Christmas Gift Guide | For Her & For Him

For her | I know how hard it is when picking out Christmas presents for some of the most awkward female members of the family. Gift sets are a great way to give somebody a few products to try or even add an stocking fillers. Bath, body care and premium beauty products are normally a safe bet because the majority of women love a pamper or a soak in the bath. 

1. The Philosophy Classics Christmas Gift Set | £22 | Link

2. Lush Snow Fairy Gift | £22.50 | Link

3. Soap&Glory All The Right Smoothes | £8 | Link

4. Laura Mercier Golden Honey Musk Body & Bath Duet Gift Set | £31.50 | Link

5. Benefit Primping With The Stars | £26.50 | Link

6. Jo Malone London Christmas Ornament | £22 | Link


For Him | It's that time of year again, the time of year to stress about what you're getting your Boyfriend, Dad, Uncle or whoever male. Whether you're looking for inspiration or anything specific, I hope to give you some ideas on what to get to most awkward family members. 

1. L'occitane Perfect Shave Collection | £110 | Link

2. Firebox Life Proof For Iphone | £59.99 | Link

3. Not On The Highstreet Leather Wash Bag | £45 | Link

4. Ted Baker Dornas Embossed Leather Bifold Wallet | £44 | Link

5. Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau De Toilette 100m Gift Set | £57 | Link

6. ASOS Watch and Cufflink Gift Set | £28 | Link

Nip + Fab | Detox Blend

For the past couple of weeks I have been trying out a brand that I have been longing after for some time now. Nip+Fab seems to be all over the blogging world at the moment and this was a bandwagon I was happy to jump on. The trio of products within their range include three key ingredients, coconut oil which softens and smooths irritable, dry skin, Frankincense oil which eases anxiety and stress, promoting relaxation and then the combination of tea tree, green tea and jasmine work together to detoxify the body and add a revitalising fragrance.

I start by adding a couple of drops to warm, running water when I'm about to enter the bath. The scent immediately relaxes me and the scent was not too strong despite frequent complaints. As a Lush addict I usually stick to my trusty bath ballistics to sort out my bathing needs, but after using this bath soak I can officially say I am becoming one of the converted. Since using this for a couple of weeks, I have noticed a change in my skin especially my back (Ew bacne) due to specific ingredients that focus on cleansing the skin, removing impurities and freshening the skin. I would recommend this product to anybody that practically lives in the bath like myself or is looking for a lovely new addition to the bath that doesn't leave your skin feeling tight or sensitive. 

Soap & Glory | Scrubatomic

Soap & Glory Scrubatomic | £9.00 | Link

As a self proclaimed Soap & Glory addict who enjoys using a facial scrub as part of my ever-changing daily skincare routine, I thought it was about time that I gave the infamous Scrubatomic a go. This daily scrub is suitable for all skin types, whilst being rich in antioxidant peach extracts, fast acting fruit smoothers and micro peel beads to sweep away dead skin cells to reveal much brighter, healthier skin. 

I have an ever-changing skincare routine due to my skin type, in which I have combination skin with dry, sensitive patches. Therefore, my skin care routine is important to me and I have to be careful with the products I use because more often than not they end up leaving me with a rash, breakouts or irritation to my skin. I have not experienced any inflammation from this product, so I give it a thumbs up if you are a sensitive skin sufferer like myself. I tend to use a pea-sized amount of this product and work it in circular motions into specific problematic areas using warm water. When I use this product alongside my favourite face masks (Lush - Mask Of Magnaminty), I find that my skin feels smooth, clear and radiant. Even though many people have criticised this product of not being suitable for daily use, I think otherwise. Depending on your level of clog and need for clearing, I would recommend using this between 4 -7 times a week. 

This product leaves my skin feeling super clean and nourished, whilst smelling divine. However, I would recommend using a moisturiser afterwards, (I use Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion) due to the scrub sometimes leaving my skin feeling a little stripped of natural oils. Since I have been incorporating this product into my daily skin care routine I have definitely seen an improvement in my skin and it's texture. I Highly recommend and I sure will sure be trying out some other Soap & Glory skin care products. 

What is your favourite daily face scrub? 

Winter Beauty Wishlist

1. MAC Lip Pencil - Sour | £12.50 | Link

2. The Balm Cindy Lou Highlighting Powder | £16 | Link

3. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation | £29.50 | Link

4. Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette | £37 | Link

5. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer – Clear | £25 | Link

6. Anastasia Brow Wiz | £15.50 | Link

Lush | Give A Bit Back

If you're a lush addict then you will be familiar with the Lush recycling scheme, whereby if you bring back five full size Lush pots, then you will receive a free fresh face mask. As someone who doesn't struggle emptying Lush pots on a regular basis this scheme is perfect for an addict like myself and an excuse to try out as many Lush products as possible. I think Lush has got it spot on and have given people a great incentive to recycle as you get a very positive outcome. 

Lush isn't the only company to introduce a recycling scheme, MAC offers up the scheme of returning six empties in return for one of their lipsticks. If you de-pot your eyeshadows then this is a great way to get something back and save you a lot of money. 

Have you heard of any companies that offer up a recycling scheme? Have you used them? 

Botanics Detox Brush

Botanics Detox Brush | £7 | Link

I have been lusting after a body brush for some time now, but it was a product that I convinced myself that I didn't need. After hearing about the multiple benefits that body brushing has, I thought that it was about time I eased myself in gently to the world of body brushing and give it a try. Dry body brushing is infamous for its benefits to the skin; getting rid of cellulite and exfoliating the whole body. 

I have tried using this brush both in and out of the shower, and it was like the first moment the bristles touched my skin I was completely sold. Slightly dramatic, but I do truly love this invention and the results it gives. I use this brush in conjunction with my Lush Rub Rub Rub and The Body Shop Tea Tree Body Wash is order to keep my skin feeling invigorated and cleansed all over. After one try, I noticed that my skin seemed healthier, whilst looking refreshed and glowing, not a dry patch in sight. I do use it both ways, so I have seen my skin get an overall benefit from both dry and wet brushing. This brush has seen the extinction of my *ahem* embarrassing body blemishes and has left in their place a much more healthier look to the skin. The bristles are not too scratchy, but still firm enough to get rid of all the unwanted dry patches, as well as lumps and bumps under the skin ie. cellulite, something us girls will always suffer with. I would 100% recommend this product to anybody that wants to ease themselves into body brushing without breaking the bank, however I would like to give other body brushes a go to see whether I could possibly benefit more out of this infamous technique. 

Have you tried dry body brushing? What are your thoughts? 

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray | £20 | Link

Make up setting sprays have quickly become as important to me as primers. I am a girl that is constantly on the quest to find products that prolong my make up wear. I have tried various setting sprays, from MAC Fix Plus to a variety of high street equivalents, but I never find myself happy with the finish that they give me. 

Urban Decay is a brand that is infamous for their Naked palettes, but rather than following the Naked 3 hype, I decided to find myself gravitating towards the All Nighter Setting Spray. I like to think of this being like hairspray for your face only not at all sticky nor drying. Once sprayed, it won't change the colour or finish of your make up, but instead prolong the wear of your make up by hours. This is perfect for a night out or a long day where it is vital for your make up to not budge. I am beginning to use this on a daily basis with a primer because I simply cannot live without it. I would 100% recommend it to anybody with oily skin, but it is suitable for all skin types due to it's non-drying, oil free and paraben free formula. I am yet to try the rest of their setting sprays, but De- Slick spray is next on the list to try. 

Have you tried the Urban Decay Setting Sprays? Which one do you prefer?

Fashion Wishlist

1. River Island |Light Pink Peep Toe Platform Sandals | Link

2. ASOS | Crinkle Oversize Blouse | Link

3. Rock N Rose | Jena Clear Quartz & Aventurine Gemstone Pendulum Necklace | Link

4. Amelia - May | Round Labradorite Ring | Link

5. Topshop | Petite Exclusive Lace Trim Tee | Link

6. Forever 21 | Longline Fuzzy Knit Cardigan | Link

Rub Rub Rub

Lush Rub Rub Rub | £8.75 | Link

I have been on the hunt for a body scrub that is both suitable for sensitive skin, but able to scrub away all the nasty impurities from my skin. Recently I have been experiencing some problems with dry, flaky patches due to the change in weather. I'm a Lush addict, so naturally it was my go-to place in my moment of crisis and I snapped up Rub Rub Rub. 

Rub Rub Rub is an exfoliating scrub that can be used on both body and hair. Sea salt is added as an antiseptic, as well as a natural exfoliant and the lemon juices leaves your skin feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, whilst adding shine and volume to your hair. The scrub can be used all over the body and with added Mimosa and orange flower, the scrub leaves you gently fragranced. 

I use this in conjunction with Botantics Detox Brush and I am always left with perfectly polished glowing looking skin. I tend to use this solely on my body because it leaves my skin feeling super soft and toned, however I will be looking into trying this on my hair and seeing the results. Even though it is slightly on the pricey side, I think that it is perfect for any looking for a gentle scrub that does the job. 

Rimmel Brow This Way

Rimmel London Brow This Way Sculpting Kit | £3.99 | Link

Brows have remained a main focus in the beauty world, with likes of Cara Delevingne bringing the big brow back, this has resulted in many brands coming out with their high street equivalents to high end products at affordable prices. Rimmel London is one of the brands that are on top form, recently releasing their much loved Brow This Way Styling Gel that I am yet to try. 

This product is good for girls on the go, as the powder, wax duo is perfect and ideal for handbags and top ups throughout the day. Using the wax to set the eyebrows and the powder to fill in any sparse areas, this product is great for an affordable alternative to Benefit Brow Zings. However, I still prefer my Sleek - Brow Kit which I swear by to get perfect looking eyebrows daily at a price that won't break the bank. Even though I didn't dislike this product and still think it is an extremely good product for £3.99, I think for an extra couple of pounds you would be able to get a Brow Kit that feels better quality and produces a much better finish. 

Have you tried the Rimmel Brow This Way Sculpting Kit? What are your views?

Sleek | Face Form Palette

Sleek Face Form Palette | Light | £9.99 | Link

If you're familiar with Sleek products, I'm sure you will have heard about their infamous Face Contour Kit. Known for their hand bag friendly, cheek bone enhancing contour powder and highlighter that has been featured all over blogs for some time. I thought it couldn't get any better, but then Sleek decided to create the Face Form palette and I think all of our make up prayers have been answered. 

I've got a bit of an addiction to matte bronzers/contour powders and I often find myself scanning the shelves for my latest fix, which can result in a large dent in my bank balance. Much like the Face Contour Kit, the Face Form Palette includes both the contour and highlighting powder, except it has an additional blusher or bronzer depending on the shade you are. I opted for the shade 'Light' because unlike the original Face Contour Kit, the Face Form Palette comes with an additional shade,  "Fair" in which I was unfamiliar with and didn't want to risk getting an orange tinge to my skin if I wasn't careful, so I chose the safe bet. Even though the two lighter shades have a blusher, the two darker ones include a bronzer, I think that Sleek failed on this one because personally I like to highlight, contour and apply blusher, this should still apply for darker shades too, so I think Sleek should have catered for everyone on the blusher front. 

Contouring is something that definitely gets better with practice and no one can expect razor sharp cheekbones from just one sweep of a brush. I often make weird faces to find my cheekbones and then apply to contour powder to the hollows of my cheeks, temples and a little around my nose. The most important part of contouring is blending. No body wants to see you with orange streaks down their face, so ladies blend, blend, blend. I then apply the blusher, along the tops of my cheekbones, but that is all down to personal preference. I swirl my brush around the highlighter, which is a champagne tone that compliments my skin tone, and then apply is to the points that would "naturally glow". Contouring is about faking cheekbones and sculpting your face to create a natural, enhanced look.

I think that this is a lovely product that compliments any make up bag and at £9.99, it is a complete bargain. 

Have your tried any Sleek products? What do you think?