Perfect Winter Nail Colour: No 7 in Damson Dream

I love having pretty nails for winter. My only problem is that I have super short nails, and I am utterly useless at painting them or doing any form of nail art. I am trying to grow my nails as a New Years resolution and try and do my own nails a little bit better! I picked out this nail polish last week to put on as it is a very Winter colour I believe. It is all dark tones at Winter and thought this purple was a gorgeous colour and perfect for the festive party season. It lasts on the nails without chipping for 5-6 days, it is really good quality and you only need two coats and a top coat and then you are good to go. No 7 polishes cost £5.50 at Boots, which is pretty average for a full sized nail polish. I am so glad I got this a while back as it definitely is a perfect match for the cold months to come.

How far do you go on Christmas Gifts?

How are we all?

Long time no chat, hey?

I thought I'd write up a little post today Christmas related (please don't hate me)

But as the shops are now heaving with Christmas loot I thought its quite a relevant topic and off course it is a subject I like to talk about, A LOT.

I have really been enjoying writing my Xmas Shopping Guide posts and have a general love of the festive season.

I was just wondering how you girls are getting on with your Christmas shopping? 

I am usually quite the control freak and have the majority brought by now, but those odd things keep cropping up that I need to get but keep forgetting and its stressing me out. Everything I want to get is ALREADY out of stock or I just cant find the items anywhere. WHY OH WHY.

And here is another question which I really would like to hear your thoughts on.

When do you draw the line on the amount of gifts you buy someone?

I am not particularly asking the spending limit, but does anyone else have the predicament when buying for someone, thinking 'it doesn't look enough' and end up buying little bits (that will probably never be used) to make it look more of a gift?! How far should we go? And who for? How many gifts should we buy one person? 

I always get so carried away worrying fgifts aren't good enough and I wanted to know where you guys draw the line.

Off course I am sure you will reassure me that whatever you buy will be nice and anyone you buy for, and they will appreciate it no matter the amount, size or price of them items and will be grateful that you were thoughtful enough and spent the time, money and effort to buy them a gift. But I still worry.

What are your thoughts on gift sets? I for one adore a good bath and body gift set, but after having a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago, she said and I quote 'why do we all buy shower gel sets for each other? We can buy shower gel and bubble bath dirt cheap any other time of the year, its expensive at Christmas just because its in a easy-to-wrap cardboard box- where the thought in that?!' Off course I don't entirely agree with what she said, I adore a good bath set at Xmas and I usually get stocked up for about 6 months with the amount I recieve (I am sure a lot of you will agree this is a great thing!) but it got me thinking about how much thought goes into something like this. Like I say, it is a very practical gift everyone will get use out of. It could be said that not much thought goes into it. I try to be as thoughtful as I can with gifts but sometimes you really cant think of anything else to get, or the person you are buying for really does adore luxury products or a relaxing pampering session so it is deal for them. I am torn between both reasons and just wondered what you lovelies thought?

Please let me know on your thoughts :)

The Xmas Shopping Guide: The Partner Edition



I think this is the hardest christmas shopping trip you will make this Winter! It definitely will be for me. I think it is very difficult finding something very specific, meaningful and original for your partners present at Christmas. For me, it has to be special. Why not buy them the DVD of the first film you went to see at the pictures together? Or burn a CD full of songs you both love. Maybe buy a big photoframe and fill it with photos and memories of you both, or even buy a digital photoframe and put all your favourite pictures into a memory card. Let me know what you are planning on doing :) I love a bit of romance me.

My top picks for the Girlfriend/Fiancee/Wife:

Mumford & Sons - Babel CD Album, £9, HMV

Activity Superstore Relaxing Spa Day Gift Experience, £49, Boots

Fossil Ladies' Rose Gold Ion Plated Bracelet Watch, £109, H Samuel

Black Quilted Studded Bowler Bag, £40, River Island

PANDORA Silver Pink Enamel Hearts Drop Charm Bead, £45, Pandora

Sugared Apple Tealights, £6.75, Yankee Candle

My top picks for the Boyfriend/Fiance/Husband:

Green Day - Uno CD Album, £9, HMV

Remington Black Diamond-X R7150 Rotary Electric Shaver, £64.99, Boots

Vintage Entry Hood in Dark Blue Marl, Superdry, £49.99

What are you planning on getting your other half this Christmas?

xxxxxx

24 Hour Colour Tattoo in Pink Gold

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow  

in 65 -Pink Gold 

Hello lovelies. Since the Maybelline 24HR Colour Tattoo Cream Gel Shadow (wow, long title) were released in the UK, I have had a slight obsession with them. I purchased two of the most wearable ones for me the first week I spotted them in store, and I absolutely love them. For me though, I didn't really find the colour range very wearable. I think 'Endless Purple' and 'Turquoise Forvr' are absolutely gorgeous colours, and have seen some pretty amazing reviews and swatches of them on other blogs, but I knew I wouldn't wear them as more natural shadows.

I heard that 'Pink Gold' was hitting the shops, and none of my local Boots or Superdrug stocked it. A few weeks later, as if by magic, I won a give away on the very lovely 's blog and won the very eye shadow I had been searching high and low for!

I cannot praise this product enough for its lasting finish. It stays in place All day with no creasing. I much prefer cream eye shadows myself anyway, so these are a dream to work with and so much more easier and quicker to apply, for me.

The eye shadow colour itself is a beautiful, dusky, light rose gold tone which is very in this season I do believe. It has shimmers through it, which are't too over-the-top but very pretty. The colour looks gorgeous when applied lightly to the lids, giving a subtle, glowing effortless look, and can also be built up to be quite a strong statement look. I was slightly nervous about wearing this for the first time, as pink sometimes washes me out, but this is actually very complimentary to my pale skin, and I think this is a shade that would look gorgeous on anyone and would suit all skin tones. 

Have you tried any of the 23HR Color Tattoo Shadows?

These retail at £4.99 at Boots and Superdrug.

x

[All Photographs Are Taken By Me. Please Ask Permission If You Wish To Use Them]

The Xmas Shopping Guide: The Sister Edition

Hi everyone. I am back again with my latest edition of 'The Xmas Shopping Guide', with the sister edition. I was going to do a 'Sibling' edition, but seeing as I don't have a brother, I have absolutely no idea what you would buy your brother, sorry! 

I am actually really close to my sister, and we only have 3 years difference in age, so it is pretty easy to buy for her. She adores make up, skin care, fake tanning, dying her hair, being an utter fashionista (all of the above meaning noone in our house can ever get in the bathroom - and if they do, the sink is full of her hair dye, her lotions and potions are scattered everywhere, and the towels are covered in fake tan - ah).

I think there are some lovely beauty gift sets out this Christmas, and I have also found a few other little bits and pieces I think any sister would love. I have tried to cover pretty much everything I can think of, from different ages to different interests :)

My top picks for sister this year:

Glamour Magazine Subscription (6 Months), £6, W H Smith

Charlie Stocking Filler, £3.32, Superdrug

Benefit Feeling Dandy Set, £24.50, Boots

( Includes Minis of: posietint poppy-pink tinted lip & cheek stain,  high beam luminescent complexion enhancer, dandelion a brightening face powder, and ultra plush dandelion lip gloss)

Bridesmaids DVD, £5, ASDA

Starbucks Sprinkler and Mug with Coffee and Cocoa Gift Set, £12.50, Boots 

Flutter Bags X3, £4.65, Superdrug

Red Mango Digital Frame (7 inches), £22, ASDA

Mr Men/Little Miss Bath & Shower Gel Trio, £3.32, Superdrug

One Direction Mug, £2.50, ASDA

Mould & Paint Sealife, £5.19, Tesco

Britney Fantasy 30ml Gift Set, £19.99, Superdrug

What do you think of these, do you think you'll be picking one up for your sister this year, or another girlie in your life?

xxxx

October Empties

October Empties.

Hello all, hope you are all well. Another empties post, hasn't October gone quick!?

I hope you don't mind my Monthly Empties posts. I noticed they are very similar as I don't tend to mix it up when it comes to hair care, body care and make - up. I kind of stick to what I know, but I am going to delve into my cupboards and try and use up the things I have left behind!

Tesco 'Pink' Body Spray -54p

Another very cheap body spray again. I seem to go through body sprays like no tomorrow! This was nice at first spray, but throughout the day it began smelling like TCP! It was okay, but I don't think I'll buy this one again in a hurry.

Avon Little Black Dress Perfume 50ml - Around £10

Everyone knows how much I adore this scent. Its very mature and has a hint of musk to it, and honestly does linger all day. I am sad to see it go, as I know I wont get another until Christmas (I always get it at Christmas) as I don't have an Avon book delivered any more. 

Avon Little Black Dress Parfum Body Spray - £2

As I said above, this scent is delicious and lasts a long time on the skin, I think its very affordable for a perfume body spray. I proabbly wont buy this for a while unless it is gifted to me at Christmas, which is a shame.

So...? Fab EDT 30ml - £5.99

I adore this little spray. It is very cheap and affordable, so I pick one up every month or so to pop in my bag for work. It is super sweet and I adore it. I will be repurchasing this soon.

Garnier Daily All-In-One BB Cream (In Light) Sample

I really wanted to pick up a BB cream as an alternative to foundation in the day time. I gave this sample a trial last week and it was much too dark for my skin. It states light on the packet so I am unsure what shade it is. I cant really comment on its effectiveness as I didn't wear it for long due to the colouring.

Benefit The Porefessional Pro Balm

I had previously purchased the full sized product of this way back in Summer 2010, and I absolutely hated it. Soon after using it daily, I completely broke out in absolutely awful skin. I never went back to the Benefit Counter to complain, but assumed I may have got one of a 'bad batch', because all of the reviews I had read raved about how amazing it was. When it was free in Instyle magazine a few months back, I decided to give it another go, having not used it for 2 years. I was wrong to try this again. My skin didn't break out again but I did have quite a few blemishes appear after using it for about two weeks, and I believe it was the culprit. I don't really think it keeps my make-up on much longer, or makes my make-up look a great deal better, either. I personally would not repurchase this from previous experience, it may be my skin type as I have very oily skin, I am unsure. I am just glad to be rid of it and wont be picking it up again, freebie or not!

Superdrug Dry Shampoo in Chocolate Brownie - £1.99

Two more of my favourite dry shampoos are gone (I tend to use about fave bottles of the same thing at the same time, am I weird?!) and another has been used up since then! I adore it, great for giving a fresh look and giving volume to the hair. As I have said in the past, it is a dark brown liquid which is brilliant as most dry shampoos are white or clear and are noticeable on my hair. I will most definitely be stocking up on some more!

That is all I have photographed this month, I forgot to photograph a Alberto Balsam Shampoo and also random deodorants. I am useless at remembering to photograph things before I chuck them out!

How was your October?