FEELUNIQUE BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR 2018

I do love a good, value for money, Beauty Advent Calendar and every year the selection on offer in the UK just keeps expanding. 

Unfortunately this concept of having a daily, surprise beauty treat behind 12/24 or 25 doors hasn't caught on in South Africa,partially due to the cost factor, so therefore very few brands import them into the country. 

The only brands that I'm aware of having calendars in SA are L'Occitane, which currently have two on offer their current 2018 (which looks great) and the 2017 calendar, which suggests to me that their sell through on last years didn't meet their expectations

 The Body Shop usually have two or three on offer at varying price points. 

New onto the Beauty Advent Calendar scene this year is Clarins, they have a 12 Day calendar packed with skin & body care and make-up deluxe sizes.

I also write an annually series of blog posts about the Beauty Advent Calendars available in the UK and based on this I try to organise "by hook or by crook" to get one brought 

to South Africa and last year it was the Marks & Spencer's multi brand calendar which made it to these shores via my "LondonKiddiewink" which I was thrilled about & I'm hopefully, fingers crossed, going to receive another one for this December.

However during my research I came across this multi brand "goodie" from the UK online  beauty store FEELUNIQUE.

Housing 24 doors or boxes to be precise, it contains many mid to high end, either full, deluxe or sample sizes of many products that I've been looking to try. 

Now I understand that via my research I am taking away any element of surprise but converting Rands to Pounds I can't afford to make any poor choices, so I need to know the contents, but I still get excited to open each day.

This beauty Advent Calendar contains a mix of skin, body and hair care products

as well as some make-up items and a make-up brush.

Brands include:

Crabtree & Evelyn

Charlotte Tillbury

REN

Ciaté

Revlon

FAB

Caudalie

and many more

Let me know in the comments section below if you can see any of your favourites.

If you would like to follow my daily opening of this Advent Calendar then follow me on 

INSTAGRAM 

3 LIPSTICKS THAT I AM CURRENTLY LOVING

I think after nail polishes, lipsticks and lip glosses are my most purchased beauty items, which I think could be the norm for many of us.
 It's an affordable "pick me up" product that can instantly change your look 
and often your mood.

I tend to buy and then use that particular shade for weeks until another shade takes over and I very rarely repeat purchase the same lipstick or gloss. 

I have three that I've recently been loving and are currently finding a home in my handbag.
Now I know that they're all very similar in shade, but the mauve/pink/nude
 type of shading is what I enjoy and more importantly shades that I find flattering.
I have written full reviews on two of the below so to read more click on the 
Pink Links 

1.

This Urban Decay HI FI SHINE Lipgloss has been my go to lipgloss

since I purchased it several months ago.

Not only do I love the packaging and the applicator, but this shade Backtalk

compliments my palette of the same name,so well.

R290

To read my full review on the HI FI Shine Lipgloss

To read my full review on the Backtalk Palette

2.

Another Urban Decay lip product that has stolen my "lipstick heart"of late

is in the form of the Vice Creme Lipstick in the shade Violate.

Again the super sleek packaging of this luxury product won me over, but the creamy formula is what's important, as it glides onto the lips beautifully and I will definitely

 be buying more from their huge shade selection.

R250

To read my full review

3.

This next lipstick was not one I purchased, but one that I received free

in a recent issue of the Cosmopolitan magazine.

Often the shades that are offered as freebies never seem to suit me,

but this from Woolworths own brand WBEAUTY Hydro Lipstick did 

and I love topping this shade KOKI with a clear/pearly lipgloss.

Its moisturising texture has also won me over and again more shade

purchases could be on the cards in the near future.

R150

Let me know in the comments below if any of these are your

 current favourite lipsticks.

VACATION TIME 2018

Beauty Shout Box is excited to be going on Vacation for 2 weeks, so over this time

I won't be posting my usual 2-3 posts a week but rather 1-2 posts.

(I will have lots of content and reviews for you though on my return)

I will be visiting four countries, one of which I've never visited previously other 

than passing through its airport and five cities, again two will be new to me.

You can follow my "Beauty Adventures" over Twitter, Facebook,Instagram

and Instagram Stories 

(Click on the icons on the right hand side bar under Lets Connect)

 whilst my "Travel Adventures" will be captured over on

my Beauty Shout Box Travels Instagram account.

WHATS ON MY UK BEAUTY SHOPPING LIST

Throughout the year I'm always adding beauty products to a list on my phone 
aptly named UK SHOPPING LIST and I thought I would write a post to share with you some of the products that have made it onto that list and why. 
These products are not currently available for retail in South Africa, unless you are prepared to pay a premium and buy from a third retailer, which I'm not.

Appearing on the list may be repurchases of products that I've already tried and feel that I need to keep in my beauty life, whilst others are ones that I have read about and as I'm always on the hunt for new products or brands to try I can't miss this opportunity to buy.

My list has been on the go since the "London Kiddiewinks" last visit in March this year. 

I'm just going to list the products as they appear on my phone and give you a quick overview as to their current order status.

1.

Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar 

appears on the very top of my long list and deservedly so, as last year I just loved all of the contents.

 Having launched on the 5th November, hopefully my London Kiddiewink will buy 

me this again for my Birthday in December.

*He's confirmed... he has got me one, so I will have 2 to open this year*

2. 

The Ordinary Peeling Solution 

will be a re-purchase and I also want to look more into their Retinol Serum.

To read all my reviews on The Ordinary 

3. 

Pixi Glow Tonic 

again will be a repeat purchase

*Update I may buy the AlphaH Liquid Gold*

To read my full review

4. 

 L'Oréal NUDISTA 

may be taken off my list as I have so much of this product left even though I use it and love it, it really seems as though it will last forever.

To read my full review

5.

 L'Oréal Sugar Scrub 

isn't going to be repurchased overseas as it is now available in SA.

To read my full review

6. 

Caudalie
is a French skincare brand that has appealed to me for sometime now and I have ordered several products off the FeelUnique website to be delivered to my London Kiddiewink.

I'm excited to be getting their infamous Elixir and a set containing several other products and that order qualified for a free gift that contains a full size Brightening Serum, so going forward my skincare range will be pretty much Caudalie.

To read previous reviews

7.

FEELUNIQUE Beaut Advent Calendar 
on my list as a back up beauty advent calendar, just in case the one from M&S is sold out, which means I could potentially have 2 to open during December. Personally I don't think you can have too many beauty advent calendars. I did some research and this multi brand 24 day one from FeelUnique has some brands that I've been wanting to try and offers good value for money.
*Its been ordered*

8.

Sanctuary Spa
are an affordable bath and spa range and I saw on FeelUnique a Summer Beach Bag filled with loads bath and body goodies and I couldn't resist adding it to my basket as it was on Sale for £20
*Its been ordered*

9. 

 LA ROCHE-POSAY 
retail a Retinol serum and a Hyaluronic Serum which are currently not sold in SA. 
If I prefer the LRP Retinol then I'll pass on The Ordinary Retinol.

To read all reviews

10.

Garnier

 have launched Vitamin C Shot single dose face Masks, so I would like to give those a try.

11.

 Christophe Robin Volumising Paste 

is a very recent addition to 

my shopping list, so to find out why...

To read my full review

12. 

ByTerry CC Serum 
is on my list and is somewhat a splurge, so if there's any hesitation once I've seen and tested the product I won't be buying, as I need to be 100% sure before I start dropping multiples of tens of pounds.

No doubt there will be other purchases, so keep checking what Beauty Shout Box is up to on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram and for travel pics follow over on Instagram @BeautyShoutBoxTravels

MINERALINE ALOE VERA BODY LOTION {REVIEW}

If you are looking for a lightweight Body Lotion for the hot 

summer months then check out this Aloe Vera Body Lotion from

 mineraline

I have been using mine now for several weeks and what I love about this product

is that its a "No Fuss" kinda product.

The plastic bottle with a flip top lid makes it super easy and quick to apply 

and you can also control the amount you use.

You soon realise on the first application just how cooling the lightweight gel/lotion 

is, perfect for those hot, humid summer days.

The fragrance is clean and fresh and it glides over the skin easily and is absorbed 
with very little massage.
It's not sticky or greasy and keeps my skin suitably moisturised
and its just how I like a summer body lotion to be.

mineraline

Aloe Vera 

Body Lotion

250ml

R

170

Available exclusively at all Dischem's Countrywide

QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEWS {QPR} NOVEMBER 2018

Despite not writing a QPR post in October 

I don't have too many products to review, as most of the products I've tried recently deserved a full dedicated blog post.

Brand : WBEAUTY Woolworths

Product : Hydro Lipstick (Shade Koki)

Price : R150

I received this Woolworths own brand WBEAUTY Hydro Lipstick free in a recent Cosmoplitan magazine and we all love a freebie. I think at the time they had 3 shades to chose from and I have to say it wasn't easy to tell which shade was through the outer packaging , so it was 
"Pot Luck" and, for once, I struck Lucky.

The formula is ultra creamy and my lips felt moisturised and comfortably hydrated. 

Verdict : 8/10

~~~~~~~~~

Brand : HASK

Product : Keratin Protein Hair Mask

Price : R62.99

I picked up this HASK Keratin Protein Hair Mask from Clicks and having previously tried their Blue Chamomile and Argan Oil Blonde Care Deep Conditioning sachet,
which I enjoyed, so I thought I would put their Protein mask to the test. 

HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner is an ultra restorative, moisturizing hair conditioner that leaves all hair types smooth, shiny and frizz free.
Formulated to deep condition and smooth weakened, damaged and hair.

I loved the softness it gave to my hair and I'm happy to report that it didn't leave my hair feeling weighed down with product. I'm glad to report the sachet will easily last me for 4-5 applications otherwise it would be an expensive hair treatment.

Available from Clicks countrywide.

Verdict : 7/10

CLARINS HOLIDAY ADVENT CALENDAR 2018 {WOOLWORTHS EXCLUSIVE}

I'm so excited to write this blog post, as it's on one of my favourite

 TOPICS...

Beauty Advent Calendars

For the past couple of years I have written a series of posts, but they're always relating to the Beauty Advent Calendars that you can buy overseas, as very few appear here in 

South Africa.

To read my Beauty Advent Calendar posts

Clarins however have just launched their first
Holiday Advent Calendar 
and it contains 12 Clarins beauty surprises.

This beautiful box presentation contains 12 pull out drawers each containing

a generous size of some of their "must haves" beauty items, including two full size products.

Not only does this make a wonderful holiday gift, but it's a great beauty
intro to the world of French skincare and make-up.

Contents:

50ml Beauty Flash Balm
(Full Size)

12ml Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector
(Full Size)

15ml Gentle Refiner

15ml SOS Hydra Mask

30ml Exfoliating Body Scrub

50ml Toning Lotion Normal to Dry Skin

30ml Instant Eye Make-up Remover

30ml One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

4ml Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

2.8ml Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

0.39g Crayon Khol 01

3ml Mascara

This Calendar retails for R995 but has a staggering
 value of R1999, now take it from me who knows all about
 Beauty Advent Calendars this is a bargain...

This calendar is exclusive to selected Woolworths, so hurry as stocks are very limited

WOOLWORTHS

ELIZABETH ARDEN HOLIDAY BLOCKBUSTER 2018

It would be very unfair of me to write a blogpost telling you all that the Esteé Lauder Blockbuster has to offer for this festive season without mentioning the Holiday Blockbuster from Elizabeth Arden. Without a doubt these two brands nail it when it comes to these annual cosmetic kits. Not only do they make wonderful gifts but if you're looking to set yourself up for the coming year with a collection of quality make-up items then look no further as it has to be one of these sets.

The Elizabeth Arden Blockbuster always retails for several hundred rand cheaper and this year is no exception as it retails for R1,195 and has a value R4,999 and unlike the Esteé Lauder Blockbuster there is no qualifying purchase required.

This set includes 7 full size products

Available from 

Elizabeth Arden outlets countrywide but again hurry as stocks are very limited 

This Kit Includes:

Neutral Eye Shadow Palette 

in Spotlight, Pink Pearls, Flirty Pink, Antique Rose, Pink Satin, Rosé, Dazzling Plum and Winter's Night 

 Glam Eye Shadow Palette 

in Bone, Innocence, Golden Sands, Gilded Bronze, Tinsel, Bejeweled, Deep Amethyst 

and Starry Night 

Blush & Highlight Palette in Sunblush, Romantic Rose and Sunbeam

4 x Lipsticks in Wildberry, Red Door Red, Smoky Plum and Pale Petal 

(full size)

2 x  Lip Glosses in Precious Petal and Iridescent Mauve 

(full size)

Grand Entrance Mascara in Stunning Black 

(full size) 

Eye Pencil in Black

Red Cosmetic Case

Retail Price 

R1,195

Value

 R4,999

URBAN DECAY HI-FI SHINE ULTRA CUSHION LIP GLOSS {REVIEW}

Some time ago I bought several Urban Decay products and I have slowly been reviewing them over the past few months.

This is my final product from that recent haul and again I've been blown away

by how impressed I have been with each and every product that I bought.

My Urban Decay Haul

What I've experienced over the years is that I perhaps love some products from a brand

 and then I find some that hugely disappoint,but so far this hasn't

happened with Urban Decay and I'm sure they've got some weaker products

lurking in their product lineup.

As I've said in my previous reviews Urban Decay is for all ages and I'm proof of that and whilst UD, isn't budget in price it has delivered on product performance

and just as important, its been so enjoyable to use. So if you want to know what products I highly recommend then check out my full reviews.

To read my Urban Decay reviews

I do love a good Lip Gloss and the HI-FI Shine Ultra Cushion Lip Gloss appealed 

to me instantly.

Laced with vitamin E and peppermint oil, the hydrating formula leaves lips feeling nourished, has an immediate plumping effect and comes in a yummy vanilla-mint flavour.

 This gloss is super comfortable to wear and doesn't have a sticky or tacky feel to it

which so many lip glosses can have.

 Unfortunately as we age, the lines around our mouth become deeper and more noticeable and the last thing we need is a feathering, bleeding lipstick or lip gloss that draws attention to the mouth area,

so good news... this one doesn't do either, but what it does do is

 instantly makes those thinning lips feel plumper. 

There are 22 shades to chose from and covers everything from blaring brights 

to soft neutrals in four different effects—metallic, holographic, cream and sheer cream.  

I must say some colours and the effects are way out there

 for the more mature of us, whilst other shades are just perfect.

I opted for the shade BACKTALK to compliment my BACKTALK palette 

and it was right up my "Lipstick Street".

(cream formula, not super glossy, perfect shade)

It's described as a Mauve-nude pink and even though its richly pigmented the longevity can't be compared to my Vice Cream Lipstick, but as far as lip glosses fair,

 it made me Urban Decay happy...

I must also mention the sleek packaging which has 2 clear shade sides that 

and allows for a quick colour check and grab out of the depths of a handbag.

Another interesting and noticeable feature of this lip gloss is the latest technology

 flexible, flocked-silicone paddle applicator that

 allows you to swipe on a generous, even layer of gloss and there's no need to double dip.

This technology also prevents the applicator from disintegrating and the neck of the 

gloss stays fairly clean unlike some that get so dirty and sticky with gloss build up. 

 URBAN DECAY 

HI-FI SHINE ULTRA CUSHION 

LIP GLOSS

R

290

£

15

$

18

For more details

 Online