Christmas Gift Ideas - Dainty Necklaces.

I am obsessed with Sterling silver dainty necklaces, They just look so pretty! Understated jewellery at it's best.. There are loads of Amazing hand crafted jewellery on Etsy and I have found myself on the site for hours, going from seller to seller.. I have asked Father Christmas for the Moon & Stars necklace as I think it is beautiful.. They are perfect gifts for Friends, Mums, Sisters, girlfriends, wives etc and are pretty inexpensive - bonus! I'm on the lookout for a floating diamond (or CZ) necklace but not found the one, just yet! Let's hope I have one or two under my Christmas tree this year! 

Can you recommend a good place to buy this sort of jewellery from?

*All images are taken from Google.

Thierry Mugler Alien Christmas Coffret

Inspired by an amethyst it symbolises serenity. Distinctive and mysterious, yet comforting and soft, Alien by Thierry Mugler conveys passion, sensuality and the essence of absolute femininity. This is my all time favourite Christmas scent, it is a beautiful rich scent, but at the same time it doesn't overpower or suffocate you like some strong scents! It has depth and is long lasting, I always get compliments when wearing it, I don't own or have ever smelt a fragrance like it.

It's a rich floral wood amber containing jasmine sambac, cashmeran wood and white amber. A scent like no other it is irresistibly appealing and totally out of this world, its an unforgetable scent.

This gorgeous gift set includes:

• Thierry Mugler Alien Eau de Parfum, refillable 30ml
• Thierry Mugler Alien Radiant Body Lotion, 100ml
• Thierry Mugler Alien Radiant Shower Gel, 30ml
• Thierry Mugler Alien Body Cream, 15ml

The retail price is £50.00 which I think is great considering what you get, but I have recently seen it discounted during the 'Black Friday' sales at really great prices, perfect to snap one up for a treat for yourself of a loved one! 

What's your go to Christmas Fragrance? 

Mandara Spa Honeymilk Dream Perfect Pampering Collection

Immerse yourself in the comforting world of Honeymilk Dream, an evocative blend of acacia honey and sweet almond oil to soften and nourish. Mandara Spa, a sister brand of Elemis launched a new spa quality bath, body and home range exclusively in Sainsbury's stores nationwide. 

Already a hugely popular spa brand with over 100 spa's worldwide, the range will comprise of five spa experiences; Tropical Blooms, Honeymilk Dream, Amber Heaven, Island Paradise and Citrus Spice. Despite being cheaper, the products contain the same ingredients that are used in the treatments carried out at the Mandara Spas which reflect the quality that is synonymous with the Elemis brand. They are also all paraben and SLS free.

This gift set includes:

• 300ml Honeymilk Dream Bath Essence - bottle
• 150ml Honeymilk Dream Shower Cream - tube
• 75ml Honeymilk Dream Hand Cream - tube
• 50ml Honeymilk Dream Shower Scrub - tube
• 50ml Honeymilk Dream Body Oil - bottle
• 50ml Honeymilk Dream Body Lotion - pot

For just £19.50 this set is great value, This scent is amazing it smells absolutely divine - The key ingredients of the Honeymilk Dream range include acacia honey, cocoa butter, kukui nut oil, mango butter, shea butter, sweet almond oil and wheat germ oil. It leaves you smelling good enough to eat and my skin as soft as a babies! A beautiful gift for someone special to let them enjoy an evening of pampering!

Have you tried this brand before, what's your favourite scent?

He-Shi Luxury Gift set

A perfect gift/Stocking filler for a wannabe bronzed goddess... This He-Shi Gift Set includes Express Liquid Tan 150ml with a free mitt and luxury bronze clutch bag.

Get instantly beautifully bronzed skin with this great value gift set. All you need for a flawless finish for Christmas & New Year party nights. Instant golden colour with a see where it goes formula, its quick drying due to its incredibility light texture, Gives you the perfect colour that lasts 7-10 days, it is also Suitable for use all over body including the facial area.

This is one of my favourite go to Self tanners, it is super easy to apply with the mitt for a streak free finish, it provides you with a subtle guide colour to allow you to see where you've applied it, is touch dry within minutes and as it's Odourless, paraben and alcohol free formulation you can dress and go whilst waiting for the colour to develop and at only £20.00 its a bargain! It's made from 100% natural DHA - bonus..

Will this be on your Christmas list? 

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Limited Edition Angel Glamorama

“A sexy and glam-rock star is born, in the image of Georgia May Jagger, the new face of Angel.”

Thierry Mugler launched a limited collector’s edition of their flagship fragrance, Angel. Entitled ‘Angel Glamorama’, the limited edition bottle (the perfume remains the same untouched original scent) has been created to celebrate the inauguration of model, Georgia May Jagger as the new face of Angel.

Housed within a stunning black lacquer bottle adorned with a shower of star-like blue sparkles, the Angel Glamorama edition is described as being “like a star plucked from the milky way” and displays the perfume in an entirely more edgy and glam-rock aesthetic. The Angel Glamorama edition will be refillable, enabling the consumer to top-up their fragrance via the Angel Source or via a refill bottle.

The Angel Glamorama edition launches exclusive to Selfridges on 01 October 2014 in 50ml Refillable Eau de Parfum for £65.

Will this be making it onto your Christmas list?

Beauty Wish list!

As we are now in November, I have started to notice Christmas gift sets are EVERYWHERE! I am soo tempted to buy them all but there is just one thing holding me back... My Bank Balance!! Hopefully I'll be able to pick a few things up - fingers crossed!.

Too Faced Everything is Nice Palette... Just Wow! I need this in my Life... It is just gorgeous.. I love everything about it from the 20 stunning shadows and 4 pretty blushes.. I want the pink Glittery Make up bag! Available soon.

Soap & Glory - Get your own lime.... This smells like Lime cheesecake, almost good enough to eat.. Set includes - SUGAR CRUSH™ Body Wash 75ml - SUGAR CRUSH™ Body Scrub 50ml - SUGAR CRUSH™ Body Buttercream 50ml - SUGAR CRUSH™ Hand Cream 50ml - A suds-boosting Body Polisher for just £10.. Such a great little set available from Boots.

I love this Pauls Boutique cosmetic bag.. The colour is beautiful and a girl can NEVER have enough pretty bags to put her make up in.. Inside you'll find Lip Glaze (14ml), Eye Pencil, Nail Polish (15ml) and a Nail File for just £14.. Available from Boots.

I've tried a couple of products from this brand and have been impressed, this gift set looks perfect to try 6 products for just £29 available from Look Fantastic.

What's caught your eye? 

Clarins - Perfect Eyes and Brow Palette.

Perfect for beginners and pros alike!

This ultimate eye kit contains all you need for professional looking, perfectly shaped brows. This portable compact, with built-in mirror, includes three powders, a holding wax to set brows and a luminous pink shadow to enhance the eyes. A double applicator, eyebrow brush and mini tweezers are also included all for £35.00, it's the perfect travel companion as the whole compact including tools fits snuggly into the palm of your hand! I also love Clarins packaging, the gold is very classy and expensive looking compared to some other brands who house everything in plastic.. Benefit I'm looking at you!.. I love the little tools that come with it.. I'm a sucker for small samples or miniature products so these are perfect! This compact is great and you can easily mix the three powders to create the best shade to suit your brows, the powders can also be used as eye shadows meaning you only need to take this one palette with you! - Bonus.. Available online at Clarins.co.uk or from any good beauty store.

What's your favourite brow product? 

Benefit cheeky sweet spot box o’ blushes

When I first saw photo's of this I knew I had to own it! I love Benefit powder blushes and bronzers but hate the price of them at an eye watering £23.50 each, I'm a little reluctant to buy but with this you get the six powders at 4-6g & a sample of the highlighter for only £29.50 it was a no brainer for me .. It’s a blushin’ blockbuster! For the FIRST-TIME EVER, Benefit’s famous box o’ powders are all together in one cheeky sweet spot. With an exclusive Tips and Tricks booklet inside to show you how to create two easy looks: “do it up for daytime” and “pretty up for playtime.”

They are so pigmented, blend easily and smell divine! I already own a separate Hoola but as it's one of my favourites, i'll use them both easily and I also own a separate Coralista blusher that I have been nursing as I hit pan and didn't fancy splurging on another, but now I have another - yay!.. All the others including the highlighter are new to me which is great! 

I am a massive fan of palettes especially for travel and love the idea of a blush/bronzer palette,but wasn't  really keen on the packaging of this.. It's really cute and brightly coloured but it's rather chunky & impractical.. But I was so happy as on inspection they are just stuck on a foam cushion, so can easily be removed and placed into a more suitable palette like a Z palette or similar! Meaning I can just take one or two with me.

It you want this in your collection, I would be very quick as it is selling out super fast as you'd expect as the price is really good considering what you get! Available from Boots and other online beauty stores.

What's your favourite Benefit product?

Real Techniques - Nic's Pick's.

Real Techniques brushes have quickly taken over my whole brush collection, I no longer reach for any other brands as I love how they apply make up and how soft they feel, making applying my make up a breeze!! This collection of Nic's favourite brushes, including 3 exclusives. Nic's Picks is an essential for every collection and is the sequel to Sam's picks the quality is the same the only difference is these brushes have a sexy chrome handle instead of brightly coloured. Nic's Picks Collection includes 5 brushes with limited edition designs:

- Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Powder Brush
Gently picks up powder pigments and softly buffs it into the skin. Product will be picked up and distributed evenly over the face allowing you to control the amount applied.

- Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush
One of Nic's all-time favourite brushes. Flat enough to pack on the colour with, but firm enough to blend with. Also great for buffing over concealer.

- Real Techniques Cheek Brush (exclusively available in this collection)
Has denser bristles to enable you to build colour. Imagine an expert face brush but softer and rounder. The tapered finish means you can use this for bronzer and highlighter application also.

- Real Techniques Angled Shadow Brush (exclusively available in this collection)
Designed to fit in the crease of the eye to add depth. The soft angle also makes applying shadow under the eyebrow arch simple.

- Real Techniques Eyeliner Brush (exclusively available in this collection)
Softly angled, this is the perfect brush to apply shadow to the lashline and for creating a blown out liner look with eye shadow. Use with gel liner to create a feline flick which is made easy by the angle of the brush.

Each brush does it's job perfectly, with ease, grabbing just the right amout of product and leaving my make up looking flawless, as with all RT brushes I use the brushes for different tasks not just using it for what it says in the description and they don't disappoint! If your stuck for Christmas gift ideas.. Any girl would love to unwrap these on Christmas morning or If you wish to simply treat yourself! 

They retail for around £29.99 which I think is great for five brushes!

What's your favourite RT Brush?

Eye of Horus new blue sapphire goddess eye pencil.

A slick of eyeliner never goes out of fashion, but if you’ve been wanting to switch up your black for a new shade, Eye of Horus has something just for you. Eyeliner is a huge trend pretty much every Autumn/Winter, but it’s always good to ditch the black in favour of a little experimentation. Eye of Horus has come up with the perfect solution; the new Blue Sapphire eye pencil offers a gorgeous, satin-finish in a long-lasting indigo-black tone. The highly pigmented pencil glides on easily and can be smudged to create a jewel-like smokey with the smudging applicator. Eye of Horus do not test on animals, their products are paraben-free and rich in essential oils and natural waxes!

Available for around £17.50 available from www.eyeofhorus.uk.com of Cocktailcosmetics.co.uk but if blue isn't your shade try one of the other beautiful shades in purple, charcoal grey, bronze and many more!

What colour will you be ricking this Autumn/Winter?

The Body Shop Glazed Apple EDT.

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'Tis the season to smell delicious!' You can Smell good enough to eat this season with this mouth-watering fragrance. I was really excited when I saw this fragrance was going to be released as I love the DKNY apple range and was hoping this scent would be similar.. But when I actually got to spray/smell/wear this I fell in love at first spritz it is very sweet, appley and fresh but then once it settles it is a little more citrusy, then it goes a gorgeous sweet/musky scent lovely and warm but still light & fresh if that makes sense?!. It is such a playful scent and for only £8.50 for 30ml you can't go wrong!

It is perfect for all seasons not just for Christmas! I think it would be lovely in summer as it has the citrus to keep it light.

Have you tried any of the new range?

Clarins Ombre Matte in Grey Sparkle.

A new cream-to-powder texture that offers the comfort and smoothing effect of a cream with the fine quality and hold of a powder. Silky and lightweight, these eyeshadows are comfortable and easy to apply. A smoothing, mattifying and long-lasting formula that glides over the eyelid and blends evenly into the skin upon application. 

A perfect base for a Gorgeous smokey eye for a night out or sorry here goes.. A stunning Christmas look! The shadow blends beautifully over the eye lid and stops eye shadow creasing throughout the day/night. I love this shade it really makes my blue eyes pop.. I imagine it would work great with all eye colours alone or as a base, the Ombre Matte range comes in 6 or more shades which are more matte if that's your thing, but I love a bit of sparkle for a night out.

They retail for around £19.00 from most department or online beauty stores.

Have you tried them Yet?

Surprise.................. I'm Pregnant!!

Are you surprised? Because we are! Totally & utterly gob smacked to be honest... Over seven years ago I was told I wouldn't be able to conceive a baby naturally after years of being poked & prodded, having test after test and other intruding examinations due to having PCOS.... I gave up and started to plan our wedding for May 2008 as we had our date for IVF confirmed for August 2008, But a miracle happened and we got our beautiful daughter in April 2008 - just three weeks before our wedding... I believe your mind plays a massive part over your body, especially when trying for a baby.

After six years and no more babies at 35 we'd both mentally accepted, that we were just going to have the one child, which we were happy with as she is just PERFECT!!... We had decided to book Florida in late 2012 and started to plan it, but due to me having to have an operation on my back for a ruptured disc in early 2013 we postponed it, this year my Brother got married this May in Sicily, once we'd been we decided that 2015 was the year we went to Florida... We began planning looking at accommodation, flights, parks, places we wanted to go and visit, we found a beautiful villa and booked it.... Soon after the flights were booked... It was happening in May 2015, we were all extremely excited!! 

I'd decided to go to see my Dr as I'd been having some twinges and pains, thinking I had an enlarged cyst, I was sent to the hospital for a routine scan, but instead of finding a cyst I was told it was in fact a 16wk baby..... Out of the room walked a very, very, very shocked Jane .. Yes you got it! We had done it again..I had Completely thrown my mind, body & soul into something and my ovaries decided to pop out an egg and turn it into a little bundle of joy!!

I've been to the midwife and Consultant at the hospital ... everything is great.. Baby is due on 8th March.. So if on time S/He will be just 10weeks old when we go to Florida! We are all ecstatic if still not a little shocked! Baby is going to be a karate expert as it is regularly giving me kicks and punches to remind me that it in there :) I am now 21wks +3 and have my 20 wk scan this week. We have decided not to find out the sex as we've waited this long for a baby we can wait another 19wks and really loved the surprise with our first as EVERYONE including us thought she would be a boy! 

Never Ever give up on your dreams! Your time will come when you least expect it! Xxx

Clarisonic Aria Pink

It's time to think beyond the washcloth and elevate cleansing to a sonic level. Traditional methods of cleansing don't get your skin as clean as you'd think. Fortunately, the lead inventor of Sonicare discovered a breakthrough in how we cleanse. Introducing the new Clarisonic Aria...

Clarisonic's patented sonic technology works with skin's natural elasticity to gently remove the impurities traditional methods leave behind-cleansing 6X better than your hands alone. In just 60 seconds, the sonic action removes impurities from pores so creams, serums and moisturizers absorb better. And with regular daily use you'll notice a reduction in dry patches, oily areas and blemishes. Cleaner skin is healthier skin and healthier skin is more radiant and more beautiful.

What's included..

• Clarisonic Aria Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush in high-gloss finish
• Drying stand
• USB-enabled Universal Voltage pLink Charger
• Wall adapter
• Sensitive Brush Head
• Refreshing Gel Cleanser

Clarisonic Aria* infuses sonic cleansing with a harmonic blend of function and form. Sleek, modern, intuitive, Aria sings with 3 speeds, a real-time, battery-life indicator, USB enabled pLink charger and a drying stand that converts to a charging station when coupled with the pLink charger.

I had been thinking about getting a facial brush cleanser for a good year or so now and I am so happy I finally did it. I can already tell my pores are less visible and it leaves my skin so soft and really clean! So happy to have this for my regimen each day. I get compliments on my skin now all the time! Would definitely recommend this product!! My fine lines look less noticeable after just a weeks worth of adding this into my daily evening routine.. It is quite expensive at £155 but if you look at it as an investment, as you only get one fave and keeping it looking fresh, youthful and wrinkle free it's pretty cheap! I'm in my mid Thirties and have really noticed the different in my skin, it looks plumper with more of a glow, I'm hoping with continuous use it will just keep getting better, I have had a few break outs recently but since I've used this I've had no new ones appear!. It was also used on the models in London Fashion week, who each took one home in a goody bag as they loved the results... 

Have you tried a cleansing Facial brush?

Caudalie Divine Oil and Scrub

Caudalie is fast becoming one of my favourite brands, the skincare is amazing and everything I have tried I have loved, the latest two are from the Divine range.. First of all the scent OMG.. It is gorgeous and lingers delicately on my skin all day, which I personally love..

This multi-purpose, luxurious dry oil moisturises, nourishes and enhances the skin thanks to its unique formula made with an exceptional blend of oils (grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan) combined with our patented anti-oxidant Polyphenols. It envelops the skin with a subtle, floral and sun-kissed fragrance, with woody notes. Use it on the body, hair, nails, in the bath or as a massage oil. 

This scrub is your beauty secret to divinely soft and delicately scented skin thanks to its brown sugar crystals and 4 exceptional plant oils (grape, argan, hibiscus and sesame). Its formulation is 97% natural origin. It leaves my skin baby soft and smelling fantastic! 

Another massive hit for me! I have soo many Caudalie products on my wishlist that I am slowly crossing off.. After one smell of the oil, my Sister in law was hooked and within seconds she was on her iPad snapping up the gift set to own for herself! Ha Yes... I'm talking about you Lisa! :) 

If want to snap them up for yourselves the oil retails for around £17.50 for 50ml or £27.00 for 100ml which is great as it lasts for ages! The scrub retails for £21.50 for 150ml.. Quite expensive but definitely worth spluring on as a little treat!

What product do you love from Caudalie?

Braun FACE

PCOS is the bane of my life! Not only does it make it extra hard to lose the weight it has piled on me.. Or the fact I was told it could make me infertile - but I won that battle though! Ha 1-0 to me!... It has also kindly given me facial hair.... Which of course makes me feel super sexy & confident!.. Yeah exactly said by No women EVER!!.. I have tried waxing- painful, tweezers - time consuming and finally IPL - Expensive, painful.... But did feel like a miracle.. If only for a few months!... but due to my hair being a result of my stupid hormones it always returns with a vengence, so I have been looking for a more manageable solution to make me hair-free and feel happy again! 

When I read about This NEW 2 in 1 mini facial epilator I was super excited as it sounded just what I was looking for not only does it QUICKLY remove the hair it also delivers pore-deep cleansing and high-precision facial epilation, whether you want to go make-up-free or create the perfect canvas. It’s the perfect tool to help you achieve luminous, smoother and brighter skin –all at the flick of a switch. 

When I first used it I'll openly admit I was slightly nervous as I'd heard the horror stories of how painful epilation is... I gritted my teeth and switched it on.. I couldn't believe it... the pain was minimal, but an area that with my trusty tweezers usually took a good 10 minutes was completely smooth in seconds! - Hallelujah I could of cried!! I had completely finished removing hair and the peach fuzz in less than five minutes... I can't praise this little stick of magic enough, for someone like me who has lived with PCOS and the embarrasing facial hair since my late teens it's a total life changer for only £69.99.

Here's a close up, it does look rather scary but honestly it hardly hurts at all, its been over a week now since I first used it and my face is still hair free, I've not had chance to use the brush that is included as I usually use my Clarasonic, but it looks really good and the bristles are lovely and soft so a definite added  bonus for this epilator. Available now to buy.

What hair removal method do you prefer?

Clarins Ombre Matte - Rosewood, Nude Pink and Nude Beige

         

Dress your eyes in the bold and effortless colour of Clarins Ombre Matte Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow.

Rosewood

Nude Pink

Nude Beige

The Ombre Matte Eyeshadow gives a matte and even finish that stays true thanks to an infusion of Bamboo powder, known for its flexibility and resilience. It is exceptionally comfortable to wear and so quick to apply. Simply swipe and blend with a brush for lasting colour and hold. Available in six gorgeous neutral colours to suit all skin tones..

• 01 Nude Beige
• 02 Nude Rose
• 03 Taupe
• 04 Rosewood
• 05 Sparkle Grey
• 06 Earth

These new shadow pots offer a brand new and innovative cream to powder formula with the “comfort and smoothing effect of a cream with fine quality and hold of a powder”. The Clarins Ombre Matte Cream To Powder Eyeshadows really are amazing! They actually feel like a cream and powder at the same time?!  you can apply them with either a brush or simply use your fingers. You get great results with both but I prefer to use my fingers as it takes seconds and give a great finish.. Easy peasy!!.

I've had no creasing and they stay put all day! You can pick them up for around £19.00 for 7g. You only need a tiny bit as they are really pigmented and pack a punch!

Have you tried Cream to Powder Eye shadows?