Party Dresses @ ASDA George

Monday, November 30, 2015
Party Dresses @ ASDA George
Can you tell I'm not a natural fashion blogger?! I need to find better poses! 
The festive season is pretty much upon us and christmas and new year parties will be here soon so a staple party outfit is essential. I always struggle to find an outfit that is warm and comfy but flattering, party appropriate and that fits me well which isn't an easy task as I am so petite and a bit picky when it comes to picking dresses! When it comes to party dresses, I always have to find one with sleeves and it has to fall just above my knees as well as it being comfortable and room for a small food baby which will inevitably happen because, food. All the food.

I was very kindly allowed to pick a few christmas party picks from ASDA George and I was very pleasantly surprised at how many gorgeous dresses there were to choose from as well as gorgeous winter essentials. Christmas is all about the sparkle so I chose the *Sequin Shift Dress (£25, Black, UK 8) and it's gorgeous although if you don't like the black, they do have other colours. It hits just above my knee and even though it is a shift dress, it is flattering and relatively comfortable to wear. The quality is much better than I thought it would be for the price and I think it would be a fantastic christmas party or new years eve dress as it is a simple black dress that goes with pretty much everything but because of the sequins it looks more expensive and festive than a regular little black dress.

I also chose the *Faux Fur Collar Coat (£40, Charcoal, UK 8) which I have been wearing constantly since I received it! The coat fits me well, it isn't too long, it goes with causal and formal outfits and I love the faux fur collar - it makes it so cosy. One thing I struggle with when it comes to choosing party or formal dresses, is finding a coat to go with it and I always end up not taking one and freezing to death or choosing a leather jacket that also leaves me cold and shivering. I love the pairing of the dress and coat, I think they are perfect together and it means I can be warm and cosy as it's so annoying when you're trying to enjoy yourself when you are uncomfortable and or cold because of your clothing choices. Last but not least I chose the *3 Pack 40 Denier Tights (£4, Black, Medium) which are such good value.

My main christmas party tip is to choose something that you are going to be comfortable wearing as if your clothes are uncomfortable then your going to look uncomfortable! I also think it's important to plan ahead and pick your outfit beforehand as I think we have all been in those panic situations were you empty your entire wardrobe to find something to wear at the last minute causing even more panicing and then you end up wearing the first thing you picked even though it doesn't fit right. Lastly, you don't have to spend a lot on new party outfits, George at ASDA has a fantastic range of party and winter clothing as well as bags (although they don't seem to have many accessories or jewellery online anymore) and you can add new accessories to give life to an old or staple outfit.

What do you think of the items I chose? If you have any christmas party tips then leave them in the comments below! 

Salcura Skincare + Giveaway

Sunday, November 29, 2015
Salcura Skincare + Giveaway
One of the problems I have while looking for skincare is that my skin can be extremely sensitive when I have an eczema flareup and they occur about once a month, mostly a small flareup but others can be horrendous! I'm always looking for products to help and over the years I have found quite a few from prescription creams to french skincare and eczema specific products. I was very kindly sent a couple of products from the natural skincare brand Salcura who specialise in skincare for people with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and acne.

*Salcura DermaSpray (£16.99, 100ml): I have eczema mainly around my eyes and my cheeks but I do also get it sometimes on my ears and hairline as well as the large patch on my left hand. The eczema on my face can be awful at times and obviously I can't hide it which can be quite depressing but the eczema on my hand can be equally as bad especially as I wash my hands more than my face. I've tried numerous prescribed and generic eczema creams for my hand and a couple have worked well although some just irritate my skin.

This lotion is in a spray bottle so it would be perfect if you had larger areas of eczema on your body however the spray isn't as useful for me as I just have it on my hand. However the spray lotion is very light weight so much so that it is almost like water on the skin, it doesn't irritate my eczema and it relives the look and feel of very dry and tight skin. It absorbs very quickly so it would be perfect for those with larger areas of body eczema. Additionally, 98% of the ingredients are of natural origin which is fantastic and the products are free from parabens, SLS, artificial fragrance, lanolin and more. It must be so popular as one is sold every five minutes in the UK! Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

*Salcura Zeoderm Repair Moisturiser (£9.99, 50ml): I also received this moisturiser that is suitable for the face and body. The moisturiser is suitable for severe cases of eczema and other dry skin conditions. The cream is an unappealing colour and both products do smell medicinal to me which may put some people off but I have been using this moisturiser on my hands and on my face and it has been helping so much with reducing the feeling of tight and extremely uncomfortable skin due to dryness; it also helps relieve the look of dryness and flakiness.

I will definitely get so much use out of the moisturiser and I have been recently as my eczema has been flaring up (due to stress/anxiety and weather changes I think) and I've been using a small amount on my face after my facial oil. When used in conjunction with my other products, my eczema is slowly fading! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Now onto the giveaway, the lovely people at Salcura are giving my readers the chance to win a fantastic winter skin therapy pack which would be perfect if you have dry skin, eczema or another dry skin condition. There will only be one winner and this giveaway is UK only! The prizes will be the products I have featured in this post. To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter form below:


Christmas Stocking Fillers

Friday, November 27, 2015
Christmas Stocking Fillers
One of the best things about christmas when I was a child and now, to be honest, was hanging my reindeer stocking on my door on christmas eve and in the morning finding that it was full of little goodies, including chocolate and small beauty products. It's one of the christmas traditions we have always had and still do and I hope it never changes. Here are my stocking filler ideas:

Books:

*Bluffers Guides (£6.99) have already been featured in my mens gift guide but I had to include them again as I think they would make fantastic gifts in general but they would also make lovely and more unique stocking fillers. I have the rugby, chocolate and food guides which are so useful and informative without being a heavy or dull read. I have my eye on the business, quantum universe and hiking books. They have free UK shipping which is amazing and for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Bluffers are having 50% off! 

Beauty:

*Balmi Super Cube Lip Balm (£4.99) is a cute and unique lip balm that would be perfect for teens! I have the cherry flavour and it is a lifesaver for my dry lips during the colder months. It contains shea butter, jojoba oil and vitamin E so it keeps the lips moisturised and smooth. They are so handy on the go and they looks so cute! Sticking with the lip balm theme the *I Love...Tinted Moisture Balm (£2.99) is also so cute. I have the cherry flavour and for a tinted balm it has quite a lot of pigmentation and staying power. 

Pampering during the festive season and the colder months in general is essential for me to de-stress and *The Bath Mama Christmas Star and Holly Berry & Mistletoe Jumbo Bath Bombs (£1.99, 180g) fit the bill perfectly. I have already reviewed a few Bath Mama Bath Bombs and I loved them, they are fantastic especially for the price! 

My final beauty stocking filler is the *Roger and Gallet Gingembre Rouge Shower Gel (£9, 200ml) and it smells amazing; I always receive some beauty products in my stocking and I would be very happy to find this on christmas morning. Roger and Gallet products are just fantastic and I definitely want to try more! 

In my video gift guide below, I've also include the *Roger and Gallet Fleur de Figuier Hand and Nail Balm (£6, 30ml) which I already review in my introduction post to the brand. I love hand creams and this one is fantastic! Additionally, I think the *Freedom House of Glamdolls Palette (£8) would be a great stocking filler for makeup lovers as Freedom and Makeup Revolution palette are amazing quality and this one contains not only a range of shadows but blush, lipgloss and more. Lastly for makeup, I think anything from Burts Bees would be lovely but their lip glosses (£7.99, shade Flutter) and lip shimmers (£5.99, shade Rhubarb) are all gorgeous! A favourite product of mine for the past few weeks has been *The Wet Brush (£11.99) as it works wonders on my thick and knotty hair - it would be the ideal stocking filler for those with unmanageable or knotty hair (I already have a review on my blog). 

Personalised Gifts: 

Last but not least, personalised gifts are always so much more special and thoughtful than others so these *Cheerz Photo Strips (£6.49 for 5 photo strips) would be a lovely stocking filler addition. I've made mine for friends, to include in their christmas cards as an extra gift. The *Cheerz Photo Magnets (£7.45 for nine magnets) are fantastic too, they come in a cute box so you could give it as it is or you can give one each to friends.  I made mine on the app which is free and so easy to use - their final christmas delivery date is the 17th Dec. 

Here is my stocking filler gift guide video, again sorry about the quality and lighting changes (damn english weather!). Oops, the video title is womens gift guide instead of stocking filler gift guide - all these christmas posts are getting to me! 



What do you think of the products I've featured? 

Black Friday + Cyber Monday

Friday, November 27, 2015
Black Friday + Cyber Monday
Black Friday is tomorrow and then Cyber Monday so it is a few days of offers and deals and to be honest I'm not a fan, I prefer the boxing day and January sales; also last years Black Friday sales weren't that good! However this year, there are some amazing offers from some of my favourite brands:

Beauty Offers

  • Boots: Pre-Black Friday offers online (ends today) 
  • Superdrug: Up to 65% off online (ends on Tuesday)
  • Sulis and Thermae: 20% off everything with the code BLACK20
  • GHD: £20 off selected straighteners 
  • Escentual: At least 50% off exclusives and 10% off everything with the code BLACK10
  • Burts Bees: 20% off site wide with the code BBSAVE15 (ends 30th Nov)
  • Crabtree and Evelyn: 50% off their best gift sets
  • Arran Aromatics: Up to 50% off and free delivery on selected products (ends 30th Nov)
  • Body Shop: 40% off and free delivery using the code 14670 (with orders over £5)
  • Naturisimo: 15% off everything
  • Jurlique: 20% off (exc. christmas gift sets) using the code BF15

Homeware Offers

  • Bouf: 15% off with the code BLACKFRIDAY15
  • Whittard of Chelsea: Up to 30% off everything 
  • Monbento: 15% off the whole shop
  • Treat Republic: 30% off personalised gifts
  • BHS: Up to 50% off everything 
  • Bloom and Wild: 20% off (ends 30th Nov)
  • Dizen: 50% off all jewellery and clothing in their black friday collection with the code MADWKND 

Fashion, Jewellery & Accessories 

  • Dahlia: 20% off everything 
  • Dorothy Perkins: Up to 50% off everything 
  • H&M: Up to 25% off everything 
  • Matalan: Half price sale week (ends 29th Nov)
  • MyBag.com: 30% off bags using the code BLACKFRIDAY
  • Coast: 20% off jewellery, accessories and shoes, up to 20% off dressed and 40% off on all coats
  • Jana Reinhardt: 20% off everything and free delivery 


Will you be taking advantage of any of these offers?

Christmas: Dermalogica Body Therapy Kit

Thursday, November 26, 2015
Christmas: Dermalogica Body Therapy Kit
A couple of years ago Dermalogica was one of the cult and coveted brands in the beauty world, especially their skincare however I haven't heard much about their bodycare products or sets until now. I was very kindly sent the *Dermalogica Body Therapy Favourites Kit (£17.50 - worth £27) which is one of their christmas limited edition sets.

The set contains  the Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash (75ml) which is a very descent size for a gift set and the sizes of all three products would be fantastic for travelling as they aren't tiny but they are not bulky full size products either. The body wash contains lemon peel oil, tea tree leaf oil, lavender flower, orange peel oil and other fantastic ingredients. The body wash smells amazing, to me it has a gorgeous herbal lavender scent which I love! It lathers well, it doesn't irritate my skin and it doesn't strip the skin.

The Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream (75ml) is the same size as the body wash so again it would be great for travelling or as a trial size, if you haven't tried anything from the brand before. I thought the moisturiser would have the same lovely scent as the body wash but sadly it doesn't, it is pleasant though - it would be perfect if you like citrus scented products. It absorbs so quickly, it doesn't irritate my skin and it leaves the skin so smooth.

Lastly, a more unusual product to find in a gift set, the Dermalogica Stress Relief Treatment Oil (15ml) which contains lavender, sandalwood and orange and it smells so relaxing! You can use it as a bath oil, scalp treatment oil and mixed with body cream for added moisturise; the latter is how I've been using the oil although I definitely need to try it as a bath oil!

Overall, it is such a fantastic set and would be perfect for those who struggle to relax or need a bit of a pamper; it would also be great for people who are travelling. I love the body wash and stress relief oil as they both work well and smell amazing. I think the price of this set is such great value as the products are wonderful and they are descent sizes - the products are nicely packaged/presented too. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Have you tried anything from Dermalogica? What do you think of this set?

Christmas: Men's Gift Guide

Tuesday, November 24, 2015
I don't know about you but I find it so difficult to buy my dad presents for his birthday, father's day and christmas - he always gets aftershave or shower gel type products so hopefully this mens gift guide will give you some unique present ideas for dads, husbands, brothers and friends. Check out my video at the end for a roundup of the products and some extra gift ideas!

*My Beanies Mini Xmas Stash (£10): I am a big coffee drinker, I have one everyday and if I don't then I'm counting down the minutes until tomorrow when I can. I adore gingerbread all year round but especially during the festive season so this set is perfect. You can choose the pre-made christmas trio (winter warmer, mulled wine and christmas pudding instant coffee) or you choose your own flavours as I did. I chose cinder toffee, gingerbread and nutty hazelnut and I love the cinder toffee one the most! I think it's a fantastic set for coffee lovers and they may find new flavours that they love.

*Crabtree and Evelyn Indian Sandalwood Shave Soap in a Bowl (£22, 100g): My dad doesn't really use shave soaps but I think he definitely will when he sees this! The wooden bowl the soap comes in looks so fancy and luxe; also the soap smells amazing, so much so that I want to steal it. When the soap has been used up, you can just buy a refill such as the *Crabtree and Evelyn West Indian Lime Shave Soap (£12, 100g). The West Indian Lime soap smells so musky and masculine but it has a sweetness to it - I know my dad will love this scent too. I think these two items will be fantastic for dads and grandads. Also if you buy anything from the mens range at Crabtree and Evelyn in November, they will donate £1 to the Movember foundation.

*Bluffers Guides (£6.99 each): I always tend to buy my dad cookbooks, hence the overflowing bookcase so these would make a great alternative. They are interesting guides related to various topics such as rugby, food, football, beer, cars, bond and many more! I chose the rugby and food guides to include in my mens gift guide and I know the rugby guide will go down very well in our house as since the rugby world cup a couple of months ago we have been watching it much more although it is a complex game so an informative but amusing light read is perfect. I cannot recommend them enough, they would be perfect stocking fillers too! I have my eye on a few for myself!

*Bond and Knight Wallet (£68): If you haven't checked out my latest blog giveaway then you should as you could win any product from Bond and Knight! I have the Bond and Knight MK1 Wallet which has my dads initials embossed on the inside - it would make such a special present this christmas.

*Scaramouche and Fandango Christmas Cracker (£15): I have featured a gift set from this brand on my blog this already and I'm glad I can again. This set contains two full sizes of the face scrub and facial hydrator, all contained in a giant christmas cracker. I think it would be a fantastic gift!

Here's my mens gift guide video, apologies for the quality, the weather is not on my side recently #BloggerProblems. Let me know if you have any problems with the video:



Will you be buying anything from these brands? What do you think of my mens gift guide?

Beauteque Mask Maven: October

Monday, November 23, 2015
Beauteque Mask Maven: October
If you have been reading my blog for the past few weeks then you may have seen my post all about the *Beauteque BB Bags which I loved! I was also very kindly sent the *Beauteque Mask Maven Subscription for October ($15 each month) which contains 9 to 11 sheet masks for the face, hands, hair or feet - it's such a unique subscription service! All of the masks in this months subscription are based around brunch so the masks are food related; also all of these masks are facial masks.

The October Mask Maven subscription includes:

- Mediheal ADE Cocoa Mask: It actually contains raw cacao so I assume it will also smell like chocolate. The packaging is adorable, it looks like a chocolate milkshake!

- Botanic Farm Green Tea Mask: I love green tea so I think this will be the first mask I try - annoyingly I haven't been able to try any yet as I've had an eczema flare up and I didn't want to potentially aggravate it with new skincare. This mask is infused with green tea which is supposed to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.

- Skinfood Beauty In A Food Jeju Tangerine Mask: This is one of the Asian brands I have heard about and I always see great reviews of their concealer. The mask claims to hydrate and brighten the skin probably due to the vitamin C in the tangerine peel extract.

- Beauty Friend Tomato Mask: This mask may be good for those with oily and acne prone skin as it claims to reduce dark spot pigmentation, control oil and help fade acne scars.

- Esfolio Egg Essence Mask: This is one of the more unusual masks as it does contain egg york extract. During Jane Austen's time, egg was used on the face and the hair as a facial/hair mask in a way. The packaging is just adorable!

- Skinfood Everyday Facial Yoghurt Mask: This one may be another for me as yoghurt is great for moisturising and soothing the skin especially sensitive skin. The mask also claims to improve the skin texture and soften the skin.

- Skin 9 Panda Honey Elasticity Pack: Sheet masks in Asia can have cute faces printed on them, presumably to scare everyone that sees you! This mask contains honey to help with anti-ageing and it has a panda face printed onto it. If you are looking for a nice face mask that doubles as a panda mask then look no further!

- Skin 9 Super Puppy Whitening Honey Pack: Here's another printed mask and this one will turn you into a super puppy, whatever that is! These printed masks would be fantastic for a girls night in! As with the previous mask, it has a brightening and anti-ageing effect.

- Rainbow L'Affair 3-Step Mask Pack: I haven't tried a mask where there are numerous steps - you use the cleanser, then the 'ampoule' and finally the mask. It contains kiwi, lemon and chestnut seed extract as well as soybean seed, witch hazel and rice extract.

I think it's a fantastic idea for a subscription service although if you have sensitive skin as I do then maybe not so much and as with the Beauteque BB Bag, you will be re-billed on the same day that you subscribed; for example if you subscribe on the 4th November then you will be re-billed on the 4th December. You can subscribe each month for $15 or $15 per month for a three month subscription or you can buy a six month subscription for $13 prepaid each month.

Are you subscribed to the Beauteque Mask Maven or BB Bag service? Have you tried any of these sheet masks or brands?

Handmade & Personalised Gifts From Etsy

Monday, November 23, 2015
Handmade & Personalised Gifts From Etsy

Stocking Fillers

Personalised Night Sky Tote Bag (£12 - Hannah Stevens Shop)  -  Wooden Tree Decoration (£8 - Rachel Emma Studio)  -  Christmas House Cookies (£4, Nila Holden)  -  Sherlock Brooch (£8, Kates Little Store)  -  Personalised Wooden Spoon (£9.50, Bespoke and Oak Co)  -  Personalised Camera Notebook (£9.95, Made By Ellis)
Handmade & Personalised Gifts From Etsy

Gifts For Him

Personalised Heart Ornament (£3.20, BR Salty Candy)  -  Father's Day iPhone Case (£39, Sophia Victoria Joy)  -  Personalised World Map (£15, STN Stationery)  -  Personalised Wooden Spoon (£4, Lanky Cow)  -  Personalised Ceramic Bauble (£7.50, Darwin and Gray)  -  Personalised Marble Serving Board (£48, Sophia Victoria Joy)
Handmade & Personalised Gifts From Etsy

Gifts For Her

Personalised Baking Bowl (£22, Desirable Giftware)  -  Rose Gold Initial Necklace (from £9.95, Custom Chic 801)  -  Cat Lady Mug (£14.75, Sophia Victoria Joy)  -  Scrabble Print (from £15, Boka Print)  -  Personalised Stationery Set (£10.14, Curio Press)  -  Handmade Recipe Book (£28, Dani Fox Books)

What do you think of the gifts I've featured? Will you be buying any personalised or handmade gifts from Etsy this year?

Christmas: Bond + Knight Review and Giveaway (UK Only)

Sunday, November 22, 2015
Christmas: Bond + Knight Review and Giveaway
When it comes to buying gifts for my friends, my mum and my sister, it is so easy but my dad is another story! I find it so difficult to buy him presents besides socks and aftershave which he gets every year for this birthday, fathers day and christmas! I wanted to give him something a little different this year and something far more special!

I was very kindly sent the *Bond and Knight MK1 Wallet (£68, Black/Baby Blue with Blind Embossing) which came so well presented with tissue paper and a lovely box so it would already make a lovely gift. There are numerous design and colour options such as a union flag print and you can even get your own photos printed on the inside of the wallet - it would make such an amazing christmas gift, especially for the men in your life that are difficult to buy for. 

The wallet is handmade in England, I think handmade and personalised gifts are so special and definitely beat a generic bottle of aftershave! The wallet is composed of one piece of soft genuine Italian leather which makes it very luxe. The wallet can contain up to ten cards and notes although it doesn't look like it but the leather can stretch; however it is very durable and strong. The coloured interior is composed of soft suede and you can get it in different colours. 

It has 'Bond & Knight' embossed on the front and the initials of your choice on the interior as well as 'handmade in England, genuine Italian leather' embossed on the opposite side. Overall, it looks and feels so special and you really can't go wrong with personalised gifts. I would definitely recommend for husbands, brothers, granddads and dads, I know my dad will love it! 
Christmas: Bond + Knight Review and Giveaway
Now onto the very exciting part, the giveaway! The very generous people at Bond and Knight are giving my readers the chance to win one of their wallets, card holders or passport wallets - whichever one you want! To enter, all you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below:


Kiko Cosmetics @ Trafford Centre

Saturday, November 21, 2015
Kiko Trafford Centre
Kiko has been one of my favourite brands since I discovered one of their stores in Taormina, Sicily back in about 2010; I knew I would love the brand and products from the first venture into the Sicily store and I managed to spend €40...oops.

Kiko eyeshadows, nail polish and lipsticks are all fantastic, I also love their makeup setting spray! I made up my own eyeshadow palette a few months ago and I'm so impressed with the pigmentation, quality and how easy they are to blend. Kiko have amazing sales, I always end up treating myself!

Last weekend, I went to the Trafford Centre and after so much queueing and incredibly busy traffic, I finally arrived at the new Kiko Cosmetics store! After hoping for a Kiko store to open near me, I was so excited when this store opened on the 31st October (it's next to the Cath Kidston store in the Trafford Centre). I have been in a couple of Kiko stores in Europe, such as the one in Florence and Taormina and both of those stores were bigger than this one but it isn't small either and it's well stocked.

The store has such a fantastic and wide range of their eyeshadows and nail polishes as well as the new christmas collection including the pretty gift sets. I didn't treat myself this time, I'll wait until the christmas sale and I do have quite a long wish list of their 'cosmic starlets' christmas collection and the 'perfecting powders' collection:

Kiko Trafford Centre

Will you be visiting the Trafford Centre Kiko store? Do you have any of the christmas products on your wish list?

The Body Shop Christmas Collections

Friday, November 20, 2015
The Body Shop Christmas Collections
The Body Shop has been a favourite brand of mine since I was a teenager and I love their christmas ranges every year; the Glazed Apple range, which is back again this year, is gorgeous! However the range has expanded to include a selection of beautiful art deco looking makeup for getting your glam on this festive season and new year. The christmas ranges are limited edition and will sell out quickly so if you want something for yourself or someone else then go, go go! 

The christmas eyeshadow palettes/quads are split into two looks, the 'grooving gold' and 'swinging silver' looks. I have the 'grooving gold' palette as well as three other products from the christmas range. *The Body Shop Grooving Gold Palette (£16) features four autumnal shades that would be perfect for so many christmas party looks including a pink rose gold, purple toned mauve, deep rich purple and an almost molten gold shade. All of the shades are shimmery and metallic looking but there isn't a lot of fall down and there is no chunky shimmer.

A very christmasy product is *The Body Shop The Sparkler (£14, Golden Shimmer) which is a shimmer body spray to add flecks of pretty glitter to the skin and oddly it smells nice too! The shimmer won't stick unless you use a body butter before but it would be pretty on the decollete and legs for festive parties. 

The Body Shop have also released christmas nail polishes, I have *The Body Shop Colour Crush Festive Nail Polish in Gold Metal (£5, 10ml). The bottle and shade are both gorgeous and the price is fantastic for the amount you get and the quality. The brush is quite wide which makes application so quick and easy. The polish is crazy pigmented, it covered the black polish I wore underneath it and it isn't very streaky at all unlike most metallic polishes. You could easily wear the gold on it's own as it is so pigmented but it makes a great base for *The Body Shop Colour Crush Nail Sequins in Gold (£7, 10ml) which is SO pretty on an accent nail. The sequins polishes contains large black and gold flecks and smaller gold glitter that looks so unique and it works perfectly with black shades. 
The Body Shop Christmas Collections
Next up, the body collections, they have three this year including the popular Frosted Cranberry and Glazed Apple ranges but they have released a new range - Frosted Plum which is the range I was most excited to try so I was over the moon to find it in the package! The Frosted Plum range contains plum extract from Turkey and fair-trade babassu oil resulting in a fruity, floral fragrance with notes of plum, peony and magnolia so I think it will go down well with so many people.

Firstly, my favourite product from the Frosted Plum range, *The Body Shop Frosted Plum Feel Good Tin (£17), now I have to be honest and say that my main reason for liking this set so much is that it looks like a giant plum - how cute! The set contains mini sizes of the shower gel, shimmer lotion, body butter and sugar scrub. All of the products smell incredible and it is a great way of trying numerous products from the range. I think it would make a fantastic and unique gift.

I also received a mini size of *The Body Shop Frosted Plum Body Butter (£50ml) which is packaged so cutely and it's very festive. The scent to me is a mixture of candy sweetness, baking and fruity notes as well as floral notes too. It is a very 'Body Shop' scent but it is quite unique and I think it will appeal to a lot of people. This body butter is just as fantastic as all of their others which I have loved for years!

Next up, *The Body Shop Frosted Plum Shimmer Mist (£8.50, 100ml) which is something I wouldn't have picked out but it is SO pretty - as hopefully you as see from the video below. When shaken, the liquid looks like purple and silver molten metals, to me anyway! I thought it would be full of shimmer and very obvious on the skin, as glitter sprays and roll ons from the 90's were but it isn't! The shimmer is so subtle, it just adds small amount of sparkle to the skin which it perfect for the festive season and it doesn't make you look like you have time travelled back to the 90's. It is almost a hybrid between a subtle shimmer mist and a fragranced body spray.

One product that I was most excited to try were *The Body Shop Frosted Plum Bath Fizzers (£12, 300g) as I love baths especially at this time of the year. They smell amazing and I'm SO impressed as the scent is so strong in the water, they fizz for ages and as they fizz they release the scent and clouds of purple turning the bath water into a pretty pastel, milky lavender shade! I think that along with the giant plum set, this is the product I was most impressed by.

Last but not least, the cutest product I was very kindly sent, *The Body Shop Owl Bath Sponge (£4) which is so adorable and it would be a fantastic stocking filler for children! Sadly I forgot to photograph it but you can see it in the video below.

Here's a little video showing all of the products as well as swatches of the palette, sorry for the quality - I had to crank up the exposure as otherwise it would be in darkness (damn english weather!):




Are you going to purchase anything from The Body Shop Christmas collections? What do you think of the products I've featured?

La Roche Posey Toleraine Ultra Range

Thursday, November 19, 2015
La Roche Posey Toleraine Ultra Range
When it comes to skincare, the French know what they are talking about! Brands such as Bioderma, Caudalie, Vichy, Avene, Embryolisse and La Roche Posay are constantly being raved about in the blogging world and the beauty world in general; so many makeup artists are fans of both Bioderma and Embryolisse! Additionally celebrities such as Leighton Meester, Anna Hathaway and Cate Blanchett are reportedly fans of the cult french brand La Roche Posay. 

I was very kindly sent a few products from the Toleriane range which is designed for ultra-sensitive and intolerant skin. It has the seal of approval from Allergy UK; the products are free from parabens, alcohol, colourants and lanolin as well as perfume and preservatives. The packaging is quite unusual too, for the eye cream and face cream, as it features hermetic packaging which is airtight for zero contamination of the product inside and makes application from hygienic. 

First up, the *La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Fluid (£17.50, 40ml) which is a non-oily, daily moisturising fluid for the face and the eyes. It contains Neurosensine which is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that reduces skin reactivity. Clinical trial results showed a reduction in dryness, itching and stinging which made me so excited to try it out as my skin can sadly have all three of those factors. 

I've been using this moisturising fluid on and off for weeks and I love it! The pump is handy and it reduces product waste. The fluid feels very light weight on the skin and it does absorbs family quickly to leave smooth and moisturised skin with any oily or heavy residue that can actually make my skin feel greasy and irritated. It doesn't irritate my eczema, unless it is cut and bleeding. Overall rating: ★★☆, 4/5. 

Next up, the *La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour (£14.90, 20ml) which also has the pump/packaging and it contains Neurosensine  and Niacinamide Complex to soothe discomfort/irritation and diminish the appearance of dark circles. The eye cream has a light texture and it feels fresh and cooling almost on the skin. My eyes are the most sensitive area as that is where I get most of my eczema and most of the time this cream doesn't irritate my skin but it can on occasion when my eczema is very bad. Overall rating: ★★☆☆, 3/5. 

I have a couple of their cleansing products from the same range, including the *La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermaquillant (£14.50) which is such a unique concept as it is a makeup remover for the face and eyes in small sealed vials. I haven't tried anything like this before but I think it will be perfect for travelling! The makeup remover come in 30 sterile doses and you can break off one or as many as you need. It removes all of my makeup perfectly, apart from my waterproof mascara. I will definitely be taking these on holiday with me next year! Overall rating: ★★, 5/5!

Lastly, the *La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Dermo-Cleanser (£12.50, 200ml) which is a cleaning and makeup removing fluid for the face and the eyes. It looks like a cleansing milk and it feels gentle on the skin and it leaves my skin feel clean, comfortable. I haven't tried it as a makeup remover as I always use a micellar water before my cleanser. Overall rating: ★★☆, 4/5. 

Overall, there are a couple of amazing products in this range such as the makeup remover vials and the Toleriane ultra fluid as well as a couple of less amazing products but keep in mind that my skin is sometimes extremely sensitive when I have a bad eczema flareup. I think if you have sensitive skin then this would be a great range to try especially as it always seems to be on offer at Boots or online. 

Have you tried this range or anything from La Roche Posay? 

Yves Rocher Temptation Days Offer

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Black Friday in the UK is on the 27th November and even though Black Friday and Cyber Monday isn't nearly as big here in England as it is in America, there are still quite a lot of online stores that are taking part this year as well as supermarkets and various in-store offers.

Yves Rocher always has the most amazing seasonal offers and fantastic free gifts too! This year they are having offers again where 44 of their best products will be up to 60% off. Unlike other stores the Yves Rocher offers start on the 23rd November to the 30th November so it is much longer - you have plenty of time to take advantage of this great offer.

I've tried many Yves Rocher products from perfume, shower gel, hair masks and makeup. I love the Yves Rocher Silky Cream, Comfort Cream Foundation, FlowerParty By Night Fragrance and my mum and sister love the Yves Rocher Comme Une Evidence L'Extract De Parfum. I think Yves Rocher products would make great stocking fillers and their gift sets would be lovely christmas presents.

Will you be taking advantage of this fantastic offer? Do you like Yves Rocher products?

Autumn/Winter Wish List ft. Accessorize

Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Autumn/Winter Wish List ft. Accessorize
Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons, especially for layering, autumnal shades and cosy accessories. Forget burgundy, mustard, camel and olive shades this autumn/winter, I'm all about the grey tones - it's so classic, chic and it goes with everything. Grey is one of my go to shades anyway, I always gravitate towards grey shades and stripes in stores, anyone else? This is a sponsored post.

Dorothy Perkins Sparkle Longline Cable Knit Jumper (£24)  -  Olivia Burton Watch (£135) @ Joshua James Jewellery  -  Accessorize Bella Soft Shoulder Bag (£32)  -  Newlook Grey Wool Mix Textured Coat (£49.99)  -  H&M Fedora Hat (£14.99)

I love grey tones, even though the weather in England is very grey and dreary most of the time, as they look so chic in any season. I think all of the items above would be perfect together along with some skinny dark wash or black denim jeans for a causal but put together look for autumn or winter. I love this bag from Accessorize, they always have the most gorgeous bags. This one would be perfect with so many outfits and I adore the beige and grey shades together. The Accessorize bags I've had over the past few years have always been fantastic quality and have lasted so well even though I don't tend to look after my handbags that well at all, oops!

Do you have any of the items I've featured on your wish list? What are your favourite shades to wear for the autumn/winter months?

Eye of Horus New Goddess Pencils

Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Eye of Horus New Goddess Pencils
Back in July I received a lovely package from the Australian brand Eye of Horus and they are unlike other brands I've used as not only do they use fantastic natural ingredients but the brand focuses solely on eye makeup, from mascaras to liners which is so unusual but great as they really know what they are doing. At first I wasn't entirely sure about some of the products but I got so much use out of the liners during my halloween looks so I can't recommend them enough!

Eye of Horus have just launched two new shades to their line of Goddess Pencils including a nude and a white liner - the white eyeliner would have been so useful for my halloween looks! The goddess pencils contain botanical waxes and the brand is cruelty free which is fantastic.

The *Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil in Sahara Nude (£15, 1.2g) is a nude, skin tone pencil with peachy undertones and on my skin it is a little dark but on the waterline it matches well. The pencil is creamy, soft and smooth so it doesn't drag the skin and on the waterline it adds such brightness and removes the redness I have so it leaves my eyes looking less tired - it actually looks very natural on the waterline. Even though the longevity isn't amazing, I know I will get so much use out of this pencil. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

I also received the *Eye of Horus Goddess Pencil in Selenite White (£15) which is available on Beauty Bay. I have numerous eyeliner shades in my collection, which does come in so useful for halloween but one shade I never seem to have is white which would have been SO useful for my halloween looks this year. The white shade is pure white and neither of the new shades contain shimmer. Both shades are pigmented and creamy and the white shade is very brightening on the waterline and obviously less natural looking. Using the new shades together on the waterline works really well too as the white offers brightness and the skintone shade disgusted the stark white to make it look more natural but it still provides a bright, wide awake look. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5.

Overall, I'm so impressed with how creamy and pigmented both of the new shades are and they work so well either individually or together on the waterline to add so much brightness and to cover the redness I get. The longevity isn't amazing but the new shades are well worth a try, I know I will be getting SO much use out of them, particularly the nude shade!

Have you tried anything from Eye of Horus?

Christmas: Nude Jewellery Amethyst Necklace

Monday, November 16, 2015
Christmas: Nude Jewellery Amethyst Necklace
Back in March, I reviewed one of the Nude Jewellery necklaces for mother's day and I was so impressed, not just because the necklace was gorgeous and beautifully presented, so it made a lovely present but all of their products are handmade which makes them so much more special! The 'double link sterling silver necklace (£85)' from the Vanilla Links collection is still available.

I have another beautiful necklace to share with you today, the *Nude Jewellery Amethyst Rock Pendant (£95) from the new Rainbow Rocks contemporary jewellery collection which is such a gorgeous in-house collection! The necklace is composed of a geometric purple amethyst on a sterling silver 18 inch chain.

The necklace is relatively short but not too short, it would be perfect paired with a causal outfit to make it look more put together or it would be equally gorgeous with a little black dress for a christmas or new years eve party! The necklace looks so gorgeous and well made and amethyst stones are one of my favourites types of crystal/stones. The amethyst stone is a little weighty but it sits well and it feels comfortable to wear, which I wasn't fully expecting.

Overall, I'm so happy with this necklace, it looks beautiful and I know I will get a lot of use out of it in the upcoming festive season and new year. The whole rainbow rocks collection looks gorgeous, so if you are looking for a lovely handmade piece for a loved one this christmas then definitely check out Nude Jewellery as they have a fantastic range at numerous price points.

Have you bought anything from Nude Jewellery? What do you think of this necklace and the new Rainbow Rocks collection?

MBotanicals Giveaway (UK Only)

Sunday, November 15, 2015
MBotanicals

Back in September I reviewed the MBotanicals Sugar Body Balm and the MBotanicals Denim Soap both of which I loved and I definitely want to try more from the brand as it is not only a lovely brand but they are handmade and contain natural ingredients. 

MBotanicals are very kindly providing the prize for this giveaway - the MBotanicals Sugar Body Balm which I'm sure everyone will love! The giveaway is UK only; to enter fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Vichy Dermablend Foundation

Saturday, November 14, 2015
Vichy Dermablend + Giveaway
Vichy Dermablend stick foundation is a much raved about product for it's high coverage even for burns, scars and tattoos. I've wanted to try it for a while but stick foundations tend to be cakey and heavy on my dry skin however Vichy have launched a new product which I have been loving recently! 

The *Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation (£18, 30ml) in the shade 05 Porcelain which is the perfect match for my super pale skin  - very impressive. The foundation claims to be high coverage, lightweight and natural looking. It also claims to have 16 hour wear! It is suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. 

The foundation shade is definitely pale enough for me and it has a yellow tint which is fantastic for covering the natural red/pink tones in my skin. The foundation is relatively easy to apply and blend with my Fancy Witch foundation brush although it takes a little longer to blend than my other foundations. The foundation doesn't highlight dryness apart from the very, very dry areas but it also doesn't make my more oily t-zone oily or greasy. It strikes the fine balance between being radiant, moisturising and covering without being oily or mask like.

The finish of this foundation on my dry, sensitive skin is gorgeous and it covers most of my redness, pores and imperfections. It lasts all day on me although on warmer days I do have to blot my t-zone with the DHC blotting papers. Although now that the colder months are here, I will have to scrub, moisturise and prep my skin very well before using this foundation but I still think I will get a lot of use out of it!

Overall, I love the travel friendly packaging, the shade match and the overall finish. The longevity is also great and it doesn't feel greasy, heavy or cakey on my skin. If you are looking for a medium-high coverage foundation that isn't mask like then definitely check this one out although if you have very very dry or flaky skin then keep in mind that you will have to prep your skin very well before using this foundation! Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 

Have you tried anything from Vichy? Have you tried the Vichy dermablend range?

Go Customized iPhone 5C Case

Friday, November 13, 2015
Marble is such a big trend in the blogging world, bloggers have been turning into Gollum from Lord of the Rings this year when it comes to anything marble or rose gold *my precious...* and there's a good reason for that - marble is SO pretty! It may be a cliche but I love it so when the lovely people at Go Customized asked if I wanted to review one of their phone cases, I had to choose their marble like design, obviously.

I have the *Go Customized iPhone 5C Full Wrap Personalised Hard Case (£19.99) and you can make your own iPhone 5C case but I chose to use one of their own pre-made designs as the marble like design is just gorgeous and I have wanted a marble iPhone case for ages but the only full wrap ones I was able to find were either expensive or on Etsy but this one is really high quality and reasonably priced too.

The case fits my iPhone 5C really well, it is easy to attach and not so easy to remove but it is fantastic - I love the marble like design but it is a little different to most others I've seen and the effect is relatively subtle. There's enough space around the buttons and the camera although there is a black area around the cut out for the camera which I don't really like. One of the main things I like about it, is that the design is a full wrap around so the design continues onto the sides of the case.

Overall, I love the marble like design, the case seems to be well made and durable and the price is reasonable, in my opinion. If you didn't want to use one of their pre-made designs then you can make a personalised phone case which would be a great christmas gift! Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5!

Have you bought anything from Go Customized? What do you think of my phone case design?

House of Fraser Christmas Wish List

Thursday, November 12, 2015
House of Fraser Christmas Wish List
When it comes to makeup and beauty, the festive season to me is all about luxurious and indulgent beauty as well as red tones and glitter! Christmas also means, new and exciting beauty products and House of Fraser have some amazing offerings this year. 


Bare Minerals Deluxe Original Collectors Edition Mineral Veil (£35)  -  Cover FX Custom Cover Drops (£36)  -  YSL Rouge Pur Couture Kiss and Love Edition (£26)  -  Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner (£14)  -  Dior Diorific State of Gold (£50)  -  Dior Diorific Vernis (£20.50)


House of Fraser have a series of fantastic festive related makeup posts on their site all about creating gorgeous festive makeup looks including easy step by step videos. My favourite look is the All That Glitters (Eyes) look as it's so pretty and I think it would be perfect for new years eve parties. The videos are really short and sweet and the looks are amazing! This is a sponsored post. 

House of Fraser also has amazing christmas products and gift sets, here's my mini wish list:
House of Fraser Christmas Wish List

Do you have any of these products on your christmas wish list? What do you think of the House of Fraser makeup looks?

Christmas: Valley Mill Wax Melts + Soap

Thursday, November 12, 2015
Christmas: Valley Mill Wax Melts + Soap
It's christmas next month *squeals* and I'm so excited, not just for presents but also the christmas markets, christmas food and cosy nights in with cheesy christmas films! I also love using christmas wax melts and candles at this time of the year so when I received these lovely products from Valley Mill, I was so excited!

I first had to try out the *Valley Mill Roast Chestnut Natural Soy Wax Melts (£6.25) which is a lovely set containing five wax melts. The wax melts are shaped into Valley Mill logo which is such a nice detail and the scent is just gorgeous - it is so earthy, christmasy and musky but still sweet. The scent isn't very artificial, in my opinion and when they melt they release the lovely scent which fills the so many rooms with the fragrance. The scent lasts for a while and the approx. melt time is 60 hours per box. Each melt works out at £1.25 which is cheaper than most so you're definitely getting more for your money. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

I also received the *Valley Mill Orange and Cinnamon Soap (£4, 100g) which is 100% natural and made of shea butter and coconut oil. The soap looks great and it smells amazing! To me it smells so christmasy as orange and cinnamon are both lovely christmas scents and they remind me of baking which is never a bad thing! The soap lathers really well, which I wasn't expecting for a natural soap and it leaves my hands squeaky clean, smooth and soft although it doesn't strip the skin. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Overall, I'm so impressed with both products, especially the lovely wax melts and I cannot recommend these products enough! They are all natural and hand made in Wales - they would make fantastic presents or stocking fillers as they are fantastic quality, hand made and very reasonably priced. They have a wide range of fantastic products from candles, kitchenware, personalised gifts, welsh wool blankets and food and drink; here's my mini wish list:

Christmas: Valley Mill Wax Melts + Soap

Have you tried any products from Valley Mill? 

Beauteque BB Bag (September + October)

Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Asian skincare and makeup is something I've wanted to try since I started blogging and especially since the queen of makeup herself, Lisa Eldridge, seems to love Asian skincare and makeup! When the lovely people at Beauteque got in touch and asked if I wanted to try their BB Bag, I said yes, who wouldn't?! 

The BB Bag is a beauty and skincare subscription service, much like Glossybox etc, but it contains Asian skincare, makeup, beauty tools, bodycare and more, most of which is very difficult to find in the UK. Instead of the products coming in a cardboard box, they come in a cute makeup bag which is such a great idea. You receive between 6 - 8 full size products in each BB Bag which is fantastic as I personally don't really like small sample sachets on the whole, although they do come in useful sometimes. I received the *Beauteque September BB Bag ($24 each month) and the theme of this box is 'soothing spa' and it contains six full sizes items including: 

- Inner Kallia Collagen Special Care Modelling Pack ($6): I think it's interesting to see how other countries describe beauty products and to see what beauty products they use as it can sometimes differ between countries. For example, just reading the packet of this product, I had no idea what it was but it is a face mask that turns from a powder to a gel like 'soothing skincare solution'. I haven't tried it yet but it looks very interesting! 

- The Saem Mint Jungle Foot Cream ($12): I love the packaging for this product, it is so cute and cream itself smells so nice - to me it smells like minty sun cream, I know that sounds weird but I really like it! It isn't the quickest to absorb but it is a nice product. 

- Secret Key Secret Kiss Holic Pigment Glitter ($8): How gorgeous is this shade, I love anything copper for autumn/winter makeup. The pigment is unusual as it just looks like really chunky glitter but when blended it has a pigment to it and it looks so pretty but it is messy as any loose glitter would be. 

- Modelling Pack Bowl with Stirrer ($5): As odd as it seems, this is the item I was most excited about as I've wanted a little set like this for my face masks for ages. I will definitely get a lot of use out of this bowl/stirrer and I guess it is supposed to be used with the first product. 

- Aritaum Aloe No Wash Cleaning Water ($22): I am always on the look out for makeup removers and micellar waters to try and this one is quite different to others I've tried. It is 91% aloe and you use it as you would a micellar water. I've only used it on swatches so far but it's great for makeup swatches. 

- Acqua Gems Herbal Soothing Cream ($18): Lastly, a product that also contains natural ingredients. This multi-use cream can be used on the face or hands and even burns and contains chamomile, witchhazel, liquorice extracts and menthol. It is a small tube so I think I'll keep it in my handbag. I've only tried it on my hands so far and it is a smoothing, lightweight gel that absorbs so quickly - I'm very impressed. 

Overall, as I don't have any experience of other Asian beauty products I don't know other opinions on these brands/products but I think the BB Bag idea is fantastic! I'm able to try products and brands that I wouldn't have otherwise been able to. Most of the writing on the packaging is in Korean...I think but thankfully they provide a leaflet which describes each product and how to use it which is very useful. I forgot to photograph the cute makeup bag everything came in but it has a pretty design and I will definitely get use out of it. Overall rating: ★, 5/5. 
Beauteque BB Bag (September + October)
I also received the *Beauteque October BB Bag ($24 each month) and the theme of this box is 'Beauteque's Life of Luxury' which  according to the leaflet is one of the most exquisite collections ever curated by Beauteque. I received six full sized products as well as the bag which is a gorgeous black lace makeup bag this time. I received bodycare, makeup, skincare and a beauty tool in this box, including the following products:

- SNP Cactus 90% Soothing Gel ($18): Firstly, I love the packaging for this product, it looks like an aloe vera leaf or something similar. The gel hydrates, soothes and firms the skin and can be used on the face or body where the skin is dry. I've only tried it on my hands but it does smooth the skin, it absorbs so quickly and it gives my skin a much needed boost of moisture. 

- Angellooka Hand Mask ($6): I've seen hand masks before but this one looks very interesting as from the packagingg it looks like you can use it while cleaning or washing or watching TV. I haven't used it as I do have eczema on my hands so I'll get my mum to try it out but it looks great. 

- Secret Key Glam Romance Perfume Body Lotion ($20): I get through so much body lotion and body butters during the colder months as my skin becomes even drier. This lotion bottle is huge and it looks so nice - to me it smells like a fruity and fresh perfume but it isn't overpowering or too perfume like. I think the scent will appeal to a lot of people and the lotion itself works well. 

- Baviphat Urban Dollkiss Easy Looks Soft Lipstick ($11): I love it when subscription boxes/services include makeup items as they are my favourite thing to receive. The shade in the tube looks like a matte bright raspberry shade but on the lips it is very glossy, creamy and pigmented and the shade makes my complexion looks brighter, if that even makes sense! It isn't a shade I ever would have picked but it's gorgeous. 

- Happy Bath Facial Yoghurt Foam Cleanser ($12): Facial skincare is something I am always a little cautious about as I do have sensitive skin so I haven't tried this cleanser yet but I love packaging and it contains apple, banana and apricot fruit extracts; also apparently it can reduce inflammation so I'm excited to try it. 

- Beauteque Contour Brush ($12): I think this is one of my favourite products I've received in a beauty subscription for a while. I have so many makeup brushes but I always think I need more. I love the metallic purple handle and the bristles are SO soft and smooth. It is perfect for contouring and also blush; I know I will be using this brush constantly! 

Overall, I think this is another great bag of goodies and I am very happy with the lipstick, body lotion, cactus gel and the makeup brush which is genuinely fantastic and I have been using it everyday I've worn makeup since I receive it. Overall rating: ★, 5/5.

The Beauteque BB Bags are a fantastic way of trying hard to get hold of Asian beauty products and I think for the overall value of the products and that they are all full size, it is great value for money. You can choose to pay $24 each month or a 3 month subscription for $24 each month or $23 each month for a six month subscription. You will be re-billed on the same day you signed up, for example, if you sign up on the 5th November, you will be re-billed on the 5th December. 

Use the code: OFBEAUTYANDNOTHINGNESS to get 10% off a subscription service at beautequemonthly.com 

Have you tried the Beauteque BB Bag? Have you tried the Beauteque Mask Maven subscription? Have you tried any of these products/brands?