The Beauty Drawer: February 2015

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

SEACRET - MINERAL RICH PEELING GEL

I hadn't heard of the Arizona based brand Seacret until I had visited Budapest, and was given a demonstration by a very enthusiastic sales assistant from their store in the Westend Shopping Centre. I was told their Mineral-Rich Peeling Gel was best suited for my skin - suitable for all skin types but acts as an exfoliator, removing dead skin cells and leaving your face clean and purified. The main ingredients include minerals from the Dead Sea, cucumber, aloe vera, camomile, and ginseng, and the gel has the most gorgeous scent - so clean and refreshing. All Seacret products are extracted from salts and minerals from the Dead Sea, and are manufactured in Israel.

As I was wearing makeup at the time, they demonstrated by applying peeling gel to the back of my hand. After applying the gel and waiting around 1 minute, I watched as my dead skin literally rubbed away. Not only did the skin on my hand appear brighter and softer but it absorbed more moisturiser than the hand that hadn't be treated - a better way to get the most out of your products. After using this for a weeks at home I've noticed a big difference in my skin - it's not only a lot smoother and calmer but I've also had fewer breakouts. I'm assuming that my skin is loving the Dead Sea minerals and the fact that it actually has a chance to absorb moisturiser. I don't ever think I've treated my skin this kindly!

After being quite hesitant at the price tag, me and my friend were offered one each for half price - too good to refuse. We bought the peeling gel for roughly 12,500 forints which works out at around £30. I was told that the gel should be used roughly once a week to remove dead skin cells, but on the Seacret website it advises customers to use it daily (I'm guessing this depends on the current state of your skin). After purchasing, we were given free vouchers for fish pedicures in the Seacret store. Although hesitant at first, and extremely nervous, I let the tiny fish eat dead skin off of my feet. It sounds awful but it felt ticklish at worst and my feet were so much smoother after. My friend Lauren purchased their nail buffing block that gives an impressive shine which can last up to a week - you also get given replacement buffing strips for free at any Seacret store.

Check out the Arizona based company on twitter here.

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St. Valentines

St. Valentines by thebeautydrawer featuring a long line bra

GLOSSYBOX FEBRUARY 2015 - VALENTINES

It's that time of the year again, valentines - when your instagram feed is full of couple selfies and the word 'bae' is used 1 too many times. However, it's also time for Glossybox's Valentines special and they've definitely topped last year. This month's goodies include 5 products to get you looking and feeling your best.

Essie Repstyle Polish in Crocadilly - RRP £9.99

This month's first full size product is a stunning khaki green nail laquer by Essie in shade 'crocadilly'. Their Repstyle range can be worn straight or given a snakeskin texture by holding the given magnet over the wet polish for 10 seconds. Essie recommend applying 2 coats of polish before using the magnet but even with 1 coat the design is still strong - great for nails in a hurry. The range includes another 5 shades given in the link above.

Royal Apothic Tinties in Coral - RRP $14 / £9.17

This lip butter is a perfect example of great packaging - can everything just come in rose gold and be the perfect travel size? Aside from giving a perfect wash of colour, 'tinties' are are made with the finiest ingredients to ensure lips stay smooth and hydrated. Argan oil, grape seed oil, sweet almound oil, and shea butter combined give this Los Angeles product the perfect scent - supposedly Victoria Beckham is a fan.

Wilkinson Sword Hydro Silk Razor, RRP 9.99

Glossybox appear to be thinking practically this valentines and have included this 'hydro silk' razor to ensure their members get baby smooth skin. The hydro silk razor has a special water activiated serum that hydrates skin up to 2 hours after shaving, and it comes with a handy shower holder. Enter code 'Glossy2' here to receive a free Hydro Silk Razor when you buy the refills. (Expires 20.04.2015)

MARSK Mineral Eyeshadow in Fifty Shades, RRP £14.49

You can't utter the words 'valentine' this year without mentioning that film and what better way to prepare for it's Friday release than to embrace this MARSK eyeshadow tribute. 'Fifty Shades' is a shimmery deep grey shade that's highly pigmented and 100% natural. Glossybox recommend applying it with a wet brush for a more intense colour.

So Susan Rose Quartlet Lip & Cheek Palette, RRP £8

This purse friendly cheek and lip duo promises 12 hours of continuous wear without dryness, creasing or smudging. It features 4 gorgoeus berry shades perfect for every mood, and can easily be applied with your ring finger in a hurry, or using the small applicator brush that fits snugly inside. Formulated in Italy, So Susan products are also cruelty free and not tested on animals.

Bonus - check out a sneak peek for next month's Glossybox, plus how cute are the baby love hearts they sent!

If you'd like to receive a Glossybox to your door each month, sign up here.

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BUDAPEST 2015

I'm recently back from a 4 night trip to Budapest, Hungary and I've absolutely fallen in love with the city. Me and my friend Lauren flew from Dublin and stayed in the Soho Boutique hotel which was quite central for shops and restaurants. The trip was a bit of an impulse booking as we managed to get a deal for £169 each including flights, from our local travel agents.

We tried our best to research things to do in Budapest before we actually went, and thermal baths proved to be popular with tourists. The two main thermal baths in the city are the Gellert and the Szechenyi, both at opposite sides of the city. We visited the Szechenyi baths on the Pest side of the city, in the late afternoon and were able to bathe in the dark.

We booked our tickets for the bath at our hotel (at no extra rate) and brought our own towels - they charge extra to rent towels, swimwear and flip flops if you haven't brought your own. Dressing gowns are also available to rent out but we just about managed the cold dash from the pool without them. The baths are amazing - it's so surreal bathing in the dark and sitting in 35C water when the air above is verging on freezing - the result is a steamy scene like something out of a dream!

We spent most of our time walking around Budapest, not only was it cheaper than local taxis but was probably to best way to sight see. We came across many local shops and restaurants like this cute little bakery 'According to my Mum'.

Eager to see the most of Budapest, we headed to the Central Market Hall, the oldest indoor market and where locals normally buy their fresh fruit and meat. The main floor of the market is mostly food and the upstairs is packed with souvenirs that tend to be cheaper than most shops. I managed to pick up a Budapest tshirt and scarf for around £3 each. Budapest have forints for currency and the country is very inexpensive with £10 working out as 4134 forints. We used an app that allowed us to convert Hungarian currency to pounds before we bought anything, without having to use data abroad.

Aside from the markets and local shops, we headed to West End shopping centre located next to the train station and bought lots of goodies to take home. The shopping centre has an impressive 4 floors and boasts over 400 shops including a whole floor dedicated to food - it's honestly food shop after food shop and so much to choose from.

We came across a store 'Women's Secret' which is basically Europe's answer to Victoria's Secret and I picked up some cute sleepwear. Aside from European stores, the shopping centre boasts global brands like Mango and H&M but with cheaper price tags. I managed to pick up a cream faux fur coat in Mango for £60 when it's actually in UK stores at £80.

I'm a bit of a fussy eater so we played it safe and visited Hard Rock Cafe in the centre of Budapest. Although it was my first time you can't go wrong with a familiar menu and yummy cocktails. We liked the place so much that we actually went back twice and were served by some lovely waiters.

Trying to fit as much into our 4 days as possible, we made a day trip to Budapest Zoo! We went near closing time and the weather was quite nippy, so the zoo was reasonably empty. The zoo had all the animals you could think of and more, including a few animals I couldn't name. They even have an Australian zone where you can roam freely among emus and wallabies, and even pet them if you're brave enough (I wasn't).

I had the best time in Budapest and would love to go back. This was my first real city break and I honestly think I preferred it to beach holidays. I'd love to visit other cities especially Paris, but what girl wouldn't? I'd highly recommend Budapest as an inexpensive holiday destination. We were expecting to arrive and see snow but the weather was very similar, if not warmer than Northern Ireland - locals also tell us that summer is very warm.

Viszlát Budpest!

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Tuesday, 17 February 2015

SEACRET - MINERAL RICH PEELING GEL

Saturday, 14 February 2015

St. Valentines

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

GLOSSYBOX FEBRUARY 2015 - VALENTINES

Monday, 9 February 2015

BUDAPEST 2015