RoccaBox October 2020

RoccaBox UK

About

Roccabox all started with our lovely founder, Tia. After countless trips to the beauty counter ending in expensive purchases that weren’t suitable for her skin type, she decided it was time for a change. So, in 2017 Roccabox was born! After all, who doesn’t love a box of surprise beauty goodies delivered to your doorstep each month. 

RoccaBox is a new subscription box I have subbed to as I wanted something a little different from the mainstream ones I already am subbed to for trialing and I do intend to subscribe to a lifestyle and stationary box in the future also. I am no stranger to reviewing subscription boxes but felt the need to maybe go for ones which aren't of the norm. I returned to Glossybox as it was always a favourite and it was some mistakes that led me to unsub. I had a choice of Birchbox or Roccabox and from what I was reading and seeing, I was interested to see how it would shape up. 

I must say the first box I wasn't disappointed. Some I could see might be given that most go for subscription boxes for well known brands and the samples in relation to the value for money also. I find also that some smaller unknown brands can be found and really elevate through subscription boxes. This box had 3 additional little treats in the form of a refreshing drink and 2 healthy snack bars which I must admit the peanut butter one was to die for and I was glad there was only one sample of that within the box as my hips wouldn't have thanked me that week. 

So the Products in this Months box were as follow's 

Eyeko - Liquid Eyeliner (Full Size)

MudMasky - Blue light protection Mask

Grace and Stella - Lavender Lotion

Hair Burst - Volume and Hair Elixir 

Ole Hennrikson and Beauty Pro Sheet Mask Samples

Extra's included also - Apple drink and 2 Health snack bars 

Eyeko Liquid Eyeliner - Single stroke colour that doesn't skip or drag but glides on for a smooth, carbon black finish. We just know you’re going to fall head over heels for our carbon-black liquid eyeliner, complete with conditioning WIDELASH™ for smooth application. Why? The nib is the perfect shape and size to give you control. It gives you the precision to draw on the perfect cat eye. It’s pitch black and waterproof so it doesn’t move even on the waterline.

Mudmasky Blue light protection Mask - The Blue Light Protection Mask protects your skin like a shielding mask against the HEV light from all your digital devices like your smartphone and laptop. It is the perfect replacement for your day cream. The Blue Light Protection Mask is specially made for people that spend a lot of time behind a computer screen, laptop, or smartphone. It prevents premature skin-aging caused by HEV-light. The Blue Light Protection Mask does NOT protect your skin from harmful UV-rays from the sun.

HairBurst Volume and Growth Elixir - Reduce hair loss and add volume and fullness to fine, limp hair, while improving the strength and quality of each strand. Containing naturally derived ingredients including Cloudberry, Nettle Extract, and Pea Sprout Extract, and with added heat, UV and pollution protection, the Hairburst Elixir is suitable for all hair types and will leave hair longer, healthier and glossier. The formula is vegan, SLS, paraben and cruelty-free.

Stella and Grace Lavender Lotion - Skin so dry that it looks like a raisin? Add moisture and suppleness back with Grace & Stella’s Lavender Body Lotion. The pump bottle allows easy and quick access so you are able to get that moisture up in only a few minutes. The scent is light and not overpowering so you won’t feel overwhelmed by the smell like many other body lotions.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Truth vitamin C serum Sample - Tell dullness to bounce: This vegan, gluten and cruelty-free serum contains Ole’s highest concentration of vitamin C for daily use. It combines three Ole Glow® icons—vitamin C, exfoliating acids and banana powder-inspired pigments—to help instantly brighten, firm, reduce the look of dark spots, pores and wrinkles and defend skin against pollution, while delivering a sensorial experience you’ll love. And, with hyaluronic acid, this multi-acid serum helps reinforce skin’s moisture barrier.

Beauty Pro Pumpkin Infused sheet mask sample - Extremely softening, this Pumpkin mask is packed with natural enzymes and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) from a variety of fruit and herb extracts, which help to increase cell renewal, whilst smoothing and brightening the skin. 100% plant based, this mask contains organically farmed Herbs. Benefits: Brightens complexion, Hydrates & Nourishes, Cell renewing formula. If your skin is lacking hydration, needs smoothing or you are simply looking for a results proven mask that will soften, brighten and even provide an anti-ageing formula. The Pumpkin mask will leave your skin deeply nourished.

Now with all skincare products you cant see the benefits till they have been used for a good few days to weeks even. So I'm going to be trying all of these products and the Eyeko Eyeliner is going in my Eyeliner trial post. As I'm a huge fan of eyeliner if you haven't guessed. So as I use these products over the weeks and film my makeup tutorials I will of course keep you up to date on how they perform. 

Colourpop Hocus Pocus Collection 2020

 

Colourpop Website 

Colourpop was a new and exciting brand when I first was blogging and was quite the hype being that this was one of the first companies to not only be super affordable but the quality was second to none. The supershock shadows were and still are a loved product. Now that I've returned to blogging I'm so happy to see not only have they grown but are collabing with some of my favourite and well known childhood favourites.

So I return and it seems like it was meant to be and the stars aligned as the collection that was next was none other then Hocus Pocus. As a proud Halloween Amok queen... this is the season most I look forward too and yes I'm in the UK. Let me live my small fantasy. So the release date was set, my calendar and alarm I had ready and waiting. Now as we all know the release did not go off to the way it was supposed to and I can forgo that as I got the main items I did want. If by some miracle it restocks I will be picking up the Eyeliners and gels which were sold out at the time I was ordering. 

Hocus Pocus Collection 2020

So I purchased the Gather round sisters palette, I put a spell on you lip kit and also the Liquid BFF eyeliner. Honestly I use the Nyx Liner usually so was curious to see how the Colourpop liner would compare to this one. The pigmentation on the lipstick alone is rich and creamy as I remembered colourpop lippies to be. I didn't really need liners but well now old age is setting in the need for a lip liner in my case is a must and always really recommended when dealing with high pigment red lipsticks. So I'm firstly just so impressed with the packaging as always its the little things that make a collection really pop and whilst the performance of the product is the main thing. This has to be one of the more beautiful collections I've seen this Halloween season. The attention to detail even in the shade names is impressive plus Hocus Pocus is a well loved classic family movie so any little faults would have probably not gone down too well. I'm happy to see they did as always put the effort in from the names to the artwork. 

I put a Spell on you Lipstick Duo

This brick red lipstick kit will put you under a spell. This kit includes Winnie LUX Lipstick and Come, We Fly! Lippie Pencil to complete your witchy look.

lux lipstick kit 

lippie pencil a long-wearing and high-intensity lip pencil that glides on easily and prevents feathering. many of our lippie Stix have a coordinating lippie pencil designed to compliment it perfectly, but feel free to mix and match. 

crème lux lipstick this full-coverage matte lipstick is packed full of the finest pigments to give you long-wearing, true color in all the shades. the matte finish is comfortable and non-drying with intense pigmentation in one swipe. enriched with pomegranate, goji fruit, and grape seed extracts to protect your lips from environmental stressors and premature aging.

The first product is the Lipstick Duo which I must admit is a red shade I wouldn't primarily go for in a shade firstly. However seeing as I'm back to blogging and one for trying new exciting things, I thought why not? 2020 hasn't been the kindest so lets Jazz it up in a way that we can to make it just be a year of exploring things we haven't before. This was one of mine, start off small was my thinking. As with all my reviews I will be giving natural and flash Light pictures as we all know Natural light can be unforgiving at times so I want to ensure you see all before you maybe even think to purchase. As with some cosmetics there is no return policies. So as you can see the lipstick is very richly pigmented and creamy, with Reds they can almost be unforgiving if creamy due to the pigment hence why a matte is preferred. I do find that blotting and a liner can be your friend with this but prepping your lips beforehand an essential step. Nothing to harsh in the means of a scrub and a lip balm a good time before so its had some chance to soak in the lip is also a good tip. 

The lip pencil is soft and easy to work with again being of a rich pigment.. if you find your pencil a little to warm just cool in the fridge and the body's own natural heat will help it to warm as you apply for a sharper application. I'm excited to use this Duo for the Mary look I have in mind. 

Gather round Sisters Eyeshadow Palette 

Description : The cauldron is ready for this 15-pan eyeshadow palette featuring devilishly glam metallic, sparkly Pressed Glitter, and rich spooky mattes. Create your own bewitching look with this rich jewel toned palette.

full moon: pale yellow beige with silver sparkle

hello, Salem: rosy taupe

brew potion: gold glitter with bronze undertone

on toast: midtone yellow brown

coven: warm chocolate brown with champagne gold and silver sparkle

come little children: midtone taupe with silver sparkle

tis' firm: warm crimson

thackery binx: deep violet

yabbos: golden olive

i call it a bus: black with copper and purple pearl

wench: icy silvery taupe

night of frolic: deep burgundy maroon

dead man's toe: deep violet

bewitched: olive green

goodbye cruel world: deep bronze

shadow palette highly pigmented shadow that applies evenly and feels ultra-velvety and silky. this long wearing formula contains a unique combination of softer powders which adheres easily to the eyes, gives a soft focus effect, and blends smoothly and evenly.

finish matte sparkle, matte, pressed glitter, metallic

shade neutrals, nudes, pinks, bronzes, golds, browns, reds, purples, greens, silvers, greys

net weight 17g (0.6oz)

I have to say this palette when I saw the pre release pictures had me very excited. I know Colourpops quality and there affordability have made them a firm favourite of mine for many years. This palette not only in the shades offered excited me but also the attention to detail. The names and the Artwork for the palette and collection are second to none. Now I will have below the swatches and how they perform. I am intrigued to see if the quality is the same as I remember them to be. 

These are the swatches from the palette.. taken in natural and flash light photography. I must say the Matte shades feel very dry but they are super pigmented so I would advise a base like a paintpot or good base to prep the eyelid so you can reduce staining especially for the two rich purple matte shades. Even though the mattes feel a little Dry this was mainly Night of Frolic and Dead mans toe...they are rich and do blend out well. Just don't overload your brush with these shades. Also I would say do foundation and facial makeup after doing looks with these and also the deep black shade I call it a Bus. It will save time and frustration if you should get fallout as it will be a mess to clean off. So my advice with these shades is eyes first, face second. This palette is worth the price for the quality given the few minor things I noticed as they are still pigmented and function with a look plus bendability. So the Dry mattes can be forgiven. I have used this palette for a look in my introduction video to YouTube and it was really fun and easy to put together. So Expect more pictures using this palette over the coming weeks. 

BFF Eyeliner - Truest Black 

This ultra-fine brush tip liquid eyeliner delivers intense pigmentation and precision in one swipe. Its super long wearing formula doesn’t transfer or smudge, while its flexible tip creates the easiest, smoothest cat eye ever.

This is an additional purchase which was separate from the collection and as per my previous post is going to be featured in an upcoming post about affordable eyeliners. I will use it in the looks related to this collection but my review of the liner will be in the separate post on performance. 

Happy Halloween Sisters...Thou hast awaited and celebrated your return 

Poems Post

This is a post of some of my Poems that I will be making regular posts displaying all the poems I've written over the years. 

Life's New Meaning 

Ignorance

All this Love

Faith

Unconditional Love 

I really hope you enjoy these Poems. I love to write and have many more to upload. 

Mental wellness Diary Day 1

 Day 1 of my record - Is it a good day ?

So as some of you know me as T and Tara, I'm also someone whom suffers with a host of mental health issues and chronic illness. I don't like to often bring that to the table as well there is something in me that likes to think its not what I'm about and I'm not one to label myself. I like to think I'm approachable and I can be a good friend to those whom are often in need or just like myself need an ear from time to time. I tend not to apply that sometimes as I find I feel like a burden a lot of the time given my past life as I say. I'm trying to move away from all that negative hurtful pain but it finds its way inside and seems to somehow rip the band aid off more often then not. 

So I will say without too much detail yet that I'm a survivor of Childhood parental Abuse, Sexual abuse and also Trauma from many a bad relationship plus other things contribute to my mental health issues. Why am I writing this you may ask, which is a fair question. I want to be accountable for one to myself that I am keeping in check and as much as I can prevent the bad coping mechanisms I have which primarily are Self harm. I don't want to say more on that as I don't want to trigger other people. Secondly maybe this might help others and people whom do know me to understand me a little better and how I function so its not seen as a slight or me being in any way funny. I know its probably a non issue but this is how I think. 

I put it as I have a little devil in my head whom loves and lives to tell me how useless and unworthy I am all the time and I know this voice came about from years of being told it as a child. I know I can be irrational and sometimes I see things that are not there but this little voice just loves me to think the very worst of myself. I know I hide this all very well with a mask of being happy all the time and upbeat but Its always there.. dormant at times and sometimes its like he is having a little rave in my head going 10 to the dozen with his rhetoric. 

So this is my Mental Health Diary Introduction. I will be posting these regularly and I will be warning that if these post can be triggering then please do just keep to the other posts, as my main aim with these posts is more as a diary for myself but hopefully it will help people get to know me more. As I'm rarely open and I just would like to be more open. It might help to not have the Anxiety build so much and make me feel like I'm an outsider on my own life too. I often feel like I'm the spare wheel to many groups I'm in and whilst I'm recognizable I also do sometimes feel like at times maybe I'm avoidable too. That's my little demon talking again. I just hope this provides as a form of therapy for me to be able to document something so I can move forwards in some small way. Yet I don't want to be treated differently either.. hard catch 22 that one. 

Also if you are needing support I have put some links below 

Mental Health Support A-Z UK

Mental Health Support USA

GlossyBox 2020 Edition

Glossybox UK

This months edition of Glossybox was beautiful in presentation, with each subscriber receiving either the Enchanted Spirit Or Midnight Fantasy. I received the Enchanted edition and the quality of the box was as always well made with internal packaging of golden tissue paper and a ribbon to hold the products within.

Contents of the Enchanted Spirit Edition 

- Illamasqua : Deluxe edition of the Hydra Veil primer (7ml sample)

- BubbleT Cosmetics Ltd : Star Dust Foaming bath powder (100g bag) 

- Luna by Luna : Pixie Lipstick (Full size)

- 3INA : 24hr pen Eyeliner (Full size)

- The Beauty crop : Stargazing Blush Duo (Full size) 

Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer - Part hydrator, part primer, Hydra Veil instantly hydrates and smooths skin through a self-levelling, futuristic clear gel. Microalgae, Vitamin C and B3 work together to help maintain skins hydration levels, creating a healthy looking, balanced finish. Plant extracts also provide a calming and refreshing feeling, leaving skin fully prepped to apply your chosen foundation.

 I've always love Illamasqua Hydra Veil given that my skin can run dry in the winter months it is a god send for my skin and preparation prior to makeup application. A small amount goes a very long way and i found it very good value for money. It can look expensive for the amount but it does last. Its been one of my firm favourites for many years so to receive this lovely little sample pot not only for travel but as a mini decanter for my full size is very handy. 

Luna by Luna - Pixie Lipstick : Cover all your bases with smooth, full-on, super-pigmented color. Luna by Luna Lipstick bullets feature a creamy finish, full coverage, and leaves lips looking beautiful.

This is a new brand to me and I must say being given a full size of a beautiful pinky nude shade it quite a nice addition. It creamy and the shade is universal for everyday use. I will enjoy using this shade as I often find some nudes a pinks hard to wear. This has a slight fragrance almost like MAC lipsticks in the light vanilla smell but its neither strong nor off-putting. I look forward to trying this and also looking at other shades in there range. 

3INA - 24hr Pen Eyeliner : Give those wings a 24/7 with this long-wearing liquid eyeliner.

A swish and a flick and just like magic, you’re done! Rain or shine. Day to night. The matte

finish promises to stay in precise shape, without a smudge.

When it comes to Liquid liner I am I would say a heavy user of them and always looking to try what brands have to offer. My usual being the KVD tattoo liner but I then found an affordable version in my Nyx liner. So i do look forward to trying this given the swatch was very rich. The felt liner I feel will need some trial and error with application as if you do apply too much product I found the liner can feather. So In doing the swatches I will be trying this with a light hand and also checking the wear time plus all manners of ways in which this might smudge or flake off. So I will to a Eyeliner review post for next month given I have this liner to try and also the Colourpop BFF liner. I want to see how they compare against my NYX liner. 

The Beauty Crop - Stargazing Blush Duo (Blue box edition) Stargazing Blush Duo is the perfect way to dazzle and enhance your complexion. The talc-free pressed powder blush duo is finely milled to deliver a velvety smooth finish. The long-wearing formula blends evenly and seamlessly to give a soft-focus radiance. The duo contains one matte and one shimmer shade that can be used alone or paired together for a natural glow.

Now this cute little Duo compact is very subtle in the shades that it has but it is pigmented. I would use these shades on a daily basis and its perfect size for travel. The formula feels light and very smooth to the touch.. almost a in-between cream and powder format. It applies well with very little in the way of fallout plus in the natural and flash light the shades in this Duo are very radiant and will give a very nice glow to the complexion. Again another product I was happy to be introduced too. 

Bubble T cosmetics Ltd - Developed exclusively for Glossybox's October 'The Beauty Tales' Beauty Box, this foaming bath powder in relaxing Lavender is the ultimate treat for the bath. Perfect for relaxing and helping to take you straight to the land of nod, this Lavender foaming bath powder is all you need to relax and restore.  

Dairy Milk Mini Chocolate bar - A sneaky and lovely bite sized treat for when your relaxing in the lavender bath after a long day. 

Overall thoughts on this month's box and the products : 

I must admit when i saw the sneak peak of the October edition for Glossybox it was the one thing that enticed me to join again. I was a long term subscriber many years ago when subscription boxes were coming into there own, then I was very happy with most months as it started. However there were a lot of issues I remember with customer service being boxes going missing, products arriving damaged and also the general quality had started to decrease. Most of these faults could be forgiven in that it was a new concept to the UK which was coming over from our US counterparts and teething issues were a thing. It was when the quality of products offered and the same brands being repeated over and over, I then decided that I wanted to have a break from GlossyBox. Now I have received my October edition I can whole heartedly say that I'm so glad to see its back to the quality I originally loved it for.  From the presentation to the selection of products this was an exceptional offering to the subscribers this month. I am excited that I have indeed some new makeup to try and also firm favourite sample sized ones also. The bath product is the only one I cannot use given that I do prefer showers but I'm sure I can give this to my daughter whom will put it to good use. So this month has made me excited for future editions of Glossybox. 

Have a Happy Halloween Guys 

 Well I'm back and giving this another go.. however with a twist.

As some of you know I did beauty blogging a long while back and had to give that a rest for personal reasons. Now I want to pursue that again but with more additional content. So il be adding my vocals to a channel I'm setting up on YouTube with live Makeup tutorials plus il be doing wellness content here.. a sort of diary if you will being that I'm living with Chronic illness and also for my own Mental health i think it will be good for me. 

So I hope you bear with me as I get to grips with content again and also welcome any suggestions. I will try to upload as often as I can but I am learning how to get my channel up and running plus i have some exciting new makeup additions I want to do some lush Halloween looks. As hell Covid might have us under lockdown but that doesn't mean we cant still creatively be having fun. 

I like many have been struggling with my mental health and not just cause of Covid but well life has this funny way of sending not just one parcel of stress to your door but think's well hell, lets see how you cope with 3 lots of this bad boy. I have faltered and I'm now in the process of getting back on my feet (my closest friends may chuckle at this one seeing as I have one leg). I do believe though that in getting back into the things that I love such as Painting, Music and Makeup but to name a few, I hope it will in part help me to getting stronger but also impart that your not alone. We all can be quick to think there are others with far worse and there are, however we ultimately must look after ourselves before we can assist anyone else. How was that saying...When in a sinking ship first put on your life vest before anyone else's, as if you sink then what good are you ? 

(Something along those lines)

I will always no matter what strive to help others its just in my nature to do that and i see myself as blessed in many ways given even the worst of days. So I do count my blessings and feel I am well aware i do have it far better then most. Simple things like a roof over my head and food at my table are but 2 things i count myself very lucky for. I have 2 amazing children whom make me so proud daily. Yet even I fall to my depression and Anxiety, I think myself worthless having lost my career and family to my failing health. There are other issues of course which I may share at a later date in posts specific to that topic. This is my hope for this blog and my upcoming content, to not only bring a little joy and happiness in the things I'm passionate about but to also be that little tad of hope. I will always be someone whom has an ear for anyone in need of it and whilst not a professional. I do believe just having a friend at those low points can bring some solace. 

So I have pinned some past content I have done and this will be the first of many upcoming posts.