SAMPLE SIZES #2

Hello!

Today I thought I'd do another sample sizes post because I've recently received some new samples, and want to share my opinion on them with you.

If you haven't read my first Sample Sizes post then you can check it out here. The 3 samples I will be reviewing are: Johnson's Face Care day cream, Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation, and "Womanity" perfume by Thierry Mugler.

I have quite a lot of Johnsons products at home, purely because I know my skin likes the formula used in the products, and they are generally good. However, I hadn't tried this face cream, and the first thing I noticed when putting it on my face was that it felt very soothing, and refreshing. I know most creams feel like that, but this one had a light scent to it which added to the experience. In addition, the cream has spf 15 in which is always a bonus because noone wants burnt, dry skin. But, this took quite a long time to sink in which isn't ideal, especially not for in the mornings before applying my makeup for school as time is limited. If the cream didn't take so long I may have bought a full size pot, however it doesn't so this product wouldn't suit me on school mornings, only weekends.

My next sample is the Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation which is constantly being mentioned by beauty experts for being extremely good, and I couldn't agree more. As I don't wear foundation I felt a bit oblivious to try it on my face, however it felt really moisturizing with quite a good coverage. The foundation also has quite a nice smell to it-I don't know what this is but if you smelt it you would know what I meant. In addition, I found this foundation to be very easy to blend as it's very dewy, which is something I would want my foundation to do. If I was someone who wore foundation daily I would purchase a bottle of this, however I don't so I will not be getting a full bottle of this anytime soon.

The last sample I will be reviewing is Womanity by Thierry Mugler. I fell in love with this sample even before I had smelt it, purely because of the extravagant bottle. I judge perfumes on their appearance way before I smell it, this is probably a bad thing to do but I think the bottle can tell you a lot about the perfume itself. "Womanity" starts off with a very loud citrus smell, but then diffuses into a subtle fresh fruity smell which is a lot less powering then the first spray. I quite like the smell, it's something I would wear often and definitely have on display in my room because I love the bottle.

Yay for samples!

BENEFIT ROCKATEUR BLUSHER REVIEW

Hello!

I haven't reviewed a product in a long time, and as I got this blusher for Christmas I thought I might aswell review it because it's quite a new product, and with all the sales on you may be tempted to buy it.

Once again, the first thing that jumps out to me from the blusher is the packaging. As you can see the box is covered in a gold snake effect with pink and black lace in the corners, the packaging is quite regal and elegant with a punk sort of twist, and I think this look really nice on display and definately stands out-just like all the Benefit products. Benefit always go over the top when it comes to the packaging and designing of their products, some people think the packaging is tacky and over the top but I think it's what makes the brand so unique and outgoing. However, the practicality of the box isn't too good because it is so large, and isn't something that would fit well in my makeup bag.

As do all Benefit blushers, the blusher comes with an applicator which is ok, but I prefer to apply the blusher with a Real Techniques blusher brush because the quality of the brush fibres are much better, and transfer the product a lot better. When you open the box you also get a tiny mirror which is quite handy, however you can't see the whole of your cheeks in it so it's a bit pointless, and if Benefit removed the brush and mirror in the packaging then the pricing would go down a lot, which I think people would benefit more from. Although, some people do like receiving an applicator and mirror in the product.

Anyway, onto the blusher colour. The blusher is a very pretty light pink/bronzed gold colour, it's hard to describe but in the picture you can see what I mean. I really like the colour of the blusher, it's perfect for all seasons because it has the Summer and Winter pink/bronzed look which most people desire for in the seasons-well I certainly do.

As you can see in the before and after pictures, Rockateur has a spray of golden shimmer on top which only lasts through a few uses, this is a little bit of a shame because it adds a nice shimmer to your face, but the product without the shimmer is still beautiful enough.

As with all the Benefit blushers, the blusher stays on my cheeks all day without having to be touched up, and this is without a primer for it to stick to. In addition the powder is also scented, the scent is quite spicy but nothing too over-powering, and I know this can put people off but I think it adds to the overall product.

I was given this blusher as a Christmas present from my step uncle and aunty, but after looking on the Benefit website I found out this blusher was £23.50 which would leave a hole in your pocket, however I think it's worth it for the gorgeous colour. I'm sure there's a cheaper dupe/alternative somewhere but I am currently unsure of one yet.

If you know any blushers that are similar, and is a cheaper version then let me know because I'd be glad to buy the alternative, and do a comparison between the two.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

Hello!

Firstly I'd like to say I hope you had a lovely Christmas and got what you wanted, and secondly I'd like to apologise for how late this post is uploaded because I've had a busy week, and not had much time to write up anything special.

Today I'm going to be telling you my New Years resolutions. Most of these are your standard NY resolutions, but a few are my own personal ones I want to achieve.

1. Eat healthier food.

Every year I set myself the task of trying to eat healthier, and I attempted it this year until I realised how big my disliking for salad was, which infact made me throw up after eating a plate of ceaser salad-oops. Anyway, this year I aim to only eat healthy foods, and have 1/2 days a week in which I will be able to eat unhealthy snacky foods (chocolate, sweets, bacon). At the moment i'm going quite well with eating healthily, and persuaded myself to pick a salad over a pudding which was a nightmare to eat, because I really do not like salad, however I made myself eat it and felt good about myself after.

2. Go to the gym.

At the moment I do a 20 minute workout daily just before I go to bed and I just use apps on my phone for the workout, however I think it's time I hit the gym and used proper equipment for once. I do have a rowing machine and exercise ball at home which I use, but I don't feel quite in the right atmosphere working out at home so I think I'd benefit more from going to a proper, kitted out gym. The reason I want to go to the gym is not to lose weight, but to gain muscle and tone up. I am quite muscly in my legs, torso, and arms because of dance and previous activities I did, but I want to get proper muscle and in shape.

3. Use less heat on my hair.

Currently, I don't use heat on my hair very often compared to how much I used to, but I'd still like to get out the habit of straightening/curling my hair and let it sit naturally. Not long ago I really discovered the dangers of using heat on hair, and the effects of long-term use really are frightening; some of which I don't want to happen to me. In previous months I have straightened my hair non-stop for weeks, aswell as curling it, but I am slowly getting out of that habit and only using heat for certain occasions, or if my hair is looking completely mental.

4. Make the most of opportunities.

 I sometimes feel as though I'm not taking on all the opportunities that are thrown at me, and take for granted what I can do in life which others can't. I would like to accept any non life-threatening opportunity thrown at me, whether that be going somewhere knowing hardly anyone and having to interact/make new friends, or do something out of my comfort zone and possibly find a hidden talent.

5. Get a tan.

I know this sounds like something silly to put on a NY resolutions list, and isn't really a resolution at all, but I really would like a tan. As I'm going on holiday this year 2-3 times to hot, tanning locations, I'd really like to come back with a brown tone to my skin. For me tanning isn't the easiest as I have fair hair and sensitive skin, so I burn indefinitely, but I don't like the thought of fake-tanning because it doesn't always turn out the best, and can sometimes look really tacky. 

Happy New Year!