What I Got For Christmas 2014

So today is not only the day that I start my detox it's also the day that I get my blog on and back into the blogging world after a little bit of a Christmas break! I've finally got round to rounding up everything I got for Christmas for my favourite kind of post at this time of year, better late than never right?! I know opinions are split on these kind of posts but personally I love them so here is mine for the nosy buggers like me out there!

No Christmas would be complete without something cosy to wear and I must have looked like I needed some rabbit slippers in my life ending up with two pairs that are equally as cute! I also got the glitteriest boots in the world and Joel got me the Kardashian t shirt that I'd shown him ages ago on Missguided (and to think I thought he never listened to me!) and it has to be the most flatteringly cut t shirt I've ever owned, I just love it for when I'm having a casual day.

I've seen this book popping up on a lot of Instagram feeds over Christmas so I'm guessing that Santa popped this under a few other bloggers trees as well, I've dipped into it a couple of times when I've had chance and have already picked up some really good tips so I would definitely recommend a read if you haven't already and a related present was a bookmark from Joel who is fed up of someone who reads so much having to find a receipt every time they put their book down! I haven't been able to stop listening to Taylor Swift's album since I got it either, my new favourite song ever, ever, ever is Style (sorry Katy Perry, you're still my queen!!)

I can honestly say that I have never smelt so good!! I've got so much pamper material right now and even if I had two baths a day for the rest of the year I don't think I'll get through all of this little lot in time for next Christmas and of course I need my fix of Snow Fairy which my lovely sister made sure I got with this adorable little box of heaven, I loved it so much that I actually bought another one in the sale!

If I've got the most exfoliated, moisturized body in the world my face and hair can't be left out now can it?! I've heard some really good things about Espa but have never tried it before Joel's mum got me a couple of sets for Christmas and I am a convert, this is a facial set and my skin was literally so healthy looking and glowing pretty much straight after I'd finished applying it all. I've also been using the Clinique set daily since I got it and my skin has really cleared up after just a couple of weeks, I've actually seen this in a couple of sales recently so it's definitely worth checking out.

Last but not least are the make up goodies that I got and I think that I'm pretty much sorted from lips to tips with this lot! The Anastasia Beverly Hills and Charlotte Tilbury bits are things that have been on my wish list for months now and I'm so happy to be able to tick them off and get them on my face! The only way that I can describe the two NARS sets are that they are a gift from the makeup gods, one is for cheeks and they other for lips with the perfect combination of colours, I don't think I'm going to need to buy any new lip or cheek products for the rest of the year (yeah right, who am I kidding?!) because these seriously cover all basis.

I must have been very good in 2014 because I have been a very lucky girl this Christmas and love everything that I received, I can't wait for a major pamper sesh and play with my new pretties! If you've done a what I got for Christmas post recently please link me below because I love these posts!

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Empties #4

Every time I've finished something up I've just been shoving it in the bottom drawer of my bedside table and I didn't quite realise how much I'd actually collected up until I emptied it all out so here is my well overdue empties post and I've finally got my bottom drawer back!

Hair

Elnett Heat Styling Spray 

I don't quite know why I haven't repurchased this because I really enjoyed using it, it's a heat protection spray with volumising qualities that are meant to last for three days and it really did work, my hair was so much more voluminous after I'd dried it.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray

I am currently waiting for a new one of these to arrive because I can't live without it in the summer! This is the best salt spray that I've ever used, I spray it on damp hair and then let it dry naturally, giving it a bit of a scrunch to encourage waves and it leaves such a lovely undone beachy look. 

L'oreal Paris Studio Line Texturising Spray

This can get quite sticky so it's best to use for updo's because if you wear your hair down it tends to look a bit greasy and feel matted up. I did really like this but it would be better if it was a little bit lighter like the Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Spray.

Ojon Instant Restorative Hair Serum

I really wanted to like this but I didn't, it smelt awful and It was really heavy on my hair and I found it to tangle my hair up and make it a nightmare to brush.

Aussie Three Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner

You can't get anymore convenient than three minutes on and then silky soft hair! This was lovely to use and left my hair in a brushable state which is a miracle.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray

I can see why this is so popular, it made my hair look visibly fuller without making it crusty or greasy looking.

Skincare

Origins Never A Dull Moment Face Polish

This is a really gentle exfoliater that I probably didn't use as consistently as I should have but whenever I did use it my face felt clean and soft.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish

I think there's been one of these in every empties post that I've done and it needs no explanation! It is a holy grail product like everyone says and there's no doubt I'll be getting a new one at some point.

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion

I took this on holiday with me because the sun really dries out my skin and the last thing I want is a peeling nose! It kept me moisturized and I don't think I got one patch of flakiness or even a tight face when I'd been out sunbathing.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Oil

I got this when I'd had a really bad breakout on my chin and I couldn't shift the red marks that were left and this really, really helped clear it all up. I'd definitely buy it again if I needed some marks fading and apparently it's good for stretchmarks as well.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

I LOVE THIS PERFUME!!!!! I'm on my second bottle of this and I will rebuy it every Summer that it carries on being released. It's coconutty perfection and I live in it!

The Body Shop Camomile Eye Make up Remover

I love black eyeliner and lashings of mascara so I need all the help I can get removing it at the end of the day. This is so gentle and really does the job, I've just bought another one as well so it must be good!

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spray

I completely forgot about this (that's how long these empties have been collecting up) and I had good intentions to repurchase but never got round to it and now how much I enjoyed using this is all flooding back! It's perfect for this weather because it's so refreshing and left a lovely glow.

Lush Snow Fairy

Do I even need to elaborate on this?! This Christmas I'm going to be stocking up on these bad boys, it's my favourite Lush time of year!

Origins Ginzing Moisturizer

Hands down the best day moisturizer that I've used in a long, long time and I really need to get a new one of these because I really miss using it and it should have lasted longer but a certain boy took a liking to it...

Face

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

This served me well on holiday and kept my makeup in place in the heat and I also found that it is quite matte so saved me from being an oily mess! I wouldn't repurchase this full size as there are primers you can get in Boots that are just as good but it was nice to revisit!

Topshop Glow in Polish

I cannot rave about this enough, it's my holy grail highlighter and I've repurchased this as well as back ups because it has the habit of disappearing for months at a time and I can't be without it, my glowing face relies on this little pot of magic!

NARS Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc

Another one of my holy grail face products that I always repurchase and have even got another shade for when I'm looking a bit less pale which I've never done before! It's the perfect coverage for me and I love the radiant finish.

Maybelline Concealer

It's such a shame that this exploded because I was loving the fomula, coverage and spongey applicator but the twist to dispense product has put me off buying it again because it wasted no end of product and was really messy.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation and Serum Foundation

I didn't even realize I had two types of this until I had them side by side to take the pictures! This is my favourite drug store foundation and the most similar to NARS sheer glow with a lovely finish and medium coverage and if I'm short on pennies and NARS is out of reach that month this is always what I'd go for.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Powder

This is a nice natural powder that is really light and not cakey at all, I would definitely reccomend this if you're in the market for something new.

YSL Touche Eclat

I really do love this but it doesn't last very long so I can only get them on special occasions because of the price but it really is the daddy of all clicky pen highlighters and can hide a night of partying no problem!

Eyes

Benefit Fake Up Concealer

This isn't for your eyes but it somehow managed to sneak in with all the eye products! This is a brilliant product and it is as moisturizing as it makes out and more I found when it used to transfer my bottom lash mascara all under my eyes but a bit of setting powder soon sorted that out and it's just the price that puts me off again as there are so many drugstore brands that do under eye concealers just as good and half the price.

L'Oreal Falsh Lash Telescopic, Million Lashes & Miss Manga Mascaras

L'Oreal is my brand of choice when it comes to my eyelashes and I've tried every high end brand going for a mascara that I deem worthy and none of them come close to how thick, long and fluttery my lashes are especially with Million Lashes. Miss Manga I wasn't so keen on and it only really took to my bottom lashes so I wouldn't bother with that again but the others are a welcome addition to my makeup bag!

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner

This would be my liquid liner of choice if it didn't dry up so quickly. It stays put and stays dark when it's new but I've found that even a week after starting to use it it's going grey and is hard to apply. I don't know if it's because I've been using the mini version but I just wish it lasted longer.

L'Oreal Superliner

Now this is my liner of choice, can't you tell?! It lasts forever and is still as black as the first time that you used it, the tip is the perfect shape for getting a good flick on the go and it lasts all day or night long.

ELF Eyeshadow Primer

If you want crease free, long lasting eyeshadow and still get change from a fiver then this is what you're after. Because of the price I didn't have the highest of hopes despite reading some rave reviews but I was wrong and it is as good as everyone says!

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Sunday Pamper Session

Sundays are known as the day of rest and I don't know what's more restful than a long soak in the bath and a beautifying session?! I often get those feelings of Monday morning dread on a Sunday night but if I'm going to face a week of work I might as well do it smooth, preened and bronzed!

While the bath is running I get to work on getting rid of every scrap of make up that I can! I've only just recently started using The Body Shop Camomile Eye Makeup Remover instead of makeup wipes (I know, I know - please forgive me for I have sinned!) and this is definitely going to be something that I repurchase, it gets even the stubbornest of mascara off in one swipe and is so gentle around the eye area, there's no stinging or redness that I more often than not get when removing my eye make up, it's love! Once my eyes are bare then I remove what's left on my face with the holy grail that is Bioderma. I don't know about you other long haired lovelies but when I'm in pamper mode there's nothing nicer than scraping your hair off your face and tying it up so once my makeup is off the hair goes up! The final thing I do before jumping in the tub is cover my face in Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel which is like a little magic trick, when you squeeze it out of the tube it's a gel, then it turns into an oil which I massage onto my face and leave on until I'm in the bath and then when I rinse it off it's a cleansing milk! As well as being magic it makes my skin so soft, bright and feeling like it's had a real deep clean.

A bath isn't complete without something from Lush in there with you and I'm usually pretty stocked up with bath bombs and bubble bars so every bath time is a Lush bath time! Once I've been in the bath for a few minutes and my face is steamed and pores are open I apply the Origins Clear Improvement mask (I've done a full review on this here) and leave it to do it's thing while I do the oh so glamorous chore of defuzzing (unless we're in the dead of Winter and I'm growing my winter coat to keep me warm) and exfoliating to get rid of unwanted bits of tan that won't budge and smooth down those areas that need a bit of extra help, at the moment I'm using Soap and Glory The Scrub of Your Life.

When I'm out of the bath and squeaky clean It's time to get my moisturize on, this is definitely one of my least favourite things to do but it's all in the name of silky soft skin! I'm using The Body Shop Coconut Body Milk at the minute and I love it for many, many reasons, the top two being that it's a spray which I find a lot quicker and easier to apply and it has the most gorgeous coconutty smell that I go wild for! Your hands and feet also need some serious TLC and I use this little double act which is Soap and Glory Hand Food and Heel Genius and once I'm smothered I spray myself with Victoria's Secret Coconut passion (Full review here) which is possibly my favourite smell in the world. Ever.

While my moisturizer is sinking in I move onto my face and start with Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner which I haven't been using for too long but the results are amazing, it really brightens your complexion and if you thought you'd already cleansed your skin within an inch of its life there will still be some dirt on the cotton pad, it really does get rid of anything that might dull your skin. An oil is another new addition to my regime and I'm currently using The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Oil which I started using to try and fade some marks that were left by a couple of breakouts that I'd had and it's really helped with that. Drink Up Intensive (full review here) is my favourite Origins mask and I love putting it on and leaving it to work overnight, it feels so thick and luxurious and leaves your skin hydrated and glowing, I cannot say enough good things about this! They're often forgotten but I try to keep my lips in tip top condition with a Lush Lip Scrub to get rid of any flakey bits and then I slather them in lip balm to keep them smooth and lipstick ready.

 And then there are a few optional steps depending on whether I need it or not. I usually paint my nails a couple of times a week and Sunday has ended up a designated nail painting day but sometimes you're just not ready to let go of a colour or you've been impatient with a new shade and couldn't wait any longer (which happened to me this weekend, something that pretty can't wait!) Another thing is eyebrow maintenance - I try not to touch them too much in between getting them done but having inherited the werewolf gene from my dad they inevitably need a bit of a tidy up so when the strays are getting too much the tweezers come out! My very, very last step before putting my onesie on is tanning which I do a lot more when the sun comes out, if I know I'm going to tan I try to avoid shaving and exfoliating the same day and do it in the shower the day before to avoid the dreaded polka dot skin look.

And that's me ready and raring to go for the week ahead! What are your pampering essentials?

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Lush Haul | Easter & Mothers Day 2014

I love nothing more than being in a bath full of anything Lush, their bath bombs and bubble bars are definitely my favourite bath time companions so when I saw that the new Easter and Mothers Day collections had been released I had to buy a few bit as well as a couple of things from the permanent range that I hadn't tried before! 

All of these are from the Easter collection apart from the Mumkin bubble bar which as the name suggests is for Mothers Day, this is my least favourite smelling thing out of everything I got, it's meant to smell like raspberries but wasn't what I expected, it's quite strong and sharp for a girl who like everything to be sweet! You only have to look at the Golden Egg to be covered in glitter, this stuff gets everywhere! It's meant to smell the same as 'Honey I Washed The Kids' which I've never used before but has a syrupy smell that makes me hungry for a sticky toffee pudding. The last two are my favourite kind of sweet candy shop smells that Lush seem to do so well, if you're having Snow Fairy withdrawal symptoms then you need Fluffy Egg in your life because they smell the same and you'll have a pretty pink bath! Let's just take a second to appreciate how cute this little Bunny bubble bar is, almost too cute to use if it didn't smell like my favourite bubble bar of all time Creamy Candy. He's also all pink underneath and is full of blue cornflowers to make your bath a bit more interesting! 

Here is the little fella in all his glory - too cute! 

And these are the oldies but goodies that I've never got around to trying before. I think I've found my new favourite smell and it's the Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon it just reminds me of the summer and drinking Malibu mixed with pineapple juice (so nice, you need to try it!) in the garden with the sun shining. I did think that the Think Pink bath bomb would smell more like vanilla but it's very floral based, I let them off though when this was fizzing around the bath and tiny little pink hearts started floating around, such a nice touch - until it comes to having to clean the bath because they're all stuck on the bottom! I like a night time bath the best, it's my favourite way of winding down so I'm saving this massive Twilight bath bomb for a night when I need a little help switching off because it's full of lavender and is meant to make you sleepy as well as clearing your mind - the perfect Friday night bath bomb. The Butterball isn't one of Lush's most exciting bath bombs but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in smell which is really creamy and vanilla like and also packed full of cocoa butter which makes your skin so soft.

Are you a lover of a Lush bath as well and made a beeline for the new collections?!

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Monthly Favourites | January 2014

And here was me thinking that January was the month to recuperate after a month of festivities but I've been busier than ever recently meaning that my blogging schedule has been a little bit neglected (so has the hoover and my good intentions to have a proper sort out of all my make up and wardrobe) so here's hoping that February is a bit more chilled and I get a weekend to be a recluse and catch up on everything. This month I've got to have a proper play with everything that I got for Christmas so I have a lot of new products that have made it into my daily routine!

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

I bagged this in my bargain of a Clarins gift set that I got in the Boots sale and have used it every day since as a primer. This is a cream that claims to 'brighten and tighten' and honestly it is a miracle worker. When you put this on your whole face glows like you've got the perfect highlighter on and although it's moisturizing it's not greasy in the slightest. It leaves the smoothest base for your foundation and now I've dipped my toe into the sea that is Clarins skin care I want more!

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (Review here)

If you want fail proof flawless skin then this is what you need. I can't believe that I had my doubts about this little orange sponge and waited months to even try it out. All you do is run it under cold water and ring it out, load it up with your chosen product and bounce it over your face, my foundation has never looked so perfect and even before.

MAC Coral Bliss Lipstick

I was getting in a bit of a rut with Creme Cup as my go to daytime lipstick and wanted something else that was subtle but pretty and work appropriate. This is a Cremesheen finish so it's pretty sheer but there's still a pretty pop of colour. This definitely leans more towards a pink coral and Creme Cup has taken a back seat for the time being!

Lush Popcorn Lip Scrub

Even if my lips were the softest and flake free they'd ever been I think I'll still be reaching for this because it tastes so nice! I've pretty much used this every day since I got it for Christmas and despite the horrible cold weather my lips have yet to crack and flake with is a winter time first for me! This is also perfect to use before you wear a bold lip colour so it's got a nice smooth base to go onto.

NARS Splendor in the Grass Palette

Can we just take a second to admire how pretty this is?! There are three blushes and a highlighter in this palette, Sex Appeal, Angelika, Dolce Vita and Albatross. Dolce Vita is the darkest shade that I haven't used yet because it scares me a little bit but the other two blushes I've been rotating daily and I've already mentally bought a full size Sex Appeal because I don't know how I'll cope when I hit pan! 

Soap and Glory Heel Genius

I had a full size of this from one of the massive S&G gift sets a few Christmases ago and I was really disappointed by it and it ended up getting chucked so I don't know if they've changed the formula but now I've revisited it I really like it! I'm one of those people that hate feet and even though they're horrible things at least mine are soft and hard skin free thanks to Heel Genius!

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Midweek Wish List #19

1-2-3-4

1. While having a little look on Pinterest I came across this eye makeup that I've fallen in love with and now I desperately need some glitter in my life. After doing a bit of googling I came across the Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner in Midnight Cowboy and I think this is what I need but any other glitter liner suggestions are welcome!

2. Valentines day is fast approaching and my Christmas Lush bath bombs are starting to dwindle so the new collection couldn't have come at a better time. My favourite pick is the heart locket bath bomb which has another heart inside of that and if you didn't think that it could get any better than that add in some heart confetti, bring on my love filled bath!

3. I absolutely love this skirt, I've been lusting after it for ages and my Christmas Topshop vouchers are starting to burn a hole in my pocket (I'm saving them for my dream pink coat when it hits the sale - if ever!) I just want to wear it with some thick black tights, ankle boots and a fluffy jumper!

4. For Christmas I got enough eye shadow for 3 pairs of eyes and they deserve a good brush! I've read so much about the 217 and there are so many amazing reviews about how fail proof it is so this has to be the next brush that I add to my collection without a doubt!

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Monthly Favourites | December 2013

Well this month has gone in a blur of eating too much, drinking too much and spending far too much! Christmas is over for another year and in a few hours we'll be welcoming in 2014. December was definitely a month of glamming it up and long pampering sessions that come with days off work. These are the products that got me through the festive season!

When you get your base right the rest of your makeup seems to follow and with my Real Techniques foundation brush shedding like crazy and leaving my face covered in bristles everyday I knew it was time for me to invest in a new foundation brush because the moustachioed look really wasn't for me. The MAC 190 is my first MAC brush and it is so soft, it doesn't get gunked up with liquid foundation and it goes on flawlessly, I love it! It's a given that there's going to be a few hangovers occurring in the month of December and that is where Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser comes into the equation - this is literally perfection in a tube for those days when you just can't be bothered but need something on your face. It's lightweight and leaves you looking really healthy and glowing, the perfect way to hide a few too many drinks the night before! Something else that's a given in December is rocking a red lip and my favourite lip combination has been MAC Dangerous with What a Blast! Lip Liner they're both orangey reds and combined make a real statement lip that is pretty much indestructible - eat, drink, be merry, whatever you do this baby isn't coming off. In this months Birchbox I got this Alima Eye shadow in Paris and it is beautiful, It's been my first choice for eye shadow all month. This is a such a lovely shimmery beige, it's a really wearable neutral but with a bit of a glittery kick. I think I've spent more time in the bath this month than I have all year and that is down too my lovely Lush bath bombs and bubble bars - I can't get enough of them! As you can see my Magic Wand has been used a good few times already and it leaves you with a pink bath full of Snow Fairy smelling bubbles but if you didn't get your hands on it this year you'll have to wait until next Christmas now because Snow Fairy has gone into hibernation, boohoo! I love big hair, the bigger better I think and this Bumble and Bumble dry spun finish spray has helped get me well on my way to Hairsprayesque heights - it's lift and texture in a tin, just spray for volume!

I hope you all have an absolutely lovely New Years Eve, me and Joel are just staying in with a takeaway which I think is a sign of getting old - roll on 2014!!!

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What I Got For Christmas 2013

I must be so nosey because I absolutely love these kinds of posts and have been hunting them down since Santa made his deliveries! I've had such a lovely Christmas with all of my family and hope that you all have too. I've been an extremely lucky girl this year and am forever grateful for all of my beautiful goodies but maybe not so grateful for the extra inches on my waistline from the chocolates for breakfast and all the buffets instead of proper meals!

It just wouldn't be Christmas without a Soap and Glory gift set and a bit of Lush! I've spent more time in the bath than I have out of it the past few days but if time off work isn't for pampering then when is?! I was so pleased to get my hands on the Origins Mask Marvels because I've been dying to try one of their infamous face masks and now I can try three of them!

My go to perfume is Miss Dior so it's a given that I get a new one every Christmas and Birthday, I dread to think how many of these that I've got through but if it ain't broke don't fix it! I also got the Katy Perry Meow gift set to accompany Purr, I'd never smelt this before but it's sweet and girly so naturally I love it! It also comes with a body lotion and tiny roller ball version of the perfume which is perfect to pop in your bag. To finish off the sweet smelling stuff is this little Yankee Candle in Black Coconut which smells just like Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, it is absolutely gorgeous and I can't get enough of it.

I am literally the coldest girl in the world so warm snuggly things are always welcome! I've been after a tartan scarf for ages now but couldn't find the perfect one until I spotted this one from Topman and then forgot about it but lo and behold Joel must have been paying attention that day because it ended up under the tree, I can't even tell you how soft it is, I just love it! I also got the cutest bunny rabbit mittens and if they don't keep my hands warm enough there's a hand hottie as well. I think my most used present so far has been the microwavable owl, he's even keeping me warm as I type!

The past few days have been so busy that I haven't even had time to have a play with this little lot yet. I can't even remember how long I've been after a MAC eye shadow quad so I am very excited to have one in my grubby little mitts now! The hours that I spent trying to decide what shades would make the perfect neutral companions - I don't even know how I had time to work and live my life! I got two shades with the quad which are Shroom and All That Glitters and the final two are on the way if Yodel ever stop holding them hostage (they've been out for delivery since Christmas Eve...) I also got two of the most beautiful palettes which are the Bobbi Brown Smokey Warm Eye Palette and NARS Splendor in the Grass, they are gorgeous! I could go on and on about all of my new pretties but I'll save it for the reviews!

I'M GOING TO SEE KATY PERRY!!!!!!!!!! I don't know how I'm going to cope seeing my biggest girl crush in the flesh but I am so, so excited. Joel can no longer moan about me having her album on in the car constantly because he needs to learn all the words now, he didn't think this one through did he?!

There were a few other little bits that I got as well but if it's not been pictured I've either used it, worn it or ate it! I can't believe that's Christmas over with for another year and 2014 is well on the way now.

If you've done a what I got for Christmas post then please leave me the link in the comments because I would love to have a look!

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