Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette

This is the second year that I've treated myself to one of the Hourglass holiday palettes and although I was initially torn between the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Volume 4 and the Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette, I ended up opting for the latter. There is a few reasons why and that's because as a fan of Hourglass, I actually already own a few of the shades in the former palette already and therefore it made sense to go for one with completely new hues in. 

I've got to mention to packaging first of all because once again Hourglass have hit in the nail on the head. The gold casing looks perfect in my collection and although it's obviously a bigger compact than just a face powder as it has six different products inside it, it does save space in my makeup bag too. 

I was worried that the shades would be too dark for me after seeing lots of swatches online, but as it's Hourglass, the finely filled powders can be built up or blended out to get your desired effect super easy. This palette has your whole face covered from finishing powders, bronzer, blushers and a highlighter too. The finishing powder comes in both a Soft Light and Filtered Light shade, the former being more suited to my skin tone as it's much lighter and creates a subtle glow to the complexion. The darker shade is just a little bit too dark to work as a setting powder for me personally at this time of the year as I like something with a brightening effect, but I can see myself making this work in the warmer months. 

Not that this is particularly logical, but one of the reasons I was tempted by the palette was because of the bronze shade. Hourglass powder formulas are so dreamy to work with and I've had such a great result from using them in the past that I had my eye on this from the get go. Although it looks very dark in the pan when used on the cheeks in gives a natural warmth to the skin and although there's quite a lot of shimmer in it, I actually quite like it for once as it makes my complexion look a little healthier especially at this time of the year. 

The two blushers were the stand out products for me initially as they're so gorgeous to just look at! Nude Glow, a peachy, golden shade which would work to give the face a glow if you're on the go. My favourite has to be Mood Flush which is more on the matte side which is a nice contrast to the other powders in this palette and the rosy pink hue is great for everyday wear. 

The highlighter, a champagne hue is fairly deceptive as I thought it would be a little more on the "very subtle, nothing to write home about" shade, but I was wrong. In the inner corners this really brightens up the whole area and when used on the tops of the cheekbones it gives a dreamy sheen. 

Of course the pan sizes aren't great in terms of actually getting a brush into them, but I only tend to have a problem if I'm using a very, very fluffy brush otherwise I hardly notice. If you're worrying about using these up to quickly, I can assure you that you won't as you barely make a dent in them (I have a blusher I've used for years and it looks barely touched to this day!). 

Hourglass are of course a very luxe brand so there's the high price point to take into consideration, but if you're looking to try a few products from the brand and you're after an easy to use travel palette, then I'd definitely recommend this if you can still get your hands on it. The overall look it gives in undeniably gorgeous and can easily be transitioned from day to night. I've even had success creating an everyday eye look out of it, so I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this throughout the next couple of months and then into the next season. 

Have you tried the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette? 

Here are a few places to keep your eyes peeled if you're looking to snap up this palette as it's sold out pretty much everywhere + the other palette if you fancy treating yourself too. 

- All links in this post are affiliate links. - 

A Full Face Of Makeup

A full coverage base, a smokey eye look and a strong lip isn't something I wear on a daily basis, but I've definitely been wearing it on a more regular basis recently. I love dewy, minimal makeup, but this post today is dedicated to my favourite products for a full face of makeup. 

I start off with a primer in the former of the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow* offering to ensure that my base looks glowy and healthy for the get go. I then go in with the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation* if I'm feeling like I need a heavier coverage, but with a natural finish. I particularly like applying this with my Beauty Crush Foundation Brush* to ensure my makeup looks flawless and is applied in a matter of a seconds. 

For underneath the eyes, I go for the Huda Beauty Overachiever Concealer* as it brightens and covers my under eye circles whilst remaining in place all day long. For blemishes and scarring on my face, I like to use the Too Faced Born This Way Sculpting Concealer as it's lightweight, blends easily into other formulas and looks super natural too. 

To mattify the whole face, I like using the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder* which creates a flawless face and minimises pores all in one go. I wouldn't usually say I'm one for baking my under eyes, but this has made it easy and never looks cakey either. For added warmth, I go for the Nars Laguna Bronzer* as it can be used all over and it never looks muddy on my complexion. It can also be used to sculpt the cheeks and define the forehead too. 

For highlighter, I've been using the Laura Mercier Indiscrection Face Illuminator as it adds a subtle sheen to the cheeks, but it's the ABH Amrezy Highlighter* that I have to go for when opting for a full face of makeup. It's back in stock now which makes me very happy as it's honestly so dreamy - if you're doubting whether to buy it, I'd definitely recommend investing. 

I love experimenting with my eye makeup and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette* is one of my favourites alongside the Urban Decay Naked Cherry* offering. Sometimes I can't pick just the one, so I mix them both, but honestly the ABH pick is amazing for creating a variety of looks. When I'm going for a full coverage foundation, I like to go a little heavier on the eyes in the form of a smokey eye and then I finish up with the Soap and Glory Supercat Liner*. This paired with the Nars Climax Mascara creates a well put together, volumised and defined look that I'm obsessed with. If I'm feeling paritcuallty jazzy then I tend to line with the Nudestix Golden Rose Rock n Roller* as it's super long lasting and very pretty on the eye too especially if I'm going for a simple eyeshadow on the lid. 

Nothing has really changed when it comes to well defined, long lasting brows as the ABH Dip Brow* is still one of my favourites. It's super easy to use although you may need to go in with a light hand at first unless you're used to how a pomade works as you may get more than you bargained for. 

To finish the whole look off, I've been using either a classic nude or the Charlotte Tilbury Screen Siren Hollywood Lips* as the red hue is very flattering on and doesn't budge for hours. It can easily be topped up and there's something about a red lipstick that never fails to make me feel sassy. 

What are your full face makeup favourites? 

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliate links. - 

A Luxury Christmas Gift Guide

I've got to say whilst putting this gift guide together, my wishlist has grown considerably too. There's everything from bags to jewellery, from homeware to clothing, there's something for everybody whether they want to treat themselves or a loved one this festive season. I've tried to steer clear from the usual electronics as of course getting an iPhone, MacBook or new radio is always going to be an appreciated luxe gift. 

This Whistles Aria Star Embroidered Dress is absolutely gorgeous and honestly I'm tempted to treat myself for Christmas. In fact, Whistles is a great brand to check out if you're looking to treat yourself or a loved one as so many of their clothes, jewellery and bags are super dreamy. And Other Stories is another brand I've been eyeing up doing a haul from including their Embellished Tassel Bag which just screams festive to me. 

Missoma is what is at the top of my Christmas list at the moment and the Celestial Star Stud Set are just too adorable to miss - just look at them! If Missoma doesn't tickle your fancy then I'm sure Alex Monroe will, the classic Baby Bee Necklace is definitely popular for a reason. 

It's been three years since I started lusting after The White Company Cashmere Socks and I'm sure that there are lots of cold feet that would love these - a lot more luxury than your packet of socks, but would be well received. 

If you're looking to buy a beauty lover something, but maybe you're strugglignas they have everything then I'd recommend one of the Laura Mercier bath sets like the Luxe Indulgences Ambre Vanillé offering as it's great for a giving somebody the excuse to unwind and relax over the Christmas period. Equally, the Molton Brown Explore Luxury Women's Set* is just as lovely as you get an array of eight bottles to try and it comes in at £25 - so not too expensive either. 

Anthropologie is one of my favourite homeware brands and I love anything that I get from them. Their Mercury Globe Vase is too pretty and their Large World Globe would look great on my shelves too. 

What's on your Christmas wishlist this year? 

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliate links. - 

Minimal Makeup

I've been loving a fuller coverage base at the moment which is pretty unlike me, but I've always been enjoying a dewy, more lightweight look for everyday too. I chose to talk about the latter today, sharing my makeup products and routine with you. 

The star of the show and the product that I'm going to be completely honestly with you about. Before getting in sent to me a few weeks back I'd never heard of the brand, but the Erborian BB Crème Au Ginseng* is a new favourite. The shade range is abysmal, but I've got the shade Clair which adapts to my skin tone to make it a perfect match. It's formula isn't anything like I've tried before as it's slightly thicker which I enjoy using as it's easy to blend and build up on the skin. 

When I want an extra dose of coverage, I reach for the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away* or Glossier Stretch Concealer to cover redness and blemishes without looking heavy or out of place on the skin. To set my makeup I opt for the Glossier Wowder Powder as it looks like nothing on my complexion whilst lightly mattifying and prolonging my base too. 

I've already mentioned Glossier a lot in this post, but they do embody the no-makeup, minimal look perfectly and one of my favourite products of theirs are the Cloud Paints. These cream blushers can be blended together to create customisable shades and I like using the shade Dusk to slightly contour my face and then add a pop of colour to my cheeks in the form of Haze. 

If I want to use something else then I go for the Charlotte Tilbury Seduce Me Blush Duo* which took a little while to get used to as if you're looking for an intense look then this won't be for you. The highlighter adds a slight sheen and the colour is quite subtle, but great if you're already rather flushed from the cold weather. 

For my eyes, I tend to use my usual mascara, but the Soap and Glory Archery Crayon and Gel* is what I use for simple makeup days. I find that your brows can be the telltale sign that you are wearing lots of products in them if done wrong, so this crayon adds just the right amount of colour and shape that it doesn't look unnatural when I've gone bare with my base. 

To finish, I apply some lip balm and spritz my face with the Caudalie Beauty Elixir* to add a luminous look and pull the makeup look together. 

What are your favourite minimal makeup products? 

If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliate links. 

A Christmas Stocking Fillers Gift Guide

Although I get excited about finding main Christmas presents, it's the stocking fillers that I'm always drawn to whenever I'm looking around. Of course everyone's budget is different so I've made sure that there's products from £4 up til £12 in this round up and a good mix of beauty, lifestyle and gadgets too. 

Oh socks... the ultimate stocking filler in my opinion - The cosier, the better too. I always look out for lounge socks like these ones as they tend to be affordable and a great pick for those who get cold in the Winter. If you know somebody is more of a slipper person, I'd definitely recommend checking out these New Look Pom Pom Slippers - just look how adorable they are! 

Technology accessories are always well received especially to play around with during the Christmas time especially this Clip On Selfie Light which I can imagine would be popular during NYE too. Novelty stocking fillers like Brussels sprouts chocolates are always funny, but I do like making them useful and books are a great way to do this too especially this gin recipe book which would be great for any cocktail lover.  

One of my favourite beauty stocking fillers I've seen is the L'Occitane Shea Butter Star Set* as they have quite good sample sizes inside, perfect for a Christmas pamper. If you want something similar, but you don't want to spend that much then popping in a Lush bath bomb would be a great surprise in your stocking too. 

What are your favourite stocking fillers to receive? 

- This post contains affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. - 

Autumn Beauty Favourites

Autumn is my favourite season for several reasons; there's my birthday, the build up to Christmas (and lots of other celebrations) and then the makeup... berry tones and golden hues in all of their glory! I've covered quite a few topics this season including what's in my makeup bag and my favourite shades, but I wanted to give you a full round up of everything I've been using this Autumn in one post. 

As always my foundation barely changes as I'm a creature of habit, but my base routine which I featured in a recent blog post of mine is usually made up of a variety of products including the Bourjois Healthy Mix and Clinique Even Better* base. To make sure my skin  is looking hydrated and glowing I've been using various moisturisers before my makeup.

This season I've been trying out lots of new concealers and therefore I've gained a couple of favourites in the process. The Huda Beauty Overachiever Concealer* is great underneath the eyes for a brightening and smooth effect, whereas the Too Faced Born This Way Sculpting Concealer* has grown on me over the last couple of months and I now use it everyday. To set my makeup I've been loving the Huda Beauty Ease Bake Powder* and I won't go on as you've heard it all before, but it's great at making your skin feel smooth and look matte. 

My blushers rarely change either and I'm still using the Hourglass Euphoric Fusion Blusher* which is my go-to Autumn hue. I then define my cheeks using the Nars Laguna Bronzer* which happens to warm up my complexion also and then I sweep a bit of the Laura Mercier Indiscretion Face Illuminator over the top of my cheeks. 

For my eyes I've been loving the Charlotte Tilbury The Vintage Vamp Quad* and I predict it's going to be my Christmas eye makeup look of choice. The Urban Decay Naked Cherry Palette* has also been a palette I've been reaching for as it creates a variety of looks for every occasion and I can really make this work for everyday too (who would have thought?!). When applied with the Hourglass Blaze Scattered Lights Eyeshadow it creates a gorgeous warm toned sparkly eye that would work perfectly with a red lip. Talking of a red lip, I'm so glad I discovered the Hollywood Lips Liquid Lipstick* in Screen Siren in the CT advent calendar as it's really surprised me. It's lightweight, easy to apply and is comfortable too - this has been my "I want to wear something to jazz up an outfit" lipstick choice recently. For my nude lipstick I've been using either the Nars Anita Lipstick* or the Nudestix Purity Lip Pencil* - they're so fab I can actually see myself using these two up! 

Back to my eyes and I've recently rediscovered the Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner* which is a thin liner which creates a defined flick and is long lasting too. With a quick few layers of mascara I'm ready to go. 

A Christmas Homeware and Lifestyle Gift Guide

I knew that this Christmas gift guide was going to be the hardest one to put together as I wanted a good range of ideas from homeware to unique edible gifts that can be given to anybody. Sometimes you're not sure what the person you're gifting is currently into or you want to give someone a present they're not expecting, so here are my top homeware and lifestyle picks for this year. 

Candles are always very welcomed and of course an Overose Valkiria or a Diptyque Candle would be a lovely treat if you're looking to spend a little bit more. If you're looking for a great budget option then the Yankee Christmas Cookie will be your best bet as it's loved by many. 

Cookbooks, diaries and planners can all be great affordable gifts that can be given on their own or part of a bigger present. The Gin Made Me Do It looks great for a cocktail lover and in fact Oliver Bonas is a great place to look for lifestyle pieces as their the Prosecco alternative is great too. 

Jewellery is something that can be super special and doesn't have to break the bank either. Of course it's something hard to get right, but John Greed kindly sent me over two of their pieces from their collection and it's one to check out as there's lots of pieces under £30 that look more expensive. 

What are your top Christmas homeware and lifestyle picks? 

- All links in this post are affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample -

A Christmas Beauty Gift Guide

It'll come as no surprise that the beauty Christmas gift guide is my favourite one to put together and it comes hard to narrow down all the lovely gifts that they have on offer. I wanted to make sure I had a good range of brands and prices to ensure that there is something for everybody. 

When creating this post I always end up adding so many to my wishlist, but currently at the top is the Beauty Bakerie Flour Powder Set as I've wanted to try this product out for the longest time and as it's on the Boots star gift it makes it a bargain. You get the powder, a beauty sponge and a face brush all for £20! A great present for yourself or a loved one. 

Since a few years back when Pixi really upped their Christmas collection game, I've been checking back every festive season now too. You can get the Endless Silky Eye Pen Trio* for £12 which is a great gift for anybody looking to experiment with their eye looks or the Best of Rose Set* would be well received by any skincare enthusiastic. The Ultimate Beauty 5th Edition* although £28 is actually such a great deal as you get 9 blush, bronzer and highlighter hues and then 40 (!) eye and brow shades for you to play around with. 

We all know how expensive Christmas can be so I like to shop around looking for the best deals, alongside the Boots 3 for 2 deal which is always a yearly favourite, World Duty Free also has some bargains. The Benefit Confection Cuties* would be a great gift for somebody who loves high end makeup without breaking the bank - to be fair all of their gift sets are worth a look!

Origins is worth a look this year as their Best of the Best Set is lovely and their Mini Masks is great if you know somebody who travels a lot or that wants to try out all of their masks without committing. 

Lastly, Charlotte Tilbury, the ultimate luxe beauty brand that just screams Christmas to me. I love wearing their makeup over the festive period and their gift sets certainly haven't disappointed this year. The Mini Hollywood Lips Duo* has two generous sized liquid lipsticks that would be perfect for this time of the year or for those wanting to try something from the brand and the Mini Magical Brush Kit* is such an adorable present idea too. 

What are you top beauty Christmas present picks this year? 

- This post contains affiliate links. If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample -

Little Changes To Make To Your Skincare Routine

I love learning new tips and tricks when it comes to skincare whether it's a new tool or a different way to apply my moisturiser. I've been researching simple ways to spruce up my routine and today I'm sharing with you the little changes that have made a big difference. 

I've suffered with dehydrated, chapped lips for pretty much every Autumn/Winter for as longs I can remember. I rely heavily on lip scrubs, balms and treatments to keep them at a level where I can wear lipstick and it doesn't look awful. Even in the Summer my lips suffer from whenever they're exposed to the sun, so although I try and keep them protected they still get dry. The Lush Sugar Plum Fairy is definitely one to pick up if you need something to use on a daily basis and it's one that has made a huge difference in the way my lip products look when worn. 

I can't tell you how excited I am to have a jade roller in my skincare routine as I've lasted after one for ages now. I've heard such good things about time when used both warm, at room temperature and when cold too. I've got my hands on the new Gatineau White Jade Facial Roller* which promises to promote blood flow, lymph drainage and improve the skin's glow too. Although only a small addition, I've loved using it and have actually seen a difference in a very small amount of time which surprised me. 

Another change I've made to my skincare routine is popping products into the fridge especially the Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum* which spurred this one. It contains L-Absorbic Acid ie Vitamin C which apparently is best used immediately, but to prolong usage even further popping it in the fridge can help preserve it too. 

I saw this tip the other month and I can't remember where, but it's been on my 'must try that' list for some time. Basically, they explained that you should apply your moisturiser 3 minutes after your cleanse/toner to ensure you get optimum hydration as moisturiser traps in water in your skin. I can't say I've seen a huge difference, but there's definitely one to at least note - I'm wondering if it'll improve over a longer period of time too. 

What are your top skincare tips? 

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample. This post contains affiliate links - 

A Budget Christmas Gift Guide Under £15

The Christmas gift guides are now in full swing and I've really loved putting them together! One that I knew I wanted to do is a budget one as it's a gift guide I would find useful myself, I gave myself the challenge of making sure each present or gift idea is all under £15.

For a beauty lover, I would definitely recommend checking out the Caudalie gift sets as they have some amazing bits for under £15. A present idea that I thought would work really well is the Hand Cream Trio*, a set of 3 hand creams for £12 which can be separated  and then you can pair it with a nail vanish, lip scrub or bath bomb to make a little self care bundle that doesn't break the back. If this duo doesn't tickle your fancy, they do a super cute Vinosource Cracker* which is worth £20.50 making it a bargain too - pair this with a simple Face Inc Rose Glow Face Mask are you've got a very lovely present any beauty lover would be happy to have. 

I promise I won't make this gift guide all about beauty, but giving makeup for a present doesn't have to be scary. This Origins Mini Face Mask Set is such a great idea and as it's £15 making it a great gift on it's own or the Soap and Glory Pink Credibles Set* is going to be welcomed by anybody. Equally check out the sales as there's quite a lot around like this Burton Watch which would be great for your boyfriend, dad or anybody that may be a little harder to buy for as it's pretty simple. 

A similar idea, but one that can be given to pretty much anybody is the get a miniature This Works Sleep Spray Set and put it with a book (Amazon do very affordable books for under £4 and some of them are on a 3 for £10 saving too!) to give to anybody that needs a little bit more time to themselves. Likewise you can adapt this to different people, if you know the person isn't a fan of reading, but they love relaxing with a candle, then the Yankee Candle 4 Pack will be your best bet. 

There's so many jewellery pieces out there that can look very snazzy, but be easy on the bank account too. John Greed kindly sent me over a couple of their pieces and although neither is under £15, their Gold Horn Earrings give me serious Missoma vibes at a fraction of the price. 

Themed presents as I've previously mentioned always go down a treat. For a teenager, I always think getting a cosy pair of socks and a hot chocolate set makes for a lovely put together gift idea. For an adult you could grab them a keep cup and make yourself a hot chocolate set inside of it too or make it alcoholic getting a Tequila Cocktail Book and then a gold rimmed glass too. Someone who likes to use their phone may enjoy a Lens Clip for their phone to create arty looking shots and if you want to get them a phone case or a portable charger to go with it. 

What are your top picks for budget Christmas presents this year? 

- If a products is marked with a * it is a PR sample. All links are affiliate links - 

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe Advent Calendar

If you've been around here for a while, you'll know that Charlotte Tilbury is the brand I love to use around the festive period. There's something about the rose gold casing and gorgeous shades that make them a dream to use. When I was sent the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe* I was over the moon and it was like Christmas came early! I wanted to give you a little tour of this advent calendar and my thoughts on the contents too. You may need to read to the end as there's something that I think you'd love *hint hint*. 

Each product is individually wrapped with burgundy tissue paper behind each door and I feel like that's just the start of it as the exterior packaging has to be noted too. I was worried that the glitter was going to get everywhere, but you'll be pleased to know that it doesn't come off at all and the whole box looks so luxe and very fitting for Christmas. 

Now onto what's inside and the twelve products range from a facial moisturiser to a liquid lipstick, meaning you get to try out a variety of CT's products in generous trial sizes and still have four full sized products at the end too. The Hollywood Lips in Screen Siren is a new addition to my collection and a formula I haven't tried before. I've never tried them as I haven't heard much about their liquid lipstick, but wow this colour is dreamy, long lasting and comfortable too. 

Another product in the box that I didn't even realise existed was the Multi-Miracle Glow, a rose scented cleanser, mask and balm trio. It can be used to nourish any areas in dire need of hydration, to remove your makeup or as a mask to create a refreshed, smoothed complexion. I haven't tried this enough yet to give many thoughts, but I have to say it smells incredible and has a lovely texture too it - not too watery, nor thick. 

The product that I've heard so many amazing things about and I was so excited to try is the Magic Cream, but I wasn't expecting such a generous trial size (a retail price of £27 on it's own). It's 15ml, but with the texture and formula I can imagine this lasting me a good six weeks of use in the evening. It's a thick cream that doesn't feel heavy on the skin and just makes my complexion drink it up. It's lightly scented which is something to note, but it feels very luxe to use! 

Mini eyeliners from advent calendars or subscription boxes always come in handy as they're great for handbags and I rarely ever use a whole pencil up, so the Rock N Kohl Liner from this box is great and is something I've been using everyday since I got it. I pair this with the Full Fat Lashes which I'm still on the fence about, but it's nice that they've used the same packaging and same size brush as the full sized version to make sure you get the same experience when using. 

Two full sized eye products in the box are the Colour Chameleon Amber Haze and Eyes To Mesmerise Jean. I've tried them both in other shades, but it's nice to have the latter in a champagne hue and the former in an easy to wear, long lasting bronze shade. The cream eyeshadow is super gorgeous to wear on it's own, but they actually work very well together to create a bright, yet subtle smokey eye. 

As you know one of my favourite Charlotte Tilbury products is the Pillow Talk Lipstick and there's a full sized one in this box too! It's such a lovely nude shade, but as I've done a full review of it I won't go into too much detail. It's a gorgeous matte hue that sits perfectly on my lips without clinging to any dry patches and keeps my lips looking full too. 

Another favourite that I've been using for years now is the Wonderglow and honestly it's rekindled the love for me. The miniature size still offers a great deal of product whereby you can really get a feel for what it does. For me, it's greats the perfect base for foundation as it illuminates, smoothes and hydrates. 

I like that there's a lot makeup to try in this but nevertheless it's nice that there are lots of skincare as I've only tried the Goddess Clay Mask before from Charlotte Tilbury. It's already in my collection and I've spoken about it before, but as you use it once or twice a week, the 15ml tube will probably last you about a month perfect for the Christmas season. Similarly, the Take It All Off, an eye makeup remover, is great for if you're travelling over the festive period, but as you only use a small amount of remover each night, this will probably give you a lot of use out of it. 

Lastly it's the Supermodel Body which is a highlighter for your limbs that promises to give the illusions of smoother, softer, firmer skin perfect for if you're getting your legs out for a Christmas party this year. At first I was worried that I would get through the tube quite quickly, but as I tend to use this on my shins, shoulders and collarbones, I actually haven't used too much of it. 

Now onto the surprise - I'm giving away a Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar over on my Instagram today (12/11) and it'll be up for three days, so definitely check it out over at Pintsizedphoto if you don't follow already. 

What do you think of the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe Advent Calendar? 

- All products marked with a * in this post are a PR sample. All links are affiliate links -

A Cosy Night In

- This post is in collaboration with Leesa, but all thoughts are my own - 

Autumn is the perfect season for a cosy night in and I've feel like I've got my routine down. From pampering to putting on a fresh pair of pj's, I've got the full line up for you today.

The New Mattress | It was only recently that it dawned on me that we've had our now old mattress for some time now and if I'm honest it just wasn't cutting it when it came to comfort anymore. When Leesa got in contact with me I jumped at the chance because I've heard so many great things and I wanted to share with you a bit about the process and how it feels now we've been sleeping on it for a month. I picked up the Leesa Premium Foam Mattress and I'm sharing my thoughts with you today. 

As for the process of it arriving, unpacking it and getting it set up. It was super easy and much less of a faff than I thought it would have been. As someone with an Ikea bed, I was worried about the mattress not fitting our bed, but it was so easy to measure and pick the right mattress that we need (as they come in both UK and EU measurements). It arrived within a few days of ordering it and it came tightly wrapped in a box ready to be unrolled on your bed. It expands over the course of 24 hours, but it can still be slept on in the meantime. The best part and something that put my mind at ease was that you've got 100 days to test out your mattress before you decide if it's the right one for you. I think this is great as you really get to try it out before you commit and the 10 year guarantee is definitely an added bonus many will be relieved by. 

I do lots of exercise, so a comfy, cosy bed has always been important to us as we want to roll into a plush mattress at the end of the day. The mattress has three unique layers of foam to make it as comfortable, yet supportive as possible meaning you don't sink into the bed and disappear like I had thought you would. Instead it enables you get a good night's rest supporting your body without making you overheat and get irritated. Having a mattress without springs never really occurred to me before, but it makes such a huge different to how deep I've been sleeping. Using I end up with a spring in my rib during the night which startles me in the night, but we've both been sleeping a lot longer and deeper than we did before. It's come at the perfect time really as with a fresh set of pillows and a new duvet, we can't wait to get into our toasty bed at the end of the day. 

I've got to mention as well that despite needing to cover it up with my bedding, more on that later, the mattress itself is rather pretty being a pale grey with stripes that's material is actually super soft to feel too. 

Leesa also give back with every purchase you make as they've donated over 30,000 mattresses to 1,000 non-profit organisations and donate one mattress to every ten sold. If you'd like to try a Leesa mattress out for yourself then I've got a discount code (PINTSIZEDBEAUTY) which gets you £100 off your purchase. 

Fresh Bedding | Freshly shaved legs and new bedding... name a better duo. It makes me 
want to do a bed dance whenever these two come together and they always bring a smile to my face too. I feel like having a fluffy duvet is the perfect way to make your bed feel like you're falling into a cloud and makes Sunday mornings an absolute dream. 

Embrace Hygge | I've really got to bug to have friends around for a cosy night of drinking and chatting. I'm also prone to a little board game from time to time, a perfect way to spend a couple of hours with a mulled wine in hand. Dim the lights, put out your favourite candles and get out lots of blankets to snuggle up with. I love having something to dip in and share for dinner when I'm going for a cosy night in, something like fondue, pizza or just humous and dips. 

A Long Hot Bath | Whenever I need a bit of 'me time' I always run myself a hot bath full to the brim with the fluffiest bubbles to sink myself into with candles all around giving off just enough light so I can read my book. If the bath is just the right I can stay in there for ages and it's the perfect way to relax for the evening. 

Don't forget you can shop your Leesa Foam Mattress with £100 off including the code PINTSIZEDBEAUTY. 

What makes a perfect cosy night in for you? 

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