Carmine's January Beauty Box

Carmine's January box contains five little treats to see you through the days after the previous month of partying! As ever, everything was beautifully presented in a black box, black tissue and scarlet red paper.

 Korres 'Wild Rose' 24 Hour Moisturiser - Korres are a brand I've watched with interest with quite some time, but never actually purchased from, so I was excited to see this in my box! However, I do believe that this is aimed at older skin since it 'repairs fine lines and discoloration'. I also thought the SPF 6 was a bit ridiculous.

Eyeko 'Fat Eye Stick' - As much as it pains me to say it - I kinda like Eyeko's new branding (so shoot me). I still think the packaging looks a bit cheap, but better than the old stuff. The 'Fat Eye Stick' really impressed me - usually these kind of products crease within 10 seconds on me, but this didn't budge! 

Westlab Himalayan Bath Salts - Apparently these have the same detoxifying effect as a 3 day fast, what that means though, I haven't a clue! I think the only thing I'd be feeling after a 3 day fast would be a hunger for cheeseburger and chips. Anyway, with my new found love for all things bath time, I can't wait to try these out.

Eldora False Eyelashes - I love falsies as much as the next girl, so these were a welcome surprise! Eldora lashes are handmade, which (from experience) often means higher quality than mass produced lashes. I was impressed to see that prices start from just £2.50 - awesome!

Balance Me 'Radiance Face Oil' - Another product for older skin, as this combines highly moisturizing ingredients with oils to 'smooth away the visible signs of ageing'. My Mum will love this, along with the Korres cream, but they have no use for me.

All in all, I think this box is a decent all rounder and Carmine seem to achieve a decent mix of products each month. However, maybe a little something for us oily faced young'uns wouldn't go amiss - then again, I can't see many ladies past 25 going mad for 'Fat Sticks' and falsies...I can't help but feel sorry for beauty box companies, it must be hard trying to please everyone!

Carmine list suppliers and info for full size products on their site, I still think this should be included within the box itself, too.

Carmine boxes cost £12.75 (inc postage) per box from the Carmine site.

Product provided for review purposes. All opinions 100% my own and 100% honest, as always.

EOTD - Beneath the Ocean

My recent love of glitter continues...

Inner Corner - Mad Minerals 'Camisole'
Lid - MAC 'Sky Blue' pigment
Crease - Yaby 'So Vein' with Fyrinnae 'Mermen'
Highlight - Sugarpill 'Lumi'
Liner - Eyeko Graffiti Eyeliner
Glitter - Mac 'Reflects Pink' with DG 'Glitter Glue'
Mascara - Maybelline Falsies
Pencil Eyeliner - Barry M

This was actually the first time I've used Darling Girl 'Glitter Glue' as, well, glitter glue. I mixed the glitter with the glue, which was a daft idea since the glitter particles all clumped together -_- In future I'll apply the glue like a liner, then dab the glitter over the top. No full face since I just washed my hair and therefore look like an extra from Saved by the Bell.

FOTD - In the Pink

Since we had plans to go to a metal gig last night, I figured I'd make an attempt to wear something other than just silvery taupe and eyeliner!

EYES - UDPP, Darling Girl 'Glitter Glue', Darling Girl 'My Little Pony', Shiro Cosmetics 'S.S Anne' (obsessed with this eyeshadow much?!), peachy pinky e/s from MUA 'Heaven and Earth' palette, Eyeko black graffiti eyeliner, mascara, Kryolan white pencil eyeliner.

FACE - Natural Collection 'Shine Away' foundation, No. 7 'Beautifully Matte' foundation, Witch anti-blemish concealer, Kryolan powder, Shu Uemura matte peach blush, Fyrinnae 'Centre Stage' highlighter.

LIPS - Nekked!

Safe to say, bright blue and bold purple remain one of my favourite colour combos :) Seriously need to get some hot oil on my hair, don't I?! Has anyone used olive oil on their hair before? Any tips?

FOTD - Pink Vanilla

Sometimes you need something pretty, shiny and dramatic to make your day complete. I wanted to wear something which would work with my plum polish...but not match. Along came MAC 'Pink Bronze' pigment in all of its duochrome glory...

EYES - TFSI, E.L.F black cream eyeliner, MAC 'Pink Bronze' pigment, Fyrinnae 'Fire Opal', Yaby matte white, MAC 'Vanilla' pigment, Yaby matte black, Urban Decay 'Lucky' eyeliner, Eyeko felt tip eyeliner, mascara

FACE - No.7 'Beautifully Matte', Natural Collection tinted moisturiser, Kryolan Ultra Foundation as concealer, Kryolan powder, Ben Nye pink blush, Fyrinnae 'Centre Stage' highlighter.

LIPS - MAC 'Blankety' lipstick, Darling Girl 'Gold Finger' hologloss.

I LOVE how it looks over a dark base! Just incredible! It brings the pink out so much, adding some metallic brown to the crease helps to smoke it out with ease. Aaand MAC 'Vanilla' pigment makes for the perfect highlight shade (yeah yeah, technically it "should" have been matte, but who cares?!)

Do you have MAC 'Pink Bronze'? How do you wear it?

FOTD - Everyday Glitz

I've been OBESESSED with Shiro Cosmetics 'Master Sword' since it arrived - it was love at first swatch. 'Master Sword' is a silvery taupe, with tonnes of fine, silver glitter and a hint of gold - really, it's the silver for people who don't really suit silver...

EYES - TFSI, Darling Girl 'Glitter Glue', Shiro Cosmetics 'Master Sword', Eyeko black graffiti eyeliner, mascara, Kryolan peach eyeliner

FACE - No.7 'Beautifully Matte' foundation, Natural Collection tinted moisturiser, Kryolan 'Ultra Foundation' as concealer, Kryolan powder, Ben Nye pink blush, Fyrinnae 'Centre Stage' highlighter.

LIPS - Darling Girl 'Gold Finger' hologloss.

I'm really enjoying the added 'drama' of glitter and jet black winged eyeliner - a bit different to my previous lazy everyday face :) Fyrinnae highlighters are AMAZING by the way! I think everyone needs one in their stash. I'll probably order full sizes of the other two shades at some point...

What is your favourite highlighter? Favourite everyday eyeshadow?

FOTD - Phoenix Pink

Do you ever set out to do one kind of look and end up doing something totally different? I intended to do a blue look with a little gold...then this happened...

EYES - TFSI, NYX 'Milk' jumbo pencil, Venomous Cosmetics 'Ogopogo', Yaby matte white, Yaby matte black, Ben Nye 'Fuchsia' blush, MAC 'Vanilla' pigment, Eyeko graffiti eyeliner, Kryolan peach pencil eyeliner, mascara.

FACE - No.7 'Beautifully Matte' foundation, Natural Collection tinted moisturiser, Kryolan powder, Shu Uemura matte peach blush.

LIPS - OCC 'Trick' and 'Anime' mixed, Kiss my Sass Cosmetics 'Innocence' gloss.

Maybe I'm nudging my way back out of my neutral phase?! You should see my eyeshadow drawers right now - I have one for brights and one for neutrals. My neutrals are fit to burst and my brights are seriously lagging behind. There was a time when  I didn't even understand the need for a brown eyeshadow and now I have at least 20! Eeesh...

What are your favourite bright eyeshadows? What about your favourite highlight shades?

(P.S) My camera's mirror has a scratch on it, so my lens is struggling to focus right now. I'm having to use full auto mode (which I hate with a passion) until I can have it fixed. So if photos are a bit crap for a while,  sorry!

REVIEW - Eyeko Graffiti 'Liner, Fat Balm and Liptastik

Eyeko have been on my radar ever since I first spotted them in Superdrug years back (not sold there any longer), I've watched them grow and grow, building quite an impressive fan base. I'm a huuuge fan of their nail polishes but, somehow, had never tried anything else from the brand until these arrived for me to play with*...

[[ Eyeko Black Graffiti Eyeliner, 'Lip Lover' Liptastik and 'Frosting' Fat Balm ]]

Packaging wise, these look mega cheap but guess what? They're practical. We all know how much I love practical packaging, right?! Personally, I don't mind having some naff looking things in my stash, since I'm the only one who ever sees them anyway! After all, Eyeko is also aimed at 'tweenage' girls...so try remembering that whilst ignoring those Clip Art style butterflies...

[[ Eyeko 'Frosting' Fat Balm - £6.50 ]]

Fat Balms are essentially chunky, lightly tinted lip balms which you can also use on your cheeks to add a flush of colour. All in all, a good idea in writing, but in reality I'm not exactly sold. Too chunky for lips (these are HUGE), not at all moisturising and far too waxy for cheeks. Overall, this fat balm felt like it should be in a toddler's play make-up set - definitely one to skip!

[[ Eyeko Black Graffiti Eyeliner - £5.50 ]]

This stuff is love in felt tip format! Deep, dark black which doesn't fade or smudge - peeerfect. It's so easy to apply and you don't need to keep going back over it to build the colour since the pigmentation is so intense. The first time I wore this, my eyes kept watering due to heat/ pollen and all I could think was, 'Oh no, I must look like a panda by now!' but, to my great surprise, it was still perfect when I checked it. Now that is what you call an amazing eyeliner!

[[ Eyeko Black Graffiti Eyeliner, 'Frosting' Fat Balm and 'Lip Lover' Liptastik swatches ]]

The Liptastik (£6.50) comes in a wind up tube, perfect for lazy folk like me who can't be bothered digging out their pencil sharpeners! It applies smoothly, leaving an even, bright, bold colour behind - plus, it's comfortable to wear and lasts ages. For me, nothing beats a good 'proper' lipstick, but these chunky lipstick pencils would be ideal for carrying around on nights out.

All in all, I think Eyeko are a bit hit and miss. When they get something right (eyeliners, nail polishes) they get them really right...but when they get them wrong...well...they get them really wrong! Still, I'm curious to try out the blushes and bronzers to see which category they fall into...

Do you own any of these products? Favourites? Do you think Eyeko's packaging needs a revamp?

* Products received for review purposes. Opinions 100% honest and 100% my own - as always!

Eyeko 'Military Polish' - For Brave Nails...

Brave nails? Really? Hardcore or elite would have made more sense. Whatever. I was mega excited when I first saw Eyeko 'Military Polish' since:

A) I've been on a green nails kick.
B) It's dark and sludgy without being typical of the grunge nail trend.
C) It's Eyeko and I love their polishes!

 'Military Polish' is a sludgy, deep, swamp green. It doesn't really remind me of the typical army green, since it is golden-yellow toned, making it ideal for anyone to wear with ease. To be honest, I'm just glad Eyeko didn't go down the 'lets add grey to it' route, I'm bored of grey toned colours now! Opaque in two coats, smooth glossy finish, reasonable drying time and as per always - a fantastic brush. Subtle, yet edgy, this deep khaki polish would be ideal for anyone wanting to add a little discreet  colour to dull work clothes, those who love dark nails but fancy a change from black or those liking the ideal of khaki, yet finding Chanel's/ Model's Own's offerings a bit...bland.

Available from Eyeko's website for £3.50, free shipping within Europe!

Eyeko 'Posh Polish' - for Ladylike Nails...

Eyeko's most known and loved products are probably their polishes - and I'm really not surprised! I love their formula, which seems to be surprisingly consistent - a rarity for most brands. Today a nice little parcel of polishes slid through my mail box, so I figured I'd show you one of them...

[[ Eyeko 'Posh Polish' ]]

Eyeko's 'Posh Polish' is a pretty standard, trendy greige with a slight hint of heather purple. Opaque in two coats, with a great brush perfect for easy application (even if you're a bit cack-handed like me) and relatively fast drying. Neutral enough to wear with pretty much anything and for pretty much anything. If you're short on neutrals in your polish collection, need an up to date colour for work, a change from black nails for the club or just fancy seeing what all this 'greige' business is about - I'd happily recommend 'Posh Polish'.

Available from the Eyeko website for £3.50 - free shipping within Europe!

(P.S) I know I said I probably wouldn't be posting this week, but I was far too excited not to show you this - I love Eyeko polishes!

Dear Eyeko 'Rain Polish',

WHAT ARE YOU?! Are you a quirky, fun take on grey...or a sophisticated, mature take on blue? I really can't decide.

Well, whatever you are - I'm a fan.

It's rare to find either a light grey OR a light blue which doesn't make warm, yellow toned hands look corpse-like and creepy, and this shade actually perks mine up a bit. How very strange!

Don't dare fill up your tea caddy within 10 minutes of application though (how clearly English am I right now?) because, like me, you'll end up with dents and smudges :/ The formulation is similar to Barry M polishes, a happy medium between thick and thin. Opaque in two coats, like the vast majority of polishes.

Available from Eyeko's website for £3.50, free shipping within Europe (mine arrived in three days).