One of the freebies I got recently was The Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate serum,  7ml sample,  (available to purchase in two sizes 30ml at £25 and 50ml at £32)– applied for it through a freebie notification which is still available through this link , you just need to apply for it and then you show your confirmation email / voucher on your phone in-store to get the sample while stocks last.  However if this offer is finished when you read this post ask in-store if they have any samples available.   (Remember if you sign up through online freebie sites e.g. LatestFreeStuff, Magic Freebies, Free Samples UK– other freebie sites available too just search online – you will get early / daily notifications of what freebies are available and the earliest you claim the more chance you have of getting freebies before they are gone)

The 7ml sample comes in a hard plastic green bottle with a black dropper applicator.   It is described as an innovative concentrate which helps to enhance surface skin condition, leaving it looking smoother, fresher and healthier.  It helps to condition, smooth, moisturise and 99% of ingredients are of natural origins.  You are advised to gently massage two to three drops into skin, and allow to sink in before applying your usual moisturiser or serum.   I applied as advised, I found two drops was enough and was happy that the serum was not sticky or greasy and sank / sinks into skin v quickly, so no need to wait v long before you apply your moisturiser.   Makeup applied well over it, did not cause any breakouts and I had no issues throughout the day.   I found the dropper applicator very easy to use and although the serum, which has a  watery gel consistency, has a fragrance it is not overpowering and the smell does not linger on your skin.

Although I enjoyed getting the chance to try this product and was happy with the size of the sample I received, I did not find any noticeable changes to my skin and did not feel my skin looked or felt any more smoother, hydrated or healthier.  Therefore at this stage will not be rushing out to purchase this serum as I personally did not achieve any better results with it than with my normal skincare, although would still recommend trying to get a sample to see how it works for you.

Thank you for looking – if you have any comments / queries please let me know.  Would love to know if you have received this sample or when you receive it and get a chance to try it – what your thoughts are?

Best Wishes Liz x

L’Occitane have a number of products that I enjoy using but  their Almond collection is my favourite out of the body skincare range.  I  love all the products within this range but the two stand out products from this range for me are the Cleansing and Softening Shower Oil and Cleansing and Exfoliating Shower Scrub .

If you have never tried any products from the Almond range please do not be put off by the name as the products do not have a strong ‘almond’ nutty scent, it is a beautiful, relaxing and refreshing almond tree flower fragrance.

Almond Shower Oil – Firstly the Shower Oil which comes in different sizes and is £18 for 250 ml and £29.75 for 500 ml. unless on special offers.  It is described as a shower oil that when it gets in contact with water, transforms into a lavish, softening foam, that leaves a satin-like softness all over the body.     It is a golden oil which feels so silky when you apply to your skin but once you start adding water it transforms into a milky, creamy, smoothing foam which feels delightful on the skin and leaves my skin so soft and rinses off easily.    You need very little and because I love it so much sometimes I  can get carried away and use too much but it is worth the indulgence.  I find it is a multiuse product as I use in a bath under running water and I also love using it for shaving under my arms or legs too as  I personally have never had any irritation and it leaves my skin so soft – however as always make sure if you want to use it this way too test a small area first to make sure it is suitable for you too.

This is a product I repurchase but as always before repurchasing I  check online / in stores  to get the best offer available at that time as  larger sizes / special value sets are often available on L’Occitane’s own site / in-store or QVC UK – there are a number of different combinations available at the moment on both sites for the shower oil.    However was v lucky recently and received a 75m bottle (bottle in photo above) with the July 2016 edition of Harper’s Bazaar – see recent post here.

Almond Shower Body Scrub – Secondly the Almond Shower Body Scrub which  is £18 for 200 ml but duo currently available on QVC for £24  – (it is a squeezable tube with the opening in the top, no need to take off the top, just screw the top to release the product) . It is described as a foaming and melting jelly which softly cleanses and exfoliates the skin to remove impurities and dead cells, as enriched with almond oil and crushed shells.   After using this body scrub, skin is soft, smooth and delicately scented with the fresh and delicate fragrance of almond tree flowers.  You are advised to apply with soft massage movements onto wet skin. lather and rinse, and it is also suitable for daily use.  I apply as advised and I find it is just perfect, and although  you can feel the small particles when you massage the product onto your skin they do not  feel ‘coarse’ as some scrubs can feel.

My skin is left soft, smooth, hydrated and with no dry patches.   The shower / bathroom and your skin is left enveloped in a beautiful fresh and delicate almond tree flower fragrance which I find lingers on your skin for most, if not all of the day especially if you build up your products and use with the shower oil too

I absolutely love this product, this is another product I always repurchase as I find the results justifies me repurchasing although as always I look for the best value available at the time and if I see a particularly good offer I may purchase two if I can as I know long-term more savings this way.  The only one improvement is that I would love a larger size bottle with a pump applicator.

I would definitely recommend trying both these two products as I do not think you will be disappointed but  try to get samples  if you can to try first before repurchasing the full sizes and always check online / in-store for best value available at the time.

Thank you for looking – any queries / comments please let me know and if you have tried either one or both of these products would love to know if you love them as much as me.

Best Wishes Liz x

As I have now got the chance to try the MAC False Lashes Extreme Mascara properly I wanted to let you know my thoughts  and also how it compared to the Chanel sample I had received / reviewed here .  As advised before on my recent review of the Chanel mascara, there were MAC and Chanel mascara samples available to claim free online through Facebook/ notifications which  was the perfect opportunity to try a mascara for free to see if you liked it without having to buy the full size.

Just to remind you too, although MAC samples are now all gone online, still ask at MAC counters to see if they have any samples left that you could try – also currently if you still purchase any MAC items online you have option to choose a  free sample which includes mascara samples – also ask in store too as they may have samples available there as well with purchase(s).

I received the MAC False Lashes Extreme Mascara 1.0g sample  in a sealed packet – photos above.   Although I thought the brush quite large / chunky when I opened it, was v surprised just how good the brush actually was / is, as was the perfect size to apply, even on my lower lashes, was / is a strong black colour and once again even with one coat you could notice the difference straight away, also left my lashes long, volumised and luscious, no clumping, dried quickly with no flakiness / fall out / smudginess throughout the day and also did not irritate my eyes.  At the end of the day my lashes still looked as good as when I first put the mascara on at the start of the day, v impressed.

The full size retails for £19, unless on offer (not as expensive as the Chanel Mascara which retails at £25 unless on offer too).   I would definitely recommend purchasing, although do try to get a sample first to see if you like it as much as me.  I intend to purchase the full size in either Debenhams with my  beauty club card points or MAC once I use the other free mascara samples I have gratefully received through online freebie notifications.

 Although I love both the MAC and Chanel mascaras and I personally found both delivered equally on results / quality and staying power,   if I had to choose between the two (with the exception of the packaging – although nothing wrong with the full size MAC packaging however when you compare it to the Chanel packaging – the Chanel packaging is definitely ahead, which you would expect)) it would have to be the MAC mascara because of the price difference.

Thank you for looking – if you have any comments / queries please let me know.  Would love to know if you received this sample or have already tried this mascara and what you think of it – do you like it as much as I do?

Best Wishes Liz x

Further to my earlier post on the new Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil – I was lucky enough to receive two more of the new Benefit’s brow products free with magazines this month (please see my August 2016 monthly magazine post for full details).   I now have had the chance to try these products properly,  so wanted to let you know my thoughts.

I received the Benefit Ready Set Brow – 3.5 ml deluxe sample free with August 2016 edition of Marie Claire magazine – full size is £18.50 for 7.0ml.

I love the silver tone packaging, gel has a screw top and the applicator wand has  very short ‘bristles’ on one side and slightly longer bristles on the other – however the clear gel has a slight glue type fragrance not too overpowering but you can definitely smell it which was / is off-putting for me personally.  The product is described as an invisible shaping & setting gel which holds brow hairs in place & locks on makeup, has 24 hour staying power, is easy to apply and quick to dry.  You are advised to brush onto brows and it can be worn alone or to set other brow products.

I applied as advised both over a brow pencil / gel and alone and although I found it definitely held my brows in place both ways, I was aware I had the brow gel on as felt a slight tightening feeling, I have reduced amount I have applied since but I still am aware I have it on which I do not like – also I believe the wand/bristles could be improved slightly to make it easy to shape / define your brows, the ‘bristles’ I think would be better if they were slightly longer on both sides, just my personal opinion.   Therefore although I was happy / grateful to have got the chance to try this product for free and I will use it up I will not be rushing out to purchase this product, however I do still recommend trying to get a free sample so that you can test for yourself as the gel definitely did set my brows.

The second product I received free with the August 2016 edition of Glamour magazine was the Gimme Brow – Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel 1.0g sample in 5 – available in three colours 1 light, 3 medium & 5 deep and full size is £18.50.

Again love the packaging.  Described as an easy mess proof application that volumizes, tames & tints brows to define shape.   I applied as instructed. used the brush tip to define, shape and then brushed through my brows to blend and build colour.  Once again a screw top but with a soft brush applicator –  love the brush, perfect size for filling in any spaces or uneven brows  – I was v happy with results, my brows looked shaped, thicker and still natural looking and colour was perfect for me and although  I needed to apply few times to build colour up product glided on v smoothly and so easy to build up colour.

I also found that the product was long wearing, and although it has a slight ‘mascara’ type smell it is not overpowering so happy with that.    I have also found I do not need to apply a ‘setting’ gel over the top as my brows stayed / stay in place,  but if you want even more hold, you can.  I definitely intend to purchase again but as always will look out for the best offers available at the time – have included some online sites below where offers are available at the moment but as always shop around online or in store for best offers before purchasing – hope this helps.

• Debenhams: – http://www.debenhams.com/ – currently 10% of Benefit Products and free gift of Benefit mini tar liner, mini Dew the Hoola and mini Air Patrol with 3 or more Benefit purchases and remember your beauty card points too;
• Boots: – http://www.boots.com/ – online only receive free Benefit Firm it Up eye serum sample when you buy two selected Benefit Products, however if purchasing in store just ask if they have any samples that you can try and remember your advantage card points too;
• Benefit: – https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/uk/en-gb – £18.50 – currently a choice of a number of offers available including a skincare duo with £40 or over spend.

Thank you for looking – any queries / comments please let me know.  If you have tried the two products above would love to hear your thoughts.

Best Wishes Liz x

I wear mascara most days, one of my essential makeup items, and love it when I get the opportunity to try a mascara for free, it is the perfect way to see if you like it without having to buy the full size.   Recently there were Chanel and MAC mascara samples available to claim free online through Facebook/ notifications  – although they  are now all gone online you could still ask at the Chanel and MAC counters to see if they have any samples left that you could try – also if you currently  purchase any MAC items online you have option to choose a  free sample which includes mascara samples – also ask in store too they may have samples available there as well with purchase.   (Remember if you sign up through online freebie sites e.g. LatestFreeStuff, Magic Freebies – other freebie sites available too just search online – you will get early / daily notifications of what freebies are available and the earliest you claim the more chance you have of getting freebies before they are gone – I also intend to do a weekly freebie post starting from this Sunday 17th July, freebies I have claimed for and received during that week)

I received the Chanel Dimensions 1ml mascara sample in 10 Noir / black – it arrived in beautiful outer packaging as you can see from photos above  – very impressed but then would expect nothing less from Chanel.   I found the brush the perfect size to apply the mascara, even on my lower lashes, a strong black colour and even with one coat you could notice the difference straight away, left my lashes long and luscious, dried quickly with no flakiness / fall out / smudginess throughout the day and also did not irritate my eyes.  Even after a long day at work although my eyes look tired my lashes look as good when I first applied the mascara in the morning.

The full size retails for £25 (expensive compared to some other brands) currently £22.50 in Debenhams, I would definitely recommend it, although try to get a sample first to see if you like it as much as me.  I intend to purchase the full size in either Boots or Debenhams with my advantage card / beauty club card points once I get a chance to try / use the other free mascara samples  I have been lucky enough to have received from other brands, including the one from MAC mentioned above (will do a short post on it too once I get a chance to try it properly).

Thank you for looking – if you have any comments / queries please let me know.  Would love to know if you received this sample or have already tried this mascara and what you think of it – do you like it as much as I do?

Best Wishes Liz x

‘All Boxed Up ‘ Media is a supplier of promotional boxes / consumer offers and maybe one you are not aware of as I only became aware of their offers approximately a year ago through a promotional ‘Telegraph’ beauty offer.  It is not a subscription service but has regular promotional offers available which include a variety of brands (skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrances etc.).  Currently when you look at their site they only have two promotional offers available but this varies and once you sign up, order, you will be emailed when exclusive promotional offers are available which you can advantage off while stocks last.  Delivery times vary and contents come in tissue paper in an outer cardboard box.

Therefore when details of this exclusive offer were emailed to me, I could not resist as it was  £16.49 (inc p&p) for £109.50 worth of products and two of the items I had already tried and loved and the other three I was curious about so looked forward to trying.  I ordered on the 29th June 2016 and received on 8th July so very quick delivery this time (sometimes despatch can be slow but any boxes I have ordered have always arrived).

Included were the following products (pictures / slide show below):- however no information cards / booklets are included but overview of products always included in the ‘All boxed Up’ email / online site:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

• Polaar Instant Radiance Serum (Iceperfect) – 30ml (full size) –  £44.99 – cannot wait to try this – only recently became aware of this brand;
• James Read Overnight Tan Sleep Mask Tan Face – 25 ml – £12.50 – this is a product I already own and love, leaves your skin with a natural tan and so easy to use;
• Percy & Reed No Fuss Flawlessness Dry Conditioner – 150ml (full size) – £12 – Although I personally do not like dry shampoos – intrigued to try this conditioner;
• Bellapierre Mineral Lipstick In Ruby – 3.5g (full size) – £20 – I already own this and love the consistency – so creamy and a beautiful colour – you can regularly find this range on special offer although I feel that Bellapierre are not given enough credit for the quality of their products, especially lipsticks and some of their eye shadows; and
• Bellapierre Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Ebony  (full size) – £20 – my initial thoughts are good strong colour, easy to apply, slightly smudgeable.

Good variety / value  of products for the price. I would definitely recommend keeping a look out on the All Boxed Up site as offers change pretty regularly (although some of the same products can be included in different offers).

Thank you for looking – any queries / comments please let me know and if you would like a separate review on any of the above products just let me know.

Best Wishes Liz x

Benefit is another of my favourite makeup brands – especially their eyebrow products and I was excited when I seen they were bringing out a new range of brow products -see photo below – which has now launched.

Therefore I was over the moon when I seen that a travel size (0.11g) of the new Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil was free with the July 2016 issue of Elle magazine – you may still get it in some retailers as the August 2016 edition is not out yet but be quick as the August issue should be out v soon also please also see my monthly magazine offer post(s) which might help you not miss out on any future magazine / beauty offers that are of interest to you.

I was lucky enough to receive the correct shade for me with the  magazine – shade 2 (light) as this is light brown / taupe – perfect for me – however the brow pencil is available in six shades – please see details below and swatch of the shade  I received (the full size also has a spoolie brush at one end is 0.34g and RRP is £18.50):

My initial thoughts were I love, love the packaging, futuristic but very stylist and elegant.  I followed the instructions and used the pointed end of the twist up pencil to define my eyebrows and I then I jut used the wide tip to fill my eyebrows in – perfect for filling in any spaces or uneven brows  – I was v happy with results, my brows looked shaped, natural and colour was perfect for me and although  I needed to swipe pencil few times at the beginning the product glided on smoothly after that and you can build the colour up the more product you put on. I also found that although the product was long wearing it is smudgeable for a short period after application.    I definitely intend to purchase again but as always will look out for the best offers available at the time – have included some online sites where offers are available at the moment but as always shop around online or in store for best offers before purchasing – hope this helps.

• Debenhams: – http://www.debenhams.com/ – £18.50 – free mini It’s Potent, mini Porefessional and mini Boi-ing with 2 or more Benefit purchases and remember your beauty card points too;
• Boots: – http://www.boots.com/ – £18.50 –  golden gate passport cover  (online orders only) with any three selected Benefit purchases and currently there is also a free beauty box offer on at Boots with purchases of £50 or over and remember your advantage card points too;
• Benefit: – https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/uk/en-gb – £18.50 – currently a choice of a number of offers available including a choice of a mini and bag with £40 or over spend.

Thank you for looking – any queries / comments please let me know.

Best Wishes Liz x