My Monthly Favourites - December 2014

Hi guys. I cannot quite believe that this will be my last monthly favourites post of 2014! 2015 is just two days away and I cannot wait to continue blogging and improving my content as we go into the New Year. December has been a month of new discoveries products wise and have been waiting all month to share my recent finds with you all. Let's get started!

Lush Snow Fairy Shower Gel
First up is the infamous Snow Fairy shower gel from Lush, which has now sadly been discontinued until Christmas comes around again next year. During 2014, I became an absolute Lush fanatic and so I knew that I had to ask for this shower gel for Christmas as it is a Lush cult classic! So far, I am absolutely loving it. Not only does it smell as sweet as can be, but it also lathers up really nicely. A little definitely goes a long way with this one, so this 250g bottle should last me a long time! Plus, who can resist the sparkle running through it? I know I can't!

Kiko Luscious Punk Lip Liner in 01 - £9.00
Next up is another gift that I received for Christmas from my friend Laura. This Luscious Punk lip liner came as part of a set with a matching lipstick. I had never tried anything from Kiko before but this duo has got me well and truly hooked! The shade of this lip liner is so natural and pretty, I have been wearing it every day since Christmas! The formula is creamy and long lasting, qualities which are two big winners in my books! I definitely think that in the coming year, I will be buying some more Kiko products because I am throughly impressed with this liner.

Real Techniques Setting Brush - £8.99
Next up is something that I bought myself as a little treat at the start of December, Real Techniques' setting brush. I wanted to buy myself a brush that would make setting my under eye concealer a breeze and this one has done just that! It's the perfect size to get into every small area of your face, whether it be for your eye area or somewhere else - such as around your nose or chin. It's the most excellent brush for pinpointing powder to a particular area and I couldn't be happier with this purchase!

The Country Candle Company Romance Candle - £8.50
I came across this candle whilst out shopping with my Mum in a kitsch little homeware store in my local town. What first drew me into the display was the cute polka dot tins but what really surprised me was the quality and the scent of the candle itself. I cannot quite put my finger on the scent of the 'Romance' candle but to me it is a musky floral smell with a hint of vanilla in there too. It smells so gorgeous and I have been burning it non-stop ever since!

Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter - £7.00
Last but certainly not least is this Whipped Clean shower butter from Soap & Glory. This product was included in S&G's exclusive Boots Christmas gift set that me and Mum have decided to share (see full review here.) Out of all of the items included in the box, this one has got to be one of my favourites. Similar to the way that any other in-shower body moisturiser works, you simply apply it and rinse it off. It leaves your skin feeling really soft and well nourished after each and every shower, which is sometimes a much better option that having to apply body butters in the cold after your shower (we've all been there!) This product can also be used to shave with which means that its a great 2-in-1 product. Plus, I just cannot resist its pistachio, almond and sweet vanilla scent -it's almost good enough to eat!

So, those are my top five favourites for of December! I hope that you've enjoyed reading about my new discoveries and most used products of this month. Have you ever used these products before? What do you think of them? As always, please let me know by leaving a comment below. This is my last post of 2014 so I hope that all of my followers have a wonderful New Years whatever you are doing to celebrate and I will see you back here in January. Thank you!

What I Got For Christmas 2014

Hi guys, I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas with your loved ones! It seems like 'What I Got For Christmas' posts are extremely popular amongst the beauty blogger community, so today I thought that I would jump on the bandwagon and show you all the gifts that I received from my friends and family this year. As always, I feel incredibly lucky and privileged for all of the presents that I have received and I have been thoroughly spoilt. I am a very lucky girl! So, without any further rambling, lets begin.

One of the main presents from my parents this year was the Naked 2 palette, also accompanied by the Real Techniques eye starter set. I am typically a liquid liner girl but I have been wanting to get into using more eyeshadow and changing up my look, so I am incredibly happy that I received these two gifts! I cannot wait to start using them and create the perfect smokey eye! On top of this, my parents also bought me my second ever lipstick from MAC in the shade 'Plumful,' which I have been eyeing up for quite a while.

I also received some more gorgeous beauty bits from my friend Sarah that I am beyond happy with! She bought me a MAC eyeshadow in 'Joy & Laughter,' a Clinique lid smoothie and a Bobbi Brown tinted eye brightener.

From my brother, I asked for a whole lot of Lush products this year! I asked for some of my all time favourites (The Comforter and Buffy Body Butter,) as well as some more festive items that I am yet to try. I am really excited to use the Luxury Lush Pud as I've seen how multi-coloured it turns your bath water and I am also so pleased that I am finally the owner of Snow Fairy, it smells soooo sweet and delicious!

Another amazing gift that I received from my parents is this gorgeous bra and knicker set from Boux Avenue! I absolutely love the colour and design of this underwear and I feel so lucky because Boux Avenue are such a luxurious brand. The set was packaged up so nicely and there were even white petals hidden inside the box! I've never really spent that much money on lingerie in the past, so this is a real treat for me! 

My boyfriend got me a lovely array of gits this year! Firstly, he bought me The Fault In Our Stars and the final 90210 box set which was missing from my DVD collection. Plus, a huge box of Munchies that I can indulge in whilst watching all of my new discs. As well as this, he also got me a few Lush bits that all smell absolutely amazing, as he knows how much of a Lush addict I am. However, the most amazing gift of all is the most gorgeous feather necklace from Pandora! I was incredibly shocked when I opened it up as I have never been bought expensive jewellery before. This necklace is so special to me and it's something that I can keep forever!

As you can see, my parents thoroughly treated me this year, as I also received a new bottle of my favourite perfume - Reb'l Fleur by Rihanna. As well as this, they also got me these adorable Minnie Mouse fleece pyjamas. They are the most comfortable & cosy PJ's ever and they're so soft that even more dog loves to lie on them!

Last but not least, my friend Laura got me these two lovely presents. First up are these cute penguin slipper socks. They are really comfy and I just love the adorable slogan on them! As well as this she also got me this really cool lip set from Kiko, which is a brand that I've never tried before. The set include a matching pinky nude lipstick and lip liner. They are the perfect every day colour and are super long lasting!

Overall, I am so happy with each and every present that I received from my friends, family and boyfriend this year. I know that I am incredibly lucky to get such wonderful gifts and I cannot wait to start using them all. I hope you all liked reading my 'What I Got For Christmas' post. If you have done a post like this yourself, please send me a link to it because I would love to see what all of my followers got too! Thank you for reading and again, I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe

Hi guys. I'm sure you all know that feeling of having guests turn up at your house last minute around Christmas time and it's often hard to know what to give them upon their arrival. So today, I thought that I would show you this super simple yet impressive peppermint hot chocolate recipe! I originally got this recipe from the BBC Good Food website here but I have adapted it ever so slightly to make it even more minty and delicious. Let's get started!

To make six servings of this yummy drink, you will need:

200g of plain chocolate
600ml of milk
150ml of single or double cream
6 candy canes
1/2 a teaspoon of peppermint essence
A can of whipped cream
Cocoa powder (for dusting)

1. Break up your chocolate and add into a pan along with the milk and peppermint essence. Gently heat the mixture until all of the chocolate has melted. Continue to heat the mixture until the milk starts to steam.

2. Then, remove the pan from the heat and incorporate the cream into the mixture. Pour your mixture into each cup.

3. Add some whipped cream on top, pop on your candy can and sprinkle a little bit of cocoa powder on top for decoration.

And voila, a tasty and warming peppermint hot chocolate within a couple of minutes! This drink will be bound to impress your guests upon arrival, even though the recipe is so quick and easy to make! Do you like the look of this minty drink? What will you be serving to your guests over the festive period? Please let me know by leaving a comment below.  Also, this will now be my last post until a few days after Christmas Day, so I hope that all of my lovely followers have a lovely Christmas and get lots of wonderful gifts this year! Thank you :)

Lush's Twilight Bath Bomb

Hi guys. Last Wednesday, I received one of my first Christmas presents from my good friend Lucy at our annual festive girls night. As part of my gift, she bought me Lush's Twilight bath bomb. As I'm sure that all of you are aware by now, I have become the worlds biggest Lush fanatic ever since I started using their products after being gifted with some products last Christmas! I had tried Twilight once before and I loved it, so I was extremely happy to receive another one!

The following night, I couldn't resist popping this pink beauty into my bath! One of my favourite things about this bath bomb is the colour that it turns my bath water. As Twilight begins to fizz, it releases swirls of pastel pink and blue which eventually then turns into the most gorgeous lilac colour (purple is my favourite colour, hence why I love this product so much!) Plus, the bomb also contains tiny particles of glitter that make your bath water look magical. 

Aside from that, Twilight's scent is absolutely divine. The blend of lavender and ylang ylang make for a super relaxing bath after a long and tiring day. In the past, I had never been the biggest fan of lavender as it is quite potent, but this scent is really subtle and soothing. On Lush's website, they claim that Twilight can help aid a good nights sleep. I'm not sure if the product itself improved my slumber that night but the bath itself really did help me rewind after what was quite a stressful day.

Overall, Twilight is a gorgeous little bath bomb and I highly recommend it to anybody who likes to pamper themselves and unwind after a long day! Lush products are a great way to treat your loved ones this Christmas, so if you still haven't completed your Christmas shopping, maybe a bath bomb or two would be a great stocking filler! 

A Christmas Lip & Nail Combo

Hi guys. The other day, I picked up a few new products from Boots in order to update my make-up collection for the festive period. I was seriously lacking both a long-lasting and reliable red lip, as well as a cute metallic and glittery nail polish. So, I picked up these two absolute beauties!

After trying the shade 'Frambourjoise' from Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet (£8.99) range when it was first released, I had been meaning to pick up another shade for quite some time. So, this time I have opted for the shade 'Personne Ne Rouge' which is a classic, vivid red colour. The main reason that I love this particular product is that even though it gives a matte finish, it does not dry out my lips too much unlike other brands do. Plus, the formulation of this liquid lipstick is so lightweight that it barely feels like I am wearing anything at all! The fact that this product is a long-lasting stain also means that it is perfect for this time of year, where you tend to be out eating, drinking and partying the night away! Most of the time, I do not have to reapply this product at all so it is perfect for creating a fuss-free yet glamorous make-up look for around Christmas time.

To go with my red lip, I wanted to buy a glitzy and metallic nail polish to go alongside it. I do not wear glitter nail varnishes that often but of course, Christmas is the perfect time to do so. You can never have too much sparkle at this time of year. So, I picked up Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure (£6.99) in 'Shoot To The Moon,' which is strangely not available on the Boots website but it is definitely available in store! I have owned a few Sally Hansen polished in the past and I have loved all of them. They go on evenly, dry relatively fast and the flat, wide brush makes application an absolute breeze. This striking silver shade is perfect for this time of year which has a lovely metallic finish with fine particles of glitter running through it, so you get the best of both worlds in that respect!

I think that these two product combined make the perfect lip & nail combo for this time of year. What do you guys think? What make-up you will be wearing over the festive period? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

Soap & Glory's 'The Next Big Thing' Exclusive Gift Set

As I'm sure that all of you are aware by now, Soap & Glory released an amazing exclusive Christmas gift set in Boots on Friday morning. 'The Next Big Thing' gift set designed by Hattie Stewart contains a whopping ten full-size Soap & Glory products for you to get your mitts on (or your friends and family if you do intend on buying it for somebody else!) With the contents of the box costing over £76 if you were to buy them all individually, this £29 gift set is the bargain of the century! Of course, this offer only lasts until the 18th of December though, so you will have to go and grab one as fast as you can before the price is raised to £60 after this introductory period.

Yesterday, my Mum kindly picked up this gorgeous gift set for us to share - what an amazing early Christmas present! So, today I thought that I would share with you all exactly which products are inside the gift set!

The 10 items included in 'The Next Big Thing' are: Heel Genius Foot Cream, Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion, Whipped Clean Shower Butter, Orangeasm Body Wash, Hand Dream Hand Cream, Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Lacquer in Charm Offensive, Off Your Face Wipes, Thick & Fast Mascara and finally the Sugar Crush Body Scrub. All ten if these items are classic Soap & Glory products that are such high quality and smell incredible!

I was really happy when I saw that my all time favorite product, the Sugar Crush body scrub, was included in this set. Not only do I love it's brown sugar and lime scent but it does such a great job of exfoliating your skin without being too rough or abrasive. Another one of the products that I cannot wait to try out is the Orangeasm body wash. I am lover anything fruity and citrus-y when it comes to body products, so I'm looking forward to putting this one to the test! 

Another product that caught my eye was the Whipped Clean shower butter as I had never heard of it or seen it before! It is essentially a moisturiser that you can use whilst you are in the shower (similar to Nivea's In-Shower Body Moisturiser.) Plus, it also doubles up as a product that you can shave your legs with too. I used this product yesterday because I was really intrigued by it and the results were amazing! My skin felt silky smooth and the gorgeous pistachio, almond and vanilla scent lingered on my skin for hours. As you can see, the set also contains some of Soap & Glory's most infamous products; Heel Genius and The Righteous Butter which makes this kit even more appealing! 

Overall, if ten brilliant full-sized S&G products for well over half price do not tickle your fancy - then I'm not sure what will! Whether you do decide to buy this present for yourself or for a loved one, you will not be left disappointed!

A Festive Night Out Outfit

Hi guys. Today I thought that I would show you a little outfit collage that I have put together for you. I came across this gorgeous cut-out velvet dress from Topshop the other day and I just knew that I had to feature it on my blog! Of course, you could style this dress in many different ways but I thought that this would be a cute look for a festive night out. The look I have created is rather simple with understated black and gold accessories, so that the focus is all on the dress. Whether you're attending a Christmas party or meeting friends for drinks, you're bound to turn heads in this burgundy number!

Topshop Cut-Out Velvet Skater Dress - £48.00
As soon as I saw this dress on the website, I immediately loved it. Not only is it the perfect colour for this time of year but the cut-out design makes it ever so slightly sexy too. Velvet, of course, is another great trend in the winter months too so this dress is an absolute winner in my eyes! Unfortunately, this dress is an online exclusive so you will not be able to try it on in a store before you purchase it but it is beautiful nonetheless!

New Look Black Zip Detail Textured Clutch - £12.99
One thing that I love about the design of this clutch bag is although it is rather simple, it has some lovely detailing on it. It features two faux leather fabrics that create a little bit of interest, as well as the gold chain and clasp too. I also love the fact that this clutch has a matching chain strap attached to it as well, which means that you do not always have to carry the clutch and you can have it on your shoulder instead.

River Island Black Teardrop Repeat Woven Necklace - £12.00
Although the dress itself is quite bold, it is still a block colour and so I thought that a statement necklace would finish off the look quite well. To coincide with the clutch bag, I chose this black and gold teardrop necklace from River Island. This necklace really caught my eye as it has woven detailing throughout the design that make it rather unique.

New Look Black Mid Heel Chelsea Boots - £24.99
Last but not least, I wanted to complete the look by adding a simple pair of black ankle boots from New Look. I think that these boots are the perfect height for a laid back party or an outing with friends because they will still be super comfy to walk around in. I definitely think that these boots are worth investing in because they are so versatile and are a key piece to any winter wardrobe!

So, I hope that you all like this festive outfit that I have put together! This ensemble would also look amazing with a pair of tights to keep your legs warm in the cold weather and a cute coat or jacket too. Which piece is your favourite? What accessories would you use to style this dress? Please let me know by leaving a little comment below. Thank you for reading!

A Stocking Filler From The Body Shop

Hi guys. I am a huge fan of stockings at Christmas time as I think that they are really exciting to both create and open! They are a great way to give lots of little gifts to your friends and family without breaking the bank too. Plus, you can really personalise a stocking to suit the person that you are buying for as well. Today, I wanted to tell you all about these super affordable stocking fillers from The Body Shop. 

The Body Shop's 'treat boxes' are a bargain at just £6 and they come in four variations, so there will definitely be a scent that each of your loved ones will enjoy. In each treat box, you get a 60ml shower gel or cream, some form of matching body lotion and a mini body loofah. The four scents available in the treat box range are shea, coconut, strawberry and mango. 

Here is what you will find in each set:

Shea - shea shower cream, shea body whip & a taupe mini loofah
Coconut - coconut shower cream, coconut body milk & a cream mini loofah
Strawberry - strawberry shower gel, strawberry body puree & a red mini loofah
Mango - mango shower gel, mango body whip & an orange mini loofah

Not only would these sets be great within a stocking but they would also make a great regular present as well, especially if you are on a tight budget or have a lot of people to buy for. Overall, I think that you cannot go wrong with this gift because not only are they nicely packaged but the products smell amazing and are a great quality too! What do you think of these stocking fillers? Would you like to receive one as a present yourself? Please let me know by leaving a comment below! 

Tanya Burr's 'Girls Night Out' Lashes

Hi guys. Today I wanted to write a little review about these gorgeous 'Girls Night Out' lashes from Tanya Burr's new collection. I have been a huge fan of using lashes ever since I initially wore them for my Year 11 prom back in 2010 (god, time flies!) As a girl with short and fine lashes, fake ones are an essential for me on a night out or else my eyes will have barely any definition. Over the past year or so, I have been wearing Ardell's demi wispie lashes, which I absolutely love. However, I still like to try out other brands from time to time and as these lashes looked quite similar to the demi wispies anyway, I just had to give them a whirl!

The main thing that I love about these lashes is how lengthening and fluttery they are and the fact that the outer corners wing out really opens up the eye area. These types of lashes are often my favourite as they really suit my preferred make-up look, which tends to be a cat-eye using liquid liner paired with a bold lip! If you would like to see how these lashes look, I recently featured them in my 'A Soft & Smokey Eye Look' blog post at the end of November.

If the 'Girls Night Out' lashes do not tickle your fancy, Tanya also has five other sets of lashes in her range that you may prefer; Bambi Eyes, Date Night, Everyday Flutter, Pretty Lady and a set of individual lashes. All of Tanya's eyelashes cost £5.49 and can be purchased from Superdrug (both online & in store) and Feel Unique. The range is really fantastic and you can definitely create a bunch of different looks with them! There really is a pair of lashes for everybody in my opinion.

Overall, I'm not quite sure if they have over-taken my love for my Ardell lashes quite yet but 'Girls Night Out' are a great pair of wispy and fluttery lashes that can be used for lots of different occasions and make-up looks. They add drama to your eyes without looking too over the top, which is exactly what I look for in a set of fake eyelashes!

What do you think about the 'Girls Night Out' lashes? Have you tried any of Tanya's false lash collection? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

Make Your Own Christmas Pamper Pack

Ever since I became addicted to all things beauty, every year my Mum has made me a little pamper kit for Christmas and I think that it's such a sweet idea! Filling up a cute make-up bag with lots of beauty related goodies is a great way to treat the ladies in your life. From lip glosses to bath bombs, the possibilities are endless when creating pamper packs for your friends and family. The great thing about this gift idea is that you can easily personalise each kit that you create depending on who you are making it for and what their likes & dislikes are. Today I have compiled a small list of both make up bags and some products to put inside them, just to give you all a few ideas! As always with Christmas blog posts, I have tried to include a variation of products all with different price points - which means there will definitely be some suggestions for you, regardless of your budget. So without any further ado, here is my list of make-up bags and girly goodies to give you some gifting inspiration!

Make-Up Bags (as seen above)

Miss Selfridge Gold Slogan Make-Up Bag - £12.00

ASOS Leopard Cat Ears Make-Up Bag - £10.00

Topshop Croc Embossed Suede Make-Up Bag - £15.00

River Island Light Blue Quilted Make-Up Bag - £10.00

Ted Baker Opulent Bloom Make-Up Bag - £27.00

Beauty Bits

Balmi Blackcurrant Lip Balm - £5.00

Essie Luxe Effects Nail Polish in Jazzy Jubilant - £7.99

Zoella Fizz Bar - £5.00

YSL Couture Eyeshadow Palette in Ballets Russes - £39.50

Soap & Glory It's Butter To Give - £6.00

The Body Shop Glazed Apple Bath Jelly - £10.00

As well as the products that I have mentioned above, here are some addition ideas as to what you could include in your pamper packs; face masks, lipstick/lip gloss, make-up brushes, nail art stickers, false eyelashes, shower gel, massage oil and candles. 

Overall, it's clear to see that there are no limitations when it comes to making your own pamper pack. There are lots of great things that you can include in them regardless of how big or small your budget it is! I hope that my post has given you a little bit of inspiration of what to buy for your loved ones this festive season. Are you planning on making a bag up for someone? Which products mentioned do you like the look of? Please let me know by leaving a comment below :)

My Monthly Favourites - November 2014

Hi guys. I am extremely excited that we have now come to the end of November because we can now well and truly focus on all things Christmas! I cannot wait to put up all of our decorations, wrap up tons of presents and eat too much indulgent food. However, before I can do all of those things, I have the small matter of my monthly favourites to address! I have to admit that I haven't been too adventurous beauty-wise this month as I have had a lot of days indoors or have just been running errands, but I still have a few bits so share with you all. So let's get started!

Garnier Body Oil Beauty Nourishing Lotion - £4.99
First up, my skin has gotten very dry all of sudden now that the cold weather is finally upon us. So when I saw this body lotion from Garnier on the shelf, I just had to pick it up. The fact that this particular lotion was oil-infused made me think that it could do wonders for my skin - and I was right! Not only does it nourish and hydrate my skin but the formulation of the lotion is amazing. It's very smooth and easy to rub in, so you don't have to do too much work in that respect. Although it doesn't sink in super fast, it still does it in less time than you would expect for such a rich product. I would highly recommend this to anybody who's skin needs an extra boost of moisture!

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Standout - £7.99
Like most beauty bloggers around this time of year, I love a good red lip! There's something about it that just screams Christmas and I recently rediscovered my Revlon matte balm in amongst my ever-growing lip crayon collection! The main reason that I love this crayon is because even though its matte, it is not at all drying on the lips. As well as this, it has great staying power too. As for the red colour itself, 'Standout' is a gorgeous true red shade that would suit a whole range of different skin tones. It's definitely a must-have product for me right now!

Nivea Sensitive Day Cream - £4.49
As I mentioned earlier, since the bitter cold weather has set in, my skin has gone haywire and in turn it is very dry in places. However, I have also noticed that my skin in the past month or so has a lot of redness too. So, I picked up this sensitive day cream from Nivea because I had already tried the Rich Moisturising version in the past and loved it. This version claims to reduce redness, tightness and dryness - which I totally agree with. I have really been enjoying this moisturiser a lot and so far it has helped with hydrating my dry patches a lot. Plus as it is quite rich in texture, a little goes a long way with this product, so I have a feeling that this tube is going to last me for quite a while.  

Lush Ultrabland Cleanser - £7.25
This cleanser from Lush is an old favourite of mine and I always come back to it! Sometimes I think that its a good idea to go back to basics with skincare and really strip it back, as let's face it, us beauty bloggers use a large concoction of products on our faces! The fact that Lush's skincare is so natural really appeals to me and Ultrabland is the perfect gentle cleanser for me. Its ingredients include almond oil and beeswax, which means that it leaves your skin feeling so soft and supple. As it is a balm cleanser, Ultrabland is also excellent at removing all traces of make-up without leaving a greasy residue like most oil-based cleansers do. Overall, I will always purchase this cleanser time and time again because it's just excellent and gets the job done!

Miss Selfridge Body Mist - £4.00
Last but not least is this gorgeous body mist from Miss Selfridge. I have to admit that this was a bit of an impulse buy whilst out with my Mum in our local Arcadia store. The mist was right at the checkout and I normally dismiss products like that but this time, I couldn't resist. After spritzing it, I realised that the fragrance was an incredible quality seeing as it was made by a high street clothing brand. On their website, the scent is described as being a blend of lemongrass, ginger and rosemary; so as you can imagine, it is a light and fresh smell. I tend to use the mist on days where I am not doing too much and I do not want to reach for some of my more expensive perfumes - and it certainly does the trick. For such a budget friendly product, I am really impressed with it and I highly recommend to all of you!

So, those are my five beauty favourites for the month of November. I hope you enjoyed reading all about them! Which products do you like the sound of? What are your favourites this month? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. As I said earlier on, I am really happy that November is now over because now I can well and truly get into the Christmas spirit. Also, remember to stay tuned to my blog in the up and coming weeks to see lots of festive posts! Thank you :)

A Soft & Smokey Eye Look

Hi guys. Unfortunately I have come down with an awful stomach bug this week but whilst I had some energy, I wanted to write up a quick post for you all. On Monday, my very talented friend and make-up artist Chloe (otherwise known as Glam By Coco on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) used me as a model to promote her freelancing! We decided to take me out of my comfort zone and start experimenting with eyeshadows because I usually stick to winged liner and not much else on my lids. Eyeshadow is something that I have struggled with in the past but now that I am growing to love it, I am even getting the Naked 2 palette for Christmas! Chloe did an absolutely amazing job and so I though that I would quickly share with you the products that she used to achieve this soft and smokey look!

Here is a list of products that were used:

MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow
MAC Embark Eyeshadow
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
Clinique Quickliner in Intense Charcoal
MAC Coffee Eye Pencil
Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Holy Smokes!
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara
Tanya Burr Girls Night Out Eyelashes

Albeit rather short, I hope that you liked this post and I will hopefully be doing some more make-up looks or tutorials in the future. I am hoping to be on the mend as soon as possible, so that I can back to blogging properly once again. As always, please let me know what you think of this look by leaving a comment down below. Thank you!

Stay Cosy This Christmas!

One of my favourite things about this time of year is getting into some comfy pyjamas, drinking hot chocolate and snuggling up under a big blanket. As the evenings are progressively getting colder and darker, I am finding myself having a lot more cosy nights indoors sprawled out on the sofa. I am a huge home body and I would pick comfort over style any day; so, I thought that I would share some of the great nightwear options there are on the high street at the moment with all of you. Not only would these items be a lovely treat to yourself to this winter, they would also make great Christmas presents as well. So, let's get started!

Topshop Nude Teddy Robe - £32.00
What can I say about this dressing gown, it's just adorable! The teddy bear ears on the hood are super cute and add a little something extra to an otherwise plain cream and beige robe. The fluffy material of the gown makes it feel really luxurious and snuggly too and trust me, it really is as soft as it looks (I may or may not have had a feel of it in my local store!)

F&F Christmas Pug Pyjamas - £10.00
I love anything pug related, so these pyjamas are right up my alley. This set contains a three quarter length t-shirt with a Christmas pug motif and a pair of plaid bottoms to match. I think that these PJ's would be really fun to wear on Christmas morning whilst opening your presents. Also, they would make a fantastic gift for any dog lovers in your life!

New Look 2 Pack Red Fluffy Slipper Socks - £3.99
Fluffy socks are definitely a winter essential and this pack of two from New Look are nice and festive. One pair features a cute stripey pattern and the other has a snowflake-esque design. Just shy of £4, these socks are a bargain and would also make a great stocking filler for your friends or family.

Topshop Snowflake Hot Water Bottle - £10.00
Hot water bottles are one of the best ways to keep warm when the temperatures are dropping outside. This red and white festive number from Topshop, complete with fluffy pom poms, would be perfect to warm your feet up on during the Christmas period. Plus, again it would make a lovely gift for fellow homebodies too!

New Look White Fleece Christmas Pudding Pyjama Shorts - £5.99
Last but not least are these fleecy pyjamas shorts. The Christmas pudding pattern is really fun and the shorts fasten at the front with a bright red bow to finish off the design. They may not keep you as warm as full length bottoms would but these shorts were just too adorable not to mention in this post! 

So guys, those are some of the best cosy Christmas items from the high street at the moment. I hope you like my selection! Please let me know which garment is your favourite by leaving a comment below and whether you will be buying any of them for yourself or a loved one! :)

The Perfect Stocking Filler!

Hi guys! I went out shopping earlier on today to buy Christmas presents for my boyfriends family. As I had already consciously decided to buy something for both his mum and his sister in Boots, I realised that I would be able to get a third present for free due to Boots' 3 for 2 offer on all Christmas gifts. So, after picking up the bits that I needed, I wandered around the store looking for a third present as a little treat to myself. In the end, I opted for this gorgeous No7 Mini Lip Treats gift set for just £8.00! I personally think that this would be a lovely little stocking filler, therefore, I decided to do a post to show you all how great this duo is just in case you want to purchase it for a loved one.

This adorable gift set contains two mini versions of No7's ever-so-popular High Shine lip crayons. The two shades included in the kit are 'Delicate Pink' (a rosy pink) and 'Daydreamer' (a peachy nude.) I think that both colours would be incredibly flattering on a lot of different skin tones, so this set is very universal in a way. The formulation of these crayons are on point too; they are not at all sticky or drying, in fact they add a fair amount of moisturisation and shine to lips as well as a pop of colour. Although the colours are quite sheer, they can be built up to have a bit more pigmentation if you would like them too.

I honestly cannot decide which shade out of the two is my favourite! Whilst 'Delicate Pink' really brightens up your complexion, 'Daydreamer' is a perfect nude colour that doesn't wash you out which also looks great with a smokey eye. 

The final reason why I think that this gift makes a brilliant stocking filler is its packaging. It's super festive and girly-looking at the same time; I love the pink and gold glittery design. Another thing that I like about the packaging is that there is a little fabric loop hole at the top of the box, which means that you could hang the duo on your Christmas tree instead if you decided not to wrap it up or put it in somebody's stocking. I thought that was a genius idea!

(Top: Delicate Pink - Bottom: Daydreamer)

Overall, I think that this lip crayon duo is a perfect stocking filler for any beauty lover in your life. Not only are the shades extremely wearable and pretty but the dinky packaging is very cute too. After trying the crayons out for myself, I cannot recommend them enough! Do you like the look of this set? Which shade is your favourite? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

My New Autumn/Winter Wardrobe Staples

I am a summer girl through and through, therefore, most of my wardrobe is made up of cute crop tops and flowy floral dresses. However, this year, I have been enjoying buying new clothing for the winter months a lot more than usual! I am loving a large amount of what's on the high street at the moment and so on a recent shopping trip, I picked up two new items to update my autumn/winter wardrobe. I think that both of these pieces are very versatile and bang on trend too, so obviously I couldn't wait to share them with you all! Let's get started...

First up are the Moto Sulphur Joni Jeans (38.00) from Topshop. Up until late last year, I wasn't a huge lover of jeans to be quite honest! I always hated how thick the denim was and how restricted I felt in them during the day. However, there are now lots of jeans that are made of much thinner materials that almost feel like you are wearing leggings instead. I bought my first pair of Joni jeans at the end of last year and I have been obsessed with them ever since. They hold their shape, are super skinny and the added fact that they are high-waisted means that they can be worn with a variation of different tops - which is something that I definitely need! My Mum treated me to a new pair last week and I decided to opt for the version with ripped knees, as they are really popular right now. I love the effect that they give and I can definitely see myself wearing them to death over the next few months.

Next up is this gorgeous Tartan Scarf (£8.00) from M&Co. Tartan is a huge trend every autumn/winter but this year especially, it is absolutely everywhere on the high street! I tend to wear a lot of monochrome in the winter and so I was after a scarf that could inject a little bit of colour and interest into my outfits. Of course, blanket wraps are the style to go for this year but they just simply drown my petite frame and do not suit me at all. I much prefer lightweight scarves instead but nice, tartan ones have been harder to find this year because of the blanket wrap craze. Nonetheless, I have finally found one that I love! Believe it or not, this scarf is from the teenage range in M&Co but it is the perfect size for me. I have gotten so much wear out of it already and I am sure I will be using it non-stop all winter long!

So guys, those are the two new additions to my autumn/winter wardrobe. I hope you like them! I am so pleased with my purchases and I know that both of these items are going to become absolute staples for me! Which out of the two items is your favorite? What fashion item is key for you in the colder months? Please let me know, as always, by leaving a comment down below and letting me know what you think!

The Body Shop's Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

Last week, I realised that my favourite night time cleanser (Lush's Ultrabland) was very close to running out and even though I have been using it religiously for quite a while now, I wanted to try out something new. I like to use heavy duty cleansers at night time so that they can easily remove my make-up and any dirt and grime that my skin has picked up throughout the day. I had been hearing a lot of great things about this camomile cleanser from The Body Shop ever since reading about it on Essiebutton's blog, therefore, I decided to take the plunge and give it a whirl! So, here is a little review about how I have been getting on with it so far. Let's get started!

The Body Shop's Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil retails at £10.00, which is a great price because a little bit of this oil goes a long way - one or two pumps is literally all you need! One of the main reasons that I was drawn to this particular product is that its main ingredient is camomile, which is well known for having a calming effect on your skin. Since the sudden change of weather here in the UK, my skin has become much more sensitive and red (despite me having combination skin,) so I definitely need a product that is gentle yet effective. 

The Body Shop claim on their website that this cleansing oil leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed and that it even removes waterproof make-up, which I totally agree with. My make-up, no matter how light or heavy it is, can be removed incredibly easily. I tend to remove some of my make-up before hand with some micellar water and a cotton pad but following up with this product ensures that my skin is clear of all product. Plus, although this is an oil based cleanser, once you rinse it off it leaves no traces of grease or any other type of residue on your skin either. Not only this but it also leaves my skin feeling extremely soft and nourished too!

In addition, I love the products packaging. Albeit simplistic, the fact that you can clearly see how much product you have left I can imagine will be very handy once you are running low. As well as this, the pump can be opened and closed by twisting it left and right, so there is no risk of the oil leaking in your bathroom or in your bag if you are travelling.

Overall, I am loving this cleanser so far and I would highly recommend it! I think that this product is especially great for people with sensitive skin or for those who wear a lot of make-up on an every day basis and need a cleanser that really dissolves and breaks it down. I can see this oil lasting me a long while and I would definitely consider re-purchasing it again once I do eventually use it all up! 

My Boots Christmas Present Picks: Part 2

Hi guys! Welcome back to part two of my Boots Christmas gift guide. If you missed part 1 of this post on Tuesday where I focused on all things make-up and bath & body, then where have you been?! In that post, I explained that I like to start planning out and buying presents for my loved ones as early as possible. This is because I am an extremely organised person but also because I hate the last minute rush in all of the shops, I would much rather avoid the laborious queues and mad dashes to the till! 

As I also mentioned in the first half of this post, Boots is one of my favourite places to shop for Christmas presents when it comes to the ladies in my life. I love that there is so much variety and gifts that span all different price ranges, so you are certain to find something that is not only perfect for each person on your shopping list but that also suits your budget too! So, I thought that it would be a great idea to show you all some of the amazing items that I have come across on the Boots website. Hopefully my little gift guide will give you some inspiration as to what to buy your friends and family, or perhaps you will see something that you want to add onto your own Christmas list. Todays categories are fragrance and skin care, so without any further ado, let's see what I have found!

DKNY Be Delicious Eau de Parfum Gift Set - £34.99

Prada Candy Florale Eau de Toilette Gift Set - £49.50

Marc Jacobs Eau de Parfum Gift Set - £49.50

Benefit Delecta-belles Crescent Row Fragrance Set - £29.50

Bleach London Spin The Bleach Bottle Kit - £12.00

Mark Hill Blonde Bombshell Gift Set - £10.00

Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Mini Kit - £16.00

Toni & Guy Create The Look Tousled Waves - £14.00

So, that's it for part two of my Boots Christmas Present Picks! I hope you have enjoyed this little two part series and I am hoping that it has given you tons of inspiration for your Christmas shopping. Which gift featured today is your favourite? Feel free to let me know by leaving a comment below. As we have only just entered into November, I am sure that I will be doing a few more gift related posts in the next few weeks and as we go into December, so remember to keep your eyes peeled for those too. Thank you!

My Boots Christmas Present Picks: Part 1

I, personally, like to start buying Christmas presents for my friends and family as early as I possibly can! This is because I am an extremely organised person and I like to make sure that I am prepared for the big day weeks in advance. I cannot stand the last minute rush of going out shopping and there being crowds of people and queues absolutely everywhere. Plus, getting in early means that you get the best selection of presents to choose from before they end up selling out! Now that is is November and Halloween is well and truly out of the way, I have already started buying a few bits and bobs for my loved ones.

One place that I have always enjoyed shopping for the females in my life is Boots! They have such an amazing and extensive selection of gifts, so you are always bound to find the perfect one for each and every person on your list. Today, I thought that it would be a great idea to show you all some of the items on the Boots website that really stand out to me this year. Part 1 of my gift guide is based on make-up and bath & body gifts, and part two of my guide (which will be posted in a few days time) will be focusing on fragrance and hair care. Within my gift guide, I have tried to show you an array of different gifts that suit all types of budgets too, so hopefully there will be something that you like the look of either to buy for somebody else or even add it onto your own Christmas list. So, without running the risk of rambling on any further, here are 'My Boots Christmas Present Picks.'

Smashbox On The Rocks Photo Op Eyeshadow Palette - £29.00 

Benefit Sweet Tintations Gift Set - £19.50 

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Crayons Gift Set - £16.00

Fearne Polished To Perfection Nail Polish Set - £12.00

Sanctuary Best Loved and Beautiful - £20.00

Beauticology Gingerbread Tin - £8.00

Soap & Glory Nothing But The Fruits Gift Set - £30.00

Joules Fizzing Bath Bulbs - £6.00

I hope that you all like both the make-up and bath & body gifts that I have compiled into the first part of my Boots Christmas Present Picks. Which one is your favourite? Remember that part two of the gift guide will posted in the next couple of days, so keep your eyes peeled for more gorgeous gift ideas soon!