feature on makeup fixing sprays, and a first thoughts review of the new Revlon Naked foundation and powder.

Today, is about candles... yes, you read that right.  This is not about common house candles, or church candles, this is about the smelly variety of candles, not just your well known named brands such as Yankee but any fragranced candle.

First of all to make your candles go further you will need to invest in an oil burner, this one is something I found  online and is very pretty...

My oil burner is white with some detailing on it and cost approximately £3 from Sainsburys.  You can pick them up cheaper in places like B&M and any stores that sell candles and homewares.  

The next thing you need is.....

Some messy melted candles!  I just hate to see all that lovely smelling wax go to waste, particularly when this happens to my little yankee candles, they are too expensive to waste.  

What I do is wait till it all cools down then i break apart the wax into chunks and I store it in an empty coffee jar.  This is perfect because it has a lid, is clear so you can see whats in there, and they are a good shape and size and are free (well if you are a coffee drinker they are) Other things you could use are tupperware tubs, jam or marmalade jars etc.  Charity shops are a great place to find decorative little glass storage jars so you can always check those out.  I prefer the coffee jar as I can then put that into the pot with my tealights in the front room.

The wax that is left and is wasted in overspill on your candle plate, plate, etc still has that amazing smell infused in it, so why waste that?  You can simply light a tea light in your oil burner and add a few chunks to the top and once that melts down you get that amazing aroma.  Its good for quite a few uses before it starts to lose its smell, in fact I have some wax in mine that has been there a good couple of weeks and still smells amazing.  

Maybe this is me being super frugal, but I hate waste, and its such a shame to not enjoy the smell of our candles longer.  

To remove it from the burner when the smell is gone you want to wait till it has gone almost cold, and use a spoon to lever down the side and take it out, hopefully if its cooled through properly you should be able to get it out in several pieces without too much mess or residue left behind.  The timing of this takes practice but no matter because any residue left you can always just light the tealight, warm up the wax and remove with a baby wipe with no problems.

ALSO, if you use candles in jars, you are often left with a good bit in the bottom that you cannot burn as the wick burns out.  This wax still smells amazing and will be great in a burner, so just take a spoon, and tap at the wax to crack it into chunks and store it up. You could even use your empty candle jars as a cute place to store those chunks of wax.  Couldn't be more appropriate really. 

I also love to mix wax leftovers to create my own cocktail of smells, right now I have red velvet cupcake with sicilian lemon and ice cream - it smells amazing.

I hope this has been interesting, and always stay safe when using your candles, be careful of where you place them and remember that oil burners can get hot so I have mine on a coaster as its on a wood surface and I don't want to damage it.

Live, Love, Laugh

And remember, the name of this blog is UNAPOLOGETIC.  I'm going to be honest with you always.  You might not agree, but its good to hear every side of the story xx

MAC - Lucky in Love Pigment (Betty Collection/Archies Girls)

Sneaky photo peek of the MAC Archies Girls pigment from the Betty collection in LUCKY IN LOVE.

I don't normally like pigments because in all honesty I'm quite a clumsy person and the fallout scares me, but by applying this pigment to the brush then spraying with MAC Fix+ on it I can prevent any fallout and help set the pigment in place effectively.  

This is a lovely mint colour, which I am loving right now, anything with a hint of aqua about it and I am right there.  It has a gentle metallic sheen to it that is so pretty.

Please check out my previous post for a tutorial using this look, a video for this look will soon appear on my YOUTUBE channel to.

Live, Love, Laugh

And remember, the name of my blog is UNAPOLOGETIC, I'm going to be honest with you always, you might not agree but its always best to hear every side of the story xx 

MAC Archies Girls - Lucky in Love Tutorial

EXCLUSIVE TO MY BLOG

Here are some step by step photos on how I used the pigment LUCKY IN LOVE from the new MAC Archies Girls collection in a lovely minty smoked eye look.  Here is a picture of the completed look and a list of what I used:

  

   

  

URBAN DECAY Eyeshadow Pencil in SIN

URBAN DECAY Smoked Palette - Kinky, Mushroom, Backdoor and Asphalt

URBAN DECAY Naked Basics - Venus and Naked 2

MAC Archies pigment in Lucky in Love

BOURJOIS Volume, fast and perfect Mascara in Black

(MAC Fix + to set it all in place)

and featuring MAC Archies Girls lipstick in Betty Bright

 STEP ONE - Base Shadow

I apply Urban Decay eyeshadow pencil in SIN all over the lid, this is a lovely creamy base that is also a good product for the loose pigment to adhere to.

STEP TWO - Lucky in Love Pigment (Check out the next post for more pictures of the pigment packaging and a review)

Carefully dipping the brush into the pigment i tap off the extra and then spray the loaded brush with MAC Fix + to reduce fallout.

STEP THREE - Adding dimension to the crease

Taking NAKED 2 from the URBAN DECAY Naked Basics Palette I take a fluffy brush and blend this across the crease from outer eye most of the way across the eye.  This adds a little bit of depth into the crease area and is also great to blend the edge of the pigment.

STEP FOUR - Lets get smokey

Taking Mushroom by Urban Decay from the SMOKED palette, I use this to darken the outer edge of the crease, and use this to blend half way across the eye.  This adds some depth and drama and makes this a much smokier look.

STEP FIVE - More drama?!

For more drama I decided to add Asphalt by Urban Decay (SMOKED palette) into the outer eye crease just at the corner of the eye, and blended this out to soften it.  

This is now what the look looks like... time to add some colour to the lower and upper lash lines.

STEP SIX - Lashlines

Taking MUSHROOM by Urban Decay on this fine liner brush I take it along the lower lash line half way across the eye.

Then using BACKDOOR (also from the SMOKED palette by URBAN DECAY) I apply this to the upper lash line all the way across, then on the lower lash line from the inner eye corner to the centre where I blend it with MUSHROOM.

 STEP 7 - Blending and lightening

Taking KINKY from the Urban Decay SMOKED palette I apply this with a fluffy brush from just above the crease to the brow.

Then taking Venus from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette I apply this as a highlight to the brow bone, this is a lovely soft gentle shimmer, but if you want something much more dramatic you could use VERVE from the NAKED 2 palette instead.

STEP SEVEN - Time for the lashes

I used my favourite rotating BOURJOIS mascara in black here, but fake lashes could really add a dramatic finish to this look to.

So after adding a spritz of MAC Fix+ to set all the shadows in place thats the eye look complete.

Time for a cheeky wink!

 BONUS

The perfect lip colour to finish off this look was MAC Archies Girls lipstick from the BETTY collection in BETTY BRIGHT.

Now thats neon coral

What gorgeous packaging

Watch out for a video tutorial of this look on my channel following my MAC Archies Girls Haul.  

Live, Love, Laugh

And remember, the name of this blog is UNAPOLOGETIC, I'm going to be honest with you always, you might not agree but its good to hear every side of the story xx

(Incidentally on my cheeks is THE BALM - FRAT BOY and MAC Highlighter in SPECTACLE from the DAME EDNA collection)

Now featured on my YOUTUBE channel - Mac Archies Haul as soon as I am well xx

Roger & Gallet Flashbox Review

So since receiving this box I have used everything inside it, 2 items less than others but I thought I would share with you my thoughts so far....

First I am going to start with my most used item, which is now sadly almost empty :  (

This is the foaming shower gel - Fleur d'Osmanthus Foaming Shower Gel

This presents as a thick clear gel that when rubbed on the skin turns into a lovely gentle lather that leaves the skin feeling so silky and soft. The smell is just gorgeous, its a comforting sort of smell that is not too overpowering. You feel cleansed but your skin feels soft, almost like it has been washed and moisturised at the same time. This is definitely an item I would repurchase. 

Next was the mini soap - Citron Perfumed Soap (25g sample) full size 100g £5.50

This soap is so pretty to look at, its simple and the round shape makes it easy to use - yes that sounds weird, but round soaps just seem to later up better in the hand, or maybe thats just me.

This is another gently fragranced item, the smell is gorgeous but its not overpowering.  At the end of the day soap is soap it cleans your skin, so there isnt that much to say about this to be honest, as they say it does what it says on the tin.  This cleans your skin!

My only complaint is that the lovely smell doesnt last on the skin too long, part of that is possibly because its such a gentle smell.  The bonus is that as I have sensitive skin that reacts to products like soap very easily, my skin did not react to this at all.  I wouldnt repurchase this as to me this is a pretty soap with a lovely smell but it didnt win me over in any way.  I will enjoy it till its gone but thats it for me with this.  

Next is the Fleur D’Osmanthus Moisturising Body Lotion (50ml sample) full size 200ml £12

This body lotion is from the same range as the foaming shower gel and shares the same amazing aroma, as with the rest of the range it smells amazing but isn't overpowering in any way, which is a good thing in some ways, but as the smell is so lovely its a bit of a shame in some ways because I would love it to linger a bit more than it did.  This lotion is incredibly light, it sinks right in and leaves no residue, infact its like you have nothing on your skin.  

Next was - Fleur D’Osmanthus Eau Fraiche (10ml sample) full size 100ml £32

Another product in the fleur d'osmanthus range, this is incredibly lightly fragranced and feels so light on the skin to, the smell is so pretty, this is another item I wish had a little more power behind it but I just love it. This is a very generous size sample and should last a while for me, not sure that I would buy this full size but I will see how I feel when I get to the end of the bottle. I will say this is a very unique smell that is just so soft and I just had to keep smelling my wrist again and again because it was just so lovely on the skin. 

The last item and the least used is the Huile Sublime Bois d’Orange (10ml sample) full size 100ml £24.50

I have only used this twice, but love the smell of this, this is from a different range from most of the items in this box, but I do love my citrus smells so was thrilled with this.  I have used this just on my hair at this stage, and it did feel lovely.  It didnt feel greasy, it sank into the hair and wasnt overpowering in fragrance.  I very much enjoyed this, but there a lot of oils out there right now, this cannot touch my L'Oreal Mythic Oil, it lacks in texture and fragrance.  And as lovely as it felt on the hair i dont think it felt like it was as moisturising or gave off as lovely an aroma, as other oils I currently use.  I will definitely use this all up, the smell alone is so pretty, but I wont repurchase this.

Overall, I have been loving using the items in this box, I love the smells and the textures and how they feel on my skin/hair.  I will definitely repurchase the foaming shower gel, and may think about the fragrance as well, but its the lack of fragrance that sometimes lets these items down, they smell so amazing, i just wish the smelled a little stronger.  

I am glad i got this box and had a try, and will definitely check out other items in their range in store, at Marks and Spencers.

Check out my video on my first thoughts on my channel on YOUTUBE:

Live, Love, Laugh

And remember, the name of this blog is UNAPOLOGETIC, I'm going to be honest with you always, you might not agree but its good to hear every side of the story xx

Happy Valentines Day

Every year Glossybox always take advantage of the major holidays and do a special box, which comes in alternative packaging, and this year they have outdone themselves... packaging wise.  

The box is candy pink and glossy with a drawing of a bow on the front with the Glossybox logo in the centre.   What is extra nice about this is that the ribbon isnt just on the lid and thats where the effort ends, no the ribbon is also drawn across the base of the box and ends at the back with a drawn on Glossybox sticker holding it in place.  Ten out of ten for effort there Glossybox, its such a pretty box and i cant wait to put it up on my shelf where it can be seen and admired (yes i admit it im a crazy box and tin lady).

Inside, frosted pink paper and rose pink shredded paper just add to the lovely overall prettiness of the box.  And then on to what I got.....

I get 2 boxes as I am lucky enough that my husband also gets me a box a month.  Both profiles are completed differently so that the boxes vary in what I get.

BOX 1

 Looks promising...... right? 

First the item that just about everyone seems to have received.  I have had some Dr Rennauds before in a flashbox and they are lovely, my only objection here is the smell.  I think not only are strawberries more valentines day than raspberrries I think that they are a more loved smell than raspberries.  That said this is a lovely cream, its almost like a white gel but dissolves right into the skin and does have a fresh raspberry yoghurt smell.  This is 30ml and at full size of 50ml it retails at £25.  This size is therefore worth £15, which is not bad.  

 The next item is from Anatomicals, and this definitely screams valentines to me, why? Its gorgeous rose scent of course.  It smells lovely and its not a fake rose smell, its that lovely fresh cut garden rose smell.  Its lovely on the skin and isnt overpowering.  This is not a full size but its huge nonetheless.

Next, those dreaded mini makeup samples.  Though some think they are messy to use as you cant get your brush in, just tip upside down and allowing some product to settle in the lid and they are much less messy.  This one is in suede, and its from Micabella cosmetics - a mineral blush.  Its a nice enough coral/brown colour and blends out beautifully.  Not bad, and ive been lucky enough to avoid these before this box... sadly I would like to avoid them for the future to lol.  Its not that they arent nice, i just like my blusher pressed not loose.

Next item is a lipstick from Helen E cosmetics, this retails at £8, not sure of its quality as i didnt swatch it, this is heading right into a giveaway.  I dont like these shades and as you know I am a MAC lipstick fiend so I dont use other lippys very much at all.  No offensive smell though, and the packaging is nice enough with a see through lid which is always great if they are standing in a drawer so you can see the colour and dont spend forever searching for the colour you want.

The last item is from MODEL CO, and is full sized.  This is an eyeshadow duo in Bronze Goddess and the shades are Maldives and Jamaica.  I wasnt too sure at first, but then i swatched the colours and they are lovely.  I have worn them and they are soft and blend easy, the lighter champagne colour is very similar to the MAC pressed pigment in light touch - its a touch peachier but just as sparkly. 

The added treat in the box is a red heart lollipop, yum this is gorgeous, I would love to know who the supplier is as I definitely would love more.

Overall, I like this box, I will give the blusher a go, and the lipstick is a nice addition to my giveaway.  The eyeshadow duo is lovely and the shower gel but the raspberry cream will take some getting used to, its an odd smell for me.  Im happy with this box.

BOX 2

This box again had the raspberry soft cream in it, as well as another blusher and lipstick, this time though in different colours.

This lipstick is not for me either, this is natural which is a browny peach colour, and another addition to my upcoming giveaway.  

The blusher is in terracotta, this I do like, its a lovely coral colour and I am pretty pleased that this I can wear and will give a try.  

The next item is a liquid highlighter called BEAT THE BLUES, from the brand MEMEME, and its in Oyster Gold.  This brand is big on duping Benefit, and this is pretty nice, its not a yellow gold which is great as I hate gold highlighters on me - gold is not my colour.  I think I can work with this and will give it a try.  

The last item in the box is a body spray, this is a very cheap item even at its full size, but it does retail in Boots and Sainsburys so at least if you like it you can get hold of it easy enough.  I love love love the smell of this spray and have worn it, it smells nice on the skin and clothes and did last quite a while.  Alec loved it and noticed it rightaway, asking what perfume do you have on? Thats a huge thumbs up.  I would buy this again and cant wait to see what other smells there are in the range.

Overall I loved the 2nd box to.  Love the spray and the blusher is a pretty colour, the lipstick completes one of the giveaway prizes and i will enjoy trying the highlighter out, and pass it on if i dont like it.  And that cream, lol, i better start liking it now i have two of them.

OVERALL

I think there is too much makeup in these boxes.  Im not a fan of makeup in boxes, im pretty set in the brands I like for things such as eyeshadows, lipsticks etc and I think its a gamble getting a colour the recipient of the box will like.  I love skincare in my boxes, I love trying new things.  These boxes brought me a footspray i love, hair oil which i hadnt used before and now cant be without, and various body lotions and moisturisers I just love.  This box therefore was a little disappointing for me in that respect.  I feel there was a lack of balance, maybe one less makeup item and a nail item instead would have been better.

Somehow all the hype around these special boxes just never quite delivers.  As always its a nice box but its not amazing.  I guess we just hype it too much and then its kinda disappointing when we do get it, I never expect too much so I'm never too disappointed.  This box is nice, but its not amazing.  Maybe next month will be better, I always feel the standard boxes are so much better anyway and for me I am a huge Glossybox fan.  Theres always something to rescue the box.

Happy Valentines Day everyone xx