December/January Favourites 16/17

I wanted to call this post 'December and January Favourites' purely because I didn't upload a 'December Favourites' because it's the time of the year, where I post a yearly favourites. I didn't want to miss the month completely, because  in December I did find some amazing products, and I still wanted to share them with you. I do actually have more favourites for December, because I feel like December a lot happened, a lot came out and I just got caught up in all the Christmas spirit. January for me, is a stationary month, quite boring and I just have to sort my life out and clean.

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Shower Gel

I was obsessed with this scent in December, I used it everyday, EVERYDAY in December, Obsessed. It's just Christmas in a bottle. I still have a little bit left, but I don't want to use it because I know its limited edition (I THINK?!) for Christmas.

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Hand Cream

From the same range as the previous shower gel. So as well as the scent being amazing, the actual hand cream is insane. It doesn't take ages to dry, it just soaks in lovely, leaves that amazing scent and really helps to nourish my hands. I did actually go back and buy more of the hand creams in other scents. Highly recommend those.

Clinique Sonic Brush (MORE INDEPTH REVIEW COMING SOON)

I did give myself quite a big Christmas present, a few weeks before Christmas. Which I haven't really spoken or mentioned until now. But I'm not going to say too much, other than I love it, it has changed my daily routine and I'm not sure how I ever cleansed my skin without this brush. My family and friends laugh at me, because I literally don't go anywhere without this brush. My boyfriend hates it. BUT I used it on him yesterday, and now I think he' s converted. But a full review will be up in a few weeks, once I've had it a bit longer.

Urban Decay NAKED Ultimate Basics Eyeshadow Palette

I received this as a Christmas present from my parents, if I'm honest it was on my list. They would be 'parent goals' if they knew I actually wanted this. But I am so happy and grateful that I received this. I have the original palette from Urban Decay and love it, so I knew I would love this palette. Its all matte, apart from the shade blow, which has a slight shimmer in with my eye sight. The shades I have been using the most are nude, commando and tempted. I've been running those in the crease of my eye as my transition colour.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation

For the whole of the winter period this has been my go to foundation. I would say 99.9% off the time, this foundation is the one thats been on my face. I absolutely love it, its a full coverage foundation, with a matte finish. I'm sure you would of read about my raving about this before. Its just a brilliant foundation. I am the shade NC15 for your reference.

Clinique Contouring Stick

With Christmas and New Year, I have been going out more, going for more drinks and meals and just generally dressing up a little bit more than I do on my average Saturday night. Therefore, I have been wearing a bit more makeup, so I have been using my Clinique contour stick, in the standard shade. Its such a lovely formula, its very creamy and blendable, I either use my Louise Young LY30 brush or  a Real Techniques Complexion sponge to blend it in. It creates a natural contour, or you can really build it up for something a bit more intense.

Gingerbread Latte Instant coffee drinks

Winter time is that time of the year where you just want a nice hot drink. I have been using the Nescafe Gingerbread latte instant drinks. These are just perfect for me, I really stocked up on them in December because I knew they would be a limited edition for the Christmas time. All I do is put the powder in a cup, add hot water and stir, then you leave it for around 30/45 seconds and stir again and it goes all creamy and tasty. SIDE NOTE - Costa Honeycomb lattes were just my addiction when I was Christmas shopping. 

 Bondi Sands Gradual Tan

In January, I don't know if you are the same as me, but I just feel a bit down and gloomy. Christmas is over, we've got the Christmas blues and you just want to get out of the cold weather and feel a bit more glowy, but you don't want to make too much effort. So this is where I have been using Bondi, their gradual tan, this is just fab. I apply it all over the top part of my body and let it sink in over night and then I wake up in the morning and I'm a lot more tanned. But it's not like fake tan, its just a gradual healthy glow. Its got the most insane coconut smell as well, its gorgeous.

Barbour jacket

My main present for Christmas was a Barbour jacket off my parents and boyfriend. I literally haven't taken it off this month. I wear it every time I leave the house. It keeps me super warm, its very stylish and I don't think it will go out of fashion. It's a very timeless piece. I got the classic olive green Beadnell wax Barbour jacket. It's got two studded vents at the back, two normal front pockets and then above those front pockets are slanted pockets which are just the most useful pockets ever! Love, love, love! 

Cowshed shampoo and conditioner

I have been using a new shampoo and conditioner from Cowshed in January, I picked it up in T.K.Maxx which if you didn't know if fab for getting great finds in the beauty section. They do loads of different brands, like Cowshed, Bed head and bumble and bumble. This is a smoothing shampoo and conditioner. Its got lavender in, so its great to use at night so it relaxes you before you sleep. The conditioner can be used as a normal conditioner, or it can be used as a treatment if you leave it on longer. Personally I wash my hair, apply the conditioner, leave it on whilst I cleanse my face and body then rinse.

I feel like this is the most favourites I have ever wrote about before in a post, but it was two months in one. So what do you expect? Hope you had a fabulous first month to 2017, and we've only got 11 more, until 2018... haha, sorry, it had to be done. 

♥

My Favourite Face Masks

Since I was a wee little child, I have been loving face masks. It was probably the first thing I did when I was younger, and I thought ooo I'm cool, I'm growing up. I always remember going to town with my friends on a Saturday, then on the Saturday night, putting our sachet face mask when having our little sleepover, haha. Memories.

Also, I thought this was very this time of year appropriate, because at the end of the day, at Christmas we all eat a little bit too much, (well I do anyway) and it really does show in our skin. Mine always seems to have a mini spot pop up, after I've eaten really bad, or eaten too much, or just not been drinking enough water and far too many vodkas! 

Una Brennan Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Anti Blemish Pore Purifying Clay Mask - I use this mask when my skin is very spotty and having a massive breakout. I leave it on for 5 minutes and then wash it off. My skin just feels a lot cleaner and the clay brings out all of the impurities. 

The Body Shop Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask - This smells insane! I've only used it once or twice, but I love it. This is just a very luxurious mask and very hydrating. 

Neutrogena 2 in 1 Wash and Mask - This is probably the most affordable mask and one that I have been using since I was a teenager. Its great because you can use it as an everyday face wash or a face mask. I personally use it only as a face mask because I have other cleansers. But its brilliant for really sorting out your skin if you have any breakouts. 

L'Oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask - There are 3 masks in this 'pure clay' range. However I have only used the glow mask, which is very exfoliating therefore reveals very glowy skin. It does look extremely scary when its on, because you are a very red/brown colour, strange. 

The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 Scrub Mask - This is defiantly my favourite mask out of all of them, even though I do love the others. I do think The Body Shop have discontinued this one though, because I haven't seen it in the shop for a while. Although, the 'The Body Shop Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask' is very similar because it has honey in, so they may of replaced it with this. However, the reason I love this mask so much, is because it really exfoliates my skin, and just smells incredible. 

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The Body Shop Haul

I have done a little bit of shopping at The Body Shop. I love The Body Shop, it really is a brand which is really good quality, but is priced very well. I think there are some great gifts in there at the moment, so go and check them out! They also have their new Christmas range, and oh my it's amazing, but really, would you expect anything less?

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Shower Gel

The Body Shop Spiced Apple Hand Cream

The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Hand Cream

The Body Shop Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

The Body Shop Strawberry Beauty Bag

The Body Shop Soft Hands and Warm Kisses

The Body Shop Mini Shea Butter Set

The Body Shop Bath It Up Set 

ps; there is going to be a lot more posts in December... Not every day, but a few a week! So get excited for that, and I do have a special surprise for you soon... oooooo 

♥

Summer Staples

I thought I would share with you some of the products which shout out 'SUMMER' to me. Products which I use more in the months when its hotter and products which are basically more suited to summer, wether it be because of the colour, consistency or just the type of product.

Summer basically shouts out to me, bright colours, light wear foundations, dewy/glowy/bronzed skin, bright nails and a lovely plump lip. So all of these products to me I just absolutely love and I believe are just perfect for the warmer months. 

No7 Naturally Sunkissed Gradual Facial Tan

MaxFactor GlossFinity Nail Varnish - 119 Forever Glam

Barry M Gelly - Huckleberry

Rimmel 60 Seconds - Coralicious 

Barry M Coconut Infusion - Aloha

Revlon - 715 Privleged

No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour - Cheeky Chops

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry - Pole Position 

Sleek Highlighting Palette 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

MAC Impassioned 

Soap & Glory Matte Lip - Pretty Muted

Revlon ColourBurst Matte Balm - 210 Unapologetic 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Ibiza

Clinique Moisture Surge Gel

The Body Shop Indian Night Jasmine Body Butter

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic

Dove Derma Spa Summer Revived Body Lotion 

Estee Lauder BB Cream

NYX Dewy Finish Spray 

All of the products that I've mentioned are just my summer staples, some are new products I have loved and others are ones I crack out each year. If you want me to go in depth about a product, maybe a review or just a quick explanation of why I love it so much, drop me a comment and for sure I will get back to you! Thank you so much.

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Products I've Used Up #1

I am one of those people that doesn't like throwing anything away, and I've really gone over board this time, because I am actually keeping empty products that should really be in the bin! I thought it would be interesting to show you some of the empty products that I have used up in the last few months, and tell you my thoughts on if I liked the product and if I would repurchase it.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstruction (deep conditioner) 
I have had this before and I love it so much! If your hair is damaged, you use a lot of heat on it or even if you want it to have a little pick me up, then this is great. It's basically a conditioner which you apply to wet hair for 3 minutes, you can leave it on for less if you like. But it's super easy, it smells amazing and I would 100% buy it again.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (sensitive skin) 

This Product is heaven for a lazy gal, it's basically a makeup remover which is so gentle to the skin. I use it as my first cleanse, so I use it to take the majority of my makeup off before I used my Estee Lauder Perfectly clean cleanser. This is the larger bottle which is 400ml, and it lasts for ages! I already have got another one of these, so would defiantly repurchase.

Boujous Volume 1 Seconde Mascara 
Before this mascara, I had never tried a mascara from Boujous. I love their foundations especially the healthy mix serum, that is gorgeous. However, this mascara didn't really 'wow me' the brush is a plastic brush, that is quite big really. I found it did give volume, but nothing amazing. I don't really understand the '1 second' thing either, I just wouldn't really recommend this product and I wouldn't buy it again. A mascara which I love is the Maybelline Lash Sensational. 

The Body Shop Indian Night Jasmine Shower Gel 
Oh my goodness this smells incredible, its my favourite scent from The Body Shop. It's a very warm, kind of woody scent. I own the fragrance mist also so to build the scent up I used the shower gel along with the mist. I just love this scent so much, go go go and smell it!

Rimmel London Exaggerate Lip Liner - Eastend Snob 063
I actually have used up three of these lip liners, so I'm sure that tells you I love this colour, the formula and they are affordable too. Just perfect, its the most amazing pinky nude shade. I mostly use this lip liner all over my lips with a bit of lip balm, it looks lovely and I'm obsessed. It's an automatic lip liner, so no need to sharpen, which I love because it's so much easier. Of course I would repurchase this liner, its incredible and I can't not have one in my makeup bag!

I hope you have enjoyed this blog post, and seeing what I have been using up! Let me know of some products you have been using up.

♥

Butterlicious

I love body butters all year round, however there is something about having a lovely lushious bath in the winter, jumping out and slathering body butter all over your body. I have many favourites but as you will tell from this post, there is two particular brands which I just adore for body butters!

The Body shop do some lovely body butters, they are so moisturising and creamy. They both smell incredible. I use the Argan Oil body butter more when my body is dryer because it is very rich. The Indian Night Jasmine is one of my favourite scents from the Body Shop.

If you haven't tried any Soap & Glory products, you are missing out BIGTIME! They smell so lovely, they are amazing and you NEED them ALL (haha). The sugar crush scent, is so sweet and it is a very controversial scent, some people love it and some people hate it. The righteous butter scent, is the  original Soap & Glory scent and is very clean and fresh smelling. Last but not least the butter yourself scent is very beautiful and is a scent which I haven't seen much across Soap & Glory but it is a good 'un. 

The Body Shop Argan Oil Body Butter

The Body Shop Indian Night Jasmine Body Butter

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Butter

Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter

Soap & Glory Butter Yourself Body Butter

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