My New Obsession: Polyvore

One of my sets from Polyvore

Ok, so recently a friend suggested I started to use Polyvore for my blogging (Thank you!!!). Like any curious blogger, I’m all about the “hype” so that evening  I went online to see what all the fuss was about. .. and guys I can tell you that, that curiosity has now turned into a full-blown addiction!

What is it you may ask? Polyvore…similar to Pinterest, is a site where you can post your own “sets” under any category you wish ( fashion, beauty, food, interior design etc.) You can combine your own uploaded images or the images provided by the site itself to create unique collages.

I find it to be a great tool for bloggers, as it’s a simple way to mesh images together in an aesthetic manner and document any images you might want to use together in future posts.

I’ve been doing a lot of “outfit” sets recently and I hope to post some of them here every week or so.

If any of you would like to check out any more of my sets or “follow” me, my Polyvore link is: http://kate-higham.polyvore.com/ Come say hi!

Let me know if you are on Polyvore or if you’d like, please share some your sets with me in a comment below. I’m a nosey bugger!

-KATE- x

Sleepingbootay Reviews: Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream

So last week, I was leaving the house one morning to head to work and stumbled across a parcel for me! In it, was a full-sized sample of the new Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream to try out and review for this blog (this sorta thing never gets old!)  The excitement was almost too much to handle and I was pretty much smiling for the whole day as a result! I’ve been a big fan of Human + Kind products every since they sent me one of their first creams over a year ago now. I’m a big believer in using natural products with the least amount of chemicals the better. Human + Kind is also an Irish owned company so it’s nice to feel I’m supporting home-produce too! I’ve been trying this bad boy out for just over a week and thought it would be nice to share with y’all my thoughts on this lovely product!

Human + Kind Family Remedy cream

What they say:

” Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream contains a potent blend of 100% natural botanical essential oils and ingredients all of which have been carefully chosen for their healing , medicinal and long-lasting hydrating properties and so can also be used to treat eczema and psoriasis naturally and effectively”

Key ingredients (the interesting ones) : 

• Aloe Vera: soothes and hydrates
• Rosehip Oil: great source of Vitamin A and strong restorative properties
• White Lily: treats burns and wounds
• Broccoli Extract: UV protection
• Marshmallow: soothes and calms
• Centella: treats scars and blemishes.

The Sleepingbootay verdict:

The most important test for me when it comes to trying out a new skincare product is the allergy test…will it react badly to me?Will it irritate my eczema? I used a small dab of this cream behind my ear and on the inside of my arm and left over night as a mini patch test. Next morning, not only was there no irritation but my skin actually felt so much softer! Halle-lujiah!! The next few times, I used it as a soothing balm on my legs after shaving and also on my hands and feet as a moisturising treat.

I also love that it is a multi-use product which I am huge into at the moment! It can be used in so many ways; as a moisturiser, night cream, after-shave balm, blemish cream, to treat burns or wounds, to help reduce scarring, on cracked or hard skin…and so much more. Personally I’ve been using it as a lovely soothing treatment on my eczema. It’s refreshing to finally be using a natural product on my itchy problem rather than my usual high-chemical containing steroid creams!

The only downside I can see for this product is that the scent is quite strong and is one of those love-hate smells. I’m terrible at describing scents and I shouldn’t even bother trying but the only word I can think to describe it is Nature. It smells very natural and fresh.Slightly minty with a hint of liquorish and aloe vera? I’m not really sure…but whatever it is, it smells great. Perfect scent for this spring/summer!

Overall, this cream is the perfect hand-bag companion and skin miracle worker for any girl or the whole family this summer! I would really recommend it to everyone and i’m definitely going to purchase this bad boy when it runs out!

Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream

And if that wasn’t good enough:

There’s more folks:

1. It’s paraben-free
2. Allergy screened
3. No chemical nasties
4. Dermalogically tested
5. suitable for even the most sensitive of skin! (wooh)

Now where can you find it?:

This miracle cream is priced at 22.95 yo yos and can be found in most pharmacies and health stores nationwide. For a full list of stockists and more info on this product and other products from Human + Kind visit their website: http://www.humanandkind.com/where-to-buy/

If you have any questions on this product or if you’d be interested in me giving an update review on this product in the next few weeks, do let me know. Also, I’d love to hear if you have used this cream or any of the Human + Kind products before and your thoughts on them!

I’d really like to thank Human + Kind and Rachel Dalton Communicatons for sending me this sample to review! I’m really grateful!

Human + Kind Family Remedy Cream

For now, thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Bye

-KATE- x

Sunday’s Lust List #2

Phew…. ANOTHER week gone and that means ANOTHER Sunday’s Lust List for y’all. I’ll be honest, my week has been mental! Work, work work ….and eh more work! I haven’t had much time (or money…whooops) to go into actual shops but I’ve been doing some internet “window shopping”  and here’s the things I NEED (want) this week:

Miss Dior Perfume

I’ve been in a very I-need-a-new-perfume mood all month but this week in particular I’ve actually started to do a little bit of research into which one to get. I’ve wanted this bad boy for aaaages. Despite it’s pretty hefty price tag, I feel this baby will be mine very soon.

Clinique Even Better Eyes eye cream

Y’know the old saying, “prevention is better than the cure”? Well I feel I need to apply this when it comes to skincare. As I’m slowly and scarily progressing into my mid-20′s I feel as if I can no longer overlook the eye cream section in the beauty world. I’ve heard marvellous things about this one in particular. Watch this space for in-depth reviews and hopefully miracle results *fingers crossed*

OFFICE tan brogues

With Ireland starting to get warm-ish weather, I want to take advantage and get me some new summery clothes and accessories. I’m sick of wearing boots and I’m in dire need of some lighter footwear. These tan brogues from Office seem to be the perfect shoes for the job. They’ll go with loads and look comfy to do me in those busy days at work.

Zara Neon clutch

Heck, I’m aaaall about the NEON this month…and it’s not about to stop anytime soon. My newest fluro-crush is this beauty from Zara. The perfect companion to any dull or plain outfit… I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE. (great price as well…wooh!)

River Island Biker Jacket

Could this jacket be any cooler?! I’ve fallen in love with this verging-on-tacky jacket from River Island. I fear that my life would never be the same again if I don’t buy this soon. This would be the perfect statement piece for anybody this summer. Cant wait to wear mine with skinnies and heeled wedges!

Spike belt from Asos

I’m always on the look out for a new belt. I recently bought a few dresses for work that need some “toughening up” and I think this belt would definitely do it. I’m a big spike fan so this is just up my alley.

Urban Outfitter’s Dress

Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve found THE summer dress…and it’s this Minkpink Aztec print dress from Urban Outfitters. This dress can be dressed up, dressed down.. heck..worn any dayum way you like..and it would still look amazing. Bang on trend and would flatter any figure. YUM!!!

And just for fun:

Urban Outfitter’s Mug

Anyone who knows me will know of my not so secret mug fetish. This one has tickled my fancy. Floral, cat, glasses, nerdy… Yes yes yes yes please!

 

Okay, so that’s everything on my wish-list for this week… now I just need some DOLLAH to buy it all…hmmmm!…

I’d love to hear from you and what’s on your sunday lust list this week? Leave me a comment below.

Thanks for reading guys and until next time,

Bye!

-KATE- x

Linky-plinks ( because I’m lovely like that ) 

1. Miss Dior Perfume:http://www.theperfumeshop.com/fcp/product/dior/miss%20dior/1707
2. Clinique Even Better Eyes Eye Cream: http://www.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_123070982599_-1
3. Office brown brogues: http://www.office.co.uk/womens/office/picket_fence_lace_up/30/13028/36841/1?fs=130287
4. ZARA Neon Clutch: http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/ie/en/zara-neu-S2013/363009/1252003/BASIC+CLUTCH+BAG
5. River Island Pink Biker Jacket: http://eu.riverisland.com/women/coats–jackets/biker-jackets/Pink-buckled-waterfall-biker-jacket-637877
6. Asos Spike Belt: http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Hanging-Spike-Waist-Belt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2819220&cid=6992&sh=0&pge=6&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Black
7. Urban Outfitter’s Dress: http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/minkpink-woodstock-cross-back-print-dress/invt/5139409331851/&colour=Assort
8. Urban Outfitter’s Mug: http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/vintage-cat-mug/invt/5530441210111/

If you need any more info on anything I’ve featured above, please let me know and I’ll get back to you asap!

Sleepingbootay’s March Favourites :)

A tad late on the bandwagon.. but better late than never, right? So on that note,  today I give you my pick of the products that “wowed” me in March.

My March Favourites

• Rimmel’s Wake me up foundation: Another month gone, and another chance for me to bang on about this beauty of a foundation. Ladies and gentlemen, I think it’s fair to say that I have found the one… the perfect foundation that is. It’s light while offering a medium (yet build-able) coverage. The shade perfectly matches my skin tone and on top of that it actually does what it promises, it really does wake me up. The formula contains tiny particles of shimmer which reflect light off your skin giving it that “healthy glow” we all crave…what more could you want! Even the price is perfect at only a mere 11 yo yos… It’s a steal! I urge each and every one of you to run to your nearest drugstore now and purchase this bad boy (after you’ve read this blog post of course )

Rimmel Wake me Up foundation

• Bobbi Brown corrector & creamy concealer: Last month I decided to treat myself to a luxury concealer. Having only ever tried “drugstore” concealers , I felt like a complete newbie to the world of high-end concealment. I had heard many a good word about Bobbi Brown products and in particular their concealer kit so I decided to give it a whirl. At the counter I was matched up to the shade “Porcelain Bisque” and was instantly impressed even after the first application. The concealer side perfectly conceals my dark circles and works great on any pesky blemishes while the powder side helps to keep the concealer from sliding down my face!

Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer kit

• Barry M Hi-Shine Gelly  nail polish: It’s a well known fact by now that I am a huge nail-polish fiend.. if there’s a new colour, shade, gadget in town.. I’m on it! As soon as I heard of these new gel-like polishes by Barry M, I legged it down to my local Boots and picked up the shades “Watermelon” and “Pomegranate”, two perfect shades for Spring time. The colour pay-off is great and they do give you that gel-manicure look without forking out the money. I’ll definitely be purchasing more shades of these bad boys!

Barry M Hi-Shine Gelly Nail Polish in “watermelon” and “pomegranate”

• Natural collection’s blush in Peach Melba: A complete oldie… in fact possibly one of the first blushers I ever purchased. Some say it’s the perfect dupe for MAC’s Peach Melba. In my opinion, as far as colour pay-off goes, this is true however it’s durability wouldn’t match up. For the mere price of less than 2 yo yo’s this blush is the perfect product for those starting off in the make-up world or just for those looking to save some dollah! This blush range offers numerous shades of lovely colours to try out so you’re sure to find a shade to suit you.

Natural Collection Blusher in Peach Melba

• Rimmel’s Lash Accelerator Mascara in Brown: Running out of mascara is probably one of the most annoying things a make-up junkie can endure, however it’s the perfect excuse to try out some new releases. Last month was just that time to try out Rimmel’s new product, the “Lash Accelerator” mascara. Having heard nothing of this mascara previously, I tried this mascara with no preconceptions and zero expectations. By accident I had picked up the brown version which I have never used before but now I’m completely glad I did. Being quite fair-skined, brown mascara gives me a much more natural look and is much easier to wear as part of an “everyday” make-up look. The mascara itself, is very lengthening but not the best volumising mascara out there! I’ll be keeping this in my make-up bag for daily touch-ups at work!

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara in Brown

• Dove Purely pampering body cream: Having eczema it’s very rare that I get the chance to try out any luxury body creams or lotions as they tend to have quite harsh ingredients and strong fragrances. Dove has always been kind to my cranky skin so I decided to try out their indulgent body butter to give my body a treat. This body butter is incredibly moisturizing  smells lovely and leaves your skin feeling so soft you won’t be able to keep your hands away from yourself (ooooo-er!)

Dove Purely Pampering body cream

• Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in “Rouge Buzz”: Forever on the look out for that perfect lipstick, I dabbled in Bourjois’s new lipstick range, “The Rouge Edition”. I picked up the shade ” ” which to me, looks very similar to MAC’s Lady Danger. Being a flattering coral-y red colour this lipstick is bang on trend and looks great on pretty much all skin tones. The formula itself isn’t the most moisturizing so I’d advise banging on the ol’ lip balm before application, but apart from that this lipstick is definitely a must-buy for Spring/Summer!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in “Rouge Buzz”

Swatch of Bourjois Rouge Edition lipstick in “Rouge Buzz”

Aaaaaand that’s it folks, that’s all of my march favorites right there. However, I will be back with my April favourites very soon and I can tell you I’ve already found some gems.. so keep your peepers peeled for them!

I’d love to hear from you and what products you loved in March OR equally if you’ve tried any of the products I’ve mentioned in this blogpost. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below!

Thanks again for reading guys!

Bye for now!

-KATE- x

Beauty Product Detox

How often do we really truly follow the sell by or use by dates on products? I know for one, when food goes out of date, I throw it away. But when it comes to make-up…. I tend to lack in that area!What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put in it so we need to take care when it comes to cleaning out our make-up stash.

We are all guilty of trying to squeeze the very last of a product or over-using a coveted product to the bone..not to mention not cleaning our brushes regularly enough. There’s simply nothing worse than a flaky mascara or a cake-y, dry concealer yet we still manage to hold on to them for dear life. With no bad smell or mould.. there’s nothing to really indicate the expiration of our products but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have them. So how can we tell if your product is fit for the bin??

I’ve done quite a lot of research (snooping) and I decided to combine a teeny series of guidelines to insure you detox your make-up bag appropriately.

• Foundation: Water based foundation= up to 1year while oil based formulas can last up to 18 months. Try to stick to foundations that come with a pump as these are the most hygienic and best at keeping bacteria at bay.
• Powder: Pressed powder can last up to 18months however those of the loose variety need to be thrown out after a year. Any powder that comes with a sponge or “puff” needs extra attention… the sponge does not necessarily need to be thrown away but you do need to keep it clean and bacteria free… give it a wee wash about once a week.
• Blusher: these have the life span of about a year.. you’ll be able to tell they are ready to retire as they start to become quite dry and cake-y and hard to apply. You can get more time out of cream blushers as the oil and water ingredients help to preserve it for longer.
• Eye-shadow: Roughly about 1-2 years.
• Concealer: This product needs to be used within a year.. but you need to be particularly careful with this product as it tends to harvest the most germs and bacteria. One of the most popular uses for concealer is to conceal blemishes and spots.. every time you apply concealer (especially if it comes with an applicator) you are spreading this bacteria all over again. I would recommend cleaning this applicator every few times.. or using a separate concealer brush all together..which you can clean alongside your other make-up brushes.
• Mascara: Poor little mascara has the shortest life span of them all, needing to be replaced after just only 3 months. It’s very important you follow this expiration date seriously as mascara wands are the top hosts for bacteria and can cause some pretty nasty eye infections (trust me). A good tip to tell if your mascara has had its day.. is to listen for the “Pop” when you open your mascara tube.. if there is none… BIN IT!!
• Lipstick/ lipbalm/ lipgloss: This is where it gets a bit vague. The recommended expiration date for lip products is under two years. However there are some exceptions to the rule. If you have suffered from a cold sore.. or mouth blister and applied a certain lipstick during this time, it is advised to get rid of this lipstick all together as it can carry the bacteria that came with said blister or cold-sore and can cause it to come back if you re-use the product. Try to resist sharing lip-balms or lip products in general with others as you just never know what germs you can be passing back and forth.

Top Tip: when deciding if your product is past its sell by date is to look at the actual packaging itself. Most products generally indicate its shelf life right on their very own packaging. All you need to do is too look for this little symbol:

The number indicates the amount of months and the letter stands for the measurement of time. In this case this picture indicates that the product is suitable for use for up to 12 months.

36M would stand for 36months and so on and so forth… It’s SIMPLES!

And that’s it! If you follow these pretty simple guidelines and pay closer attention to what your products’ packaging tells you, your make-up stash should be bacteria-free in no time.

I’d love to hear from you and your make-up detox routine. How often do you change your make-up? Or if you don’t, do you find that it has any effects on your skin?  Let me know in the comments section below!

Thanks for reading guys,

Until next time…Bye Kx:)

My 2012 Hero Products

Blooooooomin’ eck! It’s 2013 already! I realize I’m a tad late with this buuut…. Happy New Year everybody! Gosh that year went really quick. I just want to take a teeeeny tiiiiny second to thank everybody who supported my blog and my crazy ramblings in 2o12. I hope you continue to follow and enjoy my blog this year (and the next year and the next after that and so on )

The way I see it is that it is a new year and a fresh start with this blogging shizz. I started to get downright shoddy when it came to blogging towards the end of last year. With my new home and new job, I let my blog behind. However this year, I’m going to get back on track and I plan to blow your minds with some serious blogginess.

I thought a good way to kickstart my new blogging, would be to take a wee look back over some of my most loved products of last year. I’ve had a long ponder over these products over some very stressful cups of tea… but I’ve finally whittled it down to the following list of my MUST HAVE (yes, in capital letters) products of 2012.

Hair:

1. L’Oreal Mythic Oil
2. Tangle Teezer
3. John Frieda Frizz Ease Hair Serum with heat protection
4. Philip Kingsley Elasticiser
5. Batiste Dry Shampoo
6. Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
7. Aussie 3 minute miracle conditioner

Make-up

1. Revlon Colourstay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin (150 Buff)
2. Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealor
3. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
4. Benefit Coralista
5. L’oreal Million Lashes mascara
6. Essence Eyebrow pencil in Brown
7. Benefit POREfessional primer
8. Urban Decay Naked Palette.
9. Nars Laguna Bronzer
10. Nuxe Reve de Miel lipbalm
11. MAC’s Please Me and Mac Red

Body:

1. Dove Summer Glow Gradual Tanner Moisturiser
2. E45 body lotion
3. Soap & Glory Breakfast Scrub
4. Sally Hansen
5. Burts Bees Banana Hand Cream

Skin care:

1. Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser
2. Simple light Moisturiser
3. Sudocrem
4. Aveeno Brightening Eye Cream
5. Origins Dr. Weils Mega Mushroom Skin Calming Mask
6. Lush Oatifix face mask
7. Garnier “Anti-dark cirle” eye roll-on concealor
8. Simple Cleansing Face Wipes

Nails:

1. Model’s Own Nail Art pen in Black
2. Model’s Own “Hedonist”
3. Revlon Vixen
4. Barry M in Red/Black and Raspberry

Other:

1. Real Techniques Brushes
2. Perfectil supplements for hair, skin and nails.
3. HD brows tweezers
4. Glossybox subscription

Phew…. and that’s all folks. I realize that this was a very list-orientated blog post rather than my usual reviews, however if you would like a review of any of the products that I have mentioned above, please let me know and I’d be more than happy to do that for you.

I would also love to hear from YOU and what your hero products of 2012 were!

That’s all for now,

Until next time, thank you for reading, Bye Kx

My New Skincare Routine

When it comes to skincare, I admit that I turn into one hell of a crazy bitch. For years, I have been obsessed with achieving what I call the “perfect” skin. Whether this actually exists or not, I persist in spending copious amounts of money on new products to help me obtain my dream skin. As y’all probably know from my previous posts, I am a sufferer (tad dramatic) of sensitive skin and the odd dose of eczema, so my journey of skincare product-testing has not been easy. Plenty of products have broke me out, burned away my skin and in some cases.. just simply did nothing at all! Finally, however, I think I have stumbled across a routine and a batch of products that actually works for my skin. My skin may not be “perfect” but it is certainly noticeably clearer and generally speaking improved. Hurrah!

Aaaaand it’s all thanks to these bad boys:

1) Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser: This is by no means a “newbie” to my skincare routine but in fact a firm and long-term favourite. It does the job, keeps my skin nice and clear with zero irritation. I’m in love.

2) Simple’s Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser: Again, another oldie that has managed to keep its’ place in my forever changing skincare routine. This moisturiser is true to its name.. it literally is nice and SIMPLE. It moisturises my skin but without leaving it too oily. Perfect for under make-up.

3) Simple’s Kind to Skin cleansing Wipes: This one is a tad controversial as face wipes have been deemed the devil of skincare. However, we all at some stage or another are guilty of using the odd face wipe or two ( okay more )  I tend to use these before my cleanser to remove all of my make-up. These wipes are particularly good at removing waterproof mascara and are not too drying on the skin.

4) Avene Eau Thermale: Another simple product which I use as my toner. A tad expensive for what is essentially: water in a can… buuuut it’s very handy to keep in my bag. And it’s actually great for setting make-up or for just a mere “freshening up” after a long day.

5) Aveeno “Positively Radiant Eye-Brightening Cream” I added this bad boy to my beauty routine just before Christmas and my eyes have never been happier. I suffer from the dreaded puffy eye and this cream really helps. I’ve found it very moisturising but not too heavy around the eye area and it isn’t too greasy under make-up. It’s all you could want really.

6) LA ROCHE-POSAY’s “Cicaplast Baume B5″ soothing repairing balm: Perhaps the most recent addition to my little skincare family so I don’t want to say too much too soon. However, I’ve been using it for a few days and I’m already a huge fan. I’ve heard so many good things about this growing cult product so I hope it lives up to its name. Stay tuned for my updated verdict.

7) Dr. Andrew Weils for Origins Mega Mushroom Skin Relief Face Mask: Okay, I have to confess that this was quite the splurge, retailing at nearly 50 yo yos. However, I have to admit that it has proven to be completely worth every DOLLAH. I apply a generous layer of this luxury yummyness once a week…and my face is in literal face heaven. It works at soothing my skin and banishes any redness or irritation. Even with the hefty price tag, I would happily re-purchase this product once this tube has run out.

8) Clear Complexion Tablets: Slight shift from my usual batch of “Perfectil”. I was in my local Holland & Barrett a few months ago and stumbled across these and though “Ah, heck why not”. They contain ingredients such as Burdock Root and Blue Flag which have been known to contribute to glowing skin. It’s hard to say if they have truly helped but it can’t help to keep using them, eh?

9) Sudocrem: Probably my most favourite and coveted skincare product ever. Good ol’ Sudocrem really does solve it all. Any time I have a nasty spot or irritation ..BAM..on goes the Sudocrem and my skin is back to normal the next day. I love this stuff so much.. I literally would be lost without it.

10) The Body Shop Camomile Eye make-up remover: Probably my favourite eye make-up remover that I’ve ever tried as it is water-based and tends to glide on and off the eye area quite smoothly. Removes all stubborn make-up and doesn’t irritate my sensitive peepers. Thank you Body Shop!

Well that’s it folks… My skincare routine…for what I hope will still be my skincare routine for quite some time.

If any of you have tried any of the products that I’ve listed above, I’d love to hear your thoughts.. or equally, if you’d like to share your skincare routine with me…please leave a link to your blog post or simply leave a comment below… I love hearing from you guys!

Thanks for reading guys and until next time, Bye Kx:) xx

August’s GLOSSYBOX: My thoughts! :)

Hey guys,

So sorry for the delay in this month’s Glossybox review.. things have been a bit CRAY down here in Sleepingbootay world! I’m actually going to be moving into my own apartment in the next few weeks so I’m busy trying to get everything all organised! But aaaanyway, enough with the chit-chat and on to the Glossybox goss!

August’s Glossybox

This month’s box’s theme was “International Superstars” celebrating “hero products from around the world for you to try”.

Alessandro Pro White Nail Whitener Polish

• Alessandro Pro White Original Effect Polish (samplesized): “Optically brightening effect nail polish with anti-yellowing formula for radiant white and gleaming nails” (fullsize £7.85)

We all know how much I love and am sliiiiiightly obsessed with painting my nails…and I’m always excited to see and try out new nail products…this nail whitener was no exception. I’ve used the Sally Hansen nail whitener before and I really really liked it so I was interested to see how this one measured up against it. I’ve only used this product once…and so far I like it! It’s nothing hugely amazing and it didn’t make me gasp in awe.. but it certainly does the job at whitening your nails. This would be great for someone who paints their nails quite a bit but who wants to go au natural (without the yucky nail polish stains).

Valentino Assoluto Eau de Parfum

• VALENTINO Assoluto, Eau de Parfum (samplesized): ” Valentina Assuluto Eau de Parfum is an intentionally seductive, intense, beautiful feminine fragrance by Valentino” (fullsize £61)

Nothing much to say about this product really…A perfume sample is a perfume sample after all. I really like this scent. Quite grown up,mainly quite floral with a hint of fruity-ness… gawd i’m awful at describing scents! ha! I always like to see perfume samples as I find they are so handy to just keep in my purse and bring with me on days out etc. I’d definitely consider purchasing the full-sized version of this loveliness.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

• DHC Deep Cleansing Oil (samplesized): ” This revolutionary water-soluble cleanser is better than any other make-up remover you’ve ever tried” (fullsize £18.50)

Siiiigh…another lovely looking product that I’m too afraid to try out. We all know by now, that with my super sensitive skin, I’m waaaay too wary (and a little bit of a wuss) to try out new skin products. This cleansing oil looks really lovely and luxurious and i’m really intrigued to see how it works. I might pass this on to one of my friends and get her to roadtest it for me and i’ll report back because I think this product looks too nice to waste.

Vera Valenti L’ombre a Paupiere Margarita eyeshadow palette

• VERA VALENTI L’ombre a Paupiere Margarita (full size): ” An eyeshadow palette offering a selection of ten different colours with an applicator included” (fullsize £3.95)

To be honest, I was completely shocked to see this product in Glossybox. Glossybox is meant to be about sampling luxury products and this eyeshadow palette retails at £3.95 and isn’t exactly what you would call “luxury”. My first impressions was that it looked like those pretend make-up sets that you get as a little girl from a pound shop. The packaging is very cheap and tacky looking and something I would never expect to see in any adult girl’s make-up bag.. never mind a Beauty Box! The eyeshadow itself is even worse than the packaging! The colours are not something I would ever ever wear AND the formula is extremely chalky and the colour pay off is close to non-existant! Overall, I am really disappointed and confused with this product. Bad glossybox…bad!!

Lipcote lipstick sealer

• Lipcote (full size): ” The original lipstick sealer and secret of long lasting, feather fade and water resistant lipstick” (fullsize £3.99)

This was the only product of the box that I actually recognised and have used before…and for the plain simple reason that I cannot and will not ever forget this product (and not in a good way). I bought this product about 2years ago as I was on the hunt for something to keep my lipstick stay. I found Lipcote in Superdrug.. it was cheap and I’d heard of the name..so I bought it. That evening, popped it on over my favourite lippy and then my world turned dark… Bloody’el does this product sting! And not just the nice little tingly feeling…no no.. it actually really really stings. It does keep your lipstick on.. but at a very painful cost. I really don’t think it’s worth it and I doubt applying anything with that much chemicals is really good for your lips. I’d much rather just re-apply my lippy thanks very much!

Glossybox lipstick in Glossy Pink

• Glossybox Lipstick in Glossy Pink (Bonus product: full size): “ Professional beauty lipstick for soft and glamorous lips with a luminous, long-lasting colour” (fullsize £9.50)

Hurrah for another bonus product! We love bonus products over here at Sleepingbootay land and this time it was a real good’un! I was really happy when I saw this lipstick in this month’s box. I’m a huge lipstick junkie and I’m always happy to try out new brands and colours. The colour is really pretty and kinda unusual…so I’m happy to introduce it to my lipstick family. The formula is also really nice, slightly creamy and very nicely pigmented. They’ve definitely redeemed themselves in my eyes after their blush brush failure in the June box. Keep up the good work Glossybox!

Glossybox lipstick in Glossy Pink Swatch

Overall thoughts: I hate to say it, but I’m pretty disappointed with August’s box offerings. Being the “international superstars” edition I really had high hopes for the products entailed and assumed that the countries involved would have better to offer as their “hero products”. My favourite product probably has to be the Glossybox lipstick which I can already tell I’ll get quite a bit of wear out of. My least favourite product is pretty darn obvious but I’ll say it anyway, that darn eyeshadow palette *shakes fist at Glossybox*. Looking forward to next month’s box and I’m optimistic and hopeful that they’ll pick up the standard again!

Have any of you received August’s Glossybox? What were your thoughts? Favourite/least favourite products?? I’d love to hear all!

Thanks for reading guys,

Until next time, Bye Kx:)

I’m going bananas for Burts Bees’ Banana Hand Cream!!!

Most people celebrate the arrival of a new baby, the purchase of a new house or the addition of a new family pet…last week I celebrated the arrival of a new hand cream. The “Burts Bees” Banana hand cream to be precise. This has fastly become my favourite hand cream.. passing out even my good ol’ trusty Soap & Glory “Hand Food”!! (which is a HUGE deal)

Burts Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand cream

What makes it so amazing you may ask??… well….

For one, this hand cream smells identical to those yummy foam banana sweets I use to eat as a child (and maybe still now..shhh) and if you weren’t a fan of those then perhaps this is not the hand cream for you as the scent is quite strong and it tends to linger! (which personally I love)

Gosh, I adore these..anybody else remember them??

The formula itself is very rich. It’s quite thick in consistency so I tend to use it at night and sometimes pop on a pair of cotton gloves for a really deep treatment.  It leaves your hands feeling very moisturised but not greasy which is a huge bonus because nobody enjoys having slippery hands for a zillion hours! Like all “Burt’s Bees” products it contains plenty of natural ingredients which do good for your skin. This hand cream in particular contains Aloe Vera and sweet almond oil which moisturises, soothes and protects your hands. The added beeswax seals in moisture while the banana extracts feed and nourish your skin. Application wise… its pretty much the same as any other hand cream however the packaging does suggest that you apply it to slightly damp hands as it tends to soak in quicker this way…just something to try out!

Burts Bees Beeswax & Banana hand cream swatch

While the packaging is deliciously retro and completely up my alley, it’s perhaps not the most practical!  It comes in quite a chunky glass jar.. which is just begging to be smashed in my handbag! (eeek) This is definitely a hand cream to show off on your dressing table or bedside locker… a stay at home hand cream if you will!

Burts Bees Beeswax & Banana hand cream: Retro-esque packaging <3

Overall this hand cream is a complete winner in my eyes. It’s such a luxurious feeling product and I am completely in love with the scent… It’s reminded me that I need more banana scented things in my life ha!

If you are interested in purchasing this heavenly hand cream for yourself or perhaps as a lovely gift for somebody then here are some links where you can find it:

• http://www.feelunique.com/p/Burts-Bees-Beeswax-and-Banana-Hand-Cream-2oz?q=burts%20bees%20hand%20cream
• http://global.burtsbees.com/natural-products/hands-and-feet-hand-moisturisers/beeswax-banana-hand-creme.html
• http://www.boots.com/en/Burts-Bees-Banana-Hand-Cream_850301/
• you can also find Burts Bees products in numerous pharmacies, spas, health food shops and department stores worldwide.

Hope y’all enjoyed this post! Let me know if you’ve tried any Burts Bees products and if so, what are your favourites?

Thanks for reading guys, Bye Kx:)

New kid on the Sleepingbootay block: Nars Laguna Bronzer!

Holy Moly I freaaaakin’ love this bronzer. I could literally just end this post here because it is so hard to put into words just how much I love this product…  but I will try my very best to inform you of its’ amazingness.

If some of you can remember, I mentioned this bronzer briefly in my last post in my “July Favourites” but I felt that it deserved a post of its very own. For years, I have lusted and perved over this bronzer and envied all the other beauty bloggers who raved and ranted about it. I was always slightly cynical and very put off by its pretty steep price tag but…finally a few weeks ago, I gave in and added this bad boy to my collection. Coming in at nearly 30 yo yos… this beauty ain’t cheap.. but I was shocked at just how much product you really get (8g)…so I know I’ll get a serious amount of use out of it!

Nars Laguna Bronzer packaging

I absolutely love the slick looking packaging and the sizeable mirror inside for on the go application. The only downside is that I’ve found the packaging very very hard to keep clean.. its made from a rubbery material and therefore attracts every possible mark and stain. I’ve also heard this bronzer has a tendency to smash easily so I’m keeping mine on high guard and trying my darnedest to not just fling it into my make-up bag like everything else I own! (ooops)

Nars Laguna Bronzer

This bronzer has numerous uses… I tend to use it as a blush at the moment to give a kind of golden-esque summery feel but it’s also amazing for contouring and of course as a bronzer. It also works well to just sweep across your shoulders and décolletage for an evening or night out.

To apply this bronzer I use either:

• My Real Techniques Blush brush- when I’m wearing it as a blusher
• My Real Techniques Contour brush- for when I’m contouring
• My e.l.f Kabuki Brush- for when I’m using it as a general bronzer all over my face or body

Real Techniques “Blush Brush” and “Contour brush” and e.l.f’s “Kabuki Brush”

This bronzer has a pretty much a completely matte finish with just the slightest  shimmer to it. I feel that this shade (Laguna)  is perfect for everybody..kind of a one shade suits all kinda jobby but this bronzer does come in two other shades:

• Irresistiblement ( a slightly darker golden shade) and
• Casino ( a much darker brown with gold shimmer)

Swatch of Nars Laguna Bronzer

Unfortunately in Ireland, Nars products are pretty hard to get your hands on but you can easily purchase them online:

On both their very own website: http://www.narscosmetics.eu/?d=true  AND  the Asos website (where I purchase mine) : http://www.asos.com/Nars/NARS-Bronzing-Powders/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1569257&SearchQuery=nars%20bronzer&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Casino

Elsewhere in the world, I know Nars products are mostly readily available in plenty of department stores and make-up counters so make sure to have a snoop!

Have you tried any of the Nars Bronzers?? What do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Thanks for reading guys, Until next time, Bye Kx:)