Boux Avenue Room Spray // Review

I'm obsessed with buying scented candles, oil diffusers, and sprays to make my room smell pretty. If you've ever been into Boux Avenue, you'll know that the soft fresh fragrance hits you as soon as you enter. I adore the smell, and was so excited to see that they sold room sprays, so I too could make my room smell as lovely.

At £10 for 100mls, this stuff isn't cheap. But it comes in a square shape glass bottle with pink ribbon that looks so pretty on my dressing table.

I chose the smell 'Pink Taffeta' which contains rose, amber and peony. It is very warm and musky, but also fresh and clean. I love spraying this onto my bedding in between washes to keep it smelling nice.

Unfortunately, the smell doesn't last that long. After first spraying, the room smells lovely for just a few minutes. I know you get used to smells, but even after leaving the room and coming back in, say, half an hour later, I don't detect the smell anymore.

After speaking to someone at the shop, she said she goes through a bottle every couple of weeks. Maybe it's my fault for not spraying enough, but if I'm spending ten pounds on a room spray, I expect to get a great scent payoff without having to use half a bottle.

Also, the lady at the shop says that people buy this to use as perfume. The back of the bottle warns to avoid contact with skin, so maybe this wasn't the right advice for her to be giving out haha.

Overall, I wouldn't buy this again, as I wasn't very impressed with the product. I think a bottle of Febreeze would work just as well, if not better, and you're not breaking the bank.

Although a bottle of Febreeze isn't as pretty to look at.

Have you tried a Boux Avenue Room Spray? What did you think?

Sample Review // Nivea Creme Care Shower Cream

I have so many samples in my possession from various blogger meets, magazines and beauty boxes, I decided it was about time to make my way through them.

Because I only have small samples of products, this is going to be like a first impression than an in depth review. But if something makes me want to buy it full size, then you know it's good!

I love the smell of this shower creme, especially for Autumn/Winter. In the summer I prefer fresh, fruity scents, but this is quite musky and has a hint of citrus to it. The smell doesn't linger on the skin long, but I find most shower gels don't. However, when using it, it feels very luxurious.

I prefer shower creams to gels, as I find them more moisturising, especially when it comes to shaving my legs. This makes my skin feel lovely and doesn't leave that weird, tight feeling I get when using soap or some shower gels.

For 250mls for less than £2, this is definitely something I'd consider buying. However, I'm still making my way through the stash of body products I got last Christmas!

Have you tried this product before?

Zoella Beauty Haul

I don't know whether you can call this a haul as I only bought three things, but considering there isn't that much in Zoella's collection yet, I think it was a good start.

My local Superdrug is so small it hardly ever gets new releases, so imagine my excitement when I walked past and saw the Zoella Beauty products on a shelf. They had everything apart from the candles and the makeup bag with the eyes on. The main thing I was interested in was the body mist 'Blissful Mistful' which is £8. I love the bottle and it looks so pretty on my dressing table next to my other perfume bottles. Because it was so cheap, I thought it would look cheap, but as you a can see, it doesn't. I find it hard to describe smells, but I think this is a more Spring/Summer scent than Autumn/Winter, just because it smells really fresh and clean rather than musky.

I went back to Superdrug a few days later and picked up the Candle 'Let's Glow' and the Fizz Bar. I haven't used either yet, but the Fizz bar has such a familiar smell. I think it reminds me of washing powder but I'm excited to use it. The candle also smells lovely.

I'm excited to try these and glad I managed to get some of the range before they sold out. If you happen to see some of the stuff in your local Superdrug, be sure to pick some up because I was told that when they sell, it will be a while before stores get them in again.

Have you tried any of her range?

Thursday Topic// Can You Be Feminist And A Beauty Blogger?

I am a feminist.

I first started to identify myself as a feminist at the tender age of sixteen when I started my AS levels. I had amazing teachers who encouraged us and invited debate and I started to realise that feminism and  women's rights were something I was deeply passionate about.

I think my brain's always been tuned to think this particular way. I remember reading Twilight for the first time and hating Bella because she was so passive and let the men in her life completely control her. I remember being completely outraged at school when one of my friends had her boob grabbed by a male student and no one blinked an eye because 'boys will be boys.' I remember being one of the only ones in my class who supported the 'pro-choice' abortion debate in RE lessons.

I think of all this and sometimes wonder whether I'm a hypocrite. I am a self-proclaimed feminist who writes a beauty blog.

I know feminism isn't black and white. Although in it simplest terms, feminism means supporting the equal rights of men and women. However, there's all sorts of tangents and arguments that will never be solved because there's no right or wrong answers.

As a beauty blogger, am I effectively promoting an industry that makes money exploiting women's insecurities? As I applied my makeup this morning, I realised how ridiculous the whole thing is. I was putting my self in pain by removing hair from my eyebrows. I was using a primer to eliminate the appearance of pores. I was using bronzer to make my cheekbones more pronounced and my nose slimmer.

I started to question myself why I was doing this. Was it to make myself more attractive?

Well, yes. I'd be lying if I said that wearing makeup didn't make me feel prettier. I think wearing makeup makes me look more alert, healthier, and I actually feel like I get more stuff done with makeup on. I'm not particularly self conscious without makeup; I've posted photos of myself on my blog without makeup on and uploaded a couple of youtube videos where my face has been bare. But, if I'm honest, I rarely leave the house without wearing makeup, even if it's applying a little concealer and lip balm to nip to Asdas.

Is this me conforming to societies perception of beauty? Am I wearing makeup because I want to make men and women think I'm attractive? Why do I want to make them think me attractive? Will they appreciate me more if I'm prettier?

I've spent the last five years studying literature that proves women are more than just a pretty face and something to be looked at. But by writing a beauty blog, am I just reinforcing this idea?

I know that makeup is more than looking attractive. It can be a form of self expression. I sometimes like to wear purple lipstick so dark it's almost black. My boyfriend and dad may not like it, but I do so I wear it.

For others makeup is an art form. It takes serious precision to create the perfect cat flick. Blending eye shadow is something that takes many hours of practice. I don't even want to think about contouring.

Makeup is also fun. I find enjoyment from doing my makeup, and even apply it if I'm not going anywhere. I love watching makeup tutorials on youtube, and testing lipsticks out in Boots. Can doing something that we enjoy be oppressive? After all, we're not being forced to wear makeup. We do it because we like it.

The beauty blogger community is dominantly female and is a community I feel is very supportive and friendly. Women have made careers out of beauty blogging (think Zoella Beauty, Tanya Burr etc) and this couldn't have happened without the support of other women and other beauty bloggers. Society has taught us that other women are our competition and we should tear them down (ever hear the stereotypical ' a group of women together leads to bitchiness) but I don't find this within blogging. Can something that leads to success for so many women be anti-feminist?

I could go on and on for ages as like I said, often with topics like feminism, there's no black and white answer and each opinion is subjective.

The beauty industry is complex, but so is feminism and so is life.

Beauty blogging is a hobby and something I will continue doing. Wearing makeup is a choice and something that makes me feel good, and something that makes me feel powerful. Making this choice implies ownership and states that I have complete control over my body. Yes, I may do it to look more attractive, but with women in the spotlight like Beyonce and Miley Cyrus, who use their makeup and fashion choices to own their sexuality, I feel there's nothing wrong with this.

The problem with makeup arises when women are forced to wear it. Whether this be at a young age to fit in with friends (this isn't a literal 'force' but more a peer pressure 'force') or because the beauty industry tells us we're not beautiful without it. It get's even more sinister when makeup is introduced as part of a dress code at work. I know there's even some jobs where you can get fired for having smudged lipstick (think air hostess.)

I know this is a long post and I applaud you if you read it all. I'm wondering what your views on the subject are? Whether you simply leave a comment, or write a long rambling post of your own, let me know because I'm interested.

The Body Shop Haul

After running low on my Soap & Glory Cleanser for the second time, I decided to switch it up a bit and try something new. I recently got a sample of the Vitamin E cleanser from The Body Shop and decided to try that.

The Body Shop were having a 30% off event for 'Love Your Body' card holders on the 2nd and 3rd of October, which they kindly informed me by text. I had also been eyeing up their night creams and couldn't decide between the Vitamin E one or the S&G Wish Upon A Jar. Considering S&G was £16, I decided to go for the cheaper option. 

Together the cleanser and night cream came to £20.50 but with 30% off, it came to just over £14 which I thought was amazing. 

After paying for my items, I inquired about the birthday bonus card holders get. When it's your birthday month, you get £5 to spend in store. They informed me I could use this in conjunction with the 30% offer, so off I went browsing again. 

Gabby from VelvetGh0st talked about the Instablur primer, saying it was one of her favourites. This costs £14 on it's own, but next to it was a set featuring the primer and the bb cream for just £20! Bargains to be had everywhere. With the 30% off, this cost just £14, then with the extra £5 off it came to just £9. £9 for 2 products is amazing value. 

As I was about to pay for these, the lady informed me that if I spent another pound, I would get another £5 off as I had reached the first reward (basically every £10 you spend, you get a stamp. When you get 4 stamps, you get a £5 reward off any purchase.) 

I headed towards the £2 lip balms, but the lady showed me the Instablur Eye Primer. She applied a little on my hand, then swatched some eye shadow next to the primer then on it. It made it so much more vibrant! I was a bit unsure whether to purchase it or not, but the lady scanned it and told me I would be paying £12.50 for all three products! Which meant the eye primer cost me just £3.50. 

I decided then I better leave or I would be there all day. Have you bought anything from The Body Shop lately? 

OOTD // Comfy Jumpers and Vintage Dresses

This outfit isn't to everyone's taste (especially not my dad's) but I love pairing vintage dresses with big comfy jumpers, especially for the upcoming Autumn season.

I don't know how old the dress is, but I think it's probably 70's. I love dresses with the '50's' style; nipped in waist, mid length skirt. Because there's so much going on with the dress, I kept it pretty simple with plain accessories, although I did team it with my bright red duck bag!

The only issue I have with this dress is that the buttons strain against my giant B cup boobies, but it doesn't bother me too much. The strap on my bag has almost had it, but I think eventually I'll cut it off and use the bag as a makeup case or something.

Dress - I.luv.it.ireallydo.Vintage

Jumper - Primark

Bag-I.luv.it.ireallydo.Vintage

Shoes - TK Maxx

Necklace - Vivienne Westwood

How do you like to wear vintage dresses in the colder months?

Punky Pins Review

I love anything a bit different and quirky, so was very excited to receive this Punky Pins gift set* in my Hull Blogger meet goody bag back in March.

The jewellery came in this blue box which I liked as most jewelley comes in little bags.

As you can see, I received a necklace, a pair of earrings, a ring and three badges. I've worn all pieces, apart from the badges which my fourteen year old self would have adored.

I especially love the ring as it's so quirky.

I can't find these exact items on the Punky Pin site, but they do mystery bags for £10, which I think will make excellent gifts for the upcoming festive season (too soon?) 

I think there's something for every taste at Punky Pins, even the option to make a photo of your pet into a necklace! However, I think this jewellery suits the more quirky if individuals. 

Have you bought anything from this site before?

*Received in a goody bag, but doesn't affect opinion.