Christmas Gifting: Top Beauty Kits

Mac 'All for Glamour' Face Kit - Gorgeous Bronze, £39.50

I don't know about you guys, but I am getting well into the swing of the festive season, although I can't quite believe that Christmas has come around so quickly! Anyway, this year, I have been doing my homework when it comes to Christmas gift sets, as they can be a great way to stock up on goodies at lower than normal prices, which means of course you will save yourself a few hard-earned pennies.

On the other hand, some of the kits on sale can suck your wallet dry without giving you much bang for your buck, and this year, more than ever, I have come across a plethora of overpriced sets.

So, with value for money in mind as well as the initial attraction some of these sets garner, I have endeavoured to separate the wheat from the chaff, and bring you what I consider to be the best of the bunch.

Let's start off with the Mac 'All for Glamour' Face Kit in Gorgeous Bronze (above). Now, I'm going to be honest here - I think the Mac giftsets are really over-priced. One of the great things about Christmas gift sets is that you are supposed to be able to get several products at a good saving, compared to what it would cost you to buy them individually, and you're also supposed to walk away feeling pretty smug with all the goodies you've managed to snare. Of all the Max kits, this one is probably the best value for money, as you do get a bronzing powder (Golden Eye), three eyeshadows (Hearts-a-Flutter, Romance Me and Darkly Handsome), two lipsticks (Headturner and BarelyLit) for £39.50. But moving onto one of their other offerings....

The Mac Divine Desire Face Kit. This is available in two colour schemes - Paramour Pink and Quite Coral. Now, this one actually really appeals to me, as all the products in it are things I would use. But then we come to the price. £45 for a lipstick, lipgloss, eyeliner and blush. Granted, you do save some pennies buying all the items in one go, but it just doesn't seem like a lot for £45 - especially when you compare it with the 'All for Glamour' Kit., which contains more items for a lower price (not to mention some of the offerings available from other brands).  I suppose this is why I usually buy my Mac products one at a time, as it's easier to pretend I don't spend so much that way!

Mac Divine Desire Face Kit in Paramour Pink, £45.00

Next up is the Lancome Ultimate Beauty Collection, which, in contrast, I think is fantastic value for money. At a special price of just £45, you get thirteen different pieces, plus the vanity case, as pictured. This includes: various skincare products, a full-size Christmas eye palette, a full-size blush, two different mini mascaras, kohl eyeliner and two lipsticks

Lancome Ultimate Beauty Collection, £45

Clinique Whole Lotta Colour Chubby Stick Gift Set, £30

Five of Clinique's best-selling Chubby Sticks for £30, which would be a saving of a whopping £50 on buying them individually....only, they're not full-size. However, I do think this is still a reasonable price for what you get, and it makes a lovely gift, as well as being a great way to try all the colours in one go.

Illamasqua Alter Ego Mystery Selection Gift Set, £38

This one is on my Christmas list! For £38, you get their best-selling nail varnish in 'Collide', Liquid Metal in Electrum, and then four more full-size products (lipstick, lipgloss, blush and eyeshadow) in mystery colours! Granted, it's a bit of a risk, but the reviews have been good, and it's a great way to add a surprise element to a gift, as well as allowing the receiver to try a few new products. This little lot would cost you £91.50 individually, so you save a huge £53.50. This one is, without a doubt, one of the best value sets of the bunch.

Benefit 'She's So Jetset' Gift Set, £29.50

And last but not least comes the Benefit 'She's So Jetset' Kit, £29.50.

You get a four-shade eyeshadow palette, mini 'The POREfessional', 'They're Real' Mascara, First Class Face Powder, Lipgloss and a double-ended sponge applicator. Personally, I wouldn't mind paying the price for this one, as you do get a few different bits and pieces for your money, and it would certainly make a nice gift.

So, have you had your eyes on any of these goodies, either for yourselves or for someone else? Which beauty products are on your Christmas Wishlist this year?

xx

November Agenda

Ooh, remember, remember, the fifth of November....Funnily enough, it actually is the fifth of November, but I'm sad to say that I haven't been able to get out my winter warmers, wrap up nice and cosily and go and watch a stunning firework display. However, I do hope that some of you lovelies did, despite the horrendous weather - perhaps it hasn't been as bad where you are? Fingers crossed.

I haven't really updated you or shared much about my day to day life on here of late, but at the same time, I think I have been sharing rather a lot on Twitter, so I'm sure the majority of you are not feeling left in the dark. On the off chance that you are, you needn't be, as there is very little of note to report! However, I must admit, I am getting super excited for Christmas, and am really struggling to choose between all the gorgeous gift sets hitting the shops at the moment. I've definitely got my eye on some bits from Mac, Illamasqua and Origins, but it's not easy to narrow it down!

I just looked back at my October Agenda post, and it seems as though it was only a few days ago that I was writing it! Anyway, let's see what goals I had set for myself for the month, and whether or not I was successful.

1. Carry on saving  as much money as possible.

I was feeling pretty rubbish at the beginning of the month, which inevitably led to some Ebay comfort buying.

Fail.

2. Stop being a hypochondriac.

After a bit of a rough start to the month, I am now feeling a zillion times better! I feel much more like myself than I have done in some while, so let's hope that that continues. As for the hypochondria, I have forbidden myself to Google anything to do with health in the negative sense, and it seems to be doing the trick.

3. Keep up the daily exercise.

Well. I'm not exactly doing it daily. But I am doing it several times a week, which I think is a happy medium. Some days, there genuinely isn't time, and I only stress myself out trying to squeeze it in. For me, that half defeats the object, because a huge part of the reason I'm tring to do it in the first place is to combat stress. So I let myself off on those couple of days, and I'm fine with that.

4. Blog Brainstorming

I wanted to sit down and have a think about what is next for my blog, and that I have done, as I feel that there are so many more things I would like to write about and feature on here. Of course, it does involve planning, as although on some days I can happily sit down and write for hours, there is still the matter of taking photos etc.

********************************************************************************

Now, what's on the agenda for this month?

1. Make some more Youtube videos.

My first one went up a couple of days ago, and despite my long-held reservations, in the end I enjoyed doing it. Expect to see more soon!

2. Review.

I've still got loads of products waiting to be reviewed - some good, some bad, and I really want to share my thoughts with you on those.

3. Keep my clothes organised.

Bit of a boring one, but the room where I keep my clothes often tends to look as though my wardrobe has exploded. Granted, I don't have enough space, but I really want to keep things at least in an organised state of chaos, as it's so frustrating when I'm in a hurry and can't find what I'm looking for.

4. Read.

I love reading, and do read books quite regularly, but over the past few weeks I have been picking up and putting books down like there's no tomorrow, without ever seeming to get anywhere! My mind just seems to be somewhere else, and I can't concentrate come hell or high water. I really want to overcome this, as it's actually stopping me from doing something I really enjoy!

That's it for this month's November Agenda. What tasks and goals are on yours this month?

xx

Youtube: Mini October Favourites Video!

Why hi. Just thought I'd share my very first Youtube video with you, which was made and uploaded this evening.

I was a bit nervous about posting this out there for all to see. I think that some people can take bloggers and Youtube videos in the wrong way, especially if they don't know much about the online beauty community, but I also think that too many of us bloggers worry about it too much! It's just a bit of fun, after all, and if we are supportive of our friends' and families' ventures then they probably will be of ours, too. That's what love and friendship is all about. If they are not, then they are probably not worth your time anyway. 

Just my tuppence.

Anyway, as this was my first video, I decided to do a shortened version of my favourites for October - I did include many more products in this month's Favourites post (here), but in the video I have just chosen my top five of the bunch. Now, ordinarily, I would go into more detail about the products featured in the video in this post, as I know that some people prefer to read than to watch, but as I have already blogged about it you can just click on that little linky for all the juicy details.

I know that the lighting and image quality isn't great, but since I am new to this malarky I hope you can forgive that for the time being!

xx

November Beauty S.O.S.

Better late than never, it's time for this month's Beauty SOS!

Without further ado, let's crack on and see how I got on with your beauty recommendations last month, before moving onto this month's 'emergencies'!

1. A great anti-ageing night cream.

Recommendations from you lovely lot included Clinique Super Rescue Anti-Oxidant Night Moisturiser, Weleda Pomegranate Firming Night Cream, and Naked's Thirst Aid, but unfortunately I've been having to penny-pinch a little bit this month, with Christmas on the way, so I haven't managed to invest in any of these skin treats yet. However, I am fairly sure that Santa is going to be bringing me some more Origins skincare goodies this year, so I am looking forward to trying those out and sharing my thoughts with you, as well as picking up a couple of your suggestions in the January sales.  I'm sorry I don't have more to share with you at this point, but night creams are pretty much the most expensive element of skincare, especially if you want a really good product!

2. A fantastic skin balancing moisturiser.

I had stupidly overlooked the fact that I already owned a great one of these, if only I had given it a chance. I won this moisturiser in a giveaway a few months ago but hadn't really used it, as at the time I had been somewhat overloading my skin with new products I was trying, and it was not best pleased. Since I've started using the Spirit of Beauty Dancing Orchid Skin Balancing Moisturiser, I must admit my skin does seem to be more normal - as I mentioned before, I only get a slightly oily t-zone anyway, so it was easily fixed. I did a full review on this moisturiser last week, so if this sounds like something that might be for you then you can read all about it here.  As for the occasional dry patches on my nose, I've been using the Origins Modern Friction, which I will be reviewing on here within the next week or so. It really puts paid to any flakiness and quite frankly, I'm amazed!

3. A good BB Cream.

As I have mentioned before, I generally find BB creams to be disappointing. After all the hype surrounding them, they don't seem to do an awful lot for me at all, so I was keen to find out what you lovelies thought and which ones your favourites were. 

I only received one recommendation, which was to try some South Korean BB creams, but as yet I haven't managed to track any down. If any of you do know of some particular brands, or can tell me where I can find some, then do please let me know in the comments below.

I always ask for recommendations on this, but....

4. A product to sort out my dark circles and puffy under-eyes!

I keep asking just on the off chance. I'll never give up hope.

Anyway, I am currently trialling the Origins Gin Zing Eye Cream, as well as the Clinique All About Eyes Serum Rollerball, but I don't feel that I've given them enough time to prove themselves just yet. Expect some full reviews of these coming up in due course.

5. Your favourite pampering session products

I was recommended to try out some Rituals goodies, so I've popped  some on my Christmas list. At the moment though, I am absolutely loving the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal mask, which is just fantastic for getting deep down into the pores and leaving your skin feeling wonderfully clean. Plus, it leaves my skin looking really radiant for days afterwards...what's not to love?

Onto this month's SOS topics! For November, I'm keeping things casual, as the season to be jolly is not really the time to be worrying about beauty woes. So, instead, I would love to hear from you about the following:

1. Your favourite good quality, low-end lipsticks.

2. The most beautiful highlighter you've ever tried

3. Your must-have beauty products for the festive season

4. The product that is at the very top of your Christmas Wishlist.

I'm really looking forward to hearing some of your thoughts.

xx

What I wore....

...On Sunday.

Studded Leather Biker, Zara  -  Denim Shorts, River Island  -  Studded Shirt, Ebay  -  Spike Necklace, Ebay  -  Boots, Ebay

Yes, yes I have decided to use a hideously done cut-out job for this outfit post, and why? Well, because I had an awful background, and because I'm less than skilled when it comes to photo editing! I really wish there was a simpler way to remove a figure from an image and replace it onto a more suitable backdrop, but alas, it seems, there isn't. Or there is - and I just don't know about it! If the latter turns out to be the case then I will be most annoyed, as I have spent hours fiddling around with this and trying to make it blog-worthy, before finally giving in and having to make do with the cut-out sans backdrop. To be honest, I've only just started dabbling in the world of photo editing, so I suppose I couldn't really have expected much more! Anyway, I wasn't about to let my efforts go to waste, so....voila!

I have been wanting to do more outfit posts for an absolute age, but various things, including the lack of a decent camera (it's broken) and willing photographer, have hindered my efforts, But I thought it was about time I showed my face on here again, as I don't think you've seen me in a while!

I'm wearing my gorgeous new studded biker from Zara, which my hubby kindly bought me for Christmas. The eagle-eyes among you may notice that Christmas hasn't actually arrived yet.....yeah, I snuck it a bit early. I can never resist when people buy my presents well in advance, especially if I know what they are - I just have to have them, immediately. But then, of course, I'm the first to be disappointed and do a sad face  come the big day, when there's nothing for me to unwrap. One day I'll learn!

I've been absolutely living in this studded coral shirt, too. Yes, indeed it is more of a summery shade, but I am all for injecting a bit of colour into a cold and dreary winter's day. I found the beaut on good old Ebay for  a snip, which was a bit of a win, I think.

On my lips is the Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie, which I have dug out again for the winter months. Berry is just the perfect lip colour for the festive season, and this one is really pigmented as well as moisturising.

Hope you lovelies are having a good start to the week - not likely when it's Monday morning, but sending positive wishes your way regardless!

By the way, if anyone does know of any easy peasy ways (without Photoshop) to pop a figure in a photo onto a new background then I would be ever so grateful if you would share it with me in the comments below!

xx

Christmas Beauty Wishlist

Real Techniques Core Collection  -  Models Own Mirrorball Glitter Polishes  -  The Bodyshop Shea Gift Set  -  Origins 'A PerfectWorld' Skincare Gift Set  -  L'oreal Volume Million Lashes Extreme Mascara  -  MUA Bronzed Perfection  -  MUA Cream Blush in Blossom  - Liz Earle Line Smoothing Serum  -  Diptyque Philosykos Perfume  -  Models Own Ibiza Mix  -  Mac MSF in 'Whisper of Gilt'  -  MUA Pro Brow kit  -  MUA Undressed Palette  -  Nars 'Make-Up Your Mind' Gift Set  -  Real Techniques Starter Kit  -  Organic Surge Face Wash  -  Mac Face Kit

This time around, I've decided to compile a beauty wishlist solely for beauty, because having been asked what  would like for Christmas once or twice, I am really struggling to narrow it down! So, I have put together all the things I would have liked to receive in an ideal world, though some of these things- like the Diptyque Philosykos perfume, £80 - I would never dream of asking for, and I certainly wouldn't fancy paying that price myself, either!

A lot of these items are things I have been meaning to pick up for ages, but just haven't got round to it - such as the MUA Undressed Palette and the Real Techniques brush sets - quite frankly, beauty essentials no girl should be without.

There are some lovely gift sets knocking around at the moment, but that said, I have found the selection quite frustrating when trying to select one I would like. There is always something missing from the set, or something in it that I wouldn't really use - wouldn't it be great if we could choose what went into them for a set price, sort of bespoke Christmas gifts? The Origins 'A Perfect World' set, for example, doesn't contain a night cream, and the Nars sets I looked at that were of  a reasonable price all had lipglosses in them, which are not really my thing (I'm a lipstick girl). The 'Make-Up Your Mind' set was by far the best, containing an Orgasm/Angelika blush duo, Copacabana Multiple and Laguna Bronzing Powder. However, at £55 I do think this is a little steep, and when there are so many other things I've got my eye on, or that could be got with the money, I'm unsure whether or not it's really worth it. Yes, I know these are cult products, but the reason I have never purchased any of the full-size versions until now is because I find Nars really over-priced. £30 for the Laguna/Orgasm bronze/blush duo is just too much.

I hope you've seen something you like on my little list, or that it's perhaps given you a gift idea or two!

Enjoy your weekend lovelies.

xx

October Favourites

Bonjour my lovelies, and thank goodness it's Friday! Personally, I get Fridays off work, so that makes them doubly nice, and means that I get to have a good old lie in and then catch up on some blogging over a cuppa. So, with it being November already, that means it's time for me to share my favourite products of the past month! Apologies for one or two of them being foreign versions, but worry not, as you can still pick those up in the UK, and probably the US too.

Suti Peppermint Water Organic Facial Toner

I absolutely adore this facial spritz. It's so refreshing, and the calming peppermint fragrance makes it perfect for use before bed as well as to make me up in the morning. I also like to take this with me in my bag when I go to work, as it's great as a pick-me-up during the afternoon slump! It's fine to spray this on top of your makeup and actually kind of 'wakes it up' a bit, which is an added bonus. And to top it off, this is an organic product, which means you don't have to worry about what nasties are coming into contact with your face! Love. For my full review on this little treat, head over here.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Absolutely my new favourite mask. It contains charcoal as the active ingredient, which penetrates the pores and draws out any bits of grime. I must say, my skin has been amazing since starting to use this. I did actually buy it with the hope that it would clear the perpetually blocked pores on my nose, and while I was originally a little bit disappointed that they didn't completely disappear, they definitely did make a difference. And since then, my skin in general has been really clear and glowing - not one spot! I am now using this once a week and wouldn't be without it! There is a full review coming up on the blog next week.

L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary

I was really reluctant to try another oil on my hair, as my first experience, with Argan oil, was far from a success. I always found that applying it onto dry hair (as instructed) left it looking greasy after a few hours, so I was intrigued when I read some great reviews of this one, saying that it didn't weigh the hair down. I like to apply this onto wet hair before drying, and I find that it leaves my hair really nice and smooth, and not at all oily. Another winner.

Palmolive Naturals Intense Pomegranate Shower Gel

I love Palmolive shower gels - in fact, they are my favourite. They're affordable and they smell amazing - what's not to love? This is the first time I've tried this particular one, and I am hooked.

Clinique All About Eyes Serum

It's no secret that I've been on the hunt to banish dark circles and puffy eyes, and this is one of the products I have been trying out. I actually haven't used it all that much yet, but I really like the concept of the cooling rollerball applicator, so while I 'll reserve judgement on whether or not it works for now, I will say that I really enjoy using it in the mornings and feel that it really wakes up my eyes. It does seem to reduce puffiness somewhat, but as yet,  it's not a miracle worker. I've been trying out a couple of other eye products as well, so I don't think I've given this one much of a chance until now - I want to try using it on a more consistent basis and see what it can do.

Benefit Gin Zing

Another eye product I've been giving a trial run, this time on a more consistent basis, and while I was a bit disappointed the first time I used it (having heard rave reviews),  a few weeks on I can really see a difference! My eyes are much less puffy, and they actually don't look quite as dark either, although I'm not sure if that's just my imagination/wishful thinking! I'm planning to give this a thorough review once I've been using it a bit longer, so keep your eyes open for that if you are a fellow sufferer!

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

I'd never heard of this brand before, but having seen it on a list of the top under-eye concealers along with some before and after shots, I was impressed. I actually got this from a trusted seller on Ebay and am really liking it so far. It's really thick, but it doesn't settle into any fine lines. Again, not a miracle product, but as far as concealers go, it's really quite good.

Origins Modern Friction

Touted as 'nature's gentle dermabrasion', this gently exfoliates the face and leaves it smooth and glowing. I've been using it before the Clear improvement mask and find that they work really well together.

Ren Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask

This is a really rejuvenating mask and makes my skin look really radiant the day after I've used it. Full review coming soon.

And that's the lot! I did get a lot of these products towards the second half of the month, and things like face masks, which you can't use daily, do usually take a while to show their true colours, so do feel free to pop back and  read the reviews as and when they go up if you are interested in any of these.

What's were your favourite products in October?

xx