March 2016 empties and fails

I've decided that I might start letting you lot know what products I've been using and how I'm rating them. I am starting this pretty close to the end of the month so there will be products I'll have missed but if it proves popular I'll try keep it up.

The first product I finished up was Avon's Supershock mascara. This has been a great mascara for me. I used to get eyelash extensions which I blogged about towards the end of 2015 (check it out here http://hansunahnah.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/eyelash-extensions.html), so I obviously didn't need to bother with mascara. Now that I'm closer to the move in date for my house, I've had to cut back on things like my eyelash extensions. It nearly broke my heart but this little beaut from Avon has seen me through.

Would I purchase it again? Yes, I already have and would be using it had My Little Box not given me a sample size of Givenchy mascara. But as soon as that is done, I shall be switching back to this new favourite.

Also finished up is Soap and Glory's 'Love at first blush'. I originally bought it on an emergency dash around Boots one day when I had forgotten my make up bag. It really was love at first try. I was quite sad to see the end of it. It does give you a nice wee shimmer through it and people have complimented me on it before. It is shimmery though so if that isn't your preferred look I wouldn't bother.

Would I purchase it again? Yes, most probably. However I have got other products from My Little Box that I'm waiting to try: one being a NARS blusher and the other being a cheek tint from their own brand, My Little Beauty. So I want to give them both a try before opting to buy another Love At First Blush.

I've fully used another Avon product this month which is their new Dry Shampoo. I was reluctant to try it because I've always had good results from Batisse  Dry Shampoo but I thought I'd give it a go. Whilst I wouldn't say the absorption is as good as Batisse, it does the job without leaving white residue on your hair and it smells amazing. I was pleasantly surprised if I'm honest.

Would I purchase it again? Yes. Definitely. In fact I already have another 2. Big fan of this!

The next one I have to say is a bit of a fail for me. It was a sample size of Noxidoxi 'Mask and Peel'. I've tried it as both a face mask and an exfoliant. Wasn't impressed with either way. The mask literally left my face burning hot and looked like a sunburnt lobster (not a good look). I used it yesterday as a face scrub and whilst it didn't have such a negative effect on my skin as using it as a mask, I was severely underwhelmed. 

  Would I purchase it again? Given that I haven't even finished the sample size, I think it's safe to say I will 100% never buy this product. Ever! 

This next product is one I've been using at my parents' house when I stay. Nivea's Pure & Natural Regenerating Night Cream. I really love this product and if you look at the picture below you'll see I've scrapped the jar dry. It's nice and thick and moisturising which is perfect for night. It really makes a difference for my tired skin. But yeah, really great product.

Would I purchase it again? Absotootly! I have already got some Olay Night Cream I want to try out but if that's a non starter, I'll probably buy the Nivea again! 

It's another Avon product: bubble bath. Their White Lily variety. I love baths. Actually as I say this I'm running my second bath of the day! As you can imagine, my love of baths means I go through bubble bath very quickly. This is inexpensive, bubbles up a lot and this one smells fab.

Would I purchase it again? I have a stock of bubble bath already as I do through it so quickly

 I'm trying out the whole range from Avon to find my favourite scent so I may very well buy this one again.

That's it for this month. Next one should have a whole lot more as I'm going to be ruthless in ditching things I haven't been using rather than taking them to the new house. 8 days and counting so not long! I hope you've enjoyed reading and let me know if there's any products you'd recommend! Speak to you soon! :) xx 

My Little Box March Products

Having now tried out the My Little Box products for this month, I have to say I'm upgrading from OK box to great box. Well done to everyone in the My Little Box team. This was a total winner. 

First product I got round to testing was the Blending Sponge from their own brand. I was very impressed and it did a great good of applying my foundation. Really happy with this item and it had its own little feature spread in the My Little World magazine with suggestions for other ways to use it.

I already knew I would be but I was absolutely delighted with the Givenchy Noir Couture Volume mascara. I'm still a bit unsure of the wand shape but it was lovely to get such a high quality brand in our boxes. On top of that it is a beautifully packaged mascara with a textured geometric feel. Pictures don't do it justice.

Next up was the Bubble Blush for lips and cheeks from My Little Beauty. It turns out my initial observations were in fact completely the wrong way round. I thought this would be a lovely product for my lips.

I wasn't overjoyed with it as a lip colour. It was a little too light for my liking and after about 10 minutes my lips felt really dry.

However, with reluctance, I tried it on my cheeks. Texture was nice, colour was subtle and yeah, I was very pleased with it as a blusher. It's now about an hour after doing my lip up and my cheeks still feel fine and the colour is still good. I just wish they'd told us how much it would cost!

  I have now tried the Essie nail varnish. Belugaria nail lacquer (288) is a black nail colour textured with glitter and (I think) some sort of gritty sand like material. Help me out if you know what it is. It has a matte finish and is very thick in texture. Dries super quick. I had no idea it was so textured when I started applying it so it wasn't looking the best after my first coat and I wasn't that keen. After adding the second coat I think it looks pretty cool. Definitely a statement nail polish that's more suited to a night out than everyday usage. 

I still need to try out the hair brush too. It's too hard to say goodbye to my old faithful paddle brush but it really is on its last legs so it will need done soon.

Let me know what you thought of the products this month. Were you as happy as me? And I'm upgrading my approval of the box from an alright to awesome! Well done, MLB! 

Pink Parcel March 2016

This was my first ever Pink Parcel box and after seeing some good YouTube reviews (check out www.youtube.com/raaaach92 and https://youtu.be/nFFyqbfcg9w by Anxiety Mum for a few of my favourites) I decided to sign up. I deliberated about it for a while but hey every girl needs tampons/towels so why not get a wee treat whilst stocking up.

First thoughts: nice discreet packaging. Especially as I'm having to get it delivered to my parents house whilst I wait to get into my new house (3 weeks tomorrow now). It's quite strong branding and definitely appeals to my taste.

I don't know if it was because it is my first box but I got it in a cute little canvas bag saying "Classic Period Drama"....it's as if it was made just for me! Period Dramas are some of my favourite things to watch and read. But also I'm like a demon on speed when I have my time of the month (I'm sure my boyfriend would testify to that too).

Inside you have a little pouch marked "For Now" which is essentially to keep your monthly goods in your handbag. Again nicely discreet and able to easily hold 5 panty liners and 4 tampons.

You also receive 2 boxes "For Later". Mine contained 10 tampons in each. Should definitely be enough to see me through. Extremely happy with that.

Each month you also get a "For Down There" box containing a feminine hygiene product. These are products from SASS which (given it can be purchased through the pink parcel website) I think may be an in-house brand. I received their refreshing wipes. I've used similar products before and although it isn't something I'd usually go out my way to purchase I was really happy with this as well. Something I'll definitely get use from.

The last box you receive is named "For You" and really it's the reason we all subscribe. First product that practically came flying out out me because the box was so full (good sign) was a "Montague Jeunesse Cucumber Peel-off Face Mask". Now firstly I am not a fan of cucumber  (taste or smell) and I'm not massively fond of peel off masks, but I am more than happy to try this product out when the time comes (if you get my drift). These sell for a pound a pop, so not one of the more expensive products I've seen in previous boxes.

Next out was a "Simple Candle Co Wax Melt" in "Caramel". Before I'd even opened my box I could smell this product and it does smell delicious. Might be slightly overpowering if used in a small room, but I am a huge fan of candles, oil burners and incense so really looking forward to giving this one a go. These come in at £2 each and after a bit of a snoop on their instagram I've discovered they do a subscription box, so thinking I might give that one a try out I'm settled in the house. But yeah, really happy with that.

There was also a travel size of "Native Unearthed Natural Deodorant". It looks pretty cool and is free from everything even the strictest of hipsters would hate, so it must be good. Haven't tried it out yet but definitely will. Although maybe when I've got a bit of time off work and don't need to worry so much about whether or not it's working. Really strong branding again and I must say another product I'm happy about. Full size product would be £5.39 so call this a couple of quids worth.

Still more in the box..."Papayagold Paw Paw Moisturising Balm". I suffer with quite dry lips doing the winter months so had I got this a few months back it would have been a godsend. Round about my period I can get quite dry skin so it may still be useful. A good sized product with Manuka Honey which is well known for its healing properties. Normally costing you £5.99, so I definitely can say at this point I've made my money back.

The next product would have been perfect if only I hadn't bought one the previous week. "Mylee Crystal Nail File" which would normally set you back £4.89. Sadly, as I have just bought one, chances are I'm gonna give this one away.

The last of the beauty products was a "Hello Gorgeous Makeup Bag". If you read my other posts you'll know I also subscribe to My Little Box. I get a make up bag with that every month, which I always love to pieces. Fear not, I shall have a use for this. I am going to put some tampons in this one for my boyfriends daughter. My logic is that this will be a much more pleasant way of keeping them handy when she needs them most without the embarrassment of accidentally pulling them out along with her pencil class in school. This product is normally  £3.99, so again happy with that.

Now one of the main reasons I loved this subscription box concept is for the next two items which are two of my great loves. Each month you get a different tea and sweet treat to try. I love sweet things and cups of tea sometimes more than is rational. Both this month sound delicious. The tea this month is from Pink Parcel themselves (they really seem to be branching out). "Ginger & Pineapple Green Tea"....now what is there not to love in that sentence?! Ginger: yummy

and good for nausea which I suffer from a lot (never mind when I have my period). Pineapple: also yummy and just the right fruity flavour to compliment the ginger. Green tea: I love love love tea! I am so excited to try this bad boy out but I  am holding off for when I need it. Can't wait to let you know what I make of it.

Last but not least, this month's sweet treat. "Sweet Virtues Baobab & Vanilla Balance Chocolate Truffles" claim to be a healthy chocolate. I don't trust healthy chocolate. I judge healthy chocolate. If it's healthy, it won't taste good, right? I'm hoping I'm proved wrong because let's face it, healthy chocolate would be the best thing to ever happen to mankind. The packaging is absolutely beautiful and I so so want to like this product.

All in all, I was delighted. It's a great concept, executed to a high standard,  great customer service from some correspondence I've had with them, really active on social media and all round great box. Definitely be keeping this one. Please let me know what you made of this month's box in the wee comments section.

My Little Box March 2016

This month has an adorable theme fit for a pop princess. My Little Bubble Box.

Upon opening, I was disappointed to see my usual Kanako card had been replaced with a card saying "Time to blow bubbles!" with a balloon attached that says "be wild!" across the front. Good concept (although I would have preferred the Kanako card). My thought is this would have worked better if a bottle of bubbles with the little plastic circle thing for blowing bubbles had been included (does anyone know what I'm talking about?!)

I really don't have much need for balloons in my life so once I blew it up for the blog pictures, I took the advice of the sticker for this month's box to "make it pop".

I haven't had time to look through the My Little World magazine yet but pleased to say it's still in its glossy format....here's hoping that's here to stay.

Underneath that was a My Little Corner hairbrush. As always their products have lovely branding on it. This particular product is featuring a girl on the box with a messy bun and blowing some bubble gum (of course). The brush itself is in a lovely baby blue shade (perfect for this month's theme) with the words "Be cooler" on the back. I am in need of a new hair brush so I was relatively happy with this item. Although I would question the £13 price tag they sell it for on their website.

Next in my box was a make up applicator sponge. Both the pink colour of the sponge and the box branding is again perfect for this month's box. Again this is something I was looking to purchase soon, so again happy with this item.

Onto the goody bag of make up and beauty treats. I am delighted to say there is no (I repeat: NO) body/hand/face creams. Delighted with that and applaud on the action they've taken on customer feedback. I'll start with the usual My Little Beauty product we are used to seeing each month. We have this time a Bubble Blush for lips and cheeks (see what they did there....BUBBLE blush). Looks awfully like nail varnish to me but it's a relatively good colour for my lips so happy to try it out. As far as putting it on my cheeks goes, I'm reluctant but I will try it out. No price given for this one so won't be able to tell you if I think it's value for money or not.

The next offering was a nail varnish from Essie. Decent brand so happy enough with that. I would have liked it in a bubblegum pink colour or some other pastel shade to go with this month's theme. Colour is 'Belugaria'....looks quite dark, almost black, with glitter through it. Not 100% sure but I will test ASAP.

Last but by no means least, a sample size of Givenchy's 'Noir Couture Volume' mascara. Shade is '1 Black Taffeta' which works for me. I wear black mascara on a daily basis. Yes it is a sample size but I like keeping samples in my handbag to save me carting full size products everywhere, so I was very happy with this inclusion. Plus what a high quality name to have in the box.

So in conclusion, was I blown away with this month's box? No. Was I disppointed? No, aside from no Kanako card it was an alright box. Alright. I'm hoping next month is an amazing box to justify my subscription. Let me know what you guys made of this month's box.

Mother's Day at La Vita

It's the day that daughters and sons all pay homage to the women who gave birth to us, Mothering Sunday. I opted that instead of buying my mum some perfume or something she didn't want, I'd give her something she really wanted. Time with yours truly! Now she maybe didn't really want this too much but I fancied a lunch out.

After meeting my mum and dad we had a wee wander down to George Square in Glasgow City Centre and into La Vita. This restaurant is a family favourite but I thought the food might be below par due to the occasion or the service rushed. I was pleasantly surprised. We all enjoyed a lovely meal. The food was so good I forgot to take pictures so I do apologise. For a starter I had the Mac and Cheese balls which were just the right amount of cheesy. This was followed by the Tagliatelle Calabrese. This was delicious and if I was wondered about them scrimping on portion sizes, I couldn't have been further from the truth. It was huge. In fact, I had to ask them to put the rest in a takeaway box that is still stuffed full. We each had a different ice cream sundae, each one as good as the last. Overall for a 3 course meal for 3, plus 3 soft drinks, 1 large glass of wine (for me, obvs) and a coffee I was happy with the bill being just under £80.

If you are looking for good Italian food right slap bang in Glasgow City Centre withs great service and huuuuuge portions, look no further than La Vita. Trust me you won't be disappointed AND you get the added benefit of a 'Drumstick' lolly with your bill....what's not to love!