Selfridges Agender Beauty Box

When a store like Selfridges puts together a beauty box, you can be pretty damn sure that what's going to be inside that box will be special. 

Today, Selfridges launched a limited edition beauty box to fall alongside their current Agender campaign, which challenges boundaries and celebrates genderless fashion. Pieces such as trench coats and skate shoes- two things that I love, fall within their fashion campaign and inside the beauty box is as follows.

NARS Mini Eye Liner

Illamasqua Black Mascara

Verso Face Cream

Lancaster Tan Maximiser

Kiehl's Ultra-Facial Cleanser

Konjac Sponge

Demologica Conditioning Body Wash

OPI- Tickle My Francy

OCC Lip Tar- Hollywood

Before the price even comes into the equation, what we have here is nine of Selfridges favourite beauty products and personally, seven products that I am particularly so happy to have opened the box to.

With a combined value of £108, the Agender Beauty Box costs just £30 and if you're interested in getting one for yourself, you can sign up on the Selfridges website to be the first to know when it lands.

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Current Christmas Wish List

Coming up to Christmas, it's the time of the year when all of the fabulous gift sets and beautiful palettes start to take place on the shelves ready for the beauty minded like us to covet and whilst I'm on somewhat of a spending ban at the moment, I thought I would put together a wish list come gift guide of the best beauty finds that I've come across whilst browsing one of my new favourite online stores, the Urban Retreat Beautique.

Laura Mercier Shimmer Effects Mini Caviar Stick Collection- £28.00, Nars Ride Up To The Moon Palette- £32.00, Laura Mercier Colour To Go Natural Nudes- £31.00

Emma Hardie Facial Starter Kit- £32.00, Diptique Figuier Candle- £40.00, Clarisonic Plus Sonic Skin Cleansing System- £179.00

Nars Daydream Blush- £21.50, Laura Mericer Mini Lip Glace Set Bold Brights- £31.00, Nars Guy Bourdin Crime of Passion Face Kit- £35.00

 Sensing a definite Nars and Laura Mercier theme running here, it's clear to see what' top of my wish list at the moment and what I'll be crossing my fingers for come Christmas morning. Do any of these products scream must have to you? 

I would love to hear what's on your Urban Retreat Beautique wish list.

*This post is in collaboration with the Urban Retreat Beautique, who very kindly allowed me to use their stock images.

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Nars Guy Bourdin One Night Stand Palette- The Swatches

Following my post last week, she's here. The Nars Guy Bourdin One Night Stand Palette has arrived safe and sound and is more dreamy than I ever anticipated. 

Perfectly sized at 4g per product, the six product palette is home to Devotee Highlighting Blush (New shade, Alabaster Glow), Mistinguette Blush (New shade, Bright Pink), Goulue Blush (New shade, Fleshy Pink), Laguna Bronzer (Brown Powder with Golden Shimmer)- my all time favourite, Orgasm Blush (Peachy Pink with Golden Shimmer) and Deep Throat Blush (Sheer Peach). My favourite of the blushes is probably Orgasm, although I predict that Mistinguette is going to be a favourite of mine, particularly when Summer comes around again. Devotee is the most delightful Pink toned highlighter that offers the most beautiful glow and I think I'll personally find it perfect used for a subtle brow bone and inner corner highlight. 

Introduced as part of the Nars Holiday Gifting Collection, this One Night Stand Palette is of course limited edition and exclusive to Space NK costing £45 and if you are looking to pick this up, I would do so now, whilst Space NK are currently offering free delivery here!

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Nars Guy Bourdin One Night Stand Palette

It's not often that I'm so excited by a products launch that I refer to the press release and blog about it without even laying hands on it, but completely sure that this Nars and Guy Bourdin Holiday Gifting 'One Night Stand' palette is going to be a sell-out, I thought I would share it with you, just to give you the chance to preorder it if you wasn't even aware that such a beauty existed.

One Night Stand is launching in the Nars Hoilday Gifting Collection and exclusive to Space NK, it consists of Devotee Highlighting Blush (New shade, Alabaster Glow), Mistinguette Blush (New shade, Bright Pink), Goulue Blush (New shade, Fleshy Pink), Laguna Bronzer (Brown Powder with Golden Shimmer)- my all time favourite, Orgasm Blush (Peachy Pink with Golden Shimmer) and Deep Throat Blush (Sheer Peach).

Each shade sized at around 2/3 of the normal Nars Blush size, at £45 this palette is well worth picking up whilst you can. I for sure will be making space in my collection for this and preordering it as soon as possible, whilst keeping my beady eye out for the colour collection, which has the most dreamy looking blushes- Day Dream.

Available exclusive to Space NK and limited edition, this One Night Stand palette along with the rest of the Holiday Gifting Collection will be available to buy on the 1st November, although at no extra price you are able to preorder it, to ensure you don't miss out.

If you want to get your hands on this incredible looking palette, you can do so here. 

Does this Nars One Night Stand Palette excite you as much as it does me?

Update: Read my review and see my swatches here

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Nars Gina

I mentioned on last weeks vlog that I finally caved in and purchased Nars Gina, a blush that has been on my wish list for some time now, but for some unknown reason never quite made it into my basket. It's very quickly become a favourite of mine and having applied it daily since buying it, I can see it being super content on my cheeks for a long time to come.

Gina is a soft, beautifully brightening Orange Apricot toned shade that I find sits lovely and complimentary with my make up, adding the perfect fresh looking finish. The colour is very much a me shade and fits in well with my ever-expanding Peachy, Fresh and Coral toned blush collection, probably sitting next to Illamasqua Lover in terms of similarity.

It's perfectly pigmented and has the ability to blend out pretty easily if you do go in a little too heavy handed, which I'm sure we've all done.

I really love Nars products and particularly love the sleek rubberised mirrored compacts. I find they're a really nice size and lovely to work with.

Nars blushes cost £21.50 and are available to buy online and at Nars counters in Selfridges, Liberty and Space NK.

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What I'm Wearing

Studio Fix Fluid NC30

Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer

Liz Earle Powder Blush- Nectar

HD Brow Palette Rich Brown

Benefit They're Real

Nars Barbarella

After a very hectic bank holiday weekend, I'm spending today relaxing on the sofa getting on with some serious blogging. 

I am so absolutely exhausted from my weekend at Creamfields, despite the weekend being brought to an end early because of serious flooding and swamped tents, my boyfriend and I had a really good time and a fab little road trip. It's certainly taken its toll though and every part of my body aches horrifically!

I took a few photos of my camping experience, all of which are on Instagram (bellesboutique).

I had to pop out to do a couple of errands this morning, so applied minimal make up. In fact less than this, the lipstick and mascara was just added for photo purposes!

 I've just written a post about the Liz Earle powder blush that I'm wearing and that should be live within the next couple of days, I'm really impressed with the quality of their Colour range and think they're definitely worth a try!

I'm really loving how my hairs looking after using the Lee Stafford Big Fat Tong that I blogged about here, what do you use to achieve volume and body? 

I'm thinking of going lighter with my hair, but I'm worried it's going to take some serious bleaching out because of the Red tones in it? If you know anything about hair colouring or have any ideas I'd love to hear them!

I'm super tanned at the moment and back using Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe, as the Dark Lotion that I have raved about for years seems to have stopped working on me. Either they have changed the formula or my skin has become immune to it- either way, I'm super disappointed as it's been my favourite tan for what seems like forever now. Absolute Luxe is more of an expensive option, but it's so so worth it and I managed to pick it up here in the Feel Unique sale which is a bonus.

I hope you're all really well and had a fabulous bank holiday weekend!

xx

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What I'm Wearing

Nars Pore Refining Primer

YSL Le Teint Touch Eclat Foundation

Benefit It Stick

Nars Laguna

Illamasqua Lover

HD Brow Palette- Rich Brown

Benefit They're Real

Nars Barbarella

I feel like I haven't done one of these posts in quite a while, the reason being that on my days off of work I've trying to lay off the make up a little bit. I've never had troubled skin, but recently my chin area has really flared up and it just won't calm down. I am so lucky that up until now I've never really had any issues with getting rid of spots or blemishes but I'm having such difficulty trying to banish this troubled area and it's beginning to get to me.

I picked up a sample of the YSL foundation but unfortunately got an unnamed pot so I don't know the shade. I think it's B50 but I'm not certain. An unshaded pot kind of goes against the point, but I'm hoping when I next go to the counter I'll be able to match it with one. I really like it, which surprises me. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to love it, but in all honesty I didn't think it would be for me. It's a few pounds more than I really like to spend on a foundation, but I think it's worth it.

I'm wearing Nars Barbarella here and I have been for the last few days. I got it just before Christmas and wrote here about my disappointed with it, it wasn't how I thought it was when I swatched it and I kind of didn't even give it much of a chance, threw it to the back of my lipstick drawer never to be worn again- until this week when I have absolutely fallen for it. I have found it complimenting my make up so well and with it being a little more sheer, it's been great for work. This is a huge example of don't give up on a product straight away, especially make up. Our styles change, well mine does all the time and what you didn't like a few months ago you might love now. I think you should all find a product that you gave up on and use it this week, maybe you'll find a new love too!

Another new product that I have on here, is Illamasquas powder blush in Lover. It's another matte Coral dream to add to my collection and I adore it. I'm going to pop up a full review very soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

A few weeks ago, I found out that I won the Osis festival hair competition from this post and was sent a fabulous prize including lots of new amazing products. I never win anything, so was so happy and even more pleased when this week I found out that I won the overall competition and bagged two camping tickets to Creamfields! I can't wait to go camping and wear the hair styles that I posted about. I think I'm going to go with the Top Knot or the Tight Bun. Exciting!

I hope you're all very well

xx 

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Nars Gilda

I was recently in Liberty with my boyfriend doing a little post birthday shopping and of course, ended up at the Nars counter for a substantial amount of time. I'm not really a fan of spending time at make up counters as in the past I haven't had the best experience, however in Liberty the staff couldn't be any more helpful and genuinely friendly.

I got talking to the lady and she instantly knew what kind of products I would be after, I'm guessing from the make up I was wearing that day, but she led me to all of the products I had previously had my eye on. Gilda being one of them. 

After trying lots of things and having a mega swatching session, I decided that this was the next blush to be apart of my collection and my boyfriend very kindly treated me to it!

To begin with, I couldn't decide between this and Gina but because Gina is slightly more similar to everything I already have, I opted for this which of course, is still a Coral Blush but it has the slightest Red tone to it, rather than my normal Peachy Corals.

I stayed clear of the shimmer products (surprise!) and this is very much a true matte product, although I did have to double check with the sales assistant as at the counter there was a bit of shimmer in the pan from another product which had me a little concerned.

I'm really such a fan of this product, it's such a lovely colour and adds a beautiful finish to my make up. I never really used to be a blush girl, but now my make up isn't complete until a brush of coral on my cheeks. 

I really like Nars products and the packaging is by far my favourite of all brands. It's a little more expensive, costing £21 but in my opinion is a quality product, a fair size and blushes seem to last forever anyway, which justifies it a little more!

Have you tried this product? What do you think?

xx

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Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel- Bronzing Make Up Base

I recently mentioned that I finally took the plunge and purchased Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel, more commonly known as Chanel Bronze Universal.

I have wanted this for ages, but it was near impossible to get hold of one due to the fact that I think they were in the process of redesigning it. Fortunately, I finally did and I don't even know where to begin with how much I love this product. It's easily my favourite product of the year so far.

Before the product even comes into it, this has the most delightful, beautiful packaging and before I even apply it I feel a million dollars. The look, the feel and the Gold Chanel logo taking centre stage turns this from a good product into such a luxurious product and I feel so incredibly happy to finally own it.

Taking it out of my make up bag makes me smile- sad right?

I have read so many reviews on this product, both good and bad. The most common negative comment on this product seems to be that people have found it quite difficult to use and were disappointed by that. I was a little hesitant because of this, however I still gave it ago and luckily from the offset I seem to have been able to use this with ease. Maybe thats because I did know what to expect or maybe I am just lucky.

It's a cream, mousse like formula and can be used on it's own or with other products, both under and on top of your foundation. I personally like to use it as a bronzer on top of my foundation.

I have tried quite a few brushes to apply this, but my favourite at the moment is most definitely my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. 

The smallest amount product is needed so I would suggest not going overboard and thinking you need more than one swirl of the brush. I did once, which was very silly as quite frankly, I want to prolong this product for as long as possible and thats just wasting it.

I apply this to my regular bronzer three- under my jawline, on my cheekbones and my temples just after my foundation has been applied. I find using it this way, it applies so smoothy and blends like an absolute dream.

It works well with all of my foundations, though I do prefer it with Nars Sheer Glow.

On the skin, this product looks like how a bronzer powder would, though not as dark as some I've tried and a lot more dewy which for the first time ever I am really loving.

Being a Chanel product, this is a little more pricey at £29 for 30ml but it is a seriously beautiful product, it looks amazing and I imagine it will last a long while. To justify the purchase, I got it at the Chanel counter in Boots with the use of some Boots points. 

Are you tempted by this product or even just by the Gold Chanel?

xx

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Nars Barbarella

I got Nars Barbarella at Christmas after putting on my list when I swatched it at Dubai airport.

It's my first Nars lipstick so I was super excited about it, after hearing such great things.

Barbarella is a Peachy Coral coloured lipstick, which is a shade that always goes down a treat with me. I have so many lipsticks in very similar shades to this.

It's slightly different to what I was expecting as I seem to remember it being slightly more matte (it was probably a completely different product).

 The finish of this lipstick is sheer (I wish so much that it was slightly more matte), and the colour application on the lips for me is a little disappointing. 

It doesn't give your lips as much colour as it looks like it would in the tube. In the tube, as you can see it looks very pigmented but that doesn't translate on the lips at all. 

This is definitely a shade that I will get more wear out of in the Summer, as throughout the Winter I'm finding myself reach for either Pinky nudes or Reds. 

When I do start to wear it more, I am hoping I will be able to double it up with another shade to get the perfect finish.

I love the packaging more than anything, Nars packaging cannot be faulted in my opinion, from the logo down to the slightly rubberised finish it is a dream.

Overall, I am slightly disappointed with the finish but I think I can learn from this that sheer just doesn't really work well for me.  

I will definitely give a little update on this once the sunshine and floral dresses come back out. 

Whats your favourite Nars lipsticks and can you recommend any combinations using this that will create a dream?

xx

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