The Christmas Tag

1. Do you prefer a real or a synthetic tree?

We always had a real tree up until a few years ago, with a real tree I love the smell and the whole saga about which tree to get. But to be honest I don't miss getting the needles stuck in my foot when I go downstairs in the middle of the night to get a drink.  Always when you least expect it!  So probably synthetic you always know it's going to fit in the front room.

2.You're in a coffee shop it's December, what do you pick?

Ooh interesting, I really want to try the Black Forest Hot Chocolate from Costa.  I'll Instagram it if I get a chance to try it ;)

3.What's your favourite colour scheme for decorating the tree?

I really like red and gold they seems the most festive to me.  But I like to have odd little ornaments scattered around the tree such as my homemade bauble that I designed when I was 8.  My mum always puts it to the back but I try to sneak it forward every year.  Also there has always been a strict ban in my house, no tinsel on the tree.  My mum is a true Christmas tree snob, and she admits it :) So I cannot wait for when I own my own tree, there is going to be tinsel of all the colours of the rainbow on it. (Sorry mum)

4. Giving or Receiving?

Who can say they don't like receiving presents? But then again, who can say they don't enjoy the look on that person's face when they open up the gift that you have given them?  Now I am older and work full time, I spend so much of my free time researching and organising presents, it's the reason I now get excited for Christmas. Cringe, let's move on.

5. To Mince pie or not?

Sadly I hate mince pies, I try them every year thinking that someone may have reinvented them, but no it never happens.   It doesn't stop me from enjoying all the other obligatorily biscuits, sweets and chocolates that come with Christmas.  Jheez Christmas is such hard work.

6. What's Your Traditional Christmas Lunch?

Turkey and all the trimmings, and every year my mum cooks too much.  Once my dad bought a turkey that was bigger than the oven, there are only four of us.

7. Christmas Day Fashion?

Pajamas! This year I plan to wear my festive fleece pajama bottoms with my polar bear Christmas jumper.  Would never believe I work in fashion.

8. What's Your Favourite Christmas Song?

Driving home for Christmas, I think it comes from my love of American Christmas films.  They always play that song when the dad can't make it home in time, or so they think!

9. What's Your Favourite Christmas Film?

Miracle on 34th Street, the 1994 one. Need I say more?

10. Open Presents Before or After Lunch?

Before! Before! If I ever make it till I'm old and grey, I still will never sleep the night before Christmas.  I don't know how anyone does.

Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter

I haven't really spoken about Lush on my blog that much, compared to how much I love their products. I have been branching out and dipping my toe into the skincare whirlpool.  I say whirlpool because I know I am going to get sucked into their face masks and other lovely goodies.

Anyway, my nails have been in need of some serious TLC as of late, so I dug this little gem out of my skincare drawer.  Lush describe Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter, as a super-thick cream choc full of rich ingredients.  This feels so luxurious it is so creamy and thick and then as you massage it in turns into an oil. Because it turns into an oil it sinks quickly into the skin but you can still feel it working its magic.  I wouldn't usually be flaunting my nails about the internet but I think they are looking by far the best for a long time.  You don't just have to use the product on cuticles, the oil is designed to help very dry skin, which can be elbows, knees or even feet. 

Like always I have to comment on the scent, especially when it comes to Lush, this smells amazing.  It smells like sweet lemon tart and like other Lush products the scent doesn't fade as soon as you apply it to the skin which makes me look so weird when I go around smelling my fingers every 2 minutes. I also have to mention I have being using this everyday for months and there isn't even a dent in the amount of product.  A little definitely goes a long way and for £6.50 for 50g  I will keep repurchasing this product until they discontinue it.

Blogmas and Beauty Advent Calendar

So today is the first day of blogmas where I will being posting everyday up until Christmas day.  These will include Christmas wishlists, makeup and outfit posts for over the Christmas period as well as my usual reviews on all things beauty related.

Also I purchased the 24 Days of Beauty Treats advent calendar so remember to follow me on Instagram to see what is behind each door! 

I hope you are all getting into the festive spirit and cannot wait for Christmas morning.  

Bourjois Bronzing Primer

Yes just as you thought you had heard the last of this little gem, I am putting it right back out there. I have been using this for a while now so I wanted to add my two cents in as I have tried various ways of using this product.  I prefer to use this as a bronzer on top of my foundation to creating a laying effect which prolongs my makeup.  I have never found this to become cakey or look too much, as I find it can get lost when using it under foundation.  The bronzer is soft and glides smoothly onto the skin.  The texture for me is quite weird as it starts as a liquid mousse and then as it blends it thickens to become more mousse-like and leaves a lovely finish.

The packaging is smaller than expected, compared to it's Soleil Tan de Chanel rival, can be a bit of a disappointment.  However it is a third of the price and I personally do not think the texture nor purpose of the two products are the same. Though I was a bit worried as I thought it could be too yellow or muddy like for me, I actually think the pigmentation is lost as it is blended in, so do not let the shade in the pot put you off.  I will also be using this in the summer as it is perfect for adding that little bit of a tan and creating a beautiful even complexion.

Can be bought in Boots for £9.99, and at the moment there is the 3 for 2 offer across all makeup brands.  Also it smells like chocolate.

Fashion Haul

Hope you are all well guys, I've missed you.

So while I have been MIA I may have done a bit of shopping.  I thought you might want a peek at the goodies that I picked up in Topshop, New Look, ASOS and of course Primark!  Pop over to my YouTube channel to check it out, and don't forget to leave me a comment to let me know what your favourite thing in the haul is.

Also I have some right cracking reviews coming up for you this month, so keep your eyes peeled for them. 

ELF Studio Blush

As you can see, I have three ELF studio blushes in Peachykeen, Candid Coral and Tickled Pink.  There are 11 shades within the range and contain 4.75g of product.  Packaging wise I think ELF have modeled themselves on NARS, so its all very sleek and sophisticated.  Three years ago these were actually the blushes that started off my obsession with cheek products, and I have never looked back.  I love the pigmentation and how soft the texture is.  Apparently some shades are a bit hit and miss, but I personally haven't found that with the ones I own.  I think they have a good longevity, and blend well into the skin to give a nice glowing look.  I believe that all the shades contain some form of shimmer, though it doesn't transfer onto the skin in Tinkled Pink's case.  ELF is definitely putting their prices up, because when I bought these I think I paid £2.50 each, now they retail for £3.75.  It's not a make or break amount and is still a very good price for the quality of this product, also ELF always have discount codes floating about.  The Gotta Glow shade is meant to be a lovely highlight, so it is on my list for my next order.  

L'Oréal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution

I knew it wouldn't be long, but there is now a high street version of the infamous Bioderma cleanser. Available at Boots and other high street stores for around the £5 mark, though I have noticed various offers around at the moment.  Yes the name is a mouthful, but I assume everyone will soon know about this product.

I haven't tried Bioderma myself, so I cannot compare the two products. Though I will say that I really do not have the urge to purchase Bioderma as I absolutely love this cleanser.  This miceller solution looks and feels just like water.  It doesn't have a scent and so is suitable for sensitive skin.  My eyes get sore very easily, even with sensitive products but this has not caused me any irritation what so ever.  I am also so happy to report that this removed waterproof mascara like a dream.  L'Oreal claims that this cleanser dissolves makeup, unclogs pores, removes impurities and tones and soothes skin.  I don't know if I agree with these completely, but I do know that it removes my makeup perfectly and leaves my skin soft ready for the remainder of my skin routine.

My only issue with this product is that due to its consistency I always pour too much on to the cotton pad meaning that I am using more than I need so it does run out quickly.  But for the quality and price of this cleanser, I will definitely be recommending and repurchasing this product as a makeup remover for a very long time. Good job L'Oreal! 

Graduation

I have spent 16 years in full time education, and on July 18th I threw my hat in the air to mark the rest of my life in the big wide world.  Though I have had jobs before including 9 to 5, I have always fallen back into my student ways. Finding it perfectly acceptable to be drunk midweek and napping whenever I see fit.  Sadly (yet hopefully) those days are behind me.

I spent three years living away from home and looking after myself.  University is not solely about the grade that you leave with, it is about the person you become and the life experience that cannot be found in any textbook.  I wish to remember university as the fun, enjoyable, party that it is perceived as.  I am so lucky to have a supportive family, group of friends and boyfriend that helped me through the times that they forgot to mention at the open day. 

My advice is to study a course you love.  You will live, breathe and sleep the subject you choose so make sure it is one that you know you won't regret.  I still cannot believe I sit here with a degree in Financial Economics BSc where my research essay was about makeup. I am proof that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation

Revlon Nearly Naked foundation is the new kid on the block these days.  This was a massive hit when it was released a few months ago.  Sadly, I tried it out and I didn't understand the hype.  I have since got a tan (ish) and decided to dip my toe into the Nearly Naked pool once more.  My gripe with this foundation to start with was that to me the coverage was just too low that I really didn't think it did anything.  Even now I still don't think it does a lot, however, I now appreciate that fact.  On some days I don't want a heavy mask covering my face, I just want to iron out some kinks. This is a really natural looking foundation so is perfect for a summers day especially as it contains SPF 20. Longevity is good and blends evenly into the skin. Packaging wise I am not a fan of the white lid, I think it looks a little cheap, and there is no pump. Why Revlon, why? The bottle is made of glass which I think a lot of people would like, but for me I worry about it spilling or breaking as I travel a lot.  All in all I am glad I tried this foundation out, for £8.99 I think it is a good foundation. 

Nars Blush in Gilda

 

 

Gilda, a coral toned pink shade, is my first blush from Nars, and definitely not my last.  I love how soft and easy this blends into the skin.  As a matte shade I was worried it could look a little flat, but it doesn't. I applies nicely to leave a lovely flushed look to the cheeks.  It's very pigmented so you only need a light hand.  On my skin this blush lasts all day which is one of the main reasons I want to buy some more shades. There is only 4.8 grams so at £21.50 they aren't the most cost effective blush on the market but I bought mine from ASOS when they had 20% student discount.  Nars packaging is lovely, sleek black with a soft rubbery cover.  However, it can get a bit grubby after a few days in the old makeup bag, so for those with a touch of OCD, I understand if you want to keep the box.  Overall this is a lovely blush and there is such a good array of shades that even if this shade doesn't float your boat I would recommend having a look at others.

HD Brow Kit - Foxy

This is probably not the first time you have seen this little eyebrow palette pop up.  Mine is in foxy and is for brunette hair. I mix the two brown shades together to get my brow colour as there isn't a perfect shade for me. Nevertheless, I cannot see me mixing up my brow products any time soon. The powder is soft yet can define and fill to make your brows look amazing. I don't use a brow gel as this powder stays all day. 

Being all four matte shades I have tried to double this up as an eyeshadow pallete too. I seem to be the only one, but I don't like the shades as shadows.  I feel they are too stiff to work with as they do not blend as nicely as I would have liked them to. This is not a bad thing though, as I say, keeps the brows looking good.  The pale shade is nice for an underbrow bone highlight and the black is really good for liner. The little double-ended brush that comes with the palette is not the worst in the world either, combined with the handy compact mirror inside, I love this palette to take away with me. I don't know what I'm going to do when the browns run out.

No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream

I never used to be a massive fan of this moisturiser as it does have a thick consistency and thought it was better suited towards a night cream.  However, since being pampered and having a facial at a Dove Spa, I have done a U-turn and now realise the importance of having a good moisturiser.  I have dry skin and since using No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream on a daily basis I have noticed such a change in my skin. Firstly, it is a lot softer even before I moisturise but also I find my foundation lasts so much longer on my skin too.

No7 have a lovely system where they colour coordinate their products with skin type. All of No7 products follow the sam system that either the packaging or the actual product itself changes depending on which skin type it is aimed at.

Green - oily

White - all/normal

Pink - dry

Purple - very dry

 The packing has since changed since I purchased mine, but I do find the tub slightly bulky especially if you go away often. Also my lid does fix and sit properly so comes loose quickly. At £9 I think this is such a good product, it does sink into the skin relatively quickly, considering how thick it is. Also no7 always have deals or the £5 off vouchers floating around so I would definitely recommend picking this up if you are looking for a new day cream.