Beak & Claws: Are Bourjois Rouge Fabuleux Lipsticks Fabulous?

Bourjois launched their Rouge Fabuleux lipsticks last week. Described as "colour with no compromise", have a satin finish and combine colour, comfort and 10 hour wear in one. There are a wide range of colours available, nudes, pinks, vibrant reds and bold plum colours. They cost £8.99 each.

I purchased A l'eau de rose (02) which is a soft pink with brownish undertones.  I like the texture of the lipstick, it feels very lightweight and gel like on the lips, it doesn't feel as though you are wearing anything on the lips.  The lipsticks contain Marula oil which nourishes and moisturised the lips and my lips didn't feel dry or look dry when I was wearing my lipstick or after I removed it.  The colour is intense, one swipe gives a layer of opaque colour.  It lasted well, although I didn't try and see if it would last the full 10 hours promised! The teardrop design of the lipstick made it ease to apply the lipstick precisely. My shade gave me a bitten lip look so it didn't matter if I slipped up when applying.   I liked that the colour of the lipstick is shown on both the base and top of the lipstick. I did, however, find it really hard to get the lid off the lipstick and struggled to clip it back on which was annoying as I dented the lipstick with the tip of the cap.

Are they fabulous? I like the price point, vibrancy and wide choice of colour, the moisturising properties and the ease of application. I don't particularly like the lipstick tube itself as I struggled with the cap.

I purchased this item myself and they are available at all Bourjois stockists.

Book Review: Smooth Talking Cowboy by Maisey Yates (M&B)

Smooth Talking Cowboy is the first novel in the Gold Valley series. Written by Maisey Yates and published by Mills & Boon the series is set in Gold Valley, Oregon.  There is also a bonus book - Seduce Me, Cowboy - which is set in Copper Ridge.

Smooth Talking Cowboy is set in Gold Valley Oregon.   Olivia Logan is still seething and hurt after being dumped by Bennett Dodge, the man she thought she would marry and also the man her father wanted her to marry.  She keeps running into Luke Hollister, the chirpy, handsome cowboy who always rubs her up the wrong way. They concoct a plan to pretend they are a couple. Luke needs Olivia to put in a good word about him to her father as he wants to buy some land from him and Olivia wants to show Bennett what he is missing. Will the fake relationship  become a life long romance?

I enjoyed this book as it is interesting to see Maisey Yates reconcile two determined characters with issues. Olivia has always tried to be the prefect twin and daughter after her sister went off the rails as a teenager and has always been held to a much high standard. Bennett moved to Gold Ridge at 16 and has always felt like an outsider to the close knit community. The book is well written and I found the small American town angle interesting.

The bonus book Seduce Me, Cowboy is set in Copper Ridge and focuses upon Hayley Thompson breaking loose from the being the good girl who worked as the secretary at her father's church and going to work for Jonathan Bear, the local bad boy who also happens to be a construction millionaire. She has a bucket list of wishes- see the world, get a passport, lose her virginity. Jonathan soon helps her fulfil her last wish. This book didn't follow the formulaic M&B life plan. They didn't meet each other and fall in love. Instead Hayley so Jonathan as a means to an ends. If anything he fell for her firs!  The new found romance founders as he has deep seated issues relating to love and , trust and abandonment which can be traced back to his turbulent childhood. Can he overcome these issues or will Hayley travel the world without him?

Maisey Yates is an Oregon native ( I follow her IG account and it does look a beautiful state) and it is clear that she enjoyed writing about and is proud of "her" State. I enjoyed both books, especially the bonus one as it didn't necessarily follow the traditional romance novel rules. Hayley, although the perfect Pastor's daughter but is determined to break out and follow her dreams where ever they take her. Love doesn't feature on her agenda! Smooth Talking Cowboy also has a heroine who is determined and single minded. They are both very Americanised stories. Some romances focus so much on the characters and generic storylines it is easy to guess the ending (not that that is a bad thing to do, I estill enjoy reading them) These have been well thought out and the characters woven in with the traditions, influences and psyche of a small Oregon town, which is interesting to read as I m from the UK and wouldn't think of some of the problems/ issues  that shape the characters' lives.  I am looking forward to the next instalment and may well go back and read her Copper Ridge series. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

Available from:
Amazon UK

Mills & Boon

Review: Bourjois 24 Hour Satin Eyeshadow & Rouge Velvet Lipstick

Bourjois are currently on 3 for 2 at Superdrug so I thought I would splurge and buy some Autumnal colours to cheer myself up. Two of the items I really like and one (the one I really wanted) was a disappointment.

The 24 Hour Satin Eyeshadows, according to their website, are a liquid to powder formulation, have 24 hour staying power, are infused with iridescent pigments, are lightweight and comfortable to wear, glide on and blend easily. I purchased 02 Oh de Roses! which is is a light delicate pink and 05 LaLa'Vande which is greyish blue with a lavender undertone. The eyeshadows cost £6.99. I really like Oh de Roses! It looks pretty and gives a subtly healthy iridescent glow to my eyelid (often my glasses ruin this effect). It glides on and more importantly stayed put even when I itched my eyes. The eyeshadow felt comfortable to wear and didn't really feel as though I was wearing anything on my lids. 05, however. was, for me very disappointing. I really wanted to love this eyeshadow as it looks so pretty in the container. When I put it on my lids it felt greasy and looked patchy and muddy. It lost the lavender undertone and just looked like an oily grey wash of colour.  It did look slightly better when I wasn't wearing my glasses. I did find with both shadows that I found the product easier to apply with either my fingers or an eyeshadow brush rather than the doe foot applicator that they came with. 

The lipstick is Bourjois Rouge Velvet Lipstick in Hip Hop Pink (04). The lipstick costs £8.99. Again, according to the website the lipsticks have a matte finish, are lightweight and moisturising and are supposed to last up to 24 hours. I really enjoy using Bourjois lip products and this was no exception.  The lipstick glided on easily, giving an opaque finish with just one swipe of the bullet. The teardrop shape of the lipstick made it very easy to outline the lips and make a crisp Cupid's bow. It felt lightweight and my lips did not feel dry, as they sometimes do when I have been wearing a matte lipstick, when I removed it. It was longwearing and survived 2 meals and a hot drink with only a slight fading of colour. 

I purchased these items myself and the views expressed in this blog post are my own. 

Available from all Bourjois stockists.

Book Review: NY Doc Under The Northern Lights (M&B Medical).

NY Doc Under The Northern Lights is  a Mills & Boon Medical romance, written by Amy Ruttan. Betty Jacinth is a larascopic surgeon who has relocated from New York to Iceland for a 3 month secondment  to recover from a broken heart after a fellow surgeon used their relationship to further his own career. Dr Axel Sturlusson is struggling to come to terms with the face that he is the only survivor of an accident that killed most of his family, including his brother, he is bringing up his brother's daughter, his own father wishes he had died not his brother and combine all these issues with a stressful job. Slowly Axel melts and admits his attraction to Betty. A spanner, however, is thrown in the works, when her ex turns up and begs her to go back to NYC with him. Will she follow her heart or go back home?

I don't normally enjoy Medical romances as it is difficult to get the right balance between the two so the storyline does not become cluttered and lose the reader's attention. This novel gets the balance right and also has some great descriptions of Icelandic scenery is in there as well!




 I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley
Available from: 

Amazon UK

Book Review: Cinderella's New York Christmas (M&B) by Scarlet Wilson

Cinderella's New York Christmas is written by Scarlet Wilson and published by Mills & Boon (True Love). Released just in time for the Holiday/ Christmas season, the book due to its title (obviously) and front cover screams sparkly Christmas so as soon I saw it I knew I wanted to read it as soon as it had finished downloading!

Anissa Lang had been an up and coming Australian skiing sensation and possible contender for Olympic gold before a terrible accident put a massive dent into those dreams and aspirations. Now she is working as a chalet maid and a ski teacher in Mount Couer, Switzerland so she can finance her ski training as she is determined to continue skiing competitively and force her body back to peak condition no matter how painful the process is.  Leo Baxter, a multi millionaire, is also in Switzerland for the reading of his parent's will. He has never met them, or his brother and sister, as he was put up for adoption (something his parents always regretted) as soon he was born. They never stopped searching for him and were so determined that he should be part of the family if he was found, that the will stipulated that he must be head of their Jewellery store empire for 2 years or the shares must be sold off. Their first meeting takes place when Anissa skis into a car and Keo comes to her rescue. Their is an instant attraction and he takes her with him to New York. Both characters are struggling with issues that could derail a possible long term relationship. Can they overcome them to have their happily ever after?

The novel reads like a modern 21 Century Cinderella: she is a chalet maid, the princess who runs away from the ball, Leo is the tall, handsome prince.  I enjoyed the New York descriptive scenes. It made the whole story more realistic and the reader can imagine being there in person.   It is well written and I couldn't put it down till I finished it!

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

Available from:
Amazon UK

Mills & Boon

Book Review: Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne

Snow Angel Cove is published by Mills and Boon, the author is RaeAnne Thayne. The book is the first in the Haven Point series and is supposed to be a feel good, uplifting, Christmassy romance set in a small town, Haven Point. 

Haven Point is a small town with big suprises and the town certainly provides some big suprises, a few not welcoming ones, for Eliza Gawood when she moves there with her little daughter Maddie, to take up her new job running a guest house. Unfortunately for them the fuest house is burning down as they arrive and then Eliza gets knocked down by Aiden Caine, who has just purchased half of Snow Angel Cove. Aiden is a geeky yet handsome multi millionaire who has built his fortune developing Apps. Eliza and Maddie stay with Aiden over Christmas whilst she regroups and decides what to do next. Eliza is a widow whose husband left in a lot of debt and an ill child. He had been trying to pick his tech ideas to Aiden'z firm just before he got drunk and crashed. Aiden is recovering from a non malignant brain tumour that he does not want his family to know about. Nevertheless the pair of them get closer over the Christmas period, taking time to get to know each other but will they be able to overcome all these obstacles? 

The book isn't your natural Christmas sparkly chirpy romance. Both of the main characters have obstacles and issues to countend with which the author combines very well without the storyline becoming cluttered and handles gently. It doesn't have "Dare" levels of sex scenes or bad language but is more of a family based romance. I enjoyed it but probably wouldnt reread it. 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley
Available from:
Amazon UK

Mills & Boon

Beak & Claws: Chantecaille Orchid Lip Sleek

                      

As I am on long term medication that dries my lips out I always want to find and use products that will replenish the moisture in my lips so they don't feel and look as though they are drier and flakier than the Sahara desert. I also want to try to limit my purchases to brands that are philanthropic and ethically responsible.

Chantecaille is a cruelty free skin care and make up brand.  All products are free from: GMOs; sulphates; phosphates; palm oil; petroleum and also free from both synthetic colours and synthetic fragrances. They created the gorgeous philanthropy cheek color blushes which are released every year and support a variety of causes and the soon to be released Lip Veil  line supports Space for Giants, a charity which aims to protect the migratory path for Elephants in Africa.

The Lip Sleeks cost £32 and are housed in a stylish, sleek silver stylo.  I chose Orchid, a glossy vibrant pink shade.  The click action component ensures that the right amount of product is dispensed. Infused with baobab oil and plant derived squalene, the balm both soothes and conditions the lips. The shape of the tip of the balm makes it easy to ensure precise application of the product.

The balm feels like a liquid when first applied to the lips and can be applied lightly to achieve a semi sheer finish or built up to create a more vibrant, intense glossy colour which hydrates and smooths the lips.  It didn't feel tacky any my lips felt moisturised when both wearing it and after removing the gloss. My lips looked limp and hydrated. The colour didn't fade but there was transference when I had a hot drink. It was easy to apply, the product glided on and I didn't have to go back and apply a second coat. one coat created an opaque colour. I enjoy wearing this product and would recommend/ buy other colours in the range (but I am waiting for the Lip Veils to launch as they have elephants on the packaging!).



I purchased this item myself and they can be found at all Chantecaille stockists.

Book Review: The Warrior's Bride Prize (M&B Historical) by Jenni Fletcher

The Warrior's Bride Prize is written by Jenni Fletcher and published by Mills & Boon ((Historical).   This is a Roman romance set in Roman England around Hadrian's Wall. Liva Valeria, part Caledonian (slave) part Roman, and her little daughter Julia travel to a Roman outpost, Coria, near Hadrian's wall so she can be married to Lucius Scaevola as arranged by her step brother. Unfortunately Tarquinius hadn't told her intended that she had a daughter, or that her hair is red, a sure sign that she is at least partly Caledonian.  He gambles her away in a card game to Marius Varro, a Roman centurion and they are married. When Marius is posted to Cilurnum Liva goes with him but has to choose when the fortress comes under attack from Caledonians.

This is Jenni Fletcher's first foray into Roman romance and I really enjoyed it. I read the book in one sitting and the time flew when I was reading it! There is just the right combination of history and romance and they compliment each other perfectly.   I hope she writes more novels from this period in history.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

Available from:
Amazon UK
Mills & Boon

#Competition: #Win Alex Monroe Sterling Silver Baby Bud Stud Chrysanthemum Diamond Pendant

This month's competition prize is an Alex Monroe Sterling Silver Baby Bud Diamond Stud Pendant . It is a tiny, delicate Pendant.  (£165). The sterling silver single mini chrysanthemum bud measures 4x4mm and there is a tiny diamond in the centre. The chain is also sterling silver and is extendable from 16-18mm.  

Enter here:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

The Rafflecopter follow option is compulsory.

The competition is open internationally.

The competition opens on 18 Sept 2018 and closes on 12 AM 15 October 2018

This competition is not affiliated with Alex Monroe Jewellery. 

Gisela Graham Glittery Unicorn Decoration

If anyone has been asked via Santa to buy their child a Unicorn for Christmas, or like me you just think they are magical, then this £6.95 version from Gisela Graham fits the bill without breaking the bank!

 Glittery with jewelled sparkly eyes and a fluffy tail and mane, the unicorn decoration stands 18.5 cm in height and 16 cm in width. Bloggerwise I think it will look great as a jewellery stand in my  jewellery posts. Remember a unicorn isn't just for Christmas!

I purchased mine from Libertys: Here.

Paul & Joe Beaute: The Left Bank 008 Blush & Refillable Palettes

Paul & Joe Beaute have released the final part of their Autumn 2018 collection - 2 blushes and 3 Limited Edition refillable palettes which match the lipstick cases released last month.

The blushes are Paris/ Midnight on the Seine themed. The blushes are a refill powder blush. The Left Bank (008) is brown and pink (4g), I purchased this one, The Right Bank (009) is a combination of orange and peach. The blushes cost £12.50 each. The blushes will slot into any P&J refillable compact. They are supposed to reflect the flowers that blossom along the river Seine in Autumn and  Moonlight illuminating the skin, creating a gentle flush of colour and "in love" glow.  The blushes can be worn either swirled together to create a multidimensional natural glow or each colour applied as a single blush.  The colour can be built up from a gentle feminine glow to a vibrant, statement cheek colour. I have also used the blushes as eyeshadow as they give the eyelid a healthy wash of colour. The blushes contain hyaluronic acid to  prevent the pigment in the blush from looking dull and to keep the skin hydrated and glowing.


The refillable compacts have the same pattern as the 3 lipstick cases released in August and are based on the prints used by Paul & Joe for their Autumn/Winter 2018 collection.  I chose the 2 cat patterned cases.  The cases are magnetised, have a snap closure and are made from  sturdy cardboard.  Any P&J refill powder blush, eyeshadow trio or eyebrow duo will fit into them.

I purchased these items myself.
Available at Beauty Bay, Feel Unique.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Pocket Sized La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultralight Fluid SPF50

                          

Skin should be protected from the sun's rays all year round and La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultralight Fluid SPF50 is a well known and well respected broad spectrum, photostable UVA/UVB, infrared protection with an SPF of 50+ which is suitable for normal combination skin. It instantly sinks into the skin, is water resistant, leaves no residue and doesn't break me out. I have used it for years and always have a bottle on hand and a back up as I use it throughout the year.  La Roche have have brought out a refillable 30ml bottle which is small enough to fit in your pocket - it is the height and width of a lipstick and is easy to refill - just twist off the cap and then clip back on once it has been refilled. The pocket sized, 30ml version costs £10 and there is also a kid's version available. They cost £10 but the cheapest I could find (and where I bought mine) was at Escentual.com

                                

I purchased this item myself and all views expressed in this blog are my own.

Book Review: English Lord on her Doorstep (M&B True Love) by Marion Lennox

English Lord on her Doorstep is written by Marion Lennox and published by Mills & Boon (True Love series).   Charlotte (Charlie to get friends) Foster is holed up just outside Melbourne trying to sort out her the financial mess her beloved grandma was tricked in to just before she died. She has 6 weeks to sort out the Farmhouse, financial mess and rehome her Grandma's 5 precious dogs, 6 if she can find Flossie. On a storm ridden night Bryn Morgan (Lord Carlisle) is racing back to the airport in his super car and hits poor Flossie. He takes her back to the farmhouse and Charlie is both ecstatic anbout the dog being found relatively unharmed but terrified of the oncoming storm.  Bryn stays the night

Charlotte and Bryn develop a bond over the space of the night but it all seems like there fledgling relationship will fail when Bryn admits he is an English Lord and that it was his Uncle, the black sheep of his family, who scammed her grandmother. Will Bryn be able to persuade Charlie that he is worthy of her love and social barriers of no importance?

This is a fun, light read.  Stays true to the themes of the new True Love imprint. The book addresses social classes and how perceived inferiority can effect a relationship. There isn't a knife edge dramatic moment or blinding moment of clarity but it is a modern, gentle romance, with a side order of scene stealing dogs! So if you like both of these this book is for you.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

Available from: 
Mills & Boon
Mills & Boon

Book Review: Lady Olivia and the Infamous Rake by Janice Preston

Lady Olivia and the Infamous Rake is a Regency romance written by Janice Preston and is part 1 of the Beauchamps Heirs series. Lady Olivia Beauchamp, an innocent debutante who is in the midst of her first season is rescued by Lord Hugo Alistair, who has a wild reputation within the ton as a rake, after losing at a game of piquet at the Vauxhall Pleasure gardens and having to use her mother' necklace as a means of promising to repay her debt to Lord Cleavdon. Despite not being interested in women Lord Cleavdon is determined to marry Olivia so he can get his hands on her huge dowry, whilst Hugo is determined to stay single.  Hugo has to rescue Olivia and Alex from various scrapes and cannot keep away from her. The book culminates in a duel between the two men but will Olivia's father allow her to marry Hugo?

Olivia and Hugo are complex characters.  Olivia is a presents herself as a confident, strong willed, spoilt young woman, lots of suitors and a fabulous life as a young debutante, whereas in reality she feels very insecure  within her family. Her mother died when she was young, she is seen as inferior to her brothers (she often wishes she had been born a boy) and sees other family members as deserting her when they get married.  Hugo has a well deserved reputation within the ton as a rake.  He has been trying to lose that title but is determined to stay single.  I enjoyed this book, seeing how theses characters and others interacted and grew as the story progressed.


I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider#netgalley

Available from:
Amazon UK
Mills & Boon