New Makeup

Hello Everybody!

So as you will have noticed, I have not been active in what seems like forever but I'm back now, and here are the new makeup additions to my makeup bag. Also, I apologise in advance for the bad picture quality, it will soon improve.

"Watts Up Highlighter" - Benefit

On my birthday (which was a couple weeks ago) I received this amazing highlighter as one of my presents from my parents. It's champagne colour gives me a nice warm glow, which is still natural. It comes with a handy blender on the opposite end of the packaging allowing you too "sculpt" the product to your desire. Although it is a little on the pricey side, I would say the highlighter is definitely worth the purchase! 

"Roller Lash" - Benefit

This was the first time I spent this much money on a mascara, but I love it! Although it claims to be "super curling", I have only seen a slight curl but to me it is no major issue. The wand spreads the product evenly on my lashes, and with little to no clumps. I look more awake after I use this which is a bonus if you're like me and have a lot of early starts (school, work etc). 

"Velvet Teddy" - MAC

After hearing many reviews about this lipstick, I attempted to find it in my nearest store which proved difficult. I then received it for my birthday and I am in love with it! This product is long lasting and doesn't dry my lips as much as I thought it would-as it's a "Matte" finish. Overall, it's a lovely colour and one of my favourite shades!

"Blankety" - MAC

Bought in Germany with Everything Anything, "Blankety" was my first ever MAC purchase. It's such a lovely nude pink colour, and is part of the "Amplified" collection/range. It has a little shine/shimmer to it and I wear it to work.

"Popcorn" Lip Scrub - Lush

In case you didn't already know, a Lip Scrub is basically like a lip exfoliate but at the same time it moisturizes it. To use it, gently rub the scrub onto your lips (with a clean finger) and then rub your lips together-here comes the best part! You can lick this off your lips because it's literally made of sugar! This one smells and tastes like popcorn but you can get many different flavours!

Love from The Blogging Box xx

Blogging Bad

Hello everybody,
How are you Blogging Bad? Here is some of my advice on "Blogging Bad".

• Choose a layout/design that suits you! - I don't mean you can't ask others for help, but when choosing a blog design, make sure its the one that speaks to you otherwise it wont be your blog. When I have been designing mine, I asked everybody else that knows about my blog for their opinions, and I lost track of what I want and therefore spent longer on it. 
• Choose a font that is readable -If your posts are good, why let yourself down by having a font that others struggle to read? If you really don't know if a font you like is easy to read, why not ask someone else to proof read a sample text in it for you? 
• Don't force any posts out -If you are really struggling to think of one try brainstorming but never try and write one for the sake of it. 
• Try not to go for more than three colours when designing your blog, because this can make your blog seem hectic and very busy/distracting. Also, try not to use darker colours, as thye can be linked to scam websites.
• Finally, it is proven that dark text on a light/white background is easier to read for more people than light text on a dark background. Don't ask me why, but it is!

Love from L xx

Head to Head - Rimmel Mascaras

Hello everybody,
So my last 'Head to Head' seemed to be popular, so I have decided to write another one... On Rimmel mascaras! Hope you enjoy!
Before we compare products, here is just a summary of each product!

Rimmel London-'Volume Flash Scandal Eyes Mascara'

I purchased this mascara when a close friend recommended it to me. I love this product, and might even find myself purchasing it again. Although, I do find that throughout the day I need to top it up, as it does wear off! This is about the only negative thing I can say about this mascara!  

Rimmel London-'Scandal Eyes Rockin' Curves Mascara'

This mascara was a gift at Christmas last year (2014), and I have loved it ever since-despite the fact that I have somewhat replaced it with the 'Volume Flash'! I find the wand makes it super easy to apply, however it can clump quite frequently! 

The Wand

Both can 'glide' through your lashes smoothly, but the 'Scandal Eyes, Rockin' Curves Mascara' has a curved applicator, which does make the mascara spread more easily over your eyelashes.  I find that with the 'Rockin' Curves' mascara, the very end of the wand tends to leave a small clump of mascara on my inner eyelashes, which can be very irritating. However, the 'Volume Flash' mascara's brush does go through your lashes easier, and tends to clump less. I definitely prefer the 'Volume Flash'.

Above: Volume Flash Mascara Wand

Above: Rockin' Curves Mascara Wand

Texture/Consistency

'Volume Flash' has a ever so thicker consistency than 'Rockin' Curves'. I think that the 'Rockin Curves' mascara has a stickier texture and I believe this is why it can be clumpier. 

Packaging

I find the 'Volume Flash' a more attractive packaging than the 'Rockin' Curves' and I think this is because it's simpler. The 'Rockin' Curves' has a textured "body" and to help create the scales effect, the colour scheme is red and black. I just think the 'Volume Flash''s solid colour design makes it stand out more, and so much easier to read! 

Above: Rockin' Curves Mascara 

Above: Volume Flash Mascara

I hope you have enjoyed this 'Head To Head', and I do promise that not all of them will be on Rimmel products!! if you would like to read my other 'Head to Head' review on Rimmel Foundations, please click here.

Love from L xx

Animal Testing

Hello Everybody,
Quite a while ago actually, I began writing a post on animal testing, and it was quite a lengthy one. However, it got deleted by mistake and so I have decided to rewrite it again for you all!

This is the logo that companies use when they have signed documents with PETA.

Companies that DO Test On Animals:

1. Avon
2. Bobbi Brown 
3. Clinique
4. Cover Girl
5. Dove (I was quite surprised hearing that Dove still test on animals!)
6. Eco Lab
7. Giorgio Armani
8. MAC cosmetics
9. Maybelline
10. Max Factor
11. Michael Kors
12. Neutrogena
13. Origins
14. Pantene
15. Smash Box Cosmetics
16. Tom Ford Beauty
17. TRESemme
18. Vaseline

Companies that DO NOT Test On Animals:

1. Abercrombie & Fitch
2. Adidas
3. Barry M
4. Batiste
5. Bourjois
6. Charlotte Tilbury
7. Eco Tools
8. Illamasqua
9. John Frieda
10. Lee Stafford
11. Lush 
12. Miss Sporty
13. NARS
14. Nubar
15. Sanctuary Spa
16. Sleek Makeup
17. Soap and Glory
18. The Body Shop

I am against animal testing, and I am glad that some of my favorite brands (Lush, The Bod Shop, Soap and Glory etc) do not test on animals. I find that I definitely shop and buy more products from those who do not test on animals, and I hope you do too! No animal should have to endure pain and torture simply for our benefit. Why not test on pedophiles in prison? What is so different between testing on animals and testing on vicious criminals? This is just my opinion though. 

I know Lush do a lot of work against animal testing, and they even did this stunt to raise awareness of animal testing for cosmetic use. If you would like to see the video, click here. Or, if you want to read the article and see the video click here. 

Please feel free to leave some comments below if you have any more questions. I have missed some well known brands or shops off these lists and of course, your views. If you would like to know more on this topic, here are a few websites you can go to; http://www.thevegetariansite.com/ethics_test.htm http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/index.aspx

See yous later x