(REVIEW) Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

Hey, guys! Today I'm reviewing Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum! I'm actually really excited about this product because even after only using it once, I was impressed. This is now one of my favourite facial products. I've been using it every morning and night for about two weeks and it works wonderfully. It has a faint, lovely, fresh rose scent that's all natural from the Damascena roses they use. I think Valentia is going on my list of beauty brands to watch! I would definitely recommend this (and I already have!) to anyone, no matter what skin type you have. My skin tends to be sensitive, and oily with the occasional small breakout and this didn't bother my skin at all and has helped improve the way it looks. It also works well with my other facial products and their True Glow Eye Creme which they let me try! I love that it's Cruelty free, vegan, is 98% natural and is made using sustainable energy! You should totally give this one a go!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AHVGZNM
http://valentia.com

About the Product 
A lightweight serum that boosts moisture and resilience while soothing and calming the skin.

This Hydrating & Nourishing Serum Will:
- Deeply moisturize skin
- Provide antioxidant protection
- Soothe & nourish dry skin
- Smooth skin tone & texture
- Boost skin radiance

Specially selected ingredients work together to achieve optimum results.

- Rose Damascena: One of the most nourishing and skin friendly natural oils, providing balance, moisture, and a variety of vitamins and minerals to the skin.

- Niacinamide (Vitamin B): This potent vitamin has been clinically proven to fade away hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and acne..

- Rosehip Seed Oil: Naturally rich in Vitamins C & A, these essential fatty acids work quickly to lock in skin's moisture.

- Evening Primrose Oil: Provides light, non-oily moisture to the skin, never clogging or irritating the skin.

- Bearberry: Reduces melanin production, thereby lightening the skin, revealing a brighter complexion.

- Lavender: Heals the skin, treating pimples, wounds, and sores.

Learn About the Brand 
The Roman Goddess of healing, Valentia, relied on nature’s gifts to heal the citizens of Umbria. Whether matriarchs seeking to maintain their youthful look or farmers seeking help for sun damaged skin, Valentia used berries, herbs, barks and other natural ingredients. We also rely on all natural ingredients due to their protective, preventative and corrective powers.

Just like our namesake, Valentia Skin Care products have been formulated with natural and organic cosmetic ingredients that will repair and protect the skin.

After performing extensive research into what skin care customers find most important, we found an overwhelming demand for skin care that is natural, free of toxins and paraben-free. Natural ingredients with an organic base have proven most effective at repairing skin damaged by sun or wind, preventing signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark spots, and reversing the effects of oxidative stress on the skin.

Special thanks to Valentia and BrandBacker.com for letting me try this!

(BOOK) Vintage Hairstyles by Emma Sundh and Sarah Wing

Summary:

From the finger waves of the romantic 1910s to the beehive of the rebellious 1960s, retro hair has made a comeback. Vintage Hairstyles presents all the tools, techniques, and step-by-step instructions needed to achieve eye-catching looks for every occasion. Trendsetters, hairstylists, and fashionistas will love creating elegant updos for special events or playful curls for everyday excursions. Featuring a history of beauty trends by the decades, a list of must-have hair products, and projects for making chic hair accessories, Vintage Hairstyles showcases classic beauty with a fresh twist.

Stars: Five

Age Range: Depending on abilities I think it would be great for anyone who loves styling hair!

Should You Read This: Yes!

Review:
I am so glad I got this brilliant book! I love vintage-y old fashioned clothes and hairstyles so this was perfect for me! If you too love vintage things and want to give the hairstyles a go then this is for you! Also, this would make a great gift for anybody you know who love hair styling! I'd already been doing quite a few of these styles by myself without the book since I'm very talented as a hairstylist. But this book is helpful (even for me) with interesting facts and photos that are beautifully done by Martina Ankarfyr. This book not only covers hair, it also helps with make-up, nails, hats, clothes and glasses. The focus is hair but the other tips are helpful to vintage newbies. My favourite hairstyle is Victory Rolls but I also love the Gibson Tuck. My least favourite is probably Bettie Bangs which just look silly unless you actually have bangs. Before you buy this, make sure you have a one inch curling iron and loads of bobby pins. I recommend doing pin curls over night as these do keep looking perfect for days without brushing or maintenance. If you're not good at doing your own hair, practice on someone else first i.e. your mum or a friend. That way you get to practise but you can also get them to do one of the styles on you! Good luck and have fun with your hair!

Note: Want to see some of my fabulous hairstyles? Follow me on Twitter @Sophia_Tallon and Instagram @SophiaTallon

(REVIEW) Valentia True Glow Eye Creme and Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask!

I was excited to try these Valentia products since they're cruelty free, vegan, natural, organic, and made using sustainable energy! I really liked this eye cream. It's an orangey colour and a very creamy formula that really hydrates my eye area. I hasn't irritated my sensitive skin or caused any breakouts which is great! I would totally recommend this!

If you want to try this, check out these links:

http://www.valentia.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014DH4FTC

I love this mask! It feels almost like one of my favourite florapy masks! It really does hydrate your face and I didn't even feel the need to put on moisturizer after using it. It has a faint scent that I didn't love but it wasn't really a strong smell so it didn't bother me too much. It goes on smoothly so you can either put it on with your fingers or with a makeup brush which I like to do with gel-like masks. I've used it quite a few times now but there's still tons of it left so it is very worth it for the way it lasts. I would definitely recommend this!

If you want to try this, check out these links:

http://www.valentia.com

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014PJSYRM

Keep reading to find out more about the product and brand!

About the Product:

GREAT NEWS from VALENTIA!!!

We are incredibly proud to finally present TWO of our newest products.

For those who have loved our Even Glow Serum, you can now try our True Glow Eye Cream and Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask.

True Glow Eye Cream - A luxurious antioxidant rich eye cream that helps lock in moisture, repair and tighten skin for a youthful looking glow around the eye area.

AND

Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask - A blend of amino acids and hyaluronic acid work together to flood the skin with moisture providing intense hydration and nourishment.

Specially selected ingredients work together to achieve optimum results.

TRUE GLOW EYE CREAM
- Astaxanthin: A powerful antioxidant that increases moisture levels, smooths fine line and wrinkles, and restores elasticity to the skin.

- Resistem: Natural Plant Stem Cells repair and protect the skin from harsh environmental pollutants and stress related aging.

- Vitamin C: Leaves the skin smooth and visibly brighter for a well-rested and bright eyed look.

- Organic Rosehip Oil: Provides intense hydration to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

- Arnica: A key anti-inflammatory agent to the restorative process that works to diminish the appearance of dark circles.

ULTRA PLUMPING HYDRATION MASK
- Silk Protein Amino Acid Blend:These natural miracles increase moisture content and help in the production of collagen and elastin which decreases the appearance of visible lines.

- Botanical Hyaluronic Acid:Penetrates deep into the skin to secure moisture and plump skin from within.

- Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil:An anti-aging wonder berry that results in fewer fine lines, diminished sun spots, more even skin tone, and firmer more supple skin.

- Japanese Green Tea:Contains catechins that provide anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-irritant effects to the skin.

- Aloe Vera:This botanical moisturizers skin and fight aging by improving skin firmness.


Learn About the Brand:

The Roman Goddess of healing, Valentia, relied on nature’s gifts to heal the citizens of Umbria. Whether matriarchs seeking to maintain their youthful look or farmers seeking help for sun damaged skin, Valentia used berries, herbs, barks and other natural ingredients. We also rely on all natural ingredients due to their protective, preventative and corrective powers.

Just like our namesake, Valentia Skin Care products have been formulated with natural and organic cosmetic ingredients that will repair and protect the skin.

After performing extensive research into what skin care customers find most important, we found an overwhelming demand for skin care that is natural, free of toxins and paraben-free. Natural ingredients with an organic base have proven most effective at repairing skin damaged by sun or wind, preventing signs of aging such as wrinkles, dark spots, and reversing the effects of oxidative stress on the skin.



Special thanks to Valentia and Brand Backer for letting me try these!

OZ Naturals Ultra Ageless Eye Crème!

Hey, guys! Today I will be reviewing an eye crème I got to try thanks to brandbacker.com and Oz Naturals! First of all, I always seem to buy eye products which I never use for some reason but I've been looking for one to start using so I was super excited when I got this! I always try and get all natural products plus brands that don't test on animals. Oz Naturals is 99% natural and cruelty free which is great! I started using this crème the night I got it and have used it for a while now with pretty good results. If you know me, you know I always stay up late reading, writing, or acting so I usually have under eye circles or puffiness under my eyes which I hate. After using this crème I've noticed that the circles and puffiness have lessened and hopefully will lessen even more after I've used it for a longer period of time. Overall I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a natural and cruelty free eye product! I also have looked at some of their other products and am considering trying some!

If you'd like to try it, click here: http://amzn.to/1LCHti3

If you want to learn a little more about the brand and the product please keep reading!

OZ Naturals is a top seller on amazon.com and its easy to understand why.

Co-Founder and Certified Esthetician, Angela Irish launched OZ Naturals as a company that embodies everything she's passionate about -- healthy skin, anti-aging, natural ingredients, and utilizing the latest technology to formulate the highest quality skin care products on the market.

Utilizing her personal experience of skin issues, that she understands that when your skin is unhealthy it can negatively affect your self-esteem. After try tons of products over the years she was always left with the same skin issues as before. Sometimes even worse than before. Angela knows how disheartening this can be, especially when so many skin care products make huge claims, and simply do not deliver. It's especially frustrating when the cost of those products are hardly affordable, and you realize once again that you've wasted your money.

While it's true that beautiful skin is also hereditary, healthy skin comes from taking care of the inside and outside of our bodies. However, finding the right products for your skin can be the toughest part of the equation. This is why OZ Naturals was founded, to create healthy, premium skin care products to help those who weren't naturally born with perfect skin, to obtain more perfect skin. The kind of skin that everyone deserves to have.

OZ NATURALS ULTRA AGELESS eye crème is packed with ingredients that are proven effective for many eye and facial area concerns.

THE INCLUSION OF A POTENT PEPTIDE, Matrixyl®synthe'6®, evens skin and smoothes wrinkles from the inside out, predominantly on the forehead and crow's feet around the eyes.

OZ Naturals ULTRA AGELESS EYE CRÈME also contains botanical Astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects that defends skin cells from free radicals. Sometimes known as "Super Vitamin E," it has an antioxidant action up to 500 times that of Vitamin E.

ALGAE EXTRACT NOURISHES, protects and hydrates skin with vitamins and minerals, and provides wrinkle preventing properties. Carrot Root Extract also contains many effective anti-aging properties, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and has also been known to help reduce wrinkles, scarring and stretch marks.

THE DELICATE EYE AREA is further supported by caffeine and Paullinia Cupana Extract, which helps reduce puffiness and create a smoothing effect around the entire eye area.

Chomps Snack Sticks!

Hello again you lot! Today I will be reviewing food! If you know anything about me, you know I love snacks! So I got these and there were two each of three flavours: Crankin' Cran, Hoppin' Jalapeno, and Original. First of all, these are made from 100% Non-GMO Grass-Fed angus beef that wasn't raised with antibiotics which I love. Plus they have no nitrites, nitrates, MSG, artificial colors or flavors. And they use celery juice to keep them shelf stable! I had no idea you could use celery juice that way. They mentioned that they're like a healthier version of Slim Jim's which I like but don't really eat since they're not that good for you and don't have natural ingredients. So I was excited to try these but a little skeptical. I tried the Hoppin' Jalapeno first and loved it! It wasn't that spicy which I liked since I don't like super spicy food unless it's Indian food. Next I tried Original which really did taste like a way better version of Slim Jim's! Finally I tried Crankin' Cran which was pretty spicy and was my least favourite. Overall I really loved these and am definitely going to be buying more. If you'd like to check them out, click here: http://www.gochomps.com

Read a little more about the brand:
Peter and Rashid started Chomps out of an apartment in Chicago in 2012 with the help of their wives. Since then the product has rapidly gained popularity in the CrossFit and Paleo space. It continues to grow in popularity hitting new target markets including Outdoorsmen, Bodybuilders, Gluten Free Dieters and Parent's looking for healthy snacks for their kids. The team mission is to create the highest quality jerky product on the market.

(November) GLOSSYBOX

Here is my review for the November Glossybox! In order of favourite to least favourite:

1) Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in You're Toast
I loved this eye shadow it has such a lovely golden colour that pictures just can't show. It blended wonderfully and would look great on different skin tones. It's so highly pigmented that you don't need to put on much to make it look good. The normal price of $24. So, would I buy this? Maybe, but probably not because I can get something similar for a lower price.

2) Beauty For Real D-Fine Lip Pencil
This is the BEST lip pencil ever! I never use one because I never like them but this one looks amazing and perfect under lipstick or lip gloss no matter what colour. The normal price is $14. Would I buy this? Absolutely!

3) Florapy Yarrow Lavender Sweet Dreams Mask
I've heard amazing things about masks like these and have wanted to try some for awhile! So, I was excited to try this one! I used it before I went to sleep and it felt so cool and it smelled really lovely! I was worried it would smell too lavendery and I hate really strong lavender smells. Thankfully it had a nice light smell that wasn't too over powering. After I used it, it left my face so soft and moisturised, even when I woke up my face still felt and looked great! The normal price is $8 for one mask. Would I buy this? Definitely! (And you should too)

4) Crabtree & Evelyn LA Source Ultra Moisturising Hand Therapy
This hand creme is great! It really does moisturise your hands and smells nice! The normal price is $9. Would I buy this? Maybe.

5) Estee Lauer Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Creme
I didn't try this but I gave it to my mum so I'll let you know what she thinks! The normal price is $8.

If you want to try Glossybox click here: https://www.glossybox.com/referal?CI=MTgzNTQ1

(October) GLOSSYBOX vs. IPSY GLAM BAG vs. Birchbox

So...last month I said I would do a comparison of Glossybox vs. Ipsy and then I ended up getting a Birchbox as well so here goes the massive review!!!!!!

So first I got my Glossybox and if you use Glossybox UK like some of my friends you'll know that you already got this one a couple months ago. This is a complaint I have about Glossy. Why do they send better boxes via the UK site? My friends are always making me jealous telling me about their boxes! For October it was apparently Glossy's birthday so they got five full size products including some really amazing ones! Anyhow, enough ranting, here goes my review...

Remember: I will list the items in order of which I love best to which I liked least, same goes for the boxes.

GLOSSYBOX October: Vive La France Special Edition

First of all, let's acknowledge that gorgeous box!  The artwork was done by Jaime Lee Reardin and it had cute designs on the front, sides, back and even inside! I loved everything in this one which is a first for me!

1) Votre Vu Oh Lighten Up! Intensif Treatment Spot Crème
I have been looking for a really good brightening creme to use because I read that they can really help to fade acne scares which I have a few of unfortunately. I was extremely excited to try this and started using it as soon as I got it. Wow. It really works. Every morning when I wake up make acne scares are lighter and less noticeable. I could see results almost immediately instead of having to wait a long time like with usual brightening cremes. The normal price is $59.00 for  0.51 oz . Would I buy this? The price is high but it works very well and I might if i need it again.

2) Lollipops Red Nail Laquer in Voyage a Paris
I love red nail polish. Have I mentioned this before? No? Ah, well. Nail polish doesn't seem to last long on my nails, maybe because I have a life and I don't just sit around being fanned by two servants. But this surprisingly lasted for over a week with minimal  chipping. I had applied three coats since it actually dried pretty quickly. Overall it looked fab and I have it on my finger and toe nails again. The normal price is $10.00  for 0.4 oz . Would I buy this? Totally!

 3) De Bruyere Paris red Lipgloss
I have way too much lip gloss and lip stick, let me just get them confession out of the way. The reason is that I am addicted to it. So this one is having fun living in hand bag along with all my others. It's not really red to me, it seems more like a pink but oh, well. The normal price is $17.50  for 0.17 oz. Would I buy this? Probably not, since I can something similar for less than that.

4) Sabe Masson Le Soft Perfume
So I got the scent 'Artist' which was sort of woody and definitely not something I would wear. However I really do like the fact that the ingredients are natural etc and everything else about it so I would probably buy it again just in a different scent. The normal price is $25.00  for 0.17 oz . So, would I buy this? Definitely! It really is perfect for your purse!

5) Phyto Phytokeratine Mask
I was really excited to try this mask and after I did my hair was even softer than normal and it looked so lovely! The normal price is $39.00 for 6.2 oz . Would I buy this? Since it's pricey I might get it and use some once a week.

 IPSY October Glam Bag

I didn't think I was going to try Ipsy simply because they never have promo codes or really anything at all so there wasn't an incentive to try it. But, as you can see, I finally did. 

1) theBalm Cosmetics Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in (Committed)

I LOVE this! It lasts so long and is actually vanilla mint flavoured so it smells minty. It looks like matte lipstick but it's a liquid that dries and lasts forever.

2) IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes Clinically Proven 5-1 Mascara

I'd tried a mascara by Benefit with a very similar wand from Glossybox so I figured this would be exactly the same. I was wrong. I actually liked this mascara better and for some reason this wand works better than the one for Benefit. I think it just has less mascara on it so it doesn't clump your lashes as much.

3) Peter Lamas Exfoliating Facial Scrub

I really liked this facial scrub it worked so well and had this lovely smell. I don't like pumpkin so I didn't think I would like this but I did! Just so you know, it doesn't smell like pumpkin!

4) Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask

First off, how much hair do these sample makers think the average girl has? Two inches? I couldn't really only use this mask since there was barely any in there. It was basically like regular hair conditioner so I wouldn't buy this.

5) Emite Makeup Professional Slant Tweezer

Okay...why did they send me this? Was my first thought. The reason for that is because I specifically said I didn't  want any appliances like this and the reason for that is because I subscribe to these things for the makeup etc not tweezers. I don't use tweezers! I have great eyebrows!

BIRCHBOX October: Power Pose Special Edition 

 So, first off I had gotten a code to get this box along with a regular October box and then there was a mix up and I just got this one, plus it took forever to get it which was part of why it took me awhile to get this post up. Anyhow, here we go!

1) Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon
I loved this actually it's like a lip balm and reminds me of the Revlon Just Bitten type of lip balm stick. I let my mum try it when I did her makeup once and she wanted to steal it she liked it so much! The normal price is $17. Would I buy this? Probably not since Revlon makes a stick pretty similar for less money.

   

2) Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer
I loved using this primer but the sample was quite small. It was very smooth and soft and kept my makeup looking perfect all day! The normal price is $36. Would I buy this? Maybe but if I did I'd just use it for days when I need my makeup to last all day.

3) Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

I liked this moisturiser because it was very light and such a nice texture that went on very nicely kept my face nice a soft. The normal price is $39. So, would I buy this?  No. I can get a better product for less.

4) Darphin Stimulskin Plus Multi-Corrective Divine Cream Dry Skin

I tried this but there wasn't enough to really give a great review or anything. Overall I liked it but the normal price is $295. I would NEVER pay that much for a little face creme.

5) Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II

 I didn't try this but my mum is so I will let you know what she thinks!

So....the verdict? Get Glossybox. Ipsy has small samples that aren't worth the price and the same goes for Birchbox. Plus, with Ipsy, why would I want to get a cheap little makeup bag every month? I would only get Ipsy for, say, a young preteen girl as a birthday/Christmas gift subscription or something. Other than that: no way. 

If you want to try Glossybox click here: https://www.glossybox.com/referal?CI=MTgzNTQ1

If you want to try Ipsy go here: ipsy.com 

If you want to try Birchbox go here: birchbox.com

 

 

 

(VINYL vs CD) Judy Garland Live at Carnegie Hall

(VINYL vs CD) Judy Garland Live at Carnegie Hall

 

Stars: FIVE for Vinyl FOUR for CD

Should You Listen To This: Yes!! Definitely!!

Review:

If you have never listened to Judy Garland, I highly recommend this album! It was the biggest of her career, spending 95 weeks in Billboard's chart (13 of them at #1). It was certified Gold within a year. It also won four Grammy's including album of the year (first live album to win) and best solo vocal performance by a female. If you are lucky enough to have a turntable/stereo like me then I recommend that you get the vinyl. It really does have a much better feeling/sound to it. If you must, get the CD as well, like me. I have both, first the vinyl for when I'm at home and the CD for when I'm in the car. Listening to my old vinyl of it just makes you feel as if you're really there and it sounds good. With the CD it's good but not as good, the band also doesn't sound as good for some reason. Overall I love it and it's a great album to have! Especially if you (like me) like to belt the songs out with Judy and tap dance to The Trolley Song. I am guilty of doing both. Below is a list of my favourite songs on the album:

1) Come Rain or Come Shine

2) The Trolley Song

3) Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart

4) When You're Smiling

5) Almost Like Being in Love/This Can't Be Love

6) You Go to My Head

7) You Made Me Love You

8) Puttin' on the Ritz

9) Just You, Just Me

10) That's Entertainment!

11) Who Cares?

(FILM) Zombieland (2009)

Summary:
A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting tough guy trying to find the last Twinkie, and a pair of sisters trying to get to an amusement park join forces to travel across a zombie-filled America.

Date Reviewed: 6/23/15
Stars: FIVE
Should You Watch This: Yes!
Review:
This should be hailed as the best and greatest zombie film in history with Warm Bodies as a close second. Why, oh, why did it take me so long to watch this!? Before you sit down to watch it, make sure you get some Twinkies and Snowballs because by the end you'll want to try one. First off, the casting was perfect and on Pointe - Jesse Eisenburg and Woody Harrelson do a super job. The score was different and well done which I liked since I always find myself listening to the score/soundtrack. I don't usually watch zombie films and I'm not a huge fan but I loved Warm Bodies and then I saw this and...I loved it! Before you go off thinking this is some gross gory human eating affair, let me tell you - this is a comedy! There is some gore and blood and human eating but the comedy makes it sort of seem less gory in a way. If you've never seen a zombie film before, this is a great place to start. Go see it, you can thank me later!!
 https://youtu.be/c1-jFLlHLPw