Warning: A really in depth kind of post.  

A very old picture..

On the blog I review lots of different products and brands. I look at their ethics, the quality and my thoughts on it but I never really talk at the retailer/stockist. Thinking about it, that’s just as important because a bad experience with the retailer can really ruin the experience of a new product for you. For example, I once bought a faulty (pricey) nail polish set from a retailer and went through so much hassle returning and getting a refund – I had to talk to head office to be refunded. It completely made me lose trust in the retailer and made me think twice about buying products from them again just in case something went wrong.

 I think that’s one of the reasons I adore QVC, the no hassle quibble free money back guarantee they offer is amazing, makes me feel like I have some sort of insurance against the item I’m purchasing – and a free insurance at that! I think it says a lot for a company to be able to afford to have such a guarantee, it means they are so sure of the quality of the items they are sending out and the service they provide that they’re pretty sure you won’t have any reason not to love it!

 

As a beauty blogger, and beauty fanatic in general before buying items I’ve either researched it extensively or heard some amazing things about from somewhere. Most times I’ve popped into shops and tried the product and let myself ponder over purchasing it for a while. I’m definitely more of an online QVC shopper and not much of a telephone shopper, and the QVC website really does meet my shopping needs.

 Like I said I usually research the product, read reviews and the great thing about the site is I have access to so many buyers reviews on products whilst looking at them. I can read reviews knowing that they’re not biased as the reviews are coming from real people and not magazines that may have been bribed (it may happen! I am a bit of a sceptic!). If you’re unsure about a product, my tip would be: have a look at the reviews not just one or two but quite a few. And don’t take them at first glance, read them thoroughly. You might find a really horrendous review on a great product simply because the product wasn’t suited to the buyer, for example a dry skin moisturiser been used on an oily, acne prone skin. That spells disaster.

 Another cheeky tip I have for you is something I kind of do quite often. I often go into shops that stock brands that QVC also stock. Brands such as OPI, Nails Inc and Emma Hardie. I try the products in store, figure out whether I like it and then look on QVC to see if I can find a better deal on them on there! Most of the time I usually do find a great deal, and let’s be honest, there’s something in us that makes us feel better knowing we’re paying less than what others are paying for a product.

After browsing the QVC website for quite a while, consulting and re consulting my wish list, I picked out two products that really sort of describe me in a nutshell. I’m a huge makeup fanatic, I think my collection is starting to get a bit out of hand, and if makeup items weren’t in my top picks I’d really be lying to both myself and you. I adore Bobbi Brown and this Pretty Powerful Party Collection set was just calling my name. I really loved how with this kit you basically had your whole face of makeup sorted (except the base) and it came with a gorgeous make up bag that is perfect handbag carry around size. It consists of Sandstone Shimmer Brick which sorts out your blusher/bronzer and highlighter. Not only that you can use it on your eyes, so that’s your shadow done. You then have the fabulous Intensifying mascara, to add long lashes to your look. You can use the eye pencil in Mahogany to add more definition to the eyes and amp the look up. And to finish the look you have my favourite Bobbi Brown lipgloss in Bare Sparkle. They describe it as High Shimmer and it definitely is that. I think I will create a look on my blog very soon using mostly this set so you can get an idea how the products look when used together.

This retails for £55 and you can pick it up here

 Now if makeup takes up one half of my heart, pampering moments take up the other half. I adore candle lot bubble baths, massages and aromatherapy oils. As someone who struggles with sleep every now and then and final year university stress weighing me down, the Elemis 3 piece De-stress at Home Kit couldn’t be better suited to me. I adore Elemis Spa range products and have made quite a collection of their goodies. Most of them I bought thorough QVC and I’m waiting for the day QVC start stocking Elemis Freshskin range too. This kit consists of a little Quiet Mind Bath Elixir which makes a really soothing bubble bath to create a relaxing experience. The gorgeous smelling De-stress luxurious massage oil that really helps in making my aching shoulders and neck feel better. All that sitting at the desk in front of a computer really gets to you. And finally a godsend, a Quiet Mind Temple Balm which I honestly feel has helped me sleep much better in recent weeks.

This retails for £35.01 and you can pick it up here.

When it comes to choosing beauty products suited to you, with cosmetics I find that there are no rules really, whatever makes you happy works for you. Of course there are things to consider such as colouring, I could never pull of a light nude lipstick but that doesn’t mean I can’t wear nudes. I just have to find the one that doesn’t clash with my tan skin tone. To me my most important beauty essential would be getting your skin right, so skin care is definitely at the top of my list. It doesn’t have to be a huge stash of skin care items, just a good moisturiser, make up remover/cleanser and exfoliator suited to your skin type. The rest is just bonus, an extra perk.

I love how QVC stock everything under one roof (or website in the literal sense). You can find all your essentials and the pick me ups too. The icing on the cake was when I found out they stock Yankee candles too, what more could a girl need!