Christmas Gift Guide - Beauty and Skincare - Women

Stuck for idea's to get the women in your life this christmas? Well look no further, this is my beauty and skincare gift guide for the ladies of tomorrow. 

Real Techniques - Sam's Pick's Set -  Make up brush sets are brilliant to give at Christmas and this one is perfect as it includes all their best selling brushes which covers all area's of make up the face, the eyes and the cheeks. This is great for someone who loves makeup or just getting into make up. Real Techniques Brushes are great quality and very affordable so you won't have to worry about that special someone wanting more brushes and the kit can easily be expanded upon. This kit even includes and exclusive brush only available in this set, so why not give this as a gift this christmas? 

La Roche Posay Efflicar 3 Step Anti- Blemish System - I love La Roche-Posay and this three step kit to cleanse, tone and correct. This three step system is great for getting rid of acne and keeping the skin clear using a routine which cleans and tackles the acne. This is a great gift for the loyal band fan or even for someone getting into skincare. Affordable and high quality, skincare that works. I'd be hoping Santa would leave this under my tree. 

This Works Dream Believers - There's alway's one who cannot sleep until Christmas and this kit really is here to help. With this kit you get the much talked about pillow spray to spray onto your pillow to help you sleep and a cream to help you get into the winding down mood as you prepare for bed. This gift is perfect for those suffering with insomnia and a great way to introduce a new alternative for those who have never tried the range perfect. Merry Chri....zzzzzz.

Sanctuary A Spritz of Joys Gift Set - Oh this really is a joy, Santuary Spa is one of the most affordable and loveliest smelling ranges on the market. The body wash and lotion will get you ready to start the day feeling fresh and then you can sprits the perfume will keep you smelling great with your favourite scent. Definitely a great one for mum / Grandma. 

Philip Kingsley Body and Volume Try me Kit - Oh wow, a haircare set, from Philip Kingsley, thats wait, what...AFFORDABLE. Holy moley, you are in for a treat. This set will get your hair to new highs with the try me volume kit. They also do a few other kits for body and shine, the soft and shiny range, and silver range for blonde hair. These kits are great for if you are wanting a taste of luxury or wanting to try before you buy. Damn you're hair will be looking fineeeee. 

Soap for the Best by Soap and Glory.  - We can't deny we all love a bit of soap and glory and at Christmas they pack out the punch. This kit includes all of their best sellers and a handy shower poof, from shower lotion, hand food, feet scrub and body butter, your body will feel like a glorious dream. A fantastic gift for all, even affordable for the £10 secret santa budget at work! Snap this up quick!

Benefit Fun Sized Flirts - Ok breathe, benefit have made a pack of their best sellers, readily available for you. Oh wow, this pack really is great for the loyal benebabe or for someone who really wants to get into make up. This kit really is a stunner and includes all the basics to get going including cleanser, printer, mascara, blusher and many more. I'd run to the shops for this one, their selling like hot cakes.

Tanya Burr Nail Trio's - Fellow blogger Tanya Burr really has given us a treat this xmas bringing out these sets for the nail varnish lover. This set is perfect for christmas, but there are other colour sets for you to choose from. For those who love their nails looking the business i'd get these before they sell out.

Well i hope this has made Santa's job a bit easier.

My next gift guide for men coming soon...

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Latest in Beauty - THE BRITISH BEAUTY BLOGGER - DREAM BOX II - At a Glance

The dream is finally here! 

Sadly i missed out on the first edition of this amazing beauty box so i couldn't miss out again, with the price being such great value for a range of full and sample sizes i just couldn't turn up a chance to try out some great products! And for £21.99 i could not pass up on this stunning little box. 

So let's break it down (Links and prices are all below):

1. Kerastase Nutritive Balm Satin 1 ( Sample Size) - I have tried some of their shampoo's before and this one is no exception, it is fantastic for Dry hair, nourishing it to help it feel soft and silky in these harsh winter months. Kiss the dryness goodbye.

2. Kerastate Nutritive Lait Vital (Sample Size) - Paired with the Balm Satin this is a great product to give the hair the moisture it deserves. Your hair does feel so much better with this, especially before you are due a good trim, i recommend all of the line on this one. 

3. Ardell Natural Lashes (1 set)- I'm not huge on fake lashes and this kit really is a true sample, giving you two types of lashes to apply, they look simple to apply and will give you a really nice lash effect without looking too fake. 

4. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick (Full Size Product) - I was extremely happy to see this in the box as i have just recently run out of one of my own. This saves my lips from being horrible and dry. It's a lot more portable than the cream and it feels like you are applying a sheer lipstick. An all time favourite of mine.

5. Invisibobble Submarine Yellow (Full product)-  I have heard about such great things about the Invisibobbles for quite some time now. They are discrete and with this incredible design which helps to avoid split ends and breaks from traditional hair bobbles. I do believe i will be giving this as a gift as i have short hair and i have no need to tie my hair up, but i  do love the concept of it, something i wish i had when i was younger with longer hair thats for sure. 

6. Mio Double Buff (Travel size) - I have been interested in trying some of the Mio line for some time, this looks like a great product for the winter months allow you to buff away dry skin and give you the exfoliation it deserves. I have tried lots of different scrubs but i love how different it feels, it is much gentler on the skin and unlike a lot of scrubs i have tried my skin does feel much better after use. I think i shall be repurchasing the full size once this leaves my mits!

7. Ciate Flashlights (Electric, 6 variants- Full Sized Product) - I honestly did not know ciate' did anything but nail varnishes so i was surprised with this little find. I have not been a fan of coloured lashes but this colour isn't too striking. Interesting concept but not for me. 

8. Bourjous Delice de Poudre Bronzing powder and highlighter (Full size) - Yes another product i have been wanting to purchase for some time, the bronzer right now is a little on the dark side for me but i know in summer it will work a dream, the highligher is stunning, and really makes your cheek bones pop! 

9. Burts Bees Lemon Butter Cutical Cream (Sample Size) - This smells beautiful, so fruity and fresh. This cutical cream is great to maintain your nails to keep them strong and growing well. I love Burt's bee's, affordable and always top quality products. You can definitely see the difference, helps to reduce the need of an expensive manicure when you can do it at home with the aid of this!

10. Essie - Toggle To the Top (Sample Size, colour varies per box) - Ah you need the perfect christmas polish that won't chip, with all that glitters. Oh wait, it's here. This is a stunning xmas nail varnish, perfect for the big day or the cheaky xmas do. Sparkle the day away.

11. Vichy - Aqualia Thermal light (Sample Size) - Oh this moisturiser is the business, it's light and makes your skin feel so soft and nourished. Moisturising is key in these winter months and if like me you don't like your face to be bogged down, you will love and feel the difference with this, will be purchasing a full size of this soon!

12. Sleek pout polish lip pot (Powder Pink - two variants- mini size) - This colour does not look as vibrant in the pot as i worried but this is a lovely lip polish, it heals your lips and gives you a lovely colour as well. I love sleek make up, it's so affordable and you look great!

13. Eyelure Shape Brow Crayon In Mid Brown- (Full size) - I was so glad to see a brow crayon as part of this pack as i do love a good fix for the eyebrows, this draws on perfect eyebrows and is the perfect shade for my brows. A new brand on me but one i will be going back to for sure and trying some of their other brow products.

14. Gardeners Hand Healer by LE COUVENT DES MINIMES - (TRAVEL SIZE) - Another brand new brand i have not hard off but a hand cream i really have enjoyed using, it smells great and really has made my hands feel a lot less dry than they were before use. 

15. Body Shop Beautifying Oils (Moringa, 9 variants) - Oh i love a good skin oil and this one from the body shop really soaks in and helps my skin feel moisturised through these harsh months, i have had a bottle of this before and loved it. Perfect! Oil's are not to be ignored, this doesn't make you feel too sticky and really nourishes the skin, making it look glowing as well as feeling great. 

16. Lola lipstick Ultra Shine (Strawberry Fields (not out in stores yet), two variants, full size) - Love this lipstick, the colour pay off is amazing and the moistursing feel of the lipstick is great. The lipstick is great long wearing and doesn't come off with general everyday tasks. 

17. Agent Provacteur Fatale (vial size) - This perfume is a mix between a floral and sweet scent and not something i would choose myself personally. I think the vanilla is a little overpowering on me but it does smell nice. It was about average day wearing and did rub off by the end of the day. 

18. NUDE skincare pro genius treatment oil (deluxe sample size) - This is what i was most excited about. This stuff is beautiful and honestly after a couple of uses has already made my skin feel so much better. The application is perfect. I will be definitely saving up to get this product full as it really is a luxury treat but well worth the price!

FEW! A lot of products there. Amazing value with some great products new and old. You can get the box quick now on www.latestinbeauty.com before they are gone!!!

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Italian Getaway - Rome - Day Two - Vatican City

Day one was an extremely chilled and laid back, but day two was to be a different story, i donned it the touristy day, the first stop on our list was Vatican City. 

The first stop was the museum. You soon learn walking around why the Catholic Church is one of the richest establishments in the world. They have so many rich marble rooms and tapestry's which are older than the majority of the people that walk the floors of the Vatican. 

They even have the famous tapestry of Jesus when he arose, which is priceless.

And various styles of statue from the ages, including one that looks quite Egyptian, interesting to say this is a Catholic establishment. 

The cystine chapel was our next stop, upon respect the beliefs of Catholic people, i refrained from taking any pictures in the famous chapel. Michelangelo's paintings truly are stunning and if you love mind blowing art you must not give it a miss. 

We decided we wanted to have a good view of Rome and the city, we ventured to climb to the to top of St Basillica's Chapel. All i will say is, if your unfit, have a bad heart or really hate small spaces, you will be best refraining from this. Don't be fooled by the lift, it only takes you half way.

After we caught our breath, we took in the incredible view. You could see for miles from Vatican City all the way to Rome. 

The chapel was our final stop on our vatican adventure, and well, grandeur is not to be spared. All the glitters, really is gold. 

The whole Room was stunning, to even contemplate how people created this room astounds me. We really are a dedicated and passionate species to produce such man made beauty. From the marble walls, to the carvings, the stain glassed windows to the carved gold. The biggest and richest chapel in the whole of Rome truly is marvellous to see.

And with that, we had finished all we had time for in the Vatican as the rest of our Roman adventures awaited. Part three coming soon...

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Zoella Beauty - Blissful Mistful Review.

Now that i have had the brand new Zoella Fragrance Blissful Mistful  fragrance for a few weeks now, i thought i would share my verdict on the youtube starlets first line into the beauty market.

The packaging first of all is really beautiful, it really catches the eye as it is clean, classic and simple with a sprig of fun. I really love the rose gold red lid and the little white spots (which blend perfectly into my duvet in the background!), which really tie together well with the writing upon the bottle.

It really does look like a luxurious brand and with 75ml, you really can't go wrong with a perfume that looks nice with a very low price of £8.00

Now let's get down to the scent itself. I really love the scent, it has sweet notes to it, but not too overpowering to make it sickly. As this is a cheap fragrance i didn't have too many high expectations but overall i am very pleased with the scent.

However, though loving the scent it sadly doesn't seem to linger, not like my more expensive perfumes like my Lacoste Touch Of Pink  or my Lancome Miracle which linger for hours. I do think that possibly spending a little more on the product would really allow it to compete with higher brands ,especially now that Jo Mallon it making sweet the new fashion with her top range of sweet smelling perfumes. 

The cost of the item is very well priced, she really has thought about appealing to her younger audience by giving them a fragrance they can afford. Keeping things affordable is a way of Zoe giving back for all the faithful 6 million viewers she has achieved.

However I do believe for the line to succeed more and for the interest in her line to expand, it does need to apply to some of her older viewers. Being the same age as Zoe and watching her grow from when she barely even had 100,000 subscribers i do feel a little let down by the product.

Though the perfume is nice, i don't really believe i will purchase another bottle. The scent is nice for summer and just for a little sprits here and there but, i really need a perfume that lasts all day and has more of a mature scent. 

Overall i believe the scent is a fantastic first attempt in the beauty market and definitely smells better than anything one direction or britney spears can product and i hope in time she can push further and appeal more to the market of her own age group to really get herself to the top.

I wish her luck. 

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Night-Time Routine

Night-time rolls in and all you want to do is take of your make up and feel ahhhh...

To start I need to get my make up off, so the first product i use in the Super Facialist Vitamin C + Skins Brighter Cleansing Oil. This is such a beautiful natural oil which really clears the skin of any traces of make it. The oil is very natural made from a range of fruit juices, which not only smells great but really clear.

If my skin doesn't look the part the Botanics Clay Mask is my next port of all. You want your acne to go? this has personally been the business, it clears the dry patches and really sucks all the dirt out of those pores, goodbye dirt and acne! 

To give me an extra indulgence and to really finish the cleanse off I use the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm . This product, thought not cheap really is to DIE for. The whole experience from the smell, to massaging it on your face, to washing the balm from your face feels a joy and pleasure. Your skin will love you.

Of course as like throughout the day those pesky spots won't heal themsevles so i also, use the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ at night. Sweet dreams to Acne skin!

Dependant on the day of the week i alternate between the next two products. 
The Hydraluron Moisture Jelly, this can be used like a Moisturiser but i prefer to use it somewhat like the Serum but this provides a deeper hydration of my skin. My skin feels healed and radiant after using this product. 

Face oils are one which i have found hard to get my head around, but not the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil, this plumps up and gives my skin a boost like nothing other. It makes it brighter in the morning after it works into my skin throughout the night.

And yes of course it wouldn't be complete without a night moisturiser. I pair this product with my day cream with the Dr Organics Rose Otto Night cream.

And all you have to do now, is get that beauty sleep...

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Morning Skincare Routine

Waking up to a fresh clean face in a morning is honestly one of sheer bliss and should never be missed. To ensure my skin is feeling fit for the day, i use a range of products to keep my skin feel great throughout.

As my skin is rather sensitive i have to be careful not to use harsh products as this will only create more problems along the way.

The first thing I do is  choose from one of two cleansers. The first is the Yes To, Cucumber Cleansing Gel. This cleanser is for days when my skin feels pretty good and not too sore and doesn't require a boost to keep it looking fresh and alive. This cleanser cleans away the morning oils from your face, leaving your skin feeling and smelling fresh.

The second cleanser of choice is the Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser for when my skin feels a little more sensitive, the moisture in this cleanser really helps my skin restore itself to it's natural balance.

Once my skin is cleansed it's time to keep those pesky round spots at bay, so i use the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+. This really is the best product out there for helping my spots vanish. It targets the spot directly and helps clear up any red marks.

To keep the hydration in, i turn to my loyal serum the Indeed Labs Hydraluron Facial Serum. This really gives my face the hydration it needs, especially in these cold winters when my face tends to suffer from a lack of moisure. 

To ensure that my skin keeps from dying out, it's time to moisturise. I have tried to many moisturisers but so far have not been best pleased with many, not until the Dr Organics Rose Otto Day Cream really loves my skin. It helps keep those pesky little wrinkles from forming and makes my skin feel so soft after use. It's also paraben free which i feel strongly about with moisturisers and it soaks into your skin more than any other products. 

The final product i use when my skin looks a little tired and i need to look fresh for the day it the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. One sprits not just smells nice but it really wakes you up, allowing you to be ready for the big day ahead.

I really am in love this routine and it really seems to work for me in these horrible cold winters evenings. 

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Italian Getaway - Rome - Day one

This Summer I was very lucky to hop skip on a plane and fly over to Italy, a place I had wanted to go for quite sometime. 

As a lover of all things Roman History, naturally, the first stop on my agenda was Rome. 

The first day was spent taking in the stunning roman streets, filled with old buildings, Churches and lots of food and wine!

The Spanish Steps were wonderful and a man proposed to his wife at the bottom at the bottom as we looked on.

Religion was clearly at the forefront with Jesus being the true martyr in Rome who is find on statue's and obylsk's all over Rome. 

Sadly a lot of things seemed to be under repair, with the trevi fountain drained and covered in clear plastic barriers and of course the fountain at the bottom of the spanish steps was also being cleaned and maintained. Rome really prides it's history and preservation, somewhat i felt proud seeing how much they cared about their monuments, unlike us who leave a lot to chance of the vicious pigeon's!

I really enjoyed the first easy breezy day, waking up at 5am for a plane and then spending hours checking in, it was nice to take in the stunning beauty I'm preparation for the big tourist filled day ahead!

Part two coming soon...

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