Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box

Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box

Sunday 29 May 2016

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When Anna and Lily announced their collaboration with Cult Beauty I was excited, like really excited. I've been a fan of theirs for a couple of years now, they were the first youtubers I really fangirled over, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a box. Anna and Lily personally picked the products to go inside and even had a hand in the design of the box, which explains the marble and gold.  So, to answer the question on everyone's lips, what's in the box?! 

The Wet Brush I was a bit dubious when it came to The Wet Brush. It takes a very special brush to get through my tangled curls without bringing a tear to my eye, cramp to my hand and the thought that dreadlocks are a great idea. This, ladies and gentlemen, is that very special brush. It glides through  my knotty hair, without pulling at all, it's so gentle and is the only brush I've come across that actually manages to tame my mad mane of curls. It's so good, I'm gonna get one for my 5 year old niece, who has been cursed with my hair, poor thing. 

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Black Liquid eyeliner is a make up bag essential. Personally I think there's nothing better than a really good liquid eyeliner and Stila's waterproof offering is awesome. It really does stay in place all day. It has a long, impossibly thin, firm brush that makes for really easy application and is perfect for creating anything from dramatic feline flicks to more subtle looks. I'm so impressed with it. 

Yu Ling Jade Facial Roller This one came as a bit of a shock to me, because I like it so much more than I was expecting too. The roller is made of pure jade, and is very cooling on the skin, especially if it's kept in the fridge, AND it has a laundry list of skincare benefits when used regularly, just some of which are: firming/plumping the skin, toning muscle, increasing blood flow, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and decreasing puffiness/bloating. Apparently it can even be used to soothe sore hay fever eyes - which I get ALL the time - ease migraines and tension headaches, plus it feels AMAZING on the skin. 

Becca Backlight Priming Filter This is one of the travel sizes, and is adorable, who doesn't love travel minis?! I've used this a few times and boy does it pack a punch in the glow department. It has a really nice and light, non-greasy texture, it's absorbed really quickly into the skin leaving a lit from within glow. I've used this a few times and I really love the finish of it. I think a purchase of the full size might be in order...

Sunday Riley Luna Oil This was my favourite thing in the box, the cutest half size miniature of Sunday Riley's Luna Oil, a product so awesome that it's reached the dizzying heights of cult status since its release. I'd been dying to try this for ages, but at an eye watering £85 I just couldn't justify it. Now that I've tried it, I'm smitten! - and dreading the day when I run out of the stuff! £85... ouch! - Luna is a blue tinted Vitamin A night time treatment with retinol and blue tansy. It claims to fight signs of ageing, repair damaged skin, reduce the size/appearance of pores and protect the skin from environmental factors. It feels incredible when massaged into the skin, is so hydrating and the fact that it's blue, my favourite colour, is awesome!  I've been using it every other night and have definitely noticed an improvement in the condition of my skin. The one thing I don't like is the scent, it smells like porridge and lavender, which is a weird combination, but other than that I really, really love it! Damn! 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel So I may have jumped the gun a bit when I said Luna was my favourite thing in the box, because I bloody love this! I'd heard a ton of good things about Oskia's Renaissance Cleansing Gel, mostly from Anna and Lily, but I can totally see what all the fuss is about. It's amazing! It's a pale pink gel-to-oil cleanser with a light, refreshing rosy scent to it. When the gel is applied it breaks down in to an oil that just melts into the skin, removing make up and dirt really quickly and gently, leaving my skin feeling clean, soft and radiant looking. It's suitable for all skin types but claims to be really good for dry, sensitive and damaged skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of acne, scarring and pigmentation, due to pumpkin enzymes and MSM that calm and soothe inflamed skin. Personally I love it. It's been my go to cleanser and my skin is really thanking me for it. 

Pixi by Petra Hydrating Mist Another favourite, after spotting this in the box I've been using it pretty much everyday and always have it in my bag.  Pixi's skincare has been creating a bit of a splash in the beauty world lately, and if this facial mist is anything to go by, I can totally see why. This stuff is really, really good. It offers a fine, feather light layer of moisture that gives my skin a much needed burst of hydration. It can be used in place of a toner and feels really refreshing and cooling on the skin. It's such a lovely little product. Love it. 

I have to say that I was so impressed with the contents of this box, I've got a bit of a love/hate relationship with beauty boxes,  I think everyone does, normally I'll only like one or two products in the box and that's it, but this is so not the case with Anna & Lily's one. I genuinely loved everything in there, especially all the lovely skincare bits. 

The box retails for £85, now initially the price really put me off, £85 is a LOT of money. BUT when you consider the quality of the box, and the fact that you save a staggering 43%, it's actually amazing value for money. Unfortunately the waitlist is now closed and the boxes are no longer available to buy. But you can register on the Cult Beauty website here to be in with the chance of winning 1 of 5 boxes. I definitely would if I were you. 

Did you manage to get your hands on Anna & Lily's Cult Beauty Box yet? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

T.K. Maxx Skincare Haul

T.K. Maxx Skincare Haul

Thursday 12 May 2016

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Ahh the beauty aisle of T.K. Maxx a place where all my bargain beauty hunter dreams come true! It's become a bit of a hobby of mine, browsing the beauty aisle to see what high end products I can find for high street prices. Admittedly it does take some patience. It's bit like rummaging through a car boot, sometimes there's nothing but crap, but it's always worth it when you find something amazing for a ridiculously low price. Here are some of the lastest skincare bits I've picked up.

Good Things Acai Berry Muti-Tasking Micellar Water - £2.99 in store at T.K. Maxx

I love micellar waters. Until recently Garnier's Micellar Water held my heart, but lately I've noticed a really strong chemical, almost plasticky, smell when I use it. Which is really off putting. So I was on the market for a new one when I spotted this paraben and cruelty free offering from the good people at Good Things in T.K. Maxx.  It's formulated with blueberries, mango and acai berry, super fruits known for their anti-oxidant properties, and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated. I've found it to be really gentle on the skin and it removes my make up so quickly, leaving my skin feeling so clean and refreshed. And it smells amazing, really fruity and sweet. I love it. Plus, added bonus, it's really affordable, retailing at only £4.99 for 250ml in boots... Bargain!

Good Things Deep Pore Anti-Blemish Cleanser & Toner with Fig & Wild Strawberry - £2.99 in store at T.K. Max

Like their micellar water Good Things Deep Pore Cleanser & Toner is formulated with a ton of natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin, whilst yielding some pretty decent results. This time it's wild strawberry extract to add radiance to the face and willow bark and liquorice extract to fight spot causing bacteria. Aimed at acne prone skin - which I have. Sob! - it claims to unclog pores and clear the skin of excess sebum to prevent new sports forming, without stripping the skin of its natural oils. I've been using it for a couple of weeks and have noticed an improvement in my skin. I don't know if it's this or my tablets have started working, either way I'm a big fan of my clearer skin. Again it's really affordable - £4.99 for 200ml from boots -  and smells really sweet. I've really liked using it.


Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Blemish Control Daily Skin Clearing Treatment - £12.99 in store at T.K. Maxx

And now onto the real star of the show Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment. Now I haven't actually got round to using this yet because I'm scared it'll work and I'll get addicted to it and then have to pay full price for it. But it sounded so amazing that I couldn't really resist. The oil free formula promises to clear blemishes, prevent new spots forming and reduce the appearance of acne scarring.  I'll have to keep you posted on whether it actually works or not but I've got a good feeling about it.

What are your favourite skincare bits? Any recommendations for me? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paint Review & Swatches

Barry M Coconut Infusion Nail Paint Review & Swatches

Tuesday 10 May 2016

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The beauty industry is having a major moment with coconuts, coconut oil, coconut water, the numerous benefits of this humble nut - is it really a nut? - means that it is everywhere these days. And it looks like it's finally made it's way to our nails, including Barry M's latest release.

My love for Barry M's Nail Paints is seriously well documented. For me they're up there with some of the best on the market and I've even known them to out perform their high end counterparts. The overall quality is excellent, they have an incredible colour range and a really affordable price point. What's not to love? In the past few years Barry M has added a ton of new formulas to the line up - Gelly Hi-Shine, Speedy Quick Dry and Daylight Curing to name but a few - and I've loved them all, although it does have to be said that the Gelly Hi Shine formula is my favourite. So when I saw their latest drop of coconut infused polishes I was intrigued and a purchase was inevitable.

The range is made up of nine polishes: five summer ready shades and four beachy nudes. Now I'm not a huge fan of nude polishes and the other two colours in the collection, whilst pretty, aren't something I would normally go for.  But the three I did pick up are right up my street. I chose Laguna: a sky blue, Bikini: a bright turquoise-y green and Surfboard: a light pink-y lilac. The colours are lovely, but very similar to a lot of my other Barry M faves, not that I'm complaining. Now onto the important part the formula. Described by Barry M as 'a unique and caring blend' the polishes are formulated with Coconut Oil, Coconut Water and Vitamins B & C to both condition and hydrate the nail with High Reflective Resin for a super glossy, high shine finish. The polishes are designed so nourishing on the nails that Barry M advises against using a base coat so as to feel the full effects of the new formula.

After trying out Laguna I'm happy to report back that they're really lovely! I used two coats in the above picture, mostly out of habit but the finish was pretty much opaque after just one coat. They apply beautifully and I can already see an improvement in the condition of my nails. I really like them.

Coconut Infusions retail at £4.99,  a pound more expensive than the regular paints but definitely worth the increase, and are available at Boots and Superdrug.

Have you tried any of Barry M's Coconut Infusion Nail Paints yet? What;s your favourite? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

April Favourites 2016

April Favourites 2016

Sunday 8 May 2016

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So another month of 2016 has disappeared in the blink of an eye. I'm a month older but none the wiser but I do have loads of favourites to talk about so let's get down to it.

Beauty Blender - £16.00 from Beauty Blender

Until recently I didn't really understand the hype surrounding the beauty blender, I just thought it was an overpriced make up sponge, nothing really remarkable about it other than it's shape. But I have since seen the error of my ways. The beauty blender is a make up application game changer and I LOVE it. If you google beauty blender there are literally thousands of ways to use it, but my favourite is for concealer and as the final step when applying foundation. It blends everything in so seamlessly and when damp sheers out really heavy and cakey looking foundation. It also adds a ton of glow to the skin, which my complexion desperately needs. I also like to use it for blending out my contour as it makes it look so natural and non-Kardashian-esque.

Look Good Feel Better Finishing Brush - part of The Makeover Brush Set £24.99 from Boots

I picked up LGFB's Makeover Brush Set at the beginning of the month (read more about it here) and have been using them pretty much constantly ever since. The finishing brush is my favourite, I've been using it for my foundation because it's really soft, gives flawless coverage and because the bristles are synthetic it doesn't soak up too much product, minimising wastage. It's a great little brush.

Avon Big & False Lash Volume Mascara - £8.50 from Avon

The Big & False Lash Volume mascara is Avon's answer to Benefit's They're Real mascara, and if truth be told I actually prefer Avon's offering. It has a blacker than black 'fibre infused' formula and a big, fluffy brush that lifts, separates, defines and packs some serious wallop when it comes to volume.  Love it.

YSL's Rouge Volupté Shine in Corail A Porter - £26.00 from YSL

I really upped my fancy pants lipstick game when this bad boy made it's way into my collection. Everything about it screams premium! From the weighted gold packaging - that is so beautiful I could eat it -, to the incredibly satisfying click closure and the dreamy peach scented formula. High gloss lipsticks aren't usually my cup of tea, however after seeing how beautiful this one was, an exception had to be made. Corail A Porter is a deep pink-y coral with a super glossy finish. It also has a really nice formula, it's moisturising, it smells amazing and is very pigmented with a reasonable wear time. I like it a lot, and it is super fancy.

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Brave Red - £15.50 from MAC

This was a birthday present from a particularly lovely work friend of mind, and it's as if she read my mind. Brave Red is a classic pillar box shade, a bit more yellow than I'm used to, but a really gorgeous bright, bold red. It's another one with a glossy finish, but it actually looks quite dewy on the lips and is very comfortable to wear. I like it, and the sweetheart who bought it for me, a lot.

Blogosphere - £40 for Issues 1 - 8 at Blogosphere

I hadn't really heard of blogosphere until quite recently, but after seeing that 4 of my favourite bloggers had already been featured on the cover (Esteé Lalonde, Fleur De Force, Samantha Maria & Lily Pebbles) getting a subscription was a complete no brainer. Written for and by bloggers Blogosphere is a gorgeous magazine, full of insider tips and tricks for up and coming bloggers - like myself... she said wishful thinkingly - it's quickly become my go to bedtime read and I've read all 8 issues cover to cover, I can't wait for the next issue to come out.

Buzzfeed Video - Subscribe here

I've been talking about Buzzfeed non-stop lately (read more about it here and  here) because the content they create is brilliant and so addictive. Whether it's funny, informative or even a little bit gross, it's always interesting and very well executed. I dare you to watch just one, because in my experience it isn't possible!

The Bones of You by Debbie Howells - Paperback/Kindle Edition £3.55/£3.37 from Amazon

Lately I've been really getting into thrillers,  I blame Gone Girl, and The Bones of You is one of the best I've read. The book is about Rosie Anderson, an 18 year old girl who goes missing, throwing the tiny village she lives in into turmoil. When Rosie is found dead a few days later Kate, a friend of Rosie's mother, becomes obsessed with solving the mystery surrounding her death, revealing some dark secrets along the way. The story is a multi-narrative told from the points of view of Kate and Rosie herself, working backwards from her death, it's beautifully written, tense, suspenseful and the story has more twists and turns than a corkscrew. Think Broadchurch but even more shocking. I can't wait for Howell's next book, if it's anything like her first it's bound to be a good 'un.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell - Paperback/Kindle Edition£3.85/£4.99 from Amazon

Rainbow Rowell is one of my favourite authors because her writing is incredible, the best way I can think to describe it is kinda like a really good piece of cake  - or chocolate... insert applicable food here - you want to savour it because it is delicious. Landline is about tv writer Georgie McCool whose family and married life suffers the more successful she becomes. When she has to work over Christmas her husband Neal takes their daughters to back home to Omaha leaving Georgie alone in California. Unable to face her home and the problems in her marriage she goes to stay with her mother. In her teenaged bedroom, surrounded by pictures of pugs, Georgie discovers she has a direct line to 1998 and a young Neal who loved her, by using her ancient yellow rotary phone. I won't give away the ending but it is amazing! It's really funny and sweet and manages to be both completely realistic and a little bit magical. I loved it, definitely worth a read if you liked Eleanor and Park.

What were you loving in April? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

My Favourite Youtube Channels

My Favourite Youtube Channels

Wednesday 4 May 2016

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My name is Lauren and I am addicted to Youtube! If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, you'll know this. Youtube is a major obsession of mine. I spend pretty much all of my free time on there, surfing for hours on end, discovering new creators and binge watching the content of those I already love. Whittling my favourites down to just 12 was a nightmare! But I've done it, just for you. (Side note: I was going to organise them by categories BUT there wasn't an even number in each one, which annoyed me, so it's a youtube free for all!)

Fleur De Force & Fleur De Vlog

Fleur gives me ALL the life goals. ALL OF THEM! Fleur has it all (in my opinion) but oh my god does she work hard for it. I watch her channels religiously, and most of the time I'm just in awe of how someone can do so much! If you've ever watched her daily vlogs then you'll know exactly what I mean! She does not stop. Her videos are amazing, beautifully edited and she seems so nice. Love her.

Vivianna Does Make Up

When I first started getting into youtube about 3 years ago, Anna (and Lily) was one of the first beauty youtubers I started watching. Anna's kind of like the internet's best friend, she's a total sweetheart and always gives her honest opinion. I really trust her recommendations and I just love her. She's so awesome. 

Lily Pebbles

I love Lily's channel for a lot of the same reasons I love Anna's, it makes sense seeing that they're blogger besties, she's really open and honest and she really seems to care about her audience and the content she creates for them. I feel like if I ever met Lily I would be super intimidated because she is so cool.

Sorted Food

Little known fact about me, I hate cooking. It stresses me out and more often than not I'll get the timings wrong and something will be burnt, and on occasion stuff catches fire (no I'm not joking). Having said that I love food and I love, love, love watching other people cook. Sorted Food has been one of my favourite youtube channels for the past couple of years for this very reason. They make cooking seem so easy (it isn't), the food they make is incredible and their videos are hilarious. Plus you know Mike is incredibly easy on the eye. 

It's Way Past My Bedtime 

Carrie's videos appeal to the massive theatre nerd in me because I absolutely love getting to see all the behind the scenes theatre stuff. It's so fascinating to me. Plus Carrie is such a positive, happy, sweetheart of a person. Love. Her. 

Broadway.com

Speaking of theatre nerdyiness Broadway.com's youtube channel has become a recent obsession of mine due to all the amazing behind the scenes stuff that they upload. I love the vlogs for specific shows - I recently watched the vlogs for School of Rock and Finding Neverland and I loved them! -  I love to watch the rehearsals and I super love the live performances. This is a definite must watch for theatre lovers because it's awesome. 

Jenna Marbles

Jenna is a fairly recent YouTube discovery of mine, though not for the rest of the world, but she's already one of my faves because she's hilarious! She is a total bad ass! She's hysterically funny, really honest, is never afraid to give her opinion and gives me all the hair goals. Obsessed! 

Samantha Maria (formerly the Beauty Crush)

Sammi is another effortlessly cool, bad ass chick! I don't watch her videos religiously but I do sit down and binge watch them every week. She's another really hard worker, having her own label with her fiancé Jason, on top of everything else she does. But her videos are always really good. She's very sweet and funny and has the most incredible fashion sense. Like seriously, I have a bit of a major style crush going on. 

Rhett & Link - Good Mythical Morning & Good Mythical More

Rhett & Link might (whisper it) be my favourite internetainers ever! Their videos are incredible. they are funny and super interesting. Whether they're trying weird food or talking about random stuff they're videos are always so funny and some of my favourite things on the Internet. 

Buzzfeed

My Buzzfeed obsession started with The Try Guys, and then quickly escalated wildly out of my control. Their channels (Buzzfeed, Buzzfeed Blue, Buzzfeed Violet, Buzzfeed Yellow, Buzzfeed Food, Tasty and After Party) are ALL awesome. The problem is I can't just watch just one, I click on one and then a ton of other awesome stuff comes up and before I know it I've fallen into a 6 hour long YouTube vortex of amazingness. My favourites are Try Guys, Hunger Squad and Misheard Lyrics. But I seriously love it.

The Vlog Brothers

Hank and John Green are kinda like youtube's really cool dad and uncle. Their videos are incredible. Seriously. They are fascinating, informative and actually can and have done some good in the world. I also love how very connected they are with their audience Nerdfighteria. 

It took me a really long time to write this post because I kept having to stop for youtube breaks. Now I know I've mentioned a load of these channels a ton of times before but it's because they're amazing and I still love them! That being said all recommendations are welcome! I'm always on the look out for more to watch so who are your favourite youtubers? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat -search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.