Coming off the pill

Well hello there blog, my old friend, long time no see! I realise the last time I posted on here was *cough* just a little over 3 years ago… 
 
Has it really been that long? gosh. A LOT has happened since taking flat lays of beauty products in my old little bedroom, let me tell you. From moving out and buying our first home to switching careers and becoming a mother…to a beautiful kitty. But that's for another day.
 
I’ve had the urge recently to write a blog post and to hopefully resurrect the ghost of Katiesworldofbeauty from the grave because I do miss writing and chatting about all things beauty related. And although TikTok and IG reels are where things are at these days, there is nothing better than sitting with a cup of tea and getting lost in reading a blog post. So here goes nothing…
 
So, I did something crazy at the end of 2022, I came off the pill. 
 
And no, it’s not to try and get pregnant. I already have my furry child. 

Small Business: Stocking Filler Gift Guide

2020 - what a year it's been.

We've baked, we've binge-watched, we've 60-day challenged, we've decluttered our cupboards...as best we can. And now we wait, wanting to end the year never having to look at banana bread again.

Since this year has been a total shocker, its no wonder everyone is feeling extra for Christmas. I decided this year, I wanted to buy most of my Christmas gifts from small businesses in the UK - just to help support them where I can. I have come across some amazing gifts that make the perfect stocking fillers, which I just had to share with you!

So without further ado, here is my small business stocking fillers gift guide, that will help support independent businesses in the UK. 

Grab your cups of tea (+maybe a pen/notepad) and enjoy!

How to Get in the Festive Spirit Despite Covid

I don't know about anybody else, but I am finding it quite difficult to get into that festive mode given everything that is going on in the world. Anyone who knows me well knows I love all things Halloween and Christmas, so for me to not feel festive is when you know something is up.

Covid won't stop me being festive, I refuse. So over the past month, I've been subtly trying to incorporate bits of festivity into my life to help boost my mood and get me feeling all cosy and excited vibes for the next couple of months.

I decided to share some of the bits I've done to help get me in the festive spirit in the hope it'll inspire others who are also struggling to feel festive, to ditch that bah humbug mood.

My First Impressions: UpCircle Beauty

Self-care is so important, especially now given the current situation going on in the world. Which is why today I wanted to share with you a skin and body care range that I have been incorporating into my self-care routine over the past couple of months.

UpCircle Beauty is a natural skin and body care range that elevates leftover natural ingredients, bringing them back to life as beauty products for your skin. Using coffee grounds, brewed chai spices and discarded fruit stones that often end up in landfills. All of their products are vegan, cruelty-free, organic and natural. You can read more about their story here which is quite interesting if you like to know what's going onto your skin.

I was kindly sent a few of these products to try, but since then I have purchased the face and body coffee scrubs myself and decided to give you my first impressions of how I got on with them all.

Grab your cups of tea and enjoy!

The Ordinary and Not-so Ordinary Skincare

If you're even remotely into skincare you would have heard of the brand The Ordinary by now! 

They're well recognised for being super affordable and effective products.

If you've read my posts for a while, you will know how much I have loved this brand over the years. Like Christ, I'm even in a Facebook fan group with other skincare fanatics where everyone shares their reviews and recommendations - I think that says it all.

Over the years, The Ordinary has really helped improve my skin and taught me so much about the world of skin/beauty that I didn't even realise I needed to know. I first started to trial the brand back in 2017 and still to this day, I religiously incorporate their products into my skincare routine.

I thought I'd share my thoughts on all the products I currently use/own from The Ordinary and how they have/haven't helped with the appearance of my skin over the years.

My First Impressions: Typology Skincare

Who'd have thought the lack of makeup or fresh air during lockdown would change my skin for the better? Not me that's for sure!

Whilst quarantining, I have really taken the time to concentrate on my skin and try out some new products which have benefitted my skin massively. Over the past couple of months, I have been playing around with some new skincare bits from a Parisian brand called: Typology. Therefore I thought it's been a minute, why not share my first initial impressions of the brand.

Series Worth Binge Watching This Week

Netflix: “Are you still watching Tiger King?"

I'd be lying if I said I haven't spent an unhealthy amount of hours watching series and movies over the past few months. It's been quite satisfying cleansing my watch list and finally getting round to watching series and movies I've had sat on my list for months.

I decided to share what I've been watching during lockdown recently that I would recommend if you need something new to watch!

The Skincare I'm Loving Recently

Anyone else been using this lockdown situation to really just take the time to look after ourselves more? Self-care is so important and is definitely something I have learned more of throughout this self-isolation.

Over the last month or so my skin has really changed for the better - which is surprising considering the number of homemade scones and cakes I've been gobbling away. 

Perhaps the lack of makeup really does make a difference!

I thought I'd share what current skincare products I am religiously using at the moment that has really helped my skin during this lockdown.

Pixi Rose Tonic Toner

Rose waters have been a lifesaver for my skin recently, one thing I seem to get is constant lingering redness after a spot has been and gone. This toner just really helps minimise redness and calm my skin down without aggravating it. I like to use this every other morning once I've cleansed my skin as it's quite refreshing and helps wake my skin up!

Origins Out of Trouble Face Mask

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will know how much I love Origins skincare, especially as a teenager, it really helped with my breakouts. The Out of Trouble Mask is definitely one of my favourite face masks for when my skin breaks out. This contains both, Glycerin and Salicylic Acid, both of which are amazing for restoring skin balance and reducing redness/swelling from spots. I like to use this when I have any angry spots that just need to calm the freak down and it helps do that.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% & Zinc 1%

I love this stuff! It is so inexpensive, £5.00 - my bus fare costs more than that! I have gone through so many bottles of this stuff over the years and it has remained in my skincare routine throughout. I find this really good for reducing breakouts, redness, and scarring so I like to apply this all over my skin as an overnight treatment. My skin looks a lot less irritated the next day and much smoother. I highly recommend this, it has completely changed the appearance of my skin over the years.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Anytime you Google gentle skin exfoliators this never fails to pop up, for years I put off buying this because of how extortionate it is. However, the beloved ASOS had this on offer in a set so I decided to finally give it a go and my goodness it is worth the bestseller label. This is so gentle on the skin that you could use it every day if you wanted to, I like to use this twice a week. It helps brighten my skin and balances out any uneven skin tone, whilst keeping my skin smooth. It is honestly an amazing product and a little goes a long way!

Ole Henriksen Walnut Scrub

I have also been enjoying the Ole Henriksen exfoliating scrub, I probably only use this once a week, but when I do use it my skin feels super soft and looks like I've drunk 2 litres of water - so good! I am always hesitant with bead scrubs just encase my skin has a bad reaction, but with this it never does. It's so refreshing and gentle on my skin I love how it makes my skin look and feel.

What skincare products are you loving during lockdown??

51 Things To Declutter

Decluttering your house is such a good way to not only give your mind clarity and balance but, also a great way to use your time wisely during the current situation we are all facing.

Tidy house, tidy mind, right?

Here is a list of 51 things worth tossing out now!

1. Out of date makeup
There is usually a little tub on the back of products with a '12m' sign.

2. Out of date skin products

3. Products only used once or dried up
Bye St Moritz Mousse

4. Makeup that isn't your shade
I said goodbye to so many Barbie pink lipsticks that don't suit me!

5. Old, dirty muslin cloths

My Top Beauty Amazon Finds

At one point, Amazon was the website you’d go on to order the latest Kindle books, affordable phone cases, or dozens of Yankee Candles for half their price tag. Never would I imagine it would be one of the places I rummage through to find the best beauty bargains.

I am a long time fan of Amazon (especially Prime, oh thank goodness for Prime) and have been since 2011, where I would purchase second-hand copies of the classic, Wuthering Heights and The Bell Jar for school.

Have you ever thought to browse Amazon for beauty products? Because of their beauty selection, I have discovered new products that I swear by and religiously repurchase for a less price.

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Here are a few of my favourite beauty finds from Amazon that I would recommend:

Etude House Beauty Face Blur (link)

I originally saw this product recommended under the Korean skincare section, it is highly rated for giving you that 'blurred' makeup finish whilst minimizing your pores, which I am here for. I was a bit apprehensive at first, with this being a more of a creamy texture and a brand I am unfamiliar with, but I’d go as far as to say this is one of the best, inexpensive primers I have ever tried. Whenever I use this primer, my makeup will last much longer without the need of touching up. I also find it doesn't break my skin out or bank account, which is why I have repurchased this and kept it in my makeup routine.

Tony Moly Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm

Sticking with the Korean skincare, Tony Moly is one of my favourite skincare brands to buy on Amazon. This product is a self-heating, blackhead removal treatment, designed to mimic the cleansing action of steam. This unique mask is perfect for giving your skin that extra moisture as well as help surface any pesky blackheads. I love using this mask; it almost feels like you are in a spa having a facial with the self-heating effect as it's so relaxing.

Moroccan Oil (link)

When Moroccan Oil was first hyped about on social media it was so hard to get a hold of, however, luckily Amazon was on the ball. I have loved/used this hair oil for years, I think it's fair to say, as I have mentioned numerous times about it on my blog. I always reach for this hair oil in the summer, especially if I want to achieve healthy-looking beach waves. This oil helps keep my hair in good condition, which I think you need especially in the summer. It also gives my hair a gorgeous shine which looks amazing with beach waves on a sunny holiday. Definitely my favourite oil for keeping my hair in amazing condition and something I'd recommend to anyone with damaged hair.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream (link)

This cream is amazing and can be used for everything: chapped lips, dry knees, elbows, hands and even brows. I pop this on just before bed all over my lips and let the 8-hour magic happen. I also like carrying this in my bag with me to use before the gym to keep my lips hydrated throughout. I highly recommend this multi-use product and I am yet to come across a better balm for dry lips.

Ren Clearcalm Replenishing Gel (link)

This stuff is great if you suffer with blemishes or imperfections. I use this quite regularly as a moisturiser, before I apply my makeup if I know I'm going to be on my feet all day. This really helps with calming down the appearance of blemishes, as well as reducing the redness. I have purchased numerous bottles of this stuff since I first bought it off Amazon and can honestly say it has worked wonders on my skin.

Rose Quartz Face Roller (link)

Face rollers are amazing for helping with reducing puffiness, increasing blood flow and flushing out bad toxins in your skin. I purchased mine off Amazon for a much less of a price and although I can't compare it to an expensive one, it does exactly what it said it does. I keep mine in the fridge and use it whenever my skin is in need of some extra TLC. I can honestly say these are amazing and something I will continue to use to keep my skin in the best condition as possible.

What is your No1 beauty find off Amazon??

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A Skincare Detox

New Year, rubbish skin?

I think I speak for most when I say January is a lethargic month that just needs to hurry up and end. So, you've already broken your New Year resolutions, the Christmas decorations are tucked back in the attic, the days are short and dark, oh, and all the good Quality Streets are gone. 

Could this month get any worse? Oh, yeah, your skin is taking a hit from all those shortbread biscuits you’ve had over the Christmas – well, at least mine has.

As much as I hate, that Christmas is over, my skin has been in need of some extra-TLC. So I have decided to ditch the chocolate and use this month to give my skin a bit of a detox that it very much craves.

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Here are my top tips on giving your face a skincare detox:

Facial Steaming - once a week

I can't put into words how much I love steaming my face, it's such a simple but fundamental step to include in your routine that really benefits your skin. It cleanses your pores, eliminates toxins, it allows your skin to be more receptive to other treatments, it enhances circulation and many other amazing benefits. I have been using this technique every Sunday evening and can definitely see a difference in my skin, especially when it comes to applying products afterwards, my skin is much more receptive towards products and the overall appearance of my skin has improved so much. Plus using a steamer is great for relaxing and winding down, especially if you are feeling stressed!

Double Cleansing - Daily

For some time, double cleansing just seemed like an unnecessary, time-consuming step to my skincare routine that I didn't really need. It's only within the past year I have incorporated this into my daily routine that I can see what everybody is talking about. On a day-to-day basis, I go in with the Dermalogica Pre Cleansing Oil to remove the bulk of my makeup, followed with either Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser if my skin is having a good day or Dermalogica Clay Cleanser if my skin is in dire need of something more targeted towards my spots/redness. I tend to only double cleanse if I have been wearing makeup all day, otherwise I will just use one cleanser. But using two, has definitely helped with keeping my skin in good condition and reduced gaining pesky spots after wearing makeup all day.

Face Masks - Twice a week

I personally love a good face mask, I actually sometimes will use a mask just after I have steamed my skin as part of a good pamper evening. I tend to use face masks targeted towards my skin type (oily, spot-prone), so any face masks with salicylic acid or have a clay-like texture, I am here for. A personal favourite at the moment, is the Blue Clay mask by Herbivore, this is a spot treatment mask formulated to help reduce existing spots while detoxifying the skin. I try to use a face mask twice a week to help treat any pesky breakouts or redness my skin tends to get, which definitely has helped with my complexion.

Face Sprays - Every evening

I don't know if this is a subconscious thing, but, spraying my face with a facial spray after a shower really helps my skin's overall appearance. I recently invested in a beauty fridge (more on that in another post!), so I keep all my face sprays in there and once I've jumped out of the shower or bath, I like to spray either the Herbivore Rose Hibiscus or Mario Badescu Spray with aloe cucumber and green tea. Both of which have reduced inflammatory ingredients in, which is why I like to use them to help calm down any redness and keep my skin feeling hydrated.

Facial Jade Roller - Every other day

Face rollers are great for helping with under eye circles, puffiness on the skin, wrinkles and helping absorb products more easily into the skin. The internet has described these little beauty tools as 'food for the skin'. I keep my roller in the fridge for extra de-puffiness, but these are great for your skin and have so many benefits to them. I like to use mine just when I'm watching Netflix or something for 10 minutes as it requires minimal effort and really helps with any puffiness my face has. Plus, I am not getting any younger, so if something as simple as this is going to help with wrinkles - I am totally on board!

What is your ultimate detox tip for your skin??

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What I've Watched On Netflix Recently

If you've been reading my blog for a while now you most likely will know of my crazy addiction to writing about beauty, travel, food and obliging how-to-guides. If we put all of that on hiatus, another much-loved hobby I enjoy getting into a deep discussion about is documentaries, true-crime, serial killers and the occasional thriller - I promise I am normal, I just like twisted, sinister things to watch. 

Please say I'm not alone??

Anyway's I am going off topic, as usual, I decided this year to start talking more about what I have been watching/reading recently on my little blog as it is something I enjoy talking about I'd say, 60% of the time. It means I now no longer have to bore my friends and poor boyfriend with my fascinations and long conversations.

So to kick this off I decided to share What I've Watched On Netflix Recently because there has been a fair few series I have binged over the New Year and I decided to rate them out of 10.

01.  YOU

What would you do for love? Bookstore manager Joe meets graduate student and aspiring writer Beck at his bookstore and falls in love at first sight. Joe becomes obsessed with her and stops at nothing in getting rid of the obstacles that keep her from loving him.

Long story short I loved this series, I think I binged watched it within a few days and could not stop recommending it to friends. It's very twisted and creepy, but also incredibly entertaining, a lot of 'on the edge your seat' moments. They have confirmed a series 2 as well!

9/10 (would have been 10 if Beck invested in curtains)

02.  FYRE - The Greatest Party That Never Happened

Behind the scenes documentary on the infamous unravelling of the Fyre Music Festival, created by millionaire Billy McFarland. Fyre was promoted as a luxury music festival on a private island in the Bahamas featuring supermodels, A-List artists and posh amenities...or so they thought.

I went through so many emotions when I watched this documentary, at first I didn't think I would enjoy it, but when the story unravelled I was hooked. It's a well researched and descriptive documentary that's interesting to see how so many smart people can get pulled into an egomaniac situation.

8/10

03.  Black Mirror Bandersnatch

A young programmer begins to question reality as he adapts a sprawling fantasy novel into a video game soon face a mind-mangling challenge. You control what happens next.

I loved the concept of being able to control how the plot unravels for the protagonist, but for me, it didn't work. I like to 'Netflix & Chill' so to speak, not Netflix & constantly press choices to decide the characters' fate. It felt more like a story-telling game than a Netflix episode and it did become irritating having to rewatch certain clips if your choices weren't correct.

6/10 (Loved the concept, but wasn't for me)

04. Abducted in Plain Sight

On October 17, 1974, 12-year-old Jan Broberg was kidnapped by her next-door neighbour and parents' best friend. This is a documentary about the true story of the Brobergs and what happens to their 12-year-old daughter.

I love documentaries that stick in your mind for a long time and Abducted in Plain Sight definitely does just that. This was so unlike any other cases I have watched before and it was incredibly twisted and irritating as hell. If you haven't heard about this I suggest you look it up before you do so as it's disturbing to watch.

8/10 (Uncomfortable to watch at times, but explained really well)

05. Conversations with A Killer: The Ted Bundy's Tapes

A four-part series documentary of one of the notorious serial killers; Ted Bundy. Convicted of killing over 30 women before being caught in 1978. Audio and archival footage of Bundy whilst on death row to provide the unique perspective of hearing the killer analyse his own life and motives

I personally loved this docu-series and the way it was put together, being able to get into the mindset of Bundy and watch how he manipulated so many people and delayed his death sentence. I found him fascinating to watch and it opened my eyes to how a killer could even be your charming, handsome neighbour. I mean, I hope it's not but you catch my drift...

10/10

Have you watched any of the above??

5 Great Bedtime Habits

Now I'm not going to lie, when I wake up in the morning I sure as hell do not look like Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30, who rocks up to work in just a night-dress and some dainty heels. Girl envy right here. However, I do think incorporating some sort of night time routine into your life can definitely benefit you in the morning.

There is still hope for me yet to wake up looking like Jennifer.

Here are some things I do before I go to bed that really help benefit me in the morning and stop me from feeling like a walking zombie in need of blood coffee.

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♥ Turn Off Laptop
Getting into the habit of coming away from your desk an hour or 2 before bed definitely impacts on the way you sleep. I've gotten into the routine of reading before bed, which probably still isn't as effective, but my mind is relaxed and isn't worrying about things. I find doing this allows me to fall asleep a lot faster.

♥ Drink Herbal Tea
I've been drinking a cup of herbal tea or hot lemon water for a good few years now and can honestly say it's made a difference in my overall health. I always feel less sluggish, relaxed and cleansed when I drink either of these. I don't know if it's a myth, but having a hot drink an hour or so before bed definitely sets the mood before you go to sleep.

♥ Evening Skincare
Once I have removed all of my makeup and cleansed my skin, I like to pop my Origins Make A Difference Night Cream onto my skin, yes I said night cream, followed by some sort of treatment depending on my skin that day - 9 times out of 10 is a zit-zapper treatment because I have the skin of a teenager. Having a skincare routine in the evening really helps to feel relaxed and ready for bed. Who'd of thought I'd have night cream though??

♥ Prepping
If I know I have a busy day ahead of me I will meal prep (who am I kidding it's usually soup), get clothes ironed and laid out and pack my bag the night before, that way my brain is able to relax when I am in bed and in the morning I am not rushing around like a headless chicken and forgetting something.

♥ Winding Down
There are a couple more minuscule things I like to do before I go to bed that do have I'd say an impact. One of which is to spray my bed with a sleeping spray or use the LUSH Sleepy Body Lotion, I mean it just puts me to sleep even moisturizing my body it's such a chore in itself. I also like to reduce the brightness on my phone so my eyes aren't concentrating so hard on whatever it is I am looking at.
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Do you have any bedtime habits??

A Cosy Valentines Night in

I could have sworn Christmas was yesterday and I was eating my way through a tub of Quality Streets whilst watching a classic festive film. Time really does run away from you. January was a blip. Now here we are in February - chapter 2 out of 12 and Valentine's Day is literally only days away, which means cutesy heart-shaped chocolate will be on offer a day later - silver linings and all that.

I've never really been that into Valentine's Day personally, my boyfriend and I usually buy each other a cheesy pun-related card and cook some sort of concoction involving spaghetti and meatballs and re-enact the iconic Lady & the Tramp scene. I'm kidding, although spaghetti is involved - in a none intimate sort of way.

Valentine's Day is supposedly a day of love so whether you are single or just fancy a cosy night in, having some 'me time' is an important thing to do every now and then, so why not do it on Valentine's Day?

I have put together a little light-hearted post on how to create the perfect galantines night in and have a night of relaxation. P's buy a bath tray from Amazon; it has literally changed my life and increased me to drink in the bath, oops.

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♥ Step 1: Set the scene

First things first you got to prepare the bath, so light some candles and sprinkle them all around your bathroom and then dim the light. You then want to pop some sort of bath product in the tub, I like to add some bubbles and some Himalayan bath salts and create a bath-cocktail. You could even go the extra mile and buy a boat and be Chandler from Friends.

♥ Step 2: Grab the goods

So now your bath is ready you then want to grab some skin pampering treats, so a face mask, body scrubs, cleansers etc. When I want to treat my skin I like to use the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser to start off with, as it's so soft and kind to my skin. I then pop on some of the Herbivore Blue Clay Face Mask - perfect for oily spot prone skin. I also like to bring some other essentials like a cup of herbal tea or pink gin if I really want to push the boat out. At the moment, I am enjoying reading in the bath - it's my therapy. The book I am enjoying at the moment is Ice Cream for Breakfast by Laura Jane Williams, which is such a witty, humorous and inspiring book that is so easy to dip in and out of.

My top 5 favourite pamper treatments ATM:
1. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
2. Herbivore Blue Clay Face Mask
3. Dermalogica Clay Cleanser
4. Origins Clear Improvements Mask
5. The Body Shop Strawberry Body Scrub

♥ Step 3: One hour later...

As I previously mentioned time does run away from me, perhaps my excessively long baths are the reason? Anyway's, once fully pampered and cleansed I then go onto either cooking or ordering something yummy to eat. If I really want to treat myself I will order a Chinese or a Wagamama's *thank you Deliveroo for delivering this into my life*. Or I will cook something really tasty, but 9 times out of 10 if I want to treat myself it's usually takeout.

♥ Step 4: Netflix & Chill

So you're in your cosy pyjamas and stuffed with food, now's the time to do you. Whatever it is you enjoy doing to relax whether that's watching a good Netflix series, in my case; it's been a not-so-relaxing True Crime series. Read a book, play a game, whatever it is try and spend more time in-the-moment and less time on your phone scrolling Instagram. Phones are so distracting nowadays, I've spoken about this in my How To Digital Detox post here if you are interested.

My Top 5 Things To Watch on Netflix ATM:
1. YOU
2. Conversation With A Killer The Ted Bundy's Tapes
3. American Horror Story
4. Abducted in Plain Site
5. Bird Box

♥ Step 5: Get an early night

I find it so bizarre that 10 years ago I would be staying up past midnight, trying to make the most of time, whereas now I am usually in bed around 10 and asleep by 11 at the latest. Oh, how things have changed. I love my bed and I love early nights, I am one of these people who if I don't get 8 or more hours sleep I will probably be running on coffee and attitude for the next day. Not to sound like your doctor, but sleep is so important it helps reset your brain and relaxes your body, which is what you need to complete a cosy Valentines or any sort of pampering evening night in.

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♥♥♥

What are your Valentines/Galantines plans??

My Best Discoveries in Beauty Advent Calendars

Whoever thought of the brilliant idea to put together a 24-day advent calendar full with beauty goodness deserves a pat on the back and a years supply of chocolate chip cookies. Beauty advent calendars are amazing for us blogging chums who just love discovering new and exciting beauty products or in my case finding a few new bathroom shelf favs.

For the last 3 years, I have treated myself to a beauty advent calendar with a variety of skincare and makeup brands. The ASOS Beauty Advent Calendar has been a favourite of mine for the past two years and every beauty discovery I chat about in this post is in fact out of their last two calendars. They always include iconic brands we have all heard or loved and everything you receive gets put to good use.

Although beauty advent calendars can cost up to a month's worth of rent or in my case eating cuppa soup's for lunch until next payday. They are worth it if you are interested in trying new products out or just have a substantial slight addiction to beauty.

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I have always been a fanatic of the brand Alpha-H especially their Liquid Gold that has saved my skin over the years from uninvited face spots. So I was thrilled to open a door and discover the Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Facial Wash. At the age of 25, you'd think my skin would be through with hormonal spots, right? Well, no but this stuff does help maintain the unfriendly beasts by reducing the redness and drying those suckers out. This facial gel cleanser contains tea tree which is, of course, amazing for spots. I have rapidly become a fan of this product and will definitely be purchasing the full size and adding it to my skincare shelf.

...Whilst we are on the topic of cleansing I might as well kill two birds with one stone and mention my Foreo Luna Play Cleansing Brush that I use to buff the cleanser in with. Firstly let us just address the fact I received a pink mini Foreo Luna Cleansing Brush in one of my ASOS calendars! And secondly, this is such a sweet little brush perfect for travelling with and so easy to use. I don't use this every day, but when I do my skin feels so soft and luminous. Cleansing brushes tend to be quite abrasive on my sensitive skin, but this little Luna is just so relaxing and gentle on my skin I can see what the fuss is about now.

The Clinique Moisture Surge Gel couldn't have come at a better time as I was on the hunt for a new moisturiser. Finding the perfect moisturiser is like finding the invisibility cloak in Harry Potter - rare and only a few have found it. My skin is a combination of everything so you can imagine the struggles I have to deal with. This moisturiser is great when my skin is going through a bit of everything, this restores balance to my skin and the gel texture helps keep my skin feeling refreshed.

If you've been reading my blog for a while you will know it's very rare I mention makeup brushes, purely because I'm a Beauty Blender kind of gal and loyal to my Real Technique brushes. However the past two advent calendars ASOS have included the Contour and Tapered Blending Brushes by Luxie. I like to use the blending brush for my eyeshadow crease and the contour brush for mostly bronzing my cheeks. These brushes are cruelty-free which is always a good thing and they're so soft and easy to blend makeup on the skin.

I did a little in the head squeal to myself when I opened a door to discover a mini-sized bottle of the Iconic London Drops. After seeing these drops posted all over social media the easily-influenced beauty fanatic that I am wanted to buy these, but I knew if I did I would never finish the bottle, as it's very rare I complete a liquid highlighter. So this was perfect to receive! If you are a swot for highlighting you will know how amazing these liquid drops are. It can be added to a foundation, primer or moisturiser for super-versatile glow, but even on its own you only need the tiniest amount and your face is instantly glowing like Edward Cullen, but in a lot less subtle way.

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Overall, I am so happy that I have managed to discover some amazing products in my beauty advent calendars, not only because it would be a waste of money otherwise, but because I have found some keepers that are now apart of my skin and makeup routine that has made a difference. Definitely would recommend beauty advent calendars or even beauty subscription boxes if you want to expand your love for beauty.

What has been your favourite product in a beauty calendar/sub-box??