Christmas Gift Guide: For Beauty Lovers

Can we all just take a moment to let it sink in that Christmas is only 4 weeks away, like what on earth? Panic mode is setting in now. This year I seem to have brushed Christmas shopping aside, thinking I've got loads of time and it's only until my friends and family have almost finished, that I realized, shit.

I presume 90% of you who've clicked on this post are in need of some Christmas inspiration, so I've created a little gift guide for those beauty fanatics you have in your life.

Skincare Sets

Skincare sets aren't for every beauty lover, but if you know someone who really cherishes taking care of their skin then why not? Brands such as LUSH, Kiehl's, Clinique, Elemis, Origins all do amazing gift sets that save you so much money. I've picked up The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish from Boots, which comes in this cute pouch along with two Muslim cloths retailing at £15.50. Everyone either wants or has C&P and I think this little beauty would make a lot of girls very happy, plus it's used by women of all ages, so perfect for your mums, sisters etc.

Makeup

If you know someone who is looking to start out with makeup or who just wants to add to their collection, then here are a couple of bits worth checking out. Boots currently sell a set of four Sleek Mini Matte Me Lip Liquid Lipsticks for £5.00 and considering one full sized would cost you the same price, it's worth picking up and saving £15. Could even split them up and pop each one in a stocking. I bought this for myself (don't judge me) but I thought it was a bargain worth mentioning. Other makeup brands to look into with great sets are Benefit, NARS, Makeup Revolution and Too Faced.

If you are buying for the more mature women the Lipstick & Powder Compact Duo by Joan Collins* is worth checking out. This compact comes with a cute powder with a sponge applicator, a lipstick of your choice and a mirror, perfect little handbag compact. The packaging looks very elegant and luxurious, I just think this would make the perfect little stocking filler.

Haircare

Toni&Guy do some amazing deals around Christmas on their hair electrics and one that looks incredible is the Toni&Guy Limited Edition Illusions Styler* retailing at £40.49 at the moment at Boots and was £90! This style is perfect for not only straightening, hair but curling, and waving too, so if you know someone who is in need of a brand new all in one hair styler definitely check this amazing bargain out. Other hair care brands to check out with amazing deals on are Bumble&Bumble, Tigi and Moroccan Oil.

Bodycare

Brands such as Soap&Glory, LUSH and Dove always stock some amazing Christmas gift sets for pampering your body and are so affordable and easy gifts for people. I've thought outside the box and included a Coffee Body Scrub by the brand Grounded available at Boots. These coffee scrubs have been popping up everywhere on social media this year and I figured they would make a lovely little gift for someone you know who enjoys the pampering. If you are wanting something more luxurious Laura Mercier do some amazing gift sets for pampering.

Fragrance

Something a bit more affordable to look at buying is the Soap&Glory Body Mists, Jack Will Sprays, Zara Perfume or even Impulse Body Sprays. I always receive an impulse set in my Christmas stocking because they are so easy to pop in your bag for freshening up throughout the day. At the moment Impulse* have a gift set of 3 full sized Body Sprays and a lovely black clutch bag retailing at £8.00 at the moment on Amazon. Which is such a good steal and makes the perfect little gift! If you are looking at perfume gift sets Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Ted Baker all do some great sets that aren't massively pricey either.

What are you buying that someone who loves all things beauty??

9 Gross Beauty Things All Girls Do

source – Makeup Savvy

If you haven't gone a week without cleaning your makeup brushes then you are probably lying, but after you read this post you will feel reassured that every girl does this and a whole lot more gross stuff. It takes a great deal of time to look after our skin, but not everybody knows the extent it can go to. For today I wanted to share with you 11 gross beauty things that all girls do which you can hopefully relate to.

Sorry guys but girls are pretty disgusting too.

1. Not Cleaning Brushes - I think this is a pretty obvious one that every girl can relate towards. In our defence it takes us alone half an hour or more to apply the makeup and then another 10 minutes to remove it every day, so where do we fit in the time? And don't get me started on the Beauty Blenders.

2. Out Of Date Products - How would we know when a product goes out of date? Do we care? Unless there is a label telling me my Benefit blusher expires March 22nd, 2015 or the product has started gathering wildlife, then I will keep using it until I get bored.

3. Tasting Lip Products - 9 times out of 10 lipstick reviews will comment on how good they taste which seems strange but for some reason we all do it. If a lip product smells or tastes nice it definitely makes a difference.

4. Using Your Fingers - Whether it's blending concealer, wiping away mascara smudges or over lipstick marks, we have all used our fingers for our makeup. I'm pretty sure when I was younger, I guiltily used my fingers to blend my foundation in.

5. Sharing Makeup - You get together with a few of the girls and you realise you forgot your mascara so your friend kindly lets you use hers or you let her borrow your lipstick. We've all shared 1 or 2 lipsticks over the years and it is kinda gross.

6. Picking Nail Vanish - If you've chipped a nail, it just seems so much more satisfying picking the rest off than having to reapply it all.

7. Slept In Makeup - Guilty of doing this more times than I care to admit.

8. Repurchasing Razor - Buying a razor is just as bad as buying sanitary towels and it is such a boring product to have to constantly repurchase and they aren't cheap! But we all reuse that razor that we know needs thrown out.

9. Pulling Hair - This is so gross but so true, we all enjoy after a shower, pulling out all the loose strands of hair and seeing how much has fallen out. This is quite scary the more you actually think about it.

What gross beauty things do you do??

Tips On Surviving A Winter Cold

Nobody likes it when the season starts to change, especially if you are one of the unlucky ones who catch a cold/flu. I hate getting a cold, I would much prefer to have a headache than a runny nose and a bad cough. Over the past two months, I have really been trying my best to avoid getting poorly this season. Today I wanted to share some tips that could help decrease your chances of getting poorly this season.

1. Keep Hydrated: I know its the tip everyone recommends but drinking a lot of water every day can have such an impact on how you feel throughout the day. If I don't drink enough water I feel sluggish and sometimes I get a headache. Keeping hydrated definitely decreases your chances of getting poorly.

2. Lots of Vitamin C: I read somewhere that upping your vitamin intake can really help your chances of not getting a cold. Some say taking a vitamin C tablet everyday works and others don't, for me personally I found it's definitely decreased my chances of getting unwell. So it is worth giving it a try!

3. Plenty of Rest: Another tip that everyone recommends is getting plenty of rest and it really does work. Having 8 hours sleep every night better your chances of fighting off any bugs that you may get if you had slept less. I find I get a better nights sleep if I pop my sleeping mask on from Ooloom*.

4. Eat Properly: We all like to indulge in the odd takeaway or chocolate cake but, if you eat 3 proper meals a day with lots of greens. Getting lots of nutrients definitely helps with avoiding colds.

5. Drink Immune Tea: Not sure if it works, but drinking immune herbal teas has definitely helped me not get unwell as often. These teas are amazing they are packed with lots of vitamins and are a great drink to wind down within the evening.

6. Be Hygienic: Another kinda obvious one but keeping yourself clean and carrying around hand sanitiser is definitely a must for me. With everyone run down with a cold this time of year, it's important to try and fight off any nasty germs.

What do you do to avoid catching a cold??

Clock Change: Top Tips For A Good Nights Rest

Am I the only one who feels as though sleep is just not an option lately? Especially since the clocks have gone back, the days are shorter and the evenings are getting chillier. I find that a good night's rest is just not an option at the moment, so lately I have been changing things up a bit and trying out new techniques that, believe it or not, have improved my sleeping pattern and my nasty dark circles! 

Here are some tips that will help you to sleep easier and better.

1. Get a Routine - This is definitely the most significant step to get a better night's sleep. Set yourself time for every evening to unwind and de-stress as this will completely relax your body before bed.

2. 9pm Turn Off - Since the New Year I set myself a goal to spend less time on my computer and more time doing other hobbies and believe it or not I have gained a better night's sleep. Definitely try and step away from your laptops an hour before bed and relax with a book or even some music.

3. Herbal Tea Break - Fitting with tip 1 I have a routine every evening of around 7pm to make myself a cup of Clippers Green Tea* or their Sleep Easy Tea* if I am wide awake. I find hot drinks very relaxing and totally prepares you for bed. (Just maybe not the coffee)

4. Do Something Therapeutic - If your mind is elsewhere after 8pm then it's beneficial to do something therapeutic. For example, buying yourself an adult colouring book and spending an hour or so before bed colouring. It definitely takes your mind off any worries and relaxes you at the same time.

5. Get Prepared - This one I often suck at and that is being organised the night before. If you've got work or college the next day it is worth meal prepping, sorting out your outfit and washing your hair the night before. If everything is sorted before you go to sleep you are definitely going to be able to sleep worry-free.

6. Sleeping Mask/Spray - A new tip that I find works really well is spraying some sleeping mist onto your pillow just before you hit the hay and zoning out with a sleeping mask on. The sleeping mask I like to use is by the brand Ooloom* which is an online site that sells a variety of different animals sleeping masks to help you get a better nights sleep. You can even purchase a dream journal which is amazing and something I wish I had thought of buying years ago as I quite like researching what my dreams mean on the dream meaning app.  

7. Little Touches - I always find that if you dim the brightness of your phone, light some candles and turn down the volume on your TV you are definitely in a chance for a better nights sleep. If your TV is blasting your more focused to be wide awake and if any lights are bright it can be harder to shut off.

Similar posts:
Lack of Sleep Treatments
5 Ways to Unwind in the Evening

How do you get a good nights sleep??