Product Review of Spectrum Collections Jet Setters Malachite Brush Set

When it comes to makeup brushes your skin deserves the best. I have tried many brands over the years of being a product reviewer, and I have to say that the Spectrum Collections brushes are the best. Not only are they made to a high standard of quality they are also Vegan. The brush bristles are super soft and they are created cruelty free too.

At the end of 2021 I ordered myself the Jet Setters Set, but with my health being bad and I was awaiting surgery that kept being postponed, I didn’t feel up to wearing any makeup let alone testing a new product. I got my surgery in May 2022 and after a six month recovery I started to finally feel a bit more like myself again. This meant reaching for the makeup products once again.

I have reviewed everything I’ve ever had from Spectrum Collections and if you want to read any of my other articles please click on this link right HERE
OR
If you’re after your own Spectrum Set after reading my reviews you can use my referral code and grab yourself a tremendous 15% off! To use my code please click on this link HERE and it will say Sabrina gives you 15% off your order.

When I finally got around to opening up this set I decided to video doing it. You can watch this over on my Instagram if you would prefer to, and that video is here Severn Sabrina.

The quality is always so impeccable with Spectrum Collections, this set has been sat in the box it was delivered in and not touched for over a year. Yet it was like they had sent it yesterday, with the brushes soft and everything still perfectly aligned inside. Proving that quality remains even if the brushes are unused for a time after you buy them. (Remember to clean your brushes regularly folks!).

Even the packaging with its vibrant green was stunning as I carefully removed the plastic. Everything got recycled afterwards and the brushes remain safe inside the PVC-free set case.

There was more than enough room in the case, I found, for the makeup you required and even additional items such as toiletries, with the brushes safely housed on the other side so nothing gets squashed.

This brand always gets a thumb up from me for being a small run UK business and now they are taking on the globe! But they remain Vegan and Cruelty Free in the manufacturing and practices and that is a huge tick from me, if it’s Vegan I will test it.

My Honest Opinion of the Malachite Jet Setters Set.

Overall I would like to rate the set 5 stars.

Brush Quality 5✩
Design Features 5✩
Packaging 5✩
Originality 5✩

Functionality 5✩
Durability 5✩

Details about Malachite Jet Setters.

The Malachite Jet Setters is an 8 piece set of brushes all houses in a two tier vegan leather bag. This is zipped with two compartments, one for the brushes and one for all your makeup and cosmetics.
Ideal for weekends away and going on holiday, with enough space for everything you need.
Made Vegan and Cruelty Free with a PVC-free bag too.
The brushes included are;

  • B01 – Buffing Foundation 
  • C03 – Tulip Powder
  • A05 – Angled Cheek
  • B08 – Magic Wand perfect for highlighter and setting powders
  • B06 – Tall Tapered Blender
  • B04 – Angled Shader
  • A16 – Precision Crease
  • A24 – Double Ended Brow Styler

RRP £59.99 but as of June 30th 2023 it is £35.99 (price correct as of date of blog publication).

Link to the Spectrum Collections Website OR straight to the Link for Malachite Jet Setter Set

✩ ✩ ✩

Thank you for reading this product review today, I hope you have enjoyed it. As I mentioned at the start you can scroll back through all my Spectrum reviews and don’t forget to click on the link and get your 15% off code as a thank you for reading my review today.

I hope you have a great day.

✩ Sabrina ✩

Product Review of the Maybelline Skin Perfector 4 in 1 Matte Makeup

Hello and Welcome to my Product Review today!

This Spring I became part of the UK Maybelline Team of Bloggers who Review products that are brand new out in the country. Maybelline New York is one of the leading brands worldwide for make up. I have been reviewing a few items, and today it’s the turn of the Vegan Instant Skin Perfector 4 in 1 Whipped Matte Makeup to go up on my blog.


To see my other Maybelline Reviews after you’ve read this one, please click the Maybelline Category on the homepage of my blog.

I have been sent this sample for free for the purpose of providing a written review and photography across my social media platforms. I am always honest in my critique and review a product solely upon my own personal experience of using it.

You can see Video content of my Reviews on my Facebook or Instagram

I was pleasantly surprised with this makeup because a little of it on your finger or brush goes a long way. It was so soft and easy to apply to my skin with a great match! Light was the colour I was matched with online, and it blended in well and minimised the look of redness, blemishes and even my dark circles somewhat too.

I highly recommended this product if (like me) you don’t have much time in your morning routine for applying makeup, As a single mum I need something that I can apply fast but without compromising on its effectiveness. With having a 4 in 1 application this cream saves me lots of time in a morning, and since the initial review I have frequently used it and applied it after my daily SPF moisturiser. I feel like there is barely anything on my skin, and I found my skin felt breathable compared to some makeup which can feel physically heavy set in the pores of the face. The Vegan formula is also something I can really get behind and I’m always trying to go Vegan friendly when it comes to makeup.


The 4 in 1 Matte Makeup was also easy to remove, I use a Garnier Face Wash and then a Garnier Micellar Water to remove any makeup that I apply.


I would recommend for people to at least try this makeup for themselves and see if they get as good a match, it has true to skin shades and self adjusts to fit your unique tone. I have sensitive skin, and I had no reaction to this makeup.

BEFORE
&
AFTER

As you can see in my images, before I had quite a lot of redness in my skin, and afterwards that redness is reduced and so are my pores.

Overall Appearance in Use 4✩
Overall Product Quality 5✩
Skin-True Match 5✩
Staying Power 4✩

Now that I have used this product for a few weeks I will say it is excellent, easy and fast to apply, saving me lots of time, and a great match to my skin, no reactions and a good staying power. It did go a little cakey one time when I was outside a lot of the day and I think that may have been the wind drying out my skin. Other than that one occasion its been a fantastic product. I would recommend people still applying their usual SPF face cream about 15 minutes prior to putting on this matte makeup. SPF is so important and the extra moisture will undoubtedly increase the makeups staying power.

About the Skin Perfector Matte Makeup

Vegan

Whipped Matte Makeup
Available in 6 Self-Adjusting and Skin-True Colours
Contains a 4 in 1 formula of Primer, Pigment, BB Cream and Powder
4 Benefits in 1 of Blurring, Concealing, Evening the Skin Tone & Mattifying the Finished Look

Wishing all who have read this review a happy and healthy remainder of April!

Thank you for visiting Severn Wishes Blog today, I hope to see you again soon!

✩ Sabrina ✩

5 Healthy Choices Everyone Can Get Behind This New Year

Hello everyone, I hope this latest blog piece finds you all well.

Today I am discussing the 5 healthy choices that I do all the time, that are easy enough so that anyone can get behind them! You’ll feel better if you accomplish even one of these this new year, because they are not only good for your body but also your mind, let us all have a healthy year ahead.

  1. Drink More Water

    I cannot stress enough how so many people don’t drink enough water every day. Women and Men need at least two litres of water a day to aid blood pressure and digestion and to help cell renewal in the skin. I personally aim for 2.5 litres a day and use my reusable water bottles. You will also find that by drinking more water your organs and joints will be cushioned and hydrated. Water contains minerals too, such as Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride and Sodium to name but a few. Water is essential for good kidney and bladder health and helps them by removing toxins that have built up. If these aren’t enough reasons for drinking more water then how about this, by drinking a glass of water when you first wake up it stabilises your blood pressure and kick starts your digestive system, meaning when you start your day your breakfast is ready to be harvested for all its nutrients. To top it off your brain can also respond with regular and consistent water in take, including by improving your mood and memory. So why not try and drink more water this year, once you get into the habit of it and you feel the improvements for yourself your body will ask you for more. That is why a reusable water bottle is great, I carry one everywhere I go.

2. Swap to some Dairy Free food items

You may not believe me now, but making a few swaps to things such as Dairy Free Butter (which is delicious by the way) can help with things such as cholesterol and get you to eat less salt too. You can still bake and cook with Dairy Free Butter and because it’s so tasty you wouldn’t know the difference. I would never go back now to a dairy based butter or spread. I love the Vitalite spread! Perfect in Mashed Potatoes and fab for baking too!

One reason to go dairy free is the choice you have, wow what a range! Plant based or nut based milks are healthier options for you and most alternative milks are fortified with vitamins and minerals too. You may also find that some have lower calories and are better for your body because they are hydrating.
Some people (like my family) use alternatives due to allergies and medical conditions. However you can still make the change to a healthier alternative for both your body and the climate.
Most people find they have more energy and are less bloated and have less digestive issues by swapping from dairy to the alternatives out there, finding one that you like might be hard because there is a massive choice. However my Doctor recommended unsweetened Soya Milk in small amounts or Oat Milk because they are both filled with Vitamins and Minerals necessary to maintain a healthy body such as Calcium.

Dairy Free Cheeses are getting better every year! When I first went Dairy Free there were two choices on the shelf in the chilled isle, now there is a whole fridge dedicated to various types and varieties of dairy free cheese, be it grated, hard, soft or even something in between them all! The only way you can know is to try it for yourself one day. I do recommend the Violife range though!

3. Taking a 15 to 30 Minute Break for Fresh Air Every Day

Fresh Air is so important and a lot of us don’t get enough of it, so if you make one new year resolution this year make sure it’s to get more of it. Even if the weather is bad, standing in your garden under an umbrella still counts. You could walk and that would be even better because it would be light exercise too!

Fresh Air is vital for blood pressure and heart rate by providing clean oxygen for your body, it also aids digestion by increasing oxygen flow through your organs. Fresh Air also improves your mood and can make your happier. Oxygen is vital for good brain health and mood so the more fresh oxygen you can get every day the more you’ll feel the benefit of it.

Breathing in fresh air can also help to reduce the risk of getting air born illnesses and infections by clearing the sinuses. People are more likely to lose weight and stay fit by going for a daily walk and getting both their heart rate up a little and by breathing in plenty of fresh air. Even if you live in the city search on local maps for parks and green spaces. You never know what you might see on your walk either, make it fun for children and play a game like eye spy or pick a letter every day and each person has to spot five things beginning with that letter.

As the weather improves into Spring this will be a much easier one to do every day.

Find Somewhere Local, Green and Full of Nature and Enjoy

4. Do Something You Love for Half an Hour a Day – For Your Mental Health

Most of us prioritise lots of things above our mental health, including housework and other chores, when we should be either resting or doing something for ourselves. Try to make a list of what needs to be done that day and what can be put off until tomorrow. It’s important to get through your every day necessities at home without feeling guilty about wanting to do something for you. And when you’re a parent you get even less time to yourself so it’s very important to take that half an hour, just to fit it in somewhere if you can. I usually have my half an hour before bed, gaming, reading, writing, catching up on a television program I have recorded…

Choose Happy and Healthy

5. Eat a Rainbow of Coloured Foods Every Week

This may sound like a simple one, but I have read many studies that suggest eating a variety of fruit and vegetables over the course of a week, and not just the same four or five every day, gives our bodies the varied vitamins and minerals that it needs to stay healthy. So why not try adding a different lunch and a different evening meal to your routine this week, start to experiment more and try that piece of fruit that you always see in the supermarket but never buy! The more colour the better. Check out my recipes on my blog for some inspiration to start with!

You can get your five or more a day through fruit juice, fruit pieces that are fresh, frozen or tinned, frozen veggies or fresh ones, they all count towards your total. My photograph below shows a typical dinner for myself, and I usually get one of my five during the cooking of my evening meal, I regularly eat a whole raw Carrot while I cook!

If you find that you’re struggling to get your 5 fruit and veg a day (for whatever reason) and feel like you’re lacking something in your diet, perhaps consider taking a multivitamin to give your body a boost, even if just through the winter. Most people lack Vitamin C and D during the colder months.

Eating More Colour Is Better For Your Health

Thank you for reading this blog post today and I do hope that you enjoyed it. If you do take me up on any of my healthy suggestions do comment and let me know how you’re getting on.

Have a wonderful last few days of January! Best wishes!


✩ Sabrina ✩

November 2021 Treatbox UK Reveal and Review

The time has quickly come around and here we are again with the start of a new month, meaning of course a new Treatbox Reveal and Review. The November Treatbox was a well thought out themed box with some new items never before seen in Treatbox! How exciting! Let’s see what was inside…

What was inside the box for November 2021?

Blue Star and Moon Socks
Two Star Hair Clips in an Organza Bag
Treatbox Original Hot Chocolate Recipe Card
Two Bags of Clipper Natural “Snore and Peace” Infusion Tea
Vitamasques Morning Goggle Eye Mask to Brighten and Protect
Gardner’s “Keep Smiling” Vegan Blue Iced Star Biscuit
Treatbox Original Dark Blue and Moon Zip Up Pouch / Bag
Treatbox UK November Calendar Print

My Opinion on the November 2021 Treatbox

I first want to say how much I loved the theme of this box, moons and stars, was really lovely!

The items were all of great quality, nice to see some Vegan friendly pieces and things we had never had before in a Treatbox! I am someone who loves to wear socks so I always enjoy getting new ones. I look forward to eating the Vegan biscuit and enjoying a cup of tea. I will also try the hot chocolate but I will make mine with dairy free milk 😉


The hair clips are very pretty and a nice treat to brighten your hair. I’m going to try the mask tonight in fact! I haven’t yet used the bag for anything but it is ideal for makeup or handbags.

Thank you for reading this Treatbox UK unboxing post, I hope you enjoyed it. I cannot quite believe that the next box will be the December / Christmas box and the last one of 2021!

Wishing all who read this a happy and healthy November!

✩ Sabrina ✩

All The Free’s From Chocolate Cake Recipe

It’s time for another Free From recipe!

As most of you regular Severn Wishes readers will know, my son was born with a number of allergies. I love to cook and baking is something that I am gradually getting better at. I wanted to make up a recipe that was easy and that I could use with what I usually find in my baking cupboard. But not only that, it had to taste like proper chocolate cake. There’s nothing worse than it not resembling what you know and love!

This moist and soft chocolate cake recipe is egg free and dairy free. You could even change the flour to make it gluten free too if you like. I made it normally first, and then with gluten free baking flour when my sister (she’s coeliac) visited us, and both times it still baked as a soft sponge. Delicious! A great treat if you’re doing Veganuary this year! Why not make this Vegan delight at the end of the month? Give you a treat to look forward to!

This cake serves 10 people, you only want a small slice as it’s rich!
Time to Prepare, Make and Bake is… 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Preheat your Oven to a Temperature of 180’c or 360’F
You will need baking parchment to line your 8″ Tin
You shall need a Jug for the Sauce, one Large Bowl and one Small
You will also need a Sieve, a Spoon and a Whisk
And finally a Cooling Rack

Ingredients

For the Cake:

175g Flour – I used plain or a mixture of Plain and Raising, or use GF
200g Caster Sugar
50g Cocoa Powder
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract – You could use Mint Flavouring instead
240ml Tepid Water
120ml Vegetable Oil

For the Sauce to pour on top:

4 to 6 Tablespoons of Tepid Water
2 Tablespoons of Golden Syrup or Maple Syrup
2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder
130g of Icing Sugar

Sabrina’s Free From Chocolate Cake

Method – Making the Cake

Step 1. Sift the Flour, Cocoa Powder, Caster Sugar and Baking Soda together in a large bowl. Make sure you mix them together thoroughly to combine.

Step 2. In a small bowl mix oil, water and vanilla together and stir until mixed.

Step 3. Gradually stir your wet mix bowl into the dry ingredients. Once you have combined them use a whisk or hand processor in order to make the mixture smooth. Mix until all the liquid is combined with the dry mixture.

Step 4. Pour your smooth mixture into the lined cake tin and shake gently from side to side to make it even inside.

Step 5. Bake in the Centre of your Preheated Oven, between 26 and 32 minutes depending upon oven type. Keep an eye on your cake so that it doesn’t over bake, use a knife of skewer in the centre, when it comes out clean it’s baked.

Step 6. Once cooked gently transfer the cake to a rack so that it can cool. You don’t want to pour on your sauce until it is cooled. Make sure the cake is completely cool before serving, you don’t want your sauce running off!

Method – Making the Sauce

Step 1. Sift the cocoa powder and icing sugar together in a bowl. Mix with a spoon until combined and a brown colour over all.

Step 2. Pour the syrup of your choice and the water into the bowl, make sure you stir it immediately and keep stirring until the ingredients resemble a smooth consistency. Start with 4 Tablespoons of water, if it’s not resembling a sauce that is pour-able then you can add more, one spoonful at a time until it’s how you want it to be. It can vary on the size of the spoon you use for example. TIP: Always better to start with less water and add it gradually, if it’s too wet to start with then you’re going to be measuring out more sugar which is a consistency much more difficult to get right.

Step 3. Cover this sauce until your cake is cooled and ready to serve, cut your cake slices, plate them up and then pour the sauce on to each piece. It’s easy to make more sauce if you need it and only takes a matter of minutes!



Thank you for coming to Severn Wishes today to read this recipe blog post. I hope you have enjoyed it. Can you please leave me a comment on this post if you try the recipe, and let me know what you think!

Have a great week!

Sabrina

Spectrum Collections Marbleous Set Review


✩ Spectrum Collections Review ✩

I have reviewed many Spectrum Collections Brushes over the past few years. I love their style, quality and variety. They make for incredible pictures because of their unique colour and styles too!

This year I really wanted a set of the Marble ones. After I won some money on a Postcode Website and I received some points on the Spectrum website for my reviews and recommendations, I managed to get a substantial amount off this beautiful set. Not only that but I waited for an special offer weekend too! Perfect timing!

So why the MarbIeous Set? I had wanted this set for a while, it has been on my wish list for a long time. I think the white and grey is beautiful and it also matches the white furniture and makeup pots that I have in my bedroom. Another reason is because the set comes with its very own makeup bag, and also contains a brush of every type to suit every sort of makeup application.

Spectrum Brushes are Vegan and Cruelty Free, another reason why I love them. Having tried many brush brands I always seem to go back to Spectrum, I cannot rave about them enough! So yes I am doing yet another review on my blog about their quality. I won’t bore you by going through every single brush, but I will say that their variety is excellent. In a set like this one, you can use some brushes for more than one purpose. While I don’t pretend to be a makeup expert because I don’t even apply it every day, what I do know and recognise is the great quality makes a big difference.

✩ White Marbleous 12 Piece Set ✩

The 12 Piece Marbleous Set are gorgeous white handled brushes finished in a stunning rose gold ferrule. The bristles are grey and white in colour and are incredibly soft. The set consists of 5 face brushes and a collection of 7 of Spectrum’s best selling eye, brow and lip brushes. Not only that but the set comes complete with its own white and marble makeup bag for you to store them in. They are the perfect tools for creating makeup looks, starting with a flawless base and then a perfectly blended eye look, the brushes can be used with ease. Some have multiple purposes too.

The Marbleous set includes the following:

A00 – Luxe Powder
C07 – Luxe Tapered Sculptor
A02 – Angled Foundation
C02 – Flat Top Contour
A05 – Precision Blush
B05 – Luxe Blender
B06 -Tall Tapered Blender
A07 – Stubby Shader
A12 – Fluffy Pencil
A13 – Short Smudge
A14 – Brow Definer
A15 – Lip Definer

Here is the link to this set on the Spectrum Collections Website

White Marbleous 12 Piece Set

The Website Price is £69.99


So do you like the look of these brushes? If not then why not check out the website to see all of the other types available. The colours and sets are incredible! The more recent ones include Mean Girls, Star Sign Sets and even Disney! Why not check out my code below and the website for more details!

Some of the brushes can be purchased individually and others as just sets. The prices have a wide range for those who don’t have a lot to spend but who want quality products.

If you would like to get 15% off your own set of amazing brushes then click my link below and use my unique code on your order.

Sabrina’s 15% Off Code


When your order arrives you will find your brushes all sealed and wrapped up, brand new and smelling as such! Remember to always clean your brushes before using them including new ones!

I was particularly impressed with the delivery, my brushes were neatly wrapped and safely transported to me. Spectrum have excellent packaging and I always recycle the plastic afterwards too!

Thank you very much for reading this review! I cannot wait to see what Spectrum bring out next! And I hope to continue using these brushes and taking gorgeous photographs of them as well. Check out my Instagram and follow me to see them most often!

If you do decide to order some brushes using my 15% off code then leave me a comment and let me know what you bought!

Have a great day and thank you for coming to Severn Wishes Blog!

✩ Sabrina