Christmas Wish List 2015 | Bags, Beauty and Fragrance

Seeing as it's the first week of December, I thought what better way to start the month than with my Christmas Wish List. I know a lot of you will be starting to look what to ask for this year or maybe even looking for gift ideas so perhaps this could help you either way. Please note this is a 'wish list' so of course I don't expect to receive everyone of these items, if any! This is just a select few items that I would love to receive. Let's get into it!

1. Zara Soft City Bag

I love this bag! I'm definitely in need of a new one as I've had my last Zara bag for nearly two years, it's looking a bit worse for wear so I think it's time I got myself a new one. I saw this bag in a haul on YouTube and I knew it had to be mine, especially as it's only £20. Unfortunately it's now unavailable on the website but I have a sneaking suspicion that Santa may have heard my pleads. Let's hope I find this under the tree!

2. Purse

Seeing as this is a 'Wish List' then i'd really love the Ted Baker Colour Block Matinee Purse in Nude. I could've sworn they did this in the summer but they must have stopped making it as I can't find it anywhere. So I wish that said purse still existed an I wish that I had £75 to spend on a purse but this one from ASOS is lovely too. I like large purses so something simple like this is perfect for everyday and will sit nicely in the bag I mentioned previously.

3. Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturiser

In last years Boxing Day sales I picked up an Origins Sample Set. This was included within the set and I loved it, however I don't love the price. It's £35 which has put me off repurchasing it but i'm thinking I could pop it on my Christmas Wish List and maybe a kind someone will put it under the tree for me. If not, I think i'll definitely have to purchase it myself. It's 50ml so should last me ages, right!?

4. Soap and Glory Body Gift Set

I can't believe how long I've loved Soap and Glory, it's been 6 years since I received my first ever Soap and Glory products. Can anyone remember The Big Thrill Hat Box set that went from £50 down to £20? My Dad rushed out to get it for me! So it's become a tradition that every year I receive a Soap and Glory gift set and i'm definitely not complaining! As much as i'd love the Whole She-Bang set, it's a little pricey so i'd be more than happy with Soaper Star set as it contains a few of my all time favourite Soap and Glory products. 

5. Soap and Glory Well I'll Be Glammed Makeup Gift Set

Another Soap and Glory set, but this time it's makeup! I've not actually tried much of their makeup range. Only a primer, the Brow Archery and a Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss. This set is such a great deal, I'd really love to find this under my tree and would be a great way to test out more of their makeup range!

6. Benefit Pump Up The Party! Gift Set

You may have seen me mention before but I've not actually tried many high-end makeup brands. However, everything I've tried from Benefit I've loved! Again, I think this set is a great deal and would be perfect to try out more of their products! The Rockateur Blush looks right up my street and is included in this set. Also, I think this would be a great gift for someone wanting to experiment more with makeup and dip into the high-end side.

7. Perfume 

I'm not entirely sure what perfume i'd like, which isn't good as i'm so fussy when it comes to perfume. However, I think i'd like a more affordable perfume for daily wear. As much as I love my Giorgio Armani Si, it's quite expensive for everyday wear and is more of an evening scent. I did notice they now do an Eau De Toilette version so maybe that's lighter and more appropriate for daily wear? I don't know but the bottles really pretty, haha!

8. Yankee Candle Pink Sands Jar

And last but certainly not least, I'd love this candle. I've tried a load of the wax melts and samplers and this has been my favourite by far so i'd love to have the large jar to burn. Also it's pale pink so will look super cute in my room, what more could I want!?

I hope this has helped you if you're stuck on what to ask for or what to buy for your loved ones. I've actually finished my Christmas shopping which is good but also not as I keep seeing other things and spend even more money. I should be saving to learn to drive so I suppose that's another thing i'd like- driving lessons, something practical! I'd love to know how much shopping you've done. Let me know in the comments!

WHAT'S ON YOUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST?

♥   ♥   ♥

Products I've Used Up- Skincare | November 2015

Today, we'll be having a rummage through my empties to see what I've used up lately and give mini reviews on each of them. I was going to do a collective empties post, however I found I had a lot of skincare products and I didn't want to make this post too long so i'm going to do separte ones- the other will be coming soon but lets get on with it and show you what I've used up and what I thought of them.

Garnier Moisture Matte Moisturiser

This is my favourite drugstore moisturiser. I've repurchased this many of times and I will continue to, I have no doubt you've probably seen this on my blog before. It's super hydrating, sinks into the skin quickly and stays matte so my face doesn't look like an oil slick.

L'Occitane Pivoine Sublime Cream 

I saw that L'Occitane were doing skincare trials where you could get a 7 day free sample tailored to your skins needs. This claimed to help with colour correcting and hydration. As this was only a 7 day sample, I can't say I noticed any colour correction, however my skin felt well hydrated and smooth. This seems like a good moisturiser but for the price tag of £32, I'll stick to my Garnier Moisture Matte mentioned previously.

Origins Ginzing Moisturiser

This is another product that was raved about so I thought I'd give it a go. I have a deluxe sample which I got from a gift set. I actually did a full review on the set, here. 

I did like this moisturiser, it was light, sank into the skin quickly but it's supposed to 'wake up your skin' but I still found mine looked pretty dull after using this. Considering it's price tag, I won't be repurchasing this.

Origins Night-A-Mins Moisturiser

This one also came as part of the set. I'd never properly used a night cream before so I was looking forward to try this. This was really hydrating, sank in quickly and left my skin feeling super soft and plump in the morning. I've noticed a big difference in my skin since I finished this, my skin has been a little dry in places and I've been breaking out. It might not be, but I'm pretty sure it's down to this. It's a little pricey which is why I haven't repurchased it yet but I definitely will after Christmas.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Day Moisturiser

I love the Vitamin E range, I think it'd be perfect for those with normal/combination skin. This moisturiser is light and hydrating. It also smells really nice too. I'd definitely think about buying this again!

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser

Another from the Vitamin E range. This is a light, gentle cleanser that I used as a second cleanse after taking my makeup off. This left my skin feeling refreshed, soft and hydrated. I loved taking this off with a hot muslin cloth. Another I would consider purchasing!

Soap and Glory Hot Pore Cleanser

Apparently this is similar to the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, one I've been wanting to try for a while. This again is good for a second cleanse as it's deep cleaning and really gets into the pores. This would be great for a pamper night, it has such a relaxing scent and feels like a luxury product. I'm unsure whether I'll be picking this up before I try the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but I'll let you know I'm sure.

Simple Soothing Facial Toner

This was the first toner I had used in a long while and I must admit I did enjoy using it. As it's Simple the ingredients are very natural therefore it should be kind to the skin and would be great for anyone with super sensitive skin. In comparison to the current toner I'm using, I much prefer this one so I would buy this again. I've seen Simple have a pore minimising toner too so I must give that a go!

Garnier and Boots Botanics Micellar Cleansing Water

I've gone through a good few bottles of the Garnier Micellar Water as I love it. I got a bit bored so thought I'd try another. Although the Botanics one is good, I found I needed a lot more to break down my makeup. I also found the Botanics one left my eyes a little bit sore afterwards where as the Garnier one is so gentle and kind on the eyes. I'll definitely be repurchasing the Garnier one!

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

Has anyone else spotted those little baskets in Boots in the skincare section with samples of products to try? I always pick them up. This was one of them! This was a highly raved about product so I knew I had to try it. It's supposed to help with blemishes to reduce the size/appearance of them and to help reduce the appearance of spot scars. I did use this all up but it didn't make much of a difference, I'm so disappointed! I definitely won't be buying this. Have you tried it?

Soap and Glory Hand Food and Heel Genius Foot Cream

Hand Food is definitely a well loved product in the blogging world. I don't  love it nor hate it. This again has the typical Soap and Glory scent, it's hydrating and softening but I find it leaves a greasy residue on my hands which I don't enjoy. This isn't a bad product and if I was gifted it again, I would use it- probably before I go to sleep though.

I'd not heard much about the Heel Genius Foot Cream but I was willing to give it a go. This has more of a minty scent which is nice and refreshing. I pop this on after I've showered and put socks straight on to lock it in and let it sink in. I will repurchase this once I've finished the bottle I'm currently using- it makes my feet so soft! If you've got any beach holidays coming up, I'd definitely recommend this to soften the skin so they look good in sandals!

Well, that was a strange one to end on- i'm sorry! Haha! These are the products I've used up recently, there are a few repurchases and a few misses. Let me know if you've tried any of these products below in the comments and what you thought of them! I'll be back on Wednesday with a little update!

WHAT PRODUCTS HAVE YOU FINISHED LATELY?

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High-End Beauty Wishlist | Five Most Wanted Products!

First of all i'd like to apologise for my lack of blogging recently, things have got pretty hectic while coming to the end of my course at college. I'm still not finished but my work load should calm down as I've just got one more portfolio to hand in as a first submission. I've also been applying for full-time jobs for when I qualify and although it's time consuming and pretty frightening, i'm excited to start working full-time to hopefully be able to buy some of these products to come..

1. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

I was so excited to try this mascara as I had read lots of reviews saying it was amazing for lengthening and giving your lashes a lift that will stay all day long, which was just what I needed. I picked up the Elle magazine as it was exclusive, free with the magazine before it was available to buy full-sized. You can my thoughts on it here, (hint: I love it, which is why is why it's on my wish list to buy). I'm still not out of the sample so I can tell the full-size will last ages so £19.50 will be well spent.

2. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Moisturiser
I received this in an Origins Sample Set that I bought in the January Sales, you can see my thoughts on some of Origins best-selling products here.
 I didn't have a night specific moisturiser before this and I can honestly see the difference this has made to my skin. Through the winter and during the change in seasons I get some dry patches on my skin which I can't seem to shift with my usual moisturiser and exfoliator so this has become an essential in my night-time routine and I couldn't be without it now as it disperses across the face easily, sinks in quickly and gives your skin the hydration it needs. I've got the smallest amount left in my sample and again it has lasted me ages so this will be a good investment at £34.50 for 50ml.

3. Liz Earl Cleanse and Polish
I feel as though everyone and their dog has tried this, except me. I've had my eye on this for ages and i'm still not too sure why I haven't picked it up already. I love using hot cloth cleansers as I really like how they feel on my face and I find it relaxing. This is supposed to work for most skin types so will be perfect for my moody skin, it's supposed to be gentle yet remove all traces of makeup which is great as nobody likes to be too harsh on their skin. Once I've finished my current cream cleanser i'll definitely look at picking this up, priced at £15.50 for a starter kit. I'm sure you'll see a review if I love it. 

4. MAC Lipstick in Fast Play
Yes, i'm still yet to try a MAC lipstick. I just haven't got the budget to spend £15.50 on a lipstick but i'm hoping i'll be able to part with my money soon. There are so many lipsticks from MAC i'd like to try but after plenty of narrowing down I've decided Fast Play should be my first purchase as it's not quite your typical brown/nude and looks very wearable which is what you'd like if you were spending £15.50 on a lipstick. 

5. The Balm NUDE'tude Eyeshadow Palette
I love a good nude/neutrals palette and I know everyone loves the Urban Decay Naked palettes, though I feel I could live without them as I've discovered and tried the affordable alternatives which I love (click here if you'd like to find out more). This palette features a range of browns, bronzes, pinks and a few others, but what I particularly like about these is how highly pigmented they are when swatched and the diverse range of looks you could create. I've also never tried anything from The Balm so I may have to very soon, this is priced at around £30 depending on where you shop.

And that's it for my five most wanted high-end products.
What high-end products would you like? 
I'm sure there's lots you're all lusting for just like me, so let me know in the comments below!

♥   ♥   ♥

Face, Body and Hair | Evening Pamper Routine!

Today me and the lovely Jess from the blog heyitisjess decided it was time to collab again so we've brought to you our pamper routine and essentials. Be sure to check out her post, here and give her a follow on bloglovin!

First of all my pamper routine starts with removing all my makeup from the day, usually I would use Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water but when I'm pampering myself a little I'll use this Vichy 3 in 1 Cleansing Milk as it's a little more moisturising. 

Depending how my skin is I'll take the Origins Modern Friction exfoliator and buff away the dead skin cells, nice..

Or if I'm having a breakout or feel my skin needs a little more TLC I'll use the Origins Clear Improvement charcoal face mask which is great for calming down spots. If my skins a little dry which I've been finding it has been lately with the change in seasons I'll use one of the Montagne Jeunesse packet face masks, these are so affordable and come in lots of different types!

I'm not a lover of baths so unfortunately the bath products in Lush are pretty useless for me, however tempting! Instead I'll shower using a couple of my favourite products, first is this Lush American Cream conditioner. I use this on a regular basis though when I'm pampering I tend to leave it on for longer, about 5 minutes. 

While that's working on my hair I'll take the Soap and Glory Scrub of Your Life body scrub and again buff away the dead skin cells on my body to prep ready to moisturise! At the moment I'm using the this Coconut and Cream body butter from I Love... which I believe is stocked at Superdrug. I usually wouldn't go for something like this as I'm hooked on Soap and Glory's The Righteous Butter but I had this to use up and I actually really like it, mainly for the scent- mmm!

Comfiest pyjamas? Check!

Next I'll switch on my fairy lights and light some candles before jumping into bed with a cup of tea in my favourite mug(which isn't actually mine, haha!), some chocolate and watch the videos in my YouTube subscription box, bliss!

Do you have pamper evenings often? If so, what products are essential for you? Let me know as I'd love to try some new ones out!

Remember to check out Jess' post, until next time...

♥   ♥   ♥

Fashion, Beauty and Homeware Haul | January 2015

I'd been waiting for the Boxing Day and January sales for the whole of December seeing as my purse wasn't in the best state, I love a bargain so was excited to see what the sales had to offer. I can't be the only one right?

Though I didn't find as much as I'd of liked to, I thought I'd still share what I've accumulated recently.

I'm not one for in store clothing sales, I just imagine rails of unwanted clothes with the odd few gems, but damn it- it's not in your size! I did brave a few shops on Boxing Day before work but I didn't find anything so resorted online.

First up is this lovely pale pink fluffy jumper, which I must admit I didn't really need but I really liked it and thought it would be comfy and casual to throw on with jeans for college or shopping. It was also down to £5 from H&M, such a bargain! 

Like I said I didn't find much in the way of clothes so lastly I bought a white oversized T-Shirt(I haven't pictured as it is pretty basic). Again I thought it would be a perfect go to casual piece to throw on in a rush with leggings or tucked loosely into jeans! I believe this was £4.

Moving onto beauty, I was planning on splurging a little on whats considered 'high end'. After browsing the sale and finding many products that I wanted sold out *huge sighs* I found this Origins sample set- perfect as there was quite  few items in the set I wanted to give a go. I'll have a review on this set next week, so keep your eyes peeled for my thoughts on that! This was down from £35 I believe to £22ish, which is no longer available I'm afraid.

Seeing as I had a boots voucher to spend, I thought I'd purchase a couple of items on my to-buy list. I've wanted the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge to a while now, seeing as a few Youtubers have raved about it- not to mention their foundation looked flawless. So it went straight into my basket as soon as I got my hands on it for £5.99.

Apparently my fingers are very red and stumpy, hope this gives some idea of what the colour shows up as on the skin.

Desperately in need of a new blush the Sleek blush in Rose Gold went in my basket. Its a gorgeous coral pink with beautiful shimmer and after I bought it, I heard its a dupe for Nars Orgasm! This was only £4.49 too, a steal!

I also spent the Argos voucher I had for Christmas on the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette dupe, the W7 In the Buff palette, here (which is also available on Amazon, here). Let me know if you'd like to see a review and/or a look with this palette.

Lastly in terms of beauty a couple of repurchases, the Garnier Moisture Match in Shine Be Gone and Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. My skin definitely loves Garnier, I repurchased both of these more than a few times last year!

Moving onto homeware, I picked up a couple of pieces from H&M Home online. Who doesn't love rabbits? *rolls eyes at anybody who moves to raise their hand* I couldn't leave this cute pair, a rabbit and a squirrel printed on candle jars, so sweet and only £1 in the sale!

I have a slight problem when it comes to buying duvet covers for my bed, I cannot stop.
I can never have enough but this will be my last for a long while as i'm trying to save money.
Such a pretty floral and bird print on a duck egg blue background, around £13 in the sale at Dunelm.

The last in homeware and final in this haul is this. I love how this eyelash printed dish looks on my dressing table though I'm not entirely sure what to use it for. Let me know otherwise this'll have to just look pretty without a use. At only around £3 though, it's not that big of an issue!

What have you picked up recently?

If you'd like to see what I thought on the Origins Skincare set then stay tuned til next week via bloglovin' as I shall be posting a review with my thoughts then.

Much Love, 

 ♥   ♥   ♥

P.S. I have linked the ones that I can find and that are still available.