L'Occitane Shea Butter Dessert Rose Hand Cream

How gorgeous is that packaging and the leaflet behind it? The packaging design is inspired by Bogolan cloth, a traditional West African Fabric. The L'Occitane Shea Butter range has had a make over and all the products are decorated in the with Bogolan type designs. These limited edition products are also inspired with scents from all over Africa and the hand cream is the Desert Rose from Morocco. Also in the range is an Ultra Rich Body  and Lip Balm, all are available in three scents, Desert Rose, Hibiscus Flower and Cocoa Flower.

Desert Rose is a beautiful scent, it's definitely rose-y but also a bit zingy and fresh too. It's beautiful.

L'Occitane Shea Butter is Fair Trade is purchased in a partnership with the women who make the Shea Butter in Burkina Faso.

It's a worthy product, it's beautifully scented and it really keeps my hands beautifully soft.  Gorgeous stuff. The hand cream comes in two sizes 30ml and 150ml  which are £7.50 and £17.50 respectively.

Happy Halloween

I really really hate Halloween, but to all those who enjoy, including my kids, Happy Halloween!

 And I leave you with a blurry child dancing.

Watermark your photographs!

So some of you may have  seen my panicked tweets a few days ago. Some of you even helped me out for which I'm extremely grateful for. It's been quite stressful but I've learned a lesson and it's one that applies to blogging so I thought I'd share it here too.

The short version is WATERMARK YOUR PICTURES.

And here's the long version for those interested.

I received a marketing email to my business email with a photo of my work at the bottom. At first I was  flattered as clearly they thought my use of their products was good enough for a mail out but then it occurred to me that I’d not been credited or asked permission so I emailed and the director called me. 

He started the conversation saying that the girl who did the email and himself, believed that if I put an image on Facebook it was fair game. I said I thought that was untrue but even if it was true as a courtesy I felt they could have asked/credited. He agreed. I pointed out that if, as I now know to be fact, I was right and that the law was on my side, I would be entitled to invoice them the going rate for using my image for commercial purposes and that was my right, but before I finished he said “well if you’re going to be combative…” which I interrupted and said that I didn’t want to go the legal route I was just feeling a bit miffed and what I was going to say was that he was lucky I wasn't going to do that! He agreed that I was right about asking permission and crediting and that in future his team would always ask permission from whoever they were wanting to use images from.  He then made a big fuss out of how good I am at what I do and that his firm like to nurture their talent and he asked if I had a salon he could help to promote or anything. I said I was mobile and so that dried up that avenue and he said well if I did ever open a salon then to go to him. He then said as a gesture of good will he would give me a discount on my next order.

I can’t explain why I just accepted that, but to keep the peace I agreed but little did I suspect that when I emailed him later that discount would turn out to be 10%. Which is of course, insulting. If he had just said let me send you a few bottles of xxxx, I’d have been thrilled!

“As a gesture of good will, I am happy to offer you a 10 per cent discount on your next open stock xxx order.

Let me know which colours you would like.

Best”

Now I don't know about you but I was infuriated since actually it’s me being goodwilled by not suing them/charging them for using my image without permission.  All I’d like is a some xxxx or something, but to have to place an order and then only get 10% off is insulting… isn’t it? When he offered the discount I accepted and said thank you, but I never dreamt it would be a paltry 10% I was expecting 50%!

So I'd gone from being slightly miffed to feeling very cross indeed. Clearly this guy wasn't going to accept that they had used my photo illegally.  When I raised this with him, he explained that the 10% offer was nothing to do with compensation, it was to thank me for blogging about the brand in the past, and that there would be no apology or compensation for the use of my image because they'd done nothing wrong. He claims that as my photo is on Facebook it's in the "public domain" and is therefore fair game. Which is nonsense. You know that, I know that but there are many people out there who don't know that. 

So what can you do to prevent your images being taken?

I'm not sure there is much (well actually I think there are things but they are beyond my knowledge base), but from now on my images will be watermarked. It doesn't make a jot of difference to anything other than making them less appealing potential image thieves. 

You will see my next few posts feature pictures that aren't watermarked, simply because I wrote and scheduled them prior to this event but in a week or two you should start to see the watermarked pictures filter in.

In my last email from this guy last night he said 

"It was for this reason alone, that I suggested that in future, if we are to use images in the public domain - we will once again extend this customer service mantra by 'going over and above' to where possible, seek out the originator of the image and respectfully ask permission. 

This will not be out of a legal obligation. It will be to uphold our customer service image"


Completely ignorant of his obligations to the end! I've heard nothing today so assume that will be the end of it.  You know what? If he'd have just said to me "sorry about this, have a couple of bottles of xxxx" I'd have been thrilled, I'm a small, minute, tiny business and it would have been a massive help to me. As it is, I'm switching brands and it's taken all I've got to not name and shame this firm! There are people who are still advising I invoice the firm and tell them if they don't pay up I'll see them in court...but I don't want to do that, but I'm mulling it over.


Watermark your photo's people!  


EDIT: I did reply to his email above with a few links to the copyright law and Public Domain... and received this back


"I once again assure you that there has been no infringement on copyright law. Having said that, I have instructed my team that to avoid potentially upsetting a customer, going forward we will endeavour where possible to ask permission."


I'm interested to know readers, what would you do in my position? Because I'm finding the more this company refuses to accept they are wrong, the more I want to prove it...

Topshop Lipsticks = Lush!

I've seen loads of blog posts over the last year or so about Topshop make up and there are things I've really fancied trying but it wasn't until a fortnight ago I actually went into a store to have a look at the range myself...only to find my local doesn't stock it! I hadn't realised that the range was only available in larger stores which is a shame. You can however order online which for some reason didn't occur to me! Anyway, I did get my hands on a few bits and I wanted to blog first of all about the lipsticks because I'm in love! The textures are wonderful, the colours are wonderful, I love the packaging the prices are reasonable at £8 so they won't break the bank. It's that price bracket that I find reassuring as well, not so cheap that my snobby brain automatically categorises them as crap, but not so expensive I wouldn't pay to buy them without trying first (buying online).  So yes I'm impressed. I received three gorgeous shades

Brighton Rock a gorgeous satin/matte hot pink with not too many blue undertones

 Infrared, a velvet finish orange.

and Innocent, a soft pretty pink.

Swatched in that order below.

And on?

All gorgeous and I love them all, although Innocent is hard to make work on me, but is the perfect pink for a grey smoky eye. Very nice!

Pleasantly surprised by these and will be looking for swatches of other colours online so I can order some other colours!

*Disclosure - PR Samples*

Nails Inc & Gossip Girl - The Serena Collection

I watched Gossip Girl twice. Hated it, never watched it again. As such I couldn't tell you who the flip Serena is nor can I get excited about the Gossip Girl involvement in this polish collection..what I can get excited about is FLAKIES. My very first flaky polish. Sure I could have bought that Gosh one but I didn't like it because I don't like how most flakies are orange and green (which incidentally is what the Lily Collection from this Gossip Girl collaboration looks like for those who are struggling to get hold of Gosh Rainbow). This is a flaky polish and black creme polish for layering and the flaky polish is BLUE! yay!

Ok so the first thing I want to mention is that "swatch" on the packaging which I personally don't think does the duo any favours, it looks almost like a crackle polish, not the wonderful flaky effect it actually is.

Let's have a little look at the bottles.

 Seriously, how gorgeous! I've been waiting for this. The black cream polish is called Serena and the "overglaze top coat" is called It Girl. And here's how they look together.

 Pretty no? I found the black a little patchy on one finger, but with a bit of care you could fix that and the top coat is gorgeous, subtle but striking at the same time if that makes sense. To be honest though, as great as the combination is I can't wait to try It Girl over some other colours... green perhaps? Blues? The possibilities are endless and gorgeous.

So that's the Serena Collection, I've also mentioned the Lily Collection which is a Gosh Rainbow type colour "overglaze" over a black with plum overtone base, the final one has to be my absolute favourite, not that I've seen it in the flesh, but go and have a look at the beautiful Blair at Pandora's Nails. WANT!

These Gossip Girl sets are £20 and out now!

Nars Blush Giveaway Winner!

So I've just this second used the very handy random.org to draw a winner for my giveaway!

Once I'd sifted through all the entries there were 57. I input 1-57 and the generator picked 25 which is.....

Siobhan from http://www.agirlandabeautyblog.com/

So congratulations Siobhan and be sure to let me have your email address so I can send your Orgasm when I get it!

Thanks everyone for taking part!

KMS California Hair Products

I was recently sent a few products by KMS California to try out which was nice, it's not a brand I'm at all familiar with. Alas, I was sent sample size styling products and these aren't anything I ever use so I'm not a brilliant judge of hair styling products, except for heat protector sprays and serums and oils.

The first sample I tried out was the Hair Play styling wax. I have long hair which is layered so what I like to do is use it on the ends of my layers when my hair has been straightened. This smelled nice and did a great job of giving my layers a bit of definition on the ends without adding grease. Actually really like this product! A full size pot would cost £15.65.

And then the next thing is the Silk Sheen Styling Creme. I'm not going to mention the smell of each product, just take it from me they all smell nice. This you add to towel dried hair and go on to style, and this adds a little heat protection too. This isn't the kind of product I use as I don't tend to blow dry my hair too often and I don't like to style it for day to day wear...but it's nice and I notice a distinct lack of frizz when my hair dries... I don't have a style so I can't tell you if this has much hold! £14.95

Then there's the Silk Sheen Polishing Serum £12.80 You don't need telling how to use a serum, this does a great job of adding shine and taming the worst of the frizzies!

Next up the Free Shape Quick Blow Dry. Spritz it into your hair and reduce your drying time. When you have as much hair as I do this is a godsend. If I wash my hair at 6pm it will still be wet at the nape of my neck at 11pm if left to dry naturally! So this stuff does really work but it does make my hair feel not great. I don't know if I'm using too much product or not but my hair needs washing the next day when I use this. For me this isn't a problem as it's so rare I blow dry my hair, usually only for a special occasion, I could cope with washing my hair the next day. So I have mixed feelings on this. It's not bad though and it does make drastic difference to me when I do blow dry. £13.

Hot Flex Spray £15.95. This one isn't for me really, its styling spray that's heat activated and your style stays set until your next wash. This isn't for me simply because as previously mentioned I don't style my hair other than straighteners or blow drying...but with straighteners it does the job.

Finally the Volumising Spray, £14.30. A thickening spray gel that adds heat protection and volume. And it really does! Again, its not something I need, I have voluminous hair already, too voluminous, but it really works, again, my hair feels like it has a lot of product in it and I don't like that feeling, which is why I don't use products like this!

So all in all, while not all these products have been for me, they all seem to deliver on their promises and it really is nice to try a new range out, I'm going to have a little look at all their conditioners and shampoo's in a minute as those are my hair passions!

All samples came from www.activebeauty.co.uk who I've blogged about before but stock some absolutely fantastic hair ranges (hello Shu Uemura!). Well worth a look. Oh and the prices... all discounted so head over and check them out!

Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless

What a collection. This is just wow really and I have to say I think it's my most favourite Illamasqua collection to date.  First lets look at the (very typically) Illamasqua images.

I'm so in love with the first that if I could walk around like it every day I would. The second look, well the cold sores effect isn't for me but it's striking nonetheless and as with many Illamasqua images it's not there to make you feel comfortable.

The collection represents a sort of den of iniquity, "a nocturnal den of the dissident leaders of underworld subcultures" is how Illamasqua describe it as they advise you to abandon yourself to the glorious wonders of unfettered night-time make up. Well I like the sound of that!

So the first item I have is the Vice Nail Varnish, there are four colours released in this collection, each with a sort of  rubberised finish.

I love the finish and I absolutely love the colour but alas I can't say anything else good about this. I found the application incredibly difficult, it was streaky and patchy and not great. I think with a little effort I could make the application work out but unfortunately the wear was diabolical, I applied it at 9.30pm. Went to bed, got up in the morning, got dressed, washed, did the school run, came home and took the picture you see below.

Tip wear anyone? So you could top coat this and loose the rubber finish...but I wouldn't want to because I love the finish but without a top coat I can't make this last at all. Disappointing because it's such a gorgeous shade and for £13.50 I'd want better wear. All that said, I've just read on another blog someone (Scrangie I think) used a matte top coat... thats a good idea.

I was sent another couple of items and fortunately I LOVE them both heaps so keep reading for something a bit more positive.

Next we have the Pure Pigment in Zeitgeist. I don't know if it was luck or if the PR's know me REALLY well but they couldn't have chosen better for me. Dark Shimmer. You know I love my smoky eyes!

 It's black with the finest shimmer. Turquoise and perhaps a smidgeon of silver. It's so pretty. I've worn it in a couple of ways, one as a liner all round the outside of my eye, and then as a shadow on it's own lightly on my lid. What I'm dying to do is pack it on over a nice base for a really heavy look. For now though, to show you, here it is just on it's own on my lid.

Love it, very versatile and just my colour. at £15.50  not too badly priced either.

The last item I have is a blusher. I'm mad for blusher. I have billions of the things stacked up in my drawers...but this is the one I've worn almost constantly since receiving it. Ambition Shimmer Blush. £16.50.

Zeitgeist Pure Pigment on the left and Ambition blush on the right in the above picture. Works like a charm with the Pure Pigment above and has awesome pigment levels. This is just the kind of colour that I feel suits me best and I'd have to go so far as to say that out of all my blushers, it might not be my prettiest to look at, or my fanciest, but its my new favourite blusher. The dusting of shimmer is fine and subtle. Check it out.

Love it! So that's it. There are a few more bits in the collection I'd love... Belladona Lipgloss is a definite on my wishlist, as is the Havoc Precision Ink because I'm still completely in love with my Glister Precision Ink. I wear it so often.

So I'll leave you with a few pictures of me wearing Zeitgeist and Ambition.

 Did you get anything? Will you? If you only get one piece I especially recommend the blusher. Love it,and it goes with everything.

Origins Modern Friction

As part of my second skincare overhaul (!), this time using mostly Origins products. I've got to say so far I'm absolutely loving everything so far. I'm battling my hormones at the time of writing and I don't think I'm ever going to be free of these spots, I've also been dealing with some stress that I think has increased my bad skin, but whilst I'm a bit spotty, overall my skin is positively glowing.

So as well as the Origins Night-A-Mins cream I've previously mentioned, I'm also using this, Origins Modern Friction "Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion".

 Rice starch in a a cream for exfoliation, lemon oil for illumination, vitamin C. Take a little product (and a little goes a long way), massage in small circles all over your dry face. Add a little warm water to loosen and it turns milky, then remove using warm water and I like to use a muslin.

Just wow. My skin is still a little bumpy, but I've only used it maybe six times and I'm optimistic, my skin glows after using this. I use it twice a week and the effects seem to be lasting between uses. It is lightly scented, nothing offensive. Spots don't get angry after use, it doesn't make my skin red, my skin feels so incredibly clean after using, but without that squeaky feel which I really don't like.

It feels scrubby and it feels like it's really working but it doesn't feel harsh, perfection. And it leaves my skin feeling like silk apart from the tiny bumps I'm still trying to shift but I wouldn't be surprised if in a few weeks they've gone too. We shall see.

So that's all I really have to say, its lovely, it does what it says it will and it gives immediate results. It's not a cheap product but I can't see me being without this ever again. It's £30 for 125ml which I think is going to last a really good amount of time.

Just before I go, here's a close up of the texture, just in case you were wondering.

*Disclosure - PR Samples*

Glossybox & my thoughts on these boxes.

I totally wasn't expecting to receive another Glossybox, but well, one turned up so here are my thoughts, but not just on the box, but on these subscription boxes in general.

Lets talk about the October Glossybox specifically first though. It's the sixth box and they waned to make it special. So is it? Yes and no!

As always, the box is immaculately presented and inside is a load of products.

I must say there is a thrill to be had in opening the box to see what's inside. So that's a definite positive. It feels nice to have a box of goodies turn up.

So what's inside this month? Lots. Here's some pictures.

 So... a full size Leighton Denny polish in blue shade, if I didn't hate blue polishes I'd be delighted, its a fab "sample", I'm prepared to give the colour a chance though as it's a nice soft shade. A full size Stila Smudge Stick in Moray, a metallic olive green, love this, does not budge. Ever. Well it did eventually but I wrote that Hi! on my hand at about 10am, it was still there after a shower at 10pm, and only a little faded but not at all smudged. Love it. Three 8ml samples of Robert Piguet fragrances. All very different. I love Visa especially and think these are great samples. Lovely to try something I've never heard of. Then lastly are the three Dermalogica samples, and the little pouch, an exfoliator, a mask and a lip treatment. All decent sizes. And I do like Dermalogica so ordinarily I'd be thrilled with them but as my skin is suffering at the moment I'm trying to not mess around with it and stick to the same products so they aren't much use to me.

And therein lies the problem with these boxes for me. I love the idea. I love the reality of opening the box to see what's inside. I love seeing new things to try. I don't like opening the box to find shades or products that are no use to me. Had I bought the box I think I'd be disappointed, although it's fair to say its more than worth the cost of the box by a long way... at £10 plus postage and packaging I'm happy jut to have the fab Stila Smudge Stick and the perfume samples...but what if I loathed olive green liners and hated all the perfumes?

I don't know, it's a really tough call because you definitely get your money's worth but only if the samples are of any use to you. And the same goes for all of these boxes. I've had three now and whilst I've really enjoyed receiving them I do have a small stash of things I'll never use!

That said I know my friends and family will gratefully take these things off my hands and so I go back to a point I've previously made, I think these boxes are much better for those who aren't beauty bloggers!  As bloggers we tend to be inundated with not only products (either samples or bought) but also knowledge about brands and products. Where as I can categorically say that a few years ago, before blogging I would have loved to receive these boxes and I would have enjoyed trying everything (except blue polish, I've never liked blue polish).

So there you go, Glossybox, a great idea, brilliant products, but largely not suitable for me for one reason or another, but I have to say, I know plenty of people, like my Mum or my sister who would absolutely love getting one of these each month and the difference is I'm already drowning in products and I'm too fussy!

Anyway, thanks so much Glossybox for sending this over, I'd have to agree, that although not for me, this really is a special box for your 6th one. Well done, it's very generous!

Oh and one last pic, rather handily, all the items fit neatly into the Dermalogica beauty bag in this months box. It's the small things that please me you know? Simple minds and all that....

*Disclosure - PR Sample*