Laduree Macarons unboxing and review

Hello :)

I've not actually been to Paris before so these little beauties were brought back as a present from my boyfriend's sister. How lovely is that <3 Thankyou Vicki!

I adore Macarons and I think these are the ultimate ones. If I was to actually go into Laduree myself I think I would just stare at the counters for the longest time and not be able to choose what I wanted. I used to be the same in toy shops when I was little! I'm one of those people who stand back a little to decide first so that I don't order in haste and then see something better two minutes later. The first time I ever ordered at Subway that was an ordeal. How was I meant to know what bread I wanted? I do now it's honey oat! Salad? Sauce? Toasted? Cheese? Woah woah woah just a sandwich please. I've now got it down to a fine art though after practice.

Laduree bag that the delightful macarons came in.

 Just look at the beauty of this posh bag! That's a keeper right there. What a gorgeous colour and it goes perfectly with the gold.

 The macarons came inside this luxurious black box with gold embossing on it. I'm going to re-use this box for jewellery I think. The little leaflet tells you some of the different flavours of the macarons available inside Laduree.

Love the gold embossing on this but because I photographed it before the sun came up it's not really focused properly because of the light reflections. Oh well the pictures of the macarons are pretty anyway :)

Laduree black macaron box.

We got four different flavours to try. Macarons are so pretty and delicious. I want to try and make some of my own actually. I think it may be quite hard to do.

Delicious just look at them!

From left to right the flavours are; Praline (for the other half) L'Incroyable Guimauve Fraise Bonbon (Strawberry Candy!) Caramel Fleur de Sel (Salted Caramel x2) et Chocolat x 2

The first one I tried was the Strawberry Candy. It was crunchy, with a sweet flavour and a little filling. Yummy.

The salted caramel was a little softer with more filling and was delicious.

The last one I tried was the chocolate and this was my favourite. It was super chocolatey with lots of filling.

If I ever went to Paris the Laduree is a place where I would definitely search for and purchase these delights.

I would love to try the Rose, Milk chocolate passion fruit coconut, raspberry, blackcurrant and violet and chocolate & coconut.

Have you ever tried these before or been into Laduree?

Laura xoxo

Betrousse beauty 'Trendy beauty' unboxing and review.

This '*Trendy Beauty' box is the first box that Betrousse, the beauty company with a French twist, brought out. Once again with these boxes, the products are all full sized.
The box costs £10 and you can purchase it here.

Here is what I received in the 'Trendy Beauty box.'

Trendy Beauty box by Betrousse.

The beauty products arrived in  the branded Betrousse beauty box with the pink tissue paper to add the finishing touches. Again, the full sized products were very well protected and arrived quickly and securely.

The four full-sized products I received in the beauty box.

 Sentara - Bio-relaxing intense blam- eye & lip contour 15ml £39
This balm leaves the skina round your eyes nourished and your lips hydrated well.
"All the components of Sentara beauty care are selected from noble plants to produce the purest and richest extracts. They are highly concentrated and coupled with biotechnology in order to reach outstanding bio-performance. Sentara beauty care products have been tested by dermatologists and their results are scientifically demonstrated.
Sentara beauty care products are designed to be pretty and environmentally friendly: recyclable packaging, recycled paper labels decorated with plant inks."

This product is expensive and so to receive this in the box is a bargain for the £10 + £5 p&p that you pay for the box.

 I received these in the 'Fairy Beauty box' by Betrousse too. These Laboratoires Forte Pharma- Turboslim Chronoactiv retail for £29.95. I've never used diet pills before and I'm not going to use these ones either. I believe in exercising and eating a balanced diet and would prefer a make-up item in the box. However if you are interested in this product then again it works out as an absolute bargain.

 Bys Cosmetics- Lipstick in chocolate sparkle- retails at £2.99. This lipstick is super pigmented and incredibly soft. So much so that it kind of melts on application. It's the softest lipstick that I have ever used and has quite good lasting power.

 Here you can see the shine and the gloss from the lipstick. I would love this in a pink/ coral shade as this is more my style.

Voulez-Vous - Warming body oil 10ml £3

This is a warming oil for a sensual massage. It is rich in natural ingredients. This has no preservatives, a natural odour and does not stain.

Another bargain box from Betrousse. There are two expensive products mixed in with two affordable pieces. If you like the look of these then it makes the box an absolute bargain to be had, especially for full sized products.

Laura xoxo

DGJ Organics King of Colour Glossy Blondes Shampoo & Conditioner + Berutti oil review

About:
  DGJ Organics was developed by celebrity hairdresser Daniel Galvin Junior a decade ago when there were no other organic hair products available. The same formulas, which have been rigorously tested and approved by Daniel himself, are still used today.

I kindly received the *DGJ Organics Glossy Blondes shampoo, conditioner and Berutti oil to try and have used them each hair wash since I received them over the past week.

The DGJ Glossy Blondes shampoo and conditioner retail on their website here for £5.99 each whilst the Berutti oil costs £7.99 for 30ml.
As my hair is highlighted and coloured, the shampoo and conditioner were perfect for my blonde hair. They both contain organic lemon peel and chamomile to enhance your blondeness and to make your hair glisten using light reflecting properties.
Both shampoo and conditioner were scented freshly and were very pleasant. I love how they are organic so you know they are doing you hair the world of good.
The shampoo and conditioner and easy to squeeze out of the container and I like how they are colour co-ordinated depending on hair colour. (A brunette version is also available.)

Glossy Blondes shampoo, conditioner & Berutti oil.

Natural hair - no styling just Berutti oil scrunched in.

The Berutti oil contains a generous amount as you only need to pump a small amount to use each time. I scrunched it through the whole of my hair, ensuring that my ends were reached. My hair needed an injection of shine and to reduce frizz and this is what these three products by DGJ have accomplished. My hair feels more manageable, frizz-free, softer and glossier.

I would definitely recommend these products.

Have you used them before?

Laura xoxo

*PR samples kindly sent to me . All opinions belong 100% to myself.

Betrousse Beauty box unboxing and review for 'Absolutely Fabulous'

Betrousse- Absolutely Fabulous- review.

Here we have the '*Absolutely Fabulous' beauty box by Betrousse which is available to buy now for £19 here. The box contains six full-sized items which when added together would total £118.77 which works out at an absolute bargain if you love the look of the products contained inside.

I have previously reviewed two other Betrousse beauty boxes here and here so take a peek if you missed those ones.

With Betrousse beauty boxes you can see the contents of the beauty boxes beforehand and therefore you will know what to expect when your box arrives. There are different boxes available to choose from each month and this is the most expensive one at £19 as the other ones cost £10 to purchase and shipping works out at £5.

So without further ado, here is what I received in this box. It is full of treasure and my personal favourite.

Betrousse Absolutely Fabulous beauty box contents.

 Here are the six full sized items that I received inside. All protected with the polystyrene pieces and covered with pretty pink tissue paper.

Full sized products that are contained inside the Absolutely Fabulous box by Betrousse.

Spa find- scupted silhouette inchwrap firming gel

The tube contains 250ml and costs £25.30.
This toning and firming gel contains Iso-slim complex and is meant to visibly reduce cellulite.
It is also said to: - 

-  Detoxify the body

-  Improvestretch marks

-  Tone & firm the skin

-  Boost lymphatic circulation

 Can be used to soothe muscular aches & pains

This product sounds extremely promising and I hope it gives great results.

Organic Surge pure & Clean face wash 200ml for £5.49. I have heard of this brand before and am impressed by it. This has a natural scent of citrus fruits and can be used to remove make-up, cleanse or refresh. "With its 100% natural foaming action, this skin-balancing face wash rinses away make-up and impurities without stripping skin of its natural, protective moisture. Formulated to address the needs of oily or combination skin, Pure & Clean face wash cleanses without over-drying and is clinically tested for sensitive skin. Rosemary, peppermint and citrus essential oils combat breakouts and oiliness to restore the skin’s natural balance and leave the complexion bright and clear." 

 Helenere Hedelweiss 24 hour cream 30ml for £30 and Helenere Intensive serum 15ml for £32. This brand is made in Switzerland. The 24 hour cream stimulates cellular respiration, prevents loss of moisture and fights against harmful exterior agents and UV rays and contains an extract of Edelweiss.
The Helenere intensive serum repairs and rehydrates to give fresh and silky skin.

Leor facial exfoliate creme with French lavender 100gr for £11. This cream contains a pumice which gently exfoliates your skin. You can really smell the scent of the Lavender essential oil in this product. I can't wait to see if this make my skin fresher and more vibrant.

 Here you can see inside the pot and the exfoliants contained inside.

Duck Island Mandarin & Bergamot shampoo 250ml for £14.98. I have heard of this brand before and seen it in some hotels that I have stopped in. It has a pleasant refreshing scent and is paraben free. It's said to leave hair feeling supreme and silky smooth so I can't wait to find out if this works on my hair.

So overall I'm really impressed with this box. There's not one item that I wouldn't use in here and I think it is excellent value for money.


Laura xoxo

*This box was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at Betrousse and all opinions are 100% my own.

Jacava London Passion Nail Polish swatches and review

Hello!

It's getting closer and closer to Christmas and I'm so excited. I've already had a Costa gingerbread latte, bought all pressies and wrapped them, popped inexpensive items in a stocking and made a mental wishlist to go to Marks & Spencers and buy their yummy Christmas food. That advert makes me want it all!

Today I have a Jacava nail polish review in the shade 'Passion' This polish is usually £14.50 but it is currently on sale for £11 here.

Here is what Jacava state about their products ( Taken from here.)

"About Jacava '8-FREE' Non-Toxic Nail Polish Opulent non-toxic nail polish, by JACAVA London, is an '8-free' nail varnish. That's free from DBP, Camphor, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Cellophane, Parabens, Phthalates and Animal Ingredients. We never test on Animals and our nail polish is Vegan friendly. All JACAVA non-toxic nail polish uses a premium, high gloss, long-lasting and nourishing formulation to help your nails stay stronger and grow longer. Designed in London and made in the UK, JACAVA is a quintessentially British nail polish brand with a stunning, luxurious bottle & 22-carat gold printing."

Jacava London- Passion bottle

 The bottle is luxurious and is a high end brand. They stock a range of other gorgeous colours that I have my eyes on but this shade I think is perfect for this time of the year. The consistency makes application super smooth on the fingernails and the regular brush makes it easier to apply due to the longer handle.
I love how it is 8-free and does not test on animals as I am a huge animal lover.

One coat of Jacava London polish in Passion.

Here I have used just one coat of 'Passion' for it to become opaque. It looks incredibly glossy and shiny and would pair perfectly with my maroon trousers and black peplum top.
Wearing this brand makes me feel completely polished to perfection as it oozes sophistication and class. I usually choose turquoises, pinks and other pastels so this shade rocks up my world a little bit.

I would recommend this brand if you are wanting a long-lasting luxurious polish and personally I would choose a more 'Laura' colour for myself next time such as Chillax , Candy floss or Blueberry Muffin.

Have you tried this polish before?

Laura xoxo

Betrousse Fairy beauty box unboxing and review

Betrousse Fairy beauty box review.

I love beauty boxes so much. It's like receiving a Birthday gift, especially when  it arrives in a box with pretty pink tissue paper like this *Fairy beauty box I was sent from Betrousse which costs £10. I love surprises but with these boxes from Betrousse I also love how you can see the contents and then buy the one which you like the look of the most. It's so exciting to receive beauty products so that you can try new things out and discover treasures.

The Betrousse beauty boxes contain all full sized items which is brilliant in comparison with some other beauty boxes available as you don't receive little samples. There are different boxes to choose from each month so if you like the look of any of these boxes check them out before they bring out the next selection.

I love the name of the box 'Fairy' and my perception of this is glitter, sequins, daintiness and a free-spirit however the products in the box are to help pamper you in time for Christmas and so it's just a pretty name for the box.

Betrousse Fairy Beauty Box
Packaged in a large enough box to house the full-sized products. They are covered in pink tissue paper and protected with polystyrene pieces to cushion them in transit.
(Headband my own)

 Here are all of the products I received in the Fairy beauty box. My box contained 6 full sized items. There are 7 different possibilities on the little card that you receive with the box.

All of the items from the Fairy beauty box by Betrousse ( Minus the tattoos that were hiding!)

Skinetica- Anti- Blemish 100ml £9.99 

I'm pleased that this was in the box as I already own a couple of these but they are in sample sized so it's great that I now have a full sized bottle. This product has a lot of positives and I need it to clear up some blemishes that I keep on getting.

 Saffron London- Cracking Nail Polish 14ml £0.75

Crackle effect polishes first made their debut a few years back and were extremely popular. 

Unfortunately my polish was completely dried up as you can see in the photograph so I'm just going to throw this away. I'm not too fussed though as they are other gems in the box and this only costs £0.75 anyway.

 Laboratoire LDA-SOINS Experts- Hydra cream expert 50ml £34.

This cream fights agains dehydrated skin and wrinkles. It has a high regenerating and anti-oxidant action. 

This is a French skin care cream which I know is very popular. The container looks expensive and the cream has a subtle clean scent. An absolute bargain for the £10 you pay for the box to receive this full-sized item.

 Forte Pharma UK - TurboSlim ChronoActiv- 28 tablets £29.95 

These are said to offer an effective slimming solution that work with the natural biorhythm of your body. The box contains day tablets and night tablets.

The day tablets help burn calories using ingredients of a natural origin these being green tea and green coffee.

The night tablet limits fat storage during the night whilst firming skin tissue.

Now I've never used tablets of this kind before and I'm not sure if I dare to try them. I will just continue to power walk my dog instead I think. However if this is something you're interested in then it makes the box a bargain already as you are only paying £10 for the box.

 Montagne Jeunesse- Glacial clay spa £1.49

I've used these masks before as I had a selection pack full of them that I bought from The Clothes Show Live. I've not used this particular one though. It contains crushed arctic cloudberries which sound fabulous but I've never heard of those. This is a clay infused fabric one that you pop over your face and relax for 10-15 minutes. I love these masks. They are great for a girly pamper party so I'm pleased that this was contained in the box.

These tattoos by Tattyoo have been created especially for Betrousse. You get two Tattyoo per set and these cost £5. I love the pouty lips and the stars and they are a bit of fun if you wanted to wear one for a party.

So overall the cost of all these items adds upto a whopping £81.18 and without the crackled nail polish would be £80.43 . Which, if you like the items makes it an absolute bargain.

My favourites in the box are the skin cream, face mask and Skinetica. 

What do you like the look of ?

Laura xoxo

Betrousse Glitz & Glamour beauty box review and unboxing

Betrousse Glitz & Glamour beauty box.

Betrousse is a French beauty box company that sells themed beauty boxes that you can choose from, that are now available in the UK. There are five different ones available on the website this month which offer a range of beauty products.You can see the items that are going to be contained inside so that you can choose your favourite. You get full sized items rather than samples so this works out as fantastic value for money. With Christmas being near I think that these would make an ideal stocking filler or present for a beauty lover that you know. A lot of the items are quite hard to source in the UK as some of them are French so that's where this beauty box bridges the gap.

The kind people at Betrousse gifted me four different boxes and the first one that I am going to show you is the *Glitz & Glamour box. This box can be bought for £10 here. Inside I received four items to help beat the winter chill whilst retaining your 'Glitz & Glamour'

 Packaging:

The beauty items arrive in quite a large box that is reminiscent of a small shoe box with thin card.  The box does have to be sizeable as you receive full sized items and so therefore the container they are housed in needs to be large enough. They have pretty pink tissue paper and a logo sticker. Little foam pieces inside help to protect the beauty items. You could possibly re-use the box but I don't think it's been intended to do so as it is not sturdy enough. The goodies inside are what counts with this box.
(Beaded crown- Rayofglitter's own!)

 Inside you receive a price list with the products. On the back of the card there is a note which introduces you to the box and lets you know what to do with each product to make you feel better in this winter weather. There are five items listed but in this box you receive four of the listed items. These are all of the items still in the packaging.

 Here you can see the cleanser and the lip gloss out of their packaging.

 The Benta Berry facial cleaner retails for £14

Make believe beauty shimmer lip gloss for 15ml is £10

Fair Naturally- Mango & Safflower body moisturiser for 200ml is £3.99

Jason normalising shampoo 255ml is £7.29

All of my items here total £35.28 which if you like the products is a great bargain for the £10 that the box costs.

(I didn't receive the oil which is shown on the leaflet to the left of the photograph.)

 I love the brand name of this lip gloss 'Make Believe' It reminds me of fairy tales and the gold in the packaging looks expensive. This is a lip moisturiser and gloss with a hint of shimmer. This applies smoothly onto the lips and has a pleasant grapefruity scent. It is sticky to touch but not when you rub your lips together. It is named 'enhance' because it is meant to enhance your tan which will be great for taking on holiday or in the summer months.

 Paris Benta Berry G-1 exfoliating Facial Cleanser . This is said to make your skin soft, clean and your complexion mattified. This has a gorgeously fruity scent and contains ground apricot seeds. It is made from 100% natural ingredients and is not tested on animals.

 Another fruity item ( My favourite as well as chocolate scents) that comes in the shape of this Fair Naturally - Mango & Safflower body moisturiser. I love body moisturisers so this will come in very handy. I use them all year round but particularly in Winter time is when I need it the most. This is a fairtrade product which is brilliant and is meant to deeply nourish and moisturise so I can't wait to try this after my showers.

I'm excited to try out this Jason shampoo as it is gentle and doesn't dry out hair which is what my hair needs. I need an injection of moisture for my hair. This shampoo cleanses hair and balances the PH level of the scalp using rosewater and chamomile.

Overall I do like this beauty box and I am happy with every single item contained inside. I've not tried any of the brands before so this is great to try something new.

At £10 I think it is a great price for these full sized items.

Have you tried these products before?

Laura xoxo