Tag: Subscription

BIRCHBOX OCTOBER 2019: REACH FOR THE STARS – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date October 15, 2019
No Comments on BIRCHBOX OCTOBER 2019: REACH FOR THE STARS – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’ve been at my boyfriend’s for the last few days and we’ve been absolutely hooked on Prison Break. I cannot believe I’ve never watched it before! Apparently I’m not allowed to watch it unless we’re together so it’s going to be a while until my next hit. However, I came back home to a lovely little Birchbox which I am definitely allowed to enjoy by myself! I cannot wait to share this one with you as it might just be one of my favourite boxes. Ever. Before I begin, I’ve included some information about what Birchbox actually is, how much it costs and all that jazz below! If you already know all of this, feel free to carry on scrolling.

*This post contains affiliate links

About Birchbox:

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or contracts. In fact, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month plus £2.95 P&P! You can edit your beauty profile on their site to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for years and I still look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve been sent because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the boxes to store makeup in too!

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link)

This month’s box is about pushing yourself you be the best version of yourself. Since coming back from university I have felt like I’m stuck in a bit of a rut. I feel like I’m disappointing people because I haven’t gone straight into a swanky new job and I just miss university life and the routine that came with it. I’ve written all about graduation and post-graduation, so check out this post if you want to know more about my experience. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve really been trying to push myself to achieve something every day, big or small. It’s like this month’s theme was made for me! The packaging is beautiful. I absolutely love the glossy gold stars and moons against the dark blue background. I think this will be a really popular box design with the Birchbox subscribers. Let’s take a look at what’s inside, shall we? RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop.

Ciaté London – Fierce Flicks Eyeliner – RRP £15

I go through phases with black eyeliner and I’m currently obsessed with it. I’ve been absolutely rinsing my stash so I was actually on the lookout for a new one. I normally go for paintbrush style liners but The Fierce Flicks Eyeliner is more of a felt tip style – which is also a style that I’ve used before. The first time I wore this I was absolutely stunned – it literally did not budge. I tried smudging it with my fingers and still, nothing! I have to admit, I do prefer to use something slightly finer but that’s just my preference. It is still possible to create fine lines if you just use the tip of the pen. It’s also jet-black and ultra pigmented so it doesn’t look patchy whatsoever and I don’t have to layer it up. Overall, I think this is a really great eyeliner and I will use it, I just think I’m quite picky when it comes to the style of liner that I use.

Vitamasques – Evening Goggle Eye Mask – RRP £5.99

Now, I flipping love a mask of any kind so I was buzzing to find The Vitamaques Evening Goggle Eye Mask inside my October box. My job means that I spend most days staring at a screen and sometimes that can really take its toll. I’ll end up with aching eyes or migraines in the evenings and that’s where this mask has been a game changer. It contains centella (apparently an amazing healer), amino acids (to strengthen skin) and hylauronic acid (deep hydration). I put this on whilst I was in the bath and it made such a difference. It was very relaxing and my eyes felt better than ever afterwards. I think it just helped to relieve the stress and tension that had clearly been building for a long time. I am a huge fan of this product!

This Works – In Transit Camera Close-Up – RRP £32

I already have a lot of love for this brand and own a lot of their products, but nevertheless, I still enjoy receiving things from them in my Birchbox every now and again. The In Transit Camera Close-Up is a real multi-tasker. It can be used as either as a mask, moisturiser and a primer. Three in one! I tried this out as a primer and within minutes, any redness was reduced and my face looked fresh and bright. There was definitely an airbrushing effect after I’d used it. I love the idea of a product being designed for close-up inspection, not today pores! I’m not the biggest fan of the price tag but then again, the clue is in the name, this stuff works.

GLOV – Moon Pad – RRP £8.90

I was extremely excited to see this inside my October Birchbox. Personally, I barely ever used cotton pads anyway as I tend to use reusable cloths instead. Throughout the year, lots of brands have launched reusable makeup remover pads, which I think is an amazing idea! The reason they’re doing this is that most cotton pads are not biodegradable and are terrible for the environment. One Moon Pad replaces over 400 single-use cotton pads. GLOV also chose some powerful words on their packaging “It’s just 1 pack of cotton pads. Said 7 billion people.” Imagine if everyone were to start using these? It still gets rid of all of my makeup and any dirt or impurities and yet it’s miles better for the environment. Also, you get 5 in a pack for £8.90 which is amazing value! It’s a big yes from me.

Philip Kingsley – Body Building Volumising Shampoo – £19.50

I’ve been using the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer for years and I love it so I had high hopes for the Body Building Volumising Shampoo! It contains cellulose and keratin proteins to help strengthen and condition hair. It even thickens the appearance of each strand! I can imagine that this will be popular with people who have thin or thinning hair. After I used this, my hair was left feeling beautifully soft and smelling amazing. It also gave me some great volume too which is what I was hoping for. My hair looked much fuller and healthier – both of which are always what I’m after when it comes to haircare.

I’m so happy with this box. I think this has got to be my favourite so far! The design is beautiful, the theme is perfect and the products are all fabulous! The value of the products inside the box, altogether, comes to £81.39. I think thats great value! Are you subscribed to Birchbox or any other beauty boxes? Let me know in the comments.

Get £5 off your first Birchbox with this link or just use the code: “Nina Louise” at checkout! (affiliate link). You can also get a free MAC mascara with the code: “MAC” at checkout!

N xxxx

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Tags 2019, BEAUTY, Beauty Box, BIRCHBOX, Halloween, Makeup, October, Photography, Photos, Review, Subscription, Unboxing

BEAUTY

MOPBOX: SEPTEMBER 2018 – LET IT GLOW*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date August 28, 2018
2 Comments on MOPBOX: SEPTEMBER 2018 – LET IT GLOW*

Hey Guys,

How are you doing? I’m currently ignoring the fact that I need to be packing for a holiday that I’m going on in less than 24 hours. I’m going to Mallorca with my boyfriend and his best friends (another couple). We’ve only been on family holidays together so I’m excited to be going away with just him. I’ve also never been to Mallorca so I’m looking forward to exploring a new place. I plan on sunbathing as much as possible and topping up my tan so that during Autumn I don’t look like a ghost (although I could make that work for Halloween).

*Paid AD & Gifted Items

This is a paid collaboration, however all opinions are my own!

Today’s post is another collaboration with MOPBOX, a new makeup-only subscription box, here in the UK! I’m a makeup addict so this is exactly the kind of subscription that I need in my life. Subscriptions are open on the first of every month and stay open until the 28th (unless the boxes all sell out) and your box is then shipped around the 30th via Royal Mail 2nd Class Signed For postal service. You can choose from three different subscriptions; monthly, 3 months or 6 months. If you sign up for 3 or 6 months, you pay monthly with a saving, instead of an upfront payment, however, cancellation is at the end of your plan if you choose to subscribe to either one of these!

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Each box features a stylised makeup-look to create and it also includes the makeup, tools and brushes to help you do it! There’s also a magazine inside, with a step-by-step guide showing you exactly what to do. I think these boxes will be so inspiring for any budding makeup artists or for anyone looking to boost their confidence in order to express themselves through makeup!

HOW MUCH IS IT?

Monthly Subscription – £24/month

3 Month Subscription – £23/month

6 Month Subscription – £22/month

IS IT WORTH IT?

Last month’s box was amazing. I was extremely impressed with the products that were included. The sizes were all very generous and the brands were all great too. One of my pet peeves with most beauty subscription boxes is how reluctant most of them are to include decent sized products. I would happily pay more per month to receive normal sized beauty products than tiny little ones that I can’t really test properly. From what I’ve seen, the boxes from the last two months (August and September) are definitely worth the money.

CHECK OUT MOPBOX HERE

READ MY REVIEW OF LAST MONTH’S BOX

This month’s theme is focused on creating a glowing makeup look – perfect for the last stretch of summer! I love using products that make my skin look radiant as I use lots of liquid products and I don’t really like to have a matte face. I am still haunted by the days where I wore so much powder that I probably looked like a cake (year 8 throwback). Just like last month, we received another lovely magazine which provides information about every product including their RRPs (I find this info helpful when working out if I am getting my money’s worth). There is also a step-by-step guide, teaching you how to create this month’s look, featuring tips and tricks from industry professionals! Just by flicking through the magazine, you can tell that that MOPBOX is different from the rest.

Phase Zero – Metal Foil Eyeshadow in “Gold Roses” – RRP £4.75

I practically jumped for joy when I discovered that this product was included in my September box. I love anything gold and when it comes to eyeshadow, it’s a staple in my makeup bag. I always go for a shimmery base, whether I wanted one or not, it just seems to happen every time. The texture of this foil shadow is difficult to explain. It reminds me of the Kylie Cosmetics Wet Set – it’s kind of springy and wet and it applies so smoothly as a result. Swatching it was a piece of cake as it’s so pigmented! I always worry with cream shadows whether or not they will take a lot of blending however this one takes seconds. The quicker you work, the easier that it blends out! It’s even better on the eyes as it stays put for hours when applied properly (using last month’s MOPBOX brush). Although we received it in a Summer box, it will be amazing to work with during Autumn with warm orange and red shades.

Elizabeth Arden – Maximum Volume Mascara in “Black 01” – RRP £22

I was shocked that they included such a high end product in this month’s box. The mascara itself nearly costs as much as the whole box – wow?! I’m always changing my mascaras up as I have extremely boring lashes that just go in a straight line unless forced (anyone else?). This product actually works for me which is very rare! I love how well it separates my lashes and makes them look much longer – another rare find for me! Normally I don’t like to spend too much on mascaras however this one is clearly worth the money.

Model Co – Highlighting Trio – £16

Well, you know me and my cream products – I’m obsessed! I just love radiant and glowing makeup looks and this is the kind of product that I search high and low for. The fact that three shades are included in one little pot is perfect for saving space in your makeup bag plus I can see myself using all three to contour, highlight and as a blusher too! The formula is so creamy and smooth, it’s so easy to apply over foundation and it also blends really easily too. I’m also a huge fan of Model Co’s products anyway so I knew that it was going to be good before I’d even opened it!

So Susan – Haute Light Pencil – RRP £15

Sometimes I find that using black eyeliner can just be too much and it makes me look terrifying. I’ve been looking for a good white or cream liner for ages to try and brighten my eyes instead and all of a sudden this one arrived! Last month we received a So Susan palette and it was great quality so I had my hopes up for this product. So far, it’s living up to my expectations and it’s been a staple in my makeup bag since I received it! I absolutely love it. Don’t worry about it being dramatic either, it’s very natural and creamy rather than white so you won’t look crazy. My eyes are the one thing that I actually like about my face so I love using products that enhance them and make them stand out more. This pencil is an absolute yes from me!

NYX – Lip Lingerie in “Bedtime Flirt” & “Push-Up” – RRP £7

I’ve been debating about buying these for such a long time. I’ve only heard good things but I just couldn’t make my mind up as there are so many shades available! I was so happy to receive these two minis in this month’s box as it gave me a chance to properly test them out. I tend to wear reds at this time of year but I wear nudes a lot too so I can definitely make these shades work! They swatched beautifully and they lasted a long time – I carried on with my day as usual and they were still there when I was getting into bed! I’m so impressed with the formula and the staying power! I love that we received two in this box as well!

Sunkissed – Hello Sunshine Powder – RRP £3.99

My skin is normally somewhere on the darker side of pale (not white and not quite olive) and I tan very easily so I always use warm shades when it comes to contouring or bronzing products. I just find that cool toned shades look awful on me! Typically, I also go for bronzers with a slight shimmer to them however this one is matte so I’m interested to see what I can do with it. Also, how generous is this pan? It’s HUGE! This is what I mean, you really do get your money’s worth with MOPBOX! Even though this bronzer only retails at a few pounds, it just goes to show that subscription boxes don’t always have to include sample sizes.

Bourjois – Khol and Contour 16hr Pencil – RRP £4.99

Although I mentioned previously that I don’t always like to use black eyeliners, when I need to add some drama to my makeup looks, this is the kind of product that I look for! I’ve always loved Bourjois (I’ve been using their foundation for over 7 years now) so I was keen to try this pencil out as I knew the quality would be good. I was right! It’s pigmented and easy to apply. It’s the kind of product that can turn any daytime look into a night-time look in seconds! When they say “16H” – they mean it! It’s so long-lasting and it’s smudge proof so whether you’re sobbing in the toilet with your pals or you’re dancing the night away on the sweaty dance floor, this pencil has got your back!

MOPBOX – Powder Brush – RRP £16

I just can’t get over the quality of the MOPBOX makeup brushes. This month we received a large powder brush – perfect for setting powder or bronzer! It’s so soft and you can tell that it’s high quality too just by the weight of it. I’m so impressed with this brush and I’ve been using last month’s almost every day, more than some of my high-end brushes! I’m really excited to see what other brushes we will receive!

Overall, this was another fantastic box. There isn’t a single thing I would change or improve here – everything is amazing. It’s very rare that I don’t have something negative to say about a subscription box as there’s usually something that doesn’t suit me etc. but in this case, I have nothing but praise! MOPBOX is just ticking every box for me. I understand that some of you may be thinking well if she’s being paid to write this post, she’s probably biased. Well if you’ve read my disclaimer page, I wouldn’t recommend anything to you unless I would buy it myself. So regardless of the fact that this is a collaboration, I would subscribe to MOPBOX anyway if I wasn’t working with them. If you’re looking for a new beauty subscription or you want to become more familiar with makeup and how to use it in different ways, this is definitely the box for you! What do you think of these products? Do you have any suggestions for how they could improve or anything that you really love? Let me know in the comments! I’ve included all of my social media below so be sure to come and say hey!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Beauty Blogger, blog, blogger, Contour, Cosmetics, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Subscription, Trends, Tutorial

BEAUTY

MOPBOX: AUGUST 2018 – FESTIVAL FEVER*

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 27, 2018
2 Comments on MOPBOX: AUGUST 2018 – FESTIVAL FEVER*

Hey Everyone,

Today’s post is super exciting as it’s in collaboration with MOPBOX, a new makeup-only subscription box, here in the UK! You know how much I love makeup so this is a dream come true for me! Each box is shipped on the 26th of every month via a ‘signed for’ postal service. You can choose from a monthly subscription, a 3 month subscription or a 6 month subscription – whatever suits you! I’d personally go for the monthly subscription and this only costs £24 per month, which I think is amazing value for what you get. Each box features a stylised makeup-look to create and it also includes the makeup, tools and brushes to help you do it! There’s also a magazine inside, with a step-by-step guide showing you exactly what to do. I think these boxes will be so inspiring for any budding makeup artists or for anyone looking to boost their confidence in order to express themselves with makeup! It stands out from other beauty subscriptions and I think it will be really popular!

*Paid AD & Gifted Items

CHECK OUT MOPBOX HERE

Look at all these goodies! This box was created with a festival look in mind which is perfect for this summer – especially with all of this gorgeous weather that we’ve been having! This month, we were sent makeup, tools, a makeup bag AND glitter – I’m already thinking that this is a winner given that it only costs £24 and you get £62.94 worth of products!

I really love that the boxes include a little magazine with information about the products, a step-by-step guide and a sneak preview of next month’s theme! It makes you feel part of a community as well as giving you lots of tips and tricks. I think it shows how much thought and effort goes into this beauty subscription box compared to some other well known ones.

Lord & Berry – Scuba Pro Mascara – RRP £16.00

I am a huge fan of Lord & Berry products, so I was delighted to find this mascara inside my box! I feel like mascara is such a must for a festival – even though my lashes are extremely straight and boring, it makes a huge difference believe it or not! It’s such a quick and easy fix for tired eyes and at a festival I can imagine this would be a really popular product for on-the-go top-ups PLUS it’s waterproof so it’ll protect you from those unpredictable showers that the UK is known for!

So Susan – Liquid Powder Eyeshadow Palette – RRP £11.50

You know how much I love my eyeshadow so of course I was glad to find this beauty tucked into my box! This palette features eight gorgeous shadows, hot-poured and solidified to form a creamy firm powder. It’s also cruelty-free! I absolutely love warm/berry toned eye looks and this palette is perfect for creating those type of makeup looks! I think summer is the perfect time to experiment with colour and this palette allows me to do just that. I’ve never heard of So Susan before so it goes to show that MOPBOX want to showcase some less well-known brands which I think is a really nice idea.

Model Co – Rose Glow – RRP £14.95

This has got to be my favourite product in this month’s box! I love highlighters so much, I think they’re your perfect summer companion and they just make such a difference to my makeup looks. Not to be dramatic, but I can’t imagine my life without them – they’re an essential! I already own quite a few products by Model Co, so I know that they’re a great brand and that their makeup is always fantastic quality! I like that this highlighter is a collaboration with Hailey Baldwin too as she’s becoming increasingly popular as the months go by which shows that MOPBOX are keen to stay on trend. I tend to go for a dewy look most of the time so cream highlighters are my best friend, they’re super easy to apply and blend out and you’re totally in control of where it goes and how much you use! This highlighter in particular is pigmented and creamy and it’s got a rose-gold tint to it to give you the healthiest glow you ever did see!

The Glitter Army – Glitter Bag (6g) – RRP £4.50

This summer has made me a bit glitter-crazy which is so strange because this time last year I couldn’t stand it! I think it grows in popularity during the festival season, when our Instagram feeds are packed with creativity, colour and glitter. I wouldn’t have known what to do with it if I hadn’t seen the countless tutorials that have come out this year. I’m starting to love it more and more, it allows me to be creative and the possibilities are endless! This bag is packed with gorgeous silver glitter and as I’m sure most of you are well aware, a little bit goes a LONG way so it’ll last ages!

Curlers

I mentioned earlier that I have the most boring lashes ever. I’m lucky in that they’re quite long but I literally can’t get them to do anything and they’re determined to stay dead straight. That’s where curlers come in super handy! I was glad to see a pair in this box because they really do help me out when I’m trying to stop my lashes being so stubborn. I always find that after I’ve curled my lashes I look so much more awake which is a must if you’re pulling all-nighters at a festival!

MOPBOX – Small Blending Brush – RRP £8.99

In my opinion, you can never have too many makeup brushes and on those days where I can’t be bothered to wash them, I’m glad that I have an extensive (and growing) collection as there’s usually a clean one to use! Blending is so important when it comes to eyeshadow as without it you might look like you’ve been punched in the face which isn’t the best look for a festival. Blending allows you to create effortless and beautiful looks and that’s exactly what this brush is designed for! It’s always good to have a stash of blending brushes as they come in so handy!

Overall, I think that this box was amazing. The quality, size and type of products is fantastic for the price. I think it will be such a popular subscription and I think there’s definitely a gap in the market for something like this. I often feel like I don’t know what to do with all of the things I get sent by some other subscription services, whereas with MOPBOX, I’m told exactly what each product is for and I’m also given a stgep-by-step guide and a look to create so nothing can go to waste! I love that they stay on trend and I think this will appeal to so many different audiences. I also love that they included a makeup bag too and it’s little things like this that make you feel like a valued customer. I really recommend giving this a try if you’re anything like me and you love makeup! What do you think of these products? Do you have any suggestions for how they could improve or anything that you really love? Let me know in the comments! I’ve included all of my social media below so be sure to come and say hey!

CHECK OUT MOPBOX HERE

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N xxxx

Tags BEAUTY, Cosmetics, Festivals, Glitter, Makeup, MOPBOX, Photography, Photos, Review, Subscription, Tutorial

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JULY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 17, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JULY 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

I hope you’re all doing well and you’re not melting in this heat. I hate to be that ungrateful Brit but I just can’t cope when my room feels like a sauna all day. I just want it to rain and cool down a bit, plus the grass currently looks like straw so I reckon it’s hoping for the same! I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see there review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

Ohh Deer, a company I have SO much love for, was founded in order to allow illustrators and artists to showcase their work and find people that would be interested in buying their designs. The company sells the most amazing quirky and arty products – I simply can’t get enough. I love the fact that Ohh Deer offers artists the opportunity to get noticed and therefore get something back for all their hard work that otherwise we might not have seen. Some of their clients include Paperchase, ASOS, John Lewis and Oliver Bonas (my all-time favourite shop) and some of their collections have been specifically designed for the Tate Galleries and the Science Museum!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

Ohh Deer decided to create a monthly subscription service for stationery addicts, such as myself called, Papergang! Each month you will receive a box filled with brilliant papery goodies and desk accessories. Some examples are notebooks, greeting cards, wrapping paper and art prints. It costs £10.95 and then a £2.95 for shipping which in my opinion, after receiving their boxes, is a great deal. Every box has a different design and theme by a different artist and for every 4 boxes, 1 tree is planted in partnership with the fantastic charity, Tree aid. To find out more about their connection with this charity here.

I am a huge stationery addict and this subscription box is probably my favourite out of the many I am a part of. I always look forward to opening my box every month and using all my new bits and pieces! Most of the products you receive are exclusive the Papergang subscribers for a while before they get sold in Ohh Deer’s shop.

This month’s box was designed by the wonderful John Bond, one of my favourite illustrators. His doodles of dogs are just adorable! I love the colour and design of this box, it’s definitely making me want to go travelling! I particularly love that little elephant. John suggests that he illustrates as a form of therapy, which I think is really interesting. I love that his work is always fun and quirky and I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Follow John –

Insta – @iamjohnbond

Every month we receive a printed calendar as a bonus item and I really love them as they’re perfect for keeping on my desk in a cute little frame! I can’t bring myself to throw them out so by the end of the year I’ll be swimming in them. I particularly like how this one has space for any important dates as I have a few coming up that I’ll need to make a note of!

A5 TRAVEL JOURNAL – £12.95

You know me, I love a notebook so I was more than happy to add to my collection with this gorgeous journal. It’s one of those notebooks that feels expensive if that makes sense. The first page is a gorgeous little map featuring some of John’s cute little illustrations. I like the fact that the elastic on the front is in a different place to usual and I love the compass design too. I’ve never owned a travel journal and since starting university, I’ve been visiting lots of new places in my holidays and I think it’ll be really fun to record those trips in this book!

3 x POSTCARDS – £2.25

Since starting my blog, I’ve really started to appreciate how handy postcards are when it comes to props! I love using them in my flatlays and they work a treat! Obviously, I was thrilled to be sent three more and I can’t wait to use them – keep an eye out for my instagrams as I’m sure they will feature soon!

AEROPLANE PAPERCLIPS – £3.95

These are just adorable. Paperclips are those things that I always say I won’t need until I’m desperately searching the house for some! I just love that these are in the shape of tiny planes, it makes a change from the usual style. Even my dad wanted some when he spotted them on the table. I know these will definitely come in handy when I’m trying to irganise my life during third year!

GIFTWRAP – £1.75

This giftwrap features the same illustrations as the box – which I love! I really like receiving samples of wrapping paper in my Papergang boxes. I don’t just use them for wrapping gifts either! I love using them as backgrounds for my scrapbook pages and as props in my photos. There’s so many uses for these so keep them coming please Papergang!

I really loved this month’s box. I can see myself using all of these products and I don’t have any issues with anything included. I like the fact that travel was the main theme as it’s made me so excited to go on holiday and explore some new places this year, with my travel journal in hand! If anyone is looking for a surprise every month, I cannot recommend Papergang enough. It’s the best thing ever when you’re feeling a bit rubbish and then suddenly one of their beautiful boxes arrives and you have absolutely no idea what will be included. This box values at £20.90 when you add all of the bits and pieces together. Considering each box costs only £10.95 plus £2.95 for delivery, that’s such good value!

I really hope you enjoyed this post and I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags 2018, Art, Design, Holiday, Illustration, July, Lifestyle, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, Review, Stationery, Subscription, Travel

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX JULY 2018: SAY YES TO ADVENTURE – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date July 13, 2018
4 Comments on BIRCHBOX JULY 2018: SAY YES TO ADVENTURE – REVIEW

Hey Everyone,

I’m back! I’ve been very busy recently as I’m committed to jury service (last week and this week) so I haven’t been able to post as frequently as I’d like to. I hope you can bear with me as I’m doing my best to keep up with everything! I post regularly on my instagram (pretty much every day) so go ahead and give me a follow as I’m always active over there – @ninalouiselaw. Today, I’m unboxing and reviewing the July Birchbox! I love these posts because discovering new beauty products is my favourite thing to do and I know lots of you enjoy doing that too! Anyway, below I’ll include some info all about Birchbox, who they are and that they do, so if you just want to see the review – keep scrolling!

Birchbox is a UK beauty subscription service that sends beauty boxes to their subscribers containing 5 goodies every month. You don’t have to worry about lifelong commitments or any contracts, you can cancel anytime with a monthly subscription – no fuss whatsoever! The monthly subscription costs only £10 per month! You can edit your beauty profile on their site in order to ensure you get sent products that are suitable for your skin/hair type and personal preferences. Birchbox is so great for discovering new brands and products. I have been subscribed to Birchbox for over a year now and I look forward to receiving their boxes every month. I’ve gone on to buy lots of the things I’ve received because I have loved them so much. Every box you receive is beautifully packaged, some months are designed and inspired by artists and companies. I use some of the older boxes to store makeup in too as the designs are too pretty to throw away!

CLICK HERE TO READ MY JUNE BIRCHBOX REVIEW!

*RRPs correspond to full-size items in the Birchbox shop!

This month’s box is absolutely beautiful! Instead of the usual drawer-like boxes that we receive, this one came with a lid which I love as I can use it as storage in my bedroom! I love the abstract watercolour design too, it’s so pretty and summery. It also happens to match the colours in my room too so I’m very happy about this!

This month is all about being bold and trying something new – which I am all for! I really enjoy stepping outside my beauty comfort zone and experimenting with new products. This month I’ve been pushing myself in all kinds of ways, whether that’s academically, with my blog, with my makeup or with my anxiety, so this box came at a great time! As usual, we were sent a variety of products including skincare and cosmetics.

Manna Kadar – Long-Wear Powder “Trifecta” – £15

I’ve mentioned before that I have received lots of Manna Kadar products and I love all of them! They have a lot of multi-tasking products that often come as a “2-in-1” or a “3-in-1” which I absolutely LOVE. It means you can carry less makeup and still have everything you need at the same time. This powder is a 3-in-1 brow, eye and cheek product (wow, as it can act as a bronzer, eyeshadow or brow filler. I was so surprised at how buttery and smooth it felt when I was swatching it – it was so easy to apply. I love that it adds a pop of colour wherever I need it which is perfect for the summery warm makeup looks I like to create at this time of year!

CHECK OUT THE POWDER HERE

Browcote – Waterproof Brow Gel – £6.99

I’ve been using a lot more brow products to get the look that I want and recently, I’ve been investing in brow gels and brow mascaras! I really like how they can make it look as if you have nothing in your brows and it’s also so much quicker to do if you’re in a hurry. This award-winning brow gel keeps your brows in place all day as well as being waterproof! One of my pet peeves is a brow gel that leaves your brows feeling cripsy and crunchy and you’ll be pleased to know that this one doesn’t do that! It doesn’t clump up any powder or pencil that I’ve used before it either.

CHECK OUT THE BROW GEL HERE

What’s in it for Me? – Shower Scrub – £7

I’m a shower girl when it comes to summer so I’m always looking for scrubs to keep my skin smooth and exfoliated! This scrub smells incredible! It features walnut shell, almond oil, orange and jasmine flower extracts – WOW. It’s such an uplifting and energising scent, it’s perfect for those early morning showers to wake you up. I love using this before I go in the sun, to scrub away any dead skin cells so that my tan can sit on fresh skin plus this will make it last longer!

CHECK OUT THE SHOWER SCRUB HERE

Merci Hand – Hand Cream in ‘Cherie Cherry’ – £4.90

This packaging is so dreamy! It reminds me of a lollipop or an old fashioned diner – not sure if anyone will know what I mean by that?! I absolutely love having a tube of hand cream in my bag at all times and I get through lots of them throughout the year. The first thing I noticed about this product was the amazing scent – it’s honestly divine. It’s the perfect fruity floral fragrance for summer! I also noticed how quickly it skins in, as I hate hand creams that leave a sticky residue behind and this one doesn’t! I really recommend getting one of those for on-the-go moisturising, plus it’s currently on sale and it’s going for £1.96!

CHECK OUT THE HAND CREAM HERE

Balance Me – Congested Skin Serum – £16

This is my favourite product in the July box! I love skincare but particularly things that keep my skin clear and blemish free! I’ve used some of Balance Me’s cleansers and face washes before and they are fantastic. This serum contains Chamomile, anti-bacterial may chang, calming lavender and eucalyptus which together, make the ultimate spot-fighting team. It smells like one of those really expensive and luxury spa treatments! It’s also non-drying which is great as that’s quite common when it comes to spot treating skincare. Another product that I really recommend!

CHECK OUT THE SERUM HERE

I was really pleased with this month’s box and I know that I’ll be using all of these products over the summer period. As usual, all of the products are fantastic quality as well as some being award-winning! I’ll definitely be keeping the beautiful little box to keep bits an pieces in! What do you think of this box? Would you be happy with it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments as usual, I love to hear from you! I’ve linked all my social media below so come and say hi!

N xxxx

CHECK OUT LAST MONTH’S BIRCHBOX REVIEW

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

*RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop

Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, blog, Cosmetics, Lifestyle, Makeup, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Subscription, Trends

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JUNE 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date June 19, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JUNE 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

Somehow, it’s time for the June Papergang review! I hope you’re all doing well and that you’re enjoying the nice weather that the UK has blessed us with over the last couple of days. I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see there review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

This month’s box was designed by a green fingered goddess, Maddy Gale, a photographer and a gardener, which totally explains the beautiful floral packaging. Although the base of the design is quite dark, it’s brightened up with pretty little flowers and petals. It’s like a dark and less pastel version of Cath Kidston patterns.

Follow Maddy Gale–

Insta – @SoWedgier

A4 (ish) NOTEBOOK – £4.95

This notebook features the same design that the box features (which is also my phone background thanks to Papergang’s downloadable wallpapers!) Inside it’s much more of a diary as every other page features a task list, space for a date, appointments and doodles, whilst the other pages are lined for notes.

A6 NOTEPAD – £3.95

I get through HEAPS of these! I can get through one a month if I’m super busy. I just find them so useful for having around the house and I love that there’s space for a whole list because if you’re anything like me and leave everything until last minute, you’ll be needing a whole page at a time! I was very happy to find this little goodie in my June Papergang box!

WOODEN RULER – £3.50

I actually really like this! One month, we receievd a fleuorescent pink plastic ruler and I just wasn’t a fan – read that review here – however this one seems much more girl-boss and it gives me “I am currently adulting” vibes which occasionally I’m going to need believe it or not! Even though it’s wood, it’s very light and could easily pop into your pencil case plus it only goes up to 13cm so it’s perfect for a spot of bullet journal editing etc.

BRASS PEN – £5.50

Okay, so as most of you know, I am a huge gold and rose gold addict, so first glance I thought I would love this however I’m still unsure. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful and it’s clearly a very high quality pen, but the design absolutely bamboozles me. Maybe I’m just a simple being but every time I pick it up, I can’t figure out where to open it! I spend more time trying to get the pen to show itself than I do using it which is a bit annoying. I’m sure there are lots of people out there fully able to use it properly but unfortunately I don’t seem to be one of them! When I finally get the lid off, it works just fine, it just seems a bit of a faff to me! I do appreciate that it’s much prettier than my current selection of pens though!

GIFTWRAP – £1.75

The design is the same as is featured on the box and the notebook which is a shame as I would’ve loved to see something different. However, I really love getting giftwrap in Papergang boxes! Not only does it come in super handy, but it’s also nice to wrap gifts in beautiful designs like this! I like to go all out with my wrapping, particularly at christmas so this is going straight into my pile of wrapping paper waiting for December to arrive again!

Overall, I did like this box! I had a few teeny tiny issues with some things but I appreciate that not every Papergang box can please everyone. All of these items are clearly created with high quality in mind as usual and I know that I’ll use all of them on a regular basis! i love the design, I would’ve liked to see some more though. This box values at £19.65 and considering I paid £10.95 plus £2.95, I think that’s pretty good value! I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, blogger, Design, Floral, Lifestyle, Ohh Deer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Photos, Review, Stationery, Subscription

LIFE PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG MAY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date May 22, 2018
4 Comments on PAPERGANG MAY 2018: REVIEW

Hey Guys,

Today is Papergang day! I absolutely love writing these reviews, they’re some of my favourite things to write about as I am a true stationery addict. This month’s items were so great and I cannot wait to share them with you. I always include a little bit of info about Papergang and what they’re all about so if you just want to see there review, keep scrolling until you see some photos!

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

The packaging for the May box is so gorgeous, with the cutest little doodles covering it (that pear is just adorabe). As soon as I saw the box I was desperate to see what was inside. This month’s box was in collaboration with Hello! Lucky, a fantastic design studio based in San Francisco. It was founded by sisters Eunice and Sabrina Moyle back in 2003 and have since been recognised for their fun and quirky designs. I love anything playful and vibrant so these guys are right up my street.

Follow Hello! Lucky –

Insta – @HelloLuckyCards

Website –https://www.hellolucky.com

Every month we receive a printed calendar as a bonus item and I really love them as they’re perfect for keeping on my desk in a cute little frame! I can’t bring myself to throw them out so by the end of the year I’ll be swimming in them. Also, no, your eyes are not playing tricks on you, the print is actually slightly blurry – I promise it’s not my photography!

A5 LINEN NOTEBOOK – £12.95

You guys know what I’m like with notebooks – I have rather a few and I’m beyond addicted. Obviously, I was super pleased to find this gorgeous linen notebook in this month’s box! I love the message displayed on the cover – I need more things like that around to remind me to stay positive. If university has taught me anything, it’s that you can choose who and what you surround yourself with. Since pushing away anything that made me unhappy, I feel so so much better so this message is really important to me! It’s also really well-made and it just feels like a good notebook – you know? The cover is such a nice texture too, as it’s wrapped with a blue linen. Inside the notebook (front and back pages) there’s a collection of Hello! Lucky’s fun illustrations.

2 x STICKER SHEETS – £1.95

I LOVE stickers and I have done since I was a kid. I used to collect them and stick them all over my dresser and bed frame, I still have some of those urges to this day and Papergang is my main supplier! For some reason I just need stickers in my life, even if they do just live in a box on my desk for a while before I actually can bear to use them. I can’t wait to stick these in my scrapbooks to brighten up the pages!

SET OF 3 PATCHES – £8.95

Recently, I’ve been decorating my denim jackets with pins and patches like there’s no tomorrow, so I was so happy to see these adorable litttle goodies this month. I literally can’t wait to iron these onto the denim pieces that are waiting in my wardrobe. Patches are so great for personalising your clothes, I love doing it to old denim jackets and bags because then it really feels like they’re my own! They’re also a great way to freshen up any clothes you’re getting a bit bored of.

GREETING CARD – £2.50

I LOVE getting cards in my Papergang boxes. They’re just so fab for when someone’s got a birthday etc and when you haven’t got time to nip out and get one. I love having a little collection of cards in my room and so far I’ve not missed any important dates thank to Papergang! This card is just so adorable, I love the message and the colours and I can already think of someone that would love to open this on their Birthday!

Overall, I’m so happy with my May Papergang box. All of these items are so great and I know that I’ll get so much use out of them! I love the cute and quirky little illustrations and I will definitely go and look at Hello! Lucky’s products as I’m particularly a fan of those little fruits with faces – what more could you want? This box values at £26.35 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) and as usual, that’s fantastic value! I’ve linked all of my social media down below so go and give me a follow and come and say hi!

N xxxx

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

READ LAST MONTH’S REVIEW

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Tags Art, blogger, Design, Desk, Lifestyle, Office, Photography, Photos, Review, School, Stationery, Student, Subscription

BEAUTY BIRCHBOX

BIRCHBOX MAY 2018: PALM LEAVES & WARM BREEZE – REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date May 18, 2018
4 Comments on BIRCHBOX MAY 2018: PALM LEAVES & WARM BREEZE – REVIEW

Hey Guys,

I’m so nearly finished with my exams and I can’t wait for freedom! I’m really looking forward to spending some more time on my blog and being able to throw away all my revision cards (there’s quite literally hundreds). Either way, I have Birchbox looking out for me with their wonderful boxes! Below, I’ll include some info all about Birchbox, who they are and that they do, so if you just want to see the review – keep scrolling!

Click here to read my April Birchbox review!

*RRPs correspond to full-size items in the Birchbox shop!

This month, Birchbox have brought the rainforest to our doorsteps with this gorgeous tropical print packaging. I am obsessed with all things banana leaf and tropical print so this was immeidtaley a favourite of mine. I actually wrote all about my favourite tropical interior bits HERE. This box is so pretty and I will definitely be using it to store things in!

The theme for this month appears to be concentrating on the (hopefully) warmer and sunnier days ahead. It’s been so nice to have a taste of summer over the last few days and I cannot wait to enjoy the weather properly once my exams are out of the picture. This month’s box has a good variety of products which I’m like as I enjoy trying loads of different products in my spare time and it’s boxes like this one, that allow me to do that! It was also great to recieve products from brands that I hadn’t heard of as I love discovering new things within the beauty community.

Doucce – Luscious Lip Stain in “Steaming Red” – RRP £21*

I’m actually a huge fan of Doucce and I’ve been using their products for a while now so I have high expectations when I saw that this lip stain was included this month. This lipstain actually went above and beyond what I was hoping for and it’s become my new go-to lip product. It’s so pigmented that you don’t have to touch it once it’s applies which is a big bonus for me as I hate doing that. It dries matte and it dries super quickly too so you dont have to worry about sitting and waiting for it to dry whatsoever, you’re good to go almost immediately. It almost applies like a liquid lipstick except the formula is much softer and hydrating. This products smells incredible too! I will definitely be buying this again once I run out.

CHECK OUT THE LIPSTAIN HERE

Greenfrog Botanic – Geranium and Peppermint Botanical Bodywash – RRP £8.95*

This smells like a breath of fresh air, it’s honestly incredible! It’s a totally organic, cruelty-free and vegan product too which I know will win lots of people over. There’s something nice about using really natural products when it comes to skincare and this definitely ticks that box! It contains aloe vera which is so soothing and moisturing for the skin and will be perfect after days spent in the sunshine. It’s also a great product for sensitive skin, eczema and psoriasis.

CHECK OUT THE BODYWASH HERE

Native Unearthed – Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Balm – RRP £7.99*

I was totally intrigued by this from the minute I saw it. A deodorant balm?! It’s actually a nice alternative from using chemical-filled products to prevent body odour and it still managed to do everything you need it to. Filled with antibacterial coconut oil, soothing shea butter and sweat-absorbing arrowroot, this deodorant forms an invisible shield after you apply a pea-sized amount to your clean pits – simples (I can’t shake the image of the insurance meerkat now). It’s definitely not something I will be using everyday but when I need someting for on-the-go use, it’s super quick and easy to apply and will be perfect for my travel bag.

CHECK OUT THE DEODORANT BALM HERE

NUXE – Aquabella Micro-Exfoliating Purifying Gel – RRP £12*

I have been loving and using NUXE products for quite some time now and so I was really pleased to find this product in my May Birchbox. I mentioned in my April Favourites post that I’m using a skin treatment that dries it out so anything to help keep my skin feeling fresh is a must right now! This exfoliating gel definitely gets to work but it’s also super gentle and it leaves your skin feeling fabulous. I tend to use this every evening before bed as a cleanser and it’s been working a treat ever since I opened it!

CHECK OUT THE GEL HERE

Eyeko – Skinny Liquid Eyeliner – RRP £16*

I haven’t been wearing any liquid eyeliner for the past few weeks until I found this in my May Birchbox. I LOVE felt-tip style liners as I feel like they are much more precise than any other type and I can get a great wing whilst using them. This is so easy to use and I was able to get both eyes lined in minutes. It also lasts all day and that’s something I always look for when it comes to eye products. This is a fabulous product and I highly recommend giving it a try! It’s also a Teen Vogue winner so I can’t be the only one that rates it!

CHECK OUT THE EYELINER HERE

Overall I really enjoyed this month’s Birchbox and I was really impressed by the gorgeous packaging let alone the amazing variety of products that were included. The lip stain is probably my favourite product as I can see myself using this every day and it’s already a staple in my makeup bag! Let me know if any of you recevied this box and what your thoughts are on the products inside! Don’t forget to follow me on my social media which I’ve linked below – come and say hi!

N xxxx

CHECK OUT LAST MONTH’S BIRCHBOX REVIEW

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

Click here to get your first Birchbox for £5 this May by using the code MAY5 (Offer runs from Tuesday, 22nd May to Thursday, 31st May)

*RRPs correspond to full-size items at birchbox.co.uk/shop

Tags BEAUTY, BIRCHBOX, blogger, Cosmetics, Design, May, Photography, Photos, Review, Skincare, Subscription

LIFE LIFESTYLE REVIEWS PAPERGANG

PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

Post author By Nina Louise
Post date February 16, 2018
No Comments on PAPERGANG JANUARY 2018: REVIEW

WHAT IS PAPERGANG?

I am a huge stationary addict and this subscription box is probably my favourite out of the many I am a part of. I always look forward to opening my box every month and using all my new bits and pieces! Most of the products you receive are exclusive the Papergang subscribers for a while before they get sold in Ohh Deer’s shop.

This month’s artist Jacqueline Colley, brings us adorable doodles of Cadillacs, dinosaurs, cactuses and more in her Palm Springs range. Her use of bright and feminine colours are perhaps influenced by her background in women’s fashion. Jacqueline travelled to Palm Springs in 2016 and was inspired by the architecture and the cacti varieties – you can tell just from glancing at her prints!

Follow Jacqueline –

Insta – @Jacquelinecolley

Website – Jacquelinecolley.co.uk

Every month Papergang provides us with a little monthly calendar card. I absolutely love these as I stick them in a frame and they’re the perfect size for my desk! This month’s calendar features more illustrations from Jacqueline Colley, but with a succulent theme which I LOVE.

1 x A4 Deskpad – £7.95

I absolutely love desk organisers, I find them so helpful! I’m so much more productive when my tasks and notes are all laid out in front of me on something pretty and patterned compared to when I scribble them down on a post-it that is nowhere to be found a day later. These deskpads help me prioritise what tasks I need to complete and when I need to do them – a much needed service to my student self! I also love the doodles section as I am constantly doodling on notebooks and in margins so now I have o excuse to vandalise anything but this little section every week!

1 x Washi Tape – £2.50

I have quite the collection of wash tapes (check out my January Favourites post to see a few!) so I was super happy to find one of these in this month’s box! Jacqueline’s doodles are featured on this tape, including a flamingo pool float, a dinosaur and a variety of cacti! I use washing tape to make my notes stand out, to decorate scrapbook pages and to make my bullet journal pretty!

1 x Pack of Stickers – £3.95

I’ve always loved stickers, as a little girl I used to put them on EVERYTHING. My walls, my drawers and even my bed frame! Now, I’m quite picky with them. However, these are ADORABLE. I absolutely love the warm toned illustrations on these and they make my bullet journal look so pretty and colourful. I’ve found myself using these more than I thought I would too! I’ve received sticker sheets in a few of my Papergang boxes and I’m yet to be disappointed!

1 x Pencil – £5.95

Back at home, we’ve always had those wind-up style pencils and I’ve always thought they looked a bit ugly and mechanical. I mean, they do the job but they don’t look pretty on my desk (haha yes, it’s the small things in life for me, I’m wild aren’t I?). I also tend to write with a finaliser or a black biro, however when I need to sketch, I need to use something that can be erased asap (my skills are next to none when it comes to drawing). I was delighted to find this pretty little pencil in this month’s box (might have something to do with the whole pink and rose gold design…). I also love the phrase engraved on it too! This idea of quirky messages on the sides of pens and pencils seems to be trending and I’m loving it! Last month’s box also had a set of three pens with little messages on too – check out my review here!

1 x Enamel Pin – £5.95

I’ve been meaning to stick some pins on my denim jacket for quite some time now and this made me actually do it. I was so excited when I saw this pin inside my January box, I literally went and stuck it on straight away! I think pins add a sense of identity and quirkiness to your clothes, especially if you want to make something look slightly different and more your own.

There wasn’t a single item in this month’s box that I was unsure about, I love everything. I also adore Jacqueline Colley’s illustrations and I’m more than happy to have them on my desk now! This box values at £21.30 and considering I paid £13.90 (monthly subscription fee and postage) That’s pretty awesome value!

If you would like to subscribe, my invite is here!

If you want to know any more about Ohh Deer, click here!

N xxxx

Tags Art, blog, Design, England, Inspiration, January, Lifestyle, Ohhdeer, PAPERGANG, Photography, Review, Stationery, Subscription