Christmas Beauty Gift Guide 2016 Part 1

November 21, 2016February 8, 2018 - Vicki 3 Comments

This year the beauty industry seems to have stepped it up a gear in regards to their festive offerings, so many brands have released fantastic gift sets and one-off products for Christmas and I have fallen in love with so many of them.

I have a few gift ideas I wanted to share with you and so this is the first in a series of Festive Gift Guides that I will be posting over the coming weeks. I’d also love to hear what is top of your beauty wish list this year & what gifts you are most excited to give to family and friends.

The Girl by Tommy Hilfiger EDT 100ml £35 / 50ml £25

Perfume is always top of my Christmas list because it is one of those luxury items you don’t often get around to purchasing for yourself and at this time of year fragrance gift sets are everywhere. They are often fantastic value for money so make sure you keep an eye out for those! I was recently introduced to a new release, The Girl by Tommy Hilfiger EDT which I think would be a lovely gift for teens & young adults. It has top notes of green pear, violet leaf and fig leaf. Heart notes of jasmine petals and silky muguet. Base notes of cedar wood and cashmeran. So its quite a crisp fresh scent but it settles down to be more of a rich warm scent. This is a very easy perfume to wear and would make an ideal daytime fragrance.

Bee Good Youth Enhancing Travel Trio Set £20

This year British skincare experts Bee Good have released some super cute Christmas Gift Sets, they come nicely packaged in a hexagonal box with a honeycomb pattern (which is a nod to the bees) and the contents are equally as lovely. I have the Travel Trio Set and this includes 3 must have youth enhancing essentials for anyone that wants to combat the early signs of ageing. In this set you get,

Hydrate, Smooth & Prime Serum 10ml
Plump & Firm Moisturiser 15ml
Lift & Brighten Eye Cream 5ml

These products will help hydrate, revive and brighten the skin which is perfect for this time of year and protecting our skin against the effects of dry, cold weather. These products are formulated with no Parabens, synthetic colour, mineral oil, silicon’s SLS or SLES.

Dr Bronner Winter Skincare

Dr. Bronner is such a cult brand and they always deliver on quality. In terms of gift ideas, they have such a fantastic selection of products and any of them would make lovely Stocking Fillers. I have their Peppermint Lip Balm which smells just like candy canes and feels so hydrating and protecting on the lips. They’re made with organic beeswax, organic jojoba, avocado and hemp oils. You can never have too many lip balms during the Winter, especially ones that smell like Christmas!

I also have one of the Dr Bronner hand & body lotions in the Orange Lavender scent and this feels wonderfully nourishing on the skin and the scent is a nice mix of zesty and floral. It’s quite a relaxing scent and so I have been using this in the evening before bed just to ensure I get a good nights sleep. I also really like that this comes in a handy pump bottle which makes it so fuss-free to use! Again this would make a fab Stocking Filler or Secret Santa gift, especially if that person likes to use cruelty-free, organic brands. This comes in four softening scents including, Organic Lavender & Coconut, Organic Patchouli & Lime and Organic Peppermint.

DHC Christmas Bento Beauty Box £11

How cute is this DHC Christmas Bento Beauty Box!? What a great way to introduce people to a Japanese beauty brand they may not have tried before. Inside this limited edition box you get a nice collection of travel size DHC essentials and some of their best selling products – which includes:-

Iconic Deep Cleansing Oil 30ml, DHC’s worldwide bestselling makeup removing cleanser
Ultra-nourishing Mild Soap 10g, for thorough-yet-gentle cleansing
Revitalising Moisture Eye Strips (2 sets of 2 strips), to quickly brighten eyes and reduce puffiness
100% natural Blotting Paper (100 sheets), to reduce shine and absorb oil on-the-go

It would be a great gift for someone that likes a pamper and also discovering new brands.

Urban Decay Ultimate Naked Basics Palette

If I had to recommend one beauty product from 2016 it would 100% be this beautiful eyeshadow palette from Urban Decay. Not just because the packaging is beyond gorgeous and very, very festive but the quality of the shadows is unbeatable. I do not own many matte eyeshadows so this palette more than makes up for that. You get 12 all matte, easy to wear shades and they are so versatile too. This would be great for makeup fans of any age and it’s a bit of a show stopper in my opinion and a gift that would be very much loved by whoever receives it. I do have a full review of this with swatches if you want to read that —-> Urban Decay Ultimate Basics Review

Stila Lip Glaze

Stila is one of my favourite makeup brands and each year they release some fantastic beauty gifts. This year is no exception. Although I really like their gift selection I simply love their classic Lip Glazes and each year I like to give my close friends/family one each in their stocking. I like the simplicity of the brown card packaging and these come in a whole range of pretty shades too, 24 colours in total (I think). The formula gives a nice long lasting shine to the lips without them feeling sticky or drying out. It’s a fab product to pop into a stocking or as part of a bigger gift, it has become a bit of a tradition for me to gift them & I always get myself a few new shades whilst I am buying them.

What’s at the top of your Christmas wishlist and do you have a tradition of gifting something each year? Let me know in the comments.

* This post contains PR Samples

Decléor TSV on QVC

November 17, 2016February 16, 2026 - Vicki Leave a comment

QVC is renowned for its Today Special Value (TSV), they always manage to offer big brands with incredible savings. You will want to mark your calendars for this week’s deal – on the 19th November for 24 hours only QVC will be launching a fantastic TSV from one of the world’s leading professional aromatherapy skincare brand, Decléor. They’re offering a fantastic luxurious six-piece Radiant Anti-Ageing collection which would make either one fantastic gift or you could very well split it up and gift the products to a few friends / family members (or keep it yourself).

Combining nature’s purest and most potent active ingredients, DECLÉOR scientifically selects and masterfully blends premium Essential Oils to deliver for each skin need, targeted and proven skincare solutions. Understanding that beauty and well-being are intrinsically linked, DECLÉOR offers a unique sensorial experience that visibly enhances the skin’s natural health and radiance.

This Decléor set is valued at over £182.50 and is being sold for £68.96 while stocks last, so that is a huge saving, included in the set you get some of Decléor’s bestselling hero products and all the products are full size. This is going to sell out quickly so make sure you’re ready to snap one up.

This 6 piece Decléor set will include –

1 x Aroma Cleanse Soothing Micellar Water (200ml; full-size) – formulated to soothe, calm and strengthen the skin helping to restore its natural balance.
1 x Hydra Floral 24 Hour Hydrating Rich Cream with Neroli Essential Oil (50ml; full-size) – formulated to give your skin 24-hour hydration.
1 x Intense Nutrition Baume Levres (8g; full-size) – nourishes lips with moisture, and protects from dryness.
Enriched with marjoram essential oil, shea butter and macadamia oil
1 x Aroma Cleanse Alguaromes Toning Shower and Bath Gel (250ml; full-size) – this bath and shower gel cleanses whilst awakening the skin and turns into a beautiful gentle and invigorating foam for a feeling of vitality.

Plus a choice of:

NEW Magnolia Oil option:

1 x Aromessence Magnolia Youthful Oil Serum (15ml; full-size) It is a youthful concentrate of energy for the skin leaving it looking plumper and firmer, with a fresh and luminous glow
1 x Orexcellence Energy Concentrate Youth Eye Care with Peony Extract (15ml; full-size) This multipurpose cream helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. Wrinkles appear reduced, and the eye contours looks plumper

Or
Aromessence Iris option:

1 x Aromessence Iris Rejuvenating Oil Serum (15ml; full-size) – this serum works with the skin to reduce the look of lines, wrinkles, and facial contours.
1 x Prolagene Lift & Firm Eye Care (15ml; full-size) – a fragrance-free cream with a double-action formula – to help lift and firm the appearance of eye contours and boost radiance.

This set contains a full skincare regime, and it’s great because you can pick from two different serums / eye creams, so this set will be tailored to your skincare needs.

This really is a fantastic deal, both the Micellar Water and Shower & Bath Gel are very generous sized so they will last you right through Winter. The Hydra Flora Rich Cream is also a really generous pot and this is a lovely skincare item for the colder, dryer months, it’s formulated with oils of rosehip, avocado and soy for 24-hour hydration of all skin types. Let me know if you will, you be treating yourself to a set this Saturday and which products you are most excited to try.

Decléor TSV on QVC this Saturday, November 19th for 24 hours ONLY

* This post contains PR Samples

Blogger Influenced Purchases 2

November 16, 2016 - Vicki 3 Comments

I did a similar post last year about a few purchases that were 100% influenced by other bloggers & so I thought it was time I did another. Blogs and YouTube are my favourite ways to access content, I have my favourite people to read / watch and I trust their opinions so when they recommend products more often than not I want to try them.

Black Cotton Buds from Tiger

I saw these all black cotton buds in a Rachel Aust video, she is my minimalist guru (if you don’t already watch her videos you must check her out!) & I have been trying to find some of these for a while. I actually stumbled upon them in Tiger of all places, I love the weird mix of things you get in that shop. I think they were only £2 and they’re just simple cotton buds but I like that they’re a little different and they look cool too. Its all about the aesthetics.

W7 The Naughty Nine Mid Summer Nights Palette

I recently reviewed this palette after seeing it on Miss Makeup Magpie blog, I bought it immediately from eBay and I am so pleased I did because they’re like gold dust. It is being held up as a pretty good dupe for the MAC Burgundy Times Nine Palette, I don’t have that palette but what I can say is if you get chance to buy this affordable dupe I would snap it right up. The colour selection is beautifully Autumnal which I love and all the colours are extremely pigmented. If you want to read a little more about it and see swatches then you can do so here —> W7 Mid Summer Nights Palette

NYX Vivid Brights Eyeliner

I love this violet shade and it is the only purple eyeliner I have and have ever owned, it isn’t as bright as I hoped but never the less the shade is still pretty and very pigmented. It is a liquid liner and has a precise brush applicator which gives you complete control. It is so smooth to apply and very long wearing. For me they’re more of a Summer makeup, as in the colder months I tend to opt for more brown, black eyeliner but I like that this adds something a little different and its not too out there. I saw these liners on one of Gabbie’s Vlogs and I’m tempted to pop back and get the green shade too.

MUA LUXE Glow Beam Liquid Highlight Cushion

This is a drugstore take on a cushion highlighter & I am sold, its super pretty. I also saw this product on the same Fleur video as the Cream Eyeshadow Stick and as soon as Fleur swatched this I fell in love. This is a peachy gold highlight and it can look quite subtle or if you want more on an intense look you can build up the colour & effect to be more intense. I use it on the tops of my cheeks and under my brow bone and it applies so well to the skin, it doesn’t accentuate my fine lines and when it catches the light it looks so pretty. This is a must for the Christmas Party Season, I think you’d get so much use out of it and the white and gold compact comes with a small puff and a mirror for touching up. The packaging feels just like the Lancome Cushion Foundation that I reviewed a couple of months ago and its lovely to pop in your handbag. I am very, very impressed with this and I want to try a few more products from this LUXE range.

Superdrug Shaving Gel for Sensitive Skin

I saw this on Jessica Beauticians Superdrug Haul and when I popped into my local store it was on buy 1 get 1 free so I knew I had to get it. I bought the one for sensitive skin with soothing slow vera and I have used it so much since purchasing it. My razor glides over my skin and I find I get a much closer shave using this. I also think it leaves my skin feeling less stripped and dry. I am pretty pleased with this purchase, and although its not a super exciting one I have found it’s become a product thats made a real difference to my skin. Jessica has so many Superdrug product recomendations in that video so you much check it out.

Ignore the two bottom swatches they were from a previous swatching session.

Rosie For Autograph Cream Eyeshadow Stick

I saw this on Fleur’s Autumn Makeup Bag Edit Video and I am a huge fan of cream eyeshadow sticks, they’re such just so fuss free and once they dry down they stay put all day / night. They also make a really good base if you want to create a more intense eye look using your powder shadows on top. The most annoying thing with these ones from M&S is they so not have shade names on the packaging, so I think I have the shade Feline Fox which is a gorgeous metallic mauve bronze. Its a stunning shade and I love the metallic finish. This is so creamy to apply and you get a good couple of minutes to blend it out before it dries down. I have quite a few Bobbi Brown & Laura Mercier Cream Shadow Sticks and these M&S ones are very comparable but a much more affordable price point.

I’d love to know what products bloggers have inspired you to buy.

Product Empties Oct / Nov 2016

November 14, 2016 - Vicki Leave a comment

Skin Chemist Advanced Snail Eye Serum*

I recently reviewed this Snail range from Skin Chemists and I really liked the eye serum. Its so hydrating and I loved how smoothing it was. Who would have thought we’d be putting snail serum on our faces?! Its a lightweight texture, very cooling on the skin and quite refreshing too. Its nice to use either morning or night but I quite often use it in the evening because it helps my eyes look refreshed by morning and keeps the puffyness to an absolute minimum.

If you use the code BLOGSNAILS to get each product for £24.99 each instead of £72 – that is almost halfprice. Code valid until the end of 2016 **

COLab Dry Shampoo Sheer & Invisible in Rio

My holy Grail dry shampoo – this was a mini bottle I took with me to Amsterdam. I am so pleased I took it with me and it meant that I only had to wash my hair twice during the week we were there. This really absorbs the oils and doesn’t irritate my scalp or make my hair look dull. I like all the scents but I think Rio is my favourite. I need to stock up on a few ful sized bottles.

Lacura Thermal Spa Eye Cream*

This is a very, very good eye cream and the fact it is only £ is even better. Aldi skincare is amongst some of my favourite budget options and I particulary enjoyed the Thermal Spa range. It was lightweight, hydrating and had a lovely fresh scent. I highly recommend checking it out next time you are in there doing your shopping. This tube lasted me ages and I mostly used it as part of my morning skincare routine because it worked well to hydrate around my eyes which meant my makeup applied easier and didn’t sink into my fine lines.

Eloquence Skincare Purifying Facial Cleanser

I have tried a few products from this brand and I really enjoyed them as a whole. This was a nice gentle cleanser and again I took it with me to Amsterdam to use as my morning cleanse. It has a creamy formula and it left my skin feeling soft and clean. It’s enriched with Sacha Inchi Oil, Cucumber and Coconut Extracts. Sacha Oil is a common ingredient within this range and is a superfood which comes from Peru and is found in seed form. Its known for its high levels of vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids and its oil has a unique blend of

Omega 3 which helps to restore the skins elasticity
Omega 6 helps to combat skin dehydration
Omega 9 helps against premature ageing by intensely nourishing and protecting the skin from environmental stress.

So my skin was in good hands and I thought it would be a reliable, gentle cleanser to take away with me, knowing that my skin wouldn’t react to it and cause any breakouts.

Aussie Dry Shampoo

Possibly the worst dry shampoo I have ever used. Its overly powdery, leaves a white cast in your hair & makes your hair feel worse than it did before you applied it. One to avoid for sure.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

I love the classic Cleanse & Polish from Liz Earle but their limited edition scents are something very special. This Grapefruit and Patchouli scent has been one of my favourites to date, its zesty, fresh and quite Summery. As with the original C&P it’s suitable for all skin types and is great at gently removing makeup and leaving skin feels soft and clean. I try a lot of skincare but I know I can always rely on Liz Earle when my skin has reacted badly to a product and I always have a C&P in my stash. If you have tried any of the limited edition scents, let me know what your favourites are.

PR Sample

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