Review: Azuni Small Sculptural Ring & Iona Labradorite Studs

I was given these pieces of jewellery as a Christmas present but due to family circumstances have only just got round to wearing and reviewing them. One of my first pieces of expensive posh jewellery was Azuni. I have a picture of the earrings and pendant in an earlier blog post. Azuni wee established in 1996 and their ethos is to create fair trade and ethical jewellery which incorporates different designs and cultures. 

I already blogged about the Athena narrow sculptural cuff which remains one of my favourite pieces of jewellery. The small Thalia sculptural ring is made in the same  style but just has labradorite stones set in it. It measures 15mm and is 18k gold plate. The ring is adjustable and comes in a little Azuni pouch. I find this ring comfortable to wear. The labradorite stones change colour according to the light so can shift from grey to brown to a green which is why I like the stone so much. Like all Azuni pieces the ring is timeless, unusual and eye catching without being contrived or looking over done.

The Iona labradorite gemstone earrings are £20, measure approx 7mm in diameter  and are 24k gold plated brass with gold plated Sterling Silver ear posts. They come in an Azuni presentation pouch. The intricate setting makes the earrings stand out from just being stud earrings. The cut of the labradorite stone makes them flash different colours according to the lighting making the gem look vibrant and eye catching. They are easy to put in the ear and comfortable to wear. 

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

Review: Anna Sui Cosmetics Limited Edition Eye & Lip Colours

Anna Sui Cosmetics recently launched their Limited Edition Eye and Lip Colours. All the colours are presented in mini gold trinket style compacts with embossed butterflies on the lids. The colour of the butterfly relates to the colour of  the lip/eye colour.  All the colours are vibrant autumnal hues and cost £12 (1g) each. I purchased the lip colour in silk red,  eye colours in rusty brown and velvet green.

The silk red limited edition lip colour is a vibrant lip gloss with the distinctive Anna Sui tea rose scent. They are supposed to keep lips hydrated and have a high pigmented shine. I did find the colour to be highly pigmented and gave my lips  a mirror like high shine finish without feeling overly sticky or gloopy. The lipstick can be applied with either a brush  or fingers. I preferred using a brush as I found it to be rather messy and unhygienic to keep putting my fingers in the gloss. The container does loook like a piece of jewellery or a trinket but in real life it felt rather light weight and plasticky. It is still an unusual and beautiful item, it was just a bit surprising as Anna Sui’s compacts etc normally feel weighty and substantial, the compact could also have done with s mirror - I like to re apply my lip product when I am out but there isn’t a mirror in the lid as one would expect there to be.  I do feel the lip glosses (it is also available in orange) are good value with cute packaging and are great colours for autumn/winter, they just lack a mirror. 

The limited edition eye colours are packaged in the same mini gold trinket compacts as the lip glosses. Again the colours are vibrant colours with an autumnal/winter feel. They gave a slurry formula which create a velvety, multi dimensional finish. The eyeshadows can be applied with either the fingers or with a brush. I did enjoy applying and wearing these eyeshadows. They were easy to apply with either a brush or fingers. There was little fall out and they did not look patchy on the lid. I did feel that the rusty brown colour was golden rather than brown. The colours looked great worn by themselves for a monochromatic look or blended together. Again the only disappointment was the lack of a mirror and the light, plasticness of the compact. The overall effect of the compact is beautiful- the detail to the butterfly etc is lovely and eye catching but the overall concept is spoiled by these minor points. I would purchase other colours in the collection especially the teddy brown one as I feel it would pair well with the colours I already own. 

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

Sicilian Cat Lipsticks v Paul & Joe Cat Lipstick Case 001 & 002

I was checking Amazon to see if they still had the flamingo pink Paul & Joe cat lipstick cases (£10) in stock as I had mislaid mine and the box of Sicilian cat lipsticks and cases (£7.66) popped up. I decided to purchase a set just so I could compare the white and pink version to my P&J lipstick cases.

The pluses: cheaper version comes in a cute box containing 3 cases in white, pink and grey and three lipsticks. The cat lipstick cases are cute and look very similar to the P&J version, they even have the same paw prints on the base of the lipstick case.  Now the negatives. The lipsticks, unlike the Paul & Joe version are not removable and interchangeable. The colours of the Chinese cases are slightly more muted and look cheaper than the P&J design and P&J isn’t embossed on the base. Apart from that the cases feel the same weight, the cats’ features are the same and they appear to be made out of the same material. Lipstick wise the P&J ones have to be purchased separately (£14 each) but they are interchangeable and the quality is much better than the cheaper version. The cheaper version has a paw print embossed on the top of the lipstick which looks cute and they smell nice (fruity) but  consistency of the lipstick itself is waxy, patchy and transferred straight off my hand when I was swatching them. They smell nice but my hand itched and went red after I had swatched and taken photos of them. The P&J lipsticks may be more expensive but they don’t transfer, the consistency is soft and smooth, not waxy and greasy, and the colour retains its pigment when on the lips. I would never put the cheaper lipsticks near my lips as I don’t know what caused the irritation on my hand. 

In conclusion the set of three lipsticks and cases is great value and the cases are cute, but they are a cheap imitation of the P&J lipstick cases. Although the colour of the lipsticks looks great in the bullet, they will not be going anywhere near my lips or hands again. 

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

Review: Paul & Joe LE Makeup Palette Z 300

I found this Paul and Joe Limited Edition makeup palette (£32) whilst browsing Amazon.  It consists of four eye shadows and a blush (which could also be used as an eyeshadow. The eyeshadows include a gold (can be used for an inner highlight, 2 browns and a burgundy. There is also a mini blush brush and dual ended eyeshadow brush. The blush is a light peachy pink which lifts the face, making the skin seem brighter rather than imparting a bright pink blush. The case is plastic and includes a useable mirror so great for travelling.

 As always one of Sophie’s cats is included - this is Gypsy. I like this palette as the eyeshadows are more interesting on the eye than they look in the palette and the blush really brightens up the complexion. I just wish a lip product had been included in the palette. 

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

Competition: Disney x Coach Minnie Floral Coin Purse

I purchased 2 of these Disney x Coach Minnie Floral Coin Purse. One for me and one to use as this months Competition prize. I shall use mine as a travel jewellery case as it is quite compact yet roomy, measuring H13.5xW10xD2 cm. made from calf leather it is soft, has a zip closure, accordion sides, so it is easy to get coins etc in and out and a chain strap with clip for extra security. The floral print is gorgeous and has Disney x Coach embossed on the front of the purse. It would also make a great tiny clutch vag for a night out. I purchased  it from Disney Store UK and they are now out of stock.

Enter here:  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

Must complete the Rafflecopter follow my blog requirements, all other Rafflecopter elements are optional.

Competition is open worldwide
Starts 06 October 12.01 AM GMT

Closing date: 02 Nov 12 AM GMT

Competition is not affiliated in any way with Disney Store or Coach

#AD Book Review: The Greek’s Billion Dollar Baby (M&B) by Clare Connelly

The Greek’s Billion Dollar Baby is published by Mills & Boon Modern,  written by Clare Connelly and is the first novel in her Crazy Rich Greek Weddings series. .  Hannah May caught her fiancé in bed with her cousin. She flew to Chrysa Varchia in Greece to escape her controlling Uncle, Aunt and cousin,  met Leonidas Stakathis who had been making a pilgrimage to the island for the last 4 years in memory of his late wife, Amy, and their toddler son who were murdered due to Leonidas’ father’s criminal activities. They have a one night stand, Leonidas regrets it, leaves Hannah a note and departs. She moves to London  whereupon she realises she is pregnant with his child. 

She goes to Capri and tells Leonidas he is to become father in a few months time. He insists that they marry and that she move to his private island where he can protect them both.  Slowly they fall in love but will their pasts prevent a HEA? 

Leonidas and Hannah are lost souls. Hannah lost her parents at a young age, thought she had found love with Angus, only for him to extract her by falling into bed with her cousin. Leonidas blames himself for the death I his wife and baby son. He feels that he should have done more to protect them. He has remained celibate for 4 years and feels that he doesn’t deserve to be happy ever again. The author makes this book a romantic rollercoaster, it is the unborn baby. And the need to protect her, not love that brings the couple back together but slowly i develops from their initial attraction.    

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

Review: Anna Sui Cosmetics BB Makeup Cream In 01 Light Beige

Anna Sui Cosmetics have created a  BB makeup cream (£24) which is supposed to smooth over and cover pores or rough skin and disguise any dullness, to create a smooth, natural, flawless finish. The cream can create a light, natural finish or be built up to create a full coverage look. Each particle of the cream is covered in a lifting powder which keeps the skin hydrated and is supposed to ensure a natural finish which lasts all day. Sui black tea rose scent is there but not over powering. The compact is refillable, with each one costing £18. 

I purchased my compact in 01 Light Beige (there are 3 shades available). It is housed in a weighty black compact which has “Anna Sui” and a butterfly embossed on the lid. The inside has s mirror, a BB cream makeup sponge (these can be repurchased for £3) and the cream itself which is housed under a mesh which protects/dispenses the product (15g). I found that the cream was easier to apply with a kabuki brush than the sponge which was just too small to do the job quickly. The cream left a natural finish, covering my pores and making my skin look smooth and fresh. It also disguised the redness and some of my blemishes.  The cream lasted several hours without breaking up on my oily skin and there wasn’t any transference. 

                                                   

I like this cream and will continue to use it. The compact is cute and I like that refills can be pi chases as this saves on unnecessary packaging etc. 

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