June Glossybox

The sun is shining, tights are off and the Pimm's is flowing... Summer is finally here! Good thing the Glossybox team has all your beauty essentials covered with this month's box.

Here is what I found in mine :

Vichy Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundation Cream Stick

This starter kit comes with six shades, ranging from (11) Procelain to (16) Bronze and even though it wouldn't suit everyone, I find it to be a pretty good selection for Caucasian skintones. Needless to say, the coverage is fantastic and makes for a great concealer if like me, you like a lighter finish. If you are interested in seeing how this product works, Lisa Eldridge posted a video using the Vichy Dermablend range, which you can watch here.

BM Summer Warmth Bronzer

It wouldn't be a summer box without a bronzer and believe me, this is a good one! The loose powder blends effortlessly and gives your skin a healthy, radiant glow. If the colour "Warmth" is too dark for your skin, I'd highly recommend you try one of the three other shades next time you hit a BM counter. 

Yves Rocher France Mini Mascara Ultra-Volume Sexy Pulp

Yves Rocher is one of those brands every French teenager has tried, me included. I never really liked any of their products and unfortunately, this mascara is no exception. Now, if the idea of an "innovative maxi-brush with generous curves for a lash plumping result" sounded promising to start off with, I found it didn't do much to hold the curl or give me volume. At £16.90, I have to give it a miss.

Glossybox Serie Exclusive Pro Beauty Brush

After making its debut in the U.S. last month, this natural goat hair brush finally made its way into our boxes. Unfortunately, it is a little bit too coarse for my liking and still find myself reaching for my other brushes most days. 

Dermalogica Clean Start Day/Night 3-Step Kit

I had the chance to get my hands on a very similar set last year and absolutely loved it, so I was more than happy to see this in my Glossybox. The kit contains a Wash Off foaming cleanser, an All Over Clear purifying toner, as well as a Welcome Matte SPF15 moisturiser. Despite the cleanser and toner being too harsh for my skin, I absolutely love the sunscreen. It does exactly what it says on the tube and leaves your skin protected and matte, making it a beach staple for me.

What did you think of this month's box? I was genuinely impressed with what I got in mine!

Glossybox is available for only £10 a month, and will deliver five product miniatures for you to test at home, and thus every month.

- Elodie x

Style Crush : Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad has come a very long way since her Laguna Beach days - and so has her fashion sense! She is one of Young Hollywood's best dressed celebrities and is often seen gracing the covers of our favourite glossy reads. Since leaving the Hills back in 2009, Lauren has been busy running her own fashion, beauty and lifestyle website, LaurenConrad.com, contributing to The Beauty Department,  penning the L.A. Candy series as well as designing not one, but two fashion lines : L.C. Lauren Conrad and Paper Crown. They may not be available in the U.K., but if you still want to get the look, don't worry, I've got it covered.

Jeans
If Lauren sometimes opts for a wide-leg fit, her favourite jeans remain her trusty J-Brand 910 skinnies.  Levi's is a good place to start if you are looking for pair of good quality, yet relatively inexpensive  jeans. Finding the right jeans can be a real nightmare, but thanks to their Curve ID system, you can now easily find the perfect cut for your body type.

Nude Pumps
Ever wondered why Lauren's legs seem to go on forever despite her only being 5"4? Well, you would be amazed to know what a pair of nude pumps can do to them pins. They are a staple in any woman's wardrobe as they give the illusion of longer legs, go with just about everything and never seem to go out of style. They are definitely something worth investing in, but if you can't justify Lauren's Louboutins and their hefty price tag, Steve Madden also makes a few killer pairs.

Blazers
From boyfriend blazers to cropped ones, blazers are one of Lauren's signatures and who could blame her? They are one of the most versatile pieces and can easily be thrown over any outfit. They dress up a plain white t-shirt and give a casual edge to sparkliest little numbers. Lauren's Alice + Olivia rolled-up sleeve black blazer might be nice, but high street shops such as H&M or Zara also offer a good selection, for only a fraction of the price.

Frills
Being a girly girl through and through, Lauren loves her frills. To avoid looking over the top, do like  the young designer herself and pair your frilly tops with very simple cuts, such as a boyfriend blazer or some dark wash skinny jeans for example.

Leather
A pair of leather trousers is the best way to toughen up a chiffon blouse, whereas a leather jacket is the perfect addition to any girly outfit and indeed, her Joie leather biker jacket and DVF leather under leggings are amongst Lauren's most worn pieces. Like her, pair a leather jacket with a floral dress or simply add a leather necklace, such as this House of Harlow 1960 one, to give even the girliest outfit an edgy twist.

Chiffon Shirts
The L.A. Candy author loves her chiffon shirts. They are the perfect way to cover up in the California heat and dress up anything, from shorts to skinnies. Luckily for us, these sheer, lightweight shirts are everywhere at the moment. Zara probably has some of the best selection on the high street, but if you are looking for more daring colours, Primark is where it's at.

Quilted Bag
Lauren's collection of Chanel handbags is every girl's dream - or is it just mine? Either way, it is no secret Lauren loves the classic quilted design and has quite a few of them, her favourite being a vintage black Chanel jumbo 2.55. If you don't have money to spare on the iconic Chanel handbag or if you don't have a boyfriend to put one under the Christmas tree for you, don't worry! Cheaper alternatives are now widely available on ASOS, but also in Primark and Topshop, where you can find my personal favourite, the Marc B. Chelsea bag.

Dainty Jewelry
Lauren is not one for chunky jewelry or statement pieces. Instead, she much prefers wearing delicate items, such as her Sydney Evan "love" ring or her Dogeared necklaces. These timeless pieces are well worth investing in, but if you are on a budget, Accessorize also carries a vast range of charm necklaces and dainty rings.

Ombré Queen
Ombré hair is all the rage in Hollywood, but no one does it quite like Lauren. If you are unsure of what ombré is, it is basically when the hair fades gradually from dark to light, giving the illusion of sun-kissed hair. To complete the beach babe look, curl the hair away from your face using a 1-inch curling iron and comb through the curls to soften them up. Finally, finish off with a light hold hairspray. You can also add a braid or twist on the side, two of Lauren's trademarks. Or why not try her signature ballerina bun? All you need is a hair donut and some kirby grips and voilà!

Cat Eye
Lauren is very rarely seen without her signature winged liner. In fact, she even confessed to wearing it to the gym! To create the perfect flick, simply watch Lauren as she demonstrate exactly how to do so in this video. Add a few coats of mascara and a touch of peachy blusher, Lauren's favourite being  Nars Amour. For that Californian glow that she always seem to have, apply a light dusting of Chanel's Moisturing Bronzing Powder where the sun would naturally hit. Finish off the look with some Dior's Rose Cream lip balm during the day and a bold lip at night.

Still need some more inspiration? Why not pick up Lauren's very own fashion guide, Style? 
- Elodie x

55 Factory

Blazer, Leggings : Primark | Top : New Look | Shoes : Zara | Bag : Mulberry

Bracelets : Turner & Leigh | Watch : Michael Kors  | Necklace : H&M  | Rings : ASOS

Nails : Models Own Coral Reef | Lips : L'Oréal Rouge Caresse Dating Coral 

Here is what I wore to the launch party for the new issue of 55 Factory's magazine, 55 Pages, last month.  The party was held in Rokit where guests could shop until they dropped, flick through the new issue, sip on some ice-cold Rekorderlig, get their makeup done and even hang out with Pandemonia. Awesome, you said?

You can now find 55 Pages on your iPad, thanks to the new 55App.
- Elodie x

(I am too busy having a blast at Beach Break Live to blog, so this is a scheduled post. If you have any question, I will make sure to reply to you when I get back. E x)

Hey Sailor!

Top : Topshop | Shorts : Zara | Sandals : Primark

Sunglasses, Belt & Necklace : H&M | Bag : Mulberry

Nails : Models Own Coral Reef | Lips : MAC Sail La Vie (L.E.)

(L-R) Turner & Leigh Bracelets, Fossil Watch

 Forever 21, H&M, Turner & Leigh, H&M, ASOS, H&M, Primark

This is what I wore a couple of weeks ago to the first ever Bloggers Boutique. Aisling, Zoe, Lily and I had a lovely time there, sipping on cocktails, laughing at each other's MySpace and ID photos and browsing the different stands. For the occasion, I wore the infamous H&M neon necklace and my latest MAC purchase, a bright coral lipstick from the "Hey, Sailor!" collection. I left with a very generous goodie bag, a prize from Crown Brushes and a large smile on my face. Thanks Amy, Shope and Shore for organising such a great event. I cannot wait for the next one!

I met so many amazing girls there, including Sammi, Marsha and Jessica. Were you one of them?

-Elodie x

(I am too busy having a blast at Beach Break Live to blog, so this is a scheduled post. If you have any question, I will make sure to reply to you when I get back. E x)

Happy Birthday, Glossybox!

This month, Glossybox celebrated their very first birthday! And now, this is what I call celebrating! The first thing that struck me was the packaging of this limited edition. The iconic pink box, the printed tissue paper, the anniversary ribbon, the sticker and even the little card, everything had been done to give this box a festive feel. 

As for the actual products, here is what I found in my box this month :

Noble Isle Summer Rinsing Bath & Shower Gel

I am being quite the travel bee this month, so this mini shower gel is a welcome addition to my wash bag. The scent is described as "an immaculate fragrance evoking the beginning of summer" and this is exactly what it smells like when I use it after a long day at the beach, on the French Riviera.

Lolita Lempika L'eau en Blanc & Eau de Parfum

Perfumes samples are always hit or miss and these ones are no exception. With notes of licorice, anise and woodsy iris, these might not be my cup of tea, but they might be yours!

Osmo Berber Oil Hair Treatment

I was really happy to receive this in my Glossybox this month. As a matter of fact, I have been wanting to dabble in the world of hair oils, but never actually took the plunge so I was really curious to see how this would work. Even though I cannot complain about my hair, I do find the ends can get a little bit dry so this is a very welcome addition to my haircare routine, especially now I am thinking about going ombré for summer.

Apivita Express Beauty Mask

I was lucky enough to receive the moisturising and nourishing masks with honey, which sounds perfect for my skin type. It is also natural and excludes any synthetic ingredients which means I can use it on my very sensitive skin.

HD Brows Brow Beater
This is described as a brow lotion and not a brow gel which is exactly what it is. I find this to be the perfect way to set my brows without them looking glossy, sticky or full of product. It is also meant to condition the brows and even claims to train them into their correct position over time. How amazing!

Glossybox Compact Mirror
This cute double-sided mirror has made its way into my handbag straight away. Thanks, Glossybox!

Glossybox is available for only £10 a month, and will deliver five product miniatures for you to test at home, and thus every month. Already subscribed? What did you think of this month's Glossybox? I personally loved it! 

- Elodie x

Forever 21 A/W12

If like me, you're dreading putting your favourite neon pieces away at the back of your wardrobe, you're in for a treat with Forever 21's Autumn/Winter collection. Spring's pastels and neons are paired with a selection of tweed, leather and faux fur jackets and coats for a California-inspired look fitted for the British weather. 

My favourite pieces? This embellished tweed jacket, a Burberry-inspired classic military trench with leather sleeves and a tailored white blazer that I am sure you will see on this blog, once summer's over.

The collection hits the stores starting in late July and will range from £1.50 to £34.80.

- Elodie x