Christmas Wishlist/Gift Guide

This might not be to everyones tastes, but this is just a my little list of things I'm hoping to find under the Christmas tree this year or a gift guide for those who are a bit stuck on ideas!...

01.  Fuji Instax Printer // I'm completely obsessed with Instagram (who isn't right?!) and to be able to actually have those photos, in my hand, in real life, would be awesome!

02.   Graphic Tees - The Hallow Society & Born a Bad Seed // I discovered these brands through Instagram (I told you I was obsessed!) and fell in love! Tees and jeans are probably my favourite things to wear (besides pjs! lol) and these tees fit the bill for me.  I'd definitely recommend checking out both websites - you will want EVERYTHING, trust me!

03.   Gold Monogram Mug from Anthropology // These are totally Pinterest! Who wouldn't want one to sip their tea or coffee from or hold their brushes in or just to sit there and look pretty!

04   PJ sets from Next // PJ sets are a basic staple that everybody usually gets for Christmas. I don't know about anyone else, but I actually really like getting pjs for Christmas.  I love a good tartan set of pjs in the winter (they kinda remind me of Home Alone, don't ask me why lol).  For me, Next pjs are really good quality, I want to feel super cozy when I sleep, not all itchy and uncomfortable!

05.   Palmistry Candles from Rockett St George // I love the style of these candles, I've seen them on a few Instagram accounts I follow and they just look so boho-y, I'm really in to that style at the moment and know these would look great in my room!

06.   YSL Black Opium Perfume // I think perfume is another one of those Christmas staples! I keep spritzing this on me everytime I walk through John Lewis, I really like it! Its just the right amount of sweet for me and who doesn't love the sparkly bottle?!

07.   Tom Ford Lipstick in Velvet Cherry // Oh Tom Ford, how I love thee, let me count the ways... I think this particular shade came out in a collection last year, but I've been lusting after this shade for a while, I know its not my usual shade of nude (I'm quite surprised myself) but theres just something about this berry red shade and the name of it that turns my face in to that "heart eyed emoji", you know the one!

08.   Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk // Confession, I already own this... but I would be totally and hopelessly grateful to receive another! This is the one lip liner that every gal needs in her makeup bag! Plus, hello, its Charlotte Tilbury and that packaging, ugh, to die for!

09.   Copper fairy lights from Urban Outfitters // I love me some copper right now and I love fairy lights - this is a win win situation here! I spotted these in my local Urban Outfitters and didn't pick them up, I could kick myself right now - so thats why they're on this list!  

I hope this little list helps you out a bit and you all have a gloriously wonderful Christmas and New Years! xo

THAT Tom Ford Lipstick...

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate just how gorgeous this Tom Ford Lipstick is *sigh!

 

I purchased this thing of beauty when I was in London a few weeks ago for my birthday… I also picked up something else pretty special, but I will save that for another post coming soon! *insert a massive grin from me!

 

I knew I wanted a Tom Ford lipstick and had heard rave reviews from Vivianna Does Makeup about the shade “Wild Ginger” so surprise surprise, Wild Ginger is the one I decided to go for! I’m usually a red or a deep red kinda girl, this is my first coral purchase and it’s certainly a goodie I’d say!

 

This is my first dive in to the world of Tom Ford makeup and I have to say, I’m hugely impressed.  I just love the smell of this lipstick, its sweet but not the sweet smell that drugstore lipsticks have (you know what I mean, like the Rimmel lipstick smell), this is more of an “expensive” smelling sweetness (if that even makes sense lol). It’s gorgeous! It glides on with no tugging of the lips and is super pigmented.  You can gently dab this on your lips and pat it in to give a light wash of colour or you can go all out and just layer it on for the full effect! And can we just touch on the packaging for a moment?! How chic! I just love the black and gold, and that click when you put the lid on, ahh so satisfying! I feel like a richer version of me when pulling this out of my makeup stash and applying it!

 

I’d definitely recommend adding one of these lipsticks to your collection! Even if you never use it, it’ll look gorgeous in your Muji storage draws! ;)

 

Tom Ford lipstick, in Wild Ginger, £37 - You can find it here, on the Selfridges website. #enableralert

Yes To...

Ok, I know face wipes are bad for you blah blah blah, but I hold my hands up, sometimes I'm just plain lazy and after a long night sometimes I just want to take my makeup off fast and get in to bed! You know those times that I'm talking about!

Iv heard people banging on about the Yes To brand for a while and have never gotten around to trying anything from them (mainly because I didn't know how my skin would react to them!).  Whilst browsing the isles of my local Waitrose I decided to pick up a pack of their face wipes to give them a go (they were also on offer which swayed my decision slightly! lol) ... my logic - you can't really go wrong with face wipes! As a sensitive skin gal, I figured I wouldn't actually be putting a product on my face just using a product to take crap off my face! And let me tell ya... I actually really like them!

Scent Of The Day #1

I've decided that today is a strawberries & champagne kinda day! ...I need some spring/summer in my life today to cheer me up from the pants weather ...and who wouldn't want to smell like a Victoria Secret model right?!

Whats in your online basket?

I was going to do a February favourites but as that time has now come and gone…and I can barely remember what I had for tea last night, let alone what I was loving a whole month ago, I decided to do a sort of different post… these are the things that I’ve been lusting over recently and products that have been fixtures in my virtual baskets for a while! A sort of “my picks from online's finest beauty haunts” sort of post…

Hydraluron Moisture Boost Sheet Masks

Sheet masks, where do I begin with these?... Iv heard mixed reviews when it comes to sheet masks, I think they’re a love em’ or hate um’type of thing! I personally had never given them a go until it came to these little beauties from the Hydraluron range by Indeed Labs. As a sufferer of dehydrated/somewhat dry skin I’m a HUGE fan of Hydraluron, I use it in my routine morning and night so when I saw that they’d come out with a Hydraluron mask, I HAD to give it a go!

Magic In A Can?

I've heard a little about these types of nail polish drying sprays or what ever they’re called and wanted to give them a go for myself to see if they really did live up to the hype!

 

Confessions Of A Sample Hoarder



Is it just me or does anyone else hoard their free samples? I never know when to use them, I always try and save them for a “special occasion” but always end up using my old faithful products!

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

I first saw these on the makeup and skincare heaven blog that is ViviannaDoesMakeup and instantly wanted to get my hands on one! Of course, when I went on an Internet hunt for the shade I wanted (Cruella) it was sold out everywhere! Which only made me want it that much more!!

January 2014 Favorites

I know everybody says this but this month really has gone by so quick! These are a few of the things that I've been loving this month!...

Girls Night In!

 

I’m much more of a stay in and open a bottle of wine kinda girl! Don’t get me wrong, I do get all fancy and go out occasionally, but me and my girl friends much prefer to stay in, open a bottle of wine (or 5!) and have a good old pamper shesh… with of course some girly movies, tunes and chats!

 

The January Detox: Part 1...

I know I’m not the only one that’s guilty of overindulging around Christmas and New Years, I for one am guilty of eating way to many chocolate truffles and I’m pretty sure I almost turned in to a Yorkshire pudding at one point!  Well, I woke up a few weeks ago and realised that I haven’t felt this sluggish in a while, I just couldn’t seem to get motivated…I decided it was time for a detox!!

 

My Top Products of 2013!

I know its a bit late (and its a bit of a long one so i suggest grabbing a tea...or a hot chocolate!), but i thought I would throw in my 2 cents to the whole 2013 Favourites! 2013 was a crazy year! One that I do not wish to repeat! Anyways, here are the products that made last year just that little bit more bearable...

My January 2014 Beauty Wishlist...

Beauty Wishlist 2014  

My beauty wish list for 2014:

November Empties!

As my November favorites are pretty much the same as my October favorites (link here), I thought I would do a "November Empties" post instead.

I've not done one of these posts before, but enjoy reading other posts like this! I like to knwo what products peoepl have completly used up, iv they used up a whole product and are plannign to repurchase, you know it must be worth trying!


01 & 02.    L'Oreal Ever Riche Shampoo & Conditioner:  I’ve repurchased these like 3 times! This stuff does some serious hydrating on my huurr! The smell is amazing and as someone with long hair that’s been dyed within an inch of its life (needless to say I have very dry ends!) this does an amazing job at making my hair feel super soft and nourished! Plus these are usually on some kind of offer in Superdrug – bargain! I highly recommend trying these out!


03.          Smash Box Photo Finish Oil Free Primer:  I literally can’t rave about this primer enough!! I bought it on a total whim, I was in the que in boots, spotted it and chucked it in my basket… best decision I made! I’ll have a review coming up on this soon! It’s such a great primer, this makes my makeup last all day/all night! If need my makeup to last …this is the product that will make that happen! I highly recommend this! (its great for girls with oily skin!)


04.          L'Oreal Telescopic Water proof Mascara in Black: I’ve not really found my “one true love” mascara yet, but this is a great waterproof mascara! I love the brush, especially for coating my lover lashes and I don’t really get any smudge out from this mascara – which is what you hope for in a waterproof! I like to layer my mascaras, and this gives my lashes length without clumping them together, I may repurchase this! Watch this space! I would recommend giving this a try!


05.          Clarins Daily Energizer Wake Up Booster:  I mentioned this in my October favourites post [here]. I can’t get enough of this! Again, I’ll be reviewing this on its own soon too! This makes my skin feel so awake and fresh in the mornings! I even use this at night, I just love the way it makes my skin feel! I think this was my 3rd bottle (I’ve already bought another bottle!  I picked mine up from Esscentual here).


06.          Clarins Daily Energizer Moisturiser:  I can’t remember how may pots of this stuff I’ve gone through, my skin just loves this! I’ve got quite sensitive skin, so sometimes when I use a moisturiser my face turns a lovely shade of beetroot! But not with this! It doesn’t irritate my skin at all and keeps it hydrated all day…and it smells amazing, as do all Clarins products…I do have quite a Clarins addiction!


07.          Bioderma:  I have a review on this on my blog here.  I think this is my 5 or 6 bottle of this, I love it.  It’s quick, simple and super gentle on my skin! An all round beauty/skincare routine staple!!

Bobbi Brown Haulin'

 

When ever I walked past the Bobbi Brown counter I would always swatch the concealers, but never purchased.  I finally gave in and let one of the Bobbi Brown makeup artists at my local counter colour match me!

 

At first I wanted just the concealer, but she managed to persuade me to try the Bobbi Brown hydrating under eye cream first. She swiped a tiny amount under each eye using a cotton bud… now let me tell ya, my eyes had never felt so awake! I felt a difference straight away! – a very clever sales tactic there, one I fell hook line and sinker for!

 

This is a gorgeous eye cream and the women who was colour matching me also told me it also acts as a bit of a primer and helps the concealer last that tiny bit longer.  Anything that helps my under eye makeup stay put gets a thumbs up from me! But I have to say, I haven’t really noticed my under eye makeup lasting any longer!  However, I love the feel of this under my eyes, for me it does make them feel quite hydrated and awake – always a good thing in the morning!

 

Iv been using this in the mornings and found that as I only need the tiniest amount, this pot of moisturizer is going to last me a while! Plus I love the packaging!

 

 

 
After slapping on the Bobbi Brown hydrating under eye cream, she used the Bobbi Brown corrector in Extra Light Bisque. As someone with extremely dark circles under my eyes, I wasn’t expecting the Bobbi Brown Corrector to do all that much, but I was pleasantly surprised! It brighten my under eye area and did a great job at cancelling out some of the bluely/purple tones!
 
I apply this with my fingers, mainly because I’ve always done that with concealer and I don’t have a brush I like to use for concealer yet! I swirl my finger in it to warm the product up and pat it on where I need it.

On top of the corrector she then applied the concealer in Cool Sand.  I was hoping this was the miracle dark circle concealer I was looking for!  I have to say, I’m impressed! My old faithful concealer is the Collection concealer, which has quite a liquidy consistency to it, the texture of the Bobbi brown concealer, and the corrector for that matter, is buttery soft!

 

This does a great job of covering my pesky dark circles! It takes a little while to blend in to the skin and I find that I have to put a good two layers of this on, but I do really like it.  I wouldn’t say it’s a miracle concealer just yet, but it’s very close!

 

I ended up purchasing the concealer with the setting powder. In all honesty, I haven’t used this very much, I just forget about it! Bad Hayley! I suppose you could use the setting powder, not just for setting under eye makeup, but if you need a little “on the go” shine control! – I’ll have to keep you posted about the setting powder! But for now, I’m very happy with my dive in to the world of Bobbi Brown concealing!

Cult Beauty Haulin'

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Cult Beauty but had never bought anything from their website before. I was after the Molecule 01 Perfume so thought why the hell not pop my Cult Beauty cherry!

Upon browsing the lust worthy pages of all things beauty on the Cult Beauty website, I decided to buy, of course, the Molecule 01 perfume, the reason for my visit to Cult Beauty. I’m so glad I picked this up! I decided to go for the 100ml travel size version, or refill I think they call it. As I had never smelt it, I thought going for the smaller size was the safest option… the reviews of this on Cult Beauty make for very interesting reading! So far I’m loving the scent, very autumnal! Full review of this new little baby will be popping up on the ol’ blog soon I think!

I also picked up Therapie’s Hair and Body wash. I first heard about this after watching a video on YouTube with Vivianna Does Makeup and the PixiWoo sisters – video here. It just sounded right up my alley and for the price tag, I thought why the hell not try it?! I was in one of those “I’m bored, I’m going to buy things to cheer myself up” kinda moods lol. On first whiff, I’m very please with my purchase! I’m sure this will warrant a post of its own soon too!

A nice little surprise was waiting for me at the checkout, I got to pick 3 lovely little samples! I don’t know about anyone else but I love it when you get free samples with purchase! I get to try things that I would never normally have picked and/or tried! Plus who doesn’t love getting something for free?! I decided to go for the Embryolisse moisturiser, the Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxident Hydrator and the Jouer Moisture Tint in Pearl. I can’t wait to give these a try! Overall Cult Beauty have come up trumps on the “Online Beauty Shopping” front! Their delivery was super quick, although I did have to pay for it, I couldn’t find a free delivery code unfortunately! But I loved their packaging they sent the products in. They really have some hidden treasures on their website, I know its only a matter of time before I go back and fill my virtual shopping basket to the brim!

Origins: Out Of Trouble Mask...

 

Origins Out Of Trouble 10 Minute Mask - £20.00 

 



I suffer with combination skin - normal skin, I have an oily t-zone and normal to dry cheeks.  The past month or so, my t-zone has gone into over drive and iv had some breakouts on my forehead and chin *sad face*! I needed some help!

I was scouring the blogesphere to see what remedies I could find and the word on the street was that Origins was THE go-to skin care brand! I do have quite sensitive skin also, so I needed to find a brand that was gentle.

After scouring the Origins website, I came across this ...I also came across a few other things, but I will leave them for another post!...lets just say im glad I hit the purchase button!

It looks almost creamy but it has that clay mask texture, if you know what I mean! lol its got a sort of chalky feeling about it. I t applies easily and the great thing about this is you leave it on for 10 minutes and it actually drys in 10 minutes, none of that waiting around, is it dry, is it not dry nonsense! after 10 minutes I wipe this off with a muslin cloth and warm water.

After this mask, I really noticed a difference in the areas that I applied it to! They were no longer an oily mess and its really helped my break outs, my skin feels fresher, slightly toned and it helped dry out any blemishes I had.

I would totally recommend this product! I only apply this to my t-zone, I wouldn't recommend this if you had dry skin as I think this would dry it out even more, this is defo one for more oily skin types. I use this once ever 2 or 3 weeks and I defo notice an improvement after iv used it! In case you were wondering, it does have a fragrance to it, it has a herbaly tea tree type of smell, I kinda like it tho so it doesn't bother me! You also get 100ml of product, I know Origins can be quite expensive, so in my opinion, I think the £20 price tag isn't actually that bad!

If you can, I defo recommend picking up a sample of this stuff to try out!

Hope all you lovelies had a great Monday!

The Eyelash Icon!...

The Shu Uemura eyelash curlers... a total icon in the beauty industry!

Id never really splashed out on eyelash curlers before, I'm ashamed to say it now, but my pair before these were a pair of Primark's finest lol! It wasn't until that pair crumpled in my hands one morning that it was time to invest in a pair!

The day my poor primarni pair broke, i was browsing on Buyapowa and spotted this beaut, i decided that it was fate and needless to say, i immediately clicked the "join co-buy" button... and haven't looked back since! ;) lol

They-re quick sturdy, but i find they create such a nice curl in my lashes that lasts. Once my eyelashes are in the curlers I give them a couple of "pumps", if you know what i mean lol, an it make my eyelashes really pop!

I cant remember how much i paid for these bad boys, but they regularly feature on Buyapowa, so if your in the market from a pair of eyelash curlers, id highly recommend checking that site out... actually, go check it out anyway, you can score some amazing bargains!! lol

Hope all you beauts out there are having a great week!